The Little Joys in Life

Another Story

2008-10-29T13:50:00.000-07:00

OK. I have a confession. I let the kids have milk before bed. (Let all the mommies and dentists begin screaming here.) But, I have never had a cavity in my life, and intend to teach my children the same dental hygiene habits. Feel better? I do.

On to my story.

Two nights ago, Jenna wanted more milk before bed. I told her no, that she had had enough. She crawled up in my lap, put her hands on my mouth and said, "Say with me...open mouth...JUICE!"

So cute. You had to be there. Especially if you know Jenna's sense of humor!

First Day of Preschool

2008-10-10T13:56:00.000-07:00

Parenting is so rewarding

2008-08-24T19:03:00.001-07:00

You know you're doing something right when your 4 1/2 year old son befriends a mute girl confined to a wheelchair at church and thinks nothing of it. He pushes her around, helps her play, and he has even made her a bracelet. Today he thought we were nuts when we told him how proud we were of him (and I had tears in my eyes!). He truly sees her as another classmate, not different at all. He knows he can be friends with anyone, no matter what they look like, how old they are, if they are confined to a wheelchair, or can run like the wind. He sees the heart of everyone around him.

And that makes our hearts swell with joy and love for him. Seth is truly growing up.

Stories

2008-08-22T20:38:00.001-07:00

Seth and Jenna have been educating mommy and daddy.

Seth: "Did you know that you breathe oxygen in through your nose and your heart pumps it through your body?"
Me: "Very good! What color is your blood?"
Seth: "It's blue and your oxygen makes it turn red. Yeah, I'm so smart mom!"
Me: "Yes, you are! So, if you breathe oxygen in through your nose, what comes out when you blow out?"
Seth: (gives me the "DUH, mom" look) "SNOT!"

I think I asked for that one.

Jenna...oh, Jenna. OK, to preface the conversation:

Jenna decided about a month ago when she woke up that she was officially potty trained (with almost no prior training) and wanted to wear underwear. About a month later, she has an accident at church. No big deal. Then we go out to eat afterwards, and I look over and Jenna is sitting in a puddle of pee in her chair, not even caring.

Me: "Oh no, Jenna! Two accidents in one morning! What happened? Did you forget to tell mommy you needed to use the potty? What's going on?"
Jenna: (smirks) "Ummm...I take the day off."

No comment.

Splishin' and a Splashin'!

2008-07-23T12:51:00.001-07:00

The simplest things delight my children. Being a parent is so rewarding; your kids remind you to appreciate the wonderful things in life. Water is like crack for kids - it makes them instantly happy, no matter what mood they are in! Bubbles, too, I might add. Here are a few shots from just one of the many days we have slipped and slided and blown bubbles.

Heroes

2008-03-26T13:13:00.000-07:00

Having children means seeing the world through new eyes again. It's fascinating to see your children get excited about things that seem "hum-drum" to us. An ambulance or fire truck siren? Pull over to the side, let it pass, keep driving. But for a child, it's total excitement! Whoa! What is that? Where are they going? Who are they going to save?

Seth has been learning about community heroes at preschool lately. The firefighters brought their truck and he went on and on and on.... So I decided to take the kids to an actual fire station with some friends of ours to see how fire fighters live while they are on duty. Seth and Jenna decided they are very hardworking, brave men! (And they also eat a lot, since they have three refrigerators!)

Thanks to the two firefighters that were so wonderful with our children.
And thank you for being our community heroes!

Easter

2008-03-26T12:46:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone had a "Hoppy Easter!" After five (yes, five) Easter Egg Hunts, I think we can finally say that our two-week Easter celebration is over. The kids had a great time, we all ate too much candy, and the Easter bunny (I should say bunnies...grandparents!) brought way too many fun things. Ah, well....you're only a kid once, right?

I hope everyone was able to celebrate our risen Savior on Sunday, as well. It's so hard to explain to a four- and two-year old the meaning of Easter, but we did our best. I was reading books to Seth and Jenna the night before Easter, trying once more to translate into "kid language" the meaning of Easter. After one of the books, Seth said, "Jesus loves me a lot, huh, mom?" He's starting to get it.

Happy Easter everyone!

The New Year

2008-02-11T09:53:00.001-08:00

Hard to believe 2008 is already upon us, not to mention February! Didn't we just put the tree up yesterday?

Jenna just turned two and is fully TWO. And enjoying it.

Seth is now four...too smart for his own good.

Trey and I are moving right along. Enjoying the fact that we just had new carpet put in. Oh, the little joys in life.

Christmas and the New Year

2008-02-11T09:49:00.001-08:00

Isn't Christmas a great time? Family, friends, memories. We had a good time this year, despite the sleep loss and hours in the car. Looking forward to 2008 and what this year will bring.