Observant?

Hailey is so funny. I know that is a broad statement but she is for so many reasons, what I'm thinking of right now is her perception. Every single time we drive by someone who is out for a run she feels the need to tell me 'mommy there's someone going on a run, like you!' Now my sweet, bright articulate child must not be too observant because I haven't gone on a run in 3 months! Every time she says it I think to myself about how I do want that to be something she associates with me, but I have yet to change that. Maybe I need to sign up for another half marathon to get myself motivated...maybe!

When did we get a dog?

No, not really! Come on people don't you know us at all? The other day I was amazed at how willingly Taylor played puppy!



Settled

I am fully aware this was my fault for leaving the temptation out and ever so, well...tempting. In the time it took me to load the washing machine the other night Hailey continued her habit of training Taylor in her way's, the speed and amount of mess she can make in a short period of time should start to feel normal to me, but I am always shocked. I know it could have been worse but seriously, my poor game!

Pardon the poo talk

I could post numerous stories about the kids and going number two, the things that they say in public and around the house everyday, numerous! But I don't, why? Cause it's gross and weird and well it's not very cute. The following is a true back and forth between me and Lincoln tonight and proves why I don't and maybe why I should more...sometimes my kids are so strange!

L:'The poop is kind of like a raincloud to me, like a slimy raincloud'
Me:Blank stare...run out to the computer to write down exactly what he said so I don't forget or change it in my mind and return to him into the bathroom. "So what do you mean Lincoln?"
L:'Oh just that some poop is like the raincloud and some is like the little slimy raindrops'
Me: "Huh"

The end

Uh mom, what's this?

For my sanity and the well being of my children Jer and I have talked about putting up a baby gate from the kitchen to the family room during meal prep times. There is a pocket door there but it's nailed shut and he have yet to free the thing. The little chairs have this magic ability to jump in front of my feet whenever I turn around even if I was just walking in that very spot moments before. Taylor and Hailey especially are obsessed with bringing their little Ikea chairs over to the counter. I've suffered many foot injuries and frustrated outbursts from these little wooden objects sudden and regular appearance.

We've had the gate for a while and gates are pretty foreign to my kids, they've seen them at other peoples houses but we've never had one up in ours. Tonight after Taylor was throwing a fit and I was on my own making dinner I decided to embrace the gate. It was a welcome help, to me at least. The little girls didn't know quite how to feel about it. Actually they were quite offended...want the proof?

Mom, I'm so thirsty! Let me in! (and not at all dramatic right?)

Hmm what do you think, can we go over?

How about under?



Needless to say there was a different sort of chaos in the air tonight. We'll refine how we do this, and everyone will learn the new setup. Don't get me wrong the kids still help me cook, they love it, there is just a time and a place and tonight? My feet were thankful.

Taylor see, Taylor do

Tonight we were all playing and Lincoln's Iron Man ensemble was the toy that landed amidst us all. First adorable little Taylor got on the glove, hand shooter thingy, and mask. She feels like such a big kid doing the things she watches the others do daily. Well then she handed it to me and so I put it on. She thought that was pretty funny, and then I started crawling toward Payden and Lincoln with the little girls in my shadow. They love getting chased and of course Lincoln jumped up to any occasion to protect his sister's from the attacker.

A short time later it was Taylor's turn again and she got on the getup and immediately got on her hands and knees at the same spot I did, and growled her way straight towards Payden and Lincoln...they weren't as threatened by her (maybe it was the adorable nightgown) and we couldn't stop giggling. That Taylor, little copycat!

Emotion!

When I work on Tuesday's Jer watches the kids which works out great, the kids get to spend scheduled time with daddy that everyone loves a lot. Well for the first time Jer is out of town and all the Grandma's, Aunts, and Uncle's are working or have school! So we had to brainstorm on what to do when it finally worked out that Steph and her boys will come have a sleepover with us Monday night and she'll watch all of our kids, this is an option that I am very excited about. It's not all that often that you get to have a sleepover with one of your bestie's once you have kids!

The dilemma for me is always when to tell the kids about something like this. How much in advance so they can look forward to it vs. how much time they will spend asking about when it will happen...it's a tricky equation with kids who lack awareness of time. Steph called tonight and we solidified plans on when she would get over here where everyone would sleep and we shared in our excitement. I had to quickly get off the phone because Hailey was being very Hailey and harassing Taylor. Before I could get to her I turned and saw and heard Payden and Lincoln jumping up and down talking at the same time. Payden was pointing at me with one hand and covering her mouth with the other. "We know what you said mom!" 'Yeah, we know what's happening' "we heard you talking to Steph" "JOEL'S GONNA HAVE A SLEEPOVER", I played into their joy exclaiming how good they are at figuring things out, they are so smart for guessing what the surprise was...and they were beaming, nearly crying they were so happy. I was happy too, it seemed like then was the perfect time to tell them.

So then I go talk with Hailey. Once that is finished I hear Lincoln start crying, I listened for a minute to see if I could tell what kind of situation I was walking into and heard all I needed to know.

I come back into the kitchen and see Lincoln weeping at the counter, well here just watch this (yes I grabbed the camrea, he had no idea)...



My son. This just breaks my heart. He feels everything so fully, with every part of who he is he feels love, joy, happiness, anger, guilt and sadness. He is much more stable now...in fact he's sleeping soundly, and is finally excited again about Joel coming over for a slumber party. I guess I over did it when I gave them credit for 'figuring out the surprise'. I pray for my wonderful son that he would feel freedom in life from claiming things that he doesn't need to own, that Jesus would get the praise for saving him and that Lincoln would run quickly into the arms of his loving Father! My sweet, sweet son, what a treasure!

My $6.27 shopping trip!

Chatterbox

Taylor is talking so much more everyday. It blows my mind. I was heating up some leftover mac and cheese for lunch today and Taylor came in pinched the tip of her nose and said 'pocorn' I looked at her trying to figure out what she was saying and she pointed to the microwave holding her nose again and said 'pocorn'. Then I smelled it too. The microwave still smelled like popcorn from our movie night. Not only is she talkative, she's observant!

New for me

I have many titles and roles in life: child of the most high God, wife, mom, daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, friend, and barista just about cover it. Some I have embodied my whole life, and others have just come about in the last year, but yesterday, for the first time, I became an aunt! Kyle and Gina were blessed by welcoming their first born son and that has changed our whole family from here on out. I have been praying for this little guys arrival and so wish I could be there to meet him, from what I've seen in pictures he has the darkest hair, and I just love him so much already! Just wanted to be a happy braggy aunt who has a picture of her new nephew as the wallpaper on her phone! Here's another one, father and son! Congrats Kyle and Gina we love you guys so much!