The Room Love Created

This past weekend my dear sister drove 3 1/2 hours through rain and cold to create a room of love. It was time to get things crossed off the list and baby room and spring cleaning was on the top of the list for the weekend.
First on tap was a trip to the store to buy the paint. My sister's eye for color and knowing what I am talking about when I don't meant the color would be perfect (and it is!). Then we had the arduous task of removing the old-lady border. It was tedious, messy, wet, and time consuming.
We still managed to get one coat on Friday night. Sara cut in and I rolled, sort of. Around 10 we needed a snack. Sara made the wise choice and had Kashi cereal while I stuck with my nightly ritual of ice cream (mint chip was the flavor of the night).
After a sleepless night (thanks Elijah and Isaiah) we were up by 6:30 and working by 7:30. Sara painted and I cleaned vents (gross!). Then it was a room by room attack of the neglect I had allowed for months. Floors were mopped by hand, window sills cleaned, appliances de-finger stained, furniture dusted, and bathrooms sanitized. At about the time we thought we were done we noticed that there was still green showing through our butter color. Coat three was on tap as soon as Chris could run to the store and get more paint. When it was all said and done the room is exactly what I pictured in my mind: a warm, bright sanctuary.

I never could have done this without Sara. Her sacrifice of time with her family, time to herself, and sleep are so amazing. My brother-in-law, Andy, sacrificed vacation time and spent the weekend trying to coach Josiah on the intricacies of using the potty. It warms my heart to know this baby is so loved already.

Dear Mr. Blue Bunny,

Dear Mr. Blue Bunny,
Words cannot express my gratitude for your delicious creation, Pistachio Almond. The creamy goodness has brought me much joy this week. You see I live with a two year old who appears to have mulitple personalities. Let me give you an example. On Friday night the two year old went to bed without a whimper, but on Saturday night a new child appeared. One who cried, screamed, talked, yelled, and played in bed until 10:30. Another example came last night when the two year old refused to eat the yummy, mommy-created pot roast. In the blink of an eye, however, the two year old was eating and even complimenting the mommy-made meal, but in another blink was back to refusing to eat.
It is stressful living with one who has this disorder but your heavenly, frozen delicacy has allowed me to keep my sanity. Each night the container calls my name and reminds me that I need an escape. As I sit with my bowl, my mind drifts to thoughts of beaches, sun, and puppies.

Thank you,

S

Spring Break

Whew!! We just returned from a great spring break trip to South Dakota. Gone for nine days, driving 21 hours total and it was all worth it. The first leg of our trip took us to an overnighter at hotel Patterson, the most accomidating place I know of. We arrived late but stayed up even later visiting. Elijah, of course, did not sleep in and the look on his face in the morning when he saw his cousin 'Siah was priceless. While Elijah was excited to see his cousin, he was even more thrilled to be on his way to Grampa's. He has a tractor you know (its really a riding lawn mower but don't tell Elijah). The 6 hour trip went well thanks to the generousity of a coworker who loaned us their travel DVD player.

Our time in the Black Hills was great. Elijah had a super time playing at gramma and grampa's and Chris and I had a great time catching up with family. We even got to see some college friends that we hadn't seen in years!

After four days we headed out of the snowy hills east to Sioux Falls. Again, the joy on 'Siah's face when he got off the school bus was enough to warm my heart for months. The tornado began immediately and did not end for another five days. Grandma Barb and Grandpa Tim, AKA Grandpa Barb :-), lavished so much love on all of us it was just amazing. They gave 'Siah and Elijah a bath, at the SAME time and still had the energy to offer to babysit for a night so the Mom's and Dad's could go on a double date.

We went old school for our date, bowling! I was pitiful in the first round. 63 points was all I could muster after three straight rounds of gutter balls. I did forge a comeback in the second game when I figured out that I should lead with my right foot.

Easter was another fabulous day with new friends and a visit from Granny. What a blessing it was to spend the day with family and friends! Elijah went to Sunday school and proudly returned proclaiming, "Mom, Jesus is alive!" We drove home Sunday night and after a day of no nap and non-stop playing Elijah was at his wits end. Again the DVD player saved the day. In the middle movie number two, he finally passed out, even though both Mom and Dad were jabbering away to Auntie Melissa on the phone.

All in all it was a fabulous break. Thank you to all of you who hosted, fed, cleaned up after, played with, ate with and talked to us.

God Speaks

"I want to hear Everlasting God, mom" Elijah says from the backseat.
"Okay, choochie" I reply. Strength will rise when we wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord. Each leg of our trip these words have wafted over me and the other day I was greeted with them when Elijah, in his precious singing voice, sang them from his room. It began to dawn on me that perhaps God was trying to tell me something.

So, okay God. I am waiting upon you! What's coming?

Things that make me happy

I remember watching a game show that was all about naming things on a list, I think it was called The $10,000 Pyramid, and I have been feeling a bit on the crabby side lately, so I need to change my point of view. Here is a list of things that make me happy ( in no particular order)
Going to Tuesday night Bible study
Kisses and hugs from my boyfriends
Baby kicks
Root beer
Talking to my sister on the phone
Hearing "Jesus Love Me" sung by my favorite artist, Elijah
New clothes
Not having to worry anymore
Knowing my husband loves me even though I look pretty round right now
Helping someone out
Ice cream
Planning a great week of meals
Crossing things off of my lists
Counting my blessings
Playing hide and seek
Nap time
Sleeping in
Hot showers
Flowers - for no reason
Reconnecting with old friends
Spring Break
Grilling
Learning new things
God