Both of my girls are in a stage where they love to help. If I am sweeping the floor, then one of them has their toy broom and the other has the toy vacuum and they are cleaning the floor, too. I've often times caught them getting wipes off the changing table and wiping down all of their furniture. Or if I am doing laundry, they love to help me "fold" the clothes. And you know what, I leave them "folded" in just the way they put them. Anna Beth really loves to help me take care of Lynnsie...sometimes this is a problem when Lynnsie doesn't feel like being "mothered' in Anna Beth's 2 year old way :) It is sweet, though, having them both be so helpful to me and to each other.
As I watch them "help" me in so many ways throughout the day, God really reminds me that He has me with them for a purpose. His purpose. I don't mean has me as their mom, I mean, He has me staying home with them every day for a purpose. I go through a phase from time to time, where I'm like, 'Lord, really, you brough us down here, I spent 3 years in school to get my Master's, I love working with children, and right now you have me "not working". " Well, anyone who's ever been a mom knows that there is no "not working" involved...it's a LOT of work!!
But then, like I said, God reminds me that He has me home with them for a purpose. What better children to "work" with than my own? What better children to use my Masters in Christian/Children Education than my own? And so many "wiser" moms have told me - stay home if you can, because your kids won't stay home for long. And they tell me to cherish these years at home....sometimes I want to tell them to come cherish my years at home with 2 toddlers!
Seriously, though, I love it. There are days, yes, where I've told Jacob I was going to the local McDonald's because they are always hiring and at least it will get me out of the house! But the truth is, God has me home with them for a very special purpose. I am teaching them. I am helping them grow. I am watching two of the most fascinating little people on the earth (ok, maybe I'm partial) develop their talents, skills, and personalities and I get to watch them learn and figure things out. I once heard that some graduate programs require their students to pay big bucks to observe toddlers for a few days because so much can be learned from them...and I get to do it for free!!!
But God also reminds me, that I am training them up in Him. And He has a purpose for their lives. So what if I never get to fulfill my "dream job". I may be raising the next two Annie Armstrong's or Lottie Moon's!! Now wouldn't that make a momma proud? I don't know what God's plan is for my children, but I know it's big and wonderful. And right now, I get to be a part of it. I see them do so many little things throughout the day and I think, "Hm...how could that come into play later in their life?"
This is not to say that I am never going to "work" full-time or that if God brings a great job to me where I can work from home, that I won't take it...as long as it doesn't interfere with my getting to see the little things each day. But I just know that I am happy and content being my kids mommy :)
my humble attempt at writing about my God, my kids, my family, our adoption, attempts at craftiness & sewing, & whatever else comes to mind...
Friday, March 25, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
That's Jesus!!
I had the girls in Maley's room - where I sleep at my parent's house - getting them dressed a few mornings ago. Maley played soccer all through high school and her walls are still decorated with soccer plaques and things of that nature. She also has this figurine that her youth minister gave her....it is of Jesus playing soccer with some little kids. To my knowledge, neither of my girls have ever really seen or paid attention to this figurine that is way up on the wall. He does look like many of the images she has seen in Bible stories we read to her at home.
So, while I have them in there dressing them, Lynnsie looks up and points and says, 'That's Jesus.' I stopped, looked at her, and followed her eyes and her finger to where she was pointing and it looked like she was focused on this figurine. I thought, 'Seriously? How in the world...?' Just to be sure, I got it down and asked her if this was what she was looking at. She touched Jesus' face and said, 'That's Jesus.' I teared up. And I thought, and prayed, 'Lord, please help her to always recognize Jesus. Not just images or figurines of Him, but as He works in the hearts and lives of her and others around her and as He takes care of and provides for her. Mostly, let her recognize Him as her Savior.'
Funny side note: AB wanted to know why 'Jesus is playing soccer in flip flops!'
So, while I have them in there dressing them, Lynnsie looks up and points and says, 'That's Jesus.' I stopped, looked at her, and followed her eyes and her finger to where she was pointing and it looked like she was focused on this figurine. I thought, 'Seriously? How in the world...?' Just to be sure, I got it down and asked her if this was what she was looking at. She touched Jesus' face and said, 'That's Jesus.' I teared up. And I thought, and prayed, 'Lord, please help her to always recognize Jesus. Not just images or figurines of Him, but as He works in the hearts and lives of her and others around her and as He takes care of and provides for her. Mostly, let her recognize Him as her Savior.'
Funny side note: AB wanted to know why 'Jesus is playing soccer in flip flops!'
Mommy, I got make-ups!!
When we come to stay at my parents house, Anna Beth sleeps in my sister, Maci's, bed. Sometimes, Maci packs her bag and spends the night out here with us. Now, Maci knows the basics of babyproofing, but sometimes it's just not enough. Like, simply putting your make-up bag in your bright pink overnight bag is simply not enough when the pretty pink bag is going to be in the same room as the supposed-to-be-nappying 2 year old.
I heard Anna Beth get up from her nap on Thursday afternoon, so I go into the room to get her. I see her...I am in shock...and I just start laughing. I can't even talk. I'm trying to be serious, but it's impossible. She smiles and says, 'Mommy, I got make-ups!' This is what I saw:
I mean, really, who can resist a smile with this look!! Oh, and her special sock dog and several of Maci's pandas had the same great look!!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Paging Dr. Coleman
So, I have wanted to post this for weeks, but I really haven't post much because I have not felt well. Today is sort of catch up day.
I am now 10 1/2 weeeks pregnant with Baby #3 and into my 5th week of nausea. Yuck. I can't tell you how many times over the past several weeks my kids have heard "Mommy's belly hurts." AB has started asking me first thing in the morning if my belly was hurting. Hear me, though - I am NOT complaining. Being sick means I am still pregnant and my baby is growing! However, I do not want to linger in this stage and would love it if it would pass quickly.
During this time, Anna Beth has sort taken the role of being my doctor at home. I've said before, she is such a "mothering" type of child - it is precious!! The first day that I wasn't feeling well, she brought her little toy doctor kit over to the couch where I was laying down. She checked my blood pressure and listened to my heart. Then she took her little toy thermometer and said she would check my temperature. The funny part to this is, the toy thermometer is the kind you put in your mouth and the kind I use with them is one you run across their forehead. So, I opened my mouth for her to take my temperature and she gave me that "Mommy, what are you doing? Close your mouth." look. I laughed as I immediately realized why she was confused. Then she took the "mouth" thermometer and ran it across my forehead. She said I was sick and that my belly hurt (thanks for confirming, Dr.). She put a band-aid on my arm, kissed my nose and said I was all better. How I wish it was that easy!!
Over the weeks, she has prescribed soup, cereal, and hot dogs for me to eat to help my hurting belly. These are funny things and stories, but it really shows what a compassionate and loving child she is. It's just another glimpse into who God has created her to be and what she will become with His direction. And, again, I am thankful to be a part of it.
I am now 10 1/2 weeeks pregnant with Baby #3 and into my 5th week of nausea. Yuck. I can't tell you how many times over the past several weeks my kids have heard "Mommy's belly hurts." AB has started asking me first thing in the morning if my belly was hurting. Hear me, though - I am NOT complaining. Being sick means I am still pregnant and my baby is growing! However, I do not want to linger in this stage and would love it if it would pass quickly.
During this time, Anna Beth has sort taken the role of being my doctor at home. I've said before, she is such a "mothering" type of child - it is precious!! The first day that I wasn't feeling well, she brought her little toy doctor kit over to the couch where I was laying down. She checked my blood pressure and listened to my heart. Then she took her little toy thermometer and said she would check my temperature. The funny part to this is, the toy thermometer is the kind you put in your mouth and the kind I use with them is one you run across their forehead. So, I opened my mouth for her to take my temperature and she gave me that "Mommy, what are you doing? Close your mouth." look. I laughed as I immediately realized why she was confused. Then she took the "mouth" thermometer and ran it across my forehead. She said I was sick and that my belly hurt (thanks for confirming, Dr.). She put a band-aid on my arm, kissed my nose and said I was all better. How I wish it was that easy!!
Over the weeks, she has prescribed soup, cereal, and hot dogs for me to eat to help my hurting belly. These are funny things and stories, but it really shows what a compassionate and loving child she is. It's just another glimpse into who God has created her to be and what she will become with His direction. And, again, I am thankful to be a part of it.
The Girls Meet Mr. Chuck E. Cheese
It's the place...where a kid can be a kid. And a grown up can be a kid, too, as I found out this past Friday. It was a super nasty day outside, my dad had the day off, and an all-day meeting my mom had scheduled was cancelled, so Gram and Papa loaded the girls (and me and Maci, too) up in the car and we headed for Chuck E. Cheese's. I overheard my mom say at some point, that she had been wanting to do this since May 25, 2008...the day AB was born.
The trip was quite humorous starting off. There were 6 of us going and we all drive 5 passenger vehicles. So we borrowed my grandparents Empala that had a middle seat up front. We loaded up with me in the middle in the back, between the girls. Then I decided that wasn't a good idea in case I got car sick. So Maci got back there and, in the process of climbing over Lynnsie, mom decided to move the front seat back, ultimately knocking Maci over and nearly smishing Lynnsie ("smish" is a term our family uses). All was well. I ended up in the middle of the front seat.
We get just down the road and Dad realizes he didn't pick up the camera. Now, you know grandparents can't go anywhere without the camera, but it especially has to be taken on the first trip to Chuck E. Cheese's! When AB realized we were headed home, she asks "Why are we going to Gram's house?" We jokingly tell her the trip is over. She looks at us like we are crazy. Then she smile and says, "I wanna go again." Too funny. We are crying-laughing at this point.
We finally get to Chuck E. Cheese's!! I must say, I was quite impressed with 2 things: 1) the child-security they now hae and 2) they got rid of that disgusting ball pit...ew!! Lots and lots and lots of tokens were purchased for the games and little "rides" they had for the younger ones. Lynnsie was her normal, mellow self and just kind-of took it all in for a while. She mostly enjoyed the little rides. I think there was a Clifford the Big Red Dog, an old car with one of the CE.C characters in it, and then a red convertible where you could sit beside Mr. Chuck E. Cheese - and it even took your picture! She also really liked watching the "show" up on the stage.
AB was very funny most of the time. She would start a game and while me or mom or dad were helping her, she would lose interest and move to another game...with someone following her, of course, and someone finishing up the game. Can you please just try to imagine 3 adults trying to play a game that is developed and sized for children 4 and under? I would have laughed at us!
Of course, the adults got into the fun, too. We played lots of ski ball...but it's called something else now. I tried to show AB how to play and even let her stand up on it, but she really didn't grasp the concept of rolling the wooden...it was launched several times and I was sure we were going to crack the hard plastic window that protected the buckets at the top of the game. Oh, and they even have this HUGE Operation Game...remember that game? Maci played it, but I never made it to that one.
The show still goes on....complete with Justin Bieber songs and other tweenie singers who I have no idea who they are. And the pizza. Oh, the pizza. The pizza is worth every token and penny spent! At the end of the night, the girls ended up with a rubber ball (that's not so good for bouncing), a purple bracelet, and some nerf-style rocket thing. I would say we made it out of there with a minimal amount of "junk" and a wealth of laughter and good memories!
The trip was quite humorous starting off. There were 6 of us going and we all drive 5 passenger vehicles. So we borrowed my grandparents Empala that had a middle seat up front. We loaded up with me in the middle in the back, between the girls. Then I decided that wasn't a good idea in case I got car sick. So Maci got back there and, in the process of climbing over Lynnsie, mom decided to move the front seat back, ultimately knocking Maci over and nearly smishing Lynnsie ("smish" is a term our family uses). All was well. I ended up in the middle of the front seat.
We get just down the road and Dad realizes he didn't pick up the camera. Now, you know grandparents can't go anywhere without the camera, but it especially has to be taken on the first trip to Chuck E. Cheese's! When AB realized we were headed home, she asks "Why are we going to Gram's house?" We jokingly tell her the trip is over. She looks at us like we are crazy. Then she smile and says, "I wanna go again." Too funny. We are crying-laughing at this point.
We finally get to Chuck E. Cheese's!! I must say, I was quite impressed with 2 things: 1) the child-security they now hae and 2) they got rid of that disgusting ball pit...ew!! Lots and lots and lots of tokens were purchased for the games and little "rides" they had for the younger ones. Lynnsie was her normal, mellow self and just kind-of took it all in for a while. She mostly enjoyed the little rides. I think there was a Clifford the Big Red Dog, an old car with one of the CE.C characters in it, and then a red convertible where you could sit beside Mr. Chuck E. Cheese - and it even took your picture! She also really liked watching the "show" up on the stage.
AB was very funny most of the time. She would start a game and while me or mom or dad were helping her, she would lose interest and move to another game...with someone following her, of course, and someone finishing up the game. Can you please just try to imagine 3 adults trying to play a game that is developed and sized for children 4 and under? I would have laughed at us!
Of course, the adults got into the fun, too. We played lots of ski ball...but it's called something else now. I tried to show AB how to play and even let her stand up on it, but she really didn't grasp the concept of rolling the wooden...it was launched several times and I was sure we were going to crack the hard plastic window that protected the buckets at the top of the game. Oh, and they even have this HUGE Operation Game...remember that game? Maci played it, but I never made it to that one.
The show still goes on....complete with Justin Bieber songs and other tweenie singers who I have no idea who they are. And the pizza. Oh, the pizza. The pizza is worth every token and penny spent! At the end of the night, the girls ended up with a rubber ball (that's not so good for bouncing), a purple bracelet, and some nerf-style rocket thing. I would say we made it out of there with a minimal amount of "junk" and a wealth of laughter and good memories!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
I Wanna Go Home
Every year during Mardi Gras season, Jacob has to work a ridiculous amount of mandatory overtime. I'm definitely not complaining about the over time check, but we don't see him for about a week to ten days. So, we make the most of this time and head to Gram and Papa's (my parents) in Tennessee. This year, we left about a week earlier than we had planned and will spend two weeks, instead of one, in Tennessee due intense nausea Baby #3 enjoys gracing me with every day.
Monday night, after our first full day here, I did the usual bedtime routine with the girls. As I tucked Anna Beth in, she said 'I don't want to sleep in Maci's bed.' I asked her where she wanted to sleep and she said, 'I wanna to go my house and sleep in my bed.' I told her Monkey was in her bed at her house taking care of it and we would go home next week and she could sleep in her bed. She seemed okay with this and went on to bed. Then, on Tuesday evening, just before supper, she climbed into my lap and said, 'I wanna go home.'
Hearing her say this made me a little sad and I didn't want it to hurt my mom or dad's feelings. I really wasn't sure where this was coming from - she had been talking for weeks about coming to Gram and Papa's house and was so excited in the days leading up to leaving.
I was talking to my mom about it after getting the girls in bed and my mom said, 'Doesn't it make you feel good that home is a place she wants to be?' I immediately said yes, but then after I went to bed, I really thought more about that. And you know what, it makes me VERY happy that home is a place my child wants to be.
Jacob and I work hard to make sure our home is full of love, happiness, and security - all starting with a foundation of Christ. Our home isn't always neat and tidy....I'm usually behind on the laundry and there are at least a few toys out on a daily basis. Sometimes I do frozen pizza for lunch and grilled cheese for supper. Right now, I'm pretty sure I need to dust. So, our house isn't perfect, but our home is somewhere my child wants to be and I really couldn't ask for more.
Monday night, after our first full day here, I did the usual bedtime routine with the girls. As I tucked Anna Beth in, she said 'I don't want to sleep in Maci's bed.' I asked her where she wanted to sleep and she said, 'I wanna to go my house and sleep in my bed.' I told her Monkey was in her bed at her house taking care of it and we would go home next week and she could sleep in her bed. She seemed okay with this and went on to bed. Then, on Tuesday evening, just before supper, she climbed into my lap and said, 'I wanna go home.'
Hearing her say this made me a little sad and I didn't want it to hurt my mom or dad's feelings. I really wasn't sure where this was coming from - she had been talking for weeks about coming to Gram and Papa's house and was so excited in the days leading up to leaving.
I was talking to my mom about it after getting the girls in bed and my mom said, 'Doesn't it make you feel good that home is a place she wants to be?' I immediately said yes, but then after I went to bed, I really thought more about that. And you know what, it makes me VERY happy that home is a place my child wants to be.
Jacob and I work hard to make sure our home is full of love, happiness, and security - all starting with a foundation of Christ. Our home isn't always neat and tidy....I'm usually behind on the laundry and there are at least a few toys out on a daily basis. Sometimes I do frozen pizza for lunch and grilled cheese for supper. Right now, I'm pretty sure I need to dust. So, our house isn't perfect, but our home is somewhere my child wants to be and I really couldn't ask for more.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
She's Ready To Go Hunting
These were Jacob's first words after he got the video text of Lynnsie (finally!) walking earlier today. Yes, she is will be 18 months old on Saturday and she is just now walking :) He said she couldn't go hunting until she learned to walk. I'm not sure why those words were a sweet surprise to me, but they were.
Jacob talks non-stop about taking his little girls hunting. He's already taken Anna Beth pig and deer hunting quite a bit...most of the time at AB's request!! It is a very precious, sight, though - to see a daddy bundle his little girl up in camouflage - with a pink hat and boots - and get everything ready for a hunt that probably isn't going to be productive (due to the age and energy level of his hunting partnet).
But that's what he does, because that is the wonderful kind of daddy that he is. He lets his little girls into his world - the world that he likes to go to when he needs to relax and do "man stuff". And, like I said before, I don't know why those words were a sweet surprise, but I really don't know of anything that he could have said that would've been any sweeter.
Jacob talks non-stop about taking his little girls hunting. He's already taken Anna Beth pig and deer hunting quite a bit...most of the time at AB's request!! It is a very precious, sight, though - to see a daddy bundle his little girl up in camouflage - with a pink hat and boots - and get everything ready for a hunt that probably isn't going to be productive (due to the age and energy level of his hunting partnet).
But that's what he does, because that is the wonderful kind of daddy that he is. He lets his little girls into his world - the world that he likes to go to when he needs to relax and do "man stuff". And, like I said before, I don't know why those words were a sweet surprise, but I really don't know of anything that he could have said that would've been any sweeter.
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