The Webster dictionary defines retard as to make slow, delayed.

So when you use the term directed at another person it pisses me off. Because if you look at my son sure you would not say that he is "retarded". I get that all the time "He looks great" and " He's doing so well." Yup he is but some days it's a struggle, most days we don't even think about it and some days they are mountains we barely get over. If you look at Joe on paper he has delays and is slow. While the word "retarded" has never been written about him and I am not trying to call him something he is not but I did get offended and generally pissed off by this off hand comments.

To the pajama pant wearing dirt bag in CVS today buying chap stick with a girl way too good for him and using not only the f-bomb and the R word in the same phrase , my eat shit and die look was not even close to the emotions I was feeling. I was about to give you an ear full. But I didn't. I don't have time for you.

But to the other's out there that drop it and throw it around, please know I am pretty sensitive about it. We can be smarter with our use of language. We don't have to throw racial slurs or offensive language around. It needs to stop. You know better you're just being lazy. It sets an example for your children and please know if they are in my house are near my child and they use those words they will be corrected. When I hear you use those words it really does make me sad that you would do that. To those that are not "acting retarded" as you like to say. Think of the life they lead. Think of the battles their parents fight every day. Think of your life, your childs life and how different it would be in the blink of an eye and then pick a better word.

Here is how MY day went.

I knew it was going to be a busy day. I was prepared. I MADE the bed before I left. I know.

So I dropped Joe off. Check that off, it went well. Moving on.
I went to the gas station and sat behind 5 cars for a wash. When it was my turn.... the car wash was broken and no longer working. No car wash for me.

Off I go to the library to drop off a book I found deep in Joe's book case.... slammed my three fingers in the book return metal, heavy book return bin. OUCHIE. Plus I am sure we will be getting a fine for this book I cannot tell you how long we've had it. Hey San Joaquin Library let me pay fines online I swear you'll get them faster from me. Just a suggestion.

Had coffee with Christy and it all went well. (Thank goodness)
Headed to my class in Stockton and got a rockin parking place close to the building with just enough time that I wasn't running to get there since I did have to go to the 4th floor.
I get to my class room and luckily it's close to a restroom, I pop in real quick and find (I swear to GOD) 7 ballerinas swing around to look at me. GULP. They were all looking at me as if to say "apparently you are so NOT in our class"
Did you know you can't wear nail polish in that class? I did not, but apparently it makes the head ballet gal VERY upset. Who knew? So the fumes of nail polish remover was THICK and I do mean THICK in the air.
So I wiggle pass them and do my thing and head to a class that I cannot even tell you what the heck we went over.

The rest of my day went well, the roofers are coming, it's like a thousand degrees now and I feel bad that they are coming NOW to fix the roof but that's how it goes. My meeting with Joe's IEP team went well and they are so squared away at his new school it kills me.
I promise to update more. I promise to have a more exciting life.
Now tell me how YOUR day went.

I am back

I 've been gone. Most of you are following the details of my exciting life on Facebook. Haven't felt much like writing. But alas the world is going to hell in a hand basket so I am coming back.
Going to make some changes around on the ole blog.

In the mean time check out this amazing girl...

The things she does with these dresses. LOVE IT.

See ya soon.

Happy Birthday To You

My cousin and his wife had their first baby today.
Welcome to the world Brady Thomas. You have made Ryan and Whitney parents. My aunt and uncle grandparents.

It's all new and wonderful and I am very anxious to meet you. Your cousins are over the moon for you already.

There is so much you will learn over the course of this lifetime the sooner we start the better. Here goes.

Keep your hands and arms inside the ride at all times.
Wait until the ride has come to a complete stop before unbuckling the seat belt.
Keep your eyes on where you are going, never where you have been.
You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose (when your mom isn't looking) but you can't pick your friends nose EVER.
Love your mama, listen to your daddy always.
Lean your grandparents phone number before you learn your own, you never know when you might need to call GiGi to give your side of the story first.
Don't put anything other than your elbow in your ear.
Eat your veggies, drink your milk and hockey and soccer really are sports no matter what others might tell you.
When you find yourself talking loud and someone asks if you are related to Christy, yes, you are you can't help it and neither can we but she's going to be a great cousin so it's a good thing really.

The competitive streak in you and the urge to argue or bet on just about anything is strong and a family trait you can't help, embrace it, practice using it, it will come in handy.
You come from a huge family and will find you are related to just about everyone you see for the first five years of your life.
Riding a bike is not really that hard and neither is potty training you can do it.
Sleeping is a wonderful thing and best if done in 8-9 hour stretches as soon as possible.

You have these amazing goldfish chubby hands that will wrap around your mama's finger perfectly it will melt her heart do it often.
As soon as you learn to smile and can crack out the first giggle don't be alarmed by the water that will come out of the eyes of those around you it's perfectly normal.
You'll eat your first Oreo, your first ice cream, your first french fry, your first jelly bely, your first piece of Uncle Tom's bbq tri tip, your first piece of Aunt Doreens cake, your Gigi's macaroni salad, and sooner or later someone will give you a beer. These are part of the wonders of life enjoy them in moderation.
You'll learn to play with Lego's and video games, hit a baseball, play cards, and even hit a golf ball. You will wear green on March 17th every year for the rest of your life and learn all about a cousin crawl.

Along with all of the people that are in love with you already and are really going to enjoy watching you grow there are a few people that gave you some kisses and and put those wonderful wrinkles on the souls of your feet before you arrived. Every precious wrinkle there is a reminder of those that hugged you before you left heaven and came down here to us.

So be a good boy, you'll have your moments, don't grow too fast and get dirty often, play hard always, boys really do cry and it'a ok and we all love you and always will no matter what.

Happy Birthday Joe

Where have these 7 years gone? And that other boy is just weeks away from being a teenager. MY GOD. It's going so so fast.

He had a great birthday (I think) and it's been fun watching these boys grow.

Summer Vacation.

if you're looking for us you might just find us looking like a pair of alligators in the pool.

Summer has me busy

I cannot believe how busy we have been like every single day/weekend you name it. Go go go!
Tried to slow down today but was not really all that successful.
The days are clicking off the calandar and the boys will be back to school. If i am lucky to score a job everything will be different. I was telling the boys last night that I was sorry we couldn't take cruises or nice nice vacations but that daddy and I really try to provide for them and do fun things and the trade off is that I get to stay home with them all summer and they can sleep in and I am here when they are sick and Joe said "You need to get a job I want to go on a cruse!" It was so funny. He didn't miss a beat.

Then Derek tells me I need to write a book like Twilight only better and make lots of money and get a Volvo. So I bounce ideas off of him and he says "no that's not good" , he doesn't seem to like any of my book ideas.

I have a huge project under my belt. I am hanging pictures in the house. Wish me luck. I am getting all of my stuff together so I can tell Dom where I want them. You'll have to come over and check it out.