The Toad: Part Two

They've abandoned the little froggies for this big guy. He has a little home by the trampoline, unfortunately for him, and Gage was the first one to discover it. They loved on him (though I don't know that he necessarily "felt" it in that way) and let him go late in the evening. The dude hopped right back to where you know who will find him tomorrow.

Look who's four months old today:

Four Months already!!!

She even rolled over for the first time today, it's going by way too fast!

Growing Up.

Now that Ashlynn is in first grade it really hits home how fast time moves. She has been working on addition and subtraction this week and it's just amazing what their little minds can grasp in such a short period of time.

Last Friday we hit a couple of garage sales and she found a headband she couldn't "live without". She only had a certain amount of change, which wasn't enough, so in her garage sale wisdom, she offered what she had and made a deal. She's braver than I am at these things!

Now, to feel old.

Monday, we were loading up into the car from the grocery store and Ashlynn pointed out a car: "Look at that green car mommy. It must be really old, like, from the eighties or something."

Really old. Eighties.

Wow, sixteen will be here way too soon.

Frog Days

Apparently fall and frogs are synonymous around here. Every time I step outside, I almost step on one of the little guys.

The kids LOVE it.

Here they are with some of their "catch". They do make good little homes for them, check on them often and get sad when they "jump the coup".

It's really ok though, there are plenty more to be caught.

What two do.........

So Gage has randomly done the big job on the potty five or six times. What in the world should I do?? I don't really think he gets the whole concept, but is it workable or ignorable??



(Hence the pun in the title.........)

Never, Never, Never Forget

Today marks seven years since the attacks of 9/11 on America by terrorists. For most of us, it's hard to imagine that so many years have passed since then, how so much has changed.

Since 9/11/01 Randy and I have had four children. Randy became a Fire Captain, we moved once, had two siblings get married and welcomed three nieces and one nephew into the family.

Life did not stop, it kept moving forward. For me.

My heart hurts for the lives that were lost on that day, but even more for the families that lost the moments we have had. New babies, giggles, weddings, crying, vacations, bad days, good days and everything in between.

We can't forget. We must press on, though the enemy would desire the opposite, and strive to hold to to the amazing gift of freedom. Let's not be passive and ignore the real and present threat that continues to exist. The people that would love nothing more that to stop all of our lives as we know them.

A big thanks to our nation's firefighters, police officers and especially our US Military for their continued protection. My husband, I know, would have been among those who ran in and not out of those towers seven years ago. I am also aware of the danger that our Armed Forces face each moment in their pursuit to let us maintain "life as we know it".

To all of the families who have lost and sacrificed so much for me: WE WILL NEVER FORGET!

Why is it?

Why is it, even though I make Gage his own milk every morning, he tries to steal Ryder's any chance he can get?

Why is it, the moment you decide to exercise, all of the kids wake up?

Why is it, the day you must leave at a certain time, the kids sleep in or take extra long naps?

Why is it, you never seem to have the ingredients on hand for something you really want to make?

Why is it, that it never fails the day you don't shower or get dressed, someone rings your doorbell?

Why is it, you can start the day so excited for what you will do after the kids are in bed and then lose all motivation when you actually get them all in bed at night?


Just wondering if anyone else has any "Why is it?" moments..............

Maybe they are jealous.

So anybody who is anybody has heard all of the talk surrounding the pick for the VP spot on the Republican ticket. It ranges from 'how great she is' to 'who does she think she is' and quite frankly, it amazes me that she is being scrutinized for having children and a career. I mean, how dare that woman.

Today I was in the midst of a group of women who all agreed there was no way Sarah could accomplish the job of VP and have a family. They actually said: "You can't have it all". Funny thing was, the conversation started when they found out I had four kids and began comparing that to Sarah's five. Quickly, I jumped in and stated I could handle the position and my family.

Funny thing, I don't think they even heard me.

On and on these women went about her "poor" children who be raised by numerous nannies (not sure why they think there would be so many??). And that even though they were working moms, the demand of her job would be much greater and therefore was not acceptable.

Let me ask, since when did we measure each person to the same degree? I would assert to say some people are just more capable than others. We are are all created equal, but are all very, very different from one another.

There may be men who can't handle a wife or let alone children. There may be a man who puts in his forty hours and desires nothing more out of life. There may be a mother who can't imagine trying to raise more than one child and run a house. There may be a women who has seven children and is the CEO of her own company.

Are you getting the point? Every person has their own degree of comfortable and that includes how comfortable they are with the challenges in their life. Having four kids and "handling" them has made me feel like I am capable of many things. Being a mom is an occupation that, more than any other, requires selflessness and learning to put others and their needs before your own.

God gives us strength and also provides us opportunities to use it.

Don't short change someone based on their gender and family size. Just because some people may not be capable of the duty doesn't mean someone else is not. Let's not let lack of personal self confidence and jealousy get in the way of another individual's accomplishments.

Notice: The following is a re-dramatization.......

Randy and I were running some errands with the kids the other day. As often happens in the car, a little fight broke out between Ashlynn and Ryder. In attempts to figure out what happened, I was asking each one what was going on. Ryder sits in the way back so sometimes it's really hard to hear him so Ashlynn usually interprets for me.

This time I got more than I bargained for.

Ashlynn started to whisper to Ryder, turned to me and said "Ok mom, just watch us, we'll show you what happened."

Suddenly the fight started again and I could see what was going on, only it wasn't the real thing. It was merely a re-enactment of what took place.

Now you have it, my four year old and six year old can "act out" scenarios that have taken place so we can determine who was at fault. All I ask is: "What next?"