A Reminder of Things to Come

This pic was in the batch of spring/summer pics from last year and I realized that I will see Teddy like this again...and soon. The snow has pretty much melted and the backyard is nice and soggy! In my contemplations of spring the other day, I overlooked the muddy aspect and forgot about the messes we encountered last year! Each season has its pros and cons when you are a mother!
I know the mess will come...Teddy's track record for the last week has been quite amazing as I go back and remember...scissors taken and used to cut MOMMY'S shirt sleeve(and just noticed last night, my favorite pjs), rubbed MOMMY'S lotion all over self (smelled so pretty), clicked off all the pics in a new disposable camera (which I had gotten to use while the digital one is fixed), helping self to snacks (whenever), playing in the bathroom (water all over),climbing up on the counter (stepping on the cabinet door handles with his toes) to turn the kitchen sink water on, swinging from the new curtains I made for the girl's closet , and a couple other things that I can't even recall (I am feeling a little overwhelmed by the recall)...out of character things that he has never done before.

I know you are thinking, where were you? what were you doing? , when all of this took place...downstairs putting laundry in, taking the quick shower, doing phone calls for the business, printing off labels and letters on the computer, cleaning the bathroom, etc...the normal routine we have had since school started. I wonder how I can be in all places at once! Or is it necessary to tie him to my back like the indian maidens do!? Maybe a bell around his neck, arms, legs, etc.

I would rather appreciate the things I do not have than to have things I do not appreciate!

The last couple days I have been reminded of how much the Lord has blessed me with a wonderful husband! We are heading for the ten year mark next year! Time flies...is flying...has flown...by so quickly! The first couple years of marriage was marked by change upon change, and it still continues. One thing that hasn't changed is Ted's steadfastness...to his wife, children, God's Word, family, Lord, business, convictions, principles, and the list continues. Because of his hard work, discernment, and faithfulness, we have been blessed beyond measure! Sometimes I forget that he does all this under the fatigue and pain from his respiratory disease. Much, of what Ted does and how he does it, is because he had parents who taught him to be able to function inspite of his weakness. I am truly thankful for my parent-in-laws...they did a fabulous job training their son to be a good worker, father, and husband. Not many people have what I have...and I am grateful for God's working and His leading us together. Thank you, Ted, for all that you are and all that you do for us! I love you!

The Words and Thoughts of 3 & 4 Year Olds

Yesterday was filled with interesting conversations...maybe I was just more in tune to it than usual!
Did you know that dogs laugh? "How do they laugh?" They just do.
I like blackamole chips! "Oh, the guacamole chips?" Yeah, the green ones.
"That's enough, Teddy." No, Mom, I don't have plenty!
Driving past the house on our street that was destroyed in a fire on the way to get Ash, "Look kids, they are working on the house." Which house? Oh, the house that got fired. Look, Alisa, it's barenaked! (the roof had been removed)
While baking cookies, Alisa wanted to know if I was adding vanilla extra (too many cooking shows) watch out so that pile of flour doesn't explode (when I turned the mixer on) where is the cookie picker upper? (ice cream scoop).
Their little minds are always at work!

Funny Kids

Aren't they adorable? Costumes furnished by a very creative and crafty mommy! Allison and Bryn look so much like their mother! They are posing with Caden's teacher at one of their special school/church events.

Our Cousins

Since Mari still is not taking the plunge into blogspot...I will post some pics of her crazy kids! We love our cousins and miss them so much. It is always so much fun to get together (after awhile the noise level wears on the Mommys' nerves and the coffee/Pepsi consumption hits all time highs).

This is the artistic Caden...his job is comic relief!

Springtime's Coming

Ted and I enjoy good music playing in our home and vehicles...actually, Ted plays it in the office at the shop all the time too (don't know that the guys always appreciate our "taste" but that is ok...boss trumps employee!) We have had the opportunity to go to several (hold on to your hats!) Southern gospel concerts. Greater Vision is one of our favorites! The old songs have tremendous messages...they have been a comfort and encouragement to both of us! My Dad refers to these songs as "heartsongs". Often we find ourselves sitting and humming along with tears streaming down our cheeks. The last concert we went to in the Chicago area was with the Hoppers. I sat through a couple songs and just sobbed. Don't tell me that the words to songs don't have an impact! Our kids pick up on the words of everything and everyone! (will save for another post!) Right now we love to hear them sing "Try A Little Kindness"!
They have a song about "Springtime's Coming". Every time I look outside and see the snow melting...the song begins! Not that I want to wish the days away...but the promise of new life and growth...a beautiful reminder for me as a Christian wife and mother...I need to renew, refresh, revive each and every day. Things that are dead don't grow! With life...there are growing pains...so I will thank God for the growing pains and allow Him to prune, water, and nuture my life.
I think spring has become my favorite time of year.

Strange things happen when Mommy is working on the computer!

Morning Partners in Crime

Sure, they look innocent enough! This morning, the pirate tried to "call Daddy" on my cell phone which was upstairs...Grampy called me to ask if I had called him...I had not...but he said my number came up...I AM NOT GOING CRAZY! (at least not today) and then it dawned on me...unsupervised children, purse, cell phone...yep, he had called Grampy...and smelled minty fresh while doing so (gum in the purse is fair game when Mommy can't see...but I can smell)...oh, hope you have a good day, Dad!

Milk...a cookie's best friend

Overheard while the kids were eating their bedtime snack of chocolate chips cookies (the Tackeberry favorite treat), "Daddy, we need some milk to go with our cookies." "Well, why don't you go milk the cow like this (Ted showed the motions needed) and then you'll have fresh milk...mmm." "We don't have a cow." Alisa piped up and said, "Dad, milk comes out of the cow's gutters." Ashlynn groaned, "Dad, that's disgusting." Teddy thought it was a good idea, "Hey, a real farmer will let me milk a cow!" For now, we will enjoy our milk from the gallon jug from the store and be glad it didn't come out of the gutters!

Our Happy Family

I thought you all would enjoy seeing our family...and the strong family resemblance! There is no question whose genes are stronger!!! I hoped that our kids would have the brown eyes and brown hair like their Daddy...and all three do. They all know how to use those big brown eyes too...all four of them...let me tell you!

Mmmm...that's good coffee!

Life is grand and the day looks bright and cheery! It is amazing what a cup of coffee from Dunkin Donuts will do for you...its blend of coffee and cream is perfect...all is good!
It is also amazing what good Christian fellowship, Bible study, and prayer can do for the weary soul and body! The ladies at our church are sweet people and we had a fun time sitting around, laughing, and talking after our "serious" time. The food was good! But then, when you don't have to fix it, it always tastes so good! It has been a blessing to spend time with the ladies of Windsor Baptist. I appreciate the fact that Ted makes sure he is home, so I can go! He is such a wonderful husband and daddy! After yesterday's post, I need to express that I am thankful for my life, family, and responsibilities...yes, even without the necessary cup of strong coffee with cream...I survived Monday and am still able to function (while savoring today's cup)!!!

Mondays...are they worth skipping?

At this point, I would say yes! Last Monday was a doozy and this Monday has started out with some negative tones...how can I have a good cup of coffee without the half and half? I made a pot of delicious Tim Horton's only to find out I had forgotten I used all the half and half yesterday...this is a great disappointment as the caffine is essential to my well being today! We awoke to a puking kid about 2 am and the sleep was rather fitful after that...Ted even perused the early morning cable choices. So, with a disrupted schedule, lack of sleep, energetic kids (even the sickie), a mountain of laundry, a cancelled trip to the grocery store, and only 2% milk for the coffee, the idea of skipping Monday seems like a good idea! But then...I remembered I get to go to Ladies Bible Study tonight...adult conversation!!! So for now, I will just hang on till then and be thankful that it wasn't skim milk for the coffee! Hope you have a great Monday!

What did we do before children?

I was looking at some pics the other day and came across this one of Teddy...at the time we were potty training...which took him a whole couple hours to figure out (praise the Lord!)
I got to thinking...what did we do before the kids came along? It seems like so long ago...but five almost six years is not that long! For starters...my house stayed clean for days on end...now, under five minutes and it looks like tornado alley. Conversations were quiet and controlled and had substance. Now, if you want to be heard you have to talk louder than your sibling because it is important to discuss the finer things of life like toe jam (or as Alisa calls it, sock fur). Meals consisted of healthy meats and vegetables and sometimes dessert. Now, it is not a good supper unless it can be picked up with your fingers and dipped in Ranch...and fruit cannot be considered a good dessert option (thanks Daddy!). Laundry was done in a timely manner which meant washed, dried, folded, and put away neatly. Now, it gets washed and dried and keeps the basket company till it needs to be worn or used...why fold when the drawers get ransacked each time we need to get dressed? Sleep came in 6 to 8 hour segments... Now, well, now, hey, I sleep through the night again! And they can feed themselves, clothe themselves, entertain themselves (caution-danger!), bathe themselves, toilet themselves, help with their chores (they love to help with anything right now!)...which helps me to keep a cleaner house! Ah, the cycle of life! It makes me laugh (in shame) to think of how overwhelmed and frustrated I get about the little things. They are not that important! But I let them become important (that is my job...take care of the home). What makes a home is the people that live there! I have wonderful children that God gave us and they are growing and learning and doing well! The job I have here is an important one! They won't be children forever. I want them to grow to love the Lord, obey Him, and serve Him. To see them as adults doing right will be the greatest reward...all those little things will be forgotten, and then I will sit here and think, what did I do before children? Did I do enough?