Interrupted Break

I'm interrupting this blog break to bring you some pictures that rank pretty high on the cuteness factor (at least by this very biased mom).

Open wide - Calvin is a ham on camera and off. He often says, "I'm funny?" or "You're funny." To him, being funny is quite the complement. :) He says it all with a twinkle in his eyes. We feel confident that his sense of humor has been a real asset with his life before our family and with his surgeries.

"Mom, don't take my picture. I don't want a picture." Oh well, I got one anyway and I think it turned out pretty well. He was much too busy to be bothered. He is always figuring out how things work and amazing us with his quick grasp of things - especially technology related. :)

Learning to use a sippy cup. He feels pretty big and important and actually is doing quite well! He is still a poser but only when he wants to be. :) He has just started saying a few things that sound like they might be words - the vote is still out.

Teething Ty - he keeps sucking on his upper lip which is so cute. He has been working on three for a few weeks now and one finally popped through. He doesn't sleep as well when teething, so there have been many nights averaging a bit less sleep. :)

The boys are really trying to work on teamwork which is adorable - it's mostly of their own accord. They decided to water my plants - Patrick watered and Calvin told him which ones to do. :)

Simple Life: A Continuing Journey

Recently, I have been desiring to simplify life. I've been convicted about how "stuff" can become so much a part of my life that it can squeeze out time for family, ministry, and involvement in people's lives. The other problem is where it falls in priority and value in my life. It's so easy to become attached to objects and allow them to influence my decisions! I'm one of those people who LOVES to be organized but I'm not great at accomplishing it and keeping it - a quest I will probably continue for the rest of my life. It's frustrating because at times it determines if we will have company, etc. - okay, okay, I admit it, I tend to be a perfectionist when it comes to how my house looks!

I try not to be too sentimental but I'm finding that exceptionally challenging now that we have two adorable sons. It's just so hard not to keep everything they have ever worn and played with. :) But, I'm also committed to not saving so many things that the boys will roll their eyes and say, "Mom, we don't want that..." I think it will be more meaningful to them to have a few special things and many organized pictures and written memories. (Having said that, I do save clothes (and toys) to use if God chooses to grow our family but I know myself well enough to know that I will want any future son or daughter to have some new clothes, too. I always feel bad for children who only ever wear hand-me-downs. :))

It seems that the example we have in Christ is not a man burdened with lots of "stuff". I don't think having things is bad but I think we need to be careful stewards of what God has blessed us with. And I think it can become sinful if we allow "things" to take over our life. For me, that means going through and donating items fairly regularly. I'm challenged that it is wasteful and selfish to keep things that we aren't using (and likely won't use again). (Side note: The VA is a wonderful place to donate and they will pick up your donations - I make myself say yes every time they call to find out if we have anything to donate and then end up scurrying around the night before pick-up...)

So, simplicity in the form of serious organization is my goal. It is a constant process and I pray God will give wisdom and continue to challenge me in this life process. It's just that - a way of life and I know I fail more often then succeed! Let me emphasize again, having stuff is not wrong, it's my own attitude and actions regarding it that is the problem.

Now, here's my true confession - I love Christmas decorations and dishes. Both take up a lot of storage space... I'm working on it... Anyone need some Christmas lights? (Yeah, I'm not ready to offer the dishes, yet! :)

**Originally Published June 12, 2007**

Origami

There is a running joke in my family that I am origamically challenged. And it's true. I remember being given a pack of beautiful origami paper with an accompanying instruction book. I thought, "how fun!" Not fun. I couldn't make anything with my lovely paper. The most basic folds baffled me and none of my creations looked like the pictures in the book. I gave up. So everyone in my family knows that origami is not my thing and everyone gets a great deal of pleasure out of this fact.

This year, I decided that my "fun goal" would be origami. I bought a page-a-day calendar (50% off) of origami - paper and instructions. I have made it through day 4 fairly successfully though not without difficulty. I am keeping each of my projects to give my family. So far, I've folded a bird, dog head, penguin, and sled.

I will prove them wrong. I will learn to fold paper. I will conquer my origami fears. After all, I have this whole year to master this art form - okay, maybe not master. :)

**Originally Published January 4, 2007**

Conversations with Calvin

I don't want to forget the precious conversations I have with my little boys. Here are a few featuring Calvin. I'm working on one recording conversations with Patrick, too!

Recently, C had been very disrespectful and disobedient and needed disciplined so I took him to the nearest private area to deal with it. After he received his punishment, he was crying with real sorrow.

C: (sob) You still love me?
Me: Oh yes, I always love you, that's why I cannot allow you to disobey and be disrespectful. It does not honor God.
C: (huge sob) God still love me?
Me: (trying not to burst into tears at his tender heart) Yes, He does and He desires you to do the right things.

God has been working in his heart in amazing ways in the last couple of weeks. He is asking so many good questions about God and Heaven. Today he told me he wanted to hug God and so he wrapped his arms around an invisible something and held on tight.

C was quite fearful of the storm the other night and our conversation went like this:
Me: (with my arms wrapped around him) Who made the rain?
C: (with confidence) God did.
Me: That's right and He is watering the earth. Who made the wind?
C: God did.
Me: Right. And who made the thunder.
C: Bad men.
Me: :) - No, God made the thunder, too.
C: Oh.
Me: Who made the lightening?
C: Bad men.
Me: No, who made it?
C: (with a grin) God did.

Also on rain:
C: God has a big, big cup and He fills it with water. He dumps it and we have a rain.

Me: Who were the friends you made at camp?
C: (arms outstretched) Too many friends!
Me: What were their names?
C: (with fingers outstretched) Alot, alot of names.

Love the 80s!

I'm taking a continued break this week but will be featuring some previously published posts which I hope you enjoy. I've had much on my mind in terms of blogging (over the last several months) and need some time to sort out my thoughts and write some serious posts that I've wanted to write for awhile.

I have such great memories of my childhood and some of them are influenced by the great decade many of us grew up in – the 80’s! Have any of you seen the show “I Love the 80’s”? I’ve only seen it once or twice but it definitely gives you that nostalgic feeling! Anyway, I just wanted to share a few things I loved (& some that I didn’t) things from the rad 80’s.

1. Jelly shoes – these had to be number 1 because truly they were the best! I had several pairs – my favorite were turquoise with a little heel. As most of you girls will remember, they always got rocks stuck in the bottom. :)
2. Jelly bracelets – goes with number 1. I don’t think there was any limit to how many you could wear at one time!
3. Charm jewelry – not the classic silver kind but the plastic ones that never made it out of the 80’s. You could buy the charms in vending machines and dime stores and probably just about anywhere. When I lost my first tooth – I picked a saliboat charm for the tooth fairy to give me.
4. Mullets – this was not something I liked but sadly, how my mom cut my hair. I’m trying to get over the trauma. :) I’m glad most of you didn’t know me then and hopefully the rest of you can’t remember. All surviving pictures should be destroyed.
5. Leg Warmers – mine were purple w/ pink hearts. How cool was I!
6. Pegged pants – we can still bring this back guys!
7. Neon colors – Wow! You didn’t need orange vests when you were riding bikes. I had several t-shirts and of course accessories!
8. T-shirt slides – so you didn’t have to tie your t-shirt to the side, you could thread it through the decorated slide. To go with #7, mine was neon yellow with neon pink, green & yellow ribbon curls that hung off it.
9. Double socks – do I even need to remind you! :)
10. Big bangs – I never had mine as high or as awesome as the other girls but that wasn’t because I didn’t try. Hairspray, curl up, hairspray, curl down, hairspray, feather (if you can get your comb through it), hairspray, hairspray, hairspray!

There are tons of other totally rad things: like New Kid’s on the Block, tv shows, other clothing & accessories, phrases… Perhaps you have some you’d like to add! I’ll close for now with happy thoughts of our beloved decade! Cowabunga dudes & dudettes!

**Originally Published April, 14, 2006 - with added picture. Is there any doubt what decade I grew up in? :)**

This Guy...

...is walking! He's been taking steps and trying for several weeks and it's been official for about a week! He walks across the room and can turn around. He is SO proud of himself and laughs with glee (yes, I said glee :)). He looks around to see who is watching and encourages cheering. His big brothers think it's pretty awesome and his parents are pretty proud. :) He is 10 months today - where has the time gone?!

Making Their Day

A sheriff stopped by and talked to the boys when we got home tonight. He patiently answered their (I mean, Calvin's :)) questions and told us about his family. He chatted with us for probably 10 minutes and then hopped out of his car and opened his trunk. He dug around for a minute and then emerged with two FBI play sets and gave them to the older boys. They were beyond thrilled and politely thanked him.

Not only did they get to see his car and talk to him which was super exciting but now they are pretty sure there are toys in the trunk of all police cars. :) It was so cute and they could not stop talking about it. Andrew came home and Calvin (our more chatty one) was spilling out the story faster than Andrew could understand. :)

Kudos to the sheriff. He was so kind and really made the boys' day. I think it's officers like him that really encourage kids to make good choices and to view the law in a positive way. All in all, a great ending to our day!

Motivation...Please?!

Man, what is it about the warm weather?! I don't want to do anything - not even cook - which is saying a lot for me. I do want to eat though which is proving problematic and the kids and husband, well, they kind of insist upon it as well. :) I think I'm just a little out of sorts this week and super tired and I figured out why. Anyway...

I have a to-do list as long as my arm and don't really want to do any of it. I'm thinking that when the kids run out of clothes, I'll just send them to the unfolded baskets and have them sort through to find something to wear. They'll love that.

And seriously, if I have to hear crying over another fake injury, I'm going to cry! :) This is what I hear constantly, "He touched me", "Wahhhh", "Look, Mom, right here" (as I strain to see the microscopic wound). We are working on toughness this summer and I'm teaching them to SAY, "Ouch! That hurt!" and be done (unless it's a serious injury, of course and I'll be the judge of that, thank you very much! :)). Lest you think, I'm completely heartless, I will be happy to tell them how sorry I am that they are hurt and give them a hug or even kiss said fake owie, but I will not stand for 10 minutes of wailing over nothing. And don't even think that a band-aid will fix it - they hate band-aids - even the character ones. I know, weird kids. And I know, mean mom.

Seriously, is there any ice cream around here? I'm going to have 2 helpings with chocolate and then I will be armed and ready to kiss away more boo-boos, come up with a supper plan, and fold some clothes. Who am I kidding...I'm taking a nap first. :)

The Post that Wasn't

I was going to post about my activities of today complete with a picture but that didn't happen. It's been a long day and I'm exhausted. It's 9:30 and I'm headed to bed - being a confirmed night owl, 9:30 is like 6:30 for the average person. :) There is much on my mind and heart and Andrew is working late. I'm ignoring the messy house and piles of laundry - they will still be there tomorrow for me to deal with and perhaps I'll have more energy then.

So instead of the intended post, I will give you a couple of pictures from the last day of school. Yeah, I meant to post them about a month ago. Sigh. And yes, I'm fully aware that I look a little strung out in the picture.

Too cool for school.
And no, we aren't fans of the stomach showing (we'll leave short boy shirts in the 80s, thanks)...I think it was just the pose but who knows. :) I'll be the first to admit that my kids occasionally make it out the door in clothing that doesn't quite fit, shoes on the wrong feet etc...it just screams good parenting. :)

Mommy might be tired.
But hey, these three make it worth it. I love them to pieces and am super blessed that God chose me to be their Mom!