676-700

1. dual naptime...I know I have said it before, but it hasn't happened for a long time
2. the girls playing quietly separately/together without my presence in the room
3. a variety of Christmas music on the radio
4. Kj knowing some of them...and recognizing more and more each day
5. "Mama, you sleep?" Maybe. "I give you a kiss."
6. layers of clothes to make a cozy outfit for the cool day
7. 20 degrees the other day so I could just wear a fleece and vest outside (with gloves, scarf and ear coverage of course)
8. my sister making it safely "home" for Christmas
9. just a few days until she gets to meet L!!!
10. running in the snow with her in a few days...I don't get out much with 2 girls that always (between the 3 of us) seem to have some sort of cold or flu
11. getting to shovel last night while Kevin washed dishes
12. Kj realizing that she was "throwing a fit at you" (me)...and then changing her behavior, and giving hugs
13. leftovers tonight
14. not really doing much shopping besides the grocery store this season...but also finding random little fun things for the people we want to give gifts to
15. a surprise for the weekend!! --for you mom!!
16. the possibility of going out to a movie with my siblings +
    
17. mail received in Africa!
18. pictures of the lunar eclipse, because I certainly wasn't going to wake up in the middle of the night if I could help it...apparently Kevin did wake up with Kj...sorry, I didn't hear it...
19. cards that make music when you open them...my girls were learning about cause and effect thanks to grandma!
20. a styrofoam packing thing that makes a good Fischer Price tub or ramp and a good bit of creativity in Kj
21. a new game...thanks C,L&E - we'll read about the real way to play it next month
    
22. The best gift ever...Jesus!!
23. another way to encourage generosity and the true meaning of Christmas:
    

    "My kids made a pile of toys they want to donate after we put presents under the tree. We talked about Jesus blessing us enough to be able to get fun things. Then we talked about how some kids aren't able to to get gifts. So, they rounded up TONS of toys...even favorites... to give away!!"

24. strong tower song
25. the beautiful mess that my house is with all the played with toys strewn here and there...what a lovely lived in look!
    

Update

Ah! She is doing so well. She was up for a while in the middle of the night...not sure if that was a tummy ache or just wanting to play. So, we're pretty tired today, especially my wonderful husband who took most of the consolation shift. He is amazing, just in case you ever wondered.


Check out this little munchkin playing with a new toy...the bottom water bottle/bib drawer in the kitchen!

Next Day News

Well, we found out how to make her crawl! Just put the computer on the floor and she'll get to it. :)

So, next morning after the craziness she is perky as ever...jumpy even. Her eye is pretty swollen, but we are reassured that it is usually more puffy in the morning. Also, all the other signs (fever, lack of appetite, etc.) are all on the better end. Yeah.

1. smiles
2. jumpy energy
3. Nana's house
4. holiday concert
5. Bumpa playing with Kj in the basement (in the play kitchen)
6. a quiet morning
7. soup last night
8. Aunt A. - babysitter extraordinaire - through sickness and health
9. the music book that Nana has
10. the amazing ability to ignore too much repetition
11. cozy sleepers
12. soft carpet
13. "new" toys
14. naps on the way to Nana's so Mama and Daddy could "really" talk
15. Christmas lights
16. Kj's excitement about those lights
17. a child's JOY!
18. our camera
19. this blog
20. writing
21. The Healer
22. Adventures in Odyssey
23. Signing Time
24. Mmmm...the bread we got as a Christmas gift yesterday!
25. the morning off...in a way

C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

So, I got the call about L. Her CRP level is 72 (normally 1-10/11). CRP is a marker of inflammation or "A C-reactive protein (CRP) test is a blood test that measures the amount of a protein called C-reactive protein in your blood. C-reactive protein measures general levels of inflammation in your body." ~WebMD

So, we will continue with home treatment and antibiotics and be vigilantly watching for changes. If it stays the same or gets better then we will be great. If it gets worse, we call or head to the doctor's office/urgent care/emergency room. So, there you have it. Thanks for prayers.

Sorry about the tipped picture. Kj and L playing at the table together. Enjoy!

Swollen Eye

These first two pictures are yesterday afternoon...this is after much improvement throughout the day!! I thought about but didn't act on the picture taking yesterday AM.

Hello all. I thought I would do a post with some pictures so you could see what's going on with our littlest girl. She is currently being treated for "Periorbital cellulitis". When I looked on WebMD, I only saw a post on Cellulitis. Reading the first paragraph was a little alarming..."This can be deadly." Yikes. Then I was looking at some Facebook posts and was reminded: "Oh what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bare. All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer." Thank you, J. So, now we are waiting to get a call from the doctor to see if some level is high in her bloodwork. So, that's where we are now...along with strong antibiotics and watching for higher fever, worsening, less activity, less urine, and less appetite.

These next three pictures are this morning. She hasn't improved a whole lot since these early morning pictures. She is still smiley. Not as perky as usual, but if we couldn't open one eye the whole way, and it was tearing, wouldn't we act the same way??




Please keep her in your prayers. I will update as soon as we know more...and maybe it is nothing to worry about...well, it is!! Because God has it all under control!

A break from the thousand

Wow, I was just reading these two blogs... one linked to the other. One answering questions from readers about homeschooling and the other explaining how shelter is not a place but a relationship.

I read these things and think of all the ways that I am inadequate. I will never be a great mother, not really, never on my own. I need more than I can even dare to imagine... the grace, forgiveness, patience, help, and more help, and more patience. While remembering the long-term goal of raising my girls to be God-loving, God-fearing, beautiful women, I can't get too far ahead of myself. I can't let myself be overwhelmed by the year to year, but focus on the moment to moment. What part of this moment is teachable? How could I do that differently next time? Where do I step up, where do I back off?

Starting the last couple of weeks, Kj is getting into the "why?" stage, so we can start explaining why we do the things we do, and why we don't do the other. Then maybe she will also start standing up for the things we believe to be important.

Hmm... this post got interrupted by life! So, I'm not exactly certain as to the planned ending... just thoughts. No, I'm not thinking about home-schooling but many of my friends are, so the topic comes up often enough. I do have fun "art class" ideas for them!! :) Maybe I can be an assistant art teacher to them. hahaha

626-650

More things I'm thankful for...

1. my unwrapped Christmas gift :)
2. talking about quality time
3. new ideas for transition times
4. the last session...and a new beginning in January
5. the prospect of a birthday party for Jesus with the neighbor kids
6. chickens
7. asking Kj what the instrument looked like..."a big -tar (guitar)"...it was a cello
8. the way she moved/danced when Andrew played it
9. home again
10. a large bottle of tahini when I only need 1 1/2 T...and that I don't have to tell Kevin the price of it...
    
11. sticking to the list has meant that I stay within the budget...definitely a God-thing...because I do no prior calculations
    
12. a new recipe to try
13. my favorite fleece that I gave away because I left it at a friend's relative's house, then my mom helping me pay for a new one...I use it OFTEN! Thanks mom!
14. fun with kids atlases
15. L paging through books like Kj used to do and that only infrequently does she try to eat them
16. thoughts
17. quiet moments
18. reversing the direction of overhead fans to keep it warmer in the house...I think it is working in our living room
19. earlier bed times again (for Kevin and I)
20. other blogs to peak at while thinking of more thanks
21. rollerskating...planning for it
22. a little snow outing with the girls. L in the wrap under a spare Kevin jacket and Kj bundled to tromp around
23. a "snow book"--a slab of snow that Kj transported from one neighbor's yard to ours
24. mirrors--as toys for the girls
25. Kevin finally being able to sit down beside me and relax for a few minutes before bed
    

601-625

1. a clean robe after a week of sickness
2. hearing about others' Christmas traditions
3. a long afternoon nap for kj
4. a few unwanted sips taken from the new sippy cups
5. that she doesn't want to sleep anywhere but on me after the sippy trauma
   
6. a surprise for Aunt C. hehehe
7. family outing
8. kj running around the plant in the mall to get the energy out
9. running with kj across the mall hallway
   
10. not finding any interesting buys with my gift card, so Kevin used it to buy a gift for me!
11. a carseat adapter for our single stroller
12. little wind tonight
    
13. for experimentation...is keeping L. up an hour later going to make her sleep in an hour later? I'll let you know tomorrow--Kevin's been getting up with her at 5 am
    
14. Kevin getting up with L at 5 am
15. $10 rebate earning us $1 from our purchases
16. "perfect" sweater, in the "perfect" color, in the wrong size = no money spent
17. peaceful time spent in the light of the Christmas tree
18. fully formula/bottle fed
19. droopy eyes of L as she finishes the bottle
20. little hands still clutching Kevin's thumb and middle finger, hoping for more milk
21. Oxi-clean spray
22. a mind like spaghetti
23. funny marriage seminars that still make me laugh
24. small group
25. growing closer and knowing more deeply

576-600

1. snow day
2. still wanting to go out
3. a husband who is up for the adventure
4. Kevin: "Do you really want to go out in this?...pause...YEAH! It'd be an adventure!" (he didn't even see my previous 3!
5. an adventure called off halfway through
6. safety
7. warmth
8. love
9. my girls!!
   
10. that they didn't go to Nana's yesterday
11. kj: for people
12. kj: for thankful
13. kj: for mama and daddy
14. kj: houses
15. kj: grasshoppers (from a book about Laura Ingalls Wilder)
16. kj: for books
17. kj: and library books
18. kj: L.
    
19. daddy: that we didn't get stuck in the middle of the street
    
20. kj: I'm thankful for supper
21. kj: for Christmas trees
22. kj: and writing (sounded like witing, but K. translated)
    
23. kj: for strawberries (as she points to the baby links she is putting in a row)
24. kj: um...lights, and these lights (pointing to the computer charging light)
25. kj: for stepping
    

551-575

1. the 5-point star I gazed at out the window while holding L. during her nap...Follow the star!
2. windpants..."Mama, I like your snowpants."
3. snuggles
4. little children who want undivided attention
5. Nana
6. Bumpa (Grandpa)
7. a lunch treat
8. an uninterrupted shower (thank you, Mama and Dad #2)
9. that 4 inches of snow doesn't need army assistance here
   
10. 
11. 
12. thumbs and "I love you" fingers
13. 
14. husband's coworkers' wives
15. company Christmas parties
16. a great in home babysitter (Miss M.)
    
17. a kindle-like device
18. that Kevin has to wait until it is fully charged to do anything with it...meaning he won't be up all night
19. good conversation
20. being able to contribute
21. not feeling like a wall flower
22. my husband "reading my heart"
23. that sweater/shrug from Aunt A.'s wedding...got another use out of it
24. date night again next Friday
25. a great babysitter for that night as well!! (Aunt A.)
    

526-550

1. Away in the Manger on the radio and Kj chiming in...she knew the whole first verse...maybe more
2. how Kj put her shirt on backwards and didn't want to switch because "daddy has pockets on his back." So, she threw aside the "tag goes in the back" rule and went with what daddy's clothes are like
3. L. learning to transfer from table to stool to walker while standing
4. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,45 ~Kj
   
5. funny stories
6. things that make you smile when you're sick
7. Kj making each part of her lunch into something...her bread was a lady speeding in wheelchair, her red pepper half was a dog house then an edible mustache
8. Range of emotions. Wow! This is what I'm talking about: this lady's birth story...also, this quote: "There is a point in every woman's life when she should give up spandex, even for the gym."
   
9. resting time during naps today
   
10. L. not crying right now...I can here her chatting in her crib...this hasn't happened before
11. L. realizing that she is not being forced to drink, turns toward the bottle
12. the sharing of experiences with those around us
13. knowing that God put you in certain peoples' paths to make a difference
14. leave it to Kj to teach me generosity, when that was my goal of the season...it was hard to part with some of her toys...hehehe...I even wrote down a book title that I would like to replace...
15. Hallelujah!!
16. sitting in the light of the Christmas tree with my husband and just before bed smiley L.
17. me on the mend
18. my husband washing dishes and singing hallelujah
19. delivering Kj's generosity
20. great ideas from friends for other small service projects this month
21. fresh bread
22. canned soups on a day like today
23. enjoyment of cooking
24. Mmm...so many foods that I want to eat right now...being sick so that I can enjoy them all the more in the coming days
25. Aunt C. - looking forward to reading your next posts
    

501-525

1. finding a tomato soup recipe online by asking, "How to make tomato soup from tomato paste"
2. patience renewed
3. sunshine
4. letter and number magnets
5. the ability to place holds on books checked out at the library
6. Kj's incessant, "Mama, I want a snack."
7. L. liking my tomato soup experiment...which was not very successful to me
8. leftovers for Kevin! Hahaha
9. automatic numbering of the next 5oo thanks
10. happy, smiling, wiggly, giggly girls
11. peace at our house
12. warmth
13. girls clothed in polka dots
14. new toys a.k.a. baby food containers
15. time to read all the books that Kj brought to the lunch table, that I told her I would read to her
16. nurses turned friends that you can ask about questions about your baby's condition
17. reconnecting over the phone
18. personal attendant at my great friend's wedding!
19. looking at airfare
20. my dad and sparkles
21. a really wonderful man who also happens to keep our bed warm at night
    
22. wool socks
23. vacuumed floors
24. a sewing machine that is calling my name
25. the offer of weekend sitters
    

488. following through with good ideas
489. bars
490. deep breaths
491. this music
492. by grace alone
493. "And His banqueting table’s extended for the weary and the tired, the broken and discouraged, the overwhelmed who don’t know how to get through and we can get through today because we’ve been given every gift in Christ and today we can do the work of Christ because we’ve been given the abundance of Christ." ~aholyexperience
494. Kj words, constant and alive
495. the idea of: compassion capers
496. ideas of: generosity
497. Christmas lights on the way home
498. conversation with Kj about the lights...do you know why we put lights on our Christmas tree? Because Jesus is the Light of the world!
499. K: Jingle Jazz, "the best $3 CD purchase ever"
500!!

476. L. songs
477. L. smiles
478. L. mending (she had a flu this weekend)
479. L. sitting up
480. chats
481. sending good ideas over the internet
482. my sister, who will probably have a really great hummus recipe
483. disposable diapers
484. in-home laundry facilities
485. keeping up with the laundry and not feeling like throwing it away
486. taking a drive tonight to look at all the pretty lights (and get out of the house for a bit) **if Kevin is up for it**
487. going offline

460. Saturday!
461. 2 girls looking at a pile of books in the hallway while daddy works on the shower
462. dishes done for the morning
463. almost being done with 2 loads of laundry
464. no coughing by day!
465. a comfortable couch to lay on in the early morning hours so I don't wake everyone with my coughing
466. one step closer to a full shower/bath
468. story time
469. the no microwave adventure
470. finally using my small crock pot
471. finding directions online when I've thrown away the packaging
472. the sound of almost boiling water
473. the fact that Kevin read my mind and is getting some water going for a hot drink
474. the library
475. Kj not understanding the meaning behind the book we just read her

445. Pollyanna - on tape
446. how much more room the kitchen appears to have without a microwave
447. Kj still likes oatmeal that is not microwaved :)
448. Only "almost" missing it once today
449. supper ideas that include random spare food items in the cupboard, fridge and freezer
450. clean laundry
451. abundance, not that we need it
452. "Time in"
453. Boppy pillows
454. Kj: Mama, what's this? (looking at a printed page)
Mama: It's Japanese.
Kj: Oh, it's Japanese-ee.
...and then she proceeded to tell me a story about Japanese-ee...
455. coloring
456. new thing for L.--sitting up in bed when I went in to get her
457. the furnace man...not because we "needed" him, but for a yearly "check-up"
458. the "booties" he wore so he didn't get snow on the carpet
459. Friday!

432. Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise Him all creatures here below!
433. pears
434. Pandora
435. Grandma's scrubbers
436. Nana's knitted wash clothes (yes, another batch of dishes in the process)
437. "crazy" thoughts of getting rid of the microwave...starting with a temporary arrangement...to see if it works. Reasons: more kitchen space, microwaving is possibly/probably bad for food, more kitchen space, it would get the toaster oven off of the precarious shelf by the garage door...
438. Christmas music about CHRISTmas
439. paying the bills
440. post-bedtime relaxation
441. Kevin: bill pay - no stamps needed
442. guests tomorrow...
443. ...motivation to clean
444. and sharing practice for Kj

422. silly songs
423. clothes that you haven't worn for a while that all of the sudden looked appealing again
424. when your husband says (after you put on the clothes from #423), "I like that."
425. chats with friends amidst the work of the day
426. leftover oatmeal bar from our drive home
427. books on tape
428. not sure how much she is gathering, but...Kj wanting to listen to #427
429. an idea to help Kj and L. know the real meaning of Christmas is not in getting gifts (although God gave us Jesus at Christmas), but giving...our goal is to try to give a gift or do a service each day this month
430. lofty goals (particularly #429)
431. "small world" moments

418. the ability to help out a friend
419. trains of animals, or letters, or books...
420. "I'm a little teapot short and stout, here is my handle, here is my handle....Oh! I'm a sugarbowl!" --don't know where she got it but is adorable
421. a private shower time...ready, set, go!!

400. new L. accomplishments (starting to walk around the coffee table)
401. kj: grandma
402. kj: kj (she typed this)
403. a surprise visit from Friend A. and her kids
404. french silk pie ice cream...even if there is a smidgen of coffee flavoring in it
405. daddy and Kj sized snow angels out my kitchen window
406. a brief outing with L. strapped on so we could both see the snow
407. "Thank you, mama." when I made hot chocolate for the "snow friends"
408. kj: for Joel
409. daddy: snowpants
410. kj: hot chocolate (daddy prompted her)
411. daddy: my job
412. L: when this teething thing is done
413. kj: you thankful for L. (to daddy)
414. teddy: is thankful for Raggedy Andy
415. I am thankful for my family all sitting at this table getting warm.
416. an orange kitchen (thanks mom)
417. this site

389. going to church with family
390. quiet moments to talk with God
391. reading Aunt C.'s blog
392. the anticipation of seeing her again soon...(a few months)
393. the anticipation of introducing L. to her Aunt R.
394. sunshine
395. giving
396. a weekend of exclusively Christmas music (even though it is Thanksgiving weekend)
397. contentment
398. new recipes
399. signals

355. washer
356. dryer
357. drying racks
358. clean clothes to put away
359. non sleepy daughter
360. changing plans
361. quick packing tonight to leave a day early
362. not having to make that decision
363. a fresh large turkey
364. libraries
365. December (a whole week off for Christmas/New Years)
366. January (a joyous wedding)
367. February (anticipation of Baby)
368. March (2 beautiful girls!!)
369. April (the change in weather to make outdoor outings more frequent)
370. May (Kevin started biking to work again)
371. June (Aunt C. waiting until this month to move across the ocean
372. Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband,
373. Baby L. hit the 3 month mark and life got so much more manageable)
374. July (boating)
375. August (sprinkler fun)
376. September (4 wonderful years with my husband,
377. turning 30,
378. trying all sorts of new things)
379. October (random raises)
380. November (roadtrips...
381. friends,
382. reunions
383. 2 chattering girls
384. learning patience
385. change
386. not changing
387. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. Deuteronomy 6.5 - our newest verse
388. too much fun with videos by Nana!

...note: I will try to do a year of pictoral thanks soon...

330. crystal clear window coverings in the living room (as opposed to hazy clear in the kitchen, which consequently make the kitchen look smokey)
331. absolutely free "new" window coverings...here's the trick: take former window coverings from the kitchen and place them in the sewing room for a brand new look!
332. "a handy husband," says Kevin
333. a friend asking me to recall where I had my honeymoon and if I liked the location
334. Kj: Mama, I need to go potty. Find a gas stjation.
Mama: No, we'll wait until we get home.
Kj: Mama, I not need to go potty. I already go at G's house.
335. evening at a friends' house
336. lotion
337. mild weather
338. The comment: "What's that white stuff!?" that came out of my mouth earlier today. We were driving a block away from our house and it was just in front of two houses, nowhere else???
339. lightbulbs
340. heat
341. electricity
342. the ability to sew
343. the ability to cook
344. the drive to try new recipes
345. my expanding taste bud horizons
346. matching sister shirts received in the mail from "My Curl Grandma"
347. three generations of wedding pictures displayed on my shelf
348. a CD player
349. Psalty
350. Signing Time
351. a toddler who enunciates
352. simple toys (just brought out the blocks for L)
353. hands-on nativities
354. going to bed a little early because Kevin is falling asleep next to me on the couch. Talk to you later!

311. delightful dinner conversation
312. serious Kj giving her speech
313. spending other's money to do good
314. (spending our own money to do good too)
315. sorting
316. plans for tomorrow
317. phone calls
318. the fact that my parents had me call them and didn't answer just so I would find out they had an answering machine
319. laughter
320. new books
321. boy 2-4
322. boy 2-4
323. boy 2-4
324. boy 2-4
325. girl 2-4
326. girl 2-4
327. girl 2-4
328. girl 2-4
329. 321-328 Thanks Great Aunt C.!!

307. sweet girls
308. cute yawn
309. pretty dresses that I wore
310. memorable moments

295. laughing because the girls just laid down and Kj is shushing L.
296. going to Hawaii vicariously through my friend's pictures
297. the fact that my new dish washing routine is working!
298. new books from the library--we already read every single one
299. looking forward to another library day
300. happening to go on just the right day, at just the right time to go to story time, with a very animated librarian lady!
301. knowing for almost certain that my daughter is not sick, just got overfed
302. healthy girls
303. Kj to L.: Where's the dot com one? (looking at a Cars book)
304. Kj: Mama's going to sit on my lap. (often pronounced wap)
Daddy: She's going to sit on your lap?
Kj: No, I got a little lap.

305.
Kevin: What are you thankful for?
Kj: baby dolls
Kj: teddy
Kevin: hot soup, bike...
Kj: my bike, my red bike...
Kevin:...
Kj: Jesus, Jesus live in my heart

306. evening outings and still getting baths done

271. a snuggle bug
272. an honorable husband
273. now knowing that split pea soup is ok, but not noteworthy...good to test, but not a regular in our diet...especially since Kj really didn't take to it, and she's not picky
274. Kevin's kid takeover in the evening
275. a thought provoking forward now and then (...not often)
276. fresh air
277. thoughts of Pumpkin Pound Cake (6 eggs, 3 sticks of butter...only 1 cup of pumpkin...I'll have to put in some extra)
278. combing Lola's hair
279. friends
280. knowing menu's ahead of time so I don't have to bring baby food
281. sweatpants
282. generosity
283. bold Kj
284. truth
285. release
286. sharing
287. learning
288. "zigzag over the ocean blue, I'm crazy for the love of you."
289. Kj time
290. Baby L. time
291. random visitors
292. the fact that L. likes toys such as scrubbers, bottle covers, and handkerchiefs
293. "My Curl Grandma"
294. "My Nana"

231. paying $17 for a $50 purchase
232. taking a walk
233. Nana/Kj dates
234. parties to make new friends
235. home canned salsa
236. home canned applesauce for Baby L.
237. home canned pumpkin for all the yummy pumpkin products for the season
238. overnight guests
239. waffles for supper
240. new books
241. new sewing projects
242. quick sewing projects, so I can feel like I have actually done some sewing!!
243. rotary cutter from my dad #2 for Christmas a few years ago
244. Kj waking up from a nap happy, rested, content
245. Kj stepping on a box of pins, not getting hurt, and saying, "Mama, it's ok. I help you pick them up. I pick up the pink ones."
246. no wind/rain/snow
247. we could go out for a walk because of #246
248. coloring
249. answers
250. trying new recipes...split pea soup in the crock pot...we'll see how it turns out
251. baby books...just not the filling them out part...
252. Hymns Ancient and Modern
253. Kj praying..."Mama, I'm praying. I'm praying for Jesus." (she was actually praying to Jesus for Daddy)
254. patience
255. breaks
256. lots of things to do
257. not knowing what to pick first...so then I just find more things to be thankful for!
258. movie night (Did I mention that already? We just had another one.)
259. sunshine
260. Sonshine
261. minced onions--so I don't have to cut up my own and cry all day
262. particular daughters (sometimes) - as far as I can tell, Baby L. will only drink a bottle that she has seen you make. No leftovers, none of the previously frozen supply. Also, not right after she's eaten sitting in her height chair. I switched her bottle schedule up last week and she hasn't had very much since. This "particularity" will serve her well in the future...if nurtured properly!
263. "real" mail!...that I will open...
264. Kevin getting mail from a flower shop...that I won't open...
265. World Vision Gift Catalog
266. a paycheck
267. getting the banking done
268. being intentional
269. Wow, just realizing my Baby L. took longer than a 1 hour nap!!! "It's a miracle!" Remember Temple Grandin.
270. going back to total focus on household chores (bye for now)

215. movie tonight (Friday)
216. being married into a wonderful family
217. sister-in-laws that are also great friends--all three of you!!
218. 2 mamas
219. contracts
220. baby L. kisses

221. ...help from Kevin...
water
running water
good restaurants down the block
leftover pizza
wireless internet
a Bible in my language
a bike
a car
a wonderful family
green eyes to look at
Silverlight
40 hour a week contract
David's elapser program
Dad to go to the football game with
Baby L.'s smiles
time to spend with Kj
free haircuts
big trees in our yard
free tree trimming from the electric company
soft bed
a good employer
flexible hours
good healthcare plan
Fender guitar
Line 6
no one telling me I shouldn't play electric guitar on Sunday morning
playing guitar with Caleb
pentatonic scale
the bike trail
grace
faith
hope
heaven
peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ
Kj remembering verses
good HS friends
college roommate living down the block
Anna's friends' husbands
financial restraint
a handy dad that I can learn from
good health
no recurring sports injuries
parents who live within 3 hours
.net--gives me a job
prospect of a new work computer
weatherstripping
a new storm door
wordpress
coming home and seeing my 3 girls
my fancy pillow we bought when we first got married
sleep...is that number 50? Nope, 51
(can you tell what business he is in??)


222. plants
223. my friend and I marrying roommates
224. she had a baby!!
225. confidences
226. watching our babies grow
227. being amazed at each new change
228. looking back and seeing the progress
229. wondering what the future will bring
230. glareless glasses for my husband

181. conversation:

Kj: mama I found some bugs
Mama: oh, did they wiggle
Kj: no
Mama: good
Kj: mama, I need a kleenex to pick them up
Mama: ok (give her tissue)
Kj: (comes back) mama here's some bugs I pick up so I not scream at them
Mama: oh, thank you (studied the bug to make sure it was actually dead)
Kj: they are hairy they be dead bugs (off she goes to play again)

182. Kj caught herself after only rolling down half the stairs
183. that she wasn't alarmed at the sight of her bloody nose
184. "It's ok, my owie is good. It's better now."
185. new routines
186. brushing my teeth before bedtime
187. getting dressed for the day in sweat pants :) (call me if you are going to visit and I'll change, but I can't guarantee that my hair will be clean)
188. knowing when Baby L. is ready for a nap
189. her going down smoothly
190. stories of my little girls told by my friends (sad and sweet)

Kj was at Wednesday school at church a couple weeks ago and all the kids were running to their "gym" class. She was the slowest although running as fast as she could. She was calling for her Hannah, "Hannah, Hannah wait for me!" Hannah didn't stop or even slow down. All the sudden Kj stopped in the middle of the hall and just started crying. (Hannah's mama was there to give her a hug.)

At "gym" class Kj was holding on to Hannah while running and playing. One of the teachers told Kj that Hannah wasn't able to play with Kj holding on to her. At first I was a bit frustrated, because Kj always wants to hold hands, but I don't know how to teach her that some people don't always want to do that. Then I realized that if Hannah wasn't pushing Kj away then she was ok with the attention. (Hannah's typical reaction, though I know she loves Kj very much, is to push her away or pull herself away--IF she doesn't want that attention!)

191. plain yogurt with blueberry puree for the girls, yoplait-lots-of-sugar yogurt for me

192. "Mama, I want to give L. a sloppy kiss."
193. ride for L. to the bedroom

194. naptime forts
195. Moses baskets

196. Kj hiding under the laundry basket
197. me putting them in their hiding spot, leaving, then finding them again
198. "Your hair is like a flower."
199. stories of Life!
200. tears of joy
201. God's provision
202. friendship
203. support
204. good mail
205. sneaking alfredo leftovers at dual naptime again
206. being teeth conscious
207. the fine line between conscious and paranoid
208. letting things go
209. Loretta...every week telling us she's glad our family came
210. contentedness
211. prayer
212. Friday
213. the weekend
214. Kevin home in just a few short hours

157. IM
158. no cell phones
159. my cleaning motivation the last few days
160. the fact that my table (old and new) is magnetic...it attracts all sorts of papers that I have to figure out what to do with
161. classes for new moms and babies
162. friends to go to class with
163. friends to watch over a sleeping toddler so that I can go with baby
164. Nana and Grandpa's visit this weekend
165. projects to make the house warmer this winter
166. all the things we all can do but don't
167. leftovers for lunch
168. enough for all of us, so I don't have to sneak
169. reading Aunt C's list...maybe I already have that on here...so hard to know if there are duplicates
170. not that you wanted to know this, but poop going in the potty not the panties
171. "May I have an M&M?" "No, but thank you so much for going in the potty!!!!"
172. video chatting with Nana
173. good friends that you can ask to be naptime sitters
174. meatless meals
175. that my husband doesn't mind the occasional meatless meal
176. Kevin coming home very soon
177. visitors to promote quick sprucing up
178. new friendships made
179. anticipation of future get togethers
180. my good looking husband

143. Olive juice. Aisle of view. Aloof ewe. Eye laugh you. A lab boo...from a friend's message to her fiance.
144. "Gershuss"...I don't know either, just a word that Kj uses regularly...trying to find out what it is by context and it isn't working...
145. silicone hot pads that double as "seat stickers" in my Keekaroo height chair, so I didn't have to buy another part to the seat
146. "Thank you for making lunch, mama."
147. kj saying #146 without being taught
148. taking a couple minute break to write these down
149. phone calls from friends
150. phone calls from my mom
151. being guilt free when hanging up with telemarketers...because I actually am busy taking care of children
152. perfect teaching opportunities
153. rain on a day we're not going out anyway
154. Kevin sleeping through my cough, but waking up to help a crying child
155. pictures of the girls with a new friend from our visiting last weekend
156. anticipating Kevin's homecoming!

138. fun answering machine messages that I've saved and listened to again
139. my friend, Anna
140. Awestruck the song my husband found for me,"His Anna"
141. Wake...it made me smile...Thank you, Brother-in-law.
142. early to bed (...early to rise??? We'll find out tomorrow...)

119. "My friend, Winda (Linda), has a little boy named Jonah." ~kj
120. a slice of cheese at the deli case for my little girl
121. using one pan for three different parts of supper
122. bulk packages of items we buy often
123. Ephesians 2:8-10...we are saved by GRACE!!
124. Scootchin' Baby L.
125. waiting to see if Wheaties is a good substitute for rice crispies that are used as a substitute for nuts in baking
126. finding frozen blueberries to make baby food
127. "Hi you Mama!" ~kj
128. waiting for Crista to call and bring Baby E. for a visit
129. Crista's maternity leave
130. baking today
131. Baby L. now trying to stand up by the chair after scootchin' there
132. (although I can't tell her this) the way Kj eats her sandwich...she holds it to her mouth and chews, pushing a little more in every now and then...
133. also the way she licks her lips after eating...I can't even describe it, but it's adorable...and I wonder if it will last
134. "What's in my heart? Jesus and grandma." ~kj
135. secretly eating leftovers during naptime...
136. Baby L. discovering "new" toys
137. starting to baby proof again

68. vacations
69. visiting friends
70. free tree trimmers sent by the power company that provide good wholesome entertainment for a toddler, and a break for the mama to write these thanks
71. college friends that though we haven't seen each other for 1-3 years we can still visit, have great conversation, and learn from each other
72. matching socks for my girls
73. Kj songs...a mixture of all the songs and verses she knows
74. broken CD player in the car so that I can concentrate on those songs
75. apple tart, soothing warm sweet tea
76. warm sunshiny weather
77. the prospect of a walk later today (postponed due to the entertaining tree trimmers)
78. gifts to deliver
79. "I'm a tree trimmer, a girl tree trimmer, not a boy."
80. "I'm a pastor."
81. "Kj let's play dress-up," I was going to have Kj try on a flower girl dress that I wore. "I want to dress up like a pastor." ...
82. cheap hotdogs
83. kid's soup
84. sneaky Christmas projects
85. homecomings
86. Baby L. finally getting to meet Aunt R. at Christmas
87. plans
88. new resolutions...not letting the dishes pile up so that I need 2 drying racks
89. reading Sis. C's Thanks
90. February when we get to see her again
91. April when my Ami get's married after being a spokesperson for True Love Waits!!
92. $1 calendars so I can write those in
93. dual naptime...can I write that multiple days in a row?? :)
94. not just one but now two chatterbugs...Baby L. is in the "Babababa." stage...which sometimes sounds like "Bumpa" = Grandpa and sometimes like what the sheep says...
95. pictures
96. rediscovering hidden treats
97. and having the snack while doing dishes
98. gummy Vitamin D for an extra boost...and it makes me think of gummy worms...and therefore turns in to a sweet treat in moderation (not referring to 96 & 97)
99. Grandma M's scrubbers
100! YES! Llama Llama Red Pajama in the mail for Kj!
101. Kj's smile when she finds out that she got a new book "from the mailman"
102. being reminded of the California Raisens while making trail mix
103. running out of milk and juice so I can clean that shelf in the fridge door
104. Monday Motivation that isn't normally there
105. lots to do
106. getting my voice back gradually
107. OxiClean spray
108. Miss A. my 8th blog follower, and friend
109. the fact that Miss A. moved within a block of our residence
110. Peek-a-boo giggles
111. tickling giggles
112. using more cloth than disposable
113. getting a load of laundry in
114. coughing as God's automatic slow down switch in my body right now
115. that I can get excited about so many little things in my life
116. sitting on the dining room floor, watching Baby L. stand by a chair and babble
117. walks with the girls
118. video chat with Aunt C.

45. husband who bikes to work so I can have the car, even on days I don't need or want it...it's just nice to have here!
46. Bedtime...for me!!
47. finding infant toys that I thought were lost...I even replaced some already, but now there will be enough for both girls...because, of course, the toys that are for Baby L. only are the most desirable ones to Kj.
48. new windows that open when you want them to
49. window installers that also take away old storm doors!
50. special window cleaning cloths to shine up my new windows
51. how windows can have so many good things about them
52. my sister-in-law who is also doing this "gratitude project" from halfway around the world...Great job!! I love you!!
53. the amazing God-given abilities to make 48-51...No man could have done it alone!
54. "Booooks"
55. the voicemail in my emails that says, "Children obey your parents." From Nana to Kj.
56. packing...not at the last minute
57. a load of our favorite clothes-CLEAN!-to choose from
58. hot chocolate
59. Kj recounting the story of Jonah that she learned this morning at Bible study
60. using Noah's ark and animals to reenact #59
61. $5 diaper coupon in exchange for 2 defective diapers...all I had to do was finally call them
62. hot drink to sooth my scratchy throat
63. this particular combination: "Mama, I need you to take me to the bathroom." + clean panties when we get there!!!
64. "family" potty seats
65. random kisses heard coming from the direction of my toddler
66. extra soup to share with my friend, a new mom
67. re-organization

31. belly laughs, because I go to get my toddler out of bed from her nap and she is naked! I, not knowing if she slept at all, decide to just laugh. "You giggle, mama? Why you giggle Mama?"
32. free suppers...no cooking, no cost
33. freedom to vote
34. FF
35. Loretta at FF
36. Romans 5.1 Therefore since we have been justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
37. Not being able to memorize Romans 5.1 because it starts out the same as Hebrews 12.1 Therefore since we have been surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. And let us take hold of the...
38. FCA camp where I learned the Hebrews verse while running!
39. Enlightenment through the movie: The Story of Stuff
40. Anna (my friend, not myself) who is so encouraging and helpful and caring and generous and...
41. My Mama #2, a great Mama, Nana, Daughter, Sister, Wife, Friend...
42. My Mama #1, inspirational, encouraging, loving, wonderful, sweet...
43. holding my daddy's hand...still... :)
44. memories: my dad holding my hand when I was a little girl and his pinky tickling the inside part of my wrist...still makes me smile.

22. naptime
23. Kevin (he was very disappointed at not making the top 10...I guess I was just thinking of not obvious gratitude bits)
24. Kevin washing dishes so I could pay the bills.
25. talking with friends on the phone
26. a current crocheting project to do in between the "Mama, what's this?"s
27. help with folding laundry, even if it is only laying flat the cloth baby wipes
28. deep breaths!
29. dual naptime
30. daily hot beverage = hot chocolate or soup or both

13. spills in the refrigerator to prompt a quick cleaning of the veggie drawer.
14. hands free snack time..."Mama, may I feed her one please?"
15. an avid reader
16. new storm doors

17. giggles
18. non-picky eaters
19. new babies that make mine look so BIG!
20. Goals...in particular, the paying off the student loan goal
21. random raises to make that possible

1000 Thanks

1. The sound of the girls waking up from naps...talking to each other.
2. anticipation of a new project
3. supper starting in the crock-pot...after waiting 2 weeks to make this recipe
4. sunshine
5. fall colors
6. family get-togethers
7. reasons to stay in (drippy noses)
8. friends to see
9. toys everywhere! :)
10. book-loving little girls
11. "Mama, may I sit in your 'wap'?"
12. "Our Lord, how 'ajestic is your name in all the earth. Psalm 8:1 again."

Trim Time

Talking to my mom today, I was reminded that I needed to get my hair trim. Kj, also, has waited a long time since the last trim. Maybe last summer?? I don't know how important it is for toddlers to have frequent trims but...

Well, the girls woke up from naps cheerful and content. So, we attempted it. I set Baby L. in her toy stander and set up the trimming station in her view. Remembering how my sister used to braid my hair ("Look at the plate." "Look at the doorknob." etc.) I had Kj turn her head, at least momentarily, in the right direction.



Some things I learned:

1. Cheerful and content girls are good, but...
2. Another set of adult hands work best for keeping a little head steady.
3. Don't start cutting off as much as you want gone. Start with half of that.
4. Bobs are cute, but not the trim I wanted.
5. I should have just worked on a small sewing project.
6. Mistakes don't always turn out horribly!! Thank goodness!




Next stop...Kevin's trim time!! Tonight??

Poetry

My little Kj added her bit to a nursery rhyme today.

Little jumping Joan
When no one is with me
I'm all alone.
Sitting on a stone.

So, I'm not sure I should give her credit for this, but all her books stop at the first period. So, if you have heard the last line before, please do let me know. Otherwise, be amazed with me! :)

Shoving

I did a little shoving yesterday. I shoved a little sewing into my day. Not really sure the girls were thrilled with this, but they both got a hat out of the deal--sort of. My friend, Janae, gave me the idea and a link to show my how to do it. Here's how. I made them out of a women's somewhat stretchy fashion t-shirt (as opposed to athletic or every-day) and it didn't really work to well. The result were 2 hats that probably both fit Kj. Baby L looks cute in her's but it is a bit large and floppy. Oh, well, better luck next time.

The piles of non-sewing room stuff in my sewing room has gotten out of hand again. I need to reclaim. Now that Baby L can sit up, maybe I could shove a little more of my craftiness in to the day. Tomorrow Little Miss Z (2.5yrs) is coming over in the afternoon for a bit. Maybe she will help me with some cooking. It will be the my girls' naptime, so we'll see.

Any suggestions on getting Baby L to take longer naps? Her naps are 30 mins to 1 hr. Not nearly enough time!! Only once in a very long while will she take a really lengthy nap--once there was a 3 hour one...

Mama Love

Mama love is good!! In this case I am talking about the love I have for my daughters. I was up in the night with Baby L. We had about a two hour middle of the night rendezvous...not of my choosing! I got pretty frustrated trying to get her to see the benefits of returning to sleep on her own. Then, I finally gave in to feeding her, because she wasn't conforming to my way of thinking. She fell asleep, of course. When I laid her head on my shoulder to burp her, she just nuzzled right in and all the crying and frustration disappeared. "How could I ever want this stage to be passed?! She's so soft and snuggly and smells so sweet." I thought to myself. How easily I can forget all the crying. It reminded me of God. His love for me is like "Mama love" times infinity! Pretty great, isn't it!?! How could you not want that?

Learning...

After 4 years of marriage I just learned something new about my husband. Yes, I will forever be learning new things I suppose, but...I guess I just wanted to write another post! :)

I asked him if he would get me a glass of water too. He returns with a glass 2/3s of the way "full". To me that is not a full glass of water, and when I am really thirsty it is not a big glass of water. Well, today I figured out why he does this. He doesn't watch when he is filling up the glass because he is thinking about something else. Then, not wanting to overfill he stops midway...Ok, so that was a pretty boring post, but I'll add an anniversary picture to make it all worth your while.



And now he wants to ride my bike to work tomorrow!! "Why? Because he has another flat tire. And now he's talking about exceptions and processes" and what I want for my birthday...lalala... (quoted selection are his words for me).

To Baby L. and All Second and Successive Children Around the World

I am very sorry. Thank you for being so accommodating!



...I say this because last night I was talking with a friend...

S: Does L. sit up yet?
Me: I don't know. When did Z. start sitting up?
S: About 5 months.
--silence--

Oops. Baby L. is already 6 months and I hadn't even tried it. So, I did. And you know what!? She could. No, she didn't have great posture, and she kind of folded over leaning her arms on her lap, but she did!

T-shirt Skirts

I've been wanting to make some fun long skirts for Kj and was inspired by a project that a friend showed me at Rookie Moms, where they used an old t-shirt to make toddler lounge pants and/or infant hats. So, first of all I made a skirt from the bottom of Kevin's old tie-dyed shirt.



Then I was given a women's shirt that had a too big neckline and was too short for me and I used all but small scraps to make some clothing items for the girls. Pants for Baby L. with the 3/4 sleeves. In case you are wondering...yes, these pants are way to long for Baby L. I had intended them to be for Kj, but they were a bit too tight...Although...hahaha...We had gone out one day with Kj's big girl backpack with her spare clothes in it, and had added one diaper for Baby L. Well, Kj happened to have an accident and looking in the bag, we discovered that we had not replaced the spare clothes from the last time they were used. BUT! Baby L. was wearing these pants. Hah. They snuggly worked because we couldn't think of anything else. Until...the second accident. So, all spare and not spare clothes gone, we used a scarf that I had been using to cover Baby L. as sun and mosquito protection. Should have gotten a picture of that. Very soon after we rushed home so as to avoid having to use anything else as toddler bottoms.



And skirt and shirt accents with the remainder of the top. So, today, being kind of a cool day, Kj was able to wear the entire outfit. I was going to get Baby L. in her pants as well, but she is still in her Pj's. Maybe that picture will come!



A sloppy kiss!