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! 

Dance With Me?

We recently went to a wedding.  Now, this may be a common event in my life.  I have had one, been to them, been in them and watched tons of them on TV.  For my little 3 year old this was THE event of the year.  She loves love stories, especially the ones that end with a kiss.  As soon as the lips of the characters touch she yells at the top of her lungs, "Oh, Momma-THEY'RE MARRIED!!!!!"  To Mo, the bride was a princess who she was in awe of.  At the reception she kept tabs on everywhere she went and was thrilled to get a few moments of her time.   

I enjoyed seeing her love on the bride (who is a lifetime friend of my family) and get all giddy. I know that her day is WAY in the future but there was something so special about seeing her at her first wedding. The excitement she already has for marriage. I just think it's awesome.
Then came the dancing. For the up beat songs she preferred to watch, not sure about all the crazy adults getting their groove on. But when it came to slow songs, she grabbed her favorite cousin and they danced their little hearts out.

Cousin H, "Hold my dress, like this."

They began just holding hands...

Come closer to me!

Pure cousin LOVE

A kiss for the girl

Longing look of adoration

And then they spun and danced,

until they dropped.

Peace

Since September of last year, God has really placed it on my heart to make our home a place of peace.  Remember this post?  Things in our lives have changed so much since then.  I have seen and felt God move in our family like never before.  I KNOW his hands are on us in this difficult time.  He has been calling me to stop the turmoil in my soul and seek and find the peace he is waiting to offer me.
Not only does he want me to work on that for myself, but in our home as well.  When my love comes home from work, I want him to walk into a restful home and a peaceful place.  When my children are in our home, I want them to view it as a safe place, where they can just be who they are.   
So often, I find myself frazzled, the house a wreck, and my fuse very short.  My hubby will come home and I am out of sorts and ready to "hand off" the kids.  I have to stop and ask myself, why is this?  Did I try and do too many things that day?  Did I spend time in prayer and God's word?  Was I lazy or am I focusing on my to-do list more than what my kids and hubby need?  Why is our home lacking peace? 
My cousin inspired me to create a visual reminder for myself.  You can read all about her and her amazing family here.  When we got back from our trip to FL in January I made this and placed it by the kitchen sink (because, let's face it, that is where I spend the majority of my time!).  When I see this I stop.  I read the verse (which I have memorized now-from reading it so much) and pray.
I want to say that, magically, our home is always peaceful now but that would not be honest.  There are some days I feel like pulling out my hair and I am lacking patients with my children.  Our house is a mess, dinner is take out, and I feel less than stellar at keeping our home at peace.  But I can say that those days have gotten fewer and fewer.  I find myself having a new attitude, and being renewed everyday to get to it again.  God has been gracious with me and I love the peace that has been prevailing in our home.

I Can't See You

L has started this adorable new game.  He will squeeze his eyes closed really tight and holler, "Momma, I can't see you?!"  Then I will answer, "L, I'm right here."  And he opens his eyes and says through his grin, "Oh, yeah, there you are!"  Then we both crack up.  He will do this all. day. long.  It is absurd and hilarious.  I love this kid and his kooky version of peek-a-boo.