A revelation, a sale, and some paint

Yesterday at church I had a revelation, or maybe it was conviction...I'm still not sure. Since Phil and I have been married we have been invovled with churches that are contemporary in nature. There is a band and praise and worship music and usually a few singers. This is not they type of church I grew up in though. Although my home church leans toward a contempary feel now, it was a rather traditional, hymn singing church when I was a child. My Mom sang me hymns as a child. As a child her Mom, my Nanny, sang them to her, and Nanny's mother, Grandmother Bush, sang them to her. When my kids were babies, I sang them these songs of my childhood. I can sing Victory in Jesus, Sweet Sweet Spirit, Holy Holy Holy and countless others word for word to this day.

So yesterday our family went to 1st service at our church, which is the traditional service. It has a piano and a hymnal as well as lots of seasoned Christians. Bubby was sitting with us and during the offering the pianist started playing "I Surrender All." With Bubby on my lap, I started getting very teary and emotional. It occured to me that my children do not know and may not ever know these wonderful songs. Songs that have been around since the 1700 and 1800's that thousands of Christians across time have sang. Words that are as true today as they were 100 years ago. It occured to me that if Phil and I do not teach them and expose them to this service then they will grow up never knowing about Christ's "Amazing Grace." At what point did church become a production, a show, a "we must meet use music that sounds like music on the radio in order for people to find Christ." Don't get me wrong I understand that many people are looking for that type of service and that is what draws them in to a church. I also don't mean any disrespect toward my church (which has 2 fantastic contempory services) or any other church that reaches people in this manner. But I wonder, have we sensationalized Christ so much that simply reading the Bible and singing "I Surrender All" just doesn't cut it? Ok...off my soapbox...But I think my family may be attending 1st service a bit more just to expose my children to this type of service. And yes, Phil, I am changing my tune a bit...let's call it I'm getting a bit older!

Also this weekend we had a gigantic garage sale! We sold all sorts of stuff except girls clothes....There must be a lot of boys running around though because I sold out of boys stuff. Our biggest sale was the Lightening MCQueen Toddler Bed. I was sad in a way to see this go, but on a positive note it did go! The other big weekend project was painting Bubby's room. It is now a sports room! WHOO HOO! Pictures when the actual bed arrives. Poor guy is sleeping on a matress right now!

Summer!

So Summer unoffically starts today, but really for me I feel like it started Friday.

Friday was my last day working with these amazing people. This is the majority of the staff at Girard Elementary School. Many people don't understand that this school staff is more than just a group of people who work together, but we really are family. We have all not only taught and touched many little lives, but we have also lived life together. I truely count many of them as some very close friends and I can't wait until our early out days next year so we can eat lunch at R&M together! And if I may brag for just a a minute...4th grade had 100% of our students meet or exceed standards on ISAT's last year! WOWZER!

So since school is out and I have NO CLASSES to take this summer (since I graduated this month too!), I have a list of things to accomplish this summer. Here is the list:

1. Potty Train the princess. No more diapers in this house (after 4 years!)! This is proving to be more of a challenge than I anticipated because the princess isn't very good at sitting still. The chocolate is coming out tomorrow! Plus look at her...doesn't she just look like she wants to do things her own way!


2. Convince this dog that it is ok to socialize with the children and adults. He is like a bull in a china shop. He did very well today, but he just doesn't understand that he weighs 100+ pounds and slobbers all over everything!

3. Deep clean and organize this house. 9 months worth of not doing so is starting to show. And yes Nanny, I have cleaned my house in the last 9 months (I did after all have a housekeeper for 5 months), I have just let the organization slide. This needs to happen so things like this don't happen....

4. Have a great big yard sale June 4-5! See number 3 for the reason why!

5. Travel to Nanny and Poppy's house in Lenoir City, TN, the family reunion in Pineville, KY, the Riviera Maya, Mexico with the husband, and Myrtle Beach...and to think I complained to the husband that I felt like I hadn't traveled in forever!

6. Teach Bubby how to write his first name and the numbers 1-10. Anything beyond that would be an added bonus! Bubby is also getting a new big boy bed and "sports" room this month (maybe this week!). So to accompany that, I would REALLY like to get Bubby to go to bed like a big boy. Preferably without reading several books, scratching his back, discussing tomorrow's plans, and then watching the IPOD. Just going to bed is the new plan!

7. READ, READ, READ, READ...scrapbook, READ! I have a stack waiting for me!

8. But mostly, I am looking forward to those moments that this blog was started for. The laughter and joy that these two beautiful children bring me. The giggles on our "camp-outs," listening to them play together, and just being with them. I know that many Mommy's don't get this chance. One of the best perks of being a teacher is getting to have my summer's with my babies! SAY CHEESE!

Just like him

I have never had the experience or benefit of being the younger sibling. I was the oldest child and oldest grandchild on all sides, so I didn't really have anyone that I wanted to "be" like. My sister was 8 years younger than me and we were never really at the same point in life that I remember her wanting to be like me.

My kids are so close in age though that they pick up on things from each other. Bubby has picked up some attitude from the Princess at times and the Princess has learned to use her imagination from her Bubby. But I have noticed that she really does want to be just like him. She tells us she needs to go the potty when he needs to go; she tries to dress or undress herself as he does; she talks endlessly and uses phrases just like him. Yesterday, he was tromping around our yard and our neighbors yard hunting bears. He had a pop gun stuck down in the elastic waist of his shorts (presumably held in place by his tightie whities!) and was describing to her what he was "seeing." We only had one gun, so the Princess picked up a stick, stuck it in her shorts, and tromped off as well. She yelled back to me, "Shh, Mommy, hunting bears." Just like him.

A few days ago, we asked Charlie if he might want another brother or sister (it was a random and crazy thought!). His exact words were "I only want Kiki!" I love watching their relationship develop and blossom.

Oreos on the Wall

When I was little girl, the house we lived in had a really large foyer in it and then a hall leading off of it. Coming off the foyer into the hall was a short little wall that led into the ceiling. Growing up I would jump nearly every time I went down the hall trying to reach that ellusive low wall/ceiling. My Mom would always tell me not to do this, but I kept on until one day I reached it. Wow, I was so excited! The only problem was that my hands happened to be dirty that day and I left a really nice imprint of my left hand on that beige ceiling. I remember my Mom being none to happy with me. Similarly, my sister Rachel had dirty feet one day and put her feet on the wall outside my parent's bathroom. There were two nice little feet left on that wall as well. That house had so many memories for me, Rachel got sick and later died there, Hannah was brought home there, I spent many summers in a pool there, but those two marks left a mark on my memory. When we moved I remember crying when the inspector told my parents they had to paint over those marks. I wanted to say, 'But you don't know how important those feet and hands are!"

So today when I was coming up the stairs I noticed an Oreo Cookie handprint on my wall just the size of the Princess' little hands. I started to get upset at oreos on the wall, but then I realized that it is the mark of her. It says two things...1. I love cookies (so true) and 2. She can walk the stairs alone. Tonight I walked around my house looking at the marks my children have made...there is a nice pen circle near the laudry room left by Bubby, blue crayon in the dining room left by the Princess, and a chip out of the kitchen corner where Bubby ran into it with the bulldozer ride on toy. I don't have a perfect house, it is nearly always dirty and a mess by my Mom, Nanny, and Mother-in-Law standards. I tend to be cluttered at times even though I try to be organized. But what I do have is what I wanted my entire life. I have little hands who make messes on my walls and in my floors. Who make me laugh everyday and often make me cry when they say, "I love you so much Mommy" Who needs clean walls, when you can have arms around you neck?

GOOP!

Every so often I take complete leave of my senses. I get the magazine Family Fun and this month's issue had a whole section on homemade fun with simple household stuff. Most of the stuff I had made before at school, but my babies were always a bit young to do it. But since I thought everyone was old enough to appreciate the great qualities of GOOP, I decided to give it a try. GOOP just takes corn starch and water...so simple. It is like a solid and a liquid, so we covered a bit of science in this project too. It is some messy stuff though...I am still cleaning it up!

Notice we used cookie sheets in hopes of keeping the counter clean. Also look closely and note that the counter did NOT stay clean.

Bubby really got the whole fun of the GOOP. The princess would only touch it with one hand and again kept telling me "Dirty Mommy" just as she did with the garden. We seriously need to overcome that little issue!

See...one hand only! However, when we were all done she had gotten a ton on the floor with that one hand!

When we were done and cleaning up in the bathroom, Bubby said to me "Mommy that was so much fun!" Maybe taking leave of my senses is a good thing! We are going to have a great summer doing things like this!

Our children are only 17 months apart and we have often said that if we could have planned it that way...we wouldn't have planned it that way. Most people have 9 months to prepare for a new baby, we had less than 24 hours. Bubby had no warning really and one of the things I remember worrying about was what he would think. Afterall, he was our world, the center of attention, the one and only. The one and only part is important because a few weeks prior to the Princess's arrival, Phil and I had finally gained some peace from God on that issue. We knew we couldn't have anymore children and were struggling with Bubby being an only child. It still amazes me that when we give something over to God, he meets us and knows our desires.

Back to no preparation, the night the Princess arrived Bubby was spending the night with my parents for some reason. He wasn't even 2 and I remember calling him to tell him that he would have a new sister in the morning...how's that for warning!? When the caseworker brought the dirty, sad looking, soon to be Princess into the door, Phil and I instantly fell in love, moldy bottles, dirt and all. But that night, I lay awake thinking about Bubby and how he was going to react to this new change in our life. I remember praying, "God, just let him like her."

That next day my Mom and Dad brought him in and she was sitting in the carseat on the table. He crawled up there, took one look at her, and said "Thate's MY Kiki!" This was, of course, short lived and he has often been less than thrilled with her company. Since she could move around, she has always been that pesky little sister. She gets into all his stuff and at the age of 2 1/2 he slammed his bedroom door in her face and shouted..."GET OUT MY ROOM!" But he is also her biggest champion. He may be able to push her down, take her toys, and scream at her, but no one else better. When she sits in the naughty chair, which is a fair amount of the time, he will often tell me that she is sorry and needs to get up.

However, despite the love fest, there is one spot that he has claimed as all his own. He loves to go to Mimi's house by himself. When they would both go, he would try to talk us into taking the Princess with us so that he could stay. This week, Mimi called to ask if Charlie would come and help her plant flowers. Of course he said he wanted to. On the way there I said that the Princess would be going home with me. He burst into tears and said while sobbing, "But Mommy, Kiki has to go, I love her!" Then I cried too. I guess even a pesky brown eyed sister can creep into even the most sacred places in your life.

Mimi

So today is my Mother-in-law's birthday. I have been around the Garner family for nearly 13 years and Ann accepted me from the begining. I think it probably had something to do with the fact that she had been surrounded by males in her house for so long that she needed some girl power, but either way we have always gotten along. We have long meaningful talks and I really do miss her when they are gone...and it isn't because I need a babysitter (although that is a nice perk! LOL)

Unlike my Mom, Phil's Mom was ready to be a grandma about the time we were married. Her older son didn't marry until after Phil and I did and to be perfectly honest she was getting a little impatient! Getting Bubby here was a long and drawn out process and I remember being dissappointed for her every month as much as I was for us! When we finally found out that Bubby was on his way, she was beyond thrilled. She went to a sonogram with me and just was amazed to see his tiny feet and hands. I will never forget the tears streaming down her face as she walked into the room to meet him for the first time. She literally had eyes only for him.

Ann wanted to be called Grammy, in fact she went so far as to have her liscense plate changed to that. However, that first grandchild, Bubby, changed the name to Mimi and it has stuck. Bubby could live at Mimi's house. He has his own bed (although he likes to sleep with her), his own bike, his own clothes...and he asked her this week if it was his house!

The Princess and Bubby are so blessed to have a Mimi that loves them and drops everything for them. She comes to their rescue and spoils them rotten. She makes them feel loved and protected. She tells me that she could have never imagined that being a grandparent could be so wonderful. I could never have imagined having such wonderful grandparent's for my children. Happy Birthday Ann! You are a blessing in my life.

Tiny Bubbles

We have a crazy dog and his name is Gus. Gus came along about 2 months before the Princess came along. In our marriage we have had 2 really great dogs. Mickey was a golden retriever and our first baby. She died in our fire we had 3 years ago. Shiloh was adopted from the APL and was kennel, crate, and everything else trained when we got him. Shiloh was adopted because the husband said "A house is not ahome without a dog." But Gus came along because the husband announced one day that he thought that he had grieved Mickey long enough and wanted Bubby to grow up with a golden retriever...the best and most American dog. I was not sold on the idea as I figured it was one more thing for me to do. Gus was a little fuzz ball that loved Charlie. He lived in the house, but started eating things...specifically baby things when the princess came along, so he moved outside. About this point I was ready to ship him out.

Gus is now a 110 pound monster. Despite his size, he is scared of the dark, most other dogs, and lives for small milkbone dog treats. He doesn't know his strength which terrifies the kids. However, today, we had a breakthough and it came in the form of bubbles.

Bubby and the princess both got bubble guns for Easter. Unfortunately one of them was lost for about a week due to the Easter Sunday debacle. When we found the Buzz Lightyear gun, we pulled the other one out, poured out the bubbles and went to town. The Princess is not real great at the bubble gun. She mostly tries to eat the bubbles, which may explain her upset belly the last few days. She pulls the trigger right into her face and often ends up very sticky. Bubby, however, has it figured out. He can load up both and shoot away. After about 5 mintues, we noticed that Gus was running around like a nut in the back yard in cirlces. We watched a bit longer and figured out that he was chasing the tiny bubbles...everywhere. He zigged when those bubbles zagged, he jumped, he snipped. It was a hoot and the kids quickly caught onto the fact that Gussie was having fun WITH them. For 30 minutes we shot bubbles and for 30 mintues Gus ran amuck.

When we all tired and it was time to come in, Bubby said "Mommy, Gussie is so silly and he is my best friend." Perhaps it was a good thing I let him stay around.

"I think she's bleeding!"

The princess is an eater. When we got her at 5 months old, she was drinking bottles like crazy so we introduced cereal. This didn't fill her up, so we introduced baby food. By 9 months old she was eating 2 babyfoods at breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus bottles in the middle. She likes to eat...a lot!

When she started moving around, the Princess did something that Bubby never did...she ate everything in site. Over the last year she has eaten countless rocks, crayons, popcorn seeds, dirt, etc. Sometimes I catch her doing it and sometimes I see it later in the diaper. At almost 2 she still puts everything in her mouth.

So today while I was folding clothes in the laundry room, the husband yells in a paniced voice "I think she's bleeding!" Those are words you never want to hear as a parent. The princess isn't our accident prone child anyway, Bubby is the one who makes trips to the ER and doctor! So I fly upstairs and see her standing in front of her Daddy with what looks like blood pouring out of her mouth. It's dripping, all over her teeth, her hands, her clothes, the floor. I grab a rag and start wiping. I realize that the "blood" is pink not a traditional red. After a bit more investigating, I realized that the Princess had eaten a pink Hello Kitty stamp! So it was a bit of a mess to clean up, stained her clothes, but it didn't stain her to bad! Did I mention that she is climber too?

Moma and Papa

Watching my kids with my Mom and Dad fills my heart with such joy. They love my children so much and the joy on their faces when my kiddies run in is so evident. My Mom was not going to be one of those silly grandma's that bought the kids things and had toys at her house. Guess who has a toy corner, bikes in the garage, and the kids now have their own room? (Consequently said room, is my old room, so I guess they have really decided I am never coming home!). She is also not a Grandma, but a Moma...and there is a difference! My Dad on the other hand, informed me about 2 years before Bubby was born that he was ready to be a grandpa any time I was ready. I remember saying "Thanks for the go ahead Dad...I'll get right on that!" He has turned into the most invovled Papa. The kids run him from thing to thing at their house. They golf, play pool, drive the train, play cowboys, race cars, etc. Moma says that Papa is exhausted when the kids leave!

I really have been blessed with the greatest parents. I hope in my life I can be like them in so many ways. Their marriage has certainly seen some very difficult times, but I learned to love deeply from my Mom and Dad. They take care of me still as a 29 year old and when I pull in their drive, I still get the warm fuzzy feeling of coming home.

And my kids...well the Princess and Buby think Moma and Papa can rope the moon. As the original princess in the family...so do I!

Expectations

At some point in my life I will figure out that we are not perfect and that my expectations and plans usually don't happen. Easter Sunday was one of those many days. You know...Easter Sunday, pretty clothes, great church service, Easter egg hunts, candy overload, food, family, etc. Here is what happened, 45 minutes before church Bubby and the Princess run upstairs to see what has been left for them.
Now we are down to 30 minutes until church. We head downstairs to get ready, the princess becomes like a little doll and she knows it. On to the Bubby, who absolutely refuses to put on his Easter attire. He points out that Daddy is wearing red "soccer" shorts and a T-Shirt. So Mommy points out that this is true, but Daddy just had surgery on his belly and can't wear nice clothes. This of course doesn't do any good, and Bubby ends up in clothes that nearly match Daddy. By this point Mommy is very upset...expectations. There are no pictures of the Easter attire!

On to church, we arrive almost late to find out there is no children's program on this packed Sunday. Normally this wouldn't be a problem, but Daddy can't help with the kids and the Princess simply cannot sit for more than 5 minutes without talking. After 15 minutes of struggling, I look at the husband and mouth..."LET"S GO!"

Family comes over and we have a really nice dinner with the in-laws and Great Grandma. Mimi hosted the egg hunt.

Notice both are eating the candy as they hunt.

Next we took some great naps. But my favorite part of the day was just playing outside, being with family, had a great visit with my baby sister and then we ended the day with a picnic on the deck...eating simply PBJ and fruit. Expectations....when will I learn they really don't matter?

Don't Shoot Your Sista

A few weeks ago I took my 4th grade class to the Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield. It is a truely amazing place. The night before we went, Phil had the gun safe open at home and was showing Bubby his guns. I didn't grow up with a lot of guns around, but as Phil did I tolerate this little issue. He has always taught Bubby safety and actually rarely takes them out of the cabinet (which begs the question of why we actually have them, but that is a whole other story). Bubby was fascinated this time looking at the guns.

Back to the field trip...while there I was touring the gift shop and came across a wooden toy pistol for a mere $12.99. I bought it for Bubby and then snuck it on the bus in my bag because I am well aware of all the rules for schools. That night we got home and I pulled it out of the bag and Bubby was amazed. We were outside in the front yard that night and there was flag football practice going on at the park. This traslates to a large amount of cars on the street in front of the house. Bubby would wait in the yard while cars stopped at the stop sign, then when they got in front of our home he would jump up and shoot them. This led to explaining about no drive by shootings. We discussed only shooting animals, "Like Gus and Shiloh" he said. This led to a explaining we don't shoot dogs either, just birds, squirrels and deer. I thought we were safe...

Until bedtime that night. As we were trying to calm down for bed, Bubby pulls the toy gun out again. As the Princess comes parading down the hall he jumps out and "shoots" her. Daddy yells down the hall, "Don't shoot your sister either." The princess yells to Bubby, "Yeah Bubby, don't shoot your sista!" And now everytime the toy gun comes out of the playroom, the princess announces, "Don't shoot your sista!" Perhaps I should have re-thought the toy gun in the first place!

The Sleepy Moment

I love that moment when my children's eyes start to flutter alseep. I rarely see that moment with the Princess because she does not like to be rocked or cuddled any longer. She is much to big for that and wants to be put in her bed and left alone. However, Bubby is my cuddler at night. He wants to be read to and whispered to. For about the past two weeks, he has been falling asleep as I read a Dr. Suess book in a soft methodic voice. I sneak glances at him as I read and slowly see him fading and then that moment happens. The eyes flutter once, twice, and then they close for the night. Then I sneak out of the room quietly like I am sure so many Moms before me have done...praying the whole time I don't trip on something and cause a ruckus!

Sometimes bedtime doesn't go so great at our house though. Those night are frustrating and when I hear him yell one more time "Mommmmmm...where are you?" after he has been laying in bed for an hour, I usually let out a large sigh. Tonight he yelled, I sighed, and my wise husband said "You know, in 20 years you will long to hear that yell." I laughed because he is indeed right and then I teared up because he is indeed right. This moment, whether sleepy or not, is a moment to cherish.

Laughter Abounds

We had a much needed visit with a very good friend today. She told me that she started blogging to write down all those things that should go in the baby books, teacher memory books, or my journal, but usually don't make it. On the way home I thought to myself "This is a way to end my guilt of never writing stuff down!" As an added bonus anyone interested can read it! I have journaled for over 10 years, but after the princess came along I suddenly don't seem to find the time to fit it in. I'm not sure what makes me think this will, but I am certainly going to try!