Party Remnants

Saturday was the day. My boy is now four. Invitations were sent out and a party was had. (My brain was on overload and that is why there has been a lack of blogging.) Our Jonah party was a success. My sister, Hannah, came to help with crowd control and preparations. The party began with a prayer and the story of Jonah, as was requested by a small boy. Instead of doing "craft", I baked fish-shaped cookies for the kids to frost. Each child was able to frost three cookies. Funny side note- I didn't have a fish-shaped cookie cutter, so I made one by bending a metal bat-shaped cookie cutter. When was I ever going to make bat cookies??? So that is why these fish are so funky looking.

We also had a very large, whale-sized box. Each kid had a turn being Jonah inside the "whale". And when I left the room, the box was the center of attention, and would've met it's demise had I not returned in time. Yeah, boxes are awesome.
I managed to make a fish cake for the occasion, but didn't bake Jonah into his middle like planned.
We proceeded with our four year old birthday celebration, with a lunch of fish sticks, tater-tots, and carrots. (Yes, I serve such "healthy" birthday lunches.) After which, the fish cake was cut and enjoyed.
Almost guaranteed, the favorite part of the party would have to be the pinata. I had attempted to make a pinata earlier in the week, using a balloon and paper machete. Unfortunately, it took more than six days to dry, and I was not able to use it. So, on Friday I did a quick online search and found a wonderful substitution. A paper bag, stuffed with newspaper and candy, and decorated with crepe paper (left over from our decorations) made a super pinata. Each kid had ample opportunity to hit the make-shift pinata and had fun diving for candy when it finally burst.

I think each and every one of us had a lot of fun at Josh's birthday Bible Club. And at least three of us were ready for a nap afterward.

A Jonah Bible Club

So, you know how a few of the neighborhood kids have been asking about Bible Club? Well, now my own son has started. I just can't get away. ;) And I think I have an answer to my prayers about how to go about it, or at least a start. Through no provoking of my own, Josh started asking about Bible Club and then he went on to ask if he could have Bible Club on his birthday. I stopped whatever I was doing and began to consider my little boy's request. "And invite the neighborhood kids?" I asked. "Yes." I think he was inspired by someone bigger than both of us... I asked him what Bible story we should tell, and after considering it for a moment, "Jonah" was his reply. This is very do-able, I think. I'm not the greatest at throwing parties or putting plans into actions, but when my little boy wants to have Bible Club for his birthday, I would venture to say that it might be the Lord's way of getting me going. (I always need a little push to get things done.) So I have 18 days to plan a Jonah Bible Club birthday party. Maybe a whale cake, reading the story of Jonah, Jonah games? I will have to pray for some more ideas...

I just have to say, God has the best ideas.

Happy 23rd Birthday!

We had a party last night. Someone we love turned 23. Did you have a good 23rd birthday Gramma Jo? Hope you had fun!

Happy Birthday Pops!

Before it gets too late, my favorite Daddy is having a birthday today! I love you Dad and hope you had a good birthday! I love having you as my Dad and I want you to know that I look up to you and am blessed to have you as my Daddy. XOXO

A Birthday

People say that I look just like her. I say that I am her twin. People know I am her daughter, even if they have never met me before. It's cause I am her twin. She's my Mom and tomorrow is her birthday. I think she's turning 37 this year... In honor of her birthday, I tell you some things about her.

1) She loves Jesus.
2) My Mom is artistic.
3) She has raised seven children.
4) She has been married nearly 30 years! (Oh my!)
5) Mom can make one mean pie, and it's tasty too!
6) She taught me how to bake while I was at a young age.
7) She loves kids,
8) and has babysat them for many years.
9) She has two sisters and two brothers. (One is in heaven.)
10) Mom has an uncanny way of being able to love us kids, no matter what!
11) She is two weeks older than my Dad.
12) She takes care of my Grandma.
13) She shares.
14) She was born on Palm Sunday.

There is much more, but at 10:49, my brain starts to shut down and my bed is calling. I love you Mommy! I hope your birthday is a happy one!

A St. Patrick's Birthday

May the luck'o the Irish be with you! Or rather, happy birthday honey! See, my favorite guy has his birthday on St. Patrick's Day. That means he shares his day with green, four-leaf clovers, Irish soda bread, corned beef and cabbage, and little leaping leprechauns. Every year (at least since we've been married) he has had corned beef and cabbage for his birthday supper, just because it's that time of year. This year I wanted to be sure I made him what he really wanted. And he requested prime rib. (Okay, watch out for luxury taste buds!) So I tried my best to make a delicious, "luxury", untypical (atypical?), St. Patrick's Day supper. Prime rib, asparagus and mashed potatoes. Okay, mashed potatoes fits the St. Patrick's Day mold... I also made him a cake and Josh helped me put the sprinkles on. He lavished the cake with little handfuls of sprinkles, heaped in little piles. I encouraged him to spread them even, while the colored bits of wax filtered through his fingers and onto the counter. He was proud of his efforts and he smiled broadly while he tipped up the container and let the last of the sprinkle crumbs land on the cake and onto the edge of the cake plate. He even found the candles for our cake. We had a number "2"candle and a number "3" candle. So for Adam's birthday this year, he had a choice of turning 32 or 23. He choose to live some more in his 20's. It was a good choice and he ought to live this last year in his 20's gratefully...

It's Tough Being Three

Josh has had a rough time of it, being three. The first day of being three was just fine. It was a happy day, with a preschool party (though not in his honor, it just happened to be on the right day), a birthday parade, birthday cookies and dinner out with Daddy (because I was working). The second day of being three started out equally or more fun... What Josh had really wanted for his birthday was to have friends over, so we had one little boy from daycare over to play for the morning. The two of them had so much fun together playing cars, dinosaurs, trains, hide-and-seek and anything that two little boys can think of playing together. At one point in all their excitement, Josh took a dive off the couch and onto his head, but that didn't deter him from his fun for too long. When Shod went home, he begged his Mom to let Josh come home with them, but that was not to happen on this day. This was the day for cake and gathering with the family for a birthday celebration. Chocolate cake had been requested and made for a special occasion, that of my little guy's birthday. At about 7:00, Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins had arrived. People were here and there in my tiny house talking and visiting with each other. Pretty soon, Josh was crying in the basement, where he was playing with his Uncle and his Daddy. I just let his Daddy take care of him, and went about getting ready for our cake. Josh had just fallen off his riding toy onto his head and little known to any of us, had just had a concussion. We continued on with our festivities and Josh was perfectly fine and happy to open his gifts and eat cake and ice cream. It was after 9, when everything had finally settled down and we were able to get Josh tucked into bed for the night and Adam and I breathed a sigh of relief. We were tired. It had been a busy day. 45 minuted later, we hear Josh crying in his bedroom. Somewhat unusual, but nothing to cause alarm. But his reason for being upset was reason for alarm. Josh was upset because "the floor was spinning". We were more confused than anything as Adam and I recapped the day. Adam told me about how Josh hit his head and so we wondered if that had anything to do with the "spinning floor". We had Josh walk around and we looked at his eyes. He seemed okay to me, but Adam wanted me to call someone. I left a message for a nurse at the pediatric center, but it being quarter after 10, I didn't want get too hyped up for nothing. But when Josh had a second episode, in which he buried his head into our pillow and whimpered that the floor was spinning, both Adam and I decided we should take him to emergency. We don't like to mess around with things like that. To make a long story short, the doctor was quick to diagnose a concussion, mostly relying on our description of Josh's symptoms and was very reassuring. The whole time we spent at the hospital, Joshua was inquisitive and just like his normal self. We were able to return home by around 12:30am knowing that our boy was going to be okay and would be feeling like himself in a couple of days. He didn't have another spinning episode until 4:30 that morning, but this time we knew what we were dealing with. I'm so thankful that we have doctor's and for the reassurance they can give us at times like this.

And that is all because now I am going to bed.

Happy Birthday to My Boy!

My dear little boy... Three years ago I lay in the hospital bed with you by my side, in awe, adoring everything about you. Listening to you breathe, and stroking your baby-soft skin with my fingertips. It's hard to imagine you being so tiny again. Your baby-ness didn't last for very long at all. You, my Joshua, were in a hurry. You walked at 10 1/2 months, and talked not very long after that. I was in a hurry to potty train you, but you were so willing to go along with it. I think 2 1/2 is still pretty young to be potty-trained, even if you took longer about it than I was hoping. Now you are 3... Full of life and inquisitive as ever. Rebellious... sometimes. Not so much, that a quick swat can't correct. ;) I can't believe how much you love your Daddy. I try not to feel left out. You'd take him over me any day! You are learning letter sounds and have conquered numbers 0-8. You are so good at puzzles and are now learning to cut. We still have to work on that though, along with throwing a ball! Maybe Daddy will give you some lessons... You love cars, trucks, tractors and lawn mowers. And this year you asked for a gun for your birthday. (Where do they get that? Boys...) Daddy found you some Nerf guns... What a nice Daddy. :) We will celebrate your third birthday tomorrow, with chocolate cake and a family gathering. You will have a friend over to play, just like you asked. You, my Joshua... I can't imagine life without you. It seems like I've always had you around. I'm so glad that God sent you our way.

Happy Birthday to ME!

Since today is my birthday and I am now 25, which is a quarter of a century, I will leave you with 25 important or random things about me.

1) I was born in Rochester, NY.
2) I play piano.
3) I have green eyes, like my Gramanita.
4) I have to wear corrective lenses.
5) My son was born six days after my 22nd birthday.
6) I am one of seven kids.
7) I was married when I was 20.
8) I was homeschooled most of my school years.
9) I never went to college.
10) I've never smoked, but I have a tattoo. (Psych!!)
11) When I was a girl I wanted to be a missionary to Brazil.
12) I also wanted to adopt an African baby boy.
13) I still want to adopt a baby, but he/she doesn't have to be from Africa.
14) I don't like washing my own dishes.
15) I'm not sure if I like cats or not.
16) Gardening is my favorite outside activity.
17) I love to travel.
18) I want to live my life for Jesus.
19) I like to sing.
20) It bothers me when people can't spell properly. (I also like spell check.)
21) I cannot keep my checkbook balanced.
22) Keeping a budget is like a game to me. I am very competitive.
23) I love going to the arboretum.
24) I have friends in foreign countries.
25) I am going to heaven, but only by God's grace.

A Good, Clean Birthday Present

To start off, I want you all to know that my very least favorite household chore is washing dishes. Not because it is hard or inconvenient, but because you are never really done washing dishes. Dirty dishes never go away. My sink is ALWAYS full of dishes waiting to be washed.

It was a very nice early birthday gift. Though I'm not sure it was intended to be a birthday gift. It all started when my hubby found out that my Aunt and Uncle were getting a new dishwasher and were getting rid of their old one. Their old one had a leaky seal. I have never hoped that I could fit a dishwasher in my teeny-tiny kitchen. To me, it was just impossible. But when Adam heard about the "leaky" dishwasher, his wheels started spinning. He is very handy and could fix that dishwasher. But in order to fit in a dishwasher, a cabinet needed to be taken out. That meant that a cabinet had to be emptied... That meant we needed somewhere else to put the emptied out stuff, whatever that stuff may be. So this is what happened Thursday when I was at work. We have a fine closet in our kitchen where we keep our garbage can and recyclables. Garbage can was moved to other side of kitchen. Adam hung very nice wire shelves in the closet to turn this space into a WONDERFUL pantry. (I'm not sure which pleases me more, the dishwasher or the pantry. Yes, I am... The dishwasher.) He emptied one and a half lower cabinets of their food contents and placed it all on the pantry shelves. The pots and pans moved out of their cabinet and into the now empty food cabinets. Pots and Pans cabinet was taken out. Dishwasher was put in. Wife now smiles broadly as she washes her dishes. Husband is happy. Counters look cleaner and sink has been empty almost ALL day! Woo-hoot! I am feeling much better about the state of affairs at our house. And I am ready to keep Adam around for quite a bit longer. :)

Getting Ready

It's just about that time of night where I begin to feel like turning in. Sleep is creeping into my bones and the urge to lie down and shut my eyes becomes stronger with each passing moment. We saw this little boy at the grocery store a week or two ago and it reminded me of a photo my Mom had of one of my brothers, taken many years ago. He looked so peaceful and sweet, I couldn't help but take a photo of him.

My brain is also tired tonight. I've been thinking all day. We have invited some friends over for a little birthday party tomorrow. Four little children between 2 and 4 are coming over to play with Josh and celebrate his birthday with him. I am trying to get my act together and at least put on a good show of being organized and prepared. The thing that makes it most difficult is that we have been remodeling our basement and it is just about done (with the exception of painting the stairs). My focus has been mostly on getting the basement ready to hold a mini party and keeping it and the rest of the house clean. Our guests will arrive tomorrow at 11 o'clock and before the 11'th hour, I must roll, cut and bake pumpkin cookies and put lunch together. I think it is a doable task, as long as I get enough sleep in the mean time. So, now I shall turn in and hopefully sleep as peacefully as the little boy who slept during his mother's grocery store visit. (Don'cha just want to pinch his fat little cheeks?)

Two Years

Six short days ago it was my birthday. But enough about me...

Today we celebrated two wonderful years. Two years ago this evening, I was lying in a hospital bed with my arms around a new baby, struck with love and disbelief. I was a new Mommy. His name was Joshua. And he was beautiful.

Today he is just as handsome, but so much more boy. He helped me clean the house this morning, in preparation of his birthday celebration. I swept and he vacuumed the dirt piles. He's getting so big... That boy. This evening two sets of Grandparents showed up at our door, one of them bearing an ice cream cake. :) I had made some apple crisp too. Josh was very anxious to see what the packages were all about, especially the one with the truck on top. When I say he's so much more boy, it's because he's all about the boy stuff. Forget about the shirts and underwear that Mommy got for him, it's the trucks and the tools that are the important stuff. Especially the tools. Josh wouldn't go to bed this evening without his new tools. All three of his "real" tools. Saws that work and a real drill too. Boy, he couldn't get into that package fast enough! Grandma Jo and Uncle Andy bought Josh some "rainy day" movies... Bob the Builder and Veggie Tales, two of the town favorites. He'll be singing "Silly Songs with Larry" before I know it... He went to bed singing "Happy birthday to you". Happy as a clam, or rather a big boy.

And then he puked. Gross. Maybe I could blame it on too much cake, if he didn't have a slight fever as well. Hopefully he'll be all good tomorrow, because Mommy has been planning on having a few little friends over on Saturday to play. Oh dear...

I love you Josh! I am so glad that God sent you to us and have been enjoying your company so, so, much these past two years. I don't know what I'd do without you!

A Birthday Party

A couple weeks ago we went to a 1st birthday party in honor of Adam's little 2nd cousin. The birthday boy gave such a nice party! He played toys, threw his gifts on the floor, plastered his face with birthday cake and charmed all the guests. All in all, it was a nice relaxing afternoon spent visiting relatives, but we were surprised by how much older the birthday boy looked than expected...

All By Himself

Daddy, today I made you a birthday cake. All by myself. It was chocolate. I mixed. I poured. I baked. All by myself. Then I got to taste. I like chocolate. I licked the beaters all by myself. I let Momma help lick, but only a little.

My Honey's B-Day

Happy birthday Mr. Cutie Pants! Don't go and get too old without me. (He's 27 today. Is that too old?)

Another Year Older

I have been feeling a bit of animosity, or perhaps resentment, at the fact that today is my birthday. I don't want to be 23. I want to stay 22. I will only get older from here on out. Twenty-two was a wonderful year. So many great things happened in it. For instance, the love of my life was born. And he holds my hand and runs into my arms. It is "practically perfect in every way." I guess the excitement of birthdays has just worn off... Just another day that is supposed to be exciting. Ugh, what is wrong with me? I am much too sentimental, I think. And for some reason that makes me regret that I am no longer a young wisp of a willow. Tell me, how beauty becomes you more as you age. Like good cheese or wine...

On a cheerier note: Adam called me on his way home Monday evening. He said that he had bought me something for my birthday and wondered if he could give it to me when he got home. It was a whole three days before my birthday, but he couldn't wait. It did make me curious!! Upon his arrival, he brought in this large box, inside of which was... A brand spankin' new vacuum!!!!!!! I was pretty excited. I had been fighting with our vacuum cleaner all summer. The hose had busted, it tried to eat me, etc, etc. It was a very inexpensive vacuum, which makes it hardly worth replacing parts on, but it did the job. But Adam is such a good man, he wants me to have a easy life. The new vaccum has a pet hair brush and great filters and it comes with 0 bags, just a neat emptying thingy that you just empty into the trash when its full. Pretty cool. Now I can clean the car, which, oddly enough, I am actually looking forward to... What a great guy. Maybe my birthday isn't that bad after all. *smile*

IT'S IMAGINARY PEOPLE!!!

I have a facebook account and I created an imaginary event (a birthday party for myself) and people actually had the gall to say they weren't coming! People who are my "friends" could not come to my IMAGINARY birthday party!! Inconceivable! I am appalled. Who cannot imagine themselves at something as imaginary as an imaginary birthday party? Or at least pretend they are imagining going? Aren't they silly?

Synopsis of One's Week

Well, it's been a whole week since I have last blogged. Ooops... my how time does get away from you when you're busy! I've had a busy week. Last Friday Adam and I went to the Amerks Hockey game. Of course they lost, but we had fun anyway. Hockey players really do fight on the rink, just like in the movies! It was a good game with a close score: 3-4. Saturday I helped my Dad hang a mural at church in the morning and had my family over for dinner later. Adam made a delicious ham and we had quite the feast. My Mom's birthday was last Wednesday so I had made a blueberry cheesecake in celebration of the occasion. This made a lovely dessert. Mmmm, good. Sunday was church and in the afternoon, Adam and I traveled the countryside enjoying the warm day. Meanwhile I got very tired and I believe I even slept a bit (maybe 5 minutes). Monday was work and then I went to Kohls and bought a few skirts which I returned Tuesday morning because Adam didn't care for them. Tuesday I went to work again and in the evening we went to my parents house for Bible study. I finally remembered to bring the candy canes I bought for them at Christmas (they were homemade and very good) so everyone got to enjoy a late Christmas present. Hey, better late than never! Wednesday I went teaching again. It was the roughest day yet because we were all out of schedule. The kids had had a few late nights and needed to sleep in, so only two of them were awake when I arrived. Rebekah, who is six, slept till almost 11:00. I let her because she really must've needed the sleep. It's gotta be hard when you're mommy is staying in the city because your premature baby sister is in the hospital. It was a beautiful day outside too, so it was hard to get the kids to focus on the jobs that their dad had set for them to get done. I think it'll go better tomorrow because they won't be so overtired and we'll be able to (or at least mostly) stay on schedule. I like those kids and I hope that I can be of some kind of encouragement and blessing to them and their dad, while their mom is not at home. And hopefully they will be learning at the same time! Today I waitressed again and this evening (in about 15 min.) we will meet Adam's parents for dinner. Bob's birthday was yesterday and they always go out to eat when someone has a birthday... It's kinda funny how every family does things different. When I was growing up, Mom always made us dinner and cake or pie and Grandma and Grandpa came over. It just shows how different people celebrate different ways!
So, as you can see, I've been a busy girl. Not much down time. I'm hoping to get some grocery shopping in tonight as well- I won't have any time this weekend. We'll see how that goes. Ach, we're out of eggs, almost out of butter, we need this... we need that! Yup, it's gotta get done...

St. Patricks Day Birthday Cake

Happy Saint Patty's Day everyone! And happy birthday Adam too! What a lucky boy- to be born on St. Patty's Day... Hot diggity-dog!
Today I went to help homeschool/babysit kids. It went well considering it was the first day and I didn't really know what I was getting into. Suppose the longer I do this the better it will go. The kids (ranging in age from 13 - 2) were well behaved for the most part, but the three younger ones in school need a bit of help with letters and learning to read. We shall see how everything goes next week.
Well, I'll be off to spend time with my hubby for it is his 24th birthday... Yum, birthday cake!