Wednesday, April 28, 2010

My Mom, my hero...




Although the title of this may sound a little cliche, this is truly how I feel about my mother. My mom has always been my best friend. She is my encourager, my cheerleader, my rock in hard times, and the best advice giver that a daughter could ask for. This woman as been through a lot. If you already haven't heard, my mom suffered a heart attack this last Sunday. It was very scary. And then if a heart attack isn't enough, they found a clot in her heart and then she was having serious complications with the site that they did the angiogram--with the main artery in our body! It has been an emotional week...a series of up and down emotions. Just like this...I got a phone call from her yesterday morning. To my surprise they were discharging her from the hospital! Then I get to the hospital and another crisis happens. They were worried about a possible clot or pseduo anyersym in her leg. More rushing around getting tests down...more waiting...more worrying. That just was how this whole ordeal has gone. Thankfully, my mom is home now trying to recover from this massive awakening----she is now a heart patient.

Now it just doesn't seem fair. My mom has had almost every thing a woman can go through in her life. She has had a brain anyersym, cancer, oestophorsis, 2 back surgeries, arthritis, and now a heart attack. She eats well, she exercises almost every day, and is so tiny! I feel so much for my mom right now. And through all this, she still is so positive...such an encourager...to me! I should be the one to encourage her. She is one strong individual...the strength I have seen in her is so inspiring to me. I love her so much and am so thankful God saved her in this situation.

A few weeks ago, I entered my mom and I into a mother/daughter look a like contest. Now..we get told we look JUST alike all the time. I am so honored. I hope I can not only look like her...but show the strength she has as a woman of God. Now..I don't think we will win as I looked at some of the other entries...we look a like but not as much as some of the pictures. But I want to honor my mom and post what I wrote into the contest what I love most about her. She is the best. Here it is!
Walking through the mall, stepping into an elevator, or even sprinting through the grocery store with my mom we are always greeted with the same response. The same stares. The same smirks. And then the same comment. I can even recite along with the strangers now. “Wow, you two must be Mother/Daughter.” Every once in awhile the onlookers will sarcastically greet us with a smirk on their face and with a “You two can’t be related, can you?” When my friends see a picture of my mom or meet my mom in person for the first time, they seem almost taken back. “Wow, Sarah! I can’t believe how much you look like your mom.”

I never knew what to think about this until it came to a head in the winter of 2000. That is when my future husband met his future mother in law for the first time. As the day was coming to an end, my new boyfriend and I were discussing his first impressions of my family. Thinking he would go on and on about how hospitable my mother was, he proceeded to say, “Wow..you are marriage material! You will be hot when you’re older!” I just shook my head and walked away knowing boys will always be boys.

But I now think about those comments and I am honored. I am honored to look like the person who has been my role model for 30 years. I hope I can only grow into half of a mother, wife, and human being that she has been. My mother has been my best friend since the time I was little. I can tell her anything. I can always look to her for the best advice. I can still call her when I’m sick. And she will still show me pity. As I have become a mother, I savor her wisdom and her advice. The best advice she has given me, I remember as a child her doing it with me. Her advice, “There will always be floors to mop and dishes to be done. But their always won’t be a 3 year old wanting to play princess with you. Savor playtime with your children.” I remember my Mom playing with me and stretching my imagination. She cultivated creativity within me. She allowed me to think outside the box. She knew that her time spent with me would do more for me in years to come then any new fangled toy for me or tip top clean house for her. I will always treasure those times with my mom.

My mother has showed me what being a mother is all about. She has been so selfless in giving of herself for her children and her husband. She always has time for me. She always has a listening ear. She always has the best advice. I am honored to look like my mom. It brings me hope that maybe..just maybe I can be a little more like her to my children someday.



Friday, April 23, 2010

A Day with Grandma

Yesterday, I took these two little ragmuffins up for a visit with their Grandma...



We got to swing on the swings with our Grandma...

We really concentrated on our pumping the swings with our Grandma...


No "butts" about it...we were having a great time with our Grandma...

We even got to play in her backyard for a bit..

And we got to feel grass for one of the very first times at Grandma's...

We can't wait for more days with Grandma!
When we got home...I made these for my nephew's Mario birthday party...Reese informed me they don't look anything like they are supposed to, but as long as they taste good...it's ok with me!






Wednesday, April 21, 2010

The Anatomy of a Bubble...


First you start chewing really good....
Then start putting it around your tongue...

Then keep it around your tongue and blow....really really hard....

Here it comes....watch quickly because....
...it doesn't last long!!!


Monday, April 19, 2010

Random Thoughts 101


1. My 2nd born never ceases to make me laugh. Today at the grocery store an elderly lady came up to talk to her and the little one. Now, I mean to say this in the most sincere way, but the lady was a little unkempt looking....a little overweight. I sound so mean. But anyway..as she was walking away, Finley blurted out, "Mommy? Does that lady sleep in the park??" I.about.died.


2. Does eating Weight Watcher and Lean Cuisine Meals defeat the purpose when I am constantly adding either loads of cheese or sour cream on the top of them? And I don't use reduced fat either...just the good old regular stuff. I digress...it must cancel out the Lean part in the title or the Watcher part to change it's meaning to watching the weight expand... Either way...I am not stopping:)

3. Going to Target is always an experience for me. The other day, we were at my favorite store when Finley informed me she had to go potty....really bad!!!! Of course, she needs to go about 50 times and day...and we just went! So I tried to hold her off for a few minutes to finish my shopping. I tell her..."Sit in the basket in the cart. Sitting down makes it feel like you don't have to go as bad. She sits in the basket and off we go again. A few minutes later, "Mommy..I just wet my pants". Great...I look beneath the cart. Sure enough on our water bottles I was going to purchase, there was pee on it. YUCK. I clean it up as much as I could. But we get up to the cash register...and that poor poor check out lady. She had no idea that she was NOT cleaning and touching up just water on those bottles.....and of course I was not going to tell her. What you don't know...won't kill you....HA!

4. Where we live, the closest Starbucks is about 12-15 minutes away. That.is.too.far. This little town in suburbia where I live...REALLY needs to get on the ball and get me my Starbucks. This is a staple I cannot live without...nor do I realize can I drive 30 minutes just to get one....but I still do. Starbucks...if you are out there...please...please...come out to my little suburbia town. thank you!




5. Why does my kitchen counters always look like this when I bake? Steve always calls me the tornado in the kitchen. I CAN.NOT. be clean when I cook. I'm a mess...



6. And why do my floors always look like this when I cook or bake...???






7. Is the mess really worth it? This is a cake I am taking to my friend who just had a little baby...the cake was the cause of my mess....








8. Ok so it was worth it. I love baking for new little babes!


9. My own little babe is getting to be one big girl. I swear she has been saying "MOMMA" when I pick her up. Steve thought I was totally making this up until he heard it last night. He told her, "Harper...say Dada!" Harper babbled a little and then said.."Momma!" It was too funny. I guess I know who her favorite is! HA!


10. Harper is also a rolling machine now! So now it begins...a life with a mobile little one. Oh boy...my life just got a little more crazy!


Wednesday, April 14, 2010

A Man, His girls, and His Favorite Game...


Monday I get a call from Steve.

Steve - “Hey Sarah..I got us my work’s seats for the ICubs game tonight!”

Me – “Whoah..tonight? Quick notice! I have no one to watch the girls.”

Steve – “Oh they have seats too. They will LOVE it. I can’t wait to take my girls to the game.”

Click…

Now, I was VERY excited about going to the ICubs game. I love going to baseball games. The smells, the people, the click of the bat hitting the ball, and most importantly the food. HA! And to make it even more exciting for me, I was going to get a childhood dream come true. You see, growing up in a family with 3 sports fanatic brothers and 1 father from Chicago, I was a pretty big Cubs fan. More than that, I was a HUGE Ryne Sandberg fan. I thought he was so cute! I named my stuffed animals after him. So when I found out Ryne Sandberg was going to be the manager of the ICubs this year, I basically wanted Steve to run out and buy season passes. So I was excited about going. But…I knew it would be a miracle if we could make it past the 1st inning with the girls.

Steve, on the other hand, had way different expectations. Now, if any of you know Steve, he is a Man’s man! He loves hunting, football, hockey, golf, Nascar, and well…just about anything a boy could love. Does Steve get to do any of these things having 3 girls? Well..not so much. Our outings usually include trips to Princess Ice Shows or showings of Annie at the theater. Poor guy…doesn’t get to do “guy” things with the family all too much. But for him, Monday was going to be a different outing. We were going to do a “guy” thing and the whole fam was going to have the time of their lives. He could finally make his little princesses into sports fans and maybe even tomboys. (Well…I wouldn’t go that far if I have anything to do with it.)

So we start out. We get to the stadium. First stop (even before we get to our seats).

Reese and Finley-“OH! I see Cotton Candy. Can we get it Daddy! Right NOW!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE?”

Daddy (who is still in pure heaven) – “Sure my little princesses”. Then he gets conned in from our two little con artists to get 3 drinks, a container of popcorn, a hotdog, and cotton candy. We juggle all the food, all the girls, and all the drinks very very carefully to our awesome front row, right behind home plate seats.

Reese and Finley inhale the cotton candy---it’s gone and the game hasn’t even started. I notice my childhood “boyfriend” Ryne—and can’t stop taking pictures. PATHETIC I know…. Steve is holding his drink, Harper, and trying to eat his hotdog all while Harper is trying to grab his drink and hotdog as well. I don’t care…I’m too busy taking pictures of my childhood dream boy.







The girls are slightly entertained when Cubbies the bear comes over to wave at them. And then they start in again… “Can I have more snack”, “This is boring.” Ahh…this is getting fun!!







The game started.

Finley-“I have to go potty.” Grrr…I’m just watching my man in his managing action. Ok..I grab her and Harper, who was starting to get fussy and go. We get back to our seats in the start of the bottom of the 1st.

Reese – “I have to go potty…” Steve then takes her. It is just the beginning of the 2nd. And let me tell you, it was a quick 1st inning.

Popcorn is gone. Pop is gone. Pretzel is gone. And the girls..well they are basically gone. “I want more snack. This is boring!”

Me – “Girls sit down. “ Then I proceed to try to teach them the game. First of all this is funny because like I KNOW anything about this game anyway…come on! Second of all, they weren’t even listening to a word I said. All they could see was the guy behind us eating a great big ice cream cone and that is what they wanted.





Harper starts crying…and I mean REALLY crying. She then proceeds to throw up her dinner on me---sweet potatoes and peaches on a white shirt. Let me tell you…that spit up is very….attractive..:)

And then it happens…our moment of fame. Our moment in the spotlight.

Reese and Finley are throwing fits because they can’t have more snack and are bored. Harper is screaming her lungs out…and we are on the Jumbo-Tron. For about a full minute the cameras were in our face. Steve and I stopped our scolding of the girls, turned to the camera and smiled and waved. Me with my puky shirt, Steve with a flustered face, Reese with a scowl, Finley with an upset tummy, and Harper screaming her lungs out. What a “put together” family were we. That moment of fame was just telling the world, “Hello Des Moines! Don’t you want to be a family just like us? Wasn’t it a SMART idea to take 3 little princesses to a baseball game?”
3rd Inning – It was time to go. We couldn’t do it anymore. As we were packing up to leave, Steve turns to me and says, “Well…maybe we SHOULD try for that boy…”

Oh poor Steve…..he just doesn’t have a chance with these three princesses.



Saturday, April 10, 2010

The Mom Look






I got nine whole minutes in the hot steaming shower today. NINE.WHOLE.MINUTES. It was glorious…until Finley comes barging through the door announcing, “MOMMY! I went poopy and wiped all by myself!” She prances around ever so proud of herself. I gasp while envisioning what her bathroom looks like and well…trying NOT to envision what her..ahem…hiney looks like. My hot, steaming solitude of cleanliness quickly comes to an end as I step out of the shower demanding that Finley pull down her pants so I could finish her job. She just stares at me. Up and down she stares, almost inquisitively as if she is thinking, “OH.MY. WORD,” (in Finley’s language it would be pronounces OH MY WOOWD), “What in the world has happened to Mommy’s body?” And then she starts giggling some. “Mommy you are bouncin’!” I quickly cover up with my towel, horrified. I want to tell her, “Honey…I’ve bore three offspring. They are about to my knees. I now call them my tubes. And for the rest of it…well…I just can’t lay off the granola or the stinking Thin Mints. I have to have something to look forward to!” But I don’t say aloud for I know in her little 3 year old mind, I would give her the spiel, and the only thing that would register would be the cookies….and then she would want one at 9am. So I choose to ignore her comment and start wiping away.

I got a total of 8 more minutes to get ready. Now that includes drying my hair, slapping on a little makeup, and running my flat iron through the frizz. During that 8 minute streak…Harper was belting out quite the tunes in her bouncy seat (which was in the bathroom as well)…and she wasn’t belting out the Star Spangled Banner mind you, Reese was fussing about her socks and shirt being too tight (I wanted to tell her that I hope in 10 years that she WILL STILL be fussing about a shirt being too tight…but that wouldn’t have gone over too well), and Finley kept unrolling the toilet paper. With the last stroke of the flat iron, I gave myself the once over in the mirror. ICK. That was all I could think of. But oh well. I don’t have time for my look anymore. I got a million other things to think about. As long as I got the stench from my run this morning off, I am good.

I grab my little opera singer from her bouncy seat and latch her on to one of my “tubes” so her WHOLE performance would come to an end, and my mind drifts off to that scary vision I just saw in the mirror. Before I had children, I swore I would never have the typical “Mom Look.” You know what I mean. The LEE jeans that make the back pockets look like they are on your back..not your butt, the hair in the constant pony tail..with a scrunchy no less, little to no makeup, and the big pearl necklace floating somewhere between the neck and “the girls”. Or it was the jean jumper fitted ever so nicely around the bulging, bumpy buttocks garnished with a little cardigan with crocheted bunnies or cute little butterflies. Now I will still NEVER EVER be caught dead in a jean jumper nor will I wear anything that would try to give my butt a lift without surgery, but the realization of my “Mom Look” was a little too close to my nightmares of the visions of my youth.




Ok…lets start with the old love handles. Now I can see why Lee Jeans were so popular. Those moms didn’t want their flap of skin waving up and down as they chase their children. Hmm…jeans that go up past my belly button may be needed to be considered. Then lets go to my stomach. I was wearing a shirt the other day, and Reese frowned at me and said, “Mom..it looks like you’re having a baby again!” The shirt I have on today doesn’t do my stomach anymore justice, nor can one look past the spots I have on all my shirts. It has now become my fashion statement…spit up. And when it’s not spit up, it’s poop. Or wait…today it was boogies from my snooty nosed little 6 month old. I am telling you…the fragrance of me is nothing to be missed. I am turning the ol’ heads of men everywhere. (Note heavy sarcasm please…).



I envy those swanky Professional women who can wear FUN high heeled shoes, rock out those peep toed shoes, have an IRONED shirt on, and look so very well put together. I LOOK for opportunities to get dressed up and get out of my “mom uniform” (which is either t-shirt and jeans or sweats…depends on how I ate the day before! HA!) At church on Sundays, I many times am the ONLY one wearing a dress since it’s the only chance I get. But as much as a try…I DON”T look all put together on those days too. My dress ends up with spit up on the shoulders and poop on the arm. My panty hose make my dress cling in the places it really shouldn’t, or I have “plumbers crack” every time I bend over in a pair of “NICE” jeans. How do those Professional women do it?



Oh and then there is my hair. While I DO NOT do scrunchies, I have become quite fond of the old headband. The headband with the pony tail look has become frightfully familiar to my poor husband. I just can’t think of a better way to hide either one or both of two things: a)my long grown out roots. I don’t want anyone to know I am not a natural, beautiful blond, or b). that I haven’t had the privilege of showering for a few days.



So there you have it. That is my MOM look. I grab my computer with one hand while Harper is still eating and look up TLC’s What Not to Wear and see if there is ANY WAY I can nominate myself for that show. Looks like it may be a long shot. A mall shopping spree is in order. The first stop is Forever 21 (I think I will rename it Forever 29…) to get some trendy stuff, and then Ann Taylor for some sophisticated stuff, and then American Eagle for some make me look younger stuff. My self confidence needs a boost, and my look needs a change.



I see my Bible at my nightstand and immediately I can hear the words of Proverbs come to my mind…”No matter what, Sarah. You are fearfully and Wonderfully made.” Then I hear a “HA” from my sweet baby in my lap who is trying to get my attention. I look down and a big smile awaits me. A few coos, some more smiles, and some big slobbery kisses later my two older girls join me. “Mommy, can we cuddle?” And with that all 4 girls are in bed together…cuddling and watching cartoons. While I don’t want to let myself go and become the typical MOM look I envisioned as a teen, I realized that I will take this anyday to looking like I have myself all put together. I will trade the nicely ironed shirt for the poop and spit up stained one if that means a few more minutes of cuddle time with my sweet baby. I will trade in those cute peep toed shoes for some ugly tennis shoes if that means quality time at the zoo with my girls. While I may not look like I am all put together, I sure FEEL all put together. I am so blessed!




Thursday, April 8, 2010

A little Bit More about my Little Bitty....

Harper at your 6th month check up, you went from being in the 90th% to now the 68%. But those chubs still are rollin! :) I love it. You weigh 17 lbs. Both your sisters were 18 lbs when they turned a year old. Yes, I think you will have them beat! And you know what else the Doctor told me at your checkup? That Mommy spoils you too much. Daddy agrees but of course Mommy still thinks you can't spoil something as sweet as you too much. The doctor agreed..no more sleeping in your carseat and no more night feedings! While I am so happy to get some more sleep, I was dreading letting you cry it out. But, alas, you surprised me and only cried an hour one night. Slept through the next night. Now you are still waking up off and on..but you are mainly sleeping through the night....finally. Now naps...they are another story. You don't like those ONE.BIT. You also hit another hurdle this past week. You would NOT eat baby food or cereal. But this week you decided you kind of liked it. Now you really like it. You still get a little mad at me when I give you some veggies. Bananas and pears are your favorite. Yesterday you ate a whole jar of pears, a whole jar of bananas, and half of a jar of sweet potatoes. I think you want to get back up to that 90%. You also have rolled over a few times. Of course you always do it when Momma leaves the room, and won't do it for me again...but I will see it someday! :)


I can't believe how much you have grown in 6 months. My baby is growing up too fast!




Tuesday, April 6, 2010

A little bit about my little bitty....

Guess Who is sitting up now??

Well....almost.....



I can't believe she is a half a year already...trying to get these pics are now getting a lot harder as paper is so yummy to a 6 month old!





Monday, April 5, 2010

Conversations At the Grocery Store with a 3 Year Old


“Finley…dear…please stop licking the freezer doors…”


“No, Finley, I don’t think we will be needing Hemorrhoid cream today dear.” (and then frantically looking around to make sure no one sees her…I mean what 3 year old knows what hemorrhoid cream is…my face is beat red from embarrassment.)


“Finley you about knocked your little sister unconscious by throwing the apples in the cart. GENTLY, place them down.”

“No Finley, we are not done yet..”

“Finley, please stop climbing into the deli goods please…”

“Finley…enough licking of the freezer doors!”

“Finley dear…what are you eating?”

“Honey, we need to pay for the fruit roll up before we eat it.”

“What are you eating now? The ice from the freezer bins? Sick….”

“FINLEY…that is DISGUSTING! STOP LICKING THE FREEZER DOORS!”

Disclaimer: Some of the comments on my part were not quite so syrupy sweet in the moment.

To My First Born from Your Loving Mother—your #1 cheerleader,


My precious Reese….you may never read this and certainly won’t read this now, but I wanted to write you this and let you know that YOU MATTER and YOU ARE SO SPECIAL. You see, right now you are going through an unbelievably tough time. You may not be able to verbalize this to me or even to yourself. You are only an almost 6 year old. Who would have known that moving from Virginia to the Midwest would have had such an impact on you? Certainly not me. When the prospect of moving came up, you, Reese, were the least of my concerns. You…adaptable…dependable…you. But I know. I can see the turmoil built inside that little body. I sense the nervousness in your voice. Mommy may seem insensitive, but Reese, if you could see inside my heart, you would see otherwise. You see…I’m trying in my own Mommy way to tell you…”You can do it!”

Starting a new school for you has been so very hard. Making new friends and leaving your very best of ones in Virginia has impacted you more then I realized. Every time I hear you come home and say that someone was mean to you at school…a piece of my heart breaks. Everytime I hear that the kids at school made fun of you because of your size, my heart crushes. And you don’t even see that tear coming down my cheek. Every time I hear what the kids say about the things you wear to school, my heart breaks. My sweet little innocent Reese. I can’t help but think how are these kids’ actions might squash that sweet innocence about you.

My outgoing, friendly Reese. I hear you yell out to your “new friends”, “HI Sophie..” or whoever may be crossing your path. You never seem to back down….even though most of the friends I have seen hardly even acknowledge you after your request to play. Don’t ever back down Reese. Don’t let the actions of others change WHO GOD MADE YOU to be.

But today…my heart broke into a million pieces. You didn’t know…and Mommy is not going to tell you. You got out of the car. Little you with the big old backpack on nervously hopped out of the van in front of the school. As I was watching you walk up to the sidewalk alone, my mind flashed back to what had happened earlier this morning. When I told you to get dressed for school, your response was very atypical of you (although it’s becoming more of a common occurrence lately). “I HATE school. I’m not going. I HATE HATE HATE it.” Such strong words….such drama. But a Mommy wants to know why. Why the fits that is normally not your personality?

My mind quickly flashed back to watching you walk to meet your class in line. You looked too little to be walking into school. You’re my baby…kindergarten came way too fast. That backpack looks too big for you. And then you reach your class. No one says Hi….No one acknowledges. And you go to the back of the line….and wait. By yourself. Oh Reese, if only you could see how I am hurting for you. It probably hurts me more then it hurts you.

I quickly want to jump out of the car and stand in line with you. I picture myself yelling across the playground and jumping up and down for all to pay attention, “Hey you all! You don’t know what you are missing here. Reese is the most special girl in the UNIVERSE. She is full of life, compassion, FUN, and loyal.” I want to get into those mean girls’ faces and get on a 5 year old level and shout, “DON”T YOU DARE TAKE THE SWEETNESS AND COMPASSION AND INNOCENCE OUT OF MY CHILD!” But alas, I won’t…it’s not my place.

But then I realize if my heart is breaking like this, imagine how God feels. If I think you are the most special 5 almost 6 year old girl in the universe…how does God feel about you? Reese, God is so crazy about you. He sees the turmoil your little heart is in. He knows how much you miss your little best friend in VA. He knows what a special, unique individual you are. Of course He does, He made you! And I have no question in my mind, that He will also provide for you. He sees your compassion for others, your nurturing loving spirit. I know right now you are a little too young to truly understand how deep his love is for you, but my prayer is that you will feel it…even now. And that you will remember our verse, “Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

So now…when I remember that picture of my sweet little Reese in the back of the line…she is not alone anymore. For standing next to her in line, holding on to her hand ever so tightly…is her ultimate friend. For it is Jesus. And He is with you Reese, wherever the rest of this school year may take you. I love you. YOU ARE SO SPECIAL!

Friday, April 2, 2010

Private Property Friday




Easter Bunnies, grocery list
Ridiculed and pierced fist
Chocolate eggs, hidden eggs, and those all encompassing Cadbury Eggs
“Please forgive them…” my Father begs
Busyness, scowls, and attitudes forlorn
Humiliation, garment torn, and a crown of thorns
Celebrating a day off of work and school
Who knew that today was the ultimate Redemption tool
I’m so sorry Father for how quickly we have forgotten about your gift
And how even on this day my mind so easily drifts
For what you did for me on this day
Changed my life and took my sins away
My own redemption forgotten so fast
The society celebration of this day is a thing of the past
Your suffering for my ultimate gain
Oh Lord, please forgive me for taking this in vain
For let me remember what you did for me on that cross
And what you did for a world that is at a loss
On this day you hung there and bled for me
Body broken for a chance at eternity
How this day made my sins as white as snow
I want the whole world to know
How what you did for me on this Friday
You did for the whole world who has tossed you away
For you are not private property for only a few to see
You suffered for us all that we all may be free
Thank you Lord for my redemption story
May the Whole World revel in your glory