1. Grounds for Change. Delicious coffee. Fair trade. What more could you ask for?
2. Starfall.com If you have preschool age kids, this is a great way to get them interested in phonics.
3. coconut oil. I have been loving coconut oil for a long time now. Now, this list of 101 uses...well, some of them might be a bit of a stretch. But if you're not using it, then you're late to the party. Get on the bandwagon already. I use it for healthy cooking, face moisturizer, and shaving cream (!! This is probably my favorite use! Thanks for the recommendation, Chrissy!)
4. Renew lotion. Coconut oil is all I need most of the time. But I am a mom to three dirty, yucky, stinky boys. I have to wash my hands a lot. I also live in the North. It's cold here. Winter skin care is serious business. Thankfully my friend Lindsay sells Melaleuca products. If you want to order, send me an e-mail and I can hook you up. Oh, and if you decide to go with the Renew lotion, do yourself a favor and get the 20 oz bottle. You won't regret it. I have never used a moisturizer that lasts so long, even with the constant hand washing.
5. All Sons and Daughters. For your listening pleasure:
6. Sevenly. Because people matter. Get a cute new top AND help someone. Win.Win.
7. Do some research before you shop:
Green America and Free2Work are great sites (and also have mobile apps!)
I have been doing some reading about slave labor, child labor, and human trafficking. This is scary stuff, friends. It's easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless in the face of such big problems - especially in light of how deep the corruption is in some major companies. But, I don't want to cop-out and say we can't do anything. Surely, you can't be certain about every purchase you make being completely ethical, but I'm trying to change the things that I buy on a regular basis (like coffee, chocolate, make-up...that pretty much sums up all of life's needs, right? :)). I also feel like I could change where I make bigger purchases that I can plan out/research ahead of time. Let's make our money talk!
8. Along those lines, here are some some sites where you can read about slavery and find ways to be part of the solution:
The A21 Campaign "Human trafficking is the illegal trade of human beings, mainly for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor. As the world’s fastest growing criminal industry, it affects every nation across the globe. Every thirty seconds, someone is forced into this type of bondage—modern slavery"
End It Movement "Nothing happens just because we are aware of modern–day slavery, but nothing will EVER happen until we are."
9. National Geographic Picture of the Day I have probably already written about this in a previous post, but I'll write again because we love it that much. This is a much-loved part of our school day. We like to look at a new, breathtaking picture every day. We make observations, write stories about them, find the location on a map, do some research about that particular place/animal/thing, the list is endless of what you can do with this!
10. If you're not following Honest Toddler on twitter, you should be. So so funny.
5.06.2013
5.05.2013
Homeschooling: The Why
I have had several people ask me about homeschooling lately and so I thought a post might be the best way to communicate my thoughts on the topic. You know, given that I can't get through a phone conversation without having to say "hang on, I have to stop Judah from climbing the counter to steal chocolate chips" or "Call you back, just found Silas playing in the toilet."
Homeschooling has been a topic of discussion in our family for quite a while. My degree is in elementary education and so homeschooling had always been an idea I had tossed around. Roman turned 5 last June and so it was time to buckle down and make a decision.
I want to make it clear that I had mostly great experiences in the public schools I attended. I have several teachers that I could name as huge influences in my life, both personally and intellectually. I think, like most people, I had a couple of not-so-great teachers too, but that's the way it goes.. I always enjoyed school. With a very few exceptions, all the teachers I know are heroes. They work so hard to not only educate, but genuinely care for each student in their class. Which is a big job when you have 20 kids that you are responsible for on a daily basis. If you don't know it, teachers are up at night thinking about the best ways to motivate your kids; they spend hours of their time and hundreds of dollars of their own money trying to make projects awesome and engaging. They are the most underpaid, under appreciated and SIMULTANEOUSLY the most dedicated, life-giving workers you'll ever meet. Teacher friends/mentors, you know I love you!
ANYWAY, when we moved, we really had to get on figuring out what to do. Since our church here in Wisconsin has a school, that seemed like the obvious choice if we weren't going to homeschool. Joe and I visited the school and Roman and I actually went to one of the kindergarten visit days, too. I had no complaints about anything I saw at that school.
Our decision to homeschool was not out of fear or lack of options. It has simply been what we feel called to do. It's what we feel works best for our family right now. We have no long term plans for our kids' educations. We want to keep prayerfully discerning what is best for our family.
So, in no particular order, here are some of the reasons that we homeschool:
- attention wise, we felt Roman may be better suited for kindergarten as a 6 year old, but he could already read by his 5th birthday so I didn't think it would be wise to wait a whole year to begin schooling
- Joe works a lot of evenings. I'm thankful to say that he is really good about making time for family and balancing home life and work life. SO, when he works a lot of evenings, he will often take a morning or two to stay home during the week. I want our boys to be able to have as much quality time with Dad as they can. So, homeschooling works well. Roman can do schoolwork in the afternoon, or we can do some kind of field trip all together or he can read for Dad. That's always way cooler than reading to Mom.
field trip to the children's museum- It seems like the natural extension of what we have already been doing. I have been staying home since Roman was born. If I can teach him effectively at home, why not do it?
- I always tell my kids "brothers are best friends". I want them to have lots of quality time together and they definitely get that when we're home together during the day. Let's be honest, they also fight a lot. Such is the life of siblings, no? I also love that when we spend time with other homeschool families, they get to interact with kids of all ages. Getting along with peers is awesome and important. I think it's just as important for our kids to be able to talk to teenagers and adults confidently, and for them to learn to include younger kids in whatever game they're playing.
- We have had a big transition in the last year with moving to a new state. I wanted this year to be focused on family bonding.
- There is an awesome homeschool group that we are a part of in Madison. I think the community aspect is really important. Roman actually goes to a kindergarten class on Friday afternoons (September-April) and he loves that!
- The little ones are around all of the learning and they like to get involved.
- I want my boys to be able to do as much hands-on, messy learning as possible. Because that's when they get really excited about something. There are lots of ways to learn that don't involve desks or a classroom. This is especially helpful for whild and crazy boys like mine. And I like letting the boys be messy boys. You can see the way their eyes light up when they get to to explore outside and really dig into things they want to learn about. pun intended.
- I like to have structured parts to our day (usually in the morning we do our Bible reading, handwriting, reading, and math.) For kindergarten that takes maybe 1-2 hours, depending on how many interruptions we have and how quickly Roman catches onto the lesson. I also enjoy having a good amount of the day that's open-ended. This is where the child-guided learning comes in. When Roman finds an insect outside we can all take turns making observations and go find a book that tells us more about that insect. It's time that we spend on impromptu science experiments, exploring some art or music, watching a documentary, going for a bike ride, or writing letters to friends. It's also time that we are free build more relationships with friends or family: we could go to the zoo, cuddle up and read, have a play-date, or make a meal for someone.
- On that same note, we can change things up when we want to. It's getting close to the end of the year, sometimes Roman gets a little antsy on me. The other day it was raining and he was mad that they wouldn't be able to play outside. So, we got out one of our science books and read about water cycles, and did an experiment about rain. That didn't make up for not being able to go to the park, but at least it gave him something new and exciting to think about for a while. (And yes, I did let them out to jump in the puddles, too).
- We can spend time on more important things when we need to. Yes, I think there are more important things than schoolwork. Obviously, most of our mornings are spent on lessons, but when there is someone in the community that needs our help or something we can do to reach out to someone, I want to jump on that opportunity. That's WHY they're learning right? So they can make a difference in the world someday. (or today)
- We can travel when we want to. We have family all over the country now so we like to get out and visit whenever we can. It's nice that we can work our school schedule around (or into!) that. For example, when we visited my brother and his family in DC for Thanksgiving, we did a lot US History reading/projects beforehand, and visited the Museum of Natural History while we were there. We also strolled down to see the White House.
- I like hanging out with my kids. I think I would miss them if they were at school. They are interesting and funny and ask awesome questions and it's my joy to see them growing and changing every day.
(a great way to enterain the littles. Grab an old cookie sheet and a permanent marker. Write the alphabet on the back side of the cookie sheet. Get some letter magnents and let the match up begin. Judah has recently mastered this game. Silas, as you can see, is still working on it. :) )
(This is what happens when the littles are not being entertained.)
Judah is just starting to write his name! Yay!
(He also wrote about ten letter A's on the wall behind the couch in the basement. In pink marker.)
- Of COURSE there are days that I think I'm INSANE for trying to homeschool. Let's be real, no matter what school choice you make, there will always be tough days when you're going to question if you made the right decision. Nothing is perfect. What do you do when that happens? Pray for grace, have another cup of coffee, and start over tomorrow.
- We want our kids to know that their relationship with God, and their call to share the Gospel, is the most important thing in life. We want them to see that knowing, loving, and serving God is an adventure that takes courage but that it will be their greatest joy! I know that we could choose a private school where they would get that, too, and I know that many parents are great at teaching that while sending their kids to public school. But, I like having them here and knowing for sure what they are learning and hearing. And we can put the emphasis on what we feel is most beneficial. For example, I'm a big believer in memorizing scripture, so we make that a part of life around here. (Although now that I'm typing it, I'm realizing that I have been slacking on that.) New mercies every day, see?
(I love the simplicity of a child's mind. This is story Roman wrote about a king: "He will go to fight the bad guy. He will save the people. The bad guys is killed."
(One of our favorites: My Very First Art Book. Each page shows a work by a famous artist and talks a little bit about the medium and technique they use. Then it gives examples of ways your child can experiment with the same technique...this is Roman's chalk blending masterpiece. :))
There are pros and cons to any schooling choice you might make, and I don't think there is a magical equation for the perfect education. But we are loving the homeschool life thus far!
4.17.2013
The Surreal and The Sacred
There are some things that are simply too sacred for words.
That's how I feel about Kiley's story. I know that whatever I write, it won't be enough. It won't sufficiently capture the paradox of pain and beauty that is wrapped up in all of this. But, I trust you, dear friends, to bear with me through this post. I have been absent for a while because I know I have to write this. I know that my heart has to spill this out before I will be able to write anything else.
I know I have to write it, and I've tried.
I just can never quite do it.
If I tell her story here, it seems so real and so final. I wish it wasn't. I have such conflicted emotions about bearing witness to all of this. There are times when it all feels like a terrible dream. There are times when the presence of the Lord is so real that it seems like we're about to touch Heaven. Sometimes it's all at once an honor and a nightmare to experience the unfolding of this thing. The prayers and peace and the tears and "I can't believe it" whispers are real. It's just so much to take in.
It was just over a year ago that I was sitting in Kiley's dining room, oohing and ahhing over her four beautiful children and her belly just starting to show #5. It had been years since I had seen her. She and Scott were in a Bible study with us in Iowa (back in the day!) when Joe and I were very newly married, and she and Scott were very new parents to sweet baby Aiden. That night, over dinner, we marveled at the way that God is in the details. He had established our friendship in Iowa and then arranged for our growing families to be reunited years later, living in the same town in Wisconsin. God is so good.
We feel so blessed that we have gotten to know Scott and Kiley again. To be in Bible study together, to worship together at church and with friends, to have our kids laughing together at the park. They invited us to all kinds of events at our new parish, introduced us to most of our friends here, and we always knew we could call them to ask where kids eat free on certain days of the week. :)
A couple of months ago, Kiley was sitting in my dining room. We were laughing at the antics of all of our children running around, and she was trying to convince me to hurry up and get pregnant with #4. We talked about parenting and schooling and teaching our kids about Jesus. I'm so thankful for friendships with depth...when you can talk easily about the things that really matter, and also laugh so hard your sides hurt. Best combo ever.
This is where I keep getting stuck. I don't even know how to go about describing the events that led to her going home to the Lord. It's still very new. It was all so unexpected. Above all, because we are believers, this is very Holy ground.
It was a Thursday morning that Kiley went to kickboxing class at the athletic club. In the middle of class she sat down... and that was it. There was a blood clot in her brain stem. They airlifted her to the UW hospital and did everything they could. We were hopeful, but the third scan showed no brain function.
Surreal is walking into a hospital room, knowing it will be the last time you see your friend on this side of eternity.
Sorrow is hearing brokenhearted friends asking her to stay.
Solidarity is watching your husband reach out for hers...laying hands on him in prayer.
Fatherhood is three praying priests in the waiting room.
Serene are the moments of remembering her redemption.
Sweetness is listening to the words a husband whispers over his wife in her last hours.
Sacred is the presence of Love Himself in the midst of the weeping.
Stillness is holding sweet baby girl, just four months old, days after we put her mama in the ground.
Heartbreak is hearing a three year old announce "mom's dead".
Healing is watching a community come together, embracing this family in their brokenness. The Body of Christ is alive and well, friends. I am so thankful to have seen Him move, felt His hands at work here.
Hope is hearing God's goodness proclaimed even in the darkest of hours. Heaven will surely gain more souls because of the faithfulness of broken believers.
We prayed for a miracle. Kiley knows how to get people praying. :)
Sunday, March 3, Kiley got to meet her Savior.
There is really no way to wrap this up.
There is a gaping hole in a beautiful family. There are little ones trying to comprehend eternity and trying to cope with this life without mom. There is a man missing his other half.
But the family knows this:
There is a community struggling, grasping for hope. But they are a people committed to bringing this about:
There is a God who gives and a God who takes. A God who knows us and loves us. A God who grieves with us and blesses us with the promise of eternal life. We have a God who is good and faithful and present and sovereign.
We are in this storm. And the waves will continue to crash. But we have this in Him:
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain...
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight...
Some of you say, "Joy is greater than sorrow," and others say, "Nay, sorrow is the greater."
But I say unto you, they are inseparable.
-excerpts from On Joy and Sorrow by Kahlil Gibran
Donate to the Hackl Family Fund here.
That's how I feel about Kiley's story. I know that whatever I write, it won't be enough. It won't sufficiently capture the paradox of pain and beauty that is wrapped up in all of this. But, I trust you, dear friends, to bear with me through this post. I have been absent for a while because I know I have to write this. I know that my heart has to spill this out before I will be able to write anything else.
I know I have to write it, and I've tried.
I just can never quite do it.
If I tell her story here, it seems so real and so final. I wish it wasn't. I have such conflicted emotions about bearing witness to all of this. There are times when it all feels like a terrible dream. There are times when the presence of the Lord is so real that it seems like we're about to touch Heaven. Sometimes it's all at once an honor and a nightmare to experience the unfolding of this thing. The prayers and peace and the tears and "I can't believe it" whispers are real. It's just so much to take in.
**************************************************
It was just over a year ago that I was sitting in Kiley's dining room, oohing and ahhing over her four beautiful children and her belly just starting to show #5. It had been years since I had seen her. She and Scott were in a Bible study with us in Iowa (back in the day!) when Joe and I were very newly married, and she and Scott were very new parents to sweet baby Aiden. That night, over dinner, we marveled at the way that God is in the details. He had established our friendship in Iowa and then arranged for our growing families to be reunited years later, living in the same town in Wisconsin. God is so good.
We feel so blessed that we have gotten to know Scott and Kiley again. To be in Bible study together, to worship together at church and with friends, to have our kids laughing together at the park. They invited us to all kinds of events at our new parish, introduced us to most of our friends here, and we always knew we could call them to ask where kids eat free on certain days of the week. :)
A couple of months ago, Kiley was sitting in my dining room. We were laughing at the antics of all of our children running around, and she was trying to convince me to hurry up and get pregnant with #4. We talked about parenting and schooling and teaching our kids about Jesus. I'm so thankful for friendships with depth...when you can talk easily about the things that really matter, and also laugh so hard your sides hurt. Best combo ever.
This is where I keep getting stuck. I don't even know how to go about describing the events that led to her going home to the Lord. It's still very new. It was all so unexpected. Above all, because we are believers, this is very Holy ground.
It was a Thursday morning that Kiley went to kickboxing class at the athletic club. In the middle of class she sat down... and that was it. There was a blood clot in her brain stem. They airlifted her to the UW hospital and did everything they could. We were hopeful, but the third scan showed no brain function.
*******************************************
Surreal is walking into a hospital room, knowing it will be the last time you see your friend on this side of eternity.
Sorrow is hearing brokenhearted friends asking her to stay.
Solidarity is watching your husband reach out for hers...laying hands on him in prayer.
Fatherhood is three praying priests in the waiting room.
Serene are the moments of remembering her redemption.
Sweetness is listening to the words a husband whispers over his wife in her last hours.
Sacred is the presence of Love Himself in the midst of the weeping.
Stillness is holding sweet baby girl, just four months old, days after we put her mama in the ground.
Heartbreak is hearing a three year old announce "mom's dead".
Healing is watching a community come together, embracing this family in their brokenness. The Body of Christ is alive and well, friends. I am so thankful to have seen Him move, felt His hands at work here.
Hope is hearing God's goodness proclaimed even in the darkest of hours. Heaven will surely gain more souls because of the faithfulness of broken believers.
****************************************
We prayed for a miracle. Kiley knows how to get people praying. :)
Sunday, March 3, Kiley got to meet her Savior.
********************************************
There is really no way to wrap this up.
There is a gaping hole in a beautiful family. There are little ones trying to comprehend eternity and trying to cope with this life without mom. There is a man missing his other half.
But the family knows this:
Romans 8:18
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
There is a community struggling, grasping for hope. But they are a people committed to bringing this about:
1 Corinthians 1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of mercies and God of all comfort;
who comforts us in all our affliction
so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction
with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
There is a God who gives and a God who takes. A God who knows us and loves us. A God who grieves with us and blesses us with the promise of eternal life. We have a God who is good and faithful and present and sovereign.
We are in this storm. And the waves will continue to crash. But we have this in Him:
Hebrews 6:19
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure
*********************************************
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain...
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight...
Some of you say, "Joy is greater than sorrow," and others say, "Nay, sorrow is the greater."
But I say unto you, they are inseparable.
-excerpts from On Joy and Sorrow by Kahlil Gibran
Donate to the Hackl Family Fund here.
1.16.2013
As the mother of BOYS.
As the mother of BOYS, I am realizing the following things:
1. I will be cleaning pee off the toilet seat for the rest of my life.
2. I will be listening to belching followed by laughter, probably for the rest of my life.
3. I will have to say "hands out of your pants" at least 37 times daily...for the rest of...well hopefully not my life - hopefully I get to stop saying this one before they leave the house.
4. I will be breaking up physical fights and then be baffled that the two fighters are BFF again after only 5 minutes.
5. I will be feeding hungry mouths constantly. And when I'm not, I will be hiding said food until the next feeding, so that I can ensure even distribution.
6. I will be picking up pieces of broken things and saying "what happened here?"
7. I will be wiping noses and bottoms forever.
8. I will be saying "I guess you probably need ANOTHER bath now".
9. I will be asking any combination of the following questions during the course of any given day:
"Why are you sitting in the sink?
Where is your brother?
Why did you take that?
Who hurt Silas?
Why is Judah crying?
Why haven't you picked up your shoes yet?
Is that poop?
Why is Roman outside?
Where is your underwear?
Have you washed your hands?
When are you going to learn to wipe yourself?
Who dumped out the dog's water?
How did you get THAT stuck in THERE?
Why are you naked?
Who got out the paints?
Why is the hallway covered in Q tips?
Who was using scissors?
Did you ask Dad about that?
Did you hear what I just asked you to do?
Why are you so gross?"
The list goes on but that's all for tonight. Just something I have been pondering.
1. I will be cleaning pee off the toilet seat for the rest of my life.
2. I will be listening to belching followed by laughter, probably for the rest of my life.
3. I will have to say "hands out of your pants" at least 37 times daily...for the rest of...well hopefully not my life - hopefully I get to stop saying this one before they leave the house.
4. I will be breaking up physical fights and then be baffled that the two fighters are BFF again after only 5 minutes.
5. I will be feeding hungry mouths constantly. And when I'm not, I will be hiding said food until the next feeding, so that I can ensure even distribution.
6. I will be picking up pieces of broken things and saying "what happened here?"
7. I will be wiping noses and bottoms forever.
8. I will be saying "I guess you probably need ANOTHER bath now".
9. I will be asking any combination of the following questions during the course of any given day:
"Why are you sitting in the sink?
Where is your brother?
Why did you take that?
Who hurt Silas?
Why is Judah crying?
Why haven't you picked up your shoes yet?
Is that poop?
Why is Roman outside?
Where is your underwear?
Have you washed your hands?
When are you going to learn to wipe yourself?
Who dumped out the dog's water?
How did you get THAT stuck in THERE?
Why are you naked?
Who got out the paints?
Why is the hallway covered in Q tips?
Who was using scissors?
Did you ask Dad about that?
Did you hear what I just asked you to do?
Why are you so gross?"
The list goes on but that's all for tonight. Just something I have been pondering.
12.21.2012
A letter for my boys
Dear Roman, Judah, and Silas,
I should have been writing more over the last month and a half. I should have been writing more about how crazy awesome you guys are and how much I love being your mama.
Roman, I should have been writing about how much you love to draw. Every day for your schoolwork you read a story and then you draw a picture and write your own story. Over the last couple of weeks the drawings have gotten more and more detailed and it is so much fun to watch your little mind coming up with all of these wild images. Yesterday the story in your book was about a dad grilling meat for his kids. So your story started with a grill and then you drew a whole kitchen followed by other rooms in your house. You drew yourself in (as an adult) and added all the things you wanted to have in your house when you grow up. Including five guitars. Somehow you also included you and Dad fighting dragons in the picture. I'm not sure how your brain moved from grill to dragon, but it makes me smile thinking about it. It's still hard to get you to want to write your own words to go with your pictures. I can usually get you to write 2-3 sentences (and then you want to dictate and have me do all the "work" of penmanship) but your handwriting and spelling is really good for a five year old.
This is another one of your masterpieces that I love.
This is the conversation we had about it:
R: "It's the pool! This is Tony blasting me off!"
Me: "Wow! Awesome! Tell me about what you drew here on your chest and on Uncle Tony's chest"
R: "Well, these are my nipples, and this is my belly button".
Me: "I see. And what about this?" (In regards to the squiggly line between nipples and belly button)
R: "That's my hairy".
Nice.
I should have been writing about all your funny dreams. The other day you came into our room at 5:30 in the morning and said "Mom! I had a dream I held a baby shark!" You were so excited about it that I couldn't even be grumpy about the 5:30 part.
I should have been writing about the way you cried during a movie for the first time. Homeward Bound. The boy gets a puppy for Christmas and doesn't want it, so they leave him in a box on the side of the road in the rain. You were so upset because "they should have loved him". You made me promise that we would never leave Charlie on the side of the road. I promise.
I should have been writing about the way you wear a costume all the time. I mean, even to Bible study and the grocery store. Currently, your favorites are a Jedi or Captain America.
 |
| You with your brothers on Halloween (although this might as well have been any day of the year because you wear costumes every day.) Roman, a Jedi Judah, Superman Silas, a polar bear |
I should have been writing about how you love to reenact movie scenes. You love Night at the Museum and so you'll often dress as the cowboy, Jedidiah, and say "I'll shoot you in your dang eye! In your daggum eye!" I'm sure that sounds terrible, but it's just so funny how much you sound like him.
I should have been writing about how you love to accessorize with anything that makes you feel like a big kid. Belts, watches, gloves, wallets, etc. You hide them under your bed when you find them so the little boys won't mess with them.
I should have been writing about how you have lost two teeth now! We have never found either of them. I noticed one day during breakfast that you were missing one. The second one you lost when we were in Virginia. We went into the bathroom and you looked in the mirror and said "Hey, I lost another tooth!" I'm not sure how one can have so little self awareness, but I'm glad that losing teeth hasn't been traumatizing. You are always so excited to see what surprises the tooth fairy will leave you.
I should have been writing about how you have lost two teeth now! We have never found either of them. I noticed one day during breakfast that you were missing one. The second one you lost when we were in Virginia. We went into the bathroom and you looked in the mirror and said "Hey, I lost another tooth!" I'm not sure how one can have so little self awareness, but I'm glad that losing teeth hasn't been traumatizing. You are always so excited to see what surprises the tooth fairy will leave you.
I should have been writing about how pumped you are for Christmas. You wrote a letter to Santa the other day:
It says:
Dear Santa,
Will you give me a Christmas presents? We are going to South Carolina. Will you please come to our house late? Roman
(You told me that by "late" you meant "late tonight". You were very excited to see that Santa did bring you presents the next morning.)
Roman, your dad says the only word to describe you is "vibrant". I would say that's about right. Your enthusiasm for life is such a blessing to witness on a daily basis. You make everything so much fun.
I should have been writing about what a lovebug you are! You love hard. Your big hugs can quickly turn to wrestling. You will often come running into me for a hug and say "I love you so much". Totally makes my day.
I should have been writing about the way you dive in to every project. The picture on the left was when we decorated ice cream cones with green frosting to make them look like Christmas trees. You never decorated a tree. You made yourself a green Santa beard and ate frosting with a spoon. Same deal when we paint. You put some paint on a brush, run it across the paper a few times and then cover your arms and legs in paint. You roll around in the dirt and do somersaults in the mud. You enjoy every minute of life, no hesitations, and although you're constantly a mess, I love that about you.
I should have been writing about how you ask me for "crazy hair" every day. Meaning you want me to give you a fauxhawk.
I should have been writing about your obsession with clothes. You change your outfit about 30 times a day. Your current favorite is a swim suit. It's 31 degrees outside.
 |
| working on some Christmas crafts, in your swimsuit. |
"cordurboy" instead of "corduroy"
"whatcher got there" anytime you're curious about what someone else is holding
"I'm so proud of you!" when you want me to say that to you. :)
"meed" instead of "need". My fave: "Mommy, I meed to cuddle".
I should have been writing about how incredibly excited you are to go to South Carolina for Christmas. The other day I said, "Judah, you need to put your shoes on so we can go to the store."
Your response? "Wanna go to South Carolina".
Every I ask you to get your coat on to go to a playdate you say "I'm ready to go to South Carolina!"
You are starting to understand time but not enough to understand what you are actually saying. So, when you want to see someone you'll say "Mary. See her in two weeks".
Judah, although you are able to speak, you are a man of few words. It's so funny what you choose to say and when. It's often totally unexpected which makes it even better.
I should have been writing about the way that you steal food from the cupboards and refrigerator every half hour but will not sit down to eat at meal times.
I should have been writing about the way that you are a carbon copy of your daddy when he was your age. I mean, absolutely identical.
I should have been writing about the way you love your dog. You call him what you hear other people call him...so "Charlie pup", "char char" or "charlie babe". You often hug him and say "So cute."
I should have been writing about the "snarly face" you have recently discovered.
I should have been writing about your sweet dance moves. They are really something. As with everything in life, you have zero inhibitions, so you just let loose with your entire body. So.so.funny.
Judah, your dad says the only word to describe you is "terrorist". And we do mean that in the most endearing way possible. You are so, so charming. But it is a bit deceiving because no one expects your wild side. You keep us on our toes and we will have SO many hilariously embarrassing stories to tell your friends when you're a teenager. Judah, you bring us so much joy and laughter. Your smile is absolutely contagious. We can't wait to see what God has planned for your life.
Judah, your dad says the only word to describe you is "terrorist". And we do mean that in the most endearing way possible. You are so, so charming. But it is a bit deceiving because no one expects your wild side. You keep us on our toes and we will have SO many hilariously embarrassing stories to tell your friends when you're a teenager. Judah, you bring us so much joy and laughter. Your smile is absolutely contagious. We can't wait to see what God has planned for your life.
Silas,
My adorable baby boy...I should have been writing about how incredibly sweet you are. You are quite the talker these days. You consistently say 6 and 7 word sentences. You have such a loving nature about you. You are always the first to thank me for a snack or for reading a book. Well, except that you say "sank you". My other favorite things you say:
"t'mere" for "come here"
"wanna tuddle" for "want to cuddle"
"want some Jesus" when we're in the communion line at Mass
I should have been writing about how you say "stop kissing" every time you catch daddy and me...you want us to stop because you want us to give you a sandwich kiss. You love the love.
I should have been writing about what a thinker you are. When you are in a new situation you like to take a few minutes to soak it all in. You stand on the "sidelines" and just observe. You watch what your brothers do and you slowly start to explore. You aren't usually scared, just quietly thinking.
You copy whatever other people say, so when you hand something to one of your brothers you often say "here ya go, baby". Makes me laugh every time.
I should have been writing about your wide variety of voices. You use a very high pitched voice when you want to be charming. And then sometimes you use this very growly voice when you want to sound tough. Like when you say "I'm a Jedi". Although you used the growly voice to say "Merry Christmas to everyone we passed at the grocery store yesterday. I'm sure that wasn't at all disturbing to the sweet old ladies.
You also come up with a lot of your own ideas. Your dad and I always talk about how impressive it is that you have considered something in your head and know what you want. For example, you'll say "Grandma? Wanna go see her. Wanna play with". Or you'll pick up some keys and you'll say "Get in the van. Wanna go store".
I should have been writing about how you love to read. Current favorites: Green Eggs and Ham, Baby Mickey's Nap, Harold and the Purple Crayon. You like to have Roman read to you, too, which is really fun for me to watch. You always tell me when you think something was or will be fun. I.e. "Go see friends. That would be so fun". or when we get in the van after playing you tell me "that was so fun".
I should have been writing about how great you are at singing. Current fave: "How Great Thou Art". And when I ask you to sing it, you say "No, you sing it!"
Silas, your dad says the only word to describe you is "rascal". You are sweet but silly; wild but cuddly. You are always making funny faces or grabbing someone around the legs for a hug. We simply adore you. You are so precious to us.
I love you boys so much. Don't forget.
Mom
11.06.2012
The Stages of Parenting
We have had a rough couple of days around here. There are many reasons for the struggling, but I have been thinking and praying so much about our children and our family ...and it has brought me back to this conclusion that I have mentioned many times before: parenting is constant transition.
There is always something new and different. There are always new moments to savor. It seems like, at the end of each day, I remember a funny or sweet moment I had with each child. There is always fresh joy. But we are always broken and sinful members of this family. There is always a new challenge. There is always some new behavior that needs to be addressed (in the kids or in me). There is always a change to be made in the way that each child needs to be loved and disciplined.
Some days it's just so...exhausting. I am honored that I get to do it; that I get to be "in the thick of it" with my kids everyday, helping to form their little hearts. But, as I mentioned, exhausting.
So, as I have been doing all of this reflecting, I have come up with this:
The Stages of Parenting (by child's age)...
Expecting a Child: "I Know Everything There is to Know About Parenting"
Maybe this actually starts when you decide that you'd, one day, like to have children. Maybe it starts when you find out that you're pregnant or decide to adopt a baby. I don't know. But it becomes clear to you that you are a parenting genius. Of course, you don't mention this out loud to anyone, but you know it. You hear parents talking about their children and their maniacal, out of control behavior, and you actually smile inwardly. You know exactly what you'd do in that situation. You have basically already written the official parenting manual. Before I had kids, one of my mom friends was telling me about her kids wreaking havoc on her house. I thought to myself "Oh, your kid wrote on the wall? Then put the markers, up. I'm surprised this hasn't occurred to you yet." Parenting Genius, I tell you.
Newborn-Age One: "I Could Use a Nap, but Oh, the Bliss"
I mean, aside from the not sleeping and the constant feeding and, if you have biological children, the physical recovery from labor, this is when you realize that yes, you are in fact a parenting genius. Sure you're still figuring out how to swaddle and what to pack in your diaper bag, but come on. You have an adorable child, who also happens to be perfect. They will obviously not be throwing tantrums like Suzie ScreamsALot that you saw at Target the other day.
Two Year Old: "The Beginning of the End of Bliss"
Well, you still have the most adorable kid that ever lived, but he/she is starting to learn about pushing his/her limits. You knew this was coming. Everyone talks about the Terrible Twos and, some days, you think that it IS terrible. But all-in-all, your child is just exercising independence for the first time, and it's neat to see their little brains trying to figure things out. It's sure frustrating sometimes, though, and so maybe you start to consult some other "parenting experts". You start to realize that maybe you don't have it all figured out. Just a little help in a few areas and we'll be back on track. And as soon as they can really talk, it will get so much easier. That's what the experts say.
Three Year Old: "What's Wrong with My Kid" AKA "I Know Nothing About Parenting", also sometimes called "What Did We Do Wrong?"
(If you do not yet have a child that has reached this stage, I'm so sorry to be the one to have to tell you this.)Well, your child just did that thing that you said they would never do. And all your friends were watching. Your method of discipline has failed and seriously, what now?? The markers that were "up" - well, there are these things called chairs and three year olds can climb. While you were cleaning the "artwork" off your walls, the child found something else to destroy. This is the time in your child's life where you don't go anywhere because it's too stressful and you have thoughts such as "It's better to let them watch another movie than it is to sell them...right?" Oh my. I have a dear friend, who happens to be a fantastic mom, who told me the other day "I HATE the age three". I hear ya, sister. Suzie ScreamsALot has nothing on my three year old. The good news is four comes next. Four is fun.
Preschool Age 4-5: "Sweet Relief"
I'm not saying they are perfect by any means, but I love this age group. It's like something clicks in their brain and they suddenly become normal little people. There are challenges with every age and we will certainly have to continue working on obedience, respect, manners, and honesty, among other things, but now we can carry on rational conversations and, most of the time, the monstrous meltdowns are few and far between.
Now all these stages are very broad. There are tons of little milestones and phases and struggles that we could add here. What would you add? Or maybe your stages of parenting are totally different than mine? I'm sure there must be some differences between boys and girls, spacing of children, temperaments, etc. And I only have littles, so there are plenty of stages I don't even know about yet. Surely, everyone's journey will look different.
All of this is just to say, parenting is hard. Sometimes people see these frustrating moments and they are judgemental or they give some "helpful" advice that makes you feel like you're ruining your children. You're not. It takes time and effort and prayer and consistency and TIME to change your child's heart. Yes, heart. Changing behavior is momentary, changing hearts is a much bigger and more important job. It's so hard to remember these things when you're carrying a screaming, flailing child out of the restaurant, but keep on. Galatians 6:9 says "Let us not grow weary in doing good, for we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
I'm not always the mom I want to be. Most of the time people only see our "best" on the internet, but I just want to say, on those most challenging days, I'm WITH you and I'm praying for you, friends.
There is always something new and different. There are always new moments to savor. It seems like, at the end of each day, I remember a funny or sweet moment I had with each child. There is always fresh joy. But we are always broken and sinful members of this family. There is always a new challenge. There is always some new behavior that needs to be addressed (in the kids or in me). There is always a change to be made in the way that each child needs to be loved and disciplined.
Some days it's just so...exhausting. I am honored that I get to do it; that I get to be "in the thick of it" with my kids everyday, helping to form their little hearts. But, as I mentioned, exhausting.
So, as I have been doing all of this reflecting, I have come up with this:
The Stages of Parenting (by child's age)...
Expecting a Child: "I Know Everything There is to Know About Parenting"
Maybe this actually starts when you decide that you'd, one day, like to have children. Maybe it starts when you find out that you're pregnant or decide to adopt a baby. I don't know. But it becomes clear to you that you are a parenting genius. Of course, you don't mention this out loud to anyone, but you know it. You hear parents talking about their children and their maniacal, out of control behavior, and you actually smile inwardly. You know exactly what you'd do in that situation. You have basically already written the official parenting manual. Before I had kids, one of my mom friends was telling me about her kids wreaking havoc on her house. I thought to myself "Oh, your kid wrote on the wall? Then put the markers, up. I'm surprised this hasn't occurred to you yet." Parenting Genius, I tell you.
Newborn-Age One: "I Could Use a Nap, but Oh, the Bliss"
I mean, aside from the not sleeping and the constant feeding and, if you have biological children, the physical recovery from labor, this is when you realize that yes, you are in fact a parenting genius. Sure you're still figuring out how to swaddle and what to pack in your diaper bag, but come on. You have an adorable child, who also happens to be perfect. They will obviously not be throwing tantrums like Suzie ScreamsALot that you saw at Target the other day.
Two Year Old: "The Beginning of the End of Bliss"
Well, you still have the most adorable kid that ever lived, but he/she is starting to learn about pushing his/her limits. You knew this was coming. Everyone talks about the Terrible Twos and, some days, you think that it IS terrible. But all-in-all, your child is just exercising independence for the first time, and it's neat to see their little brains trying to figure things out. It's sure frustrating sometimes, though, and so maybe you start to consult some other "parenting experts". You start to realize that maybe you don't have it all figured out. Just a little help in a few areas and we'll be back on track. And as soon as they can really talk, it will get so much easier. That's what the experts say.
Three Year Old: "What's Wrong with My Kid" AKA "I Know Nothing About Parenting", also sometimes called "What Did We Do Wrong?"
(If you do not yet have a child that has reached this stage, I'm so sorry to be the one to have to tell you this.)Well, your child just did that thing that you said they would never do. And all your friends were watching. Your method of discipline has failed and seriously, what now?? The markers that were "up" - well, there are these things called chairs and three year olds can climb. While you were cleaning the "artwork" off your walls, the child found something else to destroy. This is the time in your child's life where you don't go anywhere because it's too stressful and you have thoughts such as "It's better to let them watch another movie than it is to sell them...right?" Oh my. I have a dear friend, who happens to be a fantastic mom, who told me the other day "I HATE the age three". I hear ya, sister. Suzie ScreamsALot has nothing on my three year old. The good news is four comes next. Four is fun.
Preschool Age 4-5: "Sweet Relief"
I'm not saying they are perfect by any means, but I love this age group. It's like something clicks in their brain and they suddenly become normal little people. There are challenges with every age and we will certainly have to continue working on obedience, respect, manners, and honesty, among other things, but now we can carry on rational conversations and, most of the time, the monstrous meltdowns are few and far between.
Now all these stages are very broad. There are tons of little milestones and phases and struggles that we could add here. What would you add? Or maybe your stages of parenting are totally different than mine? I'm sure there must be some differences between boys and girls, spacing of children, temperaments, etc. And I only have littles, so there are plenty of stages I don't even know about yet. Surely, everyone's journey will look different.
All of this is just to say, parenting is hard. Sometimes people see these frustrating moments and they are judgemental or they give some "helpful" advice that makes you feel like you're ruining your children. You're not. It takes time and effort and prayer and consistency and TIME to change your child's heart. Yes, heart. Changing behavior is momentary, changing hearts is a much bigger and more important job. It's so hard to remember these things when you're carrying a screaming, flailing child out of the restaurant, but keep on. Galatians 6:9 says "Let us not grow weary in doing good, for we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
I'm not always the mom I want to be. Most of the time people only see our "best" on the internet, but I just want to say, on those most challenging days, I'm WITH you and I'm praying for you, friends.
9.18.2012
On Things that Matter.
A few days ago, a friend of mine posted this quote on facebook:
Deep, right? It has been haunting me since I read it. In a good way. In a convicting way. In a way that makes me think about all the unnecessary distractions in my life. The short moments when I lose sight of what's important and the longer stretches of time when I have deliberately lived in disobedience. Both keeping me from a deeper relationship with God.
When I read this quote it was one of those times when I knew God was trying to get my attention. You know, like when the teacher says "for this project you will need a partner" and, before you even look up, you can feel your friend giving you THAT look from across the room. God was giving me THAT look.
It was just a few days earlier that I was reading this: (not.a.coincidence.)
"You know, you can never get enough of what you don't really need".
-Matthew Kelly
Deep, right? It has been haunting me since I read it. In a good way. In a convicting way. In a way that makes me think about all the unnecessary distractions in my life. The short moments when I lose sight of what's important and the longer stretches of time when I have deliberately lived in disobedience. Both keeping me from a deeper relationship with God.
When I read this quote it was one of those times when I knew God was trying to get my attention. You know, like when the teacher says "for this project you will need a partner" and, before you even look up, you can feel your friend giving you THAT look from across the room. God was giving me THAT look.
It was just a few days earlier that I was reading this: (not.a.coincidence.)
Psalm 4
Answer when I call, my saving God.
In my troubles, you cleared a way;
show me favor; hear my prayer.
How long will you people mock my honor,
love what is worthless, chase after lies?
Know that the LORD works wonders for the
faithful;
the LORD hears when I call out.
Tremble and do not sin;
upon your beds ponder in silence.
Offer fitting sacrifice
and trust in the LORD.
Many say "May we see better times!
LORD, show us the light of your face!"
But you have given my heart more joy
than they have when grain and wine abound.
In peace I shall both lie down and sleep,
for you alone, LORD, make me secure.
(emphasis mine)
At this stage in my life, it is my temptation to love "a good day" more than I love God. I find myself wanting "me-time" more than I want God's will to be done through me. There have been too many days that I have skipped prayer to get the laundry started and snapped harshly so that I would get the behavior I wanted. A moment's good behavior and clean clothes will never bring fulfillment, though. How foolish.
This week I was desperate for some peace in my house. The bickering brothers were wearing on me. But even quiet in the house does not really mean peace in the house. Jesus in our hearts means peace in our homes.
I don't want to live my life striving after things that I don't need, that don't matter.
If I am walking in Truth, I don't need a "good day". I need Jesus.
You alone, LORD, make me secure.
So, how long will we love what is worthless? I don't know what it is that you're trying to "get enough" of today. I don't know what worthless things you have been loving.
Is it Clothes? Food? Sleep? Men? Money? Success? The feeling of being liked/wanted/needed?
"You can never get enough of what you don't really need".
Let us pray.
This week I was desperate for some peace in my house. The bickering brothers were wearing on me. But even quiet in the house does not really mean peace in the house. Jesus in our hearts means peace in our homes.
I don't want to live my life striving after things that I don't need, that don't matter.
If I am walking in Truth, I don't need a "good day". I need Jesus.
You alone, LORD, make me secure.
So, how long will we love what is worthless? I don't know what it is that you're trying to "get enough" of today. I don't know what worthless things you have been loving.
Is it Clothes? Food? Sleep? Men? Money? Success? The feeling of being liked/wanted/needed?
"You can never get enough of what you don't really need".
Let us pray.
9.15.2012
73 Seconds.
Well, hello strangers.
August was a crazy but super fun month of visiting for us. We went to South Carolina and we also went on a very quick trip to Iowa... I'm talking less than 48 hours, but oh-so-worth it. We also had about 5 different friends/family members visit us in Wisconsin. We had such an awesome time seeing everyone. The boys just savor the time with the people they love but don't get to see often enough. We all do. We really did appreciate every moment with these precious people. So, if you are one of them, thank you so much for loving us and for being such faithful friends.
And if we didn't get to see you, I'm sorry. Let's work on that.
So, I have about 3 very serious posts in the making, but I'm not feeling very serious this evening, and I didn't want to wait any longer on posting...since it's been, you know, six weeks or so.
This is the part where I'm at a total loss for a good segway, so here we go:
Today, we went to the Farmer's Market. We hadn't been for over a month, with all the visiting and what-not. And, oh my friends, the spicy cheese bread did not disappoint. I'm pretty sure that Judah thought he had died and gone to heaven. The kid just loves food. (I have no idea where he gets it) He sat still and ate, and ate, and ATE for a good solid 20 minutes. Donuts, cheese curds, spicy cheese bread, and muffins.
And, I know you're thinking, "wow, I thought people went to the farmer's market to buy produce". Well, sure. Sure they do. And we did get some great deals on produce today...but I need to be honest...the cheese bread trumps the produce any day.
We love taking our blanket and sitting on the capital lawn and eating (almost) a whole loaf of cheese bread between the five of us. We also love the produce, and strolling down some of the other side streets where vendors sell art and jewelry and pottery. We love the street musicians.
But, let me tell you what we don't love: the girls that walk around offering free balloons to children.
Ok, the girls seem just fine. Very sweet, in fact. It's the balloons that we despise. And I know...I know I'm being judged right now for being a total fun-hater of a mom.
How can I hate balloons you ask? Well, let me tell you, friends.
Each of our three boys got a balloon today. And oh the joy. It was magical. (And what is it about balloons anyway? What is so amazing about this floating sphere? I don't know. But I do know, that if one child has a balloon, every other child in a 100 yard radius knows about it and is coveting that balloon in their little heart). So, you basically can't say "no" when someone offers your kid a free balloon. And, as I mentioned, it does seem like their lives are filled with utter bliss.
For 73 seconds.
Seventy-three glorious seconds. And then, all Hell breaks loose.
We had securely tied said balloons around the older boys' wrists and we tied the third balloon onto Silas' stroller. Bliss ensued for 73 seconds, and then Judah slipped his string off his wrist and let go. He screams "You dropped balloon!" but, of course, it's too late. I picked him up and told him I knew how disappointed he was. We waved bye-bye to the balloon as it floated up into the blue sky. He cried. I cuddled him a little more and we continued to talk about how he was sad about his balloon. We then attempted to start walking back toward the parking ramp. About every five feet he would go all limp and scream "You dropped balloon!"
Bliss, no?
Another 5 minutes pass as we get some produce along the walk back to the car. Judah and Silas are now both messing with the balloon attached to the stroller and Judah continues to lament his "dropped balloon!" while trying to steal his brother's. Sure enough, balloon number two slips off the stroller handle and out into the great unknown.
More wailing and gnashing of teeth ensues.
Roman managed to keep his balloon the whole morning. Good job, buddy. Except that this made him the target for the rage of the little boys on the way home. Judah and Silas basically turned into balloon-thirsty zombies. Roman even tried to share his balloon a couple of times but it was just so dangerous. The screaming and the thrashing over the one surviving balloon....
Oh my.
We really did have a very pleasant day all around.
But, we might be those parents who say "no" to the free balloons next time.
August was a crazy but super fun month of visiting for us. We went to South Carolina and we also went on a very quick trip to Iowa... I'm talking less than 48 hours, but oh-so-worth it. We also had about 5 different friends/family members visit us in Wisconsin. We had such an awesome time seeing everyone. The boys just savor the time with the people they love but don't get to see often enough. We all do. We really did appreciate every moment with these precious people. So, if you are one of them, thank you so much for loving us and for being such faithful friends.
And if we didn't get to see you, I'm sorry. Let's work on that.
So, I have about 3 very serious posts in the making, but I'm not feeling very serious this evening, and I didn't want to wait any longer on posting...since it's been, you know, six weeks or so.
This is the part where I'm at a total loss for a good segway, so here we go:
Today, we went to the Farmer's Market. We hadn't been for over a month, with all the visiting and what-not. And, oh my friends, the spicy cheese bread did not disappoint. I'm pretty sure that Judah thought he had died and gone to heaven. The kid just loves food. (I have no idea where he gets it) He sat still and ate, and ate, and ATE for a good solid 20 minutes. Donuts, cheese curds, spicy cheese bread, and muffins.
And, I know you're thinking, "wow, I thought people went to the farmer's market to buy produce". Well, sure. Sure they do. And we did get some great deals on produce today...but I need to be honest...the cheese bread trumps the produce any day.
We love taking our blanket and sitting on the capital lawn and eating (almost) a whole loaf of cheese bread between the five of us. We also love the produce, and strolling down some of the other side streets where vendors sell art and jewelry and pottery. We love the street musicians.
But, let me tell you what we don't love: the girls that walk around offering free balloons to children.
Ok, the girls seem just fine. Very sweet, in fact. It's the balloons that we despise. And I know...I know I'm being judged right now for being a total fun-hater of a mom.
How can I hate balloons you ask? Well, let me tell you, friends.
Each of our three boys got a balloon today. And oh the joy. It was magical. (And what is it about balloons anyway? What is so amazing about this floating sphere? I don't know. But I do know, that if one child has a balloon, every other child in a 100 yard radius knows about it and is coveting that balloon in their little heart). So, you basically can't say "no" when someone offers your kid a free balloon. And, as I mentioned, it does seem like their lives are filled with utter bliss.
For 73 seconds.
Seventy-three glorious seconds. And then, all Hell breaks loose.
We had securely tied said balloons around the older boys' wrists and we tied the third balloon onto Silas' stroller. Bliss ensued for 73 seconds, and then Judah slipped his string off his wrist and let go. He screams "You dropped balloon!" but, of course, it's too late. I picked him up and told him I knew how disappointed he was. We waved bye-bye to the balloon as it floated up into the blue sky. He cried. I cuddled him a little more and we continued to talk about how he was sad about his balloon. We then attempted to start walking back toward the parking ramp. About every five feet he would go all limp and scream "You dropped balloon!"
Bliss, no?
Another 5 minutes pass as we get some produce along the walk back to the car. Judah and Silas are now both messing with the balloon attached to the stroller and Judah continues to lament his "dropped balloon!" while trying to steal his brother's. Sure enough, balloon number two slips off the stroller handle and out into the great unknown.
More wailing and gnashing of teeth ensues.
Roman managed to keep his balloon the whole morning. Good job, buddy. Except that this made him the target for the rage of the little boys on the way home. Judah and Silas basically turned into balloon-thirsty zombies. Roman even tried to share his balloon a couple of times but it was just so dangerous. The screaming and the thrashing over the one surviving balloon....
Oh my.
We really did have a very pleasant day all around.
But, we might be those parents who say "no" to the free balloons next time.
7.29.2012
Your Dose of Random For the Day
Have you been watching the Olympics? Of course, I can't stop watching gymnastics. Whenever I start watching, it makes me so excited. It makes me miss the adrenaline of competition and the feeling of being airborne. It makes me miss my team mates and the kids that I coached. I just can't get enough of it.
I just heard Bela Karolyi say this about Jordyn Wieber: "She's the strongest I've seen...maybe since Nadia".
Um, whoah.
But, seriously Jo, no pressure.
***
This morning we woke up to Roman and Judah jumping our bed at 6:00. We told them to go read books quietly, because we're really good, attentive parents like that.
So what did they do? The went out into the hall, opened the door to Silas' room, turned on the light and yelled "Good morning, Silas!"
Silas thought that was hilarious.
So, I hear them laughing in there and I heard Judah get into the crib. I yelled for him to get out of the crib. The next thing I know, Silas comes into my room. Yes. The baby that was in the crib made his way to our room.
Now, thankfully, Silas hasn't really been trying to get out of his crib... yet, so I knew he probably had some "help". (And, Lord, PLEASE, if you could prevent him from learning to get out by himself I would be oh, so grateful). I should mention that there was no crying, so I knew everyone was fine.
So, I say "Roman, how did Silas get out of his crib?"
And Roman replied (while acting it all out) "Well, Judah picked him up and put him oooover the crib and then I dropped him verrry carefully".
Great.
***
After the horrific and hilarious start to the day, we went to Mass, had coffee with some of our friends and Father John, dropped Roman off for a birthday party, ate Thai food, got some DELICIOUS GiGi's Cupcakes...today's flavor may have been my all time favorite: tiramisu. To.die.for. Then I got to take a nap. Bliss. Then we made dinner, skyped with some family, and now we're watching gymnastics.
I'm sure that rundown of my day really made yours. And since the random train has now come full circle, I'll stop the rambling here.
Have a good night...maybe watch some gymnastics and eat some cupcakes. It makes a great combo.
I just heard Bela Karolyi say this about Jordyn Wieber: "She's the strongest I've seen...maybe since Nadia".
Um, whoah.
But, seriously Jo, no pressure.
***
This morning we woke up to Roman and Judah jumping our bed at 6:00. We told them to go read books quietly, because we're really good, attentive parents like that.
So what did they do? The went out into the hall, opened the door to Silas' room, turned on the light and yelled "Good morning, Silas!"
Silas thought that was hilarious.
So, I hear them laughing in there and I heard Judah get into the crib. I yelled for him to get out of the crib. The next thing I know, Silas comes into my room. Yes. The baby that was in the crib made his way to our room.
Now, thankfully, Silas hasn't really been trying to get out of his crib... yet, so I knew he probably had some "help". (And, Lord, PLEASE, if you could prevent him from learning to get out by himself I would be oh, so grateful). I should mention that there was no crying, so I knew everyone was fine.
So, I say "Roman, how did Silas get out of his crib?"
And Roman replied (while acting it all out) "Well, Judah picked him up and put him oooover the crib and then I dropped him verrry carefully".
Great.
***
After the horrific and hilarious start to the day, we went to Mass, had coffee with some of our friends and Father John, dropped Roman off for a birthday party, ate Thai food, got some DELICIOUS GiGi's Cupcakes...today's flavor may have been my all time favorite: tiramisu. To.die.for. Then I got to take a nap. Bliss. Then we made dinner, skyped with some family, and now we're watching gymnastics.
I'm sure that rundown of my day really made yours. And since the random train has now come full circle, I'll stop the rambling here.
Have a good night...maybe watch some gymnastics and eat some cupcakes. It makes a great combo.
7.24.2012
Summer in Wisconsin
First, I just have to say that Charlie just did his crazy low bark and so I immediately thought there was someone robbibg our house or something. My heart might have stopped beating a little. Turns out there were some raccoons on the porch munching on his dog food. I wish I would have gotten a picture for Roman. But Charlie scared them away. Good dog.
The latest on the boys:
Roman:
Me: "Oh, you'd like to work at the zoo? I bet you'd be good at that, Roman. You love animals. You could be an animal trainer".
Roman: "Yeah, like the girl that lets the monkeys outside and feeds them. Can you drop me off at the zoo now?"
:)
Judah:
Silas:
The latest on the boys:
Roman:
- Has been having more dreams (or is just able to tell me more about them now.) Last week, he had a dream that he was flying with Super Grover. He told me that he got to wear Grover's hat and cape and that he held on tight to him and went to his house. It was so cute that it made him waking me up at 6 AM to tell me totally worth it. He was one excited boy. He has also recently had dreams about being a "grown up and a famer" and about killing Darth Vader. Somehow that one is less endearing than the first two.
- The other day when we were talking about different people's jobs:
Me: "Oh, you'd like to work at the zoo? I bet you'd be good at that, Roman. You love animals. You could be an animal trainer".
Roman: "Yeah, like the girl that lets the monkeys outside and feeds them. Can you drop me off at the zoo now?"
:)
- The other day he asked me "Does Charlie have a soul?"
- "Mom, can you go to the light sabre store and get me a blue light sabre?"
- When he's talking about something that is lemon flavored OR lime flavored he says "limeon". I can't bring myself to correct him. Another one that I've been avoiding correcting is the word "covered" instead of "cupboard".
- Always asks me "Am I doing a great job?" (Can you tell that Words of Affirmation is his love language??)
- Also, when he's practicing handwriting he'll show me and say "Mom, is this a perfect 'E'?"
- Always talks about Jesus putting joys in our hearts.
- He's starting to try some small talk which always cracks me up. Recent examples: "How's your coffee doin, Mom?" or "Eating crackers, huh?"
- Is sooooo awkward with strangers sometimes. His incredible memory is a huge blessing in so many ways. It's just a little bit strange to other people sometimes. Especially when those people are people that we met one time at a park and then we saw two months later at the same park....and Roman ran up to them and said "Hi, Jamie! Hi, Aaron! Is your paper cut all better?"
- He is just so sweet and talkative. I LOVE his personality. He wants to know everyone and he wants to know about everything. It's going to make him really good with people - it will make him a great husband or a great priest, it will make him really good at his profession someday. He's awesome. It's just that not everyone understands that when he's 5. Like the plumber that came to fix the water heater. Roman opens the door and asks his name and asks what he's going to fix and how he's going to fix it and if he's a plumber and does he fix sinks? and did he bring tools? and what's a water heater? and will it make his bath warm? and can he watch Ryan the plumber do his job? and would he like to color with us? I can imagine it might be a little overwhelming for Ryan the plumber.
Judah:
- Says "scooty" for "scooter"
- Likes to put on my red high heels and wear them around the house. When he does he always says "I wiiiiike dese boots!"
- Instead of "What does a cow say?" Judah always says "What a cow says?"
- Always swings his legs everywhere while he's swinging so he's all over the place...and then he says "I so curked" (crooked)
- Is obsessed with Mr. Noodle on Sesame Street. Sigh.
- Dropped a piece of salami down the vent the other day. 1.GROSS. 2. Now he sits by the vent and says "I caaaan't fiiind sawaaaaami".
- Is pretty much potty trained! YAY!!! He hasn't had any accidents for the last four days - we told him he gets a big boy bike as soon as he goes a week with no accidents. So, maybe this weekend? He is sooooo excited for a new bike, so I hope we make it to the weekend.
- Sings "Father I Adore You" constantly. Which I love. Joe had to go get something out of the boys' room after he put them to bed the other night and when he went in, Judah was whispering Father I Adore you to himself. LOVE.
Silas:
- Is putting two words together a lot these days.
- Still super super sweet and cuddly. He's such a content little guy and is so lovey. Can't get enough of him. He currently loves eskimo kisses (he says "eh-meh-mo") and butterfly kisses ("Fah-fy")
- I wish I could explain how adorable his voice is. I'll have to do another video soon.
- Thinks every animal says "moo". I blame Wisconsin. :)
- When we drive past the dairy farms by our house (instead of yelling "Cows!") he yells "Tows!"
- When we get back in the car after going somewhere he says "fun!"
- He will also say "funny" or "silly" when his brothers are entertaining him.
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