Date with my Main Man

Today, I took my son with me to run a few errands and eat lunch.  It was great to just have the two of us.

1. Post Office - mailed dresses for orphans and 2 boxes to auntie and prepped a box to return the girls' ripped blankets.

2. Out to lunch - Scarborough Grounds - first time.

3. Returns: Target, Toys R Us and Home Goods.

Best quote of the day:
"Z, what are you thinking about (as he appeared very far away and deep in thought)? "

Nothing.

Really?  Girls don't think about nothing. I think that is something boys do.

Z:  "I'm not thinking about anything, .... except Jesus!"

He's the best!

I also really enjoyed playing with a wind up car while Z-man while we waited for our food.  I loved Z's full on belly laughs during this time!  It was also exciting to watch Z watch the trucks pass along Route 1!  He also showed me all the toys he is hoping for at Toys R Us!  WAAAAY over his birthday budget but I love to watch him dream!

Z was a strong boy and helped me carry a heavy box to the post office.  He also helped push down the take as we assembled the boxes.

Yesterday, he told me he was "not sure" when I asked him if he liked the new little boys staying with us - a 22 month old  boy "D".  I told him that was OK.

I love this boy!

Orphans - a charge to the church

I read this blog post today and I couldn't agree more:

"...So much of this has come from searching my own heart. I've mistakenly assumed the Lord wasn't calling us to adopt a child with special needs or a much older child. But I realized that if I am going to claim that our family cares for the fatherless, we have to really search our hearts for what that looks like for us. We cannot just look past the hard to place children because that's not our "calling."  I don't think the problem is that God isn't calling people to care for these children. 

These aren't numbers. These are living, breathing souls who need families and Jesus.

I think God wants to see the Church step up and wrap around the cause of the orphan. It's big and messy and complicated and I believe each part of the body has a unique role in it. These are HIS children, after all, and He has a good and perfect plan for each one."
- http://www.thefarmerswifetellsall.com/2012/05/children-are-not-commodities.html

 

I'm not a short order cook

When I became a Mom, I committed to NOT playing food games with my kiddos.  I said:  "I'm not a short order cook!"  I can't tell you how much this has resulted in peace in our home.

The other day, G insisted that she was NOT eating a grilled cheese sandwich.

My response:  "OK."

I prepared our simple meal.  Grilled Cheese Sandwich, carrots and apple slices. Milk.

She said no sandwich so I didn't put one on her plate.  When she saw everyone else's plate she demanded her pizza to which I responded:  We are having grilled cheese.  We are not having pizza.  She fussed.  I placed a piece of cheese on her plate and told her it was the piece that would go in her sandwich.

She was silent.

A few minutes later (after I'd started to eat) she asked for a grilled cheese sandwich.

Yup!   As a food and power struggle issue - NO WAY!  Don't do it Moms....no short order cooks.
1 meal. 1 menu. period.  It will work itself out.


Of course, we recently learned that G should have 3 months without 5 additional foods (she is already not eating eggs and rye due to allergies).  The new foods to eliminate include:  milk, wheat, soy, nuts and all seafood.

So, I might become a short order cook out of necessity - for her health.

Everything has energy except...

Everything has energy.  Sometimes it makes it warm.

Except toys and when you are dead.
'Cuz when you are dead you lose your energy. You might have a hole someplace.

And when you get to heaven after being dead, Jesus gives you air again and then you are alive again.  You come alive again in heaven.  Jesus doesn't just want dead people.  He wants to love everyone.

He will have a talk with you.

(She just realized I was writing her story.  She's READING it on this screen.)

God is also watching you.  He can see in your heart.  He sees love in your heart.  And then he takes you up to heaven...when you die or when He is ready to bring you up!

(So there...)

PS - Don't want to forget but Z calls crutches Crunchers.
May 2, 2012

PSS - Went to a girl scout event last night -leader/daughter recognition night.  Mom got her 30 years of service pin and I got a 10 year (the pin was actually broken-is that a sign?).  Girls made May Day Baskets - Pink and green in a mini chocolate milk carton.  Fond memories from childhood!

Friday Night (Memories)

We were supposed to go camping tonight but honestly, I was too tired, it was too cold and windy and I didn't get everything together.

So, instead we went on a 3 mile hike on a trail close to our home - that I've wanted to go on for 2 years.  Tonight was the night.  GREAT memories.  Good exercise. Bonding.  Even got to talk with G (oldest) about selecting trails and that God wants us to select the narrow trail (path) for our lives.  She asked if I follow God.  Yup. Gave examples. Told her it was hard sometimes but God knows best.  Good stuff.

No yelling, crying, or anything bad.

Home. Quick dinner.

Played doctor.  Each had a stethoscope.  I was the patient.  I was examined and treated by a variety of objects including

a light up purple dog ball - or intraoral illumination
a mirror to check my teeth
a toy camera to take a photo for my chart and as an x-ray for my injured foot.
a pez dispenser for shots
a green rubber circle thing to examine my nose and to give me medicine
a wooden piece of celery to dispense meds into my mouth.
many wooden puzzle pieces to do something on my lips and teeth (and gums by accident)

and, 3 kids gave me comfort items: dog, a get well card, etc.

Only Z explained his exam/treatment techniques.  The others just did what they wanted.  It was GREAT!  So happy we stayed home.  Off to camp tomorrow.

When it was time for bed, I said:  "Kids, pick up all of those toys and come brush your teeth!"  They tried.  They really did.

Favorite line of the day:  "Mom, I've lost my energy.  My batteries are gone." - Z

He was right.  His little body was so tired.  He had a sleepover in the girls room (a typical nightmare!) that included 4 kids, no peeps and 4 dreaming in less than 2 mins.  NICE!  No bedtime struggle - they were asking to go to bed!  Run babies, run!

a week "off"!

I have a bunch of vacation time so I took G's April vacation week off.

Can I start by saying, I picked a week with  nearly perfect weather.  Sunny every day (I think).  A few days were in the 80s - April. Maine.  Pretty GREAT!

The week started on Friday afternoon when I cashed in a Christmas gift:  A night off (no kids) in an Inn in York Harbor, ME.  Can I just say: LOVELY!?  I walked the beach at sunset. Took a nap. Ate a wonderful dinner including awesome lobster/corn chowder - best ever!, read a book, fell asleep.  Listened to the ocean in the night.  Just wonderful - and so refreshing!

Saturday - I rose early, met my Mom and traveled to Rhode Island (first time there) and attended a quilting class and convention.  I learned a new applique technique.  Finished early. and returned to pick Mom up. IKEA trip. Home.

Sunday - church. Low key.

Monday - Beach day with the fam.  A little hike on the rocks and K even found a kid-sized cave.  Amazed at the gross motor skills of 3.

Tuesday - ? (will have to check the photos)

Wednesday - Kids went to a day camp for gymnastics - First time I'd ever dropped all 4 kids off and LEFT.  I came home, ate breakfast and tried to relax for 20 mins!  Then started a series of errands which included some new underclothes for me, 2 pairs of shoes, some cool ethnic kid artwork and...2 new couches!  Ours are nearly wrecked.  Prepared 6 freezer to crock pot meals for when work resumes!

Thursday - Play date - run nonstop day.  2 appts in the morning followed by Z's play date with Zac; then G's with M.  1 hour break ended with us at the neighbor's checking out a new to us desk - nice! and home to prepare for friends and their 3 babies for dinner - McDonalds.  Fell into bed.

Friday - Home playing, out for errands and Japanese buffet!  Home for another play date for G with E.

Saturday - Had a FUN time in NH.  Stopped in Kittery and hit the Hanna sale, McD's, and then to the Children's Museum where we met up with 3 other moms and 5 other kids.  Played for 3 hours and then 2 on the playground.  The girls were soooo impressed watching bridal portraits in a nearby park.  Then, to a local hotel to swim and eat.  An mini baby shower for a friend awaiting "River". Late night drive home and kids were asleep in less than 30 seconds!

Favorite Quote when preparing for our NH trip:
"Mama, is it a good idea to take my pillow pet with us to Virginia?" - K
"I'm not sure if the pillow pet will do well in Virginia because we are going to New Hampshire." -me

!?!?!?

Sunday will include church and prep for our return to "normal".

Getting paid to stay home and be a Mom was wonderful.  I so wish it could happen more often - although trust me, I'm thankful for my wonderful job.

OK, night. :)

Quote of the day

4/16/12 - GOS:




"You must be getting old! You are getting a lot of bug bites and some gray hair." 
- G, age 6




Last weekend was Easter.  Had a nice weekend.  Saturday = Easter Egg Hunt at Mom's church. 
Sunday = 
Easter Bunny surprises 
church (Mom's)

home to make the soup

out to deliver the soup

Home for some basketball (Easter Bunny gift) and to have a ham dinner - with Cousin Cheryl and Paupi and Mem.

FYI, the 3 little kids came straight home from church and changed into their unders and ate candy.  It was a little unique.  I laughed.  They just stared at me like I was nuts - Hello!  It's candy time!