Wednesday, April 27, 2011

'Til My Sides Hurt: A Hero, A Cat, A Definition And A Dream

Amelia announced to me today that, "Da Bibo save my life."

I sat here thinking how amazing it is that my two year old has somehow been touched by the Bible. As I was about to asked her what about the Bible saved her life she said, "My weel mommy save my life."

Sensing that maybe this was another made up two-year-old conversation that I had just gotten my hopes up about (I'm quick like that) I asked who her real mommy is Hazel chimed in.

"I am her real mommy. And I saved her life. God maked her died and I saved her life."

When I asked for further information I was told that the bad guys tried to "killed" Amelia and Hazel saved her life.

Amelia confirmed this by pointing to Hazel and repeating, "My weel mommy save my life."

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Hazel found an imaginary cat the other day. She named him Runo. He hung around for about a half hour. Got into his cat food. Got spanked. Then apparently he got Amelia's heart (as she was sleeping) and Hazel got rid of him.

And then she got a new cat. Imaginary of course. This one was named Roostapher. As she got Dolly-Dolly (her favorite doll) ready to go to the store she kept calling to Roostapher to, "wait for Mommy in the car! We're going bye-bye to buy eggs because we lost ours."

Part of the humor to me was that Abiah, who has had a few imaginary friends for the past 5 years, had a hard time accepting the fact that Hazel had an imaginary cat (or two). He, being so logical himself, tried to convince her that there are no imaginary cats. I reassured him that if HE could have imaginary friends/co-workers his sister could definitely have a few imaginary cats.

Especially since we won't be owning a real one anytime soon...

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As they were wrestling together, Hazel called Hot Hubby a jungle gym the other day. When I asked her if she even knew what a jungle gym was she replied, "Yes. It's a toilet seat."

When we all erupted laughing she caught on to her accidental humor and started calling Hot Hubby a toilet seat. After they argued back and forth about whether or not he is truly a toilet seat, Hot Hubby countered with, "I'm not a toilet seat!... You're a Drama Queen!"

Hazel froze. Threw herself on the floor. And started to cry.

Not at ALL proving his point...

Then through her tears she said, "If you call me a Drama Queen again I'm going to be dramatic!"

There are days when puberty feels closer than it should.

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During dinner Amelia casually told me about her recent dream. Usually these stories are brought on by her listening to Hazel and Abiah talk about their dreams and Amelia's dream stories just sound like two-year-old gibberish. This one surprised us.

"Mom, in my deems...I got new one...Po Pet (Pillow Pet)...baby kind."

I don't think she even knows they make those. But, then again, I thought I was her real mom, so what do I know...

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Easter Story Cookies

I made these with my kids last year and though Hazel and Amelia were too young to understand, Abiah really enjoyed it. The girls enjoyed it, too. They just didn't understand much more than the fact that we were making cookies. They will especially like it this year because their favorite way to "help" me cook is to stand next to me and taste EVERY ingredient added to the recipes. I figure it can only help them become better cooks when they are older. Right?...

If we aren't in the hospital having a baby, I plan to make these Saturday night with my brood.

If you've never made them or heard of them read through the WHOLE recipe before starting out. While it is a simple recipe, there are some specific instructions. Let me know if you've ever made them or what you think if you try them this year. Enjoy!


Easter Story Cookies

  • 1 cup whole pecans
  • 1 tsp vinegar
  • 3 egg whites
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ziplock bag
  • wooden spoon
  • tape
  • Bible
FIRST!!! Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Don't wait until the middle of the recipe!

Place pecans in ziplock bag and let your children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.

Read John 19:1-3

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into the mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink.

Read John 19:28-30

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life (Boy, that could lead into an interesting conversation!). Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.

Read John 10:10-11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.

Read Luke 23:27

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He want us to know and belong to Him.

Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purityin God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.

Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.

Read Matthew 27:57-60

Put the cookies in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.

Read Matthew 27:65-66

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.

Read John 16:20 and 22

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.

Read Matthew 28:1-9

Enjoy your Easter Day!

Friday, April 15, 2011

'Til My Sides Hurt: The Knock, Knock Joke

Hazel has discovered knock, knock jokes. Not actual jokes that have a point. Just the idea of them. I think she's learned from Abiah who is really almost as clueless as Hazel when it comes to executing the jokes.

Hazel was sitting "telling" me her jokes that all followed along the lines of this one:

Hazel: Knock, knock!

Me: Who's there?

H: Your nose.

M: Your nose who?

H: It's me! Your nose!

Then she would bust up laughing at herself.

Abiah's jokes usually have some hidden meaning or deep explanation that only he's aware of. Like this one:

Abiah: Knock, knock!

Me: Who's there?

A: Butterfly.

M: Butterfly who?

A: Butter.

M: I guess I don't have a very good sense of humor because I don't understand that one.

A: Well, it's because there's this joke about why did the boy throw the butter out the window? Because he wanted to see it fly...

M: Oh...I see.

After he tells this joke Hazel tells one similar to the one above. This time the punch line was:

"It's me! Your door!"

Abiah rolled his eyes and replied, "Hazel that's not even funny. Some people don't have a sense of humor." And then he quickly added, "Mom, what's a sense of humor?"

While I laughed to myself, Amelia walked up and tried her hand at a knock, knock joke:

Amelia: Knot, knot!

Me: Who's there?

Amelia: You's boobies!

That time I laughed!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Flippin' Day

Warning: This post may contain a few "Lady Details." Enter at your own risk!

Yesterday was Jackson's Flip Day. We loaded our van with all our gear just in case we ended up having a baby and headed to the doctor appointment. I drove so Hot Hubby could eat his lunch. And so my blood pressure would stay at a healthy rate.

I don't know why, but Hot Hubby's driving has been freakin' me out as of late. My distress could be from the two accidents I've been in the last two years. Or it could be from Hot Hubby's insistence that "too close" is bumper on bumper. Literally. This is especially exciting when the person behind us has the same driving standards as Hot Hubby.

Exciting meaning: I'm about to kick a hole in the passenger side floor board.

But I digress.

So, on the way to the hospital we: Drove through a hail storm. Came upon a road block and had to turn around. Went back through the hail storm. Took the windier route. Came across a bigger hail storm. Slowed down to a crawl to avoid sliding in the snow-like hail. And arrived ten minutes late. But we had fun on the way!

And since I was driving it was Hot Hubby's turn to have blood pressure problems.

While we waited for the Doctor I asked Hot Hubby what his prayer was for the day. He told me that he was praying that our Little Mister would already be turned and that everything else would be just fine.

As well as praying for Jackson to turn we've been telling Jackson that he needed to be obedient and turn.

"Did you just boss an unborn child?!"

"It is never too early to learn manners!"

Name that movie!

Within a few minutes of the doctor coming in he announced that he could do this version in his sleep because Jackson was/is vertex. Which means he is in the right position!

We were so relieved! Not only did we avoid the discomfort of the version and possible c-section, but there's a possibility that since this baby is being obedient in utero he might carry that over into his childhood...possibly.

I realize this dream of mine has a slim chance of survival but what are we if we can't dream?!?

Since Jackson was still so high there is still the possibility of him turning again. We are now praying for him to stay in this position but to move down.

My midwife also suggested that we try induction while he's head down. I'd rather avoid a hospital induction so I am trying all the home remedies I know of or that have been suggested to me.

My favorite so far is eating a raspberry sundae. I suppose that idea comes from using red raspberry leaf tea to induce labor. Either way, I'm willing to try both!

What are some methods you've used or heard of to induce labor?

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

A Day Without Shoes!

18!

I own 18 pairs of shoes.

Confession?

Maybe.

Especially when I hear of those who go without shoes every day and contract diseases because of it. Diseases that could be cured by a pair of shoes!

Join me as I participate in Kari's challenge to go A Day Without Shoes.

Also,
  • if you join in the fun
  • and find you have a few pairs of gently used shoes you can get rid of
  • and you live in the Portland area
My mom and her friend just bought a resale boutique in West Linn and they are taking shoe donations for the Japan Tsunami victims. You can find them at:

Maggie's Magnolia Boutique
19155 Willamette Dr
West Linn, OR 97068

I'm curious. Leave a comment with the amount of shoes you own. Were you surprised like me?

Monday, April 4, 2011

'Til My Sides Hurt: Disgusting Boys Edition

Hazel and Amelia were taking a bubble bath the other day. While they entertained themselves with the tub full of bubbles I started cleaning the bathroom. Shortly after they saw what I was doing they asked for wash cloths and when they got them promptly starting "scrubbing" the tub. As they "cleaned" they complained:

Hazel: "Abiah, maked a big mess! He's so gross! Boys are skusting!"

Amelia: "Biah. Make. Mess. Scusing!"

H: "He always makes a mess!"

A: "Make. Mess!"

H: "Boys are so gross!"

A: "Boys. Gos!"

H: "Ugh! Abiah maked a big mess! And I have to clean it up! He's so skusting!"

A: "Keen. Up. Mess! Scusing!"

H: "Boys is so gross, Mom!"

A: "Boys. Gos. Mom."

I told Abiah that I was sorry he was the one to take all the blame for the messes, but tried to encourage him by reminding him that the girls have NO idea what messes Jackson will be making soon. I think they'll be more disgusted by those messes then the ones Abiah presumably made.

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Hazel was wearing her sparkle shoes that have a strap across the top of the foot. When she took her shoe and sock of to show me the lines that the straps were making she said, "Look, Mom! I'm a demon!"

I think she meant to say she had an indent.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Easy Guacamole

A man from our church shared this "recipe" for guacamole a few weeks ago. It's too good not to share. Easy and delicious? Sign me up! It also happens to be quite healthy, too!

1 ripe avocado, smashed
1-2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped or smashed
(I highly recommend the Pampered Chef garlic press)
salt and pepper to taste

Serve with your favorite chips or on top of your favorite Mexican dish. Enjoy!