Autumn Activities!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

FIREMAN...er boy....in training!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

A Little Impromptu!

There is nothing that can spell out summer more than an impromptu game of baseball on a cool summer evening with litte neighborhood boys.

Last night, we visited my family for dinner, and then decided to hang out on the front porch. What started as a little hit and catch with Ted and Aidan, ended in a 5 man game of baseball; with a cheering section to boot! We even had the "Rock Pile" across the street filled with neighbors.

What made it most enjoyable was watching/teaching these neighborhood boys how to play a real game of baseball. Many of them didn't know what bases were, where to run, or how to hold the bat. Once that was taught and shown, we went on to the pitcher's mound and the catcher's responsibility. Once that was "mastered" the outfield was added by some neighbors.

Even if the hit was a foul, the cheering section cheered the player on to run the bases; albeit in a zig-zag formation most of the time which included the pitchers mound, a couple of circles, and definitely not staying in the baselines, but who is counting! The boys were so excited and enjoyed themselves, especially when the older of the boys slide into home plate...NOW THAT WAS TOTALLY AWESOME! (as Aidan so excitedly expressed!) Now all the boys wanted to hit the ball and slide into home plate. What a hoot!

The game ended, and we went inside for some icecream, another summer treat, and went home.

I think impromptu activites like that are the best. Because no expectations were had, no one had feelings hurt because there were no shows or who weren't invited. Just good ol' plain neighborhood fun that involved laughing. I miss those days where neighbors hung out in their front yards enjoying company and spending time with family and friends. I pray that Aidan and Luke will get to grow up with that. We are still praying for a house, but for now, we'll take surrogate neighborhoods for now.

Enjoy the summer everyone!

4th of July

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Nothing to blog about

I have been on hiatus way too long. So many things have happened, but as I sit down this morning, writers block seems to have jumped in my way. Aidan and I have been spending our days either at the pool or the lake. Mainly because of my "threatened" bed rest from my doctor. Although Baby Luke comes on October 20th, my doctor is taking every precaution with this pregnancy as I have 5 babies in heaven already. I'm thankful for that, but nonetheless...IT IS SUMMER! How do I "take it easy" with a 3, almost 4 year old...IN THE SUMMER???? Hence...my nice tan. MEH! What are ya gonna do.

Hopefully, I can get back to bloggin' again. It seems that almost everytime something funny, noteworthy, or just a plain ol' memory happens, I think to myself...Hmmm..what a great post I could do with that...I even think up of a catchy little title...all to forget it by the time the weeks roll around and I sit down to write it out. Alas...my writer's block will soon be lifted...soon...right?

First of Many Fishing Trips

Make a Smilebox scrap pages

Geez! Where Have I Been?

Okay, so really no excuses, but I have totally slacked in blogging...man...glad I don't get paid to do this! For those of you who do...KUDOS!

Anyways, today was Aidan's last day of Preschool...not really because he'll be back in the fall...but hey...

Here is a Smilebox of that...

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

And...we will be having a baby in the fall! WHEW! We've been busy...*wink...wink*!
It's a boy! We are naming him Luke Alan...Luke...such a calm name...Ahhh....

What's In A Name?

As I'm sure there are many of you who have little nicknames for your kiddos as they have grown through the ages, we have a "few" for Aidan. When he was about 2 months, at each late night feeding, he would make this sound that resembled a small bird waiting for its mother to bring back a juicy morsel of worm. This noise would only follow a gaseous explosion, as if he were preparing his little tummy for more food...hence the name..."TURDYBIRD". This name has stuck...only in a loving term! As he grew older, a friend of mine noticed that his big, bald head with only a few combed-over hairs showed him to be a likened image of Charlie Brown...hence the name..."CHARLIE BROWN". I've heard a vast array of nicknames ranging anywhere from little peanut, princess, yada. But for us, "TURKEYLURKE" just kind of slipped out one day...and thus, "TURKEYLURKE" was born. Just recently, Aidan has been watching "MARTHA" on PBS...a story of a talking dog. A line in the theme song says, "YO JOE! WHAT DO YOU KNOW?" So, that has been slipping out of my mouth when he would come waltzing in to the room...probably asking for a snack.

As the story goes, I've sweetly spoken one, if not all, of these nicknames to Aidan, such as "Yo! JOE!" Which he promptly responds with hand on his hips..."I'm not JOE! I Aidan!" Well, okay then!

Wal-Mart seems to be my place of doom in toddler stories...so of course, I'm in Wal-Mart, not having the best of times with my little "TURDYBIRD", and I say that nicely. When at the checkout stand, a sweet older lady who tried to keep him occupied while I helpe bag, asked Aidan what his name was. This was his response:

"I Aidan, Turdybird, Turkeylurke, Charlie Brown...and now I Joe!"

My head dropped into my hands, eyes rolled into my head...and a sigh of astonishment expelled from my heavy chest! The sweet old lady, laughed and smiled at me and said, "Well, at least he won't ever have an identity problem!"

Oye-vey!

Spring Snow

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Being Mommy

Just recently, I found out how attached I am to being a mommy. This weekend, my little guy was at my MIL's house having a blast with them and his cousins. When Sunday morning rolled around and getting ready to go to "work", aka...ministry...we got the dreaded call that parents loathe to get when their kiddos are away. My MIL called and said that he wasn't feeling well and wanted to come home! WHAT? TODAY? But...I have to go to work! My DH is teaching for me...what? That is 1.5 hours away...okay...okay...what do I do? It was this time where I had to not be super mom and rely on others to help me out. My husband drove to get him, my mom came over to take care of him, while we went to church and ministered. The whole time I was franctic about my little guy and the fact that I couldn't be there with him. I think this was when it hit me...I love being a mommy!

So today, with the cooler weather, I decided to stay at home and be a mommy. I'm gonna hang out with him, he is feeling much better by the way. Maybe in my own way I am making up for not being able to care of him yesterday, but in reality...I think I just missed being a mommy and needed a fix.

Snugglebug

In all of the rushes of my life, I simply cannot express the joy that comes from having a snugglebug morning with my little guy. This morning, all of us woke up late...so chaos ensued. Thinking of the crazy-hecticness of the morning, I was not excited to get started. As I staggared to my coffee pot to pour myself a cup of ever-living-energy...darn half-caff...I noticed a white blanket on the evergreen bushes out my kitchen window! It snowed! YEAH! Finally some relief to the dryness here. Anyways, as the morning moved on, all my little guy wanted to do was snuggle! He got his Thomas the Train blanket I made for him at Christmas, and drug it over to me and said, "Mommy, can we snugglebug?" WELL OF COURSE WE CAN! So we snugglebugged together on the couch, watching kid-shows, reading his new books, and talking! What a morning! Then, looking up I realized that we were going to be late to EVERYTHING today...no matter...I cancelled some stuff...you know...due to the 1/2 inch snow on the ground ;)...and Aidan and I have planned out our morning together...
Ahhh...I should totally do this more often...take time away from my "TO DO" list and do something on my "NEED TO DO" list!

The Concert

When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that her child was missing! Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit." "Keep playing." Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience.

The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn't recall what else the great master played. Only the classic," Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."

Perhaps that's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music. However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can truly be beautiful.

The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You may hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, "Don't quit." "Keep playing."

May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands are there, helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces. Remember, God doesn't seem to
call the equipped, rather, He equips the 'called.'

Life is more accurately measured by the lives you touch than by the things you aquire.


I saw this in an email years ago. I thought it was appropriate to say exactly what I and probably many other moms are going through!

Invisible Mom

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?'


Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more! Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this?? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude-but now, they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!?

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England . Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe . I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything. A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam.. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof, No one will ever see it. And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become. At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.


I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree. When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for 3 hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home……!! And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'


As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

GOR-ILL-A

For reasons unknown...we own a gorilla costume. Don't ask me why, but it is in our repetoire of costumes!

So last Sunday I brought it to church to drive home a point for the kids. When we took it out of the trunk, we realized that it doesn't have such a "friendly" face and that we should keep it hidden from Aidan until he's older. He's already having enough dreams of being scared...I don't want to add this to the dinosaurs and the like to his list of frights.

After church we put it in our room to hide until he was taking a nap to put it away. BUT! He found it...and LOVED it! Here are some pictures!

Perfection...My Enemy...

Okay, so I started this new job. It's nothing new. I've done this type of work before. But why am I wigged? Perfection seems to be my downfall. I'm not perfect. I know that. But why do I try to do things perfectly? After all...I'm a mom! I'm luck if I wear stuff that matches...or get out of the house with everything I need, although, it may not be pretty...I'm out and I've got everything necessary...right?

It's like I'm sitting on the cusp of something awesome, but I am freaking out because I feel that I'm not ready. Not ready for WHAT? That's my problem...I don't know. This new job is going to be great! I can't wait to see what God is going to do! I get to be apart of it, but inside, deep down, I'm wising He would call someone else up. The battle on the frontline is difficult. The gospel is being attacked. The church needs to become excited about seeing people, kids even come to a saving relationship with Christ! But the task seems daunting...because I am doing it on my own...OYE VEY! How do I step back and let Him take the reins and I just follow?

Anyways...I have found the greatest song by, Francesca Battistelli...mouthful eh? Awesome, just awesome. It pinpoints my faults but exalts the fact that not being perfect is just what the King ordered.

Take a listen!

3 Hours?? What will I do with myself??...w/video

Okay, so part of the "contract" with Aidan to get him potty trained was for him to go to preschool. That day came today! He was too excited and I, well I was a mess! I originally had a meeting planned, but that fell through due to the recent crud going around. I had it all figured out! For 3 hours I would have my mind concentrating on something else other than him! His first day at school! I could handle it! Right!? When the meeting was cancelled, I was stuck with the thought of being by myself for 3 hours! I know, many of you are wondering what is the big deal! I would LOVE to have some time to myself, let alone 3 hours! Mind you...my baby went to PRESCHOOL today...I must not think about him! On our way to school, he was sitting in his new booster chair, looking very grown up, looking out the window daydreaming, I'm sure, of all the wonderful things he is about to embark on. A huge smile was plastered across his face! He was too cute! Nevermind the emotional wreck who was sitting in the driver's seat! AHHHH! After droping him off, I was able to do some errands by myself and actually got to read a book at Barnes & Nobel while sipping on some coffee....it was a good morning.

Now, he's passed out sleeping...going on his 3rd hour...whew! Preschool wore him out! HEY! HOW COME I DIDN'T DO THIS MONTHS AGO???????

Shameful....

It seems that I have been on a hiatus from blogging...where did January go?????

Well, thankfully my blogging buddies have encourged me with awards! However, I am so ashamed that my post was to long ago to remember...! SORRY!!!

But Mom of One gave me this wonderful award...you're too kind...I promise I'll keep up my posts! HA!

So I have to list 5 addictions so here goes.....

1. Coffee...I mean who isn't!?

2. Law & Order: SVU! I don't plan anything on Tuesday nights at 9:00 pm! Really...I have no life...

3. Sleep...I don't get enough of it, but I'm addicted to it!

4. Yoga...I really love it, but it is super hard to concentrate with a 3-year-old hanging off of the Triangle Pose and a hubby watching you wondering how on earth can his wife move that way!

5. My hubby...*Collectively the crowd says....AWWWWWWWWWWW*

Now to pass on the love to the blogs I think are fabulous:

I Wasn't Born a Soccer Mom

Moseley Musings

The Jumbled Thoughts of Janet

Cheaper Than Therapy


I also have this assignments from Nancy at One Stop Boy Shop blogging moms.

I am to go to MY PICTURES folder and choose the 4th picture. And this is it...


This is me an my friend celebrating her bday this month!

Here are the rules:

1) Choose the 4th folder where you store your pictures on your computer
2) Select the 4th picture in the folder
3) Explain the picture
4) Tag 4 people to do the same

Here are my tags:

Ali- The Home of the Lazy Dog

Valinda - The Krazy Kennedys

Mom of One

We Are That Family


Check these blogs out! Leave a comment...why not? Isn't that why we all blog? Just to get comments?! LOL!

Double Header...

So, Aidan's first soccer game was this morning...scratch that...his first 2 games were this morning, that's right, a doulbe header...HE'S 3-YEARS-OLD! AHHH! He did really good and although he was scared of the big kids, he held his own very well! With 2 goals under his belt, I think he is well on his way to the MLS! Kidding...but it would be nice to retire on your kid's talent! Kidding again...but I know many of you think it! HEE HEE!

Anyways, here are a couple of shots and videos of Aidan's big day!

Organized Chaos = 3 year old soccer practice...Edited

So, in order for us to be successful in potty training Aidan, we hung playing "soccer ball" over his head. We told him that big boys who play soccer do not wear diapers. Having an accident on the soccer field would be a "no-no." Anyhow, victory occured and the result...ORGANIZED CHAOS! I really do not think his coach knew what hit him...we'll see if he shows up to the game on Saturday...HA!




EDITED...
Because I just have to...here are a couple of videos...

Is this what happens when he is unsupervised...?

Yesterday, I told Aidan to go play in his room by himself for a bit while I cleaned up the house a bit. He was not in his room for by himself for more than 15 minutes. My mommy ears were on high and I heard noise coming from his room, in fact, I could tell you exactly what toy he was playing with when it made a sound! When I just so happened to walk past his bedroom door, my peripheral vision caught something that required me to take a second glance. With cat-like reflexes, I turned on a dime to return to the opening of what seemed like the never-ending abyss of toys...This is what my eyes saw and caused my mouth to drop to the ground, which by the way, didn't get back to its normal position until well into the evening...

Hello, 2009! MUAH!!

In our life, 2008 was a challenging, transitional year. As for many, we were affected by the economy greatly. We moved, changed jobs, and then found a whole new life...again! Talk about a mid-life crisis! But, with the changing of the calendar, I feel a sense of anticipation of a new leaf changing over!

I'm not sure how I feel about New Year's Resolutions, as those tend to go by the wayside for me by February 1, or more like January 4...but I digress. When I awoke this am, my quiet time with God wasn't earth-shattering...if fact...it was down-right dull, but I did walk away with some enlightenment that has helped me put things into perspective. I get the sense that 2009 is going to bring our family opportunities, great friends, challenging lessons, relief in some way, and an incredible time of closeness with God and each other. I guess there is something about a good cry that helps wash things away and allows you to begin to start anew. Maybe this is what a New Year's Resolution is all about. Starting anew. Starting fresh. Wiping the old away. There are so many things that I desire or want for me, friends or family, but when I sit back and take a look at all of those things, I being to wonder if I believe that if I just had those or did these things, or looked a certain way, that I would be happy and I would be able to check off a "Resolution" off of my list. That is not how I want to live; I'm a list maker by nature, and by all means...it is not natural. Living by lists can squander even the most adventureous of spirits.

So this morning, I guess my quiet time with God wasn't so dull after all. Walking away feel fresh, inspired, new and whole again is exactly what I needed to start a new day, a new month, a new year.

So, Happy New Year everyone! I pray you feel freshly inspired to start a new year with a clean slate! Get "crack-a-lackin'!"