Parenting Teen Boys 101 (Terminology)

Parenting Teen Boys 101 (Terminology)

'Hey Mom, I'm going shed hunting':  Why in the world are they looking for a shed (storage) was my first thought- I turned to Matt and asked that very question and he responded by rolling his eye's and laughing.  Here is what I have since learned......Male White Tail Deer SHED their antlers every year- These shed antlers are a popular past time hunt.  My boys think it's fun to go out looking for these deer sheds and haul every one they find home to pile in their room (or pretend fight with them clawing at each other).....................Had they only said shoe hunting I would have totally known what they were talking about...smile

'Hey Mom, can I have ONE of these cookies': The word ONE is misleading....by one they mean they will be eating the whole box and maybe, if they feel like it, leave ONE cookie.

'Hey Mom, I'm Hungry':  Translated this means that you are about ready to get eaten out of house and home- Teen Boys can literally consume food faster than what you can buy it......Our grocery bill is tipping just under a thousand dollars..........Yes, I spend just under $12,000 a year on food- I love feeding my boys and love that they have friends and cousins up often....I would not trade any of the thousands of dollars spent each year on food for anything. Start saving now my mother friends of small children!

'Hey Mom, I got a Deer!!': If blood and gore bother you at all you just gotta suck that pansy thinking up (verbatim what I have been told)- If your teen boy shoots a deer one must go look, take pictures of the dead creature (with the child holding it by the horns), and proclaim accolades...........THEN after all of this you have to CONSUME a hundred or so pounds of that deer meat (or spit it in your napkin after each bite....I have NEVER ever done this).

'Hey Mom, Do you want a Rocky Mountain Oyster': 'Sorry boy's I can't cause I'm allergic to shell fish'...I thought my boys were talking about actual oysters.
If you have ever lived on a cow farm (cattle ranch....whatever it's called) you know exactly what I am talking about.  If not, maybe one of these names will ring a bell....prairie oysters, Montana tendergroins, swinging beef, and calf fires, oh this one is the best..................COWBOY CAVIAR
If you don't know what I am talking about yet google it-
Who looks at those after being removed from the poor calf and thinks............YUM!! Draw the line people D.R.A.W. T.H.E. L.I.N.E! (absolutely do not send me a private message telling me how good they are and that I should try- I will mentally judge you and will not be able to compartmentalize the fact that you have eaten them)

Here's to some of the most precious years of our parenting lives- Our boys growing up to be young men...


The view as you walk into my boys room- I especially appreciate the teeth on this whatever it is...

Here is the pile of deer shed's on my Eli's bed right now- He has been out shed hunting with his friend Tyler all afternoon

 

The Letter Waiting in the Mail Box

Dear Ryan,

This letter from your school was waiting in the mail box today!!

We are SO PROUD of you sweetie- You are living out your Christian Faith and it is noticeable to others.

Keep walking the walk son-

We love you,

Daddy and Mom

 

 

Don't Trust The Boat (from Julie)

Have you ever been around someone who's faith in our Heavenly Father shines brighter than the pain you know they are in..........
Someone who has walked through one unchosen fire only to be ushered into another unchosen fire....
As onlookers we are saying 'Enough Lord...she's had enough'
But as she speaks 'Jesus' is all she say's...
'Jesus saw me through the recent death of my husband....he saw both of us through the 6 months of suffering he endured before going home to be with the Lord,'
'Jesus is seeing me through the Dialysis I hook myself up to each night'
'Jesus is seeing me through the imminent Kidney transplant I will be having in just a few short months...'
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.....

Julie is filled with Jesus- her focus is Jesus- her claim is Jesus
At Bible Study today she shared with me that once in awhile she will sit and write an e-mail to send out to encourage others- She shares things that she herself has learned and is learning as she walks through this season of unrelenting fire- the fire has not burned Julie in the way Satan has hoped but instead it has refined her in the ability to look beyond her present situation to a greater faith....

Thank you for sharing Jesus with those you meet Julie- For ministering to those around you as you lay in your hospital bed, as you go to one more doctor's appointment, as you hook up to one more dialysis, as you go through one more medical test....

Persevere my dear friend....our Jesus is using you to influence many.  

'Heavenly father I lift up precious Julie- Please guard and keep the Kidney Transplant she is about to receive. Please be with her sister who is donating the kidney....please be with Julie's girls as they stand by their mom's side.  Please give the doctor's and nurse's wisdom and guidance.....Thank you Lord for Julie's steadfast walk in her faith...'

 

DON'T TRUST THE BOAT by Julie

"You of little faith," He said, "why do you doubt?"
Matthew 14:31

We are all familiar with this story about Jesus and His disciples. After Jesus fed the 5000,  He told the disciples to get in the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side of the lake. While they were traveling across the lake, Jesus went up alone to a mountain to pray. The disciples soon found themselves in the midst of a violent storm. Jesus, seeing all that was happening walked out to them in the midst of the storm and when they saw Him, they were terrified! But Jesus said to them, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid!" At this point, Peter walks to Jesus on the water but as soon as he saw the wind, he was afraid and began to sink. He cried out, "Lord, save me!" That is when Jesus asked him why he doubted.

Oh, how like the disciples we are! We fear the storm around us, the circumstances that seem beyond our control. Have you ever felt like retreating in the midst of the storm-back to safer waters or pressing on no matter what to your destination?
Could Jesus have arranged for them to have smooth sailing to their destination? of course, He could! But it's during the storm that our faith becomes stronger and we learn to trust Him.
When are we the safest in the storm? When we're following Him and walking in obedience
Jesus comes to us when we need Him the most. The things that you fear and often leave you trembling-He has control over.
I don't know what storm you're facing today. Maybe financial problems, relationship issues, a devastating illness or maybe several things all at once and your world is spinning out of control.
Don't trust the boat! Trust the Lord.
Focus on Him and His power. He will get you through this storm and see you safely to the other side.

Julie and her beautiful daughters

Trading Tory's and Frozen Samoas

The season is getting ready to change and you know what that means....
No, not taking the stud tires off (this is what my Matt would say in response to this question)
The correct answer to this my fashionista's is: Wardrobe change

Last Summer my friend Deb and I shopped consignment and I came across a pair of Tory Burch 'Selma' White Wedge Sandals in my size...Let's take a minute to admire :)

I have put some miles on these Tory's....they accessorized and adorable-ized many an outfit last summer and fall-
I've had my eye out for a cute pair of red flip flops- as Nordstrom's flip flops pop up on my computer screen I am most drawn to the Tory's...........of course, I'm a frugal fashionista so Nordy's price makes me shutter just a bit.  E-bay had some better prices and a few more styles (hey Darcy, should I go with used shoes...smile).  After much frugal thought I have decided to list my last spring Tory's (purchased for $4) on e-bay....if they sell I will be trading Tory's......
Here's what I am hoping to adorable-ize my outfits with this spring and summer:

p.s. before I post the pic just gotta say......I LOVE that it is girl scout selling season- I LOVE that my friend Molly is my go to source...........Frozen Samoas are where it's at- pure deliciousness right there baby....PURE DELICIOUSNESS!

p.s.s. I'll keep you posted on the Tory's

6 Words to Overcome Anger....

It's been an interesting season of learning...........
Psycho Analyzed big application explanation answers being replaced with simple scripture

My natural tendency is to respond to certain situations with anger
I could justify my responses with this reason and that reason stemming from this childhood experience or that early married years this and then package and shelve the responses in my mind with the stamp 'Justified'

Jesus
He is all about seeing us Sanctified
all about simplifying this humanly complicated life we tend to live

'Heavenly Father what do I need to understand about myself, my childhood, my marriage to unlock the secret to overcoming anger- How do I not let the sun go down with an angry heart?' 

'A soft answer turns away wrath' (Proverbs 15:1)

That's It? 

If I choose kind, soft, Godly words even when everything inside shouts angry this will take care of an anger problem?

'A soft answer turns away wrath'

Pretty soon those soft outward responses start becoming inward habits.....

'A soft answer turns away wrath'...Jesus simplifies how to overcome anger in 6 words.....

Heavenly Father please let me be a woman who's soft answer turns away wrath- I love you Lord Jesus and thank you for making the complicated so simple.....

Shot Gun 4-H

At the beginning of the year Ryan joined our local Shot Gun 4-H.  Every other Sunday after church and some Saturday's find us at our local gun range watching him shoot- I saw the word 'trap' shooting and 'skeet' shooting on the side of the gun club wall and I have heard Ry, Matt, and Eli talk about the fact that Ry is 'Trap' Shooting so we will go with that- Several other kids from our church are also in the group.....Katie, Tyler, and Alex- I was hoping to get a picture of Katie and Tyler (they are cousins) shooting but have not yet- Alex is in the stripped shirt and Ry is in the black and camo jacket.

Today the boys were shooting doubles (meaning 2 clay disks were thrown from a machine into the air- going opposite directions and the person shooting would try to hit both moving targets before they hit the ground)

A beautiful sunny day here in Oregon to be out at the gun range watching the kids shoot- They all did great!

 

Good Job Alex!!

A sucker and ear muffs............fashion at it's finest :)

TBT and A Congratulations!

Throw Back Thursday finds us in 2006.....staying in a cabin on a lake..... (trying to roast but actually starting on fire) roasting marshmallows :)

I LOVE MY BOYS!

 

p.s. Congratulations to:

My cousin Molly, my sis in law Erika, Brittany (it's a boy!!!), and my friends Tonya and Delaine.....all who have announced recently that they are pregnant!! Whoo Hoo...You go girls ;)

 

The Little Lady And Her Incident Report

On Thursday's my Ellie spends the day with my mom.  Since Ellie started Pre School a few weeks back my mom picks her up on Thursdays when she get's out.  Elle's school is one town over from where my mom lives and about a 10 minute drive away.  I was headed into town this morning right around when she was getting out of school so I called my mom to see if she wanted me to do the pick up.............'Oh No, I am going to be over by her school anyway because sissy (my sister's daughter) and I got pedicures this morning' was my mom's reply- My sister lives very close to the school and my mom needed to drop Sienna off at home.  I decided to drop by my sister's house so that I could say hi to her and her family and see Ellie when my mom dropped Sienna off..........
When it comes to adoption one of the big questions asked is what is genetic and what is environment- If an adopted child exhibits a certain behavior or symptom that is not typical of their adopted family statistics will dub it genetic (a peanut allergy would be genetic and not environment)...life choices inconsistent with the birth family's history could be credited to environment...etc. 
One of the things I appreciate most about our birth mom Heather is that she has a spunky spark to her- She's going to call life like it is and not take guff off of others- I knew this attribute would fit perfectly into our family if Ellie inherited it (from what I have heard Elle's birth father Arthur was a bit more laid back)....Ellie is being raised with 2 older brothers that are hilariously rowdy- Her daddy is a tell it like it is kind of guy and her mommy is the same.......... the Genetic and environment lined up for the perfect match when it comes to spunk, spark, and calling life like it is for our Ellie....At a little over 2 and a half we have already had to tone it down in Elle's just a bit (she has taken up spitting, pushing, and even biting for awhile).
When my mom's van pulled up to Jodi's house and I saw Ellie jump out I went out to give her a hug.  My mom pointed out a small bruise on the left side of her forehead and handed me a piece of paper.  The paper was titled 'Incident Report' with an explanation following:
'She (Ellie) went to take a toy from another child, they then smacked her with another toy which left a mark on her forehead'
I immediately cringed inside as I asked the next question...
'Oh my gosh mom what did Ellie do after the child hit her with the toy???'
I know our Ellie- she don't take no guff......I've seen her in action- she get's pushed and the other poor child gets both of her petite hands laid on their chest with a power house shove
'It doesn't sound like she did anything- I guess she shook her head at the child and just kind of walked away'

Maybe in her mind she is starting to do checks and balances- She went to take the toy away and the child defended his toy...she would have defended her toy in the same way.....or maybe she is absorbing when we tell her that she may not hit (scratch, bite, push)- Whatever the case it was a big sigh of relief knowing that she handled herself like the little lady she is :)

Good Job Elle's!!

Valentine's For Ellie's Class

Ellie came home on Friday from pre school with a 'News Letter' in her back pack-   Miss Lauren and Miss Amy (Elle's Teachers) send out classroom news Monthly to let the parents know what is going on during the month.  The month of February finds the class working on the letters G, V, and T.  They are also learning about the five senses.....This month also finds most of us celebrating Valentines Day- Miss Amy and Miss Lauren are embracing this with a party (whoop whoop!!)....as parents we were told the following:

'We will be having a  Valentine's Day Party!  Be sure and wear either pink or red that day (Love that Ellie will be wearing the Valentine Heart Decorated Hannah Anderson Tights passed down from J.).  We will be exchanging Valentine's and attached to this letter I have written up a class list that you may use to address your Valentine's if you would like (uuuummmmm LOVE THIS).'

 



I knew this week was going to be busy so we set to work making the Valentines right away....both Saturday and today found Ellie and I sitting at the table working on them.  It was so fun to dig through our craft supplies and gather the Valentine making goodies...........As Ellie and I were making each Valentine we would go over the names of the kids in her class.....I would say them and she would repeat their names after me....'Alex, Ava, Braylee, Brynn, Carl, Ethan, Henry, Michael, William, Jayme, Bode Jaycee, Juno, Avery, Morgan'..........

Making the Valentine's for Ellie's class was so much fun- Watching her put the 'special' stickers and paint on each one was precious- Hearing her say the names of her class mates was adorable!!

Just us...being us

no make up
no re takes
no pretense
no hype

Still trying
Still growing
Still dating
Still absolutely in love

Here we are.....Just us...being 20 years of us

Pre School and Pink Princess Pull Ups

This blog post is all about 'pull ups'....if you don't know what a pull up is, it's a toddler version of a diaper- the toddler version comes about because instead of two sticky tabs that attach from back to front holding the diaper on- the diaper pulls up and down like big girl/boy under ware...It's claim to fame is that it helps the toddler transition out of a diaper and into underwear all the while still having the protection of being made out of diaper material...........

I had the chance to use pull up's 16 years ago when my almost 2 year old Eli was potty training....My brain could not wrap around paying almost twice as much for the pull up's as his diapers when they were just a glorified diaper anyway- While most of Eli's peers were proudly sporting their pull ups my Eli was sporting his size 3 Huggies with his determined mommy proclaiming what a waste of money those glorified diaper pull ups were....
13 years ago when almost two year old Ryan started potty training I had the same bend on pull ups....no thanks, I'll pass on those money pits and stick with the Huggies.  A friend left a pull up at our house during Ryan's potty training- after much consideration about whether I should save it and give it to her the next time we saw each other OR give the pull up a try, I decided to go with the latter.....It went beyond my notice that the sides of the pull up's literally tear apart if you want to get it off so when Ryan went #2 in it, it seemed a no brainer that it needed to be pulled off just like big boy underwear............Pulling it off sent #2 from his back all the way down to his feet.......My opposing pull up voice became louder after that incident...not only were they over priced BUT they were completely impractical....

Ellie started pre school early last week- It has been the cutest thing seeing her go to 'class' (she refuses to let us call it school- it must be called 'class')...On our school shopping trip a few weeks ago she was able to pick out a back pack (she choose a small soft blue back pack with a butterfly on it....I was thinking a bit more pink with some sparkles and she was a determined blue- we went with the blue).  Yesterday when she got home from class I was getting ready to change her so that she could take her nap- As I was taking off her pants she looks at me with a sparkle in her eyes and a big smile on her face and says 'I'm wearing princess panties'..................Somehow at school, when she was changed she had a pull up put on her- The pull up was pink and had a princess on it- I could tell she felt like such a big girl in it and was fascinated with the fact that it had a princess on it........

Matt and I had a date afternoon today- one of our stops was Costco....As we made our way around the store I told him we had to go get some diapers- Ellie is making her way beautifully through potty training but I knew that we would need at least one more box of diapers to see us completely through the training- The princess pull ups caught my eye....
I annoyingly noticed that they are almost two times as much as diapers
I glared at the box
I shook my head at the box
I also saw that they are $6 off a box right now

When I put 2 boxes into our cart Matt immediately spoke up 'I thought we weren't doing those'

'I thought we weren't either BUT you should have seen the look on Ellie's face when she told me she was wearing them...' I then went on to tell Matt about how excited she was to have them on  yesterday......

Here's to raising the most adorable, precious, princess pull up wearing little girl :) :) :)

First Day of Pre School

Ryan's Winter Semi-Formal

Ryan went to the Winter Semi-Formal at School last night!
He went with Karli- Ryan and Karli met several years ago when her family started attending our church.  We were able to all meet up for pizza before the Formal (very fun), get some cute pictures, and then drop Ryan and Karli off at the dance.