To my 3 in half year old son

My son you are half way to your 4th birthday! Where has the time gone? It has been a difficult journey from the time you turn three till now and days ahead of us. But everyday we are working hard with you to your goals, learning something new and we are proud and we know you are working really hard each passing day.  You know since putting you in the PPCD program in December we have notice it has help you with your speech and see how much you have learn in such a short time. We have notice including your teachers that you are saying new things while you are learning each day and starting to shine and get out of your bubble.  And a major milestone we just had with you recently with time and practice you verbally identified your name, age, and gender for the first time and we couldn't be prouder of you. Each day goes by we are teaching you, your teachers are teaching you but most importantly you are teaching us. It has been a difficult one these last few months, but you are showing everyone what you can do and will do it. Plus just recently we may have hopefully solve all the problems with your speech delay, with the major problem that we didn't catch sooner was the clear fluid in your ears, it kept getting miss due to the fact it was clear. Not knowing that your second hearing test would show no activity in your eardrums give us answers. Hopefully with the follow on the 10th of April we get more answers and we would know for sure if you need to have tubes in your ear. The tubes will help the fluid drain, and will eventually fall out as you get older. Of course mommy is all over the place and breaks my heart that it took us this long to figure all this out, but know I follow up with every appointments as quickly as possible, and made phone calls right away. We pray that if you do need tubes that this will help everything, and will solve all your problem with your speech delay(I will update on another post about that).

Beside the journey above, in your 3 in half years I must say it's never a dull moment with you. You are the most sweetest, caring little boy with a attitude that can change quickly when you don't like something or someone made you mad. You love to give kisses, hugs, and look out for me and your daddy. You also love to eat. Love paw patrol, dinosaurs, cars, trains, monster trucks, pretty much anything that makes noises and moves, superheros, outside time, and also love to go to the movies or watch movies at home. Dancing and watching music videos is your thing. Chase from build of bear is still your buddy. You are mommy little shopping buddy and workout buddy. Toys r us is your favorite store to go to(sad is closing), and Chuck e cheese is your favorite place to go. Also McDonald's and Chick fil a is your favorite fast food along with many others, but we know what you want because you say Donalds and Chick for Chick fil a. At times you love to sit back and color in your coloring book, or play on your kindle. As well as video games, and fighting with your daddy puts a smile on your face. Soccer was your first sport you played and tball is in your future because you have an arm on you.

My sweet boy, I can't believe you are half way to your fouth birthday. You bring so much joy into our lives, and I love to see what the next day has in store for us while thanking God for the day we did have with you. Everyday is a blessing with you, and I pray to God he continue to watch over you and allows you to grow along with giving us many more years to watch you grow.

Love you always and forever!!

Your mommy

First of many hardest decision in mother/parenthood

Last September my son had turn 3, we knew speech wasn't where he needed to be. So at his 3 year old check up Doctor gave us a list, and told us one of many appointments we needed to make. I got the ball rolling made the calls once we were home....some happen right away, and some are now just happening this year. 

Our first appointment was an evaluation with the department of the preschool of disabilities with the school district. After testing you were accepted into the program, we waited for the school to call to meet with them, and we finally did in December. But at the evaluation which was only a hour they determine he was showing some signs of Austim because of his speech. WOW!!!! So many mixed emotions, so many tears were shed after the appointment and talking to daddy about what was said. Along I knew in my heart as a mommy nothing was wrong with him beside needing a push with speech, and daddy felt the same, but let me make it clear if Austim or anything else was in the picture we would love him no matter what. It was hard trying to soaked everything that was said at the first appointment, because it was the first appointment of many. So many decisions that was going to be made and difficult ones at that as the different appointments come up.

Now to our meeting at the school where we met the teacher apart of the program, the supervisor of the program, a speech specialist, and the principal which they all explain the program, went over our concerns, the goals, paperwork, and so much more. And while going over the paperwork that told us our son was showing zero to some signs of Austim, but it was because of speech...TOTALLY different from what was said at the evaluation. Still so many tears were shed, many prayers were said, and many late nights conversations with  daddy and I. As well as let me add my mind was made up before going into this meeting that he was not going to go to the program, and I wasn't ready to let go while daddy had an open mind the whole time. There was a lot of pros and cons, what if, not regretting it, and early invention. Finally, the teacher that would watch over my son made a personal call to us inviting us to her classroom since she wasn't able to attend the meeting due to training, well we met with her and the two assistant in the classroom. We asked more questions, she show us what they do each day, lessons plans, and so on. 

EARLY INTERVENTION IS GOOD!!! RIGHT?????

WELL.....Fast forward to now and I'm proud to say that he's in the program, and is going great. He's been going since a week in a half before Christmas break. Some days are not easy and some are as smooth as can be. It was harder on me than on daddy and him. I cried, he cried a bit but after the second day I stop walking him in and he was getting off the car in the carpool line by himself with the teacher of course. It was a big change from being with me all day everyday to going to the program five days a week, two in half hours a day. Each day he works hard to meet his goals, and once met new ones are set. Also a speech specialist meet with him two times a week. We follow the school schedule, and he has had so much fun activities. Love getting art projects and him show us how he did, and him telling us he did so proudly.  Oh and they are helping us with potty training, he hasn't got the hang of it just yet but we will get there. With that being said he knew his name already but just last Friday March 2th, he verbally identity his name, gender, and age and used more words for communication instead of objects and pictures along with getting better with sharing toys.

It's a work in progress! Each day he is learning, and doing something new. I still believe in my heart nothing is wrong with him, and he will and is showing everyone what he can do and will do. Please know this was the hardest decision and first one to make as a mother, but it was totally the right one. As well as so many have went on the same journey that we are on, and we are not alone. I share with very few family friends, but it's great to share and talk about your journey with your friends, other moms or even a counselor. Appointments are still coming up, and I'm not as worry as I was from the very beginning! 

EARLY INTERVENTION WAS THE BEST DECISION WE COULD HAVE DONE, He was only two months behind and now with the help he won't be behind at all, and by the time he starts kindergarten he will be in a regular classroom(that's our goal). He go at his pace! 

Lauren 

A worry mother who just wants the best for her son, and always will! 

Goodbye February, Hello March

Second month of 2018 has came and gone and here is my little recap of how it went for me....

Sickness has been crazy in our house as it comes and go. And the weather here has been crazy for us which that doesn't help either

We celebrated a family friend son/our nephew birthday, goodbye party as he started a new journey in the Navy, as well as super bowl. Yes all on the same day!! A fun day that was! Eagles shocked everyone by winning. Everyone had mix reviews about the halftime performance with Justin Timberlake and I think he did wonderful.

We celebrated my husband 35th birthday with family and friends with a surprise lunch and a crown royal bottle cake. Epic and one for the books. Also that day we took advantage and had our second date night for the month of February with some of my husband friends. 

Two months in on doing dates and can't wait to see what we do for March.

Grandma came for a visit a surprise one at that and made some homemade for Meundo for my husband for his birthday.

My husband grandma pass away unexecpedly back in her hometown. So glad to have many memories with her, and most importantly she was just here last year meeting my son(her great grandchild for the first time). May she rest in peace!

My son had a few playdates once he was better

And I'm still going strong with working out and feeling great.

Made many more memories and can't wait to see what's in store for us in March. And I hope the weather is a lot nicer to us in March (wishful thinking, but I truly hope it is) 

So stay tuned!!

Lauren

P.S. Credit the beautiful picture above from Pinterest. 

Happy 35th to my husband

Happy 35th birthday to this handsome guy I'm proud to call my husband! I did good with surprising him with his cake and everything else!

He got to see another birthday as well as we got another birthday with him and that's a blessing. Everything I plan for him went smooth and he loved it. Lunch with friends, family and than some fun at Top Golf while our son was watch by grandma at our house. Now we are ending my husband birthday with movies at home with our son. Love seeing my husband with smile and just laughing away. He truly gets spoiled year around but today was extra special.

Love you honey so much! I pray you are bless with many more and we can continue to grow old together and watching our son grow up.

Love,
Your wifey

In 2005 this exact date we became boyfriend and girlfriend

It was 2005 this exact date that our journey started as boyfriend and girlfriend. After knowing each other for a few months the year before with many late nights up on the phone talking, sitting on the couch while he was at work when I got out class staring in his eyes when he wasn't busy, or having lunch dates with him before going home, than taking it to the next step by calling each other my boyfriend, my girlfriend in 2005 this exact date. It hasn't been easy at times we thought we were not going to make it. He was ready to call it quits and walk out of this relationship, and if wasn't for a good friend of ours to tell him to make it work it because I really did like him there would not be no us right now.

Now fast forward to now (2018), I'm truly thankful to God for allowing us to cross path, to taken it to that level and for where we are now as husband and wife. Oh trust me it hasn't been easy, but it has been worth it! I love doing life with him, love being his wife, and love having him as my husband. Life has been good to us, and I must say we are truly taking this statement Let's Grow Old together because we are truly growing old together. We have build our relationship from bottom up, we have build a home together for us and now with our son, we have live paycheck to paycheck, we had our fair shares of arguments but nothing that was not talk about or fix that same day, and so much more. Either way what we have share I'm truly blessed it's with him! He loves me for me,and shows me everyday how much he loves me. And since adding the title parents in our relationship it's been a ride that once thought wasn't going to happen, but it did. Again days are not easy but I would not have it any other way.

Thank you Honey for doing all this with me, for building a life with me since 2005, for the journey of marriage and parenthood, and for so much more. Everyday I thank God for you and for all that we have as a family. Thanking him everyday is better than rubbing it in as I know it can easily be taken away. God has been good to us and I know he will continue to be good to us.

Thank you for hanging in there with me as I know days I can be difficult!! Thank you for everything!

I love you than, now, and forever!

Planning a Party outside your home with your own touches

Planning a party? Using a venue? Want to  used your decorations ideas?

If the answer is YES, than let's talk! Now and days venue are allowing you to bring little to as much as you want in your decorations with of course rules attach to it as well. Even some allow you to bring in anything expect for the food and drinks, and some allow you to be everything.

This pass September I along with my husband was planning on hosting my son's third birthday at the house, had the theme, and all the ideas I wanted to do for the party. But than my son had grew so much interest in Chuck E Cheese leading up to his birthday that we decided to have his party there. And I must say I did have the theme, decorations, and birthday shirt including mommy and daddy shirts ready since March yes March(half birthday mark), and within the months I made a number 3 and letter J along with a fabric garland.

So with that being said we had it outside our home and at a venue and before booking I ask all the question I needed to ask, what we could or not bring. Once booked 60 days out I had more of an idea what I wanted for him, and everything we bought back in March was used.

Chuck E Cheese allows you to bring in your own cake, ice cream, goodies bags, plates, napkins, and decorations. My mom helped with the centerpieces, we had a paw patrol birthday book for the guest to sign, I ordered paw prints crayons from fun shaped crayons along with paw patrol coloring books. I also got water bottles from dollar tree and my mom made vinyl paw prints to put on it. A sweet mommy friend made a few cutouts for me, and made the cake when the dogs on the cake from the dollar tree. Oh and I must say she did a very good job and it was a very tasteful even better the next day with a cold glass of milk. 

Than after our party, and we saw how much my son and the guest enjoyed themselves we were not disappointed, and actually glad we choose to have it at a venue. I still was able to make it our own by adding the touches but at the end it was memorable for everyone who came. Everyone who came saw the tables when they came to the back and gave me so many wonderful compliments. I couldn't help to smile because I so wanted to have it at the house because I thought I was limited having it outside our home but I was not. Oh yeah and daddy sat back and let me do my thing and was there to put his opinions in.

Fainlly, let's go back to the questions from the beginning: Planning a party? Using a venue? Want to use your decorations ideas? 

I'm here to say go for it, its less stressful  well kind of! Ask your questions whatever venue you are going to use! Once done have fun planning and making it your own!!

Lauren

P.S. Here are some pictures from my son's 3rd birthday party at Chuck E Cheese!

9 years of marriage and still the best decision

Saying "I do" to you 9 years ago was, and still is the best decision I made. Within the last 9 years wonderful memories have been made for us, and I can't wait to see what's store for us in the future. We have had our differences, but at the end we have come out stronger. A few times our marriage had been tested, but we have overcome it. And after everything the love we have is still there for one another, and it's only getting stronger from here on out.

Thank you for loving me the way you do!
Thank you for making me your everything!
Thank you for spoiling  me everyday!
Thank you for all you do for me!
Most of all thank you for making this our marriage so worth it!

Happy 9th Wedding Anniversary my love! I thank God everyday for our marriage, and for you. Everyday I get with you is such a blessing that I look forward to the next day and the future.

Here is to than, now and forever!

Love you forever and always!!