I was not ready for this last weekend to end. As much as I love Christmas, December just seems like one busy whirlwind. We went down to Bancroft to be with family, it was relaxing and fun to visit. A couple of my fave pictures were Lauren and Chloe eating an entire turkey drumstick and really nothing else on their plates. Oh, and plenty of pie, they always save room for that. Here's my cute sis Shay reading to Noah and cousin Tayler. We got to see everyone but Landon and Lina-missed you guys! Thank goodness for Christmas... uh, speaking of which-I haven't been in the mood to shop at all, so unlike me I know. I've been doing some projects and gifts here at home, but just can't get motivated to go actually shop anywhere. Part of the problem is ideas-please someone spur me on-tell me how much fun it is to browse in December-ha- I don't believe you. Is it just me or are the crowds already out in force?! I'll get there, it's just taking a longer this year. But I am excited, the girls begged to put up all the decor on Saturday, it is the earliest I've ever put up the tree, it was fun. I've really been loving the XM radio stations that play Christmas music round the clock. I was wondering how Noah would do with the tree, he loves it. We had it all decorated and lit up when he wandered upstairs, he was so excited. I loved seeing his little face light up. "Tee, tee!" He's only destroyed one ornament so far, a small beaded candy cane from the kindergarten days-we have plenty more though. :) A friend returned this clown wig today after borrowing it for Halloween and Noah wore it most of the afternoon. He kept checking himself out in all the mirrors around the house, too funny. What really made me laugh was him dancing to the ring of my cell phone while wearing the wig- always making me smile! So thankful for all my family-near and far-this time of year.
Thanksgiving and more...
happy birthday Mom...
My Mom's birthday is tomorrow, and I just had to post to celebrate her and all she means to me. This post may wax sentimental-be prepared! I've always loved these pictures of she and I in 1980, wow, that was a long time ago. That's how I remember my Mom, getting up early in the morning, throwing on her old blue robe and cooking us a hot breakfast EVERY day before school. Reading to all of us on the couch before bedtime. Sewing me beautiful church dresses. And as I got older, taking walks to the cemetery, those hour long Sunday phone visits all through college. Now that I have my own kids, I know that it wasn't always easy and there were probably other things she could've found to do with her time. All in the name of love, serving your children brings love and joy. So today, a huge thanks to my Mom, who was able to so gracefully give me independence and a safe place to fall all at the same time. Happy birthday, I love you!
got beaters?
Hee, hee, do you like that picture of the beater lodged in my cabinet hinge? I kind of did. My visiting teaching partner asked me today if I noticed a lot of differences between girls and boys, and maybe it was because we were saturated with all things girl. But it's been entertaining for me to notice the differences. Last night Noah took all the beaters from my mixer (beater-s- only plural because I am hard on mixers and have owned more than my fair share) and he wasn't succeeding in actually getting them in the mixer so he randomly poked them in all the hinges, quite creative I say. Can't say that L or C ever enjoyed themselves with a mixer as much as he does. But, he also has that tender side that loves to sit with me at the piano and sing songs, cuddle, give and get kisses. It's so endearing, the perfect balance, no wonder little boys are so precious.
On another unrelated note, I came across a friend who is trying to read all the Newbery Medal winning books from about 1922, sounds interesting to me. I might have to check a few out. Always need a good read in the wintertime. Although, I've been having WAY too much fun making jewelry for gifts. It's hard for me to just dabble in something, it seems I have to get completely involved, I have and it's great fun. Whenever I make something I like I usually end up keeping it and making a second for a gift! Maybe that's why I like it so much, ha ha! Wishing everyone a very thankful and fun Thanksgiving weekend. Mmm, looking forward to leftovers!
life weighs heavily upon you...
when you're a mere six years old. When I put Lauren and Chloe to bed at night, the cogs in their brains start turning faster rather than winding down it seems. Tonight they had tons of questions about heaven. Were they going to make it? A friend at school had told them if they weren't members of her church they wouldn't go to heaven?! Crazy, so without launching into too much I tried to explain how Heavenly Father loves ALL his children ALL throughout the world in ALL churches. I don't want them worrying about arriving in heaven just yet. Seems we have enough to do right here on earth to me! I want them to know how much they are loved by God and feel that love daily and not just focus on the logistics of getting to heaven. Wow, deep stuff. This little friend is something else, she really has a testimony of what she believes in.
So in the middle of our baked potatoes and chicken Cody and I get this inquiry-
"So, which finger is the bad finger Mom?"
"Um, all your fingers are good aren't they?"
"Yeah, but some kids at school talk about a bad finger."
So I deferred to Cody and let him have a try at explaining that one. He did great. (How glad I am he can answer the ones like "Where do rainbows come from?" My science is rusty.) I just added that 'flipping someone off' is never appropriate and should never be done. At least they know. Somewhere in the back of every parents mind I think though is that tiny little worry that now that they know whatever-swear words, bad fingers etc.... the knowledge will resurface at an inopportune time. Hopefully not, here's where trust comes in I suppose!
My favorite question today was "Do you like being a mom, Mom?" This questions always pops up at odd times. It seems they need to have this answer re-affirmed when I'm in the middle of something less than desirable-like tonight-picking up bits of food off the kitchen floor. In other words, "How can you enjoy wiping up all the messes, changing diapers and all the other less than glorious tasks that accompany motherhood?" Well, I always have to remind them of the merits and wonderful blessings that are mine as a mother. Not always-o.k. never- a glamorous job but oh, so worth it in so many ways. So, yes, I do love being a Mom. I have to say though the questions are getting harder.
I'm on a mission....
Oh, why do I do this...
When I got on the computer tonight, here I see Cody has typed in several different dog breeds and researched them. Then comes the rush of guilt, pity, and regret. Cody and I are SO compatible in so many areas of our marriage, sadly though, animals-particularly dogs-not being one of them. He's desperately wanted one since our first anniversary when we settled on some mice in our apartment, as pets that is. We do have a cat now, but he's always grown up with and had dogs around IN THE HOUSE. Me, well, I prefer animals out of doors, but what kind of bonding can happen when you quickly feed and pet your dog and run back inside where it's warm??
So tonight, our neighbors small poodlish dog escaped into our yard and the girls were out playing with him for a long time. And as I watched from the window, I thought, "I could do this, we could get a dog, for the kids and Cody, they need one." A sort of dog pep talk to myself I guess. Then I tell Cody about it, maybe for Christmas, what kind should we look at? Get him all riled up and excited once again. I really should keep my thoughts to myself until I'm absolutely sure. When I was pregnant with Noah we had two trial runs with two dogs and I just couldn't cope. I don't know what-if anything- has changed. I have issues with messes and mostly hair. I hate pet hair all over my furniture and clothing. And messes, sorry, that just ruins your carpet! So, do I bite the bullet and just go for it again and possibly disappoint with my uptight ways or just find a really friendly and cute hamster? I wish I could change, but it's super hard for me to fell o.k. with it. Here's the requirements:
1-somewhat small, but big enough to run with Cody
2-short hair, but absolutely no shedding allowed :)
3-friendly with kids, but not so energetic as to bowl them right to the ground
4-never pees anywhere but the back right corner of the yard
5-never barks or howls when we leave
6-no jumping on the furniture, however outdated it may be!
This list is a bit in jest, Cody tells me once I bond with one, I can tolerate more. Maybe that's true. I do love my kids a lot and they jump on the furniture and have been known to soil a few spots on the floor. Any breed suggestions? My bet's on the furry hamster :)
(pics are of two breeds we both kind of like- boston terrier and a weimaraner)
it's basketball season...
Lauren and Chloe are playing basketball this year on a first grade team, they had their second game today. It's quite entertaining to see them learn the game, you never really realize how many rules-unspoken and spoken- there are until you try to teach someone else! They are doing well and having fun, the team is almost the same as their T-ball team this summer with a few new additions. I was just thinking how busy life will be if I have L & C playing sports and then Noah too-maybe football and basketball. Oh, don't know if I can handle football. Don't tell Cody!
I made my mother-in-law a stadium cushion for her birthday last week, her girls are 10 and 12 and just getting started with school sports, so she'll be needing that for the next 6 years or so. It's interesting to me how the busyness of life just kind of shifts, more away from home than at home. I like being home and having kids here, I'm not ready for them to be gone a lot. Enjoy the weekends together while we have them. Sure love these little gals!
