Teef

Teething, losing teeth, and complaining about teeth have become a common theme in our house recently. Connor and Gavin are both losing teeth, Brennan is gaining teeth, and yes, I am complaining ...I have some tooth sensitivity and acid erosion from depending too much on my beloved Coke Zero to make it through the day for the past few months. But this post isn't supposed to be about me. I'll be ok, once I break my bad, bad habit.

Connor looks like "Nanny McFee", because he
was too chicken to let me pull out his
dangling-by-a-thread tooth.
It does make for a highly humiliating
picture to save for his teen years, however.

Gavin is so proud he's lost his first tooth!
He stares in the mirror at the gaping hole in his mouth
and grins from ear to ear with smug satisfaction,
(and is not so patiently wiggling and coaxing
his other teeth to follow suit).

Last but not least we celebrate the arrival of molars
for Brennan! Hallelujah! No more gumming his
food to death,or chomping desperately like
an old man trying to eat a steak without dentures.

Mexican Word of the Day

Sean has posted (not so recently) about the wonderful world of ENGRISH, which is hilarious in it's own way... but, Asians aren't the only ones who have a niche in the "misuse of the English language" market. I have a funny friend from Guatemala that passes emails along like this one: (a word to the politically correct reader, this email is not PC at all.)

MEXICAN WORD OF THE DAY: WATER
My vieja gets mad and I don't even know water problem is!
MEXICAN WORD OF THE DAY: BRIEF
My homie farted frijoles bad, and I couldn't brief.
MEXICAN WORD OF THE DAY: MUSHROOM
Orale vato, when all my familia gets in the car, there's not mushroom.
MEXICAN WORD OF THE DAY: CHICKEN
My vieja wanted me to go to the store, but chicken go by herself .

MEXICAN WORD OF THE DAY: LIVER & CHEESE Some vato tried to sweet talk my ruca. I told him, orale loco liver alone, cheese mine.

MEXICAN WORD OF THE DAY: JULY Ju tol me ju were goin to the store and July to me! Julyer!
MEXICAN WORD OF THE DAY: WAFER
I wanted to go with my mom to the flea market pero she didn't wafer me!
MEXICAN WORD OF THE DAY: HERPES
I had some cake to share with my wife, this is my piece this is herpes.

Next on our colorful journey of the English language...."Red-Neckese", and boy howdy! I have some good 'uns!

Spring

I am not a poet and cannot possibly communicate in words how truly grateful I am for the miracle of rebirth each and every Spring. It's awe-inspiring to watch the world once again explode into every color imaginable. The air is crisp, the blossoms smell like heaven, and I feel once again renewed. So thank you, God. You do marvelous work.

All of these tulips are in my own front yard. Aren't they gorgeous?
I am lucky enough to look at them every day.

I didn't amplify the color on any of these flowers,

they are naturally that bright and beautiful.

I wish I had smell-o-vision... love the smell of blossoms.

PS- I posted twice today, I guess I am feeling a bit introspective.
Please read the next post, too. Thanks.

Music to soothe the soul

I love music. It speaks to my soul like nothing else can.

With the stress I (and my hubby) have been under lately, the only thing that can calm me down is music...and chocolate (but we won't go into that right now). I am eating/sleeping/breathing music. Headphones are my best friend, and my car is my personal musical journey.

In recent years, I have been somewhat disappointed with the music being thrust upon the masses. I find myself gravitating toward obscure bands that most people haven't heard of...or have heard once and don't know who the band is. (Think "Frou Frou" a.k.a. Imogen Heap, "Zero 7", "Everything but the Girl", and this "Massive Attack" song.) I am a little quirky I guess. I used to love the mainstream Top 40 and now I roll my eyes in disdain listening to what's popular. Does that make me old? It probably does. Don't get me wrong....I am so refreshed with musicians like Ingrid Michaelson, Sara Bareilles, Colbie Caillat, and they have become mainstream for the most part. I wish them much success.

But, I am talking about the song on the right playing right now. I love it. It soothes my soul. Give it a listen (haunting vocals come in a minute). I am going to periodically throw some new songs up there and see if you like them. I know music is extremely subjective and personal, so my feelings won't be hurt if we don't agree... but give it an honest try. You just might like it, too.

Big Bad Two Year Old

My lil' mischief maker turned two last week! It seems like just yesterday we were marveling over his newborn punk hairstyle, and here he is...a full-blown two year old punk. I feel a little bad for my Brenster, being third in line he doesn't quite get the same attention (and planning) that his older brothers got at his age, but hopefully he will forgive me for his lame unplanned birthday at the car dealership (he did get a balloon), a dessert from Chili's, and some play time in the park. I guess that's a pretty fun day for a two year old, right?

Brennan channeling Chris Farley.
The only way to achieve this is by
stuffing his face as full as he can.

Chocolate Molten Cake...no candle, but so gooey and delicious.

And the race to "Stuff-Yo-Face" is on....

Going, Going....

Gone. Chocolate "nirvana" reached.... so good!

I loved this picture. It captures it all.

Brave enough to slide by himself. What a big boy.

That's all folks!

(We did have a real birthday cake with a candle the following day at the Scothern family reunion, but being third child, un-organized Mom forgot to take pictures. Sorry, kiddo.)

Fun In Moab (part 2)

Ahh, Moab. No place on Earth like it. As promised, here are the Jeep day pictures on trails called "Steel Bender" and "Hell's Revenge". Sounds like a walk in the park, right? Come to find out (later in our hotel room) that they are two of the most difficult trails to conquer in Moab. Only "Poison Spider" beats them out in degree of difficulty (which I went on with Brennan in another family's vehicle when Sean and the boys were 4-wheeling.) Was it fun? Most of the time. Did I have a death grip on the car handles the entire ride? You betcha.

Thankfully someone took a picture of all of us together.
I admit I am a little camera-phobic, but it's nice to say
I was there, too. So often we look like a motherless family.

These two photos are of a "Bathtub" which is exactly what its like if
you could drive into your bathtub. Except not as relaxing.

A bit steep, isn't it?
I have to say I am really impressed with what our
little rental jeep could do. I may have to write a letter to Jeep and
tell them their commercials aren't as far fetched as I once thought.

Thumbs Up! We're still alive.

So there were times when the "boys" had to compete to see who could climb/dive the biggest rock. We went with some pretty adventuresome families, (which I now love dearly) but holy cow! We'd unload the kids and nervously watch our mates scale rocks that would make your hair curl. I am so glad we said a prayer of protection before doing really stupid stuff like this.

Fun in Moab

This will be a two part post. Mainly because I forgot my camera on our greatest (scariest) adventure...the jeep safari. I will have to rely on others who remembered their cameras for their awesome pictures of that adventure. I did manage to capture some of Arches National Park and kickin' up some dirt while four-wheelin' for your viewing pleasure.

My boys and balancing rock.

Not such a hard tree to climb, was it?

Cute dorks.

I love you, trailer...you haul my beloved toys.

The look of pure content.

Ready to go exploring with my cool hat and security device...

Kicking up dust is fun!

Throwing dirt...there's nothing better!

Yes, I am a little stinker!

At the end of the day, Brennan just decided he was tired of walking and took a dirt nap.