More of the Birthday girl!

Just a few more pictures of Anna's family birthday party.....working hard to open those presents.

Babies and accessories, a princess doll, and lots of cute new clothes!
Our "Christmas" babies..... Anna turning two and cousin Halle turning 7.

Really trying hard to blow out those candles!!

Round one...

We celebrated Anna's Birthday....just the five of us....last night. She opened presents, we ate pizza and had cake. We had worship practice that evening, but she did get phone calls and birthday wishes from lots of family members (thank-you!!). She is a blessed little girl. And she loved all the attention :) Below we have Anna, Daddy, and her very excited brothers helping her open presents.

Here we are with the "flutta-fly" (butterfly) cake. Anna has a mild obsession with butterflies so Will helped me decorate a butterfly cake for her. When I showed it to her, she guessed what it was. That's all that matters, right?
" Happy Birthday Dear Anna.......Happy Birthday to YOU!" She was very excited to blow out her candle, she actually blew it out before we finished singing.

This is Anna's "sweet" face. The scrunched up smile with eyes closed. I don't know how she learned this but whenever we ask for the sweet face, this is what we get!

Looking proud to be 2.....and ready for some cake!

Stay tuned for round 2 pictures coming soon. We celebrate with cousin Halle who's turning 7, on Sunday!

Go Ducks!

Craig will love this picture. Anna found his Ducks hat and was wearing it all around the house. Saturday is the big Civil War game, so I thought it appropriate to post this picture. Go Ducks!

Anna's story.....

Here I sit almost two years later, finally typing out Anna's story for her scrapbook. I knew I would get to it at some point. Read on if you so desire (warning, it's LONG):

I had a wonderful pregnancy. Those pregnancy hormones really seemed to agree with me and after the initial weeks of nausea, I started to fell better than ever. I really felt like you were going to be a girl, early on, and at about 13 weeks, I mentioned the name Anna to your daddy in conversation at a restaurant. It was funny because it literally had just popped into my head at that moment, yet it felt like the perfect name. Daddy agreed that he liked it, too, so inside I knew if you were a girl you would be Anna. Later, just weeks before my ultrasound, I suddenly got a feeling that I was going to be the mother of three boys. I talked to the Lord, prayed and cried about this reality and felt a
complete peace at whatever sex you would be. It sounds so selfish and insignificant, now, but I really did WANT and girl, yet I knew I would be completely ecstatic with whatever the Lord chose to bless me with.


The day of your ultrasound....still convinced you were a boy, the tech searched around to tell us what you were. She couldn't get a real clear picture so she did all the other measurements and then had me go pee and come back....when I layed back down she tried to look again and said...."here I've got a clear view now" and clicked on the fact that you were a GIRL! I immediately started crying and laughing at the same time.... let me tell you it can be pretty embarrassing and I even snorted a few times. But I didn't care. You were a girl, I could hardly believe it!


When we left the hospital we started calling everyone to tell them you were a girl. The boys were at Aunt Paige's house with Aunt Brooke as well, so we decided to stop and buy an '"it's a girl" balloon to share the news with them. As we walked in the front door both my sisters came around the corner with expectant looks on their faces. They saw the balloon and immediately we were all jumping, screaming and hugging each other there in the entryway. It is one moment I will never forget.

The days leading up to your birth were quite busy and to tell the truth I'm sure I over did it. With all those pregnancy hormones raging through my body I had decided that we needed to our tree up and our house fully decorated for Christmas before I went in to have you. The day after Thanksgiving (4 days before your arrival) I was up at the crack of dawn and in Freddies at 5am for my annual after Thanksgiving day shopping extravaganza. I also went to the Nutcracker that evening. Sheesh....is it any wonder that on the eve of your birth I was hit with a horrible migraine right before bed? I took my medicine, but couldn't sleep. I was in pain and completely stressed out, but I remember feeling you roll and bump around inside of me like crazy that night. Like you were ready to come out. I lay awake thanking God for this, my last night of pregnancy and became very expectant and nervous about the day to come. That morning we had been told we were scheduled for 7:30am. Being the third time around I don't know why I assumed that meant be at the hospital at 7:30, but at 6:40 that morning right as we were preparing to leave we get a call from a crabby nurse scolding me for not being at the hospital at 6am. Come to find out 7:30 was the time they were suppose to be getting you out!

I felt like we had to rush out the door which made me even more nervous. When we got to the hospital and I was getting checked in I felt like I was going to throw up. For me, too much information was a bad thing, and having been through the c-section twice before all I could think about was the needle going into my back. When the nurse took my resting heart rate I think it was something like 130 beats/minutes she made the comment that we were rushing too much and freaking me out. She was right! But it was time to get started and once the spinal was in, I was relaxed and happy :). You came out at 8:14 am..... and cried and cried and cried. You were the only one of our babies who kept crying even after being wrapped up. But you were perfect in every way. Our little girl had arrived.

Back in the recovery room, I once again got incredible shakes and had to be given some drugs for that. They worked well. Your brothers were first to come see you. They had been at the hospital that morning and daddy brought them in. I will never forget the looks on their faces as they saw you for the first time. This little two and four year old were in complete awe and totally taken with you, their baby sister. Their faces completely lit up and they were so amazed at how tiny you were. That is another one of those moments I will never forget.

We got to take you home on December 2nd in a bright red stocking. I was so excited when they came around the day before and put stockings on the doors. 29 years prior I had gone home in a red stocking, which I still have. That was another special moment for me.

The rest is history. Bringing you home was one the most exciting and exhausting stages of my like thus far. I felt like I merely just survived the first few months, but survived I did, and everyday you have brought so much joy to our family. You were a blessing on that day almost two years ago. As I watch you grow and mature to all of two years I am amazed by what I see. My baby is no longer a baby....you are moving toward independence in so many ways. I wish I could go back....if even just for a day and cuddle you, watch you as you lay sleeping, so small in your crib. But time passes, and so I am reminded in this moment to cherish who you are, each and everyday. I'm so excited to see who you will become. I love you my sweet Annie-Beth! Happy 2nd Birthday.

Love,
mommy

Pies & Potters

Yesterday we made turkey cupcakes....I copied the idea from the family fun magazine. Mine weren't nearly as cute, but they were yummy! Earlier the boys were discussing turkey's while I was driving. Wyatt's comment was, "turkey's don't have bottoms, their legs just come out of their bodies." It was funny.
Will and I just got finished making our Thanksgiving pies. Right now I have pumpkin and apple cranberry stuessel pie in the oven and let me tell ya, my house smells really good. I don't know if there's anything better than those yummy cinnamon spice smells this time of year.

I asked the boys what they were thankful for. Will replied, "legos" and Wyatt's answer was, "mommy, daddy, my sweet little cupcake girl Anna, my house, wrestling with daddy, playing tea set with mommy....." and that's where I stopped. My boys are so different.

This week I started reading Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp. Here is a passage from the book that I loved. As you read, think about how this pertains to your unique children.

"I have a friend who is a potter. He told me that he can only create the type of pot the clay he is working with will allow him to create. The clay is not merely passive in his hands. The clay responds to him. Some clay is elastic and supple. Some clay is crumbly and hard to shape."

Here's what I learned: don't fight your clay. Work with the clay you have been given. As you mold it, it will actively respond to you in a good or bad way. Realize that you are not creating identical pots. Each one was designed by the Master Potter to be different. The final product is for you to discover, along with the clay.

How encouraging.

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's official!

Anna is officially out of the crib. A couple weeks ago she had another incident in the middle of the night where she tried to climb out and pinned her foot between the crib and the wall. She was in there screaming and it totally freaked me out. So I decided I had definitely put this off long enough and the next morning she moved to the crib mattress on the floor. It's been challenging getting her to stay in her "bed" to go to sleep, but lately she seems to be getting the hang of it. The night waking still happens every once in a while (we are waiting the LAST baby tooth to pop through!) and last night I heard her crying. It sounded like she was up out of her bed, in the hall, but then she stopped crying and in my 1/2 asleep state I figured she had gotten back in her bed, and I fell back asleep without checking on her. Later, about 4am, I had to get up and go the the bathroom so I decided to check on her. Of course she wasn't in her room......what was I thinking? I headed to the boys room where I found her and Wyatt curled up together in his bed. Too cute, I guess she needed someone to snuggle with. And we ALWAYS take her back to her bed if she gets in with us. So, she's learning! I would have taken a picture to post, but c'mon, it was 4am!

The right equasion

1 cute but mischievous toddler, completely obsessed with the bathroom sink and toilet +
1 play dough rolling pin =

yep, she flushed it (without me knowing)! I plunged the heck out of it all day, but could never get it to fully drain. My hero, Craig, saved the day by getting a toilet "snake" and figuring out there was definitely something in there. He had to pull out the toilet and reach up to push the object out. He deserves the husband of the year award!

Autumn Leaves

Creation brings an offering as autumn leaves turn to gold......

.....the trees bow down in highest praise, now laid bare before the throne."

~Lyrics from On the Third Day by Michael Olson.


Pictures in the park ~ Anna "almost" 2 years

More of the three.....

"Who is that handsome blondie with your children?", you ask.

It is my husband, who dyed his hair as the result of a Jog-a-thon incentive!

We took these pictures Sunday afternoon, hoping to get one of the kids for our Chirstmas card. I think there are at least a few to choose from, but boy was it a lot of work!!

Happy Fall!

Happy Halloween!

The three.....looking ever so cute.

Power Ranger Ninja Storm, Will, complete with a serious expression and the ninja stick!

Wyatt, the cute and very excited scarecrow!

My (sometimes) Angel girl, Annie!

More pumpkin fun!

We had a pumpkin carving party with three other family friends and all the kids. Here are some fun pumpkin photos of our afternoon.....

Daddy and Anna watching Will scoop the gunk out of his.....

Wyatt and I with his pumpkin...complete with hair and a bow-tie upon Wyatt's request :)...

The whole gang of kiddos and their finished pumpkins!

Just for fun

Wow, what a smile Wyatt!!

Allow me to feel sorry for myself....

Here she is......all cleaned up!

I just need a little sympathy. I know this post is going to sound like I'm having a pity party, which I am.....but don't we all once in a while? My morning started out with freezer cooking 12 meals, while watching three kids. I'm in a freezer cooking group, but can't make the date they scheduled this time so I decided just to do it at home. Not really realizing it, I picked a couple pretty time consuming recipes, but still, I made ok time and was done 3 hours later. My kitchen, however was in such a state that I would not even let my best friend inside my house. The kids were beggin to go outside so we went out for about a 1/2 hour and I put all thoughts of my messy kitchen out of my mind. It felt so good to get some fresh air, what a beautiful day. So back inside, I started lunch, while tackling a bit of the kitchen. The kids were fed, Anna was well ready for her nap, (did I mention she was up at 5:45 this morning, as well as every day this week?) so I lay her in her crib and warning her not to climb out, and to go to sleep. I am well prepared for at least 5 crawl outs and put back ins, but instead I hear silence and give myself a little pat on the back. Yay, we're making progress with the whole crib climbing thing.



I set Wyatt and his friend (my little day-care boy) down on the couch with a stack of books and say "look at these and when I'm through with the kitchen I'll come read some to you". All is well, the boys are behaving so I dig into the kitchen. Dishes done, counters wiped down....now onto the floors. But then I hear something coming from the hall. I glance at the boys still seated and looking at their books. I listen and again I hear a noise from the bathroom. I head into the bathroom to find Anna with a bare, poop covered bottom, up on the counter of the bathroom trying to wash her hands. The first thing I do is look around for the diaper, praying she just now took it off. Nowhere. I go into her room and this is what I see: a full diaper of poop laying on her changing table, and poop smeared all over her changing table, changing table pad, and several spots on her carpet.



I have just now finished cleaning up the mess (still have my kitchen yet to go). I can't help but realize how insignificant this is in the grand scheme of things. It will go down in history and be re-told around the dinner table I'm sure and even now I'm already smiling. Isn't it good in the midst of our frustrations as a parents, God has made our children so incredibly lovable, despite all they do to frustrate us? After her bath I set her on her changing table and that's when I realized that she was trying to be an independent little girl....climbing out of her crib and up her changing table to change the diaper she knew was poopy and then realizing she had it all over her hands, and going to wash those as well. I couldn't help but look at her and say, "Do you know that I love you even when you smear poop all over yourself and your room?"



My heavenly Father feel the same about me. I know I make a "mess" of things at times. I try to clean things up on my own without asking for his help. But even when I've smeared poop (so to speak :) all over something, He still loves me. He covers all my shortcomings and cleans me up. I'm grateful to be reminded of that today.

I'm also grateful for Kirkland household wipes cause I used about 40 of them on Anna's mess!

A new look

So, I've given my blog a new look. I discover the wonderful world of pyzam.com and it's hundreds of templates to choose from. I still want to add some pictures on the sidebar, but we need to take some updated ones so check back! Like the furniture in my house gets re-arranged a lot, this blog look might not stay, but for now I'm likin' it.


I have a simpler list of links on the side and let me introduce you to my blogger friends. If you're like me I sometimes wonder, "how do they know each other?" So if you've been wondering here's your chance to find out. Hats off to you my fellow bloggers.....

1. Alysun and family. Alysun and I attend MOPS together and used to attend the same Church before there was Calvary Chapel in Dallas, where we currently go. She and her husband had our family over for dinner when we were new at church and she is so gracious and hospitable. I have enjoyed getting to know her through her blog and when we have a minute at MOPS, we get to chat.

2. Christi and family. Christi is my long time friend from high school. We went off to college together and were roommates our freshman year. She married Jeff in 97, Craig and I were married in 98 and we lived in adjacent apartments the year we were all seniors. That was seriously a lot of fun. We have lots of memories. I have always admired Christi's humor and optimism. She always sees the bright side of things and it inspires me. Be sure to check out her blog as she is expecting her third baby very soon!

3. Dallas MOPS. I started going to MOPS when Will was 8 months old. It has been a huge blessing to me. It got me out of the house as a new, young stay at home mom and I was able to meet other moms in the area. I love living in a small town and seeing friends from MOPS out and about at the grocery store or park. I started my blog to be linked to the MOPS blog, and went from there. Check out MOPS groups in your areas, they are worldwide.

4. Food Love. Fun recipe blog with a handful of contributers. Check it out for a new recipe.

5. Kelleigh and family. I met Kelleigh through MOPS and we both served on the steering team for a couple years. She is a very outgoing and creative person, with a lot of love for her family.

6. Kelly and family. Kelly I know through Craig's side of the family. She and Craig's older sister are friends, she attended the same college as Craig and I, and she and her husband were the photographers at our wedding. (They did an outstanding job). We have kept in touch over the year mostly via email and now through her blog! She is an awesome mom, with lots of insight to share.

7. Kristen and family. Kristen is Kelly's sister and went to high school with Craig. We have only met a few times, but I feel like I really know her :) Her writing makes me laugh and she will inspire you toward healthy eating and exercise.

8. Tami and family. Tami is a sister-in-law of my good friend Charlene and that's how we met. We used to be in a little scrapbooking group together. Tami is a wonderful homemaker, and a thoughtful writer.

9. Val and family. Valorie and I met through my sister when we used to scrapbook together back when I was pregnant with Will. Val has moved across the country so I check her blog ever so often to keep up on the happenings in her family.

So there you have it. If you'd like to be included in this list all you have to do is start a blog! It's fun and easy, and if you do, I promise you I will read it!

Lesson Learned

When Wyatt was a baby I can safely say that not a person that held him didn't also get spit-up on. And by 'spit-up' I mean SOAKED. It got to the the point where if anyone asked to hold him I would first lay a burp rag over their shoulder. I still remember vividly our feeding routine. After one side came the burping where I would prop him up with at least two burp rags up by his chin prepared for the hose spray spit-up I had become accustomed to. He has always been a real puker. He still hasn't grown out of it and I'm not sure he ever will. Craig affectionately calls Wyatt and I the "gaggers" of the family.....we hurl quite easily.

This poses a problem when your 6 month old is now 4 1 /2 and has trouble eating his dinner. I make his portions very small so I expect him to eat most of what I dish up. He's my skinniest kid, too, so that makes it even more important to me that he "clean his plate"! That said, there have been several times around the dinner table when Wyatt is encouraged to eat "4 more bites". There have also been a few times I have paid the price in vomit for encouraging those bites. Last night was no exception. I needed him to eat a little more of his dinner in order to justify giving him a rice krispie treat for dessert. I asked him, "how many more bites do you think you should take?" He replied "nine". Wow, nine, that's great, I was thinking four, but nine it was and he was off. By about bite 7, I think, I turned to catch him starting to heave. I immediately pulled his plate in front of him and instructed him to puke on that. He did, and thankfully not much.........but then a few second later the floodgates opened and it ALL came up. So now I have white chicken chili, peaches and raspberries overflowing off his plate and dripping off the edge of the table, and the boy I am so intent on filling is left with a completely empty tummy.

Yep, I think I can now safely say that it really isn't worth making him finish his dinner. I was the one to clean it up, gagging all the way. I guess I'll just choke it up to another mommy expectation down the drain (no pun intended). I finally learned my lesson.

By the way the white chicken chili was very good, but I doubt any of you want the recipe now :)

Pumpkin Patch Fun

Wyatt's pre-school class took their pumpkin patch field trip this AM. We came prepared with rain slickers and umbrellas in tow, but were blessed to have a break in the rain and even see the sunshine! While it was still cold, muddy, and windy we did stay dry and had a great time at E.Z. Orchards in Salem. Here is Wyatt showing off his pumpkin pick.










We took a hay ride to the pumpkin fields, apple orchards, corn maze and then enjoyed the petting zoo followed by donuts and apple cider. Here's Wyatt and some buddies posing as barnyard animals....Wyatt is the pig on the far right.
We'll have to come back with Anna and Will!

Funny boys

Just a couple random things that the boys said today. I didn't want to forget them so I wrote them down. Not sure if they will come across as funny over the computer, but they made me laugh.

I asked Wyatt what he learned about in pre-school today and he replied: "Cigarette mom. We learned that when you cigarette your "thung" turns all black." I figured out "thung" also means lung.

I was chopping up an avacado to go with dinner and Wyatt saw and said: "I hope we're not having choke-ka-cardo for dinner tonight, 'cause I don't like choke-ca-cardos. I guess avacados make him "choke".

Will was helping me get dinner ready and I gave him the job of grating the cheese. He was close to being done and asked me, "mom, is this good or do you need me to grind up some more chesse?"

They are funny boys and I love 'em!

REJOICE!

There are certain words that just irritate me. One in particular is 'cheshire' as in the cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland. Can't stand that word. It makes me cringe. Then are are words that I love, very beautiful sounding words. One of them is REJOICE. Try this: make a really grumpy face and say the word rejoice. It feels lame, huh? If you're like me it makes you laugh at yourself. So that's why I love that word. Just by saying it my attitude is changed.

It's kinda been a mission of mine to see how many times I can find the word rejoice in the Bible. Not that I'm keeping track, but every time I read it, I'm like 'oh, there it is'. Wednesday night our pastor shared this verse from Zephaniah (my new blog description above) and it just spoke to me. We focus a lot on becoming close to God by giving Him our worship and praise---which is GOOD. But I am overwhelmed by God's love when I picture Him in all His power and glory, actually rejoicing over me. That's just cool.

Books, Lovely Books!

Before we headed out for our hunting trip I made Craig stop at the library so I could pick up a stack of books I put on hold. Two of which I finished on the trip were so great I have to share them.

The first was recommended by fellow blogger, Tami. It is Sacred Parenting by Gary L. Thomas. Wow. I really love this book. It seems like it was just what I needed. It is a parenting book that doesn't make you feel guilty, but actually commends the work we as moms and dad are doing. It focuses on how children change, shape and define us, and develop our faith and relationship with God. I found myself underlining a LOT. Here are just a few quotes that I loved....


"It becomes a sacred enterprise when we finally understand that God can baptize dirty diapers, toddlers' tantrums, and teenagers' silence in order to transform us into people who more closely resemble Jesus Christ."


"Sacred parenting is a very long journey. It's hard to focus on a task for eight hours, much less eighteen years. The length of parenting means that there will be highs and lows, good days and bad days. Yes, we're going to miss some things. All of us could do better. All of us could do more."


"God cares so much about you that he's willing to risk letting you raise one, two, three or even more of his precious children....God adores your kids, but he is also crazy about you. You're his much loved son or daughter."


"You gain a calm assurance when you walk in the confidence that God will quietly let you know when you start to stray. You don't feel alone, unprotected, or unwanted. It's a very secure place to be, as you rest in God's shepherding care and listen to his voice."


"No matter how exalted our position, if we have kids, the day will come when we'll wind up cleaning up vomit in our underwear at 2:00am."


I could go on, but I won't. Just check out the book. It's a good one.


The other book I finished was The New Birth Order Book, by Kevin Leman. I have heard about birth order stuff and thought I pretty much new what it was all about, but I was curious and had never read the book. It was really eye opening for me especially in regards to my children. I learned that:


1. I have what's called a compliant first born child (as opposed to an aggressive 1st born). He wants to please, and needs approval, and has other characteristics of most all first borns such as: precise, perfectionist, organized and logical.

2. When you have a second child (esp of the same sex as the first born) he is likely to shoot off in an entirely different direction as the first (which mine DID!). The second born looks up at the sibling ahead of him, sizes him/her up, and plans accordingly. This was good for me to read and probably made the biggest impact. Being a middle child myself I realize some of the feelings that Wyatt might have, now and perhaps in future years, and I feel like having this insight will help be to better parent Wyatt. I can definitely see and identify second born/middle child traits with Wy such as: sociable, friendly, easy going, rebel, and slightly competitive. And it encourages me to realize it is normal and ok for he and Will to be very different kids!

3. My third and last born will most likely be what Leman calles the "baby princess" although she may take on some traits of a first born, since she is the first born female in the family. She is most likely to be an attention seeker, quite charming, affectionate, and have an "I'll show them" type attitude. The traits Leman listed pretty much describe Anna to a T, so far.

It was a fun book to read and I would recommend checking it out, especially if find yourself constantly wondering how two (or three) children from the SAME parents can be SO different :)

Other books the kiddos are loving right now....reading them over...and over....

Walter the Baker, Eric Carle (Wy's, fave....he has it memorized!)
The Three Snow Bears, Jan Brett (spin on Goldilocks)
Harry the Dirty Dog, Gene Zion (love all the 'Harry' books)
The Ugly Vegetables, Grace Lin (probably one of my fav's)

Have fun reading!!

Tag, you're it!

I've been tagged--and now, if you're reading this, you get to do it, too--you're tagged. Post it on your blog!

Two names you go by:
1. Lin
2. Lindy-Beth

Two things you are wearing right now:
1. Jeans
2. reddish pink shirt

Two of your favorite things to do:
1. Walk/jog
2. work in my yard

Two things you want very badly at the moment:
1. sunshine
2. a few more hours in the day

Two favorite pets you have had/have:
1. Tasha, my childhood dog
2. T.C. (the cat) my childhood cat

Two things you ate(or drank) today:
1. coffee with creamer
2. Quaker Oat squares

Two people you last talked to:
1. Craig on the phone
2. Anna

Two things you're doing tomorrow:
1. Jogging
2. Date night!!

Two longest car rides:
1. Oregon to Disneyland
2. Oregon to Canada

Two favorite holidays:
1. Valentine's Day
2. Thanksgiving

Two favorite beverages:
1. Coffee
2. water

a hunting we will go....

Through wind, rain, hail, sleet, snow and even a couple sunny days (yeah!) we made it home from our annual family hunting trip. If you are like the other 98% of people who I tell we are going hunting to, you are probably thinking.....'what, you mean the women and children go hunting too?' Well, yes, in the Button family they do. And after 9 years of marriage and about that many hunting trips I can now say I am fully accustomed to the idea. And it is actually a lot of fun (yes--a lot of work too) but mostly a lot of fun. Making memories is what counts and I am looking forward to what the kids remember about our hunting trip as they grow older. Here are some picture highlights of our 4 day stay in the great outdoors.....

Our fam, on a log in camp---right before heading home!
Anna having fun 'riding' the quad.

The little boys--Wyatt, friend Cade and Will in front of their VERY OWN fire pit. Will orchestrated hauling rocks over to form the pit and the big boys helped them light a fire. They were so proud of their accomplishment!

Just an adorable picture of the hunters and my kiddos. L-R: JT, Wyatt, Papa, Anna, Craig and Will.

Papa's Buck!!! Yeah!! It was a 4x6 for all you hunting types.

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!