Pure Joy

Musical Morning

Treasured Table

So my Mom brought this table back from a yard sale a few years back. My Dad just shook his had and grinned in disbelief; he just couldn't believe that she paid twenty dollars for what he thought was a piece of junk. Now my Mom is a woman with a vision because this table had seen WAY better days. It was painted a dark green, the legs were warped with water damage and there was no shelf on the bottom nor a base to the drawer.

After I stripped the green paint off, my Dad put in the drawer base and shelf and cut off the legs to make it stand evenly. Of course with all the different woods that this table is composed of, it could not be stained properly (much to my delight). I was right there with my Mom: paint it and distress it! It might still be considered a piece of junk to some people, but to me it's a delightful little table filled with wonderful memories! It served as a coffee stand in our little appartment when Bill and I first got married and now it's a wonderful shelf to hold my recipe books and a few treasures.

Check out my Slide Show!

Sweet Baby Kate

New dress from Grandma Barb!

Thinking Green

My Mom has this theory: if you are shopping and find something that you like but just aren't sure about, you should wait a week. If after a week you are still thinking about the item then you should get it. Well, that theory has served me well. This is one of my favorite pieces that I found at an antique store a few years ago. The light, retro green color caught my eye right away. I left the shop thinking about all the ways I could use such a piece. I thought maybe I could paint it red and stencil a number on the front to serve as a locker in Ike's room. Or maybe I could use it in the family room to hold cds and dvds. Or in a bathroom to store extra towels , soaps, and toilet paper. Or I could use it in my laundry room to hold random things like light bulbs, extention cords, batteries, and detergents. Or a perfect cabinet for my craft supplies. Or it would even make a cute little pantry in my kitchen area for canned food. Believe me, my house is cozy and does not provide an ample amount of storage so I could use this in any room in my house.

After about a week I knew that this piece was perfect for my house so I just had to go get it (and it being at an antique store, you never know if the piece will be there when you return). Obviously it was otherwise I wouldn't be posting (with pictures) about my lovely find! Anyway, my Mom went back to the store with me and we loaded it up. It has been in my family room and made a great dvd and cd cabinet. However, I really love it in Kate's room as storage for all of her blankets and shoes. If she isn't as fond of vintage stuff as much as I am, I'll move it when she's grown and opinionated:) There are plenty of ideas spinning around in my head.

Ike's Toys

I was taking pictures and Ike wanted me to take pictures of his toys.

Sour Little Face

How I Met Your Father

I went on some pretty bad dates in college. Some dull and some incredibly dull. Some smart and some not so smart. Some hilarious and some dry. I'd try to stay awake through boys trying to make good impressions with their knowledge of microbiology, or their athletic achievements, or with poetry and letters. Seriously.

After quite a few ridiculous dates, I found myself trying to avoid the obvious boy walking nervously in circles around me. I'd try to act as if I didn't hear my name being called loudly by any voice sounding remotely male. I just couldn't bare trying to stay awake through another conversation about how accomplished yet another boy thought himself to be. Seriously.

. . . Bill was the boy who sat behind me in Lettering and Typography class. He was handsome and friendly. He mostly chatted with the girl who sat next to me so I didn't really think much about him . . . until I found myself sitting next to him at yet another church service (we were required to be at church three times a week). What a breath of fresh air! He was humble, confident, interesting, RELAXED, and dare I say relatively normal. I found myself agreeing to go out with him the next day without a second thought and actually looked forward to it! He's the only guy on campus that I ever agreed to a second date with and I enjoyed every minute of his company.

So here we are coming up on our sixth wedding anniversary. And today my Bill is more than the boy I fell in love with -- he's the man I dance in the kitchen with, the one who softly sings sweet songs off key in my ear, my favorite confidante, the one I steal kisses from, the one I can't help but watch without thinking how wonderful he's made my life.

Heavenly Scented Peonies!

Today my wonderful neighbor Phyllis brought me a large bouquet of light pink peonies from her garden! They are just gorgeous and I am enjoying them considerably! I am surrounded by wonderful people and get so blessed by their random acts of kindness! She also let me know that if I wanted a peonies bush she'd show me how to start one using roots (I think). Gardening is not something that comes naturally to me, but I'm a willing student. I had flower beds put in all the way around my house so I should probably learn more about plants and how to care for them.

Anyway, my sister also stopped in today with scissors in tote to cut off my tresses! Talk about another act of kindness! I am now sporting a short bob with feathery layers and soft auburn highlights. How marvelous! I am enjoying the change. Little Miss Kate also got her first haircut today . . . . about five little snips in the back to even out the length. She didn't mind at all.

Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life . . .

The Boys

The Girls

Smiles

People always comment that she looks like me. However, this is a Parramore smile!

Picture Post

Kate is three months old!

Little Man Tales

"Scuse me, Mama. Scuse me."

I am not sure how long Ike was trying to interupt me and the computer, but I finally heard his gentle voice. Turning around I see his little angel face, complete with shiny cheeks and big, innocent eyes.

"Give me hugs!" he says with his arms wide open. Oh! I just love this little man!

~

Last night my peaceful little world turned crazy . . . for a little while.

While I was cooking dinner Bill called to tell me to make sure our door was locked because he'd just heard on the scanner that there was some crazy person a few doors up from us with a weapon. And he also said he wouldn't be making it home for dinner. Disappointed, I hung up the phone, made sure the door was locked, and returned to making dinner. Two minutes later I hear violent screams and little legs kicking in the air. No, it wasn't screaming from the people a few doors up from us. It was my little man locked in a corner. When I rescued him, I saw blood trickling down from his head. AHhhhhh! I kept calm and kept telling him that he was fine, but mostly I think I just needed to hear those words. I had to keep the blood cleaned up before Ike saw it otherwise the tears would really flow. So I got him cleaned, disinfected, and put oil on the wound (it stops the bleeding right away). In the meantime, the timer is ringing and Kate is crying for me to come feed her. Whew!

Anyway, things got back under control. And when Bill came home he asked Ike how he got his ouchie. His response was honest and cute: "Standing on the chair . . . CRASH! Big ouchie!" I love how much enthusiasm he has when he speaks:)

Love this little man!

Well, I hear there is a bug going around and I sure woke up feeling it! I awoke with a splitting headache and a queezy stomach. Being a Mom, I sure don't lay around much. Today however, I wrapped up in a blanket and made myself comfortable on the couch. Isaac likes to take care of me when I am sick so he brought me some bread and made sure I took some "medicine." Then he asked, "Another baby in your tummy, Mama?" as he pats me tenderly. Being pregnant sure did knock me off my feet for a long time and poor Isaac gets excited now every time I lay on the couch. I'll have to be careful about laying on the couch -- I don't want to give my little guy false hope for more siblings.

Good quote: "It is not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God, love us." -- Dickens.

Love Those Little Ones!

There are no gifts in life quite as wonderful as the gift of new life. Maybe it's the soft cries, or the way a baby needs you so much, or maybe the fact that in one moment you are completely changed. How wonderful a gift to be given a child! How amazing the amount of love that grows in our hearts!

Our children came into our lives when God knew that we needed them the most. Sweet little Ike came into the world 65 days after we said goodbye to my father. He was a sweet gift of hope when our hearts were burdened with such deep sadness. I was in the room when my father took his last breath and I (of course) was there to hear the first breath of my baby boy. How much comfort and joy came from the breath of new life!

Bill and I found out we were pregnant in November 2006. All the excitement and joy we felt crumbled when the ultrasound revealed that our baby had no heartbeat. We were devastated and our hearts were broken. Yet in June 2007, God chose to reveal to us (two days before our fifth anniversary) that we would be having another baby. Now we are holding our precious baby Kate. Our hearts are indeed overflowing. And yes, they are healing.

No matter what age our "babies" are, they will always be our babies! Squeeze them and love them! Be patient and kind to them. Kiss them and encourage them! Life is the best gift. Cherish it.

Happy Mother's Day

My Mom must have realized that she was in for it after I was born . . . she didn't have any more kids after me:)

I was the kind of child who would hide when it came time for school, the kind of kid who said things that you hope your child never says, the kind of teenager who was incredibly sarcastic and was happiest secluded in my bedroom with freshly sharpened drawing pencils, bristol board, and music. Certain people told my Mother I was her "problem" child and those who didn't say that to her probably thought it. My Mom would smile and not say a word. She lived with me, she knew I was challenging, and yet she didn't just tollerate me. She loved me. She loved me enough to know that if she sent Dad in to deal with me, I would turn out just fine:) . . . My Mother is very wise.

I don't really know what people consider a "problem child." I guess everyone has a different description. If my Mom could have somehow known I would have "turned out okay" she probably would have been able to breathe a little easier when raising me. It's not easy being a mother and hearing you have a potential "problem child." Not very many people pour on the encouragement to young mothers, but rather beat them down with critisism. Lucky for me, my Mom was able to disregard the critisism -- she could care less what people said (unless maybe they'd already raised kids). Not only did I turn out okay, but my sisters are really great!

So thanks Mom for never giving up on me! Hope you had a Happy Mother's Day!

The Fam

Bill came home tonight after a week of training. He is now an official Defensive Tactics instructor . . . and I don't think I've mentioned on our blog that he is also our small town's "officer of the quarter." He's had a busy couple of months, but he won't have to leave for training again for a long time . . . at least I hope not. We really miss him when he's gone.

Little man Ike is good company for me while Bill is gone. He tells me lots of stories, helps take care of Kate, and loves to join me in the cooking and cleaning. He wanted to have a picnic for dinner the other night so I let him set it all up. He spread his blanket on the floor and pressed out all the wrinkles. After that, he unloaded all of his favorite foods from the pantry and refridgerator. We sat among all the food and drank our smoothies:)

Kate is now all smiles and chatter. She adores her big brother and is content to sit and watch him. However, if he leaves the room . . . she wails!

Lyin' or Lion?

Today Ike came up to me and told me that Baby Wyatt was crying. Not hearing anything I asked, "Are you lying?" His response was a very loud, "ROAR!" To him I had changed the subject from Wyatt to lions. Whatever.

Ike's Observations

Ike states his observation: "Mommy is really tall. Daddy is like a GIANT!"

Isaac noticed my ripped up jeans for the first time today. We were out kicking the soccer ball around when he stopped and asked with deep concern, "What happened? Doggy get you?"

A New Favorite

Today I found a new "favorite thing." Michelle (my sister) and I went out shopping with the kids. Just a few days before my sister Heidi told me that I needed to get a Hot Sling. She has a baby too so I listen to any helpful tips from her! I bought one and I LOVE it! Kate is snuggled in as I write this! I love it 'cause I can be on the computer with two hands to type (typing with one hand sure is difficult :) I can make dinner and she's happy just to be close to me! I can shop the stores with two free hands! And what's most important, Kate loves how comfy and cozy it is! Love this thing!

Where's Mr. Fix it?

Ike got to feed Kate for the first time and he loved it! He always wants to feed her now.
We have been trying really hard to make sure she has her "soothie" instead of her thumb, but if that soothie falls out she goes straight for her thumb.
Boo. I love how wide eyed she looks . . . all the time:)

I thought I was getting a good grip on this housewiving job. You would think after almost four years in this profession I would have it down. However, I have come to notice that my talents are limited -- especially when Bill is out of town. The computer broke down and I had no idea how to fix it. Bill and my sister Heidi were on the phone trying to help me figure it out but nothing seemed to work. Well, after a day without a functioning computer you can see that it is fixed and I didn't break the thing after all! Sweet relief! I would explain how simple it was to fix, but I don't know the correct terms:)

I've also realized how much I depend on Bill in that I've NEVER changed a light bulb in this house (except for the lamps). I know it sounds ridiculous, but I am eager to change the burnt out ones just because I never have. I think if it weren't for Bill I would probably just use candles and forget the light bulb changing. Ugh. I am really not very much use around here. I had better become a superior cook to cover up all the things I don't know how to do:) Actually, I need to just buckle down and figure out how to do these things.

And to top it off, the window shades on the sliding door broke, the breast pump broke, and the memory card to my camera is full. I have some things to figure out . . .

Runny Noses

Isaac regarding Wyatt's runny nose: "Oh, no! Mommy, his nose is falling down!"

Dinosaur?

While down on the floor playing with Isaac this evening he jumped on my back. I asked him to please not climb on my back because it was sore. He climbed off and looked into my eyes and asked, "Dinosaur, Mommy?"

Fat Souls

My Aunt once spoke of this cute little phrase: "fatten little souls." I loved the saying so much that I've never forgotten it. I think of it almost daily when I am pouring Ike his morning cup of orange juice. His health is important to me so I lovingly add a little lemon flavored cod liver oil or his powdered vitamins (come to think of it, my Mom used to do the same thing to me and my sisters only it was gritty barley greens in what would have been her wonderful homemade grape juice). Anyway, as I do this I think of how healthy I want both of my kids to be and even more importantly how healthy and "chubby" I want their souls to be. I know it's easy to get caught up in so many things being a busy housewife, but in truth it's a person's soul that matters more than anything. So every day I try to remind myself to invest in my children's soul. I try to remember to give an extra scoop of both love and attention, a second (and sometimes a third) helping of patience, heap on the kindness, a double dose of teaching, pile on the understanding, pour on the praise, encouragement, and discipline. Fattening little souls is by far the best investment of time that I can think of!

It's a Dad Thing

There's something so wonderful about how a father treats his children. The last two nights I've been admiring how extra loving and thoughtful Bill has been.

Ike has a nasty little cold and is not feeling very well -- especially when he lays down at night. Bill feels bad when Ike is sick so he sets up his room with the humidifier and rubs the Vick's vapor rub on his chest. He gets up every time Ike cries to check on him and to see if Ike needs anything. It's just really sweet 'cause as soon as he hears Ike he jumps out of bed and runs to his side. I just have an extra appreciation for my husband when I watch how gentle he is with the kids.

Anyway, Ike is on a speedy road to recovery. Doctor's orders are simple: chicken soup, fresh garlic, vitamin C, echinacea, and plenty of fluids. I try to be sneaky and put fresh garlic in the salsa and vitamins and echinacea in his orange juice. So far I haven't heard a complaint!