Beast Unleashed

Don't you DARE be fooled by his little "sweet" act.

I just returned from a Hellish trip to the grocery store. "The possessed" was buckled in the grocery cart...arching the back...kicking his bare feet (yes, shoes still missing)...and screaming at the top of his lungs as if he was having an organ removed with a gelato spoon. The expressions of the onlookers said it all...."Turn your back once lady...and I am going to slap your little demon."

The cause of the ruckus....refusal to let him hold the opened Cheetos bag. I had offered him "ah" cheeto...but he would not be satisfied until the entire bag was in his grubby little hands. HIS to control. HIS to dump at will...at the time and location of his choice. (Likely in a high traffic area where I couldn't escape and "pretend" not to have seen.)

I stood firm. No Cheetos for him. Not a single one. His tantrum climaxed at the checkout aisle as he unbuckled himself and STOOD as I was paying. Screaming, while showcasing his balancing abilities as he jumped up and down on the tiny cart seat. I leaped over and saved him from falling. His thanks....a slap on my cheek.

The cashier looked at him with disdain....I finished paying and was like a bat out of hell leaving the store.

The screaming continued in the car. All the way home, it continued.

I called Tom and notified him (amidst the screaming) that this WOULD NOT be our last child...that the little turd WILL be dethroned...and he will be forever banished as a middle child.

We pulled in the driveway.

Bradley said, "Mommy, have you decided what you're going to do with Brycer?"

"What do you mean 'do with him'?", I asked.

"Are we going to keep him?"

I replied, "Of course we're going to keep him! What else would we do with him?"

"Use the GPS and find a baby pound."

Wow.
Can you imagine?
I suppose it would be like any other pound.
You go...
fall in the love with their sweet, little face...
bring them home...
only to find out they whine all night, pee on your floor, and bite.

Draw Nearer - Cycles

Dear Little Bear Cubs,

"Cycles" are part of life. They are life. Sometimes we find ourselves moving forward, only to feel like we are back where we began. The beautiful irony in this is that though we go "round and round" with things... if we are doing our best to live the way the Savior has shown us...it then becomes an "upward spiral"... and in the middle of our "round and round" we inch closer to the person He wants us to be..and closer to Him.

This past week I have made a greater commitment to bring some " big- little things" in my life before Heavenly Father in prayer. During my prayers, I caught myself actually questioning if I should even be "bothering" him with these silly things....but as quick as I doubted...I received an immediate calm, assurance that He does care...because it matters to me. I received immediate answers to these issues...in miraculous ways.

Even in the midst of my prayers being answered...I still was in awe that Heavenly Father could love me enough to listen to me...and grant me the desires of my heart. Like I said, life is a cycle. At times I find myself "dwindling in faith" - and He is always there in those moments to buoy me up and pull me closer...strengthening me as I continue in the upward spiral. Always remember that prayer is real, little bear cubs. Take the time to talk with Him. Let Him bless you.

The Difference - anonymous

I got up early one morning
And rushed right into the day,
I had so much to accomplish
That I didn't have time to pray.

Problems just tumbled about me
And heavier came each task.
"Why doesn't God help me?" I wondered.
He answered, "You didn't ask."

I wanted to see joy and beauty,
But the day toiled on gray and bleak.
I wondered why God didn't show me;
He said, "But you didn't seek."

I tried to come into God's presence,
I used all the keys at the lock.
God gently answered, "My child, you didn't knock."

I woke up early this morning
And paused before entering the day,
I had so much to accomplish
That I had to take time to pray.

I love you little bear cubs....so does He.
The Mama Bear

Foreskin Envy

I know it's controversial...but Tom and I chose not to circumcise our sons. When we were trying to decide - I used to joke about it with my brother John. He chanted "Save the Snufulufugus!". He also jokingly told me he was ticked off that he had "his most sensitive portion" removed against his will...and was going to start a website...."findmyforeskin.com"

Today Courtney was watching Bryce for me. Her son watched as Bryce's diaper was changed. He said, "Bradley and Bryce can pop their wiener".
"What?", she exclaimed!

"They can pop their wiener."

"How do you know?", she asked.

"Bradley showed me once. It's closed- and if he pulls it back- it pops out!", he exclaimed.
(*note: this was an innocent "demonstration" over a year ago when Bradley was so proud of his discovery and wanted to show EVERYONE - including the cashier at Walmart. To this day he calls it "Peek-A-Boo Peedie")

"I want MY wiener to pop, Mom", he begged.

"It can't....yours is different."
"Why?", he screamed! "I WANT MY WIENER TO POP!!!!"

Courtney reports that he then began banging his head into the couch repeating his chant over and over. "I want MY weiner to pop!"

Apparently he cried the entire way to my house...beating the seat in the car and hitting the window in an effort to show his disdain for his circumcision.

When they arrived she put him directly into timeout. I wondered why she was full of grins as she dealt with him...until she filled me in through her laughter.

Turns out it was just your typical foreskin envy.

Sounds like John might be on to something...looks like there's a market.

Turning 7 - A week long process

On June 27th, 2009 ... Karah turned 7.

The day was reserved for our immediate family due to her having hand, foot, and mouth. We didn't want to send "that" little treat home in the goodie bags.

She started the morning off with breakfast in bed...delivered by Dad.

Breakfast in bed - Take 1:

Breakfast in bed - Take 2:

She didn't have much energy and spent much of the time during the day lounging around. Tommy T read her stories out of "The Friend" magazine. She was a little cuddle bug.

She had her favorite dinner of roast and mashed potatoes...and topped it off with a Coldstone cake and gifts. For not feeling well - she was in heaven.

Bradley was SO excited to give Karah his gift he picked out all by himself. It was the sweetest thing watching him - as he was so proud of what he had chosen for her.

He got her a horse music box. Instead of a ballerina, it has a little horsey that spins around.

Bryce was gave her the puppy dog purse...and got loves too.

We then took her outside for a couple of surprises....

A new bike and helmet...so her knees no longer have to knock her chin when she pedals.



Bryce decided he didn't like being left behind...so he tore out after them....

Tommy T got her a new driver...

Oh...and I got her a kitten.
Another blog...another day.

Later in the week we had an extended family gathering for her...
a brief photo recap...

Typical party....



Adorable cousins..


Threatening guns in the face...


"Group efforts" in unwrapping gifts...


Babies hypnotized by my beauty....


An eerily quiet toddler sitting in the corner..refusing sugar and requesting bread and water...


Siblings wondering when "their" birthday was coming...


Serving pie...expensive pie...only to have the following happen:

"What kind of pie is this?", a cousin asked.
"The gross kind.", the birthday girl replied.

Bryce didn't seem to mind.



And unexpected sweet moments...


Her uncle Bart knows she loves horses so he put this puzzle together and glued it for her so she could hang it on her wall. Sweet, sweet, Bart.

Aunt Josie didn't get her anything. And she didn't help with the puzzle, either. (wink, wink)


Many other thoughtful gifts were given...
A springer spaniel webkinz...cutest I've ever seen...from Grandma and Grandpa
A canvas with brushes and paint...from Ethan, Maff, Megs and Lainey
A horse bead kit and horsey from John, Naynay, and Addibell.

Everyone went out and took a turn taking the Ruckuses for a spin.
Even Grandma.

Pics coming soon.

Aunt Jen and cousin Chels came by later in the week and delivered a barbie with a horse and a snow-cone machine (which I LOVE). They then hijacked the ruckuses and cruised.
They were NOT going to be left out of the high speed thrill of it all.


And last but not least- and I will keep this brief...
she took some friends to a bowling/pizza party.
Dirty combo.

This was not my favorite event.
I will not expound in an interest of not embarrassing the birthday girl...but lets just say...
no more parties where the kids can compare scores.


Typical bowling party.

Body contortions when bowling.

Nearly splitting the wood by dropping the ball instead of rolling it.


Praying for the pins to fall.


The dance of joy when they DID fall.


Funny...this was all done by the same little boy....hmmmm......
Gang signs by 8 year olds.


A jealous brother.


Pizza with bowling infested fingers.


Great Friends.

Horses knee deep in frosting.
Do horses have knees?


And an outfit I let the birthday girl pick out...

All.On.Her.Own.
Could you have EVER guessed?

I love you Karbear...you are everything to me.
I am so proud of the young lady you are becoming.

Happy 7th.