Everyday Magic

The List

2010-05-16T18:30:00.000-07:00

"Bye Bye...See you lator"

"HOT!!!"

"Nooooo"

"Ma Ma"

"Daddy!!!!!!!!"

"More C-up"

"Kitty Kat"

Ryker what does the puppy say? "ruff ruff"

"all done"

"Heyyyyyy"

"shoes"

Sweet Ryker's ever growning list of words spoken at 19 months

My Sweet Son

2010-05-10T15:25:00.001-07:00

My eight year old son is most of the time your typical boy. He is full of wonder and loves to explore and climb up anything he passes whether it is a rock, lamp post, or tree. He often complains about schoolwork, chores and picks on his little brothers. But I love the moments when you get a look into his heart, and this afternoon was one of those moments.

We were in the middle of his history lesson and he pauses and says, “Mom, do you know why I can’t wait to be a grown up?” “No son, why”, I said. I was waiting for him to say, you can stay up as late as you want, eat whatever you want, or buy whatever toy he would like to have. But no Seb replies, “I can’t wait to be a Dad!” I asked him why he wants to be a Dad. He said that will be so awesome just to love his kids and play with them. He will make their food and feed them when their Mom is sick. His face was so full of joy talking about this. My heart melted. I love being a mother and I feel so blessed that the Lord has sent three boys to me, but life moves pretty fast and more often than not I am focused on clean faces, clean house and what is our next meal that I do not think about who they are. I am so proud of the person that Sebastian is becoming! He has a heart for the Lord at age eight and is very mindful of that. He loves people and is always concerned for making them happy (almost to a fault like his mother)
He is always concerned for helping the underdog and thinking up ways to make the world a better place.

I don’t want to rush him but I am excited to see the man that he becomes.

I love you Sebastian!

just photos

2010-05-08T23:15:00.000-07:00

I will write more tomorrow. For now here are some recent pictures!

Who Knew

2010-02-17T13:15:00.000-08:00

Who knew that organizing our home school materials could be so pretty!

About two weeks ago while getting a latte at my usual coffee shop I spoted this chest in front of the resale shop next door. From the the moment I laid eyes on this beauty I had to have her! So, after a quick phone call to my husband she was in the back of the SUV and away we went.

Now from the pictures of my home I have posted so far I know you can tell that I love blue! When I first brought the chest home I was sure that I wanted to put her in my bathroom. Even though my bathroom is not even remotely decorated I knew the piece would fit perfect for the future plans I have in that space. But funny things happen when you put a piece of furniture in a holding spot. I had it sitting against a bare wall in the front room for the day (waiting on my husband to help me carry it up stairs) and my mind began to wonder.

You see, my dining room is not very big. I have always felt that the only thing that fits in there well is our big square pub style table. But, as I sat on the sofa in the front room staring at my latest treasure I realized that the color is the PREFECT compliment to the paint on the walls, window dressings, and artwork in the dining room. (which has totally been changed in the last 6 months)

So am happy to report that this beauty is working out wonderfully! I really did not have a great storage place for our mountain of home school supplies. Everything was kept in large baskets that I thought I would haul up and down the stairs everyday (which turns out only happened on Mondays and Fridays) So instead the kiddos can now help themselves to what they need and I get to have something pretty to look at while we work at the table.

I just love the feet!

The distressing is perfect for my taste. Plus I have never refinished furniture my self so having someone do it for me just the way I want , SCORE!!!!!

Oh BTW this sucker was on $40!!!!!! Double Score!

So, if you find a piece that makes your heart sing and you have no clue where to put it, I say get it!!!! You never know what you will come up with once it is sitting in your living room

Work in Progress

2010-02-15T11:47:00.000-08:00

I have really been loving my new camera. I have taken way too many pictures, but I have quickly discovered that taking a million shoots is the only way to get a good picture. Taking good pictures really does take some practice and a lot of patience!!! Thankfully I have the best subjects to practice on.

Today is my birthday. It is a Monday so, last night I got to have dinner with my family on my husbands side. We went to California Pizza Kitchen (one of my favs) I had the Thai Chicken Pizza and cherry limeade and I have every bit of both!!! It was really nice to spend time with people that I care about and of course get some presents. And this morning I got a treat when I showed up at my regular coffee shop, taped to the ice cream case was a sign saying "happy birthday Robin, Love Mom" with a coffee card taped to it (keep in mind my Mom is over 2,000 miles away) Boy, do people know that way to my heart that is the 2nd present in 24hours that is coffee related.

After a GROSS GROSS weekend weather wise the Lord has blessed me with pockets of sun and no rain today.

On my birthday today I keep hearing

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not harm to you, plans to give you hope and a future." jeremiah 29:11

How wonderful to remember in all times that My God loves me and wants good for me! What a wonderful present!

Cheeseeeeee!!!!!

2010-02-11T09:15:00.000-08:00

Who knew that happiness comes in the form of a camera!

Yeah, I am happy to announce that for my birthday that my husband gave me a Canon Rebel T1i EOS500. It came with a 18-50mm lens. This is not the camera I have been looking at for the past year, it is way better! Not only does it have basic point and shoot mode (which is already a million times better than my old Panasonic point and click). The Creative mode is wonderful. I can not get over the amount o0f control I have over the shot. Now, I only have to spend the next million years trying to understand which goes with what in terms of the shot I am trying to achieve. It also takes video as well and not just any video... Are you ready.... It shoots in HDMI... for all you nerds out there how cool it that!!!!

So, I know that there are not many people out there but if anyone is listening and has some words of wisdom for a SLR beginner, I would love to have some tips. So, that it is known I love to of course take pictures of the kiddos but I am a nature lover and have always loved to attempt to take good landscape pictures.

One other note about my fabulous husband.... He also got me this super cute bag for the camera and a beautiful camera strap that is in route to the house so I will be sure to show it off when I get it.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

2010-02-10T15:01:00.000-08:00

well it is almost wordless.....I GOT A SLR FOR MY BIRTHDAY!!!! YIPPEEEEEEEE!!!!

What Have I Done

2010-02-07T12:25:00.000-08:00

What would you do if one day you opened your email and find a letter from a stranger claiming to be your sister? What would you do? How would you feel? Would you hate your parents from keeping it from you your whole life? Would you hate that person for changing who you thought you were? (only child to becoming a sister and aunt in one letter)

I am sitting here sick to my stomach because I just did that to someone. I have a half sister who is in her early 20's and has lived her life as and only child. The sad part is everyone around her, (parents, aunts, uncles and cousins) all knew otherwise. I am sure that she will feel betrayed by them in some manner but it was her parents choosing. I am worried if I did the right thing but i have been waiting for 18 years to do the right thing. I can now only hope and wait to see what she will do. I am praying for the Lord's grace in the situation. Hoping I can speak softly and with wisdom. I am also praying that I will accept what ever the Lord has planned for me in this. So far it has been for me not to have a role in my earthly Father's life. I hope this will be a new page. I have spent my whole life hurting for him and when I let that go I have spent my time sad that this young woman has not known that she had a sister. When I was a little girl I used to beg my mom for a sister. Of course I was blessed with a great brother who is 10 years younger than me so clearly he does not call me for sisterly advice. Which is ok, what little relationship he and I have I will take because he is a great guy and I am blessed to have him. But on the other hand there is something about a sister bond that I desire. (always have) I so envy my sister-in-laws while we get along great they are in laws and we speak every few weeks but the 2 of them talk everyday and I feel silly and somewhat desperate to say let me into your sister circle so I have never shared my heart with them out of fear of being laughed at.

Many people have told me to let it go but I cannot. It is family and I cannot just forget about her. It is like saying "hey there sorry about losing your foot but just forget about it and move on." Ugh!!!! people are generally trying to make me feel better but unless you have gone through it don't share you opinion please because until you are in that place you just don't know how your heart will fill.

So here I sit wondering if she will ever respond.

Valentine's Day Treats

2010-02-05T12:56:00.000-08:00

So at MOPS this morning we made the sweetest little Valentine's Day treats I have seen in a long time and the best part about them is that they were super easy to make.

We made Cream Cheese Mints...

8oz block of Philadelphia Cream Cheese

2lb bag of powder sugar

1/8 teaspoon flavoring (peppermint, vanilla, raspberry, etc...)

small rubber molds (hearts)

Knead together or use a mixer to make dough. Add coloring if desired...the more you add the darker the color.Use granulated sugar for colored mints, e.g. red sugar with red dough. (Do this by putting a drop or tow of food coloring into a container with sugar, seal and shake.)

Take a small ball of dough , dip in granulated sugar, press into rubber mint mold sugar side down, press out immediately and let dry at room temperature for 1-2 days. You may then layer with wax paper and freeze fora year or refrigerate for 6 months.

these take a little bit of time to press out but when you put them in to a little heart box it makes a cute little treat to give to you sweetie or drop a few in a bag of a tasty favor for a party.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

2010-02-03T16:19:00.001-08:00

Peek-A-Boo!

2010-02-02T21:55:00.000-08:00

So I haven't been avoiding my blog, it just has been a busier than usual week.

We have been driving around town a bit more these past few days (which I hate) due to the fact that I have been selling several unused items we have around the house on Craig's list. I am loving the free space but I am loving the extra mu la even more. The extra cash is going right into the Las Vegas fund. (Hubby and I are escaping in June)

I am so happy to report that after MANY MANY months of trying to make it the Zumba classes at the Y (Ryker has a melt down and I always have to leave the class) Ryker and I have made it through the class. So needless to say I am doing my best to workout 3 days a week and yet again I am not home, but at least it is for a reason to improve myself.

I am have been painting the family room and I can't wait to get the finishing touches on to show it off. I can't believe the difference it has made.

Seb and I have also been hammering away at school. We are currently studying Greek history which has been kinda fun, although he doesn't understand why the worshiped so many God and Goddess. (it is really cute)

So there is a quick update.

I have a busy week ahead too, we are going down to Tacoma for a play date with cousin
E and then this weekend I am off to the Flower and Garden Show for a afternoon with BFF!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

2010-01-27T12:47:00.001-08:00

Boys, Blooms, and Blue

2010-01-25T09:36:00.000-08:00

So this past weekend was super uneventful. With half of the house having colds and it being a typical pacific northwest January weather pattern (cold and wet) We hung around the house.

So I finally tackled painting the powder room. For the last 10mons I am sad to admit it has been covered in a blue color that looked great in the store and on a paint chip but when I put it on the walls of my low lit room, "tropical spray" looked more like a Miami night club rather than the soft robin's egg blue I was hoping for so after at least 10 different samples smeared all over the walls I finally found a more modern blue that I really love. "Buckland Blue" has my me very happy, I have gone into this at least 30 times today. I think I might even carry it into my family room which is way overdue for a new color.

So can you see my attempt at glazing? I did not know realize at the time that I need flat paint for the stripes to show up in my low lit bathroom. I am learning the hard way that lighting indeed affects everything. So, with having 3 young men in this house there is no way that I will have flat paint in a bathroom. I hope you get the picture and that I need not go into further detail. So, long story short I really like the stripes but too bad you can only see them with a flash or lighting strike. I am now in need of new accent pieces for the shelf here. The small painting that was here no longer fits, so now that I discovered Hobby Lobby has on line shopping I am sure this will be filled in no time flat.

This is the first artwork that my husband I bought together. I love it here. I would have never thought to hang such a big picture here but it looks so great as you walk past the powder room.

I love bulbs!!!!! The is noting better to help see me through the winter than the having blooms in the house!

And of course no weekend is complete without finding Ryker in the bathroom at least 5 times unrolling the toilet paper!

Xbox time on a Sunday afternoon!

Armchair Mania

2010-01-22T19:48:00.000-08:00

So to me one of the best parts about having a home is making it your own special hideaway. A place where when you walk in through the door you feel at rest. Someplace that is a beautiful expression of you. A place where at the same time it is ok to have your feet on the sofa and you don't live in fear of it all tumbling down with one wrong turn from a young boy just trying to have fun. I have no greater joy some days than to be snuggled on the sofa in my living room sipping a latte and looking out window takingin the veiw of the beauty of the valley while little boys run round and round chasing each other. That veir has produced some amazing sunrises and sunsets over the last several years. I have lived in my home for about 7 years now and I am still overflowing with ideas. Sometimes my many many ideas lead to over load and so as a result nothing ever comes of my fabulous ideas (well at leastthey are fabulous to me) So for my latest binge these last few months I have been craving for the perfect arm chair for the living room. For a long while I thought I wanted a big brown leather wing back chair to go along with my heavy old world styled pieces already in that room, but times they are a changin'....here are just a few of my latest finds.

Can you believe that all of those pretty chairs are from Tar-jay. I sometimes can't believe all the little hidden gems I find on target.com

These last few are from Pier One. I love this store I do not go here as often as I would like but I am sure my wallet is happy for that. I love the playful prints. I have a home that seems to have brown tones in every room so slowly I would like to introduce more bright colors but in a soft whimsicial way.

The floral prints just make me happy! I have either (A) lived in the Pacific Northwest to long and need prints like this to see me through the winters or (B) I have too many men living in this house and I need to inject so sense of feminity this place. I am pretty sure it is a little bit of both.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

2010-01-20T19:36:00.000-08:00

Relationships

2010-01-13T18:05:00.000-08:00

I often think of the relationships in my life. My friends, my family, my neighbors. I often ask myself if those relationships bring glory to the Lord or do they draw me away from who I want to follow. Many times when I feel inside my-self that the relation is drawing me into sin I often pull back and shelter my-self. So, this week I find my-self thinking about the relationships my children are involved in.

I know that one of my many many roles as a mom is a protector of my boys but I have never thought of protecting them from friends, school/play mates. Only keeping them away from obvious dangers.

Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, of what fellowship have light with darkness? 2Corinthians 6:14

with our recent transition to homeschooling have been reading several books about homeschooling. The book I am currently working on has really affected me. Educating the WholeHearted Child, is a book that is several years old but it is rooted deep in scripture. This book has challenged me in many new ways. It has caused me to refocus my family, God has been the center of our lives, but I am not so sure that our little family was next in line to that.

With my oldest about to be 8 I am quickly realizing that he is starting to make his own choices (or at least wants to make his own choices) We have tried to set our home up in a manner that his friends will enjoy hanging out here for years to come. I have been so focused on that I have not stopped to think about where do we draw that line in our children having close friendships with unbelievers. The Lord God calls us to be disciples for him, but do children really have the intellectual know how to achieve this yet. I say no, I have watched my precious children challenge me on a moral manner already because I friend of his told him otherwise. I love that when you are young you have not yet had experience with fools and liars in your life so you eagerly believe what ever is spoken to you (hence having "faith like a child") but this is also very dangerous when we live in a fallen world and the enemy comes after you as a child to try and separate you from a life with God.

So I sit here at a crossroads wondering how much is too much for my sweet young men who have close friendship with children who live in home on the opposite end of what we are trying to achieve in our home.

Prayerfully seeking the right answer...

Karate Kid

2010-01-12T17:07:00.000-08:00

Sebastian has been taking Karate since this past fall, and he has really grown to love it. When he first started he behaved like most boys his age, rowdy and never standing still. As time has gone by he has become a new Seb, he is focused and tries his best at every class. It has been really neat to watch him. He has also been teaching all the boys on the block his skills, it is like his own little dojo. It is nice to see Seb use some leadership as he is our child that follows along with his friends. Before Christmas the class had their first test not only did Seb get is yellow belt but he was promoted to yellow belt 2-stripes and is now in the intermediate/advanced class.

way to go Seb Iam very proud of you.

November is already here.

2009-11-03T12:55:00.000-08:00

2009 has passed in a flash. I can hardly believe that I am faced with the holiday season again. I feel as if any time has hardly passed.

I love all the change that fall brings for me. Not only does the landscape and weather change here in the Northwest, but I find that my attitude always shifts into a bit of a home body. I love the cozy warm feeling that I have everyday during this time over year. I spend more time cuddle up on the couch and more time on the meals that I make. To me there is nothing better than the smell of dinner cooking all day.

The kids had a blast on Halloween this year. There grandma came over and took the older boys to the movies to see AstroBoy, they LOVED it. Once they came home and they transformed into Darth Vader (Ryker), Wolverine (greyson), and an Ostrich (Seb) we headed down to main street for our annual routine of Trick or Treating. After dark we headed up to the prime spot for gathering the most candy with the least amount of effort. The weather was awesome add everyone ended the day with smiles including Ryker who quickly caught on to this whole hold out your hand and a stranger gives you candy.

So let me dive into an update of the kiddos.

Ryker is now 13 months and is a walker who is now into everything that his brother don't want him to be. Speaking of that I just had to take a 10 minute break from writing because Ryker had his first episode of taking off his diaper so he could make business on the floor. In other Ryker new his top 2 teeth are arriving a the same time. Ryker also LOVES to eat solid food. I mean this kid will have more than one lunch and several servings of dinner. This is a nice change of pace from the other boys. He loves to patty-cake and wave bye bye.

Greyson is sailing along and loving every moment of being 4. He still love star wars and sausage. His is working on beginning reading and is really impressing us. He now has daily chores which has been so good for him. He actually looks forward to doing them and I have yet to have to ask him to complete them.

Sebastian is in the second grade and is handling that well. He improves with his reading everyday. He has finally learned to ride his bike. I think he surprised himself with how much he loves riding his bike. Seb has joined the Cub Scouts this year and enjoys that a ton also. As if Seb did not have a ton on his plate already we added karate to the mix as well. This is something he has wanted to do for a very long time and is one of the best in his class.

We have been doing a lot around the house this past season. We have painted several rooms, planted a flower bed along the walk and the big project was to make over the under used office downstairs. It has now become a room for the boys complete with tv and xbox. This has been one of the best things we have done around here. The house really feels bigger now. The boys have a great space to hang out with their friends and our guest have a room to themselves.

So that is just a little window into our happenings this year. I really want to be better about writing for the sake of the memories of my boys.

I will try again

2009-08-20T14:42:00.000-07:00

Wow I can't believe how long it has been since I have blogged. I really enjoy it and I really enjoy reading blog. So with fall quickly approaching I will try to make a routine of blogging so that I can keep memories and everyone updated.

More to follow soon. I promise.
(Texas pics are still on the camera :( )

Saturday Sillyness

2009-03-28T13:26:00.001-07:00

Peak....

A-BOO!!!!

What to do with a rainy Sat? We are doing NOTHING! And it is fabulous, I highly recommend it for everyone to try at least once. It seems life is always so busy and our family is always headed in five different directions at once. It is so nice for the kiddos to stay in their PJ's and for me to be cuddled on the couch reading my back log of magazines and watching Heroes with my husband.

So I am wishing you all a happy nothing!

For Friday

2009-03-26T13:31:00.000-07:00

I know I will take this challenge. Lord know I could use it.

Friendship

2009-03-26T10:50:00.000-07:00

"What I expect from my male friends is that they are polite and clean. What I expect from my female friends is unconditional love, the ability to finish my sentences for me when I am sobbing, a complete and total willingness to pour their hearts out to me, and the ability to tell me why the meat thermometer isn't supposed to touch the bone." -Anna Quindlen

So I went to a retreat (with baby) this past weekend and the topic of discussion was FRIENDSHIP. I did not think much of it, but it turned out to be a very lonely and painful weekend. I spent most of my time watching other women have a good time with one another, and I had one failed attempt after another in trying befriend someone on a deeper level. I felt like an outsider as if no one would have cared less if I wasn't there. I went for a wonderful long walk during our free time. While I was out there I realized that I have not put God first in my friendships. I have prayed for friends throughout my life but never prayed for a friend so maybe I was going about this friendship thing all wrong. I did realize that I do have 2 wonderful ladies in my life that I can be myself and they love me with all my faults. Thank you Molly and Mom for knowing my deep heart and for sticking with me even after you have seen the garbage that is there. The

Lord has deeply blessed my life with the presence of both of you.

Yummy Sunday Dinner

2009-03-01T21:44:00.000-08:00

I love soups and stews. That is one of the best things about fall and winter for me. Tonight we tried and new recipe and it was a great hit with everyone in the house.

Creole Rice and Bean Soup

1 tablespoon canola oil

2 large carrots, diced

1 med onion, diced

2 stalks celery, diced

1 small green pepper, seeded and diced

1 small red pepper, seeded and diced

2 teaspoons dried thyme

1 (28oz) can crushed tomatoes

1 (28oz) can whole tomatoes with their juice

4 cups vegetable stock

1 (15 oz) can coconut milk

1/4 cup brown rice

1 (15oz) can red kidney beans, rinsed

3 cups chopped and washed kale

1 (10oz) package frozen peas

3 to 4 sprigs fresh thyme

1/2 bunch parsley, chopped

salt and pepper to taste

Heat the canola oil in a large pot over medium heat; saute the carrots, onion, celery, peppers, can dried thyme for 5 minutes, until the vegetables are crisp-tender.

Add the tomato puree, whole tomatoes, vegetable stock, and coconut milk to the pot; simmer for 5 minutes. Break the tomatoes apart with a spoon and add the rice.

Simmer uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes, until the rice is tender. Add the kidney beans, kale, peas, and fresh thyme; simmer for 10 minutes. Add the parsley; season with salt and pepper.

This soup was so colorful. It looked great in the bowl and was very easy to throw together. Which is nice on days like today when the baby was super fussy. We made cornbread to go along with it but crusty bread would be great too.

Enjoy

The Boy is 5 Months

2009-02-26T12:34:00.000-08:00

My time is flying by with this kiddo. Even though you can see he his growing, you can clearly tell from the picture above that winter is trying its hardest to hang on here in the Pacific Northwest! Yes, we had more snow this morning!

Ryker is now spending his days goofing around in his jump-a-roo. Who knew that something so little (meaning Ryker) could make so much noise. His other favorite past time these days (besides eating) is to stare at his handsome little face in the mirror. My this baby is vain!

This next month we are looking forward to seeing if he will conquer sitting up all on his own. He is so close to mastering this much needed skill. We will also be trying out eating solids for the first time later this month. Thanks to Ryker's older brother, we will be holding off on that fun stage until closer to his 6 month mark.

BLOCKS!!!

2009-02-25T11:30:00.000-08:00

So, I have been trying to add a new post for over a week now, and besides the fact that I keep getting taken away from the computer to attend to my little ones, I have come to realize I have blog block!

As I started thinking about this I realized that is not the only place in my life right now that has a block, so I decided to make a list.

BLOGGER'S BLOCK: I have started a new post 3 times over the last week. Each new attempt has been about something different. I have too many ideas (things to say) floating around in my head. -mom's visit, 1st grade issues, birthday weekend, baby stories, 3yr old stories, the arrival of spring, possible road trips, the list goes on and on. Where to start... so I short circuit and write nothing. TOO MANY CHOICES!

SCRAP BOOKER'S BLOCK: We went to DisneyWorld in the beginning of December and here I sit with an empty scrapbook. I have the paper, photos, and the tools. I printed 92 out of 850 pictures. The 92 photos only covers half of the trip, so clearly I need to do some trimming. So I sit and stare at the pictures, the paper and short circuit. TOO MANY CHOICES.

PAINTER'S BLOCK: I have lived in my house for almost six years and when we moved in every wall was white and from the moment I moved in I have talked about painting. I love color. I love the warmth and cozy feeling it brings to a house. So, six years later I live in a house where 90% of the walls are still white. I have endless ideas and paint chips, several paint samples that I have yet to use because I short circuit. TOO MANY CHOICES.

CHEF'S BLOCK: I have gotten several new cookbooks lately and here again I thumb through the pages and I am left with TOO MANY CHOICES. So, my husband has helped me on the this one. I had him get me started, he has gone through and flagged what he wants to try. So thanks for helping me out on this one.

I am sure there are other BLOCKS in my life, but the kids are factor in those. Like the Lego container being spilled out just to find one block among the thousands that the boys own. (of course they have not picked up the blocks yet).

Like all things I know these things will resolve with time and there will be other bumps. But for now I am sick of BLOCKS.

NOT ME MONDAY!

2009-02-09T09:29:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

After a regular week of preschool, school and drool. I spent my weekend unwinding with my complicated mother-in-law (and her dog), Sister-in-law, and her 2 yr old over for a visit. So at the end of Sat. I informed my MIL that I was too tired to cook for everyone so I DID NOT watch her take the left over rice and curry (with tofu and sweet potatoes in it) that I had made for lunch that dayand mix it up with soy sauce, guacamole, tortilla chips, some sort of white cheese, spinach, bacon bits, and yes more soy sauce. I also DID NOT take a bite of it and think that "Hey this is not half bad". So I DID NOT have another bite or two.

I also in a rush to leave the house on a Sunday morning could not find the match to my favorite white socks so I DID NOT wear missed matched socks all day long. But at least I WAS NOT cozy for half of my feet for the day.

Here's to a new week of preschool, school, and drool.

(Don't worry it wasn't a true cocktail)

Things that have made me sad

2009-02-05T08:30:00.000-08:00

This past year I have come to really enjoy reading blogs. I read all sorts of them. I read Family, Educational, nonsense, and stories of families going through the hardest times of their life. I admire how so many people can open up their hearts and share themselves with total strangers. I also admire how hundreds of strangers come together to support and lift up each other. I love that about the blog-o-sphere.

But the thing that makes me really sad is when people feel it OK to tear down complete strangers and hurt them with their words. I wonder if the people doing this feel better after they write their mean, judgemental comments. There is not one person who walks the face of this earth who is perfect and without sin. I believe these families that share their blogs have the best intentions and are trying to be the best that they can be. Those that tear them down are not making these families journey any easier, plus it serves no purpose to any one.

So, to the people who have been hurt by comments.... blog on! For every bad comment you have there are one hundred who love reading your words.

Late Edition for Not Me Mondays

2009-01-28T17:43:00.000-08:00

I know it is Wednesday, but I have to confess. With having every one in the house sick over the weekend, that I DID NOT have a clean kitchen when I woke up on Monday morning and I DID NOT feed my boys ice cream for breakfast.

If we were all perfect people and everyday day was magical then the world would be a pretty boring place.

"I'm a big kid now!"

2009-01-24T11:22:00.000-08:00

So potty training has always seemed to be a long process in our house. With the middle boy he has been reluctant to make a poo in the pot. He will hold it just to avoid it, then we wind up with a big messy. (I don't have to go into further detail, you can use your imagination.)

So the other day I am downstairs working on the computer, the oldest and Dad were on the sofa reading a book. I hear the upstairs toilet flush. I did not pay much attention to it, because I was too involved in what I was doing. I hear the toilet flush again, then again. By the third flush I was snapped out of what I was doing and thought to myself, two of the guys are downstairs so who is that? I quickly realize that my three year old is up stairs, so I race up stairs and I do you know what I saw....

The middle boy standing in the hallway with his pants around his ankles and a baby wipe wedged into his bottom and he says to me. "Mama I went poo and I am cleaning my butt, does that my you happy?" I fell to my knees laughing. It is an image that is burned into my mind forever. I also have to add that he had to waddle into the baby's room and climb onto the dresser/changing table where the wipes are kept, then waddle back into the hallway where I found him. I am pleased to report that everything made it to where it was supposed to go and there was not a messy trail behind the guy's footsteps.

Man, some days you just have to love having preschoolers and appreciate the magic they bring into your life.

The boy is 4 months today!!

2009-01-23T10:02:00.000-08:00

Just 4 short months ago we welcomed the little guy into our family. Last night as I went to bed I was thinking it felt like yesterday when I was standing in my bathroom crying out loud to Christian that I felt like I was never going to have this baby and now here he is 4 months old already.

He is no longer a newborn, but a happy little guy. He is kicking and laughing (squeaking) most of his days. He is no longer this quite little sleepy guy, but a noisy, jolly little guy. He is no longer sleeping a 6 hours at a time at night, but getting up about every 4-2hours. So, I bet you can guess how I am feeling these days.

I have packed away his newborn and 3month clothes. As I put them into the boxes I wondered if this is the last time I will see these clothes. Many of the sleepers have been worn by all the the boys. Some cousins included in there as well. So there was some sadness there as I said good-bye to those sweet little clothes.

The Seb is waiting everyday with excitement for the next stage in the boy's life. He keeps hoping for a word to form out of all the hundreds of coos we hear each day. I for one am not wanting to move that fast. I have seen the next stages in life, although they too are fun. I am trying my best to experience the magic of each day with him.

Birth Verse

2008-11-20T11:03:00.000-08:00

Ryker's Birthverse

Luke 9:23 NIV Then he said to them all: “If any would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me".

I came across this website a few days ago. I have read the verse for each of my children but I have found myself dwelling on Ryker's. It says so much to me about what we must do each day when we have chosen to follow our Lord and Savior. I look down at him as I hold him and wonder what has the Lord placed in Ryker in order to bring glory to His kingdom. As Greyson and Sebastian are now older I can see the traits the Lord has woven into these little boys and I am in awe of Him.

*

Father thank you for theses amazing gifts you have sent into my life. I do not know what your plan is for these precious little men, but I will start them down the path to you. I see your beauty, strength, and love through theses boys. They are awesome, praise you Father for creating such special creatures that bare your image...

http://www.birthverse.com/

Hip Hip Hooooo-raaaaaaay for G Diapers

2008-11-17T15:56:00.000-08:00

After months of going back and forth on whether or not to give cloth diapers a try I stumbled across Gdiapers! I have been using them for about 2 weeks and I loved every min of it. They are a cross between cloth and disposables, they are flush able with a cotton cover (Gpants). With my other 2 little guys I really wanted to try cloth but I didn't have the guts. This past pregnancy I did a lot of reading about cloth and I learned how gross disposable diapers really are (they can take up to 500 years to decompose). I struggled to pick up the phone to call the cloth diaper service and get it started. There were too many choices and too much laundry involved for a mother of 3 who would rather spend her time doing other things. (Plus I am trying to save water) So the cute little Gdiaper has given me exactly what I am looking for. I love that my son has not chemicals sitting on his bottom, I love that I am cutting back on our carbon footprint, (I can compost these little suckers in 90 days or less) and I LOVE that the baby's room doesn't smell like diapers too.

Gdiaper is a cute little company, and it was started by a Mum and Dad looking for a better option for their kids. So if you have little ones in diapers, check these guys out! They are totally worth it.
http://www.gdiapers.com/

2008-11-14T12:46:00.000-08:00

So After a year of being addicted to other folks blogs I have finally cracked under the pressures of our culture and started my own blog. As I am writing this it sort of feels like I am opening my journal for the world to read. With that said I have chosen to not yet share my blog with friends and family, out of fear of what they might think or say. So my blog will hangout in cyberspace a waiting someone to take and interest in me and what I have to say.