Think before you Speak

If you know me at all, you probably know I can get quite fired up about things that bother me.  I am notorious for getting offended on behalf of others, even when they themselves are not offended.  It's coming from a good place though.  I just don't like the people I care about to get hurt.

Recently, Brady and I were talking about something where I was offended on behalf of someone else.  Brady wasn't all that interested in the conversation and in an attempt to get me to move on, he said, "It doesn't matter what you think, they are going to do whatever they want anyway!"

Much to his dismay, I was offended by his statement and proceeded to vent for another 5 minutes.  Why is that?  Well, because what I heard was, "your opinion doesn't matter, you aren't important enough for them to care what you think."  In 2 seconds a non-personal issue became personal because my value came into question.

So this made me think.  How many times have I said to someone, "It doesn't matter what you think...blah blah blah."  How rude is that comment?  There's gotta be a nicer way to say that, or a way to say it where it softens the blow of the reality of the words.

Here are some nicer ideas:
They are probably going to do what they want no matter what anyone thinks.  This option makes it less personal.  It's not that your opinion doesn't matter, but everyone else's as well.
They don't seem to care about other people's opinion otherwise...
They don't seem interested in what other people think.
They have the free will to do what they want and we can't change that.

Sitting here now, I can think of at least 5 different instances where someone has said to me, "They don't care what you think," and how those six words instantly offend.  I know I'm going to be avoiding that statement along with it's cousin, "I don't care what you think."  However, I don't know if there is a nice way to say, "I don't care what you think."  Hmmm... Gonna have to think about that one.  Comment away if you have a nice way!

XOXO,

Happy Sunday!

Just some cute videos of Gavin.  Happy Sunday and I hope everyone has a blessed week!

By the way according to Gavin, I am "The best only mommy" he's ever had.  :)

XOXO,

Cruising into Kindergarten!

Last week Gavin turned 5 and this week he graduated from Preschool!  Mommy, Daddy, YaYa and Poppa attended the family program.  Poor Gavin got scared in front of everyone--especially, to perform in front of us.  My poor baby covered his face during most of the ceremony and had tears running down his face.  We are sooooo proud that he stayed up there the entire time despite how scared and embarrassed he was.  He was very upset afterwards and disappointed in himself.  I felt so bad for my baby boy!  We told him over and over again how proud we were and I made sure someone would comfort him if he got upset during the second performance--the one performed for the entire school and teachers.

Here is the video of his special moment and when he received his certificate:

My worries for the second performance were completely unnecessary!  Gavin got over his stage fright and had fun performing for the school.  The wonderful director of the school saw how great he was doing in the second performance so she filmed it in short clips for us!  I was so touched that she went out of her way to do this for us!  It was a great surprise that made me cry.   Now we not only got to see him at his best, but we also have nice videos to show him!

Please do not mention the first performance to Gavin.  We are trying to focus on the positive experience he had the second time around.  Here are the great videos from his second performance:

XOXO, 

Big Girl Bed

Kailee began by sleeping mostly in the infant seat.

Or swing

Then we managed to get her to sleep in her crib (though for a long time she had to be swaddled up tight).

Recently she began sleeping on a crib mattress on her floor.

 Though she often ended up on the actual floor.

On the way to work on Friday morning, I noticed a white toddler bed at a garage sale in my neighborhood.  I pulled over, asked them to hold it, and voila, we have a big girl bed--for only $20!  She loves it!

First nap on her new bed (30 minute catnap before Gavin's party; Daddy enjoyed that too)

First night on her new bed!  She didn't fall out!

Gavin is 5!

I can't believe it but my baby boy is 5!  His actual birthday was Tuesday and he chose to go to the restaurant "with the bear that used to be alive but isn't anymore."  In other words, he wanted to go to La Hacienda Ranch which happens to have a stuffed bear at the entrance.  He also requested an M&M Ice Cream cake--which daddy improvised by piling M&Ms on a regular ice cream cake.  He was so worried about the cake that Gavin did not even ask for a single present on his birthday!  I was shocked.  It didn't occur to him to ask for one all week either...  We just gave him some after his party.  CRAZY kid!

Here are some pictures of Gavin on his actual birthday:

The first thing he said that morning was, "Mommy, I'm 5 and my Batman Pajamas still fit!"  

Being sweet with his baby sister

M&M Ice Cream Cake

Riding the horse outside of Hacienda Ranch

Kailee's turn on the horse

On Saturday, we had his party at Main Event in Plano.  He had a ton of fun bowling, eating his Star Wars cake, and playing games!  And he LOVED every present he got!

Dressed as Captain Rex, telling me he's 5

Headed to go bowl

Running to get the bowling ball

Work friend, her daughter and Kailee

Me and one of my little bros

The Mark Family minus Ethan (one of Gavin's best friends)

The Star Wars cake

Oh Gavin

Brady (in a firm but nice voice): Gavin, go potty.

Gavin (nonchalantly): I haven't even drank anything.

Brady: Yes you have.

Gavin (pointedly): Well you have too!

Brady (chuckling): Don't worry, I'll go later.


Okay, it doesn't read as funny as it was to witness, but I still felt it necessary to share.  You just never know where a conversation with Gavin is gonna go.  Can't wait to see if Kailee is as funny as Gavin is!

L-J's Review of Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris

This is book 10 of the Sookie Stackhouse novels and it might be the most disappointing.  I don't believe Sookie and Eric as a couple and they kind of bug me together.  Plus, there's not much action throughout and it's overall boring and depressing.  I wonder if the author is running out of ideas to keep it interesting.  I know where I'd like to see it go--Sookie and Bill back together.  However, I am not holding my breath for that one as I've been waiting for this to happen for several books now.

The next installment will be released on Tuesday and I hope it's better than this one.