#8 Things that Lift me Up

Micah and Noah's Thanksgiving Program

Micah and Noah's preschool classes had a Thanksgiving program today and all of the parents were invited to watch and partake in a Thanksgiving feast afterward. I tried to post the video the other night before we left to come up north but it didn't work. I will try again when I get home. The boys did a wonderful job - very cute!

Unfortunately, the Thanksgiving feast did not go as well as the program. Micah had a meltdown because he couldn't have a BIG brownie (oh - the frightening acts of a chocoholic!). All of the kids were given a little brownie, as I am sure the teachers did not want to deal with the sugar overload right at nap time. I ended up taking Micah into one of the classrooms and sat with him (in a therapuetic hold) for 30 minutes as he hit, kicked, head butted, and cried.

He finally calmed down and sat in timeout, but by the time we got back to the festivities they were all over. Since Richard was sitting with Noah and making sure he ate, neither of us got any food. Micah ate a roll and a microscopic bite of cranberry sauce, so he ended up getting a tiny bite of brownie - I know, I am push over! The best part is that in discussion with Micah this evening about his behavior, he admitted to me, "Momma, the brownie wasn't even that good!". All of that for a brownie that wasn't even worth it!

All in all though, we had a great time. I am so thankful for my family and I am thankful for a job that allows me to participate in these important moments in my children's lives! As we head up to spend time with family in Ohio and Michigan, I am reminded of how priceless these memories are in the grand scheme of things - both good and bad. They are what matter the most!

Happy Turkey Day!

The Need to Apologize....

There are times in my adult life that I have the urge to call my parents up and apologize. One time was when I had a hateful teenager in my car who was cursing me out because her life "wasn't fair" and I was the worst person the face of the earth. I believe I did call my mom after I dropped the girl off and said, "I am SO sorry for the times I yelled and pouted and acted like a spoiled brat". Another time I had the urge to call was recently when Richard and I were "trying" to have a conversation and Noah and Micah were constantly interrupting us. It took us about two days to have that conversation. I thought to myself, "did my incessant talking have this kind of effect on my parent's quality of conversation?"

Most recently I have felt the urge to call and apologize this week. On Thursday I got home from work and noticed the Walmart Christmas Toy Idea book sitting on our kitchen counter. I thought to myself, "Oh, this will be fun - we can sit down with the boys and they can point out the things they would like for Christmas". I then opened the book up and realized that it had already been perused and almost EVERYTHING on EVERY page was circled - pink marker for what Micah wanted and purple marker for what Noah wanted.

The book has not left Micah's side since Thursday, in fact, he sleeps with it. Not only does he sleep with it but he insists that we sit down with him - several times a day - so that he can show us all of the toys he wants. This process takes about an hour and entails him pointing to "literally" every item on all 30 or so pages. This is what it sounds like, "I want this for Christmas I want this for Christmas I want this for Christmas I want this for Christmas I want this for Christmas I want this for Christmas I want this for Christmas I want this for Christmas I want this for Christmas....." I purposefully left out the periods because a period indicates a brief pause. No brief pause coming out of this kid's mouth! And believe me, it doesn't even work to tell him that you have all the toys he wants committed to memory!

I find it humorous and exhausting all at the same time. Tonight Richard and I schemed to figure out how the idea book could go "missing" in the middle of the night. We then tried to convince Micah that we needed to mail the magazine to the North Pole so that Santa would know what he wants. I even tried to explain that Jesus only got three presents for his birthday and that Micah should go through and pick out the three toys he wants the most.

46 days, 3 hours and 10 minutes until Christmas....I may have a mental breakdown before then if I have to look at that stinking book one more time!

So, to my parents....I apologize for putting you through this torture every Christmas. I know you are sitting there reading this and laughing. Enjoy!

#6 and #7 Things that lift me up

The Beauty of His Majesty!!!

and

Spending the day with my kids!!!

Fall is by far my favorite season of the year. I love living near the mountains where I get to watch the leaves change color. I am really enjoying all of the beautiful colors that make up our current landscape. I don't understand how anyone could look at the beauty of this creation and not believe there is a Creator. God is an amazing artist. He could have created this world to be ordinary, but yet He chose to make it extraordinary. Thanks be to God!


I did not have to work today so the boys and I loaded up and headed out to Berry College for the afternoon. Micah and Noah were not able to go to daycare the last two days because they had a skin infection called foliculitis which is highly contagious. Since they were starting to get cabin fever I decided some fresh air would do all of us some good. It was a beautiful day and we had a great time! We saw cows, horses and deer. We explored Frost Chapel and looked at a variety of beautiful, colorful trees and leaves. I was even given the "opportunity" to explain to Noah why animals, like dogs and deer do not sit on the potty when we ran across some deer poop and he started asking a million questions! (This is important stuff in the mind of an almost three year old!)

I love watching my children grow and learn. It is so amazing to see the wheels churning in their little minds as the discover and explore. I cherish these times. Especially, when I am able to share just how BIG God's love is and they seem to grasp it - better than me, most the time.

I am so very blessed!