Wordless Wednesday x 2... "Napoleon Dynamite as a child" and "Me and My Gang"

Two for one today!

Tired, but not out!

Today will be a very long day! Gage was up most of the night last night-teething/cold-so I got almost no sleep. He is so miserable, and I really try not get frustrated, but sleep deprivation is not my strong suit!

Randy is on shift until tomorrow night, which will feel like eternity, I'm sure! He helped get Gage back to sleep around midnight and I took over for the rest of the night/morning. Since Randy has to actually "go" to work, it's important for him to get a good night sleep-especially in his occupation. If I lose my patience or am a little irritable with the kids, they are pretty forgiving. A house fire or major emergency won't be as nice for Randy on no sleep.

When he left this morning, knowing my lack of sleep last night, he reminded me to "go easy" on the kids today. I'm so grateful for his calm and patience. He knows how to gently keep me accountable when my emotions can get the better of me.

That difference between men and women with regards to emotion, courage, strength, love, tenderness, and determination is one of the biggest evidences of God. He created us so complex and made us so balanced for each other. Personally, I could never deny Creation or be persuaded that we just "happened".
I am so complete with Randy, so "put together". Thank you Lord for blessing me with this man (flaws and all)!

Flashback Friday: the joy of braces

Randy and I started dating when I was sixteen, so I still had those wonderful items of the teen years-braces. Most of the time he came over to mom and dad's house in lieu of going "out on a date" and we played cards, watched movies or were just entertained by the house full of kids.
Usually, I would walk him out to his truck and we would talk about getting married, moving to Texas or Montana, and being able to be together all the time-you know the 'teens in love' stuff! Of course, I would always give him a big hug goodnight with a smile on my face....but this night was different.
Randy had worn a button down flannel shirt over his t-shirt, and as I leaned in for the hug-with a big smile on my face-my braces proceeded to become caught on his flannel shirt! As I wondered how to get myself detached from his shirt, I'm sure he wondered if I was ever going to let go. Finally after a couple of minutes trying to get them undone, I had to admit I was "stuck" to him. After some big laughs, he was able to get my braces untangled from his shirt and set me free.
So, the moral of this flashback: If you are wearing braces, refraining from smiling during a hug, it could get complicated.

Multiple Mommy Disorder

Ever feel like your personality is constantly changing? You can wake up in one mood and go through five different moods by 9:30am. To blame the kids would probably be a cop-out, though I don't remember having this "disorder" before they were born. However, I never had another person(s) with me for the entire day; especially one that could point out my moods. Case in point, I admittedly have not been playing with the kids much this week-you know, laundry, house cleaning, cooking, running errands, etc.-and finally took some time a couple of days ago to play in their make believe world. After a time of them directing the play, Ashlynn held my face in her hands and so sweetly said: "I like this mommy, your a happy and fun mommy", as apposed to 'too busy mommy' or 'in just a minute mommy' that I had been all week.
When I mentioned the above to Randy, he just laughed. He is well aware of my 'multiple mommy disorder' as I apparently have 'multiple wife disorder' (to be discussed at a future date).
So what's the solution? Letting go and letting go some more. Stop stressing if the house isn't perfect or dinner is a little late. Get to bed earlier!!!! Learn to make every moment count-live life-don't just float through. And in those cherished moments with the kids, thank God for every second we are blessed to have them in our lives.
I will try, but know I will fail at times. It's in that failure that I hold on to the promise of grace and peace that is always available to me.....if I just ASK.

Wordless Wednesday...remembering warmer days

"The Snowman"

.......or "Snowgirl" as Ashlynn says, she used branches to make long hair. Great snow for snowballs, too!!

the great debate......decided

Randy and I were pretty set on sending Ashlynn to a private school for kindergarten this fall. so when an unexpected "wrench" was thrown into our plans we had to readdress our decision. We had intended starting homeschool in first or second grade (it gave some time for the boys to get a little older and me some time to get more organized!), but it seemed wherever I went homeschooling was there. Ashlynn started a dance class a couple of weeks ago and at least four of the other moms homeschool. In our neighborhood I know of at least five families (including the president of MPE) who homeschool. Not that the above are reasons to just jump into it, but for me it was like a nudge from God that Randy and I could do it-even with the boys so young.
We both agreed to pray about it, think about it, and most importantly ask Ashlynn what she would like to do. We presented her options with a very positive light on "going" to school-new friends, teacher and fun-or staying home and having mommy be her teacher. Without a second delay she said "definitely stay home with you, mommy". Randy and I both feel very good about the choice we are making; and if after kindergarten there needs to be some "readjusting" we will certainly tackle that when we get there.
So, here we go........

the little things

Today it snowed and snowed! We spent most of our day in the basement playing make believe-Lynnie & Ryde's favorite. I was the gas station attendant and clerk at the toy store. Ahslynn wanted to buy everything and Ryder just wanted to lock the "bad trucks" away in jail. I'm still trying to figure out why the trucks were bad and why he didn't just fuel up at my "gas station". Was it the service? I tried to be prompt and courteous. Maybe it was my "toy store". Were the toys I was selling not appealing enough? Ashlynn and I finally convinced him there was no more room in the jail (daddy's workbench) and ruled the rest of the trucks to be "good".

I must admit, I will never be able to keep up with their endless imagination; I just hope I can appreciate it more often!

farming

Here are some pics of the kids in Arkansas. They love to visit!!!

kleenex, please!

The boys are both sick this week. You know it's bad when your two year old asks you to wipe his nose-"I got snot mama, wipe my snot"! Gage has been up every night for a week now, the poor little guy just can't breathe. I know some people would probably just let their kids cry it out, but I know how comforting snuggling is when you're sick. Gage actually seems to be able to breathe better if I nurse him, and they are only that little once!
Ashlynn has escaped it, again. That girl must have an amazing immune system (breastfeeding for 1+ years, did help with that, though). She did however take a nap a couple of times this week, which was wonderful for me. All three of the kids sleeping at once two days in a row...I actually pinched myself.
Even sick they're still great kids and I even got teary-eyed last night thinking about how fast time is going by already and wondering if I am doing a good enough job at being a mom. I am reading a great book right now (Being a great Mom Rasing great Kids, by Sharon Jaynes) and she talks about building Godly self-esteem in your children that is not related to appearance or performance. It's about loving your kids unconditionally, no matter what. Knowing that they are just children with childish ways that is silly and irritating at times-but loving them anyway-no expectations or limitations.
So I guess I need the kleenex too!

home, sweet home

We made it back in one piece!! The drive through Springfield and the surrounding area was both beautiful and devastating. The beauty in the ice covered landscape, something no man could ever recreate, and the devastation to those left without power and many other resources. Blessed we were to have such safe travels and a good visit. The kids did awesome in the car, again!!

We have snow covered ice here at home. It is freeeezing too, Arkansas seemed down right balmy compared to this! Paula was so sweet to have dinner ready for us, it just warmed everyone up. The kids were happy to run around and play-Gage rolled all over the family room and Ryde headed straight for the basement and his trucks. Ashlynn pulled out her dolls, which Ryder insisted on loading into his dump truck-much to Ashlynn's displeasure! Thank goodness they are all safely tucked in bed to get a great night's sleep.
Randy and I enjoyed our time with Grams and Gramps, we stayed up late each night playing Rook. The guys swept the girls most of the time, but we managed to pull out a couple of wins. We think they cheat with the looks they are always giving eachother and it's fun to tease them about it. The major bummer was, ofcourse, the Chargers losing the football game. What seemed to be "in the bag" was lost in the fourth quarter (usually the only part of the game I watch, it's the only time anybody does anything!!). So much for hometown pride, oh well, there is always next season.
Now to get back to normal life, whatever that may be.....

Mimi & Papa's

Well, after eight hours in the car (two spent sitting in the same spot on the ice covered freeway) we made it to Mimi and Papa's! The kids love coming down here, of course I loved visiting them just as much when I was a kid living in So Cal! Northern Arkansas is much different, but we love to now be within what is normally a five hour trip.
The kids did awesome, with so much time spent in those car seats. We stopped twice so I could nurse Gage and let Ashlynnie and Ryde stretch their little legs. Randy did amazing driving in this icky weather, no "backseat" driving from me, just whispered prayers!
We enjoyed having Paula's ipod and car adapter-made time go by much faster!! Poor Paula and Ember had to remain home this trip, holding down the fort I suppose....thanks.
We're sure to spend the rest of the evening enjoying Aunt Betty's homemade pizza-yum-and torte cake-yummy, sorry Paula, we'll bring you home a piece!

branching out

Well here it goes.....my first attempt at blogging. My eyes have been opened to the world of blogging in the last few weeks and I am hooked! Being mom to three under four makes it crazy around here, but I would love to share and hear about life!