The last 2 days with my kids have given me lots of smiles and a few memorable moments. I'm not as foolish as I was in my early parenting years to think that I will remember these moments just because they are special and then lose them for lack of documentation! So, that said, I'm documenting here, on my blog, the ways my kids have made me smile.
Yesterday I took the younger 2 to Costco with me. Having missed my morning cup of coffee because I was too tired to clean out the coffee pot with the day before's remnants, I decided to get a mocha freeze at the Costco cafe. JJ tried to steal it and I informed him that he was in no way shape or form getting coffee! Ev asked me if I was sure it was coffee and if it is really coffee, why did that man put chocolate in it? I told him it had chocolate because the only thing sweeter than coffee and chocolate is kisses from him. "No, Mom. That's not it." Then it must be kisses from all of my boys? Nope, still not it. Kisses from Daddy? Nope, not that either. So I finally asked, "Well I can't think of ANYTHING sweeter, what could it be?" His response, "Mom, I think candy is sweetest!" How can you win with logic like that?
Today my oldest was sitting at the kitchen table doing his Riggs homework (the phonics program his school teaches). When he sounded out one of his words he also said the grammar rule that went with it, that u and v can not end a word so you have to add a silent e to the end if the word ends in either of those letters. Oddly, this surprised me and I started trying to think of words that ended in v and realized he was right. He was thrilled that he had taught me something new. The cuteness came when he then asked me, "Mom, didn't you do Riggs when you were in school?" I told him no and he said, "Well, now it makes since that you didn't know that rule!" He paused thoughtfully and then looked up and said, "Hey, Mom. Thanks for sending me to a school that teaches Riggs. I really like it, it's actually my favorite part of the day. Well, that and math." I was flabbergasted! My son actually realized for however short of a moment, all that I did to get him into the right school and thanked me! Does that actually happen?
The last one was tonight at bedtime. My husband has made up a song for the boys that he sings at bedtime to them. It is a changed version of the old Mary Poppins song, Chim Chim Chiree. the lyrics are "Chim Chiminee Chim Chiminee, chim chim chiree, I love my (insert name) and my (name) loves me. Chim chiminee, chim chiminee, chim chim churoo, oh my dear (name) your daddy loves you." The last verse is always to me, "I love my beauty and my beauty loves me....Oh my dear beauty your husband loves you." (Yeah, I know sappy sappy whatever, we all absolutely LOVE it though!) Tonight while hugging Ev goodnight, I told him that I'm proud of him and he's a great kid. He looks at me and says, "No, you're a great woman! I mean beauty. You're a great beauty, Mom. You are our beauty, but you are also Dad's beauty. That means that a beauty lives in our house!" He went to bed excited by his "discovery" and I put him to bed thinking that my family is the best in the world! My husband thinks I'm beautiful, my sons think I'm beautiful and all of my guys take such good care of me. Wow, how amazing is that!?!?!? And for the complete experience, tonight was one of the nights that dad didn't have to prompt the boys to thank me for dinner. Tonight they all remembered without any help from dad and tonight I feel really loved, cared for, appreciated, and treasured. My family is the best in the world! (See, I wrote it down so that the next time I'm convinced that my kids sole goal in life is to torture me, I can look back on this and remember how sweet they can be.)
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
timely blessings
At the exact moment that I have been certain that I cannot make it for one more second, God sends exactly what I need. Two weeks ago, when Hubby and I were trying to figure out budget and groceries, my pastors wife called. I wasn't planning on answering but she doesn't call often and I was hoping all was ok. Our church had been given a donation of groceries and they wanted to know if we would be able to use them. It was a blessing that happened right as we were stressing about money.
A week and a half ago He sent me Sarah to take my kids overnight and refuse to be paid for it. That happened at the exact moment that I was sure I was never meant to be a mom and that I'm terrible at it and am going scar and ruin my children for life. It was a blessing, and one that happened at the end of my mothering rope.
A few days passed and I opened my mailbox to find an envelope from an anonymous sender with a King Soopers (grocery store for those of you east coasters who go to Piggly Wiggly and Shop and Save!) gift card in it. It was a blessing that happened right at the moment that my bank account was overdrawn.
Another day passed and I found a Starbucks gift card in my wallet, and I had already used up my birthday gift cards and there were none in my wallet before. Now Starbucks is far from necessary but it was a beautiful pick me up when I called to get a balance on it and found out that there was the exact amount on it needed to get 2 coffees! It was a blessing that happened just when I thought how good a vanilla latte sounded and was settling for home brew instead.
Then today, how do I explain today? I can tell you about it but words will never do justice the relief and emotion that we felt. Maybe I should back track a little and give some history first. 3 weeks ago, Hubby's car failed emissions. Repairs were going to be over $500 but when weighed we realized that the car is really on its last leg. The heater doesn't work and here in Colorado winter is already trying to grip us, we had snow on the last day of summer! The car is nearing 200k miles, 2 seatbelts are broken, the check engine light lives in the on position. So we consulted with our mechanic and unanimously decided that our $ would be better spent in getting a new car. We got a 20 day extension on our tags and set off to find a new (to us) car. Problem, we didn't dare apply for financing when our bank account was negative! BAD idea! So we waited for payday so our acct would be positive and we could apply to Target's credit union and hopefully get our loan through them. Payday came and we didn't have the money to open our acct so it was going to have to wait one more pay cycle. Maybe we could extend our tags just one more time so that we could buy time in the new vehicle hunt. No dice. Our car, I was told, has been red flagged by the state because it failed emissions. If we drive the car and get stopped, the car will be impounded and we will not be allowed to drive it! Yikes! So Mom and Dad to the rescue, they let us borrow their 2nd car to get us through this. Tomorrow is payday and we are starting to try to figure out how we can get either the CU acct going and get a loan that way or if we just have to bite the bullet and get dealer financing at a heck of an interest rate.
Now that you have the history, here is today. It is my friends birthday. I asked Hubby if I could spend a couple of dollars to get her a coffee. We agree that I can get only one so of course it would be for her. Went to King Soopers, wrote my check for over so that I could buy my friend coffee. Chillin at home when the mail arrives, I pause Survivor and go grab it. There were only 4 things in my mailbox. The first is addressed to me, I open it to find a ransom note style letter that told me that it was a reminder that God is in control and that I'm loved. As I was reading it, some cash fell out of the envelope and hit my lap. I looked at it and smiled and thought, it's all going to work out and now I can now enjoy coffee with my friend for her birthday! Isn't it great when God gives us those reminders that He will provide?
The 2nd letter is addressed to my family and I open it to find a small sticky note that said, "God is good" on a large money order. I started to hyperventilate at this point! Hubby was next door hanging out with his dad and I had to go grab him to show him. I didn't know if it was all real! It was a wonderful blessing that happened on the day after we had discussed how this whole car thing is supposed to play out and how we could ever get anything at all to put toward it.
The other 2 items were small in theory but HUGE to me. They were magazines for my kids. My mom had ordered my kids magazines a yr ago. They both have sent me notices saying that we had received our last issue unless we renewed. My mom got one of them again this yr but it will come addressed to all the boys and the other one we let slide. The magazines were addressed individually to both boys. See I know that no more should be coming, yet they came one last time. It was as though God was saying, "See, I'm going to take care of your kids too." I was amazed at the sweet and gentle way that the Lord provided for us during this last month. He has never failed us. I am more than ever aware that we are not the ones who meet our needs, He is. And not only has the Lord met our big needs, He even remembered the little details of a vanilla latte and a couple of magazines, things we don't need but are nice to have. As I said in my facebook status earlier, I am both awed and humbled that the God of the universe takes the time to see that my families needs are met, even the little tiny ones! I am also awed and humbled at the incredible generosity of secret friends without whom we would have possibly sank this month! Thanks to you if you are one of our secret givers, you will never know how much you have blessed our family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A week and a half ago He sent me Sarah to take my kids overnight and refuse to be paid for it. That happened at the exact moment that I was sure I was never meant to be a mom and that I'm terrible at it and am going scar and ruin my children for life. It was a blessing, and one that happened at the end of my mothering rope.
A few days passed and I opened my mailbox to find an envelope from an anonymous sender with a King Soopers (grocery store for those of you east coasters who go to Piggly Wiggly and Shop and Save!) gift card in it. It was a blessing that happened right at the moment that my bank account was overdrawn.
Another day passed and I found a Starbucks gift card in my wallet, and I had already used up my birthday gift cards and there were none in my wallet before. Now Starbucks is far from necessary but it was a beautiful pick me up when I called to get a balance on it and found out that there was the exact amount on it needed to get 2 coffees! It was a blessing that happened just when I thought how good a vanilla latte sounded and was settling for home brew instead.
Then today, how do I explain today? I can tell you about it but words will never do justice the relief and emotion that we felt. Maybe I should back track a little and give some history first. 3 weeks ago, Hubby's car failed emissions. Repairs were going to be over $500 but when weighed we realized that the car is really on its last leg. The heater doesn't work and here in Colorado winter is already trying to grip us, we had snow on the last day of summer! The car is nearing 200k miles, 2 seatbelts are broken, the check engine light lives in the on position. So we consulted with our mechanic and unanimously decided that our $ would be better spent in getting a new car. We got a 20 day extension on our tags and set off to find a new (to us) car. Problem, we didn't dare apply for financing when our bank account was negative! BAD idea! So we waited for payday so our acct would be positive and we could apply to Target's credit union and hopefully get our loan through them. Payday came and we didn't have the money to open our acct so it was going to have to wait one more pay cycle. Maybe we could extend our tags just one more time so that we could buy time in the new vehicle hunt. No dice. Our car, I was told, has been red flagged by the state because it failed emissions. If we drive the car and get stopped, the car will be impounded and we will not be allowed to drive it! Yikes! So Mom and Dad to the rescue, they let us borrow their 2nd car to get us through this. Tomorrow is payday and we are starting to try to figure out how we can get either the CU acct going and get a loan that way or if we just have to bite the bullet and get dealer financing at a heck of an interest rate.
Now that you have the history, here is today. It is my friends birthday. I asked Hubby if I could spend a couple of dollars to get her a coffee. We agree that I can get only one so of course it would be for her. Went to King Soopers, wrote my check for over so that I could buy my friend coffee. Chillin at home when the mail arrives, I pause Survivor and go grab it. There were only 4 things in my mailbox. The first is addressed to me, I open it to find a ransom note style letter that told me that it was a reminder that God is in control and that I'm loved. As I was reading it, some cash fell out of the envelope and hit my lap. I looked at it and smiled and thought, it's all going to work out and now I can now enjoy coffee with my friend for her birthday! Isn't it great when God gives us those reminders that He will provide?
The 2nd letter is addressed to my family and I open it to find a small sticky note that said, "God is good" on a large money order. I started to hyperventilate at this point! Hubby was next door hanging out with his dad and I had to go grab him to show him. I didn't know if it was all real! It was a wonderful blessing that happened on the day after we had discussed how this whole car thing is supposed to play out and how we could ever get anything at all to put toward it.
The other 2 items were small in theory but HUGE to me. They were magazines for my kids. My mom had ordered my kids magazines a yr ago. They both have sent me notices saying that we had received our last issue unless we renewed. My mom got one of them again this yr but it will come addressed to all the boys and the other one we let slide. The magazines were addressed individually to both boys. See I know that no more should be coming, yet they came one last time. It was as though God was saying, "See, I'm going to take care of your kids too." I was amazed at the sweet and gentle way that the Lord provided for us during this last month. He has never failed us. I am more than ever aware that we are not the ones who meet our needs, He is. And not only has the Lord met our big needs, He even remembered the little details of a vanilla latte and a couple of magazines, things we don't need but are nice to have. As I said in my facebook status earlier, I am both awed and humbled that the God of the universe takes the time to see that my families needs are met, even the little tiny ones! I am also awed and humbled at the incredible generosity of secret friends without whom we would have possibly sank this month! Thanks to you if you are one of our secret givers, you will never know how much you have blessed our family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
my week
The last two weeks have been rather crappy. That is the easy version of it all. It has been draining both physically and emotionally. I want nothing more than to lay comatose in my bed for a full week! I actually told Hubby tonight that if we win the powerball, I am hiring our favorite babysitter to come over and just be available for a full week. I don't want to be replaced in the rearing of my children, I just want one whole week that I don't have to get up early for school, a week that I could sleep in and wake up to a nice hot shower (with no kids interrupting or getting into loads of mischief while I'm in there) and then have a lazy cup of coffee and breakfast and start my day around 9:30 ish. Doesn't that sound lovely?!? So in the midst of cars failing emissions, empty bank accounts, looking for a new car, the whole family fighting off the sickies (and it has been that way for waaaaaaayyyyy too long), getting hit in the traffic circle near my sons school (yes, everyone is ok and the damage is minimal), parenting struggles, emotional struggles, and to top it off the Starbucks in the King Soopers that I frequent has just been torn down, I am thinking about powerball. Oddly, I am more content with what I have (or the lack thereof) after thinking of all the things I would do if money were no object at all. I am blessed to have my Sarah in our lives. Saturday, when I thought I couldn't take it for one more second, she volunteered to "kidnap my children" overnight. She picked them up Sat afternoon and returned them Sun afternoon. I wonder if the car getting hit and the Starbucks being gone would have completely pushed me over if I hadn't had that time alone with my husband to somewhat recover from last week. Oddly, in thinking of the things I wish that I had, I am more aware of how truly blessed I am. It's no lie that last week was one of the suckiest weeks ever, but I have an amazing husband, an amazing family and most of all and amazing Savior. In my weakness, He is made strong. I don't have it all together, but I love and am loved in return in spite of it all. Is there really any greater blessing? We have a new favorite song called "Sounds Like Life" by Darryl Worley. The entire song is this guy complaining to his buddy about all of his struggles. His friend looks at him and says "you make it sound like you're in some great tragedy, but it sounds like life to me." The song has helped both Hubby and I keep perspective during this rough time. Even when it is not fun, we still have so much more than we deserve. Yeah, bad things happen, yeah life takes turns you don't really like, but so does everyone elses life also! We all struggle and this week I reminded myself that it isn't my struggle that matters, it's what I do with it. As I tell my kids, only I can control my attitude and my responses. I guess that means that I need to quit pouting and live my life. Circumstances may not change but my attitude can. Tonight I'm going to trust in my Father. I'm going to remember all the times He has not let me down and I'm going to find refuge in the fact that He still holds me in His hands and will never let me go.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
tired thoughts
Today was a lovely day. Hubby had the day off and he took W to school this morning and then took Ev to school while I stayed home. That was a refreshing break! I picked Ev up from his morning school but Hubby took him to afternoon school so I did none of the drop offs today. We got a lot accomplished and even just got to chill out watch some tv and play Othello.
W's teacher told me this afternoon that he had not been himself today. She said it wasn't like he was being disruptive or disobedient but that he just had a glazed look in his eyes all day and he wasn't his usually responsive, talkative self. He said school went great though. I think he is still trying to get over this bug that attacked us all last week. Though we spent most of the weekend on our backsides resting, it seems as though we are all still exhausted. I hope he does better tomorrow.
Hubby got the Harry Potter paperback series for his birthday and W started begging us to read it to him. I didn't know if he would be interested but I figured if not we would just put it away and read something else. I didn't expect him to LOVE the books! We just started the 3rd book. Hubby and I are discussing how high in the books to read since the later books are a bit heavy for a 7 yr old. W came home today and during homework he said, "Mom, my teachers are really surprised that you let me read Harry Potter books. They said that is more of a grown up book." So now I am paranoid that the teachers think I'm poorly influencing my son. I know, my kid, my decisions, got it, but that doesn't take away my tired paranoia. He follows the story, hasn't at any point gotten lost even though they are long chapter books, and really enjoys it, so why am I so worried about what his 1st grade teachers think about it??????????
Hubby has the weekend off!!!!!!!!!! Not gonna lie, I'm stoked about that! He does have the card shop Fri eve but Sat and Sun he is mine (I suppose I'll share with the kiddos!) I know we just had a vacation, but I feel like I need another one just to catch up with my sweetie! We are finally back to a normal schedule so I should get my time with him back to normal as well.
MOPS is starting next Friday. I am excited and nervous. I'm on steering this year helping out with crafts. I always thought I'd never want that position but when I found out that was where they really needed help, I actually got excited about doing it. It will be nice to get back into the routine of my life again now that the kids have gotten into their routines.
So there is my midnight ramblings. No lessons, just what is on my mind, my very tired mind! So now I'm signing off to go sleep until the dreaded alarm clock crows at me (yes I said crows, it sounds like a rooster!) JJ fell out of bed a little bit ago, hope it doesn't happen again tonight because I want the next 6 hrs and 20 min to be in dreamland only!
W's teacher told me this afternoon that he had not been himself today. She said it wasn't like he was being disruptive or disobedient but that he just had a glazed look in his eyes all day and he wasn't his usually responsive, talkative self. He said school went great though. I think he is still trying to get over this bug that attacked us all last week. Though we spent most of the weekend on our backsides resting, it seems as though we are all still exhausted. I hope he does better tomorrow.
Hubby got the Harry Potter paperback series for his birthday and W started begging us to read it to him. I didn't know if he would be interested but I figured if not we would just put it away and read something else. I didn't expect him to LOVE the books! We just started the 3rd book. Hubby and I are discussing how high in the books to read since the later books are a bit heavy for a 7 yr old. W came home today and during homework he said, "Mom, my teachers are really surprised that you let me read Harry Potter books. They said that is more of a grown up book." So now I am paranoid that the teachers think I'm poorly influencing my son. I know, my kid, my decisions, got it, but that doesn't take away my tired paranoia. He follows the story, hasn't at any point gotten lost even though they are long chapter books, and really enjoys it, so why am I so worried about what his 1st grade teachers think about it??????????
Hubby has the weekend off!!!!!!!!!! Not gonna lie, I'm stoked about that! He does have the card shop Fri eve but Sat and Sun he is mine (I suppose I'll share with the kiddos!) I know we just had a vacation, but I feel like I need another one just to catch up with my sweetie! We are finally back to a normal schedule so I should get my time with him back to normal as well.
MOPS is starting next Friday. I am excited and nervous. I'm on steering this year helping out with crafts. I always thought I'd never want that position but when I found out that was where they really needed help, I actually got excited about doing it. It will be nice to get back into the routine of my life again now that the kids have gotten into their routines.
So there is my midnight ramblings. No lessons, just what is on my mind, my very tired mind! So now I'm signing off to go sleep until the dreaded alarm clock crows at me (yes I said crows, it sounds like a rooster!) JJ fell out of bed a little bit ago, hope it doesn't happen again tonight because I want the next 6 hrs and 20 min to be in dreamland only!
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