vacuum b4 dusting

Delayed Appreciation

2012-01-16T15:23:00.000-05:00

One thing that my husband appreciates is having his lunch and coffee made in the morning. I do this occasionally. I thought that as a fresh start to 2012 I would get back in the habit.
After a few days of getting up early to serve him, I realized that most of what I do in the morning could be prepared the night before.

Night one: Finish the dishes, start lunches and prepare coffee pot.

Morning one: No coffee. Realize the clock is set backwards. PM does not mean Pre-Morning.

Night two: Finish the dishes, start lunches and prepare coffee pot.

Morning two: No coffee. Never turned on the delayed start.

Night Three: My husbands if we still had the coffee pot manual. I acknowledged that yes, we probably did. I assumed he was asking because we were doing dishes and he wanted to clean the coffee maker. I assured him that we did, and I would work on getting that taken care of. He said, “No, I thought it might help in setting the timer.”

I have learned to appreciate his sarcasm

2011 - The Year We Were Pooped On

2011-12-22T14:55:00.000-05:00

If you know me, you know that seagulls and I have a love-hate relationship. I have been pooped on more times than I can remember. I always figured “they must love me” since they choose me as their target. However, I have recently learned that birds often perform this ‘act of love’ to make themselves lighter as they flee from danger. So really, all of this time, they were scared of me.

On my way home from work I drive through an exchange of expressway that is home to hundred’s of birds. As you may have guessed I get pooped on almost every time. It is at this point that I am thankful for the vehicle I’m in, and that the window is taking the brunt force of the poop not me.

One day after driving through this treacherous area I got to thinking about how this year relates so much to those birds and what they so often do to me. At the end of January we laughed as we said, “2011 is NOT our year” thinking that it had to get better - we were only through the first month.

But then the year continued, as did the poop.

Our vehicles stopped working, our cupboards leaked, relationships changed, solid plans diminished, good-byes were said and tears were shed.

There is so much more that I can’t remember, or maybe just do not really want to.

When you are in the midst of it, you don’t see the bright side. It all seems like poop. But, almost everyday my van gets pooped on and there are days that I never notice.

There are been the down-lows this year, but we are thankful for the ones we don’t remember or that turned out to be not as bad as we thought. Our vehicles are still running, and we have a live in mechanic for when they don’t. We still have a roof, even if it leaks in large snow storms. Although we have said so long to some relationships, new ones have formed in their places. And even though there are some changes in our lives that we have yet to figure out, we know that they are all part of the plan for our family.

Then there was the day that I got pooped on in rainbow fashion. I don’t know what the birds were eating that day, but the kids and I laughed the whole way home at the sheer variety of color. Those are the times that I’m most thankful for this year, the ones that we could laugh through.
Like the time we ran out of toilet paper. One bathroom house, totally out of toilet paper.

And then there is the day that God decided to prove to us that His plan is better than ours. The day we found out about baby number three.

As the year started wrapping up and coming to a close we looked with anticipation to a new start. But as we needed to say good-bye to this year, we also had to say good-bye to beloved members of our family. We know that their new beginning is greater than any we will know, but it doesn’t change the loss that we feel without them.

Finally, I woke up this morning without a voice. I thought being sick through the holidays was enough, but I was hit once again.

Throughout today I have been thinking about this post, this year, and my lack of words.

It’s fitting. There isn’t anything to say that will change this past year. It is not my words that will write the next one. We have learned through it all that God has something to say to us, through the good and the bad. We need to listen.

It’s time to wash off the poop. More may come, but it too will be washed eventually. So, I silently say good-bye to 2011, and welcome 2012.

Bring it on birds, I’m ready!

Starting School

2011-09-12T21:14:00.002-04:00

Back to School for Henry!!

Henry started Pre-K last week, and couldn't get enough of it! His favorite part is playing on the playground and in the gym. In the mornings he can't wait to leave for school so that he has plenty of time to play before the bell rings to start the day. I'm glad that he is enjoying it so much!

Meleah couldn't be left out of the pictures.

I told her to smile, "I am mom, this is my smile"

Saying Goodbye to Summer

2011-09-12T21:01:00.005-04:00

As I sit in my house tonight, and it is 83 degrees inside, I realized that this maybe one of the last summer days we are going to have. So what better time than to relive our summer. Enjoy the snapshots from our summer (in no particular order)!!

Joy in my Heart

2011-08-04T14:38:00.003-04:00

Last night while playing Henry started talking to me about his heart. He said that it was inside him and that you have joy in your heart when Jesus lives there.

I didn't want to push him on the subject, but I knew that vacation bible school last week had made a big impact on him, so I figured this talk was a result of that.

I asked Henry if he knew how to get Jesus in his heart, and he told me no. I told Henry that all he needed to do was pray and ask Jesus to come and live there.

That was the end of that...Henry was onto other things.

Later in putting Henry to bed, he told me that it was his turn to pray.

"Dear Jesus, help me have no bad dreams and please come live in my heart. Amen."

My cup runneth over.

We're Still Here!

2011-05-18T22:44:00.002-04:00

Yup, still here. We're all waiting on summer, and our days are full in the meantime. What have we been doing?

Celebrating Scott's Birthday

Henry's field trip on the train:

Celebrating Grandparent's Day at School

Henry was blessed to have two generations of Grandparents with him!

Celebrating Easter:

Waiting for grilling season:

Our annual trip to the butterflies:

There's always more to come...

...but it might take awhile (just stating the obvious!)

Who is Your Henry?

2011-04-11T21:56:00.001-04:00

Tonight I was busy. Checking email, making a grocery list and try to accomplish multiple other things at the same time. In checking my email the devotional I get from the Proverbs 31 ministry caught my attention. You might realize why. I have posted it below.

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Meeting Henry
11 Apr 2011
Holly Good, Assistant to Lysa TerKeurst

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 (NIV)

He sat across the aisle from me, talking to himself. I had boarded a plane very early one morning in TX, after a weekend women’s conference where I was serving with Lysa. I casually glanced over at him and thought, “Oh boy, this will be interesting.” And I closed my eyes to settle in.

After several minutes, he realized he was in the wrong seat. He jumped up, grabbed his belongings and crossed the aisle to join me. And once again, I thought, “Oh boy, here we go.”
I was a bit nervous to be honest. We exchanged pleasantries and I closed my eyes again, waiting for the plane to take off. He continued to mumble to himself as he looked out his window.
Several more minutes passed. I tried to fall asleep. And then finally, deep in my heart I felt compelled to talk to my seat mate, even though there was still a part of me that begged for my eyes to remain closed; shut off in my comfort zone.

“Tell me about yourself,” I reluctantly smiled.

He told me his name was Henry. Then he started asking me just as many questions as I was asking him. With every answer I gave, he would kindly respond, “Well that sounds good.”
I looked around somewhat apologetically as Henry continued to dialogue with me in a very loud tone.

It was then that I profoundly felt three words rush into my mind, “This is Me.”

I stopped. I pondered. I swallowed. And I blinked.
“You, Lord?” I hesitantly questioned.
“This is Me,” I gently but clearly sensed again. And then, “Look at Me.”

I reflected for a moment and remembered, “‘…I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” Matthew 25:40.

My perspective abruptly softened. I looked at Henry with inquisitive eyes as he chatted away. I examined every detail on his face. I noticed his scruffy beard and bushy eyebrows and I looked deep into his eyes, which he told me did not work very well.

Henry was traveling to attend his grandmother’s funeral several states away. He was about to see his father, whom he hadn’t had contact with in 25 years. As our conversation unfolded, I learned that Henry had been born with a birth defect called Poland Syndrome. He had a small left hand with fingers that didn’t move and permanent paralysis in the upper left side of his body. He dropped out of high school several years earlier because students were not nice to him.

I listened with interest as we talked about his love of computers. I was captivated by his knowledge, and continued with a long list of questions. We happily shared my granola snack over an animated conversation as he talked and I listened.

All of my previous inhibitions had completely vanished.

The last words Henry spoke to me were, “People never talk to me like you have.”

I blinked back tears as I helped him read his connecting boarding pass. I gently smiled goodbye. But my heart was sad as we got off the plane. You see, I knew how close I was to being like everyone else. So very close. And how many times in the past I was like everyone else.

I had ministered to women the entire weekend, but I was resistant to talk to the fragile soul right beside me, begging for attention.

Meeting Henry changed me that day.
Meeting Henry taught me to pray daily for eyes to see deeper, ears to listen more intently and a heart to humbly embrace new perspectives.

Open the eyes of my heart Lord. I want to see others the way You do. Because when I do, I learn.
And the more I learn, the more I am drawn closer to the One who created it all.

Who might be your Henry today?

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So of course by the time I was done reading it I was in tears. No, my Henry does not have any defects, in fact he is quite wonderful. But oh how often I over look it.

I just said to a co-worker today that we are going through some ups and downs with Henry. I said I'm trying to figure out the best way to deal with it, or at least just live through it. But really what is the best for him, and us?

Like this Henry, all my Henry wants is attention. So why is that so hard to give? How often I listen without hearing and look without really seeing...way too much I'm sorry to admit.

I'm not seeing him like Jesus does, and I'm definitely not seeing him as Jesus. I want him to see Jesus in me, I never thought of seeing Jesus in him.

Time to take a break, and focus on Him. I might see things I never have before.

All about ME

2011-02-11T23:29:00.004-05:00

Did you know that I’ll be 30 in approximately 5 months?! Well, I am. And right about the time I turned 29 this became a somewhat dreaded thing. Not because I feel like I’m getting old or anything like that. It was more because most of my 20’s has been about change and finding a new normal. In my twenties I graduated from college, got married, had two children and fluctuated from full time to part-time in my job and no-time to full-time in wife-ing, mothering and stress-filled living. I was not at a place in life that I felt I was truly enjoying living.

I wanted to get my life in order, to make progress in everything I enjoyed and to complete or eliminate the things that were preventing me from that.

So I made a list, lots of lists actually. Some on paper, though most were in my head. I thought I knew where I was going, and what I wanted. I set the over-ambitious goal of getting there in a year.

I even started another blog. Feel free to gasp in horror, I’ll wait. I know, what was I thinking. I can’t keep one blog going, why was it necessary to start another?! Well, I was submersed in blogs about crafting and cooking and baking and being organized and couponing to save money and…the list goes on. In reading them, all were, and still are, things that I want to do. I thought by starting a blog about what I was doing, related to those things, I would make progress in accomplishing those aspects of my life.

I was wrong.

However, what I did learn was that having a blog about things that you like to do, but aren’t doing only makes you feel guilty about not doing those things, AND for not updating a blog about them!

But let me tell you, I did not come to that conclusion right away, it took about 6 months.

There were quite a few things that led me to the end of the alternate blog, but mainly it was after a few days of intense attention on Henry, in an effort to keep him on the right track in terms of his attitudes and decision making, that I realized I still had my focus and priorities wrong.

Vacuum b4 dusting started to be about me…and then it changed into a lot about my kids with an occasional post from ME. My new blog was all about ME, butt my life isn’t all about me, and so it wasn’t a good fit.

Don’t get me wrong, I did learn about myself through the blog. So I guess it did serve its purpose. I’ve changed - my thinking, my attitude and my focus.

As a result, I’m reinventing this blog (a bit). There will still be pictures of my kids, don’t worry, but it is going to be more. I am continuing this blog TO my kids. It is a great way to record memories and stories of their childhood, but it is now a way to teach my kids. I want them to know not only the fun things they did, but what life was like growing up from every side. I want them to know what I thought and did when they were kids, because in becoming a mom and growing older, that sort of thing has become so much more important to me and I want it to mean something to them.

So feel free to continue joining us on this ride – no matter where it takes us.

------------------------------------------------------------------
As I delete my alter-blog, are you curious what happened behind the scenes? What I really did learn or do in all of this time? Since it got me to this point and gives a bit more insight to who I am, here you have it:

The Start of a Journey
My life is a mess, but I'm striving to make it a beautiful mess.

Most days there are so many things to do and never enough time to do it. The main problem though, is that I have so many things that I WANT to do on top of the things that I need to do. When a free minute arrives I have no idea where to start.

About two months ago I turned 29.

Less than 365 days now until 30.

I was never one to have lofty goals of "by the time I'm 30....." However, a month or so before The Day of 29 I started thinking. I am not sure how I really got to this point in my life, and I am not so sure that I like where it is at. During my silent meltdown the week of turning 29 I decided it was time to make those lofty goals and set a path for my 30th year and hopefully the rest of my life.

I want to accomplish the things that I need to do, and enjoy the others activities that I want to do. I need to create a balance, I need to get life in order and I need to get my priorities straight.

There is a song on Christian radio stations right now by Amy Grant, and it has become my theme, Beautiful Mess. "Beautiful the mess we are / the honest prayers of the breaking hearts / ... / Better than a hallelujah"

From the first time I heard the song I knew that it was one of those things that would change my life, I just was not sure how. But as time passed, events have occured in my life that have led me to realize that life really is a mess, but with the right focus it can be beautiful.

So join me on my journey, my 30th year, and in living my beautiful mess.

Procrastinating
I love how easy it is to procrastinate first thing in the morning.

I snooze my alarm once saying that my hair will survive not being washed for a day. I snooze the alarm yet again saying that I allowed plenty of extra time in our morning, I don't need to get up quite yet. I snooze it one more time thinking that if the kids get up and eat breakfast during Curious George, I could get ready at the same time and we would actually be ahead of the game. Win-Win.

Then the door swings open and in walks child 1, so much for sleeping in late...or later at least.

On Monday I cleaned my house. It was clean for about an hour. By five o'clock the daily tornado had come through, so I said to myself, "When the kids go to bed I'll clean up again." Then after bedtime, I decided that tomorrow would be a better time to attempt another cleaning, I would hate to wake the children you know.

This is one of my 30th goals: To keep things cleaned up and stop procrastinating about doing it!
--to not leave things on the counter when I’m cooking or baking when the cupboard is just inches away
--to not leave clothes on the end of my bed rather than hanging them up.
--to not leave laundry hanging in the basement so long that it smells like basement and I need to wash it again.
--to stop coming up with things to do rather than actually doing them.

This is a daily thing for me, this procrastination. I would never have called myself one in the past, but I'm trying to re-discover myself here. So let's be honest, I am a... ... ...closet-procrastinator. I guess I cannot really admit this charateristic about myself to its fullest extent yet, maybe tomorrow.

Thrifty Acres
When I went through the check out lane tonight at the grocery store, I ended up with the same cashier from the night before. Yes, I was at the store two nights in a row. But worse, she recognized me! "I've been seeing you a lot lately," she said. I told her that my cart was so full I didn't have room for everything so I had to come back. This was partially true. My cart was full, but I wasn't sure what pop I needed to get for a party this weekend, so I had to go back.

I got to thinking though, I was at the store on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week. The same store everyday. A problem? Not if you don't like saving money.

My husband claims that half of his paycheck goes to the grocery store. I am begining to think that he is right.

I tried avoiding the grocery store...impossible, we need to eat.

I tried couponing...it didn't work out.

I tried buying just what I needed for meals...I couldn't do it. You see this option requires meal planning and well, perhaps that is the part that I couldn't do.

So, I still buy what I need for dinner (this is how I end up at the store everyday!) and I stock up on things on sale that I use regularly. This results in 20 boxes of cereal, 10 cans of diced tomatoes, 8 jars of salsa and a pantry and closet full of food. Which is great, if you are feeding the masses or know exactly what you are going to do with all of these treasures.

However, this can also lead to items you think you will use, and then don't. Case in point, the marble cake mix I threw away that expired 3 years ago. I think that I can still remember buying the mix, it had a purpose at the time. The purpose obviously failed, and the poor cake mix suffered the consequences.

In an ongoing effort to actually eat us out of house and home, I have inventoried, looked through recipes and tried to meal plan accordingly. I'm usually missing a couple of grocery items to finish off the plan, so I head to the store and the vicious cycle resumes.

Goal for the 30th year number 2: To eat through the pantry, meal plan and stick to a grocery budget.

I might have to try this in baby steps, good thing I have about 10 months to perfect it.

The Life of a Fruit Fly
I hate fruit flies!

I love to get fresh produce, but have trouble with the insects that insue.

In an effort to keep my home free of them, I often flap through my kitchen attempting to clap them to death. My husband hates this as much as I hate the flies.

My average is 2 out of 10. But it is just so worth it when there is a dead one on my finger!

Tonight at the dinner table I attempted to get one. I thought that I had a chance. I didn't, the thing got away.

I told my husband that I knew it was an older one, I could tell because it was a bigger one and by its lack of speed in flight. I said that they usually only live 4 days.

My husband then thought I was cruel for trying to kill them when their life span was so short. And that they probably try to fly into a wall to die on their own so that they can escape my clapping.

Either way, they end up dead and I feel better.

Fruit Fly Update
Because this really IS important in the broad scheme of things...I clapped a fruit fly to death tonight. It flew right in front of my face, I backed up a little and clapped.

Dead!

The best part: My husband was sitting across the room.

I said nothing, just held up my hand. The dead fly was stuck to my middle finger.

Point made.

I'm Letting Go
I have been thinking a lot about my goals. Sometimes I think that they are attainable, and most of the time I think not.

Yesterday my oldest had preschool orientation. I dropped my youngest off, went to school, picked up a celebration lunch in honor of the newest preschoolers (my son and nephew), went back to my youngest, had the lunch, let the kids play and then head home. I was hoping (dare I say praying) that my kids would nap. I should've known better. Before I knew it dinner was upon us, the evening activities and then bedtime.

No goals were met, no progress made.

By this morning the discouragment had gotten to me. Now, don't get me wrong, it isn't like I have 300 goals that I'm crossing one off each day. I just hope to make a step in the right direction each day. Yesterday had no direction.

My mind was in 100 different places. Not only were my goals running in my head, but thoughts about my son and his new beginning as well. I have feared for the last year (and really since he was born) that we weren't teaching him enough, or not the right things, or sheltering him too much from the big, bad world. I worry about him making friends, having fun, getting picked on, embarrassing himself...the list could go on. We headed into school and made through a "practice day". Being there just made me think of more questions, more concerns and more worries. My Mess just got worse.

The whole day ended. I had gotten what seemed like nothing accomplished, added new thoughts to my jumbled mess and realized that getting anything accomplished this year could be impossible.

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
Matthew 6:27

This morning on my way to work I was listening to my new Francesca Battistelli CD. The song "I'm Letting Go" came on. As I thought through yesterday, this morning and all that is in my head, I started listening to the words. I have heard this song numerous times, but I had not really listened. God was speaking to me this morning, there is no denying it.

I constantly feel like I'm drowning and there is no getting to the top. I'm holding so tightly to my own selfish ambitions that sometimes I can hardly breathe. I am clinging to my own thoughts, decisions, and goals...which are suffocating.

I said in my first post that the focus needed to be in the right place for the mess to be beautiful. Hearing this song reminded me, yet again, that my focus has not been in the right place.

I'm letting go.

(As I wrote this post the radio was on...this song came on in the middle of typing. The odds of this happening: 100% in God's favor! )

The Domestic Helper
After writing my last post, I'm afraid it might sound as thought this blog is no longer relevant. No, I'm not giving up my goals, I'm just coming at them from a different angle, with a better Christ-centered focus. Although they are my goals, so mostly about me, I'm attempting to not think of them in a self-centered, self-affirming manner. I want to conquer my goals in a way that fulfills my purpose here, to better my faith, myself, my family and to encourage any one else who relates to these thoughts to do same in their own life.

With that being said...

Last year my sister pursued canning, and I went along for the ride. I have since wanted to find a wonderful spaghetti sauce that I could make and can to have ready at a moments notice. I have not been able to find a brand at the grocery store that I have fallen in love with. I've been collecting dozens of homemade recipes, but have not tried any of them. Canning a sauce seemed like the option that fit for now and I thought it would be fulfilling to make my own.

At this point in the journey let me introduce you to my sister. She is often the source I turn to for crafty, creative inspiration and usually the one who is able to actually figure out what I want to accomplish. A lot of my friends think that I am crafty and creative, but they have not met my sister. She takes things to a level that I cannot. I often attempt something, she does it better and then I copy her. I of course do this in a loving fashion, and there is always an abundance of laughter involved. We are now moving on into food explorations, and I am thoroughly enjoying the ride.

My Grandma canned all her life. My mom swore she would never touch it. My sister is a bit more into it that I am, but I'm getting there. For me it depends on what we are going to can, but it really comes down to wanting to do something my Grandma did, as well as having a great time doing it with my sister.

One of my goals is to be "homey" in the kitchen. (Note: this is not home-ly) I want to be able to make food from scratch, to cook without recipes some of the time. I want to try new foods and techniques, to teach my kids how to bake and cook, and to make fond memories that involve all aspects of food.

Back to the sauce. In a recent addition of Better Homes and Gardens there was a simple recipe that seemed to have promise. So in my true fashion, I told her to look it up and let her figure it out.

Last night I "helped" make the recipe. And then held down a stool while she processed it. We had a great time! I brought my camera, forgot that I had it until I got home and so, never took a picture of any of it.

We did taste the sauce, and it was wonderful so far. It is sitting on her counter, so when I get my jars I will post a picture with a little more detail. However, since this was my major accomplishment of the weekend I thought I should document it.

My Pretty Good-Fantastic Curtains
I decided this year to make a few new sets of curtains for my kitchen. I want to be able to change them with the seasons, or just whenever the mood strikes. Yesterday I made some fall-ish curtains.

I brought the fabric home on Saturday and my husband said "those will look nice". I was shocked. This was not what I expected him to say at all. I really didn't think he would say much more than "Oh".

So I worked diligently on them yesterday to get them done in a day. As bright as my kitchen was with no curtains, I didn't need my neighbors seeing too much of us. I completed half of them in the afternoon and the others after 10 pm last night. They are great - if I do say so myself.

And apparently I'm the only one who thinks that. My husband looked at them and said "They look pretty good."

Pretty good.

I think that this is an oximoron of sorts. Pretty - a nice word. Good - what you strive for in elementary school on your report card. However, when you put them together they become something else.

Pretty good.

Pretty, as in almost, or close to good...but not quite good. I'm not even sure how to say what I think, or rather how I feel, when I hear this.

It's like saying:
"Close, but not quite."

"Not fabulous, just pretty good."

How did two positive words turn so negative?

My husband disagrees with all of this. He doesn't understand where I'm coming from. I think that he should have just stuck with the "Nice" comment.

My son listened to this whole exchange while finishing his dinner. When just he and I were left in the kitchen he got down from his chair, came over to me in the kitchen and said "Mom, I think that your curtains are just fantastic!" I even got a hug.

Perhaps there is hope for future generations...because the current one is a lost cause.

A Pretty Good Meal
I have two weeks out of the month when I work three days (normally only 2). These are my least favorite weeks because things get out of control during that time. The papers and dishes pile up, the meal planning suffers, the budget is thrown out the window due to take out and I get stressed.

I decided on Sunday that this week would be different. I thought about what is the biggest stress of the week and realized that it was food. If I don't make dinner we get take out. There usually aren't leftovers for lunch so we go out to lunch and ruin the budget twice in 24 hours. So rather than continue this cycle I made a plan for meals.

Tonight I worked, but put a roast in the crock pot. A nice warm, meat and potatoes meal with leftovers. My husband said "It was pretty good."

After all we been through with this, that is the comment.

I said "Really, you couldn't come up with anything else?!"

I'm thinking of bagging the rest of the week and making him the new cook.

It Didn't Happen Overnight
I recently read a posting on a blog that I visit occasionally. It is a money saving blog with other life tips/posts thrown in. In an attempt to start couponing and building a more appropriate grocery budget I wandered back to see what I could learn. Upon review of a few older posts I came across one that hit close to home, and had nothing to do with my groceries.

Your house didn't get the way it is in one day, so you aren't going to fix it in one day either.

When I was younger I had one room to care for. I rearranged my bedroom every month. I cleaned out my closet regularly. I organized my drawers meticulously. Then I moved to college. I had a slightly larger room to care for and a roommate. We did a great job creating a liveable, inviting dorm room. Then I got married.

I spent the first week of married life trying to put our house together, or away depending on how you look at it. I don't know that I've ever gotten it right. During my first pregnancy I figured the nesting would kick in and my house would get organized...I later changed my deadline to due date of baby #2. There was no nesting during that pregnancy, and my house is still the same as it was.

It isn't that my house is dirty, our socks do not turn brown walking around the house, and it isn't really messy, per say...it's just an unorganized clutter, to put it nicely.

I am constantly re-organizing the same areas, and not making any progress. I try to feel better by saying "If I had a whole day that I could re-work things around here I'd be all set."

First of all, I don't think I'll ever get a whole day to do something this impossible. And secondly...I read that post and things became a little more clear. I know that baby steps are the way to go, but when I have to keep cleaning up the same room, or spot, every time I clean I don't feel like I'm getting anywhere.

MY house didn't get the way it is in one day, so I am not going to be able to fix it in one day either.

So...where to begin...?

This is one of my biggest challenges that I want as a goal. This is the goal that will need lots of steps to accomplish.

Last night I put away all of my loose recipes that I have riped out of magazines or collected along the way.

One task down, 999,998 more to go.

Mother of the Year
This morning I did not win any awards.

By the time we were in the car to go to preschool my son and I had each cried two times - for separate reasons, so four episodes if you're counting.

As we walked up the path towards school I realized that I had forgotten to pack shoes for my son. I then attempted to stop my failure tears before my son noticed and started his own.

In an effort to protect him from embarrassment, I told him that I would quickly get him shoes and bring them back to school.

As I drove towards the store I was quickly trying to make decisions,
--should I go to store A or store B?
--should I buy more than one size? What if the ones I buy are to big/small?
--should I try to fly home instead (we live 15 mins, one way, from school)?
--why am I spending non-budgeted money on shoes when he has 4 other pairs at home?

So, for my stupidity in forgetting the shoes, in an effort to protect my son from potential humiliation, and to attempt to do what seemed best, I drove to store A, bought one pair of shoes and ran back to school.

"These shoes are awesome Mom!"

Oh hallelujah! Crisis averted. Hug child, apologize for screwing up and send him back to class.

"MOOOMM! These are too big, they're too loose" Start tears...by both of us.

After trying to explain that he would just have to wear them for the next two hours and then he could take them off, there wasn't much more I could do. I sent him to his classroom and walked away.

I made it to the car before I broke down.

I know...they are just shoes, this is really not a big deal. But this was just the outlet for the tears and failure that had been building.

In an attempt to get life back to normal after the holidays I have put my house, cleaning, personal goals and agenda before my kids. It has been reflected in my attitude, my words and my actions (or lack their of) with my children.

I have been letting them down, and today was the breaking point.

I could go on, but I'm not really sure where I'm going from here. I know where I need to be, but struggle in getting there.

Tomorrow is a new day, and for now, I will start with that.
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Good Bye 2010

2011-01-13T22:45:00.002-05:00

We made it. We survived 2010...

...perhaps a little worse for the wear, but still in one piece.

It was a whirl wind year. I really can't believe how fast it went and how much life changed. I don't know that I can even put my finger on all of the actual events, but when I think back on the year, I smile. And when I think of the new year, I'm excited for where it will take us!

So here's to 2011--

--another year of change

--another year of excitement

--and hopefully a year with more blogging!

Christmas Day

2011-01-13T22:38:00.002-05:00

We had our immediate family Christmas after church on Christmas Day. Henry and Meleah exchanged the gifts they had for each other, which were perhaps their favorite gifts. We could have stopped right there! Of course we didn't, and the kids loved every minute.

(This was the only picture I took of Meleah with her Cinderella doll from Henry...I didn't notice her facial expression until later. I can't believe how much she looks NOTHING like this in person!)

The Holiday Parties

2011-01-13T22:31:00.002-05:00

The kids did pretty well at all of our parties this year...as well as a 4 & 2 year old can do! They enjoyed the festivities and the anticipation of everything involved. They loved hanging out with their cousins and of course all of the presents!

The extended family parties

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Our 2010 Family Christmas pictures

Holiday Baking

2011-01-13T22:22:00.002-05:00

I had way too high of expections for this holiday season. I wanted to get my shopping and planning done early so that I would have the month of December for crafts, baking and holiday fun with my kids. I did get my shopping done, but I think it worked out because we were all going to get sick during the month before Christmas. As a result, the sum total of my holiday aspirations came out to be Holiday Hug Bullseyes with the kids.

We made quite a few batches. Whenever I needed to spend a length of time in the kitchen (usually getting dinner ready or cleaning up from dinner) I would haul out a bag of HUGS and let the kids go to town. We did branch out in our flavors and methods this year, but they still turned out every time. I would say our "holiday baking" this year was a success!

Welcome to Our House

2010-12-27T21:31:00.002-05:00

Every night Henry brushes his teeth and goes "peeps" before bed. One night it took a little longer than normal...

I, of course, blamed Scott first. I was quickly corrected.

Welcome to life with a 4 year old!

Putting up the Tree

2010-12-27T21:25:00.002-05:00

The day after Thanksgiving we put up the tree. This year I had a bit more help than normal. The kids loved the ornaments best, I loved when we were finished. It took a little bit to keep them from touching the tree constantly...in fact there are still ornaments that move around almost daily!

I think that next year I'll put up the tree closer to Christmas...and perhaps after bedtime...

Everyday Fun

2010-12-27T21:08:00.003-05:00

Carrots and dip are a favorite at our house. I had a bag of long carrots for a recipe and the kids thought they should give them a try. Whatever it takes to help them eat their veggies!

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Saturday morning coffee and paper reading

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Almost everyday we color or paint...sometimes more than once!

It's Official - We Have a Preschooler

2010-12-27T21:00:00.002-05:00

Some days I can't believe that we have a little one in school. He really isn't so little. The day that he came home with his school pictures I knew that things were never going to be the same. He is growing up so fast!!

Where have we been...and what are we doing?!

2010-12-27T20:49:00.002-05:00

Oh my word - I can't believe how long it has been. I think that the longer I waited to post the easier it got to keep putting it off. So, after the long break...here is the catching up!

For Halloween this year my sister made great Cat in the Hat costumes. Henry and Meleah were supposed to be Thing 1 & Thing 2. Halloween Eve we went to my mom and dad's...and the kids refused their costumes. Halloween afternoon they held their ground and refused to wear them again. They were willing to give up trick or treating in order to avoid the costumes. I offered them last year's options, and they were thrilled.

"It's time for Veggie Tales!"

Here's Bob & Larry!

Critter Barn Field Trip

2010-10-19T23:20:00.004-04:00

Today Henry and I visited the Critter Barn for his second field trip. There were a lot of critters, Henry wasn't so sure about all of them, but he did find a couple of favorites.

Henry was willing to pet the chicken, not hold it, just pet it.

The bunnies on the other hand, one of Henry's favorites. The other was the kittens. I think he could have stayed in that area of the critters the entire time!

Henry also made friends with a goat...the feeling was mutual:

Milking: not Henry's thing, but he was willing to watch.

A Brother's Love (part two)

2010-10-19T23:03:00.003-04:00

A brother's love...is like no other.

Last night Henry proved his love once again, but not in the priceless way we always hope for.

Scott and I were doing dishes. Meleah and Henry were playing in the living room. Meleah started to cry and between sobs we heard "Henry hit me." Henry of course denied it, he did reveal though that he pushed her off the couch instead.

Meleah's crying slowed down and even stopped at times. But she wouldn't move her arm, or let us anywhere near it. Meleah is one tough cookie when it comes to getting pushed around or hurt, so we knew that this was a bigger deal than just a bruise.

After calling the pediatrician we headed to the children's ER in our area to have her checked out. Meleah was very excited to go "down town" but then she would remember that we were going to see the doctor and she would start to cry again.

We had a very nice doctor from our pediatrician's office that saw Meleah. They bonded instantly, with the help of a little squishy elephant. Meleah talked and talked while the doctor felt her arm. Thankfully no broken bones. Just an elbow that was out of joint. One little twist, a pop and Meleah was back to normal.

We left with a sticker covered little girl and a squishy elephant.

The whole way home Meleah kept saying "Pop, she just popped it in. All fixed. My arm's all better. Pop. Pop."

She didn't say a word about it today though. Almost as if it never happened. Almost.

A Brother's Love (part one)

2010-10-19T22:45:00.002-04:00

We have a sharp spot on the back of our couch. I'm not sure how to fix it, but I know that I need to do something. The other night proved it.

I was in the kitchen getting dinner ready when I hear Meleah start to cry. When she didn't stop I knew that it was more than just the normal Henry pestering that occurs. Then I heard Henry say "Meleah, go to Mom."

Meleah had cut her elbow on the sharp spot. She would hardly let me see it, but in the quick glances I knew exactly what had happened. I picked her up to go get it bandaged, and noticed she also needed a diaper change. I chose to do the diaper first.

Henry trailed after us to Meleah's room. He made funny faces at her while I changed her diaper and tried to get her to stop crying.

We tromped to the bathroom to find the bandaids, Henry followed.

He watched intently as we picked out the right size and shape bandaid. He made sure Meleah had her gear (blankie and bear) to aid the process.

When we were all set Henry suggested that suckers might make everyone feel better, and watching some Curious George would help too.

As I finished getting dinner ready and the kids sat on the un-sharp couch eating their suckers I over heard them.

Meleah: It really hurts
Henry: I know Meleah

a few minutes later...
Meleah: It really hurts Henry
Henry: I know Meleah, it will be okay

It's good to know that in the appropriate situation Henry will be the best big brother he can be.

Extra Monkeys at the Zoo

2010-10-16T21:55:00.003-04:00

Today we were invited to go to the zoo...the kids had a great time and blended right in with all of the animal behavior!

After the zoo it was off to the park for lunch and a chance to run off some more energy!

Meleah was trying her hardest not to look at me since I was trying to take a picture.

My Little Einstein

2010-10-08T21:16:00.003-04:00

Last night I had to run to the mall with the kids. (Perhaps HAD is too strong of word but...I digress). When we were loading in the van afterwards Henry said, "Look mom, S R A E S, what does that say?"

I told him that it was the name of the store, SEARS. I said that the letters went in the other order to make the word, and then he repeated them the correct way. I couldn't believe he knew all of the letters.

Henry proceeded to tell me all of the letters and words they were learning in preschool. He didn't stop talking the entire ride home. He has gone to school 7 days, and the amount that he has learned already is amazing.

The best part was that he was, and is, so excited about it. Not only did he have me as an audience, but Meleah too. My little sponges. Meleah repeated everything that Henry said.

I hope they both continue to be so eager to learn!

Apple Orchard Field Trip

2010-09-28T16:10:00.004-04:00

Today was Henry's first field trip - off to the apple orchard! He has been very excited about going, and Henry said that he had a great time. The only thing that was bad about it was that his patellas (knees) and tummy started to hurt because there was too much walking!

Learning all about apples

Henry's favorite part was watching the picked apples be emptied into the big crates. All of the apples are picked by hand at this orchard, Henry thought the fact that the picking bags opened at the bottom was the coolest!

Our first field trip picture together!

Henry and cousin Matthew - best buds!

Children's Museum

2010-09-24T14:56:00.003-04:00

My sister invited us to joing her and the boys in going to the Children's Museum...the kids were thrilled since Curious George was there! They all kept busy as there was so much to see and do.

Meleah getting a little too friendly with George!

Starting Preschool

2010-09-18T21:30:00.005-04:00

We have started a new phase in life: Preschool!

Henry (and I) made it through his first week, and we are both excited about next week.

We took pictures on the first day, which was just an hour for Henry and I to go and see what the year would be like. It was so nice and sunny, plus Henry was willing, so we took the first pictures. I'm so glad that we did, Thursday it was raining and Henry wasn't as photogenic either.

Henry trying out the new activities at school.

The first official day, Henry with cousin Matthew. They are both enjoying the idea of having someone they know in their class and are already claiming to be friends too!

Henry and Matthew with their teacher Mrs. H!

A long time in coming!

2010-09-06T21:49:00.005-04:00

So, here it is! Our summer in a post. We spent a lot of time at the cottage, so there are pictures from there, but there are a lot of others. As the kids grow older it has been fun to experience new things and activities with them. We had a lot of "firsts" and lots of FUN!

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Our Anniversary - June 21 - 7 years!

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The kids first smores - or as Meleah calls them "snores"

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Henry's 4th birthday - a fish cake that was orange and turquiose - his favorite colors!

We went to the airport to watch the planes take off and land. We didn't see a lot, but enough to make the kids ask when we are going back everytime they see a plane.

Eating cupcakes with Auntie O, Levi, Reuben and Grandma!
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I love to pick blueberries and this year I took the kids with me. There were SO many berries it was extremely easy to fill our buckets. I never told the kids that they could eat any before we got them home, and the didn't eat one. Honest little pickers!

Meleah called it "pickin' blues"
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The kids on their "new" swing set! Daddy had a vision and made it a reality. The kids just love the new addition and it has provided hours of fun.

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I have a crate full of recipe books (one of my favorite things) in my kitchen. The kids love to look at the pictures and empty the crates. This happens regularly every week.

A highlight of the cottage was the new beach that Grandpa and Grandma added this summer! Here are the grandkids atop the pile!

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Meleah and I had our first official Girl's Night. Meleah got her ear's pierced and came out smiling. She was very brave, love the salon experience - and the sucker at the end! She couldn't wait to get home and show Daddy her new pretties, just like Cinderella!

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We took a couple of field trips to the Frederik Meijer Garden's, the kids of course loved every minute of the playing, riding and sightseeing.

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We headed out on a car cruise with the kids, courtesy of Grandpa's Chevelle. Henry of course loves this and has been going to car shows with Scott and his dad all summer. Meleah had her first ride around the block a few weeks ago and turns out she is going to love cars too. Getting to go cruising with all of us was an especially cool treat!

Henry was not thrilled that the camera came along.

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We took this kids out on the boat to a different lake, and they got to enjoy the water there too. They love the waves that all of the boats made up on the beach, and were right at home in the water.

Wrapping it up for the day - and the summer!

Quiet Time...

2010-08-12T13:26:00.002-04:00

It is quiet time at our house right now...

...but honestly, it is anything but quiet.

Kind of like this blog...it is going through a quiet time. I'm not really sure why, I just don't have much to say. There is still plenty going on, I'm just not sure how or what to share sometimes. I could just post a bunch of pictures and satisfy the need to post (and I probably will soon, so don't despair picture lovers!).

But there are times that I think of what this blog started out to be, it was my thing, my thoughts, my words and then my kids took over.

My kids took over.

Oh, what power and depth that statement has.

A few weeks ago I turned 29. Less than 365 days now until 30. I'm not officially counting down, but the thought is always lingering. I was never one to have lofty goals of "by the time I'm 30....." However, a month or so before The Day of 29 I started thinking. Then during my silent meltdown the week of turning 29 I decided it was time to make those lofty goals and set a path for my 30th year.

I informed a friend of this and she asked if I had made a list and then broke it down into steps so that I could actually accomplish it. I told her I had a list in my head (somewhere in my own little world). She then lovingly said, "Then you'll never get it done".

And she was right.

So, in an attempt to come back to ME, the person that I was pre-children, the person that I am because of children, and the person that I would like to be inspite of my children, I'm going do it. I'm going to make my list, break it down and accomplish it. I'm going to become ME - whatever that means - by the time I'm 30.

I'll share my 30th year with you...I'm still thinking about exactly how to, but I have a few ideas on doing that, I have a few things on my "30th List", and I'm already making progress.

339 days to go.

What a weekend!

2010-07-12T22:46:00.004-04:00

Once again, it has been too long...but a while back we had an action packed weekend. We celebrated Meleah's 2nd birthday, which she definitely enjoyed!

Some of her new "girly" things (which Henry found just as wonderful)!

We spent the weekend at the cottage where Meleah learned that jumping off the end of the dock is much more fun than in the shallow water. She is much more fear-LESS than her brother, and we have to watch her constantly.

Coming home for the annual Father's Day pictures. We had to do them separately this year as once again the kids weren't the most cooperative.

And within the chaos of it all we had our 7th anniversary...this picture was a few days later but we hadn't changed too much!

It's been a busy month, and July is turning out very similar.

Vacation is next week and we can't wait!!

An Update in Pictures

2010-06-02T21:47:00.002-04:00

Although it may still seem like we are non-existent, here are a few pictures to prove that we are here. The first one is from awhile back (obvious by the flannel pj's). Meleah loves to "help" with the baking, banana bread is the most popular, and the easiest to mix with little hands.

In the unseasonably warm temps Grandma treated us to a day at the Gardens. Unfortunately our day was a little cooler. I thought maybe we could make it without doing the water fun...the kids thought otherwise. Meleah was soaked in minutes!

Scott hit a milesone birthday. So we had a little party, just for the benefit of the kids of course!

One of our regular outings is getting groceries. The kids favorite part is the pony, but more recently getting a cookie out of the bulk aisle. They love the idea of picking out whichever one they want. On a quick trip with Meleah, I was looking at the bread (opposite the bulk cookies) and Meleah made sure I knew what was on the other side. "Coook-ie" So we got 4, all of the same kind to be fair. Meleah held the little bag tightly in her fist the rest of the trip. On the ride home she wanted to hold them again. She and I chatted, and then she quieted down. I assumed it was because she was sleepy. I was wrong. When we got home I turned around to see a chocolate smeared face just grinning. Meleah had gnawed through the bag to get at the "coook-ies"! We all still got our portion even though they were slightly "used".

Finally, this is how most of our days end:

We put Henry to bed and he is never quite ready...until he is ready...

"Beautiful the mess we are..."

2010-05-10T21:44:00.004-04:00

"Beautiful the mess we are / the honest prayers of the breaking hearts / ... / Better than a hallelujah"

Yes, we are still here.

One post a month is not like me, but I haven't felt a lot like me lately either. This song by Amy Grant is playing a lot, and has hit very close to home. Although I have not been blogging, it isn't due to lack of things going on! It just seems like most days there is too much going on, too many people that need God's healing hand, too many relationships that are struggling, too many days that there is just not enough time to get it all done. I would say I'm not complaining, but in all honesty I have been doing too much of that as well.

With all of this going on, the one thing that there has not been too much of is time with God. Most of my spiritual time has been in listening to our local Christian radio station, and more times that I can count the song I turn on has been right on target. Forgiveness, healing, love and my beautiful mess. But in this all, today was the day God met me where I was. In addition to Amy Grant's song, the other one includes the line "so long self..." My bible reading led me to this passage today and I was not even looking for it. No wonder I haven't been feeling like myself, I needed to put my selfish ways behind and look for God in everything.

Today God was there when Henry woke up from a bad dream that left us sleeping together on the floor in his room after almost an hour calming and "spider searching".

Today God showed me that my things are not as important as the "needs" of my children as I cut open the bottom of my sofa to get out the missing matchbox cars.

Today God led me to passages about forgiveness, marriage, parenting and unconditional love that I was able to read from a new perspective.

So my theme for life is going to be Living a Beautiful Mess. God has a plan for us and right now it is messy, it probably will always appear to be that way (at least from my perspective). However, it will be beautiful in His eyes if I keep my eyes on Him.

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T21:44:00.000-04:00

We attempted before church to get a shot of the kids. Fear of the camera, too tight of shoes and a lack of interest resulted in no good "Look at my adorable Easter clothes" pictures. After Sunday coffee Meleah was in a better mood, until I tried to snap a quick picture. Maybe next Sunday...or maybe I'll just lay her cute dress on the floor and take its picture there.

Henry, however, was a little more willing!

Henry's always willing to have a picture, as long as he gets to see it right after it is taken!

Saying Goodbye

2010-03-16T22:23:00.006-04:00

Scott decided maybe it was time...and so last night we said goodbye.
It was definitely harder than we thought.

The kids had their last few moments:

And we had ours:

That was then...

...and this was now...

...and now it's gone...

Someday. Maybe it will be again.

He is his father's son

2010-03-01T22:42:00.002-05:00

Henry couldn't wait for Scott to finish putting him to bed so that he could get to his "reading". He fought sleep for quite awhile in order to get through the newest car magazine.

Where's Meleah?

2010-02-22T21:36:00.002-05:00

Meleah goes down for her nap okay...how long it takes her to fall asleep is a huge window. Today was faster than most days. She does not normally have this much stuff in the crib with her, but she wanted everything. I put it all in corners, she obviously wore herself out re-decorating.

The Concert

2010-02-19T21:37:00.002-05:00

Life as we know it

2010-02-18T23:32:00.006-05:00

I have had a lot of people ask me lately what we are up to, what we've been doing and how things are going. I don't have much to tell. We are just living life, not anything overly exciting, but still lively at times!

Here are some pictures from our typical nights and a few details with them.

Tonight at dinner Meleah was finished eating and wanted her shirt off. I think this is because she didn't wear a bib and had spilled a little on her shirt. Either way, topless it was. She is often seen without socks and occasionally we have a pants-free afternoon.

The kids love to play on the piano. Henry has been performing a few concerts (video coming soon). Usually if one starts the other climbs up there right after. It makes for a nice quiet evening!

Bathtime is a few nights a week. We stick them in the tub together and they love it. It is definitely more fun to splash with someone, or at someone. It is always a battle to get them out!

We have been struggling with Henry at bedtime. He says that he isn't tired enough to sleep, so he is allowed to read books in his room. Reading has turned into playing, trying on socks and coming out of his room to update us on what he is doing. It is a work in progress, but it always ends like this:

Most nights he falls asleep in bed or calls to me sayting that he forgot to turn off the light (and then he goes to sleep). Tonight was a little different location. He'll love these pictures when he is older I'm sure! But as a bonus you can see the Elmo slippers that have become a permanent fixture.

So in answer to all of the questions, we are here, doing mostly the same things each day but trying to make some memories in the meantime.

Finding her "sweet spot"

2010-02-16T21:53:00.003-05:00

Meleah spent a good portion of tonight on the floor in the kitchen. When I do the dishes she usually hugs my legs trying to get me to pick her up. Tonight she came in with the aqua doodle so I suggested that she sit down and draw while I finished up. It worked, kind of. She covered most of the kitchen and part of the rug trying to get comfortable.

Valentine Cookies

2010-02-13T22:04:00.002-05:00

This week the kids and I attempted Valentine cookies. Some moments were better than others, but the eating of them was the best. Here is the progress:

Not too bad - but they are even more delicious!

Dancing Diva

2010-02-10T22:21:00.002-05:00

Meleah has been bringing me this CD so that she can dance...all of the time. I never knew when I bought the music that it would provide hours of entertainment!

Corn on the Cob

2010-02-09T21:54:00.003-05:00

Henry discovered a favorite this summer, corn on the cob. He asks for it at random times and unfortunately it is hard to find in the winter. A few days ago I found some Steamfresh corn on the cob, it was the perfect answer. Tonight was the night, and the kids loved it! Meleah had never tried it before so Henry showed her how to try. It was definitely a hit, best $1.25 ever spent!

Where did they go??

2010-01-20T21:36:00.002-05:00

With the sun shining I felt like doing a little spring cleaning...no, not really. I actually just had a pan out for weeks that I haven't felt like stuffing into the closet. So, Tuesday was the day to put it away! They kids had way more fun than I did!

Christmas - Extended

2010-01-01T21:19:00.006-05:00

Christmas didn't end for us on Christmas Day. The kids were coming down with colds and didn't get to go to an extended family party. So their gifts went under the tree for Christmas morning part 2! Henry didn't see them at first, but once he did there was nothing else he wanted to do but open the presents. Meleah in true form cried on and off through it. (None of those pictures made it here.) That is one thing I hope does NOT become a tradition!

The kids were thrilled with all of their gifts, and have not put them down since we opened them!

A HUGE thank you to all of the Great-Aunts and Great-Uncles that generously spoiled our kids!!

And another BIG thank you to Grandpa & Grandma-Great for enabling us to some future spoiling!!

We are blessed with a wonderful extended family!

Christmas 2009

2009-12-26T22:41:00.002-05:00

Henry was very excited about Christmas this year. He loved the decorations, putting up the tree and making holiday goodies. He was thrilled with the presents too! Meleah thought the tree was fun to touch, the goodies were better for eating while making rather than when finished, and she cried through most of the present opening at each party.

Overall it was still a great holiday. Here are the kids enjoying the loads of mega blocks that Meleah accquired - they were both thrilled!! Henry already had the primary colors so we thought Meleah should have some girly ones too. We are going to have some MAJOR construction going on at our house!

Flashbacks - Cookie making

2009-12-25T22:35:00.000-05:00

Last year we attempted cookies with the kids (pictured below). I really wanted to make some with Henry this year, but we didn't do as much as before. This year we stuck to just the cookies and sprinkles, but Henry was able to help with the cookie cutters - which thrilled him! He made sure to use every Christmas one we had.

Flashback

2009-12-24T00:25:00.003-05:00

Not sure on the year...and not much more to add this time...

I forgot to grab the older photos today from my mom's, maybe tomorrow. It will be my Christmas present to you all!

Flashbacks - Baby Pictures

2009-12-22T22:18:00.002-05:00

When looking for older Christmas pictures, I found a couple baby pictures of Scott and me. I thought I would add some of the kids too and take a day off from the holiday shots. I'm not sure that the pictures are all at the same age, but they are still fun to compare.

Flashback - 2005

2009-12-21T14:23:00.002-05:00

I think I may have already done 2005, but here is one from another party. When I type 2005 it seems like it really isn't a flashback, more like last year. It was 4 years ago, how different life was then!

Flashback - More Work Parties

2009-12-20T21:54:00.002-05:00

This was my work party. The theme was the Kentucky Derby. I still have my hat, but I don't have a lot of opportunities to wear it. Maybe I'll start wearing it again just for everyday and attempt to start a new trend...but probably not!

Flashback - Family Pictures

2009-12-19T22:22:00.003-05:00

As seen in earlier posts my family tries to get a group shot every year. This was another pre-child picture, which of course goes a little better, or at least easier!

We have a few traditions that have stayed in place throughout the years, and some that were shorter lived. For a few years my mom gave us all of the same gift. This was the second year of that "tradition." (Don't worry, I'm attempting to find a picture of the first one!)

Flashback - Frame Digging

2009-12-18T22:54:00.002-05:00

This was one of my work parties...Scott and I were trying to determine the year. We didn't come to any conclusions. I think this was Christmas 2002, but not really sure. I have to be better about writing the date on printed pictures!

And this post is two for one. In removing the above picture from the frame, I unearthed this shot from almost 10 years ago! August 2000 - Who are those kids?! So young..so skinny...so child-less and un-married!! Those were the days...maybe not, but still fun to look back on! I thought about making Scott re-inact this shot, but thought better of it, I think we would both be hurting!

Flashback - MIA

2009-12-17T22:19:00.004-05:00

And I was doing so well...every day, I was impressed, too impressed I guess. I have a lot of ideas in my head, I just have to find the pictures, and the time to scan them. Hopefully this weekend! In the meantime here is a not so old flashback from last year's "Comfy Christmas". Not too bad for a timer and 4 kids under the age of 3! And don't you just love how Henry decided to join another family for the picture?!

Flashback - Christmas Cards Past

2009-12-15T22:50:00.005-05:00

As I address christmas cards tonight, I thought I would reminisce on past cards. For many years I bought cards, then I made them, and after kids we joined the masses of photo cards.

2006

2007

2008

And Christmas Card 2009 - coming soon to a mailbox near you!

Flashback - Waiting...

2009-12-14T20:53:00.001-05:00

Because you're still waiting for the older pictures...and I haven't had a chance to scan any in...here is one of my favorites of "waiting" for Christmas:

Flashback - Extended Parties part II

2009-12-13T21:32:00.003-05:00

This was the extended party for 2007. Henry was just so cute at this stage, his spiky hair and all! He just loved playing basketball even at age 1!

One that is a little less blurry!

Flashback - Extended Family Parties

2009-12-12T22:06:00.002-05:00

One of our extended parties brings us to the local school gym...and Henry just loves it. He can't wait to play basketball the whole time! Only one more week until this year!!

2008

Flashback - Christmas Tree 2004

2009-12-11T23:36:00.003-05:00

This was my first year with the pink and green theme. I just love(d) it! My mother-in-law even made me a pink and green tree skirt to match. I would love to do it again, but my kids can't keep their hands off the yarn ornaments, there is no way they wouldn't touch the glass ones! Maybe in a few years...here's to hoping!

Flashback - 2005

2009-12-10T09:26:00.003-05:00

The last Christmas pre-children.

Both Henry and Levi are there...just not ready to join in the fun yet!

Flashback - Meleah's First Christmas

2009-12-09T21:58:00.001-05:00

Christmas 2008

Flashback 2007

2009-12-08T21:00:00.000-05:00

This was Henry's second Christmas. We got him the Elmo Garage, and I bought it a while before christmas. I hid it in a closet in the basement. Of course Henry found it because of his curiousity, and he kept going back to it. Once I wrapped it Henry didn't care about it as much. When he opened it he wasn't overly thrilled about the gift, he was more excited about the toy he had hid inside it weeks earlier!

This was his new bike from Grandpa & Grandma. He put quite a few miles on it before it ever hit the pavement!

Flashback - Henry's First Christmas

2009-12-07T23:04:00.002-05:00

Christmas 2006

A Christmas Flashback

2009-12-06T23:17:00.003-05:00

Another blog that I read is doing Christmas Flashbacks in the month of December. I thought this was a great idea, and am going to do the same. This was the oldest picture I had so far, I'll have to work on a few more (and there are some good ones) so get ready!

Christmas 2002

Turkey Day 2009

2009-12-04T22:05:00.003-05:00

In my head I can picture wonderful photographs of my kids that capture great life moments, the ordinary things and the spectacular events like holidays. Sometimes I get lucky and get a fabulous picture, but most likely I capture the real thing, as evidenced below:

And for a brief moment...as perfect as it can get with a 1 & 3 year old!

Picture of the Day

2009-11-12T21:06:00.000-05:00

Meleah's new favorite hangout!

Halloween Part II

2009-11-06T23:11:00.003-05:00

After a bit of debate we decided to brave the cold and take the kids out to a few houses trick or treating. They loved it! Henry was a hoot with his "Trick or Treat"! It came out differently everytime. Meleah would just stand there and clap her little hands as soon as she saw the candy coming!

Meleah as Bob the Tomato

Henry as Larry the Cucumber

And nearly impossible to get a picture of them together. Maybe another time!

Halloween Part I

2009-11-06T22:50:00.005-05:00

Friday night was the pumpkin carving. Meleah supervised by coloring on the newspaper, and Henry thought that was better than the pumpkin guts!

Meleah couldn't believe that we were going to cut the pumpkin!

She was thrilled with the result though.

Scott helped just to get the seeds!

Henry was definitely happy with the finished product!

Good Night!

2009-10-20T23:34:00.002-04:00

One of my favorite things has always been checking on the kids before heading to bed. I never know what I'm going to encounter. Some nights it is in and out, other times the kids are still awake, and still others mean getting Scott in order to share a laugh, or the camera to help time stand still.

I realized last night that I haven't taken too many sleeping pictures lately (or any pictures for that matter...). So in order to remedy that, here you have it.

Good night! Sleep tight little ones!

(To my dearest friends on the Fashion Police Force, do not try to mess with a grumpy three year old that is very particular about what he wears...I claim no responsibility for this outfit!)

Untold Bible Stories

2009-10-03T12:54:00.003-04:00

After devotions last night at dinner, Henry had his own Bible story to share. He turned to a page in his note book and read to us:

"There was a little boy named Jesus. He ate an apple and a pear. And then He choked."

"He was walking outside in the garden and got bug bites."

Apparently we aren't doing as well as we thought on the Bible teaching, or we totally missed this passage of I Henry 1-3.

Related?

2009-09-28T21:20:00.002-04:00

Scott and I both thought that Meleah looked a little different today...she is looking more and more like Henry!

One more day...

2009-09-12T21:06:00.006-04:00

Since Scott was out of town and the weather was so nice we headed to the cottage for one more day.

Henry helped Grandma plant some new flowers

Grandpa and Meleah supervised

Both feel asleep after 15 minutes on the ride home...

In his words...

2009-09-10T14:12:00.001-04:00

As said by Henry at lunchtime today:

"I prayed. I said 'Thanks for white milk and chocolate milk, forgive our debts and thanks that movies work.' God is happy that I said that."

Yes Henry, God is definitely happy that you said that!!

Henry's New Ride

2009-09-08T15:54:00.002-04:00

Henry thought it would be okay...if they went slow. It didn't take long for him to want to go "FASTER!"Thanks Auntie O for the fun ride!

What a difference a year makes

2009-08-17T15:04:00.005-04:00

Meleah's New Trick

2009-08-13T23:13:00.002-04:00

Scott told me that she did it a few days ago...I could believe it. Tonight it was all she wanted to do. She starts just standing, but then moves on to walking up and down Scott's back. She is very proud of her newest accomplishment!

Henry's Birthday

2009-07-21T22:36:00.004-04:00

One of the highlights of the week for Henry was his new fishing pole.

The rest of his week was spent casting and reeling!

Cottage Snapshots

2009-07-09T15:46:00.002-04:00

Henry had blackberries with breakfast - but had no idea why we were laughing so hard!

Henry's big catch

Father's Day

2009-06-23T23:59:00.002-04:00

It only seemed appropriate that the Father's Day pictures were of the normal routine - tickling, laughing and climbing all over Daddy!

Happy 6th Anniversary!

2009-06-21T12:53:00.000-04:00

June 21, 2003

Meleah turns ONE!

2009-06-18T23:45:00.000-04:00

Meleah turned ONE on June 18.

We had a great party at the park and Meleah thoroughly enjoyed herself!

The "cake"

Meleah didn't make much of a mess...easier for clean up!

A birthday hug from Henry

Cottage Life

2009-06-15T22:39:00.001-04:00

The best part of cottage life...the relaxing!

(if only we could all be so lucky!)

Look Out!

2009-06-08T21:32:00.000-04:00

Scott had to move the TransAm to get the grill out for the summer. Henry took full advantage of this by getting comfortable in the drivers seat. He just couldn't get enough of Dad's car!

The Answer is YES

2009-06-01T22:11:00.005-04:00

When asked if the word revolves around her...the answer would be yes, or at least Meleah likes to think so! I took these pictures to get one of Meleah and Grandpa...I can't stop laughing when I look through them all. They just capture her right now so well. The glasses are a bonus, but her "expressions" fit her personality and are priceless!

Double Duty

2009-05-20T20:52:00.003-04:00

After putting Henry in the tub and having Meleah attempt to join him, I looked at Scott and said "Why not?" Before Henry could protest I grab the extra supplies and stuck her in. They both loved it! Meleah only lasted a few minutes because it is hard to hold onto a slippery little one. The water was a little high since this wasn't the original plan. Henry felt bad when we took her out. "She didn't get to play toys!" Maybe next time. We'll have to find one of those little seats that holds her in so that they can "play toys" in a whole new way!

2009-05-14T22:41:00.005-04:00

What does it take to get siblings to play together

without tears and "It's MINE"?

A tray full of tupperware.

I pulled it out for Meleah so that I could do the dishes. Henry came around the corner, dropped what he was doing and headed over to play too. A good ten minutes went by in silence. Meleah would play, watch Henry and then copy him when he set his container down.

Henry has been completely enthralled with washing the dishes. He was sitting and playing so quietly, when I looked down he was using the corn husking brush to "wash" the dishes. He then needed a towel to dry them.

Meleah took advantage of the distraction by finding Henry's abandoned toys to play with.

Of course as quickly as it came the quiet and togetherness was done.

It was good while it lasted!

Belated Mother's Day

2009-05-14T22:24:00.002-04:00

This is as good as it gets...the picture and life in general!

Naptime Fun

2009-05-13T15:07:00.005-04:00

Meleah's favorite time is when Henry naps and she is awake. This is the only time that she has free reign of all the toys. I usually let her play with most things, who wouldn't love this kind of freedom!

Getting into things that I do take away

Looking for toys that Henry hid

A Life Lesson

2009-05-12T22:16:00.003-04:00

Last night when putting Henry to bed:

Me: Good night Henry, I love you
Henry: I love you mommy, and I love daddy. I love mommy and daddy and...
Me: And Meleah
Henry: No, I don't love Meleah
Me: Yes you do
Henry: Okay, but I don't like her
Me: That's okay, you will someday
Henry: Yeah, like when she is big and we can play toys

Well put little man.

Scott's Birthday

2009-05-11T15:31:00.004-04:00

This past week was Scott's 29th birthday. Henry just loves birthdays (I do too) so we got ready all day for Scott's "party". Henry couldn't wait for Scott to get home from work to get the party started. Henry enjoyed helping open gifts and eating cake. Henry thought that it should be his birthday the next day so that we could do it all again!

The birthday cows from Henry

Henry pointed to these and said "We got you socks dad"

Henry got to open that one.

Meleah turns 10 months

2009-04-18T22:59:00.003-04:00

Meleah is 10 months today! I can hardly believe how fast it is going again! We spent most of the day outside enjoying the sun. She wasn't so sure about a hat all of the time, but if I slipped it on while she was distracted it stood a better chance. She stood without holding onto anything for a good few minutes, and then looked around and sat down. I wouldn't be surprised if she is walking soon! Meleah loves the new food she has been trying - what ever we are having that is soft enough for her. She has her top two teeth coming through, one is over half way and we just noticed it! She is very talkative and loves to giggle, we are loving all of it!

zzzzzzzzzzz

2009-04-15T22:09:00.004-04:00

I realized the other day that I don't have nearly as many pictures of Meleah sleeping as I do of Henry. Meleah gave me some great opportunities this week to catch up!

Happy Easter

2009-04-15T22:08:00.000-04:00

While Henry is away...Meleah will play!

2009-04-06T23:20:00.002-04:00

Henry went on a special trip Saturday with Grandpa, Grandma and Levi. That left Meleah home with all of the toys and no one to stop her. She was thrilled! I opened the train set for her because it was the first thing she went for, and she has never played with it before. At first she was content to just hold the train. Once she figured out how to turn it on the fun really began. She chased it around the living room, although the train never stood a chance!

What a week...what do you mean it isn't done yet?!

2009-04-02T21:36:00.007-04:00

This week started on Friday after 5 pm...actually it started back in November when I got my jury duty summons. I was thrilled, so thrilled that I filed it in the cupboard and tried as hard as I could to forget about it. I should've filed it better!

So Friday night I called, and yes, I had to go in on Monday. I was a wreck all weekend. It was just selection, but I do not do well with this sort of thing. I did survive and I did not get picked for any of the trials, I think they knew better. I only had to go in on Monday and not another day!

Tuesday was a work day...I came home to Meleah with a fever. Bring on the cling-on for the next two days! Both kids were troopers through it though. Henry does a great job playing on his own and Meleah survived a LONG trip to Meijer with a couple other errands thrown in. We were all thrilled for Scott to come home.

Today was another story. Meleah woke up still having a fever, so we headed to the doctor and left with two prescriptions (which were a disaster to get filled - we won't share that tale) which were not directly related to her fever. The afternoon came and went with no napping by either child. Scott came home to an ornery and worn out group. Meleah's fever went up and the patience level for everyone went down. Both kids were in bed by 8 and only a few peeps here and there.

Henry has been coping with the lack of attention by throwing "Dance Parties" in Meleah's room. I suggested his room and the living room as alternates, but Henry didn't go for it. There is just something about someone else's space I guess. Here is a clip of the latest craze. (I forgot about the angle of the camera at first, but I did correct it, my apologies.)

We are praying that tomorrow brings less fever and more patience, or at a minimum that the laughter and dancing continues!

Few and far between

2009-03-26T22:19:00.002-04:00

These came the day of the crying pictures...Henry thought they should have their picture together, so this is where is all started. I should've just left it at that, but when they are happy I try to get a couple extras.

2009-03-22T21:09:00.002-04:00

Friday night Scott had both of the kids, so he took them to their first sport show. They loved it.

Henry was especially thrilled to have his brush with fame. He finally got to meet KVD! That's Kevin VanDam, famous pro-bass fisherman for those of you who didn't know - Henry will tell you if you weren't sure too.

One more take...maybe another time

2009-03-19T14:57:00.002-04:00

I have a picture of the kids laying on the floor next to each other from last summer. I thought that I would attempt to get an updated one...

Testing the camera

Meleah didn't want to lay down

In trying to get her to smile she hit Henry...

So because Henry is now crying, Meleah cried harder.

Not quite what I had in mind.

9 months old

2009-03-18T21:50:00.002-04:00

Meleah turned 9 months today. I can't believe how fast is has gone, Scott thinks it isn't going fast enough. Meleah is crawling at a fast pace and standing up by everything. She even tries to stand without holding anything. She is starting solid foods, yogurt and bananas are a big hit.

Stalling Tactics

2009-03-18T19:47:00.002-04:00

Henry has become proficient at stalling, not only for bed time, but in other forms now too. Tonight at dinner Scott told him to eat. It was met with Henry asking a totally unrelated question. Too bad Henry can't keep a straight face though.

Tonight when I was putting Henry to bed we had finished the routine and it was time to be quiet. I laid there next to him for a few minutes and he starts doing nothing short of a gymnastics floor routine in bed. I told him it was time to lay still.

"I'm just stretchin' a few whiles."

Oh, my mistake...stretch on.

Double Trouble

2009-03-04T21:58:00.001-05:00

It's a little too quiet...

A picture is worth 1000 words...

2009-02-23T15:45:00.001-05:00

Words coming soon...

It runs in the family

2009-02-11T22:44:00.004-05:00

Meleah has started "talking" and isn't stopping any time soon!

She must take after me...plug your ears little ponies!