I'm about to have a meltdown of my own...

After only 20 hours of back breaking work, our VBS room was finished! And then I went off and forgot to take pictures. But never fear, the week is still young, and I promise to post pictures tomorrow.

And now, I bring you a Monday dilemna to help me sort out.

We're having a little problem with our little man. Keep in mind, he's turning 3 in August, and for several months now we have had major problems issues with dropping Jackson off at preschool and church. The problem is that he has a complete meltdown when it is time for us to leave him. I'm not talking tears and whining, what I'm referring to is a complete "can't-get-his-breath-because-he's-crying-so-hard" meltdown, and it doesn't seem to matter which of us is leaving him. What is so mind boggling to me is that Jackson has only gone to our church (since before he was born), and he's been at the same preschool since he was 8 months old. We've tried everything that we can think of from bribing the good behavior out of him with candy or small toys, to talking with him about how we will be back in "just a few minutes" to ignoring the behavior completely, to just taking him down to the baby room at church until he can calm down, and it seems like nothing is working.

It's gotten to the point at preschool that the director meets us at our car to come get Jackson as opposed to us walking him in because he gets so upset when we leave.

And y'all, it just about kills me.

I hate leaving him like that. I hate seeing the tears and hearing the crying. I hate being "that" parent whose child has such extreme problems with separation.

And I know that within a few minutes of us leaving that he quits crying. And I know that he always has a good day at school because he and his teachers tell me so. He's a great kid, and is dearly loved at his school. He just hates being left.

And for as many people have told me, "this too shall pass" I want to just say to them, "How does that help me NOW?"

And y'all, I'm just tired of it...

So, from one parent to another, I would love some advice or words of wisdom to help us through this.

But please don't tell me, "this too shall pass."

It's a matter of time

Y'all, this is something I can totally see myself doing, and I would just die from embarrassment!!!

It really is only a matter of time considering my other close and not so close calls....

And seriously, this is so stinking funny. We all know how our fearless leader is totally dependent on his teleprompter. Well now, his teleprompter has started it's own blog (TOTUS, for Teleprompter Of The United States), and it's motto is "Because There Is No POTUS Without TOTUS" which is absolutely hilarious. I'm definitely going to stay tuned in to see what his electronic hand-holder has to say!

Hmm?

What do you think it says about one's driving skills when their 2 1/2 son reminds them that, "You need to turn on your blinker Mommy."? Either he pays WAY too much attention to me, or by next week he's going to want to apply for his driver's permit.

And how funny is it that Jackson has mastered using the word, "disgusting" only he's says, "That's deeesgusting. Yucky!"

And remember how much Jackson loved the movie Monster's Inc (aka Silly Monsters)? Since our original copy had gotten scratched beyond repair since Jackson figured out how to operate our DVD player, we went out before our trip to Mississippi last week and bought a new one. Can you believe that we had to pay full price for a movie that is almost 10 years old? Anywho, we have now watched said movie at least 30 times this week.

I'm really questioning why I insisted that we buy him another copy. What was I thinking? I'm such a glutton for punishment!

And finally, we are approaching the start of our VBS week. Our theme is Boomerang Express and Kellyn and I are still super busy getting our room decorated, but I think we see the light at the end of the tunnel. We were only at the church last night until close to 10:00! So far we have painted an entire mountain range, 2 kangaroos, 2 boab trees, a locomotive and passenger car of a train. All we have to paint now is a caboose, train tracks, a pond, crocodile, frogs, lily pads, clouds, and then paint the entire bottom part of the room with grass. I'm not at all thinking that perhaps our room is kicking our butts!

See this tree?

Kellyn painted it and did an awesome job, although we both thought that painting all the limbs was going to kill her in the process.

And see this mountain range?

It's called Olga's rock, and when we started trying to figure out how big we were going to paint it, I foolishly kept saying, "Let's make it bigger!" because as you know, bigger is always better. Well, we made it big, and let me just say that I should have kept my mouth shut!

And see this train?

It's not exactly like ours, but it's close. Ours is the same train, only a profile shot of it, and we are only using 3 cars because seriously, we have enough left to paint and time is quickly running out.

As usual, we have gone all out, but it's always so worth it in the end. The kids love it, and that makes it all worthwhile, even if I have ruined one of my favorite shirts by spilling paint on myself! I hope you have a great weekend!

So Maybe He's Heard it a Few Times....

Yesterday when I arrived at Jackson’s school he was sitting in timeout on the playground. I asked the teacher what he was in for, and she told me that he and another little girl had been throwing dirt at each other. He was filthy!

I’m taking the fact that my pale child was literally brown to mean that he and the other girl had a pretty good dirt war going on!

They cleaned him up and we headed home. When we got home we were in a hurry to get changed and ready to go to church. I had pulled out a new shirt and pair of shorts for Jackson to wear and he was insisting (rather loudly and in that whiney voice that I just can’t handle) that “I don’t want to change my clothes!” Sorry kid, but you are filthy and you are NOT going to church looking like a ragamuffin.

I had taken off his shorts and sent him into the bathroom to go potty. He went, whining the ENTIRE way there. He was standing by the potty doing his business when he looked back at me and said, “I AM NOT BEING A DRAMA KING!”

I'm thinking he’s heard that from me someone a few times.

Megan

I wanted to share an article with you about Megan, the little girl that I told you about yesterday. Please remember her family in your prayers. They have a very tough road ahead of them.

Summer Fun

While Kellyn and I are in the midst of drowning in paint preparing for VBS, Jeremy is holding down the fort with Jackson and getting to enjoy watching him be such a fun little boy. Once again last night Jackson discovered how much fun it is to play in the sprinkler. He had a blast and we have the pictures to prove it!

Sprinkler fun!

Someone really should tell Jackson that you never mow wet grass!

Check out those baby blues!

100% Grade-A Boy!!!

Such a little stinker!

All cleaned up after bathtime!

On a serious note, please be in prayer for the family of one of my coworkers. Gary Brittain was Jeremy's campus minister when Jeremy was a student at Jacksonville State University. Gary lost his wife in early 2007 to breast cancer, and about 2 months after his wife died, his daughter Megan was diagnosed with cancer. Sadly, at only 12 years old, Megan lost her battle with cancer yesterday afternoon. Please remember the Brittain family, especially Gary and Megan's brothers, Ian and Bradley. They have faced such loss the last 2 years, and I know they would greatly appreciate your prayers.

Lance Armstrong Better Watch Out!

This weekend Nana found a bicycle for a great price and got it for Jackson. He has been wanting a "real" bicycle for awhile now, and we told him that he could ride it after we got him a bike helmet on Monday. In fact, the first words Jackson said when he woke up yesterday were, "I'm gonna go to Walmart to get my bike helmet today!" So after work yesterday, Jeremy and I met up at Walmart with Jackson to find the perfect helmet. It took awhile because apparently he has a big head and we finally got one to fit him correctly. Then last night Jeremy got him suited up with his new Tonka truck bike helmet and pads, and he was off! We were shocked with how well he has taken to riding it. He's a natural!

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Here We Go...

We got back from Mississippi last night from Jeremy's grandmother's funeral. It was a really nice service for a wonderful Christian woman. Please continue to remember Jeremy's family in your prayers as they begin this new chapter in their lives.

When we got home, we dropped Jackson off at his Nana and Tata's house and Jeremy and I headed off to have my Mother's Day dinner at Shogun. You see, my Mother's Day gift was supposed to be for me to go see New Kids on the Block, but since they up and cancelled our concert, and since I can eat regular food again since my surgery, I was all about some Shogun, and y'all, it did not disappoint! I have leftovers for lunch today that I'm equally excited about.

And guess what? Jeremy has strep throat. Again. The second time in a month.

And guess what else? Vacation Bible School starts in exactly 1 week and I've done nothing!!! As I told y'all last year, my family is definitely part of the VBS Decorating Cartel, and my Mom has been named the official Queen of the Cartel. She has been busy for about a month now, and my sister and I have got to get cracking! We are teaching 3rd and 4th grade again, and we simply can't let her show us up!! Love you Mom!!!

Anyways, all that to say that Kellyn and I are going to be immersed in VBS land this week. It should prove to be a fun and crazy, albeit busy, week! Take care!

Prayer Request

We just got word that Jeremy's sweet grandmother, Mamaw, passed away at home just a short while ago. Please be in prayer for his family, especially Jeremy's Mother (Gigi) and his Papaw. Mamaw and Papaw had been married for over 65 years and were just the embodiment of what a loving Christian marriage is all about. Please remember his family in your prayers, and us as we travel to Mississippi.

It Just Gets Better

So yesterday was my 500th blog post, and it came and went without my even noticing it. I think that in honor of my 500th post, I need to do a giveaway for $500. How does that sound? I think it sounds great, but I just need someone to donate $500 for me to giveaway. I'll let you know when I get it, mmkay?

Now I've told you about Jackson's girlfriends (yes, that is plural), Gracie and Colleen, from school. What would you think if I told you that we are now having to pack 2 extra pudding or jello cups everyday in order to feed his little harem? Not only that, but Jackson swiped my entire book of reward stickers to take to "my girlfriends" this morning. He wouldn't let me take out a page, but he had to take the whole book.

Now they're not just stealing my little boy, they're getting my pudding and stickers too!

An Open Letter

Dear Jon and Kate,

First of all let me say what a huge fan I am. I have watched and loved the show since it started, and I have thoroughly enjoyed watching your kids grow up. They are so precious!

Now let’s get down to business. I was rather disturbed last night when I tuned in to watch the premiere of your 5th season. I had already told Jeremy (that’s my husband) that I was going to check out of parental duties at 8:00 CST to watch the show. I’ve heard the rumors about your relationship, and I just wanted to let y’all know how sad it has made me to hear speculation about your marriage. I am giving both of you the benefit of doubt that neither of you cheated on each other, but sadly, after 10 years of marriage that you have just found yourselves in different places.

That brings me to last night. I was hooked from the moment the show started and watched the entire episode from start to finish. Jon, let me just say that although I have felt really sorry for you in the past with how Kate barks at you all the time, you came off as a supreme jerk last night. Now I get that you used to work full-time outside the home, and then you quit your job to have “more flexible hours” which I (correctly) interpreted to mean that you were making enough money off the show that y’all decided that you didn’t need to work anymore. And now Kate has her gig as an author (making even more money off your family and show) and so you got the lucky job of staying home with all 8 kids with, as Kate put it, “help.” But last night, you acted like your family was such a huge imposition and burden on you. I was disgusted with how uninterested and blatantly self-righteous you acted. From watching the show, I know Kate isn’t the easiest person to live with, but you just made me nauseous. I realize it must be very stressful to take care of 8 kids, but Kate has been doing that for 5 YEARS. Get over yourself and realize that they are your kids also, and that you are just as responsible for their care as Kate.

And Kate, could it be more obvious that you have changed dramatically over the course of these 5 seasons. When this show started, you seemed so normal and ordinary, and dare I say, frumpy. Now, you are wearing expensive designer clothing, have your haircut in way too severe haircuts, and tan way entirely too much. You aren’t anything like you were back when you showed us what your stomach looked like after having 8 kids in your tummy tuck episode. That person was real (and much more likeable), and you just seem like you are way too into yourself and appearances now. I don’t even want to harp too much on how rude you can be to people, but you have put yourself on a pedestal, and Kate, I’m afraid you are about to fall off.

Last night the two of you just about made me cry. It’s painfully obvious that you, Jon, are completely over having your life displayed as entertainment, and that you, Kate, love your time in the limelight. Talk about major conflict! Both of you are wanting entirely different things from your life now, and neither of you seem willing to compromise over anything. Your body language was horrible, and the fact that you didn’t even sit on the interview couch together except for a single question just heartbreaking. For the love Jon, Kate was crying last night! That never happens on the show.

So here’s my advice: As much as America loves you and has become obsessed with your family, you need to end your contract with TLC and head off into the sunset together with your 8 kids for some couples therapy. It’s painfully obvious that if the two of you don’t reconnect as a couple, your marriage is headed the same way of Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson. You remember their reality show? Things didn’t work out so well for them, and I just can’t handle it if your marriage ends like theirs did. I was heartbroken then, and I just don’t want to face that disappointment again. Your family is worth way too much to end over reality television. In the past you both have said that you would only continue the show so long as it is working out okay for your family. It seems like things aren’t working out so well right now and Jon hates the lack of freedom that has come with your fame. So end the show. Take your precious kids, bid farewell to America and the free perks that having a tv show on TLC has offered you, and say adios. I promise you the paparazzi will eventually move on from your doorstep, and America will one day say, “Jon and Kate who?” As much as we will miss you, we will survive without you, and your loyal fans would much rather your marriage survive and thrive than watch it go down in flames on television.

Sincerely,

Amy Wade

Happy Memorial Day!

I hope you have a happy and safe Memorial Day!

Just as Predicted....

Jackson freaked out this morning and pitched a fit because he couldn't see the school bus. How do you explain summer vacation to a 2 1/2 year old? I think it's funny that in only a few years he is going to be begging the school bus to quit driving down our street!

And in other news, Jackson has a new phrase that is just cracking Jeremy and myself up. He will wait until you close the bathroom door (with him on the other side) and run up to it, start knocking like crazy, and when you open the door up he says, "I need a hundred dollars please." Where in the world did he learn that? The kid doesn't even get an allowance yet!

I guess that's all for now. I'm about to head off to the dermatologist for a check-up. Have a great Friday!

The Last Day of School

And Jackson is going to be heartbroken tomorrow morning when he realizes that he won't get to watch the school bus drive down our street for the next 2 months. That's a lifetime to a preschooler!

Last night we made cookies for the bus driver. It's crazy that I can't even remember her name, and yet she's been such a huge part of Jackson's daily routine for the last year. Jackson has adored watching her drive down our street.

So this morning Jackson was so excited about giving her the cookies he made. We got ready, walked down the driveway, and waited for her to come by. We flagged her down as she got close to our house and Jackson started heading toward the bus like such a big boy. I helped him climb the first step, and that's when he did exactly what he did at Christmas with her: he put on the brakes! Jackson turned around to me and said, "I don't like this very much!" He could feel the bus shaking under his feet and decided that it scared him. Jeremy and I both hope that when he actually rides the bus one day that he won't pull this stunt!

Anyways, as I held Jackson the driver told him how much she has loved him waving to her every morning, and that she was going to miss seeing him this summer. Then she did the sweetest thing ever: she gave Jackson a present! She had gotten him a little school bus picture frame!

It's gonna be a long summer without seeing the school bus drive by, but at least we'll have a little reminder of this sweet age of his life when as a young boy he was obsessed with school buses, airplanes, tractors, and big trucks. Then, one day I'll be able to tell Jackson's first real girlfriend all about when Jackson was little and he just "had" to go wave to the school bus driver every morning!

Blessings Abound....

We have taught Jackson about saying the blessing before supper, but last night was the first night that I've heard with my own ears Jackson say the blessing all by himself. Jeremy has told me that he's been doing this occasionally, but I've never heard it before. It was the sweetest thing ever listening to him, even though I did quietly laugh just about the entire time at how sweet and cute he sounded.

He sang, "God our Father, God our Father. Once again, once again. We thank you for our blessings, thank you for our blessings, Amen. Amen."

Then he started in with, "I thank you for Mommy and Daddy and Macy and Nana and Tata and Shadow and KK and Jason and Gigi and Papa and Ben and Tanner and Mimi and Adam and Albe and Chuck!"

At bedtime he sang "God our Father" again and added, "I thank you for my trucks. I thank you for my toys. I thank you for my bikes. Amen!"

I love that kid! He just continually blesses my heart...

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Did you hear that joke?

You know, the one about the girl who was recovering from throat surgery and was at the point that everything she ate or drank (including medicine) burned like hydrocholoric acid going down her throat.

Turns out it wasn't funny at all.

I have decided in all honesty, that giving birth is much less painful than having your tonsils removed. Seriously.

Enough about me. I headed home early yesterday afternnoon and then went and got Jackson after I had rested for a few hours. We enjoyed an hour or so out in the sunshine where Jackson had a blast running and playing in the backyard. Around 5 or so, my sister Kellyn called to check on me, and in the midst of our limited conversation, I hear all this commotion behind me. Jackson had thrown his leg on top of the playset he was on (like he always does) and was hollering, "Come help me. Help Me!!! I need an ambulance. Call the fire truck. Call the medics. Get the ladder truck!!! I need HEELLLLLPPPP! I'm stuck!!!"

He's such a little drama king! Kellyn and I were cracking up, and the irony at a little boy calling for help when his mother can hardly talk is pretty hilarious!!

In other news, I wanted to thank Jeremy for still loving me and caring for me despite the fact that under my pain and duress I told him that I wished Jack Bauer would die during the season finale of 24. Jeremy was not amused. Clearly, I'm still not impressed by Jack, but let the record show that Jack Bauer's torture methods have got NOTHING on a tonsillectomy.

I'm just saying....

I Will Survive

I'm back at work today after a week from you know where. The week is still in full force. I literally was ready to die over the weekend. It was misery. It still is. The hardest part is that I'm hungry and thirsty, but it hurts so bad to eat and drink, that I just can't to do it. The result of that is that I've lost 12 lbs in 6 days. I wanted to lose weight, but this was NOT what I had in mind. I told Jeremy yesterday that I would rather he just take me to the hospital for IV hydration, than try to drink anything. And y'all, the ear and jaw pain is excruciating. It feels like a major ear infection and lock jaw combined. The doctor is calling in some steroids for me to calm the inflammation, and I go back for a checkup tomorrow afternoon.

I was told before surgery that having your tonsils removed as an adult was harder than if you had them removed as a child.

Understatement of the century.

Meanwhile, I'm just trying my best to keep quiet and keep telling myself, "I will survive."

And I just found out that the New Kids concert I was so excited about has been cancelled. It's just the icing on the cake...

Just Keeping It Real

The first two days of recovery from my tonsillectomy were nothing. In my mind I think I even started to mock those little weaklings who complained about how bad this procedure stinks on an adult.

Now, on day three of my recovery, the ghosts of tonsils past have officially made their move.

I'm miserable.

It hurts to talk.

It hurts to eat.

It hurts to drink.

It just plain hurts.

I'm putting "having a tonsillectomy" at the top of my list of things I never, ever want to do again. I guess that's good, seeing as how I could never, ever have this procedure again, and I can only say "Amen" to that...

Tales from the Lunch Hour

In counting down my final meals until surgery, I decided that I wanted to eat something a little different for lunch today. I was enjoying my sandwich from Subway, which was delicious, when a middle aged woman walked in and ordered her lunch. She had on a super cute knee length skirt and I thought she looked really put together and sharp UNTIL.....Dum, Dum, Dum.....

I spotted these peeking out from underneath her skirt.

Seriously, a grown woman wearing pantaloons. In 2009.

In case you wondered, I didn't quite know the correct name for these things seeing as how I've only seen them on baby dolls. I kept trying to google "pantyloons" which wasn't too far off.

Now I'm wondering how I even knew the word "pantyloons."

Even weirder, the website for the pantaloons describes them as "fashionable" and "sexy" which are definitely not two words I would have thought of to describe a middle aged woman wearing knee length bloomers.

Just so you know...

Super Busy, Super Fun Weekend

Hey y'all! I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day. I did! It was a perfect weekend, and I loved every minute of it. I've got pictures galore today!

First up: On the way home from work on Friday I turned into our neighborhood and spotted a turtle crossing the road. I knew Jackson would love to see it, so I did what any mother would do; I stopped my car in the middle of the street, rushed out to go pick up the turtle, and put him in the floorboard of the passenger side of my car. I got him out when I got home and Jackson loved him! We ended up driving him down to the creek close to our house to set him free. We got to watch him swim off and Jackson has talked about it ever since!

He was a Southern Painted Turtle.

For the record, Jeremy wouldn't touch the turtle. I should get "Super Mommy" points for bringing him home!

Free at last!

Then, Friday night, Jeremy and I took Jackson over to play with his buddy "Laytnon Lewis." His name is really Layton, but ever since Jackson met him, he has been "Laytnon Lewis" and Layton calls Jackson, "Jackin." They are too cute together!

Isn't Layton a cutie!

Jackson had a blast!

On Saturday morning I did my usual morning routine, but after lunch I headed off to Auburn to go watch Amy's husband, Dr. Adam Charles Knight, walk in his graduation service. We are very proud of Adam for his hard work and dedication. He is an Assistant Professor of Sport Biomechanics in the Department of Kinesiology at Mississippi State University. Just so you know, I felt smart just typing that last sentence, so I can only imagine how smart he feels!

Then on Sunday, it was Mother's Day and I decided to invite my family over for lunch at my house. I cooked a ham, made homemade mashed potatoes, butter beans, and cornbread. It was delicious, and we had such a good time. After everyone left Jackson and I had a wonderful nap and when we got up, it was play time! Jackson loved Layton's pool so much that I bought him one on Saturday morning. I set it up on Sunday afternoon, and spent the final few hours of my amazing Mother's Day just enjoying the sunshine with my wonderful little boy. He had such a good time in his pool, and his favorite part was splashing me!

Jackson loved filling the pool.

The water hose got away from him!

This is the life!

My precious gift from God!

Such a cutie!

That's all. I hope you have a wonderful day. I've got my tonsillectomy scheduled for tomorrow, so I will be out of pocket for awhile. I hope you have a terrific week!