The things that make us happy

I love my days off of work. I start my day before the sunrise with a run. I am ready before the kids. I can walk the girls to school, and then spend my day bonding with my son. While he naps, I can be totally productive with laundry, preparing meals, paperwork, etc. Or I can be totally lazy. And when school gets out, I can meet the girls and walk home with them. This schedule just makes me happy, it makes me enjoy my children, my life, my everything. (I'm sorry, is that too much corniness for one post?)

One day last week, I met the girls after school and was welcomed to great big hugs and smiles from them. The sun was shining as we walked home and I listened to them give detailed and exciting stories about their days at school. (I have never heard them say "fine" when I ask them about school!) I couldn't help but just smile as we walked, thinking about how lucky I am. And then, out of nowhere, when I am already feeling as chipper as can be, Jocelyn says, "I have the best parents in the world!" And if you could hear her tone, you would have thought that we are indeed the best. I mean, she said it with such enthusiasm. I gave her a huge hug and said "Well, I have the best children in the world." Jocelyn stopped in her tracks with the weirdest look on her face and said, "No, I said I have the best PANTS in the world."

Humph. 

First Foods

What?! Jonah is old enough to eat solids? I seriously need time to slow down! But, here it is 5 1/2 months, and he is showing all the clear signs that he is indeed ready for solid foods. So, I went for it. Not surprisingly, he took rice cereal like a champ. Opened, closed, swallowed and then smiled. :) If only blogger could upload videos. Then you would be smiling too. But instead, you'll just have to trust me that he is irresistibly adorable.

Seattle Seahawks

We aren't your typical die hard Seahawks fans, but we definitely got into the spirit this season. Honestly, it started when the girls were allowed to wear Seahawks apparel on Blue Fridays. My rule follower, Genevieve, took this as "You must wear Seahawks apparel" and was all distraught since she didn't own any. Sam also decided it would be good for him to have something since his work participates in this as well. And well, I didn't want to be left out. So each member of the family got a new piece of apparel. Including Jonah!

The girls sporting their new attire

This was our first attempt at a family picture. We later realized we had been photo-bombed by a cow!

Superbowl 2014 family picture (re-take)

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