Everyone has a bad photography day

Alexandra begged to take a picture of Atticus today. Here's what she came up with:





Everyone has an off day now and then.

Our last day of freedom

From what the weather people are saying this is it. It will be 60 here today and then the snow comes for the rest of the week. I thought it would be good to get the kids out today and enjoy the nice weather. It rained last night so there were puddles and boy did they have fun in those. It's one of those times when you just let them play in the mud and water since you know they won't be able to do it again anytime soon!

The Game night that wouldn't end

We had our annual (or at least that's what it's become now) after thanksgiving game night. We had 8 people total and played Cities and Knights first and then this new game called Power Grid. Alexandra stayed up and played with other kids that were here. We started the new Power Grid game at about 11 PM. Needless to say, it was a long game and everyone left at around 2:30 AM. Yes that's right, AM. I couldn't believe it. Alexandra was so tired. I was amazed at how great the kids did for as late as it was. We had a good time but I told Paul never again will I start a new game at 11 PM.

Thanksgiving Celebration

We headed to the Erbe's of Otsego (Paul's parents) for Thanksgiving. It's fun and tiring at the same time when we get together with all the kids. The Twins (Ethan and Evan) are just a week younger than Sebastian and it's busy when all 4 kids are together. Thanks goodness that Atticus can't join in quite yet. Dinner was awesome and so was the pie! As you can see we tired Atticus out and got a picture of the youngest Erbe grandchildren with Grandma and Grandpa. Looking at the pictures reminds me of how much we have to be thankful for!

It's been three months today

It's amazing to me how after such a short time you can't imagine your life without this new little person!

Freebie Friday

If you like rock music here's some free downloads

Needing a break

Sometimes it takes a break to see how good you really have it. I had a chance to go out with a girlfriend tonight whose going through some tough stuff. Again, I'm faced with the whole Thankfulness thing. God just keeps bringing that to the forefront of life. Today I really needed a break. I've just been really stressed and burdened by the kids. I love them but it's a lot of work sometimes. It rained really hard all day long. Not a day I could get out and take the kids to McDonalds or Wal-Mart just to get out of the house. But I'm thankful today for a loving husband who makes it possible for me to stay home, a great church family who accepts me for who I am, My family who loves me no matter what and for three beautiful kids who think I'm the greatest mom ever! Sometimes you just need a break to see how really fortunate you are.

Dancing with the Stars Shout out

I have to give a shout out to my mom in Florida. She believed that Emmitt Smith would win the whole season and I really thought Mario would win but she was right and I have to give her props for that! Love ya mom!

A moment with Alexandra

Alexandra: You be the Doctor, mama.
Me: OK
Alexandra: My baby has a bruise on her cheek.
Me: Oh, how did that happen?
Alexandra: I threw her on the sidewalk outside.
Me: OH, you can't do that to your baby. I might have to report you to Child Protective Services
Alexandra: OH. She just tripped and fell. It was an accident.

I was sitting on the floor but I almost fell over laughing. It couldn't have been scripted better.

Reading

Last night was Bookmobile night! Yea! I'm amazed at how excited Alexandra still gets about the bookmobile. I think it has something to do with the people who work at the bookmobile as well. She's very focused when we get there and gets her books first. Then she'll get some for Buddy and then look at the CD's. We joke about all the potty books that she brings home on a weekly basis. I guess that's what's important when you're three! Brenda, our friend who works at the bookmobile, has been getting us video's as well and they are a big hit. Alexandra is always excited to watch something new on Wednesday morning. I'm thankful for the library cause then we don't have to buy all this stuff that we get. We can just borrow it and return it , If I can keep track of everything.

Two Questions

1. When will I not feel tired again?
2. When will I be able to keep a shirt clean for a whole day?

Number 2 is the perplexing one today. It seems Atticus can't eat with out spitting up a little bit after. I've gotten better but sometimes he still hits me. Then today, I'm mixing formula and I spill some of the powder on my shirt. How does that happen?

Alexandra, Sebastian and Atticus were all up last night. Atticus was the first at 1:30 AM. I let him fuss himself back to sleep. Then Sebastian starts banging in his bed at 3:30 AM. Then Alexandra comes in and her feet are cold. I was amazed that I found two socks in the dark. The didn't match, I noticed when I got up this morning, but they did the trick. Then, she came back in wanting to be wrapped in her blanket and wanting more water. Then Atticus was up at 4:00 AM to feed and fill his pants. It seems the boy can't fill his pants without filling the space with food at the same time. I fell asleep last night on the couch (which I never do) at 7:50 PM and then woke up at 9:10 to watch Heroes then I went back to bed. Thank goodness I did after all that happened with all three of the kids. Whew! I hope tonight is better. We're getting ready for dance class then back here for dinner and then off to see Brenda and Jermaine at the bookmobile! What a busy night and day but all great stuff for us all!

Mocha Mocha

I've really never been much of a coffee drinker at least not until I married Paul and had Alexandra. Now, I have a cup in the morning and then sometimes a special coffeeduring the day. Tonight was a day I needed a Mocha Mocha from Beaners. I know Starbucks is known for great coffee but Beaners is my favorite right now! There's just something about that first sip. Ahhhhhh! It's heaven. I know it's the little things right now!

Embracing the Mohawk

I have tried and tried to get Atticus' hair to stay down and it just won't so I've decided to stop trying. I have to admit it's pretty cute standing straight up!

Mornings...

I love and hate mornings at the same time. Alexandra and Sebastian are the most joyful in the morning. Especially Alexandra. She is also the most obedient in the morning. I hate mornings because I can't seem to wake up. I'm so tired in the morning, that I have a hard time finding my joy. Atticus got up this morning at 5:30 AM but thankfully he'll go back to sleep within the hour. It's still an interruption though. I know, I should just be thankful for the sleep I get. Didn't I mention that in a previous post?

So Gordon Lightfoot was the problem

I use my VCR a lot to tape shows that sometimes I'm not sure I'll get to watch when they are actually on. I also tape two shows for a friend who doesn't get the new CW station. This week for some reason the tape wouldn't come out of the VCR after I taped the two shows for my friend. I couldn't see anything blocking it but it wouldn't come out. I had to take the top off the VCR to see what was going on with the tape. Come to find out, Sebastian had stuck a Gordon Lightfoot CD in the VCR hole. It jammed up the tape and that's why it wouldn't come out. Now you might be wondering why I know it was Sebastian. I caught him doing the same thing with a different CD a couple of days ago and he's the boy that can actually move at this point. He a little obsessed with putting things in places where they don't belong just to see what happens.

A sweet moment with Alexandra

Tonight in the bath she wouldn't leave Buddy alone. So I made her get out, while Sebastian stayed in. She of course cryed saying she wanted to stay and play with Buddy. As I was hugging her, she said: "Mama, Buddy's my best friend. I play with him, I eat with him, I read with him. Mama, he's my best friend and I want to be in there to play with him." How sweet is that.

You just gotta love boys!

Earlier today, Sebastian colored with crayons in his chair and he and Alexandra had Apples and banana's for lunch. This will be very important info later in the story. Sebastian had his nap and was up, no fuss or nothing. We had dinner and it was on to a bath for Sebastian and Alexandra. I undressed Sebastian and took off his diaper. I found two full size crayons and two chunks of Apple. The funniest part about it was his whole groin area was blue green from the crayons and the urine mixing. I was grossed out and cracked up laughing at the same time. He's a boy alright, not that I doubted it!

My Boys

It's pretty amazing that I got Sebastian to sit long enough to get these pics.

The incredible folding ear

This just cracks me up. When Atticus is on the floor and he's on one side or the other this is what happens to his ear. His ear is normal as you can see from the picture.

The day we had been waiting for

Yesterday was a really nice day here in Michigan. We all got out and played. I'm always amazed at how much fun the kids have outside when we haven't been out in a while.

I had the opportunity to MC a christian rock concert last night. Usually I really enjoy these concerts myself. Last night I found myself looking around and seeing all the teenagers with their hands in the air and jumping up and down. I imagined 10 years from now when Alexandra and Sebastian would be old enough to really get into a concert like this. It made me very thankful that there's music like this now and that it will only get better as our kids get old enough to really enjoy it.

Being Thankful

I think it's appropriate that I'm dealing with this subject in November. I've caught myself numerous times over the past week or so explaining/asking Alexandra to be thankful for what she has and to not always desire what she doesn't have. Here's an example:

Alexandra: I don't want this for dinner.
Me: This is what I made so be thankful that you have food to eat.

Example 2:

Alexandra: I want to take another dance class like some of the other girls.
Me: We don't have the money for you to take 2 dance classes a month.
Alexandra: But I want to.
Me: Alexandra you should be thankful that you get to take a dance class a week.

Here's the sticking point. I also struggle with this issue. I think a lot of us do. It seems we always want more. Whether its time, money, stuff, we all seem not to be satisfied with what we are truly blessed with. So as I've struggled with Alexandra's lack of Thankfulness, It's almost like God is saying to me, What about you Heather? Are you also thankful for all the things you have?

I have to admit that most days most of the time I'm not very thankful. I don't think I'm extremely negative about my life but just things like, why don't the kids sleep longer so I can sleep longer? Why can't I get a shower when I want one? Why must my Son grab everything he can get his hands on? I could be a lot more thankful for healthy kids, food to eat, a car to drive, the sleep I do get and so on.

This might be an issue that I'll continue to struggle with but God's placed a little girl in my life to remind me to be thankful as well.

My life as a Juror

Today was my 4th time being called for Jury Duty in 7 years. I don't really mind especially now since I have three small children. Paul had to take the morning off so I could report. I think the whole Jury Duty thing is so interesting. I've never made it past the gathering room and today would be no different. I got released around 11 AM. The nice thing is that I don't have to report back at all and they can't call me again for at least another year. What I think is most interesting is that there are so many different people all crammed into one room and forced to "be" with each other. People who would never associate with each other now are pleasant and cordial. I had the pleasure to sit next to a man who worked for the GM plant in Kalamazoo and then once that closed worked three years at a GM plant in Lansing. He has three sons, who are either my age or older and his youngest son died in a car accident 3 years ago. He told me about his flower garden and how they have adopted some neighbor kids as their own. He has no grandchildren but has a heart for kids. Both of his living sons are in the construction business. This guy could have been my dad and other than church or the grocery store I probably would not have run into him ever. It was so interesting to look around the room this morning and see young, old; black, white; men in suits, men in jeans; all together and waiting to hear if they would get to leave or have to stay! It's an interesting slice of life to be in that position. Anyway, I got released and went to vote while Paul had the kids. It just happened that he decided to take the kids to vote as well and I walk into the polling place to hear a little boy crying. It was Sebastian. I'm not sure what was going on with him but he was inconsolable. I held him and calmed him down. Paul finished voting and then I voted as well. It was so funny to hear the ladies work the election say, "aw, he just wanted his mommmy". I guess there is something to being the mom. Not that I can always make it right, but I guess I can make it better sometimes!

A week to look forward to

When it gets to be this time of year in Michigan, I don't look forward to the fact that we'll be inside most of the time. Even though we had snow in October, they are calling for 65 on Wednesday and 60 on Thursday. I am so happy. We'll be able to get outside and play! Two less days stuck in the house until Spring!

The Erbe brothers and their songs

Last night Lee, Sylvia, Dave, Scott, Heather and I all gathered to celebrate Lee's birthday. We decided to bring the video and digital camera and it would prove to be the best decision ever. Something happens when the Erbe brothers get together, all these really funny songs come out. Lee requested a Country favorite "Betty Lou" and all these other songs came out as well. Betty Lou is a parody Paul and Scott do to make fun of Country songs. Anyway, I got them all on tape for generations to come. The funniest part of them singing these songs is Scott and Dave hamming up to the camera. Paul said to me on the way home, it was so good to laugh that hard especially with everything has happened in the past month or so with Lee. We had a lot to celebrate. I'd also like to shout out to my friend from Church Linnea. She took the kids for the night since I couldn't find anyone else. Thanks bunches!

What a way to wake up

Alexandra comes into our bedroom to wake me up this morning and the first thing out of her mouth is "you stink". Got to love that 3 year old up front honest conversation. My response was "well, good morning to you too".