mommydayze

a checklist kind of sunday...

2011-11-06T23:47:00.002-05:00

On this day six, I am thankful for my church.

I love my Sunday School kids. I am blessed through each child and am thankful for those precious 45 minutes God allows me to minister to them each week. It really is a lot of time when you add it up. 45 minutes. 52 weeks. Three years. I am thankful for my class.

I am thankful that my girls can be lead by spiritual leaders in different ministries on Sundays and Wednesdays. God has placed some incredible workers in the lives of my children.

I am thankful for my pastor. He's exactly what our church needed nearly three years ago. He has provided growth and passion to our church family. His messages are always challenging and I can see the Lord working through him.

I am thankful for my pastor's wife. Her heart of compassion is a reminder of what I lack in my own life. She never turns away a listening ear. She is genuinely concerned with every person that walks through our church doors, even after they've gone home. I love her and the friendship we have only begun to cultivate.

I am thankful for my church family. Unity. That's what a theme was in a message today. I feel our little church embodies that word. Different opinions. Different walks of life. Different circumstances. Yet we all come together in unity. My church family is a constant source of encouragement and love.

Blessed. I am truly blessed . And I am thankful...

though i've said it before...

2011-11-05T22:54:00.003-04:00

This is day 5 and I feel oh-so-grateful. So, blog-reader beware. I may get mushy gushy...

I am thankful for family. I love Saturdays with my family. Now that soccer is over, Saturdays are wide open.

Today found us on a bike ride to Grandma's. Me and the hubby and our gaggle of girls biking through the trails on this gorgeous, crisp fall afternoon.

We then spent the next part of the day helping Mom clear up her lawn for the upcoming winter. With Dad gone, the lawn maintenance is quite a chore. We have realized all over again what a hard worker he truly was. So we cleared vines off the trellises and chipped up sticks and leaves. Mass amounts of leaves were raked up and Nora jumped into her first leaf pile. Cousins and an uncle joined us. The kids have pretend forts in Grandma's pine trees. They disappear for long periods of time and have a blast.

Then as we are about to leave in different directions, it happens. That sly grin on her face. "Mom, can so-and-so come over...?" (She doesn't actually say so-and-so, but the name is different each time.) The time spent together with cousins is never long enough. One ends up at our house or we swap kids for an afternoon or a sleepover or they head to another house together. But I love it. I love this family and those cousins!

I am so thankful for family. I am thankful God moved us here so that our kids (and me, too) can grow up near their cousins and uncles and grandparents and aunts. It's a blessing I've addressed before, but, like I warned, I'm feeling a little sentimental about it today...

faith CHRISTIAN academy...

2011-11-04T23:38:00.003-04:00

On day four, I am thankful for our school.

I am thankful for a church with a heart for Christian education. Through the many lean years, the Lord has blessed our little school. This is the same school my hubby and his brothers went through all those years ago. Now our own children have the blessing of attending a true Christian school. The teachers are all amazing Christian examples to our daughters. I can be confident that the school is an extension of the principles and truths we are teaching at home.

I am thankful for the friends and families we are able to fellowship with through the school.

I am thankful for the quality of education our girls receive each day as I drop them off say, "I love you. Have a good day," and wave as they enter a new school day. I pray for them and their teachers.

I know this blessing is not to be taken lightly. I am grateful for FCA...

that guy...

2011-11-03T15:26:00.002-04:00

On day three I am thankful for that guy.

He is quite the catch. He understands my humor and I get his. He is the detail- oriented yin to my whole-picture yang. He is an example of simple Godly consistency. He likes my cooking and my baking even more. God picked him out for me and I am forever grateful...

soccer mom...

2011-11-03T15:14:00.005-04:00

On day two I am thankful for healthy, active girls. This marks season 5 of soccer for our family. This year we had to become even more committed to the sport. Practice during the week and two games on Saturdays. Calla is old enough for the travelling teams now. Truck ourselves across the towns to a fairly frigid soccer field to sit and cheer on our favorite goalie or forward. Then quickly pack it all up to grab a bite of something to eat and head out to do it all again for daughter number two.

So I am thankful.

Thankful that my girls are strong and healthy enough to play soccer week in and week out. Thankful that our schedules are flexible enough that Mom and Dad could attend each weekend game - together. Thankful for the opportunity to socialize with our community and allow the girls to form friendships outside of the church. And thankful that we have a break for several months as the snow threatens to fall. My rear end gets quite cold in those camp chairs...

30 days of thankful me...

2011-11-03T15:08:00.004-04:00

November 1st is one my favorite days of the year! Halloween is finally over (I'm not a fan...). All the fun costumes and candy are on sale. And I begin to look toward Thanksgiving.

I love Thanksgiving.

So day one of thankfulness goes to a new season. Not the ghoulish Halloween-type fall, but the crisp-leaved, apple harvest sort of fall...

His grace is sufficient...

2011-10-01T01:21:00.002-04:00

I have always been one that mixes Scripture with songs when I am seeking comfort. A verse will almost always lead me to a song. One that has brought me comfort in the past. Lately, my song is from the distant past. Psalty the Songbook days. I only had one video, but I loved it! I was so proud of it that I asked my 3rd grade teacher in the public school if we could show it during rest time. She allowed it and I beamed with pride through every scene. Funny, though, no one else seemed to enjoy it. But the song...

I will cast all my cares upon You.

I lay all of my burdens,

Down at your feet.

And any time

I don't know

Just what to do.

I will cast all my cares upon You.

Here, 25 years later, God has reminded me to leave my burdens at His feet. It is so simple and yet it is a lesson that continues to press on my heart. I am re-learning it today and can go to bed with my burdens at His feet...

well, that's true...

2011-08-27T01:35:00.002-04:00

As I chatted with the neighbor about a fainting episode he had experienced yesterday, I encouraged him to call me any time if he ever needed me to come over to help him out. I closed the conversation and hopped into the driver's seat. Amelia, in her oh-so-genuine voice calls out from the backseat, "Mom, if Mr. Ron needs someone to be loud and crazy, he can call me any time, too."

schooldayze...

2011-08-27T01:19:00.004-04:00

The first day of school met me with mixed emotions.

I was so ready for school to start at least a month ago. Summer schedules are a blessing and yet a curse. Lazy mornings that gently flow into casual lunches and lots of playtime. But it's a fickle playmate, that summertime. One of those things you enjoy so often that you become almost, dare I say, bored with it.

"Only boring people get bored."

For this reason, I began to look forward to the schedule and challenges a school day brings.

But my Amelia was going to school this year. That, in itself, brought several emotions with it.

Excitement. A whole new world to experience.

Anxiety. Would she adjust well to a new environment of stresses?

Pure glee. I would be home for three full days a week with just my angel of a baby.

So, dad and I dropped them off for their first day. Treats in hand. Pictures taken. And then I said my goodbyes and good lucks. When I began to speak the words, "I'll be praying for you today," into Amelia's ear, I was a goner. I would be praying. And, more than I realized, I would be missing my girls...

the finale...

2011-06-10T22:19:00.004-04:00

Our main reason for the trip was the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique. Uncle Jim and Aunt Carole wanted to give this experience to the girls. It was amazing. The girls spent an hour being transformed into their favorite Disney princess. Calla chose Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) because "I look the most like her, so I won't need a wig." Amelia wanted Ariel for two weeks leading up to the trip. I was very surprised to hear her choose Belle instead. She was a lovely Belle. They loved the dress up and the shoes. Wands and tiaras. And the pixie dust was everywhere!

Magic Kingdom really does live up to it's name. You feel magical in every part of it.

The teacups.

Dumbo's flying elephants.

Cinderella's Golden Carousel.

The girls' bucket list was completed first. Up next was EVERYTHING else.

It's a Small World. It's still as mesmerizing as I remember it being 20 years ago. Ooh. Ahh. Where are we now? London. Spain. Paris. This was one of Calla's favorites that she passed on to others when asked, "So, what was your favorite part of Disneyworld?"

Amelia lost her lanyard full of trading pins somewhere between Dumbo and It's a Small World. I went to the nearest lost and found store in complete distress. As I relayed my story to the worker, he must have seen my emotion over the situation. I prayed that somehow someone had found the lanyard and was honest and and turned it in. Please. It's a lot of money wasted. I don't want to put a damper on the day. He came back into sight with a look of defeat. I immediately started to feel the tears well up. He told me they did not have it, BUT - Disney would like to offer me a new lanyard and 8, EIGHT, pins as a replacement. My gratitude was obvious. I thanked him none-the-less and he replied, "Have a magical day!" Thanks, I think I will...

Stitch Adventure - Not a favorite amongst the smaller set. Well, amongst the 8-year-old set. It was worse than the airplane ride. Imagine with me, a circular room with seats and large harnesses that fit tightly over your shoulders. The creepy voice of Stitch teasing that you can't capture him. The lights go out for a debilitating 120 seconds as sounds and other surprises come from speakers and holes within the harness. Stitch is right behind you giggling that evil chuckle. He's running back and forth. He spits at you. He scratches at your neck. Calla was begging the people to let her out. Her screams were awful. She was mortified. I couldn't do a thing. We were all trapped. That was not the greatest memory.

Monsters, Inc. Laugh Factory - the perfect way to calm Calla's fears. Nothing else would be scary. Promise.

Peter Pan ride - pure magic.

We went to find some princesses to autograph our books. We had to wait in line. For a very long time. Cinderella even "lost her slipper" and left for a good 25 minutes during our wait. Do we wait? Do we go watch the parade? Calla's response made our decision. "We have parades at home, but the princesses are only here." We stayed and met Ariel, Belle, and Cinderella. It was truly enchanting.

We made it in time for the parade and even found Jim and Carole in the massive crowd. The kind people around us made sure the girls had a front row seat. The sweet lady next to me said, "After all, we're supposed to be here for the kids." The parade was an exciting end to our trip.

The only thing left was to see the fireworks. But more importantly, the girls were tipped off that Tinkerbell made a descent from the castle during the fireworks. That's all they wanted to see from that point on. Cranky, tired kids. Fussing about not being able to see. Maybe we should just leave before this gets ugly. And then...there she was. Tink took her flight down. It was worth the wait. We watched the end of the fireworks from the monorail as we went back to the hotel.

So that was Disneyworld for us. So much packed into 3 days. We loved it and are so grateful for the gift. Thank you Uncle Jim and Aunt Carole.

part duex...

2011-06-10T21:59:00.002-04:00

...for those not bored, or on their second visit to the blog...

The girls swam in the amazing pool until their toes were pruned. If we'd have let them, they'd have stayed at the pool all weekend and completely forgone Disney all together.

Bright and early Saturday morning, we took the bus to Magic Kingdom to meet Ms. Mary. She was the amazing lady that gave us blessings and Disney insights galore. After a trip on the ferry and our first view of Cinderella's castle, we had a change of plans. Back onto the ferry, girls, we're off to Hollywood Studios.

Beauty and the Beast - awesome. This is what it's all about. I smiled like a child through the whole thing. I took tons of flip video, even though I knew we already have it on video. It was just too cool.

The Little Mermaid in 4D. Awesome times 2. Ariel is my favorite. I have every line memorized. I had to hold back from singing during the production. "Look at this stuff. Isn't it neat? Wouldn't you think my collection's complete..." Bubbles from the ceiling. Dancing day-glow swimming fish puppeteers under the blacklights. Really a highlight, at least for me!

Honey, I shrunk the Kids playground - nail biter for this mom. Aunt Carole solidified that my fears were justified. Large plastic maze structures that have small kid-sized openings and exits. No way of knowing if that is your child or someone else's that is screaming in complete terror in the dead center of said maze. A large exhale of relief when your child's head emerges from the hole. Hot, red, and sweaty, but with a huge smile.

We spent more time at the hotel pool as a break from the heat. Dinner and then back to the park for the laser light show. It was INCREDIBLE. So worth the walk and the wait. A perfect way to end our first night in Disneyworld.

Sunday morning. Mother's Day. The moms were treated to an IHOP breakfast. Then off to the park. Magic Kingdom gave us each a red carnation. I overheard one mom's reply to Happy Mother's Day, "I wouldn't want to be any where else today." Agreed.

ahh, disney...

2011-06-10T21:38:00.003-04:00

...only a month removed...

Our trip was sensational. Memories galore. So many, in fact, that it is a shame I have taken this long to jot them down. Memories seem to fade rather quickly. Even the ones you are certain will remain ingrained for-ev-er.

So here is our trip in a concise, enthusiastic paragraph worthy of a loyal blog reader's five minute visit...

Instead of sleeping the night before the big trip, I decided to lie awake and think of all the things I could possibly forget. I was able to sleep a few hours before we were up and off to our 6:30a.m. flight. We arrived at an impressive 6:00a.m. We were the naughty trio scampering through the end of security because our flight was paging us over the intercom...We all giggle our way to our seats. At the back of the plane. Past some not-so-very-enthused passengers who were waiting for this party of three.

As we sat down, Calla-girl's nerves set in. She was cold and shaking. Her eyes showed her terror of the unknown. She was a wreck. She hated, and I quote, "the pressure I feel on my stomach." This anxiety would follow us to all four flights. That was one of the only downsides, I mean, really. We're going to Disneyworld.

One last flight story. Amelia decided to spill her juice, completely full, down the back of the tray table. I give kuddos to her for completely avoiding any mess on herself. I do not give kuddos to to the flight attendant who gave us ONE napkin to try to start cleaning things up. I am pretty sure the flight attendant is related to my local Subway cashier. She only gives me two napkins, even when I have all three kids with me.

Uncle Jim is waiting with open arms as we depart the terminal. His hugs are a little piece of my dad here on earth. LOVE them!

We find our way to our rental car - that was parked and beeping at us on a different level than the one we were wheeling our suitcases around on.

Great Grandpa and Great Grandma Barb met us in Downtown Disney for some supper and ice cream. Ahh, the magic is already flowing.

a mystery if sorts...

2011-05-26T17:20:00.003-04:00

*names have been changed to protect the embarrassed*

As Alice* returned to her hotel room Saturday evening, she prepared for bed. After settling her daughters into their beds, she washed her face and took out her contacts. It had been a fabulous day at Hollywood Studios, Disney. She was tired and tomorrow was an early morning Mother's Day breakfast. As she reached for her glasses case, she found it empty. They must still be on the nightstand from last night.

Thus began the search for the missing frames. She rambled through her routine from the last night.

"I would have either put them on the nightstand or the sink and they are no where to be found. Maybe the they fell into the towels pile and were taken out with the laundry. Maybe they fell into the garbage and are long gone. Maybe the housekeeper thought they were cool and were a perfect match to her own prescription and now she is sporting my glasses through downtown Orlando..."

Alicia, I mean Alice, enlisted the help of her superhero aunt and uncle. Beds were ripped apart. A flashlight shone light into the dark recesses of the room. (fyi - don't shine a flashlight into the dark recesses of a hotel room unless absolutely necessary...) Every inch of the room was checked and rechecked.

Now it was time to check with the front desk. Maybe the laundry room had found the spectacles and turned them in to lost and found. Nope.

Alice was now resigned to think she would just have to replace her glasses when she returned home from her trip. Chalk them up to a loss, whatever the scenario.

Fast forward to the day Alice is unpacking her bags in her bedroom. She gathers up all of the tickets and brochures and other various memories into a pile and places them on her dresser. Right next to her glasses that never made it into her luggage to begin with...

Disneyworld...

2011-05-03T17:19:00.002-04:00

We're going to Disneyworld!

My gracious aunt and uncle are taking Calla and Amelia to Disneyworld this weekend. I get to go along for the ride!

We are flying out very early Friday morning. This will be Amelia's first airplane ride and Calla's first that she remembers.

We are staying at an amazing hotel.

We'll take our tour through Magic Kingdom for two days.

There are surprises packed throughout the trip. The girls will be overwhelmed with excitement. I will overwhelmed with excitement. We will try to fill up our memories with as much Disney goodness that we can hold.

The blessings have already begun to overflow. I am thankful. I am excited. I am blessed...

simply confusing...

2011-05-03T16:58:00.002-04:00

My little girl has been thinking this afternoon. As we began our trek to pick up the big sister from school, the question was formed.

"Mom, how could Jesus die if He was God?"

My age appropriate answer went something like this...

"You know how when we put water in the freezer it turns into ice? It's still water but now it's frozen water, ice."

Her answer was a simple, "No."

"I know, babe, it is confusing. God will help us understand it someday."

As she sat and pondered for a few seconds, her eyes showed the confusion. I was waiting for her next response. It came, but it wasn't what I was expecting...

"Yea, what's confusing is how ice can become crushed ice..."

The thought process of a five-year-old...

a sewing frenzy...

2011-04-20T16:31:00.003-04:00

I have had the bug to sew lately. I think it's because "sewing weekend" is coming up. I always start feeling the urge to sew when I know I'll be visiting Nancy's Notions. The mecca of fabric and all things sewing.

So. On my list of projects...

1. a pillowcase for Calla-girl's (eventually) new room.

2. summer dresses for an upcoming trip.

3. a shoulder bag for same said trip.

4. a thank you gift for the providers of said trip.

Part of Calla's birthday present from me was a box of fabric pieces with the agreement that she and I would sew together. She is forever asking me to sew with her.

I know that the right response would be,

"Absolutely, lovely daughter-of-mine. Let's sit together and sew and bond as mother and daughter over a wonderful hobby to learn."

But, alas, I am not June Cleaver. Or Martha Stewart for that matter.

My response is usually an internal,

"If I have to sit to teach you how to sew, it may drive me bonkers. I am a perfectionist when it comes to crafts. You, my darling 8-year-old, are naturally not going to do it perfectly. This will cause great frustration in your sewing instructor, providing several teachable moments and a great dose of patience."

This internal response is usually verbalized with a simple, "Probably not right now."

But when I give the gift of a sewing lesson, I can't use excuses too long. We finished our pillowcase project in just two lessons. It's not perfect, but she loves it!

I have the thank you gift cut out and ready to sew.

I have the fabric for the dresses in the wash.

I have several bag patterns coming to me tonight to sort through.

I love to sew. The possibilities are endless...

all in 8 minutes...

2011-04-04T11:34:00.003-04:00

Sometimes the van rides to and from school spark the most entertaining and memorable conversations. When four people are sequestered to a small space, daily, for any length of time, chatter ensues.

This morning was no exception. Family was the topic of choice.

"Since we have a Mother/Daughter Banquet, I wish we could have a Father/Daughter Banquet." Calla begins. "But, you couldn't go if they had a Mother/Son Banquet, right, Mom? Maybe you could have a Sister/Brother Banquet and ask Uncle Bo to go."

"Mom, do you have a brother?" Amelia asks.

"Yes. Uncle Bo is my brother."

"Are you older or younger than Uncle Bo?"

"I am the oldest."

"No, Amma is the oldest!" Amelia reminds me.

Yes, Amelia, the mom is always older than her children...

arrr...

2011-03-22T23:01:00.003-04:00

Avast me harties!

We are working on an 8 year old birthday celebration.

Patch the Pirate is the chosen theme and we are having so much fun planning for the festivities.

Invites go out this week. That means Amma is coming soon! I am not sure which part is the most exciting. The Sissy Seagull cookies. The make-your-own treasure maps. Or the Amma in the house. I'm gonna go with the Amma...

undeserving...

2011-03-17T20:16:00.005-04:00

Do you ever think of the Scripture that reminds us of the windows of blessings?

"Bring ye all the tithes into the store house,

that there may be meat in mine house,

and prove me now herewith,

saith the LORD of hosts,

if I will not open you the windows of heaven,

and pour you out a blessing,

that there shall not be

room enough to receive it."

Malachi 3:10

It is one of my favorite things to talk to my 7 and 8 year olds in Sunday School. With full hand motions, we show the closed windows and then we OPEN them to let all of the blessings flow down onto our lives. God has blessings awaiting us. So many "there shall not be room enough..." He continues to love us, even in our sin. But when we are walking in His light, He showers us with more than we could ever imagine.

God is doing this for our family right now.

“But my God shall supply all your need

according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:19

And sometimes, even oftentimes, He gives us wants, too. That's just how much He loves us...

spring cleaning...

2011-03-15T18:28:00.003-04:00

I have spent the last two weeks feeling cooped up in a cluttered house. This time of the year can feel very defeating. So I have taken some initiative and begun to reorganize. Deep clean.

My list began with a spurt of ambition in the hall closet. It is so fabulous to purge half of the junk in there and be able to - wait for it - step into the closet.

Then I tackled the bathroom, including reorganizing under the sink and dusting above the medicine chest.

Today was the girls' bedrooms. I even went so far as to dig into the recesses of the toy chest and make sure all toys had their pieces.

My next notion is to paint. (fully inspired by Honour and her fabulously renovated rooms!)

All this is done while we wait for the snow to melt and for the temperatures to rise to a high enough degree to take a walk longer than a block before our fingers freeze...

blessings...

2011-03-10T14:21:00.002-05:00

So, I have decided that my contentment is a choice.

Do I desire to feel blessed or wallow in self-pity?

There will always be things I don't have.

I choose to stare at the beauties and blessings

I have been given.

Content.

day twenty...

2011-02-20T17:39:00.004-05:00

Today, my dad would have turned 54. I still celebrate his birthday in my heart every year.

My dad loved to laugh.

He was always trying to crack a joke to lighten the mood or make someone smile. He was the life of the party.

My dad loved to cook.

He would try new things in the kitchen. He loved to make big breakfasts. I still miss his homemade salsa.

My dad loved to try new things.

He was never satisfied with a single hobby. His interests were varied and he wasn't afraid to test a new adventure.

My dad loved his family.

He loved his granddaughter. And would have loved each one that he has been blessed with since. He was surrounded by family that he loved and that loved him.

And I love my dad. I miss him every day...

day nineteen...

2011-02-20T17:25:00.004-05:00

Love is a momma painting her daughter's nails. Not because I want to, but because she wants me to.

There are always requests from the children

and stipulations from the mother.

I want 5 colors - one color for each nail. ~ No, all your nails have to be one color.

Can I do just these two? ~ Nope, just one.

Ok, I pick green. ~ Umm, how about picking a red or pink.

I think this one. ~ Good choice.

Well, can you at least do polka dots? ~ No, I'm not doing designs today.

Just one heart on my nail. ~ Sure. We'll do a heart on each hand.

*Two hours of playing and one bath time later - four nails are already half painted, but the green heart remains in tact*

day eighteen...

2011-02-20T17:13:00.003-05:00

Family night.

All together.

Re-heats for dinner.

Free ice cream tokens at DQ.

A movie.

A family is love.

a reminder...

2011-02-18T10:21:00.002-05:00

I listened to the radio during my morning commute, and tears ran down my face. A song that brought me comfort during a trying time was blaring through the speakers.

I was reminded...

God is faithful.

Then the announcer came on to give an analogy. "...One blood donor can save up to three lives with a single pint of blood...but a single drop of the blood of Christ can save a world..."

I was reminded...

God is love.

day seventeen...

2011-02-18T10:15:00.004-05:00

* and now my blog and it's days of love are

just as jumbled up as my brain*

My Calla-girl made me a bracelet today.

I love that girl and her love of all things craft.

She was so proud when she watched me

wrap it around my wrist...

day fifteen...

2011-02-17T20:01:00.003-05:00

*oops! I skipped a day*

So, day fifteen is about something I love. It does not express any love toward me or anyone else. But I love it all the same. Twisted Peppermint from Bath&Body is addictive. I love the lotions. And the antibacterial. And the shower gel. (yes, I bought them all!) But most of all, I love the candle. It is amazing! So amazing that I am almost saddened now that I have to throw my last jar away. There's always next year to stock up...

day sixteen...

2011-02-16T13:52:00.004-05:00

Spring is coming! I love spring. We had a teaser of a day in the middle of February. One of those days when you want to purge all of the winter clothes out of the kids' drawers. So we went for a walk to the grocery store. Amelia and Nora splashed in the puddles. Spring is coming. It will just take a month or so of cold weather before it truly gets here...

day fourteen...

2011-02-16T13:32:00.003-05:00

A special breakfast...

An unprompted Valentine from my girlie...

My new locket from my favorite Valentine. Love all around...

But what seems to be an easy picture of love for today was the act I hadn't even planned on. As I drove Calla-girl to school this morning, my van died in the parking lot. My ever-faithful father-in-law came to my rescue. This was the first time he had driven since his chemo treatments started. All to bail me out. The love shown to me by this man was overwhelming. My in-laws are the most selfless people. They are always willing to give of their time and their efforts.

True love...

day thirteen...

2011-02-16T13:26:00.003-05:00

*what? no picture? that's right, I have officially failed...*

We had a Chinese feast prepared by the men in the church. I am not a fan of Chinese food. I have eaten Chinese food twice in my life. We, as a family, were fearful of the fare we would be given. It was...well, not so bad. I had the plainest of the plain. Fried rice and chicken without the sauce. Here's to sucking it up and just eating something out of my comfort zone. Culver's was a very tempting option.

The love for today was in the after church visit to my brother-in-law's house. Our family is among our closest friends. We can sit comfortably and chat and relax while our kids run rampant through the halls. Now, that's love...

day twelve...

2011-02-14T11:32:00.003-05:00

For a contest at my hubby's work, we had to write 10 positive things about our teammates. I received this list on Friday. I am assuming numbers 2 and 3 are not about me. Probably not number 9 either. This list will be a treasure to me. I may have him write it down in his own hand, so I can keep it...

revealed...

2011-02-12T20:07:00.002-05:00

The outfit I was making for the girls was the Jessie doll outfit from Toy Story. I think it turned out adorable! And Amelia loves it! Success...

day eleven...

2011-02-12T19:36:00.004-05:00

I love that our kids are able to grow up around cousins. I love that Grandma and Grandpa are our favorite babysitters. Lots of love was shown for our five year olds at their Winter Wonderland birthday party. We're excited to see what year number five will bring for these three...

day ten...

2011-02-11T14:37:00.003-05:00

I LOVE my Amelia Dawn.

My crazy girl is five years old.

We watched old video of her when she was itty bitty. It hardly seems possible that so much time has passed.

Mind you, there have been bumps in the path of life with our Amelia Bedelia. God knew what a truth would come from naming her Amelia.

She is always keeping me on my toes, and forever rewarding me with her incredible personality.

She's an original.

Like no other.

She's my Amelia...

thankfully...

2011-02-11T11:52:00.001-05:00

Praise the Lord for this little truth!

sneaky sheik...

2011-02-09T15:56:00.004-05:00

*confession: I had to google "sheik" to make sure of the spelling*

Amelia has been playing hide-and-seek. A fun game. But she's playing it with fairly important items and she's playing herself against the adults.

Scenario #1...The phone.

Cory needs to make a phone call. He picks up the phone and it tells him the line is in use. How is this possible when the kids and the wife are already heading outside to the van? All the usual places are checked -the couch, the counter top, the floor- to no avail. Super-sleuths that we are, we decide one of the kids must have used it last and forgot to turn it off. Amelia fesses up. She was playing. It's in her room - ON - for over 2 hours and 12 minutes.

Scenario #2...The sock.

We need to pack up to leave Grandpa and Grandma's house. As I go to put Nora's socks and shoes on, it is discovered that we are only in the possession of one sock. A mad high and low search commences. Grandma's house is immaculate, well, save the mess my girls have created during their visit. It shouldn't be too hard to find the missing orange sock. That is, unless someone has hidden it. So Nora went home with a bare foot in her shoe and Amelia sat on her secret for 24 hours. We did not find out until the next day that Amelia had taken the sock and hidden it - twice. She moved it from it's first hiding place halfway through our scavenger hunt, because she feared it would be discovered.

Hide and seek is a fun game...when everyone knows they are playing it...

day niner...

2011-02-09T15:43:00.005-05:00

A sneak peek

at the preparations for the upcoming birthday festivities

for my favorite soon-to-be 5 year olds...

This is part of the gifts I am making for the girlies.

Can you guess what it might be?

...and the cake beginnings. The cake is always a labor of love...

day 8...

2011-02-08T11:56:00.002-05:00

Amelia received her first birthday card in the mail. It was from Great Grandpa and Great Grandma Barb. They are so faithful with their cards. Always the first to arrive for the big day!

day seven...

2011-02-08T09:23:00.002-05:00

Amelia came to tell me a story she had written. Something about a school of fish being chased by a shark with 12 teeth. She kept glancing at the back of her pictures. I realized she was mimicking her Sunday School teacher telling the Bible story off of ABeka flash-a-cards. My suspicions were solidified when i turned the papers over and saw her "writing" on the back.

She loves her Sunday School class and her teacher, Aunt Amie. She can often reiterate the story they learned that day, which is a small feat for a 4 year old. Apparently, flash-a-cards is the ultimate way to tell a story, even when it comes to fish and sharks...

day six...

2011-02-07T10:22:00.002-05:00

Our contribution to the family Super Bowl gathering...

I am not a football fan. Actually, I am not a sports fan in general. My brother inherited ALL of the sports fan genes from Dad. I love the atmosphere at an actual sporting event. I'll cheer for whomever you want me to. Well, I probably won't cheer, but I'll clap and get involved in all the local chants and cheers...

But when you marry a cheesehead, and you move to dairyland, and you have little cheesehead offspring, you are required to have some sort of anticipation about the Green Bay Packers playing in the Superbowl. So I made green and gold cupcakes with the girls. Voila!

Calla scrounged up some green and gold shirts and layered them. Nora wore the only Packer paraphernalia we own. (because there are loyal fans and then there are loyal fans willing to pay $60 for a jersey...we are the former.)

Gather the entire family at the in-laws. Pause for an hour-long church service, thankfully over halftime. *"I think you are the only church in the nation that isn't having an afternoon service..."* Reconvene. Eat cupcakes. Pop some popcorn. Cheer the Pack on to victory. Day six...

day five...

2011-02-05T23:02:00.004-05:00

Wet, rosy cheeks are a sign of a fabulous time outside

making snow forts and shoveling and digging snow tunnels...

day four on day five...

2011-02-05T15:22:00.008-05:00

Our teen group was over last night for an activity.

We call them "Finally Friday."

They have been quite sporadic, but we always enjoy ourselves.

Pizza and video games.

As for the love in this photo...

I love our teens.

I love having our teens over to our house.

I love that my girls love being with the teens.

I love that we have teens that enjoy being around my kids.

I love having a "Finally Friday" to end a week. It puts the weekend off to such a great start...

day three...

2011-02-03T21:45:00.004-05:00

For the last week, Amelia has wanted to sleep on the top bunk with Calla. After the day is done. After all the bickering. After all of the get-out-of-my space. They want to lay side by side at night.

It reminds me of sleeping in the same bed as my sister. We shared a room and a queen bed until the day I left to get married. I loved sharing a room with my sister. We were two very different people, just like my girls are. But at the end of the day, we wanted to be together. We would giggle and chatter and sing into the night. And now, unbeknown to them, I get to watch my girls reenact my own memories...

always fulfilled...

2011-02-02T22:21:00.004-05:00

Ever notice that the times when you think, just for a moment, I would really rather not go to church, are the times when you need to go to church the most. That was me tonight. After a very, oh, let's called it a burden-filled day, I wanted to send my brood off to church so I could revel in the quiet-ness of my house for an hour. But as soon as I think about staying home, thankfully, the Holy Spirit prods me to do the opposite. That still small voice tells me to go and be blessed. And I did.

Psalm 55:22

"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."

All those little things that I had allowed to rattle me today...

Constant sibling bickering.

Nora's newest version of a tantrum - throwing herself to the ground and letting out one loud wail.

Amelia's insistence on screaming her woes at the top of her lungs. "NORA, NOOOOOO. LET GO OF IT. NORA. NORA. NOOO"

Nora's fascination with all things tiny or messy or dangerous.

They are all my mini-burdens. Burdens I was trying to carry myself. And failing miserably at it, might I add. By the time my hubby came home from work, I was ready to run away screaming, or take Nora's lead and throw myself to the ground...

But God was just waiting. Waiting for me to ask for help. Waiting for me to see that there was more to my day than just those burdens. Waiting to show me His love and His blessings instead of my mini-burdens.

So, tonight I am thankful for my pastor. I am thankful for a heart that is still prompted by the Holy Spirit. I am thankful for a new day to cast at His feet...

day two...

2011-02-02T18:00:00.003-05:00

This picture envelops so much thankfulness.

I love a warm house on a super snowy day.

I love a neighbor willing to snow blow our walks for us

so I don't have to take Nora out in the wind and cold.

I love a snow day from school when the call comes the night before! The thought of sleeping in is so wonderful.

I love staying in our pajamas until lunch. Crafts. Sewing projects.

Overall relaxing events throughout the day.

I love living in a town that didn't get the crazy blizzard snow that was forecasted. Our streets are plowed and we are ready to venture out for church later this evening.

day one...

2011-02-01T17:49:00.003-05:00

It makes me feel loved.

A string of hand-painted hearts from my girls.

Each one is unique, just like my Calla and Amelia.

Just like each day I have with my girls...

the love month...

2011-02-01T17:33:00.003-05:00

A friend's blog has challenged me to find an image of love every day this month. So, for the month of February, I will post a picture every day. I will attempt to find a love of mine, or something that makes me feel loved, in every day. Just 28 days...28 pictures of love in my life...it should be easy, but will it?

well, that's motivation...

2011-01-26T14:27:00.002-05:00

Today started fabulously. I woke up headache-free. Wow. I'd forgotten how amazing that can feel.

I drove Calla to school today for the first time in a week. It was awesome to get back to the daily grind that is our life.

I talked to my dear friend for 30 minutes. She lives 3 blocks away and we haven't talked for well over a week because of the sickness that has overtaken our lives. I remembered there is life outside these four walls. And I thoroughly enjoy that life.

I motivated myself to shower and get the kids together for a mall playland excursion. It was only a half an hour or so, but we got out of the house. Fun was had. Nora had a blast on the super duper slide. And then...

I would like to thank the lady at the mall playland for totally ruining my good day momentum.

Said lady, "So how old is your little girl?"

"She's 15 months tomorrow."

Her reply, "Wow, she's really big."

"I know, she's a beast."

And then, it happened. Some people can't leave well enough alone. Some people have to keep up a conversation and take it one step too far. In this case, one giant, heart-wrenching leap too far.

She questions, "So when is your next one due?" as she looks at my belly...

"Um, I'm not pregnant."

I falsely smirk. I gather up the girls and I head home.

So, I take what little pride I have left, and I do my workout. EASports, please work out this flab. May this be the last time I am mistaken for a pregnant woman unless I am truly blessed enough to carry another baby...

So, thank you, horribly mistaken lady at the mall playland. I will take this unfortunate encounter and use it as well-needed motivation. Next time, if there is a next time, I may be forced to simply scratch your eyes out...

a bingo tumbler...

2011-01-25T16:35:00.003-05:00

My mind has been a whirl of emotions and thoughts today.

Highs and lows.

A thought of sadness is aided by a joyful announcement.

A thought of self-pity is combated by an overwhelming sense of blessings.

Maybe it is this incessant headache that is on day 5.

Maybe it is the grey skies outside.

Maybe it is the fact that I have not left this dwelling more than two hours in the last week.

I am drained physically, which, in turn, drains me emotionally.

I need to turn this thing around...wait. Scratch that. Lord, could YOU please turn this thing around...

Dr. Mom...

2011-01-24T16:35:00.003-05:00

Maybe I should turn off my pager. Dr. Mom was paged once again early last evening. Amelia has spiked a fever. She is miserable. Complaining of dizziness and headaches. The most bizarre symptom is her lack of strength. She won't use her legs. She army crawls if she insists on getting anywhere. (which has only been twice today) I found her at the side of my bed last night in a heap. She was complaining of a stomach ache. When I motioned her toward the bathroom, she whined that she couldn't stand up. She made a pathetic attempt to drag her legs toward the bathroom. I scooped her up and helped her. Otherwise she just lays around and sleeps. She'll make it through today on lots of rest and fluids. Hopefully, she is our last patient for a while. This doctor needs a leave of absence. I don't even care if I have to change professions. Let's see, maybe a head chef or master baker is next on my list...

game? what game?

2011-01-23T16:50:00.002-05:00

As my Packer fan hubby scurries off to his brother's house to watch the game, I bid him farewell. I will sit in solitude and quiet whilst the wee one naps. I will watch a BBC drama that suits my tastes for 3+ hours. I will slowly rearrange myself to make my headache a little more bearable. But watch the football game. Nah. I'll just ask how it went after everyone gets home...

welcome to the infirmary...

2011-01-22T16:05:00.002-05:00

Paging Dr. Mom. Paging Dr. Mom. Please respond to the patient being picked up from school on Wednesady.

The diagnosis.

Sore throat. Fever. Cough.

The prescription.

Plenty of rest. Tylenol. Lots of water.

Paging Dr. Mom. Paging Dr. Mom. Please respond to the patient in her highchair giving fits about eating her lunch.

The diagnosis.

103.9 temp...Yikes!

The prescription.

Tylenol. A lukewarm bath. Loose cotton jammies. A nap.

Paging Dr. Mom. Paging Dr. Mom.

Has anyone seen the doctor? I think she is buried beneath the mountain of used kleenex. Yep, I hear her sneezing...

17 days into the new year...

2011-01-17T11:50:00.002-05:00

I always have such lofty ideas of what a new year can bring. It seems wide open for possibilities. The hustle and bustle of the holiday months have finally passed and January seems awesomely... still. Open schedules. Time that is not already claimed for this or that. So I start concocting all of these grandiose plans of how we can begin this new chapter in our lives. And then I realize, 17 days later, that I just wanted to rest. Needed to rest. Why fill up our days right away. January is for lazy winter days filled with netflix movies and reorganizing neglected spaces and mountains of laundry from all of the layers we are wearing these days. So now as I awaken from my January hibernation, I have a few plans in the works. Amelia's Winter Wonderland birthday is right around the corner. Ladies Meeting plans must be laid for April. Another birthday party sneaks up on me the first week of April. And...And...there is a big surprise trip in the makings for spring. I am also contemplating taking over the Secret Pal program at the church. That means a reveal to plan for March. January nap time is over! Time to kick it into gear...

a favorite christmas tradition...

2010-12-31T01:08:00.006-05:00

I have so many favorites, but that's my sentimentality coming into play. Here are a few examples of how this momma goes cuckoo-crazy on the Christmas traditions...

I love to pick out our LIVE tree from the same local tree farmer here in town. My favorite trees are tall and round with short needles. The girls each have their idea of a good tree. So, now that they're older, I have to bite my tongue when allowing them to pick the tree. I do give hints and oohs and ahhs are appropriately doled out to the trees of my choosing during the picking process...I can't help it. How can one be completely silent when choosing

THE tree?

The "my how these girls have grown this year" Christmas card picture. This year's was done on an extremely chilly blustery day. Sorry girls, no coats, or hats, or mitts. Momma needs to see those cutesy gingerbread shirts she slaved over to get finished in time for Christmas card pictures. Nobody was frost-bitten and I did leave the van running for good measure...

On Christmas Eve, right before bed, the girls open one gift. It is always a new set of pajamas. Even though they know it's coming, they still love the surprise of what the jammies will look like. Obviously, Calla was a tad excited!

The girls wake up to their stockings on their bedposts. They open them right as they wake up for the morning, bedhead and all...

The Christmas story first. Before any presents are unwrapped from under the tree, we read Luke 2. This year Calla read for us.

And perhaps my favorite tradition is one that was not even set up by me. But as you can see, I am a sucker for tradition. My father-in-law loves listening to his grandkids sing. Several years ago, he started asking each grandchild what Christmas song they would like to sing. All of the adults join in and we sing one song for each grandchild. I love to see what each one will choose. Amelia chose "Jingle Bells" this year. She's my budding theologian. Calla chose "We Three Kings." I was surprised to see most of the kids knew the words. I wondered if I even knew all of the words to the first verse.

So, I love Christmas and all of it's traditions. I even left out a few. A new ornament for each child each year. Hot breakfast after all the gifts are opened. I think I've stopped introducing new traditions - for now. I so enjoy Christmas...

"a peanut butter christmas"

2010-12-30T16:00:00.002-05:00

Because our service was cancelled for the week of our adult cantata, we put it on the following week instead. We were without our 12 college extension students, but I felt it was completed very well. It seemed we were all in the right key anyway...Best of all, the message of the gospel was clearly presented and people were blessed. So, the "Merry Christma" ties are put away and stored until next year's cantata. ( yes, it is spelled incorrectly...that' s how we got the ties at such a clearance price...)

For several years we have had a simple children's Christmas program at our church. The kiddos sing a few songs and we are done. Last year, after not being able to have a Christmas program at all, we had two wonderful ladies volunteer to take on the program for 2010. The effort was extremely evident. The songs and readings were practiced for months so that even our 3 Veldman 4-year olds knew the songs by heart.

The reader's theater was "A Peanut Butter Christmas." Calla had a part and did a tremendous job. She had to be a little sassy and had no problem stretching her acting skills in that direction. :) It was a busy couple weeks preparing for the two programs, but the outcome was tremendous. We will probably have enough energy to start it all over again 9 months from now...

christmas is the time...

2010-12-30T15:32:00.004-05:00

friday, huh?

2010-12-17T22:28:00.002-05:00

So this week has come to an end.

Calla is out of school for two full weeks. Woop! We love having our Calla-girl home.

The preparations for our children's program are finalized. Well, the church responsibilities are done. Our practice and Sunday School party are finished. This lazy mom still has some sewing and twirling and tulle-ing to do so that my little ladies are dressed to the nines by program time.

Our adult cantata was cancelled last week due to crazy snowstorms. We will attempt to put it on this Sunday instead. After I teach Sunday School. Without a dozen college extension students who have now made their way home for Christmas break. Without a practice in over a week. But God is sovereign and will be glorified if we are performing for the right reasons.

I have finally taken care of a long-standing issue with my knee. After 5 doctor appointments in a week and a half, I am scheduled for surgery on Wednesday of next week to have a ganglion cyst removed. I will gingerly walk to each Christmas activity and spend a bit more time on the couch next weekend.

So, this weekend will bring just as much activity and responsibility as the past few weeks have held. But I will take time in the busy-ness to "Be still, and know I am God." After all, that is what we're busy for...

a word fitly spoken...or not...

2010-12-16T18:26:00.002-05:00

So, I often have things that I think about saying and quickly realize that it might not be the right company to express my thoughts to. Case in point...

As I treacherously tiptoed across a labyrinth like parking lot that was so mucky and slushy that the once-gleaming-white-but-now-nasty-brown snow seeped through my leather shoes and soaked my toes, I thought, "Slushy parking lots are depressing and totally squelch the Christmas spirit."

Luckily, I thought that this sentiment was better suited for a friend-to-friend conversation rather than the clerk who was possibly responsible for making sure the parking lot was cleared. No need to squelch two people's Christmas spirits...

oh baby, it's coooold outside...

2010-12-15T09:21:00.002-05:00

Our computer weather reader tells me it's -13 degrees outside. Our van thermometer read a balmy -4 degrees.

I had bundled up kiddos with warm fleece blankets wrapped around their legs trekking through the snow and ice -packed streets while our van chug, chug, chugged to try and warm up.

I have to admit that these bitter cold days have a tendency to make me very discontent.

Oh for a garage to warm up our car.

Oh, for a van that didn't creek and groan in the cold.

Oh, for a van that didn't have trouble switching gears once the weather turns under 45 degrees.

Oh, for tires that weren't so bald that I feel like I am ice skating rather than driving.

But I can only be discontent so long. I have a hard time feeling sorry for myself. How could I possibly be discontent when I have been given such a life! I am so blessed.

I have a van.

It gets warm in the 5 minute ride to school.

My kids all have numerous coats and hats and gloves to choose from.

If our clothes aren't warm enough, we have closets full of other choices.

We have a warm house to exit to our awaiting warming chariot - just a 15 step jaunt in this amazingly cold weather.

No walking to school for us.

No bus waiting to take my kids to school. I get to be home and be their driver.

We can afford to replace our bald tires.

And 10 minutes later, we can come home. 10 minutes.

So, I'll take a lesson. Satan would love to steal my joy today. But God would love to reveal to me a gigantic list of blessings...

busy little bees...

2010-12-10T23:43:00.002-05:00

Where does a week of time go?

It is so easy to fret away a few days. Sewing. Errands hither and yon. Fundraisers. Kids. ER trip. The flu. A child with the flu. More sewing. More errands.

Yep. That about sums up my last few days. And I'm tired. But the house is quiet and I may do some sewing, interrupted only by Mr. Bocelli's melodious voice...

2010-12-03T10:47:00.003-05:00

Let's go pick out our tree!

Running through the rows.

Calla and Daddy measuring to see if the tree will fit in our corner.

My girls with their pick of the year.

Oh, the sacrifices we mommas make when allowing our children to do the tree picking!

My tree prerequisites...

tall - check

full - no check

round - no check

long-ish needles - no check

Amelia's pride and smile knowing she got to pick her tree - o.k., that deserves a big check mark!

The stockings are hung...

2010-12-01T10:57:00.003-05:00

The girls' stockings are hung on our make-shift mantle.

My gorgeous nativity is making an appearance for its first Christmas. My wonderful Momma bought me the set for my birthday and I have patiently waited two months

to put it out for display.

This is a fantastic Santa ceramic my talented Grandma painted years ago.

It is among my favorite decorations.

This lovely angel tree had a place in my Mother's home while I was growing up. It reminds me of her and my childhood Christmases whenever I set it out.

I thoroughly enjoy pulling out my Christmas decorations each year. I have somewhat thinned out the excess adornments and narrowed it down to the beautiful and the nostalgic. Each one brings me joy as I set it on a shelf. I love Christmas decorations because I love Christmas and all it brings with it...

December is in full swing...

2010-12-01T10:36:00.002-05:00

We walked out of the house today to see snowflakes. Sticking to the ground and the van.

Oi vay!

Here it comes...

( I will admit, in a very low whisper, that the first few snowflakes are quite beautiful.)

I marveled at the precious little flakes that stuck to my windshield.

They really are a marvelous creation.

The girls sang the word "snoooooooow" all the way to school.

I am thankful that our first real snowflags have waited until December to make their appearance. And now I find myself dreaming of a White Christmas...

A very Veldman Thanksgiving...

2010-11-27T14:49:00.000-05:00

a day o' fun

2010-11-24T18:37:00.004-05:00

We took a trip to the Children's Museum for the day. It is pretty dinky compared to the Appleton version, but it was still a barrel of fun. I think I most enjoyed the quality time spent with my girls. I love watching them in imaginative play!

Then we skipped down the street to the chocolate shop. Lots to look at and choose from. My goofy kids chose the movie box candy over the handmade truffles,

but it was wonderful just the same.

frogger...

2010-11-24T18:02:00.002-05:00

I have been meaning to get video of Nora's "crawl" before she starts walking. Well, here it is!

imaginations...

2010-11-23T17:46:00.004-05:00

Having Calla home from school for a week provides several new scenarios.

We can sleep in as long as our one-year old will allow.

We can stay in our jammies until crazy hours - all the while hoping nobody plans to drop in and surprise us.

The best part is having Calla and Amelia being able to play together for long periods of time.

Today they were in full imagination mode. They built a makeshift fort on Amelia's bed and proceed to make all kinds of stories as to why they had this incredible fort.

Princesses. Robbers. Secret far-away lands.

On our ride home from running errands, they played a rousing game of "shout-out-any-color-you-see." It was a great idea...until you enter in the fact that our trip home is almost all country roads. Amelia shouted out several colors while Calla kept shouting "brown.brown. brown. broooooooooooooooown." Then she looked to the sky and started into, "Bluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuue." Ok. time for a new game.

At home, more books were read in the fort. Playdoh cookies were made. So much fun.

And there's another day filled with opportunity coming again tomorrow...

Harvest Program, 2010 style...

2010-11-23T17:37:00.002-05:00

Every year, our fabulous-o elementary teacher (she is actually the reigning WACS teacher-of-the-year 2010) writes two programs for our school kids. One in the fall and another one for the spring. They are always amazingly written. Wonderfully thought out. Each child is showcased in different ways. We often comment that she could copyright these programs and sell them. They are marvelous!

This year's Harvest Program was no exception. She wrote two different dramatic readings and interspersed several songs for the students to sing. One highlighted the elementary. One had several girls doing sign language in the center of the stage (What a blessing to see my 7-year-old using a skill that is close to my heart!)

And then the clincher...a duet! A surprise duet!

Calla and her cousin singing a duet. It was beautiful. They were so calm. It brought tears to these eyes. I am thankful, and more often than just at Thanksgiving, for a teacher and staff that are helping to instill character traits and spiritual values in our daughter. What a tremendous gift to have a school that reiterates the morals we are teaching at home! What an outstanding blessing to have a daughter who already displays a heart full of talents being used for the Lord...

ouch, that's smarts...

2010-11-19T10:18:00.002-05:00

Nora Kate is climbing the stairs now with reckless abandon. I still follow her up, because she has yet to master the trip back down the stairs.

I have always boasted that my girls have never fallen down the stairs. Now, they have had their share of bruised shins from tripping UP the stairs! So I am hoping my baby girl can master the stairs just as well as the other two did.

Their momma, on the other hand, still has some practicing to do. Yesterday, after waking the slumbering cubs, I went to go get breakfast assembled. My sleepy, sock-clad foot slipped out from under me. I didn't fall down the stairs. I flew up and landed straight on the step. I yelped and moaned for a few minutes. Boy, did that make the kiddos leap out of bed! I got dizzy and threw up. I called in the reinforcements to take Calla to school. The rest of the day, I gingerly walked around or sat on a heating pad. No food. A nasty headache. Lots of pain meds. I am feeling better today. Bending over seems to be the most precarious.

So maybe I'll have Cory be the the one to teach Nora how to master her descent on the stairs...

Snowflags...

2010-11-17T09:53:00.002-05:00

Oh the signs of winter are all around us! I wish I could anticipate the coming season with as much excitement as my children. Calla started praying for snow weeks ago. She always gets a twinkle in her eye when she asks about the first snow fall. The girls have asked me numerous times, "When is it gonna be winter?" "I can't say. It could be anytime. It's almost here. One morning we'll wake up and it will be snowing," I answer in my best feigned excitement voice. Winter... That first snowfall used to bring such glee. It is beautiful. But I can't help but think of the dreary brown slushy snow days that follow. The long winter months of shoveling my way to the van to start heating it up and scrape the windows. Trudging through the snow every morning with a gaggle of sleepyhead girls and a bundled up baby on my hip. Long, cold days with no desire to take the wee lasses out anywhere. Mucky parking lots. Red, chapped cheeks and hands on my thumb-sucking baby. Winter... So I'll try to take tips from the girlies. I'll get excited to see that first snow. I'll try to get excited about sledding and snowmen. And I'll be thankful for the wonder of snowflakes, or snowflags, as Amelia has taken to calling them. Because I obviously need an attitude adjustment about winter...

an art project...

2010-11-15T21:08:00.003-05:00

I had the students make a "blessings scroll" as part of our art project today. They made a rough draft on lined paper and then made a final copy. We were brainstorming about the types of blessings they could write about. Not a single student had any trouble coming up with a pretty hefty list of blessings. I was hoping they would be interesting and end up as "keepsake" material. With a little hot glue and some twigs, miniature pine cones, and acorns from my in-laws yard, they turned out so cute! Calla's list of blessings had me grinning. They are obviously in no particular order. I was glad that Cory and I made the list in front of the Playstation Move...

if I only had a horse...

2010-11-12T14:17:00.002-05:00

Amelia spent the better part of ten minutes telling me how much she wants a horse.

I told her that we don't have room for a horse at our house anyway. She promptly let me know that she wanted to move.

When I told her horses cost a lot of money, she explained that when she gets older and has a lot, and a lot, and a lot (I'll spare you her 2 dozen "a lots") of money, she is going to buy a horse.

She'll feed it and clean up it's poops and braid it's hair.

"I really want a horse. Please, Mom, If you get me a horse, I'll get you a book. Or some flowers. Or maybe just a picture of flowers."

Deal.

a little too coordinated...

2010-11-11T15:43:00.003-05:00

So she figured out where my Sunday School bag was hidden. She went straight for the candy bag, found her choice of flavor, unwrapped it and started enjoying her treat. Look at that smile and contentment! Stinker...

taking a breath of fresh, thankful air...

2010-11-11T09:51:00.004-05:00

Head out to the van!

Winter coat with the hood pulled up on this balmy fall morning. Nightgown. No socks with last night's dress shoes. We get Calla to school in some of the craziest outfits, but we're usually the only ones who see it. I have resolved to get dressed each morning, because it is inevitable that the morning I have my pajamas and white tube socks on is the same morning my neighbor is out with his dog. Or Calla can't get the school door opened on her own and I have to humble myself and get out of the van to help her. Two or three embarrassing encounters have reformed me to at least make sure I am assembled decently.

On the trip home, I was sighing in contentment. Amelia sang "Oh, be careful little mind what you think..." continually on the 5 minute trip home. She stopped a few times to explain to me what each verse meant. "Like, when we think, 'I don't want to go to church, God!' Right, Mom?" Out of the mouth of babes! I am so thankful for a church full of workers who are teaching my children these theology-laden songs and their meanings.

I also watched as neighbors walked to work and waved at each other. As different city workers and companies were fixing up our beautiful little town. As I realized I can drive home on a route that is all stop signs and rural streets instead of stoplight after stoplight and gridlock traffic. I am so thankful for our sleepy little town. I am thankful for family and friends who live around us.

I am thankful for life today. Thank you, Lord, for the life you have given to this lowly child of yours...

a date with the love of my life...

2010-11-07T21:57:00.002-05:00

A girlfriend and I swapped babysitting. We both had a desire to spend some alone time with our hubby. So it was set. Free babysitting. Free dinner through a loyalty program card. An impromptu concert we heard about on the radio. It was wonderful. We were amazed at how quiet a dinner can be without little ones interrupting to go potty or asking a bazillion questions or spilling sodas or generally being children. We love our kids. We love being with our kids. But we love our relationship with each other enough to take some time away. It doesn't happen nearly as often as we'd like it to, but it sure does seem sweet when we do get away. Even just 12 miles away. It is still precious time to sit with my love. Talk without interruption. Hold his hand and listen to music in a beautiful theater. It was nice to be able to remind myself that I am so madly in love...

mto...

2010-11-06T12:23:00.003-04:00

Mom's Time Out...a wonderful ministry to the ladies in our church with kids under the age of 10.

It's a break from every day. No kids allowed for about 2 hours. They feed us breakfast. And I'm not talking cereal on the quick as you head to the kitchen or out the door. Biscuits and sausage gravy, scrambled eggs with sausage and potatoes, breads, coffee...yum, yum, yum, yum, yum, deliciouso! (yes, that was a Dora reference in my "no kids allowed" post).

We have a talented lady come in each month and show us how to do or make something. This morning my dear friend and her daughter came to show us how to make those neat, decorative, lighted glass blocks. Plus they had some fabulous tips for giving gifts this holiday season. Remembering to make lists and suggest lists from others...it always sounds so logical, but I often wonder if I sound greedy if I hand people a list. And I often don't receive any lists back either. This year, I have already begun a list and will attempt to have it completed and sent out before everyone is done with their Christmas shopping.

We then are challenged, as mothers, through God's Word. I have found myself having a desire to change a few areas in my life as of late. One of them is the words I speak to others. And as He is prone to do, communication was our topic this morning. Just as a fire, when it is controlled and contained, can be a blessing and a help, so can our words be a blessing and help to others if they are controlled and contained. When we allow our words to go uncontrolled, they will cause irreparable damage in a short amount of time just like that flame of fire. We also discussed some of things people have been heard to say out of bitterness or jealousy or anger. Some things are said because of fear. But all of our words come from the "abundance of our heart." What are my words displaying? I also realized that in situations when I feel my words are foolish and I'd love to take them back as soon as they escape my lips, it is because I have not bathed that conversation in prayer. When I speak to a grieving person, or a hurting friend, instead of talking off the cuff, I should be prayerfully considering my words before I speak them. The more compassion and love and prayer I show toward that person, the easier the words of comfort will flow forth. I envy those around me that have a gift of encouragement. How often they have encouraged me through kind words? And I am reminded, their words of kindness come from a genuinely compassionate heart that has been praying for me. If I desire to speak wisely, I must first have a compassionate heart.

I love our church. I love Mom's Time Out. I love my Lord and all He is teaching me...

get ready...

2010-11-05T09:25:00.005-04:00

Up the first step...

In the garbage...

Look out! She's getting into mischief. I will point out that both moments captured on film were in the morning before we were even dressed for the day. Wonderfully, she is still at the stage that the word "no" is shocking. She will be set to tears even if the word is aimed at someone else. Oh, to keep that innocence. Her favorite mischief musings are the garbage can - I mean really how many treasures do we throw away, right! - the kleenex box, and the picture frames. A house full of toys, but oh the unexplored is so much more intriguing...

update...simply to reiterate...

See what I mean...time to get off the ol' computer, eh?

A second trip...

2010-11-04T09:41:00.003-04:00

Ah, the first day of school. Such excitement and anticipation. Everything was prepared and ready, and she quickly flew through her morning tasks and was out the door in record time. FAST FORWARD to this week...

"Do I have to get up? I barely fell asleep." Calla, eat your breakfast. Calla, get your clothes on. Calla, brush your hair and teeth. Calla, get your coat on. Calla, grab your bags. Calla, did you grab your lunch? No, I forgot...three times this week! Could you please drop it off before snack time?

What to do?

I took one morning last week and told her it was completely her responsibility to do everything without being told. She did wonderfully. But the next morning the novelty had worn off and it was back to poking and prodding for each step. I don't make her do everything. I choose her outfit and lay it out. On slow mornings, I actually aide her in getting dressed like an Indian aya. I make her breakfast and pack her lunch. Lately I have even been brushing her hair and pulling out her toothbrush for her. So why is it so hard to grab your stuff?

Once was a complete surprise. I received an email from her teacher and didn't see it until after lunch. She survived on her compassionate classmates offerings. Then two more times in a row. The meanie in me says, "Too bad! You'll have to not eat lunch today." Then the momma in me grabs the lunch and takes it to school. Grace. God gives me grace.

But He also desires me to be responsible. So there will be a small discussion when she gets home that the "meanie" will win out next time. An empty tummy may be a much better teacher...

wishing...

2010-11-02T10:24:00.003-04:00

I am learning in the recent months to be thankful for the little things. My grandmother use to say, "Don't wish your life away." Enjoy what is happening now instead of wishing time would speed up to that one event you are waiting for. I have always been one to look forward to something special and hone in on that single event until it happened. I am realizing the error of that mindset. How much do I miss in the daily happenings when I am waiting for something else? How often do I put things off because I they aren't as important as that one thing I'm waiting for.

Time is flying by me. November already! I would love to revel in this month. Each day. This holiday season will be busy enough. I want to be sure to hit the slow motion button daily to enjoy God's blessings. Every day moments become life's most precious memories...

flexibility...

2010-11-02T10:15:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, early morning, I received a phone call that Calla's teacher was sick. Could I help out in the classroom? I would love to! My mother-in-law graciously watched the other two girls so that I could practice being the teacher. I miss the classroom every once in a while. I was able to assist the aide for the late morning and afternoon. I have intentionally blocked out all of the memories of the preparation involved in keeping a classroom running smoothly. Miss Brill has mastered the art of preparation. She puts me to shame. Everything was already written on the board, papers were pulled and in the proper folders, desks were straightened and set for Monday morning. It made a substitute's job easy-peasy-lemon squeezie! I enjoyed spending time in the classroom...for one day at least!

His protection...

2010-10-29T22:59:00.003-04:00

Tonight I had one of the scariest moments as a mother I could have ever imagined. For a moment my whole world stopped. Nora was gone. In a store. For several minutes. I had naively assumed she was right behind me as I sat with my back to the doorway. "Calla, where is Nora?" No one had seen her exit the room. As panic set in, my heart shut down. The room was spinning and I was praying.

Lord, protect my little one.

Please keep her safe.

Let her be around the next rack of clothes.

Those 90 seconds will forever be burned into my memory. Her little laughter as she realized we were looking for her. Calling her. How thankful I am that she responded to our calls. There are so many lessons I learned from those 5 minutes this evening. So many. But after the emotional storm raged and settled, I rested on thankfulness to a God who loves my little one more than I do. A God who protects His sheep. I am truly thankful...

my prerogative...

2010-10-29T14:33:00.003-04:00

A stay-at-home mom can not call in sick to work. She can, however, have the situation that all of her kiddos are sick at the same time she is. Yep. That's our house today. Nora Kate claimed the cold first. By today, Amelia and I were stuffy nosed right along with her. So, even though I can't call in a sick day, I can lounge around in the warm house. Early naptime. Light lunch. Maybe some yummy pumpkin bread baking in the oven just to make the house smell delish. I'm a stay-at-home mom. I can do with my sick day whatever I please. Well, at least whatever the sick-but-don't-act-sick daughters allow me to do...

2010-10-26T21:42:00.003-04:00

A year has come and gone. It is always enlightening to gauge a full year when you celebrate another child's birthday. I enjoyed the hooplah. I enjoyed the guests, thoroughly. And now, on the eve of the true birth-day, I contemplate what I have done with the last year. Nora is on the verge of walking when last year I had not even held her in my arms. Calla and Amelia are learning by leaps and bounds. Bible verses. Spelling lists. Everyday life lessons. A year! God has blessed in so many ways. I have failed in so many more. A full year of our lives is over. But as I look backward and think of all the things that have come and gone, I only look for a moment. For tomorrow, I have a new year to begin. What will it hold? It will undoubtedly speed by even faster than the years before it. So am I going to use it wisely? Starting tomorrow. Yes...

a pain...

2010-10-13T23:41:00.002-04:00

So, I have a pain. In my side. A real one, not the beginning of a pun or funny joke-joke. It's hung around for over a day now, so I called in dial-a nurse for advice. All she did was give me an anxiety attack. "My advice to you is to hang up with me and dial 9-1-1 and head to the emergency room. Ma'am, is this what you plan to do?" Umm. No. I'll wait for my husband and then head to the urgent care building down the street.

Bloodwork. A thorough question and answer session. Nothing deeming an emergency appendectomy or anything else super scary. So I get to take some strong pain meds and rest until my family doc can see me tomorrow. Maybe the pain will go away. Maybe I'm just being a wimp. Maybe I'll just take advantage of some seriously peaceful sleep that I feel coming on...

a season of change...

2010-10-11T11:40:00.004-04:00

Sometimes I have to take a step away from my emotions and realize that God has a purpose. My emotions, as well as Satan, want me to get all wrapped up in sadness or confusion or depression. But change is a part of life.

I have two very close friends. The "kindred spirit" type of friends. We share the same stage of life. We share similar personalities. We share the same morals and spiritual standards. Through these similarities, we have also shared countless late nights laughing, mornings chatting, and evenings crying our burdens to each other. The best of friends. God saw fit to move one of my dear friends away to another ministry. I cried. And I still cry when I miss her. Distance cannot change the fact that we will always be friends, but it does change the level of friendship. Gone are the days of stopping in unannounced or a trip to Target just to get away.

I was told last week that my other friend is moving, too. Her hubby has been offered a job that will allow them to fulfill several desires for their lives.

I am excited for them, but sad for myself. I can have full confidence that God will help her flourish. They are just where God wants them to be. And then I get sad or angry or confused. And I could stay in that emotion. It's easiest to allow my emotions to run wild. I am, after all, a woman. But I am also a child of God. I have a joy unspeakable...full of glory. I should be able to have a peace in the midst of life's storms. And I do. I know I am in the exact place God would have me to be. He has a purpose for me right here. I have always been the one who moves. It is exciting to see somewhere new. To meet new people. To see where God is leading. I have never been the one who stays. It is different, but God is still leading. He is still in control. We sang this song last night in service.

My life I give to you, O Lord, use me I pray.

May I glorify your precious name

In all I do and say.

Let me trust you in the valley dark

As well as in the light.

Knowing you will always lead me,

Your will is always right.

I know God makes no mistakes.

He leads in every path I take.

Along the way that's leading me to home

Though at times my heart would break,

There's a purpose to every change He makes.

So that others may see my life and know

That God makes no mistakes.

And when someday in heaven above,

I see His dear face.

May I then be counted faithful

as a runner in this race.

Now I'm trusting in the Savior

To show me the way.

In His righteousness He guides me,

As I seek to please Him day by day.

I know God makes no mistakes.

He leads in every path I take.

Along the way that's leading me to home.

Though at times my heart would break,

There's a purpose in every change He makes.

So that others may see my life and know

That God makes no mistakes.

So I will still be sad. I will still miss my friends. But I will glory in a God who loves me and knows the path that lies ahead of me.

the craft sale numero uno...

2010-10-09T17:01:00.002-04:00

We had a great turn out, some amazing compliments, and a profit. Not to mention, my dear friend and I were able to sit and chat and laugh. We have already put our fee in for sitting the sale again next year. Although, I do want to let my nerves settle a bit and let my burned knuckles heal before I make too many more bows in the near future...

a first for me...

2010-10-09T07:42:00.002-04:00

I have always loved craft sales. I am one of those people that will pass up an item with the oh-so-misleading thought of making it myself. "I could totally make that for less than $12." I have often thought that I would enjoy sitting a booth at a craft fair. But what would I sell? Well, today's the day. My dear friend and I will sit a local craft sale from 9-3 selling allie&nora hairbows...so exciting! Pictures to follow...

a new love...

2010-10-05T10:11:00.003-04:00

The bumbo seat...a glorified duct tape! I love it.

Purchased at a garage sale for $5.

Why didn't they think of this before I had my first child?

little farmer on a blustery day...

2010-10-04T21:51:00.004-04:00

We ended up at the Little Farmer Apple Orchard on Saturday afternoon. Nora had tears on her cheeks from the wind, but it was a beautiful day once the sun decided to make an appearance. We walked away from the orchard with some blocks of caramel and an afternoon of great memories for the 2010 fall season.

a lazy Saturday?...

2010-10-02T10:47:00.005-04:00

There is no such thing as a lazy Saturday during soccer season. On this brisk morning, the hubby was up early to fertilize the lawn. I had the task of awaking the slumbering soccer star. Ever notice that the years you want your kids to sleep, they want to wake early in the morning even though they were awake all through the night. Then the time comes when they need to be awake at specific times to get ready for school, or church, or soccer, and they seem to be super-glued to their beds. After getting her unglued, fed, and warmly bundled into her uniform, Calla and Daddy were off. I am so thankful I get to stay cozy and warm in the house today. 41 degrees...really? Once they are home we will decide what to do with the rest of our free day. We should probably clean up the homestead for our impending lunch with the college extension group tomorrow afternoon, but maybe we will find something else. Little Farmer is a possibility...they're college kids after all. How clean does the house need to be...

a perfect day...

2010-10-01T17:21:00.002-04:00

I sometimes long for the perfect day. One that allows me to sleep in as long as I want to and still wake up early to exercise and do my devotions. One that has my kids quiet enough to let me think and talking my ear off about their day. One that is filled with treats baking in the oven and no temptations to deter my weight loss goals. A day filled with laundry rumbling through the machine and happy kids getting their clothes dirty in the gorgeous fall weather. A perfect day with clean floors for that unexpected company to see and kids toys strewn about in imaginary play. A day away from the computer and a long online chat with that friend from far away. A day with my crazy girls. My wonderful hubby. A day that I feel God has been pleased with as I lay my head on the pillow. Maybe today will be a perfect day after all...

try, try again...

2010-10-01T17:01:00.004-04:00

So often, I think, "I should write on my blog about that..." and then...life gets in the way. I have much to say. So much I want to chronicle in this hectic, crazy life I have been blessed with. So I will try, again, to take the time to write it down. Here it goes...

My first grader...

2009-08-24T12:21:00.002-04:00

First Grade! We made it. Armed with a pencil cake and a backpack full of new supplies, Calla barely said goodbye to Amelia and me as we walked away. I will miss my girl tremendously, but I look forward to hearing all about her first day. And knowing my Calla-girl, the stories should last an hour, at least!

Parades...

2009-08-24T11:58:00.003-04:00

Candy!

That's what we associate with the parades. We have found a local parade that supplies us with enough candy to last months. This year, all the cousins, plus an extra, came to the parade. The kids all lined the curb and waited. They were not disappointed. Amelia soon learned that if she wanted any candy, she would have to stand several feet away from the boys. They are quick little candy picker-uppers! Each bag was brimming with goodies by parade's end.

This last picture is Amelia animating her favorite part of the band - the drummers.

A new season...

2009-08-21T14:25:00.003-04:00

Has it really been a year?

Calla is heading off to the first grade on Monday. It is truly time for summer to end, but daunting to think of the upcoming school year. I didn't realize the emotion I had been supressing until this week. For the next 12 years, Calla will be a full-time student. Every day. It's the "every day" part I am struggling with. To drop her off to spend the majority of the year under the authority of someone else. Under the care of someone else. To have her come home to "tell me about her day." It's a whole new season of life, as my dad would call it. I do not regret the decision to have her in school. I certainly count it a priveledge to have the means and the facility to send her to. But it is hard to see the last season come to a close. Did I use the time I had, day in and day out, as a major influence in her days, did I use it wisely? Was I effective?

As this new season comes into bloom, I must realize the influence I still have. I am still her mom. I am still in her life every day. I cherish my daughter. I want her to know it, too. Maybe I'll snuggle with her a little longer tonight...

Ladies Retreat 2009...

2009-08-17T13:01:00.004-04:00

This is the group of 21 ladies, plus our hostess, that attended our first Ladies Retreat in Door County. (I am not in my picture due to a lack of understanding my camera's self-timer.) We had a fabulous time of fellowship and growth. Each session was devoted to a different aspect of knowing God. I was challenged abundantly.

Stacey and I, large and in charge! I did have the first person ask me, "Do you know if it's twins?"

This is the goat and grass roof of the restaurrant we ate at on Friday. I feel like a tourist - oh wait - I am a tourist!

Rainy day...

2009-08-07T19:58:00.005-04:00

"Those who say they hate the rain,
never splashed in the puddles."

Swim lessons...

2009-08-06T17:22:00.010-04:00

This summer was full of swimming lessons for Calla. The way our pool is set up, they have to pass each two week session before moving to the next level.

Level 1 - Learn to not be afraid to dunk your head under water. Check - no problem.

Open your eyes under water to retrieve rings from the bottom of the 2 foot water. Check.

Jump off the side into 2 feet deep waters. Check.

She obviously passed this session with ease.

Level 2 - Learn to dunk under the water for 10-15 seconds. Check. (She loves being under water.)

Learn to do basic front or back floats for 5 seconds each. Check.

Learn basic underwater strokes. Check. (She could swim the length of the pool, coming up for breaths, by the end of the session.)

Using a pool noodle, dive off the diving board into 12 feet. Check. (She even threw her noodle in the second time around and jumped in after it.)

This session was a little more challenging. She was the smallest and youngest in her class. Several students were leaping into the pool and swimming around on the first day. But she did pass. So we went on to Level 3.

Level 3 - Learn basic strokes above water. Still working on it.

Learn to do several "dives" of the side of the pool. Still working on it.

Learn endurance while swimming dofferent strokes. Still working on it.

Dive into the 12 feet without a pool noodle and swim to the side without assistance. Check. (Even though this mom held her breath until Calla resurfaced the first time. Whew!)

So we will repeat some things next year. Our goal was to get her comfortable in the water. Next we'll work on the swimming. She is well on her way.

My graduate...

2009-06-05T18:42:00.003-04:00

Summer's here...

2009-06-05T18:29:00.002-04:00

I have never truly appreciated summer the way that I appreciate summer 2009. Once just another season of occupying my children, this time in extreme uncomfortable heat, has turned into a season of freedom that I almost forgot existed.

I am a stay-at-home mom. By choice. By blessing. By design. And yet in the last year I have become a stay-at-home mom with a child in school. Man, oh, man is that a change in job description. I remember calling my mom sometime in late September and rambling on and on when asked, "So what are you up to these days?" She wisely told me that my season of motherhood had hit a new milestone. School. It changes everything. Schedules. Grocery lists. Responsibilities. Freedom to do as I wish on a daily, sometimes hourly, basis.

But now it is summer. The season I once loathed. But summer brings me back to a flexibilty of kids' time. Play all you want. Get dirty. Let's do a craft. Read a book. Go to the park. Go to a friend's house. Get extremely tired out and go to bed happy. We get to do it all again tomorrow. No schedules...