Someone Lit a Match

I FINALLY, watched Fireproof. While I knew what the movie was going to be about, I had no idea how it would make a person dissect their own marriage. Todd and I have a pretty good marriage. I can't say it's perfect because I truly believe that anyone who says their marriage is perfect is either (a) lying and is hiding something, or (b) in serious denial. It's all about 1 day at a time for us.

The movie is a good movie, but I would not watch it for entertainment purposes only. It's a little heavy but has much for a person who is married to think about. I also think it would have been a great movie to watch before someone gets married. It's storyline is for the most part believable. However, the acting ability of the characters could definitely use some more practice. Right from the start I thought some of the characters were obviously acting. However, if you hang on, the message is more important than the acting abilities.

The movie is based on a book called "The Love Dare" which outlines a 40 day plan to rescue or strengthen a marriage. In the movie, it is used to rescue a couple from the brink of divorce. The book this is based upon christian principles. A couple of the goals are to bring each individual and the couple as a unit, closer to God, which in turn will bring the couple closer to each other and the marriage stronger.

I know you want to ask, but I'm not one to put EVERYTHING out there to dry in front of others. I believe a persons marriage is a very personal matter and out of respect for it and my husband, I am not going to answer that question on my blog.

If you are curious about how others are getting through it, I have included a couple of links to the Love Dare and two of its bloggers - one is an individual doing the 40 day love dare , and the other is a couples blog that is doing the 40 days love dare. So, if your like me, too private to put it out there, but want to nose around and hear from someone elses experience, they are great reads.

Thanks to those of you who emailed me your thoughts.

http://couple40daylovedare.blogspot.com/

http://debbies40daydare.blogspot.com/

FIREPROOF YOUR MARRIAGE

I have heard tons about this movie, but have not yet seen it. I do remember the first time I saw the trailer in the movie theatre several months ago and it brought tears to my eyes. I plan on watching it very soon. I will post my own thoughts about it afterwards. I am anxious to hear any thoughts from anyone who has seen it. I am a person that truly believes no matter how strong a marriageis, there is always room for improvement and strengthening. Right now so many people, groups and church communities are using this movie as a foundation for a marriage building series of lectures- even the church where my children attend school. I look forard to seeing it, hearing from you and posting my own thoughts soon.

http://www.fireproofmymarriage.com/

He's The Man!!! - A Tribute to Dad

OMG! Really now, what kind of a mother and wife am I? Here I am just going on and on about my experiences with kids, and I just realized there is no Dad mentioned here - except for the toilet post - an while many of his personal experiences with the kids are like that, the kids were not a product of immaculate conception. Well, here is my tribute to my husband and father of our children. He is the most amazing Dad. When I married him, I knew he was funny, sweet, and really considerate of me. I thought for sure he would make a great Dad, but little did I know he would make an incredible Dad. I work very hard at being the best Mom I can be to my kids, but every day I fall short of my own expectations. My husband, Todd, always exceeds my expectations I ever had in a husband and parent. Anyone who knows me will never here me complain about him not helping out around the house - he knows laundry better than I. And he NEVER complains about anything. Truly he does not. I have been so blessed because I can complain the minute he walks in the door on a day that has me strung out and he just comes in and takes over - and NEVER makes me feel bad or asks for anything in return. The kids want him home ALL the time. they adore him. According to them, Dad is never around - which is not true. Many days he even works from home so he can participate inthe fun of taking them to school and picking them up sometimes - and then doing something fun afterwards. He's just great! that's it, nothing more, nothing less. Just Great! So if you ask any of us, Kelsey, Carter or myself about their Dad - as Kelsey says......He's the Man. We love you very much Daddy!

On Top of Spaghetti

Growing up, we ate a lot of spaghetti. A lot of chicken too, but for some reason, spaghetti never was my favorite. To this day, I do not eat spaghetti. I married a man who LOVES spaghetti. I know, call me a mean wife, but since I do all, and I mean All the cooking in this house, I do not cook spaghetti. I will cook many things I don't like, just because my dear husband likes it or the kids want it.

Tonight, I cooked spaghetti! O MY! When I called Todd and asked him to run by the grocery store to pick up some Italian Bread from the bakery, he could not believe his ears. He was soooo happy when he got home. I know, what kind of a wife am I to have never cooked spaghetti for my dear and loving and providing husband?

Anyhow, as a result of this decision to cook spaghetti, Kelsey and Carter both ask, "what is spaghetti?". I know what you all are thinking. I really am not that bad of a mother - what's the big deal? It's only boiling water and pasta. in addition to my view of spaghetti, I had heard so many horror stories of incredible messes by children trying to eat it. I really did not know if I was ready for this adventure at the end of a Monday. Nevertheless, I cooked it anyway.


Both kids ate surprisingly well. Not one noodle hit the floor and no one ended up with sauce in any place I could not wipe up. And not on the walls either! They really had a fun time slurping though - that of which I could do without. But hey, even I remember slurping the noodles (that was the only thing I liked about spaghetti).

I was impressed! Todd asked if we have to wait another 12 years before he eats it again. HA HA! I do love my family, so I guess it's my turn to suck it up - and add it to the menu more often. Maybe I'll even be extra generous and add meatballs!!

Love and Dirt

We started Valentines Day this year Wednesday when the kids had their parties at school. I was not so directly told that I did not have to attend Carter's clas party. Not a big deal, I totally understand. He cries for 45 minutes every time I stay for something like this and it only makes it harder for everyone else in the class. So no picture from his class. I did, however, return in the afternoon for Kelseys class party. It was very nice and they all seemed to really enjoy it. After a craft of making a bookmark and a few snack's they made ice cream sundaes. Then on to playing Bingo. Kelsey, LOVES this game. Her teacher leads the class every Friday in a game. She gets very excited to go to school on Fridays because it is Bingo Friday. Anyway, they played for M&Ms. They loved it and its always so much fun watching them in the classroom interacting with the other kids.

At home, Valentines Day brought lots of cheery smiles and belly laughs around our house this year. Todd and I have never been a couple that does much for this holiday - or is it a real holiday? I don't know. Maybe commercially driven - or maybe I am just blissfully unaware of the ooooh and aaaaah feelings that T.V. and other marketing avenues portray I am supposed to get on this day. Who knows, but the way we celebrate it around here is sort of like another mini Thanksgiving - but without all the stuffing and turkey and more chocolate and sweets. We spend it together with the family and celebrate our love and appreciation we have for each other. At dinner last night at dinner, we took turns and said 5 things we love and are thankful for having in our lives. Kelsey's list was Mommy, Daddy, Bubby (that's her name for Carter), her blankie and God. Carter Mommy, Daddy, Kiki (his name for Kelsey) and instead of God he said his cars. What else would a perfectly normal three year old boy to say? It was a simple and nice evening spent together.

Then Sunday made way to sunshine and Spring Fever has already begun to set in. The kids were itching to get outside even though it was a bit chilly. They wanted the water on. Usually I am not one for allowing them to do these messy adventures first thing in the morning because then they get so dirty it slows us down when trying to get cleaned up to go do other things. I usually save it for afternoon so I can throw them in a bath right before bed. Well, I said what the heck and let the kids be kids. They got the water going while wearing sweats (like I said it was about 60) but it did not slow them down. Then out came the sandbox. No rules today! Sand went everywhere except in the house. I don't think I have ever seen Kelsey so dirty in her whole life. She and Carter loved every minute of it.

I could not help but cringe at the thought of the mess out back. I mean I can't allow them to get this dirty every time they want, but how in the world could I deny them the amount of laughing and fun they had? Just a brother and a sister truly having a super fun time with each other. That's the only sound a mom could ever ask for.

Kelsey's Big day

Kelsey just had her 5th birthtday this last Sunday. She was so proud to finally be 5 - she sees it as a magical age. Maybe this is the first year she has truly been aware of her friends who turned 5 before her, or maybe because she has used this as her goal for starting many new things. She has decided she will learn to ride her bike without training wheels when she turns 5. She also decided she would learn how to match all her clothes - because thats what big girls do (and could be costly), learn how to swim while holding her eyes open under water, finish learning how to read "all the way" before she gets to kindergarden, and that she is going to try more new foods before she turns. Good for her! We Could not be more proud.

For her birthday party, she was so sweet to share it with Carter. In November when Carter turned 3, he was sick and we had to cancel his party. He did not let us forget. So, they shared a party at a bounce house place - each inviting 12 people. They had tons of fun - the whole thing, pizza, cupcakes, goody bags to hand out. They loved it. Then for her family birthday party, we told her we would go anywhere she wanted for her birthday dinner. She chose Dennys. Yes, Dennys. All she talked about for a week or more before was getting to order her own Grand Slam jr. with cheese on her eggs for dinner. So, this is where we went. And she did her own ordering.

At home after the big dinner event, we had cake. Not a traditional birthday cake. She requested a Mardi Gras King cake. So, this is what we had. She was on cloud nine the whole weekend.

That night after all the goodbyes to Aunt Diane and Grandma and Grandpa, she sid with the biggest smile of her face - "this was the bestest brithday ever". It made me smile huge to hear her say that. It also made me very sad - she was our first, and time just goes by too fast.

God has blessed us with these precious gifts and entrusted us to take care and teach these two little Angels. What on earth was He thinking? It does not matter, we're not going to look a gifthorse in the mouth and ask. We are just going to enjoy as much of our time we have with them - no matter how fast it goes by - and take as many pictures as possible!!! Happy Birthday Kelsey!

Flushed Away

Carter is very (and I do not use the term lightly) mischievous. That is mischievous driven out of curiosity. Weekly, sometimes daily, it is not uncommon for me to fix something, unclog something, clean something, or just throw away something that has been the target of Carter's undying curiosity.

Just this past week, I have unclogged his toilet three different times. He was so sweet to "clean" his bathroom "like mommy" does - leaving me a heaping mess of laundry and re sanitizing the floors, not to mention the walls and throwing his and Kelsey's toothbrushes away. Then I also hunted the house for light bulbs that he has removed and tried to fit in other random places throughout the house. He must sit around thinking, "what can I do to drive Mommy crazy? Hmmmmm let me see." Actually, the problem is that he does not just sit. He is constantly in motion. He goes from one activity to another without even so much as a pause.

This past week Todd had been out of town for the week. Carter and Kelseys' toilet had been flushing very slowly. I finally used the plunger to see if it helped. Yup! Good to go. That evening, it was flushing really slow again. Fixed it again. I asked Carter if he put anything down there -

Mommy: Carter, what did you put in the potty today?"

Carter: What potty?

Mommy: your potty.

Carter: Poop and Pee only go in the potty. And only 4 squares of toilet paper.(holding up 4 fingers)

Mommy: Is that what you put in your potty?

Carter: No.

Mommy: what did you put in it?

Carter: I don't know - what went in the potty?

Forget it, I was obviously not going to get an answer out of him.
Todd got back from his trip and I asked him to fix the toilet. Meanwhile I asked them to use the potty by the playroom. Kelsey did great, Carter, went in his potty, and it was not pee, right before Daddy was going in to fix it. Daddy was NOT happy about this.

Needless to say, he finally got it all cleaned and fixed the toilet. So what WAS in the toilet this time? A marker.

Daddy: Carter, how did the marker get in the potty?

Carter: I don't know.

Mommy: Carter did you put the marker in the potty?

Carter: Mmmmhmmm. (shaking his head yes).

Mommy: Please do not put anything in the potty except your pee, poo and no more than 4 squares of paper. It stops it up and then we cannot flush the potty.

Carter: okay.

Mommy: Carter, we have said this to you many times, do you understand why we don't want you to put these things in the potty?

Carter: Yes, but Daddy will always fix it.

One thing I can be sure of, is this WILL NOT be the last time this happens. This is the 3rd toilet in that bathroom. For the record, we have had little people stuck in there, washcloths, toothbrushes, whole rolls of paper, a tennis shoe, Barbie heads, underwear, bath toys, crayons, and now a marker - all flushed down the toilet.

I cannot ask anymore "when will he learn not to do this?" I realized he already "knows" not to do it. What he also learned is that no matter how many times he does it - or anything else, if is fixable, DADDY WILL FIX IT - so why the hell not? right?

Just today, Todd fixed the hole in the wall Carter made by slamming the door back. The Fix It list is a long list in our house. One item gets marked off and two more get added. Someday, Carter's curiosity, fun and logic will move beyond destruction of our house and on to more productive projects and Daddy's Fix it list will get shorter......we can only pray.

Hang in There

I Know I started this blog and I have not forgotten. I have a list of about 5 blog entries to make....pictures to be included. So Jean, Sharon and Sandy, please be patient and check back soon.......A lot has happened lately so stay tuned!