Paint, Pustules and Prayer

I've been under the false impression that in order to make blogging worth it, each and every post had to be some sort of literary masterpiece. Since I'm not in the frame of mind for such dabblings (or babblings) I have instead chosen NOT to blog much.

I guess I forgot that this blog was originally put together so that our families and close friends could enjoy the doings and going ons of our growing family and as a sorts of "family journal". 

For those of you who are neither family nor "close" friends, keep that thought in mind as today I "dazzle" you with two very boring updates (that only a mother could love) and one rather silly story.

First, I finally took the plunge and painted our living room.

I've been itching to do it since the day we moved in but was delayed by actually closing on the house, and then a miscarriage, and then life as it generally is.  At the beginning of the summer I didn't quite make it to Home Depot's memorial day paint sale.  I was rather disappointed.  Now I would have to pay full price for paint because there was NO way I was going to wait until Labor day for their next paint sale.  Fast forward several months.  Let's just say I have a rebate coming in the mail.

Here is a before shot (which I remembered to do only after I had taped off):

 and the afters (gives a whole new meaning to accent wall, yes?):

 Now I'm sure most people would have waited to take after shots until they had cleaned up, put the furniture back, and re-decorated.  Not me.  Because I have only accomplished the first two.  Still working on the putting things back on the walls.  Give me a break.  It's only been a couple of weeks now.  :)

On another note the dreaded hand, foot and mouth disease has come to visit us. 

Kian's poor face.  If you think this looks bad you should see his sad bottom.  I did restrain from taking a picture of it and posting it here.  That would just be bad on several levels but you can take my word for it.  It's SO SAD!

Looking back, I seem to recall when Gabe had it, and again when Cael did, their cases were very similar to Kians.  My kids have gotten off fairly easy. I've seen pictures online.  This is nothing.

As you can see he's as happy as can be.  No worse for the ware.

Which is where the funny story comes in.

Yesterday as we were sitting down to dinner it was my turn to pray.  I began with several things we were grateful for, one of which being the ease our children had seen throughout this particular sickness (Gabe also got a fever and sore throat...no spots) and thanked Heavenly Father that Kian was so happy despite the discomfort and pain he must be in.  I tried to go on but Kian, who had obviously been actually listening to the words of the prayer (which caught me completely by surprise...I mean he's only 2), so rudely interrupts my prayer, by yelling out, "I NOT HAPPY!!!!!", in his loudest, grumpiest voice ever.

A few snickers here and there from the older boys but I shrugged it off and tried to continue.

Again, "I NOT HAPPY."  (snicker, snicker in the background)

I look at Rob, who was obviously waiting for my cue.  I seized the moment, setting aside my usual "must set an exceptional example" way of thinking and burst out laughing.  That set Rob off and soon we were all laughing loud and clear.  Except Kian....who was still yelling, "I NOT HAPPY."

After a few seconds of truly delightful lightheartedness (of which we do NOT see a lot of), I quieted things down and quickly finished the prayer.

Our night continued as usual, except with an air of contentedness we hadn't felt around here in a long time.  It was awesome!

So, I thank you, Mr. Golden Locks for adding a bit of lightness into our lives.  You truly are a blessing from God.  The glue that has bound our broken family back together.

I love you dearly....

even if the sight of you kinda grosses me out right now.  :) 

 

"But I'm trying...."

Tonight Cael got a nasty bump on his eyebrow and had quite the cry about it.  In my efforts to console him, I reminded him that I knew just how it felt.  "Remember the story I told you about when I got hurt there and had to get stitches." (my older brother Andrew threw a tin can at my head and it sliced open my brow.  He also pushed me off the bathroom counter causing my chin to split open...more stitches...but that's another story).

Apparently the mention of this story caused Isaac some serious concern.  He followed me with haste as I exited the room.

With a great look of hurt Isaac asked, "Mom.  Why was Uncle Andrew so mean to you?"

To which I replied, "Well...why are you mean to your brothers sometimes?"

As I go on to explain that siblings just get frustrated with each and hurt each other, etc, Isaac interrupts to answer my previous question.

"But, I'm not."  (frowning)  "I'm trying to do what is right.  I'm trying to be like Jesus."

His husky little voice was pleading for me to understand.

I was such a proud mama at that moment. 

Yes...he IS trying.  He's been praying for help every night to do just those things.

And so I reassured him...

"You are right.  You are trying hard, aren't you?"

and then taught him a small lesson about repentance and forgiveness...

"And I think Uncle Andrew was trying too.  Sometimes, even when we are trying, we still mess up.  Then we need to say we are sorry and try to do better."

He looked mighty relieved.  "Okay!" he says.

And off he went.

What a truly sweet (even if he is my most naughty) boy.

 

"I'm pretty sure we'd better like it!"

This was definitely the case at our house last night...

"What are we having?

We are having the result of the past three hours I've spent in this kitchen slaving over a hot stove in order to provide nourishment for my family!  

Not THAT again! 

Yeah, and I'm pretty sure we'd better like it."

Only I wish my kids were as wise resigned as theirs are (yes, I know it's a comic strip).

I tried a new recipe.   GASP!

Butternut squash soup (recipe found at Our Best Bites...my favorite cooking sight).

It was really good.  (Although IF I made it again, I would probably leave out the brown sugar....it was just a tad bit too sweet.)

Let's just say there were a lot of tears, and gagging...uncultured swine.  :)

At least we got some good use out of our "table manners behavior cards". 

I don't think I've posted about those yet....I will...soon.  

They are genius!

Anyway...for now, unfortunately, I don't think the squash recipe is going into our "go to" recipe pile.  It's too bad....it was cheap...and tasty.  :(

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Will comply, for shoes...

There's two things to know about Mr. Golden Locks.

He just learned to say the word "No!"....at 19 months.  Surprising.  (I mean, it's not like that word has been used sparingly around here.) 

Also...this boy LOVES shoes.

My other boys loved shoes....but Mr. Golden Locks LIVES for shoes.  He has someone's shoes on (if not his) ALL. OF. THE. TIME!

Sometimes this can be quite bothersome to me (especially when he is squealing because he can't get them on)....but sometimes I use it to my advantage.

For instance...yesterday morning.

Me:  "Hey [Mr. Golden Locks], let's go get dressed."

MGL:  "NO!"  (loud, sharp, and to the point)

Frustration...and then....*BING*...lightbulb!

Me:  "[Mr. Golden Locks], let's go get dressed and then we can put your shoes on."

You should have seen his face explode in excitement.  He booked it to his room faster than I have ever seen him move before (which is sayin' a lot).

BINGO!

Every once in a while the "lights of mothering genius" do shine down on this mama. (here's another such instance...in case you're new here or missed it before.)

Just found this goodie....he's so darn cute (note the shoe).


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Serious choking hazard....

We ran a ton of errands today.  The kids were exhausted.

We finished up at Costco....I bribed them with hot dogs (our monthly routine).

We got out to the car when I realized I had forgotten a knife to cut Mr. Golden Locks section (he get's about a 1/3 of one of his bros) of "dog" up.

I was not about to go back inside.  So...against my better judgement...I gave it to him....whole.

"He'll chew it," I reasoned with myself.  (Uh huh....)

He was remarkably quiet on the way home (of course, they are usually pretty quiet when they are stuffing their faces) but after hearing soft snoring I realized he had fallen asleep.  Poor thing.

I looked back in my rear view mirror and saw this....

Can't see it?

How about NOW?

When I called his name...he stirred a bit...chomped down a few times...then promptly fell asleep again.

We got home...I got him out of his car seat and took him inside.  I tried to take out the piece of hot dog...except it wasn't really a piece at all.

Yeah, that's right.  He shoved the ENTIRE thing into his mouth and this (above) is what wouldn't fit.  

It made me laugh and scared me at the same time.

I coaxed him into spitting it out in the sink. 

He was none too happy to see it go. 

I am very lucky nothing serious happened to him.

Let's just say that I will NEVER be doing that again.  EVER!   


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G-McBabe's joke of the day

"Hey Mom...wanna hear my newest joke?"

"Sure"

"Why did the exercise instructor wear a diaper?"  

(pause)

They were doing pull-ups.  Get it?"

I laughed...of course.  It was very clever and funny.

"That's a good one Gabe...very funny"

"Yeah, I can tell you liked it.  You actually 'real laughed'....instead of that fake laugh like 'ha ha ha'." 


My, he's clever!  Guess I need to work on my "fake outs"....funny boy.
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"Here is some bad things I do not like about my mom"

Excerpt from G-McBabe's journal (written today--I know...I shouldn't be peeking):

Sunday
Here is some bad things I do not like about my mom.
1.  she makes me get off the computer right when the timer goes off
2.  you never know when she is going to yell.

Funny?....sort of.

For the "full story" and how it links to depression, come on over to my other blog...Methodical Musings of an Unbalanced Woman.

I'm just too lazy to type it up twice (or copy and paste it for that matter).
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"Thriller Flash Mob" Zombies and my little crew, too.

I'm still "geeken'" over how much fun I had last night.  These ladies ROCK!  If you haven't seen our "Thriller Flash Mob" video yet, be sure and check it out HERE.

"Thriller Flash Mob" Ladies

L to R: Amy, Jauna, Brandaige, Melanie L., Melanie G. (me), Jeanne

"Unleashing the inner Zombie"

Amy, Jauna, Brandaige, Melanie L., Melanie G. (me), Jeanne

Me and my follow dress-er up-ers

G McBabe (ninja), Little Rob (Sulley-from Monsters Inc), Mr. Golden Locks (froggy), Me (El Zombie), Little Red (Darth Vader)

Where's Roberto?  Being a party pooper.

He told the kids he dressed up as "a dad with four boys".

Clever Rob...real clever.

Happy Halloween!

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