REST

A New Name

I am renaming Hottie Husband. This is not because I no longer find him extremely attractive. It is because after that really nice post that I wrote about him (he hadn't read it yet), he went and did something really crazy. 

I have to tell you that there is a ridiculous amount of baseball that goes on around here. As I said yesterday, he loves to coach the boys teams. What I didn't tell you is that he is currently managing three teams. That means three different practices each week in addition to the two games each for the two regular teams. The third team is a Tournament Team that will play this summer.

Anyway, all of this is not what bothers me because I really love baseball too. I love watching the kids play and the boys love having their dad coach them. Also, he takes all three of the boys to practice so it gives me some time at home just with the baby.

But, we also watch a lot of Dodgers games. They are on almost every night and all the boys love to watch the games. So, like I said, a ridiculous amount of baseball. 

Last night he decided that before he left for baseball practice, he would record the Dodgers game so he could watch the whole game when he got home. I found this to be a little over the top. I mean, it wasn't a playoff game or anything. So, to the point of this post. He will hereby no longer be referred to as Hottie Husband (which was a bit boastful on my part to begin with).

I am officially renaming him Mr. Baseball.

On another note, I will be announcing the winner of the blanket on Monday.

Happy Weekend!

A Few Things About Hottie Husband

I thought that you might want to know a few things about the man I am absolutely crazy about. 

So here are a few things or more-  He 

 and I were high school sweethearts. 

We went out for 3 years, broke up for 3 years in college, then got back together and were married 7 months later. 

It has been 13 years.  

loves his boys.

 is an amazing carpenter/craftsman.

 He built our home including framing, flooring, cabinets, crown moulding, built ins 

-nearly everything. 

 is  determined, patient, an amazing problem solver. 

The kids know to go to him if they need something fixed or untangled or built.

 is an athlete and very competitive. 

He played football in high school and college. 

He likes to do triathlons so he runs around nine miles at a time, rides his mountain bike to the top of local mountains and lifts weights. (Another good motivation for me to get back in shape). The only sport he isn't naturally good at is bowling and he says it isn't a sport. 

I say it is so I can say I can beat him at something.

 started reading classic books in the past few years and likes Hemingway.

 I think he just pretends to read it to turn me on.

is quiet.

But, he notices and hears everything.

 is not a people pleaser, but very much wants to please his God.

 LOVES to coach our boys baseball teams.

 I wish he could get paid for it. 

makes me feel loved every day. 

is not perfect, but he is perfect for me.

The Case of the Mysterious Spots on the Wall

I was in the bathroom the other day and noticed some spots on the wall right next to the toilet. I was like, "What are those?"

So, I looked a little closer. It looked like someone had wiped something on the wall in multiple places.

So I looked even closer. Oh, my! I think they are BOOGERS. Someone is sitting on the pot and 

picking their nose and wiping their boogers on the wall. I know the photos are not that clear, but do you really want to see the boogers close up? Believe me- they were there.

So, I went and checked the other bathrooms and lo and behold, there are boogers on the walls there too. GROSS! It is soooo not okay (do I sound like a California girl?) that I not only have boys with bad aim into the toilets, but now I also have dried boogers on my walls!!!!

The thing that really gets me is that there is toilet paper right there to put the booger into. I mean, take a look at the proximity of the TP to the boogers in that first photo.

I know that nobody is going to admit to it and so that nobody is tempted to lie, I get all the boys together and do a group lesson about what to do with our boogers. I cleverly point out how handy the toilet paper is when we are faced with a booger situation while we are on the toilet.

Now, I know from the start exactly who the culprit is but I will not out him to his brothers or to you to preserve what is left of his dignity. 

I have learned something from this "Case of the Booger Wiper." I have learned that dried up boogers are extremely hard to remove from walls- sort of like trying to scrub dried oatmeal out of a bowl. 

Multiple Choice

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!"Deuteronomy 30:19

This is one of my favorite scriptures because it is like God gives us a multiple choice question, but then says, "Wait though, because this is the answer. Choose Life! Choose the blessing!" He can't stand the thought of us choosing death. He stands and witnesses with heaven and earth, saying daily, "Oh, that you would choose life." Yes, he speaks that over you my friend.

Isn't this how we feel about our own children too? Don't we speak and desire life for them? How much more then must He desire life for each of his children. 

So I was thinking- how do we choose life?

We choose to be grateful in all circumstances. We live with thankfulness for the joy of

a bubble bath.

We take time rest so that we can let our bodies be renewed.

We celebrate the relationships God has given us and forgive and let go of bitterness so we can be whole.

We take time to hold a hand of someone in need and and help them walk in healing into a new day.

We refuse to be numb to the beauty that surrounds us and look with wonder at the variety in creation.

We choose not to live in fear, but instead live with courage as more than conquerers and take that leap.

And spread our wings, knowing we were created for a great purpose.

We choose to eat food that nourishes our bodies and give up overindulgence in the substances that kill our cells.

We choose to go outside and breathe and refuse to be sucked in be the technologies that vie for our attention.

We play and laugh and kiss and hug and throw snow balls.

We recognize the treasures around us.

We condition our bodies so that we are strong and resilient.

We run the race of this life determined to finish strong.

We act silly and goofy and choose not to take ourselves seriously. 

We live in the moment, cherishing each second we are given with those we love.

How do we choose life?

WE LIVE!

This is how that scripture finishes- "Now, choose life, so that you and your descendents might live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him."

Hold fast my friends and live!

BACK TO NORMAL

I went to the doctor on Friday for my six week postpartum check-up. They weighed me, asked me how I was feeling and then he did his check-up thing while I looked at a sign on the ceiling that said "RELAX." Funny how they think that a sign on the ceiling with a picture of a beach with palm trees next to it can make you feel relaxed while THAT is going on. So, I made small talk with the nurse about how they had finally updated the "RELAX" sign with fresh, bright writing. It had looked faded and old last time.

Then the doctor stood up, helped me to sit up and said, "You are all back to normal." And I said, "Yeah, as normal as I am gonna get." He smiled and looked as if he might laugh at my attempt at humor. But, he didn't. Then he added, "You can start exercising now, but hold off on any abdominal work for two more weeks." Like I was going to rush out and do sit-ups and he had to hold me back!!!

I don't like working out and I really do love to eat cookies and ice-cream and food in general, but I do have a strong motivating factor at this point. You see, I am not "back to normal." I am still wearing maternity clothes and there is a good 15 pounds between me and my regular clothes. This means that I have three choices- continue wearing maternity clothes, go out and buy new, bigger sized clothes (never a good idea), or lose the weight.

I asked on Facebook the other day, "How long is it socially acceptable to wear maternity clothes after you have had a baby?" The responses were funny. A friend of ours in Kenya said, "As long as you are social, it is acceptable." I thought that was clever and funny. Others said nice things like, "As long as you need honey." My cousin said, "Two and a half years." I loved that one- she actually gave me a time limit.

But really, I don't want to be wearing them four weeks from now so that means I have to do something. You see, the easy weight has already come off and I have been steadily at the same weight for two weeks now. So, working out and eating right are the only option. I am nursing so I can't do any crazy fasts or fad diets, which I don't believe in anyway.

So, I am going to start today. Here are my goals for the week.I am going to walk for at least 30 minutes for at least 4 times this week. I am also going to work out with arm weights, doing biceps, triceps and shoulder reps. I am going to cut out cookies and ice cream. Oh, that is going to be hard.

I am wondering if any of you want to join me. You know bathing suit season is coming really soon. I came up with this idea that I could do a Weigh In Wednesday post where I post how much weight I have lost each week and you could post how much you have lost in the comment section. It turns out that another blogger already came up with the "Weigh In Wednesday" title, but who says I can't use it too?

If I was really transparent, I would put on one of those work out outfits like they wear on the show The Biggest Loser and post a picture of me in it. Sorry, that is not going to happen. But, I will post my progress on Wednesday's because I think it will be a good motivator for you all to keep me accountable. I would love for you to join me if you want to.

Okay, I am off to walk on the treadmill. I am just wondering how I am going to fit in a workout and a shower during baby's nap time. We shall see!

This could take me all day.

Remembering Memorial Day

The land of the free and the home of the brave...

That kind of bravery astounds me. How thankful I am for my freedom and thus, their sacrifice and the sacrifice of their families. 

The land of the free and the home of the brave.

REST

SMILING FACES

I have been noticing a funny new trend around town. I see people who appear to be walking all by themselves. But, they are not alone. They have a secret companion. 

They smile lovingly at this companion. They look at this companion as if they are about to burst out laughing. They smile knowingly at this companion. 

So far, it doesn't seem to be socially acceptable to actually burst out laughing with this companion. 

Although, I think I am guilty of it. I'll have to try to keep it in next time.

Can you guess what I am talking about?

It is so hilarious to look at these people's faces, smiling down at their cell phones as they read their text messages. 

Keep your eyes open and you'll notice how smiley these faces are.

DON'T TELL THE CONSERVATIONISTS, I'M TRYING TO GET MY BABY TO SLEEP

We will go to great lengths to get our babies to sleep. Sometimes it is costly and if there were actual "Conservation Police," I for one would be arrested. 

With Luke, my most colicky baby, I drove miles on the freeway to get him to calm down and sleep. I also left the car on in the driveway to keep him asleep. THE HORROR! Granted, this was almost 10 years ago and gas was cheaper, but it was still an SUV. We also took turns holding him and dancing to a particular Shania Twain song for hours each night at an extremely loud volume because it seemed to calm him down. Don't ask how we figured this out!

Jack was my easiest to calm because he took the pacifier. I think this is true, but poor Jack, I don't remember much of his babyhood. I think it is because he and Luke were only 16 months apart so it is a big sleep deprived, diaper changing, trying to figure out how to be a mom- BLUR!

Ty cost us a lot in both types of gas. Driving calmed him down and then we figured out that if we put him in his car seat, on top of the dryer, with it running- he would actually stay asleep. The cardinal sin at that time was if someone let the dryer timer run out or if -GASP- you set the buzzer to go off. I'm sure it cost us a pretty penny.

Friends have told me stories of leaving blow dryers and vacuum cleaners running for hours near the crib just to keep the baby asleep. We have let fans run for hours in our house to block out sound during naps. One friend figured out that their baby was soothed by the sound of water dripping. So, these ingenious people tape-recorded the drip sound and played it for the baby. They must have been Conservationists. 

Our Little Bear is actually really easy. I am convinced he knows he is the fourth child and that his mother really needs to remain a sane human being. But, he does have his fussy moments.

We tried this to help soothe him. We call it the ALIEN BOOB! First, because it is giant and green- ingenious I tell you! Second, because when we put it in his mouth, he gags and looks at us like, "What in the heck is that?" Of course, my baby would never say "heck," but that is what it looks like he is thinking. This was actually a good moment with the ALIEN BOOB.

I have found some other things that soothe him. I got in the shower the other day after putting him in the bassinet. As soon as the shower went on, he closed his eyes. I turned it off and he opened them. They stayed closed the whole time I showered. 

Guess what? That shower stayed on until my makeup was on and my hair was blow-dried. 

Most of the time, he falls asleep in my arms, but sometimes he gets over tired and we have to resort to the car ride.  But, I have made a great discovery. Yesterday, when he was having trouble going to sleep, I put him in his car seat and placed a blanket over the top while I got some stuff together. He went to sleep before we even got into the car and slept for three hours.

I didn't even have to put him on the dryer or run a vacuum or let water drip or have the shower going or turn on a fan. 

He must be a Conservationist!

BLOG UNDER CONSTRUCTION

I am attempting to change some things on my blog today. I am severely deficient in HTML and Photoshop skills so it takes me some time, trial and error, and a slight bit of frustration. 

I am trying to change my blog to three columns. I don't know why blogger makes everything so squished.  I also want to add some better fonts and such. 

Now, creating a button for my blog, that would truly be an accomplishment. I have tried so many times and can never get it to link right. 

Anyhoo, if you happen to pop by and don't like it so far, just know it is not quite done. 

Also, if you have any suggestions of where to go to find good info, backgrounds, buttons, I would love the help.

DESTRUCTO DOG & THE MAIL CARRIER

A few days ago, as I sat at my computer, I happened to glance out the back sliding glass door and saw this....               with a dog in the middle of it.

My heart started racing. You see, this wasn't the first time I had seen this kind of destruction. 
I had once ordered a digital photo album from Apple and found it chewed to pieces in the back yard. 

Another time, I looked out to see tighty whiteys and socks strewn about the yard in the midst of torn up packaging. Then, when I looked closer I found chewed up hiking boots and a birthday card. The hiking boots were Luke's birthday present. Luke had told his Grammy that he didn't know what he wanted for his birthday so she had said she would just send him socks and underwear. Thus, the strewn socks and undies about my yard. Did I mention that they were all soaking wet from the sprinklers?

And now I was looking out at a torn up package. AGAIN! Why, you may ask, do packages end up in our back yard? Well, I think that is a very, very, very good question. You see, we have a big front porch. A perfect place to put packages. We also have a small back door with a stoop, another fabulous place to put packages. Then, why do the Fed-Ex man and the mail carrier feel the need to throw the packages over the fence?

Could it be this frightening beast? I picture the mail carrier slowly approaching the house as if it is some haunted mansion, perhaps something like Boo Radley's. Then hearing a startling noise, he panics and chucks the package over the fence and runs- screaming, arms waving, away from the house.

When I see the mess, my mind starts to race- what did I order? The baby's announcements already arrived safely. Oh, the books. I had ordered a Boy's Devotional to read to the boys.

It escaped with minor damage. Just that small bite mark in the corner. I had also ordered a Bible as a gift for my niece for her 16th birthday. It escapes unscathed-barely! It had come in a nice box. The top of the box was destroyed. When I caught Destructo Dog, she was just biting into the bottom of the box.

See the bite marks! Ughhh! Then I look at the back of the box.

It says Real Life- Life is Messy! 

Yes, it certainly is. 

Worst Mother of the Day

I have crowned myself the worst mother of the day, actually of yesterday. So far, today is going okay. 

Yesterday, I was sleep deprived and then my dog and the postman did something very annoying (tomorrow's post), and so I was a little grumpy and short fused. To top it off, Jason was not going to be home until 8pm. He is usually home early and very helpful so I am spoiled. 

It all started with Ty. I had been doing laundry all day and had everything neatly folded on the laundry room counter. He decided that he needed a basketball uniform that had been washed. He pulled it from mid-stack and the stack tumbled to the floor. He left it there. I found it. I called him over to explain that he could not just pull clothes out of the pile and to show him what he had done. While I was talking to him about it, he started to mimic me, opening and closing his mouth with no sound coming out and making his eyes big. I nearly lost it. He was making fun of me while I was lecturing him. He is only four!!!!!!

I sent him to his room. He hates that because he really has a very hard time being alone upstairs. I secretly enjoyed knowing that. Am I horrible? 

I then gave him a lecture about disrespect and he was not allowed to wear any costumes or sports uniforms for the rest of the night. This was sheer torture for him. 

This isn't even the bad part. I am just telling you what led up to the really bad mother part.

I was then making dinner, secretly delighting that I just needed to make a kid dinner because Jason wasn't home. This consisted of baked dinosaur chicken, carrots with ranch and cut up apples and nectarines. So much easier than a full meal. The chicken was baking in the DeLonghi toaster oven, not the big oven. It was finished cooking.

I went to take it out of the very tiny toaster oven, not a real oven, and as I pulled the rack out of the very tiny oven, the rack hit the corner of the cabinet and bounced back towards me. The only problem was that I was holding Vance in the other arm, trying to keep him happy during his slightly fussy time at night. He screamed- only for a few seconds and then calmed down.

I thought maybe it had burned his foot. I checked it, but didn't see any mark. I ran it under cool water anyway. Then I thought maybe the noise had just scared him. 

I picked up a few of the pieces of the chicken from the floor and served my gourmet dinner. And yes, I did serve the dropped pieces and yes, I'm horrible. 

Normally, TV is off limits on school days. But I was sleep deprived and the baby was fussy and so I let the kids watch a movie until Jason got home. 

When he got home, he took one look at me and said, "Are you okay?" as he picked up the baby. He has always been able to read me in a moment. I thought I was doing okay after the movie break, but apparently not. Then we put the kids to bed. As I came out of Luke's room, he said, "Did you see this on the baby?"

I looked at Vance's leg and this is the moment when I wanted to throw up and cry at the same time. There was a small burn mark on his lower leg. I want to fix it and make it disappear as if it never happened. My 1 month old's skin is damaged and I did it. The idea of a newborn being hurt and his skin being damaged for the first time makes me sick to my stomach. I treat the burn and kiss his head and tell him how sorry I am. 

We finally make it to bed and I pray for it to heal quickly and for there to be no scarring. And then I think that this how I need to pray over the whole lot of my parenting. 

Father, please heal any invisible wounds that I, in my humanness, inflict on my children and please cover the wounds so there will be no scars.

So, just in case you were feeling like the worst mother of the day, you are not. 

That crown is mine. 

California- The Good and the Shakey!

Last night I was sitting in my living room and the doors and windows started rattling. I looked at my niece (she was at the house so I could help her with a research paper) and Jason and said, "Earthquake?" They were not sure. Then my niece got a text from her mom (my sister) who was at LAX about to leave for Washington D.C. for a sixth grade field trip with her twin boys. She was asking my niece if she felt the earthquake? 

Yes, we were shaking again here in Southern California. It turns out it was centered in Inglewood, which is right near LAX, so my sister and the whole 6th grade got their trip started in an eventful way. She said it was pretty scary in the airport. 

The funny part of the whole thing was watching a local interview of a woman who was working in a restaurant when in happened. She said, "There were french fries and barbecue sauce flying everywhere." The reporter looked at her incredulously and said,"Really?" She said, "Yes, it was flyin everywhere. It was crazy!" You could tell he didn't believe her. I mean, it really wasn't that big of an earthquake. Californians, I tell you!!!!! We always have to make things out to be so dramatic.

But, here is the really good part about living in California-

Swimming in a pool- heated to eighty degrees- purely by the sun- in mid May!

Really, the shaking isn't so bad!

Giveaway In May- Hand Crocheted Blanket

Here is another photo of the beautiful hand crocheted blanket that I will be giving away at the end of the month. Remember that each time you leave a comment, you will be entered to win the blanket. 

 

Please keep the comments coming even if you don't want the blanket. You never know, if you win, the perfect person to give it to might just enter your life.

She's Sixteen

She's sixteen and her heart is broken.

I want to tell her it is temporary, that someday it won't hurt so bad.

I want to tell her that it is okay that she won't quite ever let herself get that close to a boy again, that some part of her heart she will always guard.

I want to tell her that he didn't make her whole, because it is impossible for a person to make another person whole.

I want her to know that people are fallible and so they will always fail you. There is only One who won't leave, won't hurt you, won't fail you.

I want to tell her that there is only One who can fill that hole. Only One who can complete her and He is not of this world.

I want her to see it from my perspective, at my age, if just for a moment.

I want her to know she is beautiful and strong and kind and that he is just a lost boy right now.

I want her to know it is for the good.

But, she hurts and I remember that kind of hurt. That deep well of pain when you are a teenager and your world is all right in front of you. And it is crashing.

I want her to lift her head, let go, be healed and move on.

But...

she's sixteen and her heart is broken.

How to Get a Four Year Old Out of Your Bed

Before the baby was born, Ty would sneak into our bed every night around 3am. It didn't bother us. He likes to snuggle. But, when the baby came home, it made it hard because I was getting up in the middle of the night and the bed (even though it is a king) just wasn't big enough. Plus, did I mention he likes to snuggle? I mean, like right next to me.

We knew he needed to stay in his own bed, but didn't want him to feel like he was getting the boot because of the new baby. I mean, that could cause some serious resentment and we want him to like his baby brother. 

So, we tried to think of some reward. With Luke, we used to give him a quarter to put in a jar for every night he stayed in his own bed. But, that boy loves money. Ty would give you all of his money in second so we knew that wouldn't work for him. 

But what does he absolutely love?

COSTUMES!!!! 

So, we made a chart with 10 boxes. Each night he stayed all night in his own bed, he got a star.We didn't mention anything about the baby.  At first, he kept saying, "I got a staw mom, now can I get my costume?" We would also wake up in the middle of the night and notice that the hall light  was on. He was trying to be so strong. Instead of coming in our bed, he was turning on the light to help himself cope. So, we put a night light in his room. He liked that.

After 10 stars, he got to go with dad and buy this...

This is apparently the pose that Storm Troopers strike!
Now,we have 15 boxes and he's working toward a pirate costume. But, I think it has become a habit to sleep all night in his own bed because he forgets to remind me to put a star in the box and hasn't even mentioned the pirate costume in over a week.

Go Ty!