Things aren't always what they seem!

Yesterday we noticed a bubbly blister on our toddlers little tiny pinkie. We were astounded with the fact that he had gotten what appeared to be burned and we didn't even know it. What kind of parents were we????  We went through a field of questions with him to which he answered 'yea' to every one. Did you get burned? 'Yea' Did you touch something hot? 'Yea' What did you touch? And we watch as he makes his way to the stove which he knows is hot since we've been telling him that for nearly his entire almost two year old life. Then he parades his hurt finger around to each of his concerned family members for kisses. After he goes to bed, I'm still baffled as to how and where he got this bubbly blister from.

Well, today, not 10 hours later, it's miraculously healed. Not a trace of the blister to be found. Then it dawns on me...it wasn't a blister at all...it was a BOOGER!!!!

And after I told our teens about the mix up we were all laughing but also thoroughly grossed out that we had kissed a dried up booger!

I wish it were only about cookies!

It seems like the contrast between toddler and teen is becoming more apparent to me.


After explaining to the toddler that he can't sustain life on cookies alone, I'm making a more conscience effort to make sure he looses the cookie addiction. Which is difficult since he's already letting the sweet goodness control him and tempt him into doing naughty things. Like sneak a cookie and stick it in his mouth really fast thinking that once it's in I won't be so brazen as to take it from him. Of course he's sadly mistaken!

Along the same line but on a much more serious vein...having to start the heavy conversation about what kids have tried and/or are selling drugs that my teens have come into contact with since we moved to California. Making another conscience effort to make sure I know who they know and where they are going and who they're with at all times. Keeping an open dialogue with them so they can approach me about anything and everything. Even though they think I'm repeating myself, which I am, that they get the point that they can come out the other side of being a teenager without being influenced but rather being influential.

My nightly prayer for all my boys...that they would stay on the path that God has laid out before them, that they would have strength to resist temptation and that they would grow in wisdom and strength and in the favor of God and men. Also, that the Lord would send an army of angels to have charge over them and the Holy Spirit would be that still small voice that leads them down the paths of righteousness.

Shrugs or hugs?

Jesus and Lady Liberty in a side hug!

Teen Hug: These have evolved from the arms-wrapped-around-your neck with a big squeeze to a two-second one armed side hug.  Apparently it's called a shrug...I guess it's a normal part of teen development since it has a name!

Toddler Hug: When my youngest is feeling snugly he asks for his bimpy (binky) and then 'hair' to run his fingers through. And he gives the longest lingering hugs with the added bonus of his head laying on your shoulder.

I'll take all the hugs I can get, short side ones or long snugly ones.

Profile pic...

Must give credit where credit is due...this most awesome shot of silhouettes and the sunset over Coronado Beach was taken by my ultra talented son, Christian.   He's taking a photography class this year and is getting very impressive. I'll share a few more in the coming days. BTW, he's not using digital...these are all old fashioned film...so we get to be surprised when we pick up them up from the drug store.

Late Bloomers?!?

So a new friend invited my youngest and I to a playgroup she found on line. It's a group of women who have toddlers and are lets say 'seasoned' Ok, they're all in their 40's...but this isn't old! It's the new 30.  These women all started their families later in life. I technically don't qualify as I'm not a 'late bloomer' as much as I am a RE-bloomer!

    

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