That Kind Of Night...

Ever have one of those nights when the kids ask politely to stop watching television and go to bed? The kind when they quietly climb the stairs, take off their dirty clothes and place them gently into the laundry basket, put on their pajamas, use the restroom, brush their teeth, and climb into bed? The kind when they wait patiently for you to come tuck them in without screaming, crying, fighting, jumping or any number of other disruptive behaviors?

Yeah, me neither!

How about one of those nights when the kids won't settle down and stop egging each other on so they can get ready for bed? The kind when you say things that you REALLY don't mean because they just slip out? The kind when you threaten to do things that you'd never do because in the heat of the moment you don't know what else to say?

Yeah, me too... Tonight was THAT kind of night.


PS. Santa, if you're reading this, I don't REALLY want you to bring me kids who listen and behave... I love my rambunctious monkeys WAY too much for that! I'll keep 'em! THANKS!

Thanksgiving Weekend

Ahhh... Thanksgiving... The final stop before we all jump on the Christmas train! A day to spend with family, a day to reflect on what you're thankful for, a day to eat until you couldn't possibly eat another bite, a day to watch football, a day to sleep so that you're able to get up at 3 o'clock the following morning to participate in 'BLACK FRIDAY'... Thanksgiving means different things to everyone. To me, it was a day to spend with family and a day to reflect on the many blessings that the Lord has given me. What did Thanksgiving mean t0 you?

On Thanksgiving morning we headed over to my parents house fairly early. The kids rode bikes and 'helped' Grandpa while my mom and I started dinner and B went on a wild goose chase around town (THANKS, B!) to find me a copy of the Press Democrat so that i could peruse the Black Friday ads to find out if there was REALLY anything out there worth getting up at 3 am for (since my shopping was pretty much done, I was figuring probably not...). When B returned with my paper (and finished checking out the ads himself) he and my dad took the kids to an empty parking lot to ride bikes while my mom and I finished preparing dinner.

Taking the training wheels off...

After bike riding and a quick stop at Starbucks, the troops returned and B went to work (SORRY, B!) while the rest of us rested. Soon we were awakened by my sister and brother-in-law and cousins Joe and Matthew. Joe and Matthew immediately took Big A and Little A and went off to play. They were SO good with the kids! They played in the barn, in the dirt pile, on the swing set, in the back room, and in the bedroom, and never once complained or treated the kids poorly, or anything. Joe and Matthew, YOU ROCK!

My sister wanted to take a picture of her boys for their Christmas cards but they wouldn't stand for it so I kind of tricked them into letting me take a picture without them really knowing what I was doing (SORRY, GUYS!). I told them I wanted a picture of them with A & A, but then went on and took one of A & A by themselves and then one of the boys by themselves. Sly, huh? I can't wait to see their Christmas cards!

There's something that gets me about meals in general, but Thanksgiving and Christmas, especially... You spend hours shopping, prepping and cooking and you start out with a BEAUTIFUL table that looks something like this...

You gather everyone around, say a blessing, pass the food, eat, drink, talk a little and within thirty minutes, you have this...

I just don't get it... We could order KFC, save TONS of time, money and effort, and STILL be able to enjoy the company and the spirit of the day... Just a thought!

During dinner Little A put olives on all of her fingers. I'm sure you've done that, right? I know I have! But that's not the funny part... The funny part is that as soon as she had them on all ten fingers, she folded her hands, bowed her head and started in... "Dear, God... Thank you for...." TOO CUTE!

After dinner we cleaned up, ate dessert, visited a bit more and said our goodbyes. I had tired kids and a RAGING headache and couldn't wait to get home and crawl into bed.

It turns out that there was nothing I couldn't live without in any of the Black Friday sales, but Little A and I did get up around 8 o'clock Friday morning and go shopping. The beauty of shopping with Little A is that she's still young enough that I can get away with buying things for her when she's with me. She's kind of a tough one to shop for because she never asks for things and even when she does, she plays with it for a second in the cart and then says, "I'm done. You can put it back." On one hand this is a blessing because she never argues about not getting things in the store but on the other hand it makes it difficult to buy gifts so I was happy when she found a baby and a couple of Littlest Pet Shop things she actually wanted to keep with her.

After shopping with Little A we picked up Big A and B and did a bit more shopping, then headed back to my parents' house so my mom and I could do some MORE shopping. Friday was pretty much a shopping day! Saturday on the other hand... THAT was a play day! We spend a few hours playing at our friends' house then came home to nap. After naps we met the same friends for dinner and ice cream then did a WEE bit more shopping before returning home and ordering our Christmas cards.

Today was like most Sundays... Church in the morning, relaxing afternoon, and Grandma and Grandpa coming over for dinner. Wait... Did I say relaxing afternoon? In THIS house? Are you kidding? Today we tried to "Christmify" our house both inside and out but never quite got there. I now have a half decorated house and boxes piled everywhere. But you my friends, are more important than finishing my Christmas decorations... I couldn't leave you hanging for two days so I chose blogging over decorating. Whatever, sue me! But don't tell my kids I was blogging instead of decorating, okay? Deal? GOOD!

And remember that dinner I mentioned? The one where my parents came over for a home cooked meal? Yeah... That kind of turned into ordering pizza when the new recipe I was trying didn't cook QUITE as fast as the recipe said it would. So that meal has now traveled home with Grandma and Grandpa where I will reheat it for dinner tomorrow night. One of the reviews said the meal is better the second day anyhow, so we shall see!

All in all it was a GREAT weekend and I feel like I accomplished SO much!

Quote For The Day

Today we had to go to Cost Plus to pick up some Christmas gifts. Since the party store is right next door, I told Little A that we'd go see what they had in the way of Ariel party supplies.

When she heard we were going to the party store she said, "MOMMY! Can we see if they have an Ariel hitter?"

Come on, all of you are smart people! I KNOW you can figure that one out if you try!

Blessed Be Your Name

Just a little something to think about today... Through good times and bad times, happy times and sad times, the Lord is always there with you, always there for you, always accepting of you.

Whatever you're doing this holiday weekend, may you do it safely, have fun, and enjoy it! Oh... And a couple of extra days off work isn't bad, either!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Today I Am Thankful...

Okay... In reality I am thankful EVERY day (I know I am, but sometimes I get so caught up in the moment that I don't realize it) but today I am especially thankful.

Today I am thankful for...

* My family, both immediate and extended. I have a wonderful husband and the two greatest kids in the world. We also have our parents and tons of extended family that we enjoy spending time with as often as we can.

* My faith and the major role it plays in my life and in shaping who I am and who I am yet to become.

* My friends. Neither B or myself remained close to many of the friends we had growing up but since having children, we have created a whole new circle of friends and we love each and every one of them.

* Good health. The kids underwent successful surgeries this past summer that really made a difference in the number of ear infections and colds they've had, mom's knee replacement surgery was successful and she's well on her way to being fully recovered, and we are overall just healthy.

* My job. Although like most I have my share of day to day struggles and frustrations at work, at least I have a job.

* A roof over our heads and food on the table. We may have a small house, but it's bursting at the seams with love!

See! I told you I had a great deal to be thankful for! What are YOU thankful for?

Hope To The Hungry

We were motivated today... Motivated to give hope to another human being... Another mom, dad, child, grandparent or friend. You're probably wondering what the heck I'm talking about, right?? I'm talking about K LOVE's Hope to the Hungry Campaign.

K LOVE is a Christian radio station that broadcasts all over the United States and is the radio station that our family listens to most often. Today K LOVE hosted it's annual Hope to the Hungry Campaign. Per K LOVE's website, "Hope to the Hungry is a cooperative effort between K-LOVE, Rescue Missions and other Homeless Ministries to help feed and care for the hungry and hurting." And do you know what one of the neatest parts is (Besides the obvious... Helping another human being...)? When you make a donation, you are able to select which shelter you want the money to go to. With our donation, we were able to help the local shelter right here in our home town.

Did you know that just $2 will provide a meal to someone in need? Think about that... TWO DOLLARS! You can't even get a coffee at Starbucks for $2! All day I listened to their campaign and I listened to people calling in. I started thinking about the economy and the huge number of people who are homeless. I realize that we are in tough economic times, but I thought about our Thanksgiving table filled with food and family and warmth and I realized we couldn't pass up this opportunity to help.

This holiday season, I challenge you to take a minute to look outside of yourself, outside of you home, outside of your family, maybe even outside of your comfort zone... I challenge you to help a person in need. Maybe you're not able to make a monetary donation, but the shelters need more than just money. They also need volunteers to serve meals, deliver meals, etc. Maybe all you are able to do is take a can of food to your local food bank. EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS!

So this holiday season, will you join us in providing Hope to the Hungry?

(If you'd like to give through K LOVE's website, click here.)

I Love Playdates!

Playdates... Are they really for the kids, or are they for the moms???

Every Monday when I pick the kids up one of the first things they ask me is, "Who's coming over to play today?" Many Mondays we do not have playdates, but the last three Mondays we have and it's been great!

Today we had a playdate with one of Little A's friends. The kids were SO excited when I told them they were having a playdate, and so was I! I think playdates are as much for moms as they are for kids. We get adult conversation while the kids wreak havoc on the house play quietly in the other room!

One of my friends and I have agreed that we need to set a standing date for once a month dinners/playdates. Who else wants to join me?? Anyone up for a playdate?? Have your people call my people, we'll set something up!

Happy Birthday, Big A!

Five years ago at this time I was reveling in the joy that comes with holding your firstborn (or second, or third or fourth, for that matter) in your arms and enjoying the constant stream of visitors and well wishers... Or maybe I was so overwhelmed, overjoyed and exhausted after 2 1/2 days of labor and 3 hours of pushing that I can't remember what I was really feeling, but I so know that it was exciting.

Yes, Big A turned five yesterday. I'm a day late and a few dollars short sharing this with you, but I was just TOO tired after his party yesterday to come home and blog about it. 20 kids aged five and under will do that to a person!

This year Big A wanted a John Deere themed party. Do you know how difficult it is to find John Deere party supplies without ordering them online and paying an arm and a leg for shipping? So we improvised... We lucked out in finding a John Deere pinata and some generic tractor posters (they just HAPPENED to be green and yellow tractors) at a local party store. We got plain green and/or yellow balloons, party bags, plates, napkins and a table cloth and decorated the table with toy John Deere tractors, dump trucks, semis, etc. And last but not least, I convinced Big A to serve cupcakes (rather than a $32 cake that I knew wouldn't get eaten) at the party by agreeing to make them yellow and green. I ended up making a small round cake for Big A to use for candles and the obligatory, "Happy Birthday, Big A" and 36 cupcakes with handmade John Deere 'decorations' in each one... And do you know what made it ALL worth it? When I finished the cake I said, "Big A, I'm done with you cake. Do you want to see it?"

Big A ran into the kitchen, took one look at the cake and all of those cupcakes and said, "MOMMY! THAT IS AWESOME! I LOVE YOU!" And my five hours of work melted right away into his arms... I love that boy!

We lucked out with GREAT weather yesterday! We had the party at Grandma and Grandpa's house and the kids were able to play on the play structure and teeter totter, play in the dirt pile, ride the Gator and Arctic cat and just plain have fun. We had two games and a pinata and only ended up doing one game and the pinata because the kids were having so much fun just being kids.

Big A's "Present Delivery Vehicle"

The results of "Pin The Wheel On The Tractor"

"Johnny Tractor" pinata - Those kids were STRONG! Based on past experience and the last party we were at, I fully expected the pinata to be hard to break but after the first 4 or 5 kids hit it, we were having to retie it so that it wouldn't fall too soon!

The Gift Table

CUPCAKE TIME!!

PRESENT TIME... Talk about chaos! All of the kids were crowded around Big A and I was trying to write while he opened so that we could assure that the correct people are thanked for the correct gifts... It was madness!

After all of the cupcakes were eaten, gifts were open, goodie bags were handed out and friends had left we had a family dinner and the grandparents and B and I gave Big A his last few gifts.

New Bike!

Family Dinner

And one last round of "Happy Birthday"

This is the first time that we've invited the entire class to a birthday party and there were a LOT of kids here but it was a great day! All in all, a good time was had by all.

I can't believe how quickly time passes, before we know it he'll be off to college!

Happy Birthday, Big A! We love you!

Quote(s) For The Day

"Patty cake, patty cake, Baker's Square!"

- Little A

_______________________________

We took Little A to the doctor because she was having some pain when she urinated (turned out to be nothing). When the doctor asked Little A what she was being seen for, Big A immediately piped up....

"She's here because her penis hurts!"

What's Love?

I have a morning routine... Get up, check on the kids, check email on my iPod, check Facebook on my iPod, brush my teeth, shower... You get the idea, right? One email that I count on EVERY morning is KLOVE's Encouraging Word. This email is like a scripture verse for the day and I look forward to reading them every morning.

Today's verse was from John 13:34. Jesus said, "So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other."

This verse really got me thinking... WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? I think part of why this touched me so much is that I've had a rough week. There are things going on at work that I'm having to work through and things are going on in my personal life that I'm having to work through, and without going totally off track, people are doing things that I just can't wrap my head around. And yet here is a scripture where Jesus is telling me that because he loves me, I should love others.

I get that to a point... I understand and agree with the golden rule of do unto others as you would have others do unto you, but when it comes to love, where do you draw the line? What's love? And should I love these people in my life who are doing wrong? Do they need my love in order to do right? Is the meaning of love in this case interchangeable with support? What's love? Am I bad person for not loving every human being I meet? A rhetorical question, of course, but still... It's really got me thinking (and understanding more how B was feeling a few months back when he was struggling with a similar question)!

How do YOU interpret this scripture? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Wordless Wednesday - Family!

The World's Next Great Teacher

Tonight the kids were coloring at the dining room table while I was fixing dinner. I could tell that they were getting restless, and Big A was starting to give Little A a bad time about not knowing her letters.

Needing to buy just a few more minutes to finish dinner, and not wanting to hear them argue about who made better letters and who knew what and didn't know what, I reminded Big A that when he was two he didn't know his letters either. I told him about the first Sonoma State student who'd babysat them and how she used to work with him on his letters all the time.

Then it struck me... I didn't know what would happen, but I suggested that he teach Little A how to make her letters. GENIUS! He was SO into it!

He even tried to hold the paper up and write so she could see what he was doing... TOO CUTE!

Practicing the letters...

The happy student!

They got to 'G' before Big A decided they'd done enough for today and that it was time to start a rock band. By then dinner was ready... Another great Mommy idea, if I do say so myself!

A Different Kind Of Going Away Party

On Saturday evening we attended a going away party for a very special individual, though this was not your typical going away party. A month and a half ago my Great Uncle was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer that has spread to his neck and liver and has been told that he has less than six months to live. At his request, the family threw a 'Going Away Party'.

You see, Uncle Roy would never want to miss a great party (and our family DOES like to party). He wanted us all together now to celebrate his life, rather than getting together to mourn after his passing.

It was a beautiful party with family and friends from all over. We shared food, drinks, stories, memories, laughter and love. Unfortunately Uncle Roy wasn't feeling well and was only able to make a brief appearance at the event but it was wonderful to see him one last time.

I think about that and it seems strange on many levels... So odd to know that when you see someone it will probably be the last time you see them. So odd to know that the end is near. So odd to have a number put on the days you have left to live. Of course I realize that any one of us could go at any time, but to KNOW... I'm not sure I could do that.

With that, please say a special prayer for Uncle Roy if you would. Please pray that he is comfortable and does not suffer in his final days, that he has a few good moments left with his family and that he will enjoy his last days on this Earth.

We love you, Uncle Roy, and thank you for so many good memories!

Seriously?

I don't get people sometimes...

This gentleman (and I use the term loosely) just came into our office. Before he was even to the counter, one of the clerks stood up and greeted him. He returned the clerk's greeting as he approached the counter and proceeded to slam his hand down on our bell (the one used to beckon us to the counter if by chance there is nobody standing RIGHT THERE to help you when you walk in). His comment to her? "I like to ring de bell."

SERIOUSLY? She was standing RIGHT there!

I wanted to show him what I do to people who "ring de bell" when it's not absolutely necessary to do so, but I refrained. However, if that bell should happen to mysteriously disappear some day when nobody is around...

Friday Night Fun

Last night we had a fun night at Grandma and Grandpa's visiting with Aunt Sharry and Uncle Dennis.... Or is it Big Rabbit And Uncle Alligator? Oh well... It was fun nonetheless!

Building a Lego loader with Grandma

ALL DONE!

Looking for Big Rabbit

"I found you, Big Rabbit!"

Big Rabbit

Getting a horsey ride on Champion Grandpa (his rides don't last quite as long as Champion's do!)

Grandpa's turn!

"We need a rest!"