A pick me up for today...

Encouragement. We all need it---from those we know and even from those we do not. "So whether you are the one running the hard road or the one standing by watching…encourage and be encouraged! We are on this road together!"

Thankful Thursday...

I wanted to do this last week but it was a little too fresh on my heart...
Today I am thankful for my sweet friend Kara. Last Friday, Kara, her husband and her two children loaded the final boxes into their moving van and headed back to Massachusetts. They are moving back to be near their family. It is wonderful for them but sad for those of us that remain here without our E. Main St. amigos. It is unlikely they will reside here again which made our goodbye last Wednesday even more bittersweet.

Not only was "Ms. Kara" J's teacher for a time she was/is also a wonderful friend to me. I'm really not sure how we became friends. I'm pretty sure it was God filling in the blanks for both of us. What do I love about Kara? She's funny. She's smart. She can be silly with the kids one second and serious with the Mommy people the next. She is certainly the most adventurous girl I know and I admire her so much for that. I don't know anyone brave enough to willingly pack up her kids, head out in an RV, indefinitely, without her husband, while homeschooling her children, all in the name of showing her kids the world. Isn't that awesome? I'm just not that brave.

I'm cutting this off here because it is at this point I need to discuss what "Ms. Kara" did for our son. I don't have the words to really explain that in one measly post and I'm not even going to try. Kara, you know what you did for him. We know what you did for him. I want you to remember that you were not just another teacher for J. During that time, you were THE teacher for J. We will never EVER forget that and I hope you don't either.

We are going to miss you and your sweet family. J is going to miss his pals B and L. He has told me every day that he misses them already. We know this move is a great one for you guys and we wish you the very best. I'm thankful I have had the opportunity to get to know you over the past three and a half years. I cherish our friendship and everything you have done for our little man. We can't wait to see you all again "in first grade". This was J's prayer last Wednesday night...

Dear Lord,
Thank you for this beautiful world. Thank you for Mommy and Daddy and MG and Ms. Kara and B and L. Please let me be in first grade so I can see my friends again. -Amen

J has penciled you in for first grade so we have to make that happen (and at least one girls weekend in between). Can't wait...

Updated...

Over the past two weeks I have been updating the blog from the end of February working my way forward. If you haven't scrolled down you would not have known that. I am now up-to-date. Remind me to never get that behind again. Happy reading...

Sharing the love...

FYI: If Child B drinks from Child A's juice box while he is being treated for strep, Child B is going to get sick about 5-10 days later. After a fever filled Sunday I took her in yesterday and her rapid strep was negative. I thought we were in the clear and it was just viral. Ha! They called this morning and the culture grew overnight. Lovely. After 22 months antibiotic free, MG is experiencing the joy of bubble gum medicine like her brother has so many times before. She is so excited that it is FINALLY "Nonnie's mecin" instead of Zsa Zsa's.

Aworking we will go...aworking we will go...

Daddy and J spent the day together on "Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work" Day. I'm not sure how much work Daddy actually accomplished but J had a good time. He went to work from 7am-1pm. Daddy brought him home for rest time and then headed back to the office to actually get something done. At the end of the day I asked J what does Daddy do at work? "He plays computer, eats cookies, talks on the phone, goes to Lowes and gets his watch fixed." :-)

Dear friends,

I would like to ask you to pray for my sweet friend Molly. Within the hour she is headed for surgery and is understandably scared about the whole situation. She has had surgery once before and experienced some complications from the anesthesia. Her hubby is not "the hospital kind" so please pray for him also. They have two babies practically the same age as J and MG. They both love their Mommy so this is going to be tough for them. Please pray that all will go smoothly and she will be home with her family very soon.

Thanks,
M

Is there a doctor in the house?

Oh, wait. We don't need a doctor. J has already treated himself. He thought it was a great idea until they all had to come off at bath time. :-) I don't think he'll do THAT again. Hehehehehe.

Welcome baby Julia...

I co-hosted a Sip 'n See Diaper Drop for my friend Rebekah and her new daughter Julia. It turned out lovely. Many friends came to meet baby Julia and eat a little yummy food at the same time.The hostesses with Rebekah...Sydney, my friend Rhonda's daughter, made a baby shower sign for the front window. She didn't want anyone to drive past the party. On top of being the official sign maker she was also the baby holder for much of the shower. Isn't she beautiful?Little Miss Julia is the second daughter and last baby for our friends Rebekah and Darren. This little sign fits her perfectly...

Staph-no-cough-a-luss strikes again!

I am officially adding a category to the blog entitled "Cootie-bugs abound". That's pretty much my life these days. Nothing new at the Womble Times except who has the cooties this week. I know none of you care about our cootie bugs. It's OK, really. Since this blog is the life and times of our family, well, this is part of it.

J has the "step-toe-cough-a-nuss" again. You can read the significance of that here. How funny is it my five year old knows the meaning of that word? He does. Just ask him. He'll tell you he has germs on his HUGE tonsils and sometimes he has to take the bubble gum medicine to make it go away. I'm beginning to wonder if it ever REALLY goes away or if it just hides and rears its ugly head whenever it feels like it.

So, I guess you people should start reading the topics first. If it says Cootie-bugs Abound just move on to the next blog. Hopefully, they'll have much more interesting things to discuss. :-)

Three Piggy Opera...

Every spring at St. M's in lieu of a preschool graduation, the pre-K classes perform a silly version of the Three Little Pigs called the "Three Piggy Opera". This year they practiced their songs every school day for weeks. J was not thrilled about it. He was so upset because he thought everyone was going to laugh at HIM. It was tough to make him understand that it was SUPPOSED to be funny. People will probably laugh but they are not laughing AT you. They are laughing WITH you. Right up until the night of the play he was adamant he did not want to participate. "I want to sit in the chairs with you and laugh at my friends" he said. Ummmm...no. If you do not want to be laughed at you are not going to sit and laugh at your friends. Mrs. Sherri (director) and Mrs. Christy (teacher) talked to our wolf and convinced him to participate. Without further ado I present J, the wolf...Top row, far right side below the wolf, second from the end...MG cheering big brother on...Singing "I want a big, fat PIG"...
Our big scary wolf playing his part very well...The wolf's cheering section... The children didn't sing very loud so the audience didn't laugh very much because they couldn't hear the silly song lyrics. All the better for our child who was afraid of being laughed at. When the performance was over we enjoyed a very appropriate catered dinner of BBQ and pigs in a blanket. The cheering section (Grammy, Papa Mike, Nanny, Mommy, Daddy and MG) joined him for the encore meal. Great job little wolf! We are so proud of you.

Aspiring Photographer?

These photos have no subject or significant meaning... except for the fact that I found them on my camera when I transferred my photos to the computer...
I have no idea who captured these images but I've narrowed it down to two little people...
Noone is claiming the act. However, I have a sneaky suspicion who they belong to: the blond haired, blue eyed, mischievous little boy who lives at the Womble house. The same Womble who has a sneaky streak and the dexterity to remove a lens cover, focus and press the capture button while hiding behind a wing back chair in his parents bedroom.

Dear old friend,

It has come to my attention that I have been neglecting you over the past six weeks. I am so deeply sorry. Life has been going on all around us but I have failed to share it with you. I have filled you with posts that have nothing to do with what you are really all about...chronicling the life and times of our family. I used to stay up into the wee hours of the morning filling you with funny stories and beautiful pictures of our little blessings. What has changed you ask? Honestly, I've been avoiding you. I am so far behind I don't know how I'll ever catch up (but I promise I will give it a try). Just in case you haven't noticed, I've treated you to a cutie-patootie "Welcome Spring" blog-over. Perhaps a bit of spring decorating will encourage me to spend a little more time catching up with you.

Until tomorrow night,
Mommy

Idol Gives Back...again...

I wish I could go on and on about Idol Gives Back 2008 but I can't. I missed it. I'm pretty sure my feelings about it are the same as last year. I applaud American Idol for bringing national attention to such a global problem. Our society seems to sweep it under the rug and I don't think I will ever understand that. This is not someone else's problem. It is mine. It is yours. It is ours. Until we all step up to help those less fortunate these issues will continue. While we all return to our nice homes at the end of the day--While we are all driving fancy cars and picking up take out on a Saturday evening people are dying of starvation and easily treatable/preventable diseases. Before any of us think we are not driving fancy cars, if you are driving, it is fancy in comparison to no car at all. Before anyone says they don't do take out, when is the last time you went to bed hungry. I mean REALLY HUNGRY. The answer to that is probably never. One of my favorite quotes of all time is this...

YOU must be the change you wish to see in the world. -Ghandi

I used it last year in this post but it still rings true. What will you do to be the change you wish to see in the world? Think about it, find an answer and do something about it.

What I really wanted to talk about before I jumped up on my soap box was the performance. Did you see it? Did you hear about it? If you didn't, watch this. I'll wait...

Can you believe that? American Idol singing "Shout to the Lord" on national TV. Apparently, they altered the lyrics the first night but sang the original version on the second night of Idol Gives Back. I am so impressed.

Peek-a-Boo...

Our shutters were installed a few days ago and MG thinks we bought them just for her. We are not allowing her to play with them but I could not resist grabbing my camera before I shooed her away. Her favorite thing to do right now, second only to playing with the shutters, is running around au natural. Too bad I do not have a photo from the outside of our window. I'm sure anyone driving by got a good chuckle out of this...
If this is what you see from the inside you can imagine the view of baby girl from the street. :-) We're going to have to work on the lady like behavior very soon. For now, it's cute. In a few years, not so much.

Toooo cute!

I love where she swings her arm near the end like she's trying to gain more strength in her singing power. MG laughed herself silly watching this. She was "singing" right along between belly laughter and pointing. It's not much of a funny topic but for a 1 year old fellow baby singers are funny no matter what the subject. I'm putting this on the blog so MG can watch "bebe sing" as many times as she wants. Thanks Rebekah!

It only took 5.5 years but...

our son ate his first sandwich today. His tummy is still trying to recover from the EVIL stomach virus. Here's the rundown from our conversation...

M: J, can I make you some toast for lunch?
J: Yep, but don't toast it in the toaster
M: So you want a piece of bread?
J: I don't eat bread Mommy
M: OK, so you want a piece of toast that is not toasted?
J: Yep
M: Well, what do you want on your floppy toast?
J: No turkey, no lettuce, no mustard, no pickles, no cheese, a little bit of peanut butter, no jelly, no tomato, no ham...
M: So, you want a peanut butter sandwich?
J: I don't eat sandwiches Mommy
M: OH, that's RIGHT J! I forgot you don't eat sandwiches. Let me make sure I understand. You want a piece of toast that is not toasted without turkey, lettuce, mustard, pickles, cheese, jelly, tomato or ham but with a little peanut butter?
J: Yes ma'am!
M: OK! You got it! :-)

I gladly met his request. He ate almost all of it including the crust. Since Daddy is out of town I had to take a picture so he would really believe me. It only took 5.5 years but he finally did it! He did not choke, gag or throw a "foodfit". It is a great day at the Womble house. A great day, indeed.

Guess who's back?

Last week, Mr. Spring Allergies showed up for all of us. We bought our weight in Benadryl, we drugged ourselves and we we're good. Saturday, the EVIL stomach virus shows up. First me. Then J. Daddy and MG are safe...so far. Daddy leaves tomorrow for 5 days. Lord, help me (and Daddy too). Hope the EVIL stomach virus doesn't show up on his 5 hour plane ride. How many times have I said it this winter (now spring)...I am so SICK of my family being SICK!

Little Sticky Fingers...

hiding in the laundry room making her own "snack".
Would you like a waffle to go with your syrup Miss Sticky Fingers?

The planets have aligned...

and all is right with the world... That's right folks. NKOTB is reuniting! That would be New Kids on the Block for all of you very uncool people out there. Ahhhh, reminisce with me...
I remember back in the day when I had a full length door poster of the whole group. Back when a super duper softball sized button of Joey McIntyre encircled by quarter sized group buttons were proudly placed on my left shoulder on any random day. Would you believe that I still have one of those buttons in my "childhood trunk" in the attic? Yes, I'm sure some of you who know me well can believe it. It's part of my childhood people. At least I only have ONE. Would you believe that I had a black hat just like the one Jordan Knight has on in the photo above? The only difference was mine had sparkly studs on the front to give just a hint of girly girl while still remaining authentic. I proudly wore it with my NKOTB t-shirt and button shrine. I was the coolest of the coolest. Ah--I digress--back when my Mom and step-Dad bought us (my step-sister and I) tickets to our first concert. He took us and endured screeching little girl ear damage because we "loved" them so. I remember screaming "I love you Joey McIntyre" at the top of my lungs along with CB (and every other little girl in the state).

I can still recite most of their popular song lyrics but only if I hear the music. Funny, don't ask me what I did on Monday but I can remember the words to "Please don't go Giiiiiirrrrrrlllll". I even remember listening to the song "This ones for the children" and crying my little eyes out. See, I had this little heart for adoption back in the day and I didn't even recognize it. I just knew somehow I wanted to save the world and this song was my mantra at the time. :-)

Anywhoodle (as my friend Kim likes to say), on that note I must leave you with one of my all time fav-o-rites. I was a super funky fresh girl because I could "rap" to this song. You know, because this was boy band rap and it was much nicer than regular trash mouth rap that all the boys were listening to...

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
Listen up everybody if you wanna take a chance.
(rap:) just get on the floor and do the new kids dance.
Dont worry bout nothing cause it wont take long.
(rap:) were gonna put you in a trance with a funky song, cause you gotta be
Hangin tough, hangin tough, hangin tough.
(rap:) were rough.

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
Everybodys always talkin bout whos on top.
(rap:) dont cross our path cause youre gonna get stomped.
We aint gonna give anybody any slack.
(rap:) and if you try to keep us down were gonna come right back,
And you know were
Hangin tough, hangin tough, hangin tough.
(rap:) are you tough enough?
Hangin tough, hangin tough, hangin tough.
(rap:) were rough.

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
Get loose everybody cause were gonna do our thing.
(rap:) cause you know it aint over till the fat lady sings.
Hangin tough, hangin tough, hangin tough.
(rap:) are you tough enough?
Hangin tough, hangin tough, hangin tough.
(rap:) were rough.
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, just hangin tough, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, hangin tough.
(repeat & fade)

We have music war at my house because Daddy always wants to know where I was in the 80's/90's. Yes, I was singin' a little Reba and a little of the Judds. That is true. BUT I finally have an answer for him. I was sitting in front of my dual tape deck stereo system (complete with tape/record storage and a glass door on the front) strategically timing how many seconds it took the fast forward button to reach my next fav-o-rite NKOTB song (on "side A", of course). Boy, kids now days don't even have to be methodical about getting to the next song. They just hit the advance button and they're there. I guess this is where I should say when I was a kid we walked to school, everyday, barefooted, up hill, both ways, in the snow. hehehehe.

Welcome back NKOTB! We'll have to see if you still have "The Right Stuff" twenty years later. I must say you look pretty handsome for five almost 40's men in a boy band. I wonder if they are still considered a boy band now that they aren't boys?

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
the right stuff...

World Autism Awareness Day

Did you know that today is the first annual World Autism Awareness Day? Did you know…

* Autism affects as many as 1 in 150 children and 1 in 94 boys
* Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the world
* More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with diabetes, cancer, & AIDS combined
* Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism
* There is no medical detection or cure for autism, but early diagnosis and intervention improve outcomes
* Autism does not discriminate by geography, class, or ethnicity

I am a huge advocate of Early Intervention for ANY child who MIGHT meet the criteria for developmental issues. You do not need a diagnosis to seek intervention. Your child may not even need a diagnosis. What you WILL need is the willingness to seek the necessary resources to ensure that your child (or friend, nephew, grandson, patient, aquaintence) can overcome whatever it is that is holding them back. There are professionals out there who can differentiate between what is typical and what is not. Listen to them, take their suggestions, follow your instincts and fight for your child. I believe 150% that Early Intervention is the key. Do not take the "wait and see" approach. Your child's future is not worth the time you waste while you "wait and see" what is going to unfold.

In a society based upon what appears "normal" and "abnormal", I am always compelled to remind people of this simple fact. These children (and adults) are not their diagnosis. Yes, they are little people who carry a medical diagnosis. However, their diagnosis does not DEFINE who they are. Do not focus on the word. Do not focus on the label. Focus on whatever it takes to help that child be successful in their world.

Jumping off my soap box now...
Mommy