A Warning

 All I have to say is, "What was Mommy thinking?"

In a rush to get Grant to the potty she handed my four year old sister the spoon.

"Feed Kate," she says as she races to the bathroom.

It's one thing to feed me baby cereal, but apples and blueberries, that's a whole nother story.

I think my face says it all.

One, she put WAY TOO MUCH on the spoon. She managed to fit a normal spoon's portion on the tiny baby spoon. On top of that, she moved at lightening speed. Before I had closed my mouth from the previous spoonful, she had another heaping spoonful forcing it's way in.

Obviously I can only hold so much. As my mouth was pried opened by the spoon, the previous mouthful spilled over with the new helping all onto my bib.

Thankfully, Mommy returned shortly. No need to tell her the trouble of handing a four year old a spoon and free reign. My face and bib did all the talking for me.

As a result, I have been spared another feeding disaster.

So, I leave this warning to infants with older siblings. Beware. If your mommy hands the spoon to them, well, hold on to your hats, it's gonna be a bumpy ride. Better yet, just scream. It'll save you the embarassment of having your picture taken and having it posted for the world to see.

Five Minute Friday: Every Day

Every Day....

I wake up to three happy, usually, kids

Every Day...

is usually unmomentous

Every Day...

is often momentous, momentous in the small things. Like my children's laughter. Their funny words. Their big hugs. Their "I love you's."

Every Day...

I'm tired.

Every Day...

I grumble at the mundane.

Every Day...

I empty the dishwasher...E.V.E.R.Y day

Every Day...

I make three meals and clean up another messy kitchen

Every Day...

I get to spend my time with three PRECIOUS gifts from the Lord

Every Day...

I need to be thankful for this "unmomentous," "mundane" life I wake up to each morning because I'm doing what I love and what the Lord has created me to do. Thank you Lord for this "EVERY DAY" life.

Finally

Finally. My pink swing is up. Finally. I'm included in on the big kid fun. I've got it made.There's practically a line waiting to push me. Better yet, I don't even need a push. As long as Hannah and Grant are swinging, it pushes my swing along.

  

This is the life.

Butterflies and Thankfulness

Weird. It's my new word. I use it a lot. Like when Mommy was playing Mario Kart yesterday (Yes, Mommy plays Mario Kart on days she feels she needs an escape from life).

You know what's weird about Mario Kart? The ghost race.

"That's weird," I say.

You know what else is weird? Caterpillars that come in the mail.

"Weal weird."

They came scrawny, small, and awfully hungry because in just one day they doubled in size. They grew. and grew. and grew.

Which, meant they also did a lot of pooping. Mommy even got to see one do his job in action.

Weird.

You know what's weirder than that? The chrysalises they made. It wrapped all around their bodies. They hung upside down. waiting.

Well, one didn't. In Mommy's excitement to show us the first formed chrysalis she managed to knock it off its perch. There it lay. On the pooped infested floor. We thought he was a goner. In fact, we thought he was decapitated.

You want to know what's weird?

It wasn't.

Nope, approximately 10 days later that "decapitated" caterpillar crawled out of the chrysalis a butterfly. His head was in tact.

A few days later, the four others joined him. Or should I say her?

We watched them flutter their wings as they grew and hardened. We watched them fly about the net. We watched them eat the sugar water.

Did you know they taste with their feet?

Weird.

You know what else is weird? Mommy says that's kind of what God does to people when they become Christians. They become a new creature. They change in amazing ways.

Because of Jesus.

Don't believe me? Well, it's in the Bible.

"Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." 2 Cor. 5:17

Now, don't go getting too excited. I don't think any of us will be changing into butterflies. Bummer, because I really wanted to fly. But apparently this change far surpasses any change we witnessed. Sounds pretty awesome to me even if it doesn't involve fluttery wings.

So, with that, Mommy continues with her list of thankfulness...

#71: God's creativity with His creation

#72: being able to watch a caterpillar transform into a

        butterfly

#73: the wide array of creation we can enjoy each day, a

        playground for our senses

#74: sunscreen that lets us play at the pool for hours

#75: another lead for John's job

#76: three healthy children

#77: the men and women who have serve our country and

        willingly put themselves in harms way to protect what

        we enjoy freely

#78: a daughter who is such a helper with the younger kids

#79: Grant attempting to put his clothes on by himself

        today.

#80: dusk, the most peaceful time of day to me



Where are the Cowboys?

No, we didn't move to Montana. I hear horses run rampant there. Nope. We drove right down the road. It was $5 horse ride night. It happened to be Grant's birthday night too.

So we saddled up.




And did a little ridin' the range. For those Backyardigans fans out there, have you seen that episode?


However, one thing was missing. Upon arriving I asked, "Where are the cowboys?" Of course this sent Mommy into song, "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?" Whatever. Daddy informed us that these were cowGIRLS. They were missing their hats.


Nonetheless, we went with it. We rode those horses like we were pros. However, when Grant was asked if he'd like his horse to go faster, he replied with a clear and unapologetic, NO.




On the other hand, my horse did a little gallop and turn. I won't lie. I was a little scared.






But perhaps horses are in my future. It may be just the profession for me, jockeying. They like um little and well, I am little.




I wonder if they'd let me wear a cowgirl hat?

Five Minute Friday: On Forgetting

GO:

Forgetting. It plagues me all the time it seems. Just today I asked John, "Did I already tell you about...?"

Forgetting. It seems to expand as your family expands. That well oiled laundry system I was bragging about just days ago. It's hit a snag. I forget to fold. Forget to add more clothes. Okay, who am I kidding, I remember that. I walk by it daily. Sometimes there are things I wish I COULD forget.

Forgetting. Too quickly I forget those "cute" things my children just said. I think, I'll remember that only to find MOMENTS later I'm trying to recall exactly what was so cute as I try to tell someone else.

Forgetting. I forget how Hannah sounded at two. I long not to forget those things. I forget how Grant looked as I cuddled him at night those many nights we were up late thanks to those early newborn days.

Forgetting. Why can't I forget those things I want to forget. Harsh words. Hurt feelings. Sad memories.

Forgetting. Why I have this blog. As a way to remember through words and pictures those times that pass too quickly.

STOP.

Mr. Clean

Mommy needs some help. From dirty floors to splattery mirrors, Mommy's got her work cut out for her. And, let's face it, there's always work to be done. And, let's face it again, Mommy doesn't always get around to it.

So, just call me Mr. Clean.

My signature job, cleaning the toilets. When a toilet needs cleaning, I come running. literally.

And yes, that is a mold ring around the toilet. Don't tell Mommy I told you that.

also, excuse the tiny font..blogger will not, I repeat, will not allow us to change its size

Conversations with...Hannah

Yes, we are gearing up for a Pirate Party which has no relation to what I am about to post but just loved this picture of my silly Hannah.

Just today...

Hannah: Mommy I don't like this show (Dragon Tales).

Me: Why?

Hannah: because they do a lot of wishing and not praying

That's my girl.

One Thousand Gifts: 51-70

Thankful,

for...

#51: a lead today for John's business

#52: a trapped fox

#53: memorized Scripture to fight anxious thoughts

#54: dinner with friends

#55: Hannah's growing success in beginning to read

#56: a great big squeezy hug from Grant

#57: that the Lord gives "us this day our daily bread."

#58: a laundry system that IS FINALLY running like a well oiled machine

#59: people who make me laugh

#60: the sounds little Kate makes

#61: fresh picked flowers

#62: hearing my kids say "I forgive you."

#63: another birthday for Grant

#64: $5 horse rides

#65: prayer

#66: the end to the Oprah show (one girl who WON'T be saddened on May 25th)

#67: a swimming pool on a hot day

#68: a pudgey Grant belly

#69: a healthy check up for Grant

#70: the food co-op

Taking the Reigns

I've heard Mommy say more than once she hates the baby food stage. Well, I love the baby food stage. In fact, there isn't a food I've turned away. So, I thought I'd take it upon myself to help. You know, feed myself. I try to grab the spoon. I'm successful a lot. Then, I attempt to put the spoon into my mouth. I even graze the side of my face, like she seems to do, to get those extra chunks off. You know, put them where they need to go, my mouth.

Then, there are those times I'm not successful, meaning Mommy and I play tug of war with my spoon. Oh, Mommy, do you see how this is creating a bigger mess? Baby food slung more readily across the chair, floor, table, face, clothes, hands, etc.? If only you'd let me take the reigns. If only you knew my heart's desire to help. I think I could ease your frustration.

Nope, instead Mommy brought in a reinforcement, Hannah. Oh boy, that was a disaster. Stay tuned.

And yes, for those observant readers, my bib comes unhooked a lot. Mommy says I have a "girthy" neck.

No, I don't take steroids.

Picture Time

I'm at a loss for words. Except, what was Mommy thinking? She drags us outside. Our animal chairs follow. Okay, I don't think they can walk. But, they were there. Somehow. And then, we come in.

Picture time.

What?

Hannah was ready. Hannah is always ready. She strikes a pose on command. You can tell she's been trained. She's been doing this 4 1/2 years.

Grant, poor guy, got woken up from his nap. Dragged outside. And BAM! expected to smile on command.

Me, well, I was ready for my nap. However, I found out real fast that wasn't going to happen.

There she sits us. Mommy. On our respective animals.

Take one.

I can't sit. So, I'm given the alternative. Lie on the sheep. Great. Good. Just, don't ask Grant to hold my head. Nor Hannah to place her hand on my tummy as though the Heimlic was about to begin. Can you say, awkward?

Take two. Grant picks his nose. Really? Gross. Get me outta here! Hannah where are you?

Take thirty. Quit breathing in my face, the botha you. When did you last brush your teeth?

Take...uh...lost count. Grant wake up...naptime was over an hour ago. Hannah, put your hands down. You aren't being arrested. I can't calm down because I still can't get over the boogers, bad breath, and head holding.

Mommy would have been better off taking pictures of our animal chairs. It seems they never stopped smiling the whole time.

Five Minute Friday: When Seasons Change

Today my son is three.

He came into this world with a bang. The labor was...well laborious. 9 lbs. 12 ounces of him. STUCK. No method of pushing could get that baby out. I screamed. A LOT. To the point where the nurse told me to quit screaming and start pushing. Evil eyes glared back at her. Had she ever had an almost 10 pound baby stuck in her pelvis? No amount of pushing was getting him out. It took a vaccum to get my baby out. I'm thankful for vaccums.

His entry into this world was indicitive of his personality. He's a firey guy. Passionate. But tender hearted. Our first few months, rocky. Too much sleeping. Too little weight gain. Okay, he lost weight. Quite the crier. For those faithful followers, the Walmart post should remind you. And when I say crier, I really mean screamer. Yes, he screamed bloody murder from the time we left the house until the time we got home.

Now, the season has changed. Those days of wracking hands over feeding, sleeping, screaming..have come to a close. Well, I'm still wracking my hands over feeding (he always asks to eat), and sleeping (he visits me in the middle of the night wanting to snuggle), and screaming (yeah, we're still working on that one, thankfully it's not when we're out and about).

But seasons have changed. He's a preschooler now. Babyhood. gone. Toddlerhood. gone. Preschoolhood. here we are. But soon to pass just as quickly as his first three years.

Life's seasons change all too quickly in this thing called motherhood. Just as I think I've got a handle on one season, BOOM, we're catapulted into the next. Sometimes I'm glad to be moved on to a new season, other times, I'm saddened. Too quickly my children grow. Too quickly they change. It's like they become a new person during each season, leaving behind who they were just a few short years ago.

But when seasons change, I am to be thankful. Thankful we made it to another season. Thankful for the precious time I had in the past and looking forward to the memories to be made in this season and the next.

So, Grant, happy birthday. I am embracing another season with you. A new season full of learning and growing. I'm saying goodbye to your toddler years and hello to these preschool years. You are a blessing in our life. Just as you are.

Christmas Challenge

Christmas Challenge 2011 is on! Several days ago I earned a $15 credit to Zulily thanks to a friend who signed up under me and purchased something. So, I've been looking through the daily deals to see if anything caught my eye for my kids for Christmas. Honestly, the thought of "buying" more toys for my kids is a bit overwhelming. If you're anything like us, toys are beginning to take over our home. And, it seems that half the things I think they will LOVE, they never end up playing with. Instead they choose sticks, pillows, rocks, and whatever else they can find around the house that AREN'T toys. So, I'm trying to be wise with what I "buy." Well, today I did find something from International Playthings. It's an activity mat (like a tablecloth) with pictures, mazes, and other activities to do. You use washable markers and then after they're done, you wash it and you can do it again. My kids love coloring. What kids don't? It was regularly $30. It was on sale for $13.99. So, with my $15 (which can be put toward shipping too!) I purchased it. My grand total was $4.96. This will be under the tree for Hannah, but of course I'm sure she and Grant will both play with it. It's big enough for 6 kids. So, first Christmas purchase: check.

Total of $100 spent: $4.96

Total left: $95.04

If you are interested in signing up for Zulily (I really do love their site), then click my "Christmas Challenge" title. Then, ask your friends to sign up with you so you too can start earning some free $15.

"Come On, Rain!"

Rain boots: check

raincoats: check

UMBRELLAS: check

Rain:

still waiting...

As Mommy's favorite children's book says, "Come On, Rain!"

One Thousand Gifts: 41-50

It's been awhile. But my list continues...

#41: a meal out at Cracker Barrel thanks to a gift card from a neighbor John helped

#42: the joy that exudes my children and continually brings lightheartedness into my days

#43: that the Lord strengthens us to do all things, that we don't have to muster it up ourselves

#44: free movie rentals at the Blockbuster kiosk

#45: family that shares in our joys and our struggles

#46: Aleve...modern medicine in general that can wipe out a nasty migraine among many other

things

#47: watching a caterpillar turn into a butterfly with my children and being reminded of our

own transformation as believers, that, in Christ, we are a new creation.

#48: the Lord's provision for our family this week thanks to swing sets needing stained and foxes

needing trapped but more importantly thanks to a hard working husband willing to do

those jobs

#49: coupons, another way in which the Lord has provided for us

#50: when my son shouts "yay! school time!"

Big Brother

Don't mess with my sisters. You'll be sorry. You mess with them, you mess with me. And while I may not be older than Hannah, I'm definetly working my way to bigger. I wear my shirt seriously. More importantly, I take my role seriously (or maybe it's the fact Mommy told me we had to go in and I didn't want to).