happy birthday, mama

Today is my mom’s birthday and I can think of no other person who deserves their own post more.

She is my favorite friend. I love her more than anything. A comforting ear, a sounding board for advice, and wise about so many things. Marriage, friends, babies—she knows it all.

As an only child for twelve years I garnered my share of parental attention, even after Jackson was born. Parenting a teenager and a toddler simultaneouly probably wasn't easy; but I can honestly say I've never not liked my mom. She is my favorite shopping partner {not just because she pays} and my favorite cook.

When Reese was born, my mom stayed for over a week. Leaving work is no big deal for her, but leaving my dad and Jackson was. There were lots of tears that week. But the boys suffered through and I could not have made it without her.

I always wondered what she would be like as a grandmother. I don’t have a lot of grandmother experience. My dad’s mom died when I was first born, and my maternal grandmother lives in Mississippi. After a year of "Nonna-ing", I know.

My little man is captivated with his Nonna. I’m not sure if it’s the similarities in our voices and mannerisms, or if he is able to remember those first few days at home with her taking care of him. Whatever the cause, he is enamored by her. His face lights up whenever he hears her voice.

She gives Jackson and I a hard time because whenever we had to write about a parent for school we always picked our Dad. But at the end of the day she is the glue that holds our little Buckley family together. We’d be lost without her.

Happy Birthday, Mama. I love you.

season of change

Something strange is going on at our house. Reese is shunning sleep. He took no nap at school yesterday. NO NAP at all.

Then last night, after his bath and bottle, he was still wide awake. Bright eyed, but not bushy tailed. He was clearly sleepy but having no part of Lofton putting him to bed.

I took him to the back, wrapped him in his blanket and rocked. And rocked. And rocked some more. For twenty minutes he stroked my face, played with my hair, and occasionally put his finger up my nose.

Exasperated I asked him, “What’s the deal, son?!?” He didn’t respond.

Just about the time I realized maybe I ought to have taken a bathroom break before settling in for a night of rocking, his eyes slowly closed. It was forty-five minutes AFTER his usual bedtime. Did I mention he had NO nap at all?

Around four this morning he cranked up AGAIN. Loud wailing was heard over the monitor. Lofton shuffled down the hall and patted, patted, patted for what seemed like eternity. Every time he stopped patting, Reese’s little turtle head popped up. Toothy smile beaming around his pacifier.

At 4:30 I thought to hell with it. I scooped him up, carried him to our room, and laid him in our bed. I literally pinned him {WWE style} to the mattress with my arm.

He never went back to sleep, and consequently neither did I.

As I was lying in bed, I was thinking, “Funny joke, God. I have been lamenting Reese growing older. My heart has been sick knowing that next week he will be a year old. I get the joke, now. You are reminding me what it’s like to have a newborn again. Ha, Ha Buddy. Joke’s on me. ”

{promised fall recipe, below}

fall

I love Fall. Cool breezes, long sleeves, crunchy leaves, and yummy soups. How unfortunate I live in the Deep South. Fall is practically non existent; a fleeting blip on the way from summer to winter.

Tuesday I made a big pot of taco soup to usher in my favorite season. It was indeed 90 degrees outside—but who cares.

I kind of adapted this recipe from somewhere. I really love beans so I added three kinds. It’s just a dump and cook soup, though. Super simple and very tasty!

Taco Soup

Ingredients:
1.5 pounds ground sirloin
1 package taco seasoning
1 package ranch seasoning
1 chopped onion
1 small red or yellow bell pepper
1 can pinto beans, rinsed
1 can black beans, rinsed
1 can kidney beans, rinsed
1 can petite diced tomatoes
A handful or two of frozen yellow corn
2 cups chicken broth
1 small jar of salsa (plus rinse out the jar with water and pour it in)

Directions:
Brown the ground beef in a large pot. While browning, add the chopped onion and bell pepper. When the beef is browned and the vegetables are soft, drain it. Grease is not our friend.

Add beef back to the pot and stir in the beans {which have been drained and rinsed—I hate icky bean juice}, corn, tomatoes {with juice}, seasonings, chicken broth, salsa, and water.

Bring to a boil. Let it cook for about twenty minutes on simmer. At this point I taste it and adjust the seasoning. Salt and pepper usually, but if I want it to taste a little more “taco-ish” I add some cumin or chili powder.

I typically let it simmer for another fifteen minutes or so {longer if I’m waiting on my husband to get home from work}.

Serve with crushed tortilla chips, cheese, and a dollop of sour cream.

Yummy.

martha stewart

Prepare to be blown away by my craftiness!

Tomorrow starts teacher appreciation day at Reese's school. There is a theme for each day-- sweet treats is first. Keeping in mind our limited finances, and the fact that he has multiple teachers, I needed to be both clever and thrifty.

I hit the nail on the head {isn't that the saying???} if I do say so myself.

First up, Lofton ran to Target for supplies: miniature candy bars, lunch bags, and ribbon.

Next, I crafted a poem. It goes like this:

If I had a million dollars,
I'd increase your payday by a ton!
You help take care of me at school
And we have lots and lots of fun!

My piggy bank is empty though,
And all I have to gift--
Is lots of love and kisses,
I hope they give your day a lift!

May your morning be filled with laughter,
Snickers, smiles, and cheer.
And your afternoons with all the same,
we're so glad your such a dear!

Love,
Your Reese's Cup

I printed the poem on full sheet labels, cut it out with crazy scissors, and stuck it on lunch bags. Then I punched holes in the top of the bags, filled them with mini Payday bars, Hershey kisses, Snickers, and Reese's cups, and tied the tops with yellow ribbon.

It took a lot out of me! But I'm impressed with my non-craft self. Not sure what I'm going to due Tuesday... Wednesday... or Thursday {Friday I have to take a salad for the luncheon}, but at least we are off to a sweet start!

What do you think?

Oh and Lofton is working on a new computer desk that is going to require me to use fabric, a staple gun, and glue! Next up-- a yummy fall recipe.

fight on

Fight On is the slogan of the week for the victory shirts from Tiger Rags. I thought it was both applicable to our defeat of West Virginia last night and our week of battling illness in this house!

First, a wellness update.

Reese is much better. He is six days in to taking his antibiotis and his nose is consierably less snotty {tmi, I know}. For a child that HATES having his nose touched this is fantastic news.

I am feeling much better as well. I felt like I was going to die on Wednesday and thought for sure I had the swine flu. Nope! Just a horrible, no good, nasty sinus infection. Are you sensing a trend on our family??? I'm still a little on the yucky side but doing much better.

Lofton is a little congested as well, but he says he's tough and can fight it out. It's a man thing, I guess.

We managed a brief appearance at the Hamrick's tailgate yesterday. It was rainy and yucky here but we zipped across town for an hour or so. For little man's first tailgating experience he did great.

It was super muggy-- so he was super sweaty. And he really isn't too keen on walking around in the grass {with shoes or without}. He was in awe of all the people and noises. This child loves a good crowd!

We attempted a family shot, but there were so many distractions Reese had a hard time focusing on the camera.
Next week's game against Ball State should be a breeze. {Knock on Wood} WDE.

when it rains...

A Monday trip to the doctor is NEVER good indication of how your week is going to go. Never.

Reese has had a runny nose for going on two weeks. This is really nothing new at our house; my nose runs nine out of twelve months a year. Allergies are a family curse. Friday night he started to appear a little less runny nosed and a little more stopped up nosed {Sorry. I know I just butchered the English language.}. Congestion interferes with pacifier sucking which in turn interferes with sleep. Ours and Reese's.

Saturday afternoon he spiked a fever-- 101.7. He sat in my lap for almost two hours. Yikes! I knew we were in for trouble. Yesterday his fever continued, PLUS he developed a mild rash on his arms and legs.

My mind immediately flashed back to a sign I saw posted at daycare last week. "We have had a severe case of Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease in this facility." It went on to list the symptoms; two of which were fever and rash.

Lofton took the Monday morning shift and I swooped in around lunch to day to take my puny feeling angel to the doctor.

My suspicions were confirmed. Not only does little man have a sinus infection, he also has hand, foot and mouth disease {I'm going to start abbreviating this HFM}. Seriously, God. Why? Isn't one illness at a time enough?

His rash is very mild. So mild in fact, that to confirm it was in fact HFM, Dr. Greer looked down his throat. The tell tale sign of HFM is ulcers in your throat. Check. We got 'em. They are very painful for little man which is why he has been hesitant to eat {not that he can't stand to drop a few lb's} or swallow medicine.

Antibiotics are now in hand for the sinus infection. Unfortunately, HFM just has to run it's course.

My nightly prayer is now going to contain the plea, "Please Lord, let this family make it through flu season in one piece."

visitors

These ladies made the drive down to Opelika from Starkville for a fun-filled weekend.

On the left, holding Reese, is Taylor. On the right is my cousin, Hannah.

The girls are roommates at Mississippi State this year.

We shopped, ate and laughed our way through our two day visit. I have not laughed so much in months. They are both sweet, funny, and full of personality.

I accidentally almost ran Taylor over with my car Saturday. But other than that minor mishap, and Hannah's flat tire, our weekend was swell.

Ladies, you are welcome back any time! I miss you already.