tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34590054063049471672024-03-12T20:59:15.859-05:00Yes, and So Is My HeartBecause with three small children, it's more than my hands that are full.Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15812794591947746384noreply@blogger.comBlogger488125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3459005406304947167.post-25167407287605009732013-05-30T19:44:00.001-05:002013-05-30T19:44:32.055-05:00Smart Ants My first thought as I flicked an ant off the counter the other day was, "Smart little thing. If you go hungry here there is no hope for you. Absolutely no hope." That's because it doesn't matter if I clean my floors once or ten times a day, they are still fit for a feast for ants or even small children. (Though I really would rather parents of the latter didn't let their kids eat off the floor. I try not to let mine, most of the time anyways.)<br />
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So, as I mentally did the slow clap for those pesky little ants, I couldn't help but think back to how different my response was to ants in my kitchen earlier in my parenting years. I freaked out. Fuh-reeeaaaked out. I mean how could ants be in my kitchen. Surely my housekeeping skills were not up to par. I tore apart my pantry in an effort to containerize every last particle of food so the dreaded ants wouldn't taint our food supply. I'd say that's rather the opposite of how I responded this week. The same can be said for my life in general. <br />
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One of the best things about getting older is gaining perspective. As each year passes, it becomes harder and harder to worry about some of those little things that used to make me crazy. That's a good thing, because I have to use way too many brain cells to answer questions like, "Mom, how many ants would it take to carry a chair?" <br />
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My answer: "I'm not sure, but I bet we'll know in a few weeks." Oh, I'm kidding. I bought some ant traps and nagged my poor hubby to death about spraying some insecticide around the outside of the house. Until then, I'll enjoy a more laid back (if ever so slightly) approach to life. There are more important things to think about, like why, oh why my children can't seem to master toilet flushing. Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15812794591947746384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3459005406304947167.post-58415598010718352682012-12-03T21:55:00.000-06:002012-12-03T21:55:09.124-06:00Because I Can't Make this Stuff Up! I noticed the bathroom door was locked and I was fairly certain I saw my son walk in the room several minutes earlier. I knocked and asked if he was okay. He said he was and emerged a few minutes later with a smile on his face and a jar of pistachios in his hand.<br />
"It took a long time because I was eating these," he said as he held up the jar. <br />
"You were eating while going to the bathroom?" I asked a little surprised. (Though you'd think I'd learn to expect these things by now.)<br />
"Yes," he answered.<br />
"That's gross," I told him.<br />
"Why?" he asked sounding confused.<br />
I chuckled and shook my head while making a mental note to explain to him why eating in the bathroom is a bad idea. I'll do that as soon as the incident stops making me laugh. Kids are so silly!Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15812794591947746384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3459005406304947167.post-4540079081308119852012-12-02T21:46:00.000-06:002012-12-02T21:46:11.824-06:00Celebrating Advent Our Way Christmas music softly drifted through the house as we dined by candlelight. We were beginning our new tradition of an Advent Wreath. Each Sunday leading up Christmas, we would light a candle and read Bible verses about the real Christmas Story. We lit the first candle before we all sat down to a hot meal. I smiled as all five of us began to savor our time together. It was perfect.<br />
Yes, that's exactly what I pictured as I made a list of things I'd like to do this special season. Instead, this first Sunday of Advent, I found myself in the store buying a small pre-lit green foil tree. I had decided to trade the Advent Wreath for a tree. I swapped the candles for 24 miniature books that paraphrased the Christmas Story. Why? Well, honestly it was because I bought the small books a few years ago and we'd yet to use them. Also, I loved the idea of a small tree in our family room. The fact that it would eventually be covered with book ornaments only made my decision easier. You see, I have a bit of an obsession with books. Perhaps if I was a bit more honest, the real reason was that I was only planning on an Advent Wreath because it seemed like the thing that we <i>should</i> do. It's taken me a while to learn that <i>should </i>is a tricky word.<br />
As a mom, there is no end to the things that it seems I should do for my children. One of the best lessons as a parent is learning what we should do for <i>our</i> families. As I thought through what an Advent Wreath would look like for my family, I realized there would likely be lots of squabbling over who got to blow out the candles. Not only that, but my kiddos would likely only be thinking about or actually trying to blow out the candles while we were trying to get them to focus on the verses. Sure, they might have surprised us and sat like angels, but there was still a greater chance that the wreath would lead to more frustration than the "Book Tree." <br />
So, this year we've have our little tree, our big tree, stockings and a few other simple decorations. The kids and I are also writing in thankful journals most days to help us stay focused on our blessings during this season when everywhere we look there are messages telling us to buy more and more. Also, in an effort to shift away from the candy-filled calendars, each of the kids has a small toy advent calendar. This may seem like a lot to some and perhaps it is, but it works for us this year and that's what matters. So what if two boxes of decorations stay in the basement waiting to make an appearance another year. They might be just right the year we do decide to do an Advent Wreath. Keeping it a tad more simple will help us spend more time with each other and more importantly, spend more time reflecting on the real meaning of Christmas. Now that sounds like something we should do!Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15812794591947746384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3459005406304947167.post-73405963035718018962012-07-10T10:00:00.000-05:002012-07-10T10:00:18.998-05:00My Big GirlHere is my sweet girl roller skating for the first time. <br /><br />
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A couple of hours after this, I dropped her off at her first slumber party. Not surprisingly, she had a wonderful time. <br />
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As I dropped her off, I gave her a quick hug and a kiss. She sighed and said, "Thanks mom. I can't get to sleep without a hug and a kiss." She was serious and my heart melted.<br />
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Later that night, I got a call. She was doing fine, but just wanted to wish me a good night. I'm sure I went to sleep with a huge smile on my face. Perhaps she isn't quite as big as she sometimes seems. That's fine with me. <br />
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I love you, my not-so-big girl!<br />
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<br />Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15812794591947746384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3459005406304947167.post-51778925817145203672012-06-24T22:23:00.002-05:002012-06-24T22:23:49.028-05:00Six Years!Our little man's birthday happened in the midst of the end-of-school craziness. He had a camping themed party, not an actual camp out. We just weren't quite brave enough to have several six-year-old boys over for an overnight. Maybe one day.<br />
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Perhaps because of how busy the end of the school year can be, I didn't take much time to think about the past six years. In fact, it didn't really hit me how much he has grown until I sat down to upload pictures to our laptop. I almost gasped when I looked at the picture I took of him on the morning of his birthday.<br />
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It took me a second to register that he was indeed holding up six fingers. It has been a full six years. He has most certainly kept us on our toes. I've said so many times that you can never underestimate Chris. It's true, you really can't. Just when I think I have him figured out, he surprises me. He's all boy, yet he has the most tender heart. He has a soft spot for younger children, well that is if you don't include his younger sister. He also asks the most interesting questions. He's determined to figure out how things work. It's a good thing Tony is an engineer and is so often happy to explain how things work.<br />
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Of course, if you combine a tender heart with an inquisitive mind, you get someone who is all too often willing to ask why about everything, especially rules that to him seem arbitrary. My prayer for him continues to be based upon Luke 2:52, "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." <br />
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I began to pray that verse for Chris before he'd even celebrated his first birthday. At the time, I thought my choice was rather typical. and yet I knew it was what I was supposed to pray for him. As he has grown, I've begun to have no doubt that it was God who led me to pray that verse for him. Tonight, I'm doing just that. I'm also thanking God that I get to be the mom to such an amazing boy. Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15812794591947746384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3459005406304947167.post-19084541939761188762012-05-23T20:35:00.000-05:002012-05-23T20:35:14.684-05:00A Little Bit of RandomWe're almost there. Summer break is just around the corner. In just two days my little man will be finished with kindergarten. The next day my sweet oldest daughter will be finished with first grade. It's been a good year. My children are ending the year liking school every bit as much, if not more than when they started. They've both worked so hard and I know they're looking forward to a slower pace this summer.<br />
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Our little princess also worked hard this year. She would have gladly gone to school more than five hours a week. The only thing she liked more than school was dance class. If ever a child liked performing, it's our youngest daughter. Now she tells us she wants to play soccer. Her siblings remind her that she can't wear a skirt on the field. She looks at them as if to say, "We'll see about that!"<br />
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This past weekend marked the end of Ann's soccer season. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of watching her play. I surprised both Tony and myself when I found myself jumping up in excitement many times as Ann came close to scoring a goal. Soccer was my sport so I suppose it shouldn't surprise me that I get a little excited. As Tony laughed at me, I pointed out that I was getting excited about a game our own child was in and I've seen him yell at games on a television screen many, many times. He still laughed at me, but I like to think he saw my point.<br />
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For some reason, I'm having the hardest time believing that my little man will soon be finishing kindergarten. Perhaps it's the fact that Ann is only one year ahead of him in school. It hasn't been that long since she finished Kindergarten and here we are watching another one of our children say hello to first grade. It all makes me want to tell time to slow down already!<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Chris enjoyed taking an art class in April.</span></div>
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Though I can't make a minute or an hour any longer than it is, I can certainly determine to enjoy it. On that note, I'm looking forward to enjoying as many moments as possible this summer. I'm also hoping many of those moments are spent by the pool or with a book in hand while reading aloud to my children. </div>
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Happy Summer!Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15812794591947746384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3459005406304947167.post-2135159516942542702012-04-12T18:27:00.003-05:002012-04-12T18:52:15.573-05:00Long Days and Short YearsI was reading a post about just how quickly the time passes with young when it happened. I was nodding my head in agreement as I read the post knowing that in just a matter of weeks another school year will end. Then, I heard a little voice calling for me. Well, she wasn't so much as calling for me as she was shrieking for me.<br /><br />If you're a parent, you know that accidents happen daily, if not hourly. Unfortunately, many of them happen in the bathroom, especially when preschoolers are too busy to stop their play. So, with the blog reading fresh in my mind, I took a deep breath and headed upstairs already knowing what I would find.<br /><br />I tried to remember how fleeting this time is. I really, really did. Yet, I just can't fathom that I'll ever miss cleaning accidents off the bathroom floor, or even worse, peeling wet clothes off my children. Yuck! I was frustrated, but I swallowed the worst of my annoyance as I helped my daughter in the bath.<br /><br />Only moments later I was rewarded with a sweet-smelling and happy four-year-old. As she happily played in the bath, I again believed that it's possible to cherish these parenting years. I was thankful for the reminder that these sometimes long days add up to some very short years. And yet, I was also thankful for children who sometimes make yucky messes. It makes the sweet parts so much sweeter. Not to mention, it somewhat eases the sadness I feel when I think of how quickly they grow. Just when I want to freeze time, my children do something that makes me think I'll let them age another year or two.<br /><br />So for tonight, I'm savoring holding my preschooler as I smell her freshly washed hair. I'm loving her little hugs and requests for just one more kiss. I'm relishing my son shamelessly giving me a kiss before he heads to school. I'm adoring my oldest daughter reaching for my hand not caring who is watching. And yet, I'm also somewhat foolishly hoping that I might have just cleaned up the last bathroom accident by one of my children. Hey, a girl can dream!Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15812794591947746384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3459005406304947167.post-39105016905267310022012-04-10T14:22:00.006-05:002012-04-10T14:42:17.359-05:00My Comeback Post (Maybe)As I sat in Bible Study today, a woman I respect very much talked about how beneficial it is to her to journal her prayers. We all sat around either nodding in agreement because we also found it beneficial or thinking that we should really give it a try. Then she commented that she recently sat down to write in her prayer journal and noticed her last entry was from 2004. We all had a great laugh at that. You can also bet that we greatly appreciated her honestly and could very well relate to it!<br /><br /> That's how I feel as I sit down to write. For the past month or so, I've wanted to get back at this old blog of mine, yet I talk myself out of it. After all, I've had more than one post saying I want to get back at writing more often and then I didn't follow through. Then there's the fact that when one hasn't blogged in months, it's seems necessary to start back with a bang. I know they're ridiculous, these thoughts that run around in my brain.<br /><br /> So, rather than do some catch-up-with-my-life post containing cute pictures of my kids, I'm just going to write a blog as though I'd been writing most days. (Don't worry, Mom, I'll post pictures soon!) And a side note, have you ever noticed how grandparents simply can't get enough pictures!? Between facebook, texts and emails, my mom gets her fair share, but yet she and others who shall remain nameless are always begging for more! Okay, I act like I'm complaining, but really I love that they want to see my kids so often. What mom doesn't like that?!<br /> <br /> Would you look at that, I'm rambling just like I used to when I was a faithful blogger. Awesome.<br /> <br /> Okay, so if I was a faithful blogger, my attempt at a humorous post would be something like this....<br /><br /> I'm having a hard time typing this thanks to the bandage on my finger. I've sliced myself not once, but twice this week. How? Let's just say that some store-brand aluminum foil is now dead to me. It doesn't happen often, but sometimes that place with a red target fails me like it did today and the other day I cut my finger. Sure, I'll continue to risk my life until the roll is finished, but then we're done.<br /><br /> Yeah, that was much funnier in my head. Sigh. Maybe I'm a bit rustier at blogging than I thought. I'll just redeem myself with a picture!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZd4z2cZzZ-SbWyLsjla5-Nc_YrFmiyFiybMujv1B88j3qQ5_YE_O3xeqvG-doz6K1e73ViJDFF3c-e9_mDD4wrYcL4a8fDytJlX0-urfKpVdDlnoxkWOc5SzaKtkfjEqVPdtdCd8rmdd/s1600/IMG_0207.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZd4z2cZzZ-SbWyLsjla5-Nc_YrFmiyFiybMujv1B88j3qQ5_YE_O3xeqvG-doz6K1e73ViJDFF3c-e9_mDD4wrYcL4a8fDytJlX0-urfKpVdDlnoxkWOc5SzaKtkfjEqVPdtdCd8rmdd/s400/IMG_0207.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729858007456906722" border="0" /></a><br /> Just look how big they are! I know I'll one day look back at my 7, 5, and 4 year-old and think just how small they were, but for now, they seem so big! I've thought often about how I should rename this blog. I mean my hands do seem a bit less full than they were four years ago. Then I look at pictures like this one and I think the name still fits.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpLL-znC_Tupj6MYrmFeUyWVmDJFJnuHLpQx6OsQj80oJ3ifhUWZxY1rP0Fb4M4ZYv9OhXyYL52Voa7yKTyf-j9tbKdF0CeZC0EY4UVItMkQti37_SbgFbmPQUeMPpKVyZdyTlIBR8Zvo/s1600/IMG_0208.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpLL-znC_Tupj6MYrmFeUyWVmDJFJnuHLpQx6OsQj80oJ3ifhUWZxY1rP0Fb4M4ZYv9OhXyYL52Voa7yKTyf-j9tbKdF0CeZC0EY4UVItMkQti37_SbgFbmPQUeMPpKVyZdyTlIBR8Zvo/s400/IMG_0208.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729858581429327026" border="0" /></a><br /> Don't you?Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15812794591947746384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3459005406304947167.post-35124040562886317982012-01-18T20:54:00.005-06:002012-01-18T21:30:56.340-06:00Sometimes We Need Them MoreAt the prompting of a dear friend, I'm going to write about a lesson I've recently learned. It seems I've had my thinking a bit backwards...<br /><br />You see, I have a child who has rocked my world. Unlike some children with different needs, you might not know at first glance which kiddo has rocked my world. In fact, unlike many more children, depending on the day, you might not even know which child after spending an afternoon with us. But believe me, I know.<br /><br />I know because I often plan my life around this child. Of course, if you've never had such a child, that will sound crazy to you. If you have been blessed with such a child, you know exactly what I mean. From canceling plans at the last minute to letting go of a job, I've done a lot to ensure that I can give me children what they need.<br /><br />Not long ago, a friend sent me an email that I'll never forget. In it, she reminded me that I'm exactly the mama God had in mind for my three children. As I read her words, I was humbled. She challenged me to view as an honor what I'd once seen as a burden. That was the first shift in my attitude change.<br /><br />The second change has come over the recent months. If I'm honest, I could tell you that if my difficult child had a different personality, this parenting thing would almost be a breeze. Though I've truly never wished for life without this child, I have often desired that my child had a more flexible and easygoing personality. That dream is typically followed with thinking of all I could do if that child was just, well...easier. Life would likely be simpler and dare I say more enjoyable. And yet, I've come to realize that my life wouldn't be better. In fact, it would be worse. This child has made me who I am. This child has made me more fully understand grace. This child has made me know what it's like to empty myself until I feel there is nothing more to give. This child has made me realize that there is always something more to give. There's always something more to give because of grace.<br /><br />If it weren't for grace, I don't think most of us would still be taking care of our children. Surely a parent's love is a decent example of grace. These children come to us unable to do anything for us. If anything, they do nothing but disrupt our lives and ignore our needs and yet we love them. We love them so deeply that we would die for them without a second thought. Remind you of anything?<br /><br />I believe parenting in general teaches us much of God's love. Parenting my challenging child has taught me even more. It didn't take much to help me to understand that my child needs me. Of course a child needs someone who won't give up on him or her. It blessed me tremendously to think of the fact that maybe God had looked around and decided that I could do it. I could parent the kiddo that many others might give up on. Yes, that was humbling.<br /><br />Yet, even more humbling than being chosen to parent a challenging kiddo (and really, aren't they all somewhat challenging?) was the realization that as much as this child needs me, I need this child. I shudder to think of the person I might be if I hadn't had this child. I'd be full of pride, not grace. Grace is so much better.<br /><br />One of the most important lessons I've learned in my life is that the right thing is hardly ever the easy thing. Being the mama to a challenging child is never the easy thing, yet I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it's the right thing. I know I'm better for it and it's my prayer that my child is as well.Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15812794591947746384noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3459005406304947167.post-34547865088294438442012-01-17T18:18:00.004-06:002012-01-17T18:21:47.989-06:00Cute Bed Head<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEP3LJUWgu7d3xzS6Jd59JPJTUz9X3B21-fgAecyhdAMMa3yhNdZroxkRKDler7TWD_iWUUAGixvwSqBN6GcO77qifgA0rPwS9S2L9nyqLoXOO-C10zIwGyNvknPbCuKqtDj81ydWKRuaL/s1600/IMG_0102.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEP3LJUWgu7d3xzS6Jd59JPJTUz9X3B21-fgAecyhdAMMa3yhNdZroxkRKDler7TWD_iWUUAGixvwSqBN6GcO77qifgA0rPwS9S2L9nyqLoXOO-C10zIwGyNvknPbCuKqtDj81ydWKRuaL/s400/IMG_0102.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698760248232304978" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbKPT6wUZmo4pFo-OVRKihxcTv2DDTJcZKwlKuu_iDwGhyphenhyphenjO3FTGdFsnDAWp0jokrkSxhWUZ0f81mvwzty7m6aoX1fg6nycRxU8I7jkf3VNhxlacYHvCnS1-DO09eZjr7c2FIGsXUVNE2/s1600/IMG_0103.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbKPT6wUZmo4pFo-OVRKihxcTv2DDTJcZKwlKuu_iDwGhyphenhyphenjO3FTGdFsnDAWp0jokrkSxhWUZ0f81mvwzty7m6aoX1fg6nycRxU8I7jkf3VNhxlacYHvCnS1-DO09eZjr7c2FIGsXUVNE2/s400/IMG_0103.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698760247579631314" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FYPd7twMY9HiBBUL60a6LgU22fL-US1NDVpLCWrwS3JXPweTSCg7UcuwX2tCiO2d1gmCCkH2nCz0YLfdc11MJIwEpcXm4KiV9EEfNGBuKKyiL6yReXoO-eJ1H4UniwiZ6yaA3thxaB7K/s1600/IMG_0101.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FYPd7twMY9HiBBUL60a6LgU22fL-US1NDVpLCWrwS3JXPweTSCg7UcuwX2tCiO2d1gmCCkH2nCz0YLfdc11MJIwEpcXm4KiV9EEfNGBuKKyiL6yReXoO-eJ1H4UniwiZ6yaA3thxaB7K/s400/IMG_0101.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698760006044625922" border="0" /></a><br />Actually, the pictures don't do this mane justice. Her bed head was impressive. I wish I looked so stinking cute when my hair is a mess. Love, love, love this girl. I plan on soaking up every bit of the next year and a half until she goes to kindergarten!Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15812794591947746384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3459005406304947167.post-2001284958968913732012-01-12T20:42:00.003-06:002012-01-12T21:04:47.354-06:00The Beast<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6qkixUkqVl8pYdj01w3Zq2lBwHKLq8V2N_aSG2aUfw-9-VOAHJFGY12hywvEtBxBjIEI7sAyYwaDKNA8G73cWUTNmYdOm1uNrdO9FeWcWtKnJbow2onlnsY0sIwhDtuMQYXqv0Xu1RAO/s1600/IMG_0033.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6qkixUkqVl8pYdj01w3Zq2lBwHKLq8V2N_aSG2aUfw-9-VOAHJFGY12hywvEtBxBjIEI7sAyYwaDKNA8G73cWUTNmYdOm1uNrdO9FeWcWtKnJbow2onlnsY0sIwhDtuMQYXqv0Xu1RAO/s400/IMG_0033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696946966655415890" border="0" /></a><br />Last year we said goodbye to our dog. Buck was the sweetest dog. In fact, he even managed to win over a few self-proclaimed dog haters. Well, maybe "win them over" is a stretch, but they did both tolerate and trust him.<br /><br />Saying goodbye to him was hard. I mean <span style="font-style: italic;">hard</span>. As much as I missed him, my husband and oldest daughter missed him more. Eventually, we stopped expecting to see him when we looked at his favorite spots on the floor, and I grew used to actually having to use a broom under the table. <br /><br />Yet, even though we missed our dog, we remained firm about not getting a new dog for at least two years. We didn't even last a year.<br /><br />One day my husband sent me an email about two Boxer-mix dogs who needed a home. The pics were cute, but no way were we getting two dogs!<br /><br />A couple of weeks later, he sent the email again. The dogs still needed a home. My attitude had changed. I said I thought maybe we were supposed to take them. He said he didn't want two dogs.<br /><br />While we were visiting my mom in Colorado, Tony got a call from the dogs' owners saying they were willing to split the two dogs up to different homes. That's when Tony got serious about considering a dog.<br /><br />A few days later he went to "meet" Bear. I think we both knew that by "meet" he meant "go take one look and declare him mine." And that's what happened.<br /><br />After the kids were in bed, he brought Bear home for me to meet. Despite the fact that he peed on me, I agreed to make him ours. We made arrangements for him to stay with Tony's friend who took the other dog. Tony would pick Bear up on Christmas Eve after the kids were in bed.<br /><br />We planned for the kids to meet him Christmas morning. Of course, we expected the sun to be up. The sun is definitely not up at 2:30 in the morning, but that's when the girls met their new dog. Ann, 7, sat up with a goofy grin on her face. I wish I had a picture, but who thinks to grab a camera after being awoken at 2:30 a.m? Not me. Chris had the decency to wait until 5:30 Christmas morning to be coherent enough to realize there was a dog in the house. That's when I finally got video of the kids and their new dog!<br /><br />Bear has adjusted quite well. He continues to prove my theory that our house is just happier with a dog in it. Dirtier, but much happier. I'd say the dirt and the dog hair is a small price to pay for the memories. (Well, most days anyways.)<br /><br />So, I guess 2011 was the year of the dog for us. A sweet, sad and surprising year of dogs.<br /><br />If my daughter had her way, 2012 would be the year of another dog or cat. Just today she told me to put a small live dog on the shopping list. I looked at her and told her that children who own both a dog and a cat do NOT get to request more pets. I don't yet know what 2012 will bring, but I'm certain it will not be our year of the dog, cat, hamster, guinea pig or anything other living thing!Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15812794591947746384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3459005406304947167.post-855780725914694992012-01-08T07:21:00.004-06:002012-01-08T07:31:46.985-06:00If They Twist my Arm, I'll Post a PictureAlright, alright. I'll do it!<br /><br />They've hinted and hinted some more. They've called, emailed and sent me texts. So, to my two biggest blog readers, this is for you!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QK0XHXXmaiJQxL4Msj1GH-6VeaIz0qdLLzj1YRlLGBesNEvREaj1lzOK3V98o3Ihi0w8v6YR6ACX6UoJ01exmdPjiJnNBr1gzvUamK8e-c21Z6uoAWo8ZHlFx_RD_r1FxzKPLs__e5HK/s1600/IMG_0037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QK0XHXXmaiJQxL4Msj1GH-6VeaIz0qdLLzj1YRlLGBesNEvREaj1lzOK3V98o3Ihi0w8v6YR6ACX6UoJ01exmdPjiJnNBr1gzvUamK8e-c21Z6uoAWo8ZHlFx_RD_r1FxzKPLs__e5HK/s400/IMG_0037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695251221318223234" border="0" /></a>I took this Christmas morning. It wasn't the first time the children had been downstairs. Oh no, they had first ventured down for a peak at 2 a.m. We didn't cave until 5:30 when we finally decided we might as well join them (and brew a big pot of coffee)!<br /><br />Of course, you probably notice something new in that picture. Bear (formerly known as Bull) was our big Christmas surprise for the kids. Sure, we said we wouldn't get a dog for a couple more years, but it's been nine months since we had to put Buck down and we were ready for the fun a dog brings to a house. And let's face it, there's never a good time for the messes, shedding and smell that a dog brings. If I was going to wait until I was ready for that, well we'd never have a dog!<br /><br />Mom and Little Brother, you're welcome. Wait, this wasn't enough? Well, I suppose it was just a bit of a tease. I'll post more soon.<br /><br />Happy New Year!Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15812794591947746384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3459005406304947167.post-61684034524303415132011-11-15T20:29:00.003-06:002011-11-15T21:08:42.027-06:00If You Plan to Post More and Then Go on Vacation...You Plan to Fail!<br /><br /> At least, I failed when it came to getting back to regularly posting! However, I did not fail at vacation! It was amazing.<br /><br /> Late this past summer, Tony and I celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary. Ten years! For a long time, we said we'd do something big to celebrate and we did! Thanks to Tony's mom coming to stay with the kids, we spent five glorious nights in Mexico. We were actually away for six nights, but I don't count the hotel by the airport before we caught our early morning flight. Something about the fire alarm going off when we pulled in that kinda made it seem very <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> glorious.<br /><br /> Ten years ago, the closest we came to a honeymoon was a trip out east to sail with my uncle and spend a day in NYC. In fact,we were on a plane almost a week to the minute before 9/11 happened. I still remember looking at the old New York skyline as our plane headed back to Kansas. (And now I'm not really sure how to transition to the rest of my story without seeming as though I brush on past such a tragedy...)<br /><br /> Though our time New York was wonderful, we'd always kind of regretted that we hadn't taken a fancier trip. Well, we no longer regret that. In fact, we think that taking the trip now made us appreciate it all the more. As newlyweds, our only responsibilities were each other, our jobs, and our dog. We appreciated the vacation so much more now that we've added three kids to the mix. <br /><br /> Before we left, I worried that I would never truly be able to relax because I'd be worried about the kids. That wasn't a problem. In fact, at one point I asked Tony, "Am I a bad mom if I don't miss them a lot?" His response was a laugh and a quick, "No." I'm guessing he felt the same way.<br /><br /> Now, before anyone reading this thinks I'm a heartless mother, let me reassure you that I did catch myself frequently saying things like, "Oh, Ann would love this!" Or, "We've got to get a picture of this for Chris!" And, "Can't you see Jane doing that?" So really, they were never far from our thoughts, but we were far from homesick!<br /><br /> As our trip wrapped up and Tony asked me what my favorite part was, I had to think. After all, I liked everything. Truly, everything. Well, the white wine was awful, but other than that, everything was great! Yet, my favorite part was not planning anything. Our biggest decision was whether to hit the pool or the beach first. There was no stressful part of the day trying to get everyone out of the door or plan to get dinner on the table. I loved the break from that!<br /><br /> I also loved that I was able to take off my mom hat for a bit. There is nowhere I'd rather be in life right now than home with my husband and kids, yet it was so good to just be me for a while. It was just as good being just "us" for a few days. I never fully appreciated our three years of marriage before we had kids. It's just impossible to understand how things change once you add to your family. But I most certainly appreciated my five days with my husband! Getting to spend so much uninterrupted time together was such a gift!<br /><br /> And yet, like it so often is, coming home was still one of the best parts. It didn't hurt that the kids were literally jumping up and down because they were so excited to see us. In fact, they were so excited that they didn't even get teary-eyed when grandma left. That never happens! <br /><br /> Yet, I can't help but wonder if coming home would have been sweeter if we'd stayed seven nights instead of just five. Do you think we need to wait until our 15th anniversary to find out? I've always thought 11 a fine number! Oh, I'm kidding, unless of course one of the grandparents is reading this and wants to volunteer to watch the kids for a week next fall. In that case, I'm totally serious! <br /><br /> I hope you've had a vacation either recently or one you're looking forward to that's happening soon!Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15812794591947746384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3459005406304947167.post-44037966894576704372011-11-02T07:00:00.000-05:002011-11-02T07:00:13.715-05:00The Day After HalloweenLeave it to my little man to re-purpose the Halloween buckets.<br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCa-u3Y6QPi5NXAqrJGdhmDo0XKX6Z-fxrveQP28Q8tSQ7kuuMKRkgvOZfLpDUa5awo-UDzxg1t0vH-6-CjDvoRtSjhDMsWdARluTOnz1WTuzc7TSZVD_7qw8PX04t3VI45CczYxt4Kq7Y/s1600/IMG_0720.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCa-u3Y6QPi5NXAqrJGdhmDo0XKX6Z-fxrveQP28Q8tSQ7kuuMKRkgvOZfLpDUa5awo-UDzxg1t0vH-6-CjDvoRtSjhDMsWdARluTOnz1WTuzc7TSZVD_7qw8PX04t3VI45CczYxt4Kq7Y/s400/IMG_0720.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670213405942094354" border="0" /></a><br />He told me he was ice skating.Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15812794591947746384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3459005406304947167.post-69419357966153818702011-11-01T21:05:00.006-05:002011-11-01T21:11:16.988-05:00There's Isn't Much Better...than seeing your children become friends!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkotKZDmcLgmaj8CDEor-nQNt56Qlp086LHjxajt4JW5zvLn32YeauAQXHRxV0vfG_ZAqlwHeTosyrAs6ORudbaGMbsmFVjJtu1P8zrpPtYrJ2d5qASxqeBb5t81LDz7WHiOAaLsDqVLrN/s1600/IMG_0533.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkotKZDmcLgmaj8CDEor-nQNt56Qlp086LHjxajt4JW5zvLn32YeauAQXHRxV0vfG_ZAqlwHeTosyrAs6ORudbaGMbsmFVjJtu1P8zrpPtYrJ2d5qASxqeBb5t81LDz7WHiOAaLsDqVLrN/s400/IMG_0533.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670214314012262978" border="0" /></a>I'm not sure when it started, but at some point Jane and Chris started becoming good buddies. I just love seeing the relationships develop between my kids. I pray that they'll be both family and friends!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKw9rHEXm6okhMXUdDJgd2ymVF8NHtY0o38nmYDvzsvC3zBO4XRfJlJtZXMXKt3Wi9p_XJ48NcuGRhkwBb7OzSwmD8_YlhXYsFVzC4fvDrZ88aTC-MAnqi0ww-Yh1YTK-anJ_8bCXKb1GD/s1600/IMG_0570.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKw9rHEXm6okhMXUdDJgd2ymVF8NHtY0o38nmYDvzsvC3zBO4XRfJlJtZXMXKt3Wi9p_XJ48NcuGRhkwBb7OzSwmD8_YlhXYsFVzC4fvDrZ88aTC-MAnqi0ww-Yh1YTK-anJ_8bCXKb1GD/s400/IMG_0570.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670214141978702370" border="0" /></a><br />This just makes me smile. I took it when we stopped at a park on the way to pick up my mom from the airport. It was one of those times that my kids played so well together and I was able to truly soak it all up. Moments like that are so precious!Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15812794591947746384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3459005406304947167.post-54471966065362282022011-11-01T14:55:00.003-05:002011-11-01T21:02:43.515-05:00Not Too LittleIt was a typical morning at our house. One of the children was asking me where something was that had been misplaced. If you're a mom, you're probably also the go-to person when someone has lost something. Most of the time, I know where the item is. In fact, it's rather amazing to me that I can know where tiny toys are at any given moment. It must be an acquired skill with the birth of your first child, but I digress.<br /><br />Unlike usual, I couldn't find the lost toy. My son was looking for his favorite stuffed bear. It used to be my husband's. He calls it <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Cubby</span> because it's a red and blue Chicago Cubs bear. My son loves <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Cubby</span>. Despite it being a rushed morning, I had a soft spot for him looking for his favorite toy. I could tell he was trying not to get upset, so I joined the search party.<br /><br />He went to his room to look once more and I went to mine suspecting it might have fallen off of my bed. I remembered he'd climbed into my bed the night before and might have brought his stuffed friend with him. Sure enough, there was the beloved bear tucked in between the wall and my bed. I scooped him up and headed to my son's room.<br /><br />As I entered his room and announced that I'd found the bear, I noticed that he was sitting on the floor with his head bowed. I asked him if he was okay.<br /><br />"I was just praying," he said. "I was asking God to help me find <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Cubby</span>," he further explained.<br /><br />I almost cried. Such sweetness.<br /><br />Right there I was reminded that nothing is too little to bring before God. I recalled something I'd read in a recent Bible study about if something is important to us, then it's also important to God. Yes, even if it's "just" a teddy bear.<br /><br />I was also reminded that those who seem too little can have some awfully big faith!Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15812794591947746384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3459005406304947167.post-29296898641661929772011-10-29T07:00:00.000-05:002011-10-29T07:00:04.218-05:00Out of Practice and Happy About ItThis past week I had a moment that took me back the good old days. By the good old days, I mean when I first started this blog.<br /><br />At that point, I couldn't go anywhere without someone telling me, "Wow, you're hands are full!" I had two small children and one on the way. Yes, my hands were full both figuratively and literally.<br /><br />Of course, being at that stage in motherhood gave me plenty of blog fodder. Tons of it really. And yes, most it seemed to involve messes. I thought I was pretty much past those days. Enter Wednesday night.<br /><br />We were leaving church and one of my kiddos had to use the bathroom. Of course, this child didn't realize this need until we were in the van. Normally I'd tell my kids they'd have to wait, but this time my kiddo had that certain look. I knew that if I forced my child to wait until after our 20 minute drive home, it would not end well.<br /><br />Fortunately, Tony was with me so he stayed with the two children while I took the one inside to use the bathroom. I thought we'd be in and out. Instead, it was nearly 30 minutes before we came back to the car.<br /><br />In the meantime, I had a child who went into the stall and couldn't get the toilet paper roll to work and then couldn't unlock the door. I had to make the child crawl back in the stall and figure out how to unlock it. In the process, the child who couldn't get the toilet paper to work had to do without toilet paper. <br /><br />Going without toilet paper made a mess. This meant that I walked out with underw*ar in my hand and I had to reassure my kiddo it was okay to do without and just toss on pants until we got home. (I know. Aren't you so glad I'm sharing this?) Of course, the child again got locked in the stall and I finally realized it wasn't because my child didn't know how to operate the lock. Rather, my kiddo didn't know to pull on the door instead of push. I just stood there dumbfounded at how complicated a quick trip to the bathroom had become.<br /><br />Once we were finally on our way home again, I couldn't help but laugh. That kind of event used to be our experience nearly every time my children had to use a public bathroom. In fact, that was probably mild compared to other outings we've had. I probably wouldn't have even found that blog worthy two years ago. Clearly, I'm out of practice. And in this case, I don't care if practice makes perfect, I'm content being out of practice with these types of incidents!<br /><br />Hopefully it will be quite some time before I have another bathroom mishap to tell, but just to be safe, I'm going to sweetly ask my husband to take the kids to the bathroom the next time we're out in public!Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15812794591947746384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3459005406304947167.post-25330810032483173112011-10-28T07:00:00.001-05:002011-10-28T07:00:05.367-05:00Two Months Later...I wonder how many post titles will have "Two Months" in the title? Anyways...<br /><br />I wanted to share my favorite back to school picture of the year. Well yes, that is what I <span style="font-style: italic;">wanted </span>to do. Blogger had other ideas. Sigh.<br /><br />I'll have to describe it...<br /><br />My little man got to school on his first day of kindergarten. He got his things put away in his locker and found his seat. He excitedly sat down only to find his teacher had put pink Play-doh at his seat. What? The insult. I couldn't help myself. I snapped a picture of him glaring at the offensive stuff. Right after that I swapped his for blue. I'm sure the girl who came to sit by him didn't mind!<br /><br />Fortunately, school has only gotten better for him from that point. He's one of the younger ones in his class and he's doing just great. To say we're proud of him would be an understatement. We sent our oldest child to kindergarten last year and it's just as much fun to watch our second born experience his first year at school. <br /><br />Way to go Chris! We're so proud of you!Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15812794591947746384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3459005406304947167.post-66703757578387446122011-10-27T20:33:00.003-05:002011-10-27T21:00:08.092-05:00Two Months! That Long? Really?Wow, I don't think I've ever let two months go by without blogging. I'll be my mom doesn't even check this anymore. I do need to give a shout out to my little bro though, because I'll bet he still checks it regularly.<br /><br />I started this blog four years ago when I was expecting our third child. She's now three months away from being four years old. My how time flies! It's funny because I started this blog to simply record our lives, but after having three children in just over as many years, it sort of took on a theme. It was the place I recorded the craziness of keeping up with three young children. Well, those three children are still young, but 6, 5, and 3, things certainly aren't what they used to be. I don't even buy diapers or pull-ups anymore! (Yes, it's awesome!)<br /><br />My blogging has slowed for a couple of reasons. Mainly, it's slowed because though life has gotten easier as my children have gotten bigger, it's also gotten busier. Since two of my children go to school all day, I feel like I should do my best to get things done while they're gone so I can give them my full attention in the evening. That means I'm running errands and doing chores during the day and spending time with them in the late afternoons and evenings. Of course, my three year old is still with me most of the time and I love that!<br /><br />The other reason my blog has slowed is because we've had a tough couple of years with one of our kiddo's behavior. I didn't want to record a bunch of negative memories. Quite honestly, at the end of many days I had to follow the motto of, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all!" Sure, there were plenty of good things mixed in during those times and I do wish I'd recorded more of them. Who knows, maybe one day I will.<br /><br />A high school friend recently started up a blog. I love reading it! It made me remember that I had way more than two reasons that I loved blogging. So, I started typing this post. I don't know that I'll ever be back to the frequency I blogged a couple of years ago, but I'm going to try. I miss it. I love looking back and remembering what my days used to be like. I like laughing at the silly things I posted when I first started my blog. <br /><br />Now that I have two school-age children, I'm truly realizing how fast the time goes. I want to remember this time. I want to savor it. I've found blogging is a way to do that. Here goes...Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15812794591947746384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3459005406304947167.post-70350186804928031162011-08-29T16:03:00.004-05:002011-08-29T17:51:29.774-05:00Waving the White Paint ChipAlright, I give in...I chose the wrong color white. As in, I'm not seeing much difference between Polar Bear from Behr and good old Kilz. Bummer. At least I haven't put the shelves back up, right?
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<br />On the bright side, I did find a color for the walls. After Tony saw the various shades of green on the wall, his comment was, "Do you like that?" Smart man isn't he!
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<br />As soon as I said, "No, not really." He added that he wasn't fond of it either. As if I couldn't tell that from the way he posed the question!
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<br />So, after failing at choosing a white paint color, I decided to head to Sherwin Williams for a little advice. It's amazing the difference a professional can make. All I did was explain my white fireplace and golden oak trim. An employee pointed me right to a few colors. What do you know? I brought them home and like them all!
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<br />I'm basically going to paint the walls the same color but with a green/gray undertone rather than a golden/brown undertone. (If you know more about color than me, which is very likely, you may think I said that all wrong, but it does make sense to me!) Basically, it makes me happy.
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<br />It's not the only thing making me happy right now...
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<br />Check out this fabric my friend found for me. She's going to make me some pillows for my updated family room. Love! (Now, I just have to come up with a way I can do something for her. She not only sews, but she also gives awesome hair cuts. Compared to that, I've got no skills!)
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_506_dS5lMvOSTG7EGx7wNBQVFTyrAhEk4a2aW8S9a36_R7xQzxmjGNQpeLmKLb55Q_-P-66bZughewGLJSZO817KQzsrv_UL5uOjBorksMKQaNrS3F53u8vBy_T4c63_b_CZfRt2iii/s1600/IMG_0469.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_506_dS5lMvOSTG7EGx7wNBQVFTyrAhEk4a2aW8S9a36_R7xQzxmjGNQpeLmKLb55Q_-P-66bZughewGLJSZO817KQzsrv_UL5uOjBorksMKQaNrS3F53u8vBy_T4c63_b_CZfRt2iii/s400/IMG_0469.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646409232159724802" border="0" /></a>But I do have new fabric and I can't wait to see it turned into pillows!
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<br />Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15812794591947746384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3459005406304947167.post-57200177357433163532011-08-28T21:08:00.006-05:002011-08-28T23:00:30.950-05:00I Painted The Fireplace White (Or, My Husband Is Really Patient!)Well, hello old blog of mine! Tonight you're just going to have to be that old long lost friend that I turn to when I need advice. Well, at least the advice of your readers. Is anyone still out there? (Little Brother, I'm talking to you!)
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<br />A couple of weeks ago, my little man started kindergarten. My oldest daughter, Ann, also started first grade. Needless to say, even though I still have my three year old at home, it was rather quiet around here. Perhaps that's why I did what I did.
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">The thing I did was to venture out to the garage and open our giant bucket of primer. Then, armed with only a foam paint brush and a desire to brighten up my family room, I began priming my red brick fireplace. I didn't wake up with any plan of painting the fireplace, but I did it all the same. I guess it's just how I roll.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinB2cUPdW_1Ctv-m5BC9bdo4CwZmqt-IO77ms1gIzLLjk7VcsKA6UFloHGo7FrO1HouRs6ypIXCS4Wt_l8VsP8NZYD_FjyMjILwqXhefNgyoEVbC_gGk4R6BjQIL2CTeI7Woc3IskkLpT2/s1600/IMG_0465.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinB2cUPdW_1Ctv-m5BC9bdo4CwZmqt-IO77ms1gIzLLjk7VcsKA6UFloHGo7FrO1HouRs6ypIXCS4Wt_l8VsP8NZYD_FjyMjILwqXhefNgyoEVbC_gGk4R6BjQIL2CTeI7Woc3IskkLpT2/s400/IMG_0465.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646121239110720338" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Four years after buying the house, the only thing we had changed was the furnishings. Well, we'd also added that cutie in the picture to our family. </span>
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<br />By the time I picked my kids up from their first day of school, I had a primed fireplace. All that painting, as well as playing with my three year old, helped to keep my mind off of how fast my kids are growing up.
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Well, by the next week, I was painting the shelves surrounding my fireplace as well as the mantle. Much sanding, priming, and painting later and I have a LOT of white in my family room. So, now I've got a white (possibly too much so) fireplace and shelves and I've got no idea what to do with the rest of the room. That isn't exactly true. I'd like to paint the walls green. However, I'm having a hard time coordinating with the couch which I have no desire or means to change. It's green, of course. I guess I kinda have a thing for green. So...
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYryb27Qp629NEJoQ7gvmbyVXQV-o8izHQblgrJV8q00nqdPL8Z0wCHmq4EvltPhSIvH36ivxoEfHV-e9h43U6ag4G7Y894AJgX_8YzMNHDj4M3PzNJjLPKHPn-zIOyjAgIsBfW2WHksn/s1600/IMG_0473.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYryb27Qp629NEJoQ7gvmbyVXQV-o8izHQblgrJV8q00nqdPL8Z0wCHmq4EvltPhSIvH36ivxoEfHV-e9h43U6ag4G7Y894AJgX_8YzMNHDj4M3PzNJjLPKHPn-zIOyjAgIsBfW2WHksn/s400/IMG_0473.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646120325277142722" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Hello White! I think? I like you.</span>
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<br />To make a long and boring process short, I've got a very white fireplace and surrounding shelves combined with walls that are basically tan and all sorts of shades of green that I'm trying out. I suppose I should also mention my rather dated wood trim. After paining all the brick and wood that makes up the fireplace wall, I have NO desire to paint the trim. At least not anytime soon.
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljnDbjW1XIqi4FH7vKS5iY-HoykIKMwWBouoGwTLc7RolJP57COVDFF4uQsXhxc5_2CvKZwzWVynJEWkLLb2jDaBxaYVNGqwVYxTCSAf19b41ehMWRfmQz5Jv1leVRUjnWR5SunMIOGU7/s1600/IMG_0472.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljnDbjW1XIqi4FH7vKS5iY-HoykIKMwWBouoGwTLc7RolJP57COVDFF4uQsXhxc5_2CvKZwzWVynJEWkLLb2jDaBxaYVNGqwVYxTCSAf19b41ehMWRfmQz5Jv1leVRUjnWR5SunMIOGU7/s400/IMG_0472.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646120329156026130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">I'd probably be more forgiving of the trim if I didn't feel like it limited my color choices so much.</span>
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<br /></div>There you have it. (That is if you're still reading!) Now, it's your turn to weigh in with some thoughts. I'd rather go with a more modern look. At least as modern as you can go with an 80s traditional two story house!
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<br />Your thoughts?
<br />Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15812794591947746384noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3459005406304947167.post-57642831616448419512011-07-31T21:36:00.004-05:002011-07-31T21:58:56.436-05:00My Son Amazes Me SometimesDuring the summer, our church gives the regular children's teachers time off. After nine months with our kiddos, they certainly deserve more than a few Sundays of not teaching! Of course, in order to give them the time off, substitutes are needed. That's how, this summer, I've found myself teaching second and third graders a couple of times a month. Today was one of the days I got to teach.<br /><br />Our church has been reading through the Bible this year. Therefore, it isn't always the old Sunday School stories that I find myself teaching. In fact, if I hadn't been doing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ownit</span>365, I'm not sure I would have even know what exactly the story was talking about. The lesson was from the Old Testament. More specifically, it was from 2 Chronicles, Chapters 18 and 19. Those chapters contain the story of two kings. One follows God and the other doesn't. They consult 401 prophets, but only 1 is willing to speak the truth. In the end, the evil king loses his life by going into the battle. He was warned he would lose his life in the battle and took measures to keep that from happening. Of course, in the end, God's will prevailed.<br /><br />The focus of the lesson was to choose your friends wisely. Certainly, it would have been easy to listen to the 400 false prophets rather than the 1 truthful one. Then again, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Jehosophat</span> never would have found himself in the predicament if he hadn't been friends with Ahab. I ramble.<br /><br />One great thing about teaching on Sunday mornings has been that I get to see two of my own children during Kids' Worship. I love seeing them sing for Jesus. I also love knowing exactly what they've learned that morning.<br /><br />Well today, even though I wasn't his teacher, I had to pull my son onto my lap because he was being so chatty with his two buddies. I didn't hold him for long, so I wasn't sure how much of the message he actually heard. That's why I was a bit surprised when I picked him up at the end of the service.<br /><br />"Mom," he began with a concerned look on his face, "I don't know if ____ is a good friend."<br /><br />I didn't even answer him since I was so shocked that he'd retained the message and was even applying it to his own life.<br /><br />In fact, as I put him to bed later that night, he brought up the question of friends again. I wondered if maybe ____ was just the first friend that came to mind. So, I asked him about his other friends and whether or not they were good friends. He not only told me that they were, he also gave me examples of why they were good friends. He definitely hadn't randomly wondered about _____. <br /><br />We discussed his friend in question for a few minutes. On his own, he came up with ways to avoid _____'s poor choices becoming his own. I was blown away. He truly got it!<br /><br />I suppose I should mention that my son is only 5. He'll start Kindergarten this fall. I'm glad that thanks to our church reading the Bible and studying some of the lesser known stories, my son is more ready to begin a new phase of his life where neither I nor his dad can always choose his friends. That makes this mama very, very grateful.<br /><br />Thanks, God for helping even the little ones understand your big truths.Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15812794591947746384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3459005406304947167.post-46026030561859384602011-07-25T21:20:00.004-05:002011-07-25T21:52:05.398-05:00My Sweet Ann<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4qG3cdLGfI8cPMrqSoH2dBr5a0TqCG0rkGAXZSP5BiZzk0nhSkicCowwnGVoYu4H6EGY4SXCQwcd_PSI939ahQE2zwbKgr8Ik0qnYD8SuSVV0W8ji6Lj97S-42281KkmeokZ8fb8z1Fx/s1600/IMG_0214.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4qG3cdLGfI8cPMrqSoH2dBr5a0TqCG0rkGAXZSP5BiZzk0nhSkicCowwnGVoYu4H6EGY4SXCQwcd_PSI939ahQE2zwbKgr8Ik0qnYD8SuSVV0W8ji6Lj97S-42281KkmeokZ8fb8z1Fx/s400/IMG_0214.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633487568813565586" border="0" /></a><br />Sweet Ann,<br /><br />This morning, I dropped you off at soccer camp. As you got out of the van, you mentioned that your stomach hurt. I knew you were just nervous and I refused to let you skip out on the first day of soccer camp.<br /><br />You joined in the crowd without a problem, though you weren't too excited about the heat. I couldn't blame you. It was hot!<br /><br />After I rejoined your sister and brother in the car, I watched you for a bit. At first you ran and then you started walking. Like I mentioned, it was already hot! Soon, your brother and sister began asking to leave. I obliged and slowly, very slowly, drove away as I watched you getting a sip of water.<br /><br />Now, I have a confession. Even though Chris and Jane were really ready to leave, I circled the parking lot one more time. I just had to know you were okay! You see, I've never dropped a child off at soccer camp before. So, silly as it may seem, it was kinda tough for this mama to wrap her head around your independence!<br /><br />As I finally pulled away, I prayed for God's protection over you. Then, I took a deep breath and looked forward to picking you up two hours later.<br /><br />It was no surprise to find out after those two hours, that you had a great time! You're most looking forward to the end of the week when you get to bring water guns!<br /><br />Ann, you've been a delight for me this summer. I love that you attempt conversations with me. Just today you were sitting at the table working on a craft and you started asking me questions. I can't remember exactly what the question was, but you wanted to know my favorite of some item. You do this quite often now, mimicking the conversations I've always started with you.<br /><br />You've also brought to my attention this summer that you crave my undivided attention! As the oldest, I think you get tired of seeing your younger siblings getting praise for things you've done for quite a long time. I try to remind you that we once praised you for the same new achievements. I've also tried to give you extra hugs and kisses this summer and remind you how much I appreciate your helpfulness.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Legos</span> have been your toy of choice this summer. You love your big pink tub of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Legos</span> that Uncle G gave you for Christmas. You spend a couple hours most days putting together different houses complete with accessories. I would have never guessed that you would have developed such an interest in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Legos</span>. That you have, reminds me to never let my assumptions dictate what you do!<br /><br />Of course, you don't play <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Legos</span> when you're at the pool. At the pool, you're a little fish! You've learned to go off the diving board this year as well as how to dive for dive sticks in the over four feet area. You're doing such a great job and you love it! You've run into friends at the pool and that's always fun for you.<br /><br />Ann, in three more weeks you will start first grade. You're going to have such a wonderful time and I know you'll do great! I also know I'm really going to miss you. You're becoming such a wonderful little girl and I love you to pieces!<br /><br />God Bless You, Sweet Girl.Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15812794591947746384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3459005406304947167.post-35976627431343836322011-07-18T13:52:00.004-05:002011-07-18T13:57:59.876-05:00Where Does He Get That Sense of Humor?Moments ago, I heard something go thud in the laundry room.<br /><br />I asked my son, "What are you doing?"<br /><br />He said, "Nothing." I started to panic as I quickly walked to the laundry room.<br /><br />A response of "nothing" is almost as dangerous as children being quiet.<br /><br />It turned out he was getting down our hand held vacuum from the upper shelf. He wanted to vacuum the stairs. (He loves to do that and I love that he does it!)<br /><br />Since the laundry room is also where I keep cleaners, I double checked to make sure he hadn't played with or tasted anything. Everything looked the way I'd left it, but you never know. <br /><br />He assured me that he hadn't touched the cleaners. Just for good measure, I reminded him that they're poisonous. As soon as I did that, his eyes got big and he leaned over and pretended to spit stuff out of his mouth.<br /><br />He had me for a moment. Then, I realized he was joking. He smiled at me and told me he knows that stuff isn't food.<br /><br />I couldn't help but laugh. His timing was good and the way he did it was amazing. His sense of humor is something.<br /><br />Let's all pray for his kindergarten teacher!Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15812794591947746384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3459005406304947167.post-40491198688702617262011-07-08T21:27:00.003-05:002011-07-08T21:35:52.962-05:00No Seriously, Say NO to Rugs!Kids are truly too funny. My son is no exception. Actually, he's probably funnier than most, but that isn't the point.<br /><br />My son is hands down the biggest trouble maker in our house. I can easily type that knowing he may one day read it, because it's absolutely true! Ironically, he is also the most concerned with rules and laws imposed by other people. (Those enforced by us seem to be mere suggestions to him!) That explains the following glimpses into our lives...<br /><br />We were riding in our van with Tony's mom. She happened to be sitting in the back with Chris. He noticed that she didn't have her seat belt on and he said, in a very grown up voice, "You have to put your seat belt on or the police man will get you." It was both funny and precious at the same time. His true concern for his grandma was so evident.<br /><br />On the same trip to visit Tony's mom, we were gathering supplies to head out and watch an airshow. His mom was packing a blanket and a couple of throw rugs for us to sit on in the grass. Chris told her, "No, those rugs are bad. Elvis at our church overdosed on those!" Apparently, it still hadn't quite sunk in that there are are rugs and then there are drugs. He also doesn't seem to understand that Elvis never went to our church.<br /><br />Oh, the laughs those little ones provide!Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15812794591947746384noreply@blogger.com0