Party Harty

Because it's not everyday that you turn THREE.
And get a pinata.
And are sung to by the people who love you.

And have your Mom stick your train on a cake.
It's not everyday that you get your very own Spiderman costume!

Or get to play at a GYNORMOUS train table...
with all your best friends....

Or make a handprint on the wall of all places...

and fall asleep, holding a brand new toy...

only on the days that you turn THREE.

It's a Bug's Life

Flynn: "Mom, why did God create animals?"
Me: "To keep Adam company - he was bored."
Flynn: "Why did God make spiders?"
Me: "Well, I know that spiders kill some bugs....and if some of the bugs didn't die, we'd have too many; they'd be all over the place."
Flynn: "Mom, do you think Jesus ever killed a bug?"
Me: "Good question Flynn."

Angels Rejoicing...

...that THREE kiddos today, in our elementary program, made the decision to follow Christ.

That's something to celebrate!

It's 10:30, do you know where your cupcakes are?

Small Steps

Part of the charm that has helped Gabe continued to be my baby has been his speech delay. Poor fella, he just wants to communicate; and as hard as I try to not smile & grab him to try to rock him, it's hard to not do that instead of how I've been taught to respond (which is to repeat what he's saying, in the correct manner -- or to encourage him to say it correctly).



I don't really care what others think when they see me literally applaud when my almost-three year old says the word "giraffe" correctly.
These small steps have been an encouragement to us that he will be talking normally by the time it really counts.



So today, when his totally-awesome-speech-therapist-who-we-wish-we-could-keep-here-and- not-let-her-move-on-with-her-career-and-schooling was greeting him, she did some reviewing & reassessing by asking him to repeat her name, "Prittine!" "Prittine!" (which I happen to believe is a combination of the word "Pretty" because she is + her name, Christine.) She giggled & clarified her name.

As I usually do, I started bragging to Christine with all the words he's said or the phrases we've understand since we last met. As I was recalling hearing him say, 'Wynn' yesterday (for Flynn), I decided to just let her hear it for herself. So I said, "Gabe, who is that?" (as I motioned to Flynn who was coloring at the table).



"FYN!!"

Aah, so surprised at the progress he made in 12 hours.... and so proud! We're so close!! Maybe we'll get that L mastered in the 9 days we have left until he's THREE. :)

A Father's Love

Oh my, keep kleenex handy for this...



I have yet to talk to anyone who hasn't heard the tragic story of the family of Christian music artist Steven Curtis Chapman.

The youngest son was pulling into the driveway (coming home from college), when his youngest, five year old sister sister came running out, excited that he was home.
He didn't see her & .....



This interview is heart-wrenching, but I think it's good for us parents to watch, hear, read, listen to stuff like this once in a while... to renew our appreciation for the blessings we have.



One part of the interview that caused me to really cry like a baby, was when Steven was talking about right after the accident. He had gotten into a different vehicle to rush to the hospital. And as he was leaving, he rolled down his window & yelled with as much strength that he could muster, 'Your father loves you' to his son who was no doubt losing his mind after what had happened.


I thought that was too important to not point out. And could be applicable in so many situations; but of course, I think of our heavenly Father, who despite the things we've done, never passes up the chance to overlook the circumstances & do His best to make us feel His love.



What an incredible family. What they've gone through is almost too much to even think about. But what a testiment of their faith & how as Christians, we're imperfect...we have questions... we have doubts. But through those dark times, our faith is made perfect.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh2VFkF7NLo

H-H-HOT

Ah'chee'wawa - just look at him.

He still gets my heart pumping after the handful of years that we've spent seeing each other's bad sides (& his many good sides).

I've already blogged about the way he treats me, as if I'm some goddesss or someone other than a worn out, gym shorts-wearing mom to a toddler & preschooler.

Did you know he likes to cook? He likes to. Which is good because I hate cooking. And although it's a part of life, if it's off-season (soccer coach wife vocab for the 6 months of the year that he's not coaching), you'll find him competing for time in front of the stove (note: competition consists of him saying, "Honey, what's for supper?" and me saying, "I dunno." Then him saying, "Can I make chili?" and me saying, "Uh, okay.")

Did you know that if he's home during bath time (which he usually is during "off-season"), that he doesn't even ask, he just does. the. bath.
You heard me right.
Yes, I know I'm lucky.

And don't get me started on how tolerant the poor sap is. If you've tuned in to my obnoxiousness yet, you can just about imagine how it would be to live on this zany planet (otherwise known as our home) 24-7. And to put up with my oddness.
And to enjoy it to boot.

He shares my interests...and encourages me to partake in them.

He tries to give me free time (when it's off-season, as during season, he has nothing free to give).

Did you see his head full of hair??

He likes to hold hands.

Is patient with the kids.

Partners with me on Sunday mornings to help me do my job.

Loves the color orange & was not just agreeable when I requested to decorate with green + orange.

Held my hair back in my first trimester 'activities'.

Buys me bubble gum ice cream.

And he's all mine.

Windex Clean

I know my patio doors aren't even close to be smudge-free. Matter of fact, most days you can count the itty-bitty finger prints gracing the lower half of the door.

Apparently tho, there is one (may he rest in peace) bird, who thought the door wasn't a door, yet a welcoming tunnel to some other place he wanted to fly.
Ker'plunk.

And Flynn had to witness it.

So, they assessed the situation & indeed, the bird was deceased. Jeff scooped the bird up with a bag. I think the bird deserved a proper burial, but I wasn't around, so I didn't have a say. Jeff did reassure me that they did pray for the birdy's bird-soul. I also think the bird should've had a ceremony, where the song, "BIRDHOUSE IN MY SOUL" (Might be Giants), played. Again, not present.

But afterward, Flynn was very perplexed. And asked, "Where is bird Heaven?" So, I said what I figured would appease her, "In the sky above human Heaven."
That contented her, so she proceeded to graph it out with her arms, "So this is earth..." (flat sweeping motion with her hand, at waist-height) "....and this is human Heaven...." (fist at her chest) "....and way up high, is Heaven for birds..." (she stretched her hand as high as it would go)

Awesomeness of the Day

Gabe going poo-poo & not bothering to tell me....

You see, Gabe does not wipe himself after BMs. At least not effectively.

And when he "tracked" me down in the kitchen. And told me, "Momma, POOPY!" It alarmed me. And I wheeled around to see ------

Fecal matter on his backside. And I mean BACKside (as in, his BACK). His legs. His feet. And somehow,
his arm. (how??)

And when I traced his "steps", I found it all over the toilet I just SCRUBBED (literally, with a toothbrush while they bathed last night).

So, apparently, he thinks it's cool to just slide on off the toilet & go about his day, after any toileting activity; despite our constant pleadings to 'PLEASE!, yell for us!!'.

I almost took photos, for the sake of documenting. But I decided against it.

AWESOME.

Decisions Made

I get questioned, from a lot of people who seem surprised at some of the decisions we made, as a conservative Christian family.
As a matter of fact, far before we were a family unit, while I was still single, I was asked a lot -- what I would do with a Christian Education.
"Oh, you aren't teaching at a Christian school?"
"No, I'm continuing my education, to be certified for public school."
"Hmm..."

As a strong-minded, spirited & spirit-filled young Christian -- I was happy to take the 'salt & light' stand. Afterall, how bright would my candle be in a room full of other candles?...

And I promised God, that if I would find favor in Him, I would not disappoint Him.
I hope I never did. I certainly was forthright about my beliefs, and tried as best as I could, to be a positive (non-nerdy) Christian influence/role model/example, for my students, most of whom were telling me on a regular basis that they wished they went to church every Sunday.
Before Christmas break, I read the story of the nativity. A little girl approached me afterward & asked if it was true. I asked her had she ever heard the story? And she said that she had not.
Wow.

And then, the questions again, when we had our own two. Would we homeschool? No we decided (actually w/o ever talking about it). Please understand, if circumstances forced us to, we'd take a different approach to the question.
I pray that Flynn & Gabe will be salt & light. That they'll be a light unable to be hidden. That their strong stance will be even stronger among those who don't stand along side them.

Will Flynn & Gabe go to Christian schools? At this point, no. I realize a million things could change in the next 12 mos (one of them being me being hired by a private school - which would be tough considering I haven't applied at any). Again, w/ the salt & light.

I just asked myself (yes, I talk to myself) if I've said negative things about homeschooling. I couldn't recall a time when I had. Although I strongly believe some parents are very ill-equipped to h.s. (just as some teachers should have travelled down a different career path); so, I say that to say, I don't think this is a dislike against HS'ing. But rather, a decision made for our family.

Should conservative Christian teachers stick to conservative Christian schools??

More Summer Fun.... SIX FLAGS (and other middle of the night ramblings)

I have no clue who Flynn is waving to.

Again with the waving.

And this photo, you can see Nessa, FJ, & Gabe (2nd to the last row...in front of the lady whom I hope wore some great deodorant).

This photo makes me laugh...and not just because it's 2:30 am. But because Flynn decided to get brave & raise her arms (or arm?). And honestly, could her little arm be any stiffer in this photo?

I was glad when Nessa took Flynn's hat off during this ride. Photos you didn't see (because they weren't taken, that would mean someone else actually used the camera other than me, which rarely happens), included a situation in the little kid hot air balloon ride. The others were riding roller coasters while me & my two decided to ride one of the few we can ride together. While the hot air balloon started spinning, Flynn's hat blew off.

OH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD. You wouldn't thought she'd been told that the park was closing in 10 seconds. She was traumatized.

But, nothin' a quick CURIOUS GEORGE & THE MAN WITH THE YELLOW HAT reference couldn't fix. Luckily, we'd read a book about the MWTYH's hat flying off while on a roller coaster. And I did that thing that only moms can do, where I convinced her that the irony was hilarious.

But she still bolted like lightning to save her once-white bucket hat...once the ride had "come to a complete stop".

The highlight of the park visit...the giant ferris wheel which we've been riding for years.

Can you tell, this was cutting into Gabe's nap time? (shortly after this, we rode the train, then Gabe, Papa, & I left, for Gabe to take a nap)

Papa, FJ, & Nessa take in the sights. Flynn happily sported her new bucket hat (which by the way was a

97 cent steal at Old Navy). Just pretend her shirt doesn't have melted popsicle on the front.

*****************************

And so.... today officially concludes our somewhat carefree summer. Daddy goes 'back to school' tomorrow -- beginning a week of soccer try-outs & practices; meetings; open house; & getting his classroom ready to go.

Flynn starts another year of dance. And Gabe, well, he starts another season of sticking around Momma while Sissy does all her 'stuff'. I plan to pursue enrolling him in "Tuesday School" & will bug the Y here in town again, to see if they changed their mind (again) about not offering tumbling. There's not much more for a 3 year old boy.

This week also holds a fun day in store: Gabe's 3rd Birthday Party. This one is a FRIENDS birthday party. He invited his good buddies & will enjoy the morning playing with trains & eating cupcakes.

Marking the end of the carefree season, we all took a monumental day-of-rest nap. Mine was an attempt to rid myself of a 20-hour headache. Flynn's was to sleep off a horrible (filled w/ night terrors & awakenings) sleepless night. And Gabe's was to do what he does best, sleep. Daddy just fit in there with us. To make sure us girls didn't roll off the bed I guess?

As to my plans to return to the classroom this fall? Well, apparently God had other plans. I'm not going to lie & say I haven't fought frustration the past couple of weeks. But ultimately, I have peace about the situation. Knowing that everything is indeed out of my hands - but it's all in his hands.
One of my favorite verses....a verse I would read to my buddy Zach, when I would visit him in the hospital, reminds me that no matter how I might feel about the situation, doesn't change the fact that God ultimately has my best interest. He already knows what I'll be doing this school year...and how we'll pay our bills or spend our time.

Here's what it says,

"For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome." Jeremiah 29:11

When I got my teaching job, fresh out of college (was offered the position before I had graduated), it was pretty unbelievable. I didn't even interview. It was the easiest thing I'd ever (or didn't really do) done. One of those situations where you go, "Okay God, thanks."

And look... I ended up falling in love with my hot hubs. So, God knew exactly what He was doing (not that He ever doesn't). And really, if God wanted to, He'd snap His big powerful fingers & I'd get a call from a district. He already has our story written. And toward the end of each chapter, I look back & realize, "Ahh, hmm, that's why God did [that] & [that] & [that]" or "No wonder that didn't work out."

It's kinda great to be friends with a God like that. He's got your back.

Peace.

AUGUST FIELD TRIP: The Magic House

Daddy & his kids head out from 'the house' to 'the beach':

Awesome sandcastle!:

Excited about a shell full of fossils:
Gabe is allll business about his sandplay:

"Mazed & Confused":
Water-licious:
"Safe" (pretend) ice cream cones & pizzas:
Smart shoppers:Air pressure:
It's magnetic!
"The" famous (3-story) slide:
Gabe, not too sure:

Summertime & The Livin' Is Easy...

With a heat index of 108, there's no other reason to be outside, but to swim.


These were taken on Saturday, during one of our last visits with the girls...at Nana's.

Something neat about this little pool; besides the fact that it's fish-shaped....

My sister & mom threw a really small baby shower for me a week or two before we 'met' Gabe. Since we knew he was a boy -- and we had no boy clothes (& could always use some diapers), everyone was so sweet to bring our boy some new duds.

So, this little fish pool held all the precious gifts.

So when I see the pool on Papa's deck, I think back to those last days before I was to hold him in my arms...

Now he 'helps' us hold him in all sorts of ways.

Note: Um, yes, those are undies my kids are swimming in...we didn't realize they would be swimming & hadn't brought along the proper acquire.

Another note: Yes, Flynn is high jumping over the side with skill & grace. Can't wait 'til track meets!!

Goin Back to Cali, to Cali, to Cali

Goin' back to Cali, hmm, I don't think so...




After about 8 field trips, 9 nights of staying up late & giggling, 6 car rides with the loud blue horn...

15 kisses good bye...

plenty of hugs...








they're gone....

Grant's Farm - Our June Field Trip

My sister sent these to me, I had to rely heavily on the photos my nieces took this particular day...

There's a place here in STL called GRANT'S FARM. It's one of my favorite places. Much less overwhelming than the zoo, but just the right amount of animals. The best part is the long tram ride (which can be breezy, a welcomed thing in our 100 heat indices) at the beginning...which winds through meadows of elk, buffalo...dissects goldfish pond...corners around ostrich & mountain goats...and distracts lots & lots of swan, geese, & ducks.





Then they drop you off & you're free to mosey around looking at various other animals. There are even some that you can feed.

There are animals shows too. We usually don't do these, but since we had the whole gang with us, we did BOTH shows. And bird show & an elephant show, which my kids loved as they both have a long-standing infatuation with the big grey guys.

It was a great day in June! And a fabulous last field trips with our beloved CA girls.

Just Monkeyin' Around

Flynn has a little fun w/ Cousin 'Nessa's sleepin' mask...