The kids constantly remind me that they are always paying attention. Most times this is a good thing...but of course they pick up on our bad habits, attitudes and sayings too.
The other day I was doing something in the kitchen and I said something to the effect of, "I hate using this bowl." Rachel said, from the den, "mom, don't hate." I thought that was funny, since that's the exact thing my 13 year olds would say (when I was teaching) to each other when one was being rude to the other. I apologized for "hating". I'll have to watch my use of that word...it IS strong, and probably was too strong for whatever I disliked.
When Nana was over the other day, Rachel was very mad that I was talking to Nana instead of her getting to play with her. I told her that Nana and I were going to talk for a minute and then she could play with her. So, she made a mean face and stomped into the bathroom to use the potty. When she came out, she said, "mommy, I'm sorry I got mad and say stupid in the bathroom." This was hilarious (of course I didn't let on that I thought it was) since I had no idea she had said "stupid". She continued to say, "I'm sorry for you and I'm sorry for God because he heared me say stupid." What a smart girl...already apologizing to God for using words that she shouldn't. Reminded me of how many things I need to apologize to him for EVERY day!
Last, this is really just a silly thing, but this morning we went swimming for a few hours. Rachel got her pink bathing suit on and then put on her Snow White dress up shoes and a strand of pearls. She sure did look "glamorous"!! She even swam with her pearls on...what a fancy look! Lesson from this: never underestimate the power of a good piece of jewelry...even in the pool. Shouldn't we ALWAYS look and feel our best?! :)
Thank you sweet, precious, loving Rachel, for teaching me sooooooooooooooo many things!!! I love you so much!!!!!!!!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Not much going on here!
I don't know why, but I just don't have much to say. We ran several errands today and frankly, it wore me out. Bradley got really upset at Wal mart and so that errand turned into quite a work out. He also fell in the large part of the buggy and bumped the back of his head. So, his fussy cries turned to extreme pain and hysteria. Poor boy! I felt bad for him and I couldn't wait to get out of there. Rachel was an angel...so cooperative and trying to go with the flow. When she saw a PopTarts display and asked me if they were "on the list", I had to get them for her. She had already commented on how the blueberry ones looked really good and how her favorite ones would be the chocolate chip and she said, "mommy, can we get them?" I said, "which one would you want the most?" Rachel said, "the blueberry ones with white icing is my favorite, I will share them with Juju." What a baby doll! If Poptarts make her that happy and she's just so darn sweet and agreeable, then I think we can splurge the $2.50!
We had a great time yesterday with Nana! She came over and spent several hours playing and taking us to lunch. Rachel was thrilled and wanted Nana all to herself. They even used her Princess oven and made some very yummy looking cool-baked cupcakes. Nana was a good sport and ate one with Rachel. They also played with the dollhouse lots. It was so nice spending time with Nana without her having to scoot back to her bus route.
We had a great time yesterday with Nana! She came over and spent several hours playing and taking us to lunch. Rachel was thrilled and wanted Nana all to herself. They even used her Princess oven and made some very yummy looking cool-baked cupcakes. Nana was a good sport and ate one with Rachel. They also played with the dollhouse lots. It was so nice spending time with Nana without her having to scoot back to her bus route.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Choices
I've heard a million times that life is full of choices...some good and some bad. I have been faced with many choices and tried to make the best choice. Recently I've tried to make some healthy lifestyle choices; exercising regularly, eating better, etc... I've also made the choice to sell Mary Kay products. I would like to earn a little extra income to "play" with and I also LOVE MK products, so I thought it would be easy. However, I still have to make the choice to ask someone if they'd like to try the products and I have to decide how much time I'm going to put into it. I even have to decide whether or not I really want to be successful at selling it or not. As a parent, I have to make choices all day long about what we should do, eat, drink, say, wear, etc...
So, it sounds like I'm all over the place, but I do have a point. I have also made the conscience choice to read my Bible every day. It sounds so simple. I pray alot everyday. I'm constantly reminded of how blessed I am just because of my husband and children and the fact that I'm able to stay home every day...which leads me to pray. But, I don't do a good job of opening my Bible, reading God's word and hearing what HE wants to say to me. Why am I telling you this? Because that has to be a choice that I make: either do it or don't. We are not programmed to wake up every day and automatically WANT to exercise; WANT to work; WANT to pray; WANT to read our Bible. I definitely am NOT programmed that way. In fact, I may have the best of intentions to do those things, but if I don't make the choice to do it as soon as I have the opportunity, I'll get distracted and won't do it. My point is this: we're motivated by different things, but those motivators keep us moving towards our choice. I want my choices to be guided by God. I want to rely on God, (who [incomprehensibly] loves me more than I love my husband and kids) when things get tough. I don't want to make the choice that I think is best for me; I want to make the choice that God says is best for me. The best way to know what God thinks is best for me is to look in his word.
I don't know why my blog took this turn tonight. And, I'm NOT doing things perfectly...I don't always get up to exercise and there are many days where I don't read my Bible, but I'm making a very deliberate effort to do what I know God wants me to do...which is spend time listening to Him.
So, why did I write all this down for you to read? I really don't know. Maybe for some accountability? Maybe so I would "practice what I preach"? I love all of you family members and friends who read this, and this is me.
So, it sounds like I'm all over the place, but I do have a point. I have also made the conscience choice to read my Bible every day. It sounds so simple. I pray alot everyday. I'm constantly reminded of how blessed I am just because of my husband and children and the fact that I'm able to stay home every day...which leads me to pray. But, I don't do a good job of opening my Bible, reading God's word and hearing what HE wants to say to me. Why am I telling you this? Because that has to be a choice that I make: either do it or don't. We are not programmed to wake up every day and automatically WANT to exercise; WANT to work; WANT to pray; WANT to read our Bible. I definitely am NOT programmed that way. In fact, I may have the best of intentions to do those things, but if I don't make the choice to do it as soon as I have the opportunity, I'll get distracted and won't do it. My point is this: we're motivated by different things, but those motivators keep us moving towards our choice. I want my choices to be guided by God. I want to rely on God, (who [incomprehensibly] loves me more than I love my husband and kids) when things get tough. I don't want to make the choice that I think is best for me; I want to make the choice that God says is best for me. The best way to know what God thinks is best for me is to look in his word.
I don't know why my blog took this turn tonight. And, I'm NOT doing things perfectly...I don't always get up to exercise and there are many days where I don't read my Bible, but I'm making a very deliberate effort to do what I know God wants me to do...which is spend time listening to Him.
So, why did I write all this down for you to read? I really don't know. Maybe for some accountability? Maybe so I would "practice what I preach"? I love all of you family members and friends who read this, and this is me.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Making sense!
Bradley's vocabulary is increasing every day and he tries so hard to talk! He just doesn't always make sense to me. I know this frustrates him greatly. He says things like, "lo" for hello; "by" for bye; and easily says, cow and bay for his beloved blanket, etc... Anyway, today he made more sense. He was in the den and I was in the kitchen. I could hear him really grunting. I looked in at him and he was squatting next to a toy while he was grunting. He saw me looking at him and he pointed to his diaper and said, "poo". (It really came out like "puh"). But, it was VERY clear what he meant. I was so excited when I approached him and sure enough he had a huge poop! Maybe he'll be a younger toilet trainer than Rachel was. He definitely has the advantage of watching Rachel go all the time. I was so proud of him for telling me he had poo!! What a smart boy!
Monday, May 26, 2008
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!! --- (UPDATED W/PICS!)
THANKS FOR THE PICS, JEN!!!
Sweet girl floating around
Taking the kids for a ride!
More!
Me and Jen
Jen & Micah
Micah & Nick...hangin' out
Trying on my sunglasses...doesn't everyonewear them around their neck? :)
Hangin' with Papa
Nappin' with PopWhat a fun day we had today! We got up, Nick and I took turns working out, and then we went to Gege and Papa's house to swim. Pop, Jen, Micah, Gege, Papa and us were the only ones there...a small group! The weather was beautiful...not a cloud in the sky! The sun felt warm and although the water was a little cool at first, it felt REALLY refreshing as the day wore on. Rachel, being the water bug she is, was in it from about 10am to 5pm. We only got her out once for lunch and once more when she had a scary episode. I think she may have gotten out around 4:00 for a snack and then she got back in. She just wouldn't stay out of the pool. In fact, she got too much sun on her arms. Even though I'm sure I re-applied her sunscreen at least twice, I must not have gotten her arms good the 2nd time, because they are quite red. Poor baby! I feel terrible. I put some aloe on them tonight and hopefully they won't bother her too much. Bradley was in and out...in for about 5 minutes, out for about 2 hours, and then back in again. He got real tired after lunch, so Papa and Pop took him for a ride and he fell asleep on the kubota. At least he got a little 30 minute nap! Papa and Nick made delicious "Emeril" burgers and Deborah made coleslaw, baked beans and had some yummy watermelon and pound cake. So, we ate lots and it was Delicious!!!
Rachel's scary episode was about an hour after we had been there. Me and Jen were sitting on the lounge chairs...facing the pool. Gege, Nick, Micah and Rachel were in the pool. Rachel has been doing awesome with her walking on the bottom of the pool and using her floaties/float. She put on her new mermaid goggles and was walking in the shallow end, with NO floaties on. I had warned her to stay close to the sides in case she couldn't touch the bottom. But, of course, she was being a little daring and venturing out farther into the middle. Anyway, all the adults were talking and Rachel, apparently, walked a little too deep and her mouth and nose went under the water. I didn't notice her at first, but Jen said, "is Rachel okay?" I immediately yelled, "Deborah, grab Rachel!" And, she did. Poor Rachel was very scared and her account of what happened was very sad to hear. This is how she perceived the whole thing: "I try to talk but no one didn't hear me. I try to tell you that I couldn't breathe, but you couldn't hear me. I was walking around and I walked too deep and I didn't know what to do. Why didn't no one hear me? Jen Jen had to tell you that I couldn't breathe." Her whole account was just too sad and made me feel horrible. We sat with her and talked to her for a few minutes, hugging her and comforting her. I tried to tell her that she had done a great job of paddling her arms. But, of course, she was very shaken from the experience. The whole thing only lasted about 5 seconds, but I'm sure it was VERY scary for Rachel. It certainly scared the rest of us!! I tried to remind Rachel that she needed to stay near the edge of the pool, but I also reminded myself that she needs to have on some sort of flotation device at all times in the water. I knew this but I had not realized how quickly things can happen. Thank goodness nothing happened that was more serious. And, thankfully, Rachel DID get back in the water later, after a snack and a juice and a little TV time. I don't want her to be afraid of using the pool but I want us all to be EXTRA cautious and NEVER turn our backs on the kids OR let them in the water without swimmies and floaties on them. (I'm saying this all to myself!!!) Bradley's going to be extra hard to watch too. He's not afraid of anything and definitely doesn't have the advantage of Rachel's height. Anyway, the pool is beautiful and fun and I LOVE being in it. I just want to make sure we don't take safety for granted OR let our guard's down for a second. My babies are too precious...they are my world and my responsibility! I wouldn't know what to do if something happened to either of them!
Sorry for the "lecture" it is meant for me!!! I told you this blog is therapeutic for me and this was my day's reflection!
Also, unfortunately, I don't have a SINGLE picture from today. I forgot to take my camera. But, Jen got some good pictures, so I'll post some once she shares them with me!
Rachel's scary episode was about an hour after we had been there. Me and Jen were sitting on the lounge chairs...facing the pool. Gege, Nick, Micah and Rachel were in the pool. Rachel has been doing awesome with her walking on the bottom of the pool and using her floaties/float. She put on her new mermaid goggles and was walking in the shallow end, with NO floaties on. I had warned her to stay close to the sides in case she couldn't touch the bottom. But, of course, she was being a little daring and venturing out farther into the middle. Anyway, all the adults were talking and Rachel, apparently, walked a little too deep and her mouth and nose went under the water. I didn't notice her at first, but Jen said, "is Rachel okay?" I immediately yelled, "Deborah, grab Rachel!" And, she did. Poor Rachel was very scared and her account of what happened was very sad to hear. This is how she perceived the whole thing: "I try to talk but no one didn't hear me. I try to tell you that I couldn't breathe, but you couldn't hear me. I was walking around and I walked too deep and I didn't know what to do. Why didn't no one hear me? Jen Jen had to tell you that I couldn't breathe." Her whole account was just too sad and made me feel horrible. We sat with her and talked to her for a few minutes, hugging her and comforting her. I tried to tell her that she had done a great job of paddling her arms. But, of course, she was very shaken from the experience. The whole thing only lasted about 5 seconds, but I'm sure it was VERY scary for Rachel. It certainly scared the rest of us!! I tried to remind Rachel that she needed to stay near the edge of the pool, but I also reminded myself that she needs to have on some sort of flotation device at all times in the water. I knew this but I had not realized how quickly things can happen. Thank goodness nothing happened that was more serious. And, thankfully, Rachel DID get back in the water later, after a snack and a juice and a little TV time. I don't want her to be afraid of using the pool but I want us all to be EXTRA cautious and NEVER turn our backs on the kids OR let them in the water without swimmies and floaties on them. (I'm saying this all to myself!!!) Bradley's going to be extra hard to watch too. He's not afraid of anything and definitely doesn't have the advantage of Rachel's height. Anyway, the pool is beautiful and fun and I LOVE being in it. I just want to make sure we don't take safety for granted OR let our guard's down for a second. My babies are too precious...they are my world and my responsibility! I wouldn't know what to do if something happened to either of them!
Sorry for the "lecture" it is meant for me!!! I told you this blog is therapeutic for me and this was my day's reflection!
Also, unfortunately, I don't have a SINGLE picture from today. I forgot to take my camera. But, Jen got some good pictures, so I'll post some once she shares them with me!
A High School Graduate
Yesterday, we went to church and only stayed for the worship service. We didn't quite make it to the sermon. Bradley was exhausted and fussy and being extremely difficult, so we decided to leave. Sometimes it's easier to leave a situation than to try to battle through it!
That evening, we picked up Pop and went to sweet Mary Ashley's High School graduation reception. Hard to believe that she's a graduate. I remember babysitting her when she was about Bradley's age and she was very unhappy with me. I remember she was really fussy and didn't know me very well and only wanted a familiar person to watch her. I think I even called mom to ask her what I should do because she just wasn't happy. I remember feeling so inadequate and unprepared to handle her. I also remember MANY fun weekends with all 3 kids and their precious antics. What a beautiful young lady she has become and I know she'll do great things with her life!
That evening, we picked up Pop and went to sweet Mary Ashley's High School graduation reception. Hard to believe that she's a graduate. I remember babysitting her when she was about Bradley's age and she was very unhappy with me. I remember she was really fussy and didn't know me very well and only wanted a familiar person to watch her. I think I even called mom to ask her what I should do because she just wasn't happy. I remember feeling so inadequate and unprepared to handle her. I also remember MANY fun weekends with all 3 kids and their precious antics. What a beautiful young lady she has become and I know she'll do great things with her life!
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