Random Video

I decided to upload a random video on my blog. I didn't watch this before choosing it, but the fact I never deleted it initially meant there must've been something cute on it. I think this is from a morning when Michael came in to wake me up, but I didn't want to get up, so I distracted him by making videos on the phone.

Trying to be like Jesus

Michael: I want to try to be like Jesus.

Mom: I'm so happy to hear that.

Michael: But how? How can I try to be like Jesus?

Mom: Well when you choose to be happy. When you help other people, or be kind to your friends that's being like Jesus.

Michael: No, Mom. I want to try to be like Jesus! How do I do that?

Mom: Umm.. you can choose the right.

Michael: No, Mom! Like this! *Pulls blanket over head* Do I look like him now?

A post about everything I want to blog about

Things I think about blogging about but haven't gotten around to:

1. Book recommendations. There are several books that I've read over this last year that I have absolutely loved and consider change-makers to my attitude, parenting, and just general perspective of life.

2. Vision Therapy. I truly believe that I have one of the best jobs in the world. Before applying for this job, I had never heard of vision therapy. Unfortunately, so few optometry doctors are involved in it to the extent my doctor is because of the extra time, commitment, money and employees. But, it's an incredible resource that has helped improve the life of many children and adults. Just recently I had an adult patient (who claims he doesn't want to be there, and that he's just there because his wife is making him), admit that he has noticed a change. Quite simply put he told me, "I can actually read my emails without getting a headache from staring at the screen." I didn't even realize doing that was so hard for him.

Anyway, there are a billion more stories I wish I could tell, both from books I've read to real-life experiences I am involved in. I'm not only learning optometric procedures, but I am integrating my education as I am teaching and encouraging these patients. Positive reinforcement is key. And my job is far more than doing eye exercises, its also enabling (mostly) kids to leave feeling better about themselves, and drop labels that have been placed on them like "lazy, dumb, learning-disabled, inattentive" and recognizing that they can do amazing things.

Just a random picture I pulled off the Internet. But, I love it, because it's a procedure I do several times a week.  Any guesses on what it is?

3. Just overall updates on my family. Where we live. Where we swim.

4. A post on my friends, and how grateful I am for the people I know. I consider it a complete privilege to know most of the people I know. Since finding a counselor to meet with periodically, I think I have a developed a greater empathy for people and deeper desire to hear their stories. My therapist has helped me "own my story" and of course, I am still writing it. But I rather like my story. I can't do much to change it but I like who I am, and my story has made me. Now I just gotta figure out where I am going from here.

So there you have it. Maybe I'll get around to blogging about it, someday. 

Anger Management

Michael got angry at me the other day. I can't remember why. Chances are he doesn't remember either. I had grounded him from something and he marched angrily into the livingroom, shifted materials around in the desk drawer all while grumbling under his breath, "I'm so mad at my Mom." 

Then I heard the marker scribbling as Michael spoke aloud what he was "writing". I thought for sure he was going to copy Alfalfa from The Little Rascals and say, "Dear Mom, I hate your stinkin' guts. You are the scum between my toes."

I turned on my camera when I heard him approaching, although what he presented was a lot nicer than what I heard him grumbling originally.

We have replayed this video several times since then because it is, in fact, quite hilarious. That poor boy insisted on wearing some pants that were quite too large for his skinny waist and the proof is in the final seconds of this clip.

ps-its kind of quiet, you may want to turn up your volume.

When the music starts playing...

...Michael is sure to bust out his moves. I love this kid.

Mariners on the 4th

We got the pleasure of going to a Mariner's game with some friends in the ward on the 4th of July! It was a perfect activity for the date, don't you think?

We first made a stop at the Mariner's team store, because Richard likes to look around. We dressed Michael up in Mariners gear, and he only wanted to wear his hat backward, and he wouldn't smile, but suitably would only give me a classic look similar to the one below. He knew how to get into character--somehow. And then the music started playing, Michael enjoyed watching himself dance (as did many people around us). I luckily pulled out my camera to catch the last of it.

A fan nearby let him hold his #1 finger

Of course, some people preferred to sit inside the suite and just watch the game on the TV. ??? It was sure nice letting Michael and his betrothed play around up there. 9 innings is a little too long for his attention span.

Swimming

I have to say, these "free" swimming pools we have are truly awesome. Michael and I spent 5 hours there yesterday with friends, and his sitter took him again today. We are just soaking up the sun.

Typically Michael just plays in the knee-high kiddy pool, but occasionally I bring him in to the big pool for a swim. He is scared of it, clings to me tight and uses a lot of energy in just staying alive. It's at that moment when I finally get him out of the pool that he breaks into tears--and no, he's not sad that he had to get out, rather it's a release of the emotion that he couldn't manage while he was in the pool. It's sad to watch that.

But yesterday we had a breakthrough. We finally bought Michael some floaties (which he believes he magically transforms into the Hulk with them on. I mean, look at those muscles!) During our 4th hour at the pool, Michael asked me if he could go in the big pool! Away from the stairs, I let him go; he floated, he realized that he wasn't dying and it was a huge breakthrough. For the rest of the hour, he would jump in the water to me, swim to the stairs by himself and do it all over again. I was all smiles. He was all smiles. It was another fabulous Thursday.

Thursday

I love it when we have sunny Thursdays, because that's my day off and I just spend the entire day outside--just Michael and I. Last week was particularly cheery, and I bought these lovely flowers for myself because they reflected my mood perfectly. They are still alive, and wonderful to have on display. 

Yesterday morning, Michael had requested to play with Noah, his best friend in preschool. Luckily, I had swapped phone numbers the last day of preschool with Noah's mom once I found out they lived in the same area that we do. I don't think Noah's mom knew it was me calling her, even though I clearly introduced myself. She seemed a little bit confused at my request to meet her at the park nearby. I could tell it finally clicked though when her voice got more high-pitched and excited, "OH! Yes! Sure, we'd love to see you and Michael!"

The boys played and played, while the Mom's talked and talked. Honestly, I wasn't sure how well our conversation would go because our talks at preschool were always short, and ended with that awkward silence of not knowing what else to say. But I must say, our park conversation never ended. The boys ended up wandering onto a nearby trail, where we surprisingly found a red chair sitting alone. Both Noah's Mom and I squealed with delight at how cute they looked sitting there, and simultaneously pulled out our phones. Awesome.

 Then the boys took time picking some flowers (weeds) for us.

 We said our goodbyes then had some lunch. But the glorious sun was still shining, and I wanted to take advantage of the free swimming pools that we have around. Although I guess they aren't really free since we have to pay homeowners due every month (since I'm a homeowner...) I do like that there are 3 pools available to us. And, two of them have small kiddie-wading pools, which is Michael's preference, and mine, because then I don't have to be in the pool with him the entire time.

 

I basked out on my chair, reading a thrilling book on Vision Therapy and Michael hopped in and out of the pool throwing his toy into the basketball hoop. Eventually I got in the big pool with him trying to teach him how to swim. He prefers just to grasp to my neck like his life depends on it, and if I try to do anything different he lets out high-pitch screams drawing all attention to us. Semi-embarrassing.

Today however, Michael discovered he can be in the most shallow part of the big pool (3ft) and touch the ground. He was so excited and was sure to tell every kid who entered the pool, "Hey, guess what I'm three-feet-tall and can touch the ground!" Although he never really ventured away from the stairs, or let go of the wall, he enjoyed swimming around the big kids.

It was a fabulous Thursday.

High Five

Michael went through a wonderful weeklong stage where he just wanted to high-five everyone in abnormal ways.

Rock Climbing

It ain't the real thing, but Michael sure does enjoy this part of the park.

Would you rather...

I asked Michael if he'd rather have a puppy or a baby brother/sister. 

His reply, "I'd rather have the new Angry Birds game."

Preschool program

We have sure loved preschool this year. I have recorded all of the little songs Michael was involved with. He's kind of hard to see in most of them.