"Way to go, Mommy!"

Last Friday was a special day. When I picked the kids up from daycare, I asked them if they had a good day. They both muttered and eventually admitted there was something they enjoyed. Then Samantha said, "Did you have fun today mom?". I told them that I had some really good news at work which was going to allow me to be a scientist for awhile longer. I told them I wanted to do some experiments to study why some people's stomachs get sick and that other scientists liked my experiments and ideas and were going to give me money to do them. Samantha said, "OH". I thought, I just confused them, but...Andrew said, "Way to go, Mommy! Yay!" and he clapped. He then chanted it a few times. It was very sweet. I know they don't truly understand, but they could feel my excitement.

I know many of my family and friends don't understand the 'system' or the politics behind writing grants and getting funding. I certainly don't want to use our blog to try to give a tutorial, but here are just a few points. Even when working at a University you must have funding. Funding is job security, a way to pay for the research, salary, and the salary of people who choose to work for you. One grant is not enough unless you have heavy adminstrative responsiblities, so there is always pressure to get more funding. I have been funded 100% on a 'Career Development Award' for the last 2.5 years. Hopefully, the my new grant will be through by the time that that award runs up. The new grant is a larger grant and for 4 years of research, but doesn't cover 100% of my salary or my 'effort' (designated time allotted to the particular project). I will be seeking a tenure-track position, hiring 2-3 people, likely moving into my own lab space and office, and trying to find collaborators/responsiblity to bring up my effort and cover my salary. All of this will require negogiations and will be a new experience for me. Please pray for me. Many of you know that several months ago I questioned what God was calling me to. I saught some opportunities that didn't pan out and I finally came to peace with taking it day by day and doing the best job I could with the opportunities in front of me. He has brought me to this new opportunity. I am excited. I am nervous. I am humbled that God believes I can handle it all! Please pray for our family as we adjust to the new pressures.

Delay tactics

Bedtime.

1. Mommy, I have to go potty.
2. Mommy, I need a drink of water.
3. Mommy, I have to tell you something. You need to go to bed. (If only I could, Kid. I would.)
4. Mommy, I fell out of bed.
5. Mommy, I need Josh (Groban that is).

Threat reemerges. "If you get out of bed again. I will take your football."
AJ, "Mommy, if I come in here again, you will take my lovie."
"No, your football."
AJ, "But Mommy, if I come in here again, I have to go potty."
I just cannot punish a kid when he has to go potty. Unfortunately, he can go on demand.

(Yes, I am delaying working on my grant, so they must come by it honestly. Delay with pictures is because my camera and computer don't want to communicate.)

The road we traveled.

What a different a year makes! What a difference 2 years makes! Less than 2 years ago we drove to Ohio with the kids and hated nearly every minute of it. Andrew screamed and we cried (well, at least Samantha and I did) because we couldn't take it anymore and because I got the my first ever speeding ticket (which was later removed from the records :)). This trip--- literally 2 minutes of crying!! And that was right before he fell asleep. The kids hardly fought! They did watch a few videos, but only short ones and they read (looked at) books for more than half the trip. Thank you grandma for all the new ones!! It will be interesting to read the books for the first time and see how different they are from the story telling that was going on in the back seat on the ride home. The kids were narrating the stories by looking at the pictures. It was GREAT!!


The kids love my parent's dog and most of the time he didn't mind the extra snuggles :).

Below we are working on our blessings tree. First, finding the best tree 'stick'.

Then, filling out our thankful leaves and hanging them.

This was the first time I felt like the kids were old enough (and the weather good enough) to go walking in the woods and down the stream. It was fun to show the kids where my siblings and I used to spend hours in imaginative play.

The kids had a great time playing with their cousins. Andrew still needs to relax a little, and was a little clingy especially at meal time and especially with me, but he'll get there. He finally warmed up to Uncle Joe (again), only to act like he was scared of him again the next day. Somewhat unpredictable, that one! He was surrounded by 6 girls all week. One night he came in and said, "one of my family hit me in the mouth!". I am not sure if he was just tired or couldn't keep his cousins straight. Samantha had a ball. She didn't want to leave. The last night she cried, "I don't ever want to go back to Tennessee". I told her we had a trip to Mississippi to look forward to and she said she wanted to go to Mississippi next and then back to Ohio, but never back to Tennessee. I love that she loves her grandparents so much (probably because they spoil her!!).

I am thrilled to report that grandma seems to be recovering from her surgery quite well. I am hoping we didn't do any damage being there for nearly 7 days. I know we made her laugh so hard on Thanksgiving that she had to leave the room because it was hurting. We felt terrible, but she was being hilarious and when the girls (my sister, grandma and I) get going -- watch out!

The kids and David jumped in on an old tradition we used to do every year...the christmas tree display for Children's Hospital. While I miss it being at Quaker Square, it was lovely nonetheless. The kids really enjoyed seeing the 50+ trees that are decorated and sold for the charity. Of course Andrew's favorite was the OSU tree because it had footballs on it, and Samantha's was a tie between the "Pretty in Pink" tree and the American Girl tree (I am sure it had some cute title, but I cannot remember it). We may have created a new tradition going to "Samantha's Restaurant" on the way out of town. It was great food and Samantha had fun finding her name all over the menu. I would recommend it for breakfast to anyone in N. Canton, Green, Akron area.

We're home in a house at 55 degrees. I have a grant to get together in the next 9 days- luckily its a short one, but I better get busy!!

Advent prayer list

"Watch and pray always." Luke 21:36

"Pray without ceasing" 1 Thessalonians 5:17

"Be anxious for nothing, but by prayer and supplication make your request known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippines 4:6-7

You are our friends and family. We pray for you and we will continue to as we move through this season of Nativity Lent! We ask that you pray for us too. With special intention this Advent we pray:

For the health of my children's grandparents (especially my mother who will have surgery tomorrow morning).
For the health of a friend fighting cancer.
For the health of pregnant mothers (Amanda, Darcy, Rebecca, Shannon) and their unborn children.
For the health of a newborn child (Baby Goettel) in the NICU and her family.
For a family going through the adoption process (The Millers).
For a young girl (Crystal) who has been making miraculous progress recovering from a brain injury and drug intoxication.

Anticipation

Anticipation....

I am so excited for Advent to start. Just 3 more days on our calendar! This week I met with our godson's mom and talked about some of the preparations we do at home. I thought this morning was a good time to let the kids know Advent is right around the corner and remind them of the focus.

The conversation went something like this,

"Advent starts next week. I'm so excited."

Samantha, "we need to eat ice cream" (Hilarious to me)

"Yes, we'll have some ice cream Saturday before Advent starts. Do you remember what Advent is?"

Samantha, "before Christmas". AJ, "Yes"

"But, what is it?"

Silence.

"It is the time before Christmas when we prepare for celebrating the birthday of Jesus."

Samantha, "Yay." AJ (with excitement), "Really?"

"Do you remember what types of activities we do to prepare and focus on this time?"

Samantha, "Are we going to make cookies for Santa?"

(cringing), "Who is Santa? Is he real?"

Samantha, "Yes."

"Well, do you know which Saint became known as Santa?"

Samantha, "I don't remember"

"St. Nicholas"

Samantha, "Oh, yeah. He gave money and food away."

"Thats right, but we won't only be remembering St. Nicholas, we will be talking about other Saints during Advent with the Advent Calendar. We will also be talking about some of the prophets when we do our Jesse Tree Readings. They were the people that were older than Jesus and did God's will and knew that God would send Jesus to help people and teach us how to serve others."

AJ, "Mommy, the Saints are a football team."

"Yes, the Saints are a football team too, but we are going to be talking and learning about other Saints".

Samantha, "AJ, you're interrupting."

"I also put together a coloring book for the Jesse Tree Readings. I think we will do the Advent Calendar in the morning and in the afternoons we will do the Jesse Tree stories and color. The Jesse Tree stories will be some of your favorites, like Jonah, Noah, and Daniel and the Lions."

AJ, "Mommy, I need to tell you something. I love lions. The lions live in a cave at the football field."

"Really?"

AJ, "Yeah."

"Well, we will also pull out all of our Christmas stories too."

Samantha, "and all our Christmas toys?" (referring to her Playskool Nativity Set).

"Yes, the Nativity Set will come out of your closet"

AJ, "and I am going to get out my Titan's Christmas Football!"

(Apparently, I have a challenge set forth before me!)

Oh God, our Heavenly Father, we pray that Advent may truly and naturally be a time of prepartion for the celebration of the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord; that we may be properly prepared, through repentance, for the grace of the season. Help us to stay focused that we many not fall prey to the worldly spirit that the commercial world would encourage at this time. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Focusing on the positives

So as we interact with the 'world' around us, we are faced with so many challenges.

One of my greatest obstacles is to stay positive and to focus on the good stuff when life (people, work, mistakes) is most challenging. My spiritual Father tells me you cannot control all of the bad things that might happen to you, but you can control your reaction. Lord have mercy on me for all the times I have failed to 'control' my reaction or have reacted in a way that was not Christlike!

I used to say sometimes all you can do is cry. Oh, and I do feel still have those days were I just want to cry, but to what end? I've never felt like I've had that 'good cry'. I usually feel drained and exhausted afterwards. I am trying to refocus that negative energy immediately by turning to scripture and focusing on the positive.

"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." Romans 15:4

I started to have one of those weeks when I start thinking everything going wrong- FEMA denied our late request for help to repair our crawl space from the damage (-$7000!). David was traveling and the kiddos were trying to push buttons I didn't even know I had. And, an example of the craziness or silliness of the world, someone took my clothes out of the bathroom at work (which I had accidentally left there after changing into workout clothes the afternoon before). I admit I started to let myself feel defeated. Lord have mercy!

My kids are healthy and thriving. They are challenging me because they sense the change in routine. My husband is loving and so hardworking and dedicated to helping others. He provides for our family. I am so grateful and blessed that he has a job that he loves and uses his skills to the benefit of others! A house is just a house and while we tend to attach ourselves to our dwelling places, I cannot let myself. I cannot let the $ or the inconveniences associated with repairs distract me from LIFE and spiritual growth. I am trying to laugh about my clothes. On some levels it funny, on others its sad, I will need to let it go.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be albe to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God" 2 Cor 1:3-4

Our dancing princess

Samantha's first dance performance. She told me afterwards, "I was a little afraid!" I've never seen her so shy. We aren't thinking she is a natural, but she loves it! We have about 4 songs on video, but I'm having trouble loading them.

Start your day ready to play!!

This should be Andrew's motto!! He sleeps in play clothes so he is ready to go in the morning. We are usually begging him to let us finish are breakfast, while he is begging us to get in the car to head out or to go outside...ON THE GO!!

I've spent a significant amount of time reflecting (in words) on Samantha this month, but in mind, I have also been reflecting on Andrew, our AJ. He is one fast growing boy. Both in body and brains. He is all about sports...soccer, football and baseball (for the most part). He has some 'jerseys' and he changes clothes like a magician making sure he is in the 'appropriate' shirt for the sport. Recently the neighbor bought him a Titan's football and he won't let it out of his sight. He takes it to daycare and puts it in his cubby until outside time, he puts it on the floor during meals at home and he sleeps with it at night.

The two pictures below are not the best (from an artist's standpoint), but they are my favorites of him this month. In the first one, he is smiling after Samantha gave him a big hug after her dance performance. And in the second, my children are actually caught on camera touching!! and AJ is making his famous EYES. (love those eye movements!!)

I honestly think his favorite activity is laughing with Samantha. They try to crack each other up with their outlandish stories. Samantha will ask him, "For real life?" (her way of saying is that a pretend story). They also usually spend about 15 minutes recapping their dreams each morning on the way to childcare. I always wonder if my children dream in as much detail as they use telling the stories. Andrew often dreams of monsters in his bedroom?! Maybe he does because he also wakes us up almost every night about 4am. Luckily we can put him right back to sleep, but I'd prefer to stay asleep ALL night ;).

Watching football with Daddy (dual screens!).

This is one of his DON'T take a picture of me moments.

We went to the car wash the other day and AJ and Samantha recapped their favorites for me. Here were some of Andrew's.

Favorite color: Blue

Favorite animal: Lion

Favorite clothes: Jerseys

Favorite foods: yogurt, cheese, chicken, brocolli

Favorite sport: football, team the Titans

Favorite book: Little Toot

Butterflys everywhere

Samantha asked for butterflies and thats what she got!! 5 little girls became 5 little butterflies. They made themselves antennae, colored beautiful butterflies, made their own construction paper butterflies, listened to a story about a butterfly birthday party, and fluttered around the backyard. They ate grape catepillars, butterfly shaped sandwiches, butterfly shaped cheese, carrot coccoons, and butterfly cupcakes. Samantha said, "It was amazing!" Andrew enjoyed some time outside with Daddy during the festivities but he joined us for lunch and a cupcake...Mmm.

Sweet Samantha

Sweet Samantha...loves to make up songs about her relationships with people. In the car yesterday she sang a song about how much she loves her brother and how she likes to hold his hand. They held hands the whole time she was singing. I thought I might just break down right then. So sweet.

Sweet Samantha...loves to help me in the kitchen and always tries what I cook. Of course today on her birthday her breakfast was ready for her - 5 pancakes containing 5 blueberries each and warm chocolate with 5 marshmellows all served on a paper #5.

Sweet Samantha...loves bugs and animals. But this year her birthday will be all about butterflies. We started with 24 butterfly cupcakes, butterfly napkins, butterfly favor bags and a gift for the class, Fancy Nancy Bonjour Butterfly (the book). She wore her butterfly dress and butterfly antennae. The theme will continue for another small party at home Saturday!

Loves anything pink and anything princess. It has honestly taken me a while to understand this side of a little, sweet girl (having been a tomboy myself), but its fun! She loves to dress up and will ONLY wear dresses. She also loves to color and draw.

She received the princesses pictured above from one of her aunts and she is on the phone talking to one of her other aunts while playing. She received so many loving phone calls and messages through the computer. The birthday celebration will continue...tomorrow she'll get to try out her new pink bike and Saturday she'll have a butterfly party with some close friends. So sweet.

Its that time of year!

Fall has always been one of my favorite seasons. I love the weather (so refreshing after our very HOT summer). I love the color it brings. I love the activities. I love the memories -- anniversaries, birthdays, halloweens, soccer...

David just returned from a fast trip to Germany and the Netherlands. We missed him lots, but we had a great week. I didn't have a grant deadline or get any grant reviews back while he was away therefore it was a low stress week- yay for me! The kids are more aware of his absence. Samantha talks about missing him and the kids even fought over him while he was away. It went something like this.

Mommy said, "Maybe next week, Daddy can pick Andrew up at daycare and I can watch you (Samantha) dance during your class".

Samantha, "But, I want Daddy to come to MY ballet class".

Andrew, "No, I want Daddy to pick ME up".

Samantha, "But, I love Daddy."

Andrew, "But, Daddy's a boy and I'm a boy."

Samantha, "Yea, but I'm a girl and girls can love boys and I love Daddy."

Andrew, "You can hold his hand, but I want him to pick me up."

Samantha, "Ok, I want to eat pizza."

Andrew, "I want a hamburger".

They crack me up and exhaust me at the same time. One week they want exactly what the other one has. The next week they want exactly the opposite of what the other one has. So predictably unpredicatable!!

We are packing in the activities this month. We made our annual trip to the pumpkin batch today. Gentry's farm is awesome for kids. I think it gets busier and busier each year. Because of the crowds and because the kids are in an 'opposites' stage, we didn't manage to stay together as a family, but we had a good time.

Music to the ears: a reflection on the SEA in my life

"I love you so much Mommy." My heart melts at the words. Everyday I love my children more and more.

"I need my sleep toys." Bears. Polar bears. Rabbits. Humans (yes, "humans"). Doggies. Kitties. She sleeps with an average of about 3 of each of these EVERY night (and one zebra and one horse, oh, and a duck or 2?!). She loves animals. She organizes them in her bed by species. Some nights, even in her double, there doesn't seem to be enough room for her. I am not sure which animal species is her favorite but is probably between the dogs and cats and the horse. She has a lovely story that her grandmommy got here on CD, "Samantha and Starlight". Starlight is a horse and Samantha is a little girl that loves to ride. It is a heartwarming story about determination and patience. I think that story made Samantha fall in love with horses. One day I'd love to take her for a lesson. (*the above photo was taken by Samantha when traveling and her sleep toys were 'limited')

"Where is JOSH?" Samantha is on a first name basis with Josh Groban. She loves to sleep to his music. Grandma is a big fan herself and when I told her that Grandma went to his concert to see him sing, she was so jealous. She insists on learning what he looks like. Samantha is still in love with LuLu Mae also. Apparently, she went up to one of the artists, Sarah, at church this week to talk to her. Samantha is a social butterfly and is VERY outgoing.

"Come play with me." Colors, colors everywhere! A year ago I would have told you I was worried that Samantha didn't want to color. She wasn't interested in sitting still, and she certainly wasn't concerned that much with staying in the lines. Now, she loves it! And she works hard to stay in the lines and make her pictures beautiful. I am grateful for this developmental stage. Who doesnt' like to color? We used to joke in college that we just wanted to color for hours. I finally have an excuse to do just that!!

"I love to dance". Dancing, twirling, 1, 2, 3. Samantha has started dance classes. This, I admit, wasn't easy on David or I (for totally different reasons). I had to remind myself that at this age participating in something like dance does not mean that she will never play soccer. Ha Ha, I know. She's in preschool. I am not pressuring her to play soccer, but it breaks my heart to think she might not at least try it! She told me the other day (while driving by a soccer practice), mommy I am never going to play soccer. I saw WHAT? She said, I'll watch, but I don't want to play. Tear. David had a hard time with the dance class too, but for him it was a joyous emotion and he nearly shead a tear seeing her dance in her class for the first time reflecting on how fast she is growing up. So true, so true!!

"You are my hero." Samantha is a helper. She loves to help other children and she loves to boss them around. She loves to play house and to play school. She is always the Mommy or the teacher when playing these role playing games. She now says she wants to be a Mommy and a Teacher. She wants to help in the kitchen with dinner preparations. Sometimes, its as simple as letting her put the cut up veggies together and mix the salad.

While Samantha loves looking at flowers and chasing butterflys, she would actually rather be inside then out!! I am hoping we see some change in this with the cooler weather. She likes to practing writing and she loves to read books (making up her own stories to go with the pictures). Her swimming skills really came along while we were in Orange Beach. She is fearless in the water.

"I don't ever want to be without you." These are words Samantha spoke to me, but I have a feeling she has also said this to two of her best friends, Alex and Lorelei. She is used to the consistency of seeing Alex at church and for special events. She is still getting used to being 'apart' from Lorelei. Samantha met Lorelei when she was 3 months old. They were together until this past July, when we changed childcares and Lorelei went to Kindergarden. We have arranged about 4 or 5 playdates for them, but she still misses her dearly!! Samantha is a faithful friend!

"I want to live with you forever." Stop the music. Daddy intervenes. No. You're out of the house at 22. He is teasing but Samantha is shocked and crushed. She can be so sensitive. We love her just the way she is and we thank God for her! In less that 2 weeks our baby girl turns 5! Happy Birthday, Sweetie!