My Rule Follower

Genevieve, my first born child, is my rule-follower. She wants to make sure what she is wearing matches correctly, she will be the first to tell me that the play room really should be cleaned up before they play a game, or that they already had one sweet that day and really shouldn't have anymore. And if she is going to do something, she is going to do it correctly.

Jocelyn, my second born child, well, she's a totally different story.  (She's her daddy's girl!)  :)

Over the weekend, I was home with Genevieve who was sick with the stomach flu. She was laying on the couch, as lethargic as can be, with no energy to generate even a half of a smile, watching some football. A Geiko commercial (I believe) came on claiming that "Bigger is Better." Up pops Genevieve full of emotion, "Mom, that's not true. Bigger isn't always better. Like a cookie. You wouldn't want a bigger cookie because that wouldn't be good for you!"

She sure brings a smile to my face!

Death in a Child's Perspective

Last Friday, a dear 85 year old lady from our church passed away. She was affectionately known to everyone in our parish as "Grandma Mary."

This has been the first taste of death my children have been exposed to. We tried to be very honest with them and to explain that although it is sad to lose her, she is now in a very happy place with God.

Having a casket in the church with a deceased person brought up many comments from my daughters. These girls brought a calming humor in an otherwise somber time.

Genevieve: "When are they going to open up her cage?"

Jocelyn: "Will I be at school when that lady dies on Monday?" (referring to her funeral?)

Genevieve: "Can she breathe in there with that closed?"

Genevieve: "Does that hurt her head to lay on that?"

Or one of the best comments I heard from a little 3 year old at church: "Why does she have her gwasses (glasses) on if she is sweeping (sleeping)?"

Siblings

From the day I found out I was pregnant with Jonah, I was looking forward to the day my 6 and 7 year old girls could hold him, interact with him, and play with him. It makes me smile to look over and see them each reading to him! Not to mention that he loves when they talk to him!

Half-Birthdays

Who DOESN'T celebrate half-birthdays? Okay, well technically, we don't either. But when mommy decided that she made good wholesome meals all week long and was to tired both mentally and physically to prepare another meal, celebrating half-birthdays eating out sounded like a good idea!

As you know, Genevieve was born on her daddy's birthday. She is now 7 1/2 years old and daddy is...well...a little older and a half than that. ;)

Photo bomb courtesy of Jocelyn

Jonah's Baptism

What a special event Holy Baptism is! And my children have it even better because their Grandpa gets the privilege of performing the Holy Sacrament. Jonah was baptized at 41 days old and did really well. Below are a few pictures (in no specific order) of the special day.

 We are extremely blessed to have both grandfathers as clergy in the church and a great set of God-Parents (Ron and Sarah Hartley) for our 3 children!

What kids pick up on...

It never ceases to amaze me what kids pick up on. They truly are sponges and pick up on everything their parents say and do.

I have caught the girls disciplining their dolls by saying to them, "That is unacceptable!"  or "You are being inappropriate." And they say it in the most calm and loving way. (Because that's exactly how I speak when I am angry.) ;)

Or when Jenna gets upset with Jocelyn and says,"Jocelyn, for the fourteenth time will you please stop!"

14? Really?

But this one got us laughing pretty good...

Sam experienced the following while saying goodnight to the girls:
Jocelyn:  "Dad, kiss me like we're married."
Sam: (Nervous at where this conversation was going) "What do you mean?"
Jocelyn: "Tilt your head when you kiss me."

Jonah 1 month

Our family of 5 has survived the first month! The nights are becoming less and less sleepless but the diaper changes continue to be just as frequent. Man can this boy poop! I guess it is directly related to the amount he eats. And by the looks of his cheeks, and his overall weight...he eats well! 

Sweet baby Jonah has been the biggest blessing and a wonderful addition to our family.