While I will not even attempt to describe in detail how our time goes in the van on long trips (long, to me, equals 5+ hours), I will say that it is somewhere between miserable and awful.
While Savannah hit the just about content on a long car ride at around 18 months, Aubrey is not there yet. In. any. way. whatsoever.
We did, however, have a highlight on our ride home from Mississippi/Memphis the other day.
Both girls. Fast asleep. For 1 1/2 hours.
Wow.
That has not happened in months and months.
It was great, to say the least. I didn't even dare talk to Aaron during this time. Instead I wrote him notes. Yes, I'm serious.
So, yes, we have pretty nasty rides on long trips. Any suggestions? Tips? I feel like I've tried it all. Videos. Singing. Books. Food. Peek-a-boo. Where are your eyes, your nose, etc? Give me five. Blah, blah, blah.
Perhaps I have not tried it ALL and I welcome your suggestions. Just tell me quick because we have another long ride ahead of us next week. A 7-hour ride, in fact. Whew. Miserable. Awful. Saga.
P.S. Our families and friends are worth it though = ).
I love making things. This is why making things (i.e. homemade) is really heaven on earth to me...
So I wonder what I'll get to sew in heaven? For now, I'm LOVING these little bandana dresses. If you're wanting to get started on sewing, this dress is the place to starts. Fabric = already cut. Stiches = 3 (long ones). Effort Level = Easy, Easy, Easy. Cuteness = Absolutely adorable (to me, that is).
(perhaps I got a bit carried away on A's bows???)
Remember the moo-moo?
Viola? Maybe not but I still love the material.
And what about that guy the Breadman? He still works for me, most definitely. So this may not be all the way homemade but it's as close as I'm going to get. I've added chocolate chip bread to our menu and though it doesn't look the part, it sure did taste it.
And look at these...
!!!
I must have raw breadmaking talent, huh? No. Get this. You ready? Panera Bread gives out FREE bread to seminary students every Tuesday. The Dawkins snagged us some last week. Just had to add that bit in there while I was discussing bread.
So what's next on my homemade agenda? Well, those bathroom curtains that have been piled in my sewing stack for, oh, 6 months...
I know I may have a bit of an obsession with this, but I love to try to figure out who a child looks like~the mom or the dad.
People in Louisville that have never seen anyone in our family besides the four of us all say Savannah looks just like me and Aubrey looks just like Aaron.
I'm beginning to definitely agree on the latter.
You may or may not see it, but if you've ever seen pics of Aaron as a child and/or you've ever seen him in his glasses, you've GOT to see it. Those are his glasses, by the way...
Perhaps, after these almost 6 months of consistently doing so, it's official now. I'm a runner again. Maybe I should give you a vivid picture of what my running time looks like these days....
- You've got me, the "runner"
- You've got Savannah, the singer~renditions of The Wheels on the Bus, Jesus Loves Me, and The Song about Aubey-Bob (which goes a little something like this~Aubey-Bob, Aubey-Bob, Aubey-Bob~over and over again to whatever tune she likes at the moment.). Who said I ever needed an iPod?
- You've got Aubrey, the talker~or rather a lot of "dah, dah, ahhh, ahh, ba, ba...."
- You've got Charley the Beagle. Oh, yes. I'm still faithful to her, folks. Or rather, she howls the entire time we are gone if I don't take her disturbing neighbors, other canines, and that sweet husband of mine who has an office inside our house.
And, how, you may ask do all these go on a run with you, Laurin? I've got two words for you...
Graco. Stroller.
The double one, no doubt.
I kid you not. I strap those girls in the faithful stroller and off we go. Or, rather off I huff and puff, Savannah sings, and Aubrey "dah-dah"s.
And let's not forget about dear Charley the Beagle, who is
still either running like the wind in front of me or barely able to breathe, 10 steps behind me.
Are you getting a clear picture yet? I've got another two words for you...
Absolutely. Ridiculous.
And still I go. Usually about 3-4 times a week. About 3 miles. No. No. No. I do not nor cannot run the entire time. This is where interval running comes in. A beautiful thing.
And, wow. When I don't have Savannah, the singer; Aubrey, the talker; and Charley the Beagle with me? I feel like I fly like the wind. Forget Charley. She's got nothing on me. And, it's even a straight shot...3-4 miles straight. None of that beautiful interval running.
Let's talk races. I'm just not inspired thus far. But I've heard about a really good one in July (5k) and if my beloved running
partner who I haven't actually run with in weeks, is up for it, I'm all about that mini marathon in October. I'm hoping that 5k will really inspire me. Really, really inspire me. My original goal was the mini in Chicago in September. Not going to happen.
Let's talk jogging strollers. Any suggestions? I'm realizing purchasing one is an investment. I'm also realizing my birthday is coming up in a couple of months. Happy Birthday to me? A nice jogging stroller.
And one more thing. For the past few times, I've gone running, I've seen this little girl. Our encounters have gone something like this...
- 1st time~Girl: Can I pet your dog? Me: Running one of my intervals, totally out of breath O (huff, huff, puff, puff) Kay. Girl's Dad~After she has pet Charley for a few seconds. Honey, you're not suppose to stop someone when they've got a running rhythm going. Me: (in my mind) Yeah, too late for that mister. (on my face) Smile, with a bit of a chuckle.
- 2nd time~Girl: Can I pet your dog? Me: What in the world? Doesn't she remember what her dad said??? Okay (a bit disgruntled and in one of my interval spots). Girl: She sure looks big. Is she going to have a baby? Me: Does she mean me or Charley??? Oh, she's just chubby. Girl: What does chubby mean? Me: Oh goodness. Chubby means overweight. Surely she means Charley. Bye.
- 3rd time~Me: I see the girl. If I just look forward and not directly at her, surely she won't make me stop again. Girl: Stops in her tracks and points at me, the runner; Savannah, the singer; Aubrey, the talker, and Charley, the Beagle. Hey, I've seen you before!!! Me: You have???? Never stopping, just huffing and puffing. Third time's a charm.
Let's talk Scripture. It never fails. Each time I'm running, this passage goes through my head...
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we (believers) do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. I Corinthians 9: 24-27
And that's my chronicles of running for you. Oh, and don't forget to give suggestions for a jogging stroller = ).
So we haven't quite mastered potty time yet, but Savannah is still growing up. Just as a sidenote and I definitely welcome comments a/b this one: We tried the "just panties" for 2 days. The first day, not one time in the potty. The second day, 4 times in the potty. Now, I'm going to be honest with you: I did not like the mess. And, I just did it in the morning. I tried pull ups a few days later, and I don't think that's the way to go just because she just went in them. So, quite frankly, I'm going to have to stop being lazy and just clean up the mess and maybe even let her go commando next time around. My goal~we have a few trips planned over the next few weeks to see family. So, after that, potty time here we come! I do think though that I have more to learn on the potty time learning than she really does just because as my above explanation profers, I have been very sporadic with it and not a bit consistent. Now, how's that for organization?
On to the real reason for this post...back in the fall at a couple of carnivals we went to, Savannah would not have a thing to do with 1. riding a pony and 2. face painting. My how things have changed! (Taken a few weeks back on a trip to Memphis to visit Mo and Po.)
Possibly a bit scary but very cute in my book!
And little sister just took it all in. Tried the pony ride but it didn't fly this time. Perhaps in the fall at those carnivals?
As a child, I knew this. Grandmother would always have my favorite things waiting for me when I got to her house. Oreos, those little sugar wafer cookies, and, of course, she would let me get into her candy drawer back in her bedroom. She, you see, loved sweets. I get it honestly. She would also let me sleep with her when I spent the night and always, yes always, give me a little of that Menthol ointment that she rubbed under her nose so that I could rub under mine. She'd even let me talk and talk to her as I was trying to get to sleep though I knew, looking back, she must have been so tired.
Sweet Grandmother's back gave out the day I was born. She was at home with my sister, anxiously awaiting the news of my arrival. And she got stuck. Not stuck in a chair or on the floor. On the potty. My very eager 4-year old sister wanted to help I am sure but couldn't quite get her up. Somehow Grandmother managed to get up. She would get so tickled every time she told me that story.
But she never got more tickled when one day, just a couple of years ago, she was sitting in her chair in her den and we were watching Larry King Live (one of her favorites) and she just burst out with this little piece of news~
I was in a beauty contest.
Grandmother, you were? You never told us that.
Oh, yes. And I wore a purple bathing suit.
Really. A purple bathing suit?
Yes. And I looked pretty good.
I still get tickled over that one.
As a wife, my main goal was to get my dinners on the table just like she did. And what did that mean? Well, of course, that meant a meat, 3-4 sides, bread, and let's not forget dessert. Whew. That wore me out within a few weeks. But I sure did enjoy it when I went to her house. And, thankfully, my mom keeps that tradition going. But nothing, no nothing, beats her homemade rolls. I can seriously just begin to smell them even now.
And when I became a mom, she never failed to ask me each time we talked: "Laurin, aren't you tired? You've got to be so tired. I remember just crawling into bed each night. Jimmy and David (my uncles) just about did me in. They were so bad. So bad. Aren't you tired? You've got to be tired..." She also had given me a list of ideas of how to help Savannah stop sucking that thumb...so concered about her little mouth. Oh, and I attribute my sewing endeavors to sweet Grandmother. She encouraged me so when she said she taught herself to sew and I could too. Just start with a nightgown, Laurin. Well, I didn't start with that, but I am teaching myself and thinking of her along the way.
There's more, but I'll stop. Sweet Grandmother stopped tonight. Not for good. Just on this earth. She passed away straight into the arms of Jesus this evening. It has been a long year for her so say the least. And you know what my mom kept on saying about Sweet Grandmother? Even in her pain, she's just so sweet, Laurin.
I bless the Lord for her sweetness. And bless Him for His sweetness to her.
Many a day I walk into the kitchen and this is what I see...
The magnets lined up. All except for the Winnie the Pooh one. And that little guy is by itself each time. All placed there in that way by Savannah. She has always had a specific place for things, even as a baby. Organized at age 2?
Aaron told me the other day that he had been putting his t-shirts in 3 catergories in his drawer. T-shirts he wears under other shirts. Another catergory for wear only around the house t-shirts. And, of course, there is the graphic t-shirts pile. Wow. That to me is way organized.
Are you organized? What does that really mean? I'd love to know your thoughts.
My former principle would stop me at least once a week and tell me how organized I was. Wait just a minute before you think that I'm giving myself a compliment. Being one of the most precious, dearest ladies I know, she is also one of the most disorganized persons I know. So, to her, that I made copies to give out to the students before class actually started versus remembering to do that in the middle of class was just pure organized.
Now, I will tell you that if you walk into my house on any given time of day, things are pretty neat. I just work that way. Not neccessariy really clean, but pretty neat. Does that make me organized? Just don't look into my closets and drawers though = ). While I may have Mexican Monday, it's not always on Monday and there is always a little Mexican mayhem that goes along with it in order to eat it...and that is just the way getting dinner on the table is for us. And sure, I make lists. But can I just let you know that I seem to rarely cross items off my list...like finishing sewing curtains that have been laying around since September or getting one final sewing project done for the girls (maybe it's a sewing thing).
So, go ahead. Let me know your thoughts about organization. Tips. Ways to be more so. I'll take it all, though I can't promise to put it all into practice...
Here is my observation when I write more of a serious entry. Not quite as many comments.
Now, show a naked buttie and there are comments. Bring up Baby Wise? Wow. Even a recent post on water got quite a few.
That's okay though. I'm not in it for the comments. Oh no. I'm in it because I like to hear myself talk. No, just kidding (sort of). I simply like to blog and like to read (and comment) on others' blogs. But then again, why does spiritual (because that is what I am about to write) equal serious? Hmmm....
Okay. On to the more serious side of things. Believe it or not, I think about other things besides naked butties, Baby Wise and drinking water. Here are some of my thoughts over the past week...
- Who is your crowd? A sweet friend brought a Truth to my heart and mind the other day~Does Jesus really understand parenting? Well, of course He does but does He really? Did he ever have a 2-year old to parent? What about a 1-year old who is cutting 4 teeth at one time? No. Yet, He is the Christ. Fully man. Fully God. And, He knows. Think about the crowds (Matthew 5 & 8...just a couple of examples) that followed Him each day. Begging Him to show a miracle. A sign. To heal. To touch. To speak. So perhaps He did not have to wipe butties and noses (although I'm sure He did). Perhaps He did not have to pop teething tablets to a fussy baby all day long. Perhaps He did not have little feet following Him to the bathroom and little eyes watching. That is my crowd. They quite frankly wear me out most days. I love them to pieces and (not but), boy, am I ready for naptime and bedtime! Perhaps your crowd is not toddlers. But we all have a crowd. Looking for us to always be up and never down. Looking for a sign, even a miracle. Take heart! Jesus knows. He is the Christ and He rises with us and for us.
- Are you easily edified? Answering this question in the affirmative is extremely freeing to me. May I indeed to be able to say with honesty: Yes. Because when answering this affirmatively, it does not matter where I am, there is renewing of my mind and heart in Christ Jesus. How precious.
- Gentleness. It is also very freeing to me that I am called to parent with gentleness. Jesus beckons us to Himself as One Who is gentle (Matthew 11). A gentle answer turns away wrath (Proverbs 15:1). While discipline is an abolute in parenting, exasperating is not (Ephesians 6).
And, that, is more on the serious side.
Storms swept across Louisville this morning. As for now, the sun is out as well as the power in some places. Thankfully we've got ours. So here is how we spent our rainy morning....
A little first time finger paintin' for the little Boo
A lot of sister playin'
Picture takin' from various spots on the beloved chair, chosen accurately and very decisively by the big Boo
A little more Aubrey-Bobin'
Of course, some Bible readin'
And definitely some strollin' on the bed
Let's not forget about nervous Charley-in (doesn't make much sense in writing but got to keep the theme goin')...she hates thunder!
What I didn't include in the picture fun? Meltdowns from both Boos at the same time. I was going to try to grab the camera to share the moment but I had one child on the hall floor thrashing around and the other in the bathroom doing the same. Yes, it was quite the moment. Mama said there'd be days like this, didn't she?
We're learning in this season we find ourselves smack in the middle of (Seminary) =s saying good-bye a lot. Of the handful of friendships I've developed here over the past 10 months, I would say most of these precious people will be heading out to their field of mission in the coming months. Thankfully, some good-byes are not too hard though....
Bye-bye to the baby bed and hello to a big girl bed FINALLY!
This was one of those byes that I was dreading but our sweet girl has done great! Dreaded for a couple of reasons. 1. In all the change that took place over the past year, I needed stability and so that meant that mamma thought Savannah must need it as well. What better stability than her cozy baby bed? 2. I was not quite ready to quite possibly give up those 3-hour naps and 12-hour nights of sleep. Who wants to give that up? Well, thankfully, my "dreading" was uncalled for and she is doing great with no change (so far) in her sleeping schedule. You go, sweet girl!
And...bye-bye to the bottle.
This good-bye has not been quite as welcomed in Aubrey's little 1-year old world, but she's taking it in stride...
Even with getting FOUR molars in at. a. time.!
The next big thing? Not a bye-bye but a hello. Hello to the P. Yes, literally. But what I really mean is P for potty. And that, readers, is a for a whole other entry I do believe.
Bye-bye for now.
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