breathing

So, I tend to be an anxious person. This is no secret. Much, much better nowadays, but it is still in me. And so when I can't find anything really worthwhile to be uptight about...I find something really silly. Lately, I keep looking at the trees losing their leaves and my children growing before my eyes and realizing how much I'm loving God and being a part of this whole thing (life) ...and I get anxious about change. Change that isn't even bad. Just change in seasons and my kids growing up and what will God be like in a few years? Will he still be letting me in on little bits of insight? Will I still be able to enjoy Him? I know, dumb question re: God. Because HE IS GOD and he is everything and I'm the one who changes, not HIM. But even though I know this, I still let my mind wander. I'm amazed at his patience. I love learning about FAITH and what that means.

Even though in a few weeks, the leaves will be gone (eek!), and my children will be playing new games and maybe even taller...and we'll have new challenges in our life...God is there. In the future. I don't have to worry. He always brings more good things and more moments I want to cling to. And he always shows up. I'm so thankful that he gives me many blessings, and many moments each day to recognize His presence. No need to be anxious...

a Sunday afternoon

I can't take a picture and post it because I am cameraless...but I will try to paint a picture of this ordinary moment:

I hear: Jason Mraz, Griffin playing happily in the bathtub, Parker's little voice coming from downstairs...hmmm now he is crying. Daddy to the rescue.

I see: the view out the window in our computer room...pine needles, pine cones, some maple leaves changing to yellow and the sun getting lower.

I smell: Perfect Autumn Leaf from Bath & Body Works. Perfect, indeed.

I feel: LOVE... and Griffin's new penguin jammies next to the keyboard.

I taste: Frosted Mini Wheats...my favorite cereal at the moment. It is a late afternoon snack that turned into an evening meal. Whoops:)

love it

And you should too.

I promise....Bath & Body Works isn't paying me to say this! I've been using this lip gloss for quite a few months now--and I'm hooked. It is the perfect combination of good shine and color, great therapeutic qualities, and it even tastes good. My sister introduced me to this stuff but I chose a different color. Tint no. 1137 is the best. I promise. And I'm an expert in lip care products. Try it, you'll never go back to your old stuff.

Oh, and apparently Griffin loves this stuff as much as I do. Whenever he sees the tube, he begs to carry it around and use it for his teether. I'm just hoping he doesn't puncture it, because then we could have quite a mess!

if only we spoke the same language...

Okay, so technically, Parker does speak English but he has selective comprehension and has this inability to pick up on my sarcasm. And Griffin thinks he speaks English but his native tongue resembles a Japanese/Gurgle type of thing. Very interesting. But you know what I mean...we totally don't speak the same language, because if we did, this is what I would say....

To Parker: Just so you know, Parker David, I am the Mom and I am the one who gets to decide who sleeps when. And I am the one who gets to decide when you stop napping. Yes, you will nap until you start school. You don't get to decide to stop napping forever. I AM MOM!!! And then I would stomp my foot and fold my arms for emphasis. :)

To Griffin: Son, I love your loud shrieks and demands for milk in the morning, but when you require a nap before 7 am, you must know that you've gotten up too early. Really, Griffin, make sure we're in the sixes before we start the day. Pleeeease. Thankyouverymuch.

Love, Mama ;)

light ahead

Yeah...mom getting sick is never really a good idea. And this is no ordinary cold--strep throat! The kind that makes you want to rip your throat out and leaves you with no voice. And all this while Parker and Griffin were demanding my attention.

I'm usually not like this at all, but now that we're almost all healthy and antsy to get out of the house, I'm not sure that I'm going to be taking my kids to any public kids place for a while. It seems like whenever I do, the kids must lick a pole or something and they bring back nasty germs. Plus, I believe the entire country is sick and contagious and I don't want to have anything to do with it anymore.

But of enough of that...there are some nice things going on:

*Griffin is toddling all over. He just walks laps and laps around our house and sings like a jolly, little elf. Cutest thing ever.
*It is sunny today and probably about 50 degrees. Boiling! :)
*It is almost time for some updated pictures of the basement progress. It is really taking shape!
*American Idol results tonight!!
*We went on a library trip today and I found that I only have $3 in charges. Huge improvement! Also, I love seeing Parker's smile when he gets to meet the stuffed animal at story time. I still haven't figured out if he knows they are stuffed.

Okay, so life is a little bit uneventful. This happens when the whole family is sick for months on end. We can't wait to join life again and see our friends and family!

random fact

I'm terrified of the hantavirus. It is so disgusting and scary to me even though it is so rare. Yet another reason why I think God may have been mistaken when he created mice. Yuck....

Not sure why I was thinking about this again...probably because my sister's boyfriend made a video starring a guinea pig. He's quite talented.... Bryant, not the guinea pig:)

a little interruption

Yes, we have another birthday boy this week. Our little Griffin will turn one on the 7th. Holy Moly! We had our family gathering for his birthday this past weekend and it was just perfect. But the week leading up to it...oh my gosh.

Here is the short version: So after Tuesday's events with the Explorer vs. snow and all that drama, I hear on Wednesday morning that our power will be out the whole day because the electrician was coming to work on the house. I had about a half an hour to get the boys out of the house. We spent the whole day out and came back home around seven to find that only half our power was back on and our furnace was broken. Spent the night at my parent's house....which turned into four nights. Yes, it took them this long to fix the furnace. Oh, and the boys got sick. And then I did of course. After celebrating Griffin's birthday at my parent's home on Saturday night, we returned home on Sunday morning. Phew...I'm tired.

But we're happy to be home and so thankful for our home away from home. A warm bed in the middle of winter is a good thing. It was actually really fun have an unexpected vacation with my family. Birthday pictures to come...

Thankful...

Tow trucks are always a favorite in our house of boys...but now I have a favorite--the one that pulled my Explorer out of the ice and snow this morning! We were high-centered and stuck in ice yesterday and then the city plowed us in this morning. There really was no hope of getting out until spring--which was altogether depressing! But then I remembered that we have tow service on our auto insurance. One call and the whole thing was in motion. I have to say that the sweet guy that pulled the car out was not a happy camper today and didn't think my situation was that funny! I have no idea why:) Thank God for insurance. And now I can be thankful for all of this snow--now that I'm not stranded...

Isn't it beautiful? My Dad sent me this picture taken near their house.

for the love of blankies...

Life is a bit messy here--literally. The dust is coming up through the vents from the construction downstairs and the men in the house are having a tough time with their allergies. We've got dust and snot galore:) But we are blessed and life is good... Been feeling so full and thankful this week. That is sure a good place to be.

I'm thankful for Parker's sweet nature...even the parts that drive me crazy!

Like his obsession with his blankies:)

This book has become one of Parker's favorites. Owen is a story about a little boy mouse who has a blanket named Fuzzy and his parents try everything to try to get him to give it up. The story seems to be written just for our boy. Parker has been attached to both of his blankies since he was about three months old. He has one big blanky and one little blanky...they go everywhere with us. And here is the strange part...I like it! I must admit that I might have encouraged the blanky attachment with both of the boys. I'm not sure how he ended up needing two of them...and now Griffin has at least four! I literally have to hide them from the boys to be able to get them in the washing machine. Yuck! And now the boys are having fun stealing them from one another and fighting over them. Of course! Oh, for the love of blankies...

two...or three things

Take note...new music in the sidebar. I just love music. I feel like 2007 was the year of music for me. I learned to feel it in a new way. I am in no way a musician but I always knew I would marry one. And I did...lucky me:) Now my boys seem to have it in their blood. Double lucky me. Enjoy the new selections. More to come.

11 months... Yep, my littlest baby is 11 months old or 1 month away from turning one, depending on how you look at it. I couldn't be happier. I love our almost toddler to pieces. Even though he is leaning toward the mischievous side, I'm loving his spirit and zest for life. But man, he is a loud one!

ummm....kind of forgot what number 3 was going to be...hmmmm...

Construction... It started today and I am just thrilled. Yes it is a bit loud, but I can't believe that in less than a month we will have a whole new house. Okay, so half of a new house. But still...exciting!

TGIF

Writing that title above reminded me of Friday night TV during the nineties. I loved me some Full House, Step by Step, Family Matters:) Anybody else remember those cheesy theme songs? At this point in my life, I don't count the days until TGIF. I can't say I even know what is on on Fridays now as I tend to prefer Thursday programming:)

I'll tell you what, I am sure glad this week is coming to a close and a weekend is coming. As for our family emergency, we saw an extraordinary turnaround and the week is ending in a much different way than we all expected. I truly believe that it was a miracle. The whole ordeal got me thinking a lot about the depths God will go to reach us...even sacrificing his own son. All glory to God.

My kids are sick with a bit of a cold ('tis the season) and I'm in the mood to nap. I really think I could sleep for hours but I've got stuff to do during nap time. I've really never understood the whole "nap while the children are sleeping" thing. I always want to try but it never works out. Maybe I should try harder...but I have a plan!

I buy new Christmas music every year and this year, I have my heart set on this one:I've actually never listened to it but I figure it will be wonderful since I love Bebo, love Christmas...so I will love it. I plan on purchasing it this weekend. And then this is my plan...I've thought a lot about this: I will pour myself a cup of coffee, add some Peppermint Mocha Coffee-Mate, light this delicious candle (thanks mom), and relax to my heart's content. Am I dreaming?

TGIF!!!

STRIKE FOUR!

That terrible stomach bug hit the fourth member of our family last night. Poor Joel. It is probably good that I got it early on because it gave me a ton more sympathy. I'm afraid that I used to be a bit of the "suck it up" kind--which is just terrible to admit.

This has been a weird week. I expected to come home to beautiful October and enjoy our regular routine of friends and activities. Instead, we came home to beautiful October and have spent the whole week indoors, hanging on to this bug. Gosh, it is just gorgeous outside. I already miss October and it isn't even gone:)

I went to the mall today because I just had to get out! I found a book I'm excited about...

I haven't started yet, but I think it is going to be interesting. Lectio Divina sounds pretty cool, doesn't it?

apples for today

When Parker was a baby and my husband was finishing up his last year in PA school, we spent time living with family members as Joel moved from one rotation to the next. To welcome a family member to live with you is one thing, but to welcome a family with a baby is something totally different! Many thanks to our family for the many gracious acts throughout those years.

Parker was four months old when we moved in with my grandparents. We have so many amazing memories together and those months will always hold a special place in my heart. One memory in particular...

My grandparents walked with me as I pushed Parker in the stroller to go find the apple tree we spotted earlier in the vacant lot. We were armed with grocery sacks to collect our find! They helped me collect tons and tons of free apples and we then loaded them up in the stroller in every way possible. We made applesauce together...and I think it was the very best I've ever tasted. And it was FREE, which always makes things taste great. Even better, though, are the memories we made together during the process.

Each year since then, I've made my own applesauce. I can't help it...I just can't. I feel like I could make some everyday if people would eat it. I love slicing and peeling, adding my special spices and making the house smell delicious. You know how scents take you back to a particular moment in your history? I'm always amazed with this. Every batch of applesauce I make brings me back to that day. I love that! I guess it is a good thing we live in apple country!

This year, my mom went up north with us to get our apples. It was such a perfect Fall morning....ice cream and scones to top it off:) I've made two pots of applesauce and now I'm in the process of making Sandy's Apple Butter. Yummy!

My Recipe

Two kinds of apples, enough to fill a large slow cooker...maybe 12 apples (I used Jonagold and Fuji this year)
1/4 cup - 1/2 cup raw sugar
1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
1/4 Teaspoon Nutmeg

Peel and slice apples and mix all ingredients in slow cooker. Cook on low overnight. Mash with a potato masher in the morning and there you go, breakfast for all. Freezes well. Oh, and it is good warm with vanilla ice cream. What isn't?

some offical starts...

Fall officially starts on Sunday, but Fall actually came to my part of the woods earlier this week. Last week, we were still using our air-conditioning, we ate dinner in the park on a warm evening, and I think I might have even complained about it still being HOT. I actually thought that I would have at least a couple more weeks of griping ;) But no, God has spared you all and I am pleased to announce that there will be no griping about the weather for a couple of months! Just as everyone else, it seems, loves this delightful season, I am so glad it is finally here-for real.

Today was a Rosie Thomas, coffee in hand, wrap up in a blanket and slippers with a book sort of day. Not that I did all of that, but I sure wanted to and it felt like it would have been appropriate behavior for this blustery Thursday. Instead, it was a coffee with friends/playdate and make the first trip to the gym with the kids kind of day. The coffee with friends was wonderful, but to be really honest, I was so not looking forward to our first trip to the gym. It isn't that I don't want to work out, but it is the whole process I was dreading...you know, getting everything and everyone packed up and driving down town? Plus, I'd rather exercise outside in the fresh air.

We're fairly active people, but now that things are cooling down, we are trying to be proactive about making sure we stay healthy all year long. For me, not exercising is not an option. I have to do it for myself and my family. I've found that if I go too long with out working out, I tend to be more anxious, my energy level plummets and I'm not a lot of fun to be around. So this is something I have to do. Yeah, it is a bit of a pain to go to the gym, but I think everyone will benefit. Oh, and did I mention the very best part? We get free childcare!! The kids get to play and I get to have an hour break. Splendid!

I'm a little giddy about it right now, but ask me in the morning how I feel...I worked out muscles this afternoon that haven't been worked in maybe three years... we're talking pre-Parker pregnancy. Oh, joy!

Do you think they're related?

Seriously, this little guy doesn't look like his daddy, does he?! Holy schmoly...I have no idea who his mom is:))

I do have little things to blog about and I had planned on doing that tonight, however, we decided to watch The Departed after the boys went to bed. I love watching movies with my husband....but if you're looking for a funny, inspirational, pick-me-up, movie, full of life and loveliness...do not watch this one! Definitely a well done movie, though....especially if you like bullets!

rest

Sometimes the most urgent and vital thing you can possibly do is take a complete rest.

~Ashleigh Brilliant

I was talking with a family member the other day about how we agree whole-heartedly with this quote. I think this Ashleigh Brilliant person is, indeed, brilliant. I'm still sick, and unless I stay fairly loaded up with ibuprofen or Tylenol, I feel constant muscle aches. So I'm just exhausted and achey.

I was so tired after lunch today that I desperately tried to get both boys to bed early so I could rest. I never nap during the day because, as you know, there is just too much to get done. But it was one of those times when I could barely get the words out straight as I was tucking Parker in...I was that tired. I left the disaster in the house for later--food smeared over the floor and all- and hit the sack. For Two Hours!!! I was so giddy when I woke up, I didn't even care much that my body ached. I had just take a two hour nap during the day....and best of all, the boys were still sleeping! It was glorious. I highly recommend the adult nap in the middle of the day--we all need a little rest and refreshing once in a while. However, it is now 7 pm and I'm ready for bed again...

pictures from the week...

Parker helping us give Griff a bath & a picture I took of Audrey (my niece) and myself.















Do you all have any idea how hard it is to get a good picture of a six month old...unless they are sleeping, of course! Everytime I try to take a picture of Griffin, he tries to attack the camera and suck on it. I decided not to post those pictures:) I think he was thoroughly irritated with me by this last one...

A cupcake for Betty Crocker

This is just one of those stories that must be told...because nothing like this seems very funny until it is shared!

My very good friend, Tara, turned 28 today. She doesn't read blogs so she won't know I'm saying this, but I am really so thankful for her friendship. I love her and her family so much. It feels like she is a family member...she's that type of friend. After Griffin was born, I swear she brought at least eight meals over for us. A casserole for every occasion And desserts. Oh, the desserts....we call her the REAL Betty Crocker. She's amazing!

Her husband called me the other night at asked me to make a dessert for Tara's birthday lunch at the park. Of course I told him that I would...but in my head I was thinking about the huge task of baking for Betty Crocker. You see, I can cook...but I do not bake. My idea of baking is pulling out some refrigerated cookie dough from the grocery store. I'm no Betty Crocker.

I needed to do something good because Tara loves sweets and she's always making something decadent. I decided to do brownie ice cream cupcakes. This was my first mistake--I should have picked something tried and true. So I bought all of the ingredients and started to put it all together last night. I was up until 11:30 trying to make them look perfect. I was a little worried when the ice cream started spreading all over the place and wouldn't set. However, I decided to just put it all in the freezer and reassess in the morning. After all....it had been a hard day and all. Maybe I just needed a good night's rest.

Wrong. The situation looked worse at 5:30 this morning when I went down to the basement freezer to find ice cream all over. Oh, my! I raced out to the grocery store to buy some cake mix for round two. This time I decided on chocolate Heath Bar cupcakes. Sounds easy enough, yes? When I pulled the new cupcakes out of the oven, I realized I had overfilled the cups and they had spilled over. I started with 20 cupcakes and managed to salvage 12. I frosted the rest and was quite proud of myself for pulling it all together.

As I was rushing out the door to get to the park with the cupcakes, I tripped over Parker and sent 4 of the cupcakes flying. See above picture. Frosting on my shirt and pants, and even in my hair. Nice. I used baby wipes to clean myself up. I still had eight of the darn desserts so I just left them on the sidewalk because I was late. As I was trying to get into my car, I dumped the plate over and a couple went face-down on the seat. I just shoved them back on the plate because I had no option....they were waiting at the park! And here is the topper--as I was pulling the plate out of the car, a couple more toppled over. Back on the plate they went.

I'm never making cupcakes again.

Thankfully, we had enough to go around...even after all of the accidents. Tara doesn't know the story behind the cupcakes, but if I ever do tell her, I want her to know that I would do it all over again. She's worth it:) I'm off to clean the frosting off my Explorer's seats...

brothers and more...

We're happy to be spending time at home with no big trips in the near future. Something about going away and coming home again makes me value the simplicity of the ins and outs of life as a family. Just some everyday happenings around our home...

Turns out that camping didn't agree with Griffin so much. I felt like he was just not himself while we were on vacation. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I guess a mother knows. He came down with a fever during our trip and I found a rash all over his body the day after we came home. I debated about going to the pediatrician because I took him in last week for acid reflux...and I don't want to lose legitimacy at the pediatrician's office...ha! Thankfully, Joel took him in yesterday and he has a common childhood virus called Roseola and a bit of thrush. Poor little boy. However, we found that he has gained a half pound in the week and a half he has been on Zantac. I think he is on the mend in all areas and hope to have my really happy boy back very soon!

Yes, I realize that my five month old looks bigger than my two year old! Part of it is
angle and part of it is the fact that one likes to skip meals and the other would never
miss one. Crazy kids:)

I've decided I really like the age of two years, three months and two days! Parker and I are on the same page this week and we are both really enjoying it. Yesterday I took him on a "date"--actually an errand run to Costco and Babies R Us. He thought he was so special! I let him have two sprite/lemonades from Costco's food court and he was on cloud nine. Seriously...he enjoyed those drinks so much that he shared them later with his diaper, pants, and maybe even the car seat! Guess a little boy should not have two big drinks within a half an hour:) It doesn't take much to keep my little Parker happy. We chatted and sang during the car ride and I wondered why I ever thought it was hard to take him to the store. So fun!

We've started the process of transitioning Griffin from our room to the crib in Parker's bedroom. Parker heard us talking about it beforehand and was so excited to have Griffin sleep with him. I really expected to find Parker in the crib with him this morning! It was kind of a bittersweet feeling. I love that my boys will share a room and am excited to see their relationship grow in a new way, however, I am a bit sad not to have my Griffin right next to us. We now have one little wall separating us and even that seems too far sometimes! But Griffin is getting too big for his Pack n Play bassinet and I think it is time for him to sleep in a more comfortable spot. He loves it because his beloved musical mobile is in his crib...he is so in love with that thing! Griffin and Parker slept great...but I, on the otherhand, jumped up at every sound. And it didn't help that we had thunder and lightening last night!

And some more on Parker and Griffin's relationship...it is so fun to watch all of this happening. Parker is now at the age that he is really into playing with Griffin, not just smothering him or using him as some sort of tool. And Griffin, of course, idolizes Parker. They are starting to take baths together and both think it is the coolest thing.

everyday goodness

It has been one of those light, easy, joyful days that must come along once in a while in order to keep some perspective! You know, when people told me that motherhood would be tough, I really believed it. I understood that it would be the hardest job of my life. But I really didn't know what that "hard" would feel like. It is such a mental game sometimes. I like to tell people that being a mother is harder than I expected, but it is also even better than I expected--and I've wanted to be a mom my entire life.

Today I decided to stay home with the boys and let Griffin enjoy long naps in his own bed instead of his carseat or stroller. And he has sure enjoyed himself--he's been sleeping all but about an hour since 7 am....and it is after 1 now! He's over four months and still sleeps like a newborn. So great.

I also just wanted to stay home and enjoy time with Parker. I've tried to get a few things done here and there, but mostly we've just been hanging out. He is helping me put together a music play list. I've really enjoyed going to all of your blogs with music, so I've decided to do one for my blog too! So next time you come here, make sure your speakers aren't turned up too high, because you might wake up some napping kiddos or something. Yeah, this is speaking from experience! Parker has helped me pick some of his favorite songs to dance to...he especially likes the Bon Jovi/Sugarland song. Me too. We spin round and round in the kitchen and he gets to jump off the counter into my arms. I know, we're not creating good habits, but we're creating good memories! And by the way, you don't even have to turn your speakers down when you hear the James Blunt song come on because I got the radio version ;)

I just re-read my last paragraph--I am such a blessed woman. I get to stay at home and dance with my sons. Yes, as hard as it is...nothing could be better.

We took the boys to a minor league baseball game the other night for Father's Day. The boys did great and it was so fun to do something together as a family of four. I actually didn't pay much attention to the game because I was having too much fun eating kettle corn, but Joel enjoyed himself...which was the point. Parker found a little friend and tried to share his cars with him. Tried--sharing is hard at two. And Griffin tried to sleep. Again, he tried:)

Happy Friday to you all...