Deep Thoughts By Flynn

Trying to convince us to get out the 'Sit & Spin', she said,

"Please get out that thing that goes round & round...I like to feel dizzy."

Reasons I Should Not Supervise Children, Installment #2

We had to wake Flynn from her nap, which typically means damage control for about the next hour or baby prozac, one of the two.
I joined Jeff who was bedside, doing his darndest to make her smile.

I laid next to her & instantly my crazy took over. I started to cry like a baby (have I mentioned what a fabulous baby voice I have?) & she kinda laughed but asked what I was doing.

"How about I be the baby & you can be my momma?" I proposed.

She was happy to oblige & I started to cry for a cup. My legs went flailing up & so did my arms... I cried for a cup & cried for my momma.
She hopped up & started toward the kitchen & that's when I gave her the idea of pretending her bookshelf was a refrigerator & she could give me a "pretend cup." She did & I gulped that right down & started crying for another.
She was a quick & obedient mother; but was still not quite as amused as I thought (hoped) she'd be.

That's when my legs went up again & I'm almost ashamed to admit this, but I made a 'noise' (you know what I'm getting at here) & told her, "Waa, waa, change my diaper."

Her already-large eyes, got even bigger & she stood frozen in the middle of her room, very much deer in the headlights. I said it again, "Baby go poo-poo!! Waa, waa, change baby's diaper!!!!"

By this point, she was edging toward her doorway & had a look in her eyes that I possibly have never seen.

"I don't think I want to play this anymore."

And out the door she went.

Out of 13 Kids

Whose kid was not looking anywhere close to the camera?

THANKFUL

Thankful for...

him...

and her...

and him...

Don't Worry, My Kids Don't Read My Blog

It's Like Riding a Bike

Reasons I Probably Shouldn't Be in Charge of Children

FLynn got a utensil set for her bday. You know that cute line from Target, "Play Wonder."
Anywho, I got out a big giant (Halloween) bowl for her to "cook" in.
And what you do for one, you do for another...
I got out the matching bowl for Gabe, along with some of my safe utensils.
He was cooking too.

Before I knew it, the cooking had ended & Flynn had taken things up a notch...

She had taken the two large bowls & was hopping from one to another, like they were lily pads in a pond. She was even taking a frog stance, squatting down on one, prepping to hop to the next.

This is where a good mother would scold her child, remove them from the situation, put away said inappropriate toys, & redirect her child to a safe setting.

But not me.

I looked at what she was doing, knowing she probably shouldn't. I also thought how fun it looked & how I wish I could do it, except I'd turn the bowl into a saucer.

I looked at her socked feet & how when she'd take frog position, her feet would start to slide.

So I said what every bad mother would say,

"If you take off your socks, your feet will have better traction & won't slide."

Please don't call DFS.

Happy 4th Birthday Flynn

To my little girl,





You'll hear me saying this for years to come, because you got stuck with a mushy momma, but FOUR years ago today, you were about to be born. Daddy & I were scared, you were early & we didn't know what to expect. We'd never been through this before & I guess you never feel ready for parenthood.





I will never forget when they told us "it's a girl!". I was worried, would I be a good mommy to a girl? Would I teach you everything you needed to know?


I'm not so good at girly stuff & I joked that if I had a girl, she'd end up like Janet Reno.


Well, you didn't.


Look at you. You're the perfect balance of princess & tomboy. You play soccer but also play dress up. You know more about playing barbies than I do, but you love to get dirty.








You arrived too early when you were born & had to go through quite a lot. You taught me so much while you struggled to breathe at the hospital. You taught Daddy & I to really lean on each other, and more importantly on God.

You taught us how tough you are. You had tubes & needles everywhere. And today, I attribute your toughness to that. You are truly one tough cookie. And it makes my job easier that you don't cry over every boo boo.

Some things you learned your 3rd year of life:

Read some words, write several words, say butt, pump your legs while you swing, some of the positions of ballet, that Bubby really is your best friend...

You also learned to depend on God; and when we had such a scare over the summer & your airway was closing, we talked about trusting God during scary times. You reminded me that He never leaves us.
Those are the things I want you to learn...and always remember.

When you're laying in a hospital bed, with an iv in your arm, & you're scared, and a tear rolls back out of your eye, and you remind ME that God is with us.... that's when I know that Daddy & I, well, we haven't done so bad.

You are the one who made me a Mom. And I never knew life until that happened. It taught me a lot. You taught me a lot. And everyday I learn more. There's no job, no experience that could ever teach the things that parenting you has taught me. You literally made my life change. Some of it is scary, and some not so fun.

But I would do it all over again. And again.

You've been hearing me say it a lot lately... I don't want you to grow up. If I could freeze time I would. I never want to forget your sweet little girl smell, or how excited you are when Daddy gets home, or the admiration you have for your older cousins. Your innocence is priceless, and the zeal you have, oh that zeal, if it could be bottled, would be sold for millions.

I love you Flynn, so much. And my prayer for you this year is love, our love, God's love... and that you know a life without heartache & scariness (I think you know what I'm hinting at here). And if God decides that this is the year you don't deal with your allergy, then wonderful...that's what we hope for. But if He doesn't, then you're still the special little girl whose Mommy is afraid to let her out of her sight. Either way, we know God is with You & will never leave You...and you continue to be a testiment to God's provision.

Happy FOURTH Birthday to my baby girl.

Love,

Momma

Mama's Next Top Model

And YOU are the judge!

I need your opinion...

please give me your TWO choices for Flynn's photo

for me to submit with her application for the talent agency.

Before you go thinking I'll be a psycho stage mom on Dr. Phil,

let me excuse myself by telling you that Flynn went in for a casting call when I was 2 mos prego w/ G (F was 14 mos old). It was for formula & I don't think it helped our chances when I had to write on the interview application that she was allergic to that formula & would NOT be able to drink the "real" thing during the commercial.

I never gave it another though, until July, when we got a call from that agency, who resurrected her photo for a NestCafe commercial. Guess when it was scheduled?

When we were in FL for vacation.

She also let us know we needed to update their records (obviously, it had been two years)...

and I am *JUST* now doing it.

But need your help.

So, choose 2 of these photos that you think best represent Flynn's best qualities. Choose two that you think look "modelish". Look below each of your favorites & take note of the number.

Then, if you'll be so kind, leave your two choices in the comments.

1a

1b

1c

1d

2

3

4

5

6

Okay, now give us your opionions...and remember, each photo's number is the number BELOW the photo.

Flynn (& neurotic her stage mom) thank you.

All I Want for Christmas

is a pet bee.

That's what Gabe's wishlist reads.
The boy is obsessed with bees.
How do you find out such a thing? (you ask)

When you go to the mall a month before the movie is released,
and he sees all the promotional poster & starts to SCREAM,
"BEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!! BEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
And doesn't stop for months.

Even as I write this post, he's pointing to the bee, "M'Bee! M'Bee!!"



So Gammy & Gampa are taking us to see the movie. What a treat!

Gabe can't wait.

(neither can I)

If This Doesn't Make Your Empty Uterus Ache

I don't know what will...



And it makes me want to kiss everyone of those little babies on the mouth, cold & flu season or not.

Or better yet, go into my kids' rooms where they're currently napping (speaking of Christmas miracles), & hold them & rock them & read "I'll Love You Forever" to them.

Con te Partiro

Watch this video, it's so cool to see a 'normal', completely humble person, getting the props he deserves.
AND, it's my favorite song.

Thank God He doesn't Take Offense to her Comments

Sunday mornings are always crazy around here. For my work, Sundays are like the show day... what I have been working all week to prepare for & I can usually count on some surprise waiting for me at church, someone not showing up, or some kind of snag. So while I am rushing everyone along, that's always in the back of my mind. I have a million things to get together & out the door.
It would be great if I had a leisurely morning to not hurry my kids or let them sleep in or lay on the couch & watch cartoons.... but it is what it is & that's that.

Flynn had a HORRIBLE night Saturday night. We were up 'til about 3 am with her night terrors. Since her allergies are bothering her, we have been doping her up with everything under the sun to try to keep her allergies from settling in her chest/asthma... to keep her out of the hospital... so that we can enjoy our holidays, medical emergency-free.
I don't care if it's not a side effect mentioned, I swear that Flynn's zyrtec makes her have horrible dreams. She was thrashing around in her bed & even had a fist fight with the wall. We took turns for a while, going in the comfort her. They say you shouldn't wake a child who is having night terrors, it only confuses them. And that they don't remember a thing when they wake up. But who likes to hear their child screaming NO as they roll around on their bed. It's awful. So, I would pick her up & even though she was punching me, I was singing to her & rocking her...and she would finally settle down. For about 30 minutes.
Long story short, she slept in our bed. And ultimately, I slept in HER bed.
So we all wake up Sunday, after about 4 hours on very LOW quality sleep.
We were rushed, getting gifts together, food, etc., for a party we'd go to later that day. I got snacks together for after church because I knew we'd be killing time driving around between church & the party. When you live in the sticks, you can't just run home between obligations.
On top of that, Flynn was still not feeling good. And sadly, I didn't have the time to just sit down & hold her.
On top of on top of that, the time change is still messing with these people around here. Example, it's 8:11 am & my early riser is still counting sheep. I wouldn't mind, except it just seals the deal that later she won't nap.
Okay, back to Sunday morning...
Excluding the fact that she was proud of her cute dress that she'd never worn & her hair, Flynn was not wanting to be anywhere but laying on the couch in front of the tv.
She does typically ask questions about where we're going, which always include a WHY. And even tho she knows & we've gone over it countless times in her young life, she asks again,
"Mom, why do we go to church?"
"Because Flynn, we love God & want to learn more about Him. Besides, us going to church is a way to worship Him... it's a way to show Him that we love Him."

She just shrugged me off, even though she did listen to what I said.

Fast forward to after church. We were sitting in the car, killing time, eating chips, & hoping the little nap Gabe was getting would get him through the day. She was still not being as pleasant as she should or could be & gets my attention,
"Mom?"
"Yes."
"I did not learn about God."

Ring Around the Rosie

A Great Article

which also doesn't make me all that happy. But it's info, nonetheless....
http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/conditions/11/12/milk.allergy/index.html#cnnSTCText

Day in the Life of a Crazed Mother

Remember the fun we had last January, picking out new books with our giftcards?
Well, Gabe's giftcard for books has been burning a hole in my wallet since he got it 2 months ago, also a gift from Nana.
I've been telling myself since then, the next time we're at Gravois Bluffs, we have got to plan a visit at Barnes & Noble to spend Gabe's giftcard.
So, today, we found ourselves across the street at the Little Gym, taking advantage of free bring a friend day (thanks to Alex, we were his guests).
So, we made it a point to head on over & bask in the book goodness.
Along with the fun it is, it is also a challenge to keep track of two very energetic kids, who love books as much as their momma....who see a book at the other end of the large children's area & who waste no time running to that book to see what it holds inside.
B & N also has an adorable children's stage, where the storytime takes place. Flynn had already made plans to read Gabe & I a book from there. And Gabe had big plans to spend the majority of his time at the train table (once again, it doesn't matter that we already have one at home).
To & fro they'd run. Pulling books off the shelves at warp speed. Leaving them wherever, only for me to run behind & try to quickly find where it came from, return it to its spot, & move onto the next castaway.
I may have been sweating at this point.
So, we settle on one or two books, or five. And after diligence & much deliberation, we settle on those few (five) & head to the check out.
Why in the world are there the most delectable and irresistable things at check out lines. Like delicate & very breakable pop up gift card holders. And Godiva chocolates wrapped like royal gifts? Why, oh why?
And why, must you spend five minutes asking me if I'd like to buy a gift for an orphan? And another 10 minutes explaining your reward club? And how if I join today, I'll save an extra $2 (forget the fact that I'd be spending $25 to join the hurting club). Must you continue to push the rewards club while I'm on the other side of the spinning display, removing stationery sets from my son's two year old grip; stationery sets that cost more than my outfit?
And while my credit card lays atop my open wallet, at your register, where you spend vast amounts of time talking about how I'll save 40% off of novels if I join this club... should I share with you that for the last 3.98 years, I've only had time to read an article in a parenting magazine, or a scripture here & there. And then, only if I'm able to lock the bathroom door.

When I finally convinced the employee that even if I had $25 to spare, I wouldn't have another second to spend there at the checkout, less my children knock over the Christmas display.

I give her a coupon, & she unhappily looks at it, tells me it might be too late to use it. I didn't want to tell her that while she was schpealing on & on about the reward's club, she could've been entering the coupon. I think she saw "that look" in my eye & made it work.

Then she gave me my total.

15.83.

I was pleased. Ahh, I thought, that's not much over the $10 gift card.

At that point I slid it across the counter to her.

And she told me,

"Oh dear - that's a gift card for Borders."

She Loves Me! (but only in our hometown)

Now that Jeff is home after work (can I tell you how wonderful that is?!), I'm getting to run errands WITHOUT kids in tow.

So, when he walked in the door, I planned to turn around & leave with several packages I needed to mail. Gabe was napping, which made for an easier departure. So I just yelled on my way out the door to Flynn, "Mommy's leaving, I love you."
She said, "I love you too!"
"Hey Mom, I like you!"
I played along,
"Hey Flynn, I adore you!"
Her response,
"Hey Mom, I love you in Festus!!"

Jeff & I laughed so hard.

We've decided to be more proactive about our date nights, with the kids. Flynn & I took in some culture Friday night for our date night, when we went to see Children of Eden. Sounds exotic & random, except there was reason for our destination, as Kaylee was a zebra in the play!
While "the girls" were out on their date, "the boys" went to the store for some goodies, stopped at the Caseys' for Spiderman 2, & headed home where Daddy passed on a very important tradition: dipping oreos in milk.
This is of course, something Daddy doesn't do around Flynn, so this was very special. Gabe's first oreo.

And one question:
"Why in the WORLD can't kids' sleeping schedules be in sync??"
Why is it that when Flynn finally sleeps past 7, Gabe is up in the 6 o'clock hour?!?!

I've Fallen for Fall

"i cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. so i spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air." n. hawthorne

I love you fall! And I love you 60+ temps!
We've been to the park THREE times already this week...and the week isn't over yet!

Having Her Cake & Eating it Too...

Flynn's bday is just 10 days away. Part of her celebration includes going out to eat with the family where she'll have her cake & blow out the candles. Since bakery cakes are out of the question with her allergy, Baker Momma gets to create her bday cake.

So, the other day I asked her, "What do you want on your cake?

"A flower."

Seems easy to me! I was very relieved. Then she added, "And polka dots. Lots of them."

Still seemed easy. And actually sounded pretty cute!

But then she started going crazy. "I also want crosses. Like Jesus." (man, am I raising a bible thumper or what?! ;)

"And wings. Like for a butterfly. But not the butterfly."

And man, she's so into telling me all these things...she's rattling them off at warp speed. Her eyes were gleeming, and I think she was about to slobber.

"I also want stars. And balloons, not strings." And when she said 'not strings', her face took a serious tone, and her finger pointed at me in precision.

"And I want one more thing on my cake."

"Stripes."

"A yellow and a red and an orange. And white."

"That's it."

Then after a few more minutes, she concluded,
"Oh yah, and a duck."

You know, because ducks only make sense with stripes, stars, balloon (without strings!), butterfly wings (but not the butterflies!!), a cross, dots, & a flower.

Happy almost birthday Flynn... you sure you want to grow up?

Human Vid: LifeHouse "Everything"