Better than my ipod

What can wash my sins away? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. (repeated 4 times)

As I type this, Jacob is singing this over and over again, I wish I could get to my camera and record it before he stops...I love it!

A boy's dream!

Growth Spurt

I think Jacob has been growing...or there might be a flood coming?

Changing buds

When Jacob was little he would eat every and anything! It was so nice to not have a picky eater. Same with Izzy and now Andrew, but lately it seems like someone somewhere told them things were disgusting, gross, and not worth trying. Little things like sausage pizza which he loved is not gross and he only wants cheese-huh? Well this morning, I reheated some Chicken Pot pie for breakfast (yea, yea I know it's not breakfast food, but why??? That's an entirely different blog entry). Jacob has eaten this before and loved it. So this morning when he insisted that he didn't like it I made him at least try it before he could have some orange slices. Well, it finally happened, he gagged 3 times and then it was all over... up came the juice from earlier. He was scared that I was going to come down on him (which I didn't) and ran into the bathroom. He could have swallowed the bite, but he let it sit in his mouth and didn't want to chew or swallow. Ironically he didn't puke out the bite, so he continued to chew it up and swallow it- that stinker!

Did this happen to other kids? Do their taste buds change or something? Why does he eat anything one day and another day he won't. I must admit Jacob is still a great eater- he usually clears his plate and wants more, but it is usually the same old thing. I like to cook and create different things, but when Brenton and I are the only ones to eat them, it's kind of a waste. Any suggestions?

Spider Man

I was expecting to wake up and have a super hero for a son... I didn't. Two nights ago Jacob got bit in the ear by something. When he woke up it was red, swollen, and sticking straight out- looked like a bee sting or something. Brenton said he looked like Shrek with his ear sticking out. I do admit, it was really funny, but we were starting to get concerned around 3:30p when the skin was really looking swollen and stretched and Jacob starting itching it and saying it was hurting, so I brought him to Urgent Care. They think he was having an allergic reaction to a spider bite...YUK! It's nasty to think there is a spider somewhere in my kids room, filling his belly on there bodies. He is on some meds now for a week, hopefully his ear will return to normal soon. If I start seeing any abnormal climbing on walls and things, I will let everyone know that there really is a spider man!

Politically Incorrect

It's hard to know all the time what our kids are learning through what they observe, hear, or are taught in different places. It's also difficult to know when they are going to share their insights with me or with others in public. Most often than not, when our kids see or observe something new, they get excited about sharing it with Brenton or I, and need assurance that they were the first ones to ever discover that new thing. We all remember Isabelle's "Pirate" comment a couple months back and now Jacob has had a couple of not so politically correct statments over the past couple weeks...

First, as we were sitting down eating, a woman (greatly over weight) sat down by us. I noticed Jacob staring at her, so I tried to distract him, and explain it isn't nice to stare at people in a quiet whisper. Then in his loud 4 year old voice says, "Mommy, that lady has a fat belly! Is that why I shouldn't stare at her?" We never use the word "fat" in our home, so I shocked and mortified at the same time because I am sure she heard him. We quickly finished our food, and got out of there.

Then, a week or so back we were searching for something at Target, and like a good Target employee, a woman asked if we needed help finding anything. Ironically, I did need help finding this item so she graciously said she would walk us over to the isle where is was. As she turned around to lead the way, Jake said, "Mommy, that lady has something disgusting on her teeth, what is wrong with them?" Again, I wanted to crawl in a hole from embarrassment. The lady did have extremely serious dental issues, most of them missing and stained with something black, but I am sure she already knew that and didn't need my child to know what the cause was.

I know that it's very important how I deal with kids in these situations. These are major teaching moments about respecting others. About not saying unkind things, and about some people being different than other people. Jacob tells me that it's not nice to talk about the lady with the bad teeth and we don't talk about fat belly's, as if he was the one teaching me. I have to laugh and reassure him that he is right, at least I know he is listening!

Please tell me some of the politically incorrect things your kids have said...they make me laugh!

Happy Birthday Jacob

Fours year ago today, my life changed in the most significant way. I had my first son, Jacob Thomas. As a little girl, I would play with my dolls and be the best mommy. I would dream about one day having my own children. I would dream of playing, hugging, laughing, and enjoying every minute together. What I didn't know then, is amount of love I could have for one person, so much that it sometimes hurts. I never knew that someone so small could make me laugh, cry, and worry sick all in the same moment.Today Jacob we celebrate YOU!!!! We celebrate the great 4 years God has blessed us together. We remember and think back over the past 4 years in amazement that's it's already been 4 years. I think back and remember you being laid in my arms for the first time and praising God for a healthy beautiful boy, and in the same breath begging God for grace and help so that I don't screw you up too much as I do the best I can to be your mom. You make me laugh EVERYDAY- you say something funny, make a funny face, or create body sounds only a boy could make! Your smile lights up a room, and your sensitivity to others is an example to me of how to really love all people unconditionally. Your love for our creator is contagious and inspiring- for you don't usually know the answer to things, but you always give the credit to God. You are an amazing brother to Isabelle and Andrew and I know that they will always look to you for advice or a shoulder to cry on. Your dad an I love you so much, and we pray for you daily. We are excited about what the future holds for you, because the options are endless.
Happy Birthday baby- Love, Mommy & Daddy

Because I said so

We are back from a nice long weekend in Michigan and Indiana...more to come. But as we were driving I noticed the obscene amounts that Jacobs says "why?". It seems that everything I say or ask of him comes back with a why. For a while I would humor him and give an answer or reason of why I asked what a did. Now it seems that I can't come up with any other response except, "because I said so". I used to hate that response from my parents, but again, I am understand and see why sometimes that is all their is to say.

Backwards Underwear

Don't know if this has been blogged before, but it's funny so I'll take the risk of double posting.

Jacob walked out of the bathroom today with his pants and underwear around his ankles. As he was struggling to get it all pulled back up I saw that his undies were on backwards. I told him about the issue and he told me that he knew that, in fact, that is how he wanted to wear them.

I don't have any idea how that is comfortable, but apparently having Mater's face (from the movie Cars) in front is preferable over comfort for a 4 year old.

Thank you God for God

Thank you God as this day ends, for my family and my friends. Taking time to lay and pray, thank you God for this great day!... And thank you God for helping Nana's back not hurt anymore and for Papa's birthday and for Nana Kris that we could go to her house and for Papa not having to work anymore. Thank you for my brother, my sister, me, and God and mommy and daddy. Thank you that my daddy can be home with me sometimes and for all the animals. Thank you God for God...Amen

~ Jacob Balvin age 3

Jacob's Bedtime Prayer

Last night Jacob touched my heart at bedtime. After flexing my parental muscle and forcing him to pray before bed he prayed his standard Boz the Bear prayer. Then he decided to freestyle for a bit thanking God for random things. The first thing he said was the best. Tenderly he prayed, "Thank you God that Daddy didn't have to go to work so I could be with him longer." It was incredibly heartfelt and sweet. He finished by thanking God for our trip to MI at the end of July. Like I said, random but beautiful.

Look out below!

I feel like everytime I turn my back Jacob is jumping off something. Whether it's the couch, bed, table, toy chest, out of the van, or in the puddle he is always jumping. I guess it's a boy thing. I love what James Dobson has to say about raising boys in his very popular book, Bringing Up Boys.

"One of the scariest aspects of raising boys is their tendency to risk life and limb for no good reason. It begins very early. If a toddler can climb on it, he will jump off it. He careens out of control towards tables, tubs, pools, steps, trees, and streets. He will eat anything but food and loves to play in the toilet. He makes "guns" out of cucumbers or toothbrushes and likes digging around in drawers, pill bottles, and Mom's purse. And just hope he doesn't get his grubby hands on a tube of lipstick. A boy harasses grumpy dogs and picks up kitties by their ears, His mom has to watch him every minute to keep him from killing himself."

This book is filled with great advice for parents and grandparents of boys. I have read it a couple times and probably will read it again, because it's a great resource for raising boys. I am so grateful that I have 2 boys! I love Isabelle in her own special way, but there is something sweet and irreplaceable about a mom and son.

State bird

I took Jacob to the Dr. today because his foot and and ankle were swollen, red, and hard and warm to the touch. It turned out to only be a horse fly bite (kind of embarrassing). Poor Jacob must have sweet blood, because he is covered with bites. The Dr. told me to make sure he always has some kind of insect repellent on with only10% DEET. She also showed a real tick and told us to be on the watch for them as they are out in high numbers this summer.


Mosquitoes are so nasty. It's a common joke in MN that it's the state bird. I get the chills just looking at this picture. An article from Club mom offers a creative and cheap way to cure the itch from the bites:
My grandmother's cure was salt — just plain table salt. She would wet her hands and pour salt on them. Then she would place her hand on our bites and rub. Low and behold the itching would stop — it was our miracle cure. To read the rest of the article click the link above.

I will have to try it out and see if it works. I am sure there will be plenty more times this summer cure the itches.

2.5 stars for the Third

I am in no way a movie critic, but we went to Shrek yesterday and I would give it 2.5 out of 5 stars. It was way over the kids heads, but they still thought it was cute. I thought it was a little scary, and definitely not as funny as the first. Maybe it's one of those movies you need to see more than once, but I found myself getting bored while watching. I was distracted by Isabelle's restlessness, but all in all I just don't think it lived up to all the hype. The best part about the movie was that I got to hang out with just Jake and Izzy! They got a free poster and free Shrek mask which was very fun and the theater was beautiful. Jacob has been watching some cartoons this morning and there is a commercial for Shrek during every break- they are pushing this one hard. If you go check it out, let me know what you think of it.

Taming of the tongue

Jacob has been sassy to say the least the past week. It seems that he disagrees with everything I say and has to do the opposite of what I ask him. I am starting to pull my hair out because I don't know what to do. It seems the consequences I have used are not working. Jacob and I had a conversation tonight about using the soap bar tomorrow if he didn't stop the sassiness and rudeness. I am not sure how I feel about this. I thought about using vinegar like a friend of mine suggested.
Brenton has been working a lot the past couple weeks, and Jacob seems to be the most affected by that. I think it might be why he has been so mouthy. I try reasoning with him and telling him that daddy needs to work so we can get a new house and on and on, but he only sees that Brenton is not here, and he thinks that equals Brenton not loving him. It breaks my heart. It so hard to discipline him when I know he is sad, but I know that I have too, or he will always act sad to avoid discipline. Pray for him, and all of us. We are really in a crazy busy time of life that has no rhyme or reason. We pray for some definite leadings and conformations about the future. If you have any advice about taming the tongue please let me know.

What happened to my baby?

Jacob is no longer a baby. He talks about bugs, snakes, guns, wrestling, and bodily functions. He rides a big bike, gets his shoes on by himself and can get things from the refrigerator without my help. He is asking to do things alone, and wants to test the limits. I oftentimes hear him plea with me, Mom, I can do it, I am bigger now. I can't believe how time flies by. I was looking through some old pictures and it truly seems like yesterday that he was curling up on me to sleep. It's exciting to see him grow up. He really is a sweet, kind boy. He still is a little cautious about taking risks, and I embrace that! I love watching you grow up buddy!

A giving heart

Tonight our family went to Applebee's for 50% off appetizers after 9. It's a real treat for all of us to go there. On our way out, we noticed a box on the wall with "tiny treasures" for kids to take home. It's similar to the former 'wishing well' that Perkins used to have when I was a kid- does anyone remember that? Anyway, inside were little things like sun glasses, stickers, stencils, lizards, coloring books, etc. Jacob chose some sunglasses and a lizard. I think he would have taken one of each, but we had to remind him, he could get one the next time he comes. On the short drive home, Jacob was showing me his new lizard and reminded me that he already has a lizard at home, but now he can give it to another boy to have.

I love that! I have a feeling Jacob will be our child that thinks about others needs, wants and feelings. He is sensitive to people's feelings and typically very concerned when he sees someone sad or upset. He is quick to act and try to help make someone happy. Way to go Jake!

Growing up

Jacob is obviously in a growing spurt. He is eating like crazy. Yesterday for lunch he ate 3 hot dogs, and today for lunch he ate almost a whole box of Macaroni and Cheese, a hot dog, 3 slices of salami, and grapes. He is only 3 years old and I feel like he would eat all day if I let him. What's it going to be like when he is 15?

Look out Gretzky

The first skating of the season was yesterday. We tried to have Jake skate last winter, but it was a little too soon. So, after church we strapped on the skates and hit the ice again. Brenton really did the hard work, I sat in the warm car and took pictures. It was rough at first, Jake was a little scared and unsure of what he was supposed to do. Brenton, like a champ, coached him through it. By the end of the session (approx. 10 min) Jacob had already improved. When it was done, Jacob was really excited and had a great time. He is already asking to go again. He is getting so big so fast!

Heros

I love that my kids have such great aunts and uncles. They have people in their lives that love them and that are great examples. Jacob has one uncle that he is a little obsessed with. His Uncle Jeff- Jeff is a hockey player at Bethel University and we try to attend as many games as we can so now Jacob is not only obsessed with hockey, he is obsessed with Jeff. Jacob spends most of his day with a hockey stick in his hand and helmet on his head shouting throughout the house, "I am Jeff" some other common phrases out of his mouth are:

Jeff scored (really meaning Jake scored)
Get the puck Jeff
Mom, sing the score song (the song that plays when Bethel scores a goal)
Want to play hockey? I am Jeff.
Go Bethel
Shoot the puck Jeff
Mom, call me Jeff

It has gotten to the point that I have called Jake, Jeff without hesitating. It's cute, I love that he is really into something active, and that he loves his uncle Jeff so much. To Aaron, and Jason- he talks about you too. Aaron he loves that you are cop and that you put people in jail. And Jason, he loves that you are Jaclyn's daddy and that you have dogs, soon he will love to play golf with you, but the current obsession lies with Jeff. Jeff you are a true hero in Jacob's eyes, and he is still talking about the goal you scored last night. Thanks for loving him so much!