Season of life

I get so excited when I wake up in late summer, walk outside, and realize that it’s time for a jacket in the morning! And, there’s nothing better than a 60 degree day in March, after having been cooped up all winter.

A friend of mine and I were talking the other day (through text…because with 6 kids between us, that’s about the only way we can have a decent conversation at this point), and while discussing the issue of trying to find a sitter while we worked on a project, she said, “The kids can just play together. That’s the season of my life right now.” You know what? This is one season that I don’t want to pass to quickly! My sweet babies (I think I can still call them all babies, right?) are three amazing little miracles and I’m going to soak up as much of this ‘season’ with them as I can right now! I’m not sure if you meant to do this Erin, but thank you for reminding me that I don’t need to rush through these years.

We had some interesting conversations this weekend…here are a few.

Gabe spent the afternoon with Daddy on Saturday, and lucky for his dear Auntie A, he spent a short 3 hours riding in the cab of the tractor with her while Daddy and Brock loaded the wagon with hay bales. I asked Gabe, what she and him talked about. He said, “I don’t know and don’t be mad. But I love her.” I asked, “Why would I be mad?” “Because I know you want to be the only lady in my life.”

Nate had quite a social weekend. He was invited to a birthday party for his friends from school, Justin and Jennifer, at the skating rink in New Castle. I haven’t been skating since who knows when and the kids have never been, so we made it a family adventure. I never laughed so hard in my life! The kids were hilarious! There were a few times that I thought Nate was going to take flight, judging by the way he was circling his arms. There was a lot of falling and MANY bruises acquired, but good times were had by all! Saturday night, he was invited to another birthday party, for his friend Eli. They went to a game room kind of place and played video games, had pizza, and played putt putt. I was putting Nate to bed last night after he got home and he told me, “Being so cool is really hard!” “What do you mean, Nate?” “Well, I was so busy this weekend, we didn’t even get to have movie night on Friday and Gabe and I didn’t get to build the monster truck track in the dirt like I promised. Now that I’m getting so popular, will you please remind me not to forget about my family?” I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry!

Now, Adri is quite the little drama queen. If you’ve ever met her, you know this is an understatement. She demands a certain hair style every morning (bunny tails or a bow bow) and will usually only wear a dress unless I convince her that shorts are a better idea because we’ll be doing something that will get her panties dirty. I guess I should have expected that there may be a few teenagers at the skating rink that would be showing off their moves (and a few other inappropriate things) Maybe should have been prepared to shield my 2 year olds ‘copy cat’ eyes. Last night she was watching Yo Gabba Gabba, and said, “My name is Adri. I like to dance.” Instead of her usual attempt to snap her fingers and sway from side to side, she put her hands on her hips, then put one hand behind her head and started pretending to skate. “What are you doing, Adri?” “I skate like uh big girl!” Lord, please help me!

Have a great week!

School Year Resolutions

I am so thankful that this school year has gotten of to such a smooth start! I can honestly say that my sweet little Nate has not complained, once, about school or homework! The fact that my niece and nephew have been coming over in the morning may have something to do with that! Gabe has also had a smooth transition from sleeping til 9 and spending his days leisurely playing games and exploring outside to getting up at 6:30 three days a week and slipping into the morning routine of Mrs. Etchison’s class.

I made a few promises to myself this summer, in preparation for the upcoming school year. And I can see blessings to our family as result of these resolutions.

1. Get up, EVERY MORNING, before the kids so that I can be ready and energized, focused on getting them in the same kind of attitude before school.

I am NOT a morning person, or evening person, for that matter. I love my sleep! Getting up before the kids, not only guarantees that I’ll get a shower (which automatically puts me in a good mood), but it also gives us a pretty good chance of not having to rush out the door in the morning!

2. Prepare a healthy breakfast for my family (unless Matt decides to leave at 5:30 like he has this week).

3. Plan and talk with Nate, every day, about lunch and if he’s choosing to eat at school or wants to take a packed lunch.

Planning breakfasts and lunches for the kids, ahead of time, automatically ensures that Nate (the world’s pickiest eater) will get the fuel that his body needs to be energized for school! I had a realization this summer, while witnessing a SUPER CRANKY Matt, that he was acting snippy because he was hungry! I get that way, too, but not to the extreme as him! That’s when I decided that planning Nate’s menu for the week may help him with his attitude at school. Last year, he mostly chose to eat at school. Some days his caloric intake was mostly from a breadstick or slice of sausage pizza and a carton of chocolate milk, because he didn’t like the other food that was being served. Now, even if he chooses to eat at school, we talk about what he’s going to put on his tray and what I expect him to eat. That kid can’t lie, either, so I’m certain that if he doesn’t eat what we talk about, he’ll tell me. But for the most part, he’s choosing to pack a lunch…and it’s not a secret that I hide lots of invisible good food in my families meals!

4. Praise my kids, continuously, about how pleased I am when they do have joyful attitudes in the morning and regarding school.

I also concluded this summer, that simply expecting my children to be joyful, was wishful thinking! After all, I have to remind MYSELF to, “Be joyful always (1 Thessalonians 5:16).” That is pretty hard to do when things get tough. Of course, my definition of ‘tough’ is raising three kids, while keeping up with a house, the budget, preparing meals, etc. But, their definition of ‘tough’ is quite different. Nate told me one day that “it’s hard being a kid.” I immediately wanted to bark back at him that he didn’t know what a hard life was like, but instead, I heard a whisper in my heart saying, “Don’t be quick to snap back. Just listen,” and so I asked what was hard about his life. “I’m only 8 and I have to remember a lot of rules.” I wanted to laugh, but tried to put myself in his shoes. I guess it is hard learning what is expected of him in all situations. My theory is that reinforcing joyful behavior will be more effective than always snapping at them to change their hateful behavior. I’ve always tried to do this, but most certainly am making more of an effort to do it these days. This morning, Nate popped out of bed, got dressed, brushed his teeth, came into the kitchen, fed and watered the dog, sat down at the bar, and said, “How’d you sleep?” with a smile on his face. I immediately told him how proud I was of him for waking up in such a good mood and having that handsome smile on his face. He got down off the bar stool, came around to the other side and gave me a hug. Now, that’s not the same attitude he had last year! I guess my little boy is growing up!

5. Take time for myself everyday, if not in the morning, then while Adri naps, to read the Bible and/or pray.

I firmly believe that as moms, so many women out there don’t take care of themselves. They neglect their emotional, spiritual, and physical needs in an effort to care for their family, which often makes them cranky and unfulfilled. I considered making a goal for myself to wake up every morning and exercise, shower, read, and then put on makeup…but I quickly decided that it was too big of a goal. I picked what I thought was most important and started with baby steps! Coincidentally (or not), this promise to myself came at a time when our community was pulling together to support and lift up in prayer (and in other ways), the family of a woman who was injured in the State Fair accident a few weeks back. Her brother has been providing the world, via facebook, updates on his sister. These updates are more like charges to become more like Christ and be thankful in EVERYTHING. He wrote in his note last night that people are telling him that they are determined to live their life differently.

“So many of you have written me to let me know you’ve made changes in your life through this experience. You’re praying for the first time ever, for the first time in 10 years, or have prayed daily for 10 years and are now praying multiple times a day. You’ve reconciled differences with your neighbor, your spouse, your ex-spouse, your children, your parents, your co-workers, and even your brother or sister. You’ve resolved to do things differently.”

Thank you for opening up your life, Tyler, so that others may see God through your family’s experiences. Thank you for seeing that “…this happened so that the work of God might be displayed…” John 9:3. So, I choose to live my life differently…making more of an effort to develop a stronger and more unyielding faith.

I share my resolutions with you so that you may ask, when we run into each other at Meijer, the library, at church, or anywhere, "How are you keeping up with those 'school year resolutions?' I'll be honest, too, because I can't lie, either!

Have a great day, all!

Health and Beauty Aisle

For the first time today, I let Adrianna push her own cart at Kroger. You know, the little ones that are just the size for kids? And, to my surprise, she had her own agenda. "Dis way, Mom," she insisted. I was curious what she had in mind. Judging by the smile on her face, she knew just where she was going. I wish I could have bottled up that smile and opened it up on a day when she's especially cranky. She pushed the cart right to the health and beauty aisle, went straight to the hair bows and said, "Mommy, you got money?"

I laughed out loud! So loud, in fact, that a few customers gave me the stink eye! You know that laugh that is so uncontrollable, tears start running down your face and your stomach and cheeks start to hurt? That was my laugh!

After I composed myself and we began shopping for what we really came for, she stayed close beside me for the entire shopping trip (could be because if she didn't, I told her I'd put the hair bows she picked out back on the shelf).

On the way home, I giggled again. I imagined back when I was in high school and my friend, Molly, and I would spend hours (this is not an exaggeration) in the health and beauty aisle at Meijer. We'd check out press on nails, make-up, hair color, eyebrow waxing kits...anything that would keep a girl busy on a Saturday night when all of our other friends were out doing stuff they probably shouldn't have been doing :) Anyway, I giggled because she is the only other person, until now, that has shared my love for the beauty aisle at a grocery store. I miss those girl nights back when we were teenagers, and it would be nice to stay up late and beautify ourselves again sometime (I could sure use some beautifying...and some girl time, for that matter), but for now, looks like I'll get to enjoy aisle 6 at Kroger with my daughter. For now, we'll shop for hair bows, and I'll be content with that. Before long, I'm sure she'll be begging for nail polish and make-up.

School started!

First off, a tribute to an awesome lady, Miss Elise. She left for college yesterday and will be GREATLY missed by our family...not only because she was a world class babysitter, but she was in incredible example to our kids (and us) of generousity, patience, and humbleness. She actually gave us a going away gift and said, "Thanks for everything!" It's us who should be thanking her...for 'everything!'

We love you, Elise, and wish you all the best! See you at Christmas!

There are probably a lot of parents out there who are glad that the school year has started. In a way, I am, too. Our family just runs a little smoother when we're in a routine...and because of a small (or maybe not so small) case of OCD, I also like the precision of a schedule. However, in light of what happened last weekend at the Fair Grounds, I wasn't ready to let my babies start the school year. I actually went to bed on Monday night, hoping that my life would become the movie 'Groundhog Day,' and I'd wake up to Monday all over again! Of course, that didn't happen, so we started the school year with the charge of a 4 year old..."Since the calendar says it's the first day of school for Nate, he better go!"

August 16, 2011

He was eager to start 3rd grade. He even asked me to set his alarm so that he could wake up on his own and before bed, he wanted me to review what the procedure was before school (he gets that from his Mama). I peeked in at him about 10 minutes before his alarm went off and he was lying, quietly, but eagerly waiting for that buzzer!

I always take him to school on the first day. After kindergarten, I chose not to request a picture of him by the school sign, but I do take one just before heading out the door, every year! They'll make good pictures for his Senior scrapbook...boys do that, don't they? We were headed down State Road 36 and just before pulling into the East Elementary parking lot, Nate said, "Make sure you pull into the 'drop off' line." WHAT? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I WAS NOT PLANNING ON DROPPING HIM OFF! I was continuing tradition...I ALWAYS walk him to his classroom on the first day. What is happening to my baby boy? Oh yea...he's in 3rd grade now! The good news is that his bus number changed this year so I convinced him that I, AT LEAST, needed to walk him into the office so that we could double check the bus number. After the bus number confirmation, he took off! I thought to myself "Should I ask for a hug? Ummmmm.....yeah.......sure! Can I have a hug, Nate?" He gave me one, but with little enthusiasm. That's okay...at least he didn't reject my request :)

I had some errands to run with the younger two kids after dropping him off at school...I cried all the way to the store!

Yesterday, we also got to visit Gabe's school and meet his new teacher. Mrs. Etchison already knew him and he felt quite comfortable walking into her class and making himself at home. I was already a little emotional, but after he saw Mrs. Rayl (his teacher from last year), and gave her the biggest most joyful hug, EVER, I got a bit choked up again! I'm so glad he loves school...

I hope that doesn't change :) I also couldn't be happier that we chose to send him there again.

Off the bus with a joyous smile and Nate quickly informed me, "No homework." "What was your favorite part of the day, Nate?" "Recess." Figures...

He later informed me that they actually made him write something on the first day...WHAT? How ridiculous! "It's like she was in the wrong grade, Mom. We aren't 4th graders. She should have taken it easy on us. I also had to sharpen, like, 50 pencils (sigh)." It's going to be a LONG year!

Just for fun, here's a picture of my 1st baby heading off to preschool in September of 2006! Wow! Check him out with little Thomas the Tank Engine backpack...now it's Mario!

Gabe's turn!

August 17, 2011

I love that this picture shows his personality so well...and the fact that he made his own shoe choice. His Crocs "arent proopriate for school. I should wear my Sketchers and my lucky Cat and the Hat sockies." Okay...I don't want to start the first day with a battle :)

Adri and I spent some time alone this morning at the library, a few antique stores and Starbucks!

I picked Gabe up, seeing nothing but a smile on his face (and some icing from the cupcake had, celebrating a classmate's birthday), and the first thing he said when we got in the car was, "I'm hungry!" Home, lunch, nap! Gabe and Adri both slept for 2 1/2 hours...it's hard getting up at 6:45 when you've been sleeping til 9 all summer...for Mommy, too! I fought the urge to nap, though, and did about 6 loads of laundry and read a little.

My heart still breaks for what the Voss/Vellinga family is going through. I know that prayers are going up all over the world, asking that God work in her life...and I'm certain He will. Because of this, however, I'm still holding my chickadees a little tighter and a little longer...trying not to take for granted the time I have with them.

I'm including a link to the site where her brother is posting updates on her progress as well as the link to a site listing information about making donations to her and her family.

Andrea Voss/Vellinga Updates

Donations for the Voss/Vellinga Family

Take care...and COUNT THOSE BLESSINGS!

Count your blessings

I ventured on a road trip this weekend to Geneva Illinois to visit an old friend (she’s not old, just our friendship…24 years), with 4 kids in tow. I had my three chickadees and just for added adventure, I chauffeured a sweet 9-year-old Donavon, Donna’s nephew, as well. I know how much I love visiting with my nephews and niece, who live about 500 miles away, so I will continue to offer a ride to the sweet, kind, funny, and a bit ornery, little boy, as long as we’re making the trip, too. It’s always nice to visit with good friends that you don’t see often, and this weekend proved that fact, even more. Thanks, Donna, for the hospitality, laughs, and girl talk! Despite our slightly cranky little girls, we had a very enjoyable weekend!

After returning home last night, I quickly recognized a name that was listed as someone who was injured at the State Fair Grounds on Saturday night, in the terrible stage collapse incident. Immediately, my heart fell heavy. I quickly began thinking about her contagious smile, kind spirit, and sweet little daughter. I don’t know Andrea really well. In fact, we first met when I was waiting tables at a local restaurant. We quickly learned that we both had babies that were allergic to dairy, and immediately began sharing stories about the hassle of changing our diet, but how thankful we were that they were healthy otherwise. We saw each other about every week or so, either at the restaurant or at church, when her, her husband, and daughter attended with her parents. I’ll say it again…I don’t know her REALLY well. But, there’s something that connects mothers, especially ones that have children that share allergies! It was always so nice to hear that someone else was going through what we were going through with Gabe.

I do know that she’s a believer in the healing power of OUR AWESOME GOD. I also know that many people in her family share in this faith. So, please, if you have just a second, please ask that she be healed and her family be surrounded by His peace. I’m certain that she can’t wait to give her sweet little Lydia a big Mommy hug!

I’m including a link to a letter written by her brother, as well as a blog post from a friend of hers.

Update on Andrea, by her brother, Tyler

We love you, Andy

I sensored the details a bit and shared the situation with my kids. We sat on the floor in our living room and I explained to them that we needed to pray for Andrea and her family. My sweet hearted Gabe, was worried about Lydia. He knows her well because we often see her at story time at the Library with her Grandma and she is in his Sunday School Class. He wondered if we could send anything to her at the hospital so that she wouldn't be bored. "Cuz hospitals are boring, unless you go to one that has snacks." He also wanted to make sure that her Daddy was able to miss work so that he could take care of her. I assured him that Lydia has a lot of people surrounding her with love and providing her with everything else she needs. Nate asked to pray for her. "I know you can heal that little girl's Mom because you put a baby in my Mom's belly when I asked for one, and that's a lot harder."

My kids think God can do anything, and so do I! If you believe that, too, pray for Andrea, her family, and all of those injured on Saturday night!

I haven't been able to let my kids out of my sight today. I can't get enough of their hugs and kisses. I'm more patient with them than I've been in months, and I'm actually a little sad that Nate goes back to school tomorrow. I can't help but think of how quickly circumstances can change and how many blessings I have been given.

Now...go hug your babies and count YOUR blessings

Kill 'em with kindness!

Today for lunch we had leftover burritos, baby carrots and cucumbers (from the garden), and diced peaches. Although the menu was the same for all 4 of us, the plate prep was a bit different.

Nate: likes his burritos with meat, cheese and sour cream only. Since he doesn’t like fruit or vegetables, I only put one bite of each (1 cucumber slice, 1 carrot, and 1 piece of a peach) on his plate and he knows that 1 bite is all that is expected of him. Nate prefers milk with his meals.

Gabe: likes his burritos with meat and cheese only, but not rolled up. He’ll eat the inside first and then the tortilla after everything else is gone. He gets an extra large portion of peaches because he LOVES fruit of all kind, but only one carrot and one cucumber with no ranch because it’s too spicy. Gabe drank water.

Adri: eats meat and cheese, but with no tortilla. She’ll eat it with salsa, too, but only if she can spoon it on herself. She’ll eat the fruit, cucumbers and carrots, but dipped in sour cream instead of ranch. Adri likes ‘wemononade’ to drink.

Mommy: I try to avoid sugar of all kind (except on Sunday when we have dinner at my moms because that doesn’t count), so I prepared myself a taco salad and passed on the tortilla. I also passed on the fruit, but think I may have eaten an entire cucumber for myself :)

A few weeks back, someone made a comment about my blog…stating that it may be a little controversial. Although I completely disagreed and wanted to argue that the most controversial thing I’ve ever blogged about is that being a mom to 3 kids is exhausting! And who can argue with that, right? I decided I was going to take the route of least conflict, apologize and offer to be more sensitive in the future. There were some not so nice words that I was thinking, but the words of my great grandma (Grammie) came to mind. “Don’t be mean back…kill 'em with kindness.” My mom has said that, too...and I've used it a few times as well :)

This ‘friend’ suggested that I may ‘rubbing it in’ that I get to stay home with my kids and not all other moms who want to stay home, get to do what they want. Well, that may be true…or maybe not (another blog, another time).

My opinion, if you care (and I’m assuming you’re slightly interested, otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this) is that a good mom is someone who does the best they can, whether they stay at home full time, work full time, or do anything else in between. A good mom isn't determined by the amount of time you spend with your kids. You know why I know the way my kids like their burritos? It’s not because I make their meals almost everyday…it’s because I love them and I’m doing the best I can.

So, I choose not to ‘sensor’ the material I post in my blog. If you choose not to read it…that’s fine. If no one reads it…that’s fine, too. I still walk away with what I think is most important about this blog…a documentation of the experiences I have as a mom to three awesome kids. Those experiences aren’t always glamorous and I don’t tend sugar coat them. Our time together is filled with laughter, smiles, a bit of sarcasm, some potty talk, choice words about how to use manners and take turns, why school and reading are important, why the word ‘NO’ usually still means the same thing after I’ve said it 50 times, how tired I can be after a night of little sleep because of a stiff neck and/or kid(s) with ear infections, and most importantly, how much they’re loved by Daddy, myself and by an AWESOME God that blesses us with time together everyday, whether it be 24 minutes or 24 hours.

Like it or not…that’s the best I can do!