Look at Mama's New Camera! Made by Carter

Carter and his best buddies at Daycare

Carter is just beaming with Kaylee, Anthony and Chloe! Here they had
been pretending to be a family with Anthony and Chloe as papa and
mama. Carter and Kaylee were brother and sister. I just love this
picture!

David Enjoying a Good Brew

Tonight at dinner ....

Carter said "Mama, you are growing!" I said "Am I growing here?"
indicating my tummy. He said "No Mama, You're growing into Grandma!"

You wouldn't know it . . .

Carter Enjoys Ice Cream!

Carter is Very Concerned!

A Day at The Park

Carter got a new haircut!

Carter's First Library Card ... A Proud Moment!

Carter proudly displays his first booked checked out at the Nuevo Library with his new library card. He chose "The Caboose That Got Loose" for his first book. What a happy day!

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Visit www.pookiemama.blogspot.com to see our little guy grow!

Carter finds new friends in the Mitchells

Here are some pictures from January when we had dinner at the
Mitchell's house. Carter is introduced to a new kind of drum, little
Sophie, and a big cat (I can't remember it name).

Our date . . . posted a bit late.

These were pictures that we took on a date we took in January. We had
a very good time. I thought that I would share these with everyone
since they are quite nice.

Growing all the time! Here he made a pretty good likeness of himself with the Mr. Potatohead - see the cap is backwards!?!

For Your Patience . . . Thank You!

I just wanted to post a Thank You to all of you who have waited patiently for more posts, especially those with pictures! I am particularly busy and am trying to get pictures organized and begin posting all the things that have happened in the last couple months! Take care and continue checking for updates!

To An Awesome Mom

Before I was a Mom, 

I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.

I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. 

I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom - I had never been puked on. Pooped on. Chewed on or peed on.

I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts. I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom,  I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests. Or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried.  

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom, I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down.  

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.

I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. 

I never knew that I could love someone so much. 

I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom - I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.

I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. 
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. 

I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom -I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.

I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. 

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.

This is courtesy of my mother . . . who taught me more than she will ever know about being a MOM!  Thank you Mom! I love you!

For my loved ones . . .

Love ya..
One day a woman's husband died, and on that clear, cold morning, in the
warmth of their bedroom, the wife was struck with the pain of learning
that sometimes there isn't anymore. No more hugs, no more special
moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat, no more
'just one minute.' Sometimes, what we care about the most gets all used
up and goes away, never to return before we can say good-bye, say 'I
love you.'

So while we have it it's best we love it and care for it and fix it
when it's broken ... . and heal it when it's sick. This is true for
marriage . and old cars .. and children with bad report cards and dogs
with bad hips and aging parents and grand parents. We keep them because
they are worth it, because we are worth it..

Some things we keep - - like a best friend who moved away or a
classmate we grew up with. There are just some things that make us
happy, no matter what.

Life is important, like people we know who are special. And so, we keep
them close!

I received this from someone who thought I was a 'keeper'! Then I sent
it to the people I think of in the same way. Now it's your turn to send
this to all those people who are 'keepers' in your life, including the
person who sent it if you feel that way. Suppose one morning you never
wake up, do all your friends know you love them?

I was thinking...I could die today, tomorrow or next week, and I
wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that
needed rekindling or three words needing to be said.

Let every one of your friends know you love them. Even if you think
they don't love you back, you would be amazed at what those three little
words and a smile can do.

And just in case GOD calls me home .....
I LOVE YA !!!

Live today to the fullest because tomorrow is not promised .

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. -- Anonymous

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Visit www.pookiemama.blogspot.com to see our little guy grow!

Moms

WHY GOD MADE MOMS

Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me.  He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.

What kind of little girl was your mom?
1. My Mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms & dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Moms have magic; they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect.  Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Dye it. You know her hair. I'd dye it, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean.  I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

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Visit www.pookiemama.blogspot.com to see our little guy grow!

Cowboy Carrot

Carter was helping Papa feed the horse tonight, so he had a carrot in one hand and was wearing the hat that Jim gave him before they moved. He was walking down the driveway and removed the hat from his head and put it on the carrot. Then he said "Look, Papa! Cowboy Carrot!" Here he is feeding Tao his carrot. Don't worry, all his fingers are accounted for and working!

Are You Spookie Mama?

As you can see, I have been a little busy and haven't been as frequent with my posts. This happened about a month or two ago at the table in the kitchen. We were eating and all of a sudden Carter asks me " Mama, Are you spookie?" I had to answer yes. I don't know when Carter heard this, but he must have heard one of us talking about my other nickname: Spookie Pookie.

"I Tell You A Secret"

Just last night I was reading a story to our little one at bedtime and in the middle of the story he sidles up real close to me and puts his mouth up to my ear and whispers, "I love you too." Then he sits back and looks up at me and whispers "I tell you a secret Mama." I leaned forward and said "I have a secret for you too!" Then I whispered in his ear "I love you forever!" A minute or two after I start reading again he whispers in my ear "I love you forever!"

To hear such words spoken in such a gentle way from a little one so new and not always so gentle is just an amazing thing. I shake and quiver sometimes as I realize how his understanding of loving relationships are expanding - he is only a little more than two years old!

Keep Reaching for the Moon Little One . . .

This particular thing happened on Saint Patrick's Day, 2008. We were on our way home from work and were on the backside of the hill about 5 minutes from home when I heard our little guy exclaim that he saw the moon. I couldn't really see it and had to look for it for a second before I found it. Then I heard him say from the back seat "Mommy! Can I touch it, Mommy? Can I, Mommy?" I was so surprised to hear an aspiration such as this come from one so small that it took me a few seconds to reply. I didn't want to dash his hopes by saying you can't touch that and ridicule him for such a wondrous remark. I instead chose to say "You keep reaching for the moon little one and I will always be there to help you!" I think I started to tear up just thinking of all the grand dreams that will be coming for this little one of mine!

A Day With The Guys . . .

Last week I left the little one at home with Papa and Uncle Paul. They were going to fix the tractor and do some work around the "farm" that really needed doing. Papa said that he needed a little helper so I went off to work without my little guy.

Now when I got home I guess I expected to see a little bundle of dirt come my way, but he also had a story to tell that went something like this:

Papa said he was working in the field and had to go to the bathroom, but didn't want to walk all the way up to the house . . . well, you know who saw what he was doing and said "Papa I want to do it too". Papa was all too ready to show him "just how it was done!" Papa said that he took down his pants and diaper and told him to aim for the tree. He then looked like he was pushing really hard with grunts and everything, but nothing came out. Then he said "This is really hard!"
When I came home he told me that he and Papa had "peed on the leaves! You should have seen the proud look on Papa's face!

Carter Fixes The Fence

Carter is such a big helper. Here Carter brings his tools out to the pasture to help Papa fix the fence. Such a big boy!

Papa directing the project

Papa shows Carter how the level works

Carter supervises the post hole digging

Carter proudly shows off his tools

Carter doing his part

It's the little things in life . . .

This morning at breakfast Carter says "Did you make this?" referring to his cereal and the milk I had just poured. I said "yes" and he says "Good job! Thank you!"

Now I am typing this at the table and he is eating it and I hear an "aaaaahhh! That's good!" as he slurps the cereal down! How funny is that?

A Boy Who Loves Music

Here is Carter's Music Class. Can you tell that he loves it?

The First ABC Song!

Today our little one was on the potty while I was folding laundry and I heard a familiar song emanating from the bathroom. It was Boo Bear! He was singing the ABC song. As I listened, he continued to sing and I was so surprised to hear him repeat nearly every letter of the song. Some were not so clear, but they sounded like the letters anyway, but most of them were exactly right on! At the end Boo sang "Next time won't you sing with YOU!"

I peeked around the corner at that moment and he looked at me and gave this huge smile - he knew what he had just done!

Boo Loves Pizza

Last Thursday (January 17th), we got home from work and I was trying to decide what to have for dinner. I went out to the garage fridge and found a Boboli bread crust.

When I came back in, Boo was at the door and I guess he was looking for me because he said with great enthusiasm: Hi Mommy!

I was a little surprised and responded with: Hi!

Which was greeted with: Whatcha got there!!??

I responded with: Pizza bread, we are going to have pizza for dinner!

As I crossed the room to the kitchen I heard a distinct: MMMMMMMM!!!
I LIKE it!

Our little guy is growing up so fast! He is able to express his curiosity and then his anticipation of something he likes! How lucky we are!

His First Prayer and then some . . .

Last Saturday (January 19th), we were sitting breakfast and we asked little Boo if he wanted to say the prayer - he said yes. Now you have to understand that he has attempted to say prayer before, but it was always with help. We would say Dear Jesus and he would repeat it and so on. But this time, he said everything all on his own! It went like this:

Dear Jesus, Thank you for food, . . . spiders, . . . and duckies. Amen!

We were so happy for him and he was just as proud of what he had done. The funny thing is that we have no idea where the idea of spiders came from, but he did see duckies in the picture above the table where we were eating.

I have another prayer that he said that I want to share too. We were eating lunch at work and again I asked him if he wanted to say prayer. He said yes. This was on Monday (January 21st). The prayer went something like this:

Dear Jesus, Thank you for food, spiders, . . . and keep safe. Amen!

I think he got the idea of keep safe from me. When I pray I am usually asking that Jesus keep Papa safe or other family members and friends safe. It is just amazing how he picks these things up!

The Birthday Boy

We are very proud of our little guy! He is now 2 years old! We had such a nice party with our family and friends. We wanted a small get together, but it is hard to have one when you are blessed with so many nice friends and family. Boo really enjoyed the big day - he seemed to understand that this was really "his" day, but he still behaved fairly well, especially since he only had a 1 hour nap.

Grandma Linda made a beautiful cake with the Bonanza map on it. We had cake and ice cream and fun playing with the new toys Boo got for his birthday.

The cowboy sharing his toys.

After most people left Boo gave a nice performance of "Happy Birthday" on his drums in which he sang to himself! I got it on video tape, but will have to download it from the camera before I can share it. We will see if I can do it.

Kick'in back 'round the ol fire after all was said and done!

Thank you to all those who helped us celebrate!

On the Eve of a New Year - He's almost Two!!!

Well, here we are. Not only is it a new year, but we are embarking on a new year for our little Boo. Tomorrow he will be two years old!! We have so much to be thankful for and how we are amazed daily at the wonderful little personality that is blossoming before us. We have to thank God for his blessings!

I just wanted to post a few of the pictures from the last month of joyful celebrating when I have not been able to sit long enough to share my thoughts as I would like.


Here is our little man posing in his new tool belt that his Auntie Sondra and Auntie Janine gave him for Christmas. He cannot get enough of the tools and takes them everywhere. Thanks so much! I think he won't tire of them for a long time to come!

I liked this picture with Auntie Sondra. He was just diggin on his tools and Sondra, well, I just enjoyed the look!

Here we are at one of our celebrations here at the house. We all had a full day and still the little guy found a huge smile to share. He was very good opening all his presents. Though we chose to stay close to home for Christmas Day to allow him to absorb the tradition around Christmas, we did get to spend time with most of our loved ones before or after the day. We wanted to allow Boo time to open and enjoy his presents at his own pace rather than it be a mad dash to open them all in a short while. He took nearly all day to open and play with the few presents we did give him and he was extremely tired by the end of the day.

I know. This looks really dangerous. And it would have been, but he was well supervised. He picked this pole up out by the driveway and with Mama's supervision, he dragged it all the way to the back door to show Papa. He just knew for sure that Papa was going to need it for something. He loves to get any kind of stick from the yard and play with it, but as you can see this one was just a little too big.

Well, I also wanted to share something that I don't have a picture for just yet. The other night we were watching KCET on Grandma Linda's recommendation. An orchestra was playing and he was watching the people playing the instruments and the conductor and listening to the dramatic music and all. At the end of the song, he just started clapping and clapping with this huge smile on his face. He proceeded to do the same thing for the next song, so David got online with his laptop to look up the name of one of the instruments and found a great website that allowed Boo to listen to each instrument individually, see a picture and then hear it play with the orchestra. The song that the instruments played individually was always Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. As we listened to the 4th and 5th instrument, Boo began to sing Tinkle Star Tinkle Star along with the music. On the next instrument, though he didn't say Tinkle Star, he started singing the ABC song. At first I was thinking, No Boo, that's not the right song, but then I thought about it and both David and I laughed. We realized that they are both sung to the same tune, and he had already picked that up! David said that he hadn't even noticed that until last year, and I hadn't really thought much about it either! Boo really does have a very keen mind, so even though I am surprised, I'm not really. That's our little guy!

Well, we have a little get together planned for tomorrow and if you don't tell him, I will tell you . . . he has a little drum set waiting for him with new drum sticks!!! Yes, we are about to embark on a new adventure with our own little garage band! Papa has the guitar and is taking lessons this semester and Boo will be beginning toddler music lessons next week as well. Who knows, maybe I will take up the piano again or sign myself up for some clarinet lessons!

Chiao!

Here is my little Boo feeding me Christine's sinfully good Christmas Cookies! What a giver! He really enjoyed opening the package after dinner last week. So much that the next evening after dinner he asked for another present to open. I think he was hoping for more of her excellent cookies! Christine you will just HAVE to hand over that recipe OR ELSE! I think that I have a new favorite. Thanks again for the thoughtful present. And to all the rest of you . . . Happy Holidays! I hope that you are safe and in good health and spirits. We love you.

Good Times to Remember - My Birthday with Family

I just realized exactly how long it has been since I have posted - nearly a month until my last post last night. I guess I have been kinda busy lately, you know with all the holidays and things.

Here is a picture of how I spent Halloween. Boo and I went to my sister's house to greet the trick or treaters. Sondra had a little birthday cake there and my dad and Betty and David stopped by to celebrate. It was a nice little get together. Here is Betty, Sondra, Boo, and my dad, Keith. I thought that it was a very good photo.

Thank you for the nice evening. I really enjoyed it.

Losing Our Loyal Fuzzy Friend . . .Alexander Dog

I didn’t want to forget to post about Alex . . . Our dear and beloved fuzzy puppy who passed away last month. He was the best potlicker, so patient and loyal. We will dearly miss him. He was our little man before we ever had our little Boo. He has been with us for nearly 13 years. We laid him to rest where he always dreamed of going and was able to live for the last five years.

The following pictures show his patient, loving and gentle side:

He waited so long for his own little Boo to play with and finally got him this last year and a half.
Words fail to explain the sorrow that we feel.
We will miss you Alexander, our fuzzy little puppy, popper of Christmas bulbs, eater of pipe stems, nibbler of drip line, Houdini dog, top graduate in his training class, lover of butcher bones and children but not in the same way, and always, faithful foot warmer to the end. We love you.