The other day, we were all driving to Denver for a birthday party when Gillian asked me about how babies get made.
She asked "Mom, how did you make Jack?"
I shot a 'uh oh!' look to Ben, who was sucking in his lips to keep from smiling, and then said, "God took a little bit of me and little bit of Dad and used those ingredients to make Jack."
"Yeah yeah, mom. You've told me that. But how did those ingredients get in you?"
oh crap!
"God's pretty crafty. He knows exactly how to get what He needs to make babies in their mommies."
I crossed my fingers and whispered a silent plea, "please let that be enough. pleeeease!"
"mmmmooooooomm!"
ah, nuts. ok, time to bring out the big guns.
"I'll tell you when you're older."
"You mean when you'll tell me about those pads you wear in your panties?"
gulp.
"yep. I'll tell you about both of those things later."
time to turn up the radio. really loud.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
funny pictures
My sister works for an art company that supplies art to hospitals across the country. My brother just recently started working for them too, traveling all over, hanging the art. My sis has been asking me to submit some of my photos so that they can buy them and display them. I mailed her a cd full of photos yesterday and can't wait to hear back from them. I can't believe I could get paid to take photos. How cool would that be?!
Today, she told me that they are trying to collect images that kids would like for a children's hospital. I decided to try my hand at some new photos, and here is what I came up with.
Now don't laugh at my pathetic attempt at a snow man. I'm a Texan, ya'll. I've never done this before!
Today, she told me that they are trying to collect images that kids would like for a children's hospital. I decided to try my hand at some new photos, and here is what I came up with.
Now don't laugh at my pathetic attempt at a snow man. I'm a Texan, ya'll. I've never done this before!
Aren't those fun?! I don't think I can submit any of them to the art company, but it was still fun to shoot.
Here are some cute ones of Gillian making a snow angel from today.
And some of the always precious, Jack.
Fabulous!
Groovy! My sister in law just gave me a Fabulous Blog Award! Thanks Jenn!
So I'm supposed to post 5 blogs that I think deserve a Fabulous Blog Award and then post 5 of my addictions. I'm tagging:
Now I get to find out what their 5 addictions are. But not before you all learn mine.
- My Camera/Photoshop
- Beef Fried Rice with Sour Cream and Parmesean (nope, not kidding)
- LOST and all things LOST-related. Especially talking about LOST and wondering what's next.
- The smell of walking into a Barnes and Noble. Someone needs to bottle that new book/coffee shop smell.
- etsy.com, pandora.com, and the ijm institute
(like I can possibly narrow down my addictions to just 5. yeah right!)
Monday, January 26, 2009
phew!
So apparently, Miss G was having a hard time sleeping. I had seen her awake by the time I was going to sleep some nights (4 hours after she'd been laid down), so I asked her if she was sleeping well. She said that she wasn't, that she was scared to close her eyes. Josh had gotten into dinosaurs recently, and Gillie had a hard time seeing that as a good thing. She's afraid that if she closes her eyes, that she'll dream about dinosaurs chasing her.
I asked her what she thought we might could do to help her relax at night, and being as this particular book was nearby, she suggested that I read her a bible story each night. My mom gave me a Children's Book of Bible Stories a few months ago that I read to the kids every once in a while. So we started reading one story a night. We also pray each and every night for "happy dreams."
After a couple of really good nights of sleep, I asked her teacher if there had been a difference, and she said "Big difference!"
Woohoo!!!!!
I'm so grateful to worship a God who comforts my daughter. I'm so grateful that He is so good that His story causes her to relax and be comforted.
THANK YOU GOD!
I asked her what she thought we might could do to help her relax at night, and being as this particular book was nearby, she suggested that I read her a bible story each night. My mom gave me a Children's Book of Bible Stories a few months ago that I read to the kids every once in a while. So we started reading one story a night. We also pray each and every night for "happy dreams."
After a couple of really good nights of sleep, I asked her teacher if there had been a difference, and she said "Big difference!"
Woohoo!!!!!
I'm so grateful to worship a God who comforts my daughter. I'm so grateful that He is so good that His story causes her to relax and be comforted.
THANK YOU GOD!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
focus pt. 2
Apparently, I'm not the only one with focusing issues. Today, the boys and I had lunch with Gillian at her school. Her teacher pulled me aside and mentioned that Miss G has been having problems recently with paying attention in class, like she's in her own little world. Ben and I have noticed this more and more at home too and discussed it the other day. I don't know what to do.
When Ben was younger, he was diagnosed with ADD or ADHD, one of those attention disorders. They later figured out that he had bipolar disease. I'm not sure if that means that the ADD had been misdiagnosed, and he was actually just bipolar, but still, he had a hard time with it.
I'm always skeptical when I hear teachers mention that their students have attention problems. We love Gillie's teacher, but since she's a teacher and not a doctor, I'm going to take her opinion with a grain of salt. But then again, like I said, Ben and I have noticed it too. And it's not like she tried to diagnose Gillie. She just mentioned that she's noticed that she's having a hard time focusing recently.
There are times when she is completely focused - when I'm reading her a story or when she's watching a movie. But there are other times - when I tell her to put on her shoes or clean up her toys, that I have to keep reminding her of the task. Sometimes 5 times a minute. Yeah. Scary.
I didn't know if it was just a 6 year old thing or something more individual to her. I asked her teacher if she sees the same thing in her other students, and she admitted that a few others have a hard time, and that Gillian hadn't been this bad until just recently. It makes me wonder if she's getting enough sleep. (She and Josh go to sleep around 7pm every night, and don't wake until 7am. Although recently, Gillian's been finding it harder to fall asleep. I now wonder if it's because she can't slow down her thoughts long enough to let her body ease into sleep...)
I worry that if I say anything to her doctor, that they'll immediately start trying to fill her up with pills. I worry that if I don't put her on meds, that she'll get worse. I worry that if I do put her on meds, that she'll lose that light about her that everyone loves so much. I don't want to create a zombie.
It makes me think that if this gets worse, I may pull her out of public school and buckle down and homeschool again. I don't know if I'd have the patience for that with the other two boys needing me at the same time, but plenty of moms have done it. I just worry that, again, I'M not focused enough to give my kids the education they need to succeed.
Maybe if I just did it for a year or so, to really get a feel for how she learns best, what her optimal learning environment would be, then we could rethink schooling options later. She loves 'going' to class and being with friends so much that I sort of hate to take that away. But I have to do what's best for her. And I don't know if putting her on pills would be the answer. Maybe just a change in environment or a more one-on-one with her teacher (me) time...
Obviously, I'm just thinking out loud here. I'm hoping that by laying out all my thoughts and fears here, that someone will comment with a suggestion, or at the very least, pray.
When Ben was younger, he was diagnosed with ADD or ADHD, one of those attention disorders. They later figured out that he had bipolar disease. I'm not sure if that means that the ADD had been misdiagnosed, and he was actually just bipolar, but still, he had a hard time with it.
I'm always skeptical when I hear teachers mention that their students have attention problems. We love Gillie's teacher, but since she's a teacher and not a doctor, I'm going to take her opinion with a grain of salt. But then again, like I said, Ben and I have noticed it too. And it's not like she tried to diagnose Gillie. She just mentioned that she's noticed that she's having a hard time focusing recently.
There are times when she is completely focused - when I'm reading her a story or when she's watching a movie. But there are other times - when I tell her to put on her shoes or clean up her toys, that I have to keep reminding her of the task. Sometimes 5 times a minute. Yeah. Scary.
I didn't know if it was just a 6 year old thing or something more individual to her. I asked her teacher if she sees the same thing in her other students, and she admitted that a few others have a hard time, and that Gillian hadn't been this bad until just recently. It makes me wonder if she's getting enough sleep. (She and Josh go to sleep around 7pm every night, and don't wake until 7am. Although recently, Gillian's been finding it harder to fall asleep. I now wonder if it's because she can't slow down her thoughts long enough to let her body ease into sleep...)
I worry that if I say anything to her doctor, that they'll immediately start trying to fill her up with pills. I worry that if I don't put her on meds, that she'll get worse. I worry that if I do put her on meds, that she'll lose that light about her that everyone loves so much. I don't want to create a zombie.
It makes me think that if this gets worse, I may pull her out of public school and buckle down and homeschool again. I don't know if I'd have the patience for that with the other two boys needing me at the same time, but plenty of moms have done it. I just worry that, again, I'M not focused enough to give my kids the education they need to succeed.
Maybe if I just did it for a year or so, to really get a feel for how she learns best, what her optimal learning environment would be, then we could rethink schooling options later. She loves 'going' to class and being with friends so much that I sort of hate to take that away. But I have to do what's best for her. And I don't know if putting her on pills would be the answer. Maybe just a change in environment or a more one-on-one with her teacher (me) time...
Obviously, I'm just thinking out loud here. I'm hoping that by laying out all my thoughts and fears here, that someone will comment with a suggestion, or at the very least, pray.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
FOCUS!
We got paid the other day, and I went on one of my twice-a-month grocery shopping trips. I went when Miss G was in school, so I just had the two boys. I always shop with Jack in a sling across my chest. He feels so snuggly and warm that he instantly falls asleep.
*lucky me!*
I got home and unloaded everything and put them in their proper places. And then I noticed that I didn’t pick up any toilet paper. A low growl escaped my lips because I knew I’d have to make another trip. I REALLY try to keep my grocery store visits to a minimum.
As I was putting the kiddos to bed later that night, Ben mentioned that he didn’t see any new TP. I admitted that I’d forgotten it. Gillian then busted out laughing and said “Mom, that’s soooo you!”
What?
“You’re always forgetting just one thing.”
Sigh. Frown. Quivering lip. Sob.
The fact that I’m a numbskull is one thing. The fact that it’s gotten to the point where my family doesn’t get frustrated anymore - that they now consider it laughable - is another. I felt like one of those sitcom moms who are characteristically late or always dressed in wrinkled clothes and non-matching shoes or sneaking a bottle of scotch at noon on the dot every day. And that there should be that fake audience-laughter whenever I am characteristically forgetful. I don't want my family shaking their heads at me with a condescending smile on their faces, accepting (no - expecting!) me to not get things right the first time!
I get frustrated with my kiddos when they get distracted and don’t finish what they start. But – HELLO – look at their example! Drats. It’s not like I’m ADD or anything, I am just not as focused as I wished I was, as I need to be. I know I just had a baby. I know I’m a busy stay-at-home mom with three little kids and a few side projects going on. Yeah, yeah, yeah, but why can’t I just FOCUS?! I don’t want my kids to think that my forgetfulness is endearing! I want them to see me set a goal and reach it. I want them to see me get it right. I want them to see me focus, work hard and achieve.
I don’t want them to see me as a failure. I have no problem asking for their forgiveness when I screw up. And it's great and all that they have a model of humility. I just want it to be the exception, not the rule.
I know that sounds like I’m beating myself up. And I am a little bit. But I also know not to stay stuck in that mindset. (Knowing me, that won’t be hard. It seems that things of value just slip right out my head these days, and no matter how desperate I feel about my kids seeing me finish a project, I know that I will get distracted and not finish it for days.)
I know. That was harsh. And fatalistic. And pessimistic. But if I don’t change, it’s the bloody truth. I’m not a psychic. I just know me.
So how do I change? Do I take ginkgo biloba? Do I just wait until Jack is sleeping through the night (ie. I am sleeping through the night) to make a judgment call here, to see if things change? Do I set timers around the house, little alarms that alert me to things that need to get done? I have no idea.
One thing I do know – writing blog posts about it isn’t really going to help. But it certainly feels good to get it out there.
*lucky me!*
I got home and unloaded everything and put them in their proper places. And then I noticed that I didn’t pick up any toilet paper. A low growl escaped my lips because I knew I’d have to make another trip. I REALLY try to keep my grocery store visits to a minimum.
As I was putting the kiddos to bed later that night, Ben mentioned that he didn’t see any new TP. I admitted that I’d forgotten it. Gillian then busted out laughing and said “Mom, that’s soooo you!”
What?
“You’re always forgetting just one thing.”
Sigh. Frown. Quivering lip. Sob.
The fact that I’m a numbskull is one thing. The fact that it’s gotten to the point where my family doesn’t get frustrated anymore - that they now consider it laughable - is another. I felt like one of those sitcom moms who are characteristically late or always dressed in wrinkled clothes and non-matching shoes or sneaking a bottle of scotch at noon on the dot every day. And that there should be that fake audience-laughter whenever I am characteristically forgetful. I don't want my family shaking their heads at me with a condescending smile on their faces, accepting (no - expecting!) me to not get things right the first time!
I get frustrated with my kiddos when they get distracted and don’t finish what they start. But – HELLO – look at their example! Drats. It’s not like I’m ADD or anything, I am just not as focused as I wished I was, as I need to be. I know I just had a baby. I know I’m a busy stay-at-home mom with three little kids and a few side projects going on. Yeah, yeah, yeah, but why can’t I just FOCUS?! I don’t want my kids to think that my forgetfulness is endearing! I want them to see me set a goal and reach it. I want them to see me get it right. I want them to see me focus, work hard and achieve.
I don’t want them to see me as a failure. I have no problem asking for their forgiveness when I screw up. And it's great and all that they have a model of humility. I just want it to be the exception, not the rule.
I know that sounds like I’m beating myself up. And I am a little bit. But I also know not to stay stuck in that mindset. (Knowing me, that won’t be hard. It seems that things of value just slip right out my head these days, and no matter how desperate I feel about my kids seeing me finish a project, I know that I will get distracted and not finish it for days.)
I know. That was harsh. And fatalistic. And pessimistic. But if I don’t change, it’s the bloody truth. I’m not a psychic. I just know me.
So how do I change? Do I take ginkgo biloba? Do I just wait until Jack is sleeping through the night (ie. I am sleeping through the night) to make a judgment call here, to see if things change? Do I set timers around the house, little alarms that alert me to things that need to get done? I have no idea.
One thing I do know – writing blog posts about it isn’t really going to help. But it certainly feels good to get it out there.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Monday, January 05, 2009
Happy New Year!
(yeah, I realize that I'm a few days late. but that's what you get with a mom of a new baby!)
I would like to be able to tell you that in the past year I...
- Lost a few dress sizes
- Learned how to cook healthy, inexpensive meals for the fam
- Spent tons of time with my closest friends and family
- Finished reading through the New Testament
Instead, I have to tell you that in the past year I…
- Weigh just about the same as I did this time last year
- Served pizza and mac n cheese far too often
- Moved to Colorado away from some of my closest friends and family
- Am still a few chapters away from finishing the New Testament
However, in the past year I also…
- Got to wear maternity pants and dresses! (Welcome Jack!!)
- Already lost the baby weight I had gained during the pregnancy
- Did learn a few new cooking techniques that I’m loving
- Moved to Colorado to be surrounded by awesome family
- Made some new friends and was visited by some of our Texas friends and family
- Gained a new appreciation for and sense of awe of God
In this next year, I am hoping to…
- Start officially looking into whether we can adopt
- Redefine my goal of losing weight to eating healthier and being more active (so far so good, by the way!)
- Move to Denver to be closer to Ben’s work and family
- Spend loads of time outdoors with the kiddos
- Finish the New Testament and start reading through the Old
Here’s to a divine 2009!
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