The Detour

Here it is, 12:44 am on Christmas Eve morning. I can't sleep, which is extremely rare for this sleep-deprived, sleep-loving mama.  Christmas excitement, you ask? In a way I guess.  This Christmas season has been one of COMPLETE and udder wonder for me.  Partly I think because my sweet M boys are at an age (especially Marshal) where they are starting to understand what's going on.  Marshal loves naming baby Jesus, and Mawy.  But even more, this has been a season of great peace.  Peace that surpasses my understanding in a lot of ways. We have a lot less.  We've lost a lot this year.  But when I think of what we have - I'm in awe.

Today, er, yesterday -  my husband ended up in the ER with a spine complication (LONG STORY).  My husband.  My strong, hard-working, do anything to protect, provider, husband... was very compromised and helplessly in pain. I sat next to his ER stretcher contemplating life and death.  Call me melodramatic, but it doesn't help that he said, "If I die, make sure you remarry." Side note, for some reason that totally cracks me up.  He ended up having a relatively simple procedure, had near-immediate relief, and now is on bed-rest flat on his back for 48 hours.

I'm grateful.  Understatement.  I'll take a Christmas Eve and Christmas on our king-sized bed or couch any-day.  We are all here, and we are together.

So, back to the point.  Somehow, on this Christmas Eve 2010 - with my husband flat on his back and me sleepless - my heart is overflowing with joy.  My eyes are not moist from sorrow.  Quite the opposite.  I have so much to be thankful for.  Peace, namely.  Family.  Provision.  Redemption.  Health. Financial Peace. Reconciliation. To name a few. 

It's funny how God works.  I'm such a planner.  (Planner is a harsh word, I prefer "organized dreamer" - ha.) Sometimes, in the grand scheme of God's plan for my life, I like to take control of my dreams. You know, hang on to them REAL tight.  I like to try to force them into fruition, usually my way.  But this is what I'm learning: God wants to see my dreams realized even more than I do.  In fact - His dreams for me encompass my destiny.  But at times I have to be redirected.  A detour, so to speak.  A detour that re-aligns my plans within the more perfect plans He has for me.  (Come to think of it, Mary had a bit of a detour too - and look how marvelous that turned out.)  These detours force me to once again place my trust, dependence, and yes even control - back into His hands.  I guess that's what He means when He says He knows the plans He has for me, and works all things for my good.

Moral of the story? Today? This year?
Even when things seem most hopeless.
Even when situations seem un-redeemable.
Even when dreams seem deflated or dashed.
Nothing is impossible with Him.

I'm telling you - I've seen it with my own eyes.
My heart has been healed by this very message.
Things may not happen my way.
I'm okay with that.
Because as I sit here in the quiet of my little home,
I can see from the depths of my soul - there is peace.

What a beautiful message on Christmas Eve.
Peace.
Thank you Jesus.





PICTURES:

We started a new tradition for advent.  We write on a paper ornament what each member of the family is thankful for, each day of December through Christmas.  Marshal's answers surround Mama and Dada most days.  Since Mason doesn't talk yet we embellish his a bit.  After all is said and done, the rope gets stored away for next year to decorate the tree with.

This year's Christmas tree makes me giggle.  It is a little Charlie Brown tree that was given to us our first year of marriage.  We love that ugly little tree.  It reminds us of humble beginnings.  And humble detours.  It sits on our kitchen island, which in this picture is also housing the diaper bag, and a grocery sack of peed-on-little-boy-underwear. There's real life for ya.  If you look closely, the reindeer craft on the left is missing an eye.  I imagine it will pass in Mason's diaper any day now.

"Small house, great peace" - self explanatory.

I love you. Merry Christmas.

Woah! Lots of Firsts! (View at your own risk...)

So.  We came home from a wonderful Thanksgiving vacation.  And my boys must have grown on the plane!

Because the VERY NEXT DAY, Mason decides he wants to walk! Just like that! He had been taking a few steps here and there, but on December 3, 2010 - he took off! Started walking! In one night! He is so excited.  Now if we can just keep Marshal from "accidentally" bumping him over.

The NEXT, NEXT, DAY, Marshal comes up to me and asks, "Mama, can I go potty in big-boy potty?" He actually asked! I hadn't been planning on potty-training him yet, and hadn't been working with him at all recently.  Needless to say, I decided to run with it! And he's doing great! He's consistently in big-boy unders (except for at nap-time and bed-time).  He tells us when he needs to go pee, and even got to pee in a car lot parking lot.  He hadn't gone #2 in the potty yet... and then... TODAY.

Yes. Be alarmed.  Be very alarmed. I was out of the room for nearly half a second, and he'd disrobed, squatted, and tirdded on the floor.  Never wanting to miss a learning opportunity, we talked about how tirds don't go on the floor, but in the potty.  (Don't worry all you clean freaks... hands and carpet were all washed/disinfected appropriately.)  THEN later today - SUCCESS!!!

Sorry for the graphic images.  It's all about memories here on the 'ol blog.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Bedside

I

I love reading lots of books at once.  To me it's like TV, I want to watch (read) what I'm in the mood for.  So this is my current list... My bedside selection.  What are YOU reading?

Make a Wish, Sweet Brown "M"

Well, I tried!!!

The NEXT "M" - At My Favorite Park

Marshy Update

Marshal has recently taken to referring to himself in third person:
"I'm a hungry Marshal Peters!"
"MOM, MARSHAL PETERS FALLING!!!"

Favorite sayings include:
"Hi Mom."
"WhatrYOU doing heere?"
"Sit by you?"
"Snuggle Mama?"

Favorite foods:
Breakfast Bars
Bagels
Anything I'm eating...

Favorite toys:
"Puppet Pets" - throwing his stuffed Veggie Tales at us
Puzzles
IronMAN (Hand-me-down toys are the BEST, thanks Bets!)
Thomas, and anything trainey...

Favorite Movies:
Thomas the Train
Veggie Tales
Milo and Otis

He's getting so big, and becoming an AMAZING talker.  Love him.

Black Furry Boogers

Mason has all of a sudden blossomed this amazingly funny personality.  He makes cute, coy faces.  He chases his brother.  He gives everyone sweet kisses.  He likes to clap.  He imitates his big brother.  He's SO close to walking! He'll stand by himself and take a few steps, but I think it's too slow for him, and he resorts to crawling.  He's got the most PRECIOUS dimples.  I love to snuggle him and kiss the back of his neck.  He's addicted to Panda Pete.  He loves him so much that he wakes up with a black-hair-crusted-booger stuck in his nose from nuzzling Pete's black fur all night. 

He's my amazing sweet boy.  I'm so thankful he's OURS.

Bedtime Changes

Marsh's bedtime routine has changed once again.  He now goes to sleep in our bed, then gets moved to his big-boy-bed when mom and dad turn in.  He now likes to be completely under the covers with the big body pillow smushing his little toddler body into our pillow-top mattress.  You can see his little hand sticking out from under the pillow in the first picture.  Isn't it so cute???

Some Favorites (Mason)

Some Favorites (Marshal)

Jumbled

It's almost been a month since my last post! I have so much thankfulness in my heart, and so many thoughts on my mind! I'm not sure where to begin, so this post is officially JUMBLED.

- Brown play dough is gross.  However Marshal is newly infatuated with it, and loves making quarter-sized brown pancakes.  Reason unknown.  Mason loves to eat the brown crumbs off the floor (dually gross, I know - yet somehow inevitable...)

- We had puke, diarrhea, and croup all in one night.  That has to be a record.  Somehow it makes it a little better that Jalon (sweet Daddy) went to comfort Marshal in the middle of it all and stuck his knee right in a puddle of toddler vomit.

- I am so good at grocery shopping.  I went in with my ad-matching list and my budget of $110 dollars cash.  I spent 109.89.  Pulling NO items of the check-out belt.  Without a calculator. That's skill.

- Did you know that grape vines are pruned in Winter? Did you also know that it isn't DEAD branches that are pruned, but any branch not bearing fruit OR any branch not growing in the desired direction of the Farmer... Did you ADDITIONALLY know that it is LAST YEAR'S pruning that determines the growth of THIS YEAR'S harvest? Hmmmm.... chew on that as you read John 15.  God has been rocking my world with these concepts.

- Our ten year reunion is this weekend! I'm so old! I love it!

- Mason is getting very close to walking! He is a snuggle-bug! His hair is so pretty I sometimes want to put bows in it.  But I can't.  Not even blue ones.  Because he's a boy and that's not allowed.

- This last week we decided we don't want TV for a while.  I'm loving it gone.

- I'm reading the Duggar's book (thanks Angie) and it's rocking my world too! 

- Marshal calls an airplane a "porcuplane" -  somehow I'm guessing the transportation and zoo books morphed.

Happy weekend to all you in Bloggerworld.
God is good, I've seen it in my own life.
He can be trusted.
Goodnight.

Traditions

I love traditions!  I love hearing other people's traditions!  And I want to do the tradition that I read about here and here!  (Also, note the WAY cool crowns and decorations.) The problem is that my kids are 2, and 9 months.  They won't be starting school for like - ever. ( And I'm very happy about this fact... and I already know what you're thinking, "It'll be here in a blink of an eye..." Yes. I know.) And when that blink of an eye happens, can you help me remember that I want to do this tradition? Thanks!

A Letter to my M&Ms (Blue&Brown)

Hi Sweet M Boys -

Tonight it is quiet.  You are both sleeping, Marsh you're in our bed, Maso in the crib.  As I sit with hands positioned on the keyboard I search for words to describe tonight, and my heart.

Right now you are both so little.  I want you to know - you make life wonderful.  The joy and fulfillment you bring to our family is beyond anything I could have dreamed.  I am so proud of you.   

I want to be the best mama for you.  I want to be consistent, fun, wise, silly, humble, and approachable. But I make a lot of mistakes.  I'm going to make LOTS more.  Please forgive me.  Right now in life we are learning so much.  We are learning that stuff isn't what makes us happy.  We're learning that it's okay to prioritize family, even in a society where that foundation is crumbling.  

My heart is to protect you.  Oh how my heart wants to shield and guard you.  Babies, this world is hard.   It sometimes brings heartache and pain.  I won't be able to always be with you, I won't be able to always comfort you, and I won't be able to keep you from hurting.   This reality makes me want to hold you tightly, worry, and control.  

But you know what? 
As much as I like to think you're MINE, you're really not.  
As much as I think I love you, Someone loves you MORE.   
That One knows your stories from beginning to end.  
That One knows how to comfort you better than I do.
That One is with you even when me and Daddy can't be.  
That One will never leave you.  

So tonight I remember.  
I remember to not hold you too tightly.  
Oh, I'll take care of you with everything that is in me.  
I'll cherish every memory you make, everyday.  
But I'll remember that you are HIS before you are mine. 

I love you sweet baby M&Ms.  Know Jesus, okay? 
He's completely trustworthy, 
and altogether everything you need.

Mama

Favorite Sayings by Marsh

"Whater YOU doing heer?"
"Why?"
"What mama? What?"
"Tanks"
"Cuse me"
"Shoot Baketts?"
"Run errands mama?"
"Motercyckel"
"Bikeacyckel"
"Wookit Daddy!"


Favorite Songs:
Happy Day
Jesus Loves Me
Our God
ABCs
I'm in the Lord's Army 

Party at Nana's House!

Nana is Jalon's Grandma.  She is beyond amazing in countless ways.  Over Labor Day we took our students to Page for a Back to School Retreat.  While we were there we got to spend lots of time with Nana.  Marshal LOVES parties, in fact he recently went to Lamplighters (our church's senior-citizen group) with jumps and giggles because he was convinced it was a birthday party.  Nana got wind of this and decided to throw Marshal a party while we were in town.  Was it his birthday? No.  Was it a special occasion? Yes.  Marshal and Nana time is always a special occasion.  Her party was a blast! Cupcakes, chocolate milk (or as Marshy says, "shock-a-nook"), party-favors, noise-makers, sunglasses, balloons, ice-cream, Spidey cups and plates.... and of course... PRESENTS!  A box of matchbox cars, a bath-time automatic bubble-blower, books, a Panda movie and stuffed bear... and the list goes on.  It was an evening of memories for my little party lovin' man.  Thank you Nana for making life so special.  Love you.

Sweet Marshal Jay

Marshal, he's such a sweet boy.  This past weekend we had the opportunity to travel to Scottsdale, where Jalon and I got to do music for a retreat.  Since both mama and daddy went, that meant the M&Ms came too.  We had such a blast.  I love being a family.  It's so fun to live life with little boys. 

Train Day!

Sweet Maso-Faso

I love mornings best. 
Sweet precious bed-head and squishy face.
A little sweaty and smellin' like last night's bath.
Heaven in jammies.

Precious!

Mama - "Marshal you're precious!"
Marshal - "Mama, YOU'RE precious!"
Mama - "Is Daddy precious?"
Marshal - "No."
Mama - "What is Daddy?"
Marshal - "A PARTY!"

Library Days!

Homemade Baby-Food: Some Basics

I'm DEFINITELY not a chef.
Nor am I super green or Earthy.   
Making homemade baby-food is not my "cause" in life.
I know many babies grow up perfectly healthy and happy without it.

However, after LOTS of research, I found out it's the best for us and our family.  Just in case it might be best for you and your family, I'm posting some hints.  

SOME BASICS:

• Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended (I can give you ENDLESS references, but for starters the American Academy of Pediatrics) for the first 4-6 months of life.  Breastfeeding should be baby's primary source of nutrients until age 1.  (With iron-rich foods or supplementation after six months.)
• Babies should be introduced single-ingredient foods first, to decrease the risk and identify potential food allergy.
• It's WAY too easy, too healthy, and too economical to NOT make your own baby-food!
• Certain foods should be avoided until certain ages (dairy, citrus, peanuts, shell-fish, wheat, certain whole fruits, etc...)
• I make my babies' food, using the techniques I'll explain here, until they have shown no sign of ingredient allergy and are developmentally ready to transition to the food I make for the rest of the family.
• I introduce single-ingredient foods a minimum of 3 days a part and look for signs of my babies' intolerance to foods - including upset stomach, fussiness, gas, changes in stool patterns, and diaper-rash.
• I freeze single ingredients, then after I know it sits well with baby, I mix and match frozen cubes. 
• I like to get my babies HOOKED on veggies before I introduce them to the sweet fruits.
• I've taken homemade baby-food across the country on road trips and on airplanes.  Long-trips and short-trips alike.
• I know what's in it, I buy organic, and it TASTES yummy. 

A great book (has how to cook ANY food you would ever want to give your baby) -
Top 100 Baby Purees, by Annabel Karmel

Homemade Baby-Food: Tools

Luckily, making baby-food is cheap and easy.
Most of all you need, you already have in your kitchen.
Promise.
You'll need something to cut with, and something to cut on.

You'll need a pot big enough to boil water
and your raw, cut-up food.
You'll need something to steam.
I use a steamer that came on my rice-cooker,
but you can also use the kind that sits on a pot.

You'll need a dish that is deep enough to hold some water
and bake some squash, halved.
You'll need something to blend/puree your baby's food
to the right consistency for their age.

 You'll need ice-cube trays of some sort to freeze your food, and something to cover the trays while they freeze. (I got this kind, super cheap online - they're durable and go right into the dishwasher over and over.)You can also use regular trays and parchment paper to cover.
Zip-lock bags to hold frozen cubes. Containers to carry and reheat.