A Treasure Hunt

Andy made a treasure map for the kids on Monday night. When they woke up on Tuesday it was waiting for them on the table. We had a fabulous time searching for our treasure. The booty was quickly consumed (fruit snacks) and divvied out (quarters and pennies were shared with a local crisis pregnancy center). The satisfied Pirates moved on to other activities, but the treasure map was definitely a big hit.

Katheryne's wedding

We went to a beautiful wedding in early January. My Mom and the Bride's Mom have been friends since highschool, so "us kids" have known each other our whole lives. It was really fun to be there for the celebration, and get to know some other people in their lives. I didn't get a whole lot of pictures, but I have a few really silly ones. You have to notice both Andy and Kevin. They are just plain silly. We already knew that the Binkley girls were silly, and Andy, but Kevin isn't as obvious. Trust me, he is silly too.

My husband, the genius

I would just like to say that my husband is a genius. An absolute genius!

Let me back up a little and give the story. Last week we moved Zion out of his baby crib and into a twin bed. I think that was on Monday. Since that time he has fought sleep with every ounce of his little 30 lb self. I have read articles, online advice, and talked to my friends with kids. I have tried pretty much everything they have suggested. Nothing has worked. Zion would consistently get out of bed, come out into the living room, and just stare at me. When I said something to him, he would run full speed back to his bed and laugh hysterically. For HOURS at a time. I tried taking away his stuffed animals. I tried ignoring him. I tried calming placing him back into his bed. After picking him up, calmly carrying him to his bed and tucking him in, every 2-3 minutes for TWO HOURS I thought my back was going to break. I tried holding him down. I tried spanking him, which is never something I am fond of. I even took away his choo choo blanket. This was going on at every nap and every bedtime. I even locked his bedroom door. That wouldn't keep him in his bed, but at least he was in his room. He just fiddled with the door until he figured out how to unlock it. He was up until 11pm, and didn't have much, if any, nap, for 5 days. He had to be exhausted. I was!
Yesterday he actually got a nap because he fell asleep in the car on the way home from the grocery, and I carefully carried him inside to his bed and he stayed asleep. So, after having a nap I knew that he wouldn't be too tired at bedtime. Even though that doesn't really make sense, it is easier to get him to sleep when he isn't too exhausted. So, we started the process again. After bath, book, God story, and prayers, we tucked him in and left the room. He didn't come out right away, instead climbing in bed with his brother, which annoyed Canaan to the point of yelling for help. We fussed. Zion started the "come into the living room and stare at us" cycle. We took away his train. We locked the door. We fussed. We ignored. Finally, Andy thought to put one of those white doorknob cover things on the inside of his door. He can't grip it tight enough to open the door, but it is perfectly safe because in case of a fire I can easily enter their room. Zion didn't stay in his bed, and we had to open the door to fuss at him a couple of times, but he had to stay in his room, and his brother fell asleep, so eventually he gave up the fight too.
Really, I almost have to admire Zion. He made up his mind, and he has stuck with it. On Friday night everyone else was asleep. Canaan had been out for hours, Andy had drifted off and I was just laying in bed reading. There was absolutely nothing going on, and there is no way that Zion could think that he was missing something. But he still stayed awake. He would just come into my room and look at me until I would say "Go back to bed". I eventually fell asleep around 11:30. I woke up again at 12:10, and went to check on him, and he was asleep, in his bed. I don't know exactly when it happened, since I was asleep, but it did finally happen.
I don't know what will happen today at nap time. It is only 8:35 am, so I guess it is a little early to start dreading it. I will just cross that bridge when I come to it. For now I will be happy that he had a decent nights sleep and is a happy little boy this morning. I will also celebrate the fact that both Canaan and Emma are still sleeping, so it is just Zion and I this morning. I will go give him my undivided attention.
If you have any advice, feel free to post it.

Music

In case you haven't noticed, I have added music to my blog. Picking out the songs has been quite a journey of discovery. I like a lot of different styles, from quite a few different years. I also am absolutely terrible with names. So, in the process of making this list, I kept turning to Andy and saying, "Honey, what was the name of that band I used to listen to, when I lived on Third Street. You know, the one with the guy... " Somehow, with about that much detail, he would come up with the name of who I wanted, every time. He knows me entirely too well. At first I didn't think I would come up with 100 songs. I can only think of about 5 on the top of my head at any given moment. But somehow one song led to another, and Andy would remind me of someone else, and here I am with 100 songs. I got really sappy somewhere in the middle and picked out a lot of songs from when Andy and I were dating or first married. I think that was during the time he was helping me, and I was just so in love, and remembering all the easy fun times. So naturally, the memory music made it on there. However there was a sadly lacking amount of Waterdeep available on the site I was using, so "our song" didn't make the list.
When I first posted the player I had less songs, but Carrie has already commented on the amount of Country music. I have added more since then. It never ceases to amaze me that I actually like country music, but I definitely do. My Mom may disown me, and my highschool friends can't believe it, but I am truly addicted. It all started when my husband joined the Air Force and we moved all the way across the country, away from everything familiar. Country music brought the South to me, even way out in CA, and it has just stuck ever since. Now, I love it just because I do.
I would also like to point out that although I have a wide variety, with many different genre's and years represented, there are no Beatle's songs on my list. I had it nearly finished and realized that I was leaving off a major American influence, and I considered adding them, just for the sake of adding them. But truly and honestly, I don't really like the Beatles. That may be grounds for death in some areas, but there it is. I have said it, and am willing to pay the consequences. I don't really DISLIKE them, I just don't LIKE them. If it helps, I also left off Elvis. Nothing against him, just don't really feel the need. I was raised solely on Keith Green, Maranatha Praise music, and Psalty the singing songbook, with a later addition of Amy Grant and Twila Paris. I missed out on two whole decades of music during my growing up years. I can't help but be behind.
Anyway.... I just wanted to say that I enjoyed this journey. I loved being reminded of the music I love, searching for the memories that get lost in the every day, and worshiping the God who gave me music and memories.
Please enjoy the selection, and comment on your favorites, and what I have left off.

The continuing story

Just a quick conclusion to my earlier blog. I called my road side assistance people, they called a mechanic, and he came out in less than an hour, used this cool little balloon thing and got my door open in a flash. I am so glad I called them, because Andy worked on it for about 30 minutes (from the time he got home, until the tow truck guy came) and had no luck at all getting it open. So, it is all over, and all three keys have been re-distributed to their proper places.
Andy said I needed some relaxing after my "traumatic" day, so we ate a quick supper and he took me over to the nail salon for a manicure/pedicure. I have beautiful french nails, and wonderfully relaxed feet. Andy took the boys down the street and bought me (or maybe himself, since I think he likes it at least as much as me) a beautiful new rocking chair. It will be here on Saturday, and I am pretty excited. Don't I have a wonderful husband, taking care of me after my stressful day? When it is all said and done, and happily over... Life is Good!

What a day, and it's not even over yet...

You know how sometimes your day is so completely annoying, unbelievably frustrating and shockingly crazy that first you cry and then you can only laugh? I am having one of those days. Truly, none of the events of the day are that bad, if they happened one at a time. But all of them in one day, in a row... well it about has pushed me over the edge.
First I overslept - I forgot to set my alarm, but woke up on my own only a little late, so no biggie. Emma came right on time, and I realized then that I forgot to get the "small" booster seat out of Andy's truck. So, I had to stuff three full size car seats into my car. (a very fuel efficient, holds all I really need, but not big on extra room, Toyota Matrix) Annoying, but not impossible. I worked out this morning, and got a shower without any mishaps, which isn't an easy feat when you have to leave three children unattended while you wash your hair. Thank goodness for "The Magic Schoolbus". Safe, educational, and holds the attention of all three for a full 10 minutes.
Anyway, I got myself, and all three kids dressed, and in the car, with only a small fight over shoes, and a medium sized argument with the buckle on Canaan's big booster. Then I realized that between unlocking my car in order to put the car seats in, and actually getting in the car, my keys had disappeared. Gone. Looked everywhere I could think of - nothing. So, I took the extra key off the hook in the kitchen and headed out. By this time we were running about 15 minutes late. I got to base, found Andy and got his set of keys (so that I would have a key to the house, and the clicker for the car) and went to the commissary. We finished with groceries in record time, ate lunchables in the car on the way home, dropped off the groceries without getting the kids out of the car, and went straight to the library for story time. At some point in time along this journey the terrifying thought had flashed through my mind "what if I left the keys on top of the car?" So, all the way home I stopped extra long at each stop sign, scanned the ground along the road, and actually got out of the car once to check if something along the side was maybe my keys. Still nothing..
Story time was great. The kids checked out some fun books, and Canaan got his own library card, since mine was on my key chain and currently unavailable. As soon as we got home I got the kids out of the car and started unbuckling the carseats, hoping that the keys were under one of them. About 60 second later, Zion meanders out of the garage, carrying my keys. I still don't know where he found them, but Hurray, they were found. When he brought them to me, I dropped them into my purse, and immediately thought.... "I need to make sure I put Andy's keys back on his dresser, and the extra key back on the hook. It would be awful if I lost my purse with all three sets of keys in it". Now, with that foreshadowing, can you tell the next part of the story? Seriously, why didn't I? I totally should have seen it coming. I am still kicking myself. As I unloaded diaper bags, library books, etc, little Emma climbed into the drivers seat, pushed the lock button, climbed out, and closed the door. With my purse inside. With all three sets of keys inside. I even have one of those credit card sized keys, but it is in my wallet, in my purse, inside the locked car, with all three of the other keys to my car. First I kicked the car, then I cried. Then I laughed and laughed and laughed. I keep praying for God to miraculously unlock the door. So far nothing, but I can hope, can't I? I had called Andy just minutes after I got home to tell him the keys were found. I had to call him back just minutes later to tell him that all three sets of keys were locked in the car. He just laughed his head off.
Andy just called to say he is on his way home, and will try to break into the car with one of those flat things that stick between the window. I am going to call our insurance company to see if they have any recommendations. I'll let ya'll know how this turns out.
For now, I am going to just keep laughing... hopefully!

New year, new things, same consistent Savior

I started a new job in the new year. I now babysit my neighbor's little girl, Emma, five days a week. She is 2 1/2, so she and Zion are pretty much like twins. She talks better then he does, but other then that they are pretty much on the same level. I am actually really enjoying it so far. I wanted more kids, and now I have one, and even get paid!
Every year during the first week of the year I fill out a calendar with all the birthdays, anniversaries and important dates I want to remember. This year really put me in shock. I will be 29 this year. It is my last year in my 20's. Mary Faith just turned 20 in December, so for the first time all of us sisters are "the same". (I left the teens behind when Mary was only 11, so we were never all teenagers at the same time). I have great plans to enjoy this year of being "the same" as my sisters. I have had a huge realization of how different my life is from all of theirs.... I will give an example, but it requires a little "back-story" first. For any who don't know, I have three little sisters, 26, 22 and 20. Emilee is married, but no kids, works full time, has a big house, cool toys, really bad health. Kelsey wants nothing more in life then to serve Jesus. She is currently in college, but would quit tomorrow and move to the Arctic circle if God told her to. Mary is super easy going. She wants to marry someone who will take care of her and give her beautiful children.
Kelsey's boyfriend, Travis, is a pilot, working with a non-profit relief organization in The Congo. He just left in mid December and will be there for a year. So, Kelsey is planning a trip to Africa to visit him for her Spring break. Emilee and Kevin are going with her. Just because they can. They are meeting him in South Africa, are planning to do a safari, and play chaperone, and play tourists. And I am INSANELY JEALOUS. That is a sad and sorry thing to admit, but it cannot be described in any other way. I have wanted to see Africa for years. I have wanted to see every continent for years. At first I just wanted to visit every continent. That started when I was about 8. By age 12 or 13 I wanted to adopt a child from each continent. (except antarctica, obviously). For some reason it doesn't bother me that Kelsey is going to Africa - she has a reason, her boyfriend is there. She has already beaten my to Australia anyway, and was there for a good reason. But for some reason I am jealous that Emilee gets to go. I want to go. Why can't I go with Kelsey instead. Answer: I have two beautiful boys who depend on me completely. I know that. I love them, and have no regrets. We chose to have kids when we did. I purposely got pregnant at 23, because I wanted to. I wouldn't trade them for anything. But it really makes me want to cry that I can't go to Africa. And here is where the part that makes me a complete jerk comes in. Emilee wants what I have. She wants to be pregnant. Instead, she gets to go on a Safari. So really, when all is said and done, I have the much better end of the deal.
So, hopefully Emilee will get pregnant when they get back from Africa. (prayer request, if you get a chance) And hopefully, I will get to go to Africa someday, and hopefully bring back my child, whomever they are. And in the meantime, hopefully we can both be content with where we are, and the blessings we have, and God's perfect timing in all things.
Why is there always another lesson to learn? I sometimes wish God would skip all the middle part and just make me a perfect reflection of him. I guess WORKING at it is part of what achieves it. So, I will keep working... and failing... and God will keep picking me up and reminding me that I can only take one step at a time.

A Christmas Slideshow

So, this really isn't a very good slideshow, but I wanted to get some pictures up, and I don't have much time, so here it is. Sorry for the cut off heads. I will hopefully make a better one soon!