My eldest love and I went on a little date today to our local tearoom. I'm trying to get in all of the things that I really love in these last few days before we move, and I thought it would be fun if the two of us when for a wee snack. I got a sitter for Jesse, and then a friend from church with her two little girls who are good friends of Kaden's and are right around his age went out for a yummy lunch.
Kaden is secure enough in his manhood to drink out of princess cups with the other girls; although he drew the line at wearing dress up hats and costume jewelry! I was just as glad myself. :0) Anyway, it was tons of fun - we're both all about the food - so it was a really nice morning.
As the kids get older, more and more I am realizing the need to do individual things with each one of them on a regular basis. It's so easy to just be tag-teaming them both all throughout the day, that I often do not feel like I really had any great quality time with either - even though we spend all of each and every day together. While Jesse naps in the morning, Kaden and I always try to do something fun; and when Jesse wakes before Kaden in the afternoon, he and I get some just alone together, as well. So, things have been working out that way pretty well. I just want to start doing some more intentional things with each of them.
It's so easy to be involved with so many other "important" people all throughout our days and weeks, that by the time each day is done, it's easy to feel really fried and not have a whole lot left over in the evenings for the kids. We don't ever want our children to doubt their importance to us, and we don't want to give everyone else the best of ourselves. So, we're starting to try and find some creative ways to do some extras with the boys. For starters, Kev is going to start taking Kaden out to breakfast every Tuesday morning - just the two of them, so they're both pretty stoked about that. Jesse's still so young - he's content as long as he can get some snuggle time. But, while they are out, I am going to really focus on giving Jesse all of me and try hard to not be distracted by all the things that could be getting done! And I also promised Kaden that for our next date, we would do something a little more manly!
Life is a constant battle of busyness and distractions. It can spiral out of control so quickly, and it is so easy to forget about the things that are truly important. So, we're taking baby steps to try and safeguard against this. Our children are our priority, and after each other - they are our primary "ministry."
Just Checking In
The weather here has been very Maine-like the past couple of days. I have actually needed my sweatshirt in the evenings! Happy for me as the sun makes me hot and itchy. Little Jesse has a couple of spots on his back and legs; I'm praying that it spreads no farther. I can tell that it's bothering him a bit. Poor little guy. As miserable as it's made me, I would gladly take another round of the stuff if I could spare him the same misery.
As a result of being on all of this steroid stuff, my baby has been quite suddenly weaned from his Mommy. We had been slowly working towards this anyway, but it actually took place far more quickly than I would have chosen. Jesse completely rolled with it and has done just fine; but I have been a little sad! One more milestone checked off toward becoming a big boy. I've been much more sentimental this time around......:0(
Well, we settled on where we will be living for at least the first little bit when we move. A Christian family who we know and love in Brewer, Maine bought a motel awhile back and completely renovated it. It is now entirely Christian owned and operated with a little coffee shop downstairs aimed to cater to the high school and college age crowd. They have made some of the rooms into one and two bedroom apartments, and they'll rent one to us at a really great price with zero committment for how long we have to stay. Should we find a house within three months (here's hoping!), they have absolutely no problem with that. We probably won't look for a house for a little while - until we get our feet back under us again - but we like having the freedom to move whenever we feel ready.
The only kicker is that the apartment won't be ready until the end of September, and we are moving home on September 1st. So, to solve that problem, they have offered us their camp out on Pushaw Lake - at the same rent - until the apartment is ready. While part of me wants to move only once and get immediately settled in as soon as we get home, the other part of me is trying really hard to just go with the flow and view this as just an extended vacation. We've been to their camp before and love it, and we'll finally be reunited again with our beloved canoe, and lake water, and nature, and the sounds of frogs croaking at night.....so, I'm rolling with it. The boy's routines are going to be completely thrown anyway with all of this crazyness; they might as well be thrown some place fun and campy first! It'll be Heaven for them out there!
Okay, I'm still itching like MAD! And the stuff is still spreading! Shouldn't it be subsiding somewhat, by now? Merciful Heavens - my legs will never look normal again, I fear! I'm going nuts....must go find my Caladryl. Pray for my sanity.....
As a result of being on all of this steroid stuff, my baby has been quite suddenly weaned from his Mommy. We had been slowly working towards this anyway, but it actually took place far more quickly than I would have chosen. Jesse completely rolled with it and has done just fine; but I have been a little sad! One more milestone checked off toward becoming a big boy. I've been much more sentimental this time around......:0(
Well, we settled on where we will be living for at least the first little bit when we move. A Christian family who we know and love in Brewer, Maine bought a motel awhile back and completely renovated it. It is now entirely Christian owned and operated with a little coffee shop downstairs aimed to cater to the high school and college age crowd. They have made some of the rooms into one and two bedroom apartments, and they'll rent one to us at a really great price with zero committment for how long we have to stay. Should we find a house within three months (here's hoping!), they have absolutely no problem with that. We probably won't look for a house for a little while - until we get our feet back under us again - but we like having the freedom to move whenever we feel ready.
The only kicker is that the apartment won't be ready until the end of September, and we are moving home on September 1st. So, to solve that problem, they have offered us their camp out on Pushaw Lake - at the same rent - until the apartment is ready. While part of me wants to move only once and get immediately settled in as soon as we get home, the other part of me is trying really hard to just go with the flow and view this as just an extended vacation. We've been to their camp before and love it, and we'll finally be reunited again with our beloved canoe, and lake water, and nature, and the sounds of frogs croaking at night.....so, I'm rolling with it. The boy's routines are going to be completely thrown anyway with all of this crazyness; they might as well be thrown some place fun and campy first! It'll be Heaven for them out there!
Okay, I'm still itching like MAD! And the stuff is still spreading! Shouldn't it be subsiding somewhat, by now? Merciful Heavens - my legs will never look normal again, I fear! I'm going nuts....must go find my Caladryl. Pray for my sanity.....
Day Four of the Plague
I have determined that my body has a far higher tolerance for pain than for itching. I would not wish this on my worst enemy......except Satan. I do, however, feel like today I have rounded a corner. I think the steroids are starting to take effect. Praise the Lord above. I still look like a monster, but at least I am not making a scene in public by frantically scratching and looking like I am about to go INSANE!
In other news, we're having a massive yard sale tomorrow along with some of our friends. That's always fun. Oh, how I love getting rid of things!.....except for my couches and chairs. I do like to be able to sit on things. Kev wants to get rid of EVERYTHING and start over fresh when we move home. To which I say: "My Love...whatever are we going to sit our bunsies on in the interim? (interum?)" He didn't seem too worried about that. I, however, happen to enjoy sitting on things other than the floor when I eat and watch t.v. He still has a few hours to convince me.......
In other news, we're having a massive yard sale tomorrow along with some of our friends. That's always fun. Oh, how I love getting rid of things!.....except for my couches and chairs. I do like to be able to sit on things. Kev wants to get rid of EVERYTHING and start over fresh when we move home. To which I say: "My Love...whatever are we going to sit our bunsies on in the interim? (interum?)" He didn't seem too worried about that. I, however, happen to enjoy sitting on things other than the floor when I eat and watch t.v. He still has a few hours to convince me.......
Slowly Going INSANE!!!
Okay. For the first time in my life I have contracted some sort of poison ivy or oak or SOMETHING. And I am about to go mad! It started out with just a couple of spots on both ankles and arms. That was two days ago. I woke up today with oozing blisters, hives, and splotches over my entire body and finally could take it no more. I went to the doctor who gave me some sort of steroid shot and a prescription for a stronger hydrocortizone cream than what you can get over the counter and now I am waiting for it to take effect. Waiting....waiting.....waiting.....
Must.crawl.out.of.my.skin................
Must.crawl.out.of.my.skin................
Quirks!
Two in one day, eh? Not bad - we're making up for lost time, here.
Okay, so I've been tagged by Shay, and here are the rules:
1. Link back to the person who tagged you
2. Mention the rules on your blog
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they've been tagged.
Okay, I've been thinking about this all day, and this is the best that I can come up with....
MY UN-SPECTACULAR QUIRKS!
1. I do not consider myself a "girly girl," yet I don't believe a day goes by where I do not use makeup and hairspray.
2. I can make my tongue REALLY fat and also make it ripple in waves.
3. There is very little that grosses me out, and my standards of sanitation are much lower than most, I am sure. To this day, I would be sorely tempted to eat a peice of candy that I found on the grocery store floor, if Kev wouldn't threaten to disown me, and if four other little eyes wouldn't quickly follow suit! (Jesse takes after me apparently: Kev had to fish a worm out of his mouth tonight. On second thought, I think his standards are even lower....).
4. I talk a mile a minute and can keep up with the best of anyone in a conversation, yet I don't really like talking on the phone.
5. I absolutely love giving birth - every part of it! Granted, the intense part of my labors have both been under five hours, but I love all that comes with that whole process - that whole experience. The feelings and emotions both during AND in those immediate moments afterwards are so powerful, so beautiful, so intimate, so strong......Probably the most natural high one could ever have!
6. I am slightly addicted to all things old, wooden, and earthy such as: bittersweet berries to be made into wreaths and old boxes and trunks. It truly is an addiction - just ask Kev. He had to draw the line awhile back!
Okay, so there's more of me than you probably ever wanted to know!
Here's a big ole tag to you six:
1. Jen
2. Shannie, (I'll let you link the fellow Mainers!)
3. Angie
4. Kristi
5. Esther - (You can tag team with Shannie - that should get everyone!)
6. Yolanda
Okay, so I've been tagged by Shay, and here are the rules:
1. Link back to the person who tagged you
2. Mention the rules on your blog
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they've been tagged.
Okay, I've been thinking about this all day, and this is the best that I can come up with....
MY UN-SPECTACULAR QUIRKS!
1. I do not consider myself a "girly girl," yet I don't believe a day goes by where I do not use makeup and hairspray.
2. I can make my tongue REALLY fat and also make it ripple in waves.
3. There is very little that grosses me out, and my standards of sanitation are much lower than most, I am sure. To this day, I would be sorely tempted to eat a peice of candy that I found on the grocery store floor, if Kev wouldn't threaten to disown me, and if four other little eyes wouldn't quickly follow suit! (Jesse takes after me apparently: Kev had to fish a worm out of his mouth tonight. On second thought, I think his standards are even lower....).
4. I talk a mile a minute and can keep up with the best of anyone in a conversation, yet I don't really like talking on the phone.
5. I absolutely love giving birth - every part of it! Granted, the intense part of my labors have both been under five hours, but I love all that comes with that whole process - that whole experience. The feelings and emotions both during AND in those immediate moments afterwards are so powerful, so beautiful, so intimate, so strong......Probably the most natural high one could ever have!
6. I am slightly addicted to all things old, wooden, and earthy such as: bittersweet berries to be made into wreaths and old boxes and trunks. It truly is an addiction - just ask Kev. He had to draw the line awhile back!
Okay, so there's more of me than you probably ever wanted to know!
Here's a big ole tag to you six:
1. Jen
2. Shannie, (I'll let you link the fellow Mainers!)
3. Angie
4. Kristi
5. Esther - (You can tag team with Shannie - that should get everyone!)
6. Yolanda
Restoring Order
Well, it's been exactly one week since my last post. Life around here has been somewhat crazy as we're trying to tie up all of our loose ends down here before heading HOME TO MAINE!! It's crazy - we can still hardly believe that our journey here is almost over and that's it's time to begin another chapter in our lives. We will be moving home with Jesse being exactly the same age that Kaden was when we first moved out here! These past three years have totally flown by for us, but when I look at my children, I can how long it has actually been. Kaden wasn't even walking when we first moved...and now he's FOUR!
So, these past few days have been spent getting one last doctor's visit in for the kids, trying to prep for a yardsale, organizing, organizing, organizing...and of course a family trip to Cabella's! We've got to get in all of these "one last times!"
Anyway.....on to the title of this post.
These past couple of months - since Jesse has started walking - have started to feel a wee bit out of control for me. Before we went to Maine for our last visit, I was formulating some plans on how to become a little more structured with the kids, but was hesitant to put anything into practice until we settled back into our rhythm here. These past few weeks since we've been back, we put our plan into action, and I am very encouraged with the results.
I have been slightly overwhelmed by Jesse's busyness as of late. Neither Kev or I feel that he is bad.....he is just BUSY! (Oh so very busy, be still my heart). From the moment his eyes open, he is "on." And I have to help him turn "off;" otherwise I think he would just be like the perpetual Energizer Bunny who keeps going and going and going.......All......Day......Long!
I will never expect Jesse to be like Kaden. There could never be too more different (more different?) little boys who share the same genes! I absolutely love this little boy's strength and curiosity and intense desire to conquer life! I never ever want to crush his little spirit with unrealistic expectations, and I don't want to change him. He totally delights us and adds quite the zest to our family! However, this wee one also has a very very strong will which does need a little more help to be reigned in and "shaped," shall we say.
Jesse has a very hard time sitting still and focusing on anything for any matter of time. He also has the tendency to be quite clingy and demanding at times. So, one thing we have started implementing every day is "playpen time." Jesse wakes up about an hour earlier than all the rest of us. So, when he wakes up, I'll nurse him and then put him in his pack and play with a bunch of toys and a little snack, and then I'll get my shower and get my head on straight for the day while my other boys sleep. It took about a week, but he now plays happily - by himself, this is key - for at least a half hour and often much longer! This has brought great peace and harmony to our little family, and it has really helped in teaching Jesse to entertain himself for a period of time, and to also be content in a contained area for a period of time.
There are other little things that we've been doing, as well, but this has been, by far, the greatest encouragement to me and quite a victory, as well. Jesse DOES NOT like to be confined, in any way, and he does not like to be alone. And to see him play happily and stay focused on a few toys for a significant amount of time is very very nice!
So, these past few days have been spent getting one last doctor's visit in for the kids, trying to prep for a yardsale, organizing, organizing, organizing...and of course a family trip to Cabella's! We've got to get in all of these "one last times!"
Anyway.....on to the title of this post.
These past couple of months - since Jesse has started walking - have started to feel a wee bit out of control for me. Before we went to Maine for our last visit, I was formulating some plans on how to become a little more structured with the kids, but was hesitant to put anything into practice until we settled back into our rhythm here. These past few weeks since we've been back, we put our plan into action, and I am very encouraged with the results.
I have been slightly overwhelmed by Jesse's busyness as of late. Neither Kev or I feel that he is bad.....he is just BUSY! (Oh so very busy, be still my heart). From the moment his eyes open, he is "on." And I have to help him turn "off;" otherwise I think he would just be like the perpetual Energizer Bunny who keeps going and going and going.......All......Day......Long!
I will never expect Jesse to be like Kaden. There could never be too more different (more different?) little boys who share the same genes! I absolutely love this little boy's strength and curiosity and intense desire to conquer life! I never ever want to crush his little spirit with unrealistic expectations, and I don't want to change him. He totally delights us and adds quite the zest to our family! However, this wee one also has a very very strong will which does need a little more help to be reigned in and "shaped," shall we say.
Jesse has a very hard time sitting still and focusing on anything for any matter of time. He also has the tendency to be quite clingy and demanding at times. So, one thing we have started implementing every day is "playpen time." Jesse wakes up about an hour earlier than all the rest of us. So, when he wakes up, I'll nurse him and then put him in his pack and play with a bunch of toys and a little snack, and then I'll get my shower and get my head on straight for the day while my other boys sleep. It took about a week, but he now plays happily - by himself, this is key - for at least a half hour and often much longer! This has brought great peace and harmony to our little family, and it has really helped in teaching Jesse to entertain himself for a period of time, and to also be content in a contained area for a period of time.
There are other little things that we've been doing, as well, but this has been, by far, the greatest encouragement to me and quite a victory, as well. Jesse DOES NOT like to be confined, in any way, and he does not like to be alone. And to see him play happily and stay focused on a few toys for a significant amount of time is very very nice!
Weekends!
It's scuzzy out today. We planned to go and pick some peaches and blackberries at our local orchard this evening, but we may just have to stay home and chillax whilst it thunders and rains outside.
Yesterday, out little fam kicked it for the day and went to a county fair over in New Jersey. Kev heard about it on the news, so we decided to go and scope it out. Both boys are at a really fun age to do something like this. Kaden loves the rides -even the scary ones - and there is enough action going on for Jesse so that he is very entertained and content while Kaden and I race from ride to ride. Daddy doesn't like the rides so much - but we are adrenaline lovers. It took me about fifteen minutes to convince this kid that he would not like the Gravitron! Do you all remember that ride? He thought for sure that he would love it, but we stuck with the kiddie coasters and little car rides, instead. No hurlage today, thank you.
Both boys loved the petting zoo, which, by the way, is my most favorite part of the whole fair. And of course - who can resist the yummy and oh so good for you fair food? De-lish!
But the highlight of the day was the "toddler races" that took place at high noon.
Let me paint a picture for you. Imagine - (hypothetically, of course) - two highly competative parents with a one year old who, at his well-child checkup the day before was told that at his age they only expect babies this young to be standing and possibly taking a toddling step or two. (Kaden didn't take a single step until well over fifteen months of age, by the way). WELL! Imagine my swollen head at the knowledge that our Jesse is not only running, but he is also able to climb on and off of all of our chairs, couches, and beds!
Soooooo, when we heard of this toddler "race" I was like: "Oh my word! Jesse is so totally going to kick butt in these races! Let's sign him up!" Kev was completely up for it, so we got some racing numbers slapped to his back and Daddy and he even had a couple of practice runs where Kev would run aways away and yell for Jesse to "Come to Daddy!" Kaden and I sat back and sized up our competition, and I pictured our very first trophy sitting on the shelf - completely convinced that we had this race in the bag!
WELL! When the race began we were told that one parent could wait at the finish line, and one person could "run" with their toddler. We could do anything but "help" them physically. (Looking back, I totally should have been waving his favorite snack in front of his eyes...then for SURE we would've won). ANYWAY.....He was raring to go, but I had to hold onto him to keep him from cheating and getting a jump start. Well, this got him all in a funk, so when the starting whistle blew, Jesse just stood there and crabbed at me for a good ten seconds! Then, when he finally realized that he was actually free and could run, he just mosied along like a little snail, he crossed over about four other lanes, he stopped and tried to flip over a wooden sign, he died laughing and walked like a drunkard, and HE CAME IN DEAD LAST!
Oh my word! We were laughing so hard, I almost peed my pants! You should have heard us cheering and seen how we acted like clowns trying everything in our power to get him to RUN to us! He would have nothing of it, and he absolutly loved making us look like idiots! He was so cute and so proud of himself! It was SO. MUCH. FUN!!!
Yesterday, out little fam kicked it for the day and went to a county fair over in New Jersey. Kev heard about it on the news, so we decided to go and scope it out. Both boys are at a really fun age to do something like this. Kaden loves the rides -even the scary ones - and there is enough action going on for Jesse so that he is very entertained and content while Kaden and I race from ride to ride. Daddy doesn't like the rides so much - but we are adrenaline lovers. It took me about fifteen minutes to convince this kid that he would not like the Gravitron! Do you all remember that ride? He thought for sure that he would love it, but we stuck with the kiddie coasters and little car rides, instead. No hurlage today, thank you.
Both boys loved the petting zoo, which, by the way, is my most favorite part of the whole fair. And of course - who can resist the yummy and oh so good for you fair food? De-lish!
But the highlight of the day was the "toddler races" that took place at high noon.
Let me paint a picture for you. Imagine - (hypothetically, of course) - two highly competative parents with a one year old who, at his well-child checkup the day before was told that at his age they only expect babies this young to be standing and possibly taking a toddling step or two. (Kaden didn't take a single step until well over fifteen months of age, by the way). WELL! Imagine my swollen head at the knowledge that our Jesse is not only running, but he is also able to climb on and off of all of our chairs, couches, and beds!
Soooooo, when we heard of this toddler "race" I was like: "Oh my word! Jesse is so totally going to kick butt in these races! Let's sign him up!" Kev was completely up for it, so we got some racing numbers slapped to his back and Daddy and he even had a couple of practice runs where Kev would run aways away and yell for Jesse to "Come to Daddy!" Kaden and I sat back and sized up our competition, and I pictured our very first trophy sitting on the shelf - completely convinced that we had this race in the bag!
WELL! When the race began we were told that one parent could wait at the finish line, and one person could "run" with their toddler. We could do anything but "help" them physically. (Looking back, I totally should have been waving his favorite snack in front of his eyes...then for SURE we would've won). ANYWAY.....He was raring to go, but I had to hold onto him to keep him from cheating and getting a jump start. Well, this got him all in a funk, so when the starting whistle blew, Jesse just stood there and crabbed at me for a good ten seconds! Then, when he finally realized that he was actually free and could run, he just mosied along like a little snail, he crossed over about four other lanes, he stopped and tried to flip over a wooden sign, he died laughing and walked like a drunkard, and HE CAME IN DEAD LAST!
Oh my word! We were laughing so hard, I almost peed my pants! You should have heard us cheering and seen how we acted like clowns trying everything in our power to get him to RUN to us! He would have nothing of it, and he absolutly loved making us look like idiots! He was so cute and so proud of himself! It was SO. MUCH. FUN!!!
Emotions....
I'm not a huge fan of change. Really, no matter what it is - initially, I don't like it. In fact, I feel like I am almost always a fairly optimistic person, but when change is on the horizon I become quite pensive and thoughtful - always imagining the worst! Weird.
This has happened enough times in the course of our marriage, that it doesn't weird me out anymore, and Kev knows me well enough to be very gentle with me during this time, so it's good. I think it must be the fear of the unknown and what the future is going to bring. Maybe it's because I'm not in control and that's nerve-wracking. I'm always thinking and wondering about how this is going to the change the dynamic of my family and what it may look like for Kev's and my relationship. The funny thing is - and I should know this by now - is that things always turn out fine, and once the change actually takes place I adapt just fine, and I always grow to LOVE it. God has proven Himself enough times in my life to show me that He ALWAYS does above and beyond all that I could ever ask or imagine in my finite little mind. He ALWAYS takes care of me. He NEVER leaves me or forsakes me. I am NEVER left alone.
Yet, I still am fearful and I still worry.
I remember the first time I was a camp counselor......We would get a new crew of kids each Monday, and every Sunday night I would cry because I had just gotten used to the old crew of kids - we'd just worked out all of our kinks, and I had just gotten to know and love them - and now I had to start all over again. On our way to youth group for the very first time, I honestly thought I was going to hurl - I was so terrified of walking into the teen room with all of those kids that would be staring at me and sizing me up! When we bought our new house, I cried for the first week because it was out in the country and I felt so cut off from all of my friends! I remember the first time we held Bible study at our new place, everyone just kept commenting on how far out we lived, and I was sure that no one would ever come out to visit me! The entire nine months that I was pregnant with Kaden, I was very pensive - wondering if I was going to be a good mom and worrying that it would change Kev's and my relationship! And don't get me started on the grieving that took place when Kev announced his dreams to uproot and move us out to Philly! Whew! Weeping and gnashing of teeth! Well, not quite, but close! Weird, eh? Yet, once the newness of all of these things wore off - I loved the new chapter and I thrived on the new change that had just taken place in my life.
So, here we are yet again, on the cusp of another change for our little family. The pensive, thoughtful side of me is once again thinking of the potential negative things that could take place: how stressful the packing and move could be with two little ones, not knowing where we are going to live for the interim until we find another house, saying good-bye to our church out here and all of the friends we have made, going home to another church and not the one we've always known - what if I don't see my old friends as much? What if the church doesn't like us? What if my boys become hoodlums - and Kev is supposed to be the "Pastor of FAMILY Ministries?!!" And it's been three years since we've lived in Maine.....I've changed...everyone's changed. It will be different, you know? What if? What if? What if?
Yet, quietly and softly, the Lord continues to remind me of how He has always been so faithful to me in the past. He calms my worries and He stills my soul. He calls me gently to Himself and asks me to simply trust. He is good. He is my Daddy. And He loves me more than I will ever know. He will take care of me. Be still, Amy. Be still and know.......
This has happened enough times in the course of our marriage, that it doesn't weird me out anymore, and Kev knows me well enough to be very gentle with me during this time, so it's good. I think it must be the fear of the unknown and what the future is going to bring. Maybe it's because I'm not in control and that's nerve-wracking. I'm always thinking and wondering about how this is going to the change the dynamic of my family and what it may look like for Kev's and my relationship. The funny thing is - and I should know this by now - is that things always turn out fine, and once the change actually takes place I adapt just fine, and I always grow to LOVE it. God has proven Himself enough times in my life to show me that He ALWAYS does above and beyond all that I could ever ask or imagine in my finite little mind. He ALWAYS takes care of me. He NEVER leaves me or forsakes me. I am NEVER left alone.
Yet, I still am fearful and I still worry.
I remember the first time I was a camp counselor......We would get a new crew of kids each Monday, and every Sunday night I would cry because I had just gotten used to the old crew of kids - we'd just worked out all of our kinks, and I had just gotten to know and love them - and now I had to start all over again. On our way to youth group for the very first time, I honestly thought I was going to hurl - I was so terrified of walking into the teen room with all of those kids that would be staring at me and sizing me up! When we bought our new house, I cried for the first week because it was out in the country and I felt so cut off from all of my friends! I remember the first time we held Bible study at our new place, everyone just kept commenting on how far out we lived, and I was sure that no one would ever come out to visit me! The entire nine months that I was pregnant with Kaden, I was very pensive - wondering if I was going to be a good mom and worrying that it would change Kev's and my relationship! And don't get me started on the grieving that took place when Kev announced his dreams to uproot and move us out to Philly! Whew! Weeping and gnashing of teeth! Well, not quite, but close! Weird, eh? Yet, once the newness of all of these things wore off - I loved the new chapter and I thrived on the new change that had just taken place in my life.
So, here we are yet again, on the cusp of another change for our little family. The pensive, thoughtful side of me is once again thinking of the potential negative things that could take place: how stressful the packing and move could be with two little ones, not knowing where we are going to live for the interim until we find another house, saying good-bye to our church out here and all of the friends we have made, going home to another church and not the one we've always known - what if I don't see my old friends as much? What if the church doesn't like us? What if my boys become hoodlums - and Kev is supposed to be the "Pastor of FAMILY Ministries?!!" And it's been three years since we've lived in Maine.....I've changed...everyone's changed. It will be different, you know? What if? What if? What if?
Yet, quietly and softly, the Lord continues to remind me of how He has always been so faithful to me in the past. He calms my worries and He stills my soul. He calls me gently to Himself and asks me to simply trust. He is good. He is my Daddy. And He loves me more than I will ever know. He will take care of me. Be still, Amy. Be still and know.......
Change is on the Horizon.....
A decision has been made.
A little less than two weeks ago, we went to Calvary Baptist Church in Brewer, Maine and Kev candidated for the positions of Pastor of Family Ministries and Worship Leader. The whole thing seems completely surreal looking back on it....
We had been back in PA for just a little over a month - having just checked out another job opportunity in Maine - and felt that we were probably going to make the decision to stay out here for one more year. I was accepted and registered to start grad school, and Kev planned to work at our church here leading worship and doing leadership development until I finished. This was the plan, yet both of us felt a bit uneasy with the decision that we had made. I felt restless and worried - wondering how adding a substantial class load to my plate would affect my family and especially my little boys, and Kev just didn't have any real peace either. Staying out here would mean the need for him to pick up another part-time job, as well, which would have just made life very busy and potentially quite stressful.
Anyway, a sweet girl (go, Anna!) facebooked us with a one-liner that simply said her church was looking for a Pastor of Family Ministries and we should check it out. Almost on a whim, Kev emailed his resume to the pastor thinking we would have nothing to lose. Our families had already reconciled themselves to the idea of us staying out here an extra year; if nothing came of this, no one would know the difference. Not five minutes went by before the pastor called Kev to talk about this opening. This led to a conference call with all of their deacons. And long story short, we found ourselves heading home again!
We had a week-end full of meetings with all of the various ministry teams that the church has, eating meals with the pastor and his wife and the deacons and their wives, spending a day at a camp on a lake with all of the teens and young families of the church, and then on Sunday, Kev spoke in the morning and led worship and a question and answer time in the evening. It was a FULL week-end, but it was good. We got a really good feel for the church and its people, and they had lots of chances to get to see us in all of our glory......including Kaden picking his nose the entire time our family was on stage getting introduced and Jesse biting Kaden while having lunch at the pastor's house. Fantastic. Yes - ALL our glory! We surely are human indeed. Oh, how embarassing for us all!.......:0)
Anyway - crazy crazy times. The pastor called back with news that the church wants us to come, and Kev called him today with a "yes." Oh my. Still processing. It's exciting and terrifying all at the same time! More to come a little later....this was just a "bare bones" post, but for me, nothing is ever bare bones!
A little less than two weeks ago, we went to Calvary Baptist Church in Brewer, Maine and Kev candidated for the positions of Pastor of Family Ministries and Worship Leader. The whole thing seems completely surreal looking back on it....
We had been back in PA for just a little over a month - having just checked out another job opportunity in Maine - and felt that we were probably going to make the decision to stay out here for one more year. I was accepted and registered to start grad school, and Kev planned to work at our church here leading worship and doing leadership development until I finished. This was the plan, yet both of us felt a bit uneasy with the decision that we had made. I felt restless and worried - wondering how adding a substantial class load to my plate would affect my family and especially my little boys, and Kev just didn't have any real peace either. Staying out here would mean the need for him to pick up another part-time job, as well, which would have just made life very busy and potentially quite stressful.
Anyway, a sweet girl (go, Anna!) facebooked us with a one-liner that simply said her church was looking for a Pastor of Family Ministries and we should check it out. Almost on a whim, Kev emailed his resume to the pastor thinking we would have nothing to lose. Our families had already reconciled themselves to the idea of us staying out here an extra year; if nothing came of this, no one would know the difference. Not five minutes went by before the pastor called Kev to talk about this opening. This led to a conference call with all of their deacons. And long story short, we found ourselves heading home again!
We had a week-end full of meetings with all of the various ministry teams that the church has, eating meals with the pastor and his wife and the deacons and their wives, spending a day at a camp on a lake with all of the teens and young families of the church, and then on Sunday, Kev spoke in the morning and led worship and a question and answer time in the evening. It was a FULL week-end, but it was good. We got a really good feel for the church and its people, and they had lots of chances to get to see us in all of our glory......including Kaden picking his nose the entire time our family was on stage getting introduced and Jesse biting Kaden while having lunch at the pastor's house. Fantastic. Yes - ALL our glory! We surely are human indeed. Oh, how embarassing for us all!.......:0)
Anyway - crazy crazy times. The pastor called back with news that the church wants us to come, and Kev called him today with a "yes." Oh my. Still processing. It's exciting and terrifying all at the same time! More to come a little later....this was just a "bare bones" post, but for me, nothing is ever bare bones!
12 Hours of Driving in a Car Together Later....
We are finally home. Yeesh.
This was THE longest ride home. Ever. Oh my living word. We hit significant traffic in three different places. We had a hold-up because of two accidents. When we sat down to eat at Cracker Barrel at our half-way point, the fire alarm went off so the entire restaurant had to evacuate. And the last half hour of the drive, Jesse screamed bloody murder and I had to pee so bad I thought I was going to lose it in our rental car! That was our day in a nutshell! Good times. Good times.
Anyhoo - we are home. Clothes are unpacked. Boys are bathed and abed. Clothes are ironed for church. And I am catching up at the computer for a few!
I will update tons later. As many of you know, we went home to candidate at a church this past week. It was a crazy busy trip, but a great one, as well. On the way up, we celebrated our 9 year anniversary by staying at a nice little hotel in Sturbridge, Mass. The boys were with us, but it was tons of fun. This place was in a great little town, and right on the property there was a lake to swim in with a little beach. This was HUGE for us as there are no lakes or rivers to swim in around here. How I love the feel of mud squishing between my toes and not being able to see what's on the bottom because the water is so cloudy! Love it!
Although most of the trip was for "business" purposes, we still managed to squeeze in some lovely four-wheeling, frogging, and bon-firing with my family, and a great family day to Campden with Kev's fam. We ate at our fave coffee shop and we walked the mile-long pier to the lighthouse in the rain; and the boys thought that was just the coolest!
In a couple of days, when the fog has lifted, I shall update more on the goings on in our lives. But for now, my bed - oh my glorious bed - beckons me loudly.....
This was THE longest ride home. Ever. Oh my living word. We hit significant traffic in three different places. We had a hold-up because of two accidents. When we sat down to eat at Cracker Barrel at our half-way point, the fire alarm went off so the entire restaurant had to evacuate. And the last half hour of the drive, Jesse screamed bloody murder and I had to pee so bad I thought I was going to lose it in our rental car! That was our day in a nutshell! Good times. Good times.
Anyhoo - we are home. Clothes are unpacked. Boys are bathed and abed. Clothes are ironed for church. And I am catching up at the computer for a few!
I will update tons later. As many of you know, we went home to candidate at a church this past week. It was a crazy busy trip, but a great one, as well. On the way up, we celebrated our 9 year anniversary by staying at a nice little hotel in Sturbridge, Mass. The boys were with us, but it was tons of fun. This place was in a great little town, and right on the property there was a lake to swim in with a little beach. This was HUGE for us as there are no lakes or rivers to swim in around here. How I love the feel of mud squishing between my toes and not being able to see what's on the bottom because the water is so cloudy! Love it!
Although most of the trip was for "business" purposes, we still managed to squeeze in some lovely four-wheeling, frogging, and bon-firing with my family, and a great family day to Campden with Kev's fam. We ate at our fave coffee shop and we walked the mile-long pier to the lighthouse in the rain; and the boys thought that was just the coolest!
In a couple of days, when the fog has lifted, I shall update more on the goings on in our lives. But for now, my bed - oh my glorious bed - beckons me loudly.....
Savorings
I got a reminder today (from a friend whose boys are now grown and out of the family nest) about just how quickly time does fly in these child-raising years. I've heard the quote often stated: "The days are long but the years are fleeting!" How true is that?! Some days I feel like bedtime just can't come quickly enough, but then I look at both of my boys and wonder how on earth did Kaden get to be so long that he almost hangs off the bed, and where in the world did my newborn go? I have a toddler who is RUNNING now! WHAT?
So, in honor of sweet Brenda who reminded me of the "fleeting-ness" of childhood, these are just a few snippets of things that I want to savor and drink in from my wee ones while they are still kind of wee.....
~ Nursing my baby
~ Smooching all of Jesse's neck rolls
~ Reading story after story after story to Kaden
~ Hearing Kaden beg me to scratch his back
~ Having Kaden come and get in bed with us in the morning
~ Jesse toddling up to me and draping his body around my legs
~ "Kisses and squeezes" and I love you signs from Kaden at every nap and bedtime
~ Family days where the boys still want to be with us
~ Being our boy's most favorite people on the planet......for now!
~ Hearing the boys play and giggle together in another room
~ Embracing the chaos of life in a bitty apartment with two rowdies
~ Going for long walks and talking about everthing and nothing
~ P.J. Days
~ Dive bomb hugs and lovies while I'm on my hands and knees cleaning
~ Hearing Kaden tell me OFTEN that we need another baby!
~ Jesse giving me his version of a kiss: A head butt to my face!
Things that make me go Aaaaaahhhhh!
So, in honor of sweet Brenda who reminded me of the "fleeting-ness" of childhood, these are just a few snippets of things that I want to savor and drink in from my wee ones while they are still kind of wee.....
~ Nursing my baby
~ Smooching all of Jesse's neck rolls
~ Reading story after story after story to Kaden
~ Hearing Kaden beg me to scratch his back
~ Having Kaden come and get in bed with us in the morning
~ Jesse toddling up to me and draping his body around my legs
~ "Kisses and squeezes" and I love you signs from Kaden at every nap and bedtime
~ Family days where the boys still want to be with us
~ Being our boy's most favorite people on the planet......for now!
~ Hearing the boys play and giggle together in another room
~ Embracing the chaos of life in a bitty apartment with two rowdies
~ Going for long walks and talking about everthing and nothing
~ P.J. Days
~ Dive bomb hugs and lovies while I'm on my hands and knees cleaning
~ Hearing Kaden tell me OFTEN that we need another baby!
~ Jesse giving me his version of a kiss: A head butt to my face!
Things that make me go Aaaaaahhhhh!
Smatterings
A verse and song lyrics that have blessed me tody:
Zephaniah 3:17 - "The LORD your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing!"
How amazing are the truths of that verse? He is WITH me, He DELIGHTS in me, and He REJOICES over me - ME! - with singing! Awesome. Awesome.
And the lyrics of a Sarah Groves song:
“Prayers for This Child”
I do not know how I am to pray for this child
as a mother I don’t want my baby denied
but in the waiting in the waiting
I learned
Every instinct in me wants to shield him from pain
take the arrows of misery heartache and blame
but in the sorrow in the sorrow
I learned to hold on
I only have two eyes - be all seeing
I only have two hands - be everywhere
I do not know enough - to be all knowing
I give this baby up into your care
I do not know how, how to pray for this child
I want to guard him from everything wicked and wild
but in the trial in the trial
I learned to hold on
And in the trial, in the trial
I learned to hold on to the heart of God
Hold your babies tightly this afternoon-
Zephaniah 3:17 - "The LORD your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing!"
How amazing are the truths of that verse? He is WITH me, He DELIGHTS in me, and He REJOICES over me - ME! - with singing! Awesome. Awesome.
And the lyrics of a Sarah Groves song:
“Prayers for This Child”
I do not know how I am to pray for this child
as a mother I don’t want my baby denied
but in the waiting in the waiting
I learned
Every instinct in me wants to shield him from pain
take the arrows of misery heartache and blame
but in the sorrow in the sorrow
I learned to hold on
I only have two eyes - be all seeing
I only have two hands - be everywhere
I do not know enough - to be all knowing
I give this baby up into your care
I do not know how, how to pray for this child
I want to guard him from everything wicked and wild
but in the trial in the trial
I learned to hold on
And in the trial, in the trial
I learned to hold on to the heart of God
Hold your babies tightly this afternoon-
Kaden-isms
Just a couple of cute things that Kaden has said lately:
At supper the other night Kaden said to Daddy: "Can you please not cut up my meat? I just want to stab it with my fork and eat it like a REAL man!"
Whenever Jesse does something funny or silly: "Jesse's a looney bin. I think we need to sell him to the zoo!"
A comment about my new flipflops: "Oh Mommy! Those are funky shoes!"
Waiting for a cargo train to pass by: "Wow! That was a WICKED! MASSIVE! SUPER HUGE! MASSIVE-EST! train EVER!"
And then there have been some highly hysterical conversations about body parts lately. But one of us Booker's is more modest than the other, so at the risk of embarrasing anyone, I shall refrain.....but feel free to ask me in person when you see me! Holy heavens! Oh of the mouth's of babes.......hilarious things shall come forth!
At supper the other night Kaden said to Daddy: "Can you please not cut up my meat? I just want to stab it with my fork and eat it like a REAL man!"
Whenever Jesse does something funny or silly: "Jesse's a looney bin. I think we need to sell him to the zoo!"
A comment about my new flipflops: "Oh Mommy! Those are funky shoes!"
Waiting for a cargo train to pass by: "Wow! That was a WICKED! MASSIVE! SUPER HUGE! MASSIVE-EST! train EVER!"
And then there have been some highly hysterical conversations about body parts lately. But one of us Booker's is more modest than the other, so at the risk of embarrasing anyone, I shall refrain.....but feel free to ask me in person when you see me! Holy heavens! Oh of the mouth's of babes.......hilarious things shall come forth!
Door #1 or Door #2?
Here's an El-Briefo Update-O because Mr. Scream-O feels like not sleeping.....Praises.
Okay. So - as of this September we will most likely be making one of two choices. Door #1 is this: Our church out here has made us an offer for a one year contract for Kev to stay on staff as worship leader and also do some leadership development with the men in the church. Kev could also use this year to jump start raising support for the leadership development ministry of Clarion Consulting and help the church transition into finding and working with a worship leader that will take his place when he leaves.
This is a really nice option, and a really nice offer that our church has made us. There are just a couple of things that are a bit unsettling for us. The first being that although the ministry of Clarion is something that has been life changing for Kev and is something that he fully wants to utilize in whatever ministry/work he does, both of us are unsure about jumping in "whole hog" and raising support etc. for this to be the "main" thing that we do. Just not sure if that is right for us right now. And the second thing is that we do not want to move from where we are at for only one more year, but in order to stay in the married student housing here at PBU, one of us has to be a full-time student or staff member. Soooo, if we do opt to stay, I will be going back to school. I am already accepted and registered for grad school and would start at the beginning of September.
We've both been praying pretty heavily about this "Door #1." Although getting my Master's Degree is one of my life goals, and knowing that a Counseling degree would wed well with Kev's ministry and passions, neither of us are sure if this is the time for that right now. On the one hand, life won't be getting any slower in the near future; nor will it ever be any easier than living right on a college campus. But, for some reason, neither of us have complete peace yet, so we are waiting. And resting. All of our ducks are in a row just waiting for the go-ahead which we have not received yet.
Door #2 is this: just three weeks ago, Kev put out his resume to a church in Maine for the position of "Pastor of Family Ministries" and Worship Leader. The job description has some great opportunities for Kev to be able to use his gifts and passions, conversations have gone great with the Pastor and Board of Elders, and so we are moving forward in this avenue, as well. We will be spending three days with this church - meeting with the various ministry teams etc., and Kev will also be preaching, leading worship, and leading a question and answer time during our stay. This is exciting and nerve wracking at the same time. We are praying that the Lord will show us clearly what His will is for us. If we do this, we want it to be a good "fit" for us, but also for them, as well.
So, we shall see. We are praying, we are seeking, we are waiting, and we are trying to REST! We are praying that:
Psalm 138:8 - "The LORD will accomplish what concerns [us]!"
Psalm 143:8 - "Let [us] hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; for [we] trust in You; Teach [us] the way in which [we] should walk; For to You [we] lift up [our] soul."
Ephesians 1:17 - "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give [us] a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him! We pray that the eyes of [our] heart may be enlgihtened, so that [we] will know what is the hope of His calling."
Sooooo - as of the beginning of September, we'll either be making the big move OR I'll be going back to school! I'll keep you posted! Crazy times. Crazy times indeed. My Mantra: "Be still and know that I am God." "Be still. Be still. Be still."
Okay. So - as of this September we will most likely be making one of two choices. Door #1 is this: Our church out here has made us an offer for a one year contract for Kev to stay on staff as worship leader and also do some leadership development with the men in the church. Kev could also use this year to jump start raising support for the leadership development ministry of Clarion Consulting and help the church transition into finding and working with a worship leader that will take his place when he leaves.
This is a really nice option, and a really nice offer that our church has made us. There are just a couple of things that are a bit unsettling for us. The first being that although the ministry of Clarion is something that has been life changing for Kev and is something that he fully wants to utilize in whatever ministry/work he does, both of us are unsure about jumping in "whole hog" and raising support etc. for this to be the "main" thing that we do. Just not sure if that is right for us right now. And the second thing is that we do not want to move from where we are at for only one more year, but in order to stay in the married student housing here at PBU, one of us has to be a full-time student or staff member. Soooo, if we do opt to stay, I will be going back to school. I am already accepted and registered for grad school and would start at the beginning of September.
We've both been praying pretty heavily about this "Door #1." Although getting my Master's Degree is one of my life goals, and knowing that a Counseling degree would wed well with Kev's ministry and passions, neither of us are sure if this is the time for that right now. On the one hand, life won't be getting any slower in the near future; nor will it ever be any easier than living right on a college campus. But, for some reason, neither of us have complete peace yet, so we are waiting. And resting. All of our ducks are in a row just waiting for the go-ahead which we have not received yet.
Door #2 is this: just three weeks ago, Kev put out his resume to a church in Maine for the position of "Pastor of Family Ministries" and Worship Leader. The job description has some great opportunities for Kev to be able to use his gifts and passions, conversations have gone great with the Pastor and Board of Elders, and so we are moving forward in this avenue, as well. We will be spending three days with this church - meeting with the various ministry teams etc., and Kev will also be preaching, leading worship, and leading a question and answer time during our stay. This is exciting and nerve wracking at the same time. We are praying that the Lord will show us clearly what His will is for us. If we do this, we want it to be a good "fit" for us, but also for them, as well.
So, we shall see. We are praying, we are seeking, we are waiting, and we are trying to REST! We are praying that:
Psalm 138:8 - "The LORD will accomplish what concerns [us]!"
Psalm 143:8 - "Let [us] hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; for [we] trust in You; Teach [us] the way in which [we] should walk; For to You [we] lift up [our] soul."
Ephesians 1:17 - "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give [us] a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him! We pray that the eyes of [our] heart may be enlgihtened, so that [we] will know what is the hope of His calling."
Sooooo - as of the beginning of September, we'll either be making the big move OR I'll be going back to school! I'll keep you posted! Crazy times. Crazy times indeed. My Mantra: "Be still and know that I am God." "Be still. Be still. Be still."
Monday
My head feels thick today - like I need more sleep or something. Kev let me sleep in a little this morning because Jesse was up a lot in the night with his teething. Poor little thing has eight teeth that are trying to break through all at once. I think he was a little chilly in the night, too. He's right by the air conditioning, and we need to blast it into order to reach our room. Soooo, I shall plan accordingly tonight and put him in his footies.
I think that as much as I like the opportunity to sleep in once in awhile, I really don't like the way the rest of my day goes because of that. By the time I enter the world, the boys are already fully embracing their day with all cylinders blazing, they are ready to PLAY and have Mommy's undivided attention, and all I can think about is stumbling over to the coffee pot and SITTING. The house is crazy, the beds are unmade, and the worst for me is that I then have to wait and get my shower when Jesse goes down for his morning nap. I really love my shower, and I really love it to happen pronto. It makes me feel ready for the day - focused, alert, and on top of the world! Well, not quite, but close enough....
But instead, this Monday morning, here I sit - scuzzy and unshowered, BUT with coffee in hand. Jesse is napping and Kaden is watching McGee and Me. Good times. Good times. Must. Get. Going. Laundry awaits. Bread must be made. Dust overtaketh this home. Boys must be snuggled. Books must get read. Walks must be taken.....
Buuuuuut, I can't move SO more coffee must be drunk first.
So, while I partake of this delish beverage and neglect my eldest, here's a little rundown of the weekend. We checked out a new beach on Saturday. One in the town of AVON in New Jersey. First, we ate at a really fun little place on a balcony overlooking the ocean. And then we spent the rest of the afternoon playing in the sand and water. Another time, this would not be my beach of choice with wee ones, but it was really fun to check out - and it would be awesome for bigger kids and adults. The waves were CUH-RAZY there, and the beach was a little more slopey than others, so the entire day, Jesse couldn't really get his footing. He just kept taking major diggers and face plants. It didn't really phaze him a ton, but he couldn't just run free like at other beaches he's been to. And the waves kind of took Kaden out a couple of times and scared him a bit, so we hung pretty close to shore. All in all, though, it was a glorious day. Kev and I got major fried, we ate some yummy ice cream, it was a great family day, and we always love exploring new places. So, it was fab.
On Sunday, there was no nursery worker for the Sunday school hour, so because I had the most kids, I felt that it was my duty to step up and be the volunteer. Joy. True confession: I don't like doing nursery. Tiny, stinky room. Whiny kids because it's everybody's naptime and no one feels like sharing. You know. So, we all went outside for a "nature walk" instead. I threw Jesse in the backpack, and we went over to Kaden's and my secret place by the woods and caught a whack of worms and bugs. It was joyous, and we found a kickin' huge yellow and black centipede to boot! Kaden was in Heaven, and the Sunday School hour went by pleasantly enjoyably for moi. To my delight, the little girls had a blast getting grubby, as well. Aaaand I'm sure their Mommies were thrilled with the looks of their little lacy dresses. Hmmmm. Maybe they'll volunteer next week! :0)
Okay. I have more news about our future, by this post is a mile long already, AND I am STILL scuzzy and unshowered and I really really want to have that accomplished before wee one awakens. Happy Monday all! And happy belated birthday, sweet Angie!
I think that as much as I like the opportunity to sleep in once in awhile, I really don't like the way the rest of my day goes because of that. By the time I enter the world, the boys are already fully embracing their day with all cylinders blazing, they are ready to PLAY and have Mommy's undivided attention, and all I can think about is stumbling over to the coffee pot and SITTING. The house is crazy, the beds are unmade, and the worst for me is that I then have to wait and get my shower when Jesse goes down for his morning nap. I really love my shower, and I really love it to happen pronto. It makes me feel ready for the day - focused, alert, and on top of the world! Well, not quite, but close enough....
But instead, this Monday morning, here I sit - scuzzy and unshowered, BUT with coffee in hand. Jesse is napping and Kaden is watching McGee and Me. Good times. Good times. Must. Get. Going. Laundry awaits. Bread must be made. Dust overtaketh this home. Boys must be snuggled. Books must get read. Walks must be taken.....
Buuuuuut, I can't move SO more coffee must be drunk first.
So, while I partake of this delish beverage and neglect my eldest, here's a little rundown of the weekend. We checked out a new beach on Saturday. One in the town of AVON in New Jersey. First, we ate at a really fun little place on a balcony overlooking the ocean. And then we spent the rest of the afternoon playing in the sand and water. Another time, this would not be my beach of choice with wee ones, but it was really fun to check out - and it would be awesome for bigger kids and adults. The waves were CUH-RAZY there, and the beach was a little more slopey than others, so the entire day, Jesse couldn't really get his footing. He just kept taking major diggers and face plants. It didn't really phaze him a ton, but he couldn't just run free like at other beaches he's been to. And the waves kind of took Kaden out a couple of times and scared him a bit, so we hung pretty close to shore. All in all, though, it was a glorious day. Kev and I got major fried, we ate some yummy ice cream, it was a great family day, and we always love exploring new places. So, it was fab.
On Sunday, there was no nursery worker for the Sunday school hour, so because I had the most kids, I felt that it was my duty to step up and be the volunteer. Joy. True confession: I don't like doing nursery. Tiny, stinky room. Whiny kids because it's everybody's naptime and no one feels like sharing. You know. So, we all went outside for a "nature walk" instead. I threw Jesse in the backpack, and we went over to Kaden's and my secret place by the woods and caught a whack of worms and bugs. It was joyous, and we found a kickin' huge yellow and black centipede to boot! Kaden was in Heaven, and the Sunday School hour went by pleasantly enjoyably for moi. To my delight, the little girls had a blast getting grubby, as well. Aaaand I'm sure their Mommies were thrilled with the looks of their little lacy dresses. Hmmmm. Maybe they'll volunteer next week! :0)
Okay. I have more news about our future, by this post is a mile long already, AND I am STILL scuzzy and unshowered and I really really want to have that accomplished before wee one awakens. Happy Monday all! And happy belated birthday, sweet Angie!
Sleeping on the Job
Yep. I admit - I did it. I took a nap while my wee one had free reign of the house yesterday. I was so blasted tired yesterday that I decided to nap while the boys took their snoozes. Jesse is teething, so his naps haven't been the greatest lately, so just when I reached that really deep, body numbing slumber of bliss, I was rudely awakened by his protests to get him out of bed.
Sooooo...
I grabbed a couple of blankets and a pillow, and I just sprawled out on the living room floor! He, being the quality time and touch baby that he is, loved the unlimited access to Mommy, and every thirty seconds I would have little fingers shoved up my nostrils and in my ears, I was almost blinded and scalped, a wheat thin was smashed between my lips, and more times than I can count, I was dive bombed upon!
Forty-five minutes of being horizontal was well worth the abuse, however. And by the time Kaden awoke, both Jesse and I were quite happy with the arrangement that had taken place! He was provided with unlimited access and entertainment, and I was able to at least get some semblance rest!
Sooooo...
I grabbed a couple of blankets and a pillow, and I just sprawled out on the living room floor! He, being the quality time and touch baby that he is, loved the unlimited access to Mommy, and every thirty seconds I would have little fingers shoved up my nostrils and in my ears, I was almost blinded and scalped, a wheat thin was smashed between my lips, and more times than I can count, I was dive bombed upon!
Forty-five minutes of being horizontal was well worth the abuse, however. And by the time Kaden awoke, both Jesse and I were quite happy with the arrangement that had taken place! He was provided with unlimited access and entertainment, and I was able to at least get some semblance rest!
Some Linkage
Well, it's naptime on this crazy day. The weather lied. It never did rain, so we could have had our previously planned day. All in all, the morning went well. We did lots of reading, we made some crafts, and we built a somewhat putzy fort. I ran out of steam however, midway through, so we did no painting. Instead, I ran damage control for my teething baby and for Kaden who got clocked in the head by a large toy from his brother. Good times. Good times.
Anyhoo, on with the post! I've been wanting to show some links to a few things that I've read lately that I think are worth passing along.
This is a great perspective song (and a great post by a friend, also) for those days when one feels like selling their wee tyrants to a zoo! Jesse has six teeth trying to poke through, and let me tell you, he has been just a bundle of joy these past couple of days. This song gives immediate perspective and humility at the privilege that is mine every day, it instantly shuts down any complaints on my tongue, and it makes me stop and be eternally thankful for the gifts of my children.
I found this to be one of the most balanced perspectives on getting baby to sleep through the night. I love this lady's blog. She is a mother of eight who has been at this for fifteen years. Me-thinks she hath a boatload of wisdom to bestow!
And lastly, for today, a just beautiful and oh so sweetly sentimental somewhat of a tear-jerking post that a Mommy writes about her little boy in his adjustment to his new baby that just got brought home from the hospital. This made me think of you, Shannon!
Anyhoo, on with the post! I've been wanting to show some links to a few things that I've read lately that I think are worth passing along.
This is a great perspective song (and a great post by a friend, also) for those days when one feels like selling their wee tyrants to a zoo! Jesse has six teeth trying to poke through, and let me tell you, he has been just a bundle of joy these past couple of days. This song gives immediate perspective and humility at the privilege that is mine every day, it instantly shuts down any complaints on my tongue, and it makes me stop and be eternally thankful for the gifts of my children.
I found this to be one of the most balanced perspectives on getting baby to sleep through the night. I love this lady's blog. She is a mother of eight who has been at this for fifteen years. Me-thinks she hath a boatload of wisdom to bestow!
And lastly, for today, a just beautiful and oh so sweetly sentimental somewhat of a tear-jerking post that a Mommy writes about her little boy in his adjustment to his new baby that just got brought home from the hospital. This made me think of you, Shannon!
A Day of Play...
I had big plans of doing lots of outdoorsy things with the boys today. There's a really nice library and playground a couple of miles away, and we were planning on taking a nice long walk to the library to look at books, play puzzles, and play with the cool toys they have in the kids' section and then meander over to the playground for a picnic and some play before heading back home for naps. Kaden was stoked, and I was getting all my ducks in a row so we could just fly out after Jesse's nap.
Alas, the weather is forecasting scattered thundershowers all day, so now we're gearing up for a day at home. No biggy - I just have to switch gears. So, now the day's plans consist of lots of reading in our p.j's, crafts - I'm going to lay a massive sheet of paper on the floor and just let them have at it with paint....so probably baths will also enter into the picture, forts, picnics on the floor, and naps for all of us when the time comes! :0)
Bring the rain! Tomorrow we shall work!
Alas, the weather is forecasting scattered thundershowers all day, so now we're gearing up for a day at home. No biggy - I just have to switch gears. So, now the day's plans consist of lots of reading in our p.j's, crafts - I'm going to lay a massive sheet of paper on the floor and just let them have at it with paint....so probably baths will also enter into the picture, forts, picnics on the floor, and naps for all of us when the time comes! :0)
Bring the rain! Tomorrow we shall work!
What in the World?
Remember how just a wee post ago I said that I was comfortable with boys? Well, I'm quite convinced that it's because I'm half boy myself. Seriously. I really wouldn't mind be slightly feminine once in a awhile, but honestly - when I try - I feel like a fake and like I just can't quite pull it off. Here are some examples of my lack of girlishness:
~ I wear only one dress, and I have owned it since my wedding day. It was my "going away" dress for my honeymoon. This is the dress that I wear to every occasion: weddings, funerals, and even my graduation. I tell you - that 80$ was well worth it!Kev doesn't care. Kaden thinks I am "soooo pretty!" because he's only seen me in a dress twice in his entire life, I think; and Jesse doesn't have a clue to save his soul.
~ I absolutely detest nylons with a purple passion. I have worn them only three times since my Bible school days. All three times to weddings. One being my own. What was I thinking?
~ My wardrobe consists of mostly black, khaki, and grey. I really only wear keen's and flipflops. And I don't own a single pair of high heels. I never have.
~ I own two articles of pink clothing.....and I actually like them, but feel somewhat numb nutty in them. At least they are capri's and a tank top - not overly feminine.
~ And if Kev were to take another church position someday, I told him - in my not so spiritual moments - that if there is some sort of dresscode expectation for the wife and I have to wear a dress each week - then it surely is not the Lord's will for us to be taking on THAT position!
~ My house decor consists of mostly sticks, twigs, rocks, earthy, old, and outdoorsy things. There is not a single frill, ruffle, or peice of lace to be seen!
~ The only jewelry I wear are my wedding bands, a fish ring that we got on our honeymoon, a twenty-five cent bracelet that I got on a yardsale, the occasional cheap-o toe ring, and on Sundays a rockin' brown, leather, stoney necklace...that is by far the nicest thing I own besides my wedding bands. (A gift from sweet Shannon, or I would never have owned such beauty!)
~ But HERE'S the kicker - hence the name of my title. I got my eyebrows waxed and shaped for the first time a couple of months ago. Like my two brothers, I have been blessed with a uni-brow, and I finally decided to do something more serious about it. Well, when the lady waxed them, she also trimmed them with little scissors, which made them look quite nice. So, last night, I thought I could probably save a couple of bucks and trim them myself. Well, I don't have a blessed clue how I managed this one, but somehow, my eyelashes on my left eye got in the way, and I trimmed my eyelashes right along with my eyebrow! I have like half the length of eyelashes that I do on my opposite eye! Let me tell you - I am stunning to look at now!
Now if that isn't the epitomy of feminity, I don't know what is?! Holy dyin'......
~ I wear only one dress, and I have owned it since my wedding day. It was my "going away" dress for my honeymoon. This is the dress that I wear to every occasion: weddings, funerals, and even my graduation. I tell you - that 80$ was well worth it!Kev doesn't care. Kaden thinks I am "soooo pretty!" because he's only seen me in a dress twice in his entire life, I think; and Jesse doesn't have a clue to save his soul.
~ I absolutely detest nylons with a purple passion. I have worn them only three times since my Bible school days. All three times to weddings. One being my own. What was I thinking?
~ My wardrobe consists of mostly black, khaki, and grey. I really only wear keen's and flipflops. And I don't own a single pair of high heels. I never have.
~ I own two articles of pink clothing.....and I actually like them, but feel somewhat numb nutty in them. At least they are capri's and a tank top - not overly feminine.
~ And if Kev were to take another church position someday, I told him - in my not so spiritual moments - that if there is some sort of dresscode expectation for the wife and I have to wear a dress each week - then it surely is not the Lord's will for us to be taking on THAT position!
~ My house decor consists of mostly sticks, twigs, rocks, earthy, old, and outdoorsy things. There is not a single frill, ruffle, or peice of lace to be seen!
~ The only jewelry I wear are my wedding bands, a fish ring that we got on our honeymoon, a twenty-five cent bracelet that I got on a yardsale, the occasional cheap-o toe ring, and on Sundays a rockin' brown, leather, stoney necklace...that is by far the nicest thing I own besides my wedding bands. (A gift from sweet Shannon, or I would never have owned such beauty!)
~ But HERE'S the kicker - hence the name of my title. I got my eyebrows waxed and shaped for the first time a couple of months ago. Like my two brothers, I have been blessed with a uni-brow, and I finally decided to do something more serious about it. Well, when the lady waxed them, she also trimmed them with little scissors, which made them look quite nice. So, last night, I thought I could probably save a couple of bucks and trim them myself. Well, I don't have a blessed clue how I managed this one, but somehow, my eyelashes on my left eye got in the way, and I trimmed my eyelashes right along with my eyebrow! I have like half the length of eyelashes that I do on my opposite eye! Let me tell you - I am stunning to look at now!
Now if that isn't the epitomy of feminity, I don't know what is?! Holy dyin'......
Boys Will Be Boys?
Okay. Help me process a few things here. I grew up in hicksville with all boys, I have all boys, I'm very comfortable with boys, and I feel like I know boys pretty well. As much as a girl can - I feel like I somewhat know how little boys are wired, what they like to do, what they are naturally drawn too, etc. Don't get me wrong - I am no expert by any shape of the imagination, but not too much surprises me where little boys are concerned.
So, here is my dilemma. Well, first let me just back up for a minute and explain what I am processing here. Last night, our family - along with one of Kev's friends and his son - went to Tyler State Park to fish and play in the water for the evening. This place is a little boy's paradise - the water is not too high right now, so they could go out as far as they wanted, we caught three baby turtles, Daddy caught a sunfish on his flyrod, and we caught tons of little mini baby black tadpoles. Everything went into buckets, and the boys touched and played with things to their heart's content while we were there.
Okay. So here is where my processing begins. As we are all playing, three other little boys come down to the water and begin to splash around just like we were doing. They are all probably around ten years old - I'm not really sure; I'm quite pathetic with ages, actually - but they were quite a bit older than Kaden. We showed them the turtles and the tadpoles, and then they decided that they wanted to catch some tadpoles for themselves. Instead of catching the tadpoles, however, they began throwing massive rocks onto them and yelling: "Got you sucker!" and "Oh - that one's not dead yet! Get him! Get him!"
Let me just stop right here and say that I realize this is nothing like little boys shooting a puppy or maiming a kitten for sport. However, in my book that is just not cool and it will not be allowed in my home. I talked this over a bit with Kev on the way home, because there is that whole delicate balance and line of letting boys be boys, and where do you draw it? I don't want to be extreme - I have no problems with letting them have guns when they are older. I have no problems with them going hunting with their Daddy. But, in my book this is vastly different. We do not kill for sport. We kill for food. And from the time Kaden has understood speech, he has known that difference.
Anyway, this is a slightly rambly post, but I wanted to see if Kev felt as strongly as I did about not allowing our kids to do things like that. He said that he did agree, and although he didn't do tons of that sort of thing when he was a kid, he did share a few things that he did that he still feels bad about to this day! So, I'm sure it will probably happen at some point in my boy's lives - I'm not naive. But, I am also trying to make a very clear impression on them at a very young age that we take care of little things and treat them with respect. I don't even like Kaden catching bugs and leaving them in his bug box until they die. I'm all about catch and release!
Anyway, that's my philosophy. What do you guys think? Too extreme? Right on?
So, here is my dilemma. Well, first let me just back up for a minute and explain what I am processing here. Last night, our family - along with one of Kev's friends and his son - went to Tyler State Park to fish and play in the water for the evening. This place is a little boy's paradise - the water is not too high right now, so they could go out as far as they wanted, we caught three baby turtles, Daddy caught a sunfish on his flyrod, and we caught tons of little mini baby black tadpoles. Everything went into buckets, and the boys touched and played with things to their heart's content while we were there.
Okay. So here is where my processing begins. As we are all playing, three other little boys come down to the water and begin to splash around just like we were doing. They are all probably around ten years old - I'm not really sure; I'm quite pathetic with ages, actually - but they were quite a bit older than Kaden. We showed them the turtles and the tadpoles, and then they decided that they wanted to catch some tadpoles for themselves. Instead of catching the tadpoles, however, they began throwing massive rocks onto them and yelling: "Got you sucker!" and "Oh - that one's not dead yet! Get him! Get him!"
Let me just stop right here and say that I realize this is nothing like little boys shooting a puppy or maiming a kitten for sport. However, in my book that is just not cool and it will not be allowed in my home. I talked this over a bit with Kev on the way home, because there is that whole delicate balance and line of letting boys be boys, and where do you draw it? I don't want to be extreme - I have no problems with letting them have guns when they are older. I have no problems with them going hunting with their Daddy. But, in my book this is vastly different. We do not kill for sport. We kill for food. And from the time Kaden has understood speech, he has known that difference.
Anyway, this is a slightly rambly post, but I wanted to see if Kev felt as strongly as I did about not allowing our kids to do things like that. He said that he did agree, and although he didn't do tons of that sort of thing when he was a kid, he did share a few things that he did that he still feels bad about to this day! So, I'm sure it will probably happen at some point in my boy's lives - I'm not naive. But, I am also trying to make a very clear impression on them at a very young age that we take care of little things and treat them with respect. I don't even like Kaden catching bugs and leaving them in his bug box until they die. I'm all about catch and release!
Anyway, that's my philosophy. What do you guys think? Too extreme? Right on?
Happy Monday!
It's been a few days since my last post. Did ya miss me? Let's see. How about some wee updates for those inquiring minds?
The tail end of last week is a blur...sorry I can help ya there with the details. I'm remembering lots of heat and sun, bike rides, stories, and oh yes! One night, we had some friends over for supper and dutch oven strawberry shortcake out back. That was fun. There was also a rambunctious game of soccer afterwards where Kaden took a header from the soccer ball - I was totally impressed and yelled "AWESOME!" - to which Kev promptly scooped a sobbing Kaden up into his arms and scolded me with a: "It's NOT awesome!" Okay then. He was quite fine; just a wee bit shocked at this thing bouncing off of his head! After the initial fear and minor pain wore off, he was back in the scuffle with the best of us. What a tough little guy! Good times! Mommy was so proud!
On Saturday, we went to Ocean City, New Jersey - our absolute favorite place to go in the summer! The weather was gorgeous - not too hot and slightly overcast for the kids, and we just stayed and played all day. To our pleasant surprise, Jesse ate nary a shell or handful of sand! Also, - NOT to our surprise - he was fearless around the water, so we had to be on our toes the entire time we were there! He took a couple of face plants into the salty water but really didn't seem all that phased. He absolutely loved the freedom to be able to run wherever he wanted, and all throughout the day, he would give handfuls of sand to random people!
And then, yesterday, after a marathon day at church, "the boys" took Kev out to Bugaboo Creek for a Father's Day supper. We had a really great weekend, and we hate to see it end. So, we're contemplating going to pick sour cherries tonight and making a yummy pie to top it all off!
The tail end of last week is a blur...sorry I can help ya there with the details. I'm remembering lots of heat and sun, bike rides, stories, and oh yes! One night, we had some friends over for supper and dutch oven strawberry shortcake out back. That was fun. There was also a rambunctious game of soccer afterwards where Kaden took a header from the soccer ball - I was totally impressed and yelled "AWESOME!" - to which Kev promptly scooped a sobbing Kaden up into his arms and scolded me with a: "It's NOT awesome!" Okay then. He was quite fine; just a wee bit shocked at this thing bouncing off of his head! After the initial fear and minor pain wore off, he was back in the scuffle with the best of us. What a tough little guy! Good times! Mommy was so proud!
On Saturday, we went to Ocean City, New Jersey - our absolute favorite place to go in the summer! The weather was gorgeous - not too hot and slightly overcast for the kids, and we just stayed and played all day. To our pleasant surprise, Jesse ate nary a shell or handful of sand! Also, - NOT to our surprise - he was fearless around the water, so we had to be on our toes the entire time we were there! He took a couple of face plants into the salty water but really didn't seem all that phased. He absolutely loved the freedom to be able to run wherever he wanted, and all throughout the day, he would give handfuls of sand to random people!
And then, yesterday, after a marathon day at church, "the boys" took Kev out to Bugaboo Creek for a Father's Day supper. We had a really great weekend, and we hate to see it end. So, we're contemplating going to pick sour cherries tonight and making a yummy pie to top it all off!
Life
We have fully eased into our summer rhythm here. It's been hotter than blazes for the past few days, but the humidity has finally eased up. Each day looks much like the previous for us - lots of long walks, dips in the kiddie pool, bike rides around the parking lot, snuggles with Kaden while reading Little House on the Prairie books during Jesse's naps, ice creams and parks in the evenings, and sweaty, tired bodies easing into bed at night. Just the way we all love it.
We have this month and next to play and then decision time will be upon us. Kev finishes up with his school in August and will be the second person in the history of PBU to graduate with 3 degrees in 3 years! He is not one to brag, so I will do it for him. He's been such a trooper - always an awesome father and husband throughout it all - and we are so proud of him.
Our lease runs out August first, and then it's crunch time. For months, we have been praying and asking the Lord to clearly show us what His next step for us will be. A door looked like it was opening awhile back, and we started to walk through it, but neither of us felt like this was what our next step should be. Looking back at that decision now - a few weeks later - we have total peace that we made the right decision. We have some other options that we are looking at - ones that will change life as we know it now quite significantly - so we are earnestly seeking His wisdom and His will. For someone who hates change, I am surprisingly calm and at peace - and even excited at these new potential chapters of life for our family. I will update more as we know more! Kev and I have been on the same page throughout this entire journey, and we have seen the Lord so clearly lead us, so we have full faith that He will do the same again - in His time.
No matter the decision - I have two months to play before d-day. Two more months to just "be" with my boys - to play, to read, to eat popsicles, to go camping, to go to the beach, to wipe blood and kiss bruises - which happens A LOT with Jesse, to go on walks, to dig for worms and look for bugs, to "chase life!" (as Shannon writes), and to savor the summer with those I love most.
Life is good.
We have this month and next to play and then decision time will be upon us. Kev finishes up with his school in August and will be the second person in the history of PBU to graduate with 3 degrees in 3 years! He is not one to brag, so I will do it for him. He's been such a trooper - always an awesome father and husband throughout it all - and we are so proud of him.
Our lease runs out August first, and then it's crunch time. For months, we have been praying and asking the Lord to clearly show us what His next step for us will be. A door looked like it was opening awhile back, and we started to walk through it, but neither of us felt like this was what our next step should be. Looking back at that decision now - a few weeks later - we have total peace that we made the right decision. We have some other options that we are looking at - ones that will change life as we know it now quite significantly - so we are earnestly seeking His wisdom and His will. For someone who hates change, I am surprisingly calm and at peace - and even excited at these new potential chapters of life for our family. I will update more as we know more! Kev and I have been on the same page throughout this entire journey, and we have seen the Lord so clearly lead us, so we have full faith that He will do the same again - in His time.
No matter the decision - I have two months to play before d-day. Two more months to just "be" with my boys - to play, to read, to eat popsicles, to go camping, to go to the beach, to wipe blood and kiss bruises - which happens A LOT with Jesse, to go on walks, to dig for worms and look for bugs, to "chase life!" (as Shannon writes), and to savor the summer with those I love most.
Life is good.
Watch This.
I love love love drama presentations. Somehow the acting combined with the music behind it speaks far more to me than mere words ever could. This group of kids gives an AWESOME presentation to the Lifehouse song, "You're All I Need." It starts out a wee bit cheesy, but it just gets better and better. Wait for the chorus. Wait for it. It'll move ya!
Handling Disappointments
I was really proud of my little boy today.
Since he just turned four, he is now able to go to "Junior Church," and this is something that he has been excited about doing for quite awhile now. The kids always get a little snack and then they have a lesson time of their own. Usually he's a little shy at first about starting new things with lots of kids, but today he just walked right into class like a big boy.
He was the last kid getting in there, because he had to wait for me to get done singing, and there were more children in there today than usual. So we just found him an extra chair, the kids all made room for him, and he sat down eagerly anticipating his fun little snack. Well, the teacher had a really special treat today. The only problem was, there wasn't enough to go around. All of the other children were sitting around this table all together dipping their fun little lollipop treats into the sugar candy and licking them off, while Kaden just sat there and watched them. When the teacher realized that there wasn't enough to go around she quickly gave Kaden a mini box of raisins and told him that "they were just as good (and sweet too!)" WHAAT?!!
In the grand scheme of life, this is so not a big deal. And really - I would prefer my child to be eating a snack like goldfish or raisins or even crackers, anyway. But, when every other kid in the room is getting a really fun treat, it totally just broke my heart that he was sitting there eating raisins. Again - I know it's not a big deal, but it made me so sad. And he was so big and brave. He looked at me and all he said was: "I would like a snack like they're having." So, I knelt down beside him and just explained that there wasn't enough to go around today. I could have used this as a perfect teaching time about "how the last shall be first" or how "someone had to be the one to not get the lollipop, and it's nice for him to be the big boy," but I just didn't have the heart. He nodded that he understood, and he quietly picked away at his snack while I walked back to the service with my tail between my legs. Disappointments are good and necessary to learn about - I know this. He will have his fair share of them thanks to this mean world. But as his Mommy, how I wish I could shelter him from unnecessary hurts. My heart just felt so sad for him and so proud that he was trying to be so big and brave.
On the way home both Kev and I talked to him about how proud we were that even though he was really disappointed and even kind of sad that he didn't get a fun treat, he didn't make a scene, he didn't act out, and he wasn't mean to the other kids. He really did act like a big boy and he didn't let that disappointment get in the way of having a really fun time at Junior Church, either.
Needless to say, we took a wee bit of a detour on the way home and bought someone a very VERY special ice cream treat to have all for himself!
Since he just turned four, he is now able to go to "Junior Church," and this is something that he has been excited about doing for quite awhile now. The kids always get a little snack and then they have a lesson time of their own. Usually he's a little shy at first about starting new things with lots of kids, but today he just walked right into class like a big boy.
He was the last kid getting in there, because he had to wait for me to get done singing, and there were more children in there today than usual. So we just found him an extra chair, the kids all made room for him, and he sat down eagerly anticipating his fun little snack. Well, the teacher had a really special treat today. The only problem was, there wasn't enough to go around. All of the other children were sitting around this table all together dipping their fun little lollipop treats into the sugar candy and licking them off, while Kaden just sat there and watched them. When the teacher realized that there wasn't enough to go around she quickly gave Kaden a mini box of raisins and told him that "they were just as good (and sweet too!)" WHAAT?!!
In the grand scheme of life, this is so not a big deal. And really - I would prefer my child to be eating a snack like goldfish or raisins or even crackers, anyway. But, when every other kid in the room is getting a really fun treat, it totally just broke my heart that he was sitting there eating raisins. Again - I know it's not a big deal, but it made me so sad. And he was so big and brave. He looked at me and all he said was: "I would like a snack like they're having." So, I knelt down beside him and just explained that there wasn't enough to go around today. I could have used this as a perfect teaching time about "how the last shall be first" or how "someone had to be the one to not get the lollipop, and it's nice for him to be the big boy," but I just didn't have the heart. He nodded that he understood, and he quietly picked away at his snack while I walked back to the service with my tail between my legs. Disappointments are good and necessary to learn about - I know this. He will have his fair share of them thanks to this mean world. But as his Mommy, how I wish I could shelter him from unnecessary hurts. My heart just felt so sad for him and so proud that he was trying to be so big and brave.
On the way home both Kev and I talked to him about how proud we were that even though he was really disappointed and even kind of sad that he didn't get a fun treat, he didn't make a scene, he didn't act out, and he wasn't mean to the other kids. He really did act like a big boy and he didn't let that disappointment get in the way of having a really fun time at Junior Church, either.
Needless to say, we took a wee bit of a detour on the way home and bought someone a very VERY special ice cream treat to have all for himself!
Science at its BEST!
We just witnessed the COOLEST thing over here! Kaden caught seven army worms awhile back, and we've just had them hanging out in a tupperware container for about a week. Within a couple of days of catching them, four promptly cocooned themselves away while the other two just sort of shriveled up and died. I had never known that army worms did this, so we've just sort of had them hanging out on top of our fridge waiting to see what would happen.
Well, yesterday I looked in the container and saw a little moth in there. I didn't really put two and two together because Kaden had also caught a moth just yesterday and I just thought it had gotten loose and that I had stumbled upon it. This evening at supper time, I looked in again and there was a second little moth hanging out. And then it clicked! These babies were hatching - or whatever you call what they do when they come out of their cocoon!
And then - just as we were watching these little guys hopping and floundering around inside the container, one moth starting coming out of its cocoon and WE GOT TO WATCH THE WHOLE THING! It was SO cool! Seriously! I have never seen anything like this before, and I was amazed! The boys thought it was cool and then they ALL promptly went back to their wrestling and roughhousing, but - oh my word - I just watched this little guy all evening as he crawled around and dried his wings out and then practiced flapping them. It was amazing. We released the other two babies into the wild, but I'm going to give this little guy a few more minutes to get a good head start on life before I release him to the birds. Two more babies to go!
Come on now - do you not think that this is a pretty cool thing to witness?!! Kevin mocks my enthusiasm......:0)
Well, yesterday I looked in the container and saw a little moth in there. I didn't really put two and two together because Kaden had also caught a moth just yesterday and I just thought it had gotten loose and that I had stumbled upon it. This evening at supper time, I looked in again and there was a second little moth hanging out. And then it clicked! These babies were hatching - or whatever you call what they do when they come out of their cocoon!
And then - just as we were watching these little guys hopping and floundering around inside the container, one moth starting coming out of its cocoon and WE GOT TO WATCH THE WHOLE THING! It was SO cool! Seriously! I have never seen anything like this before, and I was amazed! The boys thought it was cool and then they ALL promptly went back to their wrestling and roughhousing, but - oh my word - I just watched this little guy all evening as he crawled around and dried his wings out and then practiced flapping them. It was amazing. We released the other two babies into the wild, but I'm going to give this little guy a few more minutes to get a good head start on life before I release him to the birds. Two more babies to go!
Come on now - do you not think that this is a pretty cool thing to witness?!! Kevin mocks my enthusiasm......:0)
Amazing Blogs and Posts Worth Reading.....
I've been wanting to post a couple of links for awhile of things that I've either stumbled across or have been told about. If you have the time, these are some blogs written by some amazing women who are completely sold out to their Savior.
Here's one that will make you RUN to your babies and thank Jesus for every moment that you have with them. Warning: have tissues ready. I'm sending you just to one post; but you can see where you can read her entire blog there, as well. OH. MY. WORD. What a humbling, tear-jerking blog to read.
This one gives really great perspective on "the quiverfull movement." At least out here, this is a pretty hot topic these days, and I love how she puts the kibosh on all of the spiritualizing that we - especially we young mothers - can do.
For my prego friends: the most complete list of natural labor induction methods! Just let me say, however, that I DO NOT recommend the caster oil. Had a friend with really really bad results.....
And finally Here's something that is just plain gross.
Here's one that will make you RUN to your babies and thank Jesus for every moment that you have with them. Warning: have tissues ready. I'm sending you just to one post; but you can see where you can read her entire blog there, as well. OH. MY. WORD. What a humbling, tear-jerking blog to read.
This one gives really great perspective on "the quiverfull movement." At least out here, this is a pretty hot topic these days, and I love how she puts the kibosh on all of the spiritualizing that we - especially we young mothers - can do.
For my prego friends: the most complete list of natural labor induction methods! Just let me say, however, that I DO NOT recommend the caster oil. Had a friend with really really bad results.....
And finally Here's something that is just plain gross.
The Winds of Change
Do you want to know how much this anal cleaning Mama is relaxing? Today is a perfect example. I really wanted to vac my kitchen and living room floors before the boys went down to nap. Upon mentioning this to Kaden, he asked if he could help - like he always does - and I suggested that he get out his lawn mower and pretend to vac along with me - like he always does.
Well, today, this suggestion didn't fly. This time he really wanted to help for real "because I'm four now." So, I got out the vac and proceeded to let him clean both floors all by himself. He was so proud of the work that he accomplished with Jesse dutifully carrying the cord and attachments along behind him wherever he went that I didn't have the heart to run through really quickly and touch up the places that he missed. So there you have it - my place is sufficiently cleaned!
And now we are off for a cookie break, because "cleaning is hard work!"
Well, today, this suggestion didn't fly. This time he really wanted to help for real "because I'm four now." So, I got out the vac and proceeded to let him clean both floors all by himself. He was so proud of the work that he accomplished with Jesse dutifully carrying the cord and attachments along behind him wherever he went that I didn't have the heart to run through really quickly and touch up the places that he missed. So there you have it - my place is sufficiently cleaned!
And now we are off for a cookie break, because "cleaning is hard work!"
Happy Birthday, Jesse Micah!
I cannot believe that my baby is one today. Where has the time gone? I can so vividly remember twelve months ago today waking up at one in the morning feeling a little "off" and wondering if "this was it!" I had had to be induced with Kaden because of complications and was so praying to be able to go completely natural with this one. I had already been put on complete bedrest for two days straight because of symptoms of pre-clampsia, and I was so discouraged. Well, that morning, the Lord gave me the absolute greatest gift ever in giving me the birth of my dreams, but also in giving me another absolutely beautiful little boy who came out just a screaming!
What an intense little man we have; and what a delight he is to our family! He has completely turned us inside out and so totally changed the dynamic of what we look like now. It has been a crazy, wild ride these past twelve months - really not a quiet minute since he's joined us - and actually quite the funny farm now that I look back on the year - but what a gift these months have been.
I absolutely love this little boy. I never quite understood how moms were able to love their children equally, or how they could spread the wealth of their love to so many people. The love that I felt for Kaden was so deep and strong, I just wondered how I would ever love another as much as him - but it's true! It's like your heart just gets a little bigger and a little fuller and it just expands to hold another. Sometimes it feels like it'll explode!
So, to celebrate this joyous occasion of Jesse's birth, we took him to his favorite hospital and got his cast removed! What a way to celebrate, eh? He was actually a bit of a wreck today, so we're going to do presents and things like that another day when he is more rested and his naps are not so thrown. But he is quite thrilled to have both of his hands free AND to be able to have baths again. The highlight of his day was playing in the tub with his big brother once again.
What a privilege to be a Mother. What an honor and a humbling responsibility. So often I do not feel up to the task or equipped for this calling. But, I am so thankful that the Lord has given me these little boys on loan for however long He will let me have them. I am in awe of these gifts.
What an intense little man we have; and what a delight he is to our family! He has completely turned us inside out and so totally changed the dynamic of what we look like now. It has been a crazy, wild ride these past twelve months - really not a quiet minute since he's joined us - and actually quite the funny farm now that I look back on the year - but what a gift these months have been.
I absolutely love this little boy. I never quite understood how moms were able to love their children equally, or how they could spread the wealth of their love to so many people. The love that I felt for Kaden was so deep and strong, I just wondered how I would ever love another as much as him - but it's true! It's like your heart just gets a little bigger and a little fuller and it just expands to hold another. Sometimes it feels like it'll explode!
So, to celebrate this joyous occasion of Jesse's birth, we took him to his favorite hospital and got his cast removed! What a way to celebrate, eh? He was actually a bit of a wreck today, so we're going to do presents and things like that another day when he is more rested and his naps are not so thrown. But he is quite thrilled to have both of his hands free AND to be able to have baths again. The highlight of his day was playing in the tub with his big brother once again.
What a privilege to be a Mother. What an honor and a humbling responsibility. So often I do not feel up to the task or equipped for this calling. But, I am so thankful that the Lord has given me these little boys on loan for however long He will let me have them. I am in awe of these gifts.
An Ode to The Pregos!
I seem to have quite a few friends who are with child at the moment, and I have just been thinking about all of you a lot lately. Shannie, Esther, and Sarah, in particular are are on my mind, but also my dear friend Kristi who just had her first little guy a few weeks ago also comes to mind all the time. So, I just want to give you all a little shout out!
My friends - know that I love you and I am praying for you. I'm so excited for you, and I want to remind you that even if you accomplish absolutley nothing in your day sometimes, you are really climbing a mountain with the work that your body is doing in making that little baby. So, sit back, relax, put your feet up, and remind everybody of that impressive fact! You're doing more than most each and every day! Much love to you all!
My Jesse turns one on Wednesday, and I must confess that I'm starting to feel the itch again - a little craving in my soul - a few stirrings within. Kev thinks I'm insane and is no where even close to being ready....not sure if he ever will be, quite frankly.....but it's beginning again! We shall see. I want to fully savor my little baby, so I really am in no rush, but oh my - I am finding him so yummy these days! For me, the infancy stage is quite challenging. Both of my boys were really fussy newborns, and Jesse was really quite a wreck up until 9 or 10 months. But from here on out, I am in my element, and it just keeps getting better! I am very content right now, and I feel that our family is complete for the moment....but I can't say that I feel we are done. I just can't imagine that.....God alone knows when our quiver will be full! We'll keep you posted!
My friends - know that I love you and I am praying for you. I'm so excited for you, and I want to remind you that even if you accomplish absolutley nothing in your day sometimes, you are really climbing a mountain with the work that your body is doing in making that little baby. So, sit back, relax, put your feet up, and remind everybody of that impressive fact! You're doing more than most each and every day! Much love to you all!
My Jesse turns one on Wednesday, and I must confess that I'm starting to feel the itch again - a little craving in my soul - a few stirrings within. Kev thinks I'm insane and is no where even close to being ready....not sure if he ever will be, quite frankly.....but it's beginning again! We shall see. I want to fully savor my little baby, so I really am in no rush, but oh my - I am finding him so yummy these days! For me, the infancy stage is quite challenging. Both of my boys were really fussy newborns, and Jesse was really quite a wreck up until 9 or 10 months. But from here on out, I am in my element, and it just keeps getting better! I am very content right now, and I feel that our family is complete for the moment....but I can't say that I feel we are done. I just can't imagine that.....God alone knows when our quiver will be full! We'll keep you posted!
An Unexpected Gift
This morning, we didn't hear Jesse until close to 7:30. This was a real treat, as his normal waking time is right around 6:00. What a nice little present on a Saturday morning! However, upon going to get him, we realized that he had found himself a little present, as well. He had managed to reach over to Kaden's crayon can and was happily shredding a green crayon to bits and chomping merrily away! I'm excited for the afternoon diaper. It's the gift that keeps on giving!
The Distortion of Beauty
Pretty amazing, eh? Pretty scary if that's what our young women are trying to measure up to these days.
It kinda reminds me of a little phrase I've read a time or two: "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised!"
Happy Birthday, Sweet Kaden!
So hard to believe that our little guy turned four years old yesterday. My baby boy is no more. I clearly remember how I felt four years ago: unsure of what I'd gotten myself into, wondering if I was even going to be a good mom and if I would even enjoy motherhood, praying to the Lord that I would be able to soothe him when he cried because I always made babies freak out when I held them....and the feelings went on. And I oh so vividly remember the first time I held him when he was crying and seeing how he was instantly soothed in my arms; and then I knew that I was going to be okay! My, how I fell in love. What a gift the Lord has given us in Kaden.
It was so much fun celebrating him all day long! And oh the fun we had! We went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast, and then we immediately headed over to Tyler State Park to spend the rest of the morning and to have a picnic lunch. Hidden in our car top carrier was his brand new big boy bike, and he was SO excited when we pulled it out! One of the first things that he said was: "Now Jesse can have my tricyle because I have a big boy bike now. I don't need it anymore!" He was a little timid at first and just wanted to walk it around, but after just a couple of minutes, we couldn't get him off it. He didn't even want to stop for his pizza picnic!
After naptime, we had the backyard all decorated with his kiddie pool all set up, and we had a really fun bbq with a bunch of his little friends. They all swam and rode trikes and bikes, he unwrapped gifts, and we had a cake all decorated with candy to look like a bike. Kev actually did most of the decorating, because I was getting so frustrated with the decorating instructions! He was so impressed with himself that he carved his initials in the frosting with licorice!
The only downer of the night was that we're pretty sure Kaden got a little bit of heat exhaustion as a result of all the day's festivities. He spiked a fever in the night and really all of today he's been quite drained, as well. Poor little guy. It's hard work being a big boy!
It was so much fun celebrating him all day long! And oh the fun we had! We went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast, and then we immediately headed over to Tyler State Park to spend the rest of the morning and to have a picnic lunch. Hidden in our car top carrier was his brand new big boy bike, and he was SO excited when we pulled it out! One of the first things that he said was: "Now Jesse can have my tricyle because I have a big boy bike now. I don't need it anymore!" He was a little timid at first and just wanted to walk it around, but after just a couple of minutes, we couldn't get him off it. He didn't even want to stop for his pizza picnic!
After naptime, we had the backyard all decorated with his kiddie pool all set up, and we had a really fun bbq with a bunch of his little friends. They all swam and rode trikes and bikes, he unwrapped gifts, and we had a cake all decorated with candy to look like a bike. Kev actually did most of the decorating, because I was getting so frustrated with the decorating instructions! He was so impressed with himself that he carved his initials in the frosting with licorice!
The only downer of the night was that we're pretty sure Kaden got a little bit of heat exhaustion as a result of all the day's festivities. He spiked a fever in the night and really all of today he's been quite drained, as well. Poor little guy. It's hard work being a big boy!
Happy Memorial Day!
Up home, Memorial Day is one of my mostest fave holidays. We celebrate it hick style and usually spend the day canoeing some river with a hotdog roast on a bank somewhere. We make a nice little smudge to keep the blackflies at bay, and then we continue on our merry way for the rest of the afternoon just lazing down the river, hitting a rapid or two, and trolling with our fishing poles. In earlier years when everyone had more energy and less children, we also would do some tenting during this holiday weekend, as well. This year, we went home earlier in the month, so we missed out on the big to-do's, and wouldn't you know that this is the very first time that Mom & Dad flipped their canoe! I have waited my entire life to see this spectacular event with Mom shrieking like a banshee as her homemade cookies wash downstream, and of course it had to happen while I'm in Philly! I can't wait to get the details from my bro! I'm glad you're all okay, but Mister Man, I wish I was there to witness the spectacle! Good times!
Anyhoo, Kev knows that this is one of my most fave holidays, so instead of going off some place to do homework like he so desperately needs to do, he stayed home and made it fun for lil 'ole me and the boysies. We went to our fave local orchard and picked three little pints of strawberries; it's the very first day of the season. Then, we went to the store right next door and bought a spontaneous picnic lunch and came back and ate it on the picnic tables right in the orchard. Some friends are coming by for a BBQ supper, and we're going to make camp coffee and dutch oven biscuits for some homemade strawberry shortcake. It'll be kind of like camping - only ghetto style!
Anyhoo, Kev knows that this is one of my most fave holidays, so instead of going off some place to do homework like he so desperately needs to do, he stayed home and made it fun for lil 'ole me and the boysies. We went to our fave local orchard and picked three little pints of strawberries; it's the very first day of the season. Then, we went to the store right next door and bought a spontaneous picnic lunch and came back and ate it on the picnic tables right in the orchard. Some friends are coming by for a BBQ supper, and we're going to make camp coffee and dutch oven biscuits for some homemade strawberry shortcake. It'll be kind of like camping - only ghetto style!
Sigh.....
A beautiful post. Oh to be able to write like this!
Such a beautiful picture of infancy.....of motherhood.....and of Jesus.
Such a beautiful picture of infancy.....of motherhood.....and of Jesus.
Plans!
Now that the stress of Jesse's surgery is over, we can start thinking about fun things like birthdays and make plans for, you know, our future and things like that! Kaden turns four next Thursday, and on the following Wednesday, Jesse turns one! Whoo-hoo! Times for celebration in the Booker household.
Kaden has been asking for a big boy bike for several months now. Daddy found one just the right size for him with training wheels, and we have it all stashed away in our car top carrier for the big day. We're either going to go to Cracker Barrel for breakfast - his fave, or make pancakes and eggs at home - his other fave. Then, we'll pack a fun picnic lunch and head to his favorite park for the morning with our bikes and his little trike. Little does his know that the trike will really be for Jesse, and his very own big boy bike will be brought out to surprise him! Oh - I'm so excited! Then, we'll have a picnic lunch and get them home in time for their naps. When everyone wakes up, we're going to have a little backyard BBQ with some friends and their kids. It'll be relaxed and laid back; and the kids can just play and splash around in the kiddie pool. Kaden can open up his gifts from the grandparents and a few other little things we have for him, and we'll have cupcakes and icecream to top off the day.
For our wee one's first birthday, we'll be getting his cast off for him! Not sure if we'll really celebrate on his actual birthday because of that, but maybe we will. We'll just do something pretty low key. We've got a couple of gifts for him, but other than that, we'll just have a fun family day and give him lots of attention. If it's hot out, we'll probably just spend the rest of the day in the pool. It's what he loves most, and he will have had to keep his arm dry for a couple of weeks by then - no baths even. Lots of water play with thrill his little soul!
And then there's that whole pesky matter about what we're going to do with our future. I guess that will have to fit into another post! Happy Sunday!
Kaden has been asking for a big boy bike for several months now. Daddy found one just the right size for him with training wheels, and we have it all stashed away in our car top carrier for the big day. We're either going to go to Cracker Barrel for breakfast - his fave, or make pancakes and eggs at home - his other fave. Then, we'll pack a fun picnic lunch and head to his favorite park for the morning with our bikes and his little trike. Little does his know that the trike will really be for Jesse, and his very own big boy bike will be brought out to surprise him! Oh - I'm so excited! Then, we'll have a picnic lunch and get them home in time for their naps. When everyone wakes up, we're going to have a little backyard BBQ with some friends and their kids. It'll be relaxed and laid back; and the kids can just play and splash around in the kiddie pool. Kaden can open up his gifts from the grandparents and a few other little things we have for him, and we'll have cupcakes and icecream to top off the day.
For our wee one's first birthday, we'll be getting his cast off for him! Not sure if we'll really celebrate on his actual birthday because of that, but maybe we will. We'll just do something pretty low key. We've got a couple of gifts for him, but other than that, we'll just have a fun family day and give him lots of attention. If it's hot out, we'll probably just spend the rest of the day in the pool. It's what he loves most, and he will have had to keep his arm dry for a couple of weeks by then - no baths even. Lots of water play with thrill his little soul!
And then there's that whole pesky matter about what we're going to do with our future. I guess that will have to fit into another post! Happy Sunday!
Saturday-zies!
Our little Jesse is doing fantabulous! We were told that he completely freaked out when he came out of surgery, so the nurses calmed him down with some apple juice before coming to get us. That kind of peeved me, as I wanted to feed him myself, but as soon as I had him in my arms, he settled right down and fell asleep within a couple of minutes, anyway. He was in some pretty significant pain, so they gave him a nice little coctail of morphine and something like oxycotin. Needless to say, he was very loopy and out of it for the entire rest of the day. He had a great night - only waking up when his medicine wore off. And this morning, he is pretty much back to himself! His face is already all scratched and bruised because of bonking himself with his cast so many times, but he isn't fazed in the least!
We had a pretty low key morning at home, but then after Jesse's morning nap, we decided to head out to one of our fave parks for some swinging, sliding, kite flying, bug catching, and froggin'! We convinced Kaden to let his wee salamaders have their freedom, so now his aquarium is free to house some new "treasures" that we may find on our adventures in future days!
In other news, we have now acquired six fuzzy little army worms that we found crawling all over the outside of our apartment and sidewalk the other day. Four have cocooned themselves away already, so we shall see what becomes of them! (I never knew that they did that). And some of our tadpoles are now growing back legs. Let the good times roll!
Update: As of 7:00p.m. this evening, upon checking on our baby tadpoles, they seem to have all disappeared but one! There's a family of baby groundhogs in our backyard, and methinks they have been feasting upon our froglets. Kaden says: "Ah well. We'll just get more. At least we made the groundhogs happy." I guess he was none too attached. Poor things. They never stood a chance!
We had a pretty low key morning at home, but then after Jesse's morning nap, we decided to head out to one of our fave parks for some swinging, sliding, kite flying, bug catching, and froggin'! We convinced Kaden to let his wee salamaders have their freedom, so now his aquarium is free to house some new "treasures" that we may find on our adventures in future days!
In other news, we have now acquired six fuzzy little army worms that we found crawling all over the outside of our apartment and sidewalk the other day. Four have cocooned themselves away already, so we shall see what becomes of them! (I never knew that they did that). And some of our tadpoles are now growing back legs. Let the good times roll!
Update: As of 7:00p.m. this evening, upon checking on our baby tadpoles, they seem to have all disappeared but one! There's a family of baby groundhogs in our backyard, and methinks they have been feasting upon our froglets. Kaden says: "Ah well. We'll just get more. At least we made the groundhogs happy." I guess he was none too attached. Poor things. They never stood a chance!
Success!
This will be quick. No time to check typos, because as soon as they call my name, this Mama's running. Our doctor - who I love love love - just came and spoke with us. The surgery is over, Jesse is breathing on his own, and he'll be waking up shortly. Because I'm still nursing him, I'll get to go to him as soon as he wakes up.
Dr. Chang said that once he cut out all of the scar tissue and straightened the fingers, he saw that the length of skin needed was actually 150% more than what was there, so he ended up taking the graft from his groin rather than his inner arm. He put a whole bunch of little flaps of skin grafts onto two of Jesse's fingers, and he made a z shaped zig zag cut into the scarring on his ring finger to give him more mobility as his fingers grow. A whole bunch of stuff that I don't fully understand; it sounds like he made a patchwork quilt out of his fingers. But I do know this: All is well!
Dr. Chang said that once he cut out all of the scar tissue and straightened the fingers, he saw that the length of skin needed was actually 150% more than what was there, so he ended up taking the graft from his groin rather than his inner arm. He put a whole bunch of little flaps of skin grafts onto two of Jesse's fingers, and he made a z shaped zig zag cut into the scarring on his ring finger to give him more mobility as his fingers grow. A whole bunch of stuff that I don't fully understand; it sounds like he made a patchwork quilt out of his fingers. But I do know this: All is well!
Waiting......
Well, we're here at the Children's Hospital hanging out in the waiting room. Our little Jesse is in surgery as I type. This morning went beautifully, and we know that the Lord totally undertook for us. Jesse didn't even go into surgery until 11:00, but he was happy as a lark without both food AND a nap! The nurses kept exclaiming over how adorable and happy he was, and we even opted out of the "sleepy juice" because he was so content and loopy on his own! This was totally a God thing, because every single day of his life, if it's even a moment past 7:30 in the morning and he hasn't had breakfast, Jesse lets us know. Loudly! We couldn't believe how content and happy he was. God is good.
We both got a little teary when the nurse walked down the hall with him into the operating room, but because he was so happy and trusting it made it a lot easier on us! Sitting here in the waiting room with other parents whose children are having major surgeries also puts things in significant perspective. Mind you - I don't ever want to go through this again, but we are at peace......and we're aware that having Jesse as our child we will probably be here multiple times throughout the course of his life whether we like it or not!
The nurse came to tell us that he is safely asleep; the only little glitch was that they couldn't find any veins in his "chunky arms," so they're having to go through his leg for the I.V.! Other than that, all is well. Thank you for your prayers. I'll update as we find out more details.
We both got a little teary when the nurse walked down the hall with him into the operating room, but because he was so happy and trusting it made it a lot easier on us! Sitting here in the waiting room with other parents whose children are having major surgeries also puts things in significant perspective. Mind you - I don't ever want to go through this again, but we are at peace......and we're aware that having Jesse as our child we will probably be here multiple times throughout the course of his life whether we like it or not!
The nurse came to tell us that he is safely asleep; the only little glitch was that they couldn't find any veins in his "chunky arms," so they're having to go through his leg for the I.V.! Other than that, all is well. Thank you for your prayers. I'll update as we find out more details.
D-Day....
We would appreciate your prayers for our little family tomorrow. Jesse is scheduled to arrive at the hospital at 8:45, and he is scheduled for surgery shortly afterward. He'll be given some "sleepy juice" that will hopefully make him relaxed, and we will be able to stay with him right up until he goes into the operating room. The surgery should take a couple of hours, and then he'll be in recovery for a couple more. Barring any complications, we should all be back home after supper sometime, and it will all be behind us. We'll keep you posted.
A GREAT read!
I LOVE love this post. So encouraging. So necessary. So true. How often we as women fail to encourage each other in our seasons of life. Instead of speaking healing words that bring life and encouragement, and instead of being real and vulnerable with each other, we put on facades pretending that life is perfect, or even worse - we share "wisdom" and "encouragement" that is a far cry from the humility and grace that is truly needed in a situation and we wound and hurt each other.
It's easy - especially in the blogging world - to just show everyone the "sunny side" or your life, you know? I know that for me, it's far easier to just blog about the cute things or the Mommy stories that inflate my own ego. That's why I love this lady's blog. She's beyond all of that. She's farther down the road of mothering and "wifing" and she's left all of the pride and know-it-all-ness at the door. This is what I want to do.
Life is hard. Mothering is hard. What we need from each other is some major encouragement during this season of life. So that's what I want to give to you, my friends. As far a mothering goes: who cares who had an epidural and who had a natural birth? Who cares how long you feel like nursing your baby? Who cares if you choose to never let your baby cry.....or let them cry for awhile, for that matter? Who cares if you want to start them on fruits first instead of veggies? Who cares if you don't potty train until they're three? Seriously! What we all need from each other is a: "You are doing a fantastic job!" Or how about a: "I'm so proud of you!" Or, gasp - what about a: "Hey, I'm really strugging in this area and could use some advice from a friend who's an awesome mom."
So, my friends. That is my goal. To be real. To be genuine. To be an encouragement. "To let my gentle spirit be known before all men." (Phil. 4:5) "To with humility of mind regard [a friend] as more important than myself." (Phil. 2:3) and "to let my love abound more and more in real knowledge and in all discernment." (Phil. 1:9) I want to bear my friends burdens right along with them instead of adding to their load. I want to open my heart wide to those that I love and walk WITH them in humility and love, with empathy and compassion, with respect and encouragement.
I don't want people to think that I have it all together, because I don't. Who does? I don't want them to think that my life is ALWAYS rosy, because it isn't. Who's is? And that's okay! So, ask me anything you want, and I'll lay it right out for ya!
Seriously. Read this lady. She's good.
It's easy - especially in the blogging world - to just show everyone the "sunny side" or your life, you know? I know that for me, it's far easier to just blog about the cute things or the Mommy stories that inflate my own ego. That's why I love this lady's blog. She's beyond all of that. She's farther down the road of mothering and "wifing" and she's left all of the pride and know-it-all-ness at the door. This is what I want to do.
Life is hard. Mothering is hard. What we need from each other is some major encouragement during this season of life. So that's what I want to give to you, my friends. As far a mothering goes: who cares who had an epidural and who had a natural birth? Who cares how long you feel like nursing your baby? Who cares if you choose to never let your baby cry.....or let them cry for awhile, for that matter? Who cares if you want to start them on fruits first instead of veggies? Who cares if you don't potty train until they're three? Seriously! What we all need from each other is a: "You are doing a fantastic job!" Or how about a: "I'm so proud of you!" Or, gasp - what about a: "Hey, I'm really strugging in this area and could use some advice from a friend who's an awesome mom."
So, my friends. That is my goal. To be real. To be genuine. To be an encouragement. "To let my gentle spirit be known before all men." (Phil. 4:5) "To with humility of mind regard [a friend] as more important than myself." (Phil. 2:3) and "to let my love abound more and more in real knowledge and in all discernment." (Phil. 1:9) I want to bear my friends burdens right along with them instead of adding to their load. I want to open my heart wide to those that I love and walk WITH them in humility and love, with empathy and compassion, with respect and encouragement.
I don't want people to think that I have it all together, because I don't. Who does? I don't want them to think that my life is ALWAYS rosy, because it isn't. Who's is? And that's okay! So, ask me anything you want, and I'll lay it right out for ya!
Seriously. Read this lady. She's good.
Fantastic!
Did you read my last post? Somehow, somewhere - all of the five stinking paragraphs I just wrote disappeared into oblivion. How does this happen? Arrrgh.....
So the jist (gist?) of what I just wrote? -
* Jesse is now walking! I waxed eloquent here and wrote a bunch of Mommy sap on how cute it is to see a bald little two foot tall tank of delish-iousness walking around like a drunken sailor. He's so proud of himself, so he'll clap his hands which throws him completely off balance, and then he'll crumble into a squishy pile. It is SO cute and funny. He's got bruises all over his head and bum to prove his lack of grace!
* And his surgery is scheduled for Friday, but he has a funky rash on the exact area where the plastic surgeon wants to take the skin graft. So, we're trying to figure out what to do. We're praying that it heals quickly so that: (A). We don't have to reschedule; we just want it done. (B). The doctor doesn't decide to take the graft from an area where the scar will be more noticeable for him later in life. We would really appreciate your prayers as we try to figure out what we should do.
Okay....let's see if this one gets published.
So the jist (gist?) of what I just wrote? -
* Jesse is now walking! I waxed eloquent here and wrote a bunch of Mommy sap on how cute it is to see a bald little two foot tall tank of delish-iousness walking around like a drunken sailor. He's so proud of himself, so he'll clap his hands which throws him completely off balance, and then he'll crumble into a squishy pile. It is SO cute and funny. He's got bruises all over his head and bum to prove his lack of grace!
* And his surgery is scheduled for Friday, but he has a funky rash on the exact area where the plastic surgeon wants to take the skin graft. So, we're trying to figure out what to do. We're praying that it heals quickly so that: (A). We don't have to reschedule; we just want it done. (B). The doctor doesn't decide to take the graft from an area where the scar will be more noticeable for him later in life. We would really appreciate your prayers as we try to figure out what we should do.
Okay....let's see if this one gets published.
Back in Business!
We are back from traipsing around the countryside! I'll write more on all of that jazz later, but for now, I just want to say how much fun it's been catching up on everyone's lives via your blogs! Periodically these past couple of days, I've grabbed a cup of coffee and have just sat back and read entries whenever I've gotten a few moments, and it has been dee-lightful! Good times!
And now I'm about to be exceedingly lazy. I really want to comment on everyone's blogs, but instead, I'm just going to give ya'll a little comment here in this one post. I'm also too lazy to do the whole hyperlink thing. I promise that from now on, I'll comment on your sites. I know how much I love seeing little comments below each of my posts. But for now, here goes:
Shannie: Dearest, I hear ya! How I love your honesty and vulnerability and I am right there with you some days! As my Jesse becomes more independent I see that there are going to be many many more challenging days ahead. You ROCK, and you are an AWESOME Mommy! It was quite fun seeing you in action a little bit both when you were down here and when I saw you for those ten minutes at home.
Esther: I'm so glad that you were outside when we flew by your house that day! I love that I got to see the tiniest of baby bumps. And man - would we ever love to live beside you guys! That house is our dream place.
Sarah: CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Whooo-hoooo! Sorry about all of the hurl-age. Hopefully that will end for you soon. Poor thing.
Jess-a-Poo: I love that I got to see you for even thirty seconds at Shannon's house. I'm frustrated that we didn't have more time. This visit was like a business trip. You guys just need to come out here again.
Shay: I LOVE YOU. You make me cry just about every time I read your blog.
Angie: How I wish you would update, but I loved chatting with you on the phone yesterday. I'll take that over written words any day. You make me laugh, my friend!
Shannon in Canada: Whew! Heavy posts! I agree with much of what you've written. Other stuff would be fun to chat about. How nice it would be to have a cup of coffee at your farm and hash through life. But alas - PA is just too far away.
Trish: I hope your memorial service went well and that you are not too fried. One last MOPS in a couple of weeks. Looking forward to catching up!
Alyssa: Oh Baby! The big day is only a couple of days away! Man, I wish that we could be there to celebrate with you and Naph. Huge Congrats, my friend. Blessings on your marriage. Much love.....
And Rachey Rach: Loved chatting with you before we got cut off. Hopefully SOON you'll have internet connection and a blog of your own. And hopefully soon we can meet up and go camping again for one last hurrah!
Katya & Kelsey: Update me on life at home this summer! Glad we got to see all of you guys for a couple of hours. Katie - thanks so much for playing with my quality time boy!
Okay. I guess that's all for now. I feel as though I just gave an Academy Award speech or something! Blessings on all of you! It's nice to be back in the world of computers and high speed internet access! :0)
And now I'm about to be exceedingly lazy. I really want to comment on everyone's blogs, but instead, I'm just going to give ya'll a little comment here in this one post. I'm also too lazy to do the whole hyperlink thing. I promise that from now on, I'll comment on your sites. I know how much I love seeing little comments below each of my posts. But for now, here goes:
Shannie: Dearest, I hear ya! How I love your honesty and vulnerability and I am right there with you some days! As my Jesse becomes more independent I see that there are going to be many many more challenging days ahead. You ROCK, and you are an AWESOME Mommy! It was quite fun seeing you in action a little bit both when you were down here and when I saw you for those ten minutes at home.
Esther: I'm so glad that you were outside when we flew by your house that day! I love that I got to see the tiniest of baby bumps. And man - would we ever love to live beside you guys! That house is our dream place.
Sarah: CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Whooo-hoooo! Sorry about all of the hurl-age. Hopefully that will end for you soon. Poor thing.
Jess-a-Poo: I love that I got to see you for even thirty seconds at Shannon's house. I'm frustrated that we didn't have more time. This visit was like a business trip. You guys just need to come out here again.
Shay: I LOVE YOU. You make me cry just about every time I read your blog.
Angie: How I wish you would update, but I loved chatting with you on the phone yesterday. I'll take that over written words any day. You make me laugh, my friend!
Shannon in Canada: Whew! Heavy posts! I agree with much of what you've written. Other stuff would be fun to chat about. How nice it would be to have a cup of coffee at your farm and hash through life. But alas - PA is just too far away.
Trish: I hope your memorial service went well and that you are not too fried. One last MOPS in a couple of weeks. Looking forward to catching up!
Alyssa: Oh Baby! The big day is only a couple of days away! Man, I wish that we could be there to celebrate with you and Naph. Huge Congrats, my friend. Blessings on your marriage. Much love.....
And Rachey Rach: Loved chatting with you before we got cut off. Hopefully SOON you'll have internet connection and a blog of your own. And hopefully soon we can meet up and go camping again for one last hurrah!
Katya & Kelsey: Update me on life at home this summer! Glad we got to see all of you guys for a couple of hours. Katie - thanks so much for playing with my quality time boy!
Okay. I guess that's all for now. I feel as though I just gave an Academy Award speech or something! Blessings on all of you! It's nice to be back in the world of computers and high speed internet access! :0)
Kaden's Song
On the way home from church today, Kev and I were talking and Kaden was just singing to himself in the back seat. We stopped to listen, and these were his words:
I looooove Jeeeee-sus!
Oooooooh Jee-ee-ee-ee-sus
I love you Mooooore
Than Daddy and Mooooomy!
I think he would have sung more, but we busted out laughing at his last line!
I looooove Jeeeee-sus!
Oooooooh Jee-ee-ee-ee-sus
I love you Mooooore
Than Daddy and Mooooomy!
I think he would have sung more, but we busted out laughing at his last line!
College Kid Castoffs!
Here's the list of what we've acquired so far during our dumpster diving adventures:
* A glow in the dark basketball hoop and ball for Kevin...I mean Kaden.
* A new computer bag for Kev
* An entire wardrobe of namebrand clothing for Kev
* A new sweatshirt, long-sleeved t-shirt, and AWESOME capris for me! SCORE!!!
* A plethora of small treaures for Kaden
* A down feather comforter! Whoo-hoo! I got one last year too. I washed it twice - just to be sure all of the cooties are gone.
* A super cute low wooden table - could be a coffee table or craft table for the kiddos. LOVE it! It was all shaky, but Kev fixed it up brand spanking new!
* TONS of paper, art supplies, play-doh, coloring books, colored pencils, and crafty things.
* Two adorable little purses to give to my neices
* A ton of brand new, unopened Bath & Body stuff
* Four Christian books that I'll give to my Mom
* AND an unopened care package filled with candy and goodies....Kev's not so excited about that one. Meanwhile, Amy is happily chomping away on Junior Mints at this VERY moment!
All in a day's dumpster dive! I know there's more, but that's all I can think of right now. Let the good times roll.......
* A glow in the dark basketball hoop and ball for Kevin...I mean Kaden.
* A new computer bag for Kev
* An entire wardrobe of namebrand clothing for Kev
* A new sweatshirt, long-sleeved t-shirt, and AWESOME capris for me! SCORE!!!
* A plethora of small treaures for Kaden
* A down feather comforter! Whoo-hoo! I got one last year too. I washed it twice - just to be sure all of the cooties are gone.
* A super cute low wooden table - could be a coffee table or craft table for the kiddos. LOVE it! It was all shaky, but Kev fixed it up brand spanking new!
* TONS of paper, art supplies, play-doh, coloring books, colored pencils, and crafty things.
* Two adorable little purses to give to my neices
* A ton of brand new, unopened Bath & Body stuff
* Four Christian books that I'll give to my Mom
* AND an unopened care package filled with candy and goodies....Kev's not so excited about that one. Meanwhile, Amy is happily chomping away on Junior Mints at this VERY moment!
All in a day's dumpster dive! I know there's more, but that's all I can think of right now. Let the good times roll.......
For Funsies!
I'm compiling a list of everything that we've found in Jesse's mouth that is NOT food. These are things, I might add, that he happily chomps away on without making a single face. It's like he's eating a special treat of some kind. So, here goes:
* Entire dandelions - yellow head and all. It's like a mini salad!
* About a half of an inch of blue crayon. I found it in his diaper.
* This morning, Kev fished out not one but two AAA batteries! - That one was scary.
* Sidewalk chalk
* Toilet Paper - Actually, that one he didn't seem to like so much as it disintegrated in his mouth.
* Feathers
* Any kind of paper
* Any toy of Kaden's that's foamy that he can get a nice chomp out of
* Flip flops are especially nice for teething
* Dust bunnies
* And of course - rocks, sticks, leaves, and grass.
We went to a park with some friends last night, and we are convinced that they probably think we're neglectful parents. At one point Jesse was gnawing on a huge stick, and Jenn asked if I was going to do anything about it. I said: "No. That will keep him occupied from choking on all of the rocks around here!" Another time, Sam mentioned to Kev that he had a whole dandelion head in his mouth. Kev just said: "Yeah. That's the second one he's eaten. He likes them!"
Seriously, guys. It's a losing battle with this child. He's at least getting his fiber and his greens. Good roughage for the digestive track. As my Dad always say: "It'll all come out in the end!"
* Entire dandelions - yellow head and all. It's like a mini salad!
* About a half of an inch of blue crayon. I found it in his diaper.
* This morning, Kev fished out not one but two AAA batteries! - That one was scary.
* Sidewalk chalk
* Toilet Paper - Actually, that one he didn't seem to like so much as it disintegrated in his mouth.
* Feathers
* Any kind of paper
* Any toy of Kaden's that's foamy that he can get a nice chomp out of
* Flip flops are especially nice for teething
* Dust bunnies
* And of course - rocks, sticks, leaves, and grass.
We went to a park with some friends last night, and we are convinced that they probably think we're neglectful parents. At one point Jesse was gnawing on a huge stick, and Jenn asked if I was going to do anything about it. I said: "No. That will keep him occupied from choking on all of the rocks around here!" Another time, Sam mentioned to Kev that he had a whole dandelion head in his mouth. Kev just said: "Yeah. That's the second one he's eaten. He likes them!"
Seriously, guys. It's a losing battle with this child. He's at least getting his fiber and his greens. Good roughage for the digestive track. As my Dad always say: "It'll all come out in the end!"
Tis The Season.....
for dumpster diving!
And since all of my fellow diving friends have deserted me and moved on to greener pastures, I have a new partner in crime this year.......my very own child after my own heart - Kaden Quint Booker!!!
Why just this morning, as soon as Jesse laid down for a nap, Kaden said: "Hey, Mommy! I think it's time for some dumpster diving!" Oh, how my heart melted to hear those words!
Last night we scored a whole wardrobe for Kev, and this morning we scored some beautiful wooden blocks for Kaden! Oh yeah, Baby! We also took someone's checkbook that they chucked and I'll let Kaden write pretend checks for when he plays with his cash register.....and if we get a little short of cash, I'll see if I can pass as a "Mr. Chun Bo!"
Ya gotta love this time of year! Burt's - bring your grubbies! This can be our Saturday morning activity! Just kidding - I fully realize that some people aren't as pathetic as me. Even Kev gets a little sheepish and isn't as gung ho and I would prefer him to be. I just dive right in and when people come to chuck things, I ask if they have anything good! And if Kev tries to sneak away, I'm just going to loudly yell across the entire parking lot that he belongs to ME - so don't try and deny it! Shameless! But, I know that some of you are wishing you could be here to join in the fun! :0)
And since all of my fellow diving friends have deserted me and moved on to greener pastures, I have a new partner in crime this year.......my very own child after my own heart - Kaden Quint Booker!!!
Why just this morning, as soon as Jesse laid down for a nap, Kaden said: "Hey, Mommy! I think it's time for some dumpster diving!" Oh, how my heart melted to hear those words!
Last night we scored a whole wardrobe for Kev, and this morning we scored some beautiful wooden blocks for Kaden! Oh yeah, Baby! We also took someone's checkbook that they chucked and I'll let Kaden write pretend checks for when he plays with his cash register.....and if we get a little short of cash, I'll see if I can pass as a "Mr. Chun Bo!"
Ya gotta love this time of year! Burt's - bring your grubbies! This can be our Saturday morning activity! Just kidding - I fully realize that some people aren't as pathetic as me. Even Kev gets a little sheepish and isn't as gung ho and I would prefer him to be. I just dive right in and when people come to chuck things, I ask if they have anything good! And if Kev tries to sneak away, I'm just going to loudly yell across the entire parking lot that he belongs to ME - so don't try and deny it! Shameless! But, I know that some of you are wishing you could be here to join in the fun! :0)
And Just So I Don't Forget....
Here's another!
I'm not sure where we came across this particular video, but I laughed till I cried. Oh to be like Gladys when I am old!
I'm not sure where we came across this particular video, but I laughed till I cried. Oh to be like Gladys when I am old!
Trying out a newly acquired skill.......
Okay, at MOPS yesterday, I was talking to my computer brain, and I think I finally figured out how to embed a YouTube video. This is just a totally random one, but for some reason, I find it hilarious. It makes me happy!
A New Day
It's amazing what some time spent with the Lord, two naps, a teary conversation with my Mom, a change in the weather, sweet comments from friends, a morning out at MOPS, and some good, quality time spent with my little family can do for the soul! It doesn't hurt that our plan to come HOME for a bit is finally solidified, as well! Seriously, I feel so much better today. Wow - if I neglect my time with the Lord and if I get overtired, it's a pretty overwhelming place to be.
I so badly want to start my day before the rest of my family - just to get ready for the day and have my quiet time first. But, I am really having a hard time figuring out how to do it in this space. Jesse is such a light sleeper, that whoever gets up first - even to use the bathroom - he's up right along with them...even if they had full intentions to go back to bed for a bit! He sleeps in a pack 'n play in the kitchen to be as far away from any noise as possible, the two bedrooms are obviously occupied, and the living room is not an option because it opens right up into the kitchen. And like I said before, if anyone uses the bathroom, he hears it because the kitchen wall is attached to the bathroom wall. So, I'm a wee bit stumped.
Anyway, I've got some plans for implementing more structure for both of my boys, but I'm not going to introduce anything new until we get back from vacation. Then, we shall start afresh. I'll keep you posted on the plans!
P.S. Did I mention that we're coming home on MONDAY?!!!! Whoo-hoooooooooooooooo!
I so badly want to start my day before the rest of my family - just to get ready for the day and have my quiet time first. But, I am really having a hard time figuring out how to do it in this space. Jesse is such a light sleeper, that whoever gets up first - even to use the bathroom - he's up right along with them...even if they had full intentions to go back to bed for a bit! He sleeps in a pack 'n play in the kitchen to be as far away from any noise as possible, the two bedrooms are obviously occupied, and the living room is not an option because it opens right up into the kitchen. And like I said before, if anyone uses the bathroom, he hears it because the kitchen wall is attached to the bathroom wall. So, I'm a wee bit stumped.
Anyway, I've got some plans for implementing more structure for both of my boys, but I'm not going to introduce anything new until we get back from vacation. Then, we shall start afresh. I'll keep you posted on the plans!
P.S. Did I mention that we're coming home on MONDAY?!!!! Whoo-hoooooooooooooooo!
In a Funk
I don't know what's going on with me these past couple of days, but I feel like I'm in a bit of a funk that I can't seem to shake. I can't even really put my finger on why I feel the way I do. Maybe it's the weather, maybe it's because I haven't gotten good sleep lately, maybe it's because Jesse is SUCH a handful, maybe it's the stress of the future and the unknown, maybe it's because Kev's stressed with finals, maybe it's because we haven't been on a date for awhile with just the two of us......maybe it's everything combined!
Regardless of WHAT it is, I feel like I've been somewhat of a crapola Mommy as of late. I'm short with the boys, I don't feel peppy and inspired to do cool crafty things, I get frustrated when THEY frustrate each other, and I'm feeling like they both are needing more structure of which I haven't quite figured out how to give them. Today, I was so tired of them being aimless and crabby that I put them in the stroller and we all went for a long walk in the rain. Jesse had a rain canopy, but Kaden and I got quite soggy! It was actually quite nice to shake the cobwebs off and get some fresh air for a bit.
Here's an example of my "crapola-ness": Last night Kaden came into our room at like one in the morning and wanted to sleep with us. He dropped his sippy cup on the floor with a THUD on the way in which woke me out of a dead sleep and made me instantly grumpy. Then, when I looked at the clock, I told him that it was way to early to come snuggle with us and he had to go back to bed. He started to pucker up and I just said: "No, Kaden. Back to bed you go." About two minutes later, he's back in beside me and tells me that he had a scary dream. Well, crapola Mommy didn't believe him and thought that he just had another excuse to get in bed with us, so I told him to go back to bed. Poor little thing just silently turned around and sadly walked back to bed. Yup. Jerk I am. I know.
Kev, being the good Daddy that he is, got out of bed, went and tucked Kaden back in, and listened to his scary dream that he really did have, and they ended up snuggling together the rest of the night in Kaden's bed. Apparently, he had dreams of "all kinds of animals that bite who were trying to get him." Kev heard it in great detail while crapola Mommy slept.
So. Yeah. That's been me these past couple of days. To make it up to my wee son, we're having a p.j. day and playing whatever he wants to play. When they go to nap, I'm shutting off the phone, I'm NOT checking out anyone's blogs or email, and I'm going to go and be with Jesus for awhile. I need Him. And I need my Mommy.
Regardless of WHAT it is, I feel like I've been somewhat of a crapola Mommy as of late. I'm short with the boys, I don't feel peppy and inspired to do cool crafty things, I get frustrated when THEY frustrate each other, and I'm feeling like they both are needing more structure of which I haven't quite figured out how to give them. Today, I was so tired of them being aimless and crabby that I put them in the stroller and we all went for a long walk in the rain. Jesse had a rain canopy, but Kaden and I got quite soggy! It was actually quite nice to shake the cobwebs off and get some fresh air for a bit.
Here's an example of my "crapola-ness": Last night Kaden came into our room at like one in the morning and wanted to sleep with us. He dropped his sippy cup on the floor with a THUD on the way in which woke me out of a dead sleep and made me instantly grumpy. Then, when I looked at the clock, I told him that it was way to early to come snuggle with us and he had to go back to bed. He started to pucker up and I just said: "No, Kaden. Back to bed you go." About two minutes later, he's back in beside me and tells me that he had a scary dream. Well, crapola Mommy didn't believe him and thought that he just had another excuse to get in bed with us, so I told him to go back to bed. Poor little thing just silently turned around and sadly walked back to bed. Yup. Jerk I am. I know.
Kev, being the good Daddy that he is, got out of bed, went and tucked Kaden back in, and listened to his scary dream that he really did have, and they ended up snuggling together the rest of the night in Kaden's bed. Apparently, he had dreams of "all kinds of animals that bite who were trying to get him." Kev heard it in great detail while crapola Mommy slept.
So. Yeah. That's been me these past couple of days. To make it up to my wee son, we're having a p.j. day and playing whatever he wants to play. When they go to nap, I'm shutting off the phone, I'm NOT checking out anyone's blogs or email, and I'm going to go and be with Jesus for awhile. I need Him. And I need my Mommy.
Family Days & Life Lessons
It was kind of scuzzy and cool out today, so we opted to stay close to home for our family day. After breakfast, we all climbed into our car and decided to go scope out the local neighborhoods and see if there were any yardsales or fun things going on today. We hit two yardsales where I was able to score a few clothes for the boys and some really fun toys. And we also happened upon a free "kids day" at a local high school. There was free snacks, an amazing little petting zoo, a blow up bouncy tent and slippy slide, and a "lizard guy" who had all kinds of cool reptiles. It was a little boy's paradise!
So, that was how we spent our morning. Then we came home and all the boys crashed while I just putzed around in the silence! Here is where today's life lesson came in: One of the really cool things that we purchased was a really fun little tupperware picnic/play food set. Kaden is always wanting to feed his animals snacks and such, and I always just use a bunch of hodge podge stuff, so it's really fun to have some cool things to use now. Anyway, one of the things that came with the playset was this little plastic cake that you could put plastic chocolate or strawberry frosting on, and you could cut it into slices etc. We have no play food, so Kaden thought this was the coolest.
Anyhoo - when he woke up from his nap and was totally psyched to play picnic with his animals, we found all of the dishes but no cake. Kev thought he remembered putting them on top of the car when he buckled Kaden into his seat, so most likely they blew off as we drove home, and they were probably long gone. We drove all over tarnation today, so they could have ended up anywhere. Anyway, we still had about an hour of daylight to kill this evening, and it wasn't Jesse's bedtime yet, so we decided to take a little drive back over to that neighborhood to see if we could find them. Before leaving, we prepped Kaden by telling him that we very likely may not find them, but "let's pray about it and ask Jesus to help us. He cares about the little things as well as the huge." When Kev prayed, he thanked Jesus for listening even to our small little prayers, and he prayed that even if we didn't find our treasure we know that He still loves us and we still love Him, as well.
Anyway - long story short - we ended back up at the lady's house, and the cake was sitting right there on her table! We hadn't even brought it to the car with us after all! And to top it all off, she completely loaded us up with about $20 worth of loot for free, because she hardly sold a thing today! It was SO cool and just a really really neat lesson for Kaden to experience in seeing that his Creator cares about the smallest of details in his life. And for me, a door has been opened for a witnessing opportunity and a friendship. How cool is that?
So, that was how we spent our morning. Then we came home and all the boys crashed while I just putzed around in the silence! Here is where today's life lesson came in: One of the really cool things that we purchased was a really fun little tupperware picnic/play food set. Kaden is always wanting to feed his animals snacks and such, and I always just use a bunch of hodge podge stuff, so it's really fun to have some cool things to use now. Anyway, one of the things that came with the playset was this little plastic cake that you could put plastic chocolate or strawberry frosting on, and you could cut it into slices etc. We have no play food, so Kaden thought this was the coolest.
Anyhoo - when he woke up from his nap and was totally psyched to play picnic with his animals, we found all of the dishes but no cake. Kev thought he remembered putting them on top of the car when he buckled Kaden into his seat, so most likely they blew off as we drove home, and they were probably long gone. We drove all over tarnation today, so they could have ended up anywhere. Anyway, we still had about an hour of daylight to kill this evening, and it wasn't Jesse's bedtime yet, so we decided to take a little drive back over to that neighborhood to see if we could find them. Before leaving, we prepped Kaden by telling him that we very likely may not find them, but "let's pray about it and ask Jesus to help us. He cares about the little things as well as the huge." When Kev prayed, he thanked Jesus for listening even to our small little prayers, and he prayed that even if we didn't find our treasure we know that He still loves us and we still love Him, as well.
Anyway - long story short - we ended back up at the lady's house, and the cake was sitting right there on her table! We hadn't even brought it to the car with us after all! And to top it all off, she completely loaded us up with about $20 worth of loot for free, because she hardly sold a thing today! It was SO cool and just a really really neat lesson for Kaden to experience in seeing that his Creator cares about the smallest of details in his life. And for me, a door has been opened for a witnessing opportunity and a friendship. How cool is that?
Kaden's "Pet" News....
and other such grossness.
Well, as of this morning, Kaden is pleased and proud to announce that one of his wax worms has fully and completely turned into a beetle, and two are in process. He is also equally interested in the one that "drowned" in his salamander's pool. Also - we caught two different spiders this morning (in our apartment, no less) and put them in a little plastic container. The bigger one is a jumper, and we had the privilege to watch him catch and suck the juices from the other for a tasty lunch. Oh my sickness.
Kaden is waiting on pins and needles to share all of this excitement with Daddy when he gets home.
Well, as of this morning, Kaden is pleased and proud to announce that one of his wax worms has fully and completely turned into a beetle, and two are in process. He is also equally interested in the one that "drowned" in his salamander's pool. Also - we caught two different spiders this morning (in our apartment, no less) and put them in a little plastic container. The bigger one is a jumper, and we had the privilege to watch him catch and suck the juices from the other for a tasty lunch. Oh my sickness.
Kaden is waiting on pins and needles to share all of this excitement with Daddy when he gets home.
Quick Update
Okay. It's been a crazy, super long day and my brain is fried, but I just wanted to give a quick update on Jesse. We left for CHOP at 8:30 this morning and did not return home until almost 3:00. A very long day to be in a hospital with two wee ones.
Jesse is going to have to have skin grafts on his left hand, after all; and the date is set for May 23. Our doctor measured the skin on the fingers of both hands to compare. On the fingers of his hand that healed properly there are 10 millimeters and 11 millimeters of skin, but on the fingers of his left hand there are only 3 and 4 millimeters of skin; the rest is scar tissue. So, he really did lose a significant amount of skin to scarring. We can see that he already doesn't have full range of motion with his fingers and he favors that hand over the other - keeping it somewhat curled when he crawls and when he claps his hands.
Sooooo - we're not surprised. It's been my gut feeling all along. The great thing out of this whole yuckiness is that fact that we are at the greatest children's hospital in the nation with one of the best plastic surgeon's around who specializes in - get this - HANDS! Coincidence? I think not!
We'll be at the hospital for an entire day, but Jesse will be able to go home with us at night. He'll have a cast clear up to his shoulder, but it will only stay on for two weeks, and he should not have to have any physical therapy afterwards. If minimal skin is needed, they'll take the graft from the crease in his arm; if more is needed then it will come from the crease where his leg attaches to his groin.
This whole drama has been the most traumatic thing that we have ever been through as parents, but I think we have it in perspective now and we completely trust our doctor. Most importantly, though, we have full faith and peace in The Great Physician who loves our little Jesse far more than we could ever even begin to fathom. He is good, He is safe, and He is ultimately in control.
Jesse is going to have to have skin grafts on his left hand, after all; and the date is set for May 23. Our doctor measured the skin on the fingers of both hands to compare. On the fingers of his hand that healed properly there are 10 millimeters and 11 millimeters of skin, but on the fingers of his left hand there are only 3 and 4 millimeters of skin; the rest is scar tissue. So, he really did lose a significant amount of skin to scarring. We can see that he already doesn't have full range of motion with his fingers and he favors that hand over the other - keeping it somewhat curled when he crawls and when he claps his hands.
Sooooo - we're not surprised. It's been my gut feeling all along. The great thing out of this whole yuckiness is that fact that we are at the greatest children's hospital in the nation with one of the best plastic surgeon's around who specializes in - get this - HANDS! Coincidence? I think not!
We'll be at the hospital for an entire day, but Jesse will be able to go home with us at night. He'll have a cast clear up to his shoulder, but it will only stay on for two weeks, and he should not have to have any physical therapy afterwards. If minimal skin is needed, they'll take the graft from the crease in his arm; if more is needed then it will come from the crease where his leg attaches to his groin.
This whole drama has been the most traumatic thing that we have ever been through as parents, but I think we have it in perspective now and we completely trust our doctor. Most importantly, though, we have full faith and peace in The Great Physician who loves our little Jesse far more than we could ever even begin to fathom. He is good, He is safe, and He is ultimately in control.
Here's One for the Competitors....
Check this little addictive ditty out!
How many words can you type per minute? I did it three times while waiting for my bread to cook - and almost burnt it I was getting so caught up in the need for speed! My first and best time is 104 words per minute with 4 mistakes. My last two times were 99 words with 4 and then 5 mistakes. My goal is 105 with no mistakes.
For another day and another time however........the rest of my home sleeps and I must join them.
How many words can you type per minute? I did it three times while waiting for my bread to cook - and almost burnt it I was getting so caught up in the need for speed! My first and best time is 104 words per minute with 4 mistakes. My last two times were 99 words with 4 and then 5 mistakes. My goal is 105 with no mistakes.
For another day and another time however........the rest of my home sleeps and I must join them.
Sand and Grass and Grubbiness...
Oh my!
My place is officially trashed! No not really - it just got wicked sandy and grassy in a matter of moments, and I had to vac through the entire place because it was driving me crazy. We went to the ocean today for the first time since Jesse's been born, and then when we came home the boys swam out back in their kiddie pool. So, between sand from the beach and a freshly mowed lawn out back with all the little loose pieces of grass to track in, my floors were quite gritty!
Ahhhh, but sooooo worth it!
Last night, our dear friends, the Cook's, came and had a wee visit with us on their way back home to Maine. It was SO nice to see them and to see Shannie once again "with child!" Thank you guys for coming to see us even though you were fried! So nice to have a taste of home.
They left a little earlier than originally expected this morning, so VERY spur of the moment we decided to hit the road along with them and head for the beach! It was Jesse's very first time, and he absolutely loved it. I was actually very pleased with the minimal amount of sand and bits of shells that he consumed! He kept flinging his hat off of his head, but other than that and the fact that every single crevace of his body had sand in it, we had a really great time. We dug for sand crabs, built sand castles, waded in the FREEZING water, and got a yummy coffee for the road home. Once we got home, it was still so nice that we all went out back and did a little swimming in the kiddie pool and finally finished the day off with a little bit of swimming in the bathtub!
A lovely day indeed!
My place is officially trashed! No not really - it just got wicked sandy and grassy in a matter of moments, and I had to vac through the entire place because it was driving me crazy. We went to the ocean today for the first time since Jesse's been born, and then when we came home the boys swam out back in their kiddie pool. So, between sand from the beach and a freshly mowed lawn out back with all the little loose pieces of grass to track in, my floors were quite gritty!
Ahhhh, but sooooo worth it!
Last night, our dear friends, the Cook's, came and had a wee visit with us on their way back home to Maine. It was SO nice to see them and to see Shannie once again "with child!" Thank you guys for coming to see us even though you were fried! So nice to have a taste of home.
They left a little earlier than originally expected this morning, so VERY spur of the moment we decided to hit the road along with them and head for the beach! It was Jesse's very first time, and he absolutely loved it. I was actually very pleased with the minimal amount of sand and bits of shells that he consumed! He kept flinging his hat off of his head, but other than that and the fact that every single crevace of his body had sand in it, we had a really great time. We dug for sand crabs, built sand castles, waded in the FREEZING water, and got a yummy coffee for the road home. Once we got home, it was still so nice that we all went out back and did a little swimming in the kiddie pool and finally finished the day off with a little bit of swimming in the bathtub!
A lovely day indeed!
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