The Stockings Were hung...

             And now we wait...

FUN 101

Ok... I'm trying!

How to be fun...

1. SMILE, SMILE, SMILE... until it hurts

2. Join in when your kids are singing at the top of their lungs instead of nagging them to be quiet

3. Stop running errands and STAY home, BE home, not doing "errands" at home

4. Play with your kids when they ask, not "in just a minute"; play their game and not the organized version that you think you should be playing

5. Don't follow the rules ALL the time, just most of the time

6. TRAVEL, TRAVEL, TRAVEL any time, every time you get the chance; oh, and don't stress about packing everything you own. Just GO!

7. Let your kids eat more candy than they should sometimes 

8. Say YES sometimes, too

9. Don't buy your husband underwear and socks for Christmas :)

10. Play outside with no shoes or coat even if it is raining

11. Stay up late and watch a movie with your kids every now & then complete with popcorn & hot chocolate even if they've watched too much tv already

12. lay in bed until 9:00 with your kids & husband watching PBS even if you have oodles to do that day

13. Hold your babies as long as they will let you

14. Let your kids order whatever they want from the menu on occassion

15. Just RELAX and not always live like you have an agenda

Our Big Superman

I'm so proud of Sam today; I haven't stopped smiling from ear to ear. He had 3 cavities filled, and he was the bravest person at the dentist I've ever seen! He didn't even flinch! You read right, not even during the 3 shots he had to get! The only thing he did was squeeze his fist twice. He pretty much laid there as calm as a cat the WHOLE time. The dentist couldn't believe it either; he said he has adult patients that aren't as good as Sam. I WAS PROUD! He is seriously the "no nonsense" kind of kid; just give it to him and he will take it with no messing around (unless it's bedtime; then he stalls A LOT). The most climatic moment of the whole appointment was when he was getting in the car he said "My mouth feels really wiggly at this dentist." What a great way of explaining it. Thanks for being our big Super Man, Sam!

Oh, and don't mention it to him; after he heard me tell 3 people of the whole experience he asked me to stop talking about it. He seems to be wondering what the big deal is I guess. 

Haircut anyone?

I don't think this is exactly what Will had in mind; Sam insisted that Will wanted it just like his, so he attempted it, not with scissors but with clippers.  Maybe a little more practice will help. Wait, but I banned him from practicing for the rest of his life!!

The only way I will be able to salvage this 'do is to shave it all off so it no longer looks like male-patterned baldness with a mullet. I haven't had the heart to shave it off today, so more pics to follow tomorrow or whenever I have the guts to do it. Who knows, the top may be grown again by the time I'm ready to shave it all off.

Farewell...

Now that it's December I've taken down the sign but not without a sad farewell to the season I have so much love for. So much love for the crisp mornings and warm afternoons, yellow leaves and all those leaves filling our lawn, orange skies, colorful mountains, apple trees and the pies that come from those trees, leaving the front door open all day because it's not too cold yet, the refreshing smell and feel of fall air, and THANKSGIVING. I love it all, farewell until next year.

The best part of Thanksgiving was being with family the whole entire day doing what we do best... eating,  lounging, looking at ads, philosophizing about life and our world and our solutions to improve all of those things, playing a little sports, and just enjoying each other realizing how grateful we are to be a part of this family... 

Anything he can do, I can do better

Will finally loves his brother, and anything Sam does Will attempts it, too. The latest thing has been Sam showing him how to climb up into the rocking chair and jump off. I walked in on Sam several times lifting Will into the chair and trying to get him to jump off. The crazy thing is that Will actually does it!! I'm a lot more convinced that they will be friends and partners in crime. Will is just starting to go along with whatever Sam does. Another instance, Sam has started taking Will out of his crib with neither one of them making a peep. Will must approve of the freedom. 

Will has also flipped a switch the last few weeks and is more like a person. Still a soft, sweet person, but more like a person making an effort to communicate and show emotions. He always says "what that" about everything. He LOVES Christmas lights and every time he sees them he excitedly says "OOOOOHHHHH!" He has this hysterical cry every time he gets scared; we shouldn't laugh at him being scared, but if you could hear how funny the cry is you would laugh, too.  Surprisingly, Calvin's bark will get him going with that cry almost every time. He is our clean child; he never likes for things to be out of place. He's always picking up toys, and if he hears the clean up song he comes running to help. I won't argue with a kid like that! If I'm ever laying in the floor he'll crawl onto my stomach and lay his head on my chest until I get up. At bedtime he always touches my eyes, nose, and mouth and then gives me a great big kiss. I love it!

When did this happen???

Kind of hard to put into words, at least not without a few tears...

The last 3 days Sam has all of the sudden become a real person; he is so cooperative, communicative, fun, loving, self-entertaining, obedient, and believe it or not EASY. It's impossible for me to see exactly when he changed; it's like a morphing that happened right before my very eyes but I just didn't see it I guess. He warms my heart in so many ways, but here's a conversation that took place tonight that really did the trick....

 

First, the background... we had a little tiff tonight about him opening some cheese that I asked him not to open. I got a little angrier than was necessary as did he, and he spent about 20 minutes cooling off in his room while I was blowing off my steam in the kitchen. Ok, on with the story. Tonight at bedtime I asked how his day was and this was the conversation that followed:

Sam: I really liked playing today, but I did NOT like how the cheese thing went. 

Me: Really? What did you not like about it? 

Sam: I didn't like when you yelled at me. 

Me: I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at someone that I care about over something like cheese. Let me explain why I yelled. I asked you not to open the cheese and you did it anyways. What do you think we could do about that next time?

Sam: Next time if I want cheese I will get a cheese stick and not open the cheese. I'm sorry I yelled at you, and I won't EVER do it again. 

Then he gave me a big hug.

I know, it doesn't sound like much, but this is just an example of many about how he remembers every detail about everything that has ever happened to him. Also noteworthy to me because I love how his mind reasons things out and a lot of time he actually follows through with his idea when the situation arises again. Mostly touching because I love how he talks so openly with me about things that he's thinking about and that are important to him. I hope he always will. 

Ok, a funnier conversation tonight. As I was tucking him in he asked if I was too tired to go and do my jobs. (He somewhere got in his mind that all I do is work when he is asleep. Little does he know!!) I said I was a little tired, and he let me know it was ok if I just wanted to rest instead of do jobs. I asked what my jobs are and he informed it's mostly to put Scooter & him to bed and pick up everything. Then followed with, "but that's ok because me, Scooter, Dad, and Calvin have to pick things up, too." Thanks, Sam, for the encouragement and support.

time out

this is what a 3 year old does in a 3 minute time out. is this impressive or not?

Well, I tried

It has always been a top priority to expose my children to all types of experiences so that they can have as much opportunity as possible. I especially want them to be involved in things that aren't just the norm. My 1st attempt at this was putting Sam in a dance class at my friend Roxey's dance studio. I certainly don't think boys who take dance will be gay despite some criticism I have received from some when I put Sam in this class. He has enjoyed it and been excited about it up until tonight. When I told him he was going to dance class tomorrow he gave me the most hilarious response. In all seriousness he told me he "doesn't want to go to dance class anymore because it makes him feel all weird inside." Well, I guess that settles that. 

Pete did it

Pete was finally convinced of the fun and value in blogging and took it on in a way like I never believed. He started his own blog. Now he is anxiously awaiting visitors and comments, so check it out at petevan.blogspot.com.  We will all be curious to see what his mind is thinking about. :)

Gotta love my kids...

They are in such adorable stages right now!

Sam...

he was supposed to be taking a nap yesterday; I heard him shuffling around upstairs and then nothing. After a few minutes I checked to be sure he hadn't escaped our house, and this is how I found him. And, yes, those are chocolate cookies. It must have been so tiring eating them because there was still an unchewed piece in his mouth when he fell asleep.

I love  everything that comes out of his mouth...

Yesterday he told me he has blue eyes just like me. I asked him where he got his blue eyes, and he said, "I must have eaten so many blueberries that they turned blue." Very creative. 

Today he asked why we have big daddies. I asked him what he thought and he said "so they can reach tall things and fix things." Very sweet (and true!)

He has started defending everyone he cares about, i.e. Will and Calvin. If Will gets in trouble for hitting him he is quick to say "it's ok; he was just patting." If Calvin gets in trouble for eating our food he says "it's ok; he's just hungry." Love that he sticks up for people; definitely hope that lasts forever. 

Will...

He's still our little Scooter Bug even though he's walking now and running at times. He still holds his hand out for balance and looks especially funny when we are cheering for him to run. He has certainly flipped a switch over the last few weeks, and our mr. mellow Scooter Bug now has energy and into much. Still so sweet and cute. 

Every time he sees or hears an airplane he points and starts blowing like crazy. 

He loves having Sam around most of the time now. He laughs hysterically every time Sam tries to play with him.

He loves to hit, but we don't love it so much. If it weren't so naughty to hit, it would actually be kind of cute. 

He finally likes to snuggle in bed with us if we will let him. He mostly just like to get our bed if he can snuggle into my shoulder, and I love it so much I kind of wish he could get in bed with us every day.

His favorite expression. Every pic we have of him he has that "deer in the headlights" look:

My Fall Harvest

That's what I'm calling my table runner that I finished last week; I love it!! And it feels like my best fall harvest ever. I "harvested" my 1st stippling experience, and I was so impressed with myself if I must say so myself. It helps that I had some great pattern choices and stippling tips from one of my favorite blog teachers. She's having a great giveaway going on right now, so if you need some sewing or fabric inspiration or a great prize be sure to out her blog. You won't be disappointed.

Hooray!!

We are celebrating today because Bountiful City FINALLY has delivered recycling cans. How did we celebrate around here? We filled it almost full of newspapers, boxes, and plastic bags that we've been stashing until the big day arrived. And to think, for a mere bargain at only $3.05 per month someone will pick up all our recyclables at our house every other week. I think that's a bargain; don't tell, but I would've paid a lot more than that!!

Tonight

What am I doing tonight?

• listening to Obama's acceptance speech; satisfied with the outcome
• being happy my kids went to bed at 7:30
• wishing Pete was home, but grateful I have plenty to do when he's gone, like this quick fun table runner. I was wanting a quick project. I have plenty of big projects piling up. My curtains were supposed to be the quick project, but I can't find any 1 1/2 inch silver grommets. Anyone know where I could get some????

• admiring this adorable fabric and getting excited about starting this project for a new little addition to our family (through my sister, not me :) 

• eating too many chips and guacamole. It's no wonder I won't ever be skinny again. Oh well, I guess I have other things.

Good night...

Halloween

Here's our little munchkins; I adore the way the costumes turned out...

We barely trick-or-treated a few houses on our street. We're all pooped; way too much partying this month. Sunday will start our simplified lives again. 

Oh, and if you love the banner and want instructions, leave me a comment asking for detailed instructions. You can make one next year...

Our Big Little Boy Turns 3

What a day...

• birthday cupcake & buzz light year pancake breakfast... success
• spending time with his favorite neighbor... success
• special time with mom hearing the story over & over again about the day he was born... success
• happy party at the "bounce house" with lots of great cousins... success
• rockin' party at home with more pizza, cake, and presents than anyone could really need... success
• a trip to the Ward Halloween Carnival in full costume & tons of fun carnival games & more sugar... success
• a  happy, happy birthday for our big little boy... success

Well, he's 3. Hard to believe, but he's sure happy that he's 3. He's already talking about when he turns 10. WHAT IS HE THINKING!? Birthdays have become more tender to me since I've had my own children. I love the time to reflect on how they entered this world and what they have blossomed into each year. Here's my top list for Sam...

7. You're practically a vegetarian; with candy out of the equation, you would choose a fruit or bowl of vegetables to snack on over anything else. We can hardly get you to eat to any meat unless it's a hot dog. Wait, is that really meat?

6. You tell me all the time that the only thing you like are tractors. Every time we see a piece of heavy machinery while driving you say "Tractor!" No one is allowed to say it before you do or you will quickly remind them that you are the only one who can say tractor first. You politely inform us that dad gets to point & say "motorcycle", mom says "house", and Will says "ducks".

5. I love your wondering mind and inquisitive nature. You've always been very verbal and curious about how the world works. You ask "why" or "how" about everything. In an attempt to teach you as much as possible I always answer the whys as thoroughly as possible, but after about about 10-15 whys asking what you think is the only way to make it stop. Surprisingly, you always have a well thought out and fairly accurate interpretation. Another thing I love about your mind is how you remember EVERYTHING. You've always been that way, and it is a little freaky at times the things you can recall. 

4. I love your concern for other kids. You are very social and always trying to make friends with every kid you ever see, especially older kids. You are so good at sharing with them, and it always makes me smile when you ask their moms 1st before you give them anything. You are even getting great at sharing with Will. 

3. You still love your "Api" (pacifier). Although you said you will throw it away for the garbage man in the morning since you are now 3. I will hold you to it. 

2. You have always loved twirling my hair when you are tired or sad. You do it every night. I hope you always do.

1. You are such a mama's boy, and I love it. From the very second you were laid on my stomach I felt like I had always known you and had a connection with you. The older you get the deeper that attachment and understanding gets. I hope you always love me this much.

For those of you wondering, the bed was a huge success. He was so happy to see it this morning. We made him get up at 6:30 to see it before he went to work. He crawled right in & went to sleep until after 9:00. Tonight he got right in, curled up, & told me he was going to stay in that bed all day. I guess he loves it. 

A big boy already???

I didn't think Sam's ONLY birthday request would be so hard for me. All he has wanted for months was a big boy bed. I didn't think it would feel this sad...

We thought this was a big boy bed at 18 months

(he had to be moved from his crib b/c he 

was crawling out every night)

but this feels way too big for a 3 year old! 

(his new blanket is not finished yet and

his curtains aren't hung yet either)

I just don't want him growing up too fast, but I have a feeling he will always be older beyond his actual years. I think it's just in him. I know he will love the bed...we'll let you know. Oh, he told me last night he wants to saw up his old bed and throw it in the garbage but he wants to keep his blankets. He's ready, trust me. I'm just not quite there yet.

Someone's having a birthday tomorrow

Sam has been anticipating his 3rd birthday for quite some time now. It's 10:00 right now and

he is still laying in his bed wide awake giddy about his birthday. He can't wait.

Cute birthday invitation:

I always like making invitations; it somehow makes me feel like a better mother. However, I don't always have cute ideas, and I can never seem to find what I'm looking for online. This time I decided to go completely with my own idea. I'm very happy with how it turned out. I'm not sure why the last 2 pics are so blurry, so sorry. Here's the basic idea if you are interested...

It says:

"The time is here, it's hard to believe. Turn the circles to see who's three!"

On the front of each circle is a stamped letter, and when they are all turned right it says Sam. When you turn the circles over it has a pic of him at 1, 2, and 3. The circles are attached with fishing line and strung through an eyelet and taped on the back side and then backed with a coordinating piece of paper. A little time consuming but worth it. Feel free to use this idea, and let me know if you need more instructions!

I know happiness is not in things, but....

I sure was happy to bring home this beauty today...

 

I Like Myself

This is by far one of the best children's books I've found. Definitely a message I want to instill in my children. The words are so perfect I wanted you all to know them before you buy the book...

I like myself! I'm glad I'm me.

There's no one else I'd rather be.

I like my eyes, my ears, my  nose.

I like my fingers and my toes.

I like me wild. I like me tame. 

I like me different and the same.

I like me fast. I like me slow.

I like me everywhere I go.

I like me on the inside, too, for all I think and say and do.

Inside, outside, upside down,

from head to toe and all around, 

I like it all! It all is me! And me is all I want to be.

And I don't care in any way what someone else may think or say.

I may be called a silly nut or crazy cuckoo bird- so what?

I'm having too much fun you see, for anything to bother me.

Even when I look like a mess, I still don't like me any less,

cause nothing in this world you know can change what's deep inside, and so...

No matter if they stop and stare, no person ever anywhere can make me feel that what they see

is all there really is to me.

I'd still like me with fleas or warts, or with a silly snout that snorts,

or knobby knees or hippo hips or purple polka-dotted lips,

or beaver breath or stinky toes or horns protruding form my nose,

or-yikes-with spikes all down my spine, or hair that's like a porcupine. 

I still would be the same, you see.... I like myself because I'm ME!

Wow! I wish I could say I like myself that much! I don't know why liking myself has always been such a struggle for me. Maybe it is for all of us. I know I want my kids to like themselves and like me. I've realized I need to start liking myself more to teach them both of those lessons. Any suggestions on how to better see the things you are instead or things you aren't? Or how to not measure yourself against your own unattainable expectations? That's my biggest struggle. I haven't figured out how to switch that switch. I think I'll start with memorizing this book.

New Shoes & call the police take 2

For those of you who know about my special foot problem know how difficult it is for me to buy shoes. It's been this way my whole life. What normally happens is I found a pair of shoes that I love and that will work with my orthotic, but they won't have both of the sizes that I need. I always try to buy inexpensive shoes because it really adds up when you have to buy 2 pairs just to equal one. Anyways, I'm done messing around with it. I'm going to buy shoes that work no matter what the cost. That's just what I did last night. I bought these boots. Of course I had to take out a second mortgage to afford them. Well, not really, but I have never owned a pair boots that were this expensive. Why did it I do it one might ask. I did it because they work, and they have been the only ones that I have been able to find that match all of my criteria. And I'm finished messing around. I rarely have had this luxury. I LOVE them.

Now for the experience buying them. Pete & I went to our outdoor mall last night. He needed to get a computer part, and I was going to get the boots. Pete kindly offered to take the boys with him to the computer store to keep the shoe buying process as least stressful for me as possible. That ended up creating far more stress than if the boys would've come with me.  Sam left Pete in the store. He thought he was just on the aisle over, but after 30 seconds of not hearing him Pete checked on him, and he was gone. He thought he couldn't have gotten far, but after checking the whole back of the store he realized he was not back there. He went to the front of the store and asked the clerk if she had seen a little boy. She said yes. Pete started getting excited demanding that employees start looking for him. They were all running through the store searching for him. They quickly learned he wasn't there, and Pete started getting excited again demanding that they call security. At that point Pete took off outside trying to find him. What was Sam doing during this time? He was on his way to the shoe to find me of course. He did find a shoe store and went in; it just wasn't the store that I was in. The clerk asked if he was lost. He was as calm as a cat and told them his dad was named Pete and he was just in the computer store with his brother Scooter. He also informed her that he was about to have a birthday. Thankfully the woman knew to call security which in turn security was able to find Pete.  Pete was never so relieved to see him sitting in a cushy chair in a woman's shoe store! For those of you who may not know, Sam always has an agenda and his mind works remarkably to figure out how to execute that agenda. THANK GOODNESS he's also smart enough to know contact info when he needs it! Hopefully these incidents will not continue to happen. We don't ever want to lose him, and we also don't want the police force in our community to know him at such a young age!!

Not for a long time...

Sam's dragon costume is about to make it's big debut. He should enjoy it because I will not be making a costume again anytime soon that has so many fiber-filled attachments. At least until next year. :)

Throwing it all to the wind...

I've stopped doing all the normal life maintenance tasks the last 2 weeks. I've had some sewing commitments that have filled a lot, or all, of my spare time. I have had birthday invitations to make. I have been enjoying picnics with my kids, lots of trampoline time, soccer, cooking cupcakes, "laser fighting", library visits, bike rides, and all sorts of little kid games.  And best of all, we needed a vacation. 

I don't think I've put on makeup in 2 weeks or maybe even blow-dried my hair. My house could really use a good scrubbing. I've still got laundry to fold. Our meals have been far from gourmet. You know what though? It has all been a little liberating. It has been a newfound sense of freedom, and I have felt like a lived a lot more happy living in these 2 weeks than I have lately. I love that I have thrown all these tasks that I find so important every day completely out the window. I have done whatever I have wanted and whatever my kids have wanted. I think I will try doing that more often. I'll get back to maintenance, too, but I want to live more than just maintain more. 

just in case you're wondering

I really want this house...

Rainbow Brite Costume: SOLD

Thanks for everyone's interest in the Rainbow Brite Costume. It sold on ebay today (YEAH!!), so it is no longer available. My blog generated so much interest I will definitely have many more costumes listed here next year, so check back then. I wish I had time to do more costumes to sell, but I'm up to my eyeballs in costumes for my family. If only there were more time.... but thanks for all the interest. It means the world to me!

Our Fall Harvest

Thankfully this fall we have been blessed with an abundance of delicious apples from our very own trees...

And blessed with lots of best friend cousin time...

Just a side note of something I would like to remember about this cousin day. Emily and Sam got all of Sam's blankets, library books, marshmellows, and crackers and took them to the trampoline to have a "camp out".  They were out there for like 2 hours "reading" and playing. Is anything better than having a best friend like this? What a great blessing for all of us! Don't worry, Will & Mack also had a great time just hanging out and eating apples. :)

Fall Utah

GOSH, WE LOVE UTAH IN THE FALL TIME!!!

Rainbow Brite Costume

THIS COSTUME HAS BEEN SOLD; THANKS FOR CHECKING...

My whole life I never had a store bought Halloween costume. My mom made one for us every year. It was one way I always felt love from my mom; it was something that she did that always made me feel like I had a really cool mom. Now that I'm a mom I plan on carrying on the same tradition. To gear me up for making the boys' costumes I took a walk down memory lane with my favorite costume. I made this costume from the original pattern my mom used for me. I am selling this costume, hopefully to a little girl who loved Rainbow Brite as much as I did or to a mom who would love to be able to provide their kids with a homemade costume. If you are interested in purchasing this costume, please email me at jenvanderlinden@gmail to make arrangements. If you believe that someone who reads your blog might be interested in this costume, then please direct them to my blog. It will also be listed on ebay. Here are the details: it's a size 5 and includes the jumper, blouse, and shoe covers. It is new and never worn except by my "models". The price is $60, and if you are local then we can save on shipping. It's adorable and waiting for a cute little girl to sport it around this Halloween!!

A preview of tomorrow's post

This picture is too cute to not post right away! This is just a preview of the in depth post that will happen tomorrow explaining the Rainbow Brite costume and information that could allow this costume to be yours! Until then, just enjoy how cute Sam would be if he was a little girl!

You need to be more connected!!!

Pete here, so my first ever post here in blogdom was about my new job. Since I have started teaching I have been getting these little comments that maybe what I think is cool is not cool to the kids I teach. The first came when, I had the kids fill out a fun (and yes it was fun) "get to know ya" worksheet on it one of the items was favorite radio station. They kids enthusiastically asked, "so Mr. V. what is your favorite radio station." I replied with a grin and an encourageing ehhh ehhh attitude "X96". Almost uniformly they replied ohhh. I thought wait, no that is the cool station just by listening to that station alone should make me the cool guy on campus......shouldn't it. No, no, no, that is now the station that old people listen to, ahhhhhhh crap!!!  The next of many "awakenings" is about my motorcycle. I am very open about my obsession with motorcycles. Everytime, a student finds out about this they always ask me, "so what do you ride." I reply with a smile on my face, "KLR650" they almost always look disappointed in me. For those not totally obsessed about motorcycles, the best way to describe my motorcycle would be it's the Honda CR-V of bikes. It is a relatively cheap vehicle, that does everything you would want it too in a mediocre fashion. (wait a minute we own a CR-V too, I see a pattern developing) I always feel I have to explain my way out of owning this bike," but it's practical, it gets good gas milage, I can take it off road and on the street." There looks always turn from disapointment to, so what. They want to hear about a bike that is dangerous and most of all, scary fast.  Another rude awakening was when I was asked what kind of music do you listen to, apparently they forgot what a killer station I listen to. I replied with the same cocky grin, "alternative", expecting a Mr. V is cool. Nooooo, they said, "what is alternative". What, you don't know what alternative is. Did you eat paint chips as a child.....what you don't get that reference either.  You know Tommy Boy!  What is Tommy boy!!!! ahhhhhh.  "Alternative music, you know Smashing Pumpkins!!".  "Oh them". "Oh them?!!!".    So what do you listen to, "Flyleaf" who the ^$^@^^%^ are they! They are popular!? Oh *^#&#&^ I'm getting old!!! The last one stings a lot not because I disagree, but because it is true. Being a teacher I am subject to administrator observations. Today I had my first. I had it all built up like, I was going to get a glowing review. Well guess what sherlock, you're a new teacher your not as good as you think you are. On a side note, after my flaws were pointed out I could not agree more with what was said.  The administrator was very tactful and careful with how he delivered his critisism, which I very much appreciated. Understandably, I was a little dissapointed, but then came the stinger, " ya know Pete your a little disconnected with what the kids are into." What? I am Mr. Cool you mean I don't know what they like? He commented, "you talked about the movie 'rad' in your lesson".  I know its the coolest BMX show ever! "Our kids will not be able to relate with that show." Your kidding they love BMX. Then I was asked about a current skateboard champion, nope, don't know who he is. ......... then it sunk in the radio station, music, motorcycle, movies, I am disconnected..... I'm a dork?...he is right. That is it, I give up, where do I get one of those baby blue one piece jump suits, I see the old guys wearing at barbecues, I think I am ready.    

The day of rest that isn't really restful & thank goodness for moms and husbands

Whoever deemed Sunday as the day of rest obviously didn't have kids!! I wondered a lot yesterday how I would ever be able to not get frustrated with Sam when he's climbing over the pews in church. Then I did the whole full cycle of thinking if I was just a better mom, then he wouldn't be so difficult during church. Thankfully my mom called in this moment. I was relaying all of these thoughts to her, and she gave a whole new perspective that has had me laughing hysterically ever since. She reminded me of one of my sister's behavior during church. My sister used to lean over and put her head between her legs and lay like that all during church. I didn't realize that drove my mom so crazy, but I do remember her squeezing my sister's arms and legs trying to get her to sit up. Ok, that memory is what makes me laugh hysterically. My mom expressed the same annoyance with her that I was feeling with Sam. She also said that she would miss everything that went on in the meeting because she was too busy freaking out and scowling about my sister. She passed along the best advice that she received. Someone told her that if my sister wanted to sit with her head down in church to just let her; that was far less disruptive. Of course I can't let Sam climb the pews, but if he wants to quietly stack hymnals and drive his tractors off of them instead of sitting on his bottom, then perhaps I should just let him. That would be far less disruptive. Thanks for the right moment and perspective, Mom. 

And a great big thanks to a husband who has been sharing great parenting advice with me on how to motivate rather than to expect. A lot of meaningful stuff goes on in that brain of his, and I love when he shares it.