After a little over 2 years of renting, in 2 different cities, we are moving once again. This time, we are moving to a home of our own and are all so very happy about it. Renting has definitely had it's advantages, especially when something breaks. :) But, owning our own home will be good for us.
Our new home has 3 bedrooms, so the kids are excited that there will be a boys' room and a girls' room. There is a yard to play in and a park down the street.
So far, we have painted the kids' rooms (yes, pink and blue, at their request) and begun to move things over. We're only moving to the next town over, about 20 minutes from where we are now, and we have until the end of the month to move completely out of the apartment, so we are able to take our time. We make at least one trip each day, moving toys, books, and clothes, and in a couple of weeks, we'll move the furniture.
Things got busy around here, and before I got around to publishing this post, we had moved. :) There is still a little left to move over, and many boxes to unpack, but for the most part, we are moved in to our new home. Everyone is enjoying the space, and figuring out where everything goes.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Friday, April 5, 2013
Conversations
We've been enjoying many interesting conversations lately, especially now that JMC talks well enough to join in. Here's a sample:
JMC was disappointed to learn from JT that he will not grow up to be a mommy. JT did a great job telling him about all the great parts of growing up to be a Papi (you grow up big & strong, you will have a beard and mustache and you get to decide if you want to leave them or shave them off, etc.) That afternoon, JMC came up with a solution, "Mami, hay un mono en mi barriga. Tengo la barriga grande como tu, y hay un mono adentro creciendo. Dije uu, aa." ("Mommy, there's a monkey in my tummy. My tummy is big like yours and there's a monkey growing inside. It says ooh ooh, ah ah.")
JT accused me of not doing enough chores. I hadn't made my bed, and it is on the chore list. Well, I don't think he'll be making the same mistake again anytime soon. Especially since I was in the middle of washing dishes at the time of his accusation.
JMC saw a picture of an X-ray in a book and that began an entertaining discussion about bones. We touched our joints (knuckles, elbows, knees, etc.) to feel the bones inside. He got it right away and said, "Tengo huesos, JT tiene huesos, JA tiene huesos, Mami tiene huesos, Papi tiene huesos, JL tiene huesos, y Mercedes tiene huesos. Quiero ver los huesos de Mercedes." He walked over to the dog and picked up the rawhide bone she carries around, so proud of himself for finding the dog's bone. :) Hmmm, maybe he didn't quite get it after-all. :)
JA and Grandma have begun a book club. They're reading, Little House in the Big Woods, and emailing each other after each chapter. It's been good for JA to practice typing, spelling (gmail accuses her of misspelling, not me!), and thinking about sharing her thoughts of what she's read.
JT needs to share his favorite bird in our homeschool group today. So, to make sure he had thought about his favorite bird, we talked about it in the car yesterday. First, he said his favorite bird was "the bird they make out of balloons." I told him that's usually a parrot. Then, he changed his mind and decided that his favorite bird is the kiwi bird. How does he even know about the kiwi bird? I haven't a clue. :) My friend is his teacher in the class, so I'll be sure to ask what answer he gives this morning when it's his turn.
We recently purchased a new home and are in the process of painting and cleaning to get it ready to move into. Well, the other night, Papi and a friend of mine were painting JA's room. When they finished, JMC walked up to my friend and said, "Ahora mine!" It was already after the kids' bedtime and we had to go, so she very sweetly said, "Not tonight." Well, the following evening we were there again, getting more work done, and he asked several times,"Viene Mrs. A. para pintar mi cuarto?" (Is Mrs. A. coming to paint my room?) Poor boy, he is so excited about his new room, and it's just not getting painted yet. So, yesterday I painted 1 wall and it was enough to satisfy JMC that we won't forgot to paint his room too.
Conversations with JA have become more involved. She has asked about peoples' beliefs, war, modesty, finances, and many other big topics. It's been a joy to be able to share with her about these topics, but challenging as well.
JMC was disappointed to learn from JT that he will not grow up to be a mommy. JT did a great job telling him about all the great parts of growing up to be a Papi (you grow up big & strong, you will have a beard and mustache and you get to decide if you want to leave them or shave them off, etc.) That afternoon, JMC came up with a solution, "Mami, hay un mono en mi barriga. Tengo la barriga grande como tu, y hay un mono adentro creciendo. Dije uu, aa." ("Mommy, there's a monkey in my tummy. My tummy is big like yours and there's a monkey growing inside. It says ooh ooh, ah ah.")
JT accused me of not doing enough chores. I hadn't made my bed, and it is on the chore list. Well, I don't think he'll be making the same mistake again anytime soon. Especially since I was in the middle of washing dishes at the time of his accusation.
JMC saw a picture of an X-ray in a book and that began an entertaining discussion about bones. We touched our joints (knuckles, elbows, knees, etc.) to feel the bones inside. He got it right away and said, "Tengo huesos, JT tiene huesos, JA tiene huesos, Mami tiene huesos, Papi tiene huesos, JL tiene huesos, y Mercedes tiene huesos. Quiero ver los huesos de Mercedes." He walked over to the dog and picked up the rawhide bone she carries around, so proud of himself for finding the dog's bone. :) Hmmm, maybe he didn't quite get it after-all. :)
JA and Grandma have begun a book club. They're reading, Little House in the Big Woods, and emailing each other after each chapter. It's been good for JA to practice typing, spelling (gmail accuses her of misspelling, not me!), and thinking about sharing her thoughts of what she's read.
JT needs to share his favorite bird in our homeschool group today. So, to make sure he had thought about his favorite bird, we talked about it in the car yesterday. First, he said his favorite bird was "the bird they make out of balloons." I told him that's usually a parrot. Then, he changed his mind and decided that his favorite bird is the kiwi bird. How does he even know about the kiwi bird? I haven't a clue. :) My friend is his teacher in the class, so I'll be sure to ask what answer he gives this morning when it's his turn.
We recently purchased a new home and are in the process of painting and cleaning to get it ready to move into. Well, the other night, Papi and a friend of mine were painting JA's room. When they finished, JMC walked up to my friend and said, "Ahora mine!" It was already after the kids' bedtime and we had to go, so she very sweetly said, "Not tonight." Well, the following evening we were there again, getting more work done, and he asked several times,"Viene Mrs. A. para pintar mi cuarto?" (Is Mrs. A. coming to paint my room?) Poor boy, he is so excited about his new room, and it's just not getting painted yet. So, yesterday I painted 1 wall and it was enough to satisfy JMC that we won't forgot to paint his room too.
Conversations with JA have become more involved. She has asked about peoples' beliefs, war, modesty, finances, and many other big topics. It's been a joy to be able to share with her about these topics, but challenging as well.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Nieve!!!
We got a couple of inches of snow, but Grandma & Grandpa had over a foot! We were able to go up and visit, and the kids enjoyed playing and building in the snow. Papi and Uncle A were out there joining in the fun (and doing most of the work) as well.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
All's Fair
JT says it's only fair if it's a girl. Well, this morning we found out that, in this case anyway, all's fair. :)
Friday, February 15, 2013
Friday
This week has been a bit rough, with colds, crankiness, and a disrupted schedule. This morning, however, went beautifully. Here's a glimpse of my blessings.
This lovely child stayed nearby, yet quiet while we did school!
JT, despite his frequent declarations that he can't read, read the entire book out loud without help!
JA made it through her math work without tears! A silly thing, perhaps, but though she's really good at math, she much prefers Language Arts.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Christmas
My camera went caput just a few days before Christmas. Thankfully, it ended up just needing a new USB cable, and we were able to replace it last week. So, now I am able to see the pictures I took in December and thought you might like to see them too. :)
The kids decorated the tree this year, as I was too exhausted to help. I handed them the ornaments, and they hung them on the tree. By standing on the couch and wooden bench, they were able to decorate the bottom 2/3 of the tree. Papi helped out later by hanging the breakable ornaments up high.
JA had a children's choir rehearsal after church one day, so Papi and the boys took some pictures by the tree while they waited.
Making Christmas cards. We didn't end up sending them because, well, things got a bit crazy and it just didn't happen. Making them was fun though!
 |
| JMC did not want his picture taken, nor to be told where to stamp. :) |
After hanging the normal ornaments, the kids would make ornanments to add every os often. By Christmas, the tree was covered in paper garland, sting, yarn, and huge paper cutouts. They had a blast, and once we put a stop to the string that was tangling up everywhere, we enjoyed their decorations too.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Blessings
This pregnancy has been quite the challenge so far. Each of the previously 3 have been different, but none have knocked me off my feet and onto the couch for a month, nor required a mix of 3 different prescriptions and en ER visit in the battle against morning sickness. At 18 weeks, things have definitely improved, and I'm now feeling like I did in the first trimesters of the other pregnancies. Add to this that I have now had laryngitis for nearly a week ("it's a virus, drink more fluids") and I have had plenty of opportunities to accept help from and be blessed by others.
We have been blessed by wonderful friends who have dropped off meals when I was too ill to cook. I even called and asked for one of the freezer meals I just knew my super-organized friend had waiting in her freezer. What a blessing to be able to ask for help, as well as to be blessed by unexpected help from others. We've also had friends watch some or all of the kids at a minute's notice when JA got the flu and again when I was sent to the ER.
Papi's sisters each sent us home from visits with food that was easy for us to prepare, whether it be me throwing something from the freezer to the oven, or Papi making dinner quickly (not his forte) when he came home from work.
The biggest blessing of all, however, has been my own family. JA really stepped up and basically took over making lunches for a few weeks. She began dressing JMC when he would let her, and even was in charge of diaper duty for one very icky day. She never complained, usually offering her help before I needed to ask, and was continually thanking me for giving her another sibling.
JT became in charge of breakfast duty. He would set the table as soon as he woke up (he's always the first one awake) and then choose which cereals he would serve that day. He even perfected pouring milk without spilling. A couple of times he tried to branch out from cereal, like the time he attempted to toast bread in the microwave. It was so thoughtful of him, though as hard as a rock and completely inedible.
Even JMC got in on the act, and became an expert at bringing me Kleenex or my bucket. Whenever I got sick, he'd follow me to the bathroom and ask a million times if I was ok. It was sweet, sometimes annoyingly so, but sweet nonetheless.
Papi has be awesome. He took over laundry, dishes, and cooking. For about a month, I wasn't able to get up without getting sick, even with the medications, and Papi was completely in charge of running the house. It was surely exhausting for him after working all day, to come home and have to take care of us as well, but he did it and did it well.
I feel blessed by all of this because it is so easy to see the negative. I see my kids fighting with each other, giving me attitude about doing their chores, etc. nearly everyday. But for the past few months, God has brought to my attention so many positives in my family and especially my children, that it has been impossible to ignore.
We have been blessed by wonderful friends who have dropped off meals when I was too ill to cook. I even called and asked for one of the freezer meals I just knew my super-organized friend had waiting in her freezer. What a blessing to be able to ask for help, as well as to be blessed by unexpected help from others. We've also had friends watch some or all of the kids at a minute's notice when JA got the flu and again when I was sent to the ER.
Papi's sisters each sent us home from visits with food that was easy for us to prepare, whether it be me throwing something from the freezer to the oven, or Papi making dinner quickly (not his forte) when he came home from work.
The biggest blessing of all, however, has been my own family. JA really stepped up and basically took over making lunches for a few weeks. She began dressing JMC when he would let her, and even was in charge of diaper duty for one very icky day. She never complained, usually offering her help before I needed to ask, and was continually thanking me for giving her another sibling.
JT became in charge of breakfast duty. He would set the table as soon as he woke up (he's always the first one awake) and then choose which cereals he would serve that day. He even perfected pouring milk without spilling. A couple of times he tried to branch out from cereal, like the time he attempted to toast bread in the microwave. It was so thoughtful of him, though as hard as a rock and completely inedible.
Even JMC got in on the act, and became an expert at bringing me Kleenex or my bucket. Whenever I got sick, he'd follow me to the bathroom and ask a million times if I was ok. It was sweet, sometimes annoyingly so, but sweet nonetheless.
Papi has be awesome. He took over laundry, dishes, and cooking. For about a month, I wasn't able to get up without getting sick, even with the medications, and Papi was completely in charge of running the house. It was surely exhausting for him after working all day, to come home and have to take care of us as well, but he did it and did it well.
I feel blessed by all of this because it is so easy to see the negative. I see my kids fighting with each other, giving me attitude about doing their chores, etc. nearly everyday. But for the past few months, God has brought to my attention so many positives in my family and especially my children, that it has been impossible to ignore.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)