Yes sir, that's my baby (and I don't mean Josiah)

I hope you don't mind a little blog-bragging because that's what I'm doing. :) My airman is on his way home today and I just thought I'd tell you how proud I am of him! He started out SOS by winning the Jousting contest. He made a name for himself on the Flickerball field and led his flight win the championship! Another flight even put his picture on t-shirts that said, "Have you been Bobbed?" His flight ended up earning the "Top Third" flight award. Bob did well on his tests, briefings, writing assignments, and PT scores and was selected as a "Top Third" graduate of the SOS class. He was also the runner-up for the SOS Commandant's Leadership Award. And his flight voted him the most "outstanding contributor" to the flight. I already knew that he's a great competitor an excellent leader but it's nice for him to get that kind of feedback from others too.

Multi-tasking gone awry

It all started with Josiah playing in the toilet. So I figured I'd put him in the tub. Then Chloe wanted to get in the tub too. I knew they would want to play for a while, they always do, so I thought instead of just sitting there I'd do a deep clean on the toilet. It's been really bugging me lately that I just walk in the bathroom and it smells like urine, gross. So I got my one rubber glove (lost the other one during the move I think), my little scrub brush and my mountain fresh Soft Scrub. Josiah and Chloe were doing good and I was scrubbing away. Then Josiah decided that he wanted to get out. He kept trying to climb out but I really wanted to get this little job done while I had the littles confined in the tub, and I hadn't even washed him yet so he HAD to stay in longer. I tried to distract him and kept cleaning. Then he reached out and grabbed the toilet. Good thing I already cleaned that part! I finished the job and washed up. I washed Josiah and got him out of the tub and down to nap. So I did get the toilet and the littles clean...it was just a little crazy along the way. Sometimes I wonder if it's times like these that I'm really making it harder on myself. But then I also think that my toilet would never get cleaned because I just have to go with it when I get inspired.

Blog-o-mania

Join me in welcoming one of my college buddies to the world of blogging! I actually met her husband my sophomore year at WMU. He had long hair and a lot of questions about God...now he's in seminary. Isn't it great how God works!!! :)
Check out Wondrous Love
and keep on bloggin'!

Juniper Breeze

I'm kinda thinking that the fragrance "Juniper Breeze" at Bath and Body Works isn't a hot seller this spring. So many people here are sneezing and sniffling because of the juniper, it just couldn't be seen in a positive light. Personally I've always liked the more flowery smells anyway but the last few days have increased my dislike for the Juniper Breeze. One day last week I was fixing dinner and I started sneezing. I immediately rummaged through the cupboard to find some Zyrtek. Even though I've been taking it every day I'm still having sinus pain. UGH. I've been told that sometimes it takes a few years after you move here for your body to respond to the stuff in the air, I guess I don't have to wait. Lucky me.

It's a good thing

Two good things actually!

1. YIPPIE for comments!

2. I have added two friends and Bob's brother's family to my circle. Check out "My Little Garden", "Baby Blue Bicycle" and "A Peek at the Overbeeks".
On that note I'd like to encourage you to check out everyone in my circle of friends. It's so cool to be connected to people from all around the country including my mom, my best buddy Tracy, old friends and new, people from Washington to California. I really like this blogging thing!

My FABULOUS idea!

So I decided that a night out with some friends would give me a boost to get through my last week without my hubby. I got 8 friends together (10 if you include the two baby girls who haven't made an appearance yet). I even convinced a few of the husbands to watch my kiddos while the girls went out. Is that totally fabulous or what! We girls headed out to Macaroni Grill for dinner. We all enjoyed the food, especially that bread, and just good ol' girl talk. Then it was off to the bowling alley for some black light bowling. I think the young guys a few lanes over were making fun of us for cheering and squealing, but hey, it was girls night, that's what we're supposed to do. Jill and Erika got the high scores and Summer gets the award for most entertaining approach (including once when she stepped over the line and slipped on the waxy floor). Good times!!!

Super Humongous thanks to Mr. J, Mr. Tonio, The Bike man, and L.L. for taking such good care of my kiddos. Mr. J even cleaned up a potty accident! WOW! I'm so impressed! You guys ROCK!!!

This is definitely something we'll have to do again (except next time my hubby will be home and Mr. J will be off the hook for cleaning up accidents!!!)

PS - For those of you who've never heard of
"Air Supply" please listen here
www.music.com/group/air_supply/1/

Book Plug

I discovered Ginger Plowman at a conference that Bob and I attended a few years ago. She has a book called "Don't Make Me Count to Three" and a little reference chart called "Wise Words for Moms". My chart is on my fridge and it's fabulous. It lists behaviors that our children display and then has scripture you can quote to them and some good questions to ask them. It's a great tool. The book is great too because it's written from a mom's point of view. It's a quick read and has good advice in the area of Godly discipline and it's funny too! Both are available on Amazon. Check them out!

Just put on a happy face

Some times things get wacky around here and there's not much I can do about it, so I just laugh. Here are some examples:
1. The other morning I was doing Abigail's hair before school. We were in our small but sufficient bathroom. I think Joshua, pretending to be some species of large cat, growled at Josiah so he came running into the bathroom crying, wanting to be held. I set him up on the counter and stood in front of him and continued on with my braiding. Just then Chloe rolls in with her baby stroller and pushes past me and Abigail and starts talking or singing or something. And not far behind was Joshua, the wild beast/jungle cat, growling and jumping at me. As I watched this little scene it just struck me as funny and I started laughing. All I wanted to do was put some braids in Abigail's hair and it had turned into a 3 ring circus. WACKY!
2. Today I had the chance to exercise and afterward I had set the kids up with a video and I hopped into the shower. Just as I was rinsing my shampoo Chloe bursts in and says, "I have to go pee pee potty!" I peeked out of the shower and I could tell she wasn't going to be able to wait long. She started walking out to go to the kids bathroom and I told her to just stay and go on mommy's toilet. So here I am, dripping wet, leaning out of the shower trying to get Chloe on the potty before she has an accident. She just made it up on the toilet! Whew! But I had to laugh.
3. This one is not so much funny but it did make me smile. The other day Joshua asked me when I was going away. I told him I wasn't going away and he seemed happy about that. Then he said that he never wanted to go away from me...that he wanted to stay with mommy and daddy. He didn't want to grow up and leave home. I tried to explain to him that kids grow up and they want to start a family of their own. He adamantly told me that he never wanted to do that. I remember having the same conversation with my mother when I was a little girl. I never wanted to "leave the nest". I guess it's a normal feeling for a small child, but still it made me feel good and brought a smile to my face.

Sunday at church we were reminded that we need to thank God for our children more often. These funny little things that happen every day remind me of how thankful I am for my little blessings and even though at times it may be stressful or wacky I need to remember to put on my happy face.

How teachable am I?

In my devotions today I was reading about being receptive to the truth. J.I. Packer says, "...the Spirit works through our diligence, not our laziness. Understanding what God's written Word means for me comes through seeing what it meant when it was first put on paper and applying that to ourselves." This struck me because there are times when I feel I am just rushing through my study time so that I can check it off my list of things that need to be done; like doing the dishes or vacuuming. I'm more concerned about saying that I did it than I am about reading and understanding what God is saying to me and what I need to do to apply that to my life. I must pray, "Teach my your decrees." (Psalm 119:12) asking God for teaching and teachableness!
Packer gives 3 questions to ask during Bible study that I think are helpful:
1. What does this passage tell me about God? His character, power and purpose; His work, will and ways in creation, providence and grace?
2. What does this passage tell me about people? the human situation, man's possibilities, privileges, problems, right and wrong ways of living, man in sin, and man in grace?
3. What is all this showing me and saying to me about myself and my own life?

Let us be diligent and teachable in our study of the Word of God!

Grab your coat and get your hat....

Josiah LOVES to be outside. Sometimes he stands at the door crying because he wants to go out and when we're out he's not happy when it's time to come in. The other day he found his hat and put it on and then grabbed his jacket and was standing by the door, just waiting to be let out. Who says 1 year olds can't tell you exactly what they want?

Oh what a beautiful morning, Oh what a beautiful day!

Oh how I love Albuquerque in March! The last two days have been sunny and 80 degrees. I'm noticing some color in my face and yes, the beginnings of the dreaded farmer tan on my arms. The kids are enjoying this weather too. Yesterday we had a little water gun fight with some of the neighbors and today the kids decided that they wanted to run through the sprinkler. What could I say? We'll probably end up in North Dakota next so we might as well make the most of this wonderful southwest weather while we can!

The Countdown

Exactly 2 weeks from right now, I'll be picking up my sweetie at the airport! YIPPIE! And wouldn't you know it, he's coming home just in time for opening day of baseball season. GO TIGERS!

Oh so good!

Here's a recipe for a salad that I LOVE! It's not weight watchers but I always tell myself that it's okay because I'm eating green things. :) The recipe is from the pastor's wife in my previous church, thanks Connie!

Crunchy Romaine Toss
Ingredients:
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1 package ramen noodles, crunched
4 Tbls butter
1 bunch broccoli
1 head romaine (I use 1 bag of romaine)
4 green onions, chopped
1 cup dressing

Directions:
Brown walnuts and ramen in butter
Combine broccoli, romaine, and onion. Sprinkle walnuts and ramen on top.
Add dressing and enjoy. It doesn't keep well so you have to eat it all!

Dressing (makes 2 1/2 cups):
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 Tbls soy sauce
(I usually just half this so I don't have left over dressing).

Baby Mine

Isn't it just the best feeling when your children love on you? My little Josiah has started giving really good hugs and kisses. I love it the most when he wraps his chubby little arms around me and pats my back as he hugs me. I could just hold him forever....of course he's much too busy to spend more than a few minutes in mama's arms; but he stays just long enough to make me feel good. Oh, sweet baby of mine!

The Fly Lady would not be proud

Did you ever have one of those days when you have to unload your dishwasher at night so you could immediately re-load it with the dishes that have filled your sink all day long? I just did that...tisk, tisk. So un-Fly Lady of me http://www.flylady.net/
However, I must clarify that I didn't get to the dishes because I decided that it was "Special Kids Day". We went to gymnastics, Owl Cafe for lunch, haircut for Abigail, and then clothes shopping at Walmart. It may have been a bit much for Josiah but I think overall it was a success! We capped off the day with a viewing of "Mary Poppins" in our PJ's. Maybe I'll have to leave the dishes more often...

Thoughts for new moms

I feel like I am surrounded by pregnant women right now. There are 4 at church, my buddy from MI, and my sister-in-law. Babies, babies, babies...it almost makes me want another one...almost. Anyway, I thought I'd share some of my mommy insight with all my new mommy friends. First of all I'd just like to say that I know that everyone and their brother wants to give new parents advice about their baby. Take it all with a grain of salt, we mean well. :)

Baby Stuff: Less is more. Don't worry, soon enough your house will be over-run with toys and such. Start out with less. I've found that people are so generous, sharing of "stuff" is a good thing and most of the time you don't really need it. My top list of baby things you need: bouncer seat, Gymini Playmat, and a pack-n-play. Two things I think you don't need: High chair (reclining booster seat works just as well and doesn't take up space) and a changing table (use a short dresser and just put a changing pad on it. You'll need the dresser anyway).

Baby Wise: I know this one is very personal and I don't want to step on the toes of on-demand feeders. This is just what worked for me. I like the "Baby Wise" idea; I don't think it's 100% perfect or fool-proof but it worked for me with all 4 of my children. I'm a schedule kind of girl and I like having my babies on schedules. After the first few weeks I always get them on a 2 1/2 to 3 hour schedule and I must tell you that all 4 of mine slept through the night by 9 weeks old (granted sleeping through the night is 5 to 7 hours but that is FABULOUS when you haven't had more than 3 solid hours for months!). I'm also a let them cry it out kind of mom. It's tough at first, but they get used to it and they go back to sleep. Now I never had a child who cried for hours without stopping. I know it doesn't work for every child but I think if you decide it early on it will work. Be Strong!

Other random thoughts:
Get one of those comfy sleep nursing bras, they're worth it! There's also a nursing tank top that you can buy. You wear it under a regular shirt and then your belly doesn't show when you lift up your shirt to nurse (Target has them). Maybe I'll post on nursing another time. It's an adventure all on it's own. :) The diaper bag: after 4 years of trying to find the perfect one I'm using a back pack. It's a good thing because then you can get your hubby to carry it and he doesn't feel silly.

My theme song/hymn for motherhood, "I need Thee every hour"

I get by with a little help from my friends

In the church I grew up in we used to sing this song, "I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God..." That line couldn't be more true for me right now. I can't imagine not being part of a church family. There have been so many friends from church who are looking out for me and the kids while Bob is gone. Just yesterday some friends offered to come over to babysit so I could get out. Some folks sit with us during church and help by holding the baby and we always have help getting out to the car. I really feel like everyone genuinely cares about how we are doing and how Bob is doing. I know we are being prayed for and others have helped me at times when I need babysitters. It's a beautiful picture of the family of God caring for each other. And unlike the Beatles song that inspired my title, I'm doing more than just, "getting by". It's not fun to be apart from my hubby but I'm seeing how God is using this time to remind me to lean on him and that I can't do anything on my own strength but I'm trusting Him to sustain me each day and even make me stronger.
"...Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

You've come a long way baby!

One of the things that I have been doing to keep busy after the kids go to bed is organizing our pictures. Last night I came across this picture. It's me in high school, probably sophomore or junior year. Yes, it's really me!




Here's a picture of me from last summer. I often wonder why I was able to lose the weight now? After 4 children I weigh less then I have since I was like 9 (okay maybe 10). And so far I've kept off the weight for 9 months. It's hard work but I feel so much better about myself!!! Looking at the two pictures I feel just a smidge proud that I was able to do it. So if a girl who loves chocolate, ice cream and junk food in general can do it...you can too; whatever your goal may be!

My never-ending story

So I'm wondering which is harder for you....folding or putting away?
It's definately putting away for me!

Gladiator

Remember the show American Gladiator? I used to watch it really late at night when I was a teenager. Well last Friday my dear husband had the opportunity to have the gladiator experience. They had a jousting competition at SOS. If you watched the show you'll recall that for the Joust 2 competitors would stand on top of pedestals and hit each other with giant q-tip like sticks until one of them fell off. So my husband, Mr. Competition, won the whole thing! I wish I could have been there to see it! I think my new nick name for him will be "Nitro".

The mommy's mommy

Hey friends I'd like you to welcome my mom to the world of blogging. Over the years she has blessed me with encouragement and wisdom and I know there's so much more to come. I hope through her blog you might get a glimpse of what a special person she is and why I love her so much!
http://musingsfromthemagiccity-peggy.blogspot.com/
I've also added a link to her page in my circle of friends :)

Inquiring minds want to know

This morning Abigail said, "I just don't understand....who got this whole thing started?" I responded, "Who got what thing started?" She said, "Who made God, where did He come from?" We've taught the children that God has always existed and will always exist but Abigail is trying to wrap her mind around this concept and it's tough. I remember wondering when I was a kid what God did before He created the universe. What a challenge it is to give our children good answers to these kinds of questions. It's humbling when I feel that I haven't been able articulate the truth to my children in a way they understand. At times like this I'm reminded to pray all the more for them, that God will give them knowledge and understanding of His word and faith to believe what they learn from it.

My little funny faces

The kiddos saw my friend Tracy's blog and there were pictures of her kids on it making funny faces. So of course they wanted to make funny faces and post them too!

Motherhood is not for the squimish!

It all started this morning with a diaper explosion. Poor little Josiah's diaper was so full that it exploded leaving his zip up sleeper full of the little gel pellets that are the filling of a diaper. Of course these little gel things have expanded in size because they are full of urine. As a side note this diaper explosion phenomenon has never happened when I use Pampers but this month I decided to buy the 200 ct box of Huggies from Costco, and Luv's are the worst, they explode like every night! It's strictly Pampers from here on out!! So anyway, I tried to keep the urine filled gel pellet mess contained and put my poor baby in the tub. All the while I'm trying to make sure the other kids are ready for gymnastics. So while Josiah was playing in the tub, I called Abigail in so I could brush her teeth and do her hair. All of a sudden Josiah started crying and was trying to climb out of the tub. I was only 2 feet away but I had been talking to Abigail so I didn't see what Josiah had done. Well, he had gone buckey (this is Bob's word for a bowel movement) in the tub and to my horror it was on his fingers and....his lips! AGHHHHHHHH! I washed off his hand and mouth and immediately began brushing his teeth. Then I thought, "Should I call poison control?" But decided that this probably didn't fit into their area of expertise. I think the tooth brushing made Josiah feel better because he stopped crying. I got him dressed and got him a drink. Then I emptied the tub and refilled it with hot water and bleach. At this point I had to rush out the door to get to gymnastics. This is not the first time there has been an "incident" in the tub, in fact I can recall a few times it has happened but this was the worst by far. Needless to say, I don't think there will be any lasting effect on my little guy, as long as I don't tell him what happened!

Inspiration

I'm headed to my Weight Watcher meeting tomorrow and thought I'd just share a few of the inspiring thoughts that I keep around my house to help me in my on going battle against eating too much chocolate.

• Action comes BEFORE motivation

• Nothing tastes as good as thin feels

• None of the answers to life's problems are behind the door of my refrigerator

Boys will be boys

We've all heard the saying a million times. It's just there are days when I wonder if my two boys got an extra dose of boy-ness. For example, last night at church Joshua decided to stick a bead in his ear during craft time. When I asked him why he did it he said, "I thought it would be fun." Thankfully we went to the doctor today and he was able to remove the bead without any damage to Joshua's ear. Several months ago he put Cheerios up his nose. The first time he did it we were able to blow it out. But then he tried it again and sniffed it up too hard and we couldn't get it out. I thought it would just dissolve up there. Then there's the jumping and flipping and "tricks" that he does. It's hard to get him to stop, kind of Tigger-ish I suppose. His energy just doesn't end. And Josiah is no different. I have learned that every chair around the table must be pushed in at all times. One morning I found the little guy standing on the table dumping out all the other kids' orange juice and stomping in it. And if the bathroom door is open you can guarantee he will be in there with his hand in the toilet. Yesterday he was jumping on the furniture and got a little overzealous. Needless to say he went over the arm of the chair and banged his head on a toy truck. Oh and just this morning he discovered he could climb the ladder to the bunk beds but then fell off and got a bloody lip.
I'm sure that some of you fellow mothers of little boys are nodding and laughing because your guys have done the same things. Is this phenomenon explained by testosterone? At this point I don't have any delusions that these daring and curious behaviors will end in the near future. For now I'll have ice packs ready in the freezer and the phone number to urgent care on speed dial.