You Be Jesus......

My oldest is quite adept at learning her Bible stories and has been putting them into practice. A few days ago I overheard this conversation following the discovery of an elastic exercise band..."M, now you stand there. You can be Jesus, and I will be the people whipping you." No worries, she was hardly able to move the noodle, let a lone hit him with it. However, I'm planning on leaving out any graphic details of our Bible time lest her brother become fodder for further reenactments. A few days later when the same brother was running around in his birthday suit following a bath, she said: "M, don't go outside like that, people will think you're Adam." Adam and Eve didn't wear under ware." And to think I thought no one listened on Wednesday nights :)
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Baby E is now standing on his own and looks to be yet another early walker. I was hoping for a late bloomer this time around. His ear-piercing screech can still be heard frequently at our house, but it seems the baby signs I have been trying to teach him have been taking hold and he signed and said "a don" last week. He is also working on 5 new teeth, bless his heart. One of his favorite new activities has been playing monster with daddy. It seems that all three of my kids love to be scared.
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In completely unrelated news, we are hoping to move into our new house this weekend. I will post pictures soon, I promise.

Pursuing Love

You know, there are just days as a mom that I think that nothing is going right, my kids are out of control and someone else could do a much better job. Then there are those days when teachable moments are frequent, love abounds, and I am welling up with love and pride for my sweet babies. We had such a day last week.

I was blessed to have the opportunity to provide a meal to a grieving family in our community. As we packed up the car, many questions ensued. They both asked what we were doing and why. Miss A asked why the mommy couldn't make supper. I responded that they are still very sad because they miss their little girl who is in Heaven with Jesus. Then my little M piped up, "Soup will make them feel better, Mommy." Trying so hard in her 4 year old mind to understand such a terrible tragedy, Miss A said "Mommy, they should have another little baby girl and name her Gretta and then they would have their Gretta back." As we left our meal, A said "Next time we bring them a meal, I want to color them a picture of their family and write my name and your name and their names and a big heart so that they know who brought them their food." I was so proud of my two sweet oldest children who are learning a valuable lesson about loving others in a tangible way.

As I continue on my journey of mommyhood, I am struck with the importance of the condition of my children's hearts. Only when their hearts are right does good behavior really matter. Its such a good lesson for me to learn as well. We are all still learning so much, and don't have all the right formulas. But, it is days like the one above that I feel God is telling me to keep on giving all of my heart to raising my kids. It is all that He asks for, thank goodness.

McScreamy and McDreamy

McScreamy

He looks so innocent, doesn't he? His sweet smile belies the fact that my precious youngest son has a problem with screaming. Not just your garden variety, but the ear peircing, hearing aid squealing, warn the neighbors dogs type. It occurs mostly during meal time when he wants more to eat. No question here whether children are born with their own will and sinful nature :) I have tried teaching him some signs, to no avail. My older two were taught the basics to ward off screaming, but I never experienced the volume and frequency of Mr. E's shrill voice. Any advice on how to reduce these episodes would be greatly appreciated.

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Now on to McDreamy. This is not of Grey's Anatomy fame but my sweet second born. All of our children have been stretched to their limit as of late because of the hours my husband and I have spent working on our new house. We have not had a schedule or much structure for the last month at least. Mr. M has not napped decently for quite a while. Yesterday while riding home with his daddy, he fell asleep. The conversation that ensued is as follows: Daddy "buddy are you asleep." M "No, I wasn't asleep, I just closing my eyes so the sun doesn't get in." Isn't it amazing how kids fight sleep? No one needs to tell me to go to bed.

LL

Story Time

Story Time Take 1

Saying that my 2 1/2 year old has a vivid imagination may be an understatement. He has become quite adept at telling stories and making up imaginary people. In fact, he has a very special imaginary friend called Old Daddy. Old Daddy works with the Little Grandpa (my husband's dad) at the local paper mill, works nights, and only comes around when Daddy is working. Before you get too suspicious, apparently M is the only person that Old Daddy visits. Needless to say Young Daddy is very curious to meet this Old Daddy guy :)

Story Time Take 2

Tonight at my parents' house, little M got quite animated while telling a story about Big Jet (of Little Einstein's fame) For those who aren't aquainted with the preschool TV subculture, Big Jet is mean. With that in mind, we continue. And I quote "Big Jet was flying through the fowest and he got wost. Then he saw a deer and runned into him. The deer's legs were broke, but he still runned. Then a kangawoo hopped and put the deer into his pouch. The kangawoo and the deer are friends. The deer stayed in the kangawoo's pouch for a wong time and they hopped through the fowest." If you know my sweet boy, please insert adorable lisp and high pitched voice.

I would keep him 2 forever if I could. If only his Ls would sound like Ws forever. I love you so much buddy.

No Brown and It's Not My Fault

My sweet little M has an upset tummy today and unfortunately had an accident that required extensive clean up. Thank God that he gave mommies extra strong stomachs when it comes to taking care of these matters. Today when asked how his tummy was feeling and if he had to use the bathroom, he responded by pulling his pants and underwear down and exclaiming "No Brown!" in the funniest, sweetest 2 year old voice. No brown! Thank goodness! I still haven't eaten lunch and I don't want to lose my appetite.

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Apparently I need to work on the virtues of personal responsibility with Little Miss A (for attitude). Yesterday a wayward cup of chocolate milk was almost upended by her curious and quite mobile baby brother. Upon seeing this, her daddy asked if she was allowed chocolate milk in the living room. Right on cue she pointed to me and responded in a voice full of attitude "well, she gave it to me, so its not my fault, its hers! All Daddy could do was laugh. I am in trouble in a few years, aren't I?

Almost Wordless Wednesday

First day of preschool!

Why Grains of Sand?

This is the question my dear husband posed to me as he perused my blog for the first time. Like many people, I have in the past lived my life waiting for milestones; when I get married, when I graduate from college, when I have a baby. Foolishly I thought when I reached these pinnacles I would really be living. I have been struck lately with how fast life flies by. Nothing crystallizes this more than being a mommy. My babies are growing at an alarming rate. Someday soon they will not be little anymore and I will be left holding the precious memories of their fleeting childhood. I have begun to understand that life is made in moments, not milestones. Each moment, like a grain of sand, is so small and can easily slip through my fingers. It is the sum of moments both good and bad that make up my life. This blog is my attempt to capture and treasure these moments before they are but a distant memory in the far reaches of my mind.

LL