Thankful... for Toddler quotes

Today I am thankful for toddler quotes.  Because- not kidding- Jude just said 'Paci I want' and it sounded just like Yoda.  I'm not a star wars fan (like at all. do not get it. at all), however, I do appreciate a good yoda styled quote.  Always a good time.  And a random one from a 2 yr old regarding a paci, well that's just awesome.

On a side note, our very creative instructional specialist made an entire powerpoint on English Language Learner Standards with a Star Wars theme.  It was probably one of the 'punniest' things I've seen in a long time.  Probably the best picture though was 'Obi Juan Kenobi' or whatever his name is. If I had that powerpoint I would seriously upload it.  I am definitely thankful I was present for that staff development opportunity.

And last, I am thankful for my bed.  And I can guarantee you I will be in it before 9:00.  It would be totally not cool and totally awesome.

Thankful... for my Texas, my job, and citizenship.

Today I'm thankful for Texas, my job, and citizenship.  Weird combo?  Not really.  I'm thankful for Texas because we are close to the border of Mexico.  Which means that instead of having the same culture as the entire US, we get some variety.  (Ok, I realize that a lot of states have variety.  I'm just saying...)  I'm thankful for the food that variety brings.  I'm thankful for the people I get to meet that are different and yet the same.  I'm thankful for being inspired to work harder and be appreciative of things I never had to work for.

And I'm thankful for my job because I think I have only 2 white kids??  Not sure.  The point is I get to learn about other cultures (hispanic specifically) on a daily basis, and that rocks.  I never thought about it before, because I grew up in New Orleans, and there weren't too many hispanics to begin with.  But I just really enjoy being around this warm group of teachers and parents and kids.  I love how all these parents bring the entiiire family to breakfast in the morning to eat with their kids.  I think that's awesome, and I wish more parents were that involved.  And I'm thankful because I get the opportunity to buy fresh, homade tamales and support one of our 5th graders at the same time.  It's yummy.  It's awesome.

And finally, I'm thankful for citizenship, which is the main thing I never had to work for.  I'm sure there are people who are here illegally and not that nice.  However--- working at my school, I have heard so many stories of people who are here illegally and then end up seperated from their families, even spouses who ARE citizens come under fire and question and have to PROVE their birth certificate isn't fake.  As a single parent, I can't imagine the stress of being afraid my spouse was going to be up and shipped out or wondering if he'd be allowed back or wondering if I were going to be sent back bc of the validity of my certificate, etc, etc, etc.  If someone is here and working and contributing, I'm sorry, but I don't see the big deal.  My soapbox- but to me this = ridiculous.

So basically, I'm thankful for Texas and being able to meet people from Latin American countries because they are inspirational.  They are working their butts off for something I was born into.  I tip my hat and have to confess, I just don't know if I would work as hard.  Maybe I've just had it too easy too long???  Regardless, I'm thankful for Texas, my job, and citizenship.



Thankful for.... Volleyball

Today I'm thankful for volleyball.  (Even though I didn't make the past couple games, I know.)  I'm thankful for the friendships I made with people I see every day at work.  I'm thankful for being able to deepen friendships I already had.  I'm thankful for how it makes me love my Lee family just a little bit more.  I'm thankful that I get to play something I absolutely love, even if my skills are questionable.  I'm thankful we are the reigning champs even if we lost yesterday.  I'm thankful for the VICs where we get to hang out, improve our game, improve our teaching ideas, and just enjoy watching the Rangers... or the Mavs... or whoever.  Last year the volleyball team was one of those important life lines I needed.  This year I'm just thankful that I get to call this awesome group of people my friends.  I love you guys- seriously!

Thankful- To Choose Joy

Today I'm thankful for the continuous opportunity to 'choose joy'.  If I had a slogan to live by, it would be that.  Not because I am good at it.  Because I need to be good at it.  I'm the worst person about not seeing the forest for the trees.  At a pumpkin patch with Jude, I got so caught up in capturing the perfect picture, I forgot to just laugh at all the things Jude did.  Even this evening, I found myself caught up in editing pictures and not just enjoying Jude.  And to top it off, I'm a perfectionist.  I get upset with myself when even the smallest things fail.  It's really stupid.

So tonight, to start off the season of Thanksgiving, I am thankful that I can start over each second.  I'm thankful that maybe I didn't 'choose joy' to start with, but I can 'choose joy' now.  Because it's not the past moments that count, it's this very moment right now.  And now, I choose joy.

Awww Happo

Jude has this hippo.  For whatever reason, he thinks this hippo is crying.  Everytime he finds it, he says 'awww happo cwying'.  Then he gives me the hippo.  I have to pat the hippo and make him feel better.  While I do this, Jude says 'aww'.  Then I give the hippo back to Jude.  He gives the hippo a kiss.  Then he hands it back to me and the cycle starts over.  He could play this game for quite a long time.

Also, lately I will ask Jude for a kiss.  He will smile and say no.  Then I pretend to bawl my eyes out.  He gets all concerned, comes and sits with me, and says 'aww'.

I die.

On a totally unrelated note- Jude pronounces 'Thomas' as 'Chamain'.  Don't know how he put that together.

2 years old

 Jude Dylan turned 2 on Wednesday.  Yes, it happened.  I have no idea how, because I swear he was just 4 months last week.  Sigh.... It happens so fast.

His newest things are saying 'i sahie' for everything.  I don't know what made him think he needs to apologize for everything under the sun, but at least he's polite :)  He also says 'i'm ok anytime he slightly bumps himself.  It's pretty cute.  I got him to watch Cars yesterday, which was thrilling.  I will be so happy to move to movies that have a plot that lasts longer than 6 minutes.  The saddest thing is that he hasn't wanted to be rocked since the night before he turned two.  He just crawls in his bed on his own; I cover him up; he goes to sleep.  Very sad.

So we have started our two's with new independence.  As Jude's approached 2 he has thrown more and more fits.  I try to just walk away from them, although most of the time it's because he doesn't want to get in his carseat or having to get his diaper changed.  Both of which are triggered by him having to stop whatever he's doing.  He's a really great kid.  I'm not saying that because he's mine, but he just is really easy going.  He rarely gets so upset he throws a fit, and even when he does it lasts 60 seconds at the longest.  I'm hoping this will continue.

I really think God has had a lot of mercy on me with his behavior.  He says thank you and you're welcome (actually he says i welcome, but you get the idea), and I'm sorry so easily.  I never taught him any of these things.  He is always happy and reasonably compliant.  If I give him 5 minute warnings and count down till it's time to go or stop, he always listens.  I really don't have the time he deserves to pour in to his behavior.  Sometimes he is just so sweet and respectful and non 2yr old ish that I can't help but think that it's God raising my child, not me.  Which just goes to show how much we can trust God to provide for us and take care of our needs.  He's been one step ahead of me all along making sure Jude made it this far becoming a kind person.  It makes me feel better about the next 16+ years.

Anyway, we haven't celebrated yet, because I would like to wait until my family is all here.  These pictures are from his actual birthday.  He was my little British train engineer.  Adorbs.

Big Boy Bed

Hey Jude,

This week you learned to crawl out of your crib.  As unexpected as it was for me, I was proud of you.  Some days, I do miss the little baby I had.  However, I am so excited by each new step you take on your own.  I love how you decide when you are ready to do things.  I love that I can trust you to make growing up decisions on your own.  I've been thinking about when we would convert to the toddler bed for months.  I knew you would let me know when you were ready, and you did.  You are growing up so quickly.
You are only a few weeks away from your 2nd birthday.  I've been collecting little bits of things to make a fun big boy room.  I'm excited to get it ready for you, but I'm a little sad to think about the baby who is no mas.  I love you sweet Jude.

~Momma