This is turning out to be one very exhausting Monday. One of my children keeps asking me really tricky questions about the trinity, and the other is chasing the dog around wearing absolutely nothing but a cape!
Bet you can’t guess which is which;)
2 comments March 15th, 2010
When I realized that Corbin’s birthday fell on a Thursday, I let him decide whether or not he would to go to school that day. He said he wanted to go and bring a treat to share (hence my cupcake efforts). This all seemed totally normal until around 8:45 this morning when it came time to actually put him in the car and take him to school. It was at that point that I started to get a bit emotional, realizing this would be the first of his birthdays that we wouldn’t spend together. Of course I also realize that school only lasts until 2pm, and that this is probably just the first of many birthdays he will spend in the company of others. But I think no matter when it hits you, its hard to accept the fact that your baby is growing up. His sphere is expanding and there are people in his life who I don’t know like he does. People who want to celebrate him, independent from me. Its a sobering and wonderful thought.
So in the mean time, Bennett and I are having a little QT playing with ‘Bubby’s’ new birthday toys. I know for a fact that this wouldn’t bother Corbin in the least, because that’s just the kind of big brother he is. Yesterday when Nana came to pick Corb up for a special birthday date, both boys were in tears over being separated for the afternoon. Of course I don’t think the little guy understands why such a big to-do is being made of his brother today, but come April 19th he will 
And yes, the idea of my wonderfully funny youngest turning two also gets me more than a little verklempt!
1 comment March 11th, 2010
I just performed an astounding feat of skill and finesse. They said it couldn’t be done. No one believed I could possibly achieve so vast an accomplishment, so epic a victory…. and at such a young age. But -HaHa- I scoff in the face of adversity! Today, I decided to grab life by the horns and dare to be great. That’s right…. At approximately 3:00 this afternoon, I baked cupcakes* for the very first time in my entire life! And whats more, I didn’t burn them. So to all of my critics and naysayers (Jaki), watch out! This girl can bake.
*In the spirit of full disclosure, the author concedes that said cupcakes were made out of a box with considerable assistance from the author’s mother. The author further concedes that the cupcakes have yet to be iced, but she feels confident that since the icing is also pre-made, the process should, by all accounts, be fairly straightforward.
4 comments March 10th, 2010
Corbin is turning 4 on Thursday. By this time next year I will have already sent in his Kindergarten applications. That seems completely preposterous and yet totally reasonable at exactly the same time. Even though I still see my baby when I look into his beautiful face, I also see the incredibly complex and brilliant individual that he is growing into. He has an analytical mind and a sensitive spirit that runs so very deep. My prayer these days concerning Corb is that God would just give me the energy. The energy to respond to at least some of the 300+, “I have a question,” ’s that he throws at me every day. The energy to listen patiently when he is fearful or anxious about something that should be far beyond his comprehension, and (in the very next instant) to watch diligently as he shows me the new Kung Foo move he just invented. With Corbin we are constantly switching gears. He can go from bold and inquisitive to shy and withdrawn in the blink of an eye. And to love him means not only to follow these transitions, but to honor the feelings that cause them.
I can’t begin to imagine what God has in store for our little thinker/nurturer/fighter. How will he weave the complex mix of silliness and intensity that makes our firstborn so captivating? For my part I have absolutely no idea….but I cannot wait to find out.
3 comments March 9th, 2010
I’ve not been a very good blogger recently. Maybe its because I let my posts get too long and therefor too daunting to write (and read). So here is a short one to set a new tone.
Chris just got his annual bonus and we are very thankful. It wasn’t enough to replace the 97 Saturn that he drives to work, but it was more than enough to cover any repairs that might need to be done in order to keep our old tried and true ‘rubbermade’ coupe running for yet another year. Since a new car is off the table right now, we might actually get to spend part of his bonus on something fun. And this time I’m not talkin new kitchen counter tops fun, I’m talkin long weekend getaway for mommy and daddy fun!
Our friends Jamie and Chris did this last month and based on how happy and glowy they’re both looking these days, this might just be the best idea ever.
I’m thinking Vegas Baby!
2 comments March 2nd, 2010
Naps were a miss for both boys today, so amidst the shouting hysterical shrieking, a bullet point list is the most coherent thing I can eek out:
Add comment February 18th, 2010
I recorded these for Chris and wasn’t really planning on posting them, but since its snowing AGAIN and I am already depressed at the prospect of the boys being out of school AGAIN tomorrow….well I just needed a good laugh. He might be mortified when he’s older, but for right now Corb thinks these are pretty funny. So I say, lets all enjoy a good laugh!
I give you – “Corbin after his trip to the dentist”
6 comments February 15th, 2010
When you’re standing right around the five year mark of a marriage, 30 seems like it is light years away.
That’s how long my parents will have been married when they celebrate their anniversary this April. 30 years spent loving each other, encouraging each other, disappointing each other, and forgiving each other. 30 years spent determining which ideals to hold onto and which ones to let go. 30 years spent making the same decision day, after day, after day, after day. ‘Today I will choose this person, for better or worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health….’
Its hard to fathom, and yet encouraging beyond measure. There are so few examples in our society of what ‘happily ever after’ actually looks like. The message we receive from Hollywood is that the story is over as soon as the bride says I do. We are left to assume that either things got too boring to mention from that point forward, or that the commitment made at the ceremony was impossible to sustain.
Thank God that doesn’t have to be true. And thank God that there is no formula, no single path that leads to a long and fruitful marriage. Some couples celebrate every holiday, mark every milestone with candlelight and roses. Others simply make it a point to eat breakfast together every morning. Some couples talk all the time, and others enjoy the peaceful silence that comes from being fully known.
I have no idea what path my marriage will take. And truth be told, sometimes I get anxious wondering how we will weather the storms that surely lie ahead. But I believe that the same God who has sustained my mother and father, my aunts and uncles, my in-laws and friends, can sustain us too.
I am honored to have all of you to look up to. Not because you have done things perfectly, or followed some rule book on marriage to the letter, but simply because you are still standing. Broken but together. Allowing God to give you the endurance, forgiveness, patience and passion that you need in order to remain.
1 comment February 13th, 2010
Corbin had to have two cavities filled this morning. (Insert overwhelming mother’s guilt here.)
I was not at all happy about the prospects of:
A) Allowing my child to endure the evil dentist drill.
B) Having him sedated in order to make him sit still while said evil dentist drill was being used.
c) Paying close to $300 out of pocket to have him sedated in order to make him sit still for the drill.
But, alas, after consulting two other dentists and forcing everyone from the receptionist to the dentist himself to talk me through every detail, I finally conceded and allowed the procedure to take place.
The cavities were filled without incident, and thanks to the happy happy drugs, Corbin now thinks the dentist’s office is the happiest place on earth. I beleive his exact slurry words were, “Can I livvve here forevvver?”
As it turns out, our firstborn is a bit of a sloppy drunk. At one point during the appointment, he gazed dopily over at the young hygienist and said, “I love you.” He then looked back at me and smirked as he whispered loudly, “I just told that girl I love her.”
The dentist warned me that once we got home, a possible side effect of the drugs might be double vision. So I was only slightly shocked when I was helping him on the potty a minute ago and he exclaimed, “Hey Look! I have two manhoods!…I’m changing into somethin here!”
NEVER do drugs son. NEVER!
And for the love of toothpaste, lay off the juice and let me brush your stinkin teeth so we don’t have to go through this ordeal again.
4 comments February 10th, 2010
I think pajamas might be the single biggest hindrance to stay at home mamas struggling to see their own accomplishments.
Example: Today I have changed two diapers, wiped one child’s bottom after a trip to the potty, fed two children breakfast, brushed two children’s teeth, washed a load of laundry, done the dishes, cleaned the kitchen, checked on our tax refund, paid and mailed several bills, finished my Bible study for this week, called to get information on an upcoming dental procedure for Corbin, called to get a second opinion about the upcoming dental procedure for Corbin, secured child care for Bennett while I take Corbin to the aforementioned dental procedure, and arranged a play date for both children for later this week. And all of this was done before 9:30am.
But just a moment ago as I was mediating some small dispute between the boys, I was thinking to myself, “Man, I really need to get off my butt and accomplish something today….!?”
Maybe my failure to see the value in what I’m doing can be attributed to the fact that my job can be done at home and in my pajamas. But seriously, I have done more in my jammies this morning than I usually did in a whole day while I was working in a office and dressing in business casual attire.
So what is the answer? Well obviously we stay at home mamas just need to start wearing business suites and pumps around the house
Add comment February 8th, 2010
