Ten on Tuesday

1. Happy belated President's Day. Did you celebrate by learning all our past presidents? If not, you can get your education on here. 
2. I wished Brady a happy Presidents Day, to which he immediately replied "I want to open it!". Poor kid, he thought I said presents day. 
3. I actually did scroll through #1's link and came to a picture of our 11th president. Is it just me, or does he have a slight resemblance to Mel Gibson?

   

   Photo Credit / Photo Credit

4. I've come to the realization that every family with small children has a special name for passing gas, as if somehow calling it by a nicer name makes it less icky. The "f" word wasn't allowed in our house, so growing up, my brother and I had to call it a "puff". Here in the Butler household we call it a toot. What words do you use? I know you've got some good ones!
5. I may have mentioned this before, but it bears repeating. Brady has a particular ball he plays with and every time he does, he always says "I do not care for so much reason". Where does he come up with this stuff?!
6. Thanks to some cool new apps on the iPhone, the little guy now knows a rhombus, ellipse, parallelogram, equilateral triangle, right triangle, scalene triangle, pentagon, heptagon, hexagon, as well as star, semicircle, rectangle, square, and circle. Technology is a beautiful thing.
7. Our city had an indoor garage sale this past weekend. I scored some good deals, but my favorite was a huge black frame. It is kind of distressed looking and I love it and it only cost $1. I got it to fame a family picture (assuming we ever take one), but it came with a framed Twilight poster. I'm not going to lie: I was embarrassed carrying it around. 
8. You know who wasn't? The hubster. Yet another reason I love that man.
9. I know I've mentioned this before, but my friend is raising money for adopting. I'm having an online party for Tastefully Simple and all the proceeds go towards her adoption. I am selling products through March 1 and so far have $0 sales. That's right. That number is zero. I feel like the biggest loser of a friend ever. Please buy something, for my friend and for my ego (but more for my friend). The food really is super yummy and you will be helping a great cause.
   
10. I am also linking up with Forever n Always Shoot and Edit. I missed last week's theme of romance. I was uninspired (photographically), so I'm jumping back in with this weeks' theme of pink. Not an easy color to find in our household, but I did what I could. Be sure to check back later in the week for the edit!

Ten on Tuesday

1. Wow. You know how they say time flies when you're busy? So true. Problem is, I don't have anything to actually show for being busy. I literally have just been piddling, but apparently time flies when you piddle too.
2. There is still (a lot) of snow on the ground here. I don't like driving in snow. Basically, that means that unless my hubby (great guy that he is) drives me, I don't go anywhere.
3. As if we don't have enough snow, the weather people are guessing forecasting we are going to be getting more tonight AND tomorrow. Say it with me: ugh. How many more days till spring?
4. My husband went to a Bible study at church early this morning. I love that he has a heart for God.
5. My son has been saying some of the weirdest and funniest things. Case in point, this morning, out of nowhere, he said "I do not care for so much reason." Say what? I just chuckled to myself. He's two and a half, people.
6. I am up to 17 "followers" on my blog. That is just the coolest thing ever to me. When I first started, I swore no one read it. Now, people "follow" and leave comments. Thank you, friends!
7. I know I'm not the only one that gets sick of winter and longs for spring. My son (still two and a half) taught me a lesson yesterday. We were talking about the weather and playing outside and I said "Don't you like springtime when it's warm and sunny?" to which he replied, "I like the snow too! It's lovely." It just reminded me to be thankful for the seasons in life, no matter what they are (or how many days I'm cooped up inside). Hmmm. Maybe I should go back and rewrite #3?
8. I'm going to make a quiche tonight for the first time. I'm hoping it turns out yummy because, man, I love me some quiche! (Thanks, mom, for the recipe!)
9. We went to a Superbowl part on Sunday and I'm not ashamed to tell you I did not watch any of the game. Yet, it was the best superbowl party ever. Love you, friends!
10. I'm a day late, but I'm linking up to Forever n Always Shoot and Edit anyway. The theme this week is hearts. I know this picture is a stretch, but I lost track of time (all that piddling!) and a friend gave me this picture she had taken of Brady when he was a wee babe and I loved it and had to use it. If you look at his big toe and second toe, tilt your head to the side, squint, and stand on one foot you can see the heart.  You'll forgive me, won't you?

Ten on Tuesday

1. On an normal week I will jot down notes and tidbits I want to mention in the Ten on Tuesday post. Yes, I'm a list maker, in the worst possible way. I make lists of things I need to make lists for. Ri-donk-ulous.
2. This week, however, did not have the feel of a "normal" week and I did not make any notes to myself or jot anything down. It will be a miracle if I can get to ten. Good thing I believe in miracles, eh?
   
3. This past weekend the weather was gorgeous. As in, pushing 70 degrees gorgeous. We three Butlers spent a lot of time outside and at the park. I'm amazed at how much the B-Man has changed since we last went. The kid, always brave, has grown nearly fearless. If this continues, his momma may have a few extra gray hairs this summer. (Not that I have any now...You believe me, right?)
4. As lovely as the weekend was, we are now under a blizzard warning. I kid you not. I remember lots of times having snow and ice here, but never a blizzard warning. Things could get interesting.
5. In preparation for the blizzard, we went to the grocery store to pick up some things, just in case. What a madhouse. Our pastor later tweeted "News Flash: Walmart is out of milk, bread, & eggs which means all of southwest Missouri is having French Toast for breakfast tomorrow!"
6. We are not having French Toast (we got Rye bread because that's the only kind they had left. Honestly.), but we are having oatmeal. What is it about oatmeal that warms the soul?
7. I haven't mentioned it in awhile, so I feel like it's ok to talk about it. Potty training is going great! The only "downside" is he wakes up wanting to potty right away. I know, I know, that's not a bad thing. It's just that he's been waking up earlier, when before, he would stay in his bed and rest for a little while before getting up. Believe me, we are feeling the effects of early mornings.
8. I read a blog this morning that inspired me. Don't you love it when that happens? I hope someday this blog will inspire you, instead of just bore you and lull you into a sleep. (Please tell me that doesn't happen!) 
9. Brady is still on the Black Bear kick. Now, he's added a few other names to his list. When he's not being Black Bear, he is either Thomas (of the Train family) or Uncle Lance (for whatever reason, he's usually Uncle Lance when he's not wearing pants. Not sure where that correlation comes from, but we roll with it).
10. His imagination is really taking off. Yesterday he told us he was going to go to the park on a picnic to visit Piglet for a little while. Then he found an empty jug and proceeded to pour his friends lemonade. When I asked for some, holding out my pretend cup, I was surprised to find the jug pushed in my mouth. Guess mommy doesn't need a cup. Whatever. Drinking from the jug? I can dig it.

Ten on Tuesday

1. I just wanted you to know that you're now reading an international blog. That's right. According to the stats, this little blog has been visited in the US, Canada, Greece, Netherlands, Australia, UK, Italy, Singapore, Mexico, and Argentina. Oh yeah, we're big time now. Not really. But, to all the visitors: Welcome, kalos ilthate, welkom, wolkom, G'day Mate, benvenute, 欢迎, Bienvenidos! And a special shoutout to the Newfoundlanders: How ya gettin' on! 
2. If any of the above translations are incorrect a) so sorry and b) I got the translations from here.
3. I may or may not have worn mismatched socks yesterday. I may or may not have noticed while I was putting my shoes on, but at that point was already committed to wearing them because my husband and son were waiting for me in the car. These things happen to some people. Not me, but you know, some people.
4. Potty training is going pretty awesome. Brady went #2 (I'm trying to avoid saying the "p" word since I may or may not have mentioned it so much in a previous blog post.) After we flushed, we congratulated him like we always do and he said, "That's the way it's done!". Where does this kid get his material?
5. Speaking of the little comedian, yesterday he insisted on being called black bear. All day. If someone were to forget and call him by his name, he would remind you and say "Actually, black bear". 
6. I still check on that little black bear every time I wake up in the middle of the night. I can't not check on him. I usually try to recover him up, but lately he's taken to sleeping hibernating on top of his covers in his bed cave.
7. Do you ever text someone while you're sitting in the same room? My husband is known to do this and I kinda love it. I get sweet messages like "I want to grow old with you" or "Wanna get a pizza?". I could go on from there, but they can get colorful and this is a family blog.
8. Have you ever tried these? A friend turned me onto them (thanks, Catrina!) and I'm in love. Don't buy them through that link, though. Get them at Wal-Mart or Sam's and send me some. Just kidding. Unless, you know, you really want to.
9. We went to the bookstore (again) last night. I love it that Brady would choose a bookstore over a toy store. 
10. Have you ever read Psalms 139? It's kind of my current favorite. Every time I read it, a different part speaks to me. Today, it's this part: Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? ....If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me...Love it.

Ten on Tuesday

1. Did you miss my post yesterday? My apologies. It was a holiday and the Butler family has been stricken with ickiness.
2. Despite the ickiness, yesterday was a holiday. As if we are going to stay cooped up inside the house on a holiday. As if.
3. We did our usual running around and hit some of our favorite spots. I was on a hunt for a new potty for the B-Man. Four Wal-Marts and one toy store later. Booyah!
4. In the midst of our galavanting, Brady requested to go to Barnes and Noble. As in, I want to go to Barnes and Noble nowwww, pleeeease. Never wanting to be the parents that refuse a child a trip to the book store, we happily obliged. I feel slightly obligated to tell you he didn't actually open a book, or, you know, even glance at one. No sir, at that particular bookstore, it's all about the train table. Not complaining, we made some friends and enjoyed some coffee. Good times to be had by all.
5. We had an amazing night with friends on Sunday night. I will blog about it later, but I want to point out how much I adore our group of friends. One of my (many) favorite things is that we are all pretty much in the same stage in life. There are a few of us moms trying to potty train and, thankfully, there was a potty for the Bradster to use while we were there. This new potty was fantastic. Brady loved it and we didn't have any "overshooting" issues. If you are a mommy to a little boy, I know you get it. That sent me on a new potty crusade.
6. I feel slightly obligated to mention that, despite his love for that potty and the fact he actually did go several times on that potty, I still had to change his unders. Three times.
7. I can feel more redeemed to tell you that, with all our running around yesterday, he did not have one accident and actually went potty in the bathrooms of several stores.
8. I was super excited to bring the new potty home. Brady was thrilled to have it. That is, until it came time to go. He started asking for his "other one". Awesome. Now, I know he's not feeling well and I almost cave. Almost. Then, I stick to my guns and tell him the other potty is gone. I call him buddy to soften the blow. It works. He goes on the new potty. All is right with the world.
9. As rough as it is for me to be sick, it's so much harder when my favorite little buddy is under the weather. All I want to do is cuddle my sweet boy and love on him and smother him in smooches. I actually got to do that last night. For fifteen seconds. Then, he was off. I'm actually thankful he's like that. He's always been like that, since he was a wee babe (there's my Scottish heritage coming out for you). The only way we ever knew he was sick was from the symptoms. He never acts sick. He's a trooper. Me, on the other hand? Well, I just want to be cuddled and loved on and smothered in smooches.
10. This has got to be one of the most boring posts ever. Sorry. I'm sick. And Brady's potty training. What? You didn't know? You're surpised I haven't mentioned it? On a sidenote: Vicks Vapor Rub is the best invention ever. Sliced bread? Who needs it! Soothing vapors that help me breath all the while releasing a heady aroma of menthol? Yes, please.

Ten on Tuesday

1. Mike and I have a cup of coffee every morning and always drink out of "our" cups. They are Starbucks mugs, found at a garage sale. Mine is orange on the inside and his is blue on the inside. The funny thing is, despite using them every day, Mike will occasionally get them mixed up and try to give me the blue. OK, maybe it's not that funny to you, but we always get a chuckle out of it.
   
2. We seldom have candy at our house. It's just not something we buy. (Chocolate, however? Yum!) Which may be one (of the many) reasons Brady loves his Uncle Lance. For Christmas, Lance got everyone candy for stocking stuffers and the majority of it ended up being left at our house. Ever since, Brady has asked for a piece of "Uncle Lance's candy". Every day. His favorite so far has been Jelly Bellys. Incidentally, it bears noting that if we ever have Gatorade in our house it is always "Uncle Lance's Gatorade" and it is always requested, as in, "I want to drink some Uncle Lance's Gatorade", and (when prompted for manners), "pleeeeeaase".
   
3. We were playing the "tickle game" the other day when Brady bit my arm. It wasn't a hard bite, and I think he just got caught up in the excitement and didn't really mean it maliciously. When I had him apologize, he saw my bruise and, on his own, prayed for it. It was sweet, sincere, and delicate and I couldn't have been more of a puddle. Then, ever so gently, he bent down and kissed it. As if that weren't sweet enough, he then prayed for my knee (yes, it still hurts). I love moments like that.
   
4. It's official. Mike has turned into a reader. I'm not just talking willy-nilly-read-occasionally reader. Nope, he is a full-blown-read-every-spare-second-kind-of-reader. And I love it. We have stopped watching TV at night (except for the occasional show/movies on Friday nights) and we read together. Yes, we may very well be 80 year olds disguised as 30-somethings. I love moments like that.
   
5. Speaking of being 30-something, I got ma'am-ed the other day. We were at Bed Bath and Beyond when it happened. I rounded a corner and ran smack dab into a 20-something (she very well could've been a teenager, but I'm trying to make myself feel a little better) and she said it. The dreaded words. "Oh! Excuse me.....maaaaa'aaaammm". Now, it could just be my imagination, but it surely felt like it was drawn out, in slow motion, and amplified. I've mentioned it before that being 30 doesn't bother me. Being called ma'am however? Um, yeah. Don't love that.
   
6. That same day, my mood was lifted and feelings soothed (a little) with the help of Target. Specifically, the dollar bins right when you walk in the store. I scored two little planting pots that had seeds to plant. I can't wait to plant them with Brady (remember the peppers?) and watch them grow. We got a strawberry plant and some Forget-Me-Nots. I'll keep you posted on their progress.
   
7. Brady likes to listen to certain songs over and over (and over and over and over). Needless to say, Mike and I learn the words. Pretty fast. Occasionally we'll sing along. Lately, however, Brady has started saying "want you to stop singing". Ouch.
   
8. Next Monday, my son will be exactly two and a half. I can barely type the words. How did that happen?
   
9. Because next Monday my son will be exactly two and a half, we have begun the process of potty training. I've done a lot of research (meaning: I've read a lot of blogs) and found that this was the most recommended age to try. Yesterday was our first day and, at the end of it, I'm feeling optimistic. Without sharing the icky details, we managed a couple small successes. Not bad for day one. Nevertheless, prayers are appreciated!
   
10. Have you ever heard of Ebates? It's the coolest site ever-if you're an online shopper. Basically, you sign up for a free account with Ebates then, anytime you're going to do any online shopping, go to their web page and find the store you want to shop (like Old Navy, Gap, Gymboree, Sears...the list goes on). Here's the amazing part-you get cash back! I just got a check for $7.57 from them. How cool is that? Plus, if you sign up, you can get a free $10 gift card to a choice of places. I picked Home Depot. I'm going to be getting some paint! Anyway, click here if you're interested. I get $5 in referral if you sign up with my link, as opposed to singing up on your own. Then, once you sign up, you can get your friends to sign up and get free money. Free money is a wonderful thing.

Ten on Tuesday

1. It feels like it's been ages since I've done a "Ten on Tuesday" post. Bear with me. I'm rusty.
2. The Christmas tree has got to come down. What once was magical, relaxing, and inspiring to look at has now become an obtrusive thing in our living room taking up much needed space.
3. Today we head back to the gym after being off for a week (or so). I am simultaneously looking forward to it and dreading it.
4. This New Year's marked the 8th anniversary of when Mike proposed. To be honest, I normally don't remember those types of things, but it is easy to remember a New Year's proposal. Those of you who know me well, know how I am with timelines...and times...and dates. Seriously, I wouldn't even know it was Tuesday if it weren't for the calendar. I'm kidding. Sort of. In all actuality, it was Mike who reminded me that it was 8 years. (Unlike me, he is great about timleines, and times, and dates). That just blows my mind (in a good way). He proposed at the stroke of midnight.
5. I love routines. Looking back, I always have. It's looking like my son is the same way. Every weekday morning he has some fruit first thing in the morning. In the winter it's clementines, in the summer it's usually some type of berry or peaches. It's been like that as long as he's been eating fruit. In fact, it's hard to remember him not eating fruit first thing in the morning (there goes that timeline stuff again). We used to all pile on the couch in the morning, with Brady in the middle and Mike and I sipping our coffees. However, recently that has changed and Brady has been requesting to "eat la clementine in mommy and daddy's room sitting in the black chair". I love it. Of course, it doesn't stop with just sitting in the black chair. He has to have his airplane blanket and his toy helicopter and toy airplane (courtesy of his Aunt Bev and Nanny).
6. I don't believe in resolutions. I do, however, believe in goals. I don't know why, but it seems like once you tag something as a "resolution" it is doomed to fail. Goals, on the other hand, seem to be safe.
7. I am not a crafty person, but I would love to be. It's blogs like this that inspire me and really make me want to create something. Unfortunately, I can't sew. I do have a machine (on loan from my mom), so I'm going to learn this year. It's a resolution. I mean goal.
8. Speaking of goals, another one of mine (I know-I have a ton) is to get more organized. I downloaded a (free) organization diary/journal yesterday. You can find it here. It's originally $29, but I had a code that made it free so I thought "what the hey" and downloaded it. I've yet to read it. Or open the files.
9. I have been having a lot of problems with my knee and finally went to the doctor. She said I either have runner's knee or degeneration of the cartilage behind the knee cap. She gave me a pill to take, but it hasn't really been helping. It makes the thought of #3 particularly daunting.
10. According to the stats, 11 people read the blog yesterday. I'm not normally a person to get hung up on numbers, I just find it interesting! Thanks to you who stopped by!
    

Ten on Tuesday

I've decided to start doing a "Ten on Tuesday" post. Here it goes...

1. I "borrowed" this idea from another blog. I like it because it allows me to be completely random (which I am) and put things in a list format (which I love).
2. I feel guilty for leaving the blog abandoned, once again. I really do have great intentions about being one of those people who update their blogs regularly. I'm workin' on it. Truly.
3. Speaking of abandoning, I am currently neglecting my to-do list of chores for the day in order to complete this update while the little guy is napping. As soon as I click "Publish Post" I am right back to tackling the to-do list. I'd much rather be blogging.
4. Braden's nanny is coming to visit in exactly 17 days. We're all excited and I'm pretty sure she's already started packing.
5. Tomorrow is my brother's 21st birthday. It is so hard to believe. I remember when I was turning 21 and he was turning 12. It seems like a lifetime ago!
6. In my blogging absence I celebrated my 30th birthday. Turning 30 doesn't bother me...I'm the happiest I've ever been and I am so blessed. I find it does however carry a certain weightiness to it. My age makes me sound like a grown-up...although I don't (always) feel like one. Ha!
7. We went camping for the first time as a family. It was an honest-to-goodness blast! We were thankful to camp with family who has much more experience in the great outdoors than we do and for a campsite with electricity (we actually had coffee pots for morning goodness!). It's a memory I'll treasure for a lifetime. We're already looking forward to next year...not that I'm encouraging time to go by any faster.
8. I am ready for fall. It is my all time favorite season. I love everything about it: the smells, flavors, colors, decorations, weather...you name it. This morning I made double orange scones (from scratch!). I got the recipe out of a fall recipe book. It did not disappoint.
9. Brady has been on a dog kick lately. Namely: Ubie, Zeke, Lexi, Zeus, and Little Puppy. Lexi is my brother's dog and the other four went camping with us. Braden will randomly come up and say he loves one (or all) of them at any given moment. Yesterday we told Brady that Uncle Lance would be stopping by and he specifically asked for Lexi to come. We actually had to call to make sure Lance would bring her. It really is sweet. And, before you ask...NO! We will not be getting a dog any time soon!
10. Lastly, I wanted to leave you with a picture, of course. I can't remember when it was taken, but it wasn't too long ago. He was having a lot of fun. I tried to get a picture of him actually licking the ice cream, but the picture didn't turn out. Gotta love the ice cream goatee!