things i love... #1

Just pretend I am like Julie Andrews singing about my favorite things! I am really enjoying some simple things these days and I feel like sharing.

#1 The way my boys smell, except when the obvious happens. I especially love when they smell like graham crackers. Griffin just entered this stage and I'm just eating it up.

More to come...

Springtime Fun

I have found it is really pointless to complain too much about the weather...because we have absolutely no control over it. Oh, and gas prices...totally not worth spending time complaining about. But I'll admit, I do both from time to time:) But let's just say that spring has sprung verrry slowly in these parts and we'll take any sunny day we can get. Yesterday was one of them. I failed to take pictures because every time I went to look for the camera, something happened. It was a beautiful day and we spent much of it outside...how refreshing! Parker was even able to use one of his birthday gifts and I'm now a huge fan!

These outside paints are so cool! I love being able to let the kids loose and not worry about a mess inside. The paint easily washes off with a hose and the boys have fun making colorful art--what could be better?

Looking forward to more Springtime Fun!

before and after

Can't believe the difference a few months makes!

Happy Birthday Parker

My first baby is THREE
How can it be?

He says it best all by himself...

Parker's Party

We moved our computer into our new office space and now our internet connection is so s-l-o-w. I mean really slow. And annoying. I really want to post pictures of Parker's party, but I don't have the patience. So instead, I'll post this link to pictures my friend Dan took. His are way better than mine anyway! Thank you, Dan...you saved the day again! It was a perfect day. I really can't believe how perfect it was.

Parker's 3rd Birthday!

delayed gratification

It seems that for an almost three year old, delayed gratification is simply torture during the "delay". Who can blame him? I don't particularly enjoy it either. Parker has been asking endlessly about his upcoming birthday. I went out this morning to get some party decorations and he started crying when he couldn't play with the plates. The poor thing...a big package was delivered to our house today containing a delightful birthday gift. He knows it is for him but he isn't allowed to open it yet. Oh, the torture! And we've literally been telling him for months that his new bedroom is almost ready....and that day still hasn't come. Very soon, maybe even in time for his party on Saturday!

Exciting days ahead! And about that mysterious box, a little hint:)

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!

shhhhhh...

I'm whispering this because it is just too good to be true--don't want it to go away! Let me just tell you what has been going on in this house. Well, not everything...we've been busy with just about every single thing, including the house. But here is the good news...

I took Parker in to our pediatrician a few weeks ago because my mama heart just didn't feel right about how things were going with Parker. He just hasn't seemed healthy in forever. Our doc decided to treat him for asthma and x-ray his chest and head just in case. Long story short, turns out Parker has had a severe sinus infection for quite some time. I really don't want to think about how long he has had it...makes me too sad. However, the great news is that Parker has responded so well to antibiotics! He is the old Parker again, the Parker we haven't seen in months and months. He has energy, an appetite, and doesn't cry most of the day anymore. I can't tell you how happy I am about having him back! And since he can taste food again, he is beginning to try some new foods. I've never seen him eat this much in his whole three years.

All of this good stuff may be why I'm not much in the blogging mood--I'm just having too much fun with life here. But I'll get back into it at some point...these days must be documented!

a heart of hope

Our message at church on Easter Sunday was centered on hope. Very moving and poignant. I came across this psalm yesterday and it has really settled in my heart....I love it!

Psalm 131 ~ The Message

God, I'm not trying to rule the roost,
I don't want to be king of the mountain.
I haven't meddled where I have no business
or fantasized grandiose plans.

I've kept my feet on the ground,
I've cultivated a quiet heart.
Like a baby content in its mother's arms,
my soul is a baby content.

Wait, Israel, for God. Wait with hope.
Hope now; hope always!

Decisions, decisions...

The simplest decisions are sometimes so hard for me....like what brand of raisin bran to buy. A very strange condition. Picking paint colors seemed impossible for me but I finally came to a final decision and the painting process starts today!!

Here they are...

From top to bottom...our bedroom, bathroom, play area/hall, and boy's bedroom.

I can't wait to see the finished product!

maybe if we had talked...

This is what happens when couples don't communicate well enough...

I came home from grocery shopping last night to find out that Joel had given both boys buzz-cuts--the day before their scheduled portraits! Joel didn't know. The picture on the right is a clump of hair I found on Griffin's highchair! Oh well, it is only hair and only a picture. So funny!

Oh, but Griffin totally looks like a super-duper old man in his pictures. No hair and his goofy smile!

meeting sweet caleb

My big boy loving on sweet Caleb...our beautiful nephew.

cuteness

There are some serious perks to parenthood/auntiehood...

Like witnessing the cutest things ever!

Parker and Audrey were mesmerized by the big kids coming out of school. They waved and talked to them for a good 15 minutes. Then they had fun feeling the cold air with their tongues. And Griffin had to get in on the action. Aaaahhhhh, cuteness.

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 ;)

a day at the park...

It felt so great to be outside. There is just something about fresh air that seems to make us feel ALIVE again!

have you any wolf?

Even the most delightful of two year (almost three) olds can have their sour moments. Yes, this is true; almost three is not a fun age in my book. But to be fair, I do believe it is more the "Feb-March blahs" that are to blame and less of a character flaw. I suppose if I were about to turn three and my parents were making me do all sorts of things I didn't want to do...and for no apparent reason (like eat meals at appointed times and poop in the potty)--I would throw a few fits here and there. But this does not make it fun for the parent in charge. BUT, it is just a stage and Parker has some great moments mixed in along the way. Like this one below...both Parker and Griffin are really into belting out songs. Baa Baa Black Sheep is the current favorite.

silence

Sometimes, silence is the only music I want to hear.

Music is a constant in our house...we almost always have a CD playing. We love it, our boys love it and I especially love how music can set or change a mood when needed.

However, in those sacred moments--the few that happen every now and then when both boys are napping at the same time--and it seems like I am all alone in the house....all I want is SILENCE! No music, no phone calls, no TV. Just me and my brain...trying to settle down from the morning. Sometimes this can take a while and sometimes I don't have enough time. Oh, but I crave it! I need it! A time of refreshing for a mama of young children is in order right about now.

Off to enjoy the silence...

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!

mom got sick

I thought I was going to be able to avoid it, but the day that both the boys seemed healthy, I came down with a fever and body aches. Now it has traveled to my throat. However, I am so happy that I didn't have this while the boys needed me more than usual. I feel that is a major blessing! But if you call me, I may not answer the phone because it is painful to talk:)

I made the mistake of telling Parker that he couldn't have a bite of my cereal because it had germs. What was I thinking?! The boy already has food issues and now he is asking me constantly if his food has germs. How do I explain germs to an almost three year old? Geeesh!

In wonderful news, we added another blessing to our extended family this morning! Caleb Ryan was born to Lyndzie and Brandon and weighed in at 6 lbs 14oz and 19". Five hours of labor and two weeks early....lucky girl! Congrats to the two of you!

library day

We've reinstated library day at our house. From the ages of about 2 to 2 1/2 Parker was not fit to be taken to the library. If I did attempt a library run with him, I'd soon remember why I didn't like to. Parker never used to see books...he saw FREEDOM!! Freedom to run wildly throughout the building and sing at the top of his lungs, smiling broadly at the quiet readers. No, Parker wasn't a library kid for a while. But now we have matured and library time is now a bit more like it is supposed to be. We have an occasional song....a high jump every now and then, but Parker is definitely more interested in the books these days. Oh, and the movies. Can't forget the movies!

But I've found something even more lovely than library movies--library books with accompanying audio CD's! Parker loves to get cozy on the couch and read his books by himself while listening to the entertaining CD. It is so cool! I'm not sure why it took me so long to realize my Parker would love this sort of thing.

This is my favorite so far.... Leo the Lightning Bug by Eric Drachman. It seriously is the cutest book ever and has certainly struck a chord with Parker. This is what the publisher has to say...
"Although the other lightning bugs tease him, Leo is determined to make his own light, and with motherly support and a little luck, he eventually learns to light up the night, which leads to a new-found confidence and a good night's sleep."