Had a great time at our Ladies Retreat. Went through a book called Discover the Life by Neal and Judy Brower(don't even know if it is available in bookstores). The whole premise of the book is to refocus us on God and not ourselves. Some of the prayer practices were giving God glory with statements that recognize who He is (God, You are complete, everyone else is needy**God, You are unchanging in nature, yet unpredictable in what You do**God You can't be threatened, overwhelmed, thwarted, intimidated, manipulated, predicted, controlled, or overcome by anyone or anything**God, You are self sufficient, You need nothing from anyone to be complete**God, You are in control, You always get what You choose). We can also give God honor by choosing Him over everything else (You are God and can do whatever you want to with my life**No matter what happens I'll be okay because I have YOU and You are enough**I don't have ot be happy now, this isn't my life. My real life is in heaven). A third practice was giving God thanks by celebrating all that He means to our hearts (Thanks that I don't have to perform for You because Jesus made me good**There is nothing I can do to make You love me more**There is nothing I can do to make You love me less).
Just a great weekend away and hanging out with other women! All the boys survived without me, which I knew they would.
Monday morning about 5am B woke up crying and said he could not walk - seems his hip was hurting. He fell back asleep in our bed and even when he was sleeping I would go to move his leg and he would flinch. We proceeded with our morning, hoping that getting into our 'let's go to school' mode would help. Not much. So, ran him down to the Urgent Care for an x-ray (could not imagine what was wrong). Nothing showed up. The doctor did not have much to say except that if it was still hurting in a week, to call an orthopedist. I decided trying to take him to school (he has lots of stairs to climb). The pain became less and less but there was still a very noticable limp/catch in his walk 2 days later. During our weekly chiropractic appointment Tuesday, B got checked out again. I was telling the chiropractor about what the other Dr said. He was not totally on board with some of the stuff. He asked about the x-ray and I told him it was taken lying down and he said something about a lying down x-ray is not the best because it won't show any bi-lateral movement issues so they should have been taken standing up. (Just always interesting to hear different opinions in the medical community.) I do think our chiropractor is more in touch with the situation and if it does not alleviate itself by the end of the week, will probably get one more x-ray standing up. The slightly ackward gait is still there but it does not seem to hurt much. When he runs, his stride appears normal, which the chiropractor said that it is a slightly different movement. He also said that sometimes growing pains can be very painful and wonders if that is what it was. Supposedly kids have a very strong sense of altering behavior when something hurts so maybe that is why he still (consistently) limps.
The chiropractor has been working with me because my hands tend to fall asleep when I am sleeping. We started talking about sleeping positions and he told me that a lot of carpal tunnel is caused from sleeping on your stomach. He also told me that over time you can hurt your rotator cuff from sleeping on your side (that is why it is recommended to alternate which side you sleep on). I did a little bit of research and appears that there is some truth in it all. Amazing how God created the body and put it all together.
It is fun listening to B read. I can see improvements weekly. It use to take him 15minutes to read something that should only take 2 minutes, but as he gains more confidence, he is more eager to read. His reading teacher, who is not his homeroom teacher, seems like a great teacher. This past Tuesday B brought home a note about Chile-dog. Seems they have a dog every Tuesday that comes into the classroom so the kids can read to him and B loves it. I am going to be in the classroom every other Friday for a few hours. Will line up play dates for Jbird and throw JB into the backpack.
JB's newest tricks....opening up the toilet lid and throwing things inside - he gets so excited. He is also tall enough to see in to the kitchen trash can so he loves seeing what food he can find - gross! He has started chewing on his tongue, so half the time he looks like he has a huge wad of dip in his mouth. He is voluntarily walking more on his own and can now stand unassisted for 10-15 seconds.
Jbird is really enjoying Awana and hanging out with his friend John. When you ask him his verse for the day, it is always...and everything He made was very good. I don't think he grasps the concept yet of changing verses. At least that one is ingrained in his head. Whenever he asks me a question and I give him a 'I don't know' or 'I am not sure' or 'we will see' answer, he always comes back with 'mom, I just need to know, say yes or no".
JR brought home another rabbit. B calls it Fluffy and Jbird insists the perfect name is Pooh Bear. This one is darker and more social. I was watching it today and it sure was scoping out the fence, probably looking for another get away. He just does not get it how good he has it here, food and safety from all kinds of predators. I guess that is how it is with our lives and God sometimes. The grass seems greener on the other side, but oh, so not true.
Another quiet weekend in store. JR has a few side jobs and then will do some hunting. The weather has been so warm lately, hard to hunt. Seems like the meat will spoil within hours, definately before you could drag it out. We have been having record highs in the high 80s, low 90s. Can't complain though, the snow is coming!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Camping
We had a great time camping. It rained on Friday just as we finished dinner so we all gathered in our friend's camper for hot chocolate and games. They have 3 girls relatively close in age to our 3 boys, so the kiddos had a great time. Saturday morning while the guys were out hunting (got within 60 yards of a bull elk but never got a good shot) we stayed around the fire and then explored a local Baptist Camp that was empty. All the kids piled in/on the four wheeler/trailer and went for a drive Saturday afternoon. We decided to come back Saturday evening after dinner. JR recently informed me that our 'family' tent was no longer waterproof and leaked, so we opted for a smaller tent. I did not know how well we would all sleep in the tent so I volunteered to sleep in the van with JB. If anyone is interested, sleeping in a tent is a lot warmer. I woke up at one point and turned the heater on for a while. When we woke up in the morning it was 44 degrees. Sure made me wish we had done more camping, but next summer JB will be fully mobile which will make it easier.
I have started pulling out the winter clothes. I've noticed that a lot of B's clothes that I hang up fall off of the little hangers. It is just about time to start using the adult hangers. He seems to have gotten taller over the last couple of months. He is anxiously awaiting the loss of his first tooth. Seems like all his other friends have already lost one. He had another soccer game Sunday. They won and did better staying with the ball. At one point B took a kick to the leg that put him on the ground. He got up with a few tears in his eyes and think he enjoyed everyone clapping for him.
Jbird has been exhausted lately. He actually fell asleep at 6pm tonight, as he did last night. That little boy just runs and runs. He has a best friend now. Little "Johnny" as Jbird calls him. They have play dates at least once a week and usually it is for the whole day. (That means that every other week, I have a whole day of just one kiddo!) They play really really well together and I am so excited to see them grow up being buds.
JB still thinks he can get around faster by crawling. He is starting to vocalize sounds more with some m's and d's but is fine having his brothers speak for him or me just pick him up when I get tired of the whining. He still has a few tufts of curls on the back of his head but the hair up top is very straight.
I am slowly getting back on top of the house. Amazing how quickly it seems to get away from me. The two things I find I don't stay on top of, matching/folding the socks once they are clean and vacuuming. Don't know why. I think it will take me getting rid of all the random pair of socks we own, buying B all white socks, Jbird all gray socks and JB yet another color. Then sorting them will be so much easier. We have a double kitchen sink. On the left side is where I do all my washing of dishes and it is also the disposal. On the right side is where I have the dish drainer. Other than rinsing out the right side of the sink once a week or so, we don't ever use it. Imagine my surprise when I went to rinse it out and something had sprouted down there. Upon further investigating, it is really nasty down there. I am afraid to try to take anything off and clean it for fear I might gag at what I find. Wonder if cleaners down the drain will work or if there is a bigger problem?
This weekend I am headed to a ladies retreat at our church. It will be great to get away and very excited for the nice weather we are suppose to have.
I have started pulling out the winter clothes. I've noticed that a lot of B's clothes that I hang up fall off of the little hangers. It is just about time to start using the adult hangers. He seems to have gotten taller over the last couple of months. He is anxiously awaiting the loss of his first tooth. Seems like all his other friends have already lost one. He had another soccer game Sunday. They won and did better staying with the ball. At one point B took a kick to the leg that put him on the ground. He got up with a few tears in his eyes and think he enjoyed everyone clapping for him.
Jbird has been exhausted lately. He actually fell asleep at 6pm tonight, as he did last night. That little boy just runs and runs. He has a best friend now. Little "Johnny" as Jbird calls him. They have play dates at least once a week and usually it is for the whole day. (That means that every other week, I have a whole day of just one kiddo!) They play really really well together and I am so excited to see them grow up being buds.
JB still thinks he can get around faster by crawling. He is starting to vocalize sounds more with some m's and d's but is fine having his brothers speak for him or me just pick him up when I get tired of the whining. He still has a few tufts of curls on the back of his head but the hair up top is very straight.
I am slowly getting back on top of the house. Amazing how quickly it seems to get away from me. The two things I find I don't stay on top of, matching/folding the socks once they are clean and vacuuming. Don't know why. I think it will take me getting rid of all the random pair of socks we own, buying B all white socks, Jbird all gray socks and JB yet another color. Then sorting them will be so much easier. We have a double kitchen sink. On the left side is where I do all my washing of dishes and it is also the disposal. On the right side is where I have the dish drainer. Other than rinsing out the right side of the sink once a week or so, we don't ever use it. Imagine my surprise when I went to rinse it out and something had sprouted down there. Upon further investigating, it is really nasty down there. I am afraid to try to take anything off and clean it for fear I might gag at what I find. Wonder if cleaners down the drain will work or if there is a bigger problem?
This weekend I am headed to a ladies retreat at our church. It will be great to get away and very excited for the nice weather we are suppose to have.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Soccer
JR and Jbird made it back from South Dakota. They had an awesome time and Jbird did great. He says he did not even miss mom. Here are a few photos (by the looks of the last photo, he had a great time eating and drinking too).
B had his first soccer game Sunday. It was chaos. Don't know the exact score but we lost probably 12-2. The other boys definitely had a year of soccer under their belt. B seems to enjoy the defensive positions better. Anytime the other team got the ball, regardless of how close he was to the ball, he would turn and run to block the goal.
We are camping this weekend with some friends - getting one last trip in before the snow starts flying.
JR does not make the blog often, so figured I would post a few pictures of his recent backpacking trip with my brother.
A little excitement on the way to school today. The car in front of us hit a boy on a bicycle. The kid totally was not paying attention and made a wide right turn (despite him having a stop sign) and hit the back end of the car. It was more of a deflected hit, but he hit the ground none the less. A great lesson for B and J and the dangers of riding and not paying attention.
B had his first soccer game Sunday. It was chaos. Don't know the exact score but we lost probably 12-2. The other boys definitely had a year of soccer under their belt. B seems to enjoy the defensive positions better. Anytime the other team got the ball, regardless of how close he was to the ball, he would turn and run to block the goal.
We are camping this weekend with some friends - getting one last trip in before the snow starts flying.
JR does not make the blog often, so figured I would post a few pictures of his recent backpacking trip with my brother.
A little excitement on the way to school today. The car in front of us hit a boy on a bicycle. The kid totally was not paying attention and made a wide right turn (despite him having a stop sign) and hit the back end of the car. It was more of a deflected hit, but he hit the ground none the less. A great lesson for B and J and the dangers of riding and not paying attention.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Another week has flown by!
On Wednesday JR and Jbird (my most commonly used nickname for J these days)left for South Dakota. JR is in a wedding and we debated on whether we would all go. We asked B what he wanted to do and he decided to stay here and not miss any school. With B in school, JB and I have had some fun and I have gotten a lot done. I painted our bedroom (hopefully the bathroom will happen tomorrow), totally organized and rearranged things a bit, had a leisurely lunch with a friend today and planned out all the meals for the rest of the month. I keep hearing how it can save money and time, so giving it a try! I cooked/cut up all the meat and it is now in the freezer.
B's first soccer game is Sunday. He is really enjoying it. All parents have to volunteer one game to be either a line/side judge or referee. I know the bare basics about soccer, so assuming it can't be too difficult or the crowd too harsh! He also has his first den meeting next week. He continues to enjoy school and much to my surprise, makes a mad dash for me at the end of the day with open arms. His teacher seems really on top of it and she is a great communicator (with parents). His teacher last year did not like having contact with parents!
Jbird is having a blast with his dad and all the one on one time. I think it has been great for both of them. He is loving all the fun foods and drinks he gets on vacation and the running around. He slept in until almost 10 am this morning. The place they are staying is in the country with combines, tractors and lots of room to explore. They should be back on Sunday or Monday.
JB has some serious teething going on. He has been a little crabby lately and I understood once I felt the back of his gums. Very swollen and a molar coming in on both sides. He is officially weaned of the bottle. He is a pretty good problem solver, especially when it comes to him figuring out how to get something he wants. I love to watch him pick up hats and put them on his head. He is starting to use his hands more (sign language) when communicating. He can say the word boo and sounded like today he attempted mama.
The boys recently discovered they could give JB rides on their bikes and JB loved it.
This past weekend we met up with a friend in Billings for the day. The boys had a great time swimming at the hotel. B conquered the water slide and I would now consider him a full-fledged swimmer, Jbird loved the hot pool and JB just loved the water. (B is pushing JB)
Here was B's first day of school, that I am finally getting around to. He did not want to smile for the camera.
On Wednesday JR and Jbird (my most commonly used nickname for J these days)left for South Dakota. JR is in a wedding and we debated on whether we would all go. We asked B what he wanted to do and he decided to stay here and not miss any school. With B in school, JB and I have had some fun and I have gotten a lot done. I painted our bedroom (hopefully the bathroom will happen tomorrow), totally organized and rearranged things a bit, had a leisurely lunch with a friend today and planned out all the meals for the rest of the month. I keep hearing how it can save money and time, so giving it a try! I cooked/cut up all the meat and it is now in the freezer.
B's first soccer game is Sunday. He is really enjoying it. All parents have to volunteer one game to be either a line/side judge or referee. I know the bare basics about soccer, so assuming it can't be too difficult or the crowd too harsh! He also has his first den meeting next week. He continues to enjoy school and much to my surprise, makes a mad dash for me at the end of the day with open arms. His teacher seems really on top of it and she is a great communicator (with parents). His teacher last year did not like having contact with parents!
Jbird is having a blast with his dad and all the one on one time. I think it has been great for both of them. He is loving all the fun foods and drinks he gets on vacation and the running around. He slept in until almost 10 am this morning. The place they are staying is in the country with combines, tractors and lots of room to explore. They should be back on Sunday or Monday.
JB has some serious teething going on. He has been a little crabby lately and I understood once I felt the back of his gums. Very swollen and a molar coming in on both sides. He is officially weaned of the bottle. He is a pretty good problem solver, especially when it comes to him figuring out how to get something he wants. I love to watch him pick up hats and put them on his head. He is starting to use his hands more (sign language) when communicating. He can say the word boo and sounded like today he attempted mama.
The boys recently discovered they could give JB rides on their bikes and JB loved it.
This past weekend we met up with a friend in Billings for the day. The boys had a great time swimming at the hotel. B conquered the water slide and I would now consider him a full-fledged swimmer, Jbird loved the hot pool and JB just loved the water. (B is pushing JB)
Here was B's first day of school, that I am finally getting around to. He did not want to smile for the camera.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Teachable moments
I realize I have not posted pictures in a while...for some reason I have not had the camera out much this month!
J's hair is getting long enough now that he has been mistaken for a girl several times this week. Today we were at Sears and J was pushing JB in the stroller. A lady looked at JB and said "is she pushing you around?" J stood there dumbfounded and give this lady the strangest look. I just had to laugh and then she realized her mistake when she saw how he was dressed. That is what I don't get. Most girls at that age are either wearing girly clothes or have something in their hair that indicates they are a girl. I guess I need to either cut his hair some or at least try daily to get the tangles out of his hair so that the curl will come back.
As soon as we walked into Sears, the boys saw all the fridge/freezers. I had no idea the entertainment that would provide. We walked around and opened up all 30 of them. We had to talk about all the drawers, shelves, etc. B would open one up and go 'how beautiful is this', 'I just can't believe these', 'amazing'. That is actually the one purchase I hope we can make with our tax refund next spring. Just seems our food gets lost in the one we have.
The other day I was preparing to put a roast in the crockpot. I was cutting off the bottom layer of fat and J asked what I was doing. I told him I was cutting the fat off the roast. He looked at me and said "Mom, you don't call meat fat and you don't call people fat."
The other night all five of us were in the car. We were heading home on a 4 lane road, going 65 (which was the speed limit), the roads were wet from an earlier rain and it was dark. I suddenly saw 2 deer in the middle of the road headed my direction. All I could do was say "Oh dear Lord, dear Lord, dear Lord" (no pun intended). They both ran in front of us and we missed hitting the second one by about 10 -12 inches. The closest call I have ever had. The entire rest of the ride home we talked about how God's hand of protection was on us and I explained that that is precisely why I pray for God's protection every day as I drive B to school. It was a great object lesson for the kids. I was glad that I was able to react with a short prayer and not other choice words. I was also impressed that after years of hearing JR say "if an animal runs out in front of you, I would rather you hit it than swerve", I stayed on course and did not swerve at all. It made me think of an Amy Grant song from years ago "Angels Watching Over Me"
......"God only knows the times my life was threatened just today.
.......A reckless car ran out of gas before it ran my way.
.......Near misses all around me, accidents unknown,
.......Though I never see with human eyes the hands that lead me home."
AWANA has started up again and B and J are both in it. I am helping out with the under 3 crowd (watching the other leaders' kids so they can teach mine). The group B is in has a workbook that comes with a CD. The CD is basically the audio version of the book but with sound effects, etc. Today we were listening to the story of Eli and Samuel. At the very end of the story it talks about how Eli was a godly man but God punished him and his family. B's ears perked up and he asked why God punished Eli. We went back and listened to the story again. Eli was very godly but he had 2 very wicked sons. Eli knew his sons were doing wrong and Eli never did anything to try to correct/stop them. Seizing the moment, I explained to B that that is why we discipline him. God has made us the parents and it is our job to train him up and teach him to do what is right and honors God. He seemed to really hang on to my words, now I just need to remember to go back to that story from time to time to remind him of why we do what we do as parents. I love the teachable moments that God gives me and how applicable the two this week were.
Fluffy has hopped out of the coup. Numerous times she would get out and would eventually come back. JR would find the hole and fix it, only for her to find another one. The other day I looked out the window and saw some neighbors congregating out front. Between them they had a fish net, broom and small kennel. I knew what was going on. Sure enough, they had found Fluffy, soon to be cat food. We brought Fluffy in, only to have her leave again. The next day saw her across the street. JR tried to get her but she took off. He decided so be it.
J's hair is getting long enough now that he has been mistaken for a girl several times this week. Today we were at Sears and J was pushing JB in the stroller. A lady looked at JB and said "is she pushing you around?" J stood there dumbfounded and give this lady the strangest look. I just had to laugh and then she realized her mistake when she saw how he was dressed. That is what I don't get. Most girls at that age are either wearing girly clothes or have something in their hair that indicates they are a girl. I guess I need to either cut his hair some or at least try daily to get the tangles out of his hair so that the curl will come back.
As soon as we walked into Sears, the boys saw all the fridge/freezers. I had no idea the entertainment that would provide. We walked around and opened up all 30 of them. We had to talk about all the drawers, shelves, etc. B would open one up and go 'how beautiful is this', 'I just can't believe these', 'amazing'. That is actually the one purchase I hope we can make with our tax refund next spring. Just seems our food gets lost in the one we have.
The other day I was preparing to put a roast in the crockpot. I was cutting off the bottom layer of fat and J asked what I was doing. I told him I was cutting the fat off the roast. He looked at me and said "Mom, you don't call meat fat and you don't call people fat."
The other night all five of us were in the car. We were heading home on a 4 lane road, going 65 (which was the speed limit), the roads were wet from an earlier rain and it was dark. I suddenly saw 2 deer in the middle of the road headed my direction. All I could do was say "Oh dear Lord, dear Lord, dear Lord" (no pun intended). They both ran in front of us and we missed hitting the second one by about 10 -12 inches. The closest call I have ever had. The entire rest of the ride home we talked about how God's hand of protection was on us and I explained that that is precisely why I pray for God's protection every day as I drive B to school. It was a great object lesson for the kids. I was glad that I was able to react with a short prayer and not other choice words. I was also impressed that after years of hearing JR say "if an animal runs out in front of you, I would rather you hit it than swerve", I stayed on course and did not swerve at all. It made me think of an Amy Grant song from years ago "Angels Watching Over Me"
......"God only knows the times my life was threatened just today.
.......A reckless car ran out of gas before it ran my way.
.......Near misses all around me, accidents unknown,
.......Though I never see with human eyes the hands that lead me home."
AWANA has started up again and B and J are both in it. I am helping out with the under 3 crowd (watching the other leaders' kids so they can teach mine). The group B is in has a workbook that comes with a CD. The CD is basically the audio version of the book but with sound effects, etc. Today we were listening to the story of Eli and Samuel. At the very end of the story it talks about how Eli was a godly man but God punished him and his family. B's ears perked up and he asked why God punished Eli. We went back and listened to the story again. Eli was very godly but he had 2 very wicked sons. Eli knew his sons were doing wrong and Eli never did anything to try to correct/stop them. Seizing the moment, I explained to B that that is why we discipline him. God has made us the parents and it is our job to train him up and teach him to do what is right and honors God. He seemed to really hang on to my words, now I just need to remember to go back to that story from time to time to remind him of why we do what we do as parents. I love the teachable moments that God gives me and how applicable the two this week were.
Fluffy has hopped out of the coup. Numerous times she would get out and would eventually come back. JR would find the hole and fix it, only for her to find another one. The other day I looked out the window and saw some neighbors congregating out front. Between them they had a fish net, broom and small kennel. I knew what was going on. Sure enough, they had found Fluffy, soon to be cat food. We brought Fluffy in, only to have her leave again. The next day saw her across the street. JR tried to get her but she took off. He decided so be it.
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