Bekah's two-point expository paragraph

Bekah wrote her first paragraph today! There are some form issues to take care of, but this is a fabulous start!

"I have two favorite animals. These animals are brown and blue. My first animal is a guinea pig because he is soft and kutly. My second favorite animal is a fish. He is my favorite because he does tricks. I like my two favorite animals because they are fun!"

Please take note of the drawings at the bottom. Super cute! Super proud mama!

We use Shurley Grammar and it makes grammar so easy! I wish I would have had Shurley Grammar as a kid! I would not have had to wait until after my Master's Degree to know about prepositional phrases.

Memorial Day 2011

First off, we got to sleep in until 10 am (thank you Phineas and Ferb for entertaining the girls for that long)! Then we got all dressed and went go flag hunting. After explaining the significance of this holiday, we decided to take a drive to see how many flags we could count. Initially, we were disappointed in the lack of holiday spirit shown in our town. Only 40 flags. That is, until we found a Memorial Day memorial to fallen soldiers in Oregon. Touching. I got teary eyed standing there, remembering why my husband REALLY had the day off. It brought it close to home to see a picture of a friend of Chuck's from his hometown. I was proud to tell the girls that they come from a long legacy of soldiers (uncles, cousins, grandparents). Final Flag count: 170!!!

We spent HOURS exploring a park in town. I've been to this park before, but this time was especially fun because the girls got to explore and I got to see the park through their eyes.

Geese, ducks, osprey.

Art.

Science (Rebekah was worried about all the litter,

so she headed a clean-up initiative amongst the family). The park has a scale model of the solar system. Pluto was miles away, so we only got to the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Earth, and the moon. Someday, we'll have to take a bike ride to see the whole solar system...

Tree climbing.

Playing catch with Dad.

What a great day!

P.S. when exploring in the Willamette Valley, don't forget your allergy medicine. This results in a migraine that lays you out for the rest of the day :(

Compared to Whom?

We often spend so much time comparing ourselves to others that we forget to measure ourselves up to Christ. When I look at others, I can pretend that I am righteous. When I compare myself to Christ, I know that I’m not saved by my good works, I am saved by HIM!

There have been times that I have been proud and self-righteous in so many areas. Not because I’m all that, maybe because I forget to realize that Jesus is my righteousness. When working with abusive parents, it’s easy for me to believe that I’m a great mother—doing everything right. In the past year, my circumstance has changed. I’ve been spending more time with parents that are “good parents”. Then I start the comparing game. But, DANG IT, they’re not who I’m supposed to comparing myself to either. It is CHRIST that I need to compare myself to. NO ONE ELSE. It’s about Him, not about me! I want to parent my children as Jesus would. Not so that God will love me more, be impressed with me, make my children successful. But to bring Him honor, glorify Him. And to teach my kids to do the same.

Do I compare myself to the "bad parents"? NO!

Do I compare myself to the "good parents"? NO!

Do I compare myself to Christ? Yes, please.

Recently, it's come to my attention that I haven't been speaking to and treating my children as Christ would treat them. I've had more days than not, of just putting up with them, being short, and annoyed by them. I've spoken to them in ways that I would NEVER allow them to speak to me, or others to speak to them. I'm asking for heavenly help to soften my heart toward them. There's a cliche that says that "knowing is half the battle." I believe it's more than half--it's probably MOST of the battle!

Movie Review :: Gnomeo & Juliet

Bekah and Maddy were invited to a Birthday party today. Leaving Izzy to a date with just Mom and Dad. We decided a movie was a great way to make the afternoon special. So, we made our way to the $1.50 theater in town. Izzy chose Gnomeo & Juliet over Rango.

Let me start by saying that I am in TOTAL support of movie makers creating Rated G movies! It just doesn't happen much anymore. And like the difference between 6 and 7 on my TV's volume, there's a huge leap between G and PG sometimes.

This movie is a re-make of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. There are the reds (Montague) and the Blues (Capulets), two families (these families are yard gnomes) feuding for generations. Of course, Gnomeo Capulet falls in love with Juliet Montague-- a forbidden love. The whole time, I'm wondering how they're going to make such a tragic love story into a kids' movie, but I was actually surprised how well they did it in a WAY LESS TRAGIC way (without ruining any endings for you). All in all a cute movie. I was quite impressed with this movie that received nearly no recognition or kind ratings.

There is one main problem, however, with this movie. It is a blatant love story. One with rebellion, full-mouth kisses, and the end of the world when it doesn't seem like it's going to work out. Cute for me and my not-so-interested-in-boys-in-that-way daughter. NOT cute for my 4 year old that is just plain boy crazy (who just happened to be at a princess Birthday party)! In the end, Chuck, Isabelle, and I agreed it was a good movie--worth our time and $1.50. However, not a movie I will be allowing my 4 year old to watch. She doesn't need any help getting ideas about love from the media.

You might think I'm overreacting. I'm pretty secure on this stance. Click here for a GREAT article that does a fabulous job giving reason for my stance on this issue.

“Don’t excite love, don’t stir it up, until the time is ripe and you’re ready.”~ Song of Solomon 2:7

Calorie Cutter :: Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese!

A family favorite: Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup (my kids like it best with quesadillas, but I prefer to have the bread soak up some tomato yumminess!)

I track all of my calories on livestrong.com (it works a lot like weight watchers--so I hear, but it's free!).

Today, I made my tomato soup with water instead of milk (a practice I've been at for a while). That saves about 40 calories per serving (1 cup of prepared soup).

The grilled cheese is where I REALLY cut the calories. I lightly buttered ONE slice of bread (I like Milton's Multi-grain bread) and toasted in the pan. I added finely shredded cheese (it covers more area with less cheese, equaling less calories!

Altogether, my lunch was 310 calories! The usual way would have been 550 calories! Look at me go!

Anyone else care to share a calorie cutter?

Journey of Health

About twice a year, I get uber motivated and start eating better, working out, and losing weight. I mentioned in a previous blog, that I was going to start training for a 5k (click here for a training plan)again. Well, I wouldn't say I'm motivated, so I guess I just have to fake it this time. I have GOT to do something about this. The girls did a couple of free tennis workshops through Willamalane and I love that they're learning to be active! But I can't teach them to be active and healthy if I'm not willing to do it myself.

At my heaviest, when I graduated from college in '03, I weighed 250 pounds. Between some hard work, and some sickly pregnancies, I managed to get down to 205. That was 9 months ago and I've gained about 15 pounds since that dreamy vacation to Jamaica (where I threw my new eating habits and exercise routines out the window). I had one meager attempt at it since then, but that ended quickly with yet another vacation.

Today, May 20, 2011, I determined to get to work, and to do it semi-publicly as a means of accountability. I used my elliptical for 30 minutes today burning 260 calories, running 2.3 miles. Then I spent 10 minutes doing some yoga stretches. I'd like to get it to where I can run 3.2 miles in 30 minutes on the elliptical (not sure how that will translate to running outside).

Notice the mess all around in the picture. There's laundry piled on the couch (in my defense, much of it folded), and kid toys on the floor. Since that stuff's not usually a priority anyway, why make it a priority over a good workout?

When I lose my first 10 pounds, I need some good running shoes. These ones make my feet feel numb well before the end of mile one and therefore, get thrown off. There's the short-term goal and the reward. When I'm below 200, Connie and I are going to the Cheesecake Factory in Portland (to SHARE a slice of cheese cake).

What are your goals (weight loss or otherwise)? What gets you motivated?

Top 10 quirky things / bad habits

By following blogs that have links to other blogs that have links to other blogs, I accidentally found a fun little blog in which the author posted her top 10 quirks and bad habits. From there, I found one that was in French! Thankfully, Google Chrome offered to translate it for me and it was super fun! Hope you enjoy! If you end up posting a Top 10 list, post a link in the comments, I'd love to read it (you know, after I've embarrassed myself)!

1. I crack my knuckles, back, neck, toes (if you can pop it, I will try). My favorite is my thumb. I always want to crack my neck, but then I do and get an instant headache. You think that would teach me, but it doesn't (obviously). Worse yet, if I see someone else do it, I can hardly resist the urge to do it myself. My mom tried to get the doctor to tell me it's bad for me, but he just said it gives the liquid in the joints time to move around (or something weird like that I'd never heard of before or since).

2. I develop really fun hobbies and habits. My most recent ones involve Non-fiction (currently, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day), pop-up card making (Jamie, one's coming in the mail soon), blogging (creating and following), Oregon Trail on Facebook, homemade cleaning products (I should probably blog about my homemade cleaning supplies), dream journaling (I often dream of being a princess), and Fox News. The quirky part is most of my hobbies only last about a week or two...

3. I love reality television! Current obsessions include Biggest Loser, Survivor, Amazing Race, and the Next Great American Restaurant. I am always waiting for a new season of Dr. Drew's Celebrity Rehab and The Bachelor!

4. I have the sense of humor of a 12 year old boy. I enjoy potty talk and fart jokes! Except when my girls don't know when enough is enough, or when I want the people around me to think I'm a better mother than that!

5. I like to psycho analyze strangers without even talking to them, be it a couple at a table across

the restaurant or a contestant on The Bachelor. Granted, I realize the inaccuracy of such diagnoses, but it's just a hobby). Jillian Michaels does it for me on the Biggest Loser, and Dr. Drew does it for me on Celebrity Rehab. I do not, however, make this a practice with people I hope to befriend (or already have), unless they seriously ask.

6. I love tan lines! I have some on my feet already which I am very proud of. At the same time, I am semi-fanatic about sunscreen. I do not want skin cancer.

7. The shower has the best acoustics for singing opera-ish.

8. I secretly love running, but I am terrible at it. Starting tomorrow, I am training for a 5k using my elliptical trainer. I know I can run 3 miles, but a year ago it took me nearly an hour to do so. This year, I am training for speed (as possible as that is or is not).

9. I LOVE playing with make-up and wearing dresses!

10. Caffeine apparently keeps me up waaaaaay too late! Thank you Dr. Pepper!

Chasing Lions at Midnight

Why can't I sleep?! Oh well, I have some shows on my DVR to catch up on, so I proceed to try to tire myself that way. I turn the TV off at a semi-reasonable time (after being assured that Olivia and Hannah will be in the final 4 together) and try to get some shut-eye. After about a half hour of tossing and turning, I realize why I cannot sleep. I'm chasing a lion! I've been reading a book by Mark Batterson, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day. Click here if you want to see the book And darn it if I finally figured out what my lion is, the thing that I've been cautious to pursue! But the chase is on. Once I realize that my lion is fighting back, I'm anxious to get to work in defeating it! I've been (very passively) working with my pastor to set up a counseling practice in our church, allowing me to pursue my counseling passions while still being home with my girls. For some reason, today, I realized there is a lot of work to get done to even be able to get to that point. There are tough questions I don't know the answers to, there are circumstances I'm sure I don't understand, there are risks, and I'm determined to get this lion wrangled. I'm choosing to write about this now, so that I can look back in a year and see what the Lord has done!

By the way, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day is a life-changing profound (but simple) book that I HIGHLY recommend to anyone wanting to strengthen their spiritual walk. I'm going to have to start reviewing all the books I've been reading (like the girls don't give me enough ammo!)

On another note, it wasn't until an hour after story time on the floor of the public library began, that I realized that Isabelle was not wearing underwear under her frilly Hello Kitty skirt. Geez, how many people noticed it before me?!

Naughty on Mother's Day

Mother's Day is so special, maybe because it's a personal holiday, yet publicly shared. I'm not sure why, but my Mother's Day is one I will not soon forget. I woke up to homemade gifts from my girls, and yarn spelling out "MOM LOVES" on my bedroom wall. Super cute. Extra Thoughtful. Great start!

The girls made me crafts during church, explaining what they love best about me.

• Maddy: "She plays with me. She took me to the carnival with her. She likes to swing with me. She makes cookies with me."
• Bekah: "She helps me ride my bike. She makes me breakfast. She helps me plant seeds. She lets me cook with her."
• Izzy colored a cute little cutout that said mom.

I'm thinking what you're thinking at this point, "I'm a great mom!" After lunch, I lie down to nap on the couch. Since it's raining out, the girls retreat to my bedroom to shout across the yard to the neighbor girl in her bedroom. I think this is pretty cute until I hear that a mermaid has "made it out the hole." Upon checking, I find a hole in the screen and the curtain rod shaped like a V. The girls are asked to go clean their room in order to make up for messing up mine. I must say, I have NEVER seen them work so well together and gotten their room clean so fast. Until I hear "Izzy, stop putting pudding on the mirror!" Well darn. The naughtiness continues.

I feed them a quick cheese sandwich and celery, and send them back to their room to do some school work. A little later, I see Bekah's head bound quickly from my room to her own. When I asked why she was in my room, she said it was because she couldn't open the bathroom door, so she went out my room. When I begin our bedtime routine, I find that this is not true. Bekah had been in the bathroom and wanted to leave the door shut because she didn't want me to see that she had done a building project in there with all of our toilet paper. After a quiet chat about honesty and honoring the Lord by honoring our parents, the girls commence a giggly sister slumber party of epic proportions, resulting in yet more consequences.

It took about 24 hours, but now I appreciate the humor of it all. Gosh darn it, it's funny (don't tell the girls I said so)!

Explore. Dream. Discover.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover"

~~Mark Twain

What things come to mind when you read this? What things are you keeping in the safe harbor?

20 years from now, I don't want to regret that I didn't take more time to kiss boo-boo's, make messy projects, play dress-up, listen to outlandish stories, make more forts, eat crazy foods at silly times, sing lullabies, paint fingernails, have tickle wars, go star-gazing, bike riding, or stop to smell the roses.

No one says to their grown children, "man, I wish I would have spent more time house-keeping." or, "I wish I would have stayed in bed longer/played on facebook/watched TV more." What is so important that I miss opportunities with my girls?!

• What is so difficult about stopping to hear Bekah explain to me the complexities of how the guinea pig is playing with his chewy toy?
• Why is it so difficult to pick up a hurt Maddy and just cradle her, sing to her, and make everything okay?
• Why is it so time consuming to get off the porch to give Izzy an underdog on the swing set?

Being more attentive to my children is something I want to be better at. Afterall, 20 years from

now, I want to be able to say that I did "Explore. Dream. Discover." at every opportunity with my kids! Plus, they are very entertaining and cute!

Seriously take a moment to consider how Twain's comment applies to you in this season of your life...