Thoughts on George Washington's Birthday

As I glanced at the calendar yesterday morning before church, I realized it was George Washington's birthday. I mentioned it to Noah and Rylee, who are both very interested in him (perhaps because his image is found on money??). Noah said, "Wait a minute...George Washington is real?" I said, "Yes, Noah. George Washington was a real man, our first president, but he died a long time ago." Noah said, "Oh cool! Wow!"(his excitement was not over George dying, but the fact that he was real.) Perhaps in Noah's mind he was more like a super hero?

Later, after church, we had a potluck lunch. Rylee noticed that someone had brought in a large, decorated cookie cake for dessert. She wondered why someone brought it and I said it was for dessert. "Oh! They must have brought it in because they realized it was George Washington's birthday!!", she exclaimed. Too funny.

As we were gathering our things and leaving church, Noah carefully folded up his coloring sheet from Sunday School and tucked a little "note" in with it. He turned to me and said, very seriously, "This is a birthday card and a gift for George Washington." Well, if that isn't the most thoughtful thing! George Washington has gone from a make believe super hero type of a guy to a real, living person. Now, how to make him realize that George Washington was alive, but is no longer. Oh well...at least at this young age he knows who George Washington is.

Valentine's Day Fun

On Valentine's Day, we were treated to a fun party at our friend, Kristyn's house. It was wonderful to see her great family again. Her sister even brought her 5 day old son to the little party! We love those newborns. This is Kristyn's daughter, Maia, holding "Jofus", I mean Joseph. Isn't Maia a doll?



This is Kristyn's son Mekai, joining in the festivities. He's a cutie. He and Noah added some rough and tumble "boyness" to the otherwise mostly female party.



This is Gracie, Maia, and Maia's cousins. They were all hamming it up for the camera,especially Gracie.

Because our weekend was so packed, Matt and I were not able to celebrate Valentines Day then. Last night he arrives home, walks in the door and tells me to get ready to go. "Go where?" I say. "Out to dinner with me for a belated Valentine's Day dinner". "Awww...that's sweet honey, but this is the first I'm hearing about it and I have not called anyone to watch the kids." I say. "I have it all taken care of. Your sister Cindy should be here any second." As he says this, she pulls in. She even brought Happy Meals for the kids! I was relieved the house was halfway decent and picked up. I was originally going to bring Gracyn, but we decided to leave her with her siblings, and she did great. Not a peep out of her, even though she is teething. Matt and I enjoyed a really nice dinner together, without any kids. That is the first time in almost a year we have been without Gracyn, at least. As we arrive home, we hear loud laughter before we even open the door. Cindy was pulling the kids by their pant legs around the living room while they laid on blankets on the hardwood floor. They were nearly crying they were laughing so hard! So once again, Matt proves he's quite romantic, and once again, my family is there for us by letting us have a night out without kids. Sweet, huh?

Random beautiful things...

My childhood friend since second grade, Kelly, brought her son Brandon over last week for a playdate. Brandon fell in love with one of our dogs, Molly. Molly was so sweet and patient, letting Brandon cuddle her and love on her.


What is more beautiful than a pregnant woman? Not much! This is one of my best friends, Hannah, showing off her baby bump at her shower. Only a few short weeks to go!


This is the scene that greeted me this morning from our backyard. A beautiful sunrise breaking over the horizon. The orange glow was reflecting off of everything...our vehicles, the walls on our house, even the porch posts. It was stunning.





I came across this clip of Salma Hayek nursing a hungry African baby while she was visiting there doing humanitarian work. She nurses her one year old daughter and was able to hold this baby boy and fill his tummy up...how beatiful!

"Stanley, is that you?"

This afternoon I got a telemarketing phone call. The man was very polite, but all I could think of was this guy sounded just like Stanley from "The Office". I almost wanted to say, "Stanley, is that you? Are you trying to sell me Dunder Mifflin paper?".

Yes, I know Stanley is probably not his real name. Any other Office addicts out there?

That phone call just made me chuckle : )

Remembering...

Part of me wanted to post about this day just being bad overall...the baby is teething and had me up about 8 times overnight. I woke up not feeling great. And so the day began and it didn't ever seem to really improve all that much. However, I choose to not to devote a whole post to my yucky day. Because...there are so many more important things to dwell on, and I don't want to be so shallow. A week and a half ago, the kids and I were devastated to read that Tuesday had passed away from the Neuromblastoma that had plagued her for the last half year. She was just a little over 2 years old. We did not know her personally, but had been following her mother's blog for about 6 weeks. The kids and I had been praying for her every night and we even sent her cards and coloring pages, complete with our handprints traced on pretty paper. My heart just broke for her family, and especially her little twin sister. A few days later I followed a link in a blog I was reading to another blog. This mother was also writing about her 11 month old daughter who had just been diagnosed about 2 weeks ago with the same type of Neuroblastoma. Little Cora reminded me so much of our little Gracyn...chubby cheeks, bright blue eyes, fair hair and skin. Daily, I would follow the blog and see that Cora was holding her own. There were major bumps in the road, but it seemed like she was somewhat stable. Then, yesterday, I was shocked to read she had passed away early Sunday morning. Once again, a little girl I never met, but still loved by her family. I was crushed. In my head I've been reasoning how its so silly for me to get so upset at these little ones death. Yet, any mother often puts herself in that other mother's shoes. This little one who looked so much like my own daughter is gone, and now her parents are left childless. My consolation is that Cora's parents are believers, and that both girls are in the arms of Jesus, cancer free.

But, oh how my heart breaks for those parents. I have prayed for them so often since hearing their devastating news. I pray mostly for peace for them. As I was reading these sad posts, I felt so full of emotion. I'm so blessed...I'M SO BLESSED!! My children are healthy and full of life. I have an amazing husband. We enjoy our life together and have never had to deal with sadness like these parents are. Since first hearing the news of Tuesday's death, I've noticed I'm a bit more patient. I snuggle the kids close to me and breath them in. I squeeze the baby and hold her so close. I try not to complain when she wants me close in the middle of the night. So, who cares that I got up last night over and over with my fussy baby. At least my baby is here to be held and comforted. So, my kitchen was a mess this morning. At least I had children around to dirty it.

My arms feel full today. Full of blessings. And I'm so grateful.

Homeschool?

Do you homeschool? If so, head over to www.octamom.com. Its a great blog written by a mom of eight, who coincidentally also homeschools. She is hosting a giveaway on her blog through Homeschool Boutique. There were lots of great T-shirts, bags, etc. Head on over and check it out. Leave a comment for your chance at winning.