A family update...

When I started this blog I thought it would be a neat way to give my far-flung family and friends a more frequent update on what our little family is up to than the usual phone calls and Christmas letters. What they wound up getting have been frequent updates on my mental ramblings. I hope most of them love me enough to bear with me:) But I thought I'd give everyone a little update on what's going on around here.
Casey and I are still working out where to go to church. Please pray for us about this. I've finally come to a place where I'll be happy with where ever God wants us, but so far Casey isn't sure where God's leading us and I know that is frustrating for him (me, too!). Other than that the two of us are doing pretty great. We're both working hard since this is a busy time of year for him, but we're really excited about the possibility of visiting my parents in SanAntonio this summer - our first vacation since before kids:)
Levi is really becoming such a boy! Not content to be my baby anymore unless he's hurt - and sometimes not then. He has a big scrape on his head from running down the driveway at top speed (something he had been warned about, let me assure you) and doing a nose-dive - so pictures will be postponed at least another week. He's really enjoying "schooltime" and I am too. I've added a few more things in and we're working on sitting still at the table for about 20 minutes every day. If you asked him what he's most excited about I bet he'd tell you getting to use the glue!
Brenna is crawling everywhere on one knee and one foot. I wish I had a picture to show you what I'm talking about, but suffice it to say it looks odd but gets her where she wants to go:) And actually today she was getting around on her hands and feet so who knows...maybe she will be walking soon. But I'm in no hurry! She just seems to be growing so fast. Yes I know that's every mother's cliche, but I bet every mother will back me up - it's true!
Well, I'd better run and get my beauty rest - I need it:)

I've been thinking a lot about Walmart

The town we live in isn't really all that small. We have a state college, 2 private schools, a hospital, and a state prison. So it's not like I live in Mayberry. But as far as shopping goes we're pretty limited. And since the SuperWalmart came to town it seems like there is even less to choose from. So the chances of me being able to swear off Walmart all together are pretty slim. But I have to admit that the idea really appeals to me. Here's why.
1. Walmarts are ugly. Inside and out. I just hate all the concrete, the pavement, the sea of racks and shelves.
2. They're not very friendly. I know, I know, they have greeters - people especially paid to be friendly. But you don't stop and talk to the greeters. You could talk to the cashier on your way through if they weren't so busy trying to help the next person in their mile-long line so they can get to lunch. And that's if you get a cashier - most of the aisles at our store are self-serve. Yeah that's fun with kids. And if you do happen to run into a friendly face while you're shopping, there's no where to stop and talk. The place is so packed that if you stop for a minute to chat you're guaranteed to be blogging someone in the aisle.
3. The people who work there don't know the merchandise. Yesterday I asked three different people where mops were - no one knew! Turns out they're by the groceries now.
4. Which brings me to ... they move stuff around to much. I guess in an effort to keep people interested and finding new things to buy. So what I need is never in the same place it was the last time I needed it.
5. They carry 9 million of the same thing. If I need socks for my babies there are a shelf full of the same socks just in different sizes. Easter dresses? Four to chose from (if your church has about 50 people and three of the little girls wind up in the same dress...there's not enough to choose from). And one kind of laundry basket. 1!
6. They're too crowded, too loud and since ours has a McDonald's - too smelly. Although I will admit to buying my kid a Happy Meal to keep him occupied while I shop.
I guess all of this is to say that I'm guilty. I shop there. But I don't like it. And I'm going to make a big effort from now on to frequent the few little shops we have left in this town. The natural food store downtown. The baby store that's more expensive, but carries beautiful handmade stuff. The dress shop that still offers free alterations. The Christian bookstore trying to keep afloat!

29 things I'm very grateful for...

Well yesterday was my birthday. I got lots of lovely presents and a surprise party:) My darling hubby is the best! But the very best part had to be my wake up call. Levi, my 3 year old jumped on my bed bright and early as usual (where he gets this earlybird thing I couldn't tell you) and shouted "Mommy, isn't this the BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!" And all I could think was yeah - it really is. Here are some of the reasons I'm one very happy 29 year old.

1. The God of the universe, the one who created everything in the Heavens and the Earth, is my personal Savior. I'm His daughter. A Princess of the King! So if I'm a little high maintenance....
2. It goes without saying that I'm incredibly blessed to have my wonderful husband, who is my opposite in so many perfect ways, and my beautiful, healthy children. After 3 years of infertility and the loss of my goddaughter in 2002, I don't take them for granted, not for a minute.
3. I'm really thankful that I come from such a tight-knit family. I didn't understand growing up that not every family is like this.
4. My mom - she's my best friend.
5. My dad dragged us all around the world when we were growing up. He was in the Army (just retired a few years back) and I made him miserable every time we had to move. But looking back I'm so glad about everyone of those moves. Not only did my dad make learning about the new culture we were in fascinating, I met friends that have lasted a lifetime. I had experiences that never could've happened any other way.
6. Which leads to number 6...I'm glad to be an Army brat:) It's colored my life and affected the way I feel about our country, our government, and my dad.
7. I have the greatest brother and sister ever! I fought with my brother for about the first 18 years of his life - he kind of messed up that "only child" thing I had going on up til I was 1 1/2 - but now...I really appreciate him. We're always there to back each other up. And my sister...I begged for her for years. Literally from as far back as I could remember I wanted a baby sister. I even asked my Grandma to have one for me:) And she's better than I ever imagined. At 15, she's already this incredible, talented, GOOD person (there just aren't enough adjectives).
8. Does it seem like I'm just going through my family? I am, but I'm so blessed to have all of them. My grandparents are next. I was blessed enough to know all four of them and to have them with me until I was an adult. Having grandparents is such a gift - they're always on my side, always think I'm wonderful. And what examples they've been - some good and some bad, I've learned so much from them.
9. I'm grateful for the rights I have as an American. There are lots of problems in this country and, believe me, I know it. But there is no other place on this earth that I'd have rather been born and raised.
10. Speaking of "born and raised" - I'm grateful to be from the South. You know what they say "American by birth, Southern by the grace of God:)" It's just better here!
11. I'm blessed to be able to stay at home with my hubby and kiddies. Nothing is better than waking up and knowing that I'll be able to spend the whole day with them.
12. I'm also blessed to have a home to take care of. And not even a "cute, little" apartment - a real, honest-to-goodness home.
13. I'm really thankful for my friends! The ones I've had forever and can share everything with, the ones that live close to me that I share everyday with, and the ones online that I'm learning so much from.
14. Books! Oh, how I love books. Old books, new books, ...fiction, nonfiction,...how to be a better wife (Can't wait to start Mrs. Pearl's!), how to plant a better garden,... I just really love books.
15. My church. There's still some question as to whether or not we'll keep going there, but the people are wonderful. It's like having an extended family.
16. Ladies' Meeting. Don't get me wrong - I'm not one of those moms who needs to "get out of the house" all the time. As a matter of fact I can't remember the last time I went somewhere without the kids right off the top of my head:) But once a month it's so nice to get out for a little while and talking to other moms is such a big help. Plus it's just great to giggle about something other than "Mommy, look. I put this (fill in the blank) on my head."
17. Yard Sales. Where else can you buy anything for a quarter?
18. The neighborhood playground - whenever we need a change of pace from the yard.
19. My Land's End diaper bag. On the one hand, I miss the cute little purses I used to carry. But this bag will carry anything. It has pockets for everything you might possibly need.
20. My planner, without which nothing in my life would ever get done!
21. The internet. It amazes me that there is this much information literally at our fingertips!
22. Baby Einstein videos. On the (rare, I promise) occasion that I need to keep my babies occupied for a few minutes, these always do the trick. I'm not sure if there's some sort of subliminal hypnosis effect or what, but they're spellbound.
23. I'm grateful that, in spite of #22, we don't watch much tv or let the kid's watch very much. I'm not raising little Barney addicts.
24. Even though I spent a lot of time in public school (and a Department of Defense school, and a couple of private schools) - I still managed to get a pretty good education.
25. I'm so glad that my parents instilled in me a love of reading and a curiousity about God's world.
26. I'm thankful for my mom's care boxes. Even though I'm grown and have kids of my own, my mom still sends me boxes full of stuff she thinks we might need or want. It's so great to know that she's still taking care of me.
27. My darling husband's work ethic. Honestly, I've never known anyone that works as hard as he does. He takes such good care of us.
28. I'm also blessed to have my health, no matter how I've abused it. And the sense to know that I need to stop taking it for granted.
29. Last, but sooo not least, I'm thankful God has opened my eyes to all these blessings. I used to have a lot harder time making a list of blessings than a list of grieviences. That one always seems easier, doesn't it? So thank you, Abba, for showing me Your hand in my life.

Here's something else I've been thinking about...

I'm not doing a very good job taking care of myself lately. At all. I've gained weight. I had gestational diabetes while I was pregnant last time. My immune system is so drained that I got an infection I could not shake after Christmas and (after three months of trying to hold out) finally had to stop nursing my daughter because of it. And I'm a little anemic. Plus a lot of my hair fell out after my babies were born and it's growing back in, but now it wants to stick up funny. No one tells you about that when you're trying to have a baby. So anyway I've been moping around whining about not feeling good a lot lately and I've tried doing something about it off and on. I take excellent care of my family's health - I see to it that my kids get enough rest, enough exercise, enough of all the right foods and not much of all the wrong ones. So it shouldn't be so hard to do the same for myself right? Right. Except I eat things like the crust from peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and all the leftover mac-n-cheese. And I never sleep. And exercise? Could we just not go there?
So - new plan. I'm going to start taking care of my kid's mom. Real, actual nutrious meals for me, too. Exercise that includes me moving, not just watching my son run circles around me:) And sleep. By whatever means neccessary! Even if that means (gasp) the kids have to sleep in their own beds!
We'll see how it goes.

A really great Sunday

I don't think I've mentioned on here before that my dear hubby and I have been having a hard time deciding where to go to church as of late. I was raised in a certain denomination and he was raised in another and since we got married we've always gone to mine, mostly because I was in church at the time and he wasn't. But now - Praise The Lord - He's really grown into a fabulous spiritual leader and God's growing him everyday. But about a year ago he started to want to go to a church in his old denomination because of one point (albeit a very important one) on which the two differ. Is any of this making any sense? The point itself is a big enough issue - we don't agree there, but he's the final say so. So if that were all there was to it, I'd be happy to go wherever he led. But (isn't there always a but?), I really love my church. Not the building, not the denomination. My church family - and that's exactly what it is to me - family. As a matter of fact some of our family does actually go there. And since my family is pretty far away, it's been especially hard for me to leave. But we've been going to a new church since January and I've just been praying (over and over!) - Your Will, not mine. But I'm finally starting to realize that I can stop trying to figure all this out. I can trust God to put us where He wants us. I need to stop looking at this from a "please God let my way be your way" and just focus on God - wherever I am. BTW, thanks Kristin:)
So anyway...This morning we went to our old church to see my nephews being baptized and I got to sit in on a wonderful Sunday School class that really spoke to me. And Baby Sissy sat on my lap and played quietly the whole time. And the message (which I got to hear because she sat so qietly) really was just what I've been praying about lately. And there was pleanty of time afterwards to catch up. And my brother-in-law decided to be baptised, too. And we all went out for lunch to celebrate. And the kids still behaved:) And my dear, darling hubby even volunteered to go back there for the evening service! It was just like a drink of cool water for me pretty much all day. Just what I needed. God is good!

It's almost my birthday!

I'm going to be 29 (for the first time, I promise) in a few more days and people (well my dh and my mom, anyway) keep asking what I want for my birthday. Does anyone else think it's a little odd that I can't think of anything? I've either attained perfect contentment in my present circumstances or my brain isn't functioning at all on the little tiny amounts of sleep I'm getting (more about why sleep is so important and why I'm not getting enough of it later). So here's my question to all (5? 6?) of you:) - what would you ask for if it was your birthday? Bear in mind that a) money is always an object around here (although my mom does tend towards the generous side) and b) it has to be a pretty short list or dh gets irritable:) Shopping is not his thing. Sometimes that works in my favor, though - at Christmas he didn't want to go to the mall or Walmart so he went to the Christian bookstore in town and nearly bought them out:) He knows how I feel about books:) So... what would y'all ask for?

Too tired to post...

And too just yucky feeling:) I'm having one of those no-good, terrible, rotten kind of days. I'm going to head off to bed because tomorrow is another day. BTW, one of my favorite all-time quotes is Scarlett's "I just can't think about that now or I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow." And don't say "Scarlett who?" to this Georgia girl:)

Must-reads for wives

Check out what (link removed), Kristen, and Jenna are working on. Look under "Created to be His Help Meet." And check back every Tuesday for updates!

One thing I'm doing to help the environment:)

Ever since I "met" Not Crunchy and started reading her blog I've renewed my interest in the environment and how we should be taking care of it. So when a friend of my Dad's (who works at a water treatment plant) mentioned to his wife (who mentioned it to my mom who mentioned it to me) that they were finding fish with BOTH male and female reproductive organs possibly due to birth control pills in the water- I was intrigued. Could birth control pills really be an environmental issue? See (deep breath here), my dh and I decided years ago to leave our "family planning" up to God, who is in control anyway. So I already knew that the pill was a faith issue (for us at least). And I've done a lot of research on all the reasons it's a major health issue. But an environmental issue? That could garner some attention. If you don't feel like reading this article (Blogger won't take my link - I'm trying to fix it), let me sum it up a little. All this estrogen we're taking is being "flushed" back into the water system affecting all the fish and other life in our water ways. It's also finding it's way back into our drinking water affecting us. It could cause all sorts of reproductive problems for animals and humans alike. And what about all the other drugs we take? Anyone else wondering about the rapidly climbing rates of antibacterial resistance? So here's my idea of something to do for the environment - stop taking the pill! Just PLEASE don't flush it:)

Is this family insane or do we call this normal now?

With all the talk about simplicity around the bloggerhood, this article seems almost obscene. I can't even imagine this kind of life. Do people actually raise families this way? How are the children even coping on this little rest and what kind of relationships can they possibly have with one another when they never seem to just be together? This is a part of the reason that we've decided to have a one-income household and to homeschool. Although that alone won't do it. I know lots of stay-at-home moms who are actually stay-in-the-road moms. I really believe kids need downtime. I know I do! It is hard to buck the "both parents have to work" system that seems so ingrained these days, but it is so worth it! We wake up relaxed in the morning (unless baby girl has had a rough night!). We cook real breakfast and we dress in comfy play clothes (still working on this area for me) when we get ready to. Most days we don't go anywhere. If we do have to venture out it's for something we enjoy, like story time at the library or church, or something absolutely neccessary, like groceries. And we almost never have to be anywhere before 10 am. Not that we're without stress, of course. We have more than our fair share of the clutter that the article mentions. And my dh works long and hard to support us. But at least I have the time to stop and appreciate what he's doing for us. Our life is far from simple. We have our struggles, disagreements, time constraints, responsibilities, and little emergencies to juggle. But compared to the "average" that this article is talking about we might as well be Amish:) Just reading it made me tired!

Brenna's on a nursing strike!

At nine months old (almost) Brenna already has quite a little personality. I've loving called her "high maintainence" since she was born. But she has suddenly decided not to nurse anymore and it's driving me crazy! She's allergic to milk projects so no regular old formula for my little princess. I'm praying that it's just something like new teeth or something I ate that she doesn't like the taste of, but I'm having to deal with the thought that she might just be weaning herself already. My baby is growing up, but I'm not ready!

Preschool-at-Home Update

Caution: Extreme parental boasting ahead. Proceed with caution:)

We finished up our five (or was it 6?) week unit on good books (see the Jan 22 post). It was a blast! We baked cookies to go along with one of the books with Levi's friend Ryan who comes over on Fridays. I let them lick the beater and you'd have thought I was handing Ryan a bomb or something. He looked at it and me like we came from outer space. When he finally took a lick, he was pleasantly surprised and helped Levi lick the bowl, too. (Yes I know, yucky germs and all that, but they're kids.) When I filled his mom in on what happend she knew what the problem with the beater was - Ryan had never seen one before because she doesn't bake. Ever. There are only store-bought cookies in this kid's future:) But I guess that's what Miss Shannon's is for:)
Anyway. Back to the schooling. We also did a really fun unit about trains, which Levi is fascinated by. He memorized a poem pretty much on his own - A Train Is A Dragon. And we went to see a real train.
But the best part over the last few weeks has been our Bible study. We've been using his story Bible and going through one story per week. And he is memorizing a verse every week to go with the story. I'm so excited at how quickly he can remember them and how well he remembers from one week to the next. I haven't given him rewards or bribes or anything like that because I haven't needed to - he just loves it. I am planning to do some recognition type stuff once he gets to, say, ten. But what thrills me the most is seeing how much of the stories he really comprehends. I guess I'm still a little in awe of the fact that I can actually teach him things. It's just incredible to watch him soak it all in:)
We're doing a unit now on families and next week we're starting an "all about me" unit (mostly because I want to make this adorable little all-about-me book that I found). After that...who knows. So far I've found way more ideas that I'll ever be able to squeeze in anyway, so I'm just sort of flying by the seat of my pants. I'll probably get a little more organized as I go. Let's hope anyway:)

My "baby" brother is getting out of the navy...

so this will be the first time in my life that I won't have a family memeber in the service. I am so relieved. I feel guilty about that - someone's brother has to be the one fighting, why shouldn't it be mine? But I can't help being glad that I can stop carrying that worry in the back of my head. I'm so proud of him. He's always been my "baby" brother even though he's head and shoulders taller than me. But he's grown into a really good man that I'm really proud to have for a brother. He's put in a lot of time for his country and I'm excited for him now to be starting something new.

Parenting

This article just breaks my heart. I can't imagine that so many supposedly Christian parents have their priorities so completely out of whack. I'll admit I have a hard time remembering that an education isn't the end-all, be-all. But as a Christian how can I say that anything is more important than a personal relationship with Christ? If I'm concerned with the spiritual wellfair of a total stranger, how much more concern should I show for my own child? I thought this was very well written and he made an excellant point about not assuming we'll see different results with our "Christian" kids when we're using the same methods. I guess I just really feel like God is calling me to go against the grain in this world. We don't know very many people who homeschool or who really welcome all the children God sends their way. I never imagined that I'd be a "rebel" and I don't think I'm very good at it yet. I really dislike confrontation:) But articles like this remind me that even though I think I'm extremely traditional/conservative, I'm actually quite outside the norm these days.

Vox Apologia - The Least of These

I've been so swamped that I didn't really think I was going to have time to write anything, but you know how it is when a thought pops into your head and won't leave you alone. So I'm just going to get this out of my head and into yours, then maybe I can get to sleep:)

Whatever we do for the least of these... Well, what are we doing for the smallest, most defenseless among us? The ones that certainly seem the least wanted and least appreciated. What are we doing for the unborn children of this world? We're standing by while they're murdered for being less than perfect, for coming at a bad time, for being too much work. And now, with a generation of girls born in the years since it became legal to kill your child before he or she is born, we're seeing a rise in the number of babies killed after they're born, too. And all the while we as Christians haven't done much at all to stop it. We say it's wrong (at least most of us go this far) and we might vote prolife. Some of us may even give our time and money to a pregnancy center or other anti-abortion organization. But how few of us are really out there living a prolife statement. Even within the church, we don't welcome the little children the way He does. Maybe the first child or the second, but what about the tenth? What about when the parents "can't afford the ones they have now"? And how may of us are preaching birthcontrol instead of self-control ? I wonder how God feels when we cast away the blessings he showering down on us? And if we truly will be judged by how we treated the least of these, isn't it time we acted like it?

Hippie Conservatives?

I just read a great article that someone recommended on another site and I really identified with it. It so nice to know that I'm not the only Conservative Christian who buys (and is trying to grow) organic produce to make her own baby food:) The fact is I like food that still tastes like food and not the cardboard box it's been sitting in. I like things that are beautiful just for the sake of being beautiful. I like country living where you have your own little plot of land and neighbors know and help one another instead of nodding in the morning as they leave the subdivision. I like old homes and got genuinely upset when "they" paved the road to my Grandma's house. I can see the beauty in handmade and hand-me-down. I'm big into breastfeeding (ha - big being the opperative word!) and would've been big into homebirthing (although that ship has sailed for me now). I'm extremely interested in herbal medicine. All these things are not exactly normal in traditional conservative society:) But I think they make perfect sense for a Christian. God gave us this earth to live in and intended for us to be good stewards of it. To me that means making the best possible use of our resources. And I'm not being at all legalistic about it, but I think the way God designed things to work is the best way. God designed me to nurse my kids so I do and it's the best thing for them and for me. In general man-made falls pretty short. Yes, thanks to man, we have tomatoes in January. If you can call them tomatoes. But wait on God till June and he'll give you tomato perfection:)
Now as far as being a hippie goes - I'm not about to burn my bra, stop shaving, forego makeup, etc. I'm not rejecting traditional medicine or supermarkets (although Walmart SuperCenters really get on my nerves). But it seems to me that Christians and "hippies" should have a lot in common - even if it's just the common enemy of "new is better" and "chemicals for a better life" kind of thinking.

Me and Hubby 

Jordan's Baptism

I just have to write a few lines about this because it had such a great affect on me today. I got to see my dear friend's daughter, Jordan, who was in my Sunday School class until just a few months ago, baptized this morning and it was just such a beautiful joyous occasion. I need to fill in a little bit of background here - my dh and I just recently started going to a new church because he has a disagreement about a particular theological teaching in our old denomination. It's one of those not-all-Christians-agree kind of things. As a matter of fact, he and I disagree about it. This was especially hard for me because I love our old church. We'd been there since shortly after we got married and this was truly my family - closer to me even than some of my real family. So when he decided it was time to go somewhere else...wll, let's just say I was put to the test. Do I follow him even though I disagree? Or do I stay at the church I believe is right? By the way this is strictly an issue of doctrine and, while important, doesn't involve either of us sinning or anything like that. He wanted to find a new church, not join a cult or start hitting the clubs:) So after much heartache and prayer I finally was able to say "whither thou goest..." and we found a new church. But I have been missing my old church so much and having to deal with my son who's also missing it. But God is so good to me! Dh woke up too sick to venture out this morning (that's not the good part!) and since I had to take the kids by myself he was just fine with us going back to our old church for a visit. I didn't know about Jordan being baptized until I got there because no one wanted to tell me and make me sad about having to miss it. I was so thrilled to be there and it just did my heart so much good. I drove home just thanking God the whole way for knowing just what I needed. It's almost more than I can comprehend that the God of the universe cares whether I'm happy or sad. And I know some will say that I'm making a big deal out of what is essentially a coincidence. I'm certain that's what I'd have said just a couple of years ago, but I just can't believe that anymore. It's too much, too personal, too often, too exact. I'm so thankful.

Does it matter how I look?

Let me start by saying that I hardly ever watch Oprah. I know, I know you're thinking "yeah, right - all she does is watch Oprah and eat bonbons." But, seriously, I really don't care for her so I don't watch much at all. However, I did turn her on the other day when she was doing a show with Trinny and Susanna from "What not to wear" because I think they're hysterical and I'm always trying to figure out how to look 10 (or 40) lbs lighter without actual exercise or a diet. So they're being very critical of all these poorly dressed women and giving them makeovers and I'm wishing they'd redo me because my worn out maternity pants (the baby's 8 months old now), husband's t-shirt and nursing bra that doesn't fit are looking pretty shabby. But then I excuse myself by ranting to anyone who'll listen (mostly just the baby - Levi was busy playing blocks) that it's incredibly shallow to be putting that much time, effort and money into looks. And besides, who is going to see me anyway - I wasn't going anywhere. That's when I had my lightbulb moment. My kids and MY HUSBAND see me looking like this. Aren't they worth getting dressed for? Doesn't my husband deserve to come home to a clean, good smelling wife. In other words, I shouldn't expect a homecoming kiss if I haven't brushed my teeth:)
And what about the other people who do see me - at the grocery store or in Walmart? Those places are my mission field (the only one I have time for!). If they see another frazzled, disheveled mom who clearly isn't fixing herself up for anyone, then how are they supposed to suspect that I adore my husband and my kids (almost all the time -haha)? That I think being a mom is a worthy "career" and calling. How are they going to see the joy I've found in Christ if I look like barely bothered to switch out of my jammies?
Now I know there are a lot of opinions out there about what Christian women should wear. Dresses only, headcoverings, modesty, dressy or casual at church...We have a lot to consider on all those topics. But my main thought today is that we should try to look appealing. Not sexually, not in a way that draws attention. But nice. In a way that makes other people glad to see us coming. I don't mean that we should focus on outward adornment, but I think as we represent Christ to the world we should comb our hair and put on a smile. I know that no one will reject Christianity because I didn't do my nails. But I do want to be a good ambassador. So does anyone else have any thoughts on this? How important is how we look?

Levi is addicted to candy!

He got a lot of candy for Valentine's Day. I mean a lot. From his Grandma and from his Granny and from his Dad (who also bought me some candy - still my valentine!). So I collected all the crack - I mean candy - and put it well out of reach so that I could dole it out slowly. I did let him indulge a little on Valentine's. I'm not scrooge or anything:) But after that I figured a couple of pieces a day until it was gone. I mean this is a kid who usually gets candy once a week or so at most. I thought he'd be thrilled with his two little chocolate hearts. Well he isn't. He wants it all and he wants it now. "I am hungry of that candy" is all I ever hear. And no that isn't a typo - we aren't sure why he says of instead of for. So what to do? Eat all the candy so I can honestly say that there isn't any more? Sounds like a plan!