Family Fun

This past weekend my family came to visit from Chicago. My brother came to go hunting with my husband, while my sister in-law and I got in some one on one bonding time (Kris, I truly had a great time with you), later my parents came to join in on the fun. It was definitely a great time filled with laughter, activity, and lots of food. We started out by braving it alone to the apple orchard (two moms, and 5 kids ranging from 5yr to 6mo can be pretty risky) in a very spontaneous style (it was supposed to be rainy, so we weren't planning on it).

We managed to get FIVE car seats in my van and headed out. After a few wrong turns (probably not a great idea to put two directionally challenged people together), we made it. And what a blast it was. The kids had a great time playing together and riding in the Cinderella like pumpkins.

The favorite part though, was the apple picking. I think my little Katie was enjoying her apple a little too much, because when I threw away the core, she kept sobbing and reaching back -"apo! apo!"

The next day, we carved pumpkins in the garage. Unfortunately, I did not invest in the actual pumpkin carving knives, so it made for a pretty challenging job to be too creative. They were cute though, and the kids enjoyed watching them glow in the evening.

The following day, we managed to get 11 people out of the house and in church on time (now that is pretty impressive). We came back only to have shortstop's greek pasta (raves by all!) and some bruschetta like casserole. The whole weekend was overloaded with food (pumpkin cake, apple pie, cheesecake, etc). The best part though was just watching the cousins run around playing and having a good time. And although it may have been stressful at times, it was spent with family, and I couldn't ask for a better family. Can't wait to do it again.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Well, not a lot remembered this week in the way of kiddy talk. With family and sickness still visiting, I'm not too quick with my memory (that's my excuse anyway, and I'm sticking to it). If you want to view some other tiny talk, click here: http://notbefore7.blogspot.com/2007/10/tiny-talk-tuesday_30.html

Around the house:
Kyra: Grandma, let's play a game!
Grandma: What would you like to play?
Kyra: How about tag?
Grandma: How about I go to the bathroom first?
Kyra: GRANDMA, that's not a game!

Halloween

My blogger friend, Shortstop, showed pictures of her little ones in last year's Halloween garb. They were such cute pictures, that I began to browse through some of my girl's previous Halloween pics (although their weren't many, seeing as how they've had a very short life span thus far).

Anyway, I look forward to Halloween again, as does Kyra who talks about it almost everyday. So, I thought I would share a couple old photos before the unveiling of the new costumes for this year....

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Not many kiddy quotes for this week, they've been sick for the majority of the week and not quick on their toes with the comments but a few leaked out tonight! Check out Mary's for more... http://notbefore7.blogspot.com/2007/10/tiny-talk-tuesday_21.html

At the dinner table...
Mom: Kyra, you need to eat dinner quickly because it's almost time to get ready for dance!
Kyra: (looking out the window) But Moomm, I better check on the GUYS and see if they're okay. (Daddy and Grandpa were outside on the bobcat, and lately she feels they can't get their work done without her. I think they'll manage.)

In the car....
Kyra: Mom, they light is green, go go go!
Mom: Kyra, just hold your horses, we have to wait for the cars ahead of us to go.
Kyra: Come on PEOPLE! Move it!
(she seriously sounded like a cab driver, but I'm guessing she's been hanging out in the car with Daddy lately).

At the Kyra's Dance Class...
(Kyra was in her class while Katie and I were peaking in through the one way window to see her progress. Katie overheard the instructor say March)
Katie: Much! much! much!(as she marched down the hall. It was so cute watching her imitate her bigger sister. Of course she marched her way down to an open classroom and invited herself in. I had to spend the rest of the hour chasing her down the hall just to keep her out of the room with the BIG mirror.)

The Apprentice

Kyra has found a new hobby. She loves farming! Well, not exactly. She more or less likes riding in the combine or bobcat with her daddy while he's farming. Considering the fact that she doesn't like to get her hands dirty, I think riding in the equipment that does the dirty work is about as close as she'll get. Maybe it's the time spent with Daddy, or maybe it's the bumpy ride, but she always asks to go with him (actually both girls do).

So last night in the midst of cleaning up the cake in the car that Katie got her hands into and wiped all over the car, my husband offered to take Kyra with him to another 10 acre field him and his brother had to harvest. I told him that would be great. So, she got to spend 2 hours of one on one time with her favorite man doing one of the things that Daddy loves best (farming). When she came back she had so many stories to tell. She got to steer, she got to watch the "big fingers" grind up the corn, but best of all she got to pee in the corn!! Oh yes, that was the highlight of the evening. She told me that she had to go potty, but Daddy said they don't have potties in corn fields, so she squatted in the field. Yes, she was unofficially initiated into the world of outdoorsman. We had a good laugh. But best of all she got some good bonding time with Dad.

Serenity Now

My blogger friend Emily posted an entry inquiring what others do for serenity. I read it, and thought, boy I could use one of my top 5 choices after a day like today!

Yes, I woke up with a migraine (something I've been frequenting as of late), watched my daughter throw half of her breakfast on the floor, quick got everyone dressed and headed out the door to go to a craft sale with a friend (okay, not so quick, but I tried). We then got to the craft sale, where no strollers were allowed. You mean I had to carry this 19 month old and try to get her to not touch all the untouchables!! So, after numerous attempts of telling both of my children to NOT TOUCH ANYTHING, they were both reaching the end of their rope. We then zoomed through the rest of the craft show, as to not miss anything really important, headed to the park, and then went for a late lunch (only to resort in lots of complaining and whining for holding off lunch too long). And of course I was awstrasized by my eldest for not getting the chicken fries, but the chicken nuggets instead. A crucial mistake. Finally, we headed to my friends house for some afternoon playtime, and some much needed rest while they played on their own. All was well, until we had to leave and I found my daughter in wet underpants (yes, she wet her pants), and 20 barrets in her hair (apparently they played dress up). She kicked and screamed all the way to the bathroom where I could have a "chat" with her, because she did not want to change out of her "pretty ballerina costume." Finally, home, I quick fed them a late dinner (7:30), popped them in the tub, and pushed them straight to bed (of course not with out arguing about the lack of a bedtime movie). Ahhh...rest! Oh, I forgot I had to make a cake for tomorrow's dinner at the in-laws. Back on my feet!

So....here is what I am going to do for much needed serenity!
1. M&M's
2. Slip into some comfy pjs
3. Snuggle on the couch in a warm blanket (nevermind that it is in the 70's today)
4. Light a candle
5. Get a back/hand massage from my husband

Blessed

I have been having trouble blogging again lately, not because of lack of time, but because of lack of things to say. For all of you who journal or blog every day, I commend you and your brain for always having thoughts to put down on paper (computer). Maybe my brain is a little slow (okay don't answer that) or maybe I just think too much and just get stressed with the thought of trying to put my thoughts down, whatever the case....I'm at a block. I originally had plans in finding at least one positive thing to say a day (as to mentally help myself from thinking so negatively). But I have realized that you can't just try and find one positive thing a day, you have to pray about finding those daily pieces of joy too.

Yesterday I was at the park with a friend, complaining about the condition of my house, the whinyness of my girls, etc. I went home thinking, all I did was COMPLAIN! Which doesn't come of much surprise because it is something I do quite well. But I thought, my poor dear friend has to listen to that every time I visit her (she has to be sick of me!) Complaining is a disease and I have to stop it. Shortly after that revelation I read Renee's blog (sorry Renee, I can't link), and was amazed at how far she's come in life after such hardships. She's been through so much, and she is rejoicing!! I knew I had to take a good look at my life and see what I could count as good. So here it goes....

1. I was raised in a Christian household, with a loving family. My parents both worked hard (opposite shifts) so that one of them was always home with us. They took us to church, helped us with homework, and stayed together through thick and thin. My mother is a great encourager, and often looked at the bright side when I was feeling down. My dad went on many walks with my sister and I, and instilled many deep thoughtful questions that truly made us think. They both have always been there for me.
2. I went to a Christian College where I came into so many great friendships, in which I still keep in contact to this day. Although, I did not end up teaching (what I went to school for), I had such a positive experience and met so many empowering people.
3. I have a loving husband. I have a truly wonderful husband (although I fail to see it all the time), who works hard to support his family (and so I can live my dream and be a stay at home mom and not to mention a pretty nice house). He almost always grants my request when I come to him with a honey do list (and doesn't even complain about it). And he listens to me time and time again (like a broken record) when I come to him with hurt feelings of being insecure, inadequate, fat. He is a loving husband.
4. I have two beautiful, healthy girls. With all the crankiness, crying, disobedience, and crazy behavior, my girls are super. Afterall, everyone who raises children deal with these issues (it just may not feel like it when your in the moment). But, to have 2 girls that say the darndest things, have the cutest expressions, and depend on you and love you hopelessly, what more could you ask for. I could not ask for better children.
5. I have wonderful friends. I may not have a lot of friends, but the friends I do have are so dependable, empathetic, wise, open armed, and good for making me laugh.
6. Finally, I have such a loving Father in Heaven above that is there for me whenever I need Him. He hears my every cry, shares my every pain, rejoices in my every triumph.

Yes, I am truly blessed. And any time I forgot that just refer me back to this entry.