Daddy and his girls ready for the game- any game UM plays. =)
Addison opening the card from G-Ma and Pi-Paw celebrating the arrival of Autumn which came on the same day that Autumn's temperatures decided to grace us with its presence.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Recent pictures
I'm feeling guilty for not writing in so long, but I really don't have time right now, so I will just post pictures...Enjoy!
Daddy and his girls ready for the game- any game UM plays. =)
Addison opening the card from G-Ma and Pi-Paw celebrating the arrival of Autumn which came on the same day that Autumn's temperatures decided to grace us with its presence.
Daddy and his girls ready for the game- any game UM plays. =)
Addison opening the card from G-Ma and Pi-Paw celebrating the arrival of Autumn which came on the same day that Autumn's temperatures decided to grace us with its presence.
Saturday, October 03, 2009
A story
I was reading my friend Allie's blog (http://jabrannon.blogspot.com/) today and decided to throw my name in the hat to win a book. The "application process" was simple: write a story. So I did. Here is the story. And no, I didn't make it up. =)
It was a regular morning. I was taking advantage of a quiet moment nursing my seven mpnth old to clean out my inbox when a simple string of sentences catapulted my Mama heart into new territory.
"Mama friends, I lost my dear friend Jen this morning as she napped with her six week old baby girl. She was completely healthy, we don't know what happened. Her daughter Sara was breast fed.
I am going to start sharing my milk with Sara. Do any of you have extra that you can share too?"
I looked down at my Addison, all soft curves and plump rolls, nestled in my arms being nurtured and satisfied at my breast and thought, "I could share some milk with this sweet Mama-less baby..." When my infant interrupted her own meal with the gift of her milky smile, it was final. I could, and I would share with this little stranger a most intimate gift- something that before this moment had been reserved for my own precious children alone.
Later that day when my two year old, Caiden asked why I was "taking out all of Addion's milk" I explained that we were going to share some of her milk with a tiny little baby whose Mama couldn't nurse her any more because she was with Jesus. I spoke tenatively, gently. My daughter is so sensitive to pain- especially my own. I was unsure how she would respond, so when she looked at me solemnly, dropped her toy and ran from the room, my heart sank. Seconds later she returned and clambered onto the couch, sitting right next to me. She grabbed the breast pump, stuck it under her shirt and announced proudly, "I'll help too."
It was a regular morning. I was taking advantage of a quiet moment nursing my seven mpnth old to clean out my inbox when a simple string of sentences catapulted my Mama heart into new territory.
"Mama friends, I lost my dear friend Jen this morning as she napped with her six week old baby girl. She was completely healthy, we don't know what happened. Her daughter Sara was breast fed.
I am going to start sharing my milk with Sara. Do any of you have extra that you can share too?"
I looked down at my Addison, all soft curves and plump rolls, nestled in my arms being nurtured and satisfied at my breast and thought, "I could share some milk with this sweet Mama-less baby..." When my infant interrupted her own meal with the gift of her milky smile, it was final. I could, and I would share with this little stranger a most intimate gift- something that before this moment had been reserved for my own precious children alone.
Later that day when my two year old, Caiden asked why I was "taking out all of Addion's milk" I explained that we were going to share some of her milk with a tiny little baby whose Mama couldn't nurse her any more because she was with Jesus. I spoke tenatively, gently. My daughter is so sensitive to pain- especially my own. I was unsure how she would respond, so when she looked at me solemnly, dropped her toy and ran from the room, my heart sank. Seconds later she returned and clambered onto the couch, sitting right next to me. She grabbed the breast pump, stuck it under her shirt and announced proudly, "I'll help too."
Monday, September 14, 2009
National Pastimes
What pictures stretch across your mind when you think of a National Pastime?
Is it this?
Perhaps something along these lines?
May I humbly suggest a new national pastime? We are consumed by it over here and it is wildly entertaining, and some would say that it is the cheapest, purest, most light hearted fun for the whole family available!
What's that?
The suspense is killing you?
Oh, forgive me! Here's a picture of my nomination of the NEW national pastime.
Kissing....
Baby,,,,
Cheeks!!!
Because when you have cheeks like this around...
...how can you resist? I dare you!
Is it this?
Perhaps something along these lines?
May I humbly suggest a new national pastime? We are consumed by it over here and it is wildly entertaining, and some would say that it is the cheapest, purest, most light hearted fun for the whole family available!
What's that?
The suspense is killing you?
Oh, forgive me! Here's a picture of my nomination of the NEW national pastime.
Kissing....
Baby,,,,
Cheeks!!!
Because when you have cheeks like this around...
...how can you resist? I dare you!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Dog Days of Summer
I couldn't resist!
This is Dexter- the dog my girls fell in love with at Camp Arete this summer.
I love Addison's tongue smile- it was sweetness for a few weeks over the summer, and now it is gone. =( They change so fast! But, it is proof that my second daughter loves dogs. She loves Bentley too- Aunt Bekah's dog. She resembles an overzealous marionette when she seems him, "jumping" while suspended in in mid-air, arms flailing with excitement. So cute.
And NO, we will not be getting a dog. Thankyouverymuch! =)
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Cultivating Thankful Hearts
Some conversations with Caiden today got me thinking about our conscious decision to instill thankfulness in our girls. I started evaluating what kind of example I was setting for her. It's so easy to be thankful when things are fun, sweet, beautiful, and, well, easy. Like when Caiden asks "to play Thankful" every night at dinner and proceeds to allow me to splash around in the overflow of her thankful heart.
Tonight we waded in these things: (listed as she shared them with me- "lots of time with Daddy- Mama, I just love it!,
for the place mat G-Ma bought me, for my bunk beds, for hanging out with Daddy (I'm serious- she said hanging out!), for little baby Reese- she loves me!, for going to Nana's, for this yummy "wice" and chicken, and for Pi-Paw not flying, (I think she meant on Monday so she could see him...). Or when after a particularly frustrating bed-time experience sneaking back into her room for a few minutes of snuggle time in her bottom bunk and to find a radiant smile awaiting me, small arms thrown around my neck, and a sweet voice proclaiming that my appearance "made her heart so happy!"
I'd love to share with you some easy things that filled my heart today: That a sweet family from our church gave us bunk beds for Caiden AND put them up for me while Jeff was out of town on a youth trip.
That Jeff helped me settle the girls into their new rooms last night and I got to tuck them into new beds, in tidy, comfy rooms.
That Caiden can make me laugh just by making a comment in passing: "Mama, this grown up book has words AND pictures. Isn't that creative?!" (This observation was made about a book a snagged from Lake Sybelia's free book pile- Roald Dohl's "The BFG"- terrific book for young and old alike, by the way.)
That Addison delights my heart every time she dives for my arms, or says "Dada" when Jeff walks into the room. Those are moments anyone could be thankful for. But then there are times when to my shame, I allow the moment to consume me and I get overwhelmed or frustrated.
Here are some things I chose to be thankful for today: that when my plans/schedule don't work out, God is re-directing my path (if I let Him),
that even though today was a work day, it was only five hours; that when during dinner preparation and Addison was screaming, and I pulled a container of strawberries out of the fridge and promptly dropped them all over the inside of the fridge and the floor- I needed to clean those places anyway! =)
That during bath time when my princesses tragically turned into some alien life forms, whining, back-arching, tsunami splashing, deaf and defiant creatures- I was able to be thankful that I CAN give them both baths at the same time/place now and remember that soon enough they will be showering and not need me any more.
That even though my Mom needs to have her hip replaced (Sept 21st), in a few short months she will be pain free and moving around like new!
Okay, falling asleep at the keyboard again- I better sign off before I try and count something, or otherwise make a comment that would lead you to the conclusion that we are in the process of adding to our family. Good heavens! Blogging can be dangerous!! =) Good night!
Tonight we waded in these things: (listed as she shared them with me- "lots of time with Daddy- Mama, I just love it!,
for the place mat G-Ma bought me, for my bunk beds, for hanging out with Daddy (I'm serious- she said hanging out!), for little baby Reese- she loves me!, for going to Nana's, for this yummy "wice" and chicken, and for Pi-Paw not flying, (I think she meant on Monday so she could see him...). Or when after a particularly frustrating bed-time experience sneaking back into her room for a few minutes of snuggle time in her bottom bunk and to find a radiant smile awaiting me, small arms thrown around my neck, and a sweet voice proclaiming that my appearance "made her heart so happy!"
I'd love to share with you some easy things that filled my heart today: That a sweet family from our church gave us bunk beds for Caiden AND put them up for me while Jeff was out of town on a youth trip.
That Jeff helped me settle the girls into their new rooms last night and I got to tuck them into new beds, in tidy, comfy rooms.
That Caiden can make me laugh just by making a comment in passing: "Mama, this grown up book has words AND pictures. Isn't that creative?!" (This observation was made about a book a snagged from Lake Sybelia's free book pile- Roald Dohl's "The BFG"- terrific book for young and old alike, by the way.)
That Addison delights my heart every time she dives for my arms, or says "Dada" when Jeff walks into the room. Those are moments anyone could be thankful for. But then there are times when to my shame, I allow the moment to consume me and I get overwhelmed or frustrated.
Here are some things I chose to be thankful for today: that when my plans/schedule don't work out, God is re-directing my path (if I let Him),
that even though today was a work day, it was only five hours; that when during dinner preparation and Addison was screaming, and I pulled a container of strawberries out of the fridge and promptly dropped them all over the inside of the fridge and the floor- I needed to clean those places anyway! =)
That during bath time when my princesses tragically turned into some alien life forms, whining, back-arching, tsunami splashing, deaf and defiant creatures- I was able to be thankful that I CAN give them both baths at the same time/place now and remember that soon enough they will be showering and not need me any more.
That even though my Mom needs to have her hip replaced (Sept 21st), in a few short months she will be pain free and moving around like new!
Okay, falling asleep at the keyboard again- I better sign off before I try and count something, or otherwise make a comment that would lead you to the conclusion that we are in the process of adding to our family. Good heavens! Blogging can be dangerous!! =) Good night!
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Correction! FIve- not six!
Oh my- that's what I get for writing that blog so late last night....I can't count! There are FIVE McLaughlin grandchildren now- not six as I had previously posted. My sweet Mother in Law called me this morning and about gave me heart failure asking if I was pregnant and if that was the reason there were "six"...Dear me! No, I am NOT pregnant!!! =) Addison woke up three time last night to eat- I cannot imagine being pregnant at this stage in the game!!! A little sleep deprived and delirious, yes, pregnant, no! But give yourselves a pat on the back if you caught the mistake! =)
Monday, August 31, 2009
Brought to you by the Letter R and the Number 5
Caiden and I were talking about things that begin with the "r" sound- here's what we came up with: (for an honest re-creation, say the words with a "w"sound in place of the "r". (Like "Wachel") If she thinks about it, she can fix it, but most of the time I let it slide...I know that sound isn't stable until age 4, and it's just so darn cute! =)
Rachel (from Signing Time- the "favorite video of my life" as she calls it,
Raisins,
Running,
Raccoon,
Rainbow, and......drum woll (ahem- ROLL) please......
Reese - who celebrates her BIRTH day today! Welcome to the world sweet little Reese. Your cousins, Uncle Jeff, and Aunt Shannon were so excited to meet you today! We can't wait to get to know you more. Right now, just from our quick glimpse of you, we think you look like a beautiful mix of your brothers. We can't wait to watch you change and grow. For now, enjoy getting to know your family, learning to nurse, and snuggling. Before long you will be as big as your cousin Addison- who I promise was your size just 6.5 months ago. (Reese was 6 lbs and 10 oz, 19.75 inches long)
So, what does the number five have to do with anything? That's the number of grandchildren in the McLaughlin Family now- so much fun!! What a beautiful day of celebration!
Rachel (from Signing Time- the "favorite video of my life" as she calls it,
Raisins,
Running,
Raccoon,
Rainbow, and......drum woll (ahem- ROLL) please......
Reese - who celebrates her BIRTH day today! Welcome to the world sweet little Reese. Your cousins, Uncle Jeff, and Aunt Shannon were so excited to meet you today! We can't wait to get to know you more. Right now, just from our quick glimpse of you, we think you look like a beautiful mix of your brothers. We can't wait to watch you change and grow. For now, enjoy getting to know your family, learning to nurse, and snuggling. Before long you will be as big as your cousin Addison- who I promise was your size just 6.5 months ago. (Reese was 6 lbs and 10 oz, 19.75 inches long)
So, what does the number five have to do with anything? That's the number of grandchildren in the McLaughlin Family now- so much fun!! What a beautiful day of celebration!
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