So I know at least one of you is in great suspense waiting for me to reveal my new recipe & my surprise purchase but you'll have to get to the end of my rambling to read them. We had our first non-doctor outing since New Year's Day today: PWOC. We all enjoyed it- good playtime for the boys & time for me. I did have another of my many reminders of why we miss James here. As much as I love shopping :), I try to do it quickly so today I bought a hot touch heater for our playroom- not exactly what I meant to get.

Yesterday I got to see a friend's beautiful newborn baby . You forget just how little and sweet they are- I guess we'll see soon- 10 weeks until Kayleigh's born. I also got a reminder of how quiet is not always good. I was getting C ready for bed, K was getting ready, and T was quietly playing. I had this fleeting thought that it was a little too quiet but it was so nice I didn't go check at first. A minute or two of quiet and I knew I should go check. I walked into the bathroom and found my sweet little baby boy in his PJs all ready for bed except he was soaking wet from head to toe. And what water source can a 17 month old boy reach?
time to start over getting baby boy ready for bed.

I was tired from the day, pregnancy, 3 boys, getting over a cold, ... so I sat down in front of our TV which I was so thankful to Brian for connecting our digital converter box and turned it on to see that digital doesn't work well here. I think that's God telling me I don't need to watch it. Although I think He meant I should do something more productive- maybe spend time in His Word, get stuff done, ...

I could ramble more but I know you're dying to know my big surprise:
I bought a broom! My friends have all looked for one when they came over so I bought one. Pretty crazy huh? And now the recipe.

Cowboy Casserole (we had it last night & K said "Thank you Mommy for making me the yummy dinner" and today C asked if we "could have that cowboy dinner again."

Mix Baked Beans (one can or so), with cooked beans (I used lentils this time), appropriate leftovers (I added red beans & rice, you could add any cooked meat, rice, pasta?) and veggies (I added carrots, mixed veggies, and peppers). Put into 11x13 pan. Cover with uncooked corn bread mix (from the box or I used an allrecipes recipe.) Bake at 350 for 45 min (or until cornbread is baked.)

Happy Birthday Three Year Old Boy!

C slept in his own bed until 6 this morning (yeah!) Then slept another hour with me. When he woke up at 7, I told him Happy Birthday. The first thing he said was "Can I watch Daddy singing me Happy Birthday" (James emailed a movie of him singing to C). A beginning to a good day!
T napped while K & C continued to work on their decorations- C was having a turtle cupcake cake so they took down K's Superman Birthday decals (yes up since July) & taped up pictures of turtles, fish, and stingrays on our windows & put up the Lewis Family Art Gallery.Grandma & Uncle Brian got here in time to play for a while before our C requested birthday lunch of hotdogs, BBs, potato salad, fruit from Grandma, and of course turtle cupcakes and ice cream. K convinced C that birthday boys listen instead of singing Happy Birthday to themselves. They were all very excited about the birthday plates, sunglasses, & noisemakers in the fun party box from Aunt Janelle. C was very excited to open his presents- T was just as excited to play with them. We were all happy that James got to call & tell C Happy Birthday. A great party followed by good naps by all. At dinner, K shared some of his brainwashing (I mean learning), he said "Mommy, we can wash a movie tonight without our brain since it's C's birthday." So here we are watching "Elmo learns to potty." Maybe C will make it- "I'll be potty trained when the new baby comes."

Another great part of today was Brian hooked up our digital converter box AND fixed my printer. Yes, it really did have paper jammed in it since Oct. Now, if I just had paper I'd be all set to print! I did get to scan in an ultrasound pic from Friday. So here's another pic of Kayleigh.

Quiet

I was so blessed today when Jenean called to see how I was doing. She offered to take the big boys out to play so I could rest. I started to say no, but I'm so glad that she offered & I didn't say no. The boys were so excited to go play with a friend especially since we've been so homebound lately.
And T cooperated by taking another long morning nap so I spent almost 2 hours doing nothing but sleeping some on the couch- what a good morning. Then happy boys came home ready to nap (after playing with C's birthday moon sand) so T & I had a quiet afternoon to nap some more. Exactly what I needed today!
I do think that God uses times like this to teach us things- like to be a little more sympathetic when others get sick- James, the boys, friends, ... I hadn't been really sick in a long time and now remember it's not fun & doesn't feel good. I'm also reminded that people don't usually ask for help. Lots of times, I've told people to call if they need anything & they don't often call for help. Now I'm reminded that doesn't mean they couldn't use help, it's just hard to ask.

C was so excited to get an email video from James- Daddy singing Happy Birthday. K's been helping count down the days to his birthday for a week now. Tomorrow's the big day- I can't believe C is almost 3. tomorrow I'll put pics of the birthday boy & his turtle cupcake cake.

God is so good!

Last night at the end of our Family Time we sang "God is so good" by candlelight. The boys were super excited to be up a little later than usual & to get to use our new battery powered candles. As we sang, I thought it's really true. Even if I've hardly slept for the last few days, am pretty sure I coughed up a lung yesterday, & I've wiped more eye gunk & runny noses over the last few days than I would have ever imagined. We are generally healthy, we have great friends & family, James is alive & well & coming home soon, and the list goes on. I think Day 7 of being homebound had just gotten me a little down- I was actually looking forward to my doctor appointment today not just to see pics of little Kayleigh but to be out of the house for a little bit. But singing that simple song reminded of some of the little ways that God is good. Like yesterday I was getting frustrated with the kids when K & T walked in the room holding hands, or when K & C told me about the new game they made up (wrapping up presents from the playroom to give to T), getting a couple phone calls from friends/ family when I was pretty sure I had forgotten how to talk to another adult, having Leon come watch the boys today for my appointment, having K come tuck me in the couch & then play quietly by himself for few minutes this afternoon, ...



So I'm stopping the brief pity party I had for myself & going to be thankful for all the good things we have & that are coming up. I would appreciate prayer that Kayleigh she stays healthy & my weekly ultrasounds are just a precaution. And a good night sleep would be great too!

Groundhogs Day

Day 6 of our staying at home from pink eye & colds was okay but it does feel somewhat like Groundhogs Day- wake up, breakfast, clean up, play, preschool at home, lunch, play, nap (prayerfully), play, dinner, get ready for bed, email James, update blog. of course, add some refereeing & lots of diapers, cleaning, reading, coughing, wiping. repeat

I'm not complaining- there's been less refereeing while we've been home & some pretty neat craft & preschool projects (well- at least least for those of us who are craft challenged- not say for people who make too cute pillows like this one we got for Christmas.)We did spend a while this morning cleaning our playroom. K was very excited that we put labels so we know where things go. I don't think he was very impressed with my drawing but I told him Daddy might help draw better pictures when he gets home. I'm not sure that the younger two shared his enthusiasm for organization but it's much easier to find things. K thanked me lots of times tonight for putting labels so he can find toys better. They have been super cute playing- today we had two lions & a penguin. Then all three did a Veggie Tales puppet show. T has even started taking his plate to the sink after he finishes eating. If only boys only copied the good things! :)
We also were very excited to get the mail today. Here's C proudly wearing his Officially 3 badge from Grandmollie. He was also super excited to get his birthday coloring book from Nana & Papa, birthday supplies from the Coles, and can't wait for Grandma & Uncle Brian to come celebrate on Sunday. We're thankful for the prayers for us to get well and think we're headed towards getting well. And we're down to 10 weeks until James' return & 11 until Kayleigh's birth.

Pink Eye and Potty Training

When you're given lemons, make lemonade.
When you're given a week+ at home due to pink eye, start potty training!

I wish I'd thought of that last Friday when our homebound days began. To be honest, it took C crying in the middle of the night to think now might be the time. Well, it wasn't exactly the crying, it was the scene I found when I went to check on him. There was a completely boy sitting crying on his soaking wet sheets with his completely dry diaper sitting right beside him. If in the middle of the night, he can think to take off his diaper before going to the bathroom, I think he's about ready to start potty training. Plus he's been saying for months, he's going to "be potty trained when the new baby's born." And based on T's gunky eyes, we're probably homebound for a good many more days. Today was his first time standing up on the scale- 25 pounds & 31".

T's gunky eyes haven't seemed to slow him down any. He quickly joined the big boys in their costume party last night. I think we had every super hero & every Hundred Acre Woods character present- T copied his brothers bringing me costumes to put on. Now I have to listen really well to tell who is calling since T often says mama or mommy instead of crying for me.

Our days at home have been better than I thought they might be- especially considering we just got home from a fun trip, all 4 of us caught colds, & it's been pretty rainy out- so we haven't been able to get out that much. Yesterday we made boats for Jesus & his disciples. Today we made Paul & Silas' jail cell- the boys loved when their "earthquakes" knocked down the cheese & pecan walls so they could eat them.

Happy New Year!

After an trip to Florida, we came back home to our routine so we've had fewer exciting things to do but also less arguing. I think the amount of arguing among boys is directly proportional to the amount of sleep each day- it's been a long time since I took a math class so that might not be worded correctly but they generally act better when they nap/ sleep more) We celebrated New Year's Eve at times that fit my schedule just right. James IM'd at 4pm (midnight in "Dagbad" as C calls it) and then we went to a New Year's Eve party where the ball dropped at 6 ish- the boys were all very excited to stomp balloons & do the noisemakers. What a great idea- pick a time zone that fits your schedule & potluck food from there- this was Italy- lots of yummy food and fun with friends.We spent New Year's Day with Grandma. The boys were very excited to see Grandma & Uncle B. We also visited Great-Grandma but she was taking a nap. New Year's is a great time to reflect on all our blessings. God sure has been good to us. We have 3 healthy boys, wonderful families, good friends, a home & neighborhood that we really like, a terrific church. I have a wonderful husband who is a great friend & daddy- yes, we'll all be much happier when he's back home with us but he's well and should be home in 10.5 weeks (but who's counting? :) While James has been away I've done some things that I wouldn't normally do (like assemble a pirate ship- that is definitely a Daddy task), removing the door knob since I couldn't get it unlocked, ... I'm not sure those are the things meant by "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" but it's been true- God has helped us get through time of being apart. It's also a good time to think about next year- we have lots of big things coming up- did I mention James' return in 10.5 weeks? and Kayleigh's birth in 11.5 weeks. I've also been thinking a lot about being intentional- I used to listen to a radio broadcast on intentional living and really think that's important even if it's in small steps. Like my intentionally decluttering the house can be done one drawer at a time. Enough rambling, maybe I'll go clean a linen closet. Sometimes it feels like I've done stuff all day but haven't gotten anything done- then I remember the email that floated around about the man who got home from work and wanted to know what happened- everything was a wreck. the wife said "you know how you're always asking what I do all day, today I didn't do it." And then some days I hear one of our little boys sing a song about God, say a Bible verse, or do something else good that makes me think- maybe something did get done today.