claire is dancing around me singing 'the farmer in the dell'..here is her R rated version.
"the farmer takes a life. The farmer takes a life. Hi-Ho the dairy-o, the farmer takes a life!!"
funny girl.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
just a day, just an ordinary day....
here are a few glimpses of today:
1. at a viciously early time, claire walks in to find me sleeping with my leg above the covers because you know i cannot stand hot feet...she proceeds to tell me this.."you look bad with your body showing out of bed." wow. what a sweetie.
2. in my momentary attempt at organization, i made a meal plan for the week and a grocery list so that i would not have to go to family fare every day this week (not that we don't love ya, mr. pete!) we were there a longer than usual time and lauren and emma put the christmas colored cake topping things into there pants and sang loudly..."i have something in my pants, do ya wanna see?"
over and over and over and over. quality.
3. at 4 o clock i made my shaky self a peanut butter sandwich for lunch. i was multi-tasking- eating and talking to brian on the phone and cleaning up the wrapping scraps...i glance down before taking my 4th big, hungry bite to see the bread is moldy. not great for a girl with a overactive gag reflex. brian, however, thought it was quite funny.
4. at about 4:07, i became convinced that large sores were developing in my mouth as a result of the aforementioned sandwich.
5. the girls are playing downstairs with a friend and i hear lauren say, "oh, we forgot to pray for this baby!" i think to myself what sweet, innocent children i have and then i hear, "c'mon everyone, pray for this one. she's dead. she died. let's pray."
i guess you can't expect much else from the offspring of a girl who cut off her barbies hair and wrapped her in toilet paper and buried her in a shoebox in the backyard..........
i love monday.
1. at a viciously early time, claire walks in to find me sleeping with my leg above the covers because you know i cannot stand hot feet...she proceeds to tell me this.."you look bad with your body showing out of bed." wow. what a sweetie.
2. in my momentary attempt at organization, i made a meal plan for the week and a grocery list so that i would not have to go to family fare every day this week (not that we don't love ya, mr. pete!) we were there a longer than usual time and lauren and emma put the christmas colored cake topping things into there pants and sang loudly..."i have something in my pants, do ya wanna see?"
over and over and over and over. quality.
3. at 4 o clock i made my shaky self a peanut butter sandwich for lunch. i was multi-tasking- eating and talking to brian on the phone and cleaning up the wrapping scraps...i glance down before taking my 4th big, hungry bite to see the bread is moldy. not great for a girl with a overactive gag reflex. brian, however, thought it was quite funny.
4. at about 4:07, i became convinced that large sores were developing in my mouth as a result of the aforementioned sandwich.
5. the girls are playing downstairs with a friend and i hear lauren say, "oh, we forgot to pray for this baby!" i think to myself what sweet, innocent children i have and then i hear, "c'mon everyone, pray for this one. she's dead. she died. let's pray."
i guess you can't expect much else from the offspring of a girl who cut off her barbies hair and wrapped her in toilet paper and buried her in a shoebox in the backyard..........
i love monday.
Monday, December 1, 2008
december......
i knew it was time for an update since my last post included the word 'sun' and there is absolutely no sign of my friend, the sun, here in michigan. alas, winter has arrived. since our last visit, i have hosted thanksgiving, made my first turkey ( with the help of my hubby), and completed my christmas shopping and wrapping. whew. my friend and i headed out last friday at 3:45 a.m. to do some shopping. there was nothing we really needed, but decided to go anyway. the lesson I learned from the lady in line at kohls was to take an extra 5 minutes and brush your hair and teeth before heading to the mall, even at an early hour. it just doesn't take that much time. walmart was its own freaky beast. the woman in front of me had kleenex stuffed up both nostrils... and chatted with me like she had no idea or she was glad they were there! in conclusion, I loved it and intend to do it every year. we did make a safety plan and decided to avoid walmart when they first opened, for fear of death by trampling. we will take what we gleaned from this year and avoid walmart all together next year. the crayola bucket is just not worth it. i have a deepish wound on my hand from one aggresive walmart shopper who wanted the high school musical furry crocs something fierce.
I hope you had a great thanksgiving. I was going to share what i am thankful for, but Lauren's whining and hurling herself on me is diminishing my thankful spirit.....
happy december, friends.
I hope you had a great thanksgiving. I was going to share what i am thankful for, but Lauren's whining and hurling herself on me is diminishing my thankful spirit.....
happy december, friends.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
florida sun......
I would update this blog, but the ocean is a bit loud and the sun is a tad too bright. guess I will have to just go back to reading my book and watching porpoises jump in the ocean. I will try to cope......
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
jen, jen - the birthday girl!!
happy birthday, jen!! may you feel loved on your day. may this next year be one of more sleep, better health and lots of memories!!
lh
lh
seriously dull.
i wish i had some goods for you. it's not that nothing funny has taken place...because you know it has. i don't know what is wrong with me. am i done blogging or just on hiatus? while i decide, here is a quick story:
the girls and i were at the local spectrum lab. it was super busy and i was playing a rousing game of i spy to keep the kiddos entertained and keep the book/magazine touching to a minimum. the following is true and without exaggeration- I SWEAR!!
this late sixties gentleman (if you could call him that) was sitting across from us and smiling at us. not all that unusual. lauren was having a hard time not staring (as was her mother) because he had on the tightest jean cut offs i had ever in my life seen. seriously, there was unnecessary body outlining going on. gag. gag. then he had on a tank top that hung very low under his arm pits. he topped off his scruffy beard with a veterans hat that had random additional pins on it. (think t.g.i fridays pin bling). he catches my eye, smirks and carefully pulls over his unfortunate tank top and exposes his nipple. i could not believe it. lauren turned and laid her head on my shoulder (therapy, i know). i thought "this cannot be happening. why in the world would he think i want to see that?" sure enough, he is gazing down at the sight himself, his eyes wander up and he smirks at me again, while touching it. honestly. i have never been so appalled. nasty old man. gross.
folks, that's what you get when you ask for an update. hope you ate supper already.
lh
the girls and i were at the local spectrum lab. it was super busy and i was playing a rousing game of i spy to keep the kiddos entertained and keep the book/magazine touching to a minimum. the following is true and without exaggeration- I SWEAR!!
this late sixties gentleman (if you could call him that) was sitting across from us and smiling at us. not all that unusual. lauren was having a hard time not staring (as was her mother) because he had on the tightest jean cut offs i had ever in my life seen. seriously, there was unnecessary body outlining going on. gag. gag. then he had on a tank top that hung very low under his arm pits. he topped off his scruffy beard with a veterans hat that had random additional pins on it. (think t.g.i fridays pin bling). he catches my eye, smirks and carefully pulls over his unfortunate tank top and exposes his nipple. i could not believe it. lauren turned and laid her head on my shoulder (therapy, i know). i thought "this cannot be happening. why in the world would he think i want to see that?" sure enough, he is gazing down at the sight himself, his eyes wander up and he smirks at me again, while touching it. honestly. i have never been so appalled. nasty old man. gross.
folks, that's what you get when you ask for an update. hope you ate supper already.
lh
Saturday, September 13, 2008
who does that???
i read a blog where this lady posted the less than great things she did that day (or recently) but stated them in denial form...ok, bad explanation- but you are smart and i know you will catch on. then let me know what you "have NOT done" lately!!
* i did NOT tell lauren to go ahead and eat the sucker she dropped on the floor at costco because the floor there is really clean.
* i did not tell my children that there are children with no food who would be thrilled to eat their supper (because i swore i would never say that..)
* i did not tell emma that if she did not eat her turkey, she would not be going to school that day.
* i did not streak down the stairs to the laundry room in the buff because i was not content with the underwear options in my drawer.
* i did not tell my children that if they keep waking up during the night, their brains will not grow.
* i do not have an unusual love of junk food and i do not, on some days, eat all junk, all day.
that is all i can think of for now..i had a lot more but my brain is not working...i hope i am not the only parent who does not do these things.
* i did NOT tell lauren to go ahead and eat the sucker she dropped on the floor at costco because the floor there is really clean.
* i did not tell my children that there are children with no food who would be thrilled to eat their supper (because i swore i would never say that..)
* i did not tell emma that if she did not eat her turkey, she would not be going to school that day.
* i did not streak down the stairs to the laundry room in the buff because i was not content with the underwear options in my drawer.
* i did not tell my children that if they keep waking up during the night, their brains will not grow.
* i do not have an unusual love of junk food and i do not, on some days, eat all junk, all day.
that is all i can think of for now..i had a lot more but my brain is not working...i hope i am not the only parent who does not do these things.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
welcome #5
we just arrived home from camping...so this will be brief.
just wanted to inform all of you that we have an addition to our family!! before the rumor mill goes bonkers, let me clarify that he is a 16 year old exchange student who will be living with us for 10 months. we found out he was coming for sure on wednesday and he arrived yesterday. we thought we would break him in to some classy american style by bringing the poor kid camping on his first day in america. he thought ludington was a "beautiful and joyful place"...i asked if he thought he would like to go camping some time and he said "i did not say that much." funny. anyway, i have lots of summer pics to show you now that summer is over...
maybe tomorrow i will get those on here.
HAPPY LABOR DAY!!
just wanted to inform all of you that we have an addition to our family!! before the rumor mill goes bonkers, let me clarify that he is a 16 year old exchange student who will be living with us for 10 months. we found out he was coming for sure on wednesday and he arrived yesterday. we thought we would break him in to some classy american style by bringing the poor kid camping on his first day in america. he thought ludington was a "beautiful and joyful place"...i asked if he thought he would like to go camping some time and he said "i did not say that much." funny. anyway, i have lots of summer pics to show you now that summer is over...
maybe tomorrow i will get those on here.
HAPPY LABOR DAY!!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
is this a bad sign?
so, the girls and i decided to bake some cookies this morning. (butterscotch oatmeal for those who are curious.) i get all the ingredients into the bowl, plug in my hand mixer and get to mixing. seriously, 3-4 minutes later i say to the girls "what is the deal, these are not mixing very well (or not at all!) i look down and see i never put the beaters into the mixer. it might be a long day around here.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Q & A 1st round answers
jen came up with some good questions, so instead of a lengthy answer in comments..here is a new post.
A: i have not played any recent practical jokes. though i do have one in mind for my neighbor. i do feel as though i get, on average, one joke played on me by life daily.
A: did the stains come out? i am sort of a rock star of stain removal. you know they did, with the help of some strong (non-toxic) cleaner and a few rounds of me and the rag vs. the carpet, mattress, etc. i did just notice a few more blue glue clumps that i need to cut out of the carpet. another hidden perk of being a hairstylist. :)
A: how is brian's job going? great. this is brian, however, who never complains and enjoys everything he does. he misses some of the old people (i.e. jeff) but overall feels he made the right choice for himself, our family and his future. go b!!
A: what is the noise level in the house? at any given moment if you were to put a glass up to the door ( who am i kidding, you do not need a glass!) there is noise of varying levels of intensity. i will say, it is never quiet. if it was quiet...it would mean a big problem like unconsciousness or weak attempts to get the wood glue off the dresser. there is almost always someone whining, someone crying, someone screaming and someone tattling, and someone hiding smugly. 95% of the time 1 person (starts with an E..) can be making all of the above noises, all by herself. there are good noise days, like when they are outside and getting along, or when they are putting on a show or gymnastics routine. or when all you here is small girl breathing while listening intently to a story i am reading. i love those days.
A: would i be on a reality show? oh sister, you know i would. not even a question. i want to be on the mole the most. i would not do survivor because i have a gag problem and refuse to eat bugs. anything else, i would be up for. i would also like to host wipeout. i truly enjoy watching people wipe out. they would not even have to pay me.
A: my perfect day.....any day on vacation (ok, vacation w/o the kiddos) ..not forever, just a week or so. slow starting mornings, delicious coffee. a quiet shower where i get to shave above the knee and my armpits all in the same day. a good book (or 7 of them) a slight breeze...a yummy drink...a delicious supper...my favorite friends and our spouses... money to do what we want on vacation...perfect weather...a night of great sleep. that would be a great day. i would not come right home after that day. i need 7 of those days in a row.
A: jen, i think you would agree...there is no way i could pick just 1 food to eat forever. some of them (if i would never gain a pound doing it) would be my sister's homemade chocolate cake, pizza (different types, from different places) some yummy fish dish that i did not prepare...brownies (in case the chocolate cake was not enough) fruits and veggies (again not prepared by me) any sort of pasta.....
there you go. i am sure you feel more connected to me than ever before. this is kind of fun...if you think of anymore, i will answer them!!
A: i have not played any recent practical jokes. though i do have one in mind for my neighbor. i do feel as though i get, on average, one joke played on me by life daily.
A: did the stains come out? i am sort of a rock star of stain removal. you know they did, with the help of some strong (non-toxic) cleaner and a few rounds of me and the rag vs. the carpet, mattress, etc. i did just notice a few more blue glue clumps that i need to cut out of the carpet. another hidden perk of being a hairstylist. :)
A: how is brian's job going? great. this is brian, however, who never complains and enjoys everything he does. he misses some of the old people (i.e. jeff) but overall feels he made the right choice for himself, our family and his future. go b!!
A: what is the noise level in the house? at any given moment if you were to put a glass up to the door ( who am i kidding, you do not need a glass!) there is noise of varying levels of intensity. i will say, it is never quiet. if it was quiet...it would mean a big problem like unconsciousness or weak attempts to get the wood glue off the dresser. there is almost always someone whining, someone crying, someone screaming and someone tattling, and someone hiding smugly. 95% of the time 1 person (starts with an E..) can be making all of the above noises, all by herself. there are good noise days, like when they are outside and getting along, or when they are putting on a show or gymnastics routine. or when all you here is small girl breathing while listening intently to a story i am reading. i love those days.
A: would i be on a reality show? oh sister, you know i would. not even a question. i want to be on the mole the most. i would not do survivor because i have a gag problem and refuse to eat bugs. anything else, i would be up for. i would also like to host wipeout. i truly enjoy watching people wipe out. they would not even have to pay me.
A: my perfect day.....any day on vacation (ok, vacation w/o the kiddos) ..not forever, just a week or so. slow starting mornings, delicious coffee. a quiet shower where i get to shave above the knee and my armpits all in the same day. a good book (or 7 of them) a slight breeze...a yummy drink...a delicious supper...my favorite friends and our spouses... money to do what we want on vacation...perfect weather...a night of great sleep. that would be a great day. i would not come right home after that day. i need 7 of those days in a row.
A: jen, i think you would agree...there is no way i could pick just 1 food to eat forever. some of them (if i would never gain a pound doing it) would be my sister's homemade chocolate cake, pizza (different types, from different places) some yummy fish dish that i did not prepare...brownies (in case the chocolate cake was not enough) fruits and veggies (again not prepared by me) any sort of pasta.....
there you go. i am sure you feel more connected to me than ever before. this is kind of fun...if you think of anymore, i will answer them!!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Q & A
hello folks..i am here, but feeling a bit brain dead. i decided to use jen's blog idea and allow you all to ask questions about me, the girls, anything you are wondering about....ask away and i will answer as best i can.
hope you are all enjoying this last month of summer!!
lh
hope you are all enjoying this last month of summer!!
lh
Thursday, July 10, 2008
lauren.
happy thursday morning to you. on this blessed, sunny morning- my beautiful daughter walked into my room and informed me that i need to wash her sheets. "an accident?" i ask. she replies "not so much." the light through the curtains allows me to see that her skin appears raw and red.
"what happened?" i sit straight up in bed.
"not much" she replies calmly, yet sheepishly.
"lauren elise...what is up?"
"my ice pack melted, and my sheets are all wet."
(lauren needs an ice pack for one thing or another almost every night.)
"no big deal..i will wash them today."
fast forward 20 minutes. i am now showered and dressed and retrieving my coffee from the freezer. sitting on top of my coffee is a soggy, drippy plastic bag of pureed beets. my stomach contracts.
"lauren....is this what you used for an ice pack?"
"yeah, it melted..."
i can see that. i slowly descend the stairs to assess the damage. though beets on an almost new bedding set does have a lovely color...it is a mess like you have not seen in your life. drips on the carpet. soaked through to the mattress. spread out over the sheets, pillowcases and comforter.
"f.y.i. lauren. beets are not an ice pack."
"but it's my favorite color!"
"that's great...because i am guessing it will be here for a bit."
so help me, child.
"what happened?" i sit straight up in bed.
"not much" she replies calmly, yet sheepishly.
"lauren elise...what is up?"
"my ice pack melted, and my sheets are all wet."
(lauren needs an ice pack for one thing or another almost every night.)
"no big deal..i will wash them today."
fast forward 20 minutes. i am now showered and dressed and retrieving my coffee from the freezer. sitting on top of my coffee is a soggy, drippy plastic bag of pureed beets. my stomach contracts.
"lauren....is this what you used for an ice pack?"
"yeah, it melted..."
i can see that. i slowly descend the stairs to assess the damage. though beets on an almost new bedding set does have a lovely color...it is a mess like you have not seen in your life. drips on the carpet. soaked through to the mattress. spread out over the sheets, pillowcases and comforter.
"f.y.i. lauren. beets are not an ice pack."
"but it's my favorite color!"
"that's great...because i am guessing it will be here for a bit."
so help me, child.
Monday, June 30, 2008
a little truth about me.
my friend, emily, played a blog game of guess the one that is not true. her loyal blog readers were instructed to do the same. my options are not going to be nearly as exciting as hers...but here goes!
**while all of you give your guesses in the comment section of this blog, it would also be a grand time to quench a long time curiosity of mine by letting me know you read this blog. it is fun to see how many times this silly blog gets read, but it would be oh-so much more fun for you to sign your name!! c'mon people...for me?? for instance, alison- i know you read this. if you do not comment...it will be like a knife to your baby sister's heart.
you can do it!! you can do it!! roll call. sign the blog! sign the blog! sign the blog!
wooo-hooo!!
on to the game. guess the one that is not true.
1. most of the car accidents (minor, of course) i have been in, my parents did not know about. (with 89% of them being in my 16th year.)
2. anna was a twin.
3. i was engaged when i was 18.
4. i am addicted to nuts.
5. i am left handed.
6. i can change a diaper while hypnotized.
7. i was hit in the head with a tree.
**while all of you give your guesses in the comment section of this blog, it would also be a grand time to quench a long time curiosity of mine by letting me know you read this blog. it is fun to see how many times this silly blog gets read, but it would be oh-so much more fun for you to sign your name!! c'mon people...for me?? for instance, alison- i know you read this. if you do not comment...it will be like a knife to your baby sister's heart.
you can do it!! you can do it!! roll call. sign the blog! sign the blog! sign the blog!
wooo-hooo!!
on to the game. guess the one that is not true.
1. most of the car accidents (minor, of course) i have been in, my parents did not know about. (with 89% of them being in my 16th year.)
2. anna was a twin.
3. i was engaged when i was 18.
4. i am addicted to nuts.
5. i am left handed.
6. i can change a diaper while hypnotized.
7. i was hit in the head with a tree.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
happy birthday, miss anna.
six years ago today, at 6:18 pm, we met miss anna for the first time. she was 11 days over due and we were more than anxious to see her face. she was a big girl, 9 lbs. 12 oz.....and she had a mop of dark hair with blond streaks through it. she came into the world checking everyone out. besides her daddy, aunt ali was their in the delivery room. she was there because the probability of brian passing out seemed above average and she is, how shall i say it, more considerate, empathetic and compassionate...o yeah and more attentive than my darling husband whom i love deeply. ( we all have different strengths, brian..don't even worry about it.) becoming anna's mom was everything i had hoped it would be. we were/are crazy about that girl. i had a blast reading to her, shopping with her, snuggling her...all the great things you get to do with your first baby. she was a very early talker, walked a little before 1 and in her parent's eyes, was truly one of the most exceptional children ever created! :) she has grown up too fast. now she is all legs with some attitude. no part of her looks like the little girl i still expect her to be. a first grader in the fall, i know the years with her will not slow down. she loves to hear stories of when she was little. like how she used to call herself "nana-biggy hart" or how we called her biggy-smalls because after her almost 10 lb weigh in...she slimmed down into a petite thing, but she thought she was huge. she could wink at 9 months and answered every question with "ahhh....yeah!" her dark hair has turned strawberry blond and she has a whole nose full of freckles. she loves panda bears and wants to be a veterinarian (in china) when she grows up. she tells us she is never moving out (i am not sure how she will go to china?) and she is never marrying. she feels that being the big sister of triplets is "medium". i asked her what makes her so special and she told me it is the nice heart that God gave her.
happy birthday, sweet anna rae.
how is it possible you are already six......
Sunday, June 15, 2008
a day for dad.
happy father's day, daddy.
you deserve more than a day. (but your weekend golf trip should probably cover it!)
we think you are great because:
*you come home every day. (i am not kidding, some days you want to keep on drivin')
* you are patient. (this will serve you well in the future, do not use it all up.)
*you always play with us when we ask.
*you work hard to take care of us. and with you as our dad, we know we are safe.
*you are "tough and sturdy".
*you ask us how our day was and listen to our stories.
* you show us who God is and how He loves us in the person you are and the way you love us.
we love you, dad.
you deserve more than a day. (but your weekend golf trip should probably cover it!)
we think you are great because:
*you come home every day. (i am not kidding, some days you want to keep on drivin')
* you are patient. (this will serve you well in the future, do not use it all up.)
*you always play with us when we ask.
*you work hard to take care of us. and with you as our dad, we know we are safe.
*you are "tough and sturdy".
*you ask us how our day was and listen to our stories.
* you show us who God is and how He loves us in the person you are and the way you love us.
we love you, dad.
Friday, June 13, 2008
children are a gift from God......
children are a gift from God....children are a gift from God....
please pardon my self-reminders. today has been, for lack of a better word- bumpy... at best. a couple of days ago i cleaned and sorted emma and claire's rooms, especially their closets. i headed into anna's room to start hers and it was a total disaster. not in the mood to tackle that, i thought. enter lauren's room and there really are no words. let's just say the child is a hoarder. i.e. a couple of weeks ago i went to change her sheets and found a bunch of stink weed under her covers. she said she put them there because she didn't want me to throw her "flowers" away. i had thoroughly cleaned the playroom on monday and the girls had succeeded in trashing it,so yesterday was 'everybody clean up' day.
you would not believe the moaning.
or the limbs that were now unable to function.
i tried to explain that 2 1/2 days ago it was clean, so with 4 of them working on it- it should not take long. that was 10 am. at 12:40 no one had started. there was a lot of thirst, sadness, rage, and tiredness. lauren actually asked to take a nap until i explained that when she woke up, her pick up duty would be waiting. i also pointed out that i had not made any of the mess and i was cleaning without complaint. point not taken. claire loudly whispered to lauren..'pretty quick she will just do it herself.' lesson on at that point. i gave the children specific jobs and headed into lauren's room. i threw away the plant tags, rocks, toilet paper rolls, used napkins etc. from her shelves and started on the floor. i am on my knees with the garbage bag ready to pick up the carpet debris at top speed. as i round her bed to the left, some of the things are not coming off the floor.
wait.
none of the things are coming off the floor.
upon closer inspection i see that the girl has glued things to her carpet. yes folks...GLUE.
so help me.
it is not just one thing....here are a few items that were displayed. coins, toilet paper, pebbles, stickers, leaves, candy, a chocolate easter egg, the hair of a barbie doll, wadded up napkin, tags from new clothing.
did i mention that it was blue glue?
f.y.i. it does not dry clear on carpet....it stays very blue. when i asked why in the world would she glue things to this lovely 5 month old carpet, she replies "you did not tell me not to". ladies and gentlemen, if this is her defense, i am in for a very long lifetime with her. "you didn't tell me which day i had to be home at 11p.m." (her father actually used this curfew excuse, so i guess we know where she gets it from). that's all i have to share, really. there is your update. i don't' find it funny yet. i have not gotten the glue off yet. it needs to be cut. i cannot yet bring myself to do that. needless to say, lauren has lost her glue privileges.
please pardon my self-reminders. today has been, for lack of a better word- bumpy... at best. a couple of days ago i cleaned and sorted emma and claire's rooms, especially their closets. i headed into anna's room to start hers and it was a total disaster. not in the mood to tackle that, i thought. enter lauren's room and there really are no words. let's just say the child is a hoarder. i.e. a couple of weeks ago i went to change her sheets and found a bunch of stink weed under her covers. she said she put them there because she didn't want me to throw her "flowers" away. i had thoroughly cleaned the playroom on monday and the girls had succeeded in trashing it,so yesterday was 'everybody clean up' day.
you would not believe the moaning.
or the limbs that were now unable to function.
i tried to explain that 2 1/2 days ago it was clean, so with 4 of them working on it- it should not take long. that was 10 am. at 12:40 no one had started. there was a lot of thirst, sadness, rage, and tiredness. lauren actually asked to take a nap until i explained that when she woke up, her pick up duty would be waiting. i also pointed out that i had not made any of the mess and i was cleaning without complaint. point not taken. claire loudly whispered to lauren..'pretty quick she will just do it herself.' lesson on at that point. i gave the children specific jobs and headed into lauren's room. i threw away the plant tags, rocks, toilet paper rolls, used napkins etc. from her shelves and started on the floor. i am on my knees with the garbage bag ready to pick up the carpet debris at top speed. as i round her bed to the left, some of the things are not coming off the floor.
wait.
none of the things are coming off the floor.
upon closer inspection i see that the girl has glued things to her carpet. yes folks...GLUE.
so help me.
it is not just one thing....here are a few items that were displayed. coins, toilet paper, pebbles, stickers, leaves, candy, a chocolate easter egg, the hair of a barbie doll, wadded up napkin, tags from new clothing.
did i mention that it was blue glue?
f.y.i. it does not dry clear on carpet....it stays very blue. when i asked why in the world would she glue things to this lovely 5 month old carpet, she replies "you did not tell me not to". ladies and gentlemen, if this is her defense, i am in for a very long lifetime with her. "you didn't tell me which day i had to be home at 11p.m." (her father actually used this curfew excuse, so i guess we know where she gets it from). that's all i have to share, really. there is your update. i don't' find it funny yet. i have not gotten the glue off yet. it needs to be cut. i cannot yet bring myself to do that. needless to say, lauren has lost her glue privileges.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
three 4 year olds...
happy, happy birthday to my beautiful, non- toddler girls. we have come so far in 4 years and at times i could not even imagine arriving at this point. three very different personalities, voices and looks all from the same, over sized belly.
emma rose (baby a) was the first to arrive at 3:17 pm. she weighed in at 5 lb. 4 oz. she had the least amount of hair of the 3 (emma, emma hair- dilemma). the whole birth ordeal made her a little sad and a little angry.
claire elisabeth (baby b) was the second one out. she followed behind emma by only 1 minute. as the sister squished between her 2 sisters, she was the smallest. she weighed in at 4 lb. 12 oz. and had a mop of dark black hair. her head was so tiny, it looked like a tennis ball.
lauren elise liked the room she gained when her sisters vacated the uterus, so she went hiding under my ribs. the dr. had to climb on the operating table to pull that little girl out. (which involved a frightening amount of reaming on my stomach and him commenting that i will definitely be sore now.) she finally came out at 3:21 pm. she had been sitting on top of the others and she weighed the most. lauren topped the scales at 5 lb. 9 oz. she had these enormous eyes...my sister called her a yard gnome.
since birth, claire has always been the smallest/shortest and lauren the biggest/tallest and emma right in the middle. we have had some long days and some long nights, but when i recall how i was feeling 4 years ago.....terrified about them being okay, overwhelmed about going from 1 child to 4, exhausted from a very hard pregnancy.....we are certainly blessed.
i hope the next 4 years don't go as fast as these last 4 have. i hope they continue to develop their unique personalities. i hope my stretch marks will magically disappear. i hope we can survive 4 teenage girls someday.....
here are some pics of our journey so far....
emma rose (baby a) was the first to arrive at 3:17 pm. she weighed in at 5 lb. 4 oz. she had the least amount of hair of the 3 (emma, emma hair- dilemma). the whole birth ordeal made her a little sad and a little angry.
claire elisabeth (baby b) was the second one out. she followed behind emma by only 1 minute. as the sister squished between her 2 sisters, she was the smallest. she weighed in at 4 lb. 12 oz. and had a mop of dark black hair. her head was so tiny, it looked like a tennis ball.
lauren elise liked the room she gained when her sisters vacated the uterus, so she went hiding under my ribs. the dr. had to climb on the operating table to pull that little girl out. (which involved a frightening amount of reaming on my stomach and him commenting that i will definitely be sore now.) she finally came out at 3:21 pm. she had been sitting on top of the others and she weighed the most. lauren topped the scales at 5 lb. 9 oz. she had these enormous eyes...my sister called her a yard gnome.
since birth, claire has always been the smallest/shortest and lauren the biggest/tallest and emma right in the middle. we have had some long days and some long nights, but when i recall how i was feeling 4 years ago.....terrified about them being okay, overwhelmed about going from 1 child to 4, exhausted from a very hard pregnancy.....we are certainly blessed.
i hope the next 4 years don't go as fast as these last 4 have. i hope they continue to develop their unique personalities. i hope my stretch marks will magically disappear. i hope we can survive 4 teenage girls someday.....
here are some pics of our journey so far....
Monday, May 12, 2008
a happy mother's day.....
yesterday was a lovely day involving breakfast in bed and a birthday party for the girls in the evening. the girls had done fairly well delivering their gift of a day of no whining or crying or fighting (the best gift ever, really!). we were racing downstairs to surprise daddy by being all ready for bed when he got home...while i was helping lauren on the potty i was recapping the day and thinking how lucky i am and how this smooth day was a good indication of our days to come with the girls almost turning 4....i hear screaming. i run up the stairs. i hear gagging. i hear sobbing. i round the corner and see vomit (at least a half a dozen piles of it) all over the hallway. and running down the walls. i ask anna what happened and she said she was going potty and her pee smelled, so she threw up. seriously, who throws up over the smell of their own pee? and we should have the girl drink more water apparently.) i ask why she didnt throw up in the toilet instead of walking out into the hallway to do it. "MOM, the PEE was in there!!" oh. right. i now realize that claire is sobbing somewhere in the house. i head to the vomit hallway and notice that the piles have footprints in them. i find claire in a ball on the floor of the office. next to her....you guessed it!!! vomit. claire walked down the hall and through the throw-up and when she discovered what her bare feet had ventured into...you bet!! she ran right into the office to puke.
blah, blah get the kids cleaned up and into jammies (or a princess dress with high heels for emma) and into bed. brian arrives home and all appears serene. he comes and sits down by me and i recap the last 15 minutes. he chuckles and says "happy mother's day.". i am pretty sure he was not sad to have missed it!!
blah, blah get the kids cleaned up and into jammies (or a princess dress with high heels for emma) and into bed. brian arrives home and all appears serene. he comes and sits down by me and i recap the last 15 minutes. he chuckles and says "happy mother's day.". i am pretty sure he was not sad to have missed it!!
Friday, May 9, 2008
will power.
i do not even like plain m&m's.
but they were in my house. now they are in my stomach.
i ate the whole jar of them.
my self control is amazing.
but they were in my house. now they are in my stomach.
i ate the whole jar of them.
my self control is amazing.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
have you ever had God show up in a big way, right in the middle of your 'situation'? that was my experience today. i sat at my appointment this morning, mindlessly flipping thru an outdated magazine, (everyone already knows marie osmond fainted) and running thru a lengthy checklist in my mind. i looked down at my chewed off nails while going through my questions, my opinions and every possible scenario i could contemplate. i prayed for clarity of thought and of words ( i often leave there saying i have no questions and then get in my car and realize i had temporary mush for brains). i prayed that i would be clear in what i say (i am a rambler, especially in awkward situations) and that he would listen. i also prayed that at the end of this conversation, God would make His plan clear.
the conversation went especially smoothly. he had the info i was looking for. we both were thinking the same thing as far as where to go from here....and wouldn't you know it, that mental checklist of mine- he went right down the list without me even bringing them up.
please don't misunderstand. i knew that God was there in that conversation. and i knew that He already had this worked out....my stress came in wondering when He was going to fill ME in on His plan.
but today...he doubled heaped blessing on me. my best case scenario was blown out of the water by His plan. i did not see that coming. i not only got an answer, i got peace which i know will be followed by a good night of sleep tonight.
there will be bigger conversations. and others have bigger stresses. but isn't nice to know you are held even in the smallish size situation that has your mind all wrapped up today? and you look back at how you had this thing playing out in your mind and you realize that once again, you boxed God in.
i feel grateful that i am not my own best advocate.
i feel blessed to be thought about, considered and interceded for.
i feel overwhelmed by my God, who showed up in a big way today.
i am reminded that this is from God and i will not sell Him short by dismissing it as random things. it worked out because He worked it out.
i didn't even realize how stressed i was feeling, and to be given abundantly more than i even thought to ask about...i think i will just sit in that.
yea God.
the conversation went especially smoothly. he had the info i was looking for. we both were thinking the same thing as far as where to go from here....and wouldn't you know it, that mental checklist of mine- he went right down the list without me even bringing them up.
please don't misunderstand. i knew that God was there in that conversation. and i knew that He already had this worked out....my stress came in wondering when He was going to fill ME in on His plan.
but today...he doubled heaped blessing on me. my best case scenario was blown out of the water by His plan. i did not see that coming. i not only got an answer, i got peace which i know will be followed by a good night of sleep tonight.
there will be bigger conversations. and others have bigger stresses. but isn't nice to know you are held even in the smallish size situation that has your mind all wrapped up today? and you look back at how you had this thing playing out in your mind and you realize that once again, you boxed God in.
i feel grateful that i am not my own best advocate.
i feel blessed to be thought about, considered and interceded for.
i feel overwhelmed by my God, who showed up in a big way today.
i am reminded that this is from God and i will not sell Him short by dismissing it as random things. it worked out because He worked it out.
i didn't even realize how stressed i was feeling, and to be given abundantly more than i even thought to ask about...i think i will just sit in that.
yea God.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
shower hymn (emma style)
today was one of my greatest highlights of parenthood. if i could have videotaped it, it would have made your day as well. this morning, while i was getting ready- emma was in the shower. now, when you shut the shower door for her, she is in a world of her own. a couple of minutes in, she begins to sing...very loudly. so loudly, in fact, that her little voice is squeaking. the lyrics are posted below. i wish i could help you out with the accompaniment, but it was a tune i have never heard. also- the lyrics are original. caution: they don't totally adhere to Calvinist standards.
"Jeeee-sus- died on a cross.
now He es in hea....ven.
grammy harlene's mom is there too.
Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-sus died on a big cross.
not when he was a tiny boy.
when he was a teeny baby he lived in a box.
Jeeeeee-sus died on a cross.
He was a grown up.
like my daaaaaaa-ddy.
He was tough and sturdy (i am not kidding, the girl said tough and sturdy)
when he died on a cross.
He didn't like it.
But now He es in hea------ven
like a tiny baby (?)"
is that not the sweetest (though odd) thing you have ever heard.
"Jeeee-sus- died on a cross.
now He es in hea....ven.
grammy harlene's mom is there too.
Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-sus died on a big cross.
not when he was a tiny boy.
when he was a teeny baby he lived in a box.
Jeeeeee-sus died on a cross.
He was a grown up.
like my daaaaaaa-ddy.
He was tough and sturdy (i am not kidding, the girl said tough and sturdy)
when he died on a cross.
He didn't like it.
But now He es in hea------ven
like a tiny baby (?)"
is that not the sweetest (though odd) thing you have ever heard.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
6 words or less...
i heard some people discussing this on t.v. several weeks ago and thought it would be fun to see some of your answers. so, everyone who reads this--post a response!! don't think too hard about it...your 6 word description could change every day.
here is your challenge. describe your life (or day or moment) in 6 words.
i will start...based on my morning-
to state the obvious, i'm outnumbered!!
i can't wait to hear your answers.
here is your challenge. describe your life (or day or moment) in 6 words.
i will start...based on my morning-
to state the obvious, i'm outnumbered!!
i can't wait to hear your answers.
Friday, April 4, 2008
blah, blah, blah...
i truly have nothing to say, but i was browsing around hoping someone had posted something new, and i decided i am tired of my own blog as well. we were just outside playing t-ball. anna starts on tuesday and until 2 days ago, she has never caught a ball (esp. not with a glove), she has also not swung a bat.....this has not deterred her because she wants to stand "way far away from me" while we play catch. she did not catch even one ball at that distance, but apparently as long as you are "way far away" from the person you are playing with- you are considered REALLY good....she told me such. i threw some grounders at her and was telling her to stay behind the ball. she was not listening, so every time i threw one, i reminded her. she says " stop talking!! all i can hear is your voice in my head". i say good. i hope she always hears my voice in her head!!
lauren had sadness on the field, so i was holding her weepy self. she starts giggling like crazy and says.
i wiped snot on you. lots of it.
people will call you snot coat.
last week i walked around with snot on the pocket of my coat until my m-in-l told me it was there. i am sure i will forget about the snot on the back shoulder area of my coat this time too.
that's ok....sticks and stones
lauren had sadness on the field, so i was holding her weepy self. she starts giggling like crazy and says.
i wiped snot on you. lots of it.
people will call you snot coat.
last week i walked around with snot on the pocket of my coat until my m-in-l told me it was there. i am sure i will forget about the snot on the back shoulder area of my coat this time too.
that's ok....sticks and stones
Sunday, March 30, 2008
a lotta questions.
this was forwarded to me and since i have nothing else to update--it was an easy post.
1 . WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? no.
2 . WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? i teared up a bit in church this morning.
3 . DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? not particularly. but i do not despise it either.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? turkey or chicken, but not the slimy kind.
5 . DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yes
6 . IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? sometimes, other times i would run.
7 . DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? yes.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS yes.
9 . WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? not a chance. ever. you know that rope would unhook while i was on it.
10 . WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? grape nuts or smart start
11 . DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? no.
12 . DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? well physically, i could squash my neighbor like a bug...but that doesn't say much. emotionally...i have not cracked yet!
13 . WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? chocolate peanut butter
14 . WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? their facial expression...happy, sad, worried....
15 . RED OR PINK? pink.
16 . WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? hmmm- it is hard to pick one. my nose, most other areas of my body.....
17 . WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? my goldfish who were flushed down the toilet (while still alive)
18 . WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? black pants and no shoes
19 . WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE ? a peanut butter chocolate chip cookie bar. (i am a total health nut!...there is that darn sarcasm again!)
20 . WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? my tired children-spatting
21 . IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? green
23 . FAVORITE SMELLS? the ocean, sunday dinner at my mother in laws, hyacinths and lilacs
24 . WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? my friend, emily
25 . DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? it was a forwarded, forwarded, forward from someone from church who sends these to the whole church.
26 . FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? gymnastics and soccer (anna style)
27 . HAIR COLOR? Brown with some blond highlights and 1 misplaced grey one.
28 . EYE COLOR? dark brown
29 . DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? no.
30. FAVORITE FOOD? pizza. and dessert. and i just really like food- all sorts.
31 . SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings
32 . LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? bee movie
33 . WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? light green
34 . SUMMER OR WINTER? summer, i guess but only after spring and fall
35 . HUGS OR KISSES? hugs
36 . FAVORITE DESSERT? it would be impossible for me to pick just one. c'mon, people!!
37 . WHAT BOOK( s) ARE YOU READING NOW? not reading, though i would love to be. only looking for overdue library books....
38 . WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? no mouse pad.
39 . WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV last NIGHT? i played mexican train dominoes last night..wait i caught a bit of snl before falling asleep.
42 . FAVORITE SOUND? my girls singing
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? beatles (but bring on the country!)
44 . WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? belize
45. IF YOU COULD LIVE ANYWHERE, WHERE WOULD YOU LIVE? if i could take some folks with me i would head out to the east coast somewhere.
46 . DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? i can touch my tongue to my nose. (long tongue and big nose)
47 . WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Grand Rapids, Michigan
48. HOW IS LIVE DIFFERENT THAN YOU THOUGHT IT WOULD BE? wow. in every single aspect i can think of.
49. WHAT IS YOUR BEST FEATURE? hmmm...i do not know.
50. HOW WILL LIVE CHANGE IN THE NEXT 6 - 12 MONTHS? how am i supposed to know? my brother in law will wed. my friend and sister will become mom's again. my girls will grow another year older. life will go by too fast.
1 . WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? no.
2 . WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? i teared up a bit in church this morning.
3 . DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? not particularly. but i do not despise it either.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? turkey or chicken, but not the slimy kind.
5 . DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yes
6 . IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? sometimes, other times i would run.
7 . DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? yes.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS yes.
9 . WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? not a chance. ever. you know that rope would unhook while i was on it.
10 . WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? grape nuts or smart start
11 . DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? no.
12 . DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? well physically, i could squash my neighbor like a bug...but that doesn't say much. emotionally...i have not cracked yet!
13 . WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? chocolate peanut butter
14 . WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? their facial expression...happy, sad, worried....
15 . RED OR PINK? pink.
16 . WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? hmmm- it is hard to pick one. my nose, most other areas of my body.....
17 . WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? my goldfish who were flushed down the toilet (while still alive)
18 . WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? black pants and no shoes
19 . WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE ? a peanut butter chocolate chip cookie bar. (i am a total health nut!...there is that darn sarcasm again!)
20 . WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? my tired children-spatting
21 . IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? green
23 . FAVORITE SMELLS? the ocean, sunday dinner at my mother in laws, hyacinths and lilacs
24 . WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? my friend, emily
25 . DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? it was a forwarded, forwarded, forward from someone from church who sends these to the whole church.
26 . FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? gymnastics and soccer (anna style)
27 . HAIR COLOR? Brown with some blond highlights and 1 misplaced grey one.
28 . EYE COLOR? dark brown
29 . DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? no.
30. FAVORITE FOOD? pizza. and dessert. and i just really like food- all sorts.
31 . SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings
32 . LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? bee movie
33 . WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? light green
34 . SUMMER OR WINTER? summer, i guess but only after spring and fall
35 . HUGS OR KISSES? hugs
36 . FAVORITE DESSERT? it would be impossible for me to pick just one. c'mon, people!!
37 . WHAT BOOK( s) ARE YOU READING NOW? not reading, though i would love to be. only looking for overdue library books....
38 . WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? no mouse pad.
39 . WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV last NIGHT? i played mexican train dominoes last night..wait i caught a bit of snl before falling asleep.
42 . FAVORITE SOUND? my girls singing
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? beatles (but bring on the country!)
44 . WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? belize
45. IF YOU COULD LIVE ANYWHERE, WHERE WOULD YOU LIVE? if i could take some folks with me i would head out to the east coast somewhere.
46 . DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? i can touch my tongue to my nose. (long tongue and big nose)
47 . WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Grand Rapids, Michigan
48. HOW IS LIVE DIFFERENT THAN YOU THOUGHT IT WOULD BE? wow. in every single aspect i can think of.
49. WHAT IS YOUR BEST FEATURE? hmmm...i do not know.
50. HOW WILL LIVE CHANGE IN THE NEXT 6 - 12 MONTHS? how am i supposed to know? my brother in law will wed. my friend and sister will become mom's again. my girls will grow another year older. life will go by too fast.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
today's talks
lauren, claire and emma are heading down the steps; each with a purse slung over their shoulder. i ask where they are off to and they reply to disney world. i ask if i can come along and lauren says that you need money to go there. "how much" i ask. and she replies "one hundy 20 billion" "wow!" i say "that is a lot of money". i have lots of money, she says. "where did you get all that money" i ask. she answers "my kids are all grown, i got my money back".
just now as we were tucking dramatic claire into bed she is on the verge of totally losing it. i am trying to calm her down and explain that she is tired and that if she chooses to act this way, there will be consequences (i.e. her beloved cubbies tomorrow). she says "i feel as though no one loves me". i tell her she knows that is not true and she says "when i close my eyes my head tells me that no one loves me and if i sleep, no one will like me neither." her therapy bill will start at a young age. increase the flex pay for next year.
**marissa- no need to post a comment. i have had enough badgering for one day. ;)
just now as we were tucking dramatic claire into bed she is on the verge of totally losing it. i am trying to calm her down and explain that she is tired and that if she chooses to act this way, there will be consequences (i.e. her beloved cubbies tomorrow). she says "i feel as though no one loves me". i tell her she knows that is not true and she says "when i close my eyes my head tells me that no one loves me and if i sleep, no one will like me neither." her therapy bill will start at a young age. increase the flex pay for next year.
**marissa- no need to post a comment. i have had enough badgering for one day. ;)
inappropriate behavior
yesterday, while the girls and i were driving in the car- i decided to go for a giggle. we were listening to the high school musical soundtrack and the song "get your head in the game" came on. i started singing "gotta get your nose in the game" or "get your foot in the game". at first lauren was beside herself trying to correct me....but then she started to giggle. running out of body parts to "get in the game" i sang "gotta get your biscuits in the game". claire coldly stares at me and says "mom!..that is inappropriate" and then averts her eyes out the window, as though she was so disappointed in me that she could not maintain eye contact. the emotional lashing(3 year old style) was so intense that i turned a bit red in the cheeks. the van fell silent and all that loomed in the air were my dirty lyrics. lesson learned. my apologies, girls, for filling your delicate ears with such filth. biscuits are now banned from my vocabulary.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
because you are dying to know more about me.....
Thank you Marissa for your "4 things" tag! I swear that I have done 40 of these..but at least it is an update!!
1. Four jobs that I have had in my life:
-celery planter
-strikers (mini-golf/laser tag girl!)
-hostess at gutheries
-hair stylist
2. Four Movies I would/have watch(ed) over and over:
-beaches
-Fried Green Tomatoes
-50 first dates
-Walk the Line
3. Four places I have lived:
-Hudsonville, MI
-grandville, mi
-mt pleasant, mi
-byron center, mi
4. Four TV shows that I watch:
-CSI
-Criminal Minds (b/c i have the secret soul of a forensics expert.)
-Biggest Loser
-amazing race
5. Four places I have visited:
-belize
-mexico
-puerto rico
-curacao
6. Four people who email me regularly:
-marissa
-ronda
-sherri
-male part enhancement people
7. Four of my favorite foods:
-Pizza
-fish
-any kind of yummy appetizer
-chewy fruity candy
8. Four places I would like to be right now:
-vacation (anywhere with a group of my buddies)
-since my kids are screaming...my front porch would work
-on a cruise ship to an exciting location
-bed is always a happy place for me
9. Four things I'm looking forward to this year:
-hanging out on my porch, watching my kids play
-summer (and holding 2 new tiny babies)
-i can only imagine what God has in store for us.....
-
10. Four people who should post 4 things:
-emily l.
-jen m.
-stacy m.
-i dont know who else reads this...any of you blog readers who never comment (my sister, for instance) and whoever reads this in norway!!
1. Four jobs that I have had in my life:
-celery planter
-strikers (mini-golf/laser tag girl!)
-hostess at gutheries
-hair stylist
2. Four Movies I would/have watch(ed) over and over:
-beaches
-Fried Green Tomatoes
-50 first dates
-Walk the Line
3. Four places I have lived:
-Hudsonville, MI
-grandville, mi
-mt pleasant, mi
-byron center, mi
4. Four TV shows that I watch:
-CSI
-Criminal Minds (b/c i have the secret soul of a forensics expert.)
-Biggest Loser
-amazing race
5. Four places I have visited:
-belize
-mexico
-puerto rico
-curacao
6. Four people who email me regularly:
-marissa
-ronda
-sherri
-male part enhancement people
7. Four of my favorite foods:
-Pizza
-fish
-any kind of yummy appetizer
-chewy fruity candy
8. Four places I would like to be right now:
-vacation (anywhere with a group of my buddies)
-since my kids are screaming...my front porch would work
-on a cruise ship to an exciting location
-bed is always a happy place for me
9. Four things I'm looking forward to this year:
-hanging out on my porch, watching my kids play
-summer (and holding 2 new tiny babies)
-i can only imagine what God has in store for us.....
-
10. Four people who should post 4 things:
-emily l.
-jen m.
-stacy m.
-i dont know who else reads this...any of you blog readers who never comment (my sister, for instance) and whoever reads this in norway!!
Thursday, March 6, 2008
smart as a whip.
so today, as we are pulling out of our parking spot at the grocery store, lauren is looking out her window. she hollers out "mom!! that car is moving and there is no one in it!!" i shook my head thinking that she will catch on that it is US who is moving, not the empty vehicle. instead she follows up with "whoa-- that was so weird." a bright, bright future to come for that one.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
woe is claire.
poor, poor claire stubbed her toe. she has always had a dramatic flair, and this instance was no different. i carried her balled up body to the couch, kissed her tiny toe and went to get her some ice. when i returned her eyes seemed to be shutting involuntarily (probably from the pain and that darn genetic drama gene!) i smoothed back her hair and asked if she would be all right. she answers, she thought that she would, but she may be unable to attend school next week monday. (followed by a weak whimper) then she says that when she thinks of treats it makes her toe feel happier and that if she could EAT a treat...it would be better for sure. i hand her the treat of her choice (for medicinal purposes, of course.) and she walks away saying...."it will probably hurt again at bedtime, so tell dad that when i cry- he can't put my monkey on timeout." at least she thinks ahead. way to cover all of your bases, claire!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
beyond the tip of your nose.
a random thought just struck me. we know nothing about our lives; yet we spend a good chunk of them trying to plan life out. i was looking back at some things that were such a huge part of my life, and now- just memories. how can something we used to know so well become something we don't know at all. how many years do we waste formulating how it will be when we are five, 13, sixteen...graduating....dating...getting married..and for us the biggest one- having kids. i was thinking back on some of my plans. wow- if some of the things i planned had come true...my story would have a different name. i would have no idea about the joy that comes from emma needing to always hold my hand. even if it is for a 2 step walk down the hallway. when i was 16, i had no idea that lauren's laugh would make me smile to think about. i didn't know to think about 4 girls calling "mommy" a million times a day. funny, because i could swear i knew it all! none of the things that i thought would happen, happened. the stick band that my childhood best friend and i dreamed up never came to fruition either. luckily, we only focused on that plan for 1 lazy, summer day. i certainly know that God has THE plan for my life, for everyone's life........yet think about all the plans that we try to manipulate for years. more than once i have looked back at my life, the way i intended it to go and thought; "i bet i gave God a good chuckle over that one. or maybe He is thinking, "so help me child...you just do not get it." so when our sight is so short and our grip on the future is so weak...why do we keep trying? why does it feel like we have such a big life picture to paint and we are the only painters to do it? i have no idea what is around the bend for my girls. i make myself crazy thinking about all of the things i need to protect them from..will they listen when i tell them that guy is a bad choice...you dont want to move that far from your loving mother, etc. will they even hear it? lauren cannot even hear me call her for dinner, which may tell me it doesn't look good. i know that their choices willplay a part in their shaping--but oh, if i could protect them from the parts that will make them look back and wince. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord...." Maybe it would be helpful if they put the "I" in bold. to remind us there is a difference b/t our plans and His. and praise God that there is!! i had no idea what was up ahead for me. i have no idea what is around the corner. but i am glad that someone does and that He throws all that grace and joy down into my life...even on the days i forget and think that i am still in the lead.
Monday, February 18, 2008
just like her mother.
i just discovered something about anna. she has inherited my inability to contain a laugh; even when it is inapproriate or rude. she is still cackling as i type. i was helping her with a computer game and she was standing on the chair behind, playing with my hair. she lost her balance and held onto my hair while she fell. i said "ouch! you pulled my hair" she made no response, but i noticed she had walked to the corner of the office and was making some odd noises. i thought that maybe she was upset, so i turned around to find her hunched over covering her mouth. i said "anna rae, are you LAUGHING at me?" she pointed to my hair and says "YOU LOOK JUST LIKE A UNICORN!!" followed by an absolute fallover laughter. it is the darndest problem to have...whenever people trip and fall or walk into things--it totally cracks me up. the more i try to hold it in, the worse it gets. i believe this landed me in the principals office once. that teacher just felt stupid that she walked into the doorframe and she took it out on me. apparently, mr. soodsma has the same problem...he had a smirk on his face too!
Saturday, February 16, 2008
snow day.
claire, emma, anna and our little friend aaliyah went across the street to go sledding. i see anna walking back home, so i walk outside to see what is going on. a weepy anna tells me that as she was going down the hill, emma kicked her elbow. i gave her a hug and said, "honey, you have a big, puffy coat on...it should be feeling ok now?" she responds, "she did it on purpose, and it hurt my heart the most."
good point. a puffy coat offers no protection against that.
good point. a puffy coat offers no protection against that.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
bonding.
miss emma rose decided that she wanted to snuggle with me for a couple of minutes. i turned oprah on and they were doing this valentines show. one particular story made me tear up a bit, and emma, who was sitting on my lap, cranks her head up and says "why you doing this?" and she pulls this face that looks like she is going down a big hill on a scary roller coaster. i say "that is a nice story...mom is crying a little because it is really sweet. just like i cried when you were born, because it was so special." she replies, "oh." i think, that was a good lesson on enjoying the things in life that make us happy. she looks back up at me and says...
"you look ugly when you cry."
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY.
"you look ugly when you cry."
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
2007 recap
sorry to say that these events will not be in chronological order....they will be listed as they pop in my head. no offense if i missed some large memory of '07 that involved any of you..."i am feeling rather sleepy.."
*listed and sold our 3rd house
*packed up and moved into our backyard (well, our friends house in the backyard)
*broke ground on our new home!!
*sent my oldest child to kindergarten
*sent my youngest girls to "3" school.
*sat with brian during a church service for the first time since '02. (usually the girls lose their mind and one of us stays in children's church.)
*went to florida/disney for a week!
*anna turned 5, the girls turned 3, brian turned 29 and i turned the big 2-8.
*anna played soccer. (and scored a goal)
*went camping in ludington for labor day weekend.
*we started '07 on a very fun cruise. ( i would really like to be on a cruise right now)
*hanna came home.
*baby jake was born.
*i grew my first gray hair. (with many to follow, i am sure.)
*had my 10 year high school reunion
*celebrated my 9th anniversary.
*met some great new friends.
*had "big fun" with my old (not age-wise) friends.
*started this blog.
*traveled the globe.
*saved 4 lives
*discovered a way to keep my girls from fighting
*won a mother of the year award.
*ran in 3 marathons.
ok...obviously the last ones are my attempt to make '07 look a bit more exciting. i guess that a quiet year is a good one. so far '08 promises to be full of birthdays and babies and big fun. some days are long, but the years fly by......
*listed and sold our 3rd house
*packed up and moved into our backyard (well, our friends house in the backyard)
*broke ground on our new home!!
*sent my oldest child to kindergarten
*sent my youngest girls to "3" school.
*sat with brian during a church service for the first time since '02. (usually the girls lose their mind and one of us stays in children's church.)
*went to florida/disney for a week!
*anna turned 5, the girls turned 3, brian turned 29 and i turned the big 2-8.
*anna played soccer. (and scored a goal)
*went camping in ludington for labor day weekend.
*we started '07 on a very fun cruise. ( i would really like to be on a cruise right now)
*hanna came home.
*baby jake was born.
*i grew my first gray hair. (with many to follow, i am sure.)
*had my 10 year high school reunion
*celebrated my 9th anniversary.
*met some great new friends.
*had "big fun" with my old (not age-wise) friends.
*started this blog.
*traveled the globe.
*saved 4 lives
*discovered a way to keep my girls from fighting
*won a mother of the year award.
*ran in 3 marathons.
ok...obviously the last ones are my attempt to make '07 look a bit more exciting. i guess that a quiet year is a good one. so far '08 promises to be full of birthdays and babies and big fun. some days are long, but the years fly by......
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
hellooo elastic waist!!
seriously...denim is a horrid fabric. even the stretch denim is no longer a friend of mine. earlier in the week i had to suffer through a conversation with 2 of my small framed friends; listening to them go on about how they can't buy stretchy jeans b/c they just fall right off after wearing them for a couple of hours. excuse me!! since the birth of my first, almost 10 lb. child...i cannot say i have had that problem. things shift during pregnancy, and in my case, never return to their place of origin. the give offered by stretch denim has kept me a part of the jean wearing world. i am no longer welcomed in that world. over the last month i have noticed that none of my jeans fit. some are so far from fitting, that i wondered if they ever fit or if it was just a dream. instead of backing off from the costco cake and delicious fountain coca-cola, i decided to buy a new pair of jeans. i humbled myself and went past the size i used to sport and headed to the back of the rack. (they shove that size to the back b/c it is always cuter in the size 0.) i find a pair that look like i could cram 2 of my husband in to them, and i think to myself "these will be way too big...see it is not so bad." not so much. as if jean trying on is not hard enough...is it really necessary that everything from the thighs up gets pulled upward in a jelloish motion? it does not feel good when you need to shove random areas of stretched out skin back into the jeans and do squats to try to get your thighs back in place. the only problem i have with stretchy jeans falling down is when the upper quadrant of my now disfigured backside rides up above the waistline of the jeans....there is no stopping gravity at that point. i have pleaded my case to brian, begging for some repair surgery....trying to remind him that since he has to look at me...it is really for his benefit. no deal. i have considered calling around to see if there are any doctors that need practice in this area..i would be a willing experiment. but for now, i have dug out the overly large gray sweat pants that i wore when i had three children in my uterus. apparently, my skin misses them and stays saggy in their honor. yesterday i picked them up from preschool and they had each made a valentine. my percentage of the class comes running up to me to show me their valentines inside of beautiful pink enevelopes. my soul says "this is why your body is a mess!! how worth it for 3 little valentines." swelling with pride i look at the envelopes, only to see that not 1 is addressed to me. how rude. well, when i come to their school events in my mom jeans and they look humiliated. i will remind them (while busting out old cheerleading moves) that it wasn't always like this. there was a day that i could slide into "front of the rack" size jeans without effort or body part misplacement. these mom jeans are for them!!!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
the shower of eden???
greetings, friends. the hart's have returned to bloggerville and will now be typing from our new home (which we love!!!) i am sitting in my office, drinking some coffee and the children are playing in the basement. who knew such peace could exist? here is a quick story from this morning....
i was finishing up my shower and emma decided she wanted to get in. i hop out, she hops in. claire meanders in and also wants to take a shower. so in she goes with emma. emma clarifies that i will indeed still be in the bathroom "in case the water turns fire hot". yes, i say, i will be right here putting on some make-up. they begin to chatter together, pretending things, etc. i hear claire say, "mommy left the soap in here." my ears perk up (since i am only 2 steps away) because the girls have been known to dump out a whole bottle of hair wash in one shower. 2 gleeful girls start saying "fill up your cup!....it is a bubble land." i am starting to question their intelligence...wondering why they think that because they are in the shower, i cannot hear them. then i hear claire so, "oh..i soapeded up MY hair and now you have to do it too, emma. we both made this bubble land. here is your soap, rub it in your hair." to that my little adam (emma) replies.. "ok. but don't tell mom." brilliant children.
i was finishing up my shower and emma decided she wanted to get in. i hop out, she hops in. claire meanders in and also wants to take a shower. so in she goes with emma. emma clarifies that i will indeed still be in the bathroom "in case the water turns fire hot". yes, i say, i will be right here putting on some make-up. they begin to chatter together, pretending things, etc. i hear claire say, "mommy left the soap in here." my ears perk up (since i am only 2 steps away) because the girls have been known to dump out a whole bottle of hair wash in one shower. 2 gleeful girls start saying "fill up your cup!....it is a bubble land." i am starting to question their intelligence...wondering why they think that because they are in the shower, i cannot hear them. then i hear claire so, "oh..i soapeded up MY hair and now you have to do it too, emma. we both made this bubble land. here is your soap, rub it in your hair." to that my little adam (emma) replies.. "ok. but don't tell mom." brilliant children.
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