I raise my white flag

If you've read this blog for any length of time you would know that we are once again battling night terrors in our house. Our first experience was when Tanner was about to start Kindergarten. It lasted a couple of months and then stopped just as quick as it started. Let me explain what the terrors are before we go any further. Is is an extreme form of a nightmare, I hope you get that extreme part. He will sleep for about 45 mins to an hour and then wake up screaming, running around (usually in circles) and slinging his arms. You can not wake them up, can not hold them, and can not make them feel comforted. They are stuck in this terror but living it out in front of you. You can see the fear in their eyes and feel their tender heart beating faster than it should. All the while knowing you are completely and utterly powerless to wrap them up and make it all go away.
Do you have a mental image of your child going through this yet? Can you imagine the mental anguish that we go through every night? I cry every night, yes, we go through this every night. Have been again for close to two months. We have been told it'll stop just as it did before. I know this, but it's not something that as a parent I like to hear. We are after all suppose to protect them from things that harm them.

I share this in hopes that someone out there who comes across this might find comfort. Not that their child is experiencing this, but that I know what it's like and they aren't alone. It's not something that we could have prevented but maybe a peek into what our children are struggling with. They are so super sensitive that in their mind things aren't always as small we may think they are, or make them out to be. I find it frustrating that there isn't more out there to help those of us who are struggling with this.

I pray that you never have to experience this. But, please know if you do, you are not alone.

2010 Fall Family Fun Night

Last Friday Tanner's school had "Fall Family Fun Night". What is boils down to is it's a fundraiser for the school. Without going into a lot of detail.....we won't be hitting it next year. Am trying to be nice here, folks! ; )

Pizza for dinner. With a side of grease. Sorry, couldn't help it.

No words.....

This is where "T" spent the evening.

Yes, we let her have it. Er, correction, Michael let her have it. Trust me, one look into those blue eyes and you'd be giving it too!

Nuthin' like an ice cream goatee! ; )

EIEIOpps

This morning we had Tanner's EIEIOpps musical at school. His class wore gray shirts, blue jeans and horse hats. We were afraid he'd be totally embarrased by the whole ordeal. He doesn't like to wear things on his head and the thought of singing in front of people is about more than he can handle.....usually. He actually participated in all of it this morning. I couldn't have been more proud of him! He's starting to loosen up.....even if it is just a little, and 3 years in the making. I'll take what I can get.

The play was about the farmer's cow couldn't/wouldn't moo. So, they were trying to figure out why, and how to correct the moo-less cow. In the end the kids lined up and payed the cow many compliments. There were several funny ones (we really like your udders) but the message was clear.

We all want to loved, appreciated and feel that we belong somewhere. I couldn't help but turn it around and wonder if I was making my loved ones feel the same way. Do I take the time to make them feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside? Am I so busy running that I've missed something? Am I building them up to be all that they can be? Not only all of this, but isn't it what God has called us to do? To show love and compassion to all of His children?

"Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers".

Galatians 6:10

"Be sure you know the condtions of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds".

Proverbs 27:23

They go out walking...

Today was International Walk to School Day. This sweet child has been pestering me about this for a month! Seriously, I'm not kidding. Let me explain this to you. Everyday he has asked "are we still walking to school"? I'd tell him "yes, as long as you can get your butt in gear". Nice, huh? ; )

Did he get it in gear this morning? By goly yes!!!!! The child was up at 5:45am!!!! He fixed his own beakfast, took his vitamins and brushed his teeth, before I even rolled out of bed. I had to laugh or I was gonna cry at this. 15 minutes and he was ready. And it takes him almost an hour on a regular school day.

Michael offered to "walk" with him this morning. We don't live right around the corner from the school, it is 1 mile exactly. So, to be honest I was thrilled to not have to drag Ainsley out of bed and strap her into the stroller and depart on that hike. ; )




Now, I hestitated for about a second before uploading this picture. Some of you may think it's strange, but for those who know my husbands sense of humor you will understand. Yes, this is normal behavior for him. Ha! Makes me laugh just thinking about it.

Sweet girl happy in her car seat....as long as it is accompanied by warm milk in a bottle.

Figured Michael would be hungry after his trek to school. So, Ainsley and I decided we'd surprise him and pick him up on his way back with breakfast. Yea, I try and be sweet like that. ; )

Would have to say mission accomplished.

Turkeys and a family get together

Sunday was a special day. Aunt LaRuth, Bev and her family came down from Colorado. We haven't seen them 8 years. The last time they saw Tanner he was 2 months old. They met and saw Ainsley for the first time. Bev was so surprised when Ainsley went to her, me too while we're being honest.

I spent the morning making pumpkin cream cheese cupcakes, brownies and corn casserole.

Ainsley has this new thing that she does. She hears something and gets excited!! Usually it's an airplaine, but this time it was the turkeys. She starts saying "ohhh ohhh" and points her finger. I wish that I could explain the facial expression that she does but it's one of those things you've just gotta see! : )

Pumpkin Patch Ready and an Endless list

We are headed out to the pumpkin patch this weekend. Am super excited! It is one of my favorite fall things.

I wanted something special for Ainsley to wear, so I made her this candy corn shirt and bow. Just love the way it turned out.

I just sewed around the edge. It will fray up a little bit around the edges and give it that worn look that I like.

This week is a bit busier that most. Tomorrow is walk to school day. Which means we have to leave 30 minutes earlier than normal in the morning. If you know my amazing red headed boy, you would understand this dilemma. He isn't an early riser, I have to pry him outta bed and poke at him all morning to get moving. I warned him this morning. If he's not ready to leave at 7:15 that's it.....he gets to ride to school tomorrow.

Thursday is the EIEIOops musical at school. It's about a cow who can't mooo. Sounds strange but has a great meaning behind it. Will explain more on that Thursday.

Friday we have the Fall Family Carnival at school. Tanner has been looking forward to this for a month. Hopefully I'll remember to grab the camera and get a few pictures.

In three weeks we have the Storybook Parade at school. It's a way to let the kids wear costumes to school, but with a twist. They have to find a book that has the character they wanna dress up as. Tanner has changed his mind SO many times. I finally nailed him down last night and got a decision. He wants to go as an Indian. So, I'm off to JoAnn's again this week to try and figure out how I'm going to pull this off.

Hope y'all have a great week.

13 months

I haven't even typed one word and my eyes are already welling up. She shouldn't be 13 months already! How is that even possible?

We have had 56 weeks of pure joy since this sweet girl came into our lives! She truly is a gift from God. She had completed our lives in some many ways.

She has the most beautiful blue eyes that just sparkle, you can't help but getting lost in them.

She has such a loving personality already. I just love that about her.

She still lets me hold her as much as I want. I can't help but wonder how long it will last. And the thought of that just breaks my heart.

Says "mama" a lot. Now, I can't enough of!!!

Takes 2 naps a day! Can lay her down and she'll go to sleep on her own. That's so hard to do. I'd love to hold her till she fell asleep but I know this is what's best for her.

Sleeps 12 hours at night.

Has 8 teeth.....2 molars coming in.

Wears 24 months in clothes!

Walks (almost running) everywhere.

Loves to dance.

Loves to play chase.

This is her dancing again today. Even straped down in the Yukon she attempts to dance. All you see is head, arms and legs moving. You can't help but laugh at her. Which just gets her all excited and she does it some more. Oh, that girl has a personality already. Kinda reminds me of her daddy! ; )