Wordless Wednesday - All three kids around the age of 1

Can you tell who is who?

Being Open

It seems that one door closed on Friday when it comes to my life as a working person. I thought I might be going back to a comfortable position, where I'm known and I know everyone. It came to the point where I felt I needed to make a decision, I couldn't wait for them to make the decision for me. I'm not one to wait a really long time for things and this has been going on for a few months now. Also, My husband was concerned although as usual very supportive of what I wanted to do. I made the decision to pull myself out of the running for a position and head in another direction. Now that we have childcare in the morning I want to be doing something productive. As I was driving this morning it hit me, God may be protecting me from a lot of hurt, stress and frustration. Although I thought this job might be a ton of fun, It could also cause me a lot of stress. So, we've decided to venture out on our own. In the next few weeks I'll be writing more about this but I've decided to start my own Website Development business. I'm excited about branching out on my own and look forward to the work I'll be doing.

As for today, Alexandra has her 4 year Dr. Appointment and she'll have to have shots. We'll see if she does as well as she did this winter with her flu shot. Atticus is doing better, looking better and eating better. He has a fever all weekend and I stayed home with him and Sebastian on Sunday. I'll give an update later on how the Dr. appointment and shots went!

Oh the Guilt!

This week we started having a sitter come and watch the kids for a few hours in the morning so I could go and do some work. Erin comes at 7:30 AM and stays until 10:30 AM. I thought this was the best possible time. I could get some work done and all I would really miss was breakfast and a little PBS kids time. Alexandra has been having a really hard time with it. She cried on Sunday night when I told her and then last night she cried again. She says that she doesn't love Erin, that she loves me and wants me there. What do you say to that? I told her that I love her and that I would be back before Lunch and then we would play on the swings and the sand box and read books. Nothing seemed to work. Then I pulled a rabbit out of my hat. I told her in a month or so she'd be going back to school three days a week and that while she was gone I'd be gone too. Then she got really, really excited. She kept saying, can I go tomorrow, can I go tomorrow? I told her no in a month but then she said something pretty amazing. "After that I go to the big school with the big doors and play on the big playground". She must be talking about kindergarten. She's a year away and she's already excited about going to the big school. Pretty amazing! So, I saved the mommy guilt for another issue. Although I have to admit when she is crying I keep thinking to myself, Is this really the right thing to be doing but in my heart I believe it is right now!

Wordless Wednesday

The only thing wrong with this picture is I'm usually out there behind them pushing.

Alexandra's Antics

Here's a few things Alexandra has said to me over the past few days:

I told a friend that I was going home to have a fruit bar. Alexandra asked if she could have one. I told her no because she didn't finish her dinner. She said please mommy and I said no. She replied "Can I watch you eat yours then?"

Alexandra: Mommy I want to be the mommy now.
Me: You can't be the mommy.
A: I want out of this situation, can I please be the mommy!


Alexandra: Can I go outside and swing?
Me: No it's too wet.
Alexandra: I'll just wear my snow boots.
(She proceeded to wear her boots all day even though it didn't rain again)

It rained on our parade but not our party!

We marched in the Parchment Kindleburger parade with the Preschool. It was very fun but it rained on and off. Alexandra rode in a wagon with two other girls from the school. We came home after the parade, had rest time and then got ready for the party. Lee and Sylvia Plus Dad and Karen came over to celebrate. This was one of those days It was great to be a mom. Alexandra had a Dora cake and Barbie dancing Princess plates and napkins. Both her choice. I love that she's decisive and everything doesn't have to match! It was a great time and I think Alexandra will remember this day for a while.

Fire Marshal Atticus

My girl is 4 today

I know everyone says this but "I can't believe she's 4!" I think the reason it's flown by for me is that I've been pregnant with the boys for the last 3 years. She was very excited to get her big bike and we sang her Happy Birthday many, many times. Last night she was cracking me up making up songs and getting Atticus to dance with her. She also made up a guessing game where she tells me a joke or story that I have to finish. If I get it right, she yells, You're a winner! Too funny!

What Vacation means for hubby

Right now we are sitting in the lobby of the Sleep inn, South Bend, watching the Wimbledon final between Nadal and Federer. I don't mind watching Tennis but I'm also not complaining. We are sitting in air conditioning when it's going to be 95 today in Indiana. We did do the White water rafting yesterday and went to the South bend Chocolate factory. We also went to a very, very nice restaurant The LaSalle Grill. What's funny is we got all dressed up for dinner, had a great time and then went to the movie theater and saw Transformers. It was more sci-fi then we thought which is good but it also had a lot of action. It reminded me of Independence day way back when. It had a lot of humor in it as well. I was surprised it didn't have any big name actors in it. I like everyone that was in it. What also surprised me is it was an 8 PM show and there were babies and toddlers in the theater. It reminded me how fortunate I am to have great family and friends to watch our kids even for a night sometimes so that we can get out and have "Couple time".

I took some pics of our trip but can't upload them right now. I will in the next couple of days.

So why would you go to South Bend?

Yes, that's what a lot of people have asked us when they found out we were going to take a weekend trip without the children to South Bend! We wanted to get away but didn't want to drive too far so we felt like Indiana was a good bet it is a different state! Anyway, we got here, had dinner last night right by the St. Joseph river and then found out that there were fireworks. They were awesome, especially over the river. It was a nice surprise. Today we are watching tennis, doing a tour of the South Bend Chocolate factory (my choice :), and then taking a ride on the man made Whitewater rafting course. It should all be fun, fun, fun!

The Best $15 I ever spent

If I let Alexandra it would be the first thing she does in the morning
and the last thing she does before she goes to bed. She has spent so much time on the swingset since we got it. She's out there all the time. She's also spent a ton of time in the sand box. She likes it more than Sebastian. She's even been so kind as to push Sebastian on the Swing and to make him a sand castle in the sand box. It's been very cool.

Here's a Meme I couldn't pass up.

As I was surfing tonight I found this at Rocks in my Dryer Feel free to answer these questions on your blog and link back to me and her:

1. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

I would have to say Cantaloupe or Watermelon. Yummy!

2. What's the most nerve-racking "close call" you've ever had?

One day on the way out to run some errands I almost got into three car accidents. I had all three kids with me and it made me want to go right back home.

3. Name five features your ultimate dream house would have.

Oh I love this one. A hot tub bath tub. A large kitchen with an island and a bar with stools. Large master bedroom with a large master bath. A craft room. A large walk in closet.
4. Who has been the most influential non-relative in your life?

My friend Ann Browning. She has been there for me during the hard times, we craft together, she also takes my kids so I can have a break. I also think she knows more than any other friend I have.
5. What one non-physical feature would you most like to change about yourself?

I like to talk about myself a lot and I need to ask people about themselves more and talk less about myself.

Practice what I'm talking about

We had a church meeting last night and it came up that we need to be inviting more people who cross our path to church. I've been feeling like I need to be bold in asking people where they are at. Tonight we went to pick up the swing set and the woman who had the garage sale and I got talking. She was so nice and we had a lot in common. She's trying to get her kids out of a school system and into another. I asked her where they went to church. She said they wanted to find a Presbyterian church but her kids would like a more contemporary service. I told her about Fresh Start and about how we incorporate kids into the service but they also have their own time which is something she wanted for her kids. I told her the time we start and that we'd love to come and check it out. She said they really wanted to find a Presbyterian church. I told her about a church on the east side of Kalamazoo. I'm always amazed at how open people are about where they are with Church. I think it's really in our mind that people don't want to connect with God. Why are we so stuck in thinking people don't want what we have. It's the best thing ever, having a relationship with God. I encourage you to just step out there. People are more open than you might think. I'm not sure that this woman will ever come to our church but the point should be that she reconnects with God.

I rock at great deals today

I had Laura Browning over today to sit for the kids so I hit some garage sales. One of the first ones I saw they had a swing set. It looked sound but needs a paint job. I walked up to it and the price on it was $15. My jaw dropped. We're getting our truck back this weekend after being in the shop. I asked if we could pick it up on Sunday and she said yes. So, after that I found a little tikes cube with a slide on Craigslist. It was in battle creek but they only wanted $39 for it and that's the cheapest I've seen. As you can see the kids are already loving it!

Goggle Girl

Ever since Alexandra saw her cousins (Shannon Katie and Leah) wearing goggles at Me me and Papa's she's been obsessed with goggles.
I found two pairs of goggles at Walmart for $1. Can you believe it. She was giddy!

He's pulling himself up now and making is mama's day

Atticus is pulling himself up and saying mama when I say it to him! He also does it with a huge smile on his face.

One of those Michigan summer days

It's one of those days that you don't bother showering because you'll get out and sweat even more than you were before. It's one of those days that you wish it would rain and just cool things off instead of making things even worse. It's one of those days that you go to walmart with no money but at least it's air conditioned. These are the days we forget about in the heart of winter here in Michigan.

Backyard fun on a hot summer day

It's going to be even hotter today here in Michigan so some of our time will be spent in the air conditioned room!

4th of July party over at 5 minutes for mom

You've got to head over to 5 Minutes for mom.com and get registered for some very cool prizes for 4th of July! You can also get there by clicking on the banner on the right hand side of the blog.

She's Married

After lots of prayers and tears my friend Jennifer Married a wonderful man yesterday. It was an awesome day and everything went great. It was one of the most fun weddings I have ever been to. Everything started Friday with a bridesmaid luncheon and pampering day. After that we had the rehearsal and dinner. It all went very smoothly. The wedding day started out with getting our hair done. Even though I had no idea what I wanted done the stylist did a great job and I got a lot of compliments from people, even my hubby loved it. We made it to the church and had all our pictures before the wedding. The wedding itself went very smoothly but I have to tell you that my feet are not use to standing for more than an hour in huge heals. I changed shoes to platform sandals for the ice cream social after the ceremony and then by the time we hit the dinner reception, I had no shoes on at all. It was so great to see Jen so happy. I also got to see a couple of girls that I went to college with and a couple from New Zealand that we met at Western Michigan University who now live in Texas. Overall, It was an incredible day!