Old Photos

Found some older pics and loved them. Thought someone else might too!

This is so stinkin' adorable!

Pretty Baby!

and a happy baby too!

I am thankful for....Chan Man

My first-born. A mother loves all her children equally, but different. They all teach you so many things and new things with each child. Your first one teaches you the basics all at once, a crash course in motherhood. He is about the best, most helpful kid I have ever met. Since he was a tiny boy he has always been so careful about taking care of people he loves. He is a worrier. He thinks so deeply about everything and everyone. He is sometimes reserved. He is too hard on himself sometimes trying to be to perfect. He is compassionate. He is a teacher. He works to set a good example for others. He listens to me. He is the best little buddy, so easy going and so much fun to be around. He is a reader and loves science a ton. He is loved soo much. Thank you Chan Man for being mine!

Hilarious!

Just wanted to share how hilarious Abigail thinks she is. She is always doing her best to entertain everyone. That is of course what her role is as the baby.

Four pull-ups. (Not her size.)

I AM SO FUNNY!

Propaganda

The election is over but for some reason my kids wont let it go. They thought they were the coolest ever when I gave them "I voted" stickers. I thought it would be a good idea to let the older ones watch as Mr. Obama gave his speech Tuesday night (It is history in the making and all). After a few minutes I changed my mind. So many questions and comments and generalizations. Far too much grown up stuff to wrap their little brains around. They have all heard a few things from other grown-ups and also kids at school. Chandler says he would vote for Obama 'cause his name sounds cool. (Why kids don't vote.) The kids started questioning who we were voting for and then the discussion of Democrat vs. Republican. Chandler says "Well, I'M NOT voting for a democrat!" Why not? "because it just sounds bad, DEEM-O-CRAT (shiver and dirty look)". I think he was trying to say that the Demo sounded like demon to him. Anyhow I'm leading up to the reason for this post. I was up in my room getting dressed and ready for the day and overheard Daniel interrogating his 2 year old sister. I peeked down the stairs to see Daniel leaning into Abby's face (Abby standing there naked of course). Daniel: "and who are you voting for Abigail?" Abby just stares at him, huh? Daniel: "Are you voting for McCain? or are you voting for Obama...who takes babies and kills them!?" He wasn't trying to sway her vote or anything. LOL! Too funny! Hopefully as they get older maybe we can have some more educated conversations with our children about voting and politics.

Yesterday

Yesterday I had to drive to RJC in Kent. Not a fun thing to do, but it wasn't totally miserable either. I was able to leave Abby and Daniel with my mom at the house so she could pick up Chandler and Katii from school as well. There was an accident on the freeway so I went through Sumner not wanting to take my chances as I was already late. The drive was beautiful! From my house all the way down through Sumner the leaves are gorgeous. I really enjoyed the quiet time in my mini-van to appreciate the beauty of fall. I absolutely love it! Fall is definitely my most favorite season. I feel like we really missed most of the beginning. I kept telling myself we would do all of it when we got back from vacation, but October just seemed to slip away. Note to self, prepare earlier next year.

Moving on to the good stuff...

When I went into the kitchen yesterday morning I found a cup that belongs to Daniel with a very strange mix of what appeared to be ice, water? and something blue and gooey all frozen together. Frustrated with another mess I tossed it into the sink and went off to clean somewhere else. Later, as Abby, D and I sat down to eat lunch, D says "Mom can I have the drink that Chandler made me?". Ah, I see the cup is starting to make sense now. I told him that I dumped it because it was gross and I didn't even know what was in it. Daniel's face is now visibly disappointed, frustrated and a little bit angry. He now declares "but Mom, I know what was in it! It was yogurt! (blue go-gurt) Chandler's teacher made it for him and he was making it for me and it's very healthy for you body and Mom, (here is the best part) I TRUST HIM!! (Lol) I had to restrain the giggles that wanted to come pouring out. I also had to apologize to D for dumping this marvelous and healthy drink that his brother so kindly made for him. My children really are wonderful. They argue and fight just like any others, but they really do love each other. I makes my heart so happy to see the moments when they are serving each other. When they help one another clean a room or make a bed. When one of them is thirsty and climbs a chair to get everyone a drink. I have a silent woohoo moment to myself knowing I am teaching them something right. Now is the perfect place to insert a photos of Abby and D showing each other love yesterday. I feel very blessed to capture it in photo. Hehe.

Daniel was watching his cartoons and rubbing his sister's back. As you can see she wasn't complaining.

That is until he stopped for a minute!

More fun and photos to come later today after I do something productive.

Starting Over

I am starting this new blog for myself. To journal, reflect and share when I feel like it. I am at home now with my kids again and it's been awhile. So I think I am a little off my game. I feel very overwhelmed. I make good plans each day and evaluate how things went the day before. I am trying to get a handle on everything to be a better mom and wife. Most days I feel like it's far too much for one person. I like to think of my position more as that of a manager of a small company. I am the CEO, CFO and all of the above. My favorite training manual so far is The Parenting Breakthrough. Many good ideas in there. My favorite things about being back at home are picking up Chandler and Katii after school ( I enjoy a few minutes conversation with just two of them) and taking my lunch break with some of the younger employees (Abby & Daniel). At the end of the day I love retiring with the co-owner of the company (Christopher ;) ). We enjoy watching Hereos and all the scary movies we can handle. For your entertainment and my amusement I submit to you our employee Daniel of 4 years and his excited rambling on just what to do about a birthday present for his girlfriend Monica.