Tippy Tuesday: Bacon!

Mmm, bacon. I have a love-hate relationship with it. Smoky, salty, meaty goodness. Splattery, burny, greasy clean-upness.

Enter: Alton Brown. One of my culinary heroes.

Bake yer bacon, folks!

That's right. Slap an oven-safe cooling rack in a shallow sheet pan. Lay those bacon strips right on top. Crank 'er up to 400 degrees. Stick 'em in. Turn occasionally. Remove when nicely darkened and crisped to your preference. Takes about 10-15 minutes.

AMAZING! Smokey campfire bacon smell will waft through your kitchen -- delicious! NO greasy grime on your above-stove microwave. NO grease freckles on your stove or kitchen floor. NO pops and forearm stings or grease pricks on your shirt. Simply glorious. Bonus 1: the fat renders off into the sheet pan rather than your bacon drowning in its own grease. Bonus 2: your bacon stays flat (so long as you turn it a few times) which makes for easy use in my family's favorite bacon dish...

Breakfast burritos! Back at TMC, the student center's lil' restaurant would make the "California Burrito." We're talkin' one HUGE breakfast burrito stuffed with scrambled eggs, cheese, bacon, and tater tots. Those cafe ladies sure knew how to start your day! I remember Matt always trying to get one of them to smile -- and it worked on a few occasions.

Anyway, you really should try your hand at a hearty breakfast burrito at home. Tortillas, eggs, bacon, shredded cheddar, and tater tots. That's it! I've gotten it down to a science thanks to my two new sheet pans (I'm becoming less of a stone person by the minute...). The great thing about baking bacon for your breakfast burritos is that you can bake your bacon AND tater tots at the same time WHILE making your eggs atop the stove. No baking your tots, frying you bacon, then attempting to use the same (or another) pan for eggs. Scrambled eggs go down the center of your tortilla, cheese, a few strips of bacon, then a nice line of tater tots (salted if desired). Roll up gently so there is no breakage. Let sit to allow the cheese to get all ooey-gooey. In the fashion of Emile on Ratatouille, HORK IT DOWN! (Personal Experience Note: they taste just as good without cheese for my fellow can't-have-dairy-right-now people.)

Ok. Now I want one. Good thing it's on the menu for this week! And last week...and the week before that...

Monday Meditation

"This is reality, not religion." - Pastor Leake

Such a powerful statement. The world without question lumps "Christianity" into that general realm we call religion. But for the Believer in Christ, it is much more than "a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs" (dictionary.com). We do adhere to a set of beliefs etc. and in a superhuman agency (God Himself!), and we do devote ourselves to Him and have the "rituals" of the Lord's Supper and baptism (which by the way do not save us but are expressions of obedience by a heart already justified by Christ). We also have a code of conduct we go by, not a code we made up, but a code given by Almighty God Himself and preserved through the ages. But to us, Christianity is more than rote religion.

It is TRUTH. Which means it is REALITY.

Especially during this Christmas season, it's so important to remember this fact. How easy it is to spout off to your young sons, "We celebrate Christmas because it's Jesus' birthday." Or to sing with your husband carols you've sung since you were a young tyke. Or to get lost in dreaming of opening your daughter's hair bow bands on Christmas morning -- so she can finally have some head decor since her hair follicles are taking their sweet time. Rushing here and there finalizing lists. Attending wonderful Christmas parties and gatherings to celebrate the season. But is all of that reality to you, or just something warm and fuzzy to do every year? Lots of extras come with the Reason for the Season. And unfortunately, the extras are the grit and grime that often muddy the pristine snow.

REALITY: something that constitutes a real or actual thing, as distinguished from something that is merely apparent.

So instead of picturing baby Jesus and His nativity scene as that of your Little People Nativity set, remember...

Mary was a real young woman living her own life, like many of you may know (or be!), when the most glorious being she'd ever seen burst into sight. She heard an angel straight out of heaven tell her she was going to be pregnant -- her life of purity gone in an instant to outsiders looking in but not believing in God's plan. Joseph was a real man who loved this girl Mary, wanting to live his life with her and start a family, when his dreams were suddenly dashed as she told him she had a real baby in her womb with an outlandish story as to why. He also heard the angel tell him of God's plan; and in obedience, he instantly tarnished his own reputation among the outsiders by still taking this "impure" woman as his wife and the "illegitimate" Child as his own. When He was born, Jesus was a real tiny baby with a floppy head, teensy fingers, and little grunts and cries. He nursed, cooed, peed, slept, burped, probably even went cross eyed a few times. Creator-God became the most helpless, precious being on His own earth. He had to learn to walk, talk, eat, play, count, read, dress Himself, trim a beard...all of the things boys grow up doing. All of this was REAL! Just as real as the water He turned to the best wine. As real as the fish and bread that fed 5,000 people. As real as the kiss Judas gave Him. As real as the splinters in His back and thorns on His brow.

As real as His dead body coming back to life, having opened the door for us to enter into His real heaven.

It's too easy for us to tell the "story" of Christmas. Why not first internalize the reality of Christmas? When you hold your baby or play with your kids, think about how Mary did the same with Jesus. That should blow your mind right there -- she KNEW He was God's Son sent to save herself and the world, and yet she was charged with raising the God of the Universe from birth?? That's just one example of the realities we should be focusing on. Oh, what a mysterious majesty this Reason for the Season is!

There's a reason we celebrate. This Christmas, commit to making Christ not just a religion to you, but a reality.

"Mary did you know...when you kiss your little Baby, you've kissed the face of God!"

Tippy Tuesday

While I hope none of my tips are been-there-done-that for my readers, I do realize that there are some things that are obvious to many or have been done a jillion times. Today's tip just might fall into that category, but I offer it anyway since I had to discover it on my own.

I don't have a lot of money or space to spend on a bunch of seasonal decor. Now, if I did have the space, I probably wouldn't fill it. I'm not huge on decorating every nook and cranny for any holiday. Personal preference -- I feel like the more decor I put out, the less tidy things look. (NOT to say that things are always tidy around here, but lots of decor would only add "stuff.") I suppose I think it looks like I've left things laying around. But then, I also suppose if I had unlimited finances to spend on such things, what I would purchase would be lovely and flow all together. Hmm. But I don't. So it doesn't.

All that to say, I have a total of two wreaths. One is a gorgeous fall wreath a dear friend gave me last year when she found out I didn't have one but wanted something for my door. The other is a simple branch wreath. I came up with the idea that if I had a simple branch wreath, I could then purchase a couple sets of flowers to stick in the wreath according to the season. That way, I'm only storing a few gallon ziplocs of flowers and one wreath at a time. The branch wreath stays on the door the entire year except for October-November. I have purple hydrangeas, daffodils, sunflowers, and red black-eyed susan flowers plus their greeneries to use for the rest of the year in whatever combination fits my fancy. But...

Winter is my favorite wreath. I have no idea why. It's just a bunch of sticks wrapped with a small piece of ribbon and one snowflake ornament hanging in the middle. Perhaps it is the simplicity that I am drawn to. Or the cool, icy feel that makes me think of a pristine winter scene graced by a beautiful snow queen. Or the sparkle of the ornament mixed with the rustic texture of the branches and the silky smooth ribbon. (Can you tell I've thought this through on multiple occasions?) Practically, it is also the cheapest wreath I "make." I already had the ribbon from making a pair of garters for a friend years ago, and the ornament is from my dear sister Hope who knows me very well in the Christmas snowflake department. This one fits my cooking mantra: "Cheap 'n easy." The beauty is a bonus!

Snowflakes on Sunday

It was so fun to come out of church today to a flurry (if you could call it that). Even just a few white dots floating in the air is good enough for me. Instant thrill of winter and more intense Christmas spirit! And, of course, the boys went wacko. I think they still want a snow like Snowmageddon. Please, Lord, not even half that. I love my boys, but please...no. Maybe in 10 years?

Something "funny" happened tonight. Bless my little 'Lij. That child. Wow. He is so loveable and snugglicious and cute to boot. But good gracious can he be curious and/or mischievous. Yesterday, Matt caught him investigating the Neosporin night lip balm I keep on my nightstand (first mistake on my part). After the lid was put back on and Elijah's fingers wiped, Matt discovered blotches of it all over my nightstand. So he cleaned that up to. We thought that was the end of the episode.

Nuh-uh.

Tonight, I did the duty of washing my face, quenching it with Vitamin E oil, brushing my teeth, flossing...all even though I really wanted to just crawl in bed. But I knew my eyes would regret leftover make-up in the morning. They've had a lot of trouble as of late. Anyway, I climbed into bed and reached for my lip balm to sooth my troubled lips. When I opened the tub, I noticed that the cream looked like it had been stirred up and toppled somehow. Ah well, no harm done. So I put some on my lips, recapped it, and sat back to let my face soak in the E and relax for a few minutes. After a few seconds, I started smelling something familiar and soothing. But at the same time, my lips started feeling dry rather than moist and slick. Hmm. That's odd. I licked my lips -- boy, that doesn't taste right. What is going on? So, while trying to pooch out my lips and smell them to see if they were the source of the familiar smell, I looked over at my night stand. There, sitting next to my little Neosporin tub was my tube of Gold Bond ultimate healing lotion. ::puts two and two together...:: AHA! No wonder the tub looked more full than usual and more full of a not-as-white substance. And has a smell like the what I use on my hands. And dries like lotion rather than balm. The child had seen fit to refill Mommy's tub of lip balm with hand lotion. Um...thank you?

Several finger, tissue, and Q-tip swipes later, I do believe I salvaged about half of my Neosporin lip hero. And, note to self, at least I now know that lotion doesn't really do it for lips.

Curious little monkey. I love you!

T.G.I.F.

Sunday is Football Day around here. The boys are getting into the cute tradition of choosing which team they are for whatever game is on. While watching Redskins vs. Giants, Judah called out, "I'm the Redskins!" Elijah answered, "I'm the Blueskins!" (Note: For non-football fans, the Redskins have red jerseys while the Giants have blue.)

While eating some BBQ potato chips, Judah said, "These are stingy, but I still like them!"

I've had a problem with freezing feet all week long -- to the point that I'm really irritated by it. I figured out one of the problems was my socks. I suppose the moisture from my feet (though not much) was just enough to keep my socks cool rather than warm. So I've opted to start wearing my flip-flops around the house. While my toes are still icy, my feet are not AS chilled. Still irritating though. But, I did manage a smile when I looked down at my feet today to discover that I have two black flip-flops on...but they don't match. One is my from my nicer pair, and the other from my 'round the house pair. Glad it's not warm enough to accidentally go out in public like this! :-P Not that anyone would really notice... And what's funnier is that I have no idea where the other two flip-flops are! I couldn't make a match even if I cared enough!

T.G.I.F.

Along with Tippy Tuesdays, I'm gonna try to throw in regular T.G.I.F's (To Grin is Fun)-- collecting all the kidisms that happen throughout the week and having one post of hilarium a week! This week's will be slim since I've not been keeping track except for today.

Judah, counting in a sing-song fashion: "...sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twun-hundred!"

At lunch, Eden has been practicing her dexterity with some Puffs. It's so amazing to watch the brain gears working to get those tiny fingers to do what she wills. She's getting better even after just a few days. But, I still occasionally give her a break and put one in her mouth for her if she seems to be having extra trouble. Apparently, she gets that mixed up with the times I hold up a Puff for her to easily grab from my fingers rather than chasing it around the tray. Today, when I'd hold one up for her to take with her fingers, she'd dive for it with mouth open wide. Pretty average reaction for a baby. But when it's YOUR adorable baby, of course it's cutely worthy enough to post about. :-)

Outside during our frigid 20 minutes of play, the boys called me over to look at something. "Look, Mommy! A milk splash!" I looked down to where they were pointing. Uh, that's not a milk splash, boys. "What is it?" That's bird poop. Their stunned expressions and worried glances to the ground were priceless. Did you touch it? "Not with our hands." With your gloves?::pause:: "No, not with our gloves." Hmm. I'll be washing their gloves.

Tippy Tuesday: Laundry

If you're like me, you have various sizes of little socks, bibs, sweaters, delicate underlings, and the like mixed in with your umpteen loads of laundry. And, if that's the case, then you also know that bib velcro and sweaters do NOT go hand in hand and baby socks seem to repel each other...and existance. Ugh! My laundry indulgence: multiple mesh bags. Oh, my friends, how I love these! One for bibs. One for socks (if you know a pair went in the wash, a pair WILL come out). One for kid sweaters. One for underlings, tights, etc. Obviously, you can't jam them full (ie 2 kid sweaters max at a time); but then, you should be doing laundry enough to where that's not necessary. Pointing to self here.

I am in love with Cheer liquid detergent. Yes, yes, I know powder is probably cheaper -- or even making your own! (Props to those who do...and have the space to store 10 gallons.) But my long-term relationship with Cheer powder ended when it started making me cough every time I'd measure it out. Not to mention, my height made it difficult to get to the dregs of the box. I turned in the powder towel and tried the liquid -- and will ne'er return! So quick and easy to measure, without having to be on my tip-toes. No coughing due to tiny particles floofing through the air. And I love the smell of our clean clothes. The end. (Can I have copyright privileges on "floofing"?)

Tired of having air-dry clothes out for days waiting to dry, especially sweaters? Well, if you have an in-ceiling vent with enough space to put up your air-dry rack below it -- let your heater get to work! That is, if it's cold outside. Which it certainly is here... ;-)

11.24 Elijahisms

In BJs the other day, I asked the boys to help me look for the items on our list. After finding the milk, the next item to look for was eggs. We located the eggs, put them in our cart, and as we were walking away, Elijah said, "Look, Mommy! Chocolate eggs!" I had no idea what he was referencing until I turned around and saw the brown eggs next to the white eggs.

This afternoon, the boys and I were lounging on my bed at the end of nap time. We were playing a rhyming game and got to "eat, meat, seat, etc." Judah started explaining that meat comes from cows. I said that meat can come from different animals, and hamburger is what we get from cows. I then asked, "Where does chicken come from?" Elijah, without a beat, answered, "Chick-fil-A!"

Tippy Tuesday

I'm going to try and start a new thing: Tippy Tuesday. A day in which I just post random tips of things that work for me around the house that may or not be of use to others. I've learned from having a subscription to Better Homes & Gardens (thank you, Brenda!) that I am an idea-lover. Even if I never use a tip or idea, I love simply reading about them! So, I give you the first Tippy Tuesday post.

Instead of having a random stack of kid socks, too small to stack like adult socks but too big to lay neatly like baby socks, I pair mine up and stack them in a criss-cross fashion. That way, it gives a wide base so the tower doesn't fall over in the drawer AND my sons can easily pick up a pair without bringing just a handful of socks.

I love having an egg container in my fridge. But I also know that it is "best" to store eggs upright as they come in an egg carton. I just discovered that an egg carton actually fits in my egg container! So, I snipped off the lid and flap and placed the whole bottom half of the carton with the eggs in the egg container. Pop the lid back on, and stack the next carton on top. Keeps all eggs from being crushed and keeps them upright. The only drawback is that it doesn't look quite as quaint as a bunch of eggs piled in a container. :-)

11.22 Kidisms

Last night, our friend Brandon opened a gate for Judah and said, "Your free!" Judah walked away and simply said, "No, I'm four."

Elijah calls oatmeal "eat-meal." Judah calls avocado "ah-buh-ca-bo."

When I put Eden in a little leopard sleep 'n play, the boys called her "Eden Jaguar" and happily treated her like she was Baby Jaguar off of Diego.

Just a Day

An ordinary day. Pristine sunshine streaming across my quiet living room on this crisp fall afternoon. Glorious Sonshine filling my heart with joy despite some hardships as of late. Isn't He good like that?

Eden has a terribly gross nose right now. Every time yucky snot is running out, Elijah yells, "SICK! She needs a tissue, Mommy. It's SICK!" I suppose either Matt or I have described it as such enough times to influence our little dude's vocabulary.

We learned about wind and rain yesterday. I reviewed our terms at dinner, and Judah said a light rain is a "dribble" (instead of drizzle). Not sure I'll correct that just yet.

Last night, I was straightening up my sewing stuff. With Elijah looking on, Judah took it upon himself to press the ironing board's button and make it slam down. Totally scared me as I envisioned pinched arms, bonked heads, etc. After I knew they were ok, I commenced explaining that it was dangerous of him to do that. That's a mommy-job. But while I was talking, my boys were lost in their own amazement at how the ironing board went down. Judah told Elijah, "Look, 'Lijah! It downloaded!" Ha ha ha!

I'm off to neti my way into a nap before the hub-bub of post naptime begins.

A Tale of Two Veggie Dishes

Once upon a time, there was a woman who was a pro at making baby food. But she always knew there was an arch nemesis to the homemade baby food world: green beans. So one sunshiny day, she decided she would try three different methods using two different types of green beans to see if it was at all possible to match the perfectly smooth texture of jarred baby food. To her utter dismay, two and a half hours passed by as her kitchen got messier and messier; and all she was left with was the same kind of homemade baby food green beans she had ever ended up with. A whole morning gone with nothing left but textured baby food her daughter won't be able to eat for a while yet.

Now I remember why I always bought jarred green beans. Green beans don't have pits. They ARE the pits. Ugh. I began with good intentions to use frozen green beans. Steamed 'em up, and started hand-cranking away. And cranking and cranking and hand cramping and cranking... Just an awful amount of work that produces such a tiny amount of baby food. So I was going to throw them into my awesome electric baby food mill, but I think it must have shorted out a few seconds after I began. And being the amazing electrician I am, I have no idea what happened (nor did I choose to investigate -- good news for those of you that know my "background" in electricity...). I then tried to hand-crank some more, got fed up with that, and promptly grabbed the two cans of French style green beans (no salt or preservatives, just beans and water). Those cranked up very nicely, though still more difficult than soft fruits. It's amazing the amount of water that comes out of green beans! But what was I going to do with the rest of the steamed frozen green beans? I put them in the Kitchenaid mixer attachment that grinds food. Wow. Water pouring out here while green bean pieces that resembled cow cud pushed out here, and oops there's a leak there too. Pushed some more beans down and now I have green bean juice a few feet up on my cabinet doors. Forget it! I was left with two bowls of baby food. One a bright fresh green with tons of water and a potent flavor. One a muted green with a softer consistency and bland green bean flavor. Neither of which Eden can eat just yet because it is too textured. So I just combined the two (now that was a pretty site - not!) and froze 'em up. And now I just remembered I completely forgot to add a little salt and butter. ::sigh:: I hate green bean baby food. Let's nuke the City of Green Bean Baby Food and move on to the tale of a lovely veggie dish.

Far away in another veggiedom, there was a woman who was about to do something she'd never done before. She grabbed a zucchini, a yellow squash, and several red potatoes. "I want to try my hand at oven roasting some veggies!" she said to herself. "I know I'll probably be the only one that likes them, but who cares!" So she chopped them up, dressed the chunks, and threw them in the oven without a worry. After a while, out came gorgeous roasted veggies that she thoroughly enjoyed. Why, so much that it was ALL she ate for dinner. Two bowls of yummy roasted veggies -- and no one wanted to share! More for her! Since then, she has made them several times and encouraged her King and knights to try them with her. The King loves the potatoes and graciously eats a few of the zucchini and squash pieces. The knights? Well, they still need convincing.

Seriously! I realize I'm probably behind a lot of women in the whole veggie department, but hey I'm catching up! It is so super easy to roast veggies, so cheap, and so delicious! Just a little chopping, mixing, and oven-time gives you a beautiful and hearty side dish to any meal. I mixed my zucchini, yellow squash, and unpeeled red potato chunks with salt, pepper, 2 glubs of olive oil, 2-3 glubs of Italian dressing. Spread them out on my wonderful new metal baking sheet. Roasted at 425 for 40-50 minutes, turning every 10 minutes or so. The few times I've made them with something else baking, I just put them in at 425 while I prep the other dish, turn the oven down when I add the other dish to the oven, and then crank it back up to 425 when the other dish comes out. It's worked great every time. Try it! Who knows, maybe I'll throw in a sweet potato soon. Though I am CERTAIN the King won't be eating those pieces... (I just realized there are no after pics -- I was too excited to eat them!)

On the whole food thing...

Can I just say that it is so odd to follow the "new guidelines" for feeding an infant? It's amazing how new studies and research can change mass thinking so quickly. Elijah is only three years old. It wasn't terribly long ago that I went through the baby food process with him. And in just the short time since then, it's all changed. Where once you had to spend at least a week introducing a new food to check for reactions, now you only have to wait 3 days. Where once you had to make sure to introduce every single ingredient before you could mash up a casserole or main dish, now you can go straight to feeding your baby exactly what you are having for dinner after you and baby master the basics of solid food feeding. Simply mind bending. Disclaimer: If you do your own internet research, you can find all opinions represented. I really like Wholesome Baby Food as well as my own pediatrician's advice.

Granted, I'm sure "they" are not saying to grind up some spicy (read: burn your mouth off) curry chicken for your 6 month old or popping a few whole peanuts on the high chair tray. I'm gonna call it "Cautious Freedom." That's what it seems like after reading into it. And I like the thought. But it's a little scary because it's just different from how things were with Judah and Elijah. What was especially scary (though our pediatrician approved it) was giving Eden a mix of sweet potato, rice cereal, and ALMOND milk tonight. I gave my 6 month old a nut product. Every spoonful was given with frightening thoughts in my head: "What are the signs of anaphylaxis? Would I call 911 for an epi-pen? How soon would she break out into hives if she's allergic? ... " So, why did I do it if I was scared? Because there is no reason to be afraid. There is no known nut allergy in either of our families. Matter of fact, I'm pretty sure life as we know it would cease without peanut butter. ;-) I consulted Dr. L, and he said sure. I wanted to give her something yummy-creamy, and water can't do what a milk texture can. Trust me. I know. (6 months down and less than 6 months to go on this dairy free...with occasional slips...diet.)

I'm treating Eden as an experiment. Since I plan to make more of her food homemade than I did with either of my boys AND because she has not reacted to any foods yet, I'm going to introduce her to more foods than I did the boys. She's already had sweet potatoes, red potatoes, zucchini, and yellow squash -- things the boys never had or to which they reacted. Maybe by doing this, she will have wider food horizons than the boys. Maybe not. We'll see! (Though, the boys seem to have broadened their horizons as of late. I think Elijah at least THREE times this week told me over and over how delicious dinner was...wow!!) Also, because I have recently realized that perhaps I do like avocado... I'm going to buy my very first avocado this week and feed it to my baby. NEVER thought I would say or do that. Watch me!

And now that I've totally rambled about baby food, I offer an adorable Elijah food-ism. Tonight, he and I had a Mexican layer dip with tortilla chips for dinner (see above statement about the dairy diet slip...but just a leetle bit...::sigh:: I know I'll be cleaning up a bit more spit-up tomorrow for that...). As I was building Elijah's layers, he kept telling me what he wanted. He'd think through the list as he said it:

"I want, uh, cheese. Aaaaand....cream [sour cream]. And sauce [no salsa]. And, uh...uuuum...::thinking very hard and long::.... SELL-US! I want sell-us, too."

You mean lettuce? "Yeah! Sell-us!" Too cute to correct. He's putting "salad" and "lettuce" together. That just makes me smile and love his adorableness even more.

They did the Taaaaater Mash!

There's a first time for everything. And today, I don't mean my first time to make baby food. I'm a pretty seasoned pro when it comes to that, having done it for two children already and now on my third. But neither of my boys could eat sweet potatoes or squash without getting a face rash. My daughter seems to be able to eat anything I put in her mouth -- with hardly any reaction (much to our disappointment...isn't that part of the fun of baby food?).

No, today's firsts included having sweet potatoes in my house, peeling and cutting sweet potatoes, and cooking them up for baby food. Ok, one other first was using a hand-crank baby food mill rather than the electric one I used for the boys. I gotta say, even though it is more manual work, I think it makes a smoother, more consistent

baby food. I'll save my final decision on that after I do some corn and peas. If you have never made your own baby food or are just interested in the process, I photo-chronicled the Sweet Potato Mash just for you.

Really -- making your own is cheap and easy. Granted, more work than popping open a jar. But using fresh or even frozen foods to make your own provides more nutrients and more potent flavors for your baby for much less money. I think one thing that really gets me is that jarred baby food or even using canned food to make your own means you are using food that is packaged in a way that it can sit on the shelf for a couple years before it is consumed. Hmm. Not my first choice when considering my new baby's food intake. (Disclaimer: I do occasionally use jarred and canned, but it's not the norm. Sometimes you need the food a little faster.)

I used two sweet potatoes. Just wait until you see how much I got out of them!

1) Peel and chop the sweet potatoes. I was shocked at how hard it is to cut those things! Matt said what I was thinking: "Just make sure no fingers get cut off!"

2) I used Pampered Chef's large microcooker and a little water to steam the sweet potatoes in the microwave in 3 minute increments (about 12 minutes total until tender).

3) Pull the plunger of the food mill to the bottom and fill the cylinder to the top with some steamed sweet potato chunks. Lock the crank into place. Crank while putting gentle downward pressure on the center tube. Have fun watching the sweet potato come out the top like playdough spaghetti!

4) Scoop the mash into a bowl. Repeat until all sweet potato chunks have done the mash. Add a little butter and either water or breastmilk/formula for both flavor and consistency.

5) Divide into your choice of containers for consumption and freezing. I kept some out for use in the next couple days. Some I put in my awesome little reusable baby food containers for on-the-go use, and the rest went into covered ice trays. Once frozen, I'll remove the ice cube food to a labeled and dated ziploc bag. I got 2 fridge portions, 2 on-the-go's, and 1.5 ice trays (21 ice cubes)...out of just two sweet potatoes. If that's not saving money, I don't know what is! $2 vs approx $12! Glad she likes them. ;-) Now if I can just make sure her nose doesn't turn orange like Judah's did......

Changes

The leaves are gorgeous, the weather cooler. And wow. A crawling 6 month old means a change in how playtime goes...or doesn't go...in this house. Boys vs girl. Mastery vs curiosity. This is going to be some ride!

Today was the first time I had a "no" session with Eden -- to which she threw what I would call her first little fit over a non-necessity. Boy, she wanted those puzzle pieces the boys had. I let her explore a few with touch and sight, but it was the "no, don't eat them" that really got to her. I knew this change would come. Every child at some point moves from the "purely innocent" (which they are not) to manifesting a self-centered heart. A sad change. Until you remember it is reversible with the blood of Christ!

I love when Elijah says we're having "buh-lee-dohs" for dinner. He means burritos. Another R's-are-L's word. I'll be sad when that changes.

Speaking of food and changes, I've introduced Eden to enough foods now that it's time to change over from store-bought baby food to home-made. I did it with the boys, so it's not a new skill. But it still seems daunting. Which it's not. It's super easy (especially with some tools a friend loaned me today). It's just the initial thought of adding that to meal management. But I'll enjoy it. And so will she. I promise. ;-) It is the first time, after all, that I have EVER purchased sweet potatoes and had them on my counter just waiting to be cooked!

Yes, change is good. It makes life interesting!

Kid Literature

When Elijah says, "I need some pry-swee," he wants me to leave the bathroom while he goes potty. My three year old wants privacy. He also calls an ambulance "eem-blipse." Or something like that. I still can't figure it out!

I dabbled in some dairy to see if Eden has grown out of most of her spit-up issues. Boy, she hasn't. At all. After dotting the floor about 10 times in one hour, I helplessly exclaimed "Child!" as I cleaned up yet another pool of spit-up. Judah responded, "...are known by his actions." Guess he's got that Proverb in his heart: "A child is known by his actions." But in this case, I suppose a mother's actions is known by her infant's reactions. :-P

The other night, Elijah decided he wanted to tell us a couple bedtime stories.

Story One: "Once upon a time, there was a little mommy talking to daddy. She fell down a hole with bugs. There was a blue one. And that's the end of my story."

Story Two: "Once upon a time, there was a big monster; and there was a little Eden looking at it. And then she runned away. That's the end."

Jumping the Gun

Sometimes, I guess moms can be too quick to judge...

As I was pinning a sewing project, I realized it was completely silent in the living room where Judah & Elijah were. Never a good thing...or so I always assume. I sternly called out, "What are you guys doing?" Judah softly answered, "Nothing." Hmm, right. "Why are you guys being quiet then?" "Because sometimes it's nice to be quiet."

::Stunned:: So, Dear Sons, why don't you believe Momma when I say those exact words? :-)

Elijah Cutes

One of my favorite things that Elijah does is that his "R" in a lot of words turns up like an "L."

"I want to pray" sounds like "I want to play."

"It's broken" is always "It's bloken."

"Bread" is "bled."

etc.

I just think it's so cute. Most kids with "R" trouble seem to use "W," so perhaps I think it's adorable because it's different.

Yesterday morning, we got to wake up to a pretty powerful thunderstorm (though short). Elijah reminds me a lot of how I used to react to big lightning and thunder. It almost seems to paralyze him. He runs and hides or finds me. He becomes like a statue and doesn't make a sound. His newest reaction in addition to the above is to turn his head away from whatever window is in the room. And he'll just sit there like that. If he does talk to someone in the room, he won't turn his head to look at the person. He is just frozen in that position, even if his voice is jovial. He is my kid through and through. Hopefully, he'll grow out of his thunderstorm fear before I did (which was in my late teens...or later...).

This morning when we were choosing cereals for breakfast, Elijah wanted the Fiber One cereal. I had him taste a little bit of it because I was in disbelief that he'd choose that over multi-grain Cheerios with strawberries. He liked it. So he had two bowls of Fiber One (half bowls, mind you) and loved it. Is that normal for a 3 year old? To my adult amusement, right as he was finishing his second bowl, he looked at me and said, "I have to go poo-poo!" Guess it does the job right quick in little bodies. ;-)

Jesus in Me

Meal times seem to bring out the best comments and questions from Judah. At dinner...

"Mommy, did the doctor.....when he cut you open, did the doctor see Jesus?"

Uh, what do you mean?

"Did the doctor see Jesus inside you when you got your cut?"

Oh, you mean because Jesus is in my heart? "Yeah."

I love seeing raw logic in children. :-)

::melting heart::

As we sat down for snack time, Judah said, "Mommy, you're my best friend! But you know who who's even more my best friend? GOD!"

Say that again?

Sometimes, I am left dumbfounded. At dinner tonight:

Judah: I want zero percent.

Me: You want zero percent?? Is that what you said?

Judah: Yes, zero percent.

Me: Zero percent of what?

Judah: A car made out of food. Um, I think chocolate.

In an emergency...

We're working on teaching Judah how to dial 911 on my phone and WHEN he is supposed to do it (i.e. when Mommy can't get to the phone). While eating lunch with him today, he randomly piped up and said, "So, when you're dead, I'll dial...um...8? No, 6?..."

Uh, you don't have to wait until I'm dead, Judah!

Death & Bulrushes

We just started Exodus the other night in our nightly family Bible reading. Matt took the time to talk a little about death with the boys -- since the transition from Genesis to Exodus pretty much says "they all died." :-) I was not present for this conversation, so I was a little bewildered the next day when Judah and I exchanged the following:

Judah: I love Eden VERY much...

Me: Awww, I'm so glad you do!

Judah: But she'll get older and then die.

::stunned::

We talked a little about the difference between spirit and body. Try explaining to a 4 year old that who he is can not be seen. We only see his body. And even when his body dies, Judah will still exist -- prayerfully with Jesus if he believes in and loves Jesus! I told him that his spirit is what does the thinking and feeling. Unfortunately, I can't remember his cute response that involved the brain and heart. :-P (Later on, I told Matt about our conversation and was then informed of the little lesson on death the previous night.) I love being a mom. SO many times that I am forced to reckon and grapple with the basics of life as I try to explain it to my children. We learn things, get it under our belt, and then forget to keep pondering. We humans sure miss out on a lot of the depth that life in God's world brings!

Back to Exodus, last night's reading was about when Moses was placed in the basket and sent downriver. Talk about a new perspective! When Moses was 3 months old, his mother could no longer keep him hidden. Eden is 3 months old. As Matt read that chapter, I kept looking at my smiling, squealing Eden imagining how hard it must have been for Moses's mom to place her little guy in a basket she made and then put that basket in a mighty river. Could she have known the outcome? Drowning, eaten by animals, starvation...many things could have taken her son's life. And she probably knew that. Even thinking about my baby crying and not being able to get to her and calm her hurts me. And she's just upstairs -- not in the Nile all by herself.

But this woman had great faith. She had choices. She could have given up hiding him and succumbed to Pharaoh's soldiers. She could have tried to keep him hidden, eventually to be found by the soldiers. She even could have taken his life as a "mercy act" on herself and her baby boy -- his death was an eventuality in men's eyes. But instead, she made the most raw choice. She gave up her baby to creation. A creation that serves its Maker. The Maker she was devoted to. She gave her little son to God, wholly and compeltely. And in giving up her son, she gained him back. By putting Moses into an incredibly dangerous situation for a 3 month old, she saved his life...and got to finish nursing him, raise him a few years, train him...and then see him become one of the greatest men of all time in Egypt and in the history of the Jews!

Would I be willing to give up any of my children in such a way? Would you?

Kids Say the Most Random Things

While wrestling with Elijah, Judah yelled, "MICHAEL JACKSON!"

Raw Vocabulary

Last night, we received quite the picture of raw Flesh bucking against consequences for disobedience. For a while, there has been a hole in the boys' wall right by Judah's top bunk. He's picked at the hole several times and been disciplined for it. Since Matt had yesterday off, he decided to patch 'n paint the wall. During naptime, Judah called him up to ask for a hand wash...Judah had picked at the spackle and made a complete mess (including all over sleeping Elijah). We spent several hours trying to figure out what would be the best consequence for such a thing. Most pertinent was missing the picnic and swimming with a group of friends in order to watch Daddy repair the wall yet again. Judah, our social fishy, was absolutely distraught! He carried on with yelling and crying. After some thought, Matt revised and said Judah could go but would not be allowed to swim. After all, Matt didn't want to miss out by staying home with Judah! But Judah reacted the same way he did when he was told he couldn't go at all -- lots of loud, tearful protest. After a few minutes, because of his unthankful response, Matt gave the final word that he and Judah would stay home. Again, Judah lost it; but this time, he kept telling Matt (through sobs), "I need to tell you something, Daddy!" Matt calmly put him on the couch and said, "I'm listening." It took about 20 seconds for Judah to eek out between sobs...

"I accept your solution."

Wow. Even when not terribly upset, it would be weird to hear a four year old say that. I walked away so that no one would see the small smile fighting its way onto my face. It was terribly sad but a little funny, too. He still was not allowed to go because he should have accepted Daddy's solution when it was given. It's like saying "I'm sorry"...good, but doesn't negate the need for consequence.

Got me thinking. I pray that someday (soon?), Judah will accept Jesus' solution. For now, it is offered freely at any moment in time. He just needs to realize and internalize Jesus' solution to sin -- salvation! In the future, there will come a day when the time for accepting the Solution will pass. There will be no mercy after that.

And, as an adult, I need to continue to accept Jesus' solution. Judah needs the initial solution Christ provides which is a repentant and cleansed heart. I need the continual solution of daily remembering that I am no longer a slave to sin. Seeking the Lord and His strength is my lifelong solution to the battle I wage against my raw Flesh. May I daily use the same vocabulary my four year old did and say, "I accept Your solution!"

Milk, Steak, & Date

Judah asked me why I always drink so much water (which I probably don't drink enough...). I explained to him that as summer comes, it's very important for our bodies to have extra water...and Mommy particularly needs more water because my body makes milk for Eden. He thought for a few moments. "So, with Jesus in your heart, does He tell your tummy to make milk for Eden?" It's a little difficult to explain to kids that God created things to work a certain way and then it keeps working that way. Sounds close to deism...but that's not what I mean. After making a big mental effort in trying to explain that, Judah simply said again, "So Jesus tells your tummy to make milk?" Well, yes, He does! His creation obeys the rules He has set forth...but without God continuing to hold all things together, I suppose my tummy wouldn't have to make milk if it didn't want to. :-)

I accidentally put Judah's big boy cup of milk in front of Elijah at breakfast. The boys promptly pointed out my error. I corrected the problem while saying, "I'm sorry...My mistake!" Elijah, in a that's-so-silly voice, said, "You're not a steak, Mommy!'

Hubz surprised me last night by informing me that, unbeknownst to me, he secured a sitter for Friday night. That means a date, people! Such a rarity with three youngins! Where to go...what to do...

Count Your Many Dairies

Judah and Elijah just filled a hamper to the brim with toys and scooted it into the kitchen ("church" they said). Elijah said they had toys in the basket, and Judah followed with, "Yeah, like thousands!" Really?

So, Eden is dairy intolerant. Wow. And I thought cutting out coffee and chocolate was hard! I went dairy free (except baked goods) for 3-4 days. Had pizza one evening, and the next morning Eden fussed to high heaven while nursing. Then she proceeded to have milky spit-up for 30 minutes followed by another 20 minutes of thick spit-up. Today, she's spitting up less but now has a great need for diaper changing (if you catch my drift). Dr. L is fairly certain she has a dairy intolerance and told me I need to hold off. ::sigh:: So I shall. It's worth it to nurse her. And it's only for a few more months. (Eek!)

Three things I have noticed in this non-dairy week:

1) You feel like you're not really eating. "Real" food contains gooey cheese you can sink your teeth into...or cold and creamy yogurt...or deliciously dessertful ice cream...or a refreshing glass of milk with your pancakes...or a simple bowl of cereal with milk. Nope. None of that anymore.

2) You have to get pretty basic with your diet when dairy isn't in the picture. This really surprised me. Milk is in almost everything! Granted, I still think I'm ok to eat baked goods, butter, and other things that have little dairy content. But think of how much we use cheese, sour cream, cream soups, etc. in our cuisine!

3) A diet without dairy has less fat! (Hence the feeling of not having "real" food...)

So I now embark on a journey of figuring out how I'm going to eat and plan meals for my family over the next few months until Eden is weaned. All ideas are welcome!!! And pray for me to persevere for Eden's good!

And maybe pray that when I try coffee and chocolate in a week or so after being no-dairy a little longer, that maybe she'll be ok with those. That MIGHT be an even trade...

Green Bean Security

The other day we had some green beans with our lunch. For some reason (human nature?), my boys are on strike from vegetables AND fruit (ugh). So, per my sister's advice, a new rule is that they have to take at least one bite of everything on their plate at every meal. We were webcam-ing with my mom while eating, both of us trying to coax the boys to eat at least one green bean. We were using the race tactic of who could eat the bean first. My mom sing-songy asked, "Who's going to wiiin?" Elijah replied with "Not meee."

Today, Eden received her social security card. As I was opening it, Judah asked me what it was. I told him it was her social security card. He then asked, "What is social security?" All I could say with a grin only an adult can give was, "That is a VERY good question, Judah."

Two-Week Heart Check

It's been about two weeks since we welcomed our little Eden into our arms -- and what a glorious two weeks it has been! She is so different from either of our boys! Nursing has been a breeze to establish, so much that I can actually have warm fuzzy thoughts towards her while she is nursing. That NEVER happened with the boys because nursing was so difficult with them. At two weeks, she is already on a pretty solid 3 hour schedule and has slept 4-5 hours straight the past two nights (hopefully a new pattern...).

I consider this to be a huge blessing and gift straight from the Lord. Eden is our last newborn. And we have had nothing but sweet joy and an easy transition to three kids (which we were told by many would be the hardest). Just shy of two weeks with a newborn and already Matt and I are in awe that we feel like things are routine. That's right -- routine! It seems surreal.

Not once have I had regrets or tears over our decision that Eden would be our last biological baby as I expected I would. Not in the recovery room and not in the days since then. My thoughts have consistently been along positive lines. Resting in the knowledge that my body is finished being put through the rigors and pains of pregnancy and c-sections as well as being excited to get in shape for good. Feeling complete as a family (like my arms are "full," as my mom describes it). Looking forward to years of worry-free romance with my hubby. I haven't focused at all on not ever again having a pregnant belly, feeling a baby inside, etc. And even thinking about that now as I write leaves me unaffected emotionally. God is SO good to affirm decisions we make in faith by allowing our hearts to be at peace once the decision is final.

Thank you, Father, for letting Your peace reign in my heart these last two weeks. From the moments in surgery when I knew my child-bearing days were ending to tonight when I see my last newborn in her daddy's arms, I relish this "complete" feeling You have given my heart. I sit in awe at how You have granted our family an incredibly easy transition to three children and life with a daughter. What a gift to have so much enjoyment with our last newborn journey!

The Time Has Come

Monday is a big day. A day of joyous "hello" and bittersweet "goodbye."

We say a joyous "hello" to our daughter Eden! What a change this will bring to our home. She makes our kid-count three, what we've heard to be the hardest transition in a family's life. She is a...she! That in itself is a major shift in thinking for all of us. Different colors, more clothes and accessories, different diaper changes... But we are excited to welcome her. Our hearts are more than ready though our brains are still trying to comprehend how this transition is going to happen!

We say a bittersweet "goodbye" to our childbearing. This is something I had to come to grips with before we even got pregnant with Eden, that my hubby had a strong preference we stop having biological children at three due to increased risks with repeat c-sections. It was a long two months of praying, soul searching, motive evaluating, and counsel seeking. But God was faithful to answer, reveal, and provide. My heart moved in line with my husband's compassionate and wise desire to protect his wife, and it has remained at peace since then. But I knew as delivery drew near with our third child, the bittersweet moments would increase. I'll never have a pregnant belly again. Never feel a baby moving inside my womb. Never again go through one of the most incredible Creation processes that can ONLY point to an amazing Creator. But God is good to provide positives in my thinking to counteract the bittersweetness. Better motivation to get and stay in shape knowing pregnancy will no longer hinder nor help me. Clear focus on raising three children for a good chunk of years. Intimacy for the sole purpose of intimacy, free from planning and wondering (one of the reasons we chose to stack our childbearing at the beginning of marriage). Yes, it's bittersweet. But praise the Lord for peace within that emotion.

And praise the Lord that, though we are done being pregnant, we are not done having children. Somewhere, someday, we pray that He will guide us to one more precious Arrow to welcome into our family as a picture of what He has done for us.

We have been fruitful and multiplied. He has filled our quiver with blessings. He has built our house. And we will continue to step out in faith, believing that He is guiding us in these major life events and decisions.

Thank you, Lord, for the privilege of carrying three of your creations within me. Thank you for allowing me to be a woman and experience Your miraculous creation of the childbearing process. I will treasure it always. May You be my Strength as I now must carry myself with strength and dignity knowing I will not bear children again. May You cause me to continually smile at the future when, if You are willing, we bring home a fourth child to raise for Your glory.

Judah's Dinner Prayer

"Dear Jesus, thank you for this food and for the beautiful weather that you made for us. And please help Mommy to feel better by eating ice because she's an adult. Amen."

Note: Chewing ice is common for me during this late pregnancy. It's theraputic for some reason and cools me down. I told the boys only adults eat ice, and gave the "it makes me feel better" cop-out to Judah when he asked why I do it. :-)

A Beautiful Picture

An Excerpt from "The Wife" by Washington Irving

...Nothing can be more touching than to behold a soft and tender female, who had been all weakness and dependence, and alive to every trivial roughness, while treading the prosperous paths of life, suddenly rising in mental force to be the comforter and support of her husband under misfortune, and abiding, with unshrinking firmness, the bitterest blasts of adversity.

As the vine, which has long twined its graceful foliage about the oak and been lifted by it into sunshine, will, when the hardy plant is rifted by the thunderbolt, cling round it with it's caressing tendrils, and bind up its shattered boughs; so is it beautifully ordered by Providence, that woman, who is the mere dependent and ornament of man in his happier hours, should be his stay and solace when smitten with sudden calamity; winding herself into the rugged recesses of his nature, tenderly supporting the drooping head, and binding up the broken heart.

A Tale of Three Pregnancy Comments

Yesterday, I was grocery shopping by myself, pushing through my body's exhaustion after having run several errands already. I was looking for a certain spice mix in the baking aisle when this guy all of the sudden walks quickly past me from behind. As he passed by, my ears heard him quietly say, "So when is that baby girl due?" Now, the fact that he kept walking quickly and that he spoke so quietly meant that my brain was not processing everything as it was happening. So after a few seconds of figuring out exactly what words he said and then being astounded, I managed to call out, "Next month." After a few more seconds of shocked processing, I called out louder, "How did you know it's a girl??" He turned around but kept walking backwards as he said, "I can just tell. You're carrying high. And I have two of my own." He turned and was gone from my aisle. I still stood there in complete shock. So much, that I said to a fellow lady shopper who had seen the exchange, "That was freaky." She gave a little laugh and moved on. The simple fact that this stranger (who was male) knew I was having a girl and commented on it is weird enough. But what makes it MORE weird is that EVERY person who has commented on what I'm having has argued with me that it must be a boy because of how I am carrying. Two women in particular actually held a conversation with me for a minute or more about how I had to be having a boy no matter how many times I reassured them it was indeed a girl, confirmed by several ultrasounds. The Safeway Stranger is one I will never forget!

Then today, an older lady at church graciously approached me and asked with a gentle smile "How are you feeling? Big?" I told her I'm good save for a couple small complaints of back/hip pain and the onset of swelling but I only have a month left. That's when the conversation took a turn towards major confusion and foot-in-mouth disease for her. She asked something about if I knew whether or not it was twins. (WHAT??) I think I was so surprised at the question that I stammered my reply it was not twins and couldn't imagine carrying two babies. Then she started questioning if they can tell if someone is having twins these days, like do ultrasounds show if there are two babies or is it a surprise. (::dumbfounded stare::) I told her absolutely they know if you are having twins and was going to go into the fact that even if you don't have an ultrasound, they can still find two heartbeats. But she cut me off with, "Well, I guess she's just a big girl then, huh?" (Oh dear.) "Well, no actually she is small which is part of why they are continuing to monitor her with monthly ultrasounds." I think she realized that was her Strike Two, and she may have then mentioned something about me looking big. I told her I was actually smaller than I was with either of my sons. Strike Three. I don't even remember how the conversation ended, probably too mystified by the plainly odd nature of her questioning and also feeling sorry for her indirectly saying three times I was big when all the facts prove I'm quite small for 34 weeks. I didn't have the heart to also tell her NO ONE has told me I look big. :-P

Which brings me to the Mailman's comment this past week. I've had some issues with this mailman in the past seeming almost too friendly and knowledgeable of me and my family (including telling me once that I have a beautiful face...). But I think I've gotten over my fear and realized that he just must be my Really Friendly Neighborhood Mailman. So the other day, the boys ran to the mailbox when he was there so he could give them the mail. I moseyed on over to supervise. Mailman asked me how baby was doing. I told him fine, that she was arriving next month. He exclaimed, "Next month?? You're not big at all! I thought you were going to say you had 5 months left or something." ::shock:: I think I said thank you, and then I explained that I am smaller than I was with either of the boys. But then I got to thinking...what would Mailman (or anyone) say if they thought I was huge and I said I had one month left. You don't hear people exclaiming, "WOW! A whole month left? You're already a land whale. How much bigger could you possibly get?" I suppose people must just give a cordial "hmm" or blank smile instead of responding with that if it's what they believe about you. So I'm content with the Mailman's opposite response. :-P

Encouragement - From a 4-Year Old

I sat there sewing another nursing cover for a friend. Judah was standing by the table playing with Toby, the latest addition to his Thomas set. All of the sudden, he very gently said, "Mommy? You are so good...you are so good to sew those for other mommies."

::teary:: Wow. My sweet 4-year old son recognized that what I do for business is also goodness towards others. That what I sew is used by other mommies and helps them. Somehow, because of his fresh innocence in discovering non-tangible concepts, it meant the world to me to hear him say that. It was also somewhat of a relief to know that, though I'm not spending time with him when I sew, he understands why I do it.

Thank you, Lord. It was precious to see growth in my son's understanding of what You require of us. And the encouragement was simply a bonus!

Why have children?

That's a question I've asked myself a few times in the last week as pregnancy has ramped up fatigue and back/hip pain...and also as two high-energy boys are about to be joined by another child.

Today, I pondered the question a little more because the question has definitely irritated me. Why would I ask that? I love my kids!

When you get down to the bottom of it, the reason we have children is not:

1) Because that's what we humans do.

2) To gain enjoyment from them (because they certainly cause an equal amount of trials!).

3) To raise up more humans who can live happy lives just moving about this earth.

So why have children? I think there are two very foundational reasons while all other reasons are merely bonuses to our earthly lives.

We have children because we are commanded to.

But more importantly, we have children in order to raise up more people who will bring glory to God's name. Not that we are adding to His glory -- He is already 100% glory. We are just adding voices and lives who can increase the celebration of His glory. And if I as a mom can learn to keep THAT my focus in raising my kids, so much will fall into place in the mothering process (like patience, love, spending time on discipline and teaching, etc.).

When everything else is the focus, everything will be blurry.

When God's glory is the focus, everything else becomes crystal clear.

Psalm 127

Judah's Breakfast Prayer & a ScripBit

Simple, but too cute for a Momma not to share.

"Dear Jesus, thank you for this wonderful day you made for us. ::distracted by Elijah...distracted again...:: And thank you for all this food to fill our tummies. Amen."

Today's ScripBit (a bit from Scripture):

"And Jesus answered them, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.'" -Luke 5:31-32

Simply put, humility is needed for true repentance to happen.

Soldiers & Shrinking

Judah has proven that he has entered that phase of childhood in which thought-provoking questions are a daily occurrence.

Yet another early morning breakfast question... "Does Jesus love soldiers?"

I was a little stunned (again) at the randomness of this question since nothing that morning had been remotely related to soldiers. Maybe there was something on the morning news he saw that my mind missed? Or perhaps his mind was going back to the Nightly News the evening before. To give a little context, even before my sons were born, I held the conviction that guns were not going to be toys in our home for a very long time if ever. I understand it's in male nature to conquer and protect, but I don't think pretending with guns should be part of little boys' lives. Personal preference, that's all. So far, we've been quite successful at this. The only exposure my boys have had to guns and killing is pretty much the news which is always reporting on situations involving soldiers, weapons, police, murder, etc. And I am perfectly ok with that. I don't want my sons to be ignorant of these things -- but I do want them to learn about them with a proper perspective. So far so good. (And I'll take a moment to thank my older sister for asking her sons not to gun-play around my boys during the holidays...it really meant a lot to me that she respected my preference even though it is different from hers!)

So back to the question, "Does Jesus love soldiers?" What a question from a 3 year old! It immediately showed me that perhaps he was doubting that Jesus loves soldiers, but why? Ah, maybe because he understands that soldiers kill people and killing is wrong. God is the one who is gives and takes life. I asked him, "Do you think that Jesus might not love soldiers because they kill people?" He nodded his head yes. How precious to see such an innocent thought process. The answer was not very easy to explain, and even made me have a basic realization about soldiers. I began with explaining that yes, Jesus does love soldiers. Jesus loves all people and wants them to love Him. I told Judah that being a soldier is a job just like being a doctor, which he seemed to understand. Matt explained to him that many soldiers don't even use their guns, that they help rescue people and provide for their needs. I jumped in to tell Judah that a long, long time ago, God had his very own army...men were soldiers for God! He smiled really big! But then it hit me...wait a second. God had an army, and He commanded that army numerous times to conquer other peoples and not leave one human being alive in various cities. That's killing. And God punished His army if they did NOT obey His command to kill everyone they conquered. Wow. Matt piped up to say that was a concept we didn't need to start teaching yet -- and it's a concept I'm not sure we can fully understand as humans!

Last night, Judah all of the sudden told me that if we don't read our Bible and pray, we will start shrinking. I'm sure it came from Sunday school, but he was not able to explain it in different terms. Still not certain what exactly he means! :-)

How can we see Jesus and God?

The other day at breakfast, Judah randomly asked me, "How can we see Jesus and God?" A little stunned at the depth of this early morning question, it took me a few seconds to figure out how to answer. One quick look out the window reminded me that at this moment in life, we can see WHO God is by looking at His creation. I explained this to Judah.

See how beautiful the snow is and how amazing it is?
Yes.
Well, who made all the snow?
GOD!
If He made all the snow, then He is more beautiful and more amazing than even all that snow! And someday, we will see Jesus Himself if we believe in Him, love Him, and obey Him.

Judah got a serene and excited smile as he piped up: "I believe in Jesus!!!"

Please, Lord, let this kiddo's heart continue down this path!

How God Made Judah

One of the running themes of our Christmas vacation was children finding candy and cookies and secretly eating them. It started with Elijah finding Matt's reeses pb cup gift during "naptime" and eating 13 of them before Judah ran to get us. Later that same day, he kept finding some of the other kids' candy and tried to open it before I caught him. A few days later, the boys found some of Papa's lime cookies and munched on those. Jeepers! And here's where the story of How God Made Judah comes in...

Matt took Judah into the kitchen to talk to him about eating Papa's cookies without asking permission. Judah had a white ring around his mouth, and the lime cookies have a powdered finish on them. Judah answered "no" when asked if he ate any of the cookies. Hmm. Didn't exactly match up with what his lips showed. So Matt started talking to him about whether or not he was lying and how his lips looked like they had something on them. Matt asked Judah why he had white stuff on his lips. "Because that's how God made me." After further discussion, Judah was not backing down from his "no I didn't eat a cookie." Matt got a rag to wipe Judah's mouth -- and discovered it was dried milk rather than powdered sugar! :-P So Judah was telling the truth. And we guess he said that's how God made him because he was trying to come up with something to explain why there was white stuff on his lips so he wouldn't be in trouble. Oh, how the human mind works -- and this smart one is in a 3 year old's body!

Meetings, Memory, & More

A few times the past couple days, I've heard Judah ask Elijah to "come to the meeting." I asked him once what he was talking about. He explained that it was a pretend meeting by their dresser, but I couldn't discover a reason for the meeting. :-)

Proof that a kid's memory is better than we anticipate: Judah is 3. We do watch some TV, but not a whole lot. Mostly a little news in the morning, an occasional cooking show, and sometimes nightly news and the "letter game" (Wheel of Fortune). The rest is all kid shows. So they are not really exposed to many commercials geared for adults. BUT... Last night, we had the TV muted during commercials while watching the letter game. Judah was half-playing, half-paying attention to the TV. A Geico commercial came on, one without the typical spokespeople. At the very end, the word "Geico" came on screen, and Judah blurted out "Guy-co!" He knew what it was simply by the look of their logo. No audible words necessary. And he's 3. I wonder how many other logos he would know by now. I know there's been studies done on this, but I've not heard of any that used 3 year olds who don't watch a ton of TV as their subjects. :-P

Elijah says SO much now! You can carry on conversations with the kid! He shocked Matt the other day at dinner by saying "five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten!" He's shocked me by regularly recognizing the letters A, B, and E. He can say tons of sentences loud and clear that it's almost getting the point of not having much cuteness to translate and tell about! But here are a few things that are still cute...

Fire Druck: fire truck (and sometimes the "truck" doesn't sound so kosher...)
Eatmahl: oatmeal
Foo tee-ohs: fruity cheerios
Sooz me: excuse me
Bah-po: pillow (took me a while to figure this one out)

Judah is starting to plan things out (even saying "here's the plan") and used the word "loudly" correctly yesterday. Many hand gestures to go along with his conversations, too! Cute, funny, and scary!

Cuteness

For about a week or so, Judah has been sweetly saying "Excuse me, My Dear" when he wishes to speak to me while I am in the middle of something. I think he has figured out that it melted my heart the first time and generally tends to get my attention more rapidly than "Mommy...mommy...mommy..."

Yesterday morning, I was changing Elijah out of his pajamas. He found his nipple, as all curious kids do at one point or another. He started pointing from nipple to belly button saying, "Small bee-bo...big bee-bo...small bee-bo...big bee-bo..." Too cute!

Judah really loves to have oatmeal with "crasberries" (dried cranberries) in the morning for "breh-bress" to warm him up. And he loves to help Daddy use a "screw-scriver" when they are being Bob the Builders. He does talk SUPER well for a 3 year old, but there are a few words I choose not to correct because they're just so cute. I mean, he's gotta have SOME words in his vocabulary that still sound like a little kid,, right??

Elijah has a thing for socks. He often takes them off his own feet as well as other people's feet. A recent episode: He quickly slipped baby Peter's socks off and bolted to the other room to shove them under a pillow for safe hiding. And though Elijah's small and built, this kid can really move fast when he's getting away from you! And he thinks he's so clever and cute when he does it, too. And he's right!

Cute-isms

Judah

He had Skittles for the first time last night. He loves them. And he calls them "crystals."

You can be praying for Judah. The last couple weeks he has had some pretty deep questions for a three year old that are exciting and serious at the same time. Questions about what happens to parts of your body when you die (what happens to your lungs? can you talk when you die?). Questions about guns (what is a gun? can it make you die?). Questions about hell and heaven (where is the fire at? Jesus is in heaven?). And he really is starting to seemingly take in our talks with him about the sin in his heart. So be praying for soft, rich soil for us to continue planting seeds in. We do desire him to know Jesus personally at an early age, but the LAST thing either of us wants is for him to grow up with all the right knowledge and behaviors without the heart firmly rooted in Christ -- the biggest trap of growing up in a Christian home that both Matt and I experienced.

Elijah

He also had Skittles for the first time last night. I gave them to him one at a time and watched closely to be sure all was ok. All of the sudden, as he was munchin' along, yellow drool started running down his chin. That candy turned on his salivary glands full force! At one point, he shook his head no and spit was flying. Ever seen Turner and Hooch? :-) Needless to say, he likes the Skittles. I do, too, actually......

Last post revealed that he says "No yike it." Well, he's started a new game with that. This is how it goes:

Lij: No yike it.
Me: You don't like it?
Lij: I DOOO yike it!!....No yike it.
Me: Aww, you don't like it?
Lij, with a sly grin: I DOOO yike it!!

hih-muh-muh-mus: hippopotamus
sahk: shark
stine: Little Einstein
dez sumping wong, Mommy: fuller phrase of "There's something wrong, Mommy"

E3

I had a dream a few nights ago that I felt the baby moving on the inside and outside of my tummy. I woke up in a half-stupor and realized I had my hands on my belly trying to feel the baby moving. That would never happen at 15 weeks! But I kept trying to feel...until I woke up all the way and realized how silly it was. But...

I felt the baby for the first time yesterday. I sat there quietly reading a book in the silent, sunshiny afternoon. I felt tiny little "twitches" in my lower left tummy. To be frank for a moment, a seasoned preggo will wait for gas bubbles to pass in order to know if it was truly the baby or something else. But time went on, and I kept feeling the little flutters without any other results. That's when you know it's the baby. :-) I've been waiting for this. Time to start cherishing this last pregnancy even more!

Familyisms

Since my last post, alot has happened. But since I only have a few readers, I know you all know the big ticket items like pregnancy, family visits, and such. :-) Just a cute little update for journaling purposes...

Mattism

Last night, I desperately needed to pop my back after sitting for too long at small group. My back hasn't really cooperated with me lately when I need to pop it, so I wasn't expecting anything great. I twisted to my right, and CRAAAAAAACK! All the way from top to bottom! Boy, did it feel wonderful! Unfortunately, it was also loud. A few who heard it gasped in shock and/or disgust. Well, anyone who is a back popper knows you can't do one side and not the other. So I twisted to my left to quickly finish, not really expecting much again. CRAAAAAACK! Wow. Ok! More gasps. Then Matt turns around and says to Robin and Emilee, "Would someone go find the king's horses and the king's men to put my wife back together again?" I'm still giggling over that. Must have just hit me right. He's got some quick wit, that man!

Dawnism

This morning, Matt and I got to have breakfast/news together before the boys woke up due to a late night last night. Matt poured himself some cereal and walked to the fridge for the milk. I got a mug down to pour myself a cup of coffee. As Matt was saying maybe he wouldn't have cereal because we are low on milk, I proceeded to pour coffee over his cereal rather than in my mug. I helped him decide not to have cereal and have yogurt instead. Wow. Gotta love those completely brainless moments!

Judahisms

"breh-bres" - still can't say breakfast :-)
"rabee-lolee" - ravioli (too bad he doesn't like it)
-The other day, I laid my head in his lap and said "Can I snuggle in your lap and take a nap?" He looked down with an astute stare and frankly said, "This is not a pillow." ::shock:: Ok then.
-When I lay him down for his nap, give him a kiss, and say "I love you," he likes to say "See you in the mean train." Ok. Whatever, silly boy. :-)
-I now understand how irritating it must have been for my mom when I wanted to watch shows or movies over and over and over and over and over. Fireman Sam, if I have to watch you save the day one more time.......
-Judah's favorite color is red. Make no mistake.

Elijahisms

-"sumping wong" - something is wrong (said in the most precious high pitched voice)
-"I do it" - no translation needed
-"no yike it" - I don't like it.
-This kid is really starting to talk. I "read" a colors book with him the other day that has all sorts of picutres in it. He can pretty much repeat whatever you ask him to! I had no idea he could say so many words. "Avacado" is pretty cute to hear. It's still different for us to watch his speech develop because he is much different than Judah who talked early and very clearly. But it's very cute and endearing at the same time. It's getting to the point where occasionally I find that I don't need to translate for someone else. That kinda pulls at the heart strings -- it means he's growing up.
-Elijah is showing signs of organization and cleanliness. He will take his shoes and socks off, shove his socks into his shoes, and then put them on the shoeshelf -- all without being asked. He lines up cars in a perfect row. He places stickers one directly on top of the other (Judah lines them up in a row). Puzzles have to be complete. He separates cars from trains and places them in their proper boxes. Just fascinating. We're still working on mealtime cleanliness and skill, but he is really growing by leaps and bounds in that area compared to where he used to be. Praise the Lord! :-P
-He is our little engineer. He shoves things in places they don't belong to see what happens (great). He takes things apart, looks them over, and puts them back together. He builds really great towers with his legos...and will sit there for a long time quietly working on it without getting frustrated (unlike Judah).
-Elijah sometimes likes me to rock and sing to him at night. If I just rock him without singing, he leans back, points to my lips, and quietly says "Seen" (sing).
-He is very good at bringing Judah down when they wrestle. Beef vs. String Bean. Judah's gonna have to rely on agility, I'm pretty sure. 'Lij? He'll just sit on you. And yet he still weighs a couple pounds less than Judah. It's ALL in how you carry your weight!!

Baby E3isms

-While talking today with my little sis about what animal we'll choose if E3 is a boy, I realized something very cool. While the boys were still in my womb, we picked out what animal we wanted them each to grow up with. We chose a lion for Judah...and his personality is social, hot tempered, and in charge. We chose a monkey for Elijah...and his personality is playful, mischievious, and adorable. Odd how that worked out perfectly. Makes me nervous to pick one for the third boy (if it's a boy!) If it's a girl, butterfly hands down. Purple with probably green and either white or brown accents. I don't mind pink, but don't drown us with it please! We're way too used to boy stuff around here!

-Speaking of doing butterflies if E3 is a girl, I found the PERFECT quote that will go in "her" room. "If nothing ever changed, there would be no butterflies" (author unknown). How awesome is that?? If we have a girl, everything will change around here. And if we don't have a girl, I don't get to have a butterfly baby. Change = butterfly baby! :-D That makes my heart happy.

-I'm waiting to feel E3 any day now. I felt Judah at 17 weeks, and Elijah was at 14. So we'll see!

Uncanny

I was reading John 11 this afternoon during the boys' naptime. That's the chapter that tells about when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. I was just about to get to the part where Martha explains to Jesus that Lazarus would stink because he'd been dead for several days. All of the sudden, breaking the afternoon quiet, Judah yelled out from his room, "PEEE-YEEEEW!" And then silence.

The boy said that in his sleep.

Question: What are the odds he would yell that particular expression out -- in his sleep -- as I was just about to read about a stinking dead body???

Morning Funnies

Last night, I went to pick up a youth from her work. Judah was already in bed but heard me leaving. He called out to ask where I was going. I told him I was going to pick up CC but would be back soon. Then I heard, "Get soft tacos!"

As Judah lay in bed with me while I tried to shake the groggies away, I asked him if he remembered his verse from Sunday school. We then started talking about who Jesus' Father is and that His mother was a lady named Mary. I have no idea why, but he started asking if Mary danced. I said I didn't know. Then Judah said, "Jaclyn danced at her wedder [wedding]." Yes, yes she did. :-)

As I was washing my face, Judah was "cooking" me some breakfast in their play kitchen. After bringing me a hamburger with a side of cracker, he said he would get me a treat. Ice cream...he specified it would be in a "pinecone." Hmm.

Elijah says:

Momess: Thomas
Mope: closest I can get to typing out how he says "milk"
Joos: juice
Hope: help
Behbess: Breakfast (also refers to all other meals)
Nack: snack
Rah: rock

And I think he said his first official complete sentence last night. Unfortunately, it was "Don't pray, Daddy." :-P He wanted to pray first!

All Prettified

So, in looking at a friend's beautiful looking blog, I found The Cutest Blog on the Block. Too cool! Yeah for a prettified blog! Check it out for yourself!

Sugary Cereal or Peaches?

Throughout each passing day, I find myself thinking of more and more analogies for the spiritual life. Today's was brought on by having Cinnamon Streusal Mini-Wheats and a peach for breakfast. The cereal was quite tasty and sweet, as was the peach. No one would argue which is better for your body -- the peach, of course. Natural vitamins, sugars, and fiber as opposed to the sugar-infused, added-vitamins fiber cereal. I ate the cereal first and then began chomping on the peach. To my surprise, the first bite of peach was QUITE bitter. The second a little less bitter, the third even less bitter, and so on. After several bites, the peach was what I considered juicy, succulent, and perfectly peachy-sweet. A drastic change from that first post-cereal bite of peach.

And then the analogy came.

We so often gorge ourselves on the things this world has to offer -- TV, video games, books, e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, etc. But how often do we reach for God's Word or spend time with Him in prayer? It's so easy to get out of practice with the latter and so easy to fall into hours of practice with the former. And what always happens when we've immersed ourselves in worldy things and recognize we need to shape up and start spending our time where it is most needed? It doesn't taste good! Our selfish flesh fights against focusing on what is right. We experience the bitterness of conviction and failure. The taste is bitter, but the nutrients are still good for us. After a while, if we are disciplined and persevere, our spirit starts winning over our flesh and time with God and His Word is sweet and desirable.

If only we'd eat the Peach first, then we'd enjoy EVERY nutritious bite...and perhaps not be so thrilled with the sugary cereal of the world.

Recent Cuteness

Judah ran up to me yesterday afternoon and hugged my leg while saying, "I'm so glad I have a Mom and Dad." ::warm fuzzies::

Judah looked at Norah during breakfast this morning and said, "Her cheeks are getting bigger!"

Elijah says...

Roh: roll
Wee-bit: ribbit
Za date: the gate
Ope: help
Doo-joo: Judah
Hoo-oo: the name for his blue monkey

Elijah really likes pushing Norah in the stroller. He pushes while I guided. Made me think of a great analogy! It is our responsibility to keep pushing forward in our Faith, and it is God's responsibility to guide us if we are His. When we try to steer away from where God is guiding, we get stuck and risk hurting ourselves and others!

While playing in the GORGEOUS low humidity this morning, I saw several cicada exoskeltons, so I took the opportunity to teach the boys a little. I explained that there is a bug that comes out of his shell, and that the shell was empty but looked like the bug. Judah mentioned he saw a green bug "over dere" and took me to it. Sure enough -- it was a cicada that had JUST molted! His wings were still crumpled up, so there was no fear of him flying at us or away. We watched him every so often and helped him get on the grass rather than the sidewalk. I kept explaining that his wings needed to dry and uncurl. The last time we checked on him, Judah was able to see big wings! He got to see the change. A good science lesson for today! :-)