WARNING:TRANQUILIZERS NOT ALLOWED!

One of my most favorite guilty pleasures, is the tanning bed. I love it! I know it is bad for you...and can cause skin cancer and all that jazz! I got it! I know...but I am still going to go! I have gone for YEARS...however,in all the years I have been going...I have never really paid attention to the WARNING posters they hang inside the booths. I mean I know it says something about who to call if you get injured or have a complaint. And some other OSHA poster...about reasons you might NOT want to tan. But yesterday I happened to be changing back into my clothes, about to leave when a certain word on the poster caught my eye. I stopped with my shirt half on, leaned forward, and blinked to focus...was I reading this right? Does it say...does that say....doe,ohhh my gosh! That really says:


HMMM? REALLY? Of course this got my wheels going. The whole way home, I contemplated, the events that lead up to TRANQUILLIZERS being printed on a tanning bed warning poster! First of all...who is in such a bad state, that they require a tranquilizer, and yet still find the need to catch some rays? I mean, priorities PEOPLE? Just seems, sorta logical to me, that if you are on tranquilizers...you don't need to operate heavy machinery, ie: the car to get to the tanning bed and you probably have enough on your plate, that TANNING won't be anywhere near the top of the list...or shouldn't be.ANd if for some reason you are STUPID desperate enough to go...something tells me that little beep at the end of your allotted time isn't going to wake your tranquilized-self up! And PLEASE don't tell me you have a person to drive you there and carry you in and out!I don't want to know there are two people as STUPID ignorant as you in one city! ENABLING MUCH? Now, while all of this seems like common sense to me. There has GOT to be a reason they took the time to put this on the sign. There must have been some FOOL, who decided that they were going to do this! ANd some DUMB tanning attendant who allowed it to happen! I can see it now. Hospital band still on, pushing an IV pole up to the "TAN DEPOT" , "Mayyyyy I pleashh hab a taaaaan???"(that is my best drug voice...typed out,you like it?) Falling into the walls, and inevitably getting injured, on the way to the room. Then after struggling to get into the bed under the influence of a tranquilizer, laying there and passing in and out of consciousness and reality too. I would imagine that after about 30 minutes, the Tanning attendant would be banging on the door, "Ugh ma'am you okay in there? Your time was up 15 minutes ago," Finally, said FOOL would drag him/herself out to the lobby stripped red and white all over from rolling around while "sunning", fall out the doorway, and eventually make it back to her car, where she would put herself and everyone else in a 15 mile radius in danger! Two days later Tanning Depot receives a letter from Burnt-up, tranquilized Fool's attorney!
And that is the story of how TRANQUILIZERS made it onto the otherwise "normal" lists of warnings!

ps: save the drama for your mama! LOL...my blog is written in good fun! If you don't like it...kindly click away! BLESS!

What chore do you hate the most???

What is wrong with this picture? See all those dishes piled up on that dishtowel? Those are hand washed clean dishes from Dinner, and a few from throughout the day.
See that dishwasher down there. It is a perfectly functioning, empty, dishwasher, ready at a moments notice to wash anything we ask it to.
SO, WHY you ask then do I ALWAYS hand wash the dishes(well when it is my turn to do them), dry them and put them away? Because I HATE.....HATE....HATE unloading that dang dishwasher!!!!!!!
What chore do you hate the most???

POTTY TIME 101: BY KOBY

OHH where do I start? So far my least favorite part of potty training is....the part where you have to get the kid to "go" in the potty. If it weren't for that I think I would really enjoy this process.
A few stories to share of our eventful "potty training" or as I like to call it potty Boot camp.
#1.
me: Koby, do you want to use the potty
Koby: No, I crackers
Me: NO Koby, Potty isn't a food!
#2. I am trying to get KOby excited about going on the potty by making up a song. So, everytime *I* think it would be a great time to go potty I take Koby into the bathroom, put him on the potty and say, okay sit down lets sing the potty song. SO, he proceeds to pull his pull up down, sit on the toilet, I sing a REDICULOUS song...that MAY go a little something like this ( more of a Potty RAP if you will!)
Koby is the best he goes on the potty, Koby is a good boy, no he isn't naughty!
HE doesn't need diapers he is a big kid, he goes on the potty so he can diapers he can get rid!
GO KOBY GO KOBY GO KOBY GO! ( i can not believe I am admitting this!)
He thinks this is great....except now he will go get the potty, bring in into the room I am in, set it down, and ask me to sing...do you think he is making a connection???
#3. Bribery! That HAS to work right?
"SO Koby if you want a cookie you have to go on the potty"
Koby: YEAY!!!!
Me: Okay lets go on the potty
Koby: NO....I not.
Me: WEll, don't you want a cookie
KOby: Yeay!!!!
Me: Okay, great, then lets go on the potty like a big boy...
Koby: NO....COOKIE!
Me: Yes, after you go on the potty.
Koby gives up...or so I think
A few minutes later...I come around the corner into the kitchen to find him standing "on the potty" in the pantry helping himself to cookies!
I mean after all I did just say to get on the potty!
NOTE TO SELF: Give specific instructions!

GO HERE to enter for yourself a chance to win 6 months free Pull-ups!!!!

A couple thing!

Stole this from Renee. IT looked fun! Have a try!


♥ Fill it out and let's learn about you and your better half!

♥ What are your middle names?
Mine: My maiden name ( which I won't share for security reasons)
His: Christopher

♥ How long have you been together?
We have been together almost 10 years and Married just over 6 years.

♥ How long did you know each other before you started dating?
A few months.

♥ Who asked who out?
WE just started hanging out...and that was that.

♥Who said I love you first?
I am pretty sure I did!

♥ How old are each of you?
I am 24 and he is 25...i think that is right?

♥ Who's siblings do/did you see the most?
His brother...My sister and brother are sorta...MIA if you will?

♥ Do you have any children together?
yes...one son

♥ What about pets?
No pets

♥ Did you go to the same schools?
We met in 11th grade.

♥ Are you from the same hometown?
Nonono...I grew up basically in Atlanta and Chris grew up in Conway,SC his whole life.

♥ Who is the smartest?
English, Science, and logic....me
Math, History, and technology... Chris

♥ Who is the most sensitive?
ME...fo sho!

♥ Where do you eat out most as a couple?
ummm....we like Chilis.

♥ Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
Jamaica

♥ Who has the craziest ex?
ummm...prob Chris...I think.

♥ Who has the worst temper?
ummm...Me

♥ Who does the cooking?
Chili's. LOL Him.

♥Who is the most social?
We are both very social people!

♥ Who is the neat-freak?
CHRIS!!!

♥ Who is the most stubborn?
prob me!

♥ Who wakes up earlier?
Chris almost everyday

♥ Where was your first date?
Official date....hmmmm I guess probably to go to Dicks.

♥Who has the bigger family?
I do.

♥Do you get flowers often?
No....never actually. I would rather have something long lasting, even as pretty as flowers are!

♥ Who do you spend the holidays with?
Both Families.

♥ Who is more jealous?
used to be me....but now I would say neither.

♥ Who sings better?
Me

♥Who does/did the laundry?
He does!

♥ Who’s better with the computer?
Unless it's photo editing or blogging he is.

♥ Who drives when you are together?
CHRIS!

♥ Who picks where you go to dinner?
WE try to just negotiate.

♥ Who is the first one to admit when they’re wrong?
usually me

♥ Who named your pet?
I name all the pets we've had.

♥ Who wears the pants in the relationship?
I think we both do. I work outside of the home, and he works at home. He is amazing. WE find a nice balance.

♥ Who has more tattoos?
WEll he has one....and I have none. He wins.

♥ Who eats more sweets?
Chris.

♥ Who cries more?
ME!

Copy...paste...enjoy!

G.R.I.T.S: not just a breakfast food!

Southern

Southern women appreciate their natural assets:


Clean skin.


A winning smile.


That unforgettable Southern drawl.


Southern women know their manners:

"Yes, ma'am."


"Yes, sir."


"Why, no, Billy!"


Southern women have a distinct way with fond expressions :


"Y'all come back!"


"Well, bless your heart."


"Drop by when you can."


"How's your Momma?"

Southern women know their summer weather report:


Humidity


Humidity


Humidity

Southern women know their vacation spots:


The beach


The rivuh


The crick

Southern women know the joys of June, July, and August:


Colorful hi-heel sandals


Strapless sun dresses


Iced sweet tea with mint


Straw hats and big sunglasses


Southern women know everybody's first name:


Honey


Darlin'


Shugah


Southern women know the movies that speak to their hearts:

Fried Green Tomatoes

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood

Steel Magnolias

Gone With The Wind


Southern women know their religions:

Baptist

Methodist


Football


Southern women know their country breakfasts:


Red-eye gravy


Grits


Eggs


Country ham


Mouth-watering homemade biscuits with momma's homemade jelly


Southern women know their cities dripping with Southern charm:


Chawl'stn


S'vanah


Foat Wuth


N'awlins


Addlanna


Southern women know their elegant gentlemen:


Men in uniform.


Men in tuxedos


Rhett Butler


Southern girls know their prime real estate:

The Mall


The Country Club


The Beauty Salon


Southern girls know the 3 deadly sins:


Having bad hair and nails


Having bad manners


Cooking bad food


More Suth en-ism's:

Only a Southerner knows the difference between a hissie fit and a conniption fit, and that you don't "HAVE" them, you "PITCH" them.
_____


Only a Southerner knows how many fish, collard greens, turnip greens, peas, beans, etc., make up "a mess."

_____


Only a Southerner can show or point out to you the general direction of "yonder."

_____

Only a Southerner knows exactly how long "directly" is, as in: "Going to town, be back directly."

_____

Even Southern babies know that"Gimme some sugar" is not a request for the white, granular sweet substance that sits in a pretty little bowl in the middle of the table.

_____

All Southerners know exactly when "by and by" is. They might not use the term, but they know the concept well.
_____

Only a Southerner knows instinctively that the best gesture of solace for a neighbor whose got trouble is a plate of hot fried chicken and a big bowl of cold potato salad. If the neighbor's

trouble is a real crisis, they also know to add a large banana puddin!

_____
Only Southerners grow up knowing the difference between "right near" and "a right far piece." They also know that"just down the road" can be 1 mile or 20.

_____

Only a Southerner both knows and understands the difference between a redneck, a good ol' boy, and po' white trash.

_____

No true Southerner would ever assume that the car with the flashing turn signal is actually going to make a turn.

_____

A Southerner knows that "fixin" can be used as a noun, a verb, or an adverb.

_____


Only Southerners make friends while standing in lines, . and when we're "in line," we talk to everybody!

_____

Put 100 Southerners in a room and half of them will discover they're related, even if only by marriage.

In the South, y'all is singular, all y'all is plural.
Southerners know grits come from corn and how to eat them.
Every Southerner knows tomatoes with eggs, bacon, grits, and coffee are perfectly wonderful; that red eye gravy is also a breakfast food; and that fried green tomatoes are not a breakfast food.


When you hear someone say, "Well, I caught myself lookin'," you know you are in the presence of a genuine Southerner!

Only true Southerners say "sweet tea,""sweet milk," and "light bread" Sweet tea indicates the need for sugar and lots of it -- we do not like our tea unsweetened. "Sweet milk" means you don't want buttermilk. And "Light bread" is white bread.


And a true Southerner knows you don't scream obscenities at little old ladies who drive 30 MPH on the freeway. You just say,"Bless her heart" .. and go your own way.
To those of you who are still a little embarrassed by your Southernes s: Take two tent revivals and a dose of sausage gravy and call me in the morning. Bless your heart!

And to those of you who are still having a hard time understanding all this Southern stuff, ... bless your hearts, I hear they are fixin' to have classes on Southernness as a second language!

And for those that are not from the South but have lived here for a long time, all y'all need a sign to hang on y'alls front porch that reads "I ain't from the South, but I got here as fast as I could."

VIDEO: Koby spells his name

A little long...but worth it! ENJOY!!!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I am soooo proud of him!!! He is really doing so great with his ABC's and counting...and this is his newest accomplishment!!! LOVE IT!

NOT MY KID!!!!

This weekend, I witnessed something that left me speechless. NO seriously, I always have SOMETHING to say. An opinion...a story...a sarcastic comment. But this was just too, sad, or appalling... or shocking for me to completely wrap my mind around!
As we were walking through one of the many malls we visited this weekend, my friend Julie and I stopped on the bench while our husbands used the restroom. As we were sitting there we saw a family approaching...Mom, Dad, probably cousin or uncle, and a youngish boy...say 9? At the same time we noticed a family standing pretty close to where we were. Mom, Dad Grandma Grandpa, and a young child in a stroller and an older child say...7ish. As the first family got closer, we heard the young boy start saying some AWFUL rude things about the little girl with the other family. It was obvious the little girl was mixed race, and she was a little chunky. CUTE as could be though. Had a pretty little polka dotted dress and sandals. Julie and I had just commented on how cute she looked(we both have boys and try to live vicariously!LOL). I mean it was about her weight mostly and extremely uncalled for and unkind. And after the first comment, I thought ohhhh that little boy is gonna get IT(see I think in my mind all parents are like me and my parents were).It was clearly loud enough for anyone with in about 20 feet to hear it. And I was like OMG, Jules did you hear that? she was like yeah...but her comment was cut short by hysterical laughter...COMING FROM THE BOYS PARENTS. Which was like adding fuel to a fire because off he went again with his horrible comments,which only made his parents laugh harder. When the other parents, who I am pretty sure were trying to ignore this in the beginning, had heard one comment too many...THEY stopped the parents and asked why they thought it was okay to let their son make fun of someone? The ignorant ass parents then responded by making unkind gestures coupled with choice words back to the parents of the little girl, who by this point was in tears. The Parents of the little girl yelled back, something along the lines of "you are the trash that is responsible for society being the way it is" and angrily stormed off. Julie and I who were literally 2 feet from the whole exchange were just shocked. WE kinda looked at each other and shook our heads. Julie was like man I thought they were about to fight, and I too had had that feeling. The saddest part of all is that this little boy thinks it is perfectly okay to make fun of people. The parents not only don't stop him, but they encourage him. They set a horrible example and are raising this child with the belief that other people don't matter, and you can do and say whatever you want to whoever you want. SAD SAD!

Another story which was told to me by a friend of mine this week, also shocked me. Her children were at a community playground. A little boy about twice her son's age came over and SHOVED her son off the toy he was on, and then stepped on him when climbing onto said toy. Now these kids were probably 2-4. I get it kids will do that. They are kids! But what is shocking is the Mother of the pusher's response, she just said, ohh sweetie play nice,(which her son did NOT hear) and shook her head at my friend who was now staring at her with the I am gonna knock the crap outta you are you kidding me lady look, and the pusher's Mom then said with a condescending smile and cock of her head, boys will be boys. SERIOUSLY??? My friend said, I wanted to yell and scream at her, but knowing it would only make me look like a fool, and set the wrong example for MY son, she went and picked up her son,who was now standing crying and yelling at the other kids that it wasn't his TURN;she told him that some kids don't know how to share, but we don't have to play with those kids, and took him to another part of the playground(the mother definitely heard her!). I just can't believe it! SAD SAD!

I mean WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE THESE DAYS? I am never one to say NOT MY KID....in fact I am the first to make sure it wasn't my kid! SO, I can make sure it isn't EVER him again, if it should be him this time. I am lucky that Koby is a very sweet child, who loves to share and play with others.He is a natural born people pleaser. BUT he is also that way because Chris and I don't allow him to behave ANY differently than kind, and caring to his friends and others! PERIOD. If I think for one second he has stepped out of line he MUST apologize.4 years old and Down syndrome don't matter in this house! He knows manners. When he asks for something, and I say, what do you say? He knows the answer is please, and will ONLY get it once he has said/signed so. When he receives something and I say, Koby what do you say, he knows the answer is Thank you, or I will take it away.If he wrongs someone, he knows he MUST say sorry, or face his consequences. Don't get me wrong. He gets his fair share of time-outs and an occasional spanking for disobeying at school, or with Chris and I(he does NOT get spanked at school). But for the most part he is a sweet easy going child. I credit that to the hard work and discipline,which sometimes breaks my heart, that Chris and I ( and our parents and friends-It takes a village I believe) have put into him. I am SOOO not a perfect parent. I don't claim to be. But I know how to be a kind person and I set forth that example and expectation to Koby at all times! I have lots of friends who are great parents and who discipline well. I love them for that! WE lean on each other in hard times raising our children. I just wish more parents were like my friends and I, and cared more about raising kind, caring, positive children, than being their child's friend and letting them raise themselves. Children aren't meant to raise children! That is what PARENTS are for!
NOW, Someone help me off this soap box tell me I am not alone!

I did it myself!

...cut Koby's hair that is!
Getting his hair cut is one of the most miserable experiences of my ( and his) life! I would rather go to the Gynecologist/dentist/and give blood all in one day, than take him to get a hair cut. I mean seriously, it is a RED FACED SCREAMING, TEARS FLOWING, SNOT SLIDING, MOUTH FULL OF HAIR experience that makes me want to run screaming from the building and never stop running...EVER CRY! I used to take him all by myself. But as he has gotten bigger that option became impossible. SO Chris and I would both take him. I became more of the hopeless mother apologizing to the poor hair dresser and my husband for the absolute screaming insanity Koby becomes at first sight of scissors cheerleader while Chris became the one to restrain his entire body, head, and flailing appendages. WE would consider it a success if Koby didn't start gagging from the mouth full of hair and ear bleeding screaming, Chris didn't get injured below the waist and the hairdresser didn't end up with a cut. Truly it became such a daunting experience we were both putting it off for WEEKS and WEEKS at a time, leaving us with one SHAGGY little boy. But it would quickly come to the time when we simply couldn't procrastinate anymore, and we would all VERY grumpily load up and began the torturous journey to Kid Klips name changed to protect my sanity. BUT, today ALL of that changed! Chris and I decided that I would cut his hair! I have been cutting Chris's and his friends for YEARS. So I got the clippers and Chris and Koby took a seat together in front of the living room TV. And with Cartoons blaring, I began clipping and snipping. It took a WHILE. I wasn't 100% comfortable with what I was doing, so I wanted to take my time. So, while Koby's behavior waslike something off of national geographic the same, and Chris and I both agreed that a Nap for ALL was in order, I think I did a pretty good job!

BEFORE:


AFTER:

Our weekend in Charleston

These pictures are in no particular order...just a snapshot of the weekend! WE had a lot of fun! WE went with some friends and it was a blast! Thanks for the Anniversary wishes.
OH and Kristen...you def won. E-mail me your address and I will send you a prize!!!

Happy 6th Anniversary...I HOPE!

Six years ago today, Chris and I were doing THIS:



And THIS:



And THIS too:



We had a BEAUTIFUL wedding. It went off without a HITCH! NO one forgot anything, it was literally a perfect day.
Our Anniversaries on the other hand have been less than perfect. In fact they have been down right SUCKY!
Year 1: WE were both SICK as dogs and it was FREEZING OUTSIDE
Year 2: Koby had Open heart surgery the next day and we spent the whole day in Pre-op and that night in a hotel with Koby taking turns crying getting up with him.
Year 3: Was a rough year for us...we were actually sorta...seperated that year.Not officially but just NOT getting along!
Year 4: Chris traveled to Boston on Business and got SNOWED in for 1NO,2 NO,3 NO,4NO, 5...yes 5 days, starting with our Anniversary day!
Year 5: WE were both away on business.
So...year six HAS to be promising right? WEll I should have a good report to tell you soon, because as you are reading this, WE are driving back from THIS:



And taking THESE:


And doing lots of THIS:


Stories and pictures to follow!

T21 Traveling Afghan Info

Here's the deal, in short form.


I whip up a smallish T21 afghan to send out to families who have a family member with Down Syndrome. The afghan travels from one family to another, along with a journal.
Each family, upon receiving the afghan, takes a picture of their little one with it and we post it on a "T21 Travelling Afghan" page. After having the afghan for bit, the family writes a note in the journal and sends it off to the next family,who's address I will email to them.


I would LOVE to see the afghan hit all fifty states and as far and wide as we can find families who would like to participate!


Please post about this on your blogs, FaceBook, MySpace, Twitter, etc. with a link back to this page. That way we can spread the the word out as far and wide as possible.
Shipping cost will be the responsibility of the sending party, therefore, I will make a smaller sized afghan.
If anyone would be willing to whip up a little graphic icon people can put on their blogs, I would be extremely grateful.


To sign up, please send an email (subject: T21 Afghan) to littlemisse21@gmail.com with the following information:
1. Name
2. Address
3. Blog url
4. Name and age of child or person with T21
5. Whether or not you would be willing to ship the afghan out of your country of residence
Woo hoo! Let's get the 'ghan rolling!!


Please feel free to respond with any questions, comments or specifics I may have overlooked.

WE can't wait to get the little afghan here! So if you wanna participate by all means!GO!

HI HO HI HO OFF TO ..............WE GO! (CONTEST!!!)

100 fabulous points and I'll bring back(and send) a souvenir for the first person who correctly guesses where we are vacationing to this weekend.
Here is your hint:


ps: this will stay open until we return!

NOT ME MONDAY!

Here we are! Another fabulous week gone by. And that makes me super excited because that means it is NOT ME MONDAY TIME! You know, where you list everything you DID {NOT} do last week, and even if you HAD wouldn't dare admit it! So, go to MckMama's blog to check out what she and her Mckblog readers DID {NOT} do this week!

I am happy to report that this week I DID {NOT} do the FOLLOWING!


*I DID {NOT} get told by my WONDERFUL Hairdresser who I have seen for years,"looks like you got some Grey hair in there Court". WOW! I am SOOO 24!

* I DID {NOT} start asking, "IS IT BEDTIME YET" at around 3 o'clock Tuesday because Koby decided he was going to do WHATEVER he wanted, and LAUGHED about Timeout! Leaving me frustrated beyond words! NEVER!

*I def DID {NOT} clean all of THIS:

A pile about 6 inches deep of TRASH-SERIOUSLY!
Out of THIS:

The purse I have carried for about 4 months
and it DEFINITELY DID {NOT} take about half and hour. THAT would be RIDICULOUS!

* I DID {NOT} catch myself singing the Camp Rock song pretty loudly in the Grocery store...without Koby!

*I DID {NOT} Say the following to Koby while driving down the road, "What do you want to eat love bundle(my nickname for him), French fries, Hamburger, Pizza, Watermelon, hot dog, cucumber, salad, rice....any of this sound yummy?" ONLY to realize he was so not in the car with me!

* I most certainly DID {NOT} have a fabulous weekend in Charleston with my Husband and Friends of ours for our 6th wedding anniversary! Picts below!

* I DID {NOT} have to sit straight up in bed while holding Koby upright ALL NIGHT LONG, because he was so congested he couldn't breath well laying down. And I most certainly didn't decide that it wasn't so bad getting up in the middle of the night...and I didn't consider having another baby because, after all,all-nighters aren't so bad are they?

* I DO {NOT} have to go back to work tomorrow after being off for 10 days. That DOES {NOT}(no seriously though) mean you won't still be hearing from me WAY TOO MUCH!

That's it for this week! Or at least all I can think of! But if you know me....you know there are most likely lots more!!!

So tell me, what did you NOT do this week, and live to tell about it?

Valentines Day Anyone?

In Finland it is a day to remember ALL friends, not just lovers and loved ones.

IN parts of the UK they knock on neighbors back doors,go, and leave sweets behind.

In Brazil they celebrate something called Dios dos Namorados(Day of the Enamored) on June 12th, in which couples exchange gifts, chocolates, and flowers.

In most of South America they celebrate with the Amigo secreto ("Secret friend") which consists of randomly assigning to each participant a recipient who is to be given an anonymous gift. Much like the Christmas tradition of Secret Santa.

In Japan, it has become an obligation for many women to give chocolates to all male co-workers. By a further marketing effort, a reciprocal day called White Day has emerged. On March 14, men are expected to return the favor to those who gave them chocolates on Valentine's Day.

In China, the common situation is the man gives chocolate, flowers or both to the woman that he loves.

In South Korea, women give chocolate to men on February 14, and men give non-chocolate candy to women on March 14. On April 14 (Black Day), those who did not receive anything on the 14th of Feb or March go to a Chinese restaurant to eat black noodles and "mourn" their single life.

In Saudi Arabia in 2008, religious police banned the sale of all Valentine's Day items, telling shop workers to remove any red items, as the day is considered a non-Islamic holiday.

Valentines Day for me is a very important Holiday. You will find out later in the week why it is SO important to me, and what I do to celebrate.
I love reading about the many things people do for Valentines day. So, what does V-day mean to you? Is it just another day? A greeting card holiday as many like to consider it? Do you go ALL out, and dress as cupid delivering sweet treats, and gifts to all you encounter? Or...are you somewhere in between?

Sink or swim? Please advise!

SO, I have an opportunity, I guess you could call it that, at work to go to a different store. It is a good opportunity on the surface. Higher volume, newer store, more money, more responsibility,etc. I love where I am now. My team is like my family. WE have been together a long time. We are very successful. They know me, they know how I operate, and it truly operates like a well oiled machine. There would be good succession in my store and I know it would be okay. SO what is the problem?
Well, the people in the new store already don't like me. Sounds juvenile right? Well, they either feel they were entitled to it, or they think I am mean, etc. The old Store manager and I never really got along super well, and our management styles are completely different. COMPLETELY! My boss keeps reiterating that I have to get them to BUY into me, and that I have to go in there and make them like me. Well, I adapt pretty well to change. I embrace it. I take it and I make it work. I can get along with most people. The problem isn't the change, or adapting on my part. The problem is knowing how these people feel about me, and feeling like no matter what I do, I will be dissected and wrong. I am certain that if I went in there and did everything EXACTLY like the old store manager, it would still be wrong,somehow! I am nervous because I feel like in a certain way, I would be setting myself up for failure! I am VERY successful in the store I am at now. Even in this economy we are killing our numbers, and have had very positive results, since I took over. SO has this other store. My fear is that "shaking things up" will prove negative for both stores in a sense. I wonder if they will all give up, out of spite. I wonder what is going to happen. I wonder if I am really ready to take on such a task. I thought it would be fine, until my boss laid out the feelings of the other managers, and what her thinking will be. She keeps saying, Courtney they are going to pick you apart. They are going to try to prove all the reasons why you shouldn't be there. They are going to try to make your life harder. I feel like I can find a way to make it work. I can go in with my typical positive attitude and outlook. I can adjust to their styles of communication, work as hard as I can to achieve forward motion, and a good working relationship and environment. But on some level it is out of my control, as to what they are willing to open their minds to! I can not create their future, I can give them all the necessary tools, and vices, but they will only take them so far. The rest is up to them. As one person once said, Life is not what happens to you but what you do with it. They are the only ones who can make that choice. They are the ones who decide to sink or swim. BUT...do I decide to take on this challenge? DO I jump into the deep end and pray I can swim, or do I remain on the lifeguard stand, and pass up this potentially great opportunity? DO I let the fear dictate my future? The answer is obvious...right??? Or wrong?

1,2,4

at 1...

at 2...

and at 4!

WE take this picture of Koby almost every year! WE skipped last year some how...or maybe I just can't find the picture...but anyway it is really neat to watch him grow (and me shrink!)

Guest Blog!

MAKE SURE YOU CHECK OUT MY GUEST BLOG POST OVER ON RENEE's BLOG!
She is on a really important vacation with the Sincess so, She begged me to guest blog asked for volunteers, and I signed up! YAY ME! Check it out!

O-R-E-O

Twist em', Dunk em', crunch em', lick em',deep fry em' and love em! Oreo's are Milk's Favorite Cookie! They are also Koby's favorite Cookie! He get's three everyday after school!






Koby likes to eat just the Creme...and then crunch the cookies into a trillion pieces on the floor then throw the cookie away!
I am a dunking girl myself!

SO,tell me how do you like to eat your Oreo's?

Laughter for your Tuesday!

These had me rolling!Kids are too raw! I love it!

What do you do when it is 75 degrees in February?

Why, you play outside all day with Mommy and Daddy of course. That is if you are a 4 year old little boy who LOVES to be outside!










ps: the pictures are in reverse order. We all started with Long sleeves and quickly realized it was MUCH to hot for that!

NOT ME MONDAY!!!!

NOT ME MONDAY, is the result of one very wise woman and her journey with many small children taking us through her hilarious acts of things she DID NOT DO! Please read below for the things that I did NOT do this week, and hop on over to MckMama's BLOG for some real fun of your own!

This weeks things seem so absolutely silly that I most certainly did NOT, could not, and would NOT, have done them...and wouldn't admit if I had!

For starters, I certainly didn't send my sweet son to his Memaws house so I could watch my Steelers win their 6th (yes folks you read that right) Super Bowl Victory! A big WHOOP WHOOP to them!
Luckily I also didn't make an agreement with Koby that if he could have French Fries and watermelon for dinner,and I certainly didn't agree to that for lunch the next day.That would just be gross,and wouldn't the french fries cancel out the nutritional value of the watermelon...and really,who wants that?
I didn't secretly cheer at the prospect of being able to take a nap now that Koby is going to school for a full day, like a BIG BOY! What kind of Mother would do that? NOT ME!
I am happy to report that I did NOT lie to my husband about the theme of a movie just to get him to watch it with me, and then totally act confused when it wasn't at all about said lie. WHO does that?
Possibly the MOST embarrassing thing that has ever happened to me, DID NOT happen this week.I didn't go to work, and work for nearly 4 hours before one of my employees said to me, in front of a large number of people(all who work directly FOR me)...and I quote..."OH my GOD Courtney,is your shirt on Inside out?"? And I most certainly did not want to die, and kill her at the same time, but all I could manage to do was DIE LAUGHING! NOT ME. I would never be so tired and absent minded to do such a thing!
I did not start my 9 day vacation on Saturday!!!!NEVER!!!!
I didn't start laying out my clothes Sunday night for work the following week, because I am not THAT forgetful, and after all HOW could a person forget they were on vacation???
I also didn't play outside with my sweet boy and Husband ALL afternoon Sunday, Because it most CERTAINLY wasn't in the high 70's all day on February 8th, and my two fair skinned men absolutely did not get a little bit sunburned! NO WAY!
And last but CERTAINLY not least I didn't CRY, when I accidentally stood Koby too close to the edge of his bed to change him into shorts (that's right people it was 75 degrees in February today) for playing outside that he fell off his bed and into his wall,and hurt his precious little back! I would never do such a thing, because I am a perfect mother,and had I had a careless moment I would never post about how I genuinely shed tears over my poor baby being hurt! Nor would I admit that every time int he last 4 years he has gotten hurt and I was there to witness it that my eyes fill with tears immediately!
That is all I got this week folks, and trust me it is quite enough! Don't judge me though. I am sure there are plenty of things that you would like to share that didn't happen to YOU this week! SO go on over to Mckmama's blog and tell the world all about it!!! GO ahead....I dare ya!

Koby's story part II

a continuation of THIS post...

With in moments the mood in the room changed. Things got much quieter,and all the people were just gone and so was my baby. Really without much explanation, Koby had been whisked away to the nursery for the once over by the doctor. I was moved over to the postpartum side of the hall and,Chris returned.He said they had moved Koby into the private part of the nursery and he couldn't see him from the window anymore.It was then that I knew something wasn't right. I had seen babies born. I had hospital experience, and this wasn't part of any "normal" birth I had experienced.
As the minutes passed, Chris and I mulled over the thoughts of what is going on, it must be bad,No everything is fine, and back to what is going on,cyclic as if the thoughts were on merry-go-round. As the first hour post-birth was coming to a close, a knock at the door was a welcomed interruption to the inner chaos we were experiencing.However the look on the face that was behind that door, sent us reeling once again. You know the look I am talking about. For those of you that have kids, imagine that face that your kids have when they have to tell you something they know will disappoint you,yet there is NO way around telling you because if you find out later it will only be worse. You know that one,right? Well in this instance, I saw this Dr. as that child. I could see the deep seeded concern in the depth of his pupils. The disappointment he was carrying for us in his rigid posture and half-hearted smile. He introduced himself,and congratulated us. He said Koby is having trouble breathing,which isn't uncommon. Okay, we though,go on.He said that he heard a heart murmur and is ordering an Echo for the morning to see if we can determine whether the murmur is cause for concern or not.Okay,that doesn't sound good we thought,but it doesn't seem urgent either,continue. He said he will most likely be in the vent hood to help him breath for another 24 hours at least.Bummer we thought,but at least that was it,nothing sounded unmanageable,not ideal but not impossible. "Is that it?",Chris asked? Silence. WE turned to the Dr. His face grew more serious,and he sat down on the edge of my bed,and grabbed my leg.I am not sure if it was to comfort me or to brace himself. "I have decided to run some blood work.Koby has a few of the physical markers for Down syndrome,and I just want to run the test to see if that is what is going on. I am sorry to be the one to have to tell you this." And there it was...the most deafening words I had ever heard in my life! The Dr. quickly left,and Chris and I literally couldn' t move! I don't remember what we said to each other. I just remember feeling like I had lost my child. The child I had dreamed of since I was young. The child I had been planning for for 9 months. The child that Chris and I had playfully argued about, whether he would be the class clown, or the Class president. That child was gone. That child never existed, though in my mind and heart THAT is the child I had loved and longed for. I went from feeling so sad from that Loss, to feeling Angry. Angry at Myself. Angry at Chris. Angry at that Dr. Angry at the World. Because truth be told, there was NO one or Nothing to be mad at! Anger lingered over into Denial,which led to Confusion,and finally I found myself just full of worry. Worry for him, worried for me, and worried for what the future would hold.
Later that day as word got out of our arrival, people began to call, and come by. Usually company is welcome and expected after a baby is born, but his was different. When people would ask me about Koby, I felt like saying,"which Koby,the one I was pregnant with or the one with Down syndrome? The one I carried with me for 9 months, or the one I can't hold at all now? The one that was supposed to expand our family or the one I feel will tear us apart? Needless to say, this was an extremely difficult time in my life. I felt things I never thought I would feel. As real and as raw as the emotion is, I feel the need to be honest, in hopes that someone will understand the reality,and the journey both good and bad and how possible it all is. Looking back on that day,I laugh and cry. I laugh because it is truly funny to me that I was so upset, and worried.I cry because I missed out on one of the best times of my life.
The next day was filled with a different light for me. I woke up with a feeling of positivity and happiness. I went and saw Koby in the Nursery. I touched him and rubbed his hair, and fed him. He looked normal to me. He didn't look like he had Down syndrome. He looked like his Daddy. He seemed like any other baby I had ever seen. This wasn't so scary right? And the Dr was probably wrong.I thought, it's probably just the Dr being so careful not to get sued or something. Only being able to stand for short periods of time, I headed back to my room, and waited for the results from Koby's Echo. In the meantime, my Dad brought Chris and I lunch.We had a few other visitors, and his birth certificate came to be filled out.As the day passed, with every knock I secretly hoped that it both was and wasn't the Dr with the results about our new baby's heart. But knock after knock no one was donning a white coat and stethoscope.
Shortly after 4pm, there was a Knock.My heart sank.Call it mothers instinct,but I knew it was him. "Come in" we called to him. He slowly opened the door,and I greeted him with the best smile I could muster up. However, staring me back in the face was that look,that same look from just 24 hours earlier, only this time it was worse!
To be continued...


This is a picture we took of Koby while he was in the vent hood. You can't take them right in the level two because of the other babies, but we took it through the glass window.

My other half

The Husband Meme

I stole these from Renee...she told me to!!!!

Husband Tag

1. Where did you meet? In High School

2. How long did you date before you got married? a couple of years

3. How long have you been married? a week from tomorrow(sunday) makes 6 years

4. What does he do that surprises you? cleans, and takes care of Koby sooooo well!

5. What is your favorite feature of his? I think I will say his voice(is that a feature?)

6. What is your favorite quality of his? He is absolutely hilarious!

7. Does he have a nickname for you? Baby or Babe

8. What is his favorite color? blue probably

9. What is his favorite food? Miss Vickies Jalapeno Chips

10. What is his favorite sport? Football

11. When and where was your first kiss? I don't know the exact date but I know it was after a date when he was dropping me off!

12. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Grill steak and watch everybody loves raymond

13. Do you have any children? Yes, one little man!

14. Does he have a hidden talent? He is VERY computer savvy!

15. How old is he? 25

16. Who said I love you first? I think me.

17. What’s his favorite type of music? He loves undiscovered artists. Like mixtape stuff not many people know about! I guess it is very raw and real, not manufactured and showy.

18. What do you admire most about him? He is a VERY good father and husband!

19. Do you think he will read this? Most likely


HUSBAND MEME

1. He’s sitting in front of the TV: What is on the screen? a movie...he watches little to no TV

2. You’re out to eat. What kind of dressing does he get on his salad? NO dressing...matter of fact his "salad" consists of cheese and bacon bits...not lettuce or anything else.

3. What is one food he doesn’t like? He is picky so this is EASY...ham, hotdogs, olives, spaghetti...and MANY more!

4. You go out to the bar. What does he order? Rum and Coke

5. Where did he go to high school? Carolina Forest

6. What size shoe does he wear? 9.5 usually

7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be? He collects movies...no seriously...he has HUNDREDS and has watched them all many times and can tell you each one by title who is in it, what it is about, etc.

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich? Deli slices chicken breastwith swiss and bacon toasted on a hoagie roll. He eats it almost EVERY day

9. What would the Husband eat every day if he could? SEE ABOVE!

10. What is his favorite cereal?Fruity Pebbles

11. What would he never wear? adidas sneakers

12. What is his favorite sports team? Football: Panthers, Baseball: Braves, Basketball: he doesn't watch it!

13. Who is his best friend? Probably me...I mean really.

14. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn’t do? WORRY so much!

15. How many states has he lived in? ONE!

16. What is his heritage? Irish

17. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind is it? I wouldn't bake it because it would be an ice cream cake from TCBY.

18. Did he play sports in high school? Yep Varsity baseball

19. What could he spend hours doing? WATCHING MOVIES!!!!!

The beginning

SO, I have been blogging now for several months. I really enjoy it. I have blogged about many subjects, but recently feel the pull to post a little more about Koby.How he came to be, the journey he has taken us on, and the people he has made us!
Koby is mine and Chris's first and so far our only baby. He has a very unique story. A story that has been published in one version in THIS book. There is more to his story though and I intend to publish it all here, in steps...in hopes that someone out there, will be sent by God, and find this story to enhance their lives.

The beginning:

December 15th 2004, I was scheduled for an induction. However, as many things in life God had better plans! I went into labor that day all by myself. I arrived to the hospital around 5pm that night. I was very scared! I wouldn't DARE let on to anyone how scared I was! That just isn't me. I am a strong person and I wasn't going to let this be any different. After all, what did I have to be scared about? I had gotten pregnant after just a few months of trying. I had had the text book,essentially perfect pregnancy. I had gained little weight,eaten right, taken all my vitamins, been to all my appointments, and had an ultrasound and blood work to confirm all was well in "WombWorld" and had even learned we were having a boy. So, no reason to be scared...but I still was. It was that day, for the first time in the last 40 weeks that I had had a worry, or uneasy feeling all along. It was then that I realized...something could go wrong or be wrong. But, I was able to quickly release those feelings, with a little help from contractions, and visits from nurses, and focus back on the goal at hand. Not long after I was admitted the "fun" started. My strong labor, quickly started causing me to involuntarily hold my breath, and I was requiring oxygen in order to keep the baby's heart rate up.After what seemed like an ETERNITY, help arrived. A little oxygen, pain medicine and seemingly more prayers than I had ever sent up in one night, and I was resting peacefully. I continued to rest, as best as I could through the labor for the next 17 hours. At about 10am, it was confirmed through examination that it was GO time! I pushed for approximately 2 hours, and at 11:58am, Koby was born! He was immediately placed on my chest.He didn't cry,but he looked RIGHT into my eyes,and stared as if to say, "so YOU are the woman who I have been "hearing" about for 9 months;nice to see you". We had sooo much going on around us in the room; nurses shouting numbers,and orders back and forth, more doctors and nurses entering the room bringing more equipment and noise with them and Chris was on his way to the waiting room to make a birth announcement,all the while the machines were beeping and buzzing away. But for that moment, it was just ME and Koby.There was no one else, or anything else in the world that mattered. At that moment my life stood still.I was in AWE. I don't remember too specifically what happened in the next few minutes,or even hours after that, but I can distinctly remember in that moment thinking two things: how much my precious boy looked like his Daddy, and how TINY his sweet baby hands were. I will FOREVER cherish those moments and thoughts,as seemingly insignificant as they might seem,because those were quite literally the last moments of My life as I knew it.
To be continued...



One of our sweet nurses grabbed the camera and snapped this picture(remember Chris ran out to the waiting room).I didn't ask her too, or even give it much thought until months later.Knowing what I know now, I look at it as another way God looks out for you when you can't look out for yourself. It is blurry and shaky, but a favorite of mine for so many reasons!

Wordless Wednesday/Create-a-Caption

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY


and if I had enough bloggers...like some of those super cool blogs I follow....I would post THIS picture below as a "create-a-caption" picture!!!(Chris and I sure had fun trying to guess what he was doing/thinking!)

Koby's follow up IEP meeting today...

Just a little update about Koby's IEP meeting today! IT was great! I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO(get the point...no?....okay)OOOOOOOOOOOOO Blessed by his school! They are in love with Koby and the principal told me today...EVERYONE knows and LOVES Koby! Talk about one HAPPY Momma!!!!
SO the meeting was basically because he is testing at about 18months old OT...but the original EVAL put him at age appropriate level.He was AMAZING the day of his EVALS at home. But at school he has delays... soooo we added OT(the OT is even making a SPECIAL trip to his school once a week just for him because she said she couldn't WAIT to see the progress in a kid who is as smart as Koby...WOO WOO!!!)AND he is now going to go 4 days a week FULL days! YAY!!!! This is going to help so much! YAY YAY!!!! So...that is the update! My big boy is getting full days and all the services he needs! OHHH happy days!

MY FIRST BLOGGY AWARD!!!!

Today I got a super nice award from one of my best friends Christina over at Kwisteena's Kwaziness. It is my first Bloggy award ever and I am so excited!



"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find friends and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships will be propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly- written text into the body of their award."

Christina you rock! Most of my blog readers are closer friends and family so I don't know if I even have 8 that I know so well!

1. Renee at My Special K's

2. Bethany at Life with Bubba, Chicky, and Nika

3. Meredith at Cornish adoption Journey

4. Leah at Garden of Eagan

5. Kristen at Faulkner Family

6. MckMama over at My Charming Kids

7. Shylo over at Karli's Kingdom

8. Ecki over at Opposite Kids

Pass it on! IT is a lot of fun to honor blogs you love new and old!

...and winning makes 6!!!!

Steelers win Super Bowl XLIII...in a great game! With huge plays like Harrison's 100 yard touch down...and the game winning pass play between Rothelisberger and Holmes. It was a great game for my Steelers! Arizona played hard and really gave us a run for our money at times!But as they say may the best team win....and WIN WE DID!!!