What have we been up to??

I figure that since I am at a loss with words at the moment, I'll just share some pictures for those who might care to look.

Here are the boys at my brother's wedding in Dallas last May. It was a gorgeous day, and despite Colin being sick as a DOG, he walked down the aisle like a champ. Luckily, the car that he puked in was a rental, UN luckily, it occurred within an hour of our arrival in Texas...and we had to drive that car around for the remainder of our trip.

Colin and my niece Kate. The ring bearer and flower girl.

Landon was the unofficial greeter. Here he is at the reception wondering when we get to eat the big cake in the other room.

Landon is now three and a half. The best way to describe my littlest man is....he's a nut. A sweet, crazy, snugly, little, NUT! If he hears music...he. must. move. Some time back in January, he was sick, so we spent the day together. I took him to lunch at one of my favorite restaurants...Fuddruckers. If you've never been...go. Now. One of the best burgers you will ever eat is there. The other thing about the place is that they play great music...at least our local one does. So....Landon...who was sick, decided that he would much rather dance than eat. Here's a sample (please forgive the quality, cell phone is all I have to say!):

Notice that, even once he gets embarrassed and hides...he still can't stop shakin' that booty!! I promise, he did not get his rhythm from me!

Well....I'm getting a little tired, and I figure this way, I am leaving you with a little laugh! A little "something" to catch you guys up is better than nothing at all, right?? More to come when I can!!!

(Hey...that was a few more words than I initially thought I could squeak out!!)

Has it REALLY been a year and a half...wow!!

Well, first of all...I'm not dead. The family is okay, in fact, doing really well!!

Life became really, very difficult there for a while. Blogging became something that had to go, because surviving became the priority. More emotionally than anything.

Things are good. REALLY good. I've missed you guys, and I hope to be around a good bit more than I have been....

I hope everyone is doing well.....

OMG!! I can actually sign in!!

Whew!! I know that I can be a really slack blogger guys, but I have been trying to comment and sign in for over a week now with it being a "no go" every time. Talk about FRUSTRATING!!! I had written off any communication with the blogosphere for good until now. I thought maybe blogger had some sort of block or "strike" feature if you had gone too many days without signing in. Nice to see that I'm wrong!

Thanks Andria for checking on me...it gave me the push to try again and HALLELUJAH, I'm here! :)

Another thanks to you girl for my sweet note and gifts!! The cards were a HOOT and the picture frame was so cute! Landon fell in love with it and carried it around for days until I pried it from his sleeping hands. I have it safely stored in a drawer and I'm waiting for the perfect picture to put it in his room.

Things here have been fine, just really, REALLY, excruciatingly HOT. The humidity has been a bear too! Can it reach 600%, because oh my freaking LORD it is sticky out there!

The norm this week has been in the 100's, and today we hit a record 102. Needless to say, we've been hibernating and just trying to stay cool.

The boys are great, everyone is healthy. Landon has not gone on the potty for two days now for some unknown reason. I'm not worried though...he'll start again when he's ready. At least there's no question as to whether he knows what to do or not when the time comes. He DID try to handle a poop all by his lonesome the other day which, albeit noble and pretty damn cool (considering he'll be 2 on the 30th), it was a freakin' MESS when I discovered it. He took off his shorts and his poop-filled diaper and sat on the mini-potty all by his lonesome. I came up from the basement to find my bare-bottomed child running up to me yelling, "Mommy, Mommy!! Poopy!!" and he pointed me to the bathroom. That's one of those parenting moments when you just have to close your eyes, take a deep breath, and hope for the best, ya know?

I was good, I promise.

I praised him through my gritted teeth as I cleaned up the smudges all over the toilet(S) (after going, he of course tried to empty it in to the big potty), his butt, and the 3 brown stains I found on our living room carpet. (This must have been where he proudly plopped after doing his business.) Hopefully the, "Come to Mommy and I'll help you next time", message was received and stored in that constantly ticking brain of his.

Sooooo....that's pretty much it, my friends!! I have checked in on all of you during my absence, and commented numerous times, only to be kicked in the hiney by Blogger. Maybe it will be kinder in the future.

I hope everyone is staying cool and healthy!!! I'm now off to click on the "Publish Post" button...I'm praying this will work!!

Still going strong....

Landon had another successful trip to the potty this morning!! WHOO-HOO!

He is very much a "nudist" and was running around naked this morning like he usually does after a diaper change. He looked down to find that he was going with a loud, "UH-OH!" I said, "Run to the potty Landon...you can do it!"


Here is the result...a happy boy with a full potty, and a happy Mommy because this potty thing seems to be clicking for him.

We're still taking things at his pace. There's no need to put pressure on him since he's not even two yet. It's still exciting to see though!


A few interesting side notes to the potty training saga.

1. He must be totally naked to sit on the potty. (Is this a man thing?)

2. The hat is a requirement as well.

3. It sure helps to have your big brother cheering you on as you go!!

Animals are AMAZING!!!

Have you *seen* this article???

A chihuahua saved a baby from a rattlesnake in Colorado! (Not the one pictured.)

The dog survived...luckily, but, if she hadn't, I don't see how ANYONE would dispute that this little dog would not go to Heaven for saving that baby!

Sweet Pea

Why is it sooooo hard when a pet dies??

I feel like I've lost a member of the family.

My Mother's dog, Sweet Pea, died today. This dog was 18 years old, and was really...one of the sweetest animals that you will ever meet.

She came into our lives when I was 16 years old. I can't tell you how many times that little girl comforted me as I cried and hugged her. She helped me through so much of the "angst" of my teenage years......

So...if you're reading....send out a little prayer for our little black dog today please.

I know that some people don't believe that animals go to Heaven...but, I have to disagree. Something so full of love and loyalty and trust, can only be expected to go back to God.

Goodbye little girl...we'll miss you!!

Dare I post it???

Well...here goes.

Landon has been going to the bathroom on the potty.

I'm *not* saying that he's potty trained by ANY means, but this is a great start. Much better than Colin ever had (who, by the way, didn't potty train until he was 3 years and 1 month old.)

Landon is 22 months old. Not even two yet.

I'm trying not to put pressure on him, but he's very excited to go whenever he's given the chance. This morning, he went SO much that he filled up the bottom of the potty. I was SHOCKED! Until that point, it was only a few dribbles here and there.

He doesn't have the fore-thought needed to tell me that he *needs* to go, so we may have a long time before he's truly potty trained. But...I think there is something to this older brother being an example thing. Colin is just as excited when he goes on the potty as he is.

I'll keep you guys posted! He even ran around in training underwear for a while tonight without an accident.....wow!