Can I stand on my soapbox for just a minute...

Nothing prompted this...just casual observation through recent interactions both in real life and via FB/blogs.

Girls, can we work really hard on something this next year? Truly, the "drama" in my life is pretty minimal. But, I think that's because I work hard at choosing to ignore it. I am noticing more and more a trend amongst all of us. Whether in social situations, on Facebook (WORST CULPRIT), blogs, playgroups, girls' nights out, and on and on, we are our own worst enemy.

So, for 2012, let's cut this junk out. Let's stop posting 'articles' online (blogs, FB, etc) that are not so subtly implying some method/choice of parenting is better than others or ambiguious call outs about 'I guess you know who your real girlfriends are'. I used to think men were so competitive. Be around a group of women long enough and you will see fierce competition about who is the busiest, most tired, most stressed, who only cooks from scratch because she loves her family so much, who nursed and co-slept longest and who hasn't had a moment to herself since 1994.

Don't forget stay-at-home vs work-outside-the-home, in shape vs outta shape, organic eating vs non-organic, scarf wearer vs no scarfs, jeans tucked in boots vs boots under jeans, college-educated vs non-college-educated, married vs not married. Seriously, this list could go on and on.

We all, apparently, want to be the martyr. God knows how I have fallen (and sometimes still do!) prey to this way of thinking! And, we also want to believe the choices we make are best. Embrace it, girl. The choices you make for you and your family are the best for you and your family. I love it! Go for it!! Just do it with an attitude that someone else might choose differently and that's great.

Let's call this what it is...we are allowing the enemy to divide us. We have to be savvy to his tactics!! So, my call to action for all us girls in 2012 is this: Let's stand united...shoulder to shoulder...supporting one another and loving each other even though the choices we make might be incredibly different.

Soapbox moment done.

Not jiving...

Anybody who knows us well is aware that I have nicknamed Jereme "Safety Sam". I could list many reasons but, just one thing doesn't seem to jive. How is it that I had explain to Jereme for 30 minutes yesterday why it was perfectly safe and legal for us to let the little boys out of the 5-point harness car seats and into boosters with backs and yet a couple weeks earlier, this is where the little boys were with DADDY'S PERMISSION??



And, isn't it so typical that we would be at the KSU b-ball game and Jorden told me twice that "Momma should've brought her hairbrush". I said "What? WHY?" Of course, you know it was a silent moment that overcame the entire coliseum for Jorden to holler "You should've brought your hairbrush to brush that lady's hair right there!!!" And, right there would be 2 rows in front of us with no one in between. In his defense, it could've used a little work. In her defense, it was COLD and WINDY.

A few other funny kid sayings:
*Luke's fave new expression, "YEE-HAW!"
*Luke: "Isaac and Poppa Gary buy Luke 2 loaders. Daddy buy yellow combine."
*Jorden, while cheering ferociously at the b-ball game. "C'mon Cats! Get the ball. Go go go! Get a basket!" Which they did. He starts jumping up and down, "Momma, the Wildcats heard-ed me, they heard-ed me!"
*Isaac: Momma, why doesn't Luke like me better than Jorden? Me: Well, buddy, b/c you agitate, take toys and are too rough. Isaac: Hmmmm. LUKEY LUKEY LUKEY c'mere buddy let me hug you and give you kisses EVERYWHERE...and, then proceeds to tackle Luke and hold him down to accomplish this mission of love. It's such a mystery, isn't it???

Big Kids

When did the little boys get so big?? Things I've noticed lately:

*A-t-t-i-t-u-d-e...Not that they don't come by it honestly. When both your parents are bull-headed, smart-mouthed, er, I mean quick-witted (right??) should we expect much less? Yet, it still totally peeves me off when I went in last night at 9:45 to tell the boys to knock it off and get to sleep and one of them (who shall remain nameless) covered his ears with both hands and shut his eyes so he didn't have to listen.

*One boy pushing a cart at the store with Luke in it and the other boy pushing a cart with the groceries in it. Sure, it's a little bit dangerous for the other patrons but that's a minor detail. And, tonight I only had to rebuild one display!

*Heading out the door with their daddy tonight to a KSU ball game, kissing me good-bye, carrying their "man-bag" of money to purchase their own snack with their own hard-earned money as happy as 2 little boys could be was almost more than my heart could take.

*Working hard at chores around the house to earn their commissions...they are already on their way to "Financial Peace".

*Secure enough in his masculinity, one little boy can verbally express that he kinda wants a Mermaid to just play with sometimes...not all the time, though.

I don't know...just seems like everyday it's something new and different. Some days that something new makes me crazy, some days it cracks me up and some days it just makes me stop and think when did they get so danged big??

Attitude of Gratitude

God has obviously been preparing my heart for this holiday season. I have listened/read several messages on choosing joy and contentment during this season. So, on that note, here are a few things I am grateful for...things beyond my "standard" responses of my fabulous man and beautiful babes:

*That my sweet nephew "only" had pneumonia and nothing more serious...that he was "only" hospitalized for a few days...it could've been SO MUCH WORSE.

*For a washing machine. So that when 2 out of 3 children get the stomach flu bug, I can wash their sheets at 2 am without too much fuss.

*That when my "baby" puked for the 5th time last night, in my bed, that he actually vomited all over me and our bed and not on himself (again) b/c we had already changed him 4 previous times.

*For the chance to rock Luke to sleep one more time. This morning I rocked him to sleep for a short nap and I dozed off with him. When I opened my eyes, his were open. He smiled and said, "hi!"

*CAFFEINE, baby, CAFFEINE!

*That Isaac ASKED at noon if we could just go ahead and put him to bed b/c he "was exhausted and just not feeling very good."

*And, for this boy...who has yet to be victim to the bug. And that he picked his own outfit on Monday. And, that he proudly went to the library and found Miss Pixie to let her know that he chose his outfit all on his own. I am sure she had no idea!!

Thank a farmer...

Blog-worthy

Jereme felt the boys at church this morning was blog worthy. Whatever that means. The only thing that has changed from the last time I posted about the kiddos up at the front for children's time is that they have gotten louder and enunciate WAY better.

Ms. J: Tomorrow morning when you get up, I want you to say "yes" as soon as your feet hit the floor. Who do you think we should say "yes" to?
Isaac and Jorden (LOUDLY!): MOMMY AND DADDY!!
{insert Luke waving continually across the church to us}
Ms J: Yes, that is a good answer! We should say that to our parents but we are going to say YES to God and the plans he has for us. Ok?
Everyone: Ok!
Ms J: Next, I want you to say thank you. So, you will say yes and then you will say thank you. Who do you think we will say thank you?
Isaac and Jorden (Yelling): MOMMY and DADDY!!!
Ms. J: (to us) You have them trained well.
(Me, thinking, well, trained to ANSWER well)
{insert Luke still waving}-
Ms J: Ok, now we are going to practice jumping up and doing this.

Isaac and Jorden were right in their element then, jumping up, yelling this "Yes! And thank you to the Lord!"

They are too funny!

I also thought it was blog-worthy as Jereme and I were discussing what the future of our all-boy home looked like this convo transpired:
Me: Well, I guess I will at least console myself in knowing that I'll always be the queen of the castle, right?
Jereme: Sure, wellllll, so long as you don't get dethroned!!!

Playing Catch-up

I can't believe it's Nov 18th!? I've been playing catch-up for the past few weeks!! Between Jereme's travels, my weekend out, Jereme's hunting weekend...well, it's been crazy!!

Heading out to T-or-T downtown on Friday night!





The "real deal" T-or-Ting!! The boys had a blast! The next day, they decided to keep a small stash of candy and send the rest overseas to our troops. Oh, if only I could have such a selfless heart about giving away sweets!!!!





Speaking of my weekend out. So.Much.Fun. No sleep and so much laughter, I think my face hurt after the weekend. Here we are headed (part of our group) into Women of Faith conference.


And, here is part of our group leaving the hotel for the Moms Gone Wild portion of the night...


A few drinks and appetizers before heading out to meet the rest of the group! Fun times, fun times!


And, what would a blog post be without a 'keeping it real' pic of a recent project of the little boys...

Wordless Wednesday

Bleeds Purple

Isaac's preschool teacher sent this to me yesterday. She said the kids were all supposed to stand up and share what they were for Halloween with the rest of the class. This is what Isaac did:



I just love this kid. Notice how completely 'enthralled' his classmates are but that doesn't stop my boy. Perhaps, that's why I didn't hesitate for a second when he asked me to make him some cinnamon rolls today. Go Cats!

Jack-o-Lanterns!

Sadly, this is the first Halloween we've ever carved pumpkins with the boys. And, after trying to watch/yell/keep three boys from grabbing knives while carving the pumpkins, I realize why. The little boys were super excited to see them lit up, though, and listen to momma and daddy tell scary stories while eating Monster cookies. We only had one renegade pumpkin that got pushed off the porch and rolling down the sidewalk with a candle in it. So, all in all, it was a success!

Trying to catch up...

Luke's ability to squat in this position forever is rather painful to watch. His Grandpa Harvey would be proud as that skill obviously comes directly from him! You might notice that sweet little boy is wearing unders. He's done really well. He's not 100% there but he's pretty close!


AND, in other exciting news from the House house, the little boys are officially bike riders with NO TRAINING WHEELS. Their uber-patient daddy worked with them one Saturday afternoon and off they went!






Well, now that we can ride our bikes, should we make a break for it??


At least one of them still wants to come back!

Tough night for Jereme...

It's been a rough night for Jereme. He made the fatal error of talking to me while I was cutting his hair. This distracted me enough to put the wrong size guard on the clippers and go straight down the top of his head. Here's hoping for a warm front as he definitely has his summer (or Marine Corps?) cut going on...he's even more thrilled since he is headed out of town for meetings this week! Whooooooops!

Then, in only a pair of athletic shorts, he leaned over to kiss sweet Jorden goodnight, Jorden pats his chest, er, pecs or whatever and says ever-so-sweetly, "Daddy if you have these like mommy then you need to wear a bra!"

Jereme walked out and proclaimed what people have been saying for generations on end, "Getting old sucks!"

3rd child...

Luke has truly adapted to being the 3rd child. He has to conform to everyone else's schedule and I have to say, most of the time he does it well. He made it through a hot 230 pm football game yesterday with NO problems at all. The little boys did remarkably well, too, considering they spent the previous day with daddy out at test plots (NO NAPS 2 days in a row!). And, what a game...glad we made it to the end!

Wordless Wednesday

Predicament

Luke-bean found himself in a wee bit of a predicament. He was not pleased...and definitely not pleased at how funny his momma thought it was, snapping pictures instead of rescuing him immediately...

35

Happy 35th Birthday, Jereme Jon!! Pretty darn sure the best thing I ever did was marry this guy!

Yesterday??

Wasn't it just yesterday I took this picture?



Last night after hearing of a tragic accident taking the life of a young, young boy, I went in and laid with each of my boys while they slept, held them and prayed over them. Oh, how I prayed. I prayed for protection over our household but more than anything I prayed that God would use this inadequate girl to help those sweet things fulfill their God-given destiny.

I hope the next 2 years doesn't go as fast as the last 2...

Parenting 101

Parenting is not for the weak...well or should I say, attempting to parent intentionally and positively is not for the weak. It is *WAY* harder than I ever imagined to see consequences all the way through. We try but dang it when they return from slightly-possessed-tantrum-throwing-heathens to those sweet yet slightly ornery little boys we love minutes later, it's not easy.

Yet, tonight, one of our boys is sleeping in his room with no sheets of any sort, no blanket, no pillow, no pillow pet, no lovey, no special lovey, no NOTHING. He's got a mattress protector. He had an exponentially better evening so he was allowed to choose one item, his horsey, to go to bed. Blech...it stunk to walk out of that room tonight to a little boy who was all smiles, blowing kisses and telling us he loved us to the moon and back all the while missing all his normal "comforts".

BUT, I guess we've been entrusted with this privilege...even when it's tough. *sigh* Parenting was SO MUCH EASIER before I had kids!!

A belated summer post

Boys doing their first pedal-pull competition...I think their daddy might've been more excited than they were!!









Please note Jorden's safety glasses and koozie "protection" on his arm...you just never know when they might come in handy, right?