Thankful Thursday...

Today, I am thankful...

1) For so, so much. Do you ever have seasons when you are just overwhelmed with gratitude? Yep, I'm in one of those. Oftentimes, it happens most vividly when my house is still, when I am lying in bed at night, and feeling my baby's kicks and flips. There was a season when I didn't know if we'd ever be able to grow our family, and I lived in a lot of doubt (and a bit of anger, too). I am so thankful that chapter has concluded, and as I look around (and feel) all four of our little blessings, I am truly reminded that it is such a BIG blessing to be a momma!
2) That there is an amazing poppa in our house to help with those four blessings! Scott is an incredible parenting partner! I think that we balance each other out very, very well.
3) For all the days during this pregnancy when my hips have worked properly. I'm currently not enjoying that luxury, so for today, I will focus on the days when they did!!!
4) For girls' nights! I am feeling a bit overdue... and I am driving to Warsaw to meet my friend, Ann, tonight. I can't wait!
5) For seasons!!! There was a period of time when we thought that we were going to move to Florida to work with a ministry there. Outside of the distance from family, one of the things that I was actually the most sad about was the idea of my children not growing up with Indiana seasons. I am so thankful to live where we live.... even though we woke up to a dusting of snow on the crocuses this morning!

Have a blessed day! You are a blessing! :)

"He's SOOOO funny!"

I wish I could sum up how much I love THIS POST.

If you've ever heard my fabulous husband preach in the last two decades, you probably aren't surprised to know that I love that post because I COULD HAVE WRITTEN IT (outside of the last paycheck comment, because truly, TRULY, I am SO grateful for Scott's paycheck!) I hear that comment ALL.THE.TIME. (and TRULY, I don't mind anymore because I am used to it! And I DO think that he can be pretty funny, too!)

I still laugh at one memory....

Aaron was a baby.

Scott and I had gotten in a DOOZY of a fight on a Sunday morning, right before I dropped Aaron off in the church nursery (that doesn't happen in anyone else's family, right?!)

Scott had preached a fabulous sermon the week before and had brilliantly used humor to press in the point of the message.

And the nursery worker that morning wanted to make sure that I knew just how wonderful he was.

She said, "Scott is SOOOO funny. Your home must be SOOOO fun. You must laugh ALLLLL the time. Scott is SOOOO funny...." (and continued on and on and on while I stood there speechless and saying nothing.... remember, I had LITERALLY just stepped away from an argument).

So, I said the only thing that entered into my head at that moment that would still honor my darling husband....

"Yes, Scott is SOOOO funny. Our home is SOOOO fun. We do laugh ALLLL the time. And sometimes, he still leaves the toilet seat up, and I fall in in the middle of the night. Those times aren't as funny."

I love that my husband is human. And I do love that he is humorous, too. I am blessed, even on the days when we have a "doozy"....

40 Days of Wonder

Our church is on a really amazing journey together, and on this journey, we are enjoying and being challenged by many people's writing on the blog. Today, it was my turn as the guest writer. You can find my post HERE.

From the mouths of babes....

Yesterday, when I picked Isaac up from preschool, he said, "Tomorrow, bad leprechauns will come and get us and hypnotism us."

Oh dear....

Without another breath, he also said, "MOMMY! I'm going to kindergarten in TWO DAYS!" Well baby, more like 1 year and 4 months!

I guess we have a few things to figure out about leprechauns and hypnotism between now and then! ;)

Ahh, the conversations that we encounter in motherhood ARE priceless, aren't they?!

Thankful Thursday...

Today, I am thankful....

1) For an amazing morning at MOPS. We had a fabulous speaker who discussed conflict resolution in marriage. Her talk was truly a blessing to me and full of great wisdom and challenges.
2) One of the things that she said was something along the lines of marriage and being a mom is the greatest discipleship tool that God has used in her life. I totally agree with that, and I am so, so thankful that I am becoming more Christlike as God sifts me through the filter of marriage and motherhood. Whew, it's such a journey though!
3) For the AMAZING weather! Playing outside with my family for hours tonight = priceless!
4) For a few family getaways that are coming up! Our kids are excited.... we are excited!
5) For my Mac laptop.... WHEN it is working. It currently won't even turn on, SO I'm choosing to just be thankful for when it does! ;)

Have a blessed day! Much love!

Crescent Wrapped Lasagna

photo by Krista from http://cookingwithkrista.blogspot.com

My friend, Krista, is a fabulous cook with a fabulous blog. Seriously, she has some amazing recipes on her site (a lot of diversity in her recipes, too. I would just about bet that everyone can find something that they will love on her blog!) I decided to try her recipe for her Crescent Wrapped Lasagna tonight. YUM! My family loved it! You about can't go wrong with anything involving crescent rolls, can you?! ;)

A Mother's Prayer

I ran across this prayer from an old MOPS newsletter today..... what a blessing that God is with us, right in the thick of motherhood!

Lord, when they scribble on the walls, please help me to see a rainbow!

And when I've said something a hundred times, please give me the patience to say it a hundred more!

And on those particularly annoying days when I tell them to act their age, please help me to remember that they are!

And while we are on the subject of age, Lord, when I begin to lose my temper, please help me to remember to act mine!

And through it all, Lord-- the fingerprints and runny noses, messy rooms and unrolled toilet paper, destroyed videotapes, and broken knick-knacks-- please help me to remember this:

Someday, these will be the days I will long to have back again.

Written by Angela Thole, as printed in What Every Child Needs

"How to clutter your home"

I read this post today, and it made me giggle and say, "Ug...."

From the mouths of babes....

First, a baby update! I had a great appointment yesterday with my great doctor! All is well. I also had an ultrasound and was told that the babe measures perfectly, right at 2 pounds 12 ounces!

We took our two littles with us to the ultrasound (I guess that I will be calling them the "two middles" soon! HA!)

When the ultrasound tech looked at the heart to see the four chambers, Isaac said loudly and sweetly.....

"WHERE'S JESUS?!"

Isn't that the most precious thing that you've read today?! Thought so! ;)

Ellie = 18 months!

I haven't done an Ellie update in awhile, so I figured 18 months would be a good milestone to capture. At 1 1/2, our sweet darlin'.....

* Weighs in at 23 pounds (just below 50%ile) is 32 1/2 inches long (75%ile). On Monday, the doctor said that she looks great!
* Still LOVES to climb. Can often be found on top of the kitchen table and halfway up the stairs in our home (and unfortunately, has figured out how to get around the barricades that we had put up at the bottom of both of our stairs. Oh dear....)
* LOVES pulling things out of drawers, too. We have cabinet locks on many but not all.
* LOVES to eat most fruits. Not so crazy about meat right now. Does okay with most veggies.
* Typically sleeps 11 - 12 hours a night. Ellie usually goes to bed around 7:45 and wakes up between 7:15 and 7:30..
* Still takes two naps a day. We have tried to drop the morning nap a few times, but it just messes up the rest of her day (and she never naps any longer in the afternoon on those days either).
* Done with her bottle except when we lay her down with a bottle of water for naps and bed. We'll tackle that one once we are home from spring break! She still loves her "Blankie" at bedtime, too.

With blankie at the ballgame

* Is completely giving us an education on little girls. We CANNOT believe how verbal she is compared to her big brothers at the same stage. Both of our boys didn't say their first word until around 21 months. This girl jabbers up a storm and understands so much of what we say, too. Yep, boys and girls are different! Some of her favorites:
-Baa: bath
-Bah: bottle/blankie/Barney (ug....)
-Boof: poop
-Soos: shoes
-Doos: juice
-Moh: more
-Daa: dad
-Deez: cheese
-Isaac: (I think you can figure that one out! She's getting close to saying Aaron's name, too)
-Mah: mom
-No-no: ALWAYS said to Ollie! Yep, she's figured out that he is the only living being in this house that she gets to boss! She sure does love him though and often gives him hugs!
* Is giving her mommy an education about hair, too. We always just chopped our boys' hair off by this point. Not sure what to do with a little girl's hair when she won't leave in bows or barrettes??

* Can open our front door. Sigh....
* LOVES to run and get her changing necessities when we ask her to get the "dipes and wipes"
* LOVES books. Her favorites right now include: There's a Wocket in my Pocket by Dr. Seuss and one of her touch and feel books (and apparently, TASTE, because she loves to lick the pop up parts.... so silly!) One of my favorite times of day.... when I'm sitting on the floor, and she backs into my lap with a book to read; precious! :)
* LOVES bathtime


* Goes CRAZY when Scott comes home from work. She LOVES her daddy!

* LOVES to spin in circles and dance.

Here she is at an Upward game while dancing.... and eating a pickle!

* Likes to reach out to hold hands when we pray as a family.
* LOVES to give hugs and kisses when we say goodbye and often asks for "moh"
* Still signs "more" and "all done"
* When we ask her where the baby is, she will point to my belly
* LOVES her belly button!
* LOVES to join in on wrestle time with her daddy and big brothers
* LOVES music. When we ask her if she wants to sing, she will point to the TV because we often play Pandora on it. So cute.
* Just popped all four of her canine teeth (thankfully, teething was no big deal this time)
* Has absolutely been a joy! I am so thankful to be Ellie Lyn's mommy..... God knew we needed a precious little girl around this place!

Thankful Thursday....

Today, I am thankful....

1) For an INCREDIBLE night of worship and teaching with Angela Thomas. Over the past 5ish years, I have been so blessed by some of her books and studies, and it was amazing to sit under her anointed teaching tonight. I went by myself, and I think God orchestrated that, too.... just to meet with me (of course, now, I wish that I had a DVD of the night so that I could share it with all of my girlfriends!)

FYI.... some of my faves from Angela:
When Wallflowers Dance
Tender Mercy for a Mother's Soul
Do You Think I'm Beautiful?

2) That I've found a great OB/GYN here that I really trust. I have an appointment and ultrasound tomorrow; it will be good to check in on our sweet babe (and hopefully, get the A-OK to travel for spring break!)
3) For a dry basement. It was ANYTHING BUT dry as of Saturday (of course, I discovered it while my hubby was in California).... I'm thankful that it is dry now and IS going to stay that way thanks to some new downspouts!
4) For the provision to buy downspouts! ;)
5) For the beginning of an awesome, 40 day journey of generosity with our church. Want to learn more? Click HERE.

Have a blessed day! Much love!

The follow through

When I played tennis in high school, I remember the coach talking about the "follow through" after the stroke. Well, what seemed to come easily in high school tennis isn't quite as easy when in this journey called parenthood.

Ahh, the follow through. Learning to live it out is hard. This played out in our home over the past 1 1/2 weeks.

Aaron made a choice that required swift action from Scott and me. As we sat down to determine consequences before we met with him, we went back and forth about the level of discipline required to result in understanding and learning on the part of our dear 8-year old.

We determined that three things would happen....

1) A letter of apology to those involved.
2) Two "screen free" days.... no Wii, no TV, no computer
3) One week without any playtime with other children that wasn't 100% supervised by Scott or myself which would greatly limit playtime with any other kiddos for that week

Whew. Scott and I were totally on the same page with this.

And then.... ENTER: SNOW DAYS.

GASP.

Snow days.... without screen time. Snow days.... without open playtime with the neighbors in the inches and inches of new snow.

And we had a decision to make. Do we alter the punishment because of multiple snow days or stick with it?

I'm happy to say that we made the right decision this time around and did not waiver.

I remember reading a book a few years ago that stated that our kids learn to trust us when we are consistent. I have read this in other books since, have heard this brought up in different conversations, and think that it is so, so critical.

I want my kids to trust me. Following through on punishment and rewards is a HUGE part of that. Yep, I'm learning. I'm growing. And it's sometimes painful for momma, too.

But then, I think.... what would have happened if I said, "Oh, never mind, Aaron...."

And I really, REALLY don't want to think about the result of that.....

*EDITED TO ADD: The other thing that I'm learning.... THINK, THINK, THINK before handing out consequences and rewards. I'm learning to ask myself before I speak, "Can I really follow through on this one?" Perfect example.... in our conversation between the two of us as we were trying to determine consequences, Scott and I started with THREE weeks of the limited friend interaction, and then quickly realized, WOA.... one week will teach the lesson just as effectively, and WE just MIGHT maintain sanity in the process! ;)

"Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4).

Some things just make me smile....

Thankful Thursday....

(is it really Thursday again already?!?!)

Today, I am thankful....

1) That traveling isn't a normal part of Scott's job. I also am thankful that we both DO miss each other when we are apart.

I will never forget the woman who, when I was an engaged woman, less than a month away from our wedding, told me that her husband was a truck driver and traveled 6 days a week. When I said, "Wow, that must be hard. How do you manage?" She said, "OH NO! It's WONDERFUL! We get along SO MUCH BETTER when we never see each other." Yep, I'm totally grateful that I enjoy seeing my husband.... and I think he (USUALLY!) enjoys seeing me, too!

2) But in the same breath.... I am also very thankful that Scott has the opportunity to be at an amazing conference this week.... growing and refueling.
3) That both of our vehicles are doing well right now. We know that those dreaded, unexpected repairs do come up, but for today, I feel grateful every time that I sit down in my van, and it moves! :)
4) For the days that silliness and laughter fill our home. There are certainly days when there is not nearly enough silliness and laughter.... but it makes me even more thankful for the days when our home is full of it. These glasses have certainly added to the laughs around here....
5) I'm also TRULY thankful that Scott's first pair of reading glasses looks nothing like these! ;)

Have a blessed day! Much love! :)

Bye-bye snow days!

What fabulous days we have been having! I have even enjoyed popping my girl in her stroller for walks the past two days. BUT....

We had some pretty fabulous snow days around here, too. Oh, how my boys loved this part of winter. This is what snow days looked like at our house:

A whole lot of board games
(have you tried Blokus?! I LOVE playing Blokus with Aaron which is saying A LOT.... there aren't many board games that I love to play with my kids!)

A whole lot of pulling cushions off of couches (to use at landing pads for super heroes like Larry Boy, I guess!)
A whole lot of Kung Fu practice on empty boxes
AND a WHOLE lot of playtime in the snow!
Which equaled a WHOLE lot of wet snow clothes....
Oh, and how could I forget?! A whole lot of time with the dress-up box, too!

And let's be honest. Snow days equaled a WHOLE lot of bickering between brothers which equaled a whole lot of momma breaking up fights. It also equaled a whole lot of time on the Wii and Netflix.... but yeah, I didn't take pictures of that part! ;)

Now, onto the next season! WELCOME SPRING!!! :)

Prayer request....

Please pray for our little buddy, Micah. His mommy, Brittany, was one of our sweet kids when Scott was the Director of Student Ministries in Warsaw, and we love her! Baby Micah is close to Ellie's age and has been such a courageous little guy. I don't know the exact name of the condition.... but when this little guy was still growing in his mommy's womb, the doctors discovered that he had a cyst growing on his neck that has continued to grow since his birth (it is somehow tied to the lymphatic system, I think). This little super hero will have a major surgery in Cincinnati on Thursday morning. Please pray for wisdom for the doctors, smooth recovery and endurance for Micah, and sanity and PEACE for his mom and dad. Thanks.... I know that they all will appreciate your prayers! To follow Micah's journey, click HERE.