This Stinks.....

It has been such a busy day. Got the house all decorated ... finally. Have had the tree up since the beginning of December but the house just wasn't finished. So I finally got my to-do list whittled down to a nub today. Most of the laundry is done. Yummy meatloaf and mashed potatoes for dinner. Fire dimming in the fireplace.
All my boys decided to play some Wii games before bed. Clay and Dad were duking it out in a home run derby when Clay cries out: "How many foul bowels are there going to be?!" Mallory was propped up beside me while we were trying to figure something out on the laptop. Needless to say she and I both fell apart into a heap of laughter. Ahhhhh good times. Good times.

Fa La La La La La La La La

Overheard this song being sung by Clay.... "Deck the halls with bounds of folly! Fa la la la la la la....."  FOLLY: A lack of good sense, understanding, or foresight.
Whoever uses good sense at Christmas time?? We spend too much on gifts, we make too many goodies, we EAT way too many goodies, we overschedule ourselves for too many activities... isn't it all folly?

"The folly of one man is the fortune of another."-Francis Bacon

The world says that those who follow Christ have no sense, can't think for themselves, have no understanding of high thoughts and scientific authentication. To me, the folly of following Christ is more desirable than the ideas of the wisest of human leaders. Just as the Magi came from the east seeking to worship Him, this Christmas may the folly of my walk with God extend to those less fortunate than me... to those hurting far more than me... to those seeking the love of a Savior... it must be said that wise men still seek Him.

Jumping off a bridge....

Early this morning before the chaos of the day began, Nolan snuggled up with Daddy and told us about his day yesterday.
"Mom, I jumped out of my swing yesterday."
"While it was in the air?"
"Yep!" he said with a grin.
"That's dangerous, son. You need to be careful doing that." Daddy replied.
"How high were you?" I asked.
Nolan held his hand about a foot off the bed, "That high."
"Who taught you how to do that?" I asked him.
"Isaiah," a boy in his kindergarten class.
"Well, if Isaiah jumped off a bridge, would you jump off one too?" I asked him and then immediately thought of my mother asking me the same thing....
He shook his head no. "We don't have a bridge at school."
Let's hope better judgment kicks in soon!!

ThanksLIVING

More than anything I want to live out a life of thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is more than a day. It's an attitude of the heart! This picture is from our very 1st family vacation. Chicago - 2009.  Scott and I have been married 20 years. We were so thankful and grateful for this vacation. I want the attitude of my heart to be the same... the same anticipation for the great times ahead, a go-with-the-flow spirit when things don't work out exactly as I want them to, cherishing each moment because it is brand new.... God gives me lots of brand new moments. Even in the "everyday" of my life. I just have to choose to see them that way. So as Thanksgiving quickly approaches - my prayer for you and me is that we will see in our everyday lives those moments that we need to cherish. Those people that God has placed in our lives - to be thankful for - even if they drive us nutty on occasion! That cracked and faded Bible - God's personal love letter and guide to living - is always available in our country of freedoms. An attitude of thanksliving is my goal... and I'm starting right now. Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 106:1

Funnies

Proud to say that my alma mater and my daughter's current high school football team is in the semi-finals for the state championship. Pretty cool! Thursday night Clay comes running into the living room, "Mom! We've got to get to pepper alley! It starts at 7:00!" He meant the pep rally. It was too funny to correct!

After the game last night Clay wanted to be a game show host so Scott and I were the "components". :D
"Questions 1 - Who was the president of the united states during the civil war?

C)George Washington

C)Thomas Jefferson or

B)Barrack Obama?

Scott answered George Washington and got 100 points. Every answer I got right I was given 99 points. There's something wrong with this scoring to say the least!!

This morning Scott talked to his parents. He and his brother are going to shoot skeet and wanted their dad to go. He doesn't have a shotgun but does have a .22 pistol. Scott said "Dad, if you can hit a skeet with a .22 - that's a pretty amazing shot." His mom piped up and said "He can't hit the driveway with a car. That would be amazing." My funny bone has been tickled since then!

That old baggage

Lord, that old baggage keeps showing up. Every time I think I have given you that trunk full of anger, disappointment and insecurity - I turn around and I am trying to carry it again. It's too heavy for me. I can't be who You want me to be AND carry that around. So, once again Lord, I am leaving that albatross at Your feet. Remind me when I glance back at it that You have it. That I don't need to carry it. Remind me that these things that I struggle with have been nailed to the cross along with those situations that hurt me or my family beyond words... help me to remember that You are working all things for our good and to trust You... "Oh praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead." It's the anthem of my heart God. In the name of Jesus. AMEN

Crawl

How long will this take?

How much can I go through?

My heart, my soul aches

I don't know what to do

I bend but don't break

And somehow I'll get through

'cause I have You

And if I have to crawl

Will You crawl too

I stumble and I fall

Carry me through

The wonder of it all

Is You

See me through

Oh Lord, where are You?

Do not forget me here

I cry in silence

Can You not see my tears?

When all have left me

And hope has disappeared

You find me here

And when I have to crawl

Will You crawl too

I stumble and I fall

Carry me through

The wonder of it all

Is You

See me through

When everything I was is lost

I have forgot where You have not

When I am lost You have not lost me

You have not lost me

And if I have to crawl

Will You crawl too

I stumble and I fall

Carry me through

The wonder of it all

Is You

See me through

CRAWL (Carry me through) by Superchick

For my daughter who is going through those life lessons that no one likes, for my sister Shannon who struggles daily with complications from MS, for anyone who is just dealing with the things God is allowing us to go through - He'll never leave us nor forsake us. Hang in there. <3

Bad Momma

Yes - I'm one of those moms. I just dropped Mallory off to go spend the night in a barn with some friends.

A barn. In the country. In the dark.

A barn which I cannot tell you how to get to. Every bit of my fears say "Nope. You don't need to go. Let some other mom send their daughter to a dark and creepy barn to sleep in for the night with all the barn bugs, barn mice, barn snakes, and other barn-type critters. Not you."
But my heart says - "Let her go. It's just a barn."
"I don't want her to go. What if she gets hurt? Or scared? She doesn't even like to walk to her car in the dark from our front door with the porch light on!!"
"She needs this - she needs you to trust her and trust her choice of friends. She needs to go and experience that independence and to learn to make smart choices."
If you are wondering - yes - this is the script that went on in my head when Mal asked me if she could go a few days ago. So, I have just dropped her off. And what did I drop her off to? A bunch of dancing, giggly, laughing, hyper teenage girls with sleeping bags and energy to burn. I did ask all the important questions:
"Will there be boys there?"
"No." Kayla says with a smile.
Mallory is giving me that look like, I told you so mom.
"Will there be any drugs?"
"No ma'am."
"Will there be any alcohol?"
"No. But there will be pop?"
Okay - do I really sound that strict that I don't allow my daughter to drink pop??
So I said, "Well, if there is going to be pop - she can't go."
Kayla stopped and looked at me, trying to figure out if I was serious.
I started to laugh. "I'm just kidding."
She began to laugh too. They are taking a CD player and all the CD's of the Jonas Brothers. After I found that out I knew for sure there wouldn't be any boys there! What self-respecting boy would say out loud that he is a JoBro fan??
So, if asking a bunch of nosey questions makes me a bad momma - then I'm a bad one. But I'm a momma who loves her kids... I gave Mal the drill if there was something that she was even remotely uncomfortable with - to call me - and I will come get her. And I will... it's actually finding that barn that will be the problem.

Do They Get Those From The Graveyard??

This morning Nolan woke up with Rib Crib on his mind. No telling what he was dreaming. He went and crawled in bed next to Dad to snuggle for just a minute. Then he asked Scott "Dad, do you like RibCrib?"
Of course he does - is it meat?? "Yep. Why?"
"Do they get those from the graveyard?"
"What - the ribs?"
"Uh-huh."
"What??! No! We don't eat human ribs son! It's ribs from cows or pigs. Not people."
"Oh, okay." At this point Scott hollered at me and told me he had a post for my blog! LOL Poor baby - thought they were serving human ribs at RibCrib - and not even fresh ones at that ... blech. :-/

I am thankful today for modern medicine. Since turning the big 4-0 this year I had my first mammogram. Got the results in today - it's all good. Thank you Lord. Zoie's paws are on the mend - another round of antibiotics and she will be even better. (Merry Christmas Zo - that's all you get!) Third annual cookie swap is tomorrow. Ordered a few Christmas presents today. Even when it doesn't seem like it - God still provides. Love to you all. :-)

With A Heart Of Thanksgiving...

"The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission." --John F. Kennedy

With a heart of thanksgiving, today I gratefully submit my gratitude to our veterans and the personnel currently serving in our armed forces. Along with them - I thankfully remember their loved ones who continue holding down the fort at home while they serve. Some in terrible conditions. So let us always remember that our freedom is not free - it is paid with the blood, sweat, and tears of our fathers, brothers, mothers, sisters, daughters, sons, friends, neighbors...

How much I love America! When we honor our armed forces at church and the little old men in the back of the sanctuary stand and salute our flag... when people are brought to their feet at the sound of our beloved nation's national anthem... those patriotic songs that leave a lump in your throat and pride in your heart... fireworks on our Independence Day!! I love this nation because I am still able to worship the One True God - the Living God - Jesus Christ!!

Bravissimo!!

I took my niece Abby and my boys to Walmart. Clay won 2nd place at the football game for his Halloween costume last week... Indiana Jones. What did he win? A $20 visa card! He was pretty stoked to spend it! He knew exactly what he wanted too - a Lego Camper - complete with surfboard! We finally made it to the Lego section and much to his dismay - they were out of the camper. So we settled on space police K-9 and tow truck. I can't let Clay get something and not get anything for the other two. Abby settled on a "flute" and Nolan got a GI Joe action figure that he currently cannot find (that's another blog...). After making our purchases we headed back out to the van. As Abby buckled herself in, I asked her if I could see her flute. Nolan informed me that it was called a recorder, not a flute. Thank you Mr. Information...

I took the flute/recorder and placed my fingers on all the holes and blew gently. I didn't have six years of clarinet for nothing! It wasn't exactly in tune but hey - I still got it! But it left quickly. haha ... After hearing my little scale Clay started to clap and said "Mom! Bravissimo!"
"Bravissimo??" I said with a chuckle.
"Yeah, it means good job!" he replied with a smile.
"That was sweet - thanks! Okay - let's go!"
I climbed into the van while Nolan was asking Abby to play the flute/recorder. She told him just a minute and played a little tune/note herself. To which Nolan shouted: "Rub-O! Rub-O!" as he clapped. I got so tickled. Clay looked at me with a knowing grin - "I think he means bravo," he whispered. I winked at him and it was our little secret. So the rest of the ride home, the van was filled with one note whistles with clapping and shouting. "Rub-O! Rub-O!" You just gotta love it!

God's Supply

"Blessed are those whose strength is in You,

who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.

As they pass through the Valley of Baca

they make it a place of springs;

the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

they go from strength to strength,

till each appears before God in Zion...

O Lord Almighty,

blessed is the man who trusts in You."

Psalm 84:5-7,12

The word baca means tears or weeping. Though the Valley of Baca was an actual location in Palestine, the imagery the psalmist used in this sojourner's song is unmistakable. When life gets hard or we simply feel "worn to a frazzle," as my grandmother would say, it's time to take a deep breath and remind ourselves this place is not our home. We're just passing through on our way to a heavely Kingdom. We are pilgrims here. The supply of "strength to strength" implies the demand. In other words, as long as we're here, we're going to need it. And as long as we need it, God's going to supply it.--FEATHERS FROM MY NEST by Beth Moore

Yesterday wasn't such a good day. But I am so, so blessed. Instead of going to church - I had to get the grocery shopping done because I had plans to clean out the boys' bedroom today. Once I leave the house during the day, it seems my whole day disappears so I was determined to get the shopping done last night. I was so discouraged because of the way the house looked. Why bother cleaning it when no one else helps to pick it back up? How can I expect the boys to keep their room picked up when the mess that's created from too much stuff is just overwhelming them - kind of like my house does me! Scott - recognizing a cry for help - stayed home from church and got the house all picked up. He wanted to make sure that I could have a head start on the next day. Wow. He didn't have to do that. But he did. Cause he loves me... how thankful I am for him. Love love love him. Blessed am I!!

Even this??

It's been a down day. Woke up weepy for some reason. Probably because the dog wouldn't let me sleep much. Clay was up with a monstrous bloody nose. Forgot that I hadn't washed towels for the next day. Washing towels in the middle of the night. Perhaps I'm just getting too old to keep those kind of hours! How do I give thanks in all things? "Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live." (I Thessalonians 5:16-18) Okay Lord - does it still count even if I give thanks in all things begrudgingly? Probably not.....

I have started 30 Days of Thanksgiving and I needed to sit down today and really be thankful. It was hard at first because I just felt like I didn't have the energy to be thankful. I would rather lay on the couch and pout about what a rotten day it was. But this is not God's will for me. So I chose to be thankful - even when I didn't feel thankful. And you know what - I AM thankful. The more things I thought of - the more I realized how much I have to be thankful for. And so grateful to family and friends that love me - despite my shortcomings. And to a gracious God who is long-suffering and slow to anger ... thank You. For everything.

The One With The Faux-Hawk

My boys don't like blaring music. I'm assuming this will change because Mallory doesn't seem to have a problem with it... most teenagers don't. (Hey, I was once one of those too!) Tonight at church we had a gospel quartet. This was actually a younger group that sang some really good stuff. But - their speakers were turned to the max and you know, they want to showcase their talent so every song was a major event. Nolie and I are sitting on the third row. On one of their particularly peppy songs I look down at Nolan and see that he is folding his earlobes up and over the opening of his ear because the music is loud. I reached over and encouraged him to place his hands in his lap. His response to this was to slump down in the pew - grab his ankles - and proceed to try and cover his ears with his Ben10 shoe-covered feet. What a sight. I glance up to the stage and notice that one of the singers was becoming tickled at Nolan's antics. I mouthed the words, "Sorry" but at that point we both began to laugh. Good grief.

Well, Nolan finally adjusted to the music. And it was good. Quartet members usually dress alike or dress up. This group dressed up in suits. Nolan keeps trying to tell me something:
"Mom, you see that guy in the black suit?"
"Which one, honey? They are all wearing black suits."
"That one."
"The one singing?"
"No, the one holding the microphone like this," holding his hand in an open fist in front of his mouth. :-)
"Babe, they are all holding microphones." I smiled.
At this point, he is getting frustrated. Number one, he is having to whisper and number two, I can't seem to understand which member of the group he is talking about. So I lean a little bit closer.
"Which singer are you talking about? The one in the bright pink shirt?"
"No! The one with the faux-hawk."
Big word for my five year old.. Does he really know what a faux-hawk is?
"The one in the striped-shirt?" I ask because he is the only one in the group with a faux-hawk.
With a heavy sigh, Nolan closes one eye, brings his hand close to his face and points with his index finger speckled with green marker. "That one!"
It's becoming comical now. "The one playing the piano?"
The music gets soft and just before the audience begins to applaud - finger still pointing - in the quiet Nolan loudly says "Right there!"
I quickly reach over and put his hand back down. "Shhhhh. Okay - what about him?"
"Did he just say that Jesus was white as snow?" he asked - one eyebrow up and one corner of his mouth turned up.
I had to smile.
"Just listen to the music." I whispered.
"Okay." leaning his head against my shoulder.
I'm not even sure what song that came from. But it's nice to know he was somewhat paying attention. Covered ears and all. I'm excited for that time when Nolan knows what white as snow is all about. <3

Just Do What Comes Next

The dishes are waiting in the sink. The laundry is piled high - ready to be washed. There's toys scattered across the living room floor. There's homework to be done. Dinner to be cooked. Baths to be taken. .... and yet - fall is calling. There is a large pile of multi-colored crackly leaves outside ready to jump in. The air is cool - but oh, so nice for a bike ride down our dead end road. That sounds really nice but - I don't ride bikes. It's been 2 days since I did dishes. The laundry hasn't been done in 4 days. The dog is annoyingly barking at nothing outside. The boys are playing the Wii and fighting over a stack of Ritz crackers.(heavy sigh) Even in the midst of this chaos - I am still blessed. I once had a friend tell me that when everything needs to be done at once and you don't even know where to start - you just do what comes next. So, I'm going to plow through this mess - again - and be so thankful that I have a housefull of kids to make this mess. And remember those that aren't able to have children. I am going to load that dirty laundry in the washer and be so thankful for the ability to still care for my family. I am going to do those dishes and praise God that there's always plenty of food for those dishes. Toys, homework, dinner, baths - I'll take it. Love it. Cherish it. It won't last forever - and I'll miss it when it's gone. But then again - in twenty years I may look back on these moments and ask myself "why didn't I hire a housekeeper??" LOL Blessings!

Seventeen Years of Joy

I remember it like it was yesterday...... MANY YEARS EARLIER........ All the walking. In a big square. Over and over. Please don't send me home. Please don't send me home again. I WANT this to happen today... wait, what just happened? Uh, could you help me? Yes, it's in my socks. It DID??! Yes! My water broke!! I won't be going home! I'm having a baby today! ...... I went into labor early in the morning that particular day. But - I had been in labor before too! I had been taking pills to stop it. But this was the real thing. I got up showered. Put on make up. How sweet! I'm in labor and we're having a baby.... MANY HOURS LATER ..... 1,2,3, PUSH! 5,6,7, PUSH! It's a girl!! Oh, look at her - she's beautiful!! What's her name, Mom? It's Mallory. Her name is Mallory. Honey - you did it! I'm so proud of you! Why isn't she crying? She will - it's okay. And then there it was - that first wail that makes your heart sing. Wow. That crying baby belongs to me? I'm a mom! I'm a mom at last! Look babe - you are a Daddy!! Mom, Mom - look at your grandbaby!! .........   MANY YEARS LATER ....... Mom - I'm leaving for school. I've got late band practice. I'm gonna grab dinner after work. See you later! Love you! .......... That was a fast 17 years. One of those space/time things they don't prepare you for in lamaze class - or any class for that matter. We just brought her home from the hospital. She was just in my arms wrapped in a pinky fuzzy blanket.... she was just riding rides at the kiddy park.... learning how to ride a bike without training wheels.... having her tonsils out..... getting braces on....... getting braces off..... going to her first school dance...... driving herself to school.... I know what's coming. But I'm not going to look at it yet. I'm going to keep it hidden and just look at her. Beautiful. Ready to fly. God give me grace to just let her keep putting one foot in front of the other. I know that those steps are leading away from home but I know that You've got her. Keep her. Hold her tight. Be there when I can't. Cause that's my heart... walking around outside my body. Thank You God for the pure joy you have given me in her. Happy birthday sweetie. I love you.

Funny If You Know It

Can I just say that I love my kids?? All three of them have such unique humors and personalities and it just makes for great kids, if I do say so myself. :-) Clay had a song on his mind as he climbed into the van after school. But first, Nolan was telling Nana about Daddy's caggets that he found:  (Me) "Nolan did you tell Nana what you found in my room the other night?"
"Oh I found Daddy's caggets."
My mom looked at me and smiled. She asked, "What are caggets?"
"They're orange".
I started to get tickled but if he thinks you are laughing at him - he'll quit talking. So I kept my eyes on the road and laughter to myself.
"So what do you do with caggets Nolan?" she asked.
"You put them in your cagget spot." I couldn't hold back. I chuckled. I know, I know - but I had to ask. "Where is your cagget spot?"
"It's by your heart." he replied.
"Well, I'm glad you gave those to your mom cause I don't want you putting anything in your cagget spot." said Nana.
"That might be dangerous!" pipes in Clay. Dangerous indeed. :-)

If you are familiar with Reliant K then you are familiar with their song "Sadie Hawkins Dance". I would now like to give you the McNeice boys rendition of said song:  "Sandy Hawkins dance in my khaki pants, Oh oh oh. Nuh Nuh Guys. It's always a surprise. Nothin better than feeling like my sweater." Hee Hee Hee For those not familiar with the song: "Sadie Hawkins dance, in my khaki pants. Girls ask the guys. It's always a surprise. There's nothing better than do you like my sweater? Oh oh oh!" So they were singing Sandy Hawkins all the way home after school.

After we got home Clay hollered at me from his bedroom. "Hey Mom?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you know who the director of the Transformers movie is?" Why in the world he wanted this information is beyond me. "Uh, I don't know who directed those babe."
"It's Michael Bay."
"Oh, okay. Who's Michael Bay?"
He looked at me like - I just told you. "He's the guy that directed the Transformer movie. I just thought you might like to know that."
Now I know. Did I mention that I love my kids??

The Smoker in the Hallway

"Mom, we learned about the smoker in the hallway." Nolan said. My first inclination was to turn around and check to see who was in the house. "Oh, you did? What did you learn?" I replied. "When you see that thing on fire and hear the noise, you should stop, drop and roll." Make sure you check the batteries in your "smoker" (smoke detector) soon! Bean dumplings for dinner tonight. Probably a pumpkin pie to follow. Plan to cozy up with the family and just veg out in front of the TV tonight... ahhhh, love it when life slows down just enough to let you enjoy it!

A FEW HOURS LATER... the bean dumplins were great! It's a family recipe passed down from Scott's grandma - and it's goooood! No pie :-( Only managed to watch one show but you just never know what will transpire at our house. Clay really struggles with math. Partly ADHD, partly - he gets it from his mother. But we try to help him the best we can to learn his facts. Did you know that the school doesn't encourage kids to memorize math facts anymore? They get number lines, touch math, use your fingers but no memorization... anyway - Clay is just starting his multiplication tables. (Which is difficult for someone who doesn't have their basic addition facts memorized!) So to keep his brain active while we help him, he and Daddy toss a soft football back and forth while memorizing facts. Of course, Nolan wants in on this action. Clay is trying so hard to focus and all the while Nolan is hollering "Dad, I'm open! Dad, I'm open!" .... I sent Nolan to his room to play until we were done helping Clay. It was bedtime but I told Nolan he could play catch with Dad for just a minute. He was tossing back and forth and Scott was drooling - he can spiral the ball with either hand. He can catch the ball pretty good too. I decide to start playing catch and he begins to critique my throws... little nerd. ;-)  Scott starts to toss them pretty good at him and he starts dropping the balls. He said "Dad that's a bully slop - could you throw it right?" Bully. Slop. Bullyslop. I'm not sure how but I am definitely going to be working that one into my vocabulary!

What to say...

Not all blogs are filled with funny quips and moments filled with laughter. Some times they are bittersweet and difficult. I want so much to protect my family from hurts. Hurts we've all been through... disappointment in life, an unexpected move, the unknown reasoning for the demise of a friendship. Sometimes our disappointments are self-inflicted. Other times its just the way life happens. An unexpected move from the familiar to the unknown is always hard - regardless of your age - just ask one who has gone from a life of independence to the care home. I don't know what's worse - the sadness that comes from the end of a friendship or the torture of a new friendship rubbed in your face by your apparent replacement. Sometimes life is just hard. Difficult. But God, my friend, is always good. Self-inflicted disappointments can easily be remedied by viewing yourself the way God does: loved, forgiven, precious. There is nothing unexpected to God. He knew change was coming and knows it will make you stronger... remember to lean on the One who never changes. The calm in the storm - the place of safety - the friend that sticks closer than a brother... Jesus.

A Day by Design

Outside my window...

Burr, it's cold!
I am thinking...

I love my family so much.

I am thankful for...

muffalatta sandwiches.

I am remembering...

my grandma, how much I miss her.

I am going...

to build a fire tonight.

I am hoping...

everyone stays safe while traveling to football games tonight.

On my mind...

Terry, our youth pastor, on mission in Nepal.

Pondering these words...
Where reason cannot wade there faith may swim. —Thomas Watson
From the kitchen...

Hot cocoa tonight!

One of my favorite things...

laughing with my family.

I Found Dad's Caggets

Today was such a good day... I love it when your kids say stuff that you know will stick with you forever. I can still remember some of Mallory's first words that I didn't want her to ever learn to say correctly: mazgeen (magazine), canpakes (pancakes) hotcorn (popcorn), cowpetter (catapillar), wavoo (water). So precious! I was able to go visit my grandpa who was recently moved to a nursing home. We had a nice visit - the boys did pretty good... till they decided it was time to go. "Mom - I'm ready to get out of here." says Nolan. "Nolan that's not nice -we are here to visit." I said. "Well, I'm done visiting. Can we go home now?" Thankfully my grandpa remembers that there is really nothing for a nine year old and a five year old to do there. I decided it might be best to get them out of there before they started climbing up the walls.

We got home, Daddy made chili and we watched Monday night football. After picking up legos and barking out orders that it was time for bed, I sat down on the loveseat to put hydrocortisone cream on our dog Zoie's paws. She is currently going through a bout of OCD and can't seem to leave her paws alone. Nolan saw one look at her hairless paws and went running for the bedroom. "Clay! Clay! Come look at Zoie's paws!" Clay came running in with Nolan, stopped and looked closely at the dog's paws and said - "Eww, gross. You know, mom, I think we need to take her to the vegetarian!" To which Nolan replied, "Yeah, and to the doctor too!" To which Scott said, "Why do you care what the doctor eats?" The blank stare he got from the boys was priceless. Humor wasted on the young....

"Okay boys - time for bed!" I said. Clay didn't get to sleep until midnight the night before so I knew it wouldn't take long for him to settle in. We have tried several things to keep the boys in bed. Our latest idea is that we set the kitchen timer for "15 minutes" (which is actually 25 but they can't see that cause they are in bed!). They have to hold their eyes shut for "15 minutes". If they are still awake when the timer goes off, I will lay down with them for a bit. Clay went to sleep right away. But Nolan? Nope. He wasn't having any of that. He wanted to lay down with me. So he waited for the timer.... buzzzzzzzz. He sprang up out of bed - "Mom I'm still awake. I'm gonna go get in your bed and wait for you."

"Okay son - I'll be right there." A parent never moves fast enough for a five year old. Never. Nolan hollers for me.
"Mom! I found Daddy's caggets!" What?
"What honey? Could you say that again?"
"I said I found Dad's caggets!" I'm almost scared to ask.
"Okay. Can you bring them here?"
"Yeah" he said. Down the hallway he marches. Favorite blue blanket draped around his neck, he stretches out his little chubby hand and shows me two bright orange foam earplugs.
"Dad's caggets. See?" he said beaming with pride. "Thank you son." I told him. "You're welcome. Can we go lay down now?" Yes we can. Yep. Been a good day...

The Wisdom of A 5 Year Old

Okay - so my youngest son had his first bike wreck. Scraped his elbow and his knee. The elbow was bleeding and the knee was just torn skin. Of course - bandaids were required on both. A few days later, on the way home from school - Nolan (my youngest) says, "Hey mom, did you know blueberry muffins are good for elbows?" Who knew? I told him I didn't know that but I appreciated the information. He said, "You're welcome!" and went back to shuffling through the papers in his backpack. Hmmmmm - blueberry muffins are good for elbows. If only all our problems could be solved with a couple of bandaids and a blueberry muffin!