Wordless Wednesday - ATTACK!

In Honor of Ash Wednesday

Church is a very large part of our family's life. Tater actually cries when someone is sick and we can't go on a Sunday morning. Many of our children's friends are church friends. I have become very involved in the "management side" of our church - heading a committee, being a part of the pastoral call committee, leading small groups, and now becoming a member of the church council. Church grounds us and provides us with a welcoming and enjoyable group of people to surround ourselves with. We admire and mirror many of their values which makes friendship much easier!

In addition to the people, Daddy and I love the peace of a Sunday morning service...a service without the company of our dear little ones! We have a wonderful nursery and a great group of parents who take turns watching the children. And our kids love to play!

Well, since Tater is turning 5, we decided it was time for her to start joining us in the sanctuary for the service. **sigh** So, last Sunday, Daddy was covering the nursery and Tater decided on her own to join me with her goodie bag of quiet activities. She did fairly well for the most part. She was especially quiet during the sermon and I breathed a big sigh of relief...until she leaned over with the questions. Oh, yes, she wasn't just coloring. She was listening...and sort of understanding. The sermon was focused on the ending of Pentecost and the beginning of the lent season. So there was a bit of talk about Jesus being killed. Tater zoomed right in on that word since we preach (no pun intended!) non-violence in our house. Luckily I was able to quiet her and tell her we'd talk about it a bit later.

So at lunch I explained to her that Jesus was killed by some mean people but that he died so that God will forgive us when we make mistakes. She accepted that and I thought we were done...HA!

Last night at dinner she brought it up again. She wanted to know how Jesus could be a baby, a little boy, and man all at the same time. I told her that the stories we heard at church were stories about different times in Jesus' life and that he was a man when he died. And her question? "Why didn't his mommy keep him safe?" I stopped, looked at her, shook my head, and picked up the phone to call Papa to answer that one!

I have a feeling church has become a new adventure!

Talking to Jesus

Last week we headed out to the mommy book club at our church - finally!!!! - after a month of sickness! I was so excited to have adult time and the kids couldn't wait to see their friends. We were the first to arrive, went in the church and I sent the kids to the basement to find the toys. As I followed Bruiser down the stairs, I could hear his chattering voice around the bend in the stairs. Out of curiosity, I asked "Who are you talking to, Bruiser." His simple answer? "I talk to Jesus!" And at the bottom of the steps? A portrait of Jesus! What a sweet moment from a sweet boy!

Look For a Bit of Humor...

A couple of months ago, I posted about the "good-byes" we had pending at the end of our summer. At the time, I never thought they would get here so quickly! We have spent the last three Sundays saying goodbye to our minister and her family. Not only has she led us spiritually, supported us through the births of all three children, and provided us prayer through all their many health problems, but she (and her family!) has been our friend. We have shared good books, glasses of wine, scrapbooking, parenting trials and tribulations, and our growing and evolving faith. It has always been her that has made me feel better about the crazy things my children do - because hers are equally (if not more!) wild and crazy!

So even though we have another few days of them close by and we already have a "moms' weekend" in Chicago planned for the spring, saying goodbye has been so hard! I have shed enough tears to last me for the year...and there are more to come! We wish them well on their new adventure, which we can't wait to hear about thanks to the wonders of technology! Now, if only they start a blog...

So in light of these good-byes and the ones that are pending, we have been trying to catch little rays of sunshine as they sneak through! Here's a Bruiser moment (and I know you are all anticipating a good laugh!).

This evening Bruiser and G-Baby were playing (aka arguing over toys) on the floor. Bruiser has a bit of an obsession with Taggie blankets. He thinks he owns then all, even the pink princess ones that Tater and G-Baby claim. He grabs a tag and puts his thumb in and settles down wherever he is for a quiet moment. It actually can be really sweet!

Well, tonight, he decided that G-Baby's Taggie book was his and she was not too pleased about it! When I insisted he return it to her, he laughed his evil (but cute), "the devil's in me" laugh and began to run. Usually he runs circles through the entry way, down the hall, into the kitchen, through the dining room and back to the laundry room. Well, tonight he ventured off the typical path and ran into the mud room. When I caught up with him (he's fast!), he was hiding behind the curtains on the door and giggling. All I could see were his little legs and chunky feet poking out the bottom! And then I did what no Mom should do when they are trying to punish a child ... I laughed! I laughed so hard I cried (for about the 100th time today!). But these were good tears! I laughed so hard, Daddy came to see what was happening...and he laughed too! So much for a teachable moment! Now we just have to figure out where he learned that trick...

What I Learned This Week!

When I wrote my entry yesterday, it was to help restore my mental state, but I really should have thought ahead...it SO could have been today's "What I Learned This Week"! But I suppose that would be considered cheating in blog world, so I will dig deep and think about what I learned this week!

1. Change is inevitable. Enough said but click here if you want to know more!

2. A missing child is a very, very, very scary thing in a mommy's life! Again, enough said but click here if you want to know more!

3. It is impossible to try to understand a man's thought process. Daddy actually thought this was the right place to leave all his tools!

4. You can live in a great neighborhood, full of friendly people who love your kids and animals like their own, and there will still be one bad seed! I debated about posting about this but it's still bugging me and I can't let it go! So time for some writing therapy! Last week, one of our neighbors called the "puppy police" (what Tater calls them!) on Shadow. So we had a friendly visit from the local animal control officer, who very nicely explained to Daddy that "a neighbor" was irritated by Shadow's constant barking and that she knew of several other neighbors (who have dogs that bark and cry more than Shadow!) who felt that way too. Oh, and by the way we forgot renew our dog licence. Well, we admitted to forgetting about the licence (life got away from us again!) but his rabies was up-to-date and we were all set on that front. As for the barking, I have kept a journal of Shadow's noises for the past week (like I have nothing better to do!) and guess what - 10 barks and 7 growls. Hmmmmm...I wonder who is barking because its not Shadow! Unless someone has super-sensitive ears and those 10 little barks set off her bad attitude!

5. And, speaking of dogs, this is what happens when your child's ball goes over the fence and into the yard of three dogs!

6. Finally, I have found a new decorating passion! On Friday night, my friend drug me along to a home party for Uppercase Living and I fell in love! For those of you who aren't familiar with the company, Uppercase Living produces vinyl quotes and expressions that you adhere to your walls for accents. They are affordable and fun! I just placed my order today, so when they arrive, I'll post pictures!

What I Learned This Week

1. I learned I have a big girl who has finished her first year of preschool. When did she get so big? I can still picture her coming home from the hospital, sleeping in her infant seat, and snuggling into my neck. Now she's already had the first school experience - and runs into school to see her friends! Is it possible to stop time - has anyone figured that one out yet?

2. I learned that having your husband install a floor in your powder room may not be worth the cost of paying someone to do it (and I just realized this in the past five minutes as I am listening to my husband work!).

3. I learned that a good book group is an awesome thing to be a part of! It encourages you to read (obviously the main purpose!) and grows great friendships!

4. I learned where I am on my spiritual journey and where I want to be...and I'm working on building that path.

5. I learned that even a veteran mother of three can misdiagnose an ear infection. It makes me so mad when I make all the arrangements to get one of the kids to the doctor only to discover said child has a COLD and not an infection that calls for any kind of medication! Shouldn't I know better?

6. I learned to not leave a gallon of paint at my children's level without the lid being Super Glued on. I learned that 4-year-olds and 2-year-olds find paint fascinating. I learned that when your 4-year-old says "Mommy, Bruiser made something and you're not going to be happy!" you come running - fast! I learned that if you move very fast, you can clean up wet paint! I learned grandparents NEVER see the bad in what grandchildren do (and no, Papa, giving Tater one scoop of ice cream instead of two is not the appropriate punishment!). I also learned that some people (mainly those not directly involved in the crisis) can't understand why you didn't stop and take pictures before you cleaned up the mess.

Where's God?

A few weeks ago, I was waiting in the car with the three kids while Daddy ran in the store. We have discovered that life is much easier that way...who really wants to unbuckle three children, chase them around a store, and then buckle them back in? We eliminate those steps and just make Daddy do the shopping!

Well, on this particular day our Bill Harley CD was not entertaining Tater in the least. After her screaming and Bruiser's crying began to subside, Tater asked if she could pray. And my response? "Umm, yeah, sure...what do you want to pray about?"

Tater: "Thank you God for everything. Thank you God for our food. Amen."
Tater: "Let's do it again!"
Tater: "Thank you God for everything. Thank you God for our food. Amen."
Tater: "God? God? Where are you, God?"
Bruiser: "God? God? I you?" (aka "Where are you?")

Too cute!

Baptism Pictures...Finally!

It may have taken a bit of time...but Papa came through!

Here are the memories of G-Baby's Blessing Day!

The Entire Family

Notice the tears on Tater's Face...not one of her shining moments!

The House of Sprout

(minus Shadow...now that would have made for an interesting baptism!)

The Crew!
G-Baby looks a timy bit nervous...I wonder why!


Bruiser blowing bubbles with C.

And this one I just saw...who's going to fess up to letting my baby feed herself?

So, here is a re-cap of the baptism. The morning started out great. Both sets of grandparents and Tater had stayed a hotel the previous night so there was plenty of time for Daddy, Mommy, Bruiser and G-Baby to get ready. We actually made it to church early! I should have known things were taking a turn for the worse when Bruiser tumbled on his way into church and began to gush blood. But oblivious to what was yet to come, we settled the children in the nursery and took our spots at the front of the church...not our normal spot and now I know why! Within five minutes of the service starting, we hear the pitter-patter of little feet and find Tater scooting into the pew beside us. Daddy then turned to me and asked how much longer until Bruiser made an appearance...it was followed by a screech...and yes, there was Bruiser sitting right behind us! I later found out that the adult for nursery was a no-show and the two teenagers let the children wonder out at will!

So the service progressed with a bit more noise than I (and many others!) preferred. The sermon seemed particularly long ... and the minister later commented that she felt that way too! At one point, our friend Dana went running to catch Bruiser. And I think I have mentally blocked out whatever else happened so that I won't be too embarrassed when I show my face at church tomorrow!

The Baptism followed the sermon. We all went up front ... and by all I mean Mommy, Daddy, G-Baby, Bruiser, Tater, Pop-Pop, and Papa (the two sponsors). Then the minister invited the children to come forward and sit in the aisle so they could see better. That's when it happened - the children shuffle! The minister's husband, who was helping to video the service, later recalled this and laughed. His paraphrased comment was something to effect that watching our children made all the other parents feel better about when their kids do the same thing! Tater and Bruiser began the Baptism standing at our feet. Then Daddy was holding Tater. Then Bruiser wanted me to hold him so Daddy put Tater down and took G-Baby from me so I could hold Bruiser. Then Tater began to cry until I convinced her to go to Papa. Keep in mind that through this whole charade we are supposed to be watching the baptism process and participating in the liturgy. It was a bit trying!

All in all, it went well and we came home a organized a lovely lunch for family and friends. And when it was all over (around 2:30pm) we loaded everybody in the car and went to walk Secret Beach ... because it was Mother's Day after all!

Easter 2009

Leaving carrots for the Easter Bunny

Tater singing with the Children's Choir at church

There is so much I could say about this picture but I'll leave it at - This is our life!

Tater's Bucket List

In my mommys' book club at church we just finished reading The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. In this book, the author - who is dying of cancer - shares several lists with his readers. The first is his childhood dreams and how he achieved them. He also details the characteristics he wants his young children to exude and life lessons he wants them to learn. As we finished the book, our pastor encouraged us (actually more like assigned!) to create our own lists as well as a "bucket list." As I was working on this this evening, Tater chimed in with her own "bucket list."

Tater's Bucket List
-be a princess on the princess coach
-be helpful
-to play
-to help babies play
-to collect baby food
-get a princess dog
-get a prince

Out of the mouths of babes!

(In future posts, I'll publish my lists - I'm still dreaming!)

A Love Dare

Usually I post about our children but today I want to shift gears and share an awesome movie we saw this weekend. It really impacted our marriage - and, as we all know, without Mommy and Daddy, there would be no Tater, Bruiser, or G Baby to entertain you and make you smile!

On Friday night, we put the kids to bed and looked forward to our favorite weekend pastime - a Redbox movie! You see, with three children and no family nearby, we don't get out much! So, for a few months, I had been hearing about this new movie, Fireproof, with Kirk Cameron and a Christian message. What an powerful movie! I don't want to ruin the movie because I want to encourage you all to see it but I'll give you the basic idea. His character, a firefighter (hence the name!), is in an unhappy marriage and about to divorce. His father dares him to wait 40 days and to follow a guidebook during those 40 days. We were so impressed with what happened that we couldn't wait to get a copy of the book, The Love Dare. Now, don't worry - we aren't on the verge of divorce, but we feel this will help to make our marriage stronger, which is always a good thing (No comments, Mimi!).

So, we are on Day 4, and each day gets a bit tougher. Today we had to call each other with no hidden agenda, just to see how the other is doing and if they need anything. A bit scripted, but you get the message. Yesterday, we had to buy something for each other. I took the practical route and bought C a snow scraper for his car - something he has needed all winter. Below is the picture of what he got me - aren't I lucky?