So That Explains It

Sam: Mom, when I'm bigger I will be a good listener.

Me: You are already big enough to be a good listener.

Sam: Well, actually, I'm not.

Thank you Mennonite Girls

Both the kids are pretty picky eaters. Sometimes they just have to eat what I make and sometimes I'm just not up for the battle. I can't give them hot dogs everyday 'cause that makes me feel like a bad mom and I would be at a total loss if they ever get sick of them! Anyway... all that to say that I am constantly on the hunt for new recipes. These Maple Oatmeal Scones (from one of my favorite blogs, Mennonite Girls Can Cook) have been a hit recently. The kids don't even ask to dip them in ketchup!... that's a sure sign that I have found a good recipe!

The Days are Long...

The other day I commented on Facebook about Maarti's growing independence and her favorite phrase "I do dis!". A friend, who is one stage ahead of where we're at, reminded me that "the days are long, but the years are short". You'd think for all these long days I'd have more to blog about! Does anyone even read this "blah-g" anymore?!

I did join 300,000 women last weekend at Beth Moore's simulcast and, surprise, surprise... I. Loved. It! Her topic went along with her newest book "So Long Insecurity". I'm still processing so much of it.

Some thoughts that stood out to me:

• Insecurity and humility are not on the same plain.
• Insecurity is not a weakness - it is unbelief.
• Memorize Scripture if you want to be free.
• Insecurity is a form of pride - we are obsessed with self. Security makes us think less often of ourself.
• We often try to manage our strongholds instead of just being free.
• How much of our unforgiveness has to do with our insecurity? We are often so insecure that everything comes at us as an offense.
• We can't think like a new person if we still think we are the old person. It does not honor God to disbelieve His forgiveness.

Apparently a DVD of her message will be coming out this summer... it would definitely be worth getting your hands on.

In other news... We're seeing the light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to Sam and "Three"! As he approaches four we are seeing some more maturity and we are thankful! He often tells me "I love you 'cause you're my girl!". Isn't that the cutest thing?!

Maarti on the other hand is almost two and loves to say "noooope"... a realize the spirit behind it is the age appropriate "NO"... but "nope" is so such easier to take! She also likes to say "Ah wuv you sweedie" to Jeremy which is enough to make us forget about her defiance for a while.

So, yes, the days are long, but they are also (mostly) pleasant so I'm choosing to enjoy... because the years are indeed short.

Have a great weekend everyone! I will... I'm turning 35 on Sunday and I can hardly wait! I have officially reached the age that I once thought of as "Old"... what was I thinking? These are the best years of my life!

Oiy!

I sometimes am at a complete loss when it comes to my first-born! His behavior, although typical for a three year old boy, is often dangerous... climbing the pantry shelves, stuffing his mouth to absolute capacity, trying to climb a fence by placing a wobbly stool on a narrow retaining wall etc.
Lately, every time I use the phrase: "Stop that - it's dangerous!" his reply is always the same: "No it's not - falling down the stairs is dangerous." Unfortunately, this strikes me funny every time and I haven't done a very good job at hiding my smirk. I hope he clues in before before we have to make a trip to the E.R.!

Pleasantly Surprised

It finally happened!

Maarti's last "Nuk" is broken!
I was anticipating that what would happen next would
be somewhat similar to a root canal, but...
we're on day three and so far all is well!
In fact right now she's hiding in a closet yelling
"Count Mommy! Find you!" so...
I gotta go. It's "Hide and Seek " time!

To Catch You Up...

Wow... I've really been ignoring my blog... between the flu, a root canal (that still hurts by the way), and trying to maintain a clean house so someone will buy it; I just haven't really felt like keeping up here. Here's a quick run down of the last few weeks:

Yes, we had the flu at our house. Sam had one day where he was flaked out on the couch except for every 10-20 minutes when he was sitting up, puking in a bucket. Our apple juice consumption went way up that week since that was all he could handle for the next several days. I have never been so thankful for that summer at camp when Norwalk visited us. I consider myself a pro when it comes to puke!


We made a quick trip to the Interior to see my siblings. The cousins sure had a blast playing together... bedtime was not an issue for us on that weekend.


While we were together we found a new definition for the word "impossible": Trying to get 7 kids, 6 years and younger, on a slide with everyone smiling for a picture. I'm sure there is at least one super-spiritual person out there thinking "With God, all things are possible", and I don't mean to be disrespectful, but I wonder if even He would have had a hard time with this one!!


Since we have a "no mullet" policy in our home we had to employ the services of our friend, Joanne, to give Maarti her first haircut. She loved it! She sat perfectly still and no bribes were needed. Little girls sure are different from little boys!


And speaking of Maarti.... times, they are a changin'! On Saturday night, around 9:00, Maarti walked into the living room with the hugest smile and announced "Get out". We returned her to her crib quite amazed at the feat she had just accomplished. Last night she got out again, so this time we scooped her up, put her in her crib and told her to show us how she did that. She was laughing so hard that she barely managed, but she did eventually get out. We marveled at her flexibility. Can you believe this little sweetie could be such a monkey?

And just this morning Maarti reminded me of a Bible verse:
"Why worry about the speck in you friend's eye when you have a remote in your own?"
Matthew 7:3

The Do's and Don'ts of Enjoying a Spring Day

Do find a big open field to run around in.


Do find a great playground with lots of climbing things.


Do take note of spring flowers and appreciate how cheery they are.


Do let your preschooler take some pictures.... but....
Don't expect great results.


Don't wait until you are leaving the playground to try and get a family photo.


Do keep toddlers, who are approaching nap time, happy with snacks...
Don't let the snack be fruit leather if you are letting them eat in the car.


Don't hand said toddler a wipe and ask them to clean the fruit leather off the window... they are sure to misunderstand and proceed to clean the fruit leather instead!