Layla Lately

We are on day 2 of no school due to snow and day 3 of Dave being in bed with the flu.  I have everything caught up but this blog and housework.  Anything to avoid housework....

Since my last blog, Layla has started first grade and Cooper goes to 4 year old preschool 3 mornings a week.  Layla pushes herself academically.  It's very rare if she ever brings work home that is not perfect.  Cooper goes to school and works really hard at not running everywhere and learning his letters.

My firstborn still doesn't adjust very easily to leaving us and getting back into the groove of school.  This year, to add to the complexity, she is starting to deal with E.M.O.T.I.O.N.S.  I'm told by all of my friends who have gone before me that this is normal little girl stuff...which I remember!  So, our focus in first grade has been accepting the things in life we cannot change and changing the things we can.

One of Layla's favorite ways to decompress is to write stories and scripture verses in her journal.  She's always thinking, feeling, and processing deeply.  On our way home from school one day, while looking out her window, she said, "Mom, do you ever stop and think how amazing it is that God made me and I'm here, on this earth, without even knowing I would be?  I mean he knew that he would make me from the time the world began, but didn't make me to live here until now?"

Her favorite thing to write about is horses.  Her favorite thing to do is ride.  Her favorite thing to talk about...horses.  I learn so much about her by her stories.

He's Your Son

"Mom, which guitar should I play?"  Cooper asked as he held up an electric in his left hand and an acoustic Buzz Lightyear in his right.

"I like the Buzz guitar" I say.

"I like the electric guitar.  Isn't it cool?"

"Sure, but I like Buzz."

"How about you say you like the cool electric guitar?"

"OK, I like the electric guitar."

"It's OK if you like the Buzz guitar.  Do you want me to play Buzz?  Just say you want me to play Buzz."
"Yes, I like Buzz.  Why don't you play Buzz?"

"Well, actually, when you say you want me to play Buzz, it means you want me to play the electric guitar."

"Coop, do you really need me for this conversation?"

"I don't know.  Should I wear my hunting hat when I play or this one (a fedora)?"

His daddy is in sales and his mama likes to control things.  Is there any wonder? 

{ 7 }

7 years ago tonight, I was 2 weeks overdue with my firstborn. Dave and I ate Chinese for supper and then headed to the hospital for me to be induced. My labor was quick and easy and before I knew it, a little girl was placed in my arms. She had blue eyes, her daddy's features and the craziest hair I'd ever seen. She had a blood blister on the back of her hand and as soon as she was born she started sucking on that spot. She must have been doing the same thing in the womb.


Dave and I didn't have a named picked out, but we had a few we liked. We gave the list to the nurses and they picked Layla Faye (the other names were Celia Faye, Faye Marguerite, Leona Faye).

My girl is so much like me that I feel the need to apologize to her! Despite my influence, Layla has certain character traits that I admire so much! She amazes me how she will try anything once. She always greets her friends with a compliment. Layla is faithful, kind, and compassionate. She is organized and always thinking 10 steps ahead of me (which makes me crazy at times).

When she grows up she wants to be a doctor, a mom, and a person who sells wedding dresses. He favorite color today is lime green. Her favorite places to eat are Chick-fil-A, Buffalo Wild Wings, and my kitchen. She's so tall for her age and is starting to get curls in her hair (again, sorry!) She is one of my favorite people in the world!

Happy 7th Birthday Layla Faye! You are extraordinary!

Pictures from Layla's Birthday Party Last Weekend

Layla filling her plate.  She chose smoked pork loin, potato casserole, cabbage salad and watermelon for her party meal



Layla and Addie



Layla and cousins Elias and Katelyn.  The twins first birthday party!

Three of Layla's favorite Winterset girls!  Emma, Addie, and Tayia

Epic Mommy Failure #13678

We recently found out that Cooper has had sand packed waaaaayyyy back in his ears for the last 6 months.  How did I not know this?  Because my boy is not a complainer.  He just goes through life, dealing with whatever comes his way.  He's tough, brave, flexible and easy going. 

Coop told me about 4 months ago that he thought something was in his ear.  He said it once.  I didn't think anything of it and on we went with life.  Last week, he told me again, plus he had a cold, so we went to have his ears checked.  That's when we found the sand in the left ear.  Dave and I worked on flushing the ear without much success.  Yesterday, Cooper said he still felt the sand in his ear.  Today, we went to the Dr. for help.  They flushed it and eventually had to PICK IT OUT!  My sweet boys sat perfectly still with no complaining.  Eventually, big, quiet tears started falling.  I about lost it as he sat there, still not complaining.

Then the Dr. checked Coop's right ear...and guess what?  It had sand in it too and it was totally infected!  And yes, one time last week he told me that ear hurt too and I ignored it.

When will I learn that when this child tells me something is wrong it probably is!  Epic mommy failure #13678

Don't Go

2008

2009

2010

2011

My kids don't know I keep this blog for them, so there's no chance they will read it....at this time.  But someday, they will each have their own bound copies that are full of their memories.  And one day, when I don't have to be brave any longer, I want Layla to know I cry about her going to school too.  I cry about not having my days with her.  I miss her.  Just like she misses us.  In a few days we'll begin our second year of full time school and it feels even harder than last year.  I think it's because I know what's coming... 35 hours a week without Layla.  So, Miss Layla Faye, Mommy isn't always strong and brave either.  Sometimes, when I'm alone, I'm a big mess too!  This year, more than ever, I want time to stop (and then I wouldn't have to turn 40 either)! 

Deep Thoughts...

Apparently, when he's not running full speed ahead, my simple child has deep thoughts and questions.

While eating lunch, Cooper asked, "What are dontletthebedbugsbite?"

"Uhm, do you mean 'don't let the bed bugs bite'?  It means if you have bed bugs, don't let them bite you."

"Yeah...." he responds, "What are Pixars?"

"A company that makes movies."

"So, they're not those little things that are in the corner of my eyes when I wake up?"

"No, totally not those things."

"And do I call them hay bales or nails?"

"Bales"

"Thanks Mom."

Alrighty then.

It's Time for a Talk

If you follow me on facebook, you're aware that Cooper has been commenting on the girls lately.  I know this is all natural and innocent, yet it's taken me a bit by surprise.  It started with McKayla Maroney last night.  He told us, "I like her face.  I like her legs.  I REALLY like her."  And then today, when we were at the gym he told a little girl at the pool, "I like your face."

The little girl looked at him strangely and walked away.  Can you blame her?  It was a little...awkward.  Cooper was completely unaware.

Tonight Coop and I had a little talk over supper.

I said, "Buddy, last night when we were watching McKayla I heard you say you liked her face.  That was very sweet of you.  When you see a girl whose face you like, you could also say she's pretty or cute or beautiful." 

He thought for a moment, looked me square in the face, and said, "That's a great idea!"

As the evening has worn on, he's asked a couple of times, "What are those words again?  The ones I say when I like a girl's face?"

I tried.