HELP!

I need some help! My sweet little angel has not been so sweet to me lately. He has come to a stage where he is testing the limits and pushing my buttons and he is winning. He has gotten into the habit of talking in a ugly voice to me and not listening to what I tell him to do. I have been trying to stop milk at bedtime as he will down an entire sippy cup just before going to sleep. He doesn't have trouble wetting the bed but I am concerned about the health of his teeth. So, we have been really talking about sugar bugs and cavities lately. So I have explained to him about not having milk at bedtime or he will get cavities. Last night, mind you he had no nap and was up late, he wanted milk while trying to go to sleep. Just constantly asking for milk, whining, and flailing all around the bed. I try to calmly tell him no but he knows if he bugs long enough I'll give in because I feel he will not EVER quit. So I get him a CUP of milk. He takes one little sip and goes directly to sleep. So- do I start off just giving him one little sip or torture us both by holding off until I can't take the bugging anymore?

We have lots of episodes like this and I seem to be loosing the battle. I try to stay tough because I don't want him to think I'll always give in, but I pretty much always give in!! Whenever he asks me if he can do something and I say no he just keeps asking and asking and asking and asking and asking and asking. Get my point?? No one ever told me a three year old would run right over me!!

Friday night my friend, Heather, and I went out for a couple of hours for a much needed girls night. Heather has two boys, ages almost 4 and 2. Juven and Luke went to Amazing Jakes ( like Chuckie Cheese) and had a blast!

Juven had to work in Flagstaff on Monday so we tagged along with him and went through Sedona on Sunday to escape the heat. I love Sedona! Every time we go there I love it even more. It is so beautiful and relaxing.

I also love being in Flagstaff. When I was a little girl I use to spend the summer with my grandmother at our cabin in Ruidosa. Being in Flagstaff reminds me of that. Such cool weather and the fresh smell of the pines. Luke and I hung out at the park, had a picnic, and enjoyed being able to be outside. It was 75 to 80 degress and wonderful!! Can't wait to go back!

Summer Fun

It so amazes me how much can happen in only one year. Last July 9th we were living in Texas and had no idea our lives were about to change so much. We were on our way to Pensacola Beach, Florida. We drove through Louisiana, Alabama, and Missour. We got to see things we had never seen before. We saw along the coast where the eye of Katrina hit & New Orleans and the destruction that was still there 3 years later. It was an amazing trip and soooo relaxing.

On July 25, 2007 we found out we were moving to Phoenix. I can't believe it's already been a year! Juven took over the territory August 1st and we were officially here October 6th. We have seen so many places since then and have been so fortunate to have access to so many great places. Juven has been to Chicago, Orlando, San Francisco, and will be going to Seattle in August. Together we have been to San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Malibu, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Manhattan Beach, Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, the Joshua Tree Forrest, the Grand Canyon, (twice), Flagstaff, Sedona, Jerome, Payson, Tonto national forest to see the natural bridge, and so many places in between. I just can't believe we have been from one side of the nation to the other side!

So, all the beaches I names in California we went to this last weekend. Juven had to work in Palm Springs so we went with him and left a day early. We left our house Saturday morning at 5:30 and were having lunch on Manhattan Beach. AMAZING weather the entire time! 75 and breezy. We hung out at that beach for a while and on Sunday we drove up to Santa Monica and Malibu. I'm posting a pic of a Lamborghini (sp) we saw that was ridiculously expensive I'm sure. We camped out at the beach in Santa Monica for a couple of hours and then ventured off down highway 1 to Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach.

I have always been terrified of earthquakes. Whether it is family or friends in California I am constantly worried about them. So, needless to say being there myself with my husband and child -I was a little tense. Then when we drove into Laguna Beach I was like- Screw the earthquakes! We're gonna die sometime!!!!! I can't believe how amazing that little town is. Juven has always wanted to live in Cali and I have always been against it! Well- not now!! Of course there is no way we could afford it, but if we could live in Laguna, I would move in a heart beat! Well- after some research-. Los Angeles was hit with a 5.4 earthquake this morning and I wasn't too excited to hear that considering we were just in southern Cali less than 24 hours ago!

Luke and Juven playing footbal on the beach.
Well- Luke had a blast at the beach! He loves the sand, but just as last year was not so much into playing in the water. It was cold but the sound of the waves scared him. We got him to get his feet wet by letting the end of the waves chase us and he fell and felt the force of the water and was not too happy. So- we just played with his tractors and buckets after that.

Also- this is how redicuouls technology has gotten. We traveled with: 2 cell phones, a cell phone car charger, an ipod with an adaptor to hear it in the car, DVD player & charger, Juven's work lap top, & a GPS system to help us get around in LA!! There were cords and plugs everywhere!!

CRAZY!!

Here is a pic of Luke playing games on the computer. I have to fight for my own time on the computer now! I'm getting sad that he has grown up so fast. It seems just all of the sudden. I love him getting older and seeing him start to do things by himself and learn new things and see the excitement in his face. Maybe if he would just sit in my lap and let me cuddle him without forcing him I would be okay. I miss rocking him and onesies and pacies.

Well anyway- I post some of my favorite pics of him and if you get bored so sorry, but I love to look at them!

Also- my sister got me a web cam for my birthday and we finally have taken (I have finally taken) time to set it up. I absolutely love being able to see them, but now I'm even sadder I'm so far away. When Luke saw my sister on and her back drop of her kitchen he said, " I want to go to Aunt Jenny's! I want to go to Aunt Jenny's!" I just cried all afternoon because I just can't go over to her or my moms house. I miss my sister, Austin, Kyndall, my mom and my uncles soooooo much. I am going home to Texas for a few days in September and I can not wait! I just want to hug everyone and see them in person!

I better quit typing. I'm getting too sappy!

The Potty Fairy

The "potty fairy" came last night!! He took the little potty to another little boy that is learning to use the potty and left a surprise for Luke. Luke wasn't too excited at first but has warmed up to the idea. Thank goodness for the "potty fairy" aka... the dumpster!!

Luke got some new pajamas today. I got him size 5T!!!! The pants are a little big but room to grow. He was still wearing old worn out ones that were size 3T and getting a little too snug. He put the new ones on tonight after bath, threw his hands up and said, "Well, how do I look??!!" Sooo cute!!

Missin baby

I always ask, "what happened to my baby?!" It still hasn't gotten any better. Since Luke is now potty trained I have no reason to go into the baby section at the grocery store. This makes me sooo sad. I still have to browse through to look at baby toys, diaper bags, baby food (even formula), and bottles. Now Luke likes to play hot potato, hide and seek, red light green light, and games on the computer. He now thinks his is too big for a nap. We have gone through this before but he is tougher about it. I NEED A NAP!! What about Mommy?

I am grateful he is healthy and thriving, of course. I am also grateful he is finally potty trained, however, I have become completely disgusted with cleaning his little potty and he won't use the big potty yet. I'm giving him a few more days and then think I will make it disappear! Gotta stick to my tough love guns.

Pre-school starts August 19th. I'm so excited for him. He will have sooo much fun! I'm sure the first day will be hard, but well worth it! He will only be going Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30 to 3:00. Just enough I think to start with.

It's been hot, but not too hot. The monsoons have lower the temps here. Only low 100's. It's been nice having the storms come through to cool things off and give us some cloud cover. I am really wishing for fall to get here as I am gearing up for FOOTBALL!!! Hope Tony Romo's fun clubbing with Jessica Simpson hasn't kept him from studying his plays!

Tough love. And cool weather?

Luke being a "Super Hero".

Hello to all! We have FINALLY made a HUGE accomplishment!!! Luke is finally potty trained!!!!! WHOOO HOOOO!!!! I finally had to enforce tough love. We were at Wal-Mart and he saw a Harold the helocopter he wanted and we told him he could have Harold if we put back his pull-ups. He said okay and we told him no more pull ups and he would have to use the potty. He said okay. So-- we had a few tears at first but have done very well with no accidents.

We had a nice and quiet 4th of July. I was a little sad though. It was my nephews 11th birthday and it was the first one I have missed. Every year we all get together for his party. I was bummed I wasn't there. We had dinner at the best bar-b-que place and then watched the fireworks. Luke had a blast!!

Saturday we went over to some friends house to cook out and Luke got to go swimming. Weird though, the adults don't get in the pool. It drives me crazy as I love to be in the pool, but haven't felt comfortable enough over there to be the only adult in.

Sunday we went exploring in Payson for a good camping spot. It is only 90 miles away and we were in 50 degree weather!! It was thunderstorming and the pines really cool off so much when it rains up there. It was beautiful and we found a great camp sight we want to go back to.

While exploring we were in a heavy downpoor with hail and it was LOUD. This is Luke hiding.

It has been hot!!! Our monsoon season has started so our humidity has gone up. It really makes a difference. I have come to realize that a monsoon is really just like a west Texas thunderstorm. Wind, rain, and thunder. The only difference is the sand blowing and micro-bursts instead of tornados.