New Hair and New Hope

I got my hair cut yesterday. It always makes me feel better to get my hair cut. I feel like a new person, somehow. I can't ever stick with one style for too long. It always amazes me when I watch make-over shows and these women (or men) say they have had the same hair-do for twenty or thirty years. I'm like, "Seriously? Don't you ever get bored??" But everyone's different!



This weekend we were blessed to visit our dear friends, the Malletts, in Arlington. We didn't do a whole lot--just took the kids to the park and ate out a few times--but we just had a good time being together. Since their son Ryland is one of Will's favorite people, he was just ecstatic. When Will found out that Ryland had a full gammut of pirate costumes, he was in hog heaven. I didn't take many pictures at all the whole weekend, but I did manage to get a couple of Will in Ryland's Jack Sparrow costume and of Raylee, Will and Ryland together with their guns and swords.



I just felt like I needed to express what I'm feeling right now about hope. My outlook has changed a bit since this past fall. I still don't agree with everything he stands for, but I am very hopeful about our new president. What I have seen these past few days and even weeks has been so encouraging to me; that maybe our country isn't "doomed," but is possibly in for a few good changes. I was so moved yesterday watching President Obama, just knowing that an African-American has done what so many never dreamed of, or never wanted to see happen, is awe-inspiring to me. That in and of itself, makes me proud to be an American. It was so moving to see so many people, of all races, so excited that this man has become our president. I am proud of our citizens, and that gives me a new hope. I am excited to see what lays in store for our nation in the weeks and months to come. I am praying that the many people who are still doubtful will support our authorities and our nation and not bring it down. Like he said in his inauguration speech, what we need now are hope and virtue in order to move forward.

On a completely different and lighter note: Will was the only one in his Bible class tonight. The story being taught was Adam and Eve. When the teacher told him this, he promptly told her, "No, it's Wall-E and Eve." I thought we ought to send that one in to Disney/Pixar. What do you think?

Driving Lesson

Today the kids were playing outside and didn't realize I was watching them. They were both sitting in the little Cozy Coupe car and I heard Will saying to Claire, "this is how you drive." It was so cute! I tried to sneak up on them to take a picture but that didn't work so well...but you get the idea!

Showing her the proper "10 and 2" hand positions (as he likes to remind us all the time, "drive with both hands!")

These are a little blurry, but they were just so cute of Claire hamming it up for the camera.

Little Trickster

My son is so smart. I try not to brag on him too much because I don't want to seem like an annoying mom who brags on her kids all the time...but...he really is.

I started giving him M&M's as an incentive to use the potty. He's been pretty interested, but I just wanted to jump start it a little more. Well, I told him he can have one M&M when he goes pee, and two when he does the other. After he goes, I let him pick what color he wants. Of course, he wants more immediately after he goes, but we remind him that he has to go pee in order to get another piece of candy. So, what does my son do? He has figured out that if he only goes pee a little bit and says he is done, he will get an M&M. Then, a few minutes later, he'll say he needs to go again and will pee a little more so he can get another candy. He thinks he's so tricky! But, I can't necessarily "make" him go all he needs to at one time. And, I did tell him he could have one M&M every time he goes pee in the potty. Funny.

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On a much more serious note...my dad, Tim, is having back surgery tomorrow morning. He has an extremely herniated/ruptured disc in his lower back. Please keep him and his surgeon and surgical team in your prayers. We are hoping this will relieve over two months of extreme pain! Thank you.

Spring has Sprung!

On this first day of spring, it certainly looks as if spring has arrived around here...trees and flowers are abloom and sunshine is in the air. We've had a string of beautiful weather lately and have been taking advantage by letting Will play outside and taking evening walks. Will looks like a true little boy now because he has scrapes on both knees and elbows. He never cries when he falls, so I just end up finding them later...hopefully they don't sting too bad :) Here is a picture of our pretty purple tree in the backyard, which is only pretty and purple for a couple of weeks out of the year (it will turn into leaves).

In other news, I know that we just converted Will's crib into a toddler bed last week, but last night we decided to try him in his new room with the twin bed. He seemed really excited about it until we actually left him in there to sleep. Then he wasn't too thrilled. But he eventually fell asleep and stayed in the bed for couple of hours until he rolled out onto the pillows on the floor (I hope to get a guard rail soon, but we need box springs for that). Anyway, he didn't make an appearance into our room this morning until about 7:15, so that was good. We'll see how tonight goes.

I will end with a funny story about Will. Yesterday, we went to the pharmacy to pick up some Corona horse ointment that you can use for diaper rash cream because Will's booty has still not recovered from last week's illness. When the pharmacist put it in the white pharmacy bag, Will said, "Chicken! More!" I guess that tells you that he is used to going out and getting chicken that comes out of white paper bags...hmmm...