him

I love, I love, I love him!!!

more from MOMA (Museum of Messy art)

After initial great reviews, today I am presenting three more artworks by Kate.

Her green period has produced these interesting pieces.

"Cavity Free" done in toothpaste on tile

"Needs no Paper" (marker on wood)

and "Relax, Max" which was ambitiously created using a Sharpie on a recliner canvas.

While I was only able to enjoy the first two artworks for a short while, "Relax, Max" has become a fixture in my home. It is displayed in my play room, giving an unexpected visual pop to my otherwise traditional decor.

wild hats

My mom gave these cute animal hats to the kids.

(ignore the big spot on his shirt from a misguided blob of applesauce)

She purchased them at A.C. Moore for a dollar and said that there were a few other animals to choose from. I think they would make cute party favors for an animal themed party, or maybe a non-candy item for an Easter basket.

They are made of that craft foam material, but have held up since Wednesday, which is pretty good for something Katie has her hands on.

Thanks Mom, and happy Saturday to you all!

grateful

My mother-in-law came over today to spend time with her darling grandchildren. Among all the goodies that came with her was this stack of books from a woman she works for.



There are tons of simple crafts in these just waiting to be cut and pasted by my craft-loving son, as well as worksheets and activities to do. Maybe Katie will also join in the fun, since there are some books for two-year-olds.


I am so thankful. God is good.

And a load of free books makes for a fabulous Friday.

wishin' for some waves and warm sand

what's that smell?

Life with Katie means that some days while rocking her to sleep her head might smell like the delicious Katie-smell that I love, or possibly like pancake syrup, or maybe very strongly of strawberry-scented shampoo that she snuck into her hair while not taking a bath. Or it may even smell like Glade Apple Cinnamon air freshener.

cookies

I just finished making snickerdoodles with the kids. Joey was an excellent dough-ball shaper, while Katie's skills limited her to rolling her little bits of dough into snakes. Joey then enjoyed rolling the balls in the cinnamon and sugar. I made Katie's snakes into a couple balls that she then rolled in pink sugar so we could tell hers apart from the others. (She has a cough and we are trying to avoid eating her mucus-doodles.)

My mom would make snickerdoodles with me when I was a little girl. She would give me one plate of cinnamon and sugar, and one plate of colored sugar for rolling. I loved shaping the dough into balls, rolling them in brightly colored sugar, and then watching the result of my play turn into a yummy treat.

Joey was all smiles while helping tonight. It was a chance to imagine my happy face when sharing those good times with my mom, and a chance to enjoy the smiles of the little people God has given me.

"This is fun." I told him.

"This is fun." he agreed.

Good times.

ten times, at least

Phrases I am pretty sure I say ten times or more a day:

• Aw, you have a boo-boo? Where?
• You're okay.
• Please wait.
• Katie, get down from there!
• Not right now.
• Where is Katie's cup?
• Where is Katie?
• Hush!
• Why is Katie crying?
• That's neat, Joey. (I am required to view and comment on many drawings every day)
• Stop that.
• Katie, leave Joey alone.
• Joey, leave Katie alone.
• Play nice.
• Stay in the backyard.
• Do you have to go potty?
• Good job!
• I love you, honey.

wonders in the deep

Psalm 107:23-31

They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;

These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.

For he commandeth, and raiseth stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.

They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.

They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end.

Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.

Oh that men would praise the LORD, for his goodness, and for his wonderful works unto the children of men!



The Lord has been speaking to me through this passage in the past few days--stepping out of my comfort zone, seeking Him in my trials, experiencing the calm of His presence, and rejoicing in His wonderful working in my life.

I am thankful for this passage. I am thankful for the haven of Christ.

special skills

If Katie taught a class it would be "How to lose all your marker caps in twenty-four seconds or less when coloring at the kitchen table."

If Joey taught a class it would be "How to unknowingly change
music lyrics to make no sense at all."

First lesson: Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh, Winnie the Pooh,
Jumpin' on a cobby all stuck with fluff,
Winnie the Pooh, Winnie the Pooh,
Silly in a willy ol' bear.

Class over. You are dismissed.

waves, water, weird. very weird.

Last night, I had a dream that I was sitting with my mom on the side of a mountain, watching people ski and sled down the mountain on the other side of the valley. We were discussing how the snow was still on the ground up on the mountain, but how back home it had all melted. Suddenly we looked over at the other mountain to see that in an instant all the snow had melted and a wave of water was washing down the mountain, through the valley and toward us. (I believe my brain was borrowing some special effects from Deep Impact at this point.) I raced to find Katie who was off playing by herself, grabbed her, and clung to a tree as the wave of water washed over my head. After the water stopped, I found a frightened, but unharmed, ten-year-younger version of my brother who had not been able to get to my dad during the melted snow mayhem, but had now found him and was shaking his head in disbelief. We were all a bit shocked, but relieved that no one was hurt or washed away. I then thought to myself, "This is the coolest thing I will ever blog about!"

I woke up moments later.

Do you realize how weird I am, people? In a dream where my life and the lives of many loved ones are in danger, a second after I realize we are all okay, my most joyful thought is that I will have something cool to blog about.

Sigh.

Am I that desperate for excitement? Are the dishes and laundry leaving me that wanting for a thrill? Do I need a life or death experience to keep you coming back to read about my days, or will my simple life be enough?

I hope so. Because it might not be thrilling, but my life leaves me tired enough at the end of the day without running away from rushing walls of water.

:)

It's Saturday, again

• I think I may have been transported by time machine from last Saturday to now. (That is my creative way of saying "time flies.")


• I have just finished cooking a few meals-- some for tonight, and some so I won't have to cook on Sunday. I do not understand people who have big Sunday meals. It is the day of the week I least want to cook. So while the kids were napping, I cooked away. It was quite enjoyable.


• Speaking of children napping, Katie is fighting hers so very badly. She still really needs a nap, and when she does finally fall asleep, she will stay asleep for about 3 hours. But she does not want to fall asleep. She sits and talks, and then throws everything out of the crib, and then cries for whatever she wants that is now on the floor. It is a bit frustrating. I do not recall Joey ever fighting the nap until this past year when he began to not need it everyday. I am not quite sure what to do with her - sweet, darling girl.


• Joey produced his first "invented spelling" today. KFE=coffee. I was thrilled! We have only been learning the sounds of the letters through everyday exposure to print and the alphabet, and just a few ABC crafts--no formal phonics lessons at all, so I was quite shocked. I am also thrilled because, well, the first word he "spelled" was coffee. And I am sure you know that coffee is the sweet nectar of life.


• Speaking of coffee, I ran out of my beloved beverage this morning, so I got my caffeine from tea, and it is a sorry excuse for coffee. It is. Sorry, all you tea drinkers. I just love, enjoy, need, must have my coffee!


• If you have the Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book, (you know the one that is red and whited checked) you should make the Buttermilk Coffee Cake recipe. It is so yummy! I ate way more coffee cake this week than one girl should. Anyway, I received that cook book for my bridal shower, and time and again it has come through for me. I get a lot of my recipes from allrecipes.com, but this cook book has given me good results with quick breads, main dishes, and lot of tasty desserts.


• This week I spent two days visiting with friends. The Lord is good. I am thankful for both the ladies I was was able to spend time with. I am able to learn so much from both of their lives, and I praise the Lord He gave me these sweet times of fellowship this week. It really was a treat, since I don't visit with friends very often. God loves me, and cares for me, and I am thankful for the vessels of His blessings these friends were to me.


• Lastly, I am just letting Spring know he better get here soon. He has one week to arrive, and if he doesn't show his warm, little face to Pennsylvania, he will be unfashionably late, and I just won't stand for it.

Have a great Saturday evening and a blessed Sunday everybody!

MOMA (Museum of Messy Art)

Today I would like to present to you an abstract piece by the up and coming female artist known as Kate.




It is a subtle piece, titled "Soft & Dri". Using only deodorant and painted drywall, the artist conveys the comfort and calm that comes from dry armpits in a way that sets her apart from the other personal hygiene artists of her generation.


This unorthodox creation is displayed in my master bedroom, and has added just the character and flair it was missing.

remember

I remember a Sunday when I was little. My dad decided to take us on a picnic. Before we picked up a bucket of fried chicken for lunch, we stopped at a convenience store and my dad bought us ice cream bars. I ate dessert before dinner in the back of the station wagon. Dad took us to a nearby park by a little stream and duck pond to enjoy the chicken. I remember the weeping willow trees, I remember the excitement of a break from the ordinary, but what I remember most, was how happy I was.

A lot of the memories that stick in my brain are the ones that involve the most joy. Not the most money, not the most fanfare, not even the most time and attention. It is the joy.

Before I put Katie to bed on her birthday, we took a few minutes to play with the ten, pink, helium-filled balloons Daddy brought home for her and placed in her room. She was thrilled to hold a bunch in her hands, and then release them to the ceiling. Again and again, she would watch them go up, up, up. She was happy. I was too.

While I gathered the strings of the balloons together one more time, the hope in my heart was that I would not forget this time with my two-year-old birthday girl. Later, when I went downstairs, I wrote it on my calendar so my brain wouldn't have the chance to forget. I am pretty sure the joy I experienced that night will make sure my heart never will.

Hi, just me

• I'm here.
• I am tired from 6 stores this morning with the kids, home for a quick lunch, out to the park, home again, play out back on the swings, put Katie to bed, drink coffee, clear brush in the lot next door, put Joey to bed, and make dinners.
• I love the warm weather because it gives me a reason to be outside where I can hide from everything that needs to be done inside.
• Have you tried the new candy bar called the Thingamajig? It is sister to the Whatchamacallit. I believe both are worthy of enjoying. 220 calories of happiness.
• We (the kids and I) are eating pizza for dinner tonight. We ate pizza for dinner last night. Homemade - cheap and pretty good, but pizza shops (real ones) still have a better crust.
• Katie is up from her nap and crying in her crib. She needs some mama love.

My girl

Two years ago God gave me Kate. She is sweet and sassy, entirely kooky, and a complete individual. With a knack for finding mischief, she keeps me busy, but with her need for love and attention, she is able to slow me down. Kate is my monkey, my delight, my girl.

Happy second birthday, Katie. I love you forever!

Last day

Today Katie dumped the entire contents of the tissue box plus 1/4 of a tube of toothpaste into the toilet, decided her Little People doll house needed some pancake syrup, and used glue stick for ChapStick.

Why would she choose to do all these things today?

Because it is her last day as a one-year-old. And she is going out with a bang.