Friday Fun

Kid + Box = FUN!

Momma said there'd be days like this...

Week in recap:

Refrigerator goes out. Small fortune to fix.

Tire on van has a screw in it. Try twice to make appointment. Have to cancel because...

Ellie gets sick. And is still sick. Go through more diapers in day, than used to in a week. (and she was just really potty-trained!)

We revisit stressful discussions about future school decisions.

"Help me, Lord, not to be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present my requests to You. And Your peace, O God, which transcends all understanding, will guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

You know you're on a tight budget when...

...You're at Tar.get, staring at the und.ies, waffling over a more comfortable 3-pack or the super value 6-pack, same price. (Quality v. quantity...hmmm...)

...Your Hubs buys bread at Cost.co, good deal for 2 loaves...except it tastes like cardboard. And yet, you know I'm still eating every last slice. Including the ends.

...I needed to bring a paper plate for each of my students to school from home. So I brought exactly 25 plates. No room for mistakes, my friends. Oh, and took home the two extras from students who were not there.

...For a recent tire repair, I think I asked the poor man three times if the repair would be free.

...Ten dollar sunglasses break, so I purchase a cheaper six dollar pair.

...Cost.co comes through again with the jumbo pack of Bounce dryer sheets. 246. One package. And yet, you know I'm still tearing those buggers in half.


All hail the tiny budget and the lady who loves her.

Overheard

Josh: Do you think we can go to a cabbage again this summer? Like the one we went to with GPW last year?
Me: Cabbage?
(note to self...cabin + cottage = cabbage, not just an average vegetable anymore)

Rhyme time with Ellie:
Ellie: Shoes...BOOZE!
(just a little FYI, she meant it as "boo-boos", seriously...)

Ellie and the Hubs were spending some quality time last weekend perusing the pictures in a Little Mermaid piano book I have, and had a conversation that went something like this...

Ellie: I want to be a princess and dance with a prince.
Hubs: I could dance with you.
Ellie: NO, you're not the right size.
(Hubs stifles a giggle..guys giggle, right?...and pursues an appropriate-sized options for his dear girl)
Hubs: Maybe, Josh?
Ellie: Ok, but Owen will have to go with Katie (cousin).

Music has arrived

The piano is here! It arrived with little drama and has subtly become a part of our home. We moved it ourselves, well, the Hubs and several strong family members and neighbors moved it. I was in charge of, "It goes there." (hehe)

The following Monday my mom came to watch the kids while I went to work and she brought tons of my old sheet music and piano books. It was a whoosh of memories. Piano lessons, practicing, singing along to some funky 80's songs, (Mike and the Mechanics, anyone?), and even my little side trips to the Hubs house after practice. He lived only a block or so away from my piano teacher at the time. I'd leave my lesson and stop by to see him for a little while. It was when we were first dating.

I remember practicing at home and singing along, my teenage dreams of becoming a singer, or a least a piano player for church services, building with every crescendo. I remember sitting at the piano, playing and thinking that I was all alone in the house. I could sing, practice and I forgot that there were other people around. (much to my brothers' disdain.)

As soon as my mom and I had gone through the books, she said, "Well, go play something." I sat down and pulled out a few easy church songs. Ahhh. I smiled from the inside, out. Hearing music flow through our house makes it even more of a home. The piano does need tuning, of course, but that hasn't stopped me or the kids from belting out some tunes, albeit, off key. I hope that our kids can make some memories on this piano. It already has created some for me.


Oh, Ps. Some cute things about the lady who gave us the piano. When the Hubs went to pick it up, she also gave him the little vase and wooden tulips that are sitting on the piano. She wanted them to be for the three kids. She is Dutch and apparently, this piano will always be, too. (note the tulip in the middle of the music stand). She also called me again, later, to let me know she had a lamp for the piano. She's bringing it to church on Sunday. I hope she knows what a generous gift this is to our family.

Happy Birthday, Owen

How old is Owen?

The Party is getting musical

Here at the Party house things are about to get more musical.  Yes, we have our Dance Parties, and Flashlight Dances. But now we are goin' classical.  

We are getting a piano!

A very nice, old lady from our church recently returned to her apartment after some time in a rehab center for hip issues.  She needs to clear her apartment of things that could possibly get in her way as she adjusts to life on her own again.  She had heard through a friend that we were looking for a piano.  My mom has one and someday that will be ours, but until then we will be able to enjoy this lovely gift.

The Hubs is on his way home with the piano right now.

Eek...so excited.  

Will post pictures later...

I'm sure the kids will love this, too.  Mmm...maybe, too much??

Tylen.ol anyone?

He Walks!

This post is about three weeks late.

Owen is walking!
The day we heard about the Hubs' grandfather was the day Owen walked. I wrote a little about it here.

So with no tape left in the video camera, I tried getting some stills of the little guy making his way across the floor. Needless to say, the shutter speed and the speed of my growing baby boy are NOT the same.

Overheard

Ellie: Mom, can you do me a favorite?
(pretty sure she meant favor...Josh used to say this all the time, too.)

Ellie: Let's sing, Mom
Mom: Ok, what should we sing?
Ellie: If You're Happy For Your Nose.
Mom: Hmmm.... OH, if You're Happy and You Know it!
Ellie: That's what I said.
(Letting that one fly on by...)

Stormy Thoughts

A couple of nights ago there was a bit of a storm here. Our first good thunderstorm of the spring season. Lightning split the sky and loud thunder followed. As soon as it started I knew the kids would be up. Josh has always been afraid of storms and has spent many windy nights either in our bed or in a sleeping bag on our floor.

So as the wind started and the thunder boomed I was ready. The Hubs and I were downstairs watching one of our favorite shows, and we heard the first cries. I ran upstairs. It was Ellie. I hopped on her bed and pulled her close. It's unusual for her to wake during a storm, but she was afraid. Soon, Josh was at the door. I smiled at him, and he quickly ran to the bed to join the cuddle huddle.

I talked to the kids about how the storm couldn't hurt them, it was outside. That God was protecting them and watching over our house.

Ellie said, "But, it's still scary out there."

I told her how God picks an angel for each person and that angel watches her and keeps her safe.

"But, it's still scary out there."

I reminded them that Daddy and I were just downstairs and soon we would be upstairs in bed, too, close by.

"It's scary out there."

Soon, I knew I just needed to go. To let them try to be courageous on their own. To trust in the words that I told them. A few more reassuring words and hugs later, I left.

As I told this story to some friends last night, one of them mentioned how we often have this same conversation with God. He tells us in His word that he is watching over us, that He has plans for us that are beyond our comprehension and that His power in our lives is a comfort. To trust Him and his will for our lives. To be courageous in His name.

And yet, we say,"But it's still scary out there."

We balk at doing His work, even saying His name to others, and stepping out of our safe zones to reach those who need help.

"It's scary out there."

Yes, it is. But we have the Ultimate Savior.

I've been in my walk with the Lord long enough to know this doesn't mean we won't ever get hurt, feel afraid or make mistakes. But the fact that we are not doing this without His watchful eye...what a comfort, what a blessing.

I'm not very good at doing this, this stepping out, breaking free. But one day I'll be able to say with confidence...Thank God for the Storms.