Hair

Last spring at MOPS, a woman in my MOPS group gave a testimony. She talked about losing her hair starting about age 3, and by junior high was mostly bald due to alopecia. She then took off her hair and revealed her bald head. She talked about how kids teased her, and how once she got a wig it was so obviously a wig that boys would try to tackle her in the hall and take off her wig. Even though I have known her for several years, I had never noticed that she had a wig. She always has nice looking hair. She shared about her struggle and how the best thing that ever happened was getting a human hair wig.

After her testimony, my MOPS group decided to grow our hair to make a mass donation to Locks of Love. So for the past year, I have been growing my hair. I have also been trying to talk friends and family into making the donation with me. So on April 9, 2007, we made our donation. We all met at a local salon, and stylist donated their time and skills. We had about 19 people donate hair that night (I even managed to talk my sister in law Tawnya and my niece Tori into making a donation as well). In order to donate, you have to donate a minimum of 10 inches of hair. So, I now have a short summer do. I hope you enjoy the pic of my mini makeover.

Shortly after the donation, my friend Taffy's daughter, Lora, started losing her hair. At first, they thought she was pulling it out, because she would have a handful of hair when they got her out of bed in the morning. Soon she became more and more bald. Lora is one year old and was born about 10 days before McKenna. She has always had a ton of hair and even won best hair in a baby pageant when she was just weeks old. After several trips to the doctor, they diagnosed her with alopecia. They think the hair loss will not be permanent and some of the bald spots have started growing back. Anyway, I wrote all of this to say that I think I have decided to keep letting my hair grow and then make another donation.

Bed time prayers

The other day, I took all three kids with me to Mervyn's. Taking all three kids anywhere, is insane, but especially in a clothing store during a big sale. But, they were having a great sale that I couldn't bear to miss. As I was looking through the racks of clothes, Landon said, "Mommy, Mommy, do you see that lady over there?" He was trying to whisper, but was still very loud. I was mortified. I knew which lady he was talking about. I had seen a lady in a wheelchair that obviously had some type of permanent disability. I try not to stare, but I also try not to ignore someone with a disability. I always feel like I am walking such a fine line.

I tried to be discreet and told Landon, "Yes, I see a lady over there". "We need to pray for her." Landon said. "Why is that?". "Because she has a hurt hand." I hadn't even noticed the bandage on her hand. Landon then said, "I need to go tell her that we are going to pray for her." Again, I broke out in beads of sweat. It was all I could do not to say, "No, don't bother her." So, I took a deep breath and followed Landon around the rack of clothes to wear the lady was. "Excuse me." Landon said. "We are going to pray for you tonight at bedtime." "What?" the Lady said. "We are going to pray for your hurt hand tonight at bedtime." he repeated. The lady's whole face lit up and a big smile appeared, "Thank you!". My heart totally melted.

I wish I had an ounce of the bravery that Landon had. I wish I could be as bold about my faith with people I don't even know. That night at bedtime, Landon reminded me to pray for the Lady with the hurt hand (you know, he never once mentioned the wheelchair). I am reminded how often I tell someone I will pray for them, and then forget. Sometimes I think my children are the ones teaching me, not the other way around.

Cason's B-day

Cason turned 3-years old. Wow, it is so hard to believe. He was born March 22, 2004. He was actually supposed to be born 2 days earlier. I was scheduled to be induced, and all of our family came to town. The night I was supposed to go in, the hospital called and said there were no beds available and to call back the next day. This went on for 2 days. Our families were sitting in my living room staring at me, waiting for me to give birth. They fed me spicy food, took be for long walks, anything they could think of. At least once an hour, my dad would say, "You call that hospital back and tell them you are coming in to have that baby". I was sure glad when they finally said there was room. I actually went in the night before, so that they could give me medicine to make me dilate. They also gave me sleeping medicine. It was great! I actually got a good nights sleep, and got away from all of the family, for a mini-vacation before the big day.

That next day, they induced labor. After they broke my water, I was ready for the epidural. All was well. At least until I started feeling a lot of pain. I realized I could move one of my legs and had complete feeling on that side of my body. Well, there wasn't really much they could do at that point, because I was ready to push. I started flipping out (not my best moment). With Landon, I had to push for about 3 hours, so the thought of enduring another 3 hours in that much pain freaked me out. The nurse told be to give a practice push. Then started yelling for me to stop. She held her hand on his head to keep him in. The doctor ran in the door, with no time to put anything on other than a mask, and caught Cason as he came flying out. Cason weighed 8 lbs 3 oz and was 21 inches long.

Cason is our middle-child. And probably the most strong willed of the three. But he can also be the sweetest, most helpful, and most loving. He plays with his little sister, helps fold the laundry, helps cook dinner, etc. Cason is also the most shy of the three. He goes to soccer and practices with Landon's team. He is actually probably one of the best players out there (yes, he is even better than his big brother). He is quite the little athlete. He has had a knack for throwing from an early age. When he was less than a year old, he threw a bottle and hit Todd's grandmother right in the head! I thought he was going to knock her out! Luckily, she was OK. Todd thinks he would make a good baseball player.

This past year in Cason's life has been an interesting one. He barely talked a year ago. In November we started potty training. Which was very difficult given how strong willed he is. This past December, Cason and Landon were rough housing and they fell and Cason hit his foot on the coffee table. He ended up breaking it in several places! He crawled for about a week, before he was able to walk using the boot. He is all healed now, but it was a major set back in the potty training department. I am so glad that as we celebrate his 3rd Birthday, he is potty trained and talking well. I am sure this next year will bring much more excitement!

Tattoos

Cason found a package of temporary tattoos that I had bought and stashed away. The boys had gotten tattoos at parties or friends houses, but I had never gotten any for them. So at 8 am this morning, I was allowing the boys to pick tattoos. Cason picked one of a sword and skull, and then picked one of a cobra for McKenna. Landon picked one of a skull and an ax, and then suggested I wear an anchor. So, the four of us went about our day today sporting tattoos. Landon's little soccer team was especially amused by McKenna's colorful snake. The boys were afraid to get the arms wet when showering tonight, for fear that the tattoos would wash off. They are already talking about showing their tattoos to all of their friends at preschool tomorrow. I just hope I remember to take mine off!

Lazy Mom's Grilled Cheese

Landon (4) loves grilled cheese sandwiches (almost as much as Cason loves PB&J). He requests grilled cheese almost everyday for lunch. I hate to cook them on the stove, especially just to make one sandwich (and if it is the middle of summer, you can forget me adding any heat to my house!). So, here is the solution I came up with: I put two slices of bread in the toaster. When they are done I butter the toast, put a slice of cheese in the middle, and microwave until the cheese is melted (usually only about 20 seconds). And VOILA! A grilled cheese sandwich in a fraction of the time without heating up my kitchen.

PB&J

Cason loves peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. He asks for one everyday for lunch. One day when I was at my friend Shane's house for a play date, she made the kids PB&J by mixing the peanut butter and jelly in a bowl first before putting it on the bread. She said it makes it spread on easier (and it does!). Shortly after that I was in the grocery store and noticed the Smucker's Uncrustable PB&J sandwiches in the freezer section (they are too expensive for me to justify saving the time).

After these two experiences, I came up with a system: I buy a loaf of bread, peanut butter and jelly. I use a lot of Peanut Butter and a lot of jelly and put them in a big bowl and use a mixer to blend them. Then I make a whole loaf of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I cut each one and wrap them individually, then put them all in a large freezer bag, or back in the bread bag and throw it in my freezer (it only takes about 10-15 minutes to make them all at once). Now on school days, I just get one out and throw it in a bag with a drink and some fruit. It is a major time saver. It freezes very well, and thaws in time for lunch. I have even tried one myself, and it tastes great!

First Fish

Todd took the boys fishing today. Last summer, he took Landon (3 at the time) camping, fishing, and to the Carlsbad Caverns. Landon caught a black bass (which he has talked about for the past year). So, this year Todd told Cason he would be able to go, as long as he was potty trained. Todd gets so excited about imparting his "manliness" on the boys. So, last night Todd announced that he would take the boys fishing (they need practice before the big trip). The problem is that we live in the middle of the desert, the nearest lake is over an hour away. Todd got on-line and found out that they stock a couple of the man- made ponds at the parks around town with fish.

This morning, Todd loaded up the boys and headed out to the park to catch fish. Todd said it was a slow day, since they got there after 9 am. But never-the-less, Cason (2 years old) caught his first fish (a rainbow trout). He was so excited, but not half as excited as Todd was. When they got home, the boys helped Daddy clean the fish. We are planning to cook fish for dinner tonight.