Annie at 2 and 1/2

Annie is 2 and a half, now. It has been so long since I last blogged that I forgot how, and had to have Kevin show me how to add a new post. That's sad, people. But since I love the stories I penned from the boys earliest days, I would hate to look back and be sad that I hadn't written anything about Annie. Plus, the boys get funnier and funnier! So it's time. Time to restart the blog. A quick story for my daughter, since this is just a test blog to see if it truly posts (again, I am woefully out of practice). Annie reminds me so much of me, when I was little. She spends all day dressed up in one of her princess dresses (she has several), and asks anyone who will give her the time of day if they will "marry" her. And by marry, she means "dance with." So the boys, Kevin and I all take turn "marrying" Annie. She is a very big fan of Disney's Sofia the First, and pretends to be her, and sings all the songs. She makes me recite lines with her that she has memorized from the tv show. "Mommy, I'll be Sofia, and you be Sofia's Mommy." If you can't find her she has likely slipped out the back door to play alone on the swing set, which she LOVES. And when no one can be coerced into pushing her on the swings, she contents herself with swinging on her stomach and claiming to be "Super girl." She is the best at hide and seek, for she is patient, and will wait quietly, while the boys, in their excitement to be found, or to give chase, give themselves away with fidgeting or vacating their spots prematurely. We often have to call Annie out of hiding to tell her she has won. The other day, I could not find her, and I went to the pantry to put something away-- where I found her standing flush against the shelves, her hand clutching a package of jumbo marshmallows, one halfway to her mouth. She froze, and looked at me for just a moment, said, "Hi, Mommy," then unashamedly continued her closeted bingeing. Kevin and I could not stop laughing. She is as animated as her brothers before her, and possesses a will of her own to boot. She is a pistol, and I love her to bits. So, that's a bit about my Annie girl. Annnnnd...The Bowles tribe is back...again.

Making plans

I like to make plans. I like to know where I am going to be in 5 years, and crucial steps that will need to be taken between this point and that one. Usually once a decision is made, I find myself completely at peace and purposefully striding toward whatever goal I have given myself. For example, when Kevin and I got married, we had a five year plan. I wanted to be married for 5 years before we started a family, to give us time to just be married. We were young after all, and I wanted to make sure we had time to do the things that having a family would have made more difficult. Like travel. Or pay off debt! Judah was born about 4 and a half years into the five year plan, so we got close to seeing that one through. Not all my plans are so easily achieved. Actually, most often I think the Lord gets a big kick out of showing me who is really in charge of my life, laying waste to my best laid plans in a breath. You would think that by now I would have learned to trust Him more and stopped trying to plan out my life in such absolute ways. But I haven't. So here we are again, at the start of a new year. And I find myself making plans. I think the thing that troubles me about not having a plan, or a map for the next set increment of time (whatever it may be) is the "limbo" factor. I loathe being in the "in between" stage. Whether that means in between big decisions, or in between seasons, or even in between dress sizes! I'd just rather be on one side or the other. Probably due to this disposition of mine, I make decisions too quickly. Based off convenience, impatience, logic, emotion, or even knowledge, I can rush the decision making process, thinking that a quick prayer and no clear cut answer is an invitation to take matters into my own hands. Kevin tells me that I shoot before I aim. Touché. Though Kevin will aim all the live long day and never pull the trigger, so it all works out. (God paired us together so very well)! So, the plans for 2012 are tentative -- I cant help but make them, it is how the Lord made me. But I am praying that God enables me to hold them with an open hand... Because if I have learned anything in my walk with the Lord, it is that His ways are higher than my ways, and His thoughts are higher than my thoughts. And in retrospect, each time I saw my own will crumble to make way for His...His was better.

Trimming the tree

We decorated for Christmas early this year. Okay, we do that every year, but this year we actually put our Christmas tree up before Thanksgiving. Usually, we do wait on that until after turkey day, but this year Kevin and I are flying to New York City the Tuesday after Thanksgiving to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. Since we will be in Livingston until Saturday, we'd prefer not to have to drag all the stuff out and then pack... It was a good excuse to start the holiday early is all I'm saying. This year, Canaan was the most enthusiastic decorator. He loved hanging the ornaments! He ran back and forth from the bins unwrapping, and exclaiming over each one, asking who it belonged to, and if he could hang it up. He had a wonderful time, and it was so cute. He especially enjoyed hanging the ones he has collected each year-- a toy story ornament, his baby picture, a truck, and this year's Lightening McQueen. He has inherited his Momma's zeal for the holiday. Judah also enjoyed trimming the tree. He hung a couple dozen of his favorite ornaments, and happily perched on top of the sub to get even higher to secure his favorites among its branches. When he grew bored with decorating, he removed himself to the couch and watched The Grinch, which was playing in the background. Annie was only 7 months old last year, so this is her first time to enjoy the tree and all the decorations. She loves the lights, and she enjoyed pulling the ornaments off the tree as much as Canaan enjoyed putting them on. We gave her a plastic ball ornament that she played soccer with, kicking it around the kitchen. Her ornament this year is a tennis shoe (tiny and covered in pink glitter with a rubber sole and shoe laces, but too small even for a newborn). She smiled with delight and said, "Shoe!!" She then tried to put it on her own foot, stepping on top of it, and growing frustrated that she couldn't figure it out. Eventually she gave up, and settled for putting on Judah's crocs and triumphantly strutting about the living room. The girl loves her shoes! I told Kevin this was my favorite year of decorating the tree so far.

Easily convinced

Every 3 or 4 months or so, there is a carnival that sets up in an empty lot near the big Silverado movie theater off of 249. As a child, (and okay, even as an adult) the neon lights and whirling rides are alluring. The boys bounce up and down in their carseats as we drive past the lot, and beg to go. We have been able to come up with excuses and diversions for a good while (it is raining, it is daytime and therefore, closed...) and never have we gone to the fair. Of course, it is nothing against fairs-- it is just that...well... They are sort of a wallet drain. Super expensive. You pay by ride, and before you know it, your family of five has ridden 3 things and you're $60 poorer. So this last time, when we saw the fair setting up, Kevin told the boys just that-- fairs suck your money away. The boys surprisingly accepted this truth easily, and with righteous indignation. The fair should not charge such outlandish prices! And as quick as blink they went from begging to go to the fair to despising its very presence and scowling at it every time we pass it. Today as we drove past it yet again, they began their rant, "I don't like the fair-- it sucks all your money away! I NEVER want to go there.". And then one of them (I honestly don't remember which one, and the other one picked up on it almost immediately), stuck his tongue out and spit at the fair. So then I heard, "thhhpppth!! I am SPITTING at you, fair! You suck away people's money.". I ADORE these kids. Even when I have to clean the van's windows because of their justice-fueled spitting.

Halloween dinner

This is a busy weekend for the Bowles tribe. The last soccer games were this morning, and both Kevin and I had various obligations today. Tomorrow at church, we are having our fall festival, and "trunk or treat" directly after the late service, and then Behold the Lamb of God rehearsal officially begins tomorrow evening. Monday is Halloween, and we are having our community group over for chili and trick or treating and hanging out with our neighbors. So tonight was our annual Halloween dinner.

We ate spaghetti and meatballs (worms and eyeballs...I put olives in the meatballs for the pupils), and pumpkin punch (orange sherbet with ginger ale), and for dessert we had slime fondue (white chocolate with green food coloring) with strawberries, oreos and ghost shaped marshmallows for dipping. Judah couldn't wait to dip into the slime, even though he had no idea what it was. Canaan was willing to pass, but Kevin talked him into it, and soon he was happily dunking Oreos into the green goo. Annie shrank away from the green stuff and wouldn't open her mouth for a taste. She ate lots of strawberries, instead. The general consensus from the boys? "This is the best night ever!". (They are prone to hyperbole).

We also carved our pumpkin and Kevin did the pumpkin gospel with the kids. Truthfully though, they were too keyed up to really appreciate it. The reactions to the slime inside of the pumpkin were exactly the same as the reactions to the slimy dessert: Judah gleefully hammed up his disgust with his characteristic enthusiasm, while digging into the pumpkin with zero hesitation. Canaan scooped out a couple of handfuls with timid reserve. Annie put her hand near the mouth of the pumpkin, and reconsidered, hiding her hands in her lap. Maybe next year. :)

The Pretenders

Not only the band that performs the moving rock ballad, "I'll Stand By You" but also an adequate description of the Bowles siblings. Current favorite boy aliases include jedi, pirates, ninjas, knights, warriors, princes, superheroes, and as you saw in the last post, Andrew Peterson. And now Annie has joined in the fun. She pretends to be a big girl. And a mommy. She puts her babies to sleep and sings to them, and all afternoon has been sliding her arm through the handles on the doctor kit like a purse and saying, "bye" and disappearing behind the recliner to her pretend destination. Also, she put on the Ironman hemet, calling it a "hat" (which is far too large for her, and caused her to be top heavy and fall down) and then saying,"buttons?" and pressing the buttons to make Ironman talk. If I was a better mom I would have taken a picture. Nothing like a gigantic Ironman head on a tiny 18 month old girl dressed in a rainbow heart decorated shirt.

We're baaaaaaaack!

The above title should be said in the creepy little girl voice from the movie Poltergiest. That movie was my first horror flick, and truly creeped me out. But there I go, down the rabbit trail...

Ehhh, so I took six months off from blogging. I harbor no false impressions that more than a handful of people actually read this thing, so I figured my presence from the blogosphere went by largely unnoticed. However, my children are 6 months older, and the stories must be told, lest I forget. And that is the reason for the blog in the first place. So one day my family and I can look back and remember and be blessed!

Let's begin with the oldest, shall we? Judah is 5. We homeschool (preschool) 2-3 days a week, and he attends a bridge program in Cypress on Tuesdays and Thursdays. His school experience this time around has been more favorable, though not without it's hiccups. He loves his school, his teachers, and most of all, the other students. He is so social, and enjoys so much being with the 8 other kids in his class. He has had a difficult time acclimating to the disciplined nature of a formal school setting. Namely, waiting his turn to speak or, well, do anything... And letting the teacher teach the class.... And sitting still. He has a rather impressive and annoying habit of correcting the teacher's Bible stories. We don't do much editing, I am afraid, when we tell the stories. So, Judah indignantly insists that Adam and Eve realized that they were NAKED, and God killed and animal to make clothing for them from the fur. Or explains insistently that Moses's mother cared for Moses in the palace because a woman was needed to breastfeed him, and the princess could not do it. Now, I get that he should let the teacher teach, but you have to admit...it is pretty funny. He played pharaoh in their impromptu play regarding the Exodus, and the teacher said, "pharaoh, what do you want to do?". Judah, arms crossed over his chest in smug self-importance announced in deep 5 year old tones, "kill the babies!". He can read short books now, and is starting to really develop an interest in reading on his own. Though, he really enjoys math best. I cannot believe how big he is getting.

Canaan Andrew is 3 and 1/2. Don't for get that 1/2 either--he will most certainly correct you! Canaan participates in our homeschool days on Mondays and Wednesdays for much of the material. And he is crazy smart. He picks up things very quickly, and if I pushed him, I know he could be reading by the end of the year. As it is, he can read a handful of small words, because he didn't want to be left out of the sight word game I was playing with Judah. His biggest interests these days are still cars, and now Mario. We don't even have a Wii yet, though I think we have decided to get one for the kids for Christmas. He plays at my parents house on Wednesday evenings when we go to community group. He and Judah are neck and neck in video gaming ability, and Canaan would play all day if we allowed it. But we don't. My quote is "your brain will die if you watch too much TV or play too many video games.". It's true, too. We only allow them to play on Fridays and Sunday afternoons. This rule eliminates crazy excess, and also the begging to play all week long. They know their days of the week, and we do a calendar, so it works. Yesterday, he came into the kitchen and said, "Mom, guess who I am pretending to be?". I raised my eyebrows and said, "who?". Canaan replied, "I am Andrew Peterson.". I just love this kid. He is playing his first organized sport this fall--soccer. He is easily the most focused and competitive child on his team. Wherever the ball is, Canaan is there. He made a goal a couple of games ago, and he has saved several as the goalie. But more importantly, he really loves to play. Last week he let a goal go by while he was the goalie, and he was upset that he missed. He really gets what is going on. (Meanwhile, Judah still forgets he is chasing a ball for a purpose, and not merely romping about with a bunch of friends!) Most of the kids on his team have to be bribed into playing, but Canaan will happily play all 4 quarters just for the fun of it.

And now, sweet Annie Beth. She is 18 months old, and will not stop talking. I cannot get over how well she speaks. Or climbs. Today, we had some friends over to play, and the boys went outside. Annie would live outside if I would let her. I turned my back for a second, and she was up the ladder scooting on her bottom toward the slide, yelping, "I did it! Slide!! Slide!!". After I helped her slide, she said, "whoa....gen? (again)". I already found her on top of the coffee table this morning, and right now, as I type, she is busying herself by climbing onto and off of the couch. She still loves shoes, books, and babies, and now has favorite stories she requests 200 times a day--the Karen Katz book "Twinkle Toes" and "Llama Llama, Red Pajama.". She sings along with the music in the car, and absolutely loves "juju" and "caycay", her big brothers. She has started finding things that could pass for purses and slinging them over her elbow, saying, "Go! Bye-bye!" and pretending to walk off. And Miss Sassy Pants mimicks my "look.". If I want her to stop some behavior, I lower my chin and raise my eyebrows to give her a pointed mom-means-business look. She lowers her chin and raises her eyebrows right back at me with her best best mommy impression and a hint of a smile. Yesterday she started telling knock knock jokes in the car. "Knock knock!". It took me a second. It sounded just like "knock knock".... After she said it a couple more times, growing more and more frustrated with me, I asked experimentally "who's there?". She laughed with delight and said "Dada!". Uhhhh... "Dada who?". She clapped her hands and said, "that's punny!". I love this stage.

Alright, enough for now. More to come. The Bowles Tribe is back.

Acridophobia

It has a name. The insane, irrational fear that I feel when coming into contact with a grasshopper or one of it's freakish cousins, the crickets, or worse the katydids. Apparently, this fear also includes locusts, but I wouldn't know, having never seen one that wasn't an empty shell perched on the trunk of a tree. I wasn't scared of those, but the living bug might be a different story. I am too much of a scaredy-cat to google the image of one to find out.

Last night, a cricket managed to find its way into our house. I spied it late in the evening, lounging on one of my curtains. I thought it might be a roach and neared the window for a closer look, bent on identifying, and promptly squishing the intruder with my flip-flop (world's best bug killer). Kevin observed as I was nearing the window that it seemed like more of a cricket. I froze... "really?" Fear. Of the intensely irrational kind. I slowly moved toward the curtain for confirmation. Yep, cricket. I skittered to the bathroom and locked the door, Kevin's chuckle following behind me. He smacked the cricket, but said it was possible he had just knocked it off the curtain, and not actually killed it. I went up to bed, then-- it seemed like the perfect time.

Cricket forgotten this morning, I went about my day. I made breakfast, grocery shopped, did the dishes, and then filled up the little plastic pool we have for the hot Texas months, turning the boys loose into the backyard to prepare lunch. Judah popped his head in at one point, and I looked down at the floor, ready to shoo him away for dripping water into the kitchen, when I saw it: there, on the floor (and very much alive) was the cricket from yesterday. Icy fear again clutched my heart and my eyes widened. "Judah, look! (gulp) A cricket!" Judah grins, and looks down. I weigh the options, now... ask my 4 year old to kill it (Oh, how much of a wuss AM I?) Kill it myself? (Grimace...) Leave it alone and give it a wide berth? (Most unlikely option). I quickly opted to kill it myself. With surprising speed I grabbed a flip flop, and with what was part battle cry, part terrified, girly shriek, I leaped at the cricket and smashed him with my shoe, jumping backwards about 5 feet very quickly just in case I missed him. I needn't have worried. With the amount of force I put behind that swat, that was the flattest bug I have ever seen. VICTORY!!!

Take, THAT acridophobia!

My thoughts: One year and 5 days

Our daughter, Annie Elizabeth is one year old. That is 12 months-- which in many ways, is a relatively short time, and yet I marvel at how much has changed. Today is April 17, which means that she is actually 1 year and 5 days old. A year and 5 days worth of bows and pink, and a near constant joy that I have been given a partner-in-crime... another girl in this blessed, loud, testosterone-charged home. My daughter. It is still wonderful to say the words-- my DAUGHTER. God has given me the desire of my heart.

You see, it isn't that I don't adore my little men. Words cannot express the pride, the tender affection, the fierce joy and love I have for my boys. But that is a different entry altogether.

To mother a daughter... well, I truly longed for that. I think it is because I have had for such a long time now, a heart for young women-- to see them fall in love with the Lord-- to believe what He says about who they are, instead of what the world cheaply sells them. I want to teach them what I have learned the hard way, so their road will be smoother than mine. I want to help them embrace their God-given roles with joy and awe... Plus there is the simple fact that I AM a woman. I naturally do princesses and fairies and ballet... I have had to learn to love soccer and t-ball and match-box cars and transformers.

What a responsibility! Motherhood. Parenthood.

Annie is feminine, already--dainty, even. She is sensitive, and happy, and affectionate. She is very, very much a little girl. And this precious daughter that I prayed for will soon be in need of what I now (after my 3rd baby) refer to as "actual parenting." Soon, she will need discipline. She will learn to share, learn her colors, her letters, her animal sounds (those are very important)... and as she does, she will learn the most important thing I can give her. The Word of God. Something she can stand on when sometime in the not-too-distant future, her world falls apart--because it will. I cannot protect her, as much as I wish I could, from this world. Jesus promises us in John 16:33 "In this world, you will have troubles. But take heart, for I have overcome the world." I can bank on the fact that she will suffer. That her tender heart will more than likely at one point or another, be broken. But from now until that happens, I can prepare her to fall into the arms of the One who loves her when she is undone. I will teach her of His goodness. I will teach her of His grace, and His mercy--of His unfailing love. I will tell her the stories of the faith of our fathers, the faith of the mighty women who have gone before us. And I will also cling to the promise that God gives to us in Isaiah 55 that says His word will not come back void, but will accomplish that which He has purposed for it.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. May He give me the grace to mother my daughter well.

Kids say the darndest things...

I asked Canaan yesterday if he could have any pet, which he would choose. Confused, he wondered aloud what a pet IS. I told him it was an animal you keep at your home with you as part of your family. You feed it, and care for it. We then talked about how Eskimo, our dog, was our pet. Canaan cocked his head, thoughtfully musing over his choice. Then, without preamble, he declares, "A pig." Alright, sure-- so far so good. Pigs are animals, so categorically we're in alignment. Then a small smile lights his face as he begins to elaborate. "A ROBOT pig. That turns into a car! And makes noises like this-snort snort when it transforms!" At this, Canaan drops to all fours and snorts like a pig, then purrs like an engine. I love this kid.

Just now I put him to bed for a nap, and he said to me, "Mom, our eyes are for seeing." I replied affirmatively. "Our mouths are for talking." Smiling at the randomness of the conversation, I asked him what our noses were for, already waiting to confirm his answer of "smelling" or "breathing." Without a moment's pause, he answered confidently, "Sneezing."

3 years old

My sweet Canaan Andrew is 3! He was supposed to have a very small gathering of family and friends to celebrate his birthday last weekend, but Dad got the flu. We pushed it back to THIS Friday-- but he and Judah got the flu! We had a small immediate family celebration instead, and on Saturday, we are planning to go to the Monster Trucks-- provided they are healthy enough. Though, I think they will be fine by then.


He is such a special little boy-- he is so kind, and imaginative and caring. He loves his family, and his friends, and tells us all the time. He is super smart, surprising me constantly by picking up everything I teach Judah. His favorite thing right now is to tell me all the letters on the signs we see as we drive, and ask me what they spell (Example: "Look, Mom! S-H-E-L-L. There's 2 L's! They match! What does it say?"). He likes to learn, he loves cars and trucks, toy story, super heroes, and most recently transformers.

He prays nightly for our friend Noelle in Haiti, and thanks Jesus for dying on the cross for our sins. A family in our church recently lost their son to cancer. We had been praying for him, and for his family. When the Lord took him home, we told Judah and Canaan, and explained how even though Brandon was in Heaven, his parents were still sad, because they will miss him. Canaan asked if he could hug them at church on Sunday, and then he prayed that they wouldn't be sad, and thanked God that Brandon got a new body in Heaven.

I love him so much, and am so grateful that God has given him to us.

Flu boys

Kevin got he flu last week. He began feeling poorly on Wednesday night, and Friday morning at the doctor, it was confirmed that he had type A flu. He came home, got into bed, and I moved out to the game room to inhabit the comfy green couch. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday I was his cautious nurse, bringing food and medicine (and absolutely zero contact!), then quickly escaping to the "healthy part of the house" with a joking, "Call me!" hollered over my shoulder as I hastily shut the door behind me.

Feeling better, but still not 100%, Kevin left town for the Desiring God conference in Minnesota on Sunday evening. 3 hours later Judah began to cough and run a fever, and my heart sank. He was sent to the flu room (my bedroom), and I remained on the couch. Tamiflu administered the next morning, I remained optimistic that we could contain the virus... until Canaan began to cough and run a temperature that evening. Judah vomited a couple times (both of them no where near the toilet-- bedroom carpet, and then in the bed), ran 103 fever, and Canaan's began climbing during the night.

Mom came to rescue Annie yesterday and kept her away from the germs all day. She returned her to me at bedtime, and came for her this morning again. Praise GOD she is still healthy. It looks as though the worst is behind us... Judah is not running a fever today, and Canaan's is much lower. I am allowing quiet play in the game room today, and Judah is content (having been stuck in bed the past two days) to have the company and some toys to play with. He is by far the most high maintenance patient. The tamiflu is apparently not very tasty, and he throws an all out fit every time he has to take it. Cries, protests, and looks at me like I am the WORST mother EVER for making him take it. He will hold it in his mouth shaking his head, and looking panicked and betrayed, like he can't decide what to do with it. Finally, he will grab his drink swallow. 5 doses to go... Canaan takes his like a man, swallowing it with a face and saying, "yuck." It takes 2 seconds.

Kevin returns today. Thank Jesus. And I am going to a day spa. Bahahaha!

Steamboat Springs

This January, my parents oh-so-generously took Kevin and I, plus our 3 children on a winter vacation. We sojourned to Steamboat Springs Colorado for an unforgettable week of wintry amusements--skiing, tubing, ice skating, snowmobiling, and even a dog sled. We stayed in the Taj Majal of condos, too (3 stories, panoramic views of the slopes... Seriously, the place was ridiculous. Judah asked if we could live there.

Judah attacked each activity with his signature enthusiasm and fervor. When we ice skated, he tried valiantly to stay upright on his own, then gratefully accepted one of the trainers they had for young children. He was great after that, his little feet moving like an egg beater as he "skated" (ran) all around the ice. He skied without lessons at first, and displayed determination (and no fear) as he rode up the magic carpet and let loose down a bunny slope, unable to stop. He had a great time, and went to ski school the next day. At the day's end, his instructor literally had to lift him off the slope and guide him towards Kevin-- he was having so much fun he didn't want to stop. (I asked him if he made any friends in ski school, and he said he had-- a girl. He said he asked her if he could marry her when they both grew up and she said yes. I asked her name, and he couldn't remember. Sigh.)

Canaan did not enjoy the slopes like his big brother. We strapped on his skis, and walked into the snow where he promptly fell and started crying to go back into our hotel. We conceded-- he is a little young after all. However, he loved tubing! At the first place we went, he tubed in our laps, but at the second, all by himself in a tube down that big old hill! He said it was his favorite part of the trip. He also really enjoyed snowmobiling-- I have heard all about this part, since I stayed behind with Annie (who was too little to snowmobile). He went with Kevin, and I guess they tipped the big machine over into a snow drift--Kev landing on top of Canaan. The snow was so deep, no one was hurt but Canaan was pretty deep in the snow--shocked and tearful. (This makes me giggle a lot. Is that bad?) They said up until the spill, Canaan had been urging Kevin to go "Faster, Daddy!!" Afterwards, he whined "Slow down, Daddy!" and "I want Mommy!"...and then he fell asleep.


Annie checking out the plane out the airport window

Annie got her own thrill seeking done-- she tubed down the snow hill in our laps, and she also went on a dog sled! The guides said she was the youngest child they had ever taken out. She slept through much of it (come to think of it so did Canaan-- even Judah slept through about half of it). She was SUCH a trooper though. It was COLD, and she went along with everything like a champ. The first time I put her in her snowsuit, she lay there on the floor paralyzed by the downy bulk, and looking like and adorable, pink, beached whale. It was hilarious...still is, when I think about it.


Kevin showing his mad skills.


Kevin and I loved everything-- but we really enjoyed skiing. It was my first time, and only his second. We will be telling our ski stories for years to come-- how I fell in a snowbank and couldn't find my pole for 5 minutes, how the green was closed part way down and we had to unexpectedly ride down a blue for a bit, how the trail was ambiguous in places and we had to ski across a blue/black to find the rest of the green...




My father, who is 57, skied for the first time in his life, too. And boy was he ever bitten by the ski bug-- to say that he enjoyed himself is a gross understatement. After he managed the ski lift and his first green slope, he was elated-- he has his own ski stories to share. Kevin and my dad skied together down the green slope by our hotel and my dad wiped out--big time. Kevin called out, "Jon, are you hurt?" Papa's response, "Yes." (Insert giggle here.) After a few minutes of righting himself and deciding he was fit enough to continue, he finished the hill. And then skied the whole next day, too. His battle wound beat the rest of ours to pieces, though-- 3 days later, his arm--from mid bi-cep to mid forearm-- was a gigantic, purpley bruise.

Momma got out there too-- she strapped on my skis, and took a run down one of the practice slopes. She crashed on purpose before colliding with the magic carpet, but proudly claimed to have skied, too. Her real shining moment though, was apparently on the snow mobiles... she was gunning hers and pealing with laughter as she pushed it to its limit. As the only member of the family that did not have a little child riding with her, she could afford to be less conservative in her driving.

It was the most unbelievable trip, and we will never forget it! What a fun and incredible memory to have made with my little family and my parents. I am so thankful!

Blog-fail

Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm behind at least 2 months-- Christmas has come and gone, along with New Years, and...well, January. Suffice it to say that keeping up with my blog was NOT one of my New Year's resolutions... not that I made them.

So I am just going to pretend like we're all caught up, and then 4 or 5 years from now, I will look back and wonder what happened to December 2010. Oh, well.

Shutterfly is super FLY!

That was my attempt at a witty/creative title for this post. Hmm, it was a pretty decent fail... my creative juices must be all used up. And why wouldn't they be? Today I have already outlined the crafts for our little family to do during the next month, painted 28 Jesse tree ornaments for our (you guessed it) first-ever Jesse tree, made delicious looking play-doh snacks with my boys, and cleaned the kitchen. Not to mention I made breakfast and lunch, got everyone dressed, and down for a nap and wrapped a couple of presents. THANKFULLY, Shutterfly at least makes sending out Christmas cards easy!

We took our Christmas pictures a week ago (so ahead of the GAME!), but I am having difficulty choosing just one. Looking at Shutterfly's options for Christmas photo collages I got really excited that I wouldn't have to. Since this year is our first Christmas as a family of 5, I thought it was important to send out photo cards. I look forward to receiving everyone's Shutterfly Christmas cards in December, and thought it was time to join in the fun. I'm torn between several of them...there are so many adorable choices. You can see for yourself here http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards, and here http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/holiday-cards. Also, I made a calendar a couple of years ago for my parents with old and new family photos--it was a big hit (especially with my dad). You can see those options here http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars. You can even put on personal dates like birthdays and anniversaries! I might have to re-gift that this year....

If this post sounds like a blatant advertisement... well. It is. Shutterfly gave out a promotion to the blogging world (Yep, I suppose I qualify!) that if we would post about their cards, we could receive 50 for FREE. Um, yes please? We would be buying their cards ANYWAYS, so I will gladly sing Shutterfly's praises in 150+ words for 50 free holiday cards! SO, yay for Shutterfly! Hope you have enjoyed my post.

Thanksgiving Crafts and Lessons

We started a "Thankful Tree," thanks to the inspiration of my dear friend, Heather. We painted it and I cut it out and hung it on he wall, and every evening we have been adding to the tree. Each person, as well as the parent in charge, supplies a subject of thankfulness to record on a fall colored leaf. We placed (and memorized) the verse 107:1 on the trunk of the tree as the finished touch.

In an effort to set the tone, I had planned on saying that I was thankful for Jesus, first-- as my example. But before I could, I asked Judah what he wanted to thank the Lord for, and he replied, "I want to thank him that Jesus died on the cross for my sins." Um, what? My face split into a bewildered grin, and I agreed with my four year old that indeed, this was the most thankful thing of all. I wrote it down and Judah added it to the tree. I blinked the sheen of tears from my eyes and asked Canaan what he would like to thank God for, today. He said, "New toys." Yeah, that's actually more like what I was expecting. So, I said, "yes, isn't it wonderful for God to provide us with toys to play with? Thank you, Lord for new toys," and we wrote it down and added it to the tree. Other highlights so far have been soccer(Judah), "by big brother called Judah" (Canaan-tear! Who incidentally, also thanked God for "my baby called Annie"), the criminal justice system (Daddy who is currently serving on a jury), and cold weather and books (Mommy, obviously).

This week we have been learning about the story of the first Thanksgiving. The last 2 days we have been focusing on the Pilgrims. They now can tell me the name of the ship (Mayflower) and Judah can recall what a Pilgrim IS (someone who goes on a long journey), but when I show them a picture of a pilgrim, and ask "who is this?" they still cannot remember the word "pilgrim." So today, when we reviewed the story and I asked what the people were called, I referenced our craft from yesterday and supplied the beginning sound "P..." Canaan grinned and said, "papeweebols?" Um, no. I went with the first syllable, "Pil...." Judah raised his eyebrows. "Pillows?" he queries with a smile. I guess we need to keep talking about it.

Soccer

Judah has played soccer this year for the first time. He is a young 4 year old (okay, he's THE youngest kid on the team by several months) as well as the only child who has not played previously. Kevin and I were very surprised to discover that the under 5 league would be so experienced-- we thought we were getting a jump on things in the organized sports department. Apparently not.


Judah gleefully suits up every Saturday for his games, donning his shin guards and cleats, and eagerly awaiting his turn to play. I should probably mention that he is actually quite awful. When he is on the field, he is...well...kind of a space cadet. He watches the other kids, the sky, a stray candy wrapper--anything but the ball. When he DOES connect with the ball (usually by accident) he often falls down and takes another player with him. It is absolutely delightful to watch. Our sideline mantra is "JUDAH!!! Where is the BALL?!?! WATCH the BALL!" He will be purposefully jogging with the team, and the ball will get knocked another way, and the throng of pee-wee soccer players will turn to follow it-- but Judah will just stay his course, until jogged into awareness by the somewhat exasperated shouts of his parents. Then he will unconcernedly jog a wide, leisurely u-turn to find his team. Once recently, Canaan (who is still 2) yelled, "Judah! What are you DOING?! You're supposed to be kicking the ball!!!" I got a pretty good giggle out of that.




But you know what? He has a great time, and believe it or not, he loves to play. Even if I'm pretty sure he has absolutely no idea what he is doing. He loves running through the parent-tunnel at the end of the game for the high fives, and he loves the snack. He is such a social, friendly child, and so he really likes doing something with other kids, and he likes us cheering him on. So, though he certainly isn't the MVP... I'd still say soccer was a success. Maybe next year, he will decide that the soccer ball is worthy of a little more of his attention. T ball here we come!

Castle dormatory

The boys got a castle for Christmas last year that has a dragon on it, and makes noises, and lights up. It came with 2 knights, complete with swords, armor and a shield. Over the course of the past year, we have begun to add to the heroes of he castle-- now there is Batman, and Ironman, and a couple of guys who's names I do not know that were gleaned from Happy Meals. Plus Peter Pan, Wendy and Captain Hook have taken up residence in dragon castle, as well as a couple of robots that serve nicely alongside Captain Hook as villains. It's getting rather crowded in Dragon Castle.

We were playing with the castle and it's heroic inhabitants the other day, and Judah selected one of the knights to be his champion. He said, "Don't worry, Wendy! I will rescue you!" (Wendy, being the only damsel in the castle, unfortunately finds herself to be in a near constant state of distress). Judah paused and looked at me with a question in his eyes--"Mom? What is his name?" He held up the knight in his hand. Uh..."What do you want it to be?" (Wince. Quoting Pretty Woman to my 4 year old). Judah replies, "Hmmmm. How about ... Gonchee?" I smiled, and said "Well, sure. OR we could maybe try to give him a real name. Like Sir Lancelot." Judah thinks this over, and says. "No, I think he will be Saul." My eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Saul? King Saul? From the Bible?" And Judah quickly reconsiders and replies decisively, "No, David." Huh. "Well, sure!" I say, "I think that would be a great idea."

So NOW the castle houses a dragon, a couple of superheroes, a pirate, a damsel, Peter Pan, a handful of robots, a Knight, and Israel's greatest earthly king.

Music, Time, and Legacies

The other night, Kevin was putting all our Disneyworld home videos onto the computer so that we could watch them on our television. While we were waiting, I developed a game for the kids and I to play in order entertain ourselves. We took turns performing on the "stage" (a designated spot in the living room), and playing audience members. Judah would stand in the performance area, and Canaan, Annie and I would sit, riveted as he cleared his throat and, very seriously warbled through a rendition of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." At the song's conclusion, we applauded enthusiastically, and then we'd rotate. Canaan stands to perform, Judah joins the audience section, and we watch as Canaan clears his throat to sing into his hand-microphone Journey's "Don't Stop Believing." (Thanks to Glee, and Momma's ipod, this one is a family favorite.) Judah sings Iko Iko, and trades lines with me, pointing at me when it's my turn to sing. I stand and sing Part of Your World from the Little Mermaid (did I mention Canaan has a crush on her?)Both boys perform Andrew Peterson's "Gather Round"... you get the idea. All in all we kept ourselves busy for 45 minutes.

Today on the way home from the park, Judah asked me to sing "Michael Finnigan," an old folk song my parents used to sing to me. I obliged, and followed up with "Ole Dan Tucker," "Ragtime Cowboy," "A Froggy Would A Wooing Go," and "Be Kind to Your Web Footed Friends." All songs sung to me by my Granny Fran. Judah LOVED them, and wanted me to sing them over and over again. It warmed my heart, since I used to have her do the same thing. It's nice to know that while they won't know her, part of her legacy--and our funny, musical friendship-- is being shared with my own children. I love the Lord, and how He works. Someday perhaps, my grandchildren will sing songs to their kids-- and they will have been hers.

And then it gets me to thinking... what will my children's children hear from me through their parents? While I am not discounting the music, and the joy it brings me to share such things with them (worship, or otherwise), I hope that my own legacy I leave for my future generations is the love I have for Jesus. That the music we love is just a shadow of it's Maker. And the delight I feel when we sing together, or listen to a particularly great song, singer, or group of musicians, is just a shade of the delight I share with it's true Author. Music stirs my soul to worship, and to love God more. I hope my children and their children find joy in the Lord through His gift of music.

Disneyworld

Highlights:



Judah is 40 inches tall. He is super proud of it, and announced this golden mecca of heights to each and every cast member at Disneyworld (who, to their credit, celebrated with matched enthusiasm). This coveted 40th inch allowed Judah to experience new, and previously withheld joys like Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Soarin, Test Track, Dinosaur, and the Tower of Terror. Big times. Judah's favorite, without question, was Splash Mountain, which he rode 3 times.



Canaan was wide eyed, and enthralled with each new experience, but topping the charts for him were Goofy's barnstormer ride, and meeting Ariel (whom I would say is his first crush), and digging in the Boneyard in Animal Kingdom-- ice cream, and promise of more amazing things to see and do were not enough to get us out of the Boneyard without a few tears. He was slightly scared of rides that plunged us into darkness, but was easily coerced onto everything he was allowed to ride--including the Haunted Mansion (twice), and Pirates of the Caribbean, and Maelstrom at Epcot. When we left, he cried and said, "I don't want to weave, Mommy! Let's go back to the hotel!!" Little boy after my own heart.



Annie was a perfect angel, my little marsupial. I wore her everywhere in my mock- beko (Thanks Heather!), much to her delight. She snuggled up to Mommy and snoozed, perfectly content. When she woke up, I turned her around and she enjoyed the insane over stimulation, until she decided it was all too much and went to sleep again. I can't wait to take her back when she is 4. What a different trip it will be for all of us to have a little princess in tow.


Highlights for us were the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, and Kevin and I both agreed that we really enjoyed our day in Epcot this time around-- though of course, being Disney, every day was really magical. But we ate with the Disney princesses that day, a first for me, and I have to admit... I still love the Disney princesses.

Kevin and I enjoyed our little family so much, and our first vacation as a family of 5. Though it presents a few difficulties (strollers for 3?!), for the most part we fell into a rhythm after the first night, and toured the 4 parks with ease. What a wonderful memory!