Momma's Living In Paradise

I'm leaving...

MommasParadise@gmail.com (Jenn) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 04:48:00 +0000

On a jet plane...or a 'www.com' or something of the like.

Either way, this is the last update you'll get here at this blog. It has been great fun but it is just time for a change.

Sadly, I will not be posting the new address on the site (for privacy reasons). However, if you would like the address, feel free to email me at MommasParadise@gmail.com and I'd be more than happy to email you the new link!

Thanks for all the good times, Blogspot!

Random iPhoto-ness....

MommasParadise@gmail.com (Jenn) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 05:18:00 +0000

Creatures....

MommasParadise@gmail.com (Jenn) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:58:00 +0000

Ok, see the rocks in the background? The horseshoe crabs come up onto the rocks during high tide. At low tide, they get stuck. I feel that it is my personal mission to save them all.

Luckily, there haven't been many since that first day. This is the biggest one we saved (he was dead already).

T Swizzle....

MommasParadise@gmail.com (Jenn) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:56:00 +0000

I feel like everyone should experience this video. I love Taylor Swift (And T-Pain!!)

Just Jorden...

MommasParadise@gmail.com (Jenn) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:17:00 +0000

Sometimes, I worry that my child is crazy. Actually, that's a lie. I always worry that my child is crazy. Everyone from my parents to my Great-Grandmother has told me he's not, he's just two.

I never knew what "terrible two's" really meant. I now feel like I am capable of defining that exact phrase.

It means: ornery, loud, opinionated, stubborn, mean, difficult, dramatic & wild.

And I love every little adjective. After a long day of being all those things he lays down his head and becomes the most peaceful little boy ever.

I start every day with the pittar patter of his little feet running down the hall to my bedroom and he climbs in and snuggles into bed next to me and puts his little hand on my arm and all the 'terrible' part of the two's melts away.

As terrible as he is, he's still all mine and I wouldn't trade him in for anything.

Now I have to go tend to the terrible part...he's running amuck right now!

Monster Truck Madness

MommasParadise@gmail.com (Jenn) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:03:00 +0000

Country Pictures

MommasParadise@gmail.com (Jenn) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:40:00 +0000

Ok, so I really did try to upload some pictures for y'all yesterday. But Mom's computer is not so good. And mine is hooked up to the tv, where we were watching a movie.

Now that I have full and unlimited access to my computer again, here ya go.

This is where we HAVE to go get chocolate milkshakes from, like 3 nights a week (at least).
(And one of my favorite pictures)

The rest are nothing special...they're in a slideshow for you!

Back In Action...

MommasParadise@gmail.com (Jenn) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:12:00 +0000

Ok, I have been MIA for a little while. There's a reason for that though. I'm not going to try to fill in the blank that you've missed in the last month or two of my life-it would just take too long to update on our lives.

So, all you need to know are the highlights- that Jorden and I are both settling in on the farm, we're growing a pumpkin patch, Jorden is scared of nearly everything and life is ~~good~~ great.

Oh and we will be attending Monster Jam this weekend. We're super excited.

Right now we're working on potty training. He gets it, he knows what its for, he understands. Now how do I get him to actually go to the toilet when he has to go? Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks in advance. I'll go find some photos to post for everyone's viewing pleasure.

Have a lovely Friday and rest of the weekend!

Please forgive me...

MommasParadise@gmail.com (Jenn) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 05:15:00 +0000

(Not like Bryan Adams)

I'm fired.

I know.

I'm sorry.

We really have been busy. First we had to adjust to the time difference, then Mom had Spring Break, then we were getting back on track from Spring Break, then I went away for the weekend and now here we are.

To keep you satisfied (or at least keep the hatemail to a minimum), here ya go.

Things That make me SO Happy to be in Good 'ol Kentucky Again:

1.The little old couple that you almost collide with at Wal-Mart will slow down not only to apologize but also to chit-chat and make a joke about how the wife'll run anything over that doesn't get outta her way.

2. When you're caught giving the toddler a 'talking to' in the grocery store, the man in the aisle will stop and talk to you about how good it is that your boy has good manners and isn't allowed to run free throughout the store like so many of these young whippersnappers nowadays.

3. The man who sits next to you at the hibachi style restaurant will make small talk throughout dinner and, when he learns that you worked on a military base, will buy your & your sons dinner out of gratitude for supporting our servicemembers.

Ok, there's just a few things that make me happy to be in Kentucky. There's more but those are the highlights. The only thing I really miss about Hawaii is that all the restaurants are smoke free. I really don't like cigarette smoke.

Pictures coming soon!!

A little more info...

MommasParadise@gmail.com (Jenn) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 05:52:00 +0000

Joey & I decided earlier this year to get a divorce. (No bad words, no hard feelings, just moving on.) I would have moved sooner but with Jorden in his cast we had to wait until he was all healed up!

After 3 weeks without the cast & the ok from his orthopedic surgeon, we were out! Hawaii was beautiful and we loved living there but being home in Kentucky is so so nice.

We left Hawaii on Monday afternoon and got to Nashville (we don't have airports here, at least not big ones!) at 9:00 on Tuesday morning! After the baggage man located MY CAT (how do you lose the piece of baggage that says LIVE ANIMAL??), we were off.

First on our list of priorities, CRACKER BARREL!! It is by far, the best restaurant in the whole entire world. We stopped and looked around the country store then went in and sat by the fireplace with my chicken fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn & buttery biscuits!!

Oh My. I'm getting all flustered just thinking about it!

We made it home & let Sawyer out to try and get accustomed. Mom was frantic because he only wanted to hide. I told her he'd be fine, that's his personality (she harrassed him and tried her best to coax him out to no avail). Finally, he made his entrance.

Mom's cats are mean, they follow him around and hiss at him for no reason. He just lays there and looks at them, dumbfounded.

We made it to Sonic last night, yummm!!!! They have this new thing, it's a Frito-pie wrap. The best part is it's only $1. I could eat SO many of those! I was so happy with my Cherry-line Slush and cheese sticks, too!

That's about it. We are not adjusting to the time change, Jorden & I didn't even bat an eye until noon today. We're going to work on that tomorrow.

In light of that I should probably stop blogging since it's 1 o'clock in the morning.

More to come!

Life updates....

MommasParadise@gmail.com (Jenn) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 05:36:00 +0000

Ok, so I've been MIA for 11 days now. Sorry. Life has been busy!

Here's a glimpse into the last week and a half...

I got a tattoo...(yea it hurt like crap.)

Went out with some friends in Honolulu! (That was by far, the biggest Margarita I've ever had in my entire life!!)

Oh, and we moved to Kentucky. Jorden slept most of the way!! (I couldn't because I watched Flightplan one too many times and thought someone was going to take him while I slept!!)

I have tons of pictures to share but I can't right now, it's almost 1 o'clock and if I'm ever going to adjust to the time zone here, I have got to go to bed!!

I'll fill ya in later this week though! I promise!

Have you lost a child?

MommasParadise@gmail.com (Jenn) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 19:56:00 +0000

Target opened it's first two Hawaii stores at the beginning of the month.

One of them is about 1.2 minutes from my house. (Maybe I timed it...so what?)

Jorden has been good for the numerous trips that we've made and riding in the shopping cart so patiently every time. (Ok, for most of the time.)

We got in the truck to go to Target earlier this week. See how happy he looks...

Then we turn onto the street. And he sees the red circles and the Target sign.

And he (wait for it...) starts crying!!

"No like Target, Mom. No shopping Target!"

I think I might be raising someone else's child. Seriously. No child of mine ~~would~~ COULD hate Target. It's only the best place ever!

I bribed him with a car. We now have a standing agreement about shopping at Target.

I can deal with a dollar every few days.

Bathtime Fun

MommasParadise@gmail.com (Jenn) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 01:11:00 +0000

Has anyone seen our 'my' or 'ma'?

MommasParadise@gmail.com (Jenn) — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 23:23:00 +0000

I've always been 'Mommy' or 'Momma'.

Jorden lost the last two letters of both.

Now, I'm just 'Mom'.

"I need apple juice, Mom."

"MOM. Play play doh please?"

"'MOM!!"

Ahh...it was so much nicer when he was yelling at me and saying 'Mommy.' 'Mom' just sounds like he's got an attitude.

Oh geez, he's getting so big!

A few new photos...

MommasParadise@gmail.com (Jenn) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 06:53:00 +0000

Just Another Wednesday...in Hawaii...

MommasParadise@gmail.com (Jenn) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 02:51:00 +0000

Today we went up to Shark's Cove for a few hours to enjoy the sun, the surf & the fishies! We had fun, both babies took a few nosedives into the water (it's good for their character, at least that's what I hear). Brandi & I got to spend some time snorkeling while the babies played in the sand (or ate it-whatever!!).

Here's our day...hope your Wednesday was as good as ours!

Midnight Photoshop Effects...

MommasParadise@gmail.com (Jenn) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 10:02:00 +0000

Brandi got here on Monday, we did some sight seeing today and made a trip to the zoo. These are just a couple pictures we took & I couldn't resist staying up way too late to photoshop them!

I really love photoshop.

Even if you think they don't look good. I still love them.

(And yea, they're not perfect - I'm still learning!)

Enjoy!

The Little Mer-man?

MommasParadise@gmail.com (Jenn) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 08:38:00 +0000

Jorden is just so happy to walk that he wants to do it all the time.

Everywhere.

Anywhere.

In circles around the house.

And it reminds me of The Little Mermaid, when Ariel first gets her human legs and is learning how to walk.

Poor guy, he's doing really good though!

Ohh! Wait, it's...

MommasParadise@gmail.com (Jenn) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 01:33:00 +0000

STUBBORN as an ox.

Day two with no cast.

Jorden is upstairs taking a nap.

And I hear the pittar patter of little feet running back and forth.

He's getting out of bed and "running" around. His version of running right now is still just walking around kind of fast!

I never thought I would be happy that Jorden is not listening to me when I tell him to stay in bed. Or that I'd be happy that he's running around harassing Sawyer. Or that I'd be happy he took all my nice clean laundry and tossed it all around the bedroom.

But everytime I hear the thud when he slides out of bed and the little footsteps that follow, I can't help but smile.

He gets to be himself, stubborn as ever, and I'm so happy for it.

Tough as an Ox (or a toddler...)

MommasParadise@gmail.com (Jenn) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 02:39:00 +0000

We went to the hospital yesterday for Jorden's weekly x-ray & doctor's visit.

It went the same as it always does.

Jorden screaming during x-rays, Me trying to look like the cool, calm and collected Momma, silently hoping and wishing the cast would come off while Jorden offers grapes to all the passersby.

This time ended a little differently though. When Dr. Knox came over to talk to us, I mentioned that Jorden's leg had been bothering him. He's starting to say it hurts, but not the one that's broken.

"Ok. We'll go ahead and cut it off. The bone is healed, it's ready."

What?

Wait.

(Times like this are when I wish I could TIVO life and rewind...)

Did you say off??? Cut off!? The whole cast!?

TODAY!?!

I was more excited than I ever have been in my whole life!! He told us to 'sit tight' and he'd get one of the cast techs to get to it! (I think his words were more like this..."If you'll wait here, I'll have one of the corpsmen remove it.")

Whatever - I was exuberant and I suddenly became the cool, calm and collected Momma.

Jorden's throwing grapes at the little girl next to us, (and she is promptly picking them up and eating them), so what!

I now have grapes down my shirt and EVERYONE in the room is looking because my child feels the need to be the center of attention, it's cool!

But wait. Where is our doctor? Nobody has seen him in about 10 minutes and we're all noticing at once.

The cast tech tells us someone was medevaced in and he had to meet them at the heli pad.

Ok, we can't really be upset or impatient now. So we patiently wait.

Another 10 minutes goes by and he's back. He tells our favorite cast tech guys it can come off.

See, I told you he said it was ok and I wrinkled my nose at Timmets. He laughed and grabbed Jorden to try and talk him into a similar calm, cool & collected state before he got the saw.

Jorden did GREAT!! He didn't cry, wiggle, whine or give any sort of protest while he was cutting! It took about 7 minutes total and it was off.

Gone.

I could once again see my baby's legs, his butt, his hips, everything that had been hidden away by that horrible cast!

This was time for Jorden to lose it. (Dr. Knox came back by and said this is normal for kids!) So, we cleaned him up a little bit and we left!

We met the Valet guy and I had a slew of stuff in my stroller as I was putting Jorden in his carseat. He took care of it ALL. Rounded up all the toys, my cell phone, got my purse (we've come to know each other personally, this was acceptable!), Jorden's shorts, blankie and then folded the stroller up and put it in the back of the truck.

I don't know what I would have done without the Valet guys over the last 6 weeks and especially this particular time! I gave him all the cash I had in my truck. (Thinking back on it, I probably should have counted it first.)

He has been doing amazingly wonderful since yesterday! He's been crawling, walking, playing with Joss and doing things just like he used to! Last night he & Joss got to take a bath together again! They had a blast!

Here's a few pictures of our back to normal days!

And lastly, here is the video of Jorden today. We went to the Waikiki Aquarium (which could really pass for some rich guy's living room-it's terribly small) and walked around the park next to it! He is such a tough guy!

(BTW - the leg that had been bothering him was rubbed raw in one spot, a square patch on his thigh, about 3 inches big. It's almost healed up today!)

Rocky Essence

MommasParadise@gmail.com (Jenn) — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 01:04:00 +0000

Jorden thinks he can (and should) walk.

With his hip spica cast on.

For those of you who aren't familiar with this type of cast, here are some pictures we took so you can get an idea of what it looks like.

From Spiral Fracture

(Just ignore that big pile of mess to the left of him! We have to change out all the moleskin tape every couple days-it's quite a task!)

So this past Thursday, at our weekly doctor's visit I mentioned to him that Jorden has been trying to walk (and JUMP !!) and asked him if this was ok.

His response was "Do you think you would be able to restrain him all the time?"

Well no, Mister Smartypants I don't.

So we settled on the fact that Jorden will walk or jump and will stop if and when it starts to hurt from being overworked.

So now Jorden walks. Around the whole first level of our house, clutching the wall, couches and cabinets for support.

Yesterday he wanted to go to the park at the end of our street. (It's about six houses down)

And he wanted to walk. All. The. Way. There.

Our quick 5 minute walk to the park turned into a 30 minute hike-he insisted on walking the entire way.

We got there and he started to limp a little more and grimace so I asked him if his leg hurt. He said yes, and then started off toward the slide while holding onto the fence for support.

I caught up to him in a flash and scooped him up and he cried to get back down.

"No grab Mommy!! I play park! I swing!"

I asked him again if his leg hurt and he, again, said yes and patted the casted thigh that was broken.

Once more..."No grab Mommy!! I play park! I slide!"

So much for Dr. Smartypants and his "he'll stop walking when it hurts logic."

Jasmine's Mom said he has "Rocky Essence!"

So in love...

MommasParadise@gmail.com (Jenn) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 02:47:00 +0000

...with Photoshop!!

Just to show you what I've been learning, here's some before and after shots!

This is from our week in Kentucky, taken with Uncle David's camera. No idea what kind it is, just that it is a DSLR, super fancy and I LOVEEE it!! (If you want to know more, go ask him!)

This is another one from Kentucky with Uncle David's camera! Me & Mikayla!

Ok, so apparently they are ALL from Uncle David's camera in Kentucky! I think Aunt Shannon took this sequence, while Uncle David was giving rides on the 4-wheeler, so she can vouch for the fact that we don't have one single picture with everyone from that week! However, with my newly aquired photoshop skills, I merged some faces and changed some hands (Paul and Danny. go figure!) and voila!

Ok, that is the most exciting thing going on in my life right now. That I have learned (am learning) how to use photoshop.

Domestic Goddess Am I...Occasionally

MommasParadise@gmail.com (Jenn) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 20:44:00 +0000

I am selling a table today and I was cleaning it off and noticed there was some crayon marking on one of the legs.

(Thanks Jorden.)

And I tried to clean it off using my ever favorite Mr. Clean. It didn't work. :(

So I thought about the problem at hand. What is crayon? Wax. How would I clean candle wax off of something? Heat!

So I used my blowdryer. And then I lost it. A little heat will take crayon off of anything! Finished tables, plastic baby gates, linoleum floor and walls just to name a few! (I know-I tried all these today!)

Anyhow, here is my very educational and informative video!

And if you happen to have already known this, please don't tell me. It would crush my hopes and dreams!

PFC Jorden

MommasParadise@gmail.com (Jenn) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 03:21:00 +0000

Jorden can't take a bath because of his cast. We try our hardest to keep it clean, it's a tasking job but we manage.

We cannot manage, however, keeping his hair clean when he feels the need to rub his food covered hands through it.

So I cut it all off.

Now he looks like he's going to boot camp.

God love Noah & Joseph McVicker (And Aunt Jasmine!)

MommasParadise@gmail.com (Jenn) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 03:34:00 +0000

I never bought Play-doh. I don't remember playing with it as a kid so I don't really know the rules and expectations that come along with it.

When we came home from the hospital after our overnight stay, Jasmine had gone shopping for Jorden. She brought him a tray, coloring books, crayons and most importantly Play-doh.

Jorden loved it all...except the play-doh. Mostly because I didn't open it.

It sat on my counter for about a week and a half (sorry, Jas) because I was terrified to give it to him. I had images of mess and tiny colorful hard pieces all over the floor flashing through my mind when I thought about it.

One day he saw it.

I was done.

The battle was over.

I lost.

So we opened one can. One tiny can and played. It's a wonder that can was ever closed again.

Jorden LOVES playdoh. We are now the proud owners of an Octopus Play-doh set, Monkey Play-doh set and a Kitchen Play-Doh set.

I think of myself as a highly talented Play-doh artist. Jorden does too, and really that's all that matters.

Thank you, Joseph & Noah for inventing Play-doh so many years ago and thanks to Aunt Jasmine for buying some & helping me to overcome my fears!