Happy Birthday Nikolas

Wow, 13.  I can't believe my very first baby is 13.  So I'm gonna get mooshy for a bit...

Nikolas--each year, as you get older, I sit here and try to write you something profound, something that will let you know how much we love you.  I can't ever find the right words.  I'm gonna attempt it again today, so lets see how this turns out. 


You have been thru more in your life than most adults have.  Since you were born we have had 8 different addresses, lived in 5 different states, 6 different duty stations, added a sister and a brother, lost grandparents and great grandparents, sent your dad off to war 3 times, made best friends, lost touch with best friends, made new best friends, find girlfriends, met your future wife (oh yes, that JoCullough thing *IS happening)...and so much more.  And you do it all without complaining...well mostly without complaining.  You are a loving and caring and protective big brother, one that Sydney and Timmy can look up too.  Not only cause you are taller than them either!  We may not always tell you what a good kid you are, but I honestly don't know what I'd do without you kiddo.  You are my right hand man.  And my friend.  We love you Nikolas Adam.  Here's to an awesome year as a teenager <3

You're just too good to be true, can't take my eyes off you

You'd be like heaven to touch, I wanna hold you so much

At long last love has arrived and I thank God I'm alive

You're just too good to be true, can't take my eyes off you

Pardon the way that I stare, there's nothing else to compare

The sight of you leaves me weak, there are no words left to speak

but if you feel like I feel, please let me know that its real

You're just too good to be true, can't take my eyes off you

Happy Birthday Nikolas.  We love you.

Love, Mom and Dad

Bathtime Conversation

Timmy was in the tub yesterday and there are no words to describe this conversation.

Timmy: Mom, I have 2 balls (reaches down to grab them)  One here (pinch) and One here (pinch) I can feel them.
Me: oh yeah?  2 balls?
Timmy: yeah, I wonder why I don't like Jell-O?
Me: what?
Timmy: I wonder why I don't like Jell-O?
Me: This is the most random conversation ever.
Timmy: (grinning) I know.


Seriously, Jell-O and balls?  I swear...this is gonna be a LONG year.

Trying to keep it in perspective

I read this today and it made me cry.  And it made me laugh.  I figured I should share...


How God Chooses A Mom For A Disabled Child

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures, and a couple by habit. This year nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen?

Somehow I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he observes, he instructs his angels to make notes in a giant ledger.
"Armstrong, Beth; son; patron saint, Matthew."
"Forrest, Marjorie; daughter; patron saint, Cecelia."
"Rudledge, Carrie; twins; patron saint...give her Gerard. Hes used to profanity."

Finally, he passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a handicapped child." The angel is curious. "Why this one, God? Shes so happy." "Exactly," smiles God. " Could I give a handicapped child a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."
"But has she patience?" asks the angel.
"I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it. I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence. She'll have to teach the child to live in her world and that's not going to be easy."
"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you."
God smiles. "No matter. I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness."
The angel gasps. "Selfishness? Is that a virtue?"
God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, there is a woman I will bless with a child less than perfect. SHE DOESN'T REALIZE IT YET , BUT SHE IS TO BE ENVIED. SHE WILL NEVER TAKE FOR GRANTED A 'SPOKEN WORD'. SHE WILL NEVER CONSIDER A 'STEP' ORDINARY. WHEN HER CHILD SAYS 'MOMMA' FOR THE FIRST TIME, SHE WILL BE PRESENT AT A MIRACLE AND KNOW IT! WHEN SHE DESCRIBES A TREE OR A SUNSET TO HER BLIND CHILD, SHE WILL SEE IT AS FEW PEOPLE EVER SEE MY CREATIONS. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see---ignorance, cruelty, prejudice---and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute or everyday of her life because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side."
"And what about her patron saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in midair.
God smiles. "A mirror will suffice."

To all the mommies with special kids, I love you <3

Color of the Day

Timmy has Color days at school.  So one day he'll have to wear a red shirt, the next day he has to bring a red item, so on and so forth.  The following conversation just took place:

Me: oooh we have to check what color day is today!
Timmy: Its blue day!
Me: I don't think so, I think it may be yellow day.
Timmy: BLUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE DAY!
Me:  (looking at the calender) yup bring AND wear something yellow! You can wear your yellow shirt and bring your yellow Angry Bird.
Timmy: I don't like yellow day.  I don't want to wear yellow.  I want to wear nothing.  I want NAKED DAY!
Me: Ohhh so naked is a color is it?  Naked day....sounds interesting.
Timmy: Yeah, Naked day...that would be EPIC!!!

:::shaking my head::::: I swear, I don't know what to do with this kid.