The BIG 3-5

So I turned 35 a few days ago.  I have been dreading this birthday for a while now.  I guess mostly because it means I am halfway to 40.  After I turned 30 I fooled myself into thinking that even though I wasn’t in my 20’s anymore as long as I was under 35 I was still young.  But once I hit 35 all bets were off…I might as well be 40.  As it turns out turning 35 wasn’t so bad after all.  I had a great day with Eric and the boys.  I even got a nap and I can’t complain about that!

Anyway, since my birthday is so close to New Years I decided to lump one of my resolutions in with my birthday.  I decided that I was going to try “35 New Things” in 2011.  Now I have to admit that this resolution is not original.  I got this idea from a friend of mine who turns 30 this year (lucky girl!) and I have to give credit where credit is due.  Thanks Mary for the great idea!!

I am so excited to say that I am well on my way to trying new things.  As of today, I have already tried 5 new things!  Hooray for me!!  I am realizing that I like the feeling I get when I try something new.  It’s kinda like the way you feel when your child tries a new food for the first time and actually LIKES it!  You almost feel proud.  That is how I feel…proud of myself that I actually got out of my comfort zone and tried something new.  Anyway, I thought I would share the first 5 with you.  I am actually in the process of #6 but I am not ready to share that one with you yet.  It’s a BIG one!  Maybe I will be ready to share that in a few months (and no I am NOT pregnant!  Remember I already tried that one in 1999, 2001 and 2010) but for now, here you go!

#1 – Blogging

I already listed my reasons for blogging in my very first post and I have no intention of boring you by repeating myself.  So let’s just say that so far I love to blog!  I could probably do it every day but once again I am trying not to bore you.  You’re welcome…you can thank me for that later.

#2 - New Hair Color

I tried a new color of highlights.  I normally only get blonde highlights in the summer to go along with my tan but I have had an abundance of grey hair pop up since I got pregnant with Luke.  Since my hair is naturally dark I felt that this new unwelcomed color was really noticeable and it bothered me.  My solution to the “grey problem” was highlights.  I didn’t want to go blonde since it was winter time so I did something I NEVER do.  I told my hair stylist to do something different…whatever SHE thought.  Yes, I actually gave up control of something!  For those of you who know me you know how hard that was for me to do!!  I had to dig deep on this one!  Anyway, she suggested a caramel color to blend in with my natural color.  Sounded good to me so I went with it and I actually love it!!

#3 – Risotto

Last week I went out with some friends of mine for our monthly Girls Night Out.  Not only did we try a new restaurant, I tried a bite of my friend’s Risotto.  When I first heard her order it I thought NASTY!!  And to be honest when it came out I thought it looked nasty too.  Like a blob of mush with spinach and carrots (I think it was carrots) mixed into it.  It didn’t look good at all.  But before I could stop myself I asked her if I could have a bite.  Graciously, she agreed.  Believe it or not…I actually liked it!  Now I know that the next time I go there I can order the Risotto and I will like it.  Thanks Rebekah for letting me taste your dinner!

#4 – Homemade Pie Crust

Believe it or not I have never made a pie crust from scratch until Saturday.  I normally buy the rollout Pillsbury pie crusts that come 2 in a box.  Somehow I have managed just fine for 34 years and 364 days by using store bought pie crusts…until Saturday.  I guess I just  wanted to try something new AND I wanted a homemade pecan pie for my birthday…that was really my motivation.  I decided to try Pioneer Woman's Perfect Pie Crust recipe to see what all the fuss was about.  She is like a celebrity or something so her recipe MUST be good, right?  Right!!  It was not only amazing, it was super easy to make!  Turns out cutting the Crisco into the flour isn’t as scary as I thought it would be.  I should have tried this a lot sooner!!  No more  Pillsbury pie crusts for me!

#5 – Yoga

I always thought that Yoga wasn’t really exercise.  But according to Bob Harper on the Biggest Loser it is an excellent form of exercise!  So I thought I would give it a shot today.  Well I am here to tell the naysayers that Yoga is most definitely exercise because my muscles are feeling it tonight!  It was a lot harder than I thought it would be.  Never realized how uncoordinated I was!  Even though it was hard I did enjoy it and I look forward to doing it again later on this week.  Hopefully, in a month or so I will be able to stand in the Palm Tree position and do the Downward Facing Dog position with ease!

That’s all for now folks.  Thanks for letting me share numbers 1-5 with you!  Can’t wait to tell you all about 6-35!!

Where did that come from??

There isn't much to love about autism.  Just trust me on that.  But one of the things that I love about autism is the crazy things that Austin will say out of the blue.  Most of those things come from his memory of movies he has seen, books he has read, songs he knows or computer games he has played.  While the majority of these things are random there is the occasional statement that seems like it almost fits the situation.  Since I shared with you in the last post things that I love about Michael I will dedicate this post to my sweet Austin Wade or Austin Waddles as I like to call him.

Lastnight was my night to get up with Luke (Eric and I rotate nights) so I was very sleepy this morning.  Like every other person on the planet I needed some caffiene to get me going...but I am not a coffee drinker.  I love the occasional frappachino, latte or cup of coffee punch (yummy!!!) but a cup of Joe each morning is not for me.  So to get myself going this morning I staggered downstairs to get a Diet Dr Pepper....my morning cup of caffiene.  As I walked into the kitchen I saw Austin sitting at the table.  He had headphones in his ears and he was playing on the computer.  I leaned down to kiss him and he looks at me and says "Air pollution is a BIG problem!"  Ummmmm.....where did that come from?  I looked down at the computer to see a flying monkey on the PBS Kids Eeko World website talking about air pollution.  According to the monkey "air pollution is a BIG problem" and Austin thought I needed to know that...thanks, Buddy!  That's good information to know.

The other night Austin asked me for some blue cookies (mini Oreos...he calls them that because the bag is blue) so I got some for him and put them in a bowl.  As I was walking towards him with the cookies he looks at me and says "Come to Papa!"  Totally random but so hilarious!!  I think he got that from Toy Story 3 but he said it at a time that would have been appropriate.  I couldn't stop laughing.

Recently, I was holding baby Luke and Austin wanted my attention.  He walked up to me, pointed to baby Luke and told me to "turn it off."  So sweet that Austin thought it was that simple.

I could go on and on but I won't bore you.  Eric told me not to make my posts too long or no one will want to read them.  I guess that is true.  But before I sign-off I have to say that Austin has totally stolen my heart.  He shows me unconditional love each day no matter how I behave or how much time I get to spend with him.  Much like my Heavenly Father does with me.  I love that little boy with every fiber of my being!  I wouldn't change a thing about him.  What an honor and a priviledge it is to be Austin's Mommy.  I am humbled to know that God chose me to take care of one of His most precious creations!

Michaelisms

Michael is my first born son who was a millenium baby....born in the year 2000.  He made his entrance into this world on Thursday, April 6, 2000 at 5:54pm sreaming at the top of his lungs and he hasn't quit talking since!  Seriously, his constant chatter can make a person slap CrAzY!!!  And while his chatter can get under my skin sometimes, if I am honest, it is one of the things that I love most about him.  He has quick wit just like his Aunt Beth and can recite almost every movie he has ever seen.  Most of the time he has us rolling on the floor laughing and other times he has me running for the bottle of Advil.  Nevertheless, I love Michael Reed with all of my heart and I am so thankful to be his Mommy!  Since Michael was born in 2000 and we just closed the chapter on the year 2010 I thought I would list for you the Top 10 Things I Love Most About Michael.  Some of them are funny and some of them will warm your heart.  All of them put together make my amazing son Michael.

#10 LEGO Masterbuilder

The kid can create the most amazing things you have EVER seen out of Legos and believe me when I say we have at least a million Legos in our bonus room.  His creative mind is always working overtime!  I love seeing all the things that he creates.

#9  He is a Rule Follower

If you give Michael a rule by golly he is going to follow it!  He follows the rules to a fault!!  For instance he gets so upset when I go through the exit door at Walmart instead of the entrance door.  The rules are on the door and he expects everyone (me included) to follow them!  While it can be annoying sometimes I know that I will appreciate that about him even more in the years to come.  Especially when he starts driving!!


#8  He Dreams BIG

Michael told me this morning on the way home from church that he dreams that one day doctors will make a potion to get rid of autism.  That's a tall order to me but to Michael it seems realistic.  Sometimes his dreams of what he wants to do or what he wants to be when he grows up are just outrageous!  But I want him to know that the sky is the limit.  He can do amazing things if he sets his mind to it.  So I say...dream BIG!

#7  He is Honest

Michael is like George Washington and his Mommy...he cannot tell a lie.  He is honest even when he KNOWS he is going to get in trouble.  For instance, we had some friends over for New Year's Eve and Michael was playing around with one of the kids and he accidently pushed her.  I told him to tell her that he was sorry even though it was an accident.  Well he wasn't too happy about that...he said that I was embrassing him in front of everyone.  He eventually apologized and we moved on.  Well about 10 minutes later he came up to me looking like he was physically ill and he said "Mommy I have to tell you something.  When you got on to me I got angry and when you weren't looking I rolled my eyes at you."  DUMB!!!  Somebody needs to tell him that you aren't suppose to be honest about that kind of thing!  However, I smile on the inside every single time he is honest with me about things he has done, said or thought even when no one else knows about it.  I hope he stays that way.

#6  OCD

Michael is OCD which I can admit he gets from me.  And while it drives me NUTS to hear him say "Tuck me in when you're ready, wake me up at 6:30 and is it going to rain" no less than 5 times EACH night - I am not sure what I would do without it.  It has become the bedtime routine.  It's like I can't go to bed without hearing him say all of that even though I am rolling my eyes wishing he would stop talking!!  I guess it takes an OCD person to understand one and I guess that is why I secretly love this about him.

#5  Michaelisms

I talked before about Michael's quick wit and it really is true...the kid is hilarious!!  For those of you who know me you know I am not lying about this one!  I ALWAYS have funny Michael stories.  And as an example I will give you one of his stories which I like to call "Michaelisms." 

This morning before church Eric and I were talking with Michael about the fact that Christmas break was over and reality hits tomorrow when they go back to school and Eric goes back to work.  Michael was complaing about the fact that I couldn't wait until they went back to school.  I tried to explain to them that I get alot more done around the house with them at school and Eric at work.  Not to mention I can keep the house cleaner when it is just me and Luke.  Michael thought about that for a second and he said "I look at this situation like BEES.  The queen stays home while the workers bees go off to work and school!"

#4  His Desire to be Used of God

Lately, Michael keeps asking me "Mommy, do you think God has a special plan for my life?"  Last week it changed from a question to a statement "Mommy, I KNOW God has a special plan for my life!"  Michael wants to serve God and he wants to be used.  He has a servant's heart and is an empty vessel waiting to be used by God.  I pray that his desire will always be towards God and what He has for Michael's life!

#3  His Love & Patience with Austin

Our middle child, Austin, has autism.  Michael loves Austin with all of his heart.  The diagnosis process was some of the darkest days of my life.  Days that Michael was too young to remember or understand.  But he understands now.  He knows his brother has special needs.  He knows that he needs extra care.  He knows that he needs to have more patience with him.  He knows that he needs us to protect him.  He knows that because of Austin's disability more is required from him...in the chores, at the grocery store, at school, at church, everywhere...all the time.  He knows all of this and he loves him even more.

#2  His Love for His Family

Michael has such a great love for his family.  I know without a doubt that Michael would do anything for his family.  One time he came to me and told me that he loved Austin so much that he would die for him.  My heart just melted!  That is not something that you hear very often from a 10 year old boy.  I pray that the love he has for his family (especially his brothers) will only grow stronger over the coming years!

#1 His Sensitive Heart

Michael has always had a sensitive heart towards others...especially his brother Austin.  He is always the first one to think of someone else's feelings and is always protective of those less fortunate than him.  What amazes me the most is his sensitive heart towards God.  At a very young age Michael was very sensitive to the conviction of the Holy Spirit.  It is something that I think is very rare in children these days and I pray that his heart remains sensitive and always able to hear what God has to say to him.

Thank you Lord for allowing me to be Michael's Mommy!

So this is Blogging??

First of all let me say that I never would have imagined that I would EVER be a blogger especially since I don't even like to journal - BUT since we don't live near any family I thought maybe this might be a good way for them to keep up with our family.  That of course is assuming that anybody would actually want to keep up with us!  Who knows I might be horrible at this and quickly give it up.  I hope not...but you never know.  So here goes nothing....

The year 2011 is finally here and with that comes the infamous New Year's Resolutions!  I have never been good at keeping those stupid things but once again I made a list with the hopes that I will actually accomplish them.  I feel like making realistic resolutions is the key - so this year I tried to be practical.  Can you guess what one of my resolutions was???  You got it...Blogging!!  I feel like if not for any other reason my blog will be an account of our daily lives for my children to read later on...a legacy if you will.  A way for them to reflect on their childhood and maybe get a glimpse into my life and what it was like to be their mother.  But most importantly a place to reflect on all that God has done for us!  Hopefully, as I enter the year 2012 I will have pages and pages of posts to give a testimony of what a wonderful life I have and what a mighty God I serve!