Kai loves to eat:
Spagetti
Chicken stir-fry with rice
Ritz crackers (he can eat his weight in these bad boys)
Gerbers cheetos
Pop tarts
White shells and cheese
Squash and zuichini
Kai will not eat:
Bananas
Carrots
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Food!!
Kai loves to eat:
Spagetti
Chicken stir-fry with rice
Ritz crackers (he can eat his weight in these bad boys)
Gerbers cheetos
Pop tarts
White shells and cheese
Squash and zuichini
Kai will not eat:
Bananas
Carrots
Invisible Women
Kee Ostler emailed this to me and it was so good I thought I would put it on the blog. I know it's long, but it's worth it.
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?'
Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this ? Can you tie this? Can you open this?
Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?'
I’m a satellite guide to answer, ‘What number is the Disney Channel’?
I’m a car to order, ‘Right around 5:30, please’.
I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated
summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she’s going, she’s gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England.
Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in.
I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well.
It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself.
I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package and said, ‘I brought you this’.
It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe.
I wasn't exactly sure why she’d given it to me until I read her inscription.
'To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees’.
In the days ahead I would read - no, devour – the book.
And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:
No one can say who built the great cathedrals – we have no record of their names
These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished
They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.
The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that they eyes of God saw everything
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man,
‘Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.’ And the workman replied, ‘Because God sees.’
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place.
It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte.
I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does.
No act of kindness you’ve done, no sequin you’ve sewn on, no cupcake you’ve baked is too small for Me to notice and smile over.
You are building a great cathedral, but you can’t see right now what it will become.’
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction.
But it is not a disease that is erasing my life.
It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness.
It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.
I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder, as one of the people who show up at a job they will never see finished to work on something that their name will never be on.
The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could every be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he’s bringing home from college for Thanksgiving,
‘My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours,
and presses all the linens for the table.’
That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, ‘You’re gonna love it there'.
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we’re doing it right.
And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?'
Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this ? Can you tie this? Can you open this?
Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?'
I’m a satellite guide to answer, ‘What number is the Disney Channel’?
I’m a car to order, ‘Right around 5:30, please’.
I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated
summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she’s going, she’s gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England.
Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in.
I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well.
It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself.
I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package and said, ‘I brought you this’.
It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe.
I wasn't exactly sure why she’d given it to me until I read her inscription.
'To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees’.
In the days ahead I would read - no, devour – the book.
And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:
No one can say who built the great cathedrals – we have no record of their names
These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished
They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.
The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that they eyes of God saw everything
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man,
‘Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.’ And the workman replied, ‘Because God sees.’
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place.
It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte.
I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does.
No act of kindness you’ve done, no sequin you’ve sewn on, no cupcake you’ve baked is too small for Me to notice and smile over.
You are building a great cathedral, but you can’t see right now what it will become.’
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction.
But it is not a disease that is erasing my life.
It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness.
It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.
I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder, as one of the people who show up at a job they will never see finished to work on something that their name will never be on.
The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could every be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he’s bringing home from college for Thanksgiving,
‘My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours,
and presses all the linens for the table.’
That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, ‘You’re gonna love it there'.
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we’re doing it right.
And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Gems of Wisdom
I have a group of online girls that I chat with and reccently we were discussing helpful tips. Thought I would share some.
*If you put your saran wrap in the freezer, it is much more managable and doesn't clump up the second you try to use it!
*WD40 takes crayon off
*Clear nail polish on a cracked windshield will stop the crack from spreading
*Hydrogen Peroxide helps remove blood stains
*When cleaning windows or mirrors with windex, use a coffee filter instead of a paper towel to help reduce streaks
*Put a scented dryer sheet in the bottom of a wastebasket/garbage can to help eliminate odors
*Put i tiny bit of water in the bottom of the candle holder and you wont have to fuss getting the melted wax out
*If you don't do the water trick - put the candle holder in the freezer for a day - the wax pretty much pops right out
*Bay leaves will help keep bugs out of your pantry
*Most recipes that use tomato paste call for only a tablespoon. What do you do with the rest of the can? Divide it into one tablespoon amounts (in an ice cube tray or on a plate) Freeze it, then putt the lumps in a zippered bag and store them in the freezer. Next time you need a tablespoon of tomato paste, you take exactly that much out of the freezer.
*When frying things like chicken cutlets or I guess anything (esp. fish), put out a bowl with white vinegar on the stove (or close to it) - for some reason it absorbs that fry smell
*Ya know those embarrassing deodarant marks on that perfect black shirt (or any color for that matter) - just grab a pair of stockings and rub it right off
*Rinse your hair with club soda if it is turning green from chlorine
*If you peel and take apart the whole garlic clove, put it in olive oil and keep in the fridge, it lasts longer/fresher
*If you use blocks of cheese wrap them in tin foil then refigerate.... last longer
If you have any not listed.... please share!!
*If you put your saran wrap in the freezer, it is much more managable and doesn't clump up the second you try to use it!
*WD40 takes crayon off
*Clear nail polish on a cracked windshield will stop the crack from spreading
*Hydrogen Peroxide helps remove blood stains
*When cleaning windows or mirrors with windex, use a coffee filter instead of a paper towel to help reduce streaks
*Put a scented dryer sheet in the bottom of a wastebasket/garbage can to help eliminate odors
*Put i tiny bit of water in the bottom of the candle holder and you wont have to fuss getting the melted wax out
*If you don't do the water trick - put the candle holder in the freezer for a day - the wax pretty much pops right out
*Bay leaves will help keep bugs out of your pantry
*Most recipes that use tomato paste call for only a tablespoon. What do you do with the rest of the can? Divide it into one tablespoon amounts (in an ice cube tray or on a plate) Freeze it, then putt the lumps in a zippered bag and store them in the freezer. Next time you need a tablespoon of tomato paste, you take exactly that much out of the freezer.
*When frying things like chicken cutlets or I guess anything (esp. fish), put out a bowl with white vinegar on the stove (or close to it) - for some reason it absorbs that fry smell
*Ya know those embarrassing deodarant marks on that perfect black shirt (or any color for that matter) - just grab a pair of stockings and rub it right off
*Rinse your hair with club soda if it is turning green from chlorine
*If you peel and take apart the whole garlic clove, put it in olive oil and keep in the fridge, it lasts longer/fresher
*If you use blocks of cheese wrap them in tin foil then refigerate.... last longer
If you have any not listed.... please share!!
Friday, February 08, 2008
Favorite Things...
Stirfry on rice and whiskers on doggies
Any old cell phone and soft satin blankies
Sesame Street after breakfast at morning
These are a few of my favorite things
Crisp Ritz crackers and bubble filled bath tubs
Storytime and Playtime and crawling on Gus
Scattering my toys all throughout my home
These are a few of my favorite things
Messing up Mom's laundry right after it's folded
Feeding Gus my leftover food at the table
And anyone who will sing me their favorite song
These are a few of my favorite things
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Monday, February 04, 2008
Decisions of a Mother....
Being a wife and a mother has changed so many things about me. But one of the biggest changes that has come is the ability to put my needs and others feelings second to my husband and to my son. In the long run nothing seems to be as important as the well being of my husband and my son. But that's a tricky line to tread sometimes with family. Can a relative cause enough damage through their actions to be cut out of your life? I found myself faced with that question today.
The fact that I'm in a 'bi-racial' marriage has never really been a thought to me. I am in a marriage with an amazing man who treats me like a goddess. What does the color of his skin or the shape of his eyes have to with how he treats me? And I certainly never thought about the fact that my son is 'bi-racial'. But today I had to face the fact that, although I may not think about those things, other people do.
There were several options in dealing with this situation. I could go on pretending it wasn't an issue and ignore the horrible treatment that my husband receives, knowing that one day that treatment will fall upon my son. In choosing this option what is the lesson I am teaching my son? That it's okay for others to treat you like less of a person than others around you simply because of your skin? Or I could choose to cut such people out of our lives. Wow, the second choice seems so harsh. But the world is so hard.... there are so many things to fight against. Do I really want someone in my son's life or my husbands that makes them feel of less value? The answer I came to was no, I don't.
Life constantly changes around us and sometimes we change with it or we don't. I have changed tremendously through the years. And for me I have changed into a person I can be proud of. My goal is for my son to have that same feeling of pride in being who he is and his ability to succeed. And the first step in doing that is to surround him with people who love him and support him for who he is and will be.
The fact that I'm in a 'bi-racial' marriage has never really been a thought to me. I am in a marriage with an amazing man who treats me like a goddess. What does the color of his skin or the shape of his eyes have to with how he treats me? And I certainly never thought about the fact that my son is 'bi-racial'. But today I had to face the fact that, although I may not think about those things, other people do.
There were several options in dealing with this situation. I could go on pretending it wasn't an issue and ignore the horrible treatment that my husband receives, knowing that one day that treatment will fall upon my son. In choosing this option what is the lesson I am teaching my son? That it's okay for others to treat you like less of a person than others around you simply because of your skin? Or I could choose to cut such people out of our lives. Wow, the second choice seems so harsh. But the world is so hard.... there are so many things to fight against. Do I really want someone in my son's life or my husbands that makes them feel of less value? The answer I came to was no, I don't.
Life constantly changes around us and sometimes we change with it or we don't. I have changed tremendously through the years. And for me I have changed into a person I can be proud of. My goal is for my son to have that same feeling of pride in being who he is and his ability to succeed. And the first step in doing that is to surround him with people who love him and support him for who he is and will be.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Sledding With Kai
We didn't do a lot of 'sledding' per say. But we had fun. Kai got to play in the snow and Jay tried teaching Gus how to be a sled dog!! Ha ha!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Picasso in Training
I wanted to do a fun activity with Kai for his birthday. So I found a recipe to make non-toxic finger paints and let him loose!!! He loved it!!!
This is Mom with Kai showing him how fun it is to get messy!
This is Kai's little friend Emma Harrison.... isn't she a cutie??
Yup.... my kid is a Picasso in training!!!
There's always time to stop for a pose!!
Time for clean up!
Here's the recipe for the finger paint in case anyone else is as daring!!
Stir together 1 Cup cold water with 1/4 cup corn starch in a saucepan. Whisk over low heat for five minutes or until it thickens and clears. Whisk in 1 tablespoon light corn syrup. Separate into dishes and then add non-toxic tempera paint to each dish. Let cool on the counter.
This is Mom with Kai showing him how fun it is to get messy!
This is Kai's little friend Emma Harrison.... isn't she a cutie??
Yup.... my kid is a Picasso in training!!!
There's always time to stop for a pose!!
Time for clean up!
Here's the recipe for the finger paint in case anyone else is as daring!!
Stir together 1 Cup cold water with 1/4 cup corn starch in a saucepan. Whisk over low heat for five minutes or until it thickens and clears. Whisk in 1 tablespoon light corn syrup. Separate into dishes and then add non-toxic tempera paint to each dish. Let cool on the counter.
Presents Galore
Presents abound!! Kai had fun opening his gifts. Each one was exciting... by the end of it all he was so happy with all of them he kept going from present to present. Thank you to all of our family who sent gifts for our little guy!!
Demolition of Cake
Cake time!!! Kai had no problem shoveling the cupcake in!
Here Dad..... want some???
Here Dad..... want some???
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
Tornado Kai
Okay so either Kai's energy is multiplying by the second or mine is draining by the second. Knowing my luck, it's both. Great. So our home constantly looks like a bomb went off as of late. I spend all day cleaning up and you would never know. Kai's new favorite past times; pulling clothes out of drawers, throwing diapers across the room, emptying the bookshelf, spreading all toys as far across the apartment as possible.... he sure is a happy boy! Life is great to him!! Mom is exhausted, but Kai is just so happy! Which is very good. He still thinks Gus is the greatest toy ever. I got a great video of Gus and him playing... I'll have Jay load it up next time he has a spare moment (don't hold your breath).
Kai also seems to be done with baby food. He won't eat much but if I give him my food.... he eats TONS!!! LOL As long as he's eating, that skinny little kid! He loves almost all food, not a fan of banana's.
Just a few updates I thought I would share!
Kai also seems to be done with baby food. He won't eat much but if I give him my food.... he eats TONS!!! LOL As long as he's eating, that skinny little kid! He loves almost all food, not a fan of banana's.
Just a few updates I thought I would share!
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Visitng More Family
PoPa and Nonna w/ their grandson.
Uncle Johnny teaching Kai how to be 'cool'.
Do they look happy or what? Uncle Quinn and Kai.
Great Aunt Kelly and Kai.
Bowl-o-rama
While we were in Michigan we went bowling with Jay's family. Got some great pictures.
Beenie Boys
Grandma and Kai
Uncle Mark and Kai
Looks like it's Kai's turn to bowl!
Uncle Sherman and Kai
Beenie Boys
Grandma and Kai
Uncle Mark and Kai
Looks like it's Kai's turn to bowl!
Uncle Sherman and Kai
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Christmas Eve & Christmas
Kai riding the sleigh with Santa.
Mark and Kai caught rummaging through presents on Christmas Eve.
Mom and Kai on Christmas Eve.
Kai opening his one present on Christmas Eve. It was from uncle Sherman, a bilingual octopus.
Dad and Kai on Christmas morning. Kai is holding a phone that uncle Mark got him.
Making Cookies with Grandpa
Kai got to roll cookies with Grandpa on Christmas Eve. I think he ate more cookie dough then accomplishing anything but he sure had fun!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Ahoy Mate!
Kai loved the little sail boat at the library. The best part was the steering wheel, nothing else was quite as interesting!
Reading Tree
Grandma and Grandpa Christensen found a GREAT library that we visited today with Kai. There were tress that you could sit in and read... great for Kai since he loves trees and books!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Our Thanksgiving
Our Thanksgiving didn't go as planned. Due to bad roads we had to stay in Billings at the last minute. But the Harrison's came to our rescue and welcomed us with open arms into their home. I was a little hesistant because my Dad has set the bar pretty high for great Thanksgiving food but I was not disappointed! The food was great, and the company too! Kai loved playing with their little girl, Emma.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
MIA
Yes I have been missing in action on the blog front. Just didn't feel like I had that much to report. But then I started thinking and I suppose I do have some good stuff I can share.
The other day I was having a very long and tiring day. It was towards the end and Jay had been gone since early in the morning and wouldn't be home until late at night. I was worn out. Kai was playing with some toys so I just layed out on my back on the living room floor. Well, my little sweet pea must have decided that it was a good time to give Mom a little pick me up so he crawled right over and snuggled up with me. He's a mover and a shaker (hmmm... wonder where he got that from... Jay) so I always take every snuggle oppurtunity I get. He laid next to me and played kissing games filled with giggles and smiles. It only took a few moments and I felt amazing again. What a little sweet pea!
The other day I was having a very long and tiring day. It was towards the end and Jay had been gone since early in the morning and wouldn't be home until late at night. I was worn out. Kai was playing with some toys so I just layed out on my back on the living room floor. Well, my little sweet pea must have decided that it was a good time to give Mom a little pick me up so he crawled right over and snuggled up with me. He's a mover and a shaker (hmmm... wonder where he got that from... Jay) so I always take every snuggle oppurtunity I get. He laid next to me and played kissing games filled with giggles and smiles. It only took a few moments and I felt amazing again. What a little sweet pea!
Saturday, November 17, 2007
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