11/26/09

thankful thoughts

I'm thankful. Not just for things or because it's thanksgiving, but because I have SOMEONE to thank. A person to direct all these thankful thoughts to -- my LORD!

Thanking Him for the big things like family and friends but also...

modern-day appliances like dishwashers, dryers, washers, etc.
a small-town American life
laughing at my brother on the phone
Grandpa S. is recovering well, happy and content
a church with great friends, great music, great preaching
the ability to be content, but not to stop growing
the way Hope's room smells in the middle of the night - sweet baby love
the huge smile on Greg's face when he comes home from school
a tackling hug from Daniel at various times during the day
Jonny giving me a wink and a thumbs-up
getting to know my sister-in-law and nieces this past year and a half
good books I read slowly so they don't leave my life too soon
a husband who makes me laugh
and a thousand other little things that make life good

Thank You Lord!

DON'T GO!

We might be smiling, but we're all FLAMING MAD that Beth has to leave Minnesota.

(L t0 R) Tina M, Erica H, Deanna L, Rachel E, Beth R, Syna R, me
Things got a little out of hand when Syna brought out the Twister. Just be glad I didn't post some "other" shots :)

Shh...Christmas Secrets

I'm not ashamed to say it: I'm very excited to play with these toys:

I ordered them here.

Pizza for Jonathan, Cake for Hope, but I'm sure they'll play with both. I absolutely LOVE Melissa and Doug toys. Awesome! The little pizza and cake parts are wooden and velcro, so they can stick to the "piece" and pretend all day.

I can hear it now, "MOOOMMMYY! Aren't you done playing with my toy??"

An Ordinary Dinner at Our House

Last night consisted of some real gems that I just had to share.

First of all, I had some rockin' 80s Christian tunes in my head and I kept singing different lines like, "We aaaarrree His hands....We aaaarrree His feet...." (Petra, anyone?)

Because Aaron will be gone all weekend, we had pancakes and sausage since he will miss our traditional Saturday morning routine. So Daniel says: "Does sausage come from PIGS?"

"Yes, Daniel, it is pork."

(After pondering this for a moment...) "Man, pigs make GOOD STUFF." Mmm, yup.

Jonathan exclaimed: "To the CHEESE BOAT!" Which we are still trying to understand...

Aaron watches Hope eating for a moment. She attacks each bite of sausage with vigor, slamming her fork prongs into each one and eating much faster than normal. Aaron says, "Hope eats like a trucker who just pulled into the interstate diner. More flapjacks, Flo!!"

Then I think of more songs...."They don't knnnoooooowwww that I go running home when I fall down. They don't knnnooooowww who picks me up when no one is around. (Quiet, with feeling now:) I drop my sword and look up for a smile. Cause deep inside this armor: The warrior is a child....." (Twila Paris, gotta love 'er)

Aaron now puts his shirt collar up to go with my 80s flashbacks.

Daniel then says, "Your husband is your brother!!" Uhm, no Daniel, my husband is my husband. "YOUR HUSBAND IS YOUR BROTHER!" No, my husband is my spouse!!"

"YOUR HUSBAND IS YOUR BROTHER IN CHRIST!!" ok, ok. got it.

Me: "In a little while we'll be with the Father, can't you see him smile? OOoooooOoooOooooo In a little while we'll be with the Father, in a whhhiiiiillllle. We're just here to learn to love Him, we'll be home in just a little while......" (Amy Grant, I think)

Hearts At Home

I just got back from an amazing conference in Rochester. I went to one in Michigan when Greg was just an infant and I was brand-spankin'-new to being a Mommy. It was just as inspiring and fun as it was back then.

Dr. Kevin Leman, one of my favorite authors, was the keynote speaker and had me rolling. He is one of the funniest men alive.

And why haven't I gotten on board with the music of Go Fish?? I'd heard of them, heard a couple of songs, but never encountered them the way I did at the conference. They were AMAZING and fun, and now my kids are addicted to the CD I brought home. Jonathan carries the CD case into every place we go. He even said to the guys at Walt's Oil Change: "Ya know 'dese guys? Dey are the best singer guys!!! Dey are cool singers!!"

If you have kids ages 4 and up, you MUST have this music. It's a blast. (Dad's favorite: "It's Hard to Be Cool in a Minivan")

Also loved the company of one Miss Alison W. -- a friend from MOPS and church who I never really knew till this weekend. Six hours in a vehicle will give you great insight on a person, and I'm thankful for that!

I came away inspired, grateful for my kids, my time at home with them while they are small, and challenged to be the best mom I can for them.

Here's something you don't see everyday: Aaron jumping into a cenote in Mexico.

A cenote is a natural freshwater sinkhole that is pretty common in the Yucatan Pennisula. It's fed by springs underground, so the water is always fresh and cool. (And very deep, like 150 feet!)

Our tour to Chichen-Itza took us here after seeing the Mayan ruins. It was so hot that day, you couldn't resist cooling off. So beautiful!

Yes, I swam too, but climbed down the ladder. :)

GO PACK GO

It didn't end the way we hoped, but it was still a great experience for Daddy and Greg. Apparently, little G's voice was hoarse only 5 minutes into the game. Do tell! (I know, I know, wonder where he gets it?)