Good Riddance January 2016!!!

I am happy to see February, January needed to be over with.  :)  We have been so blessed that I have been able to stay home for almost five years.  We have been so lucky that things didn't really break down while we were on one income.  But I think this will be our year where everything starts needing replacing or repair.  Yay.

1. We have a new wet mark on our bedroom ceiling.
2. Chris's truck is starting to have problems.
3. Leo had a seizure and now stomach problems, so we have been to the vet and had blood work, X-rays, etc done.  Yes, $500 in one month in vet bills.  Double yay.  :)
4. Our garbage disposal broke and needed replacing.
5. Chris's Northface coat broke along with one of my gym jackets.  Not a big deal for me I guess, but now it seems like a joke -EVERYTHING really is breaking.
6. We needed a new vacuum so I bought one this month.
7. Our TV upstairs finally broke.  It's OK, Chris has had it since high school, but just another thing to add to the list.
8. And speaking of the TV, we needed to "wake up" that receiver, and of course the upgrade was not free so that was another $100.

I usually just say I'm going to put my head down and get through this but I think my new motto is to say I'm going to look up and thank God for what I do have - and one of my most amazing gifts is this little guy - - -

Next read / project

Leo

This puppy.  We love him dearly.  But he's just not feeling the best.  He had a seizure a few weeks ago.  At 9 months old.  It was truly a horrific thing to walk in on and see.  I didn't know what was going on and my brain was thinking "What's happening?  He's only 9 months old!".  The vet told us it could be a one time thing or not.  About a week after, I called the breeder and she told me that about a year ago, they found his dad having a seizure (age 6, first one they caught).  They stopped breeding him, but of course, too late for Leo.  They also know of a three year old lab from his line that is on seizure medications due to the frequency of seizures.  So it is hereditary and we probably should expect more.

My sister put my in touch with someone whose dog had frequent seizures.  I did not want to hear what she had to say.  I am telling myself that we have quite a few good years with him if his dad was strong at age 6.  But this lady had a different story.  Their pup was 4 months old when it had it's first.  Another six months passed, but then she had another one.  And then it because monthly, weekly and daily.  They put her to sleep at age 4.  

I am frustrated and sad.  We had two purposes for getting a dog - a lab.  I wanted our family to be more active (walking, Brady biking while I walk Leo, basically wanting us to get out of the house).  I also wanted a best bud for Brady because he is CONSTANTLY upset that everyone has brothers and sisters and he doesn't.  Any lab owner knows that a lab is truly "man's best friend".  Leo has fulfilled both of these goals - we are more active and Brady ADORES him.  We purchased ($500!!) Leo expecting this relationship to last 10-12 years for Brady and it literally makes me want to cry that it might not happen.  The breeder offered us another puppy, but that's not what we want.  Honestly, I don't even care that she didn't offer compensation.  I'm sad for Brady.  He is struggling with the idea of being an only child.  

And now, at nine months old, Leo has calmed down and turned into a wonderful house pet.  No chewing, no accidents, not as busy.  But I sat there today and actually told him that I wish he was busier, like a puppy.  I can't believe I thought that!  But he hasn't been the same.  He doesn't eat every day, hardly drinks water, his movement isn't as coordinated as I think it should be, and he just doesn't have energy.  He lays around like an old dog and moans and cries a lot.  Last night his breathing changed also.  He has this catch when he breathes - like a sniffle at the end of a cry.  But it's pretty consistent.   It's hard to tell what we should do.  We aren't ready to take him in for blood work, but it's hard to see him like this.  :(  Of course, when we walk and have company, he DOES act like a maniac.......

Sky Zone

We needed to get out of the house and burn off some energy today so we headed over to Sky Zone.  My body just can't handle it as well as Brady’s could. :)  And - most of the pictures are a blur!

book

I am always on a mission to improve myself, whether it's in regards to my health, spiritually or in parenting.  I ran across this book at the library and knew I had to read it.  It's not that we are not a happy family, but I just felt like it would have some great ideas in it.  And boy was I right!  I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who is a parent - even dads.  I wish Chris would read this too.  It did take me renewing it twice to get it finished, but it was TOTALLY.WORTH.THE.READ.

This book completely validated my thoughts on staying home with your child, keeping your family together instead of divorcing and so many great insights on how to communicate and relate to your child.  As you know, marriage can be a challenge, especially in situations like ours where I joke about how Chris and I can both look out the same window and he says it's nighttime and I see daytime.  We are polar opposites.  But I strongly believe in learning to center our family around God and keeping us together and happy.  This summer, Brady asked if some kids have two moms and two dads.  I said yes, some do and then he proceeded to say he wanted two moms and dads.  I am fully aware that he was not understanding what that would mean, but I wanted to say over my dead body babe.  I have serious thoughts on divorce and the selfishness of it, but maybe later I will rant on that.

Some thoughts from the book:
* Every member plays a vital part in the development and well-being of the family unit.  All need to contribute in their own unique ways.  Everybody in the home is important and deserves to be treated with love and respect.  Each person should be granted the right to make mistakes in an environment of unconditional love- without being blamed or treated as a failure.
* Tips when you have an only child such as make plans with peers more often to provide common ground and connection, lighten up on their responsibilities, encourage unscheduled time for dreaming and provide opportunities to balance their seriousness with fun and laughter.
* You don't need to rub your child's nose in their mistake - they know they made them.  Instead, look for the teachable moment.  Don't rescue your child from the consequences, but walk alongside the child through the consequences.
* Kids are people too.  They have feelings.  How you treat them results in either drawing them into the family or pushing them out the door.   You need to model good behavior in order to get good behavior.
* The structure of the family has changed a lot over the years.  Only 14 percent of all couples with children in the home have "traditional" families (where mom stays home and is in her first marriage and the kids are under 18).  Kids need your time, not activities or things.
* Kids need boundaries, which provide belonging, to feel good about themselves and comfortable in the family environment.  If the rules are always changing, kids will rebel.  If you truly love your child, you will both love and discipline them.
* The section dedicated to dad's and their influence was phenomenal.
* Take your child out and do an activity that they like to do, not what you want to do.  Catch them doing something positive and encourage them.  It's the simple things that enrich a relationship and convey to the other person that you care about them, you value their companionship and that they are a valued member of the family.
* 'Tell me more about it' is an engaging question to ask to learn more about your child's interest.
* Focus on being together and having fun - not on things.

Dr, Kevin Leman has written numerous books, but The Birth Order sounds really interesting, so I might have to read that next!

Bedtime and Sleeping

I have done the bedtime routine pretty much every single night since Brady was born.  I don't necessarily enjoy it all the time, even with just one kid you would probably think it's easy.  And it is, but he still messes around, etc and we are all tired by that time of night.  However, I love the reading books, watching a little of a movie and snuggling once he gets to bed.  It's my favorite part of my day.  In a Zig Ziglar book I have, I remember one thing he said was that the half hour at the end of your child's day is the most important part to spend with them.  It's so true.  It's such a bonding time with Brady and I am so thankful I have been able to be the one to experience it.

Last night was hilarious.  Ever since we brought Leo home, for numerous reasons because of Leo, Brady's nighttime routine has been watching a movie in our bed for awhile, and then when I go to bed, I move him over to his bed.  Sometimes I just end up sleeping with him, and Leo thinks he needs to also.  That means three of us in a tiny full size bed and Chris gets the big bed to himself.  I decided to sleep with him last night (and so did Leo) and it was hilarious.  He started to sleep talk - which is not uncommon - but I have never heard him go on like this.  I was dying.  I actually woke him up because I could not stop laughing.  Chris could hear from our room and was dying of laughter also.  It was so many thoughts that changed subjects so quickly!  Here are some things that came out of his sleeping little mouth:

* He tooted and in his sleep said 'Excuse me'....  multiple times....  in his sleep...
* He talked a lot about Batman, and for awhile he was talking to Batman.   At one point he told his cousin to stop touching his Batman and then said 'yes you are touching him a lot!'
* And then he started to talk in a robot voice?
* During this, Leo changed sleeping positions and he said 'Get your big bottom off me Leo' followed immediately by 'Thanks for nothing Leo'.
* He started singing the words 'my belly'  to the song 'Do You Know the Muffin Man'
* and then proceeded into 'Stitches' and the stanky leg verse from 'Watch Me Whip'
* followed by '5-4-3-2-1 let's go'

This kid - cracks us up!

He loves my old candy machine I dug out.  And he does great not eating it all at once!

He dressed himself for once...

Painting

I did some painting over the holidays.   It was time to freshen up the main level.  I hope to get new living room furniture this year to help change the look and I need to paint the front hallway yet.  Then I should be done with that project!

I went from blue back to Autumn Maple.

I painted this a darker Taupe and am not putting pictures back up on this wall.

I am proud of this project.   It was my grandparents shelf.  It was my first time using chalk paint.  This is the "After" picture.  Also, the walls are now a shade of Taupe (and look so amazing and fresh!).

The "Before" picture. 

New mirror and matching frames in the front hallway. 

The many expressions of Brady

Leo

"Leo let me take your picture"

"Leo look at me!"

"LEO!!"

Playing in the snow. ..