This morning my oldest son, T, came up to me and asked, "Mom can you put these undershirts in the dryer and grow them?  They are getting kinda small."  I smiled, and explained that it doesn't work that way and that, 1.) undershirts are supposed to be a little smaller and not bulkier since they go under the clothes.  and 2.) that dryers usually shrink stuff and they don't grow them for sure!  Love that boy's heart and sense of humor!

friendship

I had a conversation with my daughter about second chances and if she forgives a certain friend, that doesn't mean she will ever be best friends again.  Maybe one day - maybe never.  My journey with forgiveness has really come in handy for such a time as this.  

So we talked and H said that, if she forgives this girl, she will "tolerate" her.  Those were her words.  H doesn't ever want to go over to her house to play or for sleepovers but she wouldn't mind if they sat together with their mutual friends over lunch at school.  

Last night at chuch H went up to this girl and said that she has decided to tolerate her.  The girl said that she's wanted to say something but she was afaid H wouldn't agree and she said her parents were pushing her to never be friends with our daughter again.  They hugged and talked stuff over a little bit.  Hannah is being very cautious because she doesn't want to be hurt again.  

It's sad and I mourn their friendship and what it used to be but I rejoice in seeing H strengthening new friendships.  As her parents, we want her to make healthy choices in friends.  Middle school is a tough time.  Hormones, changes, friends change etc.  I think this is a great time for middle schoolers to learn about  making friends, choosing friends, standing up for yourself, and taking "no crap from nobody!"  (Cool Runnings is such a great movie!)

I'm proud of our daughter for having such a kind and gentle heart.  She is so genuine and caring.  H told me that her devotions have all been on friendship "for some reason".  I said that maybe God is trying to show her or teach her something and when you're hearing similar messages and themes it's good to listen up and see if it's of God or not.  For a girl who's struggled with the bigness and greatness of God, she is hearing and seeing God work in her heart and life!  It's amazing!  Praise God!  

My daughter

I cherish my daughter.  I am thankful for the beautiful young woman she is becoming!  She is so kind and caring.  She is so wise and a wonderful friend.  I am amazed each day at how she carries herself in the midst of struggles.  I am proud of how she can take a stand for herself and I love that she is genuine. She is honest and we trust her immensely.

Friendship is a huge theme in her life right now.  Some of that goes with the territory of middle school and some of that goes with realizing that some people may not be the best for you to be around.  H is learning that and sometimes it hurts and sometimes it's very frustrating.  In the face of an old friend hurting her, picking on her and saying unkind things about her, H continues to take the high road, of which I am so proud of her for doing.  I am overjoyed at seeing her existing friendships blossom and how she is learning to make new friends.  H is learning that when you are genuine and truely yourself it shines through.

I love spending time with her.  She tells me everything that is going on in her life and I am so thankful for that!  I didn't have that model growing up.  My mom and I never talked about anything deep.  But from that I have learned that, though I didn't have the greatest example of what to do, I know what not to do with my daughter.

One of the things we like doing lately is watching a show called "Say Yes to the Dress"  It's a show about brides shopping for their wedding dresses.  We love seeing the dresses, hearing the stories, and critiquing the consultants, and the dresses, as well as commenting on the stories of each bride to be.

I continue to pray that our relationship would flourish as mother and daughter.  That she would continue to be open, honest, and comfortable with me so that she will tell me anything that is on her mind.  I pray that God would help guide me in protecting our mother/daughter moments together and that we would find much laughter together.

Tonight as I sit here thinking of things that I'm grateful for, the first thing that comes to mind is my heating pad.  Oh joy!  I woke up this morning with the stiffest neck.  I try not to favor it but then I tense up because it hurts so bad.  I turn my head to the right and youch!  Pain shoots down my neck to the middle of my back, but not my spine.  It's like there's a not in a muscle or something.  When my alarm went off this morning, I knew it was 6:45, but in my dream it was 9:00 at night and I was discussing with someone that I should really wake up by 10:30 am.  I was all tense and I think the fact that I had 3 different times in my brain at once had a little something to do with it.  Anyway, my neck hurts, I made it through the day and now I'm relaxing on the couch with my wonderful heating pad.  Okay enough about that.

Actually what I really am grateful for is my husband.  He is such a caring and generous man.  He just left (at 10:15 pm) to his former boss' house to help him with a leaky radiator.  What a guy.  I know that if it was urgent and we needed someone in a certain area of expertise, we'd want them to head over and help if they could and it's so great the he went to help a friend out.

I trust my hubby with my whole heart.  He helps me stay strong when I am weak, he lifts me up when I fall, he cheers me up when I am sad, he encourages me when I am discouraged.  He is my soulmate and I love him!

To the moon and back

My sweet boy M.  He is 3 1/2 and is SUCH a mama's boy!  He is the only one home with me during the day and love love loves it!  I do too.  In fact I really try hard not to dwell on the fact that he will go to preschool next fall.  I know it won't be every day but I will miss him.

 I enjoy my days with him and it's so different than my days at home with my older three, yet there is so much that is the same.  We don't do anything terribly different than what I've done over the years with my other children.  We still run errands, go to the library (need to do that soon) and go to the zoo and other fun places.  We have many lazy days where we hang at home, watch movies, do puzzles, color and play games.  It's different because he's my only one home.  It's so nice to give him my undivided attention.  He has such a cooperative and content personality which is a blessing.  He loves to help me in everything I do.  "Me hewpin' mama!"  is what he usually says to me.  He is a snuggler too, so I get to still enjoy that.

Since he's the baby I don't want him to grow up.  I actually really love this age with him and wish he could stay this age forever.  I know he can't so I take in every moment that I can.  He still has those moments where he lets you know he's 3, but that's okay.  I still love him to the moon and back.

M also has this thing lately where he likes to wipe my kisses off.  He doesn't like sloppy kisses.  Sometimes he does it though just to get me to smile.  What a funny boy he is!

The other day we went over to my sister's house and M wanted his sunglasses on since it was bright out. He looked so cool I just had to take a picture!  Here it is finally:

Such a cool dude!  

To stop and smell the roses

My son K inspires me to slow down and enjoy the moment.  K is a boy who does his own thing. He loves to play, create, build and snuggle.  You can't make him do anything he doesn't want to do no matter what the consequence may be.  If there isn't something in it for him he won't do it.  If he's in a mood he's in a mood.  A good mood, silly mood, bad mood - he will stay in that mood until he wants to change his mood.  He's a challenge but such a blessing in so many ways.

Most recently, when K comes home from school he is usually the last one in the house.  He will wonder the yard, coat unzipped, back pack hanging off of him.  He looks thoughtful most times.  It used to bug me that he'd take his dandy time getting in the house and settling in.  Also, it's cold in Minnesota this time of year.  I want him in the house where it's warm. But I've noticed he needs that time.  It's a transition time to him.  Besides, if I wanted K in the house, he'd still wander until he wanted to come in.  Once I started noticing this about K, I relaxed.  It is cold, and he'll come in when he's cold.   He only takes a couple minutes to wander around, but I love watching him do it.  Don't we all need some time to ourselves?  Well then why not a 6 year old.  How much he needs this!  Sitting in school all day long, following the rules and being quiet and more than likely doing a lot of what he'd rather not be doing.  He needs a few minutes to adjust and relax and just do his own thing.   After school is much more peaceful now too.

You'd think that with this being my third child in school, that I'd know this by now, but I'm no expert.  I'm still new to this parenting thing.  I'm always learning and growing, and each child is different.  Different personalities and character traits means each child has unique needs for them to thrive and be the happiest they can be.

By watching K enjoy some moments to himself, he's helped me let go of needing to move onto the next thing right away.  It doesn't hurt to take my time.  What needs getting done will get done and the rest can wait.  Sometimes I just need to take time and be in the moment.

I love you K.

Gratefulness for sisters

I'd start talking about the fact that I haven't blogged since October 1, but I won't.  Instead I will write about Gratefulness. That's my theme for 2011.  I'm going to try and post each day something that brings me joy or something that I am Grateful for.  I was going to start this yesterday but I went to see my sister instead.  Fair tradeoff?  I think so.  More than fair I think.  So I will start with that.  I am grateful for my sister.  She tells it like it is and inspires me to be strong.  She is always ready to give an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on.  I am thankful to have a sister who is so close with me.  It is a wonderful blessing.

Speaking of sisters I am thankful for my sister in law, R, as well.  She is sweet and caring.  I've liked from the moment I met her.  I would say M had a little something to do with her marrying my brother - except for the fact that she and brother fell in love with each other.  Well she is the sweetest and I love her and am blessed with another sister.

I am thankful for cousins who are close.  Growing up, we were not allowed the chance to be close to our cousins.  I am thankful for the fact that my kids love their cousin L.  H loves to spoil her with girly stuff while they boys temper all the frills and girliness with lessons in light sabers, and legos.  L loves her cousin M so much that he has been her invisible playmate at her house because she's missed him.  We went to visit their house and play yesterday and upon arriving, L greeted M with sweet and excited, "Hi there big boy!" The cousins have new cousin they have yet to meet.  She was born 10 weeks early and is the sweetest lil' thing ya ever did see!  She is so tiny but growing like a weed!  She no longer has a feeding tube so she's getting so close to going home!  Then the cousins will be able to meet her.  M prays every night, "Jesus, hewp baby bophia get gigger"  I look forward to seeing all the kids playing together and growing up together.  Such a blessing!