Monday, November 24, 2008

I Don't Need You to be in Charge


So basically my four year old is amazing.  Last week I walked into the family room to find Cannon restraining Colton's kicking legs mid-air.  Cannon casually glanced over his shoulder and in his best "will you be my helper" voice said, "Hey Mom, can you grab me the wipes? Colton's poopy". 


A few weeks before that I had appeared in the family room to find Cannon had folded the entire basket of laundry that was sitting in there.  "Look Mom, I folded all the clothes!  Then I put them in piles. (Pointing)  Braelyn, Conner, Cooper, Caden, Crew, Me, Brooklyn, and Colton!  I like folding laundry Mom."  I'd like to add that every piece of clothing was in the right pile, and folded pretty darn nicely, too.  I'm pretty sure that he is the only one in the house besides myself that could accomplish that feat, Jody included.  Of course, had it been a basket of whites and he'd identified which socks went to whom, I probably would have passed out.  (Jody once watched me folding socks and told me that I could never die because there is no way he'd ever remember who's socks were who's.  Apparently a great deal of my value lies in my sock sorting skills.)

Today I was getting ready to change Brookie's diaper and Cannon quickly discerned that Colton needed changing too.  When I went to grab Brooke's new diaper he yelled, "Mom, can you get me a diaper for Colton?  They're size 3."  It's probable that that little nugget of information is known only to Cannon, myself, and possibly Braelyn (again, Jody included!).

A little while later I had gotten the spaghetti out of the fridge to heat up for lunch.  I ran to answer the door and when I came back Cannon was sitting on the counter with the spaghetti all dished out for Brooklyn and himself.  He had one plate in the microwave and was trying to figure out how long he should heat up spaghetti!  He proceeded to get Brooklyn situated at the table and happily devouring her lunch.  When they were done he ran to the kitchen, grabbed a paper towel, got it wet, and offhandedly explained to me that Brooklyn was done and needed to be "washed up".   Then he CLEARED both of their places.

So when he matter of factly explained to me that "I don't need you to be in charge.  I can do everything",  how could I argue with him?  

I think I will go and teach him how to sort laundry and start the washing machine.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Beautiful Things

It's just after ten in the morning and here I sit, still in my pajamas.  Jody came back to pick up something he forgot just as I was getting home from the bus stop earlier this morning and my secret was out.  I actually drive to the bus stop IN MY PAJAMAS.  This morning it wasn't even a t-shirt and yoga pants.  They were flowery, pastel covered, matching pants and button down top.  But I digress.  I could feel frustrated that I haven't showered or dressed, started the laundry, done Brooklyn's hair, dressed Colton,......

But I am choosing to be happy.  Happy in the moment.  Grateful.  Grateful for beautiful things.

Like...
  • a husband/best friend who quickly cleaned up breakfast and swept the kitchen when he ran back home for his forgotten item.  
  • Brooklyn and Cannon enjoying applesauce for their morning snack- the applesauce that reminds me of a night spent with my beautiful children and amazing husband cooking apples and making memories.
  • Fat baby feet to kiss.
  • Kids that tell me they love me every morning when they get out of the car.  
  • Pouty lipped little girls in pigtails and mommy's red high heels
  • Yummy red head babies that wake up from naps smiling so big that their happiness is irresistibly contagious
  • Teenage daughters that are as gorgeous on the inside as they are on the out
It is now the next day and I never did complete my list of beautiful things to be grateful for, but it makes a decided difference in experiences, moments, and days to choose to be happy and grateful.  I choose to be happy today!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

iPhone Woes

I never seem to have my camera in hand (it doesn't work well either)and Jody always has his phone, so I have been relying on him to capture our kids cute and important moments.  Of course I rarely, if ever, get around to actually printing my pictures, so I didn't realize until I started this blog that the iPhone doesn't have enough mega pixels (is that the right terminology?) to enlarge well.  AAHHH!!!  I guess that means Jody needs to buy me a new camera.  


p.s.  I would like a really nice one, babe!

Braelyn's Choir Concert




 












Braelyn had her first choir concert of the year.  This year she is in two choirs, Chamber Choir and Jazz choir.  The Jazz choir only has eight girls, so this was a fun accomplishment.  Braelyn loves to sing and absolutely loves choir.  Audrey is in seventh grade girls choir, so although they don't have class together, they get to do concerts together.  Jody couldn't get over how beautiful Braelyn looked.  The last picture is a candid shot that he captured, and I can't believe how grown up my little girl is.  

Princess? Whatever do you mean???


Brooklyn decides to drive
 Cannon's jeep.
Cannon decides to join her.
Brooklyn tries pushing...

scratching...

pinching...
until Mom has to intervene.


Brooklyn finally concedes and happily gives Cannon a ride(in his jeep).
Princess?  Whatever do you mean???  






Peaches Anyone?

We decided to can peaches this year.  It became a family project and we had a blast.  Even Jody got really into it.  He was in charge of the actual canning process, which we did outside on a two burner camping stove.  We did 50+ jars, so it was nice to have two canners going.  We had so much fun that we decided to do applesauce and apple filling as well.  Pictures of that coming soon...


          
                             















The kids think of this as "fun work".  I wish I knew how to make cleaning bedrooms, scrubbing toilets, mowing the lawn, etc... seem like "fun work"!  If I ever discover that secret, I'm sure I'll be rich...or at least a little happier!

















Monday, November 10, 2008

Finally

This is something I've been wanting to do for a long time, and I am finally getting to it.  I've had the page for quite awhile and I could list my many excuses, but that list would be unbelievably long, and probably quite boring.  (Well, except for the whole rollover car accident/emergency c-section/months recuperating/eight children part of the excuse!)  I am mostly looking forward to keeping something of a journal for my family.  I am much more likely to sit and jot something down on the computer than I am to get out pen and paper and actually journal the old fashioned way!  So here goes.....