The Rossafari

Read Between the Lines

2011-10-24T17:30:00.000-04:00

Okay- I'm back. Since I've been a slacker I thought this is a good comeback to my blogging days and ways. So all I have to say is:

TAKE THIS!

3 +

1 = 4

Blrrrrrrpppppppp!

Apologetics

2011-08-25T19:26:00.001-04:00

Dearest cult like blogger followers- you know who you are.
I apologize for neglecting you for the past few months. I will return soon with more antics of the Ross household. In the mean time, sit back and relax- all is well here after a tumultuous summer of one family crisis after another. Nothing the Lord hasn't handled and used for the good of those that love him. I hope to write more soon...until then...

Random acts of...

2011-03-27T19:29:00.000-04:00

Ireson was in his bed, he was supposed to be sleeping, and I caught him with his feet up pushing up under the top bunk and tugging at this cover I made to hide/block the slats under the top bunk. During his acrobatics he pulled a part of the cover out from under one of the push pins nails that I had hammered in. After I startled him with my stealthy motherly moves and snuck up behind him and stood there, I told him that if he was caught again and ruined another spot on the cover than he would be disciplined and punished.

He sat there frozen and then with his big Eeyore eyes looked up at me with eager repentance and asked, "Punished? By God?"

I couldn't help but chuckle and replied, "No, God would be a LOT nicer and fair. You'd be punished by me!"
Apparently, that was satisfactory because then he said "Oh, okay," rolled over and went to sleep.

Today in Church, Ireson had to go for a potty break and he wanted me to go with him. So, as usual, we went into the ladies bathroom and into the large handicap stall where there is ample room for a fleet of family members to assist the youngins with their potty performing.

Now, lately at home I have been on the boys like crazy about their potty etiquette: turning the light on in the morning when you go to the bathroom, flush when you're done with going to the bathroom, aiming for the potty when you go to the bathroom, and most especially paying attention so you don't soak the floor or the potty when you go to the bathroom! I'm convinced there is no safe/non toxic chemical way to get the "you smell like you're in a gas station bathroom" smell out of the kids bathroom. Okay- perhaps it's not that bad but white tile and grout and 2 boys just don't go well together.

Anyhow, Ireson proceeded to stand in front of the potty at church and do his business when I hear him say with some panic in his voice, "MOM...I need your help."

"What's the problem buddy, just finish up?"

"Noooooo," he pleaded. "I'm all done but, (insert grunt and shoulder shrunking) I don't want to pee on God's potty and I just did!"

"Ireson, it's okay- he'll forgive you and I'll just clean it off." I reassured.

"Yeah, but this is HIS place and HIS potty and I don't want to mess up HIS stuff." he said very concerned.

"No problem buddy. See, I'll just clean it up right now and it's fine- see?" I said as I wiped it off with a wet wipe.

Big sigh of relief . "It's a good thing you know a lot about cleaning up potty's Mom."

"Yeah- I've had a LOT of practice."

No really, what About Socialization?

2011-03-01T16:24:00.000-05:00

By: Rebecca Kochenderfer
Seriously- people still ask that question.
If only homeschoolers had a nickel for every time they heard the question, "…but what about socialization?" I'd be rich! That infamous socialization question, for any seasoned homeschooler, is quite a humorous one!

Although non-homeschoolers worry that homeschooling may turn children into social misfits, we know that the opposite is true and the positive socialization is one of the best reasons to homeschool your children.

For centuries, children have learned socialization within the context of their own family and community. Institutionalized education is relatively new to the human condition. It is, and it always has been, through the home environment, that children learn the vast majority of their socialization skills.

[I've also heard the "well, eventually they'll have to face the real world." Exactly! And where does most of our "real world" happen when a child's grown?- IN THE HOME. And where do we want them learning the skills of how to "deal with the real world"? FROM THE HOMEMAKER! Homeschooled kids are out in the community dealing and communicating with people of ALL ages, ALL ethnic backgrounds, of ALL socioeconomic classes, ALL the time. Just because one is home-educated doesn't mean they're home alone. Yes, people still think this. Being stuck behind 4 walls for 8 hours a day with only people of their own age and maturity doesn't define effective socialization to me.]

Research supports this. According to Home Schooling and the Question of Socialization by Richard G. Medlin, "Home-schooled children are taking part in the daily routines of their communities. They are certainly not isolated; in fact, they associate with--and feel close to--all sorts of people."

He continues, "Home schooling parents can take much of the credit for this. For, with their children's long-term social development in mind, they actively encourage their children to take advantage of social opportunities outside the family. Home-schooled children are acquiring the rules of behavior and systems of beliefs and attitudes they need. They have good self-esteem and are likely to display fewer behavior problems than do other children. They may be more socially mature and have better leadership skills than other children as well. And they appear to be functioning effectively as members of adult society."

This and other studies support the irony of the socialization issue in homeschooling that we have known for years, which is that traditional schools are actually more on a path of de-socialization. In traditional schools students learn to stay in a class to which they've been assigned and are grouped according to age and academic level, and generally with students from the same geographic area and socio-economic background.

So in a sense, as I like to say, many people are homeschooling because of socialization reasons.

I remember my daughter, while she was in a traditional school, getting in trouble because she wanted to talk to her friends in class and the teacher kept saying ‘We're not here to socialize, young lady." The structure and reality of traditional schools are teaching students to be passive and compliant, which can follow the children throughout life. Children can learn to take abuse, to ignore miserable bosses or abusive spouses later on. In a traditional school someone else usurps authority.

This is where homeschooling comes in. Kids in homeschooling develop self-confidence and self-esteem; they learn to deal with difficult people when they are developmentally ready. When they are ready to go out into the world they know they have choices, a foundation developed in homeschooling.

So, the big question in homeschooling socialization is "Who do we want them learning life skills from? Caring adults, or peers who don't know any more than they do?"

In other words, socialization in homeschooling works better because children have more opportunities to be socialized through the modeling of good social behavior by caring adults rather than through peers, who do not know much more than they do. Parents give their kids the skills they need to interact with other people and also have the chance to protect their children.

Now what about the good stuff like Prom and Graduation? Many non-homeschoolers ask if I feel that I am depriving my daughter of these experiences. However, my daughter both participated in Prom and Graduation—they were just not organized by the state or a school. Many states and homeschool organizations have established proms and graduations for homeschoolers and a homeschooling family can even create their own private way to celebrate rites of passage.

Homeschoolers can participate in these activities because learning is faster in a homeschool setting, which means that students have more time to socialize. Contrary to popular belief, students are not at home chained to the kitchen table and crying over their worksheets every day, or peering out their work room windows with fear and disdain!

Quite the opposite! Homeschooling gives children more time to be out in the world, with people of different ages so they can figure out where their place in the world is, what they like/dislike, etc. With the extra time, homeschoolers also make an effort to create socialization opportunities for themselves, and to take advantage of those offered in their communities.

Organized spelling and geography bees, math leagues, and science clubs give homeschoolers a chance to compete academically; and swimming, soccer, baseball and other sports also allow them to interact with their peers in athletic competition.

Scouting, 4-H, and other activities are community-based and open to anyone and so provide homeschoolers with a variety of choices for socialization. Below are some other useful ideas for finding chances to socialize.

Opportunities to Socialize:

Get connected with homeschooling support groups, both state and local organizations.
(Homeschool.com has a complete list of local homeschooling support groups at: http://www.homeschool.com/supportgroups)
Find pen pals or e-pals (email).
Participate in homeschool family get-togethers, where you can often find out about non-publicized cooperative classes and field trips.
Get involved in community resources and opportunities - sports, scouting, dance/theater, etc. Contact your local parks and recreation departments.
Check out your community college, which is a good source for older students and allows them to interact with a lot of different people of different ages.
Volunteering. Volunteering is a great way to socialize but be aware there may be age restrictions, but some organizations will allow a child to accompany a parent volunteer.
Look into Camps. Camp is a wonderful chance for socialization and most camps have multi-age groups and counselors who act as role models.
Think about summer school, which is an opportunity to experience a school setting.
The homeschool support groups mentioned above work as support for the entire homeschooling family, which is important because homeschooling parents also need socialization; they need to have support, advice, and a sounding board from time-to-time and it is especially helpful if it is another homeschooling parent. Homeschooling organizations make it a priority to provide support for the homeschooling family and to allow them to feel connected.

So, as we've always known, there is no "socialization issue" in homeschooling. If anything, homeschoolers make a concerted effort to seek out and engage in many social activities and in many ways have more opportunities for doing so than traditionally schooled children do.

*This article published November 3, 2009.

Why I Homeschool

2011-03-01T16:02:00.001-05:00

Below is an editorial piece that completely speaks too much of the frustrations I’ve been facing lately primarily from dealing with the ignorance and persecution coming from within the brotherhood of believers. I don’t get offended easily, we're told to expect this type of persecution, yet I’m finding myself more and more aggravated at the blatant ignorance and stupidity, often by choice, of many who choose to ignore walking the “countercultural road” rather than “the only ever traveled road.”

I do thorough research on things, so far as checking footnotes and references for verification. All through Nursing School they ingrane in you the need for research, research, research. Yet, most nurses I know come out of school believeing that what the FDA says and does is sacred, the end all be all of health, if you will, and they fail to ever do their own research.

When I feel I need to form a Biblical opinion about something, eg. nutrition, medical interventions, how to use our bodies for exercise, healthy living, etc. I research it, thoroughly. Once I’ve heard about something “different” I believe it is my responsibility to figure it out based on sound and thorough research. I don’t just believe something because “that’s they way most people do it/believe it” (you can’t follow that line of thinking when it comes to your religious beliefs- why would you take that approach with anything else even half as important?) Or the attitute of “that’s how it’s always been done”, or “because I turned out alright.” That attitude right there should indicate that we’re not alright and that line of thought doesn’t hold up to scriptural scrutiny. If I need to assert my “own” opinions, I prefer to take them straight from scripture, 1-because it’s easier to effectively argue a point because God always wins:), and 2- I believe we are “thoroughly equipped” as it says, not partially equipped “for every good work” and we need look no further than the Bible for the answers.

Where I could use further assistance and practice is in the part of the delivery of these biblical opinions and communicating them effectively in a positive and convicting matter. I think the following article does a great job of that for me as it is a powerful, straight forward article that confronts, affirms, and convicts. It’s fairly lengthy so I will post it in numerous posts divided by primary subject. If I have anything more to say then I’ll insert my own comments in brackets as well. I post this within an American context of course and how it relates to our individual society and cultural.

Homeschooling: Living Out a Christian Worldview
Dr. Deborah Wuehler, Senior Editor

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)
“Homeschooling is most likely the best option for your family, but we don’t feel that God has called us to homeschool.” I’ve heard this from many Christians. I’m sure you have heard it as well. How do you respond to a statement that sounds so spiritual?

If we are not thinking Biblically, we might make the mistake of passing that statement off as a good reason not to educate our children at home. However, we are aware of God’s principles related to the instruction of our children, which are recorded in His Word, then we know that this statement does not and cannot stand.

So, what exactly has God “called” us to do? He has called us to live a life of obedience. (See Deut 6:4-7 and Ephesians 6:4)

In simple terms, living a life of obedience to God means living out a Biblical worldview. It means that we are to obey God’s commands, principals, and precepts taught in the Word of God as they relate to our lives- on a daily basis. But when the rubber hits the personal preference road, many of us either forget or don’t take the time to find out what that worldview should be.

The worldview of many Christians is so broad that it covers only the big picture. Thy believe in Jesus, go to church, and pray when they need to…Many, however, do not live out a Biblical worldview on a daily, more personal level, making every life decision based on Biblical principles. Decisions about marriage, family, finances, entertainment, and education are often made without even a though as to what is laid out in Scripture on the matter, and therefore such Christians unknowingly adopt the cultural, hence secular, worldview.

Let’s look briefly at some of these areas and identify the differences between the secular worldview and a Biblical or Christian worldview. [I posted Marriage and Entertainment in later posts.]

Education
A secular worldview is normally the only worldview in our public institutions, whether in elementary or higher education. Humanism and tolerance training are inherent within the system. Even now, homosexual organizations such as GLSEN and cohorts are pushing the anti-bullying legislation for all schools. This is really not about anti-bullying at all but rather is a pro-homosexual agenda to try to control the education world and promote tolerance for all of their godless behaviors and vain philosophies. [A most excellent point of this article!] The children they are purporting to protect are actually being subjected to a far worse end scenario of godlessness. Planned Parenthood unceasingly reaches into the school system to promote their abortion agenda, and all manner of anti-God agencies come into the schools to talk to little children-with or without parental acknowledgment or permission.

Under the guise of compulsory education, the public education system has slowly and systematically taken children captive in order to teach them the philosophies of the enemy. The lie is that only the government knows how and what to teach your children. The flipside of that lie is that you know nothing about teaching. Another deception parents have bought into is the lie that public education is neutral. What parent don’t see, and may not see until their children are grown, is that they are being bought by vain philosophies and sold to ideas that contradict those of God. The truth is that the public school institution is more about indoctrination than it is about education. Everything from atheistic curricula (especially the sciences), to amoral, relativistic ethics, to tolerance of homosexuality (and every other form of sensuality), all in unison, serve as a constant drumbeat aimed at undermining our children’s Christian foundation. These are the very philosophies and “strong holds” that the Apostle Paul says we are supposed to be warring against- II Cor 10:4-5. Paul says that it’s we, the Church, that are supposed to be “pulling” and “Casting down…every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God….” How is it, then, that 80% -90% of us have our children enrolled in the very institution that opposes God on every front? [The latest documentation finds that 1 in every 25 school aged children (K-12th grade) is homeschooled! I've verified this statistic as I like to do! That's one in every classroom and those are the kids that have to be "reported" to their County Governments. Some states don't require you to "report" that you're going to hs. That's over 3% of all school aged children in the country are hs-ed. It's obviously growing for obvious reasons.] We are raising our children to be disciples of Christ today, but if we don’t bring our children home, whose disciples do you suppose they will be tomorrow.

Therefore, the real issue has nothing to do with education or schooling or academics. The real issue is DISCIPLESHIP! [I’ve always told people when explaining why we homeschool- that it’s a matter of character and it's a discipleship issue not an academic issue.] Even the subjects we think of in terms of strict “Academics”- even these should be taught from a Biblical perspective. [This is a lot easier to do than people think. All subjects are God’s and of God and there are numerous curriculum plans out there that teach you "how to teach" and do so from the biblical perspective.]

Let’s look at what the Bible says at the very beginning: Creation. God made Adam and Eve and gave them children. God taught Adam and Eve, and they taught their children. God created the family unit, and discipleship was to occur naturally within that unit. Throughout Scripture, God tells fathers (and by default, and under their authority, mothers, too) to “teach your children that they may teach their children.” [This is not just in regard to God’s ways, this is where ALL knowledge begins. Look at the context!] This is where all knowledge begins. God created the family unit so that first and foremost children might be taught and trained to embrace the wisdom and knowledge of God. Therefore, I believe home education is one piece of the big picture of walking out a Biblical worldview.

Why should we keep our children home? Because God created the sacred institution of family, with fathers and mothers as the teachers and trainers and nurturers of their own children. We must take seriously the assignment God has given us to train up generations for His glory and His purposes. To do that, we must protect them from vain philosophies. We also must disciple them-with instruction and by daily example-to follow after righteousness, Godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness. We must teach them to fight the good fight of faith and lay hold of eternal life. Most importantly, as Deuteronomy 6:4-7 proclaims, we are to teach our children-all day long-to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. God is still looking to bless those whose hearts are fully His, “but without faith it is impossible to please him, for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Heb 11:6)

Homeschooling ensures that our children are not left on their own to defend themselves against the attacks of the enemy, which daily are carried out through the teachings of a secular worldview. As homeschooling parents, we are right there with our children, discipling, protecting, sheltering, teaching, and training them, so that when they become older and more mature, they will be able to face the world on their own, and do so in victory. They will grow up to become true ambassadors for Christ, representing the King, because we have taught them on a daily basis to honor that King.3

“But though, O man of God, bless these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” (I Timothy 6:11-12) “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ…” (II Cor 5:20)

Homeschooling is living out a Christian worldview in our daily lives. It’s saying we don’t belong to this culture; we belong to God, as do our children. God rewards families that are fully His. Keep those children Home Where They Belong.

Editor’s Note: An extensive list of Scriptures that promote home education may be found at the following link: http://TheHomeschoolMagazine.com/ScripturalSupport.php

Endnotes:
1. www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s1300.pdf, accessed November 18, 2010.
2. Craig Groeschel, The Christian Theist: Believing in God but Living As If He Doesn’t Exist, Zondervan, 2010
3. Several excerpts in this section were taken from HomeschoolBlogger.com’s Free Classes presentation of “Why Homeschool?” (http://homeschoolblogger.com/webinar/homeschooling-teaching-a-love-of-reading). Scroll down to the second presentation by Deborah Wuehler.

Biblical Worldview of Marriage

2011-03-01T15:48:00.002-05:00

Marriage

The world today picks a spouse like they pick their favorite ice cream or football team: they hope for compatibility, love, and loyalty but fin that none of these is long-lasting. Consequently, their crumbling moral foundation, which is based on a religion of self-pleasure, brings separation and divorce to more than half of those who wed. In 2007, for every 10.9 marriages per a population of 1,000, there were 5.4 divorces. In the US alone, there were 10,6000,000 single parent households.1 Unfortunately, a comparable percentage of divorce exists within our churches. One reason may be that those in the church have followed the world’s patterns and have not lived out a Biblical worldview of full commitment to their spouses, and more importantly, to God. Therefore, their commitment wanes and ebbs in perfect sync with a lack of conviction to uphold the vows they made before God and man. Following God’s principles for marriage “until death do we part” just isn’t in their worldview.

The Biblical fact that God hates divorce is ignored while couple after couple break their vows and pastors turn their heads the other way and fail to respond with proper disciplinary measure. (See Malachi 2:13-16.) A Christian worldview of marriage upholds the Biblical principle of keeping vows made both to and before a holy God, who takes these vows much more seriously than we do, as is evident in the Church.

We do not pledge our marriage vows as an experiment that is easily turned aside when things get difficult, any more than we pledge our lives to Christ as an experiment and abandon Him when “life doesn’t work out.” As our society rejects God’s design for marriage, marriage partners end up rejecting each other. In my own personal view, this “try it on” view of marriage stems from the “try it on” view that a superficial dating system provides beforehand. No commitment necessary obviously leads to no commitment ever-at least half of the time. [I have said this since I was a teenager! The whole “you’re young, date for fun, fall in love, a relationship shouldn’t be hard work but feel easy, God just wants us to be happy” mentality makes me sick. First of all, “falling in love” is NOT a biblical term or concept. I hate that term. Love is a decision, plain and simple. We shouldn’t be encouraging our young people to date unless they can say “this person would be a person that God wants me to marry and I should pursue that for his Glory to bring them and me closer to God. If this relationship doesn’t accomplish that then don’t waste you time.” You can’t find biblical support to think otherwise, I challenge you. God doesn’t “just” want us to be happy, he wants us to be holy! Second of all, every single problem in a marriage, or any relationship for that matter, stems from selfishness. “The center of sin is always I.”]

“Before this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” (Ephesians 5:31-33)

Biblical View of Finances and Entertainment

2011-03-01T15:47:00.000-05:00

Finances and Entertainment

Where we spend our finances and where we spend our time declares our worldview. A secular worldview spends its finances and time on self and pleasure. High-cost housing, food, clothing, and Hollywood entertainment fill a secular worldview with a motto of “Live well now!” Add to that the “what’s in it for me?” worldview and you have a formula for a society imploding in its own selfishness. [I love that phrase!] This entertainment/entitlement philosophy has obviously made its way into the Church, blurring the lines between secular and sacred. This ought not to be. To stay in balance here, I’ll quote author Craig Groeschel: “God isn’t against people having money and things, but He certainly hates when money and things have His people.”2 [One most often misquoted verse is “money is the root of all evil.” Money isn’t the root of all evil- the Bible says “the LOVE of money is the root…” Again, it’s vital to examine scripture closely.]

A Biblical worldview spends its finances wisely so as to share with the poor and spread the Gospel. Those who hold to a Biblical worldview spend their time on things that are worthy of honor before God. They set no wicked thing before their eyes. They do not waste precious time on fruitless entertainment but rather deepen their relationships with God, family, neighbors, and country thereby being “entertained” with real life. (See Colossians 3:1-4)

[It blows me away that, in even the financially strained economical state of our society, the entertainment world continues to be the largest growing self pleasure industry. I know so many people that complain “I’ve got no money” and yet continue to spend near $100/month on their satellite TV, go out to eat numerous times a week, spend $100s/month on their souped-up phones and app packages, and yet “feel the pressure” of these “hard times.” It’s hard to have sympathy for those who refuse to help themselves and radically amputate that which enables their habitual irresponsiblity. Let’s be honest, we choose to work to maintain the lifestyle that we chose for ourselves. Granted there are the exceptional cases of necessities for a 2-income family like the need for health insurance, etc. though very few and far between.]

Biblical view of finances:

“And if thou draw out they soul dot the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall they light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday; And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy they soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” (Isaiah 58: 10-11)

“Wherefore do ye spend your money for that which is not bread? And your labor for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good.” (Is 55:2)

“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.” (I Timothy 6:17-19)

Biblical view of your time

“That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” (I Peter 2:7)
Biblical view of entertainment:

“I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. A froward heart shall depart from me; I will not know a wicked person.” (Psalms 101:2-4)

Much like the aforementioned views on marriage, family, finances, and time, our final focus on education also will prove to be insightful as it relates to our worldview.

Poop-sicle

2011-02-03T19:24:00.000-05:00

I'm fine with the dog using our front walkway as her personal toilet when she can't get into the yard because the snow is well above her head. However, I am NOT okay with snow blowing poop half way across the yard and having it streamline and hit one of my children in the head...though this speaks to the awesome manliness that is my snow blower.

Indeed, I launched freshly laid dog doo way across the yard where I thought the kids were out of reach. It was though I was out of my body and I saw it as it was happening but couldn't stop it. I felt like I was stuck in slow motion and all I could think of was..."Oh, S***! (Pun intended!)

I then yelled at Teagan to stop in her tracks and to: "COME HERE NOW!" I figured she would think that I was scolding her for not being out of the way (which they're usually very cautious about), and there was no way I could tell her what just happened or she would be in hysterics. Fortunately, the poo got mixed up with the snow and ice from the ice storm, froze almost instantly and simply slid off without leaving any stinky residue of any sort. Yes I smelled to make sure. Shocking I know. I then sent her on her way, was careful not to step in any of the numerous piles that I had just strewn across the lawn and busted out laughing since it was all I could do to contain myself.

Now, if only to figure out a way to strap a camera onto the snow blower to record some of the hilarity that is my life and win me some money!

It's...it's....it's A...............

2011-02-03T19:12:00.000-05:00

James after a week of blechy weather: "MOM! LOOK!....up in the sky! It's a bird, It's a plane. It's....................(wait for it!) THE SUN!"

Does my house smell fishy?

2010-12-13T08:40:00.000-05:00

Imagine a fish swimming in a river. The swimming fish is content in its environment. It is where it belongs; doing what it is created to do. Now imagine someone scooped the fish up in a net and placed in on the riverbank. What happens? The fish flops and struggles on the ground.

So- how do WE keep our children from being fish out of water and stinking up our house?!

No one will argue that our number one job as parents is to open our children’s eyes to God’s love and God’s ways.

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (Deut 6:4-9)

We teach our children how much God loves them:
By example–fulfilling the greatest commands loving God and others.
By reading the stories from God’s Word teaching them to respect God and learn of His ways.

I recently had a revelation concerning Prov 22:6. It's the verse we all turn to when speaking of training and teaching children in the Lord but it means SO much more!

Proverbs 22:6 says Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

This verse shows us a parent’s training must be based on knowing his or her child and their individuality and uniqueness. The Hebrew text has the personal pronoun attached to the noun “way.” It reads, “his way” and not simply “in the way he should go.” “Way” is the Hebrew word derek, which means “way, road, journey, manner.”

Our job is to recognize and acknowledge our child’s purpose –his unique way or bent–then provide the environment, help, encouragement, and the tools to help them full fill it.

God will reveal bits and pieces of your child’s purpose through the seasons of your life. We are to pray to recognize it and be aware of the revelation. Then help them recognize their identity and make available the skills needed for that purpose to be manifested.
On of the worse things we can do is to push our agenda upon them. God forbid we miss recognizing our purpose or miss helping our children find their purpose.

I'm sure it's common for most mothers to awake to the chorus of little voices asking, "What are we going to do today"? Well, I decided the other day that my response to them will now be to ask God's guidance and pray: Good Morning Father. What would you have us do today? What would you have us say? Open our eyes to Your Light, direction and will. Show me as Mom what you want me to teach your children today.

God will lead you into your purpose and your child’s purpose. You don’t need to strive to find it. He is able to guide you exactly where you need to go; your job is to keep your eyes and ears open. Spiritual maturity is about coming to the end of ourselves and realizing just how big God really is, and that there is no way that we could ever do it on our own! I find great freedom in knowing that I don't have to do it on my own. I have an amazing family and ecclesia to assist! I say it doesn't take a village to raise a child, it takes an ecclesia!

Seek God and rest assured, He will perfect that which concerns you and your children. (Psalm 138:8). Trust, have confidence in Him, wait in joyful anticipation for Him to revel His will. “Blessed are all who wait for Him.” Isaiah 30:18

And due to a certain child's uniqueness of being a self motivator and leader, I'm told, "I think God wants us to go outside and play in the 4 feet of snow today"!

I won't tell them though that was already on MY agenda today.

Manificent

2010-11-04T17:14:00.000-04:00

Ireson's prayers have blossomed into very thoughtful, heartfelt moments. He comes up with wonderful and sincere things to discuss during his prayer time. He talks as though he's simply having a discussion with his heavenly father. It's precious and a great lesson for us all! James has told me that I need to take the video camera in there some evening and secretly tape him. Most nights we look at each other with a look of pride and astonishment with the things he says and other times we have to bite our lips to keep from laughing out loud. I think God and Jesus are smiling and laughing at some of the things that come out of this kid's mouth.

For instance, Ireson said the prayer at lunch today after an important and evidently impressionable body part discussion earlier in the day. He prayed:

"Thank you God for giving me testicles so I can have babies when I get to be a man." After lunch, he then proceeded to chant a little song about his "magnificent testicles".

I, for one, shall now refer to them as "MANificent testicles" as I've been eternally impression-ed by this kid's whit.

One Needful Thing

2010-10-09T08:01:00.001-04:00

Okay- So I have decided that I'm going to start putting my devotional journal, thoughts, etc. into my family blog. I often read great articles as well that I will probably cut and paste from as well to save having to keep the paper. Why? Because, I don't have the time to make a seperate blog, and I think it is of vital importance to write down our thoughts for future generations as they pertain to God's Word and Wisdom. Where would we be without our beloved Biblical authors?! Simple enough, enough said.

So, here goes my latest thoughts on something that I've been struggling with lately. Some thoughts I gleaned from a recent article from a Jewish magazine.

While we are teaching our children to study, research, and write, we need to remember that they are establishing and perfecting tools that they will one day use to God’s glory, depending on their unique, individual talents.

Homeschoolers sometimes get so wrapped up in academics they forget the one needful thing. We start to worship the academic God rather than the one true God that deserves our be all and end all.

Remember the story of Mary and Martha- Martha was very busy with preparations as Mary sat at the feet of Christ. When Martha complained about Mary, Jesus answered and said unto her, “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:40–42).

Only One Thing is Necessary!

The lesson is simple: only one thing is truly necessary. Everything else that does not promote that one thing is extra. A willingness to sit at Jesus’ feet and hear His Word is the most important thing we can ever teach our children. Sensible Martha had many accomplishments, but worry and trouble were her rewards. Mary, on the other hand, was praised for choosing that good thing which was itself her reward and which would not be taken away from her.

Martha’s preparation work was not wrong; in fact, it was important. I think most of us tend to be more of a Martha than a Mary and there's nothing wrong with preparation, planning, and organizing. Yet it was Martha’s focus that was wrong. I have to remind myself of this often! I keep a smooth running, generally clean house, which I don't find much effort for me. I'm very organized and energetic so it comes naturally for me. I'd rather get something in order than sit down and leisure read or watch TV or take up a hobby. I have hobbies, but they come second to keeping my home. Cleaning is kind of like a hobby. I don't stress about it generally and I'm laid back, but I am a planner and a doer. Thankfully I'm not a worrier though, yet I don't especially like to entertain. I'm not a "more the merrier" person.

Last year, I used to prefer to get my house in order before sitting down and working with the children. It wasn't until I started to homeschool that I realized the importance and pure joy of making their time a priority and doing the work with the kids first and take on mopping or scrubbing the tub takes second place. I was promptly blessed in seeing the benefits by reversing this order.

It is our focus that makes the difference. Social achievement, which the world stresses so much, is important; but it is nothing without Christ. “But what about academics—math, language arts, history, and science?” Of course these things matter, but only as they sharpen your focus on the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Academic subjects are important tools, but they are only tools, not the goal. The moment academics cloud your view, to whatever degree they slow your pursuit of God’s will, they then move from being helpful tools to what Jesus calls “cares of this life.”

Homeschooling isn't a matter of academics. It's a matter of character. Do I spend 4-5 hours a day on the academics and are my kids on target or advanced for where they "should be"? Absolutely! But I think God has blessed me the peace and benefits that come as a result of integrating Him into every subject because every subject (academically and otherwise) comes from HIM!

Here is an excerpt from the article. "Do not let the important keep you from the necessary. And, in Jesus’ words, only one thing is truly necessary. It is a message both simple and profound: simple because the truth of it is not complicated, but perfectly evident, and profound because the truth in everyday life cuts across everything that habit and fleshly indulgence have trained us to accept as important or even necessary. A godly person who is determined to know Jesus above all else will find all academic studies based in the simple reality of all things work(ing) together for good to them who love God and are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28)." This is straight from the article I read and how profound and prevalent it is!!!

Additional thoughts: Homeschoolers are blessed with extra time to study God’s Word. We should take the time to set strivings and anxieties aside . Discover and understand who Christ is. Sit at His feet and feast at the table of His mercy, forgiveness, and peace. Learn the unseen things of God. The spiritual life is that good part, which shall not be taken away from you or from your children!

True wisdom is the ability to judge correctly and to follow the best course of action, based on knowledge and understanding. If you really want to teach true wisdom, spend a significant amount of your homeschool time studying and teaching God’s Word. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

So there you have it. My first "thoughts" blog.
Ahhh....my brain downloaded into an electronic venue....the 21st century equivalent of liberating.

Fix That, Spell This

2010-09-24T13:13:00.000-04:00

One day, last week, while I was getting dressed, Lil' James comes into my room and hands me a mini slinky all twisted up. He hands it to me and says, "Mom, just throw it away. That's going to be impossible to fix."
"I can fix it just give me a few minutes to finish getting ready" I replied.
"NO MOM- it's impossible. YOU won't be able to do it!" he continues.
"James, remember what we read in our readings, 'all things are possible with God'"?- I said.
Then he looks at me with the patronizing look that deems me a complete moron and says, "Yeah, but MOM, I'm talking to YOU and YOU can't handle it so just throw it away."
Humph- I showed him and fixed it in like 60 seconds flat and sported a victorious smirk.

There was something about gaining vindication from a 7 year old that was necessary at that point in time.

Yesterday, I gave James his spelling test and when we got down to about the ninth word he starts giggling. I asked him what is so funny and he replies, "Oh, you'll see."

"James you need to focus and take this seriously. Now let's continue," I replied and proceeded with the remaining twenty total words. When he was finished he brought his paper over to me chuckling to himself and flung his paper onto the counter and went for his break outside. Here are the words he was supposed to write with his answer following:

Spelling Word                          His Word Spelled Out (I added the dashes)
splash                                       s-p-l-a-s-h
split                                          s-p-l-i-t
spray                                        s-p-r-a-y
spring                                       s-p-r-i-n-g
sprinkle                                    s-p-r-i-n-k-l-e
scrap                                       s-c-r-a-p
scrape                                     s-c-r-a-p-e m-y b-o-o-t-y, aahhhhhhh
scrub                                       s-c-r-u-b m-y b-o-o-t-y
strip                                         s-t-r-i-p
stripe                                       s-t-r-i-p-e
squish                                      s-q-u-i-s-h I-r-e-s-o-n l-i-k-e a b-u-g
squeal                                     s-q-u-e-a-l
squeak                                    s-q-u-e-a-k
stink                                        s-t-i-n-k l-i-k-e a T-e-a-g-a-n
stank                                       s-t-a-n-k l-i-k-e a I-r-e-s-o-n
stunk                                       s-t-u-n-k l-i-k-e a s-k-u-n-k
pretty                                      m-o-m-m-y B-e-c-k-y R-o-s-s

funny                                      d-a-d-d-y J-a-m-e-s R-o-s-s
were                                       w-e-r-e
there                                       t-h-e-r-e

I suppose every class has their class clown, and he's ours.

Rotten Egg

2010-08-12T17:20:00.001-04:00

This morning, in her room, Teagan was playing waitress with her dainty, pretty, pink, little girly-girl kitchen- the place where God's design of girls unfolds in those precious early years of life. The place where you're moved to tears at the sight of your daughter embracing the joys or motherhood, wifery, and the childhood experience. The place where the imagination concocts the most fabulous of edible delights...well sometimes.

Teagan brought me an assortment of "eggs" that she described as: "scrambled, or sunny over-sided eggs, soft-boiled eggs, and (my favorite) oh!- don't eat those red ones- they taste like rotten dead baby chicks...but don't worry Mom, I won't serve those to the guests."

So- who's coming over for dinner?

Preach On

2010-07-28T16:51:00.000-04:00

There was an incident at one of our Bible Schools this year where a mother put her sick young child in the nursery. I was at the nursery about to drop off my kids and a bunch of their cousins for some evening play when they heard me discussing with the head of the nursery the situation and its impending doom and gloom. The children, all 7 of them, were utterly shocked at the apparent audacity of this mother and her insistence of leaving this sick child in the nursery. All the kids and I had a great discussion about responsibility and the importance of thoughtful decisions and how our selfishness can affect other people and have long term and often bad consequences. They were all very agreeable and understanding. Teagan was especially adamant with her disgust of the situation and that something MUST be done about it! She looked at me with a preachy pointed finger and said, "I know what she (the mother) needs. She needs a prophet to tell her what to do!"

Thou Art The Man!

2010-07-19T18:04:00.000-04:00

Ireson likes to refer to his accomplishments of the bodily realm whilst asserting and verifying his apparent manhood. When he poops a large amount he'll announce it by yelling, "Mom, I pooped for you AND Daddy and it's A MAN poop!"-spoken with sincere pride and often accompanied by grunting.

Sometimes, it can be deserving of such accalaides as being a "Daddy poop!" or even a "Grandpa Poop!" - when it's of the utmost proportion of course. He'll even refuse to flush it until he's made sure that you too have had a sneek peek at the winner.

His manliness issues have even spilled over into what he wears, or rather doesn't wear, when he goes to sleep, nap or otherwise. Today at nap time, I asked him the ususal question as to whether or not he wants his pants on for nap time. He replied, "No, I want them off so I can be manly. AND take my shirt off too so I'm MORE manly. Not just half manly Mom...I want to be ALL man."

Hmmm....too typical.

Cuterson & Spiderson

Can You Hear Me Now?

2010-06-20T20:01:00.000-04:00

I've said it before- Ireson loves to sing. Ireson loves to belt out the hymns during the church service. Today was no exception. I often read him the line first and then he sings along with bells and whistles and it's not uncommon for people from the other side of the church look over or turn around and start to laugh and smile. It's inspiring to see such enthusiasm and joy in the worship of a child. A lesson for us all!

Today, Ireson was getting "carried away" shall we say and was practically yelling the words. I told him to sing "nicely". He happily obliged for a couple of minutes and then began to work his way back up to a yell. I had to remind him that we're "singing to God, not yelling at Him." Well, I apparently don't sing loud enough because Ireson looked at me as though I've been misinformed and told me, "Mom, I have to yell so God can hear me up in heaven."

I should have known better.

Stop The Press!

2010-06-15T12:41:00.001-04:00

You know that feeling you get when you hear loud foot pounding running followed by a child's yell. Well, Teagan came running in screaming at the top of her lungs MOOOOOOOM! I thought something was seriously amuck until she spotted me and went into a single breath rant:

"James and I are teaching Ireson to ride on James' bike. He didn't fall off, didn't crack his head open, isn't getting dirty, isn't scared, we're not fighting, James is on the one side and I'm on the other, we're holding him the whole time, we're being really safe and responsible, and HE WENT BY HIMSELF FOR LIKE 10 SECONDS, okay maybe 3, but we've got it all covered. It's SO COOL! You've gotta come see him." Huff and puff, and huff and puff.

I just stared at her for a moment processing and letting my mind catch up with the details before I realized that everything was okay and giggled. Then I had to ask her "Well, if you're in here with me then who's on the other side of the bike?"

Teagan looked at me in a moment of astonishment and said, "Gotta Go, bye" and ran out of there like there was an emergency.

Meanwhile, I hear Ireson out of the window discussing with James the pride of his new found talent.
"James, tell Daddy that I'm great at riding your bike and Teagan's bike. He be sooo proud of me."

James' response: "Okay, now focus Ireson, we've gotta stay in the grass because the pavement is bad news."

Teagan-Tooter-Betty

2010-06-09T08:25:00.001-04:00

We were at Mom and Dad's on Saturday doing the clean-up from the garage sale madness. James and Teagan went with either Grandma or Grandpa to drop off books at Half-Price books or take stuff to the Salvation Army. I knew it was a mistake sending Grandma to a bookstore to get rid of 8 bins, yes 8! and not expect her to come back with anything. She got Teagan the Tinker Bell movie as a thank you for all her help.

Grandma, Aunt Sarah, James, Teagan, and Ireson were all piled on the bed watching. Grandpa, the studio audience, was in his reading chair and commented to Teagan, "Ya know Teagan... All these fairies never toot."

James and Ireson busted out with a laugh and Teagan looked at Grandpa with a look of "oh please," pointed to herself and said, "Not this Fairy."

Please and Thank You Lord

2010-06-09T08:20:00.001-04:00

I had one of those Mama moments last Sunday on the way to church. You know- the kind that make you cry instantly, pull on your heart strings, proud as could be, can't wait to share it with people moments. Daddy had to drive separately as I had to stay after for a meeting. Lil' James asks, "Mom, I'm going to read to you out of my Bible on our way to church, Okay?"

"Of course!" I said. "What better way to help keep the focus of the day, then to start it off with scripture readings."

As I eagerly await to have my seven year old, eldest child and son begin to read to me from the Bible, I hear page flipping and "hmmm-ings." He pipes up after a moment, "Mom does C-h-r-o-n-i-c-l-e-s spell Cronickles?"
"Yep- it sure does." I answered.
"K. I thought so because "CH"ronicles didn't sound right." Then he started to read to us on our most pleasant ride to church.

James was praying the other day for lunch. We had just finished doing some school and some Bible readings. During his prayer he asked, "And God, please help me to keep getting better at reading because some of those big words like, [Mom- what was that one today?]....."
"Warrior and adversity?" I whispered.
"Yeah, God, sorry, warrior and adversity. Those were kind of hard! And help me be patient. Amen."

Amen to that!

Ode' to Your Mama

2010-06-09T07:59:00.000-04:00

Ireson's latest jingle dedicated to me.

I like to cuddle wiff my Mommy.
I like to cuddle wiff my Mommy.
I give her the best hugses and kissessess
'Cause I like to cuddle wiff my Moommy. Pommy.

See Mom- I made it rhyme 'cause all my songs rhyme!

Potty Mouth

2010-06-08T08:56:00.002-04:00

Ireson disappeared yesterday while I was outside with the kids playing and I began wondering where he had gone. Fortunately, the windows were open and I heard a faint yelling coming from inside the house. I went inside to investigate as I assumed he had gone to the bathroom. He was in there yelling, "MOMMMY! I went potty COME and WIPE MY BUTT!!!!!"

As I commenced with my motherly duties, Ireson asked me "Am I allowed to say poop while I'm in the bafroom? That not being crude?"
I told him as long as we need to talk about poop it's okay to talk about it while you're IN the bathroom.

"So, I can say pees and poop when I'm in the bafroom? That okay too?"
"Yes, Ireson. If you're not being crude you can discuss those things in the bathroom."

Looking more of a coy boy at this point he asked: "Can I say poopy butt in the bafroom?" he asked. This comes after his brother got disciplined earlier in the day for yelling at his sister and calling her a poopy butt. "Yes, you can say it in the bathroom."

"Can I say penis in the bafroom den too?" he prodded as he smirked at me as though he was concocting an evil plan.

"Is there something you need to tell me about your penis?" I asked.
He replied, "No, I okay" and continued pulling up his pull-up and pants. "Can you go out and go away now please?" he inquired as he was about to wash his hands.

So I left as he's responsible enough to finish up on his own. I shut the door and stood there listening to him as he sang a little ditty to a sweet little tune with dramatic inflection and all. If only the words were so sweet :)

(Imagine him singing this with his lateral lisp)

"Poopy butt, poopy butt, penis, penis, penis, penis, a Peeeeeeniiiiiisssss! I poop and pee in the bafroom and that's okay. I not be crude in the bafrooooooom. Poopy poooooopy a pooooppy buuuu......hhhhhuuuuuuttttttt. Penis." He turned off the water, dried off his hands, opened the door and went on his way.

Boys. I'm glad he got more than poop out of his system in there.

Teagan's Communication Stinks

2010-06-03T16:51:00.000-04:00

Yesterday - Teagan tooting: "I just released my inner skunk."
Thanks for the news flash stinky-tink.

I took the kids out for lunch today and the chairs were insanely loud on the ceramic tile floor. Teagan moved her chair and "SCREECH! Then a person way on the other side of the room moved there chair and "SCREECH!"
Teagan explained to me "that the chairs were communicating their mating calls to each other".

What is it with my children?!

Shepherd of My Heart

2010-05-06T21:46:00.001-04:00

"The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."

We visited a sheep farm that belonged to the family through whom we purchased our latest grass-fed beef supply. When Brad, the owner, delivered our meat a couple of weeks prior, he talked with us for 45 minutes telling us about his sheep farm. He joyously shared with us their farming philosophies and techniques, their goals and interests and encouraged us to come out for a visit to meet their 140 sheep, including their recently birthed babies that we could bottle feed! He was such a genuinely nice guy that I took him up on his offer and invited a friend of mine and her 3 kids to join us for a day at the sheep farm.

Upon arrival, the kids eagerly ran up to the barn towards the direction of the loud chorus of bleating.

The barn was packed with 140 sheep: big sheep, little sheep, white sheep, and black sheep. The sheep were free to roam where they desired. Brad told the kids to go absolutely where ever they wanted: up and over fences, in the stalls amongst the babies, in the barn yard amongst the big mamas, or out in the meadows and pasture. You really don't get a good perspective of just how large a full grown sheep can be if you're standing behind a fence! There was a separate pen where the lambs that Brad bottled fed, because their mothers didn't care for them, could jump through the fence and get some respite from the rest of the herd. They would run up to the kids without fear and lick them and nuzzle them and eat out of their hands.

The smell was rejeuvenating. The land was gorgeous! Rich green grass graced the vast rolling hills and meadows. It went on as far as the eye could see. It was glorious! The hills were alive with the sound of baaaaaaing...ah ah ah ahhhh.

There was a tree line way back at the edge of the pasture and Brad told us that the property even went far beyond the wooded area and the sheep were free to roam where ever they desired. The herd always stuck together and never strayed too far away and always returned upon hearing the shepherd's voice calling them or when ever he'd wave a white bucket in the air. Then they would stampede back thinking that they were about to be fed.

Teagan the terrorized Betty got to experience a stampede first hand...or rather first hoof. The boys, being boys, adopted the responsibility of shepherd with pride and testosterone fueled fervor. They were herding the sheep as well as any ol' sheep dog could! It was impressive! It was one of the coolest things I've ever seen. James said it was one of the best days of his life!

James & his friend Solomon would drive the sheep all the way out to the far reaches of the pasture and out into the wooded area beyond where we could even see them. My friend Jen and I were busy talking with Brad and enjoying the beauty and peace as we walked towards where they had gone. We weren't the slightest bit concerned since we could see that the sheep were more or less afraid of the roaring boys and would go wherever they wanted and they it was evident that they would always come back to the safety and security of their shepherd and their home in the barn. Brad kept repeating "It's okay girls, it's okay girls". They would almost instantly calm down from the trust they had of their master. It was almost comical to see the separation of the Ewes from their lambs and then watch as the babies would follow the sounds of their mother's beating's until they were reunited with their mothers and all was well with their world.

Teagan decided to head back up towards us ahead of the boys and herd and see what was taking us so long. Well, we weren't the slightest bit concerned until we saw the herd of 140 sheep stampede back towards us with 3 roaring boys running after them. Teagan was a good 100 feet or so ahead of them walking. We saw them coming. You don't know how fast sheep can run until you've seen a stampede. She heard them, she felt the ground under her feet trembling. I saw sheer terror overcome her body as she launched into in all out run to get to me in time. We were another 100 feet away from where she was. I yelled at her to stop and turn around because I knew that they would stop because they were more afraid of her than anything and they'd stop before they got to this huge puddle/pond that was at the bottom of the hill right before they got back to the pasture up towards the barn. There was no stopping her though-and when she got to me she lunged up into my arms. I turned her around so she could see the amazing sight of 140 sheep, coming to a complete stop! It sounds weird I know, but it was one of the coolest things to see 140 sheep running up behind your little 5 year old, with 3 boys driving them from behind, and seeing them come to a sheer stop at the sound of their shepherd's voice and the roadblock. I only wish I had gotten my camera out in time to capture the awesomeness of the moment! Teagan looked back and was almost proud of her accomplishment in avoiding being trampled. "That's amazing Mom" she said.

The kids learned all about the workings of being a real shepherd and the responsibilities that accompany. James even asked Brad if he wanted any help with anything while we were there. Brad was impressed with the kids questions, their manners, enthusiasm and maturity. I told him about Lil' James' passion for animals and his work ethic. Brad said he'd love to hire James as some cheap labor. I can't wait for that day!

The biblical parallels that were drawn throughout the entire experience were overwhelming. My thoughts naturally turned to Jesus our head shepherd. I was compelled to think of David and what the tune of his Psalms sounded like and the calming effect they must have had on the herd, the sheep's response to their master's voice, the young children being trained by the hands of their family shepherds, did Jesus have a pet lamb?, the lost sheep of our body...so many things to apply to our own lives. It was a biblical experience that could only be obtained when interacting with the shepherd and his flock on the level that we did.

What a blessed day! What a blessed experience! I want to take everyone I know!

My little shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Life's Science

2010-05-06T07:57:00.000-04:00

3 kids, some good friends, 3 binoculars, 1 bucket, 2 bug nets, 3 pairs of kids gardening gloves, some sort of scooping device, stale bread, a love for nature, and an awesome God- are all the things you need for a home schooling day's expedition at the Nature Preserve.

E is for speckled Egg shell we found along the shore of one of the Ponds.
X is for the eXcellent adventure that was had by all.
P is for the Ponds and Protected animal sanctuary that we explored for a few hours.
E is for the Egret casting it's huge shadow as it flew over us.
D is for the 5 baby Ducks that we fed some stale bread.
I is for Ireson spitting into the water off of the bridge to attract the fish.
T is for bat Turds we found in the pavilion- namely guano.
I is for Insects- dragon flies, damsel flies and too many other pesky critters that I hope the bats enjoy for dinner.
O is for Opossum foot prints in the mud!
N is for No camera to take pictures of the fantastic day. Tisk tisk to the Mama for that one. Oops.

In addition to all that we also saw:

Red Winged Blackbirds, Robins, Black-Capped Chickadees, Gold-Finches, Purple Finches, Blue Birds, King Fishers and various ducks and water fowl that we haven't been able to categorize yet.

Fish galore! Frogs, turtles, and red waterlilies.

Tadpoles- "a bugazillion" Teagan said-to be more precise. We brought some home to raise ourselves and I have lesson plans for the next month or so to go along with their metamorphosis.

Animal Tracks- deer, racoon, and opossum, and numerous human shoe and foot prints.

Bird Tracks- Blue Heron, Geese, and Egret prints under the water.

Hundreds of snake holes and animal burrows.

God's awesome design in all of it! What a great day!!!

Sing-er-Son

2010-05-03T09:18:00.001-04:00

Ireson loves to make up songs as of recent. His inflections are a hoot! Here's his latest jingle.

Holding Hands in the Parking Lot
Holding Hands in the Parking Lot
Staying Safe When Cars are Not

(wait fot the big finish....)

HOLDING HANDS IN THE PARKING LOT!

Baby Love My Baby Love...

2010-05-03T08:39:00.002-04:00

Baby Ben spent the day with us over at Grandma and Grandpa's house the other day. He's rather smitten with James. James is tickled that he can actually carry Ben around and pick him up. Ben was even giving James raspberries and sucking on his chin! He said he can't wait until Ben's big enough to wrestle! Grandma was holding him at church yesterday and James went over to say Hi and Ben let out a loud "Coo", grabbed James' face as if to pull him in for a big, wet, drooley kiss.

James informs me that "our next baby needs to be a black baby because they're the cutest!" I told him that we had already tried 3 times to have a black baby but Daddy and I just can't breed black.

Insight

2010-05-03T08:31:00.000-04:00

Teagan: "Daddy- You're crazy!.....but that's okay because Mommy likes crazy people."

Pause it!

2010-04-16T14:40:00.000-04:00

I was driving all over today and Lil' James and I were having a conversation about something or other and Teagan couldn't get a word in edge wise. It was true roll reversal. Anyhow, she was trying to get our attention and in so doing yelled: "Mom! James! PAUSE IT!" I stopped talking and laughed. "Now listen! Look over there it's a deer!, she said with relief."

I think I like "Pause it!" and shall use it as one of my own child hushing tactics.

A Dog's Life

2010-03-24T20:26:00.001-04:00

The kids have their list of responsibilities/chores that they have to do before breakfast. Making the bed, getting dressed, clothes on and/or put in the hamper, toys put away, teeth brushed, etc. along with letting the dog out and feeding her is. It's a basic biblical principle. The man who does not work, does not eat. The dog doesn't get fed-you don't get fed. Okay that second part is from the NBV (New Becky Version) but the principle still stands.

Most of the time Ireson will elicit the help of his brother or sister to help get the dog food. Yet, this past week, Ireson has been more than happy to volunteer for the task and quite demanding that he feeds the dog all by himself. I generally don't have to check that she's been fed her adequate amount because they're pretty reliable. He's especially good at taking notice of his furry friend and bestowing upon her an ample amount of hugs and kisses all throughout the day. It's entirely too sweet.

I went into the laundry room to put a load of clothes in and saw Lexi's bowl. I had to chuckle when I saw the complimentary treat that Ireson left for her enjoyment. Now it makes sense why he's wanted to feed her all week. When I asked him why he was giving her a treat with breakfast (he usually always asks first before giving her one) he said: "Because, Wexi just needed some more wove."

It's the simple things in life-like the complimentary mint on your hotel pillow.

You Snooze You Schmooze

2010-03-16T16:11:00.001-04:00

Today, I put Teagan and Ireson down for a nap. I started baking some muffins and about an hour later Teagan decided to grace us with her grouchy presence. I saw her come into my room with a look of consternation on her face. I asked her why she was out of bed and she proceeded to plead her case.

"Mom, I couldn't sleep!" she retorted.

"Well, did you try to go to sleep?" I asked.

"Yes! But I smelled something SO wonderful that I couldn't sleep! If you weren't cooking down there something that smells so good then I could have fallen asleep! So it's your fault. See?"

"Really?" I wasn't sure quite how to respond being that the whole house did smell wonderful and it was rather intoxicating. I tried telling her "that Ireson was still asleep and it didn't seem to bother him."

"Well, that's because he was tired and it didn't "bother" me Mom, it just made me have to get up and go eat whatever you're making. So (then she looked at me with eye brows raise, head tilted and a good pause as though to wait for my response and then she paused some more) What did you make?"

She'd make a good attorney. Since she couldn't snooze she tried to schmooze.
I guess I learned MY lesson.

Me & My Beany

2010-03-16T09:01:00.001-04:00

My Jamaican sister Deanna came over for a visit with little Ben (Beany). We are so in love with this kid. I can't get enough of him! He's just so yummy! I had to share some pictures of him and his cousins.

Multiple Personality Disorder

2010-03-16T08:49:00.000-04:00

Ireson has been having a hard time with his behavior of recent. He's been incredibly stubborn, selfish, strong willed (not necessarily bad) and well sinful. He's been intentionally provoking his brother and sister until he gets his own way and constantly yelling...just plain nasty I tell you! He's been spending a lot of time in the corner, his bed or time-out in general. Anyhow, I was lying down with him in his bed the other day to discuss his behavior and to do some prayer time with him to ask for some much needed help and guidance.

I said "You're having a really hard time being a child of God lately. You have a lot of anger on your heart and you're not being very nice. You're being quite the little Crabberson."
He looks at me behind his scowl and evident anger of being secluded AGAIN and grunts, "NO I NOT A CRABBERSON."
Then began the back and forth banter:
"Are you a Stinkerson?"
"No, I not a Stinkerson eeder."

"Are you a Braterson?"
Trying to hide the giggles- "No, I not a Braterson."

"Are you a Maderson?"

"No (pause), well yes, sometimes I a Maderson but no I not a Maderson right now. (Deep sigh as though to succumb to the defeat) Mom- I just. I just- a Boy-son."

Well, I'm glad we got that cleared up.

Failed Test

2010-03-14T18:18:00.000-04:00

I decided to give Lil' James a 1st grade standardized test. I was torn on whether or not to bother since I think they are wrong at this stage of education. I did it not so much to see how he was doing, but rather to see how I was doing and if there was something that I needed to work on with him and to make sure he and I were covering all the bases. I thought it would be nice so he could see how he was progressing and where he is more advanced or lagging. I didn't do it in the typical logistical and rigid testing way either. We did a page or so of questions every day over a week. I also think it's important to learn how to take a test since they will inevitably come across tests such as these throughout their lives: driver's license, college entrance, etc.

Anyway, one of the reasons I'm an advocate for home schooling is so children aren't "taught the test" and public Ed is heavily based on "teaching to the test" as my many teacher relatives will testify. I've heard so many complaints and frustrations, from many relatives and friends that are teachers (private, charter, and public), about how they feel trapped because they don't have a choice but to teach the test! I've gained a different perspective from talking to them. I feel incredibly blessed to have 6 close friends and relatives who are teachers in the system who are there to help at my beckon call! I love that they are there for me to ask advice, teaching tactics, and glean from their wisdom.

While I was at a lengthy Dentist appointment recently, I read a Newsweek magazine and the entire thing was dedicated solely to the education system and the "error of its ways." I read that whole thing cover to cover in the time I was there. I wish I had asked to take it home. I felt incredibly vindicated and reassurred in why I we are homes chooling in the first place! I love it you come across those things that are so blatantly "in your face" reminding you of why you are doing what you're doing. I couldn't believe how blatantly honest Newsweek was!

Anyhow, I found it rather ironic that some of the questions in the test completely proved the point of why I think they are primarily pointless and an unneeded, added stressor. For example, this was straight out of the test:

Directions: Put the proper punctuation at the end of the following sentence.

I like to run and play outside

A - .

B - !

C - ?

James responded with an excited: "Oh, I LIKE to run and play outside-so that would have an exclamation point after it!"

Of course the test was simply looking for a period as the proper answer. I'm assuming that because it doesn't say "love to play outside" is why they were looking for a period.

THEN- Lil' James said, "Well, if I'm saying it then why aren't there quotation marks on the outsides?"

HA! Exactly! Take that you dingy test makers! It was a proud moment. I didn't tell him that they wanted him to choose period because HE was absolutely right.

Another sample question in the reading comprehension section:

What do you do when you are happy?

A - Laugh

B - Cry

C - Sit

You can probably see where this is headed. James said, "Well, sometimes you laugh, but sometimes you cry like when you found out that Ireson wasn't going to die in the hospital." Right you are my boy! Of course they wanted him to answer laugh. Oh well. I love that he's learning to critically think!

Otherwise, he did great on the test and we found a few things that we needed to review. All in all, I think the test failed him.

Now- back to the drawing board....

Ben came over for a visit and James lost his second top tooth the day after losing his first top tooth.

Pharaoh-ish ways

2010-03-04T08:05:00.000-05:00

Lil' James' 2 top teeth have been very loose for a very long time. The other night I was finishing up with brushing his teeth and it's like they were begging to be pulled out. You can practically bend them over sideways. So we decided to see if we could get them out that night. Daddy and James sequestered themselves in the bathroom and worked at those teeth for over a half hour. I was watching from the sidelines and commented that those teeth were stinkin' stubborn!
"Yeah! Like Pharaoh! They're Pharaoh teeth."- he replied. Naturally, we had to start singing: "Let my tooth go..." to the tune of "Let My People Go." From this point on he's been asking everyone if they want to see his Pharaoh teeth.

Teagan and siblings were sitting and eating breakfast while I was talking to my Aunt Cindy on the phone one day. She's a Coronary Care nurse and she was telling me how they had a patient code at work the other day and he died. We saw Cindy later that day and Teagan relayed her concern to her by saying,
"Cindy! Mommy said that you killed someone at your work yesterday!"

Privacy is overrated.

2010-02-09T18:39:00.001-05:00

The other day the phone rang and James answered with his usual rhetoric: "Ross Residence. Who's calling, please?"
Short pause followed by: "My Mom? Can you hold on a while she's going potty?"

Apparently I had to go and train him to be polite and all and in the process I forgot the part about full disclosure. It could have been worse.

Volcano Science Experiment and the kids doing some Yoga moves at Circus Class.

James, Ireson and Lil' James are under there somewhere.

Brotherly Love

2010-01-13T14:37:00.001-05:00

The other evening Ireson took a nap until almost 6pm. I let him sleep that long because it was a late start on a much needed nap and respite for me. Consequently, we didn't put him to bed until almost 9pm. Meanwhile, James and Teagan went to bed at 8pm. James past out almost immediately, Teagan shortly after.

Come about 9:30pm James and I hear doors closing and we figured Ireson was up. We were watching a video so we gave it a few more minutes until we went to check to see what Ireson was doing. James reluctantly got out of bed at 9:45pm and headed to the boys' room. He comes back in a minute later and said with minor comical annoyance- "Beck, we're missing a kid."

The search was on.
Where was Ireson and what was the little Stinkerson doing? I figured he was in the bathroom getting a drink of water or sitting on the potty seat- but no such luck.

I told James to check Lil' James bed. He came back in chuckling and said, "Now that's too stinkin' precious- you've gotta come see this."

Sure enough- Ireson had climbed up into the top bunk with James and was passed out, upside down, shirtless. James went and grabbed the camera and we tried a bunch of different shots to document the darlings. I'm surprised the flash didn't wake them up or the neighbors for that matter!

After some minor bodily contortions on my part- I picked Ireson up and put him down in his own bed to avoid the kicking and hitting of others that happens in my children's sleep. James and I have both been victimized by flailing body parts.

James has been known to go down and sleep with Ireson in the bottom, double sized bunk, to help his brother out when he gets scared. I thought it was soooo cute that Ireson climbed up with his sleeping brother rather than stayed down below with his dog. Oh well, sometimes you just need a brother's love instead.

Poop-erson

2010-01-07T12:32:00.001-05:00

Today- Ireson pooped on the potty. After breakfast, he approched me with with a grimace and said in a husky voice, "Mom, my belly hurts and it feels like I maybe have to go poop."

He's been showing me more signs that he's interested and ready these past couple of weeks. So this past week we've been discussing alot more about listening to his body and trying to understand what it is his body is trying to tell him.

So he sat on the potty, requested I get him his Bible to read, and commensed with the process.

James, Teagan, and I were sitting at the kitchen table doing school work when we heard a loud splash. Padon the graphic nature of this post...but it's exciting! We all looked up in amazement, looked at him and started to laugh and scream with joy! Ireson was giggling and blushing. I ran in there and gave him a kiss and he looked up at me with his big Eeyore eyes and said, "Can I have my present now?!"

I stocked up on Match-box cars and airplanes for $1 each for this occasion and I've been telling him about them for weeks! I went and got him one to unwrap and he was elated. We called Daddy to share the news, and he's told everyone that has called today as well.

We're off to a great yet stinky start!

Tooth Extraction 101

2010-01-07T12:15:00.000-05:00

On Christmas Day we discovered that both Teagan's bottom- middle teeth were loose. We thought they had a month or so to go before readily available to pull...as was her older brother's situation. It seemed like they took forever to be ready to come out. However, this past Tuesday the tooth was practically bending halfway over. All of her diligent playing with it and wiggling it must have paid off. She was primed and ready to yet again catch up with her older brother of 16 months.

When her Dad got home she approached him with the dilemma. He looked at it and told her he didn't think it was ready. Then Teagan proceeded to prove him wrong and say, "Uh-huh, seeeee" as she bent it over. James amazed at the loosing progress said, "Wow, okay-let's do it!"

Teagan, all excited, ran upstairs into their bathroom and began to assemble the proper tools. She had witnessed the deed before when her Dad pulled out James's first tooth so she was well educated in tooth extraction 101. She got out the floss, anbesol, and tissue and neatly laid them out on the counter as though she were the scrub nurse for her own oral surgery.

Meanwhile, Daddy came into our room and told me with a cheeky and proud grin, "She sure knows how to get to my heart. Ahhh..." Then he went into their bathroom with Tea, shut the door, and proceeded with the task at hand...err tooth.

For a time, all I heard was laughing and mumbling. About 10 minutes later, much longer than I expected, James paged me to the OR......or rather BR. "Beck, we need your help for a minute here." I scrubbed in and received the report. I see this frazzle haired little wee Tea standing in the corner with a big long floss string hanging around her tooth. James told me that he couldn't get a hold of the teensy little tooth and she's complaining it hurts and the floss was stuck under there and he couldn't get that out either. Hmm...well, we decided that she couldn't go to bed with the floss in her mouth because she'd probably choke or aspirate it and we weren't going to stick any sharp objects in there...though that sounded kind of fun to nurse Becky... so I told her that it had to come out tonight.

With that said, James said he'd be right back and ran downstairs. Teagan got herself worked up into a crying tizzy, and told me that she didn't like the taste of the blood and that it hurt. Moments later James returned with a popsicle! Genius! Teagan perked up immediately when she tasted the fruity toothy treat. With anesthesia in place for a few minutes and Teagan's spirits positive, James grabbed on to the tooth with a washcloth and started wiggling, pulling, and prying and Teagan started...crying...again. He stopped, stepped back, and said "I quit."

I was ready to take over with my more dainty hands as Teagan stood there crying and thinking that she was going to have to live with floss sticking out of her mouth until her next birthday! James said, "Hey Teagan" held his hand out in front of her and opened up the washcloth. To Teagan's surprise she saw....drum roll please...her tooth! Then she started laughing hysterically amidst the tears and wet cheeks. She was soo happy and started jumping up and down and yelling for her brothers so she could share the good news.

She asked if I could sneak into her room tonight and give her the special "Mama Tooth Fairy" treat since "Daddy is too loud."

Ahh the human child experience.

A Croupy Christmas

2009-12-28T14:55:00.000-05:00

Last Wednesday we took a Christmas Vacation. We drove all of 9 miles to Grammie and Grandpa's House and slept overhrough Saturday. The kids were in their glory getting to see their grandparen't every day for 3 days straight! Relaxing, crafting, cuddling, scripture reading, baking, playing and giggling filled our days.
We'd wake each morning and make a fantastical breakfast and ate ham or bacon almost everyday! This too was a highlight to the kids as well as James and I for we don't eat pork unless it's offered at someone else's house. We felt the effects mind you but it was well worth it. We're detoxing this week as a result!
We went to ou wonderful annual Christmas Eve Service at church and then headed back home to Grammie's.

Sarah and her dog Penny came over that night to sleep over as well which was a special treat for the kids and for Lexi (our dog). Happy feelings were abundant!

Then about 1am...happy feelings gone. Apparently, Croup came upon a midnight clear. James was sharing a room with Ireson and he came into our room at 1am and told us to "Come quick, Ireson needs you, he can't breathe." I was proud of him for acting quickly and looking out for his baby brother.

Sure enough Ireson was having an acute attack of Croup...except when he gets Croup (1 day out of the whole year!) it's a combo of Tracheaitis and bronchiolitis and he goes into respiratory distress. Big words I know- but trust me...it's bad. Due to having RSV when he was only 1 week old he's more prone to developing asthma and so this was basically an acute asthma attack. The poor boy was crying, freaking out and coughing and getting himself worked into a panic stricken frenzy. Thank the Lord, I got out some Eucalyptus Oil the night before thinking that he sounded slightly congested and I thought he may be getting a cold. I soaked a cotton ball with the oil and rubbed down his shirt and his chest and unfortunately I had to yell at him to calm down so he could breathe. He listened and started to breath a bit easier. I knew that we had to get home stat and get out his Nebulizer Aerosol Machine (that has been collecting dust for a year) and give him and Albuterol and Steriod treatment or head to the ER. His lips were actually starting to turn blue until I got him calmed down and taking deep breaths of Eucalyptus vapor. It's nature's bronchodilator!

Thankfully, I felt we got him stable enough to make it home. James, Ireson and I loaded up in the car and I told Sarah that we would be back sometime tomorrow. We got home in less than 10 minutes with no one else on the road at 1:!5 in the morning so that was a plus. After two, 30 minute steroid-aerosol treatments ( I mixed in a little colloidal silver too:)- my own special concoction and he was able to breath normally with minimal wheezing. He finally fell back asleep on one of us on the floor of the steam filled bathroom. I let James listen to his lungs to hear what wheezing sounded like. I think it made him appreciate the seriousness of the situation even more though it feeds the emotions of fear and stress. It's handy to be a nurse and have a real stethoscope lying around the house as part of the toy itinerary. Come 2:30am we said "Merry Christmas" to each other and we finally went to bed.

James and I now had time to come out of the adrenalin rush and deal with the emotional turmoil from the night. The kids rarely get sick, but when Ireson gets even a simple little cold-it takes me back to when we were in the hospital with RSV and almost lost him. As I lay next to him in bed watching him look all pathetic and weak and listening to him breathe, I tried to regulate my own breathing and tears as I thanked God for the reminder of his grace, watchful hand, and my abilities that he has blessed me with as a Mom and a nurse. The writing was on the wall. I still wouldn't go back and change a thing.

Ireson slept well the rest of the night.
He woke up around 9am and looked at me smiling and said with a frogy grogy voice, "Mom, I all better now. Can we go to Grammie's house now?" It was so sweet. I started him on a breathing treatment regimen for the remainder of the week. He was slightly congested on Christmas but happy and energetic just the same, a new kid. He was done opening his gifts in record timing and then began bestowing his adoration and thanks on the whole family with all smiles and snot.

We relaxed and stayed in our PJ's all day! The kids got a bunch of fun videos (animal, Shirley Temple, Charlotte's Web) tons and tons of legos and Knex, books, games, Teagan-fairy stuff, James got an orienteering kit and a flint necklace, Krinkle blocks, a dodge ball game with target vests!, hand made clothes from Grammie, and a lot of other loot. I even got a nap for Christmas!

That morning we discovered that Teagan had a loose tooth! She was thrilled.

The day after Christmas we went home, had naps, and then Teagan, James and I headed over to Cindy's where we had wonderful time with the entire extended family. We had oodles of fun and ate like kings while Ireson had special Daddy time back at home!

We were simply having a wonderful Christmas time. See ya next year!

"Peanuts's" are gross.

2009-12-23T08:57:00.000-05:00

This year for my birthday, Mom took Teagan and me to see "The Nutcracker Ballet." It was a special mother-daughter day. I hadn't seen The Nutcracker since I was in Junior High. I remember getting all dressd up and going to see it with my Mom and Grandma as well. The lights, the costumes, the giant theater, the larger than life music and the eloquent dancing was all so captivating!

This was Teagan's first official ballet. A momentous occassion that required us to get all dressed up. We had great seats too and they even provide boosters for the kid's seats! As we were sitting there waiting for the lights to dim and the curtain to go up Teagan informed me that "the people behind the stage were going to have to move that curtain thingy so that the ballerina would have room to dance. What are they thinking?"

The set design and the costumes were indeed impressive and inspiring. - Well, to me anyway. Teagan had other ideas about the boy dancers and their not so "modest" attire. As soon as the first male dancer began his solo Teagan felt compelled to report her "issues" with their tights in a not so quiet whisper.
"MOM! (tugging on my shirt with disgust) Are they wearing tights?!!!!!!"

Seeing where this conversation was headed, I tried to ease her concern. "Well, their not tights exactly, they're men's ballet pants that they need to wear to be able to dance so freely... but they look alot like tights though, huh?"

"Yeah! Boys are NOT supposed to wear tights! Boys have to be modest too, MOM! That is not responsible of them! You can see their p*#@^!" Insert big sigh and humph accompanied by rolling eyes and gritted teeth here!

"Okay, Teagan, let's just be quiet and watch. There are other people here that can hear you and they'd like to watch the performance quietly."

Well, we made it to the intermission without much fidgeting and further anatomical commentary. I felt there was hope for the second Act after a refreshing snack and potty break.

I was wrong. She spent most of the second Act facing me or turned around in her seat. I asked why she stopped watching and all she could do was look at me upset and said, "I can't watch the boys, their p*#@^'s are gross!" Insert another big argh and sigh here this time complete with raised hand expressions of more disgust.
I understand how distracting it was and is and there was little I could do to encourage her to not notice and not worry about it. She didn't want to look through the binoculars that I brought anymore either. She asked me to tell her when the boys were done and she could turn around to see the girls dancing. I happily and somewhat proudy obliged.

Despite her "Disgust" of certain show features, amazingly she was paying attention to every little dancing detail down to the pointing of the toes and the extended finger with the arm extensions. She's been dressing up in her ballet garb every day since dancing for me and showing me all these new and often impressive moves that she's imitating.

The next day at church she was relaying her experience to Aunt Sarah. Sarah reports the following from the encounter:
"How was the ballet Teagan?!" Sarah asked not knowing what would come of her innocent inquisition.
Teagan poignantly and rather loudly projected: "The boys wore tights and their peanuts's were gross!"
Sarah tried to reason with her, as only Sarah can: "Well, when you're married, you may not think their so gross."
Teagan looked at Sarah rather stunned and apprehensive as she asked: "Do husbands wear tights too?!"

Ahhhh, the childhood human experience. What a journey.
Looking back, I am proud of her for watching everything, even a ballet, with God's eyes and choosing to decipher right from wrong even in what we would think to be the most innocent of situations. I prayed that the men in tights wouldn't be the only thing that she remembered and thankfully it wasn't.

Thank you God for the ladies in my life, young and older and the special memories we're creating. Thank you Grammie for the very special day and all the gigles and laughs and photographs.

Thank Full.

2009-12-03T20:32:00.005-05:00

We were incredibly blessed this year to spend Thanksgiving week in Virginia Beach amongst some of our most favorite people. People who are brothers and sisters; people who taught James the Truth; people who counseled us and married us; people who had an integral role in James' and my relationship during our courting years; people who you wish lived right next door; people who you will spend eternity with in the Kingdom. It makes you long for that glorious day even more.

The trip down was quite eventful as one hopes it wouldn't be. Forty-five minutes into the trip-Ireson threw up his entire breakfast all over himself, his car seat, seat straps and all. We stopped for over a half hour cleaning up, wet wiping everything, changing clothes, bagging clothes, and taking apart his car seat-instantly upgrading him to a booster seat since we had to revert to using the seat belt rather than his puke laden car seat straps.
1 hour later it hit again in a less aggressive and bountiful manner but gross just the same. Once we hit the mountains and the twists and turns, it was well...all up hill from there. We stopped at a gas station/subway shop to clean up AGAIN and we went inside to eat what our stomachs could bear. At this point my stomach is in knots and my nerves were shot from constantly turning around every time I heard him move and then lunging to catch anything that was expelled.
Ireson was pale and pathetic and cuddling on me and just laid there with his poor pasty head on my shoulder. I rather enjoyed it for a few minutes. Luckily for me, I passed him off to his Dad just in time. I finally had hands free to eat my sandwich when we saw him start to lurch. James headed for the bathroom though I needed to assist with the door opening since his hands were literally full with either a kid or throw-up. Sorry for the graphic visual, but I'm recording this mostly for posterity. Anyway, once his stomach was completely void of contents and we were passed the mountains and into VA he fell asleep and things died down or rather stayed down.

We spent the night in a hotel (always fun!) to ensure that Ireson was merely car sick and nothing more. He had done this sort of thing on a smaller scale on numerous other trips, so I was pretty sure that it wasn't an actual sickness. Anyhow, we took chicken and mashed potatoes back to the room and settled in. Ireson was running around being his jovial old self all pink and perky. He sat down to eat and intensely inhaled 2 pieces of chicken and a ton of mashed potatoes. Of course we encouraged him to pace himself but the poor kid hadn't eaten anything in over 12 hours. Needless to say, all turned out fine and we headed out Sunday morning for bacon at the Waffle House.

The kids walked into The Waffle House chanting "bacon, bacon, bacon!" The poor pork deprived children thought this to be the best official start to our vacation. I indulged in the swine tasting as well!

We headed off to church where we saw a bunch of brethren that we hadn't seen in over three years. Then it was back to Ruthie's house to settle in where we had an afternoon of fabulous fellowship time with some seriously special people and their adorable children. Jonathan & Corrina and Meredith and the twins were a great start to a great week! The kids all hit it off great for not having seen each other in years!

During the week we spent hours talking scripture, eating, reminiscing, relaxing, eating, and spending quality time with "Queen" Esther, Ruth and Murray and Joanna, Shay and Cian while eating. I would have been perfectly content simply staying home, talking and spending time with everyone all week. However, we did make a few jaunts to various venues.

Tuesday: Ocean - Along with the misty, windy and slightly chilled weather, we HAD to go to the ocean. So we set out with our wind breakers to go take in the sights, smells and sounds on the outskirts of Neptune Park. The previous week a hurricane had hit and they lost a 1/3 of their beach! Fortunately for us, the hurricane left a ton of sea debris on the beach and we had a great time scavenging the sea weed for dead sea life and some real life science application. Shells, egg sacks, horse shoe crab shells, dead mini crabs, and trash were a few of our findings. I counted that as a school day!

Wednesday: Ruthie treated us to an afternoon at the Zoo- Teagan was absolutely enthralled with the 4 week old baby giraffe. We couldn't tear her away. I think her maternal instincts were telling her to take it home. She got all teary eyed when we moved on to the next exhibit where James got to meet 4 lion cubs! Their pride was proudly perched up on top of this mountain thing in their enclosure. We had a great and eerily up close view. They all got to pick out a stuffed animal or souvenir to take home. James got a Fennec Fox, Teagan a baby Tiger, and Ireson a bag of bugs. Good times and another school day accredited!

Thursday: Thanksgiving Day! We went in the morning to see some brethren and to check out "Queen" Esther's in-law suite under construction. Then a bunch of family including: Jesse, Jacob, Joanna, Shay and Cian, and Uncle Bascom came over to share in the festivities. Much food and fun was had by all. Later, we went to Murray's parent's house on the edge of a river! The view was outstanding. What a blessing to have that in the family. Jesse took James and Jacob and the kids out on his fishing boat for a 2 hour excursion! Teagan stayed back and built sand castles and animal burrows and watched pelicans with Joanna and me. My kindred spirit, JoAnna and I had some "intense" conversation while trying to stay warm, watching the sun start to set, and wondering where our children were! As the boat approached at high speed, all you heard was squealing and laughter!

Friday: We went over to Nathan and Antonia's house to visit. Nathan was James' best man in our wedding so it was great to reconnect and have our kids play together. Teagan disappeared 30 seconds after getting in the door. She saw a girl and girly toys and went running. I think she was please to be surrounded by some estrogen.

Saturday: We got up, ate another delicious breakfast, with bacon! It was a great start to the end of our trip for we headed home around 10am. We took a bunch of pictures after Ruthie and "Queen" Esther spent time reading the Bible to the kids.

As we were pulling out of Ruthie's development, Teagan pathetically piped up "Oh Mommy, I miss Ruthie already. How am I going to do this?" James and I just looked at each other and started crying. 10 minutes later she so matter of factly states: "Mom, aren't Cian and Shay special?" To which James concurred, "Yeah. Aren't they so much fun?!"

Indeed they are.

For the ride home we prepped Ireson at breakfast with some ginger laden applesauce. Ruthie gave us a bucket just in case. Ireson was adamant that "I not throw-up Mom." I was torn but eventually I did give him dramamine to help ensure an uneventful trip home. He was fine the entire ride home. Shew. We got home safe and sound and tired around 8pm.

Our Thankful Tank is Full.

Foul Play

2009-11-10T13:44:00.000-05:00

James and Teagan were playing upstairs in Teagan's room. All of a sudden I hear Ireson banging on her door yelling, "Let me in! Let me in James!"

Then I hear the skeptical inquiry from the eldest: "Did you get your diaper changed?!"

Ireson replied: "YES! Mommy just changed me so I not stink anymore! Now let me in-Pleeeeaaase!"

James opened the door and said, "Welcome, Sir. Come on in but ONLY if you're SURE that you don't stink anymore."

Ireson: "No I not. See- smell my butt."

I asked James about the course of events that had just played out. Apparently, they told him that he was not allowed in to play with them until he went and had his poopey diaper changed. Teagan informed me that "He smelled sooo bad, Mom, and we couldn't handle being around him." James concurred, "Yeah, Mom- it was hard to even breath!"

The truth to the matter is that they were right! No excuse for the banishment of the little brother yet I was just telling Ireson the same things moments ago when the not so honorable diaper changing occurred.

Animal Antics

2009-11-06T10:35:00.002-05:00

Anyone that meets my eldest son, James, will soon realize that he is an avid animal lover and virtual walking animal encyclopedia. He's more than happy to share some sort of interesting facts he's gleaned from his years of animal observations, book reading, and studying. He's been some sort of animal every year for Trick or Treating since his first year. Lions, elephant, gorilla, and this year a blue jay (hand made by him and Grandma).
Our family weekend movie nights typically consist of an animal show of some sort. And when we're fortunate enough to catch a Nature show on PBS, he's quick to inquire if "David Attenborough is going to be the narrator."

He knows the entire Planet Earth series by memory and will even go as far as to mimic David Attenborough's vocal inflections when he relays to you what he's learned!
I especially love that he watches them through a biblical lens, using God's eyes and God's ears. When evolutionary philosophies are mentioned in some of it's segments, he is quick to point out, "Oh, Mom, that's not right! He needs to read his Bible. What? That's crazy talk."... etc., etc. He will make many similar comments as he watches them by himself as though he and David are holding a private conversation. Apparently, they are on a first name basis.

Here are a couple of the more comical comments I heard from him just last week as he was watching Planet Earth.

*Humpback whales mating- "MOM! Did you know that humpback whales have a 12 foot long penis?!!!!!! That's crazy! I'd need new pants if my penis was that long!"
New pants indeed. This fact is quite impressive to observe in action on the video mind you.

*Ant Eaters - "Mom! Did you know that certain Ant Eaters have a tale that can hold their entire body weight?! I need to get a tail. I'd be sooo good at climbing trees!"

Intelligence Inquiry

2009-11-06T09:50:00.001-05:00

Today, during school time, Teagan asked me: "Mommy, when did you become sooo smart?! Was it when you married Daddy?"

Favortism - Humph.

2009-10-23T17:12:00.000-04:00

The kids and I were goofing around on my bed this afternoon. Giggling, laughing, tickeling, fun, and snorting was accomplished by all.

As the festivities calmed down I declared, "Alright, I'm going down stairs. Who's coming with me?"

Ireson jumped up and then off the bed onto me and excitedly hollered, "I'm going wiff you!"

My response was of a joyous sort as I laid on the kisses and zuberts: "Oh goodie- I like myself some Ireson! Do you like your Mama too?!"

To which he replied: "Yeah...but I like Daddy the best!"

True story.

Boys And Their Toys

2009-10-22T16:13:00.000-04:00

Man vs. Wild Style - building a fishing pole.

A little assist from Dad to help bear the 30 some pound weight.

Fueling up for some leaf blowing.

Blowing solo.

Bear Poison

2009-10-12T09:42:00.001-04:00

Last week we were over at my Mom's along with my sister. Ireson walked through the kitchen, where we were all standing around. Trailing behind him was a rather foul odor of the most stenchy proportions.

The conversation that followed has stuck with us... much like the smell of a skunk after it's aroma has infested your car.

"Wow, Ireson, you stink!" "Holy cow kid!" "Get him outta here!"- were the numerous comments from the on-smellers.

Ireson just smiled and laughed as he passed by Grandpa to get to his Dad.

Grandpa: "Geesh Ireson. You could kill rats with that smell!"

Ireson, rather proudly replied with a giggle: "Yeah!...rats....and bears too!"

Always the comedian. A true Stinkerson.

Flight School

2009-10-07T20:40:00.017-04:00

Oh the things we let our kids do....Tonight Lil' James put a bunch of pillows on one of our "Fat Chair" base pillows and used it as a landing pad. James and I sat on the sidelines and observed the madness. Okay- we cheered on the madness.

Launch Pad: Window seat or Ottoman or ...

Mission: Jump a good 4-5 feet onto the pile, or shall we say tower of pillows.

Flight Plan: Acrobatic stunts, and choreography to be performed at your own risk.

Flight Plan Safety Precautions: Just aim and hit the pillows please! Don't flip over the top of them, and avoid banging head on couch.

Responsible parents (yeah right-we failed that test!)- make sure that the pillow zippers weren't on the receiving side of flying body and catch any loose canon children!

Please note: I was in charge of the camera. James was in charge of keeping track of the children's launching point and trajectory.

Case and Point:

Window Seat

Entertainment Center? Honestly Daddy?!

Bruised knees, goose egg= pain is only weakness leaving the body.

Mid air collissions = bones will heal.

Black eye = scars will fade
No Broken Bones, memories made = Priceless!

Becky Rice Rosskins

2009-09-21T11:21:00.007-04:00

Last night, Lil' James, Teagan and I went with Laura Ross and 5 of her kids to go see Mary Rice Hopkins way down in Lagrange, Ohio. It was about and hour and 20 minutes away. The kids had a great time playing in the car and snacking on special treats from their very own treat bags the whole way there. James especially enjoyed hanging out with Michael and Megan, while Teagan and little Sarah were "Good Buddies" all night. We got there about 30 minutes early and so we acquired great seats and had a great view the entire time.

The Puppets with a Heart put on a show throughout all of the musical performance and it was an all out fabulous blast! The kids were enthralled the entire time. Laughing and giggling filled the sanctuary! The puppets were named Gringo and OH-NO. They were brothers who, like all kids, go through different troubles in their young lives. The puppet characters each have a removable heart that contains an object that is used as a visual aid for that particular part of the show. Mary would take them out to see what's inside and then she would talk about it and replace the bad stuff with something good and a verse from God's Word. Wonderful object lessons that really stick with the kids.

I got to meet one of my favorite children's praise musicians and the kids got to meet the lady who gave them all their favorite songs (The Hippopotamus Song, Superman, God Did, Matilda the Gorilla, Splish Splash, etc.)

I try to tell everyone about her wherever we go. I primarily use her amazing repertoire of music when I direct different kid's choir at Bible Schools. There was a few hundred people at the concert but only about 50 kids or so.

My kids know almost all her songs and the accompanying hand motions. So when Mary came down into the audience and saw Teagan's enthusiasm, dancing and hand motions, she came over and sang with her and turned towards me so I could to take their picture together. It was Teagan's first meeting with a celebrity! I think I was more excited than Teagan.

I looked around and Laura and I were two of only a few people who seemed to know all the songs and were doing everything and looking like we should have been part of the show. She and I have been told that we should take a show on the road. This was even more incentive.

It took everything in me not to jump up in the middle of the aisle and start doing all the hand motions and teaching the audience and getting them fired up with dancing and moving. It's what I do!

James' review: "I loved the puppets. Gringo and OH-NO were the best."
Teagan's Review: "The fun part for me was when she sang the songs with me. I learned that God can heal your heart if it has band aids on it."

After the concert, we went up to meet her and got our pictures taken. I told her that she needed to include this Mary Poppins joke I made up during a part of her concert when she pulled this large (obviously expandable shovel out of a very small bag). She cracked up, wrote down my joke, asked me my name so she could give me credit at her next concert. THEN she told me that if I come up with anymore good jokes that I should email her. I also told her that it was all I could do not to jump up and help her out with the motions, etc. For her, it was more of a solo show this time. Usually, she has a back up singer or other players or something. She has a nephew that lives in Lagrange, so I think she was doing a concert as part of her visit. She said, next time I should just get up and join the show.

I tell you what- you can guarantee that will happen! Just call me Becky Rice Rosskins

Thank you Lord for an awesome spirtually filled and blessed night!

Be sure to check out her Puppets With A Heart TV show on TBN.org.

Grocery Store Blues

2009-09-17T12:21:00.003-04:00

I usually take all 3 kids with me to the grocery store. Sometimes I wait until James gets home and then go- but that's a rare and special occasion. As I've said before, I think it's more important to tough it out, tantrums and all if they happen, and teach the kids to be responsible, respectful, obedient, and functional children of society. I'm raising young adults after all. Consequently, I don't stick them in the babysitting room either- if I go to that particular store.

Today, I figured we'd go in the morning to our grocery store and do our Math and some reading and spelling while we were there. James was walking around looking at prices and I had him tell me how many of each value there were on some price tags.
$7.99 - "That's 9 units, 9 tens, and 7 one-hundreds. Or 799 pennies. Whoa- that's a lot of pennies!! Or seven ninety-nine. Seven dollars and 99 cents." He'd rant and chant several of these and so on. He would get excited when he'd see a giant sign and run up to it and practically yell what the number was and what it meant. I rather enjoyed the people's stares and smiles at his enthusiasm. I had to tell him to simmer down a couple of times.

As we walked around, all the kids would say "hi" to passers-by, in their happy and squeaky little voices. Ireson would yell if he saw a baby. "Go see it Mom!"- He'd request.

Teagan and James would both read some words as we passed them or I'd give them something to put in the cart and they'd have to read it first. We also played the guessing/spelling game with some of the things on our list.

For example-"I'm an spicy dip that we eat with chips-what am I?"
"Salsa!"
"I'm white and I come from cows." Milk!"-they'd say and then they'd have to spell it. Fun, educational and intellectually occupying all at the same time. Who knew that the grocery store could qualify as a field trip?!

James and Teagan do this funny walking thing to entertain Ireson too. Sometimes, they'll walk while he rides, and strut their goofy stuff up and down the aisles and have him laughing his head off! I mean- the belly laugh that makes you think he might throw up if he doesn't get a break. They look like total goofballs as they come up with these hysterical dances and Ireson loves it! They could take their show on the road. Perhaps I should hire them out for other parents so they can entertain their kids too!

We got to the check out and I got in line that was over by the babysitting room. It has 3 giant windows. As I checked out I let the kids go and look through the windows and see what's happening. They stand there and look on in awe- much like observing animals in the zoo. I'm not kidding. They find it fascinating. The 3 of them stood there waving, and smiling and watching the 4 kids behind the glass. I saw another cashier walk over to the the lady that manages the joint and talk to her. She immediately got on the overhead intercom and made an announcement.

She said, and I sadly quote, "Attention customers, the Eagle's Nest [Babysitting room] can be a fun, interactive, and an educational place for your children -ages 3-9 years old. Please stop by today!"

I sighed in grieve disappointment. I sighed as I looked at the 4 TVs lining the wall with video games on waiting to lure in their next victim (3 were already occupied). I sighed as I looked at the big screen TV in the opposite corner playing a Disney movie that I find inappropriate for young children. I sighed because I didn't see a single book in that huge room! Not one! I sighed because of what our society has labelled as "fun and educational". Granted there was a train table, a kitchen area, and some great baby dolls and toys. But not one of them were being utilized by small fingers.

Thank you Lord that my kids don't ask to go in there. Thank you Lord that they had a truly "fun and educational" time with their mother and siblings interacting in a positive and responsible way learning life lessons. Thank you for the time we spent together laughing and enjoying each other's company. Now home for some more "real life" education.

Mr. Ross

2009-09-15T15:33:00.002-04:00

When I'm doing one on one school work with one of the older kids, I have the other one go work with Ireson and be his Preschool teacher. Teagan especially loves this job as she gets to boss her baby brother around at her mother's request. They will usually do puzzles, read to him or do sewing cards with him while teaching him his shapes and colors.

The other day I asked James to go read to him. He gladly obliged. Ireson was excited to have some one on one time with his older brother and eagerly ran to collect some of his favorite farm books and ran over to James and climbed into one of our "Fat chairs." The next moment I looked over , I saw Ireson climbing up onto his brother's lap, as though James were a grown-up with ample lap room to hold a big toddler. James didn't even seem the slightest bit thrown by this- since this is what kids do when they have a book read to them!

James, practically pushed into a lying down position by Ireson, proceeded to read to him with no hesitation as to his own comfort. I reached for the camera to take a picture hoping they wouldn't notice, but Ireson did (striking his usual pose) and then James noticed.

Too precious.

The Good Book

2009-09-15T15:25:00.002-04:00

After I put the kids down for naps, I usually go in to check on them about 1/2 hour later, if for nothing else but to check what pose they've struck as they fell asleep.
Today, about 45 minutes after I put the kids to bed for naps, I heard Teagan singing and I went to her room annoyed and ready to discipline her when I caught her reading in bed. As I was geared up and ready to discipline her for her blatant civil disobedience, I noticed that she was reading her Bible.

She looked at me with droopy, tired eyes and said: "I'm reading and singing my Bible to God like you Mommy."

Sheesh...way to make a mother's heart melt right?!

I gave her 5 more minutes for her to finish her biblical obedience and time with God and then she really needed to go to sleep.

I love these moments that reassure me that at least I'm doing something right!

Aspirations

2009-09-15T08:24:00.004-04:00

Teagan's arms have finally started to grow long enough that she can decently reach to wipe her own booty after she has a dooty. She is like her mother in that she has seriously short arms in comparison to what they should be in proportion to the rest of her body. There is a test to determine this- no joke.

Anyhoo, yesterday evening, she went #2. When the task was complete she ran out of the bathroom all excited and proud and ran up to me yelling, "Mom, I went poop and I wiped my own butt! Aren' t you proud of me?!"

"Good job Teagan. How did it go? Do I need to check?" I asked.

She informed me, "No, it was awesome!"

"Awesome huh?" I chuckled.

Teagan: "Yeah, I'm the Awesome-est Butt Wiper Ever!"

Now there's something for all of us to aspire to.

Real Men

2009-09-14T19:10:00.003-04:00

While throwing the football around with Lil' James this evening, I watched him as he intentionally stretched his natural ball-gifted-abilities to see how far, high, and fast he could throw the football while still maintaining accuracy, precision, and spin. Impressive he is to most who witness his natural inclination. Friends and family and gym mates often comment on how good he is at whatever sport we're playing at the time. I have to figure out a better response than, "Yes, he's good with balls!"

Anyhow, as he wanted to go "all out", he mustered up a bunch of gusto and threw the football at me with manly force. Due to the testosteronian gumption that he used, he fell forward and landed with his front leg out almost into the splits, arm stretched and flexed forward, and he held this Trojan-like stance until he could see how and where the ball landed. He looked like one of those "still photo shots" of a Quarter-back after an awesome pass. Yes, he too could have his own Calendar.

I caught the ball as I laughed at his pose. He responded to me very coach-like, as though I shouldn't be surprised at how he looked.

"Well, sometimes that's what real men HAVE to do, Mom."

To Know True Love is to "B" Loved

2009-09-14T14:02:00.010-04:00

Definition of a "blankie" according to dictionary.com: A blanket, especially one used as a security blanket.

In the Ross household we call "blankies"- "B's." I guess it's our abbreviation for blanket. I've heard relatives call their security blankets this as well and I think it simply has stuck with me. I used to call my security blanket a "blanket." You see, my creative skills were evident even then...and yes, I still have it!

With each child, I'd purchase a pack of the all cotton, thick white cloth diapers. For James, I left them white, and for Teagan I dyed them pink, and Ireson's are blue. I figured with multiple duplicates of the security blanket- it makes losing and replacing them easier and not so traumatic! I have emotional scars from my childhood from losing my precious blankets! Each child has called them their "B's" and has used them since birth to fall asleep with and as a comfort measure. Ireson simply cannot go to sleep without his "B". We even have back-ups at Gramma's and Aunt Sarah's.

Well, the definition of a "B" has taken on additional meaning in our house.

Definition of a "B" according to Ireson.com: a blankie, a cloth diaper dyed blue to distinguish it from sibling's same style of "B", used for soothing or comforting a child in their youth, a must, a necessity for life, an absolute entity to general happiness, a hypnotic device used to lure oneself to sleep, used to adorn "'B -love" onto loved ones, and used for prodding and poking one's own ears and nostrils?!

When he could sit on his own, and had the hand control and the dexterity to accompany it- Ireson would take a corner of his "B" and tickle himself in his ears or stroke it back and forth under his nose. I'm talking about the kind of tickling that would feel like a bug flying around in your ear of a feather being stuck up your nose! For the average man, you could relate it to a modernized form of Chinese torture!
If you went up to him and asked him if you "could have some 'B' love?"- he'd share the same adoring and loving technique with you too- if you were so privileged!

His fondness and techniques for his "B" have progressed in the past 2 1/2 years since this new found skill erupted. He now prefers his "B's" to have a string (no longer than 1/2 inch), or a rip at the corner with a small tassel or such, to accentuate the tickling and effectiveness of self-donned "B" love. Thanks to Aunt Susie, he has also perfected the art of "face painting" with the tassel serving as the pretend paint brush head. He will trace over your features or pretend to draw whiskers or something on you as you lay there, the two of you, drifting off to sleep. Or, in my case, grin and cringe and bear it, until cuddle time is over and you can escape.

He has 7-8 "B's" to choose from and I keep 5-6 of them in the cupboard of his dresser. Three, however, are only worthy to be slept with since they posses the proper attributes for his security-companion sleeping. Sometimes though, I will check on him during his nap and he will have gotten them all out of the cupboard and I will find him sleeping on a mountain of B's.

Today I was cuddling with him before nap, and he was asking to "B" love me because he knows that this drives me crazy! He started to peruse his current "3-B" collection on his bed to decipher which one would administer the best method of torture to his loving and all too tolerant mother. The "B's" on his bed just wouldn't do so he started whining for me to "get the other ones, Mom!" So I grabbed the pile out of the cupboard and he carefully examined and sorted his B's until he found the proper one. To his surprise, he found 3 B's that were so blessed to carry the rare quality! I put the others back in the cupboard and laid down with them. With a B in each hand and a "this is the life" look on his face, he laid down and B-loved me. It only lasted a minute after I tackled him and tickled him and encouraged him to move on to B-loving himself. So he did and I looked on from the side-lines of the sport with a smile.

"Look Mom, two B's! Two B's for two ears!" (Simultaneously, inserting tickling strings into both ears here).
giggles and giggles....and then
"Two B's for two noses, Mom!" (Simultaneously, inserting tickling strings into both nostrils here with nary a snort or wiggle).

Notice the corner of the "B" by his thumb- it has the string. He had just hypnotized himself to sleep before I took this picture by stroking his left ear.

My day is now complete, now that I have been B-loved.

The Toothless Troll

2009-09-11T17:01:00.009-04:00

An adored book from our childhood is one from the Mole and Troll series. In our favorite book it discussed the many methods that Mole and Troll used to take out a loose tooth. My sister Sarah so graciously read this story to James a couple of weeks ago when we were over there. James has asked for her to read it every time since.

We've been waiting for his stubborn tooth to fall out for over a month! This was his first loose tooth so we've been enjoying discussing using one of the methods that Mole and Troll used such as tying it to a door knob and slamming the door. Grandpa has offered to use a hammer as well.

Considering he didn't get his first baby tooth until he was 12 months old- I'd say it was right on time. The longer they keep them the better is what the professionals say!

His adult tooth has been coming in with a vengeance and pushing up behind the baby one all crooked and far back. So- the other day Daddy decided to take matters into his own hands. This tooth was coming out one way or the other if it took all night.

Lil' James was fine with this option because he couldn't wait for Mommy or Daddy tooth fairy to sneak into his room and give him his special gift. So, Daddy and Little James locked themselves in the kids bathroom for over a half an hour! James put ora-jel on Lil' James' gums and rubbed it for a while. With much nimble a finger and patience, the ingenious husband of mine wrapped floss around the tooth and jiggled it and wriggled it and finally pulled that sucker out! There was a good bit of blood indicating to me that it wasn't quite ready- but oh well...or should I say fair well?

Lil' James proudly approached me with a rather proud grin across his one less toothed face and told me that they "Did it...but can you have Daddy sneak into my room?!" I guess since I didn't have a hand in the matter that my sneaky expertise wasn't needed. He was sort of disappointed that he didn't talk funny. He also tried whistling and that too was the same old same old.

The movie Milo and Otis was the prized reward for accomplishing this rite of passage. James being an animal lover extremist was quite thrilled.

As I wrote this he came in and asked me what I was doing. I told him that I was writing about him losing his tooth. "Oh...well can you write that I took it like a man?" he asked.

With pleasure my dear boy.

Boy vs. Wild

2009-09-11T15:24:00.016-04:00

We don't watch TV much at all in this house. James and I have maybe 3 shows that we may make the effort to watch during their season. The kids never ask to "watch TV" because they really only know of videos that we carefully select for their viewing. There are some great shows on PBS including Nature shows which catch our fancy every other week or so and some mornings they get up early and will ask if Clifford or Curious George is on. They are accustomed to sitting down and reading or playing outside or playing cards together rather than wasting time with the tube. People are shocked when I tell them that we only pay $7.95/month for our 20 odd channels- 3 of which are Shopping Networks, 2 Spanish (can be fun to dub in your own dialog as to what you think is happening), 2 PBS, 2 Catholic, 1 Croatian, 1 African American, and a few weird odds and ends of local info channels with nothing but postings. So really we've got the basic ABC, NBC, and FOX. I simply and ignorantly refer to them as 3, 5, and 8.

About a year ago James and I started utilizing Netflix. We recently discovered that you can get DVD's of shows from the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC, and all those other channels with which I would have a serious problem controlling myself by not turning them off and leaving them on all day for my own gluttony! So really, the not doing TV is for my benefit as much as the kids. :)

Well, our family has acquired a "Boob Tube" obsession. We have been watching the Discovery Channel's "Man vs. Wild" series. We're in Season 2. Surprisingly, it has been working out great with the kid's school and correlating well with their geography, Peoples of the World studies, and history. After we find out where Bear Grylls is headed, we look it up on their markable map and discuss it in relation to our studies. A month ago, the kids would cringe at all the lovely creepy crawlies that he'd dig up from under a rock or rip off of a carcase and say "Ewww...gross! I would never do that!" Then, last night when we were watching Bear (we're on a first name basis with him as well as planning on naming our next child "Bear") in the Panama Canal, he ate a snake, an iguana, a worm and had termites for dessert. Not an "Ewwwwweeee, gross, or disgusting" dared to leave their lips. It was merely a, "Well, if that's what you've got to do to live..." response from Teagan. It's amazing how desensitized kids become in such a short time!- Another reason we don't do TV! Yet this wasn't a bad case of desensitization. It has been a great case of imagination revitalization!

My eldest son, James Arthur Ross III, has deemed himself the "Boy vs. Wild." His name makes him sound like he should be a Duke of something somewhere rather than a boy of nature. I'll settle for Wild Boy of the Woods of Burlington". Yet, since our encounters and travels with Bear Grylls, James has taken it upon himself to build a fort in the back yard made of sticks, wood, vine and twine equipped with a rock surrounded fire pit and mat. He went into the woods and pulled out fallen trees and asked me if he could cut off the dried-out and old lily stems. "These would make a great bed so that I'm off the ground and away from the life in the undergrowth, Mom. Oooo, and I could use some of it for tinder and tie the sticks together too!"

He was using other sticks and the side of his spade to chop up some twigs, trees and branches. With some frustration growing from stubborn sticks- he confidently informed me that, "This isn't the best way to do this Mom. I think you might have to teach me how to use a knife like Bear." I chuckled while at the same time thinking, "You are a very responsible and self-discplined boy that I have a mind to let you...but I don't want people arresting me for stupid mothering." Next thing I know, he'll be asking me to but him a flint necklace so he can start fires. I already told my husband that I want one for Christmas.

He has built dozens of spears and hunting tools and all around has become one with our "wild," big backyard. I'm so proud of him and his constructive imagination. Yesterday, he came running in from the garage, where he had been diligently working on something for over a half hour. In passing, he hollers to me that he needed red construction paper, and scissors. He ran to get his craft box and aforementioned essential tools of the trade and went to work. I was quietly observing him and smiling while I was working with Teagan. I heard him say to himself, "Okay, I need to cut a bunch of triangles of different sizes." A few minutes later he was "Done...perfect." "Okay, MOM! Now I need some tape since I ran out of twine."

Thoroughly intrigued, I asked him what he was doing. He excitedly told me that "I'm making the spears for the bow and arrow I just built. I'm gonna go hunting for dinner later. I can't wait to show Daddy- now COME AND SEE!" He grabbed the tape and off he went to finish his Big Boy bow.

We've become very impatient waiting for Daddy to get home in the evenings because I've been told by the kids that "It's just not the same watching it without him."

By this afternoon, JAR III, or "3 sticks" as his Indian heritage demands, had made a large bow and set of arrows and a smaller one for his Dad as a birthday present. Perhaps he thinks his Dad isn't boy enough to handle the big boy bow.

I think that the pride his Dad feels is present enough.

Events Full

2009-09-07T12:15:00.019-04:00

This Labor Day weekend- we had a family split of International proportion. I shall do my best to report these events as they have been relayed to me orally or over bad cellular reception.

East Coast Report: James went to Norfolk, VA to help put the roof on Esther Giordano's in-law suite at Mark Giordano's house. He left Thursday morning and came back Monday night. My only requests were that he drive down safely and he comes home with his Indian tan in tow! I think it was a reasonable request for a girl! I called him on Friday and asked at what point he had taken his shirt off and how his tan was coming. :) My cousin and Uncle also went to help. They got about half of it completed before the torrential downpour arrived on Monday and they headed home. Not only did he come back with a bit more of a tan- he brought three whole days of facial scruff too! Of course, he will invoke his modesty and shave it all off before he goes to see anyone this week. He did have to renew his license on Tuesday and he kept it for the ID picture...so I have it documented!!! Ahhh....such thoughtfulness and adoration:) He took off Tuesday to stay at home and work on his talk for Sunday and play with the family.

Midwest Report: Teagan went with Grandma, Aunt Lydia, and cousin Sadie to Rockford, IL to stay at the Johnson's and have special Sherry, Grammy and Sadie time. On the way they stopped at our usual Cracker Barrel site and bought her brothers a special toy from her "oh so special" trip. They arrived Friday night around 11pm our time and woke up, on average, at 5am every day. Sadie and Tea had especially fun girl cousin time, goofing around and annoying Lydia during the car ride, eating Swedish pancakes, painting toe nails, playing with a new found treasure of toys at Grandma Sherry's house, playing with dear friends from Bible School, watching girly girl movies, reading with Grandma Sherry for hours on end, going to the Apple Orchard, oh and the endless whining. She finally got some sleep in the car- as uncomfortable as it may appear.

International Report: Meanwhile, my Dad was in Jamaica for the 30-something time experiencing serious intestinal distress at multiple airports, Jamaican shacks, and other run-down and nasty venues that weren't equipped with, shall we say- sanitary and suitable facilities. No more detail is allowed at this time as this is a rated G blog. Moving on...

Local Report: Lil' James, Ireson and I decided to go to Sarah's house over in Wickliffe for the duration. Before the weekend was through we were able to have some quality time with Deanna, Cindy, Devone and kids, and Aunt Sue came over on Sunday evening after Sarah, Devo, and I went to the movies! All I have to say about that is "Go Joe! ...and red-heads rock!"

James spent much of his time climbing Sarah's tree, taking the dogs out, catching bugs to feed the Venus Fly Trap, watering flowers and making a mud slide down her back slope, checking out the new neighborhood Dollar store, finding caterpillars, watching giant spiders spin webs and eat their prey, and watching Animal Planet- the highlight of the weekend! We made 2 batches of Rice Krispie treats, ate cookies and had 2 or maybe it was 3 Marguerita nights! I think I gained 2 pounds. I think being so sugar/preservative/processed deprived in normal life led us to be ravenous junk food beasts for our special weekend. After all, we were on vacation too!

Now back to reality....bleh.

Fishers of Men

2009-09-01T15:38:00.003-04:00

Last week, my brother Jesse came over to fish in our neighborhood ponds when Devone and the kids were out of town. Lil' James was staying at my parent's for the weekend but my Dad brought him over to join in the fishing fun.

Lil' James reeled in the first and only big bass of the night. There were some other rock bass and bluegill caught, as well as bug bites, and some sludge and slime.

It was funny to watch Uncle Jesse and my Dad look at little James with jealousy and amazement every time he'd fling a fish out of the water. It's like he couldn't help but be a natural fisherman. Jesse ended up catching a few and Grandpa scored el' zero! At one point James, innocently and matter of factly stated, "Grandpa, you haven't caught ANY yet."

"Rub it in James!" said Grandpa laughing.

I enjoyed sitting there watching the three generations of men in my life enjoying each others company, and interacting while mentoring and discipling each other. My Dad, Jesse, James and Lil' James and Ireson.

Good times...make that great times.

Happy Birthday to Tea!

2009-09-01T14:36:00.011-04:00

Teagan turned 5 years old this past August 21st. Since 5 is a big # and all- it seemed appropriate to throw a birthday bash. This, however, proved interesting when we were still in the planning stages. Either my Mom, my Sister in Law and her kids or good friends were all going to be out of town at one point or another and all at different times. So it was a matter of figuring out when we could celebrate and with whom and where.

Teagan requested her ultra special treat for turning 5 to go to "Fun Time," the bouncy place, and bounce the day away with some friends. The original plan was to have the entire shin-dig there with all the family and friends, but because of all of the different travel plans- we settled on just Daddy and I taking the kids and Teagan's cousins: Sadie and Josie... Aunt Lydia tagged along too. We ended up having the entire place to ourselves for the majority of the time! It's as though we rented out the entire place!

Extreme fun was had by all as well as some down and dirty racing between James and I. We hung out there for about 2 and a half hours until the kids were well and spent from all the adrenalin pounding bouncing and then we headed home.

The following Friday we had her actual birthday party on her actual birthday. Friday evening a bunch of family and friends gathered over at Grandma's house where we had a cookout.

Tea helped me decorate Mom's house with streamers and balloons. I bought purple and green Pom Poms for all the kids to play with. Unpredictable to me, however, these things shed their purple, green, and silver foils all over the house! Teagan however decided that Deanna, pregnant and lounge ridden, needed some sprucing up and decided to decorate her hair. And from there on anyone who came through the door had their hair, glasses, or earrings tied with multi metallic foils!

Teagan had made Thank you cards to give to everyone for all of her gifts. The original intent was to hand them out to everyone with a heart felt "thank you" after she opened their gift. However, Teagan's excitement wasn't to be contained. As soon as the guests walked through the door Teagan ran up to them, card in hand, and said "Thank you for coming", endowing many of them with a hug! It was very sweet and I was very proud of her sincerity and thoughtfulness.

By request, I made a home-made white strawberry jam/cream cheese filled cake with cream cheese frosting, along with strawberry cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and sprinkles. I figured that a 5th year b'day deserved some serious attention...that and I raked in some "good Mom" points for making something that had more than a tablespoon of sugar in it! AND IT WAS insanely good!

So, I have a five year old Sweet Teagan Betty. Spunky, cantankerous, sweet, tender, and an ever growing Child of God.

Another year older, another year ahead....and what will it bring?

I'm excited.

Whiner Whiner- go away...come again another day.

2009-08-08T18:30:00.010-04:00

We went canoeing with about 50 people from our church family on Saturday. Everyone anxiously looks forward to this fabulously fun day where you get to trek 7 or so miles of the Cuyahoga River and then get back to base camp and eat the ready and waiting feast! Good times are always had by all! However, this year, rather than gorgeous sunny weather that we were expecting, we were graced with rain... and then more rain, and then a deluge of pouring rain about a mile out all the way to the end.

You couldn't have gotten more drenched if you fell in. Teagan and Ireson were in the boat with James and I. Ireson is such the pleasant little passenger. Granted he snacked on banana bread and pretzels and other such delights for the 1st 3/4 of the ride but barely a peep emerged from his frigid and at one point blue little lips....

And then there was Teagan...

Two years ago when we went canoeing, she was 1 week shy of turning 3. She had a grand old time. The weather was quite accommodating that year, but she still tempered the rocking boat and buggy terrain rather well! She had a swell time!

This year- not so much.

Mile 1: "MOM! Don't put the paddle down, get rowing!" - She wanted it to end before we even started.

Mile 2: "Why are you stopping Mom? Don't just sit there- get rowing!" - Last year we'd just sit and enjoy the scenery and chat amongst our fellow boaters. This year you kind of wanted to bypass the chit chat because of the rain and cold. Yet, even if I wanted to get a drink of water- I'd get scorned.

Mile 3: "The wind is making me cold, the rain is making me cold, and YOU are making me cold MOM!" It was pretty stinking cold for at least the last 4 miles or so. The kids were so soaked from just sitting there.

Mile 4: "Come on Mom, let's get there already- row!"

Every time we'd bump someone or rock the boat to adjust your numbing behind, she'd start crying and panicking. I am not raising a wimp! Not even the snacks, bug net, umbrella or hat could appease her!

Mile 5,6,7: At the start, Lil' James went in a boat with my cousin Jen and a friend from Ann Arbor. He was quite the little paddling trouper. There was one point where Jen, the wonderful selfless person that she is, sacrificed herself and fell/tripped/jumped/flipped into the water to save the boat and other passengers from tipping. Lil' James got kind of freaked out there for a minute, as did I watching my son almost get dumped into the water, but he soon recovered with nothing more than a banged up shin and a hard reality check. His butt remained on the floor of the boat for the remaining mile. This of course did not help Teagan's mentality regarding the joys of canoeing. She witnessed the mild nightmare and exclaimed under tears and duress "My brother, my brother!!!" So we hung out ahead after we caught there paddle down stream to make sure all was well and assure Teagan that her dear brother was much more the man than she and that he was fine.

Dockage: We finally docked and went to the car to change our sopping clothes and then headed to the picnic area where we ate like kings.

Teagan informed me later, after hanging out around the camp fire and enjoying the assortment of chocolate desserts, that she "loves this place!...but not the boat part so much" and that she was "glad to have a Mom like me even though you [I] get mad sometimes."

After about the 3rd tirade of demands in the boat, I told Teagan that I was thrilled that she was in the boat because all I could do was laugh at her sweet pathetic-ness.

Her father and I shared many a chuckle that day at the poor, cold, wet, tired, and pathetic child. Though we usually don't tolerate whining and complaining- we made an allowance this time around.

She indeed made this adventure more memorable because of it!
Check back for pics in a week or so. I'm waiting for my cousin to upload them to FB.

No James = No Fun

2009-07-22T17:11:00.003-04:00

James has been gone for 3 days at the Gathering and Teagan informed me this morning, as she was being disciplined for not completing her morning chores that, "It's just no fun without James here! When's he going to get home already?!"

A couple weeks ago I had only James and Ireson at home for 2 days while Teagan spent the night at Grandma's house. Life for those 2 days was, well, too easy. It was almost boring. James and Ireson got along great, things got done, life was calm and surprisingly quiet with 2 boys all day. Almost serenity dare I say.

WELL, THE TIMES ARE A CHANGIN'!

Day 1 with no James:
Teagan and Ireson have held a completely different dynamic. Teagan has had the treat and pleasure of sleeping in James' top bunk with Ireson in the bottom. However, on day 1 she got up at 6am to pee and woke up her brother! Day 1 not off to a great start. Bossing around the little brother wasn't received so well by Ireson. He's happy to toddle along with his big brother James since he wants to be just like him- but when Teagan tries to impress her "older sisterly ways" on him- he just won't have it. He thinks that he needs to take over as the big brother apparently. They have their precious moments- but overall they clashed.

Day 2 with no James:
Not much to report. We picked about 100 beans from the garden and Teagan whined about having to weed it with the hoe (James loves to do this daily) and then she didn't take a nap and was nothing short of unpleasant come dinner time. Bike riding helped, thunder storm didn't!

Day 3 with no James:
I had to go blueberry picking because last week it was slim picking and there was much ripening still needed. So I took the 2 kids out to a new fantastic place where blueberries are primarily organically grown. My excitement for the Garden- of -Edenish bounty was soon squelched by dealing with 2 lazy, whiney, bickering bums. Teagan tried to shift the blame to James by telling me that "If he were here, he would be helping out a lot and then you [me] could get all the picking done and not need my [Teagan's] help anyway! You shouldn't have let him go to the Gathering Mom if you need his help soooo much!"

Well! Though right she may be- she would still have had to help and do her annual picking part too. She acted as though this was a surprise to her and she had forgotten all the year past!
I still made her stand there in one spot with one branch and pick till I had had my quota and felt somewhat better about invoking the slave labor since I missed my little helper! I will drive this laziness out of her.

Sigh- sweet baby James- when will you come back to me? We just can't seem to peacefully function without you.

What will day 4 bring?....

Family Fishing and Frogging Fun

2009-07-21T18:53:00.004-04:00

Bro. Marvin & Sis. Joan Springer have an awesome 12 acre, pond-equipped property about 10 minutes from our house. They have an anytime open invitation for us to come over and fish and visit. They have a gorgeous layout with a vast array of flowers, an abundant garden, and tons of fun old barns and buildings and woods to explore. There is a large pond and a tiny "frog" pond which is primarily frog inhabited but no fish. Lil' James caught his first fish at their house 3 years ago!

Sunday we went over for a few hours with Jesse and the kids, and my parents. The kids had an awesome time catching fish, catching frogs, blowing bubbles, hooking worms, and getting down and dirty with the cousins.

All the kids caught a countless amount of bluegill and Jesse and James caught the only bass. Teagan caught a tree frog on the hike through the woods. It was soooo cute and only about the size of my thumb nail. She held that thing for over and hour. Jesse wanted to use it as bait the frog bully!

All in all- fishing fun was had by all!

Teagan vs. the Monster Mosquito

2009-07-18T17:04:00.006-04:00

The Mosquito Won

There she was minding her own business on Friday. The wrap up day for Bible Day Camp included a giant inflatable bouncer, rocket balloons, a guy from NASA, and pizza! The day was off to a great start...until...Teagan was outside ready to enter the bouncer when she got bitten by a mosquito on her eyelid.

This happens on an annual basis. Yet, this year she seemed to swell even more! This is what she and James do when they get a mosquito bite anywhere. It swells to 50x it's size and takes about 3-5 days to go away, demanding Benadryl around the clock, which seems to do no good anyway!

Besides the general unappealing look and occasional itch-I can't take the child anywhere for fear of someone calling the child protective services. I think in the summer I should just have them wear a sign that says: "Mosquitoes love me, and this is what happens when we meet." I mean any sensible person would think that if she was being beaten that it would be black and blue- but you just never know. Any other parent would probably rush their child to the ER based on the looks of it.

So, needless to say, my children (2 of them anyway) will never be campers or the out-doorsey type. All because of the fall.... I wonder if they'll exist in the Kingdom.

Feel the love

2009-07-18T09:12:00.003-04:00

Lil' James is going with Grandma for 6 whole days to the COGAF Gathering this year. He'll have an amazing time with his cousins Kyle and Ryan and special Grammie time too.

On Friday, he was asking me how many more days until he leaves to the Gathering. I said 3 more days. I then made the mistake of asking him if he's going to miss all of us.

He replied, "Well, I'll be fine with Grammie, but I'm really going to miss Lexi."

Lexi is our dog people. Can you feel the love?

Steak Snobs.

2009-06-25T15:35:00.003-04:00

Last night I asked the kids to each pick out a vegetable to have with their steak (from our cow) for dinner...a weekly event around here come summer!

Teagan said: "May I have corn and sweet potatoes, please. But I want a T-Bone not a Porterhouse, Mom!"

James: "Yeah sweet potatoes! Just make sure I get a bone too and I'll be happy!"

Sheesh!!- I guess when you eat steak often enough growing up - you learn the proper steak etiquette.

Woof woof...

2009-06-16T13:29:00.003-04:00

On the way to cousins house to play...
Teagan: "James, Sadie and I are going to play Princess and dress up!"
James: "Well, I want to play with you guys though!"
Teagan: "Well, okay....but you'll have to be our dog."

Body Builder Bubba

2009-05-27T16:14:00.003-04:00

James was having quiet time downstairs as I was blogging previous post. He came upstairs to inform me that he lifted the shopping cart up over his head because he is "soooo strong." He then proceeded to show me his muscles whilst sporting his new summer hair cut.

Pick a little, talk a little, pick pick pick, talk a lot, pick a little more...

2009-05-27T16:04:00.002-04:00

I was trimming all the kids nails today. I just hate long fingernails on kids. It's disgusting- especially in the Spring and Summer when every speck of dirt they come in contact with seems to magnetize there.
Anyway, Teagan has the wonderful habit of biting her nails. (This too, is something she inherited from her Aunt who shall remain un-named, so we'll just call her, oh....Sarah.) So, I only have the occasional toe clipping for her.
James was up and long over-due for some nail hacking. I popped him up on the counter and cut his fingernails first and then proceeded to his toes. I got to the second foot and he warns me not to cut this one snarly, jagged and asking to be hacked toe nail because he "really wants to pick it off!" He was adamant and sure that he needed to do this. So I told him to go ahead and just be careful not to pull it too close and I'll check to see if we need to cut it after. So he proceeded with caution and intent and upon picked completion felt such satisfaction and thanks. "Oh yeah, that was a good one Mom."

I told him that one day he'd feel that same satisfaction and peace after popping a huge zit or something when he's a teenager.

Anatomy and Phys 101- Teagan Style.

2009-05-17T14:36:00.006-04:00

We had a couple cold, wet and rainy days this week, so of course outside time wasn't an option. Plan B: The kids love it when I blow up balloons and we play different games with them and we just go all out nuts! I particularly love to throw the balloons at them and they have to hit it with whatever body part I shout out.

Anyway, this time, one of my "nut-case" children...namely Teagan...turned to me with her balloon in front of her and said: "Look Mom, the balloon looks like my eweterus."

I, of course couldn't contain myself and laughed my uterus off!

"You mean your you-terus?" I replied.

Tea, looking at me as though I'm an ignorant idiot, "Yeah, like my womb... you know!"

Then the thought struck her! She proceeded to relay it to me at a bewildering rate AND all in one breath: "OH, MOMMY....I KNOW!!!!! We could put a little baby balloon inside of it and blow it up and then you could pop this one and it would be like when you pushed Ireson out! Doesn't that sound like a good idea, Mommy?"

I thought to myself amongst my musing: "Yeah...'cause it was that easy."

Only a nurses child! What have I done?

Butt pack

2009-05-07T21:01:00.005-04:00

Ireson is having his first sleep over at Aunt Sarah's house this weekend. I asked James if I could use his Thomas the Train Back Pack to pack Ireson's clothes. He gladly obliged as he is excited for his baby brother's big event too!

I gave all the kids a bath and Ireson got out and I wrapped him all snuggly in his big cozy, warm towel. As soon as he saw the "Bek pack" he threw his towel to the side as though he were about to take flight and immediately proceeded to put the back pack on. Then, he must have decided that it was too heavy for take off so he took it off unpacked everything except his precious "B" and then put it back on and started marching around chanting "Bek Pek to Sarah's house...Bek Pek to Sarah's house!"

Now who doesn't envy being able to run around naked and chanting?!

Birthday Boy!

2009-04-16T18:32:00.007-04:00

Every Thursday we have gym and swim. This morning before we went to gym we went to the grocery store. I needed to pick up some birthday necessities like candles and balloons. The kids were great as they usually are when we go shopping. We got back in the car and James asked if I was "proud of them for being so responsible and obedient." Absolutely!

I'm a strong believer in shopping with your kids so they can learn how to be well behaved, responsible, know where to shop for the nutritious food, price compare, coupon search, and practice proper life skills. How are they ever going to learn all this if you shove them in the baby sitter's room?! I must say that I also thoroughly enjoy them standing outside the windows of the babysitting room and watch all the kids inside there as though they were animals at the zoo. It cracks me up!

Today, James informed his gym teacher that it was his birthday and all the 30+ other kids cheered him on all day and he got "special" treatment. He scored a goal while they were playing hockey too! He was so proud of himself.

Teagan informed ME that I am "such a great mommy for pushing that great brother of mine out of your belly 6 years ago this very day!" She gave James first pick and let him go first and what not all day.

James asked me yesterday if he could have whatever he wanted for his b'day dinner as long as it was nutritious. He requested "baked chicken, mashed potatoes, and cucumbers" for his birthday dinner. "Oh and a piece of candy for dessert, MOM!...because a little sugar is okay."

Happy Birthday my Sweet Baby James!

Sick-erson

2009-04-15T19:19:00.010-04:00

Ireson had RSV when he was 8 days old. Consequently, he is more prone to wheezing if he gets sick and potentially developing asthma as he gets older. Well, the poor boy didn't so much as have more than a measly cold this entire winter. Then his Dad got sick and come mid April he developed a horrendous chest cold and Ireson thought he would enjoy the mucusy fun and get it too!

Come Monday morning he was weak, had a fever, and was wheezing a lot- something he has only done when he had croup a year ago. Luckily, I have a nebulizer from when he had RSV and I whipped it out. I decided to take him to the Dr and get some meds since he obviously couldn't get rid of this thing on his own at this point and just as I thought- it had progressed to a sinus infection. Within 24 hours he was feeling much better. We actually got more than 15 minutes of sleep at a time that night!

He threw an all out fit (very unlike him) the first time I tried to give him a breathing treatment. About the 4th run through though, and a lot of my Pediatric Nurse "distractics", now he will even hold it and turn the nebulizer ("tractor") on himself! He thinks it makes a cool tractor sound. James and Teagan help out a lot by making it a game and playing things with him like dominoes.

So things are finally on the mend. Now- it's time to prepare for the big brother's 6th birthday! I'll keep you posted.

He Is Risen Indeed!

2009-04-15T18:42:00.006-04:00

On Saturday we celebrated Christian Passover with Laura & Brian Ross and all the kids. As in the past 10+ years they have done it - it was complete with re-enactments; painted back drops; a tub full of feader fish (the Sea of Galilee); unleavend bread, figs and dates; a ton of decked out refrigerator boxes (Egypt)- on which we colored the doors with red crayons; the upper room; the garden of Gethsamane; the tomb and angel (thanks Kaitlin!), and the new live additions this year including a rooster and real lambs (one blemished, one perfect). Don't worry, we didn't eat that one for dinner.

The kids all experienced Passover (dinnerand all) as real as possible as though they were living then. Big James even got to be a soldier and get his ear cut off! I particularly enjoyed seeing Teagan and the other 4 year olds get chained up as a demonstration of how we are slaves to sin. As always, it proves to be an impressive, memorable, solemn, and most spiritual reminder of the meaning of Easter time. I was very proud of James and Teagan when they chimed in with the right answers throughout the event!

James, Teagan and Ireson spent half the visit collecting the 40 some chicken's eggs (that's the extent of what we do with eggs in my house for Easter!), and helping groom the 3 miniature horses; exercising them by running them on a lead and even riding! James got to canter on Misty! Teagan did too but I was especially proud of my introverted and reserved son having the guts to get on her and let her run! At first it looked like he was peeing his pants but then he realized how much fun it was and he was overtaken with pride and excitement. It was so cool! Abigail let him run the baby Stardust on the lead until we left. OF COURSE- I forgot my camera. Argh!

Ireson, in the mean time was getting sicker by the minute with a horrible chest cold that he contracted from his Dad. See next blog entry for those details.

Then on Sunday, we (James, Tea and I) went to Aunt Cindy's to have an Easter dinner. Devone planned an Easter egg hunt for the kids and then they hid them from the adults. I'm not sure which part they enjoyed more! Cousin Rach was there with her leg cast which she was going to have taken off on Monday. She let the kids decorate it with markers and then Teagan had the great idea of using nail polish to make it even more extravagant after she had finished painting Aunt Sue's nails. Oh the fun we had and Oh the cottonballs that they would be needing later!

We are so blessed with such a wonderful spiritual family. Thank you Lord Jesus!

Budha

2009-04-09T18:48:00.002-04:00

Teagan was playing in the water with Ireson as he was taking a bath. She took her shirt off so it wouldn't get soaked. All of a sudden she came running in to my bathroom with her pot belly busting out and pants around her ankles and jumped up onto my toilet. She proceeds to tell me, "Mom, can you please go out so I can go poop and leave me alone because I'm meditating."

Well, I'm so sorry to have messed up the Karma of the whole situation. It's not like I EVER get peace and quiet when I want the bathroom to myself! Sheesh.

On a walk about to Columbus...

2009-04-06T19:27:00.010-04:00

This past weekend Sarah, Ragan Cline, and the kids and I went down to Columbus to visit my cousin Tracy Pettinger and her family for Lil' James' birthday...that and it was a great excuse to go visit my family! Kyle and Ryan are James' favorite people and getting to spend a weekend with them and spending the night at their house was the ultimate birthday celebration. To him, going there is likened to most kids getting to go to Disney World.

Ireson was coming down with a his Dad's nasty cold and so he was extra snugly and cuddly in bed with Sarah and I Friday night. He and Sarah shared painting each other's face with his "B" and he likewise showed his love and affection to me by whacking me in the head all night, having to sleep on me and staying awake from 1:30-3:00am coughing and stuffy headed! Teagan did her usual annoying moaning thing around 5am and James' said he slept marvelously up in Kyle and Ryan's room.

James had his first experience with video games, namely the Wii, the following morning. He picked up on it quickly and was great at baseball, bowling, race car driving, and tennis. It was a good reminder to me that we will never have one in our own home:)

Teagan enjoyed all the girl toys of cousin Kayla's and having Reggie and Kay at her beckon call. She became all too bossy with them in all the excitement of temporary sisters for the weekend!

Going to the Columbus Zoo was the main agenda item for our Saturday. We heard news of a new born baby elephant that was only 9 days old! We got there around 10 something and stood in the 49 degree, sunny, yet windy cold for almost an hour waiting to see the baby! However, the kids had a blast playing and watching the other elephants. Cleveland Zoo's elephants were there living until we get our Pachyderm building completed. I felt some reassurance that they were doing well and said "hi" from all of us Clevelander's. The rhinos were entertaining, as well as the various other animals and their handlers stationed at different intervals to make the wait seem not so tedious! Finally, we got to see the little un-named gem. It was well worth the wait. He was so precious and just an awesome testament of God's wondrous creation!

The Pettinger kids were like our own personal tour guides- having gone there so many times. Everything is so close together and they have an awesome variety of animals who breed like no other zoo! It's as though all the animals knew we were coming and were on their best and most entertaining behavior and offered us the best seats in the house!

The apes were hilarious, the manatees were mesmerizing, the tiger was roaming and ravenous right next to the glass, there was a scuba diver down in the massive aquarium tank feeding the fish -right in front of us, giant vampire bats, Cammodo dragon breath, and finally the weather cooperated and it turned out to be a perfect day! The kids rode a carousel, pet an owl and armadillo and had a most wonderful time- as did the adults! It seemed there were Kodak moments at every turn!

Back at the home front that evening- us ladies had Guacamole, Margaritas AND Pina Colada's followed by a superb dinner. The perfect end to a perfect day!

Sunday we had a lovely home Church with another family and then we headed home. Come Sunday afternoon, having had no naps and little sleep at night, the kids were spent and I was done with them. They slept most of the way home and went to bed early.....and yet I woke up today wishing we were still there.

Come Lord Jesus quickly come!

2009-04-06T19:22:00.002-04:00

Dinner time prayer by Teagan: "Dear God, thank you for this food and help me not to take forever to eat it. And please help Ireson to keep feeling better and for Mommy to get un-sick and to feel better...or maybe could you just send Jesus down to touch her just a little and make her all better so she won't be cranky and so tired...and Jesus name - Amen."

I feel better already and I'm choosing not to be so cranky. Thank you Teagan. I love you daughter! And Jesus- if you could come down anyway- that would be great!

"Vengence is mine," sayeth the 4 year old?

2009-04-01T19:00:00.004-04:00

Sarah was over on Monday and I was about to leave to go workout. Sarah, likewise, was headed out the door to go home. Teagan and James decided that they wanted to whine about me leaving and ambushed Sarah and I at the door...about to go out...so close...yet so far....

James kept asking (i.e. whining), "But, WHY do you have to go tonight?! Can't you just go tomorrow?" Whimper, Whimper.

Teagan, chimed in (i.e. higher pitched whining), "Yeah can't you just go tomorrow....I don't want you to go." Snarff, snarff.

Sarah, being the older and wiser sister, thought she should nip this in the bud and tell them very matter-of-factly why I had to go tonight.
"Your Mom has to go tonight. Otherwise, her butt will get big (pause) -er."

I of course just looked at her, busted out a laugh and assumed a retrieval high-five position at my own burned expense.

But- hold the press! Before said high-five could even be delivered, Teagan (the apparent wiser, younger, little sister) said: "Yeah- like you!"

HA! Take that Sister Sarah! I felt such sweet victorious revenge...and it wasn't even of my own accord.

I'm glad Teagan has my back...or butt rather:)

James Jaguar

2009-03-19T17:01:00.004-04:00

Whenever there is a scheduled Elders/Deacon's or board meeting at church for James to attend, I try to schedule going over to Sarah's or Lydia's that day/evening. After running around we'll go to Sarah's to take naps and then eagerly await her arrival home after work that evening.

This past Tuesday we had a day of absolute blessed and beauteous weather. James went outside, sat on her stoop, and patiently waited for Sarah's car to pull in to her parking lot.

He sat there for a good 10 minutes or so before coming in and asking me if he could climb that "great climbing tree right outside her door and if I would give him a boost." It was indeed a GREAT climbing tree for a boy. Every kid should climb a tree in their childhood if not have some great ones in their yard at least!

Anyway, I said "sure!" So he commences up the tree and perches himself in an animail-ic sort of style whilst looking at me with these intent and glaring eyes. I had a feeling of what was coming....He let out his quite impressive jaguar snarl/growl. At that moment, it just so happened that Sarah's neighbor was walking to his door. James looked right at him, as though stalking his prey, and let out the same snarl and then proceeds to warn the poor middle-aged man that "I'm going to eat you!"

"What kind of bird are you supposed to be?! " the man asked.

"I'm a jaguar not a bird. (Insert another growl here) -that's what jaguars do," replies my head-case child.

"Oh! I thought you might be an opossum or something," said apparently confused neighbor.

Trying to assure the man that this was typical 6 year old boy behavior, I said: "If he were an opossum, he'd end up my road-kill at the end of the day!"

Well, laughs were had by all and James remained pouncing and perching around in that tree for a good 45 minutes explaining all the different things that a jaguar could do in that tree including: "drag (me) up the tree and eat (me) because he has fully retractable claws."

It's a good thing he chose fajitas for dinner.

Halloweeners

2009-03-19T16:45:00.003-04:00

I was a painting fiend all this past week. I did Teagan's room in two days and then my room another two days with some assistance from my painting guru cousin the last day.

In the meantime, the kids were great at entertaining themselves, getting along, taking care of their baby brother, and being all around good little siblings.

On the 3rd day, I heard an awful lot of laughter coming from Teagan's room so I went to investigate. Upon entering I see James all decked out in Teagan's hair paraphernalia like a lion with a headdress and Teagan likewise donned herself like an African princess.

Oh the gaudiness! Oh the somewhat disturbing-ness seeing your son so enjoy the girlish festivities!

I asked them what they were doing and they told me that, "they were dressed up like all those Halloweeners."

"Halloweeners?"- I asked?

"Yeah, ya know...all those kids who are too old to get candy who dress up and look funny on Halloween. They're Halloweeners."

I had comfort in knowing that my kids have never heard the word they didn't intend -"wiener" and have no idea what it could mean. And yet, I thoroughly enjoy that title and description of "all those [dumb and selfish] kids who are too old to get candy [because their parents are morons and let their kids go out T and T-ing] who dress up and look funny [and often very inappropriate] on Halloween."

I too say- "they're Hallow-wieners!!"

Ingenious!

2009-03-19T16:36:00.006-04:00

The other day, Ireson was eating a snack (one of his favorite pastimes). He stuck a grape on the end of his pretzel stick and proudly stated, "HA! Look Mom, Sucker!" - I wonder if I could market that?!

Dr. Ross

2009-03-17T14:08:00.002-04:00

We took Lexi to a grooming appointment which requires a 35 minute or so car ride to get there. Lexi came to us with a severe car phobia of which it has taken almost 8 years now to break! She does much better now and jumps into the car on command and barely even drools anymore. She happily assumes her seat in the back next to James.

About half way to our destination I asked James how Lexi was doing.
He said: "She's okay. She's only drooling a teeny bit and she's not even shaking. I think she's pretty stable."

I'm glad I didn't have to get there Stat!

Rain Man

2009-03-17T14:05:00.003-04:00

I asked Teagan if she wanted to take a "B" (blanket) to Sarah's to take a nap. She said "no, she has a blanket there for me to use if I need to." I asked her if she knows where it is and she replied, "Definitely, definitely not. You may have to call her because I definitely don't know where it is."

Man oh Man!

2009-03-07T14:37:00.006-05:00

James was down working in the basement today and I gave Lil' James the option to go down there and work with him instead of resting. He heartily replied: "Hmm....(big sigh) Okay- but I might get immersed in doing manly stuff."

I'm glad he warned me!

The Cool Cat in the Hat

2009-03-07T14:33:00.006-05:00

Ireson loves to wear hats. Unlike typical kids that will pull them off after a few minutes, he'd wear his all day long and even sleep in it (which he's tried!) The other day he grabbed his hat while sitting on the counter and put it on and said, "COOL!" Then he proceeded to turn it around backwards on his big ol', not to mention same circumference of his brother's head, and said, "Heh, Heh,- Me more cool!"

Only a Lansing would be proud!

2009-02-26T17:14:00.003-05:00

Teagan and Ireson were sleeping so I had my "special time" with James since he only needs a nap about 1-2 times a week now. During this time I like to do our 1 on 1 school time. Most of the time it's reading and phonics and is reading has blossomed since it's quiet and he can concentrate without his 2 younger siblings clucking in the background. Today we decided to just play games. Crazy Eights was the game of choice today...a game that we played many a time with my dad when we were all little. This particular deck however, is decked out (no pun intended) with animals. So about the 3rd or 4th game I told James to go ahead and deal the cards while I went and started dinner. I got the meat browning and he called me over when he was done. About a third of the way through the game I realized that the kid had 3 eights (wild in this game) in his hand and he didn't need to draw a card yet! I on the other hand had to keep drawing to find the card tho match what he kept changing it to with all of the eights he had! Finally, he goes out on an eight!

I sarcastically said, "MAN - You didn't shuffle very well! How did you end up with three eights?! Sheesh!"

He just looked at me with this "stop feeling sorry for yourself/matter of fact" look on his face and said: "What?! I gave you one."

Allow yourself to imagine my face in total shock and awe at this point! Uh huh- that little stinker totally stacked the deck.
"You little cheater. James! I can't believe you did that!" He's just laughing and turning red and giggling at his clever little self.

Honestly though, I couldn't help but grin and chuckle to myself and be a little proud thinking about he was following his natural genetic predisposition of becoming a Lansing cheater.

Sucked Dry!

2009-02-25T12:06:00.004-05:00

Ireson still nurses about 2-3 time a day: morning, nap, and night. He only goes for about 30 seconds or so on each side. Then he pulls off and looks at me and says, "All gone, Suck dry." I said that to him months and months ago as he looked at me with question and concern and says "all gone?" I simply had to tell him that he drank it all...it's sucked dry! Now it's his affirmation that he's done and all is well.
He loves to be all sweet, loving and fatherly and role play with baby dolls and nurse them, etc. Yesterday he was nursing his baby and patting her back. He pretended to pull her off and said, while shaking his head and giggling, "doh, doh, doh, baby...all gone. Sucked dry."

Packed and Dry

2009-02-25T11:54:00.003-05:00

Teagan has this thing where she LOVES to put her baby dolls and stuffed animals in Rubbermaid bins. She packs them in there nice and tight and then snaps the lid on...nice and tight. It just seems wrong on so many levels doesn't it?! I can't help but laugh whenever I see a new stuffed and shoved toy! I asked her what the deal is with doing that - to which she replied: "Oh, it's so they won't get scared and they feel safe."

And yet I can't help but think that her poor little lamb is scared to death of suffocating and feels anything but safe!

To make matters even more interesting. I found one of Teagan's dolls all tied up on her dresser with her jump rope. She told me that she got her wet and that she was "hanging her out to dry." I shudder to think she gets her parenting tactics from me:)

Einstein?

2009-02-25T11:24:00.005-05:00

I was helping James build a fort/garage with his Lincoln Logs. We were having a heck of a time trying to figure out the best way to maintain stability for the structure on the carpet. Amidst the assembling and encouraging of each other, James asked me if I knew how to build houses like Daddy does. I told him no but I can still be pretty handy around the house when I need to be. Then I suggested we use a certain piece to brace this other piece, and so on and so forth. James boisterously burst out "Mom, you are a genius!"

Golly- he'd never called me that before! I felt very honored and so smart. Why did a compliment of this caliber, coming from an almost 6 year old, make my day? Well, I don't know- but it did!

Then he concluded: "Even though you can't engineer stuff like Daddy, you're still pretty good at this building stuff...but you're NOT as smart as Daddy is though!"

Huh...pride, warm and fuzzy feelings gone. Sigh. I just convinced myself that he was talking about me not being as smart at building stuff rather than everything in general because...well....come now! I had to retain some semblance of dignity at this point!

It's sad to think that the day is soon coming when my son will realize that I don't know EVERYTHING! I remember thinking my parent's knew EVERYTHING when I was younger. Yet, thank goodness that I don't remember the point when I realized that they didn't know everything...because...well...come now! - that would have been as shocking as me admitting that James is smarter than me at EVERYTHING!

Oh Bother Brother!

2009-02-24T11:57:00.002-05:00

Teagan has been saying "Oh, bother" as her personal expletive for a few weeks now. It's so cute how she gets all Pooh-ish when something goes wrong. James was playing with her the other day and accidentally broke whatever she was building with her Krinkle blocks and glumly sighs: "Oh Bother Brother Bear. Just look at what happened. Now you must help me re-assemble it!"

Teagan gets to go to her cousins Sadie and Josie's house on Wednesday for a Princess sleepover party- complete with dress up clothes, finger sandwiches, and frills! The excitement has been brewing for weeks and it has finally arrived! She keeps reminding her brother, much to his dismay, that "the party is only for girls. No boys allowed because their stinky and they don't like princess stuff! Only Uncle Jesse is allowed to be there because he lives there." I asked her what she was going to do if Uncle Jesse started to get all ornery. "Well, he better watch it because we'll just have to kick him out," she said with such seriousness that I wouldn't dare mess with her! Then shaking her head in disgust, she concludes, "And if he is all stinky then he will have to sleep upstairs because I am not going to sleep near him, and Aunt Von Von (Devone) can just (insert long sigh) well- sleep with me I guess."
And there you have it.

3 roses for 3 kids. So what does 6 roses mean? Ahhhhh!

2009-02-14T10:28:00.005-05:00

So James got home yesterday and was working on the van trying to get the battery charged, with little luck for the first half hour. I was getting nervous that we would have to fold the entire evening's plans. Lil' James is telling me that I'm not allowed to go out there in the garage because I'm not allowed to "see." Finally, James got the van going and he came in to get ready whilst trying to level the temper fumes brewing in his brain. Meanwhile, we're running almost a 1/2 hour late!
All of a sudden I see Ireson toddling over to me yelling "fowers, fowers, fowers!" He handed me 3 roses. I forgot that I had those coming!
Let me explain...Ever since we started having kids, James gets me a rose for each kid for Valentine's Day. I hadn't gotten flowers from him since we were dating and it was almost 6 years into our marriage before we had our first child. So, getting flowers (even one) can be a big deal if I choose to let it! So when we had Lil' James I got one rose, the next year we had Teagan and I got two roses, and so on. Finally, I'm up to three roses now! Well, the first year when we had Lil' James, my husband so elegantly explained to me that if I ever want to get a dozen roses again then "you know what you have to do."- But not in those exact words..funnier, somewhat cruder...but not appropriate to post:)

I have to re-explain this concept to the kids every year. This year, Teagan figures since there is one "for each of my kids" then she should get to have one for herself. "Back off Chucky," was my only response. Hey- I got flowers and I'm gonna save them and dry them like the rest! I at least let her smell them.

So the next day, Valentine's day morning, we went down stairs and there were 3 more roses on the counter! Wait a minute!!! What does this mean?! Have the rules changed?! Is there something I don't know about?! Even if I included the dog as my 4th kid I'd only be up to 4 roses!
Teagan immediately assumes "it's a miracle. God brought them down here- so now I can have one!" Luckily, I was able to appease her with heart balloons from last night's dinner. James, the logical one, says that "someone must have put them there because they could not have grown there overnight Teagan! Use your head!" Ireson, the repeater, exclaims in a somewhat confused state, "God! Here! One! Night!"
I just figured that the florist was only selling roses by the dozen or half a dozen so James had no choice but to bring home 6. So I ask the kids what they think this means if there are only 3 kids and 6 roses now. Lil' James deduces, very matter-of-fact: "Well Mom, you better start having more kids, 'cause you're getting old."

I'll get to the bottom of this eventually.

A day like today...

2009-02-13T13:28:00.021-05:00

Today I made special pink Valentine's Day pancakes (made with cherry juice) and cut them into hearts with a cookie cutter. It was a big hit with the kids and they were thoroughly enjoyed by all...including me and my not usually so creative or caring about V-day self!

Summoned to a mother's mundane duty of the wiping of Teagan's booty: "MOM!!! I'm done! It stinks in here and you're just gonna have to deal!" and after said booty call - "Thanks Mom, I appreciate it." - She's been saying that on and off for some time now and it just never gets old for me. - The appreciation bit- not the butt wiping:) Some of you are probably thinking that it's ridiculous that a 4 1/2 year old can't wipe her own butt. I agree- however, my Tea is short appendage challenged, like her mother, and she simply can't reach. We've tried teaching different techniques to help but it just isn't happening....maybe when she's 12?

Teagan and James had to agree on a short spiritual video to watch today before naps.. This usually poses an interesting, yet often confrontational situation between the 2 of them including bribing, flattery, bartering, and the whole nine yards till they get their own way. So finally Teagan pulled one out and boisterously said: "Mom, this one will be popular with both of us! What do you think James?"

All the kids got their own piece of mail today- a special Valentine's Day card, complete with a $1 dollar bill, from Grandma and Grandpa! Ireson opened his, grabbed the dollar and started yelling: "GOD! GOD! GOD!!!"
Translation: "I have money to take to church to put in the envelope in Sunday School class to give to God! Yahoo!"
James asked me: "Mom, after I give part of this to God, can I take the rest of it to buy something at the store?"
Teagan: "Sure you can James, just rip off God's piece and put it in Mommy's purse for church and then you can take the rest."

I went to load up the van for the evening's festivities and saw that the side "automatic" magic door was left open by the kids yesterday around noon! Needless to say the battery was dead beyond dead. I called James and gave him a heads up.

Devone (sister-in-law) planned a "Sweethearts" dinner for our church at one of our member's restaurant with babysitting provided at her house right around the corner! She's always so thoughtful and creative with planning things for our church. I'm so excited to get all dolled up, go on a date with James with my church family and laugh and hang out and do my hair, and have an alcoholic drink! Sounds immature - I know...but hey! For a girl that only consumes alcohol but once every few months or so-this can be a luxury! I'm talking about something fruity, colorful, high-calorie, with whip cream and a cherry on top...oh and don't forget those cute lil' umbrellas. I'll take those home as souvenirs for the kids. The alcohol is just an added perk. Honestly, after 2 sips- I'm toast. It's that almost 6 years of breastfeeding that have left me with no tolerance.

Normally, Valentine's is not a big deal to us. The reason being that we think that we don't need Hallmark dictating to us when to celebrate our love for each other or the excuse that people have felt "love deprived" all year and Valentine's Day needs to be the day to make up for it.
To James and I- every day is Valentine's Day. That sounds totally cheesy, I realize!!! Rather, we feel such wonderful, complete, blessed love in our marriage on a daily basis that Valentine's Day is just another day of the week. No big whoop. Don't get me wrong though...if the opportunity comes along to do something extra special around this time...then we're game!- I mean, bring on the excuses to have fun and laughter!

Nothing like a sister to encourage you...so I thought.

2009-02-12T12:25:00.002-05:00

Sarah, the kids and I all went over to Darryl and Lydia's the other night for some puppy love and family time. Our entire family had received some stressing news that day, and we were all kind of down in the dumps and weary at all the world's workings and these end times that we are experiencing. I was casually discussing some personal stress and concerns about motherhood, work, church, etc. with my sister Sarah.

So Sarah, using her self acquired soft skills, - kindly offered her words of encouragement in a way that only Sarah can pull off:
"Ya know Beck, you are doing the only job that you are supposed to be doing right now and that's being a mother! Your kids are great, they're a joy to be around, everyone loves them and they're so impressed with them (blah, blah, blah)...and you're doing a great job!" Then she points over to Ireson (who is running around rampantly in a circle like a dog chasing his tale and acting like his usually nutty self-amusing self) and she says, "I mean, just look how smart he is!"

Yeah- he must get that from his father.

Permission to pee?

2009-02-12T12:07:00.003-05:00

I decided to give all the kids a bath last night. James asked if he could take a bath by himself in my bathtub. This is a special treat for him to get sit and bathe in the "big tub" in deep water. We haven't made a habit of this since a jacuzzi tub takes a lot more water to fill up even if it's for just one teeny, tiny body in there! Usually, I just throw all the kids in their tub and get them in and out in a rotating fashion after they had some play time. He's getting old enough where he needs his own privacy as well. So, I obliged and figured I'd let him play and then do the other 2 kids after him.

Well about 2 minutes after his submersion I hear him yell: "Hey Mom, can I go ahead and pee in your bathtub?!" Gee- I appreciate the thoughtfulness of him actually asking since it's my tub and I forgot to remind him to "go" before he got in!

How do I respond to this?!

Honestly, every kid does this. Every adult has done this at some point or another too! I wasn't sure if I wanted deal with a wet floor and wet toilet seat or just let the kid pee and sit in it. I mean it's sterile, there's so much water that it will just be mostly diluted anyhow, right?!

Sorry for those of you with weak constitutions but...I told him to go ahead but he'll just have to sit in his own pee. To which he responded: "That's okay Mom. It will just make the water warmer anyway." Sheesh...gotta love the logic of kids.

Don't worry people, I drained the water before I put the other kids in...most of it anyway:)

When I grow up...

2009-02-11T13:25:00.003-05:00

Today Teagan and I were having our typical and frequent discussion about who she is going to marry when she grows up. She absolutely knows that THE MOST important thing is that they are a "man of God and a child of God, etc."

She was explaining to me her newly elaborated idea of what this guy should be like..."Okay Mom. Listen. So I know that they have to love God and all that stuff. But I'm thinking that since Darryl is married to Lydia, he (as in her husband) has to be funny and act like a dog when I tell him and go to puppy jail!

And since Grandma is married to Grandpa he (future said husband) has to go to Jamaica a lot and be ornery but not scare me like he did my baby brother! AND since Daddy is married to you already and he can't marry me then he (the doesn't know what's going to hit him future husband!) has to be stinky and give me a beat-down. Okay? Don't you think those are good ideas?"

To the average person Teagan's future husband may sound like an abusive, taunting, scruffy guy with bad hygiene... but I think that sounds just swell.

Trick or Treat?

2009-02-07T15:21:00.006-05:00

The kids had a great day doing school work Friday. They were enthusiastic, diligent, studious, and James really impressed me with his reading when he was concentrating. Since we were stuck at home all week with Ireson being sick for one day, and me waiting for the rest to get sick too...I was ready to get out and grocery shop! Exciting I know.

So, I decided that I would get the kids a super special treat. I'm talking an all out, nothing like mommy's normal definition of treat, sugar blitzing, blow the kids away, make you sick treat!

On the way to the store I told the kids my plan.
Response: "What kind of treat? A piece of cheese?" (A visit to the deli counter gets kids a free piece of cheese- highlight of the whole outing.) "No", I said, "bigger and better." "A cookie?" "No."

At this point they are at a loss for what I, me, the mother of all nutrition-nazi moms, would give them as a treat. Then I dropped the bomb! "What do you think about a doughnut?!" Insert shrieks, shrills, screams, and shouts of pure elation here- I mean the kind that make your ears hurt and you think someone is hurting them!

Then of course they revert to concerned questions to decipher my honesty on the matter. "Really? Why? Not cheese? Why would you give us a doughnut?"
I told them that I figured that it's close to Valentine's Day and that the store should have the decked out doughnuts and it would be fabulous!!!

So we went to the doughnut area (a place of the store they had never been around before so you can imagine their wide and googley eyes about to pop out of their heads) AND they all picked out their own special doughnut complete with 1000 calories, frosting, sprinkles, preservatives, sugar, processed ingredients, and intestinal distress waiting to happen!

So we got home, unloaded and they all lined up like the traditional, sweet deprived soldiers that they are, and got their doughnut on their plate. The flew over to the table and commenced with the gorging! I kid you not- Ireson had his entire full sized doughnut in his mouth in under 60 seconds. Hands and face caked with white frosting complete with pink and purple sprinkles. There was barely enough room for his jaw to move up and down so he could chew! What was even funnier was him trying to talk to share his gratitude and grins!

Teagan and James were close behind. You could hear all the yums, mmms, and ahhs, and ooohhhhs and expressions of complete and utter satisfaction. Then Teagan, stares me down with the most intent and earnest look and pauses from the gluttony to share this with me: "Mom, I just love this soooo much. I can't tell you how much I love this. It's better than cake with frosting with candy on top of it. It's just so good." You swore she was going to cry from such an intense level of fondness.

Then James pipes up with a rather full and vommitus tone to his voice. "MOM- I don't think this was a good idea! I have a really bad stomach ache. I don't think my stomach is used to this much sugar! YOU (as in me-mom) were NOT responsible."

HA! He was actually trying to make me feel guilty and irresponsible for giving him such a wonderful treat. I of course had to offer to eat it for him. A totally hypocritical moment for me:) I think I enjoyed it almost as much as they did....without the shrieking of course.

Whistle while you work...."whoo whoo whoo whoo" - when you're 2 ?????!!!!!

2009-02-05T14:16:00.007-05:00

So we realized almost a year ago that Ireson could whistle. It seemed like a fluke thing because it would only occur once in a while. He couldn't do it on command, and it would happen when he'd be walking around just being goofy and making noises. Then, all of a sudden you'd hear a "whoo" -an authentic whistle! He has only done accidentally since.

James, on the other hand, had perfected whistling last month. He can mimic a tune, whistle a song, call for the dog, and whistle a happy tune at any ol' time. Ireson and Teagan are very proud and try their hardest to achieve that high pitched, little "whoo" that every kid so anticipates! So whenever James starts to whistle, Teagan and Ireson try to chime in. Teagan sounds more like she's singing a "hoo hoo."

Then it happened! The other day, I see Ireson toddling behind James in a parade-ish sort of way- whistling! It's just a little intermittent whistle- but it's still a genuine whistle! If you ask him- he can do it. It's kind of freaky seeing a 2 year old whistle. What's next - blowing bubble gum bubbles, snapping his fingers, tying his shoes? Stop the madness!
Here's a clip of him doing it...this one is faint but it's definitely there! He normally does it louder!

A Right of Passage

2009-02-01T15:10:00.011-05:00

Well, in our church, there comes a time in every child's life where they cross the line from being in the Lamb's class (2 years old-preschool) to the Treasure's Class (kindergarten - 2nd grade.) James was privileged enough to graduate to the Treasure's Class this past September. He was more than ready to stop being the leading top dog of the preschool class to the under-dog (and shortest!) of the grade school class. He needed to be more challenged and to be with a more mature group. It's been good for him to be mentored by the older kids and for him to not have the answers all the time anymore. He enjoys the class immensely...though he tells me often that he really misses snack time. - Well yeah! I would too.

One of the early on goals for this class is to learn the books of the Bible. James has been so diligent in learning them. Every time we sit down to a meal together or get in the car he recites them. It's amazing how well kids' brains work to memorize!!! I was quite impressed with how quickly he learned them.

Today was the day he got to recite them ALL to his teacher and get his sticker and his fabulous homemade, giant-sized, personalized coloring book! He was the first one of all the new kids of the class to have learned them!!! AND- there's a chunk of kids who have been in the class for over a year who still haven't learned them all.

His teacher found me after church because she said she had to share the story with me and it made her day. She told me that he stood up, had a sparkle in his eye, a smirk on his face, and told her that "she was in for a treat." James knew that he only had to memorize up to the book of James but he asked me if he could just learn them all this week. So he was happy that he could share this surprise with his teacher. (The teacher's hand out little animal reminder card to the parents every week to let them know where their child is in the list of the books and the next chunk to memorize.) She looked at him with a huge smile and said "I know I didn't tell you that you had to do all of those. You're awesome!" She thought it was adorable. Her first little person to have accomplished that challenge.

I was so proud of him and he was proud of himself too. It's those small milestones that you cherish so deeply because you know that the same milestone will only happen once. AND you see your child growing up in the Lord and developing spiritual maturity and a passion for the Lord through such simple things as memorizing the books of the Bible. I love that my kids LOVE going to worship and that they feel like their church is their second home. I think that's the way it should be and that must be how the people of the Acts 2 church felt too.

SO- needless to say, this called for a celebration. We went with Grandma, Aunt Cindy, and Aunt Sarah out to dinner at Bob Evans for lunch!!! We had a gift card and 2 coupons for free kids meals and James proudly told the waitress and people in the waiting area that he had memorized all the books of the Bible. He is too cool! We all had a "special treat" indeed.

A fine example.

2009-01-31T10:10:00.004-05:00

James: "MOM!!! Ireson won't stop chasing me and spanking my butt! It's not funny anymore!"

Me (chuckling): "Well, what do you expect James? He learned it by watching you!"

James (shocked and confused): "Nuh Uh! He learned it by watching Daddy do it to you!"

Gee....no argument there.