She did it again...and so did I.

 My four-year-old has a problem. Whenever she gets access to scissors, she is inclined to cut cut cut- her hair!!! This time it wasn't cute or funny- it was infuriating! All day her biggest worry was that her hair would get cut short and people would think she was a boy. And that was exactly what we had to do- I darn near cried the whole time. My friend Lisa did her best but there were some parts that were just not able to be salvaged- thank goodness for hair clips and headbands! I hope this time she'll learn her lesson.

   I was angry with her all day and very frustrated with all I had to do (clean the house, get Sophia to dance and then to get her hair cut before heading to church for supper and small group). I find myself feeling that way often- overwhelmed with everything I have to do around the house, frustrated with trying to raise my children to be good, God-fearing young people, trying to do everything and be everything to everyone all the time. I don't know why we do this to ourselves! I had the opportunity to nap today (and I needed it~ I woke up with each of the kids last night and was up about every two hours) and instead of doing that, I cleaned the house and put stuff up on the walls. My husband was the smart one- he got home from work and went straight up to bed for a nap.

  I took a shower, then went to pick the kids up and take them all to dance class. I had to keep the boys entertained while Sophia danced, then take all three kids to the hair salon by myself. I called my husband a few times to see if he could come and help me (and left progressively more frustrated messages) until he finally answered. By then, it was 5:45 pm (we were supposed to be at church around 6 pm). Instead of staying calm, I got upset and took it out on Brandon who just took a nap! Granted, he didn't set an alarm or have his phone nearby, but I didn't need to be so angry at him either. We rushed to church after Lisa cut off the majority of Sophia's hair and had just enough time to scarf some pizza before dropping the kids at the nursery and heading up the stairs to small group. The message tonight (we're doing Sheparding a Child's Heart, and it's been really enlightening to this point) was on changing the heart and not the behavior. This leads me to think about why I act the way I do as well- and that I need to change my heart and show my children what they need to do.
 
  Sophia disobeyed me tonight by taking all her princesses into bed with her so we talked about selfishness and what that means. I asked her who we should put first, ourselves or ______, and she answered "other people." I'm hoping this means that she's starting to understand and that I really can get to her heart! This whole parenting thing is much harder than anyone ever told me it would be- but it's also entirely more rewarding! We have our moments, but it melts my heart when they, out of the blue, tell me how much they love me (it's "to the heavens" at our house).  I just pray that I can lead them the way God wants me to.

Sophia with her new haircut and Lisa

Shopping Extravaganza!

 It has finally arrived! The time has come for my yearly shopping trip to Albertville with my friends. For me, this is the third annual trip. We have progressed each year- the first year there were just four of us and we left at 7am and returned at 1130 pm; that turned out to be a long day.... too long. The next year, we ammended it and spent the night (the four of us). We still got home late that night, but got WAY more shopping in. That year, I got smart and opened a savings account for the trip so I'm not spending too much money. This year, we finally got more people to come! There were seven of us total that ended up making the haul. We left around 930 in the morning and went to the Mall of America for that night, then stopped at IKEA (my new favorite store!) on the way to the hotel. We drank a few bottles of wine and had some great conversations, then went to bed. The next morning, we stopped by McD's for some brunch and we were off. We spent a fun-filled and shopping-filled day in Albertville (I changed my pants in the back seat of Kristina's car) before heading home. I got my Christmas shopping about 75% done and had a great time with some good friends. I look forward to each October and that sweet time away from my family. I love my husband and children more than I ever imagined possible, but I need a break every so often! Now I just have to wait until next year!

Mommy time!

  Today was kind of a "Mommy" day! I've been working nights lately, and today was my one day off by myself with NO KIDS! I had a meeting scheduled for noon, so I went back to sleep after I helped get the kids ready and off to daycare (and had a dream that I slept until 2:30 pm and missed the meeting- I was frantic when I woke up, and realized that it was only 10:30!). At my meeting, I was asked "what have you done for yourself today?" Women, especially moms, often go through life worrying about everyone else and not making any time for themselves. We need to make ourselves a priority as well! I don't know if you all feel this way, but I tend to live my life with a feeling of being overwhelmed; there's always a
to-do list that I just can't get finished (and yet, here I sit blogging instead of sweeping!). I always think that if I had a day or two without the kids or work, I could get caught up. You all know that doesn't happen- life gets in the way: I get called in to work, I have other errands I have to run, etc. Sometimes I wish there were two or three of me (though that would drive my husband crazy)! So- moral of the blog today: take at least 5-10 minutes each day to do something for YOU... listen to some music, read a book (or your Bible), take a power nap, make a scrapbook page or two- whatever you love to do, but make sure you do it! We mommas need to take care of ourselves as well- we are WORTH taking time out for a little "me" time without feeling guilty.

The little things...

 I just wanted to share what a typical evening meal in mi casa with my kiddos. Sophia has taken it upon herself to say the prayer prior to the meal and she usually does a great (and thorough) job. It generally goes something like this... "Dear Jesus, thank you for our food and thank you for our family. Thank you for our Jesus. Please help to heal Grandpa. Please help other Grandpa in heaven. Help mommy to have a good day at work, and Daddy too. Amen." Around this time, Noah chimes in "Don't forget me, Dophie!" so she amends it "and help Noah to be good....and me too!" The whole spring and summer, she often would pray for Bennett and his heart. Some of her prayers melt my heart ("Please help to heal baby Bennett and make him not to hurt anymore") and some of them are funny ("Thank you for the chicken, and the lettuce, and the chicken). Sometimes she doesn't want to pray, which is when we explain that we praise God when we want to and more so when we don't. She's starting to ask so many more questions about God and faith now- it's amazing to watch her little brain work. What a blessing these wonderful children are- and how much they teach us!

Happy Birthday Noah!

  Unbelievable! My little Bubba Jones is already THREE! Where has the time gone? As you can see, we had (yet another) Cars-themed birthday party for the big day. He and I went back and forth for days between Thomas the Train and Cars, and finally I just picked one and went with it. Later that week, he asked about his Thomas party (go figure!). My entire family came for the party (which was held the Saturday after his actual birthday, since September 21 was a wednesday this year), so my kids got a lot of Grandma and cousin time in the month of September! One interesting fact- my son Noah shares his birthday not only with my mother, but with my father's mother as well! Three generations on one day! I am so grateful that God put this sweet little boy in my life and I can't wait to see the man he becomes someday. I just hope I can help him have a lot of fun while he grows, and that I can steal a few more cuddles while he's still little enough to want them! I love you to the heavens, Noah Doyle!

What a day!

  Today started like any other work day- I got up, got ready, and got to work a little before 7am. I learned upon my arrival that I would be again training as a triage nurse (something everyone but me seems to think I'm ready for!). Things went as well as they could, and I learned a lot from Karla (just like I did from Liz and Sherry when I trained with them). Around 10 am, I was working with a great student nurse when my manager Diane asked if I could meet with her for a few minutes. Even though I knew better, I first thought was that I was in some sort of trouble. I felt better when Diane invited Emily (the student nurse, and a friend of mine) to come with; surely she wouldn't talk to me about anything troubling with a student in tow! Diane stated "this would be great for a student to be in on also." That intrigued me a little...
  We headed to the break room, and upon opening the door I was greeted by about 20 smiling faces (and THREE boxes of cinnamon rolls- you know you're a nurse when you notice food right away!). I was presented with the DAISY Award for Excellent Nurses! I couldn't believe it! I didn't even know I was nominated. I had heard about the award when they first started implementing it at Altru (it's given every quarter) and thought it was a wonderful program, (if you're wondering what it's about, see the website at http://daisyfoundation.org/) and I often see many of my co-workers exemplifying what it means to be an excellent nurse. I learned I was nominated by my friend Tiffany, whom I cared for during the delivery of her baby boy Kyson when he was about 20 weeks along. I didn't do anything special, I just cared for her and baby as I would and do for any of my other patients. I am proud to be an OB nurse and I just hope each day that I prove that and give my patients the care they not only deserve to get, but the care I deserve to give. I love my job, and I am so humbled to even be nominated, let alone to win. Needless to say, it sure made for a great day, and made me proud to be a nurse!!

Dance class has begun!

 It's that time of year again- Sophia has started her favorite activity: dance class!! She started classes last year at North Dakota Ballet Company, so we continued with them this year as well. Ever since she danced on the big stage in May, she has wanted to get back to dance class. Sophia loves to express herself, and dance is the perfect outlet for her. Since she isn't in preschool, I wanted her to have an activity where she needs to learn how to take direction and learn patience and perserverence as well. I hope that this is something that she continues to do (I'm kind of living vicariously through her- I was in dance for a few years when I was younger, but those of you who know me know about my lack of grace), but I won't push her too hard. It's exciting to see how my children are growing and learning new things about themselves, but it's all going too quickly! God's blessings are abundant!