Project 365, Week 4

The temperature is somewhere below zero as I type this and we got a fresh batch of snow this week.  I was relaying to Shaun the story of a conversation I had with a cashier.  She said something about how we would be getting more snow and I said Oh really?  I hadn't heard that yet.  And the cashier said well, you are the only one who hasn't.  Shaun's response was, Well, snow affects your life very little.  And its true.  I don't travel outside the home for work (not much in January anyway) and we don't have kids in school yet.  I'm so thankful for how life is right now and I don't take a single day for granted.  Soon enough we'll be dealing with children's schedules and I may be obligated to know what the weather is going to do tomorrow.   For now, as you will see, our weeks are fairly low key.  I've never tested it, but I think I would be into the weeks before any signs of cabin fever surfaced. :)

January 16

Shaun's sister and her family came over for the evening.  We watched the New England Patriots lose and then the guys went driving...

 ...serious driving!

January 17
The girls found a warm spot to read.

 January 18
Didn't have a picture for the day, but when I went to go up to bed, I found the answer!

January 19
Daddy took us out to dinner and then to make a big vacuum purchase.   Avery was manning the camera while Shaun and I stole a few minutes of conversation.  Despite our faces, it was a good conversation. :)

January 20
The dog's new trick is to sneak into the girls' room in the morning and take Amanda's precious friend, her Bear.  Amanda came down and said, Trot crept in my room quietly and STOLE my Bear!  Crept?

This is how the girls spent some of their rest time in the afternoon...

 January 21
Mastermind has been the game of the week.  No surprise that Shaun is exceptional at it.  Its funny to listen in on the girls playing and giving each other hints.  Avery will say, Its the opposite of blue or its the opposite of yellow.

I made the mistake of stepping in one time in an effort to educate them.  Actually (in my very best adult voice) the only colors that are opposite of each other are black and white.  Avery said, Mom, its fine.  We are doing fine.  And indeed they were.  They played nicely for hours.  A good lesson for me that my "wisdom" is not always needed.

Shaun kicked me out to the coffee shop to get some work done.  Two hours of solid work time (and a big mug of hot chocolate) goes a long way.

 January 22
What to do with a big appliance box...

 I'm linking up with Sara this week.  Stay warm!!

Back-ume

I have to say, I'm a little surprised by the lack of response to my plea for vacuum advice.  NO one chimed in their opinion and here I was thinking that everyone must have a strong opinion about the vacuum they use at least once a week.   Maybe that's just me who has strong opinions about way too many things.

At any rate, much as I would have liked to continue using the excuse "the Internet hasn't gotten back to me yet", the house could not wait any longer to be vacuumed so we had to make the purchase.  I asked Shaun if he would grab one on his way home from work.  

He did go to look but came back stating it was something I should go take a look at for myself.  So we made it a family outing.  Who knew there were so many vacuums in the world???  And who knew Sears could be so much FUN?!? :)

Shaun suggested an upright one that has a "pop out" canister for stairs that I thought seemed good, so we went with it.  Hoping it serves us well...

So clean house! Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy and hurtful talk. You've had a taste of God. Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God's pure kindness. Then you'll grow up mature and whole in God.

I Peter 2:1

I Heart Faces ~ Winter Wonderland

This week at I Heart Faces the theme for the photo challenge is Winter Wonderland.  And for kids, the two feet of snow we just got makes for an amazing wonderland, where smiles and laughter abound.

Aiden is Eighteen Months

Aiden is "half big", as Avery says.  What a joy he is!

He's growing into a little boy daily and its so fun (and a bit scary) to watch.  He gives the best hugs, second only to Amanda.  He wraps his chubby little hands around my neck and squeezes tight, then pulls away, just beyond our noses touching and looks right into my eyes and grins.

He is saying all kinds of words:

up, down, out

A-ye (Avery)

A (Amanda)

Chot, Chot (Trot)

eat

at (hat)

and a whole bunch of others plus several phrases that I'm still not quite understanding

As I was composing this I asked Avery if she could think of any words Aiden says that I've missed.  She proceeded to go to him and had him repeat about 25 words...and he made an effort on each one,  some were quite clear.

*He's learned to throw a fit to varying degrees...he's also learned to cut it out if his daddy is around and tells him no.

*makes sound effects

*likes to hold a controller (is that what they're called?) and pretend he is racing a car when his daddy and sisters are playing PS3.

*He is all about balls!  Loves his child-sized basketball and likes to pack it around the house.

*started to "read" to himself in a quiet corner or in his crib.  So cute to hear the inflections in his voice.  Avery also reads to him quite a bit.

*still requests "Up Above" at least once a day and he's able to hum more and more of it on key 

*showed first signs of compassion.  I'd scolded Amanda for something she did and she was pouting. Aiden went over to her, gave her a hug, patted her back and talked to her and tried to make eye contact with her as if to ask if she was ok

*likes to help me in the kitchen, whether its taking out all the pots and pans, sweeping or mopping the floor or riding on the vacuum....he'll make a great husband someday :)

*has become friendly with strangers when we are out.  He waves bye and often blows kisses, which is just too incredibly adorable

*Avery exclaims how cute he is multiple times a day.  She often squeals with delight at the things he does, the faces he makes and the things he says

Here's our little man in pictures from this past month.  You'll see he figured out presents with no trouble, he's gotten a couple dings to the head and he is rarely lacking for attention, thanks to his doting sisters.

 Aiden got to meet his newest cousin Wyatt, who took Aiden's place as the youngest.  Aiden was thrilled with him, kept saying Baby! Baby! and somehow instinctively knew to wraps both his arms around him.  Total sweetness. I told him to ask his daddy for a baby brother. ;)

Project 365, Week 3

Hi!  It can't be helped...the theme for this week was WHITE...in the form of SNOW.  In spite of that, it was a great week.  We had fun in the snow and got some work done.  Shaun got me laughing harder than I have in a long time, we got some family time in and it was just a good week.

This is completely random but I need your help.  My canister vacuum broke this week so I'm in the market for a new one.  Wondering what my options are, other than canister, or if that is the best option for me.  It needs to do ceramic tile, wood floors, rugs and stairs.  Suggestions?

January 9
We woke up to some pretty snow so I brought my camera on our walk.  Trot loved romping around off the leash in this park while I took in the beauty.

Uncle Nathan taught Amanda about throwing snowballs and she greeted Daddy with one when he finally returned home from plowing.

January 10
These two were taking a quick break from the dance party they were having in the dining room.

January 11

I had to wake Aiden up so we could take Avery to dance class.  I was struck by how big he looks when he is stretched out in the crib.  

January 12

Snow.  A CRAZY amount of it...about 2 feet actually.  Shaun was gone a long time plowing, over multiple days.  I went out to do some shoveling so he wouldn't have to when he came home but wow...there was SO much of it!  Our area had not had that much snow from one storm since 1905.  Glad I was around for the 2011 storm and not the 1905 one, though I bet my house was pretty sweet then, being just ten years old. :)

January 13
The next day we ventured out to dig out some more and to give the dog some exercise.  Aiden wasn't a fan.  He needed a nap, and had a sister throwing snowballs at him.  I thought his jacket/boots combo was pretty comical.  Ah, the life of the third child.

January 14
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.  We went to my dad's to have fun in the snow with some cousins.  And fun we found!

 Aiden's first time down by himself.  I was not consulted, which was good.  He thought it was great. :)

January 15
My birthday!  My day started with a gorgeous sunrise.  I know you are supposed to sleep in when its your birthday, its a Saturday, you have no place to be and the kids are gone, but that is not fun for me....I'd rather be up enjoying it.

The florist called to say they would be bringing a delivery.  I had a short list of people it could possibly be from and my husband was not on it (oops!).  Imagine my surprise when I discovered they were from him!

After church, I got to go to dinner with my Birthday Buddy, my nephew Colombo at our favorite restaurant.  It was so special that he wanted to spend his day with his old auntie.

Cards, calls, messages, texts, hugs and smiles.  I felt so loved, so blessed.  God has been so good, so faithful these 36 years.  My heart is full.

I'm linking up with Sara this week...

Scripture Memory #2

But if you remain in me and my words remain in you,

you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!

John 15:7

Join in if you can!

Frosted Window Panes

Lots and lots of snow here and still snowing.  Its a good day to be inside together (minus the plower/shoveler of the family).  This morning I dressed in sweats and when Avery saw me she said Mom, you don't look like you are dressed for the day.  Well, today I AM dressed for the day...the snow day! :)  And hey...I DID put my contacts in at least. 

Its also a good day for unlimited hot drinks.  My second pot of coffee is brewing now and then this afternoon I'll move on to green tea.  :)

Hope you are enjoying wherever and with whomever you are spending today.

For as the sky soars high above earth, 

   so the way I work surpasses the way you work, 

   and the way I think is beyond the way you think.

Just as rain and snow descend from the skies 

   and don't go back until they've watered the earth,

Doing their work of making things grow and blossom, 

   producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry,

So will the words that come out of my mouth 

   not come back empty-handed.

They'll do the work I sent them to do, 

   they'll complete the assignment I gave them.

Isaiah 55:8-11