ND Vs. PU

This weekend was our annual trek to South Bend for the Notre Dame/ Purdue game...

I love watching the kids play with toys that were ours when we were kids!
Playing at Gigi's....


Up bright and early, doing crafts!

We got to see Jill, Jon, Jade and Andrew! Sorry we didn't get to tailgate longer, wish we could have spent more time with you Jilly! (Susie and Jill, doesn't the lady in the background look like Amy Johnson? Funny.)

Hold on! A picture of us, with no kids! That IS a kodak moment! I sure enjoyed our time together Babe!

We had GREAT seats! 15 rows up on the 50-yard-line! Thanks mom!

"I Forgive You"

Let me preface this post, Olivia learned in Miss Michelle's class at church this past weekend, that "Friends forgive others"

Ok, back to my point. Olivia and I had a VERY rough day yesterday. She just didn't listen to me and at one point really put herself in danger (running out of the car in a parking lot). This is VERY unlike her, she is always soooo good! I realize that we all have bad days, including our kids. However, when it is a bad day for her it seems to throw me off guard. After the parking lot incident, I told her how upset I was, told her I was calling daddy (this brought on the BIG tears! "PLEASE don't call daddy!"). He spoke with her on the phone, we had to stop by the church, so I had Miss Michelle speak with her about the incident too. All in all, it was a very trying afternoon. By the time we got home, I was close to tears, not able to gracefully handle much of anything after that point. Later in the afternoon, I sat her down, and told her how much I loved her and why I was so upset and hurt by how she acted. She looked me in the eyes and said "Mommy, I have to tell you something in your ear" I bent down, expecting a big apology, followed by a big hug and a speech about how I was the best mom, etc. Instead, she whispers in my ear: "I forgive you".

I ALMOST came unglued!!! She forgives me? Then I remembered what she had learned this week and she was applying it her own way. Even though I wanted to explain that I was the one forgiving her, I just let it go and thanked her. We can have the lesson on correct forgiveness context later.

THEN! This morning I really got on her because I couldn't find my brush and I asked her to stop taking my stuff! She apologized and said she won't do it again. Now comes the part where I feel like the worst mom. I found the brush in my bag. I was CERTAIN I saw her take it to play yesterday. UGH! I told her how sorry I was, this time she forgave me in the right context.

Olivia,

I love you and I am sorry for the past two days. I know you are still learning. So am I.

Mommy

Forgot the camera... blogging blunder

On Saturday we took the kids to Turkey Run State Park, and I left the camera in the car while we hiked!!!! The kids had so much fun! they were so muddy but had a ball. The caverns are incredible!

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Here is our touchdown baby! I love getting pictures of the kids while they sleep, so peaceful.

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Olivia is dealing with alot of 3-year-old stress. She is VERY concerned about not being able to sleep on Christmas Eve night and is worried that Santa will skip our house. This has been a whole new thing for me, I didn't grow up with the Santa thing. But we decided to do it with the kids, but really emphasize Jesus' birthday as well. So there will be a cake, candles and the happy birthday song. Today Olivia wore her Santa dress, red velvet with white trim. Everyone at Target noticed that she was rushing the season....

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Finally, I am thinking I should be very embarrassed by this next picture, but instead I think it is funny. This basket is holding all of the toys that were under the living room furniture. That is so bad, that I am cracking up! How does it get like this? Why don't I care enough to clean them out more often? Funny.

Mom, why are we sheep?

I know I have posting alot about Olivia's questions regarding faith, etc. But here is one I really want to remember.

In the car (starting to see a pattern with riding in the car), listening to a kids CD, the song goes like this:

"The Lord is my Shepard, I'll walk with him always"

Remember that one? Here is the conversation:

Olivia: "What is a Shepard?"
Me: "Someone who takes care of sheep, sometimes in the Bible God calls us his sheep and he is our Shepard"
Olivia: "Mom, why are we sheep?"
Me: "It is just a comparison, you know how we call Logan a silly goose? He isn't really a goose, that is just a saying." (what have I started....)
Olivia: silence ...

She doesn't get it, why should she? she is 3! Wow, these are tough questions!
I am convinced I am really confusing her and she thinks I am crazy....

Today's Thoughts....

While riding in the car, Olivia asked me to roll down her window so she could pray (apparently she thinks God can hear her better that way).

Olivia: (SHOUTING!!!) "DEAR GOD, PLEASE TELL GREAT-GRANDMA THAT WE SAID THANK YOU!"

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The finished wall! I am really loving the change, Tom came over today to hang the mirror before Tommy came home!

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Potty Training Update:

Ok, Logan has NO CLUE what the toilet is for!!!! He may tell me his diaper is wet but that is it!!! So, my latest effort is to put the big boy underwear on over the diaper. Not sure this is a method in and of itself, but he has also figured out how to take the diaper off, so the underwear make it stay on...oh well, we will try again soon...

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And finally, to the lady who TOTALLY cut in front of me at Sam's. Did you enjoy hearing my son cry and fuss while you took your turn in front of us? If we had gone in front of you, we would have been out of range faster and would have, no doubt, added years of life to your ear drums. But as a christian mommy, with children watching my every move, I just smiled and acted like hearing Logan cry and fuss is the easiest thing in the world to endure. That took up all of my energy and I was cranky the rest of the day. (smile)

Today's Thoughts...

Jamie and I were just talking about how kids learn to sing our names. Remember when Logan was saying "oney' for "mommy", now he is copying Olivia and singing it for my attention... "mooooommmmyyyyyy". How do they learn that? Funny!

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Here is Olivia in this week's favorite outfit. A leotard and skirt.

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Here is a video of Logan saying my favorite word, at the moment, "butterfly". Sorry its kind of bumpy, but he was reaching for the camera...

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I was itching for a change, I soooo get that way! I just need to do something different, so I painted a wall! Its not finished, I need to hang the mirror and do some touch-ups. Here is the before.....

and the after....

what do you think?

Olivia's Version....

Olivia's version of a popular Bible story:

"In Miss Michelle's class we saw a movie, about God's brothers. They wouldn't bow to the statue and they got in BIG trouble. So the man's put them in the FIRE!!"

Small town feel...

As you may know, I LOVE living in the city. But one thing that I REALLY miss about living in a small town is running into people you know. It just doesn't happen very often. HOWEVER! Today I ran into Corina (from my hometown) at the library! She takes her class there and we have seen her there 3 times now, I think, in the last couple years. What a fun surprise! So I got a touch of small town today... It was fun running into you Corina!!! (Lets get together again soon!)

When I am 25...

Olivia: "When I am 25 and Logan is 24 (pretty impressed she got the age difference right) we are going to Santa Claus Land. AND I might drive!"

This made us laugh because we have NEVER talked about going there, not sure where she heard about it...


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Today was fun but sad for Olivia. Gigi (my mom) came to town to fly to Orland to join Brad, Kerri and the kids on vacation. Gigi came to our house to leave her car and we drove her to the airport. I don't' think it sunk in to Olivia that Gigi was leaving AND that she was going to Disney World, without her. We had some MAJOR tears, she just doesn't understand why we don't get to go...


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I can not BELIEVE the wind today! I was crazy! I can not even imagine what a hurricane is like. I have always found weather to be fascinating... so I started a poll to the right of the page. I am wondering what kind of weather makes the news where you live?

For you to remember...

Olivia, here are some things I want you to remember....

I want you to remember our special "mom and sis" play times (during Logan's nap).

Lately you really like to wash your Barbie's hair and then dry them with the "real" hair dryer. You hold the dryer while I brush, and then I hold the dryer while you brush. Today you said "Mom, do you want to switch barbies? If not, that is ok too." Thanks for being so sweet. Then we get the barbies dressed (you tell me what they should wear, because I could NEVER pick out the right clothes). They seem to always be going to the 'weddin' (leaving off the g).

Then you love to paint with your "real paints", not the watercolor ones. Today I just let you make a huge mess, you had a ball and your tummy was full of paint spots. I took the lids off of all 8 of the paint jars and you mixed them together in different concoctions. I love the rainbow you made for me and I am excited that you are figuring out what colors to mix to make new colors!

I know you get frustrated with Logan, he seems to destroy our 'weddin' right when we are ready to really play. He doesn't mean to make you mad, he is just a boy. So for now, we will just do our "special" play times when he is napping.

Another thing you are into right now, peanut butter hot dogs. I put peanut butter on one side of a piece of bread, fold it over and put more peanut butter on top. It is quite messy but you love it. Tonight I let you eat your peanut butter hot dog in the living room watching a show, you told me you would eat it soon. I came back in and you were alseep! How peaceful you looked. When daddy took you to bed, we tucked you in, your eyes popped open "I'm NOT tired!", then back to sleep. I am amazed at how you fight going to sleep, most nights after we say our prayers, you matter-of-factly inform me that you WILL be sleeping with your eyes open!

ALSO! It makes me sad that you are scared to go to the dr. She really just wants to help you. Today you asked for a dr. kit for your birthday (instead of water shoes) but you don't want the long stick they put in your mouth (to test for strep). I know it hurts but really they are just helping you. I fear now that you don't always tell us when your throat hurts because you don't want to go to the dr. You are always excited to go if it is for Logan! SOOO today, I went to the dr, and I took you with me, and see? I didn't cry! You did a great job of packing your backpack with toys, and you were SOOO good while we waited. Thank you for speaking to those who spoke to you. I know you get shy, but remember, I just want you to return a greeting and do your best to answer if someone asks you a question. It is ok to be shy. When we walked out of the office, there was a surprise in the waiting room. DAD! (it was his turn with the dr) you wanted to stay with him, but we had to go, thank you for not throwing a fit. We are VERY proud of how you acted at such a grown up place.

Just a few memories I want you to remember... Love you sis!

Our Anniversary Evening

First, Tommy surprised me with roses and a beautiful card! Thank you babe! Then we headed downtown to stay at the Canterbury Hotel. It was very nice and QUIET!!! HA! We had big plans of going out to dinner, but I was still feeling awful (cold) so we walked to CVS to get more cough medicine and ordered room service! Then we watched TV, I read a little, took a hot bath, we both coughed all night and we had room service breakfast. It may not sound like the ideal anniversary but it was perfect for me. I love how we can get back to 'just us' when we have time alone. And I also love that I seriously had just as much fun staying in as I would have going out. (however, next year, lets be healthy! then we may actually FEEL like going out!) I love you babe!!!

Celebrating 8 Years!

Happy Anniversary Tommy! I love you and am so glad that we are on this life journey together!

First Grounding... (read this part first)

Dear Olivia (age 3, almost 4),

I am sorry that you are grounded from putting the toothpaste on your toothbrush, by yourself, until Saturday. I know you LOVE to do this, but my first job as a parent is to love you and keep you safe. Therefore, you CAN NOT eat the toothpaste, it could make you very sick. Always remember, I love you unconditionally (that means, no matter what) even if you do eat the toothpaste. And I hated to see you cry so hard tonight. Please understand I am just keeping you safe.

Love,

Mom

First Grounding... (Read this second)

Ok, do we ground kids at age 3? No other term came to mind in the heat of the moment. I can't just "take it away" since we will need it again tomorrow. I don't want to be over dramatic about this (I read somewhere that over the course of a woman's lifetime she will eat 6 lbs of lipstick. That doesn't mean I twist it up and bite it off!), but I know that she could get sick if she consumed too much! So anyway, forgive me for rambling, I just really don't feel well and am really tired of telling my precious angel to STOP EATING THE TOOTHPASTE!!! ( I should clarify, that "eating the toothpaste" means putting a TINY bit on her finger (and I mean tiny, I have watched her do this without her knowledge) and eating it, I mean savoring it.



I digress...


Ok, after re-reading this, I think I may sound a little crazy. But you know how, as parents, we all pick our battles? some we choose to fight and others we just let go. Well, this one, for some reason, I am choosing to fight (not sure why, it all made more sense earlier) because I want her to be a responsible tooth brusher someday. Anyway, Thanks for letting me vent. I feel much better, although I think I may be a little crazy (lets just chalk it up to the cold).

Missing Daddy, She loves her room!

The kids sure missed daddy while he was gone this weekend!

Olivia wanted to make a movie to show the 8th outfit she had picked out today! Before we started filming we had this conversation:

Olivia: "I'm going to wear this now, is it poofy?"

Me: "YES! It is so pretty!"

Olivia: (silence)

Me: "Do you want it to be poofy?" thinking, did I answer wrong again?

Olivia: "What is poofy?"

Me: "that means your skirt sticks out"

Olivia: "Matter of fact, I was looking for a purple tank top"

MATTER OF FACT???? that is too cute!

(Dad and Kathy mentioned that she is using this phrase but I had not heard it until now!)

Way Back...

I love it when I hear a song and am instantly taken back in time. This morning it was "Father Abraham" (on one of the kid's cds) and I was back at the Church of the Brethren with Jill and Brad. I think we were 5. Fun memories!!!

What songs have you heard recently that took you back in time?

It was getting too quiet, part 2

Today's episode of "It was getting too quiet" was dramatically different from yesterday. If you remember, Logan was quietly reading a book... not today!!!

AND he is in big-boy underwear today! After he took off his diaper and peed on the floor, I decided to give it a try... (smile)

Where is the "Mommy Manual"????

(riding in the car this morning, totally random thoughts from Olivia, per usual)

Olivia: "Does Great-Grandma have to say in heaven?"

Me: "Yes, but she loves it there!"

Olivia: "Is it a house?"

Me: "Yes, the biggest house ever!"

Olivia: "Did she drive there?"

Me: "No, the angels came and got her, and took her all the way up to heaven"

Olivia: "Did they fly?"

Me: "Well, " thinking oh dear, where am I going with this?
"Only your heart goes to heaven, you get a new body there"

Olivia: "So they fly there"

Me: "Sort of"

It was getting too quiet....

So I went to check on Logan. Instead of being into trouble, he was reading a Curious George Book! Good Boy Logan! (The video is dark, not sure why, I can adjust it on my computer but it doesn't stay that way...)

You say, God says...

HANDY LITTLE CHART God has a positive answer:
YOU SAY GOD SAYS BIBLE VERSES

You say: 'It's impossible' God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)

You say: 'I'm too tired' God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: 'Nobody really loves me' God says: I love you (John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 )

You say: 'I can't go on' God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: 'I can't figure things out' God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5- 6)

You say: 'I can't do it' God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)

You say: 'I'm not able' God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: 'It's not worth it' God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28 )

You say: 'I can't forgive myself' God says: I Forgive you (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: 'I can't manage' God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)

You say: 'I'm afraid' God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)

You say: 'I'm always worried and frustrated' God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)

You say: 'I'm not smart enough' God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: 'I feel all alone' God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)

PASS IT ON. YOU NEVER KNOW WHO MAY NEED IT.

Make it a Wonderful Day!

Love this email! Thanks mom for sending it this morning!!!

Should I be embarrassed?

I watched 90210 tonight.


It was unintentional, I got on the treadmill and it was on. I was hooked on the old one. so I have to admit I was curious! It was pretty good, some of the issues are pretty mature. Guess that is good, gets families talking about some tough to talk about issues. Did anyone else watch it? (Susie, back me up here!!! :))

Update: Ok, watched the second episode, I think I may be hooked! How does this happen?

I'm torn

In March and April I am LONGING for summer, some warm weather, the kids playing outside, walks/runs in the evening. But by the end of August I am ready for fall. I love it when it turns cool and it becomes sweatshirt weather (LOVED going back to college in the fall!, football games, etc.) SO I am torn, between being excited for fall and leaving summer behind. Our baby pool was getting gross and it ripped so I took the kids to Target to see if they had good deals on pools. They did! we got this one for $4.98. AND the pump this time! SO the kids had a great afternoon of playing and splashing, we got some sun and just relaxed outside. I took some video but the kids decided to have a 20-minute splashing/squealing contest so I will spare your ears.

So for a few more weeks we will enjoy this early fall weather and then put the pool away and get the sweatshirts out. I am so thankful to live in a part of the country with seasons. God knew that I loved and needed change, so I am thankful that he planted me here.