big boy bed

 A few weeks ago, Squirt decided to fall out of his crib. So it was time for the big boy bed. This was something new to us (having a kid fall out of his crib) because Moose would probably still be in a crib if we hadn't moved him out at almost 3. Anyway, this was our second attempt with Squirt - the first time had been abandoned because he kept jumping out of bed. He has done an excellent job of NOT jumping out of bed (although sometimes he does jump in bed...but gets in trouble for it). He's thrilled to be in a big boy bed...this mama is, too, but between the big boy bed and big boy underwear, where's the baby???

first night in the big boy bed

the morning after - must have been a rough night!

hello, junior high, I haven't missed your drama

Here's the worst thing about small towns and blogs. Someone doesn't like that you wrote something on your blog? They go talk to the principal. Here's the thing: I have a SAY about Moose's teacher next year. I never EVER said I get to choose the teacher. I just got off the phone with the principal and "someone" (I'm fairly certain who so please if this is you, grow up and talk to me. I'm tired of this behind the back stuff. We aren't in junior high!) told him that I had a blog where I said I got to pick his teacher. NO NO NO NO. I told him, "I said I have a voice in the matter. Which is what we're discussing, right?" Perhaps he never thought about it in those terms, but he agreed. Then that same "someone" said that I had used another student's name on my blog. Bull. I don't even use my own kids' names! I have spoken about his classmates in ONE post where I said he and another student weren't getting along. That was a fact, I didn't say that either was at fault because neither was - we're people, not everyone gets along. But I'm getting tired of this.

My blog is my space where I talk about my family. My family interacts with other people. So, yes, sometimes I write about other people. I do not feel I have ever marred a reputation. I do not feel I speak badly about anyone. I try not to do that in real life and my blog is just an extension of my life, not another persona. If you feel I have talked poorly of you or someone else, talk to me. I think I'm a fairly approachable person and I take criticism well (you can ask Moose's teacher. We've had discussions about Moose that aren't always easy to hear. However, I WANT to hear those things because, if I don't, I can't better it. I'm a sinner, I realize that I fail (a lot) but as a Christian, I try really hard to fix whatever I've broken or hurt - feelings or whatnot.). Please, please stop talking about me (and my blog) behind my back.

you can pick your friends, you can pick your nose...

...but picking your kids' teachers is hard. Here in Small Town, KS, I have a say (not necessarily final decision) about who Moose's teacher will be next year since he has an IEP - I'm not 100% on how it all works, but I do have a voice in the situation.
 Well, I only personally know one of the kindergarten teachers. I don't even know the other teachers' names (there are 3-4). I thought that it wouldn't necessarily matter, so I said the teacher I know. EDIT: I had doubts because I don't know the teachers hardly at all, especially in a professional setting.
 I was scared because I thought I was stuck hard and fast into my choice. I talked to Moose's current teacher today and she suggested that I come to visit the classrooms to see for myself. I like that idea (EDIT: I was told by the principal that this wouldn't be allowed).
 It's still going to be a hard choice. I'm definitely praying for the Lord's wisdom on this one!
 Now, I just need to find a baby-sitter to watch the boys so I can go up to the school to visit.

EDIT TO ADD: Here's the worst thing about small towns and blogs. Someone doesn't like that you wrote something on your blog? They go talk to the principal. Here's the thing: I have a SAY about Moose's teacher next year. I never EVER said I get to choose the teacher. I just got off the phone with the principal and "someone" (I'm fairly certain who so please if this is you, grow up and talk to me. I'm tired of this behind the back stuff. We aren't in junior high!) told him that I had a blog where I said I got to pick his teacher. NO NO NO NO. I told him, "I said I have a voice in the matter. Which is what we're discussing, right?" Perhaps he never thought about it in those terms, but he agreed. Then that same "someone" said that I had used another student's name on my blog. Bull. I don't even use my own kids' names! I have spoken about his classmates in ONE post where I said he and another student weren't getting along. That was a fact, I didn't say that either was at fault because neither was - we're people, not everyone gets along. But I'm getting tired of this.

My blog is my space where I talk about my family. My family interacts with other people. So, yes, sometimes I write about other people. I do not feel I have ever marred a reputation. I do not feel I speak badly about anyone. I try not to do that in real life and my blog is just an extension of my life, not another persona. If you feel I have talked poorly of you or someone else, talk to me. I think I'm a fairly approachable person and I take criticism well (you can ask Moose's teacher. We've had discussions about Moose that aren't always easy to hear but I'm a human. I'm a sinner, I realize that I fail (a lot) but as a Christian, I try really hard to fix what's broken.). Please, please stop talking about me (and my blog) behind my back.

Multitude Monday

Over at A Holy Experience, Ann Voskamp blogs about such beautiful things. If you haven't read her book, One Thousand Blessings, hit your local library or book shop or Amazon and get a copy. It's ridiculously touching and I hope will lead your heart toward the Lord like it has mine. In the book, Ann talks about counting your blessings. I do that on paper, as she did too, but (like Ann) I like to share my blessings with you. That's what Multitude Mondays are about - you can link up with Ann at her blog.
*Disclaimer: if the numbers don't add up, I'm just starting from where I left off last time in my journal.

407. returned phone calls

408. two friends on their 4th pregnancies

409. playdate invitation - it's great to feel wanted :)

410. gray and yellow

411. peeps, chips, and a movie (my Valentine's Day gifts)

412. Moose reading me a book

413. controlling my temper

414. geese flying

415. not cooking

416. buying the boys new cars (even though they continually fight over them)

417. sleepy baby

418. standing baby!

just FYI, no this isn't my baby, it's a friend's baby I watch - Baby T.

419. knowing this won't last forever

420. silly commercials with pretty colors

421. happy women with cute tights

422. flexible schedules

423. dishes done with man hands

424. waking to playful bathtime noises

425. skirts (and even pantyhose - they make me feel ladylike)

426. The Story - Jericho

427. 13 beautiful outside miles

428. Big A

429. "wiper mo wiping...awww, mant" - Squirt (from Dora the Explorer "Swiper, no swiping...awww, man!"

430. excitement at eating out (the boys...and me)

431. family park time

432. Sunday Family Movie Night: Tangled
433. My first Usborne party (pst! If you want to host a party, let me know!)
434. yipping coyotes (only cool to listen to, I know the damage they can do...I've seen Barnyard)

Count your blessings and share. 

Weekly Pinterest

My friend, Cheryl, posts her weekly Pinterest activities on her blog. I'd like to begin joining her, so I'll tell you what I've been up to.

I tried to make this last night, but it flopped. Luckily, Big A was there to pick up the pieces (literally) when I got frustrated and turned it into a delicious pot-pie type meal.

I made two of these peach-blueberry pies. Not sure if they taste good because I sent them to a bake sale. Fingers crossed!

My kids enjoyed this peanut butter and jelly banana rolls. Their friend didn't...but kids are fickle eaters at other peoples' houses.

For Valentine's Day, I surprised my husband with this package of Super Hero goodies. I've had the printables for over a year now.

I'm also hoping to print off these chore printables for my kids, but I may not get them pasted until next week (no Mod Podge...although I'm sure I could find a DIY on pinterest for that).

I think that's it. I hope to get something sewn next week. I just can't seem to have a consistent relationship with my sewing machine.
What are you pinning? Want to know what else I'm pinning? Follow me here.

dress up day

Last week, we had a dress up day. Well, day = 20 minutes. 

We had some costume changes and many mustaches.

It was a lot of fun.

Multitude Monday

My friend, Erin, keeps up with Ann Voskamp's blog and participates in Multitude Mondays over there. I started my own list after I read Ann's book (One Thousand Gifts)...but I've been fizzling since the New Year. It's hard to remember to write things down and remember to take your notebook everywhere. But I've also been less looking at the small blessings. So I'm going to try to keep up with this once a week - keeping track in my notebook and then transferring it online. Excuse my numbering; I'm starting where I left off with my notebook.

399. Running to honor Sherry Arnold
400. Random red balloon rolling in the street while running.
401. Birds flying so freely (while I was running inside).
402. MIL and FIL bringing the cousins to play with the boys.
403. Couch naps.
404. A washer to wash sheets peed on by little boys...
405. A French meal: French toast and French fries (that counts, right?).
406. Wearing my headband that I sewed!!

That's what I counted today. Come back next week to see my many gifts, big and small. And check out Ann's blog to link up your own Multitude Monday list.

For Sherry Arnold

Today I ran 12 miles. Not only for my training, not only for my Lord, not only for my health, not only for my family. Today I ran for Sherry. For those who don't know, Sherry Arnold was a wife/mother/runner/teacher from Montana who was abducted on a long run on a Saturday morning a few months ago. She never came home and police have only been able to locate her Brooks running shoe. I believe it was found about a mile from her home.

I was first made aware of Sherry's disappearance through Another Mother Runner website. From there, I've been able to keep up with news about the investigation. And also, it was there that I learned of the virtual memorial run being hosted by her cousin at Shut Up and Run.

So today as I headed to the gym, there was an addition to my running attire. A bib featuring Sherry's picture. I wanted others to know that this run was not for myself but in honor of Sherry and her family. I can't imagine the pain that her kids and husband and parents have been put through in lieu of this tragedy. As a runner, this broke my heart. As a mom, this scared me. As a human, this angered me. But those emotions weren't the point of today's race - the point was remembrance and perseverance.

So my 12 miles weren't easy, they were hard. They were filled with a few tears, a few laughs (I was listening to The Screwtape Letters for portions of it), sharing about Sherry, and enjoyment that my body was able to do it.

Sherry, I never met you but I'm so honored to share in this remembrance of you, my "sole sister."

just FYI, these were my cool down 5 minutes shown. I ran way more than .21 miles LOL

PureFit Nutrition Bars (review)

On long runs, I've been accustomed to eating a protein bar or energy bar (whatever you call them), so I was excited to try PureFit Nutrition Bars. They are an all-natural, gluten-free, wheat-free, dairy-free, vegan, kosher, high in protein, and diabetic-friendly. Sounds gross, right? Well, you would be wrong.

I am always cautious when I come across food of any sort that is GF, DF, and other -free. They don't normally taste great. However, PureFit nutrition bars are good. They taste about the same as other protein bars that I've eaten on my long runs.

I tried the Berry Almond Crunch on a 10 miler. I like fruit-flavored bars when I run, but they are hard to come by. That was a great run (accompanied by great weather!). The next bar I tried was chocolate brownie on an 11 mile treadmill run. The entire run was a bust - so hard. I tried to eat other things (pretzels and gels) in a manner to which I wasn't accustomed. I ate the bar way too fast and at the wrong time, so it ended up sitting in my stomach in an awful way. But it tasted good - not like a brownie, but like a protein bar chocolate brownie bar would taste. They never taste AS good as the real deal but definitely not bad.

I'm not scientific enough to tell you that they work in this way and keep your energy up in this way, but I know that protein is good! Protein helps your body recover on long runs or after. You can read up more on their nutrition information on their website here. I'm going to try just gels this weekend if I can (I ordered them online) and eat my protein after my run. That way nothing is sitting heavy in my stomach, making me feel like puking. That's the last thing I need on my long runs or any runs.

I like the PureFit bars and that they are natural. We (as a general population) eat far too many processed, un-natural things so it's nice when you can eat natural products. I think your body appreciates it! So check out the PureFit Nutrition Bars website and especially their special deals.

Disclaimer: I received a sample pack of PureFit Nutrition Bars in order to honestly facilitate this post. All opinions are my own. Others may or may not have the same experience(s) as I've had with this company and/or its products.

MOB Society: Bragging on Boys

Like my friend Erin shared in her "bragging" post, I don't necessarily want to "brag" about my boys but I am overjoyed at some of their accomplishments recently! So I will share with you!


Moose is doing wonderfully at school. We moved him to the afternoon classroom and his teacher said that his behavior problems that they saw in the morning have virtually disappeared. Great! Twice last week (once at school and once at Sunday School) his teachers told me that he shared with someone. What a sigh of relief that one is; sharing is so hard but to know that what I'm implementing at home is working (even the itsy bitsiest bit!) is a relief. 

I've noticed that baby toys are most enjoyed by the older crowd.

Moose is also reading! I got the sight word list that kindergarteners start off with from his teacher - he read them all for me this morning. I bought a Chuggington book for him on their last book order - he read it by himself after only having it read to him (so not enough time to memorize) once. It's fun to say, "why don't you read to me or your brother?" 


Squirt is having great success in potty training...mostly. The #2 hasn't come yet but I know if I'm patient, he'll get it. If our little potty chair/stool is in front of the big potty, he can even go pee all by himself (but I have to put his undies back on him). I think that's great progress! I'm kind of at my wit's end with the #2 - I even offer up M&Ms if he poops in the potty... to no avail. Ugh.

car butts are so cute and squishable!

Back to my bragging! Squirt is a smartie pants too - he's got his colors, letters, counting, and shapes down. And he's eager to learn. I'm also happy to report that he is responding well to the discipline methods in Shepherding a Child's Heart. I think it has helped me immensely become more patient with my discipline instead of spouting off at them in anger. Last week, he was very disobedient, especially at bedtime. Now he goes to bed almost without incident. It's great.

what's cuter than a car butt? Two car butts!

popping bubbles - those things are lifesavers

Do the Mario! Anyone else watch Super Mario Brothers Super Show? My kids love it!

How are your children succeeding this week? If you have boys, head on over to the MOB Society to brag on them! Lots of prizes up for grabs on the link-up today!