Finally, His Six Month Pictures (P)

I took a ton and I do mean a ton. This one just happened to be the best shot of the bear.
I like this one because it's very much Brady. He's always got that finger in his mouth.
Going to need a little more practice working with two kids...

Did you know?

Very interesting!!
1. What is America 's first line of missile interceptor defense that, protects the entire United States ? 49th Missile Defense Battalion of Alaska National Guard.
2. What is the only National Guard Unit on permanent active duty? 49th Missile Defense Battalion of Alaska National Guard.
3. Who is the Commander in Chief of the 49th Missile Defense Battalion of Alaska National Guard? Governor Sarah Palin.
4. What U.S. governor is routinely briefed on highly classified military issues, homeland security and counter terrorism? Governor Sarah Palin, Alaska.
5. What U.S. governor has a higher classified security rating than either candidate of the Democrat Party? Governor Sarah Palin, Alaska.

Mondays

I can’t say that I feel like I’m being swallowed whole but I definitely feel like my life is slowly eating me up. I feel like I can’t get on top of anything. My house, my family, my job, sleep, my purse (if you really want to know the state of my life take a look at my purse, I have what I need in there but there is also a lot of crap I don’t need and it’s hard to find anything.) I find it hard to believe God would care about my little daily activities like picking up dry cleaning or exercising. I’ve been told he does but how could HE even fit it all in? Seriously?!?! Prioritizing, right? Ya, I know, put the big rocks in first yadda, yadda, yadda. (thanks Franklin Covey for you’re handy dandy day planner that I never used.) First things first. Time with God would probably be good. So can any of you relate? Words of encouragement, advice, scripture, empathy? Anything’s welcome. Of course prayer is always appreciated. Does anyone else need/want prayer? Let me know.
Another thing. It's too bad when, after spending the weekend hanging out with your family, you say "I got nothing done". Tommy said that last night. I can't get mad, I often feel the same way.
Thanks Lord for the time together this weekend!!

Movie Review Time

Tommy and I finally got some "mommy and daddy" time this weekend. We saw the movie FIREPROOF starring Kirk Cameron (Another blast from the past, the NKOTB reunion tour hit the Cities this last week. Check out the friendly review http://roehls.blogspot.com/2008/10/nkotb.html ) The movie is about a firefighter named Caleb who finds himself on the verge of divorce. There are a couple of corny parts (it's slightly low budget) but there are a few good laughs too. Over all the movie is entertaining and has a AWESOME Christian message. I'm sure that many could relate to struggles the couple faces. There was one argument scene that I realized the theater was completely silent and I was almost holding my breath. (and no, it's not because the theater was empty, it was actually hard to find seats) There were several other scenes I found myself looking away a little because I was relating so well that I was a little ashamed. Anyway, if you don't want to spend $20 to see it in the theater check it out when it hits DVD. It's worth it.
http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/
(watch the trailer and PLEASE PASS THIS ON)
Did I mention that it is a little bit of a tear jerker too? Oh and for the guys out there. Tommy liked it too. He did admit he was a little nervous it was going to suck after the first 10 minutes, but it redeemed itself. Or should I say, Christ redeemed it. ;o)

Mr. Brady

It's 5 am and only one of us is where their supposed to be. Tommy's asleep on the couch, Haylie's in our bed and I'm here. ;o) That leaves Mr. Brady who's been a great little sleeper since his shots Friday. His 6 month appt. went well, he's ONLY 20 lbs. 10 oz. We thought he was going to weigh in at more, but 20+ lbs. is still pretty hefty. Ask my back. I'm glad he's a sturdy little guy. Last weekend I put Brady on the floor for some tummy time and then answered the phone. When I turned back around a minute later I saw Haylie standing on him. He wasn't really crying just whining a little and grunting. After screaming I offered a trade in places to see if she would like it but with me on top. Tempting sometimes...

A Whole New World

I still don't fully understand facebook and I'm struggling a bit with the concept (good/bad/ugly)...but I did find this interesting article.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/magazine/07awareness-t.html

The Garden Patch (S)

From My Quest Bible

James 1:2-5
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

So...God's word says to ask for wisdom right after it talks about enduring hardship and trials. Wisdom must be important to getting through. The note in the side bar of my Quest Study Bible:
'What kind of wisdom can we ask for (1:5)? We can ask for an understanding of who God is and what he is doing through the trials in our lives (vv. 2-4). Though our grasp of God and his mysterious ways will never be complete, we can gain wisdom we need, enabling us to persevere by giving us "eyes to see" what God wants and helping us face many trials.'

My Little Helper (V)

Distracted, as I often am, I turned around from clearing the table tonight to find Miss Haylie had taken over my duties of feeding Brady. Turns out, she's pretty good at it. Who knew the little girl that likes to try to gag her brother with her fingers would successfully be able to spoon feed him.

This I Just Have to Share

5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
a small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.
Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.
The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).
Mixed reviews, if you try it let me know what you think.

********Upon testing*********

Some of the reviews I read on the Internet said it was rubbery and tough. I found it to be more eggy. It really is more of a chocolate souffle than a cake. As I was making it I thought it seemed like an awful lot of egg for one tiny little serving. If you're going to try it FOR SURE watch your time. Mine was done in about two minutes or less (I have no idea what watt my microwave is...it's OLD) Ah well, it was a fun little experiment! At least the cup was easy to clean.

I did it!

I’m SO glad we had two kids. Yes, it’s crazy and in the beginning it felt down right insane, but I’m SO glad. Now that Brady has hit the fun and interactive age of six months, I beam for joy when I see them smile and laugh at each other. Of course it’s not all smiles and laughs but who’s keeping track? ;o) I remember is took about the same amount of time after Haylie was born to realize I had gotten what I wanted…a baby. In a way I’m jealous of their forming relationship but at the same time so proud of myself for ignorantly taking the leap. I did it!
God help us, I still hope we’re done! ;o) This might not say much about my life, but taking care of two kids is the most challenging thing I've ever done.

Thing One and Thing Two (P)

I've been booted. Miss Haylie has been up EARLY a couple of mornings this week and she's now asleep in my bed. I don't know what has got her up so early, it is rather unusual. Brady's back on some sort of a schedule waking up between 5 and 6am which is a little early for me but it works.
Brady is continuing to grow well. He's starting to sit up and eat baby food and rice cereal. As we all suspected, by his size, he's taken really well to eating food. There have been a couple of weird faces from newly introduced items but nothing has really come back out of his mouth. Speaking of items in his mouth, his toes have been added to his diet. This IS a little bit of a surprise to me considering his size, I didn't think it would be easy for him to get them up there, but like all babies, they have. He loves to smile and grab and I think most of all be mauled by his sister. Even though it does stress me out from time to time how Haylie is right in his face, he really seems to be handling it well. I can already see a bond forming. It's fun to watch. That is until Thing One hugs Thing two a little too tight. (Stole that line from an article I read in Parenting magazine).
I got a rare night out last night. On my way home I called the house and some wise guy decided to have his daughter answer the phone. It was OK, I like talking to Haylie and she's gotten so much better on the phone (no doubt has learned that from her dad.) She asked where I was and I told her. She of course repeated it, "the Mall? Why?" (Duh! She told on me! ;o)
"Mommy bought some jeans."
"For me?!?"
"No for mommy"
"WOW!" (And that's just what she said when I got them home too. Something I've taught her, how to be an encouraging shopping partner.)
She cracks me up telling stories with her big doe eyes and voice that changes pitch in the middle of a word. "And mommy Katie and daddy Tommer and Brady Pete and Haylie Mable and mommy Katie..." Her laundry list of names will often end up with duplicates. "That's Amy, Matt, Mason, Matt, Lukey, Masons house" The other thing that she does that makes me laugh is when she gets excited and starts jumping up and down. It reminds me of the time I was in charge of a session of Kids Club at LTF and I decided it would be a good idea to have the kids sell club members root beer floats. That was the first time I saw what sugar could really do to kids. Bouncing off of walls was not an exaggeration. Ah, the days of ignorance...

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Facts On Sleep

I get so tired! Ya, I know, we all struggle with getting enough sleep from time to time. If you're a parent, especially a mom, I'm sure it's more then once in a while. I'm not a great sleeper, it's true. I need to have darkness, quiet, comfort and have little to no interruption to have a good nights sleep (does this sound like having the planets a line? ;o). I learned that I need vigorous exercise not only for my waist line, but to sleep well. My husband only needs, well, to have his eyes shut. One of my hugest beefs is with the disregard my husband seems to have for my "problem". He's absolutely right that it's not his fault that I can't sleep, but sometimes I just don't feel like he cares. His alarm will go off in the early morning hours and he will not budge. He'll hit snooze for almost an hour after I force him to get up. His phone alarm will go off in the kitchen and he will not budge. His fire pager will go off and he will not budge. Our kids will scream, OK, he sometimes budges but usually only to wake me up. Why doesn't he budge? He certainly is a better sleeper then most, but I think he is actually sleep deprived as well. Yes, when he closes his eyes, he can fall asleep, but the amount of time he allows for his eyes to shut is pretty limited. Going to bed late, waking up early. In the long run we probably get the same amount of sleep. I try my hardest to get all the sleep I can and he tries his hardest to DO as much as he can. Whats worse is that he will never admit that he's tired and that it could actually be effecting him in any way. So what are the facts? I've done a ton of Internet research, usually when I can't sleep, and it seems that sleep is something that people overlook but is just as important to good health as diet and exercise. In fact I know I read somewhere that when trying to lose weight getting sleep is more important then getting up early to workout. Here's a link to WebMD, just a sampling of some of the info I've found... http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/important-sleep-habits . Not that I want to stress anyone out about not getting enough sleep so that they can't sleep (been there, done that) but I think it's good to know if you don't already. If you know about this stuff already, and still don't get enough sleep, I'll be praying for you too. ;o)

An Obsession?

Ever since one dreadful visit to the urgent care, Haylie has been obsessed with "checking butts". (A doctor there took a stool sample when we thought she had vomited up some blood.) It only got fueled from what she witnessed while accompanying me to my OB appointments when I was pregnant with Brady (I had to tell her the doctor was looking at my "private parts" which term was then added to her private medical practice at home as well.) It's been worth many laughs. I'm sure some day she'll embarrass the hell out of me when she trys to "check" someone elses butt when playing with them.
Haylie's pre-school teacher Miss Cori says shes a leader, making sure people are where their supposed to be and doing what their supposed to be doing. I asked if that was her nice way of saying she's bossy. She said no, but what is she supposed to say. ;o) I do love taking my 2+ year-olds directions. "Mom, you go hide and I'll come touch you with this flower and go 'coochie, coochie'". Well, I'm stealing moments here. I better get upstairs before Haylie starts sticking her fingers in Bradys mouth through the rungs of the crib.