Thursday Five

 

Patient

Joyful

Marvelous

Grateful

Wonderful

 

I had to be patient with my son today while trying to get him ready for nap time.  He's been having some difficulties with following directions lately so I've been consciously been making a better effort to tell him what I need him to do...than give him Choice A or Choice B.

I become joyful when I listen to my Air 1 radio station at work.  The powerful lyrics I hear keep me motivated and encouraged.

I felt marvelous on Monday morning (6:00am) after working out for the first time since...well...er...I don't know when the last time I worked out was!

I am grateful for such an amazing husband who brings me back to realtiy.  :)

It feels wonderful to be eating healthier again.

 

Scripture & a Snapshot

My beautiful niece, Katie.

Dear Katie

Welcome to the world my precious niece!  I could not be with you when you arrived this morning, but I anxiously waited, and prayed as you made your debut.  I have been so excited to meet you ever since your Mommy told me she was having you.  I was even more excited to learn that you were going to be a girl!

I will always be a part of your life, and will always support you.  I love you, and your brother Jackson more than words can say. 

Love you always Katie...Aunt Jamie :)

Katherine Bailey Steel

5lbs 4oz 18.5in

Friends ♥

A few reasons why I loved going to MCC...my lifelong friends!

Take 69 seconds...

Raising awareness and taking action against breast cancer is, and will always be an important cause I support (among many others).  We are on the eve of National Breast Cancer month, and I ask that you join me in taking action in raising awareness.  

Please read the following post from the Komen foundation:

Today, September 30, may be our biggest event ever, as we ask people from around the globe to make a promise to take action against breast cancer — all through social media. This global effort starts with you, posting to your Facebook profile or Twitter and then asking your friends to do the same. We’ve made it easy for you to do.

How does it work? Starting today, September 30, at midnight (EDT) to midnight October 1, we are kicking off Breast Cancer Awareness Month by asking YOU to visit www.69-seconds.org. On that website, you can take action and update your Facebook/Twitter status or blog using the hashtag #fightbreastcancer.

What is a “hashtag”? Hashtags allow you to quickly identify special topics, and help spread information while organizing and making it searchable within social media.

Why 69 seconds? Because that’s how often a woman dies of breast cancer somewhere in the world. A statistic we’re trying to change. It’s also about how long it takes to #fightbreastcancer by choosing to drive change, share support or educate at www.69-seconds.org.

What’s the goal? We hope to mobilize millions to take 69 seconds to #fightbreastcancer AND break the Guinness World Record for Most Widespread Social Network Message in 24 Hours.

How can you join the fight?
1. Visit 69-seconds.org and take action!
2. From the website, change your Facebook and/or Twitter status to one of the following:
o Every 69 seconds, a woman dies of breast cancer somewhere in the world. #fightbreastcancer at http://69-seconds.org/.
o Today is not about raising funds. It’s about raising virtual voices around the world to take action in 69 seconds or less. Visit http://69-seconds.org/, post #fightbreastcancer to Facebook and Twitter or blog about it before midnight and help turn the virtual world pink. How do you promise to #fightbreastcancer?
3. Use #fightbreastcancer in your statuses pertaining to breast cancer, Susan G. Komen for the Cure® or Breast Cancer Awareness Month several times during the day!
4. And lastly, make your Facebook posts public for the day.
It costs nothing and takes just a minute of your time – or maybe 69 seconds. So blog about it, post it, tweet it, retweet it, use it in all your statuses and urge everyone you know to do the same.

http://www.69-seconds.org/

Jamie

No idea what to blog about...

So I will post this because it makes me laugh every time I watch it. :)

This Little Light...

A Birthday to Remember-the big 3-0!

Well, I've finally turned 30.  Seriously, where does the time go?  Wasn't so bad as some people make it out to seem.  I feel like I should have made New Year's resolutions or something...but I didn't.  I usually don't keep them anyway.  I did however, have a very memorable day.

My family are HUGE...and I mean HUGE...K-State fans.  Ever since I can remember, we've had football season tickets.  My parents met there when they were in college...my sister went there...even I took a few classes there (I went to a Christian college in the same town)...so you could say we bleed purple. :)

We are a fans of a very "legendary" Coach that turned the football program around after many losing seasons.  He "retired"...and then came back to coach last season.  The stadium is even named after him for goodness sake, so to us KSU fans...he's a legend. :)

My dad listens to sportstalk radio everyday and listens to the Bill Snyder show (during the season) that is on later in the week.  He is one to call in to those shows every once in a while. He is quick to defend his Wildcats or just to keep encouraging the team. 

Last fall, he called in during the coaches show to thank Coach Snyder for all that he has done for the football program, and that he and my mom were glad he was back coaching.  My dad also told him that since his wife is battling cancer, they sometimes can't make it to the games. Coach Snyder thanked my dad for the compliment and told him to call his secretary in the morning so he could have their address.

So my dad calls the next day and gives the secretary, Joan, their address.  Within a day or two my mom received a very nice letter from Coach Snyder inviting us to come meet him and that all we had to do was call Joan to set up a time.

Well, my mom ended up being pretty sick during last fall/winter due to some chemo stuff, so the timing of us going to meet him just didn't happen.  It was until just a few weeks ago that my mom finally got a thank you letter written to him.  In that letter, she had mentioned that if possible, we would like to meet him on my 30th birthday (never mind the fact that the players were reporting back and that it was media day that same week).

A few days later Joan called my mom to set up the appointment on August 6th.  At first my mom told her that I had already planned to go shopping in Kansas City so that day wouldn't work.  But after calling me right after she told that to Joan, I had her quickly call her back to tell her that I would love to meet Coach Snyder on my birthday (my mom says I "yelled" at her...but I was like hmmm...shopping or meeting Coach Snyder?? Duh mom!!!). :)

So mom called her back and we had our visit scheduled for 1:30 on my birthday!  It was an amazing experience.  I was the first one to walk into his office and he was standing behind his desk autographing a football (which we thought was for us...nope!)  When he saw me come in, he put the sharpie (I guess?) and came around and shook my hand with a nice smile.  We all introduced ourselves, and then for about 30 minutes we just sat in his office and talked.  He asked how my mom was feeling and then chatted with all of us.  I thought he might have offered Allan a job on his staff...but no luck. :)

Caeden was hilarious.  He was climbing on the couch, looking at every Wildcat logo that was in his office (and saying Cats...Cats), and then got down on the floor and starting spinning in circle.  Coach Snyder just smiled and laughed (he has a grandson named Caeden too). :)

The whole thing was just surreal.  Even seeing the football players just walking by was crazy.  It was truly an honor meeting him and he even told us to come up again!  He also wished me a Happy Birthday and then told Allan to take me out to dinner!!

 He was very nice, and genuine.  We probably visited him on one of the most busiest pre-season days ever and yet he was still kind enough to sit down with us and visit.  We will always remember this day...and will cheer on the Cats to victory this season!  Go Cats! :)

Seven Prayers A Day

I have been following a blog called Bring The Rain.  She has a post named Seven Prayers A Day (which was written a while back) and it is about praying over your children throughout the day.  She selected seven events during the day that would be a reminder to pray for her children.

I have challenged myself to do this for Caeden.  I will post the different scriptures throughout the house so I (and my husband) will be reminded to pray for him.  We don't make a habit of it now, so it's something to help get us started.

To see her post, go HERE or click on the Pray 7x7 image below.

If there is ever a time that our children need to be prayed over...it is now!

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Caeden is currently 26 months.

Now that Caeden is starting to really talk, with actual sentences and words, I thought I would start recording the Tiny Talk that goes on in our house that makes us smile.

All About A Dad:

He is in LOVE with his Daddy lately and constantly talks about him.  Here are some things I hear Caeden say on a daily basis about his beloved Daddy:

Me:  "Good morning Caeden!"

C:  "Daddy? Where Daddy?  Daddy...shhhhhhh....sleeping?"

Me:  "No, Daddy's not sleeping...he's at football practice."

C:  "Yeaaah."

Last week when I went to get him up, this is the first thing Caeden asked me:

C:  "Take Daddy to zoo?  Take Daddy to zoo?"

Me:  "What?  You want to take Daddy to the zoo?"

C:  "okaaay..." 

Me:  "Well, we'll have to wait when he gets home."

C:  "Take Daddy to zoo?"

Caeden also has become aware of when Daddy burps or toots. :)  After hearing Daddy toot, he says:  "Daddy toot?"  Even when we dropped him off in Sunday School he told his teacher, "Daddy toots?" And so it begins...

I also hear these everyday:

"Daddy home?", "Daddy work?", "Where's Daddy?", "Daddy at twactor store?"

So, as you can see our conversations lately have been all about his Daddy. :)

To hear more Tiny Talk, head on over to Not before 7: Tiny Talk Tuesday!

To see Caeden's Blog click on the button! 

Please follow his blog too!!

Caeden's Photo Shoot

I wanted to do something different for Caeden's two year photos.  We usually go to Sears to have them done, but knowing how active Caeden is, and how I can hardly get him to sit still for a picture...I thought we would have a difficult time getting anything accomplished in the studio.

I asked my friend from church Nicole if she would take the pictures.  She is a college student, who attends our sunday school class.  She does photography stuff on the side and is really amazing at it.  She was very patient with Caeden, and was very personable to work with. 

I told Nicole I wanted these pictures to capture how Caeden is everyday.  I wanted him to feel comfortable and not forced to sit here, or there, in order to get a good picture.  Trying to give directions to a two year old on how to sit, and which way to look was not something on my list to do.

I love these pictures because they are simply the way he is.  I believe they show his personality. 

So, turn your speakers on and enjoy the slideshow!

www.capturephotographybynicole.com

I ♥ Duct Tape

I had a VERY memorable moment while visiting my Grandparents this evening.  First of all, I want to say that before Caeden and I even left our house to see them, I debated over how many diapers to take.  I should have gone with my first instinct.  Which was, take 3...just in case.  I usually take way too many diapers and I thought to myself, well...he's already pooped twice today so he should be good.  'Should' being the key word.

Did I take 3?  Nope...I took ONE diaper. ONE.

So of course, Caeden poops two more times (thanks to the grapes, and juice) at my grandparents house.  The moment I realized that I had no more diapers, I was like..."uh."  There was no way I was going to keep that diaper on him.  So, my Grandma and I brainstormed. 

Solution #1:  Safety pins + towel

As you can see...this did not work because my child does not have hips for the towel to stay up on.  It immediately fell off, which was a green light for Caeden to run around half naked. :)  We attempted this solution again trying to make the sides tighter, but still no good.

Solution #2:  Duct tape + towel + tea towel

Success!  This stayed on until we got home.  Boy, he really is cute in anything! :)

Even after playing with his Great-Grandparents, he still had it on...un-phased by the event. :)  My Grandparents sure got a kick out of this.  I don't think my Grandpa stopped laughing even after we left!

I learned a few lessons tonight:
1.  Always take more than one diaper with you.  Always.
2.  Keep duct tape with you.
3.  Keeping towels in the backseat or trunk may not be such a bad idea.
4.  Stash your camera somewhere because you never know when Kodak moments like these will happen.
5.  Keep a supply of diapers in the car...or at the places you frequent the most (ours being family).

So...to the makers of Duct Tape...I salute you.

Almost Famous...

Caeden is featured as a Cute Tot on the Totally Tots blog!

Click on the button to see the post!

New Favorite Thing (at least for today)

I went to a Sew'n The Bag party over the weekend and I was instantly "in love"!  They had some VERY CUTE things....handmade diaper bags, totes, purses, bibs, burp clothes, appliqued shirts, hooded bath towels, etc!! Check them out! You can custom order anything!

Click here to visit their blog: Sew'n The Bag

Here are a few things I loved:

I know my hubby will be thankful that I didn't have the check book that day!! :)

Father's Day!

We had a weekend full of fun Father's Day activities!
Grandma and Grandpa Cooper were visiting us on Saturday, so we took Caeden to feed the ducks.  This was his first time ever doing this so we weren't sure how he would react when he saw the ducks.  He had a lot of fun throwing bread...and even feeding himself!  Daddy helped him throw it just right and surprisingly Caeden did not try and run away! :)

 Playing with Grandma, and reading books with Grandpa!

 And spending time with Daddy!

 Happy Father's Day!!

The Best Designer

I love traveling to Wyoming. I love it because of the mountains. Just like when I went to Colorado last summer, I never got tired of looking at the them this past weekend.

When you see pictures like this...

You have to say that God is the best Designer when it comes to the landscape of our Earth. I know people say that the mountains have formed like that over time, but come on, really? To me, there is no denying that there is an Intelligent Designer who created all of this.

I can just picture God have a good time forming the mountains with the specific colors, the right material, and then thinking snow would look beautiful on the taller ones.  It was so peaceful being up in the mountains and being away from a much faster paced city.

I was reminded that God is bigger than those mountains.  He can move mountains if He wants too, if that is in His plan.

Happy Birthday Caeden! ♥5.23.08♥

Caeden,

At 2 years old you...

♥ LOVE trains, trucks, cars, or anything that moves!

♥love to look at books, and have Mommy or Daddy read them to you over...and over...and over again.

♥enjoy singing songs and doing the actions to songs, especially "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star".

♥are starting to "talk" more. You can say things like, "I see...", "Hide!", "Hello?","More", "Peas" (please), "Shoes" and much more.

♥like to play Hide and Seek with Mommy and Daddy.

♥love playing with Daddy.

♥run almost everywhere, unless we are in a parking lot, then you walk with a grownup.

♥dislike vegetables...but with a little ketchup, you eat them. :)

♥like to listen to VeggieTales in the car, especially "This Little Light of Mine".

♥still have a "binky". :(

♥are very timid and shy around new people or when we are at a new place.

♥love to pray before bedtime.

♥love bath time and splashing Daddy.

♥like to watch Sesame Street, WonderPets, and Backyardigans.

♥love to play outside!

♥love to visit your Grandparents in Emporia...and Topeka.

♥love to go on Wagon rides or stroller rides.

♥are the most loved little boy...not spoiled...loved. :)

Happy Birthday Caeden! Mommy loves you so, so much!


May 23, 2008

Mother's Day 2010

Before I was a Mom

Before I was a Mom -
I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed. I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was a Mom -
I cleaned my house each day. 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 - Spit 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 that 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 it 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.

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.

-Author Unknown
 

I love you Caeden David...you bring smiles to my face, and joy to my heart.

-Love, Mommy

Anniversary

Anniversary.  Most people when they hear "Anniversary" think of wedding Anniversary, or the Anniversary of first meeting that someone special.

For me, Anniversary is a totally different meaning this year.  A year ago today, my mom came over in the morning after her CT scan.  She had been having headaches for the last few months and started to lose her balance.  Little did I know that a few hours from then, I would be getting a phone call from my dad saying to come to the ER because they found a "spot" near the brain. 

The cancer has spread again.  It's always the first thought that comes into my mind whenever my mom winces in pain, or when there's a new spot.  You know the chances of it being just that are high when you mother lives with metastatic cancer.

I had no idea what the next few days, or even months would bring.  The doctors said if she had waited to do surgery, she could have died.  God had a different plan. 

I still remember the day we went to the ER and then the next day before her surgery.  I remember talking with her the night before surgery.  I read her scripture, rubbed her head, held her hand...almost making it my last goodbye.  She laid there smiling at me, so peaceful.  My mom was all of a sudden having major brain surgery.  Major.  I knew things would not be the same after that. 

She's had ups and downs this past year.  I have had my battles with God.  I've yelled, cried, built walls, and have tried to understand the simple questions, "Why her?"  I wanted a miracle, I wanted the cancer to be GONE.  I wasn't looking at the small steps of recovery she was making.  I wanted to save her and take care of it all. 

I am thankful beyond words to my Creator for allowing another year...another day...for her to be a living testimony of perseverance and one who can handle anything WITH Christ.  I truly believe that she could not have survived this without her BELIEF in His promises.  He promises us He will take care of her, and no, He may not take the cancer completely away, which He could in a heartbeat.  But for some reason, her living with this is part of her story that He will complete when He calls her home.  In our simple minds, we cannot comprehend that, we never will.  That's why we live by Faith. 

I've learned over the past year to let it go...Trust in Him...be thankful for the days that are good, and persevere through the ones that are bad.  I am in Christ, I can handle it.

This is what I wrote last year, Miracle in May. 

OUCH!

Caeden had his first real boo-boo of his life two Sunday's ago. Now, mind you, he has had bruises and a few scratches from playing outside and rubbing his knees against concrete while moving his cars and trucks. Those come with being a very active boy.

He has been moved up into the 2-year old room at church, and last Sunday was his first morning being in that room. I was nervous (I have no idea why), and a little hesitant to leave him considering he was much smaller than everyone else.

I had no worries until I was paged during the church service. I went back to his room and there he was, sitting by the table eating animal crackers with the other kids. When he finally saw me, all I could see was his little tear filled face and his arms reaching out to me.

Caeden had walked right in front of a child who was swinging, and got knocked down. Ugh, the luck. The boy loves to play outside, and I have been "teaching" him not to walk in front of kids that are swinging. I realize he has no concept of this yet, but I know he will learn...eventually. :)

So looked like this for the first few days this past week. It healed very fast, and we are so thankful that nothing major happened. His teachers were very upset about it happening, and I told them that accidents happen! They loved on him and dried his tears. We are thankful for the kind of teachers that Caeden will have during Sunday School.

Boys will be boys...and this one will be oblivious to swing children. :)

~Jamie