Party Poopers--

This picture is an accurate representation of how our evening went...I couldn't have said, or showed it any better if I had tried...

We made all these great appetizers--stuffed pretzels, smiley fries, cheddar & bacon potatoes, croissant wrapped meatballs--basically all things good and greasy. YUM...
And we made a really tasty dessert plate with cream puffs drizzled with chocolate, caramel chocolate pretzel sticks and Reeces pb cups.
So, big party at our house? No...not at all. Not one single person is coming...nor are we going anywhere. I am not sure what on earth possessed me to make so much food, but it sounded so yummy until I snacked my way through dinner prep...and then it wasn't so appetizing. Jenna never ate dinner, and Brandon snacked on a few bites, Kaden mauled his way through a few things, but really we have most of it still sitting here.

The kids were all EXHAUSTED! Bedtime could have been at 5:30 p.m. and I would have felt that was too late. :) But we somehow made it to 7:00 and then all the small children fell fast asleep in their beds (including Spencer). RELIEF!

It is tough to have a real PARTY when the kids go to bed so early--I am sure people think we are real party poopers. And perhaps we are--but in all honesty, as lame as it sounds, being home with the kids asleep (with the possibility of an early bedtime for me) is exactly where I want to be right now.

Happy New Year from our sleepy home to yours!

The Kaden Chronicles

I thought I was done with posts for this year--I planned on leaving it "as is" with my post this morning. But then, our day unfolded--and really, way too much happened to NOT write about it. I shall call this entry, The Kaden Chronicles...

Kaden woke up soaked through his pajamas--bath #1.

I tried to feed him breakfast, to which he showed no interest. So, I went about my day getting a few things done. And then I heard "the noise"...it is a familiar noise...one I can't always pinpoint the source, but I know it means Kaden is into something. I found him in the kitchen with an entire bag of chips on the floor...


Now, I would like to remind you that not even 18 hours ago, we were dealing with a 5 pound bag of flour all over him and the floor and a 5 pound bag of cornmeal much the same as the flour incident went. So, I laughed at the chips and we moved on with things. Took him out of the kitchen and locked the gate.

And then...I walked by the kitchen a little bit later and smelled a beautiful fresh scent. This caught me by surprise--not that my kitchen normally smells gross or anything, but this was particularly FRESH. I peeked in--there he was, detergent and fabric softener poured all over. Grrr....got that all cleaned up, the frustration mounting. Welcome bath #2



Have you ever wondered what powdered formula looks like when you dump a glass of water on it--well, now you know...this was his next stop. I was grateful it wasn't all the way full--but was still bummed that it was ruined. I am glad Kaden is so observant--but honestly...
And then there are the kisses--notice the lone kiss in the background--the last one. He definitely got his fill of chocolate for the day!

Now, amidst all the crazy messes he made today, he did do something really cute. I was going to the store and he saw me ready to leave and grabbed his shoes. He still isn't talking, and I wonder sometimes if he understands what we say. Today, he proved to me he absolutely DOES. I asked if he wanted to go with me and he started shaking his head so excitedly. It just made me melt! So, we went to the store together. Being there with him made me realize that he probably has no memory of ever going to a grocery store--I always go alone because the thought of 3 small children in a grocery store just doesn't sound like a load of fun to me. But today I realized I could use a few one-on-one outings with the little guy. He really does love to go out. And while I am not appreciative of the messes, I am grateful for his curiosity--what a special trait to have. He has real determination and can figure things out all too well!

Thanks Kaden for teaching me so many things--patience being the biggest thing of all!

A Dinglehopper--our own little mermaid!

For Christmas every year, we each get a new movie in our stocking. This year, Jenna got "The Little Mermaid". She has watched it over and over--sings the songs and quotes it non-stop. To be honest, I was surprised because she got a couple Barbie movies for Christmas when we were in Texas, and she LOVED those. But, since we have been home, Little Mermaid is the one and only...

Thankfully, Brandon grabbed the camera when we saw Jenna sitting at the kitchen brushing her hair with a fork (a.k.a. DINGLEHOPPER). It was hilarious. She was singing the "part of that world" song with such sincerity! :)

Peppers

The kids both LOVE peppers--red peppers, green peppers, yellow ones...any! We made stirfry for lunch and before I could chop the whole pepper up, Jenna had it and was eating it like an apple. :)
Jenna is really into PRETENDING right now. So, this morning we played beauty salon while I put my makeup on, and then we played chef--so here we are sporting our aprons...

The end of a year--

It is the end of a year--a year of many challenges, many memories, and much growth~I am grateful for all of it. I feel it has shaped and molded our family to be better.

I have been thinking about New Year's Resolutions--I have to say I am not fond of that terminology. There is just something about it that screams FAILURE. :) Perhaps that is because it is so closely related to things like weight loss and other lifestyle changes that most people just aren't ready to truly commit to.

Each Christmas Eve we each give a gift to Christ--something we are going to do to be more Christlike. We write it down and have it to look on and think about through the year. I like the idea of "gifts" as ways to change and better ourself. After all, I see positive change in ourselves as a gift to ourselves, our family and friends, and those who surround us on a daily basis.

I have thought for a long time about the gifts I want to give as my "resolutions"--

2008 gifts to myself:

The gift of health--this year I want to be more healthy. Less sugar, more whole wheat, do something active each day (even dancing with the kids counts!)

The gift of acceptance--I want to listen more and judge less. I don't know each person's story, but should always treat them as though their situation is harder than mine. And I really want to be more loving and forgiving--

The gift of giving back--This year I really want to find ways to serve. I have thought tons about how I can give back and it always seems impossible with small children. While I want to find little ways throughout the year, I am aiming for 2 family volunteer projects this year.

The gift of LIFE--I want to embrace life more this year. I want to live each day with no regrets. This year will be a year of celebrations and special days. Why not celebrate half birthdays, made up holidays, and special accomplishments?? I want to make reasons for laughter and many, many memories!

I am excited about the coming year and the changes we will make, the things we will accomplish, and the challenges we will overcome as a family. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

What I would give for some sleep...

Our poor little Spencer decided as we were leaving on vacation, that he was ready for his front tooth to come in. And it has--at least the beginning. It is peaking through--We had SUCH a rough time sleeping and dealing with our normally MILD child on vacation--he was CRANKY! This has not stopped since--in fact, it has gotten WORSE! Judging by the fussiness factor, he should have about 18 teeth popping through ANY second--I mean, he HAS TO. He is just not his normal cheerful little self and it is driving us bonkers. I feel like we are sleeping in shifts. I usually go to sleep first, and Brandon stays up. Then I get up for a while, then Brandon--it has been so draining.

Today, I was SO exhausted I had to go back to sleep before church--well, church ended up never happening because I slept until almost noon. Unfortunately it was not a restful sleep. I was having one of those dreams where you feel so tired that you can't keep your eyes open in your dream and so the whole time you are trying to open your eyes, which in turn makes your body feel like it is constantly trying to wake up, but can't. I felt like I got hit by a truck when I woke up. What a waste of a morning!

And while thinking we would still make it to church, we found Kaden in the flour--yeah, that (and a number of other "unfortunate" events) was the sign that we might not make it and should just admit defeat. I think Kaden had 3 baths today, and at the end of the day after being all cleaned, in his pj's he was found in a 5 pound bag of cornmeal--and he thought that was GREAT! It was not one of our finer days in life.

Forget another bath--we just brushed him off and put him to bed. When I went in to check on him a little bit later, his bed sheets felt like 80 thread count--so grainy feeling! I had no idea cornmeal could hide in so many places on such a little body. We will have a big wash day tomorrow--for bedding and for little boys. :)

You have no idea what we would give for a nap right now...we aren't even asking for a full night of sleep--an uninterupted 2 hours would be devine...

The GIANT sandbox

On Friday we all packed up and went to the Cleveland Children's Museum. I am trying to get the most of our year pass! It was nice to have Brandon with us, and I figured it was the perfect time because it was during the middle of a weekday and I figured it wouldn't be very busy. WRONG....I somehow forgot that every child in this city is out of school too--and many dads are on vacations...so it was packed and we didn't stay nearly as long as I planned. But we stayed a good hour and a half--so we got some fun time in.

Our first stop...the big red barn room. The kids love this room! Lots of animals, counting things, and a big red barn they can slide down. The best part is this safari truck--they love, love, love it!




And then there was the GIANT sandbox. Well, really it was their new exhibit room trying to show the Galapagos Islands and exploring. It was really cool...to LOOK at. I was REALLY not so sure about letting the kids play and get all sandy, but you are only kids once--so why not? The kids had a blast! They had all sorts of buried treasures you could dig for, a big pirate ship, a land cruiser jeep to ride in, and a big tent with exploration stations in there. Super cool stuff!

Also binoculars...Brandon had to make sure they worked...


We came home and enjoyed some icecream with sprinkles--although Jenna made hers more like sprinkles with icecream-- :)
And then we headed to the boys' room to play with the cars..this is one of my favorite things to do with Kaden--he is just the cutest guy when he gets vroooming and driving his little automibiles around.

Jenna joined us--can you tell??

A Mother Like That

This is Brandon again. I just thought I would try my skills at blogging again. This post is dedicated to all mothers especially Rachel and the amazing job she does with our children and me being gone so much. When school got out for Christmas I was looking forward to spending time with my family and helping out around the house to take some pressure off my sweet wife and receive the blessings of the motherhood. How hard could that be? Just after we returned from our trip I was sweeping the kitchen floor. I had just finished collecting a large pile of dirt and was getting ready to transfer it into the dust pan when Kaden walked in. I knew I couldn't stop him in time so I prepared for him to scatter my pile and force me to start over again; but the curious beast walked up to the pile and dropped a full cup of juice onto my dirt collection turning it instantly to a muddy sticky mess. I decided I would learn from my mistakes and just keep a closer eye on the master of mess. As we were getting ready for church a few days later I walked into the kitchen to find this pleasant surprise.

Kaden had tried to make waffles but added a little too much flour. I realized that I wasn't even half the mother Rachel is. She smiled, took a picture and started the bath all while I was still fighting to control my urge to shot put him across the room. I know what you are thinking... don't be so hard on yourself, everyone is allowed one mistake. The problem is that later the same night I walked back into the kitchen to find a smiling helper preparing to make corn muffins.

I admit defeat, being a mother is a tough job and I am so impressed with the job that my wife does.

TRIUMPH!

I am proud to say that Kaden slept in his toddler bed for the first time last night--the whole night. And he did GREAT! We still aren't ready for naps in the bed yet--but nighttime was a success!!

HOORAY!!!

Back to life, Back to reality--

The tune to that song has been running through my head since we came back from vacation and have tried to get back into the swing of things...it has become all too apparent that we are getting back to our life. How can I tell??

For one thing, the messes have returned...our little Kaden is on the loose and looking for anything he can get his hands on. Pots and pans, anything in Jenna's room (which sets off a loud shriek from the princess herself), whatever random papers he finds sitting around, etc. He is back to his "perch" washing dishes with us on a regular basis, and trying to "help" as much as he can. Last night Brandon was making Orange Julius and was letting Kaden help him so he would stay out of everything else. As Brandon was getting ready to put the top on, Kaden pushed the ON button. Result? A sticky coating of sugary orange juice sprayed all over our cupboards, cookbook, counters, etc. Kaden was sent directly to his room--I am not sure whose meltdown was worse...Brandon's or Kaden's...eventually things calmed down and we got it cleaned up. And for the record, Brandon is still Kaden's favorite guy.

How else can I tell we are back to life? Perhaps it is the way I wish I could have ignored when Kaden walked in the room with his diaper to his knees, and a putrid smell filling the air. Not that anyone else changed my child's diapers on vacation, but for some reason it just seemed easier--But this morning, I just wanted to run away and not look back.

And then there are the newspapers...I knew I should have said we were on vacation and had them not deliver them--but I didn't. And now I have 4 days of newspapers that I feel too guilty to throw away without reading--because technically I paid for them and it would be a waste. But I just can't keep up, so the pile has started.

We came home to a semi-mess (we always PLAN on leaving it sparkling clean), which has been cleared out for the most part...except for our bedroom. That has somehow become the post-Christmas dumping grounds and our one and only goal for tomorrow. I wish I could be Mary Poppins right now. :)

How else can I tell vacation is over? The weather...oh, how we loved the warm Texas sun! It was a fabulous break. But as we sit cuddled up warm and toasty, listening to the rain and wind whip around our little house, I am reminded that the warmth is all just a memory now. :) I can't wait until spring!

I can also tell vacation is over because we know what time it is. Jason and Mindi have their clocks set ahead of time--which is fine for them because they can remember that. But I was constantly off the 20 minute difference from the clock in their living room, the clock in the bedroom never worked (but I didn't happen to notice that at first glance), and the other clock had never been changed for daylight savings time! In my house it is 9:02 p.m. right now...that I know for sure, and I like that assurance.

The most bittersweet way I know we are back to life is that we are sleeping in our own bed. I have discovered I am more of a "high maintenance" bedding person than I ever thought. I just like my pillow-top mattress, 400 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, memory foam/down pillow, and my down comforter...ahhh......makes sleeping even dreamier than it already is.

We now have to face the mail, the bills, the phone calls, school starting again, and missing the Texas Holloways--we had a great time and hope we can come again sometime soon!

Dishes, Dishes everywhere...

I confess--I have the hardest time getting my dishes done each night and feel incredibly stressed waking up to a dirty house in the morning. It is just so overwhelming...I cook breakfast and wash a dish or two before someone else calls my attention, then comes lunch and I remember the dishes waiting for me in the sink--so we use paper plates with hope of avoiding the PILE that comes so quickly...yet somehow, between frying pans, pots, cups, etc. I end up with a mountain that I wish I could ignore. I mean, who likes to face a pile of procrastination!??



To be honest, Brandon and I used to have an unwritten "understanding" that he would just do the dishes. So, I have felt more lax about getting them done, knowing he would pick up my slack. But with school and a million things going on, even he hasn't been able to be as consistent as is needed in our house. And my hit or miss attempts to remedy our dish situation don't feel like we are ever making progress--there is always a new pile.



While in Texas visiting Jason and Mindi, I was intrigued to see their "system". You see, Mindi makes sure the dishes are done after each meal. Simple, painless...wash, dry...put away. It isn't that I have never seen this method. My in-laws do the same thing but I always figured there were many hands to help and it was easier, and Brandon has talked about doing this several times--but we never have gotten in the swing of things. But Mindi has 2 small children and she seems to keep up with it just fine. I watched, day after day (and helped some too!) and every meal brought clean dishes. I was truly in awe.

So, in coming home, I had much to think about--I decided to give myself the "dish duty challenge". And I am proud to say that 3 days into it, our dishes have been done after each meal. I decided the kids could wait 5 minutes for me to hurry and get things cleaned up in the kitchen--and somehow the time has been there for me to wipe things down and straigten up. I have felt so much less stress about it! It feels good to go to bed knowing I can make breakfast the next morning in a clean kitchen.

We have been working on the kid's rooms too--each night cleaning everything up right before bed, putting all the toys in their places, and going to bed ready to start fresh. IT FEELS GREAT!

The "Journey" Journal

Okay, if you are checking back in for pictures of our Texas trip, you are in luck! We have been home now 3 days and I am FINALLY getting them all posted. Just go ahead and scroll down over the past week-- I feel relief in at least posting a few of what we took so I can move on to other thoughts. I decided a while ago to make blogging a daily thing...and I have found now that it is hard to go to bed without writing about our day. It makes things feel complete for me. It was really hard to be away from that schedule in Texas and try to go back and remember things later. Now I know there are many of you reading this who laugh at my constant (or should I say, CONSISTANT) blogging--I am known by our friends as the "blog-dawg"...but I realized today that I really wouldn't trade my online journal for anything!

I went back through today and glanced at a few entries...really, I could pretty much pick any day I wanted over the last few months and I would know what happened that day, or what i was feeling about certain things. I love seeing where we have been, where we are at, and where we are going in life. The joy of technology is that I get to share that journey as I go for anyone who might take even the smallest of interest in our lives. I love reading the comments people leave, and glancing through some of my favorite pictures...and I love sharing in all your journeys through life too--

My dad says he thinks my blog is like the "Little House on The Prarie" series...if you know me well, you will know that I am a complete sucker for Little House. In fact, while on a family history trip once (okay, I was 22 years old), I insisted we drive a few hundred miles extra to go see Walnut Grove, Minnesota (the town in the movie). I just love learning about their life and reading (and seeing) all they went through. My life may never be a book--I may not be the most talented writer, but I DO love to record those things that I hope my children and grandchildren (dare I look that far ahead!!) will be able to go back and read. I am so excited to print off our blog and bind it come Jan 1--hoping to make an annual book out of it--not a New York Times best seller, but just a family record of our struggles, laughter and lives...

We all have a lot to offer in sharing our own journeys with each other...I hope you know how much I learn from all of you!

Christmas Eve--playing at the park

On Christmas Eve (day) we went to the park to play. It was a beautiful day--PERFECT weather!

Brandon is a climber...


Here is Jenna helping a very frightened Cailyn down the slide...

Mindi bought the girls matching dresses (praying that this may be the replacement for Jenna's pink dress with the letter M)

Sun-bathing...isn't that what EVERYONE does on Christmas eve??

Cailyn was SO scared to go down the slide...until Jenna came to help her. :)

Brandon was showing off for the kids--all sorts of "cool" moves. Of course, they wanted to do it too--
Little Jessica--cute as ever!

Daddy and Kaden on the swings!
I took a few minutes to just hold my little man...I can't believe how fast he is growing.

Kaden had a great time running around.