According to a poster hung on the wall at the Magic House, the average four year old asks 437 questions per day. Isaac has been meeting his quota for questions everyday this week.
After the in-laws headed for the airport yesterday, we loaded up the kids and went for a little ride along the Mississippi to clear our heads. Isaac slept for a short while and awoke with a list of questions - most concerning God and how He makes things. It reminds me of the passage in Romans that says creation points to God. "That which is known about God is evident within them; for God has made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have clearly been seen, being understood through what has been made..." Romans 1:19-20. Isaac was looking out his window, seeing all the passing trees, the birds and he had questions for everything...and I mean, everything.
As we were entering the rolling hills along the river...
"How did God make trees?"
"How did God make hills?"
"How did God make bigger hills?"
"How did God make soft leaves?"
"How did God make the whole world?"
As we drove through small towns with old buildings...
"Why did people live in this town a long time ago?"
"Where are those people?"
"Why do people die?"
"Why do babies grow up to be parents?"
"How did God make a person from dirt?"
As dinner time grew closer...
"Why are marshmellows called that?"
"Does God make bread?"
"Can God make a good salad?"
We all agreed that God can make a really good salad - complete with toasted bread and butter on the side. Then, we made our way home for dinner.
Questions continued on through the evening. Isaac always has a few held in reserve to postpone bedtime as long as possible and then....silence.
We are only given a few short hours before Isaac wakes up in the early morning to complete our indepth research that is required to properly raise a four year old. Between the Bible and the internet we should be able to stay one question ahead of him. Maybe.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Enough Already
I don't know about you all, but I'm tired of reading Al Gore's name at the top of my blog! Time for something new - but I'm too tired to be witty or even slightly clever, so how about short and sweet instead?
Brian is on vacation this week so after a single day of fishing last weekend, we have been banging through our painting projects on the main level. With painting comes the constant migration of things from room to room as the color goes up. I can't wait for the chaos to subside - in part, so I can show people more than one half of our house at a time! "Upstairs??? You want to see the UPstairs??? - Those stairs don't really go anywhere. They're there for decoration."
So, we are more than worn out from juggling paints supplies and three children...what a perfect time to have my in-laws out to the Midwest for a long weekend visit! It should be fun. We're going to run their little Italian/Irish legs non-stop - from the Magic House to the zoo...that's about it, right??? What else is there to do with in-laws in this area? I mean, this is the Midwest...and it is July. That means we have heat, heat and humidity...and more heat..then a thunderstorm and more humidity...then humid heat. Yeah, the Midwest...in July...with my in-laws...and the heat. Good times, good times.
I have more to write but all interesting topics will have to wait for tomorrow...okay, it IS tomorrow...I must...get...sleep.
Good night, all!!!
Brian is on vacation this week so after a single day of fishing last weekend, we have been banging through our painting projects on the main level. With painting comes the constant migration of things from room to room as the color goes up. I can't wait for the chaos to subside - in part, so I can show people more than one half of our house at a time! "Upstairs??? You want to see the UPstairs??? - Those stairs don't really go anywhere. They're there for decoration."
So, we are more than worn out from juggling paints supplies and three children...what a perfect time to have my in-laws out to the Midwest for a long weekend visit! It should be fun. We're going to run their little Italian/Irish legs non-stop - from the Magic House to the zoo...that's about it, right??? What else is there to do with in-laws in this area? I mean, this is the Midwest...and it is July. That means we have heat, heat and humidity...and more heat..then a thunderstorm and more humidity...then humid heat. Yeah, the Midwest...in July...with my in-laws...and the heat. Good times, good times.
I have more to write but all interesting topics will have to wait for tomorrow...okay, it IS tomorrow...I must...get...sleep.
Good night, all!!!
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Painting and TV-less Parenting
Brian and I finally tackled the main level of our house over the past couple of weeks with paint and lots of it. Whew!!! We started in the family room with a "soft" banana cream that turned out to be waaaaay more banana than cream. Then, we brought the wheatgrass color down from the hallway upstairs to finally (at last!!!) cover over the horrible red wall in the front room/dining room. The kitchen, completely by - no joke - Brian's choosing is blue...an electric sort of blue. Think Bahamas. So, our rainbow of colors that began upstairs has continued to the main level of the house.
Oh, and I can't forget the orange/melon color that beckons all visitors in the entry hallway. Brian put it this way...he had wanted a mellow color to greet guests with a whispering, "Hi, come on in. Have a seat." Instead, when the front door is opened the orange screams, "HI YOU ALL!!! HOW THE HECK ARE YOU?!?!?! COME IN! COME IN! COME IN!!!!" I love the colors and they are all growing on Brian. He doesn't have much wiggle room to complain since he selected the colors this time around.
With all our painting and rotating of furniture from room to room, we've had all our cable and internet wires disconnected during our mini room makeovers. This has meant zero television for the kids and quite an adjustment for Brian and I. I honestly did not realize how much tv the kids watched until it wasn't distracting them. For the first couple days the kids were bored, getting overly punchy with each other and complaining about not having anything to watch. Keep in mind, my kids are four and under! Because we had not intentionally limited their tv watching we had allowed some really bad habits to form. If the kids were fighting or getting overly hyper we'd turn on a show for them. If it was dinner time and we needed them safely playing out of the kitchen we'd turn on a show. If two children were napping and the third needed to stay quiet...yep, another show. Our children are so full of energy and imagination and rather than channeling it all into something constructive, Brian and I had become suckers for the idiot box (this being my mother's reference to the television set when I was a kid - and now, I couldn't agree more!).
So, anyhoo, by the third day a wonderful change occurred - the kids rediscovered their toys and began playing. I mean, really playing. They made up games with each other and played for hours together. One afternoon they amazed Brian and I when they lined up all the kitchen chairs to make a "pirate boat". While we painted, Isaac and Sophia fought off the "bad pirate", Baby Jack, who was trying to steal their treasure. Before the boat was fully constructed the kids were being very high maintenance - to the point that Brian had even wanted to hook up the tv just to get them to relax for a few minutes. But we opted to skip the tv and the kids had a blast playing with each other. Even Jack enjoyed himself once he became a "good pirate" and was allowed on the boat.
Brian and I aren't anti-tv by any means, but we are getting rid of cable. We don't need a tv babysitter so why should we be paying for one? We need to adjust and make more room in our lives for our kids and let them be kids (what a novel idea!). I don't see how the time they spend in front of the television fosters anything good in them - so we are on a new quest as parents to discover what will foster their energy and imaginations.
Who knew a decision to finally get some pretty colors up on our walls would change how we raise our kids!?!?! Now, I wonder what will happen when we clean out the basement!!!
Oh, and I can't forget the orange/melon color that beckons all visitors in the entry hallway. Brian put it this way...he had wanted a mellow color to greet guests with a whispering, "Hi, come on in. Have a seat." Instead, when the front door is opened the orange screams, "HI YOU ALL!!! HOW THE HECK ARE YOU?!?!?! COME IN! COME IN! COME IN!!!!" I love the colors and they are all growing on Brian. He doesn't have much wiggle room to complain since he selected the colors this time around.
With all our painting and rotating of furniture from room to room, we've had all our cable and internet wires disconnected during our mini room makeovers. This has meant zero television for the kids and quite an adjustment for Brian and I. I honestly did not realize how much tv the kids watched until it wasn't distracting them. For the first couple days the kids were bored, getting overly punchy with each other and complaining about not having anything to watch. Keep in mind, my kids are four and under! Because we had not intentionally limited their tv watching we had allowed some really bad habits to form. If the kids were fighting or getting overly hyper we'd turn on a show for them. If it was dinner time and we needed them safely playing out of the kitchen we'd turn on a show. If two children were napping and the third needed to stay quiet...yep, another show. Our children are so full of energy and imagination and rather than channeling it all into something constructive, Brian and I had become suckers for the idiot box (this being my mother's reference to the television set when I was a kid - and now, I couldn't agree more!).
So, anyhoo, by the third day a wonderful change occurred - the kids rediscovered their toys and began playing. I mean, really playing. They made up games with each other and played for hours together. One afternoon they amazed Brian and I when they lined up all the kitchen chairs to make a "pirate boat". While we painted, Isaac and Sophia fought off the "bad pirate", Baby Jack, who was trying to steal their treasure. Before the boat was fully constructed the kids were being very high maintenance - to the point that Brian had even wanted to hook up the tv just to get them to relax for a few minutes. But we opted to skip the tv and the kids had a blast playing with each other. Even Jack enjoyed himself once he became a "good pirate" and was allowed on the boat.
Brian and I aren't anti-tv by any means, but we are getting rid of cable. We don't need a tv babysitter so why should we be paying for one? We need to adjust and make more room in our lives for our kids and let them be kids (what a novel idea!). I don't see how the time they spend in front of the television fosters anything good in them - so we are on a new quest as parents to discover what will foster their energy and imaginations.
Who knew a decision to finally get some pretty colors up on our walls would change how we raise our kids!?!?! Now, I wonder what will happen when we clean out the basement!!!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Suburban Thief
Suburban life has reduced Brian to crime. We came home last night from an outing with the kids to find miniature American flags positioned perfectly at each mailbox entering our subdivision. Other neighborhoods get amazing pools, playgrounds or walking trails to show for their association fees - evidently we get small flags. Well, actually, WE did not. We were one of only two homes in the entire subdivision that did not get a tiny flag. WHATHEHECK?!?!
Have we already broken some unspoken suburban rule? Was it the patch of weeds in our front flowerbeds? Or, the growing oil spots usually hidden under our van - our van that has seen better days...way, way better days? Could it be that Brian upset someone while joyriding the kids around the yard on the lawn tractor - the tractor that happens to sound like a small aircraft about to take to flight? Or have we offended the gardeners that surround our home by allowing our backyard to be the single haven for bunnies in the neighborhood? Yes, our neighbors shoot the bunnies -with arrows, with guns, with all the various weapons of choice people in suburbia turn to when the bunnies come out to attack. Perhaps the bass boat that remains parked in our drive ready for any and all emergency fishing trips is what caused hard feelings among our new community. Ooor, was it the mulch the kids spread evenly over the span of the cul-de-sac, the dandelion patch in our front yard that appears to be growing as if we were doing absolutely nothing to stop its expanse into neighboring yards (gasp!), or our trash can that remains curbside until late evening, the toys littering the backyard, the blow-up pool forming dead grass patches in our yard, or lastly, the garage door that is still dented from my minor parking miscalculation this past winter? Why the heck did we not get a flag?!?!?!
To bring this tangent back to Brian - the suburban thief...Rather than looking like the anti-American neighbors on the block, Brian pulled one of the four flags that were put up along the bushes at the center of our circle and proudly, (and very discreetly) stuck the very small American flag that more than likely won't last through the Fourth into the bed mix of pretty flowers and unidentified weeds at the base of our mailbox. Yes, we are American. Yes, we live in suburbia. And, yes, Brian is willing to steal in a very vain attempt to blend in with the natives. This is what suburbia has reduced us to - American flag theft! The horror!!!
Sad, but true - all the cheap American flags in the world cannot blend our little family into suburbia. The song from Sesame Street comes to mind - "One of these things is not like the other, one of these things just isn't the same..." We stand out with our oil spots, lame landscaping and our obvious disregard for the unspoken rules of suburban life including but not limited to my personal love of small, furry animals and Brian's interest in loud motor engines. BUT - we have a flag waving at the base of our mailbox just like our surrounding suburbanites. And, that's all that really matters in life, isn't it???
Have we already broken some unspoken suburban rule? Was it the patch of weeds in our front flowerbeds? Or, the growing oil spots usually hidden under our van - our van that has seen better days...way, way better days? Could it be that Brian upset someone while joyriding the kids around the yard on the lawn tractor - the tractor that happens to sound like a small aircraft about to take to flight? Or have we offended the gardeners that surround our home by allowing our backyard to be the single haven for bunnies in the neighborhood? Yes, our neighbors shoot the bunnies -with arrows, with guns, with all the various weapons of choice people in suburbia turn to when the bunnies come out to attack. Perhaps the bass boat that remains parked in our drive ready for any and all emergency fishing trips is what caused hard feelings among our new community. Ooor, was it the mulch the kids spread evenly over the span of the cul-de-sac, the dandelion patch in our front yard that appears to be growing as if we were doing absolutely nothing to stop its expanse into neighboring yards (gasp!), or our trash can that remains curbside until late evening, the toys littering the backyard, the blow-up pool forming dead grass patches in our yard, or lastly, the garage door that is still dented from my minor parking miscalculation this past winter? Why the heck did we not get a flag?!?!?!
To bring this tangent back to Brian - the suburban thief...Rather than looking like the anti-American neighbors on the block, Brian pulled one of the four flags that were put up along the bushes at the center of our circle and proudly, (and very discreetly) stuck the very small American flag that more than likely won't last through the Fourth into the bed mix of pretty flowers and unidentified weeds at the base of our mailbox. Yes, we are American. Yes, we live in suburbia. And, yes, Brian is willing to steal in a very vain attempt to blend in with the natives. This is what suburbia has reduced us to - American flag theft! The horror!!!
Sad, but true - all the cheap American flags in the world cannot blend our little family into suburbia. The song from Sesame Street comes to mind - "One of these things is not like the other, one of these things just isn't the same..." We stand out with our oil spots, lame landscaping and our obvious disregard for the unspoken rules of suburban life including but not limited to my personal love of small, furry animals and Brian's interest in loud motor engines. BUT - we have a flag waving at the base of our mailbox just like our surrounding suburbanites. And, that's all that really matters in life, isn't it???
Friday, June 15, 2007
Family Update
It's been a bit since I bragged on the kids and since it is finally Friday my brain doesn't want anything "deep" to process - so on with the bragging...
Every age with our three continues to be my favorite age. They are continually doing amazing things - some that make B and I laugh, some that make us want to pull out our hair, but amazing still.
Isaac has always been our talker. At eighteen months old he was having actual conversations with the five year old that lived next to us in our Jersey apartment complex. This didn't fully amaze us until Jack became eighteen months old and we realized how advanced Isaac was as a baby. He's brilliant and oh, so confident. He knows no stranger and has been known to strike up conversations with people in the aisles of Target...repeatedly. He loves to greet the neighbors when they arrive home in our cul-de-sac and is quick to share all with anyone and everyone. This week he's been flashing everyone the poison ivy spots across his chest - his latest and greatest information to share. In addition to freely telling all of what happens in our home to absolute strangers, he has also gained a new found love for knock-knock jokes. "Knock-knock? Who's there? Orange. Orange who? Orange you glad to see me?!?"...and then he laughs all the way to the floor. He also likes creating his own jokes that are usually a stream of words that make no sense whatsoever..."Was that funny, Mama?!?"
Sophia is our princess. She's all about the color pink, dresses, and twirling in the middle of the family room..."I a princess!!!". She loves to sing - making up her own songs and her own dance movements. Though Soph will be turning three at the end of this summer when asked, "Sophie, how old are you?" she will respond "I four!". This drives Isaac nuts - since he is the big four year old. I think in part she has put her claim on four just to see Isaac's passionate reaction, "But, she's TWO!!!". She LOVES to torment the boy. This morning he ran from her bedroom in tears because "she kept saying the same words to me over and over!!!" I entered the room where she maintained the "Who, me?" facial expression. With the same intensity that she picks on Isaac, she is gentle and loving to Jack. She walks around the house holding his hand when he allows it and she often sits with Jack making him laugh over the silliest sounds she can conjure up. Sophie isn't always loving and gentle with her baby brother - thuds are heard periodically when she pushes Jack down with her hand square on his chest. She's strong so the slightest shove in this manner sends Jack right down on his diaper butt. Usually, the battle ensues over a baby doll or stuffed animal as Jack loves to carry babies and stuffed animals around the house. Sophia has claimed all babies and all plush animals in our house belong to her and her alone, after all, she's the "greel". And, a final note on Sophia - she is Dada's girl, melting Brian's heart with ease. Sophia still wakes up each morning in her singsong manner "Oh, Daaaaaaadaaaaa, I is awake...Daaaaaadaaaaa, come get meeeeeee!!!" What Dada could ignore such a request from his "baby girl"?
Jack is enjoying his last few months as our "Baby Jack". Little does he know, another baby boy is well on his way. I'm interested to know how Jack will respond to our new baby since he is such a Mama's boy - to the extreme! All through the day he finds me and runs to hug my legs, or places his head on my lap for a snuggle - then he continues on his way. I LOVE it!!! He's beginning to talk - adding to his running list of "Dada", "Mama", "No" and "Bobo". Jack now can say his own versions of lots of words - yes, "es", drink "gink", grandma "maaaama", Jack "ak", lollipop "popop", ball "baw". And, of course he has mastered "MINE!" - which started as a "Maaa" sound and has recently been perfected. "My baw!!!" is a personal favorite of his. Any form of bouncy ball is his toy of choice - and in the same manner that Sophia claims the babies and plush toys as her own, Jack has staked his claim on the balls. Big or small - they are all "My baw!!!".
Jack has a mainly sweet relationship with Sophie with her questioning his new language skills "What you said...what you said, Jack?!?!". And, with Isaac - it is nothing but boys being boys - running, wrestling, yelling. Jack walks around the house with his hand shoved down the back of his diaper nearly 24/7 - why? Your guess is as good as mine, but Isaac laughs and to my dismay, encourages Jack's hand-in-diaper stance. A bit ago I had all three kids just finished with a bath - all three were standing in the tub, dripping wet as the last of the bath water drained. Jack then discovered what his wewe (yes, we use technical terms in our house) was for as he peed a small stream into the bathtub. Seeing Jack shocked, looking at us with a "Did you see that?!?!?" expression struck Isaac as hilarious. He laughed so hard I had to yell at him to stay out of the pee making its way down the drain. Such young boys and already laughing about body functions. What am I going to do with THREE!
And, as for Brian - not a kid, but deserving of a little spotlight every now and then - is still doing glass work all over the area. The heat has arrived in the Midwest so he comes home looking rather worn, but always with some energy in reserve for the kids. Isaac, Sophia and Jack each run to the door with the slightest jingle of the front doorknob - "Dada's home" "Dada here!" "Dada!". Bri has big plans this summer to be out on his boat and smaller plans of fixing up the main level of the house - it is time to say good-bye to the big, red wall. Yeah!!!
So, that's the update on our little family. I'll add pictures at some point for all you distant family and friends - as the kids change a lot from day to day. Love you all - and Happy Friday!!!...and Happy Father's Day to all you other Dadas.
Every age with our three continues to be my favorite age. They are continually doing amazing things - some that make B and I laugh, some that make us want to pull out our hair, but amazing still.
Isaac has always been our talker. At eighteen months old he was having actual conversations with the five year old that lived next to us in our Jersey apartment complex. This didn't fully amaze us until Jack became eighteen months old and we realized how advanced Isaac was as a baby. He's brilliant and oh, so confident. He knows no stranger and has been known to strike up conversations with people in the aisles of Target...repeatedly. He loves to greet the neighbors when they arrive home in our cul-de-sac and is quick to share all with anyone and everyone. This week he's been flashing everyone the poison ivy spots across his chest - his latest and greatest information to share. In addition to freely telling all of what happens in our home to absolute strangers, he has also gained a new found love for knock-knock jokes. "Knock-knock? Who's there? Orange. Orange who? Orange you glad to see me?!?"...and then he laughs all the way to the floor. He also likes creating his own jokes that are usually a stream of words that make no sense whatsoever..."Was that funny, Mama?!?"
Sophia is our princess. She's all about the color pink, dresses, and twirling in the middle of the family room..."I a princess!!!". She loves to sing - making up her own songs and her own dance movements. Though Soph will be turning three at the end of this summer when asked, "Sophie, how old are you?" she will respond "I four!". This drives Isaac nuts - since he is the big four year old. I think in part she has put her claim on four just to see Isaac's passionate reaction, "But, she's TWO!!!". She LOVES to torment the boy. This morning he ran from her bedroom in tears because "she kept saying the same words to me over and over!!!" I entered the room where she maintained the "Who, me?" facial expression. With the same intensity that she picks on Isaac, she is gentle and loving to Jack. She walks around the house holding his hand when he allows it and she often sits with Jack making him laugh over the silliest sounds she can conjure up. Sophie isn't always loving and gentle with her baby brother - thuds are heard periodically when she pushes Jack down with her hand square on his chest. She's strong so the slightest shove in this manner sends Jack right down on his diaper butt. Usually, the battle ensues over a baby doll or stuffed animal as Jack loves to carry babies and stuffed animals around the house. Sophia has claimed all babies and all plush animals in our house belong to her and her alone, after all, she's the "greel". And, a final note on Sophia - she is Dada's girl, melting Brian's heart with ease. Sophia still wakes up each morning in her singsong manner "Oh, Daaaaaaadaaaaa, I is awake...Daaaaaadaaaaa, come get meeeeeee!!!" What Dada could ignore such a request from his "baby girl"?
Jack is enjoying his last few months as our "Baby Jack". Little does he know, another baby boy is well on his way. I'm interested to know how Jack will respond to our new baby since he is such a Mama's boy - to the extreme! All through the day he finds me and runs to hug my legs, or places his head on my lap for a snuggle - then he continues on his way. I LOVE it!!! He's beginning to talk - adding to his running list of "Dada", "Mama", "No" and "Bobo". Jack now can say his own versions of lots of words - yes, "es", drink "gink", grandma "maaaama", Jack "ak", lollipop "popop", ball "baw". And, of course he has mastered "MINE!" - which started as a "Maaa" sound and has recently been perfected. "My baw!!!" is a personal favorite of his. Any form of bouncy ball is his toy of choice - and in the same manner that Sophia claims the babies and plush toys as her own, Jack has staked his claim on the balls. Big or small - they are all "My baw!!!".
Jack has a mainly sweet relationship with Sophie with her questioning his new language skills "What you said...what you said, Jack?!?!". And, with Isaac - it is nothing but boys being boys - running, wrestling, yelling. Jack walks around the house with his hand shoved down the back of his diaper nearly 24/7 - why? Your guess is as good as mine, but Isaac laughs and to my dismay, encourages Jack's hand-in-diaper stance. A bit ago I had all three kids just finished with a bath - all three were standing in the tub, dripping wet as the last of the bath water drained. Jack then discovered what his wewe (yes, we use technical terms in our house) was for as he peed a small stream into the bathtub. Seeing Jack shocked, looking at us with a "Did you see that?!?!?" expression struck Isaac as hilarious. He laughed so hard I had to yell at him to stay out of the pee making its way down the drain. Such young boys and already laughing about body functions. What am I going to do with THREE!
And, as for Brian - not a kid, but deserving of a little spotlight every now and then - is still doing glass work all over the area. The heat has arrived in the Midwest so he comes home looking rather worn, but always with some energy in reserve for the kids. Isaac, Sophia and Jack each run to the door with the slightest jingle of the front doorknob - "Dada's home" "Dada here!" "Dada!". Bri has big plans this summer to be out on his boat and smaller plans of fixing up the main level of the house - it is time to say good-bye to the big, red wall. Yeah!!!
So, that's the update on our little family. I'll add pictures at some point for all you distant family and friends - as the kids change a lot from day to day. Love you all - and Happy Friday!!!...and Happy Father's Day to all you other Dadas.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Frugal or Poverty Mentality?
I've been reading through a book called God's Smuggler. Its about the life and ministry of Brother Andrew - a missionary that labored behind the Iron Curtain, bringing bibles to Christians in Communist countries. The book is amazing and I can't thank Jenny enough for lending it to me! The bulk of what I've received from this read is how supernatural provision was supplied to Brother Andrew - from cars to travel fare. He lived in a zone through faith that could see beyond natural means. He never lacked anything he needed because God would provide for him. God taught Brother Andrew that His servants shouldn't be known as beggars (Hello, American Christianity!!!) and that provisions would come in a "royal" fashion to accomplish the King's work - and the provisions always came to him in such a manner.
At one point in the book God dealt with this man of God about having an "attitude of lack". He lived very frugal with his young family - not buying new clothing, living from a garden in their backyard, eating less meat and more veggies, etc. I would see this as being a very responsible steward of what God would provide for him, yet God addressed this as a poverty mentality. God provided just what they needed to accomplish in their ministry in closed countries, and He also wanted them to learn to enjoy his physical blessings as well - such as a new dress for his wife or fixing up their small home. They continued to live frugal as they both grew up very poor and knew no other way of life - but God had changed their attitude about His provisions from viewing them as rations to stretch as far as they could to a bountiful supply given by the King.
My question is at what point does frugal living cross the line and become an "attitude of lack"? When does our good stewardship change into a lack of faith in God's supply?
And, to address the other extreme - when do we cross the line from being thankful for God's abundant supply in our life into living for ourselves and our own pleasures rather than for the glory of God?
At one point in the book God dealt with this man of God about having an "attitude of lack". He lived very frugal with his young family - not buying new clothing, living from a garden in their backyard, eating less meat and more veggies, etc. I would see this as being a very responsible steward of what God would provide for him, yet God addressed this as a poverty mentality. God provided just what they needed to accomplish in their ministry in closed countries, and He also wanted them to learn to enjoy his physical blessings as well - such as a new dress for his wife or fixing up their small home. They continued to live frugal as they both grew up very poor and knew no other way of life - but God had changed their attitude about His provisions from viewing them as rations to stretch as far as they could to a bountiful supply given by the King.
My question is at what point does frugal living cross the line and become an "attitude of lack"? When does our good stewardship change into a lack of faith in God's supply?
And, to address the other extreme - when do we cross the line from being thankful for God's abundant supply in our life into living for ourselves and our own pleasures rather than for the glory of God?
Monday, June 11, 2007
Beginning Homeschooling
Here we go!!! I'm going to attend a homeschooling, excuse me, "home education" fair next week. My neighbor is going, so I am going to tag along in hopes of getting my feet wet. There will be booths for various curriculum styles and, I'm sure, enough information to make my head spin. I was up in the air about going since I have a year or so before I need to pull things together for Isaac, but Georgia came to my door this morning with the pre-registration form in hand. I'm in.
My super nice neighbor gave me lots of names and organizations to look up before I blindly walked into the fair. She said when she first attended this fair she spent the first eight hours walking aimlessly from booth to booth overwhelmed by the volumes of homeschooling information. So, I have homework this week.
The sites she said to look at were:
Math-U-See
Rainbow Resource
Horizons - for math and language arts
Abecka (or Abeka)
Bob Jones BJUP.com
Explode the Code - for phonics
Sonlight
My Father's World
The Charlotte Mason Approach
Tapestry of Grace
Konos
Whew!!!
Okay, so, all you homeschooling moms - where do I begin??? Any suggestions? Are there some sites you'd like to recommend? What approach do you take in your lessons? Text book with teacher guide or more free form? I think I will go for a split between the two, but I do like the idea of having the various subjects related together by theme. This is how I learned to teach ESL and it worked well with my students - and gave me a little creative license as well.
Ah, so much information. I think it will take me a year to wrap my brain around homeschooling - so good thing I'm diving in now!!!
My super nice neighbor gave me lots of names and organizations to look up before I blindly walked into the fair. She said when she first attended this fair she spent the first eight hours walking aimlessly from booth to booth overwhelmed by the volumes of homeschooling information. So, I have homework this week.
The sites she said to look at were:
Math-U-See
Rainbow Resource
Horizons - for math and language arts
Abecka (or Abeka)
Bob Jones BJUP.com
Explode the Code - for phonics
Sonlight
My Father's World
The Charlotte Mason Approach
Tapestry of Grace
Konos
Whew!!!
Okay, so, all you homeschooling moms - where do I begin??? Any suggestions? Are there some sites you'd like to recommend? What approach do you take in your lessons? Text book with teacher guide or more free form? I think I will go for a split between the two, but I do like the idea of having the various subjects related together by theme. This is how I learned to teach ESL and it worked well with my students - and gave me a little creative license as well.
Ah, so much information. I think it will take me a year to wrap my brain around homeschooling - so good thing I'm diving in now!!!
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
My Blog
I feel the need to warn any and all new viewers to my blog about the usually boring and unedifying information that pops up from time to time on my blog - okay, okay, nearly all the time. I post about the kids for my extended family located across the U.S. and I post about homemade laundry detergent and cloth diapers for my fellow mom friends that are pinching pennies right along with me. Only recently have I posted about True Vine since I just couldn't put the movement to words until Brian grasped it all over the last training weekend. And, you must understand that I am ever-so-slightly sarcastic. I love to write about my daily grind in a way that, I hope, will leave my readers with a smile and a fleeting thought "She's crazy."
Aaaaand, if you've commented here I've added a link to your blog...
Aaaaand, if you've commented here I've added a link to your blog...
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Prayer Request
I'll post this since I know a few prayer warriors are lurking week to week absorbing my life without comments...which is totally fine, but now we need you all to pray for a little boy.
A teacher friend of a family members had a student that fell out of a two story window. His parents evidently were helping a family move into this home. There is some bleeding that doctors are trying to figure out the source (primary focus) in addition to skull fractures and swelling. His name is Caleb and he's three.
I'll forward this to our church family for prayer - and I'm sure Monica, Giz and our friendly lurkers will do the same.
So, God heal Caleb from all injury. Thank you for sparing his life! Fill his parents and their entire family with faith and be near them through this difficult time - carry this burden for them. Please heal the bleeding and stop it at its source. Show yourself to be strong on their behalf. You are the God of miracles and we are thankful that we can come to you in faith and know that you hear our request for Caleb and his family. In Jesus name we ask these things knowing you love us and hear the prayers of faith being made for this family.
A teacher friend of a family members had a student that fell out of a two story window. His parents evidently were helping a family move into this home. There is some bleeding that doctors are trying to figure out the source (primary focus) in addition to skull fractures and swelling. His name is Caleb and he's three.
I'll forward this to our church family for prayer - and I'm sure Monica, Giz and our friendly lurkers will do the same.
So, God heal Caleb from all injury. Thank you for sparing his life! Fill his parents and their entire family with faith and be near them through this difficult time - carry this burden for them. Please heal the bleeding and stop it at its source. Show yourself to be strong on their behalf. You are the God of miracles and we are thankful that we can come to you in faith and know that you hear our request for Caleb and his family. In Jesus name we ask these things knowing you love us and hear the prayers of faith being made for this family.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Good Reads
I found a good blog this evening...
www.ordinarymother.wordpress.com
I like how honest she is about God and motherhood.
Do you all know any good sites or blogs to get the mind and/or motivation going???
www.ordinarymother.wordpress.com
I like how honest she is about God and motherhood.
Do you all know any good sites or blogs to get the mind and/or motivation going???
Progessively Me
As I've posted recently, I am working on being my wonderful self - having purposefully killed the image of June Cleaver in my mind. And, the results are quite the opposite of what I had expected. The chaos in our home has subsided to a huge degree and in its place order has been established.
This process began with me realizing that I am gifted in some things (majority of them I thought had nothing to do with mothering) and for all else I needed to intentionally develop skills to achieve my personal goals. Since my goals shifted from an unrealistic image of motherhood to the reality of Lori being a good wife/mom, I could strive toward my goals with confidence because the goals were fully ME - who I am and how I would like my life to be structured.
After doing a bit of research I pulled some good pointers about having a big family and managing our household. I only searched under larger households because so many people have been telling us what a big family we are about to have (I hardly think of four kids as a "big" family, but what the hey...might as well get the structure down now before any additional babies join the fun). I put these pointers together with some I pulled from the Queen of Clean book my sister gave me for Mother's Day (thank you, thank you, Ang!!!) - aaaand, then one more helpful website (flylady.net) was added to the mix. The result is a flexible routine that fits my random personality - and for the first time the routine is working for ME, not me scrambling to do someone else's checklist.
This coming week, after I get over this virus, I will being compiling a household binder to keep my scatterbrained thoughts in one place. Topics will range from money and shopping lists to lesson plans for the kids and possible family outing destinations. I'll post on the success or ultimate failure of the binder system in the future.
Managing a household touches on so many topics. The binder system was the best way I could come up with to keep them all in order and in one place. On a week to week basis, I deal with finances, kids projects/lessons, family time, God/spiritual disciplines, keeping the house clean and fully stocked with supplies - these being household items such as light bulbs and soap to food, and my own projects for the house, like making curtains or diapers. I'm not sure a binder will be the right method to get organized but I need some sort of visual to get my mind in order and these varied topics flowing with ease in our home. How do you all keep these topics in order and accessible? Are they all placed together or are they separate in your thinking?
This process began with me realizing that I am gifted in some things (majority of them I thought had nothing to do with mothering) and for all else I needed to intentionally develop skills to achieve my personal goals. Since my goals shifted from an unrealistic image of motherhood to the reality of Lori being a good wife/mom, I could strive toward my goals with confidence because the goals were fully ME - who I am and how I would like my life to be structured.
After doing a bit of research I pulled some good pointers about having a big family and managing our household. I only searched under larger households because so many people have been telling us what a big family we are about to have (I hardly think of four kids as a "big" family, but what the hey...might as well get the structure down now before any additional babies join the fun). I put these pointers together with some I pulled from the Queen of Clean book my sister gave me for Mother's Day (thank you, thank you, Ang!!!) - aaaand, then one more helpful website (flylady.net) was added to the mix. The result is a flexible routine that fits my random personality - and for the first time the routine is working for ME, not me scrambling to do someone else's checklist.
This coming week, after I get over this virus, I will being compiling a household binder to keep my scatterbrained thoughts in one place. Topics will range from money and shopping lists to lesson plans for the kids and possible family outing destinations. I'll post on the success or ultimate failure of the binder system in the future.
Managing a household touches on so many topics. The binder system was the best way I could come up with to keep them all in order and in one place. On a week to week basis, I deal with finances, kids projects/lessons, family time, God/spiritual disciplines, keeping the house clean and fully stocked with supplies - these being household items such as light bulbs and soap to food, and my own projects for the house, like making curtains or diapers. I'm not sure a binder will be the right method to get organized but I need some sort of visual to get my mind in order and these varied topics flowing with ease in our home. How do you all keep these topics in order and accessible? Are they all placed together or are they separate in your thinking?
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Bored Already?!?
I've been searching through some mom blogs covering the topic of frugality by finding a good blog and following the links. I stumbled upon on blog that was so sad. This new mom was ready to throw in the towel and return to work. Her little baby was going to full time daycare all because she didn't feel rewarded as a SAHM. And, she was bored. Bored with baby and bored with keeping the house. Bored.
Bored: "weariness, and disinterest in, life" - according to the Webster Dictionary. What I want to know is HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? This is the second, no, make that the third, mom I've either read about or talked with recently that just doesn't get the whole SAHM thing. I mean, if you really understand what a mother is - what her role is - then, how can you be bored? Bored enough to give up and go back to the now traditional way of mothering - via an underpaid substitute, i.e. daycare. Are things around the house really that uninteresting?
I have a million thoughts on this subject, but I'll spare you all a lengthy post of my ramblings and just ask this question, er, questions:
Do you find yourself bored as a mother? And, what do you think the role of a mother is within the family? What's our purpose for getting married and having all these babies?
I think our reasons for having a family - for becoming "Mama"- is going to drastically effect the "boredom factor" for each of us. But, I want to hear from you ladies first...
Bored: "weariness, and disinterest in, life" - according to the Webster Dictionary. What I want to know is HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? This is the second, no, make that the third, mom I've either read about or talked with recently that just doesn't get the whole SAHM thing. I mean, if you really understand what a mother is - what her role is - then, how can you be bored? Bored enough to give up and go back to the now traditional way of mothering - via an underpaid substitute, i.e. daycare. Are things around the house really that uninteresting?
I have a million thoughts on this subject, but I'll spare you all a lengthy post of my ramblings and just ask this question, er, questions:
Do you find yourself bored as a mother? And, what do you think the role of a mother is within the family? What's our purpose for getting married and having all these babies?
I think our reasons for having a family - for becoming "Mama"- is going to drastically effect the "boredom factor" for each of us. But, I want to hear from you ladies first...
Monday, May 21, 2007
June or Joan
As it turns out the wonderful housewife of the 1950's is JUNE Cleaver!!! Wow. So, Joan, June...whatever. Hmmm...I like the name June.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
My Wonderful Self
Today has been an extreme blah day. So blah in fact, I loaded up the kids in an attempt to escape the blahs at our house. This morning while doing my online banking, I noticed a certain husband who shall remain nameless spent $10.40 on "the most amazing pastrami sandwich I've eaten since I had one in New York" earlier this week. Upon this discovery, I decided to throw caution to the wind and splurge on the sub-food at McDonald's before heading to the park with the kids.
Ah, the park. The sunshine, the shade trees, the french fries scattered in the dirt under our picnic table - it was enough to chase away the blahs for the afternoon or at least for the hour and a half we were there sweating. - I've come to despise the Midwest's humid environment. Mom says my skin will look great when I'm old thanks to the moist air so, I suppose the trade off is worth all the discomfort. - Once the kids were red-faced and had damp hair, I loaded them up and headed home just in time to lay Jack and Sophie down for a late nap.
I distracted Isaac with art supplies (child-safe scissors, paper, crayons, and a glue stick) and managed to sit in a nearly quiet house for a few minutes - silence, plus the sound of paper being cut and an occasional question from the four year old across the table from me. "What did I spell?" - after reviewing the newly created word "PIOOOS" I had to honestly tell him I didn't know what the word was, "but good job writing those letters, buddy."
It felt great to escape the routine I established on purpose - just last week. How hilarious! I need to face the facts - I thrive in chaos. Sad, but true. BUT, I still have anal tendencies such as the laundry being sorted by color and type, how the bath towels are folded and keeping the refrigerator clean. WHATHEHECK! I am a procrastinating perfectionist - and have yet to figure out what that means for my day-to-day life. Routine?- doesn't happen. Chaos and clutter?- drives me nuts.
Over the next few weeks I hope to find my own balance to being just Me (Hello, Mom! I finally get it: "I'm just me." - yeah, heard it since I was 17 and now it has finally taken root). I need to kill all my pre-conceived ideas of what a stay-at-home mother of four should look like (Joan Cleaver - 1950's housewife). This doesn't mean lowering my standards but it does mean changing my standards to fit within the scope of reality. All of you are wonderful people, beyond me in organization and cleanliness, but still wonderful - just not Me. I guess this is the point at which I stop the comparisons to all you wonderfuls and strike out on my own - to be my own sort of wonderful.
Maybe one day young mothers will compare themselves to me, "Yeah, I want to structure my life like that wonderful, Midwest suburbian mother of who knows how many children. You know, the one with the really great skin."
So, here's to Joan Cleaver. May she rest in peace!!!
Ah, the park. The sunshine, the shade trees, the french fries scattered in the dirt under our picnic table - it was enough to chase away the blahs for the afternoon or at least for the hour and a half we were there sweating. - I've come to despise the Midwest's humid environment. Mom says my skin will look great when I'm old thanks to the moist air so, I suppose the trade off is worth all the discomfort. - Once the kids were red-faced and had damp hair, I loaded them up and headed home just in time to lay Jack and Sophie down for a late nap.
I distracted Isaac with art supplies (child-safe scissors, paper, crayons, and a glue stick) and managed to sit in a nearly quiet house for a few minutes - silence, plus the sound of paper being cut and an occasional question from the four year old across the table from me. "What did I spell?" - after reviewing the newly created word "PIOOOS" I had to honestly tell him I didn't know what the word was, "but good job writing those letters, buddy."
It felt great to escape the routine I established on purpose - just last week. How hilarious! I need to face the facts - I thrive in chaos. Sad, but true. BUT, I still have anal tendencies such as the laundry being sorted by color and type, how the bath towels are folded and keeping the refrigerator clean. WHATHEHECK! I am a procrastinating perfectionist - and have yet to figure out what that means for my day-to-day life. Routine?- doesn't happen. Chaos and clutter?- drives me nuts.
Over the next few weeks I hope to find my own balance to being just Me (Hello, Mom! I finally get it: "I'm just me." - yeah, heard it since I was 17 and now it has finally taken root). I need to kill all my pre-conceived ideas of what a stay-at-home mother of four should look like (Joan Cleaver - 1950's housewife). This doesn't mean lowering my standards but it does mean changing my standards to fit within the scope of reality. All of you are wonderful people, beyond me in organization and cleanliness, but still wonderful - just not Me. I guess this is the point at which I stop the comparisons to all you wonderfuls and strike out on my own - to be my own sort of wonderful.
Maybe one day young mothers will compare themselves to me, "Yeah, I want to structure my life like that wonderful, Midwest suburbian mother of who knows how many children. You know, the one with the really great skin."
So, here's to Joan Cleaver. May she rest in peace!!!
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Ever Changing Job Description
I've made a very valuable observation as I've been trying to established a nice, little routine in our home. Since first becoming a SAHM a few years ago I have seen a steady growth in the amount of tasks that are falling under my list of responsibilities alone rather than being shared by both Brian and I. I don't know if this is because I'm getting better at "doing it all" or if I'm being suckered into letting Brian off the hook all too often.
We used to share meal prep and clean up, diapers, kids' baths and the deep cleaning of the kitchen and bathrooms. Now, if I ask for help in these areas I get a wide range of reactions from Bri - all indicating that I'm slacking on "my job". What I can't figure out is the point at which all these tasks became part of my job description! Then, today I had a revelation when I saw the exploding trash can left in the kitchen (again).
It has, by mere default, been B's job to take the trash out as he leaves for work on trash day each week. But, the past couple of weeks I've had to scramble to find appropriate attire in order to dash outside so I can beat the trash collector to our large, outdoor can so all our gross trash will be disposed of and not sit alongside our house - rotting in the can for an extra week. What's amazing is that our full, often overflowing, smelly trash can is usually, ingeniously positioned in the middle of the kitchen floor each week so a certain husband will have to literally trip over the thing to get out the door...yet for the past few weeks the trash has remained in our kitchen and the neighbors have seen a less than desirable side of me in the early morning hours on trash day. The grand revelation you may ask? - that if I take that trash out for another week this will be added to my task list!!! Don't you get it, people?!?!?! It will become MY JOB!
By my dear, sweet husband slacking ever-so-slightly and me coming along each morning and taking up his slack , I am in fact taking on HIS responsibilities one by one...so then a month from now when I ask him to not forget the trash he is wondering why I can't do MY JOB!!! Isn't that a HUGE revelation?!?!?! So, how did I become the do-it-all-queen with a male assistant rather than an equal partner? By taking on tasks as needed over and over and over and oops, it has become my job!
Now, I must admit that most of my responsibilities stem from the fact that I stay at home with the kids. I do feel that Brian works very hard all day long and I should do the same. At times my to-do list overflows on into the evenings - not a problem. But, my beef is with the fact that now nearly everything that needs to be accomplished day-to-day falls under my job description - leaving me to seek out help with my male counterpart.
Okay, okay - think of it like this...
If everything wasn't "my job" both Brian and I would set out to accomplish what needs to be done - such as cleaning up dinner, wiping down the kids, getting them to bed. But, when every freakin' task is mine alone to get done I find myself being such a nag - "Hey, babe could you get Jack, he's smearing cheese in his hair", "Sweetie, can you hand me those dishes on the table and get Jack, he's throwing cheese at Sophie", "Bri, can you PLEASE take the cheese from Jack, and get that chunk out of Sophie's hair", "Brian, argh!!! - I'll do it myself!"
How are responsibilities split in your home? Do you define them, do you do it all yourself only calling on hubby for assistance, or have you figured out the key to tricking him into doing it all himself only calling on you to assist? And, for those of you that have balance in this area of marriage and family life, please write a book or something for the rest of us.
We used to share meal prep and clean up, diapers, kids' baths and the deep cleaning of the kitchen and bathrooms. Now, if I ask for help in these areas I get a wide range of reactions from Bri - all indicating that I'm slacking on "my job". What I can't figure out is the point at which all these tasks became part of my job description! Then, today I had a revelation when I saw the exploding trash can left in the kitchen (again).
It has, by mere default, been B's job to take the trash out as he leaves for work on trash day each week. But, the past couple of weeks I've had to scramble to find appropriate attire in order to dash outside so I can beat the trash collector to our large, outdoor can so all our gross trash will be disposed of and not sit alongside our house - rotting in the can for an extra week. What's amazing is that our full, often overflowing, smelly trash can is usually, ingeniously positioned in the middle of the kitchen floor each week so a certain husband will have to literally trip over the thing to get out the door...yet for the past few weeks the trash has remained in our kitchen and the neighbors have seen a less than desirable side of me in the early morning hours on trash day. The grand revelation you may ask? - that if I take that trash out for another week this will be added to my task list!!! Don't you get it, people?!?!?! It will become MY JOB!
By my dear, sweet husband slacking ever-so-slightly and me coming along each morning and taking up his slack , I am in fact taking on HIS responsibilities one by one...so then a month from now when I ask him to not forget the trash he is wondering why I can't do MY JOB!!! Isn't that a HUGE revelation?!?!?! So, how did I become the do-it-all-queen with a male assistant rather than an equal partner? By taking on tasks as needed over and over and over and oops, it has become my job!
Now, I must admit that most of my responsibilities stem from the fact that I stay at home with the kids. I do feel that Brian works very hard all day long and I should do the same. At times my to-do list overflows on into the evenings - not a problem. But, my beef is with the fact that now nearly everything that needs to be accomplished day-to-day falls under my job description - leaving me to seek out help with my male counterpart.
Okay, okay - think of it like this...
If everything wasn't "my job" both Brian and I would set out to accomplish what needs to be done - such as cleaning up dinner, wiping down the kids, getting them to bed. But, when every freakin' task is mine alone to get done I find myself being such a nag - "Hey, babe could you get Jack, he's smearing cheese in his hair", "Sweetie, can you hand me those dishes on the table and get Jack, he's throwing cheese at Sophie", "Bri, can you PLEASE take the cheese from Jack, and get that chunk out of Sophie's hair", "Brian, argh!!! - I'll do it myself!"
How are responsibilities split in your home? Do you define them, do you do it all yourself only calling on hubby for assistance, or have you figured out the key to tricking him into doing it all himself only calling on you to assist? And, for those of you that have balance in this area of marriage and family life, please write a book or something for the rest of us.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Monday, Monday
Hey- it is Monday again, people! Woohoo! Another start to another week. I usually do laundry and tidy up whatever mess has lingered from the weekend - usually toys and tools from the kids and Brian.
I've been trying to establish a loose routine now that we aren't in the middle of any major house projects and I was wondering how you all structure your week. Brian says my "job" consists of food, kids, house and bills. These are my categories to work with and now I need help to get my mind around balancing the demands from each. Any suggestions???
I've been trying to establish a loose routine now that we aren't in the middle of any major house projects and I was wondering how you all structure your week. Brian says my "job" consists of food, kids, house and bills. These are my categories to work with and now I need help to get my mind around balancing the demands from each. Any suggestions???
Friday, April 20, 2007
New Rule
This week I've had the kids out enjoying the great outdoors via our fenced backyard. Isaac has taken to baseball - hitting our baby bouncy ball to the fence a few times and Jack just wanders around the yard aimlessly, trying to eat the occasional rock or pebble he may find. Sophia is our bug hunter. I will have to empty her pockets with extreme caution this year. She loves anything that wiggles, has multiple legs and can be found under our patio bricks.
While searching for new flowers in the yard with Jack and Soph - our little girl spotted a flower with a bug she hadn't noticed before - so Sophie being Sophie - she fearlessly reached right down and pet the new bug until it buzzed off the flower and I screamed involuntarily. Sophia had successfully pet a bee. A really big, fat bee.
New rule - bugs on flowers are big "no, no"s. Especially, the big, fat bugs on flowers that make Mama scream.
While searching for new flowers in the yard with Jack and Soph - our little girl spotted a flower with a bug she hadn't noticed before - so Sophie being Sophie - she fearlessly reached right down and pet the new bug until it buzzed off the flower and I screamed involuntarily. Sophia had successfully pet a bee. A really big, fat bee.
New rule - bugs on flowers are big "no, no"s. Especially, the big, fat bugs on flowers that make Mama scream.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Surprise Success
Dad's surprise 60th birthday was a success. Our guests arrived and were snacking away when Mom and Dad pulled up - a little late as planned (Go, Mom!). The crowd was poised with cameras ready at the end of our entry hallway when I rushed in the front door to let them know Dad had gone through the gate to the back of the house. The whole mass of family and friends turned just in time to yell "SURPRISE" to a nearly sixty year old man, my father, smiling sheepishly at our back patio door. Surprise success.
Fifty-four guests graced our home to celebrate Dad's birthday. Many were extended family members that I hadn't seen since I was a child - and now here I am with three children of my own. Am I really a mother of three? No, make that four. Yes, Baby Four - a girl we think, is due this Fall. I broke out the maternity clothing for the party. Either I looked pregnant or I looked like I had grown a rather decent beer belly - both according to Brian are impossible since I don't pay attention to him and I don't drink beer. So, back to maternity clothing. Oh, joy.
The party was our first bash in our first home. We took over the cul-de-sac or "broke in the neighborhood" as one family member put it. A passing thunderstorm supplied just the right amount of mud for all the kids to play in. I quickly discovered that I needed to invest in more - many, many more - towels. Mud covered kids were positioned very carefully in front of each family grouping for pictures. Pictures outside, then inside, and pictures on video - then, more pictures and scanning of, yes, even more pictures. A complete rainbow appeared over the house as guests made their way home. Rainbows are very special to me - so it was a perfect ending to a wonderful day with family and friends.
A full tray of ziti and a tray of meatballs somehow survived the afternoon (guess what's for dinner for, say, the next week or so...). The evening ended with Dad working over his new lottery tickets with a penny and with a quick run to Wal-Mart for new bath towels. After a fast sweep of dried, muddy footprints we called it a day. A very good day.
Happy Birthday, Dad. We love you and hope you remember us when you scratch off that winning lottery ticket. =)
Fifty-four guests graced our home to celebrate Dad's birthday. Many were extended family members that I hadn't seen since I was a child - and now here I am with three children of my own. Am I really a mother of three? No, make that four. Yes, Baby Four - a girl we think, is due this Fall. I broke out the maternity clothing for the party. Either I looked pregnant or I looked like I had grown a rather decent beer belly - both according to Brian are impossible since I don't pay attention to him and I don't drink beer. So, back to maternity clothing. Oh, joy.
The party was our first bash in our first home. We took over the cul-de-sac or "broke in the neighborhood" as one family member put it. A passing thunderstorm supplied just the right amount of mud for all the kids to play in. I quickly discovered that I needed to invest in more - many, many more - towels. Mud covered kids were positioned very carefully in front of each family grouping for pictures. Pictures outside, then inside, and pictures on video - then, more pictures and scanning of, yes, even more pictures. A complete rainbow appeared over the house as guests made their way home. Rainbows are very special to me - so it was a perfect ending to a wonderful day with family and friends.
A full tray of ziti and a tray of meatballs somehow survived the afternoon (guess what's for dinner for, say, the next week or so...). The evening ended with Dad working over his new lottery tickets with a penny and with a quick run to Wal-Mart for new bath towels. After a fast sweep of dried, muddy footprints we called it a day. A very good day.
Happy Birthday, Dad. We love you and hope you remember us when you scratch off that winning lottery ticket. =)
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Color, Coffee and Tans
Well, I feel all the metaphor hoopla is out of my system. Ah. Late night blogging always reads funny in the morning. Hoopla, pure hoopla.
Tonight Brian is painting - oh, wait...am I writing about last night, or the night before....maybe last weekend...or the weekend before the last? Painting and more painting upstairs! The bedroom project has eaten up a majority of our free time since, well, purchasing this home. Seems our little fixer will take some time to do the "simple" upgrades we had planned. "Yeah, a little hole patching, a little paint..." Sure. No problem. Except for the three toddlers in our home. A new home with a mile long list of to-dos just doesn't mesh well with multiple children. And, our life as mild pioneers living in one room needs to end. Yesterday.
It is exciting to see the colors we selected going up room by room even if it is taking a little longer than expected. The house is feeling more like ours. In part, because I don't know anyone else who would choose the colors we chose. They don't exactly "flow" well together - but they are totally us. Okay, totally ME. Our agreement was that I could go crazy bold and colorful upstairs and Brian could do his boring traditional colors throughout the downstairs. Traditional colors meaning "tan" in all its glory. Beige, Cream and Wheat. Oh, the excitement. I feel for the sorry souls who one day will enter our home and for whatever reason find themselves needing to travel upstairs, say to use the bathroom or something. There isn't a good buffer color to transition from the world of tan to the rainbow of colors hidden at the top of the stairway. There will be utter and total shock for all who travel upward in our home. Poor, unprepared souls.
On the brighter side, Brian said he will no longer need a strong cup of coffee to get going in the morning. He will simply enter Sophia's room and stand for a few minutes before leaving the house each day. Of course, if he lingers too long in the midst of the butters, creams and snore colors (if they can be called "colors") downstairs he just may fall back asleep. I think we'll keep the coffee maker - for all the tan that will scream "sleep!" downstairs and for all the painting to be done late into the night while the upstairs project continues.
Tonight Brian is painting - oh, wait...am I writing about last night, or the night before....maybe last weekend...or the weekend before the last? Painting and more painting upstairs! The bedroom project has eaten up a majority of our free time since, well, purchasing this home. Seems our little fixer will take some time to do the "simple" upgrades we had planned. "Yeah, a little hole patching, a little paint..." Sure. No problem. Except for the three toddlers in our home. A new home with a mile long list of to-dos just doesn't mesh well with multiple children. And, our life as mild pioneers living in one room needs to end. Yesterday.
It is exciting to see the colors we selected going up room by room even if it is taking a little longer than expected. The house is feeling more like ours. In part, because I don't know anyone else who would choose the colors we chose. They don't exactly "flow" well together - but they are totally us. Okay, totally ME. Our agreement was that I could go crazy bold and colorful upstairs and Brian could do his boring traditional colors throughout the downstairs. Traditional colors meaning "tan" in all its glory. Beige, Cream and Wheat. Oh, the excitement. I feel for the sorry souls who one day will enter our home and for whatever reason find themselves needing to travel upstairs, say to use the bathroom or something. There isn't a good buffer color to transition from the world of tan to the rainbow of colors hidden at the top of the stairway. There will be utter and total shock for all who travel upward in our home. Poor, unprepared souls.
On the brighter side, Brian said he will no longer need a strong cup of coffee to get going in the morning. He will simply enter Sophia's room and stand for a few minutes before leaving the house each day. Of course, if he lingers too long in the midst of the butters, creams and snore colors (if they can be called "colors") downstairs he just may fall back asleep. I think we'll keep the coffee maker - for all the tan that will scream "sleep!" downstairs and for all the painting to be done late into the night while the upstairs project continues.
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