5 minutes for mom summer photo contest

There's another contest over at 5minutesformom.com. This one has a summer theme. If you would like to enter a photo as well, you can check it out at here.

What is it about night time around here

Last night I heard foot steps upstairs after we put the kids to bed. I went up and found out it was Sebastian and he needed a change. After he was disciplined, Alexandra says: For the record he also turned on the light. I couldn't believe she said that. I had to hold back the laughter as I walked out the door to get a pull up for Sebastian.

A scene from the Erbe house

Last night, about a hour this incident occurred.
Door to the upstairs opens.
Alexandra: Mama, I think you need to sew Buddy's night-night.
Me: Why?
Alexandra: I think I swallowed part of it.
Me: (holding back laughter) Go back to bed!
Paul: What will they come up with next!

A need for a little encouragement

Being a mom is a great thing. It's also a really tough job. I can't imagine my life without them but there are days I wonder what I'm doing and if I'm doing the right things. I also feel like I'm the only one that's struggling. It seems everyone else can handle this stage of life. It's a lot of work, rewarding, but still a lot of work. Sometimes you need someone to step in and say it is hard, and it's not easy for most women. I knew in my heart that this was where God wanted me, but was it really where my husband wanted me. So after a chat, he confirmed it was where he wanted me too. It's good to be reminded that your not alone and that you are supported in what you are doing. Thank God he gives us those times of encouragement when we feel like we're at our breaking point.

I have a 5 year old

After 2 parties, lots of friends and family, cool girly presents and way too much cake, we now have a 5 year old. I love the littler person she is and is becoming.

I love moments like this

Painting Sebastian's toes.





The other day I went for my yearly pedicure and came home with painted toe nails. Alexandra's been begging me to paint her toe nails. I got out the polish and painted her toes before bed. Atticus was the first to sit down and point to his toes, then Sebastian wanted his too. I had Alexandra run down and grab the camera so I could document the boys wanting their toes painted.

A Great Moment

One thing that continues to come up for Sebastian is his gross motor skills. When the PT at school told me that he doesn't have any problems with his gross motor skills, I told her he can't ride a tricycle. Yesterday we were playing outside and Sebastian got on the tricycle. He just put his feet on the petals and started riding. So tonight I got out the camera and taped his riding. I cannot express how excited this makes me.

The Powerless

Yes, that's what we were starting Wednesday night. While we were out at church, a huge storm came through town and even though we live in the city, we lost power. I was sure it would return in a couple of hours because in the last nine years, we've only lost power for a few hours if at all. It took almost 2 days. When I called the power company, they kept telling me that it wouldn't be restored until Saturday night. The first thing that happened to me was I thought about all the things I would be doing if the power was on but that really wasn't true. I thought about how I needed to do laundry and that I could mop the floor but I wouldn't have done that. I would have been on my computer or watching TV or both (which is what I'm doing now). I really learned I'm a modern girl. I like lights, I like to hear my fan or air conditioner running at night. We had hot water for dishes and a shower but no dishwasher and no hairdryer. I have to admit, I don't really like this about myself, I wish I liked living like I was camping but I don't. I don't like it at all. I think the kids handled it better than I did. That's pretty sad when your 5, 3 and 1 year old handle the power outage better than their mom! :)

I Love this Laugh

Sebastian has this really pure laugh, that you hear on the video and I can't help but laugh every time I hear it.

A typical evening in our backyard

The Visitation

Tonight Paul and I went to the visitation for our friend from the Bookmobile. It was so great to see so many people there. There were pictures of Dale growing up and of his adulthood working on the bookmobile. We chatted with Jermaine and waited for Brenda. Brenda and Dale were partners, they worked together for years. It will be so different for her. When someone close dies, it makes you want to cherish moments more. Hug your kids a little tighter, a few more times a day. Have a little more patience with them. I know that death is a part of this life, but knowing that doesn't make living with death any easier.

A week of change and loss

I haven't blogged in a while other than utterz because we have been so busy. Alexandra has been going to VBS in Otsego with Grandma Erbe. At first she was really tenative but then she jumped right in the second day and I left without a tear being shed. She also has been staying with Grandma last night and tomorrow night. Sebastian had a hard time with Alexandra being gone too. He cried last night and told me he wanted his Sissy. I also noticed just a little bit that my little girl isn't so little anymore. She making it on her own at least as much as an almost 5 year old can. I cried a few tears over that this week. I'm also thankful though that she's having alone time with Grandma and Grandpa. I have great memories of spending time with both sets of my Grandparents and I'm glad she's getting that now.

You've probably read before that we go to the bookmobile every Tuesday. We've gotten really close with the 3 people who work for the library. Brenda, Jermaine and Dale. We didn't get to see Dale that often but when we did we really enjoyed getting to know him. Brenda called yesterday to let me know they wouldn't be coming because Dale had passed away. His parents found him on Monday, they believe he had a heart attack. He was only 40. We had just seen him that last Tuesday. Brenda wanted us to know that he told her on Wednesday (after seeing us on Tuesday) that he wishes he could have Tuesday as his stop so he could see us more often. He also said he thought we were really great people. We'll be heading to the visitation tomorrow.

Atticus is still in our bedroom, well I should say he was until tonight! I had to take the crib apart to do it but he is now in with Sebastian and Alexandra. He cried a little but he settled down and when I went in the deal with the other two getting out of their bed, he waved bye bye to me. We'll see how tomorrow morning goes with all three of them in the same room. What a trip that should be. No sleeping in until 8 AM tomorrow.

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What has gotten into me today

I had Sebastian's IEP today and it went well. They don't think that he qualifies for services anymore. They believe the classroom has really helped Sebastian over come some of his sensory and social issues. We will continue with the private OT and plan on private preschool in the fall. I came home and decided I needed to clean. This is so not like me. I swept and mopped the floors. I had Alexandra help me after she came out from rest time. This is my only thought, I saw that the next few days are going to be really humid and hot. Today it is hot but not real humid. I figure If I do this hard work now, it's done and I won't have to work hard the really humid days. Also, an update on my strawberries. What ever is eating them Is getting as many as I am and that doesn't make me happy. What does make me happy is to enjoy the freshest strawberries out of my own back yard. It's the little things! It really doesn't take much to make me happy! :)

Obedience

This is a word I use a lot with my kids. God also wants it from me. After praying for a family in our preschool that their unborn daughter would not be born with a half functioning heart, I felt led to lay hands on the mom and baby and pray for a complete healing. I believe God can heal this babies heart but putting myself out there was the tough part. Tonight we had dinner with the family and another family from the preschool. Afterwards, we laid hands on the mom and her pregnant belly and prayed that when she comes out on Wednesday her heart will be totally normal. I prayed it would mystify the DR.s but we would know it was by the hand of God. I have no idea where this family is with God and I hope that through this they get drawn closer to him. I did my part, now it's God's turn to heal that little girls heart. Will you take a moment and lift up Lindsay. She'll be delivered on Wednesday. If you are interested in her progress you can check our the families blog at lindsaysheart.blogspot.com. I'm excited to see what God's going to do in the next few days. It was hard to be obiedent, but it was worth it.

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My water bugs

We decided to buy a new pool today since the weather reports are saying we are going to have a very hot day tomorrow. The kids couldn't wait until tomorrow for the fun to begin and here's some pics and video of some of the fun tonight. You got to love summer!

Big Boy Bed Update

I wondered what would happen last night when we put Sebastian to bed. We went up to go to bed and he walked right up to his new bed and said "I gotta get into my new bed, mama!". If I could have, I would have done cartwheels. The room is just not big enough for that. I did it in my mind! He cried a little bit when Paul made him lay down but once we left, he stopped crying. Then Alexandra read him a book and after two times out of bed, all was quiet in the room. A big sigh of relief! I did talk to both Alexandra and Sebastian last night about us moving Atticus into their room. Their reaction was was funny. Alexandra said "oh mom I would love that". Sebastian looked really worried and then after a few questions to him, it came out that he thought Atticus was going to sleep in his bed with him. LOL. We told him no, Atticus would sleep in his own bed. Oh the things kids come up with. One more big milestone, potty training, and our summer will be complete!

A hard night

At the advice of some we decided to take Sebastian bed out of his room and have him sleep in his big boy bed. We are finding with Sebastian that he hates change. I mean come on who doesn't. Paul read him a few books while I took the bed out, you see we really didn't intend on doing this tonight. When he realized I took it out, he cried and went out of the room to find his old bed. He went all the way downstairs to find it but it was out of site. Tears welled up in my eyes. I knew this was going to be a tough night. After lots of tears and screams, Alexandra read a couple of books to him and things have been quiet so far. I know this was necessary but my soft heart to him makes tonight hard for me too. Not because he's not in his old bed anymore, but because it pained him so much. We'll see how tomorrow morning goes when he can get out of bed all by himself.