It's A Barbie World

Steph, Barbie, Amanda & Me

No, this is not a scene from a B-Rated Movie. This was Barbie/Susie's Birthday celebration. We all dressed up like Barbies and had the best time ever! Our boss, Lare, was Ken. All we were missing was our GI Joe, Tim! Ha. We celebrated all day and laughed a lot. Who says grown up women can't act silly and have a great time!

Camden is still having trouble with Spelling tests. I made him fix his words that he missed. I told him to look at them very closely and figure out what was wrong. I came to check and the ones I told him were right he drew a smiley face beside it. I came back again to see if he got any more right and he told me "those have a straight line instead of a smile. That means confused!" Well, that explains a lot.

Also, he is obsessed with the dog not seeing him naked no matter what. I told him Bentley was a dog and he wasn't looking at him. He said, "Well he has eyes!!"

Thankful

Here is a little painting from Camden. That is a very scary Scare Crow Man. I asked Camden what that little animal was in the picture, assuming it was Bentley. He told me that was a cow. I have never seen a cow like that one and I don't think he has either!

Miss Joan, a very dear friend of ours, passed away this morning. Tim and I will miss our visits with her. She sure did love playing with Camden and spoiling him every chance she could. She had been sick for a very long time and we are so thankful to God that she is not suffering anymore. She was a sweet lady with a big heart and an even bigger smile. 

Venice & Lady Jane

A few weeks ago Daddy took a road trip to a little place called Venice. He said it was beautiful. Maybe someday we can all go there together! However, if I am going to be around a lot of water then I need some sand to go with it.

This morning Camden saw a commercial on TV and he said,"Me and Daddy need to go there. You can go with us unless you want to go as a hot girl." I asked him what that place was. He said, "Lady Jane, where you can get your hair cut by a talented girl." Note to self: Monitor what he watches on TV!.

Celebrating Poppy

Today we remember and reflect on a life well lived. A life that was full of love, family, friends, good times and so many adventures.

A life that we all miss. It is so hard to believe that it has been one year and yet it seems like a thousand years to the loved ones left behind. 

We are only left with sweet memories. Those will have to be enough to carry us. We miss you more each day Poppy (Dad).

Oh, Waiter

This little cutie says to me at lunch on Sunday, "Oh, Yoo Hoo waiter, can you bring me another napkin please? You might not have heard me, but I did say please!" I just love him so much I want to squeeze him really hard....around the neck! Ha Ha. Just Kidding!!!!

He told me the other day that his name means "friendly and never going to be a bully!" Let's hope that will always be true!

Also, last night Camden said that he was going to make dinner. I asked what we were having and he said he was making Chicken Nuggets. He told me that he would cut the edges off for me. Oh yummy!!! Happy Monday everyone!!

Black Ops

Is anyone else noticing a trend here? Camden said that he was just watching birds at the end of our driveway, but I think he was doing a little covert operation. To me this is a little bit funny and a whole lot sad. Poor guy really misses his Daddy. He told me that he would have to wait a long time until Daddy got home to shoot his BB gun. He also told me that if he waited that long the gun would start shooting by itself. Well, let's hope not!!

Just Another Saturday

Here is Camden after riding his bike. He wanted a wet paper towel to put on his head because he had been sweating. He was having a fit until I got him one and it had to be really wet. I think he needs one of those rags that you wear on your head? Y'all know what I'm talking about?

Since we had another pretty good week at school, we decided to head on over to Chuck's house. That would be Chuck E. Cheese. That place is like a casino with all the noise, the lights, the smell of food. You just want to gamble away all of your expensive little tokens. I, on the other hand, just wanted to stick needles in my eyes. Kids screaming in my ears, running from game to game, running into me. It was just all too much for me!! Camden had an awesome time though and that was the point! Next week he wants to go Bowling. 

 

Randomness

Let me just put a whole lot of randomness out there today. First of all, mosquitoes have taken over our home. They are relentless and about to eat us alive. Then, there are the fire ants that have built high rise condos all over the front yard. Camden even prayed to the Lord last night to keep the werewolves away from our house. Random I know! However, if I should see a snake or a honey badger then I am out of there! Don't call us because we will be in a Witness Protection Program somewhere in the Bahamas!

I made some Chicken Stir Fry the other night. I used Kraft Asian Toasted Sesame for the chicken and some other spices. I have to do simple kid pleasing meals, but mind you Camden only ate the broccoli out of this. Oh how I wish he could cook for himself!

I just had to throw this in here. A very sweet woman came to visit me last week. She just loved my shoes and said they reminded her of something...maybe Gladiators or she would try to think of it later. By the time she was leaving she finally remembered. They remind her of Star Trek! Ha.

Camden climbed in the bed with me at 6 this morning with another bad dream. In his dream he was "rolling down the steps at school with no clothes on except a shirt." I need an interpreter for this one. He did later tell me that his teacher had read The Three Little Pigs to the class. This would explain praying for werewolves to stay away from our house. I just don't know about the "no clothes on" part of his dream!

Anyway, I am doing the Thank Goodness It's Friday Dance today!! Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Blogging...

It looks like Blogging might run in the family! It really is therapeutic. Everyone should try it. I like to write about our lives so that I can look back and remember the important parts. I am sure that this is all going to be a blur to me one day!

But let's get for real. There is nothing like retail therapy! I'm thinking Mommy needs a new car or a new pair of shoes! Now that is truly euphoric. Just kidding!However, I might need some therapy to deal with my retail therapy problem. I am sure that Daddy would agree! In the meantime, I will continue to Blog for my daily dose of therapy and memories.

On a side note, Camden woke me up at 6:00 this morning and told me that he had a bad dream. I told him to climb in bed with me and that it was just a dream. Then Camden asked me, "Mommy did you know that when you sleep walk, you sing and your head spins around?" Now when did my baby watch "The Exorcist"? I just didn't know what to say about that!!

All about Camden

Camden got a new paint set and he has been painting up a storm. This picture is of Daddy in his uniform. I asked him what those red dots were. He said they were the spots on daddy's uniform. Daddy must be a chameleon because last week he had green stripes on his uniform!

Camden recently asked me, "When Bentley is dead can we get a cat?" That is a big negative!

I was trying to get Bentley to go outside one morning and Camden said, "I'm trying to pet the dog for crying out loud!" I just don't know where he learns to talk like this.

He was playing with a truck in the Baby room when I picked him up at daycare last week. I told him that he shouldn't play with the baby toys because he might break them. He said, "Can I not remember my childhood?"

He told me that because of me he was having to learn the hard way! I have told him several times that he can learn the easy way or the hard way. I guess he thinks I chose the hard way?

Yesterday I told him that he better stop horse playing on the bus or he would get kicked off and not get to ride it anymore. He said, "That's OK, I will just ride my bike to school and I know a short cut!" I think this is where I am supposed to say that he is getting too big for his britches! Ha.

Today I told him Good Morning and he said, "I am not in the mood for anything!" Oh, I do hope he is in the mood for school! Ha.

Learning

I wanted to teach my child everything, but he is the one teaching me. For every second that he spends driving me crazy, he is teaching me patience and self control. When he falls on the floor kicking and screaming he has taught me to just walk away so I won't fall on the floor and kick and scream with him. He has taught me that it is OK to have a dirty house as long as you had fun playing instead of cleaning. He has taught me that it is OK to grab life with both hands and run as fast as you can with it. I just don't want him to go so fast that he misses something important.

In spite of his many quirks and all the drama that comes with him...He can't do homework because he is suddenly itching or too thirsty, his shirt is too short to wear now, his legs can't walk anymore, he pretends he can't see , he likes to hide from me and jump out to scare me, he can't eat a pea because he might die, he cries until he starts choking...He is still teaching me and I am still learning.

There are some things that I already know though.....He is my life and my answered prayer.

Squirrel Chaser

Here is baby Bentley sleeping on our favorite sofa. This is the same favorite sofa that he ate, the one that we don't have anymore. I don't know why he didn't like it, but it was the most comfortable one we ever had.

Bentley is still loving to chase some squirrels and birds. He does a daily perimeter check in the yard and is just busy keeping us safe. Of course, he does love him some snacks!! Camden asked me this morning if I knew that dogs under three years old could get gum disease. Um, is someone watching too much TV?
Happy Monday everyone!!

Let's Skate

Another good week at school and we went skating. Camden was so excited and could not wait to get there. He had a lot of fun and wants to go back next weekend. (I told him that depends on his homework abilities). He did pretty good skating this time but he is still doing the one foot shuffle that his Daddy taught him. He told me that he was kind of bored just going around the circle and that they should have some ramps and loops. Are you kidding me? I should also clarify that Mommy did not skate with him!

Also, Camden lost another top front tooth. Now all he wants for Christmas is his three front teeth!!

To Be Like Daddy

This little boy just wants to "be like Daddy." He has been wearing this old Halloween costume since yesterday when we came home from school. He got up first thing this morning and put it right back on. (I hope he doesn't want to wear it when we go out)! Ha. 

Things have been the same around here. It is a rainy day and you know what that means....Clean the house or go shopping! I guess we should clean the house!! Camden is a good little helper, but not so good in the shopping area! He is just "like his Daddy" after all!

When we came home from school yesterday, he got out of the car and carried my purse. Then he took his jacket off and told me to put it over my head since it was raining. He said he would fix my hair when we got inside since it would be messed up! I told him he was being so good taking care of me just like Daddy would. He said, "Yeah, but I'm not such a goober like Daddy!" Ha Ha. That one was for you Daddy! Big Smiley Face!!

Yum Yum

As most of you know, I have been banned from Retail Therapy. So this past weekend I decided to do some Cooking Therapy! There was not much cooking involved in this because it was just that easy! I think it would be better Chocolate flavor instead of Vanilla if you try it.  

   Ice Cream Pudding

   3.4 Ounce Instant Pudding (Any flavor)
   1 Cup Milk
   2 Cups Softened Ice Cream (Any flavor)

   Whisk Pudding and Milk together then fold in softened ice cream. Pour   
   into dishes and chill for 1 hour. Fruit is optional.


OK, so for some news around the home front. How sweet is it that my baby likes to write his spelling words in short hand. Who needs vowels in words when taking a spelling test?

Also, when I got up this morning Camden was watching one of those Exercise shows on TV. He was doing the leg lifts and he said, "Mommy you need to do this, it will make you skinny like me!" Love that child. Thank the Lord it is Friday!!

To The Dentist

This afternoon we were off to the Dentist. Since Camden was worried about the Dentist I asked him if he wanted to go to Dairy Queen afterward. He said, "No, that will only make my teeth dirtier!" As soon as we arrived at the Dentist we went straight to the bathroom and brushed our teeth. When Camden was finished he informed me that he needed to take a stink. What? Believe me, he took a stink that was the size of his leg! Ugh.

The Hygienist was waiting for us when we came out and then the crying started before we ever even sat in the chair. I held Camden's hand and after lots of assurance she was able to clean his teeth. That made him start laughing because it tickled. The Dentist came in to check his teeth and to let me know that there would be braces down the road. She actually told me to start saving money now! Awesome!

Yes, that is a pink toothbrush and he is OK with it!

As we waited for his chart to be updated he told the Hygienist all about how he got stuck in an elevator at the beach and that story went on forever. I think he would have talked her ears off if he could have. He also informed her that he was trying to eat a lot of food so he would get bigger and his mouth would grow bigger so there would be room for his teeth to fit. After all that we did go buy some race cars for our reward and of course, McDonalds. What a day!

Big Smile

 

Around Our House

Around our house this week we have been tortured and crying with one to two hour homework sessions each night. That would be torture for me and crying for Camden! This is why I don't home school. Ha. We are pushing thru and this battle will be won by Mommy!! I will not give up!!

Camden told me last night that his head hurt (I wonder why?). I was trying to find the Children's Motrin for him to take. He finally said "It's OK Mommy, it's not hurting, it's just "beeping" hurting." Does he mean throbbing? Only a seven year old would understand a "beeping" kind of hurt. Oh, and his stomach does the same thing.

Daddy gave us a call this morning. We were excited to hear from him and he also gave Camden a little pep talk! Just what we need for the middle of the week!  We love you Daddy!!!

Thank you everyone for the sweet comments and words of encouragement! They mean so much!

Jump for Joy

 Jump for Joy, we survived the first week without Daddy. We are getting along pretty well so far. Except that someone seems to think it is such a burden to write spelling words 3 times each! I call homework time the witching hour because I would rather stick needles in my eyes than to listen to the groaning. How many weeks do we have left?

Little Artist

Daddy (Nice Uniform)

Mommy sitting at church

Here is some artwork for your viewing pleasure. My little artist has a great sense of humor! What is up with Daddy's uniform?

This morning I said "Good Morning Sunshine" to Camden. He said, "Do you see any light coming out of me....NO?!?!?!?" Guess he got up on the wrong side of the bed!! Ha. Well it is Happy Monday!!

Remembering 9-11

It was the most horrible day that you could ever imagine. A day that has deeply affected all of our lives. Even this little guy who is missing his Daddy right now because of what happened on that fateful day 10 years ago. We will never ever forget the horror, the pain, the anger and the loss of so many lives on that day.

All Stars

What do you do when you have been good all week at school? You go to All Stars and run yourself silly! Camden came running over to me and he said, "I'm about to die!" I made him sit down and drink a whole bottle of water! And yes that is his hair soaking wet. I think he sweated all the water out that he drank. The best part is that he had a great time and maybe will try to do his best in school. For now we have to use the reward system. Hey, whatever works!!

Sweet Child of Mine

Last night when Camden found out that he had to write the words 5 times that he got wrong on his spelling test he had a fit. He said, "Five times, that won't teach kids anything! That will only make their heads explode!" Good thing he's not in charge!!

This morning I tried several times to wake him for school and finally at 7:15 I told him let's go because he has never slept this late in his life. He said, "Well this time I am not well rested." Where does he get this stuff?

Finally I told him to hurry because we were running late. He said, "Oh, you are just playing your running late trick!" I just can't get one over on him! Where is that Loony Bin?

On another note, I asked a co-worker if she was OK the other day. She said, "No I am sweating and can't breathe."  I said, "Those are serious side effects of a Heart Attack!" She said, "I have a cold!!" Ha Ha.

Water Balloons

What is summer without a water balloon fight? Camden loves this activity. We would do it every day if it wasn't so hard to fill those things up and then try to tie them too. What a pain!! Wish they came premade and then we would do it every day!!

Tim left Italy this morning and is on his way to his final destination. We will all feel much better when he gets there safe and sound. We sure do miss him. I think I miss him the most because I have already had to change 3 light bulbs. Smiley Face.

This morning as Camden was getting on the bus, I waved Bye to him and he gave me "The Nod". How can it be that my little baby is too grown up to wave to his Mommy?

Finding Our Way

~Best Friends~

It was a rough night trying to get adjusted to our new normal. Bentley is completely depressed without his Daddy. He won't even touch his favorite snacks. Camden jumped up every 10 minutes when he heard a plane fly over thinking that it was Daddy. There was also a whole lot of crying going on. Camden got a pair of his shorts and kept smelling them and told me to smell them because they smelled like Daddy. Yes, this is heart breaking but we have to get thru it and we will. It's not going to be easy and mostly an up hill battle.

By the time it is over we will all be stronger and besides absence is supposed to make the heart grow fonder. Unfortunately that is a hard lesson to learn especially for a seven year old. So time will heal us, Jesus will protect us and we will grow stronger together as we wait for Daddy to come back to us! However he might find Mommy in the Loony Bin. Ha!

Saying Goodbye

Daddy took off this morning on a Deployment. We are all going to miss him so much. I don't know who will miss him the most. It is a toss up between Mommy, Camden & Bentley.

We want Daddy to know how proud we are of him and everything that he has done, not just for us but for his country. We will think about him everyday! Good luck Daddy. We love you with all of our hearts!

Lazy Days of Summer

Yes, that is right, the Lazy Days of Summer are over. No more floating around the pool, doing Cannon Balls, riding the waves at the beach, eating ice cream cones, wearing flip flops, etc. This summer season is leaving us too quickly, but we are ready for the next season of our lives. Fall will bring its own fun memories for us to enjoy.

White Lake

I just wanted to document our 18th Anniversary trip to White Lake. It was Camden's second visit there. The first time he went he was only four months old. He didn't even know he was there, but this time he got the full experience. He stayed in the water every second and then we played putt-putt, went to a water park and the Amusement Park. He loved it and can't wait to go back.

Bentley

Here is Bentley. The really wild dog. He is spoiled rotten and thinks he is the king of the house. He has been trying to catch a squirrel in our back yard for the past 3 years. I don't know what will happen if he ever does catch one. He likes the beach almost as much as I do. He is a great guard dog, snack lover, squirrel chaser and Camden's best friend!

School Days

This was Camden's first day of school on August 25th. He was so excited to be going to the Second grade! We hope that we will have a great school year and learn a lot. So far we haven't had any homework. I am sure that will be short lived. He is growing up so fast.