My son, the pretty boy

This weekend (after a few glasses of vino) my good friend dropped this bomb on me "If I have a boy, please don't hand me down Parker's clothes." ha ha. I'm pretty sure I was supposed to be offended but knowing her, this was in some round about way a compliment. I'm sure of it (maybe.. ha ha) Apparently Parker is... a pretty boy. It has come to my attention, that Parker owns 2 "play clothes." I think he is perfectly capable of playing in a collared shirt and madras short but apparently, boys are supposed to play in "swooshy pants" and character tees. If you've ever seen Parker's closet, the closest thing he has to a "character tee" is a tee shirt with a plaid crab on it. I'm not sure why boys have to wear Buzz Lightyear or Car's everyday... but apparently... as to not be labeled a "pretty boy" I've got to stock up on "play clothes."

Yesterday I went to Old Navy, Target and Marshalls and I didn't find ANYTHING I would take Parker in public in that would be considered "play clothes." I almost bought 2 outfits (had them in my hand and everything) because I felt like I had to buy them so he'd fit in but then I realized, that would just be compromising my taste for someone elses. At the end of the day... he's 14 months old.... I've decided his play clothes ARE his plaid Jon Jons, madras shorts and collared shirts. He'll grow out of them in a few months anyways so why not let him play in them. I've already been chatting with God about a girl next so all of Parker's clothes are going to be given away anyways... might as well look good while playing, right? I bought him a pair of crocs, though (which I said I'd NEVER do)... this must count for something!

Bottom line: When he's old enough to tell me what he wants to wear, as long as it's not tasteless, he can express himself through outfits of his choice. For now... I'll express me... in little boy clothes.

In efforts to aid in the masculinity of my son, my friend picked up this jewel from Walmart... Any baby redneck costume parties coming up soon? My son has an outfit! ha ha. I love you, anonymous friend! Thanks for all the laughs!

Me, God and the Keebler Elf Truck

Don't you love when God puts you at the right place at the right time? Yesterday, it was behind a Keebler Elf truck. It was glorious. A warm, beautifully crafted rainbow chip cookie was coming out of the little golden oven and the creepy little elves were all around the hollowed out tree kitchen making fudge stripes.... hmmm.... I can taste them. After almost rear ending the Keebler Elf truck (wouldn't that have been awesome! I wonder if they would have given me the damaged cookies?) I started paying more attention to my surroundings. It was then I heard a familiar tune on 91.9 (christian radio). HEALER......

The song Healer has special meaning for me. While battling cancer there were songs that I would play over and over and over using the lyrics of the songs as my prayers to God for healing. The more I would sing the lyrics, the more I believed in the power of the words I was speaking. Unfortunately, the song Healer (originally done by Mike Guglielmucci of Hillsongs) was tainted when Mike faked having cancer but other artist such as Kari Jobe have rerecorded it, restoring the power of this song. The song Healer and Praise You in this Storm by Casting Crowns reminded me on a daily basis that God could and WOULD heal me of cancer. He proved faithful and healed me.... TWICE!

My favorite line in the song is "Nothing is impossible for You. You hold my world in Your hands." I can't tell you how many times God has revealed that to me.... most lately in the eyes of my child I was told I wouldn't be able to have. Cancer robbed me of my hair, fertility and 1st year of marriage but God restored all of that and has proved to be infinitely more faithful to me than I deserve.

One would think I would be on my knees daily praising God for my blessings. Healing, my child, health, Parker's health, my husband etc.... but for some reason.... I stray like a lost puppy. Usually not for long... God kinda loves me a lot and doesn't let me go too far but I love how He meets me where I am to remind me of my need for Him... yesterday, it just happened to be the Keebler Elf truck. :)

Here is the Kari Jobe version for your listening and praising pleasure
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvIEJ_PmqJ8&feature=related

And the simple but powerful lyrics:
Verse:
You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease

Pre-Chorus:
I trust in You
I trust in You

Chorus:
I believe You're my Healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my Portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus You're all I need

Bridge:
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
You hold my world in Your hands

Check out my little miracle "then" and "now"... for NOTHING is impossible for Him.

I made my son less masculine because I have a plastic shower curtain liner?

Did anyone else see tonight's episode of 60 minutes? Probably not... I'm sure most of you were "Lost" or had more interesting things to do but for those of us who enjoy the antics of Andy Rooney, 60 minutes is a Sunday night treat (until football season and then it gets booted off the DVR!). Tonight's 1st story was about how a substance called phthalates which is found in most plastics has been linked to boys being less masculine. In particular, studies show boys who are exposed to this while in the womb are more likely have a condition called hypospadias and undescended testicles! Parker had both as an infant! AHHH!!!!

(Parker, mommy's sorry for talking about your weinis on the internet) Does this mean Parker is more likely to be a girly-man? Should I remove all pink from his wardrobe? Bain Barbies? Buy him excessive amounts of transformers, toy soldiers and squirt guns? (wait... they're all plastic and contain phthalates). What do I do? The hernia and undescended testicle have been fixed surgically and we're waiting for the weinis to grow before making a decision about that surgery but should I be worried about this? The story said phthalates are in basically everything.... car dashboards, a lot of toys, shower curtain liners, steering wheels, even the feeding tubes used in the NICU ..... how do I keep him away from all of that... or do I? I swear I'd be content with Parker living in a bubble.... oh wait... I bet it contains phthalates.

Parker, I'll shelter you from a lot of things.... but it seems phthalates just won't be one of them.... enjoy your transformers, son just do me a solid and stop licking the shower curtain liner. Love ya, bud.... mom.

Why are commercials so loud?

So... random life updates/thoughts:

1. I'm totally annoyed right now with the volume of commercials. Have you ever noticed some are crazy loud? I think I'm going to start boycotting any product/services that are advertised by insanely loud and obnoxious commercials. Join me in my fight against loud commercials. ha ha

2. I've been in a slump this week. Daniel has the opportunity to work in Knoxville TN for the large majority of the next 3 months. I know this is a great for his career and I'm totally playing the supportive wife role but I'm not so sure I actually mean all the words I'm saying. Is that terrible? Selfishly, I really enjoy him coming home every night. I like cooking (well.. microwaving) for 2. I LOVE that he takes out the trash (it's just not my thing). I don't know how to even turn on a lawn mower or the grill. Basically, I don't do alone well and I've never had Parker and the 2 dogs by myself for longer than 2 days (and I'm pretty sure I forgot the feed the dogs that 2nd day I felt so overwhelmed). This may be another one of those months where the mail piles up on the counter and I just sweep it all in the trash. ha ha Daniel leaves Sunday (PS- creepies.... don't get any ideas... I am a lioness and I WILL protect my cub and my house with my very large, high powered, shot gun... no questions asked)... anyways... I'm bummed and am compensating with play dates daily!

3. I'm slightly addicted to all things vampires. My butt has been glued to the couch the last 4 days watching every episode of The Vampire Diaries. (Team Stefan.) I've got to stop watching/reading stuff about vampires... I'm starting to believe they exist. (maybe?) I thought I grew out of my gullible days. Darn. I wonder if Daniel would let me name our next child Cullen... oh Edward.

4. I'm sure you're all dying to see pictures of Parker. He is basically the cutest 14 month old ever (I'm sure I can scientifically prove it... like a Rasmussen pole or something). If you're my facebook friend, you've probably already seen them but here they are again anyways for your viewing pleasure.

5. Be ready for totally pathetic blog posts next week! I don't do "alone" well but I swear I'm going to try to be positive about it. If I'm being a Debbie downer, someone call me out on it! Better yet... just call me and check on my sanity! ha ha