The cast:

Big, Bad Three Year Old Brother

Sweet, Innocent 18 month Sister:

What you don't hear in this picture is the "May I have some, Please?" that did precede the following scenario:

Don't think she is so sweet as she proceeded to storm after him screaming "MINE":

Then, the 3 yr old delighted in aggravating, resulting in the following scenario:
Timeout.

Sister comes to keep him company.

They'll figure it out by the time their adults and be best friends.

Hopefully it will happen a little sooner...

In the meantime, I'll play referee and laugh a lot behind their backs.

Playing favorites

Daddy to JG: "Elloree is my favorite little girl!"

JG to Daddy: "Mommy is mine"

Ahhhh, melt.

In Fall....

"In November", Cynthia Rylant says, "the smell of food is different. It is an orange smell. A squash and a pumpkin smell. It tastes like cinnamon and can fill up a house in the morning, can pull everyone from bed in a fog. Food is better in November than any other time of the year."

How could I resist then, waking up this morning in the sleet and cold and cloud and toasting oats and pecans, grating frozen butter, zesting an orange. The result: maple glazed pecan scones that my children will hardly touch. (More for me.) And JG saying as he came downstairs, 'are we having ORANGE for breakfast?' Which we did.

I keep six honest serving men
(They taught me all I knew);
Their names are What and Why and When
And How and Where and Who.
I send them over land and sea,
I send them east and west;
But after they have worked for me,
I give them all a rest.

I let them rest from nine till five,
For I am busy then,
As well as breakfast, lunch, and tea,
For they are hungry men:
But different folk have different views:
I know a person small--
He keeps ten million serving men,
Who get no rest at all!
He sends 'em abroad on his own affairs,
From the second he opens his eyes--
One million Hows, two million Wheres,
And seven million Whys!

(Rudyard Kipling, Just So Stories)

Last Day of Summer

Conditions: Cold. Windy. Rainy. Light Snow.

2:30 P.M.

Me: (wearing long sleeve shirt, sweater, socks, pants, slippers) "So, do you think we could maybe turn the heat on a little bit?"

Hubby: "Put on a sweater."

Good Bye Summer

Why Twilight?

Well, in case you were wondering WHY I asked if you had read Twilight. My friend told me I should read it some months ago (okay, okay, maybe it has been a year now) and I was terribly disappointed. I felt like I had just read Sweet Valley High and the Vampires. But, I was also terribly intrigued. What has made this book so popular? Not just with pre-teenage girls, but with adult women? I couldn't put a finger on what chord exactly Stephanie Meyers was striking.

Then, a couple months later, Caitlin Flanigan's article came out in the Atlantic and she identified a few chords. (What Girls Want, December 2008) Primarily that adolescent females are highly emotional, vulnerable, volcanic beings. They want to be both carefree and fun loving like a child and grown women, masters of their own domestic domain and loved by a man. They want to be mature and vulnerable at the same time. This is intimidating, now as a mother of a daughter (almost two daughters). How can I lovingly guide her through this time of upheaval? The culture will tell her to surrender her heart, her body, her love for a boy in order to gain his approval and the approval of her peers. That she should throw OFF her womanly qualities and be, like a man.

What Meyers highlights, in this popular teenage tale of vampires of all things, is that a woman doesn't want to be LIKE a man, she wants a MAN. Genders have lost something of their mystery in the last feminist movement. Men will abdicate their authority and leadership if given the chance and women will always seek to usurp that leadership. Sigh. It is a constant tug in my marriage, how about yours? In Twilight, there is a boy who "loves a girl so much that he refuses to defile her". So, the heroine is loved. Not in the carnal sense that we are told represents love, but in the difficult, sacrificial, give up what you want kind of way. And THAT is powerful for an adolescent girl and a grown woman both. The heroine is courageous, competent and smart. She is not some dumb blond sleeping beauty walking aimlessly toward the spindle. And yet, she still wants this boy's love desperately enough to suspend her common sense. And he is worthy of it by being a man, the one in control and strong and denying his own desires--despite the advances or weakness of this young woman.

So, how do I model this for my daughter? First, she must see my husband loves me. In the deep, sacrificial way. Which is quite clear that he does. (Not perfectly of course, don't be ridiculous.) And for my part, I must encourage him in his authority and leadership. Not undermine his efforts, not contradict his decisions, but whole heartedly lay my own selfish desires aside to respect and serve him. (Some people call this submission, and other people think this is a curse word.) But how else can a marriage thrive? Through shared partnership and equal distribution of work? Don't be silly. We all know it won't be equal and it can't be equal. So, lets not set up ourselves and our daughters for bitterness. Rather, "let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works." (Heb 10.24) Remembering the great love that has been modeled for us. (Phil 2.1-8)

I actually am going to read Twilight again. (Believe it or not.) This time my perspective will extend beyond Sweet Valley High.

Have you read it? Did you like it?

Medical Records

I've recently had the conversation with several friends about if they are allowed to get their medical records from a practice they are leaving. I always affirm that YES, you are always, always, always entitled to your own medical records. The standard practice is that a practice will fax over your records to a requested practice for free, but there is often a charge involved in getting your own copies. I had no idea that charge is actually legislated, but stumbled across this today. Here are the rules for what can be charged for medical records in Colorado:

Colorado

6 C.C.R. 1011-1, Chapter 2, Part 5.2.3.4

For a representative of the patient, other than a "personal representative" as defined in (HIPAA) 45 CFR 164.502(g):

• $16.50 for the first 10 or fewer pages
• $.75 per page for pages 11-40
• $.50 per page for every additional page
• The per-page fee for records copied from microfilm shall be $1.50 per page
• Actual postage or shipping costs and applicable sales tax, if any, also may be charged.

For the discharged patient or personal representative:

• Reasonable cost not to exceet $14.00 for the first 10 or fewer pages
• $.50 per page for pages 11-40
• $.33 per page for every additional page
• Actual postage may be charged
• Per-page fees for microfilm shall be $1.50 per page

And if you want to look up your own state, here is a link: http://www.lamblawoffice.com/medical-records-copying-charges.html

I am stealth. In my robe, I come down the stairs and put on my slippers. The house is dark, shades drawn, the sun peeking through the cracks trying to break and enter and bring the morning. Cannot wake the children. Just a few minutes of quiet. Coffee is my god and I go to the pot and grinder for my morning worship session. Then I tiptoe into the dining room. The scene of battle from dinner still evident in the shadows. My slippered foot comes down on a foreign object and I instantly spring into reflexive action, drawing my foot back quickly and inspecting the land mine. A cheerio. Now I know my enemy is out here, waiting to explode if I make a wrong move. I continue around the table ever so cautiously, feeling the mines as my foot touches them and springing back each time. KA-BOOM. Well, you win some, you lose some. Bring in the broom to sweep up casualties. The losses were significant, but there were a few unbroken survivors, and I consider it a victorious morning.

Zoo Vet

I think that Zoo Veterinarians have an easier job treating their animals than I have treating EG.

Just a reminder for me tonight. Heard about a black hawk crash in the mountains because hubby's crew was on call to possibly have to go in for recovering the victims. T called me with a list of things he needed me to bring to the station, just in case they got the call to go. So, after dinner with friends, me and the kids drove his gear over to him to drop off. T told JG that he didn't know if he'd see him tomorrow or not, but good night and he'd see him whenever he got home. On the way home, JG asked why did daddy need that stuff and why was he maybe not coming home in the morning? So I explained that a helicopter crashed and some men died and Daddy might have to go and get those men to bring them home for their families to bury them, just like we buried Grandma F. I told him how this is a very sad thing and these families are grieving and sad over the loss of their daddies or brothers or sons. After a few other questions ('What was the helicopter doing in the mountains' and 'What were those men doing'), he began a little song. It went something like this:

"A helihopter flying in the mountains.

Crashed dooooown.

one, two, three, four, five, six boys are missing their daddies.

Oh, a helihopter crashed dooooown."

Oh how my heart aches for those families tonight wherever and whomever they are. We prayed for their comfort and their grief at bedtime tonight. I just can't stop thinking about them.

Zu-Zu-Zucchini!

Anyone got zucchini in their garden they are looking for a new use for? I'll take some off your hands! I got really burnt out on the z-stuff when we planted three or four one year and had it coming out of our fingernails. This year my backyard neighbor has been generously giving me little bits of produce here and there and I'm having so much fun experimenting and getting creative with zucchini! I thought I'd share a few ideas for those of you looking for something to do with your own prolific plants (Just tell me if you are interested in a full out recipe and I'll come up with some measurements or something for you):

1. Zucchini, Mushroom and Basil Quesadillas

2. Zucchini, Mushroom, Basil Omelette

3. Zucchini, Caramelized Onion and Thyme Quiche

4. Zucchini Herb Casserole

5. Ratatouille

6. There is the ever standard Zucchini Bread, but try it with some shredded carrots and spices to make Zucchini-Carrot Spice Bread or Muffins for breakfast!

**Note: Don't forget that cream cheese is the secret to the perfect quesadilla!

**Note: Always use fresh herbs, not dried, when using green herbs like basil, thyme, mint, sage, parsley, cilantro, etc. The taste is unbelievably better. On that note, do any gardeners out there have advice for how to keep a fresh kitchen garden indoors all winter on the counter?!?!

Okay, and one more creation this week that makes a wonderful dessert topping:

Combine chopped peaches and grapes, Mix in a tablespoon or two of Limeade, Sugar, Lime Zest, Lime Juice to taste, and chopped fresh mint. Mmmmmm.

Happy Girl

EG can say 'Hat', 'Shoes', 'Daddy', 'Momma', 'Doggie', 'Huh-whooo' (her elephant P.Q.), 'drink' (sort-of), and 'Jaaa Geee' (Jack Greer)! :) Here are a few recent shots of my smiley girl. Things about EG that surprise me: How cheerful she is, how busy she is! She has about a 10-30 second attention span. So, good news is she is never mad about something for long. Bad news, she never does anything for long! I've started to put her in her chair when I'm cooking dinner and give her an ice tray with one cheerio or raisin in each compartment just so she is busy with something for more than 30 seconds! All of these photos are blurry because.... as mentioned, she is on the go.

pretty fun

JG, while trying to convince me to play with him: "It's pretty fun to play with this car..."

MOMs SALE

Anyone wanna go to this with me on Saturday? I'm intrigued.....

http://www.mothersofmultiples.com/momssale.html

Bed Time Woes

Perhaps some day we will manage a bed time routine sans fits and rages. For this week, however, my eldest was in rare form. And not just at bedtime. Really all the time, almost.
But, in the midst of the difficulty, there are still moments of funny (Praise God). Tonight (around excuse/request #587), JG yelled to let me know that: "My sleep won't come out!"

Just a few shots of bath time with the cousins:

EG: 'Please get me out of here!' (G-Lou: 'What is wrong with her?')

Fine, I'll get myself out! (This is me grabbing her after she pulled herself to this position)

Unexpected

I hope that when I am an old lady (if I live that long), that I will not linger, but pass away quickly following a healthy life. T's grandmother passed away on July 6th this year. She was in really good health for an 87 year old lady. She mothered and raised five children, four boys and a girl. The oldest of which is my father-in-law. Margaret raised him his first two years all alone due to the war taking away his dad. She was a strong lady. So, we took an unexpected trip home in July to go to grandma's funeral and see the extended family and it was really neat to see the places where my husband's family is from.

T and Dad at family gravesites from the 1800's with the original family farm house in the background (right side)

The home where T's grandfather grew up

My whole 'married' family. T's parents, sister and brother-in-law and our three nieces.

More...

T's great-aunt and uncle above keep the old farm in order. She also makes the most amazing hush puppies.

Couldn't resist sharing this sweet sibling moment someone captured.

I was trying to walk, walk, walk to get this one to go to sleep. Sneaky little girl.

I was finally successful!

July 4th...a month late

Macey Lakes Backpacking

So, we live in a really cool state. The best thing is when your in-laws are sweet enough to watch our two babies so we can run away for a night in the Sangres. We had such a wonderful time together and felt so refreshed from the mountains.

It was a much bigger creek than it looks in this picture.

Sunrise over the lake by our campsite

It is hard being away from Daddy. JG puts it best: (except in a very, very whiney voice and usually after I've told him something he didn't want to hear or do) "I'm so sad, I want my Daddy back".

Along these lines, I also hear: "I'm so sad, I want some chocolate milk" and "I'm so sad, I want to play with Olice" (his cousin).

Don't be fooled. He is usually quite happy.

And EG's favorite phrase? "UH oooooo"

Three is a Magic Number

Number Three is on the way.
To our Sanity, SO LONG, we say!

When, you say? When, When?
Due to Arrive January, 2010!

Where is YOUR grumpy this morning?

The other day when JG seemed a little bit grumpy in the morning, I asked him, JG are you a little grumpy this morning? He replied, No. I left my grumpy under my pillow.

Smart boy. I'm gonna work on leaving mine there too.

Note to self:

When I am a grandmother, watch my grandchildren for several days at a time to give my sons/daughters and in-laws a much needed break!!

Going to boonie's?

JG: "Mom, are we going to boonie's house?"
me: 'yes'
JG: "Is grandad going to be there now?'
me: 'yes'
JG: (with MUCH excitement) 'oh! I LOoooVE grandad!'

Happy Father's Week!

I hope you have all enjoyed your Father's Day weekend, past. I suppose it is customary to congratulate Fathers on your blog. Well, here is the primo Father in my life right now. He is such a wonderful father to our children and a wonderful husband to me. Without his husbandry, my motherhood would be. . . well, worse than it is! Thank you for all you do! He reads books about raising a future man and listens to all my dribble with interest about books on mothering and discipline! He works hard. At his job, on our house, with our children and many other areas.

Of course, it should go without saying that he is what he is because of the leading of God's will in his life and also due to the influence of his father, now known as Grandad and much loved by our children, and perhaps even a little by his father-in-law, known as Pops, who can draw amazing pictures of trains, cars and make funny impersonations besides! We are so grateful for the tradition of fatherhood in our family!

me: "JG, I love you sooo much."

JG: "And I love my daddy."

Can I see it?

I was explaining today to JG that the clouds in the sky bring the rain that we were watching pour down. To my feeble attempt at explaining this in two year old language, he replies:
"Can I see the bucket up there?"

Two is such a fun age!

JG: "I'm going to tickle you up!"


me: "JG, please put your cars away."
JG: "No, I too grumpy."
me: "Well, I'll have to s**** that grumpy out of you if you don't get ungrumpy and put your cars away."
JG: no response
(after the s****) JG: "I WANT MY GRUMPY BACK!"



JG: "Mommy, can I put some salt and pepper on my grits?"
me: "sure."
JG: "I jus gonna make em feel better."


JG: "Mommy! Wook! That truck pulling that boat! Is that siLLY?"

Wake Up Boy

me: "JG, are you a sleepy boy?"

JG: "Nooooo.... I not. I a wake up boy."

Hello!

Today on the trail, while exchanging the usual 'Hellos' with my fellow trail mates, I had to suppress the urge to then say, "Do you like my hat?" I am so entrenched.

April Picnic Today

If it looks cold, that is because it was. Freezing.

Hubby at work again. . .

Todd took this picture when he and his coworkers were out 'training' again this week.

Mullet, Bare Back and Ruffle Bum

More of my climbing boy

Climbing

We went out to the Park twice this week (well, hubby went twice, I made it once) with the kids to the climbing area at Red Rocks. If you haven't been there, you should go, they have some really nice trails and great mountain biking!

Birthday Girl!!

Here it comes!

Who needs blowing? I'll just snuff out the candle with this finger. She didn't even cry about it.

The most seasoned birthday boy at the party

Proud daddy

Oblivious to the cake

These two feed off each other--Can you tell they are having fun?!

Good buddy, Liam. Two days younger than EG