The following is a slightly exaggerated version of real conversation that takes place in our home almost every morning.
Elizabeth: I want to wear a pretty dress.
Me: We will see. I have not picked out clothes yet. Let's have breakfast first.
Elizabeth: I want oatmeal with dinosaur eggs.
Me: Ok.
Elizabeth: I need some milk.
Me: Working on it.
Elizabeth: I need my vitamin.
Me: Still working on milk.
Elizabeth: Claire needs a vitamin too.
Me: Hunny. I am doing my best.
Elizabeth: Can we say our verse?
Me: After breakfast.
Elizabeth: Mom, Claire is standing up.
ELizabeth: I have to go potty. I need you to help me.
Me: Ok.
Me: Now finish breakfast.
Elizabeth: Mom, why don't you sit next to me and eat breakfast?
Elizabeth: Mom, Claire is done.
Me: Are you kidding?
Monday, February 22, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Date Night
I just wanted to brag on my hubby a bit. On Friday night he took me on a date that he planned completely. I did not know anything except that we were going out. I did not have to find the sitter or plan the meal or plan anything. I just got dressed and showed up. That in and of itself was a nice treat. Sometimes planning a date, with kids, is so much work that I almost do not want to do it. But he surprised me and this is how the night went:
He arrived home from work in the afternoon and the kids were still napping. I was getting ready in our bedroom and he must have been home longer than I thought. (More on that in a moment.) He came upstairs and showered and then took the kids downstairs, so I could finish getting ready. When I came downstairs I found a present in the kitchen. He had arranged flowers and cards around a beautiful new purse for me. (I have not gotten a new purse in a year, so this was a wonderful gift.) As I opened the cards, I found one was from the girls. He had them color a card for me that said I was the best mommy. And then his card was absolutely perfect and basically said that he noticed me. As moms we do a million and one things and it is easy to feel under appreciated and unnoticed, but he reminded me that he saw me and appreciated my efforts. After I was flooded with tears, we got the kids all set for the sitter and left for our night. Our first stop was Olive Garden. I was super excited because I was definitely craving some bread and salad. And I took the opportunity to have a night off from counting calories. (I need those every once in a while.) We enjoyed a delicious meal and talked for a long time. After dinner we went to Starbucks and talked and then we got ice cream to take home. It was a simple date, but it was so nice to be out together and share some alone time.
It is so nice to be in love with someone and be able to share those moments. I am so thankful that God blessed me with him! I am truly a lucky woman.
I know Valentines day can be hard for some people. Some people are divorced or single or in an unhappy marriage.
If you are single or single again I encourage you to find love with the one who loves you more than all others. Jesus is the friend and lover to the lonely. Let him be yours. He desires to show you what true love is. All you need to do is ask him. And don't spend the day alone. Find a friend. Find someone who is maybe more lonely than you and cheer them up. Staying home watching sappy love movies and feeling sorry for yourself will probably not make you feel better. So don't do it.
If you are in a lonely marriage, I would encourage you to take your hurt to God. Let him console you and comfort you. And then ask him how you can bless your spouse. Ask God to teach you how to love your spouse unconditionally. Your spouse is probably hurting as much as you and someone needs to end the cycle of hurt. Let it be you. Let it start today. There is hope for a better life. God wants your marriage to be fulfilling.
Happy Valentines Day!
He arrived home from work in the afternoon and the kids were still napping. I was getting ready in our bedroom and he must have been home longer than I thought. (More on that in a moment.) He came upstairs and showered and then took the kids downstairs, so I could finish getting ready. When I came downstairs I found a present in the kitchen. He had arranged flowers and cards around a beautiful new purse for me. (I have not gotten a new purse in a year, so this was a wonderful gift.) As I opened the cards, I found one was from the girls. He had them color a card for me that said I was the best mommy. And then his card was absolutely perfect and basically said that he noticed me. As moms we do a million and one things and it is easy to feel under appreciated and unnoticed, but he reminded me that he saw me and appreciated my efforts. After I was flooded with tears, we got the kids all set for the sitter and left for our night. Our first stop was Olive Garden. I was super excited because I was definitely craving some bread and salad. And I took the opportunity to have a night off from counting calories. (I need those every once in a while.) We enjoyed a delicious meal and talked for a long time. After dinner we went to Starbucks and talked and then we got ice cream to take home. It was a simple date, but it was so nice to be out together and share some alone time.
It is so nice to be in love with someone and be able to share those moments. I am so thankful that God blessed me with him! I am truly a lucky woman.
I know Valentines day can be hard for some people. Some people are divorced or single or in an unhappy marriage.
If you are single or single again I encourage you to find love with the one who loves you more than all others. Jesus is the friend and lover to the lonely. Let him be yours. He desires to show you what true love is. All you need to do is ask him. And don't spend the day alone. Find a friend. Find someone who is maybe more lonely than you and cheer them up. Staying home watching sappy love movies and feeling sorry for yourself will probably not make you feel better. So don't do it.
If you are in a lonely marriage, I would encourage you to take your hurt to God. Let him console you and comfort you. And then ask him how you can bless your spouse. Ask God to teach you how to love your spouse unconditionally. Your spouse is probably hurting as much as you and someone needs to end the cycle of hurt. Let it be you. Let it start today. There is hope for a better life. God wants your marriage to be fulfilling.
Happy Valentines Day!
Smooth away part two
So after my face stopped burning(It took a whole day), I still had red spots in the areas of use. And two days later my face is now peeling in those areas. Needless to say, I will not be using it again.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Beauty is pain, right?
This post is not for the faint of heart. If you are male or otherwise not interested in yucky beauty stuff please feel free to not read. :)
So I have spent the last 20 minutes doing "beauty" treatments. I don't feel very beautiful, and I look all red and blotchy, but oh well.
The first thing I did was to use a new product called "smooth away." I found it a Target and it was supposed to be a pain free way to remove hair. I have noticed in the last year that hair is growing on my face in places it never was before. Maybe it is because I am getting closer and closer to 30, but it has driven me crazy. So today I was motivated and while kids were in bed I decided to try it. I have never waxed or anything like that before, so pain free was what I was drawn to. I took the small plastic applicator out of the package and applied what looked like dull sand paper with adhesive. Then I followed the instructions and removed the hair by moving in slow circular motions over the affected area. I was suprised with how quickly the hair came off. It was pretty easy. It was a little more difficult to use around the corners of my mouth, but overall it was pretty good. It was not really painful while I was using it, but immediately after my face started to burn. I followed the instructions for after treatment and applied cold water and then a cotton ball soaked in milk. It helped a bit with the stinging, but the redness is still there.
Next, I attacked some small blemish on my face. First I googled it. I have had this small white pimple like blemish on my cheek for a month. I have been expecting it to go away, but it has not, so I went to work to find out what it was. Not sure what it was called still, but google instructed me to either see a dermatoligist or try to remove it myself. No way I am seeing a dermatologist if I can remove it myself. So on to plan B. I followed the instructions and found a needle. I burned the tip to disinfect and then poked my face on the site of the blemish. I was told I need to squeeze whatever was in there out. I poked and squeezed and was pretty sure nothing was coming out. I was about ready to give up, but tried one more time. This time I squeezed and a small white ball came out. Sweet was my only thought. I am glad that is finally gone. Now hopefully this scab mark from the needle will heal.
Now I look red and blochty and my face burns. But this is what women do, right?
I am not usually a vain person. Not that being beautiful is vanity, but I just mean that I do not spend very much time looking in the mirror. I am lucky to shower on most days and do not usually take such lengths to look pretty.
But Friday night my husband planned a special night for us. He found a sitter, planned the night and bought me a new dress. I have no idea what we are doing, but I am excited. So I am going all out. It is fun to get decked out once in a while, isn't it? Hopefully my face looks less red by then.
So I have spent the last 20 minutes doing "beauty" treatments. I don't feel very beautiful, and I look all red and blotchy, but oh well.
The first thing I did was to use a new product called "smooth away." I found it a Target and it was supposed to be a pain free way to remove hair. I have noticed in the last year that hair is growing on my face in places it never was before. Maybe it is because I am getting closer and closer to 30, but it has driven me crazy. So today I was motivated and while kids were in bed I decided to try it. I have never waxed or anything like that before, so pain free was what I was drawn to. I took the small plastic applicator out of the package and applied what looked like dull sand paper with adhesive. Then I followed the instructions and removed the hair by moving in slow circular motions over the affected area. I was suprised with how quickly the hair came off. It was pretty easy. It was a little more difficult to use around the corners of my mouth, but overall it was pretty good. It was not really painful while I was using it, but immediately after my face started to burn. I followed the instructions for after treatment and applied cold water and then a cotton ball soaked in milk. It helped a bit with the stinging, but the redness is still there.
Next, I attacked some small blemish on my face. First I googled it. I have had this small white pimple like blemish on my cheek for a month. I have been expecting it to go away, but it has not, so I went to work to find out what it was. Not sure what it was called still, but google instructed me to either see a dermatoligist or try to remove it myself. No way I am seeing a dermatologist if I can remove it myself. So on to plan B. I followed the instructions and found a needle. I burned the tip to disinfect and then poked my face on the site of the blemish. I was told I need to squeeze whatever was in there out. I poked and squeezed and was pretty sure nothing was coming out. I was about ready to give up, but tried one more time. This time I squeezed and a small white ball came out. Sweet was my only thought. I am glad that is finally gone. Now hopefully this scab mark from the needle will heal.
Now I look red and blochty and my face burns. But this is what women do, right?
I am not usually a vain person. Not that being beautiful is vanity, but I just mean that I do not spend very much time looking in the mirror. I am lucky to shower on most days and do not usually take such lengths to look pretty.
But Friday night my husband planned a special night for us. He found a sitter, planned the night and bought me a new dress. I have no idea what we are doing, but I am excited. So I am going all out. It is fun to get decked out once in a while, isn't it? Hopefully my face looks less red by then.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
My Sweetheart
So yesterday morning as Todd was walking out to go to work I asked if he would bring Claire into our room. She was awake and I did not hear Elizabeth yet, so I was hoping for a couple more minutes in bed. She quickly grew tired of laying with me, so I asked her if she wanted to go wake up her sister. This is an exciting thing for her. On the rare occasions that she is awake before her sister she loves going in to get her up. She can even open the door on her own. (This does not work out so well on mornings when I am trying to keep her in bed longer, but anyway.) She excitedly went in and I heard their conversation.
Elizabeth: Hi, good morning sweetheart. Let's go wake up mommy. (Not sure how she thought Claire got out of her crib with me still in bed.)
As they came in the room I hid under the covers and pretended to be asleep. When they came in Elizabeth said, "Hi mom, my little sweetheart did come and wake me up."
I thought that was the cutest thing ever. I was expecting her to say, "my little sister." But what she said was way more cute and memorable.
Elizabeth: Hi, good morning sweetheart. Let's go wake up mommy. (Not sure how she thought Claire got out of her crib with me still in bed.)
As they came in the room I hid under the covers and pretended to be asleep. When they came in Elizabeth said, "Hi mom, my little sweetheart did come and wake me up."
I thought that was the cutest thing ever. I was expecting her to say, "my little sister." But what she said was way more cute and memorable.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Homeschooling
So consider this my venting place. I am not really talking to anyone in particular, but just want to vent. I read an online article recently that talked about a family from Germany who were granted asylum in the United States because they were homeschooling their children in Germany where it is illegal. The article turned into a debate from the readers about homeschooling. This lead to many people defending and bashing it. Here are some of the cons and my reactions:
1. "I had a kid in my freshman math class who was homeschooled and he could not even mulitiply."
Well, in all honestly I had a lot of kids in my freshman english class who did not know what a noun was. Some kids fall through the cracks of any system. Yes, there are some kids whose parents do not put as much effort into their education when they homeschool. Yes, those families exist, but by and large most homeschooled children score higher in academic tests than traditional schooled children. To say homeschooling does not work because you met one kid who was not very bright would be illogical.
2. "Homeschooling makes kids unsocialized."
Maybe it does. Maybe a homeschool child will not interact in the same way with their peers at 13 as a traditional schooled child. But I think it depends more on the family. Children will learn from who they are taught by. If my child spends the majority of time interacting with me and his or her siblings they will learn social cues from me. I kind of like that better. I think homeschoolers should have ample time to interact with people of all ages. I think it becomes the parents responsibilty to make sure the child is given opportunites to make friends and spend time with their peers, but I don't think that spending 8 hours a day with peers is crucial. Children can learn to be polite, kind and have manners from mom and dad. They can have fun, laugh, play games and share jokes with siblings.
We are not at school age yet. But I think we will be homeschooling. We have weighed the options and at this point that looks like the best choice for our family.
Do I think that every family should homeschool? No. I don't think homeschooling is feasible for everyone. Not every family will like it and I cannot decide what is best for you. Maybe those people who are anti-homeschooling could take a closer look before they decide what is best for my family.
1. "I had a kid in my freshman math class who was homeschooled and he could not even mulitiply."
Well, in all honestly I had a lot of kids in my freshman english class who did not know what a noun was. Some kids fall through the cracks of any system. Yes, there are some kids whose parents do not put as much effort into their education when they homeschool. Yes, those families exist, but by and large most homeschooled children score higher in academic tests than traditional schooled children. To say homeschooling does not work because you met one kid who was not very bright would be illogical.
2. "Homeschooling makes kids unsocialized."
Maybe it does. Maybe a homeschool child will not interact in the same way with their peers at 13 as a traditional schooled child. But I think it depends more on the family. Children will learn from who they are taught by. If my child spends the majority of time interacting with me and his or her siblings they will learn social cues from me. I kind of like that better. I think homeschoolers should have ample time to interact with people of all ages. I think it becomes the parents responsibilty to make sure the child is given opportunites to make friends and spend time with their peers, but I don't think that spending 8 hours a day with peers is crucial. Children can learn to be polite, kind and have manners from mom and dad. They can have fun, laugh, play games and share jokes with siblings.
We are not at school age yet. But I think we will be homeschooling. We have weighed the options and at this point that looks like the best choice for our family.
Do I think that every family should homeschool? No. I don't think homeschooling is feasible for everyone. Not every family will like it and I cannot decide what is best for you. Maybe those people who are anti-homeschooling could take a closer look before they decide what is best for my family.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Husband
I miss my hubby. We had a week of all out plague in our home. 4 bouts of stomach flu. One case of strep throat and one case of bronchitis. We have sorely missed alone time. After the week of, dare I say, hell, all I wanted to do was sleep when the kids went to bed. But tonight when the kiddos are in bed we have a date. And I am looking forward to spending some one on one time with my handsome man.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Mirror
I have to admit that sometimes I cringe when I see my children mimic me. There are those moments when they do things that my heart just breaks. One such moment happened the other day. Elizabeth was struggling so hard to accomplish something (I cannot remember what). She got frustrated and screamed and threw it down. I would like to say I have never done that. But sadly when she did it I saw myself. It is easy to forget, when the computer is not working or when I can't open something, that little eyes are watching. Sometimes I scream aghhhh in frustration and throw it. Those moments are the worst.
She does mimic good things. When I see her gently hold her baby doll and say, "Its ok momma is here, baby." or apologize to her sister without encouragement. Those moments give me hope. They give me hope that despite my many flaws and failures my children can learn good from me. My ultimate hope and the one that gives me comfort is that they will be introduced to the one they can mirror and I will never have to cringe. I hope that I can point them to Jesus and they can see the one who will never let them down.
She does mimic good things. When I see her gently hold her baby doll and say, "Its ok momma is here, baby." or apologize to her sister without encouragement. Those moments give me hope. They give me hope that despite my many flaws and failures my children can learn good from me. My ultimate hope and the one that gives me comfort is that they will be introduced to the one they can mirror and I will never have to cringe. I hope that I can point them to Jesus and they can see the one who will never let them down.
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