Sitting here watching Caelan and Brennan color. Seeing them together never ceases to inspire awe in me. When I got pregnant, the thought of the 10 and a half year age difference worried me. How would they relate, will they fight, will Brennan even give the baby the time of day, or will he quickly outgrow him and avoid him like the plague?
Today, on his second birthday, I can see the love and bond between them is more than I had ever hoped it could be. This little man has brought a light to this house that can’t be described.We were happy before, but now, we’re over the moon!
We’re keeping it simple this year, n o real party to speak of, just cake with family tomorrow night. I’m actually making and decorating a Shaun the Sheep cake myself, which I’m VERY nervous about, lol. I’ve been sketching it since yesterday and he’s kept each rendition like it’s some treasured masterpiece 
Guess I’m not doing half bad 
We’ll see how it translates into icing tho, lol!
Happy Birthday Caelan, you are one loved little boy <3
Here’s a picture of him while we were playing with the camera in the dark last night while cuddling on the couch and another of him and a truly GREAT bunch of kids! They are playing on the Xbox 360 and really make sure he feels included too Sorry for the Facebook links, the media library seems to have broken here on the blog 
For those who didn’t hear ahead of time, Scott is having his gallbladder removed today. It’s bothered him for years and has been mistaken for indigestion. We’re at Texas Health Resource Hospital in Dallas. His procedure is scheduled for 11:15 and we’re all checked in, so technically, there’s nothing to report yet.
I’ve noticed I’ve gotten really bad about just posting this stuff to Facebook, so I’m renewing my commitment to post this stuff here more routinely. Feel free to poke me if I slack
So smart Oven Timer went off to tell me the diapers are done soaking. Caelan turned off the timer, put on an oven mitt and tried to open the oven (assuming to take out whatever he thought I was cooking) I told him “no, no” and he responded with “Hot?” Yes, hot….so he waved the mitt at me like “No big, mom, I got this 
”
And from Monday morning:
::sigh: After much struggle, Caelan spent the whole night in HIS bed. Not without a 3am snuggle& nursing session with Momma though **yawn** Someday.
We have thankfully kept it up, even in the throes of sleep deprivation. He goes down later than I would like, but at least he’s staying in his bed until 6 or 7am. He’s finally stopped yelling at me in the morning too. Typically, he stands at the end of the bed, yelling “Hay!” until I acknowledge him. Now, he just sleepily climbs into my bed and sweetly nurses back to sleep. <3
So…Caelan has accomplished his first real complex task on Tuesday. I’m still trying to decide whether to be proud or ashamed of it, lol. See, we usually keep some kind of movie going in his bedroom while we’re cleaning house or just hanging out. He’ll sit and watch a bit, but mostly plays and run back and forth between what we’re doing and his room.
Well, on Tuesday afternoon, Scott and I were cleaning house and had Caelan corralled in his room watching He-man on dvd. i was walking by the room and suddenly noticed a drastic change in music. Shrek the Third was about half way over….
I yelled to Scott, “Honey? Did you change Caelan’s movie?”
“Nope, why?”
O.o
Did I? No, I don’t think I change it?
“Are you sure????” Hoping.
I seriously thought I was losing my mind.
We went into his room and looked for the He-Man dvd, which happened to be on the floor. Looked at the Shrek dvd and find all kinds of finger prints and one lovely scratch. As Scott returned the dvd to the tray, Caelan promptly stood up on his Tonka truck, pushed the tray in and pressed play. Okay….maybe?
Still in a state of shock, we moved the truck and left him to his devices. About ten minutes later, as Scott was walking by his room, sure enough, he had pushed that truck back in front of the dresser, had opened the dvd player and was pulling it out to change the movie O.o
Scott commented “Wow, son. You had to choose the dvd player for your first complex skill. Thanks. It couldn’t be something I could blame Mom for, could it?” LOL
So, yeah. It’s official. Thanks Uncle Chris & Aunt Judie for the truck, it makes a great step stool for accessing trouble, lol.
Well, I sure hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas!
We decided to go have a holiday brunch rather than cooking big, especially now that the baby is feeling better Later we will likely take in a family movie and then huddle together playing games here at the house. Family time FTW!
I hope to have more pictures later, but until then, here Caelan is enjoying a Christmas Cupcake
(My Galleries are still messed up, so, here’s a link to the facebook album)
Love to all!
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others,
even the dull and ignorant, they, too, have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life if full of heroism.
Be yourself, especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
of gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be,
and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life.
Keep peace with your soul–
with all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be careful.
Strive to be happy.
~Max Ehrmann
Recently shared with me by a friend. Thank you.
My friend Dawn Kirby volunteers with Soldiers’ Angels and they are selling cookbooks, for $10 each. 100% of the proceeds go to the organizations. If anyone would like to order one it would be greatly appreciated.
This cookbook will be a gorgeous, colorful hard cover book with 200 wonderful recipes. The book will also have beautiful dividers for each section. The book will be spiral bound. This will help to hold your book open while you create your delicious dishes from the recipes within.
They are shooting for a pre-Thanksgiving sale, but without the funds, we cannot do this. Once again, one cookbook sale is all we are asking.
Get More Info and Order online: http://fromseatoshiningsea.webs.com/.
If you have anyone that would like a cookbook and is uncomfortable with sending money online, please just email me your their name and address and I will get it to Dawn, she can then send you pre-sale tickets . Please make all checks payable to Soldiers’ Angels, as all profits are going to Soldiers’ Angels.
Soldiers’ Angels Official Facebook Page
We seem to be having some technical difficulties with posting pictures to the Blog. I invite you to head to facebook and friend me there to see the new albums I am posting today.
facebook.com/sandra.kochenower
Picture Links:
Caelan’s Adventure at the Mall Play Center on his Birthday
Hanging out at the Hospital after Caelan’s 1 year Well-baby visit
Yesterday’s Playtime at the Park.
Wow, where to begin… I have been obsessed with the overwhelming need to go back to school for quite some time. On and off for the last several years; but for some reason, since this past January, I am overcome with it. I have hemmed and hawed and made excuses for too long and finally decided to jump head first into it.
So, I have enrolled with Dallas County Community College and am researching my options through them. Last night I went to their “How to Choose a Major” seminar and am now seriously questioning everything I ever thought I wanted to do with my life. Therefor, the ‘Major’ part of it may require more research, but I am going to move forward with the basics as I doubt my credits from International Business School will transfer, though we are still waiting for my transcripts to be sure. Biggest Dillema now is child care. So, there are still kinks to work out,but….I am going back to school O.o
Wish me luck.
Find more information and register for the Dallas/Ft. Worth TX event Here
