This is what Demani keeps saying as we talk about Christmas... " Happy Christmas!" It's just as appropriate as Merry Christmas...so I like it when he says Happy Christmas!
We were talking today about Christmas and what it all means. We talked again about the nativity and the manger that Jesus was born in. I told him we are going to celebrate Jesus' birthday with a cake! (with a coffee cake to be specific - Mathwon's great idea! We'll celebrate first thing at breakfast!) So as we talked about the whole birthday celebration, Demani interrupted me with this exclamation: "But I don't have a present!" I stood there for a second and I said, "What do you mean you don't have a present?" "He said I don't have one!" "Oh," I said, "for Jesus?" He nods. And my heart melts. (I need to be melted daily, it's good for me, I learn a lot in these moments.) I thought for a second and offered up suggestions on what we could give Jesus as a birthday gift. You could love your brother and sister. You could love mommy and daddy. Then I suggested we could sing a song or have an all out praise dance party for Jesus' birthday. I reminded him of how the little drummer boy played his drum for Jesus as a gift. Demani then suggested, "We could Zumba*. We could give him Zumba." Again I melted. So this evening, you can guess what we will be doing. We will be offering a gift of praise to Jesus through dancing - through Zumba - all because that's the gift a little boy wants to give. And it made me think. What gift am I bringing? What gift are you bringing to celebrate the birthday of the King?
*(This past weekend we did Zumba at our house because Aunt Tiffany recently got certified as a Zumba instructor. We danced and sweated and enjoyed every minute of it as Tiffany perfected her moves! She begins teaching the exercise class in January, 4 nights a week!)
The Triple Nose Crunch
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Not like me...
It's not like me to complain or vent about things that have nothing to do with me personally but this really rubbed me the wrong way...
This was on the CNN homepage under the Latest News Caption. What doesn't fit here?
Now Nicole Richie may be a very nice lady and all and I am sorry to read she was hospitalized, but seriously? Latest News? So many of the headlines listed are spirit crushing because of the saddness and grief that they represent for so many and this blurb about Nicole Richie just doesn't seem to fit. Just sayin'.
This was on the CNN homepage under the Latest News Caption. What doesn't fit here?
Latest news
- Stocks fall for second day CNNMoney
- Amid protests, California hikes tuition
- 'Connecting the dots' on Fort Hood
- 3 teens arraigned in burned boy case
- French hand costs Irish World Cup trip
- Rift over Wal-Mart checkout scuffle
- Tot's mom owed money, cops say
- Ticker: Why was Palin missing?
- Cafferty: Health bill interest waning?
- Cops say girl, 15, plotted kid's death
- How Microsoft blew it with cell phones
- Oceans may be hitting carbon cap Time
- Nicole Richie has pneumonia
Now Nicole Richie may be a very nice lady and all and I am sorry to read she was hospitalized, but seriously? Latest News? So many of the headlines listed are spirit crushing because of the saddness and grief that they represent for so many and this blurb about Nicole Richie just doesn't seem to fit. Just sayin'.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Out of the mouth of D bear.
The conversation I just had with Demani.
D: Who's coming to see me?
Me: Next week Grampy, Grammy, Aunt Kendra, Uncle Scottie and Cousin Elle are coming to see you. (I held up a finger for each person) That's 5 people coming to see you! They are coming here. Do you know why they are coming?
D: Because they like us.
I guess that is the underlying reason but I was kind of hoping he would say Thanksgiving! We've been talking about Thanksgiving and we have a book from the library about Thanksgiving so I thought maybe he would remember. But I prefer his answer I think ;)
D: Who's coming to see me?
Me: Next week Grampy, Grammy, Aunt Kendra, Uncle Scottie and Cousin Elle are coming to see you. (I held up a finger for each person) That's 5 people coming to see you! They are coming here. Do you know why they are coming?
D: Because they like us.
I guess that is the underlying reason but I was kind of hoping he would say Thanksgiving! We've been talking about Thanksgiving and we have a book from the library about Thanksgiving so I thought maybe he would remember. But I prefer his answer I think ;)
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Picture Post :)
Laura and Spencer from Bingo sent this well-timed fruit basket to celebrate Demani's birthday and Mathwon's new job! We enjoyed the fruit a ton and the warm wishes that came with it even more! 
A tennis racket from Papa.
Banana cake with cream cheese frosting! Yum!
Rockin' my new guitar from Nan Nan!
too cute :)
Enjoying the gorgeous weather by having snack time outside! I love this photo :)
Thanks Aunt Tiffy and Uncle Tony!
Downing a banana! She grabbed it off the table and didn't look back!
Hide and seek.
Wish I could do this when I need a break...
A visit from cousin Elle.
Too cute!
The Miller fam!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Parenthood and some recent pics
Parenting and loving and caring is HARD work - don't let anyone tell you any differently. This past week and few days the kids have all been sick - the symptoms have run the full gamut. It has been a stressful, tiring week for Mathwon and I. They are coming out of it now, though poor Mekai now has a rash from this nasty virus. The poor things have taken their turns being miserable (thankfully not all at the same time) and needless to say we can't wait for this virus to be out of our little ones and our house.
But back to my first sentence...this is hard work. We think, plan, love, bathe, feed, tickle, clean, shop, clothe, discipline, play, teach, cook and then at the end of the day we fall into bed to get up and think, plan, love, bathe, feed, tickle, clean, shop, clothe, discipline, play, teach, cook all over again. Parenting is constant - your mind and heart are always busy loving and teaching and and in the midst of that I am trying to be patient, trying not to yell when frustrated, and trying not to burn the grilled cheese. Sometimes I wonder how I am supposed to fit it all in? How is that you teach the values of life in the midst of diaper changing, lunch-fixing, and folding laundry...in the midst of life itself? How do you keep up relationships, near or far, spend some time with the Divine Creator, or simply trim your toenails? Some days it just seems to be too much - I think to myself, "how do I....(fill in the blank)? And I/We manage one way or another. Mostly you just keep moving, keep going and it all gets done and you manage to fit in the lesson that there are consequences to not listening to your mommy. These are mostly fleeting thoughts triggered by weariness or frustration but I am sure hoping that someone else feels these things...
These pictures help my perspective :)
Playing with Papa
Full of life.
"Hey mom I am helping Seren put my shirt on!"
Demani took this picture of Seren and I and I like it :)
You can't help but smile, right?
Putting Seren's hat on.
Puppies and Demani with big boy underwear on! (Don't get too excited - we've got a longgggg way to go!)
Pony rides at a gourd farm nearby. It was an interesting place.... Demani did very well and enjoyed his ride - he was a bit tentative at first but he did great (and wanted to go again)!
Seren made me cry she was so sure of herself - she just seemed all grown up in an instant...She reached to hold on the the saddle as soon as she sat down - as if she'd been doing it her whole life! Then, part way through the ride she reached for Mathwon and wanted off, now! I was like okay...whew...she's still 16 months...and not 16 years :)
Mekai cracked us up because for the most part he had his arms waving around and didn't hold on much at all. He would wave his hands and grin and Mathwon was just holding on to him for dear life.
But back to my first sentence...this is hard work. We think, plan, love, bathe, feed, tickle, clean, shop, clothe, discipline, play, teach, cook and then at the end of the day we fall into bed to get up and think, plan, love, bathe, feed, tickle, clean, shop, clothe, discipline, play, teach, cook all over again. Parenting is constant - your mind and heart are always busy loving and teaching and and in the midst of that I am trying to be patient, trying not to yell when frustrated, and trying not to burn the grilled cheese. Sometimes I wonder how I am supposed to fit it all in? How is that you teach the values of life in the midst of diaper changing, lunch-fixing, and folding laundry...in the midst of life itself? How do you keep up relationships, near or far, spend some time with the Divine Creator, or simply trim your toenails? Some days it just seems to be too much - I think to myself, "how do I....(fill in the blank)? And I/We manage one way or another. Mostly you just keep moving, keep going and it all gets done and you manage to fit in the lesson that there are consequences to not listening to your mommy. These are mostly fleeting thoughts triggered by weariness or frustration but I am sure hoping that someone else feels these things...
These pictures help my perspective :)
Playing with Papa
Full of life.
"Hey mom I am helping Seren put my shirt on!"
Demani took this picture of Seren and I and I like it :)
You can't help but smile, right?
Putting Seren's hat on.
Puppies and Demani with big boy underwear on! (Don't get too excited - we've got a longgggg way to go!)
Pony rides at a gourd farm nearby. It was an interesting place.... Demani did very well and enjoyed his ride - he was a bit tentative at first but he did great (and wanted to go again)!
Seren made me cry she was so sure of herself - she just seemed all grown up in an instant...She reached to hold on the the saddle as soon as she sat down - as if she'd been doing it her whole life! Then, part way through the ride she reached for Mathwon and wanted off, now! I was like okay...whew...she's still 16 months...and not 16 years :)
Mekai cracked us up because for the most part he had his arms waving around and didn't hold on much at all. He would wave his hands and grin and Mathwon was just holding on to him for dear life.
Demani
Demani turned 3 years old yesterday! How is this possible? I DON'T KNOW! In spite of sickness and a run to Urgent Care for Mekai, Demani's birthday was still a great time of celebration. How do I know this? Demani is still saying this morning that "I liked my birthday!"
We love you so much Demani!!!
I will post some pics of the birthday festivities later on!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Introducing, my niece Elle
Our first drive to Charlotte from our home in Morrisville went wonderfully! The kids and I went to meet Elle for the first time! We (okay, ME) were so very excited! Elle is more than you could imagine! And so little - it is really strange how you forget how little they start out! And she has strong little lungs too and nurses like a champ! Kendra is doing amazing. She is amazing. It's tough being a new mom, specifically the first time around, and I don't know that you could pay me to go back to that time in my life. I enjoyed returning a few favors to Kendra as she helped out with the kids soon after they were born. I look forward to doing more! On Sunday morning Kendra, Elle and I had a few hours to ourselves and it was a special time that went too quickly! I look forward to holding Elle, watching her grow, babysitting, playing at the park, and doing special little Auntie things for her! See you again soon Elle!
Demani loves his cousin and mentions her often. Mom walked by the couch holding Elle and Demani climbed up, sat down and put his little arms out and said, "She wants to see me."
The toy box at Grammy and Grampy's house.
Hey Amanda, If some of these pics look familiar thats because I grabbed them off your facebook! You got some good ones!! Thanks!!
Precious little Elle. I can't wait to see her again!
Demani loves his cousin and mentions her often. Mom walked by the couch holding Elle and Demani climbed up, sat down and put his little arms out and said, "She wants to see me."
The toy box at Grammy and Grampy's house.
Hey Amanda, If some of these pics look familiar thats because I grabbed them off your facebook! You got some good ones!! Thanks!!
Precious little Elle. I can't wait to see her again!
Pretty day
It is October. The 13. I am outside. With no coat on. It is breezy and warm. I am in NC!
Suffice it to say we are enjoying the sun.
Recently, I've had thoughts running through my head constantly...I should write about that...this will make a great blog entry...and now here I sit and I am not sure what to write. The kids are napping (well D is having quiet time in his room), though all will be awake soon. We had our first MOPS meeting here in NC today and we all enjoyed it. We were all ready for a change of scenery I think.
I often find myself comparing the move from MI to NY and the move from NY to NC. One was heart-wrenching, one I anticipated; one left me swaying for sometime, one left me ready to run to explore the next thing; one moved us further from family, one moved us closer; one made M and I a solid team and one will encourage continued growth.
I've handled this move much better, as you can likely gather ;) but am finding myself faced with the reality that no matter whether you dread or look forward to the change - it's still change, it's still an adjustment. Either way. There are people I miss in Bingo and now, even though I am glad to be here, I don't like starting a l l o v e r again. I guess this has been a bit of a surprise to me even though there was a wise part of me that tried to prepare the other part of me for this adjustment period. All in all? We are good. Demani keeps saying, "I like this new house." When you hear that your kids are happy and can see that they are adjusting well - well, it's all worth it. M is enjoying his work and we are slowly but surely figuring out where to put everything...the next step is just figuring out where we go, where we belong, where we fit.
The sun is warming my back. And though I am alone save for the birds singing, I am warmed with the thoughts of friends in OH, in MI, in NY (and other places too!) and soon to be in NC.
Our final trip to Apple Hills
Mekai's first haircut.
Brothers and good friends.
Reading to puppy (note: he is holding puppy's arm to help him pull the tab)
Our hospitable, gracious friends, The Raab family let us hang out there while the moving co packed and loaded us. We had a great time and made great memories!
Here's Demani and Seren in our new house sitting in the lawn chair!
We were soooo tired!
Playing among the boxes
Playing in the basket
I have a ton of pics to share and will be posting more again soon. Look for pics of my niece, Elle - coming soon!
Suffice it to say we are enjoying the sun.
Recently, I've had thoughts running through my head constantly...I should write about that...this will make a great blog entry...and now here I sit and I am not sure what to write. The kids are napping (well D is having quiet time in his room), though all will be awake soon. We had our first MOPS meeting here in NC today and we all enjoyed it. We were all ready for a change of scenery I think.
I often find myself comparing the move from MI to NY and the move from NY to NC. One was heart-wrenching, one I anticipated; one left me swaying for sometime, one left me ready to run to explore the next thing; one moved us further from family, one moved us closer; one made M and I a solid team and one will encourage continued growth.
I've handled this move much better, as you can likely gather ;) but am finding myself faced with the reality that no matter whether you dread or look forward to the change - it's still change, it's still an adjustment. Either way. There are people I miss in Bingo and now, even though I am glad to be here, I don't like starting a l l o v e r again. I guess this has been a bit of a surprise to me even though there was a wise part of me that tried to prepare the other part of me for this adjustment period. All in all? We are good. Demani keeps saying, "I like this new house." When you hear that your kids are happy and can see that they are adjusting well - well, it's all worth it. M is enjoying his work and we are slowly but surely figuring out where to put everything...the next step is just figuring out where we go, where we belong, where we fit.
The sun is warming my back. And though I am alone save for the birds singing, I am warmed with the thoughts of friends in OH, in MI, in NY (and other places too!) and soon to be in NC.
Our final trip to Apple Hills
Mekai's first haircut.
Brothers and good friends.
Reading to puppy (note: he is holding puppy's arm to help him pull the tab)
Our hospitable, gracious friends, The Raab family let us hang out there while the moving co packed and loaded us. We had a great time and made great memories!
Here's Demani and Seren in our new house sitting in the lawn chair!
We were soooo tired!
Playing among the boxes
Playing in the basketI have a ton of pics to share and will be posting more again soon. Look for pics of my niece, Elle - coming soon!
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