Another Wade Bites The Dust

So far this week, Anderson's been sick with a bad stomach bug.
Anderson's chronic ear drainage has tested postive for MRSA, thankfully his ear isn't draining and he's not considered contagious.
Jeremy's eyes have been red, itchy and swollen
Jackson's been sick with a bad stomach bug.
And I'm now sick with a bad stomach bug.

I'm taking another day off from the blog and checking the stock prices for Lysol.

Wordless Toddlers

Anderson still isn't talking, despite the fact that he is about a week away from turning 18 months old. For the most part, he gets his point made, but his lack of speech definitely comes with frustrations, on both sides of our "conversations." Case in point...

Anderson: (Pointing randomly over Jackson's shoulder) "Eh."
Jackson: (Picking up Anderson's sippy cup and giving it to his brother) "Here you go little buddy."
Anderson: (Throwing the sippy cup and still pointing randomly over Jackson's shoulder) "Eh."
Jackson: (Picking up Anderson's ball and giving it to his brother) "Want your ball? Here you go."
Anderson: (Throws the ball, and not in a pleased way, still pointing randomly over Jackson's shoulder) "Eh."
Jackson: (Picking up Anderson's truck and giving it to his brother) "Here's your truck. How about that?"
Anderson: (Drops the truck on the ground and melts down into a puddle of toddler tantrum, looks up and points randomly over Jackson's shoulder) "EH!!!!"
Jackson: (Looking around and giving up) "You really should learn to talk, Anderson. You're life would be so much easier."

The Week In Review

The last 6 days in review....

Breathing treatments for Jackson, beach packing, beach driving, beach enjoying, shell hunting, Wade family time, good food, good fellowship, great Thanksgiving, great seafood, amazing beach house, Anderson throwing up, Anderson upper respiratory infection, Anderson diarrhea, Anderson throwing up.

So basically we started and ended the last 6 days with a sick child, but we had the best time at the beach with Jeremy's family. We couldn't have asked for better weather and a better time with the Wade's. It was wonderful!!! I'll post pics when I can catch up from the sick baby!

Laberne and Charlie

I have no idea where he came up with this, but Jackson has taken to calling his fists, "Laberne and Charlie." Apparently, Laberne is for slapping and Charlie is for punching and hitting. We've tried correcting him a million times that the correct names are "Laverne and Shirley" but Jackson is insisting that he's right. This is what our house has been like the last few days:

 

Jackson: "Mama, we're gonna have to do something. Laberne just got me again."

Me: "What do you mean, 'Laberne just got you again.'"

Jackson: "Laberne just jumped up and got me on my cheek. She's good at slapping."

Me: "You better get Laberne under control."

Jackson: "No kidding...I would hate to have to get Charlie involved."

 

Do I dare mention that he's named his feet, "John Michael and Jace"? I've been warned that I really don't want to see what they can do.

 

It's like I'm living in a Laverne & Shirley meet the Three Stooges episode. One thing for sure...life is never boring around here!

 

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

 

How stinking cute is my big boy? He makes life so much fun, ripped jeans and all!

The Penny Project

We've been having some major issues lately with Jackson not wanting to listen. He hears what we say, he's just choosing to do whatever the heck he wants to do anyways. It doesn't matter what the request; he has an excuse for not doing it. If it's time for bed, he's too tired to walk to his room. If he needs to brush his teeth, he "can't" get the toothpaste out by himself. If his shoes need tying, he doesn't feel like doing it. You name it, this kid has turned into the king of excuses and the master of procrastination.

The "Mom of the Year" in me tries to ask nicely. And then I ask again. And again. And then the bear in me comes out and I start yelling when he still hasn't done it. I hate it, but I get so tired of repeating myself. I publicly apologize to my parents for doing the same thing as a kid. I had no idea how frustrating I was to you. I've entered into parental purgatory.

This weekend I stumbled into the best tool ever: Bribery.

We've instituted The Penny Project in our house. I made up the project this weekend, and I'm thinking of applying for a copyright, but basically, it comes down to sheer bribery.

Here's what we are doing: I got a big empty Mason jar and put it on the kitchen counter. For every task that Jackson needs to accomplish he is given a penny when he does the chore the first time he is asked. Every time we have to repeat our request he will lose a penny. When he reaches 100 pennies in the jar he will get $5 to spend however he likes. Yes, I realize the math doesn't add up to $5, but my plan is to wean him back to lesser rewards after we've reestablished a routine of obedience.

Jackson will earn pennies for getting dressed without fussing, brushing his teeth and hair, putting his shoes and jacket on, and helping with other chores around the house. I don't like to bribe, but thus far, this has worked like a charm. Jackson has 10 pennies in the jar, and none have been taken out yet. I'm done repeating myself and fussing; if Jackson can't do what he's asked to do the first time around, I just take a penny out. I figure it won't take long before he figures out the mathematics of this.

Fingers crossed that it keeps working, otherwise the Mama bear in me is going to have to figure something else out quickly, before I resort to telling Santa how the kid is acting!

The Day After

Devastated doesn’t come close to describing how I feel right now. I know that God is in control, but I am so fearful for the direction our country took last night.

We’ve re-elected a leader that knowingly left our troops to die in Benghazi after begging for help, and we ignored their requests. He’s never answered for this.

We’ve re-elected a leader that is in full support of partial birth abortion.

We’ve re-elected a leader that is an admitted socialist, and has never shown his original birth certificate for college transcripts, yet as a country we cried foul over tax records for a man that we deemed “too rich.”

We’ve re-elected a leader that has more Americans receiving entitlements than ever before in history.

We’ve re-elected a leader that’s answer to everything is to blame and punish rich people for their success.

We’ve re-elected a leader that lied to the American people in every debate, and never had to own up to the truth.

We’ve re-elected a man that has brought us $3+ gasoline, and he voted against a pipeline to allow for cheaper fuel for Americans.

We’ve re-elected a man that has spent millions of taxpayers dollars on lavish vacations and parties, while his constituents suffer under his policies.

We’ve re-elected a man that had the support of dictators like Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro in his re-election bid. What does that tell you?

America has asked for 4 more years of failed policies and liberal ideology. As much as I love being an American, I would rather have a civil war over this and live the way my “half” of America wants to live. We’ve turned into a country of “what can I get” instead of “what can I do.” I’m heartbroken at the knowledge that America is now rewarding laziness instead of hard work and dedication. Where will we be in 4 years?

I have prayed for this country for years, and I will continue to do so. I don’t understand how anyone can support Obama, and I never will, but I pray that our country will be able to withstand the consequences of our decision, and that the America our founding fathers dreamed of is still standing in 4 years, and not brought to our knees in desperation.

I Believe In America, And This Girl Is Voting For Romney!!!

 

Obama had 4 years to bring about "change." The only change America got was more debt, Obamacare and higher unemployment. Today, I'm voting to get Obama out of office! Go vote for Romney!!!

Once A Band Geek...Always A Band Geek!!!

Way back in the day, when Jesus was a small child, I was a member of the Flag Corps of the Auburn University Marching Band. I marched for 2 seasons, the fall of 98 and 99, and loved it, even though it was one of the hardest things I've ever done. It took so much hard work, hours and hours of practice, and dedication beyond belief, and it was so much fun. I learned so much from my time with the band, and it was where I learned my motto for life; In the words of former band director Johnnie Vinson, "Early is on time, on time is late, and late is inexcusable." I've lived by those words ever since.

I had the chance to return to the field this weekend as an alumni of the Auburn University Marching Band Flag Corps and it was just about the best weekend ever! We stayed in Auburn Friday night and I had to be at practice at 6:45 on Saturday morning. I quickly realized that it's a little harder picking up a flag when you haven't done it in so many years, but I think we managed okay! We had about an hour to learn both routines, which was hilarious for this old girl to try to do, but we mostly got it done. It wasn't a perfect performance by any stretch, but I had so much fun being back on the field. Enjoy the pics and video!

 

Auburn Flag Corps 1998-1999. I'm on the 2nd row, 2nd from the right. Check out those bangs!

 

 

 

It's kinda like riding a bicycle...you never really forget how!

Waiting for me to march back into the stadium, Jackson was having lots of fun with my flag!

 

Under Jordan Hare Stadium again after all these years!

 

Aubie came over to direct the alumni band, dressed to the nines!

 

After 13 years, it was just as much fun as it was then. Loved.It!!!

I'm the second flag in line.

 

 

 

 

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
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It  was such a great experience returning to my alma mater, and I had a blast being part of the alumni band. I can't wait to do it again next year. Warrrrr Eagle always!!

P.S. I would like to thank God for bringing a hair straightener into my life. I only wish he had done it before I spent 2 years performing in front of 86,000 people every Saturday. That is all.

Live From Jacksonville

Jackson: "Mama, say 'under'."
Me: "Under."
Jackson: "Now say 'wear'."
Me: "Wear."
Jackson: "Now put it together and say 'underwear'."
Me: "Underwear."
Jackson: "Bahahaha. You said 'underwear'."
Me: "So did you."
Jackson: (insert stunned silence). "Oh."

Jackson: "Mama, when I was a baby, like a little bitty baby, when I was too small to sleep in a crib, did I sleep in a casket?"

Jackson: "The election is Tuesday, right?"
Me: "That's right. Only a few more days."
Jackson: "I hope that Barack Obama is fired. That man is ridiculous!"

Y'all have a great weekend. We're heading to Auburn University for me to take the field with the Auburn University Marching Band alumni. I'm so excited about performing again, and I can't wait to show you pics. Take care!