A Christmas birthday and a Christmas blessing

Dear Life,

Today I have been flashing back to five years ago when Kumaka was born.  I am AMAZED at him...and all he does.  He works so hard to do the things we all take for granted.  I could never have a clue how much of an impact he would have on so many people.  I love him.

Now on to the Christmas blessing.  I watch two of the most adorable little boys ever.  Gavin is two and Dillan is eight months old.  They are so sweet and loving.  Gavin just cuddled with me all day today!  Today when their daddy came to get them he gave me a card.  In it was a sweet card and gift cards for amazon and a visa gift card.  The note said instead of them getting something for my boys they wanted to help Santa.  Tears were in my eyes as I read this...because we all know how much things cost.  My boys don't ask for a lot, but sometimes (as in this year) the things they really want are not very inexpensive.  The amount in the card is almost exactly enough for the gift my nine year old wants.  What a blessing that was.  I am so grateful to them for this...it was completely unexpected and I am so excited to see my boys eyes when he unwraps his gift. He's going to be so happy.

From...A Mom of Boys

My fear five years ago...

This post was inspired by Summer at Made by Munchies Mama.


 Five years ago I was pregnant with our youngest boy Kumaka. At nineteen weeks he was diagnosed with Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus, and two Clubbed Feet.

 (You can read more about him here) We were afraid of a lot of things...I can't even write them all down, probably because I still have a lot of fear about a lot of things. But I remember distinctly the two biggest fears of mine that were unfounded.
One: I was terrified I would not bond with him.  We've all heard of this happening.  Especially when there is a traumatic event.  Like a child being born with a disability.  This was my very secret, shameful secret.  How could I even think like that?  I didn't know...but I did.  I was so scared of that.
Two:  I was equally terrified that I would hate his feet...and let me just say I am not a feet person ANYWAY...so I was petrified I would not want to touch or kiss his sweet baby feet.

So as we were excited about having boy number five come into our home...

I had secret fears I didn't even share with my husband.

The day approached...

Was I excited?  Yes! Was I terrified?  YES!

I put on my smile...and went off into the Operating Room.

And how could I have been afraid of this sweet boy?  Look at that face....so sweet...he looks so Hawaiian here!  Yummy!
The next test was his feet....would I hate them?  Be afraid of them?

No....I would kiss them and give them a nickname...."Jellybean feet".  Which stuck....

So my fears were unfounded....there were a lot of prayers and a lot of tears before I met this sweet bundle of joy.

Of course there are new fears, and lots of uncertainty.  There is all of that with ANY child, but especially with a child with a disability.  I have learned that the only way to deal with fear of any sort is to give it up to the Lord, get down on my knees and pray.  If I need to cry I cry....and then I get up and do what I need to do.  I have found strength in Him, and learned that through Him all things are possible.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY LITTLE KUMAKA!!!!

From...A Mom of Boys!!!!

Buzz got jacked

Dear Life,

Today I had to go to the mall to get a refund. I had my cute little Kumaka with me. He lives the Disney Store. I promised we could check it out after I was done at Game Stop ( which is a whole different post....let's just say not a fan!!!). As I was finishing up I notice he's gone. It shouldn't be that hard to keep track of a four year old in a wheelchair right????? Wrong!!!! I went out of the store and a lady told me he went to the Disney Store. I should have known. I ran back inside GameStop to finish.... And in comes Kumaka with a Buzz Lightyear in his lap. Yea....my four year old is a criminal. I took him back over there, replaced it and explained why we don't take things without paying. Fun times today at the mall. He cracks me up.

From...a Mom of Boys!!

Cold Hands...Warm Hearts Swap

Dear Life,

I love swaps.  They are super fun and I participated in an awesome swap called Cold Hands Warm Hearts from Sandy and Illy....

I got my fun package today.

Not ONE pair of gloves but three!!!

And my Favorite colors too!!! :)

And don't you LOVE the polkadotted little bag..perfect for lipgloss and such!!!!

And not one, not two, but FOUR pairs of ADORABLE little earrings of assorted sweet colors.

And a fab book (Why yes, I AM the last person alive to read "The Help"...thank you Melissa for rectifying that situation LOL).  Check out the adorable paperclip bookmarks she made me... I LOVE them!!!!

Melissa at The Pleated Polkadot totally spoiled me!!!  I am so glad I participated....LOVE LOVE LOVE

From...A Mom of Boys

Happy Birthday

Dear Life,

Tomorrow is my sweetheart's birthday.

Isn't he cute?  I love this man!

I don't really know how I got so lucky to be chosen to have such an amazing man as my husband...but I am so very grateful!  He is the very best part of me.....he makes me smile even when I don't want to....he reminds me to stop being so serious....he cooks better than I do LOL....he loves me in spite of me....and he is an absolutely amazing father.  He is kind, loving, patient and sweet.  

Happy Birthday babe! :)

From... a Mom of Boys!

Winning!!!!

Dear Life,

I love my boys.
I love to make them happy.
Sometimes the things that makes them happy cost money.
A lot of money.

But alas, I haven't found out how to grow a money tree.

Don't get me wrong, I don't believe in getting your kids every inane thing they want. I'm a fan of having my kids asking for one thing and doing my best to get it.  My kids really want an XBox 360.  They have wanted one FOREVER.

Who can afford it??????????

Once you buy the system you have to buy extra controllers, then you have to buy games, the list goes on and on and on.

I am on cloud 9.

I got it refurbished....for half the price!

That just makes me want to squeal in joy.

(I think I actually did)

What are you doing for gifts and how are you saving money?  I know that times are tough....would love to hear everyone's ideas!

From....A Mom of Boys!!!!

I love mail...

Dear life,

I love mail in December. Christmas cards, Christmas letters, pictures of families, and packages.
Today I loved the mail more than I ever have before.
We got a letter from Make A Wish.  Kumaka is being granted a wish.
I am so excited for him and my boys.
For all that Kumaka has had to deal with....for all that my boys has had to deal with....something to look forward to.
Not sure when or where or what....just know that I love mail in December.
From....A Mom of Boys!!

Saturday Sassy

Dear Life,

I had to drag my rear end out of bed on Saturday....had to work.  Felt better...needed makeup but needed to be comfy.  Yes...I'm the big girl that shouldn't wear leggings.

SORRY!

Comfy won!

And my favorite favorite favorite accessory?

My Ugg Boots!  They are 10 years old and cozy and my fav.  My hubby got them for me long ago...so glad I didn't get the pink ones.  Yes I wanted them...I'll admit it.  Good thing he talked me down.

Love my necklace from Classy N Sassy.

Looking forward to wearing jeans when my waist size shrinks....for now I think I did pretty good!

From...A Mom of Boys!!

Life trying to kick me when I'm down...

Dear Life,

Really?
So found out my weight....and decided to brave it out and post it so I can be accountable in black and white.
Then I went to the orthopedic surgeon with my little guy Kumaka and found out that he will need major surgery in February and be in a spica cast for a couple of months.  You can read more about it here.  I went to the ortho to talk about a different issue and felt completely blindsided.

The next day I got the flu.
Body aches.
Nausea.
UGH.
This whole weekend I've had to lay a little low...when I thought I was feeling better I discovered I was still not quite right.
GREAT.

Then I realized that my oldest son's Eagle Court of Honor is in 6 weeks....and Christmas is in 21 days....and I'm now in full blown panic mode.

Put out a note on Facebook....my dear friend told me she could help with my invites...and my sis said she could help with the labels.
My computer has been making me want to hurl trying to make labels.
Taking deep breaths.
I can do this.
And I can start weight watchers.
And I can start working out.
And I can start taking care of me...

RIGHT?????

EEK.

Would love to hear what you all do when Life tries to kick you...

From A Mom of Boys