May pictures and Tornados

The weather has been crazy the last few days. The devastation in Joplin is unbelievable. Those people are in my prayers and thoughts. Last night storms blew through our neck of the woods. We are fine and so is our home. There is debris near us from someones metal shed, but we don't know where it came from. Tyler and I took shelter in the Classroom Building on campus. I am thankful I work on campus and have a place to go during the bad weather. Greg was out of town in southern Oklahoma, but made it home ok last night. Other people were not so lucky. A family Greg knows has been hard hit. If you saw my facebook status, you know what I'm talking about. The husband/father is a custom cutter/harvester and was out of town/state. His pregnant wife and three sons, ages 7, 3, and 15 or 18 months, took shelter in their interior bathroom. A tornado struck their house and took them. The mother is at the hospital in serious condition, the 7 year old was found and is in critical condition, the 15 or 18 month old was taken to the hospital, but passed away, and the 3 year old has not been found. This family needs your prayers. Good friends of ours went and helped search the rubble of their house looking for the little boy last night and went back today. Please pray for the rescue workers and hope this little boy is found alive. Most of Greg's clients he has spoken with are ok, only sustained minimal damage.

On a happier note, here are pictures of Tyler from this month:

Wayne (our neighbor) got a new tractor so we took the opportunity to take pictures with it.

It's hard to get a picture with a piece of paper these days

He was helping load the dishwasher

His new thing is opening the cabinets to see what is in them

He found Greg's water jug in this one. He is very attached to whatever he can get in his mouth these day. I keep thinking more teeth will show up, but they haven't.

This morning, wearing his new shoes. We went to the Stride-Rite store to get them. They cost more than most of my shoes, but our child has a "high arch" aka a fat foot. His feet are also not the same size. The salesperson was very helpful and these fit, which was the problem we were having.

Have a great day!

Once a month meals

My coworker sent me this link: http://onceamonthmom.com/

Basically, you spend one day to make meals you can freeze for an entire month. There are many options whether its diet, traditional, vegetarian, etc. I would really like to try to do this so we don't have the conversation what do you want, I don't know, what do you want, etc. However, I'm not sure how hip Greg would be on it (there's lots of chicken for some months.) I think it would be fun to get together with a friend or two and spend the day making the stuff for ourselves. I know I saw a news story about families doing this. Also, families make a bunch of meals and then have a swap. I'm sure I would save money at the grocery store. I love some of the breakfast ideas. I would love for Greg to eat breakfast in the mornings, so maybe this would help. I'm a cereal girl, but I like change. I also like how the menus try to incorporate seasonal produce.

I've made lots of Tyler's food, but lately I've been slacking and he is getting the jarred stuff. He is having a texture issue, which I think stems from the jarred stuff is so runny and pureed. So, I think I might try some of the baby food recipes. What I've been making lately is a lot more chunky, and it's going well. He loves to feed himself the puffs, dried fruit, and even the baby cheetos things (don't know what they are called.) But something about a slimy banana or pea does him in. However if I put it on a spoon, he gobbles it right up. He also LOVES to drink out of my glass. I usually have water, however, he wasn't so sure about the sweet tea. He is learning to use a sippy cup, but I'm not really pushing it yet.

Has anyone done the once a month freezer meals? Want to try it out with me?

Wow! It's May!

I can't believe it's already May! Last Friday I played golf for the first time ever in my life. It was fun. I enjoyed playing in a 4 person scramble. My teammates were very nice and helpful. I would like to play again in the stress free environment (so playing with Greg is likely out). My coach was my friend Mindy, who is 27 weeks preggo. It was a little windy, but I got some sun. I didn't get to play all 18 holes because I had to pick Tyler up from daycare.

Tyler is a little stinker. He is trying to teach the other kids in his class bad habits, like banging on the cribs when other kids are sleeping in them. Or not holding onto anything, then a kid falls and bumps his head, things like that. I think we are going to have our hands full! Tyler stood without holding onto anything and took a step or two on Sunday. He hasn't done it since, but I'm not sure I'm ready for a walking child yet.

On to pictures of Tyler:

Looking good in his jeans and button up!

Red Wagon number 2. This one is a lot safer because it has sides. However, someone wants to stand up in it to ride. I must admit I would highly recommend the Radio Flyer wagons. A piece was broken and I emailed them and they are sending a replacement for free.

Waiting for the water to finish running for a bath. T generally enjoys a bath, unless he is grumpy.

Wearing Daddy's cowboy hat

Greg's coworker Felipe got married at Arcadia Lake. This is Tracy, Toni, and Wyatt Woods with us. Wyatt is two months older than Tyler.

Trying to take pictures of Tyler. I'm being cheap and did not take 9 month pictures of him. The shoes are way too big, but his feet are so fat and nothing else will fit. I'm going to get them measured and buy a pair that fits right so when he starts walking he will have shoes.

Easter at the West household. Cassandra shared her eggs with Tyler.

Yes, this plant is poisonous. So it is now in Missouri at Grandma's house. Tyler would not leave it alone and I didn't really have anywhere else to put it. So thanks mom for taking my plants for safe keeping!

Happy Easter!

Some pictures since I last posted.

The Boettcher side the end of March in Missouri

Look at me! (Beginning of April)

Greg used to look like this after a night of drinking in his Hawaiian shirt. 

Paci with a horse on it

Taking a ride in his little red wagon. The heavy duty one is still in Missouri. It has sides which will be wonderful, Tyler kept trying to bail out. It was a two person process, one to pull and the other to make sure he didn't fall out.

The 9 month photo shoot didn't go so well. He has lost some weight, but he's so active now, its not surprising.

Have a safe and happy Easter weekend!

Babies, Babies, Babies!

2011 is the year of the Babies too! That's three years in a row! Wow!

Tyler will be welcoming two new cousins this year, one in August and the other in September! One is a girl and we don't know about the other.

My coworker Mindy is due in July (along with all of her friends!) Tara and Sam are expecting Number #2 in July also (It's a Boy!)

There are also lots of others due or have already had kids!

When life gives you lemons . . .

What do you do? Make lemonade? Throw them in the trash? Smile and keep trucking? Dwell on the could of, should of?

There's a lot happening right now in our lives, good and bad. As I was laying in bed last night, (which is where I have my most profound thoughts), I was thinking about what I should post. I read in my devotion book about people who turned their life over to God and prayer. I try to be a good Christian, but I know I fail miserably sometimes. It is hard to keep the faith when tradegy strikes or life doesn't go as planned. But, I know the rough spots are what makes us stronger in the long run and happiness is just around the corner. I just have to believe and pray to be strong enough to endure the challenges we face.

Some of you may know, my grandfather was killed on Feb. 1, 1995, which is my other grandfather's birthday, and the day my great-grandmother passed away in 1985. So, this day is happy and yet sad. I witnessed the accident that killed him and yet my father and I both walked away unhurt and unscathed. How does this happen? I was inches, INCHES from him when the tank exploded. It was a freak accident, yes, but it wasn't my time. God had other plans for me, I remember this and then try my best to be a good person.

We don't know why some people survive and others don't. Why some win the battle against illness and others don't. But, as long as we live our lives to the fullest without shame and fill it with happiness and laughter, we lived our life. Put your life in God's hands and pray, pray for those you know who need it and those who don't, those you don't know but need someone to care and pray for them.

Smile at a stranger, say hello in an elevator, hold the door open for someone and get the warm fuzzy feeling . . .

Other March pics so far

Chilling with dad

This right before he started pulling my hair. Tyler LOVES my hair. He can get it all out of a ponytail in 2 seconds flat.

As he was pulling up, the cooler tipped over and he bonked his head.

How Tyler sleeps. It doesn't matter how many times we rearrange him, a leg, arm, or two is always hanging out.

Relaxing with his bottle, watching TV, before getting dressed for the day.