Friendships

Quite frequently I take a step back and take a deep look at my friendships.

Thankfully, the Lord has truly blessed me with some great friends. He's surrounded me with some wonderfully Christ-centered people that really help keep me grounded and won't hesitate to point out (with kindness) areas I need to grow and work on. Sadly, the friends I have the closest relationships with live the farthest away.

At any rate, I do my best to be kind, accepting, and as the Bible says, to love everyone. However, my struggle is how to deal with toxic people in my life. First Corinthians 15:33 says "Bad company corrupts good character", meaning you are who you hang with. This advice is usually taken to mean that we should avoid people of bad moral character. Okay, I get that. However, on the contrary, the Bible's greatest commandment is to love one another and He reminds us that we must reach out with God's love to everyone, as He does with us.

So does that mean I should exclude "toxic" people OR still include them in my life but at a distance? It just seems so contradictory to me. David kept Saul at a distance, right? Saul even tried to kill David multiple times. Is that the example I should be looking at on how to deal with toxic people? Not exclusion, but distance?

Thankfully, this is not an issue I'm dealing with currently and I feel like all the friends in my life currently are blessings. However, I'm sure I'll deal with toxic friends again in the future.

My conclusion: Keep those people at a distance. Pray for the Holy Spirit to fill me with self-control, kindness, forgiveness, and love so I can be a good role model for those who are lost.

And so, there's my two cents for the day. Or as David just jokingly said....deep thoughts by Kelly McKinney.

Wook at dat Snake!

Title translated: "Look at that snake!"

I gave Benjamin a pen and an envelope to draw on for a moment while I checked something on the computer. After just a few seconds I hear "Wook at dat snake!" This is the picture he drew and he claims it's a snake. Made me laugh.

Two Month Checkup

Savannah had her 2 month checkup yesterday and all went well. She weighed in at 11 pounds and 11 ounces and 22 and 1/4 inches long. She still has her days and nights figured out, too. She had a long stretch of sleep Tuesday night of 8 hours. Lately she's been sleeping 7 hour stretches during the night (from midnight to 7am) so I was very pleased with the 8 hour stretch Tuesday night. I asked the pediatrician if it's safe to let her sleep for so long without nursing her and she said it's fine - just as long as she's gaining weight. She's in the 75th percentile for her weight and in the 50th percentile for her height. My little chunky baby.

Oh yeah, it's now Thursday and both kids slept 12 straight hours last night (from 9pm to 9am). Oops, wait, I forgot. She did wake up at 6am to nurse but promptly went back to sleep. Yep, LIFE IS GOOD!

5 Year Anniversary

For the past several days we've been in the Hill Country celebrating our 5 year anniversary. I can't believe it's already been 5 years and so much has happened in those 5 years. We took Savannah with us on this trip and it allowed us to have some great bonding time with her. Benjamin stayed with Grandma Nancy and Granddaddy and was out doing something with them every day! He had a blast. They went to the zoo, the Discovery Center on Baylor campus, played in the pool, went to the park, and on and on. The Hill Country was nice. We only had minimal cell phone coverage and we didn't take our laptops so we really got to "get away from it ALL"! I was really surprised at how much I missed Benjamin while we were away. I thought it was going to be so nice to have the break but it just wasn't the same without the little booger.

We also stopped by the Kerrville Folk Festival to meet up with David's friend, Jerm, and listened to some great live folk music. Peter, from the band Peter, Paul, and Mary, plays there every year. As Jerm says, this guy exudes weirdness but he's really talented. While we were there I finally got Savannah her tie-dyed onesie.

At the Kerrville Folk Festival












The house we rented by the river.












Our view of the river from our patio.












Explosion of the tie-dye. This was one of the booths at the festival.












Savannah napping on the patio. It was gorgeous outside and if we weren't hanging out in the river then we were relaxing on our wrap around patio. Total peace.












Jerm












Jerm and Savannah in their tie-dyes relaxing to the folk music.

Psychological Warfare

If a baby crying isn't already being used in psychological warfare, it should be.

David was in Seattle last week on business. When we're both here that means someone can occupy Savannah in the evenings while Benjamin gets dinner, bath, and story time. As I was tending to Ben and doing our evening routine Savannah decides that she wants to be entertained the entire time and would scream until I picked her up and walked around with her. Man, it's really hard to listen to a baby cry when you're trying to get some things done that can't be put off. There were times I really thought I was losing my mind! I've got to hand it to the single moms out there. How do you do it?

Looks can be deceiving.....

What Did You Say?

Benjamin has been saying some things that might make you think he comes from an abusive home and it totally freaks me out when we're in front of people who don't understand what he's REALLY saying. The first thing he says sounds like "I hate you" or "I'll hit you". That's not what he's actually saying. What he's saying is "It'll hurt you" and when he says that it usually means that he's hurt. I'll say that to him when he's doing something that could possibly hurt him so he'll stop. The reason I give him to stop is because "It'll hurt you". So when he's hurt himself, that's what he says. He especially uses that phrase when he has a diaper rash.

The second thing he's saying is "I'll kill you". What he's actually saying is "I'll carry you". I was able to figure that out because he had his arms stretched up for me to pick him up. I say "I'll carry you" a lot to him when we're outside in public. For example, if he refuses to hold my hand to cross the street I'll say "please hold my hand or I'll carry you".

I'm so glad I'm able to translate baby talk! Whew!

Leslie's Baby Shower

Today we went to a baby shower for our friend from Gymboree, Leslie. Since we all have kids they decided to make the baby shower also a playdate. So we all brought our kids and it worked out really well. The kids played while the grown-ups got to visit and do the "shower" thing. This was Benjamin's first time on a trampoline and it was hilarious! He wasn't sure what to do. He never jumped, he just walked really funny all around it. He hated it when other kids were on the trampoline. Poor thing kept saying he was scared. So once all the other kids were off he decided to try it again and it turned out to be a big hit with him. But like I said, he never figured out how to jump on it. Silly kid.

Paige, Lily, and Benjamin

Two Year Checkup

Monday Benjamin had his 2 year checkup. He weighed in at 29 pounds and 34 1/4 inches tall. Is he REALLY two and talking to me all the time? Craziness! Where does the time go?

Wildflower Festival

So I've lived in Dallas now for well over 10 years and every year I hear about the Wildflower festival in Plano. I've never been, until now. What was I thinking? I'm so sad I've been missing out on it for so long. We took the kids on Sunday and had an absolute blast. There's always been a part of me that longs to be a hippie. I love the music, tie-dyed clothes, flip-flops, and long straight hair with minimal makeup. This festival was all about hippies! I loved it. I didn't break down and buy the tie-dyed onesie yet for Savannah. I'm waiting to do that at the Kerrville Folk Festival next week. She's going to be our little hippie baby - to go along with the theme in her nursery. :)

Benjamin's cool alligator sunglasses he got at the festival!

James Taylor Concert

Grandma Nancy came and stayed with the kids last night while David and I went to the James Taylor concert. It was an absolutely perfect show. Very relaxing compared to all of the other concerts I've been to lately. I've been a really big fan of his since about high school and have always wanted to see him live. Afterwards we went to Terrilli's for some lobster bisque, calamari, and great conversation. I'm a little tired today but it was definitely worth it!

A Home Cooked Meal....of Dog Food.

There are 2 things our kids are doing right now that just melt my heart. First, is Savannah's smile! Yes, she's starting to smile on her own now and it's not just because of gas anymore. She has a contagious open-mouthed smile that makes me giggle. Second, is hearing my son sing all of his ABC's. He still has a problem with "L,M,N,O", that usually comes out as "la,la,la,la", but besides that part he knows the entire thing. He sees the reaction he gets from me when he sings it and uses it to stall going to bed. I can't hardly leave him while he's singing it in his crib so he'll sing it over and over therefore making his bedtime later and later. I'm a sucker.

On another note, I caught Benjamin playing in Frederick's food and water bowl yesterday. He knows full well that he's not supposed to play in them. He had found a pair of nutcrackers and was stirring them around in Frederick's bowls. I asked him "What do you think you're doing?" He said, "cooking Fregget's food".

Is it Worth It?

Sometimes it takes me close to 2 hours to get the kids ready in the morning to go on our morning drive to McDonald's. That 2 hours includes making, serving, and cleaning up breakfast, multiple diaper changes, dealing with several temper tantrums, nursing Savannah, brushing hair, getting them dressed, starting laundry, and finally corralling them so I can load them up in the car. Let's not forget me - put in contacts, brush teeth, brush hair, make bed, put on some presentable clothes in case we wreck and I actually have to get out of the car, and finally, a quick check of email to see if there's any last minute playdates that have come up for the day. Now of course, most of those things I would be doing anyway and not just because we're about to get out of the house. Okay, maybe minus the actual getting dressed part - I have no problem with all of us staying in our pj's all day if we aren't having company or going anywhere. Does that make me lazy? I think not, I just like comfort and there's nothing I like to wear more around the house than a pair of flannels and a t-shirt! Hmmmm okay, I know, not very flattering but I'm all about comfort. At any rate, the thought of a vanilla iced coffee is always in the back of my head during our entire morning routine because I know once I'm done with it all we can make our drive to McDonald's. Mmmmm, vanilla iced coffee, my little piece of heaven. The entire drive takes only 6 minutes (McDonald's is very close to our house and that 6 minutes is round-trip). Sometimes I take the long way home just so the drive isn't so quick - there's a couple of horse stables around our neighborhood and I'll drive by so Benjamin can see the horses and make his horse sounds. So, is it worth all the fuss for a 6 minute drive so Mommy can get her morning iced coffee? Most definitely.....

P.S. I promise McDonald's isn't paying me to say this. I wish they were though!

Benjamin Officially Turns Two!

Monday was officially Benjamin's 2 year birthday. We started it off with breakfast at Krispy Kreme donuts. Funny story I have to tell. His taste in music cracks me up. On our way to Krispy Kreme I asked him if he has any requests for music while in the car. He starts chanting "Ella, Ella, Ella" (meaning he wants Ella Fitzgerald). The funny thing he does when her music comes on the CD player is slap his knee along with the beat. He usually claps his hands to music, but for some reason her music makes him slap his knee. He listened to one of her songs and then requested "Boo-bay" (Michael Buble). So we listened to one of his songs and he sings along with it. Finally, we're almost to the donut shop and he requests "Italian song, Italian song, Italian song" which is the opera song Brindisi from La Traviata. Funny kid. I'm not complaining though - the kiddie music can get pretty mind numbing so I'm actually grateful he likes this music!

For lunch we went to Chick-fil-A. After naptime Benjamin, Savannah, and I took a very long stroll around our neighborhood in his new wagon that he got from his grandparents for his birthday. For dinner, Daddy joined us at Chuck-E-Cheese's. We've been so busy with Mother's Day and running around on Monday we never got a chance to give him his gifts that we got him. It's Tuesday, a day after his birthday, and he still hasn't gotten his gifts from us! (Good thing he doesn't know the difference.)

P.S. Savannah is still sleeping through the night. :)


Good Morning Birthday Boy!












Savannah in her party outfit for Benjamin's birthday.












Benjamin didn't like Chuck E Cheese, he was afraid of him.
"Go Away" Chuck E Cheese!

















He can't decide if he likes this ride or not!

Mother's Day

Today we started off at church for Savannah's baby dedication. This isn't actually a baptism yet (we're going to let her make that decision on her own), but us standing in front of the church commiting to raise our children in a home where the love of Christ is not only taught, but also lived. Benjamin was dedicated when he was 5 months old.

After church the whole family (minus my sick mother) headed over to our house to celebrate Mother's Day, Benjamin's birthday, and Benjamin's cousin Abby's birthday. Benjamin was a complete hoot. We got his candles lit on his cake and he didn't want anyone to blow them out. If you even mentioned it he would shout NO! He then proceeded to tell me to "go away". Ouch, where's the love kid? Anyway, it was a fun-filled day! Oh, and the best Mother's day gift I received? Savannah slept from 11:30pm until 6am and then went back to sleep until it was time to go to church. That's two nights in a row!

Granddaddy and Savannah - Baby Dedication at church












Birthday boy and me (he REALLY didn't want his picture taken).












He loved his "Cars" cake made by Grandma Nancy. He actually just licked all the icing off of the cars and would put them back on his cake. Needless to say, the cake became just "his" after that stunt. He's addicted to the movie "Cars" right now. I would say it has to be played at least twice a day in our house. His favorite character is, well, Mater. Great.












Birthday girl, Abby.













The wagon he got for his birthday. Grandma Nancy giving all the grandkids a ride!












Benjamin threw an absolute fit when it was time for everyone to leave. So in order to get his mind off of it we had to take him to the park. Yep, we gave in to the temper tantrum.

Sleep is a Wonderful Thing!

Last night was a PERFECT night! Savannah went to sleep at 11pm and didn't wake up until 2am. She nursed and then promptly went back to sleep until 6am. She nursed again and yet again, promptly went back to sleep. It was wonderful! Grandma Nancy and Granddaddy came in town tonight. We visited for a while and then decided to celebrate our fabulous night of awesome sleep with a sushi dinner! They gave the kids their baths and put them to bed while David and I went out to eat. We didn't leave the house until around 9:30pm and I couldn't believe how tired I was. I remember back in my 20's I would just be gearing up to go out about that time but there were several times this past week I was already in bed trying to catch as many zzz's as I could before Savannah woke up. Times have definitely changed but I absolutely love it.

David and I on our way out to dinner

On My Own

Last night was the first time I was on my own with both kids. David went on a business trip and was gone over night (he comes back tonight, thank goodness). My evening went just as I had expected. As soon as I put Benjamin in the bath and started his bedtime routine Savannah decides to wake up and cry during the entire process. Therefore, bath time was cut short as well as story time. Benjamin was so oblivious to it. He never once seemed bothered by her crying during his bath or while we were reading. Anyway, I made it through on my own last night, (with only 3.5 hours of sleep). Instead of one iced coffee from McDonald's this morning, I ended up having two. In the grand scheme of things, I know this phase will only last for a brief period so I'm trying to not just wish it away just because of her sleep (or non-sleep) habits. I'm really trying to pay attention because she'll never be this young again. Trying to keep it all in perspective and pray that God gives me the patience and energy (and occasional rest) to make it through each day without taking any of it for granted. We are truly blessed, tired, but unequivocally blessed.

My Little Vampire

She sleeps all day and wakes at night. Yep, we're still fighting that battle and I'm not seeing any light at the end of the tunnel. Bah humbug.

Savannah during the day.....












Savannah during the night.....

King Benjamin

Thanks Grandma Nancy and Granddaddy for the crown. I must say, it suits him well. Love, love, love this picture of him. Don't let him fool you though. He might look like a king on the outside but there's a "Dennis the Menace" on the inside that I deal with daily. I'm not complainin', just sayin'.

Also, thanks Grandmother and Grandpa for your company this weekend. Mom, you were a life-saver (yet again) to keep the kids while we were at Abby's baptism. Dad, I'm actually secretly glad your computer broke. (Meant we got to spend some time with you while David fixed it!)

Great weekend, indeed!

Abby's Baptism

Today my niece Abigail was baptized. Poor thing had to endure being dunked completely under water outside and let me tell you, it certainly wasn't a warm day today. She took it like a champ though! The range of emotions that went through me watching her baptism today was overwhelming. Brought tears to eyes. What a very important decision she has made about her salvation. We're so proud and grateful for this joyful day.

Uncle Abraham, Aunt Laura, Abigail, Andrew

Like Father, Like Son

David got up with Benjamin this morning so I could get an extra hour of sleep. As I walked into the living room first thing this morning this is what I saw - both of them in front of their own laptop sitting side by side. This is typical of David, but now I see our son is following in his footsteps. Cute.

Benjamin's Birthday and Swine Flu

We had a birthday party scheduled at a playcenter on Monday morning for Benjamin's birthday. However, due to the Swine Flu we had people start backing out so I decided to postpone the party. I'm a little relieved because I was getting nervous myself. Of course it concerned me about Benjamin and the other kids getting sick but having a newborn around just made that concern even greater. She just wouldn't be able to fight such a sickness like an older child could. Anyway, we hadn't said anything to Benjamin about his party yet so he doesn't even know that he was having one. David is so funny, he went to Sam's a couple of nights ago and stocked up on all kinds of food and toiletries just in case this thing gets worse. Our pantry looks like grocery store shelves.

I know I've posted a picture of this before but I have to post another one. As we were getting Benjamin ready for bed last night he noticed his boots from Kazakhstan on his dresser. He absolutely had to put those on with his pj's and wouldn't haven't it any other way. He danced and jumped around the living room for several minutes before we could finally calm him down for story time.