Holy Posts, Batman

Yeah, I know. I'm posting like crazy today. I just had one last post. Joe had his first soccer game today! We didn't take pictures or anything. I'm always at battle with myself about pictures. I love taking them, but I find it hard to get lost in the moment when I'm viewing it from behind a lens.

Joe played defense and did a really good job. It was a good learning experience for him. There's a lot to learn when you start a new sport and he's already learned a ton. He had a lot of fun. And I did too. I've been waiting a long time to be a soccer mom!!

Varmints!

Tis that lovely time of year. I found a tick in Joe's hair this morning. Yuck! We so need a fence so we can keep the bugs a little more at bay! We also have a wascally wabit that ate our squash and pumpkins and etc last year that has returned to start nibbling on our little baby greens. We're going to be smart this year and put up a fence.

Will's Progress

I haven't posted about Will for a while. We took him to the ENT who said he didn't think Will's tongue tie was the cause for his speech delay. He also said at this point it would just be up to us whether we clipped it or not. He has to be sedated because of his age. I tell you, I'm going to check this new baby in the hospital, and if he's tongue tied, I'm going to insist that they clip it right then and there. I wish I had pushed the issue when it was simple and inexpensive.

So, we are just seeing how speech goes and if it continues to impede with him, we will clip his tongue. He has had speech twice and seems to enjoy it. He refuses on principle to say anything when the therapist prods him, choosing instead to motion and sign. When she's not pushing, he is making a bit of progress actually. I have taught him a few basic signs, and that has helped too. He is saying a lot more and trying to say a lot more and is babbling more now. I don't know if he has gotten here on his own, or he just needed a little prodding and to see the benefit in expressing himself more specifically. So, hopefully this all was just a worry over nothing. It's appearing to be shaping up in that direction. I don't mind being wrong. And don't regret having checked things out either.

Matt had a daddy daughter date with Emily last night and they passed a toy store that was going out of business. He got her a little stuffed dog for $2.50. She is so excited about it and has named it Flowers Petunia Hicken. She always refers to it by its entire name. It's not "Flowers" it is Flowers Petunia Hicken.

Nap Time

His sister was playing a game on the computer, and he climbed up with her. Apparently he needed a nap.

Thank you!!

I wanted to post pictures, but I didn't get any! Thank you to everyone who helped with our donation drive. We loaded up almost our entire van and hauled it out to Raleigh the day before Easter. The shelter was so grateful. I am so amazed by the generosity of people. You are all amazing!

Easter Weekend

We had a wonderful Easter week. We told the story throughout the week in pictures. On Friday, the Easter bunny made a surprise visit to our house and led us on a wild goose chase around the house and yard until we tracked down his basket. We also colored eggs and made cookie cutter cookies. This left Sunday morning for us to focus on the Savior. We had a very nice, peaceful morning. The girls were excited to get new floofy dresses, too.

In the Dragons Keep

Right now my children are dragons. They are using blankets as wings and flying around the house. They ran up the stairs, and Will grabbed a blanket trying to follow. I found him a little blanket he could navigate, and off he was to follow after his siblings. I love watching (or listening to) the kids play together.

Have I Done Any Good

This morning, as I watched the news and saw the devastation wrought in my own backyard, and heard the pleas of our Governor for federal aid, I thought "No! I can help. So can others! I know people would be willing to help those in our own state!" So, I made some phone calls. And got a lot of run around. Sometimes do you feel like you don't have a voice?

Finally, someone from the Wake Co Salvation Army gave me a call. She said she had gotten my number from the Red Cross. She finally had something that can actually be done to help. As soon as they finish assessing the damage, they will need people to help in clearing debris and things like that. But, right now, they need stuff. Specifically Food, Water, Diapers, and Formula. She mentioned that the donation center is always open because it doubles as the temporary children's shelter. When I heard that, it just broke my heart. Can you imagine, as horrible as it would be to be an adult and see a tornado destroy your home and neighborhood, how utterly terrifying it must be as a child.

So. I am collecting donations of the above items and will take it to the center in downtown Raleigh sometime later this week. If they get enough items to fill their own needs, they are working closely with the red cross and also the salvation army of Lee county and will pass on any surplus. If you can and would like to donate any of the above mentioned items, that would be awesome! This is such a great opportunity to help people in our own backyard (well, to those of you who live in my area!). Help if you can!!

Recipe Exchange

I found a new favorite snack. It also works well for breakfast.

Spread a piece of wheat toast with peanut butter. Top with thinly sliced apple slices. Drizzle combination of 2tbsp melted butter, 1/4 c brown sugar and a little cinnamon for a little added YUM.

The kids love it and I love it. In fact, I think I'm going to go make some right now!

The Price of Fashion

I got the girls some new clothes this morning. Sales galore! I love discount clothing!! Anyway. Emily put on her new light weight cargos and was lounging in the backseat of the car. I asked if they were comfortable and if she liked them and she said she did. Then she said she felt like a boy. I asked if it was because usually only boys wear cargo type pants and she said, "No. These are comfortable." Poor girl. Already thinking that to dress like a girl you have to be uncomfortable! She loves those cargos, though, so I guess there's still hope.

Restaurant Fun

We splurged a few nights ago and went to kids eat free night at our favorite restaurant. Will was in a very good mood. When we first walked in and were waiting to be seated, Will stood right next to Matt and put his hands on his hips just like Matt was doing. He looked so earnest it cracked me up. I wish I had gotten a picture of the little mini-me moment.

When we sat down and got the chips and salsa, boy, he thought that was the coolest thing ever. He was downing them like crazy. The waiter took them away to give us a refill so Will focused on his water. I guess Will assumed we were done with chips, because when the waiter brought back a full basket and more salsa he yelled out triumphantly, "Hahaha!!" and threw his arms in the air. I guess you'd have to be there, but hilarious.

Last night, Emily was trying to remember something she wanted to tell me. She was thinking about it while I was talking to Mary. After racking her brain for a few minutes she said, "Mom, did you hear what I was thinking?" I love how she said it as if it were wholly within the realm of possibility. She must have pretty loud thoughts.

This morning, Mary wanted to call someone. She asked if she could call Grandpa, and I said he was asleep, so she asked if the other Granddad was awake. I told her he was probably awake, but (not wanting her to call at 7:30 a.m.) I told her he was probably taking a shower now or something. She thought that was the funniest idea. Then she said, "Grandpa Russ doesn't take a shower." I told her he does and she said, "No he doesn't! He's old!" So, apparently at some point we age out of the necessity for cleanliness.

Happy Pictures

Of course everything wasn't gloomy while Matt was gone. I have wonderful kids that I'm crazy about. How could we not enjoy our time together? During Matt's first trip (about ten days ago) the kids were dressing up as a super hero team. This is a very common game in our house, but this time, they found a costume for Will (Hulk). He was absolutely ecstatic to be involved in the big kids' game. And the Hulk is actually rather fitting. Will's a mild mannered little guy, just don't make him angry!

We also rented Megamind from Redbox. This is how Mary and Will were watching the movie. No coaching, no attention, just enjoying the movie together. Precious!

Joe's first pine wood derby. He made a Superman car, complete with cape. You can see he's already got his game face on.

He lost all of his first few races, so he didn't think he was even in the running, but he caught up and took third place. He was so excited.

Last. The science fair. His project was on lightning. He learned all about how it is formed and what it is made of. He did 99% of it himself and was really proud of it. I'm proud of him. It's so fun to see his curious mind work and for him to find outlets for that curiosity.

When It Rains, It Pours

Whether it was justified or not, I was a basket case this week. I blame it on the pregnancy hormones. Matt left Tuesday for a business trip (I know all you pseudo and truly single moms out there are justifiably rolling your eyes, but just humor me in my weakness). We have very few evenings when we have to be somewhere, but this week it was almost every night and then Saturday.

I started Wednesday thinking Emily had pink eye and left the doctor a few hours later (in the torrential rain) with the news that it was strep throat. Luckily, she started antibiotics just over twenty four hours before a church activity that I was in charge of (and horribly unprepared for) and the pine wood derby immediately after.

Thursday (with said church activity and pinewood derby) was nuts and still rainy (two days of it now - which I personally love, but causes issues when you get as much as we got), but we made it through both activities.

Friday I was up for the running of worst mother in the world. I really was horrible. But. We finished all of our work for the day (honestly, trying to teach the kids to do housework brings out a monster in me. It is really the bain of my existence.) We went to Joe's science fair and then came home for our campout. At ten o'clock, Will was still awake, so I decided to take him up to my bed. At midnight, I woke up to his projectile vomit all over the pillows and blankets. Thank heavens we weren't still in the tent! I don't do throw up. Really. I mean really. Really. Matt and I have an arrangement. I do the blood, he does the throw up. That only works if we're both home! But, I put on my big girl pants and got it and the poor baby cleaned up. He was so tired, that right after he threw up he collapsed back onto the pillow and the throw up and went back to sleep. He was a little upset (read "livid") when I woke him up and put him in the bath. (he seems to be better today, but is not happy with me for denying him blueberry muffins and giving him crackers instead)

And today is General Conference for my church. If you've read my blog for a while, you know that this is one of our favorite weekends. It is a big deal in our house. But, no Matt. And, Joe's very first soccer game was right in the middle of the morning session. With DVR we were going to make it work, but honestly, I just wanted to be home and have our tradition and not have to drag sick kids out of the house...again. This morning I got a message from Joe's soccer coach. Because of the crazy rain, the soccer fields were soaked and the games were canceled. I was so relieved, but worried that Joe would be disappointed. He loves soccer. I told him the news and he jumped up and down shouting, "Yes!! Now I get to watch conference! I knew it! I knew Heavenly Father would bless me to be able to watch conference!"

Why do our children always teach us so much more than we teach them? He taught me two important truths.

First, to recognize blessings for what they are and be grateful for the most important blessings even if it means we have to sacrifice something else we love or want.

Second, sometimes a little rain doesn't cut it. Sometimes the blessings can only come when it pours.