All By Himself

A few weekends ago, Derrek, Cash & I went to Brownwood to see Mimi & Grandpa Steve. Most people know that Cash is a very active, fun-loving, and often, mischievous kid. He wants to do EVERYTHING by himself. He wants to hold the drink or the fork by himself. He climbs in & out of his car seat and the car by himself. He wants to "wok" everywhere by himself. If I try to hold his hand or guide the drink, a grunt, whine or full-on tantrum ensues. He will even stop what he's doing in a stand-off fashion if I hold my hand close enough to catch him if he falls. It seems we're standing-off quite alot these days since this particular mom of an overactive, adventurous toddler happens to be completely neurotic when it comes to any level of physical danger. I really really reeeeeaaaallly want him to wear a helmet if he's awake. Don't worry! I haven't actually put a helmet on him but I cannot say for sure that won't happen at some point yet. Anyway, my point of this post (a point would be nice, right?) is that he was kind of different this weekend without Blake & Ashley around. Most of you know they live with us all but four days out of the month so it makes sense that he's not quite himself without his two sidekicks (or servants that he constantly bosses around). He was clingy and needy and shy and timid. We went to the Brownwood Reunion and he wouldn't pet the animals in the petting zoo or jump in the jumpy castles or slide or play in the huge tubs full of corn (you read that right). We missed the kids too but it was nice to soak in some good Cash time in the middle of volleyball, football (cheer), & soccer season. The best example of quality time I can think of is when I shove fast food to him in the backseat as we run all over the place.


Rocking on Mimi's porch.



Back off, Bambi.


Hiding from the scary petting zoo animals.



Derrek really wanted him to love the pot-bellied pig (can barely see it's hind end).


Bambi freaked him out but he's handling the camel well?


Nope. out of the corn.


He acted like he didn't even know what to do.


I'll just take a new bike. (We had to pry him off of this thing kicking & screaming.)



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

In other news

I'm hoping this iPhone app will get me back on track with my blog. It's cool if you're not holding your breath. :) While you continue to inhale & exhale, enjoy some pictures from this summer.

And this app is officially awesome.


First day of 2nd grade & 8th grade. Totally cool if time wants to stop now.


Picking up some school supplies for the sibs... He's a multi-tasker.


First ride on a carousel at the Gillespie County Fair. Removing him from the horse without anyone getting hurt was especially a challenge. He grew attached very quickly.


Last day of our mini vacation to the beach... Stopped in SA to pick up some school clothes.


Same day. Target dressing room floor.



Still in the target dressing room. The person before us didn't clean out the dressing room.





Long night at the PBR








He can totally play super Mario brothers. Well HE thinks he can.



Just the boys (with cousin Rance).





Road trips to CO can get a little hairy.


Big pimpin in a knee brace & aviators. Totally the latest trend in baby wear. Swear.


Summer locks (took some bleach but its gone now).





He's very loving....sometimes doesn't know when he may have given to many kisses (if there is such a thing).


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Anniversary Worth Blogging About

I'm about to miss the actual anniversary but today marks two years since Derrek & Chris's surgeries. Each surgery changed it's patient forever and for the better. Thankfully, they remain healthy & that day two years ago is even easy to forget sometimes in the daily hustle. Now, derrek works for Chris. It feels right that they see each other. Even though neither is quite comfortable expressing it on a regular basis, their mutual respect & support of each other is obvious.

I'm still so proud of you, Derrek! It was never a question, I know, but that doesnt make it any less brave.

Mother's Day Part 1

So, Mother's Day is a sensitive day in our household. The first mother's day after Derrek & I got married, I was a little forgotten. Actually, you could go as far to say totally forgotten. I didn't expect anything big. I didn't want a gift or flowers. I just wanted one of the 3 people that made me feel like a mother (Derrek, Blake & Ashley) to maybe say Happy Mother's Day to me. Many of my close friends and family know that since the second Derrek & I decided to be in a relationship, my devotion to Blake & Ashley was even consuming at times. They filled my heart like I'd never known. They let me in and I jumped in with both feet. Loving them and feeding them and dressing them and taking them to school and helping with homework and doctors and disciplining them (even when I didn't really know what I was doing) and, well, you get the point. I'd spent the previous Mother's Days helping them prepare special things for their mom and I know to them, their mother, OF COURSE, is what mother's day is about. But I thought, now that I was OFFICIALLY their step-mom, I'd get a little recognition. I'm not here to bash any of them either! Step families are tricky business. I am part of a step-legacy at this point. I get the drill. In fact, until Blake & Ashley left that day with their mom, I don't think even I realized how high I'd gotten my hopes that they would be as excited as me on that day that I had made the "mom club" even by marriage! I'm thinking my mom even made a call to my husband that day. When I got home from work, there was a card and flowers and hugs and apologies. He appreciated my devastation in a way - not because I was sad but just because it kind of startles you sometimes when others, even relatives, love your children so much. I really understand that now that I have Cash. So, we've had some growing pains. This year, Blake & Ashley are with their mom until this evening and Cash has been with my mom all weekend. (I'm about to walk out the door to meet her halfway to pick him up). Ashley texted this morning "Hey George". Then she called an hour or two later because she needed me to do something for her. Still, a little phrase was missing from our conversation. Derrek (always on his Mother's Day game now) & his brother, Dac cooked an awesome breakfast for everyone this morning and I told Derrek she'd forgotten. He disappeared for a bit and then a text from her magically appeared! "Happy Mother's Day!!!" I was a little bummed this morning but the more I think about it, the better I feel. If I had to write down the ways and times I've taken my mother for granted or probably forgotten to say "Happy Birthday" or "Happy Mother's Day" or "Happy Anniversary" or, even "how are you?" or "how are you feeling?" Or "what can I do for you?" I'd have a book that weighed more than I could carry. I have no doubt in my mind that Blake & Ashley love me as much as I love them. Mother's Day isn't needed to reaffirm that fact. In fact, I'm going with the philosophy that these small oversights actually mean that they love me as deeply as I love my own mother. I'm kidding myself to think I'm as unselfish and as giving and as unconditionally loving and as devoted and as self-sacrificing as she has been to me and my sister but I know she's been a good coach and there's an excellent probability that some of her has rubbed off on me. One day, they'll remember all by themselves to say Happy Mother's Day but by being who they are I'm reminded daily that I'm where I'm supposed to be in life. This is the day I get to relish in that.

Here we are.

Older. Changed. Silly. Happy. Together.