Finally, 4th, Dogs, Parenting

Hey y'all!

I am going to apologize for my peppiness (real word?) ahead of time. I FINALLY dragged my ass out of bed to work out this morning. Yep - 4:30 came early but what is my other choice? Unless I want to take time away from Garrison at night I only have the option of going to the gym in the morning. After only 6 hours of sleep I have to say I still have so much energy after working out. Hopefully this is the start of getting back into my gym routine... we'll see! Oh and on the way to work this morning I saw an incredible lightning show. No rain - just awesome lightning streaks all across the sky - beautiful!

We had a great 4th weekend! I was just glad we didn't have to be anywhere at a certain time, different from past few weekends where we were constantly going. We went to Wylie fireworks show Thursday night with my friend Julia and her kiddos Mark and Shelby. Friday Garrett and I went to see The Hangover and while it is completely vulgar it is by far one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. We hung out with my parents that afternoon and evening. Dad grilled out steaks and we had game night. Garrett and I were the winning team - yay! On Saturday we went to McKinney to visit the in-laws and some family that was in town. We rode out there in Garrett's Jeep. WHY we thought that would be a good idea I have no clue. The 100 something degree heat definitely got to us. And then as if that wasn't dumb enough we proceeded to go to the car show in downtown. Oy vey... But we did hit the Allen outlet malls where my mother-in-law introduced me to my new favorite store - Burke's. It was incredible. Think slightly downscale TJ Maxx or Marshalls. They have name brands for SO cheap. I got 2 hats ($7 each) and some jewelry (like $3 each) and PJs for Garrison ($5 each). I was so excited. And Bass was having a huge sale so Garrett got some much needed shorts for $13 a piece. This is the great part. He was at Ralph Lauren at first and called me and said he wanted to get these $40... you heard me 40 DOLLAR shorts. What?! Was he crazy? Pretty sure I just bought my summer shorts at Wal Mart for $15. I know that sounds WT but really now... I told him to just hold on and we'd go look together. So we went into Bass and voila - shorts on sale! He was happy we shopped around. Hello - doesn't he know I know best when it comes to deal finding? :)

Last night Garrett and I watched that A&E show, I Survived. Ever seen it? It's great! Anyways, one of the stories on there had me crying like a baby. This woman was an avid runner. She had a 3 year old dog named Taz that she rescued from a shelter a few years before. For all you dog lovers this is NOT a sad story - nothing happens to the dog, trust me! Anyways, to shorten the story they went on a run in Utah and she slipped on some ice and fell 60 feet down a canyon and shattered her pelvis and had severe internal bleeding. Her dog ran around and around and finally made his way down to the bottom of the canyon. After a couple days of her dragging herself with her upper body alone she realized she was not going to make it out of there alive unless she got help. It was 20 below 0 at night time. Finally she turned to her dog and said she actually looked him in the eyes and told him to go get help. She said her dog looked at her like he totally understood what she was saying and then took off. A few hours later her dog came running back. She was at her lowest point by then and she was crying. She said her dog literally licked all the tears off her face as if to tell her it would be okay. She then heard the motor of a car and a man came to her and said, "That's some dog you have there!" HOW GREAT IS THAT? For those people out there who don't think dogs understand what you're saying or that they have no real connection with humans argue that! It made me realize how great dogs are and the true comfort and joy they can bring to our lives. Here are my dogs Sox and Tex with Garrison- love these babies!

Friends often ask me how Garrison turned out so good. We are very lucky to have a sweet, well behaved son. Since this is a blog where I am speaking to whoever wants to listen I wanted to give a few tips on why I think Garrison turned out so well. I think parenting is a very simple concept that takes patience and a go with the flow attitude. And now for my unsolicited advice (haha). Five words - consistency, discipline, laid back, patience, and most of all LOVE!

Garrett and I are super consistent - from routine to discipline to schedules and we co-parent together really well, thank God. We never contradict what the other one says in front of Garrison.

Discipline can and should be used at a very young age. We started timeouts when Garrison was 1. Trust me - when you tell them no and they look at you and laugh and then go do that same thing again while still looking at you, they know what "no" means.

Be laid back. Your child (from the time they're born) can feel the tension in your body when you hold them.

DO NOT LET THEM SLEEP IN BED WITH YOU! Please!!! That will affect your marriage (hello!) and will never allow your child to be independent. It's okay to let them cry sometimes - they don't always need to be held.

Some of that may sound harsh but trust me - it works. I have one of the sweetest, most affectionate, loving, trusting son I could ever ask for! I'm SO not bragging on my parenting skills or saying I'm perfect - just trying to help any new parents out there or those that may feel like they just need some extra advice.

Well, I'm hopping off my soap box now! Have a great day! Here are two pics of Garrison - when he was a baby and now. WOW - time goes by fast. For all you parents out there PLEASE enjoy every second you have with them!

Jewels*

Lately...

I haven't been writing lately so I thought I'd say Hello and give an update - random updates of course.

Random story - I had to call my sister yesterday and tell her this one. You know you're PMSing when you are in the car alone and drive up behind the Blue Bell ice cream truck and (out loud) say "MMMMMMM!". So sad. I have been on this birth control for a few months now and I swear every month I have thought I was pregnant. Before you keep reading I AM NOT PREGNANT! I have had every single symptom (heartburn, HUGE boobs, headaches, fatigue, nausea, hungry, frequent urination... all of them) except missing my period. Isn't the female body strange and often frustrating? I think so. I told my doctor I would stick it out though and am hoping my body gets used to it. God knows the last thing I need is to switch pills again only to get size ZZZ boobies (if that's even a size).

So Natalie (my best friend since I was 10) and Gary got married last weekend. It was a blast! She was the most beautiful bride of course. And although she was my bridesmaid over 6 years ago I can't believe she is married now! I am so excited for them and ready to watch them start their lives together. They have been in St. Lucia for the last week and I can't wait to hear from her this weekend and catch up on all the details - well not ALL the details - but most of them. Here is a picture of her and Gary (sorry so dark) and one of Garrison in his tux - how cute is he I ask you!

Kristin and family also came in town for the wedding and it was nice for them to see Daddy on Father's Day. Here are some pics of my precious nephew Will and Garrison walking at Firewheel, Will's awesome CHEESE smile, and with dad.

On a serious note I am starting to feel like God is putting people in my life for a reason lately. Over the last couple of years I have had two really close friends (in fact both of these girls have become two of my best friends) who have gone through an incredibly hard time in their marriage and decided to get a divorce. I find myself asking God why. Why does it have to happen to these girls who are such strong Christians? Why me who I feel like has no experience with divorce -growing up or in my own adult life? I can only have faith that it is for some reason. I hope that I have been a good friend, listener, and support system to these girls. It also helps me to remember not to complain. I have the world's best parents who love and support me in everything I do. I have an amazing husband who, while of course has some faults like the rest of us, loves me and my son and does everything he can and more to provide for us. I have the most precious son who teaches me what love truly is every day of my life.

Speaking of blessings here's a (late) shoutout to all you dads out there. You know, for all the guys out there who read my blog and all (HA). Seriously, if you are a father of a young child NEVER underestimate the power you have in your child's life. Especially if you have a son. My son imitates EVERY single thing my husband does (good and bad). They soak up absolutely everything you teach them. I am so grateful to say that my husband is a truly loving, dedicated, loyal father and Garrison and I are both so blessed to have him as the head of our family. Here is daddy and Garrison dancing at the wedding:

I HAVE HAVE HAVE to start eating right and working out again. Not quite sure what made me "fall off the wagon" yet again... oh wait, yeah I do... HORMONES! Dear Hormones - I hate you! Anyways, I need to get serious about this. I always either go all the way (work out every day and eat great) or completely awful (fast food, snacks, desserts, ugh!). We have family vacation in Galveston at the end of July and Garrett and I are going to Hot Springs for a week long get-a-way in November (yay!). I'm super excited about Hot Springs because we haven't taken a vacation with just us two in a long time. He has a "jeeping" trip that weekend and we are doing bed and breakfast/spa time during the week and camping/jeeping on weekend. Now that's compromise... and a perfect vacation! Can't wait!

Garage Sale day tomorrow! Yay! Bring mama some money!!!

~Jewels*

I've missed you!

I know it's been a long time since I've blogged. A few people asked me why I wasn't posting anymore so I decided to give everyone an update. First of all can I just say I think it's funny that anyone noticed I wasn't posting anymore. People actually read this? HA!

A few funny stories to share with you - as always. So I bought my bridesmaid dress for Natalie's wedding about 6 months ago and it fit perfect. I've been steadily losing weight (a very little bit) but the boobs... BIGGER! How is that possible? The only thing I can attribute it to is that I got on Mirena, off Mirena, and back on a different birth control pill all since I bought this dress. My husband doesn't believe me that they have gotten bigger but I swear I could have Triple G's and that boy wouldn't complain. What is it about boobs anyways that guys like? We'll leave that topic for another day. So I went to a tailor to see if it could be let out in the "bust" - I felt all classy saying that instead of saying to the little chinese man, "Can you make this area bigger so my big titties can fit?" Anyways, he said they made the dress so that there was no way to let any out of the bust... of course they did. So I went to David's Bridal and had to walk the walk of shame and go to the counter and ask (in front of everyone) if I could exchange my dress for a bigger size. You know the annoying, peppy, over the top lady behind the counter (along with everyone else) was thinking "Ohhhh... one of THOSE girls who bought a size smaller thinking she would lose weight in time for the wedding but didn't! Mmmm... hmmm!"... geez, so embarassing. I thought of saying, "I really have lost some weight and the dress still fits just not in the boobs... see my boobs are apparently like Pinocchio's nose and just keep growing and growing and growing." I didn't care though. So I dried on the bigger size and what a shocker it was a little too big. So yes they did an "emergency order" and I will have just enough time to get my dress back and give it back to the nice little chinese man to get it altered in time for the wedding. Why is being a girl SO difficult?

Garrison has been pretty hard to wake up lately. He goes to bed about 8:00 and I get him up about 6:15. Hell, I wish I got that much sleep. Anyways, he's just like his daddy - not a morning person! So he was being grumpy all morning and I let him take his magna doodle in the car to play with on the way to school. As a side note I really do consider myself to be an EXTREMELY patient mom so when I feel impatient it makes me mad at myself. He was playing with his magna doodle and drew a picture apparently because he said, "Look mommy! Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, see! Mommy!"... I said in my patient motherly 6:30 am voice, "Hold on baby. Mama's driving and I can't look right now." He said, "Look mommy! Mommy, I drew a picture. Look! See! MOMMY!" Had I followed instinct I would have turned around (yes, taken my eyes off the road) and yelled, "DO YOU WANT US TO DIE???? BECAUSE IF I LOOK AT YOUR PICTURE WE MIGHT DIE!" But I didn't - I somehow had the patience to once again say, "Baby, mommy can't look right now. See, I'm driving and if I take my eyes off the road that would be very dangerous wouldn't it?" And what does he say, "Okay mommy." Pretty sure that was a much better reaction than I would have gotten in the alternate scenario. haha! Ohhhh, patience is a virtue I tell ya'.

We took a vacation to Broken Bow, Oklahoma with friends of ours for my birthday mid May and guess what? The lake was CLOSED! First time in 40 years it has happend! At least that's what the excited lady at the visitors' center told us... we weren't too excited. We took my friends' boat and that is ALL we had to do... and ALL there is to do in Oklahoma. We managed to have a good time though (says something about good company) and we made it to Lake Lavon (right by our house back in Wylie) on Sunday.

Natalie's bachelorette party is this Saturday (as well as Gary's bachelor party). I am super excited to have a girls' night. We are staying at the Crowne Plaza and hitting some Addison bars and maybe Labare. I hope I see Pedro there. There's a story behind that (of course). We went there for my friend Jesiree's bachelorette party and I brought my mom because I thought it would be fun! HAHA - we had the best time! We were making fun of all the male strippers (gay, gay, gay, and pretty much... gay) and there was a Mexican fan boy (the guy responsible for setting up the fan to blow on the dancing men) who my mom and I nicknamed Pedro. We were cheering for Pedro all night - every time he brought that fan out... "GO PEDRO!!!!"... gotta' show the fan boys some love girls!

Not much more to tell. It's been a busy few months and will continue to be busy through the summer I'm sure. Garrett and I are still actively looking for a church home, Garrett will be starting full time school in a week, Garrison is going to be taking swim lessons in a couple of weeks (I'm secretly freaking out about that), I am still working and loving life with my boys.

On a sentimental note for those of you married girls out there - DON'T GIVE UP! Garrett and I have been married for 6 years and without going into all the long, drawn out details I will just say it's SO worth it to stick it out no matter what! There are days where I think it would be so much easier to just give up and not have to deal with "stuff" (how he chooses to spend money v. how I choose to spend money, personality differences, etc.). I'm sure he feels that way too sometimes. I just wanted to say that I know God has a bigger plan for Garrison and for us as a family. I'm not sure why I just put that in my blog but maybe God is telling me someone needs to hear that message today. Secrets of marriage (in my humble opinion) in order: Communication, Laughter, Sex!

What a sweet note to end on, eh?

Love,

Jewels*

P.S. Some recent pics

Thomas Family Photo

Bridget and I (on our way to the lake... that was closed!)
Garrett and I - finally on the boat

Garrison and his GRILL sucker Garrett got him at Popcorn Papas
Me and Garrison playing out back in the sprinkler

Mirena... what now???

I had Mirena (IUD) put in about 5 months ago. We thought it would be a great method of birth control because it lasts up to five years but you can take it out sooner. The pill just wasn't working for me anymore. Well... I'm getting the Mirena out today. I can say goodbye to: bloating, weight gain, BIGGER boobs (is that possible?), acne (like I didn't even have as a teenager), mood swings (ask Garrett... seriously), emotional wreck, 20 day periods, cramping... the list goes on and on. Back to the pill for me! Why does being a girl have to be sooooo hard? I guess we could always just use the good old abstinence method.... BAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Like I said... back to the pill for me.

I'll blog more later.

Jewels*

Does it really matter?

I never thought I would be one to blog about this - or consider it for that reason. Garrett was out of town this past weekend on a "Jeeping trip" in Gilmer, TX. I had a relaxing weekend at home but did miss him which makes me wonder how I ever cut it as a Navy wife... that's for another time though.

I called one of my best friend's Bridget and asked if I could go to church with them on Sunday. She was so excited to have Garrison and I come visit. Garrison and her son Tanner are best buds! Let me give y'all some background. I am born and raised Episcopalian (Anglican - don't ask) and I have an unshakeable faith. My entire (or mostly) family is Anglican, my sister is a youth director, my uncle is a priest... the list goes on and on. I LOVE the sacraments, the tradition, the reverance that is involved with the church. However, Garrett and I have been trying to find a church home for the last 6 years of our marriage. He comes from a Mormon background. He was baptized as a Christian about 7 years ago. We have probably visited 15 churches (some in other states) and still have not found the right fit for us. For a while we went to my "home church" (my parents' church) and it just wasn't the right fit. While I love the traditionalism (is that a word?) of the Anglican church I CRAVE to be spiritually fed. I don't have to have contemporary music necessarily (although I do love it) but let's face it for you Anglicans/Catholics out there... we don't bring our bibles to church, there is not an overwhelming focus on the youth, etc etc. I really thought Sunday would just be a great time to sing and have a "feel good" kind of Sunday. But I really felt the Holy Spirit while at the Baptist church... who knew?? Just kidding. But really, I felt like it could be a great fit for our family. I started thinking I was crazy becuase here I am this traditional Anglo Catholic girl and now I'm thinking of going to a BAPTIST CHURCH??? After discussing with my sister and parents it was brought up, "Does it really matter?" And the answer (in my opinion) is NO it does not. Who cares if we go to a Catholic, Episcopalian (conservative), Anglican, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist, or Baptist church??? So after much prayer I discussed it with Garrett when he got home and we are going to go visit as a family next Sunday. Prayers for us in our journey to find a new church home are much appreciated in this time. That's all I have for today.

Oh, we had a great time at Disney on Ice. Here is a picture of me and Garrison:

And one of Best Buds Garrison and Tanner:

Jewels*

Hearing, Vow Renewal

Okay... I just typed an entire post and it somehow got deleted before I coudl post... grrrrrr!

I have been asked to give an update on how my surgery went and here it is:

I can hear!!! More specifically...
- kids playing on playground after walking out of my post op appointment
- my high heels clicking on the hospital floor after my appointment
- running over the grate in the parking lot
- rain on the roof
- my TV volume at 20 instead of 30 (how I used to listen to it)
- I no longer read lips
- Garrison whispering
- the click of the light switch when I turn it on

The list goes on and on. I'm shortening this post because I don't want to retype everything I just did so I'm either sorry or you're lucky. haha. Surgery went very well. They only did local anesthetic so they could test my hearing after to make sure it was successful. I was nervous about that at first but grateful looking back because I knew right away the surgery worked. Really nauseous after but doc put alcohol soaked cotton ball on my nose and told me to inhale deeply and that helped a ton. I basically had to lay in the bed for 4 hours without moving. Had to use bed pan to pee first time in my life... that was not a pleasant experience to say the least. Car ride home was actually okay. Basically had to lay on couch for 4 days, felt ok day 5, and back to work on Monday. Thank you all for the prayers. I'm so blessed that this was successful. Have to get the second surgery but waiting about a year for that. Had an awesome doc that people even from out of state highly recommend so let me know if you are looking for a good ear doc. (adults and kids)

My parents' 30th vow renewal was this past weekend. Awesome! I was super nervous becuase I found out a week before I was supposed to sing with my sis while our cousin Nick played the guitar. It ended up going good though so glad that was done. We had a great time and I really miss my sister and fam. Can't wait until they move here. Here are the pictures.

Can't wait until Thursday - Mickey and Minnie's Magical Adventure: Disney on Ice. Bridget, Tanner, Mom, Garrison, and I are going. Garrison is beyond excited!!!

I'll keep you updated.

Love,
Jewels*

What?

Hopefully I will be using a lot less of that word after my surgery tomorrow. I'm only having my right ear fixed for now and the left one will be down the road. I was reading over my pre op paperwork last night and telling Garrett the statisctics they provided. I have a 1% chance of going completely deaf in my right ear, a 10% chance of losing taste for up to a year (new diet perhaps?), a 1% chance of losing taste forever (a lifelong diet perhaps?!), a 1% chance of face paralysis (that would be my luck since Natalie and I used to watch "Sewing With Nancy" and make fun of the poor lady), and a 1% chance of having severe veritgo (basically being so dizzy you constantly throw up - awesome!). All in all the chances are good that the surgery will go well. There is a 95% chance my hearing will improve and I am hopeful for that number. I was just telling a friend earlier today who asked if I was nervous that the human part of me is terrified - I HATE HATE HATE... did I say HATE?... throwing up. And most all patients do so at least once after surgery as your equilibrium is completely jacked with. And of course I am afraid of being lumped into one of the above 1% categories. But the Christian part of me (which I know is greater than the "human part") has faith that all will be well. I have so many prayers going up for me and I am so blessed to have people that care so much in my life. So thanks all for the prayers!

I put this on my facebook status earlier but I will tell it again here. I was trying to prepare Garrison for the fact that I am having surgery. I don't want him to be concerned or confused if he sees me down for a few days and I'm not my normal self. And let's face it... to have Daddy take care of him for at least 3 days is going to be a shocker... haha, just kidding. So I sat him down last night and told him Mommy was having surgery. He got a look of utter concern on his face and asked Why. I explained to him that this will hopefully help me hear better. He said, "Why do you need to hear better mommy?" I said, "You know how you talk to mommy sometimes and I have to say 'huh' 'what'? a lot?" "Yeah he said." - because he does know this all too well. I said, "Well, after I have the surgery I won't have to ask that anymore and I should be able to hear better." He looked so concerned. To look at a 3 year old and see that they feel like they have the weight of the world on their shoulders is awful. He perked up and said, "You don't have to Mommy because I CAN JUST TALK LOUDER LIKE THIS, SEE?" with a big smile on his face. How sweet is that I ask you? I have to say Garrison deserves the sweetest kid ever award for that one. He thought that by talking louder he could solve my problem. I am so blessed to have a child who thinks in such a selfless way. And for those of you who have kids or even know a 3 year old that is tough to find.

As a little note I started the book Love Dare - a 40 day journey to help enrich your marriage. It is amazing so far. Garrett hasn't started it yet but I like it that way. This way we do not know what to expect every day from our "tasks". For those of you who have read it you know what I'm talking about. For those that haven't, you have to try it! It is amazing!

I am off now and I want to leave you with some pics of my awesome support system. And this is just some immediate family. I have TONS of extended family and some of the greatest friends ever! Could a girl be any more blessed?

My amazing, wonderful, funny, handsome hubby:

The most precious little boy EVER:

Who could ask for better parents?

The world's most loving, compassionate, selfless person I've ever known, my sister:

The craziest, silliest, strongest, Godliest, rock of a woman I know - my grandma: