A Rough Holiday Week

So we've had a bit of a rough week...

One week ago, Flynn was getting over a virus...103 temps, etc. Puking, etc. And Gabe was finishing up his own little thing w/ some high temps.

Then Christmas.

Then Jeff's appendicitis.
And surgery.

And now, Flynn has strept. Sheesh. And on the way to the dr's office this a.m., she puked all over everything she was wearing.
And the carseat.

I've heard a few comments. Jokes about our "luck" & our illnesses & how when we do 'it', we do it all the way. What, w/ my crazy medical, unhealthy year last year & our crowns, appendectomies, infected throats.

Here's some silver linings to our clouds this week:
Jeff having his appendicitis the day AFTER Christmas & not the day before.
Flynn having a 3-day 'sickness break' over Christmas.
We have insurance.
Everyone is here with us now.

That's a lot to thank God for!

And tomorrow, we all get to spend the day together.
That's more to thank God for!

Happy New Year!

Daddy's Appendectomy

Well, what a crazy last few days....ugh.

The day after a wonderful Christmas, Jeff started having some serious pain in his stomach & side, which I passed off as 'overdoing' it or as a virus. When he moaned & complained for about 12 hours, I was afraid of appendicitus & rushed him to the ER.

The next day after a long night in an ER folding chair, they decided to remove it.

And thank God, tonight he got to come home.

We're so excited...the kids were thrilled to see him.

And he's this happy.

Click it, you won't be sorry.

Flynnisms

Flynn was eating clementines when she started choking. I said, "Flynn...oh!, you scared me!!"

She said, "Mom, I scared myself."

I asked her what her favorite Christmas song is....she told me it's Jingle Bell Rock.

She was singing in the bathroom & Daddy said, "Flynn, are you going to go to Julliard?"

She said, "No Daddy, I'm not Julie Yard."

We've been working with Flynn on her manners.

And I think she's doing pretty well with please & thank you.

"Flynn, are you ready for nap?"

"No thanks Mom."

Linus Christmas Monologue

No one says preaches it better than Linus!

6 Socks Left

There are only 6 socks left on the sock-advent countdown.
How can Christmas be just around the corner?

We have a very busy-holiday week. And are counting down the days 'til Daddy is on break (perhaps we should have a countdown to daddy vacation break chain).

I got my Christmas present a little early last week...

What every girls wants...

a

$650

CROWN

and I don't mean a princess crown...

I mean the kind you have put in

while spending 2 hours

in a

dental

chair.

And Jeff, got his Christmas present last month.

A

$1,050

glorified

oil change.

Gotta love those German cars.

All in all, how can we complain?

We are together, unlike some families this year.

Our children are healthy, some kids aren't.

We have a home, a warm home, and our bills get paid each month.

Not everyone has this luxury.

We know firsthand, the reason we all celebrate December 25th.

And we know firsthand the gift He gave us.

Doesn't get much better than this...

Merry CHRISTmas.

The Gold Box

This is an awesome story that made me cry when I read it. We've all lost our patience with our kids. This will make you think twice next time you do....

The story goes that some time ago a mother punished her five year old daughter for wasting a roll of expensive gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and she became even more upset when the child used the gold paper to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree.

Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift box to her mother the next morning and then said, "This is for you, Momma."The mother was embarrassed by her earlier over reaction, but her anger flared again when she opened the box and found it was empty.

She spoke to her daughter in a harsh manner."Don't you know, young lady, when you give someone a present there's supposed to be something inside the package?"

She had tears in her eyes and said, "Oh, Momma, it's not empty! I blew kisses into it until it was full."

The mother was crushed. She fell on her knees and put her arms around her little girl, and she begged her forgiveness for her thoughtless anger.

An accident took the life of the child only a short time later, and it is told that the mother kept that gold box by her bed for all the years of her life. Whenever she was discouraged or faced difficult problems she would open the box and take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.In a very real sense, each of us, as human beings, have been given a Golden box filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children, family, friends and GOD.

There is no more precious possession anyone could hold.

Santa is comin to Town

We saw him Saturday & get to see him again today at MOPS. What's fabulous is that last year, no one wanted to sit on his lap. And this year, they can't get enough of him. Gabe even loves people dressed in character. Look at these pics from Saturday...

'Tis the Season

How can this not be your favorite time of year?

You know,Santa Claus, and ho-ho-ho, and mistletoe... and presents to pretty girls...

Little Bit O' Blog Is Better Than None At'all

I keep not blogging because I'm so busy....I think, I don't have time to upload pics, etc.... so then I find myself not bloggin at all.
So here ya go, a catch up on the past week's events minus any extras.

Thanksgiving was great. A great meal & the entire family together -- the ENTIRE family together. (pics will be posted on that, just not now...sorry).

Flynn's b'day party was Sat nite. How cute was it to see a long table w/ her & all her friends at it!! I could have scooped everyone of them up on a spoon & eaten them.....it was THAT cute!! How can she be big enough to have friends, let alone friends at a party. Aaaahh!!! (again, pics will be posted).

A long weekend with a wonderful hubby. If that's all I had & nothing else, I'd be content.

THANKSGIVING Acrostic

Three (Flynn's new age)
Health
A new church (since last year) that we love
No surgery this year
Knowing Christ
Sissy
Gabe
In love with my hubby
Volumes of blessings in my life
I have so much to be thankful for!
No hospital stays (for anyone!) this year
God (last but not least)

Happy Birthday to my Baby Girl

How did this happen?

How did that tiny baby that grew inside of me, become an independent, smart, witty little girl?

How did a helpless little baby, turn into a little person? Someone who makes sentences, makes art projects, makes her name, makes her own drink.... and makes me crazy.

Little Flynn,

Today you are three. And what you've done is given Mommy & Daddy the best three years of their lives. Before you, we thought we were happy. We thought that because we found love in each other, it couldn't get any better. Then you came along. And you taught us the real meaning of love...and happiness. And every day since, you've exercised our emotions. And made us laugh and cry and everything between.

This past year, you learned so many things. You learned how to write your name ... you learned your colors & shapes ... you learned prepositions and how to bite really hard. You learned what a spanking is and how to stomp your foot & say, "NOT FAIR!"

You are so beautiful. I know this because every stranger we see comments on you. You love to put on Mommy's make up ... but I always remind you that you were pretty before you put it on. Your big dark eyes are framed by long black eyelashes. Your turned up nose gives you the most precious profile.

In church you've just learned about Moses. Last week I caught you retelling the story about him striking the stick on the ground & it "turned into a snake." You also learned about Jacob. And most importantly about Jesus. My prayer is that you learn more about Him. And the best day of my life will be the day you make a decision for Him to be your savior.

I pray a lot of things for you....

I pray that you always know your value, that you never settle in life.

I pray that you're always surrounded by family, and friends, the kind that I've always been lucky to have.

I hope you always do things because you want to, not because of what people will think...or what you think they'll think.

I hope that you wake up every morning, thanking God that He's given you another day to live for Him. And that when you wake up, you know no pain or discomfort.

I pray that you'll always know how much you are loved. No matter what you go through, you'll never feel alone.

I pray that you have confidence and when you go for what God has planned for you, you know you'll achieve it.

Those are the things that come to my mind right now. While I sit here awake, thinking of how this past year -- and the two before that, have flown by. While you lay in your bed & quietly sleep.

Daddy helped you make a birthday chain & everyday he & I would comment that we couldn't believe that our baby was going to be three. You 'graduate' from "Parents as Teachers" & it makes us laugh, you shouldn't be too old for anything yet.

Keep making us laugh. Keep loving us & loving Bubby. Keep singing & dancing. Keep that zeal that you have right now -- your ambition & outgoingness are a couple of the many reasons that so many love you.

I love you more than you'll understand for a long long time.

Love,

Momma

My Favorite Part of the Day

You thought I was going to say NAPTIME, didn't you?

Well, it's not.

There are some days, although few & far between, when I wake up before the kids.

But on those days, I get to relish a very wonderful moment.... when I watch Flynn swaggering down the hall, straight from a deep sleep. Rubbing her eyes like a sleepy bear cub, she can barely see past the blinding light to find me. And when she does, she mutters a grovely, "Up Mom" as she motions for me to take her into my lap. I love to hold her & know that it might be the only time during the day that she'll sit still - or sit at all - on my lap.

Gabe is the same story. Although he's bound to sleep longer, he'll let me hold him & he'll lay his head on my shoulder.... I can see his binky bobbing up & down.

The moments are brief, but oh so precious.

Three Links Left on the Birthday Chain

I can not believe that in three days, my baby girl is going to be three.
I'm excited that with time, we get to explore new places, see her do new things.... but why does that mean my baby has to grow up?

Time Grabs You By The Wrist & Tells You Where To Go

Is that not profound?
Wish I could claim the quote as my own but it actually belongs to the song made popular in the 90's, "Time of Your Life".

I am not the world's best mom. I'm not the worst. But I'm trying. And next to living my life for Christ, it's the thing I think about most in my life. And I try all the time.

Yesterday at MOPS, the guest speaker said, "children are like wet cement." Yipes. Could I feel more guilty?
At the times I have yelled.
At the times I have spanked.
At the times I've said, "I'll read to you in just a minute. let me finish my work."

And this is not just a relationship. Not a friendship, in which you have a certain amount of time in which to perfect your interractions.
Flynn will only be 35.57 months today.
And Gabe is only 14.45 months today.

I only have one chance to mother. And they only have one mother. Time is fleeting. Like I said before , I want to freeze time. When I hold Gabe's long body & his legs hang off my lap, seemingly further than they did the day before, I remember.
It's going by so fast.
I don't want to have any regrets.
I want to be a good mommy today.
Or as Flynn says, "Momma."

I'm going to go.... Flynn wants me to read to her.

J & Christine's Wedding

Wow, am I behind or what??! Their wedding was 2 weeks ago. Remember, back in the day (like 6 mos ago!), when I updated my blog almost daily. Ahh....sigh....

Anywho, this was one of the most beautiful weddings I've been to. And flawless by the way. Christine was beautiful & her flower girl wasn't too shabby either ;)

Enjoy these photos.

Happy Fall

It's going by so quickly.

Thank God I have photos to savor those moments.

Time to Pray

My Aunt Alice (my mom's sister) was diagnosed last month with Multiple Myeloma (Bone Cancer). She began treatment on that day at the Bone Marrow Division at Siteman Cancer Center. And had her first chemo treatment the other day.

She withheld this for a month....My cousin was getting married (Sat.) & she didn't want to spoil his big day.
I am asking for each of you to pray for her that the chemo and meds will drive all the bad cells into remission forever. God healed my aunt from this same type of cancer in 1991.
We believe that He will heal her (Psalm 30:2: O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me) & that we will have her for many many more years. We also pray that she will not be sick with these treatments and that she will have a peace (Philippians 4:12: And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.)

Please add my aunt to your daily prayer, to your church's prayer list, to anything you can...
My family thanks for your prayers.

Growing Up Together

Everytime we finally make time to get together with the Frosts', I feel bad.

Because it's been so long.

Seriously, why do we let the things to do in life, keep us from doing the really important things?

Our kids are growing up & they should be growing up together.

They love each other so much.

And who knew a cone could be so much fun?

A Frost-Perry pile up.

Delaney's hug turns into a lift.

Awww..the boys are SO cute together.

"Six Fags"

Is what Flynn calls it. Her Miss Heather took us a few weeks ago.

I can remember growing up, getting to go each summer. I could never sleep the night before and would anticipate that smell of blacktop.

It still smells that way even though so much of it has changed.

New rides.
The Time Tunnel, aka Makeout Tunnel is now the new Scooby Doo Ride.
Still smells moldy.

The fact that it had a carousel made it a big hit! And so much to do...it ALMOST wore her out.

Now it's a favorite place of Flynn's.

Oh Fall, How I Love Thee....

Let me count the ways...

Flynn-tionary

"yerget" = yogurt
"ball-catch" (sounds much like pole cats) = catch (w/ the ball)
"punkin catch" = pumpkin patch
"Bubbo", "Bubs", "Bubby", "Mister" (sounds much like Mitter), "Son", "Boy", "Gabers" = Gabe
"Cation" = vacation (wish we were on one)
"Woocy" = Gammy's dog Lucy

Go Cards!

Albert Pujols broke a scoreless deadlock with a two-run homer in the fourth inning, and Chris Carpenter rocked in the Cardinals' 5-1 victory over the Padres on Tuesday in Game 1 of the National League Division Series.
High Five!

My Before Picture

My sister, mom & I are starting a weight loss contest.

I'm the biggest I've ever been.

My goal is 25 lbs.

This should be easy, as I'm at least 30 lbs overweight, by my standards.

THIS

is my before picture.

Happy B'day Dad

My dad's b'day was yesterday. For a 60-"something" year old, he sure does a lot for us. Helped Jeff finish our basement a few years ago, showed Jeff how to put our fence in. When he's here, he gets on the floor & plays with the kids. Takes them on walks. And bales me out on a regular basis.
Kinda like tomorrow, how he's going to watch the kids for me while I'm in a staff meeting. The kids. The kids. Three kids. Three kids under three.
Yipes.
Good luck Dad.

Carbaholics UNITE

A few weeks ago, I decided enough was enough, it's time to lose some weight.

I decided to watch my carb & sugar intake (a modified version of the diabetic diet I followed while pregnant).

I've done fair with it. Not as strict as when I was pregnant & a baby's health was dependent upon me but definitely changed my habits.

I weighed myself several times....

I've gained 3 lbs.

Blessed

I've heard from several different people, different things, describing how God doesn't exactly take care of them... 'He doesn't drop a bag of money in my lap' 'He doesn't pay my house payment', etc.
But He does our's.
Well, kinda.

We're strapped. Well, we're more than just broke, our finances are a bit inside out right now. Due to my tough year last year with hospital stays, emergency room visits, Flynn's medical expenses, etc. We regularly sit down & see "what else can we cut?" and "how do we pay our mortgage this month?"
It can't be a surprise to anyone who knows a teacher's salary that we don't have money. Us four living on that. With me being home, only to babysit & work for church...and Jeff teaching and coaching on the side, it doesn't leave time for any other jobs, let alone extra stuff.

I said all that, to say this: We get blessed. It might not be obvious (well, sometimes it really is)...but the provision of God comes often in subtle ways.
I'll get a large bag of hand me downs for the kids.
My mom will bring a few packages of meat over.
My MIL will pick up Flynn's prescription.
Although those aren't small. They make up a huge part of how we're cared for.

We stress about, 'How are we going to pay for this or that?' But it happens. Somedays I'm all, "Jeff...Jeff....God will provide, He will!" The other days I'm squeezing my migraine & saying, "Jeff...Jeff...How are we going to make it?"

One of my fav chapters in the bible Matthew 6, addresses worry. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE the "NIRV" (new international readers version)... Here's what it says (it's lengthy, but really read it to the end, you won't be sorry)...

25 "I tell you, do not worry. Don't worry about your life and what you will eat or drink. And don't worry about your body and what you will wear. Isn't there more to life than eating? Aren't there more important things for the body than clothes?
26 "Look at the birds of the air. They don't plant or gather crops. They don't put away crops in storerooms. But your Father who is in heaven feeds them. Aren't you worth much more than they are?
27 "Can you add even one hour to your life by worrying?
28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the wild flowers grow. They don't work or make clothing. 29 But here is what I tell you. Not even Solomon in all of his glory was dressed like one of those flowers.
30 "If that is how God dresses the wild grass, won't he dress you even better? After all, the grass is here only today. Tomorrow it is thrown into the fire. Your faith is so small!
31 "So don't worry. Don't say, 'What will we eat?' Or, 'What will we drink?' Or, 'What will we wear?' 32 People who are ungodly run after all of those things. Your Father who is in heaven knows that you need them.
33 "But put God's kingdom first. Do what he wants you to do. Then all of those things will also be given to you.
34 "So don't worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

There -- aren't you glad you read 'til the end?

I had a thought when I read that just now. I thought about how sometimes Flynn frets. She worries, even at her young age. My immediate response to her in those moments? "Don't you worry...Mommy will take care of it...Daddy will take care of it."

Ever think that's what God says?

I guess it is.

Bragging Part 1

Okay, so I felt a little guilty after that last post. Sheesh, you'd think it wasn't a Friday!!
Anywho, I've decided to do some bragging...

First of all, look at this hotshot, who thinks that everything is to either climb, sit on, or stand on. How could I get crabby with this stinker around?

And then there's my little challenger. She challenges everything. But I'm experiencing the coolest thing with her & that's this: A child who blows your mind because she keeps doing crazy, intelligent things that have me going, "What?, You did that?" Then I look around for anyone who will share the marvel with me (that would be little G). And then when Daddy gets home he says, "She did NOT do that." And I'm all like, "Yep, shore did."
















I really need to find a book about children's artwork, like what's appropriate & what's not. Should she really be drawing faces with all these features? (eyebrows????!!!!) And what's particularly amusing about this drawing is -- notice that everyone but Bubby has hair!


Then there's this guy (the big guy). Who is not only super studly, but has GOT to be the best husband & father there is (no offense Dad). He basically works two jobs (becuz of coaching) and is gone very very long days. Actually, his shortest days are 11 hrs & half his days are 14+ hr days. He could come home understandably exhausted but he doesn't. Well, like last night... he came home after a 14 hour day. He helped me tuck kids in, then did dishes. Yes, I said DID DISHES. What a guy. On my best day I don't deserve him on his worst.





Okay, have I redeemed myself? I hope so... I certainly have no cause to complain. Life is good. I am blessed.