Today the girls and I went back to visit our “older” friends at the nursing home and handed out decorated autumn leaves with colorful jeweled stickers. We saw some people from last week (the ladies who I could just sit and probably talk for hours with…perhaps on a day when I don’t bring the girls, which might be easier said than done since I know the residents just LOVE visiting with the little ones) and we saw some new faces as well. Mr. “C” was a new face and he was just wonderful to visit with. Corinne gave him a bunch of hugs and I enjoyed hearing about “way back when.” I was told before we left that Mr. “C” rarely comes out of his room, so that made this visit even more special. I’m really looking forward next week’s visit! Now, to think of another Autumn craft…

Age these days is looked upon as something to fight against. From wrinkle creams to plastic surgery, our society puts the “beautiful” people up on pedestals and cast off the burdensome “old” people. I don’t want my girls to think that in order to be attractive, they need to “look” a certain way. Wisdom, knowledge, the character of their spirit…their heart…it is these things that I want my girls to focus on.

Yesterday, the girls and I decided to visit our nearby retirement home. Well, I think the correct term is “Assisted Living Community.” We made “Happy Autumn” cards - I had decided against saying “Happy Fall,” just in case…lol - to hand out to the residents. The girls had fun decorating them with colorful leaves made from construction paper and even more fun handing them out! Lilli was ever so polite and was eager to answer the “How old are you?” question - over, and over, and over again. Corinne was loving the attention and handed out more hugs than cards! And of course Eleanor was just snuggled in her blanket taking it all in. We had such a nice time that we’re going to visit with them every Wednesday morning.

The elderly deserve our respect and dignity. I feel that by visiting our older friends, my girls will learn to have a servant’s heart. They will learn to look past the grey hair, wrinkles, varicose veins, and look into a soul…to see where they’ve been, what they’ve done, learn from their experiences. At the same time, our older friends will have *adopted* children. They will have someone to visit with who cares about them ALL the time, rather than feel useless & avoided except on special occasions or holidays.

I can’t wait until next week

Alright - ignore the mismatched PJs and bedhead Can you guess what Lilli is imagining her bear to be?

A snail. Boy do I wish I were 5 again

I don’t know where “Up There” is…but today I’m 27 and sometimes I sure feel close to wherever that place is. I mean, c’mon, I’m a wife, mother (to almost three children ages 5 & under), homeowner, dog owner, homeschooler, house cleaner, cook, I’m sure the list can go on…  Other days, I have a 110% energy level, feel like I can run a marathon, and “Up There” is a million years away. I like that saying, “You are only as old as you feel.” I guess I’ll base my age on a day by day basis

You know, this preggo belly of mine is really getting in the way. Thank goodness I only have about a month left to go! My *bump* bumps into things, I find that I collect crumbs (maybe I need to work on my eating skills…lol), and today when I was baking a coffee crumb cake - let’s just say my shirt wasn’t a pretty sight. Just as luck would have it, Mandi sent me this link (her intuition is spot on!): http://www.rickrackattack.com where vintage aprons are their specialty. This one, called “Polka Dot Momma,” really caught my eye…how much fun?!

…Corinne and I have been Sukwe-sober for one week. Let’s all give Corinne a warm welcome to the “Big Girl Club!” That’s right, Corinne (a little under 22 months now) is no longer addicted to her Sukwe.

For those of you who don’t understand the word, Sukwe, let me explain. I’m sure you those of you with kids understand that not every word young children speak actually sound like they’re supposed to.  “Sukwe” was Lilli’s pronounciation of the word, something. She just couldn’t say it. “Strawr-burry” was strawberry, “Wohr-ange” was orange, and to this day she still says “Your-gurt” for yogurt. Pretty soon “Sukwe” became our family’s name for pretty much anything: “You’re my little sukwe,” or  “What a sukwe!” But, it really stuck when someone (don’t remember who exactly) referred to Corinne’s pacifier as a “Sukwe.” And then - it just became habit.

I’ve been wanting to break her of her pacifier habit for quite some time now, but have never followed through. What mother wants to hear her child crying for something so comforting and so loved? I would always cave. I started to only allow her to have it while going to sleep, but she is a smart girl and would climb into her bed, get her Sukwe fix, and climb back out to play. Smart girl indeed…but it prooves that Corinne is also a big girl now…she understands us completely, is on the verge of potty training, can feed herself, and no - she does not NEED her Sukwe. “Tough love,” I thought…and so I trashed the FOUR Sukwe’s that were my second born’s best friend. Now there was no turning back…

It took me about an hour last Thursday to get her to take a nap. She was SCREAMING at the top of her lungs, throwing things, and obviously not a happy camper. (You’d think my pep talk about how she is a big girl now would have worked with her…) She finally conked out and woke up still mad at me. Thursday night was a little better, but that’s because the Poppa was home to back me up. Why do the father’s only have to give them “that look” and the kids know they better behave themselves? I must know this secret! Granted, why do mother’s have the ability to sleep through an earthquake, but awaken as soon as they hear their child crying from ten rooms away? That was my case Thursday night when I (literally…picture it) jumped out of bed in the middle of the night to Corinne running up and down the hall upstairs screaming (while Michael didn’t even flinch). I calmly walked up the stairs (understanding why she was acting the way she was) and held out my hands to her: “Corinny come to Mommy and I’ll rock you.” “Otay” was her answer (made my heart just melt) and I explained to her that it was still night night time and time for us to sleep. A soft “Otay” was her answer again and I put her in her bed. She was out before I even left her room. That was the last time we had any issues with her not having her beloved Sukwe.

“Train a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
~Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)

With daughter #3 on the way, I’ve gotten some practice in being a mother to daughters - in good times and bad, I love it! Here’s a list as to why, with today’s Music Monday pick at the bottom:

1) The easiest to explain: I know what it’s like to be a girl: the issues, struggles, emotions, etc.
2) Strawberry shampoo & lotion
3) Sparkles and glitter
4) Pink & purple nail polish on their piggy toes.
5) My heart melts every time they yell, “PAPA!” and run with arms wide open to Michael when he gets home from work.
6) Dance party time before bed.
7) Pretending to be (depending on the day) a fairy princess, fuzzy cuddly animal, or grown up mommy. Watching Corinne rock her stuffed animals to bed.
9) Watching Lilli hug her sister & say, “It’s alright Corinne, let me give you kisses” when she gets a boo-boo.
10) Butterflies, flowers, & hearts.
11) I sigh each time I get to do their hair in ribbons and curls, after dressing them in those “adorable, cute, little outfits.”
12) Hugs, kisses, & snuggles…just because.
13) Hand prints on my windows
14) My Little Ponies in my car
15) Handmade…anything 16) Watching them (in my peripheral vision) watch me
17) Watching them show me (again and again and again) what I’ve taught them.
18) Colorful Band-Aids
19) STICKERS!!
20) And this song pretty much sums up the joy of motherhood: Jamie O’Neal’s “Somebody’s Hero” (which, of course, I cry to every time I hear it…lol):

It’s Monday again and you know what that means….time for a music flashback!

Today I chose Vanessa Carlton’s “Ordinary Day.” Perhaps this is just an age thing, but as I’ve grown older and as my life has changed (and continues to do so), I’ve really started to listen to the words of songs, rather than just liking them for how they sound musically or if they’re “danceable” or not (you know…can you shake your booty to it??) This is a perfect example. I first heard “Ordinary Day” when it came out in mid-2002, probably on one of those “easy listening” stations. I never thought about the words, never really liked it (the danceability level was and still is 0), but thought it was a “cute” song to listen to…especially if you were in a waiting room or even grocery shopping. However, 6 years have passed and I no longer listen to Fat Joe, Ashanti, and could not even tell you who is “in” right now on the hip-hop/pop charts. So Vanessa Carlton, take that as a compliment because I would love to listen to your music anytime…even in the grocery store
Now let’s get to the good stuff….what does this song remind me of? Simple answer with a lengthy explanation: a hard time in my life. After four years, I was finally coming to the realization that I was involved with a destructive person - one who I really didn’t want to be with, but felt I had to be to be in order to make it. I actually recall this person telling me, “nobody is going to ever love you….you’re a single mom.” I can now chuckle at this silly attempt to manipulate.

This next event is the turning point of my life: I met a “nice guy” who posed the question to me, “what is it that you want in life?” and then simply said, “well then take it.” I kid you not, a lightbulb went off…it was a “DUH!” moment! Sure, family and friends had told me to get away from the craziness, but it was this “ordinary boy’s” total belief in me that I could do anything…on my own…”just take it.” Literally from that moment, my life changed….and my not so ordinary Michael and I have been together ever since
Now is that a love story or what?!

“Ordinary Day”

Just a day,
Just an ordinary day.
Just trying to get by.
Just a boy,
Just an ordinary boy.
But he was looking to the sky.
And as he asked if I would come along
I started to realize
That everyday he finds
Just what he’s looking for,
Like a shooting star he shines.

He said take my hand,
Live while you can
Don’t you see your dreams lie right in the palm of your hand

And as he spoke, he spoke ordinary words
Although they did not feel
For I felt what I had not felt before
And you’d swear those words could heal.
And as I looked up into those eyes
His vision borrows mine.
And I know he’s no stranger,
For I feel I’ve held him for all of time.

And he said take my hand,
Live while you can
Don’t you see your dreams lie right in the palm of your hand
In the palm of your hand.

Please come with me,
See what I see.
Touch the stars for time will not flee.
Time will not flee.
Can you see?

Just a dream, just an ordinary dream.
As I wake in bed
And the boy, that ordinary boy
Or was it all in my head?
Did he ask if I would come along
It all seemed so real.
But as I looked to the door,
I saw that boy standing there with a deal.

And he said take my hand,
Live while you can,
Don’t you see all your dreams lie right in the palm of your hand
In the palm of your hand,
In the palm of your hand.

Just a day, just an ordinary day
Just trying to get by.
Just a boy,
Just an ordinary boy.
But he was looking to the sky.

Michael and I were chuckling about how life completely changes when you have kids….here are a few of my examples: 

Before: I knew every word to the top 10 hits on the radio.
After: I have no clue who Kanye or Rihanna are (how do you even pronounce those names???), but I know all the words to Disney, Sesame Street, & Barney Sing A Long Songs.

Before: I would go shopping with my friends at the drop of a hat to find that “must have item!”
After: Planning any time with friends requires at least a week’s notice and I can’t go shopping because I’d rather sign up for those email notifications to my favorite children’s store because my child “would look so cute in that!”

Before: Friday and Saturday nights were devoted to going out and then sleeping in until at least noon the next day.
After: “Going out” is going somewhere kid-friendly (we like Ruby Tuesday’s & Cracker Barrel) and “sleeping in” is now 7am…even if we’ve been up with our children to get a drink, use the bathroom, or check the closet for monsters.

Before: My home was spotless - everything was in it’s place.
After: I’ve tripped over about 10 toys and it’s not even noon yet…and how did my designer bag end up in my daughter’s closet??

Before: Getting a mani-pedi was done on a weekly basis…Heaven forbid if I ever broke a nail!
After: My nails are short so I don’t accidentally scratch baby during a diaper change.

Before: I worked out at least 3 times a week.
After: Running after my kids is now my work out.

Before: Grooming was an intricate process: hot baths or showers had to take at least 20 minutes (I never forgot to light those pretty scented candles!), I moisturized after using that special lotion that made my skin look 10 years younger, & each hair on my head was perfectly in place - because the price I paid for that hair cut was so worth it.
After: I take pride in getting ready in 10 minutes flat, I’m lucky if I even get a shower in (and the lotion I do have is the same bottle that I’ve had for the past 2 years…no wonder why my skin is dry), & I’ve learned that throwing my hair up in a pony tail is easier than trying to pry it out of my toddler’s hands throughout the day.

I wonder what having grandkids will be like…be sure to check back in about 20 years for that post - “Before & After: Grandchildren”

       Since our errands took longer than expected, the girls and I stopped into McDonald’s for lunch. We prefer Chick-Fil-A but since that was across town, we had to settle, but settle…I will not do again. It wasn’t the atmosphere, the food (granted Chick-Fil-A is healthier), or the people that discouraged me; it was the ”Happy Meal” toy- dressed in a mini skirt, sporting a midriff, and wearing much too much makeup - you guessed it: a miniature Bratz doll. Did I want my daughter to think that this is how a female should look and dress? Was this something I wanted my four year old to think was a “cool toy?” Above all else, was this something that would give glory to God?  Ummm…no. Fortunately or unfortunately (I didn’t know which one was better then), Lilli saw the toy and wanted it…’cause you know, it’s the “Happy Meal” toy! I know everything that happens, happens because God allowed it to. So, fortunately, I took this as an opportunity teach my precious 4 year old a lesson in modesty. I found that explaining modesty to a 4 year old was hard! How do you go about that?

Our next stop was to pick up a few groceries. After we walked past a woman in an aisle, Lilli said, “she’s not dressing in a nice way, that makes God sad.” I didn’t even notice (amazing how desensitized we become to inappropriate things after being exposed to so much corruption in this world), but the woman was wearing a halter with a plunging neckline (it is mid-October, right??). See how much they pick up? Not only was I thankful that God allowed Lilli to understand this truth, but I was thankful that He convicted me of my own faults in modesty. Just this past summer, I wore a few halters, a shorter than necessary jean skirt, and a couple of bikinis (not all at the same time, of course ) After I finish this blog, those are going straight in the trash!

Praise God who helped us accomplish more than just our errands today!
PS. Just a little tid-bit of info: Chick-Fil-A is a Christian based company, they are closed on Sundays to “honor God,” and their kid’s meal toy is educational (the last time we were there, a kid’s cook book was the toy…we’re going to make scones later today…yummm!)

1 Timothy 2:9
     “And I want women to be modest in their appearance.
                They should wear decent and appropriate clothing
      and not draw attention to themselves by the way
                they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes.”

1 Peter 3:3-4
     “Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes.
                   You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within,  
                                      the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” 

Proverbs 4:23
     “Guard your heart above all else,
               for it determines the course of your life.”