January 2011 was brought in by laughter. Usually we bring in the new year at church, but this year it was brought in at home. We got a nasty cold, very icy New Year. We still wanted to celebrate it. Even little Joel stayed up. My parents came down from Redfield thinking we would still have it at the church, but we didn't. Joel's godparents heard that we were still going to have a party at our house. We invited them to come over. We ate and played games. Boy was it fun. We had the tv going to watch movies, and just hanging out. Joel always enjoys his time with his godparents.
Joel had a couple weeks of no preschool during January do to the lovely winter snow. It was okay because he liked preschool but really didn't miss it when they didn't have it. Joel and I on those days we went to the library for toddler reading time, or we just hung out in his room watching movies (most the time the joy of Thomas the Train). If the weather was nice enough Joel and I went to the malls in DSM. We would get a bite to eat, and then he would play in the play areas for hours and hours (since no parks are open in winter time), and I got to sit down and relax. Joel's favorite place was Jordan Creek Mall play places. It was cooler. Usually during the week days it wasn't so bad since many children were in school, and parents were working. We would go to either Wendy's or Taco Johns there and share a meal, and then while he was playing the play area I would sit on my laptop, or just read a book.
Middle of the month Joel got to spend a day at a in-home daycare. He was the only boy, but he seemed to love it. I had found out earlier in the month that I was going to have another heart ablation done at the end of the month. So, I asked the lady what she would charge for Joel for the day of the surgery and probably 1-2 weeks after depending on my recovery. The price was worked out for him to go, and set (so I thought). Joel was excited that he could go back.
Two weeks later the surgery date had arrived. The night before I sent Joel to his godparents so I could rest, and didn't have to worry about trying to get both of us ready. My parents came down so they could drive me there. I kissed Joel and said "See you when I get home." while praying that I would. His godparents reassured me everything would be okay, and they would call, and have Joel talk to me when I could talk.
The next morning we headed off for the surgery. We got there around 6am. My step-father dropped my mom and me off at the front of Mercy and headed for work. Before I went into surgery Pastor, his wife, my mom, and I prayed. Then I was walked into the surgery room with tear filling my face. I had my picture of Bubba in my hand, and my red bandana (what I wore for every heart surgery to show I am a fighter) on my head. We had no clue what was going to happen. To make a long story short because the long version is on my other blog. I am lucky to be alive. I spent a long week in the hospital. Due to how I was feeling, and the circumstances I was only able to talk to Joel on the phone (no way was I going to let him see me with whole bunch of tubes). They sent pictures though to cheer me up. Joel would end every call saying "I love you mommy, miss you, and see you soon." It was the longest week of my life, because being away from my son is very difficult for the both of us.
November through December was such a busy time for Joel and I, but we loved every moment of it. The two of us were having a good time though. We tried many new things. Some things we flopped as others was awesome.
November we move out of our one bedroom apartment to a two bedroom trailer (what was I thinking) across town. I was happy that Joel and I would have more privacy by having two different bedrooms. Even though our one bedroom was worked out. Joel slept on top bunk and I on the bottom. I just thought is was time. We moved Thankgiving weekend. Good thing because not even a week or two weeks later we got snow.
Before we moved to our new home Joel had to be Joel and do something to drive his mommy nuts. Joel had been working on the potty training thing off and on. So him going into the bathroom was nothing unusual. EXCEPT one night. Joel was suppose to be in the bedroom watching a movie and getting settled down for the night. I was in the kitchen or livingroom doing something. Next thing I know I here Joel laughing. I go into the bathroom He has black all over. The toilet, himself, the floor (good picture below). You name it. I asked him what was it. He pointed to the finger nail polish that was on the floor. You can probably figure out what was next out of my mouth. I had no finger nail polish remover, and I didn't want to go to the store (rather get Joel cleaned up). So, I called one of his church grandma's that just live a little ways away from our apartment. She came over to help, but got a good laugh out of Joel first. I guess Joel thought that we all needed a good laugh.
I fix Thanksgiving dinner in the new place even though we were not completely in there yet (we were just in painting stage). We had no table or chairs yet because they were all still in the other place. But Joel, my parents, and I enjoyed our time together. The food was AWESOME! The next night Joel, my step father, and I took Joel up to the Lighted Parade and festival stuff. We about froze our hind ends off. Thank goodness some people were selling hot coco and coffee.
December we tried something new to make. Joel, a friend, and me made puppy treats. My friend said her dogs loved them. It was such a blast to make. My parents came over for Christmas at our house. We all had fun. Joel enjoyed opening his new clothes. I remember my parents getting us new sleds when my brothers and I were young, and we would take them outside to play with them that day. I got Joel a little red sled. Sad thing is there was not enough snow for him to go play outside on. So, it had to wait until later to sled. We also celebrated Christmas with our church family. Joel and I always love going and spending time with our friends in Indianola. This Christmas time since the weather was not bad we got to go over and spend time with them as well. It was such a blast being with them. Joel and I spent the night at one of their houses because it was so late and dark we didn't want to travel home.
Over all 2010 was such a great year. We had so much fun with family and friends. Most of all Joel and I enjoyed our time together. Thank you Lord for such a great year!
Wow I couldn't believe it when October 2010 came around. It was a busy month for us. Preschool, Cover Bridge Festival, Joel's 3rd birthday, and halloween. We enjoyed every moment of it too.
Joel was enjoying going to preschool. He love playing with his new friends with different toys, and he really enjoyed craft time I think the most. Joel loves being creative anyway. He looked forward to every Tuesday morning to go spend time at preschool. In October all the kids dressed in their Halloween costumes. They all were so cute. The mom's could dress up, but I decided not to.
We went to Cover Bridge Festival with Joel's godparents where we live on Saturday. Joel enjoyed the food, music, and decorating a pumpkin. He also loved playing the blow up air rides. On Sunday of the festival we sat with our church family watching the Cover Bridge Parade. Joel loved all the floats, and catching candy.
Joel had an awesome 3rd birthday. We celebrated it with our church family (wouldn't had done it any other way). It was the first year Joel was not sick around or on his birthday. All the previous years Joel got sick. We did a Thomas the Train Theme Birthday for him. Joel loved Thomas the Train, and still does yet today. His godmother made a train cake for him. He was so happy with it. Even though it took so long to eat the cake. We even did a pinata. We also had a hobo dinner. Boy did it tie into the theme. We also went to Indianola to celebrate with our friends over there. It is so nice to have family, church family, and friends that care so much to make my son happy on his birthday.
Last of all in October we went trick or treating. Joel was Elmo. He was so darn cute too. After trick or treating around the town square, at the nursing homes we went to Joel's godgrandparents home to help hand out candy. Joel enjoyed handing out candy to the other children. A few of the costumes did scare him. I can such a tickle watching him have fun.
September 2010 came and went so fast for us. We welcomes September though. The cooler days were nice, and we could get out and still enjoy the nice weather. Even got to see the changing of leaves began, because we were outside so much.
Joel began a new journey. He got enrolled in Wee Learners for the toddler class. There were 5 other students in his class. It was about 1 hour every Tuesday. Which I went to class with him. It was nice to watch him learn with other children, and their mothers. It was a good group. The school year went really fast though.
