The Snow Family

Christmas Season 2010

2011-10-09T10:27:00.000-07:00

Well...Christmas 2010 is behind us. I am sad about it too. I get that way every year...the after the Holidays blues. My tree is still up and so are the many decorations that are mostly eched with the cliche' "snow" quote on them...get it? Yes, even though I kept my maiden name...I still get all tickled that my married name is Snow, and this time of year it just fits.

This year we spent time with family and friends. I hosted our family Christmas this year, and I must say it was so much fun. Having my family in my home before and after Christmas with us eating all sorts of yummies made my home feel warm, and filled it with love. There was an unspoken ambiance that was created and felt in my home because my family was here. As an adult, that feeling is the best Christmas gift ever! I watched my brothers and nieces and nephews play with Brayden. I listened to them giggle. I had really fun conversations with my neices. We swapped fun Christmas gifts, and lauged really hard in the process. We all ate until our belly's ached. It was special. It made our holidays feel really good even though we were all missing Mom, Scott, Tara and the boys.

Brayden naturally entertained everyone as usual with his quirky little performances, and his story to Emily about how him and Daddy built a snowman together in the backyard! Poor Em...she glanced outside to look for it...Brayden quickly told her it probably melted. I giggled when Emily recapped his story to her since Daddy and Brayden havent built a snowman together at all in the backyard yet this winter! Fibber.

Ron and I put Brayden to bed, and came back downstairs to watch out for Santa Claus, and help put together a few things ;-) We ate cookies, played Christmas music and hunkered down for assembly from 11:45 to 4am! Yes we did! It was fun though. We giggled as every single time we heard a sound, we scrambled like spazzes trying to make a sad attempt at hiding wrapping paper and assembly tools ;-)

We talked about our lives together up to this point and giggled at some old funnies and stories that are now but mere memories for us. We finally sneaked up to bed to snuggle with out peanut, and said sweet prayers of gratitude. Then we prayed Brayden would sleep in for at least a small while in the morning. It didn't happen though. ;-(

In Heaven...

2011-10-09T10:13:00.000-07:00

Just lately, Brayden has been asking questions like "Daddy, where is your Daddy and Mommy, where is your Daddy?" Ron and I have both been telling him that our Daddy's passed away and that they are in heaven with Jesus, God, our guardian angels, and our other family in heaven. He was usually quite content with that until a few weeks ago. One morning brayden asked me again: And our convo went like this:

Brayden: Mommy, where is your Daddy?

Me: Bray honey, my Daddy is in heaven!

Brayden: Where is Daddy's Daddy?

Me: He is in heaven with my Daddy!
Insert: Brayden putting his pouty and sad head down with the utmost look of hearbreak on his face as he starts to sob a little.

Me: Bray, whats the matter honey? It's ok to be sad, but both of your Grandpas are watching over you ALL the time bubby! Why are you so sad love?

Brayden: "BECAUSE!!!! I don't have a Daddy in heaven!"

You should have seen my freaked out husbands face when I told him that story!!!

Ron thinks Brayden knows something he doesnt know, and statements like that make him paranoid. He gets freaked out whenever he has a headache of some sort! Me on the other hand thinks its adorable, and nothing more than a cute statement from that of a three year old. Guess that's how we balance each other out so well huh?

Hope you are still giggling. I am ;-)

An impromptu weekend...

2011-08-07T16:06:00.000-07:00

This last weekend was probably the most fun, relaxing weekend I have had in a long time. Brayden and I woke up Saturday morning with Daddy at work and we decided that even though it was a gloomy and semi-windy day we would head out to Timmy Ho's for our usual morning drinks...a large Double double for me, and a chocolate milk for Bray. This of course after we spend a good 20 minutes in bed snuggling, giggling, tickling and gabbing about our plans...

As we were headed downtown, we happened to notice that the drum corp. international who had performed in the Lucy 100th Birthday parade the night before were holding a drum line practice downtown next to the ice rink. So...we got our drinks, and parked ti listen and watch the drummers. Soon we got out of the van and decided to sit on the benches nearby to watch and listen. They were amazing. Brayden danced and giggled listening to them play. Soon an old neighbor Ive known since childhood came over to sit with us and we chatted about their performance and what a perfect day this was to watch them. Within the next hour, a crowd started to form and the other band members started filing in to practice as a team. We stayed for a few hours just relaxing, talking, laughing and enjoying a perfectly impromptu Saturday morning. One of the drummers came over to talk to brayden and let him play on his drums! Brayden was IN.HEAVEN! All the young men filtered over slowly and were showing him drumming tricks and building him up! They were so nice! At the end before they headed back after their break...one guy came over and handed Brayden his drumsticks and told him to keep them! They are all taped up and ratty from playing with, but how special that Brayden has ACTUAL drumsticks from the Texas drum corp. international marching band Genesis! Too cool.

During all of this, we were on the phone on and off all morning with my niece Emily discussing the huge Lucy picture that was going to take place downtown at 2PM with everyone dressed as Lucy and Desi for the attempt to have the most Lucy's in one place at one time at City Hall for the Guinness Book of world Records! She convinced us that this was important, and that she would have costumes ready for us with wigs if we could make it to their house in 5 minutes to get dressed....so off we went...and quickly! I should mention is was 1:35PM...lol!

We scurried over there and Emily and Molly got Brayden dolled up in a Lucy dress look-a-like costume and a red wig. I quickly laid on the bright red lipstick we had to have and he quickly said to Emily, "Emily! I don't have a necklace!" After we all laughed in hysterics, Emily rushed around to find him the perfect white pearls to don! We drove there and parked and were literally RUNNING to city hall to make it for the picture! There were photographers from all over the world snapping pictures and doing news articles on this event in celebration of Lucille Ball's 100th Birthday celebration. We.just.made.it!

It was such a great afternoon of laughing, pictures, history and fun. Walking back to the car Brayden said to me, "Mommy, thank you, I am having so much fun today!, Thank you for the day off Mommy!". It made me smile from ear to ear! It also made me want to quit my job and stay home with him again, but that is not a possible thing for us to do right now!

At the end of the day Emily and I chatted and were talking about how Brayden was such a great sport. He didn't get stressed by our rushed commotion and was totally up for this crazy fun experience. She said she loved how he held so still as she was bobby pinning the red wig to his head and getting him all dolled up! He is so much fun! My whole family is so much fun! I am so so glad that I had this experience this weekend. I realized very quickly that life isn't always about plans and execution of them. It;s about appreciating that even when our plans change, we can find that in those moments we will have the best moments in our lives!

In Heaven...

2011-07-24T13:36:00.001-07:00

Summer 2010

2011-07-24T13:22:00.000-07:00

This year has already been a very very busy year for us (can't you tell from my lack of blogging lately?). I went back to work early in the beginning of the year, and Ron followed suit again shortly thereafter. Brayden is now with a sitter for a few hours a day, and is really doing well with that. He is having a lot of fun with his new friends, and the only thing he doesn't thoroughly enjoy is getting up early in the morning with Mommy to get ready to go. He grumbles, re-snuggles into his pillows and acts like he does not even hear me!!!

Of course with all of that going on, Ron has just finished another season of the Babe Ruth prep league, regular season team and the all star teams. His coaching was awesome this year, and he was even awarded for the 2011 Ray Angle Awward for Babe Ruth! He was very proud, and it was VERY hard for me to keep it a secret for two weeks! Me...keeping a secret! I know~but I did it folks! Brayden of course had the time of his life again this season with his own little uniform to match the big kids, and he had tons of little kids to play with at each and every game we attended. We even got to go out of town for All star championships this year and have a nice 4 days in a hotel room...it was baseball for the boys, and LUXURY for Momma! I truly enjoyed having this time with both of my boys as the days seem to get shorter and shorter as of late.

I have not really been doing much of anything except working (which I LOVE my job), and trying to keep up with and support Rons endeavors with baseball this summer. Of course, the usual has taken place....Bray and Mommy time, playtime, pool time, and not much else. We have spent weeks eating out, avoiding cleaning and laundry, and just relaxing with each other at each special moment we can. I am going to start blogging again more regularly, as I have had an interesting last year and need to reflect on it in some ways. Hope you are all enjoying your nice hot summer as well! Will be back shortly with some pics and stories.

Our dear sweet Shadow...

2011-04-12T18:00:00.000-07:00

Our dear Shadow of 15 years passed away the second week of March. She peacefully went in her sleep and we buried her at Stateline along with all of the other family dogs. It was very heartbreaking for Ron and I and our family and friends that loved her as well. Bacca and Brayden actually handled it very well.
Brayden asked me {about a week later}..."Mommy, where's Shadow?" I was honest and told him that sometimes when animals get sick, their isnt enough medicine to make them better and that animals dont live as long as poeple do, and that she passed away and went to heaven". He said "Well...when Shadow comes back Bacca will be happy!" I then had to really explain that going to Heaven meant she would not be coming back , and that she was dead, and she is no longer in pain, and is with God and our other family in heaven with our guardian angels" {he knows this from our prayers at night, so I went with that}. He walked away and started playing again with his play phone when I breathed a sigh of relief until I heard him say to his caller "Hi Shadow, its me...Brayden...how are you? Oh, really? Wow, yeah, uh huh, ok...bye!!!! He came running up to me and said very excitedly "Mommy!!!!!!!! I talked to Shadow and she is happy in heaven, and they gave her a band aid, and she is jumping on the trampoline and bounce house!!!" I got all excited with him, and when he walked away....I sobbed! It's amazing though that he embraced something I thought would devastate him.

Shadow {Pretty girl}...was a part of our family since 1997. We got Bacca a year later. She was our little escape artist..she would dig under or climb over any fence we had. She would "sass" you when you talked to her, and she loved whip cream, peanut butter and ice chips. She never growled, never nipped, she was the sweetest happiest dog ever! She would constantly give kisses and loved to play and run and frolic as many dogs do. She had such an adventurous life, and loved riding in the car on our many road trips with her. She would swim in our pool and hop around like a frog when we played rough with her...she would have me in stitches half the time. She was such a wonderful part of our family. Burying her was emotional, but in a good way. The last few years arthritis plagued her and she slowly became miserable. She would just sleep, eat and go potty. I felt relieved that is now in Heaven and no longer in pain. There is true solice in that. I hope her soul is still with us, and that she knows just how much we loved her!!!

We will greatly miss her!!! So...we are giving Bacca lots of love and attention right now! We love you pretty girl!

Update...long overdue

2011-04-12T17:09:00.000-07:00

Well, I'll admit it...I feel like the long lost blogger these days. I keep thinking "Oooh, Ill need to blog about that", except, I typically don't have time to do it these days anymore.

This Momma has gone from Stay at home Mommy Status to back to work Mommy. I received an offer for a career I just could not say no too. I am now an Assistant Executive Director for Emeritus Senior Living. I love it! It does require a lot of my time and concentration, but it is also pushing me to go back to school this year as well to pursue my Bachelors in Business, then I plan to work on a Maters after that. Needless to say, my home decor and furniture rehab projects have gone by the wayside {as well as cleaning my house lately!} lol. The only I dislike about the whole thing is when I get home from work Brayden says to me "Mommy, are you done with work so you can spend time with me now?" It breaks my heart, but it also motivates me to get on the floor and play when all I want to do is sleep for an hour or two! lol.

Brayden is growing as fast ever! He is definitely going to be taller than me...and maybe Ron too! He is counting, learning all of his letters, numbers, and is slowly working on reading right now. He speaks so well for his age, and is constantly making us giggle with his remarks and personality. He loves being home during the day with Daddy, and is learning everything he can about dinosaurs right now...{c/o: Dino Dan}. I must say I am quite impressed with the names of the ones he knows currently...half of them I CANT pronounce...and he can! All in all, he is a wonderful little guy. I need to make an effort to document everything I can so Ill never forget these moments in his life.

Daddy is still at that Fire Department. He loves it. He was awarded First Responder this year at the banquet, received his EMT state certification, and just had his 1 year anniversary there last week. During that week he was privileged enough to be able to assist in the delivery of a baby on the ambulance and received his first EMT First Responder Stork pin, and an article in the local newspaper!!! He is also getting ready to start coaching Babe Ruth Baseball again this year and is gearing up for a whole summer full of all that it will entail!

I promise to get everyone caught up here in the next coming weeks. Stay tuned!!!

Plex...

2010-11-18T20:00:00.000-08:00

If you know my child, you know that he has a serious friendship with his Yo Gabba friends. Tonight I went to see my nephew and have a dinner with his cub scouts at this school. When I left, Brayden told me "I very miss you Mommy"...meaning he would miss me while I was gone {aweeee}.

When I got home, he was upstairs, he came down asking Daddy who was here. Daddy said he didn't know...so I hid around the corner and popped out thinking he would be all excited to see me {you know, because he was going to miss me so much while I was gone}....and Brayden just plainly looked at me and said "Oh, I thought Plex was here".

Oooohhhh...well okay then!!! Guess the Mommy novelty thing is running thin these days.

Doe re me...

2010-11-06T10:08:00.000-07:00

Lastnight as we were getting ready for bed, Brayden came running into the bathroom with the extension from the vacuum using it like a microphone singing his little heart out! He threw me for a loop when I heard him sing {and pretty on key} "Doe Re Me Fa So La Tee Doe"

I used to sing that to him about a year or more ago over and over again as he played the piano so he would start to recognize keys and notes. He loved when I sang that to him, but never repeated it, and had not attempted it until lastnight. I cannot believe he even remembered that! I told Ron this was my baseball moment...that my child is singing, and loves it, and is actually good at it. When I was pregnant I used to say that I was going to have a little boy that loved singing as much as I do, my little Josh Groban...haha! I was so proud of my peanut lastnight, my heart swelled a little bit.

Honestly...if he never enjoyed singing at all, I wouldnt mind, but since its been such a big part of my life, I kind of hoped he would love it, or at least be able to do it well. I just thought it was really special, and very cool. Mommy was impressed Bray!

O R E O

2010-11-06T09:50:00.000-07:00

The other night Brayden and Daddy decided to have Oreo's together. Daddy taught Brayden how to dunk his cookies in milk, and Brayden could'nt have loved it more! He dunked and ate oreo's and dunked some more. His face, fingers and shirt were covered with drippy crumbling oreo goodness. It was certainly a Daddy and Brayden moment to remember. I sat on the couch giggling at them both and snapping pictures of course. I love moments that are simple and perfect like this.

My little flying monkey...

2010-11-02T17:24:00.000-07:00

For the last few years, I have really been wanting to make Brayden a Flying Monkey costume from the Wizard of Oz. I wasn't quite sure how I would pull it off exactly, but knew I wanted to try making this for him. This year, this Momma was on a mission to get it done. I searched everywhere for grayish/blue furry fabric so I could match the monkey exactly to the old movie. I could not find it anywhere. {sigh}

I finally settled on some white furry fabric and decided it would still look cute even so! Next, I searched for really cool feathers so I could hand make the wings for the costume. I bought 6 bags of feathers, ended up only needing two of them...so I'll just hope that I need them for something else soon!!!

I started making his costume on Saturday, October 30th...yes I am a huge procrastinator. I cut, and sewed and cut {ran and bought another yard of fur}, and continued sewing for most of the day! I finished Halloween Day at about 2pm...phew!

I will add that although Brayden DID end up liking his costume, that on Saturday he was trying on the suit before it was finished and got fur in his mouth. He immediately started dry heaving, and yelling "get it off me, I don't like it anymore...fur is not my favorite snack!" I'm not even kidding...this dramatic little child of mine ;-)

Thankfully by Sunday, he was ready and raring to go putting his costume on. He was so excited, and looked like such a soft little monkey, I just wanted to pet him! ha!

I added some fishing wire to his tail so it would wag as he walked, and the wings turned out so cute...even if they did require me sitting gluing each one on one by one for over 4 hours!!! Gotta love hot glue gun burns though right? Well...they were totally worth it, he looked adorable. I am so happy with how this whole costume turned out! Most importantly...he had a blast trick or treating. He kept telling people "thank you" and "Happy Halloween", and even knocked on one door screaming "Hello, Lakewood Fire Department!!!" He's a hoot!

Happy Halloween 2010 Brayden...or....Flying Monkey I should say!

Diapers + Baby Showers=Diaper Cakes!!!

2010-10-21T14:08:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I was invited to my cousin Alicia's baby shower for baby #2. This was more of a diaper party actually because she knows she is having another boy, and really did not need anything other than just that...diapers.

So, I decided to make her a fun little diaper cake. Really...these are so practical, fun and so cute! It was a huge hit at the party, and she enjoyed it very much. I {heart} baby showers.

Here is the diaper cake I made for her which included: 100 size 1 diapers, baby shampoo, lotion, body wash, wipes, 2 pacifiers, desitin, and baby powder.

Feelings

2010-10-19T19:17:00.000-07:00

Brayden and I went to a play date today at my good friend Paula's house with Miss Rosalie and Benjamin, two of Brayden's best friends. Benjamin and Rosalie are closer in age to eachother, and Brayden is almost a year older than both of them, so watching them all play is interesting. Today, Benjamin pushed Rosalie down a few times, and Rosalie began to cry each time. After one of Benjamin's time outs today Brayden says to Rosalie "Im sorry Benjamin hit you Rosalie, I make you happy now-I make Benjamin happy now too!" I thought it was sweet that Brayden recognized the interaction between Rosalie and Benjamin, and that he was trying to play peace maker in the situation.

On our way home Brayden was chatting with me about his day, which is typically what he does when we leave play dates. Today, this was our conversation, and it was just so sweet!!! It was just so like him to feel this way, and to express it as he did, it stole my heart. God I love him....

Brayden: Mommy, Im sorry.

Me: Why are you sorry baby, you didnt do anything you need to be sorry for, why are you saying you are sorry?

Brayden: Well, my feelings are hurt.

Me: Why are your feelings hurt baby?

Brayden: um, uh, well....Benjamin hurt my feelings when he pushed Miss Rosalie, and and um...she cried, and it hurt my feelings....

Me: It hurt your feelings when Rosalie was sad?

Brayden: Yeah, Rosalie cried and it hurt my feelings....but I make her happy, and I make Benjamin happy too!

Me: Awe....I think its very sweet that you felt bad for Miss Rosalie Bray, but Benjamin didnt mean to hurt her feelings, or your feelings...he is younger than you are baby.

Brayden: Benjamin tell Miss Rosalie Sorry....

Me: Yes, Benjamin did the right thing by saying he was sorry to her, that was very very nice of him, and Im glad that you tried really hard to make both of them happy afterwards too, that is a good big boy thing to do and Mommy is proud of you buddy!

Bray: I knowwww......thank you Mommy!

I drove silent for a moment taking all of that in. My mind was piecing together the events of the day, and his reactions, and our conversation. I thought....how sweet is it that he felt sadness observing Rosalie's hurt feelings, and also sadness for Benjamin becuase he knew Ben didnt want a time out, and that it hurt his feelings too. I was proud that Bray felt compelled to make them both happy again, and that he recognized that was the right thing to do. It was kind, it was genuine, and it was compassionate. It's one of those moments you realize that all of your reminding, nagging, correcting, and talking to your child DOES make sense to them, and they are in fact taking it all in within their little worlds. I'd like to think he will never lose that part of his personality, and that his first instinct will always be to attempt to make others feel better. Maybe I am doing this right afterall....right now at least anyways ;-)

Tooth Fairy 101

2010-10-19T18:52:00.000-07:00

Brayden has been infatuated with Yo Gabba Gabba lately. He loves the new episode where Muno is talking about losing his teeth, and the entire process of your tooth falling out, the tooth fairy, etc. I have seen the episode several times and have heard the story about the tooth fairy and so forth, its all good and fine.

Today on our way to a play date Brayden told me that his tooth was falling out. {He is purely being facetious} but either way I responded with "No honey, your teeth are not going to fall out like Muno's for a few years, you still have some time love." I then thought it was a perfect opportunity to dramatically tell him the story of the tooth fairy, and how when he loses his first tooth, we will place it under his pillow in a neat little container, and when he's fast asleep, a beautiful tooth fairy will fly into his bedroom, lift his pillow and take the tooth, but that she will probably leave him some money or something else really special in return for getting his tooth. There was silence for a moment, and I knew he was just trying to process that information, thinking he would be all tickled and excited about this great story of the tooth fairy I had just told him. Instead he replies very bluntly and without expected enthusiasm saying, "No Mommy, that's not true, just not true Mommy."

"Ugh, yes it is baby!" He says, "No, no Mommy, that's NOT true!"

I quickly changed the subject and started in on Santa Claus instead...praying all the while he would not dispute me on this one...which thankfully he didn't ;-)

What a stinker.

Brayden's Yo Gabba Gabba Birthday Bash-3 years old!!!

2010-09-08T13:23:00.000-07:00

This year Momma went bonkers!!! I really really wanted to throw Brayden a party he would never forget. I asked him a few months ago what type of party he wanted, and he immediately said Yo Gabba Gabba. Unfortunately...I could not find many of the things I wanted for his party at any stores....which meant making most of everything. My Mom and Aunt JoAnn, and good friend Bonnie helped me with tissue papering, as one Gabba character took almost a whole day to complete. Here are some of the fun pictures from his party!!! He had such a great time, enjoyed the 60 some people that attended, and even got up to the microphone and sang Happy Birthday while telling everyone "thank you everyone for coming to my party-have to go eat cake now".

{When Brayden first arrived at the fire hall before anyone else}...he was quite shocked and excited!!!

The Yo Gabba characters I made {thankfully with help}

Party hats and horns!!!

Tables with puffs I made in Gabba colors...

Foofa wands I made in all different colors for the kiddos.

Marshmallow & frosting sticks...

Animal cracker scones

The crayon aprons my mom made for each child at the party...

Ron took the children on a tour of the fire trucks and each one got to sit inside and have their picture taken by their parents. Lights on and all!

Brobee cake!!! I made it and after it was mixed realized I added 1/2 cup of oil where I should have used 1/3 cup...it was a moist cake I must say, but very yummy!!!

Gift time!!!

Mommy and Brayden the next day at Applebees for his actual birthday. They sang Happy Birthday to him and gave him his very own "special surprise" as he called it...ice cream sundae!!!

Hope you had the best birthday ever bubby...we love you!!!

GPS...

2010-09-03T00:03:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Ron was in his best friends wedding. It was beautiful and special. I will post more on that later...but that meant that we had to drive to Erie to pick up his tuxedo. At the tux place they had a ping pong table, and Brayden had so much fun playing it the few times we were there in the last few weeks before the wedding.

Today we drove back to Erie to pick up Grandma from the airport. As soon as we headed down the main strip to the mall Brayden asked us if we were going to the "Ping Pong place". Ron and I giggled that he knew and recognized where we were.

As we passed the "ping pong place" headed toward the airport, our GPS started telling us which way to go. From the backseat Braydens says "what?" to the female voice on the GPS. Ha ha I know. I started to explain to him that its just a voice on a machine that tells Mommy and Daddy which way to go in the car so we don't get lost. I didn't get an immediate response, and I figured I wouldn't because that's alot to understand for a two year old right? Brayden then says.."Um...well....Ma'am...where is the ping pong place?"...."Ping pong place where are you?".

We were doubled over in hysterics at that point. What a funny little guy.

Our baby will soon be 3!!!

2010-09-01T18:34:00.000-07:00

Brayden is turning 3 this weekend. I cannot believe how fast the last 3 years have gone. I told Ron the other night that I remember saying, "I can't wait until he can smile, laugh, crawl, walk, talk, sing, dance, hug, kiss, snuggle, being potty trained, his big boy bed...everything"....but now that he has done, and he doing all of those things...I am craving just wanting my baby baby back ;-(

It makes you realize very quickly that you need to embrace every single moment in their lives. Take time to enjoy the simplest of moments. Those moments when he wants to snuggle on the couch and watch cartoons on a lazy non busy day. Moments when we are blowing bubbles, playing with him in the tubby, combing his hair, or snuggling with him at bedtime. We never get those moments back, so we should inhale them every second we can.

Right now Brayden is growing like a weed. He is 3ft. 3 inches tall already, and 46 pounds!!! He is a tank. I can barely lift him up anymore. He loves baseball and is actually quite good at it. He loves singing songs, shaking his tooshy while saying "uh oh"...and talking with Mommy and Daddy. He is very sociable, and not shy at all!!! He loves to make people laugh with his one liners he knows he will get a reaction from...like "Are you kidding me" or "Pee-U Good Night" or "Oh my shucks"...."Jeeze Louise"..."you're making me crazy nuts"..."Im mad and I quit {care of Ni Hao Kailan}"..."Im runnin away {care of Little Bill}"..."Hey Dude, come here"..."seriously!"..."Hey babe!" or "Honey, babe...Honey!" {Thats usually what I say to Ron so Brayden naturally copies that}...yes yes I know those are all things that make him appear as quite the stinkbutt, but really he isnt. He is polite, well mannered and very sweet in nature. He always says please and thank you and your welcome. He calls ladies Miss, or Ma'am, tells Mommy "You're beautiful Mommy", and says "I love it" whenever he is truly excited about something!!! He is just a trip. He makes me giggle when I least expect it. He is intuitive and gentle. He doesn't bite, or kick or hit. He takes turns with toys at play dates, and loves to give hugs. Ok...Ill stop gushing over my peanut, but I am proud of the little guy is growing up to be.

I am constantly reminded there is a God when I look at my son. I am reminded that I have more in life than I could ever hoped for, and am grateful and happy that we are all happy and healthy.

Brayden has recently started saying prayers every night before bed. He sounds so precious...I need to tape record it some evening so I will never forget how adorable he sounds while saying this every night before bedtime: "Dear Lord, thank you for everything. Thank you for my family, my friends, and my pets. Please Guardian Angels...always watch over me and my family and pets...keep us safe, and happy and healthy. Tell my family in heaven I said hello. I love you God...Amen." Occasionally he will add names like..."thank you for my brookey {his cousin} or Grandma, or Shadow and Chewbacca, or Mommy and Daddy. It is soooo sweet. We read Playful Puppies every night before bed at his request....then he tried to read it to us. He ALMOST has the entire book memorized...and copies the same voice inflection. Its too adorable.

Although I am excited to celebrate his 3rd birthday and grateful to God for this beautiful little boy he gave us...I am sad he is growing up so fast. Its breaking my heart a little bit.

Happy Birthday baby....we love you so much!

This is AWESOME!!!

2010-08-25T18:58:00.000-07:00

Yo Gabba that is...yes...Brayden's 3rd Birthday is right around the corner, and I have been working like a mad woman trying to make everything for his party. A few months back we asked him what kind of party he wanted, and he insisted on Yo Gabba Gabba!!! He named off a list of things he wanted which included Lemonade, chocolate covered strawberries, a chocolate Brobee cake, Brobee games, and strawberry ice cream. He has NON STOP been talking about his party ever since. He is inviting everyone he sees by saying "come to my party please?".

So, I searched for supplies to buy, but fell short both with funds, and finding places to buy Yo Gabba themed items. I did however find a whole host of ideas online from other savvy Momma's that have already thrown Gabba themed parties. So...I have been creating at my dining room table for the last few weeks now. So far....we have like 30 of these puffs...

All Yo Gabba primary colors of course. I have also been painstakingly...{and that is NO understatement} been making these with tissue paper..yes...in EVERY.SINGLE.CHARACTER.

We will also be having all of these fun things as well...ALL HANDMADE...

It has become nothing short of insane. Not to mention our guest list is already over 100 people, 60 of which have RSVP'd they are coming. We will have Yo Gabba music, games, a Brobee cake, ice cream, yummy food, balloons galore, Foofa wands, and Yo Gabba Land will be complete for the day! I am so happy I can do this for Brayden, and he is sooooo excited. I hope he loves his birthday party, and has a wonderful day.

I will happily post pictures once all of my projects are complete, and add tutorials on how to make everything too! Its been a TON of work, but will definitely be worth it.

Looking up to Daddy...

2010-06-23T21:46:00.000-07:00

Recently Ron was voted into one of our local fire departments as a new volunteer. He has truly enjoyed volunteering for the department thus far, and is learning so much. This new endeavor of his has also afforded him the opportunity to ride along in, and help out during fires, medical calls, etc. He loves being in a position to be able to help people, be involved in his community and further his education through them. Brayden loves that this means Daddy also got a key to the department, and can go and tour the fire trucks whenever he wants too...which means Brayden gets his fill of seeing the big fire trucks whenever he requests to do so. A few months ago...Ron took him to the station for the first time so Brayden could climb in the trucks, rescue boats, and tour the department. Brayden was nothing short of awestruck. I think Daddy was too a little bit by being able to bring Brayden there. Brayden thinks Daddy is more than way cool now! Here they are "playing" at the fire station in the big fire trucks...it was truly fun to watch them be boys that day.

Be still my heart

2010-05-17T13:43:00.000-07:00

Today after Brayden and I hit the local Wegmans picking up some things for dinner...we arrived home and I {not wanting to make more than one trip inside with groceries}....grabbed all of the bags and carried them to the side door to set them down and get Brayden out of the van.

Brayden asked me why I dropped the bags, and I chuckled and told him they were heavy!!! He quickly bent over and grabbed a bag with all his little might and said "I help you Mommy-it's heavy!" I opened the side door and he waddled up the stairs and all the way into the kitchen carrying it for me. He worked so hard, and was so proud of himself for being a big helper!!!

I thought for sure he would get inside the door and set it down before making it all the way, but he did'nt, he struggled and worked so hard!!!

I was so proud of him for being such a great little guy!!!

Moments like these remind me we are doing something right....

♥ Be still my heart ♥

Camera...

2010-05-12T09:36:00.000-07:00

My poor camera has over 400 pictures stored on it now that I cannot get off and onto the computer. It's seriously been like two months of taking pictures that are stuck on my camera card. My camera cord is not working {for some reason} and our disk drive is broken on the laptop so I cant even get them on a disk to upload them...argh!!!! I promise I have tons of pics to post, just need to find a solution to my camera debacle first.

Mother's Day...

2010-05-09T21:40:00.000-07:00

Since this is really the first official year that Brayden can speak well enough to actually tell me Happy Mother's Day...this day proved to be a very special one.

After some prompting from Daddy....Brayden ran up to me with a huge and beautiful smile and told me very gently "Happy Mother a Day Mommy!"

As soon as I smiled and cheered because he was so sweet...he got even more happy and gave me a huge hug and a kiss.

What more does a Momma need on Mothers Day?

I did it!

2010-05-09T21:33:00.000-07:00

I did something I have feared doing for a long time.

I got back on a stage, under the spotlights, and in front of an audience, and sang my heart out.

I sang "I love Paris in the Springtime".

I felt nervous at first, but it melted away the second I took one step back on the stage.

It was the old Shannon I remembered being growing up performing on a stage.

It was the old voice I remember hearing growing up performing on stage.

It's amazing when you think you've lost something you once loved so much...

It was the most amazing feeling Ive had in a really long time.

I was not lost...the old me is still very much there...and I cannot wait to do it again.

The song even sounded better on stage than it had during my rehearsals...

It's like I came alive on stage again ;-)

I felt strong, I felt confident, and afterwards...proud of myself...

Sometimes doing things you fear is worth it. I showed myself that I could do it again.

I did it!

{hopefully I will have some video to post soon}

A Beautiful Day to Play...

2010-05-07T22:31:00.000-07:00

Today Brayden begged me to go outside in the yard to play with him.

He asked me with such zeal and excitement in his face...it made me feel young again.

We ventured into the yard and he told me it was a "beautiful day to play Mommy!"

Indeed it was.

I sat down in the damp grass with my camera to watch him play, and capture his zest for the most simple and pure fun two people could have together...the appreciation of the others company, and the joy we would soon find in it...together.

He picked Dandelions and handed them to me.

He then picked a few more and wanted me to place them behind his ears because he says he is a "rich princess"...something he has clearly picked up from his 4 year old cousin Ryleah.

Then he wanted to blow the white whispy weeds into the wind...and I took pictures because he was so determined and adorable. I giggled quietly as I observed him.

He knew my undivided attention was on him, and only him.

He kept running over to me and giving me hugs and kisses. He would stand behind me at other times and wrap his little chubby arms around my neck and kiss my head telling me he loved me.

He sang to me, danced for me, played hide and seek with me, and even sat with me while we took pictures of ourselves together.

He melted away my day to day life for a few hours today.

We ignored responsibility...

We ignored the phone...

We ignored anything and everything else going on in the world except for the little world we created for ourselves in our own backyard...

After all....it was in fact...

a beautiful day to play!

This week...and weekend...

2010-05-06T22:05:00.000-07:00

{I should first warn you I have no pictures because I can't upload them anymore on my computer-it's having issues...and my poor camera card is racking up more pictures than I can keep track of, so we are behind....my apologies. Hopefully I can figure this out soon...have some cute ones to show...when I can}

This week Brayden has had the flu bug. We spent most of Tuesday on the couch trying to catch up on some sleep. Monday night as I crawled into bed rather late {or early I should say since it was morning} I discovered Brayden was running a fever. I tried to give him Motrin to cool down his fever, but he was not even trying to take that at 4 a.m. He started crying in hysterics, and rather than stress him out any more with that or the thought of a warm tubby...I decided to do the cold wash cloth over his head. He eventually started to cool off, but only to wake with projectile vomit all over Ron and I.

At this point it was almost 5:30am, and we decided to just pack up the sick arsenal and head downstairs. Towels, blankets, pillows, thermometer and Motrin soon took residence in our livingroom, with Brayden laying comfortably on the couch with a bucket next to him. We watched cartoons, and he found his second wind at about 6am. Needless to say-and to make a long story short...I only slept for two short hours from 9am-11am roughly when he finally crashed again. I then stayed up all day until 10:30 pm Tuesday evening before I finally hit the bed so hard I was a bit frightened I might never wake again ;-) At that point, I had calculated that I had been awake {-my two hours of sleep Tues. morning}...for 34 hours...yes...you read correctly...34 hours awake!!!

Surprised I am still not asleep aren't you?

I have since figured out what day it is, and have sprayed my poor house from top to bottom trying to rid it of the ick. Brayden is feeling a little bit better, but has not fully recovered all the way. He keeps asking to go to the playground...so that's a good sign...but then he throws up again, and I wonder when we will ever make it back there???

I have also been rehearsing like a mad woman this week for a show I am in this weekend. It's called "Come Fly with Me", and is put on as a fundraiser for Holy Family Catholic Church in town. My childhood friend Ylsa and her husband run a company that puts on these fundraisers, and I am really excited to be a part of it. I will admit though-that I am more nervous than I ever had anticipated I would be. First I was supposed to be singing the song "Georgia on my mind"...but honestly...it's a really boring song to me-and although I had it figured out, just did not feel 100% confident with it...so we gave that to another girl...and I am now singing "I love Paris in the Springtime"...which is more in my range, and I can really have fun with it. Did I mention the show is Saturday night? Yes, and I just started this new song tonight....so wish me lots of..."break a legs".

I am excited about it though...performing is something I've always done all my life, but had been away from it for so long that it feels good to be back at it. Hopefully this is just me getting my feet wet before I decide to dive back into theater too! Time will tell....actually my performance in this will tell. Ha!

Ron has started a new job, and so far is enjoying it-so that is good. He is also busy volunteering for the local fire department, getting ready to return to college, playing baseball on the adults men league and coaching Babe Ruth as well as the Allstars this year...so he is nothing other than very busy these days...and we are not in any shortage of a full summer calendar full of games to attend ;-)

So...other than all of that exciting news...we are just enjoying the beautiful weather we have been having, doing a little spring cleaning curb treasure diving {projects to come soon}...and most importantly we are hoping Brayden is back to his playground loving, sun kissed skin and rosy cheek days here shortly!

A heavy heart

2010-04-19T22:40:00.000-07:00

Do you ever have the feeling that your heart is heavy and you can't pinpoint exactly why? I suppose that is where I am at right now. This last year was hard on us. Emotionally, physically, and in a way that makes you happy and sad all in the same breath. This is not to say "whoa is me" or anything, I know many others go through struggles too, this post is not about that. It's just a way to try to communicate to myself in writing, and to document growth and experiences in our family-be them happy or sad...and yes....we all have both moments in our lives. The really great ones we want to embrace and hold onto, and the ones that make you want to learn, grow and yes...sometimes grieve.

I have had some strange experiences in the last month or so. It has really grabbed me in an emotional way that makes my heart heavy. I am not depressed or anything, just feeling emotions I did not allow myself to feel for awhile...God only knows why.

Some of the really important and fundamental foundational relationships of my life are in dissaray right now. Relationships with those thiat were once my rock, once my breath of fresh air, my place of safety and comfort, and that were once a very big part of who I was when I was in their presence. Relationships that have been there so very long that they define a huge part of who you are, and how you feel on a daily basis. Those kind of realtionships.

Not just one person....many actually, all at the same time. So quickly things changed with all of them that I spent a week almost daily in tears. I spent many many moments reflecting and replaying events, and thinking, and crying some more. There are so many things I don't understand. The worst part is wondering if it's actually that I don't get myself, not that I don't get them. The scariest part is wondering if I have this vision of myself that really isnt so. The hardest part has been finding who I am without them around, or without having them in my day to day life. The loneliest part is feeling like what you thought was there at one point maybe was never actually there at all...if you are just one of these people that sees things through rose colored glasses until you are hit with this epiphony that all was not what you thought it was at all. Argh!

I know probably a lot of that doesnt make much sense. It doesnt to me either, so don't feel bad!

Although Ron and Brayden are my whole {and wonderful} world....not having those other important connections in my life are hard. It has been a month full of reflection and introspection. I hate these moments in my life quite honestly. I hate dissention. I hate hurt feelings, and I hate feeling angry and sad at the same time, both so equally that it hurts my heart. I hate that I have regrets of things I should have said years ago. I have regrets of not standing up for myself earlier and making it clear to others that even though I need their help and support at times, that I deserve respect too! I am a human being with feelings too! I am no saint, but can say I have always been careful about others feelings and not to hurt anyone in a way that would shake them emotionally. I think that is the worst kind of pain you can impose on another human being and it's wrong. I've been shaken. I am mad at myself for it....because I am stronger than that...this....whatever it is.

This is the time in my life I dreamed about once. I dreamed I would have lots of family around my child-who would want to be around him, be around me, watch and encourage my child, play with him-me-us...and to be quite honest....it must have been those damn rose colored glasses. Instead-those things don't really happen. At least they don't here. Maybe that's why I embrace every little moment I can. Maybe that's why I relish and really love those times when I know it's going to be awhile until I again have that wonderful opportunity. I dreamed that I would hold onto those that knew me best for if anything were ever to happen to me someday with all of my health issues that these fundamental people would be there to tell my son stories about who I was, what I believed in, what I wanted most for him, and that he would be close enough to them to feel the same safety I once felt from them. Those things feel gone now. That feels scary, and that makes me angry. The people that you would expect to understand you the most instead mock you for being exactly who you are, and for the circumstances you face. I feel foolish, like they thought or think I am some joke or something. I know I am not, but it does not make it any easier.

I am scared that someday something will happen to me. I am scared that Brayden will be lost, will have questions, will have feelings that are going to be too strong for him to navigate on his own. I am scared Ron will shut down and not be much of immediate support for Brayden. I am scared of a lot of those things. I am scared that everyone who knew me up until now that I kept close to my heart is no longer close to me...so where does that leave Brayden? I know you probably think it's silly for me to worry about these things, but what kind of mother doesnt? Especially one with lots of health issues and no resolve for those in the near future? Those thoughts haunt me the most when events like these occur in my life. Maybe that is why my heart feels heavy, yet heavy in a way that makes me more grateful than the average person because I know I have to be, want to be, and need to be for Brayden....so that he can learn happiness from me, love from me, safety from me before I can't be here to teach him those things on my own. I need to show him enough love and stength that should he need those tools someday he can emulate-navigate his way through those fears with the tools he once saw me embrace.

I am seeing things pretty clearly now, and although I don't love what I see all the time it doesnt mean that I cannot make my little safe bubble pleasant. I am trying to do that right now. I am enjoying Brayden and Ron and the dogs, and hoping that things smooth out soon, but my expectations are not as high as they once were anymore. Things are a bit more simplified by all of this dissaray that I dislike so much.

This too shall pass right?

Five Little Monkeys...

2010-04-17T22:10:00.000-07:00

Brayden's favorite book right now is Five Little Monkey's. I honestly had not remembered the book until I finished reading all of it, and midway through the book I looked at Ron as we lay in bed with Brayden and quietly mentioned that I thought this book was a little disturbing ;-)

Five monkeys getting gobbled up by the mean old crocodile? Seriously? I will admit though, that it turned out okay in the end...and now that I have added lots of theatrical voice inflection and jumping as we read together at night, Brayden enjoys it THAT.MUCH.MORE. Ha!

So...very matter of factly....Brayden requests this book each night now. He loves it. Once we are finished reading it, he wants to read to us...and has memorized the book pretty much....his favorite part is..."SNAP!" when the crocodile eats the monkeys. Oh well...guess it's not too disturbing if this seems to be his ultra favorite part right?

Too funny.

Love you more!!!

2010-04-15T22:23:00.000-07:00

Tonight Brayden went with me to a meeting I had at the theater for an upcoming show I am going to be in {more on that later}....

He played on the stage, sang into the microphone, and ran around the theater much like I did as a child. I loved watching him enjoy himself so much. What made it even sweeter, was that he played with my childhood best friend Ylsa's daughter Rya. It was very sweet to watch them interact, and we giggled at how cute it was and briefly recalled some of our own fun memories.

On the way home I told Brayden how proud of his behavior I was and that I loved him. The rest of our conversation went like this...

{and I had to post it because it made me gut giggle out loud in the van on the way home}.

Me: You were such a good big boy tonight Brayden, thank you so much....I love you buddy.

Bray: I love you too Mommy.

Me: I love you more...

Bray: I love you more!

Me: I love you more than the sunshine!!!

Bray: I love you more-sunshine ;-)

Me: I love you more than candy!

Bray: I love you more-candy ;-)

Me: I love you more than M & M's....

Bray: {silence}.....Thanks Mommy!

Stinkbutt doesn't love me more than M & M's ;-)

Oh well....at least it made me almost spit coffee out of my nose as I gut giggled from his innocent and honest response!!!

Bray: Mommy, what happened?

Me: Nothing Bray-you made Mommy laugh-you're funny dude!

Bray: Oh....thanks Mommy!

God Love Him.

I swear...

2010-04-14T22:00:00.000-07:00

I swear that I will be back to blogging more often very soon. Famous last words eh? Seriously though...I have a ton of things to write about, and a lot more pictures to upload here soon. We have been so busy going to the playground every single day...no joke. I never thought those were words I would say in the same sentence, but they are...and it feels great to get to play with my little man every single day in the gorgeous weather. I know I am falling behind on documenting his life, our moments, all of it...and I will get caught up now I promise.

So...please check back soon as I have a lot of funny stories to share, and I have vowed to spend a lot less time on Facebook and more time back on my blog...;-) ha ha!

Lots of smiles-Shannon

Brayden Letter {March 2010}

2010-03-31T20:44:00.000-07:00

Brayden,

You are growing so fast right now Mommy and Daddy cannot keep up with you and all of the new things you are doing! You are talking up a storm lately, and love trying to pronounce big words. You get such a kick out of it. {phenomenol} {exquisite} {ridiculous} {awesome} are some of your favorites, and it makes us giggle that you actually use them in the right context! You are a funny little guy. You love books and constantly beg us to "buy it" when you see a good one you want to have. At the store you will play with toys in the cart and ask us to put them "back on shelf" before we leave so they will be there next time you come. Then you beg for the books....{smart kid}! You know we won't say no to buying those.

You love pineapples and call them t-apples. You and bubbles have a serious relationship right now. You put your sneakers on to go out on the patio daily to play with them...clothes on or not!!!

You tell us you love us, offer us hugs and kisses now. I love that.

You beg to hold the door open for Mommy whenever you can, and especially at the grocery store when I open the door to get the milk. You remind me to buy diapers and milk every single time we go to Walmart. Must mean this is the norm items you always see us buying there.

You are so polite. You always say thank you, please, and you're welcome.

You crave being our "big helper" You help Mommy stir everything in the kitchen when I make dinner. You want to help me push the shopping cart. You want to help me close the doors in the house. You want to help me do my hair. You want to help me brush my teeth...it's all so beautiful and so sweet. I hope you never lose that.

You love to play catch with us. You throw left handed. You love to draw and color whenever you can, and mostly you do that as well with a left hand. Time will still tell on that one Im sure, but I think it's safe to say you will be a lefty. You love to be outside. You are getting so much better with walking with us and staying close. We can now go to the mall sans stroller-and I am not running the whole time. We can now tell you that is "far enough" and you know that means to stop walking and wait for us.

You are the best snugglebear there is. You cuddle so well, and so sweet. You sleep 12-13 hours a night, and always wake up with a smile on your face saying "morning Mommy". I love how you pitter patter into the bedroom some nights and want to sleep with us. I love waking up to you laying on my hair, with drool on my pillow, and even those mornings where you are hot and sweaty and pretty much STUCK to me!!! I love it, and I would never trade it for anything in the whole world.

We love you so much Brayden, and cannot wait to watch you continue to grow, make us giggle and teach us that life is about the little things, the moments, and this time right now.

Love you Bray

Boring....

2010-03-31T20:22:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow it is officially April. April Fools Day at that! I can say we have no jokes to share at this time. Life has been somewhat boring for us lately...and for that I am grateful. Boring can be good.

Boring has allowed us to enjoy the beautiful weather we have been having. We have enjoyed blowing many bubbles outside...on an everyday basis.

Boring has afforded us many trips to the playground, as it IS Brayden's favorite place to go these days...when he is not blowing bubbles that is.

Boring means going to bed early, and laying with Brayden reading books and chatting before bedtime about all of the things we did that day!

We spent much of March being just that.....Boring....and it was PERFECT.

Don't wake a sleeping dog :-(

2010-03-12T00:09:00.000-08:00

Hopefully I am officially back to blogging, after my two week hiatus, or more I guess.

We have had a rough few weeks here. Two weeks ago...Brayden was running into the kitchen and tripped and fell. The fall would have been fine had he not landed either on, or very close to our 13 year old labs tail {who I think was sleeping at the moment of the fall}. Just as I went to react to the fall...our beloved dog reacted much faster than I...and bit Brayden right in the face. Bacca has never bit anyone, he is a loving a caring dog...doesnt growl, nip or otherwise. I'm sure it was that he hates his tail being touched, and I think Brayden landed on it. Don't wake a sleeping dog huh? Not only that, but the fall was loud, and Brayden was right in front of the dog dishes as well. NOT a good combination.

Bacca immediately backed off realizing he had just bit Brayden, but I experienced that Mommy adrenaline. Osteo and all...I lifted our 40 some lb lab off of his feet and relocated him across the kitchen to grab Brayden off of the floor. At first I glanced at Bray and thought "oh thank God it did not break the skin". Just as I picked him up...I realized it in fact had broken the skin...and pretty badly. I carried him into the livingroom and just sat with him for a moment on the couch trying to grasp my thoughts and what had just happened without panicking. Ron was at work. Bacca came over and tried to lick me, lick Brayden. I just held Braydens precious little bleeding face into my chest as I searched around the livingroom for something to put on his face to soak up the blood. I grabbed the wipes hoping it would not burn, but it was all I had that was clean enough to use on his wounds right away...my mind was racing thinking of infections, scarring, stopping the blood, calming him down...keeping my eye on the dogs....it was an insane moment I would NEVER want to re-live again.

I carried Brayden and the cordless upstairs to the bathroom. I called Ron and told him to not to panic, but what had happened, and he hung up saying "I'm on my way". I only had some antiseptic wash in the cabinets, so I gently started washing his face with that and some gauze we had on hand. I put neosporin on it, and we pretty much flew out the door within seconds of Ron getting home. I was calm surprisingly, but terrified at the same time. Brayden kept saying "Mommy...help me, help me help me". It broke my heart...I kept telling him that I was helping him, and that he would be okay. I was praying I was right in my words. Ron commented that I was so calm...he was surprised. I was surprised at myself.

Brayden had two wounds on the left of his face that warranted being looked at. They wanted to immediately do stitches. This made us very nervous. We asked to see a plastic surgeon to consult with so we could minimize scarring for obvious reasons. A surgeon came in and recommended that we allow it to heal as is, for that would help the scars be minimal. He actually did say that the antiseptic wash was the best thing for us to use immediately because it allows wounds as such to stay moist rather than drying them out like peroxide. Good to know. If I had peroxide I probably would have used it. He said that would have inhibited the immediate healing needed to make sure a bite like this heals well. Anyways, they gave him antibiotics, and sent us home.

Two days later...he was infected and very swollen. Poor peanut could not even open his left eye, it was swollen shut from the cut he got on his eyelid from the bite. The K9 tooth punctured his left cheek and also got an infection in it. We took him to the pediatrician for four appointments to monitor and give antibiotic shots so he could get better. What a nightmare all of this has been.

To make a long story short...he had to be on the antibiotics for 12 days...which resulted in diarrhea for 12 days, motrin, benedryl, and Rx diaper rash ointment from all of the diarrhea. We have had to consult with the Environmental Health Department about Chewbacca and his demeanor. We had to observe him for ten days, and report back to them...provide health records for the dogs, etc. After numerous conversations with them I finally broke down and asked them if they were going to make us put the dog to sleep. I had heard horror stories about this sort of thing. They reassured me they would not if his behavior is normal. Thankfully it has been.

As for the dogs...dogs are dogs...and I am upset with myself for letting my guard down and forgetting that with a loud and silly crazy toddler running around the house these days with two VERY old dogs that would probably much rather go back to life sans baby if they had their choice. They both love Brayden...are very protective of him...but again...dogs are dogs.

We have endured some criticism about keeping the dog. We are keeping him/them. If this had been a situation where Bacca seeked out Brayden to viciously attack him....he would be gone. This was not the case. It was completely a reactive result of the situation. I am not happy with the dog at all...but it is what it is. Now we just have to be pragmatic about it...wishing we had been all along.

We have watched our poor peanut go through pain everyday because of his wounds, tummy, bruising, and brief frights about dogs in general. We have beat ourselves up because we got comfortable with the fact that our dogs were nice dogs and we never thought honestly that one of them would bite Brayden. We had actually noticed a few days prior that the dogs were in fact acting more nervous in his presence, but dismissed it like idiots. We should have been more proactive.

The dogs now spend the day in our entrance hallway which is seperated by a glass french door. They are comfy and happy in there, and Brayden can run the rest of the house without worrying about running into them. They also spend time in the fenced in back yard when the weather permits. They are happy, I feel better, and Brayden is oblivious to it all now.

He is healing very very well, and is feeling so much better. After 12 days on antibiotics...we took him off finally. He then ended up get the stomach flu, and threw up for two days, stopped urinating for 12 hours and we visited the ER with him for a second time in two weeks...argh! After some Zofran for nausea they gave him...he started drinking fluids again, urniating and is back to our normal happy little guy....thankfully.

Short of Ron eating glass in his ice cream out to dinner two nights ago...all is getting better in our household. No joke....more about that story another time.

Braydens wounds are healing very well, and we are hoping the scarring will be very very small. We are so glad this ordeal is almost over. We shall be back to blogging as normal, hopefully very soon ;-)

Through my childs eyes...

2010-02-22T22:28:00.000-08:00

Lately as I observe Brayden and listen to him play when he thinks I am not...not only is he exploring this new world everyday, but he is slowly teaching me how to see life through his perspective.

For example...the roof on his little Wonder Pets schoolhouse is just that...a roof. Yet Brayden calls it "upstairs" and pretend walks all of his little characters {that he so loves to pieces} up the roof and lets them slide down the center hole all the while saying "weeee-fun!"

He actually believes that when I blow bubbles with my hand and soap while he is in the tubby that Mommy makes "bubble magic".

He thinks the houses on our street and others are "castles".

He pretend plays "scary monster" and pretend whines and begs for us to help him from said monster ;-)

{he really loves this game-seriously}

He uses his potty as a stage and my hair brush as his microphone. He stands on it in the center of the livingroom and proudly says "hello everybody-how doin'" and sings and talks up a storm as we clap and pretend to be his audience.

He plays under the covers and says we are camping in the tent.

He tells us his belly is talking {another game we play}, and pulls up his shirt while looking at his belly and says "what belly?" "what?"...and giggles at himself.

He finds joy in brushing his teeth because we sing a fun song while we brush. He pretend spits into the sink like Mommy and Daddy.

In the tubby he pretends he is white water river rafting {another game we taught him} and yells "whoa, whoa...oh no...hold on Mommy" as he paddles and splashes all over the place ;-)

He thinks Wubzy and Ni Hao live at Walmart. He loves to go there and asks us we as we pull in there a few times a week "cited Mommy? cited Daddy?" {are we excited?} We give him a few toys to play with in the cart as we shop and he asks them "ready guys?" as he situates each little stuffed animal next to him in the cart. When we get close to leaving we tell him it's time to put the toys back so they will be here next time we come and he nicely hands each one back to us to put on the "shelf" he says! He then also knows that means he gets "yellow-browns" which are M & M's. I hate to always get him snacks, but it beats buying $20 toys everytime we go shopping I suppose.

He loves to play tea party at the diningroom table with measuring cups and my tea pot. We pretend drink and he says its "elicious" and "yummy good mmmm". We pretend eat cookies too! He loves to order things and will point his finger to his cheek and he says "ummm I'll have"....

He's convinced when Daddy says he wants ribs that he is sooo getting tickled.

He knows it's a good buzzerboo when it makes an awfully loud noise ;-)

He eats his apples with a fork in them, {although he has never seen a candy apple}.

He perfectly inspects his lucky charms and picks out each and every "mellow"...leaving the puffs alone for us to eat.

His little motorcycle he rides on is most definately his "cycle bike". {sickle bike as he says}

He pretend talks on the phone to everyone in our family. He holds conversations that go something like this...

{as he's holding the phone up to his ear}

Hello?

How doin'?

nuh-uh...wow really?

Oh.my.gosh...no way

really?

Are you kidding me?

yes...yes...I guess.

Okay, bye!

Ron says he is imitating my phone conversations ;-) ha ha!

The lamp is a playground with his little people and lets them slide down the legs of the lamp. He tells them the laptop is a shelf...and periodically makes them play peak a boo from behind the screen as we are on the computer.

His imagination is soaring. He interprets things in a beautiful and imaginative way. He has his little friends hug eachother and asks them if they are okay? He is genuine, he is inquisitive, and he is funny.

He can tell by just looking at us if something is wrong...even in our best efforts not to show it. He has really good intuition. He feels out his surroundings. He is curious and compassionate.

He is teaching me to look at everything with a new set of eyes. We can control how we percieve situations in our lives by changing our previously learned views of things. Yes..it's much harder as an adult to change the way you think or feel about certain things, but seeing life through the eyes of a child can offer an immense amount of knowledge if you let it.

Everything can be a playground if we choose to see it that way sometimes.

We can loudly shout weeeee whenever we choose too and do it just to enjoy the ride of life we are on sometimes as mundane and hectic as it can be.

We can eat with our fingers and put forks in our apples if that is what makes it easier for us. ;-)

We can look at a roof as though it's not just the top of something, but stairs to something better.

Our ride of life can be full of paddling and big splashes...irregardless of the mess it might make.

We can pull up our shirts and ask our belly's "what?" and try to listen to that inner voice so many of us ignore. ;-)

The world can be our stage if we weren't afraid of the reaction we might get from the audience.

We could all giggle at ourselves and play more.

We can dig out the good stuff and leave the rest in the bowl if we want to.

We could believe in magic. We could accept things that are different rather than question every previously known ideal.

We could trust our surroundings more, and learn to love what we have, not long for what we don't.

I know that although I am trying so hard to shape this little guy of mine in just the right way, that he too is doing his own shaping of us. He is adapting to life as we adapt to his. He forces us to be people we would never have been prior to having him in our world. It's amazing what I see when I look at him. I see who I once was as a child. I see who Ron once was as a child. I see him acting like us, using the same voice inflection, or the same facial expressions that we use. I see the things that we have taught him coming out in his personality. It's him...it's us...it's everything we have been and it's everything he will be and more.

It's him, happily forcing us to see life through his eyes, his world, through a more simple, optimistic and beautiful new perspective.

It's him.

Thank you Brayden...I love you.

-Mommy

Color me Happy!

2010-02-20T12:51:00.000-08:00

I had a really ugly old picture my Mom gave me years ago. I knew I could do something fun with it. Today as Brayden and I sat coloring at the table, I thought...hmmm....I know what I could make.

Here...BEFORE:

and here is the AFTER:

I think it's just the cutest thing ever! Now I just need to find a place to hang it ;-)

One step forward...

2010-02-19T12:35:00.000-08:00

I will admit, I have been in a blog funk lately. I have so many things to blog about, and no time to do it...when it would seem that since I am at home with Brayden these days that I would have all the time in the world to write, blog and share pictures.

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in life's day to day events, triumph's and struggles that other things can seem to go by the wayside.

Let me share with you our lives as of late.

First...we had a wonderful Valentines day. Brayden painted a beautiful canvas for Daddy all by himself. He insisted on using paint brushes because he knows that what I always use, and he is not a huge fan of getting his hands all dirty. Needless to say though...stripped down to a diaper on a towel in the bathroom...he painted his heart out. He requested the colors he wished to use on Daddy's surpirse present. He turned the paint brush and drew in the paint once it was all finished, which made a neat design. He was so excited. After we were all done...I plopped him into the tubby and had to give him two baths to get him all clean as he had paint on him everywhere...belly button included! When Daddy got home from work he quickly and excitedly announced to him that "I paint Daddy, present...a castle....then tubby". He can't keep a secret evidently ;-) Oh well.

Daddy LOVED his picture so much he has been walking around the house holding it up in various places on the wall to see exactly where he wants to hang it. I said to Ron, "Why don't we put it in our room on the wall, the colors kind of match in there" and Ron replied "yeah, but nobody will get to see it in there, and I want everyone to know Brayden painted this for me". {sniff sniff}...how sweet is that? Ron is not an overly emotional person to others...and it was just such a statement of emotion as to how much this messy little canvas meant to him...and the fact the Brayden worked so hard on it for Daddy.

These are the moments in life that when they happen I quietly reflect and then THANK GOD for my life ;-)

Daddy bought Brayden a big green heart filled with his favorite candy...M & M's. They were all green inside. Bray LOVED them, stinker!

We also took a trip to the Ice Castle last weekend as well. Brayden thinks everything is a castle lately, and was truly taken back by the real thing, all lit up with a bon fire and all. It's a yearly thing here where we live, and its on the lake. There was music, good food, lights, tons of people bundled to the hilt, fireworks and snowmobiles driving on the lake {scary I know!}...but we had lots of fun. It was SO cold though that we did not stay for long. Brayden however would have stayed all night if he could have. It was so fun to share this with him though...and he truly had a wonderful time.

Other than all of that...we have just been trying to stay home, stay warm, and get the house done...you know...the normal everyday stuff. Brayden has been trying to be a big helper in the kitchen with me lately...since I have been making more meals at home these days. It's nice to finally be in a place in our lives where that simple normalcy now seems like a blessing to us, rather than a burden. I like that bad things make you appreciate the small things all the more.

We are slowly recovering from 2009....it's still going to take us some time...but I have learned that one step in the right direction everyday will eventually get us there. One step, one day at a time.

Dining Chair Re-do Part I

2010-02-16T08:39:00.000-08:00

Two years ago I purchased these chairs from a garage sale...4 of them for 6$, and later found two captains chairs to match this set at another sale for $2. They are not in the best condition, and need to be completely refinished, but I don't want to put that much energy into them just yet. So...I figured first I would play around with upholstry and see if I even liked the outcome before deciding to do anything more with them.

Last week I found a Waverly curtain panel at Big Lots for like $6. I bought one, knowing by its size I would have plenty of fabric to do my chairs. I decided to cover the backs of the chairs because I just dont like them...simple as that. For the backs, I used cardboard and batting, fit them in the slight indentation on each side of the chair, and hot glue hot glue hot glue. I secured the outer sections with rope and more hot glue to secure them even more, and they are not going anywhere!

Some fabric buttons finish the look, and a few serious burns later...here it is. I still need to do something with the wood on the chairs, shine it up-paint them...don't know yet...but so far one chair is complete, and I really do love it! Can't beat it for less than 3$ a chair huh? Happy Decorating!

BEFORE

AFTER

This week...

2010-02-12T22:36:00.000-08:00

This week has been a productive one for us.

At least I feel like it has.

I managed to re-upholster one diningroom chair, and burn my hands with the hot glue gun when applying the very last fabric button that I JUST HAD to add to the chair! I ran to the kitchen screaming explitives so loudly that Brayden ran in behind me yelling "Mommy-matter?" I told him I had boo boo's on my hands and he said "wow-really?" and walked out of the room. Thankfully he did not decide to repeat the F-bomb I dropped several times in my mad dash to the kitchen ;-)
Today we loaded up with paint, and a canvas in the bathroom with Brayden only in a diaper for his first "painting" experience. We were making Daddy's {surprise} Valentines gift...I told Brayden several times it was a present for Daddy and not to tell him. {yes, I know...I should have known better}. As soon as Ron got home from work Brayden ran up to give him hugs and kisses and said "Daddy-painting yellow...a castle....in tubby"....he didn't totally give it away but close enough. Needless to say...he was COVERED head to toe with all sorts of different colors of paint, and so was my bathroom floor. It was beautiful to watch him create something like this though. He was SO proud of himself and just loved painting and exploring all of these colors. We are not quite done with the present though...will have to keep you posted on the final project.
Brayden and I went to a friends house for a playdate this week. I was nervous...I will admit it. He was TWICE their size {two little girls half his age}, and with Bray-he can either be a total angel, or a little stinkbutt....and I was not sure how he would react. HE was a total GENTLEMAN....so sweet, polite, nice, everything. I was PROUD. I felt good about the job I have done thus far as a parent and THAT felt good. Needless to say, I had fun too...spending time with an old co-worker and her daughter Rosalie, and a childhood best friend Ylsa and her daughter Rya. It was really a great day and I enjoyed myself immensely. I was though EXHUASTED by the time we got home and settled.
My cousin Nikki and her daughter Amanda came over to visit us today and brought me coffee and donuts. She is so sweet. I am so glad we have such a great friendship, and I really love LOVE love her company. She has been a huge help to me over the last few years in my life here in NY, and I am so blessed for that.
I did manage to decorate the bathroom too this week, and give it a great scrub down. I am still putting the finishing touches on it, but so far I am pretty darn happy with it.

I have not done the laundry I promised myself I would do this week, but I did get other things done. Mostly it was taking time to really enjoy Brayden and our time together during the day. He is so fun. He is so sweet.

I told Ron tonight...."even though during the day it gets exhausting sometimes to constantly entertain Brayden...when he goes to bed...I just want to wake him up because I miss him already".

Perserverance...{Driving Miss Daisy Part II}

2010-02-04T23:16:00.000-08:00

We got the BEST news two days ago. The Senators office called me to tell me that the letter of intent I provided with all of the proof of our insurance, and a work order for my brakes {seriously}...they decided to FINALLY dissolve everything. We went today and got NY state insurance, cancelled our other policy, and got new plates and registrations...we are again mobile.

Perserverance is not overrated.

I am proud that I kept plugging away until somebody budged. I must have heard 100

"we can't do anything for you"

in my five weeks of phone calls and letters. I cried more times than I can count. I slammed my phone down a few more hundred times. I called and cried to family members and friends. I panicked, I did not sleep, I prayed, cried and prayed some more. We depended solely on family and friends for rides here there and everywhere.

{Thank you all so much, we love you and are forever grateful}.

Needless to say.... IT WAS NOT FUN!!!
I experienced every natural emotion. I was shocked, then sad, helpless, frustrated, MAD, angry, then accepting. I tried to see the good in this. I spent time with Brayden without having to run anywhere in the car. THAT was nice. We had a ton of fun playing and unpacking and decorating this new house we had prayed so many times for in the last 6 months. I spent time being grateful, and knowing I would accept any outcome with grace, and still continued to perservere.

I cannot take all of the credit for these wonderful changes of events though. Senator Cathy Youngs office was a HUGE support to us. It never hurts to involve the higher ups when you really need it. We are giddy with excitement. It has been five weeks that we have been unable to drive our poor cars. It really sucked...let's just put it that way. Brayden and I both gained 5 pounds just being stuck in the house

{Ron got to leave to go to work}.

Brat.

I will admit...putting the plates on the cars today...I felt like I was 16 again getting behind the wheel for the first time. I was like this little nervous driver.

Too funny.

A woman at the DMV said to me yesterday

"Wow, I bet you guys have had a rough couple of days with all of this mess"...

I chuckled and said

"yeah...a rough couple of days it was" {roll my eyes}...

when what I REALLY wanted to say was...

"Days??? Try FIVE friggin weeks lady!!!"

But I refrained.

I want good Karma. ;-)

Funny guy...

2010-01-31T22:34:00.000-08:00

Brayden is so happy to be home with Mommy these days. He has gotten into his own swing of things in the new house, and seems to be loving every minute of his undivided attention he gets from me while Daddy is at work all day. That's not to say he doesn't LOVE his time with Ron, as I am chop liver as soon as Daddy walks in the door at night, but that's okay with me...gives me my break time then...which is also good for me.

Lately Brayden has been loving sleeping in his own big boy room, in his very own bed. He wakes up usually around 4:30 am about 4 nights a week and says, "Mommy-help!" or "Shanny? Shannon? Nuggle me?" He loves when I get out of my bed and go snuggle with him...and I don't mind, because I love it too. I know...probably creating a bad habit for the future but I want him to feel safe, and that we will come when he needs us...so I, or Daddy will go in and "nuggle" with him. Occassionally he will just get out of bed and come into our room. Our bed sits up too high for him to get in all alone, so he will stand there and say "Mommy, M-up, climb? nuggle?" aka: Mommy Im up, Ill climb up and snuggle? So I tell him to climb and pull him up into bed with us. He usually falls back to sleep in like 2.2 seconds. :-)

Every night when Ron and I tuck him in we talk all about what he did for the day. He has gotten quite good at recalling the day. He loves to have family hugs and tells us "I miss you" aka: I love you. So we tell him we love him too!

It's amazing to watch him grow. He is talking so much lately. He is so polite. His manners are really sweet, and not forced from us. I have always wanted a polite child, but never pushed the issue. It seems to be something he has picked up and likes to use! Good thing! He says please, thank you, no thankyou, excuse me, excuse me sir, yes maam....I am impressed...and happy.

His newest favorite meal is salad shreds with ranch dressing. He will go to the fridge, pull out the ranch and tell me salad Mommy!

It's feels good to be staying at home with him right now. This is perfect timing. Time that I don't want to miss. Time with him to shape who he is, and that is so important at this age. That makes me feel good. I love being able to see his smiling face all day, hear him giggle, watch him learn, explore, talk and test. He is just amazing to us. We are so grateful for having him in our lives. We love you Brayden!

Hallway Redo...Part II

2010-01-27T21:58:00.000-08:00

The hallway is getting there...slowly but surely. It was A LOT more work than I had anticipated. First...I had to crawl on the stairs on my knees to scrub them down. 2. I re-painted all of the white trim from the top of the stairs, all the way down into the hallway, a window, doors, french doors, and front door. I then had to paint the stairs and underneath molding brown. 3. Then the floors needed to be scraped because they are an old icky hardwood that had paint droppings on them that was driving me crazy {not from me...from someone previous}. 4. Then I had to scrape the windows on the french doors because I got paint on the glass...{sigh} I intended to do it that way though...really.

Here is the so far progress.

I still have to make a front door curtain, a new window curtain, hang pretties in my hallway up the stairs...yadda yadda yadda...

Before After

Before After

Okay...not a HUGE difference, but much cleaner looking in person...you can totally notice it looks better.

Much better!

Here are some of the newest pics I took to show off all of my hard work.

More to come this weekend. Pinky swear!

Enjoy!

Baby Steps...

2010-01-25T21:22:00.000-08:00

As you know...we moved into a new house in December. It still needs a ton of work, and I have tons of projects on my to do list I really don't know where to start. I have started and finished some things, and am in the process of painting our stairwell/hallway/stairs and moldings right now. The walls are a nice color, so they can stay, but the white molding seriously needed some fresh paint, as did the stairs that used to be carpeted. Most everything is a work in progress, but I can't wait to show you the "after" pictures once this is complete. Looks like our kitchen will finally be done here in the next week or so, and I am more than tickled about that. Here are some icky before and mid process pics of our hallway-stairs etc. Stay tuned for the after pics...it's coming along so nicely I can hardly wait to just get it done with already ;-)

First coat of white...

I am keeping the top of the step brown, but it's a lighter shade...it is coming along slowly...

Please excuse the yuck! This is ONE of the three doors in this hallway that need painting.

This door goes to the basement and side door...

This door goes into the livingroom, although its a great architectural door, its quite a pain in the toosh to paint, and the front door is exactly like this one...ARGH!

It is getting there though, and will look SO much cleaner, nicer, brighter when it's done. I love paint.

The livingroom walls need to be painted next. They are a horrible STARK white that I just cannot handle. I need at least a cream color, or tan...but here is the Rob Sigler pics we had taken last year that I have been dying to display! Ignore the white walls-they will soon be gone...but don't you just LOVE how this turned out? It took me two hours to measure and hang these bad boys...it was like a comedy act. Seriously.

Happy Decorating Ladies...and check back for some after pics this week!!!

Getting there...

2010-01-24T22:22:00.000-08:00

Although I really hate to bring it up yet again...we are STILL in recovery from our move in May to Florida, and then back again, and then etc etc etc.

We are now moved into our home, and just as Christmas wrapped up and we were scrambling to unpack, decorate and relax...we got caught up with the DMV insurance snafoo thing {you can read Driving Miss daisy post below} if you missed that. I have made a million phone calls, and wrote lots of "really important" and grammatically correct letters...one to our NY state senator with our plea for some assistance. I had a meeting there last week and it went very well, and I felt good for pushing something that is unfair, and asking for some "important people" help ;-) We should know more this week.

That has meant though that we are still unable to drive our cars until this mess is cleared up...that is IF it gets cleared up. If not...we are house bound until April when I can put the van back on the road, and July when we can put the Pontiac back on the road. The kicker is...we STILL have FULL COVERAGE insurance. I don't think that because it was underwritten in a different state that it should show an insurance lapse for us...WE NEVER LAPSED!!! We simply bought an insurance policy from a company who is headquartered in GA! AHHHHHHHHHHH. The worst part of all of it is the cost to get out of it. First...we have to keep our current insurance to maintain the terms of our car loans...which means paying a hefty insurance renewal for our GA policy in February of $250, just to turn around in April to pay another hefty $225.00 to convert to a NY insurance company. Then...we have to pay over $200 in fines, as well as paying over $200 for new registrations and tags again, and new licenses as well. Lord what a mess...and what a financial kick in the head that we DONT need right now. We have HAD insurance the whole time...this is so unfair, and upsetting.
Okay....moving on....

The last three weeks Brayden and I have been virtually home bound with the exception of our family and some friends coming over to pick us up and drive us around. {stop laughing}. Ron gets to get out to go to work so he is doubly blessed ;-) haha! You might think it would be humiliating for us right now, but with all that we have gone through since our move, then demise...this is sort of a cake walk. Okay, it's not a cake walk, but it's easier than what we have already been through this last year.

I am finding the good in it though. Brayden and I have spent so much time together playing, dancing, singing, and talking. He is fun. I am no longer so busy running silly errands or going out...and that means more special time with him...which is our silver lining here. Thank God...maybe he knew we need it after all that we have gone through. He knew.

I have also had lots of extra time to complete all of those little projects around the house that I have so longed to do for so long now. Brayden gets to get creative with me too now, and he loves it....which makes me appreciate our situation even more right now.

This has also meant that I am out A LOT less than I used to be, which equals less money spent on stuff I dont really need...which means getting caught up on some major financial issues we incurred as a result of said move in May. It's going to be a long haul for us until we are back to "normal"...but we are getting there.

I am confident in God's plan for us. We still are hopeful and excited about having some normalcy again...and we are working our tails off to get back to life as we once knew it this time last year.

I am so grateful, thankful and content right now. I know everything happens for a reason. I know that we have so much to look forward to, and I know how blessed we are in comparison to others less fortunate. I really don't have any right to complain...it could be worse.

Some good news coming: Ron was accepted into our local college JCC for a summer semester EMT program so he can go back to school. He was also accepted as a volunteer responder for the fire department which means they are paying for his classes. He wants to change his career path from doing the cop thing to being a paramedic...eventually on a helicopter. {baby steps though right now}. He is pretty excited about this upcoming opportunity. He is also gearing up for City Rec Baseball again...and it looks like he will be coaching his own team this year...I think 8-10 yr. olds. He loves it and is sooo great at it. This will extend into him playing on adult league of course again, as well as coaching a baseball clinic at the college right now that goes all year, so he is feeling pretty upbeat about things...which is nice. Its nice to see him smile again ;-)

As for me...I still have the opportunity to go back to college myself which is also totally paid for. I am still trying to work out all of those details. I am excited about it though. I have also been toying with starting my own etsy business of all sorts of fun things creative, and this spring want to start refinishing/upholstering furniture {my love} and selling it for some extra $$$. My biggest challenge will be letting go of those treasures once there made all pretty. We now have health insurance again which means me getting off Prednisone...which is really great, and I am so excited about it.

Biggest happiness: We are together again as a family. We are home with much of our family, and most of our closest friends on earth! We are so blessed, and so loved, and soooo grateful.

I am so thankful we have experienced what we have this last year....but we are moving on...slowly...
finally!

Calling all Curtains...

2010-01-22T09:43:00.000-08:00

So...I have tons of fabric laying around that are begging to have something made of them. Curtains I am thinking. I dont want to do valances, and have been lurking blogs and the web in search of some ideas that are a little more interesting. I am bound and determined to get behind my sewing machine and start moving this weekend. Here are some things I think I really LOVE.

These are so easy to make...but I think I will do these in my kitchen...and it's not quite done yet {being remodeled currently}...so those might have to wait.

Or these from http://www.thenester.blogspot.com/

I know...I have big plans, on no budget, and a lot of windows that need something special. I'd better get to work ;-)

Eye Candy...

2010-01-17T22:43:00.000-08:00

Now that we are getting settled into our new house, my mind is racing with ideas for decorating. I have a new style I think. I want to get rid of the old...and move the new in. New ways of decorating for me, more color, less uniformity, and implementing things that are a part of our lives, my life, and personality. So many neat ideas are available on the web. Great pictures, great inspirations, great bloggers. For some of these photos...I have linked their blog for credit...for others...I am so sorry-I saved the pics awhile ago and do not recall where they came from!

Houzz.com

I love this room. I love the table, the bright colors against the white furniture with the Black armoire...its so perfect and adorable and flirty and fun. I <3 you.

http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

You will have to go over and pay this womans blog a visit, and read her inspiring life journey as well. She is amazing, and has such a fun way of decorating. Her style is very much what I have been craving lately in my decorating, and is very similar to the types of decorating risks Ron and I like to take when finding uses for old things-on a budget.

Funky Junk Interiors

I love these...love the red and chalkboard paint.

Funky Junk Interiors

I love ladders. I especially love ladders in bathrooms. I need to find one now....this is just too cute.

Funky Junk Interiors

I swear I am not stalking her...I just love her home ;-) I love the waste basket wicker basket...so different, yet so functional. Jealous? Oh yes.

Love this door, chalkboard paint, in a bathroom. :-) Awesome and so different...just my style.

LOVE THIS! Old kitchen cabinets revamped into playroom storage. I am on this one...now ISO old cabinets. Cute cute cute.

Better Homes and Gardens

I love these curtains and HAVE been stalking these at Walmart for months now. I want them in my diningroom with this:

Okay-this is not my hutch, but I am going to paint ours black very soon, and hopefully it will look similar. That with my diningroom table and chairs of course! Can't wait.

I LOVE these subway signs. They are eclectic, and I want one. I will make one though...they are pricey, and too pricey for me.

Do you see all of my projects I have going on here? Way too many. I am so inspired though.

Love this wall too. I did get a projector for Christmas...I could totally pull this one off I think. Love it.

Okay...I'll stop saying love.

BUT I do <3 all of these beautiful ideas.

The Brayster...{some funny stories}

2010-01-09T16:06:00.000-08:00

I have to share some funny stories of the Brayden Brayster these days. He is learning so much, and is so smart {if I do say so myself} Ha! Seriously...he amazes me with the new things he does, and the manner in which he expresses his own personality.

Tonight he walked his sippy cup over to me and asked for "caulkit milk mommy". I told him he had to wait one minute while I finished doing something. He quickly walked over to the fridge and brought me his chocolate syrup. I told him I needed the milk too! He walked back to the fridge and grabbed the milk with both arms and wobbled over to me to set it on the couch. He happily exclaimed "I did it Mommy, I do it"!!!

I asked him to please put them back in the fridge once I made his chocolate milk for him. He took the syrup first, then made a second trip for the milk. I was so excited and proud of him, gave him big hugs and smooches and told him thats what Big Boys do, and how he was such a good big boy! He was so happy and proud of himself. I admit...I quickly went over to the fridge a little fearful of what I'd find once I opened it, but he even put them back in their spot as perfect as can be! Go figure? What a quirky little guy he is sometimes. I just love him.

He asks me for bbuy kisses {butterfly eyelash kisses} and lays his head sideways on me freely exposing his cheeks waiting for them. It's so sweet.

This morning he climbed up in bed with us on Daddy's side of the bed. Daddy got up to shower for work after turning Noggin on in the bedroom so Bray would just chill for a little longer. Brayden soon started asking me for yellow-browns {what he calls reesie pieces}. I {half awake} said "Bray honey, there are no reesie's up here". He got off of the bed on Daddy's side to get down, and I listened to his little feet run over to my side of the bed. I reached over and picked him up {eyes half open} and snuggled up to him. He was sitting there playing, doing something as he watched cartoons. I did not open my eyes until I heard him eating something. I slowly opened my eyes, and all I saw was Bray sitting upright against all of the pillows, with the blankets pulled up on his lap, and a big bag of reesie's in front of him, just chompin away chillin out watching Noggin! {Daddy evidently bought a bag and brought them upstairs lastnight to watch tv-I had no idea they were even there!}...stinkers.

Last week I went to get some coffee. As I drove away from Tim Horton's, my lid popped off and I spilled coffee on my coat. Under my breath I nonchalantly said "nice Tim Hortons, way to put your lids on all the way". Brayden says very sweetly " Mommy-copfee hot?" Me: Yes, honey thats right, Mommy's coffee IS hot-you're right! Bray: Oh...awe you okay? Me: YES baby I am okay, thank you for asking-that is very nice! Bray: Ummm...awe you R right? Me: {in awe of his sweetness and of using these questions in the right context} Yes, I am alright Bray-thank you. Bray: {silence for a moment} Mommy-How doin'? Me: {giggling at this point} Im doing good, how are you? Bray: Good. This conversation repeated itself a few times thereafter and I was smiling the whole time. He is so nice. I love that. He loves his Momma.

His little comments lately also include:

-I tickle YOU!

-I bunny {funny}.

-Ahhh...hike!

-I hiding, hiding seek. He counts to 2 and says Here I come!

-He dances and says he has oco eggs. {loco leggs from Noggin}

-Base base, babbabababababa base base... {c/o Yo Gabba Gabba}

-Ankyou Mommy

-Peas {please}

-Wow really? {while pretend talking on the phone}

-Hi Mickey Mouse! How doin? {talking on phone}

-No way! {while talking on the phone}

-Im gorgeous!

-I got this!
-Are you kidding me?

-I did it!

-Im happy!

-Kiss mommy, hug kiss....

-Come on bats! {after I tell him he has bats in his cave while trying to clean his nose}!

-Awe Maaaan!

-I fix it!

-Im helpin'

-Im cleaning

-I weep {sleep or sweep}

-Im up!

-All better?

-I help you? {when he needs help}

-In a minute?

-Mommy, Daddy Wook!!! {look}

-Mommy, I do it! {telling me I did it!}

-{my favorite} Store? Walmart peas? Store Mommy? {what have I done?} haha.

Just some of the things he does to keep this Momma giggling and on my toes. Love it. Love him.

Driving Miss Daisy... {help!}

2010-01-09T09:53:00.000-08:00

The year has begun, and apparently we need a chauffeur for awhile. Anyone? Takers?
We have hit a brick wall of sorts, but I press on ahead. Turns out-when we switched our full coverage car insurance over to GA when I was there over the summer {because our NY policy was ending & we were trying to move there}, we neglected to realize that since we still had NY plates and registration that were violating a state law in NY. Insurance is insurance right? We never switched over the tags and licenses because we ended up coming back to NY shortly thereafter anyways for Ron's new job, so we kept them. As for the insurance, we are covered no matter where we go. Evidently...NY state does not recognize out of state insurance under any circumstances, and has therefore suspended both mine and Rons licenses and registrations...on both cars! We cannot even pay the civil pentalty to turn the situation around because we are past the 90 day mark and NY shows a lapse in insurance coverage for us...even though

WE NEVER LAPSED IN INSURANCE AT ALL!!!

NY suggested calling GA to try to get a registration just to show to NY so they could dissolve all of this instantly.

Good idea....but no dice.

Since we were in GA for such a short time-staying with family...we never established residency, or proof really that we were there at all so GA won't budge to help us out-even though we would only need the registration for a day to take to NY dmv to get this cleared up.

I talked to my insurance guy in GA. None of this makes sense to him, and/or to my insurance company. They suggested they write a letter on our behalf with our declarations proving we had more than the mandated state coverage NY requires for it's drivers and this law of theirs.

No dice...NY dmv still won't budge.

THIS is a mess, and is very complicated. As it stands today....I get my license back after I wait out my punishment. That's March. I get my registration back in April. Ron gets his license back in May, and the registration on his car in June. Yes...no cars, no driving until then.

I am not done fighting this though. I have consulted attorneys, called Insurance Bureau's, and have written a letter to our senator and others. I could understand the punishment if we really lapsed and never had new insurance, but WE DIDN'T!!!

So...I have managed to gain some headway on all of this throughout the last week. I have learned SO much about the NY state DMV, and how all of this CAN be waived at there discretion.

So...now I just have to find THE person that CAN waive this....and work some magic.

Time will tell.

There is never a dull moment with us! Things should be interesting for the next few months if I can't get this figured out. I feel like the punishment does not match the crime for us. I feel our situation needs to be considered, because it is not the standard black and white scenario. WE don't break laws...if we had known this law we would have certainly done something differently. Looking at our past insurance and driving history's could prove our responsibilty level.

The DMV said I could get a restricted license and drive someone else's car of course...just not mine...that's my punishment. So....I can get in an accident in someone else's car that I am not familiar driving that could pose an insurance hazard for all involved??? Yeah DMV, that makes soooo much more sense than to allow me to drive my own vehicle that is FULLY insured, that FULLY insures other people I may become involved in an accident with while driving on a restricted license. Is it just me or does that make...
NO SENSE? Just saying....

So...I will be sending out 100 letters today in my pursuit of getting this rectified. Say a prayer for us....seriously....Say a prayer. If you have any ideas...feel free to shoot them my way-I will try anything at this point.

Comedy of Errors...Year 2009

2010-01-03T12:56:00.000-08:00

This year has completely been a comedy of errors for us. Live and learn is the cliche' for that one though right? First...let's review what I mean by comedy of errors.

{and grab your coffee and get comfy because this is a long one}...

First: Ron and I anticipated and had been planning on moving to Georgia since October of 2008. So he set up numerous interviews with Police departments in GA, and traveled back and forth a few times interviewing, but did not have any luck. Thanks to his age, and a poor economy. So...on a whim-he applied for a driving job in Florida and after a few interviews...got hired! We did not expect this to come through, and it totally threw us out of our plans to go to Georgia and redirected us back to Florida...so we went {and quickly}.

Ron had to start within two weeks of being hired...which meant he left and I stayed in NY getting the house packed, while he worked {stayed with wonderful and gracious} friends of ours in Florida, and searched for a new house for us. In May Brayden and I drove to Orlando for our big move. A move without our things since Ron's uncle decided at the last minute he could not do it for us. {the start of our demise}.

That's not to say it was not a TON of fun though. We hung out with wonderful old friends we had in Florida, ate up all of the sunshine, went to Disney, flea markets, garage sales, went side of the road digging for furniture we could use until we got our things, dreamed about our futures, and really had a fun Florida sabbatical. Reality eventually hit though as we realized this was not going to work long term, and we decided to head back to NY and start over.

So we did just that. It was harder than we thought it was going to be. So...we played with the thought of going back to original plan of moving to Georgia. So...I went with Brayden and myself packed into the van-and drive solo to Georgia to find work, a house, a life....etc. I stayed with family and Ron stayed with his family in NY with our dogs while looking for work here. We said whoever got a job first-that's where we would go. I looked and searched for work, interviewed, and had NO LUCK. Feeling totally exhausted and defeated {and missing my hubby}....we drove back to NY for a few weeks to visit and try to work on Plan B, or C, or was that D at this point??? I've lost track. Ron found work first....so this is where we decided to plant roots...again ;-)

I then drove solo again to GA with Brayden to get all of our things that we had brought there! After my last {and 7th roadtrip this year} back to NY...I have sworn off driving any long distance again for AWHILE. I did manage to surprise myself though-traveling over 800 miles with a 2 year old alone is scary, and hard. I feel strong for having accomplished it so many times this year. Accomplished or stupid...I still don't know...but it feels kind of empowering if I say so myself.

It was a hard 7 months to say the least. Those 7 months though taught me so many things. I found an inner peace and strength I never knew I had before. The unfortunate time away from Ron was hard, but showed us that we are a team and can pull through even the hardest of times with eachother. We pressed on when we both felt defeated and scared. We found a higher appreciation for simple things we took for granted just 7 months earlier. Thank God for the family and friends that helped us pull through all of this-we are forever indebted and grateful to you.

So...we found a new house in NY and moved in early December. However-it is in mid remodel mode, and as of right now we have NO kitchen. Drywall is up-and cabinets are ready to be installed, but as of right now we are using a make shift kitchen in our diningroom. First we go from having a kitchen and new home with none of our things to having no home, to having a home with our things, and no kitchen! It's quite funny and ironic though huh? We perservere ahead.

We are happy and grateful to have our lives back. Not that we ever lost our lives, but it sure felt very difficult at times throughout the last 7 months. We are still on the road to recovery though. Financially-all of this moving killed us, and it is going to be a long time before we feel settled and secure again. I am not complaining though, I am just trying to clear the road for us to have some peace again.

This new year brings with it many exicting opportunites for us. Ron and I are both going back to school this year. Ron is planning on coaching city rec baseball again this summer {which is always fun}. I have a whole new place to decorate and do all the fun projects to that I have been dreaming of for months now. We have our health insurance back finally-which means positive strides for me and all of my needed medications and health. We are toying with the thought of baby #2 perhaps health permitting. So many good things to come and so far it looks as though things will go well for us in the coming year.

This year I am going to do a few things differently. I am not one for resolutions, never have been, but this year there are changes that need to be made. I am making a concious effort to find happiness in days even when I don't feel like being happy. I am going to savor the simple things, because now I realize when they are gone-you have nothing. I am going to be more creative, and spend more time with my friends and family. I am going to try and show the people in my life just how much I love and appreciate them. I am going to thank God more and more for everything in my life, the good and the bad. I have found peace in things I never saw before I experienced this last year of events. I am grateful for them.

2010 should be a year of growth and contentment. May it also be for you! Hugs!

A Happy & {Grateful} Christmas...

2009-12-29T21:54:00.000-08:00

{Please click directly on photos for enlarged view}

I should preface this by saying that Brayden was ALL the fun we had anticipated he would be this Christmas. We prepped him prior to Christmas about Santa Claus, and continued to ask and probe him about what he wanted from Santa. He seemed clueless about all of it at times, as we naturally expected from our little two year old. We pressed ahead anyway ;-)

We told him Santa would bring him presents if he was a good boy, and all that Christmas jive. A few times he told me he wanted "boots and dora" known better to Bray as "Boots and Bora"...but that is beside the point. That was his normal response to us after he got used to the questions about what he wanted.

Moving on...

Following my family tradition {and probably a million others tradition as well}...I did not put ANY gifts under the tree until after Bray was fast asleep. Naturally the next morning...he was more than impressed with all the newfound things under the tree. Yes, I know he did not know Santa actually brought them to him, but I DO know he KNEW they were NOT there the night before when he went to bed!

I appreciate those little things-yes I do!

Christmas morning his first reaction was pure curiosity. Then he looked at us and said "wow....presents!" {woot woot!} Yes baby-presents!!! He was so excited unwrapping his toys, playing, pointing, giggling, stomping and unwrapping some more. It took him over two hours to navigate through it all. That was fine with us though. We relished in the simple moment of happiness he was having. We relished in our family time in our own home again. We just sucked it all in. It was really nice.

He recieved some really neat gifts from everyone in our families. Everyone knows him so well and picked out just the perfect gifts for him. Thank you.

He spent much of his time lining up and categorizing his gifts. He likes to do this. He is quite good at it. He is soooo type A and obsessive compulsive...poor kid. He had a blast though. ;-)

He also lined up, and played with all of the bows from the presents. Here he is as we dropped bows on him while telling him it was raining bows.

One very special gift was his Christmas ornament from Grandma Strong. She always gets an ornament for each of her 7 Grandbabies every Christmas...and this year sent Brayden a neat little ornament that she said she HAD to get because it was so perfect for him, {among the many other awesome gifts she sent}... A little drum, with metal drumsticks. Here is a photo of Brayden and Daddy hanging it on the tree Christmas morning. Beautiful.

I should mention that these jammies were C/o Grandma as well as the plaid little chair in the background too ;-) Thank you Mom he loved everything! {so did we}.

It was a beautiful Christmas. We spent time with family and friends, and felt very blessed, and loved. What more can you ask for?

Well....perhaps some quiet in the near future... but since he recieved these for Christmas...I don't know that we will get that anytime soon. ;-)

He jammed out for hours Christmas Day, and has continued to do so. This coupled with his guitar, microphone, tamborines, flute, and many other musical instruments he was given this year...it is going to be QUITE noisy around this Snow house. That's okay though because that means we have the joy of seeing him react like this everyday...and who could'nt LOVE that?

Hope you and yours had a great Christmas, and that you have an even better New year!

-The Snow Family.

This Christmas...

2009-12-24T14:28:00.000-08:00

The other night we got Brayden dressed all snug and comfy in his new jammies he got for Christmas from Grandma Strong. We took him upstairs and snuggled in our bed with him watching cartoons. He giggled and played under the blankets and pillows...offered hugs and kisses {several of them}, and enjoyed our undivided attention.

It was beautiful.

It's that same feeling you have as child when you recieve that gift for Christmas you so longed for, and you endlessly play with it and enjoy it to no end.

Brayden-we longed for you. So many nights we would dream about having you, what it would be like to give you tubbies, take you to baseball games, and play with you....endlessly.

We longed for our time to share our home and love with our child, decorating the tree, baking cookies, playing in the snow, and reading to you. We prayed for you so many times. We pray for you still.

You are that big shiny present on Christmas morning. You my child...are a gift from God...plain and simple.

We are so blessed.

Christmas is different for me now that I am a Mommy. I am no longer wondering what gifts I am going to get...yet spend so much time wondering what I should get you. I wonder if you will understand what Christmas is all about as you get older. I wonder if you will be motivated to help others, be kind and caring and selfless. I hope you give more than you want or recieve in life. I hope you feel God's presence in your life like I know he is in mine. I hope you understand the true meaning of Christmas.

God, love, family and giving to those less fortunate.

This Christmas you are two years old. You ask me to turn the lights on the tree. You know it's too pretty to touch {which I think is adorable}. You love the way the cozy house feels. You love the snowman that shakes his booty and you keep trying to steal his poor glued on candy cane. YOU love candy canes.

Tonight, on Christmas Eve...we will decorate the tree with candy canes with you, set cookies out for Santa with a glass of milk, get you snug as a bug in your jammies and tuck you into bed...together.

THAT in and of itself makes my life full. So full that gifts seem silly to me now. YOU are my gift Bray. Your happiness, your hugs, buzzers, kisses, snuggles and smiles are my gift.

We love you Brayden. Merry Christmas.

-Mommy and Daddy

Master Bedroom {It's a start}...

2009-12-20T20:19:00.000-08:00

Here is the start of our Master Bedroom. As you can see...this room is small, and our bed...well....rather large. It's my fav piece of furniture to date though. Ron got it for me for my 28th birthday I think...for $50.00 from Haverty's Outlet store. It was missing some finnials, which we ended up getting replaced for free, and the wooden side rails {which you never see with a bed skirt anyways}....so naturally...I LOVE it, even if I struggle to get up on it every single night ;-) I digress.

I seriously do not have room for end tables, so they are currently in the basement, and we moved our dresser into Brayden's room. My vanity fits in here...barely. It looks sort of-well....ridiculous at the moment where it is {hence no picture of it}. ha!

I used old curtains to hang in here because they match the comforter we have, and all of the decor. I really had wanted to go with more muted colors this time around, but I hate to have to replace all of my color coordinated decor right now. I used two extra valances I had on hand from the same fabric to make the two coordinated pillows seen in the picture. I actually bought the fabric from a garage sale four years ago from a drapery maker who had used this fabric and messed up on a project, so she sold it to me for like 2$. I had to seam wrip it, cut it, re-sew it back together and so forth. I made 5 valances from it. Now I have three valances and two pillows...that two bucks spent has certainly been worth it!!!

The photos make all of these greens looks like they clash, but in person...they really don't look this non matched. I am far too fussy for that! My camera is kicking it's last flash dance these days, so bare with me until I can get a new one. Moving on...

The vinyl saying I adore. Ron got it for me last year, and I packed it away waiting to use it. I love that it comes right down with a hair dryer. It's not perminent, and that I love. I also love that I was just given a practically brand new Cricut from my sister inlaw Tara and I discovered I can make my VERY OWN vinyl wall sayings. I am so excited. Now I just need some cartridges ;-) {hint hint honey}.

Like I said, the end tables are in the basement...but after a fussy husband complained for a few nights I finally dragged up one of our dinner trays to serve the purpose for the moment. The lamp will soon be moved to another home, but for now this will have to do.

I am not in love with these old paintings either, so I am thinking of a new life for them currently...maybe paint the frames, new matting, new artwork...who knows. I still need/want room darkening drapes to go under the valance, but I am not a huge fan of that style, so this material may make life change #4 and turn into cornice boards, with room darkening drapes...silk and flowy. Ahhhh.

I'm thinking I need stairs for my bed too. Anyone have a wood working shop? Let me know. ;-)

My view into the hallway from the bedroom. I finished my family photos wall today, and I LOVE it. It's adorable. I love seeing Brayden's happy little face in the hallway, one of my FAV pics of him.

{Oh, and a picture that I don't know where to put sitting lovingly on the floor at the moment. I just moved two weeks ago...don't judge me just yet!}

It is a start at least. My closet seems bigger than the entire bedroom, and is need of some organization at the moment, but I will save that for another post. I will keep you updated with the updates when I feel this room is "done", but I thought if anyone has storage/decorating advice for this Tiny bedroom...please share ;-) I am all ears ladies. Happy Decorating!!!

-Shannon

{Big Boy Bedroom Reveal}...

2009-12-20T19:55:00.000-08:00

So...as you all know I have been dreaming of how I was going to decorate my big boy's baseball bedroom. Well ladies...it is done! {well almost}. I still have some finishing touches to do to his room, but this is about as done as it's going to get until the Holidays are over with. Since we just moved into our new house two weeks ago, his room was our first priority to get done.

So...presenting Brayden's first real big boy baseball bedroom tour...

First...you remember his bed we found at Salvation Army for 29$ right? I thought long and hard about painting it, but once in his room against the rich tan walls, the dark wood was too gorgeous to mess with, so we left it alone. His quilt set I found at a second hand store for a steal, and it was the exact colors we wanted for his room, so I snatched it up quickly...of course!

I made the roman shades for his room, and just re-painted the letters from his baby room, and added ribbon to hang. The two light blue pillows with baseball print I also made from some old fabric I had on hand to coordinate with our theme.
The red and tan sham was a steal at Pottery Barn outlet for $3.49! It ended up matching everything else perfectly.

{I still need to make his bedskirt, but that can wait for now}.

The blue chest was my Dad's from his old Army days. It is one of the only things I recieved after his passing, so it is very special to me. It even has his name etched on the top border of it. It holds all of Brayden's baby blankets.

Next...

Here is his very own dresser we found at an estate sale for 25$. Of course you can see we altered the handles to coordinate with our baseball theme. Ron went to our local hometown bat maker {A-bat Co.}, and he gave us some bats they could not use...so we sprayed them, and Ron simply screwed screws into the bats from the existing holes on the dresser {we did not alter the dresser in anyway, and saved the old knobs so we can replace them as he gets older}. We did also add the little baseball ball knobs on the top drawers. I loved the dresser because it matched his bed so well, and is even on wheels like the bed...we could not pass it up. Too cute. His lamp was the original from his baby room, just embellished it with some new ribbon.

Here are shelves we spray painted and added baseball's to. One was Ron's old hat rack from when he was a little boy, and the other we have had for years. We found his little blue glove over a year ago while on vacation. The brown dish with baseball's was a gift from Uncle Todd he got for Brayden's baby room when he was born. The baseball book is from Uncle Scott and Tara, and the squirrel is one that we bought for Rons Dad "Papa" because he loved these little singing squirrels. After he passed away in 2004, Ron's mom gave it back to us. So it was only fitting it go in Brayden's room. The Tampa bay bells and bear came from our good friend Janice in Florida. Everything is touching and has meaning to us in this bedroom, which makes it even more special.

His little 4$ Salvation army tv stand, painted red. Remember the chairs??? Those were the ones I got last year {4 of them for 15$} and painted in anticipation of this very room. He loves them.

Loved this little piece. We hung a sign in there I bought Ron many years ago while we were dating. Naturally Bray's hats went perfectly here.

More pics of the little chairs, with Braydens singing horse Molly and Todd picked out for him as a gift a few weeks ago. He bobs his head and swings his arms. They bought it because the horse dances just like Brayden does. Too sweet.

Another photo of one of two of the red roman shades I made.

This is my favorite part of the room so far. My Mom bought this floor puzzle for Brayden over the summer at Pottery Barn. Ron and I sat on the floor putting it together the other night, while applying hot glue to a foam board. I made the hanging tassle from leftover fabric and ribbon from his pillows, curtians and other decor. Just knot after knot, and this is the end result. So fun. So free.
{The dresser belonged to my Grandmother Delphine and Grandpa Harry. I used it since I was 13 or so in my bedroom. Ron and I have used it in our room, and now it is in Bray's room. I just do not have room for it currently in our room...our bed kind of takes up most of the room itself right now, but it is special it's in Bray's room. Don't worry-you won't see us replacing any knobs on this one ;-)}

Another pic of his LIFE photo and bed. Uncle Scott and Tara gave this to Ron a few years ago at Christmas. It is from the 50's I presume from LIFE magazine, people watching a baseball game on a rooftop. This photo does not do it justice, but it is perfect in this space. The blue shelf above it will hold Braydens Blue engraved baseball bat we got him for his first birthday, but we have to figure out a way to hook it safely up on the shelf before we put it up.

So...it is getting there. I still need to make the red bedskirt, and red bumper pillow for the space in between the wall and the bed {hence the body pillow stuffed there currently}. Brayden loves his new room. The first night he slept in there he stayed in bed all night long. In the morning, I heard him get out of bed and pitter patter into our room while whispering "Mommy, ahhh Mommy?" He enjoys his own space, and we too enjoy having our space back. This is actually the first room he has slept in all alone for the first time since the day he was born. Even though he had a nursery-he never slept in it because he was in the bassinet in our room, then we moved the crib into our room, and now....he is Mr. Independent...and VERY happy about it. We are so thankful he has embraced this like such a big boy. He crawls into his bed every night and says, "nap, weeping"...aka: sleeping. He is too funny.

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday, and I will be blogging more house projects as I complete them. I am one busy Mommy right now unpacking, decorating, sewing, and more....so stay tuned ;-)

My little big boy...

2009-12-04T15:50:00.000-08:00

I have realized more and more over the last few months how quickly Brayden is growing up. He is so talkative, intuitive, funny, explorative and curious. His level of compassion and understanding with things is touching and sweet. He is so happy. He is so proud of his accomplishments, as are Ron and I. Playful, smart, decisive, head strong, determined and set in his ways are all ways to describe his bubbly little personality....or Big & Bubbly Personality I should say.

Every night before bedtime as we snuggle with him to get him to sleep, I ask him if he had a good day today. His response is always "yeah". Ron asked him the other night "are you always going to say yeah?" Brayden replied "yeah". I hope so. I hope that at the end of every single day of your life you can find the good in it. The good enough to be able to conclude the entire day as a good one. It's a way of thinking positive that I hope you always carry with you, long into adulthood.

You always say please, thankyou, and your welcome now. You are such a polite little guy. It's really precious. You like to "Shake your tushy" to dance, and sway your little head side to side. You dance and sing to the Fresh Beat Bands Loco Legs on Noggin all the time. You can name every wonder pet, wubzy, and yo Gabba Gabba character. You love going to Walmart, riding in the car with us, and watching Charlotte's Web-your current favorite movie. Tim Bit donuts are one of your favorite things, as is chocolate milk {caulk-it milk}. You ask Mommy for hugs all the time, and give me snuggles and kisses if you think I'm sad. You even tell me to "cry" when you want to give me a hug and you tell me "I help you Mommy". You love to sing to us also, and that just steals my heart. You sing Twinkle Twinkle little star, Taxi Taxi Noggin song, You are my sunshine, Yo Gabba theme song, and Oo-eee-oooh-ahh-ahh from the chipmunks by singing {ooh-eeee-Bam Bam}.

You are too funny.

You are very determined and are learning patience right now. When something goes wrong, you ask for help or say "Ohhh Mannnn". That's when you don't throw yourself on the floor in tantrum mode {which is not that often thankfully}, but you do have a very head strong nature.

I could just go on and on about everything new you are doing. I hope to document as much of it as I can, because I don't want to forget any of these wonderful little things you do, and are doing. We love you so very much Brayden. You are the sunshine in Mommy and Daddy's days-everyday. We never knew at all how much we would be enamoured with your presence. We never imagined we would kiss and squeeze you as much as we do, and still feel like it's not enough. We never knew we would worry about your health and well being as much as we do {we are a bit neurotic-we know this}. We never imagined how much we needed you in our family. You are a blessing we thank God for every single moment we can.

You are just beautiful Bray.

We love you,

-Mommy and Daddy

A Gift of Hope...

2009-12-04T14:56:00.000-08:00

The Lupus Foundation of America has many great ways to give the gift of hope this Holiday Season. As many of you already know, I have Systemic Lupus, and have been diagnosed since 1997. It has been a long 12 years of many challenging moments in regards to my health. I am happy to say though that many great strides have taken place with treatments and advancements in understanding Lupus since 1997.

I am asking this year for the Holidays a small request. If you want/choose to do anything for my family, please consider taking a look at ways to contribute to the Lupus Foundation. You can do so by clicking on this link HERE. It would aid with research, clinical trials, and so much more.

Hoping you and yours have a wonderful and very blessed Christmas.

-Shannon

Fun ideas...

2009-12-04T11:16:00.000-08:00

As you know, we are moving into a new home this weekend {so I may not be blogging for a few days until I get unpacked}, but I thought just before I take my bloggy sabbatical, I would post some fun pictures of decorating ideas that are being filed into my idea book for future projects. As soon as I get settled and situated, I hope to be able to start on some of these fun ideas.

I think this is such a great way to organize fun little ditties on a wall. I am loving the red border as well as the dress form {I want on of those honey!}.

Our stairs are not carpeted, and are in dyer need of a new paint job. I love this idea without the diamonds of course, but I love the wording, the clean white on the base boards. I think I will do numbers perhaps...it could help with Brayden's counting as he explores the stairs at least.

Speaking of the stairs....I have some really gorgeous black and white prints I have taken since Brayden was born, and really need to display them. I love the vinyl wall quotes, and I know I have a few of them already packed away in my artsy stuff...so I may re-create a wall very similar to this one. I love the placement and how it is so personal and well done.

Our bathroom in the new house is rather spacious. I thought I could even put a nice terrycloth ottoman in there to sit on while giving Bray tubbies, or getting dressed. I love this bathroom. I love the shower curtain and it's clean lines {which could totally be made from drop cloth and growgrain}, and the little wooden bench as well. I have tons of topiaries, so in the bathroom they will go.

Can we ever stop looking at Roman Shades? No....I can't. I love them. So clean and classy. Im still reading articles on how to make them...the string concoction is plagueing me at the moment.

I just love the colors of these bedrooms. I love the silk material, the aqua with the white, everything, the curtains-oh...I could just get lost in this bedroom.

I love the plates on the walls, the colors, the damask design on the pillows, and the monogrammed framework. This is my dream bedroom.

I think these curtain/cornices are adorable. They would be so simple to make with the many yards of remnant fabrics I have stashed around. I'm not quite sure where to do these yet, but I am sure in the days to come of unpacking I will figure it out.

Well ladies, I am off to book the moving truck, and get ready for moving day! I will be back shortly! Have a great weekend.

-Shannon

Turkey Day 2009

2009-12-01T21:09:00.000-08:00

I thought I would share some photos of our Thanksgiving this year. My brother Scott and SIL Tara hosted the holidays at thier place. We were able to visit with family we don't get to see very often. It was nice. Earlier the day before my mother actually let me cut her hair! She has naturally curly hair and can NEVER get a stylist to cut her hair the exact way she wants it. She is a bit picky. She was also a tad demanding before I began the cut, and as I stood behind her staring at my brother Scott laughing at me shaking his head {as she was giving me "directions" on how to do this the RIGHT way}, I gently raised the scissors behind her head while looking at my brother and "pretend stabbed" her a few times. Ha ha! Yes I know...sick-but I had to share it. A true Strong family fashionista holiday story. Thankfully...I KNOW how insanely picky my mother is about her hair so I took her advice, and cut it the way she ~~demanded~~ wanted. It turned out so well she is bummed that I cannot be there to do her hair ALL the time from now on.

Who knew I could cut hair!

Here is the Momma below pictured with my SIL Tara {far left} and my cousin Candy.

Another fun moment of the day was picture time. I am always the one running around with the camera taking photos. We decided to do a girls photo shoot on the stairs. We had some funny other photos I cannot post or I will be a dead woman, but needless to say-this one was a keeper.

{Mom, Aunt Jo, myself, Candy and Tara}

I then chased the kiddos around and was able to wrangle them for a few short moments in this picture. Brayden had so much fun playing with his cousins, and second cousins...he did not know what to do with himself.

The attention and love he gets from all of them is just too precious.

{Casey, Kaiti and Brayden, Bailey & Nathan}

We all then spent some time on Skype with my cousin PJ and his wife Violaine {Vi} who live in Belgium. She is from Belgium, so after they married-they headed there for awhile to live. They are expecting their first baby, so it was nice to talk with them and discuss the up and coming Belgium-American Baby Brady! They finally announced it to friends, so I can blog about it now...that wait felt like forever!

Congrats Peej and Vi!

{PJ and Vi-photo taken a few months ago while they were in the states for a wedding}.

At this point Brayden was getting anxious for dinner. Why I don't know because he refused to try the turkey, and ended up feasting on rolls dipped in ketchup. He did take one bite of Tara's famous sweet potato casserole, but did not eat anymore of it. He totally missed out, so I ate his serving for him....along with {two additional helpings} of it after that-but who's counting?

Here is Brayden naturally being a ham...on turkey day.

The night ended with Brayden insisting on helping Grandma pack away the rest of the turkey. He got to sit on the big boy stool at the island in the kitchen. He thought this was very cool. He requested "rackers" and happily ate a million crackers while observing "gamma". It was very cute.

I just loved the way his little chunky butt looked sitting on this stool all independent like.

All in all, it was a very nice Thanksgiving. We rested, relaxed, and spent time with family eating some great food. We browsed Black Friday ads, drank coffee, ate pie, got caught up on our life happenings, and just vegged.

It was nice.

Hoping you had a wonderful holiday as well!

-The Snow Family

Thankful...

2009-11-24T21:11:00.000-08:00

This year we have so many wonderful things to be thankful for. I never used to be one to find the silver lining in things, but I have learned to finally do that this year. We have grown so much this year in all of our experiences, both good and bad. Gratefullness is a quality learned, something not simply acquired automatically. The most simplest of things I am now very grateful for. Things I took for granted in the past are now relished rather than forgotten. That in and of itself is a huge blessing.

I am grateful and thankful that...

We move into our new home in December.
Brayden is healthy and happy, and so full of life and pure joy everyday.
I have the most wonderful family and friends any one woman could ever ask for.
I have the opportunity to go back to college this year-and it's completely paid for.
I have a new set of goals, and dreams that I feel confident I can accomplish.
I have a wonderful husband that is the greatest father a little boy could ask for.
I no longer feel like the doors and windows of my life are closed. They are open, the sun is shining in, and I can feel the breeze now.
God is a very big part of my life and I am learning more about my faith every single day of my life.
I am confident, strong, independent and a little wiser than I was this time last year.
I will soon have health insurance back, and that means getting off Prednisone...finally. {and that has soooo many positive outcomes for me and my health...and appearance;-) }
I am blessed more than I feel I deserve.

Life is full of beautiful moments to embrace if we take the time to recognize them. It is full of opportunites to do the right thing, and encourage others to do the same. Hug the ones you love, tell them you love them all the time, always end on a good note, be honest, sincere, compassionate and understanding. Bite your tongue even when you don't want to. Everything else will fall into place...eventually ;-)

Hoping everyone has a most wonderful, thankful and blessed Thanksgiving.

-The Snow Family

Realms of Color...

2009-11-24T20:35:00.000-08:00

Brayden has his own idea of fun when it comes to coloring. He will generally start out scribbling on paper, coloring books, and anything around not under cover {furniture and walls included}! He soon gets bored with all that, and starts standing all of his crayons up on end, in various patterns.

Many fall as he tries to line them up. He is patient and says "ahhh Mannn", picks them back up and continues on his mission. He concentrates very hard, and is so methodical about it. He insures even space between them, and has even begun counting them as he lines them up. Other times he will attempt to sing Happy Birthday, and will pretend to blow out the candles with said crayons. Once he has them all lined up he starts clapping, smiling ear to ear shouting "I do it", and "yayyyy".

He is inventive, creative, and theatrical in his endeavors with his little Crayola friends.

I love it.

I love watching his precise and steady chubby little fingers stand the crayons up on end as he sticks his tongue out and scrunches his little eyebrows. I love watching what new pattern he will create and try to follow those wheels that are turning a mile a minute in his head.

He amazes me.

It is so fun to watch him explore, and find new ways to entertain himself. It's interesting to me that he is exhibiting his free and un-inhibited creativity realizing crayons could be used for things other than just coloring with.

It's either that, or he's obsessive compulsive!

I'm hoping it's just a very eccentric creative streak he is expressing.

I think this quote below sums it up perfectly!

The whole world, as we experience it visually, comes to us through the mystic realm of color.

-Hans Hofmann

If your happy and you know it...

2009-11-24T20:04:00.000-08:00

Brayden found some fun little stickers today. Happy faces :-) Gotta love that he felt compelled to stick them all over his face...all of them...one.by.one.

He was so very adorable and proud of himself.

Looks like he got in a sticker show down with the Wal Mart greeter...

and won!
All while sporting his t-shirt Daddy got for him that says;
"DUDE-your girlfriend keeps checking me out"
{Ha Ha}

Once in a Lifetime...

2009-11-22T22:01:00.000-08:00

I remember the day Brayden was born. We woke up at 4 am to be at the hospital by 5:30 am to start Pre-Op for my scheduled C-Section. We took pictures that morning of my belly, gave the dogs lots of loves, made sure the house was perfect for his arrival at home, and went out the door with bags packed, raring to go.

For the first minute or so of our ride to the hospital, the car was silent. We were both so nervous. We were worried about Brayden's lungs possibly not being developed enough once delivered, and what that could mean for him. I think we were both quietly praying in that moment of silence.

Ron reached over and turned the radio on. Then he held my hand. The sun was just starting to shine as we drove down the street headed toward the hospital.

I am a firm believer in signs. Signs from God, and our Guardian angels. There have been many times in my life when a song will come on the radio that just literally speaks volumes to me. I know it's a sign. It's something grand in the works of the scheme of things going through my mind at that moment. It's my reassurance at that time things will be fine. It gives me relief, and stronger faith.

This was the song that started to play just moments after our hands intertwined as our stomachs were both in knots. Knots of fear, excitement, and the unknown. I happened to look right at a ray of sunshine peaking through some trees in the car that morning just as the lyrics sang "the sun is shining, on a brand new day".

I looked at Ron and had tears in my eyes and said..."this is like the most perfect song we could possibly hear right now, don't you think?" He gave me a very scared, timid, sensitive look back and nodded his head yes with a set of his own tears.

We were silent once again just taking in the words and meaning for us from this song. It was a perfect moment, in our once in a lifetime day.
It was in fact a brand new day for us, like no other we had ever experienced, or that we would ever experience again.

The day our first born was delivered as healthy as can be to us from God.

To this day, this song can instantly bring me to tears.

It's beautiful.

"Keith Urban-Once in a Lifetime"

CLICK HERE TO HEAR IT

Shabby Hair...

2009-11-19T14:10:00.000-08:00

Brayden was in desperate need of a haircut last week. His hair grows so quickly! We took him to a local salon to have his hair done. He was exceptionally polite, saying thankyou, welcome and please to the hair dresser. She gave him a sucker, and we did not hear the end of that sucker until we left and were able to confiscate it from him. He was a sticky mess from head to toe. Oh well...at least his hair looks better now than it did like this....

{although HE does not seem to mind by the look of this expression} :-)

We love you and your silliness Brayden.

Mommy's night out...

2009-11-19T13:57:00.000-08:00

Mommy went out last weekend, and oh.my.was.it.fun! Some old girlfriends of mine called and asked me to meet them at the local Rod and Gun club Saturday night for some birthday fun-ness! My dear friend Marcy {who I have known since 4th grade, yes 21 years!!!} and I share the same birthday-November 11th. We wanted to celebrate our birthday together! Stacy and I and Marcy all went to prom together way back in good ol' 1996. Oh the years, the memories. We have all grown up so much since then, married, had babies. Unreal it seems. We had a ton of fun talking about all of our old moments, laughter, funny times and triumphs. We giggled like school girls, danced, took crazy pictures, danced some more, and just had a great time.
Here is a normal photo from our night out.

Cheese!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-11-19T12:28:00.000-08:00

The other day it suddenly became VERY quiet in the house. I saw flashes of light coming from the corner, and I heard Brayden shouting "cheese" over and over again. Yes...he found Mama's camera, and was actually pointing it AT himself taking pictures.

You'd think he was 2 going on 20 making a Myspace page for himself or something!!!

Too funny.

35 things I will do before I turn 35...

2009-11-17T13:04:00.000-08:00

I am participating in Chrissie Grace's linky party this week. She wanted a list...I just loved her list HERE.

Here is my list of things I will do before I turn 35.

{in no special order}

1. Get off of Prednisone

Then get back on Humira {insurance permitting}, and Forteo {my osteo med}, rebuild my bones, and take better care of myself. This includes losing all of the prednisone water weight I have gained {which is always fun}.

2. Grow my hair long again

I have always had long hair, but decided to cut it shortly after Brayden was born. I ended up turning into one of those Mommies who stopped caring about my appearance after my child was born. This Mama needs to get her groove back {and my looks!}.

3. Go back to College {get a Masters Degree}

After many years of working without a degree, I have finally found myself in a position where I need one. I will be starting school this Spring {as I have an opportunity to have a two year degree completely paid for} for Healthcare Administration. With a Masters degree, it would enable me to make in upwards of 100K + a year once I am done with school. This would be so wonderful to do by 35! It would help our family, and Braydens future tremendously.

4. Start my own etsy shop

I love being creative, and have so many different ideas for things to put in my shop I have been dreaming of. I would love to do this soon.

5. Volunteer more

I love volunteering. I want to do this more, really be dedicated to at least 3 different organizations or causes per year. I want Brayden to learn and do this with me...what a great learning opportunity for your children to embrace giving and empathy.

6. Get involved in a Church

I really want to find a church my family can grow with and love. It is something I have wanted to do for awhile now. I also want to be in the choir-I miss music...I would love to do this again.

7. Get back into local theater

Growing up I lived at the theater. My mother was a costume designer for years for many different theaters in town, and I have been in musicals since I was 4 years old. I want Brayden to love it too, experience it like I did, and have fun with it. I need to be in more shows-they are so fun, and I have not done it in years. I also want to direct a show, or do costumes for one myself!

8. Learn to really cook

I have been dabbling this last year with cooking more than I ever have in my life. I actually really enjoy it. Now I just need to get good at it.

10. Learn to Can

Something I have always wanted to learn to do. How fun would that be?

11. Learn to Quilt

I can sew, but quilting eludes me. I really want to make quilts...I know it's a rare act of patience, but I am so fascinated by it.

12. Pay off/down my debts

I have a lot of debt. A LOT of debt. I really want to clean up my credit, and start paying down this debt soon. Ron and I would LOVE to buy a house by the time I'm 35. We are tired of renting.

13. Exercise faithfully

I need to do this for my health. I want to strive to be as healthy as possible. I could not imagine missing Brayden's life if something were to happen to me. One of my worst fears.

14. Spend more time with old friends

I don't dedicate enough time for this in my life. Although I have girlfriends I grew up with that are STILL my best gals to this day-we don't spend nearly enough time together. I am going to make it a point to make time for this and them more often.

15. Finish writing my book

I have been writing a book for years now. It's not done, and in all honesty-I have not touched it in over a year. It's a funny book with all of my strange life experiences in it. Published or not, at least Brayden will have it someday when he is older. I would love to finish my life up until now by the time I am 35.

16. Take Brayden to Disney

We would love to take Brayden to Disney, stay at Disney for at least a week would be so much fun. We have looked forward to doing that for quite some time now. We want to wait until he is a little older so he can truly embrace it.

17. Start a Homeless Organization for Education and Rehabilitation

I have always had a soft spot for Homeless people. I have been playing with a thought for awhile now about starting or doing something that would enable homeless people or {families} to get back on their feet. I have been thinking even more about it lately with our horrible economy.

18. Take a trip to California

19. Learn to live frugally, and save money.

20. Spend as much time with family as possible.

21. Convert the blog to a book each year. {the whole reason I started the blog in the first place}.

Each year I plan to do this so Brayden has books of each year of this life, our life, etc...for when he is older.

22. Start a small photography business

I need a good camera first...but I would love to take professional photos and start my own small photography business.

23. Have another baby

We would really love to have another baby {health permitting} sometime in the near future. I really want Brayden to have at least one sibling to antagonize ;-)

24. Brayden in swim classes

I just think this would be such a great thing for him, and it is such a great skill to learn early on.

25. To have a wood workshop

I want a wood workshop. Yes-tools, saws, the whole nine yards. Then I could build things. I know I could !

26. Take a woodworking class ;-)

27. Move to Georgia

This is something we have wanted to do for awhile, but it is not in the cards for us right now. Hopefully in a few years...this is where we will end up living.

28. Take a Cruise

I have always wanted to do this. My hubby has been promising we will do it someday soon. I cannot wait. {he is a little scared though}...so I may have to plan one with my Mom and girlfriends, Aunt, nieces, sisters inlaws...how much fun would that be?

29. Go to the Keys for a vacation.

30. Just play with Brayden as much as I can, and take in all the new things he is learning. I don't want to miss a single moment of his life.

31. Go on a family vacation to Mexico, Cancun preferrably.

32. Get caught up on my scrapbooks, organize all of my photos.

33. Finish all of my decorating projects I have in mind.

34. Start doing yoga/pilates.

35. Buy a cheap cheap house we can restore slowly.

{Loverly} Photos...

2009-11-13T15:28:00.000-08:00

I have some {loverly} photos to share. I LOVE this little playroom. I have been looking for a table for Brayden's little chairs I refinished this summer. I love how this one has the paper slide on it. I think that is what I kind of have in mind for his little playroom table. I also love the colors, and the little houses on the walls. What child would not want to be creative in this room? Oh....

I really like this color red. It looks similar to the bed I just got a few weeks ago that I want to paint for Brayden's room. If the color came out just like this one...I would be oh.so.pleased.with.it.

I also really like the idea of placing the oldie books behind a frame for a playroom. I am not highly in love with the playroom itself...but I love the artwork.

Did someone say PROJECT LIST??? Oh, it was me....this is definately one I am adding to my little list of things to make. It's adorable.

I am sooooo hooked on red furniture lately. It's really becoming somehwat of an obsession. Love this piece from Pottery Barn. Since I'm more of a do-it-youreself-er....I will be on the lookout for something similar to this that I can paint. Anyone have any red paint color/brand recommendations? Please do share, it seems as though it is a daunting task to find one I really love, that I dare use.

Funnies...

2009-11-09T18:47:00.001-08:00

Tonight Ron asked Brayden what he needed to put on his toothbrush in order to brush his teeth. Brayden quickly replied "piss" {aka: paste} with so much enthusiasm it totally threw Daddy for a loop! I then asked Bray to say "toothpaste", and he smiled and said very loudly "hy-pissssss" {toothpaste}. We tried really hard NOT to laugh. It did NOT work. ;-)

Bray was sitting on Daddy's lap earlier and tooted. Ron said "hey you-are you tooting on Daddy?" and Brayden looked at him with this very serious look and said, "it jusss happened"! Again...we tried not to laugh with no success.

The Producers

2009-11-09T10:27:00.000-08:00

My other niece Emily plays the lead Ulla in The Producers at the college. I was able to go see 3 of her shows this last weekend {I am such a lucky and blessed Aunt this week}. Between her and Molly {the post about her artwork is below}...I am feeling pretty darn special to be related to them! I always feel that way, but this week I get to brag about them, and that is always fun. HERE is a photo of Emily in the paper the other day, and the link to her very first review! They said, "Emily Strong was a show-stopping beauty as Ulla, the Swedish receptionist the boys hire to decorate their office, and she danced with real style, as well."

She has been a performer since her early childhood...and is oh.so.talented. She always continues to amaze me with her acting, dancing, and singing abilities-she is truly gifted. She is the cutie little blonde in the red dress: We are so proud of you Emily-you did a great job, and hopefully I will be coming to a few more shows over the next few weeks. Love you and am so proud of you.

Take me out to the ballgame...

2009-11-08T15:26:00.000-08:00

I have been brainstorming {as many of you already know} about Brayden's soon to be big boy baseball room. Oh my, the ideas I have found. I am loving this idea for painting his bed...what do you think?

And look at this baseball stadium chair? How cute would that be?

I love LOVE love this stitch paint technique on the walls...darling.

I also love the red furniture in this room too. The lampshade is adorable as well.

My very talented and artistic niece Molly is going to paint custom baseball pictures for Brayden {with Brayden} for his room. I am so excited to frame the work, and get them up-how neat and special will that be?

Love this table...I could totally make this...I know it....

I also love the idea of putting lockers in his room. They need to be red though...

Ugh...I LOVE these roman shades for his room. I will make these...they are WAY too pricey to go and buy...

And last, but certainly not least. Who would not love an organized wall like this one? I love the PB chairs too. I know I could make those...just need to figure out a pattern of sorts. It's definately on my project list.

A Humble Artist...

2009-11-06T14:25:00.000-08:00

My beautiful and very humbly talented niece Molly created a unique piece of artwork for a contest online. She visualized the concept and made it happen!
Well...it paid off-she won first place!
Molly has had a knack for art since her early childhood. She is full of so many ideas, and creations! What's even better is that she is so humble about it. She is last person to tell you she is an artist. {when if I were her I would be proclaiming it to the world!} I know, I sound like a very overly proud and bias Aunt. I am proud of her, but bias I am not-this chicky has some SERIOUS talent. If only I could show you all of the things she has painted, drawn, created, molded and so forth I would...but that would require me breaking into their house and all...and I do try to respect their privacy ;-)

I'm just sayin'.
The Neon Hive {a multi-disciplined creative agency based on the south coast of lil' auld Great Britain} wrote this about her peice, "Molly’s entry entitled “The Flip Side” stole our hearts and the competition for several reasons: an original “spin” on interpreting the brief, unique handcrafted art (true DIY indeed) and for introducing an element of fun and vivid colour which really depicts the spirit of Damien Hirst’s “spin painted” skulls."
Did you see that part "stole our hearts"?
All I could think when I read that was that if they could only see her, meet her or get a chance to talk even five seconds with her in person---
SHE would steal their hearts.
She is just a doll, genuine, real, funny as hell and just...well...a total doll.
She is just artistically brilliant, and I had to show off the article that was written about her piece of artwork.
I am so so proud of you Molly. We are so proud of you.
I love you & Congratulations!!!

You can read the original article on why she won by clicking HERE.

Here is the piece she created for the contest:

Sixpence...

2009-11-04T14:20:00.000-08:00

A sixpence will soon be in her shoe. I am so excited for her and her fiance' Blair. My beautiful cousin Leah is engaged!!! They will get married in California in April...just a few months away. I am hoping we can attend. I am so excited for them. Here are some of their gorgeous engagement photos. Congratulations Leah and Blair. We love you and are so very happy and excited for you both. Much love.

Aren't these photos just to die for? They are more than beautiful. I love them!!!

Please Vote...

2009-11-02T20:37:00.000-08:00

We entered Brayden and his Halloween Costume in a Costume Contest for CuteKids.com

We are really hoping we win! How cool would that be?

You can vote once per day from your pc. Please encourage everyone you know to vote.

We are really hoping we win! How cool would that be?

Ha ha-okay...I'll stop now...but it would be really cool.
Click HERE to vote...and {thanks in advance}.

Our little Drummer...

2009-10-31T21:13:00.000-07:00

Brayden loves to drum, so it was only fitting he be a drummer for Halloween. I made a trip to WalMart late late lastnight in search of items to make this little drummer costume happen. Fur, buttons, some black pants, a red shirt, ribbon, fringe, glitter, polyfoam, and hot glue later....this is what Mommy made {until 3am I might add} the night before Halloween.

When I got the costume on him tonight, he quickly looked down at the fur on his sleeves and pet it so lovingly. He then looked at me and said "puppy"! "Ah, no Bray, that's fur baby, not a puppy!". I thought for sure after that comment that showing him the hat I made was really gonna freak him out!

Oh the hat. I will admit that in making this costume, that hat was indeed the hardest part. I was trying polyfoam on Brayden's head in his sleep to make sure I could make this thing fit. Trying to cut its shape was not any easier, and the hot glue involved left me with three blisters on my poor fingers.

It was so worth it though.
Brayden had so much fun marching around telling everyone that he was "a drummer".
He said " hi-see" for trick or treat, and {elcome} and {ankyou} to almost everyone he saw.
It was quite precious to watch.

At one point he boycotted walking any further until we gave him a "sticky" aka: sucker.
He could not figure out why it was so important to get all of this candy, only to put it in his little drum container!
He finally had enough with getting candy he wasn't eating.
Stinker.

He finally stood up long enough to make sure the candy was still there, and to help Daddy pick out just the right "sticky".

Once he found the right one, and we inspected it and handed it over....we got our happy little drummer back...
Sticky, red lips and all...
{Yes, we know...we are suckers! No pun intended}

He soon ran out of his little sugar rush, and decided to take a rest...
on a strangers front porch...
while insisting we "wing" with him.

Finally a pooped out little peanut with Mommy at the end of the night.
He fell asleep in almost record time this evening.

I had so much fun making your costume this year again Brayden. It makes me feel like my Mom-she always used to make things/costumes for us. I am proud that you walked so far tonight, and with so much zeal and excitement. You were so polite and so happy.

We love you little drummer.

Happy Halloween Brayden!

To paint or not to paint???

2009-10-28T11:12:00.000-07:00

I acquired this bed. It was a steal at 29 bucks. It has side rails as well when all put together, and it is actually a three quarter inch bed...almost a full size. I am still in search of a mattress and box spring that size...but back to the bed. It is a depression style bed per the antique dealers I contacted about it. They said it's not really worth much of anything these days and if I wanted to paint it I could. I really had my heart set on something else for Brayden's first big boy bed, but I don't have the extra $450 bucks laying around to buy it right now...so I am thinking about painting this bed and using it for his room. Red perhaps with some stain over the distressed sanded edges? Maybe an antique white slightly distressed. Black even? Help me ladies....what do you think? Also-if you have any advice on how to pait this so it does not LOOK painted...I'm all ears. The dealer I talked to said to spray paint it...I was thinking of using a small roller. I don't know. I need advice.

Head board:

Foot board:

{I want it....please}...

2009-10-27T21:27:00.000-07:00

I have been telling Brayden to ask for "help" if he needs something, or to say "I want this-or that" to encourage communicating and not whining, or getting frustrated. So...for the last few months he would get frustrated with something, whine a bit, throw a little tantrum, and eventually say..."ummm-help me, help me". Progress right? Well today he figured it all out. He wanted a piece of Candy Corn. I told him to tell me what he wanted and he replied, "ummm, I wann it-pees" {I want it please} while pointing at the candy corn. I happily gave him one, and he told me "hankooo, elcome". I was so ticked he told me he wanted it, and so politely, then followed it up with thank you AND welcome!!! That is until I realized later on that it's all over now. He is now going to WANT everything.

Uncle Todd and Molly were laughing AT with me tonight about this.

Ha ha! :-)

{Wing}

2009-10-27T10:38:00.000-07:00

Brayden loves to go to the park, and he especially loves his swing {aka: wing}. He has loved this very swing since he was a baby baby. Everytime we go by this park-he immediately knows where we are and starts shouting "weeeeee, wing, wing....yeah whoo, yeah". The other day we had some gorgeous fall weather and took Brayden to play and run a bit. He had the whole park to himself for about an hour before some other children arrived. He was curious about watching them play and interact. We sat back and let him approach the other children on his own-which he did with some reserve. I told him to tell a little boy there his name and he replied "I'm Me Me" {that's how he says Bray Bray}. The other little boy giggled and started to play with Brayden-which he thought was very cool. He giggled and tried to do everything this other little boy did. It was very sweet to watch. My gut was a bit in knots at first wondering if the other children would take to him, and if Brayden's feelings would get hurt in some way. {I know, probably silly of me, but I did not want to see him be ignored or blown off by the other children for fear it would hurt his feelings}. Thankfully all went well and it was a great moment to be able to see. He was confident and sweet and curious, and it just made me so proud of him.

Here is Bray running to his favorite swing. If you want to see an old article of him on this very swing...click HERE.

My big independent and confident boy...

Brookey's Birthday Party...

2009-10-27T10:08:00.000-07:00

This last weekend we went to Brooke's 8th Birthday party. She is our niece, and one of Brayden's 16 first cousins. We have a big family-yes we do. Brayden adores Brookey {as he calls her}, and was pretty much glued to her side for much of the party. He had so much fun running around and playing with everyone, and everything. He even took off running into the kitchen at Friendly's-so fast that even Mommy and Daddy could not grab him fast enough. All you could hear were waiters and waitresses yelling "oh my God-there's a baby in the kitchen". Yeah, yeah-laugh all you want...{it was actually quite embarassing-and funny too!}.
Here is Brayden and Brooke { how cute is this?}

Here Brayden is loving on Uncle Marion and his other cousin, little Marion while they were hugging. He got a little jealous they were giving out hugs, and had to join in on the fun I guess. Too funny.

This photo makes me laugh it's so precious.
{Brayden usually does not give Uncle Marion huggies because he is scared of his beard and mustache...so it's cute to see this photo of him latching onto his leg-all smiles}.

News, news, news...

2009-10-27T09:48:00.000-07:00

I have lots of news to share with everyone this week {when I'm allowed}. We have had a busy last few days, weeks, & months here in the Snow Family, but we have tons of fun things happening in our family and in our extended families as well. This year is looking promising for our future, and I am encouraged by things on the horizon. Stay tuned ;o)

{HAM}

2009-10-26T22:15:00.000-07:00

When Ron and I make the bed, Brayden likes to climb under the covers to play TENT! Ron will flip the blankets up over Braydens head over and over again. Brayden giggles and yells TENT over and over again as well as saying "here I am", and "where are you?". Tonight as we were making the bed I decided to grab the camera and snap some pictures. The first one below...Brayden was completely unaware I was there until Daddy lifted the sheet and I took the first picture. You can see how genuine and un-prompted it is.

Now...this next picture was the second one I took. Brayden was under the sheet shouting "TENT-TENT!", so Ron once again lifted the sheet up to make Brayden giggle. Instead, Brayden was a total HAM and was totally prepared to be picture perfect for Mommy's camera happiness. I can't believe my camera actually snapped fast enough to catch this pose before the sheet went back down! Notice how he even turned directly toward me to pose. {we both yelled in unison a huge "awwwwweeeee" when we saw this pose} Ron quickly asked me if I got that picture, as I was already fumbling through the buttons on my camera praying I did. He had Ron and I in stitches over this...

{It's like he knew I was going to blog this or something}

Inspirational Ideas

2009-10-23T14:14:00.000-07:00

I love browsing interior decorating photos for inspiration and ideas. I love decorating in a way that is somewhat non-traditional. It's what I like to call Shanny style eclectic-ness. {ha ha} No, not really...but I like to use things that not everyone has in their homes. I don't want to have the same run of the mill things that my neighbor has. That's not to say we don't have ordinary things, because we have lot of ordinary things, but I like to have different pieces as well to offset the norm. Did that make sense? Here are some fun photos of inspiration in true Shanny Style Eclectic-ness ;-)

I just love how this room feels. It is different and certainly not run of the mill. I am personally going for the black dining set myself, but I do love the quirky little accessories.

I love furniture that is colored. Greens, Reds, Blue's, and all others as well. How fun are pieces that have flair?

I love old chests like these. I have one from my Dad that he used during his Army Intelligent days back in the 70's, long before he passed away. It is a baby blue, and in really great shape. I can't wait to use it someplace fun.

I love this from Pottery Barn. The typewriter keys picture in the back is awesome. A fellow blogger made one herself and you would never know it was handmade. You can read her tutorial HERE. I will put this on my project list.

I just love these old desks. I need to find one and paint it some funky retro color. Brayden would love it.

Stay tuned...I have been collecting inspirational ideas for the Baseball Bedroom....will be posting more about that this week. Hope you enjoyed this lovely eclectic-ness.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

2009-10-21T20:47:00.000-07:00

I read Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to Brayden quite often. I actually sing the book to him as that is how it reads. He loves it. He begs his cousins Bailey and Casey to sing it to him often as well. At night he points to the sky and says, "Star, sky!" On the way to get my morning coffee last week I was singing this to Brayden in the car. I got caught up in some construction and after the first verse I stopped singing to concentrate on my driving for a moment. All of a sudden I hear his precious and soft little voice from the back seat sing, "Up-a-bub-bub-bub-bub-highhhhhh" {perfectly in tune and tempo}. I started clapping for him and saying "yes bubby-up above the world so high...like a diamond in the sky....yay!" Later that night he sang it for Daddy at bedtime, and has been showing everyone his vocals since then. God love him...

Teeth

2009-10-21T20:00:00.001-07:00

Brayden loves brushing his teeth. He {without pushing from us} constantly tells us "teeth-teeth", at least twice a day and sometimes more. The other night I got Brayden out of the tubby and he took off running around the house naked in search of "Daddy!" Once he found Ron downstairs, he begged "teeth-teeth Daddy". Ron and I were in mid-conversation when Brayden decided to take matters into his own hands. A few seconds later we heard the water running in the bathroom sink. We both peeked our heads in the doorway to find Brayden on his knees up on the toilet seat with his toothbrush in hand brushing his teeth completely on. his. own. Laughter and praises of what a big independent boy he is quickly ensued when all I really wanted to do was cry. Cry from happiness that he is such a smart and great little guy, and sadness that he needs me less and less these days. We love you and are so proud of the big boy you are becoming Bray. Keep brushing those pretty teethies ;-) -Mommy

Pumpkin Time...

2009-10-19T14:12:00.000-07:00

We went on the hunt this weekend to have Brayden pick out his very own pumpkin {or punkin as he calls it}. We had a nice day with family, and Brayden managed to get three pumpkins of his very own. He even got to see real cows, pigs, lambs, and chickens. He lovingly referred to the pig as ilbur {i.e. Wilbur}, and then later called him bacon....{no joke}. He has been watching Charlotte's Web quite a bit lately, I'm thinking he picked it up from there perhaps...who knows. Poor kid is never gonna want bacon again once he figures out it comes from sweet poor little Wilbur. Moving on...he was scared of the cows and all of thier "mooing" very loudly, and he was not all that amused with anything other than the pigs. He did seem to enjoy licking the pumpkins though!

{click directly on image to enlarge}

The Dirt...

2009-10-18T22:35:00.000-07:00

I was recently tagged to post some random facts about myself...and forgot to. So, I thought I would go ahead and start my list here tonight. What better way to start the week right? Here is the quirky dirt:
1. I have made a lot of new goals for myself for the New Year. I promise to post them soon so you can be sure to hold me accountible for getting them done. I admit...sometimes I need a little push.
2. I believe in doing kind things, but I do not believe in sharing what Ive done with others. I think that if you tell to inspire others to do the same, then you are certainly okay, but if you tell just to say "look how nice I am"...you probably really are not all that nice of a person.
3. Honesty is so important. I am too honest at times. I am proud of this quality.
4. Doritos sandwiches, cream cheese and pickles on ritz crackers, and cheese with hot sauce are some of my favorite feel good snacks.
5. I love to read books, magazines, blogs, articles everything. I am so thirsty for knowledge lately.
6. I love cleaning my van. I am a really good car cleaner actually. I detail, armorall-the whole nine yards. I really do enjoy it. BUT {it seems like everytime I do one of these thorough cleanings, something breaks on the vehicle...it almost has me a bit gunshy lately}. Did I mention that I am obsessive compulsive and paranoid? Oh, okay then.
7. Cleaning is therapeutic to me. Organizing things makes me feel the same way. Laundry too. I'm funny like that.
8. I recently discovered how much I like to cook. I also discovered I am actually good at it. Since I have like a million cookbooks...{that I have never used}, I think I will actually open them and use them once we get all moved into our new house in November. I might even do some blog articles on them too! I'm steppin' out folks!
9. I admire smart, genuine, kind, real, and funny people...they inspire me to be a better person.
10. I have surprised myself this year! I have been through so many changes, and so many changes have been through me. I feel I am better and stronger of a person for all of it. Humility humbles the soul. Embrace it-everyone goes through it at some point!
11. I have the BEST family EVER! Seriously. I thank God everyday for them. They are all so wonderful, strong, beautiful, giving, kind and selfless people. We are close knit and friends with each other. We are all so openly quirky and fantastically crazy in our own wonderful ways-but we all work so well together. We are blessed.
12. I am NOT a board game or card person. I really have to be in the mood to play these sorts of games, and usually I am not. Call me a party pooper-I get it alot.
13. Fruity Pebbles are my favorite cereal. I love IHOP breakfasts. I love breakfast for dinner. Banana Bread from Bob Evans is my FAV. I love seafood more than I should. I love Carraba's bread and dipping sauces-pure heaven, and I eat way too many Ho Ho's, way too often.
14. If you were to open my closet, the dominent colors you would see are Corals, Oranges, Brown's and Pinks. It's kind of my go-to colors I guess.
15. I hate dirty shoes. It is a HUGE pet peeve of mine. I think you can tell a lot about someone by looking at thier shoes.
16. I could write a book about my life and experiences-and you would never believe any of it! That is how wonderfully bizarre, happy, blessed, sad, sick and strange it has been thus far. "only you Shannon" has become a Strong family catch phrase. I would not change a thing though. I really would not. Good and bad-God has always been there for me, and I try to always find his lessons in everything.
17. I write this blog for Brayden. I want to do the whole Blog to Book publish each year so when he is older he will be able to read all about his life, my life, and the life of Daddy, our families and friends, passions and experiences.
I'm done for now ladies. I am not going to tag anyone now since I am already behind the 8 ball here...but feel free to say I tagged you if you feel compelled to share your quirky dirt with the rest of us. Have a fan-tab-u-lous week!

Decor Scrapping....

2009-10-17T09:50:00.000-07:00

I have been dreaming about decorating again. That happens quite frequenly to me actually. {ha ha}. I have not had a normal home to decorate in over 6 months since our move to Florida back in May-without any of our things. Our new house will be available for us mid-November, and my mind is swirling swirling swirling with all of the projects that I am going to do. It will be nice to finally be in a home again as a family, and not nomad transplants like we have been for the last 6 months. I am humbled and excited about starting fresh again. Here are some fun ideas I am dreaming of {some are a little eclectic} but I love deorating with pieces that are not ordinary. I love finding new ways of using ordinary things, or fun colors that express my personality.

I love this vintage scale. I could hang it from the ceiling in the kitchen. I found this one on ebay listed for less than $15.

Film reels. How fun are these? Pottery Barn did a wall with these and I fell in love with them. These were also on ebay for less than $5 for all of them. Love love love

I really think this is fun and rare. What a great end table this would make huh? I love it just the way it is, but a nice round piece of glass on top would totally finish off this look. Also on ebay for less than $20.

Pottery Barn has this media desk in thier new fall catalog, and I adore it. Red furniture is so attractive to me. I just adore it. I want one. I will keep scouring garge sales for one similar though.

Here is another BLACK dining room set. I cannot wait to paint ours. I think it is going to be gorgeous. I wish I could remember which fellow blogger did this one, but I can't....sorry. She did a great job though.

Finally...I love embroidered fabric, pillows and otherwise. They are historic and beautiful to me. I read an article recently that suggested buying a yard or two of embroidered fabric, and backing it with fleece for a tailored looking throw blanket to match some homemade pillows. How fun will this project be? Can't wait.

What are your decorating dreams?

Hand in hand...

2009-10-16T10:45:00.000-07:00

As you know I have been fighting this horrible cold for days. It really is not fun. Brayden keeps coming up to me and asking for hugs. I think he is secretly wondering why I have been keeping my lovey distance for the last few days. I just don't want him to get this awful ick I have. Lastnight as we both lay sound asleep...I was awaken to a little hand that slowly crept up my arm to my hand. I then felt little fingers grasp and squeeze my fingers in attempt to hold my hand. I opened my eyes thinking Brayden was awake, only to find he was sound asleep. As sick and terrible as I felt...this warmed my heart, and brought a smile to this Momma's face, even at 3 in the morning ;-) I love you bubby...thank you for knowing just what Mommy needs to smile.