Our Trip to the City

Last Monday, we braved the cold and did our annual trip to the city to see the sights and enjoy the season with the kids. While we were there, we were dining in the same restaurant as Lieutenant Gov. Pat Quinn. We were able to capture a picture with the guys and the Gov. graciously passed out his business cards to the kids. We didn't want to break it to him that we are Hoosiers and can't vote for him, but none-the-less, it was a fun moment. I think he has his new cabinet don't you think. We offered to pray for him due to all that is going on in Ill government at the moment. His reply, "We need all the prayer we can get!" Wow! Here are some other highlights of our day. Little G found herself in a very large banquet room where she made herself at home. One of her admirers said to me, "Gee, you never know, maybe she'll have her wedding reception here someday!" Ugh, I wanted to cry. Married! Wedding! My goodness, she's only one and a 1/2. But... I have to admit, the thought crossed my mind as I watched her check out the room. Well, more holiday pics to come, but for now, here is a one of many festivities we have done in the past few weeks leading up to Christmas.

'Cuz we need a little Christmas

Big G's letter to Santa, Preschool style

Results of cookie making with two boys

Our family project - gingerbread house making! Pretty fun!

The G's decorating the tree. Little G likes the bird ornament this year.

Big G could not wait to make this snowman with daddy. Carrot nose and all.

Stick a fork in me, I'm done!

As I type this I am listening to Little G scream her head off in her bed. I can hear Big G up reading stories to the baby dolls he took to bed. I know I should go up and tuck them in for the 3rd time and be the "spectacular" mom I desire to be. But.... I'm done. I know they are safe, I know they have all the comforts that the world can offer all around them. Night lights, blankets, warmth, white noise. And I know they will go to sleep, eventually. And I will begin my "projects" at 8:30 PM. Not really wanting to do another thing today. Even though I have done a ton. I ran around with Little G on errands in the freezing rain, in and out of stores buying the last of my Christmas stuff, dropped off, picked up G from school, ripped apart the car looking for his Speed Racer car wheel. Never did find it. (But the van sure is clean!) Made dinner, did the dishes, bathes and the list goes on and on. Yet, the stuff I NEED to get done, still needs attending too. Ya know, the stuff on the "To Do List" that I get to actually check off. The same one that has been on my desk for 3 days and hasn't got a single check mark on it, just more stuff added to it. Like my workout, like my Christmas project that I thought would not be a big deal and now is - I have started and stopped it about 15 times today and have accomplished the first page. Dinner is still on the stove and needing to be put away. C is at another meeting tonight, that I didn't know he had until 5 PM tonight. My toenails need much TLC, but my back is feeling like it's going to give out, so I don't dare do that tonight. My office desk has about a one foot clearing - enough room for me to type this pitiful entry that I am sure is putting most to sleep at this point. I am not looking for sympathy, simply just a place to write this down so that I can look back in a week or two and see how God took care of all the things that are stressing me out right now. There.... all done! Do your miracles God! Ah... I hear no more crying. Sleep has entered our house... Amen!

His first performance!

Big G's Preschool put on a VERY cute Christmas program based on the book "Room For A Little One - A Christmas Tale" by Martin Waddell. Big G was one of the Wise Men. We all had fun with Aunt Mary and Uncle Luke. Little G got in on the action. Before the show started she went up and warmed the crowd up with a little time at the mic. She didn't say anything. But, she wanted too! Here was our day. Great job G's - you are too fun!

Enough mom!

Taking Little G's picture is so fun! She always smiles and says, "Cheeeeese!" But I think I over did it this time. She said, "No more!" Enough is enough I guess!

Happy Holidays!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Nothing!

Mommy: "Big G what is all over your mouth?"
Big G: "Nothing"
Mommy: "Big G you have blue stuff all over your mouth, what have you been doing?"
Big G: "Nothing!"
Mommy: "If I take a picture of your mouth, you'll see what I'm talking about"
(flash/click)
Mommy: "See!?"
Big G: "Oh yeah, I was coloring my lips blue."
Mommy: "I thought you were doing nothing?"
Big G: "That's not nothing, that's me with blue lips mommy!"
Mommy: "Ok, it all makes sense now."

Harvest Party, Preschool Style

Today was Big G's Harvest Party at school. They had a lot of fun listening to the story "Stone Soup" (and making and eating it). They made homemade butter for their bread. Gracie joined in on the fun and was shaking up the jar to make the butter. They drew things they were thankful for and made cute little Indian hats. They ended their celebration with their teachers sharing why they were thankful for their students. Big G's teacher shared she was thankful for him because he always makes her laugh. We left the party and both kids passed out in the car on the way home. We wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

A Little Dose of the Best Medicine

These videos were taken a few months back and I have wanted to put them up. So better late than never. Enjoy! PS - Happy Monday!

Yea for Pajama Day!

Big G had PJ, Popcorn and punch day at school the other day. He was SO excited to wear his footie PJ's to school. He frankly wants to wear his pajamas everyday all day. Whenever we go anywhere I have to convince him why he need to wear clothes outside. Sometimes I win - other times I just let him enjoy his youth. Happy times, happy boy!

The reality of children

Last week I when I finished my coffee, I found two little treasures in the bottom of my coffee mug. Ya know you have kids when you find "things" in your coffee mug that ya know you didn't put there. Gotta love the 101 uses of rubber bands.

A week of partying!

Wow, what a week. We started it off with a field trip to Fair Oaks Dairy Farm with Big G's preschool. Then it was Harvest Party time at Big G's preschool. Yes, I was gladly roped into the planning and execution of this party. It was so fun getting to know and hang with the kids that Big G hangs with 2 days a week, not to mention the awesome moms that were there helping with the party. Amazing mama's! Then a couple more days passed and then it was Halloween! Yea, so fun. We did the Trunk or Treat at our church again and we decorated our new ride with my decos from my 40th birthday. It was great having everything on hand. It was a whirlwind week. But it was fantastic. We were definitely in Fellowship mode this week. Awesome!

Mr and Mrs. G at ages 3 and 1 - it doesn't get any better!

It is happening so fast. These little kids are growing up so quickly. Big G - all potty trained, going to school, thinking and speaking like such a grown up. And little G, she is such a little dare devil with a sensitive heart - understanding so much and saying even more. We are blessed with these beautiful pictures of their lives. Times we can never get back, yet we have them captured forever in pictures. Sweet remembrances of time that has gotten away too quickly.

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Billy Bob

The pictures speak for themselves. I still am laughing. I can't believe Little G went along with this.

The Payoffs of Parenting

I can't begin to imagine how many hours I have spent rocking, reading, feeding, singing, sleeping in the rocking chair with the kids over the past 3.5 years. The payoff... seeing your own do the same with and for their special bear. The other night I was getting the kids ready for bed and I caught Big G in his rocking chair sweetly singing and comforting his bear to put him to sleep. I was taken back a bit because he was doing so many things that I would do to him. The power of modeling to my children strikes again. Powerful and humbling to see and experience. Here's my little boy being big boy to his bear. Love you G - good job! (Just make sure you give your bear a little air while you're hugging him.)

Picture Perfect Pigtails

Little G's hair is gettin' long and I am trying to figure out what to do with it! It's not quite long enough to do much, yet it is seeming a bit out of control at the moment. So between distracting her and basically pinning her down - here are some of her pigtail pictures. Taking her picture is about as challenging as doing the little one's hair. Pardon the messy mouth, she was heading in for a bath and I wanted to get the picture of the pigtails before they were dismantled.