Spring was so blessed. We were outside most of the time having fun. Joel loved riding his bikes, having picnics in the grass under the tree, and planting flowers. It was so much fun. Joel would get on his little bike and go visit the neighbors around us. We lived in a predominate elderly area. They all got a hoot out of him. Every holiday they would spoil him with treats and gifts. He was the grandchild of the block.
Easter was so much fun in 2010. He was finally catching on to the fun and excitement of Easter Egg hunts. We went to two. One at the care center and one at the church. His godfather had fun helping him at the one at the care center, and his Grandpa helped him at the one at the church.
It was also a big change in May 2010 because he spent a few weeks at his godparents home, and a few others church family's homes because I had surgery. Usually when I had procedures I saw him just in a week, but this time I couldn't have him home do to the extent of the surgery, but we were able to see each other almost every other day.
Wow 2010 came so fast before we knew it. The joys of still having winter months but couldn't wait until the snow was gone so we could get back out doors. During the winter months it was fun to watch Joel play with his toys, and most of the time you would find him inside the totes, and the toys outside. He was so goofy at times.
The goofy times in the winter time also brought cuddle times. Joel and I loved to read a book or watch a movie. We love and still love our cuddle time. Now we use it to talk about our day together. I cherish his hugs, because I know that someday they will be few and far between. I don't care how old he gets he will always be my baby.
We were so excited when the snow melted off enough to go to the park. Park days are so awesome for us. The fresh air, new green grass, and hearing the baby birds chirp. Joel I think loved it the most because he could exercise and run, and play. Being cooped up drove us both bananas.
December 2009 rolled around really fast before we knew it. It was such a blessed month. I think we celebrated something about Christmas every day that month. Either we learned something dealing with Christmas, baked things for Christmas, or celebrated with friends and family. God really blessed and protected us.
We were living in a small apartment complex. The landlords did their best to keep up with the winter snow. We had so much snow it wasn't funny. We even got snowed in where we couldn't get out or doors. 15 inches in one night. Talk about going crazy. I hate feeling isolated from the outside, and Joel did not like the idea we couldn't get out to play in the snow.
Early in December our Grandparents came up from Arkansas to celebrate an early Christmas with us. Joel really enjoyed that. He and Grandpa Bob played and played until they sacked out every night. Grandma and I enjoyed cooking and baking together. Grandpa Bob even got Joel his own little snow shovel to play in the snow with. It was hard to see them leave to go home, but we understood that needed to go home in a certain time frame, because they have to go through some wicked mountain areas.
Joel learned how to sled for the first time when we went to one of the homes of our church family. It was fun to watch Joel with his Grandpa W try to sled together. I think both of them laughed so hard that they were on the ground just rolling. We enjoyed Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa W. and their family. We also celebrated with our whole church family as well at church.
We decided that it would be neat to host Thanksgiving at our apartment for our family. Do to money restraints it wasn't the fanciest, but there was food and we had family with us. Joel loved it. Him and his Uncle Matthew has some bonding time. I can't believe still how much my son looks like his Uncle. My parents helped fixed the meal which was nice.
We all played games with Joel. Even did some puzzles. It was fun just relaxing and having fun at the same time. That night we put up our first little Christmas tree.
It was also a hard Thanksgiving because my brother, Joel's uncle moved to California that night. It was hard to let go of my brother, because we are so close. I knew that he would visit, but still it was hard.
Joel loved Elmo so much when he turned 2, I decided to let it be the theme for his birthday. I worked all day setting it up while he was at daycare for the day. Which I was so unsure I taking him because many of the children had been sick. One with retro virus. I went ahead since all had been on antibiotics. What I didn't know was that little guy was starting to get sick all day. Worse as the day went on really. We decided to celebrate his and one of his grandma's birthday at church a day early.
He had a lot of fun eventhough he really didn't feel good. He mostly played with his new cars that his godparents got for him. He really didn't eat or drink anything. His daycare provider said he had a couple of loose bm's but really nothing out of the ordinary after he has apple juice with one being a blow out. While we were at church for his and one of his church grandma's he had a couple of weird blow outs. His godmother and me both agreed that he was starting to come down with the flu, but scared that he could of caught the retro virus from the one child at daycare. His godmother said that if he kept doing it through the night that we would have him check, because Joel was an easy dehydrator.
Through the night and into the next day Joel continued to hardly eat or drink anything. More was coming out of his bottom then going in. By 1pm Joel quit peeing and was just pooping. His godmother called to check on him. I told her that Joel was getting worse. She said that soon has her and Joel's godfather got off of work that they would come down to get us, because there was no way my car was going to make it to DSM. It would over heat instantly.
They came and got us to take us to DSM. The doctor didn't believe us that he was sick until they got the blood work that he was dehydrated. Plus he started pooping every 5 to 10minutes. We stayed over night. They gave him something to make him sleep, so the medicine would take a hold. We were pleased when we were told that he did not have the retro virus. We were released the night day.
Halloween rolled around a few weeks later. Joel was a clown. The cutest clown (but I am his mommy)! Because of the flu going around so much, and it being slightly cold out we only went to a few places to get candy. Then we went to Joel's Papa's and Grandma's house to hand out candy with them. Joel had a blast helping with the candy.
September 2009 was another highlight of adventures for us. It was fun! We went for the first time with my parents to Downtown Farmer's Market. Joel really loved it. I think his favorite thing was eating a Corn Dog on a stick, and listening to all the music that is played down there. I think his grandpa had a blast pushing him and telling him about everything.
We also went to a high school homecoming game where I graduated from because they were actually undefeated. Joel has such a blast, and he did very well up until half time when he got tired. He thought is was cool watching them kick the ball through the field goal.
Joel also had his first sweet corn actually on the cob. He smiled from ear to ear. I was a little nervous at first, but he did better than I thought. Probably because he watched how the rest of us did it.
August 2009 we decided to go on a family trip to Branson, Missouri. We decided to invite my friend and her two boys to join us. She had never been to Branson, and plus I needed someone extra to drive when I got tired. I memorized every turn off that we had to take, and everything. We would enjoy two days of Silver Dollar City. Taking a trip with a soon to be 2 yr old, 6yr, and 8yr old was going to be tasking, but we knew it could be accomplished.
We decided to leave late in the evening around 4pm. We drove to Hy-Vee in Osceola, Iowa to pick up stuff to put in the cooler. We thought that if we left more in the evening that the boys could sleep most of the way. They did really good for the most part. About 9ish the three of them conked out. My friend and I drove until neither one of us could drive. We ended up pulling into to a small motel in Springfield for a few hours. Enough to catch some z's, and get back on the road.
We got to Branson about 9:30am. We picked up tickets and vouchers for the next few days at the welcome center. Then it was off to Silver Dollar City. It was so extremely hot the first day. We enjoyed being there. We were even able to find a few rides everyone could go on, and just a couple that Joel could go on. We kept well hydrated that is for sure. Joel even fell asleep in the stroller.
When we got done the first evening we went to the Golden Corral for supper. Then we went back to the hotel where we swam for a little bit. Joel was my little dare devil and wanted to go into the deeper end where the older boys were playing. That night everyone conked out as usual.
The second day we got up early enough that we were able to park in the handicap parking close to the enterance. We tried to take in as much as we possibly could the second day. After we got done we drove around Branson. Okay truth is I took the wrong turn. Joel had a little tummy ache that night so he was a bear to get settled down. Soon, as he fell asleep we all did too. We all new the next day was going to be a busy day.
When we got up the third day we all were a little grouchy, because we all were a little sun burnt. We were suppose to go to this thing for the kids. All the boys were not being good so we decided not to go, and head home because it was going to be a long journey on the road. We were going to stop and eat at Lambert's cafe because I heard how good that it was. My friends two boys were fighting so I decided not to take them at all. I figured maybe next time. Actually there were going to be many places I wanted to stop to see on our way but either the kids were being naughty, or one of them were sleeping.
As we were getting to Harrisonville, MO just south of Kansas City my car started to act up. It was jugging and the oil light came on. I thought this has to be crazy because I just had it changed and filled before we left (something my grandpa taught me to always do before a trip). I pulled into a couple's house that use to come to our church before they moved. 1) because I had to pee like no other. 2) was to find some where to take the car to be checked. We got the car check somehow my plug came loose and there was nothing inside. The mechanics were so surprised that my car didn't blow up. Only the grace of God I told them! They even did it for resonaable price since they knew we were of vacation, and single mothers with children.
The next hard spot was Kansas City. I missed my turn off because I didn't get over in time, and got block. There was no choice but to go through the downtown in rush hour. That was horrible. On top of it all one of the boys were crying because his allergies were kicking in bad at this point, and Joel was getting fussy because he was thirsty and hungry. I was basically in tears, and getting stressed. I had the boys sing to Joel softly. My friend gave her son some allergy medicine that I had for Joel just in case. By the time we got through Kansas City the boys were all asleep, and slept most of the way home.
I was so relieved when we got home. I was ready to get out of my car, into comfortable clothes, and into bed. We all had a great time. God blessed our time truly. Someday I hope to take a family trip back down there when I have the money. Only spend one day at Silver Dollar City though, and go see the Passion Play.
