Saturday, February 18, 2012
4-H
We joined a 4-H club last year but just kind of participated on the fringes of things. We didn't participate in any of the show stuff or anything like that. We didn't even go and see the competition. This year we ended up only entering 3 things between the two older kids. I tried to prepare them for not winning at all because there would be so many entries. And I told (especially Jared) them that just because they didn't win it didn't diminish their art/project. It was still good. No matter what it won or didn't win. Weeeellllll, they won! All 3 projects/pieces won....BLUE ribbons! I was so happy for them and proud. But the proudest moment of all was surely the look on Lindsay's face when she saw JARED had won a first place ribbon for his drawing. Not even knowing she had won ANYthing at this point. She later told me that before we left she had prayed that, even if she won't nothing, Jared would place with his drawing. He tends to be very unsure of himself and she knew he needed that to feel validated. I love that she was more concerned for him than for herself.
Lindsay's photograph also won the same kind of ribbon that Jared's artwork won. I don't have a photo of her photo though. :)
Friday, February 17, 2012
Sibling Love
Some days I think we won't make it through the day. The fighting. And it's this under cover kind of antagonistic thing. It's not outright "so-and-so hit me for no reason". Well, they do say that sometimes but there was usually some kind of provocation whether they realize admit it or not. Some of this is so foreign to me because my siblings are much younger than me (one 10 years and one 14 years) so I was kind of an only child. But I do know that at the end of the day, they love each other.
These pictures were taken right after a knock-down-drag-out-screaming fight between the two sweet faces you are looking at.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
French Toast
2. Slice--I slice as thin as possible which isn't very thin at all.
3. I mix egg and cinnamon sugar in a mixing bowl.
4. Dip each piece of bread into egg mixture.
5. Fry in oil (make sure the oil is very hot before you drop your bread in there or the bread will just absorb the oil-gross!)
6. Voila! A plate of yummy goodness!
7. We use syrup or confectioner's sugar to top it.
8. Enjoy!
I don't normally like french toast (probably partly because we use wheat bread for all other purposes and french toast loses something with wheat bread in my opinion. :) ) but this is so good! Also note that we don't eat this on a daily basis. ;)
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Valentine's Day
I don't know where you fall in the Valentine's Day opinion spectrum. Do you love it? Hate it? Don't care two whits about it?
I'm kind of between "hate it" and "don't care two whits about it". I think it's an awful pressure-filled holiday that just gets a lot of men in trouble. Needlessly. I hate when I hear men saying "Oh, I'm going to be in trouble if I don't get her something for [enter any "romantic" occasion"]. Just because a guy doesn't rush out and buy you flowers or jewelry one day of the year does not mean he doesn't love you or think about you. Wanna know how I know this? I have a husband. The same one I've had for 17 1/2 years now. And he's not romantic. But he loves me.
1)he comes home every night
2)he calls me on his lunch hour
3)he listens when I need a friend
4)he values what I value
5)he cares when I hurt
6)he is spending his life with me
7)he loves our kids
8)he knows when I need a break-and encourages it usually
9)he tells me he loves me
10) works hard to provide for our family (so that I can stay home with the kids!)
Do I think flowers are pretty? Absolutely. Do I need them because the calendar says it's time to get flowers? Nope. Do I think cards are nice? Yes. Do I need one just because there is something on the calendar? Nope. I know, Hallmark probably hates people like us. We didn't even get cards for each other! In fact we often don't get cards for each other for our anniversary. I think those things are nice but only if the sentiment is there every day too. And right now, we honestly don't have the money to spend on cards and flowers. I'd rather he save the money and spend it on a date night. Later. When everyone and their grandma is not at the restaurant. Not because the calendar says it's time for a date but because he wants to take me out.
I'm kind of between "hate it" and "don't care two whits about it". I think it's an awful pressure-filled holiday that just gets a lot of men in trouble. Needlessly. I hate when I hear men saying "Oh, I'm going to be in trouble if I don't get her something for [enter any "romantic" occasion"]. Just because a guy doesn't rush out and buy you flowers or jewelry one day of the year does not mean he doesn't love you or think about you. Wanna know how I know this? I have a husband. The same one I've had for 17 1/2 years now. And he's not romantic. But he loves me.
1)he comes home every night
2)he calls me on his lunch hour
3)he listens when I need a friend
4)he values what I value
5)he cares when I hurt
6)he is spending his life with me
7)he loves our kids
8)he knows when I need a break-and encourages it usually
9)he tells me he loves me
10) works hard to provide for our family (so that I can stay home with the kids!)
Do I think flowers are pretty? Absolutely. Do I need them because the calendar says it's time to get flowers? Nope. Do I think cards are nice? Yes. Do I need one just because there is something on the calendar? Nope. I know, Hallmark probably hates people like us. We didn't even get cards for each other! In fact we often don't get cards for each other for our anniversary. I think those things are nice but only if the sentiment is there every day too. And right now, we honestly don't have the money to spend on cards and flowers. I'd rather he save the money and spend it on a date night. Later. When everyone and their grandma is not at the restaurant. Not because the calendar says it's time for a date but because he wants to take me out.
Wasting Time
You know, you can waste a lot of time wishing that someone was something they are not. It's best if you just accept a person for who he or she is. Life is too short.
I had to learn this lesson as a very young person. I married when I was 18 and had some notions of what marriage "should" be. I thought it was roses and candlelight. When really it's the little stuff that makes the difference. I determined not long after that I was getting my ideas from romance novels. *eyes roll* Those "men" in those books are fictional. Created by women for women. No man in there! When I put down the romance novels I started to see how I was wrong to expect my husband to be something that a man (a normal one) couldn't do. Never do I get flowers (ok, rarely. But we can't afford them anyway and I'd be kind of mad if he wasted money on them.
People are who they are. Sure, some habits can be changed and people can improve upon what they are but you can't change who a person is (God can but that's a whole different post). It's hard enough to change yourself-impossible to change someone else.
You can wish your family was different, or you can accept them for who they are and love them
You can wish your child was different, or you can accept him or her for who he or she is and have a great relationship.
You can wish your husband was different, or you can love him for who he is and find the good in him (and realize that anyone you live with for years and years will sometimes annoy you!).
That's all. Just don't waste your time wishing someone you love was different.
I had to learn this lesson as a very young person. I married when I was 18 and had some notions of what marriage "should" be. I thought it was roses and candlelight. When really it's the little stuff that makes the difference. I determined not long after that I was getting my ideas from romance novels. *eyes roll* Those "men" in those books are fictional. Created by women for women. No man in there! When I put down the romance novels I started to see how I was wrong to expect my husband to be something that a man (a normal one) couldn't do. Never do I get flowers (ok, rarely. But we can't afford them anyway and I'd be kind of mad if he wasted money on them.
People are who they are. Sure, some habits can be changed and people can improve upon what they are but you can't change who a person is (God can but that's a whole different post). It's hard enough to change yourself-impossible to change someone else.
You can wish your family was different, or you can accept them for who they are and love them
You can wish your child was different, or you can accept him or her for who he or she is and have a great relationship.
You can wish your husband was different, or you can love him for who he is and find the good in him (and realize that anyone you live with for years and years will sometimes annoy you!).
That's all. Just don't waste your time wishing someone you love was different.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Working It Out
Although I haven't really said much I've been working out really hard (minus the month of December when things were just too crazy). I think I'm afraid if I talk about it I'll lose my momentum or quit or something. Anyways, I just started Jillian Michael's "Ripped in 30"--completed her 30 Day Shred in September/October and lost 4 inches just off of my waist in like 12 days...worth the pain!
I usually try to do the elliptical also but the hardest part is finding the time in my day. Because my kids are without direction while I'm doing these workouts (my goal is to wake up really early and do my dvd workout then--but it doesn't always happen. Sleep trumps most things in my world.) I have to be creative to fit them in.
This morning things went so well! My littles found something fun to do. Who knew a skateboard ramp and a dump truck could equal a roller coaster?
And for me (pardon the unrotated picture-oops!) 40 minutes on the elliptical (also referred to the "helliptical" by me) was well over 450 calories burned and my husband's mp3 makes the 40 minutes go much faster. On the playlist? All different genres. One song that really touched me this morning was "I'm Forgiven" by Chris Tomlin. I've heard it a million times. And I've heard the concept more than a million times. But it touched me all over again. ..."That you my King would die for me...". In a world where kings expect anyone to be willing to give his or her life for the monarch, from the lowest of plebes to the highest position in the military, we have a King that gave His life for us! That is amazing to me.
I usually try to do the elliptical also but the hardest part is finding the time in my day. Because my kids are without direction while I'm doing these workouts (my goal is to wake up really early and do my dvd workout then--but it doesn't always happen. Sleep trumps most things in my world.) I have to be creative to fit them in.
This morning things went so well! My littles found something fun to do. Who knew a skateboard ramp and a dump truck could equal a roller coaster?
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Pride In Motherhood
Pride. It gets in the way of so many areas of life. But motherhood is where it really tends to rear it's ugly head. I don't mean being proud that you're a mom or proud that you have great kids. I mean pride like the kind that goes before a fall.
I have one child in particular that has humbled me greatly.
From the time I got pregnant I thought I knew it all this time around. My first two pregnancies were totally different. Almost as different as the kids themselves. I always joked that if I ever did get pregnant a third time I would know what I was having (girl or boy) within a few weeks. Because with Lindsay (my firstborn) I was never sick. Not for a minute. Then, with Jared, I found out what women meant when they complained of nausea. Not that I vomited (just once), I just wished I could. I was miserable. And everything hurt. All. The. Time. So, I deduced that girl pregnancies were easier for me than boy pregnancies. When I found out I was pregnant with Haley I started trying to figure it out. Sure enough, I was sick. Then I wasn't. Then I was. Then I wasn't. Ok, that's funny God. (Except with the bleeding episodes I had it wasn't too funny because every time my symptoms would go away-ie I felt good-I would worry that I was going to miscarry.) So, I was clueless. Still. Baby number 3 and I still knew nothing. You'd think that would've taught me something right there.
Nope.
When she was born I was pretty sure I was a seasoned mom by now. After all, Jared and Lindsay had come out pretty good so far. Ha. First of all, the more kids you have the more divided you are. Not your love. That's the easy part. I love all of my kids with my whole heart. Each one is so special in so many ways. The hard part is keeping track of what all of them are doing at any given moment. Or not doing. And dealing with each child's behavior. "Fairly". Whatever that is.
That child cried. A Lot. And still does. A lot. I used to (pridefully) wonder why other people's children were not happy. Why they cried/screamed. Then, I realized (via my third child) that sometimes kids just do that. It doesn't always reflect on the parent good or bad.
If you would have told me (prior to my humbling child) that your child wouldn't go to bed, wouldn't eat, kept talking when you said not to, or various other annoying behaviors, I would've had THE answer. You know, the parent that says "Well, you need to....blah blah blah." Making you feel as if you must be the biggest dunderhead in all of parenting history. *Raises hand* Yes, that used to be me. But don't worry...if you come to me now...I will hug you or pat you on the back and say "I'm so sorry you're dealing with this." I might timidly offer a suggestion of something I have tried or heard of that worked, but I will ALWAYS add on the disclaimer "...but I know every child is so different."
Moms, in their pride, can get downright catty and even mean. There are so many different (good!) ways to raise your children. Remember that your journey is not your neighbor's. While you might have breastfed longer, you didn't see her tears as she tried and couldn't. Or her tears as she handed her baby over to a babysitter or daycare because she had to go back to work. (I feel that I am so blessed to have the option of staying home! I try to remember what a privilege that is on a daily basis.) Who cares if your baby was cloth diapered or disposable diapered (I mean, it's neat and there are some good reasons but it doesn't make one mother better than the other!?), whether your baby co-slept or slept through the night in his or her own crib from day 1?? (Well, if your baby slept through from day 1 I hate you a little bit. Only a tiny.) Whether you wore your baby or put him or her in a stroller.
As long as you love your child and discipline them (in whatever manner WORKS for your family!) and love them some more. Most of us are doing the best we can with what we have. And what I have might not look like what you have. And that's okay! As moms we need to be nice and supportive. Be a peacemaker. Not necessarily a peacekeeper. If someone is doing harm to her children (real harm), please, speak up. Speaking the truth in love is not the same as judging in a prideful manner. Be a good example of the parenting style you choose. If you want people to want what you have/do, represent it well. Now, after this sat in my drafts for 10 days waiting for me to have time to finish it...here goes! :) Feedback is great by the way. ;)
I have one child in particular that has humbled me greatly.
Nope.
When she was born I was pretty sure I was a seasoned mom by now. After all, Jared and Lindsay had come out pretty good so far. Ha. First of all, the more kids you have the more divided you are. Not your love. That's the easy part. I love all of my kids with my whole heart. Each one is so special in so many ways. The hard part is keeping track of what all of them are doing at any given moment. Or not doing. And dealing with each child's behavior. "Fairly". Whatever that is.
That child cried. A Lot. And still does. A lot. I used to (pridefully) wonder why other people's children were not happy. Why they cried/screamed. Then, I realized (via my third child) that sometimes kids just do that. It doesn't always reflect on the parent good or bad.
If you would have told me (prior to my humbling child) that your child wouldn't go to bed, wouldn't eat, kept talking when you said not to, or various other annoying behaviors, I would've had THE answer. You know, the parent that says "Well, you need to....blah blah blah." Making you feel as if you must be the biggest dunderhead in all of parenting history. *Raises hand* Yes, that used to be me. But don't worry...if you come to me now...I will hug you or pat you on the back and say "I'm so sorry you're dealing with this." I might timidly offer a suggestion of something I have tried or heard of that worked, but I will ALWAYS add on the disclaimer "...but I know every child is so different."
Moms, in their pride, can get downright catty and even mean. There are so many different (good!) ways to raise your children. Remember that your journey is not your neighbor's. While you might have breastfed longer, you didn't see her tears as she tried and couldn't. Or her tears as she handed her baby over to a babysitter or daycare because she had to go back to work. (I feel that I am so blessed to have the option of staying home! I try to remember what a privilege that is on a daily basis.) Who cares if your baby was cloth diapered or disposable diapered (I mean, it's neat and there are some good reasons but it doesn't make one mother better than the other!?), whether your baby co-slept or slept through the night in his or her own crib from day 1?? (Well, if your baby slept through from day 1 I hate you a little bit. Only a tiny.) Whether you wore your baby or put him or her in a stroller.
As long as you love your child and discipline them (in whatever manner WORKS for your family!) and love them some more. Most of us are doing the best we can with what we have. And what I have might not look like what you have. And that's okay! As moms we need to be nice and supportive. Be a peacemaker. Not necessarily a peacekeeper. If someone is doing harm to her children (real harm), please, speak up. Speaking the truth in love is not the same as judging in a prideful manner. Be a good example of the parenting style you choose. If you want people to want what you have/do, represent it well. Now, after this sat in my drafts for 10 days waiting for me to have time to finish it...here goes! :) Feedback is great by the way. ;)
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