I'm so sorry my posting has been lean this week. The kids are out of school on Fall Break this week, and since John was gone all last week, he's taking some time off work. So, we have been spending some quality family time.
So far this week the girls competed in a state wide Fine Arts Festival with our church, both doing Drama, and Lexi doing art as well. It was their first time. They did really good. It was fun. Then we got to spend a little time with my family. We spent a day in John's home town with his parents. (It's a small town about an hour away from us.)
John and I went on a date! ; ) He'd been wanting to see the movie Eagle Eye for his Birthday. It was good. He loves a good action flick. It reminded me of The Net, the older Sandra Bullock movie.
And the most exciting part so far was getting our teeth cleaned at the Dentist! Okay, maybe not! The kids took a vote and let me know they prefer being taken out of school for their dentist appointments rather than me scheduling them for days they are off. My response was "too bad, I would rather get it done with out you missing any days of school. And just think I'm really saving you from extra homework!" Yeah, they didn't buy it either, oh well. Each of the girls were the only ones who had any cavity's, one each, and they just happen to be in the exact same tooth. Weird. Is it a Twin thing, or just bad hygiene? Who knows.
We're off now to gather Pumpkins to carve. I'll let you know how it goes.
Hope you are enjoying the Fall.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
SITS Blogathon
I've joined my first Blog group. And it's been so much fun! It's a great way for me to find new Blogs to read, and introduce myself & my Blog to new people.
It's called "The Secret is in the Sauce" (We all know we need to be a little saucy at times!) ;)
I want to share a few of the Blogs I've found with you incase you are looking for some new ones to read as well. I always look for things I have in common with the other bloggers, and a sense of Humor. Happy Reading.
Friday, October 10, 2008
John
Yes, My Man is still out of town. But, today is his Birthday!
So, I thought I'd share with you some of the things I love about him. . .
- He Rocks!
Ever since I was a teenybopper I have loved musicians. (Admit it, you have too.) And he does it better than anyone! He sings, plays guitar, Piano, Bass Guitar, and drums. I love listening to him.
- He Cooks!
Yes, that's right. He loves to cook. (And I love to eat. A match made in heaven!) So he does it often, I'm very lucky.
- He's a Good Dad!
He has always been engaged in our kids lives. From changing their first diapers in the hospital, to being at most of their sporting, musical, school or church events, cheering them on. To playing & hanging out with them now.
- He's Funny!
One of my favorite things in people is their sense of Humor, and he has a good one. (He has to, to be able to put up with me!) I love to laugh, and we laugh often.
- He's Smart!
When I get to the point were I can no longer help the kids with their homework, I can say "wait till Dad gets home & he can help you" and he can.
- He's a Techno. Geek!
I never thought I would marry a nerd, but, I did. A cool Nerd, but, a nerd none the less. It's so helpful to me that he knows how computers, phones, and any other kind of gadget works. So I don't have to! ; )
- He Encourages me to be me!
In all our 20+ years together, he's never tried to turn me into something or someone I'm not. He lets me be me, and encourages me to try new things and pursue whatever interest I have. (He is my Blogs biggest fan!, or maybe he's just my biggest fan. Either way I'm very grateful.)
- He's my Best Friend!
He listens to me and really cares about me, and has always been there for me. We love to spend time together.
And that's just a few of his good qualities. I hope you feel like you know him a little better now. He really is a great guy!
Happy Birthday Babe. I love you so much.
I can't wait till you get home tomorrow.
So, I thought I'd share with you some of the things I love about him. . .
- He Rocks!
Ever since I was a teenybopper I have loved musicians. (Admit it, you have too.) And he does it better than anyone! He sings, plays guitar, Piano, Bass Guitar, and drums. I love listening to him.
- He Cooks!
Yes, that's right. He loves to cook. (And I love to eat. A match made in heaven!) So he does it often, I'm very lucky.
- He's a Good Dad!
He has always been engaged in our kids lives. From changing their first diapers in the hospital, to being at most of their sporting, musical, school or church events, cheering them on. To playing & hanging out with them now.
- He's Funny!
One of my favorite things in people is their sense of Humor, and he has a good one. (He has to, to be able to put up with me!) I love to laugh, and we laugh often.
- He's Smart!
When I get to the point were I can no longer help the kids with their homework, I can say "wait till Dad gets home & he can help you" and he can.
- He's a Techno. Geek!
I never thought I would marry a nerd, but, I did. A cool Nerd, but, a nerd none the less. It's so helpful to me that he knows how computers, phones, and any other kind of gadget works. So I don't have to! ; )
- He Encourages me to be me!
In all our 20+ years together, he's never tried to turn me into something or someone I'm not. He lets me be me, and encourages me to try new things and pursue whatever interest I have. (He is my Blogs biggest fan!, or maybe he's just my biggest fan. Either way I'm very grateful.)
- He's my Best Friend!
He listens to me and really cares about me, and has always been there for me. We love to spend time together.
And that's just a few of his good qualities. I hope you feel like you know him a little better now. He really is a great guy!
Happy Birthday Babe. I love you so much.
I can't wait till you get home tomorrow.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Still Single Parenting
Okay, start by reading my last post. (see below)
Then last night when we got home from Church, I was upstairs getting ready for bed, when my girls came running up the stairs SCREAMING! "There's a Scorpion in the sink!" So, I started screaming for Zach who was in his room. (He's the resident bug killer.) We all go down stairs and sure enough, there it was. . . The Scorpion King.
Now remember we do live in Arizona, so scorpions are quite common. (Enough so, that my girls knew what it was!) We've had several friends who have been stung by them. We've been in our house over 6 years now, and though some of my neighbors have had them in their homes, we never have. Until now, the week John is out of town! Of course.
Zach came to our rescue, and killed it. But then of course, the girls were afraid to get in their beds after that. Just another day in the life of a single parent!
Then last night when we got home from Church, I was upstairs getting ready for bed, when my girls came running up the stairs SCREAMING! "There's a Scorpion in the sink!" So, I started screaming for Zach who was in his room. (He's the resident bug killer.) We all go down stairs and sure enough, there it was. . . The Scorpion King.
Now remember we do live in Arizona, so scorpions are quite common. (Enough so, that my girls knew what it was!) We've had several friends who have been stung by them. We've been in our house over 6 years now, and though some of my neighbors have had them in their homes, we never have. Until now, the week John is out of town! Of course.
Zach came to our rescue, and killed it. But then of course, the girls were afraid to get in their beds after that. Just another day in the life of a single parent!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Single Parenting
John is out of town all week this week at the Catalyst Conference in Atlanta. Which means I am a single parent. Ugh! Parenting is hard enough when there are two of you working together.
I know some of you are single parents, and I must say I don't know how you do it. You are the most wonderful, hardest working, self disciplined people I know. I think God knew I could not do this on my own. And I am extremely thankful for that.
It's not so bad now that the kids are older, when they were younger it was pretty tough. Getting four kids ready and out the door on time. One time I came back from just a day trip, leaving John as the single parent, and my girls told me "Daddy said, if we didn't have a mom, we'd have SHORT hair!" That was just from one day of having to do their hair for school! What would he have done with a whole week? Luckily the girls are old enough now to do their own hair (sort of) if I'm not there.
And I just don't sleep well when John's not there. I think I must assume if their is a noise in the night, he will hear it, so I don't have to worry about it. But, when he's not there, I hear every little sound. Thankfully I have a dog now, (even if it is a tiny one, she will still alert me of an intruder) and two man size boys in the house.
So, this week, the first day of John being gone, the light in my bathroom burns out. It's not just kind you can unscrew & change. It took Kyle, on full size ladder trying to pry the light fixture off, so he could change it. If the kids had still been little I would have been going to the bathroom in the dark all week. ; )
Last time John was out of town I got a flat tire in downtown Phoenix. I don't know how to change a flat tire. (I don't even put gas in my car if I don't have to! I know your thinking I'm pathetic, and you'd be right, but I grew up with a dad and five brothers, and now have a husband and two teenage sons who will put gas in my car.) So, I called John in another state crying. He gave me a service to call, that came to where I was to change the tire for me.
And those of you who know me, know I'm not a morning person. Luckily for me, John is. But, so far this week, I have managed to get the girls ready for school, and to the bus stop on time. Barely, but, we made it. So, that is my week this week.
And to all you single parents out there, know that I am thinking of you, and praying for you.
You are Awesome!
I know some of you are single parents, and I must say I don't know how you do it. You are the most wonderful, hardest working, self disciplined people I know. I think God knew I could not do this on my own. And I am extremely thankful for that.
It's not so bad now that the kids are older, when they were younger it was pretty tough. Getting four kids ready and out the door on time. One time I came back from just a day trip, leaving John as the single parent, and my girls told me "Daddy said, if we didn't have a mom, we'd have SHORT hair!" That was just from one day of having to do their hair for school! What would he have done with a whole week? Luckily the girls are old enough now to do their own hair (sort of) if I'm not there.
And I just don't sleep well when John's not there. I think I must assume if their is a noise in the night, he will hear it, so I don't have to worry about it. But, when he's not there, I hear every little sound. Thankfully I have a dog now, (even if it is a tiny one, she will still alert me of an intruder) and two man size boys in the house.
So, this week, the first day of John being gone, the light in my bathroom burns out. It's not just kind you can unscrew & change. It took Kyle, on full size ladder trying to pry the light fixture off, so he could change it. If the kids had still been little I would have been going to the bathroom in the dark all week. ; )
Last time John was out of town I got a flat tire in downtown Phoenix. I don't know how to change a flat tire. (I don't even put gas in my car if I don't have to! I know your thinking I'm pathetic, and you'd be right, but I grew up with a dad and five brothers, and now have a husband and two teenage sons who will put gas in my car.) So, I called John in another state crying. He gave me a service to call, that came to where I was to change the tire for me.
And those of you who know me, know I'm not a morning person. Luckily for me, John is. But, so far this week, I have managed to get the girls ready for school, and to the bus stop on time. Barely, but, we made it. So, that is my week this week.
And to all you single parents out there, know that I am thinking of you, and praying for you.
You are Awesome!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Birthday Party Planning
One of the most fun things for me is planning Birthday parties! I love coming up with themes and games, and everything that goes along with that. Although, on a Pastor's salary, we've never been able to throw the real elaborate birthday parties for our kids. We can't rent out places, or hire special people as characters to come to our parties. But, I think my kids have always had great parties (If I do say so myself!). I always plan parties with that child in mind, and think about what they are into that year? Kyle has had a lot of superhero parties throughout the years. I remember one year while we lived in Michigan, the World Cup Soccer Tournament came to Detroit. So, Kyle had a World Cup Soccer Birthday party. We got T-shirts for the tournament and played every kind of game you can think of that can use a soccer ball. Zach always liked things like Thomas The Tank Engine and NASCAR. And when the boys got older they liked taking their friends to the movies for their party.
The girls love planning their party as much as I do. They talk about it all year. They've had everything from Princesses, to Mickey & Minnie Mouse, to Tinkerbell parties. One year they had a Wizard of Oz party. Erica dressed up like Glinda the good witch, and Lexi was Dorthy. The invitations told their friends to come dressed like munchkins. We played a Wizard of Oz trivia game and Musical Ruby Red Slippers (as opposed to Musical Chairs!) One brilliant idea I had was to have their party on a night The Disney Channel was having a movie premier. They could invite all the girls in their class from school, and all their friends from church. We didn't have to plan any games. Everyone was excited to see the new Disney Movie, which no one had seen yet (another bonus.) All the other moms kept telling me what a good idea that was...and it was easy!
So this year I did something different. The girls did not know what I was planning. During the last few months I would give them clues. They've been into spies like Nancy Drew lately. And last Christmas John bought me a vintage Clue game. I always liked playing that game. Well, the girls have been playing it all year and really love it too. So it was exciting to them that their party was a mystery. Turing 10 last year they had two bigger than normal parties. The party we planned and then a friend from church actually through them a surprise party at a place called Girly Girls, they got make-overs with hair, make-up, and nails. It was a big to-do. So, I knew I wanted to have a small party this year. So, we had an American Girl Doll Samantha Mystery Party. I found the whole party game, including invitations, scripts and everything you need on the web site on sale really cheep. It's a role playing game, designed for 8 girls, and with twins, that's two already! They are instructed in the invitation how to dress like their character. And you act out the script and solve a mystery. It was set in the early 1900's, so everyone dressed accordingly, and we had a Victorian Tea Party, we served quiche, rolls, grapes, pretzels cookies and cream puffs. It was a lot of fun. All the girls really had a good time going back in time. My girls have the Samantha and her best friend Nellie dolls, so, it was fun for them to play those characters they've read books about for a night. And We love to dress up!
What are some of your best party ideas? I'm always looking for new, different ideas, as is every mother I know.
The girls love planning their party as much as I do. They talk about it all year. They've had everything from Princesses, to Mickey & Minnie Mouse, to Tinkerbell parties. One year they had a Wizard of Oz party. Erica dressed up like Glinda the good witch, and Lexi was Dorthy. The invitations told their friends to come dressed like munchkins. We played a Wizard of Oz trivia game and Musical Ruby Red Slippers (as opposed to Musical Chairs!) One brilliant idea I had was to have their party on a night The Disney Channel was having a movie premier. They could invite all the girls in their class from school, and all their friends from church. We didn't have to plan any games. Everyone was excited to see the new Disney Movie, which no one had seen yet (another bonus.) All the other moms kept telling me what a good idea that was...and it was easy!
So this year I did something different. The girls did not know what I was planning. During the last few months I would give them clues. They've been into spies like Nancy Drew lately. And last Christmas John bought me a vintage Clue game. I always liked playing that game. Well, the girls have been playing it all year and really love it too. So it was exciting to them that their party was a mystery. Turing 10 last year they had two bigger than normal parties. The party we planned and then a friend from church actually through them a surprise party at a place called Girly Girls, they got make-overs with hair, make-up, and nails. It was a big to-do. So, I knew I wanted to have a small party this year. So, we had an American Girl Doll Samantha Mystery Party. I found the whole party game, including invitations, scripts and everything you need on the web site on sale really cheep. It's a role playing game, designed for 8 girls, and with twins, that's two already! They are instructed in the invitation how to dress like their character. And you act out the script and solve a mystery. It was set in the early 1900's, so everyone dressed accordingly, and we had a Victorian Tea Party, we served quiche, rolls, grapes, pretzels cookies and cream puffs. It was a lot of fun. All the girls really had a good time going back in time. My girls have the Samantha and her best friend Nellie dolls, so, it was fun for them to play those characters they've read books about for a night. And We love to dress up!
What are some of your best party ideas? I'm always looking for new, different ideas, as is every mother I know.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Twins
11 years ago today my life changed! Completely. Being a mom to two little boys, and the wife of a Music/Youth Pastor kept me busy. Then on that fateful day. . . I gave birth to twins. Girls even. And life has never been the same.
The Labor & delivery was a whirlwind. It was in the middle of the night. And since I was a high risk pregnancy, the room was teaming with people. I had a team of people, then each baby had their own entire team as well. (I hoped I put on a good enough show for them, but since it was my first delivery with an epidural, it probably wasn't that exciting. Though I sure did enjoy it more than my other two!) ; )
Erica Starr was born first, weighing 6 lbs even. She was beautiful! They showed her to me, gave her right to her team of doctors and away she went. I said, "Do I now have to start labor all over again for the second one?" Thankfully the answer was no. A couple of pushes, and four minutes later Alexia Jewell was born. Cute as can be, weighing 5 lb.'s, 9 oz.
Except for low blood sugar, due to my having gestational Diabetes, they were very healthy. I am forever grateful to everyone who prayed for my girls during my pregnancy. As soon as you find out you are expecting twins, you are inundated with information telling you all the risks. And you really start to believe that no twins are ever born healthy. And that they all have to stay in the hospital for months. But, thankfully, Erica was able to leave the hospital with me, and Lexi had to stay just one extra day.
The first year with twins is so hard. No one sleeps! My husband was always great about helping with all our kids. And with one baby he would say, "you stay in bed, I'll get up." But, with two babies, you're both pretty much up all the time. And trust me, it's not a pretty sight when I don't have enough sleep! But we made it through. We all survived it!
Then once they can feed themselves, it gets much easier. And having twins isn't just twice the work, but, it's twice the Love, twice the Fun, and twice the Joy. (Most of the time anyway! I'll save having two in the Terrible Two's for some other post!) It's always been one of my favorite things in this world to just sit and listen to the two of them playing and talking with each other when they don't know I'm listening. It's fascinating!
A book I loved that was written by twins for twins and their parents is called: Dancing Naked in front of the Fridge (and other lessons from twins) by: Nancy & Janna Sipes. It explains the twin bond better than any other I've read. They say to think about your best friend in the whole world. One that knows you so well that the two of you can, and do, finish each others sentences. Then imagine if that person had been in your life for your entire life. That your first day of school, was their first day of school. Your first trip to the Dr. was theirs. You shared everything. Everyone you knew, every place you went. Everything. And you can start to imagine what it's like to be a twin.
So, on this 11th Birthday of my twin girls, who are now in the throws of pre-teenage dome, I am so grateful, and thankful to be their mom. It has been so much fun (all the hard work aside, for today!) to watch them grow and learn together, as they relate to each other, and to the world around them. Happy Birthday Erica & Lexi. I love you.
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