Yesterday on our way home from church, Martini asked, "what does adopt mean?"
"To adopt is when maybe a child's parents die and that child is then given to another family to take care of them and love them, or maybe a mommy and daddy have a baby and they can't take care of him and they give him to another mommy and daddy to be his parents. It's a very loving thing." I told him.
"Oh." he responds.
"Also, it's what happens to us when we believe in Jesus. We will be adopted as heirs of His kingdom. We are all a family. We are children of The King!"
"Oh, O.K.! But that hasn't happened yet. It will happen when we are in heaven."
"Yes, Martini. That is exactly right. Your theology is perfect." MyLove tells him.
"This is what Jesus promised us in the Bible." I tell him as he smiles ear to ear with excitement.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Yucky Biscuits!
O.K. I just baked one of my favorite recipes this morning and hated it.
Sour Cream Biscuits. They are so yummy and dense and yet light. I bake half of them normally and the other half with cinnamon and sugar. Well, I pulled them out fo the oven and they were so dark. They hadn't risen and when Carmelita and I tried them, we spit them out because they tasted bitter and maybe rancid.
I did my investigating and found that I had used three teaspoons of baking SODA instead of baking POWDER! Oh, that stinks!!! All those ingredients gone to waste and then there's the wasted effort. You know, taking out all the ingredients, mixing, rolling, cutting out with a biscuit cutter, cleaning up. Oh, man?!?!
Well, on to the compost pile these yucky things go. Maybe the birds will enjoy them.
Sour Cream Biscuits. They are so yummy and dense and yet light. I bake half of them normally and the other half with cinnamon and sugar. Well, I pulled them out fo the oven and they were so dark. They hadn't risen and when Carmelita and I tried them, we spit them out because they tasted bitter and maybe rancid.
I did my investigating and found that I had used three teaspoons of baking SODA instead of baking POWDER! Oh, that stinks!!! All those ingredients gone to waste and then there's the wasted effort. You know, taking out all the ingredients, mixing, rolling, cutting out with a biscuit cutter, cleaning up. Oh, man?!?!
Well, on to the compost pile these yucky things go. Maybe the birds will enjoy them.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Ethan's World
Ethan has a world of his own that he transforms into in the most amazing ways. No matter where we are, he becomes this incredible fighter and fights off bad guys. He punches, kicks, pushes, jumps, runs around and around. He gets hit and flies back and tosses his head to the side clearly being punched with a right hook or something. He makes the most realistic noises of punches, "aaah!"'s, short pieces of dialogue, vehicle noises, gun blasts. It's really quite a sight.
Ethan becomes an incredible specticle when he finds this world of his. We can be in the halls of church, at the store, visiting Martini's school, the zoo, of course our home, anywhere he can move. People see him and smiles grace their faces as they undoubtedly ponder the wonder of my boy. Kids watch him sometimes with serious faces or inquisitive faces maybe thinking, "What is he doing?" or "I want to play what he's playing!" or "Wow, he is really having fun. Why can't I play that?" or "I'm stuck in this cart/stroller! Get me out!!!"
Now, I am a total supporter of containment and strollers and carts. Believe me. I use them. I wore my babies on my back and side and front for that matter! But, sometimes Ethan is a force to behold. He has to get his "wiggles" out. And, it is another joy the Lord has given us as the parents of Ethan to watch and behold.
Ethan becomes an incredible specticle when he finds this world of his. We can be in the halls of church, at the store, visiting Martini's school, the zoo, of course our home, anywhere he can move. People see him and smiles grace their faces as they undoubtedly ponder the wonder of my boy. Kids watch him sometimes with serious faces or inquisitive faces maybe thinking, "What is he doing?" or "I want to play what he's playing!" or "Wow, he is really having fun. Why can't I play that?" or "I'm stuck in this cart/stroller! Get me out!!!"
Now, I am a total supporter of containment and strollers and carts. Believe me. I use them. I wore my babies on my back and side and front for that matter! But, sometimes Ethan is a force to behold. He has to get his "wiggles" out. And, it is another joy the Lord has given us as the parents of Ethan to watch and behold.
Circumstances
Last night, Uncle Daniel came over to hang out. He was showing Ethan and Carmelita a new game on his iphone. Martini was talking to MyLove and me and decided to see what was going on.
"So, what are your circumstances?" he asked Uncle Daniel.
Where does he come up with this stuff?!
***
Martini had a playday at his school yesterday, and I was sad that I wasn't there to help with the activities. When I picked him up from school, I asked him all kinds of questions about what he did, what flavor snow cone he ate, what movie they showed, if they had popcorn, etc. I told him, "Martini, I am sorry I wasn't there to help with the activities. Do you wish that I was there?"
"Yes, because then I wouldn't have to explain all these things. You would already know them because you would have been there."
"Martini, it's fun to hear these things! You need to be patient and willing to share!"
"So, what are your circumstances?" he asked Uncle Daniel.
Where does he come up with this stuff?!
***
Martini had a playday at his school yesterday, and I was sad that I wasn't there to help with the activities. When I picked him up from school, I asked him all kinds of questions about what he did, what flavor snow cone he ate, what movie they showed, if they had popcorn, etc. I told him, "Martini, I am sorry I wasn't there to help with the activities. Do you wish that I was there?"
"Yes, because then I wouldn't have to explain all these things. You would already know them because you would have been there."
"Martini, it's fun to hear these things! You need to be patient and willing to share!"
A Mother's Journey
Carmelita has been particularly sweet lately. She's been saying "thank you" very easily and readily and she's been beautifully cuddly with me. I just love it when she wants me to just sit and hold her, or she puts her head on my shoulder/chest while I carry her. This being said, she has also been disciplined A LOT lately as well. For what? Hitting her brothers, biting her brother, hitting Mommy, melt-downs at Target, WalMart, or HEB, blatantly not listening to instruction or doing the complete opposite from what she's been told.
Discipline is such a weary process. For it to be truly effective, you have to be consistant, and that takes perseverence, which takes energy! Then I second guess myself and wonder if I am being an over-bearing, micro-managing, crazy-controlling mother who will only be resented by her little ones for the rest of their lives.
This is where my knight in shining armor steps in . . .
I share my discouragement with my hubby and he prays for me, encourages me with the sweetest words, and encourages me in the Lord. He praises me for my efforts and tells me that I am doing the right thing.
. . . all of the sudden, all is well again and I trek on.
Discipline is such a weary process. For it to be truly effective, you have to be consistant, and that takes perseverence, which takes energy! Then I second guess myself and wonder if I am being an over-bearing, micro-managing, crazy-controlling mother who will only be resented by her little ones for the rest of their lives.
This is where my knight in shining armor steps in . . .
I share my discouragement with my hubby and he prays for me, encourages me with the sweetest words, and encourages me in the Lord. He praises me for my efforts and tells me that I am doing the right thing.
. . . all of the sudden, all is well again and I trek on.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Happy Mother's Day
. . . to all of you lovely mothers out there! What a gift bestowed upon us are our children.
"Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him." -Psalm 127:3
. . . and what a responsiblity we have of incredible proportions as mothers!
"do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." -Ephesians 6:4
The other day on KHCB, a Christian woman was interviewed and she said something that resonated with me: "Being a stay at home Mom is the one true full time job. It truly is 24/7."
There are so many things I have learned in my journey as Mommy, but there is a practical tip I learned from an organizational video from my dad. Keep a diaper bag always ready. It seems so simple and obvious, but it has helped me loads. When I come home from being out, I try to replenish the diaper bag right away and have it ready to just pick up when I leave the house.
Some of the things I try to keep in Carmelita's bag is:
2 diapers
plastic throw-away bags
a pair of pants and a t-shirt
a bib
a sippee with water
The sippee the one thing I usually grab right when we leave and fill it up. When my babes were infants, I would use a big backpack and have a lot more little things in there, but not so much anymore. Her little bag is a panda backpack small enough for her to even carry around.
By the way, we started using these Thermos Funtainers last year and absolutely love them. They are made of stainless steel and don't impart a funny taste when left in the van or used all day. The kids love them. Although, when open, they leak. So this is not a cup for very young children who don't know how to close the lid.
Tip #2:
I keep a plastic bin of wipes in the van at all times. We are constantly using them before/after eating, going to stores, cleaning up my own coffee spills, etc. I have never regretted having that bin in there.
Tip #3:
Keep one or two diapers in the front tiny storage bin at the front of the van. If for some reason, we've run out, or don't have the diaper bag, or something, we always have a couple on hand. We have also been able to give some to others when in need!
Tip#4:
Keep a "swim bag" always prepared and together. We have a huge Ikea bag we keep all of our swim stuff in: everyone's swimsuits, four or five huge towels, sunscreen, a couple plastic bags to throw wet things in, hats, extra flip-flops. I think I got this tip from my friend Teresa. It has helped us many, many times. The other day, we found a water park near our house had opened (the kind with water shooting out of the ground). We went home and pulled in the garage, I ran in and grabbed the bag and left in no time! What a time saver. No gathering swimsuits in everyone's respective drawers, grabbing towels in the linen closets, looking through under-sink cabinets for sunscreen. What a time saver!
I would love to learn more tips you might have. Please share!
"Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him." -Psalm 127:3
. . . and what a responsiblity we have of incredible proportions as mothers!
"do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." -Ephesians 6:4
The other day on KHCB, a Christian woman was interviewed and she said something that resonated with me: "Being a stay at home Mom is the one true full time job. It truly is 24/7."
There are so many things I have learned in my journey as Mommy, but there is a practical tip I learned from an organizational video from my dad. Keep a diaper bag always ready. It seems so simple and obvious, but it has helped me loads. When I come home from being out, I try to replenish the diaper bag right away and have it ready to just pick up when I leave the house.
Some of the things I try to keep in Carmelita's bag is:
2 diapers
plastic throw-away bags
a pair of pants and a t-shirt
a bib
a sippee with water
The sippee the one thing I usually grab right when we leave and fill it up. When my babes were infants, I would use a big backpack and have a lot more little things in there, but not so much anymore. Her little bag is a panda backpack small enough for her to even carry around.
By the way, we started using these Thermos Funtainers last year and absolutely love them. They are made of stainless steel and don't impart a funny taste when left in the van or used all day. The kids love them. Although, when open, they leak. So this is not a cup for very young children who don't know how to close the lid.
Tip #2:
I keep a plastic bin of wipes in the van at all times. We are constantly using them before/after eating, going to stores, cleaning up my own coffee spills, etc. I have never regretted having that bin in there.
Tip #3:
Keep one or two diapers in the front tiny storage bin at the front of the van. If for some reason, we've run out, or don't have the diaper bag, or something, we always have a couple on hand. We have also been able to give some to others when in need!
Tip#4:
Keep a "swim bag" always prepared and together. We have a huge Ikea bag we keep all of our swim stuff in: everyone's swimsuits, four or five huge towels, sunscreen, a couple plastic bags to throw wet things in, hats, extra flip-flops. I think I got this tip from my friend Teresa. It has helped us many, many times. The other day, we found a water park near our house had opened (the kind with water shooting out of the ground). We went home and pulled in the garage, I ran in and grabbed the bag and left in no time! What a time saver. No gathering swimsuits in everyone's respective drawers, grabbing towels in the linen closets, looking through under-sink cabinets for sunscreen. What a time saver!
I would love to learn more tips you might have. Please share!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Sounds and Dialogue
"Aaaaaaaaaah!"
"Awe. Oh!"
"Ching! Sharpness in my nails."
Laughing. Talking about the next part of their mission.
"This is my bubble gum gun but it sprays peepee!" says Ethan.
Laughter.
"Pshew, Pshew! Yayayayayayaya" shoots and fights Josiah.
"I'm the ninja king." - Ethan
Peering down his gun, Josiah chases Ethan around the house.
"Hold on, let me go and get something." - Ethan
"I'm coming too." - Josiah
. . . they come down the stairs again
"We fight swords!" - Josiah and Ethan say together.
Ching, clang, clang. Their sword hit eachother and they laugh and fight as little worriors in their own little world.
We just dropped Martini off to school and the boys are playing away while Carmelita still slumbers in our bed amidst all the noise. Martini so lovingly explained to his cousin Josiah that he had to go to school today but that he would be back later on to play. What fun these boys have together.
We have Josiah from Wed. night 'til Sunday because my nephew Jonathan is graduating from Army bootcamp! My sister and her hubby went to be with him.
"Awe. Oh!"
"Ching! Sharpness in my nails."
Laughing. Talking about the next part of their mission.
"This is my bubble gum gun but it sprays peepee!" says Ethan.
Laughter.
"Pshew, Pshew! Yayayayayayaya" shoots and fights Josiah.
"I'm the ninja king." - Ethan
Peering down his gun, Josiah chases Ethan around the house.
"Hold on, let me go and get something." - Ethan
"I'm coming too." - Josiah
. . . they come down the stairs again
"We fight swords!" - Josiah and Ethan say together.
Ching, clang, clang. Their sword hit eachother and they laugh and fight as little worriors in their own little world.
We just dropped Martini off to school and the boys are playing away while Carmelita still slumbers in our bed amidst all the noise. Martini so lovingly explained to his cousin Josiah that he had to go to school today but that he would be back later on to play. What fun these boys have together.
We have Josiah from Wed. night 'til Sunday because my nephew Jonathan is graduating from Army bootcamp! My sister and her hubby went to be with him.
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