Friday - 11:55 a.m. Dec. 7, 2007
Here's a recap of an "in car" conversation.
Me: Lianna we're going to "the green restaurant" (aka: Cotton Patch) for lunch.
Her: Yipee! The Green Restaurant is my favorite.
Me: Brooks, do you want to eat grilled cheese or chicken.
Him: Tzeeeez
Her: Mommy, Brooks is a boy, he doesn't eat Giiiirrrrl Cheese, he eats Boy Cheese!
Me: Ha! Sweet Love... it's Grrriillled Cheese, not Giiirrrl Cheese.
Friday - 6:15 p.m. Dec. 7, 2007
Lianna just arrived home from purchasing our Christmas tree with daddy. We proceed to trim the trunk and put it up in the living room. Everyone steps back and looks at our newly acquired (yet still undecorated) tree.
Daddy: Well, what do you think?
Lianna: Where are all the presents?
Mommy: Well Honey, they don't just appear once the tree is up.
Saturday - (every hour or so) Dec. 8, 2007
Lianna: Mommy? When are we going to put lights on our tree?
Me: Maybe tonight if we have time.
Sunday - (every hour or so) Dec. 9, 2007
Lianna: Mommy? Can we put lights on our tree now?
Me: No honey, we have to wait until we can ALL do it together.
Monday - 11:45 a.m. Dec. 10, 2007
My sister calls from Vegas. Her phone conversation with Lianna:
Lianna: We have a new Christmas tree! I really love it!
[proceeds to hug the tree]
[pause]
Lianna: It's very poky, like a pine cone.
[pause]
Lianna: No there's no presents under it, only water.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Change of Plan
Well, for the last two days, I've been trying to get a picture of our new truck, but with the time change, Darrell always gets home after dark. I will eventually post pics of the trucks for you, but until then I thought I'd share some of the out takes from our own family photo shoot.
I knew automatically that I wanted to do something with all of us wearing jeans and boots. We were trying to find a time that we could all go out around sunset and do this. I'd arranged for a friend to take the pics and we were set. We nixed the idea a couple of days ahead of time. It was going to just be too hard with nap times and driving to the location I wanted. Darrell suggested we do them out in Mississippi. Perfect! I know the exact location I want to use, and it's literally a short walk from grandma's house. His aunt (who lives next door to grandma) graciously agreed to press the shutter button for me so I wouldnt be running back and forth with a timer.
Not really as easy as you'd think. I really think next year, I'm going to talk to Darrell about having them done by a professional (one that isnt me). The majority of images looked like these.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Truck For Sale
Anyone want to buy a used truck? We have one for sale. :D She's been with Darrell and I for 8 1/2 wonderful years. She was my first big purchase as a married woman and ever! She's been so good to us. This ol' truck faithfully hauled wood, pine needles, lumber, furniture, and children the entire time we owned her. She's been a good truck. Here lately though, she's been getting pretty tired. She uses more gas and oil and sometimes needs to be sweet talked into starting on cold mornings. I'm sure she'll make some high school kid very happy one day, but for us, it's time to say goodbye. I'm sorry I can't say I'll miss her. Frankly we need something with a back seat, something with better gas mileage, and something that will start every time the key turns. I'm excited to say, we purchased her last weekend. She's a transplant from Mississippi. Her previous owner was a woman, and told me in confidence that this baby performs best when driven by a woman. ;) Darrell said she was so happy to be sporting her new Texas tags yesterday. She sure is puuurty. Here's hoping she'll be as faithful as the one before.
Out with the OLD
In with the NEW
Out with the OLD
In with the NEW
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Gross things...
my husband does.
1. Picks up and kills roaches with his bare hands.
Okay, so that's just one, there are many others but I don't want this to be an embarrassment for him. Oh and don't get me wrong... I adore him for rescuing me from these disgusting freaks of nature. He is my hero when it comes to any kind of creepy crawly. I spotted an extremely large sized roach on our end table tonight and instead of proceeding to locate a shoe in order to smash is, he instead reached over and just grabbed it off the table. That act alone sent shivers down my spine, and I retreated to the other room saying "ewww, ewww, ewww" the whole way.
1. Picks up and kills roaches with his bare hands.
Okay, so that's just one, there are many others but I don't want this to be an embarrassment for him. Oh and don't get me wrong... I adore him for rescuing me from these disgusting freaks of nature. He is my hero when it comes to any kind of creepy crawly. I spotted an extremely large sized roach on our end table tonight and instead of proceeding to locate a shoe in order to smash is, he instead reached over and just grabbed it off the table. That act alone sent shivers down my spine, and I retreated to the other room saying "ewww, ewww, ewww" the whole way.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Titles
On a rare night out tonight, Darrell and I sat on a bench in a restaurant and listened to group after group being called to their tables. We sat around, people watching while he patiently listened as I grumbled about how hungry I was.
At one point the hostess announced "Smith, party of five, your table is now available" and I looked at Darrell and said, you know, that's what we are now. Well, not NOW, we're on a date without kids, but as a family... we're now a party of five. Has a nice ring to it doesn't it. Then I said, "Duh! I totally should have called my blog "Party of Five". So much catchier and shorter than the current title. He just laughed and smiled with an expression that communicated a mix between, "man I married a goofy woman" and "sure honey whatever you think". Oh well.. what's in a name... right?
What do you think? Would "Party of Five" be better or am I goofy for thinking the title of my blog is really that big of a deal, or that anyone would really give a hoot one way or the other.
At one point the hostess announced "Smith, party of five, your table is now available" and I looked at Darrell and said, you know, that's what we are now. Well, not NOW, we're on a date without kids, but as a family... we're now a party of five. Has a nice ring to it doesn't it. Then I said, "Duh! I totally should have called my blog "Party of Five". So much catchier and shorter than the current title. He just laughed and smiled with an expression that communicated a mix between, "man I married a goofy woman" and "sure honey whatever you think". Oh well.. what's in a name... right?
What do you think? Would "Party of Five" be better or am I goofy for thinking the title of my blog is really that big of a deal, or that anyone would really give a hoot one way or the other.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Girls Night Out
I just love nights where a handful of women escape the confines of our homes, can gather around food, and share stories of motherhood and wifehood (not sure if that's even a word, but it totally should be). Tonight we celebrated a friend's 31st birthday. We all got a little treat and escaped our normal evening routines for some "girl talk". It was refreshing to just laugh, share and remember that we are not alone in the awesome challenge of raising godly children. Some of us have bigger tasks than others (dependent on child temperament) but we all struggle, and sharing stories, struggles, ideas, and just getting to know each other a little more intimately is so encouraging (or scary, some of my friends are way trashier than I am! Ha!). I think it's bed time, I'm got a little too happy with the punctuation in that last sentence. I think the sugar from my cheesecake is finally being introduced into my blood.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
It's a Nasty Job
.... but I'd rather do it, than pay someone else. Ha! We just finished another long night of making sausage. At least it's forcing me to keep my kitchen clean.
Next time Darrell shoots a deer, I hope he considers the week ahead, and whether or not we have the time to do all this over again, or the money to pay someone else to do it.
We've tried some of the sausage already (just fried it in a pan). Yum!
Next time Darrell shoots a deer, I hope he considers the week ahead, and whether or not we have the time to do all this over again, or the money to pay someone else to do it.
We've tried some of the sausage already (just fried it in a pan). Yum!
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Yum!
Remember that deer Darrell killed on Saturday? He (and some pig from somewhere) were ground into sausage meat tonight. It's late, no details, but had to post, cause it's NaBloPoMo. :D
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Two Sick Boys
When you're day starts with coughing and puke, you just know it's not going to get much better. Brooks and Canaan have had a cold for a few days now. No fever, just that coughing with snotty nose and all around whineyness. This morning Brooks was coughing so much he puked. Not just once, but 3 times. Canaan has had the same thing, but instead of the puking, I started to suspect an ear infection. He was fussing when I cleaned out his ears with a Q-tip yesterday evening.
So I call the doctor. Our normal family doctor wasn't in today. He's actually moving away come December, so I decided it was a good time to try someone new. Dr. Davis had only one opening. Of course, given the way my morning went, the one open slot would be smack in the middle of nap time. *GROAN* Oh well, better than tomorrow when you have two sick whining kids.
Mistake 1 - Thinking it'd be better to go today and not tomorrow. (with no fever and possibly a mild ear infection... would one day really matter?)
Mistake 2 - Going today when there's no time to find a sitter for Lianna, and therefore taking all 3 kids with me.
Mistake 3 - Not taking anything to keep the kids occupied in case this new waiting room didn't have any toys.
It really wasn't THAT bad. It could always be worse right? I wake up the children 45 min after I put them down. We arrive shortly after 2:00. I begin unbuckling both Lianna and Brooks and the latter has another coughing fit. He eventually gags, throws up, and I look for anything to halfway wipe him up before we finish unloading. Oh good, a fast food napkin. That should suffice. We manage to get inside the doctors office without anyone running away, or heading for the street. While filling out paperwork inside (cause it's a new doctor) I try to keep my children from knocking over the fish aquarium in the corner, or coughing on the other people patiently waiting with us. About 20 minutes into our wait, I start to smell a stench coming from my older son's direction. I wait about 5 more minutes hoping we'll be called in to see the doctor soon. No such luck. I ask the receptionist and the directs me to an empty exam room. When I finish changing we follow the nurse. She proceeds to weigh Brooks and gestures towards a new examining room. After taking Canaan out of his car seat the nurse walks out of the room and heads to the baby scale where we're to weigh him. I quickly decide better to shut the two big kids in the exam room, than have them running around the office getting into who knows what. Wow! Canaan has gained 2 pounds in one month! Back to the exam room and both children are alive, and haven't broken anything.
In hopes to shorten an already long story, I'll just sum up mine and Dr. Davis's conversation. He exams the boys, says they have a viral chest cold, and I was indeed correct in thinking Canaan had an ear infection. He prescribes the necessary meds and the children and I head out to pay our bill. I manage to barely keep Brooks from dialing a long distance call on one of their office phones, keep Lianna from putting on a strange cowboy hat found on a bench, and wipe both sets of sticky fingers. (Dr. Davis was wise enough to give both big kids their lollipops early so he and I could discuss his diagnosis and treatment for both boys) I was pleasantly surprised when the receptionist said they were only going to charge me one copay when both boys were seen. Thank God for the little things. I took everyone home and put the boys to bed. Another blessing, they both went back to sleep and finished their naps. *Sigh* What a day.
So I call the doctor. Our normal family doctor wasn't in today. He's actually moving away come December, so I decided it was a good time to try someone new. Dr. Davis had only one opening. Of course, given the way my morning went, the one open slot would be smack in the middle of nap time. *GROAN* Oh well, better than tomorrow when you have two sick whining kids.
Mistake 1 - Thinking it'd be better to go today and not tomorrow. (with no fever and possibly a mild ear infection... would one day really matter?)
Mistake 2 - Going today when there's no time to find a sitter for Lianna, and therefore taking all 3 kids with me.
Mistake 3 - Not taking anything to keep the kids occupied in case this new waiting room didn't have any toys.
It really wasn't THAT bad. It could always be worse right? I wake up the children 45 min after I put them down. We arrive shortly after 2:00. I begin unbuckling both Lianna and Brooks and the latter has another coughing fit. He eventually gags, throws up, and I look for anything to halfway wipe him up before we finish unloading. Oh good, a fast food napkin. That should suffice. We manage to get inside the doctors office without anyone running away, or heading for the street. While filling out paperwork inside (cause it's a new doctor) I try to keep my children from knocking over the fish aquarium in the corner, or coughing on the other people patiently waiting with us. About 20 minutes into our wait, I start to smell a stench coming from my older son's direction. I wait about 5 more minutes hoping we'll be called in to see the doctor soon. No such luck. I ask the receptionist and the directs me to an empty exam room. When I finish changing we follow the nurse. She proceeds to weigh Brooks and gestures towards a new examining room. After taking Canaan out of his car seat the nurse walks out of the room and heads to the baby scale where we're to weigh him. I quickly decide better to shut the two big kids in the exam room, than have them running around the office getting into who knows what. Wow! Canaan has gained 2 pounds in one month! Back to the exam room and both children are alive, and haven't broken anything.
In hopes to shorten an already long story, I'll just sum up mine and Dr. Davis's conversation. He exams the boys, says they have a viral chest cold, and I was indeed correct in thinking Canaan had an ear infection. He prescribes the necessary meds and the children and I head out to pay our bill. I manage to barely keep Brooks from dialing a long distance call on one of their office phones, keep Lianna from putting on a strange cowboy hat found on a bench, and wipe both sets of sticky fingers. (Dr. Davis was wise enough to give both big kids their lollipops early so he and I could discuss his diagnosis and treatment for both boys) I was pleasantly surprised when the receptionist said they were only going to charge me one copay when both boys were seen. Thank God for the little things. I took everyone home and put the boys to bed. Another blessing, they both went back to sleep and finished their naps. *Sigh* What a day.
Monday, November 5, 2007
It's that time of year again
Oh yes, I've decided to do what I can to make up for the lost time. It's gotta count for something right?
Not only is it NaBloPoMo, it's also hunting season. I knew it was coming, he warned me, but I still found myself unprepared. So Saturday morning is the big day. I have a shoot at 11am and he says "that's perfect! I'll go in the morning before your shoot, and in the evening after! Thanks for working that out just right honey. " *GRIN*
Saturday morning arrives and I awake, alone in our bed. My son walks in (the one who can walk ;) ) and says "daddy". I just tell him daddy's gone hunting and pull him into bed with me for a little company. He eventually gets restless, and we head to the kitchen for some breakfast. While going about our morning routine, I get a phone call. It goes something like this:
He says: Good morning
I say: Hey handsome
He says: How are you?
I say: good, how are you?
He says: I'm Reeeallly good
I say: You didn't did you? On the first day? Wow... um... you remember I have a shoot right?
He says: It was an 8 point. I knew it'd have to be a good one if I was going to get in trouble with you.
I say: So you're still going to be back at 10 am right? I gotta get ready for the shoot.
He says: I don't know, I'll try, but we still gotta clean and dress it.
10:00 comes and goes. I end up taking the kids to him while he finishes up. I go on to my shoot and when I return he's still there. I will admit that he's still there mainly because I took both sets of keys with me, but can you blame me? The morning was SO NOT going as planned.
Ah, the life of a hunter's wife.
Not only is it NaBloPoMo, it's also hunting season. I knew it was coming, he warned me, but I still found myself unprepared. So Saturday morning is the big day. I have a shoot at 11am and he says "that's perfect! I'll go in the morning before your shoot, and in the evening after! Thanks for working that out just right honey. " *GRIN*
Saturday morning arrives and I awake, alone in our bed. My son walks in (the one who can walk ;) ) and says "daddy". I just tell him daddy's gone hunting and pull him into bed with me for a little company. He eventually gets restless, and we head to the kitchen for some breakfast. While going about our morning routine, I get a phone call. It goes something like this:
He says: Good morning
I say: Hey handsome
He says: How are you?
I say: good, how are you?
He says: I'm Reeeallly good
I say: You didn't did you? On the first day? Wow... um... you remember I have a shoot right?
He says: It was an 8 point. I knew it'd have to be a good one if I was going to get in trouble with you.
I say: So you're still going to be back at 10 am right? I gotta get ready for the shoot.
He says: I don't know, I'll try, but we still gotta clean and dress it.
10:00 comes and goes. I end up taking the kids to him while he finishes up. I go on to my shoot and when I return he's still there. I will admit that he's still there mainly because I took both sets of keys with me, but can you blame me? The morning was SO NOT going as planned.
Ah, the life of a hunter's wife.
In The Know
Are you? I guess I'm not as much as I thought I was. Wow! Did you know November was NaBloPoMo? I mean... how do you even pronounce that? I'm already 4 days behind. How will I ever make up for this? Do you think posting twice in a day will make up for the lost time? Thank goodness I have a friend who is or I would never be!
Monday, October 8, 2007
Molding
Everyday I realize more and more, how God is using my children to shape me into the woman He wants me to become. Before my children were born I prayed for diligence. Diligence I felt I needed to do all the tasks I should have been doing instead of whatever else I found to do that was more fun. Now that 5 people live in this little 1400 sq foot house I have a lot of that diligence. Once baby #3 was born, something inside me clicked. The wall started to close in on me, and I decided I wanted a new house. After some soul searching, I realized it was because I didn't want to clean the one I had. Ha! Well, now that I'm a little more organized around here, I find it utterly frustrating to have dishes in the sink or small toys on the floor. I hate stepping around couch pillows that are strewn about the carpet. I have always had a love affair with a newly made bed. I love to slip into bed and barely disturb the covers. Not because I hated to make the bed, but because I loved the feeling of the crisp sheets tucked in around me. So tell me... why did God provide me with a husband who hates having the sheets tucked in? Hmmmm? He will purposefully climb into bed, and pull the sheets out so that they are loose around him. Who in their right mind!?! Well, I should be thankful that he is considerate enough to let me climb into our newly made bed first, so I can enjoy it for just a few minutes. Inevitably before long, he's pulling and tugging and undoing all that brings me joy! God is molding me right?
Sunday, September 23, 2007
What Have I Done!?!
I went to a wedding last night. While I was there I was talking with an older couple who attends our church. Their daughter and her husband are friends of ours and he's even our family doctor. Anyway, while talking breifly with this older woman I totally and completely saw my friend in her. Does that make sense? The way she laughed, the intonation in her voice, something about her smile even was so very much like her daughter (my friend). I really started thinking about how much we become like our parents. My sister will often tell me "oh, you soooo sounded like Dad just then!"
We have such an influence on our children. They pick up even little things in our humor or how we talk and laugh. They learn EVERYTHING from us! I'm really starting to wonder what God was thinking when he intrusted my 3 children to someone as irresponsible and sinful as me.
Funny example: Every morning for the past 2 years I pour milk in two sippy cups. I pull out the yellow cup and matching lid, and the purple cup and it's lid and begin to assemble them. After pouring milk in each I decide just for fun to mix match the tops. That should be fun and silly right? Wrong! My sweet easy-going daughter flips out! No Mommy! That's wrong! It doesnt match! That one doesnt go there! I dont want that top! I want the match!
What!?! You've got to be kidding me! Who would have thought something as simple as always matching sippy cup tops would cause an (excuse my french) anal retentiveness in a 3 year old. Dear Lord, what have I done!?! I made a mental note that day to do more mix matching in the future.
I now have to remind myself that I do not want my daughter to be like me. I want her to be BETTER than me. I dont want her to start dating in 7th grade. I don't want her to french kiss for the first time in 8th grade. I want her to know God and live a life that honors him from way earlier than college! I want her to know that it's good to go against the grain, to love God and NOT wear what everyone else is wearing, NOT talk like everyone else is talking, and NOT go where everyone else is going. I dont want her to be so dependent on the acceptance of others that she gives in to peer pressure so she'll feel like the belongs. Please God, let her NOT be like me!
We have such an influence on our children. They pick up even little things in our humor or how we talk and laugh. They learn EVERYTHING from us! I'm really starting to wonder what God was thinking when he intrusted my 3 children to someone as irresponsible and sinful as me.
Funny example: Every morning for the past 2 years I pour milk in two sippy cups. I pull out the yellow cup and matching lid, and the purple cup and it's lid and begin to assemble them. After pouring milk in each I decide just for fun to mix match the tops. That should be fun and silly right? Wrong! My sweet easy-going daughter flips out! No Mommy! That's wrong! It doesnt match! That one doesnt go there! I dont want that top! I want the match!
What!?! You've got to be kidding me! Who would have thought something as simple as always matching sippy cup tops would cause an (excuse my french) anal retentiveness in a 3 year old. Dear Lord, what have I done!?! I made a mental note that day to do more mix matching in the future.
I now have to remind myself that I do not want my daughter to be like me. I want her to be BETTER than me. I dont want her to start dating in 7th grade. I don't want her to french kiss for the first time in 8th grade. I want her to know God and live a life that honors him from way earlier than college! I want her to know that it's good to go against the grain, to love God and NOT wear what everyone else is wearing, NOT talk like everyone else is talking, and NOT go where everyone else is going. I dont want her to be so dependent on the acceptance of others that she gives in to peer pressure so she'll feel like the belongs. Please God, let her NOT be like me!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Nothing Important
Do you ever feel like you just don't have anything important to say? I have been racking my brain for the last few days, thinking about what I should blog about... I mean, it's been like weeks since I posted. Sometimes it's just better to leap and hope to God something good comes out.
Hey! That's not a bad analogy. Have you ever noticed that in your life?
When I look back at all the times God did something cool in my life, it's when I just decided to take a leap and trust that He'd provide a soft landing. It wasn't that long ago that Darrell and I were just barely making ends meet (ummm... like yesterday... ha!). I'm actually referring back to when we only had one kid, and I was pregnant with #2. We had a nice new Ford Escape, but it came with a pretty hefty car note, among other loans, but that was the big one we knew we could get out from under. We prayed for a while and just hoped the money would come or that it'd just work out somehow. Finally, we decided we couldn't make another payment and drove around town looking for anything we could switch it even for. We were expecting some junker since we needed to trade it in, as well as have the dealership pay off our existing loan, and still have some credit for a car of some sort. We looked all around Nacogdoches and had pretty much settled on a Ford Taurus that was kinda worn out, but worked well and would get me around town. Darrell thought it best to drive down to Lufkin just to see if there was anything else there. We drove up to the first place we saw and thought to ourselves, there's no way they'd have anything junky enough that we could afford it. They had some really nice, gently used vehicles. We got out and looked around, just in case and spied this Toyota Sienna off to the side. It didn't have a sticker on the window, but Darrell figured out through their number system (I'm still not sure I understand how, but whatever, guys get this stuff) that they were offering over 8K for it. There was no way we could afford to spend that much and still pay off the remaining balance on our Escape. A sales man stopped us on our way out (as they always do) and asked if he could help us. We told him straight up, we need to trade this Escape even for something, loan and all. He said... well... how about that Sienna over there. Ha! Next thing we knew, we were emptying out our car, and driving off into life with no car note. Ahhhhh! It was the sweetest 30 minute drive home ever.
Now we're looking at having to replace another vehicle. No, we still have no car note, but Darrell's '93 F150 has seen much better days. We bought it used in '99 shortly after we were married. We'd love to find ourselves another truck, possibly with 4 doors and a back seat that will fit our family. I know, I know... good luck! Oh but I didn't tell you the best part, we're hoping to find one we can afford to pay cash for. Ha! Now that's asking a lot of God! :D
Ephesians 3:20-21
20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Hey! That's not a bad analogy. Have you ever noticed that in your life?
When I look back at all the times God did something cool in my life, it's when I just decided to take a leap and trust that He'd provide a soft landing. It wasn't that long ago that Darrell and I were just barely making ends meet (ummm... like yesterday... ha!). I'm actually referring back to when we only had one kid, and I was pregnant with #2. We had a nice new Ford Escape, but it came with a pretty hefty car note, among other loans, but that was the big one we knew we could get out from under. We prayed for a while and just hoped the money would come or that it'd just work out somehow. Finally, we decided we couldn't make another payment and drove around town looking for anything we could switch it even for. We were expecting some junker since we needed to trade it in, as well as have the dealership pay off our existing loan, and still have some credit for a car of some sort. We looked all around Nacogdoches and had pretty much settled on a Ford Taurus that was kinda worn out, but worked well and would get me around town. Darrell thought it best to drive down to Lufkin just to see if there was anything else there. We drove up to the first place we saw and thought to ourselves, there's no way they'd have anything junky enough that we could afford it. They had some really nice, gently used vehicles. We got out and looked around, just in case and spied this Toyota Sienna off to the side. It didn't have a sticker on the window, but Darrell figured out through their number system (I'm still not sure I understand how, but whatever, guys get this stuff) that they were offering over 8K for it. There was no way we could afford to spend that much and still pay off the remaining balance on our Escape. A sales man stopped us on our way out (as they always do) and asked if he could help us. We told him straight up, we need to trade this Escape even for something, loan and all. He said... well... how about that Sienna over there. Ha! Next thing we knew, we were emptying out our car, and driving off into life with no car note. Ahhhhh! It was the sweetest 30 minute drive home ever.
Now we're looking at having to replace another vehicle. No, we still have no car note, but Darrell's '93 F150 has seen much better days. We bought it used in '99 shortly after we were married. We'd love to find ourselves another truck, possibly with 4 doors and a back seat that will fit our family. I know, I know... good luck! Oh but I didn't tell you the best part, we're hoping to find one we can afford to pay cash for. Ha! Now that's asking a lot of God! :D
Ephesians 3:20-21
20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Selfish Me
I feel like my children unintentionally but constantly remind of how selfish I am:
1. I find myself frustrated when my children are hanging on the computer chair and playing with the CDs and other paraphernalia (now there's a $5 word) on the desk.
2. I find myself upset that they wont be quiet while I'm watching an "grown-up" show like the news, or "Friends" reruns.
3. I get mad when wont stay out of the kitchen cabinets, my bedroom, the bathroom and other places that are off limits when I'm resting on the couch.
4. I rarely seem to have a peaceful moment alone. Even if I sneak off to the bathroom I have little feet pattering on the cold tile before I can finish. If I think to lock the door, I have at least one child crying or whining on the other side the whole time.
When I take the time to think about these many situations, I find that it's my own selfishness that brings about the frustration. Helloooooo... if you weren't on the computer, and were playing with your children instead... you wouldn't be experiencing problem #1. The same theory applies to #2 as well, why not watch a kid friendly show (again) and quit being so stinkin selfish, or just turn the TV off and go outside and again, problem solved. #3 occurs mostly when I don't get off my lazy bum. I need to remember I'm not a single college kid who can just lay around all day. My time is precious, why waste it laying around, spend it with your kids woman! You only have 2 more years before the oldest is in school full time. (oh wow, just typing it out is scary). And, well #4, I guess that's just the life of a mommy. Hopefully as they get older, they'll decide to stay out, and give me at least a moment's peace.
1. I find myself frustrated when my children are hanging on the computer chair and playing with the CDs and other paraphernalia (now there's a $5 word) on the desk.
2. I find myself upset that they wont be quiet while I'm watching an "grown-up" show like the news, or "Friends" reruns.
3. I get mad when wont stay out of the kitchen cabinets, my bedroom, the bathroom and other places that are off limits when I'm resting on the couch.
4. I rarely seem to have a peaceful moment alone. Even if I sneak off to the bathroom I have little feet pattering on the cold tile before I can finish. If I think to lock the door, I have at least one child crying or whining on the other side the whole time.
When I take the time to think about these many situations, I find that it's my own selfishness that brings about the frustration. Helloooooo... if you weren't on the computer, and were playing with your children instead... you wouldn't be experiencing problem #1. The same theory applies to #2 as well, why not watch a kid friendly show (again) and quit being so stinkin selfish, or just turn the TV off and go outside and again, problem solved. #3 occurs mostly when I don't get off my lazy bum. I need to remember I'm not a single college kid who can just lay around all day. My time is precious, why waste it laying around, spend it with your kids woman! You only have 2 more years before the oldest is in school full time. (oh wow, just typing it out is scary). And, well #4, I guess that's just the life of a mommy. Hopefully as they get older, they'll decide to stay out, and give me at least a moment's peace.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Waterbabies
I'm determined not to post about all the awful things that happen in my life... so I havent posted in a few days and refuse to talk about how my son dropped the dome top of my cake plate on the the kitchen floor where it shattered into pieces. Instead I thought I'd tell you about how my children LOVE water. (playing in it that is) Yesterday our neighbor was washing something out in the back of his truck. This created a nice long trail of water down the street. My son who must have a water magnet imbedded in his body, immediately found it, sat down, and started splashing. Oh well... my daughter thought it looked like fun and decided to walk up and down stomping and splashing as big as she could. This was repeated this evening when I decided to run the sprinker after noticing the grass crunch under my feet.
However, Wednesday morning we drove to a neighboring town to enjoy a "splash pad". My daughter was aprehensive at first, but warmed up to the water raining down on her. My son (the one with the water magnet) flipped out. He wouldnt go near the water, and pannicked any time I went near it as well. Weird huh.
However, Wednesday morning we drove to a neighboring town to enjoy a "splash pad". My daughter was aprehensive at first, but warmed up to the water raining down on her. My son (the one with the water magnet) flipped out. He wouldnt go near the water, and pannicked any time I went near it as well. Weird huh.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
The End of My Rope
Do you ever have one of those days? If you're a parent, surely you have. Today was one of them for me. You know the days when you feel like all you do is raise your voice, spank, and change diapers. Maybe it was because we stayed home today. The furthest from the house I got, was down the street and back while my daughter rode her bicycle. I feel like after lunch it just went down hill. I had to say things 3+ times to get anyone to pay attention, listen or obey, and even then it didn't always work.
I called my husband before he even came home and warned him. I told him " I'm done, as soon as you get home. I will heat your dinner, or whatever, but I will no longer deal with the children. " He kinda laughed, but when I heard the front door open 20 min later I went into the computer room and shut the door. I plan to stay in here until after bed time.
I love my children, I really do. I've been reminding myself this for the last few hours. I feel like my actions don't always communicate this love, but disciplining them is a form of love too right? I just wish I didn't have to do it all stinking day! Tomorrow's bound to be better.
I called my husband before he even came home and warned him. I told him " I'm done, as soon as you get home. I will heat your dinner, or whatever, but I will no longer deal with the children. " He kinda laughed, but when I heard the front door open 20 min later I went into the computer room and shut the door. I plan to stay in here until after bed time.
I love my children, I really do. I've been reminding myself this for the last few hours. I feel like my actions don't always communicate this love, but disciplining them is a form of love too right? I just wish I didn't have to do it all stinking day! Tomorrow's bound to be better.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Insect Repellent
I've recently decided to just carry insect repellent with me everywhere. Apparently, all the insects have decided to attack me and my love ones this week.
Roaches going after my children, ants intruding in my kitchen, and wasps attacking me personally. Yup, that's right. Thursday morning when walking back out to the car to get Canaan, I unintentionally disturbed a nest of red wasps. I was stung once in the calf on my left leg. Thankfully no one else was injured and the sting really wasn't as bad as I'd remembered them being as a child. I actually thought it felt more like a pinch at first. My friend, whose house I was visiting, and whose pool I was mooching, graciously provided me with some Benedryl and I continued to swim and enjoy the morning with my children. The rest of the day I'd all but forgotten about my morning insect attack.
Friday morning I awoke with my left leg on fire. Okay, not really on fire, but it was red, swollen, throbbing and painful to walk on. As the day wore on, I kept thinking it would get better, oh no, just got worse and worse. By 2:00 in the afternoon I called the "on call" doctor and he said it may be infected. He told me to start taking an Antihistamine every 6 hours and called in an Antibiotic for me. I've been instructed to ice the leg, and keep it elevated.
What's with all the bugs and their recent cruelty to me an my loved ones!?! What did I ever do to them?!?
Roaches going after my children, ants intruding in my kitchen, and wasps attacking me personally. Yup, that's right. Thursday morning when walking back out to the car to get Canaan, I unintentionally disturbed a nest of red wasps. I was stung once in the calf on my left leg. Thankfully no one else was injured and the sting really wasn't as bad as I'd remembered them being as a child. I actually thought it felt more like a pinch at first. My friend, whose house I was visiting, and whose pool I was mooching, graciously provided me with some Benedryl and I continued to swim and enjoy the morning with my children. The rest of the day I'd all but forgotten about my morning insect attack.
Friday morning I awoke with my left leg on fire. Okay, not really on fire, but it was red, swollen, throbbing and painful to walk on. As the day wore on, I kept thinking it would get better, oh no, just got worse and worse. By 2:00 in the afternoon I called the "on call" doctor and he said it may be infected. He told me to start taking an Antihistamine every 6 hours and called in an Antibiotic for me. I've been instructed to ice the leg, and keep it elevated.
What's with all the bugs and their recent cruelty to me an my loved ones!?! What did I ever do to them?!?
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Invasion
Is anyone else experiencing an increase of insects invading their home?
I know I'm not what you'd consider a clean freak, but I have found the need after adding one more body (even though it's a small one) to our home, to stay on top of things. I don't usually let my dishes sit in the sink for more than 24 hours. I'll admit they occasionally sit over night, but by morning, I'm dying to get them in the dishwasher. Recent events however have caused me to increase my dish duty drastically.
Over the last few days, ants have been invading my kitchen. I cant leave dishes in the sink for more than a couple of hours or a trail of ants appear from behind my cabinets. Argh! Darrell even sprayed behind the sink and up the wall last night, and he informed me this morning that he had to spray a second time because we aparently have bug spray proof ants. That's right, it took two applications before the ants would stay away. The good thing is, the spray also kills roaches and he was able to discard of three dead bodies before Brooks woke up. Thank goodness too, he seems to be doing much better today. I'm hoping we may be able to avoid therapy afterall.
I know I'm not what you'd consider a clean freak, but I have found the need after adding one more body (even though it's a small one) to our home, to stay on top of things. I don't usually let my dishes sit in the sink for more than 24 hours. I'll admit they occasionally sit over night, but by morning, I'm dying to get them in the dishwasher. Recent events however have caused me to increase my dish duty drastically.
Over the last few days, ants have been invading my kitchen. I cant leave dishes in the sink for more than a couple of hours or a trail of ants appear from behind my cabinets. Argh! Darrell even sprayed behind the sink and up the wall last night, and he informed me this morning that he had to spray a second time because we aparently have bug spray proof ants. That's right, it took two applications before the ants would stay away. The good thing is, the spray also kills roaches and he was able to discard of three dead bodies before Brooks woke up. Thank goodness too, he seems to be doing much better today. I'm hoping we may be able to avoid therapy afterall.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Attack, Rescue, Therapy
This morning I was in Lianna's room helping her get ready when I heard Brooks start to cry. At first I didn't pay much attention. He often cries when he's frustrated that a toy isn't doing what he wants it to do. After a few seconds I realized, this was a "new" cry. (which is odd because he's 19 months old) I thought I'd heard them all.
I'm tired cry
I'm hungry cry
I'm frustrated cry
I'm mad cause she stole my toy cry
What could this new cry be? I bolt into the living room to find my little boy being backed against the wall by a humongous cockroach. I quickly rush to his aid, scooping him into my arms and we run back to the safety of Lianna's room. After gathering some courage I bring Brooks back into the living room so he can watch me squash is attacker with my preferred weapon, my peach colored flip flop. I then take him in my arms once again while I get a paper towel and he helps me dispose of the body. I wanted to show him that even though I'm terrified too, we can beat these things because we're like a million times their size. I think it's too late though, I think he's traumatized. We may need to seek professional help. After returning from the swimming pool this afternoon, he refused to get off the couch and walk to his room until I came and took his hand, even then he walked on his tip toes.
Apparently Darrell was right (go ahead, put it on the calendar dear). I have now instilled my own fears into my children. Next thing I know he will be afraid of snakes, rats, heights, wont want to swing very fast or high, or go on roller coasters. Dear Lord... what have I done?!?
I'm tired cry
I'm hungry cry
I'm frustrated cry
I'm mad cause she stole my toy cry
What could this new cry be? I bolt into the living room to find my little boy being backed against the wall by a humongous cockroach. I quickly rush to his aid, scooping him into my arms and we run back to the safety of Lianna's room. After gathering some courage I bring Brooks back into the living room so he can watch me squash is attacker with my preferred weapon, my peach colored flip flop. I then take him in my arms once again while I get a paper towel and he helps me dispose of the body. I wanted to show him that even though I'm terrified too, we can beat these things because we're like a million times their size. I think it's too late though, I think he's traumatized. We may need to seek professional help. After returning from the swimming pool this afternoon, he refused to get off the couch and walk to his room until I came and took his hand, even then he walked on his tip toes.
Apparently Darrell was right (go ahead, put it on the calendar dear). I have now instilled my own fears into my children. Next thing I know he will be afraid of snakes, rats, heights, wont want to swing very fast or high, or go on roller coasters. Dear Lord... what have I done?!?
In The Beginning
It started with just the two of us. So in love, full of life and ready to start a family. My greatest fear? That it was never meant to be. Boy was I ever wrong. After a year of trying we conceived and gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. After enjoying her for nine months, we decided another would be twice as fun. It didn't take long at all this time, we were pregnant again almost immediately. We gave birth to a son. Oh how grand and glorious. A boy and a girl, 18 months apart. It was perfect. We might even be finished, but we weren't sure. Either way, we were going to wait a while before having #3.
Or so we thought.
Eight months later, we're pregnant again. My new motto became "God has a plan." I continuously reminded myself that He wouldn't give me anything I couldn't handle. Our second little boy was born June 3, 2007. For six weeks I was the mother of 3 children under 3 years old. It's wild, we have our moments of chaos, but it really isn't as hard as I'd imagined.
We really are a full house, me, him, and our three beautiful babies. Life is glorious, and I feel so full. Full of love, full of life, full of adventure. This is where I plan to share all our adventures. From one day to the next, you never know what will happen when you're caring for 3 children so close in age.
Or so we thought.
Eight months later, we're pregnant again. My new motto became "God has a plan." I continuously reminded myself that He wouldn't give me anything I couldn't handle. Our second little boy was born June 3, 2007. For six weeks I was the mother of 3 children under 3 years old. It's wild, we have our moments of chaos, but it really isn't as hard as I'd imagined.
We really are a full house, me, him, and our three beautiful babies. Life is glorious, and I feel so full. Full of love, full of life, full of adventure. This is where I plan to share all our adventures. From one day to the next, you never know what will happen when you're caring for 3 children so close in age.
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