Full moon and the Civil War

I usually tell you about the silly things my kids say, but today I will tell on myself.

1st story:  We were driving and commenting on the pretty sunset.  A few minutes later, we turned the corner and I said, "Oh, wow, look at the full moon.  Oops, that's the sun . . . that we were just talking about."  Tim, trying not to laugh, says, "Yes, but it is a full sun, Honey."

2nd story:  Grandma Jane and I were talking and I was telling her how Tim teases me because I can never keep all the wars and dates of history straight.  Then Tara says, "Mom, quiz me on the Revolutionary War."  Because she just finished studying that in school.  So I ask, "Who was the leader of the South?"  Tara gives me a blank stare.  Then sweetly replies, "Mom, that's the Civil War."

People, this is why I could never home school my children.

2,345 days and now 365

From the day of my accident to the day of my healing was 2,345 days of pain.  I counted.  It was a long journey.

Now it has been 365 days of health . . . and counting.

 What an amazing year!  I sit in awe looking back at this crazy life and how it has unfolded.  While I ponder this, my new son sleeps (the one time he actually sleeps) sweetly next to me.  New life.  LIFE!!  As in, we are living and moving forward.  I said many times during those six and a half years, that it felt like someone pushed the pause button on life.  I felt stuck by the pain and limitations.  Now there is freedom.

We pushed "play" again.

photo by Aunt Cameo

It's a boy!

On February 16th at 9:33pm, we welcomed Benjamin James to our family! 

 He weighed 7 pounds 14 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long.

Benjamin is such a sweet little boy and we are thrilled to have him!  

Tara and Blake were very excited to meet him and they have had a lot of fun helping with him.

Introducing our son.  Thanking God for this beautiful miracle!

Any Day Now

We are 10 days away from our due date and expecting this little one to grace us with his/her presence any day now.  I am still feeling great just impatient to meet our new addition.  Hopefully we will have exciting news soon! Happy Valentine's Day!

Been a while

It's been a while since I've posted anything.  First I wasn't feeling well because I was in the first trimester.  Then I was feeling better and we've been busy having fun.  I'm now 20 weeks pregnant and feeling great.

Our sweet kiddos continue to bring a lot of joy and laughter to our home.

Tara cleaned off the hutch the other day, which is a perfect dumping ground for everything under the sun.  Since then she has been hard core about nothing going on the hutch.  I set my bible study book there a few days ago and she picked it up and brought it to me.
Her: "Mom, I found this on the hutch."
Me:  "I know, Baby, I put it there to remind me to do my homework so put it back there please."
Her:  (In a respectful yet decisive tone) "No.  Nothing goes on the hutch."

I had to laugh.  She was protecting her hard work.  It's like me, after the kitchen is spotless, telling everyone they can't eat for a while.  So now, it has become a family joke.  Blake and I sneak a rubber band or something on the hutch to see how long it will take for Tara to gasp in horror.  It's quite funny . . . and yes, the hutch is still clean.  I'm scared to set anything on it even when she isn't home. :)

We got to go to California a few weeks ago.  We visited with Tim's sister and family and then our husbands ran a marathon together while we corralled the kids.  It was a great trip, but went by too quickly.  Tim has now officially done 10 marathons.

Our family at the Bixby bridge in Big Sur after the marathon.  Sept 25, 2010

Tim finishing #10

The whole gang (us and Tim's sister and family: Robin, Daniel, Tres, and Emrie)

Tim and Blake strike a pose.

Tara explores the coastline

Tim and Daniel at the start of the race.

Conversations at our house

Last night we were discussing what we should do before summer is over.

Me:  I should take you to the art museum.

Blake:  No!

Me:  Oh, you'd like it.  The paintings are really neat!

Blake:  I'm sure the paintings are (air quotes) neat but I hate art.

Did my child just do air quotes?!!  He was slightly more interested when we told him that one of the artist's cut off his ear.  I am not usually one to go to an art museum either but my daughter likes art so I'm trying to be supportive.


Speaking of supportive, my husband gets an award for being the best husband ever.  After a long day at work, he came home to me still on the couch.

Me:  Sorry, I haven't gone to the grocery store or made dinner . . . or done anything really.

Him:  That's ok, Baby.

Me:  I should probably try to get up and be useful.

Him:  No, I think you should relax and watch TV.  I'll go running and then make dinner.

Me:  Now I'm really glad I married you!!  I was starting to question the sanity of that decision when our son was climbing the walls like Spiderman and hopping around the house on the furniture obstacle course he made.  Because that kind of craziness did not come from me and I was thinking I should have asked more questions before I married you.  But now, I am reminded that you are AWESOME!!

Him:  (laughing)  Good thing you married me before you found out how crazy I am.

Me:  Besides, I actually have been working hard all day long . . . growing our baby.

Him:  See, that is hard work!  You work way harder than me!

We amuse ourselves with our silly reasoning and jokes.  This is a typical conversation in our house.  Which will probably cost us years of therapy for our children . . . or their future spouses that will have to put up with this type of communication.

Pearls of Wisdom

Tonight at dinner, Blake said:  Don't worry, Dad, I will always remember what you told me is the most important thing.

Tim:  What was that, Buddy?

Blake:  Winter is not officially winter, until you throw an unexpected snowball at someone.


So, if my son ever hits you with a snowball, it's his father's fault.  Although his mother can't help but smile.