Oh, So Cool!

Greyson's 'Cool Dude' Shoes

Oh, yes they are!

"Y"

He sure does!

"Hi, Aunt Jen."

A little young for a senior picture, don't you think?

Getting ready to throw the ball

They Are Soooo Cute Together!

Tonight Katie and Ava came over for dinner...we had meatloaf, and it was scrumptious! The other night we went to her house for pizza (Dominos. It was yummy. My memory was incorrect). When Greyson and Ava get together they play off each other, and they laugh...and Greyson says, "Ava silly." So much fun! Anyway, I forgot to take some pictures when we were at Katie's, but tonight I remembered... Here they are!

Looks like they're conspiring

CHEESE!!!

Greyson was confused on where to sit.

Looks like they want to hold hands...AWW!!!

Looking at Katie

Greyson just gave Ava back her kitty. So nice.

A Hot Fudge Sundae from McDonalds

Greyson and I were finished running our errands and I asked him what he would like to do.
He said, "Ice cream."
So I decided we would go to McDonald's and have a sundae (and that was suppose to be all). We got up to the counter and I noticed that the SouthWest Salad was back...I so had to have it! It was very YUMMY (Greyson thought so too)!!! After the salad we got to the ice cream, and Greyson didn't want any (he changes his mind OFTEN). So I enjoyed a little ice cream and a trip down memory lane...

When Clayton and I first hung out it was at McDonald's. We (or rather I) talked over a Hot Fudge Sundae and got to know each other. He would visit me sometimes at work for my break and bring me a Hot Fudge Sundae from McDonald's. I can't remember the last time I had one, except for those days way back when. I love when random things or situations trigger a memory...it has be difficult since we moved down here because there aren't too many things in NC that can trigger a memory that happened in Michigan. Ah, but thanks to the national-ness of McDonald's I can take a trip down memory lane whenever I want (I can't believe I didn't think of this sooner)...well, not whenever cuz then I would probably turn into a big fat blob! That wouldn't be good. Anyway.

Thank goodness for fond memories!

It Hit Me Today

So I got the news that Clayton would most likely (99.9%) be staying in Iraq for 13 months on Monday. My reaction: Not to react. It didn't go over that well with Clayton (as you know if you read my previous blog), but I made up for it the following days by calling around to see if there was anything to be done to make this NOT happen. I gave him everything I came up with...now it's up to him.

Last night I went to Katie's house and while we were eating dinner I mentioned that Clayton would most likely be staying longer, yada yada yada. So our conversation got me thinking...and then when I talked to Clayton today it hit even harder and the tears started a flowing.

The biggest tear jerker was that Greyson would be almost 3 by the time Clayton came home. Granted he would get some R&R (which is like 20 days) but really is that long enough to cement a bond and witness all the changes - HARDLY!!! Since Clayton has joined the military he has missed a year of Greyson's life. Yes, most of what he missed was the baby years, which for most guys isn't a big deal and for most babies it is the same way (it's not like they have memories from that time). Greyson will probably not remember that Clayton was gone for almost 2/3 of his life (that is if he stays the whole 13months) but there won't be as much of bond as there would be if he was here the entire time. You know what I'm saying? Plus this is the time that dads look forward too...PLAYING with their children. Clayton loves that he can roll around on the floor with Greyson, or play with him in the water at the beach, or talk to him and have him respond. He has been looking forward to this since Greyson was a baby...and I've been looking forward to seeing them doing all of the above. Knowing that Clayton is going to miss so much of Greyson's life makes me very sad! TEAR!

What else makes me sad is that WE will be apart for 13 months. That is a great amount of time and people change over time...I wanted us to change together and because of each other, but if he stays for 13 months will be end up changing without each other. Of course this doesn't have to be a bad thing...when he gets home we can get to know each other again. We can date again. Or even though we are apart we can make a conscious effort to change together - do things apart to support each others changes. I've thought (recently) about taking guitar lessons. I think Clayton would like that very much...he would probably think it was incredibly HOT!!! Plus it would be awesome to learn something new. Keep my brain on its toes...make some new dendrites. It doesn't have to be bad, but it's hard not to let my head go there, you know? I won't let it be bad because I love Clayton SO MUCH!!!

This is so difficult!

Going ALL kinds of CRAZY!!!

Taking a much needed break.

The boy is crazy, I tell you!

A lot of the time I'm the jungle gym on which he plays.

Laughing!

Adorable.

This is a very mischievious smile. Wouldn't you agree?

In yoga this would be called downward-facing dog.

In the world of Greyson, it's being silly!

Rolling around on the floor.

Yes, the boy has on no pants, but is wearing shoes.

He has a mind of his own.

Blooming - Look what a little water can do!

2.19.09

Look what I found!

So yesterday I posted a blog (which is now deleted because I just didn't like it - bummer, cuz Jen commented on it...she'll have to re-comment on this one) letting everyone know that my lilies have started to bloom. I also talked about how, the roses were already wilting (which was surprising because past bouquets lasted at least a week) so I removed them, and they are currently drying. At this same time I noticed that some of the lilies weren't looking to good either...well, after looking a little closer I realized that there was no water! Geeze, did I expect these flowers to survive on admiration alone? So I filled up the vase and today they are perky, and oh so very happy. So happy that two more buds have opened! Ah, it smells wonderful!

Before realizing the flowers were thristy...

Pretty

Seems a little sad.

After getting what they so desperatly craved...

Oooh!



Gorgeous!

Happy Lilies!

Doing My Part.

Clayton called me yesterday to tell me that they are keeping him for 13 months...WHAT!!! Okay, so I wasn't that vocal. Actually, I just excepted it...cuz what was I suppose to do. Besides, last week he said that he was 99% sure he would be coming home in 7 (well, now 6) months. And since my reaction wasn't ticked off enough, Clayton assumed that I was okay with him staying for an extra 6 months (uh, NO!). I just figured there was no point in getting too mad because A. The Marine Corps could change its mind (as it often does) and B. what could I do about it?
Well it seems that there is something I can do...I can raise some HELL (can I say that on here?)! According to Clayton civilians can affect all things military if they get a little loud! Okay, maybe not ALL things but definitely some.
First on my list of things to try: Look through Clayton's car for his original orders (papers that say how long he will be deployed)...no luck! I found other orders from the day he joined the Marines until he got stationed here, but nothing since. BUMMER! Well, I didn't think it was going to be easy.
Next on my list of things to try: calling Clayton's shop (the one he belonged to before he was "leased" to PSD). So I spent today on the phone. I called every half hour from 11am until 4pm, and no one ever picked up the phone! There better be a good explanation for this, because every time I visited Clayton at the shop there were plenty of Marines standing around...ridiculous I tell you!
Finally (yes, my list was quite short): Call the lady who is a liaison (not sure if that is the right word to use but it sounded military-esq) between the troops in Iraq and there families. It was after 4pm so I figured I would be leaving a message (which I did). So hopefully she will call me back tomorrow and tell me where I can get a copy of Clayton's orders.
If we are lucky all Clayton will need to keep his deployment at 7months will be his original orders stating exactly that.

Hopefully.

Cross your fingers!

I want my man home!!!

He's Just NOT That In To You!

You should see this movie. It was slow at times, but funny...and there's a point (it totally makes sense). So if you get the chance get your girlfriends together and go check it out. Have some fun!

Happy Valentine's Day

For the visually impaired:

To the world you may only be one person, but to one person you may be the world. Leslie, you are my world. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you. Happy Valentine's Day, Baby. Love Always, Clayton

Sent from half way across the world...

well actually from Morehead City, NC

You know what I meant.

A dozen roses, surrounded by lilies (my favorite)...

Two balloons as well

(I think one is for Greyson)

First, I want to say Happy Valentine's Day to all you Bloggers. Spread the love, even if you don't have a Valentine (per say). Go out with the girls (that's what I'm doing) or guys, and just have some FUN!!!

So today I was packing the car, getting ready to go grocery shopping. By packing I mean strapping the car seat in (taking Clayton's car so it doesn't feel abandoned while he's gone), bringing down the diaper bag, reusable shopping bags and my purse. While doing all of this I see a gentleman walking towards my apartment with a arrangement of roses and balloons...then he starts walking up my stairs (SURPRISE!!! Who could be sending me some love?) So I walk up behind him, and he says "Are you Leslie?"

"Yes," I say.

"I have your flowers and two balloons (yes, he specified). I'll need you to print your name, then sign"

Of course I do this, all the while with a big smile on my face! Then I go inside, and read the card. :o) So cute! Yes, they are lyrics from a song but it's a good song (and country). Even though they are in fact song lyrics they are genuine feelings from Clayton's heart. I was (well, still am) so HAPPY! I get so spoiled on Valentine's Day! The only way any one Valentine's Day would top another is if Clayton were to propose to me and that day...but I don't know if I'd want to be proposed to on Valentine's day, cuz, other than being a cliche, it wouldn't be as special because you know (not think...you KNOW) that somewhere in the there are many others being proposed to as well...any other day of the year you can think there are proposals but you don't ACTUALLY know (you know?) Plus, Clayton is TOO romantic to propose on Valentine's day. When it happens it will be a surprise and I know that he will sweep me off my feet (and I will fall in love with him all over again)...too much pressure? Nah!

So that is my Valentine's day story. Until next year...

Play Date

Last week, in my quest to get out of the house more, I initiated a play date with one of the MOPS' moms and then extended the invitation to the rest of the group. The response was overwhelming! Since the number was so high, and the weather is getting nice we decided to have the play date at one of the local parks. Today was the day! Unfortunately with Greyson being sick we were unable to attend (BUMMED). It did end up being a nice day for an outing, the weather was warm but not too warm and there was a slight breeze. I was wondering how it turned out and hoping that it was success. A little while ago Katie called to check in and see how Greyson was doing, she also let me know that the play date went great...the number was 11 (I didn't check to see if that was moms or kids but either way that was an awesome number)!!! The turn out of activities outside of MOPS isn't usually the best, the typical number is 4 so finding out that so many were interested and actually did attended makes me sooo excited. Hopefully next month Greyson and I will be able to attend...and since the weather is only going to get better the turn out should improve. It's nice to see that something I put together actually went off as planned (well minus Greyson and I)...YEAH!!!

CLAP YOUR HANDS!!!

Evil Blogger! It just deleted everything I had written! Grrr!

So let me start again.
You are probably wondering why I used this title for my blog..."if you're happy and you know it...CLAP YOUR HANDS!!!" Why am I so happy? Well, Greyson has been down and out since Monday, and yesterday was HELL! In the light of today I can see that yesterday was "hump day." It gets worse before it gets better. Well it did and it was! We were doing nebulizer treatment every 4hours, we started an oral steroid, Greyson's nose was like a faucet and the coughing was uncontrollable. We were up at 630am and back to bed at 8am, up again at 1030 and back to bed at noon, up again at 300 and back to bed at 7pm, then up again at midnight. Greyson's never had so many naps (either have I). It was a long day!
I was afraid today was going to go along the same line because it started at 630am. But after going back to bed and waking up again at 9am things are...YEAH!!! Greyson hasn't had a treatment since 730, which makes that 5 1/2hrs ago. And the coughing attacks are down to every so often. But what really made me see that we were on our way back to health was that Greyson was riding around the kitchen on his "BIG" truck! He's playing!!! Oh, and he wanted to put jeans and shoes on this morning and go get the mail with his big truck... Now, I don't want to get ahead of myself, because you never know what tomorrow might bring...but right now I'm staying positive and enjoying the better-ness of today. WOOHOO!!!

Debbie Meyer Green Bags (as seen on t.v.)

I'm always sceptical of any product sold during an infomercial on television...I mean really, can electrical impulses penetrate the body and dissolve the fat away? Doubt it. So when I saw the Green Bags being advertised I thought the same thing, but then when I went home at Christmas and saw that my mom had purchased some, and said that they worked (as long as dad stayed away) I figured I would buy some when we got back home. Well, I didn't buy any right away but after watching Oprah's best life week (and deciding that I was going to eat more healthily) I went to the store to stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables. So I'm picking up a variety of fruits and vegetables and come across a display for Debbie Meyer Green Bags, and say to myself "what the heck."
Well, they work!!! It's wonderful! My lettuce stays fresh (which is always so hard) and today I ate an apple that I purchased two weeks ago (before the Green Bags they would have been soft and full of brown spots) and it was wonderful. Now you do need to read the directions...because every so often you will need to wipe the bags out because all fruits and veggies have water inside and when they are trapped in a bag condensation appears, which will in turn make them ripen. Though I didn't have to wipe out the bag full of apples, I did have to wipe out the bag of lettuce. Personally I wouldn't recommend using it for bananas unless you remember to wipe out the bag every day. I didn't realize that bananas had so much moisture in them (but we did get banana bread out of the deal).
So if you are sick of throwing away spoiled fruits and vegetables I would suggest that you purchase some Green Bags (they are worth the money - but I don't think that really cost that much). Oh, and I purchased mine at Walmart.
Happy Shopping!!!

Valentine's Day Gift: The Truck Book

I knew Greyson would be getting a book in the mail [from Grandma Erdman] (does anyone else think that sounds weird to be talking about mom and not Grandma ERDMAN? I do. Well I guess I don't call mom grandma so it's okay) but I was expecting The Popcorn Book, so when I opened Greyson's mail and discovered The Truck Book I was confused...but I knew that Greyson would love the book (probably more than he would have The Popcorn book)! And he does!!! We've read it three times so far today, and right now he is looking through it on his own (again). Thanks mom, for such a great book for Greyson. He LOVES it!!! And it is WAY old school...on one page it shows vans that turn into campers when the roof is raised (did the roof rise on our van?). So cool!

What A Day!

Today Katie & Ava and Sheri-Lynne, Bill, Kyle, Jared & Corbin were suppose to come over for dinner but then Greyson got sick and Ava got pink eye! So my fun filled night just got shot to hell. The one positive that I can come up with is that now I can use the taco stuff to make...well, tacos...but for a mom from MOPS who just recently had a baby (you know the whole bring over a casserole thingy). So now I won't have to A. come up with something to make and B. go out and buy the stuff to make it. There is my positive spin on the current situation. You just never know what to expect when you're a mom (and doing it on your own - if Clayton were here I would be able to go out even if Greyson were sick because Clayton could take care of him...but I would probably feel guilty and decide not to go anyway). And since Ava has pink eye (well, Katie is only 99% sure) Katie might have to cancel movie night tomorrow. I was looking forward to it too! It was disheartening to know that I would miss the Bachelor but I got over it...so I guess that is the positive in that situation.

You know how I know that Greyson is sick...he is currently lying on his bedroom floor fast asleep. Yup, he just plopped down there (to rest his eyes, I'm sure) and passed out. That happened this morning too, only that time he passed out on the couch. I wonder how tonight will pan out...will we be up till the crack of dawn because he got all his sleep during the day (I hope not - we have a Doctor appointment tomorrow - synagis shot).

Aww! My poor baby!

Oops. I forgot to rotate it.

Getting his treatment.

It's a goldfish.

Another thing, I went to pick up the frames I ordered from Walmart.com and they weren't anything like I was hoping. I'm pretty sure that is where I got my first frame (though I can't find it anywhere in the store). What am I going to do? Well, I decided that I would keep them and put different pictures in them...only I don't have anywhere to hang them because I already have open space set aside for my "scrapbook" project...oh me, oh my!!! Clayton will kill me if I spend all his money trying to find the right frame to match the one I have currently...I might just have to nix the one I have and find some frames elsewhere and buy them all at once...

Oh, it is such a beautiful day! If Clayton were here we could be at the beach walking or at the park (well, not with Greyson sick - but you know what I mean)...or if we had a house I could be having a fire tonight (I can't wait until we buy a house). It had to have been 70 degrees at one point. All of my windows are open, and there is a very nice breeze. It's still nice. I should get a book and go out on the deck. That would be nice.

I got to talk to Clayton today. It was a nice conversation. I think I might have done most of the talking. He is having fun (which I'm glad to hear)! I want him to take advantage of this time away to live the "single guy" life (and no I don't mean hook up with a bunch of random girls). I want him to have fun hanging with the guys. Workout at the gym, play basketball or football, go do what you want to do when you want to do it (or rather when the Marine Corp says you're off duty), because when he gets home he isn't leaving my side (just kidding!). He said that it looks like he should be coming home in 7months, but of course he doesn't know for sure. I hope they don't find a way to keep him! I want him to come home!!!

Today's Word

Simvastatin - an oral lipid-lowering medicine (trade name Zocor) administered to reduce blood cholesterol levels; recommended after heart attacks


Hangman was definitely out to get me!

A Typical Greyson Day

Greyson is constantly on the go! If you walked into the apartment on any given day you would think the whole place was Greyson's room. From the moment he wakes up until the time he goes to bed all of his toys are out! The two constants in Greyson's day are his books and his trucks (and lately a tubby), everything else comes and goes. If I could get him to eat like he plays he would be 100lbs. :o)

Hanging on the deck

Playing the piano

Taking advantage of a nice day

He's crazy when he gets in the tubby

Caught trying to stand up - Naughty!

Back and forth...

Sitting all by himself...

Content as can be...

Putting toys away before bed

Genius!

Why do them one at a time when you can push them together?

Yesterday it was the mailbox key, today it is shoes, tomorrow will be blocks.

Our Super Bowl Celebration

We started watching the Super Bowl during the 2nd quarter because we had company...Greyson was ready. It's not a homemade Steelers shirt or even a purchased one at that, but it is a football shirt. It was a good game. The game winning catch was AMAZING!!! I honestly didn't think he got it...from that first camera angle it looked like he went straight out of bounds and landed on his butt...it's a good thing that there are more than one camera. That catch just might inspire an email to circulate showing angels holding his feet in place (like that email a couple years ago - or so - that had a baseball player catching an amazingly uncatchable hit being "lifted" by two angels...do you remember?). It was kinda depressing watching it all by ourselves but I did get to talk to my mom at the very end...she was happy. :o) Way to go Steelers!

There's always time for a cup.

Someone's getting sleepy

TOUCH DOWN!!!

Saying "football" - Can you tell?

Telling me what his shirt says