Cadenisms

I have to share just 3 of the funniest things Caden has said lately because I never want to forget them. I also have to warn you now that at least one of these comments, though hysterical (I mean side splitting hilarious!) was totally inappropriate and prompted a discussion about what is okay to say and what is not.

crickwits in Cadenish = crickets in English

Caden says to Doug this afternoon after golfing with Truck Papa and Uncle Tim, "Ya needs to put you stupid golf bag away." Followed by laughter from Doug and a discussion about not saying stupid.

And now, for the one you've all been waiting for. This is good, very good. I'd say a golf medal winner on the show Kids Say the Darndest Things.

Yesterday afternoon, Caden and I stopped by my parents' house just to say hi. Caden got to playing with my dad's back scratcher and offered to scratch my back. Great! He did so for a few minutes. Then my darling son offered to scratch Papa's back. Papa suggested perhaps Caden scratch Papa's belly since it was easier to reach as Papa was sitting on the couch. Caden happily scratched Papa's belly a few times. Then out of the clear blue, Caden navigates the back scratcher a bit south of the belt buckle line and announces, "Now I scratch you penis!!" Repeat 3 times loudly before I could stop laughing long enough to tell him to stop.

So inappropriate, yet so funny!!!

My dad was a pro . . . acted so cool, like what Caden said was equivalent to announcing something as dull as the grass is green.

My mom on the other hand first was so shocked I though I would need to use my CPR skills, but once she recovered she laughed so hard the tears started rolling. Her one and only comment, "I didn't even know he knew that word!"

NOTES:
#1 ~ Caden knows the correct name for his man parts. It took a LOT of convincing, but I managed to get Doug to agree that back when Caden was learning his body parts we would use the correct names and only the correct names so as not to confuse the poor boy. This is the first time that doing so has caused us any grief.

#2 ~ I did intentionally type "you" instead of your in Caden's quotes. That's how he says it when he refers to someone else's possessions. My high school English teachers will have to forgive me and just get over it. I know it won't be cute forever, but right now it's adorable. Someday I promise to teach him the proper way.

flood

Here are some pictures of the flooding around Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, Iowa. My parents lived in Iowa city right after they were married (before I came along) and just moved to back to Kansas from Cedar Rapids a little over a year ago. I went to college at Cornell in Mt. Vernon which is between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City and Doug spent a semester at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. It's unbelievable to see these photos of places we've been under so much water!! Our thoughts and prayers go to all those who've lost their homes and businesses in this devastating flood, as well as those who are suffering from the tornadoes that hit in Chapman and Manhattan, KS and at the Boy Scout camp in Iowa. So much devastation in such a short amount of time. It makes us extra grateful were going to bed tonight dry and comfortable in our own bed with our child close to us and alive and well!

Cedar Rapids city hall on Mays Island

vehicles parked at the Quaker Oats plant in Cedar Rapids

street sign in Cedar Rapids

Mercy Hospital in CR which had to be evacuated. So weird!
I have been in this hospital several times.

aerial view of downtown CR

new baby!

Ok, for all of you who got excited, you can calm down a bit! The new baby refers to the new niece or nephew Doug and I will be getting sometime in late December or early January. Our sister-in-law, Melissa, is due with baby #2 on January 2nd which will be about 3 weeks before our niece, Tegan will turn 4. We're very excited for Tim and Melissa!! Caden is in love with babies right now and I'm sure he'll be thrilled with a new baby cousin to kiss and play with. :)

blessings

In order to remind myself of all my blessings, tonight I'm going to make a list of those that come to mind. I know there are more than I can think of tonight, but this will be a start.

1. Doug. Sometimes I'm frustrated with him and sometimes I'm even angry. BUT, he is a good husband and father. I know he loves Caden and me with all his heart. He does so much for me and our family and I often don't give him enough credit or thanks for all he does. so, THANK YOU!!
2. Caden. He's ornery and also sometimes frustrating. BUT, he's really a sweet boy. We are working on manners right now, specifically greeting (both hello & goodbye) others when they greet you and saying, "No, thank you." when someone offers somethings you don't want. He's catching on pretty well. I think he's got the greatest giggle around and I love to watch him when he thinks no one else is around, especially when he's reading to his "friends" (stuffed critters) or talking to himself. He's so funny!
3. our parents. Doug's parents and mine are all still alive and living in Newton. They help us so much with Caden and other things. We really appreciate all they do for us. It's nice to have them close by.
4. home. It's a work in progress for sure, but this is a dream Doug and I thought might never come true, especially in our early married life.
5. friends. Doug and I have some really good friendships with a few other people that we treasure and wish we had more time to spend with these people.
6. debt. I know this sounds really strange and believe me we wish we didn't have this blessing, but it keeps Doug and I focused, determined, and humble. It also reminds us how good our life is now and how thankful we are for what we have and how far we've come together.
7. health. Sure, we all get sick here from time to time, but for the most part we're healthy. Caden had some ear troubles early on with near constant infections, burst ear drums, and eventually tubes, but since then he's been the picture of good health. Thankfully, though his mommy and daddy both have plenty of war stories to tell about ER trips, broken bones, and stitches, so far we haven't made an emergency trip to the doctor or hospital for him. Knock on some virtual wood. I hope I haven't jinxed us or spoken too soon!!

I know this list seems typical for most people (minus the debt), but I do think these are blessings for which my life would be drastically different without.

P.S. The blessings list came up tonight because we had a fairly boring day without much excitement or drama to share. Caden was at Becci's. Doug as at work. I was at an all day training for school. We're also thankful for days like today as they make the exciting things more so!

baseball and skeeters

Caden just came in to ask me to come outside with him and Daddy cause it's "funnerin" (thundering). I initially thought he was asking me to see something that was loads of fun! I went out to our front yard to watch Caden and Daddy playing baseball; Daddy pitching to Caden. Caden did actually make some hits. He swings so hard he ends up turning in a complete circle. Hilarious! Sometimes he falls, but pops right up, announcing, "I fall down! I OK!"

We had to make a hasty retreat indoors because of the nasty mosquitoes that were circling and diving for blood. Nasty, little vicious vampires.

Unfortunately, the camera batteries bit the bullet and I wasn't able to get a good photo of Caden playing baseball. :( We'll try again later in the week.