By Definition

By Jessica | November 30, 2008

Advent Begins

Molly under the tree at Grammy Kris and fil Phil's house.

Christmas is coming! I have been totally relaxed about Christmas this year. I was going to  follow a Count-Down-Calender to be super organized and unstressed. Turns out I don’t like actually following rules, directions or other people’s list (no matter how brilliant they are) when it come to the Holidays.

We strung a couple bunches of white twinkle lights along our front landscaping bushes, donated to Toys for Tots and broke out the iPod full of carols (mostly contemporary stylings which have been so fun to listen to in the car). More plans to come but for now we are enjoying a calm but spirited energy leading up to Christmas.

This season I want to start the tradition of lighting Advent candles and reading from the Bible about the birth of Christ. I have so much to celebrate about in the remembrance of Jesus!

Here is tonight’s first reading about HOPE!

Bible, Book of Isaiah, Chapter 60, Verses 2-3

2 See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the LORD rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.

3 Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

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Black Friday

By Jessica | November 28, 2008

The New HDTV

Molly on her diaper table...so to be tv stand.

Molly on her diaper table...soon to be TV stand.

Hey...that is NOT my changing pad!

Hey...that is NOT my changing pad!

So Neat Pete and I are buying an HDTV (I know…I wish I could say “bought”). I am trying to convince him that I could repurpose our old diaper table into a TV stand. Of course his common sense prevails to say…Let’s finish our current projects then we will see about other “creations” of mine.

Okay, okay but can’t you see the sprayer going already with a deep black/brown or cottage white and the new feet being installed and updated drawer pulls?

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Happy Thanksgiving

By Jessica | November 27, 2008

Here are my little dumplings with their Daddy on Thanksgiving morning. Thank You God for such a blessing.

We had a leisurely breakfast and played around on our living room “furniture”. Yes, cushions and blankets kept us pleasantly cozy and entertained!

{note: in the upper right hand of the photo the kitchen cabinet doors are painted and stacked ready for their new hardware. Of course we still have to order the hardware, so the doors might be finding their home in the living room for awhile!}

We played turkey-gone-a-hunting for about 45 minutes with a stuffed animal turkey. It was big hit, even for Molly!

We are off to local family gatherings for the afternoon.

For my family Thanksgiving is a day to give thanks, break bread and grow contentment.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

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Ry Says

By Jessica | November 24, 2008

Shopping

Ryan received a new p.j. set from Grammy Lu and Papa Den while shopping at the mall.

While telling us about his experience Ry said,

“We got my new jammies at nickels.  pause We got my jammies at pennies.”

The store? Why J.C. Penney’s of course!

Compliment

While cuddling with Ryan before bed in his dark bedroom he usually starts opening up about his day, his fears and tells a lot of Who am I jokes. True, all of our conversations are probably sleep-stallers but how can I resist when they go like this one did the other day?

Ry: You are my BEST Mom!

Me: I am the only Mom you have.

Ry: Well then, you are my BEST only Mom I have!

Me: Thanks, now go to bed!

Sit Down!

One evening while loading into the car to go to our small group* Ry decided that he was going to disobey our order to get into his car seat. He defiantly hopped around like a little squirrel as he sat in Molly’s seat, the front seat arm rest and the open space between the two car seats.

Peter: grrrowwl….Sit down in your seat! You are not allowed to disobey Mommy and Daddy like this. You have to listen!

Ry (as he is getting into his own car seat): You are just crabby because you are hungry.

Me: stifled laugh

*a number of families that get together from our church to learn how to live in community and integrate our common believes into our lives

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By Definition

By Jessica | November 23, 2008

Climber

So we have a little climber on our hands. Tables, toy boxes, baby gates, rocking chairs! You name it, Molly will climb it. I caught her on the table one day with her hand literally in the cookie jar. She is very strong not to mention strong willed even at 16 months.

I gleaned a touching lesson from authors and speakers, Jim and Lynne Jackson as they presented some insightful information at one of my MOPS meetings last year. They suggested that parents try to see the goodness in their child’s current personality “challenge”.

i.e. If you have an older child always tattling or telling the others how naughty they were the parent would try to see strengths of honesty and justice.

So my dear Molly what strengths can I pray for?

How about an adventurous spirit, willingness to learn and sense of determination!

Okay, but for now…Get OFF the table!!

Bible, Book of Genesis, Chapter 49, Verse 22

“Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall.”

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Molly vs. The Washer

By Jessica | November 20, 2008

Patience is a Virtue

The front loader windowed washing machine has been great. It substitutes for a fireplace during evening meals. Really, it is transfixing to watch the sudsy beast rotate around. Without a laundry room door we are often pulled into its gaze.

Below is a photo of Molly lulled by the swooshing of the watery wash cycle…

until she realizes that Pink (her chosen one) is in there.

Poor dear. Patience is not a virtue that you possess. Not yet anyway.

Of course Molly reigned victorious as she cuddled in her crib with her fresh Pink and other assorted loveys. Notice her slightly mistrusting eyes as if to say, “Take one step toward Pink and I’ll call Dad on you!”

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Party Time During Home Projects

By Jessica | November 19, 2008

Super Hero Party

Renovation blues draggin’ ya down? Why not have a drop off birthday party with 7 kids under the age of 5.

Shake off the sawdust and cover those outlets! Be sure to remove all table saws and 10″ screwdrivers from the play area. Or if you are like me you do this as guest arrive.

Plan to get behind on your scheduled projects and try to have fun. I really believe hospitality is an attitude not a state or condition of my home.

Here are some highlights from Ryan’s 4th birthday super hero party.

We used cardboard and pipe cleaners (yes I know they are chenille stems but I just can’t convert) to create a party sign for the front door. Placing a sign at the door before company is expected is a welcoming tradition that Ry has established.

Pre-party happy jitters.

Pre-party happy jitters.

I keep a stack of white lunch sacks on hand for parties. By decorating them myself I always have the ‘theme’ I need.

Contents: mini play-doh cans, candy and batman fruit snacks.

Contents: mini play-doh cans (purchased at 50% off in the Halloween area), candy and batman fruit snacks.

A buy only a few commercial items for parties. The balloons were a gift from Ry's party helper, Grammy Lu.

I bought only a few commercial items. The balloons were a gift from Ry's party helper Grammy Lu.

We made a Bat Cave from a washing machine box and tempra paint.

We made a Bat Cave from a washing machine box, Spider-Man and Friends Memory game pieces and tempera paint. We kept the top open a bit and cut out two eye spy holes on one side and a secret mail slot on the other side.

For this super hero party I gathered all the toys in the house that would work as party props. Featured here is singing Spiderman.

For this super hero party I gathered all the toys in the house that would work as party props. Featured here is singing Spider-man with steamers.

Each guest wore a custom painted Super shirt. They each used fabric markers to decorate their capes.

Each guest wore a custom painted Super shirt. They each used fabric markers to decorate their own capes (white flour sacks). The little guests 2 and under had capes (1/2 a flour sack) with Velcro tabs on their shoulders. The doorway shown in the upper left of this photo was draped in red streamers for decoration and fun!

Super Molly snacked on pretzels.

Super Molly snacked on pretzels.

Super Colin goes for a ride.

Super Colin goes for a ride without his cape!

My baker Sam made this cake for Ryan. You know Sam don't you? He has his own club and everything.

My baker Sam made this cake for Ryan. You know Sam don't you? He has his own club and everything. Sam put in extra Spider-Man details since we were having a multi-hero party.

I'm not sure what to say here other than Laura was a real trooper hanging with all those noisy boys!

This picture speaks for itself.

Who wants a photo? We want CAKE!

Who wants a photo? We want CAKE!

Of course the nice part about not having any furnishings in the party area was freedom! We ran, played Spider-Man Hoops, Spider-Man Clothes Pin Drop and Super-Man Jump.

"I love you Mom!"

Of course you can't beat an after party, "I love you Mom!"

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My Guy at 4

By Jessica | November 12, 2008

Ryan

Photo taken shortly before his 4th birthday. Posed with his cozy "Baby".

Photo taken shortly before his 4th birthday. He posed with his cozy named Baby.

Things that come out of his mouth these days-

  • What the heck?
  • Oh my gosh!
  • This is giving me a headache.
  • Poop, pee, butt-head and all potty talk in general.
  • You are a naughty mom. I hate you! (When the rules are tough or in his way.)
  • I love you. I love my whole family. (When the rules are in his favor.)
  • Awww, she [Molly] is so cute! She is such a big girl now.
  • I am happy about this!
  • Adjective-head or any name calling
  • Guess what….
  • I’ve gotta tell you something.
  • Knock-Knock jokes

Words of wisdom at the park-

One sunny fall day while playing at the park we (Ry and I) taught Molly how to climb the chain ladder.

As she scaled the swaying equipment she froze one rung from the top. She wasn’t budging and she looked way down (four feet) at Ryan.

With their gazes locked Ryan said, “Go for it Molly! Just believe in your DREAMS!”

Conversation walking home from the park-

Me: Look Ry, litter.

Ry: What is litter?

Me: Garbage that other people threw on the ground. Let’s pick it up and throw it away at home.

Ry: Touch it? (candy wrapper) Yuck! Why?

Me: We do what we can to clean up our Earth.

Ry: [picking up wrapper] So, what you are saying is that we are the real winners here.

Me: Sure, Ry, we’re the winners.

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