Praises
Getting everyone up, fed, dressed, and out the door on time (even a few minutes early!) without anything catstrophic happening!
Having a great friend I can call to come chaufer Dax to school and us to church yesterday morning when I got everyone ready early and my van wouldn't start!
Let's just add, my van starting this morning!
The fact that I can make myself a chai tea latte at home, which helps ease the blow that the local drive through coffee place that provided me with my bi weekly one and only self splurge is now out of business!! I must say, this totally bummed me out this morning!
Getting to spend an hour in Lily's classroom doing Picture Person (parent led art lessons). The discussion of De Vinci was great, the art project so so, but I don't think they could tell that I hadn't decided on the project until midnight last night. Was nice to spend that time in her room, it's been too long!
Feeling good enough this week to be able to get showered and my boys organized and out of the house by 9 am the last two mornings. Lets just say, this hasn't been accomplished for a good 6 weeks.
Feeling better, doing more, starting to feel more "normal" again.
A daughter who used her library time and check out privileges to find books that her little brothers would like.
Finding all of the keys that a certain little person popped off my keyboard. Now if I could only get the last 3 to reattach!
A very interesting Bible study. It's getting deep in there.
Being able to pray for those that I love. I hate watching people hurt. I hate reading through caring bridge sites of little children who I will never meet and feeling their pain. I am so grateful for the words and the faith that let me speak their names and pray for their healing, peace, and comfort. I am grateful for the God that I know is standing beside them.
Fun family Friday nights filled with music, movies, dancing in the kitchen, Mexican take out, giggling, snuggling, and love. I can't imaging a better way to spend an evening.
3 beautiful healthy children filled with life, love, and laughter!
and the words that come out of their mouths...
*warning the following contains gratuitous mommy blogging, it's my blog, I can do what I want, besides, it may be the only place this stuff gets recorded!*
Last night Dax grabbed Mike and said "I love you daddy!" Finn jumped right up and wrapped his arms around Mike too and said "love you". First time he's ever said those words. Those are my favorite first words!
Finn started to finally put two words together, "there's Lily" "don't know" "where Dax?" "Dayee (daddy) work". He's also all of the sudden picking up adjectives. Tonight he brought me a stack of legos and handed them to me one at a time saying "ewooow (yellow)" and "gween". He picked up a big blanket and said "heavy". He is impressing me with his knowledge of colors and the fact that I now understand some of the words he's saying when he puts shapes in his shape sorter and they are blowing me away, "oval", "star", "circle", "scare", "ryangle", simmi circle". He's my latest to talk. He has had words for a bit, mixed in with a lot of signs, but it's good to hear the words really starting to flow. His favorite words all sound similar, "birry" (birdy), "booey" (booty as in shake yours), "booogy" (boogie, as in "let's boogie" when he is ready to leave). I know soon I'll wish he'd give it a rest!
After the little love fest last night Lily asked Finn if he loved her. He promptly said "no" and ran off giggling. Dax barrelled Lily over with a huge hug and an "But I love you, Lil!"
I am so grateful whatever crazy monster had taken control of my three year old seems to be leaving! His words and actions over the past week or two have been such a huge improvement. Maybe it's life getting back to normal, maybe it's his heading towards four, but what ever it is, I am truly grateful! I love these kind words and actions!
Most amazing moment on a school pick up - Dax got a hand stamp for being the best cleaner upper in the class on Thursday. Now let me tell you, if there is one thing this boy hates, it's transitions and clean up time is a killer. Silly how proud was of a hand stamp!
Speaking of Dax, he spilled out some of my favorite words of the week today...
Tonight the boys had finished eating but the rest of us weren't quite finished. Finn kept bringing a book and asking us to read. We kept telling him that we could not read while we were eating. Dax climbed up on the couch and said "come here Finny, I'll read it to you".
This morning I was walking toward the door, telling Finn that Mommy and Dax were leaving church, he was running the opposite way pouting because he didn't want to go. Dax stopped and said, "but Finn is part of our family". He then ran back to the gym took Finn by the hand and said "Finny you are part of our family and we are gonna keep you forever!". Talk about melting a mamma's heart!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
22 months
22 months is the age difference between my two boys. This was a drastic change from the 7 years separating Lily and Dax, or the almost 6 years dividing my brother, Ryan and I, and then he and our baby brother, Dosh.
I have many friends who have siblings very close in age and many of them did everything they could to have a close gap between their kids. I wanted 2 years between all of my kids. I didn't want them to be spaced so far apart like my brothers and I. Now as a parent, I totally see the perks! Every time my mom sent someone to kindergarten, she got a baby. We each felt like only children for bits of time. We were great helpers by the time the next one came along. Mom, like me, loves babies and all their stuff. This way she got to spread her baby time over about 14 years. I though, can also see why people who have siblings that close would want to replicate that. Watching my boys learn and play together, the way they love each other, it's amazing. I love my brothers, I even enjoy spending time with them, late night games & movies are some of my favorite things in the world, but I do think in some ways we missed out on silly secrets and sharing friends. I love watching my guys together. At the end of the day though, whoa...22 months creates a far bigger disaster than 7 years!
By the time I decided to photograph it all I had mopped up the entire bottle of cinnamon that had been carefully sprinkled over the kitchen and hallway floor while I was in the shower.
Can't you hear the giggling?
Did I mention he's learned to turn on the faucet and has an obsession with brushing his teeth?
The praise is that about 98% of this mess is now picked up thanks mostly to Lily and the threat of withholding dinner from my children till it was picked up. I know, mothering at it's best!!
I think you'll be hearing of him soon! He is totally my favorite so far.
I have many friends who have siblings very close in age and many of them did everything they could to have a close gap between their kids. I wanted 2 years between all of my kids. I didn't want them to be spaced so far apart like my brothers and I. Now as a parent, I totally see the perks! Every time my mom sent someone to kindergarten, she got a baby. We each felt like only children for bits of time. We were great helpers by the time the next one came along. Mom, like me, loves babies and all their stuff. This way she got to spread her baby time over about 14 years. I though, can also see why people who have siblings that close would want to replicate that. Watching my boys learn and play together, the way they love each other, it's amazing. I love my brothers, I even enjoy spending time with them, late night games & movies are some of my favorite things in the world, but I do think in some ways we missed out on silly secrets and sharing friends. I love watching my guys together. At the end of the day though, whoa...22 months creates a far bigger disaster than 7 years!
Speaking of 22 months and disasters, Finn is now 22 months. He is the exact age Dax was when he came home from the hospital. He has been the most social, snugly, sweet little guy. There have not been many signs of him following down the road of destruction his brother paved, well, unless directly provoked. That was, until he reached 22 months. I'd have to say, what no one warned me about having kids this close together is that as soon as one of them reaches the end of the "can't trust you alone in a room" stage or the "bull in china shop could tear down the house in a moment's notice" stage the other one is ready and waiting. Just giggling in the corner waiting for you to totally buy into their sweet as sugar act long enough that they can do this to your house...
By the time I decided to photograph it all I had mopped up the entire bottle of cinnamon that had been carefully sprinkled over the kitchen and hallway floor while I was in the shower. I feel like I should mention, in my defense, that the one thing I really am not back up to yet is bending up and down over and over...this being the reason all of these things remained on the floor all day.
As for those three lovely, well meaning people who purchased the very educational, very fun card games in tins for my children for Christmas, I still love you, but I have learned to truly loathe those cards!
You might think that this guy might have been the mastermind behind all of it...
but no, he was either at school or snuggled up on the couch for rest time.
but no, he was either at school or snuggled up on the couch for rest time. It was all this guy, yeah, I know, so sweet and innocent...
Can't you hear the giggling?Did I mention he's learned to turn on the faucet and has an obsession with brushing his teeth?Can you see that second birthday looming in the near future? I can feel it! I think this ride is about to get even more exciting!
On a totally different note...
My good friend Kim's husband, Shaun is headed in for a below the knee amputation tomorrow. Their family needs good thoughts. If you know them and want to do something, Kim has suggested sending Shaun a fun card (doesn't have to be a get well card), something to make him laugh over the next few weeks. She said she would love it if people would put a penny or two in the card since the first thing he does when he gets one is shakes it for money. She said what they need most is prayers for a positive outlook and some good laughter! If you don't know them, but think sending some random guy a goofy card with pennies in it sounds like fun, leave me a comment, I'll send you their address!
If you thought you might be making it through this season without my commentary on American Idol, you are sadly mistaken. Please please, someone get rid of Tatiana! For those of you not from Ohio, Brent Keith is from a town neighboring my hometown and we actually were in high school at the same time and have a lot of cross over friends. His wife is a friend of my sister in laws. He was on Nashville Star several seasons ago and finished #6. We'll see how his run on American Idol goes! He's a good guy, and I'm totally voting for him just for that, well, and he can, in fact, sing.
If you haven't been watching yet this season or you've been in a cave and haven't seen or heard this guy...
I think you'll be hearing of him soon! He is totally my favorite so far.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Trying to say something...anything...
I haven't been writing much lately, I'm sure you've taken note. Well, at least those of you who still stop by from time to time! It's not that I have nothing to say, it's simply that I'm feeling like I'm in this period of waiting. Waiting for what, I'm not really sure, but I just haven't felt like writing. I'm sure I could toss some blame at the immediate gratification found on facebook, however it's not totally their fault. It could be that the computer chair has not been the most comfortable place to sit over the last weeks or that I've wanted to spend more time with my little people (big people too). Whatever the reason, I'm going to try to toss something in the blank space tonight.
I wanted to stop in to say thank you for the good thoughts and prayers for us and for those who I have asked you to pray for lately. Finn is doing really well. We are keeping him out of the basement. He has only had one day of using the nebulizer since his hospital stay, that was after the basement door was left open and the boys ventured down. I have finally, after many complications, heard the words I was waiting to hear, "you are healing, really healing!" at my doctor's appt. last week. Little Tess is on her way home after a couple of weeks at St. Jude and is doing as well as she possibly can be. Her family will be heading back down in about a week, they will need prayers for a very long time to come! My sweet friend, Traci, is making it through her tests with courage, and a positive spirit. Keep she and her family in your prayers too! One of my Thursday buddies will be standing beside her husband through some major surgery on Wednesday and my heart is with Kim and her clan! Through Tess's website we found a little boy named Dax from our area also at St. Judes, who is struggling with leukemia and because of his sweet little name he has jumped right onto our list.
There are so many out there struggling, so many sweet little faces walking through so much. Sometimes it's almost overwhelming! But in all this, joy. On days like this I watch my older son stand between his little brother and a bully at the McDonald's play land with a stern look and a raised fist and the words 'he is my little brother!!" and my heart melts. I pour over my bible study material, getting ready to jump in with a prayer and that same little boy comes, holds my hands and we pray together. He asked his dad to pray with him tonight. He asked to pray for "My friend, Tess, and that other Dax, and Miss Traci's back because it's hurting her."
I am feeling so grateful to be healing. I am feeling so grateful to be able to watch my children grow in strength, beauty, and maybe for one sweet little almost two year old, orneriness, every day. I am grateful for a husband who is present in this home. I am grateful for the love of family close by and far away. I am grateful for the love and respect of those who may not agree with me on issues and politics. I am grateful for moments where I glimpse a tiny piece of the big picture. I am grateful for puppies who help heal. I am grateful for 8th graders full of drama. I am grateful it is American Idol time again. I am grateful for joy and laughter built into everyday to show us that through the struggles there is greatness!
I wanted to stop in to say thank you for the good thoughts and prayers for us and for those who I have asked you to pray for lately. Finn is doing really well. We are keeping him out of the basement. He has only had one day of using the nebulizer since his hospital stay, that was after the basement door was left open and the boys ventured down. I have finally, after many complications, heard the words I was waiting to hear, "you are healing, really healing!" at my doctor's appt. last week. Little Tess is on her way home after a couple of weeks at St. Jude and is doing as well as she possibly can be. Her family will be heading back down in about a week, they will need prayers for a very long time to come! My sweet friend, Traci, is making it through her tests with courage, and a positive spirit. Keep she and her family in your prayers too! One of my Thursday buddies will be standing beside her husband through some major surgery on Wednesday and my heart is with Kim and her clan! Through Tess's website we found a little boy named Dax from our area also at St. Judes, who is struggling with leukemia and because of his sweet little name he has jumped right onto our list.
There are so many out there struggling, so many sweet little faces walking through so much. Sometimes it's almost overwhelming! But in all this, joy. On days like this I watch my older son stand between his little brother and a bully at the McDonald's play land with a stern look and a raised fist and the words 'he is my little brother!!" and my heart melts. I pour over my bible study material, getting ready to jump in with a prayer and that same little boy comes, holds my hands and we pray together. He asked his dad to pray with him tonight. He asked to pray for "My friend, Tess, and that other Dax, and Miss Traci's back because it's hurting her."
I am feeling so grateful to be healing. I am feeling so grateful to be able to watch my children grow in strength, beauty, and maybe for one sweet little almost two year old, orneriness, every day. I am grateful for a husband who is present in this home. I am grateful for the love of family close by and far away. I am grateful for the love and respect of those who may not agree with me on issues and politics. I am grateful for moments where I glimpse a tiny piece of the big picture. I am grateful for puppies who help heal. I am grateful for 8th graders full of drama. I am grateful it is American Idol time again. I am grateful for joy and laughter built into everyday to show us that through the struggles there is greatness!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Praying For Traci
I have been blessed in this world with some great friends. They have circled in and taken care of us in the midst of all sorts of craziness. pain, and heartache over the last year. There are many who have made meals, sent notes, said prayers, picked up my slack in other places, taken my kids in for ah hour or a day, but there are just a few who have been in that circle. You know that circle, the people who can call anytime and you never mind, who you call to ask for things you might not ask others for, who take your children at the drop of a hat because you just need to get some rest, those who always offer before you ask, and listen when you talk too much.
One of my friends in that circle needs some prayers over the next 24 hours. Traci has been there at a moment's notice for me. She has picked up my slack and my son(s) whenever I have needed her to. I always know my guys are safe and loved with her. I feel blessed to have this person in my world and am so grateful to have come to know her. So I ask that you join me in sending the most peaceful, reassuring, calming thoughts her way because this girl, she does not like to feel disorganized or out of control, she likes her plan to be laid out for her. =) Please pray for her doctors to be knowledgeable and for them to be able to give her the answers she needs. For my other Bible study chickas, lets pray for this one to be a "delivered from the fire" moment!
One of my friends in that circle needs some prayers over the next 24 hours. Traci has been there at a moment's notice for me. She has picked up my slack and my son(s) whenever I have needed her to. I always know my guys are safe and loved with her. I feel blessed to have this person in my world and am so grateful to have come to know her. So I ask that you join me in sending the most peaceful, reassuring, calming thoughts her way because this girl, she does not like to feel disorganized or out of control, she likes her plan to be laid out for her. =) Please pray for her doctors to be knowledgeable and for them to be able to give her the answers she needs. For my other Bible study chickas, lets pray for this one to be a "delivered from the fire" moment!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Praises and a Very Special Prayer Request
A very special prayer request...
As a mom, my heart breaks for a family who is part of our church community. Their beautiful almost four year old daughter, Tess, has been diagnosed with stage 4 Neuroblastoma and will be having surgery to remove a tumor and possibly the adrenal gland it is attached to tomorrow (Friday)at noon. I ask you to pray for this family. For Tess, her parents, her two sisters, and brother. This blog community has the power to change lives with it's prayers, please lift up Tess tomorrow.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/princesstess
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Praises...
Driving for the first time in two weeks! Being able to hit the breaks before the car in front of me.
Getting to Bible study even if it was only for half the time and I didn't get all my work done. It was good to be there and good to see some friendly faces!
Having Mike's mom here to continue on with the laundry, the dishes, the vacuuming, and all those good things!
My daughter. She doesn't know how much I love her spunk and spirit and how much I know what the last weeks have done to her. My favorite quote of the day came from my eldest today and she looked me in the eye and said "I feel like a 30 year old in a 10 year old's body. My head aches, my back hurts, and lately it has just been crazy! It's time things get back to normal and I start feeling like an 18 year old in a 10 year old's body again. I've aged like 12 years in 2 weeks". Oh, I feel ya Lil!
Dax slapping his brother and then putting himself in time out...this is somewhat impressive!
My friends. how blessed...I never know what more to say. It was good to hang out tonight! Sarah, you have to do it again!
Starting to sneak a peek at normal life. Not that I'm totally sure what normal life is!
As a mom, my heart breaks for a family who is part of our church community. Their beautiful almost four year old daughter, Tess, has been diagnosed with stage 4 Neuroblastoma and will be having surgery to remove a tumor and possibly the adrenal gland it is attached to tomorrow (Friday)at noon. I ask you to pray for this family. For Tess, her parents, her two sisters, and brother. This blog community has the power to change lives with it's prayers, please lift up Tess tomorrow.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/princesstess
********************************************************************************
Praises...
Driving for the first time in two weeks! Being able to hit the breaks before the car in front of me.
Getting to Bible study even if it was only for half the time and I didn't get all my work done. It was good to be there and good to see some friendly faces!
Having Mike's mom here to continue on with the laundry, the dishes, the vacuuming, and all those good things!
My daughter. She doesn't know how much I love her spunk and spirit and how much I know what the last weeks have done to her. My favorite quote of the day came from my eldest today and she looked me in the eye and said "I feel like a 30 year old in a 10 year old's body. My head aches, my back hurts, and lately it has just been crazy! It's time things get back to normal and I start feeling like an 18 year old in a 10 year old's body again. I've aged like 12 years in 2 weeks". Oh, I feel ya Lil!
Dax slapping his brother and then putting himself in time out...this is somewhat impressive!
My friends. how blessed...I never know what more to say. It was good to hang out tonight! Sarah, you have to do it again!
Starting to sneak a peek at normal life. Not that I'm totally sure what normal life is!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
A Day Late and a Dollar Short, but I'm hopping on the soapbox anyway...
In some ways yesterday was just an ordinary day. My boys tossed legos at each other's heads. They played nicely together in the beautiful sunlight that streamed in the window. Well, at least for a few seconds before one took off with the other's possession and he felt the need to to chase him down while shrieking.
In many ways it was just an ordinary day. But in others, it was so not ordinary...
History was made. (Finn was not poking himself with anything dangerous, I promise!)
Two of my children watched with awe. The third was at preschool which allowed us to watch this historical event rather than Dora or Diego.
I wanted to post for you who did not hear it, Rev. Rick Warren's Prayer. I really just wanted the written copy but as I searched for it late last night, it seems to not be easy to come by. So, if you haven't heard it, please take the time to listen. I have no doubt that Rev Warren was placed just where he was supposed to be by a hand my larger than President Obama's.
I was going to post the words simply because I was moved by them. They gave me hope. A man I did not vote for was elected president. History that I am thrilled to see made in the election of an African American President gives me hope and I know gives hope to many who have not thought such things were possible. We have raised above our past on some levels, but on some other levels I am very fearful, because although I think Obama has some great ideas, many of his ideas are not so great. Many of his ideas are at direct opposition to my own. Hearing Rev Warren gave me hope, because I know that he does not stand beside many of Obama's choices but he knows that our God is bigger than any man and that our God knew that this man would be our president thousands of years before we did. So there is hope.
He was also very reassuring to me somehow because all morning there had been a knot in my stomach. Seeing all those people. there was a fear deep in my being for their safety. Only a few special people to me will understand this paragraph, but that is ok...the rest of you can skip ahead! For several days I again felt I should pray for the men who are like my brother. I hoped the sky would be overcast, snowing, but it wasn't, it was a blue blue sky. There were men who are like my brother sitting on the water just beyond all the hoopla. I had an overwhelming urge to call someone who understood and a name came over me. I am blessed that this friend, did not think me crazy, but instead understood exactly what I was saying and felt we should pray together over the phone...something I have never done. I might have been a tad uncomfortable, but God sent me to her and after I hung up the phone I felt very calm. After Rev Warren finished the Lord's prayer I felt peaceful.
What shocked me a bit, I guess because I live in this bubble of people who have the same faith I do. I surround myself in the blog world with others who have the same kind of convictions and love for my Jesus. Because of this when searching for the inaugural prayer last night I was blown away by the controversy that Obama asking Warren to do this caused. I read some horrible, hateful things. I also read a few blogs from those I deeply respect who had tones of anger towards the whole situation of this new president of ours. The biggest issues seem to be very simple, gay marriage and abortion. Last night after reading these things I lay awake in my chair (musical beds and a little incision issue that kept me up half the night)at about 4 am writing a blog about these issues in my head. It was a good blog. Really good. With scriptural back up and thoughts about love and kindness and this world we live in. It would have gone on forever. But now I'm here and I'm typing and I'm not sure those words are all right...
So I step up on my soapbox ...
But then again, I step down, because life happens and I've changed my mind. Not that I couldn't go on for a bit about my thoughts and feelings on these matters, but right now it seems other things feel more pressing. So right now, I will stop, and get over myself and tell you what I think the bottom line is. God Is in Control. Don't get angry, don't get fearful, start praying. Pray for our world, our country, our president, & those around him. Pray for their hearts to feel the pull of God, our God, our Jesus. this is my blog, and I will freely and loudly say My Jesus. He's my guy and Pastor Warren wasn't afraid to say that. I don't love you any less if you feel differently and My Jesus, he's pretty cool, he wouldn't love you any less either.
On a completely different note, these were some cool pictures I found on my camera card while uploading pictures tonight. The were taken by Lily, and I thought they were totally blogworthy!
In many ways it was just an ordinary day. But in others, it was so not ordinary...
History was made. (Finn was not poking himself with anything dangerous, I promise!)
Two of my children watched with awe. The third was at preschool which allowed us to watch this historical event rather than Dora or Diego.
I wanted to post for you who did not hear it, Rev. Rick Warren's Prayer. I really just wanted the written copy but as I searched for it late last night, it seems to not be easy to come by. So, if you haven't heard it, please take the time to listen. I have no doubt that Rev Warren was placed just where he was supposed to be by a hand my larger than President Obama's.
I was going to post the words simply because I was moved by them. They gave me hope. A man I did not vote for was elected president. History that I am thrilled to see made in the election of an African American President gives me hope and I know gives hope to many who have not thought such things were possible. We have raised above our past on some levels, but on some other levels I am very fearful, because although I think Obama has some great ideas, many of his ideas are not so great. Many of his ideas are at direct opposition to my own. Hearing Rev Warren gave me hope, because I know that he does not stand beside many of Obama's choices but he knows that our God is bigger than any man and that our God knew that this man would be our president thousands of years before we did. So there is hope.
He was also very reassuring to me somehow because all morning there had been a knot in my stomach. Seeing all those people. there was a fear deep in my being for their safety. Only a few special people to me will understand this paragraph, but that is ok...the rest of you can skip ahead! For several days I again felt I should pray for the men who are like my brother. I hoped the sky would be overcast, snowing, but it wasn't, it was a blue blue sky. There were men who are like my brother sitting on the water just beyond all the hoopla. I had an overwhelming urge to call someone who understood and a name came over me. I am blessed that this friend, did not think me crazy, but instead understood exactly what I was saying and felt we should pray together over the phone...something I have never done. I might have been a tad uncomfortable, but God sent me to her and after I hung up the phone I felt very calm. After Rev Warren finished the Lord's prayer I felt peaceful.
What shocked me a bit, I guess because I live in this bubble of people who have the same faith I do. I surround myself in the blog world with others who have the same kind of convictions and love for my Jesus. Because of this when searching for the inaugural prayer last night I was blown away by the controversy that Obama asking Warren to do this caused. I read some horrible, hateful things. I also read a few blogs from those I deeply respect who had tones of anger towards the whole situation of this new president of ours. The biggest issues seem to be very simple, gay marriage and abortion. Last night after reading these things I lay awake in my chair (musical beds and a little incision issue that kept me up half the night)at about 4 am writing a blog about these issues in my head. It was a good blog. Really good. With scriptural back up and thoughts about love and kindness and this world we live in. It would have gone on forever. But now I'm here and I'm typing and I'm not sure those words are all right...
So I step up on my soapbox ...
But then again, I step down, because life happens and I've changed my mind. Not that I couldn't go on for a bit about my thoughts and feelings on these matters, but right now it seems other things feel more pressing. So right now, I will stop, and get over myself and tell you what I think the bottom line is. God Is in Control. Don't get angry, don't get fearful, start praying. Pray for our world, our country, our president, & those around him. Pray for their hearts to feel the pull of God, our God, our Jesus. this is my blog, and I will freely and loudly say My Jesus. He's my guy and Pastor Warren wasn't afraid to say that. I don't love you any less if you feel differently and My Jesus, he's pretty cool, he wouldn't love you any less either.
On a completely different note, these were some cool pictures I found on my camera card while uploading pictures tonight. The were taken by Lily, and I thought they were totally blogworthy!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Post 201
I know some people do big things when they hit 100 or another big number post. As I clicked "new post" I saw that this is number 201. I'm just gonna say thank you God for giving me the words to post 200 times and thank you all for listening!
My big praise for this day, for this week, is simple. My mom. God blessed me beyond belief by weaving me within her. At the drop of a hat she was by my side. She has been here for 10 days. She has done laundry, dishes, cooked, played, read, snuggled, sorted, folded, served, vacuumed, dusted, rearranged furniture, taken my kids to church, dealt with tantrums, break downs, and all out fits. She has stepped into my roll and I think, to be honest she might just have one upped me on the cleaning and laundry part. She just knows what to do. I never have to ask her to do something because she's already there. It's like she reads my mind. She loves my kids like I love my kids. She disciplines my kids like I discipline my kids...I never worry that I'm going to have to reprogram them after she leaves. Granted there will be rituals of our house that will go back to normal eventually, but over all she is such a blessing that if I could just hire her to move in I could be a real slacker...like I have been for the last 10 days (ok, it's been slightly legitimate. No matter what, I will miss her and am so grateful that she has been here for so long!
I am also grateful to my brother, Ryan and sister in law, Carly for making the long drive this weekend to not only retrieve my mom but to spend time playing with my kids. The little people are greatly enjoying them. Ry and Carly need some little people of their own. This is one prayer I have been praying for them for a long time!
I do have a prayer request for you...Finn isn't feeling well. He is breathing fine, but seems to have an owwwie tummy. He's having trouble sleeping and just hasn't been his happy self today. I also am currently running a fever. I'm having trouble regulating body temperature, trouble sleeping, am exhausted all the time, and am having some headaches. I'm not sure if losing one ovary can totally whack out your hormones, a lot of it has to do with all the blood i lost, or if I've picked something up, but either way, will you keep us in your prayers? I really want my mom to be able to go home not worrying about us. I want her to be able to leave tomorrow knowing we are ok. Mike's mom will be coming on Tuesday for a few days which will really help with the kids and Will really help Mike feel good about leaving us all to go to work. Just pray with me that we will all heal and be healthy for a while. I'd love to get back to life as usual and maybe get out there and look for a house soon!
ps...I sure hope all of my big girls had an amazing time on their girl's retreat this weekend! You have all been in my thoughts and prayers all weekend long! Love you!!
pss...Hayley I'll be tracking you down! Mike's mom will be here Tuesday afternoon, so I would love for you to come hang with us in the morning if you're up for it!
My big praise for this day, for this week, is simple. My mom. God blessed me beyond belief by weaving me within her. At the drop of a hat she was by my side. She has been here for 10 days. She has done laundry, dishes, cooked, played, read, snuggled, sorted, folded, served, vacuumed, dusted, rearranged furniture, taken my kids to church, dealt with tantrums, break downs, and all out fits. She has stepped into my roll and I think, to be honest she might just have one upped me on the cleaning and laundry part. She just knows what to do. I never have to ask her to do something because she's already there. It's like she reads my mind. She loves my kids like I love my kids. She disciplines my kids like I discipline my kids...I never worry that I'm going to have to reprogram them after she leaves. Granted there will be rituals of our house that will go back to normal eventually, but over all she is such a blessing that if I could just hire her to move in I could be a real slacker...like I have been for the last 10 days (ok, it's been slightly legitimate. No matter what, I will miss her and am so grateful that she has been here for so long!
I am also grateful to my brother, Ryan and sister in law, Carly for making the long drive this weekend to not only retrieve my mom but to spend time playing with my kids. The little people are greatly enjoying them. Ry and Carly need some little people of their own. This is one prayer I have been praying for them for a long time!
I do have a prayer request for you...Finn isn't feeling well. He is breathing fine, but seems to have an owwwie tummy. He's having trouble sleeping and just hasn't been his happy self today. I also am currently running a fever. I'm having trouble regulating body temperature, trouble sleeping, am exhausted all the time, and am having some headaches. I'm not sure if losing one ovary can totally whack out your hormones, a lot of it has to do with all the blood i lost, or if I've picked something up, but either way, will you keep us in your prayers? I really want my mom to be able to go home not worrying about us. I want her to be able to leave tomorrow knowing we are ok. Mike's mom will be coming on Tuesday for a few days which will really help with the kids and Will really help Mike feel good about leaving us all to go to work. Just pray with me that we will all heal and be healthy for a while. I'd love to get back to life as usual and maybe get out there and look for a house soon!
ps...I sure hope all of my big girls had an amazing time on their girl's retreat this weekend! You have all been in my thoughts and prayers all weekend long! Love you!!
pss...Hayley I'll be tracking you down! Mike's mom will be here Tuesday afternoon, so I would love for you to come hang with us in the morning if you're up for it!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Praises...
Mike and I made it to the doctor this morning without freezing. We even made it early and did not get stuck in the black hole that can be my ob/gyn's office. We were in and out of there is just under an hour with a pretty good report.
Ryan and Carly made it in just now. They are here to add a little fun to the weekend and take Mom home on Monday...not that I'm ready to see her go, but I bet she could use some sleep without a three year old in the bed.
Three days of snow that have kept us mostly housebound. This although usually this might make me stir crazy, it has been great for two little boys who's world was totally out of whack for a while.
It's 40 degrees warmer tonight than it was this morning...heatwave I say! 20 degrees! We won't know what to do tomorrow when it hits 28!
Tantrums seem to be on the down swing, hugs on the upswing...this is good!
It's time for bed, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Mike and I made it to the doctor this morning without freezing. We even made it early and did not get stuck in the black hole that can be my ob/gyn's office. We were in and out of there is just under an hour with a pretty good report.
Ryan and Carly made it in just now. They are here to add a little fun to the weekend and take Mom home on Monday...not that I'm ready to see her go, but I bet she could use some sleep without a three year old in the bed.
Three days of snow that have kept us mostly housebound. This although usually this might make me stir crazy, it has been great for two little boys who's world was totally out of whack for a while.
It's 40 degrees warmer tonight than it was this morning...heatwave I say! 20 degrees! We won't know what to do tomorrow when it hits 28!
Tantrums seem to be on the down swing, hugs on the upswing...this is good!
It's time for bed, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Snow Day!
Praises...
I think this was the second day since we moved to this town that there was no school! I'm sure it had nothing to do with it being a wind chill of -35. The praise is, Mom, the kids, and I had nowhere to go. Snuggled under blankets and playing (or watching entirely too much TV) was warm and cozy!
Catching up on things DVRed. Really, I watch so little TV anymore that the stuff I have banked to watch is probably way more than I could conceivably watch in a month. This week I have actually watched more than I think I have in 6 months. the good thing about this is the DVR is clearing out!
Comments! 9..did you see that? I had 9 comments on my last post. I think that is a record. Not that I blog for the comments, but really there is some weird rush to it. I also believe that it may have been the first time my husband has commented on my blog. I've been blogging for almost a year people...that's big! What's also amazing is the love pouring out in those comments! Let me just say, THANK YOU I feel incredibly blessed!!
Phone chats with friends from afar. They don't happen often enough but when they do it is a wonderful thing!
Waking up late after actually getting a little sleep (which has been rare here lately) having a cup of hot tea and watching my mom sitting on the floor playing with three beautiful children as the sunlight reflected off the bright white snow into my family room. Listening to them giggle and play together just filled my heart.
Watching 155 people walk off a plane after it crashed. They almost died today. And then it hit me, a week ago, had I not returned to the ER, I would have died too. So 2009. God has some big plans. He has saved me and many others for His great purpose. What am I am going to do with that? Gratitude is a start but there is more and I know you are all part of this ride for me and I am so, so grateful and so, so blessed.
My husband. Watching him work from the moment he gets up till he crashes at night. Maybe I just didn't see it before. But I see it now. Last night for our 14th anniversary I giggled about what love really is. If someone had showed us a video of what this anniversary would have looked like then, me laying on the bed, airing out my wounds while we chatted about new websites, interrupted by him having to go discipline a 3 year old, followed by him helping me bandage and bind my stomach (I know TMI) would we have still done this? To my girls who are dreaming of great romance...remember this...a man willing to hold your hand in a hospital room, and bandage your not so attractive battle scars is a very different definition of romance, but he is the guy you want.
A few little notes...
Hayley, I may need someone or ones to come hangout at my house on Tuesday while Mike is at work...
Sue, if you're out there somewhere, you where way on my mind tonight. Have you ever thought of going to Africa...
I think this was the second day since we moved to this town that there was no school! I'm sure it had nothing to do with it being a wind chill of -35. The praise is, Mom, the kids, and I had nowhere to go. Snuggled under blankets and playing (or watching entirely too much TV) was warm and cozy!
Catching up on things DVRed. Really, I watch so little TV anymore that the stuff I have banked to watch is probably way more than I could conceivably watch in a month. This week I have actually watched more than I think I have in 6 months. the good thing about this is the DVR is clearing out!
Comments! 9..did you see that? I had 9 comments on my last post. I think that is a record. Not that I blog for the comments, but really there is some weird rush to it. I also believe that it may have been the first time my husband has commented on my blog. I've been blogging for almost a year people...that's big! What's also amazing is the love pouring out in those comments! Let me just say, THANK YOU I feel incredibly blessed!!
Phone chats with friends from afar. They don't happen often enough but when they do it is a wonderful thing!
Waking up late after actually getting a little sleep (which has been rare here lately) having a cup of hot tea and watching my mom sitting on the floor playing with three beautiful children as the sunlight reflected off the bright white snow into my family room. Listening to them giggle and play together just filled my heart.
Watching 155 people walk off a plane after it crashed. They almost died today. And then it hit me, a week ago, had I not returned to the ER, I would have died too. So 2009. God has some big plans. He has saved me and many others for His great purpose. What am I am going to do with that? Gratitude is a start but there is more and I know you are all part of this ride for me and I am so, so grateful and so, so blessed.
My husband. Watching him work from the moment he gets up till he crashes at night. Maybe I just didn't see it before. But I see it now. Last night for our 14th anniversary I giggled about what love really is. If someone had showed us a video of what this anniversary would have looked like then, me laying on the bed, airing out my wounds while we chatted about new websites, interrupted by him having to go discipline a 3 year old, followed by him helping me bandage and bind my stomach (I know TMI) would we have still done this? To my girls who are dreaming of great romance...remember this...a man willing to hold your hand in a hospital room, and bandage your not so attractive battle scars is a very different definition of romance, but he is the guy you want.
A few little notes...
Hayley, I may need someone or ones to come hangout at my house on Tuesday while Mike is at work...
Sue, if you're out there somewhere, you where way on my mind tonight. Have you ever thought of going to Africa...
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
January 14th...
January 14, 1990 This guy I had been friends with for a very long time who had dated several of my girlfriends and had actually only stopped dating my oldest friend weeks before, asked me to "go with him". I was a sophomore in high school. He was a Freshman. That morning at Sunday school I had walked around the corner and caught him kissing yet another girlfriend of mine...i was hesitant, yet naive and trusting and I couldn't resist his charms. Later that night after youth group, i had my first kiss...I almost threw up.
January 14, 1993I was a freshman in College. That guy, he was a senior in high school. We'd dated 3 years. Many seemed surprised that we'd made it so long. We wrote lots of notes, talked for long periods on the phone, and spent most free time together. We also shared most of the same friends and the same amazing youth group. We had no doubt we were in it for the long haul. We went to dinner at a very nice restaurant but opted for deep dish pizza to celebrate our third anniversary. Sometime during dinner that night He opened a ring box and slid it across the table. I just smiled. Our waitress (a girl we went to school with) shrieked and seems more excited than we were.
Truth be told...only a few close friends know this truth...Mike had proposed to me one day in October. I was home sick from school. He rode his bike over after school...this was forbidden, but we're married now, so does it matter? I was in bed, looking and feeling like death. He told me he wanted to be with me forever. This is real love. I said yes then.
The official engagement with ring and public announcement was the night over pizza.
January 14, 1995Show tunes from Phantom of the Opera, Pippin, and Les Mis drifted from the piano welcoming people into the church. My baby brother lit the family candle to this song ...
Our brothers Ryan and Jeff escorted our Moms in to a slightly more up tempo version of this song...
My dad held my arm and walked me down the isle to Canon in D he cried. I cried. After the ceremony he stood up to kiss me on my way back down the isle...I really wasn't sure what he was doing. I miss him.
During the ceremony there were three songs. One was written by a good friend of ours who happened to be both of our gifted teacher growing up as well as the church choir director and the high school theater director. We felt honored that he he not only let us use his song but sang it for out wedding.
There were the other songs, sang by close friends, although I couldn't find a great version by Geoff Moore and Steven Curtis Chapman, here is one of my favorites...
We left the church to a loud and beautiful burst of music that went something like this...
One of my bridesmaid's families owned a florist. She had been saving rose petals for weeks. We packed cones with them before the wedding and they filled the air as we made our way through the rainy, warm, January night.
The reception was filled with dancing and fun. Young children drinking from the campaign fountain...not knowing there was anything "grown up" up in there. There was a minor punch on wedding dress moment, and believe it or not, my little brother who had been drinking from the for mentioned punch bowl was actually to blame, not me! We danced and laughed and had a wonderful night.
We started the night and ended it to a song that was and still is "ours". Pick that song careful girls, it can carry you through all sorts of things! Big hair and all can't ruin that!
For some reason this song has had it's embedding disabled..go figure!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDgkg7lbMgg&feature=related
Price Of Love
Bad English
Girl, sometimes it seems to me
That I don't say the things I should, to you, I act like I'm no good
You wait for me patiently
This house is not a home without you, it takes two hearts to share
Your eyes will always see through me, and bring me to my knees
And I will always turn to you, you're everything I need
And thru the good and bad times, you have always been there
We hold each other close, you tell me it's alright
The nights we fight about it, never dream of givin' up
That's the price of love
Look, sometimes it makes us cry
Forgive me when I get it wrong, sometimes it's hard to be that strong
And oh, I would do anything
For you I'd turn the stars around, I'd find a way somehow
This time, you see I built a bridge to you again
Love shines, we'll sweep away the past
We're more than lovers, more than friends
And thru the good and bad times, you have always been there
We hold each other tight, you tell me it's alright
The nights we fight about it, never think of givin' up
That's the price of love
Your eyes will always see through me, and bring me to my knees
And I will always turn to you, you're everything I need
And thru the good and bad times, you have always been there
We hold each other close, you tell me it's alright
And sometimes I can't give enough, that's the price of love
That's the price of love, that's the price of love
That's the price of love...
January 14, 2009 19 years since that first kiss, 16 since the fancy pizza dinner, and 14 since we shared all that music with those we love. Lily says it's our "Golden" aniversay since it's 14th on the 14th. Whatever it is, all the music still fits and it still makes me a cry. So many years. So many people. I still wouldn't change a thing. I love you...
January 14, 1993I was a freshman in College. That guy, he was a senior in high school. We'd dated 3 years. Many seemed surprised that we'd made it so long. We wrote lots of notes, talked for long periods on the phone, and spent most free time together. We also shared most of the same friends and the same amazing youth group. We had no doubt we were in it for the long haul. We went to dinner at a very nice restaurant but opted for deep dish pizza to celebrate our third anniversary. Sometime during dinner that night He opened a ring box and slid it across the table. I just smiled. Our waitress (a girl we went to school with) shrieked and seems more excited than we were.
Truth be told...only a few close friends know this truth...Mike had proposed to me one day in October. I was home sick from school. He rode his bike over after school...this was forbidden, but we're married now, so does it matter? I was in bed, looking and feeling like death. He told me he wanted to be with me forever. This is real love. I said yes then.
The official engagement with ring and public announcement was the night over pizza.
January 14, 1995Show tunes from Phantom of the Opera, Pippin, and Les Mis drifted from the piano welcoming people into the church. My baby brother lit the family candle to this song ...
Our brothers Ryan and Jeff escorted our Moms in to a slightly more up tempo version of this song...
My dad held my arm and walked me down the isle to Canon in D he cried. I cried. After the ceremony he stood up to kiss me on my way back down the isle...I really wasn't sure what he was doing. I miss him.
During the ceremony there were three songs. One was written by a good friend of ours who happened to be both of our gifted teacher growing up as well as the church choir director and the high school theater director. We felt honored that he he not only let us use his song but sang it for out wedding.
There were the other songs, sang by close friends, although I couldn't find a great version by Geoff Moore and Steven Curtis Chapman, here is one of my favorites...
We left the church to a loud and beautiful burst of music that went something like this...
One of my bridesmaid's families owned a florist. She had been saving rose petals for weeks. We packed cones with them before the wedding and they filled the air as we made our way through the rainy, warm, January night.
The reception was filled with dancing and fun. Young children drinking from the campaign fountain...not knowing there was anything "grown up" up in there. There was a minor punch on wedding dress moment, and believe it or not, my little brother who had been drinking from the for mentioned punch bowl was actually to blame, not me! We danced and laughed and had a wonderful night.
We started the night and ended it to a song that was and still is "ours". Pick that song careful girls, it can carry you through all sorts of things! Big hair and all can't ruin that!
For some reason this song has had it's embedding disabled..go figure!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDgkg7lbMgg&feature=related
Price Of Love
Bad English
Girl, sometimes it seems to me
That I don't say the things I should, to you, I act like I'm no good
You wait for me patiently
This house is not a home without you, it takes two hearts to share
Your eyes will always see through me, and bring me to my knees
And I will always turn to you, you're everything I need
And thru the good and bad times, you have always been there
We hold each other close, you tell me it's alright
The nights we fight about it, never dream of givin' up
That's the price of love
Look, sometimes it makes us cry
Forgive me when I get it wrong, sometimes it's hard to be that strong
And oh, I would do anything
For you I'd turn the stars around, I'd find a way somehow
This time, you see I built a bridge to you again
Love shines, we'll sweep away the past
We're more than lovers, more than friends
And thru the good and bad times, you have always been there
We hold each other tight, you tell me it's alright
The nights we fight about it, never think of givin' up
That's the price of love
Your eyes will always see through me, and bring me to my knees
And I will always turn to you, you're everything I need
And thru the good and bad times, you have always been there
We hold each other close, you tell me it's alright
And sometimes I can't give enough, that's the price of love
That's the price of love, that's the price of love
That's the price of love...
January 14, 2009 19 years since that first kiss, 16 since the fancy pizza dinner, and 14 since we shared all that music with those we love. Lily says it's our "Golden" aniversay since it's 14th on the 14th. Whatever it is, all the music still fits and it still makes me a cry. So many years. So many people. I still wouldn't change a thing. I love you...
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