A few random shots to share.

My dad's family: The Stauns. We all gathered in NYC (3 Aug 08) for my cousin's wedding. As you can see, I am 1 of 32 cousins, and I have 22 aunts and uncles. And, not everyone made it; yikes!

My son walks in my heels better than I do. He sure makes his daddy proud!

USMA RAH RAH, USMA RAH RAH, ARMY RAH, TEAM TEAM TEAM! He is doing the Army Rocket! What a cutie.

Alright...last random posting, I swear! My sister sent this to me, and I thought it was worth posting. Have a Happy Labor Day!

Progress in the backyard.

So here is what the patio is looking like so far. I hope it dries and looks all the same. Ok, quick blog note as JMS is climbing up the barstool I am sitting on. (PS. Kim he is looking for new Zoe "baby" posts. )

Sick little boy.

My day has been spent wiping a little runny nose, and cuddling with my sick little boy. He just cried and cried since he woke up, which fueled his congestion, and triggered his wheezing. He didn't want to be put down and just looked miserable.

I was hopeful that he was coming out of it when he ate his blueberries, juice, and some hamburger bits for lunch. But that opinion all changed when we both ended up wearing his lunch.

He fortunately fell asleep on me while watching children's television programming, and transferred easily into his crib.

Now, I leave him to my husband and get ready to go to work. Yes, I am closing tonight! Nothing like being a working mom. :)

My little trouble maker(s)...

JMS is now 19 months old. He has outgrown the itty bitty I only just lay there and coo toys. And, he is now interested in little boy toys: cars, trucks, books, balls, and did I mention cars. So, I made a comment to my husband as we were picking up the toys in the toy room a few nights ago. I said, we should go through and eliminate some of the toys he has outgrown before Christmas. And the response I got was, "What if our daughter wants to play with them?" I said, "Is there something you're not telling me? Are you pregnant?" Guess who wants another baby??? This guy right here....my other trouble maker. :) Don't they both just give off that "sweet and innocent" appearance?

What I am reading.

Yes, I have found time to read (adult books) as a mother of a toddler! Can you believe?

I am stuck in the Janet Evanovich Numbers Series. I started with #8. I initially didn't like the author; her writing was crude and full of slang. What do you expect when all the characters are from Trenton, New Jersey? (no offense) However, I became quickly addicted to the characters. The main character, Stephanie Plum, is just not lucky in love or in life and it gave me a humorous escape from reality. Well, I have quickly polished off #9, 10 and 11! I began book #12 last night. My husband asked me, "what happens when you read #14 (her last book in the series, currently)?" I said, "I guess I'll have to go back and read 1 through 7. Hopefully that will give her a chance to write #15....when will it stop, and if it does, we need to talk about how to handle withdrawal.

So I work in retail...

I think it would be creative to make a list of everything that customer's were looking for in our store today, but couldn't find without asking for help.
Today's list: Neutrogena body scrub, new Tiger Woods Golf Wii game, 19" TV, mini three prong binders (index size), 3 shelf bookcase, hair gel, napkin holder, microwave, As Seen On TV swivel rolling vacuum, two drawer rolling cart, roach spray, photo frames, under bed storage tote, flashlights, light bulbs, adhesives for the bottom of furniture legs, and Nascar car window shades. I knew where all of this product was in our store...whoo hoo, go me. But, FYI...we do not carry mini three prong binders, paint products, or guns. :)
And, on a similar note, the most common thing customer's are looking for in our store when asked (drum roll please) their spouse/significant other/the person that came to the store with them, and the front check lanes. (How do you get lost in a store and not know where the front door is???)

I know better.

I've had a dog for oh, six years now...and today I decided to let him outside after a torrential downpour. What was I thinking? I laid old towels down in front of the dog door and then left to go get my son from the babysitter. Hm....why was I so surprised to see big muddy dog paw prints circling around my couch and kitchen?

One hour later...the dog has received a bath, and I'm still breathing Spot and Stain Remover as I'm scrubbing the carpets. When will I learn?