8.30.2009
In Case You Were Wondering...
When your husband is sick, it is not...I repeat...NOT a good idea to take a two year old and an infant to church by yourself.
8.26.2009
Thank Yous
Dear people that gave me baby gifts,
I am going to send out thank-yous. I promise. I am just a huge slacker. I procrastinate like it's my job. But, I really appreciate the thoughtfulness and generosity. We have been so blessed by all of the clothes and diapers and toys and everything else. And, like I said, the heartfelt, handwritten thank yous are coming. They really are.
Sincerely,
Tired mom of two. :)
I am going to send out thank-yous. I promise. I am just a huge slacker. I procrastinate like it's my job. But, I really appreciate the thoughtfulness and generosity. We have been so blessed by all of the clothes and diapers and toys and everything else. And, like I said, the heartfelt, handwritten thank yous are coming. They really are.
Sincerely,
Tired mom of two. :)
8.25.2009
Also, Angels
Roman has a picture of his guardian angel in his room. He calls it his "angel guard". :) Apparently, the other night Joe listed off some names that he could give his angel. He chose Simon. I love that.
Today...
While praying before breakfast, Roman said "pray for Monica and Chrissy and Jon. Bless the diapers. Amen".
And silently I agreed. Quite frankly, Lord, I pray that you would bless the diapers... because they have been leaking a lot.
8.24.2009
A Few (cute/hilarious) Moments in Time
Okay, these are long overdue, but I have been writing them down so I wouldn't forget because I seriously have the funniest kid ever. I laugh all day long! Enjoy!
- Since Judah has been "talking", his favorite "word" is "ah-goo". (That's a lot of quotation marks). :) Roman will say "want to talk to Judah" and proceeds to get right in his face and shout "ah-goo".
- I asked Roman if he wanted yogurt, toast or fruit for breakfast. "Yogurt", he responded. Then he added "I should probably get a spoon".
- Roman has been singing "twinkle, twinkle little star" while sitting on the toilet. (This started because Grandma told him to "tinkle tinkle"...apparently tinkle and twinkle are one in the same). Anyway, Roman's version goes like this:
Twinkle, twinkle, little star
how I wonder what you are
Up above the world so high
like a triangle in the sky...
how I wonder what you are
Up above the world so high
like a triangle in the sky...
- Roman trying to tell Mary to close her eyes comes out "Mary's eyes off"
- Roman counts to 10...then I have to prompt him with 11 but he will continue 12, 13, usually skips 14, 15...I have been trying to work on getting him to 20. The other day I continued "15, 16, 17, 18, 19..." I paused waiting to see if he would remember "20"...instead he enthusiastically yelled "JELLYFISH!"
- While riding in the car with Joe's parents, their GPS said "turn left 2 miles". Roman piped up "Miles and Kim and Andrew".
- At the end of reading On the Night You Were Born it says "Heaven blew every trumpet and played every horn on the wonderful, marvelous night you were born". The picture shows a french horn and a saxophone, so I have been pointing them out to Roman and talking about the instruments...only now he always points and says "french trumpet!"
- Since Judah got baptized, Roman often prays "thank you for baptism".
- Trying to explain retirement to a two year old is a very difficult task. The librarian in Boone retired recently. Roman still says "go see Judi" every time we go to the library. So, I tried to explain, "Judi doesn't work at the library anymore. She moved to South Dakota because she is retired. That means she doesn't go to work now. We won't see Judi at the library anymore". Roman seemed to take it all in and then asked "Is she sleeping?"
- The other night Mary and Tony watched Roman so that Joe and I could go out for dinner. The next morning, Roman told me he "ate french fries...at Old McDonald's".
8.20.2009
Weeding out the Sin
I'm not much of a gardener. I wish I was. But I'm not. If you have seen my yard/shrubbery vast array of random plants growing in front of my house, this will not come as a surprise to you.
It's not that I hate yardwork or that I don't want to know more about gardening. I actually don't mind it and would love to. But, we decided that next summer will have to be the summer of worrying about the yard and redoing the landscaping...I mean, I we have an infant and a two year old...which = no time to mess with the yard work. :) (Although, I'm not sure that having a one and three year old next summer will make it that much more convenient. Oh well!)
Anyway, the weeds were seriously starting to overtake the front step, and I was a little worried about losing Roman in the "jungle" near the door, so I finally broke down and just decided to pull up a bunch of the mess. And it was a mess. It really was. And, well, you know how I roll. I had some revelations while digging through the mess. Maybe it's because it's only in the most random and mundane moments that I have silence enough to be so "enlightened". (you can stop laughing!) Maybe God just has a quirky sense of humor...but nonetheless, He gets his point across.
I started with the big weeds. The tall, thick, almost tree-like weeds. The most daunting. The most challenging. (Now for my disclaimer: I need you to know this does not mean that my yard is looking good right now. That is much too big of a goal. Mary and I cleaned out those planters last fall and somehow there are still who-knows-what-kind-of plants growing on top of bushes and hostas spilling out from underneath daisies. I don't understand it. ANYWAY, we are planning to pull it all up next summer anyway).
I thought if I could get the big weeds out of the way, it would look much better. It took a lot of hard work. I was digging and yanking, sweating and pulling. They just did not want to come out. They had set their roots down deep and they were there to stay. In some cases, I didn't get all the roots...obviously, we will be seeing those plants again. But for now, it will work. And it did look better, but not great.
As I struggled with the monstrous intruders, it reminded me a lot of my sin. Those big sins in my life that are deeply rooted, that seem to be "there to stay", and that take much time and painful effort to get rid of. I know my life would be much better without them. I know they are taking up room in my heart that could be filled with something far more beautiful and functional. But it takes work. It's not easy. I will have to dig down, get right in the middle of the mess...I have to be willing to get dirty (or admit that I'm unclean) in order to get rid of it. Let's be honest. I will have to get on my knees and cry out to God...because only He can help me get at the roots. It will be painful.
And if I don't?...Well, if I don't get the roots, the labor will be in vain. If the roots stay, there will be no opportunity for flowers in the spring. You see, at least I am the kind of person that sometimes strives more for appearance than for actually fixing the dark places in my heart. You too? But, the fact is, those weeds...those sins will return...bigger and badder if we don't do something about the roots - about the attitudes from which those actions came.
Now for the small weeds.
The tiny little green leaves crawling across the yard and amongst the flowers.
"These aren't so bad. They would be easy to get out.", I thought. "In fact, I could just leave them. I mean, you can't even see them from far away. And I could come clean these up another time...it would only take a few minutes."
(Ha. Yeah right. I'm way too OCD once I get started on a task!!)
ANYWAY, the small weeds were EVERYWHERE. Once I really got down on the ground and surveyed what I needed to work on, I realized that they were simply out of control.
They were wrapped around the base of every bush.
They were growing through cracks in the cement and through the wood surrounding the planters.
There were weeds that were so intertwined with other weeds that they sprawled all the way across the flower bed.
They were plauging the whole yard.
How would I ever get all of the tiny ones out. Again, the idea of leaving them there crossed my mind. It's amazing how lazy I am when it comes right down to it.
The small sins are the ones that I would really like to leave alone. They are the things in my life that I hold onto...because they just really aren't "big enough to worry about". They aren't even visable from far away. And after all, they are so "easy" to get rid of....
Right?
Do you have some of those?
They are the "secret gardens" that we tend in the back corners of our hearts? (that analogy is courtesy of our friend Archbishop Fulton Sheen). :)
We all have them.
Oh, we pretend they aren't there.
We think that maybe if we ignore them they will somehow magically disappear before next spring. We think that we have control of them - that they will be easy to eliminate. But, the truth is, they are plaguing our lives. People may not notice those sins so much but when we let the little sins go, we don't realize that they are wrapping themselves around the virtue in our lives...trying their best to suffocate every good. When we don't stop them they continue to permeate each area where God might be using us fruitfully, for his glory.
Large and small, let's get digging.
It's not that I hate yardwork or that I don't want to know more about gardening. I actually don't mind it and would love to. But, we decided that next summer will have to be the summer of worrying about the yard and redoing the landscaping...I mean, I we have an infant and a two year old...which = no time to mess with the yard work. :) (Although, I'm not sure that having a one and three year old next summer will make it that much more convenient. Oh well!)
Anyway, the weeds were seriously starting to overtake the front step, and I was a little worried about losing Roman in the "jungle" near the door, so I finally broke down and just decided to pull up a bunch of the mess. And it was a mess. It really was. And, well, you know how I roll. I had some revelations while digging through the mess. Maybe it's because it's only in the most random and mundane moments that I have silence enough to be so "enlightened". (you can stop laughing!) Maybe God just has a quirky sense of humor...but nonetheless, He gets his point across.
I started with the big weeds. The tall, thick, almost tree-like weeds. The most daunting. The most challenging. (Now for my disclaimer: I need you to know this does not mean that my yard is looking good right now. That is much too big of a goal. Mary and I cleaned out those planters last fall and somehow there are still who-knows-what-kind-of plants growing on top of bushes and hostas spilling out from underneath daisies. I don't understand it. ANYWAY, we are planning to pull it all up next summer anyway).
I thought if I could get the big weeds out of the way, it would look much better. It took a lot of hard work. I was digging and yanking, sweating and pulling. They just did not want to come out. They had set their roots down deep and they were there to stay. In some cases, I didn't get all the roots...obviously, we will be seeing those plants again. But for now, it will work. And it did look better, but not great.
As I struggled with the monstrous intruders, it reminded me a lot of my sin. Those big sins in my life that are deeply rooted, that seem to be "there to stay", and that take much time and painful effort to get rid of. I know my life would be much better without them. I know they are taking up room in my heart that could be filled with something far more beautiful and functional. But it takes work. It's not easy. I will have to dig down, get right in the middle of the mess...I have to be willing to get dirty (or admit that I'm unclean) in order to get rid of it. Let's be honest. I will have to get on my knees and cry out to God...because only He can help me get at the roots. It will be painful.
And if I don't?...Well, if I don't get the roots, the labor will be in vain. If the roots stay, there will be no opportunity for flowers in the spring. You see, at least I am the kind of person that sometimes strives more for appearance than for actually fixing the dark places in my heart. You too? But, the fact is, those weeds...those sins will return...bigger and badder if we don't do something about the roots - about the attitudes from which those actions came.
Now for the small weeds.
The tiny little green leaves crawling across the yard and amongst the flowers.
"These aren't so bad. They would be easy to get out.", I thought. "In fact, I could just leave them. I mean, you can't even see them from far away. And I could come clean these up another time...it would only take a few minutes."
(Ha. Yeah right. I'm way too OCD once I get started on a task!!)
ANYWAY, the small weeds were EVERYWHERE. Once I really got down on the ground and surveyed what I needed to work on, I realized that they were simply out of control.
They were wrapped around the base of every bush.
They were growing through cracks in the cement and through the wood surrounding the planters.
There were weeds that were so intertwined with other weeds that they sprawled all the way across the flower bed.
They were plauging the whole yard.
How would I ever get all of the tiny ones out. Again, the idea of leaving them there crossed my mind. It's amazing how lazy I am when it comes right down to it.
The small sins are the ones that I would really like to leave alone. They are the things in my life that I hold onto...because they just really aren't "big enough to worry about". They aren't even visable from far away. And after all, they are so "easy" to get rid of....
Right?
Do you have some of those?
They are the "secret gardens" that we tend in the back corners of our hearts? (that analogy is courtesy of our friend Archbishop Fulton Sheen). :)
We all have them.
Oh, we pretend they aren't there.
We think that maybe if we ignore them they will somehow magically disappear before next spring. We think that we have control of them - that they will be easy to eliminate. But, the truth is, they are plaguing our lives. People may not notice those sins so much but when we let the little sins go, we don't realize that they are wrapping themselves around the virtue in our lives...trying their best to suffocate every good. When we don't stop them they continue to permeate each area where God might be using us fruitfully, for his glory.
Large and small, let's get digging.
8.16.2009
Family Time
We had an awesome week with Joe's family. I don't think we could have packed more stuff into the week, but somehow we had time to relax and just enjoy life together. What an awesome combination. :)
They arrived late last Thursday so we only got to chat for a little while that evening. Friday morning we made our oh-so-predictable trip to Dutch Oven Bakery. DELICIOUS. Roman was SO excited to see them and it was neat to see that they picked up right where they left off. It was like they had never been gone.
Friday afternoon, Joe and I (with Judah in tow, of course!) went to help Ryan and Kathleen decorate for their wedding. Tony and Roman met us later for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. It was such a fun day.
Naturally, Saturday was the wedding. I have been tagged in some pictures on Facebook. (Also pictures and videos of the family visiting. You wouldn't really expect me to be that on top of uploading pictures and videos so soon, would you??) Anyway, it was a beautiful wedding!! It has such a blessing to be a part of their relationship and we were so glad we got to share in their wedding with them. Roman was an excellent ring bearer...although, he talked (loudly) about his pillow all the way down the aisle. :)
Sunday we went to mass at St John's Basillica in Des Moines (where Tony and Suellen attended when they lived here). We went to lunch and then headed back to Boone to make food and head over to St Cecilia's for Judah's baptism! (Again, check facebook for the pictures!) It was an awesome night. Deacon Troy came to celebrate with us and, of course, all of my family, and many of our friends. We were so blessed by all of the people that came...people that probably were exhausted by the end of the weekend or traveled many miles or made other sacrifices to be with us. We are so thankful for all of you!! It was a great night of fellowship and joy for our family.
Monday through Wednesday were more relaxing days. We hung out at home, took naps, ate out, went to the park, drew with sidewalk chalk, played in the sandbox, did bubbles, got haircuts (I got 7 inches cut off of my hair!), went shopping, caught butterflies, did puzzles, read books, and hung out some more.
Thursday we went to the zoo! (Roman's idea of a perfect day = lots of family to play with and going to the zoo!) We got to feed lots of animals...fish, ducks, llamas, goats, and even giraffes! Of course, Roman didn't want to feed the giraffes, but he enjoyed watching the rest of us. When we got home we played outside some more and had a water balloon fight - which turned out to be more like "brothers chases sisters/wife with hose". Neat. That night Angie and I took Theresa to the pool.
We got a whole day on Friday to hang out with the fam some more. At the moment, I really coudn't tell you what we did...but we had a blast. :) They left Saturday morning and, I'm not going to lie, I definitely cried. It was just so great having everyone here. Roman has been talking about how "Grandma and Grandpa and Theresa went to South Carolina" and
"Angie went to Virginia". And he's already talking about "go see Grandma and Grandpa at Christmas". :)
They arrived late last Thursday so we only got to chat for a little while that evening. Friday morning we made our oh-so-predictable trip to Dutch Oven Bakery. DELICIOUS. Roman was SO excited to see them and it was neat to see that they picked up right where they left off. It was like they had never been gone.
Friday afternoon, Joe and I (with Judah in tow, of course!) went to help Ryan and Kathleen decorate for their wedding. Tony and Roman met us later for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. It was such a fun day.
Naturally, Saturday was the wedding. I have been tagged in some pictures on Facebook. (Also pictures and videos of the family visiting. You wouldn't really expect me to be that on top of uploading pictures and videos so soon, would you??) Anyway, it was a beautiful wedding!! It has such a blessing to be a part of their relationship and we were so glad we got to share in their wedding with them. Roman was an excellent ring bearer...although, he talked (loudly) about his pillow all the way down the aisle. :)
Sunday we went to mass at St John's Basillica in Des Moines (where Tony and Suellen attended when they lived here). We went to lunch and then headed back to Boone to make food and head over to St Cecilia's for Judah's baptism! (Again, check facebook for the pictures!) It was an awesome night. Deacon Troy came to celebrate with us and, of course, all of my family, and many of our friends. We were so blessed by all of the people that came...people that probably were exhausted by the end of the weekend or traveled many miles or made other sacrifices to be with us. We are so thankful for all of you!! It was a great night of fellowship and joy for our family.
Monday through Wednesday were more relaxing days. We hung out at home, took naps, ate out, went to the park, drew with sidewalk chalk, played in the sandbox, did bubbles, got haircuts (I got 7 inches cut off of my hair!), went shopping, caught butterflies, did puzzles, read books, and hung out some more.
Thursday we went to the zoo! (Roman's idea of a perfect day = lots of family to play with and going to the zoo!) We got to feed lots of animals...fish, ducks, llamas, goats, and even giraffes! Of course, Roman didn't want to feed the giraffes, but he enjoyed watching the rest of us. When we got home we played outside some more and had a water balloon fight - which turned out to be more like "brothers chases sisters/wife with hose". Neat. That night Angie and I took Theresa to the pool.
We got a whole day on Friday to hang out with the fam some more. At the moment, I really coudn't tell you what we did...but we had a blast. :) They left Saturday morning and, I'm not going to lie, I definitely cried. It was just so great having everyone here. Roman has been talking about how "Grandma and Grandpa and Theresa went to South Carolina" and
"Angie went to Virginia". And he's already talking about "go see Grandma and Grandpa at Christmas". :)
8.04.2009
a little more bragging...
Judah's two month stats:
weight: THIRTEEN pounds and twelve ounces. 95th percentile!!! I was SO excited! Roman was the 10th percentile for weight until he was almost a year old! We worked so hard to try to get him to gain weight so it's such a relief that Judah is gaining weight so easily!
height: 24 inches. 85th percentile!
weight: THIRTEEN pounds and twelve ounces. 95th percentile!!! I was SO excited! Roman was the 10th percentile for weight until he was almost a year old! We worked so hard to try to get him to gain weight so it's such a relief that Judah is gaining weight so easily!
height: 24 inches. 85th percentile!
He's a big boy! And he's healthy and doing very well.
:)
8.01.2009
A mom needs to brag a little :)
Some of the funny things Roman has been saying:
(instead of "Where could Roman be?"): "Where's Roman could be?"
When he wants something: "Please Mommy juice please" or "Please Daddy drums please"
Some of the incredible things Roman has been doing:
Putting together the entire "United States of America" puzzle Jim gave him. He can tell you that Roman lives in Iowa, Daddy was born in Washington, Grandma and Grandpa live in South Carolina, and Aunt Angie lives in Virginia. He knows several of the other states' names, too.
Singing along to songs. For example, pretty much any Vow of Silence song, "Better is One Day" by Kutless, Head Shoulders Knees and Toes...
(instead of "Where could Roman be?"): "Where's Roman could be?"
When he wants something: "Please Mommy juice please" or "Please Daddy drums please"
Some of the incredible things Roman has been doing:
Putting together the entire "United States of America" puzzle Jim gave him. He can tell you that Roman lives in Iowa, Daddy was born in Washington, Grandma and Grandpa live in South Carolina, and Aunt Angie lives in Virginia. He knows several of the other states' names, too.
Singing along to songs. For example, pretty much any Vow of Silence song, "Better is One Day" by Kutless, Head Shoulders Knees and Toes...
***************************************************
Judah will be two months old tomorrow! He continues to be a fabulously good baby...eating well and sleeping well (most nights!) He has been sleeping a four hour stretch from about 11 to 3 and then waking up again around 5 and 7. Of course, this is not including the other night when he woke up at 2, 4, 5, and 6. Yikes.
He is a very happy little boy - lots of smiles and cooing.
***************************************************
We have another big week coming up! Joe's family should be arriving Thursday or Friday for a week long visit! We are SO excited to see them! Roman is excited beyond belief and we can't wait for them to meet Judah!
We also have Ryan and Kathleen's wedding a week from today! YAY!
***************************************************
Needless to say, it will probably be a little while before I post again. But, I'm sure there will lots of great stories and pictures to share when I do!
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