Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Bella stories
Background: Bella's floundering around on Rowan's bed while Daddy tries to read some bedtime stories to the girls. Daddy tells her to go to her bed if she can't be still and pay attention.
Bella: "But Daddy, that's just not right."
Aaron: "Honey, you couldn't sit still, so you have to go to your bed while I read to Rowan."
Bella: "But Daddy, you are supposed to be nice to people even when they are not nice to you."
Aaron: "Well yes, honey, that's true, but you still need to stay over there because you got in trouble."
Bella: (looking up at the ceiling with her arm outstretched) dramatically "But God shows us to forgive."
Aaron: chuckles "Get over here, but you'd better pay attention."
And she doesn't have daddy wrapped around her finger, does she?
Bella's babies
We've just been talking to Haven in my tummy. Bella loves to talk and sing to Haven before bedtime and feel her kick. She likes to hear me talk to Haven too.
Mommy: "You like babies, don't you Bell?"
Bella: "Yes. I'm going to be a mommy when I grow up."
Mommy: "I think you'll be a great mommy. How many kids do you want?"
Bella: "45. 45 Cinderellas."
Mommy: "45 Cinderellas? Wow, that's a lot of girls. Are you going to have any boys?"
Bella: "Yes. 45."
Mommy: laughing "You are going to be busy."
Bella: "But Daddy, that's just not right."
Aaron: "Honey, you couldn't sit still, so you have to go to your bed while I read to Rowan."
Bella: "But Daddy, you are supposed to be nice to people even when they are not nice to you."
Aaron: "Well yes, honey, that's true, but you still need to stay over there because you got in trouble."
Bella: (looking up at the ceiling with her arm outstretched) dramatically "But God shows us to forgive."
Aaron: chuckles "Get over here, but you'd better pay attention."
And she doesn't have daddy wrapped around her finger, does she?
Bella's babies
We've just been talking to Haven in my tummy. Bella loves to talk and sing to Haven before bedtime and feel her kick. She likes to hear me talk to Haven too.
Mommy: "You like babies, don't you Bell?"
Bella: "Yes. I'm going to be a mommy when I grow up."
Mommy: "I think you'll be a great mommy. How many kids do you want?"
Bella: "45. 45 Cinderellas."
Mommy: "45 Cinderellas? Wow, that's a lot of girls. Are you going to have any boys?"
Bella: "Yes. 45."
Mommy: laughing "You are going to be busy."
Christmas pictures
Kami was so sweet to take some pictures of us for Christmas. Here are the results. Tell me what you think!
Friday, October 16, 2009
These are a few of Rowan's favorite things:
1. Blankets. Soft ones preferred.
2. Clocks. I'm not sure where or how she developed this obsession, but it's her first rule when visiting a new place- Find all the clocks in the room, point them out with a finger and a "Clock!" maybe a few tick tocks. And she's always excited. ALWAYS excited to discover clocks.
3. Pillows. She especially likes to bury herself under them. Burrow under them more like. Today after nap time she had to get all-count-four blankets out of bed with her and in my arms.
4. Food. Especally marshmallows, but we've been through that.
5. Barbie shoes to carry around in her mouth. Lately she's been discriminating about she puts in her mouth. If they are small, they make it. If not, no slobber.
6. Nakedness! Need I say more?
7. Baths!
8. Books. Lots and lots and lots of books.
9. (defeated) toothpaste. I found her sucking a tube the other day and had to call Poison Control. Nothing serious, but nevertheless, the tubes are all safely tucked away. She did smell nice for a couple of hours, though.
10. Wallowing in beds. (Pillows, blankets, softness, burrowing)
11. Three fingers in her mouth.
12. Transporting objects to different parts of the house. She also likes to give random things to random people to show her affection. If you get a leaf, cigarette butt, wood chip, barbie shoe, or blanket, feel special.
13. Blocks, cars, and BALLS! Throwing is also a favorite pasttime.
Rowan- here's to you, my queen of comfort, engineer, and transporter! You add such a unique presence to our household.
2. Clocks. I'm not sure where or how she developed this obsession, but it's her first rule when visiting a new place- Find all the clocks in the room, point them out with a finger and a "Clock!" maybe a few tick tocks. And she's always excited. ALWAYS excited to discover clocks.
3. Pillows. She especially likes to bury herself under them. Burrow under them more like. Today after nap time she had to get all-count-four blankets out of bed with her and in my arms.
4. Food. Especally marshmallows, but we've been through that.
5. Barbie shoes to carry around in her mouth. Lately she's been discriminating about she puts in her mouth. If they are small, they make it. If not, no slobber.
6. Nakedness! Need I say more?
7. Baths!
8. Books. Lots and lots and lots of books.
9. (defeated) toothpaste. I found her sucking a tube the other day and had to call Poison Control. Nothing serious, but nevertheless, the tubes are all safely tucked away. She did smell nice for a couple of hours, though.
10. Wallowing in beds. (Pillows, blankets, softness, burrowing)
11. Three fingers in her mouth.
12. Transporting objects to different parts of the house. She also likes to give random things to random people to show her affection. If you get a leaf, cigarette butt, wood chip, barbie shoe, or blanket, feel special.
13. Blocks, cars, and BALLS! Throwing is also a favorite pasttime.
Rowan- here's to you, my queen of comfort, engineer, and transporter! You add such a unique presence to our household.
Now, repeat after me.
Bella. My little dictator. Her favorite thing to do now is play with those little disney princess barbies with the rubber clothes and shoes. She will play for hours upon hours. It's nice until little sissy comes and sneakily steals one. Off she goes, delirious and running and fast as she can. It makes it difficult, however, because she's laughing and squealing as fast as she can at the same time. What a rush! Until sister catches her and takes the stolen goody away.
Anyway, Bella only wants me to play with her so that I can make one or two talk to her other barbies. Oh, the adventures we have! Road trips! Doctor visits! Ghost hauntings! Resurrections! (Thank you, Lazarus bible story) Marriages! There are too many scenarios to list. The funny thing is, she doesn't just want me to talk. She tells me exactly what to say. . .
Bella: "Mommy, say 'Oh, you look so beautiful in that! But if you take it off, you will get into trouble.'"
Me: "Oh, you look so beautiful in that. But if you take it off, you will get into trouble." (I'm never as animated as she is).
I'm not sure WHY she has me say it. Only Bella knows. Maybe she pities me. Mommy never has as much fun as her barbies. I try to reason with her about it. "Bella, you are saying word for word everything you want me to say. Don't you just want to play that part?" Bella: "No, Mommy, you say, 'rescue him before he drowns!'" And off we go again.
Maybe she's just a playwright/director in the making.
Anyway, Bella only wants me to play with her so that I can make one or two talk to her other barbies. Oh, the adventures we have! Road trips! Doctor visits! Ghost hauntings! Resurrections! (Thank you, Lazarus bible story) Marriages! There are too many scenarios to list. The funny thing is, she doesn't just want me to talk. She tells me exactly what to say. . .
Bella: "Mommy, say 'Oh, you look so beautiful in that! But if you take it off, you will get into trouble.'"
Me: "Oh, you look so beautiful in that. But if you take it off, you will get into trouble." (I'm never as animated as she is).
I'm not sure WHY she has me say it. Only Bella knows. Maybe she pities me. Mommy never has as much fun as her barbies. I try to reason with her about it. "Bella, you are saying word for word everything you want me to say. Don't you just want to play that part?" Bella: "No, Mommy, you say, 'rescue him before he drowns!'" And off we go again.
Maybe she's just a playwright/director in the making.
Hot.
Rowan. She is such a treat. The other day, for the first time, we were able to "turn on" our fireplace. Is that stupid or what? You shouldn't be able to turn on your fireplace. Aahhh! I miss REAL fires, fires that actually burn something, crackle authentically, and require poking. Anyway, it was on. Rowan was A M A Z E D. Don't you wish you could go back to that kind of wonder? Her little mouth was open, in shock at this amazing feat we had accomplished by flipping a switch. She wanted to get closer and closer. . . until "NO NO! It's hot!" Poor girl. A little while later we look over at her again, and there she is, by the fire. Again. But this time she was working. Her little lips were sticking out and little puffs of wind were going out of her mouth.
She was trying to cool it off, dear thing. Ah, love it.
She was trying to cool it off, dear thing. Ah, love it.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Swine flu survivors
I have an idea. Why don't we start a club called Swine flu survivors? All of us who have had swine flu and IT WASN'T A BIG DEAL! can join. Would you like to be a member?
Nervous
Bella is nervous, or so she says. About everything. "Daddy, it makes me nervous when you won't let me do what I want to do." "Mommy, that makes me nervous." "I don't like it when Rowan cries. It makes me nervous." etc, etc.
I love the experimentation with words. It makes me chuckle. I think that's why she does it.
I made the mistake of giggling deliriously one night when she started talking about poo poo. I can't remember the exact conversation, but it had something to do with eating, and then poo pooing, and then poo poo got on everything, and then she licked the poo poo, and then the poo poo wouldn't come off and poo poo (the word) was on everything. Poo poo popsicles, poo poo teddy bears, and made up words. Who knows what poo poo ga gooey is? Diarrhea? So now, potty talk is all the rage. What have I done?
And by the way, potty talk isn't nearly as entertaining during normal waking hours. We've tried it.
I love the experimentation with words. It makes me chuckle. I think that's why she does it.
I made the mistake of giggling deliriously one night when she started talking about poo poo. I can't remember the exact conversation, but it had something to do with eating, and then poo pooing, and then poo poo got on everything, and then she licked the poo poo, and then the poo poo wouldn't come off and poo poo (the word) was on everything. Poo poo popsicles, poo poo teddy bears, and made up words. Who knows what poo poo ga gooey is? Diarrhea? So now, potty talk is all the rage. What have I done?
And by the way, potty talk isn't nearly as entertaining during normal waking hours. We've tried it.
My mentor
I love my mentor, Dail. I think it will be a very good thing, and I know God has brought us together for a reason. We are reading, Desiring God by John Piper. So far, it has been a good choice. I look forward to reading more.
Haven's head
We went to get our 4D ultrasound a couple of weeks ago. She's beautiful. Right now, we think she looks like Rowan, but all bets are on. She sure does feel heavy. I don't remember feeling so pregnant last time. Dr. Stanley suggested we book an induction date for Dec 31st, so we did. Tax write-off here we come! It's amazing to me how 5 days makes thousands of dollars difference. I guess that's one of the benefits of having a financially minded spouse. I've never made such a big decision based on money before. How do you feel about induction dates? Any holiday babies out there with suggestions?
We had the ultrasound done because Haven had a cyst in her brain at our last ultrasound. Praise the Lord, it was gone! All the other markers for chromosomal abnormalities were absent, so we are expecting a healthy little girl.
I'm teetering on the line between over-nesting her room and not doing anything at all. How is that possible? All I can say is third pregnancy.
How do you all feel about making decisions to limit the number of children? Is it lack of faith? Is it common sense? The wise men consults many, so please inform. I think we are all led differently (within the guidelines we have in the Bible), so don't be insulted if I don't follow your advice. Here are my reasons for stopping now:
1. This pregnancy has been harder on my body, to say the least.
2. I'm not called (yet) to adopt.
3. I want to be involved in my children's lives and in their children's lives.
4. I want to be available to the kiddos I have.
5. I would like to be able to fit our family comfortably in a normal sized vehicle and house.
6. I want to be able to teach them and spend one-on-one time with them in God's word.
7. I want to be the one (or one of the ones) to experience life with them and to know what's going on.
8. I think some people make it look easy. I feel like my body is about to fall apart. I feel like my brain is about to fall apart. I feel like my emotions are about to fall apart.
9. Two words: Three weddings. Two more words: Four periods. Two more words: Husband's sanity.
10. One word: Money (I'm not as worried about this. I think God provides what we need.)
And the other side: I love our girls more than my own life. If we had more, I would trust God to give me same love for them all. (I'm just worried that the quality of the girls we have is going downhill with my energy level.) Nevertheless, children are a gift of God. They are a blessing, and I do feel very blessed to be the mom of the girls I have. If we had more, I trust that I would be even more blessed. I'm just waiting on God's guidance. I've already given my life over to Him, and He is eternally faithful to me. If He wants me to have more, let it be done. And if He doesn't (or His plan for me is something else), then let that be done as well. And please help me to have peace with that decision. Even if that decision is waiting.
We had the ultrasound done because Haven had a cyst in her brain at our last ultrasound. Praise the Lord, it was gone! All the other markers for chromosomal abnormalities were absent, so we are expecting a healthy little girl.
I'm teetering on the line between over-nesting her room and not doing anything at all. How is that possible? All I can say is third pregnancy.
How do you all feel about making decisions to limit the number of children? Is it lack of faith? Is it common sense? The wise men consults many, so please inform. I think we are all led differently (within the guidelines we have in the Bible), so don't be insulted if I don't follow your advice. Here are my reasons for stopping now:
1. This pregnancy has been harder on my body, to say the least.
2. I'm not called (yet) to adopt.
3. I want to be involved in my children's lives and in their children's lives.
4. I want to be available to the kiddos I have.
5. I would like to be able to fit our family comfortably in a normal sized vehicle and house.
6. I want to be able to teach them and spend one-on-one time with them in God's word.
7. I want to be the one (or one of the ones) to experience life with them and to know what's going on.
8. I think some people make it look easy. I feel like my body is about to fall apart. I feel like my brain is about to fall apart. I feel like my emotions are about to fall apart.
9. Two words: Three weddings. Two more words: Four periods. Two more words: Husband's sanity.
10. One word: Money (I'm not as worried about this. I think God provides what we need.)
And the other side: I love our girls more than my own life. If we had more, I would trust God to give me same love for them all. (I'm just worried that the quality of the girls we have is going downhill with my energy level.) Nevertheless, children are a gift of God. They are a blessing, and I do feel very blessed to be the mom of the girls I have. If we had more, I trust that I would be even more blessed. I'm just waiting on God's guidance. I've already given my life over to Him, and He is eternally faithful to me. If He wants me to have more, let it be done. And if He doesn't (or His plan for me is something else), then let that be done as well. And please help me to have peace with that decision. Even if that decision is waiting.
Home Improvements
Our house has a new roof thanks to the hail in July (and the Lord, of course). We have prayed over our roof since we moved in. We knew it would be expensive, and dangerous, to reroof. They took 2 1/2 days to finish the job, because they said it was the most difficult one they have ever done. But is was good practice, because they begin our neighbor's steeper roof this week. No broken bones and better traction for painting the outside which will begin this weekend (Lord willing). New roof, check. Paint job, almost check. New flowers, after paint. All the other little jobs to finish before Haven arrives? Many small miracles to come.
The nod
Yay! Rowan finally started answering questions with either a nod or shake of her little head! It is so nice to see the brains working in there. Communication! What a great milestone!
My favorite conversation went as follows:
(Oven beeps. Rowan thinks it's the alarm system for the garage door.)
Rowan: "Where Dada?"
Me: "At work, honey. He'll be coming home soon."
Rowan: "Car-car?"
Me: "Yes, in his car."
Rowan: "Beep?"
Me: "Yes, the oven beeped. Not the door."
Rowan: "Dada. Eat. Ba-ba. Bankie. Nigh-nigh. Dada. Nigh-nigh."
Me: "Okay, when daddy gets home, you want to eat, get your baba and blankie and go night night. With Daddy, not mommy."
Rowan: "Dada nigh-night."
Me: "Okay, daddy will put you to bed tonight."
Rowan: (smile) "Beep!"
And we traded "Beeps!" until Daddy finally got home.
My favorite conversation went as follows:
(Oven beeps. Rowan thinks it's the alarm system for the garage door.)
Rowan: "Where Dada?"
Me: "At work, honey. He'll be coming home soon."
Rowan: "Car-car?"
Me: "Yes, in his car."
Rowan: "Beep?"
Me: "Yes, the oven beeped. Not the door."
Rowan: "Dada. Eat. Ba-ba. Bankie. Nigh-nigh. Dada. Nigh-nigh."
Me: "Okay, when daddy gets home, you want to eat, get your baba and blankie and go night night. With Daddy, not mommy."
Rowan: "Dada nigh-night."
Me: "Okay, daddy will put you to bed tonight."
Rowan: (smile) "Beep!"
And we traded "Beeps!" until Daddy finally got home.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Cavities
Bella struggles to brush her teeth regularly, so we have frequent conversations about cavities. Here is our most recent one this morning:
Bella: "Mommy, what are you doing?"
Me: "Honey, I'm brushing my teeth, so I don't get cavities."
Bella: "Yeah, but I don't need to brush my teeth."
Me: "Well, you probably should. And get your yucky breakfast off."
Bella: "Well, I like cavities. They are nice."
Me: "No, they aren't. They hurt your teeth and put ugly holes in them."
Bella: (pretending to be her barbie in her hand) (high pitched voice) "Yay! Cavities! Cavity you are my friend."
Me: (laughing)
Bella: "Oh no! There's a cavity on my nose! I have to sneeze! Aaahhh chooo!"
I'm not sure if I got the message across. I couldn't help but laugh.
Bella: "Mommy, what are you doing?"
Me: "Honey, I'm brushing my teeth, so I don't get cavities."
Bella: "Yeah, but I don't need to brush my teeth."
Me: "Well, you probably should. And get your yucky breakfast off."
Bella: "Well, I like cavities. They are nice."
Me: "No, they aren't. They hurt your teeth and put ugly holes in them."
Bella: (pretending to be her barbie in her hand) (high pitched voice) "Yay! Cavities! Cavity you are my friend."
Me: (laughing)
Bella: "Oh no! There's a cavity on my nose! I have to sneeze! Aaahhh chooo!"
I'm not sure if I got the message across. I couldn't help but laugh.
Monday, August 10, 2009
It's a girl!
We just found out that we will be expecting another GIRL! in January. I am so relieved. Little boys intimidate me. =)
Friday, August 7, 2009
What makes Bella special
Aaron: "No, Bella you can't take that in the living room."
Bella: (aside) "I hate it when Daddy says 'no' to me." (walks back in living room)
Bella: "Daddy, I'm going upstairs to my room, by myself, and I'm going to talk about what makes me special, and I'm not going to tell you about it."
Aaron: (suppressed laughter)
Bella: "Mommy, what makes me special?"
Bella: (aside) "I hate it when Daddy says 'no' to me." (walks back in living room)
Bella: "Daddy, I'm going upstairs to my room, by myself, and I'm going to talk about what makes me special, and I'm not going to tell you about it."
Aaron: (suppressed laughter)
Bella: "Mommy, what makes me special?"
Old lady leg
On Tuesday night, after walking around the mall for many hours, Aaron and I decided to hang curtain rods (It was the best effort we have had in many weeks I daresay). But all of a sudden, my right leg started KILLING me. I look down and there are these red streaks across my right calf muscle. I'm not going to lie. It scared me. Especially after reading in all my lovely doctor books that I probably had a deep vein blood clot and would probably die if it detached and went to my lungs (did I mention I had been massaging it?).
So, after talking to the midnight nurse on call, I had to go to the ER. After hours of waiting and praying, we got the good news- no clot! We never really got a diagnosis, but I have a feeling it had to do with a combination of being on my feet all day, expecting baby #3, and sciatic nerve pain. It still hurts, mildly. . . but not as much as sleep deprivation and $150 peace of mind. Praise God!
On a side note- I guess you never really get warnings for things like that. You are going along, and then POW! Something interrupts your life which might end it. It's at times like those when I am so thankful for prayer, God, and family. (Thank you Nana and Hubby)
So, after talking to the midnight nurse on call, I had to go to the ER. After hours of waiting and praying, we got the good news- no clot! We never really got a diagnosis, but I have a feeling it had to do with a combination of being on my feet all day, expecting baby #3, and sciatic nerve pain. It still hurts, mildly. . . but not as much as sleep deprivation and $150 peace of mind. Praise God!
On a side note- I guess you never really get warnings for things like that. You are going along, and then POW! Something interrupts your life which might end it. It's at times like those when I am so thankful for prayer, God, and family. (Thank you Nana and Hubby)
Friday, July 31, 2009
Scrumptious is spanish and other stories
Spanish
Bella loves to pretend like she's speaking Spanish. My parents tell me that I loved to "speak" French when I was about her age. Anyway, she had an apple and she told me how wonderful it was to have a juicy apple to eat. Our conversation went as follows:
Bella: Mommy, I love apples.
Me: That's great, honey! I love apples, too. And they're very good for you.
Bella: Yeah, but did you know that apples are scrumptious?
Me: Yes, I did know that.
Bella: Yes, and scrumptious is spanish for apple.
Me: Oh, really! I thought manzana was spanish for apple.
Bella: (ornery smile) Oh, I didn't know that. Manzana (giggle).
Bisgusting
Bella: Don't touch that barbie, Mommy! She's bisgusting!
Me: What?! Why is she disgusting?
Bella: Well, look at her! Her shoes are just bisgusting! So don't touch her.
Me: (laugh) Okay, Bella.
(Where did she get that? I must have a future fashionista on my hands)
Bella loves to pretend like she's speaking Spanish. My parents tell me that I loved to "speak" French when I was about her age. Anyway, she had an apple and she told me how wonderful it was to have a juicy apple to eat. Our conversation went as follows:
Bella: Mommy, I love apples.
Me: That's great, honey! I love apples, too. And they're very good for you.
Bella: Yeah, but did you know that apples are scrumptious?
Me: Yes, I did know that.
Bella: Yes, and scrumptious is spanish for apple.
Me: Oh, really! I thought manzana was spanish for apple.
Bella: (ornery smile) Oh, I didn't know that. Manzana (giggle).
Bisgusting
Bella: Don't touch that barbie, Mommy! She's bisgusting!
Me: What?! Why is she disgusting?
Bella: Well, look at her! Her shoes are just bisgusting! So don't touch her.
Me: (laugh) Okay, Bella.
(Where did she get that? I must have a future fashionista on my hands)
Thursday, July 30, 2009
God says. . .
Yesterday my lovely daughter was "letting" me help pick up her playroom. I guess I got a taste of my own medicine. I had put one of her baskets in the dress up trunk, and she says, "Mommy, God says NOT to put baskets in the trunk. They don't go there." It would've been better if she'd wanted to give me a painkent afterwards.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
A sad goodbye
Aaron has been getting on to me lately for looking at pictures of our old house. I think part of me still wants to move back. Everything we had done to our house over the last three years made it feel like home to me. Not to mention how it was the first house I had lived more than a year in since my junior year in high school. We had so many good memories there, but I know this world isn't our home. So, I have to say goodbye, house. I'm leaving you behind.
Rowan's birthday
So. . .Rowan's birthday happened a long time ago, but we never really got to celebrate it. I can already hear the complaints when she's older about being the middle child and completely forgotten, but honey, you were not forgotten. First of all, your birthday was around the same time we were putting our house on the market. We had your party planned and everything. . . until the open house conflicted. We had the best intentions of rescheduling the week after. . . and then the house sold and we had to pack. And then we were going to have it once we moved in with the family that was here, and then. . . you fell asleep before we could celebrate. The last attempt was a few weeks ago with some friends. I had baked you your 2nd birthday cake and then. . . you fell asleep. Again. So here are the pictures of your birthday we took several months after the date. You (at least) got to eat some of your cake.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
The perfect mom
Sometimes I wonder where I got the idea of the perfect mom from. Is it an idea for us to strive for? Is it the same as the idea of perfection that leads us to God? Is it from God, or is it completely unrealistic? Maybe all the goals of the Christian life are a little unrealistic. Maybe that's why we're called hypocrites, but it doesn't make it a less worthy goal.
Sometimes I feel like I have so many balls in the air that if one falls, all of them tumble down. This sortof happened tonight. I'm so thankful, however, that it brings me to my knees. Where are the moms that have it together? Are they just waiting for the balls to drop?
Sometimes I feel like I have so many balls in the air that if one falls, all of them tumble down. This sortof happened tonight. I'm so thankful, however, that it brings me to my knees. Where are the moms that have it together? Are they just waiting for the balls to drop?
Monday, July 27, 2009
My husband
This last week was Aaron's birthday, so I wanted to write a little memoir honoring my man. Here are some of reasons I am thankful for you, honey:
1. You always put the toilet seat down after using it. I never realized what a pet peeve of mine leaving it up was until we had guests that didn't perform the same courtesy.
2. You don't complain, get angry, or make demands when the house is a mess. You quietly and quickly pick it up. It makes me feel awful (and thankful) for allowing it get so bad. =)
3. You always want and listen to my advice (no matter how scattered and hormonal it may be). I can't tell you how special this makes me feel. You are not a man who listens to many people. You are picky about who you let in and share things with, so thank you for honoring me this way.
4. When things are complicated, you don't try to understand. You simply support my decisions and listen to me rant. I love this. You let me make my own decisions. You are such a good man to offer me good advice, but it doesn't threaten you if I decide on something else. Thank you for giving me this freedom.
5. You are a considerate lover. I'll make no more comments and leave the rest for you alone. I'm sure everyone will appreciate it. =)
6. I can tease and pick on you for a laugh. You take it so well.
7. There are so many other things I could say, but I'll conclude with number 7. The most important thing you are that makes me so thankful to be your wife is: you are a man of God. This is the sexiest thing about you. I can think of so many times when the only comfort I had was knowing that God is with you and that you were following Him. You teach me so much about standing firm in a dark world and being quick to pray and seek God's will (by reading your Bible) when things get hard. I admire your strength, courage, and integrity. Thank you, Jesus, for giving us this grace.
Sidenote: No one is perfect and good except Christ our Lord. But it is through the grace of God that we can love imperfect people and be loved as well. Love overlooks a multitude of offenses; it is not our job to change people, but to love, forgive, and give out of the abundance God supplies.
1. You always put the toilet seat down after using it. I never realized what a pet peeve of mine leaving it up was until we had guests that didn't perform the same courtesy.
2. You don't complain, get angry, or make demands when the house is a mess. You quietly and quickly pick it up. It makes me feel awful (and thankful) for allowing it get so bad. =)
3. You always want and listen to my advice (no matter how scattered and hormonal it may be). I can't tell you how special this makes me feel. You are not a man who listens to many people. You are picky about who you let in and share things with, so thank you for honoring me this way.
4. When things are complicated, you don't try to understand. You simply support my decisions and listen to me rant. I love this. You let me make my own decisions. You are such a good man to offer me good advice, but it doesn't threaten you if I decide on something else. Thank you for giving me this freedom.
5. You are a considerate lover. I'll make no more comments and leave the rest for you alone. I'm sure everyone will appreciate it. =)
6. I can tease and pick on you for a laugh. You take it so well.
7. There are so many other things I could say, but I'll conclude with number 7. The most important thing you are that makes me so thankful to be your wife is: you are a man of God. This is the sexiest thing about you. I can think of so many times when the only comfort I had was knowing that God is with you and that you were following Him. You teach me so much about standing firm in a dark world and being quick to pray and seek God's will (by reading your Bible) when things get hard. I admire your strength, courage, and integrity. Thank you, Jesus, for giving us this grace.
Sidenote: No one is perfect and good except Christ our Lord. But it is through the grace of God that we can love imperfect people and be loved as well. Love overlooks a multitude of offenses; it is not our job to change people, but to love, forgive, and give out of the abundance God supplies.
Friday, July 24, 2009
A good girl
Rowan is my good girl, or so she says. Especially when there are miniature colored marshmallows involved. In fact, before (and usually after) meals there are many trips to the pantry where she points her little finger, makes a grimace, and "eeeehhhhh!!!!" When I come to see what she wants, she starts saying "good girl, good girl."
I'm not quite sure how this caught on, but I have to admit it worked at first. I've been racking my brain asking if at one time I told her that she got marshmallows because she was a good girl? Or maybe she's just that smart? I prefer to think that I would never have done the former and that she just realized that Bella got treats when she was a good girl. The funny thing is, Rowan is not usually a good girl. Especially when she wants miniature colored marshmallows.
Lately she's taken to putting toys in the shutters when we aren't looking. She knows she's not supposed to open the shutters, but I guess it's her way of being sneaky or saying 'ha! I don't have to listen to you!' It starts so young doesn't it?
I'm not quite sure how this caught on, but I have to admit it worked at first. I've been racking my brain asking if at one time I told her that she got marshmallows because she was a good girl? Or maybe she's just that smart? I prefer to think that I would never have done the former and that she just realized that Bella got treats when she was a good girl. The funny thing is, Rowan is not usually a good girl. Especially when she wants miniature colored marshmallows.
Lately she's taken to putting toys in the shutters when we aren't looking. She knows she's not supposed to open the shutters, but I guess it's her way of being sneaky or saying 'ha! I don't have to listen to you!' It starts so young doesn't it?
Bella's hoop la loop
In case you haven't met my oldest daughter, Bella is a hoot. She loves to perform and frequently has "Bella shows" for our enjoyment. Today was all about Bella's hoop la loop (her hoo la hoop). It was an instructional show with detailed performances with her hoop la loop. She would first have an introduction, telling me what the show was, who was performing (there were many guests on the show) and then tell me how her magical hoop la loop was going to be twisting around her body.
It mixed elements of a Japanese talk show, Martha Stewart, and a cheerleading competition (high V's and all). She was perched on our coffee table (it doubles as a stage and launching platform for various jumps), in her pajamas and large yellow hoop la loop. I wish I hadn't been the only spectator (that was real).
It mixed elements of a Japanese talk show, Martha Stewart, and a cheerleading competition (high V's and all). She was perched on our coffee table (it doubles as a stage and launching platform for various jumps), in her pajamas and large yellow hoop la loop. I wish I hadn't been the only spectator (that was real).
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Baby H
So, we are pregnant. Again. Life has so many surprises, don't you think?
About one week before Aaron and I even knew we were expecting, Bella told me in the car, "Mommy, there is another baby in your tummy." While I tried to explain to her that there is, in fact, no baby in my tummy, she was adamant.
I think I thought she was a prophetess when we finally figured it out. So, it's no wonder that I about had a stroke when she told me two weeks later, "Mommy there are TWO babies in your tummy, and their names are H and May. One is boy baby and one is a girl baby."
I almost held my breath when we looked at the first ultrasound. ONE BABY! Thankfully, we will not be writing the book of Bella just yet.
She is still convinced that the boy baby in my tummy is going to be named "H". We find out boy/girl August 10th. We don't wait around here if we can help it. But if it is a little boy, we may just call him H (and name him something else =).
About one week before Aaron and I even knew we were expecting, Bella told me in the car, "Mommy, there is another baby in your tummy." While I tried to explain to her that there is, in fact, no baby in my tummy, she was adamant.
I think I thought she was a prophetess when we finally figured it out. So, it's no wonder that I about had a stroke when she told me two weeks later, "Mommy there are TWO babies in your tummy, and their names are H and May. One is boy baby and one is a girl baby."
I almost held my breath when we looked at the first ultrasound. ONE BABY! Thankfully, we will not be writing the book of Bella just yet.
She is still convinced that the boy baby in my tummy is going to be named "H". We find out boy/girl August 10th. We don't wait around here if we can help it. But if it is a little boy, we may just call him H (and name him something else =).
Welcome!
So, I've officially been peer-pressured. Thanks, by the way. With number 3 on the way, I figure this is the only way I will ever actually tell someone how we're doing without trailing off into la la land or forgetting what I'm saying three times. Or maybe it's the unintelligible, nonsense noises that I've picked up from Rowan that make it hard to speak. Either way, I'm forced to make some sense. Be forewarned, however, that if you come across as;lksdfjieolf;alskdjf while reading my blog, I have either fallen asleep or one of kiddos has started blogging. No apologies. Read at your own risk.
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