When I get frustrated and tired of the enormity of this job called motherhood, I am always refreshed and grateful after listening to this song. Hope you enjoy it too!
Musings on life with three silly boys - there's never a dull moment!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Retail therapy
Last night we met some friends for dinner at a restaurant where they had a large covered sandpit. There are six kids between the two families, all of whom range in age from 5 to 2. Even though it was hot outside, I think everyone had a great time. The kids played happily in the sand, and we actually got to talk and visit without being interrupted every two seconds (ok, we were interrupted but it was more like every two minutes, but we'll take what we can get).
After dinner, we sent the guys back to our house with the kids to play in the back yard while my friend S and I hit a few stores for some "retail therapy." We both got some great deals and before we knew it two hours had flown by.
Ahhh...a great evening!
P.S. The kids meals were free at the restaurant with an adult entree purchase. BONUS!!!
After dinner, we sent the guys back to our house with the kids to play in the back yard while my friend S and I hit a few stores for some "retail therapy." We both got some great deals and before we knew it two hours had flown by.
Ahhh...a great evening!
P.S. The kids meals were free at the restaurant with an adult entree purchase. BONUS!!!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Cleaning and scrubbing
My mom used to have a framed print of a woman rocking her baby that says the following:
Cleaning and scrubbing
Can wait 'till tomorrow,
For babies grow up,
We've learned to our sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs,
Dust, go to sleep
I'm rocking my baby,
And babies don't keep!
I know that a certain amount of housework is "necessary" for life. You must do the dishes at some point or you will not have pots and pans to cook in (or in my case I must soak the pans for a LONG time to get all the crispy burned stuff off the bottom from my usual laughable attempt at cooking). The laundry has to be washed, folded, and put away. However, having clutter and filthiness in my house drives me NUTSO!!!!! I don't feel like I can truly relax when those piles are staring me down and can't see floor, tabletop, or countertop with all of the stuff piled everywhere. Please, Lord, help me to learn the peace of mind to just look past those things and focus on my children, who are growing up more and more every day.
Cleaning and scrubbing
Can wait 'till tomorrow,
For babies grow up,
We've learned to our sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs,
Dust, go to sleep
I'm rocking my baby,
And babies don't keep!
I know that a certain amount of housework is "necessary" for life. You must do the dishes at some point or you will not have pots and pans to cook in (or in my case I must soak the pans for a LONG time to get all the crispy burned stuff off the bottom from my usual laughable attempt at cooking). The laundry has to be washed, folded, and put away. However, having clutter and filthiness in my house drives me NUTSO!!!!! I don't feel like I can truly relax when those piles are staring me down and can't see floor, tabletop, or countertop with all of the stuff piled everywhere. Please, Lord, help me to learn the peace of mind to just look past those things and focus on my children, who are growing up more and more every day.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
My plate
I fix the same food for my kids as I do for myself. I don't believe in making two meals every night, one for them and one for us. I am blessed that my boys are such good eaters. However, I don't get one thing.
Why is the food on my plate always more appetizing to them than the food on their own plates?
It's a mystery...
Why is the food on my plate always more appetizing to them than the food on their own plates?
It's a mystery...
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
My new favorite show
I have discovered a new TV show that I absolutely love. It's called "Raising Sextuplets" on the WE channel. It is a show about a family with 1 year old sextuplets. Both parents work full time (she works at night as a Physician's Assistant) and I can so relate to the issues they discuss! The dad works full time and is working on his MBA, and she runs marathons. They have a nanny that comes in to help with the mom during the day, and the dad watches them while she works at night. Their saving grace is the great-grandmother, who comes over several times per week with a friend and washes all of their clothes for them. I am switching to this from Jon and Kate Plus 8.
Baseball game
Matt is taking all three boys to the Astros game today with his sister K and her three kids. I'm sure they will have fun and I'm hoping no one will get lost! Here is a picture from the last time he took them to the Astros game. They still talk about the "Big Baseball" every time we walk into Target where they have those round concrete barricades on the way into the store. Go 'stros!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Multi-tasking: Men vs. Women
I have always heard that women are better than men at multi-tasking. For example, woment are able to cook dinner, have a load of laundry going, watching kids, helping with homework, and folding a basket of clothes while men tend to focus on one task at a time. I have experienced this first hand in my own life.
However...men do multi-task in their own special way, I have recently realized. That multi-tasking ability comes in the form of the remote control. My husband has the amazing ability to watch up to 3 or 4 shows at the same time by flipping back and forth. I am not able to multi-task in this area very well at all! This drives me crazy because I can't follow the story lines of so many shows, but he seems to be generally up to speed on all of them. I like to look at the menu, select a show, then watch the entire thing, start to finish. During commercials I don't usually surf around, that is my time to move the laundry from the washer to the dryer, start a new load, unload the dishwasher, etc.
It's amazing how differently God has wired all of us, but especially men and women! Can anyone else relate?
However...men do multi-task in their own special way, I have recently realized. That multi-tasking ability comes in the form of the remote control. My husband has the amazing ability to watch up to 3 or 4 shows at the same time by flipping back and forth. I am not able to multi-task in this area very well at all! This drives me crazy because I can't follow the story lines of so many shows, but he seems to be generally up to speed on all of them. I like to look at the menu, select a show, then watch the entire thing, start to finish. During commercials I don't usually surf around, that is my time to move the laundry from the washer to the dryer, start a new load, unload the dishwasher, etc.
It's amazing how differently God has wired all of us, but especially men and women! Can anyone else relate?
Monday, June 15, 2009
Hard day
Today is a hard day for me. I've been working like a dog the last week and have gotten very little sleep. Please pray that I will get everything accomplished that I need to do.
Isaiah 40:30-31 (New International Version)
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:30-31 (New International Version)
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
I'm Watching You Dad
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Here fishy fishy fishy!!!
#1 went fishing this weekend with his new Spiderman fishing pole with Grandpa and Matt. They were out there a LONG time, but he was a trooper! Guess which one of them caught a fish? He was SOOOOOOOO proud! Don't ask Matt how many he caught...zippo! I think #2 thought it was amusing that he caught a fish but Daddy didn't. I sense a life-long competition beginning. Ha! Ha!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Answered prayers
#1 was completely DRY all day today at school for the first time every!!! To celebrate, we went to Itz Pizza as we promised him (yes, we have resorted to shameless bribery to speed along the potty training process). He was so proud of himself!
Also, he has been napping well at school every day this week, something that he has had MAJOR challenges with in the past. His teacher, Mrs. M, came up with the BRILLIANT idea of putting an audio tape of a children's book on during nap time. She says that #1 lays on his mat with his eyes wide open, and she can tell he is listening intently, until he drifts off to sleep. I can tell he has been napping well because he is in a good mood most of the time. Last week when he didn't nap very much at all, he had "meltdowns" over the smallest thing.
I know my mom and many of you have been praying about this specific situation, and I am grateful for your prayers. Keep them coming for his continued maturity and development!!
Trip to the farm
This weekend we went to visit my parents on their "farm." It is so peaceful out there. I woke up at 5:45 on Sunday morning and my dad was just getting up. We poured ourselves a cup of coffee and stepped out onto their front porch just in time to see the moon, which was almost a bright orange color, go down on the horizon. I didn't have my camera with me and wished I had thought to grab it, but the moon just popped out of sight within about a minute. Then we came back inside and went onto their back porch in time to see the sun rise over the opposite horizon. We sat and visited with each other and it was so nice to just talk, sip our coffee, and watch the beautiful sunrise. This time I remembered to bring my phone/camera and took a picture!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Potty training helpful hints
These are a few things I've discovered were very helpful to me during my potty training adventures with these little munchkins:
1. PADDED UNDERWEAR
These things are GREAT! It looks and feels like real underwear but there is just enough padding in the lining to absorb one "accident." This reduces the laundry load because it doesn't always make the shorts wet and they can be washed and bleached easily. The key is, don't look for them on the underwear aisle - they are normally in the baby section where the hooded towels and packages of baby onesies are kept. I have found them at Target and HEB.
2. POTTY CHARTS
Implementing a reward system has helped them tremendously. Here are the categories:
GO FAST - 1 check mark
GO POTTY - 1 check mark pee, 2 check marks poop
WASH HANDS - 1 check mark
DRY DAY - prize
For every 10 check marks they earn, they get a prize. I keep a basket of goodies locked away (cheap dollar store items, stickers, and some candy).
3. PUTTING 2 OR 3 SETS OF SHEETS ON A BED
I discovered that Target carries a flat waterproof pad that doesn't gather like a fitted sheet does. I got the idea that perhaps I could layer sets of sheets on a bed with a waterproof pad in-between. When the boys have accidents in their beds, it is easy to whip off the wet sheets and pad, and there is a fresh sheet set ready for them to go right back to sleep. Plus, if I am busy the next day I don't have to worry about getting the wet sheets washed, dried, and back on the bed before bed time the next night. This has helped me really let go of the diapers and pull ups. They still have accidents almost every night, but I'm sticking to my guns and hoping they will "get it" one of these days.
4. POTTY AND POTTY KIT IN THE CAR
I took one of our toddler potties and put it in the car with a plastic grocery bag lining the bottom. I put about 10 paper towels in the bottom of the potty to help absorb the liquid. I drive around with the potty ready to go, so if one of them needs to go I can pull over into a parking lot and they can take care of business. I have a laundry basket in my car that I call my "Potty Kit" which contains baby wipes, Clorox Wipes, extra undies, extra clothes, a roll of paper towels, and plastic grocery bags. Once they are finished with the potty, I pull up the plastic bag, tie it up, and set up the potty for the next time.
Bye bye diapers!!!
1. PADDED UNDERWEAR
These things are GREAT! It looks and feels like real underwear but there is just enough padding in the lining to absorb one "accident." This reduces the laundry load because it doesn't always make the shorts wet and they can be washed and bleached easily. The key is, don't look for them on the underwear aisle - they are normally in the baby section where the hooded towels and packages of baby onesies are kept. I have found them at Target and HEB.
2. POTTY CHARTS
Implementing a reward system has helped them tremendously. Here are the categories:
GO FAST - 1 check mark
GO POTTY - 1 check mark pee, 2 check marks poop
WASH HANDS - 1 check mark
DRY DAY - prize
For every 10 check marks they earn, they get a prize. I keep a basket of goodies locked away (cheap dollar store items, stickers, and some candy).
3. PUTTING 2 OR 3 SETS OF SHEETS ON A BED
I discovered that Target carries a flat waterproof pad that doesn't gather like a fitted sheet does. I got the idea that perhaps I could layer sets of sheets on a bed with a waterproof pad in-between. When the boys have accidents in their beds, it is easy to whip off the wet sheets and pad, and there is a fresh sheet set ready for them to go right back to sleep. Plus, if I am busy the next day I don't have to worry about getting the wet sheets washed, dried, and back on the bed before bed time the next night. This has helped me really let go of the diapers and pull ups. They still have accidents almost every night, but I'm sticking to my guns and hoping they will "get it" one of these days.
4. POTTY AND POTTY KIT IN THE CAR
I took one of our toddler potties and put it in the car with a plastic grocery bag lining the bottom. I put about 10 paper towels in the bottom of the potty to help absorb the liquid. I drive around with the potty ready to go, so if one of them needs to go I can pull over into a parking lot and they can take care of business. I have a laundry basket in my car that I call my "Potty Kit" which contains baby wipes, Clorox Wipes, extra undies, extra clothes, a roll of paper towels, and plastic grocery bags. Once they are finished with the potty, I pull up the plastic bag, tie it up, and set up the potty for the next time.
Bye bye diapers!!!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Summer School has Begun!
Today is the boys' first day of summer school. They have new teachers and are adjusting to a new classroom and routine. Please pray for them to adjust well, especially #1. His PPCD school is not in session over the summer so he is spending the entire day at Northland. Transitions are very hard for him and I pray that he is able to adjust and take a nap today. Also, he has started wearing big boy underwear full time so that is another transition for him to overcome.
I know it sounds like a petty thing to ask for prayers for, but it really is a BIG DEAL in our lives. Pray for their teachers too!
I know it sounds like a petty thing to ask for prayers for, but it really is a BIG DEAL in our lives. Pray for their teachers too!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Yummy low fat summer dessert
For a co-worker's birthday, I made a cake that was a big hit. What am I saying? I didn't actually MAKE the cake (it was an angel food cake from Walmart) - BUT I did make the icing and cut up the fruit. That's about as homemade as I get. :)
This is a perfect summer dessert - it can be thrown together in about 5 minutes and is low fat!
Fruity Whipped Cream Angel Food Cake
1 angel food cake
1 small tub lite Cool Whip
2 cups yogurt (any flavor you like - I prefer strawberry)
Fruit of your choice (I like strawberries, blueberries, and kiwis)
Mix together the Cool Whip and yogurt.
Spread onto Angel Food Cake.
Slice fruit and arrange slices around the top and sides of the cake.
Enjoy!
This is a perfect summer dessert - it can be thrown together in about 5 minutes and is low fat!
Fruity Whipped Cream Angel Food Cake
1 angel food cake
1 small tub lite Cool Whip
2 cups yogurt (any flavor you like - I prefer strawberry)
Fruit of your choice (I like strawberries, blueberries, and kiwis)
Mix together the Cool Whip and yogurt.
Spread onto Angel Food Cake.
Slice fruit and arrange slices around the top and sides of the cake.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
Changing names
I've started getting hits from around the world all of a sudden so it makes me nervous to use the real names of my kids. Until I can come up with a better nickname, they will now be referred to as #1, #2, and #3.
Does anyone know how to archive a blog or burn it onto a disk? My intent is to have a blog of our family's adventures that I can pass down to my sons.
Thanks!
Does anyone know how to archive a blog or burn it onto a disk? My intent is to have a blog of our family's adventures that I can pass down to my sons.
Thanks!
#2's raindrop song
The 3 year olds had a preschool program at school a few weeks ago. Each class was a different thing - some were butterflies, some were bees, some were ladybugs, some were raindrops, etc. It was really cute! #1and #2 were thrilled that their cousin R came to see them sing. Here is a video of #2 singing his raindrops song (sorry you have to turn your head to the left to view)..
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