Bronson's Miracle

I came across this story and felt it was something that we should all take the time to share with as many families as possible. This is a very eye opening truth about never leaving our precious miracles alone in the bathtub for even a few seconds. Although this video is very hard to watch, it is an important reminder for all of us. This Mom walked out of the room after placing her two small children in the tub. When she returned the results were devastating. You can read her account of the day at the following link;

http://stakerzxposed.blogspot.com/2010_02_01_archive.html

Jonah's In The Army Now.

After six months of unsuccessful attempts at getting Jonah to stop pulling his hair, last night Mama got him with the hair clippers. Poor little booger cried, and I admittedly feel truly awful about it. When we started I never intended to cut it that short, but surprise! We now have a little Kevin running around. We quickly came up with all the pros;

We don't have to rinse his morning bedhead so he can sleep an extra ten minutes in the morning.

Gracie will no longer be able to grab a handful of his hair sending him into a screaming frenzy.

Rubbing his head now feels like rubbing Kevin's head, and we love rubbing Kevin's shaved head.

We will save $ on shampoo.

So next time you see him make sure you tell him how handsome he looks and how mean his Mama was to do that to him!

What happen to my baby girl?

Gracie is all of a sudden not so little anymore. She now walks everywhere. Gone are the days of baby steps. She has officially taken off. Every time I see her following behind me or walking across the room, I have to do a quick double take to believe my eyes. Jonah is equally stunned. Tonight we were at the library and she was racing all over the place. Squealing with delight at her new trick. Walking between all of the aisles and searching around every corner. Jonah stopped dead in his tracks and I watched his jaw hit the floor as he stood in awe watching her go.

My little girl is really walking now. It's the most amazing and sad moment all rolled into one. She is such a beautiful spirit and it is devastating that her Daddy has to miss these milestones. When he gets home she won't be walking. She will be running! The perfect speed for Daddy.

What is it about bubbles?

What is it about bubbles that make everyone so happy? The $2.99 bubble gun that I got the kids for Valentines Day has turned out to be a huge hit in our household. Everyone loves bubbles!!

Cranberry Scones

This is my favorite breakfast treat. These freeze beautifully. You can just pull out a couple at a time and microwave for 20-30 seconds for a quick breakfast on the go.

2 1/4 cups flour
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup butter, chilled and cubed
1 cup cranberries, fresh or dried
1/3 cup sugar
Zest of 1/2 orange
1 cup soy milk or heavy cream

Mix dry ingredient and fold in wet. Your dough will be wet, but you should be able to work with it. Form it into a circle onto a lightly floured surface. Cut it into triangles like you are cutting a pie. Place on baking sheet. Brush with cream or soy milk. Place in a 350 degree oven for approximately 15-20 min. When they have cooled drizzle with powdered sugar icing.


Powdered Sugar Icing:

Powdered Sugar
Vanilla
Milk

*This recipe is all by eye. Add approximately two cups powdered sugar to a bowl. Mix in 1 Tbsp. Vanilla and approximately 2 Tbsp. Milk. Add more powdered sugar or milk to get your desired consistency.

The Flu Bug

Today Jonah came down with the flu. Not twenty minutes after I dropped him off at school I got the call. It's days like this that confirm my decision to stay home with my kids.

So with Jonah in isolation, Gracie is trying to figure out why he can't come out and play. I am on a clorox cleaning frenzy in hopes that Gracie and I stay healthy. Considering we haven't had the flu in probably five years I guess I can't complain. It was bound to get us eventually.

My Husbands Smell Is Gone.

Tonight I made my way to my closet to pick out a t-shirt to wear to bed. Instead of reaching for one of my usual choices I found my way to my husbands side of the closet. This is a place I often find myself going to on a bad day. When I reached for one of his shirts I instantly smiled thinking of him giving me trouble if he saw me wearing it. He would say that it was one of his best undershirts, or that I would stretch out the collar.

When I took it off the hanger I stopped and engulfed my whole face in the shirt and took a good long breathe. I was instantly overwhelmed with emotion. I could feel him all around me, but his smell was gone. We are just over ten days shy of the six month mark and his smell is gone. I start smelling every t-shirt, polo, and dress shirt he owns. Nothing. Not even the sacred navy blue polo that was worn nearly every other day. The shirt that he had such a deep connection with that he rarely put it in the wash. Nothing. My husbands smell is gone.

I was broken. I felt instantly swallowed by the reality of this ghost I live with. My husband is gone. Now his smell is gone too. The Army has taken him away from me and now I live my life married to a two dimensional computer husband. I spend every second of my day on alert waiting to hear that whisp sound letting me know he is on the computer. The kids and I rush over to get our ten minutes of what has become our new normal. Touch and smell are no longer a part of our relationship. Only the idea of those things keep us going. Another day crossed off the calendar and one day closer to wrapping our arms around each other and taking a long deep breathe in.