Mercies are New

It's been a couple of rough days and nights, but His mercies are new every morning. I've been reminded of this as I'm waking up several times a night the past couple of nights. The Lord has given me the strength to get through the days and nights. Unfortunately, Liam has his first cold. This is accompanied by a cough which wakes him up several times during the night, as well as during the day, making it very hard for him to have a decent nap. Last night Audrey was much more snuggly than normal, she's not at all, so even a little is a lot more than normal. This morning she was the same, and feeling hot/cold. Oh no! The virus has past from one sibling to the other, welcome to the world with more than one child.....sigh. We are praying it doesn't continue, and that we've gotten over the worst...especially for Liam as he can not tell us what he's feeling.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I will post pictures soon. Oh yes, we bought another computer (we entered the Mac world), so once things calm down with the kiddos, and I learn my way around this mac I'll begin posting once again. I have a bit of a learning curve ahead of me. I'm sure I'll get it soon enough and you will all be updated on the happenings around here.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Audrey is the talker in this house, from the time she wakes up to the time she goes down. She's 3, and has much to say.

Audrey: Mommy, want to go on an airplane?
Me: Sure, where are we going?
Audrey: To Mexico and the airport!
Me: That sounds like fun.
Audrey: AND there will be toys at the airport!
Me: Really?
Audrey: And we can see Aunt Margie! OH BOOYY!
(In the past year her Grammy and her Aunt and Uncle have gone to Mexico, now she thinks all planes go to Mexico)
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Looking at her belly...
Audrey: Mommy, Mommy look! My boo-boo is all better. God healed it!
(I love the reminder that God continually works in our lives)
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Bringing home presents from her Aunt & Uncle.
Audrey: Look two presents.
Me: Yeah, one for you and one for Liam
Audrey: Nooo...only for me.
Me: No, honey, one is for you and one is for Liam.
Audrey: One for me, and one for me.
(it starts so early, doesn't it?)
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In excitement of her presents, which need to be put away so she doesn't see them until Christmas...
Me: When it's Christmas we can open the presents.
Audrey: When the snow comes?
Me: Yes, wintertime is when the snow comes.
later...
Me: Audrey, why is the door open?
Audrey: I was looking to see if the snow came.
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Audrey: movie trapped (real word - bo*obie trapped)
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Coming in to wake us up...
Audrey: Daddy, why is your clock blinking? (it had been unplugged and not yet reset)
Daddy: I don't know, what does that mean?
Audrey: It means you have to go downstairs, come on!

Check out more tiny talk at Mary's.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Audrey is the talker in this house, from the time she wakes up to the time she goes down. She's 3, and has much to say.

Me: Do you want to go get a 'special treat' from McDonald's (a fruit and yogurt parfait)?
Audrey: I want to go inside to get it.
Me: I can't do that by myself, with you and Liam.
Audrey: Leave Liam at home, he likes to be at home.
Me: I can't do that, he's a baby.
Audrey: But, Bandit and Addie will take care of him.
(In house babysitters! If I had only known sooner!)
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Audrey: (snuggling up with Daddy) I want to watch Football too, I like football.
(she just made Daddy's day)
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Before going to bed...
Audrey: Is Liam sleeping?
Me: Yes, don't go into his room, I don't want him to wake up.
Audrey: But I want to give him a hug and a kiss.
(I had to refuse her request, but it melted my heart. I'll try to make a point to have her give kisses and hugs before he goes to bed.)
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The difference between boys and girls...
Audrey: Boys wear pull*ups and girls wear pan*ties.

Check out more Tiny Talk at Mary's

Too Young

This is why 3 year olds should NOT wear make up. Despite her silly face, she's still beautiful!

Eight Random Things

Mary "tagged" me to write Eight things about myself. I normally don't do this type of thing because it's hard for me to come up with random things about myself. I figured 8 shouldn't be too hard, so I'll give it a try...

1. I used to take gymnastics, and loved it. The only organized athletic thing I was ever really into.

2. I love to go for long walks, especially with someone. This is why I love living in the city. I enjoy talking with Audrey when we go on walks. It's usually a slow walk with her, at this stage, but she loves to chat, make up stories, and ask questions while we go along.

3. I'm not much of a chocolate person (hence the chocolate still around from Halloween). Don't get me wrong, I like chocolate here and there, but I don't crave it. Cookies, now that's a different story. We don't keep cookies around here.

4. I love pretzels as a topping for ice cream...mmm, salty and sweet!

5. I love primitive, folk art, solid wood, well-worn and well-loved decorating and furnishings. Since my focus has not been on buying furniture for our home, we currently support the "basement motif". It's the stuff that used to be in someone's basement, with a touch up here and a slip cover there we've made it our own.

6. I can be very opinionated. I don't like debating because my mind doesn't think that fast, but if given days to come back with an answer I'd be alright.

7. I don't really think of myself as a leader, but in our house my hubby calls me "Take Charge Meggy".

8. I love to talk. I am intimidated by crowds, so many people who don't know me well think I'm shy or quiet....but get to know me a little bit, or chat with me one on one and you'll be tired of hearing me chat. I often wonder if I'm more chatty now that I'm a stay at home mom and those words are not getting out enough.

I'll tag anyone who wants to do it. I enjoy learning a little bit about my friends. Thanks for taking some time to learn a little bit more about me.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Audrey is the talker in this house, from the time she wakes up to the time she goes down. She's 3, and has much to say.

Audrey: When it's Christmas I'm going to get you and Daddy and me a present
Me: What are you going to get Daddy?
Audrey: A Pogo stick like mine (she proceeds to bounce on a pretend pogo stick) and I'll get you a pogo stick too with pink flowers....OH BOOOOOY!!
(alright, I guess I'm getting a pogo stink with pink flowers...she'll eventually get that she's not supposed to tell, unless she's like me!)
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Audrey still has candy leftover from Halloween, which I give her randomly.
Audrey: Why did you give me this? (the candy)
Me: Because I love you.
Later...
Audrey: When you love me, can I have candy?
(that would be way too much candy, honey)
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While standing at the bathroom sink...
Audrey: This sink is old, we need a new one
trying to move it...
Audrey: It's stuck, it'll be really hard to throw away.
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Me: Audrey, what did you learn in Sunday School today?
after a long pause...
Audrey: I didn't learn anything.

Check out more cute sayings here.

Desensitized

A Monday morning rant...

On Friday night our family decided to go get a movie or two. We knew at least one of the movies we rented would be for Audrey, since we were going to be taking a day trip on Saturday. I don't know about other video stores, nor how much of this is marketing, however in our video store the family section is in the BACK of the store. As we were walking to and from the family section, which happens to be next to the 'comedy' section (which, by the way, has very few humorous videos). So, as my daughter is innocently looking for a video...right there available for her to see are these disgusting video covers. We did our best to keep Audrey's eyes looking at the desired 'family' videos and continued to keep her distracted as we walked back up to the register.

Has our culture become so desensitized to images that we feel it appropriate to show the goriest, grossest, hideous image of the movie on the front cover for the sake of sales? It's not enough that the movies contain obscene amounts of violence and se*xuality, all in the name of marketing and profits? I'm not sure I'd feel different if these videos were put higher (so that young eyes couldn't see them), however it would show some sense of sensitivity to those of us who do not want to see these images. Our family does not rent movies often. We'd be lucky if we were able to watch a full-length movie once a month these days. However, due to our experience on Friday night we may consider renting movies via mail. We'll get what we want without having to expose our child to these horrible images.

We live in this culture, and I don't want to hide my children from the world, but rather teach them what is good and right before the Lord. I want to teach them God's Word so that they may be able to recognize what is right and wrong, and walk away from situations, or images in this case, that do not bring glory to God.

Deuteronomy 11:18-21 (NIV)

18 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 20 Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates, 21 so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.

Romans 12:2 (NIV)

2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Rock of Ages

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood, from Thy riven side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure; cleanse me from its guilt and power.

Not the labor of my hands can fulfill Thy law's demands;
Could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress; helpless, look to Thee from grace;
Foul, I to the fountain; fly wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath, when mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown, see Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee.

Thank you, Oh my Savior, for washing me and giving me undeserved eternal grace!

My 'Crafty' Project

I am by NO means crafty. I like having a creative outlet, but that outlet usually takes me a long time. I love to scrapbook, but that's the extent of my creativity. Even in scrapbooking, it's a rare occasion when I haven't copied a page. Isn't that what scrapbooking magazines are for? In any event, craft time came at MOPS and I shuddered. We were about to make a flower arrangement. I'm not a big flower person, nor do I have the gift of creativity, but I was supposed to make this project fun (yeah ok). I was going to do my best. I just started grabbing flowers, greenery, and other 'fillers' for the arrangement. Before I knew it, I was getting really into this craft. I LOVE fall, especially the colors, so it worked.

And this is my prize creation...

I can't believe I actually put that together. I was really happy with it. When I got home I put a table cloth on the table (a rarity in our house), and later set the table nicely for dinner. Of course, we had Macaroni and Cheese for dinner....but at least there was some sense of elegance to our home and our meal.

In the Genes?

So, I was planning on posting a picture of a fun project I completed at MOPS, however there are other pressing matters I must post about first. The crafty project can come later.

Yesterday, my cute son found his hands. Cute, right? The problem is...

Will I really have a thumb su*cker? I su*cked my thumb until I was way too old, and I don't want to see that for my children. Today he's been non-stop with the thumb. *Sigh* I think braces are going to be inevitable. We'll continue swaddling during naps and overnight just to keep those fingers out of the mouth, in hopes that he won't become dependent. Looking on the bright side...there's a blessing in the thumb su*cking, he won't lose it. However, I dread the day when we have to break him of the habit.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Audrey is the talker in this house, from the time she wakes up to the time she goes down. She's 3, and has much to say.

Daddy: Audrey, why don't you listen to Mommy and Daddy?
Audrey: Because I'm a grown-up!
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Every time Audrey sees the Penn State paw print...



Audrey: Look! It's a clue.


Being in PA we see these all over. So, does the clue mean she's going to Penn State?
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Anytime we tell Audrey she can't do something she says, "When I'm...
...7 I'll drive a car
...6 I can have my own camera
...9 I'll wear deodorant (what is the rush?)
...6 I can cross the street without holding Mommy's hand
...7 I can wear make-up
...6 I can use a knife
(generally, she thinks she'll be able to do anything when she's 6 or 7)
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The reason Audrey shouldn't go out into the street without Mommy or Daddy
Audrey: If I go into the street, cars will make me flat like a pancake, and Daddy will throw me like a Frisbee.
(Daddy painted such a nice picture for Audrey...but it works!)

Head on over to see more Tiny Talk at Mary's.

Dressing up

For the THIRD, yes 3rd year in a row Audrey has been a ladybug. The same ladybug costume has been used for three years. It was so worth the $8 spent on the outfit! This was definitely the last year as I struggled to take the outfit off anytime Audrey got hot...often! And since it is now in the hands of Goodwill, we have made sure someone else can enjoy the outfit next year...but NOT us.

We had a great time this year. In the morning we met my grandmother for a fun walk around Willow Valley and some pictures in her apartment. That was BEFORE Audrey couldn't resist pulling the emergency cord, after I had told her not to, and having a nurse come make sure everything was fine. Thankfully the nurse was pleasant (I'm guessing this happens with grand & great grandchildren often), and stayed to see our little ladybug and pumpkin man. Does it count if Liam just wore a pumpkin shirt? :)

After our visit with G.G. we were off to a costume party with friends. What a great party! There were songs, games, crafts, candy, ghost shaped pb&j sandwiches, and lots of friends. After the party we were home and enjoyed the beautiful 65 degree day by playing outside.

We set off to the mall late afternoon to meet up with our good friends, and get the candy. It was a little confusing for Audrey as she wasn't sure who to ask for candy. Once she understood that people were just handing out candy she started going up to multiple people in one store, holding up her bag and waiting for more candy to be put in. After going around the mall it was still hard to understand, but she had a bag full of goodies, all of which she wanted to immediately inspect. "What's this, Daddy, can I have it now?"

It was a fun day, even without a nap for Audrey. Liam was happy to be carried in the front pack the whole way around the mall, even sleeping most the way.

2 Months

Liam is unbelievably two months old! How could he possibly two months old already? Where is the time going? Make it stop, just for a moment!


The boy is so sleepy, so I thought it appropriate to put up a sleepy picture. I truly never thought I'd have a baby fall asleep on the floor. Audrey was away for the morning with a friend so that I could get some work done. I placed him down to have some floor play time while I worked. I turned around a few moments later and there he was asleep, hands raised and all.

He is starting to "talk", but to get a good conversation you must be a bear. He seems to like the Gr*aco mobile bears the best. This is convenient as they are placed on his changing table. Makes the lovely job a little more fun as we hear him chatting away. As soon as he makes eye contact with anyone (even a bear) he beams. It's the cutest thing ever. Audrey loves to get in on the action, and Liam is very happy to give her smiles too.

A Night to Remember

Last night was a beautiful night in this house. Audrey AND Liam were in bed and quiet (Audrey probably wasn't asleep) by 8pm. I was determined to get to bed soon after them to catch up on some much needed sleep....right after I folded the mountain of laundry. Unfortunately, an hour and a half later I finally finished a last minute bit of work and folded the last bit of laundry. I headed up to bed fulling expecting to close my eyes and hear the cries of sweet Liam ready to eat.

It certainly felt that way, but rather than saying 10pm the clock said 5:30am!! I did a double take, even a triple take. Had he really slept through the night?? I rolled over, nugged Albert, "Hey, can you get Liam? He slept through the night!" I think I was more excited about telling him about Liam sleeping through the night, than really needing him to go get Liam. Albert willingly did so, even though his alarm was set to go off in 30mins (don't you hate that feeling?). He's such a great guy. Liam ate and went right back to sleep until 8:30. I was able to get up a little after 7, Audrey was still sleeping, get myself ready before little miss woke up. What a great night. I don't know if this is the start to our dream of sleep filled nights, but I'm thankful for the grace God has given me. It's the first night Liam slept through the night!

By the way, Costume pictures will follow (as soon as I get them onto the computer).