Resolutions or Contentment

I often wonder if I can teach my children how to be content. Let's be honest, we don't exactly live in a society conducive to a lifestyle of contentment. I mean we go from desktops, to laptops, to iPads.  I just made a "big" purchase this Fall on nice tall boots and then I see its the ankle boot thats in!! Ok, that might be a touch extreme, cause fashion is always changing and if I stayed content with my wardrobe I would be that "girl stuck in 1992 (or would it be 2012)!"

Some of my favorite pictures from 2012...

Austin's 1st visit to the zoo...on a warm March day!

I've never made "New Year's Resolutions." I think goals are great and we should all have them, but I think the idea of having a list of things you want to do different in a new year is annoying. Why not do them now or next week and if your going to say something you want to do then you should do it. Listing off a few things and then February comes and your "over it." What if we just resolved to be content with the start of a New Year? You want to loose some weight, try being content with your body and dropping the cinnamon muffin you order every time you get coffee. You want to be a better mom, be content with the mother you are and resolve to have a tickle fight with your child that day. I'm not saying we shouldn't change. I'm the first to ask people to go around a table and tell me what I can do better...but what if I just chose to be content.

back in the days of 3 kids...one being a vampire!

I think my marriage would be completely different if I resolved to be content. Instead of wishing he'd said this, responded this way, showed me more appreciation, was more organized in the office, yada yada! What a different relationship it would be if I could be content with who he is and who he was created to be.

summer

I'd like to teach my daughters to be content with their bodies. That starts with me...do I really need to be thinking about the 10lbs I "need" to loose to get where I "want to be." The fluorescent lights in the fitting room at Lulu Lemon are terrible. Not even a model could stand under those lights and not see some dimples, right? I walked out of there feeling really gross.  Add to the bad lights, there are 3 mirrors in the room and it measures 3x3 in size and I was wearing panties that were inside out and didn't completely cover my tush. So, I resolve to wear good undergarments when in the fitting rooms of that store, and to not dwell on what was not a good visual! Instead I will be content with my body and resolve to demonstrate healthy behaviors for my girls.

Color Run with my brother and kids

Life is not fair, it is not easy, and just when it gets easy then it gets hard again. There is a passage in the bible that I think would be amazing to be able to say about my life...

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Phillippians 4:12

My Favorite Picture of 2012

This picture captured ONE of my favorite "funny" moments with Austin James. With that little boy there were many in 2012...

Can you believe he wasn't scarred over this experience!? 

Christmas

Every Christmas is nice, but I think this might have been my most favorite Christmas to date. The fact it was Heidi's 1st Christmas, and I'm soaking up her babyness, may have added to it being my favorite Christmas.

7 Months Old...wrapping paper was her favorite gift

The Gretna Elementary 1st Graders get to perform the Christmas Program. It makes for a nice start to the Holiday break...So did the 1st snowstorm of the year, which gave us 2 extra days and really disappointed my kids. They didn't get to have movie day, and Polar Express day, and their school parties, and give their teachers their presents, and I felt a little bad...but it was a super crazy day without School, I'm not sure how I would have packed everything into it if I'd had to be "Room Mom too!"

Nerves caused Grant's hands to disappear! Performing is not his thing.

Christmas spirit isn't an issue with Molly. 

Molly's dance group performed their routine's for the parents. Austin showed everyone he isn't shy as he ran back and forth on the dance floor, he kept trying to wrestle his brother who patiently waited, and took cookies off the table and threw them in the trash.

ALL my favorite little people

Saturday brought Christmas with the "Framily" (that is short for Friends who are more like Family)! We planned a picturesque evening with a Balsamic Roast and carrots for dinner and Hot Cocoa and Popcorn in the "Party bus" (an airport shuttle our friends own!) for some time spent looking at Christmas lights while we enjoyed the festive sounds of Holiday music. We would then return back to Jessica's to open presents and get our annual "kids group photo." Instead, the kids ran around playing while the adults ate dinner, which was delicious, and  then the kids decided to eat!! HA, one of them made a face with each bite he tried, one of them didn't want to eat anything and had to hear a lecture on how you will have to have a tube put in your stomach (because she never seems to want to eat anything not made from pure Cane Sugar). The others ate bird size amounts and were done. Crazy how I don't remember EVER complaining about my food when I was a kid...sure I didn't like alot of it, but you didn't dare say anything! When the mention of going to Linden Estates to look at lights came up the guys said they'd stay back and clean up dinner! I said I would definitely need earplugs and then Kim who has the 1 year old said staying close to home would be the best. Thank goodness! We decided to skip the Hot Cocoa (too much work). We weren't even out of the driveway when one of the kids started repeating the request for "I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas." I think he said it about 18 times before someone listened! The windows fogged up so fast you couldn't see out very well. I started a game about finding Santa and his sleigh or the manager scene, which caused yelling and shouting and "I saw it first," from the kids. Whoops, sounded fun in my head! Popcorn got dumped on the floor, the 1 year old was persistent to get to the drivers seat, 2 of the kids could hardly stay awake, and Molly started complaining her butt was soaked (guess the window wasn't closed all the way during snowstorm)! We had to make a stop to turn off Kim's glue gun so her house wouldn't burn down and then it was right back to Jessica's. I think it was about a 30 minute ride that felt much longer! It is things like that which make for the most memorable memories! Christmas with the "Framily" is my favorite next to Christmas morning with Don and the kids.

I think Lily is happy with the Barbie!

These boys are exactly a year apart! They played together for the first time tonight. Austin hollered "No! and Mine!" and pushed Kamden down. Probably won't be the first time for that either!

These boys are so sweet and kind to each other. I try and remember that when they are very obnoxious...which was evident in the group photo above!

These women define "Best Friend"

We spent Sunday with the Zeleny clan at Mahoney State Park. We rent the Riverview Lodge so it can accomodate the big family...Grant got a lecture in not complaining about a gift you don't like after his 14 year old cousin overheard him open his snowman ornament and state, "this is stupid." Thankfully Grandma didn't hear him (nor will she ever read this). There seems to always be a lesson with Grant in not speaking out loud what your thinking in your head! I think he gets that from the Zeleny side of the family!!!!

The product of 9 Kids...32 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. 

Christmas Eve brings the exact opposite of Don's side of the family. Time spent with each of my parents, where there are no cousins and no Aunts to teach coloring tricks or play blocks on the floor. Instead my children learn how to sit through a meal, pass the food to the right, talk about the weather and how well business was that year, and have every adult giving them attention with each present they open!

My mom and her husband Ric

Christmas at my Dads

We put our church's Christmas Eve service in between the festivities of the day. Austin entertained the Family behind us playing peek-a-boo, half choking on the apple he was eating and ringing his bells for them. All of this after he insisted on taking his slice of bread with him to the front of church to sing with all the children, where he got mad at Grant and Molly (I had no idea what was happening up there) and an adult had to grab him. Then he kept saying "Amen" the entire time the Pastor was sharing! Fortunately the service is geared around the kids, the music is beautiful, and it is all done in a hour!

Kids make Holidays SO much Fun!

I told Molly and Grant they could not come downstairs before 6am. At 5:30am I hear Heidi fussing so I go up to put in her binky. I run into Grant coming down the stairs. "It is not 6am Grant Mitchel." "Oh, my clock said it was." Really??? I follow him to his room where his digital clock says 6:01am. I look at him, "did you change the time?" (I had to reset it after our power went out with the snowstorm, so I knew it had been set correctly!). Grant gave me the wide eyed look. I swear the boy thinks I have super powers as I ALWAYS catch him in his fibs. He nodded his head yes. Little stinker. He was all worried the night before about Santa..."I'm scared Santa will come to my room. What if I hear him. What if he is on the roof. Will his reindeer know to eat the food I left. Santa might want to give me a hug, cause he sent me a letter." Me, "Santa is a busy man tonight. He might have time to respond to letters from children, but he doesn't have time to stop and hug each one of them on Christmas Eve!" The boy put a stamped envelope in the mailbox to Santa. Much to everyones surprise he sent a letter back! It has caused Grant's infatuation with Santa to be taken to another level!

Santa brought Grant an elaborate Lego set. He does most of the building of it all on his own!

Austin's older sister and brother shower him with attention.  Too bad this present didn't go over like I thought...Austin just wants to press "Jingle's" on/off switch over and over. So when I'm reading the book the voice activation gets all thrown off. I don't recommend for 2 year olds!

Everyone kissing on this little one meant a bath was needed on Christmas Day!

Every year for as long as I can remember I celebrate Christmas with my Grandparents on my Moms side. Grandma is one of those amazing host. Each person is welcomed and hugged and the table is set with all the silver and a cloth Christmas placemat and wine and the roast is something I look forward to every year! The fire is going and the lights dimmed and the presents have never fit under the tree! My Uncle has started playing his guitar and the little kids sing.

Grandma is often seen smiling, but the minute a camera is put on her she gets all serious! One of these days I'm going to have to sneak candids of her! She looks like my "little Grandma" next to my tall brother (who is super squating)!

Kids singing...there are 7 great grandchildren

It was a nice kind of busy this Christmas. We had just enough downtime at home to rest and gear up for the next celebration. All in all Don and I were overwhelmed by how much more "stuff" we had this year with the addition of another child! A white Christmas and everyone healthy makes me overwhelmed at God's goodness. As I packed up the small trees in my kids' rooms I had the sense of sadness that it is over. As a mom I spent so much time preparing and there was so much fun leading up to the day. I'm exhausted. I don't want to think about next year...even though my kids do...Molly got a lecture on what the word "greedy" means when she tried to tell me what she wants next year. Grant stated that next year he is going to ask for a picture of Santa with Mrs. Claus and Rudolph in a nice frame. Kids truly make Christmas a Holiday to remember!

My boys being VERY BOY!

The picture I got after I yelled at Grant to stop it and worked on getting Austin to stop saying "cheese,"....

Fear

I'm sure I can't be the only mother that sometimes thinks about selling everything. I'd take the money and go buy a remote farm in Wyoming, homeschool my kids, and not have internet access. I would be able to protect my family and keep my children's innocence protected longer than the 2nd grade.

I want to gather money and hire a Security Guard that would make sure every single person is searched before walking into the School. I want a security camera on every rooftop corner, and alarms that sound when doors are left ajar, and metal detectors, and bullet proof glass installed. Actually, I'd like to stand up there for the 7 hours my kids are in the building and beat the "crap" out of any person who even acts like an idiot within a 1 block radius of the building.
I already get nervous sending my daughter off to a sleepover and I worry about the "loner" neighbor boy who Grant hollers "hello" to as the kid walks home (what if he decides to go crazy one day and I live next door to him).

When I drop my kids off at a school that is filled with loving teachers, an attentive Principal, and involved parents I don't for a minute think about praying that some nut doesn't go on a rampage that day. In light of the tragedy in Newtown, CT we now have another thing to worry about as parents.

We sat down and talked with the kids tonight about what happened at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Friday December 14th. I told them there was something we needed tell them, but it was something we didn't want to have to share with them...
It is the next day as I type this...I wish I hadn't told them. I wish I would have kept them home from School this week. Then when they went back after break it would have all blown over. Right now I have fear that I said the wrong thing, that I said too much. Don assures me it is fine. That knowing the personalities of our little people they needed to not hear it first at School from a classmate.  Grant seems to wrestle with being angry and heartbroken. His anger is directed at me, but then he just cried in my arms for the children in heaven now. Molly's prayer last night was all about the parents and siblings of the kids gone. Praying that her school would be safe.

Dark, dark tragedies have been apart of our World since Adam and Eve had Cain and Abel. We were reminded at church yesterday that with the arrival of baby Jesus came the mass massacre of all baby boys 2 years old and under by King Herod. With the celebration of our Savior Jesus comes the darkness of knowing mother's wept for their babies. Evil exist.

We ended our conversation with the kids reminding them of all we have to be thankful for...our awesome School and teachers. The fact this didn't happen in our district. When we are afraid and we feel alone that God is always with us. That is even hard for me to understand sometimes, but I know turning our thoughts to things that our good is one way to remind us God gives...it is the world that takes away.

There is a song I sing to my kids, we often sing it at church.
Water you turned into wine. Opened the eyes of the blind. There is no one like you. None like you.
Into the darkness you shine. Out of the ashes you rise. There is no one like you. None like you.
Our God is greater, Our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.
Our God is healer, awesome in power, Our God. 

If our God is for us then who could ever stop us.
If our God is with us then what can stand against us.
written by: Chris Tomlin

my 1st grader and 2nd grader

Superwoman

I got out my cape today. The red one that has a Capital "S" on it, not for Sarah, but for Superwoman!  When you become a mom you might get one that you wear on your back, that oddly enough you can't see, but everyone else can! I think the fact we can't see our cape and others can is the reason that so many women think that one mom can "do it all," while thinking she can not...like she was forgotten by the "cape makers!" I had a woman tell me her daughter could "lead a small country," because she was on a trip with her husband and had left her 5 children in the care of sitter's and Grandparents. I was doing some major eye rolling in my head as I thought, "good for her." I doubt this girl's cape is prettier or bigger than mine, but that was what I was thinking!

Today I showered, put on make-up, flat ironed my hair, got dressed in something that didn't require thought, got 2 kids off to school with lunches packed and 2 babies dressed, a side dish for my meeting warmed in the oven and out the door by 8:30am. I mentioned I had my cape on...right?!
I went to my meeting with 50 other mother's and got a few comments..."how can you get here early, look cute, and you have 4 kids?! I can't even get here on time and I have 2 kids." I would guess this mom thinks I got a cape and she didn't!!!

I had a 2 year old in my bed at 5:50am watching cartoons and dropping Lucky Charms on my head. I endured the annoying television and cereal for about 20 minutes and decided to get up and get the only alone time I would get in the day...in the shower! It takes me 5 minutes to slap on makeup and about 10 minutes to do my hair after I've let it air dry for a hour.

Every Mother possesses great gifts. I can bake a great chocolate chip cookie with my kids. I love it, it's easy for me. My best friend...not so much. The whole process is excruciating for her! She can memorize the names to every Thomas the Train character, her knowledge of Star Wars is astounding and she can engage in conversation with her kiddo about it. I can't remember any trains after Thomas!

If you judged my evening by this picture you would probably be very "off"

The scene in the picture lasted about 2 minutes. Then Austin grabbed Grant's "coloring contest" picture and tore it. Grant burst in to tears. I pulled out my cape and said, "Mom can fix it!"

One of Grant's best works!

I have my "cape" moments just like every mother. I would say the cape doesn't come out as much as I wish it would. Most days I'm lucky to get a 2 minute shower. I sprinkled baby powder in my hair before going to the Peds Doctor the other day...to soak up the grease. My kitchen wreaked of soiled milk today because I forgot about the kitchen towels laying on the floor after a tipped cup happened 2 days ago. I made some yummy cookies this afternoon, but my family didn't get dinner! If we only look at a quick snapshot and assume we know the story, we are actually missing the big picture.

what did I do?

I had a few of the neighborhood kids over after school to work on the "reindeer" craft and eat some homemade cookies. They wanted nothing to do with the craft and they did eat a lot of cookies! Kids don't see Moms in terms of what they do as being super. I think they just see "us" as super. Being there and doing what we do best is enough for them. Grant didn't doubt for a second that I wouldn't be able to fix his picture. The Coke bottle reindeer...what one of my neighbors called "ambitious" was only seen as annoying by the kids, because I wouldn't let them drink it!

this boy knows his Mommy wears a cape!

Giving and Receiving

We met with Santa. Don's friend lined it up weeks in advance to have Santa arrive at his house. Santa was set to arrive at 6pm. My always prompt daughter was getting all nervous because it was 6:05 and he hadn't arrived!

I have found "letters" to Santa all over the house. They have a list of the things they want. They even make, at School, computer graphic pictures of the items they want. Then when it comes to telling the "big" man himself they both froze. Nothing but "I don't know," from Molly and shoulder shrugging from Grant.

I've had a couple things come up the last few months in regards to receiving. It seems that it is easy for me to give. I love to shop, so buying for others is great fun for me! Giving of my time and my words is a little harder! The time, just because it is taken over by my family and the words...well I find myself getting nervous when I think about paying a compliment to a stranger. Or telling my husband outside of  a text that I think he is Hot! It makes me feel inside what Austin is feeling on the outside in this picture...

This was a photographers dream shot! He wasn't fighting it...just sat there screaming!

Receiving help and compliments. Well, the compliments I find myself deflecting..."cute shirt" Me: "it was on sale!" "Can I help you get that diaper bag, baby, toddler, coat, shopping bag?" Me: "oh, this is nothing, I do it all the time!" I believe it is easy for us to acknowledge the gift of baby Jesus at Christmas time. But do we receive the gift? Do we know it is for us and it would make the burdens in life much easier? Maybe I should try saying "thank you" after a compliment or "yes, I would like you take this bag and hold my toddlers hand for me." I think when a big bearded man ask me what I would like to receive this Christmas I should shout it out for all to hear!
I want to teach my kids how to receive kindness from others. The kindness and goodness from God in the form of a Savior is a good start! As with most everything in motherhood, it starts by me leading the charge!
Paul wrote in the book of 1 Timothy:
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life!
I am a mother to 4 little people. I get to be an example of how to give in this life and how to receive! What better time than at Christmas can I remind myself and my kiddos, and the 20 of you who read this, what this season is all about!

Poor Elf

Our kids learn the alphabet fast with the help of our Christmas Tree! Dad needs the "M's"!!!

December is here and with it brings the constant badgering from my inner self..."why do you make so much work for yourself?" It is followed by the voice of my inner mother..."I'm making wonderful memories for my kids!" Our Christmas tree is very big! I think it is 9 feet tall and then add the fullness factor to it and it is probably more in the "huge" category. I was decorating the 12 foot tree at our church and someone commented that my tree at home was bigger. Whoa, What?!!! One of those moments where your own perception is skewed, then you hear someone else and it makes you stop and reevaluate! Like, do we really need a tree that takes a hour to put together, another 30 minutes to put lights on, then another hour to decorate, Oh and your kids scream in fear when Dad lifts them to put the star on the top...because "it is too high!"

 

I think I'm setting her up to have one of those shiny plastic trees that come in colors like bright pink.

The Elf made his appearance. Kids were so excited to find him and introduce him to Austin! Ha! A 2 year old and a tiny little elf that he watches his sister and brother run around the house looking for, point this elf out to him and then just stare at it! Let me tell you that is just too bizarre for a toddler. You need to touch and feel and play with new things in order to figure out what they are all about!

Only 4 days in and it has been rough!

Molly is annoyed and Grant is distraught over watching Austin grab the Elf! 2 years ago Don was pulling something apart and a piece of plastic flew across the kitchen, hit our Elf in the head, and he fell to the ground. Don picked him up and the kids freaked! They just told someone that story the other day.  Don had to explain then that when the Elf needs help then the parent can touch them. 

Tonight Molly stomped to her bedroom mumbling something about Austin and Grant's eyes filled with tears. "Our Elf can't make it to the North Pole now!" I should have said that the Elf shouldn't have sat himself in a crayon bucket where Austin could reach!!!!  But, instead I told Grant that Santa knows children very well. He also knows that many homes have 2 year olds that don't listen or understand. I don't think the Elf's magic will go away if Austin touches it. "But Mom, Austin squeezed him!" Yeah, I guess we will have to see if he is still laying on the counter tomorrow! (or if Mom finds a better spot to stick him). 

On an entirely different note: my baby loves baby food! She somehow worked her way to the base of her Christmas tree in her room. I did not put her there! She scooted, which means she is thinking about being mobile. This has me very disappointed. I was holding out hope she wouldn't walk til she was two!

If that hair doesn't make you smile then I feel sorry for you! (notice the long strand on the left). A friend told me today that babies who smile just make you feel joy inside! I have to agree when I see this picture!