Knock, Knock...

Sadie is totally into "Knock, Knock" jokes right now. I'm not sure exactly how we got hooked on them, but now we make up new ones to keep things fresh and absolutely hilarious.... or at least absolutely hilarious from a 3 year old's perspective.

Anyway... Sadie was using "Knock, Knock's" as her stalling approach at bedtime tonight. I heard...
"Knock, Knock."
"Who's there?"
"Cow"
"Cow who?"
"Cows don't say who, they say moo!"

To which I responded...
"Knock, Knock."
"Who's there?"
"Goto."
"Goto who?"
"Go to sleep!"

See, I told you we were funny! Leave me your best knock, knock jokes! :) We gotta keep the Knock, Knock spirit up!

Preparing for the Coming of the King...

Sadie's prayer last week...
"God thank you for our beds. Thank you for my family. Thank you for our church. And most of all, thank you for Santa Clause. Amen."

When your child begins praying at night thanking God for Santa Clause and not Jesus, it's a good time to refocus the reason for this beautiful season! We began an ABC advent on December 1st, but it's never too late to start now and count down the days to the coming of our King!

I found the ABC advent idea online, but have rewritten it and added scriptures to fit our family's needs. Thought I would post it for those of you who are interested...

Eric made this awesome advent candle holder for our kitchen table!!! I love it... someone from our small group said that it looks like a menorah on steroids. Couldn't help but laugh....


Anyway...
Before we start Advent at night Sadie and Cole have to pick up their toys. Sadie will quickly pick up her toys to do Advent! I LOVE THAT! There's something about children and the idea that we are going to light candles for them to blow out that is incredibly exciting. After toys are picked up, we turn off the lights and light a new candle and the previous candles that have already been lit. As we light the candles, we review what we have learned so far and what each candle stands for. I am amazed at what Sadie is remembering and how well she is telling the story of Christmas herself. Last night we tried something new and sang Silent Night before we blew out the candles. Short and simple, but teaching the truth of this season.

Here's what we are learning as we worship together and scriptures to go with each letter:
A- Angel came to visit Mary (Luke 1:26-31)
B- Baby Jesus (Luke 1:31)
C- City of Bethlehem (Matthew 2:6)
D- Donkey (The Bible does not state exactly how Mary got to Bethlehem, just that she went with Joseph - Luke 2:1-5. It is possible that they used a donkey as a mode of transportation. Good opportunity to talk about the distance they traveled and the possibilities of how they might have gotten there.)
E- Everlasting - Share about God's power and relate it to the season. (Psalm 90:2)
F- Family - As your family we want to teach you about the truth of Jesus. (Deut. 6:5-9)
G- Gift (John 3:16)
H- Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35-37)
I- Inn (Luke 2:7)
J- Joy ( Luke 1:39-45)
K- King (John 18:37)
L- Lamb (John 1:29)
M- Multitude of Angels (Luke 2:13)
N- Name of Jesus (Matthew 1:23 & Phil. 2:9)
O- Obey - Mary and Joseph obeyed Jesus (Matthew 1:24-25)
P- Perfect - Jesus is without flaw.
Q- Quiet time (Psalm 46:10)
R- Rejoice (Luke 1:14)
S- Sins - Jesus was born to save us from our sins. (Matthew 1:21)
T- Twinkling Star (Matthew 2:2)
U- Unto Us a Child is Born (Luke 2:11)
V and W - Visit from Worshiping Wise Men (Matthew 2:7-12)
X - is for Christ (2 Peter 3:18)
Y- Jesus will be a blessing to YOU! (Ephesians 1:3-14)
Z- ZZZZZ - We can rest in knowing that Jesus is Alive! (Psalm 91:1)

Happy Adventing and Merry Christmas!

Cover your sneeze!

While Sadie is eating a carrot for lunch, she sneezes... little orange bits are flying everywhere... mainly all over Eric.

Eric: SADIE... ugh, that is so gross!
Sadie: Sorry
Eric: You need to cover your mouth when you sneeze.
Sadie: But I have a new shirt on.

We've taught Sadie to sneeze into her sleeve... but apparently if you're wearing new clothing it's better for the person you're eating with to wear your lunch than to have it on your own shirt.

Dealing with my Adversions

When I was pregnant with Sadie I craved chicken from Long John Silvers. We went a couple times a week so I could satisfy my longing for the breaded goodness... UNTIL, one day I bit into a perfectly breaded outside into a raw inside. I thought I was going to puke... and to make it better, they wanted to give me MORE chicken! For about a year after that I would not eat chicken in any form.

I've been able to avoid LJS for 4 years now... until today when hubby suggested it for lunch. So, I took a deep breath, checked the inside of my chicken and partook of the greasy goodness. I think I'm finally dealing with LJS.

God's Plan is so Simple...

James 4:7 - Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

A few weeks ago I went to a preview of To Save a Life. It's a movie (based off a true story) that's to be released in January 2010. To Save a Life deals with many issues in teen culture... bullying, suicide, cutting, drinking, drugs, relationships, teen pregnancy... the list could go on and on.

I left with all this running through my mind reflecting on how naive (dingy or clueless... whichever word you prefer) I was in high school... there were things out there going on, but I know I was unaware of the severity or even the vastness... and things have changed drastically in the 10 years I have been removed from high school. As I get older and work with students in ministry (and prepare to raise teenagers), I fear being disconnected to culture. I fear being unable to relate to what students are going through and being able to help meet their needs. I want to be able to understand where they're at so I can help them and point them to the One who provides all healing and redemption.

As I was processing all this, I was thinking about the issue of cutting. A huge issue among teens and young adults right now. It's hard for me to wrap my brain around how someone could want to cut. As I was pondering this, God gave me a picture of what my sinful habit of worry does to my mind and causes just as much damage... worry makes me feel like I have momentary control over whatever circumstance I'm dealing with, leaving a scar on my mind. Cutting is simply the same... a reaction to what's going on in the mind that allows someone to feel in control... leaving a more visible scar for others to see. My sin is "hidden" theirs is more "visible"... both are wrong and need to be laid before the feet of the Healer and the One who has control over our lives.

I can't help be be amazed at the simplicity of God's plan for us. It seems like we try to make such God's incredible gift so complex... it doesn't have to be. God made us for one need... the need for Him. If we can learn to submit our minds to him (day by day, moment by moment), we are going to find that he puts a desire in us to be obedient to him... and as we submit, we will see our fleshly desires and habitsdissipate... we find freedom from worry, alcoholism, drug addictions, cutting etc. Is the submission thing always easy??? Absolutely not... it takes persistence... eyes to His Word, ears to his calling... but I cannot think of a safer place to be when my world seems out of control than in the arms of Christ.

God, you created us with a need for you... help us to not do life alone... help us to submit to you and set our minds on you alone.

Romans 12:2 - Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Colossians 3:2 - Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

My favorite verse right now....

Psalm 91:1
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."

Ahhh... I love resting in the shadow of the Almighty... and for those of you that don't know, this Kansas snow we've had has been for ME!!! God gave our city so much snow so I could SLOW DOWN AND REST IN THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY. Praise Him!

Cookbook Rack

My conversation in the car with Sadie:

S: Mommy, what do you want for Christmas?
Me: Hmmmm... well, I think I would like cookbook rack.
S: A cookbook rack? What's that?
Me: It's kind of like the stands we have to hold up our fancy plates, but it holds big books, instead.
S: Where might I get that?
Me: I've seen them at Barnes & Noble.
S: Barnes & Noble... like the Barnes in Noble In Wee-chi-tah???
Me: Yep...
S: I think I will go buy that for you like a big girl... with my own money.
Me:

So thankful that her little egocentric, 3 year old personality is beginning to notice the needs and wants of others. So honored to call her my own.

Happy Halloween!!!

We enjoyed our Halloween holiday festivities yesterday... took a trip to the library for their Halloween parade and then visited downtown for a little Trick or Treat street. Tonight we will go to church and then will have a bonfire with some friends... getting settled in nicely here in Salina. :)

Sadie decorating her Light Bright earlier this month.
A little pumpkin patch fun... the highlights were the farm animals and the corn pile (Mr. Laid Back Cole had a major fit when he had to get out of the corn pile.)
Our sassy Little Mermaid....
Along with the cutest Pirate I have ever laid eyes on...

Thrilled with their Halloween treats...If only he could have a lick of this lollipop...

Happy Halloween!!!

Lookin' good....

I have nothing to say other than Miss Sadie loves to dress herself.... I guess if she continues to pick out wardrobes like this we won't have to worry about a boyfriend...

Artsy-Fartsy...

We love art, yes we do! We love art, how 'bout YOU!!! :)

Finger painting and toe painting outside....



A little bit of pudding painting...



Fun with the good old crayons...


And a little bit of brush painting...

I LOVE messes, yes I do! I LOVE messes, How 'bout YOU!!!

Movin' on Out...

Our moving friends are coming today to load us up.... and yes, we are taking these two cuties with us! Augusta, KS friends... thanks for the memories... we have no regrets of our time here... we love you and pray the greatest blessings over you and this city! God's not through here yet!

Boston in the Fall

In the midst of the craziness of September... Eric getting a new job, trying to sell our house, packing and planning... Eric and I managed to sneak away to Boston for a few days!!! :) Normally we wouldn't have taken a vacation during such a hectic time, but the trip had been planned for months, so I practiced my deep breathing and away we went. It was lovely to get away and just be TOGETHER! Here's some pics of our Boston memories!

We stayed at the Boston Omni Parker Hotel... still not sure how we scored this hotel for the price... it was historic and beautiful...
They even knew some Kansans were coming, so they greeted us with the state flower (I think I'm getting older because I'm starting to take pictures of cut flowers)....
This was the first vacation I've ever taken where my feet didn't hit the ground running in a shopping mall... very strange.... we spent the entire time at Eric's heaven on earth... Fenway Park. This was in celebration of his 30th... so I let it slide (ha, ha... get it... slide... I REALLY am getting old) this time...
We even took the Fenway tour (hence the empty seats) and watched Kevin Youkilis pull into his parking spot... be still my soul.
Here's Eric trying to keep from doing his happy dance...
And a classic pic of me with Wally... this is the reason Sadie now wants to go to Boston. :)

Roles or Rolls...

Sadie: Mommy, can I have a casserole???

After looking around and thinking about what on earth she's talking about....

Me: Sadie, do you mean a cinnamon roll???

Sadie: Yes, a cinnamon roll.

She'll soon learn not to confuse a casserole with a cinnamon roll. :)

I feel like a Middle Schooler

I have soooo much to tell you about the last month that it makes me want to hold your hands, jump up and down and squeal like a jr. high girl... the problem is that I can't type fast enough to get it all out in one sitting AND I have absolutely no idea where to start. SOOOO.... I'll be giving it to you in bits and pieces over the next few days... in between packing boxes that is... that's right!!! We're taking a huge leap of faith and moving to the great city of Salina, Kansas. :) Life is never boring with Jesus.

For now, check out this talent.


Thanks for not giving up on Daisies 'n Dump Trucks... we're back... and more exciting than ever! :)

How Little Boys Eat

Sadie has never been a big eater. It took her forever to become interested in eating real food (and she was never interested in baby food). When she ate as a baby and as she eats now, she picks at her food, taking maybe a couple bites of each item. She rarely cleans her plate and when she does, we celebrate!

Then there is Cole. He became interested in food at around 10 months or so... VERY interested in food. And not the baby food type... the REAL deal. He still does not have any teeth, but it doesn't seem to bother him. :) Little boys are in an eating league of their own!!! Maybe you can relate....

- When it's time to eat, little boys kick their feet and flail their arms until their food is on their plate.
- When little boys run out of food they scream or squeal until they get more grub (forget any signing that they have been taught).
- Little boys can wake up from a dead sleep in the drive thru at DQ for a sweet treat.
- Instead of using a tidy pincer grip to get a bite, little boys take bites by the handful... usually with both hands full, one after the other.... the snarfing technique.
- A little boy's food mess is not contained to just the hands and face... you have to clean a boy up all the way to his armpits.
- Food truly makes this little boy VERY happy! :)

She's getting SO big!!!

Every now and then I start feeling a little anxious about how quickly Sadie is getting away from me... I mean, she's practically 18 and getting ready to go off to college... well, maybe notsomuch... but she is one step closer to going to college because tonight she is sleeping without her bed rail up!!! Look at her! How is this possible... you will note, however, I have added proper padding protection and tucked that sheet in real tight - just.in.case.


Dear Jesus.... please keep my little Sadie ever so safe tucked tightly into her bed tonight.

Coley turns ONE!

One year ago, after a super speedy (and scary) labor and delivery, we welcomed Cole William to our family. It doesn't seem possible that 365 days have gone by... until I think of that as being 365 days without sleep (okay, maybe just 362, but who's counting). Cole has brought incredible amounts of joy to our family and is such a blessing to us... here's a few pics of him at his party. The lighting under the pavilion and the super windy day didn't help with great pics... but here it goes!!! :)


We did a Tonka Truck themed party... with dirt cake. You can't see it, but we topped the tables with brown paper and Eric made truck prints using paint on the tables. It turned out cute.


A truck full of dirt cake... much easier than 5,000 stars for Strawberry Shortcake!!!


Very anti-climatic experience with the cake... we couldn't get the candle to stay lit because of the wind and he was pretty chill about the whole ordeal. :)


I finally fed him his first bite to get him going....


Then we dumped it out of his truck and he dug in...


Opening presents... we are thankful that he now has boy toys!!!


And a little help from our friends....

Never throw a ball over the house... EVER.

I don't have a whole lot of "naughty" childhood stories to share... I was pretty compliant, Brady and I didn't have too many squabbles (however, I did break his arm once), I didn't have any sisters to steal my underwear or traumatize me for the rest of my life... I guess you could say that I had a kinda boring childhood. There is one story I do recall though...

Brady and I must have been about 5 and 7... I was the oldest, therefore the wisest (Still am. Oh, and I'm the prettiest, too!). We were playing outside with a ball when one of us came up with the brilliant idea to see who could throw the ball over the roof into the back yard. Being the wisest, prettiest and SMARTEST of the two, I suggested that Brady try this first. He gave it a try, alright... the ball didn't quite make it over the roof... instead, it made it to the window. You can imagine the rest of the story from here. :)

Had a flashback of this event last week as Sadie was playing with one of our little friends, Hunter. She suggested they try to throw a ball over the house to which I replied... "Oh Sadie, we never throw a ball over the house... EVER."

Visit DQ TODAY!!!

Just wanted to let everyone know that today is "Miracle Treat Day" at Dairy Queen. A portion of each Blizzard (at least $1 or more, depending on location) that is purchased goes to Children's Miracle Network to help children with medical needs.

Each year, Children's Miracle Network will give $500 to every child with a medical need. This organization helped us purchase 1/4 of Cole's helmet and their application process was a breeze compared to other grant organizations we were working with. Help bless a family today... and go eat a Blizzard!

Sonic Drink and Moz. Sticks, Anyone???

I HATE paying bills. It is perhaps the most mundane and depressing household responsibility I have come in contact with thus far.

When I was teaching, bill pay was Eric's job... then I started staying home with the children and it became my duty... I try to balance the checkbook and pay the bills weekly BUT it is the job I put off until the latest possible minute. The house has to be quiet. I have to pray that the process does not make me incredibly grouchy (which it normally does). And, I have to put on some tunes to try to make the process go by quickly.

Well, since this is a job I desperately despise... and I complain about it every week, Eric has agreed to start helping me with the process. We are trying to think of a way to make this job incredibly fun instead of dreadful... our conversation before he left for a meeting tonight...

E: Tonight's gonna be so fun!!!
Me: Why??? Because we're having nachos??? (We're trying out this seasons batch of salsa tonight.)
E: Noooo... because we're paying bills!!! We have to make this fun so we look forward to it every week!
Me: What can we do???
E: Maybe we should buy ourselves a really big Sonic drink and an order of Mozzarella Sticks to split every week.
Me: LOL... what if we don't have the extra money to buy a drink and Mozzarella Sticks?
E: Well, at least we won't know until we are done balancing the checkbook and paying the bills!!!

Seriously??? It looks like bill pay is going to take us to the poor house and make us fat!!! Looking forward to our first bill pay party tonight... if you want to join in, come on over... the entry fee is $25/head. We'll share our drink and Moz. Sticks with anyone who is interested!!!

She'll never be the same...

I am doing my best to feed my family the purest of foods. Please understand that I haven't jumped on the "everything organic" bandwagon, but I do my best to shop on the outer edge of the grocery store... make our own sweet treats (so I know what's in them)... purchase our beef from farmers that we trust... steer away from the high fructose corn syrups, other disgustingly modified ingredients and hormones put in foods (however, I haven't been able to kick my high fructose corn syrup beverage of choice... *gasp*).

Every now and then, you have to live life on the edge, though... before I knew all this information about processed food and the effects it has on children's bodies and their behaviors (and adult's bodies and behaviors, for that matter), I used to indulge in the Smucker's Uncrustables. I decided to purchase some of these the other day to throw in Eric's lunchbox (because sometimes I'm a lazy lunch maker) and I had planned to sneak a few of them for myself. Shhhh... don't tell anyone that I sometimes hide behind a cabinet sneaking treats.

Sadie spotted me putting the Smucker's treat into the cart and she couldn't believe that you could buy a sandwich "that you didn't have to make!" Oh the glee in her voice. She immediately wanted to try one when she got home.

After arriving home, we allowed for proper thawing time, unwrapped the perfectly round sandwich and putting everything I know about the importance of WHOLE WHEAT aside, I let my baby girl take her FIRST BITE OF WHITE BREAD.

Yes it's true, this health conscious mama fed her child white bread slathered in strawberry jelly full of high fructose corn syrup... and she's still alive... sometimes it's okay to live life on the edge. :)

1 John 4:9

Know what thrills my soul???

Listening to Miss Sadie play in the living room and then spout off, "1st John 4:9."

Curious as to if she could match the reference to the verse I asked her what it said and she replied... "God loves us and sent his only son Jesus."

Praying for her today that she would learn to love the Lord with all her heart, soul and mind. He is truly our only hope and salvation.

Don't mess with Q-Tips

Today Sadie was trying to sneak a Q-Tip out of the jar on the counter top....

Me: Sadie, remember what Aunt Erin said about that??? (Apparently they had a little conversation about Q-Tips last week when they were spending time together.)

*No Response*

Me: Q-Tips are not safe for little girls to use. It could hurt your ear and then you wouldn't be able to hear me talking to you anymore.

Sadie: I don't want to hear anymore.

Me: Well, I guess I could cut your ears off then. (That sounds so harsh as I write this!)

Sadie: That's a good idea. Just don't cut my head off when you're after my ears.

Me: Okay. I'll try not to.

Sadie Turns Three! :)

Seriously... how is it possible that three years can go by so quickly???

I will never forget welcoming little Sadie into our lives after praying so desperately for a child for well over a year... the moment seeing Eric hold her for the first time is forever etched into my mind (after 17 hours of labor, somehow he got to hold her first... what's up with that???). It seems that a wait makes the Lord's blessings so much more sweet. I am so thankful for this precious little life that God has entrusted to us.

Here's some highlights from Sadie's Birthday Party. She had decided several months ago that she had wanted a Strawberry Shortcake Party... so we ran with that and bought some stuff along the way. :) Up until a couple weeks ago she was cool with Strawberry until Eric's mom shared with her that her daddy had a Spider-man Party when he was 3... guess who then wanted Spider-man??? We decided that if she still liked Spider-man when she was 4 THEN we can celebrate Spider-man-style.

Here's the cake... I made my 1st attempt at doing a 500 thousand star cake. And it's Retro-Strawberry, nonetheless (I love how the things I grew up with are now RETRO!!!).
Savoring the moment....
Posing with the presents...
I think she really liked her Roller Skates....
And a little fun at the park with our friends...

The Helmet is HISTORY!!!

Get your happy dance on because our helmet days are DONE!!!

For the past 3 weeks Cole has only been wearing his helmet at night (we wanted to get another 1/16 inch of growth out of the boy... making his head not perfectly round, but only 1/16 off... I mean, are any of your heads perfectly perfect???). Decreased helmet time was so nice with all these HOT summer days!!!

Cole went in for his last check up yesterday. They measured his head, and guess what... the little stinkers head grew 1/8 of an inch all in the right direction... making his head perfectly perfect... the kid's got a nice nugget now... watch out world... who knows what you can do with such a round little crown!!!

Here's a man that's enjoying his FREEDOM! Do little boys get any cuter than this???

Now for a moment of advertising....
*** Please, please, please... if you know anyone who has a child in need of a helmet, please have them contact me!!! This has not been nearly as big of a deal as we had imagined. We would love to support anyone walking through a similar situation or educate them on their options!***

I'm Baaaaacccccccccccck! :)

Well, it would appear that I have taken somewhat of a bloggy break... sorry for sneaking away without any notice! It's hard to believe that July is almost over... here's what's been going on here this month:

- We celebrated the 4th with Eric's family at our house! Eric's mom made some ridiculously good BBQ chicken and we roasted smores over the Sterno in the garage. Does it get any better than that??? Good memories.

- I met with MOPS steering team as we planned for the 2009-2010 year!!! It's gonna be a good year, girls!
- Eric and I have spent endless hours being consistent with our little friend, Sadie. Consistency may be the death of me with that girl. We.will.get.that.girls.personality.channeled.in.the.
right.direction!!! Lord, help us.
- Cole has begun scooting all over the place. If I were smart enough to put video on here, I could show you. He sits on his bottom, digs his feet into the ground and pulls himself along with his arms. He can now move from room to room to find me. :)
- At the beginning of the month Cole started wearing his helmet only at night... more on the rest of the story later!!!
- Eric spent last week at Super Summer. Two of our boys came to know the Lord as their personal Savior... we rejoice over that.
- The kids and I spent a week away also... a quick trip through Salina and then on to see my family in Topeka.

Right now...
-I'm gearing up for Sadie's Birthday celebration. She turned three yesterday (I'm fairly certain that three is the new two) and we will celebrate with our family with a Strawberry Shortcake party on Friday!
- I'm trying to decide how to decorate my classroom for VBS Boomerang Express. We will be doing the VBS thing next week... I'm teaching preschool and Eric's teaching preschool recreation... it will be a good week! :)

Thanks, but I'll hold it...

I have lived 28 years without ever having to potty outside. Apparently this is an unusual occurrence because my sweet friends, Nicole (a good ol' farm girl) and Lisa (who I call to do my tough, dirty work when hubby is gone), think this is humorous. All I can say is that I prefer using a toilet that flushes... and on occasion, in an absolute emergency (maybe a dozen times in my lifetime) I will use the port-a-potty.

A few weekends ago we took the boat out to the lake. When we first got there, Sadie announced she needed to go to the bathroom. So, we walked to the bathrooms by the boat dock... upon seeing how DISGUSTING they were, Little Missy decided that she didn't have to go so bad, after all. So, we went on out for our very bumpy and windy boat ride. When we returned Eric began trailering the boat and Sadie mentioned that she needed to go to the bathroom again. Knowing that she wasn't a fan of the public bathroom, I suggested that she potty outside.

Now... remember, I have very little working knowledge about pottying outside... but I do recall one bit of advice given to me in high school... if you ever have to go to the bathroom outdoors, hang your hiney off a hay bail so you don't get your feet wet. Obviously the lake does not have hay bails, but I did find a fairly large rock. So we got the swim suit pulled down and I was fixin' to pop her up on that rock... our conversation is as follows...

S: Mommy, what are you doing?
Me: I'm putting you on this rock to potty so you don't get your feet wet with potty. Isn't that a good idea??? (trying to sound very enthusiastic, have you.)
S: No (crying a the point), this is not a a good idea. Soto (my mom's dog) goes potty outside, not wittle girls.
Me: Oh really? Okay... well how about we try out that port-a-potty again.

And off we were to finish our business.

We clean up nice...

This last weekend we celebrated the marriage of our friends Lauren and Jason. Lauren was in our youth group when we first came to Augusta. Her dad was our church's pastor and we loved serving with them while they were with us here... they have become like our family and we are so grateful for them.

Here are pictures of my sweet family on the big day... Sadie was the flower girl, Eric helped officiate, I was a bridesmaid and Coley was just too cute.