Frustration Meltdown

Ahhh! It's a beautiful day. After almost a week of cloud covered skies, the sunshine is shining down and the clouds have rolled away. Those clouds can really put a damper on a stay-at-home mom's day. I'm not a big fan of the rain. I guess you can say I'm sort of a solar powered mom. Now that the sun's out, I'm full of energy and ready to start the new day. And then, just when I was starting to feel so optimistic,

I hit a bump in the road.

It's not a BIG deal, just one of the everyday struggles in my mommy adgenda, getting Mason to eat. What could be so hard about eating a bowl of Fruity Pebbles? This could determine the whole outlook of the day. Either he'll put up a fight and the day could just tumble down from there OR he could just swallow his pride and his Fruity Pebbles and everyone's happy. And then, with just one little comment, all my frustration starts to melt away. I say to him "Mason, I am the mommy. You need to listen to me." He responds, "Mommy, I am the Mason Grant Chapman." Tears on the verge turn into giggles of laughter. Thanks again Mason, for another laugh!

Face of Joy!

I came across this fun photography based website called I Heart Faces. Each week you can download a picture that captures a particular theme that's chosen by the developers of the site. This week's theme is JOY. It's hard to just pick one. I have so many photos of Mason that come to mind when I think of the word JOY, but this one hits it right on the nose (literally). Let's just say I'm a BIG fan of Shout.

Greetings from Europe

Today we got a call from Papaw. He and Jeremy are in Austria visiting the beautiful hills where The Sound of Music was filmed. They've already visited France, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. I'm so glad Jeremy was able to take Papaw on this awesome and well deserved trip to Europe. We are so blessed to have such a great man in our lives to call Daddy and Papaw. They'll be home in a few days. I can't wait to here all about it!

A Day to Remember

Yesterday truly was a day to remember. We woke up to a fresh blanket of snow. It was the first of the season and probably will be the last. So, Mason and I were sure to enjoy it. I bundled up my little Eskimo and we were off. We didn't get as much as I had hoped for. But even though it wasn't enough to make Frosty; there was plenty there for mini snow fights and slipping and sliding. After a while of sliding, Mason's little bottom was ready to come inside and warm up. He was so cold that he was actually telling me it was time to come in. That doesn't happen too often. It was his first time playing in the snow; so, for me, it was truly a memorable moment.

But, the memorable moments didn't end there.

Yesterday was also a fresh new start for all Americans and those privileged enough to live in the GREAT U.S. of A! It was a day full of hope for a better more prosperous future. The United States of America has a new President, Barack Obama. There have been 43 Presidents before him. Some were more great than others, but never has there been one to accomplish what he has accomplished, uniting our country like never before. As I watched the news coverage of his inauguration, it was hard to believe that not long ago there was so much hatred simply based on the color of your skin. It's been a long time coming and the time is now here. To see, yesterday, people of all races, all ages, and all classes join together in celebration of how far we have come. It was truly a day to remember.

Let it snow!

Yay, it's snowing! It's not Mason's first snow but the first he'll be able to run and play in. At least, that's the plan for tomorrow. Brad called him so he could sneak a peek at it. He stood there in awl for a moment looking out the window. Hopefully it will be the kind of snow just right for making Frosty. We'll just have to wait to see in the morning.

Catching Up

Goodness! I didn't realize how long it's been since I last blogged. December had replaced my blog time with lots of shopping, eating, and spending time with family, friends and a new born baby boy named Brandon Blake Urena. He's so lucky to have such great people to call mommy and daddy. Congratulations again to my friends, Monica and Juan Carlos.

I love this time of year

but, this Christmas was bitter sweet. Sweet because of all the usual happiness that comes along with the holidays like seeing Mason's eyes light up when he opened the gifts Ho Ho had left under the tree.

His favorite has to be the Handy Manny tools and work bench. He loved them so much that we practically had to open the other gifts for him. Nothing beats seeing him smile, but with all those sweet moments came some bitterness too. This was our first Christmas without Me Me. It just wasn't the same without her. I wish she could be here to see how smart and funny Mason has become. Sometimes I think gosh if she were here she would be having a ball with him. I was so blessed to have such a wonderful lady as my second mother. Hopefully 2009 will be a year filled with lots happiness and goodness for all of us. After all, we do have a new presidency to look forward to.