A Day at the Park

Jason had a test this morning and then he got the afternoon off. We grabbed some lunch and headed to a nice park that we pass on our way to church.

Jack wanted to brush his hair today. He brushed out all the curl. He looked different. Now I understand why my dad gets sad when we straighten our hair. It was sad to not see the curls. But I understand sometimes you just need a change.

I love to watch these two play.

Jack had a moment of unkindness with one of the little girls that was there. I guess I have that mommy voice down all I said was "Jack" and he then climbed up on this and put himself in a time out.

Jack was a rebel and rode his bike over the bridge. Pumping himself up...then...off he goes!

On the bridge...

Then came the down hill. Dad's presence was requested.

This is what you saw from the play ground. There are homes all around the lake with docks.

This was on the dock out on the lake. There was a carving in the banister. It said Jason loves and then somebody else's name so I modified it for me.

Jason loves Whitney.

There is nothing like getting out in fresh air and it was so great to spend some much needed time with Jason. We don't get to see him that much so it was a nice break for all of us.

Getting Back to that Place.

This morning Jack did something that he hasn't done with me since he was a little baby. He stayed and cuddled and played with me in bed. He did more playing with his cars then cuddling but we were there just hanging out together. I was telling him the story about when he was just a couple weeks old. We had a routine. We would have our early morning feeding around 6:30 and he would finish right as Jason's alarm clock went off and he got up to go to school. Jack and I would slip into our warm bed...thanks to Jason and we would both sleep till the next feeding. It was the best sleep I ever got and I felt so happy.

I wasn't able to do that long because after a month my legs started to go numb and I was limited and scared to walk around with a little baby in my arms when I was so unsteady. Mornings had always been so hard for me after that. So today when Jack lingered by my bed side I felt that happiness again. I was feeling good and there was nowhere I needed to rush off to...no pain that kept me from enjoying just being with him. Next month will be my two year mark since the transplant and today was one of those days where I was filled with so much gratitude that I am getting back to that place. A place where I can just be with Jack, have our little routines and not feeling sick.
This last week I have been tackling the potty training stuff again. We took a break for a couple of months and I think that is what BOTH Jack and I needed. He is getting it...for the most part. It can be super frustrating but today as I sat there with him I realized hey we are doing this together. I am new to training and it is all new to him. Once I looked at it that way things got better. I have found myself becoming more patient and have enjoyed all the time that I have got to spend with him. I have been his shadow these last couple of days to make sure that if he shows the "signs" we make it to the bathroom. In order to get him to want to sit on the potty we play games, sing songs and I even dance in celebration. Although these last few days have been tiring I have loved spending so much time with Jack. He has been my sole focus and it has made me so much happier. This post is mainly for me to just remember that

I am a stay at home mom.

This is my Job.

It can be hard and exhausting.

But it can also be the sweetest and most rewarding thing I will ever do.

To make it even better this job comes with treats.

and my co-workers are pretty dang cute and keep me laughing....

My co-workers have also been so understanding and patient with me since I came back from my medical leave. I will...no I AM making it back to that place each day.

Halloween 2009

Halloween 2009 was quite fine. I not only celebrated my SECOND consecutive Halloween out of the hospital but I have done and said things that I have never done or said on a Halloween before.
Halloween in Florida is so different that Halloween in Utah. Jack and I got to go to a trunk or treat with mom and dad on Friday. They were dressed as Mary Poppins and Bert. They were so great they stayed in character all night .

I was Peter Pan and Jack was Captain Hook of course. Jason was going to be Smee but was unable to come with us because of school. I was going to be Tinkerbell but could not find an adult Tinkerbell costume that fit. So I put this together last minute for Jack. What I will do for a cute boy. I got so HOT in long sock and long sleeve shirt. That is not something I have ever been..dying of heat on Halloween.

It was a great party at the church with a fun dinner decorated so cute. They had a carnival for kids and a haunted stage as well. My mom and I sent Jack and my dad through and I think it was a little too much for a 3 year old. We felt so bad sending him through. But he was so excited standing in line with the big kids. This is the first year I had been to a trunk or treat and it was great. Bert took Captain Hook to get candy and Mary Poppins passed candy out of her carpet bag and I helped. The camera of course was malfuntioncing so I didn't get any pictures of mom digging in her carpet bag. At the end of the night as I was strapping Jack into the car seat I noticed Jack's curls all wet and matted down on his head. I took of his Jacket and he was so sweaty. I just laughed at the contrast between Jack's post trick or treating to my childhood ones.Jack and I spent the night at Mom and Dad's. Once Jack was down mom, dad and I watched a scary movie where Mom scared dad and I and the dogs half to death with her scream. Halloween day was spent going out to lunch, shopping and swimming.We made it home just in time for dinner. We had our traditional Halloween dinner of chili and cider (traditions will be traditions wherever we live in the country) I made sugar cookies and had just finished decorating them when Jack got out of the tub. We finished our Halloween night with a cookie.

So yes it was quite the different Halloween for the Balls family...it was a very Florida Halloween.

Arrr you Ready....

For the Halloween Weekend?

Our Captain Hook sure is!

Bring on the candy or you'll get the hook!

Happy Halloween!

My Fall Fix.

I have been envious of posts and hearing of activities of people going to fall festivals and pumpkin patches. I miss those fall activities and to see the leaves changing. Ranell brought us a bag of colorful fall leaves and the minute I got them out I had to smell them. They are so beautiful. Since we don't have pumpkin patches or canyons to see the fall scenery. I had to get my fall fixes at theme parks.

The Magic Kingdom was decorated so cute. I loved all the pumpkins and all the orange.

Main Street USA all decked out.

Fall Leaves!

At Sea World they have a Spooktacular. Kids could go around to the different candy stations. I loved these fish pumpkins.

One day I will remember to take off my huge sunglasses for pictures!


It was great fun seeing all the pumpkins and such it got me into the spirit. I am told Disney World and Sea World look awesome at Christmas even including some fake snow. That is my kind of snow. It sure is different this year but has been fun to experience the "seasons" here in Florida.

Mama Who?

Aunt Ranell flew in Tuesday night! It has been great to see and spend time with her. With two aunts in our house I have been neglected.
I feel like Woody and two Buzz Lightyears just showed up. (I have seen toy story way too many times.)

Jack with his two cute aunts at our Sushi lunch.Nell and Jack getting in a little pool time.

We had a disney day today and Jack was always cuddling with Ranell or Kate.

To tell the truth. I love that Jack has such two cute girls who adore and love him. It is a nice break for me. I have loved being around girls which has helped me do girly things. Like having some time off to get a nice hair cut with styling included. And being talked into a purchase of a pair of skinny jeans.

Here is the ONE time Jack came to me today. He sat by me at the parade. We were sharing ice cream though.
This week I have to take what I can get!

Jason Say's

We are going soft!

This morning it was 62 degrees, we finally got a cold front. Jack and I had to put on sweatshirts because Jason went around and opened all the windows, he told us that they were going to stay open all day long.

We ate breakfast outside. Jack didn't last long he wanted to go back inside. We came in and Jack said it is cold. Jason told us we were going soft and that we needed to go back to the cold.

This was quite the sight our curtains blowing in the wind. Jason was a giddy little boy opening all the windows and while exclaiming I have been waiting for this for five months! Oh it is a good day for Jason today.

We later went out to lunch and I got to do something that I have wanted to do for months. Sit outside and eat. It has always been too hot for Jason.
Jack has become a Florida boy, he had to borrow my scarf to stay warm while he ate his soup.