The Sun Standing Still

I loved this week's edition of "Devotions for Mom's" and thought I'd post it - in case anyone else could benefit.  For any of you readers who are doing the Bible Study at Christ Fellowship - it is CRAZY to me that at a time when I am studying Gilgal, of all things - it comes up again in this week's reading!  "God's work is alive and active in me!"

Time Wasters

Today's reading: Joshua 10:1-15
Where does your time go? Do you ever look back at the end of the day and wonder? Do you sometimes wish God would stretch your days, as he did for Joshua fighting the enemies of Israel?
One reason you may not have enough time is that you waste the time you do have. Before you go on a guilt trip, think about it.
Do you waste time by overdoing? Why, exactly, does the kitchen have to be spotless every time you leave it? Is there a law that requires that you always wash your car after it rains?
Maybe you waste time by under-planning. Going to the store without a list is okay sometimes, but when you're planning a big meal for company, you'll probably have to head back again for overlooked items.
And how about overreacting? Do you have to race to the phone every time it rings? Is it necessary to start wallpapering all over just because you made a tiny mistake or could you force yourself to patch it?
Maybe you can't make the sun stand still to give you more time. But you can add minutes and hours to your days by trimming time wasters.

I fired the babysitter.

We stayed home from church this morning so that Wyatt could "lay low" and hopefully start to gain some ground against his cold.  And Weston stayed home so that we could work on pottie training, and he wanted to "babysit" Wyatt.  The two played together all morning long, leaving me tons of time to do my Bible Study, clip some coupons, and rest and do a few other projects around the house.  As I finished filing my last coupon, I thought to myself, "This morning has been too good to be true!"  1 minute later...  I discovered I WAS RIGHT!

The two little hoodlums ransacked the "coupon closet" in Weston's room - emptying it all over the floor, and filling the toy bin with groceries.  Then they jumped on top of the pile, and started "swimming" through it all.  Aaagh!!!

Honestly - I kept my cool throughout the mess and the clean up..  Until I realized that while I was cleaning up this mess, the two of them got into a marker and tatooed Weston ALL OVER.  At that point - they had earned a quick bath, lunch and a trip to their BEDS!  God gave me nap time to regain my sanity!!!

Scrap Happy

I've found the time and the lack of energy to do other things lately (thanks to a bad head cold) to make some progress on scrapping!  I've plowed through to mid June 2010.  Here are a few pages!

 Whoops... just caught a date mistake in this one.  Better go back and fix it!

October 21, 2011

Hmm..  At least I think that's the date.  I'm too lazy to get up to check, so we'll just go with it.


Note to my Dad:  There aren't any pictures in this post, so I'll totally understand if you stop reading it right now.


It's 9:19pm on a Friday night.  Tyler and Wayne aren't back from the football game yet, the house is quiet, there is a HEAP of laundry behind me to fold (yeah, yeah, I am SO procrastinating right now!) and I'm about ready to sit and do my Bible Study.  Tyler and Wayne have gone to a few football games this year - it's their "thing" to do together.  Wayne LOVES it, and honestly I think his Dad loves it even more.  It is such a switch to really enjoy spending time with your kid!!!  They looked so cute - all layered up in hooded sweatshirts, jackets, hats, with their new "Nooksack" sports blanket, and Wayne clutching his dollars (come to think of it, Tyler might have been clutching his too!)  Wayne asks me for their football money, then negotiates how much each of them should get, then negotiates to get more off of his Dad than I originally gave to him.  When I asked what he needed all the money for, I was told, "For the nachos Mom.  I gotta have them they are SO good!"  If I know how to do keystrokes for an eyeroll, I'd be doing it now!

Life is starting to get a bit easier.  I think back on the past few years, and compare that to now and... yup, it's easier.  I thought it would be "different" but it's EASIER!  The boys are all at such fun stages right now, it's a great mix.  Wyatt is a HOOT and keeps us hopping.  Weston is sweet as sweet can be most of the time, and LOVES his brothers.  He will be the one to say, "can't we all just get along?" someday.  :-)  Wayne is SMART and learning so much and is fascinated by science.  Just tonight he was telling Tyler and me, "Do you know that even though it's cold here, there is a place on the whole other side of the world where it's hot because it's summer?  It's TRUE!  I learned all 'bout it in my book!"






Today was spent running errands in Bellingham (scoring some coupon deals) and cleaning house, doing laundry (oh yeah, the pile is still behind me.  Why can't laundry fold itself?) and cleaning the boys' rooms.  Tomorrow is soccer and more room organization (my fave thing) and playing games/hanging out as a family.  Sunday is church.  That's my kind of weekend!!!

Turkey for Dinner

He was IN the oven, but by the time I'd found the camera, he had *WISELY* found his way to this perch.  Hmm.. I think he'd be a pretty sweet tasting bird!

Saturday Soccer

Saturday was a BEAUTIFUL fall day, begging for some soccer to be played!  We all headed to the fields, and Wayne was PUMPED to play.  He's been a bit under the weather with a cold the last few days, and struggled with playing aggressive vs. just watching the game, but this week - he was back in ACTION!  It is so much fun to see that competitive spark in him, to watch his brain forming a "plan" and to see him carry it out.  SO MUCH FUN!  :-)  Wyatt and Weston have been doing better and better at sitting on the sidelines too - they are definitely getting used to it, and what their boundaries are.  Of course, the iPad has helped a bit too!

Drinking Gatorade (like his Dad!)

Here's the man... with a plan!!!

Oh yeah baby - GOAL!!!!

Watching and cheering on his teammates.

Weston blocks the sun glare with his blankie, and plays iPad.

Chillin' with Dad on the sidelines, talking game strategy.

Thanks for coming out to the game Grammie!

Weston's trip to the Pumpkin Patch

Weston's preschool took a trip to the pumpkin patch at Boxx Berry Farm.  My mom watched Wayne and Wyatt, and I was thrilled to be able to meet them at the farm.  Weston JUMPED off the bus, chatting a mile a minute, hugging and kissing me saying, "Thanks Mom!  My mom!  I love my mom!"

 There were 16 kids on the trip, and 7 were absent (the two preschool classes combined.)  One bus driver, 4 teachers, an aunt, and me along, and the kids were GREAT!

 Weston was beyond excited.  All week he's been talking about the "Pu'in Pash" and getting to wear his boots to school.  He had to take a moment in the field to soak it all in!

Each kid got a bag, and they could pick any pumpkin that fit into the bag to take home with them.  All the other kids picked 4-5 inch pumpkins, and headed back to the wagon.  Weston?  He picked a BIG warty looking pumpkin.  It's awesome, and I LOVED it too!

 He tried getting this one to fit in his bag, but it wouldn't.  As it was, the one he did pick was, "Too heaby Mom - you tarry!"

 After picking their pumpkins, the WHOLE CLASS got to ride the little train.  The joy on their faces is just one of those pictures you wish your brain could capture forever and ever.

 "That way!"

 I love that no matter where Weston goes, he always looks over his shoulder to find me.  He goes, he's confident, independent and adventurous - but he wants to know that I am watching him.

 Hi baby!

It was a chilly, but very fun morning that I wouldn't have missed for the world!  Seeing Weston with his teachers and classmates, spending time with just him, and enjoying these fun and fleeting firsts were all moments to be cherished!

Two Boys and a Box

With all the rain we've been having, we are already falling on some desperate times around these parts.  It's a good thing there is an Amazon delivery (in a BOX) to occupy the afternoon!  Weston and Wayne played so nicely together, cutting the box, coloring the box, making the wheels, and then taking it for test drives.  No help from Mom - that would have only shortened the activity!  (I did give them some supplies though.)  Wyatt took on the role of professional supervisor, and it was a match made in heaven!

David, Goliath, and Wayne

Scripture Reference:

1 Samuel 17

David and Goliath - Story Summary:

The Philistine army had gathered for war against Israel. The two armies faced each other, camped for battle on opposite sides of a steep valley. A Philistine giant measuring over nine feet tall and wearing full armor came out each day for forty days, mocking and challenging the Israelites to fight. His name was Goliath. Saul, the King of Israel, and the whole army were terrified of Goliath.

One day David, the youngest son of Jesse, was sent to the battle lines by his father to bring back news of his brothers. David was probably just a young teenager at the time. While there, David heard Goliath shouting his daily defiance and he saw the great fear stirred within the men of Israel. David responded, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of God?"

So David volunteered to fight Goliath. It took some persuasion, but King Saul finally agreed to let David fight against the giant. Dressed in his simple tunic, carrying his shepherd's staff, slingshot and a pouch full of stones, David approached Goliath. The giant cursed at him, hurling threats and insults.

David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied ... today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air ... and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel ... it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands."

As Goliath moved in for the kill, David reached into his bag and slung one of his stones at Goliath's head. Finding a hole in the armor, the stone sank into the giant's forehead and he fell face down on the ground. David then took Goliath's sword, killed him and then cut off his head. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. So the Israelites pursued, chasing and killing them and plundering their camp. 

Wayne's class studied the story of David and Goliath on Wednesday morning, and then got to make paper rocks, and throw them at a giant Goliath in the upstairs of church...  somewhere the little kids usually aren't allowed.  It was a HUGE hit, and the story lit such a fire in him, that he played both David AND Goliath the rest of the day!  He especially loved being Goliath, and letting Weston be David.  There was MANY a Duplo thrown at that pot lid/shield, let me tell you!!!

 But Goliath "died" every time!  Poor Wyatt was a little concerned for the first few "deaths" but settled into the game after that. 

Thank you Sara for taking your time and your TALENT to teach our kids!  You are incredible!

Sunday Dinner

Last Sunday we had an impromptu dinner at Mom and Dad's after church.  It's been a LONG time since we've all got together, or at least it seemed like it!  Wyatt and Weston went down for naps right after church, and were just waking up when we got there.  I love getting together!  We've instituted the "one Sunday off" rotation - every time we get together, somebody just gets to show up without bringing any food.  Brilliant!  It was my turn this time... more brilliant!!!

My mom is a darn good cook.  And she only gets better as the years go by.  This week it was ham and scalloped potatoes, with homemade rolls, lots of vegetables, and a 7 layer salad. 

 

Wayne adores baby Kallen.  Baby Kallen is not yet convinced how much he loves Wayne yet, but we'll win him over!

 I wouldn't let Wayne take his shirt of (we are working on "appropriate.")  Undoing his buttons was the next best thing.

 Weston and Grandma, bonding over some old pictures.  All the kids LOVE looking through these.

 Grandma and the grandkids, having fun with Sticky Notes!

Fun times were had by all!

31 years Young - Happy Birthday to ME!

This past Monday was my BIRTHDAY, and after looking forward to it for 364 days, it DID NOT disappoint.  Honestly - I couldn't have had a better birthday.  On Sunday night Tyler and I went for a drive to Burlington, with coffee and a RiteAid stop along the way, then to dinner at Black Forrest.  It was simply lovely.  Monday I got to volunteer in Wayne's classroom, then head to Bellingham to go shopping with my mom.  We went to TJ Maxx, Bed Bath and Beyond, Target, and Trader Joe's and had lunch at La Patisserie (my favorite!)  It was relaxing, fun and SPECIAL.  When I got home, a very dear friend drove all the way over to deliver a gift, and a very sweet card.  I loved it so much, I had to include it here!  Pay special attention to #11 (unless you are my Dad, then skip that part) #24 and #25 and 26!

 

After a pizza dinner, we all had ice cream cake and the boys went down for bed.  It was a quiet night spent at home, and it was PERFECT!