Whew

It's hunting season. (translated: No such thing as a "Saturday" anymore.)
Luke's on 2 committees at church. (Translated: evenings away a lot, and even home a lot of time spent focused on that.)
Kids have been sick with both stomach bugs and some virus that causes fever, of course always on different days. (Translated: sleepless nights)
I have been sick and having tests done (translated: I get to find a lot of babysitters so I can do a lot of stressful tests.)

I'm worn out.

I am making a decision to have a good attitude and give thanks in every circumstance. I'm glad that attitude is a choice and not something that just happens to us. And I'm thankful that it at least SEEMS like these things have got to be coming to an end soon.

Boot Shopping

I took Kaden boot shopping today.

Just me, Kaden, and Kate. Oh...and that's a "me-without-my-coffee" version of me. Let's just say that's the last time we go boot shopping without a back-up adult.

Also, I didn't even KNOW that Walmart workers knew how to offer help...until today. THEY WOULDN"T STOP. I mean, seriously, Lady...my kid is running through your store and you are talking my ear off trying to convince me to buy him a $30 pair of boots? Since when did you work on commission? First. I would like to catch my kid. Second. I'm sweating like a crazy mama cuz I wore my (apparently very WARM) snowboots and a coat (Why didn't I realize boot shopping requires shorts and tennis shoes, even on the coldest of days?) Third. You realizing my kid ran off and then trying to WOO him back is only making matters worse-he thinks it's a hilarious scene. Fourth. I AM NOT PAYING $30 TO WALMART FOR BOOTS FOR A 2 YEAR OLD!!!! If I wanted to pay that much I'd go to Payless and at least get a second pair half price just to make myself feel better.

Moving On. Dear Kmart. Your store associates were slightly better. At least they tried to convince my 2 year old BOY to want a BOY pair of boots. Unfortunately, your store training needs improvement in that area. I think it may have actually convinced him that the Tinkerbell boots were the only ones allowed to touch his toes. At least they are blue Tinkerbells. Also, your associate may be the only stranger EVER to actually calm down my screaming Kate. For that, I am forever thankful. Lastly, I'd have appreciated it if the boots could have been on sale the TEENIEST bit. I mean your winter coats were 40% off. Was that just to make me feel bad that the boots were NOT. If the boots go on sale this Sunday I swear....

All in all, I learned some very important lessons. 1. NEVER EVER FORGET YOU COFFEE ON A MONDAY MORNING. 2. Boot shopping for a 2 year old is never a good idea alone. 3. Boot shopping with a 2 year old and no coffee is nearly fatal. 4. Just stay home on Mondays. Just stay home.

I know you are all dying to see his new boots. Luke says they're "gross." I don't know if I've ever heard Luke use that word before. So, here they are. They aren't as bad as they could be-let's all just keep that in mind.


Since we are on the subject of boots- I was told once that if you go boot shopping with a guy, you are destined for marriage. That was about 3 weeks before Luke asked me to go shopping for boots with him. I knew we were meant to be. (Thankfully, I knew that before, so I will never question it..but still.) Whatever girl is destined to boot shop with my boy---I pray for patience and lots of love.

Snowdirt

It snowed the other day. Kaden calls it snowdirt. That's just what it is. Don't argue with him!

Well, the other day he was sitting eating his breakfast and he suddenly says "OH NO!" I said "What's wrong?" and he pointed at the park out our backyard and said "Park dirty!"

No, Kaden. It's snow.

Today he played in the snow for 45 minutes before I had to make him come into to let his ankles/feet warm up. Poor kid doesn't have boots. Guess what we will be looking for tomorrow? The first thing he did was plop down in the middle of the snow and say "I CAN EAT IT!" Why does that not surprise me?

Daddy, Break My Toes!

The other day Luke was rubbing my feet and when he's done he always pops my toes...just like my dad always used to do. Well, Kaden was watching, and as Luke is finishing up one foot I see Kaden start taking off his socks. Pretty soon he has his foot on Luke's lap, "Daddy! Break MY toes!!"

hilarious.

So the next day I had a babysitter, and she told me that while they were sitting, watching a movie, he was pulling on her finger saying, "Kaden break your finger!"

Um. WHAT 2 year old says that? After she knew the story she found it as funny as I did! :)

I Thessalonians 5:16-18

I don't remember the last time I watered my plants. (they don't either, I'm guessing, by the looks of their curled up dry leaves).

My kitchen floor is half chipboard, half plywood, and it will be like that indefinitely.

My kitchen sink is stuffed with dirty dishes. (we won't talk about the countertops)

my kitchen table didn't get wiped down after dinner last night. (Or breakfast, or lunch, for that matter.)

my bathroom shower has been in the process of being cleaned for 24 hours now, thanks to my children and their amazing ability to need me right when I'm back at it.

my laundry has been in the process of being done for 3 days. It's not looking good for getting done today.

We (luke and I) have been challenged to think through the most important issues in life, church, and relationships...and are reminded that it's iron that sharpens iron...not anything soft and cuddly.

my yard needs raked (AGAIN).

We've had 3 dr. appointments this week, and more in the near future, with no conclusions found. (lets don't even talk about the money that goes along with that)

my son has decided the mom's voice is un-hearable, and therefore, he can do as he pleases.

and the rest of my house isn't much better than the previous list.

And I don't know when my inlaws are getting here. (hopefully after I get done procrastinating, and get this place back in order!)

However. I will remember what Pastor Gary preached about on Sunday and CHOOSE to "Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in ALL circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Amen. I'm so thankful to have a God that tells us to be joyful, give thanks, etc...instead of telling us to look to ourselves for our strength, look out for #1, and bask in our own woes and worries... I'd be so miserable.

Katelyn Joy is 6 months old...

(sob)(sob)

This momma is TOO sentimental with this baby. I hereby resolve to be excited about her growing up!

{resolve FAIL}

Ok, nevermind. Here are some pictures of my baby girl with her bear. I just love her easy going and sweet personality. She really is the easiest baby I've ever known.

My Little Monster is Baaaaaaack!

Kaden's had a cough and runny nose for 9 weeks. I was just sure it was allergies, because he never had any other symptoms. He never complained of anything. He got more and more cuddly and laid back, but I figured anyone with allergies would feel more and more miserable the longer the season went. Finally he got to the point where I decided even if it is allergies I need to get him on some allergy meds to help him feel like a human being again.

(this is kaden "playing naptime" which he "played" a lot. Any excuse to lay down whithout actually going to bed, really.)

Instead the Dr. put him on antibiotics. And within 24 hours that child was back to running around our island, climbing on everything, using his voice excessively (I had forgotten how loud that boy is!) etc...

I feel like a bad mom. And I feel even worse as I think to myself (as he's climbing on Theresa's coffee table for the millionth time) "I think I liked him better sick."

Also, in the last 9 weeks he's been so laid back that I've hardly had to discipline him. I mean, you can't get them in trouble when they aren't doing it. So, I think he forgot the rules...which is why he was even climbing on the coffee table, putting the dog food in the water, etc...he forgot that rules aren't there just to be broken. Now I have to remind him. Unfortunately.

Theresa, thanks for putting up with him (and us!) today, and hopefully next time the coffee table will be more respected. OR i could bring a leash. Either way. I regress...

Now I know better than to wait 9 weeks. Maybe 3-4 is more reasonable. I don't want to be the mom who runs her kid to the doctor for every twitch, sneeze and itch. But, I don't want my kids to suffer longer than needed either. And Kaden is such a fun-loving little guy that he never complains!

I still think he may have some allergies, but am hoping this is really the cure.