The color of skin

I couldn't resist posting this conversation Wyatt and I had this morning. It went something like this:

W-mom, we all have the same kind of skin, right?
M- yes, usually people in the same family have the same skin color.
W- ya.......except for Daddy, cause his is kinda sweaty and reddish-orangish, right mom?

Ok, so my husband is not an exercise freak, but he is a PE teacher who rides his bike to and from work and I guess in the eyes of a 4 year old that means his skin is classified as sweaty reddish-orangish. By the way, I called Craig to tell him and he totally cracked up. So, I figure it's ok to post :)

Update

It's been a while, so here is an update of the Button happenings....

Anna continues to climb out of her crib on occasion, but not everytime. I have even left her side rail down, just in case and she stayed in (go figure!) but I think the transistion to big girl bed is in the semi-near furture.

But......not until after out annual hunting trip we are getting ready for this week. This morning Wyatt and Anna and I went out to a fellow teacher's house and picked fresh Golden Delicious apples off their tree. We filled a whole grocery sack which we will take hunting and enjoy in the great outdoors. I couldn't resist eating one on our drive home though....mmmm....it was cool crisp and sweet with a hint of tartness....even as I type my mouth is starting to water again. It was really good! Amazing how I can get so excited oven an apple.

The kids are getting so excited about our hunting/camping trip, and so am I. Fall is here and I am starting to get in the groove and really enjoy the season. These sunny afternoons are the best, but I hear they aren't sticking around for long. Ahh well.

On another side note.....the past week or so Will has been dealing with a girl at school who chases him on the playground. I guess I sort of remeber those days but as a mom I was just NOT prepared for this in 1st grade! So yesterday I pick him up and he gets in the car and says...."mom, guess what....the girl kissed me.....TWICE!" Come to find out it was just on the cheek (whew!) and he was running to get away from her, but she somehow managed to plant a couple on him. He told his teacher, which I was really happy about, and the girl ended up getting a referral. We talked for a long time about what to do, etc. (and I reminded him that the only girls allowed to kiss him are his mom and his baby sister.....which sounds like such a MOM comment, I know, but hey, it's true!). And the thing I loved was how open he was about talking to me and Craig about it. It will be interesting to find out what went on today.

Sometimes I just feel so bewildered about the fact that my kids are growing and this is all uncharted territory for me. But I just pray God will give me the right things to say and do. It's scary, but with the Lord, it's all ok!

Crib Climbing

In May I posted about how Anna had climbed out of her crib, as a Mother's Day gift to me. Well, it continued on for about a week, and then one day when she was throwing a tantrum I put her in her crib to "cool down". She climbed out that time and hurt herself enough to realize maybe she wouldn't try it for a while.

I have been holding my breath and counting my blessing for the past 4 months, as she continued to go to sleep very nicely and hasn't attempted the climbing anymore.

Right now, however, she is asleep on the floor right inside her bedroom door. I know this because after the 4th time of discipline and putting her back in her crib I gave up and that is where she fell asleep. It's actually really cute.

So now I'm contemplating moving her to a big girl bed again, if this continues. She is pretty fearless and it's actually kind of scary watching her climb out. She justs hangs and "drops". Of course I don't want her to get hurt again. And I figure, if she's just going to crawl out and fall asleep on the floor....she might as well have a big girl bed. She's almost 2, so maybe I should just start training her to sleep in her bed instead of her crib. I know, a MAJOR dilemma....haha.

What do you all think??? Any tips here?

Just funny

Wyatt seriously cracks me up sometimes. I know the Lord gave me Wyatt, because I do have tendencies to take life a little too seriously and get stressed out over the little things. Waytt is definately sunshine and spunk in my day. He is so active, jumping, climbing, doing summersaults off the couch, jumping off the top bunk, scaling up door jams, etc., etc., etc. Yet he also has a totally sensitive, sweet side.....that's what cracks me up about him. He is always saying things like, "mom, look at that blue house, it so SOOO darling", or "mom, Anna's dress is SOOOO adorable, it's just cutie pa-tootie". I am convinced he will make a great husband someday with all the compliments he gives to the girls of the house. Some of you know his only wish last Chrsitmas was for a tea set. When we told him tea sets were really for girls, he came back with, "well......what about a boy tea set?" We (Craig mainly) finally gave in and we bought him a plastic primary colored tea set, the most boyish tea set that we could find. He has chilled out on the whole tea set thing a little, (to Craig's relief!) but still occasionally serves me tea. Some days he wants to be a chef, somedays a gardener, and somedays an artist. Today I asked him and he replied, "a song maker upper". Where does he get these things???

He drew this picture for me last night. He told me it was a picture of me in Hawaii with a flower in my hair. As I was oohhing and aahhing over it, saying thing like, "I like the eyes, they're blue just like mine", I commented on how he made the hair yellow, just like mine too. His reply was, "mom, I'm sorry I didn't draw your highlights." Highlights??? It was all I could do to keep from busting up. What 4 year old boy know what highlighs are and uses that word in everyday conversation??

He makes me smile!

The boys closet ~ AFTER

Here is the after pic that didn't post!

The boys closet & Waytt's first day.....

Summer is nearing and end, and I have been into an 'organizational' mode with the school year starting. I can't believe I let the boys closet get this bad. There was literally just no room for all their stuff/clothes. The before picture shows their ONE, SMALL, dresser they were sharing and a few other organizational baskets that weren't quite cutting it. I found this older dresser for $10 at H2o (if you live in Dallas, you have to check out H20, it is my new favorite junkyard!). It isn't the prettiest, but it was a perfect fit for the space, and will look ok with new drawer pulls. Now they each have a four drawer side, and I freed up the whole rod to hang their nicer, 'school' clothes. Craig put a piece of plywood up above for more storage, that I haven't filled up yet, I'm sure I will have no problem filling it up.....just haven't decided what can go up there yet. Now, it's just for the doors.....I might just put curtains with tie backs to hide it when we want to.....we'll see. So, I put the after picture on this post, but somehow it dissapeared on me so if it doesn't come through I will post it next!

Wyatt also started pre-school today! He was really excited and is in Mrs. Ford's class, who was Will's pre-school teacher, too. He had a great first day and was so excited to tell me all about what they did, on the way home. Anna and I had a fun morning at MOPS, Anna played with the "big-kids" in the 2-year old class and I got to enjoy our first MOPS meeting of the year. It's always fun getting to see some friends who I haven't seen since last May, and a couple new babies born over the summer!

First Soccer Saturday!

Satuday was Will's frist soccer game. It was a beautiful day to be on the soccer fields, and even though we don't keep score at the 1-2 level.....who's really not counting goals?? We won 5-1. Craig is also the coach this year and Will is having lots of fun playing and improving.

A Good Read

I am almost finished reading Too Small To Ignore: Why the Least of These Matters Most, and felt compelled to put it out there since I have really enjoyed this book. First of all, I typically read fiction books, so this was a little new for me, but my mom loaned it to me, so I gave it a try. I was hooked from the first chapter. It is written by Dr. Wess Stafford, the President and CEO of Compassion International. The back cover reads....."The leader of Compassion International shares his inspiring boyhood adventures growing up in an African village and challenges us all to change the world one child at a time". Being a mom, many of my priorities are based on my children's well-being, and the well being of children around me, especially in the church body. In my opinion, they need to be one of our greatest priorities in the church. This book really re-enforced some of my beliefs as well as shed some new light on things for me. I was very intrigued by his stories of growing up in Africa. And they weren't all pleasant stories as you will find out if you read the book. I would really encourage you to check it out. Dr. Stafford has overcome some HUGE and HORRIFIC experiences and is a true testimony to the love and grace of God. It is a pretty quick and easy read, with big impact, and I think you will enjoy it!

First Day!

There's something about the first day of school that always makes me nervous. I tend to get overly emotional and worked up......even when I was a kid, I was always nervous on the first day of school. Last night we got Will's thing all ready, packed his lunch together and talked about school. He was really excited about today. He sat on my lap with his arms around my neck for several minutes as we talked. For a boy that is pretty quick to give hugs and be on his way, this did wonders for my 'mother's' heart.

I feel so blessed that Will gets to attend the school where Craig teaches and have Dad aka "Mr. Button" during school hours, three times a week for PE! We are also extremely blessed that Will has Mrs. Wagner for his first grade teacher. She and her husband, are Christians and have been so good to our family. They are like honorary grandparents to our kids and even come over one evening a month and 'babysit' while Craig and I have a date night. I know, we are SOOOO blessed.

Still, this morning was hard for me. Will was all settled at his seat, I snapped a few pictures (of course!) And then gave him a good-bye hug. He hugged me really hard for a few seconds and I could feel the huge lump forming in my throat. As I walked out with Anna and Wyatt, I was just hoping no one would say anything to me. I just needed a minute. I have never been good at leaving my kids, I am working at it, but 6 1/2 hours 5 days a week will be an adjustment for us all. I know I need to slowly ease back on the reigns a little at a time though, so this is all good for me to go through.

This morning I read Proverbs 4 (31 Proverbs, one for every day of the month, I can hear my mom's voice in my head!) and it was so encouraging. It's twenty something verses long so I won't write the whole thing out, but the jist is about training your children in their early years, my Bible refers to it as while they are still 'tender' with wisdom and guiding them toward the Lord. I pray Craig and I have been successful in that with Will. I found a lot of encouragement in reading that chapter this morning and I know it was from the Lord. Then I wrote out my 'first day of school prayer' and I feel much better. God is so good to me!

Dear Lord,

Today I am sending my firstborn off to school. My heart is sad and I have the first day of school butterflies in my stomach, as I bring this prayer to you. When I think of the sacrifice you made in sending your Son to earth, I am comforted and completely humbled in the knowledge that you know my heart and all my emotions regarding this day. And I trust in you for guidance this year, for Craig and I, and for Will, as he enters first grade.

Be with Will Lord, today, and everyday. Guard and protect him, his eyes and ears. Walk with him, speak to Him and cause him to feel your presence, always. Calm his first day jitters. May all that Craig and I have instilled in him so far, be close to his mind and heart today. Provide friends for Will that will influence him in Your ways, Lord. May he be a friend to others, Lord. And most of all, may he shine Your light, for all to see.

Be with the teachers that will mold and instruct Him. I’m so grateful that many know You Lord, and have been anointed by You to do your will in their classrooms. May they be filled with patience, and energy for these little ones. Bless them with gentleness and sensitivity, to each child’s needs. May they find joy everyday in this job they are doing.

And lastly, be with me today Lord. With all the range of emotions I’m feeling, be my constant peace, my encourager, my strength, and my comfort. Thank you for understanding my mother’s heart and for filling it with joy, despite my sadness!

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

One Last Hurrah!

We had been planning a trip to the Newport aquarium all summer. So, friday we headed off for our one last hurrah of the summer before the school year starts. We visited the aquarium, we had never taken the kids, and they just loved it. Wyatt especially enjoyed the touch pool, he could have done that all day! Then we went nearby to the Marine Science Center, which was basically a smaller version of the aquarium and FREE. It was very cool.

Then we drove up the coast, and stopped at both the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, and the Yaquina Head Lighthouse. Both of us have lived in Oregon our whole lives and we had never toured the lighthouses. They were very interesting and the boys had fun looking around and climbing up all those steps! Then we drove through Lincoln City awhile since the kids were napping in the car, and we ended up at the beach by Mo's. After playing in the sand we enjoyed a yummy clam chowder dinner and headed home. It was a really fun day and I'm glad we got to do something fun and enjoy being together before next week is upon us!

Anna enjoyed chasin the seagulls, getting her toes wet and digging in the sand. They boys (including Craig) kept themselves occupied digging a BIG hole in the sand and filling it with water. What fun!