the kindness of strangers....

I know that I've recently done a post on random acts of kindness.  But seeing as we're in the throes of Christmas, I thought I'd do another.  You see today, I was the recipient of some random acts of kindness.  No details, don't worry, but so many people really came through to make a tough day not-so-tough.  Just when I get down and feel as if the world is becoming a rather hard-hearted place, there's a kind stranger around the corner telling you it's not so.  Don't give up hope...even when recently faced with such tragedy and heartbreak there is love out there....

in honor of...

So guess what?  The Hobbit comes out in theaters tomorrow!!!!  I have been waiting for this day since the end of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.  And now it's here *sob*!!!!  To be honest, the Hobbit was my favorite of Tolkiens.  So in honor of the tremendous occasion, I am offering up this video.  This dude is hilarious and talented.  Enjoy!

P.S.  He also has a video for Harry Potter....it's wonderful lol.

the countdown begins...

So I put Blaine in his new fleece Christmas PJ's, but I did not know that it was going to be 80 degrees out the next day.  When will I learn Florida......WHEN WILL I LEARN?!?!

christmas list....

Guys, I cannot tell you how much I want this cat.  BEST.  CAT.  EVER!!!!  Are you listening Santa?  This is what I want for Christmas.  Grumpy cat.  End of list.

some things to be grateful for...

This year I find myself grateful for so many things!

I'm thankful for a husband so sweet and caring.
     He's been taking care of me while I'm a little under the weather.  He also helped with Blaine's class for "special snack time" and I was told by every parent and teacher that he was wonderful....I believe it!

I'm thankful for Blaine who's darn near perfect, who's affectionate and helpful.
     While doing our family Christmas service (I'll be explain more about that next time) he was given the option to play but said he would rather help us with the service project.  He also helps me a lot with the little girl I watch.

I'm thankful for Blaine's school.  They've been good to him and us.

I'm thankful for God's green Earth.

And I'm thankful for all of my family and all of my friends who do much more for me than I ever do for them!

hot dog, a gator game!

thaaaaaaat's a lot of people....

blaine sporting his gator colors...

daddy and blaine enjoying the show...

You know, it sure is nice to have acquaintances that are willing to share.  A friend and colleague of Mike's offered him 2 tickets to the Gator game.  How nice and awesome was that?!?  I'm not a fan of football (shame on me) nor am I a fan of huge groups of people...so Blaine (who, like his daddy, loves both of those things) was the obvious choice of game-day companion.  The dudes had a great time that included devouring a hot dog, losing 10 buckaroos out of a back pocket and playing in the park.  Never a dull moment!

things the boy has actually said..

blaine and his daddy made matching native american head band and wrist-cuffs in honor of upcoming thanksgiving ...they are so good together!

Blaine: "Mom, why can't we have spinach all the time?"

(He really does love it...I gave him a choice of chips or carrots as a side to his lunch.  He wanted spinach...but we were out...asked for carrots instead!)

Blaine:  "Mom, look under there!"

Me: "Under where?"

Blaine:  "Ha, I made you say underwear!"

I have a sneaking feeling that Michael taught him that little joke.  Boys are silly!

a week in pictures all out of order...

"five for fighting" at the romney rally (michael was SO excited about him being there)...

blaine gutting his pumpkin....

indiana ready for trunk or treating...

go indie, go!

jack complete....

jeb bush at the romney rally...

could be the next president of the united states....

things that make me go hulk...

Yes, the Hulk.  People who really know me probably know how I feel about cell phones in general.  I .....hate.... them.  That may seem like a childish statement and sentiment, but I honestly and truly do.  Pressure to get one has been applied by all members of my and Mikes family.  And after a car accident earlier this year, I did start bringing along a phone for emergencies only (I can literally only dial 911).  I really feel like this week has been a culmination of irresponsible cell phone usage around me.  From the woman who made me miss my light because she was looking into her lap to text (this is just flat out dangerous!) /to the woman who walked through the door that I had held open for her and didn't say thank you because she was too "deeply involved" in her conversation/ and to the woman who spent the whole meal  out with her children ON THE PHONE.  People...can we please get it together?  Or are we going to let cell phones alter our humanity?!?  I feel myself changing, much like the Hulk...that is to say, not for the better (unless Loki is attempting world domination...bursting out of your clothes and bashing random people about is unacceptable).  Can we please show some decency?  Thank the person holding a door open for you....be considerate towards other drivers.....and please please pay attention and show love to your children!  I hope people really will change, but for the better.  Otherwise I see my wanted face on the 10 o'clock news in the near future.

Good day.          I believe I said good day!

P.S.  When the lady did not say thank you for my holding open the door, I am ashamed to say I yelled out "YOU'RE WELCOME!".  But she never even turned around....so I doubt that she'd heard or even cared.

on a visit to the pumpkin patch...

story time...

what the hay?

tee-pee or not tee-pee

.... we got to stay for story time, run a maze, catch a ride in a hay wagon (trailer?) and pick out some bodacious pumpkins.  And what with the tropical storm and everything, we actually got some breezy cooler weather...which made it feel like fall for me.  I guess that's one of the things I miss most about home.  I LOVE fall, LOVE LOVE LOVE!  We had a good time at the patch and it was technically Blaine's first field trip....so it was a pretty fun day!  I was going to post pictures of him with his class...but I didn't know how the others parents would feel about that kind of thing.  So I guess this is post is a lot like our life....all Blaine, all the time :).

the things my kid says....

Yesterday I saw this picture on Pinterest out of the corner of my eye.  For a brief second...I thought it was Blaine (think hair people).  And maybe it will be him in a couple of years, who knows....but I asked Blaine if that was him and he said, "It can't be, I don't have bunk beds.".  He says some pretty crazy stuff sometimes!

a little Clarke in the Park

Yesterday we had Blaine's school picnic.  I'm now committee chair for special events so I put the party together.  Let's just put this out there, but I am a terrible leader.  I do not know how to delegate and I'm always filled with doubts about my ideas.  So planning a party for non-family members was a bit of a challenge.  But it happened and it wasn't a disaster :) and I'm pleased!

Have you ever had to put together activities for a large group of children?  I thought, what a cinch lol.  I had planned on doing relay races with the kids to get them ready for the 100 yard dash they're doing come fundraiser day.  Oh naive Lisa.  Have you any idea how hard it is to wrangle a bunch of hard of hearing and deaf kids?  It's hard!  There's too much noise and they're looking this way and that...but they had fun anyway and that's what matters!  And looking back, I wouldn't change a thing.

Plus.......there was cake :)!

P.S.  On a side note these pictures were taken after the picnic....just our little family.

random acts of kindness.....

When Blaine and I last took a trip to Oregon, we had an uplifting experience.  We'd taken the first leg of our flight.  A serviceman was sitting kitty corner to us.  I first thanked him for his service to our country.  Ladies and gents, we should ALWAYS thank our military for their service.  Anywho, he was on leave and heading home to see his wife and two little ones.  He was very sweet to Blaine and occupied his attention for almost the entire flight.  Thank you kind sir!  He then gave Blaine a card with the Army's values and principles on it.  Blaine went bananas.  And then while we walked off of the plane he gave Blaine a couple of dollars just to spend on whatever he wanted.  I thought that was so sweet!  Blaine hasn't forgotten it.  He brought it up they other day and mentioned how nice that was.  And I told him that was a random act of kindness.
B-"What's that?"
Me- "It's when you do something nice for someone else, spur of the moment."
B- "Oh, who can I give my money to?"
At which point I explained about people that could use the money more than we could.  I also explained that a random act of kindness doesn't have to involve money.  It could be some kind of service (opening a door for someone, carrying groceries for someone's whose hands are full etc.).  Or paying a compliment to brighten a persons day.  So he and I and are setting out this week to commit random acts of kindness.  We're hoping for a daily opportunity!  Wish us luck in our endeavor!

another one

Another beautiful dress that I could never afford and would never have a place to wear.

Quite possibly the most perfect dress ever.  The collar, the collar!

While I was trying to find our doctor's number, I found this picture of Blaine on their website.  I had no idea that my lil guy was famous, haha.

I know that I've been posting a lot lately.  But it just seems like I've had so much on my mind!  We're trying to move everything from our storage unit into our apartment.  Boy is that slow going.  First of all, I didn't realize how much we had in there.  Too much.  We had all of Blaine's baby things stored up to the top.  His crib, high chair, his little bouncy chair, car seat.  As you can imagine, those things take up a lot of space.  But I wanted to keep them and I kept moving them because I couldn't bear to let them go.  We finally decided it was time and hauled it all to Goodwill today.  As soon as we emptied our car and drove away, I cried and cried (I seem to cry a lot, don't I?).  I felt like I was giving a piece of Blaine away.  I felt like I was selling the memories of our only child.  Michael put his hand on mine and said,"There could be someone out there that really needs these things...and we don't anymore."  He's right of course and that did help me to feel a lot better.  I just really, really, really, really don't like change.  And it seems like there's something new happening every time I turn around.  Blaine started school, I'm a classroom mom, a new calling, having to get a cell phone (don't even get me started on those things!) anything regarding Blaine's health.  Now shoving everything into our tiny apartment and really downsizing our lives.....it's been a weird ride people.  But truthfully, I'm very blessed.  As crazy as I think my life is, most people have it crazier and harder.  So....deep breaths and moving on.........

'nuff said. hahahahahahaha............one of my favorite scenes in one of my favorite movies EVER!

my one true love...

Awww, look at my love of 11 years!  I'm digging his tux....  I've been told that he attended 6 proms in 2 years.  Random girls from the stake would ask him to go to their proms with them.  I can believe it!  I love you pookie....thank you for everything~

Have you ever gotten caught talking to yourself while shopping solo in Wal-Mart?  I am ashamed to say that I have....more than once.  More than twice actually.  Please tell me that someone else does this too??

dudes....can you believe this?!?

haha, had to add this one!  this is what he gave me when i asked him for a normal smile....what does that say about us?

i have the oddest desire to start singing Boyz II Men....

I'm not really sure what that title means, actually.  I just have one of their songs in my head as I'm pondering Blaine going to school.  I should be singing I Am a Child of God or something similar.... and I'm starting to feel like a bad person soooooo....moving on.

We've finally gotten all of his school supplies (does anyone else find this a daunting task?).  New school clothes (most of them aren't really new, but they're new to us....and someone obviously takes better care of their clothes than we do, thank you nameless benefactor).  All of his paperwork is completed....he's psyched and I'm happy and sad at the same time.  Which sounds a little manic, but I think it makes sense.  We're excited for this new phase, but sad that our times together at home are gone.  We'll have weekends, holidays and summers of course.  It's not quite the same, though, is it?  Someone else is going to be nurturing my son people.  MY son.  Wow, if I didn't sound manic before...I sure do now.  Anywho....he'll be surrounded by other kids, caring teachers....so I'm not too worried.  But I did cry myself to sleep last night.  I'm starting to think I should be medicated.

oregon.....

mini donkeys (like on Shrek!!!)

blaine was bound and determined to bring these bones back to florida with us.  since we couldn't take them home-home....we at least brought them down from the mountain.  "let's look for more bones mom!".......ew.

how great is my dad, seriously?  he made this porch swing for blaine....it was awesome! 

speaking of awesome.....my friend andrea is like the coolest chick ever!  she let us come over to ride her horses.  she had absolute faith that blaine could ride all by himself (he knew he could do it too)....it was me that had a problem lol.  but he showed no fear whatsoever....it was a really special time!

speaking of special (you see what i did there?)  fishing at twin lakes has to be one of the most peaceful, beautiful things to do.  there was a breeze and we (dad really) caught some fish....which they got to fry up and eat the next day!  my mom packed us a delicious picnic lunch....with homegrown cucumbers and pb and j's with her homemade grape jelly......yummy!!!!

this was after our little fishing trip.  i'm not quite sure how he stayed asleep coming down those dirt, gravel roads.  it sure was bumpy, but the ride is fun listening to the oldies station and chomping down on swedish fish :).

this is why i designated  these clothes"dirty clothes".  when blaine put on his "dirty clothes" he could play in this dirt garden, hehe.  oma gaye gave him a little shovel and a bucket for him to go super crazy with.  wait to go oma!!

Wow, okay so....we just got back from Oregon yesterday (technically this morning?) and we're already missing it!  We had what those movies call a "fun filled family adventure", haha.  Blaine's a little older this time and we could do a lot of things that we weren't able to do last year.  He went fishing, horseback riding, mountain climbing, porch swinging, rock skipping, park playing and had a play-date with some friends of mine.  And he could never get enough.....just wanted to keep on, keep on!

I got to have lunch with two of my oldest and dearest friends.  I was able to participate in my mom's fundraiser (PeeF....which helps to raise money for their local school's music and art programs).  Their auction went off well, good show of people....the food was yum and the music was great!  I got to horseback ride for the first time in over a decade.  I got to go fishing....which I love!  We went wood cutting (wow....I'm out of shape...but it was fun)....I got to do some welding with my dad which I've been dying to do for a long time.  My mom and I got to spend lovely time together....she's so fun and we can be silly girls!  I know we did more than that....but I can't remember them all right now.  Suffice it to say, we had a blast!  Can't wait for next year...this time, 3 weeks!

It was Michael's birthday and our 11th anniversary this past week.  We took another trip to the Japanese steakhouse that we dined at on my birthday (your meal is free if it's your b-day and we're cheap like that).  This time we took Blaine with us.  The food was, again, a delight.  But the best part was watching True's reaction to our chef.  He loved the onion volcano, the spatula egg balancing and the lobbing broccoli (just for the record, Michael was the only one at our table who caught it, with his mouth!).  He also tried everything put in front of him.  Fried rice...loved it....scallops....tasty....shrimp and veggies....tolerated.  He wouldn't have tried those things if we were at home.  But in that environment he wanted to be part of the experience.  It was a win-win evening!

At Blaine's appointment yesterday, the nice woman asked him if he had any friends.  To which he replied.."I don't have friends, I have cousins."

Ha!

birthday post...

(sorry about the low quality phone picture in a dark restaurant)

So after three years of attempts....I finally got to go to this Japanese restaurant that I've been dying to eat at. Seriously, three years people.  And it was definitely worth the wait.  The service was great, the chef was so much fun to watch and the food was A-mazing.  I was so worried that Michael wouldn't like it but he loved it so that made the experience all the much more wonderful.  So, Kan-Ki in Jacksonville, FL....A+++.  I want to eat some teriyaki steak right now!  (I also learned how to use chop sticks.... only took me 30 years.)

high tea.....

Oh my, it's been quite a while since my last tea party.  It was so entertaining last time and I had a lot of fun planning it.  I love the little sandwiches, the herbal tea, and I especially love my tea cup collection (the above is not a picture of it, sadly).  Any ideas on what I could do for my next one?  That includes recipes (scones, sandwiches, tea cookies etc.) or decorating ideas.  I used a tea set for my last party but would like to use individual tea cup and saucer sets this time.  Any tips would be appreciated, thanks!

am i ready for school?

I was so set on homeschooling this year that I ignored looking into, for lack of a better word, real schools.  We did a walk-through of a school yesterday and Blaine fell in love.  He loved the teachers, he loved the classes and he loved the other kids.  On the drive home he told me that he wanted to go to school there and I just about burst into tears.  Now I know that he's ready, but am I ready?  How can I let him go?  *sob*

I sometimes forget that Blaine partly belongs to deaf culture.  I'm just so used to him being Blaine, you know what I mean?  I'm used to our lingo, our own way of talking and communicating.  It only springs to mind when someone else asks me what he's trying to say...or asking me to get his attention so that they can talk to him.  Today, at tae kwon-do, we met a family with a deaf and mute daughter (she's the teenage aunt of a fellow little ninja).  Her mother was interpreting for her and I was desperately trying to sign (my limitation in this area is embarrassing) so that she was part of our conversation.  Blaine loves meeting other people with hearing aids and was excited when she gave him his own sign name.  She also gave me one for which I am grateful.  Only a member of the deaf or hard of hearing can give you one, so I thought that was pretty cool :).  When we left, I felt so blessed to know that we are not alone in our troubles and that there are people out there willing to help by sharing their own experiences.  She is who she is and he is who he is.  Now it's time to move forward in acceptance and let him live.  Ciao~

i feel pretty.....

I really love wedding dresses. I would always design them for myself and friends. And even though I'm married now and I've done the whole dress thing, I still love to look. Do some oooooo-ing and awwwww-ing. Surely I can't be the only one?

camping....

Alone time can be overrated. Michael took the Blaine-bop camping this Thursday and left me to my own boring devices. Within the first hour I was clueless about how to entertain myself. And I just missed them both so much, really. Blaine and I had a mommy/son date when they came home and it was so sweet to be with him! Those boys are the best family anyone could ask for.........fact.

tiny kicker....

Blaine had his very first ever Tae Kwon-Do tournament today. Michael and I couldn't have been more proud! And it was certainly a lot of fun to watch all those 5 and unders punching/kicking/jumping and also running an obstacle course. He received a medal today and liked that immensely! So I hope that this is something we can stick with in the coming years. Now a white belt, tomorrow a black belt. Well, you know......not literally.