Joseph funny

Joseph (age 3):  "mommy, what is wrong with my foot?" He is sitting on my lap and I look down to see what is wrong.

Me:  "what is it, let me look.  Does it hurt?"

Joseph:  "yes!  It hurts!"

Me:  "where does it hurt?"  I am looking for a splinter or cut...

Joseph:  "Right there!"  He points to the exact spot the doctor touched on my injured foot.

Seeing where he was going with this, I replied "oh no, do you need to see the doctor too, can you walk?  Do you need to get a big black boot like Mommy?"

Joseph giggles and responds "no, Mommy!  I will get a little boot!"

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In other news, he had a hard time understanding while I am walking so funny!  He clopped about the first day asking me "mommy, why do you walk like this?"  Then he would imitate me.  So even though I am supposed to stay off of it as much as possible Joseph still needs me to go with him the potty every time because it is scary to go alone.  Well, yesterday afternoon as I am slowly following him to the bathroom he stops in his tracks and backs up and comes and grabsy hand to 'help' me walk!  He really is brightening up my days!!!

Getting on the road . . . .

is much in thought than in reality!

I was still adding things to our bags (and limping, more on that later) while Jessy, Matthew, and Joseph loaded up the truck to head to San Antonio!  We were all excited!!! 

Almost done, Joseph is in his seat ready to GO!

OUT TAKE!!!!  What a crew

“Ready to go!!!”

As I crawled in I saw Joseph’s stowaways

According to his reasoning, he packed the Little Mermaid because we were going to the deep blue sea to see Shamu!

He also packed a pink egg & the #10 puzzle piece!  still wondering about those connections!

Cool Matthew!!!

 

Here is my happy, awesome, fun husband!!!!

PS – this trip was was planned for months and had all kinds of hiccups because we were trying to do it very cost effectively.  in the days leading up to the trip Joseph got a terrible cold and the meds made his behavior quite wild and seriously question taking him on a trip because it seemed he lost all reason and did not know how to listen.  Thankfully, once the meds were cleared from his system, I saw my sweet boy return.  Also, three days before we left I got what I thought was a stone bruise on my right foot.  It was terribly painful, but I was gonna make this trip work on pure determination!!!  Three full days limping in Sea World.  I can quite honestly say it was all worth it, I might have moved slowly but I would just put one foot in front of the other and use the stroller to help. It was easier to push the stroller than to walk on my own.  Every sacrifice was worth it!  Now with rest I thought it would get better, however, I ended up in a big black boot this week and am now homebound with a 3 year old for at least 2 weeks and have the official diagnosis of a ‘tear in my plantar fascia’.  Oh, ya.

So excited. . . Shamu’s response!!!

 

After Shame got Joseph’s letter, he received a letter in reply.  He was thrilled and so very excited to go see Shamu make a BIG SPLASH!!!  His joy brought just so much excitement!!!

His excitement was so much so that we had to try to wind him down with a big bubble bath! 

Next up, pictures of us heading to our fun destination!!!

A letter to Shamu . . . . .

 

As we planned our trip to San Antonio, Joseph wrote a kind letter to Shamu! 

He was very proud to ‘send off’ his letter!

Funniest part of this was that after I asked him if he wanted to write a letter to Shamu, he said yes and grabbed a marker I pulled out.  As I was gathering paper, he found his “letter” and wrote on it!  I love how his brain works!!!

Painting fun with Granny (and reading too!)

 

Stance

Joseph saw Matthew going outside to do some batting practice and over heard Jessy tell Matthew to "remember his stance".  Seconds later Joseph is hollering at Matthew out the front door "don't forget your pants!"  

Jessy & I got some good giggles out of this ;)). We love our funny boy!

Melt my heart!

As I hobbling around my doctor's office.  The nurse asked Joseph if he wanted to hold her hand as we were walking to get my big black boot.  He happily takes her hand and sweetly makes a quick friendship with her.  She z"looks back to tell me he us going be a ladies' man.  She then proceeds to ask him if he has a girlfriend.  (Not something we have ever even talked about.). I was surprised that he quickly answered "yes".  The nurse quickly asked him "oh, what is your girlfriends name?"  He looked at her like he was surprised he had to answer that and said "Mommy."  After that I was grinning from ear to ear despite my throbbing painful foot.  This was a moment I will treasure forever, love my sweet boy!

Dancing

Joseph loves to jam!  

He has got some good moves, too!

This afternoon I put in an old favorite Jimmy Buffet cd and we danced around the living room until we were both out of breath.  The whole time DaddyO is laughing (good naturedly, of course) at us!  We were twisting and shouting, break dancing, and jumping up and down.  All of that wild movement to "hey, hey good lookin!"  This jam session was dedicated to my Momo Elaine!  It was a fond song we shared together growing up and as she lay, beginning to cross over to heaven, I sang this to her.  

Joseph was so happy dancing but momma pooped out and got quickly renewed when he asked me "dance with me Momma?"  I replied "Oh, yes, I will always make time to dance with you!  Thank you for asking!"  I hope we can always be silly, fun, and satisfied with the simple gifts in life.  Dancing is a gift to your spirit, so glad he loves to dance alongside and with me.  So thankful to be his Mommy.

A thankful heart.

Yesterday, we drove to San Antonio for our family vacation.  We found a great deal for Sea World and had a a very memorable day today with Joseph and Matthew.  Here are a few phone shots I snapped of Joseph after we arrived at the hotel last night.

 

Joseph was very anxious last night, being in a new place and all and did not surrender to sleep until 2 am (despite our very best efforts).  We woke up today, ready to Shamu!  However, it rained ....ALOT!  Once the rain stopped, we ran to see Shamu and then did all kinds of fun things!  We rode to RIO LOCO and Jessy and I were soaked!!!  Joseph giggled the whole time and talked about how bumpy it was for all of us!  We played lots of games, enjoyed a lot of shows, made some super family memories!

Everyone was worn out as we made it to the shuttle back to our hotel.  As Joseph sat down to wait, Joseph emphatically declared "it was a beautiful day today at Shamu's place!"  Moments later, he declared "it was a hot day today!"  Oh, sweet boy, both of your statement are 100% SPOT ON!!!!

More pictures from today will be shared later!

Oh, one last thing!  After our day, we rode a "bus" to get back to our hotel.  I think that the bus was as exciting for him as seeing Shamu for the first time.

He sang the bus song, buckled up, and was thrilled.  When Joseph exited the van he found the driver right away.  . He went to the driver and told him "thank you for letting me ride your bus!"  I pretty much think that made that young mans day, he was so happy!  They shook hands and Joseph was so grateful.

The other day a wise and holy friend reminded me that of something I have tried to share with others before but they never got it.  Hearing heard say it validated it for me.  She said "happiness is an inside job, it is a virtue."  It made me grateful to know that I am working everyday to nurture that virtue in his his little life!  At the end of everyday, before prayers, we talk about our day and he is always listing moments and people he is thankful for, makes this Momma's heart overflowing with thanksgiving!

One more special moment last night was after we said our blessing for supper.  He asked all of us "do you know what Jesus did?"  Well Matthew hurried and asked him "what did Jesus do?"  He replied "he carried the cross."  Absolutely!!! We have been talking about it more lately and so I responded "do you know why he carried the cross?"  He responded with "why?"  I said "because He loves us!  More than anyone else in the whole world can love us!"  He just smiled like he knew a special  

secret! 

Learning the phone......

After a full day in Sea World, we were unwinding in the hotel room and he was playing with the phone (it was unplugged, of course) and I am calling out numbers for him to push.  After awhile, he began to push the numbers after he announces them.  I hear this and have to take a second look: "1, 4, 7, snowflake!"  Oh, how I loved his insight!

We have met lots of wonderful people and they have been utterly amazed that he is 'only' three and a half years old.  He has been so kind and outgoing to everyone and sharing all the time.  Yesterday, while waiting for our shuttle he was playing with this little fella ( they were the same size and same communication skills) so we assumed they were close in age.  His mom asked me how old Joseph was and I said "3" she looked at me like I an alien ;) and then said "wow, he is tall!"  I then learned he little boy was 6 1/2 years old.  Whew, no wonder people are always asking me if he is school yet.

A lesson

This morning I made it to Holy Mass!!  I am so grateful, all of it was beautiful and new in my eyes!

I also was able to make it to confession, so many blessings poured out!  While I was in the confessional, our priest and I heard a knock on the door (the light was clearly on showing he was occupied).  We thought it might have been a mistake, so he was talking with me when a more persistent knock came and so he got up to answer the door.  I was going to move and he told me "no, you are good."  So kind.  As I watched him answer that knock with kindness, I saw Jesus in him.  He could not ignore that knock, just like Jesus cannot ignore our knocking, or how we are not to ignore Jesus knocking on the door of our heart. I could easily see how his heart was soft from always being obedient to God. This experience was such a powerful witness for me.  So, today, on the birthday of the church, I am thankful for generous spirits of priests who serve us faithfully and humbly. 

P.s.  there was a beautiful young family at mass with 3 young children and as the Mom brought them up with her so she could receive the Eucharist, I watched this holy priest beam with joy watching these little ones.  It was like a balm to the soul to watch him joyfully welcome and acknowledge these children.  It reminded me of two truths:  1). Not all who answer the call to the religious like did easily, they did sacrifice having a family of their own (some miss this more than others) and 2) Once more this priest embodied Christ's spirit of letting the children come him!

A Joseph funny

After a whirlwind of a day, we stopped by a dollar store to buy something.  As we were checking out, the clerk asked Joseph:  "how old are you?"  Joseph responded very quickly "I am three, what are your numbers?"  

The clerk bounced back with "I am 43."  And to that Joseph "oh...."

Love him to pieces ;))))

A milestone

You know how all those great catholic families that have super obedient children in mass and can say all their prayers at 18 months?  Yeah, me neither!  

However I do know that a little boy named Joseph showed us his ability to know how to say his blessing today for lunch WITHOUT any prompting at all.  Matthew and I were making sandwiches and I had just given Joseph his plate to go to the table with and he brought his plate to the table, sat down, did the sign of the cross, asked the blessing over his meal, and ended with his sign of the cross.  Matthew and I just watched from the counter, with huge goofy proud smiles on our faces!  Matthew looked at me and asked "have you been teaching him that?"  I answered him by saying "we have all been teaching him that everyday!"  Such a happy moment to treasure, my favorite part of it all was hearing it all in his sweet voice knowing how happy God must be, too!

When I grow up

Joseph almost always tells me that he never wants to grow up or get big because he wants to stay little.  Tonight, he got into the whole idea of growing up because he told me:  "mommy, when I grow up, I want to drive a bulldozer, ONE DAY!!!"

Love -love-love!

Bonus memory from bedtime tonight:  he was drifting off in my arms and I realized I had not given him a kiss goodnight yet but he quickly opened his eyes and got up close to my face and gave me a kiss before he drifted off to dreamland.  Melted my heart.

Uh-oh, first time parenting

Joseph and I have been playing host to a wretched summer cold lately.  It is wretched because it is lingering and it is summer for goodness sakes.  We are just ready to be well.  

So our schedule is so messed up and when we went to get Joseph dressed this morning I noticed a few red spots on his back and shoulder.  A few hours later,   I took him to the bathroom and noticed the red spots multiplied and were on his belly, chest, hips, and a few on his inner thighs.  I will admit I immediately thought of chicken pox, Jessy wondered about measles.  Within seconds, I had a pit in my stomach.  We initially went to town to get me to the doctor but I decided my cold would be better soon (I hope) so instead we went there for him.  Best appt ever for him (he still thinks we were there for me).  He climbed on the school bus table, fingerprinted his handprint on the wall, and got a toy in addition to getting told that the rash was not likely anything to worry about, most likely related to recent cold and fever.  Totally felt like a panicky first time parent, ugh!

Oh, and before I forget, last night we had an epic battle with throw up ..... so bad!  He threw up all over the living room and as I was trying to catch it all in the blanket he turned and got more in me and the couch.  It was so sad to see him feeling so rotten.  As I am cleaning the mess from his body and hair he asks me "Mommy, why did all of my germs come out of me?"  Sweet boy, so glad we were able to comfort him!

One me memory from today.  The doctor walks on and says "hi".  Joseph says " hi, how's your day?"  She was smitten ;)). She proclaimed his her favorite patient ever!!!