We've had a pretty crazy week around the McCall house.
Or maybe I'm just crazy.
Phoebe had an (almost) double ear infection on top of hand-foot-and-mouth disease the first part of the week. Personally, I think hand-foot-and-mouth disease sounds like something a cow should come down with, but apparently it's a common childhood illness. Antibiotics cleared it all up and now all that lingers is Phoebe's insistence on having her paci with her at all times. Seriously, that paci is the bane of my motherhood existence...and I know it's all my own fault.
The last half of this week has been spent getting ready for a graduation brunch I'm hostessing at my house in the morning. The grad is the daughter of our co-Huddle leaders and good friends and it's my first "real" function at our house since we've moved in.
I cannot tell you how exciting this has been!
Of course, we've had our share of roadblocks in this little adventure. Like the fact that I couldn't find green votive candles anywhere in Amarillo! I looked at two Wal-Marts (both of which were under construction and didn't feel the need to carry half their products), three Dollar Generals, and two Dollar Trees. Sheesh. My friend, Kristen, came to the rescue and found some at yet another Wal-Mart. We have four in our fair town. Does any one else find that a little excessive? Then there was the centipede we found under the couch (it had to be moved to make room for the five card tables being set up in the living room). There were three grown women in the house, an almost 6-year-old boy, and a 2-year-old baby girl and we were all cowering on the furniture. Eli came to our rescue and ran over the hill to the neighbors house (he's an elder at church and surely God wouldn't let him be devoured by a ferocious centipede!) to tell them about our "centipede situation." Unfortunately, Steve wasn't home so his wife, Connie, had to come to our rescue. She just scooped up that ugly bug and flushed it down the toilet. Apparently it was dead. Crisis averted.
This little brunch has also inspired another furious round of last minute cleaning. Surely all the windows must be washed with vinegar because the guests will be looking at them! The bannister's must be scrubbed! The junk drawer cleaned! The hand towels washed, dried, and ironed!
I might just be crazy.
Tomorrow morning is going to dawn bright and early and there will be bread pudding to bake, sausage pinwheels to roll, coffee to percolate, and fruit k-bobs to build! I really should be heading to bed.
Stay tuned for further developments.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Princess Leia Never Looked This Good
Battling the Empire is a dirty job,
but somebody's got to do it.
Luckily, that somebody is dressed for the occasion.
Orange polka-dot shoes are a must.
And you're never fully dressed without a smile.
And a bow.
You're never fully dressed without a smile and a bow.
I think this girl needs to spend some time with some other little girls. Ones who don't have older brothers who are obsessed with Star Wars.
but somebody's got to do it.
Luckily, that somebody is dressed for the occasion.
Orange polka-dot shoes are a must.
And you're never fully dressed without a smile.
And a bow.
You're never fully dressed without a smile and a bow.
I think this girl needs to spend some time with some other little girls. Ones who don't have older brothers who are obsessed with Star Wars.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Five Things Eli Has Done In The Last Month
Sometimes I don't feel like I properly convey how ornery Eli really is on this little blog o' mine. I think many of you just think "he's a boy" or "he's a handful", but, seriously, those are all just understatements. The child has a serious case of EGR (Extra Grace Required). My newest list is titled:
Five Things Eli Has Done In The Last Month That I Never Even Thought To Tell Him Not To Do:
* Cut his sister's hair.
* He broke old (mostly irreplaceable) dishes by kicking the soccer ball in the house. And for the record, I had told him not to kick the soccer ball in the house. Several times.
* He peed out of his bedroom window. He learned how to open a window and from there it was just logical to use the roof as a urinal.
* He climbed on the top of the neighbors fort via the slide. Did I mention that the neighbors weren't home?
* He locked his sister in his bedroom...and he was on the outside. I quickly learned how to disassemble a door knob.
His teenage years are going to be a blast!
Five Things Eli Has Done In The Last Month That I Never Even Thought To Tell Him Not To Do:
* Cut his sister's hair.
* He broke old (mostly irreplaceable) dishes by kicking the soccer ball in the house. And for the record, I had told him not to kick the soccer ball in the house. Several times.
* He peed out of his bedroom window. He learned how to open a window and from there it was just logical to use the roof as a urinal.
* He climbed on the top of the neighbors fort via the slide. Did I mention that the neighbors weren't home?
* He locked his sister in his bedroom...and he was on the outside. I quickly learned how to disassemble a door knob.
His teenage years are going to be a blast!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Happy Memorial Day!
WE
ARE
READY
FOR
SUMMER!
These pictures were actually taken one day last week. Phoebe is running a fever today and we have had to cancel all of our fun Memorial Day plans...except for eating "Beach Shrimp"! There's not much that can come between me and my shrimp.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Pre-K Graduation: The Sequel
All good movies have a sequel...and apparently so do all good Pre-K Graduation ceremonies.
This year was just a tad more bittersweet than last year's because it really is his last one. Next year, we are heading off to Kindergarten. I don't think the state of Texas (or my sanity) will let me keep him home just one more year. There was also a new director at Kid University this year and she changed things up a bit from previous years and it was like a (mostly) all new ceremony.
A few pre-ceremony pictures.
The processional.
Not a great picture, but the only decent one of him receiving his diploma.
This was a new aspect during graduation this year--"The Blessing". Moms were asked to come stand in front of their child and bless them. A real tear-jerker. When I walked up to stand in front of Eli, he said gleefully, "Have you cried yet?!" Then when it was time to actual say our blessing, he looked me in the eye and said, "Bless me!" I might have been the only mom laughing during the blessing!
These boys are one of the biggest reasons I am so sad about sending Eli to kindergarten. They are Eli's "best buddies" and their birthdays are all within one week of each other and they will all go to different schools next year. When Eli was about 2, I started to feel the need to pray for his friendships press on my heart. I didn't know why, but for several months, I prayed fervently for his friends he would have. These two boys are answered prayers. As are their parents. Their moms make me a better mom and their families draw us nearer to Christ. We will miss them terribly. I am feeling the need to pray that prayer again.
Here they are looking a little crazy.
It's a good thing we get to hang out with them all summer long!
This year was just a tad more bittersweet than last year's because it really is his last one. Next year, we are heading off to Kindergarten. I don't think the state of Texas (or my sanity) will let me keep him home just one more year. There was also a new director at Kid University this year and she changed things up a bit from previous years and it was like a (mostly) all new ceremony.
A few pre-ceremony pictures.
The processional.
Not a great picture, but the only decent one of him receiving his diploma.
This was a new aspect during graduation this year--"The Blessing". Moms were asked to come stand in front of their child and bless them. A real tear-jerker. When I walked up to stand in front of Eli, he said gleefully, "Have you cried yet?!" Then when it was time to actual say our blessing, he looked me in the eye and said, "Bless me!" I might have been the only mom laughing during the blessing!
These boys are one of the biggest reasons I am so sad about sending Eli to kindergarten. They are Eli's "best buddies" and their birthdays are all within one week of each other and they will all go to different schools next year. When Eli was about 2, I started to feel the need to pray for his friendships press on my heart. I didn't know why, but for several months, I prayed fervently for his friends he would have. These two boys are answered prayers. As are their parents. Their moms make me a better mom and their families draw us nearer to Christ. We will miss them terribly. I am feeling the need to pray that prayer again.
Here they are looking a little crazy.
It's a good thing we get to hang out with them all summer long!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Things I Did NOT Do Today
* I did not serve both breakfast and lunch on disposable dishes because the dishwasher was full and clean.
* I did not send Eli outside and tell him to get used to the wind because we live in West Texas and it will always blow. I also did not tell him he couldn't come back inside. I did not do this because he was using every piece of furniture I own as a jungle gym and it was not about to drive me crazy!
* I did not eat an entire container of blackberries by myself because they were so yummy.
* I did not give Brad a lecture this morning about the importance of strengthening our daughter's sense of self worth when he told her that she looked pretty because I had just painted her toenails. I did not feel guilty ten minutes when I put a bow in her hair and told her she looked pretty.
* I did not make a special trip to town to buy $20 in ice cream (it was on sale!) and we did not immediately have a Blue Bell Bullet when we got home to celebrate.
* I did not spend an hour this morning looking for one of Phoebe's new bows that we apparently did not misplace.
* I did not roll the windows down and crank up the radio when Eli's favorite song, "The Sarah Song", (otherwise know as "Who Says You Can't Go Home" by Bon Jovi with Jennifer Nettles) came on the radio despite the strange looks from the woman in the car next to mine.
I did not do these things because, clearly, I never would!
What have you not done today?
* I did not send Eli outside and tell him to get used to the wind because we live in West Texas and it will always blow. I also did not tell him he couldn't come back inside. I did not do this because he was using every piece of furniture I own as a jungle gym and it was not about to drive me crazy!
* I did not eat an entire container of blackberries by myself because they were so yummy.
* I did not give Brad a lecture this morning about the importance of strengthening our daughter's sense of self worth when he told her that she looked pretty because I had just painted her toenails. I did not feel guilty ten minutes when I put a bow in her hair and told her she looked pretty.
* I did not make a special trip to town to buy $20 in ice cream (it was on sale!) and we did not immediately have a Blue Bell Bullet when we got home to celebrate.
* I did not spend an hour this morning looking for one of Phoebe's new bows that we apparently did not misplace.
* I did not roll the windows down and crank up the radio when Eli's favorite song, "The Sarah Song", (otherwise know as "Who Says You Can't Go Home" by Bon Jovi with Jennifer Nettles) came on the radio despite the strange looks from the woman in the car next to mine.
I did not do these things because, clearly, I never would!
What have you not done today?
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Eli's New Favorite Kitchen Gadget
I cannot resist cherries at the grocery store.
I brought these beauties home from United today. I *heart* grocery shopping at United. Can I hear an Amen?
I also brought home this little guy.
He's called the Cherry Chomper and he makes pitting cherries easy-peasy.
A friend of mine had brought them both to Small Group last week and I have been dying to get my hands on it and a beautiful bowl of cherries ever since!.
Eli also adores cherries and Cherry Chomper.
Insert a cherry into Cherry Chomper.
Press down on his head and, POP, out comes the pit!
Rinse and Repeat. Be sure to let the cherry juice dribble down your chin.
If you're needing just a little tiny taste of summer, just come on over and let Eli pit a few cherries for you!
If you never did,
you should.
These things are fun
and fun is good.
I brought these beauties home from United today. I *heart* grocery shopping at United. Can I hear an Amen?
I also brought home this little guy.
He's called the Cherry Chomper and he makes pitting cherries easy-peasy.
A friend of mine had brought them both to Small Group last week and I have been dying to get my hands on it and a beautiful bowl of cherries ever since!.
Eli also adores cherries and Cherry Chomper.
Insert a cherry into Cherry Chomper.
Press down on his head and, POP, out comes the pit!
Rinse and Repeat. Be sure to let the cherry juice dribble down your chin.
If you're needing just a little tiny taste of summer, just come on over and let Eli pit a few cherries for you!
If you never did,
you should.
These things are fun
and fun is good.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Cleanin' Out The Camera: K-Bobs
Can you guess what Brad is doing?
I'll give you another hint:
I have a weird fascination with taking pictures of food. I think food is so pretty and artistic and yummy-looking that it cried out for its picture to be taken. Take these k-bobs, for example. The colors were so bright and cheery and they looked so nice all lined up on our indoor grill. (Our outdoor grill is experiencing some technical difficulties and currently can't be used. A situation that I hope is remedied before Memorial Day...aka Mandatory Grilling Day.) They just might be one of the prettiest foods around and they are darn delicious, too!
I think it's because Phoebe helped!
I learned a little k-bob trick from Eli's favorite Food Network star, Alton Brown. Instead of allowing each individual to create his or her own k-bob with favorite goodies, make k-bobs of each ingredient. It allows each different food to cook at its own speed and you don't have that irritating problem of letting some foods burn while others stay undercooked. Just transfer the finished k-bob to a cookie sheet and store in a warm (250 degree) oven until everything else is ready. To serve, I just unskewered each skewer in lines on my pretty new platter (I am sooo kicking myself for not taking a picture of that!) and let each person pick and choose what they want.
Seriously delicious and seriously beautiful.
And just what was Brad doing with his drill? I decided to grill fresh corn on the cob and I couldn't get a skewer through the middle. I asked Brad to do it and instead of just pushing it through, he pulled out the drill.
Just another kitchen gadget we can't live without!
I'll give you another hint:
I have a weird fascination with taking pictures of food. I think food is so pretty and artistic and yummy-looking that it cried out for its picture to be taken. Take these k-bobs, for example. The colors were so bright and cheery and they looked so nice all lined up on our indoor grill. (Our outdoor grill is experiencing some technical difficulties and currently can't be used. A situation that I hope is remedied before Memorial Day...aka Mandatory Grilling Day.) They just might be one of the prettiest foods around and they are darn delicious, too!
I think it's because Phoebe helped!
I learned a little k-bob trick from Eli's favorite Food Network star, Alton Brown. Instead of allowing each individual to create his or her own k-bob with favorite goodies, make k-bobs of each ingredient. It allows each different food to cook at its own speed and you don't have that irritating problem of letting some foods burn while others stay undercooked. Just transfer the finished k-bob to a cookie sheet and store in a warm (250 degree) oven until everything else is ready. To serve, I just unskewered each skewer in lines on my pretty new platter (I am sooo kicking myself for not taking a picture of that!) and let each person pick and choose what they want.
Seriously delicious and seriously beautiful.
And just what was Brad doing with his drill? I decided to grill fresh corn on the cob and I couldn't get a skewer through the middle. I asked Brad to do it and instead of just pushing it through, he pulled out the drill.
Just another kitchen gadget we can't live without!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Spring: Texas-Style
Do inhabitants of other states experience Spring the same way we Texans do?
Do they have sunny, 90 degree weather one day and cold, rainy, 50 degree weather the very next?
Do they fully understand the wardrobe dilemma of a 40 degree weather change in one day? (Do we wear shorts and flip-flops and freeze until noon or wear more layers and start to sweat?)
Does the weather play nasty mind games on the innocent inhabitants?
Yesterday was a beautiful day. (I know it's subjective, but 90 degrees, very little wind, and lots of sunshine is a perfect day to me.) We played outside. We rode a motorcycle. Actually, we didn't ride it, but the kids did sit on it. Thanks, Randy and Sharon!
My biker babes are pretty cute!
This is what we looked like this morning.
We were watching Eli's very first outdoor soccer game.
About halfway through the game, it started to rain. Phoebe and I headed to the car after her plaintive cries of "Mommy, cold. Car, peese." They ended up calling the next games, but Eli finished his...even scoring an awesome goal from half-field (or is that half-court?).
However, this weather does produce a certain level of contentedness when I'm enjoying the silence of naptime (yes, even Brad is napping) and the smell of the pot roast I put in the oven about an hour ago. Sigh. Maybe I'll put a pot of coffee on and bake some cookies.
Do they have sunny, 90 degree weather one day and cold, rainy, 50 degree weather the very next?
Do they fully understand the wardrobe dilemma of a 40 degree weather change in one day? (Do we wear shorts and flip-flops and freeze until noon or wear more layers and start to sweat?)
Does the weather play nasty mind games on the innocent inhabitants?
Yesterday was a beautiful day. (I know it's subjective, but 90 degrees, very little wind, and lots of sunshine is a perfect day to me.) We played outside. We rode a motorcycle. Actually, we didn't ride it, but the kids did sit on it. Thanks, Randy and Sharon!
My biker babes are pretty cute!
This is what we looked like this morning.
We were watching Eli's very first outdoor soccer game.
About halfway through the game, it started to rain. Phoebe and I headed to the car after her plaintive cries of "Mommy, cold. Car, peese." They ended up calling the next games, but Eli finished his...even scoring an awesome goal from half-field (or is that half-court?).
However, this weather does produce a certain level of contentedness when I'm enjoying the silence of naptime (yes, even Brad is napping) and the smell of the pot roast I put in the oven about an hour ago. Sigh. Maybe I'll put a pot of coffee on and bake some cookies.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
America's Next Top Model
I'm not sure if it's because Phoebe has had 14,293 pictures taken of her or if there's just something in her genetic makeup (I blame it on Brad), but that sweet girl is a ham for the camera.
Of course we've had our moments when she refuses to sit still and have her picture taken or throws a fit or basically acts like any other two-year-old, but for the most part she poses and smiles like any multi-million dollar model.
My in-laws are putting in a fabulous backyard complete with waterfall, gazebo, firepit, and little iron bridge. My FIL has been working on it all Spring and it's starting to look pretty darn good. I can't wait to visit this summer and enjoy it. While we were getting our tour, I decided to take a few pictures of the children. I got two of Eli before he was off and running and jumping and bothering the chickens.
Oh yeah, my FIL has also started raising chickens. He has about 100. No joke.
Anyway, I got some really good ones of Phoebe. Too bad she's sporting a bad haircut (I tried doing pigtails on Friday...we're not there yet) and a black eye.
This picture was taken at Pastries with Parents on Friday morning. I thought it captured the personalities of my two children pretty well.
Of course we've had our moments when she refuses to sit still and have her picture taken or throws a fit or basically acts like any other two-year-old, but for the most part she poses and smiles like any multi-million dollar model.
My in-laws are putting in a fabulous backyard complete with waterfall, gazebo, firepit, and little iron bridge. My FIL has been working on it all Spring and it's starting to look pretty darn good. I can't wait to visit this summer and enjoy it. While we were getting our tour, I decided to take a few pictures of the children. I got two of Eli before he was off and running and jumping and bothering the chickens.
Oh yeah, my FIL has also started raising chickens. He has about 100. No joke.
Anyway, I got some really good ones of Phoebe. Too bad she's sporting a bad haircut (I tried doing pigtails on Friday...we're not there yet) and a black eye.
This picture was taken at Pastries with Parents on Friday morning. I thought it captured the personalities of my two children pretty well.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
A Nesting Nightmare
We moved into our house a little over six months ago. (I know...time flies!) Sometimes I feel like we are never going to "finish" all the things I want to do here. I'm worried that we've missed the "excitement window" and now we've lost all motivation to decorate and nest.
First, let me give you a brief idea of my philosophy of home decor. It's not so much of a philosophy as they are my general ideas, but "philosophy" sounds so much cooler. I like to be surrounded by things that I love, that have been loved by others, and that tell a story. I want my house to be inviting and eclectic and live-able and full of old junk. My decorating mantra is "Things are beautiful if you love them" and if I love them then they will all work together to create a house that tells the story of "us". It sounds like a house you want visit right? Wrong.
I'm in a rut. There are so many things I want to do but time and resources seem to be pretty scarce. Having two small children, an insatiable need for a clean house, and a life get in the way of my pursuit of a finished home. There is also a distinct lack of good junking opportunities in the Panhandle...and a lack of friends who share my passion for "loved on" pieces. This includes my husband (who thinks this is a good decorating idea and hasn't embraced my vision for our home, anyway).
As I walked around my house this morning, I just kept confronting the areas that need a little TLC. For instance, Brad's office.
There's not a lick of furniture in this room barring Phoebe's time-out chair that she moved in there yesterday. Notice the two plastic bins of family pictures that have yet to find a home.
Then there's this "console" table. It's a library card catalogue from my old elementary school. My mom still works there and managed to save some of these when they went to computerized methods. I love it, but it looks pretty bare.
I'd like to look more like this or this (and I soooo love the coffee table!).
Then there's this under my TV.
Those are the signs I bought during my Girls Weekend (flanked on either side by the chairs I need to make slipcovers for) and they have yet to be hung up.
I'm looking for a cabinet to replace the trunk that looks like this one that I found here, but it can only be about 45 inches tall. I think I need to find somebody to build it.
The list could go on and on...as could the links for very inspiring decorating blogs. Maybe another time, but that doesn't change the fact that my house is a wreck and I still lack the motivation to nest.
Maybe I need an intervention from my very own junk guru, Rebekah. Or just somebody's old barn to look through.
Anybody got an old barn?
First, let me give you a brief idea of my philosophy of home decor. It's not so much of a philosophy as they are my general ideas, but "philosophy" sounds so much cooler. I like to be surrounded by things that I love, that have been loved by others, and that tell a story. I want my house to be inviting and eclectic and live-able and full of old junk. My decorating mantra is "Things are beautiful if you love them" and if I love them then they will all work together to create a house that tells the story of "us". It sounds like a house you want visit right? Wrong.
I'm in a rut. There are so many things I want to do but time and resources seem to be pretty scarce. Having two small children, an insatiable need for a clean house, and a life get in the way of my pursuit of a finished home. There is also a distinct lack of good junking opportunities in the Panhandle...and a lack of friends who share my passion for "loved on" pieces. This includes my husband (who thinks this is a good decorating idea and hasn't embraced my vision for our home, anyway).
As I walked around my house this morning, I just kept confronting the areas that need a little TLC. For instance, Brad's office.
There's not a lick of furniture in this room barring Phoebe's time-out chair that she moved in there yesterday. Notice the two plastic bins of family pictures that have yet to find a home.
Then there's this "console" table. It's a library card catalogue from my old elementary school. My mom still works there and managed to save some of these when they went to computerized methods. I love it, but it looks pretty bare.
I'd like to look more like this or this (and I soooo love the coffee table!).
Then there's this under my TV.
Those are the signs I bought during my Girls Weekend (flanked on either side by the chairs I need to make slipcovers for) and they have yet to be hung up.
I'm looking for a cabinet to replace the trunk that looks like this one that I found here, but it can only be about 45 inches tall. I think I need to find somebody to build it.
The list could go on and on...as could the links for very inspiring decorating blogs. Maybe another time, but that doesn't change the fact that my house is a wreck and I still lack the motivation to nest.
Maybe I need an intervention from my very own junk guru, Rebekah. Or just somebody's old barn to look through.
Anybody got an old barn?
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
This Is What Happens When I Go Play Bunco...
This is currently hanging on my bedroom wall.
I feel like I'm living in a dorm.
I feel like I'm living in a dorm.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Thoughts On Being A Mom
It's Monday morning at 8:17 am and I am sitting the silence of my kitchen.
My children are still asleep thanks to some late nights at their grandparents house and small group last night and a long trip home from Albuquerque yesterday. I would never have predicted that almost six years ago, I would come find these rare mornings calming and invigorating all at the same time. An unexpected treasure.
Being a mom does that to you.
To say that motherhood changes who you are forever is not only cliched, it's a gross understatement. I'm not even sure that the young, naive twenty-five-year-old would even recognize who she would become in six short years. And short they have been!
At twenty-five I knew that being a mom would mean a lot of hard work. I knew it meant cleaning and diaper changing and laundry and dishes and less sleep and more laundry and teaching your children the importance of making their bed. I had watched my mom stay up late and bake cookies for bake sales and go on Girl Scout camping trips (even though she doesn't really like camping) and call the head of the t-ball association to get your son on the team with his friends because he was placed on another team despite the fact that you are a non-confrontational introvert. I knew the work involved and was prepared for (even anticipating) it!
What I didn't know was that I would cry on my son's third birthday because three meant he really wasn't little anymore. I didn't know that children bring heartache in new and gut-wrenching ways. I didn't know I would lie awake at night and worry myself sick about this head-strong, wild, infuriating little boy I've been blessed to mother. I didn't know that putting away a season's clothes would turn me into a pack rat because I just can't let them go...yet. I didn't know that true heartache came from wanting them to stay little forever and time just keeps marching on. I didn't know that every day would bring me just one day closer to the day they leave home. I didn't know about the guilt and the fear that comes with an unbounding love that you just can't describe.
Oh, the things I didn't know. And am so humbled and blessed to have learned.
So Happy (Belated) Mother's Day to my mom. I wish I had known you before.
My children are still asleep thanks to some late nights at their grandparents house and small group last night and a long trip home from Albuquerque yesterday. I would never have predicted that almost six years ago, I would come find these rare mornings calming and invigorating all at the same time. An unexpected treasure.
Being a mom does that to you.
To say that motherhood changes who you are forever is not only cliched, it's a gross understatement. I'm not even sure that the young, naive twenty-five-year-old would even recognize who she would become in six short years. And short they have been!
At twenty-five I knew that being a mom would mean a lot of hard work. I knew it meant cleaning and diaper changing and laundry and dishes and less sleep and more laundry and teaching your children the importance of making their bed. I had watched my mom stay up late and bake cookies for bake sales and go on Girl Scout camping trips (even though she doesn't really like camping) and call the head of the t-ball association to get your son on the team with his friends because he was placed on another team despite the fact that you are a non-confrontational introvert. I knew the work involved and was prepared for (even anticipating) it!
What I didn't know was that I would cry on my son's third birthday because three meant he really wasn't little anymore. I didn't know that children bring heartache in new and gut-wrenching ways. I didn't know I would lie awake at night and worry myself sick about this head-strong, wild, infuriating little boy I've been blessed to mother. I didn't know that putting away a season's clothes would turn me into a pack rat because I just can't let them go...yet. I didn't know that true heartache came from wanting them to stay little forever and time just keeps marching on. I didn't know that every day would bring me just one day closer to the day they leave home. I didn't know about the guilt and the fear that comes with an unbounding love that you just can't describe.
Oh, the things I didn't know. And am so humbled and blessed to have learned.
So Happy (Belated) Mother's Day to my mom. I wish I had known you before.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Five Strange Things That Happened Today
1. I fell down the stairs at church. Classy, I know. I was concentrating on making sure Phoebe was not going to tumble down the stairs because she insisted on doing it herself. Apparently, we both need help. The only I thing I bruised was my pride.
2. I accidentally stole a pacifier from Target. It really was an accident. Really. Phoebe was having her first of many meltdowns of the day and I told (bribed) her that if she stopped crying I would buy her a paci. She stopped so I opened a new package of pacifiers and gave one to her, fully intending to have the checkout lady scan the half empty package. We continued to wander through the store and I totally forgot about until I met Brad at his office for lunch. (He was going to keep Phoebe on his lunch hour while I got a pedicure...it was so wonderful!) We ended up (accidentally) leaving the paci in the dressing room at Old Navy so I guess it was a wash.
3. The only thing I bought at Target was some foot lotion. Partly because of reason #2 and partly because those voile skirts that sooo great on everybody else don't look so hot on me. Who leaves Target with only one item?
4. The guy who gave me my pedi painted all of his fingernails hot pink. I was having a little trouble deciding which shade of pink I wanted so I asked the guy to paint one toe in each color so I could decide. Apparently there was some miscommunication because he proceeded to paint his own fingernails in the two shades of hot pink. And not just one nail in each color (which would have made slightly more sense to me), but all the fingers on one hand. I'm still a little confused.
5. I flashed everyone in a public restroom. Thanks Phoebe. Why do they put those locks low enough that a two-year-old can reach them?! A question asked by millions of mothers every single day.
Anyone else have a strange day?
2. I accidentally stole a pacifier from Target. It really was an accident. Really. Phoebe was having her first of many meltdowns of the day and I told (bribed) her that if she stopped crying I would buy her a paci. She stopped so I opened a new package of pacifiers and gave one to her, fully intending to have the checkout lady scan the half empty package. We continued to wander through the store and I totally forgot about until I met Brad at his office for lunch. (He was going to keep Phoebe on his lunch hour while I got a pedicure...it was so wonderful!) We ended up (accidentally) leaving the paci in the dressing room at Old Navy so I guess it was a wash.
3. The only thing I bought at Target was some foot lotion. Partly because of reason #2 and partly because those voile skirts that sooo great on everybody else don't look so hot on me. Who leaves Target with only one item?
4. The guy who gave me my pedi painted all of his fingernails hot pink. I was having a little trouble deciding which shade of pink I wanted so I asked the guy to paint one toe in each color so I could decide. Apparently there was some miscommunication because he proceeded to paint his own fingernails in the two shades of hot pink. And not just one nail in each color (which would have made slightly more sense to me), but all the fingers on one hand. I'm still a little confused.
5. I flashed everyone in a public restroom. Thanks Phoebe. Why do they put those locks low enough that a two-year-old can reach them?! A question asked by millions of mothers every single day.
Anyone else have a strange day?
Monday, May 04, 2009
Blessings And Peace
There are golden moments with your children. Moments that you wrap up and hide in your heart to take out and open on those days when the rain comes.
For the past few weeks, I've been trying to bless my children. It's one small change I'm consciously making in an effort to mold my children into disciples. It's been harder to implement than I had imagined. At first, I had planned on blessing my children in the morning before we hurried off on our day. To give them a moment to connect with Christ and me and center them for the day ahead. We already did prayers before bedtime and I wanted to do something in the morning, as well. I just could not remember to work it into our schedule! After failing (miserably) for a few weeks, I gave up and decided to bless them at bedtime. I'm still looking for something to do in the morning, but that's another hurdle for another time.
I haven't written any inspiring, holy blessing, either. I'm using the blessing from Numbers 6:24...and condensed it even at that! I wasn't sure I had a good grip on the meaning of 'countenance', much less my almost six-and-two-year-old. "May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and give you peace all the days of your life. Amen." Easy-Peasy. At some point, I'd like to bless with them individual scriptures, but we have to start small here, people!
So for the past few weeks or so at bedtime, I've been laying my hands on my children and blessing them. The heavens don't open up and we don't hear the Hallelujah chorus.
Last night wasn't much different. We read a story (I *heart* Dr. Seuss, but why do his books have to be so long?!), said our prayers, and I blessed Eli then Phoebe.
Then Eli looked at me and said, "I want to bless you." So he placed his hands on my head and bumbled through the little blessing we've been doing. Then he did the same with Brad. Sweet, tender moments with Eli are so few and far between that we are humbled when we experience one.
Phoebe(also known as Little Miss Mimic) then had to give her own blessing. She put her hands on my face and said, "Bess. Peese. A-men." The girl doesn't waste words!
It's a moment that I wrapped up tightly and hid in my heart. A moment that my children probably won't even remember, but one I will never forget. A golden moment.
Blessings and Peace today!
For the past few weeks, I've been trying to bless my children. It's one small change I'm consciously making in an effort to mold my children into disciples. It's been harder to implement than I had imagined. At first, I had planned on blessing my children in the morning before we hurried off on our day. To give them a moment to connect with Christ and me and center them for the day ahead. We already did prayers before bedtime and I wanted to do something in the morning, as well. I just could not remember to work it into our schedule! After failing (miserably) for a few weeks, I gave up and decided to bless them at bedtime. I'm still looking for something to do in the morning, but that's another hurdle for another time.
I haven't written any inspiring, holy blessing, either. I'm using the blessing from Numbers 6:24...and condensed it even at that! I wasn't sure I had a good grip on the meaning of 'countenance', much less my almost six-and-two-year-old. "May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and give you peace all the days of your life. Amen." Easy-Peasy. At some point, I'd like to bless with them individual scriptures, but we have to start small here, people!
So for the past few weeks or so at bedtime, I've been laying my hands on my children and blessing them. The heavens don't open up and we don't hear the Hallelujah chorus.
Last night wasn't much different. We read a story (I *heart* Dr. Seuss, but why do his books have to be so long?!), said our prayers, and I blessed Eli then Phoebe.
Then Eli looked at me and said, "I want to bless you." So he placed his hands on my head and bumbled through the little blessing we've been doing. Then he did the same with Brad. Sweet, tender moments with Eli are so few and far between that we are humbled when we experience one.
Phoebe(also known as Little Miss Mimic) then had to give her own blessing. She put her hands on my face and said, "Bess. Peese. A-men." The girl doesn't waste words!
It's a moment that I wrapped up tightly and hid in my heart. A moment that my children probably won't even remember, but one I will never forget. A golden moment.
Blessings and Peace today!
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Just A Few More Cowboy Pics
Do you think they have Cowboy Days in Minnesota? Or Washington? Just curious.
I took so many pictures on Thursday and decided that I needed to post a few more since this was Eli's last Cowboy Day at KU. There may be more in his future, but it was his last preschool Cowboy Day.
Eli on the cowtrain. Catchy little play on words there.
Ring Around The Rosie is the National Cowboy Game. Really.
Guess what kind of baby bird this is. I'll give you a hint: It's not a chicken.
I hope these boys always want to hug and wrestle with the abandon that they have now, but I know that this is just a short season of their lives.
Me and Eli.
Rootin' Tootin' Cowboys.
This next picture is not of Cowboy Day, but of Phoebe's first black eye. Thursday night she ran into the corner of our dining table and it just looks worse and worse every day! Even this picture doesn't do it justice. It's really a shiner.
I took so many pictures on Thursday and decided that I needed to post a few more since this was Eli's last Cowboy Day at KU. There may be more in his future, but it was his last preschool Cowboy Day.
Eli on the cowtrain. Catchy little play on words there.
Ring Around The Rosie is the National Cowboy Game. Really.
Guess what kind of baby bird this is. I'll give you a hint: It's not a chicken.
I hope these boys always want to hug and wrestle with the abandon that they have now, but I know that this is just a short season of their lives.
Me and Eli.
Rootin' Tootin' Cowboys.
This next picture is not of Cowboy Day, but of Phoebe's first black eye. Thursday night she ran into the corner of our dining table and it just looks worse and worse every day! Even this picture doesn't do it justice. It's really a shiner.
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