I am simply writing this stuff down so I don't forget it. . .

Yesterday on the way to visit the Extreme Home Makeover House ( which was sooo cool by the way), I was asked these crazy questions:

"Mom, why do people pee their pants?" and 1 minute later a different child asks, "Mom, why are there garden gnomes?"

WHAT!!! are you kidding me, where does this random stuff come from. And my favorite. . .

Before bed one night Taneah is giving me one of her famous very tight Taneah hugs and she looks up at me with those sparkly, coffee colored eyes and says, "Mom yo gweat." So grown up sounding coming out of a 3y/o. Anyway I asked her, "Really, what do you think makes me a great mom?" She paused for a second and then answered simply, "Jesus."

Believe

Part of my job is working with kids and families affected by ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). I probably shouldn’t say this but working with kids on the autism spectrum are my favorite. I love the way they see the world. They often noticie details you and I usually don’t, their blunt honesty makes me giggle and can be refreshing at times and there’s often a sensitivity I can’t really put into words, it’s just there. Well, today I was working with a delightful little fellow. He looked at me and said “Your necklace says believe.” (It’s a simple circle pennant with the word believe printed in it.) I replied,”Yep it does.” He then continued, “ That means you believe in God.”

Now the the next part I’m not sure why I went there I just did. I said “Well it could mean that or it could just mean I believe in Santa Claus or I believe in people, what do you think?” I guess I was just trying to figure out where he was coming from . Anyway, he paused from the game we were playing, looked at me with a simple, matter of fact face, and said “Nope, it means you believe in God.”

OK buddy you’re right I do believe in God, thanks for reminding me and yes that’s why I wear the necklace.

Summer 2010 Reflection

Doesn't this picture just scream summer. I can almost feel the hot sun on my back and the sand between my toes. It's sweet T and her cousin Leighton.

I love to reflect and look back. Look back on good times and remember the feelings of joy and happiness. And remember the bad times and look what how God brought me through and learn what he needed to teach me. Since I’ve taken such a break from blogging I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to reflect on summer. Overall, the summer was a really fun one. It was filled with sunshine and playdates, vacations and extra time with family. And I think it was probably the fastest one yet. Here are some of the highlights in no particular order:

* Jonah played baseball and he loved it. For now he is totally obsessed with the Twins.
*We took a family vacation to the Black Hills. Taneah’s favorite part was “the faces” Jonah’s favorite part was the alligator show at Reptile gardens and Lydia’s favorite part was the cave. It was great time, we met some neat people and we had a fun time as a family.
*Aaron sold fireworks again and well that’s all I’ll say about that.
*We did lots of other regular summer things like camping ( we even got a new/used camper), swimming, fishing, picnics, and trips to the zoo.
*And as for me well I started a new job. After 10 years in the Moorhead Public Schools I am now the latest occupational therapist at Beyond Boundaries Therapy Services. I worked 2 days /week this summer and now I”m up to 4 days a week. I love it. It is exactly where God wants me to be right now, I am confident in that, and one of the reason’s I started to blog again.

Got a new baby cousin!

walking across the head waters of the Mississippi River

Summer of 2010, you were a good one, we played, we laughed we learned new things and as I always say my favorite part of summer is getting to know my kids better and watching them get to know each other better too.

Look Who's 3!!!

I'm back and I think committed to doing a little more blogging. I didn't "plan" on talking a break for the summer, however, blogging had just begun to feel like work. Also, I started this blog in a season when God was teaching me all about hope through the adoption of our 3rd sweetpea. Since the adoption and adjustment phase is over this blog didn't have a purpose anymore. Well, after doing some searching, thinking and praying, I think I am ready to start this new season of blogging. Afterall everyone needs a little hope and a smile now and then and hopefully I can share just a drop of hope and encouragement to you through this blog. Enough babble, because I know you want to see the newest 3 year old in our house.

We had 2 parties. One last weekend camping at the lake and one last night with her favorite meal of spaghetti!

Cousins

more cousins

God is good. . .

Warning: This post is full of serious randomness but big stuff going on around here.

So have you ever had something pictured in your head and then you find it and it's a huge blessing. Ever since I painted this wall red (5 years ago) I pictured "my" piano in front of it. I purposely have never bought another piece of furniture for that spot for "someday" when I got a piano. My God story for the week is how through facebook, an attentive friend, a generous co-worker and some strong neighbor men I now have my piano in front of my red wall! Jonah is so excited to take lessons.




Princess Biker-- Anyone, who know Taneah knows that gross motor skills and coordination are her strength. Aaron got down the "big bike" with training wheels from the garage attic and she took off like she'd been riding it her whole life. Within minutes she even figured out that if her pedals got stuck she could stand up to make the bike go. She's 2 years old and figured out how to stand up and ride bike! She asked our 13 yr old neighbor boy," Cole, you got a big bike wike me?" God is good for giving us "big bikes"!





Juice Stand- We had the pleasure of hanging out with our cousins on Sunday and they put together a juice stand. ( We only had Tang, instead of lemonade) The kids had a blast and watching them on the warm spring day made my heart smile. They play so creatively and nice together. God is good to give us cousins.

Rule over me this day, O God, leading me on the path of righteousness. Put Your Word in my mind and Your Truth in my heart, that this day I neither think nor feel anything except what is good and honest.
Jacob Boehme

Show me your ways, O Lord, teach m you paths;guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 25:4-5

This is what 6 looks like!

My sweet, spunky, independent Lydia turned 6 years old today. She really has had a big week that I will get to later, but for today, just one letter to my girl and a few pictures from the day. She started the day be being the snack girls at kindergarten. She brought Sandy’s doughnuts for treats for her class mates and then I picked her up from Kindergarten. We headed to the mall and she got her ears pierced. She was so brave!!! Next the 5 of us went out to eat to celebrate her birthday. What a day.

To my dear sweet Lydia,

Out of all the little girls in the world I feel like the luckiest mom in the world to get to be your mom. You have taught me so much about being brave, patient and independent. I love the way you know exactly what you want and how you want it. I love the way you pay attention to detail. You have the most infectious laugh of anyone I know. And when you laugh, it makes us all want to laugh. You are silly and you tell really great jokes! You are the perfect combination of sweet and spunky and I love you for that. You’re the best Lydia Claire. Happy Birthday sweetheart!


Looking a little nervous, but she was brave and strong!



Much better. This is what 6 years old looks like!


Just before bed, I don't often get a great pic like this of all 3 of them! Wow do I love these 3 sweeties.