Good Morning

So it's 2 a.m. and I hear Gonzo (you know, from the Muppets) calling out for me... "Mhhaammm.... Mhhaaaaaaaaaahhm...." And then I realize that it's not actually Gonzo, but my 3 year old son. Who actually sounds like Gonzo. Especially when it's 2 a.m. And especially when I'm in the middle of a deep sleep.

Somehow, I am able to pull my head off of the pillow and swing my heavy legs onto the floor... I have learned in the last 5 years that it's inevitable. I will have to get up when someone calls out for me, so I might as well not delay the inevitable. Off I go to my sons room...

"what is it, Alex?"

"My leg hurts. I need medicine."

Hmmm... at this point I am so dead tired I can't even think straight. Obviously, I wasn't thinking straight at all, or I wouldn't have suggested that he just come sleep in my bed...

I think I just wanted for this conversation to be over and for me to be back in my bed (asleep) as soon as possible.

"Honey- you don't need medicine. Why don't you just come sleep in Mommy's bed."

ZZZZZZoooooooooooooooooooommmmmmm

Like a rocket he's UP... He's down off the bed... and he's racing into my bed.

Don't have to ask him twice!


Apparently, his leg must not have hurt that bad because once in my bed he snuggled all in and closed his eyes - a grin just beaming on his little face.

Okay- so good night to him. Off he drifted to a peaceful sleep.

Now, I, on the other hand, was somehow relegated to the 3 inch strip on the very edge of my bed. Can someone please tell me why it is when a kid needs to sleep in Mom & Dad's bed, they always end up sharing Mommy's "half" with Mommy?? Do you know what that equals out to? That equals out to Mommy and the Kid splitting a half... or, in other words, Mommy getting 1/4 of the bed. Except in my case, where my son took over MORE than his fair share and Mommy ended up with 1/8 of the bed.

Needless to say, I didn't sleep great at all.

But, this morning, my bubbly little boy bounced down stairs as happy as can be. I said good morning to my bunk mate and asked him, "How are you this morning?"

And he proceeded to answer, "Mommy, you know what? I have to poop... and THAT'S why my leg hurt last night.... yeah- because I had to poop."

Hmmmm.

Okay. Yeah- because my legs always hurt when I have to poop, too. (What?!?!)

Many times throughout the last few years of parenting, I've learned that sometimes kids have the most amazing perspective and give insight where previously there was none...
and sometimes I realize that I have no idea what my kids are talking about - but, that's okay- I still adore them like crazy, anyway.

Even when they don't let me get any sleep.

And even when they give me a nonsense explanation for it in the morning.

What's your opinion?

This morning I threw on a pair of jeans and grabbed this little number for my top...



I was about to put it on, but suddenly remembered that it's Wednesday and Grace had ballet later in the day. What, you are wondering, does that possibly have to do with the shirt I was about to put on??

Let me rewind.... Last week at ballet I had an interesting conversation with one of the other Moms while we were all waiting. (This is what we do- sit around and visit for an hour). Well, this one particular Mom dresses extremely conservative. And by "extremely," I mean from head to toe, with not a millimeter of skin showing, other than her face. No, she does not wear a scarf around her entire head (like a Muslim head dress)- but, she does actually wear a smaller covering over her bun . ANYWAY... I never really thought much about it, or cared, because how she dresses has no bearing on my opinion of her or how much I enjoy vising with her- which, by the way, I do very much. BUT- last week, she brought up the subject of how she dresses by commenting that sometimes people ask her if she is Baptist because of the way she dresses. Now, that confused me a bit. I have never seen a Baptist dress like that. Now, a Quaker- yes. But not a Baptist. (In case you might be wondering this Mom is a Christian).

Since she brought it up, I couldn't help but ask her, "Why do you dress that way? And why do you cover your hair?" She proceeded to explain to me the reasons why she felt it was important for her and her girls to dress modest. She wears no jewelry, not even her wedding ring, because she feels that "Jesus is her jewel" and she does not want to take away from the light of Jesus that shines through her.

Now, please don't misunderstand, the point of my post is in no way to insult this woman's values or conviction. I actually admire her beliefs and her strong conviction. I don't necessarily agree exactly with the level of her thinking on modesty- but that is not my point. Let me fast forward to this morning...

So, I'm about to throw on my black shirt and at that moment, remember my conversation from last week. I figure- maybe I should choose a different shirt. Not that my black shirt was immodest in any way- but, I don't know- all of a sudden, I just felt like I would be too exposed. I would feel uncomfortable. And maybe worse, would I make her uncomfortable? Especially in light of our lengthy conversation on the matter. So, I settled on this safe (boring) choice...




But- it got me thinking about something.... 10 years ago, I couldn't have cared less what anyone would have thought or if I might offend them with my attire. Same goes with drinking alcohol. Now, hope I'm not hitting on too touchy of a point.... but I have friends and family who have opinions on both ends of the spectrum. My husband and I drink one glass of wine with dinner almost every night- for the health benefits, and because we enjoy a glass of good red wine. We don't drink anything else (well, besides my husband likes the occasional beer after mowing the lawn or with a big burger). But because we have a lot of friends and family who are uncomfortable with any form of alcohol whatsoever, we never drink wine in front of those people (like at weddings, etc.). Furthermore, when we have hosted parties in the past and know that there will be people there who do not believe alcohol is okay, we don't provide beer or wine at those parties because we don't want to risk making any of our loved ones feel uncomfortable.

So- here is where you come in. What are your thoughts on the matter? What about not drinking in front of others it may offend? I am curious to know what others think about my decision to swap out my shirt at the last minute? Is that crazy? What would you do? What do you think about Romans 14?


I guess that over the years I have just decided that even though I am a strong (sometimes opinionated) woman, I can't let that come before risking that I might offend other people when I know I can avoid it. I realize that even people who serve the same loving God, may have very different opinions on the "little things." I am always amazed at the level of controversy in some circles on things like music, dancing, drinking... and now modesty, I guess. I have always believed that as long as the core fundamental belief is agreed upon... that God is God alone, that He sent His son, Jesus, to die for our sins and that He is the only way to Heaven... all the other little stuff is fairly inconsequential in the big picture. It's not worth arguing over. And it's also not worth risking offense.

But, that is just my opinion... So - back to the question - would you have changed your shirt?

2 for the price of 1...

Now, normally that is a good thing, as far as I'm concerned. But, not when it's a trip to the Dr.'s office. I knew something was up. Instead of improving, Ariana's mild had cold had turned south pretty quickly. When she was sustaining a 103 fever over the weekend, I knew come Monday morning we'd be in to see the Dr.


The Dr took a minute to check her out and looked me in the eye and said, "Not good news.... Double ear infection." And then proceeded to tell me that both eardrums were extremely infected, red and bulging. Poor baby!


Now, let me be honest with you- because that is what I like to do. I like to expose my flaws in the hopes that others will be inclinded to be candid as well.... and when we find ourselves in the midst of personal self-doubt or a mini crisis we will remember that we are NOT alone. Other Moms are not perfect, so we don't need to pretend to be, either. (Well, apparantly some moms actually are "perfect" - but I'm not friends with those Moms. On purpose.)


Anyway, as I was saying, here's a flaw I'd like to expose. I am disappointed in myself and my pride is suffering a bit. There you have it.


What do they say? Pride comes before a fall? So, for 5 years I've been so proud of the fact that NONE of my children have EVER had an ear infection. (See how I am doing it again... stressing the words none and ever in the hopes that you'll think to yourself "wow- she's amazing!!"... that would be my pride). I was convinced it was because I've nursed each of my children for so long. Never had a drop of formula- pat pat pat (that's me patting myself on the back). While many of my friends chastize me (lovingly, of course) for nursing my kids until they are (just about) 2 years old, I have always retorted (lovingly, of course) with, "Ahh- yes, but how many times have your kids been on antibotics? And how many ear infections have your kids had?"


(Okay- those of you who are reading this... please don't start hating me and not wanting to be my friend. I really am pretty nice... and, keep reading- you will see the foot interjected into my mouth in

3,

2,

1...)

So- here I sit eating my words. This is Ariana's SECOND ear infection in 2 months. So much for the nursing theory (and she is still nursing 3-4 times a day). I guess she just has little ear canals? I should have figured one of my kids would inherit my bad eardrums- I suffered chronic infections as a kid and had tubes put in my ears twice before my 3rd birthday.

None of the kids had ever had antibiotics... and, once again, I was pretty impressed with myself considering that Grace is 5.5 and Alex is 3.5... until this January.... both the older ones were struck with bacterial pneumonia and now Ariana with her ear infections... twice.

I am not the least bit excited about having to give her antibiotics. And, to tell you the honest truth, if we weren't hopping on an airplane in a week, I would not be doing it. I would wait and see if it cleared on it's own (I've now heard that 95% of ear infections should not be treated with antibiotics since the majority turn out to be viral). But, I cannot take the chance this time. I need her ears to be well before we hit 10,000 ft.

So- to any of those Mom's I may have joked with about what a "great" mother I am cause my kids never suffer ear infections- please know I am eating my words. Right now as I type. This morning as I carried a (literally) screaming baby around the house for an entire hour. And at 1 a.m.... 3 am.... and 5 am.... the last couple of nights.

Here's to hoping that soon we will be hearing a lot less of this around our house...

And this...

And seeing a lot less of this...

And soon be seeing a lot more of this...

And THIS...

Me Love God...

There is something so beautiful about starting the morning by hearing my little boy sit at the kitchen table, eat his bagel and sing his made up song....

(FYI- this was not sung to the "tune" of anything- it was more of a chant...")

"And we obey God and we get dressed!
Ohhh yes we do.
Annnnd meeeee love God
And Gracie love God
And Mommy love God
And Ariana love God
And Daddy love God
Ooohhh yeahhhh, - we do, we do. "

Now, c'mon- with a start like that? How can we go wrong??

Before...

After...

Does anyone have any idea what I'm talking about?

I'll just tell you- won't make you guess. Took my little man to (finally) get his hair cut today! Yes, he's three- he's had many haircuts, but this time it was a loooooooong time in between. It may not look like a big difference, but you should have seen the PILE of hair that was left... I'll bet she cut a good three inches off places in the back.... seriously!

He was so proud of his new haircut. Poor kid. I didn't realize three year olds were even aware when their hair was looking pretty shaggy.

Here is me on vacation last month. I was in the warm sunshine and very happy. But, that actually has nothing to do with my story. I chose this photograph because in it you can see (if you look real hard) my little diamond earring. (I have one in the other ear, too). I know that these little diamond earrings are not large, but they mean the world to me. My husband gave them to me on our wedding day, just before we got married. They didn't cost a fortune, but at the time they were about what he could afford for a wedding gift. Life has changed since then and he's given me other pieces of jewelry- worth far more than he paid for these earrings- but these earrings mean the world to me because of everything they represent. Our beginning together, where we've been and where we've come, the token of love these little earrings represented the morning he gave them to me.



I never take them off. Never. *(well, besides to clean them)


And then I put them right back in. They are part of me forever. Just like my dear husband.

Sooooooooooooooooo.....

You can imagine my horror a few nights ago when I was getting ready for bed and noticed that one of my earrings was gone.... GONE!!! So much for screw-on posts. I felt sick to my stomach. But what could I do? I had to accept it. There was no telling where it fell out... which store, friends house, my own house, who knows???

It's rather pathetic, but I could not bring myself to remove the other earring. So, I have been walking around for days now with one earring in... and it's mate lost out at "sea."

Fast forward..

Tonight, I wandered down on this...




This is our basement.... in chambles. The kids were playing so quietly and so nicely today, I should have figured that all that quiet, "nice" playing could not possibly also result in quiet, nice cleaning up.

I wandered around a bit and for a minute thought about calling them down to clean up, but for whatever reason I decided it would require MORE energy for me to actually round them up and get them to come down and clean up than it would for me to just pick it up myself.

I decided to "attack" this area first. What a mess! I knelt down on both knees and immediatly when I placed my hands on the carpet I noticed the backing to my earring!! No earring... just the backing. And as soon as I wanted to start feeling sorry for myself and think, "just my luck that I should find the back and not the actual earring!"





Immediatly I heard God tell me, "Look. It's here." And I knew it would be. I took a deep breath and said, "All right, God- this earring could be anywhere, but I am trusting you that it's somewhere in this basement. Please show me where."

I tell you this with absolutely no exaggeration (God is my witness!). I turned around, put my right hand on the carpet and felt (but did not see) my earring. I moved the carpet fibers aside and there it was. (see it between my fingers??)



I sat quietly in awe. I was already (so appropriately) on my knees. And while I sat there absorbing the moment, God said to me as plain as day. "If I will do this small thing for you, what won't I do for you?"

I write this down because I don't ever want to forget that moment. I don't ever want to forget this small miracle, which came with a HUGE message... God is my Heavenly Father and he loves me (all of us) so incredibly much. He is faithful in small things like this. How can I ever doubt that he will be faithful with the big things in life? He wants to take care of us. He wants to be our Father. He wants us to trust Him. Everytime. In big things, and in small things. He wants to bless us. He's told me this many times. I've read it many times (Matthew 6:28-30). But this time he really, truly showed me. With such a tangible, and incredible miracle.

My little diamond earrings meant so much to me before, for many reasons. But now I am certain that when I notice them in the mirror, they will represent something entirely new, in addition to the sentimental value they already hold. God's amazing blessing... a reminder that he notices... he wants the best for me... he does care... about all things- big things and small.

Thank you, Jesus.

Impatient Mom find renewed peace in her home...

All right, for those of you who were wondering (all 3 or 4 of you who keep up on my blog :) ... I thought I should post an update since I did, after all, write "stay tuned..." at the end of my last post.

I have to say- yesterday turned out to be a fabulous day. Did I fall to my knees, repent and ask God for renewed strength? Well, not quite that dramatically, but yes- I did. Actually, I do that every morning (how else could I be a stay at home/home school Mom???) But God was good to me yesterday and brought me a much needed break away from my home in the form of about 400 errands that needed to be done yesterday. I am a little embarrassed to say that although I did have a wonderful, peace-filled day with my kids... I only spent a total of 3 hours with them the entire day. So, in other words, it wasn't that difficult. BUT- I will say this- as I am typing this note, it is 10:00 a.m. on the following day and things are on the up and up. And - unlike yesteday- I have actually spent the entire morning with my kids.

Sometimes, all it takes is a little break away to remember how much I love spending time with them and miss them when I'm away.

"STOP SCREAMING!..."

I yelled at the top of my lungs. And as soon as the words were out of my mouth, I realized the irony. It wasn't that I had just once, today, yelled at my kids to quiet down, stop fighting, quit being mean to your baby sister, etc., etc., etc...

If each day had it's own news headline, my day would read "Impatient Mom yells at kids to get them to quiet down." So that is the headline. Read down a little further and the article will explain, "Mom realizes that screaming at her children is an ineffective method of getting them to settle down, obey and act like the precious little cherubim that they truly are...."

Now, I am not beating up on myself. I am a good Mom. Far from perfect. But, pretty good. But some days.... SOME days I just can't seem to nail down even an ounce of patience. I'm gonna go ahead and blame it on cabin fever, if that's all right with you.

However, that is the beauty of God's precious gift of a new day. As I type, this day is almost over. Perhaps tomorrow my news headline will read, "Repentant Mom finds renewed peace, patience and energy." It might read that, or it might be an ongoing news article of the impatient Mom. I don't know. But I do know that I am the one writing the headlines, so I am the one who needs to choose which story will unfold.

Stay tuned...

Yes, I really do have other children. Other, wonderful children whom I love and adore. But, I have to admit- this little peanut is so easy to photograph at this stage in her life that I can't help it that I have more pictures of her right now. Besides, she is always doing funny, crazy, nutty things that I absolutely have to capture. And sometimes, like the moment pictured above, the look on her face is priceless.

Table for 6, please...

Well- it's official. My baby girl is no longer in her high chair. And she was the one who decided this- I had no doing in the matter whatsoever. Yesterday morning when I found it to be (too) quiet, I wondered where Ariana had gone.... lo and behold, I saw that she had up and climbed in Alex's booster chair at the table and was attempting to buckle herself in.

Fast forward to tonight at dinner...

Realizing that it was about time for dinner, once again she climbed up in Alex's booster chair and claimed it for her own. And there she sat eating her dinner, claiming her new spot, and making it official.... we now have a FULL table of six.

Happy Valentines Day to the love of my life...

I would be nothing without you. I would be no where. You created me for your perfect plan. I owe everything that I am and everything that I have to you. You supply all my needs. Your mercies are new every single morning. You have held me tight inside your arms- an everlasting and undending source of comfort and true love. You have never let me down. You have lifted me up. You have given me the greatest gifts in my life. An amazing husband who is more than I could have ever dreamed for. Children whom I adore more than life itself. You love me every moment of every day. You always listen. You never ignore. I wish I could say the same. But you always forgive me. All I want, more than anything, is to know you more every day. To serve you better. And to love you deeper. You deserve all honor and all glory and all praise. I love you, Jesus. Thank you for loving me with unfailing love.

I almost don't fit...

Tonight was bath night at our house. Baby was up first. Then it was Grace's turn. She layed all the way down in the tub so that her head was almost touching the bottom and she was looking straight up at the ceiling. She was all stretched out from head to toe. She turned her head and looked at me and said, "Mommy- I almost don't fit anymore!" And I glanced at the length of her body, and sure enough, she was right. Her head was at one end of the tub and her toes were not only touching the other end, but her legs were a bit scrunched up as well. When did this happen? When did my baby go from splashing around and needing to be helped in the bath, to a big kid who barely fits?

Pardon me while I go wipe my tears....

Here is what I LOVE about going to the zoo...

Watching my kids act silly and have fun.






Watching their eyes light up in wonder and amazement...


















































Spending quality time with them- having fun, holding them close...



























Here is what I do NOT like about the zoo (or anywhere else we go for that matter)...












Chasing after Bella.... constantly.








Our little girl NEVER stops moving.
















Walking. RUNNING...





... and always in the opposite direction from where we are headed!

"Does this clutter make my butt look fat?..."

I think the title for today's post is rather humerous, though I can't take credit for it. I happened upon an interesting epidsode of Oprah yesterday in which Professional Organizer, Peter Walsh, was discussing his new book. As I was watching the show, although I thought it was pretty interesting, I figured it really didn't apply to me. I live in a pretty clean home - (thanks to the cleaners). And our place stays relatively neat and tidy (I mean, whatever that can possibly be with 3 small children). But I don't enjoy a lot of clutter and our open spaces stay pretty clutter free. But this morning, as I reached for our electric griddle to make some pancakes, I realized that perhaps I may not be as "organized" as I would like to think. This is the cupboard that contains the electric griddle (see it there, way at the top left corner?). I know exactly where it is each time I need to use it. But- do you see everything else in the cubboard?!?! What is that in the lower left hand corner- is that the citrus juicer I asked for 9 years ago for a wedding gift?? I still haven't used it. And do you know what's inside that cardboard box holding the electric gridle up? Yeah, I don't either. I think it might be the double boiler my mom gave me a few years ago. I have no idea how to use it. Hence, the reason it is still sitting in the box it came in.


But, I will tell you this- I honestly and truly do know where to find my stuff. I guess I call it "organized chaos." If you ask me where to find the coffee beans- I can answer in a split second- "under the stove by the pans!" (the logical place for coffee beans, of course). Okay- I know. It's really not so logical. But that is the point of organized chaos. It's a little chaotic. But it's organized in my head.



And yes, I will admit- this really is my tupperwear drawer. But this is not my fault- I swear. It's my baby girls fault. She is in there constantly pulling EVERYTHING out. And before you think it in your head, "Yes! I have heard of baby latches." But, honestly, the whole point of my post is that I can function in organized chaos and even though this cupboard happens to look like this, I know just where to find what I'm looking for in here. (most of the time... after I dig... and dig... and rip everything out of there myself).

But, you know what? It's a season. And eventually, I will organize my cupboards. Honestly, those were really the only 2 that were laughable. The others aren't anything to write Martha Stewart about, but they're pretty good.

So when you come to my house, just stay out of those two cupboards, and you'll be none the wiser. Unless you ask for pancakes.

Mommy's big little baby girl...

I may be a little peanut of a toddler,
but I am a "big girl" now.

See me brush my own hair...

See my try to color...

Two days in a row...

Good Night Toot Butt...

These 2 little ones are best friends. And I mean BEST friends. They spend every moment of every day together. They laugh. They fight. They make-up. They compete. They help eachother.

Often times they tell eachother "I love you." And sometimes in the strangest ways.

Like tonight when I overheard them calling out to eachother from their respective bedrooms after lights out...

"Good Night Toot Butt!"

"Good Night!"

Yes. True Love.

I believe...

I believe in family
I believe in the sanctity of life and the sanctity of marriage
I believe in less government control, more power to the individual people
I believe it is the responsibility of parents to raise their children, not the responsibility of the government
I believe in a parents right to choose how to school their children, including home schooling and private schooling, and I believe those choices should be enouraged, supported, and credited
I believe in purposeful help and assistance for those in need
I do not believe in wasteful spending
I believe in FairTax
I believe in placing a priority on keeping America safe
I support legal immigration - but I believe illegal immigration must be addressed and ended
I believe in affordable healthcare - I do not believe in socialized medicine in any way, shape or form
I believe we need to stop being so reiliant on foreign fuel and develop and increase natural fuel sources at home
I believe we need to protect the environment in a responsible manner


I believe that God is always in control. No matter what happens.

my little artist...

My little boy. My funny, artistic, sensitive little sweetheart. I love to watch you draw and create. Where did you get your artistic talent? I'm pretty good, myself, at the standard sun, tree, grass and bird scene- but beyond that, not so good. True- I have seen Daddy draw quite a few pretty good animal and Sesame street figures. But I've never before seen a 2 year old who can color in the lines before the other kids in the class are interested in holding a crayon. Honestly, I wish I had a dollar for every time one of your Sunday school teachers pulled me aside and commented on your coloring skills. And I've never seen a 2.5 year old draw an almost perfect turtle on a doodle pad and show his Mommy like it was no big deal. And I've never seen a 3 year old who can sit for hours coloring with such intensity and creativity and accuracy! You are something else, my boy. I can't wait to see what God has in store for you. I know you are so proud of yourself when you tell me (every day) that you color in the lines so good because you "learned that Mom!" I know you did, son. And I am more proud of you that you will ever know.

Like mother like daughter...

That's my girl. My little Gracie girl has taken after her Mommy and just LOVES to take pictures. After using my cell phone "camera" non-stop for months, I decided to get her a camera for Christmas. I often find myself chuckling when I hear her say things (just like I would say) when encountering a good photo op. She gets so excited when she sees something she thinks is special- (She'll say "Oh, look! That is just so cute. I just have to get my camera."). Like mother like daughter.

See some of her masterpieces below...

Yes, even kids cameras allow you to "digitally alter" images, hence the picture of my son, Alex, the Viking :)

Okay, granted- I find this one below (of the doll) a bit disturbing. But, from a child's perspective, I supposed it's fun and creative.

Look out, there's a new sheriff in town...

With a face like that, we all know who's in charge around our house.