Living Life, Valentine's and Snow

I am two weeks out from chemotherapy, and feel better every day.

I haven't posted because well...I've been busy living life!

Here are some random things that we've been doing:

Our old microwave died and we had to buy a new one.  Who knew that the packing would be such fun for two little boys?  

They enjoyed utterly destroying it with hammers, screw drivers and their own feet.

I can go to the park again with my family!  Here we are at a local park (Udall) - the boys rode their bikes while Bryan and I walked/jogged along behind.  (I mostly walked...I am much weaker than I want to be!)  And I greatly enjoyed the scenery of the Catalinas in the background.

Ben took our picture for Valentine's Day.  He forgot to aim the camera at Dad.

(I still have a double chin.  Thank you steroids.)

Then Sam took our picture for Valentine's Day. 

(I think we have budding photographers, no?)

Finally, Mom took our picture for Valentine's Day.  Thank you Mom.  

(We were at Macaroni Grill.)

Mom and the boys, also at Macaroni Grill on Valentine's Day.

At another park (Agua Caliente) on another Saturday.  It was a beautiful (though windy) day.  

I so love and appreciate being able to do things with my family again!! 

SNOW?  Did I mention that I live in TUCSON?  As in, Arizona?  I love the contradiction of a cactus being snowed on.

So my crazy Arizona-born boys wanted to play in the snow -- Arizona-style.  They had a blast!!

My desert bush - Texas Ranger (yes it needs trimming) - and our palm bush (tree?) all covered in snow.  There are supposed to be mountains in the background, but they disappeared for a while.

It snowed for about an hour!  But it was very wet, and didn't stick.  It's all gone now.  So sad.

That's all the excitement I can take for now.  

We're still cleaning up mud and sand from clothes, the floors, the bath tub after the boys' adventures in the snow.

Almost Done!

I am starting my last week of chemotherapy!  [insert happy dance]

I can't believe that it has already been three months since I was in the hospital, having all kinds of tests being run, and finally being told that I had this weird auto-immune kidney problem.  

Each week I start a new set of pills...

It always seems so daunting.

Except when I have this little guy to help me.  "Mom, can I help you take the med-cine?  Did you take it all? It'll make your kidneys better, Mom!"  

Bryan and I find it funny that the chemotherapy pills are blue.  It reminds us of The Matrix: 

Maybe that's why I've been so out of it; I'm taking TWO blue pills every morning.  Of course, I'm not sure about taking the red pill either.

I'll just be happy when I can take NO pills.  

Ben and Fluid "Damics"

One afternoon at lunch, Ben was taking a big drink from his cup.  It was the kind of cup with the lid and straw.  (We are slowly graduating from sippy cups to regular cups.  I don't trust him with open cups right now.)  He took a big drink, then slowly let the juice back down into the cup, then took a big drink and finally swallowed it all.

I was watching him, wondering what he was thinking about, when suddenly he looks up and says:

"Mom, how come when I suck the drink up my straw, it goes really fast up the straw, but it goes down really slow in the cup?"

Dark brown eyes with their long curly lashes, staring at me expectantly.  He's adorable.

Huh?

This was not what I was expecting from my adorable four-year-old.

And I knew it was a science-y type question, and I am not a scientist.  I studied French, and English Literature.  I could tell him what cup, straw, and drink were in French, but I was not up on my fluid dynamics and volume displacement theories.

So I told him that I didn't know, and that we should ask Daddy about it that night at dinner.  Well, we forgot about it.  Some time later (several days, I am not sure), he asked the same question again at lunch time, and again I told him that I didn't know, and that we needed to ask Daddy about it.

Finally, a few nights ago at dinner, Ben remembered to ask his question.  Bryan was surprised, and asked him if he'd been watching a show that talked about that (Ben likes Sid the Science Kid and sometimes they talk about stuff like that in the show), and Ben said no, he just saw it happening in his cup.

So Bryan began to pontificate about the workings of fluid dynamics, and actually did a good job (I thought, anyway) of breaking it down in four-year-old terms.  Ben seems to understand, gets excited about it, and true to form, suddenly interrupts his father.

"DAD!" (he's very emphatic when he interrupts) "Dad! Can you talk about the damics part now?"  (as if to say, "I'm done with all this fluid stuff, get to the good part about damics!")

With no time to think, I burst out laughing.  Ben realizes he's said something funny, so he repeats himself.

We try to get him to say "dy-nam-ics"...the best he can do is "dy-man-ics".  Good enough.

So if Ben ever tries to tell you how Dad taught him all about damics, or dymanics, you'll know where he got it from.

Deep Thoughts from Ben

I haven't done a "Ben-ism" post in a while.  He is four-and-three-quarters years old (but who is keeping track?) and he is full of knowledge, observations and mostly...questions.

"Mom, I have something to tell you, Mom.  I need to tell you something."  (this with a grave look on his face, dark brown eyes staring right into mine)

"What do you need to tell me, Ben?"

"I just went pee-pee, and I did wash my hands, but I didn't use soap, because there wasn't that many germs."

He is already figuring out ways to cut corners...we are working on this.

"But Mom, why can't we see the germs?  And what color are the germs?  Why are germs so mean?"  (We have an episode of Super Why to thank for this conversation.)

---------------------------------------------------

On another day, while driving home from preschool, Ben says matter-of-fact-ly from the back seat:

"Sam is two."

"Yes Ben, Sam is two years old."

"So...when he has his birthday, then...he will be three!"

"Yes!  Good job on your numbers, Ben."

"But..." (I glance into the rear view mirror and see his brow furrow in thought) "...when Sam is three...then...he will be Ben."

????

I am not sure how to respond to this.  I am not sure what he is thinking.

"Ben...when Sam turns three years old, he will still be Sam.  Sam will always be Sam.  He will just grow!"

(Brow furrowed deeper...thinking...)  "But...how can he not be Ben?"

"Well...because he is Sam.  Do you want to have another Ben?"

"No."  (I was relieved to hear this.)

"Do you want Sam to stay Sam?"

"Yes!"  (more relief)

"Okay, then.  Sam will always be Sam - he is just going to grow, and learn, and talk better!"  I think part of Ben's dilemma is that he cannot imagine Sam not being baby-like.

Thankfully, Ben seems relieved.  I think he kind of likes his little brother.

--------------------------------------------------

A girlfriend of mine is having a baby soon.  Ben asked why her belly "is so big."

So I tell him, "Her belly is not big - she has a baby growing inside her belly, and that baby is getting big!"

"So he's stretching out his mama's belly?"

"Yes."

"Did me and Sam stretch out your belly too?"

"Yes, you did.  But you couldn't help it - babies have to grow, and that is how God designed it all to happen."

"Yeah...'cause your belly is already big.  Why did Sam stretch it out so much?"

Thanks a lot Ben!!!  And he's already laying blame on little brother, even though Ben was the larger of the two, at a whopping nine pounds.  (Sam was "'only" eight pounds.)

------------------------------------------------

I'll save the other deep thoughts for another time.  I feel like I need to go re-do my ab workout today.

Ben's Ambition

I sometimes wonder what my boys will be when they grow up.  I guess every parent wonders that about their kids.  I see my boys' intelligence, their compassion, their love of learning (especially Ben), and I can't help but wonder, "What are they going to do with all this potential?"

No, I don't waste much time on these thoughts -- after all, they are only ages 2 and 4.  I try to enjoy "today" with them.  I am in no hurry for them to grow up.

Just look at this little dude:

My silly little man who put on his shirt all by himself...he liked it on backwards.

Tuesday morning while at Bible Study Fellowship, Ben and his classmates in the 4's/5's class learned that God has purpose for everyone.  (I think the main truth was "God has a work for every believer to do.")  As part of the lesson, the Children's Leaders asked the boys and girls what they'd like to be when they grow up.

When Ben's teacher told me about this, I was so interested to see what Ben had said.

He idolizes his Daddy, who is a mechanical engineer (though I don't think Ben has any idea what that is; he just knows Daddy can make all kinds of things).  He also adores his Grandpa, who builds and remodels homes and is a fabulous wood-worker.  And I know he enjoys being in the garage with Daddy, "building" things.  He loves animals...cars...trains...blocks...outer space...yes, he is the typical four-year-old boy.

So what did my intelligent and compassionate son say that he wanted to be when he grew up?

Just like Daddy?

Carpenter extraordinaire?

Veterinary doctor?

Astronaut?

No, no...Ben has much higher aspirations.


He....


wants...


to...


be...

(source)

LARRY THE CUCUMBER.

Five Things Friday

Since it is now already March, I thought I'd better get back into the real swing of things on my blog!

So here is the first "Five Things Friday" of 2012:

1.  I've started my first real cross-stitch sampler.  (I think they are called "samplers" because there is a sample of alphabet, numbers, and different motifs that you stitch in them.  But if you're a real stitcher out there...don't laugh at my attempt at the definition!  Because that is not nice.)  

Anyway, this design is called "Margaret Cottam Aged 9" and La-D-Da is the designer.  (I love that name, "La-D-Da"!  And the designs are great, too.)  

The problem I'm having with this design is that for some crazy reason, I decided to stitch it on 40-count linen.  40-count (for my non-stitching friends) means that there are 40 stitches per inch.  40 little squares.  Except, I am stitching it over two threads, so really it's more like 20-count size stitches...but still...there are all those tiny holes!!!  My eyes start crossing after a while.  So it's official.  I'm getting old.  Even my bifocal  eyeglass lenses aren't helping much.  Needless to say, progress is slow!  But I do love working on this piece!  

2.  Paper plates.  These are my new favorite thing in my house.  Huge stack of paper plates at Target: $3.99.  Less dishes to wash: absolutely priceless.  This will last me about two weeks.  We don't eat on paper plates for every meal -- but my boys tend to eat a lot during the day, so these are awesome for their breakfast, second breakfast, elevensies, lunch, dinner, second dinner...  ;) 

(Try not to notice our cluttery kitchen counter. No, I don't normally put the plates on the glass platter. I need to return the platter to Aunt Claire, and it's clean, so to prevent other, dirtier things being put on it - I put the plates.  And yes, that is a random potato in the background.  And my husband's yummy cinnamon rolls under plastic wrap. and the kids' allergy medicine.   Hmmm...I should put some stuff away, no?)

3.  Cilantro, anyone?  Yes, that huge bushy thing is our cilantro plant.  The smaller one to the right is Mint.  Basil used to reside on the other side of Cilantro, but he died in a freeze earlier in the winter.  :(  (That is what I get for NOT watching the 10:00 news!  I didn't know it was going to freeze, so I didn't cover my plant babies.)

I am not trying to neglect poor Cilantro -- two weeks ago, my boys were all sick with colds, and last week, I was sick with a cold myself, and during those two weeks, Cilantro decided to grow like crazy, and I didn't have time to trim him back.  So it's his fault.

Those of you in Tucson...come on over, we've got plenty of cilantro!!

Note the McQueen/Mater Pillow Pets face-off.

4.  Little Big Planet.  Otherwise known as, "The Girl Game" in our house.  This was my Valentine's gift from my hubby (yes, I did want it), but Ben thinks it's for him.  He's getting pretty good at it, actually.  

(By the way, he calls it "The Girl Game" because Mama dresses her little sack person like a girl - because...well, I'm a girl.)  

There's my cute little man with his fading temporary monster truck tattoo on his forearm and his tissue for the booger that he'd just "accidentally picked".  Love this guy!

5.  Whammer.  McSlammer.  Napping through brother's round of Little Girl Game.  Sat down on the couch and totally sacked out.  Ben was worried he'd fall off the couch, so he moved the coffee table over for him.  Such a good big brother!

It's good to be back, Five Things Friday!  Happy Weekend, Everyone!!

Do You Speak "Sam-inese"?

Sam does.

Ben is pretty fluent.

Hubby and I...barely.  We are participating in a daily immersion program, but it isn't helping much.

Anyone who has parented or spent any amount of time with a babbling two-year-old will understand the hilarity and frustrations that come with attempting communication with these little language-learners.

So far, this is what we've figured out:

"Pap-PEACE!" = Pacifier
"Bee-Bee" = Blanket
"Mil" = Milk
"Pop - Part" = Pop-Tart

The problem is, once we nail down what one word means, it will change without warning.  Thankfully, most of the time, Big Brother Ben is available to interpret for us.

For example, a few weeks ago Sam beckons to me from the bedroom he shares with Ben.  He is gesturing, very animated and excited.

"What is it, Sam?"  I ask.  "What have you got?"

Gesturing wildly to about two feet of space between his bottom bunk bed and the ladder to the top bunk, he garbles:

"EYE WUN PURRRR-RAIL!!!"

He is excited, his chocolate-brown eyes are dancing.  

I have NO idea what he's talking about.  

So I look at where he's gesturing, trying to make sense of the sounds and situation - any clues at all.

Nothing.  Is he trying out some French?  I tried to think of what word in French "purr-ail" sounded like.  

Of course this isn't it at all.

So I fake comprehension: "That's great, Sam!"

He looks at me directly and almost accusingly.  He knows when I'm faking it.

"EYE WUN PURRRR-RAIL!!!!"

I'm lost.  And I feel terrible that I can't understand this adorable, garbling little boy.

From the living room down the hall, Ben calls out: "You found your PURPLE WHALE, Sam?!"

Overjoyed, Sam nods vigorously and calls out clearly: "YEEEEESSSSSSS!!!" and then he pulls out a plush purple whale from under some blankets on the floor.

Oh.  Silly me.

Another phrase we had trouble deciphering:

"[unintelligible] MA WAH KEE KEE COW GO??"

Poor Sam kept repeating this, quite concerned about wherever this "COW" had gone.  But, the boys had no toy cows of any kind whatsoever.  We thought maybe he'd taken an interest in Hawaiian cows?  (Is there such a thing?)

Finally, Ben pipes up:  "I don't know where your Lightning McQueen car is, Sam!"

If it weren't for Ben acting as interpreter, we'd be lost.

But sometimes, he doesn't know.  Sam will say something - pacifier in mouth.

"Sam, take out your paci; we don't know what you're saying."

(Removes paci.  Repeats phrase.)

No clue what he's saying.  So I turn to Ben.  "Do you know what Sam is saying?"

Ben turns to Sam: "What are you saying, Sam?"

Sam obligingly repeats.

Ben shakes his head.  "I don't know what he's saying, Mom!"

Poor Sam.  He sighs, puts his paci back in his mouth, and walks off, as if to say, "You guys are hopeless."

Yes...yes, we are, Sam.

  

Nearly ready for Christmas...

I keep wanting to sing, "Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat..."

But we have no goose, and he is not fat.

And now I'm being silly.

I feel as if I've been lazy this season...I have yet to add more ornaments to our tree (see last post) and I think I just WON'T.  Christmas will still come if our tree is not fully decorated.  I have a friend who didn't even bother putting ornaments on her tree this year - just the lights and the star on top - and it looks lovely.  And it's much less stressful for her, and there are less things for the kids to get into.

What a smart lady.

I am all about cross-stitching this season, not decorating.

I started the lovely "This is My Joy" pattern (also mentioned in last post) by Little House Needleworks.  I LOVE it! I'm about half-way through.  The thread is silk, and oh it is lovely to stitch with.  

Glides through the linen smoothly, and it's so soft. 

I love the variegated look of the hand-dyed threads - see how the little sheep has different shades of green?

(The thread is Crescent Colours Belle Soie, by the way - color is Collard Greens.)

I got my "bake on" yesterday -- baked up some cookies and bars to give to the neighbors, and then put this sinfully delicious pudding dessert together -- just for me.  

Just kidding.  I'll share it with my family.

Maybe.  If they say "please" and put on puppy dog eyes.

Pudding dessert always makes me think of my sweet Grandma - she made this when I was growing up and we always loved it.  I'm so thankful that she gave me the recipe before she passed away.  

I miss her so much!

Ben's preschool had their annual Christmas pageant, "Happy Birthday Jesus," on Thursday night -- he is the little guy in front with the orange shirt on under the tan "robe" (he and his class-mates were Inn Keepers - the row behind them were the Shepherds).

"There's noooo room for you at the inn!!"  

(That's his buddy Gabe to the left - they've known each other since they were practically born, just three weeks apart.)

Then Ben decided that it was time to flip his robe up over his head.

Gabe thought the result of the "flipping" was fun.

Meanwhile, Sam was rolling around on the floor, having a grand time.

"Is it over yet?"  

What troopers they were!

And so, with my stitching project half-way finished, the pudding dessert complete, and the Christmas pageant over, I think we are now about ready for Christmas.

Now I just need to get my house somewhat cleaned up - family is coming tomorrow!  Then it will REALLY feel like Christmas!  Yay for Grandma and Grandpa!  (and Uncle Doug!)

Merry Christmas everyone...

and to all a good night.

(couldn't help it - sorry)

Christmas-y stuff

We FINALLY got our Christmas tree up, thanks to Ben and his constant prodding...

No "day of rest" for us on Sunday afternoon!

Don't judge us for our style - Ben went to town decorating the tree himself:

He was quite meticulous about how he added each one to the tree, and explained in detail to his dad why he'd arranged them in this way:

But Bryan can't really remember what Ben said about it, because it kind of didn't make sense.  Apparently it made perfect sense to Ben - which is really the important thing here, isn't it?

These are shatter-proof ornaments, by the way.  They are taking the place of my lovely lavender and silver glass ornaments, which will not reappear until the boys are past the taking-the-ornaments-off-the-tree-and-throwing-them-inside-the-tree phase.

Oh, someday I'll get my beautiful purple and silver tree back.  But I'm quite happy with our brightly-colored hodge-podge tree for now.

I did add some of my own ornaments, up high and (hopefully) out of reach.  I finished up a Hallmark series this year.  I am actually not "into" angels - but these were so pretty, I went for it.

the last holiday angel in the Hallmark series

I'm contemplating adding more ornaments, but so far have had little motivation to do so.  For one thing, I've been concentrating hard on not going through another bout of strep throat.  So far, I seem to be failing.  I'll let you know it goes.

Also, I've been working diligently in the evenings to finish this sweet piece:

excuse the hoop-marks

And it's funny, because I'm not really "into" angels...hmmm...well anyway, this is a Little House Needleworks   design, "The Angels Sang".  I just love the simplicity and country-style.  So homey and warm.  I'm stitching it on 30-count Straw linen by Weeks Dye Works.  I think I might frame it -- but am also considering making a wall-hanging with some twigs/branches -- something "earthy" if that makes sense.  We'll see!

As soon as I finish my angel piece, I'm starting another design by LHN - a brand-new one called "This is My Joy" -- just picked it up today at the needlework store.  Can't wait to begin it!  I've never stitched with silk threads before (I chose the Collard Green and am going to stitch it on 30-count Cocoa linen by Weeks Dye Works) and I've heard silk is amazing.

excuse my very bad with-flash photo

Okay now you're updated!!

And just "who" are "you"??

;)

Five Things Friday -- October 28, 2011

1.  We have recently discovered the deliciousness of the butterburgers at the new Culver's in town.  Yes, it's been here since July or August...yes, we waited until October to try it out.  But only because of the incredibly long lines in the restaurant and the long line of cars wrapped around the building for the drive-thru.  

It was well worth the wait.  We now see what all the fuss was about -- and we are now fussing along, too.  Yummy butterburger, I love you.  Yummy frozen custard, I cannot wait to consume you.  (Again, I ask, why can I not drop these last ten pounds?)

Ben loves their home-made root beer!

2.  The weather finally dropped into the 70's.  Wearing blue jeans never felt so good.  Having the windows and doors open to the fresh air is wonderful.


3.  Sam is obsessed with Spider-Man, if you haven't noticed from other posts.  We have to just accept the fact that he will wear the same shirt for two days, including to bed, dirty or not...this is more difficult for Mommy to accept than Daddy.  But the lack of struggle involved in dressing him is worth it.

All decked out in his Spidey shirt and tennis shoes.

4.  I had another cross-stitch finish this week...there was much rejoicing, both on my part and on Bryan's.  I drove him nuts with the finishing of this one -- it had to be just right.  I kept changing frames, then tried painting one (yeah that was a trip).  It's a (rather belated) birthday gift that I have yet to give to my dear friend, so here is just a part of the finished product.  This is a design from Country Garden Stitchery.

This was my first project that included seed beads and a button - I really enjoyed making it!  

5.  I just started reading Corrie ten Boom's bestseller, The Hiding Place.  I can hardly put it down.  (Yes, David Copperfield is now on hold...along with The Help.)  I wish I'd read it years ago.  Her deep faith in God is absolutely inspiring, convicting, and humbling to me.  I haven't gotten very far...the Nazi's haven't gotten her yet...but she's leading up to it and the anticipation is making me upset and nervous, knowing what she will endure.  However at least I do know how it ends, and how her faith in God grows only deeper.  I am nervous to join her on this journey through her time in the Nazi concentration camp and the loss of her father and sister.  I know there are tears coming, and possibly even some anxiety attacks...I really get too involved in stories, especially REAL ones.  But also I know God is still speaking through Corrie ten Boom, through her book, and I am eager to see what He is saying.  If you haven't already -- check it out!  If you're one of my girlfriends in town -- I will loan it to you when I'm done.  ;)


Happy Weekend everyone!!


Love,
Kimberly

Five Things Friday

Another crazy week.  I couldn't keep up...once again, God showed me that I do make the world go 'round.  How did He show this to me?  My five things this week:

1.  I caught strep throat.  Again.  Worse this time, too -- I was down for about five days.  I couldn't accomplish anything on my daily or weekly "to-do" lists -- and they were long this week, too.  Bible study responsibilities, house-cleaning goals, grandparents coming into town, my older baby's fourth birthday...yeah, almost nothing got ticked off those lists.

2.  Ben turned four on Tuesday!  My sweet little 9-pound newborn has grown into a sweet, tall, nearly-50-pound 4-year-old.  Where do the years go?

One thing I did accomplish...the birthday cake.  He requested a "circle chocolate cake with yellow on top."  He was thrilled with the results.  I'm so glad...I thought it was so ugly!  Wish I could do better!

3.  I gave Ben a terrible gift for his birthday -- strep throat.  Poor buddy came down with it on the night before his birthday.  But thankfully we caught it early and he didn't seem much fazed by it.  He was too interested in his new Hot Wheels toy to care about a sore throat.

He has been asking for this toy for months!!

4.  Grandpa and Grandma came to visit this week.  They came for Ben's birthday, and though Ben and I were sick for most of their short 4-day visit, we still had a great time.  I know my husband especially was thankful for their help!  And Ben absolutely loves his grandparents.  Play-time with Grandpa, story-time with Grandma, lots of love and spoiling...he had a wonderful time.  I suspect that they enjoyed the boys as much as the boys enjoyed them.  What a blessing grandparents are!!

5.  Date night tonight!!  Oh yeah, we are so there.  We've been waiting to see this show.  I'm so thankful that I'm healthy again and can go!!  Gaslight, here we come!  Yummy pizza and vanilla Pepsi, I cannot wait to introduce you to my tummy.

Happy weekend!!  Let's all try to stay healthy this time.

Stylin' Saturday Link Up -- Ben's Shoe Fashion

Linking up with Wendy again!

It's Ben's turn for a Stylin' feature!!  

He loves his Daddy...

so much so, that he wants to wear Daddy's shoes...

even though he's already wearing his own shoes.

My sweet boy -- he turns four years old on Tuesday!

An overly-zealous smile and a "time-out" shirt are also pluses to the wardrobe.

He and Daddy have the same basic taste in sandals...black is good.

Click over to see what Wendy's sweet little Jordis decided to wear this week!