1st time on the board

Talent

My kids have mad skills!

Animals?

Look at the stair steps!!!



Here are the 8 Cockman kids singing at Lake Junaluska to a very large crowd. Poor Joseph couldn't figure out if he belonged with the older kids or the younger kids. And Noah....oh sweet Noah...he just likes to shake! A lot!

Delivery!!

Yes, you are looking at a picture of delivery pizza! I won't tell you what I paid to have it brought out to our house...and I won't mention that it was hardly even warm (due to the distance they had to drive)...I will say, it might as well have been Ed McMann at our door! Who would have known, a man bringing pizza to our front door, would bring so much joy! YEA for delivery in the boondocks!

WOW

The Fisher Price FP3 Player works wonders when they're sick in bed.

So, we made it through the throwing up. I'm telling you, that "natural" stuff worked wonders. WONDERS!

I went online and found it at a few different stores. $25 a bottle plus shipping is more than worth it. I received a comment asking what this miracle stuff was. I thought keeping it a secret would get someone to comment and it did. The only this is, you left yourself anonymous. Ahhh. How will I ever know who actually reads this blog if you guys don't tell me?

On to the next topic
Removing urine and vomit from your mattress

Those of you that know me know that I'm a complete neurotic cleaner. I like things to be fresh, clean and in place. I'm usually on top of accidents before they ever happen. So, I don't know what happened when it came to the mattresses in the kids room.

Round 1

Noah, still wearing diapers, totally leaks through his diaper and on to the mattress. I had a mattress pad under the sheet but it still leaked through. If that wasn't bad enough, the smell was. Goodness! What did he drink the day before? So...I did some research on the web to find the best way to clean it. Here are the suggestions I considered:
1. Vinegar/water solution
2. Some sort of pet mess remover
3. Baking soda
4. Sunlight

I went with the baking soda. Tons of it. I put it on the mattress and let it sit for 24 hours. I did this for days and the smell, very slowly, disappeared. I also added some Febreeze just in case. Once it was all dry, I put a vinyl zippered mat on the bed, a mattress cover, a pee pad and the sheet. I hope this will do the trick.

Round 2

You would think going through all of that, I would have prepared Josephs bed. I didn't. (I know, this isn't like me) BAD MOVE When he was sick the other day, it soaked through all the layers and on to the mattress. AHHHH This time I chose a different route.

First I took a dry towel and tried to soak up anything I could. Next, I put the mattress on the front porch. I stood it up so the sun would hit it directly all day. After day one, it had slightly faded. So I kept it out for one more day. Day 2 I purchased a pet/carpet cleaner. I went outside to scrub it on the mattress. The stain was gone. The smell was gone. I couldn't even find where it had been. WOW I still scrubbed the cleaner into the mattress and plan on putting baking soda on it as well. After all of this, I will put a vinyl cover on the bed (in case you were wondering). All in all, nature works best. I'm very impressed.

Oh and that natural stuff I gave Joseph is called Ultimate Aloe 150% Whole Leaf Aloe Vera Juice, Apple/Cranberry flavor. Let me know if you try it!

Looks like we made it! Or not?

For the last 4 years, poor little Joseph has been tormented by the stomach bug. Last year he hit an all time record of 8 rounds. Yes, he had the bug 8 different times! WHEW It started early November and ran through till May, sometimes lasting over a week!

I started to wonder if this would be a regular winter activity in the years to come. Today, I thought to myself..."Looks like we made it, maybe...we won't get it this year."

I was WRONG. That poor kid.

A friend of mine told me of this "natural" stuff you can take when you're throwing up. I remembered we had it in the fridge, waiting to be tested. I gave it to Joseph after the first time he threw up. He kept crying saying he was going to throw up again and then all of a sudden...he seemed better. Now, he's asleep. I know, you're thinking maybe he wasn't all that sick, right? Let me tell you, when Joseph feels even a twinge of stomach pain, he throws up. Those of you that know him know that he has one of the weakest stomachs ever. So, yes, I think we've found something BIG.

Joseph turns 5!

Joseph, the professional ring bearer!

Holiday Fun

Click on this link to see the good time we're having!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9544514590

Thank you to the slim few who commented on my blogs. I changed the comment section to accept anyone so now there are no excuses!

To Clique or not to clique?

Why do we have this need to fit in? Everyone is out to impress, gain approval and essentially become a member of a clique. For what, a sense of belonging? You want to feel like you belong to this group, even if though you don't like half the people in it. Is it a source of support or simply a way to protect you from other cliques and your own insecurities?

In the end, do you want to be a part of a group that can leave you stripped of individuality and prevent you from mixing with people outside your group? Cliques cause you to act differently from normal in an effort to fit in; often leaving you feeling even more lost than when you were alone.

So I ask again....why do we have this need to fit in? Find confidence and boost your self esteem so that you can stand proud. Don't let yourself be labeled. Be yourself!

A few pics & updates

Joseph turns 5 soon! 5!! Seriously?!? I know...time just keeps slipping away. We've been busy planning his birthday party. It's actually a lot of fun now that he can give his input. He's picked out the decorations all the way down to the food we'll serve. It's not a big party but one he's going to leave his mark on. This will be the 1st he's done the planning for. How fun!
Noah really enjoys the time he's getting with me when Joseph is at school. We've had a great time searching for marked down Halloween costumes. He loves to run around the house, pretending he's a super hero. These boys are great and so much fun. Not to mention, adorable. Aren't they so cute?!?

Find Noah

I know.....how cute!

Fall Field Trips

Fall is my favorite time of the year. Here in NC, when it starts to cool off and the leaves change colors, there's no place I'd rather be. However, we're still suffering from the heat of the summer. This week the temperatures have hit the mid 90's and the lack of rain is apparent looking around our dead yard and dying trees......fall is a thing nearly forgotten.

We're still trying to enjoy the regular fall festivities. We've made trips to the Lazy 5 ranch, Deal Orchard, Murray's Mill and a few days from now Patterson Farms Pumpkin Patch.

Joseph is in Pre-school 3 days a week. He really enjoys this time on his own. Noah enjoys having his Mommy to himself. I must say, however, that they really love to get back together at the end of the day. They have become best friends and I couldn't ask for anything else.

Joseph has become quite the artist. He loves to draw, everything and anything. He sets up things to draw and gets into a lot of detail. He also thinks he's Spanish. He loves anything Spanish and is trying his hardest to learn the language. He even tries to read books in Spanish, making up words when he doesn't know them.

Noah recently found the joys of books. I thought I was lucky to have one child that loved books (Joseph). Add Noah to the deal and I know I'm blessed. What a great time we have, going to the book store, getting that stack of books and falling into a world of imagination.

My dad will be here in 1 week. We're all anxiously awaiting his arrival. He'll stay for 2 weeks! We're going to have a great time.

We're also going to take the boys to Nebraska for Christmas! I've not been home in 2 years so I'm thrilled. Tim graduates in May, so we'll be there and back again in August for Lindsey's wedding. We've got a busy year ahead of us.

I hope everyone is having a great October. Time just keeps flying by. Hopefully I'll write again before November.

One last thing......is anyone reading these posts??? Let me know!

Van Joe or PicasJoe??

"All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up." Pablo Picasso

Miles

Can miles truly separate you from friends.... If you want to be with someone you love, aren't you already there? ~Richard Bach

Missing someone gets easier
every day because even though

it's one day further from the last

time you saw each other, it's one

day closer to the next time

you will. ~Author Unknown

Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. ~Theodor Seuss Geisel

We had such a blast with Tim and Mallory. Spending time with the ones you love helps you remember who you are and leaves you longing for next time.

Love is missing someone whenever you're apart, but somehow feeling warm inside because you're close in heart. ~Kay Knudsen

We'll not say "goodbye" but "see you soon!"

Where is the good in goodbye?~Meredith Willson, The Music Man

Thanks for a great time Tim & Mally. We're already missing you (and your Starbucks discount) but we know we'll see you soon! I'll leave you with an Irish Blessing.

May flowers always line your path and sunshine light your day.May songbirds serenade you every step along the way.May a rainbow run beside you in a sky that's always blue.And may happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through.

Nap Time Conversations

Joseph is very talkative. You wonder where that came from, right? So, when Noah is taking a nap, we talk. Today, I thought I would type our conversation. Thus, the title of this blog, Nap Time Conversations.

What was your favorite part of Mallory’s Birthday?
Eatin Muffins, the boo berries, yum, yum, yum. Even I like playing with my new turtle.

Where’d you get your turtle?
At the Build a Bear store.

What’s his name?
The turtles name is Joseph, the doggie is Bo and my bear is Buddy.

What did Tim teach you yesterday?
Drugs

What do you know about drugs?
Taking them and you turn to a bad guy when you pick one of those. Then someone have to call the police and then they have to go to jail.

Do you like to go to church?
Yes

Why?
Cause when you say I don’t want to go to church the devil will hold on me and they will be happy. And then they may get on your shoulder and they make you sick.

What happens if you say you want to go to church?
The devils get mad.

Who is your best friend?
Tim and Noah

What is your favorite thing to play?

Umm robots and my ship. Umm play with my dinosaurs.
I love to play with crayons and drawing and paint. Even I like to sleep. I say ok EVERY time, when I go to sleep.

I have a lot or words, right? My favorite part is playing with my airplanes. Cause I have an airplane.

What can you tell me about airplanes?
Umm they’re smooth and that is aero dynamit I have lots of words right?
One is red and it’s the fastest in the whole world and its big and it can fly. Cause its aero dynamit.

I have some more…..dinosaurs are real but they died. Pirates too but there are still more pirates. Theres lions too. That’s it. I don’t want to talk anymore.

Joseph waited by the door all morning for Tim to arrive. These pictures were taken after he talked to Tim on the phone. Tim told him he wouldn't be there for 1000 hours.

My thoughts for today

My thoughts for today

Regarding family

* Just because you may not talk very often or see each other as much as you'd like, doesn't mean you don't care.

*Never let pride stand in the way of turning to those that care for you most.

*Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

My Favorite * It's not about how much time you get with the ones you love but the quality of the time that you get with them.

My baby brother is here for a week! He's brought along his precious little girlfriend, Mallory. (I say little because she's 5'1/2" and we're all giants) Her birthday is tomorrow.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MALLORY

It's so wonderful to have them here. No one will ever know how much Tim means to me. He is the best brother anyone could ever ask for. It makes me wonder, how does someone make it through life without a brother?

A brother is a friend given by God.

Words from the mouth of a child

The toy promised to Joseph when in the ER.



















Doctor Noah picks out a toy too!




So, Joseph is on an antibiotic. He is acting out of character. He doesn't hear a word I say. He can't sit still and... well, he's just acting quite naughty to say the least. The problem is that I don't want to discipline him. I feel so sorry for him and I know it's the drugs causing him to be this way. So, I've been looking through my parenting handbook to try and find the answer. Oh, wait! There's no such thing is there? HELP!!! 4 more days of this!!!

Here is a segment I've titled
"Words from the mouth of a child"

True stories:

Last night David was lying in bed saying prayers with Joseph. Joseph said “Daddy, maybe you were saying the wrong prayers and that’s why I got run over by the golf cart.” David said “Oh no Joseph. Jesus was watching over you!” Joseph said “Well, maybe he didn’t see me then.”

Tell me that doesn't break your heart!

At the grocery store the check out clerk asked Joseph what happened to him. As he told her the story he showed her every mark and bruise on his body. At the end of the story he very quickly turned around and attempted to pull down his pants to show her his bruised up bottom. I told him that she would be fine not to see his bottom. As we walked away the woman said "Bye, Bye Joseph. Nice to meet you" to which Joseph replied "Bye, Bye sweet honey!"
Such charm!

A while back Joseph ran up to me and slapped me on my back side. I said "Joseph, did you just spank my bottom?" Joseph said "No, Mommy. I was just giving your bottom a high five!"
Yes, I know. He's my child.

Last but certainly not least. We were at the mall and the boys had each gotten a cookie. They were free cookies given to the kids. Since no one would share, I stopped at the cookie store to get one for myself. Noah said to me "I want a cookie" and I said "You've already got a cookie Noah!" At that point I looked at Joseph and he had this little twinkle in his eye. He said "I want a cookie Mommy!" I said "Joseph, I know you had a cookie, what have you done with it?" He then held out his hands to show that he had no cookie. I said "Joseph, where did your cookie go?" At that, he turned around and tucked in his butt cheeks (outside of his clothing) was his cookie!
It's funny how I can feel you laughing at me now. I think we've established the point that this kid is a lot like his Mommy.

His ear looks awsome today!














Joseph still shows favor to this leg.