Lookin' Good

But we haven't ventured past the band-aid yet...

My Day in Three Words

Jumping on bed.

Hear a thud.

Loud crying follows.

See blood running.

Trip to doctor.

Clean out wound.

Much loud wailing.

Hold down child.

Big long needles.

Hold down child.

Five people helping.

Get four stitches.

More loud wailing.

Lots of sobbing.

Procedure is done.

Doctor gives Smarties.

Child is happy.

"Eat my smarties."

"They are yummy."

Mom is tired.

Pictures another day.

I'm in love...

With my new washer and dryer. I think I may be reaching an unhealthy level of adoration for these appliances. My husband and children may soon be competing for my affection.

But, really, could THEY do five complete loads of laundry by 11:00 a.m.??

Now if only I could have a new vacuum sweeper, stove, blender, mop, kitchenaide, microwave...maybe all my domestic duties would seem "fun."

Or maybe not.



FYI: I'm too lazy (or too busy...) to take a picture of my new washer and dryer, load it into my computer, and post it on here. But 7, 756 people have felt the need to post their washers and dryers on flickr in case you are interested. I'm sure one of them is just like mine.

10

10 Steps to Giving My Child A Bath:

1. Fill tub up with water and put child in to play.


2. Take child out, drain water, and pull out all toys, and scoop out poop.


3. Fill other bathtub with water and put child in.


4. Scrub bathtub #1 with bleach.


5. Hear husband say, "no!!" and run to see that child has dumped a bottle of adult shampoo into the bathtub.


6. Take child out, drain all water, and rinse out eye-irritating suds.


7. Fill up bathtub for the third time, put child back in, and wash him in 1.3 seconds before he needs bath #4.


8. Wrap child up in a towel and sit him in the recliner while diaper is retrieved.


9. Return to see that the child has covered the chair with pee in the 5 seconds that the adult was absent.


10. Throw up hands in the air and make a giant hot fudge sundae.

Happy Birthday!

Watching everyone else open my presents.




Enjoying some cake.

Can You Hear Me Now?

When two 5 year olds and a three year old ask you if you would unplug the phone so they can play pretend with it...be very, very skeptical.

When you check on the 3 and 5 year olds and they have "that look" in their eye that something is just not quite right...trust your instincts.

When they say they were "just trying to call themselves"...be very, very scared.

When they say they tried to plug in the phone for just a little bit, but it kept coming out again...try to get the whole story.

When your phone rings and the caller id shows a number EXACTLY the same as yours with only ONE digit different...be very, very frustrated.

When you ask if they called anyone and they sheepishly say "yes, but we hung up on them"...be thankful they didn't call 911.

When you discover the phone adapter is broken and they say "it wouldn't come out, so we yanked it out"...breathe very, very slow.

When you need to vent a little and get the advice of a veteran mom of four...use your phone-a-friend lifeline.

When you lecture the children about being truthful, phone usage, asking first, and prank phone calls...look very, very disappointed.

When you are coming up with jobs to make them earn money to pay for the broken phone adapter...think big.

When you pay them each a dollar for all of their work and then tell them it will take three dollars to pay for the broken adapter...be very, very thankful the ordeal is over...and try not to smile.

Two Years

My baby is 2 today.

Two years ago today I woke up with more anticipation, worry, excitement, stress, elation, and fear than I have ever felt in my life.

After a quick visit to the hospital, where we learned labor hadn't even really started, we ate breakfast at IHOP. I remember sitting there, eating my pancakes like it was any normal day in my life, thinking, "we are going to have a baby today." It blew my mind.

I was in another state, which felt like another country, waiting for another woman to progress through labor, so I could finally meet my precious baby boy. The day was the longest of my life. Hours ticked by as we sat in the waiting room at the hospital talking, reading, resting, laughing a little to try to calm our nerves, and praying for our baby's birthmother and her parents. They were in a room upstairs, but it felt like they were miles and miles away.

I remember trying to guess what it was going to be like when we walked into her room, what we would say, how everyone would act, and what our lives were going to be like for the next couple of days. And the next couple of weeks....and months...and years. We'd only met this beautiful girl and her parents 15 hours earlier. They had chosen us off of some pieces of paper. And they were preparing to hand over to us a beautiful baby boy. Only God can make pieces of a puzzle like that fit together in such an amazing way.

I will never forget the moment when her father walked into the waiting room with a subtle smile on his face. He said, "He's here, and he's perfect. Ten perfect fingers and ten perfect toes. You'll be able to come up in a few minutes." I was too overwhelmed to cry, too happy to laugh, too shocked to do anything at all.

When we walked into the room, her mother was holding a tiny bundle with a head full of black hair. She immediately placed the baby - their baby? her baby? our baby? - in my arms as she said with tears in her eyes, "He's beautiful." It was a powerful transition moment. Our baby. Our baby. We had been saying it for two months, and the moment had finally arrived.

I have never seen with my own two eyes such sacrificial love as that family showed as they held him, took pictures of him, and endured heart-wrenching goodbyes.

I can't believe two years have gone by. I want to hold on to each moment and each memory so I never forget the miracle of the journey.

10

This has been a crazy week. Here are 10 funny, interesting, or just plain weird conversations that have occured in my family.

1. My crazy youngest son tried to fill up a cup that was sitting on the side of the bathtub. He used a bucket to perform this task. Water went EVERYWHERE. As I was cleaning up the mess, I said, "what do you need to say to mommy for making this big mess?"

Him: "I forgive you."


2. I was on the phone one morning when I heard this same son waking up. I went in to his room, told my cousin to hang on for a second, and said, "Are you ready to wake up?"

Him: "No. Get off the phone."

Me: "I am talking to Charity. Do you want to get up?"

Him: "No. Get off the phone."

Me: "Do you want to stay in your crib until I'm off the phone?"

Him: "Uh - huh."

And he did. I talked for at least 7 more minutes while he laid there in silence.


3. From 5 year old to his 7 year old cousin...(while wearing matching shirts):

5 year old: We look like twins.

7 year old: Yeah. We're like brothers.

5 year old: Well, we are brothers, you know. We're brothers in Christ."

Wow. Never heard that out of him before.


4. While on the phone the other day (seeing a theme here), I realized I didn't know where my one year old was. I went around the house calling out his name. No answer, which is very strange for him. Suddenly, I hear:

Him: (softly) No.

Me: Where are you?

Him: No.

I find him hiding in the back of his brother's closet with a cough drop in his mouth.

Me: Were you hiding in here because you know you aren't supposed to have that?

Him: Uh-huh.


5. From one five year old to another 5 year old.

Him: Do you think God and Jesus are one or two?

Her: I don't know. Why?

Him: I think they are two separate people, but they are both in heaven, so it's okay.


6. My children must go to grandma's house way too much. On Wednesday night we walked into grandpa and grandma's at 7:30 p.m. My one year old shouts out, "Is breakfast ready yet?"


7. Here's a door you don't want your five year old to open:

"Mom, how is it possible for someone to have twins? How in the world would they have TWO babies in their tummy?"


8. And better yet:

"Mom, I heard someone say that they were done having kids. How does someone try not to have kids?"


9. But on more a more typical kid note...I guess my little guy is tired of his brother pushing him around. This morning my oldest was innocently climbing past the car seat to get into the van. The little guy reached out, hit his brother and said, "No. You stay away from me right now."


10. While eating breakfast this morning, the one year old looked at me and said, "What's the time?" He's ONE! Okay, so he's two tomorrow, but seriously, 'what's the time?'?!? I said, "8:17". He said, "Hmmm. Okay."

No wonder I'm tired.

Happy Valentine's Day

Today is February 14, a day set aside to take even extra measure to share love. Today is also my 14th Valentine's Day that I have shared with my husband (both dating and married). So, here are 14 things I love about him.

To my Valentine...

~I love that you love me no matter what size I am, no matter what my hair looks like, and no matter what mood I am in. I know that can be a big job!

~I love that you love our boys so much that you are willing to discipline them, play with them, talk to them, read to them, and tuck them in at night.

~I love that you will share your feelings with me. Even though you are not a talker, you will always tell me how you are feeling, whether or not I will like it!

~I love that you are full of integrity. I NEVER have to wonder if you are being truthful or sincere about something.

~I love that you can fix almost anything. I love that your hands created our beautiful basement, and that those same hands had a big part in building our home.

~I love that you love your jobs. I love that you like the challenges you have to face and that you tackle each project and make it the best it can be. I love that you love to be on the fire department and help people as much as you can. Your jobs portray the great mix that you are - calm and logical and an adreneline junkie all wrapped up into one. :)

~I love that you are financially smart. Although it is so hard for me to be thrifty, I love that you are so careful. It would drive me crazy if you didn’t watch our money. I know, now you are going to keep this forever for proof that I ever said this.

~I love that you stay fit and in shape. It makes me proud that you take care of yourself.

~I love that you support me whether or not I choose to work. It means a lot to me that you want what is best for our boys, but that in that you are willing to look with me at various options that come my way.

~I love that you are always willing to help people. It is a true picture of your heart.

~I love that you can cook. Enough said!

~I love that you think family is important. You are great with my parents and all my extended family. It means so much to me.

~I love that you are fine with me having breaks from the house and the daily grind of taking care of the kids. It means a lot to me that you are okay with me getting away now and then and spending time with my friends.

~And most of all, I love that it is so important to you to keep our marriage strong. You make our relationship a true priority. I love you!

Finally

This morning I went for my first three mile walk since wrecking my ankle four weeks ago! And I can still move...slowly...but I can still move.

Back Home

We are home and (semi) unpacked and (semi) rested from our trip.

Since I missed Friday, I'll highlight the weekend with ten things I did:

~Uneventful trip there on Thursday. The boys each took an hour nap. My plan was three hours. Surprisingly, though, they didn't even ask for a movie until we hit the Illinois state line. That's amazing.

~Trip to nursing home Friday morning to see my grandfather. He asked me where my uncle was, apparently thinking he was my husband. Also asked if my boys were at Bradley University (to his credit, both my cousins - sons of the above mentioned uncle, are in college). This is the reason we went - to see my grandpa. The confusion is occuring more often, more intensely.

~Took in some volleyball games. 4th/5th graders just learning to play makes for some interesting happenings.

~Spent some much needed talk time with my cousin who is near and dear to my heart.

~Trip to Bloomington for breakfast with my cousin and my friend who is also near and dear to my heart. More volleyball games - this time junior high.

~Saturday night and Sunday noon with the entire Illinois family. Didn't get enough much needed talk time with my aunt and uncle.

~Forced to pack up and leave a day early due to ice/sleet forecasted across the state of Missouri for Monday. Wanted to stay three more days.

~Decided to drive the entire way home on Sunday, praying the boys would fall asleep to ensure peaceful travel.

~The 5 year old dropped off at 11:32 p.m.

~The 1 year old was still awake when we pulled in the driveway - 12:45 a.m.

That must seem like about the most boring trip a person could take, but I loved it. If I ever had to move, there is where I would choose!

Packing??

I should be packing.

My children, my mother, and I head out in exactly 22 hours for Illinois. Most of my friends think I'm crazy to make this 10 hour trek (one way) with my kids. I may be crazy, but I love it. OK, I don't always love the car ride, but I love my time out there, even with two little tykes. So many memories, so much fun, so many friends and family to see.

Did I mention I should be packing? I have laid out all of three outfits. No suitcases, no toy bags, no nothing.

I think I must still be suffering the effects from three weeks ago. When we were supposed to go to Illinois the first time. When I had every bag packed, every toy collected, and every movie ready to go. When we cancelled due to suspicious weather. When I wrecked my ankle. When I had to unpack all my bags. On crutches.

Still a little bitter.

I guess I'm waiting to see what might cancel this trip. I don't really want to know. I don't really want to think about it; yet, I'm not packing.

So, I guess I should just say that I better not be posting anything until next Tuesday. If I'm home to write "Friday's 10", it isn't going to be pretty.

Battle of the Will

My almost-two-year-old son has been throwing food on the floor his entire life. Forks, spoons, cups, even plates, seem to find their way to the floor on occasion. More occasions than not, unfortunately. We've tried various tactics to solve this dilemma. Here's how it went this morning.

7:45 a.m. - The plate was turned over and the food went to the floor. The plate slipped down 2 seconds later. Three pieces of pancake and four pieces of sausage went flying.

Me: You need to clean up your mess. Put the pancake and sausage back on your plate.

Him: No. I won't. I can't.

Me: Yes, you can. Clean it up.

Him: I want Thomas the train.

Me: You can have him after you put the food back on the plate.

Him: (with pathetic puppy dog eyes) Mama! I want the football.

Me: No football until after you clean this up.

This type of conversation went on for a few more minutes. He would not pick up his mess, so I would not let him leave the 3 foot by 3 foot area around his plate.

Here he was at 8:45 a.m. I'm not kidding - an entire hour later.

Don't let the picture fool you. He tried to leave the area many, many times. He was not impressed with the imaginary bounderies I built for him.

Here he is at 9:15 a.m. - 1 1/2 hours had passed since the plate hit the floor.

I think his brother started feeling a bit sorry for him. After this picture he looked up and said, "Mom, what if he has to stay here until Christmas?" I told him he would need to pick up his food if he wanted to open up any Christmas presents.

At 1 hour and 45 minutes, he asked to play with Thomas for the 100th time. I told him for the 100th time that he could go as soon as he picked up has pancake and sausage. And he did it.

Hallelujah.

Whoever said, "Third time's a charm," never had children.

Friday's 10

Am I the only one who has noticed a severe loss of brain cells since having kids? I always thought of myself as detailed and organizied (other than the way my house often looks), but lately I am seriously wondering about that. It's pretty sad that I can come up with 10 things that have happened recently to confirm my theory on brain cell loss.

1. I forgot to put the salt in the pancakes I made this morning.

2. I ran out of the house yesterday, while it was snowing and the wind was blowing at 30 mph, and left my cell phone sitting on the counter.

3. The monthly preschool fee was due yesterday. (They technically give you five days to get it in, but still...)

4. My sister-in-law's birthday card was a day late.

5. Today I vacuumed up my son's sock. Not my little son's sock - no, the five year old. The vacuum moaned and groaned and smelled really bad, but I think it still works.

6. My son's backpack never left the house with us this morning.

7. I put a throw rug out on the porch two days ago to shake it out and vaccuum it. I got busy and forgot about it. The next day it was gone. The neighbor's dogs???

8. Someone from the carpet store is coming to my house on Monday to lay new pad and restretch our basement carpet. I've been meaning to call them for six days to see how much stuff we have to move off the carpet for this process. The answer: as much as you possibly can. Great. I have not very many hours to move a lot of junk.

9. I have to search for my keys, cell phone, or sunglasses at least once a week.

10. Here is the best one, probably because it is my husband's dying brain cells instead of mine. Yesterday he was packing to go snow skiing. He was sitting on the bed, saying, "I wonder what I forgot to pack. I'm sure it is something really obvious." I started going through the typical stuff. Socks? Underwear? Gloves? Goggles? Nope, he had all that. This morning he came walking into the kitchen with a disgusted look on his face. "You know last night when I wondered if I forgot anything? Do you think my ski bibs might be helpful on this trip??"