Almost Everyday

Some people have what is called a routine in the morning. Wake up, shower, get dressed, do hair/make-up, etc. I really admire these people, I am constantly wondering "how do they do it?", I feel like I am lucky to brush my teeth, of course I have to wake up, I have that down really well, back before I was married and had a kid, I worked at a Hilton in the restaurant. I had to be there at 0530 I think, I would wake up at 0515, do a very limited number of bathroom things (toilet and teeth), while walking out to my truck I would get dressed in the uniform I had laid out starched and ironed the day before, then drive the 10 minutes to work. I think I was late once because I ran out of gas (the gas gauge didn't work nor did the odometer so I was pretty much flying blind) someone did give me a ride to the gas station and back to my truck though, so I wasn't very late. Oh yeah, and one other time I was late because I was scheduled to work one day when I was in Hawaii visiting Joe, my manager had mixed up the days I was getting home. Anyhow enough digression...I also get dressed most days...it's the showering and hair and make-up that get me. How do people do it daily? I cannot blame this on my child either, she's old enough for me to do something without her for a half hour or more. In fact she'd probably like me to do it everyday since she usually gets to watch a movie while I shower, either that or take her much needed bath while I shower. They are right next to each other in my master bathroom so that works out really well.It's not that I'm a dirty person, it'd been a few days in the picture, sure I might not look amazing but I don't look dirty. I make sure I don't smell and stuff, showering seems to just be really low on my list of priorities, I plan to shower almost everyday but other things get my attention...and another day slips by...I won't tell you how often it actually gets done, lets just say I want to shower 3 times a week and I just can't seem to make it.

Off I go to a much needed shower...I hope.

Three Year Olds Fly Too

As I was looking through old pictures for the previous post I was beginning to miss my little baby girl, toothless smiles, chunky rolls, unsteady steps, total dependence. I can't understand why people would choose to parent only one child. There just seems to be a natural ache to do it again and again.

Providence, perhaps sensing my melancholy mood, took it upon herself to sing me a lullaby song. The words went something like this:

I love you, I love you so much mama, I do love you, and I know you love me too.

So ok, three is a good age too. They can tell you they love you and really mean it. They can hide under the sheets and tell stories. They can tell jokes; they can make up jokes (which at three, is still funny even if the joke isn't). They can help with chores (of course "help" isn't always the best word to describe what they're doing).

My heart was soothed, my baby may be growing up, but I shall embrace it, look forward to it, enjoy wholeheartedly even. Then this morning after being instructed to use our words kindly, she informed me that she had to do it because she was the "most naughtiest girl." When I explained that naughty girls get lots of instruction...lots, she decided to not be the naughtiest girl, apparently she was under the impression that naughty girls get to watch movies all day.

Ode To The Johnsons

Oh, Johnson's how very fun you are;
we wish to be so close, but alas we are so far

The Lord has given true friends in parents, sister, brothers;
and we thank Him of this often, that we love one another

Thank you for your friendship made most apparent;
reaching out in simple ways when many others daren't

Each minute spent with you is one that we do treasure;
and there are many others that also do us pleasure

The kid's all get along, the quiet, bossy, wild;
spending time together makes each a very happy child

To watch our children grow together had been a special gift;
I want to savor every moment for it goes by so swift

This visit was most welcome, the time spent oh so pleasing;
knowing that we'll see you again made the parting more appeasing

Although parted once again, we'll think of you quite often;
remembering days playing in the sun can make separation soften

Though many miles distance us, our skies do share same stars;
we still wish to be so close, and alas we're still quite far
We will miss you!

A Missing Piece

I skipped a blogging day. I've have been trying to write routinely, but the last few days just got away from me, as Providence would say "oh, sorry 'bout that."

We have been having rather cool weather recently, the other morning waking up to find snow on the ground! It warms up around 7PM when the children should be getting ready for bed, but instead they're playing outdoors. It doesn't get dark till about 9PM so it's hard to have early to beds, Providence will go on and on about the sun still being up. Thankfully blinds block out the majority of light.

One of the fish had babies while I was gone! Four have survived to grow large enough to not be eaten, I think. They still mostly hang out in the vegetation, so they might need a little more protecting. Unfortunately now there will be too many fish for the tank when these little guys get bigger, not sure what to do about that. But God provides for the birds so He can provide for these fish too.

The Johnson's are visiting for a week the kids have fun in the playroom with the dress-up corner and little kitchen, riding scooters around on the nice smooth concrete driveway, the huge new play structure outside(pictures to come later), but guess what their favorite thing is.That's right a box. Not that I blame them, I mean who wouldn't like a huge box?

While in California I was able to go to a Jason Mraz concert with my California siblings and two of the Suthys, it was really fun, especially the part about feeling really young and old at the same time. Young because I was pressed on all sides in standing room only singing along with the songs. Old because it didn't feel as cool as I remember it being and I kept wondering what all these little girls were doing out on a school night, till I remembered it was Friday. Thankfully though my heart is not as old as both of my sisters, who apparently had to walk around outside in the middle of the set because the noise and pushing people was too much. A fun night was had by all anyhow.

Yes, you can definitely tell they are not quite enjoying the bodies pressed together the way Alison and I could.

My poor dear brother Uriah
*have you ruined our relationship?*
is the only one not pictured, but he was also there that night.

The Things I Did Or Didn't Do

I have been home for two entire days now so I guess it would be about time to get back on track, but I haven't. Please don't ask to see certain rooms of the house; or the laundry waiting to be folded and put away; or the stack of bills waiting to be paid; or the half finished projects I want my dad to do while here; or the list of letter/cards/emails I need to write; or what is lurking in the corners of my mind, it is NOT pretty!

So I shall leave you with something pretty.

Home Again

And that's all I have to say right now.

Personalized Radio

Sunday morning: a scene not unlike many others, dressed for church all buckled up for the trip, driving along when we suddenly realize oh no, we forgot the iPod! Providence asks for a particular song that I am unable to produce because without the iPod we can not choose a song (because don't you know, I barely even know how to load a CD anymore, plus even if I did my car CD player is very moody, if it doesn't want to play a stinkin' CD it will cause it to skip till you take it out on your own accord, so I have mostly given it up, I don't even have a CD player in my house.) we will now have to resort to the radio- UNLESS you have a three year old named Providence (or another three year old may do as nicely) then you have can have your very own personalized radio, and I mean very personalized. Some songs on the "Providence Radio" include:

Things she's learned:

"If you see a gun, don't touch"

Things she sees:

"A dog in the bushes"

and things she wants to do:

"Push, push, push"

At one point I asked for another verse a few times, she accommodated the request, till about the sixth time to which she said "That's all this radio has!"