A few days ago, we had pulled the van into the garage and as I unbuckled the kids I told them to get out and go in the house. (And as I type this, I'm wondering why I waste my breath telling them something so obvious, but it seems I do always have to tell them or they lollygag around playing in the van or the garage. I feel like I do waste alot of breath throughout my day.)
As I was walking in the house, the kids were still in the van, but I assumed they were making their way out. Apparently Aaron was not, and Claire said, "Ephesians 6:1 Aaron!" and I cracked up when I realized she was reminding him of our C verse..."Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right."
They don't always get the application right, however.
Occasionally I will remind them of the D verse ("Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you." Matthew 7:12) when we are in a situation where I want them to remember to be nice to each other, and treat each other the way they would want to be treated.
This morning they were choosing their straws to use for their banana smoothies. Claire of course wanted the only pink straw, so she grabbed it. Aaron decided he also wanted the pink straw, really just to have something to fight with her about, and this was their exchange:
A: "Claire, say the D verse."
C: "'Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.' Matthew 7:12" (She said it very well!)
A: "Okay, now this is what I want you to do. Give me the pink straw."
C: "No Aaron!!"
And they went on with arguing until Daddy finally interjected and explained to Aaron that the D verse was not a way to get others to do what you want them to do. I asked Aaron, "What if you had the pink straw--would you want her to take it away from you?" I think he was wanting HER to apply the D verse and give him the straw since that is what she would have wanted him to do. Confused? So was he! But he's getting it.
I'm thrilled they are not just reciting their verses though! They are actually taking them to heart!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Happy Birthday Chris!
Last Thursday Chris celebrated his 3rd 29th birthday (or 31st, if you're counting right!).
I gave him a totally random gift of flip-flops for wearing around the house this summer, and some of his favorite candy--Whoppers, Reeses, and Milky Way bars. I wanted to get him a new MSU shirt, but I couldn't find one I liked for him. I'm still on the lookout for a good one.
Thursday night after work we went to dinner with Chris's parents at a local steakhouse. The kids really enjoyed the dinner, and afterwards I made sure we got a couple of pictures.
We got home and Chris was surprised when his brother and a couple of our friends showed up--I had invited them for cake and didn't tell him! So it was sorta like a low-key surprise party. He enjoyed visiting with friends.
The birthday boy with his cake. Aaron really wanted to do 31 candles, or a 3 candle and a 1 candle, but I didn't have that. So we did 3 green candles, and 1 yellow candle. The cake looks pretty, but I didn't like the recipe--it turned out too dry. The chocolate cream cheese icing was good though!
The kids enjoyed it!
And no one will ever turn down chocolate cake!
Nice shot, huh Jason?
Jason and Leigha got to oogle over sweet baby Maggie, who had stopped by with her mom Leslie (who somehow avoided my camera).
The kids ran around the house like crazies (after all the cake and ice cream was surging through their blood stream!). They were sweaty and hot from all the running!
Claire with one of her favorite people--Mrs. Leigha! And ketchup on her shirt!
So all in all Chris said he had a very happy birthday. It's the 11th birthday we've spent together--here's to many many more!
Love you sweetie!
I gave him a totally random gift of flip-flops for wearing around the house this summer, and some of his favorite candy--Whoppers, Reeses, and Milky Way bars. I wanted to get him a new MSU shirt, but I couldn't find one I liked for him. I'm still on the lookout for a good one.
Thursday night after work we went to dinner with Chris's parents at a local steakhouse. The kids really enjoyed the dinner, and afterwards I made sure we got a couple of pictures.
We got home and Chris was surprised when his brother and a couple of our friends showed up--I had invited them for cake and didn't tell him! So it was sorta like a low-key surprise party. He enjoyed visiting with friends.
The birthday boy with his cake. Aaron really wanted to do 31 candles, or a 3 candle and a 1 candle, but I didn't have that. So we did 3 green candles, and 1 yellow candle. The cake looks pretty, but I didn't like the recipe--it turned out too dry. The chocolate cream cheese icing was good though!
The kids enjoyed it!
And no one will ever turn down chocolate cake!
Nice shot, huh Jason?
Jason and Leigha got to oogle over sweet baby Maggie, who had stopped by with her mom Leslie (who somehow avoided my camera).
The kids ran around the house like crazies (after all the cake and ice cream was surging through their blood stream!). They were sweaty and hot from all the running!
Claire with one of her favorite people--Mrs. Leigha! And ketchup on her shirt!
So all in all Chris said he had a very happy birthday. It's the 11th birthday we've spent together--here's to many many more!
Love you sweetie!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
More verses...C, D, and E!
The kids are still working on their ABC Bible verses. Aaron just loves it when I say he's mastered one enough to move to the next letter! Claire usually takes a little longer to get the verse memorized, so in the spirit of "no child left behind" we wait on her. (Actually, what I think she does is not even attempt to recite it to me until she has it 100% perfect, because just when I think she hasn't even started learning a verse, she'll up and say the whole thing! The key is Aaron and I reciting it over and over in her presence.) We usually work on the verses while we're riding in the van.
I had the kids say their C, D, and E verses for the camera yesterday. Claire insisted on also saying her A verse, because that is still her favorite.
A: "As for me, and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15 (They sometimes like to say "and my mama" instead of "and my house" which I think is just adorable.)
B: "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved." Acts 16:31
C: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." Ephesians 6:1
D: "Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you." Matthew 7:12
E: "Every good and perfect gift is from above." James 1:17
I love the fact that I am learning these verses right along with them, as I just typed out all of those from memory!!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
An interview about Mom....
What a cute idea...do an interview with your kids about their Mom, and see what crazy answers you get! I asked Aaron the questions without Claire around so Claire wouldn't copy his answers. Aaron did help Claire with a couple of her answers.
I put these on my Facebook page, but wanted to preserve them on my blog as well. I'm working on a version with the same questions about Daddy.
1. What is something Mom always says to you?
A: Clean up your room.
C: Share.
2. What makes Mom happy?
A: When I mind you.
C: I don’t know.
3. What makes Mom sad?
A: When I don’t mind you.
C: Not minding you.
4. How does your Mom make you laugh?
A: By telling me jokes and silly stories.
C: By tickling.
5. What was your Mom like as a child?
A: A baby.
C: I don’t know.
6. How old is your Mom? (29)
A: How old are you? …ummm… 29!
C: (looking at Aaron) You say it for me.
7. How tall is your Mom?
A: very tall.
C: (standing on her tippy toes) This BIG!
8. What is her favorite thing to do?
A: Work.
C: Work.
(Huh?)
9. What does your Mom do when you're not around?
A: I don’t know. It’s a secret.
C: Look for me.
10. If your Mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
A: I don’t know. What’s famous?
C: I don’t know.
11. What is your Mom really good at?
A: Cutting. And scrapbooking.
C: Good at working.
12. What is your Mom not very good at?
A: Untying too-hard knots.
C: Reaching the ceiling. (Aaron told her to say this.)
13. What does your Mom do for a job?
A: A big job. Get some of your friends to help you.
C: Uh, work.
14.What is your Mom's favorite food?
A: White potatoes. (or not! I like them but they're not my favorite!)
C: Mac and cheese. (Of course this is HER favorite.)
15.What makes you proud of your Mom?
A: A lot of stuff. Like when mama jump ropes and when she skis without falling down. (For the record, I don't do either of these things!)
C: By cleaning your room. (I think she means this makes me proud of her.)
16. If your Mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
A: A card expert.
C: A biiiiiigggggg mommy!
17. What do you and your Mom do together?
A: Shop.
C: Play Hungry Hungry Hippos.
18. How are you and your Mom the same?
A: Because we both have black eyes and we have the same color hair.
C: I don’t know. I want to answer the other questions.
19. How are you and your Mom different?
A: I’m just a little big but you’re really big.
C: We’re in different clothes.
20. How do you know your Mom loves you?
A: Because she always gives me hugs and kisses.
C: By hugging.
21. What does your Mom like most about your dad?
A: He loves you very much.
C: By giving him hugs too.
22. Where is your Mom's favorite place to go?
A: The fire station and Chick-fil-A. (No idea where he got the fire station. I think it was a hint.)
C: To Chick-fil-A.
I put these on my Facebook page, but wanted to preserve them on my blog as well. I'm working on a version with the same questions about Daddy.
1. What is something Mom always says to you?
A: Clean up your room.
C: Share.
2. What makes Mom happy?
A: When I mind you.
C: I don’t know.
3. What makes Mom sad?
A: When I don’t mind you.
C: Not minding you.
4. How does your Mom make you laugh?
A: By telling me jokes and silly stories.
C: By tickling.
5. What was your Mom like as a child?
A: A baby.
C: I don’t know.
6. How old is your Mom? (29)
A: How old are you? …ummm… 29!
C: (looking at Aaron) You say it for me.
7. How tall is your Mom?
A: very tall.
C: (standing on her tippy toes) This BIG!
8. What is her favorite thing to do?
A: Work.
C: Work.
(Huh?)
9. What does your Mom do when you're not around?
A: I don’t know. It’s a secret.
C: Look for me.
10. If your Mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
A: I don’t know. What’s famous?
C: I don’t know.
11. What is your Mom really good at?
A: Cutting. And scrapbooking.
C: Good at working.
12. What is your Mom not very good at?
A: Untying too-hard knots.
C: Reaching the ceiling. (Aaron told her to say this.)
13. What does your Mom do for a job?
A: A big job. Get some of your friends to help you.
C: Uh, work.
14.What is your Mom's favorite food?
A: White potatoes. (or not! I like them but they're not my favorite!)
C: Mac and cheese. (Of course this is HER favorite.)
15.What makes you proud of your Mom?
A: A lot of stuff. Like when mama jump ropes and when she skis without falling down. (For the record, I don't do either of these things!)
C: By cleaning your room. (I think she means this makes me proud of her.)
16. If your Mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
A: A card expert.
C: A biiiiiigggggg mommy!
17. What do you and your Mom do together?
A: Shop.
C: Play Hungry Hungry Hippos.
18. How are you and your Mom the same?
A: Because we both have black eyes and we have the same color hair.
C: I don’t know. I want to answer the other questions.
19. How are you and your Mom different?
A: I’m just a little big but you’re really big.
C: We’re in different clothes.
20. How do you know your Mom loves you?
A: Because she always gives me hugs and kisses.
C: By hugging.
21. What does your Mom like most about your dad?
A: He loves you very much.
C: By giving him hugs too.
22. Where is your Mom's favorite place to go?
A: The fire station and Chick-fil-A. (No idea where he got the fire station. I think it was a hint.)
C: To Chick-fil-A.
Two very different children
I have been contemplating lately how I can have two children who love each other so much, are so much alike, yet are so different in so many ways. It has me wondering what kind of loop this third child is going to throw me!
Here are some examples:
Aaron: honey mustard
Claire: ketchup
Aaron: apple juice
Claire: orange juice
Aaron: garbage trucks
Claire: baby dolls
(I know this one is all gender!!)
Aaron: blue
Claire: pink
(Claire tells us that the baby's favorite color will be pink, with her.)
At the playground--
Aaron: playing in the dirt or climbing
Claire: swings or slides
Aaron: pacifier/blankie (back in his baby days...quit when he was 2, with help from us)
Claire: thumb sucker, still going strong at 2 1/2 with no signs of stopping
Aaron: incredibly hard to potty train
Claire: incredibly easy to potty train
Aaron: wants to play cards
Claire: wants to play puzzles
Aaron: great at math, horrible at coloring
Claire: loves to color, and hasn't shown any unusual aptitude for math.
Aaron: ice cream in a cup
Claire: ice cream in a cone
Aaron: makes a huge mess when he eats
Claire: makes only a minimal mess
Aaron: always wants to hold my hand
Claire: says she can walk "by myself"
I could go on and on. They have many ways they are alike too, but I notice more of these little differences every day. I know they are individuals...it's just so funny to see it come out in them so strongly. I am anxious to know what our newest little addition will be like. What will she have in common with her older siblings, and what will be totally different than either one? Motherhood is definitely a new journey with each child!
Here are some examples:
Aaron: honey mustard
Claire: ketchup
Aaron: apple juice
Claire: orange juice
Aaron: garbage trucks
Claire: baby dolls
(I know this one is all gender!!)
Aaron: blue
Claire: pink
(Claire tells us that the baby's favorite color will be pink, with her.)
At the playground--
Aaron: playing in the dirt or climbing
Claire: swings or slides
Aaron: pacifier/blankie (back in his baby days...quit when he was 2, with help from us)
Claire: thumb sucker, still going strong at 2 1/2 with no signs of stopping
Aaron: incredibly hard to potty train
Claire: incredibly easy to potty train
Aaron: wants to play cards
Claire: wants to play puzzles
Aaron: great at math, horrible at coloring
Claire: loves to color, and hasn't shown any unusual aptitude for math.
Aaron: ice cream in a cup
Claire: ice cream in a cone
Aaron: makes a huge mess when he eats
Claire: makes only a minimal mess
Aaron: always wants to hold my hand
Claire: says she can walk "by myself"
I could go on and on. They have many ways they are alike too, but I notice more of these little differences every day. I know they are individuals...it's just so funny to see it come out in them so strongly. I am anxious to know what our newest little addition will be like. What will she have in common with her older siblings, and what will be totally different than either one? Motherhood is definitely a new journey with each child!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
St Patty's Day Picnic
Today is so beautiful!! The sun is shining brightly and I couldn't bear the thought of eating our lunch cooped up indoors. So we took our lunch to the driveway! Aaron also loves this because I only let him eat roasted peanuts outdoors, because of the huge mess he makes with them.
We had "shamrock shakes"...a banana milkshake with green food coloring!
Claire was being silly and taking a bow for me...
I laid down on the driveway (yes, big ol' pregnant lady laid down flat on the driveway! What a sight!) to get some interesting shots of the kids.
Then I put away lunch and the camera, and started reading my book in the sunshine while the kids played. I wasn't really paying attention to what they were doing, when I heard Aaron singing, "To the center of the earth" (a Backyardigans song, I think). I had to get my camera back out...they told me they were worm hunters.
What a mess! But what a glorious day to dig in the dirt!
We had "shamrock shakes"...a banana milkshake with green food coloring!
Claire was being silly and taking a bow for me...
I laid down on the driveway (yes, big ol' pregnant lady laid down flat on the driveway! What a sight!) to get some interesting shots of the kids.
Then I put away lunch and the camera, and started reading my book in the sunshine while the kids played. I wasn't really paying attention to what they were doing, when I heard Aaron singing, "To the center of the earth" (a Backyardigans song, I think). I had to get my camera back out...they told me they were worm hunters.
What a mess! But what a glorious day to dig in the dirt!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Four-leafed clover
Monday, March 9, 2009
Pedal pedal pedal
I am so thankful for the pretty weather we're having! I just can't get enough of taking the kids outside to play...or just sending them out without me!
This afternoon we had a race on the street, an activity we've done many times. Aaron rides his little bike with training wheels, and Claire rides her tricycle. She's always "flintstoned" it, using her feet to push her trike along. Today she finally decided she wanted to pedal! Tonight after dinner we got to go outside (I love daylight savings time, once we all get adjusted!) to show Daddy her new trick. I brought the video camera and captured the milestone! Aaron was just about her age when he learned too, but unfortunately I didn't get that one on video.
I also got some pics!
This afternoon we had a race on the street, an activity we've done many times. Aaron rides his little bike with training wheels, and Claire rides her tricycle. She's always "flintstoned" it, using her feet to push her trike along. Today she finally decided she wanted to pedal! Tonight after dinner we got to go outside (I love daylight savings time, once we all get adjusted!) to show Daddy her new trick. I brought the video camera and captured the milestone! Aaron was just about her age when he learned too, but unfortunately I didn't get that one on video.
I also got some pics!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
My blog...foreshadowing
I realized just now that I missed my one-year "blogiversary". I started blogging on February 6, 2008. I've really enjoyed it! I hope you have too! Happy Blogiversary to me!
As I looked back I saw one of my first posts: "The Lord Gives, and Interprets Dreams!" I got chills reading this post, because at the time I had no idea that my very dear Grandma was mere months away from her terminal cancer diagnosis and death. In fact, it was shortly after this post was written that she started feeling bad. Her friends have told me they started noticing right around mother's day or a little before that she was bowing out of more and more activities due to tiredness. She was too stubborn to go to the doctor about anything until her pain became unbearable in early July. She died in mid-August.
God was preparing me, and I didn't even know it. And He always is, as long as I am listening. Thank you Lord!
As I looked back I saw one of my first posts: "The Lord Gives, and Interprets Dreams!" I got chills reading this post, because at the time I had no idea that my very dear Grandma was mere months away from her terminal cancer diagnosis and death. In fact, it was shortly after this post was written that she started feeling bad. Her friends have told me they started noticing right around mother's day or a little before that she was bowing out of more and more activities due to tiredness. She was too stubborn to go to the doctor about anything until her pain became unbearable in early July. She died in mid-August.
God was preparing me, and I didn't even know it. And He always is, as long as I am listening. Thank you Lord!
I have to find a widow
A few weeks ago in the van Aaron and I had a discussion about how one day, he will grow up and find a nice girl and get married and have babies and THEN I will be a grandmother like Mimi. (Insert mommy's tearful sobs here!)
He reiterated it to me: "One day when I am all grown up I will go out and find a grown-up girl who doesn't have a husband yet, and I will marry her."
Then he asked me, "But how will I FIND her?"
"You'll just know," I answered. How was I supposed to answer that? It's one of life's biggest questions!
Later that night as he was hugging on Claire, he decided that Claire would be his wife. He really does love her, but I explained to him that you don't marry your sister. Claire would find her own husband. He seemed a bit disappointed, but I thought he had moved on.
Then today, in the van again, Aaron announced, out of nowhere, "One day I will have to find a WIDOW."
"A what?" I said, thinking I had misunderstood.
"A WIDOW. A WIDOW is a lady who doesn't have a husband because her husband has died. I will have to find a widow to be my wife." They learned about the widow's mite at Sunday school a few weeks ago, so someone must have explained to him what a widow is!
Then I told him that would be fine, but he could also marry a girl who has never had a husband before. Then he was quiet.
What will he come up with next? And why the obsessing over growing up? Just stay little!
He reiterated it to me: "One day when I am all grown up I will go out and find a grown-up girl who doesn't have a husband yet, and I will marry her."
Then he asked me, "But how will I FIND her?"
"You'll just know," I answered. How was I supposed to answer that? It's one of life's biggest questions!
Later that night as he was hugging on Claire, he decided that Claire would be his wife. He really does love her, but I explained to him that you don't marry your sister. Claire would find her own husband. He seemed a bit disappointed, but I thought he had moved on.
Then today, in the van again, Aaron announced, out of nowhere, "One day I will have to find a WIDOW."
"A what?" I said, thinking I had misunderstood.
"A WIDOW. A WIDOW is a lady who doesn't have a husband because her husband has died. I will have to find a widow to be my wife." They learned about the widow's mite at Sunday school a few weeks ago, so someone must have explained to him what a widow is!
Then I told him that would be fine, but he could also marry a girl who has never had a husband before. Then he was quiet.
What will he come up with next? And why the obsessing over growing up? Just stay little!
A snow day...what a way to bring in March!
Last weekend we got a snow day! Last year we had a good snow at the beginning of March (I remember vividly because it was the weekend of our first Lil' Blessings Consignment Sale!), so I shouldn't have been surprised when the temps dipped and the snow came blowing in!
I got out of the grocery store (along with the rest of the town!) Saturday just as the flurries started. The next day church was cancelled so we enjoyed a lazy day at home, and got in some snow play time. I was thankful it was a weekend because Chris usually misses out on the kids playing in the snow.
Look how deep it was!
Working on some snowballs:
Claire's pink piggy got snow on her nose!
Love this picture of my guys...
Of course Aaron wants to make a snow angel. Claire is not interested in getting that wet!
Daddy, my piggy got snow on her nose!
Our house, and my van (for those of you who haven't seen my mom-status-symbol yet!) It was in the driveway because we had been painting the day before and had a bunch of junk out in the garage.
Down the street...
Aaron found tracks in the snow where his squirrel friend "Poo-ray" had been bouncing through the snow!
Aaron was beyond ready to go in and was fussing, but I forced the kids to take this picture with me, as proof that I was really there! I'm never in our pictures.
And the obligatory hot chocolate when we came in capped off a fun time!
I got out of the grocery store (along with the rest of the town!) Saturday just as the flurries started. The next day church was cancelled so we enjoyed a lazy day at home, and got in some snow play time. I was thankful it was a weekend because Chris usually misses out on the kids playing in the snow.
Look how deep it was!
Working on some snowballs:
Claire's pink piggy got snow on her nose!
Love this picture of my guys...
Of course Aaron wants to make a snow angel. Claire is not interested in getting that wet!
Daddy, my piggy got snow on her nose!
Our house, and my van (for those of you who haven't seen my mom-status-symbol yet!) It was in the driveway because we had been painting the day before and had a bunch of junk out in the garage.
Down the street...
Aaron found tracks in the snow where his squirrel friend "Poo-ray" had been bouncing through the snow!
Aaron was beyond ready to go in and was fussing, but I forced the kids to take this picture with me, as proof that I was really there! I'm never in our pictures.
And the obligatory hot chocolate when we came in capped off a fun time!
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