What Our Morning Looks Like

The boys wanted to play outside this morning. In pajamas, socks, and crocs. And I let them. And took their picture. As I was taking it, Sage said "You're taking our soldier picture, right Mom?" They lasted two minutes before it got too hot in their soft pajamas.


And here's Levi. I fed him mashed avocado for breakfast and have kept dumping handfuls of Cheerios on his tray for entertainment purposes. You can see that by the third or fourth handful, he is unimpressed.


Since I started writing this all of five minutes ago, Sage is now playing Legos and he's kind of hungry. Kolby is out on the deck riding his scooter. He keeps sliding open the door. In the last five minutes, I've said "Shut the door." about 100 times. And Sage is so hungry. He's always hungry.

And now we're on to drawing pictures.

Our Second Fourth in Texas

This year, we didn't spend the fourth with our realtor and his family. Incidentally, that is the last time I've seen him and he's not a realtor anymore.

We did go to a barbque with some friends. We did grill burgers. I did not actually grill the burgers but I did consume a burger and chips and watermelon.

We did sparklers. And snakes. And snap pops. Some swimming. Levi may or may not have swam in an Ariel swim diaper. Beggars can't be choosers.

And had one or maybe two margaritas. Very good margaritas or margarita, for those of you who were counting.

We technically saw fireworks. But we were driving. So it didn't really count.

It didn't fit in my collage but it was too cute to leave out. Levi loves watermelon.

Happy 4th

Usually, I get a little homesick around the fourth. Where I grew up was so fun to walk around downtown and see fireworks over the river.

BUT.

This year, we are painting our bedroom, so my thoughts are consumed.

Hopefully, I'll post a picture on Monday. It probably won't be totally decorated. I still need some frames for some pictures but you'll get the idea.

Dear Dhavood,

Today is your birthday! You are five years old! Five is such a fun age.

I wonder what you're going to do, if anything to celebrate. I wonder if your birthday is just another day? I don't know the traditions of your culture.

If I were with you I would have a balloon for you. And a singing card. I would have presents for you to open. Cupcakes and an ice-cream cake.

I don't know much about you, Dhavood or much about what makes you, you. In the short time that I have known about you, I have fallen in love with you. Your sweet face.

I pray that you come to know Jesus. That you learn that He is your friend.

I hope that someday we can meet you, face to face.

And I would try not to cry. Too much.

Love,
Kristy

I took Levi to the doctor yesterday for his second non-well baby visit.

He's teething.

You would think that with my third child I could have figured that out. We were glad it is only his teeth and nothing more serious.

He's really throwing me through the loop. I can't figure him out. He's never been a great sleeper but he does go 8 hours sometimes. Unfortunately it is from 7ish to 3am. I was feeding him at 10 but didn't one night to see what would happen and he just kept sleeping.

I've tried not feeding him at 3. That doesn't go over so well. For him, Drew, me or the other two boys.

I even got a new book called Good Night, Sleep Tight The Sleep Lady's Gentle Guide to Helping Your Child Go to Sleep, Stay Asleep and Wake Up Happy. The jist is to let them cry while periodically going in to soothe them by patting or shushing. If you'd like, you can sit by the crib while they scream. Um, right. Gentle? Hmm. It is more like torture for my child. "Hey! You're here! You came to save me! Why aren't you picking me up? What is this patting? SHHH yourself! Pick me up!"

All 3 of my kids have woken in the night until they were about a year. This time I told myself we would just roll with it and let it happen. The problem is, I'm tired.

And. (Fair warning-Talk of nursing below!)

I think I have an infection. And it seems worse on the days that I don't get enough sleep. Which I would say we are at about 75% of the nights, he is up more than a desirable amount.

And, it hurts.

I have a call into the doctor. It is just taking a bit for us to connect to see if I need an appointment.

It has hurt for quite a while. Between the biting and the hurting, I've been ready to wean him. But then, it won't hurt and he won't bite and he's so sweet. And, it's free! A friend told me that it costs about $125 per month to formula feed. So, I made a deal with Drew. Every month that I make it past 6 months (since that is how long the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends) I get $75 in a lump sum after his first birthday. Pretty good deal, huh?

I thought that the more babies you have, the easier it gets. Or the babies are supposed to be easier babies. For some reason, that hasn't happened in our family. I joke that no one told Levi that he's the third child and supposed to sit happily in the corner and watch all the commotion. He wants in on every little detail.

And I still want at least one more.

I was trying to get Sage to pray with me for twin sisters but he says he'll only pray for boys. I guess I won't ask him to pray about it!

Why We Eat Together, as much as possible

Sitting around our table yesterday eating lunch, out of nowhere, Sage asks this:

"Why did God create the fruit if he didn't want Adam and Eve to eat it?"

Seriously? He's not even 5.

Too deep for my thinking, I turned it over to Drew.

Free Things We Do

1. Library Story Time.

2. Neighborhood Pool- we like to pack a lunch, do some swimming then eat lunch pool side. If you happen to see me dumping my water bottle full of pool water under the chair where Kolby was sitting, don't ask.

3. Splash Pad (I can't decide how often we'll do this. Levi and I got terribly hot. His poor little face. He has both his parents Scandinavian red face when he gets hot.)

4. Children's Museum. Technically, not free, but we have a membership that is already paid for. Again, we pack our own lunch.

5. The Zoo. Again, not free but paid for membership. Which I will not go back to until September. Or October. Possibly November.

Any other ideas that I'm missing?

Dear Grouchy Old Man,

It's a pool.

You're standing in 3 feet of water. Your magazine might get wet. You might get some splashes on you.

Deal with it.

Quit shooting my kids annoyed glances and shaking your head.

I know it has been a really long time since you were 4.5 but I promise you acted much the same way.

And remember, it's a pool. Say it with me now, it's. a. pool.

Lovingly,
The Mom to the 3 boys

PS. Sorry my 4.5 year old told you to get out of his way, please! That was a little rude, I talked to him about it.

Another Day at the Beach

Isn't this picturesque? Frameable even? Let's see what's really happening.

They're so cute. Does Levi have his hand in his mouth?

Boys! What is Levi doing?!

Yucky, Levi! I'm still framing it.

30 Day Challenge

My husband challenged me not to use the credit card for 30 days.

Here's the back story. He has had a full time job for about a year. Before that, he was in school. Undergrad, then he decided to apply for grad school. For a total of six years (our first six of marriage) we lived on a tight budget. By tight I mean, buying a ten dollar shirt was a big deal.

I think the past year both of us have let loose a little. And by a little I kind of mean a lot. We have money coming in every month! Don't read too much into this, we aren't in debt. (Not counting school loans and our mortgage.) What I mean is that we've been paying off our credit card every month. But we've also been dipping into our savings. Not good.

So, for the next 30 days we are hitting it hard. No credit. Which means, no swimming lessons, no new clothes, no new flip flops, no hair cuts and probably other things I can't think of off the top of my head.

The goal is that if we can do it for 30 days, we can do it for the next 30 and the next.

It's not like it is impossible. It's just that I am so very materialistic. Seriously, I don't want to know how many times a day I think a sentence that starts "I should get...". It would be disgusting. They aren't all things for me, I do think about things for the kids too. And they aren't things that I don't have. I want more flip flops, a new purse, more clothes for Levi (seriously he doesn't have that many- see how I justify things), more shorts, the list continues. And the list doesn't usually get shorter after I cross something off, I just add something else. It's a sickness.

I do want to start buying from more thrift stores. So, here's where you get to throw in your two cents. How do I take 3 kids to a thrift store and actually accomplish looking at things?

And, for those of you that live in Houston, any places I should go?! Know of a Goodwill that has all the good stuff?

Jumbled Mind

I come here to write and I have nothing. No words. Or not the words that I want to write.

I want to write about the bird in our chimney and how Pedro (my hero) got it out. After I convinced him that there was indeed a bird in our chimney. And how scared Sage was. And how it might have been because I told him he was the man of the house since Dad was at work and Papa was sleeping. Oops. And how after Pedro gave be a disbelieving look that there was a bird in our chimney and how he was going to have to open the flue to see and I hurried the kids upstairs with Nana and how Sage ran up the stairs like someone had promised him candy for getting there first. And how before Nana, Kolby, and Levi even made it up the landing the bird had flown out of the fireplace, into the fireplace cover, recovered and then flew smack into the huge window and fell to the floor. And how Pedro nonchalantly got his hankie out, picked up the bird while I opened the front door and then he let it fly away.

I want to write about Levi and his terrible sleeping habits and how I cannot break him of them. It is a viscous cycle.

And how tired I am.

And I just don't have the funny words to say them. They aren't coherent thoughts.

My fingers don't know where to start typing.

I want to tell you about the splash park that we went to this morning with 3 or 4 daycares. And how I would never want my kids in those daycares.

I want to tell you how Levi threw up twice last week, in about twelve hours, and I had myself convinced he was getting the chicken pox. But he didn't.

I want to tell someone but I'm just so tired. And then I wonder who am I telling anyway? Weird. I feel compelled to write these things. But for who?

I guess for my family someday.

Read this family, I am tired. Being your mamma and your wife makes me tired. And I love every minute of it.

One Proud Mama

Sage jumped off the diving board today.

Let me say that again.

Sage jumped off the diving board today into 11 feet of water and swam to the edge.

Let me say that again.

Sage jumped off the diving board today into 11 feet of water and swam to the edge, all by himself!

Weekend Wrap

My in-laws are here this week. And boy are we having fun.

Saturday, we took them swimming right away. Then had a relaxing dinner of Swedish pancakes, sausage, strawberries and blueberries. And you know the best part? I went to bathe Levi and put him to bed and when I came back the dishes were done and the kitchen was clean! It was a magic genie! Named Judy.

Sunday we went to church then to Pappasitos for lunch and got the best Coke that I've had in such a long time. I usually get Dr. Pepper. After drinking 4 Cokes, I told the waiter how incredible it was. And he brought me a 32 oz to go. And I almost finished it. That's kind of sick.

While the boys napped or at least tried. Judy and I headed to the Galleria. I love that mall. I love it even more when I don't have a stroller. I got a pair of new jeans that I am so excited about. I'm waiting to wear them on a date with Drew this week! Judy totally helped me get them. I call it my jeans scholarship. I had some birthday money and they were on sale. Judy found some capris she couldn't live without and after we left our first store, Nordstrom, we had both spent enough. But, we love to look so we kept going until we got called home.

Judy wanted to take the boys to Toys R Us to get them a toy, so that was on our agenda this morning. After checking out the legos, train tables, ride on cars, and drums, we settled on Nerf shot guns. They are pretty cool. James and Judy wouldn't buy them for their boys but are pretty willing to get them for their grandkids!

We checked out Steinmart too. I love that store. I love it more when I don't have my boys with me. Come to think of it, I love most stores more when I don't have my boys with me. Kolby is in the stage of needing to be contained, for my sanity, but desperately wanting to do what Sage does. And two walking boys means two boys that touch, grab and walk through clothing racks. Not exactly fun.

Then we went to Chick-fil-A for lunch. I am happy to report that we ate lunch and played in the play place without incident. I have avoided that play place for a long time because we just weren't doing well when we would go, bloody noises, and a tussle made me not want to go back. I am sad to report that I forgot that I had some books in the van to trade in for ice-cream.

James has been busy fixing the boys floor. There is a hole in the floor and he has to do something to the ceiling in the living room too. The good news is that our house is built pretty solidly.

The rest of the week, Judy and I will be trying to keep the boys out of the way and entertained. It is shaping up to be an exhausting week! And nap time is slightly messed up with the work.

False Alarm

I think we are safe to say we are not on chicken pox watch! Woohoo!

The little girl that did get it was apparently at her most contagious Saturday and Sunday. Levi was in the nursery with her on Thursday. So, we should be in the clear.

Drew's parents are coming Saturday for the week so I am so glad that we won't be dealing with a chicken poxed baby. We will get to enjoy all our previously scheduled fun. As soon as I schedule it.

Sage and Kolby are having a blast at VBS this week. Even Levi has done wonderfully every day. I was a little worried for Kolby and Levi. Kolby doesn't always love to go to class on Sunday so I thought everyday might be a bit much. But every morning, he has run right to craft time with barely a glance back. This morning, he did need an extra little hug. It was sweet. And Levi, he has done great! I've been sending a bottle of formula for him just in case I couldn't get down to nurse him. It seems he needs to nurse during the time I am supposed to be doing my center. Tuesday, I did feed him and then was so sad to drop him back off. He was too. I had been sending 4 oz bottles and today I doubled it and sent 8 and he drank 6!

I do miss my boys being away from them all morning. It makes me so thankful that we don't all have to get up and out the door every morning. And so thankful that I get to stay home with them. They're so sweet.

Things I Don't Want to Forget

• Sage told Drew he wants to be an author. This came about after Drew finished reading The Lord of the Rings for the night. Sage asked if we could make up stories like that too. And Drew explained it's called being an author.
• Levi was exposed to chicken pox last week. Nothing to do but wait.
• If you ask Kolby his name, he'll tell you, Bo. He is pretty adamant about being called Bo. Unfortunately, I got his backpack and lunch box monogrammed Kolby.
• His VBS teachers couldn't figure out why he was saying Bo for the say your name game.
• At dinner the other night, "I want to try asparagus because I've never had it before." - Sage

None of these warranted their own post but they are all things I want to remember someday.

VBS is this week and I am helping in the kindergarten room. It has been a lot of fun and totally thrown Levi off any semblance of a schedule. Last night, wasn't great. I doubt tonight will be either. All that equals a very tired mommy. And we're on chicken pox watch. I've just resigned myself to the fact that there is nothing I can do about it. I talked to Drew's mom who is a pediatric triage nurse and she said it could take up to 14 days to show up and that they wouldn't tell me to keep him home. My doctor's office said the same thing except they said 5 - 7 days. My mom agreed with my mother in law. And to her credit she is a nurse.

My brain is mush. I need to shower, feed Levi again and go to sleep.

Baby Jaws

Friday, Drew found out about the AIA (American Institute of Architects) Sand Castle Competition. We decided to go. Judging started at 3pm so we thought if we got there about 1, we could walk around, see them as they were being built and then the finished product. Plus, we were on the beach so it would be lovely, right?

As we drove, traffic got really heavy. We debated whether to turn around or not. We kept going. Then when we finally got to Galveston, we headed to the East Beach where the sand competition was held.

We didn't make it to the East Beach. Everyone from Texas decided to go. And we didn't care at all.

We found a different beach, parked our van right next to the beach and set up our little area. Seriously, our van was 10 steps from our blanket. It was awesome.

Sage ran right for the ocean. Drew followed close behind. As I finished getting sunscreen on Levi and putting him in a swim diaper, I asked if the water was cold. Cold, y'all. Anyone want to remind me that we were swimming in the Gulf of Mexico?



It was warm enough for the baby to sit!

Kolby was hesitant at first but after Drew showed him how to turn his body away from the waves so they didn't splash his face, then he loved it.






Sage learned to swim last week at swimming lessons. And he loved being able to practice in the ocean. And jump into the waves. I have to admit, it made me really nervous to be watching him from so far away so I didn't watch a whole lot. Drew was very close to him at all times. And he could touch.





He used a stick to bat the waves. Sometimes, he would yell "Homerun!"



We thought we would walk down the beach to the sandcastle competition. We didn't make it. It was a long way. Sage didn't want to get out of the water, Kolby couldn't stop throwing things or whatever he was doing. Then he started crawling in the water like Sage. And again, we weren't disappointed. The ocean, the breeze, the salty air, the smell, the sun all made up for it.



Just because he doesn't like to be left out.



This guy set up next to us. Drew asked him what he was fishing for and he answered, quite seriously, baby sharks. I thought he might possibly be lying to us and prepared to tell the internet with this picture what a poser he was. Like he was going to catch baby sharks.

And then he reeled in this:



I didn't take pictures of numbers 2 and 3. And then we left.

Not because of the baby sharks swimming by my boys feet, it was just time to go.

His 2 or 3 year old son may have thought I was the crazy lady after I ran at him yelling "Yucky, yucky!" as he drank from a McDonalds cup that had been sitting on the beach since before we arrived. His dad was a little busy.

We also got to see jelly fish and seagulls. Obviously, all was right with the world.



I needed this day so badly. It was so great to be away from the city and enjoy time with my family. Every weekend, I feel like I need a break so I go shopping. Because where else can I go? But this, this was so much better than shopping.

And next time, I will have a full suit so I can more fully enjoy the water with my boys.

I'm already planning next time! I can't wait!

A Preview of Saturday

First Freezee

Some may call these Fla-Vor-Ice, like the package.

For Love of Crocs

I love crocs.

For my kids, not me. I know they make cute styles for adults too, I just love flip flops more.

Back to my love affair with my kids' crocs. I love them for one reason.

They can put them on by themselves.

And a second reason.

I can clean them.

This spring I ordered crocs for the kids in neutral colors. Kolby got khaki, Sage got gray. They wear them everyday. Even to church.

But now I kind of want them to have a color. Orange for Kolby? Red for Sage? Green? I don't know. Black? They won't get them because, they already have a pair.

Sage told me today that crocs aren't shoes, they're crocs!

I can't wait to get Levi a little pair next year!

If loving crocs is wrong, I guess I just won't be right.

Sunday Evening Musings In Bullets

• Drew is playing his guitar and I'm blogging, in bed. Actually, we are sitting on our bed, kind of fun.
• Funny that we've had Levi 6 months and we still talk about names. Tonight, we both liked Barrett. It was on the list and got taken off, although I can't remember why now.
• I am in love with this skirt. Love, love, love it.
• We got pictures from Levi's dedication. I need Drew to scan them. Miss Erin from church took them. We didn't take one photo. I have a reason why. We had been told that there would be child care for Sage and Kolby during the service. When we got there, Drew went to take them and there wasn't. We didn't have any family at the service nor had we invited anyone. (we didn't feel like we knew anyone well enough, probably stupid on our part). So, we were in a quandary. It ended up that they did find a worker to watch any kids that needed watched but in the end, we were the only ones to take them up on it. Everyone else had family. So, after the dedication, we were so intent on getting Sage and Kolby picked up that we didn't make an effort to stick around and have someone snap some pictures for us on our camera. I'm still sad about it. But, we do have pictures and Levi has a letter to open from Pastor Gregg when he decides to follow Jesus. It makes me tear up just thinking about that.
  
• I got the boys scooters at a garage sale for $7! Sage has thanked me 4 times.
  
• I miss our family tonight. I wanted to have some super familiar people over for popcorn, cheese, crackers and Freezies. Even though our house was a bit messy and it wasn't fancy. Sometimes, you just need/crave the comfortableness of family.
  
• I'm really excited for the Bible Study I'm going to do this summer.
• Tomorrow is one year ago that we pulled into Houston from our 4 day cross country trek.
  
• It's been a great year.
  

A Day a the Zoo Leads to Safety Thoughts

Memorial Day found us hanging out as a family. We decided a trip to the zoo would be perfect.

Drew and I worked hard (he worked harder) and got lunches packed and got to the zoo a bit after 9am.

The animals were all out, some napping, but who doesn't like to stare at a sleeping lion named Jonathon the Great?


The boys sitting in the tree, where I placed them, directly above the sign that said No Climbing the Tree. A little boy read the sign out loud. Oops. I hadn't noticed that bright red sign.

Drew, Sage and Kolby got to watch the elephant get a bath and eat. They thought that was really great. I stayed out of the way with the stroller and Levi. I was so excited to figure out how to nurse Levi in the Ergo! I'm so proud. When they came back from watching the elephant, Drew didn't know that I was nursing, he thought I had just put Levi in the Ergo.

Levi did so wonderfully in the stroller. He is usually not so chill in the stroller and wants to be held. I only had him in the Ergo when I nursed him and Drew carried him in the end when he was exhausted.


Enjoying our picnic lunch at the park.

While we were eating, we noticed 3 police officers on bikes riding around and a man and woman running around frantically. The woman was yelling "David!" As she trotted by, she said she was looking for David and Nathan, a 3 and 6 year old. I told her we'd keep our eyes out. I immediately welled up with tears and turned to Sage and Kolby and told them we were going to pray for those boys to be found. I'm sure my kids think I'm crazy with all the shaky voice crying I do, exactly like my mom. I told myself I wouldn't be like that. It drives me crazy. Anyway.

We went over again with Sage what he would do if he got separated from us. We tell him to find a mommy and that she will help him. We also told him he would be in charge of Bo and he needed to keep Bo with him. He assured us that he would pull Bo with him. I have no doubt that he would love to do that. And that they would cause a spectacle while Sage was pulling Bo. We also decided to buy a label maker and put my phone number on the back of their shirt. And when we got home I looked up safety tattoos. It scared us a lot to think of our boys lost.

Later, I saw the woman with her boys and went over to tell her we had prayed for them and I was so thankful that she found her boys. She told me that when they were at the zoo, she had told David (6) that if they got separated from her to find someone with a zoo patch on their shirt to help them. The boys had walked all the way back to the zoo from the park. She said the 6 year old, David was scared but the 3 year old was clueless. I wanted to cry again.


Isn't that sexy seeing a husband carrying the baby?! I love it.

So, how do you prepare your kids if they get lost? Any safety tattoos or labeller's out there?

Kolby the Encourager

I made Swedish pancakes, sausage and strawberries for dinner tonight. As I'm flipping the pancakes, Kolby is standing beside me telling me "Goo jo, ma." (Good job, mom)

He is such the encourager. He is always telling me good job.

I wanted to remember that. It's so sweet.

And sometimes, I need to remember and dwell on the sweet.

That Was Embarrassing And Humbling

I did level 2 of The Shred.

I started The Shred last Wednessday. Last Wednessday was Day One. Today was Day 10.

I was feeling very confident in my shredding ability. I wasn't as sore as I had been. So, I thought that I could totally handle moving up to level 2. In fact, I needed to. Or so I thought.

It didn't help that the boys were watching. I use the term watching very loosely. I had them eating a snack. But they finished. Somewhere in the middle of circuit 2.

I was already in some pain. And then the boys decided they should try the new moves with me.

They've done Level 1 with mm and it ended with Sage accidentally smacking Kolby in the head with a 5 lb. weight. That was the last time I attempted to do it while they were awake.

Level 2 has more big movements. And I'm tall. And they're little. It was a disaster waiting to happen.

So instead of something happening, I kept telling them to "MOVE!" And when I say tell, I mean yell. But in a kind sort of way. It was me looking out for them.

I finished Level 2. And the boys lived to see the afternoon.

I'm already dreading Level 2 tomorrow. And I won't even think about Level 3 looming in the future.

I kind of hate Jillian.

Dear Levi's First Tooth

I have issues with you.

First, he is a baby. He isn't supposed to have a tooth. I wasn't expecting a tooth the day after he turned six months old. It is like you are robbing me of my sweet baby. I don't like it. So quit.

Second, and most important. Stop biting. Just stop. It hurts. And it hurts when you clamp and pull too. Does the screaming mean nothing to you? The harsh way I yell NO! No effect?

Love,

Levi's Mamma who would like to keep all body parts attached.

Dear Levi,

You cut your first tooth! To most, this would be an exciting development. Except I'm not quite ready for my baby to grow up. And by getting a tooth it proves that you will indeed grow up.

This new tooth in your mouth is not a weapon of mass destruction.

It is used to bite food. Not your mom where your food currently comes from.

It is also not meant to bite your hand while you bite on a teething biscuit.


Love,

Mamma

Levi ~ 6 Months

17 lbs 10 oz. (75-90%)

27.5 inches (50-75%)

3-6 and 6-12 month clothes

size 3 Huggies

size small Fuzzi Bunz

Smiliest baby I know

Trying to sit up

Cut your first tooth!

Eats sweet potato, avocado, mango, yogurt and super porridge

Drinks water from a sippy cup (a few sips)

Fascinated by big brothers

Sleeps on tummy or side

Takes a passy to fall asleep

Bedtime 7 or 7:30

Wakes up once in need of a passy

Wakes up about 5 to nurse

Not in a super schedule, goes with the flow

Not thrilled with gym nursery

Getting better at church nursery

Loves toys

Chews on everything

Grabs everything (i've stopped wearing my necklace and hair is always back and he still gets it)

Doesn't know a stranger

Except for 2 ladies who made him cry by getting too close

Rolls and scootches around



See? Learning.

To My Love

7 years ago, we said I Do.

Drew, Before God our Father and these witnesses, I promise to be your faithful wife. I promise to submit to your leadership as the church submits to Christ, to honor and respect you and to encourage you to pursue God wholeheartedly. I will always be faithful and devoted to you. To you alone do I give my heart and body until death parts us or our Lord returns.

I love you more deeply today than I did the day I first said those words.

I know more today what those words mean.

I understand them better.

I am committed to them even more.

You truly are my best friend.

I love you!

A Day Late, Is A Month in Blog Terms

Happy Mother's Day! And Happy Birthmothers' Day! Read about it here.

What did we do for Mother's Day? Well, thanks for asking!

We had some friends over for lunch. I made french dip sandwiches in the crock pot. The meat didn't turn out as flavorful as usual. I don't know why. I just checked the recipe again and I put in everything. It would not be uncommon for me to realize that I forgot a key ingredient. Next time, I'll add more beef bouillon cubes.

I served watermelon (not very sweet), chips, carrots, snap peas and dip and made an apple pie for dessert.

At least the apple pie was good.

After they left, Drew cleaned up. I took a short nap while Levi slept and then another short nap while Levi nursed.

Drew had promised to take the boys to the park and they were just getting ready. I mentioned I might go. Sage said it was just for boys. Drew reminded him it was Mother's Day and I could do what I want.

I ran upstairs to change. And they left.

My phone started ringing with the familiar tune of Drew's ring.

He couldn't find the DVD to return to Blockbuster. I was glad that he thought of that, I didn't want to pay another $1 for The Day the Earth Stood Still. I was also glad because it meant that Levi and I didn't get left behind.

I watched Sage practice batting at the T. I watched Kolby sit in the outfield and pour dirt from one hand to the other. I watched Levi practice sitting. I watched Sage practice fielding the ball. I watched Kolby move the dirt from his hands to his crocs and pour it back and forth from one croc to the other. I watched Levi roll over. I watched Kolby wander away toward the play set. I watched Kolby steal someone's soccor ball. (I made him return it.)

Then, I watched Kolby climb the rock wall all by himself, and jump off the bridge, all by himself.

That night, I thanked God for Kolby's beautiful feet. Feet that enable him to wear shoes in which he can use to hold dirt, feet that enable him to wander away, kick a soccor ball, climb a wall and break his fall from jumping off the bridge.

They are beautiful feet! Romans 10:15b "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

I just went back to the archives to link to a picture of Kolby's club feet and realized I never posted them on here! Our internet went down and then our computer blew up right after he was born.


He is less than a week old in this picture.



This is still in the hospital.

I cried looking at these pictures again. My sweet boy. God is good. So good. I never want to forget that.

Disgruntled

I didn't wake up disgruntled. But somehow, I became disgruntled.

I reached for 3 bowls for cereal, only one clean. I made do with 2 salad bowls and one cereal bowl. And to think I wasn't even going to get those cereal bowls. Good thing my father-in-law knew we would use them!

And then, I slowly got more and more disgruntled at the state of our house. Piles on every surface. Boxes open and strewn about. Some still from the camping trip. Others from the great closet reflooring that unexpectedly occurred last weekend. (Water really did get in our house, it took us a week to figure it out when it started smelling.)

And I started losing my patience with my kids. I yelled. Sage yelled back. I told Sage and Kolby to clean their room. Sage said no. I told him to stay there all day with no lunch. He asked about needing to leave to drop off a meal at someones house. I told him he'd stay home by himself in his room if it wasn't clean. And walked downstairs to sit and nurse Levi.

As I sat, I started to see and hear what a jerk I had been to my kids. Me, who is always telling Sage, speak kindly, Kolby isn't going to respond to unkind words in a nice way. Me, the adult, the one who is supposed to rise above, the one who is supposed to set the example.

He came downstairs and said "Mom, I'm sorry for yelling at you." I had tears in my eyes. I should have been apologizing first. I did apologize and ask for his forgiveness.

I messed up today. I was disgruntled. I had tried to pray about it. I didn't get far in my prayer before I started in on something else. My thoughts were mean and unkind. They started to show in my actions and then my words.

Next time, I'm going to stop and sit and close my eyes. A prayer on the go wasn't working for me this time. This time, I needed to focus on my Jesus, my Saviour, my Father of mercies. Focus and tell him how crappy I felt, how yucky my insides felt and ask him for his help, for his mercy and to change me.

Before I take it out on my kids.

On Turning Twenty Ten

I feel kind of funny drawing attention to my birthday but it's significant.

Three Zero.

I don't really want to say that word.

It kind of makes me laugh.

Twenty Ten.

It kind of makes me nervous.

Th.

I.

Rty.

Does turning this age mean I'm a real adult?

The third decade is when big things happen, right? Don't ask me what sort of things, I haven't been there yet.

If the third decade brings as many changes as my second, it'll be an adventure!

In my twenties, I met Drew, graduated from college, married Drew, worked full-time, gave birth to Sage, moved from Iowa to Connecticut, gave birth to Kolby, moved from Connecticut to Houston, and gave birth to Levi.

It's hard to put into words what I'm feeling about this birthday. I feel nervous because I think I should have more answers, more faith, be a stronger woman, a more patient mom. I'm excited because I pray that I am embarking on receiving and becoming those things. I'm nervous because I pray that I start to become those things.

I pray that when I turn four zero I won't have any regrets. That I will have changed and become a better person.

But, let's not think about that yet!

Wild Ride

I knew my life was going to change moving to Houston.

I was expecting our third baby. Shortly after moving here we found out that it was a third boy.

That was life changing. But there was something more happening.

We started going to Houston's First Baptist Church. Not life changing. I mean, we've always gone to church and had gone to a really great church during college. A church that founded our faith and deepened our relationship. So the church wasn't life changing. And attending wasn't life changing.

I was reading blogs. Blogs like MckMama, Rocks in my Dryer, Boomama, and Bring the Rain. Reading these womens blogs was stirring my heart for something more. The faith that MckMama had while baby Stellan was still in her womb and told he wouldn't live outside of while I felt my own healthy baby kick, kick, kick me made me want more. Reading Bring the Rain while she carried her sweet Audrey the last couple of weeks and then was born to live for two hours and the faith that carried her through, that made me want more. The Compassion trip to Africa that Rocks in my Dryer and Boomama took made me want more. I wanted to sponser a Compassion child, three to match my own. But I didn't.

And slowly, God has been working on my heart. I've been going to Bible Study all year, church Sunday morning and Wednesday night and it seems like what my heart has been struggling with, the message is hit right to me.

Drew and I weren't tithing when we moved here. We were getting on our feet after grad school, getting our house settled. It was our first full time job since starting grad school, three years prior. And the money kept running out. Guess what we kept hearing? You just have to start, you just have to start giving. It took us a little bit but we finally started tithing. And guess what? The money has not run out, we've always had plenty.

Lately, I've been working through doing enough for my faith. Producing enough fruit. I don't serve/love enough. I was tired of just helping other Christians, I wanted to do more. Guess what Curtis Jones talked about on Wednesday? That while we serve our fellow Christians, we are still living our faith. (I didn't even get to listen but Drew told me the jist.) It made me realize that I need to step up in our Sunday School class and take that spot of leadership and be the missions coordinator. God is laying it on my heart.

I've been reading the posts from the Compassion Bloggers India trip. And my heart has broken for India. I told Drew, let's just sponser one. One. $32 a month. We can give up our Blockbuster membership, I'll find ways to make it work. He said go for it. Sage and I searched for a child his age with his birthday. There weren't any. We searched for one in his birthday month. There was one little boy from India.

Meet Dhavood:



Isn't he cute?! We have 4 boys!

But the coolest thing? Drew went through the mail that night and unknowingly to us, our house taxes were reassessed. The savings per month? $35!

I'm making small steps. Small steps that I pray will lead to a giant leap.

I want to live my life the way I have always said I would live "when". The when is here. The when is now.

I pray it's a wild ride!

Today In A List

1. Got Levi's picture taken at Picture People. First time since January.

2. He turns 6 months on Sunday. I'm trying to resist the urge to make a comment about how fast the time has gone and by typing that I got to make the comment without officially saying Wow, time has flown.

3. I saw a mom that went to the same Bible study as me and we recognized each other. She has two boys. I casually mentioned that we should get together to play sometime. She kind of guffawed. Not in an obvious way, probably a more surprised way. I let it drop. I didn't force my phone number on her. And I wasn't hurt or saddened by it, it was probably exactly the way I would have reacted. Kind of like, Yeah, I totally don't need more friends.

4. The only thing I got done during Mothers Day Out was getting Levi's picture taken. And getting Drew his Crew from Target but it's connected to the mall so it doesn't feel like it counts for some reason.

5. It was worth it. I wish I could have bought more.

6. There was a dad in there with his two kids getting their picture made for a Mothers Day gift. That's sweet. They were a little on the wild side.

7. I don't like it when people say "get your picture made". But I just said it.

8. I hope dinner cooks fast enough in the crock pot, I'm pushing the 4 hour cook time.

9. I love the crock pot for hot weather, it doesn't get my house hot. Especially since my car thermometer said 90 today!

10. I love cherry Dr. Pepper.

Crayloa Pip Squeak

UPDATE: The doctor told me not to check for the cap any longer. Things have moved through his system since than so we assume all's clear!



See that cap?

A cap like that is in Sage's body. It has been since Tuesday.

The doctor laughed at me on Friday for bringing him. I had talked to my mother in law who is a pediatric triage nurse and she said it would pass on its own. The nurse on call from our doctors office here said he should be seen if it hadn't passed in 24 hours. I waited to call until Thursday. They had an appointment on Friday. I thought I would be cancelling it.

We're still waiting.

Oh, did you want to know how it happened?

He was coloring. And blowing the cap. And accidentally swallowed it. He looked at me so surprised and said "Mom, I accidentally swallowed the marker cap!"

I have to clarify that I did not notice that he had a cap in his mouth or I would have told him to take it out.

I hope he's learned his lesson.

I was thankful it didn't require another ER visit. Anyone wanna see a picture of the after? Me neither.

The Boys Weekend

While Levi and mommy were on a date the boys went camping with friends.


Mesmerized by the fire. Or smoke. Or both.


Sticks as pokers.


Climbing a fence.


Taking aim. See the turtle shell in the distance? (No turtles
were actually hurt)


Hiking.


Wading.


Watching the waders. Funny, he wasn't a fan of the wading, at home he finds all the puddles and this was basically one big puddle.


TA-DA!


Swinging on the vine.


The future of the NRA.


Sticks. As swords this time.


Root beer and meat round off the weekend.

I Could Hide It No Longer

Caramel Apple Dip from McDonald's.

The boys like the apples and I just failed to mention that they were actually called apple dippers. I would leave the dip in the bag and they ate the apples without suspecting a thing.

Until today.

Sage started opening his Happy Meal before I could unpack it for him. And he found the dip. And he opened it. As he was opening it, he expressed his great delight and told me it was yummy. I asked how he knew, thinking Drew had given it to him before. He said "I licked it off my finger and it tastes like candy!"

Apple dippers fate is now sealed.

5 Minutes From My House

Thank you Lord for keeping us safe.
Thank you Lord for keeping our possessions safe.
Thank you Lord for the reminder that our possessions are meaningless.
Thank you Lord.
Lord, be with the people who have lost.
Help me to help them.

Wordless Wednesday

Flash Flood

You may or may not have heard about the flooding in Houston today.

We're fine.

It's kind of hard to tell in the picture but the water was covering the door mat and centimetering it's way up the door well.

Drew and I were up at 5 watching it. He decided something needed to be done. First, he started pulling shoes out of the closet and thinking about what to stack the couch upon.

Next, he decided to get the hose and create a vacuum of sorts to get the water away from our door. He put on his poncho and broke the hose to get it off the spicket. Then he ran the hose down the sidewalk out to the street and started sucking the water out of the hose so it would run down and away from our house.

He's sitting by the curb sucking on the hose as a man out walking comes towards him. Drew is thinking he's coming to help. He gave Drew a strange look and just kept walking!

The water ended up receding.

I was so thankful to have a husband willing to get out and do something and to protect us.

I Miss This

These were taken April 4, 2008. More than a year ago. All of April I tried not to think about the beautiful Cherry Blossom trees in New Haven. We lived a block away. They were in full bloom for about a week and I would go walk down the sidewalk everyday to visit the blooms. And then the blooms would start to fall and the boys would pick up the petals in fist fulls and throw them at each other.

We took this family picture at the Cherry Blossom Festival. It happened that year to fall the same weekend the trees bloomed.

And now my mouth is watering thinking about Pepe's Pizza, pepperoni. Oh, you can't get pizza like that in Texas. We would walk there for dinner or Drew would walk carry out home. We lived so close that we could call 10 minutes before closing and they would take our order, knowing we could get it before they closed. We had many late night pepperoni pizzas while I was pregnant with Kolby.

The first time we went, was so funny. To us. They showed us our booth, got a high chair for Sage. It was one that clipped on to the table, the restaurant wasn't big enough for high chairs sticking off the end of the table. And then they left. No menu. We sat there talking and wondering what to get. The waitress comes back and asks what we want. We told her we hadn't seen a menu yet. In typical New England fashion, she just looks at us and points above our heads at the wall. And walks away. The menu was on the wall! We felt stupid. And she left us sitting there for 15 more minutes.

By the time, we moved away, they recognized us when we came.

Baby Weight Loss

Let's just get it out there. I haven't lost all the baby weight.

And I'm okay with that. Today.

I have about 5 pounds hanging around to get to my weight of when I got pregnant. I have about 8 pounds hanging around to get to my ideal weight. I have about 13 pounds hanging around to get to my goal weight and when I reach that goal weight, I'll be buying a new pair of jeans. A new expensive pair of jeans. From the outlet. If they fit right.

It's what I call incentive.

But it hasn't worked.

I had a goal of running a 5K. Today. I didn't run it. I haven't run that far since before I was pregnant.

I think I could do it, albeit veeerryyy slowly. Painfully slow.

I thought it would be so much easier. Not the losing weight part. The exercising part.

I haven't worried about the weight. My plan was if I was exercising, I would feel good about myself, eat less junk and the weight would come off on it's own.

I thought it would be so easy to get to the gym.

Or put Levi and Kolby in the double jogger and have Sage ride his bike.

It's not.

Levi doesn't love nurseries or child care. He just loves me.

Sage did well the first couple of times riding his bike. We went about a mile. And I spent a lot of it yelling "Ride faster!" "Come on Sage, you can do it!"

Oddly enough, most of my pants fit.

I'm not gonna sweat it. I'll just keep doing what I'm doing, trying to get to the gym and telling myself it will only get better. It's just a short season of my life. Someday, I'll have time to work out more. For now, I'll do it when I can.

Date Night

He let me do whatever I wanted.

Shopping.

Drive through Panda Express.

And a girlie movie.

He ate avocado mixed with sweet potato while I ate orange chicken.

He slept through most of the movie.

I didn't offer him any chocolate ice-cream.

Levi and mommy's first date.

It's As Easy As 1, 2, 3

Macaroni and Cheese.

Confused? Let me start over.

I was preparing a delicious, nutritious meal for my family on Saturday. Lunch, specifically. Annie's Macaroni and Cheese to be exact.

Drew watched as I measured milk and whipped the cheese powder together.

He got a funny look on his face and said "Wait, you put milk in macaroni and cheese?!"

Y'all, he went to Yale.

Praying For Stellan

Stellan is in surgery this morning. Pray for peace for the MckFamily and steady hands for the surgeon.

We're wearing orange in honor of Stellan today. Go here to see others wearing orange and to get updates on sweet Stellan.