Bitten By Busyness

As an avid blog reader, I don't usually appreciate the "I've been too busy to blog" posts on other people's blogs.

Why have a blog if you are too busy to update it?

That's what I think. Judgmental soul that I am.

And here I am, too busy to blog. 

Passing judgement usually has a way of coming around and biting me in the butt. 

I'll watch that next time.

Summer's goodness is throwing a lot at us.

We've been busy pulling socks up to knees and fastening shoes on the wrong feet.

And finally getting to a pool to try a new toy.

Oh, how this inflatable mammal has taunted us from the garage shelf since it was given to Mandy as a birthday gift in September.

Being cute and crazy.

Going swimming when all the grown-ups say "it is too cold."

Falling off inflatable mammals and waiting until later to learn how to swim.

And being rescued by Grandma.

Warming up.

And soaking up the sun.

Hope you are having a blessed summer,

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Kids Say the Funniest Things - Mandy Edition

Mandy just came into the room holding a seam ripper and two packages of sewing needles. 

I asked, "Why do you have my sewing stuff?"

She responded, "This is sewing stuff? Oh, well your kids aren't geniuses."

The child is 3.

Going on 16, or so she tells me.

The other day I was applying eye shadow in the bathroom mirror and Mandy said she wanted some too. I told her not until she was 16 and without missing a beat she said, "But I am 16." She had this incredulous look on her face and her hands were flipped palms up. Of course, how could I forget. 

Maybe it is the fact you are three feet tall. 

Or maybe it is because I remember your birthday. 3. Years. Ago.

Mandy is constantly talking.

Constantly.

If she isn't talking, she is either sound asleep or ill. 

Actually, even when she is ill she is telling us all about what ails her. 

No one does sick quite as dramatically as Mandy.

God has a sense of humor because we spent the first 3 years of Emma's life in virtual silence. 

Emma never tried to talk, didn't want to talk and it was at this same age (3 and a half) 

that I took her in to be evaluated for delayed speech.

Emma, who has no speech delay now, but prefers to be quiet, recently told me that Mandy talks enough for the both of them. 

It's true.

Mandy's imaginary world is a crazy place and listening in always gives me pause to chuckle.

"My husband is pregnant and his parents just died. I just don't know what I am going to do!! 

[insert flailing hand motions and dramatic sighs]

This is terrible. Just terrible. Oh, just come with me while I find the princesses."

And she was off to put on a princess dress. Then take off a princess dress 2 minutes later when she was no longer pretending to be a princess.

Even as I type, Mandy is twisting a headband around my arm telling me this is my "creature power suit."

I do feel a little quicker in the fingers. Thanks Mandy.

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A sometimes kind of day.

Sometimes costumes are allowed at the dinner table.

Sometimes we forgo nutrition and eat Mac N' Cheese.

Sometimes we have guitar lessons.

(Even though mommy can't remember how to play).

Sometimes we pretend we are in a bluegrass band called the "Beautiful Butterflies."

(The size 9 month halloween costume at Children's Place was totally worth the $1 clearance price).

Sometimes regular life with irregular people is just a whole lot of fun.

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Motherhood is.

"My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think he enjoyed it."

~Mark Twain

When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts.  A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.  

~Sophia Loren

If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands?  

~Milton Berle

The formative period for building character for eternity is in the nursery. The mother is queen of that realm and sways a scepter more potent than that of kings or priests. 

~Author Unknown

Any mother could perform the jobs of several air traffic controllers with ease.  

~Lisa Alther

"Children seldom misquote you. They more often repeat word for word what you should not have said."

 ~Mae Maloo

It's not easy being a mother.  If it were easy, fathers would do it.  

~From the television show The Golden Girls

There came a moment quite suddenly a mother realized that a child was no longer hers. ... without bothering to ask or even give notice, her daughter had just grown up.

-Alice Hoffman

It's the three pairs of eyes that mothers have to have...One pair that see through closed doors. Another in the back of her head...and, of course, the ones in front that can look at a child when he goofs up and reflect 'I understand and I love you' without so much as uttering a word.

-Erma Bombeck

Her dignity consists in being unknown to the world; her glory is in the esteem of her husband; her pleasures in the happiness of her family.

-Jean Rousseau











* These photos (except for the ones of just the girls) were taken by my friend Jenni. I was doing a session for her and mentioned I wish I had just one good picture of myself. She said she would love to give it a try. I fixed the settings on my camera and we switched places. We got in a lot of laughs as she played photographer. Then, we pulled the kids in and I believe these are priceless pictures I will smile at for the rest of my life.

Motherhood is.... I have no words. Read More.. Read More..

Growing up... Mandy style.

It seems like my baby girl was just born on Septmber 16th, 2007... but three years passed somewhere in between.

I wrote this 3 years ago:

It's been 1 week since Mandy's birth. I am not quite sure what was longer, the week Mandy was over-due, or this last week with her here! The days and nights are full of challenges. James 1 is a huge encouragement to me and I think of this verse often: 'If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.' Of course, I replace the "he" with "she." This verse is profoundly encouraging whether my life's struggles are big or small. My God wants to help me out, pouring His peace over me when it feels like I don't have no clue.


Mandy is doing good and together we are getting better at nursing. She is a pretty lazy eater and left to her own devises, she would snack all day and all night. I would prefer full feedings every 3 hours or so and I think it is better for both of us in the long run. Whether you agree with demand feeding or not, it is exhausting and can be painful for a new mommy! I'm tired, but am making progress.

Those issues were huge at the time! Mandy was a challenging baby. The details are sketchy and I'm thankful that I took the time to blog.  I was reading through the forgotten archives and my words were just dripping with anxiety and fatigue. It was clear Mandy changed my opinion on everything I thought I knew about babies! 

My terrible memory makes me think back on those tiny-baby days with a smile. God gives that gift to women.... a faulty memory. All the painful, difficult, and stressful things fade compared to the beauty of that sweet baby in my arms. 

Mandy learned to smile and giggle very early.

Mandy at 1 year old.

Dear Mandy,

I'm so thankful for you. When God created you, He did everything perfect, knowing what our family needed. And likewise, God knew exactly who you needed for a family. Your smiling exuberance brings such joy to us.


From the moment I found out I was pregnant with you, I looked forward to getting to know you. Those bumps and constant wiggles in my womb made me long to hold you in my arms. I knew you would bless us when you finally arrived. I just couldn't have imagined how beautiful and priceless you would be.


You ran through your toddler years and now you are 3 years old. Your laugh rings through the house and I love your happiness. You love to make people smile and have always been our lovey girl. You have a huge capasity to love. That is why I pray this verse for you:


"I pray that you... may grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know the love that surpasses all knowledge...". Eph. 3:17b-18


I anticipate with excitement watching you grow in the coming year. In the last year you were potty trained! You grew tall and look like a little girl instead of a baby. You amaze me with your clear speech that often sounds like you are from the South. The funny things you say to brighten my day. Lately you say to me, "Mommy, I love you just the way you are." 




Precious Mandy, I love you just the way you are too! God made you special and I pray that as you grow, you mature in your desire to obey. By obeying me and daddy, you are learning how to obey God. The tantrums that overcome you at times tell me you are looking hard for your independence. I want to let you grow, but in the security of boundaries. I pray you always know our love.


Happy Birthday my 3 year old!



Love,


Mommy

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Love your neighbor as yourself.

Teaching my children to act with civility toward one another is a difficult job. You would think they were auditioning for a reality tv show the way they carry on at times. I tell the girls constantly to talk through their differences, "Use your words," I say 1,400 times per day. The goal is to love your neighbor as yourself. I don't need them to be best friends, just civil. 

We have 2 basic rules in our house:

• Be kind. In action and in deed. No screaming, grabbing, or other rude behavior.

• No personal injury related activity or retaliation. That covers biting, slapping or hitting, sucker punches, hair pulling.

We have good days and bad days. A fantastic moment is followed by a moment worthy of the WWF. There are times I rejoice in the girls' relational progress and times I shudder at how far they have to go. And time-out and perhaps duct tape are appropriate.

On one of our sunny days, the girls were playing out in the yard. I was trying to read a novel -- a novel and crazy idea in anyone's book (pun intended). I sat and watched them while reading and they were fighting about climbing a tree. Emma could get herself into the tree and was hogging it. Mandy wanted to get in the tree, but couldn't get up. Fight, fight, fight. It's my turn, no it's my turn. I said, "Use your words," "Share," and "Be nice," a dozen times or more from my sunny perch on the front porch.


Eventually it was quiet for a bit and I read more than just a paragraph. I looked up to see this....

It was a proud mommy moment. Big sister helping little sister. It became far more fascinating to watch their interaction than my book about a street wise girl from NYC hiding out with the Amish. As interesting as it was.


Maybe we're making more progress than I thought. I pray for more of this...

I like this picture so, so, so much. I could stare at it all day. I'm thinking about printing it off as a poster for the girls' room. I added a quote to it. Which one do you like best?

A great quote from Anne Frank. "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."

"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no one can sincerely try to help another without helping himself." Ralph is a wise guy.

And there is always this Scripture: And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." This is the great and first commandment. And second is like it, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:37-39




Leave me a comment and let me know which one you like the best. Or a different quote that you think would be perfect with this picture.

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Sing with me, "These Boots Were Made Like Slippers," and "Please, Do Fence Me In."

Can you believe these boots were only $1 each?

I love end of season sales. My original thought was so give the girls these boot/slippers for Christmas, so I bought them big. But then Mandy got into this phase where she HAS to wear shoes around the house. Since all her shoes are incrusted with mud (how does this happen?), I tried to think of another option. I remembered the slippers and viola!

Who knew something so simple could make 2 little girls so happy. Ask them how they feel when they don't get any Christmas presents, but at least they'll have the memories. Just joking. Maybe.


For those of you wondering if Emma is wearing stilts. No, she's just growing like a weed, 3 inches since Christmas.


And no, I don't let Emma wear this skirt out in public without leggings. Wowsa, it looks short in this picture.



In other news.... do you know what makes me incredibly happy?

These guys.

And this fence that looks so fantastic. More on that later.



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