Casual Friday Everyday

We’ve been saying prayers before bed each night for several months now. It’s a bedtime routine that he enjoys and expects, but he is never the one to say the prayer. It’s always Mommy or Daddy and the prayer usually includes thanking God for our good day, Mommy, Daddy, baby, and general things of that nature.

Well, we just got home from our 4th and final evaluation & everybody is just plain pooped so we decided it was time for an early nap. Nicky ran into his room, sat on the floor, and put his hands together. I asked if he’d like to say the prayer and he proclaimed “Yessss”.

I wasn’t sure what we’d hear since he doesn’t have much of a vocabulary yet. He bowed his head, and began his prayer:

Ma Mah & Papi

Ma Mah & Papa

Mama & Dada

Puppy & Puppy

Baby

Me

Amen

I can’t tell you how much it warmed my heart and touched my soul that my little three year old said his very first prayer to Jesus and he decided to pray for all the important people in his life. It’s moments like these that I’ll cherrish forever.

Do you remember what your child’s first prayer was?

(he’s got his mama’s cheeks…)

I was hoping to have a really great couple of posts today. Something insightful, funny, and a good read.

Well, it’s now late afternoon and I’m only able to muster the energy to post a quick update. The past couple of days have been exhausting with evaluations both days, bright and early in the morning, and keeping my baby entertained for the duration of the evals.

Not to mention earlier this week our A/C finally decided it was time to roll over and retire. Good news is that we talked it into coming back to work with us for a short time longer…not so good news is he wanted a pretty hefty sign on bonus. ;–)

I’m just glad we’ve got the A/C running again!

Even though it’s been exhausting I’m happy to say that the evals have been positive. They’ve checked his cognitive, motor, and something else (yes, that tiring of a week that I can’t remember lol) and all three were at the appropriate age level.

Next week is speech and a screening for other issues including sensory problems. This really is the only one I’ve been looking forward to because he’s had problems in both areas.

I knew he could count and knew his colors and shapes and could jump and throw a ball, but with the school I think the eval comes as a package deal of sorts. Which is fine…and Nicky has enjoyed most of it actually. :–)

He picked up “yesssss” yesterday at school. I imagine he heard a child say it. He used to say “yeah”. So, another moment that washed a sense of pride and joy over this tired Mama! Makes my days all worth while.

I hope this post doesn’t come across negative or depressing…because that really isn’t my state of mine right now…just tired. LOL

I’ll be back this weekend with my “work-at-home tip of the week”…see you then!

Oh and on a side note my metro mamma wrap has been a life saver! Today was so beautiful out since it rained (YAY) and cooled things down so we walked around outside, I sang some Patsy Cline to him, we danced around, and enjoyed being so close to each other. It was lovely!

I look a wee bit onry, don’t I? ;–)

Throwback Thursday put together by Pinks and Blues Girls.

The Beginning of the Day — clouds rolling in - wind kicking up…

A Few Hours Later — Dark clouds rolled in…thunderstorm and rain soon to follow…

And, A Few More Hours Later — A total tease! No storm, no rain, nothing. Sad Nellers :–(

…..blessed with a beautiful sky, clouds, and cooling wind— but, I’m soooo ready for rain.

 Happiest Baby At The Park!

(Hey, don’t forget to enter the sling give-away at AdventuresinBabywearing today! It’s the last day you can enter. The sling is by Baby Dagny…they are having a big sale, by the way!)

I had just blogged (and, I mean minutes earlier) about marveling in God’s beauty yesterday in my “Somebody Blagged All Over Me”. I mentioned how I look at nature, think about the earth, space and all the other glories of this world and think of God and his creativity.

My little family and I decided to go out front and play with chalk on the drive-way. We get everybody outside and what do we see?

Just one of the most spectacular gift’s God has given us…

After being in awe over this sight, telling my son about this beautiful gift from God, and both of us pointing out the colors we saw we then saw this…

You can see a faint double rainbow.

There’s something about a rainbow that always makes me think about God and fascinates me and my family. It almost feels like God is talking directly to us…reminding us he is there and made all the beauties of this world for us to enjoy with him.

Just passing on the beauty! :–)

P.S.

Need some fun mom chat to listen to while blogging? You can listen to the recordings of a show called “Moms Radio Network Live” and/or you can call in and listen/talk live on Monday Mornings! I called in today … it’s lots of fun! Listen to this week’s call! I called in for today’s show. You’ll hear my babies in the background…hehe!

CONTEST CLOSED AS OF SEPT. 15TH

I don’t know about you, but one of the most overwhelming aspects to parenthood is the meal planning.

Planning fun meals, healthy meals, meals that the family will eat…it can be time consuming and overwhelming.

But, it’s something we all have to do when we become parents.

The good news is that there is a fantastic service you access from the comfort of your own home that helps you with the entire process.

This service is called “Menu Planning Central” and was created by one my business friends, Christine Steendahl.

She does the hard work for you planning your meals and you simply log online, access your member’s area, and you’ll find the following:

• 3 different meal menus: family friendly meals, healthy meals, and vegetarian meals.

With these meal menus each comes with the following:

• 4 weeks worth of meals, the recipe for each, AND the grocery list!

Not only do you have access to those awesome goodies, but you’ll get a bonus of Christine’s “Kid Approved Meals” e-book with great ideas for meals your children will surely love AND you can decide to extend your membership monthly and receive new menus each month, special reports, and access to the “menu mom”, and a members only forum!

You know what is even better then everything I just shared with you? The chance to win a full one year’s membership to this fantastic resource for moms!

You read right! We’re holding a contest and the winner will receive one full year access to “Menu Planning Central” FOR FREE. This is a $239.64 value!

Who wouldn’t want this, right?

Here are the rules to enter to win:

1. Leave a comment. Make sure you have the email address I can contact you at if you are the winner.
2. Blog about this contest, link back to this blog, and link to http://www.menuplanningcentral.com
3. You must enter by September 15th at 12midnight central sharp!

I’ll then randomly draw one lucky winner to receive this awesome, time saving, sanity saving, resource.

Good luck! :–)

PS

If you don’t happen to have a blog you can still enter. Make sure you leave your name and email address when you leave the comment so we can reach you should you be the winner. I’d just ask that you spread the word about this contest in someway…email a few friends…etc.

I’m having a really trying week, emotionally and physically. I don’t often blog about my rough days. Not for any other reason except that I think it’s a given that we all have rough days.

But, this week has been especially difficult and I just feel like I need to share. My 3 year old has been showing signs of being on the Spectrum (autism spectrum) for quite some time now.

We are set for four evaluations with the school district on a variety of issues and one is being screened for being on the spectrum. Unbelievable all four are scheduled within the next two weeks…it’s going to be a bit overwhelming for both of us. It needs to get done, though.

So, this week everything just feels more overwhelming. Some of his behavior has been magnified in its intensity. I’m constantly breaking up the boys because my oldest is pushing him, poking him, pinching him…etc.

He is incredibly emotional and will cry when told no, asked to do something, or even if I simply leave the room. And these aren’t fits…he doesn’t throw himself down on the ground and kick and scream. It’s simply a good cry for whatever reason.

And, he can’t seem to handle me looking at him or even singing…in fact, last night I was singing like I normally do, and he kept shaking his head, put his hand out, and then laid down and began crying.

It’s just been rough. I love him dearly and only want the best for him. I hate to see him struggle with social interaction, normal love/dislike relationship with his younger brother (it’s more dislike), being able to hug, kiss, or even be tickled (he can’t handle much of that at all…and usually only with me), or even hold eye contact. There is much more, but I don’t feel I really need to get into it all to express how exhausted I am.

It breaks my heart for him and it’s overwhelming for me. I’m not one to “complain” or “vent”…not online and not offline. I’m usually a very strong, optimistic person. I just feel run down right now.

Whether or not my son is on the Autism Spectrum or not I know he needs help with many of the things I just mentioned. I’m so ready for these evaluations to give me an answer to the issues so that I can address them and help my son. The thought of finding out what is going on actually doesn’t scare me. It actually sends some relief my way.

I just needed to get that out and have a nice “there-there” pat on the back from my mommy blogging friends.

Okay, back to my boys now…

Mama K Creations is owned and created by MamaKNJ and she features handmade tie- dyed creations for babies and toddlers!

What you will find:

• Homemade blankets
• Fun/plush sock monkeys (how fun!)
• boutique-style accessories
• Tie-dyed clothing!

Where to find it: If you’d like to buy some unique and fun handmade products for anyone with a baby or toddler (or buy for your own kids) you’ll want to pop over to Mama K Creations!

On a personal note:

Mama K (also known as Kaiya) is the mom of one little cutie who was born on August 12th, 2006. As you can imagine by her online store, she likes to knit, crochet, and tie-dye, but in addition to that also likes photography. She is a fellow mom blogger & enjoys the community of bloggers!

Pictures of her products:

Thanks, Mama K for being my first “Made by Mom” feature!

Do you want to be featured? Email me at moms@momsblogging.com with the link to your website, what it is you make and sell, and a link to your blog if you have one.