Run, dog, run.

Juneau must be part sled dog or something...that dog can run. He ran 2 miles tonight like the wind. I think I have a good running partner. He's 12 weeks old and I can barely keep up...

Happy Nappy's

And so, today;

Naps.

Juneau on his over-sized cedar lined bed. He'll grow into it, right?

















Eli must have fallen asleep in the midst of playing with my stretched out hair tie. Whatever works...

No-nap-nonsense

Remember that no nap thing I spoke of yesterday? Not such a great idea. Eli...asleep at the dinner table and cranky boys that were only cured momentarily by the playground. EARLY, tough bedtime. No thanks.

We parents all know how this stuff goes...trial and error. :)

Spring is (mostly-almost) here

Our spring here is one of a different color. In April I think we had a dozen or more snow showers, and one soccer game nearly froze us to the field. However another Saturday the whole family basked in the spring sun watching Nate go after that ball and each and every one of us got sunburns on the backs of our necks. Guess I should put sunscreen in next to the gloves to remind me that you just never know around here.

It's time for sandals...I was excited to find that the pile of little socks to be paired together had shrunken by at least half today, as I waded through five loads of laundry. I detest, I loathe sock duty.

It's time for the yard, Ralph built a fence to keep Juneau safely in a part of the yard while kiddos run around, and so our entire yard isn't kissed by doggie piddle. We made a trip to Costco and picked up some huge, gorgeous bushes that turn a brilliant red in the fall, their name escapes me. We also picked up a flat of orange and yellow pansies, I just love the way our yard is falling together.

It's even time for manure...my folks brought it by today and dumped it into a wheelbarrow. I'm going to take yet another stab at gardening this year. Maybe a little horsey poop will bless it all.

It's time for early sunlight...early risers. I'm lucky if Nate sleeps until 6 a.m. these days. I take comfort in remembering that Joey did this too when he was younger, but now sleeps until 7. I'm trying to just take heart and get up with him. He's so happy so early! (and yes, we have black out shades and room darkening blinds. )

It's also a new season, Eli doesn't seem to be needing a nap these days. If we nap him, he's up and going strong until we're ready for bed around 10. Then we put him in bed and he's still awake for a bit. Not funny. He's just two and a half! But again, Joey gave up his nap at 2. Nate, on the other hand, gets really tired each day. I'm going to try napping them every other day, giving us some flexiblity in our days. In the meantime, since Joey stopped napping we've always enforced a quiet time during the day. Nate, however, would rather be deprived of food for three days than left in a room alone to entertain himself. So Eli and Nate are together for now, playing workshop with a noisy drill in the tent I set up this morning. And here I sit at the computer, think it's time to get back outside in the sun before it snows again. But really, I think we're clear until Wednesday...

PS~ Awesome puppy....still awesome.

Twadle-Free books

I found this great site that has recommendations for good reads for kids of all ages. The point is to move away from(twadle) books with little or no meaning, to encourage kids with books that are well written and engaging. Personally, I'm excited...very excited. The older my boys get the more I see a challenge to find good literature in the mess of dumb books. Recently, I visited Barnes & Noble in search for some good lit for my 10 year old nephew. I was disappointed to find "10 year old" twadle, stupid books. I'm sure the good stuff is out there, but I wasn't finding it on the shelf. Anyhow, now I'll know how to look. We visit the library weekly, so this will also be a good lesson in looking up books for the boys. Good reading!

The best thing for a Mom

Mondays are my favorite day of the week. We stay home all day. We do school lessons early, then I spend the day working around the house. The boys clean their rooms...and this morning we put up a tent in Nate and Eli's room. While I was putting up the tent, Eli said "Mama, you're a good mama."

I don't think that there is a better pay off for me in this day and age, what a beautiful thing to say! I'm a blessed mama!

Early This morning...

Nate and Eli were both snuggled up to me, next to each other...

Eli to Nate: Shoo, Fly
(Eli and I have a little discussion about being nice)
Eli to Nate: You're not my friend anymore!
Nate to Eli: For how many years?
Eli: 2 days.

Song of the Day

Slow down, you move too fast, you've got to make the morning last
Just kickin' down the cobble-stones, lookin' for fun and feelin' groovy

Feeling groovy

Hello lamp-post, what's cha knowing, I've come to watch your flowers growin'
Ain't cha got no rhymes for me, do-it-do-do, feelin' groovy

Feeling groovy

I've got no deeds to do, no promises to keep
I'm dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep
Let the morning time drop all its petals on me

Life I love you, all is groovy

Soccer Joe in the Cold

Eli says...

"Mom, could you help me put on my shirt?"
Then, under his breath; "That would be really awesome."

Joey Art

The Solar System, and each charachter from the movie Cars.

Meet my new running partner....

this is Juneau. We got Juneau earlier this week and he is just the sweetest puppy. He's 1/2 lab, 1/2 husky. His mom was husky, from Alaska. So far he's a fabulous puppy. I've even taken him on a few short runs, and I think one of these days I might just have a partner each time I run. This was a big motive for me in having another little boy around the house. You see, I run in the canyon which runs wild with wild cougar (and maybe wild people). I'm looking forward to not looking so "alone" out there.

But obviously, that's not all a puppy is good for he's great for taking good photos and sleeping in the funniest places. He's great for keeping little boys busy and company too. Why don't you come meet him?

#2

Nate had his second soccer game, and this time I was prepared, camera & all! He has a great time out there. He goes right for the ball and usually even heads in the right direction.

A little tired, the coach's wife helps Nate into the game for one more play .

Peachy Quin

Meet my sweet, sweet nephew, Joaquin. He'll be a year old in just a few days, so while he and his folks were here we celebrated his birthday. Unsurprisingly, this little guy is so fun, so happy. He shows all the evidence of lots and lots of love at home and a cheery, stimulating environment. I'm so glad I got to get time in with him....in May I get several full days to hang out with him.

Needless to say, the boys and Ralph all really enjoyed him. The only problem is that there is one of him and three boys here...they just didn't want to share their cousin. :) Joaquin is getting around really well, he gravitates toward balls and dirt just like any little boy. He has curls that won't quit, and I'm happy to say, was fine with me holding him and kissing on him. I'm so lucky!

Group Photos

Yes, I'm a little camera happy these days. Found a theme in these and I thought I'd pass them on. We had a fabulous weekend, you're sure to see lots more photos come up. Blue skies, and all of us got a little too much sun on Saturday, two soccer games and all. It was really warm this weekend! We broke out shorts and all. Today we're back to cooler weather, but rumor has it that that spring is breaking through.

Group photos round here usually offer one good expression, and at least one to snicker at. :)

Teach a man to fish...

As many of you have heard, this whole Oprah New World thing has become quite a popular trend. Oprah is offering a huge course (some 3 million people are involved) that helps people to find God within themselves, bring out god-ness within them self.

I've also heard all about her "big give," and have seen others very inspired by the generosity she is encouraging in others.

I watched part of the AIDS fund raising that American Idol did this last week. Tell you the truth, I can't watch for more than 5 minutes without feeling great despair for those lost children or lonely parents who've lost their children.

All these things have one thing in common to me;

They are great works, works that to the human eye appear to be good, but though they offer momentary comfort, even wellness, they offer no eternal hope. Nothing that saves us from ourselves, our own depravity, the fact that we are lost.

I Corinthians 13:1 tells us; If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or cymbal. All these "good" things that are happening in the public eye, they are but a resounding gong. Now what, truly, can a meal do for a family of orphaned children in Africa? Is this a good thing? Yes! Sustainment is good, and if we can feed others rather than buying a new pair of shoes, or even eating more simply once a week, should we? Yes! But what, my friends, is a meal without life, without hope? Christ came and offered us living water. Living food. This is not merely putting off imminent hunger. It is great fulfillment...forever. It is hope when you have lost a child, or a parent, or when you have a disease that you know one day will take your life. It is eternal life.

Please don't misunderstand me. Should we give freely? When I see someone on the street corner looking for food, will I share what I have? Absolutely! We are called to do this. One of the major-est responsibilities God left us with is caring for the fatherless and the widow. But a meal, it simply sustains, while offering hope and living "food" is life.

So if you're inclined to give, do so! But consider giving toward a reputable cause, that offers simple nourishment, and the hope of a life more fulfilled in Christ. Groups that I'm familiar with, World Vision, Compassion Intl., Voice of the Martyrs, check them out. Ranting done. :)

La luz de colores

These fabulous lights that my crafty sister Megan made for the boys. They were a Christmas gift, and yes, it only took me a few months to get around to hanging them. I regret it, they're so beautiful! Megan carefully crafted oragami balloons to slip over the lights on a strand of Christmas lights, and I simply love them. They're amazingly colorful, and so safe too. The perfect solution to a sweet four year old who doesn't want to go to sleep in the dark these days. Thank you, thank you auntie Megan, a very thoughtful gift...and I always love a gift that doesn't sit on the floor. :)

If you're getting this blog in an email....

...then you have been not-so-randomly chosen to get an email update each time I write a blog. I thought this would be a fun way for you keep tabs on new photos and silly jokes and the like. If, however, this whole blog thing bores you to tears (It just might) please don't hesitate to send me a quick email and ask me to take you off the list. I really don't want to bore you or clog up your box with bloggity-blogs.

Sincerely,
Amanda

Mid Weekend Ramblings of a Happy Mama

My husband has returned! After a long week at home, just the four of us, Ralph got home last night. It was a long week this time, I am still pretty run down from that flu thing I had, and Nate got a roaring ear infection just hours after Ralph left town. Eli is working on four mean-old molars too, and he hasn't been particularly happy this week. Needless to say I was so happy to have Ralph home, more than anything, I just missed his company. Man, I like this man.

Fun for me, though; last Sunday night I hosted a girls' night in, jammy-pizza-chick-flick-conversation fest. 12 of my closest friends came to our place jammy-clad and ready to relax. We had a wonderful time, laughed over 13 to 30, and ate too much pizza and chocolate. Thank you my friends...it was wonderful. Wish I had photos (still NO camera.)

The boys started soccer this week, it was a great time for all. Practices are held on school grounds so that the boys that aren't kicking balls are kickin it on the playground, so fun for busy brothers. Today was a first game for Joe and Nate, they both were phenomenal. Nate is as fast as Flash (The Incredible's..a must see) and worked really well with a boy, Jaden to make several points. They even managed to use the right goal every time. Joe made a point, and Ralph said he is really working well to be part of the team, and running more than he has in awhile. I wasn't able to go to Joe's game, littler boys were snoozing. It was so fun, no matter the cold. I did borrow mom's camera for this, but I'll have to post photos later.

...and it is STILL cold. Thursday the kids were at the park and all managed to come home with a collection of perfectly new freckles, it was actually warm. But Friday it was back to snow showers. I can't wait for the sun. My sweet anenomies are blooming beautifully and gives cause for me to do the chore of putting more under the bark and soil next fall. I'd love to have one of those beautiful gardens you see on the cover of Sunset, but I'm thinking those gardens are not simply planted in a season, they are grown.

....and I do want a vegetable garden this year. We have a raised bed, but it doesn't really hold much. Ralph would like to do away with it entirely, but then we have to find a place to put a garden. The only likely out-of-the-way place is in the shade. I'll let you know what we decide.

All is calm and peaceful around here. Ralph and the boys are wrestling downstairs. Perhaps I should take advantage of this time.

Silly Joe says...

"Mom, my gutters are hurting!"

It took me a minute to figure out he was talking about that space in your mouth between your cheek and your teeth. So silly!