One of the good ones

A good measure of the influence you've had on someone is how often they keep in touch. By that measure Jason has made a big impact on Lane. He played for Jason at Abilene High and Jason always had the utmost respect for him. Lane worked his heart out in everything he did. He was never content to do something halfway and Jason appreciated that. When Lane went to Africa on a church mission trip, he flew all the way home with a 10# carved wooden elephant on his lap, to give to his favorite coach. Jason said Lane reminded him of himself. So everytime Lane calls, Jason mentions it to me and when Lane says he'll be in the area and wants to stop by to see us, we rearrange our schedule for him. Lane is an extraordinary young man and we are secretly hoping that he will wait long enough that Emma will one day catch his eye. That's how great we think he is.

2nd grade reader

I got a call this morning and on the other end of the line I heard the sweetest little voice. I couldn't understand a thing he said but then the translater came on, "This is Mrs. Luongo and Tatum, and he wanted to tell you what he did today". Okay, I know this is bad, but I immediately thought he said something about coloring the walls red or marking on someone....but no! What he wanted to tell me was that he read 70 words per minute! In laymen's terms that means he is reading on a second grade speed level. This is huge!! What a smarty pants this little guy is! Mrs. Luongo said they are going to have to move on to some harder stuff to really push him. And to think, just 7 months ago, some quack doctor told us that he couldn't even read. He just keeps amazing us!

NO!

What might be heard on a normal night at bath time in our house: Don't Bite! Don't pee on the floor! Get back in the tub! Stop squirting water! Sit up! Don't pinch! That's not your toy! Turn the water off! Leave the water on!
So imagine his suprise when Jason walked into the bathroom to find Tennison on top of the toilet like a gymnast on the pummel horse, only hands on the seat, going teetee in the toilet. He had gotten out of the bathtub to sit on the toilet. WHAT?!

Life is Pain Princess

The first red flag: "How do you make it scream?"

Second red flag: A round brush in long hair

But the beauty persists with the treatment

"Now it's your turn Mommy!"

Sleep

Ooh, such cuddly, kissable, melt my heart sweetness. Love, Love, LOVE this!... All scrunched up, arms tucked under himself, no sound but the deep, soft breathing... lips all puckered, chubby cheeks...oh! those cheeks!

And the feet...little sausage toes, dirty from no shoes outside, little old man wrinkled pads, but still so smooth, warm as fresh toast...

And then the bear cub awakens from his slumber, just waiting to be picked up so that he can bury his little warm head in the crook of my neck, and don't forget to bring Green frog when we go, he likes to cuddle too. THIS is what I will miss!

Spring Watermelons

The first watermelon of spring...Tatum at 5 slices, Emma 3, Tennison would take 1 bite of each piece and come back for another (as I learned after I went outside to investigate how the littlest one was eating melon the fastest)

Baby No More

Who is this big kid sitting at my breakfast table, demanding to eat cereal with a spoon? He staggers into the kitchen first thing in the morning and immediately begins his day with "EAT! EAT!" No booster seats for him, what an insult! He will sit at the table like the rest of the family. My baby has been hijacked and replaced with this boy who has definate opinions!