Gobble Gobble Gobble

Thanksgiving.  A mere 4 days from now.  THANKSGIVING.  How did it get here again so quickly?

The family and I are headed up to Vermont Wednesday morning.  It will be great fun to see everyone.  But of course, with four little kids, any sort of trip requires planning of some magnitude.

I have done some grocery shopping, made lists, that have lists, gotten the roof top carrier down (thanks Jase!) and I have a staging area in the garage. 

I am so ready for some turkey, pecan pie, candied yams(!!!!) and some other yummy goodies.  I will also being hiking the mountain quite a bit so I can enjoy these treats!! 

Aside from the mind numbing, yummy food displays of Thanksgiving, it is a time for me to take stock of my life. 

I have so many things to be grateful for in my life.  Not only are my necessities taken care of, I have been blessed by so much more.  I am reminded in this time of year, of how much I am  truly blessed!   In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, I am particularly grateful for my necessities.  Just having a roof over my head and electricity is phenomenal!  I LOVE electricity!  Love it!!! 

I could go on and on about all the blessings God has heaped upon my family, but it would be a never ending list!  So I decided to make a Top Ten list of things I am thankful for this year!

10.  Watching Old Episodes on Netflix of Saturday Night Live (Spartan Spirit!!)

9.    That Elijah has learned and FORGOTTEN the phrase "Here, pull my finger!"

8.    That Tessa goes immediately back to sleep after throwing up in the middle of the night!  After being cleaned up, of course!!

7.    That I have managed (mostly) to not scream like a woman possessed when Ava employs the "body bump" during moments of tantruming...

6.     Levi sleeping through the night....AGAIN!!!  Wooo!  Woooo!!

5.     Skinny Cow!  All things skinny cow!!

4.     DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIET Coke..."girl you know it's true....oooh oooh oooh, I love you." 

3.     Facebook:  Trauma, Drama and more!  But seriously, I love keeping in touch with my friends and family on it!!

2.     A cell phone that answers phone calls from my sister and sends back an automated text that says "I'm driving right now!"  Yes- that really happened!

1.     The fact that my children aren't scarred for life, especially on days when I try to put Levi's pacifier in Tessa's mouth, put the milk in the pantry and then laugh like an idiot when I realize how scattered I've become!!

I pray that you have as  many fun an crazy things to be thankful for this year!  And always keep the faith...because God has big plans for you friends!!  Happy Thanksgiving!!

Healthy happens...with hard work.

So, I am doing a Biggest Loser Competition with my sister and some friends.  Week 2 weigh in is tomorrow and I am seriously doubting that there will be any movement on my scale.  It's been a weird week.  I am watching my portion sizes mainly.  I have come in under my calorie goals a few times.  But I just tell myself that a slow and steady weight loss means that I will be able to maintain it, right?

I have lost 9 lbs since september.  And I am determined to keep on going.  I have really only been actively trying to lose since NOV 1st, so some of that weight loss was a nice surprise!

I have been walking.  I try to go everyday, but that just isn't always possible. 

I don't have anything life changing to say today.  Just keep me in your thoughts and prayers.  Cause this is such a massive thing, I can not do it alone. 

Got any good recipes?  Tips?  Hints?  Exercises?  Or just encouragement?

I'll take all I can get!!

Thanks friends.

Skinny Bits: {giveaway} Yonanas Ice Cream Treat Maker

Skinny Bits: {giveaway} Yonanas Ice Cream Treat Maker: Yonanas instantly turns over-ripe bananas and frozen fruit into a delicious and healthy soft-serve treat. Perfect for everyone from chil...

I would make the "Elvis"  Peanut butter and banana!  My kids love both and it's a great way to have a special treat with good for you ingridients!

email: inshockmom@gmail.com

What am I teaching my children?

So this morning before 8 a.m. it was like World War III.  Mercy me. 

After finishing getting dressed, I came downstairs and it was an attack.  "Mommy, I did not!"  "Yes, she did!"  *CRY*  *high pitch whining*  And so on and so forth. 

But in what I overheard, I know Ava was trying to tell Elijah how to behave and when he wouldn't listen to his sister, I heard the frustration and anger in her voice. 

When she calmed down, I asked her if I was teaching her how to be angry.  She immediately said NO!  But then she said I don't know.  Part of that was that she thought she might not be in trouble if she thought I was to blame.  Smart cookie.  Part of her was thinking about it.

I told her that I know I am  not always calm and rational when I am frustrated. And that I was really sorry if I was teaching her the wrong way to respond when frustrated.  But it really made me think; how much of my personality and actions, the good, the bad and the ugly, my children learn from me.  I want to teach them how to properly express their feelings.  And this morning, man, they weren't even close! 

I pray that I become better at self control so that I can teach it to my children without saying word.  I want them to be full of Grace and willing to extend the benefit of the doubt to others.  I'd love for them to think the best of others despite society telling us we need to be wary of others and of them "using" us.  I want them to know that they have a lot to offer this world.  And that God loves them and extends them Grace.  And that he thinks they are able to change the world...one life, one smile, one helping hand at a time. 

So yes, today, this morning I was thinking "Oh great!  What am I teaching my kids?"  But after thinking on it most of the day, I've come to realize that the better question is what are my kids teaching ME???

I'll tell you:

Grace
Unconditional Love
Mercy
Humor
Frustration
Patience
Innocence
Laughter
Silliness
Sweetness
Sorrow
Fear
Discipline
Self Control
Pride
Integrity
Selfless Service
Honor
Faith
Confidence
Joy
Hope
Caring
Sharing

I could go on and on I am sure.  But what I know tonight what I have really learned is that I am blessed beyond measure!

Rock the Vote

Ok, ok, ok.  I know everyone is sick of politics.  But I just feel this so clearly on my heart. So, it's in my head, in my heart and NOW in my blog.


First, I'm gonna be normal and whine for a second.  I am ASHAMED at the behavior of both presidential candidates and their behaviors during the debates.  I am even more frustrated that we can't get an unbiased moderator for any of them.  And I am saddened that people aren't keeping open minds during them.  If we take the time to be honest (regardless of who we choose as our candidate) that both Romney and Obama are talking around subjects, not answering the questions, making factual errors and both acting like rude toddlers. 

Having said that, I feel that we need to rally our friends, our families, our communities to vote.  We do make a difference.  Our votes count.  As a bible believing Christian, I believe voting is an obedient act to God.  He requires us to be responsible citizens.  Whether we choose to obey that or not is our choice.  As always God is a gentlemen and he won't force our hands there.

I desperately wish that I could just hand God my ballot, so I know that I am voting for what He wants.  I posted the following on Facebook and honestly, I think it bears repeating:

"There is only one way I can remain calm during this election season. And this is it:

"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." Romans 13:1

And since I am a bible believing Christian, I have to believe that God has a plan no matter who gets elected. Whether I like them or not."

I love all my friends and families and I believe everyone is entitled to their own opinion.  I've been saddened by the nastiness this election has uncovered. I never vote solely based on political party.  I vote for the person who holds the values closest to my own.  I feel sad that each election I feel the old adage "voting for the lesser of 2 evils" gets more and more true for me.  And I have been sad to see so many people make wounds in their relationships over politics. 

I wish and hope and pray that as Americans we can find our way back to the attitudes that founded this great nation.   

I pray that we become a nation on our knees.  Praying that God would grace this nation even though as a whole, we have pushed him out.  And even though this is a bit off the beaten path about voting, I really really love the lyrics to this song and I feel it is so true. 

They tried their best to drag him out
Of a courthouse down in montgomery
Now they want to kick him out of school
And take him off our money
They can take those words off of paper and stone
But he aint gone, no

He ain't the leavin' kind
He'd never walk away
Even from those who dont believe
And wanna leave him behind
He ain't the leavin' kind

She stayed mad at him for a lot of years
For taking her husband
Started losing her faith and thinking that
Her life meant nothin
But when she looks at those kids
She raised all by herself
She knows she had some help
Yeah she knows

He ain't the leavin' kind
He'd never walk away
Even from those who don't believe
And wanna leave him behind
He ain't the leavin' kind

No matter what you do
No matter where you go he's
Always right there
With you

Even from those who don't believe
And wanna leave him behind
He ain't the leavin' kind

I'm so thankful.  I've certainly done my best to push God away multiple times.  I am glad he isn't the leaving kind.  And I feel that God wanted me to write about voting, so please- VOTE!!!!

Hodge podge

Has it really been 3 weeks since I last blogged?  I get a big fat fail for being so lame. 

What can I say?  Life gets busy sometimes with 4 kids.  The twins are now in Preschool here in CT and so far, they love it.  It's half day,  and I love that!! 

We finally found a church here to call home.  So that has been amazing.  We've been blessed to make friends through the church as well.  It's called Lifehouse and it's in a serious growth spurt! 

Let's see....any other mundane things I should chat about?  We switched the kids rooms around because it was getting insane the waking up and staying up too late etc.  Elijah (my early riser) is now in his own room, the smallest one (still big though) over by Jason and I's room.  Levi moved into Ava's old room and he also has the futon in his room.  Nursery/guest room.  The girls are in the biggest room and so far, so good.  Elijah is still getting up early, but not 5ish anymore.  Today he slept until 7.  WOOO!  And Levi slept until 8!  Seriously.  8 am.  I could have cried for joy!!

In November I am starting up a Biggest Loser competition.  Starts NOV 1st ends January 17th.  Let me know if anyone out there in blogger land is interested!! 

It's time for me to get healthy. 

On a totally unrelated note, I wonder when Jason will learn that he can't leave things on his computer table?  Levi is a stealthy little thief.  And he DESTROYS.  LOL.

Now LEvi is trying t*o -**- 9h9e

Let's try that again.  Levi is trying to help me type.  So I gotta go! 

Dinner time disasters!

Ok, when does it get better?  Cause I'll be honest, it's hit or miss around here.

I like dinner time...or I used to before kids.  Some days dinner is a nice little part of my day, where I get to chat up my kids as they eat the dinner I have prepared for them without complaint. 

Most days though, well, it's crazy, complaining chaos. 

Now, I know kids in this age range tend to be picky.  And I get that.  I am also a picky eater, so I do understand.  So having said that, I get frustrated when I KNOW that the love a meal and all of a sudden they don't like it, it "feels yucky" in their mouth, they hate it and so on and so forth. 

I guess my expectation of a dinner where we all sit down and eat and talk and laugh is, at least for now, unattainable. 

"You know I don't like carrots, mom, or did you forget?"  Tessa 9/23/12

"What is this smooshy thing mom?  Ewww."  Elijah 9/23/12 (It was a potato)

"Mom, what is this?  It looks weird?"  Ava 9/23/12 (It was pie crust)

In Ava's defense, she did eat hers, she just had to ask what everything was first. 

I guess I'm just delusional to expect a semi calm dinner.  And that got me to thinking...(what?!?)

I wonder what Jesus was like as a little boy.  I so desperately wish to know if he ever told his mom he didn't like something when she served him dinner.  I also wonder if as a baby he was a crier or colicky or otherwise painful in the ways new babies can be...sleep?  Anyone?  Did he whine when he was a 3 year old???

No, I don't want perfect children.  Because to be honest, some of their funniest moments happen in not-so-perfect times.  I love seeing how their brains work and how they figure things out.  I love watching their ears smoke and I can hear their gears winding when they are trying to figure out how to get around me on something.  Most of all, I love how they love me, their very imperfect mother, always.  How, despite the fact that they did not want to eat the homemade chicken pot pie I made them, they all left the table, cleared their dishes and told me thank you for dinner.  I love that even when they choose to go to bed hungry (our policy is eat dinner at dinner time or eat nothing until breakfast) because I didn't make exactly what they wanted for dinner, they hug me and kiss me and love me. 

I love that after being disciplined, the one person that they want to soothe them is me!  The same person that just handed out that same discipline. 

I often second guess my parenting, my judgement and even my words that I use towards my children.  Everyday I could certainly have done better, lots better.  But everyday those sweet (and yes, exhausting) little people tell me they love and that I am the "best mommy ever!"

Kind of makes my dream dinners not seem so important...

Doesn't mean I won't stop striving for them though!  We have someone different say a prayer every night at dinner and this is what they say almost verbatim every single night:

"Dear Jesus, thank you for my family and for our food. Amen"

So let me just say:

"Dear Jesus,
Thank you for my family!  My "I-don't-want-to-eat-carrots-smooshy-potatoes-weird-looking-meal" children.  Thank you for their tender hearts, loving spirits, humorous actions and brilliant minds.  Thank you for a husband that is an amazing father to them and a selfless husband to me.  I am spoiled and I thank you for it!  I thank you for my life.  It's not always easy or fun, but it is always rewarding. Amen"

"P.S. Please make them eat!"