Rain, Rain, Go Away!!!

Just when the American political storm was starting to get nasty, God reminds us exactly what it is we're fighting for. We aren't fighting for Democrats, Republicans, or Independents. We're not fighting for African-Americans, women, or evangelicals. We're fighting for a better world for our children and each other, regardless of our race, gender, or religion...A world in which those in danger are protected...A world in which the weak are given a helping hand by the strong...A world that will never allow the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to occur again. As repeated headlines of Hurricane Gusav race accross your screen, please don't change the channel...Turn your television OFF and do something, anything, to help your fellow Americans.

May God be with those in the path of this dangerous storm. Good luck and God speed.



Love and I'm-Going-To-Donate-My-Toys,

Benjamin G. Ross

A Post From Ben's Mommy...

This was my blog on MySpace this morning, and I thought it to be pretty humorous. I wanted to share it with those who aren't members of MySpace...

"Blink and You'll Miss It"

It's 5:30 AM, and I'm up making blueberry muffins. I'm not striving to be a supermom who gets up at the crack of dawn to ensure my family has a fresh baked breakfast, but I do give props to those troopers out there who do such things.

I'm up right now because I haven't slept at all tonight. In less than three hours, I will be sending my little boy off to daycare for the first time. I've been up all night trying to calm my nerves and reassure myself that Ben is going to learn so much more around other children, in addition to building valuable social skills that he would be unable to garner at home without other kids around. Something that keeps going through my head is the old "blink and you'll miss it" cliche. I would laugh sarcastically when someone told me that as I was soothing a colicky baby after having been up all night, no telling when blissful sleep would welcome me again. Those nights and days seemed to drag by. I couldn't grasp how I could possibly blink through all of the spitting up on my old pajamas as I daydreamed about my working friends who got to wear pretty clothes, talk to grown-ups all day long, and know the words to songs that didn't play on the Disney Channel. I couldn't imagine that when the day finally came when I could turn loose of that little hand and let both of us become more independent of one another, I would be thinking up excuses to keep him home just one more day. It's been 18 months since our little boy burst into the world with a dramatic entrance, and our lives haven't been lacking in excitement since. I know that today marks the beginning of a new era in our lives...The beginning of Ben's life outside of my protection, where he'll learn how to be a little man all on his own...The beginning of my life without that smiling/screaming/giggling face following me around all day long, and I'll begin my glorious existence as a number cruncher...

This day is one of the most heart-wrenching experiences I have ever endured, but I know that this day is also a great blessing. I love that Ben is starting school in the fall...I can almost smell the nostalgic smell of autumn leaves burning, a reminder of good times to come...Wait, that's not leaves...thats....Oh damn! I've gotten all sendimental and burned my blueberry muffins!!!

I guess I'll tackle the supermom thing next week...=0)~

Love and Blink-and-You'll-Burn-Your-Muffins,

Lissa

Wishful thinking....

Hey fans of me! I know it's not winter time yet, but this picture makes me think of cooler times, and in triple digit temperatures, mind over matter is a pretty important concept.

I have alot of news to update you on. First, I am starting school! The place where Mommy and Daddy are taking me had a spot open up for me, so I'm going to start next Monday! There wasn't supposed to be an opening until May of 2009, but I'm extra special, so I got lucky enough to start sooner. I'm pretty sure I'm going to love it, but Mommy and Daddy are probably going to need some moral support next week. They can be so sentimental sometimes! Anywhoo...keep them in your thoughts, and hopefully they won't cry too much!

My other news isn't really about me, but I'm going to tell you anyway. Since I'm starting school next week, Mommy decided to get a job-type-thing. Something to occupy her time without me around. She thought she was going to have to look forever to find what she wanted, but in the first four days of searching, she got exactly what she hoped for. Mommy's going to be crunching numbers for a local accountant. I don't know why she would want to crunch numbers...I think crunching cookies is a better way to spend one's time, but I've learned to just let her be herself! Oh, and did I mention her boss played a guitar and sang during the interview? I think I'm going to like this guy just fine!

I suppose that's all the updates I have for now. I'm no longer walking...I'm RUNNING everywhere I go. I also have a few new words in my vocabulary...thanks Riley-Cate!!! Oh, but I didn't learn to say "burp" from her...I just did that on my own! A guy's gotta have his "sound" words!!!

Love and I'm-Dreaming-of-Some-Fall-Weather,

Benjamin G. Ross

PUDDINGFEST 2008!!!

Riley-Cate has been over for a visit this weekend and Mommy made chocolate pudding for us to have for snack time today. It was DE-licious, and having a sweet cousin to share with made it even better!!!
Cake's got pudding face!!! =0) Riley-Cate wanted to share some of her pudding with me...
But when she saw my shiny new teeth, she deciding to use a spoon instead of her finger! She does a much better job with the spoon, so I handed my cup over to her and let her feed me the rest of my pudding. She fed me a bite...and then HER a bite! And then ANOTHER bite for Riley-Cate!!! After snack time, my least favorite part came along...CLEAN UP!!! =0( But Riley-Cate helped, so it wasn't all that bad!

That was our adventure of Puddingfest 2008, and now we're off to get in the Great Big Water Hole!!!

Love and Could-You-Repeat-That-I-Have-Pudding-In-My-Ears,

Benjamin G. Ross

I'm Gonna Be A Tigger Too!!!

The following video is Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch giving the short version of his final lecture to his students. Mommy says we could all learn alot from this man's legacy and we should all strive to be the best Tiggers we can be!



Dr. Randy Pausch passed away last Friday, July 25th. We thank you for sharing your passion and dreams until the very end.

Love and Mom's-Gonna-Let-Me-Paint-My-Room-Someday,

Benjamin G. Ross