Hello, everyone! Life has been happening with a vengeance, like it
does for everyone, I suppose. We're settling in nicely and still making
the transition happen in our new state. Here's a mini-update.
The
Man of the House has been doing a great job as the lead teacher for his
new Lutheran school. He has great ideas to implement and great plans
for the future. When we had a parent-student volleyball game this fall
(we miss you all, Texan Eagles!), it was deemed a great success and lots
of fun. It is very strange not to be in the middle of basketball games
and state tournaments right now, but he has goals for an athletic
program to begin in the near future. We're proud of how hard he's
working.
Miss A cried a lot over the first few months.
She really missed her friends from Texas. Our going back and forth
didn't help her much emotionally, but now that we're all here for good,
she has really settled in. She has made good friends and we're having
the conversation often about how boyfriends aren't happening for a LONG
time. She began a volleyball program through the city and had a great
time. We were very proud of her for wanting to try it out, even though
she had never played and didn't know any of the other girls.
Curly
Sue is with Little Guy every day for preschool, which is interesting,
but she's also settled in and seems to be clicking well there, also.
She's rocking the academic part of school and loves carrying around a
notebook to draw and "write" in. She jumped right back into ballet
classes, which she loves, but asked to try soccer next month for
something new. The girls are being baptized together on March 19th -
Curly Sue has been asking for a while. We're very excited for our Texas
family to come join us for that special day.
Little
Guy played in a soccer league this fall, and will start back up next
month - yes, with Curly Sue on his team. They just can't seem to get
away from each other! We are SO proud of how well he's doing in school.
He never was happy at his daycare center as a baby. He is the shyest of
our four, and having been home with me for two years, and with our sweet
church friend Mrs. C for almost two years before that, we weren't sure
how he would do on that first day. But he LOVED it, and we hear he is a
great listener. He's really working hard on his letters and numbers.
(Finally - you were right, Sharon F! It came!) His favorite thing to do
is play outside and burn off his energy.
Brown Eyed
Baby Girl is no longer a baby. What a big girl - 18 months now! She is
running all over the place, loves play dates, loves library time, loves
"coloring", loves books... basically just loves the world! She turns on
the charm for everyone around her and always has a smile. We've sat her
little potty in the bathroom for a while now, just to have it out so she
can become used to it, and she has been asking a lot lately to try to
go potty in it - and sometimes she does! Not officially potty training
yet, but maybe we'll be starting that soon! Her absolute favorite things
are dogdees (dogs) and babies.
I'm trying out some new
ventures as well. It has been a dream of mine since I was little to be a
writer. I carried around a blank book constantly, filling it with poems
and stories, and I wrote plays for my friends and classmates all the
time. I loved making my own newspapers and printing them off for my
family to read. I would be so happy if this dream could come true. In my
spare time now (ha!) I have been writing pieces and submitting them to
various outlets. I've been featured on two blogs now
(herviewfromhome.com and sisterdaughtermotherwife.com) and will have an
article appearing in an upcoming monthly foster care magazine. I am
continuing to pursue all of this to see if something bigger could
happen. (On a side note, if you have any contacts with any publications
seeing posts or freelance work, please pass it along!) Thanks for the
prayers and encouragement! It's a bit scary to follow your dreams, but a
whole lot of fun as well!
Other than writing, I've
been subbing at two schools, with my name recently added to the sub list
at one more school. Baby and I play in the mornings and then pick up
the preschoolers for lunch. I've joined a women's Bible study and we're
attending a small group for families every other Wednesday at our new
church. I'm attempting to start a book club - we'll see how the first
meeting goes! Life is definitely not boring!
Fall
and winter in Colorado were beautiful. I was NOT one of the people
wondering when the snow would be gone - I love the cold weather with hot
beverages and sweaters! For the record, it IS virtually gone from
everywhere but isolated shaded spots in some people's yards. We are
seeing temps of 50's and 60's for the foreseeable future, but nobody
thinks we're completely in the clear to start celebrating spring yet.
So,
anyways, there you have it. A brief update on all of us. Thanks for
thinking about us. Texas people, we miss you, and Colorado people, thank
you for welcoming us! We're very blessed!
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Friday, April 11, 2014
High Five for Friday!
Well, folks, it's the end of another week!
1. A friend had recently finished the book The Giver by Lois Lowry. Just briefly chatting with him about the book made me want to re-read it. Which I did. Same day. I remember this as one of my favorite books when I was younger. I can't believe I missed hearing the news, but a movie is being made based on the book and it is coming out in August!
2. We don't have cable anymore, so when we use the TV, we watch shows through Netflix or Redbox. We are currently trying a one-month membership to Amazon Prime to see if that would be better than Netflix. This week, we are loving Pandora music streaming through the Roku box at our house. I turn on a Toddler or Disney station and the kids just light up. The twins especially love music and singing - they're even rubbing off on Little Guy, who's been singing everywhere in the car lately, too! I've got to say, there are a lot of versions of "The Wheels on the Bus" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider" out there!
3. We had absolutely beautiful weather this week in Texas. I know it will only be a short time until the temperatures are climbing into the 90's and 100's, so I will treasure this Spring time for as long as I can!
4. We're tentatively making plans for the twins' Big Sister to come visit for a weekend, so she can have some time away and have some time with her two siblings. It's looking like the weekend following Easter will be the time. We'll pray for it to be a good experience for everyone, and for those who meet and interact with her here to make it pleasant and fun.
5. Last night, the Man of the House picked this up for me on his way home:
I cannot say enough about how much this guy pitches in around the house. I might get the dishes done and the dishwasher loaded during the day, but when he leaves in the morning for school, the dishwasher is empty, all of the clean dishes unloaded, ready to begin the process all over! (It's a great system we have worked out!) He ALWAYS lets me run to the restroom as soon as he comes home - priorities, right? He has no problem throwing a load of laundry in the wash either. He's terrific at getting the kids their baths and LOVES reading them stories. Such a patient, sweet man. What a blessing to see him be so involved and active in the kids' lives. God bless your day, honey!
I hope everyone has a terrific weekend!
1. A friend had recently finished the book The Giver by Lois Lowry. Just briefly chatting with him about the book made me want to re-read it. Which I did. Same day. I remember this as one of my favorite books when I was younger. I can't believe I missed hearing the news, but a movie is being made based on the book and it is coming out in August!
2. We don't have cable anymore, so when we use the TV, we watch shows through Netflix or Redbox. We are currently trying a one-month membership to Amazon Prime to see if that would be better than Netflix. This week, we are loving Pandora music streaming through the Roku box at our house. I turn on a Toddler or Disney station and the kids just light up. The twins especially love music and singing - they're even rubbing off on Little Guy, who's been singing everywhere in the car lately, too! I've got to say, there are a lot of versions of "The Wheels on the Bus" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider" out there!
3. We had absolutely beautiful weather this week in Texas. I know it will only be a short time until the temperatures are climbing into the 90's and 100's, so I will treasure this Spring time for as long as I can!
4. We're tentatively making plans for the twins' Big Sister to come visit for a weekend, so she can have some time away and have some time with her two siblings. It's looking like the weekend following Easter will be the time. We'll pray for it to be a good experience for everyone, and for those who meet and interact with her here to make it pleasant and fun.
5. Last night, the Man of the House picked this up for me on his way home:
I hope everyone has a terrific weekend!
Monday, April 7, 2014
The Latest - Visitation, Nephews, and the "Uh-Oh Song"
So several things have happened over the last few days.
1) We had the first long (6-hour) unsupervised Saturday visit for the twins. Everything seems to have gone just fine, as far as we know. The logistics were a bit tricky for us as a family - we had to bring sandwiches for lunch, drive around while getting the older two to nap, make a zoo trip last longer than we usually do, and snag a pizza for the kids to eat for supper since it was almost 7 by the time we got home. The twins were very excited to be able to see their two youngest siblings, though, and couldn't stop talking about them. We're thankful they got that opportunity.
2) While we were driving around during this time, my phone rang, and it was the twins' Big Sister. We only talked for a few minutes, which was all the time she had available. She said, at the group home she's currently in, they get rewards for good behavior, and one of those rewards is making a phone call home on Saturday. My heart broke when she said called us because we were the only people she could think of to call, as she doesn't have a "home" now. She didn't know about the visit happening that day, so I tried not to make a big deal out of it. We just chatted about the art center she's been making good use of, and her classes, and the girls she's met there. I hope we can meet up with her soon, as it's been almost two months since the twins saw her.
3) I got a phone call from the twins' caseworker today. She said she was just clarifying that we did not need to drive the girls to the scheduled (supervised) visitation tomorrow. I hadn't realized this. She explained that since they were granted the long visits on Saturdays, the court and the department did away with the other visits, which were every other week, mostly on Tuesdays. After she hung up, I realized I don't know how I feel about the only visitations happening now being unsupervised. Between now and the trial in June, it seems strange to have no contact that someone is supervising, whether it be a caseworker. therapist, lawyer, or whomever.
4) My little nephew was born on Friday, and. I. Love. Him. So. Much. Already. He came right on his due date, the talented, punctual youngster. I can't keep myself from looking at the adorable pictures they have sent thus far. I'm so happy for my sister-in-law and her husband, and I can't wait to meet The Newest Addition at Easter! (And it makes me miss my other two nephews, my sister's boys in Nebraska, a TON. Hugs to you guys!)
5) I have been feeling... off... the past couple of weeks. Just tired, more stressed and tightly-wound than usual. I decided that I was not being as patient and loving as I should be (read: being the snappy Mom nobody likes to be). I decided to brush up on my "Love and Logic" skills as a stress-reducer all around. "Love and Logic' is a parenting/teaching/child-raising program developed to equally encompass two strategies in disciplining your child: empathy and consequences. I could take a while to explain it more fully, and why I think it helps me, but suffice it to say that you strive to remain as calm as possible, showing sorrow for misconduct, while sticking to your guns with the consequences. We've used it as a school, and I really agree with the premise as a parent in dealing with my own kids. I'm not perfect at it, but I feel most effective when using these techniques or at least some similar. I was going over the Early Childhood materials - books, mp3 recordings - because toddlers definitely give you something to hyperventilate about, and I wanted some good refreshers. So, one tip for toddler parents that I just had to share: I got a kick out of remembering "The Uh-Oh Song". In my own words, this is how one uses the "Uh-Oh Song": when a misbehavior happens, one says, "Uh-Oh!" in a cheerful, sing-song voice, before stating the consequence. "Uh-Oh! I think you need some bedroom time." "Uh-Oh! I think you need some time in the quiet spot." "Uh-Oh! I think this toy needs to go on top of the fridge if we're going to fight over it." The idea is that it's difficult as a parent to stay stressed when you're singing "Uh-Oh" and it helps build the empathy and make the behavior the villain instead of the scolding parent. For the child, the phrase "Uh-Oh!" begins to be a trigger that gently leads them to think about their actions - maybe even preemptively. I began really using the "Uh-Oh Song" last week - literally, if there was a crown, I was the "Uh-Oh" champ! A funny thing happened today. Several times, I began to say "Uh-Oh!" when I saw one of the littles doing something they knew they shouldn't - and all of them would freeze. It was pretty hilarious, and yet amazing to watch how quickly it worked on them. It was a great day with calm all around. I was happy to have a little success so visibly, with something so easy. (Check out the "Love and Logic" website if you want to read about the theories in their words, which are probably clearer than mine rambling around in a brief blog post: http://www.loveandlogic.com/)
Well, signing off for now. God's blessings to you and yours!
1) We had the first long (6-hour) unsupervised Saturday visit for the twins. Everything seems to have gone just fine, as far as we know. The logistics were a bit tricky for us as a family - we had to bring sandwiches for lunch, drive around while getting the older two to nap, make a zoo trip last longer than we usually do, and snag a pizza for the kids to eat for supper since it was almost 7 by the time we got home. The twins were very excited to be able to see their two youngest siblings, though, and couldn't stop talking about them. We're thankful they got that opportunity.
2) While we were driving around during this time, my phone rang, and it was the twins' Big Sister. We only talked for a few minutes, which was all the time she had available. She said, at the group home she's currently in, they get rewards for good behavior, and one of those rewards is making a phone call home on Saturday. My heart broke when she said called us because we were the only people she could think of to call, as she doesn't have a "home" now. She didn't know about the visit happening that day, so I tried not to make a big deal out of it. We just chatted about the art center she's been making good use of, and her classes, and the girls she's met there. I hope we can meet up with her soon, as it's been almost two months since the twins saw her.
3) I got a phone call from the twins' caseworker today. She said she was just clarifying that we did not need to drive the girls to the scheduled (supervised) visitation tomorrow. I hadn't realized this. She explained that since they were granted the long visits on Saturdays, the court and the department did away with the other visits, which were every other week, mostly on Tuesdays. After she hung up, I realized I don't know how I feel about the only visitations happening now being unsupervised. Between now and the trial in June, it seems strange to have no contact that someone is supervising, whether it be a caseworker. therapist, lawyer, or whomever.
4) My little nephew was born on Friday, and. I. Love. Him. So. Much. Already. He came right on his due date, the talented, punctual youngster. I can't keep myself from looking at the adorable pictures they have sent thus far. I'm so happy for my sister-in-law and her husband, and I can't wait to meet The Newest Addition at Easter! (And it makes me miss my other two nephews, my sister's boys in Nebraska, a TON. Hugs to you guys!)
5) I have been feeling... off... the past couple of weeks. Just tired, more stressed and tightly-wound than usual. I decided that I was not being as patient and loving as I should be (read: being the snappy Mom nobody likes to be). I decided to brush up on my "Love and Logic" skills as a stress-reducer all around. "Love and Logic' is a parenting/teaching/child-raising program developed to equally encompass two strategies in disciplining your child: empathy and consequences. I could take a while to explain it more fully, and why I think it helps me, but suffice it to say that you strive to remain as calm as possible, showing sorrow for misconduct, while sticking to your guns with the consequences. We've used it as a school, and I really agree with the premise as a parent in dealing with my own kids. I'm not perfect at it, but I feel most effective when using these techniques or at least some similar. I was going over the Early Childhood materials - books, mp3 recordings - because toddlers definitely give you something to hyperventilate about, and I wanted some good refreshers. So, one tip for toddler parents that I just had to share: I got a kick out of remembering "The Uh-Oh Song". In my own words, this is how one uses the "Uh-Oh Song": when a misbehavior happens, one says, "Uh-Oh!" in a cheerful, sing-song voice, before stating the consequence. "Uh-Oh! I think you need some bedroom time." "Uh-Oh! I think you need some time in the quiet spot." "Uh-Oh! I think this toy needs to go on top of the fridge if we're going to fight over it." The idea is that it's difficult as a parent to stay stressed when you're singing "Uh-Oh" and it helps build the empathy and make the behavior the villain instead of the scolding parent. For the child, the phrase "Uh-Oh!" begins to be a trigger that gently leads them to think about their actions - maybe even preemptively. I began really using the "Uh-Oh Song" last week - literally, if there was a crown, I was the "Uh-Oh" champ! A funny thing happened today. Several times, I began to say "Uh-Oh!" when I saw one of the littles doing something they knew they shouldn't - and all of them would freeze. It was pretty hilarious, and yet amazing to watch how quickly it worked on them. It was a great day with calm all around. I was happy to have a little success so visibly, with something so easy. (Check out the "Love and Logic" website if you want to read about the theories in their words, which are probably clearer than mine rambling around in a brief blog post: http://www.loveandlogic.com/)
Well, signing off for now. God's blessings to you and yours!
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Happy Birthday, Miss A!
Today is the sixth birthday for our fabulous, wonderful, sweet oldest daughter! What a fun day!
She began the day waking up in a room full of balloons before eating a donut breakfast (her choice!). During the school day, lots of fun stuff happened.
She had been asked by her kindergarten teachers to bring in her violin (v-v-violin... can you guess what letter we learned this week?). I brought it just before lunch and helped her show the class how she prepares her violin and what she's learned so far. She told me later she was "so, so nervous!" She did a terrific job and I am so proud of her. She has been "playing" for a year, but just recently has really taken it upon herself to focus and buckle down. With her being the impetus and motivating force, she's really working hard and making great progress. She always reminds me now when it's time to practice, and adores her violin teacher.
After lunch, which we ate with her class - and by "we" I mean myself, Little Guy, and the twins, whew! - we shared little Blue Bell ice cream cups with the kids. Yummy!
She had asked for tater tot casserole for dinner, so we ate that with a small chocolate cake I made over nap time. She was disappointed that it wasn't her "real", Frozen-inspired cake that's happening for her birthday party with the girls in her class on Saturday, but she did concede that the other cake was still good! (Sigh... You win some, you lose some...)
She opened her presents after dessert. Her favorite was a dress-up set from the Disney movie Frozen. (Which, by the way, we obviously all LOVED!) She had been asking for one of the costumes ever since we saw the movie. It felt so good to make her happy, and treat her to something she really wanted. We'll never have the money (nor the inclination) to make their every wish come true, but it's fun to come through on the small things.
When I think back our time with Miss A, I feel so many emotions. The biggest one, probably, is gratitude. I am so thankful that she came into our lives. I'm so thankful she was saved from a negative situation and is now safe. To think about where she could be right now is incredibly scary. I'm thankful for the police, caseworkers, lawyers, and the other foster parents for keeping her safe until she was brought to our home.
She was the first one, the child who made us "parents". We are so grateful to God for answering those prayers, even if they happened at a different time and in a different way than we had originally anticipated. I'll never forget seeing THAT EMAIL pop into my inbox asking us to consider taking her in, and THAT PHONE CALL announcing to us that we had been chosen as her foster-adopt parents. Our lives were forever changed and, in a way, felt like it all was finally beginning.
She paved the way, taught us how little we knew about parenting, and grew our hearts bigger every day with the love we all shared. She has been a fantastic older sister, bravely loving her siblings with all her heart, no matter how long they stay with us.
Yes, she's a stinker. Must be because she's my child. My parents promise constantly that she really is exactly what my biological child would be like. She's got my stubbornness, my firstborn bossiness, and an OCD-like attention to details-that-matter-to-her-and-not-anyone-else-like-who-HAS-to-have-the-green-cup-today-or-which-hand-she-HAS-to-hold-while-crossing-the-parking-lot. But she's our stinker.
She's our stinker and we wouldn't have it any other way.
We're so blessed to have this little girl be part of our family. I can't wait to see the awesome things God has in store for her. I know she will do great things for Him, and be a mighty ambassador for those who need our compassion and help the most.
We love you, big girl!
She began the day waking up in a room full of balloons before eating a donut breakfast (her choice!). During the school day, lots of fun stuff happened.
She had been asked by her kindergarten teachers to bring in her violin (v-v-violin... can you guess what letter we learned this week?). I brought it just before lunch and helped her show the class how she prepares her violin and what she's learned so far. She told me later she was "so, so nervous!" She did a terrific job and I am so proud of her. She has been "playing" for a year, but just recently has really taken it upon herself to focus and buckle down. With her being the impetus and motivating force, she's really working hard and making great progress. She always reminds me now when it's time to practice, and adores her violin teacher.
After lunch, which we ate with her class - and by "we" I mean myself, Little Guy, and the twins, whew! - we shared little Blue Bell ice cream cups with the kids. Yummy!
She had asked for tater tot casserole for dinner, so we ate that with a small chocolate cake I made over nap time. She was disappointed that it wasn't her "real", Frozen-inspired cake that's happening for her birthday party with the girls in her class on Saturday, but she did concede that the other cake was still good! (Sigh... You win some, you lose some...)
She opened her presents after dessert. Her favorite was a dress-up set from the Disney movie Frozen. (Which, by the way, we obviously all LOVED!) She had been asking for one of the costumes ever since we saw the movie. It felt so good to make her happy, and treat her to something she really wanted. We'll never have the money (nor the inclination) to make their every wish come true, but it's fun to come through on the small things.
When I think back our time with Miss A, I feel so many emotions. The biggest one, probably, is gratitude. I am so thankful that she came into our lives. I'm so thankful she was saved from a negative situation and is now safe. To think about where she could be right now is incredibly scary. I'm thankful for the police, caseworkers, lawyers, and the other foster parents for keeping her safe until she was brought to our home.
She was the first one, the child who made us "parents". We are so grateful to God for answering those prayers, even if they happened at a different time and in a different way than we had originally anticipated. I'll never forget seeing THAT EMAIL pop into my inbox asking us to consider taking her in, and THAT PHONE CALL announcing to us that we had been chosen as her foster-adopt parents. Our lives were forever changed and, in a way, felt like it all was finally beginning.
She paved the way, taught us how little we knew about parenting, and grew our hearts bigger every day with the love we all shared. She has been a fantastic older sister, bravely loving her siblings with all her heart, no matter how long they stay with us.
Yes, she's a stinker. Must be because she's my child. My parents promise constantly that she really is exactly what my biological child would be like. She's got my stubbornness, my firstborn bossiness, and an OCD-like attention to details-that-matter-to-her-and-not-anyone-else-like-who-HAS-to-have-the-green-cup-today-or-which-hand-she-HAS-to-hold-while-crossing-the-parking-lot. But she's our stinker.
She's our stinker and we wouldn't have it any other way.
We're so blessed to have this little girl be part of our family. I can't wait to see the awesome things God has in store for her. I know she will do great things for Him, and be a mighty ambassador for those who need our compassion and help the most.
We love you, big girl!
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Hot and Cheesy Corn and Black Bean Dip
This recipe I had used before and changed it up to share over Christmas, and it was a big hit! It has been perfect for all of those recent football games! So, in honor of the Denver Broncos making it to the Super Bowl, I thought I'd share!
Ingredients:
1 large can of sweet corn
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can of petite diced tomatoes
1 can of diced green chilis (I used mild chilis, but you can use medium or hot as well)
1/2 cup of mayonnaise
1/4 tsp garlic powder
2 cups of cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup of Monterrey Jack cheese, shredded
1 tbps cilantro, chopped
1 tbsp green onion, chopped
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix together all ingredients except for the cilantro and the green onion into a greased oven-safe dish.
3. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted through, and the whole thing is golden-brown, bubbly, and delicious.
4. Top with the cilantro and green onion before serving.
5. Enjoy!
Ingredients:
1 large can of sweet corn
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can of petite diced tomatoes
1 can of diced green chilis (I used mild chilis, but you can use medium or hot as well)
1/2 cup of mayonnaise
1/4 tsp garlic powder
2 cups of cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup of Monterrey Jack cheese, shredded
1 tbps cilantro, chopped
1 tbsp green onion, chopped
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix together all ingredients except for the cilantro and the green onion into a greased oven-safe dish.
I love looking at that pile of cheese!
3. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted through, and the whole thing is golden-brown, bubbly, and delicious.
So yummy!
4. Top with the cilantro and green onion before serving.
5. Enjoy!
Thursday, January 9, 2014
In Which I Refuse To Be the Harried Parent
Have you ever not recognized yourself? Not physically I mean, but your actions, attitudes?
On Tuesday night, one of the twins woke up crying in the middle of the night. We think maybe they have nightmares, because it is a rare night when one of them doesn't wake up crying in the middle of the night. They fall asleep like champs most nights, but have a hard time staying asleep. Then, whoever is awake will often wake up at least one of the other three with the crying, and we all have a grand time. We're really praying for this to work itself out. I'll sleep when I'm dead, right?
She actually fell asleep fairly quickly this night, but the crying woke up Little Guy. He proceeded, several minutes after I had climbed back into bed, to attempt to sneak into our room to sleep. Sooo, I had to go get him back to bed, which took a little bit.
When I finally crawled back between the warm covers in the cool bedroom, my brain was running full circuit. Don't you hate that feeling? The one where your body is so tired, but your mind just won't shut down, no matter what you do? I laid awake for almost two hours (trying not to look at the clock).
Anyways, without any more whining, suffice it to say that I was Tired with a capital T the next day. We had some errands to do, and the morning started off all right, but then we had some meltdowns at the grocery store. It wasn't about whining for things they wanted, it was just tiredness (and probably boredom) coming out. A shoe falls off and it's The End Of The World. A sibling inadvertently brushes their skin and it's like they were stabbed. You might know the drill.
We made it home and ate lunch, but then naptime was rough. Queen Bee was having none of this nap concept. She SCREAMED in her bed for a good forty-five minutes. She wanted the blanket, she didn't want the blanket, she wanted her Minnie Mouse, she didn't want her Minnie Mouse. When she finally fell asleep, Sweet Angel must have decided it was her turn to make fun noises because she who had been lying quietly in her bed cried for twenty more minutes.
I was so ready for a nap.
I was not my most gracious self that day. I could completely tell that my tiredness was preventing any patient, understanding response I could have mustered. I was snappy and brusque with my words. I was quick to correct and admonish.
Fast forward 24-hours.
Being so tired that day, I fell asleep early and had a splendid night wherein, wonder of wonders, nobody woke up crying! Breakfast (for me) was a delicious egg white and Canadian bacon sandwich and fruit, with water (staying hydrated!) and a cup of tea. We played Mr. Potato Head, read some books, watched an episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, took a walk up and down the block pushing strollers of baby dolls and riding scooters. Everyone played beautifully together and the naptime routine was a thing of beauty.
What was a huge factor in the change from one day to the next? Me.
I pondered this repeatedly today, and although I cannot claim complete responsibility for either the meltdown of Wednesday or the idyllic atmosphere of Thursday, I know I was a contributing force to both.
I had a professor who showed up every day for our 8:00 am class chipper and brimming with excitement over what the lesson held for us that day. When we asked her how she could have such energy, she told us something I never will forget: "I as the teacher set the tone in this room. If I'm having a bad day, you will have a bad day. And vice versa."
What a lesson for us as parents. Our kids can sense our moods and emotions, whether we're calm or whether we're anxious. Our families are an interdependent organism, not isolated parts. When something is affecting one part of your body, your whole self feels out of sorts, right? For better or for worse, we as parents steer the direction of our families moods.
When the morning starts out rushed and frantic, the kids feel it. Whether they go to school or daycare, that negative energy stays with them. And it's not just the kids. When your morning doesn't start off right, it takes a lot to correct the trajectory and get back on course.
When the kids have to deal with an impatient, barking parent who has no time for understanding or showing compassion for their little ways, they deal with it as they are capable. Whether it means acting out behaviorally or having emotional meltdowns, it will show itself somehow.
Believe me, bringing up and loving on four children under the age of five have their moments of stress. Someone is always needing something. They're all still learning how to clean up after themselves. Only one can dress herself completely. It's a lot to handle most days. (So rewarding, but a lot to handle.)
But.
I refuse to be the harried mother. My kids deserve better.
This will be my new quote, to repeat to myself when those life stressors start kicking in. The proverbial buck needs to stop here.
As we grow, we learn more how to control our actions. ACTIONS, not moods. We can't control our moods, or the events that transpire to put us into those moods, but we can control how we react. Children have yet to learn that. As the adult, I need to remember this: I'm the one who can redirect the environment, who can stop my bad mood in its tracks if I try, but they aren't capable of this yet.
I refuse to be the harried mother.
I will give my best moments in whatever situation I find myself. I will give the best of myself to my present, not dwelling over my past or worrying about my future.
I will give my best moments to whomever I am with. Whether it be my husband, my kids, my friends, the person passing me down the aisle of the grocery store, they deserve my being present and being pleasant.
I will give my best moments at all times of day. Whether I'm fresh as a daisy or run-over-by-a-truck exhausted, whether it's morning, afternoon, or bedtime, I will actively show the love that I know I have for my kids.
And when I don't? I will ask for forgiveness. Not beat myself up. And start over.
Because not only are my kids watching and affected by my actions and moods, they are also learning from them. My behavior models what their "normal" will become. How I treat them will be how they will treat their children. How I treat others is how they will treat others. If I have kind answers, they will learn to be compassionate. If I have sarcastic, griping jests, they will learn that as well.
I want them to learn to put others before themselves, as imperfectly as we all accomplish this day to day. My parents always told me, "A mark of a mature person is that, no matter what their mood, they never use it as an excuse to treat anyone poorly."
This seems like such a challenging task when I read these words over again. The constant vigilance of parenting young children combined with less sleep is a recipe for stress. How can one not react?
I will carry on, knowing that my own strength will never be enough. Any patience, compassion, or ability to act calmly during times of stress is only the Lord's working in me. HIS peace passes all of our understanding. HIS cross removed our sins. HIS love is what changes our hearts. And as I grow day by day, in faith and in my role as a mother, I pray that it becomes easier and more of a reflex than a challenge.
Because I will not be the harried mother. My family deserves better.
On Tuesday night, one of the twins woke up crying in the middle of the night. We think maybe they have nightmares, because it is a rare night when one of them doesn't wake up crying in the middle of the night. They fall asleep like champs most nights, but have a hard time staying asleep. Then, whoever is awake will often wake up at least one of the other three with the crying, and we all have a grand time. We're really praying for this to work itself out. I'll sleep when I'm dead, right?
She actually fell asleep fairly quickly this night, but the crying woke up Little Guy. He proceeded, several minutes after I had climbed back into bed, to attempt to sneak into our room to sleep. Sooo, I had to go get him back to bed, which took a little bit.
When I finally crawled back between the warm covers in the cool bedroom, my brain was running full circuit. Don't you hate that feeling? The one where your body is so tired, but your mind just won't shut down, no matter what you do? I laid awake for almost two hours (trying not to look at the clock).
Anyways, without any more whining, suffice it to say that I was Tired with a capital T the next day. We had some errands to do, and the morning started off all right, but then we had some meltdowns at the grocery store. It wasn't about whining for things they wanted, it was just tiredness (and probably boredom) coming out. A shoe falls off and it's The End Of The World. A sibling inadvertently brushes their skin and it's like they were stabbed. You might know the drill.
We made it home and ate lunch, but then naptime was rough. Queen Bee was having none of this nap concept. She SCREAMED in her bed for a good forty-five minutes. She wanted the blanket, she didn't want the blanket, she wanted her Minnie Mouse, she didn't want her Minnie Mouse. When she finally fell asleep, Sweet Angel must have decided it was her turn to make fun noises because she who had been lying quietly in her bed cried for twenty more minutes.
I was so ready for a nap.
I was not my most gracious self that day. I could completely tell that my tiredness was preventing any patient, understanding response I could have mustered. I was snappy and brusque with my words. I was quick to correct and admonish.
Fast forward 24-hours.
Being so tired that day, I fell asleep early and had a splendid night wherein, wonder of wonders, nobody woke up crying! Breakfast (for me) was a delicious egg white and Canadian bacon sandwich and fruit, with water (staying hydrated!) and a cup of tea. We played Mr. Potato Head, read some books, watched an episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, took a walk up and down the block pushing strollers of baby dolls and riding scooters. Everyone played beautifully together and the naptime routine was a thing of beauty.
What was a huge factor in the change from one day to the next? Me.
I pondered this repeatedly today, and although I cannot claim complete responsibility for either the meltdown of Wednesday or the idyllic atmosphere of Thursday, I know I was a contributing force to both.
I had a professor who showed up every day for our 8:00 am class chipper and brimming with excitement over what the lesson held for us that day. When we asked her how she could have such energy, she told us something I never will forget: "I as the teacher set the tone in this room. If I'm having a bad day, you will have a bad day. And vice versa."
What a lesson for us as parents. Our kids can sense our moods and emotions, whether we're calm or whether we're anxious. Our families are an interdependent organism, not isolated parts. When something is affecting one part of your body, your whole self feels out of sorts, right? For better or for worse, we as parents steer the direction of our families moods.
When the morning starts out rushed and frantic, the kids feel it. Whether they go to school or daycare, that negative energy stays with them. And it's not just the kids. When your morning doesn't start off right, it takes a lot to correct the trajectory and get back on course.
When the kids have to deal with an impatient, barking parent who has no time for understanding or showing compassion for their little ways, they deal with it as they are capable. Whether it means acting out behaviorally or having emotional meltdowns, it will show itself somehow.
Believe me, bringing up and loving on four children under the age of five have their moments of stress. Someone is always needing something. They're all still learning how to clean up after themselves. Only one can dress herself completely. It's a lot to handle most days. (So rewarding, but a lot to handle.)
But.
I refuse to be the harried mother. My kids deserve better.
This will be my new quote, to repeat to myself when those life stressors start kicking in. The proverbial buck needs to stop here.
As we grow, we learn more how to control our actions. ACTIONS, not moods. We can't control our moods, or the events that transpire to put us into those moods, but we can control how we react. Children have yet to learn that. As the adult, I need to remember this: I'm the one who can redirect the environment, who can stop my bad mood in its tracks if I try, but they aren't capable of this yet.
I refuse to be the harried mother.
I will give my best moments in whatever situation I find myself. I will give the best of myself to my present, not dwelling over my past or worrying about my future.
I will give my best moments to whomever I am with. Whether it be my husband, my kids, my friends, the person passing me down the aisle of the grocery store, they deserve my being present and being pleasant.
I will give my best moments at all times of day. Whether I'm fresh as a daisy or run-over-by-a-truck exhausted, whether it's morning, afternoon, or bedtime, I will actively show the love that I know I have for my kids.
And when I don't? I will ask for forgiveness. Not beat myself up. And start over.
Because not only are my kids watching and affected by my actions and moods, they are also learning from them. My behavior models what their "normal" will become. How I treat them will be how they will treat their children. How I treat others is how they will treat others. If I have kind answers, they will learn to be compassionate. If I have sarcastic, griping jests, they will learn that as well.
I want them to learn to put others before themselves, as imperfectly as we all accomplish this day to day. My parents always told me, "A mark of a mature person is that, no matter what their mood, they never use it as an excuse to treat anyone poorly."
This seems like such a challenging task when I read these words over again. The constant vigilance of parenting young children combined with less sleep is a recipe for stress. How can one not react?
I will carry on, knowing that my own strength will never be enough. Any patience, compassion, or ability to act calmly during times of stress is only the Lord's working in me. HIS peace passes all of our understanding. HIS cross removed our sins. HIS love is what changes our hearts. And as I grow day by day, in faith and in my role as a mother, I pray that it becomes easier and more of a reflex than a challenge.
Because I will not be the harried mother. My family deserves better.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Road Trips with Young Children
Does the thought of a road trip with young kids frighten you? Make you break out in a cold sweat? Come on, it's not that bad!
My family never flew anywhere. We always drove. Of course, our "vacations" were family reunions in Nebraska, only several hours away. We had one long road trip, to Tennessee to see my Dad's sister and her family. Once again, we drove.
I have wonderful memories of road trips. We sang, we snacked, we read, we slept. My three siblings and I didn't know any better. We didn't know we were supposed to be bored out of our minds. I wouldn't change a thing.
Now that we have our own crew, we're experiencing the road trip from a parental perspective. I had numerous people ask about our Christmas plans, and when I mentioned going to see my husband's parents (four hours away) AND going to my parents' place in Colorado (eighteen hours away) they look at me like I was going crazy. "Driving? Really?" was the usual response.
We had a great time enjoying each other's company. Here are some tips and things we learned:
Travel Gear:
Happy traveling!
My family never flew anywhere. We always drove. Of course, our "vacations" were family reunions in Nebraska, only several hours away. We had one long road trip, to Tennessee to see my Dad's sister and her family. Once again, we drove.
I have wonderful memories of road trips. We sang, we snacked, we read, we slept. My three siblings and I didn't know any better. We didn't know we were supposed to be bored out of our minds. I wouldn't change a thing.
Now that we have our own crew, we're experiencing the road trip from a parental perspective. I had numerous people ask about our Christmas plans, and when I mentioned going to see my husband's parents (four hours away) AND going to my parents' place in Colorado (eighteen hours away) they look at me like I was going crazy. "Driving? Really?" was the usual response.
We had a great time enjoying each other's company. Here are some tips and things we learned:
Travel Gear:
- If at all possible, use one of those handy dandy storage compartments for the roof to hold suitcases and things you won't need during the drive. This opens up space inside the vehicle, which you will appreciate during the hours of driving spent in that confined space. If you don't have one, ask around to borrow one. Invaluable!
- If your travels include an overnight stay anywhere, pack an overnight bag. Bring pajamas, a change of clothes, and any toiletries everyone will need in ONE bag. Then you won't need to bring everyone's suitcases inside.
- Nowadays, everyone seems to have either a GPS or the ability to utilize one on a phone. These are so helpful. Just remember to double check routes for closures or in cases of inclement weather, as they may not be completely accurate in those cases. If you don't have a GPS, invest in a good map, or join AAA, which gives excellent maps and routes if you are a member.
- Packing a cooler of food to eat is always a great idea. Peanut butter and jelly, meat and cheese, fruit, veggies, crackers... You know you're eating healthier than you would at a fast food place. Plus, you'll save money. While we don't completely cut out buying any food on our trips, we try to only purchase one meal a day on the road.
- Stopping somewhere to eat adds time to your trip... but it is an opportunity to stretch the legs and get out of the vehicle for a while. Eating in the car saves time, but leaves more trash and messiness in the car, and the kids are stuck inside. Just weigh your priorities. With littler kids, you probably want to stop to take a break.
- SNACKS! Those little applesauce squeezer pouches are fabulous for car trips (as long as your kids are old enough to hold it themselves, of course). We also put snacks into little sandwich baggies or reusable snack cups - our own version of the more expensive 100 calorie packs.
- Remember to stay hydrated, but also remember that what goes in... must come out. Important to remember with small bladders.
- Technology can be a gift of sanity on road trips. It's okay to use it. We have a DVD player in our van and we are not above putting on a movie during those long car trips. Also, the kids received children's "computers" for Christmas that they enjoyed playing games on. But...
- By all means, enforce limits to the technology. We don't allow movie after movie to play. We watch one when the natives are getting restless and that's it - at least for several hours. Enjoy the scenery. Learn about the places you're traveling through. Find out interesting facts. Let them enjoy the ride for what it is - a ride, a road trip. Getting there is half the fun, and you/they can't enjoy getting there if you're/they're glued to a screen of some sort.
- Take the time to talk about what you will do once you get to your destination. Have the kids been there? Bring along pictures or books about the place or people who live there - whether they are famous or family members.
- Music! Sing songs together! Bring your favorite Cd's. Find local radio stations to listen to. Put the dial on "scan" and see who can name the songs that play before the station switches. (This may be for older kids, but you'd be surprised at how quickly young kids can recognize a song!)
- Remember those old school road trip games you played as a kid? Whip them out!
- The Alphabet Game
- Road Trip Bingo (There are lots of great printables online!)
- Scavenger Hunts from the Car (Think of five things at the beginning of the trip, and work together to find all five of them at some point along the way.)
- Take turns telling stories - well know fairy tales or favorite books, as well as made-up-on-the-spot originals.
- If the little ones start getting restless and nothing is able to distract or entertain them in the car, make a stop. Pull over at a rest stop, stretch the legs. If you're proactive and plan ahead, you can find parks, museums, or other kid-friendly attractions along your route. You can either schedule these in and add extra time to your trip, or just keep them in mind in case you need a quick diversion.
- Always overestimate your traveling time. Between bathroom breaks, eating meals, and anything else that comes up with little ones, it will more than likely take longer to complete a trip than you originally planned.
- I'm terribly regimented about the kids' naps normally, but I let go of my expectations on a road trip. There's plenty of down time that the kids can sleep, and they normally end up falling asleep by themselves somewhere around the "normal" times, so I tell myself to save my breath huffing orders of "Be quiet and go to sleep!" and just let it happen naturally.
- It's a cliche, but expect the unexpected! During this last road trip, there was an accident on the tiny two-lane highway we were traveling in the corner of New Mexico, where there were no other roads, detours, or side feeders to escape for miles. For as little-traveled as this highway seemed, there were TONS of cars stopped and it took over an hour before traffic finally moved. What else could we do besides keep the kids engaged in singing and chatting? We tried our best, and now it's just a funny anecdote that makes us shake our heads when we retell it.
- If you can, develop some pictures of your travels and your trip before you head back home. Then the kids can look them over and begin processing the memories.
Happy traveling!
Monday, December 2, 2013
A Funny - Can You Relate?
I had to add this funny to this blog, because I feel like this is exactly how our mornings go! It just seems like one thing after another trying to make us late! And I don't do late well! I was raised to be obsessively punctual and being late is a big pet peeve of mine, and I know I don't handle delays well.
The other morning, sweet Miss A said, "Mommy, I think Daddy should start driving me to school when he goes early so you don't get dizzy."
I laughed and said, "Get dizzy? What do you mean, honey?"
"Well," she answered, "You have to get all four of us kids ready, then drive me to school, then come back home, then get me after lunch... You must get dizzy with all of that driving around you do! I think I should just go with Daddy from now on."
I gave her a huge hug and was humbled by her compassionate spirit.
So blessed...
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Christmas Decorating!
I love, love, love, love decorating for Christmas! I actually get excited when I pull out my (admittedly meager) fall decorations, because I know it means that shortly I will be putting them away and getting out the Christmas boxes!
Growing up, we usually decorated the day after Thanksgiving. We had a fake tree because of allergies in the family, except for one awesome year when we cut our own "real" tree from my uncle's property in the mountains. Since we've been married, The Man of the House and I have had both real and fake over the years. We have only a fake tree this year since we'll be gone for almost two weeks visiting family over Christmas break.
We actually cheated and began decorating on the day before Thanksgiving this year. My youngest brother and his girlfriend were visiting and we couldn't help ourselves! The two of them and The Man of the House actually rearranged furniture in the living room to make the tree fit. I like it!
Here are some pictures of our stockings. We don't have a fireplace in the new house (sniff, sniff). We got creative with where to hang the stockings and here's what we came up with:
Here's a close-up of the kids' stockings:
All of the materials that encompassed everything "stocking" were bought at Hobby Lobby. I had already bought the red knitted stockings for our family in the past, and was very excited that they still had them this year. They actually had black Santa belts with gold belt buckles around them, which I removed. The wooden letters were easy to find, as was black paint, a dowel rod to hang them, and burlap ribbon. I painted the letters and rod black and then tied them to the stockings. We already had several stocking holders, so I hung the rod between two of them to fit our growing stocking population!
I'm so looking forward to this Christmas season and hope to make many great memories for the kids, pointing them to the real reason for all of the celebration - the birth of our Savior!
Growing up, we usually decorated the day after Thanksgiving. We had a fake tree because of allergies in the family, except for one awesome year when we cut our own "real" tree from my uncle's property in the mountains. Since we've been married, The Man of the House and I have had both real and fake over the years. We have only a fake tree this year since we'll be gone for almost two weeks visiting family over Christmas break.
We actually cheated and began decorating on the day before Thanksgiving this year. My youngest brother and his girlfriend were visiting and we couldn't help ourselves! The two of them and The Man of the House actually rearranged furniture in the living room to make the tree fit. I like it!
Here are some pictures of our stockings. We don't have a fireplace in the new house (sniff, sniff). We got creative with where to hang the stockings and here's what we came up with:
Here's a close-up of the kids' stockings:
All of the materials that encompassed everything "stocking" were bought at Hobby Lobby. I had already bought the red knitted stockings for our family in the past, and was very excited that they still had them this year. They actually had black Santa belts with gold belt buckles around them, which I removed. The wooden letters were easy to find, as was black paint, a dowel rod to hang them, and burlap ribbon. I painted the letters and rod black and then tied them to the stockings. We already had several stocking holders, so I hung the rod between two of them to fit our growing stocking population!
I'm so looking forward to this Christmas season and hope to make many great memories for the kids, pointing them to the real reason for all of the celebration - the birth of our Savior!
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Musings on Being Mama to This Growing Brood
We have had a great weekend. The Man of the House had a basketball tournament to coach, so he was gone Friday and most of Saturday, which meant I had the kids... drumroll... all. by. myself. I have to be honest that it did intimidate me to think about, when we were initially going over plans. The twins are actually still very well-behaved, Praise God, so it wasn't that I was really anxious about anything in particular, or doubting my abilities per se. I know this is what I signed on for, and these days will happen, and all that. But, to think about caring for four young children for an extended period of time by yourself for the first time is daunting.
However, it went great. There was a movie night put on by the school PTL on Friday night, so we all headed up there to watch "Peter Pan". I appreciated immensely the caring gestures of friends and fellow families while we were there; community is an awesome thing! We shared a blanket with another family, some of the "big" girls and boys helped take Little Guy and Miss A to the bathroom for me so I didn't have to haul the twins, and people were offering to get us popcorn and snacks the whole night. To my church and school family: thank you, thank you, thank you, for your love and kindness.
On Saturday morning, we had a yummy pancake casserole breakfast. (Instead of making individual pancakes, you pour the batch of batter into a 9x13 pan and bake at 350 until golden brown! MUCH easier and less-time consuming!) After that, I got some cleaning and little things done around the house while Miss A kept the littles occupied pretty much all morning. She is so patient and her little "Mommy" voice saying, "Here you go sweetie," and "Oh, no, no sweeties! We need to share!" are so precious to me. Of course I was right there in the room or vicinity supervising the entire time, but it was great to have her help entertaining them.
A sweet, treasured youth texted me Saturday afternoon informing me that she was coming over to babysit that night, and my husband and I needed to figure out what movie or restaurant we were going to for a date night. Again, such love and generosity; such awesome friends of ALL ages! We went to an Alamo Drafthouse for dinner and a movie, where your food is ordered and then served in the theater and is so yummy.
Church, Sunday School, and naps for all happened on Sunday. I really enjoyed the little bit of shut-eye I obtained!
As I was pondering the events of the weekend and past two weeks of being a family of six instead of four, I have to admit it was "easier" then. How simple and laid back it seems now to have "only" two kids to feed and get dressed and put to bed and arrange schedules for.
It was so much easier in fact before we had kids. Walking to the car after work, knowing we had an evening of good food and quiet television watching together on the couch. Taking a run whenever I wanted. Taking a hot bath whenever I wanted. Only worrying about one pair of shoes - my own. Doing laundry for only two people.
It was so much easier with only one kid. Miss A had our full attention whenever she was with us. If one of us had somewhere we had to be, no sweat. The other was there to step in. One kid is easy to take to meetings, when they can play quietly on the floor for a period of time. One kid is easy to take to the grocery story; they only take up the child seat on the cart and don't weight the cart down.
It was so much easier with only two kids. I have two hands - one for each. Between the Man of the House and me, there were two laps and two kids - perfect! Miss A and Little Guy are each other's best friend and get along pretty swimmingly. We were blessed to have "normal" sibling tiffs over toys and personal space and such, but very rarely, and nothing huge.
Yes, life sure was a lot easier in the past.
But there's no way I would exchange it for what we have now.
I look behind me while driving and see four shining faces and hear their sweet voices singing. I look around the kitchen table while we eat and see the messiness that is four kids under five eating a meal. I watch the kids color together, or play some cute game only they understand, and my heart swells.
I know that the craziness that is toddler life will pass all too soon. The daily routine will be less of a frantic rush to juggle everyone and everything. It will get "easier". And yet, I don't want it to be gone. I want to treasure each stage and soak it all in for as long as we're able. Every day is a glorious adventure when you're two, three, and five. The giggles, the chubby tummies, the toddler talk, the dress-up clothes, the mood swings (well, we'll have those when they're all teenagers again!)... These will be the memories we cherish in the years to come. We're living the golden days on which we'll fondly look back sometime in the future.
My soul is humbly grateful to be here for such a time as this, to be a part of my children's lives at this stage. God is so good, and so faithful to provide strength and patience when we need it the most. He has given us the gift of all four of these little ones, and we thank Him with all of our hearts.
However, it went great. There was a movie night put on by the school PTL on Friday night, so we all headed up there to watch "Peter Pan". I appreciated immensely the caring gestures of friends and fellow families while we were there; community is an awesome thing! We shared a blanket with another family, some of the "big" girls and boys helped take Little Guy and Miss A to the bathroom for me so I didn't have to haul the twins, and people were offering to get us popcorn and snacks the whole night. To my church and school family: thank you, thank you, thank you, for your love and kindness.
On Saturday morning, we had a yummy pancake casserole breakfast. (Instead of making individual pancakes, you pour the batch of batter into a 9x13 pan and bake at 350 until golden brown! MUCH easier and less-time consuming!) After that, I got some cleaning and little things done around the house while Miss A kept the littles occupied pretty much all morning. She is so patient and her little "Mommy" voice saying, "Here you go sweetie," and "Oh, no, no sweeties! We need to share!" are so precious to me. Of course I was right there in the room or vicinity supervising the entire time, but it was great to have her help entertaining them.
A sweet, treasured youth texted me Saturday afternoon informing me that she was coming over to babysit that night, and my husband and I needed to figure out what movie or restaurant we were going to for a date night. Again, such love and generosity; such awesome friends of ALL ages! We went to an Alamo Drafthouse for dinner and a movie, where your food is ordered and then served in the theater and is so yummy.
Church, Sunday School, and naps for all happened on Sunday. I really enjoyed the little bit of shut-eye I obtained!
As I was pondering the events of the weekend and past two weeks of being a family of six instead of four, I have to admit it was "easier" then. How simple and laid back it seems now to have "only" two kids to feed and get dressed and put to bed and arrange schedules for.
It was so much easier in fact before we had kids. Walking to the car after work, knowing we had an evening of good food and quiet television watching together on the couch. Taking a run whenever I wanted. Taking a hot bath whenever I wanted. Only worrying about one pair of shoes - my own. Doing laundry for only two people.
It was so much easier with only one kid. Miss A had our full attention whenever she was with us. If one of us had somewhere we had to be, no sweat. The other was there to step in. One kid is easy to take to meetings, when they can play quietly on the floor for a period of time. One kid is easy to take to the grocery story; they only take up the child seat on the cart and don't weight the cart down.
It was so much easier with only two kids. I have two hands - one for each. Between the Man of the House and me, there were two laps and two kids - perfect! Miss A and Little Guy are each other's best friend and get along pretty swimmingly. We were blessed to have "normal" sibling tiffs over toys and personal space and such, but very rarely, and nothing huge.
Yes, life sure was a lot easier in the past.
But there's no way I would exchange it for what we have now.
I look behind me while driving and see four shining faces and hear their sweet voices singing. I look around the kitchen table while we eat and see the messiness that is four kids under five eating a meal. I watch the kids color together, or play some cute game only they understand, and my heart swells.
I know that the craziness that is toddler life will pass all too soon. The daily routine will be less of a frantic rush to juggle everyone and everything. It will get "easier". And yet, I don't want it to be gone. I want to treasure each stage and soak it all in for as long as we're able. Every day is a glorious adventure when you're two, three, and five. The giggles, the chubby tummies, the toddler talk, the dress-up clothes, the mood swings (well, we'll have those when they're all teenagers again!)... These will be the memories we cherish in the years to come. We're living the golden days on which we'll fondly look back sometime in the future.
My soul is humbly grateful to be here for such a time as this, to be a part of my children's lives at this stage. God is so good, and so faithful to provide strength and patience when we need it the most. He has given us the gift of all four of these little ones, and we thank Him with all of our hearts.
Friday, November 8, 2013
Project: Entryway
As we get more and more settled in to the new house (moved 9-1-13), I can begin to think about decorating. We got the big stuff done within the first week, partly because we didn't want to drag it out, but mostly because our caseworker wanted to see the house on the 9th for a walk-through and inspection. I was glad to be finished with moving, even though it was a very busy time with late nights.
Anyway, I had finished some little areas of the house that I worked on as projects, including our entryway. Just wanted to share some pictures!
Here is the front door with the wreath I bought at Target several years back. I added a burlap-wrapped letter "E" for our family this fall.
Here's another viewpoint.
This is the last part of Project Entryway, which I just added at the beginning of this month. We had the mirror (an ancient Hobby Lobby purchase) sitting in the garage, waiting to be used, and the shoe organizer (from Ikea) in our bedroom, taking up too much space in front of our bed and serving as just somewhat of a decoration. I needed something to organize the drop-zone that is our front entryway. The only thing that would make it more functional would be cute organizers on the wall to hold papers and other items on their way out of the house, but I like the uncluttered look of it. I will post a picture sometime of my "office" area (just a corner of my bedroom) where I have our family organization center.
This window came from Kyle's grandfather's (PawPaw) beach cabin down on the coast. The family sold the cabin and property after his death in 2004, right before Hurricane Rita demolished the entire area. The cabin was completely gone following the storm. All of the four kids received an old window, as they had been replaced a few years before. This was hanging, plain, above our fireplace mantle at the old house, but as we don't have an fireplace in the new house, I wanted to figure out another place to utilize this fun keepsake. I plan to add more to it, maybe make it seasonal, so I'll post more pictures for fun if I do.
Here's a picture straight on.
Thanks for reading and for indulging me!
Anyway, I had finished some little areas of the house that I worked on as projects, including our entryway. Just wanted to share some pictures!
Thanks for reading and for indulging me!
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Project: The Twins' Room
Our weekend was a flurry of activity getting ready for the twins to arrive on Monday. We decided Friday night to switch Little Guy to the "office" room, which was almost empty besides my desk and bookshelf. The closet in his "old" room is a smidge bigger than the one in his "new" room, and we figure two girls will need the extra closet space. Plus, Miss A can be close by them and feel like that area is the "girls' wing".
Here are some pictures of how we put the room together:
One side of the room with a bed and a project I'll write about another day...
One bed...
Moving around the room...
Bed #2!
We got the bedding and wall decorations at... of course... Target. We had to get a second bed, which we got at Target as well, actually a crib that converts to a toddler bed and then later can be converted to a double-sized bed. I tried Craigslist all Friday night and Saturday morning, but was only hitting dead ends, so we decided to go with Target. Some friends from church gave us the dresser today. (Thanks, Mrs. and Mrs. S! You rock!) We'll have some fun painting it one of these weekends.
As far as everything else on the preparation check-list, we're sitting pretty good. I washed all of Miss A's clothes we saved from size 2T to 4T, just to have it on hand and ready to wear. I snagged just a couple of outfits (not sure what size the girls wear), two pairs of pajamas, two jackets, pullups and wipes, a couple extra sippy cups and booster seats for the table. We already had a spare car seat for Little Guy, so we only had to buy one instead of two. Again, Craigslist may have been cheaper, but the logistics of hunting these things down individually, then traveling to pick them up, was too much for one short weekend. I know I will have to run and get other things I forgot; I already remembered I didn't buy toothbrushes yet!
We're in high gear and loving it! Can't wait to meet our new sweeties tomorrow!
Here are some pictures of how we put the room together:
One side of the room with a bed and a project I'll write about another day...
We got the bedding and wall decorations at... of course... Target. We had to get a second bed, which we got at Target as well, actually a crib that converts to a toddler bed and then later can be converted to a double-sized bed. I tried Craigslist all Friday night and Saturday morning, but was only hitting dead ends, so we decided to go with Target. Some friends from church gave us the dresser today. (Thanks, Mrs. and Mrs. S! You rock!) We'll have some fun painting it one of these weekends.
As far as everything else on the preparation check-list, we're sitting pretty good. I washed all of Miss A's clothes we saved from size 2T to 4T, just to have it on hand and ready to wear. I snagged just a couple of outfits (not sure what size the girls wear), two pairs of pajamas, two jackets, pullups and wipes, a couple extra sippy cups and booster seats for the table. We already had a spare car seat for Little Guy, so we only had to buy one instead of two. Again, Craigslist may have been cheaper, but the logistics of hunting these things down individually, then traveling to pick them up, was too much for one short weekend. I know I will have to run and get other things I forgot; I already remembered I didn't buy toothbrushes yet!
We're in high gear and loving it! Can't wait to meet our new sweeties tomorrow!
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Project: Chore Charts
The Man of the House and I have been talking about how our kids (especially Miss A) are getting old enough to help around the house. They both do a pretty good job of helping when they're asked at this point. We try to think of age-appropriate tasks, both things they do now and things we would like them to do. He and I agree that appropriate responsibilities will foster self-confidence, pleasure in a job well done, and a feeling of familial helpfulness. All that good stuff! We have differing views about allowance (maybe a topic for a later post) but we both agree they're ready for some official responsibility just for the sake of helping around the house.
I searched Pinterest for different ideas. I saw a lot of cute charts, DIY, printable, and some you can purchase. One that caught my eye used magnets that the kids move when they accomplish a chore.
However, I came up with another idea in the end. I utilized the same concept I used for my to-do list I used at school last year. I printed off a blank form and then put it into a picture frame I already had. This enabled me to use dry-erase markers instead of buying or replicating numerous copies of my blank list. I kept it simple - only five spaces. I really liked this format.
So... drum roll... here are the chore charts, newly placed in the hallway between the two kids' bedrooms, right outside the bathroom.
And here's another, closer picture.
Here is a close-up of Miss A's chart. Her jobs are: making the bed, getting dressed, fixing her lunch and getting her backpack ready (with our help, of course, to make sure the lunch was healthy and she hasn't forgotten anything), clearing the table after meals, watering the plants on the front porch, picking up her toys at night before bed, and brushing her teeth.
You can see that I snapped the picture as soon as I put it up, so there are no dry-erase marks. (Yet, she added a sticker this morning as soon as she made her bed! Silly goose!)
And here's Little Guy's chore chart. He gets to make his bed, get dressed, set the table, get the mail, water the plants (with double duty, hopefully someone will get to them each day, right?) and brush teeth.
The best part about these charts is how versatile they are. Changing or modifying the tasks is as easy as printing off a new page and inserting it into the picture frame. Hopefully this will help our days go smoothly!
Does your family have chores? Do you have a place where you keep record of it, or a method you use to keep your kids accountable? I'd love to hear about it in the comment section!
I searched Pinterest for different ideas. I saw a lot of cute charts, DIY, printable, and some you can purchase. One that caught my eye used magnets that the kids move when they accomplish a chore.
However, I came up with another idea in the end. I utilized the same concept I used for my to-do list I used at school last year. I printed off a blank form and then put it into a picture frame I already had. This enabled me to use dry-erase markers instead of buying or replicating numerous copies of my blank list. I kept it simple - only five spaces. I really liked this format.
So... drum roll... here are the chore charts, newly placed in the hallway between the two kids' bedrooms, right outside the bathroom.
And here's another, closer picture.
Here is a close-up of Miss A's chart. Her jobs are: making the bed, getting dressed, fixing her lunch and getting her backpack ready (with our help, of course, to make sure the lunch was healthy and she hasn't forgotten anything), clearing the table after meals, watering the plants on the front porch, picking up her toys at night before bed, and brushing her teeth.
You can see that I snapped the picture as soon as I put it up, so there are no dry-erase marks. (Yet, she added a sticker this morning as soon as she made her bed! Silly goose!)
And here's Little Guy's chore chart. He gets to make his bed, get dressed, set the table, get the mail, water the plants (with double duty, hopefully someone will get to them each day, right?) and brush teeth.
The best part about these charts is how versatile they are. Changing or modifying the tasks is as easy as printing off a new page and inserting it into the picture frame. Hopefully this will help our days go smoothly!
Does your family have chores? Do you have a place where you keep record of it, or a method you use to keep your kids accountable? I'd love to hear about it in the comment section!
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Flourless Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies (gluten free)
Now, I am not eating gluten free at the moment. I do not envision this blog to be a place where I post lots of recipes. I do however have a friend who was diagnosed with Celiac's disease this summer. I hosted Bible Study at my house (first in the new home!) last week, and I was looking for some goodies to serve that she could eat. I came across this recipe and made it, because, well, who doesn't like peanut butter and chocolate?
When they were finished and I tried one, I was AMAZED. They are incredible! I usually slightly underbake my cookies so you get that Ooey-Gooey-Chewy texture, but these have it naturally since they don't contain any flour. They are rich and moist and a great combination of the peanut butter and chocolate. I could eat several in one sitting... and did. (And... confession... then Little Guy and I made them again the next week and had more!) Enjoy!
Just look at that cookie dough... all ready to be baked...
Up close and personal...
And ready to eat!
When they were finished and I tried one, I was AMAZED. They are incredible! I usually slightly underbake my cookies so you get that Ooey-Gooey-Chewy texture, but these have it naturally since they don't contain any flour. They are rich and moist and a great combination of the peanut butter and chocolate. I could eat several in one sitting... and did. (And... confession... then Little Guy and I made them again the next week and had more!) Enjoy!
Flourless Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
1-1/4 cups peanut butter (I used smooth)
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup mini chocolate chips or a chopped up chocolate bar
1. Preheat
your oven to 350.
2. In a large bowl or your mixer, mix the peanut butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
3. Add the chocolate chips.
4. Mold the dough into 1 tablespoon-sized balls and place 2" apart on the cookie sheet.
5. Bake 13-15 minutes, until the bottoms are golden brown, and the tops begin to solidify but are still soft in the middle.
6. Cool them on the cookie sheet for a few minutes until firmed up, then remove to cool completely. (Or eat them while they are still warm and gooey!)
I was feeling artsy, so here are some pics of the cookies in their formation:
Just sitting... waiting to be baked... You can see that the size of cookies I formed turned out to be a little over two dozen total cookies.
2. In a large bowl or your mixer, mix the peanut butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
3. Add the chocolate chips.
4. Mold the dough into 1 tablespoon-sized balls and place 2" apart on the cookie sheet.
5. Bake 13-15 minutes, until the bottoms are golden brown, and the tops begin to solidify but are still soft in the middle.
6. Cool them on the cookie sheet for a few minutes until firmed up, then remove to cool completely. (Or eat them while they are still warm and gooey!)
I was feeling artsy, so here are some pics of the cookies in their formation:
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Car Organization, Pt. 1 (of ?)
For those of you who don't know me personally, here's the biggest happening in my life at the moment: I am beginning a journey as a new Stay-At-Home-Mom this fall. My husband and I decided on this course during the last school year, made it official in March, and I have been able to practice my new "job" all summer! For the first time in the eight years since college, when my husband went to school on that first day, I was not with him. I of course am experiencing many emotions - excitement, anxiety, panic...
One of my first goals as a new SAHM is Organization. Now, I know that is probably too vague to be a goal. I learned in youth ministry and teaching that goals must be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Action-Oriented, Realistic, and Time-Oriented. So, Organization would probably be my big-picture brain goal that will be broken down into smaller chunks of achievable objectives. :-) There's my teaching brain still working!
I ran across this post on Pinterest of a very detailed car trunk organization project. http://pinterest.com/pin/164240717633776974/
You have GOT to check it out to see how incredibly detailed it is!
So, I wanted to do a car trunk organizing of my own. Now, here is my statement before you look over my pictures, after looking at her pictures: my car trunk doesn't look exactly like her van.
A) We have young kids and we're not quite at the stage where we spend every night at a ball field or gym and travel to kids' stuff all weekend, so we may not need everything she has listed.
B) I'm glamming up the trunk of a Kia Forte, not a van or SUV. AND
C) I'm just starting! :-)
That being said...
Here are a couple of pictures of the first stage of my trunk organization project:
This is the trunk as a whole:
Here's the left bin:
Here's the right bin:
The floral Laura Ashley organizer was purchased from Amazon. Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/Laura-Ashley-Collapsible-Trunk-Organizer/dp/B0085XHA98/ref=sr_1_31?ie=UTF8&qid=1376604143&sr=8-31&keywords=car+trunk+organizer
The black organizer was purchased from The Container Store. Here's the link:
http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10004522&N=&Ntt=Car+organizer
Here is a list of the items I put into the organizers for Step One of the project:
One of my first goals as a new SAHM is Organization. Now, I know that is probably too vague to be a goal. I learned in youth ministry and teaching that goals must be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Action-Oriented, Realistic, and Time-Oriented. So, Organization would probably be my big-picture brain goal that will be broken down into smaller chunks of achievable objectives. :-) There's my teaching brain still working!
I ran across this post on Pinterest of a very detailed car trunk organization project. http://pinterest.com/pin/164240717633776974/
You have GOT to check it out to see how incredibly detailed it is!
So, I wanted to do a car trunk organizing of my own. Now, here is my statement before you look over my pictures, after looking at her pictures: my car trunk doesn't look exactly like her van.
A) We have young kids and we're not quite at the stage where we spend every night at a ball field or gym and travel to kids' stuff all weekend, so we may not need everything she has listed.
B) I'm glamming up the trunk of a Kia Forte, not a van or SUV. AND
C) I'm just starting! :-)
That being said...
Here are a couple of pictures of the first stage of my trunk organization project:
This is the trunk as a whole:
Here's the left bin:
Here's the right bin:
The floral Laura Ashley organizer was purchased from Amazon. Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/Laura-Ashley-Collapsible-Trunk-Organizer/dp/B0085XHA98/ref=sr_1_31?ie=UTF8&qid=1376604143&sr=8-31&keywords=car+trunk+organizer
The black organizer was purchased from The Container Store. Here's the link:
http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10004522&N=&Ntt=Car+organizer
Here is a list of the items I put into the organizers for Step One of the project:
- a roll of paper towel
- two cartons of tissue
- antibacterial hand sanitizer
- antibacterial cleaning wipes
- baby wipes
- a first aid kit
- a small "hair" bag with a brush, elastics, and bows for Miss A (in case it doesn't get done at home!)
- a bag with a change of clothes for each kid
- zip-top gallon sized storage bags
- trash bags
- my reusable grocery bags
- plastic grocery bags
- an umbrella
- a small note pad, pens, and scissors
- a spare phone charger
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