Happy Halloweeeeeen!

I'm totally wearing my Jack-O-Lantern shirt today.  And jeans with some trendy, strategically placed holes.  Because it's Halloween and I can get away with these jeans at work on Halloween. 

This morning before I left I was telling Landon all about the fun we would have this evening.  I went through the whole story... "You will get to put on your costume and your Cat in the Hat, hat and we'll draw a kitty nose and whiskers on you.  Mommy and Daddy will have funny blue hair and Daddy's will be really crazy!  Then we'll go Trick or Treating and you will get tons of goodies!  Doesn't that sound like fun!??!"

He just looked at me with a blank stare and then shouted, "NO!"

WTH, Little Dude?

When my Mama showed up to watch him while I went to work he got all excited and started telling her all about what we were going to do later.  I guess he IS excited.  That kid, things are always better when it's HIS idea.

There is a seriously funny video over at So Wonderful, So Marvelous regarding the trading of candy.  Check it out!  I promise you'll laugh.  If you don't laugh, we probably shouldn't be friends.

Now go eat some candy!

Friendships Are The Best Ships

Friendship is a gift.  If you have real friendships, consider yourself blessed.  Not every one has this opportunity.  There are those who are too fearful to fully give themselves to their friends; those who are unwilling to be vulnerable enough to allow others in.  Friendships take effort.  Period.  Effort to be exuded from both sides.  It isn't always east but it's always worth it.       

Take a moment and read this post from one of the blogs I follow.  It made me rethink how I spend my time.  Granted, the last year has been way different because my priorities have had to be my family, especially my son.  However, I'm really diggin' her idea of Pajama Dates.    

I find it extremely difficult to be spontaneous.  I am a planner.  I make a plan and find it unnerving to deviate from the set activities.  I have my calendar planned out a month or more in advance most of the time.  I used to be spontaneous.  I really did.  I'm unsure where I lost it along the way.  I'd like to regain some of my former self, when I would just go with the flow.  I know me though and I know that there will always be a part of me who will stick with the plan.

Friends, I adore you.  I wouldn't be the me who I am without you.  I love that I get to just be myself and you continue to invite me to hang out with you.  I am honored to have you all in my life.    
  

Landon-ese

{After eating at Chipotle} "We definitely need to go back to that restaurant to eat again!" Side note: It's been a while since we have been able to eat at a restaurant as a family and actually order for Landon off the menu. He thought it was pretty cool.

{Sitting with his laptop, looking very serious} "Mommy, I need to do some business."

{While Scott was in the bathroom} "Daddy is in there dropping a deuce! A BIG deuce!"

{Holding his toy phone} "I need to send Nana a message."

{During his bath, referring to his toy basketballs} "Daddy, I'm washing my balls." C'mon, that's funny! :)

Happy Sunday!

Old Stuff

Yesterday I started writing a timeline of Landon's symptoms. Going back and reliving that time was heart wrenching. I sobbed the entire time and had to stop writing every minute because I couldn't see through my tears. It isn't finished either. So far, I have made it to our angel flight to Children's Mercy. I will finish it soon. I need to. I need to be done with it.

This morning as I was cleaning, I finally went through a couple bags of stuff from Landon's first hospital stay. Wow, talk about dredging up some emotional crap.

I came across a few books; a Bible, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff and a puzzle book. There were several puzzles started but none finished. I'm certain I didn't even start reading Don't Sweat the Small Stuff but it's on my bedside table now.

I found two folders containing all of his hospital paperwork, including his list of medications. Wow, that boy was on a lot of stuff!

I also found all of the cards and notes of encouragement from our family and friends. Water works ensued as I looked through all of those. There were several handmade cards and pieces of art.

I boxed everything up and put it in storage. It felt good.

I'm trying to let go of the past and truly focus on enjoying the present. I'm choosing to live in the NOW!

Mommy-Landon Weekend

The husband went out of town for a couple days so Landon and I got to have some one on one time together.

He has been such a sweetheart this weekend. I have received an abundance of hugs, kisses and sweet memories.

We went to Veggie Tales Live and Landon had a blast! He has talked about it every day. We did some crafts, made muffins together, read loads of books, snuggled, sang songs...oh yes, many songs.

Wonderful times with my favorite boy!

Bloggy Blog

I feel inspired to post but I am so freaking exhausted!

In want to write about Landon's progress.

I want to write about what his GI doctor had to say today.

I want to write about how incredibly brave and strong he was today

I want to write about how proud I was of his behavior today; how amazingly sweet he was and how my heart leapt with joy when he asked to hold my hand during the drive back home.

As much as I'd like to write about all of this in more detail, a simple post will have to do for tonight.

Stay tuned....

Mama Said We'd Have Days Like This

Holy Crapoli this has been a day! 

Landon slept in his own bed last night and I think he's been punishing us for it all day today!

He was mostly happy when he woke up.  We played and he seemed alright.  We decided to get out and run a couple of errands.  We were cruising through the hardware store, everything was copacetic, so I thought.  I pulled out my phone to look at my list and Landon asked to play with it. 

"No honey, Mommy needs her phone right now."

Enter, the child that couldn't have possibly come from my womb.

Complete maniacal fit.  I take him to the van while Scott pays for our stuff.  He continues to scream and say over and over and over, "NO GO TO THE BIG STORE EITHER!  NO GO TO THE BIG STORE EITHER!"  Which means that he wanted to go back in to the store.  You see how confusing this child is?

We needed to make another stop and I wanted to give him a chance to redeem himself.

"Landon, if you want to go in to the next store with Mommy, I need to you get it together and calm down."

We drive to our next stop.  He fits and screams the whole time....about a 15 minute drive.  Upon arrival, he's still throwing his fit.

"I'm sorry Landon, you've chosen to continue to cry and throw a fit so Mommy will go inside and get what we need while you and Daddy stay here.  If you can calm down, Daddy will bring you in and you guys can find Mommy."

I finished my shopping and came out of the store to a still screaming kid.

Seriously?

We drive home.  He screams and fits.

We get home, he still wants to fit.

I get his blanket, finally get him to sit with me in the recliner and turn on Sesame Street.

He falls asleep watching Elmo's World.  He NEVER falls asleep watching television.  Ever. 

I put him in his bed for his nap, hoping he wakes up happier.

1.5 hours later, he wakes up and he's still pissed.

Seriously?

We get him back to being content just in time for him to throw another fit.  OMG!

Distraction.... I take him to the Dollar Tree.  He's actually pretty well behaved while we're there.  We're walking through and we barely touch a shelf and it comes crashing down.  Glass pumpkins falling to their untimely death.  Yep, that was us.  I hear someone shriek from across the store, "Oh my gosh, WHAT was that?!?"  We walk directly to the register, tell the cashier what happened, pay for our items and get the hell out!

Did I mention I missed the Baby Shower of a dear friend this afternoon? 

Landon is currently enjoying some outside play time with Daddy.  Thank you, Daddy!

You see, I love this being a Mommy stuff.  I really do.  But you know what?  Sometimes we have rough days.  It's not always rainbows and smiles.  Anyone that says it is, well, they're lying straight to your face.  

Mama said we'd have days like this.  She also said they should end with wine.

Almond Milk

I made almond milk the other morning.  I've thought about attempting it many times but I was under the impression that it would me much more difficult than it was. 

Here's what you'll need:

1 cup of whole raw almonds
4 cups of filtered water plus 1 cup for soaking
Blender
Kitchen strainer
Cheesecloth or paper towels

First, soak your almonds for 10-12 hours in filtered water, just enough to cover them completely.

Discard the water you soaked your almonds in and add the almonds along with your 4 cups of filtered water to the blender.

Blend on high for a couple of minutes, until it looks like the almonds are nice and chopped up.  Your water will begin to look white, which is exactly what you're looking for.

Then, you'll need to pour this mixture through a double mesh kitchen strainer and cheesecloth or, in my case, a paper towel worked great! 

Refrigerate and use within 4-7 days. 

I kept mine very basic because it was for Landon.  You can get creative and add vanilla bean, vanilla extract, cocoa powder or whatever you like.

This is what it should look like when your blending is complete.

This is what you will see in your cheesecloth or paper towel.

This is what you will see in the kitchen strainer after pouring the milk in.

Almonds and water, ready to get blended.

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Although you start with 4 cups of water, you'll most likely end up with about 3 cups of milk.

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Splish-Splash Finger Paints

As some of you know, my child isn't always fond of bath time. It's a crap shoot, really. Some nights he's cool with it, others we are like master negotiators trying to coax him in to the tub.

We bought him some of those Elmo bath "paints" which were stupid expensive and smelled gross. It came with 3 tiny containers of different colors and he blew through a container a night.

SO, since I've been seven shades of Martha Stewart this weekend, I decided to make my own. It was super cheap, they smell good and it took me all of 10 minutes from start to finish.

Here's what you'll need:

Baby Wash (I used the inexpensive stuff)
Cornstarch
Food Coloring
Plastic Containers

Side note: If your child has sensitivity to food dyes you could also use juices or blended fruits/veggies for coloring. If you do that, just be sure to store your paints in the refrigerator when you aren't using them.

Mix the baby wash and cornstarch until you reach your desired consistency. Then, split it up in different bowls and mix in your colors. Finally, put the colored paints in to individual containers.

See how easy it is?!

Here are some photos of my process.

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L4L Softball Tournament

Saturday September 29, 2012 we held our First Annual Love 4 Landon Softball Tournament.  It was a HUGE success!  We ended up with a total of 8 teams (pretty good considering this was our first year), sold all kinds of concessions and merchandise.  It was a beautiful day, mid 70's with a gentle breeze and sunshiney sunshine.  Perfect.  This day would not have been possible without all of our volunteers and people who donated their time, talents, baked goods and mostly their LOVE 4 Landon! 

We are truly blessed to have so many who continue to support our family.  Believe me when I say, to my core I fully feel all the love you all so generously dole out to us every day.  

You know that ol' saying, something like "when life gets hard you find out who your friends are"... Well, it's true.  Through this journey we've definitely been reminded who truly cares for our family.  There have been people who have stepped forward in ways we could have never imagined.  What a gift.  My faith in people as a whole has been redefined and strengthened.

I want to take a moment to extend a heartfelt Thank You to everyone who continues to support us in our efforts to bring awareness to IBD.  Together, we can help each other and all those who are affected.      

My darling niece, Kate, who was a GIANT help with Landon that day, myself and Misty.

Husband and myself.  I would literally be lost with out him.  He may not realize it, but he provides me with an immense amount of strength and will to keep pushing forward.

THE BOSS, our Superman, our Boy Wonder.  Landon.  The reason we do what we do.

Myself and Kelli.  This woman is definitely a gift from above.  She worked her tail off and smiled the whole time.  How lucky I am to have her as a friend.

Uncle Africa (or Fred, depends how you know him) chillaxin' with some darling kiddo's.

My sis Shan, Mama and myself.  These two women, well they are a whole other post!  Shan has mad organization skillz and put this entire tournament together!  She amazes me.  Sister, your talents are endless and you are a dynamic force in this world!  Mama was there with her beautiful smile and helped with our toddlers throughout the afternoon and evening.  THANK you both.  You rock a lot!

Misty working the Merch table.  This chick is nothing short of phenomenal.  Not only did she stay with Landon the night before the tourney (Scott and I got to see my nephews play!) but she was up at 5 a.m. getting things ready.  She also worked her tail off.  She never ceases to amaze me and I am so happy to still have her in my life after 24 years! 



The FAB Four!  There were many others who helped make this day a success and the four of us were sure happy to be a part of it all!



Walk

This afternoon we joined a whole gaggle of people at the zoo for the Wichita Take Steps Walk to bring awareness for Crohn's and Colitis.  We decided to do this walk to honor our son.  HE is awesome!  He is smart.  He is strong willed.  He is funny.  He is highly entertaining.  He is a gift and our greatest blessing.  He is also still healing after being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis 10 months ago.

You'd never know it looking at him though.

 

 

 

We had at least 40 walkers on our team, Got Guts.  It brought me to tears to see everyone out there supporting us.  Thinking about it as I type this gets me all weepy again.  I never would have imagined this being our life.  But you know what?  It is and even though sometimes it's hard as hell, I really do love it. 

 

Look at all of our wonderful friends, family and supporters!  There were 44 people who came out just for Landon.  How completely awesome is that?!? 

 

Here are a few more photos from our afternoon.  Enjoy!