Childrenisms

We went back and forth - and then back and forth again - about "paying" our kids
to do jobs. We're rookie parents and probably screwing everything up, but it has been
a fun learning experience! Basically we give our kids a dime - they're learning the
fun lesson of "money doesn't grow on trees" - for every odd job they complete.

10% goes to "Jesus" and the rest is kept in an envelope for Dollar Tree purchases.
They've already bought themselves some sling shots, glow sticks, and these weird
spinning lazer... things. I'm having visions of REAL jobs, with REAL money, and my little
children buying their own cars, clothes, college education...

Wishful thinking? I'll keep you posted. Until then...


Isaiah: "Momma, you are beautiful. Real cute."
Me: "Thanks, buddy! You are so sweet to me!"
Judah: "Only smoothies are cute."
Me: "You don't think I'm cute, Judah!?"
Judah: "I think Zay Zay is adopted."


Me: "If you use the potty I will give you an M&M!"
Judah: "How 'bout you just change my diaper and give me the M&M?"
Me:


Me: "Did you eat all that gum?"
Isaiah: "Um yea."
Me: "Like ten pieces?"
Isaiah: "Mom. YOU eat a lot of gum too!"
Me:"YEA, BUT I NEVER SWALLOW IT!"


Me: "Do you think daddy is so cute?"
Judah: "I think he's a cupcake."

As I was coming out of my OB appointment...
Isaiah: "WOOOO! They popped the baby out!"
Me: "Not yet, buddy."

5 minutes later...

Isaiah: "Did the baby pop out yet?"
Me: "Define pop out."

I get asked similar questions all day on REPEAT. Hurry, baby. Hurry.


Me: "What would like to name the baby?"
Judah: "Bam Bam or Superman."
Isaiah: "Red or Mohawk."
Dear baby, you're lucky Isaiah and Judah will have NO say in your name.


Judah: "I wanna feed da buuurds!"
Me: "Ok, when it stops raining."
Isaiah: "Put the food in the BOOTY feeder, mom."
Me: "BIRD feeder, buddy."
Isaiah: "Booty."

Me: "Judah, do you want to read a book?"
Judah: "I don't like that word."
Me: "What word?"
Judah: "The BOOK word."
Me: "Well, do you want to read?"
Judah: "I want to go to work. My job. I work on computers."
Me: "Can you give me some of your paycheck?!"
Judah: "Yea, probably NO."
#igavebirthtoyou #youoweme

B A B Y

We are so blessed and excited to be announcing that we are expecting our third baby!!!
We can't wait to celebrate a new birthday this October!!!

: : : L I F E : : :

This baby came after much waiting, many tears, confusion, and some of the most raw and honest praying
I have ever done. I definitely passed through a season of doubting in the darkness what God has revealed
to me in the light. And that is: He is faithful. He is good. And His timing is perfect.

I don't share those words lightly or with an ounce of righteousness. I share them because I need to hear
them again and again and again. Every single day. For the rest of my life. He is faithful. He is good.
And His timing is perfect. It's my great lesson: learning to TRUST.

How quick I am to grasp at the things I want - the things I think will make me happy.
It's funny. In the time we spent waiting for this baby, we actually could have conceived
and already had a newborn by this point. But then... I wouldn't know this baby. I wouldn't
know this joy. I wouldn't know the goodness that God prepared for me in this season of my life.

For a brief season I experienced what it is like to suffer from infertility. To wonder and wait
month after month only to be more confused by the charts, the doctors, the ideas that every
well-intentioned person has to share in regards to "getting pregnant." My heart still breaks for those of
you who have shared your story of infertility with me. Know that I still pray for you. Still hope for you.
Thank you for your virtual hugs, many prayers, kind words, and faith. God is good!

COMING
: : : OCTOBER 7th, 2014 : : :
Which puts me right at 16 weeks.
I think it's another boy, but I guess we're just going to have to wait and see!!!








______________________________________

If you want to catch up on my story of waiting and learning to trust God with fertility:

Preparing for Baby #3

NFP: A Two Way Street

_____________________________________

How to Thrive (not just survive) in the Pew with Children

Not too long ago someone stopped us after Sunday Mass and said, and I quote,

"You should give parents lessons on how to help children behave in Church!"

What does one even say to that?! Uuuum thanks? *Gates of Heaven open and a flood
of light shines down - I have found my calling*

NOT.


If there is a curriculum out there on this topic, I need to read it just as much
as the next parent. We do get a lot of compliments on the way our children act during
Church, but I'm pretty sure half those people are hard of hearing... possibly...

and you know, just don't hear the bulk of the chirpy little chorus coming from our pew.
Because really?! They are good, but I'm not raising angels here.

Whatever though. I'll take what I can get.

Here is what we've found works best. At least for our family.

Brace yourself...

DISCIPLINE. And you guessed it - that begins at home.

If your little ones won't listen to you in the grocery store, they are definitely
not going to listen to you in a Church. Which pretty much means I should never go out in
public again. But life must go on. Patience, waiting quietly, the art of whispering, polite words,
obedience - are things that can not be taught overnight. And different children with varying
temperaments should be factored into that all too. Oh the joy.

Not every child is going to "get with the program" right away and there will be some who
will fight you every day until the day they move out from under your roof. Truth.
So have grace. Grace on yourself. Grace on your children. Grace on your cow.
"Mulan," anyone? Nevermind.

From the beginning, we have taken our children to Church with us. Never letting their
presence or age be something to hold us back from worshipping God the way that we feel
called as man and woman - husband and wife.

We only take our kids "out" of Church or to the cry room for brief periods of time -
to give them time to calm down or stop crying if they hit their head on the pew or smashed
their fingers under the kneeler- it's a painful rite of passage for every Church-going kid.
Not funny though. #catholickidproblems

If the child is in "trouble" for who knows... a.) throwing Cheerios b.) hitting another sibling
c.) refusing to whisper d.) kicking or screaming ... I could go on through "Z", but I'll spare you.

We administer a consequence during that brief exodus from Church - could be anything from
taking away a promised Sunday treat, time out, naptime after Church, etc. - and then
promptly BRING THEM BACK IN.

I think when kids know if they misbehave they get to run around in the narthex or cry room
it only encourages the behavior and sets the parents up for a vicious cycle. I mean if I got
to go play in the water fountain and jump around in my Sunday best... I'd hit my brother too.

Also found helpful:

1.) Sitting towards the front

2.) One snack + water bottle

3.) Books + activity

Sitting towards the front of the Church, where the kids can actually see what's going on,
has proven to be a successful strategy. The back pew or cry room has failed time and again,
in our brief experience as parents, to be a "free pass" for not paying attention.
I think giving children the "privilege" of sitting towards the front empowers them -
giving them a sense of being "trusted" - like a big kid... like momma and papa.

Now I know some people have issues with food or "games" in Church, especially Mass,
but in my humble opinion... THEY ARE KIDS. Tiny hearts. Short attention spans.
I always think that Jesus gives us EXACTLY what we need - no matter how old we are -
and He knows what children need and I have no problem helping my kids stay "tuned in"
by passing them a fruit snack during the homily or flipping through pages of a Children's
Bible or other holy book. It works for us. Just sharing.

Well this is your Jedi-master signing off. May the force be with you.
That's a joke. Although, I am a Star Wars fan.

What are your tips and tricks? Do share all.

Holy Week + Easter

Happy Easter from our hearts to yours!

An Easter Morning Tradition

It's tradition around these parts to bake something that RISES on Easter morning!
How about you? Any special traditions for the Triduum?

It is really just a simple, but delicious, visual of what RISING to NEW LIFE
looks like for kids. Mix, pour, place in dark oven - which in the wild imagination is really
a tomb - and wait for it... the GLORY of risen baked goods!!!

If you're in the market for some gluten-free happiness coming out of your "tomb"
this Easter morning here are some of our favorite recipes that rise...

CINNAMON ROLLS

CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD

BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

APPLE CIDER DOUGHNUTS

PUMPKIN SPICE BREAD

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I was kind of thrilled to discover that they carry clothes for "big girls" too!!!
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I love that Matilda Jane has a heart for the DETAILS when it comes to their pieces.
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_______________________________________________
Special THANKS to Matilda Jane Clothing for sharing this outfit
and giveaway with us!!! All opinions expressed are my own.

Making the Ordinary an Extraordinary Adventure

I was probably 10 years old - blindfolded with my sister and cousin, the best of friends,
in the back of my grandma's white Cadillac. It had to be around 10 o'clock at night. My grandma
was hooting and hollering from the driver's seat as all four of us bounced around - driving through
a freshly harvested corn field. We were only told to remove our blindfolds when we stopped and parked
in a deserted, dark parking lot. It was the back of Hardee's and we were getting milk shakes!
Just another one of grandma's famous "adventures."

She taught me the art of making the ordinary, every day "good" things,
an extraordinary adventure.

I still crave the thrill of it all. I find myself daydreaming and scheming about how I can bring the
littlest of things to a new level of ALIVE for my little ones, my husband. It's not about the money or
the fanciness of it all. It's all in the details, the anticipation, the cultivation of the imagination!!!

We celebrated my 27th birthday this past weekend...


My parents were so kind to take our little ones for a few days so that Nathan and I could spend
some quiet time together. I jokingly told Nathan that I feared I'd be falling all over my words -
not capable of carrying on a regular conversation - because I am so used to be interrupted 173x's before
I actually spit anything out. Luckily we were totally able to get in touch with our pre-children selves
and the weekend was W O N D E R F U L.

Sleeping in. Eating whenever we wanted. Not having to share bites off our plates.
Coming up with ideas and just doing them. Talking. Praying. Going to Mass without a bag
full of snacks. Holding hands. Sitting for hours at restaurants.

Ordinary life. Extraordinary adventure.


I know that I was drawn to Nathan many years ago because of his child-like-ness. Kindred spirits.
We speak often of remaining child-like, not to be confused with childish, so that we can see, feel,
touch the wonders available to the innocent at heart. This world spins fast. The sin and darkness
age us all more than the years going by, but I like to believe that when you attempt to step away
from it all, the ordinary, mundane, becomes closer to what God intended for us all.

We were born for extraordinary.

I'm thankful for 27 years of adventure. Here's to a lifetime.

Having Children Actually Enriched My Marriage

"You're going to wait to have a baby, right?"

"You're getting married, enjoy each other! There will be time for a family... down the road."

"I'm warning ya, kids change things."


Obviously such words had zero effect on me and my husband. In one ear and out the other,
ten months after we said "I DO" we were hauling home some very precious cargo: our first son.
We traded in spontaneous date nights for all-nighters with a tiny wide-eyed baby who wasn't even able
to "shoot the breeze" with us. Oh he'd shoot things out all right, but that usually landed us our 100th
diaper changing event of the day and a load of laundry. Sleeping-in on the weekends, taking our time to
eat meals, uninterrupted conversations became ghosts of the past.

We went through a withdrawal of sorts, for sure. Sometimes I still twitch just thinking about peeing
in silence with no creeping toddler to ask me all sorts of questions while I'm doing my duty.
It's the United States of America for crying out loud - I should be free to pee alone.

We now have two children- 2 and 3 years old. Yea, the whole "wait to have children" thing
was like water off a duck's back for us. Come again? The other day, after a long weekend, my husband
and I were dying to be alone, hear ourselves think, maybe even take a nap. We ran to our bedroom
and hid under the covers giggling and wondering how long it would take before our children
realized we had gone into hiding.

Sixty seconds later, our youngest burst into our bedroom, triumphantly shouting, "I FOUND THEM!"
He climbed right up in bed, pushed us apart, and wiggled his little body right smack between us.
We lovingly refer to him as "Wedge."

I'm not trying to sugar coat it for you here or anything, but
would you believe me if I said, crossed my heart and pinky swore, that having children
actually enriches my relationship with my spouse?

Yes, there are moments when it feels like we are in two separate boats sailing away from each other as we
run this marathon of parenthood, but that is precisely what keeps us re-grouping, coming back together,
stepping up our game, and falling more in love as the years go by.

Raising babies is not easy.
Faint of heart and those seriously opposed to all things "bodily fluid" need not apply.
But if one can get over those minor details and find oneself staring into the eyes of a little person
created from the love a husband and wife share, I promise that "things will change." Now, it will be the
biggest oxymoron of your life - you'll give up anything, a million sacrifices, but gain everything.

And it will be so worth it.

When I see my husband cradling our child in his arms, I am reminded of all the times he stole me away
into his arms and lavished his love on me. I look at my children and see reflections of "us" - traits of
him and me - our love blended together and poured out into two human beings.
Every day we lay down our lives, as a team, to bring life to this family we have created.
It is binding; unifying in the most mind-blowing of ways. The rush, day in and day out,
to survive and thrive reminds us that we need each other as husband and wife
- that we must take time to re-group, re-charge together in the
love that started it all.

Having children has truly enriched my marriage.
The family that many thought should be "down the road" for us is our current destination
that we wouldn't trade for the whole, wide world.

I do believe babies + parenting + marriage is what you make of it, but if you decide together that the
"Wedge" will not conquer and divide, I'd say good things are head

-even if you never pee behind a closed door again.



Want to keep up with all the crazy? Yea, me neither.


INSTAGRAM is where it's at. Just sayin'.
Because I forget that Twitter exists.

Childrenisms

Last weekend we had some new friends and their little girl over for dinner.
Dinner was promptly followed by entertainment. Provided by my children of course.
They pull out all the stops. Be our guest.

So our friend asked their little girl, "Did you put things in their toilet?"
To which she responded, "No, it was the boys!"

From the dining room table, I see my 3 year old put his arm around our 2 year old -
both proudly beaming and nodding their heads: "Yea, we did it!"

I didn't even want to look. Just assess the damage and let me know. My husband kept sighing,
shaking his head, and saying, "It's a lot." What does that even mean?! A lot of what... Qtips?


We're talking:
Razors, travel-size shampoo and conditioner, pads, tampons, bobby pins, rubber bands,
blush, eye shadow, make-up brushes, a can of mace, a tube of lipstick, hair gel...

A couple flushes later and my husband was REMOVING the toilet to go "fishing."

Items FOUND:


A few days later I asked Isaiah: "Are you ever going to throw stuff in my toilet again?"
Isaiah, dead seriously: "Yes, I am."
Me: "I don't think you understood my question."
Isaiah: "I mean no?"
Maybe we should duct tape them shut, just in case?

Isaiah: "I'm going to marry Judah."
Judah: "Dude, you can't marry me. I'm a boy."
Isaiah: "Well, then I'm going to marry momma."
Judah: "She's already married, buddy."
Isaiah: "Well, if you turn into a girl, I'll marry you."
Judah:


Nathan: "It is good to confess our sins to God."
Isaiah: "Like saying 'damn it' - 'butt' and 'penis'???
Judah: "I'm sorry for saying 'bottom'.
My inner monologue: They totally used this opportunity to say all the "bad" words...
to punish or not to punish?!

Me: "Do you know what a cinnamon roll is?"
Isaiah: "Ummm... ummm... I bet the grocery store has one?"
Me: "Yea, but what is it?"
Isaiah: "I have NO. IDEA."
Me: "It's like a doughnut, but with cinnamon and frosting!"
Isaiah: "And I'm pretty sure I can't eat doughnuts, mom."

Me: "DO NOT lick the water out of your carseat cupholders!"
Judah: "Oh I'm licking it!"
Me (in a sing-song voice): "You're gooooooing to geeet siiiiick."
Judah (mocking sing-song voice): "Nooooo I'm nooooot."


Isaiah: "Mom you are big."
Me: "What does that mean?"
Isaiah: "Like. Um. Yea."
Me: "No really. I can handle it. What do you mean?"
Isaiah: "Liiiiike you're tall?"

Isaiah: "You're driving me nuts, kid."
Judah: "Yea, well I'm driving you nuts."
Isaiah:

Nathan: "You guys can do some jobs around the house to earn some money."
Isaiah: "Like color?"
Nathan: "Like no."

This is for the birds.

No seriously, this is for the birds.

My precious sister sent my boys a "craft-in-a-box" care package last week.
This is such a fun idea on so many levels!!! She included all the tools necessary to do
TWO springtime crafts (glue sticks AND an instruction manual?!) -
it was like Kiwi Crate all over again, but with such a personal, loving touch!

Within minutes of opening the package, my kids were begging to put the bird feeders
together. For some reason they thought THEY were going to get to eat the peanut butter
and bird seed. They were disappointed when I told them, "no." Like I was trying to save
their lives our something. Mothers.

Had to share this idea though!
It would be fun to pack up and send to some little ones that you
love, or just make at home with your own...


SUPPLIES NEEDED:

Empty toilet paper rolls
Popsicle sticks
Paper hole punch
String
Peanut butter + a spreading tool
Bird seed + paper plate

BASICALLY:

Spread peanut butter all over toilet paper roll (that you have hole-punched in four places /
two lined up holes for the popsicle stick and two for the string). Roll in bird seed. Insert
popsicle stick. Tie on string for hanging in the tree. Go feed some birds! Or squirrels.