Mom4God

They're Bundled and Set Free

2012-01-12T13:10:00.000-05:00

They had a blast outside, messing up pristine snow and shoveling like maniacs. 12 minutes later they were ready to come in. Ashton requested hot cocoa - kid after my own heart!

Boys in Pajamas

2012-01-12T09:41:00.002-05:00

I am so richly blessed with three adorable, loveable boys who adore one another.

Just Over 3 Weeks Late

2012-01-12T09:37:00.000-05:00

Mother Nature just couldn't pull it together in time for Christmas (sorry Uncle Tay & Aunt Celeste!) but she finally received the memo and Andy and I even stayed up until midnight to see the first accumulations. We passed out and woke up at 5:30am to neighbors scraping snow off their vehicles. Andy took my 4 wheel drive to work so we're stuck at home (praise the Lord! Maybe I will finally put Christmas decorations away and attack the ironing pile!). The boys will be suiting up to go out soon.

What Time Is It?! It's Tebow Time!

2012-01-09T14:23:00.001-05:00

Like all households, there are certain things that are a big deal around the house. Around here, it's Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos. I married into it and Andy's family is steeped deep in Orange Crush, their hearts residing at Mile High and their wish lists filled with FatHeads of John Elway. It starts at an early age around here. Grandma and Grandpa provide the wardrobe and Andy sets the scene. The intensity is high during game time ... you dare not walk in front of the flat screen, especially during the 4th quarter: that's Tebow time!

While Daddy goes wild in front of the tv, the boys throw cloth footballs around and tackle each other

Sometimes friends come over ... and the Broncos, Packers & Vikings all co-exist in Christian fellowship

Proud Fathers

Aiden & Josh are all boy, all the time!

Snow, A Month Ago

2011-11-17T12:29:00.001-05:00

So I know this snow blanketed us last month and we've had a mild November so far, but no doubt, more of the white stuff is brewing just off to the north!

Floor Time

2011-11-17T12:15:00.001-05:00

While the big boys napped, the two youngest vied for my attention while playing on the floor

Me -n- My Man

2011-11-08T13:37:00.001-05:00

with 3 kids,

Andy and I still try to fit in time for each other

He's so handsome!

BUT ... the dinner table might not be the most quiet, peaceful place to

"steal away a romantic moment"

Baby Boy Blue

2011-11-08T13:28:00.001-05:00

My Little Sugar-High Tebows

2011-11-01T01:14:00.000-04:00

My Little Football

Trick-or-Treating with Ms. Ana & Friend David (and Mr. Jeff)

My Tebows

So excited yet still sweet & shy

Getting so big

Mr. Blue Eyes

Aiden's Friend

Aiden's "decorations"

Waiting to pass out candy

"Mom, you're the coolest for letting us eat candy right before bedtime!"

Best day of the year in their books

Surveying the loot

Surveying the Looter

Me -n- My Team

And then Aaron declared the party over.

Time for pj's & teeth brushing!

Some Years Are Just Like That

2011-10-30T23:34:00.002-04:00

"Some years are just like that" was my mother-in-law's text comment, on me thanking her for flying across the country for Thanksgiving instead of expecting us to fly out West. "Like what?!" I whisper acerbically, to the sleeping baby who's somehow still nursing after 35 minutes and the dog, who's whining at the small rodent inside the wall between the master bedroom and closet. It's 9:30 at night and I have finally descended the stairs after a grand total of 3.5 hours since I ushered the boys into the bathtub. "Like what?!" I mutter again, now only to the dog, who wags her tail enthusiastically. She begins to whine excitedly, which is because she mistook my comment as "Let's go out to the garage and grab the sledgehammer and bust open the wall so you can nab that little rodent and teach him a lesson or two about sneaking around in humans' houses." As I plop down on the couch, the dog realizes we're not on the same page and redirects her attention toward sideways digging at the carpet for a lost bone under the love seat. Her tail brushes a balloon and she nearly jumps out of her skin. Oh skittish rescue mutts.

I grab the laptop, flip it open, throw my feet up on the ottoman and take a big sigh.

Smells like baby vomit and syrup. The former because it's all over Andy's Old Navy blob-ish sweatshirt I'm sporting, and the latter because that's what's on the plates that are still sitting at the table. Yep, pancakes for dinner. Classic. If only the dish-fairy were real. That's one I'd actually teach my kids about.
I look around the living room for blogging inspiration and my eyes rest on the monster in the room: the laundry basket piled high with about 7 loads of laundry just waiting for eager hands to fold it. At least they're clean. Though if they sit there long enough, they might get musty and then I'll have the joy of washing them all over again. But Andy's so sweet about the whole laundry thing. Like today. In a flurry of get-home-from-Red-Robin-and-leave-for-work-in-2.5-minutes, he kindly asks "And where can I look for some clean work pants?" How can I be mad at that?
I grab for another mini-Twix bar, willing it to not add extra inches to my waist as I scarf it down. Ahh, the 10 seconds of chocolate-induces heaven. Priceless. If only I could live in sweatpants. Then I'd have to shop exclusively at Walmart. They don't have a gas-discount-program, so that idea's out.

I used to think I was cool. High heels, curled hair, flashy red car, great job. Then for some reason I wanted to get pregnant. (Thank goodness I was married. And for 3 years. Cuz kids can count.) 5 years after that, I have 3 kids, a SUV that comfortably seats 7, LLBean "comfort" shoes lining my closet, and found myself in a parenting class at church this morning, clutching my coffee mug like it was life support, late, of course, because I was in the nursery having the 2 year old being surgically removed from my arms, kicking and screaming. Him, not me, just for the record. Oh, and a bunion. From all the high heels. WebMD says I have to have it surgically removed. I'll just fit that in between nursing a 3 month old 10 times a day and running to and from preschool. And all the "older" parents I know say these are the good years. They say it only gets tougher. Really? Really?!?!? Because I'm having a hard time visualizing that.

Pretty sure I'll be a better parent when I have a full night's sleep, no indigestion from scarfing dinner down in order to break up a fight over who has more apple slices, and don't have to run around the house doing everything one-handed with the baby hugging my shoulder, spit-up dripping down my back, onto the floor and the dog following me, dutifully cleaning the vomit trail with her tongue!!!

And Andy thanks me for not letting myself go. He must be blind, or at least unconscious when he's around me, because as far as I'm concerned, I am 180 degrees from the woman I used to be. I used to be the girl who went to Vegas in 4 inch gold heels right after she turned 21. Now I can't watch Law and Order because it gives me nightmares. My socks have holes in them, I get excited to go to the grocery store at 10pm because it means no embarrassing or frustrating kid meltdowns in the produce department over red vs. green grapes, and I can hear the couch cushion I'm sitting on yelling for a reprieve. I pray that one day when I am finally at peace to "be done" having babies that I will have restored myself to at least a fraction of the cool, organized person I used to call "self."

So I guess right now is just "one of those years." I'm supposing these things are not new to history. I mean, I can't really sit at home until the kids are all in college and THEN hit play on the remote control of my life. That would be silly.

But right now, as the kids and their Stalin-istic ways bombard my every waking moment and make me wonder if being a soldier in World War III might not be so hard, the idea of "letting myself go" both physically and mentally is not too far off. Or maybe it's just because I'm sleep and shower deprived that I'm contemplating self-loathing and depravity in the scariest ways that make a husband shutter in horror (Hmm. Tomorrow IS Halloween. Although I don't think my two and four year old will understand Mommy dressing up as "Seriously Desperate Housewife"). I should really leave the dishes and laundry, drag myself and the mutt to bed and pray to my Creator, Author and Perfecter of my faith, that this day-that-felt-like-a-year will quickly become history.

Dearest mother-in-law: please pray for me to realize that "some years are just like that." And by "that," I mean, all of the above.

Wittle Airpwort

2011-10-29T10:06:00.001-04:00

There's a local airport not even 2 miles from our house. So a few weekends ago, sick w/ colds, we packed into the car, TVO'd the Broncos and picnicked Pizza Hut at the "Wittle Airpwort." It was the last summer day and we revelled in it!

Ashton the Comic

2011-10-27T10:23:00.001-04:00

He's always finding ways to make us laugh ... or roll our eyes!

The Baby!

2011-10-26T14:07:00.001-04:00

He's growing so fast, I'm afraid he won't be a baby much longer. The early months seem to go by faster and faster with each boy. 12 weeks old tomorrow, Aaron reaches and grabs at toys (though not always successfully), smiles at familiar faces, and carries on the sweetest goo-goo-ga-ga conversations. And he is still sleeping through the night. YES!

Sooo Early

2011-10-26T11:04:00.001-04:00

Guess it's time to grab a steaming mug, cuz look what's heading our way!

Season's First Appreciable Snow Possible in Northeast

Vermont Air

2011-10-18T15:17:00.002-04:00

Vermont air is the freshest of all the states’, to besure. Not that I have had theprivildge of visiting them all, however I daresay I would be of this mindseteven if I was born in the Green Mountain state and never stepped foot outsideof its boundaries. I suck in deepand my breath catches, not from the preverbal cold I cannot seem to shake, butfrom the crisp air floating in through the open second-story window of mytownhouse rental overlooking Vermont’s highest peak. With Little Milk Breath on my lap, we relax on the leathercouch in front of the fireplace, not the least bit upset that the Pride andPrejudice dvd is stuck and skipping through scenes at random withoutsound. The view of theunadulterated soft mountain dotted by every shade of autumn imaginable,combined with the quiet (minus the hum of the clothes tumbling in the dryer)can be summed up in one lovely word: vacation. The two and a half day hietus from countryside suburbia hasnot turned out the way Andy nor I envisioned, yet through the headcolds, rain& unprecedented 4 year old tantrums we have come to the realization thatthis IS a relaxing trip. I will besad to leave the alpine luxury I have come to enjoy oh so quickly, to return toa demanding household and my random small-scale projects and commitments, so Ijust won’t think about driving westward just yet. I shall goreheat my bbq chicken pizza, wrap a warm quilt around the baby, sit out on thebalcony, and take a few more deep breaths of organic Vermont air.

When It Rains...

2011-09-30T17:09:00.001-04:00

We play in the mud!

Shoutout Monday

2011-09-19T13:28:00.001-04:00

I am going to try something new. It's my replacement for email because frankly, I just don't have enough minutes in the day where my hands are free to type an email and text everyone the sentiments that go through my mind and heart for those I love. So here goes.

Gigi - thanks for the coupon and I look forward to the candles! I bet they'll come just in time for the brunch next Monday.

Sharon - I'll try to call tonight but we'll see how awake I am when I get back from the Back-to-School Night and Parent/Teacher Fellowship meeting. But I can't wait to catch up!

Aunt Kim - Thank you so much for your sweet email a while ago - I treasure your encouragement, am happy to see you and Uncle Morggie getting out and relaxing (finally, right?!), and am praising the Lord Colton is doing ok.

Mom - keep up the studying!

Dad - LOVE YOU!

Thanks everyone for letting me put all that out there - and I would do more but I HAVE to get the boys down for naps. Why? Because I can't always be THIS sane

Because my living room looks like THIS

And that's the cleanest room in the house!

First Week of Aiden's 4 Year Old Preschool

2011-09-17T10:26:00.000-04:00

At 4.5, Aiden is attending preschool at the same private Christian school as last year. He has the same teachers and all but 2 of the same classmates, with a total of 12 kids in the class (only 3 are girls!). The time at school is the same, but the difference this year is that it's 3 days a week - and for this non-morning family, it's a bit of a challenge ... but I'm getting used to it!

Aiden is much more outgoing this year, is a leader during playtime and recess, is learning about "Obedient Feet" and has decided to actually paint this year. (Although it's still going to take some time to get him to finger paint!)

On Wednesday, Friend Colt rode to and from school with us. It was so much fun to have 4 boys in the back!

Rainy Day

2011-09-15T15:07:00.001-04:00

We eat breakfast in the living room

We make big yawns

And just plain bum around!

He's 6 weeks old today!

Labor Day

2011-09-07T21:42:00.001-04:00

Daddy was at work "laboring" so the boys and I came up with fun things to do to pass the rainy day. And we had a good time. South Paw was the only one who seemed a bit longing for outdoor activities.

Littlest and I wrapped up the night with Antiques Road Show (awesome!!) and a documentary on Ellis Island Hospital (humbling and sad). And yes, my hair looks like I haven't brushed it in 2 days...because I haven't!

So Much More To This Life

2011-09-06T15:21:00.000-04:00

Yep, this pretty much sums up my life as of right now on my "resume." And to think that 6 years ago I was running around on this campus, the world at my feet as I dreamed and studied to become the next supreme court justice.

And now I'm a stay at home mom. Six years ago kids weren't even on my radar. I had a promising career at a local title insurance company, was being pursued by the FBI, dining at nice restaurants and sipping Starbucks' white chocolate mocha's, morning, noon and night. But don't you think for even one minute that poor Aubrey's dreams went out the window when she got pregnant. Ok, so yes, they did, actually. And rightfully so. God had to get rid of my dreams to insert His dreams. The spiritual and emotional journey to arrive at that notion has been a long one, but as I look at my 3 sweet boys, peacefully napping in our townhouse in New York (MILES away from Arizona), I am overwhelmed with a sense of completeness, awe, wonder, and exhaustion. My life is full (literally - every waking minute!), and all those many college courses could never have prepared me for the career path God has chosen for me. There are no Cliff's Notes on how to soothe a fussy baby to sleep; no dissertation on how to make edible mashed potatoes on a humid, summer day; no TA to run to for help when a four-year-old screaming tantrum won't cease. But there IS God. He placed me here, and He'll get me through it. I can always run to Him - He is always right beside me. Actually, more like right in front, leading the way. Life is better when it's that way. Not always fun, but better. Blessed. I wouldn't trade these little faces for any Presidential-appointed seat.

So, Sarah Palin, go back home to your hubbie & kids. I might be a suffragette, but I'm also wise enough to put my humbling big girl panties on and know there is a specific place in life for mommies like me.

Aaron is 1 Month Old!

2011-09-05T09:05:00.000-04:00

Yesterday my sweet Aaron turned 1 month old. I feel like spitting on him, like the Greek family does in My Big Fat Greek Wedding to prevent him from growing up too quickly. He has the sweetest disposition: just fussy when he's hungry or needs some love. He's great at falling asleep anywhere and already has himself on a nice little schedule that includes sleeping 12 hours at night. He wakes around 4am, but I just pull him into bed with me (the perk of nursing!). This morning he hung out in bed with Andy until 8:45! He enjoys his baths, is a hearty eater, grabs at anything close, and just recently is attempting to coo at his Winnie-the-Pooh mobile above the changing table (the one from Uncle Tay and Aunt Celeste!). He sweetly puts up with all his brothers' pokes and "hugs" and loves his "Daddy Time". We'll keep him!

Adorable "Surprises" From Gigi & Grandpa Freddie

2011-09-05T08:47:00.000-04:00

THE Reason I Need Dr. James Dobson's Advice

2011-08-31T10:56:00.000-04:00

You see that expression? It was saying in not so many words, "Yep, I did this. It was a ton of fun. And no, I don't plan on cleaning any of it up ... no matter how long I have to sit on the stairs for not complying."

And I wonder why I wake up exhausted every morning!

My Literature Stack

2011-08-31T10:50:00.000-04:00

This Too Shall Pass

2011-08-31T10:48:00.000-04:00

The hurricane went and the sun has been out ever since!

Sick Peech

2011-08-31T10:44:00.000-04:00

He's 100% mischief when he's well ... and 100% pathetic and whiny when he's sick

Hangin' Out With Dad

2011-08-31T10:37:00.000-04:00

Little foot and all!

Hurricane Irene

2011-08-31T10:31:00.001-04:00

We survived the hurricane!

With minimal flooding to the backyard

Andy & Aiden's "Hurricane Investigation Station"

located on the bird feeder.
(Yup, it's constructed from, what else? Legos!)

"Fence" the resident chipmunk hung out on the station

for part of the storm

It was so dark at 2pm, the front lamp turned on!

All the howling wind frightened the 70 lb dog so much that she took up post in her "safe zone"

Out to Pizza

2011-08-30T13:44:00.002-04:00

Just hours before the boys came down with colds, we enjoyed a lovely family outing to our new favorite wood-fired pizza joint. It is located directly across from the horse track and the people watching is superb. And so is the food!

Yep, that's Ashton, wielding a knife!

Clean Baby

2011-08-27T09:04:00.000-04:00

Lego's Are the Chosen Favorite Toys of the Week

2011-08-27T08:58:00.000-04:00

Every Second It's a Different Facial Expression

2011-08-26T10:32:00.000-04:00

It's Tough Being A Sick Baby

2011-08-25T10:11:00.000-04:00

Big Boys (and South Paw) Watching the Thunderstorm

2011-08-25T10:03:00.000-04:00

Goodbye Hospital!

2011-08-20T11:17:00.001-04:00

No offense to the hospital or staff, but after 24 hours, I was feeling like an inmate, so I relentlessly pestered the nurses and Dr. B and we were able to leave after checking in 33 hours earlier. Ah, freedom!

Day One of the Rest of His Life

2011-08-19T23:08:00.002-04:00

I am already in love with this little man. He's my sweetheart!

Welcome to the Family

2011-08-19T22:33:00.000-04:00

Later that afternoon, Andy and Olive Oyle brought the Big Brothers to meet Aaron. They were more concerned about me being in the hospital and not coming home than they were about their baby brother; however they both found the tiny size of Aaron's feet fascinating.

Where's Ashton in this pic, you ask? He's behind me, pushing all the buttons on the hospital bed, including paging the nurses' station ... 3 times!

Siesta Time!

2011-08-19T12:53:00.000-04:00

Daddy and Baby Aaron were tuckered out by mid-morning. They began their male bonding early!

We Weren't at the Hospital Long...

2011-08-19T12:44:00.000-04:00

Dr. B was surprised to find me already 8 cm dilated, so I yelled for the anesthesiologist. Mom showed up, I was administered a spinal narcotic, I was in pain-free labor, and Aaron Ely was born within the hour after just 3 or 4 pushes. 7 pounds on the dot, he started eating right away ... and hasn't stopped since!

To the Hospital!

2011-08-19T11:23:00.000-04:00

7am induction was scheduled on August 4th - but I was having contractions for 6 hours prior to that.

Boys Around the House ... and the Playground

2011-08-03T21:58:00.000-04:00

False Labor Day

2011-07-27T21:33:00.001-04:00

While I was not too pleased to be kicked out of the hospital for not being in active labor

...

I was glad I did not obey hospital guidelines about no food (-;

And it was a pleasure to have my Andy right there to make me laugh

So after relieving our sweet, sweet neighbor of "boy duty", our little band of 5 decided we needed some fun ... so we hit up the local snack shack.

Lately, Ash has decided he really wants to try and be a big boy. Some days are better than others; but I love him so much!

Aiden is my straight arrow: same personality since he was born. He's so special to me!

Andy and Olive Oyle chatting it up about colonial architecture

And despite the failed attempt to have a baby, it really WAS a beautiful day!

And the all-American fried food was so good ... and now Mom and I don't ever want some again!

But dessert was worth waiting for!

County Fair

2011-07-25T11:37:00.001-04:00

We've been having a lot of fun this summer with Olive Oyle here - either having lazy days out in the backyard on the swing or busy days at the pool, park, in town or like last weekend, at the fair!

Waiting for the pig races to begin

Pigs racing!

Mom, NOT eating funnel cake!

(And yes, it was amazingly delicious!)

The petting zoo

Ashton is a slushie-lover

And there's nothin' like good, greasy fair food!

My All-American boy observing his favorite fair animals: the sheep!

For Dad

2011-07-24T10:58:00.000-04:00

Daddy,
I know it has been so hard for Mom to be so far away from you for so long. I cannot express how appreciative I am to have her here and how grateful I am to you for sharing her this summer. She misses you too!

Boys in the Yard

2011-05-30T09:07:00.000-04:00

Spring Crabapple (Baby Apple Tree) Video

2011-05-20T10:06:00.000-04:00

Spring Sprung a Petal Head

2011-05-20T09:41:00.000-04:00

Lowes' Shoppers

2011-05-17T22:22:00.000-04:00

And how could I forget how helpful the boys were when we picked out crown moulding?! They helped so much that it took 2 days for Andy to figure out we had purchased 2 different patterns. Andy's favorite phrase regarding the boys comes to mind: "They're trouble. Nothin' but trouble." I second that!

Master Bedroom Remodel: Check!

2011-05-17T22:10:00.000-04:00

After pretty much 2 years of working on our master bedroom, it's finally complete. We had it at an ok point a year or so ago, but then it took the past month to clean it up from a year of dishevelment and clutter. Andy expertly installed crown moulding, and voila! it is done being remodeled. Of course, I always have ideas of things to add, but the budget and our to-do list dictate we are done with this room for a while. It is elegant and peaceful and a lovely place to relax and escape (no toys allowed!). No wonder South Paw spends 16+ hours a day in here!

Dinner of Champions

2011-05-17T21:51:00.000-04:00

Whew, I am really feeling all the aches, pains, and exhaustion of being in my 3rd trimester today! It was a typical busy day of hustling to preschool, cleaning house, picking up Aiden & 1 of his classmates, struggling with the boys for almost 2 hours before they finally succumbed to naps in the same room. Then I spent over an hour preparing for a family dinner/errand outing (including, but not limited to: boys' snacks and drinks in the car & jackets set out), only to find out from Andy on his way home that he was coming home to bed sick. Now what? It's raining, I'm exhausted, and staring at the last chicken breast and my marinade box was doing nothing for me. So I put on my thinking cap, surfed the net, and came up with an amazing dinner, inciting "yays!" from the 2 and 4 year old crowd: homemade pancakes, bacon and mandarin orange smoothies!

Oh yes, it was a rare no-whine dinner! Then it was off to the bathtub to wash all the syrup off. I took the liberty of a self/belly shot. Not the most glamorous I've ever looked, but hey, it is what it is!

And now from the newly-remodeled master bedroom, with South Paw snoring on my lap and my chocolate pudding cup within reach, I bid you good-night, as silence has finally fallen from the cowboy room and my stuffed-animal throwing/poo-poo joking/opening of curtains interference is no longer needed.

While Daddy was at Work (or maybe he was sleeping)

2011-05-16T10:40:00.000-04:00

Either way, the weather was just too nice to stay home, so the boys and I hit up the town on Sunday afternoon: shopping, pizza & ice cream. I cannot exaggerate how we have waited all winter and spring for days like this!

And on the way back to the New-New (the boys' name for the new Mommy Car), we stopped to smell the tulips. So delicate and beautiful! Ashton has been learning about how God makes all things and he especially enjoys smelling the "fow-was"!

Finally Out on the Town for Lunch

2011-05-16T10:19:00.000-04:00

It is FINALLY warm enough for the local restaurants to put out their awnings and deck seating. We are big fans. Not sure what we like better: the fact that our kids can drop and spill food and we don't have to worry, or how distracting the vehicles driving down Broadway are to the boys so Andy and I don't have to work so hard at the distraction game. Any way you slice it, we are happy it's eat-outside season!

Saturday

2011-05-02T00:05:00.000-04:00

After a quite-frankly horrid trip to Walmart to purchase the monthly necessities like contact solution that come so much cheaper at the store that doesn't give its employees proper benefits, every other shopper deciding to walk as slow as possible and/or cut my gigantic kiddie-cart off, and Ashton assuming the proper behavior of a 2 year old American brat in Walmart, sweet Aiden's stellar 10-year-old demeanor was rewarded with a Mommy-Boy trip to the local county airport. It was our first time observing (but definitely not our last!); we both had a blast and I was impressed with how much aeronautical knowledge I dug up from the recesses (thanks Dad!). I think we have a young pilot in the making.

He chatted (er, asked questions) the entire time. And I don't over exaggerate: the ENTIRE time!

Then, since it was so positively warm at 62 degrees, we played out front til supper time (since the back yard is under water from the excessive rain accumulation (aka: flooding) our area's been enduring).

Aiden happily digging up my flower garden in search of worms

Ashton getting into trouble in the garage

South in a tizzy over all the good dogs getting to go for walks while she is tethered to the baby apple tree

A fun Saturday, all things considered. Note to self: shop at Walmart late at nite without children & still have fun with them at the airport & in the front yard!

Monday.

2011-04-25T09:56:00.000-04:00

Sigh. Monday. And the Monday after Easter, no less! It almost seems as bad as the day after Christmas. Such a let-down after such great anticipation and joy. Maybe it's accentuated by the pessimist in me; joy is suppose to stick around for a while, right? I could blame it on the weather: gloomy & rainy as it is, forcing the heater to kick on. At this point in spring, I loath the clicking of the gas ignition from the recesses of the basement. But wait a minute, isn't this everything that Jesus rose from the dead to overcome? Death and gloom and sadness? Why yes, it is! Ok, deep breath, a prayer for Satan's sad lies to be dispersed, and a re-focus on all God's blessings. I can do this. First, there are my happy children running around in their pj's, eating muffins and building Thomas train tracks criss-crossing the living room. There's also the happy movements in my womb of baby #3. Oh, baby #3! Now the cobwebs are beginning to fade! [Pause to fill up my favorite mug with coffee (and half hazelnut creamer)-the one Dad brought me when he returned from Bosnia. It reads: "Smile! 'Cause God thinks you're special...and so do I!"] [Another pause to approve of Aiden taking his socks off.] There is much to do! Easter decor to be returned to it's bin, Polish pottery pulled back out, the planting of seeds indoors to ready for the garden, not to mention preparing for the baby! There is a trundle bed mega-deal to be found (along with mattresses), an Ashton to transition to big brother's room, shelves to be installed in closets, clothes bins to be purchased, new lovies to be ordered (Aiden picked out some adorable green and brown ones online), and the myriad of [pause to break up a train fight] projects Andy and I have planned for the house. Anyone want gift ideas for baby #3? I have a wish-list; I'll work on posting it. (Insert smile here!) And then I remember that Mom is coming for two and half months. Woo-hoo! I can't wait for her to see me running my house, spend endless time with my boys and enjoy some r&r in our beautiful part of the USA. And this week alone should be fun, with a routine dr's appt, Andy's "weekend" on Tuesday and Wednesday, prek & softball on Tuesday and Thursday and no doubt playdates & a dinner out with friends sprinkled in-between! Praise the Lord, life truly is amazing, [pause to get Ashton a cup of milk] for HE is good, and His love endures forever.

Virtually?!?! Does that mean that my dishes are actually NOT "rinsed right"?

Spring?

2011-04-24T16:38:00.000-04:00

This winter was long and cold and spring just can't come soon enough. So I am not so sure my iris buds were appreciative of the white stuff yesterday.

Spring truly IS beautiful around here ... whenever it finally decides to come! But Ava brought me some beautiful flowers from her yard yesterday. I was very grateful for a bit of spring. Not that I know what they are called, but they are lovely!

Praise the Lord, it's Easter!

2011-04-24T16:01:00.001-04:00

Easter is a big deal around our house - Jesus is the center focus of our family and this day has been greatly anticipated. We have been preparing our hearts, focusing on our unworthiness & Jesus' unselfish greatness of dying on the cross and rising from the dead, triumphing over eternal condemnation for us. Our house has been decorated for Easter for 6 weeks & the Easter story read and re-read. I was up late last night, making blueberry muffins for breakfast, stuffing eggs with candy, and pulling out all the treasures I have hidden around the kitchen in the past few weeks - all while watching the Ten Commandments, of course. And this morning was a fun hustle of basket reveals, egg hunts, muffins & church clothes.

Popeye and Olive Oyle contributed to the overflowing baskets (er, buckets) of gifts.

And yes, even South Paw received an Easter gift. She was elated!

And we had the pleasure of coloring boiled eggs yesterday with our dear little friends, Ava and Loralei. There's just something about the pureness of children's happiness that is so contagious!

Saturday

2011-04-16T22:50:00.000-04:00

So despite the long, long to-do list for around the house, there was something much more pressing on our weekend agenda. Andy and I have spent the past couple weeks doing our research, all day on the phone yesterday, and were finally able to head out today. But of course by the time I packed the baby bag for Armageddon, made our traditional Saturday blueberry muffins, and Andy printed off maps, it was lunchtime. So we made a pit stop at Red Robin. The boys, needless-to-say, were ecstatic when we ordered them Sprites. Of course, half an hour (and 3 trips to the bathroom with Aiden!) later, we regretted such a choice. But they were happy children on sugar highs!

Psycho Mamma

2011-04-16T22:49:00.002-04:00

I was doing great: happy and upbeat ... until the dark clouds moved in, the temperature dropped, the wind picked up, my boys hit sugar highs right around nap time, we were 20 miles from home and I began to realize how stressful the upcoming excursion was going to be (for me, at least). Heavy coat, spilled Sprite, shrieking children and pregnancy hormones just don't mix all that well. But I was proud of myself. I only freaked out once! LOL

So What Exactly DID We Do Today?!?!

2011-04-16T22:48:00.003-04:00

Here were the boys, Ashton being a complete nutcase, waiting for 3 hours in the glass-enclosed waiting room of ...

The Infiniti dealership where we purchased our Toyota Sequoia! Yep, with #3 on the way, the 4Runner just won't cut it, so it was time to trade up. Me, personally, being somewhat of a car guru (ok, maybe snob is a better term, but anyway!) am thrilled to have a Sequoia and equally as thrilled to have found a 7 passenger SUV, with much lower monthly payments than we had budgeted, all while still keeping the Toyota-exclusive roll-down back window. And I'm not complaining about the heated leather seats, V-8, 4 wheel drive, Limited edition either. As the Duggars say, "Buy used, save the difference!" And I say, "Andy spoils me." But Andy was actually the only one who test drove it and he came back with an indellible smile. He's not going to complain about all the shoulder room, especially on vacation.

So with our folder of info and stats and our determination to get an awesome deal and not get even remotely ripped-off like the last two times, we marched in with confidence - and our two Crazies. I think they aided in the manager coming down to our terms. Glass rooms & kids, well, need I really say more?! Except that our salesman, Bobby, was super sweet!

Here's the luxurious beast! We pick him up on Monday once he's been detailed. So who would like to babysit the boys Monday afternoon?!?!

Now we have room for family when they come visit. (cough) That means I want to hear people booking plane tickets!!!!

Big

2011-04-15T10:14:00.000-04:00

Isn't he looking so old?! I can't believe he's 4. He'll always hold a super special spot in my heart.

Here he was proudly (and quietly!) building a Lego train while Little slept. Can you tell he's right handed & legged?!

Here he was a year ago!

After a long hietus ...

2011-04-11T14:33:00.000-04:00

I'm back among the blogging world. In fact, I consider this the first time since December that I'm actually back among the real world in general! Today I celebrate the 6th month mark of the pregnancy of my 3rd boy. And all things considered, I'm feeling pretty good! Oh sure, there are things like the utter exhaustion by 7:15pm and the severe hip pain that stops me in my tracks, but those are just things I am beginning to see are reflections of my humanity; a human state that is far from perfect and a woman who is in desperate need of a forgiving, perfect God. And oh how I praise Him for His greatness, faithfulness and sweet reminders of how much He cares for me, even when I spend most days finding fault among most everything.

So, yes, much has happened in our little household and family since December, but I'll have to fill in the details later. Right now the boys are napping (I think), and a record-warm day is upon us - allowing me to have all the windows and doors open, which, let me tell you, in somewhat of an anomaly in April in our part of the Northeast. (Apparently we live just about 45 minutes away from the official "New England" cutoff. I would think that would be enough to shrug off and include our beautiful area, but the locals are of a different opinion. But I digress ...). The dryer is buzzing as I sit in a jelly-encrusted chair, and the front windowsill & trim are calling for me to make them white again; I am more than happy to oblige. But perhaps I'll bust out the can of paint after I take few moments to cut back some old vines under the window box. I cannot convey how happy my heart is that the weather has turned warm & the iris shoots are making their appearance. The next few months will be filled with many to-do lists and lots of hard work - something I gladly look forward to after a long, rather sickly winter.

And of course I look forward to regularly updating the blog! Thanks to Lisa & Ana for the kick-in-the-pants I needed to get back online! I am blessed with such wonderful friends!

Love & blessings to all who actually still check my silliness,

Aub

And of Course, I'm Thankful for My Dog!

2010-11-25T22:01:00.001-05:00

She's my baby girl!

I am Thankful for ... My Husband

2010-11-25T21:42:00.000-05:00

I am Thankful for ... My Sons

2010-11-25T21:38:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving from our house to yours!

2010-11-25T10:42:00.000-05:00

Baking and Baking and Baking and ....

2010-11-21T22:43:00.001-05:00

Baking! I seem to never grow tired of it! (Even after so much baking for Tis the Season!). Of course, my old clothes aren't too keen on my constant baking, but my sweet-tooth sure enjoys it!

Double layered spice cake with cream cheese frosting and freshly chopped semisweet & white chocolate chip shavings. Can you say "Yummmm"!?

Not Me Monday

2010-11-15T15:44:00.000-05:00

I did NOT keep getting my decorative scarf caught on the baby latches as I flew around the kitchen yesterday, baking yummy Thanksgiving treats.

I did NOT go downstairs this morning and mop the first level before I even put on my glasses or poured myself a mug o' joe. I am not THAT starved for quiet, undivided attention.

I did NOT frost a cake last nite while watching football. (Ok, maybe I DO actually multitask like that!)

I did NOT talk Andy into purchasing a down coat for me. Hehe

A Chilly Lunch on the Deck

2010-11-15T13:58:00.001-05:00

I mentioned hot dogs and Aiden declared he was eating out on the deck - Ashton and I decided to join him. And it really wasn't as cold as I expected (it's 52 degrees - what am I complaining about; local news channel is calling it "mild". Mild?!).

Eating is a very serious thing ... ok, everything is very serious for Aiden!

And Ashton has recently decided he is big enough to feed himself, and there is no trying to aide him. He's quite determined!

Happy to be warm!

There's a cat tormenting South Paw on the backside of the fence

Hands up in the air ...

Praising Jesus!

A n d 60 Seconds Later ...

2010-11-13T23:14:00.000-05:00

The boys declared the photo-shoot over and we moved on to the promised Oreo-reward.

A Day Late and Undoubtedly a Penny Short

2010-11-13T22:59:00.000-05:00

Dad, I apologize for not posting this video last, last night. (Boys being boys and Google saying I had maxed out my blog memory capacity) I also apologize for not sending your present on time. I blame genetics. (-: But in good your-mother fashion, let's just celebrate your birthday for at least another 2 weeks.

Blog Shout Out!

2010-11-11T15:45:00.000-05:00

This Shout Out goes to my mother-in-law. Sharon, here's me in my happy hat! (My MIL likes it when I wear this hat because it somehow diminishes my anal-retentive tendencies!)

Me-n-Zib

2010-11-11T11:52:00.001-05:00

Zib: "Mom, is it ok if I break your necklace while I play wif it? "
Me: "Um, no, it's not ok to break it. Would you like it if I played with your toys and broke them?"
Zib: "No. ... I won't break your necklace, Mom. I won't."

Also, after much searching through itunes, I figured out which song Aiden was humming to me. He was requesting "High Chaparral." I think he has quite a bit of his Popeye in him!

Dog Whisperer

2010-11-10T23:28:00.003-05:00

On our walk, Ashton took up conversing with every barking dog in the neighborhood (see videos). Humorous, to say the least! He makes sure the 3 firstborns in the family keep the mood light - his goal is to make us laugh, and he does a pretty good job at it!

He truly loves his highchair. Why that doesn't really relate to a true love for eating, well, I will never quite figure out.

This is one of those timeless photos

Fall Walk

2010-11-10T23:03:00.001-05:00

Here we are, on one of our last autumn walks with the leaves briskly blowing about (because now they are all mushy from the snow!).

Ashton has no concept of private property lines

Yes, we even took the mutt!

"Oh Yes I Did" Sunday

2010-11-07T12:56:00.000-05:00

Ever since my surprise trip to Arizona to celebrate in Mom's 50th birthday (er, I mean, 35th birthday - LOL) the computer has eluded me. I swear it hides behind the kids, and of course, the boys' needs always come first. So here I am, nursing an all-night migraine on the couch as Andy and the boys fellowship and praise God at church and South Paw is curled up on the ever-plush king-size bed. I have been known to blog "Not Me Mondays", but on this crisp, clear autumn Sabbath, I bring you "Oh Yes I Did Sunday." Enjoy!

Oh yes I AM watching Fox News as I blog. The litany of political arguments stimulates me!

Oh yes I DID somehow smash our little red camera just a day before my Arizona trip and ended up with zero pictures of my own from my whirlwind jetset. (But thanks to Aileena and Grandpa Freddie for sending me their pics!)

Yes I DID just tear up at Boeing's Veteran's Day commercial saluting US Veterans. I am ever grateful to Dad, Uncle Morgan, Grandpa Freddie, Grandpa & Uncle Max for their service to our great country.

Yes I DID jump up and down when Andy offhandedly mentioned the possibility of upgrading our 4Runner sometime next year. I am convinced that besides Range Rover Sports, 4Runners are the most impressive SUV's.

Yes I DID attend a town council meeting to show support for a paving-improvement petition for our neighborhood - and loved every minute of it!

Yes I DID book babysitters both Saturday AND Sunday evening. I sure love having undivided time with my Andy.

Yes I DID have to tell Aiden to use his sleeve rather than the couch to wipe his drippy nose. Washing his shirt is just 10 times easier than the couch cushions.

Yes I DID calmly bake cookies with Ashton screaming, crying and tugging at my legs because he is going through a horrible attachment phase where sometimes he won't even let me put him down to go to the restroom. Poor toddler in denial that he is exiting the baby stage!

Yes I DID just listen to the entire Steven Curtis Chapman Christmas album while I took a shower and got ready. (And with no one home, I sung along to my heart's content!)

Yes I DID just make an entire post with no pictures after a super-long blog absence and grandparents sending me hate-texts demanding pictures of their grandsons. Hehe!

Oh, Autumn in the Northeast

2010-10-09T10:24:00.000-04:00

This world is not my home. Therefore, no one particular place makes me feel like I should stay for very long. But there are so many fantastic places in this world to travel. And at this time of year, the Northeast is the place to be (what a coincidence that I live here!). For my Arizona clan, you must imagine COOL air. I know, it'll be tough since our highs are your overnight lows. Put your imagination caps on!

Sharon, here's the rosemary in bloom! Who knew?!

I am glad I left this weed alone - I think the berries will turn red!

This plant makes me wish for snow!

And these are my wonder-plants: they came up from last year's forgotten roots - I don't think this picture does the purple much justice - they are very vibrant

I think this chair is beckoning me, a steamy mug of coffee & my favorite sweater

Thanks to my creative neighbor, this is my view out the front!

And thanks to my creative Creator, here's my view out the back door!

Sick-O

2010-10-09T09:52:00.000-04:00

Aiden was down-n-out Wednesday & Thursday. He just stayed in bed, with high fevers and wouldn't eat a thing. I took him to the doc, but of course, it was just a virus. In the darkness of Friday morning, he was yelling that he was hungry. After a 4am breakfast, he was back in all his glory by first lights: singing, flying Matchbox airplanes, and talking non-stop. He talked all day - right through nap-time and even through me singing the goodnite serenade of "Jesus Loves Me." At least he was feeling better (or so I had to remind myself throughout the day when I could no longer hear my own thoughts!)

My Random Thoughts for Today

2010-10-08T09:50:00.000-04:00

Praise the Lord that Aiden has made a total recovery from his virus. He woke up jabbing about his new planes ... and he hasn't stopped for over an hour. Andy and I think he's making up for his "lost" 2 days.

Zicam chewables are just about the nastiest things I've ever eaten. They're so bad, in fact, that I'm taking them back to the grocery store. And everyone who knows me knows how I am not a "return" type person. I'd usually rather just lose the money than mess with an excuse to return merchandise, but these were exceptionally horrible!

Aw, the sun is finally out! I had forgotten what it looked like!

I truly cannot survive without coffee.

I truly appreciate the little things in life: like the task lights under my kitchen cabinets - couldn't make cuisine masterpieces without them!

Andy wasn't counting on me knowing "Naboth" when I sealed my victory over him in Bible Challenge last nite!

Where Have I Been?

2010-09-27T15:00:00.000-04:00

Where have I been, you ask? Well, obviously not at my computer!
Like all good wanna-be politicians, I have been:

Kissing Babies...

Supporting New York State's efforts to keep lakes clean for future generations...

And local plants thriving...

Local parks as well...

Then there's carpooling...

Supporting children's attendance at private schools...

Also supporting local mom-n-pop restaurants...

Stopping for photo-op's with my constituents...

Feeding the hungry...

Keeping a tight reign on air traffic in the neighborhood...

Secretly contributing to that hole in the ozone...

But supporting the rescuing (and spaying!) of stray dogs, non-the-less...

And last but not least:

Taking a bit of R&R to gaze into my Lover's eyes.

Afternoon Snack

2010-09-08T21:09:00.000-04:00

After naps, the boys usually get a little snack before dinner. Today was no exception to the norm: Ashton was signing for more pears, and Aiden was too involved in his Leap Frog reader to notice his food, despite the fun plate!

Labor Day BBQ

2010-09-08T20:57:00.000-04:00

We were long overdue for a party at our hacienda - it was such a pleasure to have so many old friends, new friends, and neighbors over. Thanks to all those who pitched-in in the kitchen and a big hats off to all those delicious desserts ... many of whose leftovers have already been devoured!

Where's Aiden?

2010-09-05T20:51:00.001-04:00

That was the question on mine and Andy's faces when we went to do a routine "boy check" and found Aiden's bed empty. We ran into our room and look what we found:

He had never done this before and hasn't since.

Hilarious, but still so precious!

Bye-Bye Dirt, Hello Soap Squirt!

2010-09-05T20:40:00.001-04:00

Playing Out Back

2010-09-05T20:29:00.000-04:00

Last week was warm, even in the mornings. So after breakfast, I filled up the kiddie pool and let the boys have free reign. They, of course, loved it! At 3.5 and 1.5, they have their moments of fighting over toys, but really do get along. And just recently, they have begun enjoying playing together, not just side-by-side. So cliche, but I must say it: it warms my heart!

Picnic Out Back

2010-09-05T20:20:00.000-04:00

Sometimes a Man Just Needs His Space

2010-09-05T20:14:00.000-04:00

No truer are those words applied than to my hubbie. His "recharge" is always by himself. After a stressful 5 weeks, my man finally gets some days off. I was looking around the house for him while the boys were napping, but was coming up empty handed. I had almost resigned to the fact that he must have gone for a walk to the creek when I happened to peer into the backyard:

Happy Boy

2010-09-05T20:09:00.000-04:00

The snack shack just might be Aiden's favorite place in the whole wide world. He gets the same thing every time: small cup of vanilla soft serve with rainbow sprinkles. It's the only place he is completely silent, engrossed in the deliciousness of childhood.

Late Summer

2010-09-04T16:07:00.004-04:00

Well, we made it to Saturday. Yay! Andy has been off since Thursday afternoon and after a day of readjusting to being around each other (it's a firstborn thing), we are having a delightful Saturday. A cool breeze is drifting from front to back door and dark, rain laden clouds move swiftly across the sky, intermittent with bright spots of sun. Reminds me a bit of an Arizona winter or a Colorado spring or a Maine summer ... early autumn in New York is all its own. It finds us staining deck furniture, organizing kitchen cabinets, planning home improvement projects and then opting for college football and pizza. It finds little boys taking 3 hour naps, trees tinged with yellow and orange, fiction novels read late into the night, and classical masterpieces drifting throughout the house.
And now with my inner Anthony Bourdain almost running on empty, I leave you with some pictures of summer around our house.

... whenever Blogger decides to bring back the icon that allows me to upload pictures ... sorry!

Ha-ha! After online research, I figured out I was stuck in HTML mode. I'm back into blogging/composition mode ... so here are pics!

It's a Dog's Life

2010-08-17T14:36:00.002-04:00

Our puppy is so wonderfully quirky (both in looks & actions!) and yet so patient with the boys. No, there are no pics of her and Ashton because she steers clear of him most of the time. We think he might have been the culprit in her "droopy tail" a few weeks back. He has a bad habit of grabbing onto her tail and not letting go, no matter where she goes or how fast she runs. (He thinks it's the greatest game ever invented!). Dog-Dog (as the boys call her) has given Aiden so much confidence outside and he likes having someone to lord over. And cleaning up after South Paw doesn't bother me one bit because of the laughter and companionship she provides - I just love her!

Here's an excerpt I had written about a pretty typical day for South Paw in our house:

With 2 boys in the house, it's never a dull moment! The boys and I were just quietly sitting in the living room, South sleeping at my side, when Ashton slid the laundry basket full-throttle into my arm, knocking my coffee in the opposite direction: all over the dog! Poor thing, she thought my reaction yell was directed at her!

Fall Is In the Air

2010-08-15T17:34:00.000-04:00

Distinctive seasons are one of the many perks of not living in Arizona anymore. Just when I was getting tired of having the AC running in the house, cool weather moved in. Today we are enjoying overcast skies and a cool breeze dancing in through the doors and windows. No worries, because I have been looking forward to autumn for weeks!

Dad, check out how good these mums look at the base of the mailbox holder you and Andy made!

Mum clippings gracing the kitchen in a Polish pottery vase. Thanks so much, Gigi! And Kisti, Brynn & Kira - I know you girls approve!

Acorns from the backyard! The squirrels work so hard to pick and drop the nuts, but then they have very little opportunity to harvest, thanks to South Paw and her big-dog presence. I on the other hand enjoy finding them in the grass with my bare feet and using them as free decoration!

My Gardening Assistants

2010-08-15T17:04:00.001-04:00

Always talking ... and I don't want to hear it about the shorts: he dressed himself!

Checking out the lawnmower ... and telling me ALL about it!

Big Truck Day

2010-08-10T22:41:00.000-04:00

Big ~~Truck~~ Fail Day

We tried to make it fun

And tried

And tried some more.

Even the barefoot music dude

Couldn't get the boys to get over

how loud the horns were blaring.

We thought it was a bad idea to allow all the kids to have fair-game at the truck horns. But we had a good time anyway, despite our quiet-seeking children!

Daddy Long Spider

2010-08-10T08:42:00.000-04:00

Aiden has a love/hate relationship with spiders. He finds them fascinating, but is dreadfully afraid of their webs. I call him my spider-web police: always alerting me to them. Lately, the daddy long leg spiders have been having their month of glory on our fence. I pick them up and show them to Aiden in an attempt to break his little phobia. Courtesy of the dead tree in our back 40 (40 feet, but hey, it's 40!), some big branches have been landing in the yard after rainstorms. Active imagination turned on: they are called "Daddy Long Spiders!"

Snacktime

2010-08-07T08:31:00.000-04:00

My Little Ham

2010-08-06T23:14:00.000-04:00

Celtic Woman

2010-07-27T10:06:00.001-04:00

If you've never seen their outdoor concert in Ireland on PBS late at night during a telethon, you don't know what you're missing! I like Celtic Woman for the romance & history ad Andy likes them for the thunderous drums & Braveheart-ishness. Our fabulous friends Jack and Jen took us to the concert at a local amphitheater venue just 5 miles from our house. Samantha the Magnificent came over to watch the boys, and they were, quote: "Great!" (It would take another blog entry to go on and on about how wonderful Sam is!). Anyhoo ... we were the youngest at the concert by 50 years, but we still all enjoyed ourselves, even despite the $5 bottles of Pepsi!

Yay! We're out without kids!

Jack & Jen

No cameras were allowed, but I tried to get a pic of the bagpipe player on our way out ... in the mass exodus, I got bumped, and ended up getting a pic of this sweet nun instead! LOL

My favorite song was

Spanish Lady

And the dancing fiddler was as always, most entertaining!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wzMfSiOkMQ

Parking Lot

2010-07-27T00:29:00.000-04:00

I cannot overstate how ~~obsessed~~ attached Aiden is to his cars. They don't have to be Matchbox, but be really anything that has four (or more!) wheels. He organizes them on the dining room table to keep the organization from being demolished by his little brother. His growing imagination and real world role-play encompasses his cars. I present to you: "Parking Lot."

Another Day at the Duck Park

2010-07-26T23:55:00.000-04:00

We absolutely adore the duck park in town. The boys and I made it a date last week, and we hit the library, the pub next door, and then the duck park 2 blocks from that. We worked on manners and eating etiquette at lunch, and Aiden even ordered his own lunch for the first time. He was quite proud of himself. And the park was abounding with ducks: the boys were actually overwhelmed! ... and then there was the squirrel!

Reading a book while waiting for his sandwich

It's a Germany Day

2010-07-23T16:07:00.000-04:00

It's raining cats and dogs. Mom and I always call days like this Germany days, because they remind us of our stint in Bavaria. But I'm not complaining. It's a wonderful change from sunshine, forces us to relax and take care of inside business, is great sleeping weather, and washes the world clean again. Reminds me of Jesus and how his blood washes us clean of all our ugliness and sin ... revealing a clean, refreshed new creation. And that's just not a one-time deal: "the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfullness." ~Lamentations 3:22-23