Thursday, May 16, 2013

BRODY: TWO AND A HALF YEARS OLD

Warning: The following post is VERY long and documents what our little big 2 1/2 year old is doing right now.

My Sweet Little Love,
How would I even know where to begin to tell you how much I adore you!? I have loved you from the moment you were placed in my arms, but the love I feel now has been magnified 1,000 times since that day 2 1/2 years ago. You are precious, you are sweet, you are a stinker, and you are our little man!!! What a blessing! What an honor!

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Overall, you have such a precious little heart! You are pretty good about sharing with your brother and sisters and mommy and daddy, but were still working on sharing with friends, you don’t like it when you hear others that are upset, you always will ask me “what happen mommy” and your heart SWELLS with conviction when you feel that you’ve done something wrong, you pout your little lip out and cry. You’re so quick to say “please” and “thank you,” and you often say “I sawee” (sorry) when you have no reason to apologize. Even though you have your “two year old moments/days,” we are so blessed to have such a sweet little guy.

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You love to go outside and play, and to go bye bye, but after were gone awhile you often will say “I go home momma”.. guess you might be a homebody just like your big brother. I think maybe you miss your toys?!.. The train table is still a HUGE hit and you also love to play with cars, trucks, puzzles or the most random thing that becomes fun for hours! (at this very moment, a broken light up necklace is SO much fun!) I love to sit back and watch you play. I love to hear you talk things through and to see your imagination at work. It amazes me how much you know and how hilarious you are! watching you drive and talk to your Cars melts me.

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Even though you do well playing alone, you do love it when we play with you. You absolutely thrive on our “fun days” that I have been doing with you trying to teach you new things! You still enjoy being read to and will often bring me books to read to you. You also love to play with your friends. Be it at church, daycare kids or just little kids at the park, I can tell that you enjoy the time that you spend with them. and you LOVE to observe and watch other kids play!

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You, as all toddlers do, LOVE your shows! I think you’d watch them all day if I’d let you. Right now you LOVE Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Word World and Little Einstein's. You also occasionally watch Special Agent Oso, Blue’s Clue’s, the backyardigans, and Doc McStuffins . Of course you still enjoy Thomas and the movies Cars, Toy Story 2 and Bugs Life are your favorites that get some show time almost everyday. My immediate reaction is to panic that you’re watching too much TV, but you love it and it TRULY is teaching you so much! Because of the reinforcement from Little Einstein's and Super Why, I am confidant that you are learning your letters and numbers!

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We still get mixed reviews on who you look like. One day I’ll hear that you look just like me, and the next day someone will say how you’re the spitting image of your daddy! I feel that it must mean that you’re a good mix of both of us! I still don’t see you in myself except for the brown eyes. There are a lot of moments that I see your daddy in you… . All I know is that you’re cute, so when people say that you look like me, I take it as a huge compliment! Your big sparkly eyes and sweet dimply smile melt my heart, And, your thick light brown hair is to die for! You’re beautiful, little man!

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when it comes to sleeping you are MUCH better than before but still hardest from the other 3 kids, you normally are in bed around 9 (unless you didn’t nap that day then your out by 7) and wake up by 7 each morning. you still occasionally wake up in the night and whine but the binky usually fixes that!.. we are going to transition you to a twin bed here in the next 2 months. you REALLY need naps but normally wont take them until about 2 pm (sometimes later) and will usually nap for 2 hours. but you are starting to fight the naps (which I am not ready for you to quit those yet) That’s when I’m able to get some things done around the house, start dinner, and sometimes even read and relax. You still take a binky when you sleep, but we are going to start only giving it to you at bedtime starting next month, I’m thinking we could probably get rid of it with a good bribe! Maybe soon!?

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I can’t admit that you’re the best eater. You are really picky and still eat NO veggies!!! You will sometimes try new things, but most of the time it immediately gets spit out! Your favorite things to eat are pizza, french fries, chips, crackers, fruit snacks, strawberries, popcorn, yogurt, cereal, peanut butter, cheese, rice, waffles and pancakes and ANY type of dessert or candy! You LOVE soda and will never drink your drink if you see that I have a soda because you want my drink instead!. Other than those times, you drink water, milk and juice.

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Potty training is going to be the death of me!!! I DO NOT enjoy it at all! Maybe that means that you’re not really ready, or maybe it means that I’m just not good at it! because I hated it with your brother and sisters too and they weren't fully potty trained until a little after 3. If I stay on you ALL of the time, you’ll go sit on it! But, the second I forget to ask (ever 5 seconds), you’ll have an accident in your pull up! We’ll get it!!! In time! and with you being the last I’m not in a rush, diapers are easy and convenient :)

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I love how you are a little more independent. You’re starting to enjoy doing things by yourself…going and laying in bed, getting in the car, climbing on chairs, etc. You also love to help…cleaning with a rag and “spray,” putting away toys, bringing things to the kitchen, hanging clothes, etc. It’s nice that I can ask you to go do something and you can do it! You’ll be a huge help one day!

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You are a chatter box! I mean a NON-STOP chatter box!!! It’s so funny that you could talk constantly and still have things to say. Sometimes it’s talking to someone, but lots of times it’s just talking when you play! the man of little words definitely came out of his shell with talking. And you seem to understand most of what I say and can converse back very easily. It’s fun to have a little friend to go shopping with, eat with, and play with at home.

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Just the other day we looked back at some video’s from around your 2nd birthday and I just couldn’t believe it. Even though that was only 6 months ago, you have changed SO much! You’re not a baby anymore! You’re my BIG boy…and I love you…so very much! Thank you for giving all of us so many reasons to play, laugh and love life! Thank you for reminding us of how much Jesus loves us…the fact that He loves us more than we love you just seems impossible! Thank you for keeping us on our toes, for giving us countless hugs and kisses. You’re more than we could have ever dreamed…and I feel so very blessed to be your Mommy! 

Happy 2 1/2 years Little Man!!!
XOXO, Your Mommy

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

THROUGH THE CHAIN LINK FENCE: BAILEY & PEYTON

Both of the girls are having a great season! and the weather has been wonderful this year (almost too warm) but I would rather it be a little too warm than too cold out there!

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Tuesday, May 14, 2013

MY RESUME

I’ve had a handful of jobs in my 35 years of life…

They started when I was 17 years old

First I worked at McDonalds for about 1 month, hated it. Then I got a job at Illahe Hills country club golf course when I was a senior, as a busser and hostess, I liked that job, I LOVED my tip checks each week but I quit after 5 months, then I got a job at Claire’s and ended up working there for almost a year, I loved it I got a couple promotions and a raise and ended up being a key person who was able to open and close the store by myself. it was fun piercing ears and getting discounts there! they finally had to start cutting hours and by this time I was not getting to work near enough, so I finally decided to look for full time work and something in office, so I got a job at first american title company, it was just a temp job for 6 months but this is where after I had only worked for 2 weeks found out I was pregnant so I worked for the full 6 months then my step dad got me a job at Marquis Spas with him (in the office as a receptionist) I worked there until a week before I gave birth, then took almost 4 months off and ryley’s dad supported us. then we split so I had to look for work, I got another temp job at community action as an intake worker helping people get energy assistance, that job ended and about a week later I got a job at Farmers Insurance company (for an agent) I HATED it! I was alone all the time and pretty much had to run the office by myself, and had a TON of duties. So after working there 3 months I went looking for something else and found Churchhill Industries which was a Christmas tree wholesaler/company.. it was again just another 6 month temp job but I made pretty good money and loved the people I worked with and as a Christmas bonus our boss paid for all of us to go to Vegas for a weekend (and gave us all spending money, paid for food everything!) but I knew that job would be ending by the first of february so mid jan I applied for an office position at Suburban Garbage and got the job! it was hands down my favorite job, and I worked with the best people/family you will ever meet (its family owned) I was there for a year and a half and got pregnant with my 2nd baby in April 2001.

And In June of 2001 I added to my resume the job that I am the most proud…I became a stay at home mom! And, when I look back at my resume, it’s amazing how much more difficult Mommyhood is than all of the other jobs combined.  I was so excited to be home with ryley and the new baby coming, and for the break (I thought) I would be getting. Little did I know that it never stops…it’s so very selfless…it rarely allows you to go to the bathroom alone…it tries your patience and your sanity…BUT, it’s SO very rewarding and I wouldn’t trade it for any job in the world right now! I run a daycare and several years ago I had A LOT of kids and life was too hectic and the money just wasn’t worth it, so about 3 years ago as kids left (and I even got rid of some) I didn’t replace them, I only work part time daycare and usually get summers off for the most part, its perfect! and we are so blessed for me to be able to be home, I enjoy being here for the kids at all times, and keeping my house clean, and running errands during the day if I need to and having dinner cooked. some days are trying and hard just like any job but I would rather be with my kids than dealing with grouchy strangers, just to make more money that we don’t really need, because everyone knows the more you make the more you spend. (been there done that and it was NOT worth it)

Now, almost fifteen years after I earned the title, being a Mommy is what I’m MADE TO DO! And, amidst the piles of laundry,  food smudges on the table and toys strewn from my bath tub to my car,  I couldn’t be more thankful for the title that I hold. I’m Ryley, Bailey, Peyton and Brody’s Mommy! In my opinion, it’s the perfect finale to my resume! someday I will more than likely go back to work outside of the home, but honestly its not what I want or in my heart so we will see how all that goes. But for right now the Lord has given me this job and that job is to be a mom to Ryley, Bailey, Peyton and Brody. I am thankful for His grace because I mess up all the time. It is a job that I could never do on my own without His wisdom and guidance. On my own I get sidetracked, and selfish, and begin to put other things above this important task of being a mom. But I want to be faithful to the job He has graciously given to me. I want to be faithful to pray for my kids through all of their days. And I don’t ever want to take these days as their mom for granted.

“Real motherhood is different. It’s better and it’s messier and it’s more complicated. It will break your heart and make you laugh harder than you ever imagined. You find yourself alternating between feeling like your friends talked you into some sort of pyramid scheme so you could share in their misery and thinking this is the most fulfilling thing you’ve ever done.”
–Melanie Shankle in Sparkly Green Earrings

I had the best Mothers Day! I was woken up to cards and gifts and lots of sweet hugs and kisses!

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(brody holding the cute plant peyton brought me from school)

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brody and grandma at church, and the sweet mothers day card he made me in Sunday school

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the cute frames the kids made for me at Lowe’s the day before : )

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I also got (not pictured) some new pajamas (peyton picked them out) and some mason jars that I had been wanting!

also I seen this sweet little video going around the blogging world for mothers day and I fell in LOVE with it!

The words of this song are so beautiful. So much truth that I want to be praying for my own children too!!

Monday, May 13, 2013

MEAL PLANNING MONDAY

Monday: turkey meatballs in sauce, baked potatoes, edamame, fruit

Tuesday: take-out chinese food (peyton game)

Wednesday: Cranberry apple chicken salad croissants, chips, carrots

Thursday: Chicken in lemon butter caper sauce,pasta, asparagus, fruit

Friday: Pizza