Keeping up with Christmas

I feel like I've had about 20 different projects half done, or just started. Finally this week I am getting to a few of them. In fact Jonas napped for over an hour today and I got so much accomplished!

I have been in a very premature Christmas-y mood lately while working on a couple of Christmas projects, and Luke has mentioned several times how "creepy" it is to be listening to Christmas music at the beginning of October. I say, "whatever it takes to get me in the mood to finish these Christmas gifts."

This is a "not quite finished" Christmas project that I have been chipping away at.

This year I've decided to give a few more handmade gifts than I usually do. I LOVE receiving homemade gifts and it's getting rare to get something so unique anymore. The problem with wanting to make gifts however, is the time it takes to do it, which is exactly why I have started so early :) A few of the projects are surprises for people who read this so those will of course remain secret, but I'm happy to share the rest!

I've thinking about making a pouch for the boys' characters and I finally put one together this week!

I still need to add the closure, but I think the boys are really going to LOVE these!

I finished Joshua's character set- it includes Super Why & Dino Dan on the left

Joshua is so happy to be back at school this week after missing 2 days for our getaway and then his school's fall break. Jonas has finally chosen his birthday party theme and much to my disappointment he did not choose a dino party. He seemed to really want a jungle themed party and since he's a much better talker than Joshua was at almost 2, Jonas has clearly spoken his choice.

This is the beginning of Joe's Birthday Banner

Joe has been loving the decor I made for his cake table

caught trying to get into it! Sweet Little Hands :)

 I managed to get the Boys' names up on the wall in their play room (Special thanks to Toni, for making them for me, we love them). I also ordered a couple of poster pictures when Walgreens had a special on them. I only paid $2 a piece for the 2 you see and they are soooo cute and nice quality, I wish I had ordered more of them, but you never know what they are like until you try. Next time I'm for sure ordering more! The boys love the one of them with their South Dakota buddies!

More to come on my Christmas projects as well as a few thoughts on Numbness to the Word, something we have been talking about in Sunday School. Next week I will have more blogging time - Luke will be out of town for a few days :)

Spontaniety

I am one of the least spontaneous people. I almost despise spontaneity with its unpredictability and unknown outcomes. I love it in others lives and almost live it vicariously through my best best friend who is quite the opposite of me, but in my own life I avoid it and plan, plan, plan. This past week however, I took the road less traveled and it made all the difference.

Last Thursday was my Grandfather's 92nd birthday! My mom decided to plan last minute road trip to see him in Mandan, ND. When I got off the phone with her I told Luke how I wished I could go too. Daydreaming about it I rifled through the possibilities of driving to Rapid City and picking up my mom, and then her, I and the kids (of course) would finish the trip together. The long drive with 2 little guys however, did not excite me. I took my daydreaming a step further and priced some airline tickets. After finding some that I could almost afford I ran the idea past my mom. She jumped at the idea and even offered to fund the trip (even better!) I didn't think I could make the trip alone with both kids since neither of them had even flown and I myself had never flown without my husband, so I checked to see if Luke could watch Joe if Joshua and I took off for the weekend. He said yes, and I booked the flight, pretty much the fastest I've ever moved on anything since it was Wednesday night and we flew out on Friday morning.

Joshua on the airplane for his first flight!

So thankful that my Uncle and Aunt (whom my grandfather lives with) are always happy to see me, we took off on an adventure, just Joshua & me.

A picture of the GIANT dragline Joshua got to ride in

Ready to head out on his tour!

The trip was PACKED full of exciting activities! We arrived Friday afternoon and that night we had a delicious dinner, cake, and Grandpa opened a few presents. Saturday was any little boys' dream come true as my Uncle had arranged for Joshua to get his own private tour of Falkirk Mine's Dragline. Joshua really enjoyed watching the giant shovel scoop up buckets of dirt. He got a little scared once or twice due to overwhelming size of everything, but I know it will be an experience he'll never forget. After our tour we took off for Minot to check out the Scandinavian Host Fest and meet up with My cousin Derek (and his wife Camilla) for dinner. Host Fest was filled with unique Scandinavian foods, gifts, and more. It was a lot of walking for 4 year old legs so we finally threw in the towel and sat down for a bit, but Joshua ended up with a super cute frog stocking hat for winter and of course a tiger one for Joe. Next we headed over to my cousins house and then out for dinner at a place called Space Aliens. I had never heard of it, but they seem popular in North Dakota. Decorated like space and filled with Arcade games, it was of course a hit with Joshua.

Playing in the corn at the Pumpkin Patch

Sunday we attended Church, a church that prayed and prayed for Joshua when he was sick and it was good for the heart to sit in the pew with Joshua next to me 4 years later and know that God faithfully answered their prayers to heal him. After church my mom left to head back home and Joshua and I rested for a bit after our action packed Saturday. Late afternoon however we headed to Papa's Pumpkin Patch and had an amazing time taking in all of the fall goodness. There were so many things for kids to do that you'd have to go 5 or 6 times to do everything they had to offer.

Monday we packed up our stuff and got ready to head back to Colorado. My cousin Scott made it home just in time to get in a little tag with Joshua before we had to leave. We ate a quick lunch and caught our flight back. Joshua was a little queasy on the return flight which made it a little more stressful, but we did make it back safe and sound.....and then the real excitement began.

Right after being reunited with Luke and Joe we got a flat tire. Just past the airport we had to pull over and try to figure out the tire situation. At first I was pretty relaxed having full confidence that Luke could change the tire and we'd quickly be on our way. What I didn't take into account was TONS of traffic whizzing by -not getting into the outside lane as they passed us- the van shaking on the jack as Luke slid underneath trying to reach the spare, visions of the van slipping off the jack and crushing Luke- whirled in my head. It was just too dangerous to attempt with as much traffic as there was. We flagged down a police car and  he called a tow truck for us. Of course the very best part was that we all got to ride in the police car. The kids enjoyed it much more than Luke and I did, but we were thankful to get the kids and van to a safer place where the tire could be changed. I finally made it home about 5:15 pm after landing at 2:30. So happy to be back home, but also thankful for all the fun times we were able to enjoy with family.
I usually don't go too picture crazy on here but I'm including a few extra photos from the trip just to give everyone the full experience :) I'm so blessed to have such an amazing extended family!

Joshua with his Great-Grandpa 92 years old!

Ready to check everything out!

Heading over to Dragline, the Giant shovel in the background

Heading inside to watch the shoveling happen

Front Row Seat for one Lucky Boy!

Joshua in his new Frog Hat

Being Silly with my mom :)

Living it up at the Pumpkin patch

Best Great-Uncle Ever!

Boooooo! flat tire

Joe who!?!

For those wondering how Joshua's preschool experience is going, he is absolutely loving it! We went to his school just last night for an Ice Cream Social and Story Time for the kids, and when we got home Luke said to me, "I'm liking this school alot, I really feel like they love the kids." If there is one thing that kids pick up on it's authenticity. Kids can tell when you're just faking it. I know Joshua feels loved there and he's learning lots of praise and worship songs and making new friends. I think that it has been a great new experience for all of us.

With Joshua out of the house a few hours every other day Jonas and I have been getting acquainted :) Joshua has a VERY dominant personality so with him out of the house, it's kind of been like "Joe who?" Luke and I have both mentioned how different the dynamic is when it's just Joe around. First of all it's MUCH quieter. Joe is just a more reserved personality, and honestly I've loved our alone time! So has Joe.

The first day we left Joshua, Jonas was a mess and I thought, "oh great, this is a disaster." However, the second day Jonas really came out of his shell! When we got back to the van he climbed in, made his way to the driver's seat, reached up to the visor where the kids Cds are and chose his favorite, Choo Choo Soul. Then, he turned to the car seats, looked at his and proceeded to climb into Joshua's seat. Who knew that Joshua had the preferable seat? I tightened it up and went along with it all thinking that this was probably his version of getting to ride in the front seat. I can remember when my mother would drop my brother off at school, and I would make my way to the front seat feeling pretty special since I never got to ride in the front when he was along, of course this was long before the days of car seats and passenger side airbags.

Joe has definitely enjoyed choosing the music, riding in the good seat, and having mommy to himself for the first time ever. Today we went to Starbucks where he enjoyed an apple fritter, and "coffee" (water in a Starbucks cup). Then we went to a huge park by Joshua's school. We ventured back home and I put his big boy bed together while he smiled looking on and saying, "car, car, my car bed, mine, mine, mine."

I'm surprised at how much I'm loving our time together. Of course I love Joe, but I never knew all the details of his personality, his likes and dislikes are so apparent when Joshua isn't around. He actually has his own opinions! 

A Momma Bear's Cub

Luke has always jokingly referred to me as "momma bear" saying things like, "you don't want to mess with a momma bear's cubs." I'm a protective mother, especially of our oldest, Joshua. Since his rough start to life I have always been extra cautious when it comes to him. Even now if both kids are at the park and climbing too high I rush to Joshua first even though Joe is younger and smaller because I still think of Joshua as frail and fragile.

Since our visit to Joshua's school (Mount Olive Lutheran Preschool), I've been a little sad. I've noticed just in the last few days he's been more reserved, serious and anxious to be a part of a classroom. He's growing up and maturing, and even though it's what I've been praying he would grow into, I feel like it is happening so fast. My baby is growing up. We went to the Library today and instead of excitedly rushing in he walked slowing and quietly asked to read books in the chairs. I'm not going to lie, I was teary eyed watching him sit quietly flipping through a National Geographic Magazine.

If you've ever experienced God answering your prayer, I mean truly proving to make possible the impossible, I am sure that experience is seared into your memory. Joshua is my answer to so many prayers I prayed in desperation. Often I think his wild creativity and excitement for life are viewed by others as overwhelming, but where they see a rambunctious 4 year old, I see God's faithfulness. The blood disorder that Joshua was said to suffer from in its very description is the opposite of Joshua. "Lethargic, barely able to reach the top of a staircase without exhaustion," is what the doctor had told us would be the signs of him needing more transfusions. His energy, to me, is like a rainbow after the rain; a reminder that even when God didn't have to heal him - He did.

His growing up, maturing, and heading to school is what so many thought would never happen. while on vacation this last week we had a chance to visit our old friends at South Canyon. Many of them approached me saying they couldn't believe that Josh was the same boy they had prayed and prayed for. I have nothing to respond to them with other than "he really is a miracle."

I've been smothering him with kisses these last few days knowing than when I drop him off this Tuesday his goodbye to me will be short and if I'm not careful to enjoy these 'little boy' moments it will seem all to quick and I'll be dropping him off at college. I think the tears are just beginning for this Momma Bear.

Vacation Time is Almost Here!

We can hardly breathe here at Casa Baker now that Vacation is approaching!! I however have been super busy this last week getting a few things together for the boys and organizing our home.

I rarely have a day where I am motivated to throw out things we don't need anymore, but the other day I was! I loaded up 2 large boxes and hauled them off to Savers (thrift store) to donate. I try hard not to keep  stuff just for the sake of having stuff, but it's hard! My greedy, comfortable American heart has a hard time parting with things. However, I feel fantastic about lightening our load this week and plan to purge a few more items this coming week as well.

I have been organizing the boys' things and getting them ready for our trip. As promised here is a look into what the kiddos do in the car to keep entertained (quiet).

The boys road trip entertainment box is almost ready for us to roll.

Here are a few things that I like to include in my LONG trip with the boys box:

1. Lots of books! My boys both love books. I include the usual car and truck kind of course and then also animals, lift the flap books occupy them for longer and my older son likes to the look & find books.

I pull the books from their bookshelf about 2-3 weeks before the trip so that it's been quite a while since they have seen them.

2. Their Leap Pads. These are old versions of leap pads that I purchased at the thrift store for about $3 each! When we get ready for a trip I go and buy new (thrift store) cartridges for them for about $2 each and they entertain the boys for at least an hour. Joe, my little guy, really loves his even though it's a little beyond his skill level, he still points his reader pen at all the pictures and listens carefully :)

 3. Little kid Ipods. Each of the boys has a pretend Ipod that they received as a gift at one time or another. They love listening to them and trading and listening to the other one too. They each play about 6 songs and kids like to sing along and "dance" in their carseats.

4. Dollar store doodle boards.

5. A couple of educational push-button electronic toys for my Big Boy. Joshua doesn't sleep in the car hardly at all anymore :( so I pack extra things for him to do since Joe will sleep a portion of any trip.

I saw this particular one listed on another blog as a god road trip entertainer and the next day found it at the thrift store for $1.99! Seriously how crazy it that!?!?! It makes different noises and then you match it to the correct noise source. ex: meow to cat

This is a writing and Drawing activity where letters and pictures light up on the screen and can be traced with a pen for writing practice. Another awesome thrift store find and writing practice is definitely something Joshua needs.

This has several options of learning games. One has letters that float by and use press the corresponding letter on the keyboard, another has 3 consecutive numbers and you find the one that is missing.

6. Car sets. Each of the boys has a rollup car set that I put in the stockings last Christmas. These are so cute and perfect for when we eat out on vacation. They like them in the car too, but then I use a clipboard to keep them stable.

I'm not sure if the kids are as ready for vacation as I am, but that's okay because I am ready enough for the entire family! I saw plain colored T's at the Dollar store yesterday and HAD to buy them and make vacation T-shirts for the boys. They're kind of silly but I love them and the kids are too little to know how crazy I am so they'll wear them!

Front View

Close up

Back view

It's still about a week until we leave, but I will be plenty busy will all the laundry that has to get done between now and then. Of course Luke wanted a T-shirt too, but I told him I didn't think so :)

Seek First His Kingdom & His Righteousness

This week has been crazy! First off it seems that mid summer blahs have hit the kiddos here, so it has been an extra challenge to keep them entertained. Secondly it seems that sorrow has been swirling around us everywhere. We have had our community here in Aurora struck by the tragic shootings, and almost all of our closest friends have lost a loved one these past weeks. We are thankful that our own family has been minimally affected yet it's hard not to think of how fragile life is. There is not a day that's gone by this week that I haven't thought how strange it feels to know that life can be here one second and gone the next.

I spend so much of my time worrying about trivial things like whether Joshua will ever get the "F" sound correct, or if Jonas will be ready to give up his pacifier soon. Then you see something like a 6 year old killed at a movie theater, or a man in his 30's dying from cancer and leaving behind a wife and 2 kids the same age as my 2. Suddenly whether or not Joshua is ready for preschool seems like a blur in the background of what is really important. God gave us life so that we could do something with it. He commands us to love one another, to make disciples, and the one thing he reminds us again and again is not to worry "Therefore do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink: or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes....Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life." Matthew 6:25-27

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself, Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34


"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phil 4:6-7


I've looked at my family differently this week and hope this is a perspective that I can keep. Every moment I spend with them is a gift, but only a glimmer of the Joy I will feel when I reach my heavenly home.

On a lighter note I've been working on several different projects with and for my kiddos . Joshua has officially passed the no naps marker so I've been scrambling to come up with "quiet" activities to keep him busy while Joe rests. The best idea I've had so far was an alphabet scavenger hunt.

Letter Scavenger Hunt- I wrote each letter of the alphabet on a different colorful piece of construction paper and then hid them throughout the backyard. I taped a few in the playhouse, one under the slide, a few by the picnic table, fence, swing, and so on. Joshua enjoyed hunting for them and when he found each one I had him bring it to the sidewalk and find its place in the alphabet. Let me just say this took about a half an hour and anything that can occupy Joshua for that amount of time is a winner in my book :)

Dino masks- I also bought some felt and constructed 2 triceratops masks for the boys. They play pretend dinos almost everyday so these were a hit for sure, and required minimal work to make and only cost $2.00 for the felt.

Letter board- I found an activity similar to this one on pinterest and made a few changes to it so that Joshua would be a little more challenged. This is one of his new naptime quiet activities. It did cost me $10.00 for the magnetic white board but I did see one at the thrift store for $3 but passed on it because I wanted one that was really nice so I could use it for Joe when he's older too. For this Joshua sounds out the words and chooses which letter each word begins with.

Road Trip Box- More on this one later but I scoured the Internet looking for some new ideas of what my kids can do in the car to occupy themselves on our upcoming vacation and to be honest: I didn't find anything that I was too crazy about so I have a few of my own ideas and when the entertainment box is complete I will post it and for those who wonder how it's possible to keep my VERY energetic boys quietly seated for our long trips. 
                             

Crazy Mom "Jobs"

Each and everyday my love and appreciation for my own mother grows as I face the needs and demands of my own children.

Just this morning I was mending Jonas's blankie and as I muddled through sewing it back together I thought to myself, " I wish I'd known sewing would be a pre-requiste for motherhood, I would definitely have paid better attention in home-ec class." As I sat in front of the sewing machine it occurred to me just how crazy and random the tasks of motherhood are. Then just as I was getting into "poor me" mode A vague memory crept in....I am pretty sure that at one time my own mother actually re-fur-ed an entire stuffed animal for me because it was my favorite. What a reality check! I snapped right out of it and thought this could be worse, I could have had to do the things my mother did. I know I often say this in my blogs, but I'm not sure that I could say it enough, "My mom is truly Super-Mom." In the truest sense of the title, because I cannot remember one time that she complained or even sighed about having to do something for me.

Here is a quick list of some of the Random Mom "jobs" I have done lately:

1. Repaired Joe's Blankie

2. Sewed a purple pocket onto Joshua's Corduroy Bear (evidently the Barnes and Noble bear makers have not read the sequel book A Pocket for Corduroy, but Joshua has and demanded that his bear have a purple pocket.

3. Assembled and glued down the boys' trainset to their train table so Jonas would stop taking it apart and Joshua would stop sobbing about it.


4. Re-sewed Corduroy's pocket after Joshua tried to stick his entire hand into it (did I mention my sewing skills are limited?)

5. After 5 months of searching for the missing camcorder cord I finally located it so that Joshua could watch the Denver zoo video we made when we first moved. Because when Joshua is not at the zoo he wants to watch himself being at the zoo...he's animal crazy!

6.  Tried hiding Joshua's vitamins in EVERYTHING and even last night when I crushed one up and smashed it into a fresh from the oven brownie he only ate half before noticing and handing it back to me saying, " I don't like that stuff you put in it." Major Fail :(

and many more...

Today when the boys returned from their morning with Daddy, Joe immediately spotted his freshly sewn blanket. He wrapped it around his head, giggled, smiled, and gave me a big hug around the leg. Totally worth the 20 minutes I spent threading and re-threading my sewing machine. Worth it, and then some. As I've become a mother I've been surprised by two things 1. How much I can love my children, and 2. How much I can love my Mom.

Joshua kissing his Corduroy

Jonas taking his Blankie to naptime