This season has been both sweet and challenge-filled (Merry Christmas, by the way)!  First, our sweet baby boy came and then almost 4 weeks later, his daddy came home from Iraq.

… And a father met his son for the very first time…

… And lots of hugs and tears (and smiles) as our family learns to reintegrate.  –Which is darn hard, by the way… Taking expectations and what “used to be” and throwing them out the window and learning who each of us are now.  He’s changed.  The girls have changed.  I have changed…  Everything has changed.

He’s experienced a different lifestyle – something that almost resembled “single life” while being deprived of many other things…

He’s grown wiser in some ways but has forgotten other things that seem so simple to those of us who live them daily…

And, he’s been thrown into suddenly having an infant and middle-of-the-night feedings and changings and the craziness of 3 little ones 4 and under.

Rora no longer has a paci…and she talks in full sentences…

Rora also can use the potty some….

Lala has gotten BIG and is animated and curious and SO stinkin smart…

And me, I’m different too.  I’ve mostly been “on my own” and experienced some of worst fears, things I never wanted to do.  But, I did them anyhow.  And, now I know I can.  I’m stronger.  I’m more confident.  And…I’ve gotten used to doing things MY way.

As a couple, we’re re-learning how to be patient and understanding.  We’re re-learning how to work together and how to relax and just…be a couple.

It’s hard work.

And, it’s a challenge we all gladly accept.  <3

Welcome back!

He’s here, he’s here!  Sweet baby Aidan came at 39 weeks and we feel so very blessed!

I may get around to publishing his birth story on here later, but for now I’m enjoying snuggling my precious newborn and trying to pull my very excited little daughters off the walls.  Sleep has become a hot commodity.  I miss it. 

I’m relearning the dance of breastfeeding and wondering why nobody has made infant ponchos during these first few weeks as mother’s milk readjusts to something that doesn’t resemble a horizontal Old Faithful.  That, and boy diapers.  Oh. Boy.  First I was terrified to even touch and once I got over the need for ointment and gauze, I quickly learned the uncertainty that comes with each change (Will I need a change or clothes or won’t I?).  And today I had my first miss overall – Changing a dirty diaper only to have him begin “dirtying” a new one mid-change as I scrambled to catch it all before it hit the bed.  Then, my premature breath of relief as I reached for the wipes to clean him up and pee began spraying EVERYWHERE!

What I’ve learned:

1.  Use a changing pad
2.  Make mom change all of his diapers
2.  Use a “shield” and stop being so darn leisurely!

Also, I forget how much laundry comes with having a newborn AND breastfeeding.  Sheesh.

Did I mention I need sleep?

Blog posts may get quite interesting over the next month or so with this whole sleep deprivation thing.

A few days ago, my facebook lit up with status updates mocking Kim Kardashian’s marriage…or, end of as the case may be.  To be honest, I had to google to see what the buzz was about – I purposely don’t keep up with celebrities and their lives so much.  Trust me when I say that I GET just as well as anyone how much sacrifice (and rewarding) a marriage takes (and is), but COME ON… at what point do we see all marriages as holy and is there some time-frame that they must pass in order to not be seen as a joke to others?

Today, apparently one of the top “news” items is the addition of the Duggars’ new baby (number 20).  I will admit that I’m in awe of how they do it.  I’m pregnant with my third baby and swear I could have an anxiety attack at any moment just from the stress on my body and just taking care of me and two kids.  But, today I actually saw a post that called the Duggars selfish for having another child.  Really?  Selfish?  Parenting is one of the LEAST selfish things a person can do.  What about laying down your personal wants and needs for that of someone else is SELFISH?

Second, if the Duggars want to have 20 children (or 40, for that matter) and aren’t cloning or abusing or whatever… what business is it of anyone else?  I mean, really… what are you, the uterus police?  Just because some folks actually want more than 2.5 children and are willing to do so, it doesn’t mean anyone else has the right to judge.  Do you think you have a right to weigh in on others’ fertility decisions – whether a family wants 4 kids or 24?  SHEESH!

That’s not the end of my thoughts, but I can stop there   Stepping off my soap box for now.

Not sure how long this will last, but here’s the LINK.

“Look, mom!  I’m dragging her!  – She’s a baby so she can drag!”  –Lala

(Said as she pulled her little sister across the kitchen floor on a blanket.)

“Just got freshly baked bread out of the oven, and now for a nap.” — Dec 9

“remaining upright is apparently my latest challenge. rockin the flu.” — Dec 12

“Today was a rough one. Horizontal parenting is not easy. So ready to be done with being sick ” — Dec 13

“Find of the day: A mouth full of beads that my 3 year old gave to my 18 month old while they’re both supposed to be napping. SIGH” — Dec 14

“Mommy, you’re the super awesome most best mommy EVER! — Lorelei” — Dec 14

“?”No, Aurora, we DO NOT high five people’s faces.” – Me” — Dec 14

“Today was a good day. Tomorrow will be even better.” — Dec 16

“I love my life and the beautiful souls in it.” — Dec 17

“Ready for my body to kick back in gear. Needing this much sleep each day is not conducive to getting much done.” — Dec 20

“In an effort to get rid of any rumors – No, I am definitely not pregnant again. My body is just on the fritz. And yes, I’m sure.” — Dec 21

“thanks to the sweet secret santa who left goodies on our porch. You definitely brightened my Christmas Eve more than you can imagine.” — Dec 25

“is still enjoying her candy from her secret santa angel. –Sometimes even the simplest acts of kindness can bring the greatest joy and biggest smiles. Thank you again…whoever you are ” — Dec 25

“Just loaded 5 bags of recyclable paper and cardboard products into the van – which doesn’t count the stack of boxes in the washroom. Now, if only the recycling center would open!!” — Dec 27

“It makes me feel like I’m doing something right when my 3 1/2 year old turns around and says “you’re the best mommy ever” even after I just finish having to discipline her.” — Dec 27

“‘Mommy, I love this house.  (Me: Good.  Why do you love this house?)  Because I want to.’- Lorelei.   I need to be taking lessons from this kid.  We love because we choose to.”  — Dec 28

1.  Why do you think the sky is blue?
Because the sun is yellow and water is blue.

2.  How do you think peanut butter is made?
Like, you put bread on it…

3.  How do you think shows get on TV?
I don’t know.

4.  Why do you think God sent you to our family?
Because I like Aurora.  I hug her.

5.  What does daddy do at work?
He rides a bicycle.

6.  What does mommy do?
Clean and you help me do school, do crafts, rest, sit on the couch, lay on the couch for 3 minutes and feed me fruit and macaroni and pasta.

7.  How does a tomato grow?
It grows really big like this house.  I can carry this house.

8.  What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be THIS huge – like a house.

9.  What do you do when you’re married?
We play.

10.  What do you think Heaven is like?
I will be married.  It will be heaven up in the sky and warm.

11.  Who do you want to be like when you grow up?
I want to be like daddy.  I want to be a girl.

12.  What do you want Santa to bring you?
I want a new sister that don’t hit.  Just don’t talk.  I want God to bring me some toys.

You know, Lorelei, Santa isn’t the same as God…

I know, but he can still bring me presents.  Both can.

Full Page Bible Verse Printable

Bible Verse Visuals

Bible Verse Copywork Tracer Pages

Coloring Pages

Freebies from Seeds of Courage

“You’re a genius!”  — I’ve heard it more than occasionally, and really, who am I to argue?  If enough people say it, it must be true, right?  Sure, sure.  We’re just gonna run with it.

Anyhow, do you ever get those AH-HA moments?  -Not the kind where you’re about to sneeze but then end up coughing or laughing.  No, I mean the AH-HA, a light bulb just went off in my head and ohmygosh it didn’t even short out!! kind of moments.

Yeh, well I don’t get those very often.  Probably because I’m a genius.  It’s hard being a genius, you know?  Sometimes you forget you know stuff and then you remember and suddenly it’s gone again because really, your head is just not big enough to hold all of this massive knowledge.   (Which might have to do with my constant headaches.  Note to self:  Google “genius headaches” because real geniuses don’t go to the doctor,  they’re supposed to make their medicine.  In their lab.  In their basement.  I don’t have a basement.  Crap.)

Anyways, stop distracting me.  I’m trying to tell you something.

Oh yes, it’s dangerous to be a genius.  Everybody wants your help.  And, sometimes, they just want you dead.  Like, for instance, the wasps under my porch steps.  I’m pretty sure they could be recruited by the military and earn some major ribbons for their ferociousness.  Seriously, these are some really pissed off wasps.  I bet they are part of the uncool group of wasps and probably weren’t allowed to hang out with the cool wasps, so now they hate the world.  And, they decided to hang out under my porch steps to see if they could assassinate us.  Because my whole family is made up of geniuses…it runs in the family or something.

Anyhow, I know all of this because Lorelei came up the steps and a huge SWARM of wasps pummeled her.  I saw 4, but it was probably because I was distracted with solving algorithms in my head, so I missed seeing the rest of the swarm.  I pulled her and the baby to safety but it was too late.  They had gotten Lorelei.  And, these things must be freaks.  Freak wasps because their stingers are HUGE and left a gaping hole in her leg.  That might be why they’re so mad.  I’d be mad if I was a freak wasp, too.

I pulled her up onto the couch and she was all “I’m DYYYINNNGGG, they’re trying to KIIILLLL MEEEEEEE!” in her little toddler wail as she held on to her leg.  I didn’t really know what to say, because she’s probably right.  Not about the dying part, but it probably was an assassination attempt.  I called my mom because DUDE, doesn’t everyone call their mother after someone tries to kill them and their family?  I mean, I would’ve called my body guard, but nobody seems to want that job.  Probably because my life is so dangerous, you know…being a GENIUS stay at home mom and all.

Mom said I should put a baking soda paste on it and I was all like “PBBTTT  They’re expecting that!  And…I have a black couch!!”  So, I looked in my arsenal of things and brought out the activated charcoal.  Everybody has activated charcoal in their medicine cabinets, right?  I mean, you never know when someone might try to gas or poison you.  Come on people, be smart!  Gosh, there I go again, forgetting I’m a GENIUS and not everybody is as smart as me.  Sorry bout that.

Then, in an effort to make Lorelei feel better, mom came over and brought an assortment of goodies.  I tried convincing her that a parfait from McDonalds would make us ALL feel better, but she clearly disagreed (that, and apparently the cars in line at McD’s didn’t understand that it was an emergency, so they wouldn’t just move the heck out of the way.)  At the bottom of the bag, there were 2 cans of spray.   YEH!  Protection!  Retaliation!  LET’S KILL THEM and AVENGE MY BABY’S LEG!  YEAH! Wait, why does this say ant spray on it?  I looked at her through squinty eyes, trying to figure out if she thought this was funny or if perhaps, she’d lost it.  “All I had was ant spray and it worked for me!”  She said.  So, most likely, I have ant wasps…no wonder they’re ticked off.

Anyhow, I made a black charcoal paste and it took the swelling down.  But it was only temporary.  A day later and half her leg was swollen and icky.  Tricky poison!!  So, I put more paste on it and today…it looked like this:

The swelling and redness had gone down, but what’s that?  TWO sting entrances?  Awesome.  (Poor kid.)

In other news, Aurora is cutting her two top first molars.  TWO.  One on each side.  I was going to share a picture for her, but I really didn’t think you all would appreciate seeing the diarrhea diapers this produces.

You know you’re in trouble when your toddler runs into the bathroom while you’re trying to take a shower in peace and yells “MOMMY!  Aurora is getting poop all over her blankets!!!” – and then the flashbacks of a baby smeared in poop pop through your brain.

*Sigh*  Being a genius sucks.  I quit.

I was looking at our homeschool “plan” for this week and saw INTRO TO MONEY among the list, along with CARING FOR PLANTS and a few other random things I’d like Lorelei to learn about.  And, as I brainstormed on how I would approach these subjects this week, I had an idea:

Excuse the chore chart.  I didn’t have the chores pre planned out, so I didn’t realize I’d have time-specific type chores that should go in order.  We’ll probably be re-doing the chart later.

HOWEVER, the little graphics have been super helpful.

Every chore on the chart has a color beside it, which corresponds to a pom-pom.  The pom-poms begin the day in a small empty baby food jar.  As she completes a chore, she gets to move one pom pom from the jar to the “completed” jar (which is just another baby food jar but with a butterfly sticker in the bottom).

Once she completes all chores for the day, she gets an “allowance.”

All of her allowance is then put into her money “jars” – which is a set of three jars that I color coded with ribbons for the following :  SAVING (10 percent), GIVING (10 percent), and SPENDING (80 percent).

Right now, we started at $1 a day.  Because we can but ALSO because:

• $1 is easiest to explain the 10,10,80 rule we’ve implemented.  It’s simply 10 cents, 10 cents, 80 cents.
• Her “savings” (for now) is going to a fund she can’t touch until she’s older.  Think of it as her college fund.  Or, her car fund.  Or, whatever.  I don’t particularly like the idea of paying for my kids way to college or buying them brand new cars as soon as they get their drivers licenses, but I also don’t believe in pushing them out of the nest completely on their own.  I do believe in teaching them responsibility and giving them the tools so they don’t take it for granted.
• $1 is a LOT of money for a preschooler.  I agree.  Especially when they’re getting it daily for chores, BUT she is going to be using some of her money for necessary things…like special snacks and new clothes she wants.  Essentially, we’re giving her the money that we’d normally spend on her in one way or another and letting her have more responsibility (although it will be very monitored and guided).  For example, she has already told me that she plans to spend her first bit of money on a storage tote.  Yes, a storage tote for her extra toys that are over-crowding her room.  Oh, and shoes.  Pink shoes.
• This $1 won’t necessarily change, up or down, depending on her age.  She’ll get more responsibility as she gets older but the amount will change as we see fit (if it does at all).
• It’s not all about the money.  It’s about responsibilities.  It’s about teaching about money and how to use it as a tool (rather than let it become a thorn in your side).  It’s about teaching skills in the form of “chores.”  It’s about letting her be more independent and helping her feel important.  It’s about showing her that being part of a family means we all take part in doing things…even if it’s just watering the plants.  It’s all important.

So, there you go.  Our Pre-schooler’s chore chart –which she is super excited about.