1. My kids make me laugh every day
2. I really did marry the best guy in the world.
3. That is really is possible to become even better friends with your sister.
4. I still love going to the library as much as I did as a kid.
5. My son would learn to ride a bike the first time he tried.
6. My daughter would sing songs to me almost everyday.
7. My baby would learn to crawl and say mama in the last week.
8. That going for walk with my family after dinner is a sanity saver and we all enjoy it.
9. That my mom was right, a lot more than I thought.
10. That I am starting to sound just like her.
11. That I enjoy baking more than cooking.
12. Moving is hard and I hope that we do not have to do it again, ever.
13. I don't like to shop as much as I used to.
14. The beach is one of my favorite spots to read a book.
15. Good friends will stick by you through a lot of stuff.
16. That I am a stronger woman than I used to believe I was.
17. Family is really important.
18. I will always pick the slowest line at a store.
19. I like sushi.
20. That I would miss my friends that are far away the most on days like today.
21. I love the smell of rain.
22. I do not really like gardening as much as I thought I would.
23. That good shoes are hard to find.
24. So are good jeans. It is a never ending quest for me.
25. To be more comfortable with who I am, not who I think other people want me to be.
26. I enjoy people with a good sense of humor.
27. That parenting is a scary journey, but God has so much Grace.
28. I am not really dreading today.
29. That today I start the first day of the last year in my twenties.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Books
The other day driving in the car with my kids my son, looks up from the book he is reading and asks me, "what did I do before I could read?" I started to answer and he pipes up with,"did I just look at books?"
That is my son. His love for books is so complete that he cannot even imagine doing anything else.
That is my son. His love for books is so complete that he cannot even imagine doing anything else.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Getting Closer
Today we signed the adoption placement papers which officially take Little Bird out of the foster care system and into the adoption phase. We are that much closer to finalizing. It was a strange day because the office we went to was the same one we met at to find out about her for the first time. I was remembering all those feelings again. The wondering if this would be the one, how do we make this decision, what if they do not pick us. And then the driving away knowing that we would be picking up our little girl the next morning. The excitement, fear, business of getting everything ready. It was just a lot of emotion. They gave us her full file today since they are closing it out and we got to keep the Polaroid picture that they showed us that first day. That is the picture that we made a life changing decision on and I am so glad we get to have it. I am so glad we were the ones that God picked to parent her. She is such a joy in our lives.
My husbands practical jokes
A little background. A few months ago my husband told my daughter that the sap on the outside of the house was the house peeing. Nice, I know.
This morning she saw a picture of a fire truck and said to me and my husband, " our house won't burn and we said yeah we have a safe house and she said " It won't burn cause it pees.
This morning she saw a picture of a fire truck and said to me and my husband, " our house won't burn and we said yeah we have a safe house and she said " It won't burn cause it pees.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Coffee and the beach
A couple of weekends ago I went to the beach with my sister, mom, Kli, and LuLu. We packed a great lunch, sand toys, and some games. It was a beautiful day. The kids played in the water and sand. We walked down the beach and found drift wood.
For awhile I have wanted to take our little stove and stuff to make coffee and make it on the beach. The last couple of times I have brought it up I did not have anyone that thought it sounded like a good idea. Finally, I had my mom. Another true coffee lover and someone up for trying new things.
We made coffee on the beach and it was wonderful. I think most things taste better while sitting on the beach looking out at the beautiful ocean. The coffee experience did not disappoint.
Now, the next time I go to the beach I am bringing the supplies to make coffee. Takers or not. But the ones who ridicule will be sorry when I am sitting there with my hot, yummy cup of coffee and they are empty handed.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
I could not put this one down!
This was one of the best books I have read in a long time. I highly recommend it.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Concert night
We had a brilliant night last night!! My husband and I and two friends drove to San Francisco to go to the Phil Wickham and David Crowder Band concert. We got there early and met up with our good friend Brody. He is Phil's tour manager and so we got the "royal treatment" We saw David Crowder sound check and then went to dinner. Then back to the Filmore where the concert was. We got these balcony seats right in front to Phil's dressing room and pretty much the best seats in the place. The concert was amazing. I tend to like music so much more after seeing it live and that was certainly true with the David Crowder Band. It was just an amazing experience. We then got to meet some of the guys after the show and that was fun and weird at the same time. I never really know what to say to them but they were are pretty cool. After the concert we grabbed a late night snack and then headed home. The best parts were spending a whole day and evening with my husband and no kids and getting to see Brody and hang out with him some. The whole night was really great and I am not going to do it justice by writing about it. It is just one of those things that is better in person. But it was great, Brody was awesome for getting us in and the great seats and hanging with us and the music was spectacular. If you have not heard them you should. It is well worth the money.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
Look at those pretty trees....
That is what LuLu has been saying as we drive around. I couldn't agree more. Things are looking up around here. Everybody is well. That is a huge plus. We spent the weekend at Tahoe where I got a wonderful pedicure and manicure thanks to some very generous friends of ours and a wonderful husband who watched the kids while I got pampered. It was beautiful up there. The trees are changing but it was sunny. The lake is always amazing and we just had a nice break as a family.
My son wanted to play this game where we would say a word and he would spell it. Then he wanted foriegn words because spelling english words was not hard enough. I cannot believe his love of words. It is an amazing thing to watch.
LuLu was in a great mood and saying how pretty the trees were and then when it got dark how pretty the stars were so we pulled over and looked at the stars. You could see so many because there are not that many lights up there and it was a sight to see. I am so glad she brought them to our attention.
Little bird is all better! That is great by its self but she also has her first tooth, she is sleeping all night again, and she is on the brink of crawling. She gets around but just not in the traditional sense of the word. She is our happy, lovely baby again and I am so thankful for that.
As if all that was not good enough we have one more great thing tomorrow. My mom is coming and watching all three kids so that we can go to San Francisico togther without kids. This will be the first time in a very long time. We are going with some friends to spend the day there and then because we have the hook up we are going to the Phil Wickham and David Crowder show at the Filmore. I am so excited. We get to go out to dinner and a concert like adults. I don't know if we will know what to do with ourselves.
So, things are looking up around here and I have a great big smile on my face.
My son wanted to play this game where we would say a word and he would spell it. Then he wanted foriegn words because spelling english words was not hard enough. I cannot believe his love of words. It is an amazing thing to watch.
LuLu was in a great mood and saying how pretty the trees were and then when it got dark how pretty the stars were so we pulled over and looked at the stars. You could see so many because there are not that many lights up there and it was a sight to see. I am so glad she brought them to our attention.
Little bird is all better! That is great by its self but she also has her first tooth, she is sleeping all night again, and she is on the brink of crawling. She gets around but just not in the traditional sense of the word. She is our happy, lovely baby again and I am so thankful for that.
As if all that was not good enough we have one more great thing tomorrow. My mom is coming and watching all three kids so that we can go to San Francisico togther without kids. This will be the first time in a very long time. We are going with some friends to spend the day there and then because we have the hook up we are going to the Phil Wickham and David Crowder show at the Filmore. I am so excited. We get to go out to dinner and a concert like adults. I don't know if we will know what to do with ourselves.
So, things are looking up around here and I have a great big smile on my face.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
A long weekend
Friday evening we were back at the hospital with little bird. She was still having trouble breathing and it seemed to be getting worse. She spent Friday and Saturday night at the hospital. We brought her home on Sunday evening. It was a very long, sad weekend. They did a bunch of tests and x-rays and watched her for a couple of days. After all that they decided that she did just have croup but that because of her tracheal malasia which is where her esophagus is floppy it makes it really hard for her to breath when she gets sick. So we were sent home with some breathing treatments to do at home and told that we need to work really hard at not letting her get sick. That is not going to be easy since it is just the beginning of the cold seasons and we have two other kids but we are going to do our best. We are being good about washing our hands a lot and I am being careful about who she is around. She is much better today and I am hoping to be back to normal in a couple more days. I am looking forward to a time with nobody being sick.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
A night at the ER
Around ten last night little bird woke up and was not breathing very well. We called the advise nurse and he said we should take her into the hospital. Since it was that late the only place to go was the emergency room. We live only two blocks away so I walked down there with her while my husband waited at home for a friend to come stay with the other kids.
I hate emergency rooms. They are gross and the wait is always forever. The later at night the worse it gets. So, I got there and the woman working the counter was not exactly friendly. She told me to fill out the form, put it in the basket and wait. All this time little bird is getting worse and worse and I am getting more and more scared. My husband shows up and sees me waiting and decides this is not happening. He talks to the less than friendly lady and gets her to allow us to talk to the triage nurse. He takes one look at her and admits us immediately. I was so thankful. Once they checked her out they said she did have croup, which I figured but nothing we had tried (hot showers, humidifier) was working. So they gave her some medicine, and started the treatment. She had to breath in this steaming medicine air and then plain steamy air. Around midnight I said that my husband should go home and let our friend go home to his family. So he did that and I waited to finish the treatment. Around two in the morning the treatment was done but she was still not breathing very well.
The doctor decided that she would need to be admited but the hospital we were at did not have a children's department so they would have to transfer her. I called my husband and he called my cousin to come be with the kids so that he could be with me. The ambulance guys finally get there just before three and at this point I am feeling like she is doing a lot better. So, I requested that the doctor come and listen to her again. He came over and listened and said, I think you are right. She does sound a lot better and I would be comfortable sending her home. I was so thankful once again. I was not looking forward to spending the night at the hospital if it was not necessary. So, by the time my husband gets there again they are discharging me. We got home and thanked my wonderful cousin for coming over in the middle of the night.
Of course that was not the end to our night. She was not really going to sleep well after all that and the fact that she is still sick so I went to sleep from 3 to 5 and then traded with my husband so that he could sleep from 5 to 7. It was a long night.
I am so thankful that she is ok. She is still not feeling wonderful but much better. The one thing that I learned from all this is that it is good to ask a lot of questions when you are at the hospital. Things could have gone very differently last night if we had not spoken up and asked for what we needed. I am now hoping for a much more restful night for all of us.
I hate emergency rooms. They are gross and the wait is always forever. The later at night the worse it gets. So, I got there and the woman working the counter was not exactly friendly. She told me to fill out the form, put it in the basket and wait. All this time little bird is getting worse and worse and I am getting more and more scared. My husband shows up and sees me waiting and decides this is not happening. He talks to the less than friendly lady and gets her to allow us to talk to the triage nurse. He takes one look at her and admits us immediately. I was so thankful. Once they checked her out they said she did have croup, which I figured but nothing we had tried (hot showers, humidifier) was working. So they gave her some medicine, and started the treatment. She had to breath in this steaming medicine air and then plain steamy air. Around midnight I said that my husband should go home and let our friend go home to his family. So he did that and I waited to finish the treatment. Around two in the morning the treatment was done but she was still not breathing very well.
The doctor decided that she would need to be admited but the hospital we were at did not have a children's department so they would have to transfer her. I called my husband and he called my cousin to come be with the kids so that he could be with me. The ambulance guys finally get there just before three and at this point I am feeling like she is doing a lot better. So, I requested that the doctor come and listen to her again. He came over and listened and said, I think you are right. She does sound a lot better and I would be comfortable sending her home. I was so thankful once again. I was not looking forward to spending the night at the hospital if it was not necessary. So, by the time my husband gets there again they are discharging me. We got home and thanked my wonderful cousin for coming over in the middle of the night.
Of course that was not the end to our night. She was not really going to sleep well after all that and the fact that she is still sick so I went to sleep from 3 to 5 and then traded with my husband so that he could sleep from 5 to 7. It was a long night.
I am so thankful that she is ok. She is still not feeling wonderful but much better. The one thing that I learned from all this is that it is good to ask a lot of questions when you are at the hospital. Things could have gone very differently last night if we had not spoken up and asked for what we needed. I am now hoping for a much more restful night for all of us.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
The sick house
Everyone in my family is sick right now except for me. I am trying my hardest to stay well but I am really tired of taking care of so many cranky, sad people. Hopefully we are at the tail end of it.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Still figuring out myself
Do you ever feel like you are going through changes all at once and it is uncomfortable and necessary at the same time?
That is where I am at right now. I gave up on my dreads. I know that if I stuck it out in about two or three years I would have wonderful hair that I would love but I was not willing to be that patient. So, now I look like the little picture on my blog again. My daughter is really happy because she never really liked it. I think she likes it when we look like each other.
I spent some time yesterday planning out a schedule for what I would do with LuLu during the days and cleaning my house and doing the things that need to get get done. Today I realized that I am not that kind of person. We like to go with the flow and see what happens for that day. There are somethings that we do every week but for the most part I like to see what happens with naps and how everyone is feeling and work around that. I thought I was a schedule person but I think maybe I am not.
I also have realized lately that I am parenting LuLu like I did Kli and they are so very different that it is not working. He loved to go to classes and wanted to go to school when he was three years old. He is very independent and likes to do things on his own. LuLu is not like that. She told me that she does not want me to leave her at classes with kids all by herself. She told me that her favorite things to do are go to the library with me, go to my husbands office with me, and take walks with me. Do you see the pattern here? (with me) I have decided that we are going to enjoy this time where she wants to be with me because I know there will come a day all to soon when she will want to do things on her own.
I have gone to the office with my daughters two mornings in a row now and sat in on the morning meeting. I have wanted to be more involved in my husbands business ,LJ Urban, but have not really known how, so we decided this was a good place to start. LuLu loves it, little bird rides in my carrier and usually takes a nap and we are all happy. It has been a good two days and I am excited to see how it goes from here.
And for the next while (for however long she wants it) we will be going to the office, the library, and walks...together
That is where I am at right now. I gave up on my dreads. I know that if I stuck it out in about two or three years I would have wonderful hair that I would love but I was not willing to be that patient. So, now I look like the little picture on my blog again. My daughter is really happy because she never really liked it. I think she likes it when we look like each other.
I spent some time yesterday planning out a schedule for what I would do with LuLu during the days and cleaning my house and doing the things that need to get get done. Today I realized that I am not that kind of person. We like to go with the flow and see what happens for that day. There are somethings that we do every week but for the most part I like to see what happens with naps and how everyone is feeling and work around that. I thought I was a schedule person but I think maybe I am not.
I also have realized lately that I am parenting LuLu like I did Kli and they are so very different that it is not working. He loved to go to classes and wanted to go to school when he was three years old. He is very independent and likes to do things on his own. LuLu is not like that. She told me that she does not want me to leave her at classes with kids all by herself. She told me that her favorite things to do are go to the library with me, go to my husbands office with me, and take walks with me. Do you see the pattern here? (with me) I have decided that we are going to enjoy this time where she wants to be with me because I know there will come a day all to soon when she will want to do things on her own.
I have gone to the office with my daughters two mornings in a row now and sat in on the morning meeting. I have wanted to be more involved in my husbands business ,LJ Urban, but have not really known how, so we decided this was a good place to start. LuLu loves it, little bird rides in my carrier and usually takes a nap and we are all happy. It has been a good two days and I am excited to see how it goes from here.
And for the next while (for however long she wants it) we will be going to the office, the library, and walks...together
Saturday, September 22, 2007
A little more about me
I feel like I write about my kids a lot and I know they are the most interesting, the cutest, and just all around more fun than me but I thought I should write a little about myself.
A few of my thoughts on aging;
I am actually liking the idea of getting older. I will turn 29 this birthday and it really does not stress me out like I thought it would. I think that the older I get the more I understand about myself. I don't let things bother me as much and I like to think that I have more wisdom. I truly enjoy my friends and family. I am liking myself more and more the older I get.
My thoughts on the health scares;
I think that if everyone would just do everything in moderation we would all be a lot healthier. There is the soy or dairy debate. At my house we drink both and also almond milk, rice milk, and hazelnut milk. We eat mostly healthy food but we have treats now and then. My kids watch some tv but not all day long. Everything in moderation has become my motto.
My thoughts on being to busy;
I do not function well if we are to busy but I cannot be home all day long everyday so we mix it up. Our standing appointments right now are ballet on Mondays, soup night every other Tuesday, our video series that we are hosting on the alternate Tuesday and that is it. The rest of the time I like to play it by ear. Have friends over, go to the library, take walks, and then all the other things that have to be done to run a household. It is a good balance for us and I am glad to have found it. It is always something we are tweaking but things are working pretty good.
And just a little fun thought,
I have been wondering why the parents at my sons school do not really talk to me. If my husband goes there he ends up talking to someone for a long time. The most I get is a smile and a hi. Then on Friday when I picked up my son it dawned on me that they might not think that I am his mom. It might be that they are thinking I am the babysitter, or something. I get this a lot with my kids but I had not put the two and two together. I have been told many times that I will one day be glad that I look young but maybe that is why I am not upset about getting older. Just a thought.
A few of my thoughts on aging;
I am actually liking the idea of getting older. I will turn 29 this birthday and it really does not stress me out like I thought it would. I think that the older I get the more I understand about myself. I don't let things bother me as much and I like to think that I have more wisdom. I truly enjoy my friends and family. I am liking myself more and more the older I get.
My thoughts on the health scares;
I think that if everyone would just do everything in moderation we would all be a lot healthier. There is the soy or dairy debate. At my house we drink both and also almond milk, rice milk, and hazelnut milk. We eat mostly healthy food but we have treats now and then. My kids watch some tv but not all day long. Everything in moderation has become my motto.
My thoughts on being to busy;
I do not function well if we are to busy but I cannot be home all day long everyday so we mix it up. Our standing appointments right now are ballet on Mondays, soup night every other Tuesday, our video series that we are hosting on the alternate Tuesday and that is it. The rest of the time I like to play it by ear. Have friends over, go to the library, take walks, and then all the other things that have to be done to run a household. It is a good balance for us and I am glad to have found it. It is always something we are tweaking but things are working pretty good.
And just a little fun thought,
I have been wondering why the parents at my sons school do not really talk to me. If my husband goes there he ends up talking to someone for a long time. The most I get is a smile and a hi. Then on Friday when I picked up my son it dawned on me that they might not think that I am his mom. It might be that they are thinking I am the babysitter, or something. I get this a lot with my kids but I had not put the two and two together. I have been told many times that I will one day be glad that I look young but maybe that is why I am not upset about getting older. Just a thought.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
It feels like fall!
Sorry about all the house pictures. I have a teething baby that does not think night time is for sleeping anymore. I am standing at the bar in my kitchen with my baby in the carrier typing with one hand and trying to get her to sleep.
It is a great day though because it is the first day that feels like fall. I
LOVE this time of year. It has always been my favorite. I like all the seasons for different reasons but fall is the winner.
I love the crisp cool mornings. How it is cool but not cold. I love the food that we eat at this time, the soups and breads and apples. I love the clothes that I get to wear. I love being cozy in the house with a fire.
It rained tonight and the smell was amazing. As we drove home the sunset was a bright pink and just so pretty.
I am getting excited. There is an electricity in the air, I can feel it. And it is going to be a wonderful new season.
It is a great day though because it is the first day that feels like fall. I
LOVE this time of year. It has always been my favorite. I like all the seasons for different reasons but fall is the winner.
I love the crisp cool mornings. How it is cool but not cold. I love the food that we eat at this time, the soups and breads and apples. I love the clothes that I get to wear. I love being cozy in the house with a fire.
It rained tonight and the smell was amazing. As we drove home the sunset was a bright pink and just so pretty.
I am getting excited. There is an electricity in the air, I can feel it. And it is going to be a wonderful new season.
Monday, September 17, 2007
My house and the history behind it.
I promised pictures of our new house so long ago but you know how it is when you move and it is taking us forever to get fully moved in. I thought I should start this with a little history of our houses and moving. We have been married for seven year. In that seven years we have moved ten times. We have moved for many different reasons but I think this is the house that we can stay in for a long time. We usually say that with almost every house we have ever lived in but I am really hoping it is true with this house. For one because I love this house, for another reason, I do not want to move our family again. This is a house that we could raise however many kids we end up with. It is in a great location. And until God asks us to move again this is where you will find me. I thought I would post pictures of the rooms that we have finished completely. That way I will be motivated to move through the house getting every room done. We worked really hard this weekend on our garage and Kli's room. I got some of the ideas from a good friend who has a great eye for room design. He is so happy with his room and I find him in his loft really often. He reads every chance he gets and now he has his own little place to do just that. So here are the first house pictures.
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