Memorial day - Erbe style

We went to the Memorial day parade in downtown Kalamazoo. We wanted to make sure that Alexandra knew that it was about more than fun, little American flags and candy. Paul told Alexandra all about how we honor and thank our service men and women on Memorial day. We are free because of their sacrifice and we need to thank them and this is one way we do it. It was a very good speech and I think she got it. So we turned around to pull out of the parking lot and we hear "owwwwwwww! Buddy just hit me with his flag!" We couldn't help but burst out laughing and then scold Sebastian for hitting Alexandra with his flag. It was too funny! As you can see from the pic, not everyone is open to pictures. I was excited to be there though!

I'm not who I was, Praise God!

There's a song right now that WaYfm's playing called "I'm not who I was". It's by a singer songwriter Brandon Heath. For some reason, God has used this song to remind me
of the work he's done in my life over the last few years. It's amazing to look back at times when I was so selfish and self-centered. Not that I don't still struggle with those things but God has worked some of that out of my life. God has used the change in jobs (staying home with the kids), going through three pregnancies in 4 years, struggling with depression, our church closure, a new church start and much more. Even though I don't think there was a huge change all at once but over time. I'm thankful for that. I can't imagine what that change would look like. It makes me love God more because he's taken time and effort to show me the areas that I needed to change. If you'd like to hear the song and play the video the link's below! Thanks be to God that I"m not who I was!

"There's a bean in my nose!"

Those are the words that woke me up at 5:30 AM this morning. Alexandra came in just sobbing trying to convince me she had a bean up her nose. Who knew beans would cause nightmares in our house. I asked her if she'd put a bean up her nose, she said no but she was still sure it was up there. I asked her if she had a dream and she said, yes I had a very bad dream. I told her it was still nite-nite time but that I would check her nose in the morning. She didn't forget either she had me check her nose to make sure there wasn't a bean up her nose. Her young mind can't comprehend that what she's dreaming isn't true. At least she went back to bed.

A trip to see the Grimes'

My Brother is a track coach for Malone college and this is his busiest time of year. My sister-in-law is with her three kids most of the time during track season since my brother is gone so much. Usually during the spring I go to Canton OH to see them but with three little ones I decided not to do it this year. They came to Michigan though and we drove just an 1 1/2 hours to see them. It was a ton of fun! Alexandra loves her cousins and they are so good with her. I think the boys had a good time but it's hard to tell. Here's a pic of everyone!

Another contest over at 5 minutes for mom!

Janice and Susan are giving away this very cute Tutu thanks to Tutufantasy.com. I can just see Alexandra dancing around in this for days on end! You can enter to win it as well at 5minutesformom.com

We've got Beans!

The specialist working with us for Sebastian recommended we allow him to play with beans to help stimulate his touch sense. I put them in the pool today and they had a grand time. It was pretty fun to watch Sebastian play and play and play with them.

Wordless Wednesday -- The Grimes girls 4 years ago

My family is known for helping out. When I was almost ready to give birth to Alexandra , we decided to re-roof the house. My brother, his wife and their three daughters came to help along with my dad, step mom and brothers. This is a pic of my nieces doing their part!

It only takes 3 minutes....

to scan my head! Can you believe it? When we were trying plan this CT scan we didn't know how long it would take. I got there early this morning and my appointment was at 8 AM. I was actually out of the hospital building by 8 AM. Technology is amazing. Now we wait to see what going on in my sinuses!

My Cuties

Although it took me about 10 tries, I finally go this good pic of all three of the kids!

Another busy day

Today, I got to sleep in, in to 9:30 that is. Paul was nice enough to let me stay in bed until I had to take Atticus to his 9 month check up. It was really nice to just take one kid to the Dr. Atticus and I played in the room, he crawled around. It's amazing to me how much I enjoy him without two other distractions. He took the two shots well and is doing good on his growth. His ear infection is almost cleared up so that's good as well. I also got to go to the grocery store by myself today. Wow what a day. Tomorrow is Alexandra's last day of Preschool and dance so we get a little bit of a break for the summer. I'm taking Sebastian to get a hearing test tomorrow to see if there's anything physically wrong with his hearing to help the therapists. I know you mom's who have older kids are saying to yourself, she doesn't realize this is only the beginning. I'm going to cherish the somewhat quiet summer!

An unwanted visitor

As Paul is gone this weekend, something like this was bound to happen. I don't like spiders. I don't really like anything that's creepy or crawly. Yesterday afternoon, I saw a spider in the kitchen. It was up on the ceiling and it was difficult for me to reach and kill. Plus it was lunch time so I was busy. I thought, ah, I'll just let it go. It went upon it's business. Later after getting home from dinner, putting the kids to bed and settling in to watch TV, I'm minding my own business sitting on the couch and I see something out of the corner of eye. It's the spider and it's coming to see me, up close and personal. I yelp and get up to see it was about an inch from my shoulder. I tried to kill it but of course was unsuccessful. So, needless to say, I went to bed cause I was sure he wouldn't be able to make it up the stairs. :)

A weekend on my own!

Paul tries twice a year to get away and camp with the guys. This is his weekend. I love that he does this. It is so good for him and he always comes back rested and with a different perspective on things. Normally I don't really mind that he does this cause it's just a like any other day for me. I say normally because although I know we'll be fine, I'm struggling with my sinus infection still and my head and throat were on fire this morning. I have a ct scan scheduled for Wednesday since the 2 week strong antibiotic they put me on didn't kill the infection. They think something is going on in my sinuses since I have like 4 to 5 infections a year. I've had an allergy test and MRI's and XRay's and nothing had shown up! Paul still says to me that with all the times they zapped my head they should have been able to find out what was wrong. We are suppose to go to a graduation party today but I'm not sure we'll make it. It'll all depend on how I feel. I really hope they find something on Wednesday so we can get this fixed and I can live without drainage and headaches. Pray for me that some resolution will come for me. Thanks...

You could win a years supply of Nexcare bandages!

The moms of 5minutesformom.com are having a giveaway of a years supply of nexcare bandages. Can you imagine how many boo boo's you'll be able to cover with all those! You can enter by leaving a comment here.

Another Free Music Friday

This week is a host of International musicians including one of the best known worship leaders Darlene Zschech! Check it out at Freemusicfriday.com!

Free Christian music downloads

You know how much I love music and especially free music. I found a new site that has free christian music downloads. It's called FreeCCM.com. You have to register with an email address but after that it's a breeze. They have free downloads right now from Disciple, MercyMe and Sara Groves. It's so exciting to get free music!!!!

A tradition revisted

There was a time when I was younger, My dad would pick us up from my mom's house on Friday nights. As we drove to my dad's house, there were two ways we could get there. Almost every time, he would let me choose which way to go. I remember loving it. I won't go into analyzing what that says about me! ;)

When I pick Alexandra up from school there are two ways that we can go home. I let her choose. She loves it too. On Tuesday we didn't get to do it since we needed to rush home and she was really disappointed. I think these types of things are really important to allowing Alexandra to feel like she has some say in what we do and where we go. Also, it's fun for me to see her face light up when she gets to choose!

I'm a top momma!

I'm on the front page of Top Momma.com. Well maybe I should say Alexandra and Sebastian are with their sunglasses. You can vote for me and keep me on the main page by going here! Thanks for voting!

Wordless Wednesday

Our first early on appointment for Sebastian

Today we met with Sally from the Early on program. This was our first meeting. Sally was really nice and sat right down and started playing with the kids. She asked a lot of questions and we talked about where Sebastian is and what some of my concerns are. She got out a puzzle and also a bouncy ball with a handle on it. We also took a survey to see what his sensory issues are. She wants me to start letting him, in an controlled manner to bounce on the bed. This will help with his balance issues. I also need to help him bounce on a ball to help with that need he has. She also said that he needs hard play on a daily basis. What hard play is defined as getting his joints and muscles to work hard, hence the bouncing. She also had him sit in a chair and rolled a ball toward him. She got Sebastian to move his foot to help him learn to kick. She also got out a bucket full of pinto beans and Sebastian just dumped them all over himself and the floor. She said that he's doing that to get the sensation of the beans when feels good to him. I guess I'll be running out and getting some pinto beans to play with outside. I think this was a good start. We have another appointment scheduled for July. I look forward to seeing how he progresses.

What a day!

First off this is my 200th post. Who knew I could do that many in such a short time. This day started off by Sebastian telling me that the donuts he was eating was Broccoli! Too funny! Then I mowed the front part of the back yard for Paul. Atticus has still been sick and so I decided to call the Dr.'s office. Because the cough has been around for so long, they wanted to see him. We had to drive out to the Centre ave. office because they had nothing at the closer office. I packed up the kids for a 3:45 PM appointment. The kids did really well as usual in the office but Atticus has an ear infection. He has been so cranky, so It's good to know that something is really going on. The other kids have something too but the Dr. thinks its just a cold. I think today was so crappy because I'm still not feeling well and because Atticus has been sick for so long and the other kids are sick too. This day had a good ending though. Alexandra was blinking her eyes at me when I was tucking her and I asked her what she was doing with a giggle. She said mom, I'm winking at you! It was so cute, it made me laugh out loud and it made things at least seem better for the moment. As I would say to my kids, I need to find my joy today. I'm having a hard time with that today.

A girls night out

Tonight Paul wasn't feeling good so Alexandra and I decided to go to a special worship night at Fresh start. She was so eager to go that I decided to run some errands before we went to church. We went to Meijer and got some food, then Walgreens for some medicine for Paul and Candy for us! Then we stopped at Beaners for a strawberry creme freeze AKA a Smoothie. It was so much FUN! Alexandra and I talked and she was so excited to just be with me and stop at all the stores. The candy and smoothie helped of course. She's at an age where she can buckle herself and walk by herself and I don't have to be worried about her running into traffic. It was a really nice night. We worshiped together, we danced and when she got tired (although she wouldn't admit it) we came home. I hope she remembers this night as much as I know I will.

A day at the preschool

Today was my day to work at Alexandra's preschool. It's pretty cool to see her in this environment. I'm pretty surprised at how she interacts with other kids who are just as strong as she it. Today there was an incident with another child hitting her because she was trying to take a toy away. When a child does something like that to her she retreats and pouts in the corner. I'm surprised by that since when she fights with Sebastian she fights to win. I guess there's less to risk with Sebastian since they're siblings. Over all it was a good experience and Alexandra always likes it when I'm there.

I hate that smell!

Poor Sebastian. He and Atticus have been fighting some kind of respiratory cold. We went to dance last night for Alexandra and Sebastian just wanted to sit on my lap. His eyes looked tired. When we got home, he vomited all over himself and the dining room floor. I put him in the bath and proceeded to clean up the floor. Oh how I hate that smell. Sebastian just sat in the bath, quietly and didn't play at all. I got him out and put his PJ's on. He then snuggled into me and fell asleep. I hate it when my kids are that sick. He slept all night and seems a little bit better today. He drank some juice for breakfast and just asked for some apple. I wonder if he vomited because of coughing and not because he has a stomach ache. This is one of those times when I wish he could tell me what's going on so I can know better what to give him. We're not doing milk that's for sure!

I know everything

We were outside playing and Alexandra helped Sebastian get unstuck from a vine in the back yard. I told her that was nice and this was her response:
"I'm 3 mom and I know everything". I said, "what". She repeated herself, word for word. I had no response out loud to her but thought to myself, this is only the beginning.

What kind of Friend/Christian are you?

Ever since I went to the women's weekend a few weeks ago I've been struck by what kind of friends I have. I've also heard a lot of stories lately from people who have been hurt or rejected by the church or people in the church. This just breaks my heart. I've been through some hurt as well from people in the church so in some sense I can understand but I have also had a lot of people who have been there with me as I walked through that pain and have accepted me for who I am and where I'm at. Not everyone is like that. I want to be the kind of Christian that walks through the hard stuff with people. I don't want anyone to feel the way I did and there shouldn't be anything that separates from each other. I can't imagine walking through my pain without friends like Jan and Jack Bishop, my friend Jennifer, Albert and Wendy Dumois and my husband. All those I mentioned have sat with me as I cried and tried to work through what happened. I want to be that for someone else. I also don't want to abandon people when they go through tough times. I think about people that I don't go to church with anymore. We don't see them as much but If they really needed me I'd be there for them as much as I could. I think about the people I mentioned above. Circumstances might draw us apart, but if they needed me I'd be there for them.
Putting this out there for the world to see, now allows you to hold me accountable. If you see or hear of me not holding to what I've said you have my permission to call me on it, in Love of course!

My Friend Jennifer's Bridal shower

This was the weekend for the long awaited Bridal shower for my College friend Jennifer. Two of the other Bridesmaids put together everything on Saturday and I sent out the invitations and took pictures. We had a good turnout and played some fun games. The picture to the left is a game where we blindfolded Jennifer and asked her to dress herself. Yes that is men's underwear on her arm. Never worn though. I'm so happy for Jennifer and she's marrying a great guy as well. I'm in the wedding in June and can't wait to see her walk down the aisle.

Freebie Friday

Here's another Freebie Friday music download!

My son the politician

Alexandra had a field trip today to the Nature Center. My mother in law went with us and it was a lot of fun. We took the boys in the stroller and both the boys and Alexandra did really well. We saw the pony, a calf and two very curious goats. Atticus did not like the cow. He cried when it came close to us. The goats really like Sebastian and as they climbed through the hole in the fence to sniff him and he moved back and then said Hi! After we left the Nature Center we headed to McDonalds for lunch. We walked in and Sebastian right away walked up to two strangers and shook their hands and said "HI"! He has never done anything like that. I couldn't believe it. He just cracks us up. All we needed was to put Atticus in front of him and he could have been running for City Council at 2 years old.

Heather's brain surgery

Today is the day a fellow blogger mom has her brain surgery. Please lift up a prayer for her and her family. The praying for Heather picture to the left links to get an update on how she's doing.

Wordless Wednesday - Atticus' sweet feet

Can it really be 8 years?

I can't believe that 8 years ago today Paul and I stood in front of our family and friends and said we'd love honor and cherish each other for the rest of our lives. Now 3 kids later, I can't imagine my life without him. He went out tonight got some champagne and we toasted our eight years. He also got me a really nice card. So what are we going to do for our anniversary? We hope to take a couple of weekend trips this summer without the kids.

They're at it again

The sisters over at 5 minutes for mom.com are hosting a prize blowout for mother's day. Their first giveaway is an ultimate mom gift, a pink Ipod nano and chocolate. Can you believe it? Even if you are not a blogger you can enter this contest so head on over and get in on the fun. Check back with them and me as well because they'll keep posting new prizes all the way up to Mother's day.Go here to enter! I love entering contests!