Blogging, facebook style

I love facebook.  I strongly dislike facebook.  I'll keep my reasons to myself.  I often think of posting something, but then I figure it would only be interesting to my mom and 3 friends so I decide not to bother the rest of my "friends" with it.  However, this is my blog and I can do what I want.  So, here is a running list of things I could post on facebook, but decided not to.

-Should children be allowed to say hate?  Or should they say "strongly dislike"?

-Isaiah and Nate started swimming lessons yesterday.  Isaiah had a hard time yesterday, but today was much better.  God's does answer prayers!

-Me: "Callie, where did you learn that?" C: From my friend online.  Isaiah: Probably on pinterest.  Me: dumbfounded

-Callie loves watching "baking movies" (full episodes of cooking shows) on foodnetwork.com Proof that she probably watches to many:  While eating a lollipop, "This lollipop gives me texture in my mouth", while choosing which show to watch, "Not the man man one"  I finally figured out that she meant not GUY Fieri.  Guy, man, get it?  The Pioneer Woman is one of her favorites.  Callie calls her "The Pineapple Woman".

-Zachary had his 4 month check up on Friday.  He weighs 17.6 lbs.  We call him chubs. :)

-Why do kids decide they want to learn AFTER school is finished for the year?

-We are finished with school for the year! We were a few days short of the 180 we'll have to have when we start recording days, but we finished the goals I had so I am pleased.  We did a lot of reading.  I figured we read somewhere over 2800 pages and that didn't include any extra books we read that were not related to school.

-My house needs cleaned.  I might go on strike until summer is over.

-I found $20 in a pair of pants that I hadn't worn for awhile.  I of course was very delighted.  Jeremy just shook his head.  I figure we're up $20.  He doesn't understand how I didn't realize we were down $20.  Now to decide if it was grocery money or "my" piano money.

-Quote from somewhere "Organized people are too lazy to look for things"

-Jeremy does not have a lazy wife. See previous post.

-Is it possible to organize and back up digital pictures and still have a sound mind?

-twentytwowords.com is a very interesting web site. They have all kinds of useless information that I find very interesting.  I'm not sure what that says about me.

-I'm very sad to not have a bigger garden this year.  A walnut tree on our neighbors property (bad for tomatoes I'm told) and ground hogs are the reason.

-We just found out that one of our neighbors is FEEDING the groundhogs. :(

-Isaiah is missing his two front teeth.  Someone mentioned that he looks older.  I think he looks younger and I secretly love it.  Sometimes he is way too serious for a 7 year old.  Seeing him with no front teeth helps me to remember that he is just a kid.

-Zachary is one of the most kissed on and loved babies in the world I'm sure.  He brings us so much joy.  He "talks" so much.

I love using " "'s

-Nathan: "Being a lifeguard would be boring.  Not many people drown.  It would be really sweaty".  ?

-And since this is facebook style blogging I end with "What a day!  I'm off to bed".

-Here is a great recipe for bran muffins.  (because no one should ever go to bed without first checking pinterest)

Life

Life just keeps rolling along.  I try to constantly remind myself to hold on to each day, but often I forget.  Pictures are one of the best ways to slap myself in the face and remember to enjoy each moment, craziness and all.  So in celebration of life being lived here in our little house here are some favorites from the last few weeks. Or maybe months, I've lost track

I wonder if there has ever been a baby loved more than this little guy.  I am constantly reminding the kids not to wake him up when he's sleeping.  When he is awake they try to give him toys and play with him and make him laugh.  He loves being held and having people talk to him.  As of Tuesday the 2nd he's two months old!

Painting Easter eggs.

We tried a new recipe this year.  Mix food coloring with 1 T. oil and 1 T. vinegar than fill the cup with enough water to cover the egg.  This gives a lovely marbled look to the egg. 

This month we're celebrating Jeremy's good health.  I'm so thankful to be laughing and enjoying life with him.  One year ago this week we met with the doctor that said "80% chance it's cancer".  Several weeks ago Jeremy spoke with the surgeon from Johns Hopkins about a follow up CT scan he had done.  All is completely clear.  

Isaiah hard at work.  Or something like that.  He's an excellent reader even though he doesn't enjoy phonics.  He loves math, history, geography and history.  

Always a princess.  I was folding laundry the other day and realized Callie's pile of folded laundry was very small.  It's because she lives in her dress up cloths.  She's always pretending something or other.  Often she's getting ready for a wedding, or taking care of "her kids" or talking about "her husband".  I love watching and listening to her.

These beads have provided Callie with hours of fun.  Here they are smoothies and strawberries I think.  She's also been playing a lot with dried beans.  They make a mess to clean up, but it's worth it for the entertainment it gives her.  She also LOVES to play at the sink washing dishes.  So far I've been fairly successful at keeping the beans and water separate.  Sprouting beans all over the house is just what I need! 

Just to prove that he has a mother. :)

Nate's fort.  This is the second fort built.  The first one had the pillows directly on top of Zach's face.  I didn't respond real well when I found it. :(  Nate was very proud of himself for finding a way to build a fort that kept Zach's face free to breath.  I felt a little sorry for Zachary, but I had to take a picture.  I wish I had a picture of all the ways this baby's siblings love on him.  The pretzel up the nose was another moments I didn't respond real well to. :(  On this picture Zachary looks so much like Isaiah did as a baby.

"Look Mom, he's sleeping in his fort!"

Love this face

He loves his daddy and he loves to snuggle. 

We fought through a week of sickness a few weeks ago.  I was about at my wits end by the end of the week.  The kids were feeling better, but weren't well enough to go anywhere and it was too cold to force them outside to play.  I did force them onto the porch for a few minutes though.  Believe me, those smiles were not in place when I sent them out.  For the record, Isaiah is wearing pj's and my crocs.  Nate is wearing his church loafers without socks (I find him at church like this sometimes.  I always feel like I should look to make sure his shirt is fully buttoned and he's not wearing a gold necklace.  sorry) 

Matt and Heather and their girls came to meet Zachary a few weeks ago.  Sadly, most of my pictures weren't very good. :(  However, this one did turn out.  Chloe knitted this hat for Zachary!  I was so impressed.  She does NOT  get her knitting skills from her aunt!  Thank you Chloe!

P.S. Mom, the Easter pictures will be posted soon. :)

Birthdays

I refuse to post anything about Christmas until I post pictures from Isaiah and Callie's 7th and 3rd birthdays.  And one random picture just for the fun of it. :)

Catch Up

I knew it had been awhile since I updated this thing, but I didn't realize how long!

Here's to catching up, because I'm too lazy to do it moment by moment.  In the last months we've..

celebrated Nate's 5th birthday.  I don't think I blogged about it, but it did happen. As you'll see, this cake did me in.  Isaiah and Callie did not get anything this fun.    

did a lot of dreaming

 

we even dreamed in style 

we took some risks

 and we took some pictures

We've done lot of living, laughing and crying, a lot of school, and a lot of talking about the new baby boy on the way -only  about 7 weeks to go! 

Sleeping

One of the best parts of my days is checking on the kids after they are sleeping.  Here are a few pictures of Callie napping.  Notice her Bear in both pictures.  She loves him.

 Sleeping on a pillow -mommy's way of trying to help her get over a nasty cough.

I don't know if you can see it real well, but her fingers are holding the ribbon that wraps around the bears neck.  She loves to play with this ribbon while she's falling asleep.  Lately it's been coming untied.  She looks at it and sadly says "broke" so I'll retie it for her.  It's starting to look very worn.  She loves her bear, but lately she's also been asking for Baby (the doll on the left).  Of course she also begs for the baby's nuk also -if I can find it! 

Callie's Brithday

On December 8 Callie Noel turned 2.  My baby is 2.  She has brought a new meaning to the words, love, bond, protect, nurture, and yes even spoil.  This child is very loved.  She still gets called "Baby" on a regular basis by her parents and her brothers.  "Honey" is Nate's favorite nickname for her.  At least when he's happy with her.  She is a typical 2 year old and a typical girl.  She loves to change clothes.  She loves her baby.  She loves her brothers and she loves her Daddy.  Oh yeah, and I think she loves me too. :)  She loves to help in the kitchen.  Sometimes it's more help than I need, but I really want her to love the kitchen so I'm trying to be patient.  Yes, she still loves her nuk. Sigh...what to do.  She's only 2.  

Her birthday was on a Thursday so we pushed her party back to Friday.  Jeremy, his dad and his brother had been working on our roof.  Replacing it.  It was a big job.  The Friday morning of the party the electrical company had to come turn our power off.  No problem.  I can handle a few hours with no power and no heat.  Well, someone somewhere must have taken the day off because when it came time to turn it back on, around noon, we started calling to have it turned back on.  As instructed by the guy that turned it off.  On and on we waited and waited and called and called.  Finally at 5:30 we decided to just move the party to my aunt and uncle's house across the street. What a blessing to have them so close!  God gave a lot of grace to me that day and I'm happy to say I handeled it pretty well.  My uncle's house is much better and so in the end it was probably more relaxing than if it had been at our house.  The power was finally turned on around 7:30.  We were very thankful for a warm house and lights that night!

On to the pictures...

A girl and her baby...

Thanks to the flash on my camera you can't tell that they are sitting in the dark except for a  kerosene lamp.  I told them it was just like Laura and Mary.  Well, just like them except for the MP3 player Isaiah is holding while listening to Odyssey. 

The cake.  This was one of the easiest cakes I've ever decorated.  I actually had fun doing it.  The doll is  one of those Snap 'n  Style dolls.  Click to see a picture.  I liked this look better than using a Barbie doll.  These dolls have huge feet though so I had to cut a bigger hold and then stuff cake in around the doll.  

A kiss for the doll

A gift from Great-Grandma

Callie was so excited to have her cousin Natalie at the party.  Pictures of these two together are not easy to get.  I love this one. 

And I really love this one! 

Callie loves this littlest cousin of hers -Baby Brielle.  A real live doll for sure.

Happy birthday sweet Callie! 

She is Clothed in Strength and Dignity.

This girl is full of charm.  I love her smile and her giggles will bring out the sun on a cloudy day.  I am continually amazed at how much she mimics me.  If I'm working at the counter she's pushing a chair over to "help".  If I'm doing dishes she is right there, on a chair beside me making a mess.  If I'm baking she's there, trying to eat anything I'm working with stirring and mixing whatever she can get close too.  I pulled out the kitchen aid this morning and she immediately tried to attach one of  beaters.  

If I'm folding clothes, she's folding clothes. Tonight she asked for fingernail polish.  No, she didn't really ask since she still doesn't say many words, but she motioned to her hands and feet and then pointed to the drawer and I knew what she wanted.  (and I wonder why the girl doesn't talk!) Now she has bright pink toes and finger nails with a few smears on her feet and hands.

She's girl, and I like that about her.  Very much.

Tonight I was exercising and she was right there beside me in her diaper and wearing a pink bow in her hair. She was dancing and trying to do the moves.  I thought it was cute.  Then I remembered:

More is CAUGHT than TAUGHT

and then I was sober because I realized that this beautiful little girl is watching and listening to everything I say and do.  It won't be long before she will understand "I need to lose some weight" or "I don't have anything to wear that fits!"  She'll learn so much from the tone of my voice, the missing smile on my face.  She'll know what my "real" is and she'll probably mimic it.  

I recently read Beth Moore's book So Long Insecurity.  I am determined to keep fighting the battle of insecurity because a little someone is watching me.  She sure is precious and she has a beautiful smile and my would you look at the style potential!  

I love you Miss Callie! 

Note the footballs on her gloves. :)  

This is a typical first morning look.  The nuk, the bear,  the messy hair, and yes even the smile. Part of the reason she's smiling on this picture is because her big brother got her up and he of course allowed her to bring the nuk and bear out to the living room instead of making her put it back in her crib.  

Summer 2011 Part 1

 I have no idea where to start with posting about our summer. I think I'll just start posting pictures and see where I end up.

5k race -July 4th

My cheer leaders -they were rather tired of the whole thing by this point. But having them there  was very special.

My grandparents (and aunt -not pictured) also came.  My Uncle Daryl ran the race as well.  Much faster that I did I should add.  He recently qualified for the Boston Marathon.  I'm proud of him, but have no desire to join him!   

Later that day we went to my grandma's for ice cream.  Here Callie is playing with her second cousin Lilly.  Sweet girls! 

Beauty Queen

I was at our Christian bookstore a few weeks ago.  I found this little girls play set for $.99.  It was a great hit for a few days.  She was pretty serious about it all. :)

"I have always wanted one of these!"

"If my mother would just comb my hair, I might give you a smile"

"Yes, yes, I'm way overdue for a pedicure, but look, look at these shoes!"

The body gaurdy.  Someone has to keep her in line!

Finally

I started this post on May 6, but never got back to finish it. Instead of ditching what I had already written I just picked up where I had stopped and kept on rambling. These are things that have been going through my mind lately.

Endure, I mean enjoy.

• My mom's Mother's Day card is going to be late. Again. I don't think she'd recognize it as from her daughter if it arrived early.
• The royal wedding. I blogged about that a lot. In my head. I have to admit I loved it. Sadly, I also have to admit that what I love about it is what we see and not what they actually live. I love the beauty, the castles; the idea of someone putting the tooth paste on my tooth brush and cleaning all my toilets for me. The beautiful clothes. The mystery of it all. Being swept away in a helicopter to a secret locatin for a weekend with the man you love. The hats, oh I love the hats. Isaiah and Nate even enjoyed watching it. They were much more excited about the horses and carriages than the bride however. I think what drawls women to this stuff is the femininity of a beautiful bride's heart captured by a handsome prince. Though our society likes to make us think differently, I think that desire is at the core of every women though often it is regarded as weak or old fashioned. Thankfully I don't get fan mail because I'm sure some would disagree with me. Just my thoughts. Congratulations Wills and Kate.
• Did you know that when Diana died 40 "Diana doubles" lost their jobs?
• Why is that I feel I need a vacation after cleaning the bathroom? Do mother's of girls feel the same way?
• Oh the joy I experienced yesterday when I realized I could buy washing soda at Wal-Mart! Now there's something no princess will ever experience!
• Change. Exciting? Scary? Coming.
• Jeremy and I spent Friday at a homeschooling convention. If you think that no body homeschools or that it is going out you should attend this convention. It was PACKED. I am excited about teaching Isaiah this fall. There is a lot of good stuff out there. Now to decide what we want to use.
• Homeschooling is going to be an adjustment and a sacrifice. I believe it is worth it, but I'm a little nervous
• As I was wringing the water out of a wash cloth after Isaiah's bath he, dripping wet asked me "Can you just do that to me?"
• I won't give the details behind this conversation... Me: Nate, let's find a tree for you to pee on". Nate: "Or we could find a tree to hug". I have no idea.
• Callie: "Cheese!" Yes this is a big deal because she doesn't talk much at all. Daddy is a favorite and Mommy when she wants something. She jabbers a lot though. And she communicates in her own way. I'm amazed at how much she understands.
• Trying to make soft pretzel dough in the bread machine. We'll see.
  
• Egg beaters and a 10 min rest period. They are the secret ingredients require for good pancakes.
• Isaiah and Nate are playing something together. Nate keeps calling Isaiah "Man". As in, hey Man, don't forget your weapon. He's been calling him that a lot lately.
• I still have not finished Callie's Easter dress. :( There's always motorcycle Sunday next week. It could happen.
• Jeremy has just one more week, one paper and one final exam to go and then he will be finished with his online class. The whole family is excited.
• That's all.

Happy Mother's Day

In honor of Mother's Day and because I am very, very far behind on blogging. Here are a bunch of pictures. Callie seems to be the focus of most of them. It must be the age. :) Happy Mother's day, Mom! I love you!

A favorite time of day. (except for the yellow tint)

Nate-Nate. He just makes me smile.

T-Ball player

Glamor Queen with her favorite bear and duck

Isaiah showing Callie the moth he and Nate caught with 2 Lego pieces (see another picture farther down)

Four generations. And a cracker.

Here's a favorite of Mom and Callie

Ok, so this isn't a great picture, but there is a moth in there.