A Grandpa Visit

Grandpa Wells was in Indy for a conference and came by for a quick visit! Poor Grandma Wells had to stay home! Here are some cute pictures from the weekend. I'm wearing one of my beautiful new tops from China.


Caleb's expression looks so much like Darren in this picture!

Happy Birthday Blog Dearest...

I didn't want this occasion to pass without saying...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLOG DEAREST!

I started this blog on Sept. 20th last year to give myself a controlled outlet. I wanted to work on thinking out my writing, my speech! I've never been one that James' came naturally to...quick to listen, slow to speech, slow to anger...but I wanted to work on it.

This blog has been really great for me. It gives me a purpose to my MomE moments...the good, the bad, the ugly! It gives me a chance to express my deep, or not so deep, thoughts. It gives me an awesome chance to share our lives with friends, family and new bloggy friends.

God has been good and blessed Blog Dearest...and she's happy!

Hearts Entrusted...

These tiny hearts to me entrusted,
Soft and tender,
Pockets of soil moist with innocence,
Laden with surprises,
Giggles,
Questions,
Love,
With one blast of anger,
One word unkindly spoken,
One glare of intolerance,
I can cause these tiny hearts to...
Fear,
Cower,
Or---God forbid-
Hate.
I want to plant within their souls seeds of...
Joy,
Contentment,
Love
heaping
upon
love.
Yet, thorny briers of...
Harshness,
Impatience,
Bitterness,
I have heedlessly allowed to grow.
Remorseful?
Yes.
Able to call back?
Never.
Forgiven?
Oh yes, more than I deserve.
Lord, I don't want to fail again.
May I be found faithful to these created by You.
Praise for A-B-Cs perfected,
"Thank you," for windows cleansed with Pledge.
There are no second chances.
I cannot undo the past.
Jesus,
Sear my heart with love and devotion.
May I be a sower of seeds,
A shelter amidst the storm.
May I hear,
"Well done, good and faithful mother."
May I be found true.

Written by Julie Ann Barnhill
-The fabulous author of "She's Gonna Blow; Real Help for Moms Dealing with Anger."
Read it. Truly life changing for any angry moms out there!

Here in Boobooville...

...everyone has booboos!
I took Caleb for his 1 year shots yesterday and Emma, hurrying to obey and hold my hand, stumbled and fell on her face in the pediatrician's parking lot. I led her in and asked for some first aid assistance. Instead of a stitch in her chin they covered it with skin cement...lovely! Poor thing! Then, while she was being set in cement, Caleb stumbled over the little stool in the examining room and fell. He has a large knot over his eye. Of course, then he got shots! Sheesh.

And I'm not done...

TODAY, he dove off the couch (again) and split his head open. The glass coffee table is now disassembled and living in our closet. So, if you come over plan to hold your drinks on your lap! I can't take much more of this! Achk!

Reunion with Lovies...and Shanghai Pics...

Here's Darren with his lovies Sunday morning when they first saw him. He did go into their rooms when he got home at midnight...to see his sweet babes! Awww! Emma and Caleb are beside themselves with joy...and still don't let him out of their sight without protest. When he went to work this morning there was crying and gnashing of teeth!


My beautiful silk robe!

Pictures of Shanghai...don't ask me what's what....if he has time Darren will narrate them for us!

Sweet Lovebird has landed...

Just an FYI to all those who've been keeping me in their prayers! My sweet lovebird called to tell me he's landed in the good 'ole US of A and will be home in my arms in a few hours. He spoke to his sweet babes...and got them all upset. Children under the age of three really don't understand, "Daddy will be home soon." I can't wait to see that reunion! I'll try to remember to take some pictures and video. Love to all...I will now begin my vigil...yes, I'm waiting up! I get the first hug!!!

Thursday Three Year Old Speaks...

Today, Emma and Caleb were playing in the laundry room while I folded laundry on the dining room table. They are playing just behind the door of the laundry room on a stool with cans of Mt. Dew, some vacuum extensions, and the rings off the stacker toy. Yup, we are not planning to spend big money on toys any time soon.

Anyhew, I hear this crash...the cans have fallen off the stool by the sounds of it. I wait, to see if anyone cries, 'cuz let's face it...if I ran every time something crashed I'd never get anything done. So, no one cries but Emma pokes her head around the door and says, "Don't come in...it's okay...I'm just makin' a cake!" Hmmm, and I didn't hear Caleb so I walked over and looked in and he was very helpfully picking up her cans and handing them to her while she pretended with the vacuum extension to do something to them. She looks up, rather annoyed and repeats, "Don't come in...I said it's okay...I'm make a cake...and juicy! Shhhh!"

She's saying more and more everyday. Pretty soon it will be like donkey on Shrek...you know where the princess says, "He talks!" and Shrek says, "Yeah, it's getting him to shut up that's the trick."

Toddler Time at the Library...

Our public library has great kids' times...where they read, sing, use puppets, etc. I signed Caleb up for Toddler Time--Emma comes because she's a sibling. She does great with the babies...but acts shy with the 2-3s. So, this has worked great.

Here's Ms. Lori Ann reading a book about a dinosaur not wanting to go to bed.

Caleb my lounging baby! He's so laid back...it makes all the other mothers laugh! Ahhh...thank you God for a relaxed second born!

Deoxyribonucleic acid?

Recently, my husband was trying to teach sweet Emma to say Deoxyribonucleic acid or the long version of DNA. Hmmmm? Me thinks there is some serious DNA going on between those two little nerds. After several attempts she giggled and said, "Daddy, I don't know no acids!" HA HA HA!

Clarification...

Just wanted to let people know...the picture of Emma in my new header is actually from last year. I've had lots of comments on it...but trust me there aren't that many leaves on the ground...yet! I'm hoping to replace that pic with a pic of the two kiddos in the leaves asap. Why am I rushing it? Sheesh! Ha ha ha!

We love you, Daddy!

Daddy is off in China doing business. So, I'm posting not simply for the "masses" but also for our Daddy! He said he'll attempt to check my blog while he's gone... to see his babies!
Cute Mr. Caleb was wearing this pearl necklace but every time I got close he took it off and shook it. I decided this picture of his wonderfulness would be good anyway! AWWW!
Emma and Daddy sharing a final ice pop before his long trip. Notice, Emma's pretty red nails and ever present purse!? HA!

Friday Funnies...

Those hilarious things you hear Mom's say...or do....

"Don't hit...SMACK!"

"Don't lick your sister."

"Stop coloring on his head."

"No, no...we don't lick the toilet!"

"All I do is follow you around, picking up after you like some maid."

"Beds are NOT made for jumping on."

"Put that down! You don't know where it's been!"

"You will ALWAYS be my baby."

Please feel free to comment and add any other funnies you've heard Mom's say...
or seen them do...

Wordless Wednesdays of the Past...

Crafter in training and Mt. Dew Dude!

While I was working on crafts of my own today the kids were working around me. Emma is a little crafter in training. Look at the happy focus on the glue stick! OOOOO...she's so excited.


Caleb has all sorts of fun with some Mt. Dew and vacuum extensions. What a cute dude!

Marriage Monday...

I decided to join the bandwagon/permalink from Chrysalis' site once again. I even linked myself all up this time. (Thanks Beckie for the assistance attaching the buttons to my page!)

Chrysalis says- "Essentially, tell us what you've discovered about the importance of romance and intimacy to your marriage."

I've realized that I never fully understood the importance of romance and intimacy in marriage before our children were born. Sure, I liked the romance and intimacy--and sure we probably had more time for it all but NOW I see the importance of "toning down the tension, and tuning up the tenderness." It builds us up and makes us stronger!

We've really committed, after the birth of our second child, to go on a monthly date. I know, I have friends who go weekly--and I'm awed and amazed-- but monthly works best for us. We're both home bodies, bookworms, and self proclaimed nerds...so time alone in the evenings after the kids are in bed is also wonderful to us. I created a little seating area in our master bedroom and it has become our quiet spot...away from the TV and noise of the ever running dishwasher!

I reached a point where planning everything about the dates was grating on me so I volunteered to set the date and babysitter if he'd plan the date. WOW--was he ever up to the challenge. I now call him my date night guru! Cheap dates or expensive...it's just good to get out. We focus on each other..and for a tiny bit forget all the responsibilties on our shoulders. We love each other--"Oh yeah, I remember you!"

We've found that regular open conversations about the "tensions" in our lives helps them to not grow to unreasonable levels. Also, tuning into each other and planning to be tender helps us respond better to "stressful" news!

It freaks me out to be considered a "marriage counselor" in any way...but if someone can benefit from the things we do...I'm grateful!

Ouchie's & Garbage Man Love!?

Caleb is a climber. This issue has really taken off in the last two weeks. He climbs everything. I've caught him standing on my coffee table, the kitchen table and every couch and chair. He is most proud of the accomplishment of getting onto the couch. He likes to be big and sit next to us. This wouldn't be a problem if he SAT but he wants to walk and run the length of it! Ahhhh! I stir a pot in the kitchen and CRASH he's climbed something and fallen off! HELP!

Today, I took a picture of his proud little face after he'd climbed up on the couch for reading time before naps! He sat really well while I was reading (and holding him down)! Then, my daughter heard the garbage truck. I have to explain that she loves the garbage man, Jon. He waves to her and empties the big bucket up over the top of the truck. It's wonderful! So, when she hears the truck everyone makes a mad dash for the front door. Well, Caleb launched himself headfirst off the couch, in an effort to keep up. Poor baby! He has quite the little lump on his head. I gave him some pain reliever before nap time! I tried to put ice on it but that's sort of like wrestling a greased monkey. So, we have ouchies due to our frenzied love for the garbage man! HA!

Play Day at our house....

We had the pleasure of playing with Julia and Eddie all day yesterday! I took some pictures of our playdoh fun times! Julia made a snake, Eddie a ball, Emma made holes, and Caleb (eats playdoh) played with his magnet letters!

Hot Autumn!

We're having a humid heat wave in Indiana! Darren found the sprinkler, when he was cleaning out the garage, and thought the kids would enjoy running through the sprinkler. Nope, turns out that only we thought that was fun as kids. They both freaked out and started crying. Then they refused to go anywhere near it. As you can see, Darren tried to demonstrate proper sprinkler fun technique but they didn't buy it. In the end, he got the wading pool out and they enjoyed their time splashing about in it! Low tech fun!

The water was cold!

He was thinking about pulling his pants off. Look at that cute baby belly! Awwww!