Say it isn't so...SPRING?

A sign of Spring...the flowers creeping up and Julian blowing bubbles! He has always loved bubbles and when he had his speech issues, I worked with him everyday on blowing the bubbles...i figured the blowing was good for his speech...He loves bubbles! So we do bubbles!

Tonight was the big moon...but we had clouds...bummer! So maybe when I get him up tonight we will look out the window and maybe we will see it!

I have a friend who told me I was a great mom and that really touched me...you know as mom's we try our best to be the best...I had a friend that passed away 2 years in July and she was an amazing mom...I always said if I could be half the mom she was I would be great! So now that I am unemployed and having no prospects...I am doing the best I can...I want him to happy and enjoy his childhood...We had gone outside tonight, to kick the ball around the yard ( I am sure I will be paying for it later with my back...but who cares!) it was so cold and Jeff said "why are you going out there" I told him..."this is just a glimpse of their little life...soon enough he will be heading off to college, I don't want him to miss this...he may not remember it, but I will be able to tell him about it"...I will someday print out all these pages and make a book for him. To me...he is the most beautiful person on this earth...not just his looks...he sweetness, his personality...he is so wonderful to be around. I thank God every night and day for this child of our...it was such a struggle to have him...now that we do, I am sucking it all in...everyday and every night! Sending you Hugs and Blessings!

Oh yeah...so you don't think I am perfect...we went to a party today...and on our way...my husband, mother and father all called to tell him to listen to me when it was time to leave the party...we have had issues in the past leaving play dates...I will say...he did great! It helps when everyone is leaving at the same time!

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We had a great day today...I love at the end of the day when Julian says to me...
"DID YOU HAVE A NICE DAY MOMMY?" it melts my heart! We are all waiting for spring to really spring into action...It looks like we are getting some snow tonight and tomorrow...nothing that should leave much but still! We will see what we wake up to! Not much to report tonight...just another good day here...

Looking for a job in this economy is crazy! I am either over, under or don't qualify at all...God will provide and lead me to my next job...this I know! Hugs and Blessings!!!

Out with friends...

Starting out our day, reading the map, figuring out where to go first!
Polar Bears!!!

Julian the ham sneaking in the picture a pose!

On the boat

Love this tiger

Ok..so this tiger stood up on his back legs leaned up against the glass...Cyndi and I tried to take a picture, Cyndi's phone was full and I couldn't get my camera out in time...so this was the second time around...

Rain forest...Julian and David running on the bridge

The crew...Julian is in the middle!

Playing with his friends

Doesn't it look like they are on a motorcycle? Julian and that darn sippy cup! How cute would that photo have been...Nat is smiling so proud to be with her buddy!

Today we went out with friends to the Zoo...I must admit...this was the first time that Julian had been there...yes at 3.5 yrs old...the first time! He loved it! Not only did he love it there, he loves his friends! We had such a great day...we walked in with our friends Cyndi and Trey and then later met up with all the other mom's in total there were 5 families...I love to set up play dates...LOVE IT! This was one of them that I coordinated...in the beginning I thought...oh no...it was cold...the sun was out...but it was cold...but as we continued on with our day...it began to warm up and turned out to be an amazing day at the ZOO!

So our day wasn't perfect...here is what happened...

1: Julian fell once in the beginning

2: Cyndi pointed out that a bird POOPED on my jacket!

3:Julian fell again...and really got dirty this time

4: Julian fell off a bench and hit his head on the radiator

5:I dropped my phone in the toilet...ICK...GROSS...YUCK!!!

6: Julian was talking to Trey and walked into a pole!

So, we left the zoo with no serious injuries...just bruised egos...for mom of course! I will say I really enjoy setting up these play dates...I love to see Julian's face when everyone shows up...I hope one day he will know I did it all for HIM!

We walked for over 3 hours...on my feet...never sat down...how could I? So tonight I am sore, and yes, out of shape...but slowly trying to get back into shape without hurting myself...so we did a ton of walking and I have an appointment to see my PT tomorrow...I feel over all pretty good...my hamstring is very tight in my left leg, so I will be doing more stretches before I go to bed!

I know I am so bless to have wonderful parents...tonight we went to their house with Gram for St. Patrick's day dinner...it was very nice...and then my mother said...is Julian spending the night? And so, we came home childless! So tomorrow, I will be able to clean my house, do my laundry and listen to talk radio all by myself! Ahhhhh thanks mom and dad!!! Love you tons!

Sending you all many hugs and blessings!

New name for my blog...

the JOY of JULIAN!

Yes...I have a new name to the blog...My dear friend Dorothy and PT suggested it and I am running with it...Because I admire her so much, she has helped me so much...not just in PT but in being a better person and a better mother to Julian! With her help and support I am able to do so much with Julian that I NEVER dreamed I would be able to do with him!

This is one of my ALL time favorite picture of Julian...it was a HOT summer day and we were at my parents house getting ready to go swimming and we went into the front yard to put the sprinkler on, and Julian started to play in it...he was having so much fun, I yelled to my mother to get the camera...and this is one that I captured...I wish it was more clear...but I think you can see the JOY of this little boy...Just playing in the sprinkler...children are amazing!

Tomorrow we are heading to the Zoo...we are going with some friends from school...he is super excited to go...and it is St. Patrick's day! So he will be in green!! I will post pictures!! Let's hope the weathermen are right about the temps! 59 they say...fingers crossed!!

Sending you many hugs and blessings!!!

Spring is in the air!

Today we hit a high of 52 degrees!!! That is awesome for here! It is amazing what a little sun will do for your soul! Julian and I played outside...I walked up and down the driveway for about 30 mins. I wanted to get in a walk, so I figured I would do it in my own back yard...he had his bubble container and was blowing bubbles at me...laughing the whole time! I must say...he is truely a joy to be around! I am having the best time with him...that is not to say we didn't have some difficult moments today...like when it was time when it was nap time and he pulled my hair and slapped me because he didn't want to take a nap...or when I told him NOT to throw the ball in the house and he did and it hit my favorite vase on the mantel...So my life isn't all wine and roses' although I wish is was right?

Poor Jeff came home from work...and all Julian wanted to do is talk to him and play...you could see that Jeff wanted to decompress...so Jeff did what all good daddy's do...he played and talked...and played...and now he is snoring on the couch! At one point Jeff said...Julian...let's play who can be silent the longest...I think Julian lasted 15 seconds...but if laughing counts...1 second! It was so cute! Oh...Julian told Jeff that he missed him today! I just about cried! To hear him express that is just music to my ears!!! When you have a child with delayed speech...and then they start talking it is like a blessing...but all children are blessings and everything they do! So I leave you tonight on a happy note...love you all and come back soon!

Sunday, Sunday...

Oh how we love our sundays at our house! We have not been going to church lately...Jeff have been working 6 days plus over time and just wants to be home on Sunday...Whic I can understand...but I do watch it on line..our church streams through the web which is great! Today we had a birthday day party to attend...it was a hockey party...we had so much fun! Julian and daddy did all the skating while mommy stood back, took pictures and had fun with the other mom's who didn't skate! What a wonderful afternoon. I was able to chat with some mom's that I never get to chat with and really enjoyed the conversation...Jeff was on Julian watch today!

I dont' think Julian will be playing in the NHL, but he tried...after 10 mins he was DONE! He was so cute and really did enjoy himself!

Cute little thing...

So tonight, Julian wanted to say his prayers...so he said Dear God...blah blah blah...and papa fell asleep on the couch and wouldn't play catch with me and I was sad...he said he was resting...and then he went on with the rest of the prayer...which was taking a VERY long time...so when he ws done, I said Julian were you saying your prayers or your life story...he said...my life story! LOL

OK Come on now!

Ok my stalkers...you need to leave me a comment or two...I love to blog...I love to hear what people think of my blogging...what do you want to hear more about? Please tell me...leave me a comment...My PT Dorothy who I love and adore and has worked so hard with me, always told me that I should blog...so here I am blogging once again...

Yesterday, I was looking at old videos on my Face book page, and I was shocked to see the progression of Julian's speech! I kept telling his Dr. and the old speech teacher that he was tongue tied and he kept getting ear infections...I swear they must have thought I was nuts! Crazy mom here she comes again! But I knew in my heart of hearts that there was a problem. We went to a ENT the one who worked on Jeff and the minute Julian opened his mouth...he said..."oh and he is tongue tied!" I looked at Jeff and he looked at me...and I said..."I AM NOT CRAZY!" It is absolutely amazing! Just from a year ago...he had his surgery on 3/3/10 and where he is today is amazing! I had a girlfriend years ago, who has a little girl who was tongue tied, and had surgery on it, plus I think tubes just like Julian, so I knew that this speech delay HAD to be that...from the time he was 15 months he was in Early intervention...we had a ST who was very nice, but just was not working out for Julian and she got pregnant...so right after his surgery she went on leave and we got a new teacher...whom we LOVE and adore! Well, between switching her and myself and the family really working with him from what we are told it looks like his speech teaching through the district is going to end in June...it is bitter sweet for me. One because I love his teacher and two because he has progressed so well!

Now he knows his phone number and his address...I am not just saying this...but this child of mine is VERY smart. The things he retains and learns is amazing. I know children in kindergarten who don't know this stuff.

So here is a pet peeve of mine...and it seems to be on Face book mostly...Maybe it is because it took us so long to be parents...but please people...STOP complaining about your children. i don't care if your children are adopted or not...it doesn't sound right...and to people who can't have children it drives them crazy...and if you know me well enough...I am standing on the hill all by myself saying this because no one else will! Don't get me wrong...I have posted things like..."is it bed time yet" or something of that nature...but if your child is sick, or you are at a function with your child and you are bored...please keep it to your self...sometimes it is better to know your audience...(I stole that from my Friend Marybeth!) She always says that! SO that is my rant for the day...I will post something tonight...so please check back and leave a comment!!! Or just check off one of the boxes at that bottom of my post! Thank you and sending many hugs and blessings!

Yummy--I LOVE IT!

Well, it is that time of year again...Faschnaut time! If you are not familiar with them they are like a donut only flatter...growing up, I can remember going to my grand mothers house and having them...but she made hers! Now I just go to the store and buy them...the one I have found to be the most similar to hers is at a store called Dash's Market...Today I treated my parents...and bought some for us as well. I have to say...I am very blessed to have my parents...They love having Julian around, so today after school, I dropped him off, and they had a pajama party...when I was picking him up, I told him to ask Nana and papa for faschnauts...well tonight he had 1/2 of one...he said to my mother...aka Nana..."I love them!" So cute. Isn't it funny how food can bring back such wonderful memories of your childhood?!

My step grandfather worked at a very private club called The Buffalo Club. Back when he worked there...they had separate entrances for men and women...I think they still do. It is a very private club, very expensive...well he use to bring home the best chicken wings and friend scallops...and pastries that were left over from that night or morning...I can still taste and smell them...it was great waking up on a Saturday morning and having those pastries from there. They are both long gone now...but out of all the memories I have of them...those are the most fondest ones...centered around food...go figure! No really go...figure!

Now my son is building memories with his grandparents...not centered around food...but centered around love...and pajama parties!

Thankful Thursday...

Today I am most thankful for the friends I have found while being a mommy. Friends come and go, this I am all to aware of. But once you are a mommy things are different. You really are careful who you become friends with...will our children get along, do they have the same morals and beliefs as my husband and I. Since Julian has started school at his pre school, we have met some amazing families that I am so thankful for. I hope that we remain friends for a long time. I have made friends with some mom's in a women's bible study as well. I am so thankful that God has a plan for me and that I am listening to His plan and following it. This I am so thankful for! My friends!

Wordless Wednesday...

40 Days of Lent...

So I am going to be posting scriptures on the side of my blog every day...please say the prayer if you like...I am really looking forward to doing this and if you would like to copy it to your blog please feel free to do so! Starting tomorrow...check it out!

Tuesday Trips...

In the Spaceship with Michael
At the water table

Shelley, Michael and Julian at the water table!

Today we went to the Buffalo Museum of Science...this was the first time we had gone. I have been there many times as a kid...but never took Julian...yes, remember he was the boy in the bubble! We went with our good friends Shelley and her 2 boys Michael and Luke. We had a blast. Julian was so good, we went to the gift shop and I told him he could pick out anything he wanted...and the video below is what he picked! He played for almost 4 hours with it today when we got home...he was so excited he wanted to take a nap with it, and never took that nap because he wanted to play with it so bad! With the exception of a dinner break and one potty break...4hours of play time with it! It is a hit!!

I will say, ever since he has been potty trained...he has been a dream! There were a few fough weeks in January and February...mostly out of frustration I am sure! So proud of my baby boy!

Friday is Strong Museum...I am so looking forward to that! Fingers crossed for no sickness or snow!

Here is a video from today!

Hope you had a wonderful and blessed day!!!

See you tomorrow!

Monday Madness

So every Monday my parents take Julian...they pick him up from pre school and take him for the day and night...I am so thrilled he is able to spend this time with them. I/we are so lucky to have them here with us. I always dreamed of my child having the grand parents that I never had...the ones who attend everything...I never had that...and now he has that...I always prayed for that...My father...aka Papa...takes him to swimming lessons right now...and Julian loves to swim...we all do...I am so looking forward to this year and the pool. I see many pool parties with our friends and their children.

Today on my Monday Madness...I dropped off Julian, stopped by my parents house, went to PT, came home and cleaned my house, did laundry, talked to a friend who needed some support, went out with my husband on a mini date and came home and here I am blogging! What was your monday like?

We had a play date set up for tomorrow but it was cancelled...so I called to let my friend Shelly, and the great thing is...we changed our plans with no problems...so it is off to the Museum of Science. I am so looking forward to it. First he is getting his hair cut...then it is off to see Michael and the gang...should be a great time!

I have to say...I am so glad that I am back to blogging. It has been way to long...it is a great release...a place to go and tell my thoughts.

As you may see I have changed my title to my blog...it is now "Our one and only!" When Jeff and started planning a family we always talked about having 2 children...then when it was taking us so long and we had six miscarriages and our son Joseph who didn't make it, we said that if God gave us ONE healthy child that we would be happy...and I AM HAPPY...Yes, it would be nice to have another child...there are days where I day dream about it...but God has a plan for US...HE knows what is in store for US. So for now Julian is OUR ONE AND ONLY and I am loving it! I love the time we spend together. He is my little buddy! OUR little buddy...and I couldn't ask for a better buddy then him! He is so sweet and has a great sense of humor...and he is the other love of my life!

This was from October on a field trip...it was so cold...but we had our little man to keep us warm!

Our prayers at bedtime...

Julian being silly! He loves this picture!

Today out of the blue Julian came to me and asked if we could PRAY!!! And that is what we did!! Moments like that...I thank God and say to myself...he is getting it!!!



SO nap time and night we pray...we always thank God for the wonderful day we are having or had. We always thank him for daddy, and how hard he works for us! We always pray from Papa, Nana, Mommy, Daddy, Grandma Terry, Grammy, Maggie, Bug, and Julian. We pray for our teachers and friends and their families and we always pick something that is going on that we need help with...like potty training, leaving play date without freaking out and such. I am always the one who does the prayers. TONIGHT...Julian wanted to do them!!! So he began to do our normal prayer and he thanked God for his Bug 3 times and Nana and Papa 4 times...instead of grandma terry he just said Terry, and he said Thank you to GOD for helping him go on the potty...I asked him if there was anything else he wanted to thank God for or pray for and then the list began...he prayed for the remote, the pictures, the cross, his stuffed animals, his blankets...everything I think that was in his room...It was so hard not to laugh, because he was trying so hard...it was so sweet and cute!



This week is going to be busy! Tomorrow, Julian has school, Nana and papa's and swimming! On Tuesday he is getting his hair cut and we are going to a new play group! I am so looking forward to this group because it is all Christan mom's. Wednesday is school, Thursday is Speech and play date and Friday is school! I am going to be posting things on Craig's list and EBay...We are cleaning and throwing away so much! We love our house, but if something comes up in Amherst or my parents end up wanting to sell their house to us...we are there! I have been looking at house on line, but everything needs work and honestly, I am not going through that again! Our house has all new windows, new kitchen, 3 new baths...it is finally where I want it...I have 2 more rooms to work on and then it will be perfect! I am going to be making new curtains for my Kitchen to give it a little face lift...I am looking for a blue or green toile...I am on the hunt!



Before I go, as I was typing this blog, Julian called me to his room and asked me for 20 kisses! So of course I said YES! When I got to 19, I kissed and said 19 about 10 times...and then one big one for 20! He loved it and laughed! Everyday I feel a blessing from above. I take nothing for granted with this child of mine!

Isn't God great!!!

When you have children you never know what life will be like for them...Julian was very delayed in his speech...I knew that he was delayed...I fought with our doctors and finally took it into my own hands! He had already been receiving speech for almost a year at that point...after tube and loosening his tounge...he spoke! Now a year later our speech teacher told me today that she think Julian can stop receiving speech in June!!! Wow...I can't tell you how I have prayed for him...I really feel like his teacher has done amazing things with him...she came to us just after his surgery...it was like God sent her to us! And I am so happy he did...Julian and I talk all the time in the car...we hold conversations!!!! I know to some of you this doesn't seem like much, but to me it is everything! To hear his voice all the time is such a blessing! I never tell him to stop talking...talk away may babe, talk away!!!

Changing again and Our dog Eugene...

First off...here are new pictures of our family room! I have changed the window treatments! We just love the color. We have a new picture above the fireplace...it was a nice sunny day when I took these pictures...they are more burgandy...

We have had him for just over 9 years...he just turned 11 years old. He hasn't been feeling himself so we took him to the vet's and he has some disc issues in his neck. So we will see what happens from here. Right now we have him on meds to help with the pain...he is sound asleep on our bed...it will be a very sad day in our home when God calls him to the Rainbow bridge. But for now, we don't want to think that...We just ask God to watch over him and heal our dog and make him comfortable!

Back to the normal life...

This is our most recent picture of Julian! 3.5 years old!

As of today he is potty trained!!!

Well, hubby goes back to work tomorrow after being home for almost 2.5 weeks...part vacation, part sickness...but now he goes back to work. I have enjoyed his stay, but it time to get my house back in order! Julian goes back to school tomorrow as well! I have a few projects I am working on...decorating my mantel for spring/Easter...I will post what I have done this week! I am refurbishing an old wreath and some easy and in expensive ways to make things ready for spring!

So when do you start decorating for Easter? I am so excited to do it this year, since we have moved our house around...it should look great! I will soon be posting my circle scarfs that I have made on my other site...

A new outlook? Superwoman I am not!

So this week has been one for the books! I feel like I am being tested by God! On Sunday I was chatting with a friend, knitting while sitting on the couch ( a no no for me) and Jeff asked me to keep an eye on the fire and Julian...so I was going to get up, mind you still with the phone in hand, more like in ear, knitting needles and yarn and getting out of the couch when all of a sudden...YES my back goes! For the love of GOD! SO I quickly get off the phone, get ice, take my meds and sit down and rest a bit. Jeff gets mad because I am in control of my own situation...I did not know being born with a bad back was in my control, but I do know that my over all body is! That I get...If you have known me long, you have know I have battled my weight all my life it seems. But when oh when will I ever get it under control?

In March of 2009, after my December fall, my back was so bad I was laid up for 3 weeks...the worst ever...not to mention that I had a 1 and a half yr old who needed me, a husband and a crappy job! So I began losing weight and taking my life back. 75 lbs later, I feel better, Not sure if I look better...but I also feel that my back is better...with less flare ups.

So after this happened...I guess it all came rushing back to me. I stepped on the scale and I gain 5 lbs back of the 75! That I am not proud of! So if you think about it...it is like strapping on a 50 lb bag of flour...So...I was thinking back as to when I feel the best...it is when I am swimming... and in the summer time...I am walking more and swimming! Did I mention swimming? It is a natural decompresson of your back...so starting this week...I am hitting the pool again! I need to bit my core and keep it there. My problem has ALWAYS been...once I feel better I stop doing what is making me feel better...then I pretend like I am super woman...which I am not! So now I have bible veres's all over the house, along with little notes to remind me what I need to do with my posture and such. So wish me luck...this blog may become my weight loss blog! LOL

Sorry it has been a while!

One of our favorite books to read!

Here is the most recent picture of Julian!

I know...I am horrible at keeping up on my blog, and I really want to post everyday...and honestly I forgot my password...so now I am back and know it so no excuses!!! I must say...I love Julian's pre-school and I love Face book! I have made so many new friends that I can count on to be there when needed and they are not out just for themselves. It is such a blessing! My knitting is coming along great! I have so many to post for sale, I am not sure when or where I will find the time! I am working on my new project of redoing my family room window treatments. I am getting rid of the Valences and doing new rods. I am so glad we made the change! I love my library and I am in the all the time! I love to just sit there and read my bible or just a nice parenting mag that has come in the mail!

Jeff has been working so much overtime, it seems like we are passing ships! On the Job front...there really is nothing to speak of. Which is kind of depressing...but I know that God has a plan for us and I just have to follow His lead! This year I am turning 40 and we (Jeff and I ) are planning on going away...I am really thinking Niagara Falls Canada...even though it is in our back yard, it has changed so much in the past few years that I am looking forward to it. We DO NOT gamble so the casino is out of the question...so I think we will do a few day trips to little sweet towns in the area. I have been so blessed with such a wonderful husband, words cannot express my love for him. When you see others struggle with their marriage you really evaluate yours and I am amazed at house wonderful ours has become and how grateful I am for him.

Julian has been amazing...he is smart---reading, writing, making flash cards...funny---he is so funny...the things that come out of his mouth are so funny...every night he tells his pillow pet (Rufus) about his day for the time he wakes up to the time it is ready for bed. It is so sweet. He is so sweet...my sweet little boy...he is such a help around the house...he knows when my back hurts and makes it easy for me. Plus he is so handsome! I can't believe how much his looks have stayed the same...Such a handsome little guy!

My family has been healthy and wonderful as well! I am so blessed to have my parents here with us. They just love Julian and us so much, it is such a blessing! My brother is married almost a year now...with his work and family life, we hardly see him...but he is happy and that is what counts! Gram is still alive and kicking! 88 years young! I think she has more energy then I!