A FULL DAY

This is the crew after a very full day and a great game of bowling.

We didn't necessarily stay actively busy today but our minds were engaged much more than a normal Sat. We were so blessed to discover a focus on Marriage teleconference put on by Focus basically a couple blocks away from our house. I had written off going as I couldn't really bring myself to start asking sitters to watch my kids all day. It turned out the church had childcare all set up. So Ron and I enjoyed a day of focusing on each other and our personal spiritual growth. A nice change from the constant focus of kids and child rearing issues that constantly surround our household. As always my worries about the kids were not needed. They did great, Brayden was all excited because he got to play basketball in their gym. Every time I peeked in on Andrea she was just tooling around the room with toys and at one point she was actually sleeping in a crib...lights on, kids crying, people walking around the room. She is definitely a third child and used to the chaos. Becca was excited because she got to go to Brayden's class and for lunch she ate Chick FIL A..a favorite of the kids.

We ended the day with a fun game of bowling with some friends. The kids are getting better and better. Becca just had fun dancing in her "bright socks" as she called them (they had black lights) Brayden was all set to bowl the perfect game, and even though he didn't win we didn't need to peal him off the floor. Even Andrea got in on the action this time-so funny to see her push her ball down the lane then run to the ball holder and look down the hole for her ball (sorry I have no clue the proper names the thing)

One quick memory, today Brayden informed us he was going to marry Andrea. After I told him he couldn't marry some one in our family he proceeded to tell me he was going to marry Becca, then Daddy. Finally, after he ran out of people he got all worried..."WHO AM I GOING TO MARRY???" I answered that sometime God was going to tell him who to marry. Dumb answer because then he wanted to know how he would hear God. At this point Ron jumped into the conversation and said "We will tell you who to marry" Guess what, Brayden sighed, obviously relieved and said "Okay, daddy". Even at this age the unknown is scary.

Zoo Fun

The kids are such goofballs, always full of activity

These two are so fun to watch and listen to

I never knew falmingo's were so interesting

This is Brayden watching the elephants...when he was about 2 he was totally freaked out when one of the elephants trumpeted....he still covers his ears!

Spring is in the air. It was 70 plus degrees, beautiful day even with the strong wind. We decided to head out to the Zoo, a second choice for Brayden has he was set on going to the nature center. Sadly the nature center is closed for renovations. We had a lot of fun, the kids just love to run and see what animals are out and if they are out what they are doing.

On a sad note one of their favorite animals-the big brown bear was no more. I left the zoo with some very sad kids who had lots of questions about death/dying. Becca couldn't understand why Jesus didn't make him better-a question I struggle with myself...try to think of a logical/succinct explanation for a three year old. Brayden just didn't understand death and thought that the bear would just be there next time. We ended the conversation with the Bear's heart being with Jesus in heaven. I don't think the conversation made much sense to them and by the time we make it home it didn't make much sense to me either. Sometimes faith is much easier than a logical explanation!

In some of the pictures you can see Becca is still quite into having Blackie her bear with her. Today we discovered that Blackie had gone missing. After searching the house/car I realized somewhere along the day yesterday we had lost him. You would have thought the Becca's world was ending-even though she didn't seem to miss him at all last night and this morning. Well, after some heavy thinking I realized that she had him when we stopped at the park yesterday but I couldn't remember him making it back into the car. It was supposed to rain tonight so, with a big sigh I decied to drive back to the park and look-the whole time telling Becca that Blackied most likely had gone home with some other kids and was VERY happy. Can you believe what I found laying in the middle of the park sidewalk....BLACKIE and lovie. I was shocked to say the least. At supper when we were telling Ron Becca informed us all that Blackie didn't cry last night because he had his lovie and Jesus was in his heart watching him and keeping his safe.

Another Week

This is what Andrea loves to do while we are outdoors-sit in her wagon and eat crackers.

Becca loves to hug-she just doesn't realize that she is about choking her little sister.

Not a whole lot has been going on in our household as of late besides the daily grind. This doesn't give a me a lot to reflect on,explaining somewhat the short entries as of late. Brayden continues to grow-all his pants have holes in the knees and we are in need of a shopping trip for him. Becca is almost as tall as Brayden and today was able to keep up with him on his bike. Andrea is saying more and more words. Today she was mimicking Becca at the table as she was saying her letter's. We still have our share of fights but the kids truly care about each other and are learning how to love each other as Jesus loves us...no matter what. (Still Becca's response is often...BUT I DON'T WANT TO) So even if Brayden yelled STUPID loud today and Becca cried and threw Blackie on the floor in anger and I, the big bad mommy had to discipline we still all love each other, and at the end of the day with prayers I think they might be getting the bigger picture (at least for a moment!)\

All in all I am reminded to be thankful for these moments no matter how mundane they are.

SILLY GIRL

My Little Bare Belly Girl

Becca loves to have her picture taken and practically shoved poor Andrea out...I think it is an attention thing.

She wanted Becca's shoes on and when I told her I was going to take her picture she raced over to the window sill with a big grin on her face. Such a smart little girl, I had taken pictures of her earlier in the day and made her sit in the window sill-she doesn't miss a thing!

It seems like in just a week Andrea has grown into such a little girl. She used to just be in her own world and go from toy to toy while the older two played together. The past couple of days as I see Brayden and Becca race through a room, only a couple steps behind is Andrea with a big grin on her face like she know exactly the game they are playing. This new found understanding is great but has lead to some big fit throwing as she thinks she is as big as them and can do everything they are doing.

The funny thing today and yesterday is the fact that she just want to be naked. She pulls so hard at her shirt and then once you take that off she sits and yanks on her pants. Only after screaming and realized I wasn't taking off her diaper did she give to just the diaper. It is very funny and she sticks her little belly out to have it tickled. thankfully her upper molars poked through today so hopefully we will all have some better nights sleep.

Have to Share

Okay, I know I just posted but this is just too cute. Company is gone and we are waiting for Ron to come back. I was wondering what we were going to do today, but not really having any energy to get up and do anything anyway. The kids are so wonderful, they have been playing with each other for most of the day. They are on to playing with the animals, each is dressed by themselves, Brayden informed me that he put lip gloss on the two princess girls. They are so fun to listen to. As if today Brayden is going to marry me and Becca, Becca's response to him was that she had to marry someone else...sorry Brayden.

A little bit of Recklessness

Ron has been enjoying some hard days of skiing with my Brother David. Being gone over the weekend has been long but he is always good about calling during the day to keep us updated. Today was a different story. I called around dinner to find his phone off and then didn't hear from him till late evening. I think that after today he is ready to come home. Today was snowmobiling and back country skiing. Sounded like the majority of the day was spent hiking, trying to get places where they really weren't meant to be. Turned out two guys are two much for one snowmobile so they had to tow each other. At one point David said he turned back to discover no Ron on the end of the tow rope. After waiting, Ron finally showed up walking, he said he lost it in the snow and David just kept right on motoring. After spending 90% of the day trying to get to the top or where ever they needed to be I guess they did get to do a little skiing. Ron had rented telemark ski's which he was very thankful for as they are much easier to hike, but they spent much of the time in the tree's which doesn't make for very good telemark skiing.

Anyway, I am sure they are many more stories....the fact that the snowmobile has no front bumper might be another but I am just thankful they made it back in one piece and didn't have to race an avalanche.

We on the other hand enjoyed a day in as it was CHILLY today. The kids read books, played chutes in ladders, dominoes, did puzzles, played cowboys and Indians, dressed up like princesses...I am just glad Grandma and Grandpa were here to keep up with them today.

Valentine Fun

A Table full of Valentines

Such deep concentration

My little goof ball, with a mind of her own today!

Lots of fun with pop rocks

Flowers from an absentee Valentine

My beautiful sweet little valentines

The party continued. We now have enough sugar in this house to satisfy every last sweet tooth that could ever cross our door step! The kids woke up to a table full of goodies. Each loved opening their little treats. Becca and Brayden had fun eating pop rocks, while Andrea just dug into the chocolate. Now only did they enjoy opening their valentines but they loved helping Grandma and Grandpa with theirs as well-suggesting, rather gladly helping them get started on their chocolates.

We enjoyed the day even though it was a cold winter day. We joined the crowds at the aquarium but still had lot of fun seeing all the fish. Andrea seems to have grown overnight and has been determined all day to do everything Becca and Brayden does. I think she wanted to just jump in the turtle tank and was determined to touch the sting rays. The kids continue to enjoys the extra attention of the grandparents-books and extra arms and legs to play are always fun. Shoots and Ladders, bikes, scooters, wagon rides were all apart of the day.

Uncle David....supposed to be keeping Ron SAFE!!

The absentee Valentine out for the day to capture as much mountain and big air as possible.

Valentine Sweetheart

Today Brayden came home from school with a bag full of goodies and valentines. He had a lot of fun going through them all and seeing who each was from. The cutest thing was a valentine from a little girl with her picture on it. His teachers has told me that he has a little crush on this girl and it was evident today. He showed me this little girls valentine multiple time and didn't lose track of it the rest of the evening. He is now tucked snuggled in bed with the little girl's valentine in his hand-and yes, she was included in his prayer today...she is his valentine!

Today while Brayden got to go hit some golf balls with Grandpa us girls headed to the park to feed the ducks/geese. Last year the kids were scared out of their mind with the big geese and all the hissing and wing flapping. Today was so fun to watch. Becca didn't seem to notice the big geese. Andrea just loved all the activity. She spent much of the time squawking and yelling at the geese. At one point Grandma convinced both girls to sing to the geese about the duck with a feather in it's tail....the girls will do anything for her, so funny to see. I don't know who got more bread, in the end friends joined us with more bread, but looking at the girls each had their cheeks filled besides the piece in their hand to toss.

Family, Valentines...What Fun

This is intense Brayden in the middle of a snap game-determined to get the next match!

Yesterday my parents made it into town for a visit. This kids were super excited, seeing as they had such a good time with Ron's parents last weekend, they were ready for more special fun. Brayden loved having more people to show off his scooter riding abilities and Becca was up for zooming around on her bike. Andrea was her serious little self, trying to figure out what was going on but loved getting pulled in the wagon.

The kids had a lot of fun opening some very special valentines packages-full of some special valentines shirts. Becca loved the hearts and Brayden was pretty happy that his shirt has a wolf on it. Andrea just loves the little hearts, she sucks and sucks on them and when you think there would be nothing left, a little piece always manages to find it's way onto the floor.

Today Brayden had his valentine party at school. He was all set with his new red shirt and red socks, complete with a bag of SIGNED valentines. Yes, after writing his name 15 times he can now write all 7 letters...a huge accomplishment for him (he is known at BR on all his papers), I think he was even pretty proud that he could do it all by himself. The party continued when the mailman brought more packages for the kids. Andrea and Becca loved getting valentines from their cousin Emily-Andrea kept kissing the picture of Emily. What a fun day for the kids and it isn't even valentines day yet!

Fun Surprise

Today was a day full of errands and chores and a little fun. Becca and Andrea were the troopers along for most of the day while Brayden got to have his fun at school. The two do great, Becca even managed to get her seat belt on herself a couple of times-something she most of the time refuses to do. We are getting ready for valentines day and getting family some valentines, anyway Becca's main concern for most of the morning was, who was getting her a valentine and what she was going to get. Such a hard thing to teach the kids to put other's first when then are so worried about not getting or doing something before their siblings.
This afternoon we found out that Ron's aunt and uncle were passing through town and were going to stop in. Kind of a fun surprise seeing as whenever we suggest stopping at our house to family every ones answer is.. Tulsa is not on the way to anywhere we are going-like it's in some different country or something. Actually, since we have lived in Tulsa-10years, our family has found out that it is near to a lot of destinations and is along many travel routes, you just have to make the time to stop. So tonight we had the pleasure of Uncle Tom and Aunt Marilyn for dinner. I was unsure if the kids would remember who they were from the holiday's-but no worries. We were returning to our house expecting them in the driveway and I was rehearsing with the kids on their names. I guess I didn't really need to worry, the kids always seem to have something cute up their sleeve. Aunt Marilyn is Ron's Moms' sister and looks just like her so the kids just called them grandpa and grandma and had a great time.
Thankfully it was still a little nice out so the kids got to show off their bikes-they just love riding, we had to go for a short walk, then we tackled dinner. Seems that when we have company with no children my children seem 1o times louder and crazier than they really are. Thankfully they have a bunch of grandchildren and are used to some chaos. All in all it was a fun night. Andrea kept showing off her bellybutton for Uncle Tom, Becca went to bed saying Uncle Tom had her nose-he kept trying to get it during the evening, and Brayden enjoyed having someone to color pictures for.

IS IT SPRING??

Today brought another beautiful and unusual warm day. The kids have been having so much fun riding bikes and scooters outside. The boys rode bike to a near by park while the rest of us drove and met them there. Becca was big stuff and road her bike all around the park and then even throught the "forest" as the kids call it. We were on a hunt for a beaver dam, we didn't find it but found lots of trees cut down by beavers. Brayden found a ball and was thrilled to play catch/chase with Grandpa. Tonight we enjoyed a couple of games with the kids-they are doing a little better with the whole competition thing. Brayden actually won the first game of chutes and ladders followed by a win by Becca-which of course he was not too happy about. We then played a game of snap-the jist of the game is to slap the cards when you see a match. Becca was pretty excited when one of the characters had stitches and she had to inform us the picture was just like her. Even Andrea thought she was playing, laying on the floor and pretending to slap the cards.

Family Fun

Ron's parents gave us a nice surprise this week by calling and letting us know they were up for the 12 hour drive. So we are enjoying a full house this weekend, a little different than last. Becca loves spending time with Grandma, who is always up for playing anything...including a pretend church service in the middle of our neighbors drive way. Andrea still love Grandpa but is just happy for all the extra laps to sit in and listen to books. Brayden is enjoying having someone else to kick ball, play tennis, ride bike and just in general-play with. Amazingly, all three kids slept through the night, all in the same bedroom. This is wonderful considering the amount of screaming Andrea has been doing this past week. What makes it even nicer is that we are having very warm weather so being outside is wonderful-in the seventies today.

Ron and I are also enjoying a little time away without having to pay a sitter. We were able to enjoy a nice run this morning, even with the wind and tonight was a date at about half our normal cost, what a deal!

YEAH FOR THE PARK

Brayden was in his element-what you can't see is that he was actually full out tackling these boys before I informed him it was too rouph....his comment to me, "but mom it's football."

All three seem to have a never ending appetite

Such a crazy little girl, who still loves to be a beautiful princess with toes and fingers painted!

Becca loves wearing her cowboy boots, even though they are about 2 sizes to small.

For all the time we have spent together that past week the kids really play well together.

Today starts the start of some spring weather here in Tulsa. The kids were super excited to go outside and not wear their winter coats. I do have to say that Brayden has gotten used to the cold and has spent the past couple of afternoons playing ice hockey on our back patio. Becca continues to love riding her bike and makes it around the small loop by our house. It does take some time as she has to stop and pick up leaves along the way. Today it was extra slow going as the leaves kept blowing out. Brayden continues to love his sports, today at the park some boys had a football and he just had a blast playing with them. Andrea spends most of her time just hanging out by me, a little different than the other two independent little monkey's. This is a literal term I use for Becca as she seems to have no fear when it comes to monkey bars or heights for that matter.