Favorite Quotes

When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses
are family happinesses.
Joyce Brothers


I prayed for this child and the Lord has granted me
what I have asked of Him.
I Samuel I:27



Sunday, January 25, 2009

Mo Schmo

Meet Cade's alter ego....Mo.




Saturday, January 24, 2009

15 minutes of pure torture...

Thursday (1/22/09) I took Cade in for his 1st professional haircut. I have trimmed him hair since he was an infant, but now I figured he needed a professional. Somewhere from infancy to toddlerhood he decided he didn't like haircuts anymore. I would grab the "kiddie" scissors out of the drawer and he would lose it at 1st glance. Then I tried to start trimming his hair when he slept, but the sound of the scissors slicing his hair would wake him up and he would freak out. I knew we were in for a "fun time" on this outing. I took him to Cool Cuts for Kids because they seem to offer a wide variety of "distractions". First, we played in their play area as we waited.
Cade seemed to be fine. No meltdowns yet. Then it was our turn. She told me to place Cade in the Red Fire Truck. He LOVED this. He thought he was king of the world. It even had a bell he could reach and make noise with!

Then came the smock. After this point, he regretted ever walking in that door. The cool bell he loved now meant nothing to him. He wanted to be anywhere but in that red Fire Truck.
I gave him his "binkie" to try and sooth him, but as you can see it did not work.

Cade then starts to look for the nearest exit...
Then we gave him the remote control and he was fine. Calm. No more tears. The remote control was what he needed. Typical male...
Here is Cade after his first haircut. What a delightful nightmare!


Friday, January 23, 2009

Happy Birthday Becker!


6 years ago, I rescued an angry, malnourished, stinky, hostile, but very cute little party colored cocker spaniel. I immediately took him to our Vet for an exam. Our Vet assumed he was around 3-4 years old - so we assumed 4. This is a picture of Becker that day at the Vet. I had trimmed the trash off his feet when he was asleep the night before. He had his 1st seizure that day in the car on the way home from the Vet. I seriously thought he was dying!

He was a stray. His teeth were worn down all the way from eating trash. Although his tail had been clipped and he was a purebred Cocker Spaniel, he was far from being anyone's ideal pet. He was a mess. You couldn't touch him on his belly or he would try and bite you. He growled at me constantly. I honestly thought he had been abused by his behavior. He had NO trust in anyone. I was determined to rehabilitate him and searched the internet for answers. He ended up having Heart Worms and went through TWO treatments to kill them all. Our Vet said when we did the 1st test after his 1st treatment and it still came back positive that he "had never had a dog have to go through it twice". It was an aweful ordeal for Becker, but he made it. Today, he is a happy and might I add plump little dog. He loves CORN ON THE COBB!
And so today, we celebrate Becker's 10th birthday!!
Happy Birthday buddy...you have been a blessing in my life and taught me what fighting for is all about.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Hello!!! Did you say FREE?

Today was a great and exciting day!! Cade and I got up and headed to Northeast Mall (first) for the freebies that the Department Stores were handing out. We hit Macy's, Dillards, and Nordstrom.

According to the website "As part of a class action settlement, $175 million worth of free cosmetics products will be distributed to members of the class for a maximum of seven days, while supplies last, on a first come, first served basis, beginning on January 20, 2009. No rainchecks will be issued. The products will be distributed at stores owned by the Retailer Defendants. A class member will be eligible to receive, while supplies last, a maximum of ONE free cosmetics product from one of the Manufacturer Defendants from which he or she purchased Department Store Cosmetics during the class period, May 29, 1994 through July 16, 2003, from the list of products below. If a class member has only purchased products, during the class period, from one of the Manufacturer Defendants listed below, then that class member is only entitled to receive a free product from that Manufacturer Defendant. If a class member has purchased products, during the class period, from multiple Manufacturer Defendants, then that class member must choose the ONE free product he or she wishes to claim from one of those Manufacturer Defendants. Again, these products are only available while supplies last, and no rainchecks will be issued. If your store has run out of settlement products from the Manufacturer Defendant(s) from which you have previously purchased Department Store Cosmetics during the class period, then you may claim a product (again, while supplies last) from another Manufacturer Defendant."

The website goes on to list all of the items which will be available. Well, by the time the NEWS broadcasted the story on their 5:00 NEWS - 1/2 of America was up at the nearest Mall to claim their piece of the prize. We met Mom over The Parks Mall and Mom, Cade, and I waited our turn in the lines (short and quick might I add) for what was left. It became almost like a game... you could see women practically running through the malls from 1 department store to the next. I felt like I was Trick-or-Treating at the Mall. It was crazy!!! Out of the 3 malls we ventured to (Northeast Mall, The Parks at Arlington, and Northpark) - we had 2 choices. I was just happy there was something left!!! This was supposed to go from January 20-27. I think all the stores ran out today sadly. My philosophy is "Beggars cannot be choosers". So, thank you Clinique and Estee Lauder!! We REALLY appreciate it! I don't get many FREE cosmetic items so I am very very gracious!!! Plus, we did find some cute things for Cade at Janie and Jack for Hawaii! Bonus!


Friday, January 16, 2009

New Chef in Town

First of all, we want to say THANK YOU for all of the well wishes on Cade's recovery. The nasty stomach virus, ear infection, and upper respiratory infection are ALL GONE! Cade has also gained back all 3 pounds he lost when we was sick! Go Cade!! We are greatful for all of your support. We love you!

We've also got a new chef in town. Chef Cade has joined "Elmo's Restaurant" and makes some fabulous scrambled eggs. Chef Cade will even call your order out over his microphone (which is attached to the working cash register). Thank you Gam-Gam for this awesome gift! This is by far his favorite gift. Cade loves ELMO!

Cade is also really enjoying his playroom these days. He practically hyperventilates when he walks in the room. So do we at all the toys!
This month he has taken a particular interest in musical instruments. My friend, Sara, has enrolled her daughter in the past into "Little Music Maker" and I see this is on very near future as well.

Cade also got an art easel for Christmas from his Uncle Chad and Aunt Christina. He loves the chalk board. We tried the dry erase board, but he wanted to color himself instead of the board - so we decided we'll wait in that part. We went and purchased some rolled art paper and kid friendly (washable) paint. We'll tackle that this week and see how that goes... keep your fingers crossed!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Cade's Playroom

HELP!


We finally converted the guest bedroom in the front of the house into "Cade's Playroom". We moved every single one of Cade's toys into this room after we moved the queen-size sleigh bed into the garage (for the time being). I am in utter shock at the amount of toys this kid owns. Does he play with each of these toys? No...as you have seen he prefers toilet paper, kleenex, and wet wipes. Don't get me wrong...he does play with his toys when these items are not handy, but I had known how much he would love toilet paper I would have saved my money on these "educational toys"!! So, here are a few pics of Cade's new playroom. As you can see, we are in need of some organization. I am totally OCD about organization (and just about everything else for that matter), but even I am having a "brain fart" on this one. I have thrown most of these little toys in the wicker chests.



Notice how "Cade loves Mommy" has changed into "Daddy" :)

Friday, January 2, 2009

Happy New Year

Our wish to you...
Happiness deep down within.
Serenity with each sunrise.
Success in each facet of your life.
Family beside you.
Close and caring friends.
Health, inside you.
Love that never ends.
Special memories of all the yesterdays.
A bright today with much to be thankful for.
A path that leads to beautiful tomorrows.
Dreams that do their best to come true.
Appreciation of all the wonderful things about you.

Wishing you lots of Happiness, Success, Love and Good Health!
Happy New Year!