Ten Toes

I was playing with Dax. He is just now starting to find his toes. It is funny to watch his eyes as he looks curiously at these tiny tings at the end of his feet.

I told him, "Look, Dax! You have ten toes. Five toes on this foot (as I touch his toes) and five toes on this foot."

Then I look over and see Ainzley. Oh my Ainzley. Such a sweet, curious little heart that brings me to tears with joy and laughter so often!

Ainzley was sitting on the floor counting her toes. Oh my, it was so adorable. She counted each toe just to be sure then came to count Dax's toes.

Oh this is what life is about. Watching your babies connect, seeing the joy and wonder through a child's eyes.

This is what I was made for.

A Job Well Done

We have been working really hard on being thankful for the food laid in front of us and not fussing about it. Really hard.

Okay, the truth is that this mama got her feelings really hurt after too many "yuck," "eww," and the dreaded gag noises! I had enough. I had cooked one night with a particularly fussy baby on my hip and the meal was hard to make. I made this particular meal because I thought the kids would love it and they all turned their noses up at the delicious soup their father had spent the day making.

I lectured them all on being kind, respectful, and to please just stop hurting my feelings. I reminded them that I am only human and that I would prefer that they just try the food, decide what they think, and move on. The end. No need to bring the running commentary describing their dislike for my food in detail.

It helped along with several reminders to please be more polite!

So, I served some new chicken chili.

{Back Story: Okay, I am avoiding beef due to Dax's allergies. I asked Wen to get me ground turkey for our chili (cause I was craving chili). He picked up turkey breakfast sausage by accident instead. So, I boiled some chicken, put it in the food processor to grind it up, then put that into the chili. I think it is yummy!}

Back to my story. I laid the food out in front of them. I asked them to please taste it nicely, eat what they wanted on their plates, and be polite. We chatted a little.

I complimented Ainzley on finishing the chili and thanked her for being kind. (This girl is probably the most vocal about her dislikes of most foods.)

I then turned to Brijet and realized she had eaten her whole bowl of vegetables. I complimented her for eating all the veggies without complaint.

Ainzley responded, " Good job, Ainzley, on eating all of your chili. You ate the whole bowl!" 

Guess she had forgotten I already complimented her.

Family Skip Day

 

We decided we needed to get away from real life for a minute and just chill together. We had a little family skip day. We took the days off work and school, grabbed our little Groupon for a fun play place, and went to have some fun!

 

It was much needed. Some bonding. Some giggles. Some relaxation.

 

We tried our hand at new things and found some likes and dislikes.

 

Did I mention the place was empty? We did not have to wait in lines or take turns. It was nonstop go-go-go fun for all of us.

 

Dax loved being carried around in the Moby by daddy and seeing everything. The boy loves to be out and about. He especially loves when other people talk with him. :)

 

We had a blast!

Pain

Sometimes it comes out of hiding.

You think you are over it. You think you have moved on. You have worked so hard to try to forget it.

But pain persists. That deep pain brought on by a loved one.

Yeah, that kind.

It comes back up at an unexpected time, grabs you tight, takes your breath away, and brings those tears back to your eyes. Back come the memories, in excruciating detail, taking over your emotions and thoughts.

Take a minute, catch your breath.

Forgiveness and grace are not my strong suits, never have been.

Kindness, that is easy for me. That I can handle.

Forgiveness and grace I have to work exhaustingly hard at and then fail repeatedly.

Pain. Just. Plain. Sucks.

That's How We Roll

 

This makes for the prefect ride

{LOVE}

Holidays Always Sneak Up On Me

I know holidays fall on the same time each year. I know there is no changing that. Somehow, though, they always seem to sneak up on me!

 

I tell myself every year that I will be prepared for the next holiday and it never happens.

 

I even have Chinese lanterns I could have hung for celebrations this year. I know of cute crafts I could have done with the kids this year.

 

Yet, I prepared nothing. :)

 

That is just me.

 

Wen and I were talking late last night, laughing 'til I cried, stayed up way too late. Anyway, he mentioned that it was Chinese New Year the next day and that we should snap a family photo all wearing red. OOOH, you know I was all over that. Wen hates his picture being taken but he is smiling more in pics to appease me.

 

{I am loved, oh so loved}

 

We were busy all day, working, taking care of sweet baby (which is a massive job itself), chores, and grocery shopping. Forgot all about the picture. I remembered late, like after some were already in pjs! I asked all to please throw on some red and have a seat.

 

Everyone smiled nicely for me and made my heart happy!

 

 

From our family to your family, Happy Chinese New Year.

 

May you have a lovely year full of joy, kindness, and love.

 

{Maybe one day I will be prepared}