Brain Covers

A while back Will and I were driving home from church and he was telling a very detailed memory that I didn't share.  I commented on how well he could remember and that when you get older, sometimes your memories sneak out. 

He replied very matter of factually, "yeah, I know, its because I have brain covers." 

Me- Really?  Where did you get them?

Will-  I was just walking around and I found them laying on the ground.

Me-  Do they go over your ears or something? 

Will- No, they go right here.  (pointing to his temples)

Me-  You know, I forget a lot, do you think you could find another pair for me?

Will-  I did, but they were made our of cement and I couldn't carry them.  Mom, my memories can't sneak out.  They don't have arms, they are just words. 

     He will still regularly comment on his brain covers and when we are learning something challenging and he is able to figure it out, he refers to his "ant home brain."  Your guess is as good as mine. 

Season of Eternal Evening

We are in the throws of Autumn, the season of the eternal evening.  The dusky shadow encases the sky in a quiet mysterious way from dawn to dusk.  The shadows are ever long, the sun's heat is loosing the battle to warm the earth.  While the afternoons are still warm, the mornings are crisp, and the evening warmth looses quickly.  The wind whips up the dust of the earth and carries the leaves in a swirling fashion bringing squeals of delight from playing children.  There is no need for store bought toys this time of year.  The trees produce enough entertainment as we try to catch the falling leaves, and pile the ones on the ground into various formations and giant heaps.  The earthy smell the broken leaves sets time still to remember the seasons of years past.  I'm tempted to walk all day in anticipation of the sound of the crunching leaves under foot, to take it all in one last time before God sets his winter blanket upon us.  You can almost see it looming in the air, the sky looks closer in this season, almost as if I could touch it.  A reminder of the shelter God provides through the winter and the warmth He will keep in our homes.

Its that time of year.  The leaves have begun their yearly show, the sweatshirts are hung for their morning run, and the pumpkins are lined up in rows, waiting for my kids to show up. 

A family in Crofton were selling them for a $1 each, we got a HUGE one.  I'll have to get a picture of the kids with the ones we brought home.  It was hard to use self control, I wanted multiples of each, but we left with 5, and 10 smaller gourdes for painting.  I love orange, so pumpkins are kind of my favorite.

He really got into it too.  The kids kept picking them up and putting them in the trunk with out even telling us.  Good thing they were cheap.

Ella and Becca taking advantage of the photo opp.

Later that day we went up to Lake Henry in Scotland and went fishing with Grandpa and Grandma McCarthy.  The boys always talk about fishing with grandpa Dean, so this was quite a treat.

The fish were pretty active.  They boys were excited they got so many bites.  This helps them like fishing even more, I don't think they've ever had to experience the true patience of a fisherman.

Before or trip fishing we stopped by the Menno Power Show.  Our yearly fix of all things old.  The kids love the tractor trains.  They are so cool, so noisy, and so old.

I'm no sure why its so hard for me to get on here and remind myself of whats happened.  I'm going to try to force myself to do this once a month.  It won't be long and this season of my life will be gone and I'll be grasping as vanishing memories, trying to recapture these lost moments.   

 To prove my point, just look, Will is 5! He celebrated his birthday with his first friend party.  I've decided that for each kid to get a birthday party every year is too much stress, and money.  So they will learn to share yet another thing.  It works out and the kid of the year feels honored and extra special.  And I, well, I feel calmer, and we all know that's a good thing. 

I just wanted to add this shot to remind myself how precious this little two year old is.  Its a good thing God made her so stinking cute, it has saved her life many times.  Goodness I love the toddler stage, but I sure get tired of her quick legs and easy frustration.  To her benefit, I have to remind myself that she does get over disappointment quickly and always comes back with a beaming smile and announces "Ella happy now!"  Usually accompanied with a little sniff.

Jack has been doing, what else, skateboarding.  Him and his dad took a special trip to the mall and had it built at Zoomies.  He bought the deck while at Lifelight this last Labor Day.  As with almost anything, the better the equipment, the better the player.  He has improved so much in the last few weeks, but its hard to watch this nice, new board get scraped and ripped up.  But I've heard that he'll need a new one every 3 or 4 months.  This kid better start doing some more chores! 

Apple season is in full swing and we took the family out to the Apple Festival at the orchard.  This was the first time the kids all looked at the camera and smiled. 

  Its so nice to be able to go somewhere without a stroller, and a diaper bag within an arms length.  Its hard to say goodbye to one stage of life, but this next stage has so many advantages.  I can sleep all night, mostly.  I can have a real conversation with any of my kids, mostly.  We can finally take our family out  , and actually enjoy it, not feeling like it was more work than fun, well, mostly.

All smiles with our bellies full of apples.

Isn't he handsome?  And who's that broad?  Haha...

Speedy Summer

Okay, here it is in a review.  Not that really anyone but myself cares, but I know I'll forget my entire life if I don't write it down. 

After the Forth of July the kids had another week off of freedom before swimming lessons start.  Everyday at the pool for 45 minutes for two weeks straight, you wouldn't think that would be too big of a deal, but for some reason, having to be at specific place at a specific time is hard for me.  Good thing I don't work outside the home, and I can drop Jack off at school in my P.J.'s while the other two eat their breakfast in the car. 

Ella's Birthday was just before and we had fun celebrating at the pool.  That girl LOVES the pool.  I have to watch her so closely.  I'm afraid she'll drown herself, she loves the feeling of the water around her neck, nose, and face.  Strange for a kid that age, and very anxiety producing to watch.  But I let her go as best I can, for the most part, the boys just have to make sure they are taking care of themselves because I can't turn my back on her.

August was full of trips to Grandma and Grandpa's as me and Lewis finished a painting project on the house and took some time for ourselves in the Cities.  The kids came back and we geared up for school season to begin again.  See?  Where does the time go?  We romanticize the long summer days, being lazy by the pool, sipping lemonade, and then just as fast as you saw that vision, its gone. 

The thought that the season makes me sad, but the thought of schedule makes me sane.  Goodbye summer, Hello Sanity!

Summer Independence

So I guess summer got busy again.  A lot has happened between now and then.  I'll try to recap as best I can. 

We had a great 4th of July weekend planned.  We were going to just "chill" at my moms, watch the kids in the pool, barbecue, and enjoy an evening fire pit.  We had a few nights planned in a cabin by Lewis and Clark lake to have some good quality family time.  But as it is with life, plans change.  My grandpa Andy passed away June 30, and his funeral was July 5th.  We were still able to enjoy the few nights at the cabin.  The boys LOVE fire, they spent hours scouring the shore for drift wood and corn husks that had washed up and dried out.  We didn't even have to buy fire wood.  Boys are natural hunter/gatherers.  We even had a chance to catch up with our old friends Justin and Virginia Meyer and there brood of four. 

But our "chill" time at my parents house, wasn't quite that.  We did find a few moments to enjoy each other, but much of the other time was filled with planning, and extended family.  I can't say it wasn't a good thing.  We were able to go out to "the farm", all of my uncles, aunts, cousins, and their kids for root beer floats and a concoction of every one's fireworks.  It had to be the best Independence day I can ever remember from childhood until now.  There were plenty of children around to keep each other company, and we were all together.  That just doesn't happen when you have over 30 first cousins, not to mention their parents and kids.

Holding my daughter in one arm, the other hand filled with ice cream and root beer and the sky filled with colored fire, I knew this would be a memory I'd hold dear for all my life.  The moment did not escape me.  I looked to my left and to my right and knew I was surrounded by people who cared for me, if for no other reason but because I was family.

We said goodbye to my grandfather the next morning with waves of tears and roars of laughter.  There is a lot of emotion when remembering a life lived so long and so vigorous. 

Lewis, the kids, and I headed out to Gavin's point dam a little later that afternoon.  I thought we might have to drive over in shifts.  That van was full to the brim.  Jack had to take a small uphill climb to get to his seat in the back.  I always forget how much stuff you need when staying overnight in a cabin.  See why we don't tent camp?  We have no room for the tent!  So, thats my excuse anyway.

The boys LOVE fire and spent the majority of the time scouring the lake shore for drift wood and corn stocks for burning.  We didn't even have to buy fire wood.  The next day we hiked up smutty bear trail.  Ella was all girl and kept crying and begging us to carry her because it was 'cary".  Which in Ellaese is "scary."  So, as most dad's go, Lewis caved and ended up carrying her until she had to have mom. 

One of our family friends, who currently pastor in California, were able to spend the second night in their own cabin just two down from us.  They have 3 boys and a girl so our kids were busy and we were able to converse around the fire as the kids found things to burn. 

Phew, fun is exhausting and vacation with children is an adventure.  If you want a relaxing vacation, don't bring your kids, or stock plenty of movies, video games, and duct tape.  We had a fabulous Forth and we plan on cabining again next year....somewhere.

The Queen Sized Giant

³⁵ The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God—Luke 1:35

I want to be overshadowed, overwhelmed, overtaken with the Spirit of God, just as Mary was.  Oswald Chambers puts it "What was true of the Virgin Mary in the history of the Son of God’s birth on earth is true of every saint. God’s Son is born into me through the direct act of God; then I as His child must exercise the right of a child— the right of always being face to face with my Father through prayer."
Will I allow my spirit the pleasure to be in my Father's house, to be about my father's business, to be face to face with my Father through prayer?  Or will I deny my Father His child and allow my flesh to crowd my time, confuse my mind, and control my life? 

they found Him in the temple . . . . And He said to them, ’. . . “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” —Luke 2:46, 49 (emphasis added)

Jesus was dumbfounded that his parents didn't know where He would be.  It seems as though it wasn't a second thought to Him.  He felt the pull from His Father and He went searching, in His Father's house.  Am I as willing to drop my agenda when the Lord begins to pull me, or do I put Him on hold until its convenient, or until I ask permission from others?  Whose permission to you need but the Lords?

The Lord has been drawing me to search Him out in the early mornings, but I have put him on snooze.  By the time I do get up, the house is awake and the day is full and I find myself distracted.  My Pastor, Mark Swee, spoke recently about the giants that stand in our way of God's promised land.  He spoke of a giant named Og, and quoted Deut 3:11, which gave the dimensions of his bed.  He went on to say, "the only thing between Israel and the promised land was a king sized bed."  Well, in my case its a queen sized bed, but I got the hint. 

Its easy to let life crowd us, confuse us, and control us, but we must fight the impulse of our flesh to ask others, or to put too much human common sense into things.  I suppose it would have been nice for Jesus to tell His parents where He was going, but the point is, that Jesus was about His Father's buisness, He was face to face in prayer with His Father and so heavily lead by the Spirit of God that at the same very instance He felt the Lord leading, He was already going.


 

Country in the City

Kids are happier when they have a project, usually its a craft, or a new video game.  In my kid's case, its decorating a tree with old whiskey bottles.   Between our neighbors fence and the train track that lies behind it, is an awesome "forest" for my boys to explore, "do construction", and stay busy.  This is what happens after 50 years of grass clipping pile up and you don't cut down the trees that seed in the spring.  The forest is more like 4 gnarly trees and a homeless shelter.  I say this because a few years back there was some homeless guy that was hanging out there, then there are the random kids that come with their refreshments and what not.  Hence the collection of whiskey bottles my boys were able to convert into art.

I repeatedly thanked the neighbors for allowing my boys to go and play back there.  We truly have the sweetest neighbors.  A pair of 80-somethings that are like an extra set of grandparents to me and my children.  Jack lovingly found a flat-as-a-pancake mouse and showed it to us and our neighbor Vern, and would have chased Ella around the yard with it if not for me.  The boys spent over 5 hours rearranging old concrete, branches, grass clipping, and who knows what else.  The bath water was dirty tonight, and completely worth it!  I only hope they spend many more hours being boys beyond the fence.

Guitar Guru

The boys love messing around on an old acoustic guitar we have around the house.  This is obviously not it.  But neither of the boys had any real interest in doing anything beyond stretching the strings.  That is until a few days ago when Jack said he wanted to really learn how.  I told him all he had to do was ask.  For some reason he was too shy, so I told Lewis he wanted to learn. 

It didn't take long.  I think it was sometime that same day they were downstairs learning his first chord.  Its a little bit of a stretch for Jack's fingers, but he has been practicing his strumming and a few chords.  The best part is they get to spend real time together, and every dad loves to teach his son about what he loves to do.

Muddy Mess...Again

Maybe they are part pig, or its a good way to ward off mosquitos and sunburn, but my boys just can't stay out of the mud.  I have a sneaky suspission its usually Jack's idea. 

I must say, they are getting better at this.  I don't really mind that they make a mess of themselves, just as long as it isn't all over everything else.  The rule is they have to be hose washed before they can clean up in the bath.  There is NO way they are going inside like THAT!  On this occasion, the mess was on themselves, besides a few muddy foot prints on the driveway.

Jack is willing to take the consequence of his fun, but Will, he doesn't like the cold water at all.  He sat next to the fence for about 15 minutes before he got so sick the mosquitos that the cold water no longer looked as bad.  Plus, he didn't want to sleep outside. 

Pedal Pull Piston Cup!

Yesterday was summer.  It just felt like summer.  Okay, after the clouds blew out and the humidity rose, it felt like summer.  We spent the day hopping from event to event, but in a casual way.  We enjoyed lots of time with friends, time we don't normally get. 

We were also able to take a few hours and head over to Hartford's Jubilee days.  We've never been over to it since we are usually celebrating Czech days down in Lewis' hometown of Tabor.  They were holding a tractor pull for the kids so our aim was to arrive a little before 2.  Lewis had done it as a kid and so had my sister, and they had both won their divisions when they competed so the pressure was on!  No, not really, its just fun to expose your kids to the "home town culture". 

We signed the boys up for their respective ages.  The four year olds were up first and Will was the second to last to pull.  I think it was somewhere around 21 feet that he had pulled and the next one was at 18!  He won!!!  I guess its not really that big of a surprise, taking in account the general size of him.  He was all smiles, and didn't really know how to react.  This was the first time he had been able to compete in anything, I hope he doesn't think its always this easy to come out on top.

Jack was up against some stiff competition and ended up at third place.  He gave excuse after excuse as to why he didn't win.  I felt bad that he didn't come home with anything, but we reinforced the fact that everyone has their own talents.  The other boys in his class were just bigger, but he could probably run faster. 

The fact that Will had won and Jack hadn't must have sunk in on the way home, because Will began parading his trophy in front of his brother.  He didn't say a word, he didn't have to.  Jack was not impressed.

After our day was over and Will was getting ready to head into bed, he stopped and asked his dad "Are you happy I won my trophy?"  Lewis replied "yes!"  Will continued "Dad, would you still love me if I didn't win it?"  "OF Course!"  Lewis encouraged.

I never want my kids to think that their value is based or linked to what they can do or what they do for me, but I do want them to be able to experience the real feeling of success and accomplishment, the kind you get from actually doing something.  Not just the fake kind you get after "participating".  I guess that is why I'm so excited for Will.  Not even that he won, but that he gets to know what success feels like, and what its like to have your very own "Piston Cup."

June 14 2011

I would say over the last few weeks half of the news and any conversations is tied to the flooding of the Missouri River.  I grew up along the river and I've never had to deal with anything like it is now.  I moved to Northeast Nebraska when I was 10, and spent a lot of time around the Gavin's Point Dam.  I remember thinking it was pretty cool that I could say the word dam, and it not be a bad word.  The fact that a naught word could so easily be used in every day language without being in trouble was pretty cool.  So I guess I shouldn't be so surprised that my boys are just as fascinated with it.

The other day we were eating dinner and having another conversation about the dam.  The boys were going on and on about this and that, using the word over and over in the correct way, so as not to be a bad word.  The reminded us that it wasn't a bad word the way they were using it.  Then as serious as anything, Will looked over at me and said "Mom, there are too dam (damn) words."  Place whichever word makes you laugh more.  Lewis and I were rolling in laughter.  Ah, the simple humor in our children.

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Saturday was a beautiful day, so we took another trip to the park.  Ella has become far more independent that I am comfortable with, but I still try to let her explore.  This was a new park for her, last year she was too small, and she was thrilled with a little wiggling balancing bridge.  She was insistent on doing it herself.  I said to her "Ella, you scare me!"  She stopped turned towards me and replied "ROAR!!!"  She growled, like I asked her to scare me.  Not exactly what I meant, kids are very literal.

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I'd like to share a silly story from each of my kids, but Jack is almost getting too old to be naively funny.  He is becoming to keen on sarcasm and too in tune to the effect on others for the simple things to be funny.  But with a loss of one thing, there is sure to be a gain of another.  Jack's one love, as of now, is skateboarding.  I must say, I'm thrilled.  I'm NOT being sarcastic.  I really do like watching him practice something, fail, and learn to do it the way he wants.  We've been trying to make it over to the skate park once a week.  He is greatful, but always wants more.  I guess I should be glad he has found something to pour his time into.

Marker Mayhem

For the foreseeable future we will not be using markers at our house.  On several occasions Ella has used her arms, legs, and face as a canvas for her art, but more recently Will has gotten in on the act.  Its not so bad when its the arms, its easy to wash off and doesn't really cause problems.  All the same, I've told them they need to use paper, I have the foresight to see a problem coming from such a habit.

Then last week Jack got out the markers and was drawing in his journal(something he needs to do everyday), there was lots of laughter, I was just glad they weren't fighting.  I checked on them and just told them not to draw on themselves, I could see there was already a long mark up Will's arm.  A few minutes later I went back in and see Will butt naked with the creative markings of Jack all over him.  I didn't have the camera at home, but it probably would have been inappropriate anyway.  There was a sunshine around his belly button, marks up and down his legs and arms, it was on the bottom of his feet.  Jack had made some kind of interesting marks streaming from his nipples, and there was even marks on his penis!  I DON'T want to know what they were thinking, its scary inside the brain of a boy. 

If any of you know how washable markers work, you'll know as soon as they get wet, they start to drip.  Since Will had it on the bottom of his foot it started rubbing off onto the carpet, by the way, it was black.  Luckily, since it was washable, Jack had an easy time cleaning it.  Notice how Jack cleaned it.

I usually don't appreciate the hysterics of these situations.  I must say, this time I was able to step back a bit and let myself laugh.  Of course, I didn't let them see that, but I didn't fly off the handle either.  I was able to stay cool and calm.  As small as that may seem to you, this is a victory for me, this is something I have been learning.  Its the small moments in life where we claim the victories.  We often overlook these "little" moments and just think victory is a noticeable and momentous occasion that everyone can see.  As much as those times are, even more so are the ones that no one else will notice.  And luckily, God is always watching and always celebrates these times with me, and I'm sure He is laughing right along with me.

Onward and Upward

I have a mix of emotions as I'm watching Ella grow.  Her words are becoming more clear and she is stringing them together into sentences.  I love watching her read books, its still filled with so many words I can not understand, and I actually like that, it shows her innocence.  Everyday it seems another part of her babyness is falling off behind her and she is running to catch the next "big kid" thing.  She can't catch up with her brothers fast enough.  She has refused the high chair, and booster seat for almost 6 months now, and wanted a big bed like her brothers.  There are no more cribs in this house.  That is a mix of excitement that that phase is behind us and we can look to new and "bigger" things, but it is also closing a chapter in my life that I had longed for for as long as I can remember. 

There are no more babies in this house, and as fine with that as I am (really I want NO more babies) its still hard to see the little ones you grew in your womb changing, becoming independent, and having to let them make choices that will inevitably lead to heart ache.  But I have to let them learn, if not here, then where?  In the swarm of sinful options out in the world?  I have to sit back, be patient and let God give me the self control I need to direct and guide them without mopping up by myself.  I came across a statement from a book I've been reading, that most parent's goal is to take care of each matter at hand and solving the problem, rather then letting the child attempt to solve the problem first, which makes for a great learning experience.  This is more true for me than anything else in my parenting.  "Its just faster and easier if I take care of it myself", but then who do end up giving to the world?  Kids who can't do anything for themselves, who can't solve a problem, who can't even make a decision.  I don't want to handicap my kids or God's kingdom in that way.  And what do I end up giving to my kids?  A mom who is too busy cleaning up every mess to play with her kids and a mom who is so exhausted and frazzled after cleaning up and refereeing all those messes and fights to even enjoy them.  This is not healthy for anyone. 

So, if you come to my house this summer, and it isn't as clean as it used to be, its because the kids are helping.  This will inevitably take way longer and probably won't be done the exact way I would have done it, but we are spending time together (even while we clean) and we are all learning valuable lessons that they will need far beyond these four walls and piles of toys.

Wow...that is NOT where I intended to go when I started this post.  My brain must be processing as I write. 

Little Wonderful

Ella has begun stringing sentences together, and its so entertaining.  Lewis came home for lunch today and Ella was already at the table and saw his truck pull into the drive-way, upon his arrival she sounded "Yeah!!!  Daddy, Daddy is here!"  And just as clear as you or I would speak, that is probably what melted my heart more, and of course her excitement.

But it gets better.  Last night one of they boys was lounging shirtless and Ella, learning all her body parts, walked up and touched his chest and said "Booby", very matter of factly.  Then she was looking for her own, and continued to unzip her pj's and walked over to Lewis and said "Daddy, see my booby?!"  Oh boy, Lewis is scared now!  I'm so glad I'm keeping track of all these little moments my "little wonders" create.

Rusty Truck

My dad has an old beater of a truck, everyone needs a farm truck in rural America.  That is exactly what it is, rusted out, falling apart, and my boys favorite part of visiting grandma and grandpa's house.  It doesn't take long before they are begging for a ride.  One time they had the little vent windows open and drove through a huge mud puddle.  They came home with mud on their faces, and big smiles too. 

So in honor of the famous rides in Grandpa's truck, I wrote them a poem, fittingly titled "Rusty Truck".

My grandpa has a rusty truck
And that's just what we call it,

Whenever we go visit it
we have to ride inside it.

We drive down all the bumpy roads
And stir up all the gravel,

It doesn't matter where we go
We simply want to travel.

Its always an adventure when
We crawl into the seat,

We never know quiet where we'll go
Or who we'll stop to meet.

I love my grandpa and his truck
Some day it will be gone,

But until that day I'll rid with him
And pray they both run strong.

By: Sarah McCarthy
Date: 9-19-2010

Here's the Proof

For some reason, Will has again begun to wet his pants.  He just waits too long and then ends up "leaking" and needing to change his clothes.  Needless to say this is getting irritating.  I just did laundry yesterday, but with 4 changes of clothes in one day, it needs to be done again.  Grrr. 

After the forth accident of the day, I went back to my tactic for tackling the problem the first time, locking him in the bathroom.  (Its more like a prolonged time out in the hallway.)  Will was sitting in the hallway while I was putting some stuff away in Ella's room, when he approached me and said, "Sorry for peeing in my pants."  "I know" I replied, "but you're still in time-out".   Will came back a few seconds later; "you know mom, I learned about forgiveness at church."  Then a pause, "you're supposed say 'I forgive you'. You are supposed to forgive when you are mad at someone."  Oh Geeze!  I'm so glad he is learning about this stuff, maybe he'll remember what the bathroom is for too.  I'll tell his Sunday school teacher to teach him about that.


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On Sunday the boys went for a bike ride and I had a chance to get in the garden and divide up some day lilies that  had begun to over run my front flower bed.  When the boys returned, Jack was questioning about the plants, asking if it was a bulb.  (He has been learning about plants in science)  I said, "its not really a bulb, its more like a fat part on a root."  "Oh", Jack said, "Its a, ummm" as he tapped his head, you could tell he was thinking hard, "Its a Corum!"  I looked over at Lewis with a look of questioning.  Neither of us had ever heard the term, but we didn't say anything, even if it sounded mad up to us.

Then yesterday I was looking up plants for my shady spot by the garage, and I came across different varietis of bulbs, and you'll never guess, Corum was a type of bulb.  But really, it was more of a fat root.  Hahaha!  Wow, my boys can pay attention.

Jack's Derby Car 2011

I can't believe I didn't write anything about Jack's Cub Scout Derby Car!  Jack and his dad worked really hard to make it unique.  They knew it wouldn't be very fast, but it sure is something to be proud of.  The boys were able to cut it our at Grandma's, and they sanded it at home together.  Jack painted the primer and initial coat of black, and I added the details.  It was nice and bright, and then we added the graphite to the wheels.  This added a "rat rod" patina, that we decided would be easier to keep then try to sand, repaint, and risk messing it all up.  He didn't place, no surprise, but he got lots of compliments.  Isn't it cool?

April 19, 2011

I am so bad on keeping track of our life.  I guess since I'm living it everyday I fail to see the urgency in catching each memory, not realizing that this reality will some day fade, and I'll be wishing for dirty windows and pee stained carpet.  Okay, maybe not the filth, but the love, laughter, hugs, and kisses will certinally be missed.

Just last night our house was full of noise.  So much so that Lewis and I could not even carry on a conversation.  Ella was running around the living room with a play microphone singning all kinds of things, and nothing that we can even understand.  But, the sound alone, of her voice is enough to lift any spirit.  Unless it is a spirit that seeks quiet.  Those people do not come to our house.  Jack was trying to get Lewis to wrestle with him, and Will, well, Will was telling another story.  That seems to be all that boy does anymore.  He is a talking machine.  He will start with a story, and I'll tell him I have to leave the room for a second, and he doesn't even pause and wait for my return.  He just keeps talking.  At least I know I'm never alone.  I often wonder what it will be like when all of them are in school.   Its so much more subdued with only one of them in school, I can about imagine what it will be like with Will gone for 7 hours.  Luckily, I don't have to worry about that for another year.

We've been putting Ella to bed in her "big girl" bed for the last few weeks, until last night anyway.  She has begun fighting her bedtime.  First I just thought she wasn't tired, so I let her stay up until 7:30, instead of the usual 7 pm bedtime.  Then it was 8, the same time the boys go to bed.  But the last few nights, she still cries and screams when we put her in.  I refuse to let her stay up any later than that, so last night I turned her crib around (her front rail comes off to make a toddler bed) so she couldn't escape and let her scream it out.  She is a red head!

Jack didn't like this tactic.  He told me to go in there and give her what she wanted so she would be happy.  I then proceeded to ask him if we gave into him earlier that evening when he was pouting because we wouldn't buy him a shirt with a skelaton on it.  "no" he said.  "Right, we don't reward fits in this house" I told him.  He just loves that little girl so much, he hates to see her unhappy or hurt in anyway.  But it wasn't mayb 10 minutes and she was out.  So, until she can stay put like a good little girl, I guess its back in the cage for her.

 I feel like I have so many stories about Ella latley, but its just because she is changing so rapidly. She recently got boxes of clothes from a dear friend and we have been having fun playing dress up. Well, sometimes. She doesn't really like getting dressed these days, so its more like a wresteling match and we'll see what we can get on her for the day. But here we were having fun and put some fun tights on her head. She thought it was great!

Here is a picture of Will and Ella eating lunch today.  Ella wouldn't sit in her regular spot, she had to be a big girl and sit on the bench by Will.  She also has been drinking out of a regular cup, and not spilling.  But I do require her to stay in the kitchen, and there is only ever water in it. 

Accusation: The Mother of all Conflict

As mothers, we tend to grade ourselves based on what others can accomplish(idenity is always based on who you are in relation to others), forgetting easily, that we are not the same people, and do not have the same families. I have these grand plans to execute all homemade meals, snacks, soap, ect, be the true frontier woman of the 1800’s. That was, after all, my dream all the years of my youth. But then when I try to put that into practice in our modern world, of public schools, church involvment, and coutless other distractions, (non of them bad mind you); I find myself run too thin, laying on the couch with a bag of ice on my back. Yes, some women are able to accomplish this…. and more. I’m left scratching my head, wondering how? This must mean I’m failing.
I have heard over and over again, that we must do what works for us and our families. Unfortunatley, while getting new ideas that might work for me(everyone wants to find an easier out, and a better way to do anything), it is all too easy to read too much of too many moms we look up to and regard with respect. We tend to only see what they can do, and fail to notice the things they can’t. We tend to judge our weaknesses on the strenghts of others,( setting us up for absolute failure). Who would want to broadcast their faults? I don't like to either. It makes us vulnerable, showing the world our true selves and becoming more honest then is comfortable, and maybe even possibly meaning that we are in fact failing(acording to O or Parents magazine) *gasp!*.
This is a perfect crack in our humanity for the devil to sneak in and begin accusations. I’m telling you this out of a battle has been raging in my own heart for the last month, or maybe even more. I began seeing all of these other moms who, in my mind, did everything right. They must never yell at their kids, look how sweet they are. I’m sure their kids never sas back, they are so sweet too. I’m sure their kids eat all their vegtables at every meal, never argue, never smell, never, never never. You just know they can do all the things you can’t seem to make work in your own home. The devil is prmoting all this propaganda like Nazi Germany. All the while, the people you used to admire are beomming increasingly irritating. After a while you find yourself hating how you feel, and not knowing why or what you can do about it.
At least, when you get to this point, most of us will turn to God. I didn’t go there at the first hint of inferiority. That would have been too easy, or maybe I didn’t even notice it as that, it was mostl likely disguised as humility and then perverted into lowliness and insignificance. This is an easy transition that can happen slowly, or in an instant.  But almost always without us even noticing.

Ephesians 6:11-12 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
When we go to God, He can then begin to reveal our true heart, and the truth in any situation. He is able to reveal the true enemy and exactly where he has encamped. Accusation can happen in any area of anyone’s life. Work, school, church, in my case, it was mothering. The source of any pride and satisfaction I have in my life. But, the devil doesn’t see everything and can never wage a battle against me when I have God fighting with me. Now to put on that armor…..

Fresh Doughnuts!

I'm going to be a "mommy bragger" today.  You know the moms who blog just to prove themselves "Super Mom" and show that everyother mom is inferior to them (I don't personally know any of them, exept for me on this occasion-I say this jokingly).  Okay, that may not be their intent, but if you go blogging for any length of time, you begin to feel very inadequate.  **Hmmm...I wonder if anyone will take this the wrong way?**

Okay, so to my point.  I have been on a large home made baking kick latley.  We'll see how long my stamina lasts.  Store bought, although not as healthy, may win out on convience.  Jack decided we needed to make doughnuts.  I had made granola bars, bagles, and loaf upon loaf of bread, he aparntly was bored of the regular menu.  Jack?  Bored?  I know, not possible right?  Hahaha.

I found a recipe on http://www.allrecipe.com/.  It looked pretty straight foward, the only difference between this and other yeast breads was a few of the ingredients and the frying method for baking.  Here is the recipe., and what they looked like.

Here is the rising process. I was able to successuflly create the doughnut shape with a cup and a Torini Syrup lid.



My first attempt at frying doughnuts, it still smells like hot oil in my house



The bakery? No, my kitchen!

They are so pretty.

I'm anticipating Jack to come home from school and sink his teeth into these delicious treats. 

But it seems that homemade or not, a hunk of fried dough still sits in your stomach like a brick.

Is It Possible? Hmm, Sometimes.

I fully believe that a child can and should be allowed to potty train at 18 months, if they are willing and ready.  Over the last few weeks Ella has shown a strong interest in the toilet.  She takes her dolls, and asks several times a day.  I had let her sit on it with her clothes on, its such a pain to take her pants and diaper off so many times a day, besides she is only 18 months.  But with encouragement from my friends and family, they assured me that it could be done.

I was a little worried going into this adventure.  My last child took almost two years to train.  That nightmare is still all to fresh in my mind.  Everyone reminded me that they are not the same kids, and I shouldn't expect Ella to do the same.  Although this is true, they still have the same mother.  I am still very much the same person, and I'm still a little exhausted from my last potty training endeavour. 

On Sunday I bought her some Hello Kitty under ware.  She loves "meow", kitties, so I thought they would be the most encouraging for her to stay dry in.  She loved them!  She wanted to carry them around, we all showed her our under ware and on Monday morning, we said bye bye diapers.

I decided after training Will, I would NEVER again be the one trained.  If this is going to work, its going to have to be Ella, who is trained, not mommy.  I quickly realized that it was far to much trouble to keep the under ware on.  She wanted to sit on the potty every five minutes.  So we stripped her down and let her run free.  After each accident we went back and forth from the crime scene to the toilet.  We'd say "No! No pee on the floor"  run, run run to the potty "We pee on the potty!  Yeah!!!" then I'd have her sit on it.  We did that about 5-10 times at each accident.  After her nap, at 2:30, I found her in the bathroom standing in a puddle.  But, she had gotten herself there, and put the toilet seat up, she just forgot to tell me first.  I was encouraged by this progress.  She did this another time later in the evening.

Now, you may think "she is almost there".  But I there was also another realization yesterday.  She pees ALL the time.  Her bladder control is still very weak.  She pees tiny bits every half hour or so.  She certainly knows where its supposed to go, but she doesn't know yet when she is going, nor does she have the ability to get on the toilet by herself.  Like I said before, I refuse to be the one trained. 

The last 36 hours have been a learning experience for both of us.  Ella learned where pee and poop are supposed to go, and I learned that my little girl is far more capable than what we give her credit for.  They are smart little things, I plan on trying again in a month or so.  Its only a matter of time before her muscles are strong enough to take on the rest of the task.

Winter Sport

The weather finally decided to behave enough for us to take a trip to McKennan park's ice rink.  The boys, mainly Jack, have been asking for months.  This winter has been so cold and snowy, that it has been hard to schedule a time to take them out.  I ideally wanted to take them without Ella, so I could skate as well, but it just wasn't working.

Friday was beautiful, 33 degrees, and sunny!  That hasn't happened yet this year.  So we took the opportunity and headed out after school.   The boys skated up and Ella and I stayed in our boots.  This was Ella's first experience with ice.  She loves being outdoors and this was no difference.  She was slipping and falling a lot, but she apparently didn't mind too much.  She was all smiles, and really enjoyed watching another group of kids playing some type of ice hockey ball. 

Will had on his double blades, and was able to stay up pretty well.  He took it slow and mostly made walking motions.  He was having a lot of fun until he slipped, about a half hour into it, and hit his heat.  We opted for no helmets this time, and maybe we shouldn't have taken the risk.  Oh, he is fine and everything, but he probably would have held out longer if he wouldn't have gotten hurt.

Jack had a pair of hockey skates this year.  They really helped keep his feet firm on the ice.  The was still falling quite a bit, but he doesn't play it safe.  He is trying swirls, spins, and all kind of crazy acrobatics.  I really think he spent more time on the ground then in the blades, but he is learning, getting exercise, and having fun. 

After we were done skating, we took a detour to the park.  The slides sure are scary fast when they are wet and covered in snow.  Ella wanted more and more and more.  I was getting worried I'd land on her and break her arm, and Will wanted to go home, so we called it a day.  I sure hope we can have a few more days to practice our sport.  Winter, please cooperate.

Still.....Mr. Bendo

A year later, and we still can't drive past 12th and Cliff without commenting on Mr. Bendo.  Every trip past him will likely create lengthy conversation about Mr. Bendo's cast, why they painted his shirt red, and about the person who ran into him, why they moved him, and why we can't sit on his feet. 

Ever since last years accident with the drunk driver, Mr. Bendo has been a staple in our, now four year old, son's life.  He was so consumed with concern for him after the incident that my husband had to make a trip with him and his brother to check in on him during the reconstruction process.  I became a fan of Mr. Bendo on facebook just so he could look at the pictures.  He even asked for a Mr. Bendo puzzle for his birthday.  No, he didn't get one, and he still wants it. 

Will's grandpa made him a muffler pipe to hold onto when he played "Mr. Bendo".  This would entail one of us running into his leg, and him falling over.  Then, of course, we'd have to fix him up, and he'd be back and standing tall, pipe in hand.  The pipe only lasted a few days, a copper pipe in the hand of a three year old is very dangerous. 

So thank you Buck's Muffler for making one happy four year old, and two very happy parents.  I could about imagine what would happen every day on our drive past 12th and Cliff if he wasn't standing tall.


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Will discovered he has a loose tooth!  He is four!  Mind you, its not very loose, but still, it is.  He is ecstatic.  He said "mom, I'm like Jack.  I'm getting 7!"  Being the younger brother, he is always waiting to be just like his older brother, it was a very exciting in the world of Will.

Ella at 18 months

Ella sings.  It has to be the cutest thing she has done so far.  "Ni Ni Baby Ella", which is really night night baby Ella.  She has begun calling her favorite baby, Ella.  I guess she picked up on her name, we always say "where is Ella's baby."  So I guess it only makes sense.

She had her 18 month check up today.  She is right at 50% for height(31") and weight(24.6 lbs).  She has tons of words, ball, moo for cow, quack for duck, eye, Ella, Jack, Will, mommy, Dada, Grandpa, Grandma, bath, night night, and countless others.  Its too hard to keep the tally I had hoped for.  But it is still so fun watching her discover it all.

She has also started running.  Which is really more of a gallop.  Its so cute with her high step and her little pony tails waving.  There really is nothing better than watching your child grow and learn.

As you can see, she loves bath time.  She asks for several baths a day.  I really try to limit it to one.  She takes her cups and spoons and mixes, pours, and dumps forever.  Aunt Becca got her a bath baby for Christmas, she really likes to drowned it, wash it, and let it pee all over the floor.  I just can't believe how fast she is growing.  It won't be long and I won't even remember her as a baby. 

Welcome New Year!

I guess a lot has happened since I've posted last, and in the same token, not much of anything has happened.  Of course we had Christmas and New Years.  But beyond that, its been business as usual.  Lewis keeps working, I keep doing "mom" stuff, and the kids keep driving me crazy.  But, really, I do enjoy most of it.  The winter gets really long.  Especially since Jack loves to talk so much.  I really try to pay attention to him and not ignore him, but it gets hard when about half of what comes out of his mouth is just noise.  Really, its just aaaaooooiiiiiiiii.......noise.  No words, just loud, mostly obnoxious sound.  It makes it hard to tolerate with 700 some square feet of space in the winter.  But here I am feeling sorry for myself, at least I have a house, a nice house; I have kids, healthy kids. 

Ella's girlyness is still growing.  The other day I found her taking all of the clothes out of her dresser.  As I was folding it back up and putting it away, I saw her drape one of her shirts over her shoulder and then continued to sway and do her "pretty", which is holding her palms on her chin and fingers by her ears..  Its like a little "ta-da!"   She LOVES babies, and will follow a few of the babies at church.  If she finds an empty car seat she is on a mission to find that baby!  Its no different at home, minus the real baby part.  She always has a doll, and is often asking me to wrap it in a blanket for her. 

Grandma and grandpa got her a kitchen for Christmas, she has liked it, but not as much as her babies.  She really likes this little wagon Grandma Kay got for her.  She piles it full of dolls and takes them for a ride.  She used to ride in it while Jack pulled her.  That is, until she got dumped out, one too many times.  She now shakes her head vigorously and whines until he gets the point.  "I don't want a ride!" 

Will has accumulated more "Cars" haulers.  He got two more for Christmas, then we found another one on sale after Christmas with more pit crews on super sale.  We just couldn't pass them up.  Although, he isn't playing with them quite as much as he used to.  He has really been into all things Toy Story, which is why he got a Jesse "doll" for Christmas.  I know, its an action figure, boys don't have dolls. 

Jack is so hard to buy for.  He rarely plays with toys.  He is usually just running around in circles through the living room, or doing something with Ella.  Winter is hard for him.  He really wants to be outside, but it gets so cold so fast.  Especially in January.  This week is brutally cold.  He does still get out, and sometimes he still sticks it out for a few hours.  So for Christmas we invested in a Wii.  He has really enjoyed it, and its a little bit of action for him, and should help out with hand-eye coordination.  At least thats what every mom tells her self to make herself feel better about her kid playing video games.  Right?  Besides that, we got him a Nitro Circus hat, and grandma got him clothes.  He was a little disappointed, but I had told both of them, "no more toys, until you can give away something."  They both declined, so they shouldn't have been that surprised. 

All in all, we've had a great start to the new year and a nice end to the last one.  We are still chugging away on our hot rod project.  You can read more about that on Lewis' blog (http://1954chevy3100hotrod.blogspot.com/).  I'll try to keep more on top of things, mostly so I don't forget what my life was when I'm older, and so my kids will know what they were like.  Its such a great gift to give them, fresh stories, straight from mom's mouth.