DUH-lirious

We all know that having young children is a tough job. Pretty much every aspect of their world takes priority over your own as a mother- everything. Sleep, eating, bathing, using the bathroom, etc. I am pretty sure that almost every mother out there has experienced some crazy things in the midst of raising their children, however, mine seem to be happening on a daily basis...and are getting a bit more extreme as the days go by. My dignity and pride has completely slipped out the door and I am not expecting them to return any time soon.

Yesterday morning I decided to take the girls to meet my sweet friend Laura and her little boy David at a shopping center that we love to visit- it has fountains, fun stores, and all sorts of things to do. We piled in the van, had all the appropriate clothing, shoes, snacks, juice, teethers, purse, wallet, diaper bag, dvd, etc. that it takes to make a journey out of the house. We get to the shopping center and proceed to get out of the van, just grab the single stroller for Emily, and hold Carolines hand. I didn't need my purse since we were just playing (aka not spending money). We are a few minutes early so we go inside one of Carolines favorite little shops- its called The Toggery- a cutesy, expensive, children's boutique with a play area set up for the kids to play in. I dream of one day dressing my girls, while the 2 sweeties play in the designated area. Laura and David show up and join in the fun.

Well, about 5 minutes later the front door opens to the store and a lady yells anxiously "Does anyone in here drive a red van??" Oh jeez. "I do!" I said approaching her, but not quite close enough to be in "private conversation" territory. She proceeds to tell me, rather loudly "Well your van doors are wide open and your purse and everything is sitting right there in the front seat." Ok, I've admittedly left the van door open once before....in the chaos of getting the girls in and out of the correct seats, etc. and the remote button sometimes just doesn't' get pushed to close it. So I think it's just the girls door. I run outside to be greeted by a GROUP of people surrounding my van. "Oh thank goodness! We thought maybe you had been abducted!! With your purse and all still in side...." And then I understand. Not only was the girls van door left open, but my driver side door is wide open as well. With my purse right up front showcasing my wallet to the world. I mumbled something and tried to assure them that we were fine...just a little crazy and tired with my 2 babies. I am sure my face was about the color of our van as everyone scurried off their own way and I closed the appropriate doors, grabbed my purse, and beelined back into the store that had my children inside, the owners probably calling protective services on me after hearing this story, and hung my head in shame to sweet Laura. She assured me that she had done things like that when her boys were young...but probably was just saying that to a) hide her shock and horror b)make me feel better c)say ANYTHING that didn't sound like "ARE YOU CRAZY?"

I blame it on sleep deprivation...going on 8 months now without it. An earlier bedtime is now in place for me- in order to keep up with my wallet and my van. Praise the Lord nothing had been stolen...say, like my wallet, or MY VAN!! I am positive that I was the topic of convo at many dinner tables last night.

Today was my first day to have Lou come and watch the girls for 2 hours while I ran errands, grocery shopped etc. I will write about that later. But I went to Walmart, bought groceries, came home, and enjoyed "reuniting" with the girls when I walked in the door. 30 minutes later after talking with Lou and just hanging out, we say goodbye, and close the front door. 2 minutes later Lou knocks and says, "Would you like me to help you with your groceries?" AGHHH!!! I had popped the trunk to the van, left it open when I came inside, fully planning on coming right back out to get all the food (since there was freezer and fridge stuff in the bags). So we both grab the food and drag it inside. I was SO thankful she thought to check when she saw the van trunk open....she knows me well....or else the bags would have sat there until this evening when our neighbors got home, because they always notice things like that (like van lights left on at night...that run the battery down on the van!) So again, so grateful that I did not lose a) my groceries b)all the money spent on them c) my babysitter. She said she'd see me next week ;)

So hopefully this encouraged you and made you feel like you are ON TOP of things. Clearly, and humbly, I admit I am not. The good news is I can laugh about these things now...and hopefully will always remember to laugh. And one day, when my girls are mothers and have misplaced their minds, I will say....I have been there!

Last but not least...when I have terrible, horrible, embarrassing, no good, very bad days (which averages about 1-2 times a week) I have a new plan. Instead of pouting and dwelling and pitying myself...I am going to turn on this song, dance, sing, and make my girls giggle....maybe you can start doing the same thing. There is no WAY you can stay down when you hear this song. :)

Oh what fun...

Oh what fun it is to try and capture a good picture of the girls! I have JUST about given up on trying to get Caroline to pose for any. As you can see...she is a tough cookie to get to smile for a picture.

Trying to entice Emily to crawl...

Look at this face!! Totally not Emily's personality, but this made me laugh.

Tessa!!

So today my laugh came from Caroline after her nap. She usually plays around in her crib talking for awhile after she wakes up and will call "mommy!" with a new, stern voice when she is ready for me to come get her. Well this afternoon I heard her talking and was right outside her door in the kitchen when I heard her yell "Tessa!!!" That made me laugh. I love it! She is such a clown.

Hello Goodbye

This is a teeny tiny post, but I wanted to document the fact that Caroline has been passy free for over a month! After our trip to Hilton Head we started "saving" her passy for bedtime/nap time. I never dreamt it would be as easy as it has....thank you Lord!!


AND....drum roll please....Emily has decided she will use a passy!! We have tried and tried the past 7 months and she would not have anything to do with it. Tuesday she had a change of heart. Oh how calm and collected she is!! It is blowing me away how helpful that little passy is. It makes me laugh that it was almost this time EXACTLY when Caroline picked up the passy for the first time too. I am not ashamed. It makes for such a more enjoyable evening and a less fussy baby girl. Hopefully she will drop the habit when it's time as easily as big sister did.

Last night Amber came over with a bag full of supplies and she and I attempted to make Levi a 1st birthday t shirt. Neither of us had a clue what we were doing, but we were up until after midnight stitching away (take note- we don't have a sewing machine) and I am happy to say that we made some super cute shirts- we made one each just in case something went wrong with one of them, we'd have a fall back. I may have a new hobby....and a new desire for a sewing machine. I can only begin to imagine all the cute things I could make for the girls! Anyway, it was a fun creative outlet and so much fun to have girly convo for a whole evening...even if we could barely make a complete coherent sentence bc we were so sleepy....I loved it! She will have to send me some pictures of the shirt for me to show you.

Our Intercessor

I am typically not the author of our posts on this blog. In fact, I had to ask Tessa how to log in and start a post. Nevertheless, I had a little something on my mind that I wanted to share. This past Sunday, our associate pastor gave an amazing message from Romans 8 that blessed me tremendously, and I hope that you will be encouraged by it as well. Romans 8:26-27 were the verses that stuck with me...they are familiar to many, but I hadn't thought about them in a while. Listen to the words:

"In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."

There are sometimes in my life when I don't have words to pray, when I don't know what to pray to God. In my weakness, I simply don't have words to pray to my Father (or maybe I don't even think to pray in certain situations!). These verses tell me that even in those times the Spirit is praying for me to the Father. And these prayers are not from some random person nonchalantly praying a quick prayer without really meaning it. This promise from Scripture says that God Himself (in us as believers) as the Spirit intercedes with prayers/groanings too deep for words for us to God the Father. It also says that these prayers are "according to the will of God." So, if God in the Spirit in us is praying to God the Father on our behalf, and His prayers are according to God's will, do you think these prayers will be answered? Yes, they will! The fact is that our Father loves us so much that He has given us the Spirit as a Helper and an Intercessor Who is always praying to the Father on our behalf. So, if you are a believer in Christ, the Spirit was and is interceding for you today! Even if you don't realize it, He is! What an amazing truth. Be encouraged that no matter what you may be facing today, big or small, Someone is praying just for you.

-Brad

Pinnacle Mountain Festival

This past weekend we went out to Pinnacle Mt. for a pioneer/settlers/Native American festival. We enjoyed seeing some Native American dances and all sorts of things- cooking, welding, and animal skin/fur. They had horse back rides and Caroline rode her 2nd horse- Mesa- for a bumpy lap around the field. Of course, Daddy was right beside her. She loved it. It was HOT by the time we left, but we enjoyed the fun family time. My camera battery died on me while we were there, so I am sorry for the not so great pictures.

Pumpkin Patch 2010

We took a trip to Motley's Pumpkin patch with a big group of friends the first weekend in October. It was SO hot!! The weather is unusually hot but we enjoyed remembering LAST years trip when it was chilly and we got to wear jackets and hats....oh well. A little sweat didn't kill us. We got to enjoy a tiny little petting zoo area, the patch with all the pumpkins, a Cow train ride, a hay ride, pig racing, and hay climbing! Caroline enjoyed it and went 90 miles an hour from one thing to the next. She jumped straight in the middle of the pumpkin patch and would get her feet all tangled in the vines trying to pick up the largest, heaviest pumpkins. She was happy and content with the little "baby" pumpkins that she and Emily came home with. As for a fabulous family shot, it didn't really happen. But our sweet friend Rachel (an ENT intern that joined us that day) took some of the pictures below to capture our fun times.

THRIVE

It has been so hard to blog lately! I'm not sure if it's lack of time, sleep, energy, exciting events, or what, but I feel like maybe its a mixture of all of the above. Our lives are in NO way, shape or form ever dull or boring with our whirlwind of a life, but I guess I am just taking the time to soak in each day and when a break comes during nap time- I am just trying to catch my breath in order to keep running the remainder of the day!


I do feel like I have stumbled upon a new "revelation" of sorts for myself as a young mother of two very young girls.:) Whenever anyone asks, "How do you do it?" or I find myself describing our current status in life (residency, no family, 2 babies under 2, poor as dirt, husband less most of the time, etc.) I have responded with, "I just try to survive each day until I lay down, fall to sleep, and wake up and survive again." Truthfully, with young babies that is sometimes what it feels like. But I have decided that I am tired of SURVIVING. I want to THRIVE! I have the secret ....and I'll share it with you! :)


Jesus. That's it...plain and simple. The truth is that if I attempt to do everything that is on my plate by myself, my own power, my own understanding, then I truly will be simply surviving...trying to keep my head above water. But the most exciting news is that I don't have to do this alone (although it sometimes feels that way.) I have the holy spirit living and dwelling inside of me as a Christian and He promises to lead me, and even better...He promises to lead me in the RIGHT direction, never the wrong one. So, this has been a mental reminder, spiritual check point for me in a way- I need to release my control, and allow God to take over. The crazy schedules, absent family, and tiredness that my little sweeties bring my way are all blessings. While my tasks are extremely simple and mundane most each and everyday- diapers, picking up toys for the 16th time, washing/loading dishwasher, doing laundry, putting babies to sleep- I want to invite the Lord- the Glorious- into my simple everyday tasks to make them learning experiences that draw me closer to the Lord. The bible says that all we have to do is ask the Lord to come near...even when the stinkiest diaper is near :)-and He will!! So my challenge for myself, and maybe for some of you other mommy's out there reading this, is to invite Jesus into your everyday, mundane tasks. See what happens. I am trusting and believing that it will produce a more joyful wife for my husband, a happier mommy for my children, and a more healthy family member and friend for all those around me.


The first step that I am working on is placing a priority on my time with the Lord, before babies, before husbands, before daybreak probably. :) Along with that I am going to figure out how to get some exercise/alone time for me to physically, mentally, and spiritually get into shape. Oh how wonderful it sounds to get outside (by myself!!) listen to praise music on my ipod, and take a run/walk. So those are my first tangible goals. Can't wait to do it...especially since MAYBE it's about to get a little cooler and the weather is so nice.


Ok...totally different note. And some completely random thoughts about my precious family.


Grammie came for a visit last week! She was here Monday-Saturday and we had a blast with her. Caroline adores her and follows her around like a little puppy. We got to go shopping, out to eat, to the library, cook together, and Caroline got a special date to the zoo. She was in heaven. And I was in heaven....I got to run out alone and run errands each day while the girls napped. Brad and I got to get away one evening for dinner and a movie- although he slept most of the date, I still enjoyed our time together. I have been pretty out of it as far as taking pictures lately, but I did grab the camera for a few shots. Thanks Gram for coming to visit- we missed Grandpa terribly, but we'll see you all again soon for Birthday and Thanksgiving celebrations!


Emily loves Elmo. She does. He makes her giggle and coo. She adores the tickle me Elmo that Caroline got for Christmas. She will kiss him and hug him and waller all around on him. So sweet. She is getting 2 of her lateral incisors (lol that's what my medical hubby called them! I call them her side vampire teeth...) Once those come in, the middle top teeth should follow and we should hopefully be about finished with teething for a little while. Ha. We'll see. She is SO ready to be able to stand up and crawl it's funny to watch her frustration. She can get into the crawling "stance" but can't move those sweet pudgy legs yet. Soon though, I know it. Same thing for getting her to pull up. She now latches on with her tiny little hands to anything, usually your leg or face, or something fabulous, and squeezes for dear life as she attempts to pull herself up to a standing position. I can't wait until she does, but then again, another sleep stumbling block will be present. Oh well. This doesn't last forever....sadly they grow up at lightening speed. :(

Everywhere we go people tell me how beautiful she is...of course I agree! She has the sweetest little features and the prettiest face. And of course the comment that always follows, "look at those sweet little legs!!" Yes. They are sweet. Yes. I know they will go away when she starts crawling. Please don't remind me. Let me eat up this sugar for just a little while longer. :)


Caroline is a trip and a half. As if you haven't known that already, but she truly is developing her sense of humor. She laughs and is able to share jokes with me now...she calls things "funny" appropriately and likes to giggle and revisit thoughts and actions that made me laugh previously. She is a star and shines wherever her little feet take her- the grocery store, the library, the zoo. Attention is always on her...could be her red hair, or the little personality that accompanies it. Either way, I love to stand back and watch her. At church she jumps up on the stage in the kids praise area and dances and moves to the music and is starting to attempt to sing more. I can envision her leading praise and worship one day on that stage....so precious. I think that when Caroline hits the 2 mark we will truly start the potty training seriously. She is so ready, but I am not. So until then, she is using the potty (#1) simply to get prizes. Yes, she will go 7 times in a row simply to get a snack after each time. Is she a camel?? How does she store this up and save it for all these snacks. That's bladder control if I've ever seen it. She is manipulating us in this area, but the wheels are about to turn because when we start the new training, she gets a prize for being...DRY! We'll see how that goes. I bought her a big yellow Tonka dump truck at a flea market the other day- I knew she would love it bc she loves all things boy. She did love it. I tried to hide it from her until her birthday, but that didn't work. (She's only 1!! I can't imagine how hard it will be to do that when she's 10, or 16!) So she now has her truck. And just so you know, the truck does not just haul rocks, dirt, and leaves....she uses it for her baby dolls to get around too.:) I am sure one day Emily will be riding in the back of it...LOL. Jk. She wouldn't fit. Anyway, the other day at the park someone asked me if she had brothers (first of all, did they see me carrying Emily?? Do they think I look THAT old to have MORE children around??) because she was trying to play football with some boys and ride some boys hot wheels bike. And bc the dump truck was with us. I love her and her tomboy ways...she evens it out perfectly with her little girly girl whims as well. Can't think of any off the top of my head...but she has them. And finally, our neighbors just hung a green monster thingy from their porch. Caroline is obsessed with a song on you tube called "Go away big green monster". (FYI if you go look it up, it is really sketchy, just warning. Not sure why or how we found it.) Well now the big green monster lives across the street and we are singing about it all day long. She has continually asked if we can go say "hi" to the neighbors so that she can get a closer look at him. We will tonight. She will love it. Oh the simple joys!


I haven't told you much about my true love, Dr. Hobbs lately. He is doing a fabulous job being a doctor (sometimes we giggle and laugh at the fact that he is truly a REAL doctor!) He takes such good care of all his patients and enjoys the learning process. When he comes home after a long day at work he usually tells me about the new and exciting surgeries he got to do that day and how he loves getting to do new things. I love this boy- and I love how he loves to learn. He works his tail off and spends so many hours making sure he is doing the best he can do. Who WOULDN'T want a doctor like that?? He is currently Children's hospital this month and we love that...lol...anyone that talks to us on a regular basis knows that when Brad's at Children's he gets a stipend at the cafeteria and gift shop....which means dinners and yummy snacks that don't come out of the budget. A running joke at our house is when someone asks "Where did that come from?" or "Where did you get that?" our answer is "Childrens"....actually, we pronounce it "Chill-rens" to make it sound just a little more silly. :)


Ok. So that was a huge array of things that are happening. Hopefully posts to follow won't be so lengthy! Not promising though. And now for the pictures.
Emily LOVES puffs...in her mouth, or around it.



Playgroup fun! Levi and Rosemary taking a ride in Caroline's wagon. She loves having everyone over to her house each Tuesday.

So- 2 things. 1- Caroline fell in love with these gloves one day. She took a nap in them, and even managed to keep one of them on the entire time. Is that bad?? 2- New game!! Who can bang the pots and pans the LOUDEST!!

Caroline- gave up....

Emily won!

Matching sisters!

They look forward to bath time every night. Daddy usually makes bath time fun for everyone.

Then he and Caroline get to relax a little bit together- hmmmm...looks like we have a copycat. :)

On the ONE cold day a few weeks ago...

Daddy took the girls to the park.

Admiring the new and improved way to NOT carve pumpkins with toddlers for Halloween. JK, I will eventually carve one with Caroline, but not that day. Cookie is like our 3rd child- the girls love him.

Gram and Caroline making cookies...with sprinkles of course!! Sprinkles are now one of the most important food groups to make sure and eat each day. They make oatmeal, yogurt, and everything else much more delicious.

New hobby- washing her food and playing with water at her sink. She looks rather distraught here because we had just finished having our debate about how much water could be turned on, and how we DO NOT POUR the water on the floor. I promise she usually loves it- this picture just captured the wrong vibe. We are not using her for child labor.

Another fun game- wrapping "presents" in tin foil.

And this just makes me laugh- Caroline just woke up....and is giving Dora the evil eye...like, "What are you doing up so early with that smile, and looking so good for?"

The End.