Newlywed or Nearly Dead

We're Counting Down....

2012-01-27T00:26:00.004-06:00

to the end of this month.

Earlier this week we had to be gone to take care of some stuff with a loved one and it didn't make sense to bring Cajun Boy along. The longest thirty-six hours of my life because it's not like he's in the easiest phase of life and only wants me again....plus all of the other pesky stuff that was going on.

We headed to the middle of Kansas and met up for some doctor's appointments and a little extra time to talk and learn about stories we'd never heard of. As we got home, I took a deep breath and walked in to find...

Yeah, that's Cajun Boy wiped out on the floor. His baby-sitter said that he fell asleep leaning forward on the computer chair, but when he started to wobble she helped him to the floor.

I kinda laughed and thought, "I'll probably never see that."

Today, CM brought home shredded cheddar cheese for the boy child. He immediately wanted a "big bowl, please!" So, I got him one and headed in the kitchen for something else. When I came back, he was loading his cheese into his backhoe and then off-loading it into his dump truck.

I asked him what he was doing and he said, "making loads." So I said, "How many loads is it going to take?" He answered with his favorite numbers, "5, 6, 78910"as he counted with his fingers.

That's right. I think he's awesome.

Later, I changed his diaper and he asked me to sit on the couch and hold him, so I sat down and he leaned forward with his head on the other end of the couch. He was kinda watching tv, so I checked my email on the iPod and the next thing I heard was a huge SNORE.

Yep 2 days in a row, he fell asleep standing up. Gotta love it.

I love his little tummy sticking out.

One last picture of his sweet, sleepy face. I don't see that one near enough.

Sweet Dreams.

What is it about January?

2012-01-22T23:11:00.002-06:00

I love new beginnings. I love getting a fresh calendar and filling it up with all of the possibilities for the month. One of my favorite things is fresh snow right after a blizzard....it's just waiting for you to make up your mind. But I have decided that I hate January.

In the past two years, the month of January has.....well, sucked. It's the only word that comes to mind. I don't post other's stories on my blog, but both months included a loved one's life changing experience that left us feeling like we'd been sucker punched. All of us. In the gut.

We thought we'd almost dodged the bullet and then this week happened. I'd almost rather break my leg again. Except I can't now because we'll already be heading in fourteen different directions to keep up with our to do lists both for ourselves and others.

Life is too short.

So instead, I'm posting pictures.

Pictures of moments that make me smile and think, "Oh, for all that is good and holy, I have an amazing life."

Poor Cajun Boy....he had a dirty diaper in Nursery and no one noticed until two hours later when it leaked through his pants. His poor bum has such sensitive skin that there are welts and blisters. What a day to not bring an extra outfit OR butt paste. This was his classy outfit to ride home in. Glad we got through tears for a fun photo!

CB hates the tub, so this was the compromise. He got to wash his balls, then I washed him.

Grandpa Cajun got CB a new bike for Christmas and then the pedal broke off. Finally, we got the replacement and Daddy and CB fixed it together. Look at those faces, working with tools is SERIOUS business!

People who know us know that CB never stops moving. It was so sweet to watch him climb up and cuddle Grandpa Cajun last weekend for some book reading. They sat there forever and it was perfect.

I hope your January is outstanding and I hope you're having a moments like these!

The Lesson of the Day...

2011-12-17T00:50:00.001-06:00

This week I have learned:

I can handle being sick, having a toddler & being the wife and the mom.
I can handle being sick and having a sick toddler with a semi-understanding husband.
I can handle having a sick toddler with a sick husband and being the wife & mom.

Today I learned:

The one thing that I cannot seem to handle is having a sick husband with a healthy toddler.

After our week of illness, no one wants us anywhere near them AND I completely understand. Unfortunately, it was too cold to be outside for any long length of time {especially given our immune system right now} and CM got hit with one of the worst illnesses he has had in the six years we've been together. First a cold/flu and then the stomach virus hit him Thursday night at midnight. He slept for close to 22 out of the last 24 hours, some of which was spent on the bathroom floor. Poor CB just didn't understand and every time he could sneak away from me, it was to "wake Daddy up" or "read Daddy a book" or "tell Daddy a 'tory."

We hit the store. We paid bills. We ran every conceivable errand I could think of. We even went for a long drive. We did flashcards, cleaned house, went through our kids Netflix queue, and picked out a special movie for tonight. We even made up our own indoor hockey game. Tomorrow we will set up the church, fill up the car, and pray that this bug only last 24 hours.

You know all of those things I needed to do this week? I made two of 'em.

Christmas is going to kick my butt this year.

Little Man - A Letter Just for You

2011-12-15T03:38:00.000-06:00

My Dear Sweet Boy~

Oh, these weeks have been trying times for us, haven't they? You've been having the worst nightmares and there seems to be nothing that I can do for you - even holding you makes them worse. It has changed you and it makes me sad. You are suddenly afraid of everything around you - not even venturing out of the bedroom until I come to turn on every light.

Your two favorite words have suddenly become "MINE" and "NO" usually screamed emphatically and no punishment or talking about it seems to make it happen less. Oh, how I wish I knew how to help you understand that better. Everyone keeps telling me you need a sibling, but I'm not willing to get pregnant just to teach you to use your words to better express yourself. :D

You love your people that come visit to help with you speech development and run to the door to let them in. I am glad that you are so eager to work and learn because it's started to bother you when people don't always understand you right away. You got upset one day and said someone "didn't like you" because they didn't stop to listen carefully to what you were saying and it broke your heart and my heart.

With all of us getting even less sleep than normal, I know that we aren't being the best to each other, but I'm reminded of that song I listened to over and over when I was pregnant with you.....

It won't be like this for long
One day soon this little boy will be
All grown up and gone
This phase is gonna fly by
So, baby just hold on
It won't be like this for long

With every moment that is hard.....and trust me this Sunday was one for the books....there are a hundred to make up for it. When you said {unprompted} "Thank you, Daddy!" as he brought you ice cream for dessert. When you handed me your favorite elephant book and said, "Please Momma read me" or sweet as can be asked me to "sit right here, Momma" and build towers and houses for your sheep. When you charm the ladies at the grocery store because you know if you smile, they will give you TWO of the free suckers instead of just one or you cry because you didn't get to tell "Poppa" good-bye after church.

You have such sweet, tender feelings right now and I love that you don't hesitate to tell someone you "love them, too" - I hope you never lose that. You've started humming and singing your own little songs as you play and run places and you love my old keyboard and carefully pick out your compositions.

Everyday is more fun and more challenging and although sometimes it's hard to remember, I'm so very glad for your stubborn nature. It makes you tackle every challenge and problem solve until it's figured out. That's why I have every faith that between your two stubborn parents and your own stubborn nature, we'll make it through all the tough stuff.

I love you, Bubba! You are the perfect little boy for our little family.

2011-12-13T19:58:00.002-06:00

Dear Stomach Virus...

This is NOT the week to do this to me! We've already missed our Ugly Sweater Christmas Party, one week of church, the Cajun Man Employer Work Party, and our niece's Christmas Program. I still have our major Church party, a nutrition workshop, and another Christmas Party....not to mention the normal Speech Therapy Appointment, a play date, and my regularly scheduled life.

You are not pretty OR functional and I hate your guts AND mine for that matter!

Please take your leave quickly!

My Cajun Boy...

2011-12-10T21:58:00.001-06:00

I've been working on our annual photo books for grandparents - good thing none of them read my blog.

I came across a picture of CB that I love.

What a special little boy!

What a sick little boy....this helps me remember he is lovable as I'm cleaning puke out of my hair.

We've been at Work....

2011-11-21T14:38:00.001-06:00

Have you ever heard that children's song......

"Joanie works with one hammer, one hammer, one hammer.
Joanie works with one hammer, then she works with two..."

Cajun Boy takes that veeerrrrrryyyyyy seriously and has a collection of about seven hammers. They're all shapes and sizes and they are HIS. He knows each one by sight and feel and if there is one missing, forget everything until we find it.

CB's favorite hammer and his favorite ~~Carhart jacket~~ "Poppa's Work Coat."

We've been so busy making some new furniture for CB's Big Boy Room. First one built.....cubby bookcase. He'll have another one, a little smaller as well. Then CM is tackling his Big Boy Bed!

Both the Front and Back look are finished out like this.

Side view....don't mind the garage.

CB worked so hard helping his Daddy that for the first time since he was teeny, he fell asleep on the couch. The tea towel is covering an ice pack for his little pinched hand. So cute and sweet :D

Here's a sneak peak at what I've been up to. We had our Primary Program and my BIG idea was to have a giant birthday party right afterwards {we came in after the majority of the birthdays and everyone wanted one of whatever we were going to give}. I have never felt better than when it was ALL over.

Dang it if I didn't get a picture of all my hard work making the Birthday Party everything these kids could want! Balloons, matching plates, napkins, decorate-your-own-cupcakes {with candy rocks, Legos, polka-dots {i.e. sixlets}, jelly beans, and runts}, party games and FINALLy a present.

We wanted something that included the theme and they could use to remember everyday. I saw a picture of these, but didn't save it because I knew it would be too expensive. Then Pick Your Plum had cut sheet metal on sale and it was suddenly more affordable.....so I had to try to remember what they were like.

These are metal, vinyl, wood and a little spray paint.....
I'm planning on adding a few magnets to our Christmas
presents so they can stick their favorite scripture/
handout to them and see it everyday.

I know everyone and their dog has made a recipe holder or picture frame like these, but the kids loved them and both CM and I were happy with them!

A couple of BIG events down, now we've got A Night in Bethlehem Christmas Party at church and Mormon Prom coming up. Just checking off the list!

Suddenly it is All Worth it....

2011-10-01T02:00:00.004-05:00

Every once in awhile, I have one of those Momma Moments.

Maybe yours aren't like mine, but they usually come after days of contention, power struggles, temper tantrums, selective hearing, and messes {and I'm not talking about the productive YAY-I-Learned-Something-Messes}.

They come about the time that I post a quote on the mirror to remind myself that even though I don't see how any good can come out of these days, it can AND it will.

Do you have those days, too? I know it's not just me.

The littlest thing like a dandelion or beating us all to the mail make this little man's day!

Tonight, I had a few of those Momma Moments.

CB was sitting on the couch holding his dinosaur that ROARS when you pet him. I wasn't paying too much attention - he was sitting still, being good and no mess so I wasn't looking a gift horse in the mouth {I know, I know - nice attitude}. He was whispering and I tuned into him just in time to see him put the dinosaur on his shoulder, like a baby, pat it on the back and whisper over the ROAR....

It's aw wight. I be wight hew-a. You be okay.

Later on, I was struggling to get CB to settle down. He wanted Cajun Man tonight and nothing I could do would convince him otherwise. I took a deep breath and just as I was going to take away a privilege
{getting to turn out the light by himself} away, he wrapped his arms around my neck and said....

Hugs, please. I love you, Momma.

He never says, "I love you, Momma." He says, "I love you, Grandpa" or "I love you, Daddy" or "I love you, Grandma." Tonight, for one of the first times ever, he said, "I love you, Momma" and I melted.

This Mother Adventure is amazing. It's hard and wonderful and everything I could have asked for and nothing I could have imagined. Somedays I wonder if I would hire myself if I was hiring a Mom. Other days, I'm sure that I am the most wonderful mother my son could ever have.

One thing I do know....this little boy changed my life in only the very best of ways and I love him more than I could possibly ever show. With a covert observation, one sweet hug and three little words...suddenly I remember it is all worth it.

Barn Owl Primitives on Etsy.com

We love our Football!

2011-09-24T00:13:00.004-05:00

Tonight, Cajun Boy and I went to the local Homecoming Game - let's face it.....the other option was staying home and cleaning up our messes and the DVR. In this small town, the sidewalks roll up fairly early. BUT even with better options, we wouldn't have missed this for the world.

My oldest nephew was named Player of the Week in the local paper and his brother and he were suited up together and I love seeing that.

So....a couple pictures from the fun that is a hometown football game mixed with family!

My Boys of Fall ~ Homecoming 2011

Have I mentioned how awesome my niece and nephews are....the girls were lining up to talk to them and they took time to talk to CB and take pictures. Their little sister ran up and down the field with him, so that I could take a minute and talk. It is wonderful to live so close to them!

Original T'shirt Design by Stephanette

This little boy was so excited to have me make his shirt special. He wanted to show it off so badly that he stood at the door hoping Grandma, Grandpa or Daddy would stop by. We cheer for the whole team, but we had to show a little love for our two special football players.

....and all was right in our little world

2011-09-22T23:53:00.003-05:00

Tonight, my family gathered around the table. Not all of us, but the ones that were there for most of my growing up years. My brother {the Doctor} his wife and kids, my parents {Grandma & Grandpa Hunter}, my little brother {The Bother}, his best friend {Benji}, Cajun Boy and I. Mom made Navajo Tacos, the traditional Hunter Celebratory Feast {We had to celebrate! Benji shot his deer!} and it didn't even get quiet for a minute as we all stuffed our faces.

Here's the thing: I had a family gathering {minus Cajun Man - he was working and a brother and sister} and I had absolutely no anxiety. My nephews took CB and off they went having fun and I didn't have to worry about his every little move. My niece and I made a poster for her Homecoming float and painted our nails the school colors. It felt like home again. The home it was instead of the quiet home it has become without them all here.

A hug from The Bother and Benji and I had no anxiety - that's a major thing since CB was born......and all was right in our little world.

PS......I missed my Big Sister and Big Brother and my other family - Benji's siblings and Mom. I so hope to see you all soon!

2011-09-21T02:17:00.003-05:00

Dear Life,

Somedays the only thing I can say is:

"Thank heavens Sonic sells the good ice by the 8 pound bag.....and that Cajun Man knows and loves me enough to have one of those bags in our freezer."

Oh, and my little brother is coming with his best friend tomorrow. I'm really gonna need that good ice! :D

Relief Society: Something Extraordinary

2011-09-20T01:33:00.000-05:00

This past month, I had an opportunity to make a video showing the "Angels Among Us" in our stake {congregations making up a geographical location}.

When the wonderful sister called me to ask if I would do this, I laughed and informed her she had the wrong woman in the "Hunter" clan - it's my sister-in-law who makes the videos. I do the digital scrapbooking for all of the handouts that go out. She replied, "No...I know this is for you to do."

What do you say to that?

So, I accepted and then promptly broke my leg - yea, who does that? Me. Then corn harvest started and allergies kicked in and I couldn't breath, my voice disappeared and not a single unit {local congregation} sent a picture that I could use {at first, then people sent pictures}. I was frustrated - not only with the whole darn situation, but with myself.

"When am I going to learn to say No?" was the question of the hour. "My talents do not lie here and I don't know what I'm doing and I don't physically feel like doing it anyway!" I'm sure I repeated it to myself at least twenty-four times a day.

Then photos started coming and I was allowed to be on my leg again and slowly, but surely I pieced together a video. Then two nights before, I sat and watched it and it didn't work - it wasn't cohesive and didn't tell the story I wanted told. I hated the music I had chosen and the song they had asked me to use didn't seem to fit. I was terrified of disappointing the sister that had asked me to do this - she's incredible and an example of who I'd like to be someday. So, I sat down and prayed and prayed and prayed and read every scripture on service I could find and went to sleep. An hour later, I was awake again with pictures in my head that I had seen on blogs and Facebook. I started emailing and messaging and by the next night, I had an entirely new video. One I felt okay about and they seemed so happy with.

I wanted to show the joy in service and I think I did. I think I also showed that we serve every day whether we recognize it or not. Service is not only the large group projects, but also the quiet moments where help is given to absolutely no fanfare.

Before we started all of our quilting {I learned to machine quilt - one more off the bucket list!}, they played another video and I loved it. It inspired me to remember that what we do as women is extraordinary and that we are conditioned to do it better than anyone else could because we are women. I hope it helps you feel the same way.

My Life.....It's an Update

2011-07-25T23:58:00.003-05:00

Cajun Man has been home a lot more lately. He's returned to his law enforcement position in our little hometown and while everyone kept warning me of how hard it would be with a kid, it's been bliss. I realize, it's only been a month, but it's been a good month.

Most days, Daddy gets four or five hours of good time with Cajun Boy {ie minimal screaming, whining, crying or ignoring - notice I didn't say NO, I said MINIMAL}.

We are grateful for this opportunity. No more commute to work. No more huge gas bill. Believe it or not, the rotating schedule fits so well in our life right now. I knew there was a reason CB was a night owl - just took awhile to figure it out!

PLUS....while CM is a sheriff's deputy, I know I'm safe. I know that he knows who the bad guys are and if I need to know something, he will tell me. I have complete confidence in our tiny town's law enforcement and also in the fact that we live in the middle of nowhere, but there are few people that I trust my life and the safety of my family with. I'm related to every single one of them. The first by marriage - thanks for keeping us safe, honey! The rest by blood - we sure know how to handle a firearm. It's a pre-requisite to being born to the 'Hunter' Family.

With all of this extra time, though, Hubby dearest is making up for lost time.

Today, I found our toy snake under my pillow twice.

I looked out the window while doing dishes and saw Cajun Boy soaked to the skin {socks and shoes included} putting out fires all over our yard {a few too many episodes of Fireman Sam at our house} with the garden hose.

During Family Home Evening with another cute family in our ward, he introduced her three kids to the chemical reaction that baking soda has with vinegar and of course we have to add a little food coloring.

Said family has already been invited over for a Mentos/Diet Coke Fountain Competition Night.

The "Woo-Woo Truck" is the topic of almost every conversation. Followed with "Gotta Go. Gotta Go to Grandpa's House. Drive Grandpa Tractors." Sorry Grandma's - number one has been taken over by a Sheriff's Deputy Daddy and a Farmer Grandpa aka "Si-weeeeee Grandpa."

A remote control "Woo-Woo Car" was found for cheap at a garage sale and now repeatedly runs over my toes.

I have to count to ten, thirty, fifty or whatever random number makes me feel calm multiple times a day.

The number of dirty dishes and laundry seems to be exploding exponentially.

We watch a lot of Fireman Sam because so far there isn't a Policeman Dave {or whatever}.

The lights on the "Woo-Woo Truck" wink at us every day when Daddy leaves his meal break.

But most of all?

We're happy. We laugh more. We're together more. We are the better for it.

Something Old....

2011-07-06T02:14:00.002-05:00

Some of you know the extent that my Grandma Hunter held onto everything.

Some of you carried the boxes and boxes out of her basement.

Lately, I've felt her near me. It's a byproduct from living in her house.

The other night, I sat rocking in her rocking chair. In the middle of the kitchen - most definitely her domain. I was thinking to myself, "Grandma wouldn't be in this situation because she would have already figured out how to use what she had to make it work."

Then the next day everything just fell together - almost in my lap.

Last week, CB had stolen my measuring spoons to use in his play kitchen and I was desperate. In the middle of a recipe and needed to measure out baking powder and I couldn't find a single one.

{Did you know how important it is to use baking POWDER when it's asked for? First time I'd screwed that one up!}

Without thinking, I opened the cupboard and one of Grandma's old measuring spoons dented and showing its use and age where I had checked a million times just seconds before.

I have found a new appreciation for how she lived her life. Those good ole' days she talked about suddenly seem pretty golden.

Miss you, Grandma. I've missed you for years, but lately it's a new ache. A bittersweet one.

I am trying...

2011-07-04T00:53:00.003-05:00

I have been having such a hard time making myself sit down and write on this blog.

I don't know if it's the fact that it's summer, that Cajun Boy needs less and less sleep everyday {or so it seems}, or that Cajun Man has changed jobs - moving back into active Law Enforcement, but I just am not involved in computer time anymore.

So........here's to trying.

I keep thinking, what made me stop?

Then I remember. Everyone around me started dying - or so it feels like.

Spring is for renewal and new growth...NOT for death.

Two teenagers turned into a motorcycle and the man on the bike {a much loved EMT} was killed. A super-involved young family of four in my little community were killed in a small-engine plane crash. My Uncle Elvis. That was my blogging breaking point.

I remember getting the phone call after running cookies to a friend who was leaving for her cousin's funeral the next morning. I had forgotten my phone at home and by the time I found it, my mom had called Cajun Man. Even though she told me he was gone, I kept waiting for her to say it would be okay because this family has had so many ups and downs lately and it's always okay. But it wasn't and because my Aunt seems most like my Mom and Uncle Elvis seems most like my Dad and their kids line up with our kids, it's made me think way too much for my own good.

The kids in my family all came together and there is nothing like the five of us all together. There just isn't. I never feel stronger than when I'm surrounded by my family....but feeling that way while my cousin's world tilted just felt so incredibly wrong. So, while listening to Taps play watching those in uniform fold that flag it all just hit so close to home and reminded me that my parents aren't immortal and there will never be enough time with them. That my family is growing older and I won't be surrounded with the ones that are my foundation in so many ways.

How do you say the right thing? How do you do the right thing? You don't. You can't. There is no right.

Instead you bumble with the words everyone says and you look for something you can do to let them know that you love them and YOU PRAY harder than ever. You pray and you pray and you pray that life will get easier and hearts will heal a little at a time and the ache will ease and you know that they are not alone and the Heavenly Father that knows you so well, knows them even better and can work miracles in the broken feelings that death can bring.

So, why write this now? Tonight, I sat at the computer and looked at my cousin's blog and I saw a maturity and perspective that leaves me in awe and I realized that life has to go on {and it has} and it's time to start documenting it again - mostly because I miss the miracles that happen when I don't take the time to see them.

So, while I haven't been frozen in grief this realization that we are all so very human left me not wanting to deal with more than the day to day and it's time to move passed that.

So here's to trying.

It's all in Your Perspective...

2011-03-18T21:15:00.002-05:00

I knew today was going to be a challenging day.

I was feeding the elders. My father-in-law and his wife were stopping by before or after their tax appointment. It might or might not happen all at the same time. Plus, my house wasn't exactly on this side of clean OR organized. I desperately needed a shower AND a nap {not a good combination for me}.

We were doing good. We got up and made Homemade Oreos (a total disappointment for me), ate breakfast, cleaned the kitchen, started up the dishwasher, picked up for awhile in the living room, reorganized my scrapbooking papers {they had started to establish residency on our dining room table} and felt pretty good about life.

We ate lunch. Laid down for those wonderfully blessed naps.

Then everything hit the fan.

CB woke up with raging diaper rash - poor little booty. The dishwasher didn't WASH the dishes, it BAKED ON the residue of the last supper. While re-washing the dishes and re-loading the dishwasher, CB took apart his ENTIRE toy shelf, book shelf, kitchen, AND crayon/coloring book kit {I now take the stance that he has WAAAAAAYYYYY too many toys}. ANNNDDD the hashbrowns never defrosted for Funeral Potatoes, so while I was chipping away at those almost an entire Kitchen Aid Mixer Bowl full of Oreo Filling found it's way to the floor. Then as I cleaned up the Oreo Filling, B unloaded the entire dirty dishwasher full of dishes into the clean ones.

My perspective?

I finally hands-and-knees mopped around the stove/Kitchen Aid Mixer.
I can guarantee that every dish in my cupboard is clean - 100% clean.
I now have ALL the motivation in the world to weed through CB's toys.
My Father-in-Law has now seen me with no make-up, hair in a nasty headband, cleaning clothes. He can't see me in much worse!
Bed will be the most AMAZING thing tonight.

You Say it's Your Birthday...

2011-03-11T13:40:00.007-06:00

Well, we told poor Cajun Boy it was his birthday and then the projectile vomiting started and the diarheaa {yeah, I know - it was TMI for me, too} and it lasted for over a week. Our generous little boy shared, too - with Momma and Daddy. So sweet!

So, finally just a little late we had the party. A big thanks to my brother and sister-in-law for letting us crash your house with party craziness right before state basketball and a trip to Hawaii - sixteen people in our country home just wasn't going to be the most comfortable!

Since this little boy is all about basketballs, baseballs, soccer balls, footballs and any other ball you can name - well, the theme was chosen for me.

He was in heaven when his BIG cousins played basketball with him!

{I was in heaven because this is one of the first family gatherings were I could just sit and talk}

How many adults does it take to open MY birthday presents?

This is his "I'm too sexy for my drink" pose?

Grandpa Hunter isn't too found of PDA - especially from his boys!

WHOA! WHOA! WHOA!

He kept stepping on Grandpa Cajun's card to make it stop singing the Chicken Song.

{I react the same way to that song - must be hereditary}.

Ooooooooooh! MONEY!

CHOO-CHOOs! No Thomas, but a Stepney for Momma!

Basketball!

{We had to hide it, so that he would open the rest of his presents!}

Momma and Daddy were a little more practical...

Books and Stickers for church!

Grandpa Cajun and Daddy worked so hard on this little stove.

He loved it! Even made Grandma Hunter cook with him instead of eating cake!

{We let him pick the paint color - orange is his favorite...too bad we forgot his pots and pans are red like Momma's. Oops!}

The 'not-so-perfect-but-made-with-love-by-Mom' Cake

{originally going to be a basketball, but couldn't find black and orange food/gel coloring}

It wouldn't be a party with the Hunter side of the family without a little redneck showing.

Yep, that's a fork holding up the candle.

Hey, if it's good enough for my wedding cake...

Happy 2nd Birthday, Cajun Boy!

Your parents love you so much and are so glad we all made it intact.

{Cajun Man will remind me he's minus his gall bladder, but still}

Man it's been a ride.

I wouldn't want to go back, but I wouldn't trade a minute.

You are my little buddy and the best parts of me!

I love you!

Happy Valentine's Day 2011

2011-02-23T21:03:00.004-06:00

This year, Grandma Cajun started a neat tradition for Cajun Boy. Cajun Man and I have been taking a Financial Planning Course in the local metropolis on Mondays and Grandma has been taking advantage of the chance to have some real quality time with her grandson.

CB and I had been seriously ill the week before and by the time Monday came around, I was in no shape to spend it in a classroom setting. I called our teacher and CM and canceled and let them know the score, but when I called Grandma Cajun she asked if she could have CB anyway. As a sick Momma, my heart cried out in joy at the thought of sitting still for a few hours without an extremely active, cranky toddler.

So, Cajun Boy and I whipped up some corsages and Valentines and he was SO excited to see his G'ma pull up. Look at that face! Grandma Cajun took our little man out to Wendy's and off to play with his favorite toys: the Woof-Woof & E-owwww {Dog & Cat}. They probably would have felt a bit more love if he hadn't tried to pull the cat down the hall by the tail!

CM brought home my favorite Mexican food and we watched grown-up tv without a single Caillou in site! What a wonderful, absolutely non-romantic V'Day for our little family.

She Flew up to Heaven on the Wings of Angels

2011-02-12T19:36:00.004-06:00

Tonight I was editing our iPod as I tried to sync all that info I keep on it.

On it's own {or maybe with some little fingers' help} it started playing a song and I was immediately transported back to hearing my Momma's voice as she told me that my Grandma wasn't too much longer on this Earth. My Grandma, her Momma and my last living Grandparent, had told all of her girls that it was time, she was ready and they shouldn't be sad.

At the time, I didn't feel right as I tried over and over to sit down and write out what I was thinking and feeling, but in less than two minutes that song brought all of those feelings flooding back and the tears flooded my eyes again.

Labor Day Weekend 2009

CB was too big for Grandma to hold even then!

CB, Me, Grandma & my Sweet Momma

Cajun Boy, in typical boy fashion, didn't know what to do and abandoned me to play with his cars and watch Caillou - leaving a few minutes to write my memories really quickly.

Grandma was a tiny bird of a woman - shorter than all of her girls and most of her grandchildren.
She was one of the meek that will inherit the earth.
She loved to do crossword puzzles and always had a book nearby.
There was always a tupperware of cookies on her counter - and if we got caught stealing too many while visiting, we got dish duty {I don't remember who's rule that was}.
She was an amazing pianist and tried to teach my Momma - it didn't stick. She was so proud of me when I sat at her piano and played hymns for her for the first time at sixteen.
She was shy and knew what it was like to feel shy. When I went to visit, she would let me "turn pages" in the hymnal when she played for the children's Primary so I would never feel out of place.
She raised two children in two years - one with mental and physical disabilities in a time when most families sent them to homes. Then added a set of twins AND still had the courage to have another baby. She is my hero as a Mom.
She was a mother hen to her family both immediate and distant and it never failed that when we came to New Mexico some niece, great-nephew, second cousin or granddaughter of a visiting teacher would be at the house to spend some time with her.
She told her sister she could have my grandpa the first time she met him.
She went to work as soon as she could and bought her mother a Sunday dress.
She loved to ride horses.
She embroidered a quilt for my twelth birthday when I complained that my other grandma only gave quilts to us when we were getting married.
She loved babies.
She always rooted for the Underdog - especially if it was one of us.
She let me perm her hair.
She rarely thought of herself and even at the end thought more of us.
She had a Mona Lisa smile.

As I went into her funeral, Cajun Boy wouldn't cooperate. I said the opening prayer and immediately walked out to collect my screaming boy from his daddy and as I sat and rocked him to sleep, I listened as my sister and cousins read her life story in her own words - and as I did I thought of Sissy's Song by Alan Jackson.

It's hard to say good-bye

Her picture in my mind

Will always be of times I'll cherish

And I won't cry because

She flew up to heaven on the wings of angels

By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees.

And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting

And I know she's smiling, saying "Don't worry 'bout me."

I can even still imagine her saying, "Now, don't worry 'bout me."

Then the Other Shoe Dropped

2011-02-03T23:15:00.000-06:00

We have had some really stressful and hard times this year already.

It isn't my story to tell, so I'll leave it at that....

BUT

{because there is always a BIG but in a sentence like that}

I have learned a couple of lessons this year. Not anything new or earth-shattering, but those eternal truths that cycle back around to help you find where your true priorities should lie.

1. We, meaning the Family Cajun, strive on pressure. Like every other Natural Man out there, we turn to each other and the Lord when we find ourselves having a hard time. We are our best selves when we have a reason to be our best selves. No resting on OUR laurels here!

2. The sweet times are ever so much sweeter when there are harder, less sweet times to live through. Those innocent, easy going nights where I would sometimes just count the hours to bedtime are now such a nice relief of stressful, phone call filled evenings/nights where we can't all be together. Blessings are so much easier to count. Good news feels even better after hearing bad news repeatedly....and there is no bed like YOUR bed.

3. Sometimes good enough is good enough until there is time to make good into better. As I was reading I came across a scripture that just made sense for right now...

...Let us run with patience the race that is set before us

Hebrews 12:1

I can do that.

Well, maybe not the running part....

I mean, c'mon you know me...

but that whole pacing myself thing.

I can do that.

Bring on 2011.

....Hmmm Terrific Two's Anyone?

2011-02-02T22:53:00.002-06:00

I don't know what happened to my sweet little boy....

Cajun Man has a theory that has something to do with Sampson & Delilah

and the loss of a particularly fetching curl in the middle of his forehead.

Personally, I think it reminds me of that Nursery Rhyme....

"when she was good, she was really, really good and when she was bad she was horrid."

...it's almost like someone whispered in his ear,

"Hey, you....yeah, you. Do you realize that you're almost two? Like in three weeks?

You should really start working on that whole Terrible Two's reputation.

You know practice makes perfect. All right, so you got that?

Okay, well get on that then."

In the past two days, I have found Cajun Boy:

* On top of the dining room table at LEAST 5 times.

* On the kitchen counter 3 different times.

{One time prancing the entire length from wall to wall.}

* On THE STOVE sitting and standing 3 different times.

* Drawing on his Aquadoodle with real ink pen.

* Spraying the ENTIRE bottle of hairspray on his Aquadoodle.

{He caught me trying it on a little doodle to see if it would take it out}

*Taking apart the lever on the reclining parts of the couch.

*Taking said levers and heading to beat on the glass French doors.

*Standing on the arm of the couch hanging his Thomas the Train decals ABOVE the couch.

*Dumping the contents of the salt AND pepper shakers into clean pots and pans and then pouring it from one pot to another pan until everything was on the floor, stove, counters, etc.

*Trying to eat the fake fruit in our fruit bowl.

*Throwing balls at EVERYTHING and EVERYONE.

*Raising the washer lid to hold onto the agitator.

*Dragging a footstool to reach everything.

*When said footstool went missing, he started using a two and a half gallon bucket that he can carry.

*Trying to get on YouTube to watch The Wheels on the Bus by himself and launching the mouse when he can't figure it out.

*Throwing fits in every room of the house.

*Refusing to shut the shower door while I'm showering.

*Dragging every broom in the garage into the house.

*Standing on top of his buckets trying to get the microwave to beep.

*Emptying every drawer he can reach into the washer whether it's empty or full.

{Oh, the Laundry}

Today, Grandma Hunter asked me what in the world I'm doing while he's doing all of this.

Honestly, I'm cleaning up the last mess/dangerous situation or hiding his weapons/tools of destruction.

I have a very scary feeling that THIS will be the week that we end up in the ER for him.

Won't that make the 2nd Birthday pictures even more memorable.

I will say that every single stage we're finding ourselves in brings so much more fun -

even with all of the challenges. I will keep him and hold him close to my heart forever.

Hair Today, New Hair for Tomorrow

2011-01-26T18:17:00.005-06:00

Cajun Boy needed a haircut.

I knew it.

Cajun Man knew it.

My Dad knew it.

Even the Stake President knew it.

So today, we ventured out to the Salon.

Half an hour and 4 inches later we headed out.

He is such a big boy now!

Just Because...

2011-01-24T18:10:00.000-06:00

Cajun Man decided that I might feel left out - what with CB having his own chalkboard and all.

So, he made me one of my very own.

Complete with love notes from the both of them!

Is there anyone luckier?

Like Father, Like Son

2011-01-23T18:00:00.002-06:00

You know those nasty, little habits that no one else ever has to see?

Then....you have kids and everyone sees:

Is there any doubt that these two are related?

Thank you, Cajun Man for teaching our almost two year old to slam back Pizza Hut

Parmesan Cheese Packets....just what every Mom wants to watch the men in her life do!

Merry Christmas in Chalk Dust

2011-01-22T16:52:00.005-06:00

A Chalkboard for Cajun Boy!

If you couldn't tell....he is in heaven :)

We made some alterations to the plans -

{ie we missed a few cuts and ran out of lumber.

we're just missing the frame for the chalkboard part.}

maybe we'll fix it, maybe we won't!

After watching CB use the chalk, I'm glad it's not there -

I think we'll have less broken chalk lying around.

CB doesn't care! Talk about a home run!

I love that there was a place for a roll of paper!

{we made it magnetic, so that we can keep the paper on the chalkboard}

Maybe that will discourage the extra coloring I'm finding all over our house!

That's the new look...especially when he thinks your trying to catch him doing something.

I am so glad that we did this for him.

Cost:

Lumber: $10.00

Magnetic Paint: $23.00 {Free for us - Gift Certificate}

Chalkboard Paint: $8.00

Other Paint: Free for us - Laying around the Garage

Total Investment: $18.00

Well worth it!

PS Yes that is still my Christmas Tree. CB loves it and we've had some stuff going on.

It'll come down eventually. It hasn't been up a month, so I'm not feeling guilty.

PPS Yes, he really needs a haircut. It'll happen - one of these days.

Keeping It Simple Giveaway

2011-01-17T23:54:00.002-06:00

Kaysi lives nearby and I'm so excited for how well her blog has done.

This week she is giving away a Silhouette. Ooooh - I wanna win it!

Head on over to Keeping it Simple and enter to win a Silhouette.

I've been drooling over these since they first came out...

back when I was an engaged woman. Maybe the force will be with me?

A girl can dream!

The New Year's Resolutions Begin...

2011-01-13T22:24:00.003-06:00

Maybe the headline should be:

The New Year's Resolutions Continue...

This year, the hubster and I have a few things that we're working on.

Together - like as an old married couple or something.

{It's almost five years now and people keep telling me that the honeymoon is over}.

One of the big things we wanted to do was to prioritize "us."

I'm going to be honest, here.

It's so much easier to prioritize Cajun Boy, things,

church commitments, work, other family and sleep!

All those other things seem to scream for attention -

and neither of us want to scream at each other!

So, we've committed to:

1. Our monthly card night...I am so grateful for the friend that decided to head this monster of a project. Mostly because we need to get out of our house together and whether or not we play cards or just sit around, eat, talk and spend some "big girl/big boy" time with other couples who can remind us that they go through the same challenges and obstacles and blessings and fun, too and it's all okay!

2. A monthly date night...I went to an awesome new site:

I don't know if everyone has found it, but I have loved getting my own creative juices going by reading about what these amazing women do. Somedays, when I feel like I've accomplished nothing, but having one little man need me constantly the last thing this tired body wants to do is to take care of someone or something else {It's my natural man coming out}. For Christmas, Cajun Man got The 12 Daytz of Christmas from their site. I was so grateful for a fun idea for our Money Free Christmas for my man. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to come up with anything that would measure up. We had to change a couple because...well, we live in the sticks, but he got a couple of blank ones to use as a substitute card. On that blessed day in December, I would have called Erika my new best friend! Plus, one of the girls, Tara, worked with me in my other life in the wedding industry and it makes me smile to see her gorgeous face again!

3. We're building things together for our little boy, for our home, for each other. Cajun Man has been working on this cute Chalkboard/Art Easel and we're planning on making THIS kitchen for CB's birthday. I love that we can work together to create stuff that will mean something to our little man. My favorite Christmas present of all time was a little wooden stove/oven that my Dad made with crazy drawn on burners and wooden knobs that never turned. Maybe CB will feel that way, too!

4. We're making time to sit down and make goals, plan and re-evaluate. I think that this has been missing since I took a job at that feedlot. I was never home when hubby was and it just continued and got worse after we had a little one that needed us as much as we needed each other. How can we be on the same page without that precious time to tell each other which page we're on.

I wasn't going to write this out and "publish" it on the internet, but as I've spoken with my friends I've been shocked at how many asked for me to email out what it is exactly that I'm doing. I decided if we really all are wondering what things we can do to keep our marriage happy and thriving, we should help each other out! So, here's the whole public confessional for you to read.

There are a thousand little things that I'm planning, but since Cajun Man reads this we'll keep some of those a surprise. Maybe as I reveal them to him, I'll take the time to update you all on how it's going. *Think cheesy fun*

I'm excited - I haven't done stuff like this for way too long!

My New Inspiration...

2010-12-25T00:01:00.002-06:00

I'm sure that most of you have heard of Stephanie Nielson.

This is her story in her words of who she is, what has happened to her and how she finds ways to continually go on - as a daughter, sister, mother & wife.

I love words. I studied linguistics in college and it gave me great background on random words.

One of my favorite words is eventually.

Mostly because, eventually.....

everything gets better
dreams come true
you learn that very important lesson
you re-discover priorities
everything changes
trials make sense
I will find my place, both here and in eternity.

In other words, to me eventually = hope and isn't that what Christmas is all about? The hope that a tiny infant brings - that tiny infant who came to save us all.

Thanks for reminding me of where to find my hope, Stephanie.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

A Young Women's Christmas

2010-12-24T10:09:00.007-06:00

I was released as Young Women's President awhile back,

{I think it was October, but life moves so fast - who knows}

and the new Young Women's President, Sis. B, asked me to help with an idea

she had for Christmas Presents for the YW (girls ages 12-18).

The original idea {care of the beautiful daughter-in-law of Sis. B}

It slipped my mind until she asked about vinyl.

I froze - I don't have a Cricut or Silhouette,

{although secretly....I may have it on my wish list}

and she didn't understand that I couldn't cut

vinyl on my Quikcutz or Revolution.

So, long story short.....I headed to a nearby* farmstead

to have a craft day with a good friend.

We've been through YW Camp together the last five years - and that bonds you!

Plus, Cajun Man says that these craft days change my whole outlook on life.

We didn't have the same fonts and designs that the original idea had,

and as I tried to force the fonts we had into

the original design - it just wasn't working.

To be really honest - it was an epic fail!

{I should have taken a picture, but I didn't have a camera with me}

I finally scrapped it all and got creative hoping that

Sis. B would still love what I came up with!

{In my defense, I tried to call but she was at a family Christmas celebration}

We finished them up today and she seemed to like it.

I think the YW will like it - what do you think?

* nearby in rural Kansas is anything under three hours

- in this instance about two hours away.

An Impromptu Stocking Stuffer for B

2010-12-22T11:31:00.004-06:00

As I was sitting at supper with my folks and my little family last night,

I suddenly remembered a present I wanted to make for CB.

Sleep Deprivation - it kills brain cells!

I had found two different tutorials for a Crayon Roll-up Bag.

One from Make it and Love it and the other from At Second Street and

I wanted to combine the two.

This is what I came up with:

Cajun Baby doesn't enjoy coloring books at this point.

He loves to draw and color on plain printer paper - not the lined stuff -

so I made it big enough to roll some plain paper up in it.

What do you think?

Maybe I got some of my Dad's engineering talent after all?

The First Noel....

2010-12-17T12:16:00.003-06:00

...that Cajun Man did make was a Pottery Barn knock-off.

I had seen this post from Craftily Ever After and liked it,

but I wanted one big piece.

So, I printed out a bunch of letters and placed them on

cardboard to make a template for Cajun Man.

He got out some plywood and got to cutting with the jigsaw.

I painted it with the Rustoleum Hammered Silver Spray Paint....

...and here's what I got.

Not quite PB and smaller to fit my scale, but definitely great for about $12.00

{and that's if you count the whole 1/4 sheet of plywood - I don't even think we used 1/2 of that}.

Table Before

Table After

I think my Mom is coveting it.

I think we'll make her one that says SNOW with a Snowflake for the O

{she decorates for the Holidays with Snowmen}.

Some Housekeeping

2010-12-17T12:08:00.003-06:00

Yesterday, I took my blog off the radar. Most of you probably didn't notice.

I had a child inform me, "he knew all about my blog.

I have a lot to say and I say way too much and about stuff I shouldn't."

So, I wanted some thinking time and decided to sleep on it.

This is what I've decided.

I'm going to make this really simple.

This is my blog.

If you don't like it - don't read it.

If you do like it - I hope you do read it

....and comment - often :D

And for all that is good and holy -

if you don't like it and feel that I'm writing inappropriately,

then use the common sense that has been given you

and don't talk about it in front of your children.

I hate to tell you, but...

{if your kid has gotten to thirteen without you knowing it}

let me enlighten you:

If you wouldn't say it to my face, then don't say it in front of your kid -

He's gonna run and tell me.

Now, bless your little hearts and have a great day.

Updated Burlap Sign

2010-12-15T17:10:00.005-06:00

Okay....I needed to fix this.

I loved the red, but the paper just wasn't cutting it for me.

...and I needed the instant gratification of doing it NOW!

So, I used the brown spray paint and some painter's tape and measured off a square.

I still loved the contrast with the red, but to be more realistic -

the only place the red would go would be in my kitchen.

Heavens knows, I have enough chachkes in there.

What do you think? Red or brown?

Update:

I still haven't gotten it quite where I want it, but I needed to make a way to hang it.

I ran into some wire in a drawer and did the bendy/twisty thing.

I didn't like the bare nail in the wall,

but I'm not completely sold on the burlap either.

It'll get there.

So, I've been crafty.....

2010-12-15T14:50:00.004-06:00

...and I'm not crafting a person, so instead I turned to power tools and lumber!

If only Mr. L would have let me design things in 7th grade shop -

I bet I would have gotten a better grade...

My design today is a burlap sign. I know they're everywhere right now,

but since our home is kind of country shabby chic it's perfect for us.

I saw the original idea at Under my Umbrella.

She had made a beautiful sign with all the words for the Savior.

So....I decided we needed a new focus around this house for the new year.

Cue the pictures.

I bit the bullet and used our printer after reading directly from the site that it was capable of fabric printing with the use of a good interfacing.

But I waited until I was all alone, so no one would see the epic fail if it didn't work!

I used some of the reclaimed wood from a fence in our backyard that never made sense.

Cajun Man had just a few scrap pieces from making a crate for me, so I used the band saw and made them even-ish and wood glued/nailed them together.

I want to live with this for a couple of days and then I may use

painter's tape and paint the red square the brown I used below.

I'm in love with this quote right now - I know others have used it for awhile, but it seemed to fit my needs for the next year. A bright future full of faith - who doesn't want that?

Oh, the projects in store for us! Cajun Man doesn't know what he's in for!

P.S. If you would like a PDF with the quote as pictured above,

leave me a comment with your email and I'd be happy to share.

Just a few pictures....

2010-11-05T01:02:00.002-05:00

After waking up from a nap....the only thing that made him happy was Daddy's hairbrush.

Then Daddy took a picture and my whole family swears that was me when I was little.

Then the padres said we could trick or treating...

Things are looking up! Sugar rush!

First house, Sister D asked us to come in, so CB ran for the toy drawer. Then he promptly turned to have his costume taken off, so he could get down to the real business of play.

We spent Halloween Night at Grandma Cajun's.

Here he's going through the loot she gave him for Halloween.

We spent the night eating pizza, playing hard, & passing out candy.

Trying to go Trick or Treating, but no one was home :(

Oh well they had a cool porch to play on!

I'm back to my middle of the night posting. Go Figure!

So Much Going On.......

2010-11-04T20:43:00.002-05:00

My whole life feels like it changed about two weeks ago. Every time I think I have it figured out!

First, I finally got all of my Young Women to show up, participate, and even end the night singing around the piano together as we played and talked. Then, the Bishop called me in to let me know they were going to release me as Young Women's President in my ward. I've been in the presidency for almost 6 years, so I knew it was coming. To my surprise, Cajun Man was the one who cried, not me, even though he knew it was coming.

Then I had to carry on for almost two weeks as though nothing was changing. Do you know how many times one of those girls asked if they could....in a couple of months or next time they were in charge of planning. "We'll see," became my catch phrase.

Then Thursday, I went to bed stuffy and woke up with full blown cold/flu. By the next day, it was already a sinus infection and after one dr. appt. I was set up on drugs. Throw in Halloween weekend and being released in church and teaching my last YW lesson! By Monday, I was back at the doctor's and spent a few hours being tested, x'rayed, treated, and under discussion....I almost landed myself in the hospital with pneumonia! Did you know that if you're dehydrated, it is really hard to tell bronchitis from pneumonia? I didn't. So, I've been housebound with a son who didn't handle me losing my voice all that well.

Thank heavens for moms, dads, husbands, and other sweet people!

Hunter Family Meats is back in full swing. Grandpa Hunter and two of my brothers got elk this year, so we'll be chipping away at the processing until Thanksgiving.....wish us all luck!

And I'm trying to pray and fast about a new calling that I just don't feel all that good about.

Wasn't being out of YW supposed to make it all slow down? I suppose I wouldn't know what to do without it all to do, right?

I only have a moment...

2010-09-15T16:42:00.003-05:00

...I saw this commercial and I really related.
Here's my life in thirty seconds or less right now.

Maybe when we sleep, I'll have more time to post.

A Lesson to Remember

2010-08-21T00:19:00.004-05:00

I snapped at someone the other day. You see we were spending some time together and although we are friends, we aren't the type of friends that I spill my problems to. She had just gotten done with a laundry list of evils that her husband had committed (and to be honest, if she had stopped right there I could have come up with a few things of my own). I felt some sympathy for her until she added, "I imagine you don't understand, though. You have one of those perfect, blessed lives."

That statement has sat with me since the conversation. In fact, it became a grain of sand in an oyster shell - an irritant that started to work on my thinking - and I hope that I can express the lessons that have been swirling through my head since as beautifully as the pearl that comes from that grain of sand.

I know what she was thinking. We've had some interesting few weeks here on the homestead.

The last week of July, Cajun Man got up just as I laid down after the fifty thousandth sleepy stumble to the nursery. Cajun Baby was having a rough night with teething and stomachaches and by midnight I had been up with him fourteen different times. I watched warily as Cajun Man changed positions, grimaced, and then let out a little moan.

"Are you okay?" I asked him as I silently prayed that he wouldn't wake up our little boy.

"There's just a lot of pain," he answered and it was the only answer he was willing to give for awhile. Finally I gave up.

"Wake me up when you decide what you want to do," I said, more than a little impatient for some sort of sleep and off I went to a series of weird dreams. The entire time I was thinking, I have Youth Conference starting tomorrow and I'm in charge of the Youth Temple Day on Saturday. I could only pray it was indigestion.

Forty minutes later (and one more trip in to rock CB back to bed), CM decided it was time to go to the ER. A phone call to my folks and my brother had them all scrambling to get dressed and get to town. Then, we were off. Hurry, hurry, hurry, rush, rush, rush to get to the hospital just to play a waiting game. Then the pain got stronger and stronger until he couldn't sit still anymore and he paced and asked if we could just not talk for awhile. So, I sat in the corner of ER1 trying to play a game on the iPod until we knew more. We were admitted. Tests were run and he progressively worsened. They shipped us off to the bigger hospital in that major metropolis (I'm being somewhat sarcastic with that description) down south and after waiting to get his fever and infection under control, CM lost his gall bladder.

I don't think it was much of a loss, though. Pathology reports indicated all sorts of abscess, infection, and inflammation. Halfway through what was supposed to be a forty-five minute surgery, they called to let me know that there had been complications and it would probably take twice as long. He went into surgery around 6:30 PM. I don't think I saw him again until almost 11:00. The surgery was going fine until his gall bladder started to disintegrate and unleash all that stuff into his body. They couldn't even be sure they got all of the gall stones out until the next day. He struggled so much with breathing, that I had to constantly reassure the hospital staff that my husband was not and had never been a smoker. After five days in the hospital, we came home and he laid on the bed and started hallucinating. But he was alive and on the mend.

That next week, our former bishop and the one who officiated at our ring ceremony lost his oldest daughter to complications after surgery on her thyroid. She had the surgery and was fine - talking and laughing even and then she coded and after almost an hour, they were able to get a heartbeat, but she never regained consciousness. We helped with her funeral a week later.

I know that was what my friend was thinking of, but little did she know or understand the stress and work it had taken to rearrange rides and responsibilities for a Youth Conference or a Temple Trip to Denver and all of the things that had to change or just plain went wrong. She didn't know about the tense, silent time I spent by myself with Cajun Man's divorced parents. She didn't know about the friend who's fighting for her health and her family that I wanted so desperately to support or the friend who felt the incredible pain of losing a baby before getting to tell anyone that she was pregnant. She wasn't aware of the friend that I hurt because I was so concerned with saying the wrong thing, that the wrong thing came out of my mouth before I had thought about what I was going to say. She hadn't seen the tears or the aggravation, the anger and impatience, the worry and frustration and the just not knowing - what to think, what to say, or what to do.

At that moment, I didn't feel like I had one of those "perfect, blessed lives." I let her know that my husband is far from perfect. I am far from perfect. Our child, who has cried the majority of his short life on this Earth no matter what we do, is far from perfect. Our in-laws drive us crazy even as they are so incredible and supportive. Our church family can offend us just as easily as hers. My clothes are not perfect. My hair. My eyes that have decided to hate contacts. My friends and relatives lives fall apart and triumph is a circular motion just like hers. There is nothing all that different about our lives and I don't do well when I'm expected to stand on a pedestal.

And maybe as I was listening to her (or even preaching from my soapbox), I saw myself in her words and I didn't like it.

Life is just that - life. We all deal with our own trials and temptations and I firmly believe that those are some of the obstacles that we have to learn to at least deal with in this life, in order to be better prepared for our place in the life to come. I don't want her trials and I know if she had a better picture of mine, she wouldn't want them either. So, I better pull up my bootstraps and get on with living it, hadn't I?

Maybe there is something to that old adage - "The grass is always greener...."

I know that for some of you that read my blog, this was rambling and for others it sounds naive that I'm just figuring this out, but this resonated in ways that smaller, similar lessons did not.

So whether or not my husband needs me to tie his shoes or is fully independent, my baby is up once in a night or thirty-seven (the all time record) I will embrace these challenges with a newfound dignity, grace and patience that will make them proud of me.

Um.....you might have to remind me on occasion - I'm just sayin'

My Blog and I Need to Have a DTR....

2010-07-02T23:33:00.002-05:00

...or maybe just my blog readers?

{by the way, DTR stands for Determining/Discussing the Relationship}

What have I been doing?

Hmmmm.....my cousin ended up staying with us for another nine days after the funeral.

During those nine days, my uncle helped go through some more of my grandparents things which kind of turns my house on its ear or kicked it in the rear - choose your favorite saying.

YW Camp was just over a week away at that point and I had to redo the entire songbook because of corrupt files from last year. I also designed and ordered the t'shirts this year, had a craft to prepare and organize, an evenings worth of activities as well as a few extra just in case activities to plan and put into play, and three YW who spontaneously decided to come to camp within the last three days before camp.

I started a new allergy testing/treatment protocol for Cajun Baby and myself. You wanna know both of our highest sensitivities? Think hard...you could probably guess. Yep.....caffeine. I'm not impressed with my body right now. However, both of us had some detox symptoms after the first treatment. I love fevers and general crappy feeling days, but I'm looking forward to maybe eating some of those foods I've avoided for the last eleven years.

We've bought a new vehicle, but that's an entire other post. I will be eating crow, though, just for a preview.

We've planned Youth Conference, re-planned Youth Conference, and are now re-re-planning Youth Conference...you know the one that is scheduled for later this month. Woo-Hoo!

Those are just the highlights. I hope you've been having an eventful summer, too!

A Sweet Reunion

2010-05-14T22:42:00.005-05:00

We lost my grandmother yesterday.

That's a terrible way of saying that someone has passed away.

She's not lost, she's with my grandfather - her other half.

We had lost her at different times before.

She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's sixteen years ago.

Just a year after she had a pacemaker put in.

Grandpa lost her at least a couple of times - geographically.

We put her in a nursing home eleven years ago.

They lost her often - she was a regular Houdini.

I remember thinking that she was lost two years ago.

She was no longer the woman that I remembered.

But that's not the way I want to remember her today.

My Grandma, my father's mother, was an incredible woman.

She never, never, never quit moving.
She gardened and quilted. She cooked and canned.
She cared for my grandfather and helped him stay healthy living with diabetes.
She volunteered for everything both within her religion and throughout the community.
She helped my mother teach me to cook and sew.
She taught me to work and give service.
She lived the principal of being frugal.
She encouraged me to find the practical in an item.
She helped me learn to set the table and care for china.
She showed me that nothing can replace a beautifully handwritten sentiment.
She read voraciously and encouraged me to do the same.
She always had a twinkle in her eye as if she was enjoying a joke that only she knew.
She would throw her head back to laugh.
She was opinionated and stubborn and stood up for what she believed in.
She felt it was our responsibility to help those that were less fortunate.
She showed me what it was to respect my heritage and ancestors.

She and my grandfather modeled a marriage full of respect, admiration, and devotion. Neither of them were well known for being easy going, but Grandpa told me once:

The only two choices in any battle are to be a winner or a loser. You have to understand that sometimes in a marriage, the only way to win is to lose.

I didn't understand that until I was married, but it makes sense to me now....and I know that it was the secret to the success of their sixty-three years.

Grandpa told me that he fell in love with her when she was eleven and that he had to patient for her to grow up enough to get married. I imagine that these last several years when he was waiting to be with her again - be with her as the whole person that he loved since he was eighteen - must have felt like an eternity.

Grandma used to say that she wanted "to wear out, not rust out." Knowing how she had always felt made seeing her decline over such a long period of time agonizing. I can only be grateful that at that point she had no idea what was going on.

I am grateful that I saw her again only a little while ago. I held onto her hand and smoothed her perpetually furrowed brow. I kissed her forehead and wondered how much longer her body would hold out. I knew that it couldn't be that much longer.

It is not so hard to be relieved and happy for the two of them. She is with him, both her parents, thirteen siblings, and two half-siblings. I can only imagine that welcome home.

I can only hope that the sweet reunion in heaven made every moment worth it for them.

You Say It's Your Birthday....

2010-04-30T09:14:00.002-05:00

We celebrated my birthday on Wednesday.

Oh, what a day!

Cajun Baby had ben sick with what seemed like allergies to me.

But I went to have it checked out, just in case before the big weekend extravaganza.

Ha Ha Ha...

Haven't got the new mom thing down quite right.

You know how new moms always call for every sniffle?

Apparently, I always think that it's no big deal and it really is.

After two hours going back and forth between the Medical Clinic and the Hospital, we came home. We almost got admitted and we ALL hate the hospital.

Pneumonia is a four letter word here-no matter how you spell it.

Two hours at the doctor's. Two breathing treatments. Two prescriptions.

Seems two should be my lucky number?

I promise I didn't turn two.

So, the best birthday present I never got?

A hospital stay for Cajun Baby.

Last year we were just a few days out of the hospital.

I'm starting to dread my birthday.

Big Blue Eyes

2010-04-26T22:06:00.004-05:00

When he looks at me like this, it's all worth it.

Why Am I NOT Sleeping?

2010-04-26T01:11:00.004-05:00

I turned into an anxious person at college.

{Not that I was really a go-with-the-flow girl previously}

There was suddenly so much out of my control that I could never let go.

I stopped sleeping most of the time because I couldn't shut my brain off.

I made some really stupid decisions because I was sleep deprived.

This vicious cycle repeated when we had Cajun Baby.

Then I became so sleep deprived that I couldn't prop my eyelids open if I wanted to.

So, I had to sleep - or really my body just shut down and the rest of me didn't have a choice.

After this week from Hades, I can't quit feeling anxious about what this next week will bring.

So while Cajun Man and Son are sleeping somewhat soundly

...considering they both talk in their sleep...

I'm trolling blogs to distract my brain and wear myself out.

So far it's not working.

What do you do when you can't sleep?

Not Quite a Banner Day 'Round Here....

2010-04-23T22:43:00.003-05:00

Today wasn't my best day as a Momma.

It wasn't Cajun Baby's best day, either, but hey - I'm the adult in the situation, right?

I lost my patience and got dramatically close to losing my cool....with a 14 month old. Nice!

*Edited to Note: "losing my cool" means that I was close to yelling at my son. There was never any danger to him or to myself other than a raised voice. However, I know that words can hurt more than physical violence and leave just as lasting scars, so I am very cognizant of my tone. After receiving a phone call from a worried friend, I thought I should clarify.*

So, we took a time out. CB to his crib and Momma Cajun to a really hot shower.

After being puked on repeatedly for the past three days, it was long overdue.

Yeah, you really don't want to know.

So much laundry, so little motivation.

So, I pulled out the last ditch effort at calming Cajun Baby.

Taylor Swift - since he was about four months old.

I can't explain it, but it works every time.

We were making our way through her videos online and we came upon her song

The Best Day...written to her Mom

I'm five years old

It's getting cold

I've got my big coat on

I hear your laugh

And look up smiling at you

I run and run

Past the pumpkin patch

And the tractor rides

Look now -- the sky is gold

I hug your legs and fall asleep

On the way home

I don't know why all the trees change in the fall

I know you're not scared of anything at all

Don't know if Snow White's house is near or far away

But I know I had the best day

With you today

I'm thirteen now

And don't know how my friends

Could be so mean

I come home crying and you hold me tight and grab the keys

And we drive and drive

Until we've found a town

Far enough away

And we talk and window-shop

Until I've forgotten all their names

I don't know who I'm gonna talk to

Now at school

I know I'm laughing on the car ride home with you

Don't know how long it's gonna take to feel okay

But I know I had the best day

With you today

I have an excellent father

His strength is making me stronger

God smiles on my little brother

Inside and out

He's better than I am

I grew up in a pretty house

And I had space to run

And I had the best days with you

There is a video

I found from back when I was three

You set up a paint set in the kitchen

And you're talking to me

It's the age of princesses and pirate ships

And the seven dwarfs

Daddy's smart

And you're the prettiest lady in the whole wide world

Now I know why all the trees change in the fall

I know you were on my side

Even when I was wrong

And I love you for giving me your eyes

Staying back and watching me shine

And I didn't know if you knew

So I'm taking this chance to say

That I had the best day

With you today

And I was once again reminded why we get up and try again the next day, harder than ever.

Tomorrow, B...it'll be the best day - I promise.

What Did You Say?

2010-04-22T20:27:00.005-05:00

We have been going to a card group lately with several other couples.

{Don't judge - it's a small town.}

My favorite quote of the last night,

I am not to blame for your family's gambling problems!

Gotta love blending the families of newlyweds. Is that not funny to anyone else? I have to admit that I thought it was hilarious!

******************

At church the other day, our teacher was speaking of personal revelation in the latter-days.

Her comment was,

When you know that He knows that you know, you can't just NOT know!

All I could think was, "Would you like to repeat that one?"

52 Blessings Project: Week 16

2010-04-20T23:09:00.003-05:00

I am grateful for my mother-in-law.

Trust me, I've heard the jokes and read the stories and I have an angel.

We share supper together once a week.
She is willing to drop anything to spend time with Cajun Baby.
She raised my hubby and he turned out all right.
She carries two photo albums in her purse of pictures of CM, CB and me.
CB and I can visit her at work anytime and she'll supply us with the good ice.
She listens without judging and never gives advice unless I ask for it.
She reminds me that this is my family and I'm the momma.

A big one, she has offered to take Cajun Baby for two nights so that Cajun Man and I can escape to the big city of Denver, go to the temple, buy some clothes that actually fit me, sleep in and eat amazing food.

I'm struggling with this....as much as the sleeping in is totally calling out to me. Not because of her, but because of me and the incredible capacity I have for guilt. And she understands and has even offered to come with us and stay next door if that's what we want. We'll go and have a great time knowing that Cajun Baby probably won't even miss us.

Now, here's where I need reassurance. It'll be okay, right?

Either way, I love my mother-in-law and I couldn't be more blessed.

52 Blessings Project: Week 15

2010-04-20T22:41:00.006-05:00

I'm a little behind again...dang it!

Today, I'm going to be thankful for Michael McLean.

Yes, I know that some people feel that his music is cheesy, but my freshman roommate was anything, but a closet Michael McLean freak so I memorized all of the songs from his albums.

The one that has always resonated with me is

Which Part is Mine?

The chorus is something like this...

God, which part is mine? And which part is yours?
Could you tell me one more time, I'm never quite sure.
I won't cross the line, like I have before
If you'll just define which part is mine and which part is yours.

Mostly, because this is my biggest character flaw. I don't see where something begins and ends. Instead, I see one long huge task list that goes on forever and my part is never over. It's a huge relief to be reminded that there are parts of life that are not my responsibility.

The other song is one that I sang as a young woman for a road show. It's:

You're Not Alone

You're not alone. Say it one more time, I'm not alone.

There is something reassuring about that no matter how many times that I hear that.

Not only that, but I wrote him a letter when I was thirteen and he wrote back. It made my year.

My Doppleganger?

2010-04-14T01:07:00.005-05:00

Well, if nothing else I've learned something new....

Apparently, Jo Frost aka Super Nanny and I could be sisters.

In fact I was told that I look more like her than my biological sister.

Who knew?

It's a Grand Slam

2010-04-13T16:54:00.006-05:00

My heart hurts as I write this right now.

Tuesdays are my day that I usually feel insecure and invisible all day long.

Sundays are long days where Cajun Baby misses his naps, doesn't eat full meals because we're at church during two of them, fights going to sleep, and is up half the night.....

Which makes for Mondays being a crapshoot.

He either sleeps half the day and is wonderful and goes right to bed ... or ... He wakes up around 4 AM, won't eat, fights every nap, and refuses to go to sleep until 10 PM.

So, by the time Tuesday rolls around I either feel really good to be back into the swing of things ... or ... I feel like the winner in the World's Worst Mother of the Year Contest - convinced I'm more than a little underqualified, and completely incompetent.

Add to that a Lap-Sit Story Hour where all of the other Moms seem to have all of the answers AND great hair paired with the perfect casual-without-trying-too-hard outfit. Needless to say - by Tuesday I do NOT fit in.

Then, mix in a doctor's visit where my son had a meltdown when I wouldn't let him scoot around on the hospital floor, followed by a monster fit because I wouldn't let him have my eyeglasses. Which only got better when the PA (someone who is a mother herself and whom I respect) suggested I send my son off to daycare to help him obtain some structure to his day and establish boundaries and limits.

Let's just say that today, if we were in the middle of a baseball game, the pitcher just threw my self-worth as a curveball and the batter slammed it out of the park.

I'm pretty well known for my organizational skills in these here parts. Ask most people who serve with me in a church calling and they will tell you that I can give you a rundown on the next three months schedule or find minutes for a meeting two years ago.

So to hear someone say that I'm not organized enough to help my baby have a positive and healthy learning environment kind of stuck in my craw and left a lump in my throat that's making it hard to breathe.

I live my every day life so that he has what's best for him - not necessarily what's easiest for him or for me, but what's BEST. I gave up working and a huge part of my identity and value that comes from doing a job and doing it well, so that I could stay home with my son - only to hear that I'm not doing it right and should send him to daycare at LEAST once a week.

Maybe I should call Super Nanny.

I guess it's back to the drawing board in this parenting game ....

here's to seeing how strong this backbone has become underneath this suddenly very thin skin.

How Close Were We?

2010-04-11T15:37:00.005-05:00

This is Cajun Baby today....

This was what MorphThing thought Cajun Baby would be...

Kinda fun to see.

52 Blessings Project: Week 14

2010-04-11T03:42:00.002-05:00

We're so glad when Daddy comes home.....

..... Glad as we can be!

Cajun Man has been traveling for work some lately and it is so nice when he comes back home.

Life just isn't quite the same and Cajun Baby misses him so much! Thanks for working so hard for us, so that we can live such a great life....we love you, Cajun Man!

52 Blessings Project: Week 13

2010-04-10T07:36:00.001-05:00

Today, I'm grateful that Cajun Man made it a priority to live near our parents.

I know that not everyone is lucky enough to be able to make that happen.

Watching my baby grow up loving and knowing his grandparents in ways that I never could....

It's worth all that I miss!

52 Blessings Project Week 12

2010-04-09T07:42:00.002-05:00

Tonight I'm grateful for wisdom from those who know better than I.

I've been looking forward to the General Conference Talks transcripts to be on the church website for me to read. I get so much more out of things when I read rather than listen.

Yay!

52 Blessings Project Week 11

2010-04-08T07:29:00.003-05:00

I am grateful for my Savior.

My favorite image is this one of Liz Lemon Swindle's. I think because I see caring and concern in those beautiful eyes. It gives me a sense of being cherished. Isn't that a wonderful feeling?

52 Blessings Project Week 10

2010-04-07T07:25:00.003-05:00

Tonight, I'm grateful for getting out of debt.

Even if at times it seems slow.

What peace financial security brings.

"We encourage you wherever you may live in the world to prepare for adversity by looking to the condition of your finances. We urge you to be modest in your expenditures; discipline yourselves in your purchases to avoid debt. . . . If you have paid your debts and have a financial reserve, even though it be small, you and your family will feel more secure and enjoy greater peace in your hearts."
—The First Presidency, All Is Safely Gathered In: Family Finances, Feb. 2007, 1

52 Blessings Project Week 9

2010-04-06T07:21:00.001-05:00

Today, I'm grateful to be a mother.

I wouldn't trade this time of my life for anything.

52 Blessings Project Week 8

2010-04-05T23:21:00.000-05:00

Today I'm grateful for Dr. Pepper with the good ice.

This ...

... and this ...

....must be what manna from heaven tasted like.

52 Blessings Project Week 7

2010-04-04T22:55:00.001-05:00

Hmmmmm......this time, I'm grateful for Kansas blue skies over amber fields of grain.

Life isn't easy in an agricultural community right now. Many of my friends are farming widows as their hubbies plant fields from sun up to sun down.

Tonight, I'm choosing to look towards harvest. Not that it's any easier, but it is definitely a sense of accomplishment and pride that all of the hard work is worth it.

To this farm girl, there is little more beautiful than a clear, hot day with wheat drying in the field.

52 Blessings Project Week 6

2010-04-03T22:39:00.000-05:00

I'm a little behind, so I'm going to try and catch up.

This time, I'm grateful for digital cameras. I know that if Cajun Man and I had to buy film and wait for it to be developed, Cajun Baby would be sorely under-pictured.

Then how else could you see this

cute little face with

even cuter blue eyes

and the cutest blond curls?

My Favorite April Fool's Day Joke 2010

2010-04-02T22:44:00.005-05:00

Do any of you Google?

If you did on April 1st, you didn't Google - you Topeka'ed

Did you see this?

Or This?

For the month of March 2010, the capital of my home state was Google, Kansas. April 1st, Google decided to pay back Kansas for that honor by renaming the site for the day. Seemed pretty cool to this Kansan that I got to Topeka things all day long.

For more details, you can visit the Official Google Blog.

Sorry if you missed the chance to Topeka.

We are SO excited...

2010-04-01T04:45:00.001-05:00

...to let you know that our son's saliva is not pregnant...

Since Cajun Baby was old enough to sit up by himself, he has relished taking apart a set of plastic drawers I keep under the bathroom sink. Any time that I am getting ready or the cupboard door gets left open, I find feminine products of all types strewn throughout the house. He has been particularly attached to home pregnancy tests left over from before.

Today I walked into the bathroom to find this one hanging out of his mouth with the cap still on. I took it away from him and set it out of his reach and then saw that it was negative. Good to know that he's not pregnant.

Happy April Fools!

Two Bits, Four Bits...

2010-03-31T22:22:00.005-05:00

You know how when you're newlyweds, sometimes your spouse does something that makes you ask,

"What the crud were you thinking?"

Well, when you've been together for almost five years and something like that hasn't happened in awhile, I have to say it makes for a really good laugh.

Tonight, I was wish listing a couple of catalogs

...you know for that day we make our first million...

when I heard this big crash and look up to see the chandelier over our dining room table swinging. Cajun Man was standing there trying to avoid getting clocked by it and holding in laughter so that Cajun Baby would stay asleep.

"What did you do?" I asked.

"I was just doing a cheer," he answered very matter-of-fact-ly.

I looked at him and he looked at me and all I could think was,

"You were doing a cheer?

Wasn't I the cheerleader in high school?"

So, the tools are out and we'll see if we can save it.

Lesson learned, maybe. My lesson learned?

I'm still learning things about my hubby.

{Like he's a closet cheerleader?}

I guess the honeymoon isn't over yet.

How Do You Spell?

2010-03-30T21:55:00.000-05:00

The Oryx meat {if not the Oryx} survived to be eaten another day.

Instead the whole fam trekked to the local metropolis to eat here.

{Yeah, my fav restaurant of all time}

They totally deserve this picture just for making me eat buffet.

Impressive, huh? I've got an even better one coming up as soon as I can get a picture of it.

Make You Over, Heather!

2010-03-29T21:46:00.003-05:00

My blog buddy, Heather, has an exciting opportunity.....she could win a makeover.

{Oh, how I would love to be her right now!}

A little about why I hope you would vote for her....

5. When I thought I was losing my mind as a new mom, Heather emailed me.

4. She shared her Butter cream Frosting Recipe {that should qualify her for sainthood}.

3. She has three kids six and under and was still a stellar YW Leader.

2. Her husband was out of work for a year and I never heard her whine.

1. She wrote one of the funniest essays I have ever read. I love the sense of humor!

Here's how you can help her win:

{and you know you want to because really if the shoe was on the other foot, she'd do it for you!}

Send an email to makeyouoverblog@gmail.com with the name Heather in the subject.

Only one vote per person, so make it count and help a gal out!

Good Luck, Heather! You totally deserve this one :D

Next Topic Please?

2010-03-27T00:58:00.002-05:00

So, lately after about five minutes in any given conversation with another woman, I hear:

"Are you trying for another little one?"

Okay, maybe that shouldn't creep me out as much as it does,

BUT

Think about what you're asking me.

Yeah, that's kind of what I think, too.

When even my accountant mentions that hopefully we're already started on a second one

{you know, so that we can get that deduction again next year}

I knew I wasn't just being paranoid.

It's almost like when my Dad's friends used to ask,

"So how's married life treating you?"

I always thought, "Really...are you sure you want to be asking that?"

Just a thought...

The Secret Ingredient is....

2010-03-26T22:42:00.003-05:00

Oryx

Oh, you have no clue what that is?

Me, neither....but the rule in the Hunter family is:

You shoot it. You eat it.

Here is my Sister and Nephew Color with his Oryx.

I hope it's tasty.

A Sun Day?

2010-03-26T22:35:00.003-05:00

Out here in themiddleofnowhere Kansas,

we are known for snow days, mud routes, and even heat days.

When I heard about a school in Northwestern Washington

that gave their kids a Sun Day Off, well I applauded.

Don't kids these days just sometimes need days to be kids?

I remember how sweet the air seemed on those snow days.

Imagine a day to spend in the sun and nice weather without worry.

I love it.

Brain Rot or Momma Brain

2010-03-26T22:25:00.005-05:00

People used to call me witty.

I had roommates that called me and said,

"This is what he said and I really need a good comeback."

{one called from the restroom in a restaurant}

And I would come up with a good zinger.

My nickname at one point was Lorelai...after those famous Gilmore Girls.

Not anymore.

Now when someone questioned whether or not I wanted to travel alone with my son

to a ward conference two hours away, I answered...

"I'm only going to Minor Metropolis, not the Netherlands."

My nephew looked at me, looked away and then looked back and asked,

"Why the Netherlands?"

Then everyone laughed.

Cajun Man questioned something that I said the other day and after

a more abstract answer than he was expecting his immediate question was,

"Are you pregnant? You only say things like that when you're pregnant."

Is my brain rotting because the most conversation I have every day is with a 13 month old?

Or is it true that you lose half of your brain with every child?

I Couldn't Sleep Last Night!

2010-03-24T11:19:00.001-05:00

My sister's here!

A Taste of Home...

2010-03-23T22:02:00.004-05:00

Cajun Man was sweet enough to get VIP tickets to the local Taste of Home Cooking School for me, Grandma Cajun and Grandma Hunter. The only catch...Cajun Man had to take care of Cajun Baby all by himself without the normal Grandma back up in town.

We had fun and I learned lots. Grandma Hunter even won a door prize.

Mostly, though I dodged glares from these two women in their seventies two rows ahead of us. The happened to be sitting straight in my line of sight as I watched the presenter on the big screen.

As we were standing up to leave, Grandma Cajun leaned over and asked if I knew the two women.

I answered that I had never seen them before.

Grandma Hunter in her perpetually positive way said, "Maybe they just think that you're beautiful."

Grandma Cajun looked at me and I answered, "Momma, those stares were not charitable."

Everyone around us started laughing.

When I got home, I found this:

Apparently, the night didn't go quite as smoothly as I would have hoped, but an important objective was achieved:

Cajun Man gained confidence in knowing that even if Cajun Baby cried, everyone would survive. Survive they did with a cute photo op at the end.

Thanks, Cajun Man.

Testing Testing 1 2 3 ...

2010-03-22T21:31:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to check out and see if my new changes were working.

An Interesting Conversation...

2010-03-09T17:57:00.001-06:00

Cajun Man: I imagine that we're supposed to be learning something important by raising our son.

Me: Yeah, my limits.

Cajun Baby: Squeal! Giggle Giggle

A Giveaway I'd Love to Win...

2010-02-27T18:55:00.003-06:00

So Sue over at Navel Gazing at its Finest, is having a giveaway.

"Me wants, my precious."

I'm having a hard time not coveting one of those mini-computers.

Or an iPad, but since that hasn't happened....

One of those mini-computers.

Join in, and see if it's calling your name!

We Survived

2010-02-23T18:11:00.001-06:00

My baby turned one on Tuesday.

I have started and re-started this post half a dozen times since then.

At first this was going to be a really sentimental post, but...

He had hives and a rash off and on all day.

Oh yeah, and I really can't tell you how many diapers I've had to change.

When I started in on that the tone changed pretty drastically.

Plus, I've been too busy being scared.

You see, there's something I've never written down about my sweet almost toddler.

He has two congenital heart defects. Neither of them serious, but still....

It's his heart. His very small heart.

Who knew that I would be grateful for the RSV stay at the hospital? Without that illness, we may not have known what we were dealing with until something serious came up.

One of the defects is a hole. Less than ten millimeters long.

But isn't ten millimeters long enough in that little heart

that is the size of his chubby little fist?

I've been assured that neither defect will ever limit him.

They will never get bigger and may even close up on their own.

No surgery needed right now.

But after each pediatric cardiologist appointment, I feel like we live a charmed life.

A charmed life on borrowed time, until that next appointment.

We went in and spent only three minutes with the doctor.

He's reassured, so I'm reassured...at least for the next nine months.

He's not a doctor that would hold my hand and it's oddly reassuring-

to hear it straight without any sugarcoated words.

It feels like our little guy has had a different challenge with each new phase.

We welcomed his birthday and my birth day anniversary with hives, two new teeth poking through at once, and confusion at getting his own cupcake to destroy.

This past week's hives have given way to eczema,

six more teeth look ready to come through any day now,

double ear infections,

stomach aches,

sleeping for only thirty minutes at a time,

and scratches all over from trying to scratch the itching away.

I'll take all of that just for the joy of that little boy in my life.

Cajun Baby,
I may not be the best mother in the world, but I promise to always be your best mother. I know how precious it is to have been able to celebrate this last year with you and I'm grateful that your little heart reminds me every day to never take for granted the life I've been given with you. Thank you for making most days a pleasure and giving me those sweet moments in the quiet of the night when it is just us. I'll never forget the way you've changed our lives forever.
Love you,
Momma

I guess it did turn out to be sentimental after all.

For all of my complaining and my matter of fact discussion of the difficult times,

I could never forget the wonderful perfect moments that this last year has brought.

One last thank you...
Thank you, Cajun Man. You brought my dreams to life and made them come true.
Thank you for working so hard to give our little family these opportunities.
I promise I haven't forgotten you and that Newlywed love that grows deeper each day.
I love you,
The Chick

Important Lesson Learned...

2010-02-05T22:10:00.003-06:00

If your baby boy is thisclose to being big enough to open the refrigerator door by himself....

just go ahead and baby proof the bottom shelf.

Or at least get rid of the tupperware container with

the brightly colored cupcakes screaming his name.

Otherwise you'll still be finding yellow and green everywhere!

Keep in mind that I left the kitchen for half a second to put the camera down on the dining room table.

{I refuse to put it down anywhere near an oven, stove, or running water}

I came back to him using the cupcake like a crayon on the floor...frosting side down.

The other one was crumbled from his chubby little fist gripping it so tight.

We had a great time in the bath immediately following.

Let me remind you...he's not even a year, people!

Seen and Heard: Another Edition

2010-02-01T20:27:00.002-06:00

Last night, I crawled into bed late after a nighttime feeding.

Cajun Man had a rough time moving over enough for me to join him in bed.

Eventually he did, I climbed in and gave him a kiss.

He said, "You know I really like you."

I said, "Okay, Good Night."

Then he asked, "Do you really like me, too?"

I said, "Yep."

He finished with, "Okay, good."

**************************************************

The other night, I was in and out of bed with Cajun Baby.

After what felt like the fiftieth time, I crawled back in bed.

Cajun Man was not amused, "I know you have to breathe, but could you at least quit moving!"

I checked to make sure his eyes were closed and sarcastically muttered, "Love you, too," under my breath.

**************************************************

52 Blessings Project Week 5

2010-01-31T21:08:00.003-06:00

I'm always reminded about this time every year, how very blessed I am to work with the Young Women in our Stake.

Young Women's Camp is what gives me a spiritual kick in the butt and some much needed perspective.

So, tonight kicks off the planning, the stressing, the prayers, and the work all with an amazing woman leading us along the way. I abso-freakin'-lutely love our Stake Camp Director.

Yay!

I can't wait to go camping.

PS This is the one camping trip a year that I make. Try as you might, but I promise you it would have to include some pretty amazing incentives to even get me to consider it! :D

52 Blessings Project: Week 4

2010-01-30T20:40:00.003-06:00

The blessing that I'm feeling grateful for this week is my sense of humor.

So that when Cajun Baby dumped an entire box of Cheez-its on the floor...

I just smiled and reached for the camera...

before I helped him learn the important lesson...

if you make a mess, stop and clean it up!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

2010-01-23T23:01:00.005-06:00

I couldn't have been prouder of my boys today.

Cajun Man has never really been around babies. It's a horrible Catch-22.

To become more confident in being alone with Cajun Baby,

He has to spend more time with Cajun Baby.

To spend more time alone with Cajun Baby,

He has to become more confident in being alone with Cajun Baby.

Does anyone else see the circular logic in this situation?

Not to say that I haven't left them alone together, but there has usually been a back up option or our highly persistent son has cried for for-eh-ver leaving some very exposed nerves by the time I made it home.

Today, I headed off to a party and knew that the two of them were by themselves after a pretty rocky evening the night before. I prayed rrrrreeeeaaallllyyyyy hard.

They had a perfectly marvelous time.

To quote Cajun Man, "I feel so manly, yet oddly domestic at the same time."

I came home to a happy baby and husband playing on the living room floor.

I cried.

We've almost made it to a year and we're making it.

Somebody cue the Hallelujah Chorus!

Preparing Myself for the L-O-N-G Night

2010-01-22T22:49:00.002-06:00

I'm counting my blessing because my baby is having a rough night.

Today:

I took a great morning nap.

My baby charmed my second mom.

I was creative making a bow bouquet for my bestie's cousin's wedding rehearsal.

I watched one of my best friend's being a mom.

I saw her little sister in love.

I had a successful Mary Kay party.

I laughed more than I had in a week at that party.

My husband bought me a cream puff at the new bakery near his work.

He also split a chocolate chip scone with me.

My comfiest pajamas are clean and being worn as I type this.

My feet fit into some heels that my feet wouldn't fit into pre-pregnancy.

My Daddy gave me a solution to my first canker sore.

I can always turn to the internets for a good laugh.

Hope you're having a great Friday!

Looking Out for #1

2010-01-20T18:45:00.002-06:00

The library and I have become very good friends since I became pregnant.

Cajun Baby and I head over to Lap-sit once a week and he loves it.

He people watches all of the kids and then scoots off to where he can play all by himself.

Cajun Man and I love it, too.

We're there at least every two weeks as a couple looking for the books we read before we fall asleep.

There is something bothering me, though.

Why would the library have book #2 in a series without having book #1?

I don't want to have to go buy book #1 to understand all of the missing stuff.

I don't want to have to go through the rigamaroll of the library either buying or ordering book #1 from another library after I request it.

So I'm stuck because I'll find a book that looks good and then read the first two chapters before I realize that I'm missing something.

Plus that obsessive part of my personality comes out and starts the war.

Do I not finish the book I started? Do I read the second book out of order?

Cajun Baby - 1, Momma Stephanette - 0

2010-01-19T23:10:00.004-06:00

Today was a fighting day.

Cajun Baby fought:

sleep,
eating,
his car seat,
nap times,
scooting,
having Momma hold him,
having Momma put him down,
cleaning up,
leaving the house,
and closing the dishwasher

...just to name a few things.

I tried to think of something witty to post, but I'm just not coming up with anything.

Cajun Man said something and I remember him telling me that it was something to blog about, but for the life of me I can't figure out what it was.

I think the fight in me is gone - at least until tomorrow or whenever someone tells me what to do.

Good Night

Tweet Interference? No, just love

2010-01-18T20:41:00.004-06:00

Tonight we went to Grandma Cajun's house for supper.

We had our first real parental interference.

If it was football she would have caught the ball and ran for the touchdown.

Except it's not football and we're all on the same team here...

the one that raises Cajun Baby to be a productive member of society.

She bought him a walker.

I know, you're all wondering what the big deal is.

We have stairs, one set of which can't really be blocked off well.

Plus, our son doesn't want to crawl. In fact, he seems dead set against it.

I've made my peace with that fact.

He scoots and is entirely mobile with a cross body action that is associated with cognitive development between the different sides of the brain (ie he moves his left arm with his right leg and vice versa). The physical therapist that we spoke to didn't feel like we had any physical problems to watch for. I've also had my brother look at his hips, legs, knees, ankles and feet. There's nothing wrong.

Except maybe that my mother's wish for me may have come true.

I have a son even more stubborn than I am. Oy Vey! Heaven help us all.

Back to the walker.

I think Grandma Cajun may be a little worried about our non-crawling son.

Did I mention that he has never liked to put weight on his feet? That might add to her concern.

So, very apologetically she brought out the walker that she had bought.

In two seconds I decided it wasn't a battle I wanted to fight.

After all, she is one of the most wonderful mothers-in-law in the world.

...and I decide how long he is in it.

What do you think?

How did I do?

52 Blessings Project: Week 3

2010-01-17T21:04:00.003-06:00

Tonight we headed out to the homestead - Grandma & Grandpa Hunter's house.

We had supper with them and because my mom loves my hubby almost more than me, she basically made two different meals. Ribs and Pork and Beans for him, my dad and her. Leftover Buffalo Roast with Broccoli and Cheese for me. We all shared homemade biscuits and southern fried hash browns. Yummmmmmm! I would eat biscuits over dessert any day!

We played and Cajun Baby cooed, charmed and scooted his way across the living room floor. Grandpa Hunter didn't even say anything when CB got into his precious magazine corner {my sisters-in-law and sister can tell you what happens when someone disturbs his magazines}.

We loaded up when CB started to melt down - bed time was imminent.

He was asleep immediately and a song came on the radio.

It was Jason Michael Carroll's song Hurry Home. I hadn't heard it before, but immediately my mind went to a time when my dad and I disagreed about what decisions I was making and where I was headed. After a long conversation on the phone that wasn't going anywhere, I announced that I had made those decisions and the lessons I learned from them may be hard, but they were mine to learn. Then I decided not to come home for the summer - without letting him weigh in on that decision at all.

I imagine that it hurt my dad in some ways. Our relationship was strained for a little while. We got over it and life moved on. My life in Utah fell apart and I felt an undeniable urge to go home. I remember being scared to talk to my dad. I was sure he'd think I was a failure. Instead he told me to hurry up and get things taken care of so I could come home. He was worried, but he still wanted me.

The song's chorus reads:

It doesn't matter what you've done, I still love you

It doesn't matter where you've been, you can still come home

And honey if it's you, we've got a lot of making up to do

And I can't hug you on the phone, so hurry home

Tonight, we drove away from the home I grew up in and I realized how grateful I am that I can always go back home. I'm so grateful that in that home, I hear my father's voice echoing my Heavenly Father's voice. They don't care what or where, they just want me to hurry back to them.

It's a nice feeling.

Our Sphere of Influence

2010-01-16T21:38:00.003-06:00

The Cajun Family packed it up and headed off to Mini-Youth Conference today. It was a time for youth 12-18 years old to get together for several hours.

This year we split up the kids in different age groups and sent them to workshops that were supposed to motivate them to make better choices this coming year. I sat in on the same workshop three times.

It's a gentlemen from my ward and one of the doctors that I worked for. I've heard this particular workshop several times in the past fifteen years, but there was something that resonated with me today.

He spoke about auras and how the choices that we make can strengthen or weaken us. In particular today, he spoke a lot about thought and the power of the mind. It was incredible to watch him muscle test the kids after exposing them to different pictures, music, and having them think different thoughts. It really reinforced the power of positive thinking to me.

Cajun Man had him do an experiment with our little family. Doc muscle tested him while we were in the room and then after we left. They repeated it again. Without Cajun Baby and I, Cajun Man couldn't hold his arm up at all.

It reminded me how important our little family is to each other.

One of the most important principles of our religion is that it is organized around a family unit. I can't imagine who I would be now without my hubby and son. I can't imagine that I would have been ready to be a wife and a mother without having first been the daughter and sister I was taught to be. Heavenly Father knew that to get through our lives here on Earth, we'd need the built in support system that a family would provide.

It made me stop and think as I watched how much stronger CM was when we were in the room. I'm not always as positive and supportive as I should be - even if I don't express those negative thoughts, but my thoughts, actions, and attitude have a huge effect on my hubby and baby.

Note to self:

Be better.

Influence those around me in a positive way.

Build those in my sphere of influence up.

Tonight I'm sending out positive vibes to you all. Enjoy your Sabbath tomorrow!

Strength

2010-01-15T22:34:00.003-06:00

Tonight we left Cajun Baby home with Grandma and Grandpa Hunter.

We went to dinner with friends.

He was one of Cajun Man's best friends through high school, college, and adulthood.

We've been couple friends since I came into the picture.

They've been married for five and a half years.

They became pregnant with twins last year and lost the first one early on in the pregnancy.

Their second baby seemed perfect and we all prayed that he could hang in there and tough out the complications caused by losing their first one.

A week and a day ago, he was born stillborn.

As I type this my heart just hurts.

When the call came, I was in shock.

I didn't know what to say - and I still don't.

I can thank one of my girlfriends who said,

"Whether or not you say the right thing, the important thing is that you say anything at all. They need some semblance of normal."

We sat at dinner and talked and talked. Eyes became watery and red, but no one broke down.

They brought out a little blue photo album and we looked at pictures of a perfectly formed, tiny baby with the cutest button nose and his daddy's toes. A sweet little son swaddled tight in the smallest casket I've ever seen.

Such proud parents in the middle of every parent's worst nightmare.

They talked and we listened.

How impressive they are, whether they know it or not.

They've turned their memories into positives. They are facing it head on.

What strength.

The scripture for the youth this year is Joshua 1:9.

Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

I watched these two. I know that they are hurting, but I am in awe of their frame of mind and the grace they show while just surviving their life right now.

I have a new hero and heroine, new examples of how to find strength in the Lord.

I pray that I can be strong enough to buoy them up whenever I can throughout this storm.

Confirmed - I Married my Father

2010-01-14T21:55:00.002-06:00

Foreword - My Dad is pretty amazing. He has incredible qualities.

Tonight we had the Elders over for supper. This is a logistical nightmare with Cajun Man getting home from work, Cajun Baby needing to eat and meltdown, and supper needing to be cooked all at the same time.

I know that Cajun Man has sacrificed those incredible meals that he used to get every night while we were dating, engaged, and first married. Now he gets quick meals, crock-pot meals, or prepackaged meals. I know I could do better, but it hasn't been a battle that I want to fight.

If you've ever eaten a meal at my parent's house, my Dad will say during the course of the meal,

"Thanks for coming. It's the only way I could get a good home-cooked meal."

Now, most people know that he gets a good home-cooked meal almost every night, but he's said it for as long as I can remember.

Tonight Cajun Man said the same thing.

I looked at him and could only think,

"I have always known that I married a man like my father, but now I know for sure that I married my father."

Then we all laughed and joked.

Wow! The discovery continues...

Almost Like Herding Cats

2010-01-13T22:01:00.002-06:00

Tonight was our joint Young Men and Young Women activity. That put my counselors and I in charge of a dozen or so kids. Our Young Men's President is a brand new member of our church and seventy some odd years old, so he doesn't make it to a lot of our activities, but he was pretty insistent that we have a dance instruction class.

He wasn't at Bishop's Youth Council when we planned it, though.

The kids chose which dances they wanted to learn and we taught three of them tonight.

First the 12 and 13 year old youth taught everyone the Thriller dance. Oh the laughs from watching my 12 year old nephew try to shimmy. They were awesome....and I finally learned the dance.

Then I taught them the Cotton Eye Joe and the Electric Slide.

I thought the Cotton Eye Joe was going to kill us. If it didn't, I was going to kill the boy that kept kicking the girls in the butt every time he kicked. Wow....did I ever rediscover the jiggly bits I have after having given birth. We only made it halfway through the remix before everyone was crying for mercy. Talk about a cardio workout.

Then we did the Electric Slide.

I had a chance to watch as I called out moves on this one. Does the lack of rhythm run in the family? One poor family had two kids that were completely without hope, but participated at least a little more than half-hearted-ly (and seriously with teenagers, can you ask for whole hearted all of the time?).

I wish I could post the videos, but I don't have permission from everyone, so I hope you can imagine it.

Cajun Man likened it to herding cats.

He was more than right.

An Alternative to the Comb Over...

2010-01-13T21:43:00.003-06:00

Tonight we were talking to one of our favorite sitters, Grandma Cajun, after we got home from church. She mentioned that Cajun Baby loved playing with my elastic headband. So of course Cajun Man had to slide it in place on his head. Grandma Cajun was quick to quip that it was one way to hide the male pattern baldness that runs in the family, so I grabbed a camera to document the moment.

From the front the bouffant almost hides any hint of balding.

Straight on you can see the thinning, but you have to be quite tall to see that.

From an angle it's not too shabby.

Cajun Man was quick to point out that he has more hair on his arm than on his head.

Really, my hubby is an ape. He sheds as much as I do.

To round out the photo collection, he created a boll weevil inspired hair-did.

Yes, folks...in our house, we are that special.

Hope your night was as full of laughs as our night was.

Wait a Minute....That's my Credit You're Trying to Take

2010-01-12T21:27:00.003-06:00

Pretty much since Cajun Man and I were married, there has been serious debate over the whole Cable TV vs. Direct TV. As we watched our cable bill climb $3.00 at a time (I know, random, right?), I was ready and willing to switch over, but Cajun Man is an analytical soul and we often got derailed in a discussion over Direct TV or Dish Network. Then nothing would happen.

We started this discussion again in December.

This time I persevered. I wanted a DVR. Cajun Man wasn't entirely convinced, but we were swayed by the $100.00 prepaid Visa.

The other night, Cajun Man sat down to a pre-recorded episode of something off of one of the really obscure channels he was so excited to see on our programming guide. He fast forwarded through the commercials looked over at me and said,"Aren't you so glad I suggested we get Direct TV?"

My mouth dropped open. Seriously, buddy....I get ALL the credit for the ease and convenience of our satellite TV with DVR.

Then he laughed...and got himself entirely off the hook. What a sense of humor.

The Drawer - The Update

2010-01-11T21:52:00.002-06:00

Remember this bet?

Over a week later and he won!

Yay for Cajun Man!

{and seriously it was a win-win, so yay for me, too}

We've decided to make it double or nothing.

Trust me you'll hear if he loses.

My One Word...

2010-01-11T19:07:00.008-06:00

If you hadn't noticed, I'm a thematic person.

Seriously, you should see the Young Women's room at the church.

Give me a yearly theme and I hit the ground running.

This year, I want my word to be:

The definition that I found was: –verb (used with object)

8.	to give a savor to; season; flavor.

9.	to perceive by taste or smell, esp. with relish: to savor the garden's odors.

10.	to give oneself to the enjoyment of: to savor the best in life.

This is what I want for 2010. I want to stop myself and enjoy what I have.

I have THE best in life. Do you want to join me?

Others doing this? Randi and Cara

52 Blessings Project: Week 1 & 2

2010-01-11T14:50:00.004-06:00

This may be the easy way out, but these are my blessings #1 & #2:

To quote Kelly Clarkson, "My life would suck without you...."

'Cause we belong together now, yeah
Forever united here somehow, yeah
You got a piece of me
And honestly,
My life (my life) would suck (would suck) without you

Yes, Mom, I just said suck. Hee Hee.

In the past three days, I've had to tell the story of how Cajun Man and I came to be over and over again. Hopefully, I'm becoming more eloquent as I do it. It has made me much more aware of how differently things could have turned out. Thank heavens for both Chinese food and a Basset Hound. It's amazing to me that a few short months before we met, I was blissfully unaware and living several states away. Heavenly Father brought me back to my hometown and I'm grateful that I finally listened and loaded up the car and headed home.

I'm also grateful for the little one that puked all over me at 4:30 AM, had three of the nastiest diapers, and is Cranky McCrankypants all before 10 AM.

I'm made more aware of how precious he is because we have a very close set of friends that just lost their second baby last week. That has weighed so heavy on my heart and as I rock my baby at night, I pray for the wisdom to be grateful for what I have and a way to help their poor hearts. If anyone has any ideas, please share. I can't imagine the horror of miscarrying one twin early in a pregnancy and having the other be still born so very early. I don't know what to say or do right now for them.

So I kiss my hubby and hold my little one close and count those blessings as my two most significant.

52 Blessings Project

2010-01-08T12:45:00.004-06:00

I watched this on different blogs the year before last.

This is one of my goals for this year.

What are you grateful for?

It's not too late to join in.

Hope to see your blessings soon.

It's a COLOR, people...

2010-01-08T09:36:00.003-06:00

Just a warning, internets....this is impulse posting. I may regret it later, as this was mostly uncensored and without a lot of thought to everyone else's reactions. Feel free to comment, but I may not agree - just the standard issue warning.

I went to sleep last night and woke up in the middle of a controversy.

Yesterday, I received this message on Facebook.

Some fun is going on.... just write the color of your bra in your status. Just the color, nothing else. And send this on to ONLY girls no men .... It will be meant to see if this will spread the wings of cancer awareness. It will be fun to see how long it takes before the men will wonder why all the girls have a color in their status... Haha! Please leave color status up for 24 hours so hopefully we will all have them up together.

I laughed and posted "Plain Jane White." All in the name of awareness, I thought.

Then I went on the day while the majority of my girlfriends posted everything from polka dots to animal prints.

Maybe it's a little tacky or maybe it's white trash, but no one put the word bra in their status. No one even posted the entire comment in their status. It was sent by message or hidden away in comments. I figured no one could be offended, but I guess not.

I opened up my email this morning to a flood of comments in answer to status posts. Some positive, but so many negative or argumentative. That is where I say, "It's a COLOR, people."

I had one particular comment in my email this morning. It was from another friend's status, but it left me annoyed. It's not the only one. There are plenty of other comments, but this is the one that kind of ticked me off.

Her perspective is this:

Not to be the spoil sport, but I strongly believe it is tacky. My mother, a survivor, would feel no less healthy. Not cured any sooner. It cheapens the truth. Needless to say, I am unimpressed.

Before I say anything else, I will say that she's entitled to her own opinion. I also realize that she's not the only one who is not impressed.

However, wouldn't it have been simpler to just not participate or, if she felt that strongly, post in her status that she is choosing not to participate? Instead of insinuating that everyone participating is tacky.

Here is my perspective:

I guess it's all in the way you look at it. My mom, two aunts, and grandma are survivors and we've been known to do some pretty irreverent things to help other people become more aware and think about early detection.

None of them would be cured or healed any faster, but if it reminds one person to do a self exam or set up that mammogram appointment just because they made the connection between a color listed in my status and breast cancer then I don't see the harm.

Like I said, it's all in the perspective.

Here's what I'm going to add on my own blog {or soapbox if you will}:

It wasn't that long ago that women were ashamed to admit or talk about the fact that they had breast cancer.

Cancer is scary.

Cancer is serious.

You know what - Cancer just plain sucks.

Breast cancer to me is even worse.

I watched it attack my mom and rob her from her femininity in so many ways.

It's hard to feel beautiful as a woman without hair, eyebrows, eyelashes or fingernails.

The thing that annoyed me most is that breast cancer is happening younger and younger.

I just lost a mentor who was diagnosed just months after having her baby.

Teenagers are being diagnosed.

Are we going to reach teenagers or twenty-somethings by saying, "You could get breast cancer, too."

I don't think so. Do you know what I would have said before my mother was diagnosed? It won't happen to me or to us.

This disease is changing and mutating and approaches to promote awareness have to change, too.

Do you know that almost every single one of my girlfriends participated yesterday?

That means that for at least that minute that they had to think what color bra they were wearing and post it. For that minute they were thinking of breast cancer.

Do you know that those that didn't participate had to take that moment to read and decide for themselves that it wasn't something that they wanted to do. That means that for at least the minute that they thought about it, they were thinking of breast cancer.

It also got everyone talking about it. Men and women both.

To me that doesn't cheapen anything, it empowers us - not the cancer.

One more point.

When my sister and I went with my mom while she was being loaded up with chemo medicine - toxins which turn not only on the cancer cells, but also on the rest of the cells in her body - the nurses encouraged us to do fun things, make her laugh, and distract her from the pain and the hard stuff. We played noisy, obnoxious games of Skipbo and Phase Ten. We accused each other of cheating or getting glances at each others' cards. We had the entire oncology unit laughing and for that very brief hour and a half of their very long battle against cancer, those patients completed forgot their pain and what was happening to them. One woman stopped us on our way out to say thank you.

So, yesterday the world found out my bra color. I bet more than one of those out there fighting cancer or one of those women who have survived it giggled. I know I did. To me it makes it worth it.

Like I said, this is just my perspective....what do I know?

Stepping off of the soapbox now.

The Story of the Bad Hair Week...

2010-01-05T21:02:00.006-06:00

On Black Friday, I had a brilliant idea while we were shopping in Wally World. My sisters-in-law were there, my mother was there, and Cajun Baby was behaving extremely well. So, I snuck away and got into the salon there.

My hair looked like this the week before.

Then, my hair looked like this.

Which would have been fine, unless you notice that one side was about two inches longer than the other side. Great if you were going for that trendy asymmetrical look, but I'm neither trendy nor asymmetrical.

So I went back the next day to have the manager even it out. She started to until she realized that there had been some funky work done with a razor underneath that extra length.

So it became this.

This was two weeks later.

It's growing on me...

Any frightening hair experiences out there?

Wanna share?

Newlyweds? Maybe...

2010-01-05T16:09:00.004-06:00

Last Saturday, a bet was placed.

I love my Cajun Man. He is awesome.....

{yeah, you saw that but coming}

BUT....

he has a hard time with keeping his drawers neat.

There is nothing that sends my heart a twittering

(and not in a good way)

like a reeeaaaalllly messy t'shirt drawer.

Especially if I have just re-folded and re-organized the drawer.

For the fifty gazillionth time.

It makes me feel unappreciated.

Especially when the next morning I hear,

"Where are my white undershirts?"

Granted sometimes they are still in the dryer, but I'm workin' on that.

So, here is the picture from Saturday after I re-organized again

and Cajun Man made a bet with me.

I don't think he can keep it that way for a week.

He's determined to prove me wrong.

Do any of you remember that the best way to get us to do someth

ing is to challenge us?

Yep.

Here's a picture from today.

If he loses, he has to do the laundry for a week.

Who do you think will win?

A Movie Epiphany

2009-12-25T21:56:00.003-06:00

The month of December is the month to process (ie butcher) all the deer that my extended family shoots. In our garage. For hours, days, weeks. Really it doesn't bother me because my family knows how I feel about raw meat and the closest I usually come is to labeling packages.

Christmas Eve found my hubby, Mom, and Dad outside breaking down another two animals. In my defense, I handled dinner and a baby who was having an extremely HUGE problem with gas.

As I was sitting in the living room flipping through the channels, I ran across the movie Evan Almighty. I don't know if I'm the last human to not have seen this movie, but I'd never watched it. I didn't really watch it on last night either, but I caught one quote that really stopped me in my tracks.

Morgan Freeman, who plays God in the movie is talking to Lauren Graham who plays Joan Baxter in a restaurant. She's questioning why her hubby has suddenly gone crazy and is building an ark. I wish I could find the whole transcript, but I can't.

Morgan says something really profound to me. He says,

Let me ask you something. If someone prays for patience, you think God gives them patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient? If he prayed for courage, does God give him courage, or does he give him opportunities to be courageous? If someone prayed for the family to be closer, do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings, or does he give them opportunities to love each other?

Hmmmmm......what should I be learning in my life?

Is this a new sentiment? No, not really. But the way this was phrased made me stop and think. I've prayed a lot this year to become a good mother and a better wife. The experiences that I have had have pitched me face first into some of my biggest challenges and weaknesses. I have struggled with being confronted sometimes rather harshly (in my opinion) with those shortcomings.

Now I wonder if I could have become the mother and wife that I am now without those opportunities.

There was a woman in our congregation at church that always listed her trials and challenges as her biggest blessings. She professed loudly and often that she was grateful for them....and I used to think it was the biggest load of hooey ever. Now, I think I understand where she was coming from.

I hope that you and yours had a marvelous and Merry Christmas. I hope that you are enjoying the person you are becoming. I'm slowly making my peace with it.

Another Day, Another Chance to Enjoy...

2009-12-09T19:57:00.003-06:00

Today I enjoyed the reaction on Cajun Baby's face when he saw Grandma get off the school bus to come and visit him. From the moment she walked in the door until the moment she left, he was the most delightful baby. He giggled, ducked his head shyly, and babbled away at her.

Then she left and he commenced screaming yet again....

Then Cajun Man came home and we had a repeat performance.

Do you think he's a little stir crazy? We haven't been going anywhere because of colds and then the bitter cold. I'm guessing he's as sick of our house and his mom as I am of our house.

I am so very fortunate for the love and support that those around offer me.

Enjoying Abounds

2009-12-08T20:40:00.002-06:00

Today I enjoyed my baby boy waving good-bye to me as I headed to the store and waving hello to me as I went in to feed him after his nap. Isn't that sweet?

I enjoyed coming home to see my hubby walking and singing Cajun Baby to sleep. It's rare that anyone, but me can get him to sleep. Today he went right down for Cajun Man.

Tonight I'm enjoying an early bedtime.

Hope this finds you enjoying life as well.