Oh, children...

Andrew had a few gems today:

1. Getting in the car, Andrew requested a song.
A: "Mommy, can I listen to Aunt Bobby's Love Beatle's song?"
Me: "it's called Can't buy me love, and yes you can".

2. In the car, Andrew saw some construction crews and asked me to go back to see them again. I explained that I couldn't go backwards or we would have an accident. His response, "Since people can have a accident, do they ever have a on-purpose?" ummm... Good question.

3. At dinner we were all playing around and talking about the gorillas at the zoo. I told Andrew about the gorilla from the Dallas zoo named Jabari that went crazy, escaped, and died. He said "you know who's Jabari? Your mom."

Oh, and Caroline has discovered that ketchup is a food group.

:)
Anne

Anything you need

Since Chris became sick, our amazing family has stepped up to the plate. They have slept over (without sleeping), made food (without eating), taken care of kids (while wanting to care for their own), gave dog treats (while their dogs waited outside), and done chores (while their houses remained messy). It's been awesome... But to the three of us, it just doesn't feel the same.

Everyone keeps asking what they can do to help. Unfortunately when Daddy is sick and Mommy stays away and takes care of him, here is what our kids need:

1. Someone who throws perfect pitches.
2. Someone to have Friday Fluff day.
3. Someone to dance with who spins just right.
4. Someone races me to get the newspaper.
5. Someone who gives peanut butter with reckless abandon.
6. Someone to let my swim I the tub and play till the water runs down.
7. Someone  to tackle right before bed.
8. Someone who can "sing all the animsls".
9. Someone to sing Twinkle, Twinkle "super loud like a rock and roll star"with snuggle friends who play air guitar.
10. Someone to give "all the kisses".


With all the amazing people in Andrew and Caroline's lives taking care of all their needs, there are just a few things that the kids still need.

Cakrline shows it... On a quick trip home from the hospital, Caroline runs to me. She hugs me, kisses me, and then signs more... She leads me to the pictures on the fridge signing more, pointing to the picyures, and says "dada, dada".

Andrew shows it...On my first night home after a couple of long nights at the hospital, Andrew comes to my too my room at 3:30am glad that I am the one he finds. I calm him, sing to him, and rock him (although we haven't rocked to bed in ages). I take him to bed, sing my best "rock 'n roll" Elvis the Elephant variation of Twinkle, and then we pray. He fights back tears and says, "when I go visit my daddy tomorrow, I will just bring him home with me".

We are so grateful for all the help, but sometimes we just need mommy and daddy. Thank you God for the blessings in my life.

:)
Anne

So wise

Chris has been laid up for almost two weeks, so it's been all mommy all the time. Andrew, Caroline, and I are starting to show signs of wear. As I buckled Andrew in to his car seat this morning, here is our conversation:

Andrew: (seeing the worry on my face) Mommy, what does that face mean?
Mommy: I'm just a little tired. I'm ready for Daddy to feel better.
Andrew: Me, too. But why does that make you feel like that?
Mommy: Well, when someone is sick it's hard for everyone. We have to be more patient, more loving, and we don't always get everything we want.
Andrew: But Mommy, Daddy is the one who is sick.

Yeesh. I'm feeling very selfish. Simple wisdom from an almost four year old. No matter how tough it is to pick up the slack, it's still worse to be the sick one.

:)
Anne

PS: I did have some much needed help this week from Grandma, Grandpa, Grandma Mary, and Aunt Martha! Love y'all!

Battle in Bethlehem

Last week Andrew and I spent a quiet morning decorating while Caroline napped. The tree, the mantle, and the nativities looked perfect. We have one grown-up nativity in the kitchen, and Andrew has a sweet little one for his room. Once the decorations were in place, Caroline woke for her lunch feeding. Andrew dismissed himself to his room for my nursing, for which I was truly grateful.

Caroline and I were enjoying our peaceful moments together when I heard the clinging of toys. Strange, I thought, which of Andrew's toys cling? Hmph. Oh, no.

"Andrew, what are you doing?" I asked as I finished the last minute or two of the feeding.

"Nuffin'. Just playing," he replied ever so sweetly. Uh-oh.

I closed up shop and headed into Andrew's room. As I entered, I saw baby Jesus, the shepherd, and the flock sitting peacefully on the table. Andrew still had Mary in his hand. This left Joseph, now headless, on the floor alone.

"Oh, Andrew! How could you? What were you thinking?..." I berated for a minute and then fell silent.

Sheepishly, Andrew gestured to Mary and Joseph and said, "They were fighting... Mary won."

Apparently, she did. Bring on the super glue.

Merry Christmas.
:)
Anne

Being Thankful

As I read Facebook posts, I am always amazed at the number of people who use it to complain about how bad things are for them. I'm sure I've done it... we all vent. Here are all my knee-jerk complaints that I have thought about posting... this week.

1. My husband is gone once a week for grad school, so we don't see him those days.
2. My husband has night meetings that keep him from us a few times a month.
3. My daughter consistently wakes in the 4 or 5 AM hour to feed.
4. My house's foundation is moving causing the doors to stick.
5. My heater doesn't heat the kids rooms very well.
6. My 3 year old is full of sass and shares it readily.
7.My blah, blah, blah.... bitch, bitch, bitch.

Yuck. I know things are bad sometimes, but I think we all need a wake up call. I recently heard a speaker and had mine. She was just a mom, who has the most amazing outlook on life. All she said to us was this, "No matter what your life is like you are living the dream, so take the time to give thanks to God and enjoy it. You might not like your house: out of date, bad foundation, old siding, lousey neighborhood, etc... But you have a house. And at this very moment, someone is living in a tiny apartment dreaming of your house. You are so blessed. Please don't spend your life dreaming of more when you could be enjoying what you have."

Wow. I took a long hard look at myself and the little things I let bring me down...
1. My husband is gone once a week for grad school, so we don't see him at all. My husband is in GRAD school while working full time, so I can stay home. He's a rock star.

2. My daughter consistently wakes in the 4 or 5 AM hour to feed. I have a daughter. A wonderfully sweet, squeezy ball of love, who can't wait to spend those first few moments of her day with me. She's healthy and happy. What a blessing.
3. My house's foundation is moving causing the doors to stick. I have a house... a house that I love and a yard to enjoy with my sweet babies.
4. My 3 year old is full of sass and shares it readily. I have a very smart and very vocal 3 year old who uses he smarts for sass, but also he uses it to bless me. He realizes things like this, "Mommy, some mommies go to work all the time. You get to play with me. I'm so glad you get to stay home with me and Caroline."
5. My husband has to work late some nights, and I don't get a break. My husband has a job. Scratch that- my husband has a great job that provides for our family.


No matter how hard I try to be upset about something, I am slapped with the realization that my small inconviences are temporary setbacks related to a much greater blessing.

No matter what your life looks like, you are living someone's dream. Why not make it your dream and be thankful?

:)
Anne

Halloween part 1: Trunk-or-treat

Here's a taste of our Halloween weekend! We hosted a trunk at our church's Trunk-or-treat event last night. Here are the trunk and our two trunk-or-treaters!
:)
Anne

Sweetness

The look in her eyes makes my heart shine: Unconditional love for her Bubba.


:)
Anne