The Easter Bunny Robin??

Those who know me well will tell you that I don't like birds.  I am actually fearful of them.  They peck and poop and are unpredictable.  At the Riverbanks Zoo there is an exhibit where you can feed nectar in little cups to these little green birds.  I tried going in once and only lasted about 20 seconds before I ran out.  They were flying all around my head, trying to land on me.  Terrifying.

I also find birds terribly annoying. They wake me up at ungodly hours of the morning with what others describe as their "sweet songs."  I don't find these songs anything but annoying.  Many a morning, I've actually gotten up out of bed, turned off our security alarm, and gone outside to shoo birds away.  Typically, this is accompanied by me yelling, "SHUT UP YOU STUPID BIRD!"

Over the past week and a half, I've been trying to foil a very determined robin from building her nest in the window sill of our master bathroom.  I've literally gone outside several times and actually removed the nest like a crazy lady.  I even went once in the pouring rain.  But she would not be deterred.  I've given up and decided to embrace this bull-headed robin.  Maybe it's because I'm lazy and don't want walk all the way around my house again.

Maybe it's because I think this robin might be a kindred spirit.

No matter how many times I took down her nest, she was undaunted.  Each time, building it a little quicker so that she would beat me to laying an egg.  Because she had to know I am not cruel enough to take down the nest with a baby in it.  And that once she laid that egg, I'd do everything in my power to help her protect it.  She's strong, independent, and a little bit stubborn.  Ok a lot stubborn...yep, she's sounds a lot like me.  And yet, she won...so maybe I can learn a little from Mrs. Robin.

Instead of the Easter Bunny bringing us eggs this week, we have an Easter Robin because she laid her first egg this morning!!  It's bigger than I expected.  I thought it would be the size of one of those Cadbury Mini-Eggs but its about the size of 2-3 of those combined.  It's a beautiful Tiffany's blue and is sitting right smack dab in the center of the nest.

I'm a fan of anything that comes in a small,
Tiffany's blue package.

Mrs. Robin isn't sitting on the nest all day yet because all of her eggs aren't laid yet.  She won't fully incubate the eggs until they are all laid so they all hatch at about the same time (pretty cool, huh?).  I was able to catch a quick pic of her but you'll have to excuse the quality of the picture.  I had to snap it fast and it was through the blinds so I wouldn't scare her off.  Mr. Robin should be sticking by somewhere fairly close, but I haven't seen him yet.

There she is!

I'm looking forward to the next few weeks.  I can't wait to see exactly how many eggs she will lay, how long it will take them to hatch, and what the little baby chicks will look like from hatching until flying the coop.  Hopefully my excitement will last even when I'm woken up by the chirps of baby birds at 5 am (and hopefully I can close the bathroom door to muffle the sound).

I plan on doing a blog post everyday to document the development of Mrs. Robin's little family.  I'll include a little fun fact about robins, too, just to keep it educational.  Maybe I'll just learn stuff about robins.  Maybe Mrs. Robin can actually teach me a thing or two about life.  And maybe, just maybe I'll learn to appreciate another one of God's awesome creations (even if it wakes me at 5 am).

Robin Fun Fact:  Robins will lay anywhere from 3-6 eggs per nest but will only lay one a day.  Can you imagine giving birth every day for six days??  I don't know about you, but I've been through the labor process and that's a lot of work for one day let alone six days in a row!  Go Mrs. Robin...you're a beast!!

XOXO

We need an intervention.

As many of you know, we've been really concerned about Jackson's speech over the past couple of months.  We went to the doctor, had Jackson screened and evaluated, and got the results on Friday.

Jackson does have a 40% delay in his expressive and receptive communication.  At first, I thought I would be glad to hear that he'd qualify for intervention.  If he didn't have at least a 40% delay in one area or a 25% delay in 2 or more areas, then he wouldn't qualify for any help at all.  I was trying have good perspective...ya know...to go into this whole thing thinking that it would be better to qualify for help than have a delay but it not be enough to get help.  But, I was totally heartbroken that he had such a delay.  I was pretty down on Friday but with the help of kind words and testimonials from friends who either had to have speech therapy or know of people who did, I'm feeling much better.

I know that God made Jackson just the way he is for a reason.  He is perceptive and observant, laid back, and easy to get along with.  I don't know why he isn't communicating yet, but I know that God makes everything beautiful in it's time.  God will show Himself in this situation, if He hasn't started to already.  Sometimes I just can't see it right away.

The interventionist comes tomorrow (Tuesday) at 4:30 to set some goals for Jackson and to set up a time each week to come work with him.  She will come for an hour each week.  She'll also give us stuff to do with him everyday.  I'm curious to see how things will play out from here and will keep you all updated on how things go.

XOXO

The Green Thumb...OF DEATH!

Hello.  My name is Lindsey, and, I am a murderer...of all things green.

I was given an Ivy plant by Bryan's roommate in college.  I took it home over the summer and my mom kept it alive for 2 years.  I took it with me when Bryan and I got married and killed it.

When Bryan and I moved into our first apartment we bought two house-plants, Pedro and Napoleon.  I watered them every day.  Within 6 weeks both were dead.

Every Spring I buy beautiful hanging plants.  None of them last long.  In SC, the 100 degree sunlight for most of the day fried them.  Or, it could be that I didn't water them enough to be able to survive hot SC summers.  I'll never tell.

Last Spring, I bought hanging plants that needed constant sun exposure. Turns out, I should've bought ones that thrived in the shade (maybe I should start paying more attention).  They died in about two weeks.  But I had to keep one hung for weeks because a sparrow built a nest and laid eggs in it.  So we had this dry, bare, dead hanging plant on our porch for a good month and a half.  It looked horrible.

Last Fall, I decided I would get mums for the front porch.  They didn't last long either.  I was told by a friend that mums were virtually indestructible.  HAHAHAHAHA...not by me!  I completely forgot to water them and again, they were dead within weeks.

I want to have a green thumb, I really do.  But every plant I purchase and care for dies a slow, agonizing death - either by drowning or dehydration.

I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want to plant a small garden this year.  Maybe some tomatoes, green peppers, zucchini/squash, and some herbs.  But I'm terrified that I'll plant all the little seedlings and then kill them all by either showing them too much love or not enough.

Yesterday, I was grocery shopping and I almost lost my mind.  I got everything I needed to make Bryan's favorite pasta and then got to the produce isle.  Wal-mart didn't have fresh basil!  UGH, I HATE WAL-MART!  (Don't ask me if I could've gone to another store...because there aren't any.  I'm bitter about it if you can't tell.)  I furiously pushed my cart to the garden section and threw potting soil, a cute little pot, and the last little basil seedling they had (which is already looking a little frail) in the cart.  I planted him today but am fearful that instead of turning out to be a beautiful, bearer of deliciously sweet and fragrant basil, that I've signed this sweet seedling's death sentence.

Meet Basil (Baah-sil).  That's right, he's British.  

Any words of wisdom on how to keep my sweet, little Basil alive?  Maybe if I can get him to thrive, I can move onto planting a real garden.  Tips on planting said garden are much appreciated too.

XOXO

Just trying to keep my resolution here...

I debated on doing a blog post this week, because, honestly I've been feeling a little down and didn't want to be whining and complaining (or WAC'n -pronounced 'wackin'- as my mother in law would say, which embarrassed my husband for years).  Can you hear it?  "Oh that Bryan, he's just in his room WAC'n."  LOL!

Anywho, I had to remind myself of my at least once a week blog resolution and figured I at least should update everyone on my resolution progress.

1.  Blog more - Check!
2.  Run a 5k -  I've got two 5k's on the list for fall and I am finally starting my training.  I was unable to start until Daylight Savings Time because Bryan didn't get home most days until the sun was going down.  I got through week one but then the weather turned nasty and I haven't been able to run for a week.  I'm not sure if I'll start over or just pick up where I left off.  We're going to Memphis this weekend so the plan is to get back on track next week and not stop again!
3.  Million Dollar Idea -  Patenting is VERY expensive.  We've looked into options but just can't afford it right now.  I'm keeping the idea in the back of my mind and hope to pursue it a little later in life.  Right now I'm more focused on getting my teaching certificate for TN and taking some photography classes, which I'm VERY excited about!!

I'm going to change gears here and instead of telling y'all about things that have me down lately, I'm going to list things that I'm thankful for.  Hopefully, it'll give me a boost!

1.  Jackson has started to say "Mama" again.  Along with several other words - we're making progress!
2.  A husband, that even though he's worried about money, agrees to a spontaneous weekend trip to cheer up his currently emotionally unstable wife.
3.  Sunshine after days of rain.
4.  A Little Tikes basketball hoop that we all can't get enough of.
5.  The velvet-soft ears of my pups.
6.  Chocolate Cheerios
7.  Celebrating Home's Mango Cooler fragrance gel -  it's like summer in a bottle!
8.  Sloppy, wet kisses of all kinds.
9.  John Mark McMillan
10.  My ESCAPE girls. One in particular right now that is going to stay at my house and keep my pups this weekend so we don't have to pay for a kennel.  Oh, and her imitation of a certain someone to remain nameless singing.  Can't stop laughing about it!!

I could go on, but I'll stop now since I'm smiling! :-D

XOXO

I want to learn Why The Caged Bird Sings

Last night I didn't go to bed until 2:00 am.  I've been having trouble sleeping over the past few nights.  Last night I was dog tired, but got sucked into an INCREDIBLE program on the OWN network.  Yes, that's Oprah Winfrey's new network...don't judge me.  

At midnight I started watching Oprah's Master Class.  It was Oprah's story and it was very inspirational.  But, I couldn't have imagined what was about to come on next...Oprah's Master Class:  Maya Angelou!  I've always been awestruck by Dr. Angelou.  She is so eloquent, so wise.  Her voice, to me, is like honey. (Did you know she was mute for 6 years as a child? Amazing, huh?!)  I could sit and listen to her all day, soaking up every story, every bit of wisdom, every metaphoric morsel of good, old fashioned advice.

Thing is, I've always felt this way.  I try to catch her whenever I see that she's going to be on TV.  And, I've read a few of her poems, but really very little.  I sat there, thinking, "Why have you not read every bit of every word that this woman has written?!"  

Here is a clip from the show I found on YouTube.  She is describing words as things.  So true, so profoundly true, Dr. Angelou!



Do yourself a favor and DVR this program.  I think my generation could learn a lot if we stopped for just a second...took a break from TV, Facebook, and Twitter...and listened to the wisdom from Dr. Angelou's generation.

In the meantime, I'm heading to the library to check out every copy of literature they have by her!

XOXO

...It's what's for dinner...

As many of you know, I live in a teensie weensie college town in Western Tennessee.  The only place to grocery shop is Wal-Mart and there is an extreme shortage of good restaurants.  The exception of this is three Mexican restaurants.  That's right, three.  Why we need three Mexican restaurants in a town of around 15,000 people, with only a 1.7% Hispanic population, is lost on me.  Other than the places to get delicious fajitas and quesadillas, there is only one restaurant that Bryan and like to eat at, and it's a little pricey, so I have to cook most of our meals at home.

One thing that I've missed is good Chinese food.  I've always loved Chinese food and it has been a staple in my diet at least once every two weeks since before I can remember.  I've been completely starved of Chinese food for the past year...until I discovered deliciousness in the boxed dinner isle.

The Orange Chicken is my fav!

Granted, it is not exactly the same as what you would get at a good Chinese restaurant or hole-in-the-wall take-out place, but it's pretty stinkin' close.  And, when you can't get Chinese food that is stomachable within an hour's drive...it's heaven.

It's really easy to fix too.  All you need is whats in the box, a pound of chicken (you could also use pork or shrimp), water, and vegetable oil.  

In the box (clockwise):  white rice, sauce mix,
seasoned cornstarch, chiles.

I do a few things differently than what the box suggests, though.  First, I don't put in the hot chiles.  Jackson won't eat it if it's spicy and I'd prefer to keep my heartburn at bay.  Second, I add half a bag of frozen stir-fry veggies at the end of cooking.  It adds some more nutritional value and substance to the meal.  This is one of the few meals I can sneak vegetables into, chop them up really fine, and Jackson will actually eat them!

The finished product!  YUM!

Jackson agrees!

Fixing Wanchai Ferry has it's benefits other than just providing me with my Chinese fix.  One, it's much cheaper than Chinese take-out.  Two, it's probably saving me a few inches on my waist-line.  Typically, many Chinese dishes (General Tso's, Scallion Chicken, Orange Chicken, Honey Chicken, Sesame Chicken, etc.) are all double fried.  Wanchai Ferry is only cooked in 2 Tbsp. of vegetable oil and I've found I can even cut back on that a little.

There are a couple downsides to Wanchai Ferry.  First, I wish the white rice was brown rice.  I prefer brown both in taste and nutritional value.  Second, if you need to feed more than two adults and a small child, I'd suggest fixing two boxes OR making something on the side.  Frozen egg rolls/spring rolls would be nice or even a good serving of fresh fruit.

The dogs are making the clean-up really easy too.

Try it and let me know what ya'll think!

XOXO

...Enjoy your ride on Thunder Road!

Today I got an email from a friend looking for some perspective on a lesson she was teaching.  She asked a fairly simple question...


"In one sentence, how would you describe parenting a toddler?"


Of course, my answer didn't just come in one sentence.  But, I concluded with a phrase I'd seen over and over growing up after dozens upon dozens of visits to Carowinds...

What a great ride!

"Grit your teeth.  Bear the load.  Enjoy your ride on Thunder Road!"

Do you see those little white signs?  They actually have the 'Grit your teeth...'  quote on them.
It's my favorite part of the whole ride!

Thing is, I don't think just parenting a toddler is like riding a roller coaster.  I think parenting in general IS a roller coaster!


The first year of parenthood is like the very beginning of the ride, when the coaster is cranking you all the way up to the top of that first, and largest hill.  When you first get on you're scared and excited.  As you start to climb the hill, you begin to wonder why you got on the ride to begin with.  It feels like it's taking forever to get to the top.  You look back to the people in line and think, "What are you doing?!  Don't get on this roller coaster, you crazy people!!"  But then, right before you reach the top you start to get a little bit comfy, maybe you even put both of your hands up.  You're feeling free, like everything's finally going to be ok.


Then you crest the hill and you see all that lies in front of you...the rest of parenthood.  Extreme highs and lots of lows.  The ride is going to be bumpy, you never know what's going to be around the next turn, and sometimes something will throw you for a loop.


You'll go through a whole range of emotions.  Sometimes you'll be so scared that you're gripping the bar in front of you, grinding your teeth, and praying to God for the ride to be over.  Other times it'll take your breath and you'll be smiling and squealing for joy.  And, you might even throw those hands up again - both in praise to God for the blessing of children and out of frustration because you just want to give up.  

The highs for me are AWESOME - Giggles, laughs, milestones, etc.  And the lows are pretty scary sometimes.  Discipline, punishment, frustration, and worries (especially with Jackson's speech).  

But the cool thing is, just like on a roller coaster, you have to go through the lows to get back to the next high point.  If all you did was stay on the top of the hill, the ride wouldn't be nearly as exciting!

Now if only I had an old picture of me as a kid at Carowinds to end this post with...oh well!

Also, don't forget to register for the giveaway!!

XOXO