Speaking of "working on that"...

I said just yesterday that we needed to start working on stopping MJ from saying "What's the next prayer?" as he prays every night...tonight, he didn't say it! It went something like this, "Thank you God for ...(unknown word). Thank you for today. Thank you God for my Daddy. Thank you God for my Mommy. Thank you God for my brudder. Thank you God for...Amen." He's so cute when he prays. He scrunches up his face & tries to close his eyes without really closing them. Too funny! I need a picture of it, but I think that would ruin the moment. MJ, I love you more each day.

Masonisms

Here are some funny things Mason has said lately. I'm trying to write them down so I don't forget!
We've been praying together before bed & just recently Mason has started to pray out loud after Daddy or I do. Some Mason prayers...
"Thank you God, what's the next prayer?" Mommy says, "Mason you know." MJ,"Thank you God for Daddy, Thank you God for Mommy, Thank you God for my brudder.Thank you God for Mason. Thank you God for my TB (TV). Amen"
"Thank you God for what's the next prayer?" Daddy says, "Mason you know." MJ,"Thank you God for Mommy. Thank you God for Daddy. Thank you God for Owie. Thank you God for Mason. Thank you God for my tent. Thank you God for my airplanes. Amen"
Tonight's prayer was "Thank you God, what's the next prayer?" Mommy says, "Mason go on!" MJ, "Thank you God for Mommy, Thank you God for Daddy, Thank you God for our brudder, Thank you God for my car bed. Thank you God for my cousin Wuke, and Wydia & Wael. Amen." So Sweet!! I love it! However, we need to break the habit of "What's the next prayer?" Oh well, you're just learning & it makes my heart overflow that you are talking to our God all from your mind & heart. I know it must make HIM happy, too.
We've been reading a Bible story either from a Beginner Bible or the lessons sent home from SS and then a separate story book before bed. The most recent favorite (like every night for 2 weeks) has been "There's A Wocket in my Pocket" by Dr. Seuss. Last night, you wanted to read a different story but this morning Mason came in my closet where I was trying to decide what to wear to church. I had on my robe & he stuck his hand in my pocket and asked, "Mommy, is there a wocket in there?"
Too funny! :) I love you, Mason, more each day!

Friday Thoughts

Today is Friday and I'm missing my boys while I'm at work! Mason didn't want to go to his class this morning. He told me, "Mom I WANT (which really means I don't want but you don't say "don't") to go to Rockin' Raiders. I want to go be Mini Matador today." I stated that big kids didn't belong in there with the little babies like Owie. After waiting outside while I went in & signed you in & put your lunchbox in your cubby...you decided it might be ok. I hate leaving you when you feel like that! Seeing your sad face & hearing those words from your sad voice breaks my heart. It is almost worse than when Owen cries as I leave. At least I know someone will hold Owen & he'll be ok. Don't get me wrong...they love on you, Mason, too but it isn't the same. When I talk to Daddy about it, he reminds me that we all have to do things (like go to work everyday) that we don't always want to do. So, this is just a little lesson in life! I'm sure that after you go get engaged & busy your thoughts change. Anyway, this afternoon, I'm picking you boys up early today & we're going to Gainesville to meet B-Daddy, Nana & Jinna. I can't wait to get y'all. Work is dragging by! Tomorrow is a birthday party for Donna Shaver so the gals are headed to that & you guys are going to hang out at the hotel...or maybe the park or zoo! I'm going to try to talk B-Daddy into that! Even if you don't go in the morning, I'm going to try to take you myself while we're there. It is a pretty cool place that Mason would LOVE! Owen doesn't care about things like that yet, but he will one day all too soon! Daddy is hunting Dove in Snyder with some friends so he won't be with us. We'll miss him, but we'll see him tomorrow night when we all meet back up at home. You, my boys, are most precious to us and I love you more each day.

Owen's birthday party

We had Owen's 1st birthday party last night (Sunday Aug. 31). It was just a casual get together with our friends the Walls & Scheckels. We cooked out burgers & brats & had cupcakes. Then the men (& Mason on his "guitar" aka musical push toy) played Guitar Hero while the ladies sat & visited. Owen & Aiden crawled around. So much fun. Owen, you were funny about your cupcake (as to be expected). You really liked the icing...not the cake so much. Such a mess! I dug cupcake out of your ear. You had icing in your hair & even in your eyelashes. It was lovely! Mason was a big helper. He helped blow out the candle. He helped open presents. He helped Daddy grill. He played with Owen & Aiden. Such a sweet big brother! It was a fun time for all of us. I look forward to future birthdays. They are such fun! I love you more each day!

First week of school

, You have officially completed your first week of school at Tech for 2008! Mason is in the Rockin' Raider class & Owen is in the Mini Matador class. Such fun! It was a busy week...but no accident reports & I think that's a record for us! Mason had an accident report his first day when he started there...that seems so long ago! Anyway, you were both cute & Mason was excited about his new class. Owen didn't cry too long. I ran into the observation room to watch & make sure. Yeah, I'm "that mom". The Rockin' Raider teachers are Shannon & Jan. The Mini Matador teachers are Donna & Tracey. Mason had Donna when he was in that class. We are happy with your teachers & classes this year. I pray it will be a great year for us all! I hate that I have to leave you boys, but I'd rather leave you there than any other place I can think of. It truly is spectacular!! I love you more each day.

Happy Birthday, Dear Owen!

Well Owen Russell, the calendar says it is your birthday...but I'm having difficulty believing it! You still seem so little to us! Today we spent the day at home, just me & you & Mason. I was glad that you didn't have to go to school on your birthday. We went to Babies R Us & bought a new carseat for Mason so that you could graduate to his old seat and face forward. You look so tiny in it! (I need to add some pictures to this blog...maybe I'll get on that tomorrow!) Tonight when Daddy came home, we all walked to our neighborhood park for a little concert in the park. You do so love to be outside! So, that is how we spent your birthday...pretty uneventful but you don't know the difference at this point! We're having your birthday party next weekend. It will be fun to celebrate your first year! We love you so much...more each day!

You're dismissed!

Sweet Owen, on Tuesday, you were dismissed from Physical Therapy services with ECI! Yea! You made such great progress in such a short time. It makes me wonder if you were truly just a "late bloomer" & would have arrived here on your own or if they really helped get you going!?! I'm choosing to believe they helped. Each week, we saw improvement...I guess we'll never really know. All that to say, your physical skills are appropriate for your age now, so no more PT! We also had a nutrition eval that same day. The ECI Dietician came by to talk with me and look at you. She said you're a little small (weight wise) but mainly our concern is your poor digestive health! This chronic constipation is WRONG!! I want you to know that we are so concerned about you. It breaks my heart to hear you cry and scream in pain when you have to go poop! No one should have to work so hard just to go to the bathroom. She gave us some suggestions...mainly said you weren't drinking enough during the waking hours so we need to increase your fluid intake. The second suggestion is to have you tested for Celiac disease. Daddy & I (along with our extended family) are praying against that. It would mean a total lifestyle change in our eating habits. Although it would probably be more healthy for all of us, I would just hate it for you! But, we won't dwell on what might be. We're going for your 1 year check-up with Dr. Gray (boo) on Monday, so we'll talk with him about it. His office has really been zero help in this whole, long drama! He may not be our pediatrician much longer!! Anyway, all that to say I am proud of how far you've come physically in the last 2 months & am thrilled that maybe we will get you some relief & work out your poor tummy troubles. I love you more each day!