I haven't visited blog land for a little while. I know. My mom called yesterday because she hadn't talked to me in awhile, and wanted to make sure everything was OK. And everything is.

We've just been busy.

In keeping with my "be a little better" motto for 2009, I have been spending my days rolling on the floor with my little boy, becoming a professional lego builder, collecting rocks at the park, and giving many a horsey ride. (those are exhausting!) And doing all things "mommy."

There haven't been many of these lately....

(on a side note.....Yes, Miles is sleeping on the dog bed. That's what happens when Mom is sooo tired she accidentally falls asleep on the couch, completely missing a certain someone's naptime. So, the equally tired little dude falls asleep the only place he can.) yeah....just call me

Mother of the Year!

And the lack of naps has done a number on my little boy. Last week, I kissed my Smiley Miley goodnight. And the next morning, I woke up with a "whiney Miley" instead. I AM NOT KIDDING! Who knew the terrible twos actually started at 15 months?

Not Me.

And ofcourse....This doesn't help....

There are 6 new teeth on the way. Yes. Six. 2 bottom incisors, 2 top molars, and 2 bottom molars. Poor Guy.


Oh....and he's learned how to do this...



Really. Go ahead and ask him to eat his lunch. Or help put the toys away. Or sit down in the tub. I dare you. THEN....try to keep yourself from laughing out loud when he wiggles that little pink tongue in your direction. I DOUBLE dare you.

There is one thing, I have discovered, that will keep the smile on this little boys face.

The park.

Just our little neighborhood park. Nothin Fancy. But he would spend all day there if I would let him.

And what, do you ask yourselves, happens when I say it's time to leave????

A Meltdown

Yay.

Wanna see for yourself? Just scroll down to see the video. Atleast the first 10 seconds of it. That's all I could get before he tried to tip the stroller over while he was buckled in it.

I am hoping his new found attitude will subside at least a little when all the teeth are in, and he is feeling a little better.

If not....this is going to be a VERY LONG couple of years!

Miles doesn't want to go home

Project Gallery

Scary Scary Ducky

Miles and Grandpa

New Years Eve

when a little rubber ducky goes from Fun to Terrifying

in about 30 seconds


Watch....and Enjoy!!!!
(scroll down to see video clip)

Zoobies

One of the greatest things about Phoenix during the winter months is the weather. The other day Rachel called to inform me she was THROUGH with Logan. Through with the cold, and the snow and ice. She is in Desperate need of some warmth. And that's just what she'll get when she comes to visit. She was hoping for a little pool time. And though it won't be quite warm enough for THAT until March, we can fill up her schedule with all sorts of other things.

Like, going to the Phoenix Zoo!

And that's what our little family did last weekend.

I love our zoo membership for the simple fact that we can go whenever the mood strikes, stay for an hour (or two), and then go home. It's the perfect afternoon outing.

And Miles LOVES it!

This time he:

Played in the "bird world" tree, and kept trying to dive out the peep hole

Got shoulder rides from dad. One of his favorite things.

Splashed in the water at Sting Ray Bay.

(FYI: This is why dad rarely holds the camera. Generally, I don't love pictures of our backends.)

Touched the slippery Sting Rays

And the best part....Monkeys of course! Miles could not take his eyes off them.

A very fun day, er......couple of hours for everyone.

Hi all!

I just thought I would mention that Someone is being featured at the What Mommies Need blog. You can check it out HERE! If you go take a look, you just MIGHT win a little something. You have until January 16th to enter.

Good Luck!!

It appears my husband has been right all along.

And I guess I can't argue.....since it has now been mathematically proven.

I have always loved the New Year. There's just something about the symbolic yearly "purging" I have come to enjoy. To leave behind my bad habits, my complaints, my trials and grief, and start anew. I don't want those things creeping into 2009. I will leave them buried deep in 2008.

Many a person has wisely informed me that EVERY DAY can be a "new year" symbolically speaking, if not the actual beginning of a new calendar year. Everyday I can start fresh. And yes indeed, it can and I can. Perhaps it is my stubborn self that waits every year for the date to read 01/01. Maybe it is my habitual procrastination that continually puts off my self-renewal of sorts, until "Monday", which turns into "The first of the month", which EVENTUALLY leads to "the first of the New Year." And that is the end all. The day I mentally draw a big black line to separate the new from the old, the past from the present and the good from the bad, like a little boy rolling a line of duct tape down the middle of the room, seperating HIS side from his brothers.

The New Year has come, and I desire to resolute myself. I have never been big on "checklist" resolutions. Most likely because they never seem to "stick." You know....lose weight, travel, spend less, save more, exercise, be healthy....

There are too many, they are too lofty, and I simply can't measure up. No, resolutions have never really been for me.

Instead, I think of something meaningful to me, and something that inspires me. This usually comes in the form of a poem, a song, a saying, a scripture, a person.....it can be anything really. And I try a little every day to live my life that way.

I have been thinking so much about my childhood. About how lucky I was to be surrounded by family, by my cousins, who were my best friends. I remember once the Barnard cousins were at my house and we made a "talent video tape" to send to my Uncle Mark in Oregon. We still have the tape....sorry Uncle Mark.....but we played the piano, did Karate kicks, danced to music, and my cousin BJ recited a poem called "Let Me Be a Little Kinder," which is actually lyrics to a song. I'm not sure WHY I remembered this poem, after all these years. Perhaps the Lord knows these are the things I need to work on.

Let Me Be a Little Kinder

Glen Campbell

Let me be a little kinder

Let me be a little blinder

To the faults of those about me

Let me praise a little more

Let me be when I am weary

Just a little bit more cheery

Think a little more of others

And a little less of me

Let me be a little braver

When temptation bids me waver

Let me strive a little harder

To be all that I should be

Let me be a little meeker

With the brother that is weaker

Let me think more of my neighbor

And a little less of me

Yes, I love the New Year. In with the good, and out with the bad. A chance for me to start over. An opportuntity for me to try and be a little braver, a little meeker, a little kinder. To think a little more of others and a little less of me. And that's just what I intend to do.