That's My Girl

My desire is to model modesty to my two little girls and handsome little dude.  I want them all to see the value of it, and that it is an act of obedience.  I take this task very seriously and the word 'modest' is used often in our home.  Yes, my oldest is only 3 but I feel she needs to learn about it now.

"Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine.  They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled."

Titus 2:3-5

It is my job that my kids, my daughters especially, learn to be pure.  I believe a huge part of that is modesty.  Often when Mo is being silly and forgets we have company over she will leave the bathroom door open, lift up her shirt (just because she is being silly, not provocatively) or request naked booty time.  She has also been known to strip down anywhere and everywhere if there is a swim suit and water fun near by.  I use these times, however innocent they are, to teach her how to modestly behave.  You know, shirt down, bathroom door closed, not changing in front of boys-the typical 3 year old stuff.

Tonight, a good family friend was over and lavished some attention on my kidlets.  They LOVED it!  One of their most favorite times was wrestling and walking on the ceiling.  I could not be prouder when I hear a cry from the wrestling floor, "My mom said I HAVE to be MODEST!!!"  Moriah was being flipped and her shirt rose up.  She made the wrestling stop so she could put it down.  At 3.  That's my girl!  You keep your belly (and chest!) covered!!  My sweet dear friend (the wrestler's wife) called Mo over and taught her how to tuck her shirt in.  She was thrilled to be able to wrestle with the boys without being improper.  Seriously-so proud of the little lady she is turning into.  My heart is full of love for her and the Godly women she will one day become. 

My modest Mo, shirt tucked, walking on the ceiling

Just for fun, my little dude, copying what his big sister does.  He sure looks up to her and loves her.

 

A Bit of a Rough Patch

It happens to all of us.  We hit a bit of bumpy road in our life.  Well, since I promised to be honest on this blog, I want ya'll to know I am there now.  My absence from the blogging world is because Mom always said, "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all."  And there it is.  The honest truth.
Not that nice things haven't happened recently, because they have.  I just haven't been in a place where I can happily blog about them. 
I am tired. 
My days are long and the nights seem even longer. 
My baby Se is weaning herself and it has been miserable.
I wake up overwhelmed, hit a mommy groove in the middle, and go to bed feeling overwhelmed again.
But God is good, and His grace is sufficient.  He has been providing for me everyday.
I know it will not be this way forever, and I will use this time to learn and grow.

Have no fear, I will be back to the regular scheduled program very soon. 
But for now, I am just going to sleep.

Beach Bums

Se's first time seeing the ocean!

Mo enjoyed playing in the sand this time but was still very hesitant about the water.  She only got her big toe wet!

K and L

"What is this?"

"It doesn't taste very good."

It was a gorgeous day

"We love Daddy!"

Off to check out the water

Se was not impressed

This was the beginning of the end.  L didn't stop crying after this till he was safely deposited into the stroller.

Our beach day only lasted 30 minutes.  Weeping and crying forced us off the sand and into the pool.  It is foreign to me that my littles don't care for the water, sun and sand.  Every time we come to FL I take them again, in hopes that they will change their minds.  I have already seen a little bit of 'like' for the ocean shine through.  Mo and L both played in the sand and liked it this time and Mo put her feet in the water voluntarily.  It helped that our friends we went with LOVE the ocean and little K had no qualms with getting wet and sandy while tromping through the beach.  Maybe we will shoot for an hour next time.  Someday we will work our way up to an actual day at the beach.

B-O-S-S

Last night we were getting ready to say our prayers and Mo did something quite amazing.
Mo and L are taking over  using my brother Jay's room and he decorated it with Chick-fil-a posters.  You know, the GIANT cow posters they have in the restaurant?  Well, my kids just love them.  They all have writing on them.  Cute sayings for different seasons to try and convince you to eat more chicken!
Mo decided during bedtime that she wanted to name the letters on the posters.  There was no prompting from me, she did all this on her own.

Mo: (after randomly naming letters) B-O-S-S, what does B-O-S-S spell, mom?
Me: What do the letters say?  (And I pointed to each letter)
Mo: Buh-Ah-Suh-Suh, like suh-nake!
Me: Very good, now say their sounds faster
Mo: Buh-Ah-Suh-Suh, boss!  It says boss!
Me: You just read your first word!!!

And then we did an excited dance and my big girl daughter beamed from all the praise.  Then of course she had to run down stairs and tell Nana, Papa and Uncle Nate.  And then wanted to read all the word on all the posters before going to bed.  I can't believe my 3 year old read her first word and that it was completely of her own initiative.

My Smart Mo,
You have yet to stop amazing me and I have every idea that it will be this way for the rest of your life.  You are such a bright girl and you have a sweetness about you that just makes me thrilled to be your momma.  Never lose your love for learning, it is a trait you are so blessed to have.
And don't think I am not lost on the first word you chose to read.  I know you like to be in charge, and it is no surprise that you would pick your own time (not durning our "school" time) to read for the first time and that you would read, "BOSS!"
I love you SO very much!
Momma          

Rainbow House

My parents recently got new patio furniture and decided to turn the boxes into a house for the kids to paint and play in.  SO FUN!  They had a blast being creative and messy.  They appropriately named the house, The Rainbow House since it is all the colors of the rainbow.  I am loving the time they are now spending on the porch playing house.  This morning L was being Jonah daddy and Mo was his daughter.  When Nana asked what they were doing he said, "I Jonah.  Doo doo!"  and started to sing the song from Veggie Tales "Jonah was a prophet, doo doo.  But he never really got. A doodly doo!"

I think we are going to repeat this activity at a certain little girls rainbow 1st birthday party!  I think it would be an awesome activity for a ton of toddlers to enjoy, don't you?

Ripe for the Pickin'

Enjoyed a great morning strawberry and blueberry picking! They are delicious!

Yes, They Are All Mine

My kids are close in age.  Very close in age.  And people seem to notice this when we are out and about frequenting our favorite stores.  I am used to the looks and smiles (people just can't help but smile at my adorable kids.  Not bragging, just stating a fact.)  What I fail to understand is the people who decide it is their place to comment.  Often the conversations with perfect strangers go something like this:

Stranger: Are they all yours?
Me:  Yes, they are all mine. (I want to respond, "No, I took one from the aisle over there.")
Stranger: Wow, you have your hands full. (eyes wide in amazement)
Me: Yes, we are rather busy.
Stranger: Oh my goodness, I guess so. -OR- How old are they? (3 1/2, 2, and 8 months).  -OR- Are they twins?  -OR- How do you do it? -OR- (my personal favorite) You are crazy.

And yes, I have had a perfect stranger in a store tell me I am crazy.  For having kids.  Three adorable sweet children.  (And they were actually being very well behaved when she said that!)

Why does having three children make me crazy?  What about me taking my kids shopping in a store invites people to think they can tell me that the precious blessings God has given me are a burden?  Don't get me wrong, we have challenging days.  Hard days.  Days I beg for God to grant me patience and wisdom so I can discipline and mold my three children into servants for Him.  Teach them His ways.  But, really, a stranger telling me I'm crazy, I was speechless.   Do they not know that children are a gift from God?  That I am blessed to call them mine?  What happened to "if you don't have something good to say, don't say anything at all?"  Do they realize I do only have 3 kids, right?  That isn't a lot.  Especially in this day in age where the Dugger family is showing all of the world that 19 kids can be a blessing not a burden!

Then, a stranger made my day.  A couple weeks ago we were strolling through Hobby Lobby.  I love that store and so do my craft loving kids.  I had Se strapped to me in the carrier and Mo and L in the double stroller.  It was a great set up.  I lost count of how many people stopped us and commented.  I am not sure how many times I had versions of the conversation above.  By the time we were at the check out I was so ready to leave, simply because I didn't want to hear it any more.  (Isn't that sad?  I felt like I was defending my children through the whole store!)  The nice cashier was ringing up my purchases when a middle aged lady walked past us.  I could tell she was sizing us up.  As she pasted, her mouth opened and I braced myself for another onslaught of criticism.  Instead this is what she said, "You have the most beautiful babies.  Oh, my.  There isn't an ugly one in the bunch.  How sweet."  I thanked her and said I would have to agree.  I have gorgeous children!  She erased all my tension and I left the store feeling like someone saw my littles for the blessings they are.  

And yet another reminded me of a strangers ability to be kind.  Two days ago we were in Target.  It was not one of my children's finer moments.  Let's just say one child bit the toe of another (almost drawing blood) and I was in the middle of disciplining.  Yes, it IS how you are imagining it.  Lots of crying and weeping.  An elderly lady walked by.  I was distracted with the situation but my dad was there and had a conversation with her that went something like this:

Lady: Oh, are they twins?
Dad: No, just siblings.
Lady: They are both yours?
Dad explained he was the Papa, Nana had the baby and I was the mom.
Lady: Oh, you have three?  You are so blessed.  I don't have any.  I sure do hope I get to see you again before I leave the store.  They are just so adorable.  He must be tired.  (Referring to the biter who was crying, unaware of the discipline issue going on.)

What a sweet lady!  It brought tears to my eyes when my dad relayed the entire conversation to me.  I could not imagine not having any children.  I wanted to adopt her as a Grandma and let her love on my kids all she wanted, but I didn't get to talk to her again and I didn't know what the conversation was till we were headed to the car.  But she was right, I am so blessed.  I have three beautiful children.  They have been entrusted to me and I am proud to be called "Momma."  In fact, it is one of my favorite things to be called.

Thank you Lord for two perfect strangers who remind me that not all shoppers are cruel and nosy.  Some are sent from you to lift me up and remind me lessons I have already learned.

Happy Resurrection Day!

What joy I have found knowing that my Savior lives!  We had a wonderful day celebrating the fact that the tomb is empty and my redeemer is preparing a place for me to spend eternity with Him.  What an amazing God we serve.  That he would humble himself and die for me, never ceases to blow my mind.

Me and my littles after sunrise service.

1 Peter 1:3-5 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection if Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.  This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time."  AMEN!

Se is 8 Months!

So, it is hard to believe all the things my sweet little Se has been doing lately.

She can communicate.  It is crazy!  She mimics the sounds I make and can clearly say mama, dada, all done (signs it and says "alda"), hi (both the wave and sound), papa, and she signs milk while going "mmmm."    

She can self feed.  She loves eating puffs, cheerios, and fries.

She can drink from a sippy cup unassisted.

She has invited her own way to crawl.  She uses her legs and toes to push her forward on her head.  Yep, that's right, my little girl likes to get a round on her head and shoulders.  Just take a look at the video for proof.  It cracks me up every time I see her do this.  Boy, she is EVERYWHERE now days.

She still loves to sing.  If she is in worship with me she just pours her heart out so loudly to God.  It makes me so happy to see her love for worship at a young age.  Thankfully we go to a church where the people around us are blessed by her joyful noise, not annoyed by it.

She loves her dada.  If she sees him, her legs start going, she squeels and starts saying "DADADADA!!!"  It is the sweetest things.  And of course, daddy just eats it up.

She still doesn't sleep through the night.  This is normal for my babes and doesn't bother me as long as she nurses and then goes directly back to sleep.  That happens 98% of the time.  She is also a night cuddler.  I don't get many snuggles throughout the day (she likes to GO!), so I love our quiet nighttime feedings where she snuggles to me all relaxed.

She eats up the attention she gets from her siblings and is generally a happy baby!  Love you sweet Se!

Making Baby Food

For all three of my kids I have made their baby food. There are several benefits to doing this. The top two are; it saves TONS of money and I know exactly what goes into my babies bellies. Many mommies I know feel intimidated at the very mention of making baby food. I have to admit that I was among those mommies when Mo was little. Thankfully I found this website.  I also found great ways to make the process easier.  Now all I need is a nap time (1 1/2 hours) twice a month and I have enough baby food to feed my baby Se.

Here is a peek at how I make peaches: 

One bag of thawed frozen peaches

 

Pour them in a food processor and blend until desired consistency is met.  (Water can be added if needed)

Place in ice cube trays, muffin pans, cupcake pans-whatever is handy.

Freeze, then pop out and place in zip lock baggies clearly labeled with contents and date (behind the tray-I store mine in one big tupperware so they are easy to find).

For veggies, I use the microwavable bags. (Money saving tip: I buy them on sale at $0.78 a bag and each bag makes 6-8 meals.  Tons of savings compared to buying baby food jars!)  Just pop the bag in the microwave for 5 minutes, puree and freeze. It is SO very easy. Hope this encourages those mommies out there like me that it is possible to make your own baby food without spending hours and hours laboring in the kitchen while your littles run a muck around your house. If I can do it, you can too! And don't forget to check out wholesomebabyfood.com.  Not only do they have great recipes for making your own baby food, but wonderful advice on what order to introduce solids, allergy information and exactly what nutritious things are packed into each and every bite you give your little one.

Choo Choo, Cupcake Train Coming Thru!

For L's birthday this year I decided to tackle making him a fun cake myself. Now, I am not a baker and do not pretend to be. I, of course, started searching the internet for good ideas and found one here. I put my own spin on it and ended up with a pretty cool Thomas cake! The best part was that L loved it.  Here's what I did:

Using brown bags, tape and scissors, I covered a box we had laying around from our recent move.

I then painted a train track bed and grass.

Next, my mom assembled the cargo cars.  We used frosting, graham crackers, mini oreos, and oreo fun sticks.  It is important to let them set overnight and dry.  Otherwise they will not be able to support the weight of cupcakes. 

Using hot glue, I embellished the board with stones all along the track and added some bushes (aquarium plants!) .

 

After decorating the cup cakes with various cargo, I assembled the train.

 

Of course, Thomas led the way, followed by the 2 candle.

Ta-da!  The finished train.  It was a big hit!

The Desire to Obey

This week I was reminded through my 3 year old what it truly means to obey.  Here is how our conversation went:

Mo: Momma, I can do whatever I want.
Me: No, you can obey.  God tells us to obey.  Momma obeys God and Daddy, and you obey God, Daddy and Momma.  So, you see, you can't do whatever you want.
Mo: But mom, I want to obey, so see.  I can do whatever I want because I want to obey.

Oh my goodness!  How perceptive she is at the tender age of 3.  What a challenge she is to me spiritually.  How often do I want to do my own thing and fight obedience?  Make excuses to God about why what He wants wont work?  Why my way is seemingly better?  Oh, to want to obey.  To desire from the depth of my soul to do only as my Savior asks of me.  To stop fighting and arguing with Him and submit, wholly, completely.  To live every breath as the gift that it is, bringing Him glory in every aspect of my life.  This is the type of obedience I long for.  This is the reminder I needed.  That I CAN to whatever I want to, because I WANT to obey.  Powerful words my little Mo, powerful words. 

Psalm 119 has been speaking truth to me on this subject.  Check it out here.
"Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law, and obey it with all my heart." vs. 34
 

I'm Still Here!

Hello blogging world!  The past couple weeks have proven to put my renewed love for blogging to the test.  I promise, I have not forgotten my promise to post more since the unveiling of my "new" blog.  There has been LOTS going on here.  Which is wonderful and has provided me with much to write about, just not much time to actually sit down and write!
I will say this: God has been working on my heart in some pretty tough ways recently.  I can't wait to share with you all that I have learned and have been challenged to keep working on.
And, I am working on a series of blogs detailing my thoughts on child rearing!  Ha!  I am no expert (seeing as I have only been a mom for 3 1/2 years) but I know I have learned things from other moms and somewhat figured out what works for our family for now (may not work tomorrow!) and have been asked to share it with the blogging world.  Speaking of child rearing...
Have you heard about the AAP new ruling on car seat laws?  Click here to get the latest info.  Good thing Se has two older siblings to look at in the back seat.  I wonder when she will notice that she can't see the dvd player.  That might become a problem before she turns 2...

L is 2!

Oh my funny L,
How I find such joy in being your momma.  You are the coolest little boy I know.  This past year has been full of changes, challenges and chuckles with you.
You learned to walk!  It was in your own time and on your terms, but you finally started walking proficiently around 16 months.  It was perfect timing for mommy, because one month later you became a big brother.  What a pleasure it has been to see you in that role.  At first you were not very interested in your sister Se, but once you came around you are ALL OVER her!  In a good way.  You are quick to tell me she is crying and quick to care for her.  Your first interest in her was when she was crying you brought her a paci.  So sweet.  Now you love to play on the floor with her and bring her things.  Daddy has taught you that your job is to, "potect sistas," and you take it very seriously.  If you don't know where Se or Mo are you are very concerned and want answers immediately.
Mo is your best playmate.  How many times I have prayed this would be, I can not tell you.  But you love to play with Mo.  If she is doing something, you want to do it.  If she is eating a certain snack, you want the same thing.  You want to be where she is and you want her attention.  I must say, she adores you following her around-as long as you do as she says and play by her rules.  When that doesn't happen, you are both quick to reconcile any disagreements and give hugs and kisses.  
Your favorite time of the day is anytime there is food (especially if it's chicken nuggets and broccoli), naked booty time each night before bed (you love to dance without clothes on!) and wrestle time.  You LOVE wrestle time.  If you haven't had enough wrestle time I find you laying on Se trying to get her to wrestle.  It usually results in screams of protest from her but you achieve your goal of being physical so you are happy.  Thankfully you have a daddy, a big sis, a Papa, Uncles and a Mr. Jesse (or Miss Jesse as you like to call him) who love wrestling you also.  And Momma joins the fun sometimes too!
You are a sweet boy.  You often get my attention just to tell me you love me.  It just makes my momma's heart so happy.  You will say, "Hey Momma.  I hap to tell you someting.  I wub you."  You love snuggles and often look up at me with your adorable face and say, "Uggle me, uggle me?"  As long as my arms are not already carrying one of your siblings, I happily oblige.  I am so NOT looking forward to the day you stop asking.
Though you are very clear about what you want and when you want it (it's good to know your mind) you are still very obedient.  You are not always happy about not getting your way but I am so glad you do the right thing anyway.  What a wonderful attitude to have starting at such a tender age.  I pray you always obey so willingly.  And, you have been known to put yourself in time out.  If you knew something was wrong you tell me you need a time out and go sit on the step.  Your desire for self correction makes me so proud of you.  You are going to be a fine young man.  
You love to pray.  At dinner you want to be the one to bless the food.  You say the same prayer every meal.  "Thank you, Jesus, for our food.  Amen."  At night you pray for all sorts of things and repeat after mommy if you are unsure what to say.  It is a blessing to already see that you have a desire to know God.  You favorite bible story is David and Goliath.  You ask for it to be read every night.  I can't wait to see what a man of God you will become.  I know He has some great plans for you my little dude.
I love you so much and I am so happy that God gave me the honor of being called your mom.
Love,
Momma    

Musings of Mo

My oldest is a riot.  She is constantly saying things that just crack me up.  So, I have been keeping a record, just for you, so that she can crack you up to.  Here are the musings of my 3 year old.

Me: Mo, why is L crying?
Mo: Well, I would tell you but it's a long story.

Mo: L, you need to set a good example for me and clean up all these toys. (after I just told HER to clean them up!)

Mo (upon arriving at a condo for the weekend): We can have a whole life here! (arms spread wide twirling in the living room)

Me: Mo, please go put the magnets back on the fridge.
Mo: I can do whatever I want.
Me: No, you'll do as you're told.  Now please go put the magnets back.
Mo: Just don't worry about it mom.

Mo: L, you can call girls, mam.  And call boys, sir.
L: Oh, ok. (looking confused)
Mo: Don't worry, it gets a little constipated. (um, I think she means complicated!)
Me: Mo, you crack me up!
Mo (while shaking her finger at me): No, mom, no cracking!

Mo: After my rest, I'm going to put my tinker bell costume on and play on my pink computer.  Does that make sense to you, mom?
Me: Yes, perfect sense!

Mo: I need to get ready for my presentation.  You know, at H's house.
Me: Um, no I didn't know, and what exactly will you be presenting to your friend, H (who is a BOY)?
Mo: Just my presentation.

After a long ride where she was resting her elbow on her knee to prop up her head I come in the house to see her crying on the step.
Me: What's wrong Mo?
Mo: My foot is sprinkling!  It's sprinkling, momma!
Her foot had fallen asleep and it was tingling to "wake up."  I tried to explain but she just didn't get it.  It was adorable.

And there you have it-some of the normal everyday conversations I have with my 3 year old.  Life sure is fun!

Fishy L

We are pool people.  I grew up swimming all the time.  Both of my grandparents had pools that we visited every summer and in middle school we moved into a home with a pool.  My honey grew up in FL and was even a lifeguard for a while (I know, right!  Yes, I am married to that hot guy that saved your life that summer...)  Anyway, it has been a bit of a surprise to have kids who were timid of the water.

Mo is what we like to call slow to warm.  She likes to know what is going on, when and who will be there and then she will decide if she is going to like it.  If she isn't sure she will sit back until she is comfortable.  This applies to bodies of water as well.  The girl cries when she sticks her big toe in the ocean.  Yeah.  She loves playing on the steps of pools but that is as warmed up to the idea of swimming as she is.  She took swim lessons last summer and knows how to swim, but has no desire to use that knowledge to venture past the second step.  She sure is cute in her swim gear, though!

L did not even like the step in the pool last summer.  He was content to sit on the side and occasionally touch the water with his foot.  Imagine my surprise when we took him to an indoor pool this weekend and he had a blast!  He was so brave and even went in the deep end.  I think we might have a swimmer on our hands!

And last but not least, our sweet Se.  She has no experience with pools yet.  I was all ready to give her a taste of the water, but it was too cold.  For an indoor pool they sure do keep it chilled.  She just got to splash with her feet for a minute before getting dressed again.  Wonder if she will be more inclined to be a fish like her big bro or a step dweller like her big sis?  Time will tell!