I love Ryland...

Kids kissing...so cute, right?  WRONG!

I'm at a loss for words...not sure where to begin.  Yesterday Ry came home with a note from a girl (by note I mean a drawing of a heart with the words I love Ryland across it.  Yikes.  It bothered me all night.  How young does this happen?  Is it cute and innocent?  Should I  be worried?

After Ry was asleep last night, I heard that Ry's best friend told his mom that Ryland and the girl with the note kissed at school.  TOTAL SHOCK.  I started freaking out.  It was all I could do to not wake him up and start the interrogation.  All I could do...

Surely his friend was mistaken?  Surely?  My innocent Ryland?  No...

This morning we wake Ry up and talk to him.  He finally admits it.  PANIC.  I didn't even know what to say.  I had this overwhelming feeling that I must be the worst mother in the world.  How could we have avoided this?  We have a rule in our family.  No kissing ANYONE except for family.  This girl is not in our family.  He broke the rule.  Why doesn't he think girls are gross?  What happened to cooties?

I knew he would be a handful down the road...I knew it...but this early?  Seriously, Ryland? 

What do I do?  Scare him to death?  Talk it over?  Ignore it?  Who am I kidding...I can't ignore it.  We talked it over AT LENGTH and we attempted to scare him out of kissing again.  I hope it works...

My pride and joy

Surgery Update

Ryland's surgery yesterday went really well.  He did great and I didn't cry...we're a proud family!!  I can't say enough about the staff at Children's (Plano Campus) - they took such great care of us, were professional, friendly and we received first class service the whole time.  Ry was not circumcised as a baby and we felt that we needed to have that done.  I know he doesn't understand or appreciate it now...but I'm hoping he does when he's older.  My brother and his wife had a son earlier this week and they both had the procedure done on the same day.  What a bonding story - can't wait to tease them about this much later in life!

Every single person we came into contact with at the hospital had something sweet to say about Ryland.  (He's so cute, I love his hair, he was awesome, does he ever not smile, etc.)  It really made me and Dust proud.  It's amazing when other people see what we see in him - he's such a good kid who is usually happy and smiling!

The silly juice had the opposite effect on Ry than we thought.  It mellowed him out.  He got really chill and focused. Hmmmm...wonder if we can get some of that on the internet...  :)


Here are some pics of our little trooper yesterday!

Pre-surgery.  He like putting on clothes just like the doctor and he really liked his finger light.

Just waking up...still out of it.  The nurses gave him the little stuffed puppy.

Enjoying a popsicle

They brought a wagon to wheel him out to the car in.  He was excited and I think it's the first time he's been in a wagon.

He enjoyed the special attention even though he was 1/2 out of it.

Waiting on the valet to bring the car around.

Ready to head home for movies and video games!

Spring Break: Day 1

Yesterday my neighbor asked if we'd like her to take Ry with her to work for a couple of hours this morning.  (She's an elementary school coach.)  Ummmmm, yes please?  Ryland not only busy, but running around a gym burning endless amounts of energy while we get some work done?  Yes, please!  Thank you Ms. Dana!

This afternoon we headed to the consultation appointment for Ryland's upcoming procedure (man surgery as we are calling it).  Awesome doctor and staff - Ry had the time of his life!  He was cutting up, being hilarious and talking up a storm.  He captivated everyone there.  Surprise, surprise.  A year ago he knew no English.  And today, he carried on a full conversation (about hockey, of course).

"Hi, I'm a doctor.  Not the kind that gives shots, don't worry - just a surgeon.  What kind of doctor are you?"
"I'm not a doctor!  I'm a hockey player.  Do you know how to play hockey?  Would you like to ref?  What's your favorite team?  Dallas Stars?  Or maybe Chic-aaa-go?"

When the doctor asked him how old he was, he told him that he was 5, his Papa was 31 and his Mama was 20!  Everyone laughed and smiled at me!!  Socially speaking, the kid was ON today.  He was a clown, hilarious and the center of attention.  I'm not even sure he knows he's being witty, but he sure loves the attention and feedback!

Here's a couple pics from our big trip to the doctor.  He was so excited, from the time we pulled up.  Maybe it was because he knew we were going bike shopping afterward???

Still excited by things like elevators and escalators.  And by excited, I mean amazed!

In the waiting room watching TV with Pop.  Love it...look at my serious boys.  I don't get many pics of Ry where he is not smiling!

Cheesin' it up

Everyone loved his cowboy boots!

Big boy helping Papa load up his new bike.  Last night we were all riding and his inner tube popped! (To Shawna & Kimmy - yes, I was riding a bike too, and no - I didn't crash in the bushes!!)  He has outgrown his old one and is asking us to take away the training wheels.  Today we got a bigger bike and we hope to work on no training wheels this week!

Ry's view on marriage

Ry and I were snuggling while Papa read us books at bedtime tonight. When the last book was over, I told him that I didn't want to go to my bed that I would just stay with him.

"Mama, you can't do that. You are married to Pop so you have to sleep in bed with Pop. You can't sleep with me or you would marry me and you can't marry me because you are married to Pop. Remember? Just go...go sleep with Pop because you are married to him. Ok? Are you sad?"

Hilarious! I laughed all the way to my own bed. I love how things make sense in kid's heads.

Kindergarten Open House

Last night was the Open House at Ryland's school and he was so excited to take us around to all the classrooms and show us everything!  We had great visits with his teacher and ESL teacher and I am always to glad to touch base with them. I can't tell you how many times we heard kids and adults say hello to Ryland, make comments about his smile, ask if he is always this happy, etc.  My little social butterfly.  His science teacher was very excited to tell me about something he had done this week.

His class went to the book fair in the library and they had separated the boys and the girls.  The boys went around and looked at all the books first while the girls waited.  Ry was the first one done and walked back to the area where all the girls were waiting.  As he rounded the corner, he said this with a grin on his face "hello ladies".

I know, I know...I'm in for it!

Following Directions

Following Directions...Ryland's latest struggle.

Ry's been having a hard time at school and is consistently bringing home reports of "Not Following Directions".  Dustin and I know this is all our fault.  I hate to admit this and I do feel lazy, but the fact of the matter is that we haven't been staying on top of him enough.  We ask him multiple times to do things before he actually gets around to doing it.  He doesn't follow directions clearly and usually responds to our directions with "but ____________."  We're just tired and we don't want to fight all the time.  So I may ask him 4 times to set the table before he actually gets around to doing it.  I don't like that, I want to change...I just don't want to have to "police" everything with him...it's exhasuting.

It's clear, the time has come.  He has to learn to follow directions at school and the only way he is going to learn that is if we enforce that behavior at home so he can learn the proper way.  Dustin and I have cracked down.  We're on day # 3.  We're tired.  But we are confident if we stay on top of him and get through 2-3 weeks of hardtimes, he'll be set.  It will become habit.  It's hard, and there's part of me that dreads coming home from work now, because I just want to come home and relax and have a fun evening with my family...not come home and put on my Officer Mama badge.  Hardwork pays off, we know this works with Ryland - we just have to do it.

To the other parents out there...does this happen to you too?  Do you know that what you are doing isn't helping the situation, but continue to do it anyway because you don't have the fight in you?  Help me stay motivated and focused over the next couple weeks.  I can do it...I mean, "I bleed Tiger blood".

For your viewing pleasure

Here's some recent snaps of Leah's baby shower and some other randomness!

Leah's Cupcake Tower

Cortney & Chandler (my little sis)

Clothes for Baby Talon!

Leah with the excited Grandmas

Ry doing a self pic

Having fun at a birthday party!

How do you love?

I believe…
that just because someone doesn’t love you the way you want them to doesn’t mean they don’t love you with all they have.  (Author Unknown)


The quote above really makes you think.  Well, it makes me think anyway.  A few years back I learned a lot about Love Languages.  It was so interesting to me that Dustin and I could each express our love to each other in different ways.  I had always loved Dustin the way that I wanted to be shown love instead of the way he needed to be shown love.  It really made us think about our relationships with each other as well as our family and friends. 

My love language is:
Words of Affirmation


Actions don’t always speak louder than words. If this is your love language, unsolicited compliments mean the world to you. Hearing the words, “I love you,” are important–hearing the reasons behind that love sends your spirits skyward. Insults can leave you shattered and are not easily forgotten.

After we learned this it was so helpful.  Before hearing this, Dustin thought buying me gifts was how he should so me that he loves me. 

The Five Love Languages are:

Words of Affirmation


Actions don’t always speak louder than words. If this is your love language, unsolicited compliments mean the world to you. Hearing the words, “I love you,” are important—hearing the reasons behind that love sends your spirits skyward. Insults can leave you shattered and are not easily forgotten.

Quality Time

In the vernacular of Quality Time, nothing says, “I love you,” like full, undivided attention. Being there for this type of person is critical, but really being there—with the TV off, fork and knife down, and all chores and tasks on standby—makes your significant other feel truly special and loved. Distractions, postponed dates, or the failure to listen can be especially hurtful.

Receiving Gifts

Don’t mistake this love language for materialism; the receiver of gifts thrives on the love, thoughtfulness, and effort behind the gift. If you speak this language, the perfect gift or gesture shows that you are known, you are cared for, and you are prized above whatever was sacrificed to bring the gift to you. A missed birthday, anniversary, or a hasty, thoughtless gift would be disastrous—so would the absence of everyday gestures.

Acts of Service

Can vacuuming the floors really be an expression of love? Absolutely! Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an “Acts of Service” person will speak volumes. The words he or she most want to hear: “Let me do that for you.” Laziness, broken commitments, and making more work for them tell speakers of this language their feelings don’t matter.

Physical Touch

This language isn’t all about the bedroom. A person whose primary language is Physical Touch is, not surprisingly, very touchy. Hugs, pats on the back, holding hands, and thoughtful touches on the arm, shoulder, or face—they can all be ways to show excitement, concern, care, and love. Physical presence and accessibility are crucial, while neglect or abuse can be unforgivable and destructive.

What's your love language?  Check out this website to find out.  It may even surprise you! 

http://www.5lovelanguages.com/
I've found that this has been so helpful to our family.  Ryland is just like his Mama and needs to be shown love by words of affirmation.  Poor Dust, he has 2 needy people at home to deal with!  Not fun for a guy who doesn't like to talk about feelings!!

Date Night

What a chore weeknight date nights are! Why didn't anyone tell me???

Two minutes before the babysitter arrives I realize that I hadn't even thought about what they were going to eat. I'm pretty sure most moms would have prepared a quick meal before leaving...apparently that's not my style.
Luckily karma was working for me and I found some cash in the house to give to the babysitter. "Please take him somewhere or order a pizza... please!"

Quickly refreshed my makeup and zoomed down the highway to meet Dustin at the movie theater. The 5th closest movie theater since that is the only one playing the movie we wanted to see within our 2 hour time slot of freedom. I finally get there and Dustin runs out to give me my ticket. I missed the previews and the first 10 minutes of the movie, but oh well. Dustin had a romantic dinner of nachos and a cherry coke icee waiting for me!
The movie wraps up and I check my watch...7:12. Oh great, I told her we'd be home by 7:15. Send her a quick text and head for home. Get home and immediately start bedtime routine.

Wow, what a night! Rush, rush, rush.

Weeknight Date Night Bonus?

Bedtime routine is much smoother and even enjoyable when we haven't been bickering all evening or been asked a million questions.

Bonus aside, I kinda like my weeknight evenings at home...I think I'll keep date nights on the weekend!