June 2009
1 post
Technically, he's right.
Kai wordlessly jumped off the coffee table onto the couch, as he has done so many times before. After a flawless landing he glanced over at me and proudly proclaimed, “This is how we jump in Spanish.”
May 2009
1 post
“No matter how calmly you try to referee, parenting will eventually produce...”
– Bill Cosby
April 2009
3 posts
“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in...”
– John Wesley
I sure do love these boys!
Holding my little people close...
I’ve long been a follower of the blog thespohrsaremultiplying.com, written by Heather, a wonderful mother to little Madeline Alice. After being born prematurely in late 2007, Maddie struggled off and on with her lungs. Last night she unexpectedly lost her battle. I never “knew” Heather, her husband or Maddie, but this tragedy is deeply saddening. In a strange way they were a...
March 2009
2 posts
Example of why my husband is perfect for me...
Me (after diagnosing myself with cancer due to stomach pain which has now ceased): But I don't want to die soon. And by soon I mean at least in the next 20 years.
Ade: You're probably not going to. It's statistically improbable.
That math nerd has a way of calming me right down.
May today there peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content. Let His presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
February 2009
4 posts
Ear zits are the WORST.
Gross, but true.
365 Days of Grace In Small Things, Part 15
1. Dad’s on his way back into town. Twice inside a month, that’s gotta be a record.
2. Finding a person who enjoys talking about spelling, sentence structure and grammar. Those types are few and far between.
3. Watching my boys enjoy each other’s company.
4. Having my husband tell me, “You were the most attractive woman at the party last night.”
5. Going to...
“I was so lost in there without you today.”
– Kai to Mommy, after I picked him up from school
January 2009
20 posts
365 Days of Grace In Small Things, Part 14
1. My mom, who watched my kids so I could go see Dare Olonoh’s show in Chicago.
2. Dare, who, despite some out-of-his-control venue issues, nailed his performance.
3. A much-needed great night’s sleep.
4. Cute kids
5. A day when laundry (of course) is the only thing that HAS to get done.
365 Days of Grace In Small Things, Part 13
1. Barack Obama is our 44th President!
2. Having Jax fall asleep on me as we watched the inauguration together.
3. Baked Cheetos (that really seems so minor in comparison to #1, but they are good).
4. My children are not taking prednisone anymore and we can all finally sleep again.
5. A mini-vacation to Chicago in a few short days.
365 Days of Grace In Small Things, Part 12
1. Well, now we know. No more penicillin for Kai. That’s good information to have.
2. I’ve got an afternoon date today… going to see The Wrestler.
3. Grandma Bev is such a big help. She’s the reason I’m able to go on an afternoon date.
4. It’s cake baking day and that should be fun.
5. Kai is 3 today!
365 Days of Grace In Small Things, Part 11
1. Doctors who make good decisions, especially in regards to my baby.
2. My dad is coming to town in 3 days!
3. My point-and-shoot camera. I find I take many more pictures with it than I did with my fancy camera. They may not look as good, but I think it’s worth it.
4. Making cupcakes with Kai. He finds the cracking of eggs especially entertaining and that entertains me.
5. How...
365 Days of Grace In Small Things, Part 10
1. A hot shower
2. Laying in bed reading a book
3. Open-minded people
4. Gray days
5. My new jewelry tree… it makes me happy when I look at it.
365 Days of Grace In Small Things, Part 9
1. Warren Lincoln
2. A good joke
3. Chapstick
4. Kisses from my sons
5. A clean house, or at least a tidy one.
365 Days of Grace In Small Things, Part 8
1. Sock-it-to-me Cake. Yum!
2. Family get-togethers
3. MCL
4. My helpful husband who doesn’t hate me when I sometimes forget just how helpful he is.
5. Bedtime for the kids. I love the little munchkins, but geez, sometimes they need to get a grip.
365 Days of Grace In Small Things, Part 7
1. Just the right amount of snow (I’m sure this means something different to everyone).
2. Good cook books
3. Hearing a child say his first words
4. Free activities!
5. The library
365 Days of Grace In Small Things, Part 6
1. Getting a hair cut (actually, all of them). It’s so refreshing.
2. Chatting with my brothers
3. Being needed, even if it is exhausting.
4. Soaking in a hot, bubbly bath
5. Crossword puzzles
A Misunderstanding
Me, looking at a rash on Kai's back: Well, it looks like it's getting better.
Kai: Is my butt getting bigger too?
365 Days of Grace In Small Things, Part 5
1. People who like their jobs. Or people who can at least be nice even though they hate their jobs.
2. Waking up on time even when my alarm clock doesn’t go off (I could have sworn I set it!).
3. Cheese
4. Kai’s teacher, Miss Teri, and the fact that she loves my boy.
5. Having only 1 load of laundry to fold rather than the usual 3.
365 Days of Grace In Small Things, Part 4
1. I have a grandma who is my friend.
2. Naps, glorious naps.
3. Health insurance… I think our family is keeping the family doctor in business, all on our own.
4. Warm air
5. Reconnecting with old friends… got to see a lot of great people over the holidays who I haven’t seen in a long time.
365 Days of Grace In Small Things, Part 3
1. This site: http://photoshoptutorials.ws/
2. My robe and my new fuzzy black socks (thanks, Dad & Jackie!)
3. Morningstar Farms Chik Patties. They are seriously good.
4. Good photographers who share their pictures online.
5. Days when it’s o.k. to not take a shower until 3 pm.
365 Days of Grace In Small Things, Part 2
1. Good friends
2. In-laws who I can stand and, in fact, love dearly.
3. The weird things Kai comes up with to say. Exhibit A - Me: Do you love me? Kai: No, because I’m busy. (I didn’t fail to inform him that if he keeps that attitude up he will lead a very lonely life).
4. The fact that Jax puts himself to sleep and has done so for the majority of his life. Kai barely...
365 Days of Grace In Small Things
5 things I’m grateful for today:
1. Sleeping in late.
2. My husband who lets me sleep in late far more frequently than I allow him.
3. Coffee without grounds in it.
4. Good TV shows.
5. Blue-eyed boys.
PS - I got the idea for this from http://www.schmutzie.com/2008/11/grace-in-small-things.html
December 2008
8 posts
I didn't write it, but I've thought it... →
All Warm and Cozy
I do not wear this sweater often. It is rather unflattering on me. I usually only wear it to play in the snow with the boys. Or to shovel snow. Or some such snow-related activity. But I sure do love this sweater. In fact, it is one of my most cherished possessions. You see, my dear old dad used to own this sweater and I always thought he was rather dashing in it. I would sometimes borrow it and...
I can't work up the oomph to fold laundry.
Actually, now that I think about it, “oomph” is the sound I make as I plop onto the bed when I’m avoiding the laundry. “Harumph” is more of an I’m-looking-at-the-piled-up-laundry-right-now kind of sound.
November 2008
4 posts
“I just made up a new word: funnoying. It’s funny and annoying, like when...”
– Ade
So this is how it's gonna be?
It’s been 4 months that Kai’s been going to preschool and man, will it ever get any easier? For me, I mean. Kai has adjusted really well to school (except when his favorite teacher isn’t in the room the moment I drop him off), but I still am conflicted about it. I know he’s learning a lot of stuff and getting some good experiences and I definitely appreciate the break I...
Wow!
Just wow. That word alone sums up what I’m feeling today, the day after this country has elected an African-American to the top job.
This election has been exciting and it is historic. It is those things not only because Barack Obama is an African-American, but because of his abilities as a unifier and an inspiration to so many people. He’s brought forth in a multitude of people a...
October 2008
6 posts
Somebody, Help Me Out.
Is there such a thing as a horse with no tail? I mean a real-life horse breed that naturally doesn’t have a tail. Because I could have sworn such a thing exists, but I can find no evidence that this is the case. Unless Google is hiding something from me, I’ve been wrong about tail-less horses. Also, I have far too much time on my hands.
Three Is A Crowd
Kai has, for the last few months, been consistently getting into bed with Ade & me at some point in the night. He is not a fun person to sleep with in many regards. It is very common to find the boy’s feet on the pillow instead of where they ought to be, under the covers. He sometimes snores, which would be tolerable if only he would do it while he is upside down in the bed, but...
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Does this mean anything? Probably not.
Both presidential candidates are left-handed. What are the odds?
The sweetest thing...
Me, clutching my head: Ugh, Mommy doesn't feel good.
Kai, rubbing my leg gently: What's wrong, sweetheart? What's wrong, honey bunny?
“No, Sir!”
– Kai, if anything isn’t going exactly as he thinks it ought to be.
September 2008
2 posts
Feet
These two tiny feet take unsteady steps toward your first look at freedom.
These little feet want to run. Oh, how they want to run.
Each step brings a whisper of strength, confidence. And you, on your little feet, will never even remember when this was not possible.
For soon these feet will be running. Running too far, too fast to see in your distant past just where it all began.
But my...