Week Long Adventures

Sunday August 24th at 3:00 Ben drove us from the church to the air port, where we joined the many people there saying "good bye" to their loved ones as they dropped them off curbside, at the Continental terminal booth. After Ben joined the throng of people going into the terminal, I drove off with a sleepy boy to go home and take a nap. A little after we got home, Ben called to say he got to his gate within 15 minutes, so he had 2 hours of sitting ahead of him, waiting for his plane. What fun...

Joseph and I had a whole week a head of us without Daddy...what can we do to stay busy...hum?

Monday: walking, breakfast, swimming, lunch, mutual nap, pick up winter clothing for Joseph, dinner, play with Grandma Rose, clean, bath play time, bed for Joseph, Mommy gets "me time"!!

Tuesday: no walk, no swimming (it rained all day), breakfast, play indoors, go to library, lunch, mutual nap, play indoors some more, read books, dinner, clean, play in tub, bed for Joseph, Mommy gets "me time"!

Wednesday: no walk, no swimming, breakfast, play, indoor picnic lunch and B-day celebration with play group, mutual nap, play, go get food, dinner, play, clean, bath tub fun, bed for Joseph, Mommy gets "me time"!, watch Princess Diaries

Thursday: late morning walk, breakfast, shower, play, lunch, mutual nap, go late B-day shopping with and for Grandma Stalder, go play with Stalder Uncles, dinner, play, play, watch movie, Mommy and Grandma sew clothes, bed time for Joseph, Mommy goes to bed, Joseph wakes up at 1am vomiting, Mommy cleans up, helps Joseph feel better, back to bed for all,

Friday: wake up again super early to give Joseph medicine, Mommy helps Joseph feel better, back to bed until 7am, help sick Joseph get better, take a hot shower bath, eat breakfast, go get sick food to help Joseph feel better, take a nap, eat lunch, play a bit, clean, clean, clean, nap, Mommy get's "me time", dinner time, play at park (to burn off fever), watch movie, bed time for Joseph, Mommy get's more "me time", watch Ella Enchanted

Saturday: Joseph wakes up through out the night, Mommy sleeps in while Joseph plays, breakfast, clean, play, watch Nelson boys, lunch, mutual nap, shop at Target, play at Toys R Us, eat Wendy's for dinner, dinner at Pullen park, ride the chu chu train at Pullen, bath for Joseph, bed for Joseph, watch Holes

Sunday: Joseph wakes up through out the night, Joseph wakes up early, TV and play time for Joseph, Mommy sleeps in, church time, lunch time, mutual nap time, GO GET DADDY!!! YEAH!!! Daddy is home now!!!!!

What a fun and busy week. It was a bit rough to be a part for so long, but it was a great experience.

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING

A message every adult should read because children
are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my
first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately
wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a
stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind
to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my
favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little
things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a
prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always
talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a
meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I
learned that we all have to help take care of each
other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of
your time and money to help people who had nothing,
and I learned that those who have something should
give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care
of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have
to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you
handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't
feel good, and I learned that I would have to be
responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come
from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things
hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you
cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be

When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of
life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and
productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and
wanted to say,'Thanks for all the things I saw when
you thought I wasn't looking.'

Live simply.

Love generously.

Care deeply.

Speak kindly.

Leave the rest to God.

Daddy and Ball

Now that Joseph is officially 18 months old, he is starting to pick up more words. He knows a ton of words and phrases, and can say a handful of words...and just to Ben and me a few phrases. We didn't take away his pacifier until after the doctor said it could impair is speech. Well since we don't want that, and since the only reason we let him keep the pacifier was because he is still teething, and most of his teething was awefully painful, so we cold turkey'd his pacifier.

So what words does Joseph know how to say: Ball, Daddy, Mommy, Light, Milk, Bottle, Doggy, Kitty, Thank you, balloon. What phrases have we heard him say: What is that?, Where is it? Who is it? Where is the ball? Of course there are a few others, but we can't think of them right now... What words does he say most often: "Daddy and ball. Everything is daddy and ball, in some variation or other.

Its very interesting how that happened, but somewhat frustrating too, because we want him to say other words too, even if its words he knows how to say, but now all of a sudden, out of the blue he won't say anything but daddy and ball...oh well. He's still just so cute!

Fire Trucks

The other day after dinner, we all went on a family walk up the street. It was a muggy evening, but beautiful sky, and weather. As we were walking up the street, on the side walk, we heard a fire truck siren coming closer and closer. I turned around to see which way it was coming from. It was coming towards us. So Ben turned Joseph around so he could see the truck. Right as it passed us, the driver honked his horn as I was pointing to the truck so Joseph could focus his eyes on it. It was so cool. Even though they were rushing to a fire, they took the time to honk at us, while we watched them pass by. What a nice thing to do.

3rd of July celebration with friends and family

Joseph dances

Daddy and Son Time

Mommy and Joseph

Random with Joseph

Mommy's Surprise

Lake Jordan Father's Day

New Toy Slide Show

Grandpa Ed and Grandma Carr's Visit

Back in April Ben's Dad and Grandma came up from Florida to visit with us for the weekend. It was a lovely time. Daniel spent the weekend camped out on our couch so he could visit with his family too. We all met them at the air port, where they got a kick out of how big Joseph had grown from the last time they saw him. After a very fun time at the rental car shop, we drove everyone over to the Ramada Inn, where Ed and Grandma Carr would be staying. We had a very enjoyable time just talking and catching up on what has been going on in all our lives. We showed Grandma Carr and Grandpa Ed the toys they bought Joseph for Christmas. It was fun to all be kids again as we played with Joseph's toys. The best part, is for once Joseph didn't mind someone playing with his toys either. He was the center of attention, and just LOVED it!! Each night we went out to eat, where the family was able to watch Joseph eat like the big boy he is. It was very cute to watch him flirt with the pretty waitresses. He'll be a heart breaker soon enough, we just didn't know we'd have to worry so soon. I mean no one tell us these things in the lamas classes, nor in the parenting books. But that's ok. Grandpa Ed got a kick out of it. With loads of fun all day long, there comes a time when all must by done. And thus we had to say good bye, until we see Grandma Carr and Grandpa Ed once again.

Father's Day Weekend

This year was a very special Father's Day. Now that Ben and I really have our own family, its been fun to start our own family traditions with holidays, and also spend time together as just the 3 of us. How did the weekend span out? Let's find out...
Ben got to spend Saturday day with Joseph and me. Saturday morning, we went with our friends, the Dunn family, and had a lovely morning at Lake Jordan. When we got back from the lake we were all able to shower and take a much needed nap. Being in the sun for 3 hours or so is wearing on the body, especially early in the morning. But you'll definitely catch us out there at the lake more this summer. After family nap time, Ben's family came down for dinner. It was very yummy if I do say so myself. Then after sending Joseph to a babysitter, we attended the Raleigh Stake conference, where Elder Bednar attended and we all got to shake his hand, with Ben's family after feeding them dinner.
Sunday morning found us at the Sunday conference session with both our families. It was great for Joseph to have interaction with both sets of Grandparents and just a few of his Uncles. He had a blast. Elder Bednar spoke again, and the Raleigh Stake presidency was reorganized. What a day. With much spiritual feeding comes the need of a nice nap. So once again we had family nap time. We then spent the evening with my family. So that's our weekend in a nut shell.

Check out the slide show of our pictures.

Family Up Date

Summer time, ah the beauty of summer. Lots of beach trips, hiking, camping, cook outs, days at the pool. Yep, that's what summer is to me. Even though I can dream of such events. What is our summer really like? Well to start off with, there's Ben's job.

Ben's job usually gets busy during the summer, as the summer APX team sell a bunch of systems, and the techs install all the systems. Ben's days should be full of service calls, and such. Instead this summer has gotten off to a very sssssssssssslllllllllllllllllloooooooooooowwwwwwww start. In fact Bart and Travis have decided to join the APX summer teams as a Tech, and a Sales Rep. So when Bart's not on a job he hangs out with Ben. The two help each other with their jobs, just to make life more enjoyable, and more fun. But having a slow season right now gives Joseph and I more time with Ben. Its been really nice to have him at home with us. Joseph demands more of Ben's time so its a nice break on me. (hehe)

Liisi has chosen to help out some neighbor families by watching their kids for a bit. In May she was watching a little boy named Jake-Jake Cole. he's 3 weeks younger than Joseph, so they enjoyed the buddy-buddy time. And have now come to recognize each other at church activities. She have also been watching a little 4 month old (now 5 months old) girl named Brooke Gray. She has been a challenge, as Liisi has to remember how to handle a baby, after having a toddler on her hands for 16 months. Liisi will have Brooke in her charge at least until August, so it'll be a GREAT opportunity to get the hang of handling 2 kids, and getting Joseph over the jealousy of not getting all Mom's attention before Ben and Liisi decide to have another child.

Joseph has had to learn to share his precious toys with Jake-Jake and Brooke, and has had to learn how to share his Mommy with other kids. But he has done very well. There have been some rough times as Joseph has learned that Mommy gives Brooke more attention when she cries, so he tries it. But with added love and attention from Ben and myself when I don't have Brooke Joseph has learned he doesn't need to fuss to get our attention anymore. Joseph has been able to interact with more kids this year. Being older, and more independent, not to mention mobile, he is enjoying many summer activities. Such as pool time 2-3 times a week, a 3 miles walk for Mom, a 3 mile joy ride for himself as we join our walking group around Lake Johnson every morning at 8am, a weekly picnic with other mom's and their younger kids to Pullen Park. Which ends in play time on the slides, and swings and now the sand. Joseph loves being outside, and the one downfall about being on the 3rd floor of our apartment complex is he can't just walk out the back door anymore to play in the grass.

Its getting to be a busy and very fun summer. We'll be posting pictures as we take them. And a bunch more slide shows. So keep and eye out for them.

Joseph's New Trick

Since its been a while since I up dated our blog, I figured, while I have time, I should do as much as I can. I don't get a lot of me time these days, as I watch kids for our neighbors. So now that I have a break for a week, I'll be up dating our blog a bunch. Anyways...

As Joseph gets older, and continues to grow up, we are more and more amazed at what he can do, and how quickly he learns these things. So this he learned in 1 day. Let me repeat myself:" HE LEARNED THIS TRICK IN 1, UNO dia, ONE DAY!!! Ahg! Our little baby is no longer a baby, but a little boy. Where'd time go?

NEW TOY

So we've been able to save a bunch of money, since our house fell through, and we're once again renting. But we're also now on two incomes, since I work at home. We decided to treat ourselves...really I'm treating Ben with this gift, since he's more into it than me. But I won't complain, its nice...after paying off some debt, and saving up a bunch of money.

Joseph got a kick out of the box. And quite a box it is too. But then one can only see that "Like Father Like Son" applies to this new toy.

Take a look at the next post...

Joseph's First Beach Trip

YAHOO WAZOO!!!! We're going to the beach. So for Ben's job a few months ago, he was required to drive all over North Carolina. One of the places he was to drive would be the wonderful Wilmington Beach. Its about 2-2 1/2 hour drive, which for Ben was a killer when he was by himself. So he begged, and pleaded, and bribed me to come along, so of course we had to bring Joseph.

Well the day dawned dark, gray, overcast, rainy and windy. Not the best of weather to head to the beach. But since he had a job to do, we hoped and prayed the weather would clear up for us to enjoy the beach trip. We drove down in rain. We drove home in rain. So our luck didn't look too good.

When we got to the beach though, Heavenly Father answered our prayers because the sun peaked out from behind the clouds, and this is what we got:

There is sunshine in my soul today...
Let the sun shine forth this day...
Don't let the sun go down on me...
Sunbeam, a sunbeam, I'll be a sunbeam...

Joseph's Birthday 1

Joseph's Birthday Continued

So Tuesday Joseph and I went shopping for his supplies: cake mix, koolaid powder, ice cream, plastic forks, sports themed plates, plastic cups etc. Well one of the most important items that I needed to pick up was a foil balloon. Joseph saw some at Uncle Daniel's Birthday 2 months earlier, and really wanted one. So for his birthday Ben and I agreed to pick up one for him, so he can play with it.

Well when we went to the store, the balloon was the first item we got. Joseph picked out the one he wanted. I gave him 3 birthday choices. He chose Winnie the Pooh and friends, themed balloon. He grabbed the string and held on so tight, that towards the end of our shopping trip in that store, the balloon came untied from the string, and so I had to pick up a second balloon. It was hard to find another balloon that matched what Joseph wanted. But I did, after much searching. I then made sure the string was tied very tight, so the balloon didn't get lost again.

Joseph didn't let the check out lady touch his balloon, and didn't let me take the string out of his hands when I put him into the car, to drive home. He really REALLY REALLY liked that balloon. Its was pretty funny!!

So when we got home I put the balloon string on his life sized Tigger so it didn't get popped on our ceiling. And it was low enough for Joseph to play with.