I asked the kids while putting them down for bed tonight what they were thankful for, here are their answers...
Jacob- "I'm thankful for my mommy's and daddy's and Isabelle and Andrew" (I didn't know he had more than one mom and dad)
Isabelle- " I'm thankful for the birds chirping at night so I can sleep and for Jesus being in my heart to protect me from bad thoughts and from bad fairy-tale guys coming into my room."
Andrew- "Candy"
These are spot on answers if I had to describe the children to people. Jacob is the sensitive one who is always concerned about his family and other people. Isabelle is the wild child with the creative spirit and articulate words. And Andrew, he is the goof-ball always looking for a good time!
I am very thankful for them and for all the ways they challenge me to be a better mom and person. Happy Thanksgiving!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Forgiveness is freeing up and putting to better use the energy once consumed by holding grudges, harboring resentments, and nursing unhealed wounds. It is rediscovering the strengths we always had and relocating our limitless capacity to understand and accept other people and ourselves. Sidney & Suzanne Simon
It seems that since August, all I've heard is what the kids want want want for Christmas. I have tried to tell them that Christmas isn't all about presents, but to them so far in their lives, that is what it's been all about.
Each year we set up our fragile nativity scene, and each year the kids want to play with the animals in the scene which leaves me stressed out and on high alert. This year I wanted to get them a "kid-friendly" nativity that they could play-out the true Christmas story. I've been looking online for a while for one that looked friendly enough for little Andrew (3) and cool enough for Jake (6). Many of the choices were way too expensive for my liking ($40-$80). Then I found this Playmobil Nativity at Target- it's GREAT! All the kids are loving it. I love the Christmas story it comes with, all the characters from the story (other sets you need to buy them individually), and the price ($17.99). I am hoping with the story this nativity toy comes with, we can have more meaningful and educational conversations about what Christmas REALLY is and why we celebrate it.
I figured out what my problem is with not being able to get in the Christmas mood. Usually by now I have had my tree up for a week or longer. The house is filled with Christmas music, I am preparing our annual letter and family card, I am browsing toy catalogs to make Christmas lists, and I am getting anxious about baking cookies and celebrating with family and friends. But not this year. Yesterday, I heard Christmas music on the radio and I turned it off- I thought it wasn't time. What's happening to me?! Then I realized that throughout my life in MN, cold and snow have been key signs that it was time to get ready for Christmas. Christmas was the one thing to look forward to in these LONG Minnesota winters. I got to thinking- I am struggling to get in the Holiday mood because it's still 50+ degrees here. There is no sign of snow or cold in the near future. How do I adjust? I always wondered how people in warm climates can have Christmas without snow, it would be so weird to me. This is all I've known, and now everything I've known is different this year and it's throwing me for a loop. Granted there have been years without the snow, but I can not remember a time where it was this warm for the long. I have friends that are done Christmas shopping- WHAT!?? I haven't even had more than a thought about Christmas shopping and it was mostly about budgeting for it. I need to change my attitude, otherwise Christmas will come and go so quickly that I will be sad I missed it and I will be the strange neighbor with her tree up in March.
We used these at my school last year and I've loved them ever since. Brenton and I are trying so hard to not buy one at this time in our life- we feel there are other things we should use the money on. But I just can't stop wanting one. If you don't know what it is, it's a mini video recorder called a Flip. It's perfect to catch all those adorable kid moments. It's nice and small I could carry it with me in my purse and never miss a thing. At the website you can design your own front with your own picture, it's so cool!
This needed to get recorded for Andrew's baby book. As I was trying to get his shoes tied for him this morning he kept trying to grab my glasses off. I asked him to stop and he replied, "Mommy, take off your glasses so you can be pretty!" Kids always have a way of making you feel good about yourself don't they! Another great one is each day when I get dressed in the morning Andrew insists on pushing on my belly- then laughing. He knows how to keep me humble.
This is a look I never expected to see on the man I married 7 years ago. This wannabe GQ boy was the first to introduce me to the term "metrosexual". When he wasn't using his sculting gel to spike the front of his hair he was leading the hockey team in penalty minutes (such a tough guy). Never did I think he would want to suit up in a bright orange hunting jacket and walk in the weeds to shoot some pheasants. I guess when you move the "city" kid out of the city he has no choice, but to embrace hunting. Thanks to our neighbor, Brenton has traded in his polo shirts and plaid golfing shorts from the summer for this....
It's hard to believe that Sesame Street is 40 years old! As a child, I can still remember waking up early and having my dad put on Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers for me before he headed off to work. I loved watching all the puppets, singing the songs, and loving Bert and Ernie (my mom still has the Ernie doll that had as a kid). I even remember going to a live performance at the former Mets Center. My poor dad had to deal with a 3 year old that got scared of the characters live and peed on his leg. With today's variety in cartoons, my children haven't embraced Sesame Street like I did, but I am still making them watch it today on the 40th birthday. Happy Birthday Sesame Street gang- thanks for the memories!
Isaiah 41:21-24 (The Message) "Set out your case for your gods," says God. "Bring your evidence," says the King of Jacob."Take the stand on behalf of your idols, offer arguments, assemble reasons. Spread out the facts before us so that we can assess them ourselves. Ask them, 'If you are gods, explain what the past means— or, failing that, tell us what will happen in the future. Can't do that? How about doing something—anything! Good or bad—whatever. Can you hurt us or help us? Do we need to be afraid? 'They say nothing, because they are nothing— sham gods, no-gods, fool-making gods.
I don't want to say that God is a "Trash-talker", but I get the feeling that God is saying (in this passage), "Bring it on" all you that spend countless hours researching so much from the past trying to disprove God or creation. I see him laughing at global warming arguments and those predicting when the world will end. He laughs because HE created everyone and gave them the ability to make their scientific discoveries, but the funny thing is, HE already knows all the answers everyone is looking for from the past, present and future. I don't know about you, but I would rather hang with the one who started and created it all and who has ALL the answers, rather than those trying to figure it all out.
I had a spontaneous and adventurous night with the kids last night. My wonderful brother-in-law called and had 4 free tickets to the MN Timberwolves game. With Brenton out of town I didn't think it would be possible to make the night happen alone. But when someone calls with free sports tickets, I feel like I can't miss the opportunity for my children to experience it. I love sports events, even if the team is terrible or the sport isn't my favorite to watch. To me, it's all the the atmosphere, excitment in the air, and fun! My mother-in-law was a real trooper and joined us at the game, so it was much more manageable. The kids had a blast! It was kid's night or something, so right when we walked through the enterance, there were kids activities going on. The kids each got a mini bball and a tattoo, so they excited right away. They also love the mascot, "Crunch", they would ask throughout the game where he was. I had to continue to tell Andrew that he was getting a drink of water because he was so hot. We stayed through the half time show, then packed it up and headed out. It was perfect, we had a ton of fun howling with the crowd and cheering for the good plays. Thanks Jeff and Nana Kris!
I must have missed the newsletter about why children do or don't do the things they do on a daily basis- here are some of the things I was wondering about...
Why do you think that it's ok to throw garbage into the garbage can when there is clearly NO bag in the can? Did you think the can was lonely or feeling left out since all the garbage was removed?
Why do you step OVER the pile to toys, books, junk, markers, papers, or clothes that are on the floor rather than just pick them up? Do you think that the piles are new accessories or decorating ideas that I have thought up? Is it the new thrifty way to decorate?
Does the toilet flush handle have a scary green monster on it? Is that why you are afraid to flush when you are done using the toilet? And with that, when you entered the bathroom the handtowel was hanging on the hook, did you think I really wanted it on the floor, so you were trying to helpful?
You must think the coat hook, hat & mitten drawers looked exhausted, so that must be why you just laid your things in the middle of the hallway- they clearly needed a break from all their hard work?
The garage must be a really scary place for you to go- that must be why you leave your bike, helmet, bats, balls, and all outdoor toys just outside of the garage when you are finished? Or do you think the yard needed some decorations and you are just trying to spruce things up a little?
Mom and Dad's room is much too grown up, is that what you think? Did you feel the need to bring in all your toys, books, legos, dolls, and artwork in make it more "child-friendly"? Were the other 5 rooms in the house not enough for you to keep your toys in?
I feel like I have all the answers now to the little minds in our house, I am so glad I know how you are feeling now.
Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure was released on DVD yesterday, so we rushed to our local redbox to see if we could get one. We did, and we LOVED it! Izzy and I both agree that it was better than the first Tinkerbell, while Jake will only say that it's a girl's movie (He sat and watched the whole thing without making a noise- I know he loved it too). You never know if the 2nd movie is going to be as good as the 1st when it comes to Disney, but our review is that it's great and that you should rent it!
I surprise myself sometimes. There are days that I love craft projects and getting involved with the kids creativity and there are other days (more of these days) where I would like to put the project in front of them and let them have it. Today was a mix of both. We carved pumpkins. Once I had the tops cut out, I gave each child a "pumpkin shovel thingy" and told them to dig out the guts. Jake and Izzy did great considering the slimy gooey feeling guts. They only needed assistance at the end to get those final danglers out. Andrew's pumpkin quickly became my pumpkin, but he was nearby telling me the shapes he wanted on his (my) pumpkin's face. Once they all got their guts out, they were then so excited to use the little pumpkin carving knife. This is the first year they've been given the opportunity to use them, for I was fearful they would cut themselves before- they did wonderfully! It took a lot of focus, concentration and determination to use those little knifes. The whole process kept them engaged and working together for over an hour- it was sweet. They may not be the most creative or beautiful jack-o-lanterns in the world, but they are their own. The best part, it was 55 degrees out, so the mess was all outside!
Working together
Busy cutting
This is the 2nd face on Jacob's. He did one side, and I did this one.
We have the weirdish fish! Sparkles, spends all day with half her head out of the water. At first, I thought it was dead, but this has become it's favorite place to hang out all day. I thought a fish needed to be completely in the water. Only when I feed it does it go all into the water, otherwise it does this... It has found a comfy spot to rest, I wonder what would happen if I took the plant out. Do I have a lazy fish?
Brenton has been gone since Wednesday night and will be returning tomorrow around dinner time. I am feeling a little like this baby right now. All my thoughts run into each other, I feel like I am seeing double, and I could fall asleep while I sit and type this. I think it's more from exhaustion than stress. The kids and I have had a fun time going places and playing inside and outside, but I am excited for Brenton to be home.
I really want this cook book! (Hint hint). Has anyone else used it and liked or disliked it? All the reviews seem to be great, but I like to hear from those I trust the most.
The time has finally come that I sell all the Tupperware I have stored in my basement. Tupperware was good to me for 4 years. It provided what our family needed so I could stay at home with the babies. It also got me to Hawaii for free, which was a life dream of mine. However, that season of life is over now, and I am stuck with a basement full of Tupperware. Nothing has been priced yet, but I will take any offers! If there is something else you are looking for, I do still know people selling and would be happy to refer you to them. Tupperware is a very reputable company that stands behind it's product for life! Call or email me if you would like to come by and see what I have or if you would like more information on what you see here (no obligation to buy, but you have to stay and chat). Consultants out there- I have 2 great tote bags, one with wheels, and so many key chains and peelers.
Jacob has a career in management. As we spend the day cleaning today so we can have a fun filled weekend, I have been assigning different jobs to the kids that they can complete. Just a minute ago I asked Jacob to put all the library books into the library bags. As he walked away he announces to everyone, "Ok, everyone clean up the books, put them into the library bags!"
Classic manager- passing on the work to someone else. Jacob, your dad would be so proud.
I feel like the Little Engine that Could sometimes when it comes to being a mom. Sometimes I wake up in the morning and pray a quick and silent prayer, "Please God, let it be a "normal" day!" I should just stop praying that prayer while I have little children, especially a 3 year old, or I should change my idea of what "normal" is. Why does 3 have to be such a difficult age? Why do we (parents) have to go through this trying time of their independence and growth? Why can't we just have a normal, uneventful day while he is 3? I remember it being so difficult for me to deal with when Izzy was 3, and when Jake was 3 I was in a blur having 3 children 3 and under. Maybe it's not them... it's me? I know the saying, "distance makes the heart grow fonder." I've never heard, "parenting a 3 year old makes the heart grow fonder." Does that mean that I should send him away until he is 4? (smile). I don't understand how he can make me laugh and cry in the same 5 minutes. If I could describe to you Andrew at 3 years old, it would be this- A mix breed of Tasmanian Devil holding a marker and a naughty little monkey on the loose throwing bananas at people. Brenton and I joke about his ability to so quickly swoop into a room, cause destruction, and then blow out of the room in a blink of an eye. I know we will get through this year, it might bring about my first gray hairs, but we will survive. I think I can... I think I can... I think I can.
A friend wrote something on her blog that moved me for some reason or another. When that happens, I believe it to be the Holy Spirit and I want to share it with you. Read it here.
I love Chinese food, but I am starting to like it better when I make it then when I order it at a restaurant. This is the sauce I use every time (except when we make Kung Pao) it's called House of Tsang Szechuan Spicy Stir-Fry Sauce. I prefer my Chinese food with a little spicy kick, it's not over the top spicy, but it gives it just enough to need some water close. Brenton adds spicy garlic sauce with his, but he also prefers to eat food that burn off his taste buds. You can get it at any Super Target- try it, I think you will love it, and if you don't, call me and I will buy it from you because we use it all the time.
Isabelle had picture day yesterday and she wanted to practice before it was time to go. At first, I found her smiling at herself in the bathroom mirror, then she wanted me to take pictures so she could see what it looked like. She is such a girl! I wonder which face I will get when the pictures come home? You can't see from the pictures, but she has 5 headbands in- I wanted the picture to show who Izzy is as a little girl, so I let her decide on her hair style- 2 pigtails and 5 headbands and she thought she was a model.
This is a sensitive topic for me to blog about for different reasons. One being that I am a licensed elementary teacher who is currently subbing in our local district, and another because we send our children to the public schools in our town.
I witnessed last year as a classroom teacher, and again this year as an all grade "guest teacher" the daily persecution that students face that believe in God (Jesus Christ) or talk about God in school. As a christian teacher, I am- by law, required not to get involved in these discussions, but I love when they happen because I like to observe the mannerisms of all parties included and listen to how the stand up, or give up, on what they believe. More often than not, I see the Christian students back down from their arguments and beliefs. It has been my experience that those that don't share the same beliefs come full force to beat down the Christian's views and opinions. It saddens me every time it happens. It's hard enough for an adult, let alone an elementary aged child, to defend what "faith" is. I often hear kids ask, "How is God real if you can't see him?" I wait for the Christians answer, and usually, it's "I don't know." Not real convincing. After this, the Christian students walk away from the argument feeling defeated, confused, and maybe angry that they don't have a stronger answer. It breaks my heart, and I wish I could jump in with my testimony and life experiences of how God is real in my life-but I can't.
This has weighed heavy on my mind and heart lately especially since Jacob has started school and Izzy will next year. Am I am being naive to think we can raise our children to be a light in the public school system? Are we setting our children up to doubt, reject, and walk away from Jesus because it's the "cool" thing to do? I don't fully believe in homeschooling, but am not completely against it either. I don't want to go overboard and shelter them from the real world, but as their parent, I feel a great deal of responsibility to "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." (Proverbs 22:6) There are other issues I have with public schools besides this, large class sizes, wasted time, unclear school or classroom goals/ focus, behavior/ discipline plans, parental support, etc. But today, because I witnessed it again, I am thinking about the persecution of Christians in the classrooms.
It's a slippery slope to climb. All I can do right now is pray daily for our children. I do hope and pray daily that they can be a light to those that don't know Jesus. I tell Jacob everyday before he leaves, "Jacob, try be a blessing to someone today!"
Since I am back home again this year- for the most part, I have been trying to change my ways from how I did things before. Life was really chaotic, unorganized, and sometimes dysfunctional. Granted, the kids are older, and more capable then 2 years ago, but still there is so much to teach them, show them, and encourage them through. I feel as if I've been a parent forever and they should be ready for college soon, and in the next minute, I wish they were babies again. I've been able to catch the Super Nanny more often since it's on the Style network at night, and I've really come to appreciate that show. In every episode, I find something I do wrong, and sometimes, on a good day- things that I do right. And then, there are some things she does that I just don't have the energy or will power to be consistent with, but overall, she has great parenting advice. I also appreciate the variety in the ages she works with. I try to take mental notes of what it might be like when they are all teenagers and I am all strung out with worry, so I can instill some of her strategies there too. What she does seems so simple and rational. I shake my head and think, "of course you can do it- they are not your kids and you get to leave." But so far the best advice I have gotten from the show, the one thing I repeat to myself over and over again is: Respond, DON'T React! (I even like to say it in a British accent- it makes it more effective I think!) I am a reactor, sometimes I am an explosive one, and its the one thing I am trying hard to change. I would never do it to anyone else's children, and I cringe when I see other parents do it to their own, so why do I do it? I have to change it! So, if you've never seen the show, check it out, and please share what great parenting advice you have gotten from it!
Jacob has a career in photography- he took this of Andrew. They are both very excited about it being fall and time for the pumpkins to come out. They ask me everyday if we can get pumpkins and get ready for Halloween. Andrew wants his (fake) pumpkin to be safe on his bike, so he has to wear his helmet. CUTE!!!
I always dreamed of being involved with my children's education. That was part of the reason I decided to become a teacher. Now that Jacob is in Kindergarten, I decided to attend my first PTO meeting. While there, I got a crazy idea that the school needed a mascot. Being that the school has always said they were Geckos, I suggested to the PTO that they purchase a costume. Not thinking all the way through that idea, It soon evolved that I was the one who would be wearing the costume. So today in a morning assembly, I had my big reveal to the students-the newest member of their student body. I had a ton of fun making the kids smile and passing out prizes for those helping with the current fundraiser. I guess when I thought long ago about being involved this isn't exactly what I had envisionsed, but I guess wherever I can help, I will! **I didn't tell Jacob that I would be the Gecko, but he figured it out right away, he said he knew my sunglasses, he was telling all his friends that the Geckos name is Stephanie.**
I've been thinking a lot lately about turning 30 this coming March. I know it's a ways out still, but with the way my days and weeks go, it will be here before I know it. I am not sad about turning 30, like some handsome devil that lives in the same house as me, is sad about it. I am actually looking forward to the 30s. I am embracing it. I still stop and wonder how I got to this age, what I've done in the past 10 years, and how come I don't feel a day over 22 (most days, if I don't work out)?
But as my 30th birthday approaches, I want to make a list of 30 things I want to do in that year, before I turn 31. I can't help but challenge myself with these silly little lists, I guess its what keeps me young! So, I am looking to you, my faithful readers, to offer up some suggestions. They can be big or small things. I have written out a list of 100 things I want to do before I die, and I've referenced it, but I need some fresh new ideas, maybe things I would never have thought of before. I want things that will really challenge me, and others that I will have blast crossing off my list. So please, bring it on!
Izzy has been asking for some pink "highlights" for a while now, and I have always said no way. But today while waiting for a prescription at Target, we wandered through the Halloween section and I spotted a can of pink hair spray for $1.99. Thinking, "It's only hair, it will wash out, it's harmless" I decided to buy it, and spray pinklights in her hair. I am trying to be more intentional about picking my battles, and I didn't really see the harm in having some fun with hair color. Later today, the kids were playing Pretty Princess game, and Andrew ended up with all the accessories on him (very willingly). Andrew is cute little boy, but he even looks cute dressed up like a princess!
I happened to catch a news special on disciplining other people's children. I thought it was interesting, for I sometimes don't know what to do. I know how I would deal my own children if they brought a sassy attitude or hit someone, but I can't deal with other people's children that way. Here was a helpful article from a lady that they interviewed in the news story, hopefully you will think it's helpful too.
I been really into Strengths Finder lately. I am trying to move my career life in that direction, through coaching. I am at the early stages of figuring it all out, but it's the first time I've been excited about a job in a long time. My top 5 are: Empathy, Harmony, Developer, Maximizer, and Positivity. I also have Woo and Includer near by top 5. If you have no idea what I am talking about, Strengths Finder is a system that Gallup came up with in 1998 to help people find what they are good at and develop in those areas, rather than find out what you are bad at and trying to fix it or focus on things that drain you, you focus on things that excite and energize you. It's all very interesting, and hopefully soon, I will have more share on it, but if you do know what your strengths are, please share them. I am practicing reading through my materials to see what people would be good at.
While we were in Michigan, I learned a cool little trick to get ride of those fruit flies that are trying to get a piece of those fresh garden veggies and fruit. Maybe everyone already knows this trick, but it was new to me.
Step 1- glass cup or mug
Step 2- fill 1/2 way with a part water, part vinegar mix
Step 3- cover with folded over plastic wrap Step 4- put a rubber band around the top to hold on the plastic wrap Step 5- poke several holes in the plastic wrap Step 6- place near your fruits or veggies and watch the fruit flies be tricked! :)
I happened to avoid moon sand for a long time thinking it would be too much of a mess for this ESFP mom to handle. Then, it was on SALE and I, like any good sale, couldn't resist. It was originally $20.00 and I got it for $4.00- I figured if it was terrible, it didn't cost much and I could throw it away.
I took it out this morning to keep the kids occupied. I now want to slap whoever invented colored moon sand! Seriously, it is everywhere on my driveway and the colors are all mixed so that I will never be able to separate them. Although the concept is cute, it is a HUGE mess, and had I paid full price I would be mad that it was all destroyed after one time, but because I spend nearly nothing on it, I am going to let it go, and never look at moon sand again!
I think a volcano is a perfect object to describe my parenting. As I wake in the morning, I seem calm and controlled....
As we begin the day, I am able to stay calm, but I then begin to feel the heat inside me building up a little. I still have control of myself and the situations around me, but I am starting to get steamed up quicker...
Finally, usually right around dinner time, I can't take hearing my name any more, I can't take the tattling, I lose control, I lose all sense of reality and the heat that has been simmering just below the surface begins to rise, until I can't do anything else about it, and I erupt...
I will be the first to admit, I hate this about myself. It's one thing I strive to work on daily. I try to remove my emotions from the situation and stay calm. I even had a friend ask me the other day, if there is anything that can get me fired up, because he thought I was always just calm and go with the flow. At first I thought he was joking, but I realized he was serious. I laughed inside, thinking, I should go into acting because I would win an academy award for sure. I feel like I wear all my emotions right on my sleeve and pant leg. Once that thought passed, I thought more seriously about his comment, then felt convicted that maybe I don't really show the real me to people. I've never meant to deceive people about who I am or what I am about. So, here it is- I am an emotional roller coaster in my day to day life. I am constantly doubting choices I make, things I say, and places I go. I struggle with fear, trust, and patience (I am sure more, but can't think of them right now). I love to be around people, no matter what we are doing- I could do nothing all day long with the a group of people that I love to be with. I question myself daily about what is "BEST" for our children, and struggle to be the a great wife. With all that said, I try not to sweat the small stuff in life, I try to be see both sides of every situation before I get all bent out of shape, and I try to live a life that will bring God glory. And day by day, I start out like the dormant volcano, and usually by the end of each day, we have at least one explosion, but I am trying to work on that! Any questions?
Welcome to our world! I had 3 children in 3 years and only remember random parts of it all. That's why I started this blog- in the hopes of remembering the big and small moments of these fast flying days. I am wife and mother first, but I also spend 9 months as a substitute teacher and 4 months as a high school basketball coach. This blog is full of our life's beautiful and sometimes not so beautiful moments. Thanks for entering into our journey. Hold on- it's sometimes a crazy ride!
