The "food" in this conversation could easily be exchanged with words that have to do with bathing, changing her diaper, putting on her clothes, coming inside from playing, and just about anything else we ask her to do.
Jane, do you want some _______?
Nope.
Please Jane?
Nooooope.
C'mon Jane...look at sissy...she's eating her ______.
No.
Look Jane, yum yum this_____ is so yummy.
Nooooo Nooooo Noooooooo (picture facial/mouth movement like an old man with no teeth... lower jaw sticking out)
Hey, Jane...how about some _______? (insert something like watermelon)
Okay!
Now do you want some ______?
NO WAY!
We have this conversation every day. And one of these times we will get through it without laughing.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
VBS
I forgot to post this the other night, but the girls were just singing some songs from this past week's VBS program. Here is what I would have posted Thursday night, had I remembered.
There is something so awesome about seeing God's children, ages 4 to 74, singing about their love for God. When I watch my girls praising God with their voices, putting their whole hearts into the song, I just melt. I get a catch in my throat, a tear in my eye, and JOY just fills my heart.
Now multiply that to include a 100+ kids singing their praises.
"How Great is our God....sing with me, How Great is our God.....and all will see....How Great...How Great....is our God."
well, crud. I'm tearing up just now remembering it.
I heart Vacation Bible School.
There is something so awesome about seeing God's children, ages 4 to 74, singing about their love for God. When I watch my girls praising God with their voices, putting their whole hearts into the song, I just melt. I get a catch in my throat, a tear in my eye, and JOY just fills my heart.
Now multiply that to include a 100+ kids singing their praises.
"How Great is our God....sing with me, How Great is our God.....and all will see....How Great...How Great....is our God."
well, crud. I'm tearing up just now remembering it.
I heart Vacation Bible School.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Kicking Myself
It's hard to kick myself, but I am.
I keep a dollar bill in my car's faux ashtray to give to anyone I see standing on the side of the road. When I give it away, I quickly replace it to not be caught off guard the next time I see someone. I have even been known to hold up traffic so that I can slow down enough to roll down my window and give the person the money.
This past week I was leaving the Target in Liberty and a lady was standing at the stop light with a sign. Don't remember what the sign said, but she needed "help" and I wanted to help, but when I went to get the $ it was empty. EMPTY! as in NO MONEY to give.....I started scrambling through my car's console, and then the light turned green...and still no money......and I opened up my purse and then my wallet.....and found
A $10 BILL!!!
So what did I do?
I hesitated. I really wanted to HELP. But $10? My heart said GIVE but my head said "that's too much, you can't afford to give that much!"
Stupid head, I should have listened to my heart. Because, really? I can't afford to give $10? I had easily just blown $10 on things at Target that were un-necessary, but I couldn't give this lady that much to eat? pay bills?
I know, I know, there are many people that think my giving is just enabling a person to continue the cycle of addiction/homelessness etc....but my theory has always been this......Who am I to judge what a person spends their money on? I spend money foolishly all the time on things I shouldn't, so who am I to tell someone else what they can and can't do. It really doesn't matter to me if they are asking for $ to eat or $ to pay their Mercedes payment....the point is, they are standing on a curb in the hot/cold weather asking for help. My help. And that is just not a "normal" thing to be doing. It signals in my mind that they probably have some sort of a hardship, could be mental/physical/spiritual, who knows. Again, not my job to judge. I try and leave that to the Big Guy in heaven.
Consider yourselves warned. If you are behind me in traffic, and there is a person up ahead with a sign....I'm going to slooooowww down and hand them some money. It's totally okay if you don't agree with my thinking on this. I just know that I regret what I didn't do, and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have even missed that $10 later.
I keep a dollar bill in my car's faux ashtray to give to anyone I see standing on the side of the road. When I give it away, I quickly replace it to not be caught off guard the next time I see someone. I have even been known to hold up traffic so that I can slow down enough to roll down my window and give the person the money.
This past week I was leaving the Target in Liberty and a lady was standing at the stop light with a sign. Don't remember what the sign said, but she needed "help" and I wanted to help, but when I went to get the $ it was empty. EMPTY! as in NO MONEY to give.....I started scrambling through my car's console, and then the light turned green...and still no money......and I opened up my purse and then my wallet.....and found
A $10 BILL!!!
So what did I do?
I hesitated. I really wanted to HELP. But $10? My heart said GIVE but my head said "that's too much, you can't afford to give that much!"
Stupid head, I should have listened to my heart. Because, really? I can't afford to give $10? I had easily just blown $10 on things at Target that were un-necessary, but I couldn't give this lady that much to eat? pay bills?
I know, I know, there are many people that think my giving is just enabling a person to continue the cycle of addiction/homelessness etc....but my theory has always been this......Who am I to judge what a person spends their money on? I spend money foolishly all the time on things I shouldn't, so who am I to tell someone else what they can and can't do. It really doesn't matter to me if they are asking for $ to eat or $ to pay their Mercedes payment....the point is, they are standing on a curb in the hot/cold weather asking for help. My help. And that is just not a "normal" thing to be doing. It signals in my mind that they probably have some sort of a hardship, could be mental/physical/spiritual, who knows. Again, not my job to judge. I try and leave that to the Big Guy in heaven.
Consider yourselves warned. If you are behind me in traffic, and there is a person up ahead with a sign....I'm going to slooooowww down and hand them some money. It's totally okay if you don't agree with my thinking on this. I just know that I regret what I didn't do, and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have even missed that $10 later.
Silly Bandz
Have you seen the newest craze with the kids? They are called Silly Bandz. Remember the plasticky friendship bracelets we wore as kids? These are the same thing only with a stretchier material that let them be shaped like animals, food, dollar signs, dinosaurs, etc. They are a BIG deal with the young kids, specifically ones named Tess and Kate.
They have each had two packages purchased for them......one by Andy as a "thank you for being so good" gift while my back was a broke down mess, and one by my SIL Missy who is generous beyond belief with my girls. (I soooo have been keeping track so I can return the favor for my future nieces/nephews!) Anywhooo, they love them and play with them, and have begun to obsess over them. Seriously. To the extent of tears and harsh words when they think other sister has one more than them.
There are few things that ruffle my feathers more than when my children aren't thankful. Whether it is in words, expressions, body language, or actions......when my kids don't convey an attitude of gratitude, I lose my cool. It doesn't happen often, because we start the training early in this house :) but it does happen. Unfortunately, these Silly Bandz were called "those @*#@%# bracelets" by me on more than one occasion. Okay, so back to my point(finally, I know)
After hearing the squabbles and crying over who had more bracelets, I decided it was time for a teaching moment. I said that I was tired of the fighting/crying, that I hadn't heard nearly enough gratitude for the # of bracelets that they already had, and I was hearing the word "more" way too much. I explained that in my mind, the concept of these bracelets, and what it says on the outside of the dang package, is that these are for sharing and trading. SHARING and trading. "In my mind, the more bracelets you have, the fewer people you are trying to share with, and that is sad" I lecture to them one evening. And then I challenge them to see who can give away more bracelets/trade more bracelets with their friends. Who doesn't love a challenge?
I am happy to report that after a few days and several missed opportunities, each girl has given some bracelets away. Here are the examples I have witnessed. I am sharing, because I am a proud mom and it is my blog.
-Both girls have given a bracelet to each of their grandparents without later asking for it back :)
-They have come home from VBS and swim lessons with traded bracelets from friends.
-I have seen both girls offer to given them to other kids, but the kids didn't want them for various reasons.....but at least they tried!
-Kate was at the Target in Liberty when the check-out girl commented on how cool Kate's silly bandz were(Kate was wearing 20+bracelets). Kate was thrilled that the girl noticed and then to my surprise(and JOY) she says "Do you want one?" to which the girl was equally as excited. Kate let the girl choose her own (a big deal as both girls were initially stingy with which ones they were willing to give away) and was smiling from ear to ear the entire time. The lady in the line behind us was smiling, the check out girl was smiling and complimentary, and this mom was about to cry/shout to the heavens. I really want my girls to experience JOY by bringing JOY to others. Sometimes it's hard to do, but can be so worth it.
I heart JOY.
They have each had two packages purchased for them......one by Andy as a "thank you for being so good" gift while my back was a broke down mess, and one by my SIL Missy who is generous beyond belief with my girls. (I soooo have been keeping track so I can return the favor for my future nieces/nephews!) Anywhooo, they love them and play with them, and have begun to obsess over them. Seriously. To the extent of tears and harsh words when they think other sister has one more than them.
There are few things that ruffle my feathers more than when my children aren't thankful. Whether it is in words, expressions, body language, or actions......when my kids don't convey an attitude of gratitude, I lose my cool. It doesn't happen often, because we start the training early in this house :) but it does happen. Unfortunately, these Silly Bandz were called "those @*#@%# bracelets" by me on more than one occasion. Okay, so back to my point(finally, I know)
After hearing the squabbles and crying over who had more bracelets, I decided it was time for a teaching moment. I said that I was tired of the fighting/crying, that I hadn't heard nearly enough gratitude for the # of bracelets that they already had, and I was hearing the word "more" way too much. I explained that in my mind, the concept of these bracelets, and what it says on the outside of the dang package, is that these are for sharing and trading. SHARING and trading. "In my mind, the more bracelets you have, the fewer people you are trying to share with, and that is sad" I lecture to them one evening. And then I challenge them to see who can give away more bracelets/trade more bracelets with their friends. Who doesn't love a challenge?
I am happy to report that after a few days and several missed opportunities, each girl has given some bracelets away. Here are the examples I have witnessed. I am sharing, because I am a proud mom and it is my blog.
-Both girls have given a bracelet to each of their grandparents without later asking for it back :)
-They have come home from VBS and swim lessons with traded bracelets from friends.
-I have seen both girls offer to given them to other kids, but the kids didn't want them for various reasons.....but at least they tried!
-Kate was at the Target in Liberty when the check-out girl commented on how cool Kate's silly bandz were(Kate was wearing 20+bracelets). Kate was thrilled that the girl noticed and then to my surprise(and JOY) she says "Do you want one?" to which the girl was equally as excited. Kate let the girl choose her own (a big deal as both girls were initially stingy with which ones they were willing to give away) and was smiling from ear to ear the entire time. The lady in the line behind us was smiling, the check out girl was smiling and complimentary, and this mom was about to cry/shout to the heavens. I really want my girls to experience JOY by bringing JOY to others. Sometimes it's hard to do, but can be so worth it.
I heart JOY.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
I Chose JOY
Tomorrow is Monday, and for the first time in ages I am going to work. And then the next day? That is Tuesday. I will also be going to work that day. And then Wednesday, and again on Thursday, and even Friday too. For the first time since becoming a parent, I will be a full time worker mom with a full time job. yikes. It still gives me a mini panic attack when I think about it.
I wear a bracelet that says "choose joy" on it. That is a quick statement that I have been using to guide my heart, my brain, and my spirit when I feel lost. You know that feeling? When you just can't decide on a way that will bring contentment AND peace? I now choose JOY. When I can't decide if I should do something, spend some amount of money, go somewhere.......I think about what kind of JOY will it bring to me/others. And most of the time, unless it is just reckless and totally irresponsible(tee-hee) I choose JOY.
Last month I decided to step out of my comfort zone, to shake things up a bit in our life, and get a new job. A new FULL TIME job. I started on Wednesday of last week, and although all that has been required of me is to smile and wave, I L-O-V-E it. I now work for a place called Tri-County Mental Health Services, which is the community mental health provider for the Northland. The atmosphere is positive, the people are professionals, the "system" works....meaning they have their s#*t together and have the patient care thing figured out, my co-workers want to be there(they could make more money elsewhere but they choose to stay) and there is a day program that provides group activities both in the building and in the community, offers various skills training, and gives our clients something to do during the day. It is Awesome the relationships that are nurtured there.
Now for the fluffy stuff of the job. The schedule is M-F(no holidays), clinic hours are 8:30-5pm which means I no longer leave my house at the crack of dawn to fight traffic into the city, my doctor doesn't work on Mondays (which is super cause I hate working Mondays too! I just do office work and help out my co-workers who do have clinic), I have my own office (I know, I am like overJOYed about that), and we have drug reps knocking down our doors to bring us food/snacks. JOY JOY JOY.
So those are the goods of the job. The bads? Have I mentioned it is a full time gig and I have no idea if I can physically, mentally, spiritually handle it? I mean, I know I can......but will it be worth all the "stuff" I am missing out on with my girls? Am I depriving Jane of having the mommy time that the other two had? All these are thoughts that I have had and will continue to struggle with. What I do hope is that my girls will notice a little glimmer in their momma's eyes when she talks about her job and how happy she is with her career. And I guess as long as I continue to be the same over-the-top happy with my home/family life, things should truck along just fine.
Doesn't mean that I won't still feel a little frumpy when I miss some of Kate's preschool things, or miss watching my Janey continue to learn something new every day, or I can't attend things at Tess's school that happen during the day. I just have to remember that someday I will have enough personal time I can take so as not to miss out on those things that just need their momma in attendance. Until then, it will be the daddy's job to keep this family clean and fed and on schedule to activities. I think....no.....I KNOW he will be just fine. Maybe not right away, or the way I would do it, but just fine.
After all, he is the City Manager. I wouldn't have hired him in the first place if I didn't think he was qualified for the job.
I wear a bracelet that says "choose joy" on it. That is a quick statement that I have been using to guide my heart, my brain, and my spirit when I feel lost. You know that feeling? When you just can't decide on a way that will bring contentment AND peace? I now choose JOY. When I can't decide if I should do something, spend some amount of money, go somewhere.......I think about what kind of JOY will it bring to me/others. And most of the time, unless it is just reckless and totally irresponsible(tee-hee) I choose JOY.
Last month I decided to step out of my comfort zone, to shake things up a bit in our life, and get a new job. A new FULL TIME job. I started on Wednesday of last week, and although all that has been required of me is to smile and wave, I L-O-V-E it. I now work for a place called Tri-County Mental Health Services, which is the community mental health provider for the Northland. The atmosphere is positive, the people are professionals, the "system" works....meaning they have their s#*t together and have the patient care thing figured out, my co-workers want to be there(they could make more money elsewhere but they choose to stay) and there is a day program that provides group activities both in the building and in the community, offers various skills training, and gives our clients something to do during the day. It is Awesome the relationships that are nurtured there.
Now for the fluffy stuff of the job. The schedule is M-F(no holidays), clinic hours are 8:30-5pm which means I no longer leave my house at the crack of dawn to fight traffic into the city, my doctor doesn't work on Mondays (which is super cause I hate working Mondays too! I just do office work and help out my co-workers who do have clinic), I have my own office (I know, I am like overJOYed about that), and we have drug reps knocking down our doors to bring us food/snacks. JOY JOY JOY.
So those are the goods of the job. The bads? Have I mentioned it is a full time gig and I have no idea if I can physically, mentally, spiritually handle it? I mean, I know I can......but will it be worth all the "stuff" I am missing out on with my girls? Am I depriving Jane of having the mommy time that the other two had? All these are thoughts that I have had and will continue to struggle with. What I do hope is that my girls will notice a little glimmer in their momma's eyes when she talks about her job and how happy she is with her career. And I guess as long as I continue to be the same over-the-top happy with my home/family life, things should truck along just fine.
Doesn't mean that I won't still feel a little frumpy when I miss some of Kate's preschool things, or miss watching my Janey continue to learn something new every day, or I can't attend things at Tess's school that happen during the day. I just have to remember that someday I will have enough personal time I can take so as not to miss out on those things that just need their momma in attendance. Until then, it will be the daddy's job to keep this family clean and fed and on schedule to activities. I think....no.....I KNOW he will be just fine. Maybe not right away, or the way I would do it, but just fine.
After all, he is the City Manager. I wouldn't have hired him in the first place if I didn't think he was qualified for the job.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Happy 2nd Birthday Jane!
Two years ago, I only had two little girls living in my house. Well, that isn't exactly true. I had three, but just didn't know it yet! On this day, two years ago, I was as big as Shamu, I was probably watching Royals baseball (like I am right now) and I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of my Sweet Baby Jane/Sweet Baby Gus. :)
Two years ago I had no idea what life would be like with three kids, let alone with three GIRL kids! It turns out life is great. Life is amazing. Life is girly, and fun, and full of giggles and the color pink. My life is full of JOY because I have not one, not two, but three little girls that I love more than anything. Everybody asked me after I had Jane if we would keep trying for a boy. I always answered that we weren't trying for a boy anyway.....we were trying for three kids, and we got 'em! But this post is about Jane.........poor kid never seems to get anything just to herself.
In Tess and Kate's last birthday posts, I wrote their birthday # of things I love about them. Well if you've met Jane, you know that there are waaaaay more than just 2 things to love about her, and to only put 2 would just be kinda rude, don't you think?
The (In)Complete List of things we love about Jane (with help from her daddy, who is sitting beside me)
-Her extreme cheesy smile, not to be confused with her smile that is nothing but pure sweetness. Whichever one you ask for, you will undoubtedly get the other.
-Her use of the word "NO" as the answer to most questions, even when you know she meant to say "yes"
-When you say "Shake your booty Jane" and she does.....with vigor
-Her long winded answers to questions, with only one or two actual words from the English language included
-She gives out hugs and kisses at her convenience
-She can hang with the big girls and not get kicked out of the room
-Some days she is a total momma's girl. Other days she is all about the daddy
-She loves her papas.
-She named the grandmas something completely original. They are the Omas.
-She calls Kate "Sissy" but Tess is "Tess"
-When she is looking for something/someone she calls out "__________, where are you?"
-When she walks/runs, she involves her entire body.....swinging her elbows and working the hips....picture an overly enthusiastic mall walker.
-She works a crowd for laughs, and if they aren't to her satisfaction, she cranks the entertainment up a notch. She is seriously the funniest kid I know.
Happy 2nd Birthday Jane Gracen Martens. You have completed our family in more ways than you will ever know. Thank you for bringing such JOY to our lives.
Love,
THE Mayor and City Manager
Two years ago I had no idea what life would be like with three kids, let alone with three GIRL kids! It turns out life is great. Life is amazing. Life is girly, and fun, and full of giggles and the color pink. My life is full of JOY because I have not one, not two, but three little girls that I love more than anything. Everybody asked me after I had Jane if we would keep trying for a boy. I always answered that we weren't trying for a boy anyway.....we were trying for three kids, and we got 'em! But this post is about Jane.........poor kid never seems to get anything just to herself.
In Tess and Kate's last birthday posts, I wrote their birthday # of things I love about them. Well if you've met Jane, you know that there are waaaaay more than just 2 things to love about her, and to only put 2 would just be kinda rude, don't you think?
The (In)Complete List of things we love about Jane (with help from her daddy, who is sitting beside me)
-Her extreme cheesy smile, not to be confused with her smile that is nothing but pure sweetness. Whichever one you ask for, you will undoubtedly get the other.
-Her use of the word "NO" as the answer to most questions, even when you know she meant to say "yes"
-When you say "Shake your booty Jane" and she does.....with vigor
-Her long winded answers to questions, with only one or two actual words from the English language included
-She gives out hugs and kisses at her convenience
-She can hang with the big girls and not get kicked out of the room
-Some days she is a total momma's girl. Other days she is all about the daddy
-She loves her papas.
-She named the grandmas something completely original. They are the Omas.
-She calls Kate "Sissy" but Tess is "Tess"
-When she is looking for something/someone she calls out "__________, where are you?"
-When she walks/runs, she involves her entire body.....swinging her elbows and working the hips....picture an overly enthusiastic mall walker.
-She works a crowd for laughs, and if they aren't to her satisfaction, she cranks the entertainment up a notch. She is seriously the funniest kid I know.
Happy 2nd Birthday Jane Gracen Martens. You have completed our family in more ways than you will ever know. Thank you for bringing such JOY to our lives.
Love,
THE Mayor and City Manager
Monday, July 5, 2010
The Verdict
Well, it turns out this blogger has a crappy back. A real crapper of a back. Pooh for a back. My back isn't worth #@*^!!
Crap.
I went for the MRI last Tuesday. By Thursday I found out that the two bulging discs from 2008 had herniated with some small tears. Lovely. Now for the good news. The amazing news. The news that reminds me I am a blessed individual that can, and does, have a reason to be JOYful.
First, I must give a LARGE thank you to my bff Tricia who happens to work for a neurosurgeon. I too use to work for this brilliant physician, and am so glad I have maintained a friendship with him. Not only did Tricia get him to look at my films/report "after hours" but I also received a very caring phone consult/exam on Thursday evening. It turns out that I have 2 discs that have herniated out of their assigned areas and are pushing on the nerve root(s) in my low back. Because this is a nerve root problem, and not simply a low back pain problem, he feels it will be easier to address, both now and in the future. He describes how seeing a disc press on a nerve root is an easier problem to help than if someone has low back pain without a definitive cause. I will be eligible for a surgery if I need one in the future, and it should/could be a fairly straightforward procedure of cleaning up the disc so that it stops putting pressure on the nerves.
Now for the good news......My pain level and ability to move have improved significantly since last week. Every day I feel a little more like my "old" self.....no pun intended. For a while I wondered if I would ever get my normal walking gait back, be able to sit on the floor, dance with my girls..... It's awful how much a hurting back affects. Anyway, the good doctor thinks that if I continue with my daily Aleve doses, enjoy a "rest" when my back is feeling tired, and start being smart with my body mechanics, that I could avoid needing a surgery any time soon, and possibly even avoid a pain management consult. See what I mean? JOY JOY JOY
As I write this, I am sitting in a kitchen chair, on a pillow, supported by a pillow behind my back......but the good news is that I have been able to pick up the house(after a holiday weekend it was trashed) start a load of laundry, play with the girls, and buzz around on the computer without a even a grimace.
Oh wait, I did look at our bank account balance. That did make me wince just a bit.........
The Mayor is on the mend!!!!
Let's ALL shout for JOY!
Crap.
I went for the MRI last Tuesday. By Thursday I found out that the two bulging discs from 2008 had herniated with some small tears. Lovely. Now for the good news. The amazing news. The news that reminds me I am a blessed individual that can, and does, have a reason to be JOYful.
First, I must give a LARGE thank you to my bff Tricia who happens to work for a neurosurgeon. I too use to work for this brilliant physician, and am so glad I have maintained a friendship with him. Not only did Tricia get him to look at my films/report "after hours" but I also received a very caring phone consult/exam on Thursday evening. It turns out that I have 2 discs that have herniated out of their assigned areas and are pushing on the nerve root(s) in my low back. Because this is a nerve root problem, and not simply a low back pain problem, he feels it will be easier to address, both now and in the future. He describes how seeing a disc press on a nerve root is an easier problem to help than if someone has low back pain without a definitive cause. I will be eligible for a surgery if I need one in the future, and it should/could be a fairly straightforward procedure of cleaning up the disc so that it stops putting pressure on the nerves.
Now for the good news......My pain level and ability to move have improved significantly since last week. Every day I feel a little more like my "old" self.....no pun intended. For a while I wondered if I would ever get my normal walking gait back, be able to sit on the floor, dance with my girls..... It's awful how much a hurting back affects. Anyway, the good doctor thinks that if I continue with my daily Aleve doses, enjoy a "rest" when my back is feeling tired, and start being smart with my body mechanics, that I could avoid needing a surgery any time soon, and possibly even avoid a pain management consult. See what I mean? JOY JOY JOY
As I write this, I am sitting in a kitchen chair, on a pillow, supported by a pillow behind my back......but the good news is that I have been able to pick up the house(after a holiday weekend it was trashed) start a load of laundry, play with the girls, and buzz around on the computer without a even a grimace.
Oh wait, I did look at our bank account balance. That did make me wince just a bit.........
The Mayor is on the mend!!!!
Let's ALL shout for JOY!
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