Whew! We have FINALLY arrived back home in the County! This trip was the longest that we have EVER driven. Instead of staying in Bangor first like we always do, we drove all the way up to Houlton - adding an extra two and half hours onto our drive. We were in the car at 4:45 a.m. and did not arrive to my parent's house in Hodgdon until 8:00 p.m! Our boys were troopers, but man, I do not want to do that trip again for awhile! We hit traffic in several places that we have never done before, we drove through a snow storm for about an hour in Massachusetts and counted 19 cars off the road, and there were several occasions where traffic was only travelling about 40 miles an hour so we just crawled along FOR MILES!
We've got this trip down to a science now, though. We knock off about four hours first thing while the boys are still loopy. I don't think that either Kaden or Jesse fell back asleep, but they were completely silent for the first leg! We always get through Jersey and Hartford, Conn. traffic before rush hour, and then we stop at a Cracker Barrel for a big breakfast. We stay there for about an hour and let Kaden pick out one toy from their store. This toy entertains Kaden for the next leg of the journey until lunch, and Jesse naps for at least a little bit of it. We stop again for about an hour for lunch, and then the boys take their afternoon naps during the next leg.
It's long about late afternoon/early evening when we all start to get a little cagey! Finally, at 6:00 we whipped out Kev's laptop and played a little movie for Kaden. Jesse fell asleep again because it was dark, and the last leg of our journey went relatively smoothly. I get so excited once we hit the Maine border, but we're still a good five hours away from home! Miles and miles of trees........I love them.....I've been craving them....and the silence of the country. But five hours of it with cagey boys....whew! It was LONG! :0)
BUT!!! We are home and we are with the craziness of family and friends and it is WONDERFUL! We've been eating and visiting and eating and digging snow tunnels and eating and watching Christmas movies, and playing games, and eating, and having bonfires, and unwrapping presents, and eating and listening to Christmas music and IT IS GLORIOUS!!
Merry Merry Christmas!
Sweet Success......Finally!
At least that's what I call it.
Kev calls it further humiliation. He went out yesterday to take down his deerstand before we head up north. He planned to hunt a little bit more - a final last hurrah before we leave. He wasn't gone more than a couple of hours before he called me and told me that he shot a dog! I was like: "Oh no! How could you?" He said: "No. it's a deer. It's just the size of a dog!" He brought it home to show us in the trunk of the car! Hey - I'm still pleased as punch. It's meat in our freezer and tender at that. He really doesn't want to talk about it, but it's all good!
P.S. - We head for Maine tomorrow morning, so my posts may be sorely lacking for about three weeks. Feel free to pray for our 10 -12 hour drive with a six month old who absolutely despises his carseat! Joy!
Kev calls it further humiliation. He went out yesterday to take down his deerstand before we head up north. He planned to hunt a little bit more - a final last hurrah before we leave. He wasn't gone more than a couple of hours before he called me and told me that he shot a dog! I was like: "Oh no! How could you?" He said: "No. it's a deer. It's just the size of a dog!" He brought it home to show us in the trunk of the car! Hey - I'm still pleased as punch. It's meat in our freezer and tender at that. He really doesn't want to talk about it, but it's all good!
P.S. - We head for Maine tomorrow morning, so my posts may be sorely lacking for about three weeks. Feel free to pray for our 10 -12 hour drive with a six month old who absolutely despises his carseat! Joy!
Feeling Sick....
Yesterday, I woke up with the manliest of voices and today is no better. Jesse has the sniffles, Kevin felt yucky while my brothers were here, and Kaden still can't shake his cough. I am praying that we can kick whatever is going around before we head home. I hate feeling yucky - especially during the holidays.
We were short a couple of people on the worship team yesterday at church, so Kev still wanted me to try singing. Let me assure you, did I ever sound lovely! Most songs I just sang an entire octive lower and sang with the rest of the men!
The kids at church had a teeny little program yesterday where they sang a few songs with us and dressed up like a live nativity. Kaden was Joseph; and Jesse, being the only infant in the church, was a tank of a baby Jesus! It was absolutely hysterical. Kaden sucked his thumb the whole time and looked petrified while the rest of the kids belted their lungs out. And Jesse growled like a little demon, flailed his arms like a madman, and tried to attack the stuffed sheep that was sitting beside him the entire time! Quite the holy family to be sure! It was good entertainment to say the least!
We were short a couple of people on the worship team yesterday at church, so Kev still wanted me to try singing. Let me assure you, did I ever sound lovely! Most songs I just sang an entire octive lower and sang with the rest of the men!
The kids at church had a teeny little program yesterday where they sang a few songs with us and dressed up like a live nativity. Kaden was Joseph; and Jesse, being the only infant in the church, was a tank of a baby Jesus! It was absolutely hysterical. Kaden sucked his thumb the whole time and looked petrified while the rest of the kids belted their lungs out. And Jesse growled like a little demon, flailed his arms like a madman, and tried to attack the stuffed sheep that was sitting beside him the entire time! Quite the holy family to be sure! It was good entertainment to say the least!
Kaden's Quotes
I forgot to add a couple of cute things that Kaden said to me yesterday. I can probably count on one hand how many times Kaden has seen me in a dress. Pathetic, I know, but I am just NOT a girly girl. I try, but I just feel like a numb nut in them. Anyway, I actually wore a dress under my graduation gown yesterday. Kaden was completely blown away by this and kept saying over and over again: "Ooooh Mommy! You look SO pretty!" It was really quite precious. He was also quite taken with my "square hat." So, the rest of the day, he kept asking me if I was going to graduate again someday and wear a pretty dress again. I said, "Well, Daddy will probably graduate next." Kaden's response to this was: "Ohhh. So then HE'LL wear a square hat and a pretty dress!" Wouldn't that be fun! :0)
Surprise surprise!
I graduated yesterday. Besides having the dean need to remind me to flip my tassle to the other side of my cap all went smoothly. And both boys handled the one and half hour ceremony quite well, also. Kaden even said: "I wasn't even bored, Mommy!"
It's kind of fun looking back. I never planned to go back to school when we moved out here. I've always had the desire but figured that would be shelved for this season of motherhood. I literally stumbled upon the knowledge of this program through a conversation while meeting some new friends out here. The very next day I went over to the school to check it out, was told there was a class taking place "this instant," sat in on it, and promptly signed up the very next day! And now, two years later, I'm marching down the aisle in a cap and gown. God is good. Maybe there's a Master's out there for me some day, as well. Who knows?
The kicker of this whole celebration though, was the fact that my two brothers drove down from Maine to surprise me!!!! It was so fun and so special to have them here! They arrived on Friday, and we were all so excited to have them here, that we took a road trip for the day and I completely forgot about my grad rehearsal and picking up my cap and gown! I just blindly followed the guy in front of me the next day and no one knew that I had not a clue!
They left here in the rain today but will be driving home in blizzard conditions, I hear. The things they will do for their sis! That's love!
It's kind of fun looking back. I never planned to go back to school when we moved out here. I've always had the desire but figured that would be shelved for this season of motherhood. I literally stumbled upon the knowledge of this program through a conversation while meeting some new friends out here. The very next day I went over to the school to check it out, was told there was a class taking place "this instant," sat in on it, and promptly signed up the very next day! And now, two years later, I'm marching down the aisle in a cap and gown. God is good. Maybe there's a Master's out there for me some day, as well. Who knows?
The kicker of this whole celebration though, was the fact that my two brothers drove down from Maine to surprise me!!!! It was so fun and so special to have them here! They arrived on Friday, and we were all so excited to have them here, that we took a road trip for the day and I completely forgot about my grad rehearsal and picking up my cap and gown! I just blindly followed the guy in front of me the next day and no one knew that I had not a clue!
They left here in the rain today but will be driving home in blizzard conditions, I hear. The things they will do for their sis! That's love!
Happy Six Months - Jesse Bear!
Jesse had his six month well child visit today. We are pleased and proud to announce that he is back ON the charts both height and weight wise. Granted, he is still the size of a typical one year old, but he is at least porportionate! He weighs in at 20 pounds 12 ounces, and his length is 28 inches! Our little man was so big and brave when he had his shots. He literally cried for like two seconds and then was smiling again! To celebrate, we all went to Cracker Barrel for lunch. (You know us - we'll find any way we can to justify eating out!) Jesse got his very first taste of applesauce - which he promptly gagged on and was most unimpressed. After four or five spoonfuls with the same results, I finally concluded that he really does not like the taste of it and proceeded to eat his celebratory applesauce myself. All in all, it has been a very grand morning!
A Christmas Prayer
This short little prayer was written on one of our Christmas cards. I love it.
Lord.....
let us celebrate Christmas with less hurry,
more wonder;
less worry,
more peace;
less flurry,
more joy.
May this be said of our little family......
Lord.....
let us celebrate Christmas with less hurry,
more wonder;
less worry,
more peace;
less flurry,
more joy.
May this be said of our little family......
Family Christmas
We celebrated Christmas with our little family this past Saturday. We like to have our own little family tradition besides doing things with the extended family, so it was REALLY fun! Kaden's age is so great to really be able to fully enjoy everything.
On our Christmas Eve, we got a special Boz (a silly Christian bear character through MOPS that Kaden LOVES) Christmas DVD with a little Boz stuffed animal that we gave Kaden for his Christmas Eve gift. We brought the air mattress in and camped out in the living room with snacks and our p.j.'s. Then, Jesse woke us all up at 4:30 the next morning, so we all just laid in bed until 6:00 until we decided to just get our day started. We were all fried, but we really had no agenda for the day, so it was fine.
Jesse took his first nap of the day at 7:00 a.m. while Kev and Kaden made pancakes and coffee. Then, we read the Christmas story out of Kaden's Bible. We prayed together and then opened the gifts in our stockings. By then, Jesse had woken back up, so he was able to join in the festivities! Kaden had wrapped a special little toy for him that makes all kinds of noises when you pull on it. Jesse thinks that's pretty cool and attacks it with a vengeance! After we unwrapped our gifts, we all went to Cracker Barrel for lunch and then came home for naps! It was so much fun, and Kaden had such a great time!
His favorite gifts were a little kid's accordian and a backpack that contains his very own tent, sleeping bag, water bottle, whistle, and flashlight. It's set up in our living room, and periodically all throughout the day he disappears for quite some time. We'll peak in, and he's all nestled in his sleeping bag looking up at the "stars" through his roof! It's so cute!
Yep. A great family day. Loved it! I feel like we really took our time and savored it. Kaden did a great job in remembering to say thank you after each gift, and I don't feel like we spoiled him with a ton of presents. He was really thankful with the few we bought him. And, he was also really excited to give us the gifts that were from "him," as well. Having kids really brings back the kid in us! Kev and I were just as excited (maybe more so) than Kaden to celebrate!
And now.......one week until we go HOME to be with our family and friends!!!!!
On our Christmas Eve, we got a special Boz (a silly Christian bear character through MOPS that Kaden LOVES) Christmas DVD with a little Boz stuffed animal that we gave Kaden for his Christmas Eve gift. We brought the air mattress in and camped out in the living room with snacks and our p.j.'s. Then, Jesse woke us all up at 4:30 the next morning, so we all just laid in bed until 6:00 until we decided to just get our day started. We were all fried, but we really had no agenda for the day, so it was fine.
Jesse took his first nap of the day at 7:00 a.m. while Kev and Kaden made pancakes and coffee. Then, we read the Christmas story out of Kaden's Bible. We prayed together and then opened the gifts in our stockings. By then, Jesse had woken back up, so he was able to join in the festivities! Kaden had wrapped a special little toy for him that makes all kinds of noises when you pull on it. Jesse thinks that's pretty cool and attacks it with a vengeance! After we unwrapped our gifts, we all went to Cracker Barrel for lunch and then came home for naps! It was so much fun, and Kaden had such a great time!
His favorite gifts were a little kid's accordian and a backpack that contains his very own tent, sleeping bag, water bottle, whistle, and flashlight. It's set up in our living room, and periodically all throughout the day he disappears for quite some time. We'll peak in, and he's all nestled in his sleeping bag looking up at the "stars" through his roof! It's so cute!
Yep. A great family day. Loved it! I feel like we really took our time and savored it. Kaden did a great job in remembering to say thank you after each gift, and I don't feel like we spoiled him with a ton of presents. He was really thankful with the few we bought him. And, he was also really excited to give us the gifts that were from "him," as well. Having kids really brings back the kid in us! Kev and I were just as excited (maybe more so) than Kaden to celebrate!
And now.......one week until we go HOME to be with our family and friends!!!!!
Sigh
It begins. Actually, it's been going on for quite some time. I knew it would. It should. And I truly am okay with it. He just doesn't need to rub it in!
What am I talking about, you ask? Well, let me enlighten you. The other evening, Kev headed to his night class while Kaden waved to him from the window. As he was driving away Kaden said sadly: "Oh, Mommy! I don't want him to to go." I said, "I know, Honey. But, he's just going to school. He'll come snuggle you when he gets home." To which Kaden replied, "Mommy, he's my favorite."
Now, this didn't phase me in the least, because he gets that expression from me. If I love something, I always say "it's my favorite." So, I responded with: "Me too, Sweety." Well, not to be misunderstood Kaden made sure to clafity.
"No. Mommy. I like Daddy gooder than you."
"Oh. Okay. But, do you still love Mommy too?"
"Oh yes. I just like Daddy gooder than you."
Okay. I can accept that. I know he still loves me. I also know that this is the age where little boys start to really bond with their Daddys, and I am totally okay with that. It's good and healthy.
You know.......I only gave birth to you, had major surgery, and almost lost my uterus because of you. But hey - no hard feelings. Really........ :0)
Just kidding.....kinda'.
What am I talking about, you ask? Well, let me enlighten you. The other evening, Kev headed to his night class while Kaden waved to him from the window. As he was driving away Kaden said sadly: "Oh, Mommy! I don't want him to to go." I said, "I know, Honey. But, he's just going to school. He'll come snuggle you when he gets home." To which Kaden replied, "Mommy, he's my favorite."
Now, this didn't phase me in the least, because he gets that expression from me. If I love something, I always say "it's my favorite." So, I responded with: "Me too, Sweety." Well, not to be misunderstood Kaden made sure to clafity.
"No. Mommy. I like Daddy gooder than you."
"Oh. Okay. But, do you still love Mommy too?"
"Oh yes. I just like Daddy gooder than you."
Okay. I can accept that. I know he still loves me. I also know that this is the age where little boys start to really bond with their Daddys, and I am totally okay with that. It's good and healthy.
You know.......I only gave birth to you, had major surgery, and almost lost my uterus because of you. But hey - no hard feelings. Really........ :0)
Just kidding.....kinda'.
For Those with Toddlers.....
I got this at MOPS awhile back, but I've had it on my fridge for some time and think it's so cute! Well, maybe "cute" isn't the right word, but it's oh so true!
TODDLER PROPERTY LAWS:
If I like it, it's mine
If it's in my hand, it's mine
If I can take it from you, it's mine
If I had it a little while ago, it's mine
If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way
If I'm doing or building something, all of the pieces are mine
If I saw it first, it's mine
If it looks just like mine, it's mine
If you're playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine
If it's broken, it's YOURS!
Can any of you who've had toddlers attest to this?!
TODDLER PROPERTY LAWS:
If I like it, it's mine
If it's in my hand, it's mine
If I can take it from you, it's mine
If I had it a little while ago, it's mine
If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way
If I'm doing or building something, all of the pieces are mine
If I saw it first, it's mine
If it looks just like mine, it's mine
If you're playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine
If it's broken, it's YOURS!
Can any of you who've had toddlers attest to this?!
First Snow and All Things Christmasy
It snowed out here for the first time today. When we opened the curtains and blinds this morning, it was so exciting to see a fresh layer of powder on the ground. We've had our tree up since Thanksgiving weekend because we leave for Maine so soon before Christmas, and I spent all afternoon wrapping presents yesterday, so we are truly in full blown festive spirits. Kaden even wrapped a present for Daddy and Jesse yesterday - all by himself! He used about half a roll of tape, but it's all good! We're trying to instill the whole idea of giving being better than getting, so I wanted him to take full ownership in his gift giving this year. It really was fun wrapping together and listening to Christmas music while trying to keep Jesse from slobbering on everything!
Anyway, we've been talking so much about going outside to play in the snow whenever it decides to show up, so he was completely pumped this morning. The only problem is that he has a terrible cold right now. We even stayed home from church this morning because he was up most of the night coughing. He was so bummed about having to stay inside that I decided to just bring the snow inside to him. I went out and gathered bowl after bowl with snow and filled up our kitchen sink right to the brim with the stuff! Then, I put mittens on his hands, stood him up on one of our chairs, and let him have it! It made for a really nice morning. We made mini snowmen, he made "rotten rock soup that's de-lish," (???), and there's only a minor wet mess to clean up, so it was quite a success!
Anyway, we've been talking so much about going outside to play in the snow whenever it decides to show up, so he was completely pumped this morning. The only problem is that he has a terrible cold right now. We even stayed home from church this morning because he was up most of the night coughing. He was so bummed about having to stay inside that I decided to just bring the snow inside to him. I went out and gathered bowl after bowl with snow and filled up our kitchen sink right to the brim with the stuff! Then, I put mittens on his hands, stood him up on one of our chairs, and let him have it! It made for a really nice morning. We made mini snowmen, he made "rotten rock soup that's de-lish," (???), and there's only a minor wet mess to clean up, so it was quite a success!
The One That Got Away
Well, on the first day of gun season, Kev was up at 4:00 a.m. and left to go hunting in the pouring rain. Yuckadoo. You couldn't pay me enough money to do that. However, I do love having meat in our freezer, and we just cooked up our last steak a couple of weeks ago. So, go hubby go! More power to ya! I'll just roll back over and get a couple more hours of shut-eye!
Anyway, he came home absolutely soggy and oh so stinky. Man - wool is potent when it's wet. He'd been tracking the blood of one he shot earlier in the day but couldn't find it. He's pretty sure it's dead by the several pools of blood that he tracked, but he's afraid that he got out his stand too soon and pushed it too hard. This is a major bummer on all accounts. I hate hate hate when a deer gets wounded or when one dies unnecessarily. Plus, Kev is probably going to get sick AND we have no meat in our freezer. Ah well. Live and learn, I guess. He was pretty bummed. But, back out again today at 4:00. Hopefully, he'll have success this time!
Whenever he gets back, Kaden always wants to hear his hunting stories. Kev is always very careful to say that he hunts to get food like steak and hamburger to feed our family - not for sport just for the sake of killing an animal. Anyway, Kaden has an imaginary wolf friend that goes everywhere with him. The other day at breakfast Kaden said: "Hey, Daddy! My wolf friend shot a hamburger in the road and he was really proud of himself!"
Doesn't make a lick of sense, but we just about died laughing!
Anyway, he came home absolutely soggy and oh so stinky. Man - wool is potent when it's wet. He'd been tracking the blood of one he shot earlier in the day but couldn't find it. He's pretty sure it's dead by the several pools of blood that he tracked, but he's afraid that he got out his stand too soon and pushed it too hard. This is a major bummer on all accounts. I hate hate hate when a deer gets wounded or when one dies unnecessarily. Plus, Kev is probably going to get sick AND we have no meat in our freezer. Ah well. Live and learn, I guess. He was pretty bummed. But, back out again today at 4:00. Hopefully, he'll have success this time!
Whenever he gets back, Kaden always wants to hear his hunting stories. Kev is always very careful to say that he hunts to get food like steak and hamburger to feed our family - not for sport just for the sake of killing an animal. Anyway, Kaden has an imaginary wolf friend that goes everywhere with him. The other day at breakfast Kaden said: "Hey, Daddy! My wolf friend shot a hamburger in the road and he was really proud of himself!"
Doesn't make a lick of sense, but we just about died laughing!
Happy Thanksgiving.....A Day Late!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!
I really love this holiday - it's far less commercialized and stressful than Christmas, and it's the one day out of the year when we sit back and take stock of what we are truly thankful for. We want to instill into our children traditions that involve family and relationships and giving as opposed to only thinking about and asking for things for ourselves. I want us all to have a constant attitude of contentment and gratefulnesss for everything that we've been given already instead of constantly looking around and wishing for things that we don't have.
So, only this holiday week-end, here is just a short list of the things that I am SO SO thankful for:
* First and foremost, I'm thankful for my relationship with Jesus and for how - time and time again - He has proven Himself faithful to me. I believe - help Thou my unbelief! His mercies truly are new every morning.
* I'm thankful for my hubby of eight years. He is truly my soulmate and best friend. He takes his roles and responsibilities of husband and father so seriously, and we are partners in every sense of the word in this journey called life!
* For my little Kaden - our tender heart. He daily makes us laugh. He is so sensitive and happy all the time. He is a fabulous big brother, and I really can't even remember what life was like without him. He is the neatest little kid, and already so tender toward the things of the Lord.
* For our wild child, Jesse Bear. He has made our home so full and alive. He is so comical, and it's so fun and interesting to see two little boys who are so night and day in every way! We never have to wonder how he's feeling - he LOUDLY lets us know! He is becoming so expressive and snuggly, and we are just so thankful for this new gift.
* And lastly, I'm thankful for our church family out here who has adopted us as their own, for family and friends old and new, for our cozy little apartment, for this college where Kev has been able to follow his dream, for friends who welcomed us into their home to celebrate with them yesterday, and for our family day today where we're going to get our Christmas tree! Whoo-hoo!!
Truly, there are SO many other things.....the list could go on forever. Bottom line: I'm a thankful girl this week-end!
I really love this holiday - it's far less commercialized and stressful than Christmas, and it's the one day out of the year when we sit back and take stock of what we are truly thankful for. We want to instill into our children traditions that involve family and relationships and giving as opposed to only thinking about and asking for things for ourselves. I want us all to have a constant attitude of contentment and gratefulnesss for everything that we've been given already instead of constantly looking around and wishing for things that we don't have.
So, only this holiday week-end, here is just a short list of the things that I am SO SO thankful for:
* First and foremost, I'm thankful for my relationship with Jesus and for how - time and time again - He has proven Himself faithful to me. I believe - help Thou my unbelief! His mercies truly are new every morning.
* I'm thankful for my hubby of eight years. He is truly my soulmate and best friend. He takes his roles and responsibilities of husband and father so seriously, and we are partners in every sense of the word in this journey called life!
* For my little Kaden - our tender heart. He daily makes us laugh. He is so sensitive and happy all the time. He is a fabulous big brother, and I really can't even remember what life was like without him. He is the neatest little kid, and already so tender toward the things of the Lord.
* For our wild child, Jesse Bear. He has made our home so full and alive. He is so comical, and it's so fun and interesting to see two little boys who are so night and day in every way! We never have to wonder how he's feeling - he LOUDLY lets us know! He is becoming so expressive and snuggly, and we are just so thankful for this new gift.
* And lastly, I'm thankful for our church family out here who has adopted us as their own, for family and friends old and new, for our cozy little apartment, for this college where Kev has been able to follow his dream, for friends who welcomed us into their home to celebrate with them yesterday, and for our family day today where we're going to get our Christmas tree! Whoo-hoo!!
Truly, there are SO many other things.....the list could go on forever. Bottom line: I'm a thankful girl this week-end!
Adventures in Parenting
Today is one of those days where in looking back, all we can do is laugh. So many silly, crazy, scary, and yucky things happened in the span of just a few hours that I just have to write about them and document their happenings!
We went to UNO's for lunch today where hubby was in rare form. First of all, he asked for a side of hot sauce for his sandwich, and as soon as it came, he looks over at Kaden all innocently and asks: "Kaden, would you like a drink of tomato juice?" Kaden - trusting his father completely AS HE SHOULD!!!! - leans forward and takes a nice haul off of Kev's Red Hot! I braced myself waiting.....meanwhile both Kev and I are dying laughing, and I'm feeling like a loser mommy for even finding it funny in the first place. Kaden swallows, looks over at us, and immediatly hangs his tongue out of his mouth and starts chugging his water. We had tears, it was so funny! Not two seconds later, Kev offers him a taste of his other side of BBQ sauce. Genuis that he was being today, he loads up a big scoop on his FORK and puts it up to Kaden's mouth. Well, of course, most of it dribbled out the slats of the fork and went all down the front of Kaden's shirt! When Kev saw this happen, he jerked his arm back and proceeded to spill even more of it down the arm of Kaden's white shirt. Kaden just looked at us like we were crazy today. It's true. Good thing I hadn't done laundry yet, because the story gets better.
Then, after Kaden's nap, Kev had a cup of black coffee sitting on the table. Kaden walked over and innocently asked: "Oh, Daddy! Can I have a sip of your soda?" Kev innocently answered, "Sure, Honey." Again - another long haul. (It was ice coffee - but still....you know when you're expecting to taste one thing and then you get another?" He's not going to trust Daddy much after today! Hubby was an IMP today!
Well, all of those things are nothing compared to MY saga with the boys today. While Kaden napped and Kev was doing homework at home, I decided to go out and do a little shopping with Jesse. I wore him in the backpack because he loves it, and as soon as I walked into the store, all of a sudden, I feel this huge shift, and Jesse slid right out the bottom of my pack! I reached down and grabbed his bum just in time - right before he smashed onto the floor! OH MY WORD!!! What if this had happened while I was walking across the parking lot? What if a car had been whizzing by????? Anyhoo, HE wasn't fazed in the least, but I just about had a bird!
Then - while we were walking through a store, Jesse decided that he wanted to suck on my cheek and my chin. This is his new thing lately. It was keeping him happy and occupied, so I just let him suck away while I was browsing. Upon looking in the mirror when I got home, however, I now see that I have a massive hickey on my face that is VERY noticeable! Perfect for when we go to company's house tomorrow for Thanksgiving. (I'm going to tell everyone that Kev did it! kidding.......)
Finally, when we came home, I sat Jesse in his little Bumbo seat to feed him some cereal, and I thought that I kept smelling a certain odor. (Having Daddy in the same room, I thought nothing of this odor, so I didn't think it necesssary to check Jesse!) Twenty minutes later, I lifted Jesse out of his seat, and to my utter horror, I realized that he had been sitting in a literal puddle of his own poo! It was SO gross! In lifting him out, I also successfully managed to ooze it all up his back, down his legs, and all over my own shirt, as well. Delish. In with the pile of hot sauce and BBQ laundry those clothes went. This is going to be a yummy load of wash, let me tell ya.
And finally, to top off this nutso day, when Kaden woke up from his nap, he came out and snuggled my leg while I was cooking. Just as I was turning to grab something from the fridge, he grabbed hold and gave me a pretty strong "love push," and down to the floor we both toppled with 135 pounds of me landing on 35 pounds of him. After many tears (from him) and a really sore bum (of mine), after baths and clean ups for all of us, and after supper, stories, and beddy-bies, I look back on today and am happy and amazed that we are all still in one piece!!! It was like a regular zoo around here today!
We went to UNO's for lunch today where hubby was in rare form. First of all, he asked for a side of hot sauce for his sandwich, and as soon as it came, he looks over at Kaden all innocently and asks: "Kaden, would you like a drink of tomato juice?" Kaden - trusting his father completely AS HE SHOULD!!!! - leans forward and takes a nice haul off of Kev's Red Hot! I braced myself waiting.....meanwhile both Kev and I are dying laughing, and I'm feeling like a loser mommy for even finding it funny in the first place. Kaden swallows, looks over at us, and immediatly hangs his tongue out of his mouth and starts chugging his water. We had tears, it was so funny! Not two seconds later, Kev offers him a taste of his other side of BBQ sauce. Genuis that he was being today, he loads up a big scoop on his FORK and puts it up to Kaden's mouth. Well, of course, most of it dribbled out the slats of the fork and went all down the front of Kaden's shirt! When Kev saw this happen, he jerked his arm back and proceeded to spill even more of it down the arm of Kaden's white shirt. Kaden just looked at us like we were crazy today. It's true. Good thing I hadn't done laundry yet, because the story gets better.
Then, after Kaden's nap, Kev had a cup of black coffee sitting on the table. Kaden walked over and innocently asked: "Oh, Daddy! Can I have a sip of your soda?" Kev innocently answered, "Sure, Honey." Again - another long haul. (It was ice coffee - but still....you know when you're expecting to taste one thing and then you get another?" He's not going to trust Daddy much after today! Hubby was an IMP today!
Well, all of those things are nothing compared to MY saga with the boys today. While Kaden napped and Kev was doing homework at home, I decided to go out and do a little shopping with Jesse. I wore him in the backpack because he loves it, and as soon as I walked into the store, all of a sudden, I feel this huge shift, and Jesse slid right out the bottom of my pack! I reached down and grabbed his bum just in time - right before he smashed onto the floor! OH MY WORD!!! What if this had happened while I was walking across the parking lot? What if a car had been whizzing by????? Anyhoo, HE wasn't fazed in the least, but I just about had a bird!
Then - while we were walking through a store, Jesse decided that he wanted to suck on my cheek and my chin. This is his new thing lately. It was keeping him happy and occupied, so I just let him suck away while I was browsing. Upon looking in the mirror when I got home, however, I now see that I have a massive hickey on my face that is VERY noticeable! Perfect for when we go to company's house tomorrow for Thanksgiving. (I'm going to tell everyone that Kev did it! kidding.......)
Finally, when we came home, I sat Jesse in his little Bumbo seat to feed him some cereal, and I thought that I kept smelling a certain odor. (Having Daddy in the same room, I thought nothing of this odor, so I didn't think it necesssary to check Jesse!) Twenty minutes later, I lifted Jesse out of his seat, and to my utter horror, I realized that he had been sitting in a literal puddle of his own poo! It was SO gross! In lifting him out, I also successfully managed to ooze it all up his back, down his legs, and all over my own shirt, as well. Delish. In with the pile of hot sauce and BBQ laundry those clothes went. This is going to be a yummy load of wash, let me tell ya.
And finally, to top off this nutso day, when Kaden woke up from his nap, he came out and snuggled my leg while I was cooking. Just as I was turning to grab something from the fridge, he grabbed hold and gave me a pretty strong "love push," and down to the floor we both toppled with 135 pounds of me landing on 35 pounds of him. After many tears (from him) and a really sore bum (of mine), after baths and clean ups for all of us, and after supper, stories, and beddy-bies, I look back on today and am happy and amazed that we are all still in one piece!!! It was like a regular zoo around here today!
A Tender Heart
Kaden has been initiating a lot of conversation lately about Jesus. It's so cool to see his little brain working and thinking through things. One morning at breakfast he was telling Kev that in the night he dreamed about Jesus on the cross. He said, "Do you know what I was dreaming about? Jesus on the cross with that thing on his head with really sharp things on it that hurt Him really bad." We talked about it a little bit and asked Kaden if he knew why Jesus died on the cross that day. He said, "Because He loves me and because sometimes I do bad things."
It's been so cool to dialogue with him about this and to see that he's actually comprehending and understanding things. We don't want to push "the sinner's prayer" on him just so that we can say, Kaden got "saved" today, but we're really feeling like he's beginning to understand and that is just the neatest thing.
His little heart is so tender and he has SUCH a sensitive conscience. Often when I tell him how proud I am of his honesty or of being such a great big brother he'll respond by saying, "Yeah, but sometimes I do bad things." Yup. We all do - many of us just refuse to admit it!
It's been so cool to dialogue with him about this and to see that he's actually comprehending and understanding things. We don't want to push "the sinner's prayer" on him just so that we can say, Kaden got "saved" today, but we're really feeling like he's beginning to understand and that is just the neatest thing.
His little heart is so tender and he has SUCH a sensitive conscience. Often when I tell him how proud I am of his honesty or of being such a great big brother he'll respond by saying, "Yeah, but sometimes I do bad things." Yup. We all do - many of us just refuse to admit it!
Four Nights and Counting....
For the past month or so, Jesse's nighttime sleep has progressively gotten worse. He has gone from sleeping 10-12 hour stretches without waking and nursing to waking up once in the middle of the night (no big deal - we can handle that). Then a few days later, waking up every four hours (hmmm.....okay - growth spurt?), to waking every two hours, to finally deciding that every hour on the hour he would like to awaken and scream bloody murder until someone did something about it.
Finally, at the beginning of this week, I reached my breaking point and told Kev that I was just about ready to have a nervous breakdown unless something changed. I talked to my pediatrician and did lots of reading - so that I wouldn't just be looking at this issue through "baby wise" eyes, and all that I read agreed with what my pediatrician said in that - Jesse should be capable of sleeping through the night by now, and we need to help him learn to "work it out." She said, "Most kids will break the habit in 2-5 days, but there is a small minority that may take two to three months to kick it." Hmmmmm....now what category do we think our little Jesse will probably fall into?!!!!
There are a whole boatload of varying philosophies out there to help parents teach their children to "work it out" from the "no cry solution" of just doing whatever it takes to make them happy to the "let 'em scream it out" until they cry themselves into oblivion. Kev and I talked about this for a few days and tried to decide what our plan of attack would be. The biggest issue at stake was that whatever we were going to do - we had to stick with it! If in a couple of days we couldn't hack it anymore and gave in, then it would all be for naught.
So, four nights ago, we decided to set the pack and play up in the kitchen with a really loud fan, we ran the bathroom fan, we gave Kaden two fans and a radio, and we gave ourselves a fan as well. The plan was that when Jesse woke - from here on out - he would not be nursed, and he would not be picked up unless he got absolutely hysterical. We would go to him every twenty minutes, rub his tummy, and tell him that he was okay, but then we would walk away and go back to bed. It was agreed that I would take the first shift, Kev would go next, and so on. Whew! Was I ever nervous. I knew that this would not be for the faint of heart, but I was ready! I was at the point where I was feeling that I had lost all control!
Well, the first night, I "tanked him up" right before we went to bed at 10:00 so that I would know his tummy was full, and then he was down for the count. Just like clockwork, at 2:00 a.m., Jesse woke up crying. I laid there and watched the clock tick by...five minutes.....ten minutes... until at the twenty minute mark, I went out into the kitchen, rubbed his tummy, and said, "No, Jesse. It's time to sleep." To which he promptly broke out into high-pitched-bloody-murder-I'm-mad-at-the-world-and-I-plan-to-wake-up-the-whole-entire-complex shrieks. Hmmmmm, that went well. I crawled back into bed, put some earplugs in, and told Kev that it was his turn next!
Twenty minutes later, Kev went out and did the same. It was to be my turn at 3:00, but when I rolled over again it was 3:45! Oh man...bad Mommy. But wait - our apartment was silent! I looked over at Kev who was staring up at the ceiling, and he calmly said: "Jesse fell asleep at 3:00." Only an hour! Not for the faint of heart, mind you - but I fully expected about three hours of screaming for this first night! I sank back into blissful sleep overwhelmingly happpy and thankful.
For the past three nights, Jesse has fallen back to sleep before the twenty minute mark each time. I can't even believe that he is not fighting this harder, and I am not holding my breathe - but I do feel that my world is beginning to right itself once more! My sister-in-law was here two nights ago, so we put Jesse in our room. When he woke at 2:00 I begged the Lord to put him back to sleep! PLEASE, LORD! NOT TONIGHT! NOT WITH COMPANY WHO WILL SURELY THINK THAT WE ARE HORRIBLE PARENTS FOR LETTING OUR CHILD CRY! But, thankfully, after just a couple of seconds of fussing, back he went to la la land!
So, we shall see what the future holds. For now, I am catching up on my sleep and am no longer a zombie crabmyster woman! We plan to keep Jesse in the kitchen for a few more weeks, but I am hopeful. And I have never been more thankful for an eight hour stretch of sleep in my life!
Finally, at the beginning of this week, I reached my breaking point and told Kev that I was just about ready to have a nervous breakdown unless something changed. I talked to my pediatrician and did lots of reading - so that I wouldn't just be looking at this issue through "baby wise" eyes, and all that I read agreed with what my pediatrician said in that - Jesse should be capable of sleeping through the night by now, and we need to help him learn to "work it out." She said, "Most kids will break the habit in 2-5 days, but there is a small minority that may take two to three months to kick it." Hmmmmm....now what category do we think our little Jesse will probably fall into?!!!!
There are a whole boatload of varying philosophies out there to help parents teach their children to "work it out" from the "no cry solution" of just doing whatever it takes to make them happy to the "let 'em scream it out" until they cry themselves into oblivion. Kev and I talked about this for a few days and tried to decide what our plan of attack would be. The biggest issue at stake was that whatever we were going to do - we had to stick with it! If in a couple of days we couldn't hack it anymore and gave in, then it would all be for naught.
So, four nights ago, we decided to set the pack and play up in the kitchen with a really loud fan, we ran the bathroom fan, we gave Kaden two fans and a radio, and we gave ourselves a fan as well. The plan was that when Jesse woke - from here on out - he would not be nursed, and he would not be picked up unless he got absolutely hysterical. We would go to him every twenty minutes, rub his tummy, and tell him that he was okay, but then we would walk away and go back to bed. It was agreed that I would take the first shift, Kev would go next, and so on. Whew! Was I ever nervous. I knew that this would not be for the faint of heart, but I was ready! I was at the point where I was feeling that I had lost all control!
Well, the first night, I "tanked him up" right before we went to bed at 10:00 so that I would know his tummy was full, and then he was down for the count. Just like clockwork, at 2:00 a.m., Jesse woke up crying. I laid there and watched the clock tick by...five minutes.....ten minutes... until at the twenty minute mark, I went out into the kitchen, rubbed his tummy, and said, "No, Jesse. It's time to sleep." To which he promptly broke out into high-pitched-bloody-murder-I'm-mad-at-the-world-and-I-plan-to-wake-up-the-whole-entire-complex shrieks. Hmmmmm, that went well. I crawled back into bed, put some earplugs in, and told Kev that it was his turn next!
Twenty minutes later, Kev went out and did the same. It was to be my turn at 3:00, but when I rolled over again it was 3:45! Oh man...bad Mommy. But wait - our apartment was silent! I looked over at Kev who was staring up at the ceiling, and he calmly said: "Jesse fell asleep at 3:00." Only an hour! Not for the faint of heart, mind you - but I fully expected about three hours of screaming for this first night! I sank back into blissful sleep overwhelmingly happpy and thankful.
For the past three nights, Jesse has fallen back to sleep before the twenty minute mark each time. I can't even believe that he is not fighting this harder, and I am not holding my breathe - but I do feel that my world is beginning to right itself once more! My sister-in-law was here two nights ago, so we put Jesse in our room. When he woke at 2:00 I begged the Lord to put him back to sleep! PLEASE, LORD! NOT TONIGHT! NOT WITH COMPANY WHO WILL SURELY THINK THAT WE ARE HORRIBLE PARENTS FOR LETTING OUR CHILD CRY! But, thankfully, after just a couple of seconds of fussing, back he went to la la land!
So, we shall see what the future holds. For now, I am catching up on my sleep and am no longer a zombie crabmyster woman! We plan to keep Jesse in the kitchen for a few more weeks, but I am hopeful. And I have never been more thankful for an eight hour stretch of sleep in my life!
Slowing Down
This past week was way too busy for our little family, and we're all feeling it. Kaden missed his nap two days in a row, and when that happens there is no need to ever have a little daughter to experience high drama - we get it in spades with him! It's kind of comical, and we both feel bad, because it's really our fault that we've caused him to miss his naps, so we try to have a little grace with him. Poor thing. He's going on four years old, but still really requires at least a two hour nap every day and about ten hours of nighttime sleep, as well. Jesse on the other hand, is a completely different story. He's good on four little half hour cat naps. He will sleep between 10-14 hours at night, but doesn't give us much during the day. He still likes a little rhythm though, too, and I can tell that he's a little "off," as well.
So, for this week, we're going to stick close to home. We travelled a lot last week and had the boys in the car a lot, so I just plan to take it easy for the next couple of days. Having said that, we did have a good week, though! I was able to get trained and certified to do some premarital and marital counseling through Prepare-Enrich, Kev did a little hunting, we met with a Mission Board that we're interested in, we spent an afternoon with a family from church that we've been wanting to get to know better, and the highlight for all three of my boys was the fact that we spent an entire day at Cabella's!
Oh my - don't get me wrong - I like the store, but HELLO - almost five hours, people! I put my time in that day. Kev reminded me that if I truly do want a passle of all boys, this is what our family days may look a lot like in the future! Point taken. :0) Neither Kev or Kaden wanted to leave, and Jesse was as happy as a clam riding in the backpack staring at all the dead animals all day. Oh my. Lord, give grace! :0) It really was a lot of fun, though. We got most of our Christmas shopping done - at least for the guys, and had fun playing together as a family, so it's all good!
So, for this week, we're going to stick close to home. We travelled a lot last week and had the boys in the car a lot, so I just plan to take it easy for the next couple of days. Having said that, we did have a good week, though! I was able to get trained and certified to do some premarital and marital counseling through Prepare-Enrich, Kev did a little hunting, we met with a Mission Board that we're interested in, we spent an afternoon with a family from church that we've been wanting to get to know better, and the highlight for all three of my boys was the fact that we spent an entire day at Cabella's!
Oh my - don't get me wrong - I like the store, but HELLO - almost five hours, people! I put my time in that day. Kev reminded me that if I truly do want a passle of all boys, this is what our family days may look a lot like in the future! Point taken. :0) Neither Kev or Kaden wanted to leave, and Jesse was as happy as a clam riding in the backpack staring at all the dead animals all day. Oh my. Lord, give grace! :0) It really was a lot of fun, though. We got most of our Christmas shopping done - at least for the guys, and had fun playing together as a family, so it's all good!
It's a Girl!
My sweet friend Charlotte just gave birth to numero two - a baby girl! After a seven hour labor, Madelyn Elizabeth G. - Meg for short - (how cute is that?) was born! Oh yay - I LOVE babies, and I LOVE that there's another Mommy around here with two chittlins now. We can just be half crazy together!
Other news....
Kev and I went and met with the Regional Director for U.S. Center for World Missions today. Should we decide to take Clarion Consulting and do it as our next step in life, this is most likely the Mission Board that we would be considered missionaries under.
I'm a rotty explainer of things, so if anyone is interested in the whole Clarion thing, go and check out their website and have a little looksee. It's www.clarionconsulting.com. Just a note - because it was originally designed to work with missions teams overseas, the website had to be made to look secular in order to protect the missionaries.
So....that's kind of exciting. It's been cool to see where the Lord has been leading and how He's been confirming our steps. Tomorrow, I'll also be getting certified in the Prepare/Enrich (www.prepare-enrich.com) assessment tool, as well. I would like to begin doing some premarital counseling with engaged couples and maybe even newlyweds here at the school.
We shall see. Who knows what the Lord has in store for us? It's all part of the journey - endings to some chapters and beginnings of others. It's comforting knowing that He's in control and we are not!
Other news....
Kev and I went and met with the Regional Director for U.S. Center for World Missions today. Should we decide to take Clarion Consulting and do it as our next step in life, this is most likely the Mission Board that we would be considered missionaries under.
I'm a rotty explainer of things, so if anyone is interested in the whole Clarion thing, go and check out their website and have a little looksee. It's www.clarionconsulting.com. Just a note - because it was originally designed to work with missions teams overseas, the website had to be made to look secular in order to protect the missionaries.
So....that's kind of exciting. It's been cool to see where the Lord has been leading and how He's been confirming our steps. Tomorrow, I'll also be getting certified in the Prepare/Enrich (www.prepare-enrich.com) assessment tool, as well. I would like to begin doing some premarital counseling with engaged couples and maybe even newlyweds here at the school.
We shall see. Who knows what the Lord has in store for us? It's all part of the journey - endings to some chapters and beginnings of others. It's comforting knowing that He's in control and we are not!
By Hed Is Feelig Stuffy!
I did the typos on purpose. That's how I've sounded all day - I woke up with a yucky cold, and I am completely stuffy and plugged up. Soooo, Katya - that sip of hot chocolate you had at the soccer game yesterday is probably gonna cost ya! So sorry, my friend. Blast. Load up on the echinacea and Vitamin C! Oh man - I hate colds. You feel yuckadoo but not enough to put your life on hold and justify napping or not taking care of your family. I've kind of been in a fog all day.
However, in spite of this mild annoyance, we had a fun family day. A few towns over in a little place called "Peddler's Village" there are a whole bunch of fun little shops and stores, neat little walkways with scarecrows everywhere, and just an all around pretty area to be outside all day. This weekend they are celebrating Apple Festival, so we went and rambled all around and sampled some of the apple wares. Quite delish, I must say.....I think.....everything taked a little bit like cardboard today....but the texture was nice!
It was a bit on the chilly side, but overall, very nice. We wore Jesse in the backpack for the first time, and he really liked it. He took a nice nap, and when he was awake he carried on a lovely conversation with the back of Kev's head! This will be his new mode of transportation, me thinks! Oh, and the kicker of today is that we get to turn our clocks back and get an extra hour of sleep. Bummer for the shorter days, but whoo-hoo for the longer nights!
However, in spite of this mild annoyance, we had a fun family day. A few towns over in a little place called "Peddler's Village" there are a whole bunch of fun little shops and stores, neat little walkways with scarecrows everywhere, and just an all around pretty area to be outside all day. This weekend they are celebrating Apple Festival, so we went and rambled all around and sampled some of the apple wares. Quite delish, I must say.....I think.....everything taked a little bit like cardboard today....but the texture was nice!
It was a bit on the chilly side, but overall, very nice. We wore Jesse in the backpack for the first time, and he really liked it. He took a nice nap, and when he was awake he carried on a lovely conversation with the back of Kev's head! This will be his new mode of transportation, me thinks! Oh, and the kicker of today is that we get to turn our clocks back and get an extra hour of sleep. Bummer for the shorter days, but whoo-hoo for the longer nights!
Feeling Uninspired.....
Yet, it's been awhile since I last posted and I must stay with my new habit of at least posting once a week!
Had some lovely chats with friends from away this past week - Shannon, Esther, and Rachey. That's always nice! I love catching up and learning about the new things going on in everyone's life.
We also had a church retreat this past weekend which was really wonderful and refreshing. The boys did great and Jesse took fabulous naps, so that was wonderful! I was chatting with my pastor's wife and telling her how well Jesse sleeps when the room is pitch dark and completely quiet! Although not a whole lot can be done about the noise except for a few fans, my pastor's wife is now making me blackout curtains that will make his room completely dark. I am soooo excited! Hopefully, this will help in elongating some of those naps!
I guess what I've been really thinking about tonight is someone who comes and goes out of my life who I am constantly absolutely flabbergasted with. This person completely blows me away with the comments they make about people. I am so floored by the disrespect and crassness (is that a word?) that I am left literally reeling and speechless. This person claims to be so godly and in love with the Lord, yet I cannot believe some things that fly out of their mouth. I fear confrontation worse than death and this person COMPLETELY intimidates me. But, I tell you what - if I had the guts to say what I feel needs to be said...man oh man. One of these days, if they catch me sleepless and feeling she-bearish about those I love, they may just get their ears peeled back! I'm really praying about how to handle this......will keep you posted.
Had some lovely chats with friends from away this past week - Shannon, Esther, and Rachey. That's always nice! I love catching up and learning about the new things going on in everyone's life.
We also had a church retreat this past weekend which was really wonderful and refreshing. The boys did great and Jesse took fabulous naps, so that was wonderful! I was chatting with my pastor's wife and telling her how well Jesse sleeps when the room is pitch dark and completely quiet! Although not a whole lot can be done about the noise except for a few fans, my pastor's wife is now making me blackout curtains that will make his room completely dark. I am soooo excited! Hopefully, this will help in elongating some of those naps!
I guess what I've been really thinking about tonight is someone who comes and goes out of my life who I am constantly absolutely flabbergasted with. This person completely blows me away with the comments they make about people. I am so floored by the disrespect and crassness (is that a word?) that I am left literally reeling and speechless. This person claims to be so godly and in love with the Lord, yet I cannot believe some things that fly out of their mouth. I fear confrontation worse than death and this person COMPLETELY intimidates me. But, I tell you what - if I had the guts to say what I feel needs to be said...man oh man. One of these days, if they catch me sleepless and feeling she-bearish about those I love, they may just get their ears peeled back! I'm really praying about how to handle this......will keep you posted.
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