I look forward to reading this book. :) Her blog is beautiful- she's an amazing photographer!
2.29.2012
2.28.2012
photo update!
We wore cowboy boots for Lily's dedication!
Family picture (I think we stayed up too late the night before with the Shoemakers in town!)
At least Lillian looks nice!
We had a great dinner at the Raymond's! So fun!
Daddy and his girl.
2.24.2012
the final bite
I have two little boys- so different, so unique.
The younger one- learning to talk. Repeating his desires over and over... and over again. Cereal, Mama. Cereal, Mama. Down, Mama. Down, Mama. I want that. I want that. Over and over... like the smooth sound of a beating dream it becomes faint background noise.
The older one- without words makes up for his lack of speech in actions. Already this morning I fished out an unopened letter from the toilet only because he was standing outside of the bathroom pointing- showing off with pride what he had done.
The younger begged relentlessly for a bite of Mama's oatmeal- his cereal had long been finished. I finally gave in to my wide eyed and smiling boy's request-just so long as he used kind, respectful words: Oatmeal, Mama, please. And after he joyously received what he so desperately wanted I scooped up the last bite of oatmeal onto my spoon and looked up-- and there was my older son- staring at me with his wide eyes and a giant goofy smile, tongue sticking out. And I know if had words he'd say something like- Me too Mama- I want a bite too!
And like any mother who enjoys satisfying her children's desires I gave him the final bite.
I am learning that releasing my final bites for the sake of my children is what parenting is all about. Releasing my selfish desires for my children's needs is key. From setting aside my phone while unanswered texts await me to rarely finding a moment alone... without children, laundry, a husband, dishes, chores- the things that forever beckon me. Giving up the music I have so loved over the years (music was used as a grounding when I was a child!) for the toddler songs- wheels on the bus and itsy bitsy spider play in my head. all. day.long. It's soccer and basketball and towers of blocks. It's naming colors and numbers and shapes and letters. It's exhausting and rewarding.
Yes, there was a time when sharing that final bite of oatmeal would have been unheard of. And now it's daily.
And it's all I ever wanted.
And it's Christ molding my heart to His.
1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
The younger one- learning to talk. Repeating his desires over and over... and over again. Cereal, Mama. Cereal, Mama. Down, Mama. Down, Mama. I want that. I want that. Over and over... like the smooth sound of a beating dream it becomes faint background noise.
The older one- without words makes up for his lack of speech in actions. Already this morning I fished out an unopened letter from the toilet only because he was standing outside of the bathroom pointing- showing off with pride what he had done.
The younger begged relentlessly for a bite of Mama's oatmeal- his cereal had long been finished. I finally gave in to my wide eyed and smiling boy's request-just so long as he used kind, respectful words: Oatmeal, Mama, please. And after he joyously received what he so desperately wanted I scooped up the last bite of oatmeal onto my spoon and looked up-- and there was my older son- staring at me with his wide eyes and a giant goofy smile, tongue sticking out. And I know if had words he'd say something like- Me too Mama- I want a bite too!
And like any mother who enjoys satisfying her children's desires I gave him the final bite.
I am learning that releasing my final bites for the sake of my children is what parenting is all about. Releasing my selfish desires for my children's needs is key. From setting aside my phone while unanswered texts await me to rarely finding a moment alone... without children, laundry, a husband, dishes, chores- the things that forever beckon me. Giving up the music I have so loved over the years (music was used as a grounding when I was a child!) for the toddler songs- wheels on the bus and itsy bitsy spider play in my head. all. day.long. It's soccer and basketball and towers of blocks. It's naming colors and numbers and shapes and letters. It's exhausting and rewarding.
Yes, there was a time when sharing that final bite of oatmeal would have been unheard of. And now it's daily.
And it's all I ever wanted.
And it's Christ molding my heart to His.
1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
2.21.2012
a thousand gifts
There is a really great blog called Passionate Homemaking for all you Moms out there! So Lindsay (who writes the blog) started doing this thing called Joy Dare which stems from this other blog writer, Ann (another great one for you moms!)
So Ann Voskamp wrote this book called A Thousand Gifts- I just started reading it and the first chapter blew me away! I can't wait to read more!!!
The idea behind the book (from what I gather) is that we have so many gifts from God that we don't see because we are in such a rush and life is just sort of happening and we're missing some of the small blessings that really are quite large. Ann lives on a farm with her husband and 6 children (she homeschools) and it seems this lifestyle has caused her to slow down. I really don't feel adequate to share much about the book since I haven't finished it, but the first chapter was so intense and so emotional that I really look forward to reading the book slowly and savoring what she has to say.
One of the things that Ann is encouraging all to do is called a JOY DARE. Basically in 2012 you will write over 1000 things you are thankful for- 3 a day. Doing this can help cultivate a life of seeing God's presence and gifts every day. It is designed to draw us closer to Him- and the richness and beauty that He pours out all around us.
On Saturday we had women's night for the women who go to our church and my friend, Lindsay led it and encouraged everyone to join her in this "dare".
Finally, here's a sheet to help you think about some things you might be thankful for!
I am excited to do this and I hope if you do it- you are encouraged too!
So Ann Voskamp wrote this book called A Thousand Gifts- I just started reading it and the first chapter blew me away! I can't wait to read more!!!
The idea behind the book (from what I gather) is that we have so many gifts from God that we don't see because we are in such a rush and life is just sort of happening and we're missing some of the small blessings that really are quite large. Ann lives on a farm with her husband and 6 children (she homeschools) and it seems this lifestyle has caused her to slow down. I really don't feel adequate to share much about the book since I haven't finished it, but the first chapter was so intense and so emotional that I really look forward to reading the book slowly and savoring what she has to say.
One of the things that Ann is encouraging all to do is called a JOY DARE. Basically in 2012 you will write over 1000 things you are thankful for- 3 a day. Doing this can help cultivate a life of seeing God's presence and gifts every day. It is designed to draw us closer to Him- and the richness and beauty that He pours out all around us.
On Saturday we had women's night for the women who go to our church and my friend, Lindsay led it and encouraged everyone to join her in this "dare".
Finally, here's a sheet to help you think about some things you might be thankful for!
I am excited to do this and I hope if you do it- you are encouraged too!
Snow!!!
It is coming down fast!!! So Clayton, Lily and I are reading books by the fire and watching if come down. ;)
Sleep
So last night marks the night of the most hours of sleep in a row in over 3 months!!! Not only did lily sleep 9.5 hours but I slept about 8 because I went to bed exhausted. So excited!!
In other news... today is one of those single mom days because David is already gone (left by 615 am) and won't be home till after 8 when kiddos are in bed. Kristen is in Chicago and Scott works till 10 or so. Guess we'll eat an easy dinner and maybe watch a movie ;)
(oh and expect more blog posts as i am thinking of weaning off fb ;)
In other news... today is one of those single mom days because David is already gone (left by 615 am) and won't be home till after 8 when kiddos are in bed. Kristen is in Chicago and Scott works till 10 or so. Guess we'll eat an easy dinner and maybe watch a movie ;)
(oh and expect more blog posts as i am thinking of weaning off fb ;)
Soo delicious
So I am back to eating mostly vegetarian again. Something about being pregnant made me want some meat! It is challenging to come up with a wide variety if vegetarian recipes that I enjoy. I don't tend to cook the same things over and over again I mean. So last night I made these really great sandwiches! I bought the marble rye bread (day old at Avalon) Friday in hopes of doing something fun! I cut up slices of tomato and marinated them in a garlic olive oil balsamic vinegar (oh and some fresh cracked pepper and salt) sauce for a couple hours. Then I places the tomato on the bread followed by freshly grated mozzarella cheese, fresh basil and slices of avocado. Then baked for 10 min and broiled for like 3 min. So yummy! Trader joes has a garlic aioli mustard sauce I put on mine too.
I finished off the meal with edamame and strawberries!
The photo shows them open faced, but I did add a piece of bread on top after I took the pic!
I finished off the meal with edamame and strawberries!
The photo shows them open faced, but I did add a piece of bread on top after I took the pic!
2.19.2012
oh the stuff we buy
I love apple. I am about to reveal my materialistic, consumeristic nature- so don't judge. Between David and I we have: 2 iMac computers (1 very old), 1 ipod (I have owned 3), 2 iphones, and 1 ipad.
Recently Apple has been under investigation for paying low wages and over working employees in questionable facilities.
According to a news report on NPR, Obama asked Steve Jobs a year ago how to bring manufacturing back to the US- to which Jobs replied- is impossible- to keep the prices of apple products low.
Many Americans are upset that we outsource so many jobs, but at the same time we want our products cheap. Giant corporations like Walmart have mastered selling products cheap- yet I often wonder at what cost do we buy these products?
I have written plenty of posts about money and how we should be frugal, etc... I still stand by those posts, but today I am looking into a different ethical dilemma... the issue of cheap labor.
What if the products we bought were expensive, but fairly made?
What if Apple had two lines of products- an American made line that cost more and a foreign line that cost less?
Recently I have been given clothes from 2 friends- both buy really nice clothes that cost a lot, but are made in the US. It just got me thinking that paying more for quality and fair products might be worth the price.
I tend to shop at thrift stores which avoids the issue of ethics altogether because I am getting things used- but if I did buy things new this is definitely something I would like to look into.
I will add this final thought- in my college ethic's class I argued pro sweat shops because of the jobs for people overseas who otherwise wouldn't have a job.... so I know there is another side to the issue, but I am just not sure if it's the right angle. http://businesstm.com/online-business-blog/sweatshops-child-labor-information.html
I don't have the answers, but I think it would be good to know if the companies we are supporting are adding value to communities and offering fair wages or if they're exploiting communities so that we can get a cheaper product.
Recently Apple has been under investigation for paying low wages and over working employees in questionable facilities.
According to a news report on NPR, Obama asked Steve Jobs a year ago how to bring manufacturing back to the US- to which Jobs replied- is impossible- to keep the prices of apple products low.
Many Americans are upset that we outsource so many jobs, but at the same time we want our products cheap. Giant corporations like Walmart have mastered selling products cheap- yet I often wonder at what cost do we buy these products?
I have written plenty of posts about money and how we should be frugal, etc... I still stand by those posts, but today I am looking into a different ethical dilemma... the issue of cheap labor.
What if the products we bought were expensive, but fairly made?
What if Apple had two lines of products- an American made line that cost more and a foreign line that cost less?
Recently I have been given clothes from 2 friends- both buy really nice clothes that cost a lot, but are made in the US. It just got me thinking that paying more for quality and fair products might be worth the price.
I tend to shop at thrift stores which avoids the issue of ethics altogether because I am getting things used- but if I did buy things new this is definitely something I would like to look into.
I will add this final thought- in my college ethic's class I argued pro sweat shops because of the jobs for people overseas who otherwise wouldn't have a job.... so I know there is another side to the issue, but I am just not sure if it's the right angle. http://businesstm.com/online-business-blog/sweatshops-child-labor-information.html
I don't have the answers, but I think it would be good to know if the companies we are supporting are adding value to communities and offering fair wages or if they're exploiting communities so that we can get a cheaper product.
2.18.2012
Oh Bentley
So often times if both David and I are home and there is a massive explosion of a diaper done by Mr. B we will partner up- one holding his arms up while the other works on the mess (the kid likes to play in his diaper)- we don't have a system for who does what- but maybe we should!!! Anyway today I was changing lily's diaper and Bentley ran over and grabbed her arms to make sure she didn't play in her diaper. Priceless. 
2.13.2012
simple joys
Turns out the majority of women who are pregnant gain more than just the weight of the baby, etc... but there's an additional xx lbs that seems to latch itself onto your body only to stubbornly stick for several months.... Well, this Mama of 3 is just about done with working off these stubborn cells.. only a few more to go- so few that my pre pregnancy jeans actually buttoned today.
You have no idea how exciting this is- all those carrot sticks instead of cheese sticks were worth it!!!
So cheers- I am gonna have a piece of cake (just kidding). :)
You have no idea how exciting this is- all those carrot sticks instead of cheese sticks were worth it!!!
So cheers- I am gonna have a piece of cake (just kidding). :)
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