CRAYON MOMMY

The secret ingredient in mud pies

2012-01-24T20:14:00.004-06:00

These pictures weren't taken in our backyard. Well, kind of. These were taken at the house we own in downtown Conroe, but we rent it out. We are in between renters right now and Brian has been working on the house, so we went over to see him on Sunday afternoon and played in the backyard for awhile. And, I must admit, while the house is too small for our family, the backyard is great! Especially for mud pies. As I sat out on the back pergola in the gorgeous weather I watched them dig with sticks in the mud. I got lost in fuzzy memories of my own childhood, digging in the muddy ditch across the street from my Big Momma's house with my cousins. Packing dirt into pie tins and pretending to eat it, squealing in half disgust, half delight.

And, as if Ella could see right through me, she looked up through her little, smudged purple glasses and said, "Momma, do you know the secret ingredient in mud pies?" As I snapped back to reality, I looked down and admitted sadly, "No. I guess I don't."
"You don't remember? It's rocks. They make the pies crunchy. You probably don't remember because you are a grown up now."
I laughed when she said it, but part of me was a little sad. I am still in shock how quickly time has passed since I knew the secret ingredient in mud pies. Before I know it, my babies will past the mud-pie-making phase of their life. But for now, I'll try to appreciate the moment and be thankful for all these sweet memories.

Finny's Annual Stocking Picture

2011-12-31T21:50:00.003-06:00

Pregnancy and Christmas songs

2011-12-14T17:48:00.000-06:00

For some reason, my fourth pregnancy has left me more emotional than I was while carrying my other children (combined)! Perhaps it is the holiday season and all the sappy music that comes along with this time of year. It could be that and the combination of that and the fact that I met my husband for the first time dressed as an elf. So I am going to share with you, my list of "CHRISTMAS SONGS THAT MAKE ME CRY WHILE PREGNANT AND DRIVING MY MINI-VAN FULL OF SMALL CHILDREN."
If you are anything like me, grab a hankie and enjoy my video compilation! ;) Merry CHRISTMAS!

Tied 2 -2!!!

2011-12-03T19:17:00.000-06:00

Yes, ladies and gentleman. We are evening the gender score in the Moran household. Come next April there will be an equal number of girls AND BOYS in our home! Brian and I couldn't be happier. I personally feel so very undeservedly blessed!

Mommy on the go....go.....go.....

2011-11-01T18:12:00.003-05:00

I've been so busy, I haven't had time to update by blog since this summer. :( But, here I am again, trying to catch up! School is in full swing and we've had an interesting year.
Let's see.... oh, I'm pregnant with our fourth baby. ;) (Poor "Quatro" doesn't even get his/her own birth announcement blog entry, he/she has to share already!)

School is in full swing....
Ella is in 1st grade, Ainslie is at the preschool at ORHS and Finnian is at Lord of Life Lutheran Church School in The Woodlands. It makes me sad that they are all separated this year, but they are doing very well in their own places and learning lots. In fact, Ella just made the All A HONOR ROLL for the first time. Mommy and Daddy are very proud of our big girl!

More later!

Yay for ALL A HONOR ROLL!

Super Citizen Award for good behavior and attitude!

She was most excited about the RED ROBIN FREE MEAL!

Mississippi Family Vacation

2011-08-12T11:02:00.000-05:00

The second part of our summer vacation was the furthest we had ever taken our family! The kids very first time out of Texas. We went to my Mimi's house in Brandon, MS. A lot of Mimi's family lives in the Jackson area, and she is originally from Mississippi. We had so much fun playing at the house and visiting with the neighbors. Our most favorite thing we did at the house was pick blueberries in the front yard. I take that back. It was our second favorite thing to do at the house. The first was EATING the blueberries! I still have not found blueberries as good as the ones I eat in Mississippi!

We visited lots of places in and around Brandon, icluding the library and our favorite, Friends & Co. Tea Room in downtown Brandon. Even though we barely fit, we had so much fun as Mimi waited on us. :) (Her cousin owns the Tea Room and she often works there while she's in town.)

One day we ventured to Jackson where we ate at Rooster's Hamburger joint. (Amazing!) We also went and visited the MS. Agriculture Museum where Finny saw lots of tractors and we got to travel through an old town complete with a General store and a little schoolhouse (the kids' favorite!)

Here are some of my other favorite pictures from just hanging around the house!

Mimi making jello with the girls.

Dallas Summer Vacation

2011-08-12T10:34:00.000-05:00

I haven't really updated my blog much lately, so I thought I would update you on some of the things our family did on our summer vacation! We are very fortunate to have some seriously generous family! Our trip this summer was two fold: the first week we spent, like we have the last 3 summers, at the Bush home in Dallas. :) Our kids always have such a good time attending some sort of camp and just spending time together. This year, Ella and Evie participated in cooking camp and Ainslie did Gymnastics camp. It was pretty funny because Ainslie has never really participated in this type of activity before, except for VBS. After a few minutes of stretches on the floor she had to go to the bathroom. I took her and could tell something wasn't right. I asked, "What's wrong, baby? Aren't you having fun?" She replied with a frown, "I have to concentwate." I asked her who told her that and she said "I DON'T KNOW!" After the first day, she did much better "concentwating," though. :)
We ended the week of fun with our traditional Sweet and Sassy haircut appointments. :) The girls were so well-behaved and look so cute!

Cousins and Friends!

2011-08-09T12:14:00.003-05:00

This is one of my favorite pics from our family vacation this summer. These are our kids with one of their cousins, Evie. They really are friends too. They love being with each other!

All about Ella Grace!

2011-05-29T22:08:00.003-05:00

This past week has been really busy for our oldest daughter, Ella. She graduated Kindergarten on Friday and had her very first piano recital on Saturday. Brian and I are very proud of her. She is becoming such a lovely, poised young lady. God has blessed us so much with her! Congratulations Ella on such a great job this year!

Won't you take me to... MONKEY TOWN!?

2011-04-26T21:24:00.002-05:00

I wish there was a way that I could type the following blog post and it would be as funny as it was in my car on the way home tonight. I know it couldn't possibly, but I'll attempt it.
On the way home from Target tonight, Ella starts humming the tune FUNKY TOWN. Then she sings the part that goes "Talk about it, talk about it, talk about it, talk about it," but instead of using the actual lyrics, she substitutes her own lyrics, not unlike most kids her age (or me throughout my entire life). In this instance her version goes, "Taco Bell, Taco Bell, Taco Bell, Taco Bell....
Ainslie shouts, "I WANT TO GO TO TOWN!"
I ask, "You want to go to FUNKY TOWN?"
Ainslie replies, "YES! I WANNA GO TO MONKEY TOWN!"
Ella continues her song, "Won't you take me to Monkey town? Won't you take me to Monkey town? "Won't you take me to monkey town? Won't you take me to Mo-o-o-okey town? ... Taco Bell, Taco Bell, Taco Bell, Taco Bell!"
Ainslie keeps insisting a trip to "Monkey town" throughout Ella's increasing loud rendition of the song. She becomes very upset and five minutes later starts bawling uncontrollably because she realizes we are turning into our neighborhood and not MONKEY TOWN. It actually took me about 10 minutes to calm her down and explain that we can't go to Monkey town on a school night.
And that was the ride home!

Happy Easter!

2011-04-23T14:34:00.000-05:00

Thank you Jesus for loving us! Thank you for paying the debt for our sins so we could live forever in Heaven with you! Let's celebrate because HE IS RISEN! AMEN!

Deep in the Heart of Texas!

2011-04-20T23:25:00.002-05:00

There's been very little rain deep in the heart of Texas -- hence the sparce sprinkling of bluebonnets around these parts! :) But, rain or no rain -- bluebonnet pictures must be taken! Hope you enjoy them. I also hope to back to regular posts on my blog, but it's THAT time of year again -- so many spring activities going on, and wrapping up the end of the school year. I think once that things slow down a bit, I'll be back to my old blogging ways... let's hope!

Happy Valentine's Day from the Morans!

2011-02-14T20:03:00.007-06:00

Note to Self: Read The Directions!

2011-01-28T08:34:00.011-06:00

I have never claimed to be a smart person. But, sometimes the difference between smart and ignorant can be as simple as reading the directions.

All three of my kids have been sick this week. Finny has a cold virus, Ainslie has a middle ear infection and to finish off my week, Ella woke up with a high fever this morning. I'm pretty sure it's the flu that's going around school. This all being said, I have administered my fair share of medicine this week; Zyrtec, Tylenol, antibiotics and breathing treatments. I had to go to Walgreen's on Wednesday to pick up medicine for Ainslie's ear and those lovely people threw one of those children's syringes in the bag. (Love when they do that!)

I first encountered a syringe like this about 2 years ago. Before that, I had never seen one with the little circle piece attached to the end. I didn't give much thought about it. I didn't really know what it was for, I speculated that you could use it to hold the syringe upright, or that it covered the part that you put in the mouth. (Both rather dumb uses, now that I think about it.) But, this time when I got my free syringe, I decided to read the directions. This little plastic thingy is WAY COOL. Most of you already know, but for those people who never stopped to read the directions, you pop these into the top of your medicine bottles so you can get an air-tight seal when you put your syringe in and it helps to easily give you the correct dosage without making a mess out of your medicine, which is what I normally end up doing.

Wow! I am a complete idiot! Why didn't I ever read the instructions before!? This little device could have made my life so much easier and it's been here in my house all along!

I have come to discover the same is true of my Bible. I am attempting to read through the entire New Testament this year by following PROJECT 3:45. (This is a great site where you read a chapter a day, that on average, takes about 3 minutes and 45 seconds.) I found out about it at The Ark Church where I have been visiting recently, and it's like rediscovering a part of myself that I had left behind when I became a mother.

I have been "churched" my whole life and I even know some verses by heart. My Mom used to joke that I was at the church anytime the doors were open; youth group, youth choir, chancel choir, praise team, Bible study, VBS, mission trips. But, as a young adult I found myself becoming what I can best describe as "tired of the same old rhetoric." I believed what was preached, but I had heard it spoken by preachers the same way, over and over, using the same terminology and phrases that I became numb to it's effect. As I got married, and started having babies, it was easy for me to lose my interest in the stories of the Bible. I wanted to go to church for my kids, but not really for me.

While reading, I pray for God to continue to reveal himself to me in new and fresh ways. Right now in Project 3:45, I'm reading about the crucifixion, and it's almost like reading about Jesus in a way I never have before, even though I know I've read it many times before. It's like knowing your parents as a child, and then growing up and learning about them as an adult.

Likewise, that has been my beautiful discovery about God's word. It never changes, but we do. And, that can change the way we see Our God and what we glean from our time reading the Bible. Like that circular-thingy on the end of my syringes, I have had my Bible here all along and to read it now gives me insight and to wisdom to things I have never thought of before. Of course, I can imagine all the things God has planned for me and my family and hope to know how I would respond to the stresses of life, but it pales in comparison for HIS plan, if only I just stop to read the directions.

Finny's Stocking

2010-12-31T10:45:00.002-06:00

Ooops. I was supposed to do this on his birthday, but I forgot.

Each year, I take a picture of Finny with his Christmas stocking on his birthday (12.20). This was a brilliant idea suggested by his Aunt KC. This year was particularly hard, as Finn is completely mobile with a mind of his own this year. Last year he could walk, but he was still a "Mommy-Pleaser" and would stay when I asked. This year he just rolled around and laughed alot. So, I'll post one from the first 2 years and then a couple from this years shoot. Enjoy!

These were taken in his diaper, in hopes that, next year he'll be wearing big boy underwear... here's hoping! :)

Laura of Pitter Patter Art

2010-12-19T09:53:00.003-06:00

Makes amazing things to help raise money for her family's adoption. I have purchased a few key fobs from her, which make great gifts and now she's making CAMERA STRAPS!

You can imagine my excitement!

She is celebrating the season by giving away items that she's made via her blog.
Click below to check her out!

http://pitterpatterart.wordpress.com/2010/12/19/winner-camera-strap-giveaway/#comment-2618

Give Thanks!

2010-11-22T12:50:00.003-06:00

Ella is an Indian in her Kindergarten Thanksgiving Program.

I have so much to be thankful for. My health, my job, my home, but most of all my family. I love them so much. Thank you God for my beautiful, crazy, messy, wonderful family.

The Deeper Meaning of Trees

2010-09-12T22:53:00.006-05:00

Do you ever wonder why sometimes, God uses something simple in your life, something that's always "been" and uses it to reveal a deeper meaning? It's as if instead of hitting you sharply over the head with an idea, He subtly reveals something that reminds you of how small you are, and how He's got such a bigger perspective on our little lives than we could begin to imagine.

For instance, I've always been drawn to trees. As long as I can remember, I've loved to look at them, lay under them and especially draw them. I have countless numbers of sketches and artwork based on trees. The first trees I remember admiring were the large trees in front of my grandparent's home. I rubbed my fingers across the cracky texture of the huge trunks and recall the gazillions of brown oblong leaves they left sprinkled all over the driveway during the fall. When Brian and I first moved to the Woodlands, I looked forward to my quiet time as I peeked out my bathroom window while laying in the bathtub to see a canopy of large trees, swaying above me in the breeze. My first official mural was of a tree in our home there. I also painted a forest of trees in Ella's nursery. I re-painted my tree again in the entryway of our house here in Conroe.

Ok, Dusti, so you like trees. Big whoop. Maybe, but it wasn't until tonight that I realized why it's important to surround myself with trees, or why I might be drawn to them.

This weekend has been especially hard on my spirit. I feel down. I feel tired. Every Sunday night is rough for me. It takes all the energy I have to make it through the week. I spend a lot of time alone with the kids during the weeknights when Brian teaches lessons and I do my best just to come home, get ready for another day and not lose my patience with my kids. I feel guilty because by the end of the week, the house is a wreck and the laundry and dishes are out of control. By Thursday, I'm spent and kind of coast through Friday. I get anxious thinking about starting it all over again Sunday night. I was just sitting here, praying for some sort of comfort, some sort of promise from God's word to help me through, and this is what I got:

Jeremiah 17:7-8

But Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord.

who's confidence is in Him.

He will be like a tree planted by the water

that sends out its roots by the stream.

It does not fear when the heat comes;

it's leaves are always green.

It has no worries in a year of drought

and never fails to bear fruit.

Could there be a better verse for someone who fears they'll "dry out" when the going gets tough? I love that there's a huge tree painted by my front door. When things get hectic and I'm running in and out of the house with 3 kids running in 3 different directions, backpacks, lunch kits, etc., I'll look at it and remember as long as I trust in the Lord and plant my roots by the "stream," I'll never dry out.

Off and running.

2010-09-08T18:51:00.003-05:00

Well I guess despite my best efforts, summer vacation ended. I now find myself in the middle of week 3 of the 2010-2011 school year. 2011? Sounds like a Sci-Fi movie....

This year is an especially special year. I am starting my 7th year of teaching. And 7 is my lucky number! (Well, really it's my BLESSED number.) Can I just say that I LOVE MY NEW JOB!? I love my new co-workers and students. It feels like I've been there for years already. I love that I see my babies all day long! I love that I pass my daughter's kindergarten class 20 times a day! I could not have a better working situation (other than to be a rich, "homeschool mom" who travels the globe and teaches on location.) But, I digress....I have the best job on planet earth.

I only wish I had more time to stop and blog. It seems that as I jump back into the grind of everyday life, I only have time to come home in the afternoon and get ready for the next day before I crash for the night. I find myself longing for a time when my kids can be more independent, and yet, I clutch to these days when Brian and I are the center of their universe and can do no wrong in their eyes. I look back on my life and see how fast time flies. It seems like yesterday I was wanting to be big enough to stand at the bus stop all by myself, and look at me now with three wee ones of my own. I have said it before, and actually I say it a lot: "I have my hands full....of blessings."

Playing with Picasa and the Collage Tool

2010-08-02T20:53:00.000-05:00

summertime.fun

Homey-Blog Post.

2010-08-02T15:24:00.019-05:00

Thanks to suggestions by many friends and relatives, I have been casually surfing "home-y" blogs this summer. A lot of very talented, creative people blog about stuff they make: cooking, crafts, jewelry, Bento lunches, etc. In fact, my dear sister has a wonderful blog where she posts healthy recipes that she tries out. Please do go check it out! http://wannabechefmysti.blogspot.com/

In tribute of the wonderful world of what I affectionately refer to as "home-y" blogs, I thought I'd add a "home-y" post of my own. But, I have to feature my children, of course. (Come on, I've got the word "Mommy" in the title of my blog.) Armed with an Internet recipe, HOT kitchen, 3 wild children, and a nice, new camera, I created these lil' babies.: http://www.grouprecipes.com/34231/low-fat-chocolate-chip-banana-muffins.html

I wanted to make these in miniature so I could freeze and save them for the kids lunches this fall. The muffin idea came from a Bento Lunch part of a blog that I really like! The author of this blog has great ideas on creating kids lunches Bento-style, but "Americanized."

http://wendolonia.com/

As you can see it's a vicious cycle, I wanna make Bento lunches, which lead me to muffin recipes, which leads me to blogging all about it here. I'm a tech-savvy chick, no? My personal touch to the wholesome baking experience would be to tell you what it was like trying to to bake with my 3 kids running around. Finn and Ainslie were pretty fixated on the window as they watched the muffins rise. The tops must be the most exciting, because after my last muffin-baking session, Ainslie would sneak in the basket, eat the tops off of them and return the bottom for me to eat later. How nice of her, huh? Ella wasn't much interested before or after the baking. Personally, I think the muffins turned out great. They were especially a big hit with Finny. Ella said she didn't like them and added "Maybe I don't like ANY kind of muffin, Mom." This is the second recipe I've tried to get her to like with no success. Ainslie was too upset because I made her half one with her brother, which sent her into a raging fit. I'm sure I'll be able to tell if she likes them later, by the tale-tell signs of eaten muffin tops in the basket. On second thought, I think I'll go freeze those bad boys right now!

Please let me know if you try the recipe listed above, you have ever packed a Bento lunch, or if you have any healthy muffin recipes my kids would like!

Growing up Ella Grace

2010-04-10T18:38:00.005-05:00

As most children her age, Ella has begun to vocalize her wishes to be older. She has mentioned that she wishes she was grown-up several times, and each time I tell her to enjoy being a little girl. I distinctly remember having the same desires at that age. I would ride in the backseat of my Mom's car on the way to school and see the older kids out the window, waiting at the bus stop and wish, wish, wish I was old enough to do the same. I also remember my parents driving through Humble and as we would pass the middle school and high school, they would tell me that is where I would go to school when I was older....now that is 14 years behind me. I always feel bittersweet when we pass the elementary school by our house and Ella yells out, "That's gonna be MY SCHOOL!" I guess I know how soon she'll be saying, "That used to be my school."

Today as I was rushing to pack clothes for the girls trip to my grandparents and get everyone dressed, Ella said, "Mommy, you are always busy. You always have stuff to do." To which I replied, "You are right Ella, I don't have a lot of time to play do I? That's why you shouldn't want to grow up so fast."

"Adults don't get to play," she asked? And I hated my answer. "No, not that much."

Today on the way to meet my grandparents in Cleveland Ella said another thing to me that punched me in the gut. "Mommy, I just saw a cross on the side of the road and I think its the cross that Jesus died on." Tears welled up in her eyes, her bottom lip puffed out and I could hear the emotion in her voice as she said it. I assured her that Jesus' cross was much bigger and very far away. While at first it was cute, it soon became a painful reminder that not just Ella's body is growing up. Her mind is too. I feel like everything I say and do and expose her to, now more than ever, determines her future.

I tell my 3rd and 4th grade students all the time how "Now is the time you decide the person you are going to be and the paths you are going to take." It sounds so dramatic, but it's true. It's even more dramatic now that it will shortly be MY daughter making decisions that will shape her life, long after I am gone. I can't always control what she will be exposed to, but I hope I can prepare her mind and heart on how to react to any situation she faces, and I hope that reaction is to always to turn to God.

Mommy is a "Dusti"

2010-04-04T07:45:00.005-05:00

I spend most of my time being "Mrs. Moran" or "Mommy" that sometimes, I just forget to be "Dusti." I kinda like being her. I forget how infrequently this happens.

I was invited to go to Cafe Express with my Mom and my sis on Good Friday and it was such a nice treat to go eat and be an adult without worrying about who was doing what at my table. In fact, I felt a bit empty-handed. I ordered southwestern chili that had been topped with raw onions on them, and anyone who knows me, knows how I feel about raw onions... as I scooped them out, Mysti asked if she could try a bite. I instictively fed her the spoonful of onion and chili and she started laughing, "You fed me that like I'm a baby. You scooped it up at the end to make sure I got it all in my mouth." I asked her if she wanted me to scrape her cheeks with the side of my spoon like I do the babies. Guess even during my time away from them, I have to be a Mamma to someone.

Sickness.

2010-03-17T08:20:00.002-05:00

I have cleaned enough puke in the past 2 weeks to last me a lifetime. Please, Dear God, no more puke. No more pink eye, no more weird random nose infections. No more upper respiratory infections, but really, no more yak.

All three of my children have had upchucking spells in the last two weeks. Ella and Finny have both had to be woken up from doing it in their sleep. I have NEVER heard of throwing up in your sleep and sleeping through it, it is SO SCARY!

Please pray that this is the END of the PUKE-FEST!

Did I mention I have a 2 year old and a 5 year old?

2010-02-27T16:16:00.006-06:00

I know I haven't updated my blog in....forever. And, I can't really make any promises on the future. My life is not my own, at least not for a while. But, I can share with you two things:

1. My daughter Ainslie turned 2 in October and I didn't even share it on my blog. Mainly because I spend most of my time chasing her and yelling at her. But, I do love her. She is a silly little girl who loves to make us all CRAZY! She loves singing "Hot dog, hot dog, hot diggety dog!" from Mickey Mouse playhouse and still crawls into our bed at least 3 times a night. She's also extremely athletic and asks to watch basketball games on T.V! This past Christmas she made a "poopie" on her Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Trent's carpet in the brand new house and just recently, she decided to create a beautiful mural of diaper rash cream on the newly painted wall under my bar in the living room. But, in her defense, when I took her to Ella's friend's house down the street to play on the trampoline with other kids, she was very well behaved. In fact her little friend Grace nicknamed her "Sweetie." (Actually, I think she called her Sweetie because she couldn't say Ainslie..... ) I guess most of the time is a toss up with her. Whatever she makes her mind up to do for the day!

2. Ella just turned 5 this past week! My big girl is a wonderful big sister. She loves Ainslie and Finn and really helps her Daddy and I take care of the both of them. She's taking dance once a week with Mrs. Kowalik and really loves learning new things in Mrs. Petty's class at First Baptist Academy in Conroe. She loves school! I couldn't be prouder of the little girl she is becoming. She has recently started asking Brian and I about heaven and asking how she'll be able to recognize us when she gets there. Such big questions for a little girl! After a dental lesson this week at school she came home on Friday with her first wiggly tooth. It makes me tear up, I can't believe my little baby is old enough to LOSE A TOOTH! I asked her how much she thought the tooth fairy would give for a tooth and she said, "I don't know? $100?" Yikes! Let's hope not!

He's my boy.

2010-01-21T15:22:00.006-06:00

This was taken at Finny's birthday celebration. I am proud of it for two reasons:

1. ARE YOU KIDDING? LOOK AT THOSE EYES and try NOT to melt. (OK, I'm amost done bragging...)

2. As the informally titled "photographer" of my family, I am proud to say, I didn't take this picture.... my husband did. (And, you can't see any of his fingers!) Good Job, B!

Finnian is one!

2009-12-20T19:59:00.004-06:00

Happy birthday to my sweet boy, who has grown from a sweet, gentle baby....

...to a handsome little toddler-dude! You have a still have that sweet, loving personality and you love to laugh! May you have 1oo more birthdays, my sweet Finny boy!

my circle

2009-11-21T09:11:00.007-06:00

Hello, cold and lonely, neglected blog. I really do think about updating you. I actually have thoughts and form them into sentences in my mind, usually when I am driving to or home from work. The idea is that I'll type them out sometime after I get the kids to sleep for the night. But, when I get home, I get busy with other things and then normally crash into bed.

I feel like my life is nothing but a tightly wound, annoying circle right now. In the evenings I am dashing here and there to get all the things together for another day. Kids fed and bathed, lunches packed, teeth brushed. 4 pairs of socks... and they ALL have to match? I thought I hated picking out clothes for me to wear each night. Now, I have to do it for 3 other people, and one is becoming more vocal and picky about what she wears....I wrestle them into bed. I crash myself. I normally wake up 2 or 3 times a night. Will my kids ever sleep throughout the night? I wake up and rush through the early morning to get on my way to work just to be late. And I am ALWAYS LATE. Always.

These days at work, I spend most of my time "waiting tables." This is what I call it when we paint, because I spend a lot of time serving each table with water, paint, paper towels, wiping up spills, cleaning out paint brushes, washing mixing trays over the sink, etc.... I ask the kids, "Where's my tip?" They laugh. I do enjoy watching them paint with that zen look of wonder on their faces. We listen to music, they ask for Miley Cyrus or Taylor Swift, I oblige. I watch them eat at lunch duty, I tell them to "Sit down, use your inside voice, you should have got ketchup when you went through the line, don't call him that, make a good choice, follow directions, turn around, we don't share food, is that appropriate for school?" Then after teaching what I consider to be an UNGODLY amount of 1st and kindergartners for an UNHOLY amount of time, I go to car rider duty. "You go to 1, You go to 3, You go to 5. You have a good night!"

I come home again in the evening after picking up the kids and I do it all over again. I make the food, I wipe down the table, I pass out the drinks. I get no tip. (Well, I guess I do. I get kisses and hugs.) I say, "Use your inside voice, don't call him that, don't pull her hair, follow directions, are you making a good choice?" I have to change diapers at THIS job, but I get to do it in my pajama pants. (Notice no mention of dishes or laundry. I always have two large mountains of clothes and dishes waiting for me by Saturday morning.)

I am tired, and it takes all the mental energy I have NOT to lose my patience on my kids. It's not their fault I've done it 5 million times in the day with OTHER people's kids. God, Thank you for my family and my job, even though it stresses me out at times. There are millions of Mommy's in the world without babies. There are millions of people in the world without jobs. How blessed am I to have both?

Ella's first day of Pre K

2009-09-07T16:40:00.004-05:00

Ella went to her first day of Pre K at First Baptist Academy in Conroe last week! I think it went very well. She didn't cry at all and I cried just a little....

She talked about music class a lot after the first day. In fact, I think music was one of the highlights of her week. She came home excited to sing a "brand new song,"and after going through verses with "you put your right arm in," etc., she said with amazement, "Now, here's the crazy part, you can put your WHOLE HEAD in!" :) She also seemed to really like her dance class on Thursday.

It's kinda funny when you don't have an adult to translate the highlights of your child's day when you are away from them. The major details of Ella's day come straight from her mouth and they can be vague. Wednesday she came home saying she "HATED BIG BLUE." From what I can gather, Big Blue is a time out chair. She said she didn't sit in Big Blue, but she doesn't like him anyway. Thursday after dance, she kept asking me what I wanted on my pizza.... hmmm... But, whatever she is doing, they are certainly keeping her busy! She is wiped out EVERYDAY when she gets home. Friday, she fell asleep at McKenzie's while we were eating dinner. She was out at 6:15 and didn't wake up until 8:30 the next morning!

I can't believe my baby is old in enough for school!

Ella in front of our house before we leave to go to school.

Ella says, "I want to do a smile like my cousin, the Bean." :)

Ella in her chair in Mrs. Petty's room.

God Speaks

2009-08-18T21:42:00.007-05:00

Ella's new questions about God concern His voice. " Does He talk? Why can't I hear Him? What does His voice sound like? What does He say? Why is He so quiet?" It's really hard to give an adequate answer to a 4 year old that doesn't lead to more questions. And, half the time, I still ponder these myself at 31.

Last Saturday I went to a funeral and God spoke to me in a way I had never expected. Which, I should really expect by now because He does it all the time and then laughs at me when I act surprised, I suspect!)

My dear friend Judy lost her father, Mr. Danner to Alzheimer's disease last week. At his memorial service, the minister retold several stories he had heard about Mr. Danner; He even spoke a bit about the illness that finally overcame him.

One of the scriptures read was Isaiah 46:3-5. It says:

3. Listen to me, O house of Jacob,
all you who remain of the house of Israel,
you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth.
4 Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

This promise held true for Judy's dad. Even in old age and illness, he was carried and sustained by his Maker. The promise is for me too but I was also reminded that God's Word holds a promise for someone else, my children.

Since Ella was born, I have become somewhat obsessed about controlling her surrounding environment. I must admit that my obsession was born more out of a fear of accidentally hurting something so new and precious. I worried about scaring her brand new little body.(Almost like being afraid of scratching a new car, as sad as that sounds!)With each child, my fear has multiplied and deepened. It's not just a fear of physical pain or scarring that keeps me awake at night, I fear that something will happen to my child that I won't be able to comfort them through. I have really gotten past the idea of them being hurt, for it is inevitable in life. It's going to happen. The big fear recently is that I won't be the Mother they need me to be to help them survive the experience and be ok.

Isaiah reminds me that it is not solely my job. (Whew! What a relief!)

Yes, I am their mother and I can offer comfort better than most, but God is their True Comforter and Protector and He Carries His Children. He will carry Me and I will try to carry them with my Father's help.

Now my prayer is that God helps me lead them in the right direction, to expose and explain to them who their maker, comforter and protector is. Even if it means I can't explain the sound of God's voice or why He speaks so softly. I do, however, know He speaks. I told Ella so.

Questions about my boy.

2009-08-13T14:31:00.008-05:00

Finn is growing. A lot. Not only is he developing physically,(he's a little less than 8 lbs. behind Ainslie and crawling and pulling up on everything!) he's growing emotionally too. I can tell because he is displaying somewhat of a temper about being able to grab and manipulate things as well as a developing sense of humor... For instance, he's grabbing and pounding on my laptop keyboard right now and when I try to stop him, he yells at me. If he's able to get away with it, he laughs. Oh boy!

I have been somewhat weepy about this situation with my son. It may be the fact Finn is getting bigger combined with the fact that my oldest is going to Pre-school this year. I'm not sure. I'm excited for her as she grows and learns,and in my heart I know Ella and Ainslie will always in some way be my babies. But, will Finn?

I was never raised around boys and all I see of mother/son relationships are those with grown adult men and their Mommas. What I notice is: the ones I know DON'T really hug or kiss their Mommas,( or not enough to my liking anyway.) With this thought in the back of my mind, I (almost over indulgently) kiss and love on Finn a million times a day

What if this is all I get? When do boys stop showing affection to their Mommas? When do they start being embarrassed of them? When will I pull away from kissing my son's cheek to find a disgusted eye-roll where a huge grin used to be? Am I one of THOSE mother's who ruin their son's romantic relationships because I feel like I should be the #1 woman in their son's life? MAYBE!

My kids see the ocean for the first time!

2009-07-24T00:03:00.002-05:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

JAM-Packed Week of FUN!

2009-07-11T20:43:00.012-05:00

Our week-long trip to Dallas was completely busy and crazy, but so much fun! Aunt Stephanie had planned a busy, activity-filled week for us and boy did the adults wear down fast. I think the kiddos would still be going like little energizer bunnies if we let them. We had Tinkerbell Dance Camp, Swimming Lessons and a fun family trip to Chickfila for Cow Appreciation Day. Here are some pictures from our adventures!

Surprise visit from the Cummins Clan! All the grand kids together at Aunt Sharon's house (left to right): B, C, Bean, A, Ains, Ella and Finn in the Bumbo.

Finn and Brian

HurricAINSLIE, The Bug & The Bean

Grandma, Brian and the girls before swim lessons.

Ains churnin' up the water.

(If I only had a dollar for every time she stuck her finger

in that hole in the wall, it' would have paid for the swim classes.)

Bean and Bug kickin' in Miss Linda's pool.

Bug and Bean at their Tinkerbell Dance Camp Performance.

Ella says to us right before the show starts, "Watch this, you are going to love it!"

Beautiful ballerinas!

Return of the 'Do Rag!

2009-06-23T11:57:00.007-05:00

Some of you may remember a post a little over a year ago with pictures of the girls in this Spongebob 'do rag. Well, in keeping with the tradition, I have taken Finny's picture with the same 'do rag. Notice, I have applied it in a more masculine manner! :)

Finnian Patrick Moran
6 months old
2009

Ainslie Hope Moran

6 months old
2008

Ella Grace Moran
Around 5 months old
2005

For the original post go to:

CRAYON MOMMY: Compare and Contrast!

Our DISNEY (store) STAYCATION

2009-06-20T11:07:00.004-05:00

Hello All! Hope this post finds you happy, enjoying the thrills and excitement that only summer can bring! The Morans have had their share of thrills already this summer. We took a long....8 minute trip down to The Woodlands Mall this week and made an impromptu trip to the Disney Store. Brian and I joked about how this will have to do in place of a REAL Disney Vacation, but the kids aren't quite old enough to know the difference and the girls left with prizes. We left $30 lighter and no child the wiser. I did get some pictures, unfortunately, they are pretty much just Ella, as Ainslie was uncooperative....maybe we'll make another visit before the summer is over. Hopefully we'll be able to go to the REAL DISNEY WORLD in our near future, until then there's nothing wrong with a little frugal STAYCATION!

Ella and Minnie!

Ella in the dressing room!

Daddy and the girls on the carousel!

Girls with their souvenir cups!

Finny boy, happy no matter where!

Ella's Finny voice

2009-06-15T09:55:00.003-05:00

When Ella talks to Finn, this is the voice she uses...her eyes bug out, her chin juts forward and she lowers her voice. It's so funny, I had to document it.

All by myself...with three kids!

2009-06-12T10:48:00.004-05:00

Brian left yesterday morning to go to a conference in Austin. So, I have pretty much been alone with the kiddos except for when Grammie made a visit yesterday afternoon. We spent all day home yesterday and so now I think the kids are a bit stir-crazy. The girls got to sleep with me in Mommy and Daddy's bed last night, which made them VERY happy. Especially Ainslie. She woke up smiling this morning. The first thing said after she woke up was "I love you." Happy Baby!

I think we'll head out to Wally world today for some Father's Day shopping....

The return of the blog....

2009-06-08T23:11:00.004-05:00

Yes, I know. It's been forever. I am truly sorry and my only excuse is that I have 3 children and hold down a full-time job...where I care for.... more children. But, I am on hiatus now and hope to bring my blog up to date.

I found my solace tonight. My hiding place, my rock. But it isn't under the wings of Eagles or the house that was built on the rock. No, my refuge is my bathtub.
I don't douse myself in rich perfumes or expensive bath oils. In fact, what I use for bubbles doesn't even say "Bath & Body." Its says "Johnson & Johnson." The bubbles that fill my tub don't claim to sweep you off to an exotic tropical isle with the scent of blossoming plumeria or rich, sensuous musk. In fact, the only thing my bubbles can tout is that they are "tear free."

OK, so I am using baby shampoo for my "spa time," but, I can't be choosy about my small moment of luxury. I am "Mom," and right now, my time is not my own. (At least not before 10 pm.) So, I'll savor this little moment in my fortress of solitude before the next round of feeding, burping, changing, cleaning, playing, tickling, laughing and (most definitely) loving begins.

Days like these

2009-05-05T22:54:00.007-05:00

Days like these make me feel stupid about getting worked up about the "small things." Being too tired to play with my Ella. Feeling too sick to spend a little extra time hugging on my Ainslie. Not paying attention to my Finn as I nurse him. Sometimes I get anxious on my way home from work, knowing I'll be hitting the second shift alone, getting the babies fed and cleaned and ready for the next day. But days like these remind me that I am one of the blessed ones who takes their children for granted. Instead of sweating the small stuff, I should be enjoying it. "Swimming in it until my fingers prune," as Meg Ryan's character said on French Kiss.

A year ago my best friend lost her son. I remember rocking my 6 month old to bed that night, stroking her hair, thanking God for her, crying in pain for my friend who was in agony. Just the night before I had cried about being overwhelmed in an "unexpected" pregnancy. I was so stupid!

Tonight I cry again as another friend is losing her toddler to brain cancer. I wish I could do something for Moms in pain like this. It's like, if I can cry for them enough, maybe it'll ease their pain, but I know it won't. I can't even fathom that ache.

I feel guilty for lagging on my way home and avoiding my nightly Mom duties. There are some Moms out there who'd be dying to do that with their baby. Please pray for peace for Henry and Jonathan's families and for comfort for Jonathan as he nears the end of his little life.

My heart is so happy....

2009-05-04T11:20:00.001-05:00

... when I see my Finny-boy smile.

Ella has been diagnosed with Premature Andrenarche

2009-04-30T10:04:00.001-05:00

Ella asked to have her picture taken with the cows in the TCH lobby. She loved the tutus!

Since this past summer Ella has been showing signs of puberty. Body odor, acne, mood swings and hair in places little girls shouldn't have at 3 1/2. At her 4 year check up (March) her Dr. referred her to a pediatric endocrinologist to screen her for Precocious Puberty . She decided Ella is displaying signs of Adrenal-related puberty. (Premature Andrenarche) Sometimes this is triggered by the adrenal glands too early for no reason at all, but sometimes its because of an adrenal gland disease. So she had blood work done and a bone scan to screen for that possibility. Her results will be back in about 2 weeks. If nothing progresses and she is healthy, she'll go back in 6 mo. for another check up. Ella did very well during her short time at Texas Children's. Brian and I decided that our family is very blessed to have relatively healthy children. We saw so many sick little ones, and heard of the 22 mo. old who had passed away there on Mon. from swine flu. Please pray for that family. You hear craziness all over the news and people joke about it, but it personalizes it when you meet nurses who are sad and heart broken about losing a patient.

Little Forever.

2009-04-13T16:09:00.003-05:00

I told Brian the other night that I wish sometimes my babies could STAY babies forever. It's the hardest work in the world and I DO want them to grow up to be good adult human beings. But, as they grow each day, they grown more into themselves and more away from being needy of me. It makes me proud, but a little sad too. I just want those baby hands to hold onto mine forever. I want them to always look at me like I am the coolest, most amazing person in the world. And I know they won't because they'll grow up and discover the truth. It's selfish of me, but I can't help it.

WHY OH, WHY OH, WHY?

2009-04-07T12:57:00.002-05:00

Why is that when I feel bad about not recently discussing one of my children in my blog, they give me something to wrte about.

Ains is down bad. First it was pink eye at the end of last week. "You usually don't get pink eye unless you have some other infection in your body," says Miss Carey. It's almost as if she willed the impending infection into action like it was a challenge to the stupid virus. Sunday night came the trots, Monday night came the tossing. It's like this virus, or WHATEVER IT IS wants to take its time. Grrr... So, I am home today with her again and praying she recovers soon. Her poor little body is worn out and she is STILL not over the pink eye. Brian has to pin her down while I pry open her suprisingly strong eye lids to give her the medicine. I don't think she gets much in because by that point she is so angry, she has cried most of the medicine out. So, her eyes are still oozey and crusty and red. I feel so bad for her.

I took her to Walgreens to get some medicine and as we checked out, a guy behind me in line corrected his nearly-adult son for cussing in front of Ains. He was wearing a shiny, bright green Philadelphia Eagles jacket and huge glasses that made him look like he just stepped out of the early 80s, plus a large neck brace. It ooozed comic genious. Yes, he was classy... (I use the term "classy" because he seemed like the type of person that would use that word and he kinda reminded me a character from a mob movie, or Sopranos.) Despite his fashion choice and rough accent, it's nice to know there are decent people in the world.

Momma's Wild Child

2009-03-30T20:14:00.005-05:00

What a day, what a day to take to

What a way, what a way to make it through

What a day, what a day to take to a wild child....

(Wild Child, Enya)

Ainslie is my wild child. Wild at heart, wild in spirit. I love that about her. But, she also makes me crazy! I asked Brian tonight,"I wonder how long it will take until her hair grows long enough to NOT hang forward in her face like she's some wild animal?" I think I can wait a while longer. I want to let her be a baby for as long as she can be. Wild child or not.

Visiting the Doc's Office

2009-03-19T19:19:00.003-05:00

Ella and Finn went in for their 4 year and 2 month old check up, respectively.

Ella took 5 shots to the legs like a CHAMP with not so much as a grimace. She squinted her eyes during the last one while she discussed the subtle differences between the Disney Princesses with the nurse administering her shots. (I later asked her why she could easily take shots without crying, but couldn't keep from whining while asking to watch her Barbie Thumbelina for the 4th time in a row.) She got the movie for taking the shots so well.

Finn had a shot too. He only cried for like 2 seconds after his. The big shocker in his visit is that he weighs 15 lbs and 13 oz. He doesn't officially turn 3 months until the 20th. :) Apparently there is some kind of fertilizer in my milk.

The only person NOT getting shots cried more than the two who did: Ainslie. Apparently, she doesn't like being pinned up in the little room waiting on her siblings. (Ah.... "What will the terrible two's be like?!" you ask. Me too.)

In other news: we have been tracking some puberty-like symptoms of Ella's for about the past 6 months. After a previous visit with the Dr. and the progression of her symptoms in the past months, Ella is being referred to a Pediatric Endocrinologist for testing. It could possibly be precocious puberty. Please pray for our family as we try to get this all figured out.

Interview with a Four-Year-Old.

2009-03-11T11:27:00.001-05:00

Favorite Color: Pink and Red and different colors.

Favorite Food: Chicken and Macaroni

Favorite Movie: Strawberry Shortcake

Best Friend: Audrey and Beverly

Favorite Princess: Cinderella

Tell me a joke: Why did the cow cross the road? Because he was trying to get to the circus, and home.

Favorite Game: Soccer

Favorite Book: Strawberry Shortcake

Favorite presents: A flower and a strawberry doll.

Favorite thing to do with Mommy: Clean up

Favorite thing to do with Daddy: Play

Favorite thing to do with Ainslie: Play cards with her

Favorite Song: The Kittens Song (From the You Tube Video) LA-LA-LA....

Favorite Outfit: Cinderella Costume

What do you want to be when you grow up? A painter.

Where do you want to live when you grow up? In this house.

What kind of car do you want to drive when you grow up? Grammie's Car

Favorite Animal: Elephant and Giraffe

I have no time to say...

2009-03-03T14:23:00.002-06:00

.... hello, or goodbye or pretty much, anything.
I have been soooo busy doing things that I feel like I have neglected my poor blog.
I have alot things to discuss, a cute baby boy, my rebel toddler and my cute newly turned 4-year-old. But, like I said, there is no time.
However! Spring break is coming up soon, so maybe then!
In the mean time, I am getting psyched for Baby Ilgy! Tomorrow! :)

Ella Says...

2009-02-09T10:25:00.007-06:00

Me: "Ella, pick up these toys and take them to the playroom, please."

Ella: "Momma! Princesses DO NOT pick up toys. They dance with Princes."

Alrighty, then.

Pickin' Up Chicks, Man.

2009-01-26T10:47:00.004-06:00

Apparently, having two older sisters is really paying off for Finn in the romance department. Ella has already hooked him up with his first girlfriend. Guess we know who'll have a date come Valentine's day.

MY BIGGER FAMILY!

2009-01-20T08:32:00.005-06:00

So, I guess most of you have noticed that I haven't updated my blog in almost a month. Well, I have been spent most of my free time sleeping or nursing Finn. (The boy enjoys his meals!)

A lot of wonderful times have been spent with my growing family. The girls are getting along great with Finn. I am surprised that even Ainslie has shown a lot of interest in him. She wants to pet his head and starts off sweetly rubbing his hair, but we have to watch her as she gets a little excited and starts getting rough. (I hear the "I want to pet him, and love him, and squeeze him and call him George" monologue running through my head when I watch her interact with him.)

Speaking of the "good girl."
Ain's vocabulary is taking off in leaps and bounds. It seems that since her tubes were put in her ears, she has a whole new world of words falling out of her mouth. Some of her favorites: UH-OH, NO! and GOOD GIRL!" I think "good girl" is her favorite as it is a generic response for almost every activity. Eat a banana, GOOD GIRL! Take your medicine, GOOD GIRL! Brush your teeth, GOOD GIRL! Rip off your pee-soaked diaper and run to the play room while ripping at it with your teeth, GOOD GIRL! Fall on your brothers head while dancing to YO GABBA GABBA! GOOD GIRL! OK, enough, you get the picture.

Ainslie also has habit of rubbing her nose when she is tired. Generally, she rubs it with her blankie as she falls asleep. One day, I was doing what I generally do since December 20 -- nursing Finn -- when a cranky and tired GOOD GIRL tried to climb up me, wanting to be rocked to sleep. I happened to be eating a piece of chocolate, so I gave her a little part of it to maybe keep her quiet until I could finish nursing. She took off with it to the play room (much like the Phantom runs back under the opera house after attacks, sans cape and mask and sometimes diaper) when she came back, she had chocolate all over her nose and her binky. Apparently it IS a comfort food.
Ella Grace Moran is an amazing little girl.
She is such a good big sister. She is constantly running me little errands to get "Ainslie" or "Finn" diapers. She calms Ainslie when I am dealing with Finn issues, and she is just really starting to come into her own. Both the girls have been sleeping in their very own beds in their pretty pink room, and have been doing such a good job going to bed at night. A lot of this I credit to Ella, who has done such a good job of helping take care of her sister. I can't believe my "baby" is going to be 4 next month! Below is a picture of a rocket she drew. Enjoy!

More sooner or later!

The New Finn Tradition

2008-12-27T14:05:00.003-06:00

I got this idea from Finn's Aunt K.C. She had a friend who's son was born near Christmas and they made a tradition of taking his picture every year with the same stocking. So, here is Finn's first Christmas stocking photo. :)

Santa

2008-12-26T12:37:00.006-06:00

My last day of work was last Thursday on "Polar Express Day." We all wear jammies, the kids get hot cocoa and watch Polar Express and Santa drops of school shirts to all the students.
My 2nd graders came in and I was peeking my head out the door to talk to an across the hall teacher.

"Raise your hand if you think Santa is dead!" a kid hollers. Little 7 year old hands shoot up all over my art room.

Grr! NO Bad mojo in MY ART ROOM!

Mrs. Moran: " You are upsetting me when you talk like that! SANTA is NOT DEAD, so quit even talking about it. If you don't believe in HIM, he won't believe in you." ( I wonder if I can get into trouble talking about Santa like I could if I talked about Jesus?)

This was my first year to be a Santa. My oldest is 3 and she is really getting into Santa's visit, the North poll and the nice and naughty list and all. Brian and I got to set up the living room after she went to bed. (I hope she never finds my blog after she learns to read, or I'm in trouble!) I can definitely say that although its exciting to be a child and wait for Santa, its even more fun to be Santa to your child. I can't explain it. It's amazing. To see their face light up when they open the toys they have wanted so much. One of Ella's was an aquaglobe. She's been asking for one for almost a whole year. It was the first commercial she saw that she actually asked for what was being advertised.

I guess the good thing is, that even though my kids will grow up and realize Santa is "living" through the spirit of people's giving, I hope they learn that Christ was born on Christmas and he still lives through God's giving. I pray that I instill that in them.

Happy Birthday, Finn!

2008-12-22T02:30:00.002-06:00

Finn is here!

1 day old! (Daddy bought that bink!)

Just two drops...

2008-12-21T18:06:00.003-06:00

I went for my last visit to the OB on Thursday. Before I left, my nurse practioner made a comment to me when I asked her about my placenta previa. "If you see EVEN just TWO drops of bright red blood, you need to come into Labor and Delivery and get them to look you over.

I heard these words in my head again at about 10:00 on Friday night. (My day of bedrest.) I got ready for bed, went to the bathroom and there they were, the two drops. I thought about ignoring it, because I didn't have any contractions, but I couldn't help it. I had to go in.

How was I to know that nearly an hour after midnight, I'd have my son to hold in my arms! I should have, seeing as he came without warning into my life, why would his entrance into the rest of the world me any different?

Finnian Patrick Moran was born at 12:49 am on Saturday, December 20. He is 8 lb 8 oz and 20.5 inches long. He has a sweet nature like his big sister Ella and looks like his other big sister Ainslie. Well, actually it looks like Brian's head with Ain's round face put on the bottom of it. I see a likening to Mr. Potatohead, myself -- but in a cute way!

Pictures will be here as soon as I can locate my cord that will download them from the computer to the laptop.

Thanks for all your prayers!

1 Day of "bedrest"

2008-12-19T21:54:00.004-06:00

I went for my weekly check up yesterday. I had protein in my urine and my BP was so high, they took blood and told me NOT to go to work today. (They don't want a reoccurance of what happened with my pregnancy with Ella, I suppose.) However, it wasn't the laid back, pleasant day you might envision. My poor Baby sitter's daughter came down with STREP, so I kept the girls home with me. Yeah, bed rest just AIN'T what it was 4 years ago when I was a MOTHER TO BE. hm....

I went for my PRE OP blood work tonight. I'll report for my "Graduation" (as my nurse practitioner called it) around 10 on Monday morning.

Please pray for our family.

1. No one gets strep.
2. The girls are OK at my Mom's.
3. My Mom survives.
4. The Boy has a healthy and safe arrival
5. He gets some sort of name... ah!
6. I recover quickly
7. Oh, and I get some sort of Christmas shopping done in between getting ready for all of the baby stuff!

Tag, I'm It!

2008-12-13T07:26:00.003-06:00

(I was challenged by my SIL to do this, so here goes!)

1. Open the 4th folder in your computer.
2. Choose the 4th picture in the folder and post in in your blog.
3. Describe the picture.
4. Tag 4 people.

"Green Bear"

This is one of the babies my oldest daughter Ella first toted around EVERYWHERE. I took this picture this summer, while we were having a walk-thru of our new house. I was being silly, but thought I might use it one day in a scrapbook or something to remind her the time she was attached to the "super trio:" Green Bear, Baby (a pink little rattle bear) and purple blankie. Purple Blankie was made by Brian's cousin and given to me at my shower before Ella was even born. She is still somewhat attached to it. But, for a while, El wouldn't go anywhere without the three.

I Tag:
Rhonda, Kahla and KC!

SNOW!

2008-12-11T15:44:00.003-06:00

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT SNOWED HERE YESTERDAY! It started on my way home from work. I rushed to daycare, grabbed the girls, ran in the house and bundled them up as fast as I could. I knew it wouldn't last long! Besides, I have to use these heavy coats that Grandma got the girls at least ONCE before they outgrow them. :) Here are some pictures I got! Enjoy!

Ainslie the Wildcat!

2008-12-11T14:36:00.004-06:00

Ainslie had her tubes put in her ears today. After her lil' "relaxer" she took a while to get "relaxed" and opted for fighting it. Trying to get down out of Daddy's lap and check things out. If only she would have been like Lil' Charlie across the pre-op area and have gone down happy and quiet. No, Ain had to try to "drug" him under the table so to speak. After she finally DID go out, they rolled her to the operating room.

A short time later they called us back and Dr. Stark told us what to expect and how to deal with the new tubes. He said he'd come get us shortly after Ainslie was awake so we could see her. About 3 minutes after he walked out our little counseling room I heard something that sounded like part "Yeti/Wildcat/Ainslie" but mostly wildcat, SCREAMING down the hall. "I think that was Ain," I told Brian. He laughed.

Ok, were NOT CRUEL parents. But, it is much better to hear a noise that your child usually makes when she is angry instead of hearing sobbing noises of "hurt." So, our Ain was just being our Ain. I guess it was reassuring for us in a way. They called for us to go to her. Her face was extremely red from screaming and after trying to get her to calm down with no avail, we finally left. (She did drink some milk, so that was a good sign.)

The only thing that finally calmed her down was the little piece of candy cane I let her suck on in the car while we dropped her prescription off at Walgreens and ordered her breakfast at Sonic. She gladly ate the tater tots, but NOT from MY hand. They had to be eaten from her own hand.
Just like Ainslie to do things on her on terms.

After a 2 hour nap at home, she woke extremely happy with a smile on her face, asking for Edda. (This is Ella.) :) So, hopefully this tube thing is really going to help her out. Thanks for all the prayers!

Do You know what I mean?

2008-12-09T19:24:00.003-06:00

When I say I was playing "heads or tails" with my toilet bowl yesterday?
Um, well if you don't, lucky you. I must admit. It took 30 years for me to experience that kind of illness and I hope it takes AT LEAST another 30 years before I experience it again. Hopefully I won't be 2 weeks away from having a baby either.

guh.

no pictures available, or wanted for that matter!

Bleeding Heart. Bleeding Nose?

2008-12-05T16:41:00.005-06:00

As I was flipping through the channels this past weekend, I came upon "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" on T.V.

"Stop here, Mommy. I want to watch this," Ella told me.

I was getting excited that she wanted to watch a great old holiday classic. We came in on the part where Rudolph is trying out the reindeer games for the first time. His nose was covered in black and he was talking funny. Then it started making that "woo woo" noise. The black part popped off and shone bright red. (We all know how this goes, right?) The other reindeer start making fun of him and even Santa gives him the cold shoulder.

"I don't want to watch this anymore, Mommy."
"Why, Ella? Don't worry, they are making fun of him, but he's OK, just watch."
"No, his nose is bleeding, I don't want to watch it anymore."
"Ella, his nose is shining like a light bulb. But, he's gonna help Santa, keep watching."
"Oh, no Mommy, his nose is bleeding. I don't want to watch it anymore."

Ainslie's tubes... if only I meant TUBE TOPS.

2008-11-27T14:45:00.002-06:00

Ainslie went to the E.N.T. last week after finishing her 6th round of antibiotics since late June for chronic ear infections. Last Tues. the Dr. recommended her for tubes and told me that even though she just finished antibiotics on Thurs, that she has some clear fluid in her right ear.
By yesterday -- even though there was no sign of fever -- Ainy Poo started tuggin' on both ears and running into things. So, I made a precautionary, "Let's go see Dr. Broussard before you get sick over Thanksgiving weekend and there is not much we can do about it" visit yesterday.

Low and behold -- double ear infection, again -- less than a week later. Guh. So, at least we went and now she's on antibiotics AGAIN, and we hope she'll be well enough at her Pre-Op on the 4th and make it to surgery on the 11th, so we can get it over before baby boy comes on the 22 and Christmas shortly after. (Yes, people, my plate is full!)

Please pray that her ears clear up enough to get her tubes -- and then hopefully on to healthy and happy times. Brian's only fear is that with her equilibrium back to normal she might be even BETTER at climbing things like the couch and the dinning room table. Guh!

11.17.2001

2008-11-20T12:11:00.007-06:00

I got the 7 year itch...not really. More like the "8 months preggers itch."

Brian and I quietly celebrated our 7 year anniversary on Monday. We went out to eat at Carrabba's and then to the mall to buy some gifts for each other! Nice! Quiet! Kid-free!

Kid-free indeed, but funny thing is, we spent most of our time talking about how much we love our kids and how weird life would be without them here. Brian even brought up how he wants more kids... "I know NOW is not exactly the best time to talk about it to you," he said to me in the car. However, my favorite thought about our whole reflection on our marriage and life together is when I mentioned to Brian how very different we are NOW than when we first married.

"Yeah." Brian said. "I guess marriage makes you a 'bigger' person."
Uh, yeah. Several SIZES bigger.... literally. :)

Ready? I think not.

2008-11-11T12:02:00.002-06:00

I'm starting to reconsider my thoughts on a "bright" future with my boy. I don't think I am ready for it. I might should refer to it as my "stinky" future.

During lunch duty today, I saw three boys shoving food in their faces and laughing loudly. One kept turning his back on the other two, while the one on the opposite end kept leaning down.

"You can't POSSIBLY be doing what I THINK you're doing, are you?"

They burst out in laughter.

Yes, they were smelling his farts. HOLY COW. I don't think I am ready for a boy!
Now, I could convince myself that MY SON will be like .5% of the other boys at my school. Well behaved and quiet -- one who would never use the words "poop, fart, booty or heiney" in school. But, if you know my husband and what he's already done to my 3 year old GIRL, you'll know this is an unrealistic expectation!

Free Starbucks and the "Beautiful Hotdog."

2008-11-04T20:02:00.003-06:00

I left work frantic today, worried that I'd have to wait in a sea of people for a gazillion hours just to vote. I got two surprises instead....

I rolled into Miss Carey's to pick up the girls, so I could drop them off at Mom's and go vote. Ella and Ainslie greeted me crankily, as neither had a nap today. (I guess they were on strike, much to Miss Carey's dismay.) As Carey tried to tell me about what happened during the day, Ella was trying to warily get my attention and started crying. As I asked what was wrong she mentioned something about a hotdog. Then, Carey realized what she was upset about. She walked over to the dinning room table and handed me this.

Yes, people, its the end of a hotdog. The end of a hotdog that Ella refused to eat, because she wanted to show it to me, she thought it was beautiful. (The plaid background is my pajama pants.) I love my artsy daughter, we are sensitive, kindred spirits.

After dropping the gals off at my Mom's and thinking I'd wait in a sea of people to vote, I walked in, NO WAITING and voted. WOO HOO! Then I rolled through the Starbucks drive thru for a FREE-post-voting-tall cup of coffee.

Amid the nice surprises, the bad news is, my girls are sick. Ella has a 102 fever tonight and Ainslie has lost her voice, which I am sure is associated with some time of ear drainage, so I guess it's a day at home for me tommorow. Boo!

FAT BOY!

2008-11-04T19:34:00.004-06:00

Brian and I went for our 3rd and final ultrasound of our son this past week. The next time we see him with be in the operating room! (Pardon the late posts, I am trying to play catch-up.)

FAT BOY weighs approximately 4 lbs 12 oz, hence the name, "FAT BOY." (I am not so sure he enjoys this name, as he is kicking the living daylights out of my while I type this.) The good news is, that even though he MAY have to wear "husky jeans" in the early years of his life, my BEST FRIEND, Ms. Rooney, is having a girl (YAY!) in March, so FAT BOY will have a built-in girlfriend, whether "Princess Barbie" likes it or not. ("Princess Barbie" is the name Ella gave Rooney's girl the other night when we asked her what we should name her.)

Fat Boy's DVD is SO COOL! You can actually SEE his eyes open and close and its funny to see him opening his mouth wide, biting on his arms and trying to get his toes in his mouth. Our sonogram tech was even able to show us the little fat rolls forming on his legs and the hair on his head. I think he's going to be hair like Ainslie. He even looks like her to me with those chubby cheeks!

We are HALLO-WEENIES

2008-11-04T19:08:00.007-06:00

So, I guess we were party poopers last Friday night. Ainslie still hasn't really been up to par with her ear issues, so we got in the wagon and went to 5 measly houses. But, Ella thought she got LOTS OF CANDY! The supreme highlight of her evening is when her Daddy taught her to say, "Trick or treat, smell my feet!"

Here are some pics of "Strawberry Shortcake" and the "Kitty Cat."

ZOO BOO! 2008

2008-10-26T16:07:00.005-05:00

The Lil' Moran family enjoyed our tradition of ZOO BOO today. We took Ella her first and second year, but had to pass with Ainslie just a week old last year. We had so much fun today and got to break in the new wagon that Grammie and Grumpie got Ainslie for her birthday! Hope you enjoy your week!

OINK! OINK! OINK!

2008-10-23T12:19:00.002-05:00

In the dark on the way to work today, I spotted a trailer of black pigs in front of me.

"Look, El, can you see those pigs?"
"What pigs, Mom?" (yes, she calls me 'Mom' now. boo hoo....)
"The ones in front of us. See them, its dark, its hard to see them."

"OINK! OINK! OINK!" (at the top of her lungs.)

"What are you doing, El?"
"I'm talking to those pigs. I don't know why they don't look at me."
"It's because they can't hear you."
"Why, Mom?"
"Because the windows are up and its raining."
"Oh."

Our car turns left, the pigs turn right.

"Where are the pigs going, Mom?" Worrying about the truth of that answer I say, "I don't know."

"What is that smell, Mom?"
"A skunk."
"What is a skunk?"
"A black and white animal that sprays stinky stuff when they are scared."
"What is he scared of?"
"I don't know."
"It's probably the farmer."

I love 3 year olds.

For the love of Ainslie Hope

2008-10-20T12:10:00.007-05:00

Brian and I celebrated our second baby's first birthday last Saturday. She officially turned 1 a week ago. I wish I could have blogged about it sooner, but she and I have been sick with some sort of virus/constant ear infection/allergic reaction to the antibiotics since last week. That and being dog tired from being 7 months pregnant has occupied most of my free time

With this party especially, there was something about trying to prove that I love my other children as much as my first. It makes me silly! I don't know exactly WHO I am trying to prove it to, I guess maybe Ainslie when she is older. Although I tried my best, I can't say that the party was as big as a bang as Ella's first. But, I made the cake and the treat bags and the 1 year video and went with it. I think she had fun, other than being sick and conking out before present time. My new tradition is going to always let all the kids open the baby's presents their first year. :)

God is Everywhere? Everywhere!

2008-10-15T12:36:00.003-05:00

Ella has REALLY been into talking about God lately. We talk about how He is EVERYWHERE.
She mentioned one night that He was in the kitchen changing into his pajamas. (my personal favorite. I should have asked what His PJs looked like!)

She also points to Him and talks about him while we're driving in the car. He's usually in the sky on the clouds.

This morning Ella said, "Mommy, God is in your purse."

Ok, yes, Ella. I suppose He IS in my purse. HE IS EVERYWHERE!
Maybe I should clean out the goldfish crumbs and old receipts outta there....

Why I am not meant to teach in this day and age.

2008-10-04T14:56:00.003-05:00

Third Grade Class:

Boy: Boys are better than girls. We can do more than girls and we are smarter.

Girl: Nu, uh. We can do just as much.

Boy: No you can't. We mow the lawn and take out the trash. Girls don't do that.

Mrs. Moran: Girls can do ALL that, and girls have babies. Can boys have babies?

Boy: No.

Girl: Mrs. Moran, last week on EXTRA! They had a story on a man who had a baby.

Sheesh!

I wish I had...

2008-09-29T21:02:00.003-05:00

...more time in my life to blog. But, I need sleep more than I need to record the thoughts on my life.

Good Day, Sunshine...

2008-09-16T21:35:00.003-05:00

While "living like a refugee," we've had it pretty cushy. Forget the basics of electricity and water, we're talking beautiful Dallas area days with shopping and fun!

Ok, I know we're spoiled. Here are some fun pics from our time shopping the other day. Ella, Ainslie and the Bean, mixed with a beautiful day, proved to be more than I could handle with my camera. We had to stop for pictures.

"You don't have to live like a refugee..."

2008-09-14T19:31:00.003-05:00

...or maybe you do. I would love to blog about my life right now, about how I am temporarily living in my SIL's house in Dallas. However, the people that actually read my blog are most likely without power, so what is the point?

I am thankful that we came to the BIG D for SAM's party, we might not have done so if it wasn't for her, especially after our "RITA evacuation experience." But, the decision to leave has definitely made my family's life a little easier for the mean time.

More later.

Jammie time.

2008-09-03T21:32:00.001-05:00

Don't you just want to go cuddle on these babies? I do!

Why I Love Teaching Art...

2008-08-30T07:36:00.003-05:00

... because I get to really "talk" to the kids, and hear funny things.

Here are some of the funny things I heard this week.

Kinder: (While lecturing in the front of the classroom:) "Wow, you have really big arms."
Ok, maybe I don't like that one!

1st Grade: (While walking past a table full of boys:) "The only girl I've ever seen naked is my Mamma."

2nd Grade: (While introducing myself to the class:) "Didn't you teach PE last year? Why are you teaching ART now? Do you know about ART?"

3rd Grade: (While explaining that I was having a baby and would be out in Jan and Feb:) "You're having ANOTHER BABY? When are you going to STOP?!?"

I guess by the time they get to 4th grade they have a little more of a filter on them.

Ah, there it is...

2008-08-26T11:09:00.003-05:00

The joy and excitement of the first day of school came for me, on Tuesday.

I was worried that I had lost my zest for teaching yesterday. I didn't stay up all night the night before the first day of school. I didn't even pick out what I was wearing for the first day. I came in "on time," not early, for the first morning. I thought it might be me being pregnant and all, but I remembered I was even further along last year than this year.

I couldn't quite put my finger on the reason why I wasn't excited....but, today it came during Kindergarten.

All morning I used a specific analogy to explain WHY I didn't want kids to RUSH through their artwork. I began with asking them a question. "If I made you brownies, how would you rather have them made? In the oven or the microwave?" Everyone said oven. Then I went on to explain that when we make artwork, we don't want to be MICROWAVE artists, we want to be OVEN artists and take our time and do a good job.

This analogy worked AWESOME until I got to kindergarten. When asking the question, the answer came back unanimous, "the MICROWAVE!" "Why?" I probed. "Because they'd be done faster," one kid replied. Leave it to a Kindergartner to leave holes in my theory. "But, it would taste bad," I said.

After explaining they'd get to paint with water and paintbrushes in art this year, the kindergartners broke out in spontaneous applause laced with several "Yays!"

Then, before class was over several of them asked where their brownies were.....

Hmmm.... I love teaching!

Back into the Swing of things.

2008-08-24T17:06:00.002-05:00

This past week was a week-long stint of meetings and planning for Brian and I. We were fortunate enough to have my grandparents watch Ella and Ainslie until Thurs. Then, the girls we're taken to their new daycare for the first time on Friday.

I think they did pretty good. I warned Ms. Carey and Ms. Melissa that Ella might not be that enthusiastic about eating her first day. Sometimes it takes her a while to get used to a new environment, and she doesn't always eat so well. I called at lunchtime to check. After playing outside and jumping on the bounce house, she'd come in and had 2 hot dogs and a bowl of mac and cheese. I guess she felt pretty comfortable. ha ha Ha....

Ainslie did OK. She didn't eat or sleep that well all day, but I guess that is to be expected. It's good that both girls have kids their own age to play with, but unfortunate that Ainslie doesn't have the one-on-one attention she got used to this summer. But, I think she'll get into the swing of things eventually.

I didn't even worry too bad last Friday. I held each of the girls in my arms for a while that morning. Prayed for them to be safe, feel loved and have fun at their new daycare, and somehow that put me at peace.

What makes me full of unrest? The fact that my newly-turned 10 month old is full-fledged walking now. It's scary and funny all at the same time. I'll have to post pictures soon.

Ainslie is 10 Months!

2008-08-18T19:29:00.006-05:00

My lil' Ainslie is growing up so much. Aside from developing her own "unique" personality, (if you've been around her lately, you know what I mean) she's physically making leaps and bounds. Her knew record for I.S.T. (Independent Steps Taken) is 10. She even had fun showing off for Dr. Broussard and her nurses last Friday.

She is also starting to warm up to strangers a little more, even smiling at them when deeming them worthy. Your worthiness is totally up to her discretion, as she is showing us more and more that she has quite a mind of her own. Ain also displays her Irish temper when you don't do what she wants you to. She is quite a hoot for only being on the earth 10 months! Roon put it right when she said that Ain seems to be an "old soul."

The Backyardigans LIVE!

2008-08-18T17:49:00.007-05:00

Thanks to Grandpa Moran and his work, Brian and I were able to take Ella to see BACKYARDIGANS LIVE!

Ella had an amazing time while Mommy and Daddy had just a "time" fighting through crowds of toddlers throwing temper tantrums. It truly gave us a new appreciation for our 3-year-old's ability to maintain civility in public. We became keenly aware of how UNCOMMON this is. And, I have a feeling that Ainslie will have a chance to bring us back to toddler reality sooner than we'd like.

Ella danced and sang from her seat, waved her fairy wand in the air and had great time! Daddy and I had fun watching Ella, mainly. Don't get me wrong, Backyardigans has the best kid's music on T.V. right now. It's just hard to enjoy Backyardigans Live! when you've witnessed WICKED at Gershwin Theatre on Broadway, but I digress....

The Snowflake... has a Candy cane?

2008-08-14T03:20:00.005-05:00

Today was the exciting 20-week appointment for Brian and I. We went in knowing we'd have an ultrasound and hopefully find out the sex of our newest baby. And to be honest, this ultrasound was different than others in so many ways.

As we got into the ultrasound room, I became nervous about the health of our baby. I guess after seeing so many people have difficulty getting pregnant and having healthy children, I sometimes wonder if I am pushing my luck and that soon the luck will run out. (There was an actual point, about 5 minutes into the ultrasound that I was convinced our child had developed no legs. Yes, thanks R.I. you're rubbing off on me!) But then, the rational part of me realizes these are God's blessings in my life, and I couldn't do anything GOOD enough to actually EVER deserve them, so I am just going to receive these little blessings!

There was also a part of me that considered this "old hat."

We'll go in, they'll smear this goop on my tummy, we'll see that cute baby, then she'll say "It's a another girl!" and Brian will say, "It's another wedding!" But, today my little girl had something strange between her legs!!!! (Yes! Thank God, there are legs!)

I can't believe we are having a little boy!
And aside from the "obvious," look at his cute little profile!

After our appointment, Brian and I went across the street to eat a quick lunch at Wendy's. Near the end of his meal he took a big scoop of left-over frosty, dumped it into his chili cup and mixed together. "This is what boys do," he said. Yippee! I can't wait!

New School Clothes

2008-08-07T10:53:00.002-05:00

Old Navy has great maternity clothes. Bri and I shop online there a lot. And, when you get your clothes in a box on your doorstep, its kinda like Santa visited and left you a Christmas present! :)
I usually don't get so excited about clothes, but I feel I made some good purchases and I am excited about wearing something: A) New and B) Fits and will grow with me as I grow.

Rooney and I also found some cute things at JC Penney last night. She got a cute pair of capris for $10! Wow! Score, Rooney!

I guess that is one of the upsides of "back to school" time. New outfits!

An open letter to...

2008-08-06T09:15:00.006-05:00

Slander requires commenting on a person's name or business when speaking ill or publishing something about them. Which, I have not done. While I have expressed my feelings about the subject of my daycare, I have never shared with my readers the name of that business or its owner.

Furthermore -- The amount paid for holding my children's spots in the summer was a figure offered by my daycare provider at the time. I committed no coercion to get a lower deposit price, I was only paying what was asked of me.

I have no problem paying for good daycare. In fact, I had no problem paying a higher rate for my oldest child after I was told her rate would not be raised. No problem.

I hope this clears up any misgivings you have about me our my character. Not that it matters, since I don't know you and can't respond to you personally.

Scathing Review

2008-08-05T12:54:00.002-05:00

As I have been searching for some answer to daycare for my children, I have been extremely nauseated about it. It literally makes me sick to my stomach. And, I don't know what feeling makes me more sick. The thought of having to leave my babies with someone I don't know, AGAIN. Or, the anger I am still feeling toward my old babysitter, the one who has about as much professionalism, communication skills and loyalty as a roll of half-used toilet paper. (OK, weird analogy, but it was the first thing I thought of.)

I thought that leaving a bad review (just after the first GOOD REVIEW I gave her about a year ago) on a yellow pages site would make me feel better. But it didn't. I don't know what else to do other than keep praying for a solution and the right words to say to her when I finally decide its time to have the talk.

It takes all the energy I have NOT to call her and tell her off. Or to make signs and post them all over the city, telling everyone what a fink she is.

If anyone knows me, they know what a champion I am to something I like, or believe in. When I first discovered my old babysitter, I put up signs for her in my workplace. I sung her praises, I got her clients. And where did it get me? Kicked out! GRrrr.... Please pray that I can get over this and get on to find someone even better for my children, and for my sanity!

We Won the Swim Teacher Lottery! Twice!

2008-08-04T19:23:00.002-05:00

Today was Ella's first day of second session swim class. We are so excited that she gets to have Miss Jenn again! We didn't plan it that way, but we sure feel blessed!

We got there a little late today and when I told Ella to get into the pool at the stairs, she was hesitant. I guess she was surprised by having different kids in the class with her. Last time the other kids were her age, this time they are older. I think it MIGHT have something to do with the fact that one of the kids was wearing a bright blue swim cap. I think it threw her off a bit. It was kinda funny.

On our way home, I heard Ella singing. I turned down the radio. "Oooh. I'm no Superman."
She was singing it over and over. Maybe Brian and I watch too much SCRUBS!

The Surprise Wedding!

2008-08-03T21:23:00.003-05:00

Jessica, one of my best friends in the whole world got married last night.

It was THE COOLEST wedding I've ever been too! It was a surprise!
We got an invitation to a house-warming party about a month ago. When guests got there, they walked into the house and saw tables and chairs set like a wedding reception and a Wedding Cake! Wow!

It was beautiful, and I must say, my friend could NOT have picked a better person for her. He is amazing and loves her so much. You can tell.

Congrats, Jessi and Gian. Now surprise us with some babies! :)

Are You Kidding Me?!?!

2008-08-03T21:18:00.003-05:00

I opened my browser tonight and this cute little YAHOO graphic was on my homepage.

Do I REALLY NEED this kind of pressure!?

Do I REALLY NEED to be reminded that I have to back to work soon!?

Thank, A LOT YAHOO! Phooey!

Far and Away

2008-08-01T10:51:00.013-05:00

I didn't realize how much I enjoy writing new posts and reading all my friends blogs, until I don't have time to do it anymore! Fortunately, the whirlwind is slowly coming to an end and I am happy to say that we are settling into our new life in our new home.

Brian and I are blessed to have quickly found someone to rent our house, and hopefully, that is a little burden off our backs. Now, to get all this "stuff" into our new house and put away.

The past week has been fun and crazy! My SIL and her 3 kiddos came to stay for several days. Yes people, count it down: 5 kids: ages 4, 3, 2, 1, and 9 months! KC really helped out watching the girls as Brian and I worked on the old house. After they left yesterday, it made 2 kids seems so quiet! :) I guess I got used to 5 running/crawling around here. We had lots of fun, so I thought I'd post some pictures.

C & Ainslie

A & Ella

Ella and The Mighty B in the Great Cheese Stack!

Dave came down one night so KC and he could attend an award ceremony for his sister, Jane. We watched the kids for them, but the most fun part was getting to do KC's hair and make-up. It was my first attempt at an adult up-do and it was crazy! KC has A LOT of hair! :) But, she looked beautiful with those 3 million bobby pins in her hair!

In other news: I am still looking for daycare. My sister's friend, Julie has volunteered to watch them until September for me, but I am still looking for the right, permanent fit for our family. Please keep praying! Thanks!

MEME

2008-07-24T22:34:00.004-05:00

What were you doing 10 years ago?
I was in school, majoring in one of the various majors I “went through” at the time. I was BIG TIME active in Church and working as a Nanny.

Favorite Snacks
Dell Dixie Dill Pickle Hamburger Slices
Rocky Road Ice Cream
Brownies
Chips, Salsa and Queso

To Do List
Sign Ella up for Swim lessons in the AM.
Finish Cleaning out the old house.
Completely move in to my new house.
Have a garage sale on Sat.
Get the old house ready for Rental.
Find a new daycare/babysitter.

Jobs I Have Had
Pappasito’s Hostess
Checker/Stocker at Media Play
Waitress
Nanny
Church Secretary
Youth Minister
Graphic Designer
Art/PE Teacher
Face Painter
Muralist

Places I Have Lived
Pasadena, Northshore, Humble, Spring, League City, The Woodlands, Conroe, ALL TEXAS!

Bad Habits
Procrastination
Picking at pimples – (If you’re gonna confess, Rhonda, so am I!)
Eating crap foods too much
Putting on makeup while driving
Talking too much

5 Random Things People May Not Know
1. I met my husband while working a part time stint as a face-painting elf at Christmas Time.
2. I sleep with the same baby pillow, “puffy pillow” that my Memaw made me when I was a baby, even though it smells like maple syrup. (Much to the disgust of my husband.)
3. I once got “revenge” on someone by pouring saline solution all over their retainer. (Not enough to harm, just enough to annoy. I know, I’m dumb.)
4. I have a Life “To Do” list. Some of the items include: Working as a Graphic Designer, Art Teacher, Photographer, Children’s Book Author. Donating my hair to Locks of Love. See the Grand Canyon. Go to Scotland.
5. I won Columbia University's Gold Circle Award for Editoral writing when I was in college. The article was about Crayola's 100th Anniversary in 2003. I also had a column in my college newspaper called "Written in Crayon." This all happened while I was serving as the paper's photographer. One day a reporter didn't get his article in on time, next thing you know, I have my own column. FUN!

CD's I Would Want If Stranded On An Island:
Tori Amos – Little Earthquakes
Billy Joel – all his CDs
Christopher Cross
Bread
Five for Fighting
Phillips Craig and Dean
Stephen Curtis Chapman

What I'd Do If I Were A Billionaire
Pay off my house/Debt
Pay off our grandparents and parent's houses/debt
Pay for as many IVFs as my SIL and Kahla wanted
Fund my sis’ business and build her a KICK BUTT KITCHEN!
Have more kids/adopt, then travel the world and teach them all kinds of cool stuff!
Build my own Art/Photography studio.
Donate to my home church, March of Dimes, Still Birth Research, Start a Campaign to bring down WALMART!

Happiness...

2008-07-24T19:55:00.005-05:00

Here are some pictures from my birthday. This is when my SIL and niece, "The Bean" came down from Garland for my surprise party. We spent the next day at the mall, trying to beat the heat!

WOW FACES!

HAPPY CURLY COUSINS!

AIN & AUNT SAM ON THE CAROUSEL!

Apparently...

2008-07-24T15:45:00.002-05:00

...loyalty means nothing anymore. And, I'd like to go into this in more detail. But, seeing as I am SUPER UPSET about the situation right now, I might say things I regret.

Please pray for our family, we are in need of daycare and I am a nervous WRECK!

If you know of anyone in the Conroe area who is looking to provide daycare for 2 children (and a 3rd after January) please let me know. I might also be interested in someone coming to the house and being a "nanny" of sorts. So, if you know someone, PLEASE let me know

Through HER eyes and out HER mouth...

2008-07-22T14:46:00.016-05:00

We spend the majority of our child's quiet beginnings wondering what they think about things. Do they like the way that tastes? Do they like cuddling as much as we do? Do they prefer the color blue or red? It seems as of late I am starting that all over again with my Ainslie. She has what you might call a "baby poker face." She isn't quite as expressive as Ella is, and I sometimes wish I could tap into that little head of hers. Its quite apparent that the wheels are turning, (and usually in a direction that leads to trouble for me) but it's a mystery until the dog howls, the channel on the TV mysteriously changes or an electric plug gets licked.

My Ella on the other hand is developing her speech at such a rate, that there isn't much we don't know about what she thinks, how she feels or how she sees her world. It's funny how we spend so much time wishing our babies could talk to us, and then when they do, we spend most of our time telling them to be quiet, or use their inside voice. I guess if I just developed the ability to let everyone know exactly how I feel, I'd be loud about it too.

Back when I was a late teen I worked at a daycare. My favorite and longest stint there was taking care of the 3-turning-4-year-olds. I mainly loved it because that is the age you get the freshest view of the world. "Fresh from God, but old enough to speak," I guess. You never know whats going to come out of their mouths, and I used to love to come home and tell my Mom all about the funny things the kids would say to me. And now that I have a 3-year-old of my own, its even more fun!

About 2 weeks ago, on our way to VBS, we were stopped at a red light at an overpass. "Mommy!Mommy! Look! Teeth," I heard Ella yell from the backseat. Teeth? Where on EARTH could there anything out here that looked like teeth?

Then, I figured it out. Paint roll marks in a pattern on the side of the overpass bridge DO look like teeth, but what adult would think that? (FYI: I wasn't so good as to whip my camera out right then, but I did think about it later and decided I should take a picture to remember it later! It was at a red light, don't worry!)

That same week Ella spent every afternoon walking through the church parking lot at VBS talking about cookie crumbs. It took me about 2 days to realize that she was talking about the gravel that made up the church parking lot. I spent most of my adolescent life walking in and out of that parking lot and my Ella spends 1 second and notices "cookie crumbs."

As much as it saddens me, I know she'll outgrow this phase. Too soon, I imagine. I can only hope she holds on to that wonderful point of view for as long as she can.

Wow!

2008-07-21T22:02:00.003-05:00

Will wonders never cease? I amazed at life sometimes.....
Hope your day was blessed. Mine was. :)

Moving Pregnant In the summer...

2008-07-18T15:37:00.003-05:00

....totally reeks. I mean it. But, taking a cue from Kahla and Roon, here are the things I am thankful for.

1. Healthy babies -- even if I wish they WEREN'T so mobile at times.
2. New house!
3. Hard working husband.
4. Great Best Friends.
5. Supportive Mom with great decorating sense.
6. Air Conditioning.

Surprise! We're Moving!

2008-07-15T23:12:00.001-05:00

Well, after a lot of searching and praying, Brian and I closed on our new house today. I haven't advertised very much about the new house out of fear it would fall through and we'd be stuck here for a while. However, God has blessed us and now if he'll just help us through the move! Tommorow is painting day. I'll post pictures soon!

Yay! Yay! Yay!

Big 3-0!

2008-07-14T18:11:00.003-05:00

Well. I turned 30 today. My family and friends surprised me yesterday with a party at my FAVORITE place to eat, CARRABBAS!

Brian tricked me and told me he would take me yesterday AND today. Piggy, I know. But, I was gettin' jived on going twice! Blame it on pregnancy. Anyhoo -- I am happy to say that going once with friends and family is just as good as going twice (especially when your S.I.L. gives you her leftovers!) Hee heee hee. JK.

After a sleepover with Sam and the Bean last night, we headed to Ella's swim lessons today and then to the mall for lunch and a carousel ride. It was a nice, relaxed birthday, even if it was EXTREMELY hot!

My thoughts on being 30:
Having a birthday that ends in an "0" is a lot like attending a funeral. It really makes you think a lot about where you have been in your life, and where you are going. And A WHOLE lot has changed for me since my last "0" birthday. Meeting the love of my life, Marriage, College Graduation, "real" job, my puppy, My 2 babies, my 3rd pregnancy.... it seems like the meatiest part of my life has happened in the last 10 years: the get up and get going part. I can only imagine what the next 10 years will bring. I can only hope to be so blessed.

God Loves Me!

2008-07-12T19:54:00.001-05:00

Ella told me out of nowhere today, "Mommy, God loves you."
Ella Grace, you are proof that He indeed does! :)

Held up.

2008-07-12T03:45:00.006-05:00

Just know your being held up in prayer. I know the day is getting closer and God is reminding me more and more to hold you up. I woke up and its 3:45 am and I can't get you off my mind. There is this song, I haven't heard in years, but parts of it are running through my mind while I think of you.

"He gives beauty for ashes, strength for fear,
gladness for mourning, peace for despair."

I woke up overcome with a vision so powerful, I know it was more than a dream, it was the future. I woke up unable to breathe, the vision was so strong, I just laid there in bed, tears streaming down my face, holding my breath, struck by this vision of you.

Jesus was holding you in His arms, but you didn't hold him back. He had his arms wrapped around you and your head was on His shoulder. He was stroking your hair and rubbing your back like a Daddy comforts a hurt child. When he let His arms down I realized He had given you your son back. You were holding him in your arms and your eyes were full of tears. You held him and looked at him like a Mother looks at her child when she sees him for the very first time. And Henry was looking at YOU the same way. :) You caressed his hands and his face with wonder.

I realized that the tears I am crying for you right now are tears of joy. Tears of joy for what will come even as we don't understand where we are right now. Even though you are experiencing the very hardest thing a person can do: give God your child at the beginning of his life; God will give Him back. I know it, I've seen it. I can't wait to see it again!

Praise God!

The poop saga continues....

2008-07-11T13:01:00.003-05:00

I was changing Ain's diaper this morning and she had a little rash. My cream was in the other room. So, I cleaned her up and left her sans diaper to help air it out, I suppose. As I went to get the diaper cream, Ella yelled for help on the computer. I got sidetracked and 5 minutes later I came out of the computer room to get the cream. When low and behold I see my 8 month old munchin' down on her own feces. After a lot of screaming and freaking out, a call to my mom and a thorough bath, I realized it would be OK. I remembered that one of my nieces ate her own poop, and she's fine. :) Sorry, no video or film available of this event.

Swim Lessons & VBS

2008-07-08T11:59:00.004-05:00

Ella started swim lessons yesterday morning. She also began her week long VBS yesterday afternoon. While this all sounded AWESOME in theory a couple of weeks ago during planning, after two days in I have started to wonder why! :) The heat and hauling 2.5 babies is started to take its toll on me, and it only Tues!

Anyhoo -- some funny little stories from our experience so far.

Ella LOVES swim class! She learned how to blow bubbles in the water, and do the "cheese pizza." (You need to ask her to demo the next time you see her.) I didn't get to see everything up close, but I did overhear her telling her swim teacher Jenn that she couldn't put her face all the way under the water because it was to "sweaty." :) Ha ha ahha .... She did better today. After some coaching from Dad and a little pool side prayer with me before class, she did stick her whole face in the water -- once. Then, she told Jenn that was enough for today. She was too busy. After 10 minutes of class it started thundering and everyone had to get out of the pool. Ella did not take this well and started chanting RAIN RAIN GO AWAY! I guess she was expecting all the kids to join in.

Later that afternoon, we headed for VBS. Ella really had fun. There was assembly at the beginning where she sang and danced and saw puppets, then at the end they all came back to assembly to do it again. The first time, I sat with her in the pew at the front of the church. But, the last time, I let her sit by herself with her class. At one point, she decided to stand on the pew to dance. Her teacher told her to get down, so she did, but as soon as her teacher turned away, Ella tried to climb up on the pew again -- in swooped Mommy! I came the aisle and whispered in her ear, "NO MA'AM!" I am hoping this will set some sort of standard for Ella. That she will always think that I can see what she's doing and thinks twice before doing anything wrong. I can only hope. :) She was, of course, the tallest kid in her class, but she was very well behaved other than the pew incident. I think she's having fun. More later!

Ella and her Bucket of Treasures!