Ready, Set....STOP!

Ever have those moments where you feel like maybe you attempted a little too much? Well, this week has seemed to run along that line. I've signed my name on the dotted line and I'm committed to seeing a goal accomplished this Saturday (Lord willing!). I am planning on running my first 1/2 marathon on Saturday and am feeling way outside my comfort zone! Yes, I've run many, many miles (310 miles since February 1st to be exact), and I've tried to eat healthy, but I'm still second guessing myself. "Can I do this?"

I ran cross-country in college for four years, but the races in college are only 5k races, not like a 1/2 marathon which is 13.1 miles! Not to mention, college is 7 years behind me now, as well as having four kids in four years! Yet, when one of my friends from college decided to train for one, I was determined to at least try. And, so here I am three days from attempting something I've never done before in my life. I've run in snow, wind, through knee pain, mild shin splints, and now I'm pumping up the Vitamin C in an attempt to not catch this cold/sinus sickness my children have managed to aquire! I'm excited, nervous, and feel a tad overwhelmed. But, I've seen God give strength when I've had none, He's given rest when I'm weary, blessed me with an amazing husband whose support has been phenomenal, and I know my confidence and strength come from Christ alone!

Wyatt and Mom

Musings from Madison, WI

Four excited little boys!

     Last week, my husband needed to take a class for work in Madison, WI. Since he was already going, and planning on staying overnight, I decided to go along…and take all the kids.  Staying in a hotel is a HUGE treat for our kids, and they were so excited to go along. We picked a hotel with a pool, of course, and a free breakfast, of course!  We left on a Monday night, and arrived about 7:30pm. We saw our room, looked at the breakfast place, and of course, sought out the pool! I knew I was in for a challenge as soon as we saw the pool. There were no steps, just ladders into the pool, and the shallowest depth started out at 3 feet! The kids wanted to go swimming right away, but since it was already getting late, we went for a walk and put everyone to bed.
        Tuesday morning: Everyone was up early…and the first question was “When are we going swimming?”. We went and ate breakfast, dropped Roger off at the hotel down the road for his class, came back to the hotel and prepared for swimming! Thankfully, I am fairly confident in Garett and Chandler’s swimming abilities since they’ve taken classes at the YMCA. Since I was taking all of them, however, I had all the boys put floaties on their arms. Travis did not appreciate that! I gave the children instructions about staying close to mama, looking out for Travis, and listening, and off we went. Well, I didn’t have to worry about Travis, since every time he looked at the water, one of the boys was grabbing on his arms! Garett could touch the bottom, and Chandler is part fish, so I really had just two little leaches…Wyatt and Travis! Wyatt wasn’t crazy about the pool since he likes to touch the bottom, but as long as I was holding him, he loved it. Travis fussed about the floaties and since I was holding him, we took them off…much better! We played in the water for about an hour, and then I told the boys that we could go to the zoo if they wanted to, and everyone hopped out of the water!
        Dressed and in warm clothes, we headed off to the Henry Villa Zoo in Madison, WI. I highly recommend this zoo, as it’s free and perfect for families! It was cold, but the kids loved it! The polar bear got in the water to play and that was a highlight for them. The monkeys were playing in their cages, and the boys were fascinated by that as well.  We spent a few hours at the zoo, and when everyone was getting cold and tired we headed back to the hotel. Everyone took a 3 hour nap and then it was time to get daddy-YAY! After we picked up daddy, we ate supper and then went swimming again…it was  much easier this time around!
Wednesday morning, Roger had class until noon. We had to check out of the hotel by 10, so I wasn’t sure what we would do for two hours. We were ready and checked out of the hotel by 9 and the Lord allowed us to find a McDonald's with a play land! The boys played for a while, and then asked if we could go back to the zoo. I was surprised that they wanted to do that again, but they had had a really good time…so off we went. The day was warmer, and it made it a little easier for Travis and Wyatt. We were able to see the giraffes and the rhinos (they weren’t out the day before as it was too cold), we saw the tiger up close through the glass, but Wyatt did not appreciate that tiger at eye level! We were able to ride the little train there and of course, visit the monkeys again! Then it was time to get daddy again.

Wyatt at the pool

Ready to see the zoo!

Train time

Kids and giraffes

The friendly lion...Wyatt wasn't too sure!

Orangutans ...fun times!

Garett

My amazing husband and Travis

        While it wasn’t a relaxing vacation for me, I wouldn’t trade the moments with the boys for a relaxing time. Seeing their delight about swimming and the animals at the zoo,  brought great joy to my heart. I only have a few short years, so I’m soaking up the memories!

Life around the “blog”!

 

Rock Climbing-the boys loved it!

Garett rock climbing at the YMCA

Roger in Alaska-lots of snow!

  I’ve fallen behind on my goal of one blog post per week, but we’ve been busy! My husband arrived home safely from Alaska, and we are loving having him back home. We’ve enjoyed some record high temperatures in March, which resulted in lots of mud and laundry! As a family, we have been bike riding, yard cleaning, wood cutting, and playing many hours outside.  I’m looking forward to the “real” start of spring to start planting the garden and finishing up some much needed landscaping. Because it would just simply take too long to tell all that we’ve been up to, I’ve included a few pictures from the last few weeks. I’m hoping to get back into my routine of writing weekly, but for now…enjoy!

Only Four More “Sleeps”!

One tuckered out 'lil pumpkin

As some of you know, Roger has been away on a missions trip to Alaska. He left March 1 and will be back next Tuesday, and I can’t wait! I’ve always known that I married a great man, one who provides for his family, loves his wife and sons, would die to protect us, and helps me in a million and one ways. However, when he’s gone, I learn to appreciate him all the more! It’s the little things…helping with folding the clothes, giving the kids a bath, bringing in the groceries, that make me realize how much he really loves and takes good care of me.

I’m so thankful for this opportunity, both for him to go on this missions trip and for me to take care of the boys. It hasn’t been easy, and we’ve had our moments, but we’ve also made some great memories. The kids have probably eaten more hot dogs, mac and cheese, and cereal in this past week then in the past four months combined! It hasn’t hurt them, they haven’t complained, and we’ve “almost” survived the trip! I’ve done more on my own with them (out of necessity) but also out of a desire to get out of the house. We’ve gone to the library, swimming at the YMCA, grocery shopping, over to two different friends house (both of which were a HUGE encouragement to me), and finished up the “herby derby” cars for the Pinewood Derby at church on Saturday.

I’ve come to appreciate all the my husband does in a whole new way, and I love him all the more for it. In my case, “absence makes the heart grow fonder” is definitely true! I’m looking forward to having him back, having a conversation where I’m not asking “what did you say?” every five seconds, (the cell phone coverage from here to Alaska isn’t the greatest!), hearing about his experiences, watching the boys wrestle with their daddy (I definitely am lacking in that department!), and having some adult conversation every day again!

I’ve claimed the promise in Scripture that says, “when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” (Psalm 61:2) I have felt overwhelmed, but God’s grace is sufficient for what I need for today. It’s a promise I must claim daily and He has and will continue to sustain me…my heart is blessed. I’m so thankful for four beautiful boys to raise, to love, to challenge me to grow, and to make me laugh!

Moments for today, but memories for tomorrow.

These last few days have been kinda crazy around here as we’ve been working on various projects and trying to get everything ready for Roger’s missions trip to Alaska. Although the days will be long for me while he’s gone, I’m so thankful that the Lord allowed Roger to go on this trip. I’m praying specifically for several things and can’t wait to see how God is going to work.

The boys were "helping" Roger grill, but they didn't like the
smoke in their eyes!

Some of you may know that I’m training to run in a half-marathon this spring, but with Roger being gone the next two weeks, I’m anticipating a little set back. Ever have one of those moments where you have to consciously choose between the good choice and the best choice? Yesterday, I was presented with a decision to make concerning the good and the best. I always look forward to going to the YMCA on Wednesdays, but yesterday we were running a little short on time to get in a workout, taking the kids swimming and getting to church. The children were very excited about going swimming, and I really wanted to get in a good workout as I knew that Roger was leaving today. Roger was late getting off of work so he was unable to take the kids, and I first told the children that they were going to the drop-in childcare while I worked out. However, after really looking into their faces and listening to their dismay…I realized the best choice would be to take them swimming. Not because I don’t want them to deal with disappointments in life, but rather because I realize how quickly life is fleeting by! There will be other marathons if I don’t run this one in the spring, but there won’t ever be this day to be with my children again. I know that I am especially hugging them tight right now, as one of my friends from college is battling brain cancer, and she will soon see Jesus. My friend was diagnosed with brain cancer last November and her earthly time is almost up. I was reminded again that I don’t know what the future holds, and while I know WHO holds the future…for today I’ll just hug my children a little tighter, kiss them a little longer, and play with them a little more often.

Another "helper"!

You know you’re a mom to little ones when….

I’ve decided to write out a list of ways I know that I have lots of little ones. These are not all original with me, the first several ones are mine. The rest of the list I complied of ideas off of the web. I hope that you can enjoy a little laughter today!

 

You know you’re a mom to little ones when….

1) Your husband asks for the car keys and you absentmindly hand him the pacifier

2) Whenever you enter into a store, you first and foremost observe where the bathrooms are located at

3) Your dishwasher is more full of sippy cups and tiny toys than of dishes and silverware

4) Going to the grocery store alone has become “me time”

5) Your more likely to have a spare diaper in your purse than a spare dollar

6) You’ve resorted to dumping cheerios on the floor rather than putting them in a bowl or container

7) Your idea of a relaxing evening is having the house quiet by 8pm, and then going to bed yourself

 

and these are not my own, but enjoy….from….you know your a mom when...

 

1) When you know 1 million things to clean with BABY WIPES! – Diana

2)You hear a kid going bananas in public and as soon as you see it's not yours, you're thrilled. – Stacey

3) You know you're a mom if you've ever crawled under a crib at 2 a.m. searching for a pacifier like your life depended on it.

4) You know your a mom if ....you show up at church with your very cutely dressed family and your still wearing your slippers. From Heather DeWitt

5)You know you're a mom if.....you have band aids, tissues, diapers and wipes in your glove compartment....OH! and don't forget an extra pair of underwear for those accidents....for the kids, silly....not for YOU! :) ~ Susan

6)You know your mom if .... you find yourself locked in the bathroom with a piece chocolate cake telling your kids "mommy just needs a minute" From Heather DeWitt

7)You know you are a mom if you judge the quality of a restaurant by how they act when your kid makes a mess on the floor. From Monica Williams

8)You know you're a mom if you have more children than dollars in your purse.

 

A morning in my shoes…mud, social blunders and lots of laughter!

This past week, I watched another little boy in addition to my own. It really wasn't a big deal, as he was very well behaved and played well with the other boys. However, it has been unseasonably warm here, which means...lots of mud outside! The boys were begging to go outside, and I finally agreed. I knew that they would probably come back with muddy boots, but I wasn't anticipating them to be filthy! I sent them outside, but I forgot to tell them to stay away from the sump pump runoff...and we ended up with four very muddy boys. Thankfully, it was mostly on their faces and outside clothes, so the underneath clothes were still wearable.


Garett had school that morning, so I went to pick him up at about 11:30. I then needed to run to the grocery store to pick up a few fresh fruits and vegetables that were on sale. I realize that we probably looked like a little much with having boys everywhere! Travis was in the seat of the cart, Wyatt was in the basket, and the others were close by my side. I trekked into the store and while we were waiting at the deli counter for an item, we encountered a very interesting person. A man came out of one of the aisles close by (he was probably about 35-40) and upon taking one look, immediately announced, "Good grief! Please tell me that these aren't all YOUR kids!" (Very loudly, too!) I replied, "No, one I am watching for a friend.". He then chuckles and says, "WOW! Can we say "rabbit"?" !! WHAT!!! I had no idea what to say to that, so I just told him to have a good day and moved on. Really??? To be honest, I got a good laugh out of the whole situation, but I was definitely at a loss as to what to say! After we paid for the groceries, and got everyone back in the car, Chandler asked, "Mom, why was that guy talking about bunnies?" I just laughed and replied, "I have no idea!" I'm sure that I have met people who have thought that, but this was the first time I'd had ever had anyone tell that to my face. I still laugh when I think about it and it was an interesting memory!