A Reason for Snot

One of the things we've worked on with Abby is not being snotty.  Sometimes I feel like I'm banging my head against the wall in the process wondering when she'll 'get it.' 

Yesterday after gymnastics class Abby shared a revelation she'd had:

Abby:  "Mom, y'know that snotty girl in my gymnastics class?"
Me:  "Yeah."
Abby:  "Well, I think God put her in my class for a reason."
(Right about now, I'm thinking maybe she's thinking about another lesson we're working on...loving people where they're at.)
Me:  "Oh yeah...and what do you think that reason might be?"
Abby:  "To show me that that's how I can be sometimes...and I don't wanna be that way!"  [You're right, Mom]  People don't want to be around you when you're that way."

Haaaaa-le-lu-ia!!!! And the heavens part.  The light bulb went on.  Thank You, Lord for snotty girls. 

Caricature

Yesterday we attended Delta's company block party and had this caricature done of the kids.  The last time we had one done was when we only had two kiddos; Abby was 3 & Em was 2.  Can you correctly label who's who, L to R, top to bottom?

I'm still chuckling as I look at Courtney's calm, serene face here...she was far from it at the time...2 hours past naptime, hot,  & sick of waiting in line for an hour.  As she squirmed and flailed & tried to paw the artist's sketch board with her grubby chubby little fingers, I just kept feeding her cotton candy and chips to keep her still long enough for the artist to catch literally even a 2 second glimpse.  I'd say he did pretty good.  :)

Happy Father's Day, Wade...from your 4 beautiful blessings & your adoring wife!

China

Having an Aunt who has spent a considerable amount of time in China, the subject comes up periodically in our family.  Emily wants her Aunt Bria to come to her classroom and talk about China.  And once Abby informed us all that "she's part Asian."  (Got it confused with Swedish.)  Today was another good one.  As Abby got ready for school this morning and admired herself in the mirror she confessed "Mom, I'd like to go to China, but I'd be afraid because with my blond hair they'd be all over me there...and plus there's also those giant bugs..."

I'm speechless.

A Day Off

During cleanup time the other day Abby voiced an all too common complaint:  "I'm sick of  picking up!"  I told her I get sick of picking up after everyone all the time too.  To that she said "But Mom, that's why there's Mother's Day."  Oh phew--that's a relief.  She's right, what do I have to complain about when I get a break once every 365 days?

Sometimes I Just Shake My Head

Over the weekend I cleaned out the art supply cupboard.  In doing so, I found this lovely note.

It reads:  "Emily, you have to clean up my clothes if you want a hug & kiss.  I love you so much.  Love, Abby Prestrud."

Nothin' like a little unconditional sisterly love. 

Where Do Babies Come From?

 

Conversation between the girls today as they came home from school and loved on their baby sister...

Abby:  Ooooooh wejustloveyourbabychub...justlovethatchub...ourlittlechubbers...

Abby again:  All that chub comes from Mama's milk!

Emily:  Naw-aw...her chub comes from dirt.  Daddy says we all come from dirt. 

1st Day

1st day of 1st grade for miss Emily Gracia, and 1st day of 3rd grade for Abba-do. Before the bus picked them up, the 3 of us prayed together over their school year. Afterward I looked at Abby and she had tears in her eyes. "That was just touching," she told me with sincerity. And then she offered up a spontaneous prayer of her own. Oh, my heart. Love those girls.

Praying that God gives them a good year--of good friends, good teachers, and good learning. Praying His protection over them over all that they are exposed to and need to filter through. And praying above all that they grow in their relationship with Him, and share His love and truth with those around them. Lord, may they influence more than they are influenced.

When I Grow Up

Abby: "Mom, when I grow up I wanna be a pastry chef...Mom, what's a pastry chef?"
Me: "I have no idea."

Legacy

Abby: "Mom, what's a legacy?"
Me: "It's the message or example you leave behind...like the legacy I want to leave for you is to love God and love people."
Abby: "Oh yeah. Like monkey see, monkey do."

...Something like that :)

Reasons

On Saturday I had planned to take the kids to the park. All the girls had to do was put a way their laundry and be nice to each other. No such luck. There was wailing and gnashing of teeth when I informed them they had made their choices and missed their chance. After Abby calmed down, she came in and said "Mama, I think I know the reason Emily and I can't get along...I think it's because you make us put away our laundry." Right. Makes perfect sense.

Also during the aforementioned not getting along & half-hearted attempts at laundry putting-away, Emily came upstairs to whine and complain that Abby had called her a such-n-such. Upon questioning, Abby said "Oh no, I wasn't calling her that, I was saying it to satan." Another good one. (How convenient when little sister is standing next to you...say whatever you want and then excuse it by insisting you were just rebuking the enemy.) Clever. They never cease to amaze me.

Crocs

The kids have been excited to get the summer shoes out again. Abby put on her pink 'Crocs' and exclaimed "I love these crotches!" And for some reason she didn't seem to get the significance when I corrected her.

Abby's Turning 8!

Yesterday we had a special birthday outing for Abby's 8th Birthday. The long awaited anticipation of two big events events--ear piercing, and the purchase of her very first American Girl Doll! (Though she and Emily do have Bitty Babies, too.) We went to the Mall of America and made it a girls' day by inviting both Grandmas and Auntie Ginger to join us. (Special thanks to these ladies, plus Aunt Bria, too, for going in on these special gifts!)

Abby was a little nervous, so Grandma P. offered to go first! (Did a 3rd piercing and a re-pierce, I think. Go Grandma!)

Moments

This past weekend was one of those that makes you wonder "What was I thinking--trying to parent 3 children with another on the way? I stink as a mom, I don't know how to do this right. I'm surely messing my kids up."

Nothing out of the ordinary really. It was a Saturday. Wade was up at the farm and the kids and I were home for some much needed down time. But they bickered and bugged. Nathan whined and wailed. I fought back tears as I struggled with patience and the need for wisdom in parenting. I did keep myself from yelling at the top of my lungs and/or saying things that would really wound their spirits (unfortunately I have done both before, more times than I can count)--so small victories I guess. Anyway, the kids weren't horrible, but they were driving me crazy. I knew it and they knew it. I just feel crummy after days like that.

Last night there was a bit of a bright spot, though. As I tucked the girls into bed, we took some extra time to chat. (We should do that more often--but I'm always in a hurry to get them to bed it seems.) Abby shared a prayer of hers that God had answered.

"Mom, I got to talk to two of my classmates today about how Christmas is really about Jesus coming...and Easter is really about Him dying on the cross for us. My classmates had never heard that before and were so surprised to find out that Christmas and Easter aren't just about presents and candy! And Mom, I had just prayed the night before that God would give me an opportunity to share His love in a way where I wouldn't be embarrassed. And He did!"

This time I fought back tears of gratitude.

The kids and I talk a lot about looking for chances to share God's love & to speak His truth in love. When I was growing up, my dad used to say to me every morning before I left for school "Be nice to people." I have adapted that with my own kids and they often hear me say "Love people with God's truth" as they are walking out the door to catch the bus.

Whether God is using me & my utterly imperfect self to shape my kids, or whether He's growing them in spite of me, (hopefully both) I am thankful that some of the right stuff is getting through somehow. :) Thanks Lord.

Because I Said So?

Abby came home from school the other day and announced with a bit of irritation,
"Mom, none of the kids were obeying me at school today."

Me: "Honey, why did you think they should be obeying you?"
Abby: "Because I was there." (Duh.)

Yeah, that's our wish as parents, too.

*Incidentally, I found out it had been Abby's day to be in charge of something at school, so there was just cause for her irritation. Sure sounded funny without the context, though.

Details

When the girls get home from school each day, I like them to come and check in first before they head off to play. We take a few minutes and I get to hear about their highs and lows of the day.

Yesterday was no different. Abby came in from school, put her things away, ran upstairs and began telling me about her day. A minute or two into her story, it dawned on me that I never heard Emily come in. I asked Abby where her sister was. Her reply? "Oh, I forgot to tell you--Emily's stuck up in a tree and needs you to come out and help her get down."

Ashes to Ashes

Abby: Mom, why do you want to have yourself made into ashes when you die?

Me: I'm not set on it, but I've known a number of godly people who have done it that way, I like the idea, and I think it would be neat to have my ashes sprinkled.

Abby: Um...I think I'd just keep you in a jar.

Random Morsels From the Kiddos

Em (while sitting on the counter with Nathan): Hey Nathan, stay here and I'll get the whoopie cushion. Then we can sit up here and toot! (Devilish giggles.)

Em & Abby: Mom, you are the bestest cook! Oh, and Daddy, and God, and Rachael Ray,...and that one girl with the long hair, and our neighbor Jean...(Glad to know I stand out from the rest.)

Nathan: Mom, where is Jesus?
Me: He's everywhere, honey. He's right next to you,...
Nathan: No, He is under my pillow.

Nathan (who's got a sensitive sniffer): What's dat smell, Momma?
Me (not smelling anything): I don't know Nathan, what is it?
Nathan (very matter-of-fact): It's cow poop on Daddy's head.

Never a dull moment.

It's Hard to Be a Kid

Apparently it's a hard lesson for a 6&7 year old to learn: when Mom says it's time to pick up & you've got 15 minutes to do it, Mom means business.

Yes, apparently it's more appealing to fight, bug each other, and get distracted by the hot pink stamp you found--and stamp hot pink butterflies on your noses and eyes and everywhere else. But it's not so appealing when the timer dings, the mess is still everywhere, and thus consequences must ensue. And no, Mom won't fall for the excuse that your little sister forced you against your will to stamp your face in 5 places. Nice try.

And to my 2 year old: you added a nice touch by wrapping yourself in the curtains and suspending yourself from our not-so-sturdy new curtain rod. I appreciate your thoughtfulness amidst all the chaos. Daddy enjoyed it also--coming home after 2 days of overtime up at the farm, walking down to the back entrance to surprise his kiddos and seeing you there on your own personal flying trapeze. It was a good welcome home greeting. Thank you for that.

Oh, to y'all: don't be surprised if today at VBS you see two girls with rosy pink noses, and one with a scab, too. (She discovered on her own that the butterfly stamp doesn't rub off very well.)

Getting Into the Spirit of Things

(This post is from the other day)


They all gave birth to their beach balls today.

Emily pointed out that everyone was pregnant in this house, except for God.

Abby wants to know what it's called when you have seven babies at once.

Responses

Alright, Erin & Carla, you asked for more :)

A few of the comments & responses from the fam...

Emily (age 6): "Mama, I was hoping you would have a baby, and my dream came true!"

Nathan (age 2): "Where is it, Mama?" (Inspecting my tummy.) "Is she (we don't know the gender) just a widdow-tiny-bit, wike de Itsy Bitsy Spider?" (Does hand motions to demonstrate.)

Abby (age 7): "Oh mom, I can already see the baby making your tummy stick out a little!" Um, no, that would just be my tummy leftover from the previous 3 of you.
Abby also asked me randomly a few weeks ago, before she even knew about the pregnancy, "Hey Mom, how big does your v_____ have to get to pop out a baby? 'Bout like this?" (Used hands to make a baseball sized circle.) Yeah, about like that I told her.

Wade (age 35): "I can't wait until you start showing." I then asked if he was excited about baby. "VERY!" He confirmed. He'd also told me "I can't wait until this bugger joins the other little buggers."
Me, too, Honey.