Birk: “Mom, are we going to Aunt Whitney’s house?”
Me: “Yup!”
Birk: “P. Sherman, 42 Wallaby Way Sydney.”
Me: “Um, that was AWESOME!”
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Me: “Addy, can you please stop messing around and sit in your chair and eat your dinner. “
Addy : “I don’t like this. I’m going to go live far away from here where I don’t have to eat this.”
Me: “It’s starting already, huh?”
It's double the giggles and double the grins, and double the trouble if you're blessed with twins Then God proves to you that two is not enough and blesses your life with another one to love.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Friday, April 26, 2013
Kindness DOES matter
I had a wonderful lunch today with a friend and one of our many topics was around people and how they treat others. Is it just amazing to me how we, as a society, can still treat people the way that we do. The way that we talk to each other, the words we use, the way we look at each other. It’s no wonder why we have young children with self-worth issues, people in corporate settings who are struggling and we have people who feel the need to conduct such vicious acts like what took place in Boston a few weeks ago. I mean, who are we kidding?
Ok, this is going to get deep …. So consider yourself warned.
Where did Love go? Where did respect go? Do we lead our lives in a way that we can be proud of? That God can be proud of? Do we teach our children what it means to be loved and HOW to love? Do we teach them not to judge, not to call people awful things, not to talk to them in a tone that reflects anger/hatred.
Do I remember that we are all MORE! In the words of Tenth Avenue North “We are more than the choices that we’ve made, we are more than the sum of our past mistakes, we are more than the problems you create, you’ve been remade! “
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Likes and Dislikes
As I reflect on the fact that I wanted my kids to someday come back to this blog and read about their childhood, see pictures and learn things about themselves that I will likely forget with my advancing age I thought I’d put a post out here about their likes and dislikes right now in their lives (at age 4).
So, let’s start with Birk.
Birk LOVES the Cyclones. He loves anything to do with a ball, especially baseball. He will be starting Blast Ball in a week and he is ExCYted to say the least! He love wrestling with his dad on the living room floor. Being the pool is now become one of his favorite past times. He loves Cars, Toy Story, and Wreck it Ralph. Birk’s favorite foods are; cheeseburgers, pizza, mac-n-cheese, apples, candy and flavored water.
Now Addy.
Addy LOVES pink. Anything pink is her favorite. It goes so far that she loves pink meat (?). Addy loves to play school, house, with babies. She is bubbly and loves to use her imagination, however she can keep up with the boys. She loves to run, play hide n seek, tag and play on the play set in the backyard. Addy loves to snuggle and watch a movie. She loves to read books and could listen to someone read to her for hours. She loves singing, and playing her keyboard… until she notices anyone is watching her. She loves sunglasses and owns about 100 pairs. She will even own that one and tell anyone how many pairs she has.
On the opposite side…
Birk does not like; BUTTONS. Don’t ask that kid to wear buttons. He has some strange aversion to them. He does not like sweatshirts that have a ½ zipper. A full zipper is acceptable, but that ½ zip is out of the question. He dislikes when he can’t wear shorts. He doesn’t typically want help getting dressed, or using the restroom (which to Mom and Dad is nice and a bit alarming….in case it isn’t done properly). Birk doesn’t like dry meat. Ok, so let me explain as you may be thinking I’m crazy. Birk doesn’t care for chicken breasts that take a lot of chewing or pork. He is very particular about that. He will keep that meat in his mouth until it has liquefied and then choke it down. So I just choose not to force him to eat that. Now if chicken comes in the form of nuggets …. Whole new ballgame! Birk doesn’t like saying goodbye, he doesn’t like endings and he completely falls apart when he has to stop running after church is over.
Addy dislikes anything that is not pink. She is a bit more of a picky eater, but not bad. She doesn’t care for mac-n-cheese and won’t feed herself pasta noodles. She will eat them if I feed them to her, but the work to poke your folk into the noodle and put it into her mouth is just over the top. Addy doesn’t care to pick out her own clothes (Birk is my clothes kid…Adds could care less). She doesn’t even really care to dress herself (although she will). Addy doesn’t like to be told no, TO ANYTHING.
While the twins have very strong likes and very strong dislikes it makes me beyond proud of the people they are turning out to be. They have individual personalities that are unique to each other and it just makes my heart happy.
So, let’s start with Birk.
Birk LOVES the Cyclones. He loves anything to do with a ball, especially baseball. He will be starting Blast Ball in a week and he is ExCYted to say the least! He love wrestling with his dad on the living room floor. Being the pool is now become one of his favorite past times. He loves Cars, Toy Story, and Wreck it Ralph. Birk’s favorite foods are; cheeseburgers, pizza, mac-n-cheese, apples, candy and flavored water.
Now Addy.
Addy LOVES pink. Anything pink is her favorite. It goes so far that she loves pink meat (?). Addy loves to play school, house, with babies. She is bubbly and loves to use her imagination, however she can keep up with the boys. She loves to run, play hide n seek, tag and play on the play set in the backyard. Addy loves to snuggle and watch a movie. She loves to read books and could listen to someone read to her for hours. She loves singing, and playing her keyboard… until she notices anyone is watching her. She loves sunglasses and owns about 100 pairs. She will even own that one and tell anyone how many pairs she has.
On the opposite side…
Birk does not like; BUTTONS. Don’t ask that kid to wear buttons. He has some strange aversion to them. He does not like sweatshirts that have a ½ zipper. A full zipper is acceptable, but that ½ zip is out of the question. He dislikes when he can’t wear shorts. He doesn’t typically want help getting dressed, or using the restroom (which to Mom and Dad is nice and a bit alarming….in case it isn’t done properly). Birk doesn’t like dry meat. Ok, so let me explain as you may be thinking I’m crazy. Birk doesn’t care for chicken breasts that take a lot of chewing or pork. He is very particular about that. He will keep that meat in his mouth until it has liquefied and then choke it down. So I just choose not to force him to eat that. Now if chicken comes in the form of nuggets …. Whole new ballgame! Birk doesn’t like saying goodbye, he doesn’t like endings and he completely falls apart when he has to stop running after church is over.
Addy dislikes anything that is not pink. She is a bit more of a picky eater, but not bad. She doesn’t care for mac-n-cheese and won’t feed herself pasta noodles. She will eat them if I feed them to her, but the work to poke your folk into the noodle and put it into her mouth is just over the top. Addy doesn’t care to pick out her own clothes (Birk is my clothes kid…Adds could care less). She doesn’t even really care to dress herself (although she will). Addy doesn’t like to be told no, TO ANYTHING.
While the twins have very strong likes and very strong dislikes it makes me beyond proud of the people they are turning out to be. They have individual personalities that are unique to each other and it just makes my heart happy.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Confessional
Life is busy. I suck at blogging these days. I was doing so good for a while there, then I just fell apart. For my 3 loyal followers … I’m sorry I’ve left you hanging.
Although who am I kidding? I know a lot of working moms who still have clean houses, folded and ironed clothes, kids that are bathed daily and still manage to maintain their blog. I, however, am not one of those moms.
So this post is my confessional. I can no longer hide behind some of these things.
1. I suck at housekeeping. I am so dang tired at the end of the day that picking up a dust rag or the vacuum just seems impossible. Don’t even get me started on getting on my hands and knees to clean the toilets and scrub floors. My best housekeeping comes about 30-45 minutes before we have company. The only reason my house has any sort of “clean” feel is because we love to entertain.
2. I do not bathe my kids daily. My ultimate goal is every other day, but that is a pipe dream some weeks. I gauge when my kids need to be cleaned up based on the greasy look and feel of their hair. There I said it, I own it.
3. I am not Paula Dean in the kitchen. Despite what my wonderful husband might say about my cooking … I cook to survive. I do enjoy cooking, but planning out meals, sticking to my plans and then cleaning up after a nightly cooking session is not my cup of tea. If we had grilled cheese and tomato soup every night I’d be thrilled.
4. Laundry is the hardest thing for me to follow through with. I’m great about starting it, but seeing this task all the way through is ridiculous for me. Ok, here is a big whopper of a confession. If I don’t get the laundry out of the washer and/or dryer in time I usually just re-wash it. I know I’m wasteful, I should just see the task all the way though. But dang it… I’m not good at it.
5. I would prefer to play with my kids, read books, color pictures, watch movies in perfectly un-cleaned, unlaundered, haven’t bathed kids in 2 days type of house. Because it’s our home. It’s our life and it’s a good one.
The smiles on their faces is more important and that is what they will remember for years to come.
Although who am I kidding? I know a lot of working moms who still have clean houses, folded and ironed clothes, kids that are bathed daily and still manage to maintain their blog. I, however, am not one of those moms.
So this post is my confessional. I can no longer hide behind some of these things.
1. I suck at housekeeping. I am so dang tired at the end of the day that picking up a dust rag or the vacuum just seems impossible. Don’t even get me started on getting on my hands and knees to clean the toilets and scrub floors. My best housekeeping comes about 30-45 minutes before we have company. The only reason my house has any sort of “clean” feel is because we love to entertain.
2. I do not bathe my kids daily. My ultimate goal is every other day, but that is a pipe dream some weeks. I gauge when my kids need to be cleaned up based on the greasy look and feel of their hair. There I said it, I own it.
3. I am not Paula Dean in the kitchen. Despite what my wonderful husband might say about my cooking … I cook to survive. I do enjoy cooking, but planning out meals, sticking to my plans and then cleaning up after a nightly cooking session is not my cup of tea. If we had grilled cheese and tomato soup every night I’d be thrilled.
4. Laundry is the hardest thing for me to follow through with. I’m great about starting it, but seeing this task all the way through is ridiculous for me. Ok, here is a big whopper of a confession. If I don’t get the laundry out of the washer and/or dryer in time I usually just re-wash it. I know I’m wasteful, I should just see the task all the way though. But dang it… I’m not good at it.
5. I would prefer to play with my kids, read books, color pictures, watch movies in perfectly un-cleaned, unlaundered, haven’t bathed kids in 2 days type of house. Because it’s our home. It’s our life and it’s a good one.
The smiles on their faces is more important and that is what they will remember for years to come.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Marcia
We found out yesterday that one of Birks’ favorite in home nurses passed away. We aren’t quite sure of the details around her death, but just know that around 11AM yesterday she went to be with Jesus. It is so sad for us on a few different levels. One, we never made it a point to get to Indianola and see her again after she moved onto another family and we lost our nursing care. We still have her luggage that she loaned us for a trip a few years ago, and we’re sad for her family! She leaves a daughter who she was very close to and an adorable grandson who had stolen her heart!
Marcia was such a blessing to our family. When we had to keep our family in total seclusion to prepare for surgery she was there to help. She would help us take care of both kids so that we could avoid germs. She loved Birk. She loved Addy too. She was so genuine and caring and truly was in the right line of work. The irony of this situation is that I didn’t want Marcia in our house. When our nurse Nicole got married and moved to Nebraska we were crushed. We were so afraid of who we were going to get in our home. I know God had a hand in that decision. We went from one wonderful nurse to another wonderful nurse whom we also loved very much. I used to love to come home and find Birk sitting at the kitchen table with Marcia while she was charting and he was wearing her reading glasses (upside down) coloring on some charting papers that Marcia would give to him! He just wanted to be near her! Marcia would also play baseball for HOURS on weekdays. I’d get home and she would tell me how her arm actually hurt from catching and throwing the ball so much!
Yesterday I posted something on facebook about how I told Birk that Marcia had gone to Heaven. His reaction is perfect for this type of situation. I wish we all could remember this when we lose someone we love. It’s ok to be sad and grieve, but in the end…. Look what is given to that person. How can we be sad that she is living with her King!
Rest in Peace Marcia Taber. We love you very much!
Marcia was such a blessing to our family. When we had to keep our family in total seclusion to prepare for surgery she was there to help. She would help us take care of both kids so that we could avoid germs. She loved Birk. She loved Addy too. She was so genuine and caring and truly was in the right line of work. The irony of this situation is that I didn’t want Marcia in our house. When our nurse Nicole got married and moved to Nebraska we were crushed. We were so afraid of who we were going to get in our home. I know God had a hand in that decision. We went from one wonderful nurse to another wonderful nurse whom we also loved very much. I used to love to come home and find Birk sitting at the kitchen table with Marcia while she was charting and he was wearing her reading glasses (upside down) coloring on some charting papers that Marcia would give to him! He just wanted to be near her! Marcia would also play baseball for HOURS on weekdays. I’d get home and she would tell me how her arm actually hurt from catching and throwing the ball so much!
Yesterday I posted something on facebook about how I told Birk that Marcia had gone to Heaven. His reaction is perfect for this type of situation. I wish we all could remember this when we lose someone we love. It’s ok to be sad and grieve, but in the end…. Look what is given to that person. How can we be sad that she is living with her King!
Rest in Peace Marcia Taber. We love you very much!
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
I stole this picture
I am "friends" with Shawn Johnson on Instagram and saw that she had taken this picture and posted it and I have to admit, I couldn't stop looking at it. It just spoke so deeply to me. Lent is always a time of intense reflection for me. Sometimes the reflection turns into sadness. Why don't I make good choices all the time? Why don't I stand up for what I believe at all times? Do I live out Jesus' love everyday, with everyone I encounter?
Do I choose the right way, the one way, the ONLY way?
Do I choose the right way, the one way, the ONLY way?
Sunday, March 3, 2013
I miss him....
I realize I likely have a post like this every few months. I'm sorry about that.
However, tonight, on the eve of my birthday I'm sitting here with the remote in hand, access to the laptop, a delicious glass of wine and my favorite blanket...The one my mom made for me (and my sisters) made for us out of my dad's clothes. This is one of my favorite blankets to snuggle up with. I know it sounds weird, but in some ways I feel like it smells like him. The year that my dad died ... 2010... I received one of the greatest birthday gifts of all time. On my birthday we were driving to dinner with the twins in the back and my dad called me from his nursing home. You see, I came from a family who NEVER said "I love you!" On March 4th, 2010 my dad called me and wished me a happy birthday and said those words that I longed to hear for so many years. I remember looking over at Nick, who heard me say them back to him and just had tears in my eyes. I feel like in a way he knew. He knew he was going to be with Jesus and just wanted me to know how much he loved me. The thing is, that I wish I would have said it more times than I did. I wish I would have told him "I LOVE YOU" as often as I could. Because I did. I loved him beyond words. I love my entire family beyond words.
I sure hope my Dad is able to have a nice drink in Heaven to help me ring in 32 years of life.... :-)
However, tonight, on the eve of my birthday I'm sitting here with the remote in hand, access to the laptop, a delicious glass of wine and my favorite blanket...The one my mom made for me (and my sisters) made for us out of my dad's clothes. This is one of my favorite blankets to snuggle up with. I know it sounds weird, but in some ways I feel like it smells like him. The year that my dad died ... 2010... I received one of the greatest birthday gifts of all time. On my birthday we were driving to dinner with the twins in the back and my dad called me from his nursing home. You see, I came from a family who NEVER said "I love you!" On March 4th, 2010 my dad called me and wished me a happy birthday and said those words that I longed to hear for so many years. I remember looking over at Nick, who heard me say them back to him and just had tears in my eyes. I feel like in a way he knew. He knew he was going to be with Jesus and just wanted me to know how much he loved me. The thing is, that I wish I would have said it more times than I did. I wish I would have told him "I LOVE YOU" as often as I could. Because I did. I loved him beyond words. I love my entire family beyond words.
I sure hope my Dad is able to have a nice drink in Heaven to help me ring in 32 years of life.... :-)
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