All posts by Janna

Wednesday Wit: July 24, 2013

Wednesday Wit

I’ve been alone with Ada this week…

Ada: I wish Grace and I were twins.  Then we would have the same birthday, the same color eyes, dress the same, and wear the same headdresses.
Me: What’s a headdress? (curious if she actually knew)
Ada: It’s a dress.
Me: Oh.
Ada: Wait, wait, wait.  It’s what you wear in your hair.

After shopping at Target for her 7 1/2 birthday party since I can’t get my act together for a Christmas-time party
Ada: I think I should try this out.
Me: The birthday sash?… Read the rest

Wednesday Wit: July 17, 2013

Wednesday Wit

Chad and the kids were watching The Muppet Movie, and Miss Piggy was singing “Never Before”
Grace: She needs to work on that ending.

Ada: What are you watching?
Me: Jimmy Fallon.  The grown-ups just talk.
Ada: That’s boring.

Ada: I don’t want to be selfish, I WAS already baptized.

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My Three Very Different Children

Kids

I dropped my kids off at grandma and grandpa’s house so 1) I could have some respite, 2) grandpa could get the time with them he’s been asking for, and 3) the kids could have lots of outside time and some respite of their own.

As I left, here were the responses from my three very different children:

Grace: When is mom leaving?  I’m ready for some time without her.
Eli: Stop kissing me.
Ada: Don’t leave!  I will miss you!  Why can’t I come with?? (with lots of tears)

I’ve had four phone calls so far from my homesick … Read the rest

Wednesday Wit: July 3, 2013

Wednesday Wit

Ada: I saw an angel-winged monkey dressed like a janitor!  You do not see that every day.
(on the cover of Oz: The Great and Powerful)

Ada: What’s that Chinese chicken called again?
Me: Mongolian beef?
Ada: Yeah!  Can you make that tomorrow night?

Reading the nutrition label on her cereal the morning after vomiting…
Ada: I feel like I haven’t been eating enough fiber.  Maybe that’s why I got sick.

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My Efforts to Raise Girls with a Healthy Self-Image

Parenting

I have two daughters, finishing 4th and 1st grade.  I want to have girls with a healthy self-image.  Unfortunately, this won’t happen magically, or accidentally, or overnight.  I’ve been reading a lot about this lately, through the years really.  I’ve agreed with much, disagreed with some, and been offended by a few.  When it comes to subjects like this you just have to take the pieces you believe to be accurate and aligned with the heart of God (which can be tricky!) and create your family’s puzzle.

Here is what ours looks like so far.

I’ve heard that we shouldn’t … Read the rest

What is That Noise?

Kids

I’m sitting at my laptop getting caught up on the morning, and I realize there is just a lot of noise going on in my home.  But when I stop and really listen to what the noise is, I realize I am hearing happy children.

Eli is building one of his new birthday Lego sets.  Ada is playing the piano.  Grace is eating cereal and joining in the conversation.  And all of this is happening in the dining room.  All of my children are in one room, enjoying each other’s presence and conversation.

It is not noise, it is togetherness.… Read the rest

Vacation Moments

Kids

We went to North Carolina last week with my parents, my sister, and her husband.  I was rather stressed the days leading up to departure making lists, going shopping, baking, going shopping again, taking the kids shopping, then finally packing.

I’ve learned throughout the last few years that vacation with children (at least for me) is more work than rest.  In order to go anywhere we first determined how long we would be there, decided what we would need, then packed a bag.  Or two.  I was packing car bags every day – for the ocean, the sound, the museum, … Read the rest

Wednesday Wit: June 5, 2013

Wednesday Wit

Ada: I didn’t know women could ride motorcycles, especially grandmas!  But I just saw…a old lady…riding a motorcycle.

Grace: Eli, gross!
Eli: What?  I ate a donut fast today.  And when I eat fast I get burpy.

Eli: I need to let out some urine.
And with that I called Chad to meet me at the second grocery store on my list of errands to take the boy home.

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Wednesday Wit: May 29, 2013

Wednesday Wit

Eli: Eww, what’s that smell?
Grace: It smells like gas.  Not fart gas, but car gas.

Chad: Keep your boogers in your nose.

Chad and the kids were laughing and having a great time as he was teaching them the “proper way” to assemble a dog pile on our bed.  Until…
Chad: There is no farting in a dog pile!

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Wednesday Wit: May 22, 2013

Wednesday Wit

Ada: I forgot to mention something.  I am in a BAD mood!
I don’t think it needed to be mentioned.

I hugged Eli from behind so we were cheek-to-cheek.
Me: I love you so much.
Eli: Thanks.
Me: And I’m proud of you.
Eli: OK.
Me: And I’m so happy you’re my boy.
Eli: OK.
He just overflows with affection.

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