SMASH Book

About a week or so ago while sifting through Pinterest I came upon a pin that referenced this blog. She reviewed the SMASH line, by K&Company Y'all, I fell in love!! It's totally up my alley. Organized chaos?? Yes, please!

I am not crafty. I have NO desire to make a scrapbook. It's overwhelming and requires too many materials and too much time. But, SMASH, I can do! I love just about everything about it. There are many different styles of books: mod, simple, eco, baby, bridal, international, etc. The pen/glue stick combo, the adorable tape...you should go read the other blog to get more details and tons of photos. It's so cool.

I was given a Michael's gift card for Christmas (Thanks Ashley!) and went over last night to see if they carried the SMASH brand. They do!! The book came with a pen (I got the Simple Style), tape, a list pad and the stretchy thing that holds it all together. It's fabulous and adorable and I'm writing in it/adding to it as we go along so I don't forget or leave out any details.

I had purchased a huge jar earlier in the week to fill with daily/weekly blessings, good news, etc and planned to read them at the end of the year (we may still do that as we go along) but after seeing the SMASH book I changed direction and decided to make a book for our year. I like the jar idea but it will be more fun to be able to read through the book and see the photos of things we did, funny things Josh said, blessings that we were given, etc. I'm looking forward to filling it up with our happenings for the year.




(Nobody paid me to say all those nice things about the SMASH books, I just felt like saying them.)

Joshisms

-- The only thing Josh consistently asked for Santa to bring him was a "merote control car."

-- Josh went on a Star Wars kick and we watched the whole series in one weekend. Here are a few Star Wars related Joshisms: light saver (light saber), Dark Vader (the bad guy), Star Bores (some people would argue that this should be the name of the series...I don't agree.) ;)

-- We had an early Christmas with my parents, brothers & their families this year. Josh was excited to see a HUGE box with his name on it. We all teased him by saying it was for each of us. He finally had enough and said "No! It's not for you. It says 'To Josh. From Santa: I love you all way to north pole.'"

-- Me: Josh, do some yoga & calm yourself down. Josh: How do you do yoga? Me: You know, when we criss cross applesauce and take a deep breath & close our eyes? Josh: Oh yea, and we juggle balls? *sigh*

-- "I told ya I have a license drivens. Just a 'tend one."

-- Josh: Where'd you get this toy? Me: It was mine when I was little. Josh: Did you share it? Me: Yes, me & robert & matt. Josh: And Kate? Me: No, not Kate. Josh: Why? Me: I didn't know Kate when I was little. Josh: Oh, that's sad!

-- Me: What do you want to do tomorrow? Josh: I have good idea...we can go to the beach! Me: Oh, that would be fun but it's too far to go today. Josh: Well, Grammy's friend has a house at the beach and you can call her & say "Is the beach this way or that way?" Me: Who is Grammy's friend? Josh: Teri. Do you know her?

-- Claire (G'ma) said to David "Bless you, my child." And Josh said "Your child?!" She said "Yea, he's my child." Josh said "None my business!"

-- Our friend Jennifer asked Josh who his favorite cousin was and he said "Jackson is my one favorite cousin & Holton is my 'nother favorite cousin." (Very diplomatic of him, I think.)

-- Me: "These toes look like chesnuts & I think we should roast some" Josh: "These are not cereal!!"

-- "Mom, Dad: it IS christmas. Can I open my present? It has my name on it."

Joshisms

-- "'Quinano' is person who tells people what to do like to go.....or stop.....or move. They're just 'tend. I have lots quinanos at my work." (This is a totally made up word so if it means something terrible in some other language I deeply apologize. :))

-- Josh: "Grammy lives in Hamburger."
Me: You mean Gasburg?
Josh: "Oh, right, right, Gasburg. Well, sounds like hamburger.....Gasburger?"

-- Josh: "I never been to space. What it looks like?" Me: I've never been either. Josh: "I think Matt been to space."

-- Josh has gotten into telling stories, especially when we're riding in the car. This is one of his recent ones: "I was walking in the woods and I saw some bad guy rabbits. And I was feeding them some carrots and know what happened?! It made them not bad guys anymore! It changed their hearts and made them good."

-- I was telling Josh about Joshua and the battle of Jericho and midway through the story he exclaimed "Hey! My name is Joshua, too! I never know his name is same as mine. That's crazy!"

-- At the end of my story about Joshua & Jericho I asked if Josh knew what happened when they all blew their horns as the Lord had instructed them to. He answered "The walls of Jericho fell down." "How did you know that?", I asked. He nonchalantly said, "God told me."

-- While having the Hall Family Christmas/Baby Finn baby shower at Doug & Bonnie's last week, Josh was sitting on the couch with Megan. Raja, Chris & Beth's dog, walked by and upon seeing her "rear end" Josh politely instructed Megan: "Mae mae, us don't touch dog holes." She quickly agreed and added that we don't touch ANY holes. :)

-- Josh and I babysat Jackson one day last week and he was such a big help! Jackson was starting to fuss a little and I had to go warm up a bottle and let Sadie back in. I asked Josh to entertain Jackson for 2 minutes while the bottle warmed. as I came back into the room I stopped at the door to watch the boys. Josh was very calm and helped quiet Jackson down. From the door I heard, "Oh oh, where's your passie? Oh, dere it is! Ok. Here you go. Have your passie. There. See? Noooo problem!" :)

-- Josh: "Mama, guess what?! I got married today!"
Me: "You did?! Who did you marry?"
Josh: "My best girl. Her name is Georgia."
(I don't think we know anyone named Georgia so I have no idea where he got that from."

The truth about Santa...

On the way home from Poppa & Grammy's today, Josh and I stopped to get some gas in the car. The gas station had one of those (freaky) life sized Santas right inside the doorway. Josh saw it and asked why the Santa was wearing glasses. I told him that Santa was old and needed glasses to help him see. He asked if Santa was going to die and go to Heaven. I told him no and asked why he would ask that. He said "Santa is very old and you told me that when we all get very old we will die and go to Heaven." (A few weeks ago Josh asked what happens after we're old and where we go, etc...and we, being the "every question gets an honest answer" parents that we are, told him the truth.) I told him he was right. He asked again, "So will Santa die?" Now I was at a crossroads.

Josh has been questioning Santa's existence since we started the whole Christmas talk this year. He even asked me outright last week if Santa was real. I tested him with the "What do YOU think?" answer and he decided that Santa was not real. But he still couldn't explain why Santa wasn't real in his little toddler brain.

Today I could have told him that Santa was magical and the magic keeps him alive even though he's hundreds of years old. I could have told him that the reindeer pull the flying sleigh all over the world in one night and Santa gives everyone exactly what they ask for. I could have said all of that....but Josh would have answered "Mama, magic is just 'tend." Yes, magic is pretend. (I swear he's a teenage toddler, people!) So, I chose to tell Josh that Santa ISN'T real. I explained that he's made up and it's just a fun game that parents play with their kids. It's a fun game. It's exciting to attempt to sleep on Christmas Eve knowing there's a pile of goodies waiting for you just down the hall. It's fun to wake up Christmas morning and see what everyone got. I don't want to squelch any of his excitement about Christmas. He'll wake up Christmas morning and there will be a pile of goodies just for him from "Santa."

I told my 3 year old the truth about Santa. He's not real! His response?? "But, I....................I.......I want to get presents!" And right then I was affirmed in my decision to tell him the truth. Christmas isn't about getting presents, Santa or no Santa. We've told Josh the real reason we celebrate Christmas....the Truth of Christmas. But now that Josh knows the truth, maybe we'll have less distraction from the Truth.

Joshisms

-- Josh wanted to wear a "soccer team shirt" and I didn't have one with a ball on it. He said his Chewbacca shirt had a ball on it. I told him it didn't have a ball, just Chewy. He said, "Well, his head is round like a ball..."

-- "Last night my friend came over & we got some engergy (energy) and we heard something in our house and didn't know what it was. Maybe wolf...or cat...or wolfcat...."

-- Josh: "Mama, is Santa Claus real?"
Me: "What do you think?"
Josh: "I think no. Prolly not."
Me: "Oh, ok."
Josh: "Daddy, is Santa Claus real?"
David: "He's real to you."
Josh: "I said no, he isn't real!"

-- "Let's go downstairs and just cool out." (chill out)

-- While "reading" his Bible: "Dis is storybook bout Jesus. I like dis storybook."

-- While looking at the maps in the Bible: "Let's see what the weather is."

-- Josh told me he wanted a cat. I told him I understood he did but Daddy doesn't really like cats and we'd have to get a litter box, etc. Josh asked "What's a liver box??"

-- Josh doesn't remember Ferb (our Elf on the Shelf) from last year so when we talked about expecting him to arrive this year he asked lots of questions. I explained what Ferb's job was and that Josh wasn't allowed to touch him. He wanted to know why he couldn't touch Ferb and asked: "He will pee on me?!"

-- While making cookies with Aunt Bonnie she told Josh: "You know what we have to do now? Josh: "What?" Bonnie: "We have to break eggs again." Josh: "Oh why!!? I don't want do dat!!"  (He HATES getting egg on his hands. It gives him the willies.) :)

-- While riding in the car and seeing so many Christmas decorations Josh said "I'm so cited bout Christmas!"

-- PBS shows this one Chick-fil-a commercial a lot and apparently Josh has noticed. When it came on the other day Josh said: "Mama! Listen. Hear dis..." The man on the commercial says "Our cows have no beef with that." Josh cracked up laughing and said: "hahaha, the cows don't have beef for dat!!" (I know why that's funny....cows...beef....but I have no idea why he thinks it's funny. He doesn't "get it" but laughs anyway!)

-- While Josh was at Poppa & Grammy's for the weekend I got this text from Mama: I just told Josh to stop jumping from the step to the landing. He said "ok" then walked around the corner and said "party pooper!"

-- Another text from Mama: Josh is pretending to fix my sink. I said "thank you for coming to fix my sink." Josh said, "Ok. Thank you for living here!"

Giving Thanks

I'm not doing the daily thanks thing on FB but I'm still very thankful for so many things. I was reading through my old blog posts earlier and came upon this one during a hard time for our little family. It was how I felt at the time and it's still how I feel. I've added a few things and taken a few things away but right here and now, this is what I'm thankful for:

My life is so good. My little family is healthy. Josh is growing and learning. He's such a happy kid and is the joy of my life. He is such a joy to be around and I love spending time with him. He makes everything more fun and fantastic. We have lots of good conversations and learn something new every day. He has his Daddy's love of sports and movies and his Mama's love of music and spending time together. He's thoughtful and kind. He's smart and eager to please. He's mature for his age and his comprehension is out of this world (and always has been). He's the most wonderful 3 (and a half!) year old I've ever known and our lives are richer because of him. The Lord has blessed us beyond measure with Joshua. I couldn't have asked for a better fit for our family.

David is a wonderful husband and daddy. I love watching my two guys together. I love them so much it hurts. David is working hard at his new job and has completed 5 certifications in less than 60 days all while maintaining straight A's in school and keeping up with us crazies at home. He works so hard all the time. He's goofy and fun and is a perfect partner in parenting Josh. (He's the fun parent. ;)) He's kind and helpful. He always sees the good in others and has more patience than I'll ever have. He's mostly the total opposite of myself but it seems to work somehow. I love him, and I don't care who knows it! 

Photo by Megan Hand

My parents are happy and healthy. Daddy stays busy at work, serving the lost and visiting the sick. He ministers to more than just the people in the pews on Sunday morning. Best of all, he doesn't just preach the Word, he lives it, too. Mama is insanely busy but she somehow manages to get it all done. She works at the elementary school and is also finishing school herself (again....some more...). She works behind the scenes at church and teaches Sunday School. She's the perfect helpmate for Daddy. They're both encouraging and caring. And even though I don't feel like I've done anything to deserve it, they tell me they're proud of me. 

My brothers both have dangerous jobs and thus far, have been spared from major injury. That in itself is a major blessing. Robert loves being a firefighter and is good at it. He wouldn't want you to know, but he's a big softy. I love watching him play with Joshua. He has a son, Holton, and is a fabulous Daddy. He's tender and tough at the same time. I am proud of him and his commitment to our Lord, his wife and his fellow firefighters. His wife, Kate is so sweet. I'm so thankful that she loves my brother as much as she does. She's a great Mama and Holton is blessed to have them both. Holton is a blessing to Robert, Kate, and our entire family. He's an answer to prayer and just could not be any cuter! He's serious, but smiley and looks just like his Daddy. I'm happy that we live close to them and I get to watch him grow up.

Photo by Megan Hand

Photo by Matt Hand

Matthew enjoys being a state trooper and even though it still blows my mind to think of my baby brother doing some of the things he does while working, I am so proud of him. He loves the Lord and his family and is strong and soft at the same time. He's an awesome Uncle and I like watching him and Josh play together. His baby boy, Jackson, makes him mushy. :) He's an amazing Daddy. Megan, his wife, is such a good match for him. I enjoy her company very much. It's nice to have sisters. :) She's smart and thoughtful and is a great Mama. Jackson is a blessing to them and our family. He's calm and loves to snuggle. He's got amazing dimples!

My grandparents (all 4 of them) are alive and well. Granddaddy is still preaching revivals all over the country (and even the world!). Grandmama is a loyal helpmate for him, a prayer warrior and they're both such a blessing to me. 

Photo by Megan Hand

Photo by Megan Hand

Grandpa is wise and a hard worker. Grandma is quiet and strong. She's soothing to my soul by just being around her. 

All of my Uncles, Aunts and cousins are happy and thriving. Tiffany and Jeff live here in Raleigh and are so much fun. They're a perfect match for each other and they spoil my kid! 

Photo by Doug Hall

Chris and Beth are in NY and are GONNA HAVE A BABY!!! They're the most adorable couple and will be terrific parents. 

Jake is a Marine and is currently in Oklahoma. He gets to come home for Thanksgiving and I'm thrilled he does. It will do him good to be home for a couple of nights. 

Luke is also a Marine and will begin training to become a VA State Trooper in February. I couldn't be more proud of them. 

Emily is a student at UNC-G and is so smart and beautiful. She has a heart for the Lord and it shows. She's basically fantastic and she has a fantastic fella.

We live all across NC, VA & NY and as many times as we've run the roads to get together, none of us have ever had an accident on the road. That's amazing, really. I am so blessed to have been born into this family and wouldn't want it any other way.

Joshisms

-- As Josh and I were driving (probably to Poppa & Grammy's or maybe back home) he said "I'm all alone back here!"

-- Josh was in a "mood" when we visited Poppa & Grammy last time and when Poppa threatened to call Santa it didn't phase Josh at all. Poppa pulled out the big guns and threatened to call Jesus. Josh still wasn't scared and said "No you not. He in Heaven. He don't have a phone!"

-- We Whites love to snuggle. One evening after changing into our comfy clothes and getting all snuggled together Josh posed a very serious question for his Daddy. "Why you have hair in your armpits? I wish I have hair in my armpits...and a mustache, too."

-- We had lunch with Aunt Sissy & Luke last week. Josh got something stuck in his teeth and Brenda asked if he needed help. He told her no and said "I always get stuff stuck in my teef."

-- On the way to spend a week with the Great-Grandparents, Josh and I stopped at Wendy's to get some dinner. While he ate his nuggets he asked "How dey make chicken nuggets? Dem cut up chicken and put new skin on it?"

-- I have a pair of leg warmers that I've been wearing around the house (my family is hot natured and I'm always freezing!). Josh was telling Grandma Hand about them and said "Her love dose crazy leg warmers!"

-- Josh: I heard my phone ding and I answered it and it was Santa Claus.

Me: Oh yea?! What did he say?

Josh: Him say 'Are you bein good listener?'

Me: Oh! And then what did you say?

Josh: I said 'Are YOU bein good listener?!!'

-- I've been working on opposites with Josh and he's really got it down pat. Granddaddy was helping him practice and asked "What's the opposite of full?" Josh answered "Not full!"

-- Josh had taken a late nap and was not ready to settle down when it was time for bed. He was tapping David over and over saying "Skuse me." I suggested he switch it up and say "pardon me." So the next time he tapped he said "Skuse me, part of me...skuse me, part of me."

-- Josh and I learned about herbivores, carnivores, & omnivores. I explained what each meant and he asked what kind of birds we eat. I told him that people eat chickens, quail, dove, turkeys, etc. He asked "Do people eat He Hocks?" After some discussion for clarification and a Google images search, we finally determined that people don't usually eat Peacocks. :)

-- During lunch at Matt & Megan's, Josh asked if it was raining. I told him it wasn't and he said "But I see dose palka dotes on dat window."

-- I told Josh to tell Grammy about those wild animals we heard at Granddaddy & Grandmama's last week. He said "Us was sleepin and heard HooHooties!" (They were coyotes!)

-- After talking about hearing the coyotes, Josh asked Grammy to show him some pictures of coyotes on the computer. All of the pictures came up and Josh saw a pic of a dead one. He asked "What happened to dat one?" Grammy said "I think he's just taking a nap." Josh said "Oh, I thought him was dead." He's a realist!!