November Thankfulness!

Nov 1 - God
Nov 2 - Family - Evan, Layton, Julia and my extended Family!
Nov 3 - Good Health and our wonderful Doctors!
Nov 4 - My Mary Kay
Nov 5 - Living in a small town
Nov 6 - Old friends
Nov 7- a comfortable bed
Nov 8 - my Grandma Venda's sense of humor
Nov 9 - fall colors
Nov 10 - the new redbox of drinks in Wendy's
Nov 11 - VETERANS!
Nov 12 - a car getting 30 mpg, good weather,a wonderful dr, and sweet pharmacy staff!
Nov 13 - the library and books
Nov 14 - sunny days in November
Nov 15 - 4 day school week
Nov 16 - the innocence of children
Nov 17 - pianos, even though I don't play...the music soothes me
Nov 18 - Robert and Marilyn
Nov 19 - being a stay at home mom, and the fact Evan is around more in the winter
Nov 20 - modern technology
Nov 21 - guardian angels, Kleenex, emts, firemen and firewomen
Nov 22 - my sister in law Christy
Nov 23 - quiet morning to reflect, read and write
Nov 24 - Game night
Nov 25 - the power of prayer and the healing of hugs!
Nov 26 - my Dad
Nov 27 - therapy, knowing what my soul needs
Nov 28 - Thanksgiving! An abundance of food, loving family, tears
Nov 29 - shopping, even though we avoid the frenzy!
Nov 30 - Christmas Lights and the un bridled excitement of kids to decorate for Christmas,

One week!

Dare I say it? One week! Julia was potty trained in one week! In the last four days we have only had two accidents and only two poo accidents in one week!!! Hooray for little girl! She has even started telling me or going to the bathroom on her own versus waiting on me to take her!!

She turned the corner on Wednesday, determined to keep her pretty princess undies dry! Great motivation, plus marshmallows.

On a funny note, she has her own potty chair at the shop.....a broken cinder block! To me a little cold and rough but a throne to her!

Potty Training Take 2

Three days, some success, many accidents, much additional laundry, along with a case of cabin fever!!! We started seriously potty training Julia Sunday afternoon, she is doing great....as long as we take her. She has yet to tell us when she needs to go and only has gone once on her own. Any advice?

Sunday night to Wednesday morning we have stayed home! She only wears a pull up for nap time and a diaper at night, all other times she has been in pretty undies!!!! Through all the accidents, wardrobe changes; the extra hugs and cuteness make the challenge all worth it! Today we ventured to town for groceries and to pick Layton up from school, she made did great with no accidents and using public toilets!

One positive note about pregnancy bladder, if I need to go, so does the toddler bladder!!

Stay tuned to see the results, will she be out of diapers by February when #3 arrives?

WIND...W.I.N.D

THE WIND IS BLOWING! The wind is blowing extremely hard today....makes you take stock and perspective; especially after one mopped the floor this morning.

In my world wind
-makes dirt and fields blow
-moves tumble weeds (sometimes to better places, sometimes to more work kind of places)
-makes all of us a little more edgy and grumpy
-creates a terrible hair day but a good excuse for a ponytail
-gives us a reason to watch movies and cartoons more than 2 hours
-perfect fort building
-good purpose to dust and mop after it all settles
-usually blows in warmer or cooler air
-takes the flies away
-realize if the kids had a trampoline it would be a land boat complete with a giant sail
-reminds us to secure down patio chairs, grill covers and put away lawn chairs
-BAKE, COOK, and WARM the house
-remember god is good and gives us all experiences

Random

Nothing overly funny, witty, or charming seems to be coming to mind...only randomness today.

*Our normal Labor Day weekend is typically spent drilling wheat, a weekend full of labor. Normal right? The second hardest farm labor on labor day weekend, makes perfect sense to me! This year started the same but BAM, it rained!! Over an inch on all of our fields, so Monday we took a day trip to the lake! Layton and Julia both went on their first tube rides, Layton got to help drive, Daddy tubed (he did a scorpion in the water :) ) and Mommy, I enjoyed the beach. It's so relaxing to walk along look for shells, rocks and watch the boats...

*We should have stayed at the lake! Tuesday brought two parts runs to Cheyenne Wells, the need for a new tractor starter (UPS from Garden City) and a blown semi tire (requiring a trip to Lamar for 2 new tires)....we are blessed to cultivate the land and feed the masses is my mantra on those days!!!

*Our delivering Dr in Scott City agreed to take us again! HOORAY!! Yes, we have a prenatal Dr and a different delivery Dr due to the shortage of Drs in Tribune. Another prayer answered!!

*Layton has done wonderful with Pre-K! His only trouble seems to be learning names. A very difficult task with 14 classmates plus a different set of kids on the bus. There is a little boy who sits with him on the bus every day, three weeks into school (after asking each day if he learned his name)...Layton proudly tells me he learned his name is "Franklin". My mind is a little skeptical as there is a cartoon turtle named Franklin, but I give him the benefit of the doubt, for a day...then he tells me "no, no, Franklin isn't right, it's Quintin"...they are close....I still have yet to 100% confirm which little girl walked him to class for the first two weeks....bless their hearts for being such good, caring friends to Layton!

*Today was Julia and my first solo library trip! She did well but only played 3 of the 8 various stations. She was content to fish, create with play dough, and play kitchen...it was much calmer with 1 versus 2 kids. Potty training might be on the horizon yet, we tried last week but life goes on! We will master it, we will master it, we will master it (hopefully before February!)


*My deep thought...normally I stay away from political topics (those who know my husband know why....he is very intelligent and likes to debate) why should we support Syria attacking Syria when we have our own battle at home with Obama Care. 

Changes at our House

August 20 came! Layton started Pre-K! The bus comes to get him and brings him home! Changes are abound at our house. Julia and I are settling gradually into a new routine while Layton is at school each morning. We are now officially back into a schedule, setting alarm clocks, firm bedtimes, and loving it!

My new resolution is to be up, showered, and dressed before I need to get Layton up at 6:10, then we can fix breakfast together, chat about the day and spend a few quiet minutes together! So far so good. The bus comes at 6:50 and Layton is so excited to see his driver each morning! Plus he has a friend sitting with him (not sure of the name though :) ) and he asks another fellow bus rider to walk him to class so he doesn't get lost. So Sweet!! At the end of each trip home he thanks the driver for the ride home!

Julia and I started potty training today. One trip + one success = marshmallows!! We are trying the alarm method to remind us both...we shall see.....

With my mornings (6:50 to 12:00) with only one kid, maybe I will blog more frequently and regularly!

Stay tuned....

Toddlers

Toddlers! The most loving and most frustrating beings on the planet. We have two currently. Both are full of unique personality and quirks and both know which buttons to push.

My children are the light of life! Layton is full of "isms" and Julia is quite independent. It is a wonder more toddler parents are not addicts of one sort or another. The gremlins can take your emotions on the wildest of wild rides in a matter of minutes.

Reasons I love my toddlers
1. Endless energy
2. Boundless love
3. Innocence
4. Unique wording
5. Un-expected rocking to nap or bedtime
6. I Love you.
7. Unbridled curiosity
8. Attention to everything every detail


Reasons my toddlers might be committed some day.
1. Endless energy
2. Unbridled curiosity
2. Terrible Twos
3. Trying Threes
4. Forgetful Fours.

So far Layton has been the most trying at age three although age four has had Mommy yelling, spanking, counting to 10, 100 times over, walking away to breath deep, and apologizing. Four year olds know how words hurt, still fall into two year old habits (like biting his sister), and generally forgetting how to listen, use words, be polite at times.....our expectations of a toddler are so great and amazing, no wonder they lash out. Mommy does to sometimes.

Love them to the moon and back infinity times infinity over. Our pastor recently shared with me (he who Layton interrupts or talks to frequently while he is ministering) "this is a trying age, you will make it through"....

Yes we will make it through and I struggle at times to remind myself, they are only little for a little while.....let the little things go, count your blessings (luckily my love list is twice as long as my committed list).

Most recent Layton ism to share.
"Mommy, I can't listen, my ears are tired"

Summer Time is Here!

Last week we made our summer bucket list, had our first farm injury (my first concussion), and Memorial Day!! Summer seems to officially be here.

What does summer mean for you? For us..making ice cream, farming, star gazing, Vacation Bible School, Summer Reading, swimming lessons, T-ball (our first summer!! a blog post of itself), lake trips, boating, spraying, hot days, late bedtimes, zoo trips, harvest, county fairs, camping indoors, camping outdoors, mountain trips and many many many many family times to enjoy on the bucket list!

This fall has Layton heading off to pre-school..our sweet, curious, TALKATIVE four year old (who had a lapse of manners this past sunday including biting his sister and being loud in church....) will enter into a new chapter. He is growing before our eyes and we can't slow time down enough to enjoy everything the days need to hold.

Love your babies, hold them tight, let the little things go to enjoy more time together. They are only little for a little while!



Easter Photos

2 Easter Egg Hunts, Church, Yummy Family Dinner, Nice Weather! Wonder 2013!

 Playing at Jailyn's Before Easter Egg Hunt

 

 

 Ready to GO!

 

 

 Hi!!

 

 

 Compairing Eggs!!

 

 

Appliances

Appliances and electricity are a staple in our lives! What is the one appliance you have the most trouble surviving without? In our house we soon discovered....the washing machine!

Two weeks, two repair calls, and an Evan fix ours is back in service. After one week and one repair call we thought it was a go....5 loads later done for.....second and third fixes were a charm.

 In two week we accumulate 11 loads of laundry, not including bedding which adds another 3! Crazy...also of note, two weeks is the limit for our house on whites (socks and underwear). It was between the cold water load and whites in week one the washer gracefully pooped out again.

The culprit for all three repairs, pop tabs. Layton collects tabs for the Ronald McDonald house Granny keeps in her office....needless to say, new policy "no tabs, nails, screws, rocks or nuts in the pockets". Layton now has a collection container at home, in the shop, at Grandma's house to prevent pocket collecting!

While thinking through our strife of no washer; I reflected the stove and microwave can both be used to heat and cook thus as long as one is working we can function. The fridge can be filled in for by a 5 day stay cold cooler, not ideal but funcantional. The dryer can be replaced with an outdoor line or indoor drying rack. A mixer can be replaced by hand stirring. A dishwasher by hand washing. A TV replaced with books, games, singing, and the radio. 

Yes, the washer is the most difficult for me to live without.

Randomness!

Randomness of short ideas.

Which do you prefer to read a book then watch the movie or watch the movie then read the book? For Christmas Christy got me Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks, read it, loved it, cried reading it! The movie was coming out, a must see for me. Watch it, loved it, cried watching it. Reading and watching a movie of the same title within weeks of each other allowed me to actually note the difference between the two. The movie started a little differently than the book, got to the main plot quicker and made me cry all the same even though I knew the damsel was going to live!!!

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Last weekend Evan and I took off for a quick weekend get away before Grandma had her carpal tunnel surgery. The kids did great and we saw beautiful sights, ate yummy food and watch a movie. We drove to Gunnison, there were many fisherman out in their hip waders, looked brrrrrr, cold to me. Then we drove through Canon City home of SuperMax, yes we were within yards of the most notable criminals housed in the U.S. kinda creepy.

After Gunnison we headed west and north. A few ice fisherman in huts on Blue Lake, the most breathtaking mountain valleys, peaks, and winding roads (Evan took it easy and didn't scare me and I tried to not gasp or white knuckle the door). Did you know Colorado has coal mines and wineries in addition to skiing? Me neither, the sights really make me want to visit and tour in the summer! We saw lots of people skiing, drove through the tunnels just hours before a major winter storm. It was AWESOME!!

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Being from a small rural area we are not used to waiting in line, at stop lights or to be seated at a restaurant. In the city there are almost always lines, traffic and waits for popular eateries! Saturday night was waited 45 minutes for a table but were served within 10 minutes of sitting down. Then it hit me, we wait in a small area for our food just from the comfort of the table with a drink.

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Happy Palm Sunday or as Layton referred to it "Calm Sunday"

MANNERS

As a mother of two young children we work many hours, situations, and  discussions regarding manners. The right, wrong, proper, nice, improper of how actions, words, etc make others feel. As a whole my children mind their manners as age appropriate with a few exceptions.

We write thank you notes, say please, thank you, excuse me, mr., miss, aunt, uncle, hold doors for others, visit our elders, random acts of kindness, speak when spoken too (we still need to work on interrupting....)but ...you get the picture. Recently I have been very dis-heartened by the actions of adults in our small, rural, overall friendly area.

Last week my children and I were at a weekly event. A little 3 year old came in bursting with excitement and politely looked at a mother (not his but a fellow playmates) and said "Hello, how are you".  The words were plainly spoken and easily understood. The mother looked by the little guy as if he didn't say a word. He was deflated and hurt. I was sitting there and made a point "Good morning _________, how are you today?". He beamed and spoke back. At age 2-3 this was a huge exchange. How can someone ignore a child who is working on conversational skills, politeness and manners. It has stuck with me for days...children are innocent, curious and impressionable....Be polite to them just as we expect them to us!

Today a very similar situation happened. The kids and I were grocery shopping, just the three of us. In the product section Layton and Julia greeted at least 5-7 people. "Hi, How are you" or "Hello" or "Good morning". I watched in utter amazement as time and time again the kids were ignored. My kids made eye contact, so it was clear who the greeting was directed to. Each time someone ignored them, the kids looked so sad and forlorn.   Only one very nice lady replied. "Good morning to you, I'm good today, how are you?" The kids were all smiles!!

The best way to teach manners is to model positive ideal behavior. If you expect a child to have manners, treat children with politeness and manners too!

Ok, I'm off my soap box. Yes, I encourage my kids to treat others with respect and be polite. Greeting others is the first step.

Spring Tiem

Spring Time brings so much life! Calving season, lambing season, trees budding, tulips breaking through, daffodils, Easter (He is Risen), grass greening, garden planting,  wheat greening (along the edges right now), Spring Break, longer days of sunshine and the hopes of a bountiful summer.

Spring also is a great time for starting fresh and cleaning! New Year's Resolutions gone by the wayside? Re-start with spring! Exercise is easier, eating lighter seems easier. Spring seems like the time for all of my annual check-ups, makes me feel happier, more alive, more alert and more awake! Spring would be my favorite season if it wasn't followed by the heat of summer, although the below saying makes me LOVE summer, heat and all!!!.

What is your favorite spring cleaning? My grandma instilled spring cleaning in me years ago. She used to wash all of her windows inside and out each fall and spring. She put the window screens in while storing away the storm windows. Tilling the garden. Washing all the winter chore clothes (heavy coats, coveralls, hats, gloves) in the old maytag ringer washer. The memories....Grandma is still with us but doesn't do near as much at 93 as she used to.

For me spring cleaning is cleaning out closets, organizing cabinets, disinfecting, washing blankets, storing them away, and heading outside. My newest drawer organization is folding and storing vertically (a great find on pinterest), I can now see all my t-shirts versus just the ones on top. The same method worked great for pajamas, underwear, and shirts.

Outside cleaning the last few days has been a huge boost! Today we cut out a lilac bush and hauled away 4 pick-up loads of branches! Tomorrow we are cleaning out both pick-ups and my car. So excited!!!! Gardening is on my mind, this year we need to install a fence to prevent the bunny rabbits from getting almost everything as it sprouts!

My Respect

I love my kids. I love my kids to the moon and back plus every galaxy know, unknown, named and unnamed. I love their father, my husband to pieces. Single momhood is not for me. Thank goodness for Grandma!

Evan went goose hunting for the weekend, leaving me home with two toddlers and one puppy(in the midst of house training.....who loves 5:00 am ). An adventure for all of us, Evan's first goose hunt and three days, two nights for us home without Daddy. Yes, we have done this before during elk hunting and fishing trips but that was pre-puppy and younger toddlers. I was excited to conqueror!!!!

Three days, no good naps for Layton and only one for Julia, plus early mornings (my kids are early morning risers, bless their hearts, it's perfect for farming and our lifestyle!!) by evening Mommy is pooped. No naps for my kids equals no listening, no thinking power, no memory, lots of loud noises, messes and trials. All that aside the weekend was awesome fun!

My hats off to single mothers! To have the energy to raise kids, spend time with them while being the only one to discipline, only one to hug, comfort, plan activities, teach, keep a positive outlook, keep patience, plus work, household chores, bill paying, and still have time to work out, read, unwind or have a hobby...bless you hearts!

Friday was grocery shopping and Layton choosing our eatery....his choice, the Cow Palace because he gets free ice cream! The evening was Pizza and Movie night! We camped out on the floor with pillow, blankets, and watched open season, full of giggle and snuggles.

Saturday was SeussPalooza in Tribune. The theatre board put on a crazy, fun and nice morning! Breakfast of green eggs and ham, Seuss Readings, Photos with crazy costumes from Seuss books, a silent auction, bright, colorful decorations and a Matinee of Horton Hears a Who (Layton's very first movie in the Theatre!!!). He loved it, enjoyed Sprite and popcorn (*he spilled twice but got refills, bless their heart). Saturday afternoon was trialing with no naps, so we spent the afternoon outside in the sunshine playing in the sandbox and taking wagon rides to help improve spirits. My family found many giggle by their antics over Facetime!

Sunday was quiet with church and dinner at Grandma's with her and Aunt Christy. More crazy antics, giggles, and Laytonisms. He has very good conversation skills and when you let him explain his logic he makes sense. At one point, he had us in tears laughing so hard. One conversation.
L: Aunt Christy where do you go this week?
C: Topeka and Russell.
L: You can't go there, its only for boys.
GMA: Layton, Christy can go there it's ok.
L: No, Russell (wrestling) is only for boys like Justin. (His cousin Justin recently won State Wrestling....)
Giggles ensued.

Crazy three days, but the kids took bubble baths, read books and went to bed with no argument each night full of hugs, kisses, snuggles, and stories to tell.

I Love my Life! Love my Kids! Love my Husband! Love my Family! Lucky to live a blessed life!

Snow Days

SNOW!!!! 8 inches fell late last week. We enjoyed the snow! Snow shoveling, snow sledding, snow ice cream, snow balls, snow suits, snow days, snow bunnies,  snow angels, snowy roads, well you get the picture. We only missed the snowman.

The kids had a ball making snow angels and sledding! We used a runner sled behind the 4 wheeler, maybe we will invest in a saucer to slide down the silo pit! Mavis loves running and jumping and chasing in the snow.

 

Snow Ice Cream was a huge hit!!  ** Thank You Lyndsey Stamper for the tried and true recipe!

1 cup milk

1/3-1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust to your liking)

1 tsp vanilla (adjust to your liking)

4-6 cups fresh clean snow

 

Mix first three ingredients, add snow until desired consistency. Tastes best straight from the mixing bowl!!!!

 

 

After a long day playing, relaxing is tops!

 

 

 

 

Snow Day!

Yes, we are still in Eastern Colorado, still farming, still have two kids, and maybe one reader!! Ok ok, my slight sabbatical from blogging is over.

Since my last post Layton turned 4! We went to Denver took in Bass Pro, a gun shop, National Western Stock Show and Rodeo, Cabelas in Sidney and eating lots of yummy places. Throw in an indoor outdoor pool at the hotel and Layton was Happy Happy Happy. He also purchased his very own cattle semi with his birthday money!

February we added a new family member! Mavis the dog! She is a chocolate lab, loves to chew, chase the kids, take baths (she tried to jump in the tub last night with bubbles, toys and both kids!!), we are currently working on house training. She is showing progress and carpet shampooing is in our near future!!!!!!!

 

Today is super exciting!!! It is S.N.O.W.I.N.G. So far 3 inches....and two kids beginning to get cabin fever. So far today we have cleaned the Tupperware cabinet out, played farm, two loads of laundry, played fetch with the dog, played puzzles, read books, had lunch, now it's naptime. After lunch we are making banana bread and maybe snow ice cream!!! The most entertaining project..............

 

 

Mini volcanos.

*Vinegar

*Food coloring

*Baking soda

*Dropper (or in Julia's case she dumped the vinegar to get a bigger reaction)

 

 

Pure entertainment..pure giggles....able to add more vinegar to clean out the drains after the baking soda is all colored!





Inspiriation Space

Everyone has their creative space. A place or space to inspire, ignite, relax, block out the voices and allow the creative to surface freely. Driving in the car (I'm to busy singing), running (nope, I'm always telling myself "i think i can, i think i can"), laying looking at the clouds, watching the sunrise or sunset, sitting to meditate, listening to music, staring out the window, in the shower.

Yep, that is me in the shower. My most creative thinking happens in the shower. Most of my blogs are written in my head in the shower. I should really figure out a way to jot the notes down in there! The shower is hot, steamy, and oddly quiet for having 2 kids. The kids for the most part allow me a quiet shower 5-9 minutes but that is an amazingly long time. My mind is transformed and the creative and inspiring just flood out. It's relaxing and exciting to know I have finally figured out "my inspiriational space".

Go ahead. Find yours!

Poop is Funny!

As parents you deal with poop, some days none, some days a little, and some days an elephant load. As a parent poop seems to be noteworthy, even conversation worthy at times. During potty training Layton, a friend told a story about their grown son holding a sign up at the airport to greet his grandfather "poop is funny"

"Poop is funny" has gotten me through many, many, many, many trying bathroom accidents with Layton. If I was frustrated with the mess, accidents, or him not pooping in the toliet I would recite, "poop is funny, poop is funny, poop is funny", guess what IT IS!

 Fast forward to Julia. My dear sweet stripperella! She has recently learned to remove her pants, next the diaper and run around and giggle! A phase every child goes through. Today, I was loading the dishwasher after lunch, Layton was quietly playing cars, and Julia starts crying. Oddly enough, Julia doesn't cry unless something is REALLY wrong or Layton has taken her toy....my mind was thinking, Layton was "borrowing" her toy. She kept crying, nope it wasn't Layton, she hadn't fallen, upon further investigation....wait for it........


Yes, she had pooped. Not only pooped but tried to remove her jeans and diaper, poop started to streak down her leg and she was over it..done..started crying..wouldn't move...we had to put down a towel to lay her on then proceed to clean her..I learned four valuable lessons.

1. Julia doesn't like messes.
2. Julia stopped to prevent spreading the mess.
3. Julia will be ready to potty train soon.
4. Poop is still funny. Or as Evan pointed out, "until you have sewer problems"

Kids vs weather follow-up

No conclusive evidence kids vs weather however, Layton can now spell his name! We mastered 6 letters!! Onward and upward!

Kids vs Weather

Fact or Fiction: Weather Fronts affects Kids?

A question pondered at our house each time a weather front or significant change is approaching. Our pair seem to be more tuned up, wild, full of cabin fever, vim and vineagar as fronts approach, more so in winter  than summer. So, is the front affecting their behavior or are we just more in tune with the behavior changes blaming it on the weather?

The recent out of ordinary Julia......she has been an awesome sleeper since the beginning! Bless her and bless us ( we never had to walk the floor with sleepless nights)...two nights in a row (at home, no routine changes, vacations, diet changes, etc...we are big on routine at our house!), she woke in the middle of the night crying...not just crying but large, sobs, tears, almost hyper-ventalating and clung to me like a spider monkey. She was not letting go of me for ANYTHING, her little arms and legs wrapped around me as tightly as possible...yes, I caved and held her the remainder of those two nights (we have vowed to not let our kids sleep with us for many reasons but there are exceptions.....)daybreak came and she was happy go lucky again, never missing a beat...Weather, teeth, seperation anixety, night terrors, we will never know what threw her sleep into a two night spiral.

Layton...well Layton....he is our talkative, active, guy anyway...Today he has been talking lots extra and been extremely difficult to "get through to"...we are working on learning the letters in his name, 6 letters.....today was epic fail with mother and son both in tears. We will get there, eventually...he has learned colors, shapes, numerous farm machinery pieces, can count to 10 but letters are getting the best of us today...

Time will tell! Tomorrow is supposed to be super windy as a cold front sweeps the plains. Will my sweet, loving, precious children be back to "normal" or will we still have "weather"challenges.

Moments of Clarity

As parents you have moments of clarity, realization, the old "hind sight is 20/20", yes I vowed in my "younger days" to not use the phrase but alias it fits! My latest series concerns Layton and his new glasses!

Back story: Our Family Dr. recommends getting a baseline eye exam at 1 year, our Eye Dr. does free eye exams until kids are 4....well, Julia needed her 1 year, as did Layton (and his 2 year, and 3 year, get the picture, bad parent we never did his first one, oh and his 4th birthday is looming!) sooooooooooo. I made an appoiment for both kiddos, called and 4 days later we are on the way.

Ok, mind you......Layton can identify a John Deere, Case, Gleaner, any farm equipment 2-5 miles away with wonderful clarity so we thought, he's good, Julia is good, we will breeze through the exams and be on our way to Ice Cream...hold the music....

The kids loved the Eye Dr. The Eye Dr. was wonderful with the kids playing games, giggling, letting them try the various tools and patches out...good experience, I'm still thinking we are home safe......then I notice Layton is back in the chair for round 2 and the Dr is asking about his behavior (doesn't like to sit still, doesn't like to color, doesn't like to work up close....affirmative to all of those, he's three though, toddlers are active)....The lightbulb is slowwwwwly coming on...he is far sighted and doesn't like to work up close because his eyes hurt..Ah Ha #1.

Fast forward one week (through Christmas) and we are back. Layton is a trooper, gets his glasses and is excited. Until we get to the car, we go through 30 minutes of denial and dislike, discuss who all has glasses, make a pact to gradually increase wearing them to a full day. Tears disappear. Next day, he put them on and wore them the full day, he loves them and is uber responsible!

Ah Ha Moments we feel silly for not catching earlier (poor guy, who knows how long his eyes have hurt and he didn't know)
#2. We have always helped hook his equipment up to his tractors (no longer needs our help)
#3. On the IPAD, was always off one side or the other of the target slightly (dead center now)
#4. Plays for hours with his car now (used to be 10 minutes max)
#5. Likes to draw, color, and put stickers on stuff...he asked to write thank you notes for Christmas gift.
#6. Will sit and look at a book, magazine, puzzle for 15+ minutes (used to be 5 max and never would finish a puzzle)
#7. He is much quieter, calmer, more mature almost 4 year old, who continues to melt my heart.

Purpose

Ok, inner therapist is coming out, be warned and feel free to end reading now.

As loved ones old or young pass away, refuge is found in the assurance "God has a plan, a higher purpose, another job..." At the time we don't always know or understand, but have you ever pondered the ripple effect or the thoughts, conversations, sparked by the passing?

Two recent events come to mind causing me to ponder the effects on me and my family, rather selfish yes but follow me......the school shooting in newton ct and a young mother in ks losing her three year old in a car accident, both accidents, both terrible tragedies, a mother, father, aunt, uncle, grand parent, all laying children to rest ahead of them; an event a parent can never be prepared for, only looking to God for comfort. Those events caused me many tears for those involved, prayers for their guidance, comfort, healing, all while also challenging me. The challenge to me was to look at my kids, my life, my parenting, how can I be a better parent, better for my kids...those parents had no way of knowing the last round of hugs, kisses, snuggles, would be the last....is improving my parenting, my patience one of the jobs God had in store for those little lives. (Yes, I know sounds selfish) but think of the number of people who did hug their children tighter, had more patience, answered more curious questions, took extra time to teach a new skill, made their family more of a priority, pulled a community closer together, made neighbors more tolerant of others, brought discussions of peace, healing, random acts of selflessness.....will we ever truly know the jobs God has in store for those precious babies but know one day we will learn as we meet again.

Love, patience, peace, tolerance, prayer, until next time.

Live More

Welcome 2013! A new year, a fresh start. New year resolutions are made and broke, re made and broke again, same song new verse, same tired cycle. A trap I'm avoiding this year. 2013 my mantra is "live more".

Live more rolls so many things into one; eating better, exercising more, spending less money, making more money, spending quality time with my kids (we have two now!), not arguing with my husband or family as much, more patience, less technology, living in the moment, less tv, more reading, cooking better, taking better care of the garden, keeping in touch with my closest friends better, being a better wife, blogging more (it is my mental thearpist), talking more with family, exploring the bible more, having fun times with the family, you get the picture! Improving daily life for me, my husband and my kids. 2013 needs to be a happier more fulfilling year and it starts by "Live More"! Each day little by little.