Your heart will be touched and you will realize how blessed your are....

I came across this blog recently - http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/

The story of Tripp hit my Little Man hard - and he said that he wants to be a research scientist so little babies like Tripp won't have to hurt anymore.

Read about little Tripp and the other children suffering from Epidermolysis Bullosa..... the poem below was written by Tripp's mom - Courteney. If your children are healthy - hug them a little tighter tonight. If you have a "special" needs or sick child - God has a special place for all the little children....

I'll need a Pinky-swear
As he lies in my lap
And together we sway
I rock him to sleep
And meanwhile I pray:


"Dear God, I know you can see us
And you're watching from above
Filled with sadness for him, as we are,
And equally in love.


I've never once asked You "why?"
Nor questioned if You were near.
But I do have one request tonight,
I pray that you will hear.


When it's time for You to call him home,
And my hope turns into despair,
I will need more than a promise from You,
I'll need a pinky-swear...


That you will hold him close to Your chest,
And say "I love you" all day long.
That you will rock him 'til your knees get sore,
And sing his favorite songs.


Tell me that You'll keep him safe,
So I will not be distressed.
Tell me that he'll will get his wings
And tell me he'll be blessed.


Let me know he made it safely,
Without a single blister or bleed,
Let me know that you will do MY job,
To fulfill his every need.


I have to know that you will love him,
Just as much, or more, than I do.
And when he finally speaks a word,
That You'll record it so I can hear, too.


My buddy is going to need Your help,
With so much yet to learn.
Like using a spoon, writing his name,
And having to wait his turn.


God, please be patient when he tries,
For he's such a sweet and loving boy.
Please give him every thing he wants,
But make sure he shares his toys.


These are things I'll miss out on,
Like no Mommy should have to do.
So don't let one milestone go unnoticed,
Please, I'm begging You.


He likes Elmo's ducks, The Three little Pigs,
Shoo Fly and Counting to Four.
Big Green Tractor, Rise and Shine.
And when they stop, he'll tell you "more."


He holds certain toys in certain hands,
And says yes with a big smile.
Please spend some extra special time,
And talk with him awhile.


It breaks my heart to have to think
That he won't graduate from school.
Or go to prom, or have kids of his own,
Or even break a single rule.


Tell him for me- please don't forget,
That I wanted him to stay.
That I tried and tried to ease his pain,
But it was only YOU who knew the way.


I know you have a choir of angels,
Who play music while they fly.
And if they need a drummer boy-
Well, my Tripp, he's their guy!


You've probably seen it for yourself,
That he's one brave kid, indeed.
But he'll be scared if You have to leave,
So stay with him, I plead.


If he has to go to Heaven first,
I'll make one promise back to You-
I'll miss him every second he's gone,
And spend the rest of my life trying to get there, too.


I hope that's not too much to ask,
And I trust You'll do your best.
To fill my spot, just temporary,
And answer my requests.


Thank in advance, Dear God.
Because I know You're a busy man.
I trust in You and in Your Will
And know You have a plan."


Words just simply can't express
To my only son who just turned two-
How very much my heart will ache
If that rocking chair is without you.


So dear sweet angel baby of mine,
If we ever have to say goodbye...
I'll rock you in my heart forever,
Until we meet again in the sky.

A Whirlwind Weekend

Being a WOTH (work outside the home) mom has its very rough weeks. Last week seemed to drag on forever. Little Man is working on numeral writing. He did well in Pre-K , but he traced - now he has to do them on his own. He is actually really good at math - he adds very well for his age and gets subtraction - but actually writing the letters is another game.

We are struggling with this whole mommy teaching me to do things and me having to do them to her expectations - so maybe I need to take a chill pill. He is hard on himself, just a mirror image of me at that age, but I did have more focus. We will get through it though.

Saturday was a whirlwind - we got up early - the grandparents took Miss M to her baby gym class where another baby was taught the blow kisses after they say M do it last week :) Highest form of flattery! We took Little Man to his first karate belt trials - he was a little wiggly at first, but once he broke a board with his foot - he suddenly stood taller. He did a great job and is now a gold belt! He couldn't wait to get to karate yesterday so he could he could wear his new belt and be an example to the other white belts.

We also went to a birthday party at a local nature center. The family and their friends are wonderful, so we are reaching out to be more "social." It's funny when you marry someone who is not a social butterfly, you tend to draw back too - not that its bad - it’s just not the way I used to be. The interesting thing was the group leader - this lady obviously didn't have her coffee. She was so grabby, grousing at the kids. Little Man got the brunt of it - when he asked to touch a frog. She said "What did I say to you, just wait." and "I said I didn't have a frog, I only have a toad.”. She also expected a group of 5 and younger to know what metamorphosis was by saying "I know you this." Hey lady - they don't! The best though was when she explained how to tell a male turtle from a female - and the reason the male had a dent in his shell was so he wouldn't fall off the female when fertilizing her eggs - and proceeded to our the male shell on a fake female turtle...creepy!

Lastly, we took some afternoon naps as we were all tired - and headed off to a local county fair. The smells of concession row were drawing us - I have never seen so many concessions at the fair and they were mostly locals and the food was decently priced. Of course Little Man rode the rides and and spent gobs of ours and the grandparents money winning cheap stuffed animals - but he has a blast. Miss M got to play the duck pond game and got herself a little Clifford and she rode one ride with daddy and her brother. A great fair - and we will be back next year! One of the best in the area we have been to (we avoid our own county fair).

Then on Sunday, after church - we went to pick apples. It was muddy, a long walk and the trees had been stripped - we were able to get some to bring home though - but everyone was crabby. We now have 20 lbs. of apples in the foyer….I don’t make pies – but I do make a nice low –carb crisp.

The kids and I basically passed out Sunday night from exhaustion – of course we were up at 5 a.m. Monday to start the week over again.

I am going to channel Hollywood and reboot again!

I thought I was hitting it again back in July and already backslid like a reformed lady of the night at a used car salesman conference....

I read all these mom blogs and since I got to work every day, I don't have these profound words of wisdom that come from being a SAHM. Which does make me sad, but one does what one has to do, right? That's coming off pretty negative, guess I am having a negative day. A very full weekend is coming up. Little Man has his karate belt trials and a birthday party. The Divine Miss M will be going to gym w/her grandparents so Mr. Man and I can attend the belt trials and we are going to the local fair.

We will be taking a little weekend trip next week to Williamsburg for a birthday celebration for Mr. Man....

Anyhoo - Its TRIPLE coupons to .99 at Harris Teeter this week - there is a limit of 20 a day though per household and they will catch ya if you use the VIC card.

I have just discovered CityPockets - now I don't have to use a word doc to keep up with my group coupon deals - sign up now if you too have to use a spreadsheet for your deals from Groupon, Zozi, etc CITYPOCKETS - CLICK ME

I AM BACK!

I realize that I have not touched this blog in years...but I have had a lot on my mind that I have to get out!
The new blog will highlight the following:
Ways to save $$$
Fun things to do with the kids (free, anyone)
Products that I have loved or tried

So sit back and grab a TRENTI (haven't had one yet, but its 7 oz. more than a Venti...but they won't do my Decaf Americano ...poo)

And ENJOY!

OK - yes, this has been around for weeks - but it makes me tap my foot still! Loving it!

I am still alive

Well, its been nearly a year since my last post. I changed jobs in Feb 07, and have zero connection to the outside world, but I am going to start blogging again. Look for more updates!

Santa was a Jerk!

I am a Rankin-Bass fan...love all those odd little holiday specials...but I have to agree...in Rudolph - SANTA was a jerk...see for yourself

Gobble Til Ya Wobble

Ah - Thanksgiving! We ended up having 2 Thanksgiving meals. The first,prepared lovingly by family was at Aunt Ruth's house. It was nice to get together with family. A and K had a great time getting all the attention. A wore a very smashing blue velvet jumper - he LOVED that. I guess we actually had 3 Turkey meals, since we had turkey/dressing on Tuesday prepared by Whole Foods (love that deli counter!)

The 2nd was prepared by Daddy P - delish! We brought home a plate for the pups - they were in doggie heaven!

I made my hashbrown and green bean casserole. TASTY goodness. We didn't have any to bring home.

I have vowed to get back on my South Beach plan to see if that helps with my tiredness. I have been consuming more sugar than I normally do and with the extra pounds added by the Prednisone - I am not feeling my best. It would be nice to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight. It was hard to lose all the baby weight and then gain 15 lbs after the steroids...sigh....what's a girl to do...