The World in 5 Pictures

Only in America

Only in China


Only in Thailand




Only in Mexico

My story

Ok, I feel left out on the "how we met stories." So here we go......

I had just broken up with a cheating fiance' and decided to go to summer scout camp (Raymond) to get my mind off "guys are the spawn of satan" thing. I had decided I would never date again for at least 2 years. It just wasn't worth it. I worked at Raymond for 7 weeks as the camp "nurse". I was just an EMT at the time, but "camp nurse" was more fun to say. I met Joe on the first day and thought "oh, he's tall." And at the time being, that was pretty much it. I hung out with the "it" group at camp. The "it" group at a scout camp usually consists of the geekiest and not ashamed of it people around. Being a geek somehow makes you popular at a place like that, which was great cause then I fit in! Joe and I hung out with this group for about four weeks, talked, laughed, and played silly card games.

I kept telling myself I am NOT going to get involved with anyone and was very determined. Joe invited me to go to Holbrook with him for the weekend (just as friends) to get away from the scouts for 24 hours. After five weeks of nothing but 12 year olds day and night, I NEEDED to get away, even if it was just Holbrook.

So we go, and end up going to one of his friend's wedding reception. There were yellow roses on the tables and Joe asked the groom if he could steal one. When we went outside he gave it to me with the awkward "I think I like you" smile. ( that rose is still on my truck's dashboard to this day.)

On the way home, we talked a little more "seriously" and I told him my situation. He was willing to go slow and I accepted. (sealing my doom :) ) We had one or two more weeks of camp left and one night we were talking in the Health Lodge. Suddenly without warning he got down on his knees!! What was he doing? Did he want to pray or something? Did he drop something under the couch? Was gravity suddenly getting heavier on just him? Did he fall off the couch? What's going on!?! We haven't even gone on a date. Well, he popped the question and in awkward words I said yes.

We knew each other for five weeks, got engaged, and were married in five months. ( we had to wait for a school break from college) I swore to myself I would never date again and Joe found a way to skip that part. We have been married for almost three years and can't wait to see what happens next.

Urrrrgggg

I got home from scouts this evening around 8:00, ate dinner, and actually went to bed at about 8:45. It was a first for me. And a mistake. I had a wonderful three hour nap and here I am blogging again. Oh well, now I can get things done without Collin clinging to my leg. I have a big scout meeting this Friday Night. We are going to have a campfire, cook dinner, and play some campgear related games. (Really requirements for their badges but shhhhh, we won't tell them that till afterwards.) I am excited but really nervous. The boys' parents will be there and my partner won't be there. My partner just had a death in the family so she is taking the week off to get things squared away. I hope she will be ok. I can do it, I can do it. I can handle this, right? After all they are only a group of six 10 year-old boys.........what trouble could a bunch of 10 year olds be...............?.......

Daddy I Love You

Bugs of Doom

We took Collin to the Whiting Homestead over by Snowflake to see the new cabin Joe's family is building. He sat down to "taste" the flowers but within seconds I think an ant bit him. Joe quickly swooped down and rescued him from the mean and evil insect of doom. It made me ponder a little about when Collin is older. Will Joe and I always be able to swoop out of nowhere and save him? Can I keep the bugs of the world away from him? Will Collin let us be involved when he is in trouble? Should we always save him or let him learn for himself? If so, when do we start backing off? Is there an instruction manual with all the answers that we forgot to get from the hospital when we brought Collin home? Maybe they will mail it to us soon. (i hope)

Here Are Some Pics I Finally Downloaded

Conquering the Dragon Pinata!!!

Birthday Cake

Collin and Rhayn at the zoo.

Collin and Squish Baby

I Am Only Old Cause My Childhood Toys Are Vintage

I cleaned out my closet at my parent's home finally and found all of my childhood memories and toys. It was a blast from the 80's. My Little Pony's, Care Bears, Strawberry Shortcake, Transformers, even a bunch of old McDonald toys that were slowly rotting away. Well for the last few hours I have been searching Ebay and other various sites to see if I could actually get rid of some of this junk to finally get a washing machine. Ahhhhh no more landromat. No more searching for quarters. That would be wonderful.

Anyways, the days are slowly starting to cool off and the foliage is starting to look beautiful. (even though there are very few trees here) Anybody been to Arkansas? Now that is some beautiful "foilage". Halloween is slowy creeping upon us. (Best holiday ever!!) Collin is going to be a mini Darth Vader. He looks sooo cute with his cape on. It sways back and forth as he waddles around the room. I know it is only September but I just can't help myself. "It's all about Halloween!" ...right Rhaynnon?

Home Alone

What Conner does when the "Man" is out.

Lonely

"We haven't spoken to anyone else for thousands of years, so we started talking to ourselves."

That is how I felt today as I wondered around the house wondering what to do. Lonely and bored. I have several sewing projects I would like to finish but Collin wants to "help mama," and I don't want a sewing machine or an iron landing on his head. While it is hot, I don't like to leave the house because I end up going to JoAnn's or the mall or something and spend money that should not be spent.....so I am grounded. Collin doesn't let me read cause he wants to eat the book. I could pick up the house but what is the point if it is messy within the half hour? Not ready to start school yet, I just can't ditch Collin at a sitter yet. Can't play video games, in fear of baby electricuting himself. I am tempted to decorate for halloween a month early....that would give me something to do. ( I don't think Joe would appreciate that) Please weather cool off so Baby and I can go out to play!!!!

I offered to watch Rhaynnon for Helena this week. Hopefully this will happen and she and Will can go have a night on the town before baby comes......or at least sleep. If Rhayn comes over we will do Halloween crafts!!! Fun Fun. Collin isn't quite big enough to do things like that with mama. Collin loves Rhayn, she runs around the apartment and he chases after her with squeeling delight. Collin such a social bug and loves people that are small like him.

Recently I haven't been able to find my fat gatoman, Conner. Found out is new hiding spot is in Collin's bedroom, right up against baby's playpen. It's like he started watching over the baby for me. He is mostly in there when Collin is asleep, just purring away. I didn't think the kitty liked Collin, especially when the baby runs and tackles the cat to the floor. But I guess there is a connection there finally. It's very sweet. Kitty even lets Collin pet him and shows a face of appreciation.

Service, I want to do service. There's gotta be something I can do with my time. I am an able body. Maybe I should apply to work at the arena this month at the state fair grounds to help the Katrina victims. Maybe there is something fun I could do for the kids there to cheer them up. Like balloon animals maybe.....I don't know. I just imagine these sweet little 5 year olds sitting in a big building they don't know, not a lot to eat, probably wishing they could go somewhere to play or have something to play with. Sad. I think I will check that website out next.............

It's OVER!!

I did it!!! Months of planning, hair pulling, will there be enough room, will there be enough food......37 people at my apartment. Collin's birthday party is OVER! Now we can sit, relax and enjoy all the leftovers and all of Collin's loot and swag. Inhale, exhale and sigh.
We even had Aunt Merle and Grandma Taylor there..... an amazing feat. I don't think either of them have ever even been to one of Malcolm, Lavan, Carter, or my birthday's ( not to mention graduations)
Anyways food was good and there was enough of it, friends were great and there were definately enough of them :) The pinata was awesome (carter hit me in the head with the bat..ouch) Presents were funny, Collin had no interest in them. Collin recieved an annual pass to the zoo, so now we can go with Helena every week!!
Wheeeee, now what do I do with my life? Maybe I can start planning next year's birthday....ha ha.

Fireflies

Speaking of animal's rearends. Anybody read Robert Fulghum? His short story about the fireflies is very cute......(and his writing style is inspiring both spiritually and for people who wished they could write...like me)
"The tree in front of me was full of fireflies-as though somebody had overdone it and put too many little tiny white lights on a Christmas tree. And, I kid you not, the fireflies were doing synchronized flashing. All together. On. Off. On. Off. My Thai host said they were all males "calling out for love."
One of these little flashers landed on my pillow when I went to bed. So I put a water glass over him and watched him up close. And wondered:

Just how much control does a firefly have over his stern light?
Could one be trained to do Morse cade and be worked into a flea-circus act?
Does a firefly ever attract teeny-tiny moths?
Is his light like the stars and always there, only we can't see it in the daylight?
Does a firefly ever enjoy being turned on, or is it more like having hiccups-just an urgent, involuntary spasm?
Do fireflies come with different wattage, like light bulbs?
Do firefly bulbs burn out, leaving old fireflies to wander around in the dark, unnoticed and unloved?
What might it be like if we humans were similarly equipped? What kind of pants would we have to wear?
I know some people who give off a lot of light. Because they have absorbed a lot of light themselves. They shine. This is not the kind of light you can actually see with your eyes, of course. But there are lots of parts of the spectrum of light we can't see. We experienced the results of its existence. It takes a different kind of looking.

To look this way is to see.
To see is to have vision.
To have vision is to understand.
To understand is to know.
To know is to become.
To become is to fully live.
To live fully is to matter.
And to matter is to become light.
And to become light is to be loved.
And to be loved is to burn.
And to burn is to exist
Off and on.

Maybe the fireflies are on to something."
-Robert Fulghum UH-OH Some Observations from Both Sides of the Refrigerator Door

Caused By Lack of Sleep?

I called my cat over to me and he walked toward me. And just as I reached down to pet him, he turned aroung and walked away with his tail hanging high.........................could it be that he mooned me? Did my cat just show me his butt in mocking retribution? Do all animals do this as they turn around and walk away from us. Especially the ones that do it slowly? You know, animals can totally get away with it. Humans get frowned upon and judged, but not our innocent sweet wildlife. Maybe it's a conspiracy.............................

For Leaner

Doom Kitty's most favorite dream :)

Family Reunion

Well, it is 12:00 am again. And here I am blogging only for the joy of knowing I have easy family contact where I can spell check (when I remember) and not make a fool of myself over the telephone. Some stories are just better read than heard. In the last two weeks leaner and I have tried to contact family and have them write blogs so we know they still exist. In only two weeks we have gone through a happy birthday and a sad death. (and soon to be a couple births. hooray!) But now we all know that both happened and we can send each other congrats and sympathies. Stories and unrelated crap that everyone enjoys reading. This is awesome. (especially for us stay at home mommies who need the gossip and news.) Thankyou everyone in Family de Carter for trying this out!!!

Baby Cursings

Baby went to the ped today. It was time for shots. The nurse had me hold down his top half as she stuck two needles in his leg. And then it began.............he didn't just scream and cry. He annunciated many different syllables and glared through his tears. I know Collin was not saying nice things about the nurse or me. When he learns real words is he going to be a cusser? Will I have to threaten him with soap and other strange punishments for feeling that much anger toward another person? Well, maybe not. Under the circumstances, I think I will let him get away with it this once. :)

Happy Birthday Baby!!

Yay! Collin turned the mighty 1 today. He opened a present and got red converse shoes. (they are sooooo cute!) He also had his first cake. And as you can tell be the picture, he love love loved it!
Happy Birthday my darling baby. I love you so much. I know I am not the perfect mama, but at least I was able to keep you alive and happy for the first year and I hear the first year can either be one of the hardest or one of the easiest. (i am hoping for the first one)

Double-Take?

Do you see a similarity between these two cute sailors?
(well if not popeye, then maybe Uncle Carter?)

Grouch Anthem

Grouches of the world unite. Stand up for your grouchly right.
Don't let the sunshine spoil your rain. Just stand up and complain.
Let this be the grouches cause, point out everybody's flaws.
Something is wrong with everything, except the way I sing.

You know what's right with this world? Nothing!!!
You know what gets me hot under the collar? You name it!
And the next time some goody-two-shoe smiles and tells you to have a nice day,
You just remember......
Don't let the sunshine spoil your rain, just stand up and complain.
JUST STAND UP AND COMPLAIN!!

Have an icky day!!!!!

Happy happy happy happy

This is Collin's Papa's (grandpa Bill) crib when he was itty bitty.
Collin is so happy happy happy happy happy happy!!!

Sweet dreams

Another day....yep.... my hubby is sick, I'm sick but hooray the baby is well and full of way to much energy. Went to the doctor and was diagnosed with the thing every women fears ..........just three little letters and I will write about something else....URI....ahhhh the burning!!
Anyways, I met with my scouts today. There are six of them and they are 10 years old. It is so fun to see their different personalities and the different ways they learn. It's exciting, one day my baby boy is going to be my little scout........awwww......can you just see that cute little uniform. It just brings merit badge wishes and summercamp dreams. Oh the giddiness!!!!