Let us remember the heroes...

those who passed away in the tragedy that has redefined our lives. Let us remember their courage and bravery -- Let us pray for those who are left behind. 9-11 will never be a normal day for anyone but especially those that lost their loved ones.

A sweet little boy

So we were running errands today --- And up on the top of a wall Jack spots a bird so he runs up and in the sweetest most angelic voice says "Hi Bird, I'm Jack" -- Yes I cried. I am such a sap.

One of the scariest moments of my life

So this evening we were running errands (Dave, Jack and me) and Jack wanted "Num nums"...well all I thought I had was a dum dum sucker that he had gotten at the bank so I gave it to him. Pretty quickly he said "All done" and handed me the stick. I thought to myself that was quick and saw him chewing and assumed that he was chewing it up. A couple of seconds later he starts to cough and I turn around to see him choking...As Dave said "Get back there" I was taking off my seat belt and took my index finger and scooped out the little sucker ball from the middle of his espophagus. Apparently during this time Dave was asking me all sorts of questions that I was not answering as Jack proceeded to throw up all over me and his car seat. I have never been soooo scared in my entire life...I had heard you arent supposed to put your finger in there if a child is choking (your supposed to hit their back) but that was all I could do in that situation. Jack was fine and laughing a few seconds later but both parents were pretty shaken up for the rest of the night.
NEEDLESS TO SAY SUCKERS OF ALL KIND ARE NOW BANNED UNTIL HE IS EIGHTEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!

In Memory of Frank David Orahood 4.20.36-8.24.02

Six years ago today is the day that my father went to be with the Lord. He was the funniest most loving man I have ever met. When I look into my son's eyes I see my Dad there especially when he gives me a certain look or just wants to hold my hand. Hold your loved ones close every day because you never know what tomorrow brings. I love you all!! Rest in peace and I love you daddy!

I will never forget how when my Dad passed away I kept begging God for a sign that he was okay. Several weeks later, our whole family was gathered to take a trip to Ensenada in Mexico where my Dad wanted his ashes spread. We had had a house there for as long as I could remember and I think that my Dad was happiest there. So the night before we left I had the most peaceful dream about dolphins and it was the first night since he died that I had a restful night.

So the next day I was so affected by this dream that I told everyone in the family especially my nieces Kali, Alisa and Megan. So when we got to Mexico the four of us walked onto the beach and right in front of us were about 8 dolphins in front of us swimming. My neices were so excited because they too knew that my Dad was finally at peace and sending me his sign that he was okay.

Here's a story of an airhead named Robyn...

As many of you know and maybe some do not -- I am not a Wal Mart shopper. Never really have been, I am a Target girl. However in an effort to save money I am now going through ALL the ads in the Sunday paper. Lo and behold, Wal Mart had Kraft Mac n Cheese 2 for $1 and boxes of crayons for .22 so I decided to do it.

So I buy my items and am walking out. I have been overcharged at some other stores (ie. being charged for 21 cucumbers at one store)so I am getting very diligent about checking my receipt. Oh no I got overcharged for my mac n cheese --- So I walk into customer service and walk up to the guy. I said nicely " I was overcharged for my mac n cheese, they are 2 for $1 and the cashier charged me .50 a box." He looked at me and said "Ma'am that is 2 for $1". I have never left a store so quickly. Must be that new math.

He makes us laugh every day

Sorry I havent posted in awhile -- We went to Utah for a great family reunion that was just great!! Then we came back got caught up and Jack just got over being sick. But this is a funny story ---

Last week we were playing on the bed (Jack, his daddy and me)...He loves to tussle with mommy and daddy on our big bed. I was pretending I was a dinosaur (the things that you will do for your kids huh?) and I was pretending to get him and when he got away --- He took the back of his hand and brushed it across his forehead and said "Phew" --- We laughed so long and hard. It is amazing the joy he brings to this crazy life of ours.

Finally...

they are home...
I am very blessed to have two wonderful people as in laws. They are like my own parents without all the childhood memories. Anyway, I talk to my mom in law every day (She is just a terrific lady and not having a real mom growing up I feel God sent her to me to fill that void) ---I digress, that is a whole other blog maybe even two.
My in laws went to visit her mom up in Northern California and they were gone for a little over a month. Now I cannot count how many times I picked up the phone to call her to tell her something funny Jack had done or ask her a question or just to check in on her but would remember that she was not home. I was counting the days until they would be home. And my father in law would send postcards to Jack, my son, with little notes that he will treasure forever. Everytime I would read him one he would yell "Papa". So I got the phone call tonight that they were FINALLY home --- and I knew FINALLY I could pick up the phone tomorrow and call my mom.

I knew something was wrong when...

My happy boy was not so happy........
So Sunday I am usually at church watching children. You will most likely find me by myself as my husband, a realtor, usually has to work with clients on the weekends. So imagine my surprise when this last Sunday it was not my Sunday in childcare and my husband was able to go to church. So we went for a bike ride super early to make sure that we had time to get ready and go. I was so excited...I love going to church as a family and it had been far too long.
So Dave and I ran around getting ready and then it was time to get Jack dressed. Now mind you, Jack loves church and is a very easygoing , happy child 99% of the time. We gave him several choices of shirt to wear as we had already gotten his shorts on. He was saying No to all of them. As we tried to talk Toddler to him about church and a muffin and his friends he was still completely upset. He was standing on one side of his room just crying his eyes out. This went on for far too long and time was awasting. Finally, I took him to his changing table to check his diaper...Sure enough he was completely constipated with a piece of poop stuck. I asked Dave what we should do and he said " let the poop pass." Jack just kept crying and crying. I knew that he was in no condition to go to church. And I have to say Mama was very disappointed and felt like crying herself.
So I went and did dishes. If you ever see me doing housework you know I am either mad or sad. Jack was still in his room and about 1/2 hour later he was back to his normal happy and cheerful self and the poop had passed. I decided to let go about the disappointment of going to church so that we could have a Happy Family Sunday. After all Sometimes "Poop Happens and sometimes it just gets stuck" .

What a money saver!

Okay so we have started to cook more and eat out a lot less. For the past week and a half we have not eaten out once. Here is what I have found -- It is so so much cheaper to eat at home. Maybe this is not a revelation to most of you but it sure is to me. I get sick to my stomach when I think of all the money I have wasted eating out.
I found chicken breasts for $.69 a lb at Fry's Grocery Store...basically we get a package of 3 huge chicken breasts for about $2.00 (and we even have one leftover for lunch the next day) -- add in some pasta roni that I found on sale for a $1.00 at Fry's Grocery and with a coupon came to $.70 and some salad I found for $.88 (and it is good, its got the romaine, the purple cabbage and carrots) and I fed my family of 3 for $3.50 ---- I know INCREDIBLE!!
But then I thought about the time -- Well by the time my toddler gets in his car seat (another sign of his independence) and I buckle him in and I get in the car and get buckled in myself and drive and wait in line at the drive thru -- I figured out it takes as much time as well as gas to go out. So consider me a reformed EATING OUTER ....
I figure anything we can get out I can cook better and healthier at home. Plus then my son knows that you are not supposed to get food out of a window. Signing off for now.

Here it is -- My first one

Okay so here it is. My first blog. I have no idea where this is going to go but it feels wonderful to be pursuing one of my passions --- Writing. I am a first time mom to the sweetest little boy in the world and am married to a wonderful husband who is also my best friend. Today was an amazing day ( I have a lot of amazing days since I have had a child). We take Jack out to the pool where we put on one of those Speedo vests ( not exactly a life jacket) but it does help him float. Jack loves loves the water and we have had him in our pool since he was a baby. So we are swimming around and all of a sudden he just starts moving around the pool by himself. He starts kicking underwater and moving his arms with the biggest smile on his face. He could not have been more proud of himself --- Dave and I just kept looking at each other with big goofy grins . He continued for at least another half an hour and when it looked like he was getting tired and I would reach out to him, he would put up his hand and say "no". I was extremely proud and a little sad too....this was just another sign that my baby was no longer a baby...he was a young boy starting to sprout little wings of independence.

So signing off for now. Will be back tomorrow.