HOW MY LEG HURTS

Hello Family and Friends,

The other day we had to do 'minor surgery' on Josh's leg. He had gone out to the back yard and fell in the brush. Apparently, he had gotten a sliver in his leg. That was not clear to us, till it was exacted from his leg. If you know little kids, getting a needle or 'medicine' out is bad news to the little kid. You also need cotton balls.... not for the surgery itself, but for your ears... it's the ear splitting screams they will admit! Josh wasn't to bad... he was protesting, with me holding all the outer extremities I could. His dad, pushed on the wound and puss came out.... then as it was open he got the tweezers and out came this fourth of an inch splinter that had been in his leg about 4 days. OUCH! Can you say OUCH!! And he wasn't even complaining about it, only when we mentioned it. Dad got Josh to doctor his own boo boo.... you can tell by the q-tip... even though he looks like a redneck little boy.. he was putting on the final touches for the wound.

I was relieved the ordeal was over and can't wait till the next 'minor surgery' event~!

Liz

MEMORIAL DAY

============================

The bravest thing you can do when you are not brave is to profess courage and
act accordingly.

======================================

GOING TO THE GONE
A checklist for Memorial Day

by Greg Asimakoupoulos
May 23, 2008

Go look in on your children still asleep
within their bed.
Remind yourself they're safe and warm
because of some long dead.

Go for a walk through cemeteries
lined with little flags.
Take time to ponder homebound heroes
flown in body bags.

Go stand between those granite stones
engraved with names and dates.
Imagine all who died defending
our United States.

Go on and kneel beside a marker
offering a prayer
with gratitude for those who gave their lives
defeating terror.

Go home and count your blessings
from the hands of those now gone.
Then vow to the Almighty that their
mem'ry will live on.

-------------------

Also found here:
http://www.partialobserver.com/article.cfm?id=2941

Copyright 2008 Greg Asimakoupoulos. Permission is granted to send this to
others, with attribution, but not for commercial purposes.

When Josh gets bored at TCBY

Okay.. so we encouraged it!!!

 

Liz

CARSEAT AGAIN?

Hey Friends

Well he has done it again. He must really like playing in this seat. Today I got him as he tipped it over. He was very content to sit like this. I was more concered with blood going to his head.

so... another photo op~ what else can he do with one carseat?

Liz

JOSH AND HIS CAR SEAT

HEY FRIENDS AND FAMILY

I always try to capture the moments when I can. They don't come always and don't come enough in my opinion. So today as I was zoning out on my computer.. Josh was watching his daily routine of our PBS station and I was not 'hearing' him.. he kept saying MOM... juice...

okay okay.. son.. will get it soon..... I could hear this banging around.... still zoning him out...

Us moms can do that when needed. We are here physically but maybe not listening... WAIT.. that sounds like the dad at times... ANYHOW I can do it too~~

After investigating when the noise brought me back to reality I went to see what the cute kid had done and discovered he had locked himself into the car seat. There was no screaming or really frustration... he was content to sit there. He is his own device.. he locked himself in~~

So while I'm dangling the juice cup in front of him, I'm saying, WAIT JOSH I've got to get my camera~~ SMILE!!! SLURP SLURP~~

LIZ

I have a RAINBOW~ have you?

FRIENDS

It is always a pleasure to see ones kid grow up.... we see it in all the small steps they make in life. One moment you are holding them in your arms the next second you are seeing them go off to college or have a full time job and gone all the time.

Joshua has reached yet another milestone for being three. He is now a Rainbow on Wednesday nights. The 3-4 yr. program for boys and girls are called, Rainbows.... he was a raindrop for two year olds but he got older. They can earn badges thru their work. Its a great program for that age. I'm not sure a 1st grader would want to be called this.

Any how... he got his new shirt in and he wears it proudly..... I told him Wed. we needed to make pictures so everyone can see how handsome he is.... he begs for the camera~ I think he will be strutting in the aisles when it comes time to take senior pictures... maybe in between now and then we can work on vanity~

so.... here is my Rainbow~ when he turns 5 or K he will be in Ranger Kids. That is a whole different ball game in its self. He might not need his mama then....

For the record, I've had 3 Rainbows.... always a privilege...

Liz

Little Private J. Gallina

WE HAD TO WEAR OUR ATU'S TO CHURCH ONE NIGHT.... HE'S GOT PLENTY OF ROOM TO GROW INTO THEM~~

GROUCHO GALLINA

Have you met the new Groucho Gallina????... taken by the new slider phones... compliments of his sister!

WHAT WILL THEY THINK OF NEXT??

Liz
ps. you will have to read about the new phones on my friends blog.... http://bensrib.blogspot.com/
she has a humorous story of family plans....

MUD HANDPRINTS

Hello friends

Today in Memphis it was a gorgeous day. Close to 60 degrees I'd say. Last night it rained like cats and dogs.... stormed big time. So it was pretty wet still out side. On our good days I encourage Josh to go out side and play. We originally started out to play basketball outside... then it turned into running around and jumping into every water puddle he could find. Then it turned into picking up mud and squishing it in his hands....then it turned into what the pictures took. He decided to go over to dads little white Festiva and put his handprints all around his car. The first few ones were great then they get a little fainter as they go around the car. I had my camera in my pocket and snapped as the action started. I don't remember giving liberty to my oldest 4 when they were this little. I freaked out at messes. Having four kids under four, I couldn't give into messes and then take pictures o f it. There were very few times. So, I guess I'm making up with Josh. All we need now is another rain storm and the white motionless Festiva will be perfect again. Have you ever ridden in a Festiva? It's a box on wheels. I call it the death trap~

Okay~
Have a good day.... A little mud always washes off with water~~

Liz

THE HIGS AND LOWS WITH CHILDREN

Hello Friends

I remember when my children were little the would fall asleep in the strangest places... the floor of their room, in their cozy coupe, at the table in their seat, or even on the potty.

Tonight Josh fell alseep at the table in my arms at the table. He was so miserable and just couldn't hold his eyes open. He gets real crippy when he is tired. A good clue we need to find a way to keep him awake or go get a nap. I've included a picture of him at the table. He is in front of me at the table. I was holding him. He grabbed his blanket and went to sleep. I was forced to finish my steak and then put him to bed. It was a glorious moment to eat in silence.

Just yesterday at this time he was bouncing on me with a paper because he had went to his first birthday party. His friend Ethan, all the cake, icecream and food pumped him up. He was quite the funny man.

The sugar rush came sudden! What a diffference in 24 hours.

I look forward to night time and bed time. Our house is alive each day with Josh running up and down the hall, getting into trouble, playing with cars, fighting with his brother and trying to help me with my chores. Life with children~~~

Thanks for letting me tell 'my' story~

Liz

BLANKIES

Friends,

Not sure you can see what is laying on the table. It is a sad sight. This blanket, yes a blanket, is Josh's. It was a very beatufiful one. He has carried with him for the past 3 years. Now days it is usually out when he drinks his juice cup or when he goes to bed. I can get him to put it on his bed at least 5 times a day. Now when he needs it and it's on someones bed in the house and he thinks he has misplaced it, oh MY.

POTTY EATS THREE YEAR OLD

Friends,
Wanted to share a funny about Joshua. Actually most things he does is funny. He wakes up talking and talks the whole entire day. Remember those days? Not until 8 ish at night when I put him in bed does the chaddermouse stop. He has much to say.

Anyhow... We have tried a new technique in the toilet training area.... he has his little potty in the bathroom and uses it regularly on his own. A few times he has braved the sitting on the BIG POTTY... I guess he thinks its cool. I've warned him to put the seat down.. theres more of a cushion... we'll.... today he didn't do that and down he went~ his whole body was in the toilet..... One of his brothers passed by the bathroom and signaled the alarm... MOM YOU BETTER COME FAST..... I already knew why... I should of grabbed the camera on the way.... but I was the only one who was willing to pull him out...
Josh was sitting patiently and smiling. His back side was totally wet though... He decided to go back to his little potty. So he is now sitting there on his potty naked as a jail bird with these cute little tatoo's (again compliments of a brother) on his chest just talking away. He finds the choice of bathroom reading very interesting. Thats funny~

Little three year olds are funny~ They are just taking off in speech, have a mind of their own and every day is an adventure. Just this morning, he passed by Micah and said, HI MICAH.... I'm amazed that the brain teaches us to process words and comes out our mouth. I think that would be we are wonderfully and fearfully made by our creator~

Okay~
I'm sure I will have more 'tidbits' of a three year old. His energy does out weigh ours some days.

Liz

THE LITTLE CHEF

Friends,

When does a kid learn to cook? Well I think Josh has learned at a early age. The story goes like this... One day I heard Josh making some noise.... After it dawned on me... I ran for the noise and discovered Josh has gotten two onion rings out of the freezer(side by side kind) and put them in our toaster oven and turned it on and was waiting for them to be done.... so.. I clicked a picture of him by the oven then of him attempting to eat them.... the little booger~ We won't even mention the 'minute' oven burn and the wailing of needing a band-aid.... we need those cute little character ones.. or only maybe reserving them for gushing blood... that I like...

anyhow...

here's the little chef ... maybe he is following in his brothers footsteps.... just like Paul... cooking out of a necessity to eat~

Liz

THINGS YOUR CHILDREN SHOULDN'T DO WITH A MOM AND A CAMERA

What do kids do?

1. Josh fell asleep and was eating brownies.... he had a brownie in his belly button... what did I do???
CAMERA.... had to use my film camera... that was funny- brownie-~ HAHAHAHAHAH

2. Dumped the whole bathroom trash can in the toilet~ aaaaaaaghhhhhhhhhhhhh

3. Needs a bandaid for EVERY boo boo- the crying will get to you~

4. Said for the first time: Sorry mama when he dumped over the tea. aHHHHHHHHHHHHH

A THREE YEAR OLD IS ALIVE EVERY MOMENT HE BREATHES~ HE CAN KEEP YOU ON YOUR TOES... AND YOU WILL NEED A NAP SOMETIME IN YOUR DAY

SKATING

HERE IS JOSH AND BECKY. JOSH IS SKATING FOR THE FIRST TIME. WE SKATED IN MEMPHIS. HE WOULD NOT PUT THE SKATES ON WHEN WE FIRST GOT THERE BUT ABOUT AN HOUR LATER HE WANTED TO AND THEN SKATED FOR ABOUT ANOTHER HOUR. YOU CAN TIGHTEN THE SKATES SO THEY WILL NOT ROLL AND ITS MORE LIKE WALKING ON SKATES. THIS GIVES HIM CONFIDENCE! AMAZING HOW MUCH MATURITY TAKES PLACE SINCE THE LAST TIME WE WENT TO THE RINK. WE WILL BE LOOKING FOR TRAINER SKATES!! HE LOVES IT!! HE DID LOOK CUTE IN HIS HELMENT AND KNEE PADS
:-)

LIZ

THE TWO MALEKATEERS!

YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS PICTURE! A LONG LOST IN THE FILES ONE!!!



LIZ

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME~~

Friends

That time honored tradition of going out to a ball game. Josh drug me out to the front yard and we played a little " mommy chasing the ball" and watching Josh hit the ball off the tee. We haven't played this in a while. Joshua has been chased by the chickens and one of them likes to jump at him or jump on him.... all we hear are the screams. So.... he has not wanted to go out side and play for quite a while. So tonight, it was not to hot to go out and play and his 'play mode' kicked in and he wanted to play ball. He is ready with shoes, helmet and bat. I looked at his helmet and it said, L.N.D. , for my family reading this they will automatically know who those initials this belong to. That helmet must be at least 10-15 years when it had any action given to it~ Amazing how I ended up with it. Now another generation is playing with it and making it come alive.

Thank LND.....

you are making one little boy happy~

Liz

THREE YEAR OLDS NAKED

Friends,

Pretty funny to see a three year old naked with nothing but cowboy boots on and a green army helmet running around shooting everyone.

We have forgotten how much fun preschoolers are~

the only word he knows well is NO....

a game Micah and Josh plays with their pretend (squirt) guns....

Micah: do you deny Jesus?
Josh: NO...
Micah: pretends to shoot him
Josh: falls to the floor with all his naked self

they do it again!!!

quite funny!

Liz

Always the little guy~

Hey friends and family,

I have really enjoyed writing on my blog. I think a blog is still new, that people still ask, "What's a blog?" Sort of like a online newsletter and you can put on it what ever you want to~~

I entitled the email this time, Always the little guy. Cause, Joshua will always be the little guy at the house. He adores his brothers and his big sister. They love to tease him, do things with him, talk to him and basically do anything they 'think' they please. I never know when I'm gone and I've entrusted their care to him what they will do. I come home and they've painted his nails and finger nails or Jed does a photo shoot with him and he looks like a redneck blowing on a turkey call or when he was little bitty, they duct taped his diaper shut... or they've tied his feet together(so they wouldn't fall sideways) and ran his little scooter up and down the hall way.

All the while... Joshua LOVES IT. We'll this past time..... Jed does some art work on his upper torso with a ink pen. It did come out.. he was proud as a peacock showing his mama what Jed Jed did.... On the front he had a cross on his breast bone with a Nike symbol on his chest area.
On his arm he had a I LOVE MOM with a heart.... on his back he had a royal ranger looking patch with a army looking thing with an American flag..... all Jed's creation. I was gone tonight... I'll ask Joshua what he did last night and he will jabber away what he did.

Maybe he will grow up and look back and see his brothers did love me and did the 'stupidest' things to me. He might get even when he is able~~ So watch out boys!~!~

Okay~~
Life is exciting~ Three year olds have a way of being in your face all the day~ They let you know~

Liz

PEACH FUZZ

HEY FRIENDS

I thought I would share my son's peach-fuzz on his legs. Yes, the picture above is of his legs!

He was a patient subject to photograph. I know it might be hard to see the peach fuzz, but when does that happen? He's only three! He's a very hairy little kid. If you would see his legs in person, you would wonder what 'critter' has gotten to his legs. Mosquito bitten~ those precious brand new, smooth little legs. Do you have any of those legs at your house? Or are they older, weather beaten and in need of some lotion? Young peach fuzz is nice to rub your hands up and down the legs.

I once had a friend in middle school whose legs looked pristine and she glowed about it. . Never hurt from an accident, never a healed boo boo, or never fell down and rubbed them on the grass.

I've have always thought of that, and thought what a sad girl. My boys have always fell down,they have a healed boo boo or like now mosquito bites.

I always think about those legs when they were in the womb. When he was of weeks, he was moving and would rub his legs to stretch or have his day's aerobics. I'm connected with his legs.

They give life!~ They run to me when he falls, or they run from me when he shouldn't or they run to his daddy~ I could go on and on but you get the point.

We are born with all the hair follicles we will generate over our life time~ it's so funny to see the beginning stages of it!~!

Liz

home to 4 hairy boys plus one adult