I Love My Kids

This Post is from Matt:

So, I really love my kids. They are hilarious and always make the end of a long work day fun, well, maybe not always, but every time I start with the right attitude they do.

Tonight, I am proud that my little girly-girl got some of my sense of humor. Cathy was reading Emily a Thomas the train story. Why was my little princess, girly-girl interesting in a Thomas book? Because in part of the story there is a boat that makes the sound, exactly as written in book: "Poop, poop". She thinks its funny that the boat says poop, and so do I.

Will, who apparently is feeling loads better than he has been the last week, has taken to opening his mouth as wide as he possibly can and cackling whenever he sees that you're smiling at him.

On our ride in to drop me off at work every morning Mary has taken to singing songs. Since our radio shorted out we haven't had the normal music constantly playing (which has actually been somewhat of a good thing in my opinion) and I think that bothers Mary. What makes it funny is that she knows most of the words to only 4 or 5 songs, so she mixes them up and will throw in little things here and there. This morning she started to sing the chorus to Jingle Bells and added in the occasional rasberry, which doesn't sound as funny written like this, but hearing this cute little voice sweetly singing jingle bells and then to suddenly have the line end with "pppppbpbpbpbpbpt!" is hilarious.

Anyway, I just wanted to share some of those funny little things my kids do that make my day begin and end amazingly well.

I want to hear some of the things your kids (and by "your" I mean anyone who is willing to comment) do on a regular basis that brighten your day. Please share!

Motherhood Helps

Last night, Mary crashed on the couch right before bedtime. She is difficult to get to sleep, so I was glad. But, then I started thinking about the day. She wanted to be held all day. She followed me around saying "Carry you! Carry you!" I held her often, but I admit I felt a little hassled most of the time. I had a very clingy 10 month old, and a whiny four year old, and I just didn't have much patience with my two year old. Especially because she spent most of the day screaming, which in turn woke the 10 month old that I had to get back to sleep. I started feeling a little guilty but mostly just sad. I thought of all the missed opportunities to hold my baby. I had been pushing her away all day and saw with just a little more clarity than normal how fleeting my time is with her. So, I made a promise to myself that I would hold her more today, and wouldn't just push her off.

That resolution proved to be necessary. If possible, she has been even more clingy today. She has wanted me to hold her a lot, but my attitude has been much better. When I start to get frustrated, I remember my promise and just pick her up and squeeze her.

I am grateful for that thought last night that helped me be more patient today and appreciate my sweet baby who is rapidly leaving babyhood.

Push Passed

I love jogging. There is nothing in the world quite like that post-jog feeling. Unfortunately I haven't gone much lately. I have used my elliptical periodically, but it has been a few weeks. And, until today, I hadn't jogged outside probably since before my last pregnancy. This afternoon, I loaded the three younger kids into my stroller and set out.

It was hard! After only a few minutes of running, my throat and lungs were burning. I had Matt's mp3, and had decided to run for at least one song. I did, but that was all (I'm such a woose!). I briskly walked for a loop around the neighborhood, and then it happened. The burning went away. I felt good. My throat and lungs felt clean and strong. I started jogging again. I walked/ran for two more loops, then had to stop to be home in time for kid number one. I would have liked to have gone even farther.

When I was in high school, I didn't like jogging. I thought it was a torture like electric shock therapy that supposedly had useful benefits, but, I had never pushed myself far enough to reach the benefits.

Almost four years ago, I started jogging with a dear friend, and something clicked. We discovered how amazing we could be and how far we could push ourselves. I have loved it ever since. And I will now be doing it more regularly.

So, what have I learned from jogging? The first mile is the hardest. (today, the first quarter mile was the hardest, but cut me some slack! I'm working on it!). The first mile is work. It's not fun. I usually kinda feel like quitting. But, experience has shown me that better things lie ahead, but only if I keep going. And when I do keep going, it is awesome! There is nothing like hitting your stride.

I've realized it is the same with everything else. That first push is hard. Motherhood was definitely like that (though the benefits came hand in hand with the hardships, even at first). That first baby was HARD. It has gotten easier and more rewarding with every child. Gardening has been the same. Getting my horrible clay ready to actually produce something edible has taken a lot of hard work, but I know next year will be easier, and even later in the season it will be easier. I still have to move my feet and push that hundred pound stroller, but it is getting easier. It's something I need to remember when I start something worthwhile. The first mile is the hardest, but the biggest rewards lie at the end of the race.

Jaws

Imagine the Jaws theme song playing during this video.

Indigestion

You know how they say the way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. (Why on earth would you be eating an elephant? That doesn't sound good AT ALL!)

Anyway. I've noticed something about myself. I am lacking in the self control to do that. I start a new project, and it is full throttle, blinders on to the rest of the world - which is a very dangerous proposition when you're driving so fast. Your likely to plow over some unsuspecting bystander.

I spend every waking moment either actually working on the project or obsessing about it. Life has a way of not allowing that, and after a while things completely fall apart and require my attention. As a result, my life is made up of half completed projects and incomplete goals. I've been trying to eat that elephant whole for years now and all it's given me is a bad case of indigestion.

So, I am now trying this crazy thing known as "moderation in all things". I'll let you know how it goes.

Our Shy Rock Star

M loves to sing. She sings all the time, and most of the time I can recognize the tune. She can sing most of I Am a Child of God on key. I think she was born with music playing in her head. Favorite song? We Are the Champions. She LOVES it. I didn't get much before she caught me, but this is what I stumbled upon this evening. Outfit and all were her own inventions.

A Wrinkled, Striped Scape Goat

Emily got a new stretchy, striped headband last Friday. She put it on, looked in the mirror and said "I look like a patio set!"

This morning she was complaining about her elbow. Matt asked if she hurt it, and Emily said, "No, I wrinkled it!"

We were driving to Matt's work this morning, and I asked who had done something (like make us late). I said I thought it was probably Will and Mary said "That Joe!" Poor kid! Gets blamed for things even when he's at school.

Garden Update

People have been asking how the garden has been going, so I thought I would post some pictures. It's getting closer. Next month I'm planting one more section, and we are going to put up more borders, and then nets over the berries - crazy birds!

Raspberries! Bugs are feasting, so we are going to take care of that today.

Strawberries! See the little green berries?

Peas!

And two new blueberry bushes!

Hopefully the other seeds will sprout soon. I'm waiting for lettuce, spinach, cauliflower, pumpkins, watermelon, cantelope and butternut squash...and my poor tomatoes. I think I may just have to buy plants. sigh.

It's silly how thrilling it is to see these plants start growing and thriving.

Some April Pictures

The kids love sitting in a circle and singing with Matt. Right now they are going on a bear hunt.

They couldn't resist the hose when I was outside working in the garden one of the days it was in the 80's

A spring break craft.

Tired W

Here's another just-for-fun video of W. It's nothing super extraordinary, just him being him.

In the background, the older three kids are burning off the effects of all the conference weekend sugar. I think next year we are going to rethink having so much candy.

Gotta Craving?

I made this cake yesterday. It was super easy, and good enough to blissfully put you into a chocolate comma. My kind of cake! Here's the recipe. Use it wisely.

Chocolate Pudding Fudge Cake (I said it was chocolatey!)

1 devil's food cake mix

1 pkg chocolate pudding mix (I got a pudding cake mix, so I omitted the pudding mix)

1 c sour cream

1 c milk

1/2 c oil

1/2 water

4 eggs

2 c mini chocolate chips

P.S. Just don't think about the calories. Seriously. Stop right now.

preheat oven to 350 degrees F. The recipe calls for a 10" bundt pan, but I just did it in a 11x13 (my 9x11 is off at a service project still). Grease and flour the pan (hint - if you dust with cocoa powder instead, your cake won't have any white on it).

In a large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, sour cream, milk, oil, water and eggs. Beat for 4 minutes. Stir in the chocolate chips. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 60-65 for bundt, 35-40 for 9x11. Cool 10 min in pan then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely. (I did this for a work birthday party, so I wanted to turn it out even though it was a sheet cake. I used parchment paper. I don't know how you would do it effectively without). You could just leave the sheet cake in the pan.

For the frosting, I mixed about a cup of cool whip with betty crocker chocolate frosting. I combined melted chocolate chips and cool whip and a touch of butter (to help with the melting) to make the frosting for the letters. I garnished with raspberries, and voila! There you go. There was a small square left that Matt rescued for me to try. We polished it off in less than five minutes. So super good!!

Glutton For Punishment

I think I need to rethink time-out. I started putting Mary in the playpen for timeout, because she couldn't get out by herself, but she really didn't want me to put her in there. This morning, I heard Emily scream in the kitchen. She yelled "Mary hit me!" Mary ran out of the kitchen, started hitting the playpen and said "Time-out please!"

Don't Mess!

So, I saw this picture on our screensaver today. I don't remember ever seeing it before, but the look on his face cracks me up.

How Did I Get Here?

I came to an uncomfortable, and possibly shocking, realization. I have become content with mediocrity. I expect it. I wallow in it. When did I stop thinking that I could do anything I put my mind to or become anything I wanted? When did I accept the "fact" that I can't be great? I set some new goals a few nights ago, and it is going pretty well, but today I thought "Well, it's only a matter of time, before..." Good grief! I am not that person! When did I become that person? I have been just floating for a long time. It is time to start realizing some greatness again. I have been setting myself up for failure before I even begin, accepting my flaws as inevitable and permanent. Well, no more! I can attain to what I want most in life, but only if I settle for only the very best

Well, they say the first step is to admit you have a problem. Check. No more middle of the road for me. I am going to not only go out with a bang, but make a pretty good show until then. Future self, this is for you.

Love Notes

Joe had to write a note home today because he was caught running in the hall. This was the note.

"Dear mom. I was running in the hallway. Love, Joe."

I don't know why I got such a kick out of it. But anyway.

Will started pointing. He especially likes pointing at people to get their attention. I think it's because I would always say "You!" and smile and point at him. Wherever he got it, it's super cute.

Right now Will is desperately trying to get the popcorn I popped for Joe's after school snack. Well, time to get back to it.

Date Night!

Matt and I are actually going on a real live date tonight. Yay!!! It has been WAY too long and I am super excited.

Family History, I am doing it

So, I have been bitten by the family history bug. My dad installed PAF onto my computer two years ago, but I never did anything with it. Lines on both of my parents' sides have hit dead ends...in North Carolina. I have just begun to realize the resources so close at hand for me and can't wait to start making some connections! "To every thing there is a season, a time to every purpose under heaven." Now is my family history season, apparently!!

Obstacles Course

Today we made an obstacle course for the kids. They loved it! Conference weekend is turning into one of my favorite times with my kids. I loved how the kids' different personalities demonstrated themselves during the race. They crack me up. W was the long suffering participant. One quick story. He still spits up frequently, and has come up with a new fun game. Every time he spits up, he blows a raspberry and blows the fun stuff every where. Thank you, W!

M's race

E's race

J's race

Zoo 2

We went to the zoo again today. This falls under the category of "What on earth were we thinking?" Apparently, Good Friday is the busiest day of the year at the zoo. And, it hit 90 degrees. In spite of that, we had a lot of fun. The zoo is just such a great place!

Marveling at the mock Old Faithful.

And Will spent another day at the zoo like this.

Surprise!

We were sitting at home, minding our own business when we heard a knock at the door. The mailman delivered a surprise Easter package just for us! Grandparents are the best!! Thank you!!