Time to Catch Up!

It's been so long! How I've missed my beloved computer and the opportunity to do something my way, without the fear of meeting with whining, protest, or other toddler drama. I'd do it if I hadn't a friend in the world to read it. So let's get down to business.
Have y'all ever noticed this? When you threaten your kid to share or you'll take the away the toy, it's totally hypocritical. Certainly no reason to stop doing it; just an observation.
I was made into a fool in the store a while back. I was in Wal-Mart, (where else?) just wrapping up a lecture to Jesse about watching where he was going, as I dropped him back into the cart after he'd run out in front of someone trying to pass. It was at that precise moment, when I looked up just in time to jerk my cart back from the brink of plowing right into the backside of an overweight, handicapped senior. I was literally within an inch. Sometimes God finds the perfect way of getting our attention and pulling us back down to planet Humble.
Jesse's a freak. He, like so many children, likes things done HIS way. (Nothing remarkable there.) But with pants, his way happens to mean pulled up to the armpits. It's attractive. He and Fred Merts would get along great. He also puts his cars to sleep at night by lining them up on his dresser, upside down, so they're resting on their roofs. That's how cars sleep, don't ya know... Also, after food is prepared and brought to the proper heat, it must then, "Get cold!" (Meaning it must be placed on his plate and inserted into the fridge until it is no more than room temperature.) This applies to all food. Jes is now potty trained, but back in the day when he wore pull ups, his "big boy pants" had pockets. At least, he felt they did. Simply put your gear inside. Insert your matchbox car or your jet or tank between the skin and the hip area of the diaper, pat it twice, and you're good to go. He also likes to clip his dad's fire fighter radio on the top of his pull up. Confusingly, he calls this radio itself a pocket. And I thought English was confusing.
Gabe's another story. Another freak show, that is. I've found that I'm sometimes willing to let him completely destroy my under-sink organization in the bathroom, just to get five cry-free minutes to do my hair and makeup. I've stopped doing this though cause the last time it happened, when I went to put everything back in its place I found my custom fit upper teeth-whitening tray looped around the toilet brush. Sort of turned me off to the whole routine.
Still I must admit, there's something glorious about the jiggle of my baby's buns as he trots naked across the bathroom after I bathe him. And no matter how calculated and defiant Jesse is sometimes, that fiendish smile he gets on his face when I catch him makes the whole thing seem almost fun. And despite my grumbling at STILL having to occasionally nurse Gabriel, there's something very natural and right about the feeling you get from soothing a scared, crying baby back to sleep, feeding him that way. And do you know what really floors me? How is it that a child can trust me so implicitly that he can wake up in a totally different location from where he fell asleep, terrified or devastated or wounded from his dreams, and realizing that he's in my arms, be comforted enough to not only be calmed, but drift back into sleep? And he does this without regard for light or sound conditions, or physical surroundings, or uncomfortable body positioning... It sure bestows a sense of responsibility, but also a feeling of honor and gratitude and humility. Being a parent to my sweet boys is just priceless. I'll try to remember that next time I feel deflated at the realization that Halle Barry looks better pregnant than I did at my high school prom.

This Rocks. Read it.

My kind of guy !

-----

Warren Buffet has donated $31 billion to charity.

Here are some interesting aspects of his life.

There was a one hour interview on CNBC with Warren Buffet, the world's second richest man. Here are some interesting aspects of his life:

1. He bought his first share of stock at age 11 and he now regrets that he started too late!
2. He bought a small farm at age 14 with savings from delivering newspapers.
3. He still lives in the same, small 3-bedroom house in midtown Omaha that he bought after he got
married 50 years ago. He says that he has everything he needs in that house. His house does
not have a wall or a fence.
4. He drives his own car everywhere and does not have a driver or security people around him.
5. He never travels by private jet, although he owns the world's largest private jet company.
6. His company, Berkshire Hathaway, owns 63 companies. He writes only one letter each year to
the CEOs of these companies, giving them goals for the year. He never holds meetings or calls
them on a regular basis. He has given his CEO's only two rules. Rule number 1: Do not lose
any of your shareholder's money. Rule number 2: Do not forget rule number 1.
7. He does not socialize with the high society crowd. His pastime after he gets home is to make
himself some popcorn and watch television.
8. Bill Gates, the world's richest man, met him for the first time only 5 years ago. Bill Gates did not
think he had anything in common with Warren Buffet. So, he had scheduled his meeting only for
half an hour. But when Gates met him, the meeting lasted for ten hours and Bill Gates became
a devotee of Warren Buffet.
9. Warren Buffet does not carry a cell phone, nor have a computer on his desk.

His advice to young people: 'Stay away from credit cards and invest in yourself and remember:
A. Money doesn't create the man, but it is the man who created money.
B. Live your life as simply as you are.
C. Don't do what others say. Just listen to them, but do what makes you feel good.
D. Don't go on brand names . Wear those things in which you feel comfortable.
E. Don't waste your money on unnecessary things. Spend on those who really are in need.
F. After all, it's your life. Why give others the chance to rule your life?'

Our Latest

I really need to get some sleep, but Matt wants an update so I'm just copying the email I wrote to Great-Grandma W today. Love you all!

Hey!
Matt called again today! He's doing ok because he's getting closer to coming home. He sounded pretty good. The boys and I went to the new neighbors' house for dinner and dessert and family home evening, and it was lots of fun. Jesse and his beloved Rosemary got to play for a while and he's very much looking forward to playing again tomorrow. They'll be coming over in the afternoon sometime for brownies and ice cream.
Today Jesse found Matt's watch behind the couch cushion, and I put it on him. He was so proud and wore it all day, and even kept it on when he went to bed. In fact, as I was just writing that he woke up and I moved him into my bed, and of course, it's still on his wrist. It's got a velcro band, and it can adjust just barely small enough to fit his little wrist. It has to be one of the most adorable things I've ever seen to watch him go about his day wearing his dad's watch. It's funny, too, cause for nearly two months now we've heard some device beep at the same time each day, but we could never find what it was. I just assumed it was one of Jesse's electronic toys going off in the closet behind the stairs. Each day I kept meaning to track it down and try to reset it or turn it off, but it was never a big enough priority to drop whatever I happened to be doing. It was actually really nice to find it like that today, not because we'd finally found the source of the beeping, but because it was like discovering a tiny piece of Matt that had been left behind for us, just waiting to be found. It made Jesse really happy to wear it, and I can't help but smile to see him in it. It's been a really good day.
I guess I'm off to bed now, since I can't think of anything else to write, but I miss you and I hope you do know that multiple times throughout the day, you pop into my mind and I wonder how you are, and I say a little prayer in my heart that you are well. Please know that we all think of you, even when we don't take the opportunity to call or write. I know I speak for all the grandkids when I say that. When we discussed the Presto machine we all shared that sentiment. So please know that we love you and you are in our thoughts. Have a good Day, Grandma.
Love,
DonnaKay

Just Gotta Say...

Not much time to write much at all since Matt took off, but I need to comment that every time I go into Gabe's room to feed him at night, I nearly pass out from the stink. He has the nastiest farts in the history of mankind, excluding only his father and perhaps the involuntary functions of a rotting, bloated corpse. And this special fog seems to escape and congregate around the crib at night. I don't have proof, but I'm getting suspicious, Gabey! No offense kid, but pew!

Come On, People...

Ok- I dearly love the people that have sent me these silly things. That is not even a question. But puhleeze! Cay you guys be serious? Until someone near and dear to me calls me up, holding a check, my common sense is just going to have to dominate and call this a complete scam! I'm quite surprised y'all don't agree! How many others have received these forwards in their email inboxes? (Again, I love you girls, but please tell me y'all sent this as some sort of joke or something! If I'm wrong I promise to publicly eat my words, but how can you even hope there is ANY truth to these things? -And P.S.- Wouldn't you expect to see these beautiful checks all over the news? I really don't want anyone to be offended- so please don't hate me. I just am very confused.)

"Subject: FW: PLEEEEEEEEASE REEEEEAD! IT WAS ON GOOD MORNING AMERICA TODAY SHOW

Read carefully...

THIS TOOK TWO PAGES OF THE TUESDAY USA TODAY - IT IS FOR REAL



To all of my friends, I do not usually forward messages,

But this is from my friend Pearlas Sandborn and she really is

an attorney.


If she says that this will work - It will work. After all,What have

you got to lose?


SORRY EVERY BODY.. JUST HAD TO TAKE THE CHANCE!!! I'm an

attorney, And I know the law. This thing is for real. Rest assured

AOL and &nbs p; Intel will follow through with their promises for

fear of facing a multimillion-dollar class action suit similar to the one

filed by PepsiCo against General Electric not too long ago.



Dear Friends: Please do not take this for a junk letter.

Bill Gates sharing his fortune. If you ignore this, You will repent

later.



Microsoft and AOL are now the largest Internet companies

and in an effort to make sure that Internet Explorer remains the

most widely used program, Microsoft and AOL are running an e-mail

beta test.



When you forward this e-mail to friends, Microsoft can and will

track it (If you are a Microsoft Windows user) For a two weeks

time period.



For every person that you forward this e-mail to, Microsoft will pay

you $245.00 For every person that you sent it to that forwards it on,

Microsoft will pay you $243.00 and for every third person that receives

it, You will be paid $241.00. Within two weeks, Microsoft will contact

you for your address and then send you a check.



Regards. Charles S Bailey General Manager Field Operations

1-800-842-2332 Ext. 1085 or 904-1085 or RNX 292-1085





Thought this was a scam myself, But two weeks after receiving this

e-mail and forwarding it on. Microsoft contacted me for my address and

within days, I received a check for $24, 800.00 . You need to respond

before the beta testing is over. If anyone can afford this, Bill gates is the

man.



It's all marketing expense to him. Please forward this to as many

people as possible. You are bound to get at least $10, 000.00

We're not going to hel p them out with their e-mail beta test without

getting a little something for our time. My brother's girlfriend got in

on this a few months ago. When I went to visit him for the Baylor/UT

game, she showed me her check. It was for the sum of $4,324.44 and

was stamped 'Paid In Full'.

Still Holding the Apple

Rainy Day Pictures

Splish Splash!

Boys, don't play by the fire pit.

Boys, don't play by the fire pit.

I told you not to play by the fire pit.

Notice where his feet are in relation to pavers that surround the fire pit. This was snapped the instant he entered the pond. And it was BLOODY FREEZING water, about 18 inches deep in the center. I threw myself into the water, holding the camera in the air with one arm and pulling my baby out with the other. By the time he was out, he had already breathed in a huge breath of yucky nasty water and was too frozen and stunned and suffocated to breathe! I held him in as much contact with my own body as possible and ran with him toward the house, pulling his sopping shoes and socks off and screaming for Jes and Nolan to come inside behind me. Poor little Gabe didn't finally inhale until we reached the house, where I stripped him at lightning speed and ran him to the bathtub to put him in some warm water. The poor boy was shocked beyond belief and panicking a bit, but after a minute he choked all the water out of his lungs and took to enjoying his bath. And finally I exhaled.
P.S.- Up until the moment I took this picture I'd been guarding the pit, while Gabey tried to get past me. Then Jes walked up beside Gabe and I thought, You're so freaking paranoid, Donna! You can take a step back to snap a bloody picture. What's he gonna do, walk strait into the water?

Parties on the Potty

I found some time to email the folks about what's up lately, and I don't have time to rewrite it so I'm just pasting a copy here. Enjoy!

First, we got "GrandmaGrandpa" box #1 a few minutes ago, so thank you! It was (as always) a big hit. Jesse was surprisingly patient as I gave each boy his own items. Gabe was too lazy to finish unwrapping his water toy so he was just playing with it through the hole in the tissue paper. No problem, Jesse was more than willing to help. Jes wanted to play with it but I told him it was Gabey's, and strangely he gave it back and returned to his own gifts. What a good boy!
And now, here are a couple of Jesse's latest stunts that I found amusing:

After we finished unloading the goodies and J had given everything a satisfactory examination, he asked where his stool was and wandered off looking for it. I watched him out of the corner of my eye and shouted to him, "What are you doing, Jes?" There was some hesitation, and then a quiet, "...somepin'..." So I asked again, louder this time, "What are you doing, Jes?" Then came the much stronger response, "Nothin'!" I listened closely and heard a victorious, but whispered, "Sharps!" (meaning scissors) so I told him to put them back, and he wasn't happy but he complied and went on a search for his own sharps (the plastic pincher things from a used doctor's kit he got for Christmas- best dollar I ever spent). I insisted he clean up the three bins of toys in the front room and after that I would help him find his sharps. With a little coaxing he was done in no time and I got the pinchers for him, not even really thinking about what he wanted them for. Turned out he just wanted to open another box that had arrived in the mail with the first one. It was just a replacement inflatable punching bag for the one that came with his boxing kit. Anyway I found it remarkable that he patiently went through all those steps and stayed focused on his goal of opening the box. His mind seems to develop at the speed of light.

This morning we sang Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree (always a hit) and then launched into Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, and every time I finished the "toes" part, Jes would insert, "AND PENIS!" Apparently I was leaving out the most important part. Pardon me.

Last night I had heard some snipit of something interesting from Sean Hannity and I missed the rest, so while the kids ate I logged on to find out what I missed. Jes climbed up beside me and pointed to Hannity's picture and said, "What's that?" so I told him, "That's Sean Hannity," and he's all, "Sean Hantie?" I told him, "That's right," and he asked a million more times and of course got the same answer. Then I opened my email and for the next hour at least,-well beyond the time I finished with the computer- he kept asking me, "Where Sean Hantie go?" It was hilarious! This, he can pronounce after hearing it for the first time. But when it's time to be held? Well he needs a "Fwa."

A bit ago he finished using the potty and while I wiped him and for five minutes afterward he pranced around the house, triumphantly singing, "Pooooooo chocolate, Poooooooooo chocolate!" [That's his term for the Little Debbie treats he gets when he goes #2 on the potty. I should mention, too, that I haven't changed a dirty diaper of his since maybe a week ago, on the first day he wore "Big boy underpants like Daddy's." Awesome!]

As I was writing this J, was sitting at the table eating the last of the Cheese Nips, and when he'd polished them off he looked in the box and said so casually, "Crackers all gone. Mama eat 'em all." What the crap?!!!! I had a total of like 8 since the thing was opened! Ughhh! Not lovin' his new habit of blaming me for all food consumption. Seriously, kid...

Jes also has a fascination with the "pocket" as he calls it, it the front of his big boy underwear. I told him what it's for and he decided to - uh...(guess I'll just say it) pull "it" through the "pocket" and proceed to sit down and try to pee. Um, not quite, kid. Perhaps I didn't explain it right; now what? In the end I told him to forget the pocket; his dad could teach him about it when he gets home.

Oh, and the water toy you sent for Gabe? Not a water toy at all. J's playing with it while G's sleeping, and it turns out the toy is actually a train. Chugga-choo-choo sound effects and all, as it rides the perimeter of the coffee table.

That's about it for now I guess!