So sensitive

I just recently told Joshua I didn't want him to grow up. I was just thinking about how fast they are growing. Before I know it, they are going to be grown and I just want time to slow down a little. Anyway, last night, we put him to bed and within two minutes he was downstairs, crying uncontrollably. I asked him what was wrong and he said he is afraid that he is not going to be a part of our family anymore once he grows up. He said I really want to be in this family and I don't want another one. He was afraid that once he grew up we would no longer be a family and he never wants to leave us. He wants to live here forever. So, through my tears, I tell him that some day he will be big and have a wife and kids and he won't live here but that is many years from now. That was the wrong thing to say! He insisted that he wants to live here forever because he wants to keep the same family. I told him that was fine, he could live here as long as he wanted and that no matter what I was always going to be his mommy and daddy was always going to be his daddy and we would always love him and be his family...that was the answer he wanted. So, with another hug and kiss for added security and a smile on his face, he was off to bed feeling safe and secure that he would always have his family. His sensitivity is what makes him so unique and it's what we love about him.

On a different note, I posted pictures of our remodeled kitchen on facebook. Take a peek and let me know what you think.

HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY ISAIAH!

Let me tell you about my day...

First, I have been taking my friend Delilah's son to school some mornings. Sometimes, I just laugh at the things the 3 boys talk about in the back of the car. This morning, as we were getting ready to walk out the door the conversation went something like this:

JACOB: "Jude, are you going to play with Aidan on the playground today or are you going to chase Emma?""
JUDE: Don't you remember what I said about Monday?"
(at this time he sees me looking so I turn away and he finishes)
..."Remember I told you she wants a break from being chased until Monday"
JACOB: "Oh.."
JUDE: "But there are 3 other girls in my class that want me to chase them."
It was so funny...they are in first grade!

Then, I get them off to school and it's time for the handy man to be here. Firs,t let me back up and tell you, he cancelled on Wednesday when Bill was home and today when Bill is 4 hours away in Michigan somewhere, do you think this project is going to go smooth? Of course not! He makes a cut in the wall and starts removing plaster just to find heat ducts! Why no one thought of that before...I don't know??? So, obviously our simple project just got so much harder. Here I am freaking out (really I was), I can't get in touch with Bill and this man says to me "Well, there isn't anything I can do but patch up the hole and get out of your way" ...Oh no, that wasn't going to happen we did not rearrange our kitchen for this project to be over before it got started. So, after an hour and a half of brainstorming, we came up will a new plan but, will Bill like it? I can't give him the green light without my husband...can I? No, that would be wrong...or would it? So, I finally talk to Bill and he says "Sounds good, go ahead and do it" Really? That simple? Had I known that I would have told the handyman to go ahead 3 hours earlier and it would have been started. But instead, he has to come back tomorrow. Anyway, wish me luck my kids are all off school tomorrow and it should be interesting.

Finally, I had parent teacher conferences tonight. Bill and I have always been afraid of Jacob having behavior problems in school but his teacher said that he is a well behaved child, very respectful, and is doing very well academically. Joshua is having a few struggles but nothing to worry about. They think it's because of his ear tubes and the fact that he couldn't hear well without them. He is just a step behind but with a little work he will be back on track.

Stay tuned for pictures of the project...

Remodeling...

I have wanted a "bar" in my house for a long time. One day I said to my husband, "Let's knock out that wall and build a bar." At first, he thought I was crazy...then I saw the light bulb and the wheels in his head were turning. "Okay, lets do it!" What?!?! Last week, we had someone here to put in new doors in our upstairs and while he was here Bill said,"Come tell me what you think and if you can do it." And wouldn't you know he said, "I have time next Wednesday." Yes, that is 2 days from now! So, I have barely recooped from the bathroom because that led to the bedrooms which led to the hall and now into the kitchen.

First, here is a picture of Joshua ans Isaiah's room. They wanted blue walls which was fine but we had to draw the line at the orange door!

We are planning on getting them new bedding around Christmas so then it will all come together.

Next, Bill is taking out the baseboard to put in my cabinet with the butcher block. I am painting my kitchen in yellow because my sister always wanted a yellow kitchen. I talked to her husband tonight and asked him if he had something I can have from her kitchen to put in mine. He said he would find something special.

Here is a drawing of the plans, sorry they are a little light. This is a picture from the dining room looking into the kitchen and where our new bar is going to be. As early as the end of the week I should have a picture of the finished project. Hopefully, if all goes well!

It was bound to happen...

one of those posts where I talk about the other side of my life so pardon me for getting emotional.

Lately, I have been thinking about the things I have that I don't deserve and why is it that other people in my life are going through so much. I don't understand why things are the way they are. Why did God give me my husband? Someone I trust with my whole life. Someone who loves me unconditionally. When so many are just looking for someone to love them. Why are my kids healthy when so many are not, losing their life before they should? Why are some born into chaos, forced to deal with their parents stupidity? Why did He choose my sister to be sick? Why didn't He save her? Why are so many people in my life struggling? Fighting their own battles from sickness to unemployment to wayward kids. Nothing seems to make sense.

The other day, I was very upset about a lot of things and felt tears welling up. I went to pick up Joshua from school and a lady came up to me and said some things were going on in her life and she doesn't understand what God is doing.

How strange was that!

I said how ironic that you say that because I am struggling with the same thing. On the way back to our cars, I broke down and cried...right there on the street in front of a complete stranger. She hugged me and offered to pray for me. As our conversation went on I found out we both have the same name and have sisters with the same name but what really sticks out in my mind about the conversation is the part when we talked about how you never really know what is going on in someones life. They can just be going through motions but on the inside they are hurting. Do you really know what someone is going through? Do they put on a good charade? The person behind you in line at the grocery store, the mom at school, your teenage kids, your parents, maybe even your spouse. I often wonder why people act the way they do but maybe that is their way of coping. I don't know what they are dealing with. Maybe it's something they don't deserve, maybe they just found out bad news, maybe they lost someone they love, maybe they're jobless, maybe their kids are acting out. I know that this is something I need to work on in my life. Everyday I am reminded to be kind and not quick to judge because behind every person is a story and maybe just like that stranger was for me you are the person they need right there in their life at that moment.

Here's a video of a song that goes good with this post...

They don't understand

Some more fall fun

I try to take the kids pictures in the leaves every year (last years can be seen here if you wanna look). This year I decided to join in the fun. Those of you who know me know that pictures are not my thing!

Joshua

Jacob
Me and two of my boys

A little silliness never hurts
Shortly after this it turned to wrestling as usual.
Isaiah with his lawn mower
I can never get a good picture of him because he never stays still! In this picture his hand is blurry because it was moving.

Jacob coming out from being buried.

Um, this is my new car...how did that get in there??