It Was Inevitable

Yesterday I actually said shouted the words, "No playing ball in the house!"

Immediate flashbacks of the Brady Bunch episode "Mom Always Says No Playing Ball In The House!"

I am officially in the Carol Brady Club. Who's already joined?

Ah, if only Alice lived here...

Wordless Wednesday: Happy Holidays!

Christmas 2003

Been Caught Singing

It was such a nice day today and while we were out & about with our windows down I observed a very happy guy singing loudly and energetically to whatever was playing in his car. I had to smile- he was so carefree. It's a good thing.

I've been caught singing in the car before and usually do one of two things- either pretend I was talking to someone in the backseat (whether there is someone back there or not!) or I just keep on singing and act like I didn't know someone was watching me. Kinda like when you trip over something in public and then you just continue a little jog forward like you meant to go for a little run! Ha- everyone knows you just tripped. Why do we do the things we do?

No They Won't Fall Out

I went to Babies R Us today and Gray was sleeping sweetly in the sling. I would be surprised to make it through the store without someone stopping to ask about it- and within about 40 seconds in the store I had my first approach.

I was asked the two most common questions I get asked:
Do you like that thing? (I think- of course I like it- why else would I be using it?)
and
Aren't you afraid he's going to fall out?

I always respond politely about my love for carrying baby close, and how much he loves it, too. I then give my endorsement that it is just as safe and more comfortable than other baby carriers, etc.

The third most common question is where can I get one of those?

I am still at a loss as to why more stores don't sell baby slings- it would be wonderful for them to support local mamas that make them, or there are also some nice name brands they could sell for people that can spend a little more money. I have my eye on the Rockin Baby Pouch next... I've tried one before and think Gray is at the perfect stage for it. I think this will be on my Christmas list!

We were in Babies R Us to get him a potty seat. Staying true to my motherly instincts, I am noticing signs and cues. I have no expectations at the moment, but want to be ready for when he's ready!

If You Give A Kid A Camera...

... you'll see things from a whole new view. I like to let Noah take pictures with the digital camera- he loves it and it doesn't waste any film. We love to sit at the computer and look at what he's taken. This last time there were about 15 to 20 pictures of Carter making silly poses and faces.



Luna, our new fish pet is nicely featured here. (By the way, Noah named her Luna days before we got her and before he received this cool space fish bowl!) Before we got her, he kept saying "I think Luna misses me at the pet store."

I think it's cute he took a picture of our wedding pictures & a photo of my Aunt Susie & Uncle Jerry in Colorado.






And a not so flattering picture of me blogging in the play room (you think it looks like I need a break!?) !

It's A Winner!

Ah, it couldn't have come at a better time! Swiffer is promoting a fun holiday sweepstakes and sent me a cool CarpetFlick- the must-have cleaning tool for the holidays! We recently became dog-free and the crumbs on the carpet abound!

I couldn't get the box opened fast enough - and Noah & Carter haven't stopped flicking away since! They actually argue about whose turn it is to clean the carpet... I am liking this so much!

Please check out the Swiffer Holiday Home Tour Sweepstakes and you could win a Home Makeover! I could totally use that right now!

There are lots of other great prizes up for grabs, so be sure to enter now!

And last time I posted a cool contest, Ashlee won! Be sure to let me know if you enter!

Thankful

Three years ago a turkey bakes in the oven. A new tablecloth spreads out, harvest themed napkins at each place setting. We're warm in our house and warm in our fall sweaters. Comfort- that we won't feel again for a very long time.

Call 9-1-1. Rush out into the brisk air, ride in an ambulance. Cold hospital all around us. Wires, tests, whispers, lights, medicines. Life will not be the same again. Thanksgiving meal brought in on a plate with plastic wrap on top. Definitely not the same.


Three years later our home is warm. Our family is together. Our son is healed. Our first Thanksgiving that we can truly celebrate again.

Two nights ago Noah asked Jesus into his heart.

We are Thankful.



This photo was taken the day before Thanksgiving 3 years ago.
Read Noah's Story here.

Wordless Wednesday: Babywearing Back In The Day

circa 2002

What Are You Into This Month?

This Month...

The Book I Am Really Into (or one you want to get into!): Ok, so still making my way through Mothering Your Nursing Toddler- still loving it and saying "amen" and "right on" to every paragraph. I have a couple knitting projects going and several fiction books my Aunt Susie sent me that I can't wait to read- I am hoping the windows of time open up and pour out a few extra hours each day...

Magazine I Really Liked: I am so liking Vegetarian Times and the wonderful recipes- especially the vegan ones!! (Found a great place to get a subscription for only $4.69!!) Save an additional 15% off your order including many other magazines available- can you say Christmas gifts anyone- code: MOMMYSAV15 .

TV Show Worth Watching: We have not been disappointed yet by Heroes! It's the new Lost, only better.

Movie I’ve Seen (In or Out of a theater): Haven't made it back to the theater this month, but I can't change the channel when Elf is on, and I can't help but smile the whole time during that movie. Smiling's my favorite.

The CD I Can’t Stop Listening To: Leona Naess (thanks, Ashlee!) And still this one, of course!

The Candle I'm Loving: Beanpod Cinnamon Toast

Blog I Am Always Visiting: Finally my friend Sheryl started her own blog- Peanut Butter And Jelly Boats and it's hilarious in that "so funny 'cause it's true" kinda way and you can just relate. She is one of the most genuine people I know, and she's beautiful and a great mom, too. She's got it all! Check her out!

What I'm Most Looking Forward To Next Month: Christmas! Meeting my new niece due to be born in a few weeks!

I'd love to hear what you are into this month- If you want to play along, let me know in your comments!

Yes I Have A Weird Sense Of Humor

There was a chicken nugget by my foot in Jeff's car on the way to church yesterday morning. I laughed so hard I almost cried.

I fell down almost half the flight of our carpeted stairs. Wearing tights while rushing down the stairs makes a slippery slope. I lay in a broken mess at the bottom of the stairs, laughing hysterically. I am feeling sore today, which I am finding is not as funny...

Missing The Living Vacuum

Already missing the pooch, just a little, mainly at meal time.

I have never seen so many crumbs on our floor before.

Only Humans Live Here Now

And then there were none…

Once upon a time this was a house filled with three kids and three dogs and messes... chaos was bountiful. Then we were down to just one dog… until this week.

Last weekend Gucci snapped at Gray in the face- he’s ok, all is well, but we could not keep the dog. No need to see if she would bite twice.

A wonderful lady from the rescue group came to get her yesterday morning and now in our house lives only humans. The boys did ask if they could get a fish pet. I might be willing to bend on that one.

Carter's Christmas List

So it's the time of year where anything and everything my children desire is met with the response: You should put that on your Christmas List.


In the Target restroom yesterday Carter loudly announces from inside the bathroom stall, Mommy, can I get one of these little silver garbage cans to put on the wall for Christmas? (You know, the ahem, feminine hygiene disposals.)

And also he'd really, really like the miniature blue post office box postage stamp dispenser sold at the Post Office. Actually they are kinda cute, maybe I could put it on my list...

Maybe I Am Doing At Least A Couple Things Right

Spill 3/4 of a box of small shell pasta all over stove and kitchen floor.

Forget the shopping list for Target (of random necessities that I know I'll forget) on the kitchen table.

Forget to remind both boys to go potty before we leave.

Forget to put shoes on baby as we go to get his first hair cut.

"I forgot to put baby's shoes on! What kind of mother am I?" I mutter, irritated at myself.

Without missing a beat Noah says, "You're a good mother."

I don't know if I've ever felt more thankful for such a compliment before in my life.


After dropping Noah off for school without a minute to spare, I hear Carter say a prayer as we drive away, "Father God, please help Noah not to have any seizures or coughing at school and that he has a won-der-ful day. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen."

Wordless Wednesday: Little Horseman

Me Need Hair Cut

I may take Gray for his first haircut today. I have made the appointment, then canceled, then rescheduled. Then Carter took Noah's "homework scissors" to his own hair the other day and I thought, well, we have to take him in now to get that fixed so we should finally take Gray, too. Daddy is not fond of the mullet look sprouting from the back. Mommy could hold onto it a little while longer...

As babies, all my boys have loved this silly trumpet playing Cookie Monster. When you press his hand he plays When The Saints Go Marching In and when you put the trumpet in his mouth he'll play and say "ha cha cha" in a deep Cookie voice. Gray puts the trumpet to Cookie's mouth and in his own voice growls a little hacha in a deep sound- too cute I must say. He also likes to poke Cookie's eye balls. Ouch.

**Updated to add: this morning we were playing and clear as day he said "cookie?" as he pointed to his trumpet playing Cookie Monster. This could be his second official word (dog was his first.) Dog, cookie, he's got his priorities in order!**

Last night he was taking his pajamas and putting them in Noah & Carter's pajama drawers. I guess he wants to be like his big brothers. I'll take all the laundry help I can get.

I aim here only at revealing myself,
who will perhaps be different tomorrow,
if I learn something new which changes me.
-Montaigne

I'm Hip, I'm With It!

The other night I was tired. I told the boys, "Boys, it's time for you to go home."

If only.

I meant, time for you to go to bed.

Noah laughed at me- "home?"

My 5 year old is already making fun of me. What will happen to me when I turn into an "un-hip" mom with 3 teenagers some day? And the fact that I just used the term "un-hip" is speaking volumes right now.

In Other News...
I just caught Carter coming downstairs with this "look." He sheepishly said, "Um, Mommy, my other friend Carter made a big mess with all the play food upstairs. You know, the other Carter."

So this is starting, too?

I hope I still have this blog years down the road so that I can come back and revisit the good ol' days when I was still a little cool.

Pride

We had Noah's kindergarten parent-teacher conference this week. His teachers said he is quiet in a good way, sets a good example for the other students (especially for the new little boy from Saudi Arabia named Turkey but they call him ToTo-- ah, we'll save that for another post!), and they gushed that he always always has a smile on his face.


Yesterday he recited the Pledge of Allegiance and my heart almost burst. I think this is the sweetest, most adorable thing ever in the world at this moment.

It's Just One Of Those Erma Bombeck Kinda Days

If I Had To Live My Life Over

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the GOOD living room and worried much less
about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his
youth.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day
because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in
storage.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass
stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while
watching life.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth
would go into a holding pattern if I wasn't there for the day.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't
show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every
moment realizing that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance
in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later, now go
get washed up for dinner."

There would have been more "I Love You's" and more "I'm sorry's" but mostly,
given another shot at life, I would seize every minute ... Look at it and
really see it. live it. And never give it back.

-Erma Bombeck

Wordless Wednesday: All We Are Saying...

ahh, peace.

Gray is snuggled here in our latest win- the softest and coolest print of blanket ever- from Urban Baby Runway.

Enter their new contest here!

If You Voted Raise Your Hand

Alright, who voted today?



Anyone else relieved that we don't have to endure any more negative political ads on tv, at least for a while? But, in honor of today and the need for a good laugh, check out this preschool class president race in Iowa.

Making It Count

I will be voting tomorrow.

I will make time to vote- it takes just a few minutes.
I will take my kids with me- I will set an example for them.
I will go early- before I let the day slip by.

I will know about the candidates. (Thanks to Randi for the helpful link!)
Go to Project Vote Smart, too. (Thanks Lori!)

I won't worry about botched ballots, "fixed" counting machines, or if my vote even really counts or not.

Because if my vote does happen to matter, then I want it to be counted.

All Things

There is no situation so chaotic that God cannot from that situation, create something that is surpassingly good. He did it at the creation. He did it at the cross. He is doing it today.—Bishop Moule

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Illness. Hurt. Betrayal. Loss. Confusion. Unfairness. Imperfection. All Things.

Philosophy

In a country where celebrity has become and obsession, I thought this was appropriate for today.

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia ." (Charles Schultz)

Randy Randomness

I'd rather be the person saying you just had to be there than the person hearing it.


I found a new blog thanks to the Urban Baby Runway blog. The Children's Health Enviromental Coalition Blog is presenting 90 Tips For 90 Days: for 90 days they will post tips to help you reduce exposure to chemicals, toxins, and pollutants- for the benefit of your children's health, the health of your home, and the environment. Check out the current and past tips like What If You Can't Afford Everything Organic?


And, in case you are needing new diapers anytime soon, I'll remind you to get $2 off your first order (using code STPR4900) at 1-800-Diapers. (Free shipping with qualifying orders, too.) They offer a great deal on Seventh Generation diapers -for moms & dads that just aren't ready to use cloth yet and want a more enviro-friendly diaper.

It's Friday already? And November? Wow. 'Round here it's taking me a while to get used to the dark at 5 PM thing we have going on here. And the cold. It snowed here yesterday!

*Updated* Did you see this post over at Lori's???

Also, one last and very important thing. Will you be casting your vote next Tuesday? I will.

And, in case you are needing new diapers anytime soon, I'll remind you to get $2 off your first order (using code STPR4900) at 1-800-Diapers. (Free shipping with qualifying orders, too.) They offer a great deal on Seventh Generation diapers -for moms & dads that just aren't ready to use cloth yet and want a more enviro-friendly diaper.

And You Shake It All About

Larry La Prise, the man who wrote "The Hokey Pokey," died peacefully at age 93.

The most traumatic part for his family was getting him into the coffin.

They put his left leg in. And then the trouble started.

Wordless Wednesday: In Motion