Sorry for the confusion we've created

 but his name is spelled Bennet.

Just one 't'.  Think of Pride and Prejudice - the heroine is Elizabeth Bennet.  One 't'. 

I just wanted to clear that up since we're the ones who chose the spelling.  We had no idea that we were setting our son up for a lifetime of people adding a superfluous 't' at the end.  ;)

on to more important things...

Our good friends, Jamie and Charlie, have a beautiful newborn girl named Charity.  On Friday Charity had surgery at OSF, but they've just fund out she'll have to be in the hospital for another week.  There is nothing major or serious, but there have been a few snafus lately which are keeping her in longer than expected.

Please offer up some prayers for Charity, Jamie, Charlie and the staff caring for them. 

Also, if you'd like to follow Charity's progress you can check out their blog.

Thanks for caring, friends.

soooo, about that post...

The comment box on Friday's birthday wish list post pointed out a possible lack of tact and manners on my part.

For the record, the list was published in the hopes it would be helpful for the family and friends who had asked about what to get Bennet for his birthday. I knew I was running a risk of casting a bad light on myself, but for the sake of said loved ones I took a chance.  (I thought it was a small risk - I guess I was wrong.)

I apologize for misrepresenting my family and my intentions.

Also, I appreciate the challenge to be more grateful and appreciative for the many gifts we've been given  through the time, talent and treasure of people who love us.
 
This incident further affirms my belief that the people who love me know I'm a bit of an ass, but are generous enough to love me anyways.

Updated:  Thank you to the friends who have assured me that they were not insulted by the wish list, or thought it to be in bad taste.  Thank you also to those who pointed out that how people view such lists greatly depends on how one was raised.  When I read the comment I wasn't sure if it was an opportunity to personally attack me or if it was an impression that most of my friends and readers would share.  Whatever the case, I appreciate the opportunity to clarify why I did what I did and to make sure no one was insulted by it.

daily dose of cute

She's talking about a s'more. 

And yes, she is very dirty from playing outside.

7 quick takes

This is the Bennet's Birthday Wish List addition, made especially for grandparents, aunts and uncles. 

If you're curious about what I want for Bennet's birthday Bennet wants for his birthday please continue to read.  Otherwise I won't be offended if you think this is a crass way to get what we want.

Peace out!

-1-

B Parum Pum Pum Drum kit

$20 at the Peoria Target

It includes all kinds of musical instruments and the best part is that when the kid stops playing with it the music STOPS!

-2-

Deluxe Wire Puzzle Wrack

$20 at Peoria Target

It comes with a few puzzles, and has plenty of room to store the puzzles we already have.

-3-

Fisher Price Workshop Bin

$20 at Peoria Target

These plastic tools are so much safer than Trav's real tools that Bennet is interested in, and there are no small pieces.  Or weirdo faces on the tools (like the Handy Mandy tools - those are weird).

A wooden workshop bench would also be a really cool gift.

-4-

Fisher Price Little People flap board books.

About $12 at Wal Mart or Target

We have the Springtime book, but there are also zoo and farm ones.

These books are brightly colored, educational, and a lot of fun. 

-5-

Clothes

There are two options here:

a) buy discounted summer clothes in size 18-24 months for next summer.

b) buy warm clothes for this fall and winter in sizes 12-18 months.

Stripes, robots and dinosaurs are some of our favorite things to dress little boys in.

-6-

Boy Toys:  trucks, dinosaurs, tractors, knights, pirates...

Also, anything Melissa & Doug, including food/kitchen toys.

But no stuffed animals, please.

-7-

We'll be getting Bennet a winter coat.  Isn't that exciting?

music to get you through the hump

We loooooove this song. Maybe it'll pep you up in your mid-week woes.... if you have any. It always makes me happier. :)

PS - This is the only part of the World Cup I know about... like I don't know who won, I don't know how the US placed, I don't even know which country in Africa hosted the event. All I know is the theme song and that I love it. Lisa, will you still be my friend?

Home Tour

Welcome to our house! 

Let me show you around so you can see all the improvements Travis has been making...

Here's the view of the living room from the entrance/dining room. 

It's wonderful not having our bed on the far side of the living room any more!  Whew!  You can see the computer desk peeking out from behind the blue wall on the right.  That has opened up the dining room tremendously. 

In fact, we were able to move our buffet (handmade from the wood of a cherry tree that used to stand in my parents' backyard) so it can be showcased better. 

And let me show you what we've done with the nursery:

It has now become a playroom! 

 Bennet takes his naps in here still, and we left the changing table since we spend most of our time downstairs anyways.  It's wonderful having all the bedrooms upstairs, everyone in their own little area.

Why don't we go upstairs now...

The stairs will be carpeted eventually.

Check out the window.  We ordered it for the bathroom and ended up not needing it there.  Last minute decision - to put it at the top of the stairs - was a great idea.  It lets in all kinds of light and really cheers up an area which would otherwise be pretty dark.

Didn't Trav and his brother do a great job with the railing?!  I love it!!

Of course the hallway still needs carpeting... but let's take a look into Lydia's room.

This is her "big girl bed" - my old mattress laid on the floor. 

She has a nice sized closet to the left.  The carpet is the same remnant from my grandparents' house.  You can read about how we acquired it here.  And actually, you should check out that link.  It'll refresh your memory on what the upstairs used to look like.  For instance, this room was the kitchen.  :)

On to Bennet's room:

Standing in the doorway...

and standing by the dresser.  His closet is to the right of the crib. 

It's a good sized room, and we'll most likely put the next baby in here with him, once Baby #4 outgrows the bassinet anyways.  By the way, this room has always been a bedroom and not much was done structurally besides moving the door over a little bit and making the closet bigger.

The bathroom is the next one down the hall.

Please excuse the mismatching towels.

Travis plans on adding a built in shelf where you see the stack of toilet paper.

For those of you who checked out the old link, or are familiar with our house, the sink is there the old "front door" was.  The toilet is in the same place.

And finally the master bedroom: 

The view from the bed, followed by the view from the double window.

 Perhaps my favorite part of this room:  the large walk-in closet.

Woo hoo!

Okay, the room still needs to be painted (a lighter green) and I want to do something with the curtains... I'm just not sure what...  I'm thinking of some kind of large "stamp" from brown ink/dye.  Crafty people - got any ideas?

7 quick takes

-1-

Sometimes she insists on wearing a jacket (in the middle of the summer).  Of course that's not the only odd thing happening in this picture, but it's the only one I'll comment on.

-2-

Of course L is cute in this pic, but B is just ADORABLE!!!!

-3-

L's first ever ponytail.  And she didn't take it out.

-4-

You mean you don't put mini marshmallows on your legs?

-5-

This is from the photoshoot for the 1st birthday invitation.  If only the eyes were open...  it's so close to perfect!

-6-

Trav's first day back in the classroom and there were 4 garbage bags filled with clothes for L.  They are all sizes 4 & 5.  One of these days I'll sort through them and weed out the ones we'll use and pass on the rest.  There's a lot of cute clothes in there, and I'm not sure how much we'll actually need.  Until then, there will most likely be bundle of clothes in our dining room.  It's very charming.

(Thank you to the co-worker who gave these to us!  They will be very helpful!)

-7-

Doesn't this look soooo nice.  :)

Seen any good movies lately?

Funny you should ask because, yes, I have.

Seriously, thank God for Netflix.  It makes life without cable a little better sometimes, ya know.  So if you're looking for something good to watch, here's a few reviews:

Watch Instantly
The Right Stuff - astronaut movie, made me think of Mrs. Cox (GHMS).  Good but very long. 
Shawshank Redemption - of course I've seen it before but it had been so long.  What a great movie.
Hearts in Atlantis - I can't help it, I like Anthony Hopkins. 
Planet 51 - cute, but I was disappointed in some of "adult" jokes.
The Searchers - you know, the John Wayne movie
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid - how can you not like this movie?
Tender Mercies - I also happen to like Robert Duvall.  Did you know he could sing and write music?!
Michael Jackson This Is It - impressive.  I was amazed at how current his songs still sound. 
The Men Who Stare at Goats - I wanted to like this movie.  I just couldn't do it.
Ballykissangel - the old BBC show set in Ireland.  Have you seen it?  It's soooo good!

Not Watch Instantly
Up in the Air - it was okay.  Too much casual sex for my liking, but take that away and it was good.
The Book of Eli - I liked this a lot.
Invictus - Sooooo goooood.  Watch it.  Love it.

What about you?  Do you have any good movies to recommend?

who's telling my daughter to say these things?!

I demand to know where she picked up the following:

- Baby Doll, you're driving me crazy!

- When I say "No" I mean "No"!

- Buddy, don't eat your sock!  (talking to her brother)

- Are you poopy, or just wet?  (she asks while I sit on the toilet)

- *grunt, grunt*  My back hurts!  *grunt, grunt*

- When I'm older I can have gum.

- When I'm older I can drive to Mormor's.

- Are these your boobs?  When I'm older I can have boobs.

- I just tooted!   hahahahahahahaha!

this man once struck fear into my heart

Now, I know that I am a middle class white girl, married to a physicist, 

but as far as I'm concerned, Snoop has lost all his street cred

courtesy Katy Perry.

the time has come to let the house go

I mean this in a couple of ways...

First, the house has become closer and closer to my perfect house - one I could raise my kids in.  It's not huge but it's big and there's plenty of room for sleeping, eating, playing, growing and running around.  The walls are painted in colors that I like.  The living room is arranged as I like it.  The front porch is a great place to hang out in good weather, and the back porch will soon be the perfect, cute, little mudroom. 

But we are running out of money.  And unless I get a job, or we win the lottery, or someone takes a shining to us and gives a few grand, well, we just can't stay here too much longer.  Maybe for another year, but not for another five.

The tricky part for me is that I knew this was coming.  I've always *said* that I was picking out light fixtures and vanities that would be attractive to most people, but there was always a part of me that was fibbing.  I've been crafting a house that I would want.  And now that I almost have it, well, I have to start living again as if we are just house sitting until the real owners show up.

This bums me out.

Secondly, I am too tired to keep a tidy home and be a good mother to my children.  For some stupid reason I have, as of late, chosen to strive for tidiness rather than put my energy towards loving and enjoying my children.  It is true that a clean space makes me feel less stressed, but the process of having a clean space has become more stressful than the mess.  Ignoring my teething son and scolding my playful daughter so I can straighten up the kitchen only leaves me feeling crappier.

So now I must throw up the white flag and acknowledge that for the next few months, and maybe even longer, I cannot control the house, the kids, and my temper.  Quit worrying about the house and I'll do a better job with the kids and myself. 

I am aware that this will take the strength of Christ.  Seriously, I'm a pretty high strung person (I know, you know.) and He's gonna have to pull me through this one.

So if you come over, you'll have to excuse my mess.  

shotguns are well received around here

The hubster and his brother were preparing to retreat to some land out in the country.  There's plenty of timber and acreage, and they had planned to shoot guns at plastics bottles, ride 4 wheelers, and eat meat.  Manly things.

While loading up the rifles and whatnot my adorable little two year old said oh-so-sweetly to her grandpa and daddy, "Are those guns?  I like guns."

Oh geesh.

PS - I know there's a difference between shotguns and rifles, but shotguns just sounds catchier, doesn't it?

-1-

In last week's 7 Quick Takes I talked about the massive amount of prep work we had to do around our house for a party.  Some good friends read along with great compassion and understanding.  "Oh yeah," they thought, "it can be so much work picking things up, vacuuming the carpet..." and then they saw we were laying carpet.

We were teased, and rightfully so. 

-2-

My uber adorable son, who now has 6 teeth and walks like he just got off a horse, does two uber adorable things:  #1  When he wants to turn around for a dropped item or to chase his sister he makes wide circles.  Think of a semi.  That's my boy.   #2  He wiggles his toes when he's sitting and doing something that makes him happy.  Eating, listening to music, watching tv, playing - his little toes will be a-wigglin'.

-3-

My 10 year class reunion is coming up.  It happens to be on the same day as Bennet's birthday.  Originally we were going to have his birthday party on that day (Saturday), but now I'm thinking I'll move the party to Sunday so I can go to the reunion.  Here's the thing - I want to make sure my old friends will be there.  So here comes the official "shout-outs":

Sarah - I never expected you to come to any reunion so I'm not gonna be disappointed one way or another, but it's always great to see you and Justin.

Hedda - I think it's lame you're not coming, and I really think you should.  Seriously, you could stay the night and come to my son's 1st birthday party.  Do you need another reason?

Em - I'm really, really hoping you'll be there.

Paige - I'm bummed you can't make it, but I understand.

Mindy - You have no idea how badly I want to see you again and catch up.

Kathryn - please come; you make me laugh like no one else and I want to finally meet your husband

Jamie - I've been a pathetic friend, but I really want to see you and your husband again so I can beg forgiveness in person.

Christina - I'm hoping you'll be there so I can give you a big hug.  I miss your spunkiness.

LB - you said you're coming and that makes me very happy.  :)  You get an A.

I could go on, but I think you're getting the point.  People, you need to come.  (That's the point, in case you didn't get it.)

-4-

We're all moved upstairs.  It's totally awesome.  The master bedroom is huge and I feel like a queen.  Bennet is sleeping better and longer now that he's on his own (and finally in the crib and not in the pack-n-play).  Lydia is in a big girl bed - which happens to be my old mattress, on the floor - and she too is sleeping better and longer on her own.  Our house is now officially massive, though not ridiculously so.  We use every room every day, but we're not crammed together.  And anyone who has ever been in the home I grew up in will know that "massive" will be a pretty relative term for me.

-5-

Today I see Bernice.  I'm almost 35 weeks.  My feet have begun to swell and tingle.  This makes me nervous, though my blood pressure was taken on Tuesday and it was 120/67.  My blood sugars have been pretty good, but that's probably because I've been eating protein every 3 hours.  But we'll see what Bernice says about it all.

-6-

Babies everywhere!

Recently, a bunch of my friends have give birth.  So congrats to Alisha and Charlotte down south, Amanda and Charlotte, Jamie and Charity, and Rachel and Benjamin!  And congrats to all their families and fathers!  I'm looking forward to joining your club next month!

Yay for babies!

-7-

Please say a quick prayer for my friend Rose and I as we continue to make plans for the next Behold Conference.  We are really excited about our plans and are praying that God will line everything up for us, as we work our tails off in the meantime.  It's so important to be following God's will in every decision, so also pray that we know what it is as we progress.

Thanks, friends.

this song makes me happy

I know I should have posted this on the 4th of July... but at least it's still summer.

Doesn't he have a great voice? ahhhh Shooter Jennings.

Lookin' like a queen in your nightgown - my favorite line. :)

grocery list

Lydia has taken to making grocery lists using  a little pink clip board and a sparkly pink pen with a poofy feather on top (courtesy of Mia Jude). 

Her list includes things like
oatmeal
fruit snacks
milk
Juicy Juice
and Pepsi for Mormor.  :)

grocery list

Lydia has taken to making grocery lists using  a little pink clip board and a sparkly pink pen with a poofy feather on top (courtesy of Mia Jude). 

Her list includes things like
oatmeal
fruit snacks
milk
Juicy Juice
and Pepsi for Mormor.  :)

well said, Father

Fr. Longenecker has a great list up on Standing on My Head.  It covers the things he tells Protestants who question him about the Roman Catholic Church, more specifically the ones who are considering Catholicism but have a few hang-ups. 

As the sister of a mega-church-attending, fallen-away Catholic I see the list as complaints I've heard from my brother about a faith he never cared about before so he never took the time to understand.

A couple of my favorite points that Father makes:

5.I know it seems like you're "not getting fed." Once you're received into the church you'll be fed alright: Fed the Body of Christ. Be patient.

8.  You wonder where the 'fellowship' is. That's because a typical Catholic parish is huge and socially varied. Protestant churches tend to develop congregations from the same socio economic background. No wonder they have 'good fellowship'. In the Catholic Church you will find your 'fellowship' in one of a huge number of sub groups. Once you've swum the Tiber, join the Women's Club or the Knights of Columbus or the Pro Life Group or the Carmelite Prayer Group or the Third Order Franciscans.

One thing I've noticed about people who leave the Catholic Church is that they often leave for a denomination that is much more "feel good" and "easy."  It's so much easier to believe that once I've accepted Jesus as my Savior I'm good to go.  It makes me feel loved and comfortable.  Being reminded of my sinfulness and need to constantly repent (confession), and my God-given command to take up my cross and do good works - well that can just make life a lot harder.  Plus, the praise and worship rock band is so much better than an old hymn and a piano.  And there's a coffee shop and bookstore in the lobby at the mega church, unlike the bulletins and holy water font in most Catholic churches. 

You may think I'm being harsh, but these are real statements I've heard from real people about why they have left the Church. 

I go to church to receive the Eucharist - I need it.  But more than that, I go because God commanded me to go, and I choose to obey, and because He is worthy of being praised, worshipped and adored.  With that kind of attitude, the coffee shop, fellowship, and good music that I enjoy aren't very important.