A Poem

You might think a shirt sleeve

is a very nice thing

for wiping your nose or your mouth

except when your mother sees it

then you might get smacked

on the back of the head

with a pointed directive to,

"Use your napkin!" instead.

                            -Sydney Larson

Today

Today its cold and we have an inversion so its smoggy as well.  We did have some freezing rain yesterday, but it wasn't enough to scour out the valley, so I can't believe I am saying this, but I really want a storm to blow through and give us some relief from the poor air.

Today TR goes to see a specialist about his vision.  Seems like the meds he has been prescribed for RA could be negatively affecting his vision, not good for a dump truck driver.  We would appreciate your prayers.

Today HT had pajama day at school and couldn't have been more thrilled.  Seems to me that maybe this might be why some people think wearing your pj's in public is acceptable.  I'm not a big fan of pajama day in school.

And EM . . well today he peed his pants and is now naked from the waist down.  I'm going to have to do something about that . . and just when I think I have him potty trained.

Argh.

What about you, how's your day?

Mama Mia!

I don't know about you but these last couple of months have been a whirlwind.  I barely remember the happenings in August, except that one of my very beautiful nieces came to stay with us for a few months.

HT and EM decided that she was Princess Peach and made her a crown.  They also made a Mario and Luigi hat for themselves and a Toad head for their papa.  Can you guess what they want to be for Halloween?

Once they all had their hats on, they went for a walk around the neighborhood.

I'm pretty sure that Papa will be none too happy with me for sharing this picture, but here's the deal:  I love him even more for it.  I love that he is willing to be silly for the enjoyment of his children.  That he is comfortable enough in his own skin to put on a goofy hat and go for a walk.

They probably won't remember this specific day, but I hope that they will remember this (when they are teenagers with an attitude), the love their father has for them, the humility he has shown and his faithfulness to his family.

Verklempt

Sometimes love surprises you and you are delighted by it and sometimes it sneaks up behind you and startles you out of your daydreams and you're left scratching your head and wondering what just happened.

HT lost his first tooth Friday and I found myself on the verge of tears.  This little man of mine is growing up.  Wasn't it just yesterday we were rejoicing that this same little tooth had made its big debut?  I don't consider myself to be the overly sentimental type.  I mean your kids are supposed to grow up and it's a parents job to make sure that they do.  That they become productive members of society.  I have embraced each first with joy as a milestone of his progress to becoming who he is meant to be, but when I pulled that little tooth out of his mouth I got this sinking feeling in my stomach, an ache in my heart and a tinge of  . . . regret perhaps, or panic that I have forgotten something, failed to instruct him properly in the things of this life.  Failed him in some way that is essential to navigating the pitfalls that may come his way.

So son if you're listening please know that I love you so very much and I only want what's best for you.  That you will find happiness and contentment as you learn and grow and that you will come to a sure knowledge that God loves you, always and forever and that no matter what may come you can rely on Him in all things.

"Wait on the Lord;

Be of good courage.

And He will strengthen your heart;

Wait, I say, on the Lord!"

Psalm 27:14

October in Review

I said in my last post that a lot had been going on here but that it wasn't very pleasant or very news worthy,  well I have changed my mind and I'm going to take a page out of my friend Sarah's book and do a recap of last month.  After all if I am blogging to remember I haven't done a very good job of keeping track this month of the minutia of our every day lives.

Sometimes I'm okay with that and sometimes as I see it all dripping down like water through a sieve, I feel so thirsty that I want to rush in with a bucket and gulp it all down before it's all gone.

Sometimes life happens and there's a hole in my bucket.

Sometimes it feels like I'm trying to carry it all one handed, like I've got one hand tied behind my back and I struggle with it all.

This time I kinda sorta do.

I injured my shoulder at the beginning of the month and had surgery on the 24th to repair a torn rotator cuff and remove some calcification on the bone.  It is now sore rather than being painful so I feel like it was a success.  You might expect me to be on pins and needles waiting for the surgeons and anesthesiologists bill to come.  I'm not really though, because truth be told I am at peace about the whole thing, God has provided for all our needs, far more than we could have hoped for or asked and I am in awe once again.

In the midst of all that, this happened.

And then God blessed us with this, for 1/3 of the asking price, low miles, good upholstery, newish tires and in good running order.  Can I get an "Amen"?

Besides celebrating the boys birthdays, we've carved pumpkins.

Been trick-or-treating.

Twice, once at Auntie's work and once with friends.

We had a fabulous time!

And like any good mother (NOT!) I forgot to bring along my camera, the kids candy buckets and something else, I have already forgotten again . . . hmmm . . so it must not have been too much of a big deal.

Oh yeah, it was the glow sticks.

Oh well, the kids didn't seem to mind.

I did take a few pictures with my cell phone.  Now if I could only figure out how to get them off the phone and onto this here blog.

Not to worry though I do have some pictures that I took when we went to Auntie's work.

Someone wasn't very happy about being woken up from his nap, forced to put on a dragon costume and get in the car although he was soon happy enough when he saw that there was candy to be had.

This fall weather has been as spectacular and as gorgeous as was our summer weather and we have really been enjoying it.

Oh, and in the news from September category, I got a job!

Yeah, me!  

A part-time job working for one of our local quilt shops and I have really been enjoying it.  However with my arm in a sling I haven't worked much this month and all my pending projects have been put on hold.  But I am itching to get back to it.

I am so grateful and so thankful for God's goodness and mercy raining down that my cup runneth over spilling all over the place and that my friend's is always (at least to me) news worthy.

"I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever;

With my mouth will I make known

Your faithfulness to all generations."

Psalm 89:1

Mercy

The bedtime routine at our house has evolved as the boys have gotten older.  We have tried to keep it somewhat consistent with a story book or two and sometimes a song or two.  There is one song in particular that gets more requests than any other and that is a hymn.

One that I learned as a girl, one that we used to sing in church.

One that was written by a man my parents knew and bound in a little hymnal with others that had been written by members of the congregation.

So it is one that only a handful of people may know.

HT calls it "Mercy" but that is not the title of the hymn.  It's called "Tell Me of Jesus".

And I have been singing it to HT since I first held him in my arms.

I was reading the blog of a friend a year or so ago and noticed that she had an Etsy shop.  That's when I discovered that she had a hidden talent.  A talent with pen and paper.  She was selling hand made cards in her shop with hymns that she had drawn on the front covers.

It took some doing but I found that little hymnal and I asked her to make me a picture.

When HT saw it and asked me what it was and I told him it was "Mercy" his eyes got all wide and he asked excitedly if we could hang it in his room.

I was happy to oblige.

Thanks Ann.e

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly

in all wisdom, 

teaching and admonishing one another

in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,

singing with grace in your hearts

to the Lord."

Colossians 3:16

First Stone

My son broke a rock.  I know he broke the rock because he very sweetly came to me and told me about it, apologizing as he offered it to me along with the broken piece in his hands.

A rock that I had told him a dozen or more times to leave alone.

I got really upset.  I ranted and raved and told him how upset I was not only because he broke the rock but also for his disobedience.  I even started to cry.  As the tears streamed down my face in my angry rant, he too started to cry.

This was not just any rock mind you, but a rock that belonged to my father, one that sat on his desk.  He used it as a paper weight and as a reminder.  Its one of the very few mementos that I have in my possession that were among his things.  A rock he had picked up on one of his many road trips through the desert.  A rock on which he had written the words "1st Stone".

The irony of the words printed on that rock are not lost on me.

As I sat there looking through tears at that rock and at my sons confused tear stained face I was caught up short in how ridiculous it all was.  It's just a rock for crying out loud.  The issue wasn't about a broken rock, but of obedience.  I was caught up short by my own disobedience towards my heavenly Father.  How many times have I broken something, my word, a promise, or a command?  How many times have I come to the throne of grace in repentance, seeking forgiveness?  Not once has He scolded me as I scolded my son, but rather extended a nail pierced hand and freed me from my shame.

In the gospel of John 8:1-12,  Jesus faces a mob that is eager to stone to death a women who has been caught in adultery and in verse 7 he says "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first."  A reminder for us not to judge others when there is sin in our own lives that needs to be dealt with.  However the lesson for me this day is what happens next.  As the crowd disperses the women is left standing alone with Jesus and he asks her "Where are your accusers?  Has no one condemned you?"  When she answers "No one, Lord. "  His reply is "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."

He has given the woman hope.  Hope for a new life.  Hope for salvation.  Hope to live a life freed from sin and the assurance of forgiveness.

He has given me hope.

" . . . He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

John 8:12

So I dried my eyes and those of my son and as I embraced him, I asked for his forgiveness and offered him mine, telling him that everything was going to be alright and that he was more important to me than a broken rock and that I loved him so very much, no matter what.

I'm linked up today with Michelle at Graceful.  Click here for more lessons.

Ice Hockey

We have been spending way too much time indoors lately, but the weather outside has been cold and dreary besides having several "red" air quality days. And truth be told both boys have had an ear infection and EM also had a sinus infection and they are on their last day of antibiotics.

So this morning HT came to me with a piece of ice in his hands. Me, being the nosy mother that I am, asked "Why are you carrying around a piece of ice, aren't your hands getting cold".

"Mama, I'm playing ice hockey."

"Not in the house you're not, now go put that in the sink before it melts all over the floor."

After he put the ice in the sink, he brought me his plastic toy golf clubs one for me, one for him and one for Papa, so we could get more ice and play. I had to tell him again that we weren't going to play ice hockey in the house.

I'm such a cruel mother, there were tears and "Why?" and "But I want to." but I held firm. No ice hockey in the house.

So after lunch and nap time we went out. I think everybody had a good time.

Actually, I was quite proud of my boy for thinking up a new game to play all on his own.

So, how was your day?

Kids Say the Darnedest Things!

At Cornbelly's with Auntie waiting for the pig races to start.

My sister knows her words.  She knows lots of words and she knows how to use them.  I liken her language skills to that of Robin Williams playing Peter Pan in Hook, when he throws insults at the Lost Boys using big words that they obviously don't understand and they look at him bewildered, she's that good.  She also knows four letter words, the kind I would rather not have my 4 year old son repeating and she will pepper her speech with them when she deems it a good choice or to make a point.  She also believes in calling a spade a spade.

Yeah.

So the other day Auntie decided to come with me to run a few errands with the kids.

As we are walking out the door she says to HT, "Yipee, wahoo, let's go to Target!  Wah to the Hoo!"

To which HT replied as he skipped merrily out to the garage, "Hell to the Yeah!"

"Did he just say 'hell to the yeah'?",  I inquired.

"Yes" she said, "and I'm ignoring it."

I wonder just where he learned that (cough), Auntie.

Spiderman!

Boogie Time

What?

Did you think that I meant a revival of 70's style disco dancin'?

Not hardly.

Even if I could I wouldn't, we won't even go into why not.

We've been sick here.  First EM caught a cold, then I got it (plus a nasty sinus infection) and now HT is getting over it.  I guess it will be Papa's turn next.

Anyway.

Have you tried these Boogie Wipes?  They are absolutely the best thing for little noses and they really do live up to all they claim.  Nothing gets off dried on crusted boogers discharge from a runny nose quicker and more efficiently.  But the kids hate them, probably because they are cold and wet, however once you tackle them, hold them down and endure the crying and carrying on they work really well.  EM would see me coming at him with a tissue and he would turn and run the other way.

Just thought I would share.

And, in other news.

HT went to a birthday party on the 11th and as we were driving there we saw several flags flying.  "Look, dere's an American flag." he says.  Oh no, I think to myself, here we go again.  However he tells me that he likes American flags now and that they no longer have the same effect on him.

Phew, what a relief, 'cause he is starting preschool tomorrow and couldn't be more excited.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Toodles.

You Know You're A Parent When . . .

taking a bath in private has become a luxury. . . .

 you finish rinsing your hair and you find a nose pressed against the glass . . .

 when the peeping tom in your bathroom isn't really a peeping tom at all . . .

"MAMA!"

Eleven Months Old

This is my little big man.  He turned 11 months old the other day and is growing up way too fast.

This boy is going to give me a run for my money, not that his brother doesn't, just in a different way.  We were playing outside today and I put him in the exersaucer, just to keep him from eating rocks, twigs, bugs, you name it and he tried to climb out.  Little stinker.

I think he needs a haircut, but I want to wait until he turns a year old.

He is walking better and better every day and looks more like a toddler and less like a drunken Frankenstein monster.  I'm sure he will be running before his birthday.

He likes to be where ever and do whatever brother is at/doing.  Case in point, if brother goes upstairs to visit Auntie, he thinks he ought to go too and gets frustrated because he can't get over the gate (insert Mama's evil laugh).

If brother is playing with his trains or cars he thinks he should be in the middle of everything, which as you can imagine frustrates brother.  HT and Papa built another track masterpiece with trestles and tunnels and EM had it destroyed with one clumsy step.  "Oh, the humanity!"

Remember when I said I was going to change their names, well Dr. Destructo is alive and well and living in my house.  He likes to get in the garbage and sift through the contents.  He is particularly fond of the recycle garbage and I often find empty drink bottles all over the kitchen floor.

He has discovered how to open the corner cabinet with the lazy susan in it without pinching his fingers and today I found all, most, okay some of my canned and boxed goods on the floor.

All that being said, I truly feel blessed to have two such handsome and delightful boys.

Keeps me young or so I've been told.

Thank you Lord for the love of little ones, for the patience and wisdom you give, for the grace you have shown and for the lease of these little lives.  Help me to show "your word [as] a lamp to [their] feet and a light to [their] path." Psalm 119:105

Name Change

I'm thinking of changing the boy's names to Mr. Twister and Dr. Destructo,  'cause no one can move through a room faster and leave a trail of toys and games and crayons, etc, etc, etc in their wake faster than they can.  And it's not even noon yet!

Maybe I should change the blog title too, call it "Raising Cain and Able".

What do you think?

Or I could just hire a nanny and/or a maid.

Oh wait, we're broke.

Drat.

Never mind.

Trapped

EM thinks he's going to climb the gate and go up the stairs.

Sometimes I feel trapped . . . like an animal in a cage, only my gate keepers are 9 months and 3 1/2 years old.

I'd forgotten how confining an infants schedule can be . . . oh wait what schedule, it seems to change monthly weekly daily.

He's been refusing to nap lately and the fight to get him down is wearing thin.

I think I need a play date.

Any takers?

Sans kids.

Obviously.

This morning he head bonked me and gave me a fat lip . . .  nice.

He thinks I'm a jungle gym.

Both boys have a cold and my day isn't complete if one or both of them hasn't wiped their snotty nose on me.

The whining must stop soon or I'll go insane.

I guess that includes me.

I'm done now.

Thanks for listening.

Have a lovely day.  ;-p

Why ask why?

Is anyone else out there sick of answering questions posed by their pre-schooler?  I have to admit I am, especially when the same question has been asked and answered more than once in the last 10 minutes.  I read on someone's blog awhile back that one should endeavor to answer every question that their child asked.  At first I thought this a noble idea, but now I know it is just down right impossible.  I'm all for fostering my child's curiosity and imagination but I wonder if the author was thinking about questions asked out of context or questioning "why" when asked to pick up their room.

For example the other day while driving to the park for a play date HT pointed out the window and asked:   "What's dat way Mama?"  

"That's north."

"Which way are we going?"

"East"

"What do east do?"

"It doesn't do anything it's the direction we are going."

"Why?"

"So we can get to the park."

"Why?"

"So we can play with our friends."

"Why?"

"Don't you want to play with your friends?"

"Uh-huh."

Finally in exasperation and slightly irritated I asked,  "Then why are you asking me why?"

"But Mama, its my job!"

Eight Months Old

This is my sweet boy, my sweet little bundle of energy that goes and goes and goes every waking hour.  He has completely worn himself out (and me).

He turned eight months old on Sunday.

The teething continues, the drooling continues, has two teeth and one on the way, has learned how to crawl but would rather walk and now that he is mobile absolutely hates to be confined.  He is pulling himself up onto everything he can and has decided to tackle the stairs.

He gives the best hugs and slobbery open mouth kisses that only a mother could love.  Takes delight in the simplest things and delights me every day.  Loves to giggle at his brother who in turn loves to make him giggle.

And I love him very, Very much.

Lord, help me to raise this child with wisdom, with patience, with grace and with compassion.  Help me to "Train up {this} child in the way he should go. . . "  (Proverbs 22:6)  

You Know You're A Parent When . . .

a once tidy guest bedroom has turned into the Island of Sodor.

Your home office has become a nursery,

the office has been moved into the living room,

there are toys in every room and on every surface/floor of your house,

and you wouldn't have it any other way!

What about you, do you have a "You know you're a parent when" moment?  Leave me a comment, I would love it if you would share.

Kids Say the Darnedest Things!

HT wanted purple juice (kool-aid) this morning for breakfast.  And I told him it was all gone.  Every conversation lately has at least one "why" in it.  The rest of the conversation went something like this:

"Why?"


"Because you drank it all.  It's all gone.


"We ranned out?"


"Yes, we ran out."


"We ranned out of water, and milk, and poop, and sometimes food,"
Then in a very matter of fact tone of voice . . .
"we have to buy some more."


"Hmm, really?  . . .  Finish your breakfast."


"Why?"

And then I said it, those immortal words that every parent has or will utter in their parenting journey.

"Because I said so."

Poop?  Where does he come up with that kind of logic?  Don't ask me I don't know, and no poop is NOT on my grocery list.

His new favorite hiding place.

You Know You're A Parent When . . .

You hold your newborn in the palm of your hand.

(HT two days old.)

When you put him to sleep in a light box,

when you clean up an explosion of poop off your bedside table etc.,

when he reaches for your finger and holds on tight, 

when strangers stop you in the store to tell you that you have a beautiful child,

and you think wow he is my son, my son!

When he laughs out loud for the first time.

(6 months old)


When you've fallen in love with this face.

(9 months old)

When he turns on the charm and melts your heart.

When he dances.

(One year old)


Seriously how can you not fall in love with this face!

(18 months old)

When your son throws his arms around your neck and tells you that you're his "most favrit mama in the whole wide woreld".

When he tells you "I love you sweet mama".

When he tells you you're his very best friend.

When your family portrait has gone from this,

to this,

to this.

And now there are two to love.

I'm linked up today.  

Click for more stories.