Definitions

I don't like it when people lose their temper or get extremely agitated and then say something rude or hurtful, even if said statement is true, that they know others are thinking and then say something like, "Well, at least I had the guts to say it!"  or "Well, you didn't have the courage to say anything."

Courage, in this particular circumstance, would be saying something that needed to be said even though it may be uncomfortable or painful for the hearer, because after thoughtful consideration you have concluded that not saying it will cause more damage.  Its saying such a thing honestly and directly, for the hearer's benefit (because you know they need to have it pointed out to them), without malice, self-righteousness or condemnation.  Its saying it because you feel that its the best path to better understanding and righteousness in the long run, and you have decided that you are willing and able to accept the consequences (whatever they may be) immediately.

Shouting something angrily (that may in fact need to be said) because you're so ticked off or frustrated that you just can't hold it any more isn't courage.  That's not you humbly acknowledging that there may be some negative consequences that you're willing to accept in pursuit of the greater good.  That's you losing your temper or patience and saying "to hell with the consequences" because you've lost your ability for self-restraint.

Courage doesn't always roar.  More often than we realize it is a bold but nevertheless soft and gentle voice.

Daily Dose

He's just so. . .so . . . .so DOUG!  

She's so pretty. . .and pretty happy, too!

This is what tummy time always turns into with Kylie.  She never even attempts to roll over, just goes kind of sideways inchworm, until she's off the blanket.  This also makes her mad, as you can see with her little mouth sucking furiously away at her fist.  Keilana was rolling over at 4 weeks, Dylan at 2 weeks, both of them regularly by 5 weeks.  Kylie just isn't the busy type.  She's got nowhere to be!!  Those two were both so busy and intense!

Practicing "sitting up". She much prefers this to tummy time.  Don't ask me why.  It seems to me that laying on your tummy would be a lot more comfy than "sitting" around bent in half.  I'm pretty sure the only reason she stays up at all is that her bottom is so broad and she's all balanced out on her fat rolls. :)

The Good Days

Do you ever have days as a parent where your children's joy is enjoyable for you in almost a selfish way?  Most of the time, seeing my children happy makes my heart light simply because they are happy.  But sometimes its because I can remember that feeling.  

Most nights I sing to each of my kids when I put them to bed.  First Dylan, then Keilana. I sit next to or on their beds and sing them some soft primary songs or hymns. Or Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (the first song Keilana learned 3 years ago, it is still one of her favorites).  I completely loved growing up in a big family--there were kids everywhere, many that belonged to my parents and many that didn't--lots of good people and lots of love.  But I cherished the moments that I had my mother all to myself (truth be told, I still do).  I remember well nearly every time in my life that her attention was focused on me and that tenderness still means a lot to me.  So I pass it on and it simultaneously blesses myself and my kids.

A few days ago, the kids discovered the bathroom closet.  Oh, sure, its been there all along, but until now it was for storing diapers and wipes and extra towels.  Last week, it became a secret cave.  Now, I should come down hard on this current activity of one of them lying curled up on each shelf with the closet doors closed before they break my closet, but its just too funny to watch their mischievous delight and remember when Michael and I used to hide in closets, toy boxes and one time even the deep freeze (come to think of it as a rational adult, that was a horrendously bad idea!).  I was talking to Keilana the other day about how her aunts and uncles and I used to climb the hallway walls in Yaya's house when we were little like her.  Mom would scold us for getting our dirty, greasy fingers and feet all over her walls.  But now that I think back on it, we did it way too often for it to bother her that much.  I imagine she looked on with the same mixture of irritation and amusement that I feel when my 3 and 4 year old are hopping in and out of my bathroom closet--a combined 80 pounds hitting the shelves and floor over and over.

On the way to and from the school to pick up Keilana today, Dylan got soaked.  He managed to walk (read: half jump, half run) through every puddle on the way there, no matter its size.  I didn't have the heart to make him stop.  I love mud puddles.  Hawaii has the best mud puddles (I suppose there it would be more accurate to call them temporary ponds) and one of my favorite things about living there was the glorious rain and the monstrous puddles it left behind.  It probably wasn't the best thing for his pants and his shoes, but pants and shoes can be washed.  Puddle dancing only lasts so long before the sun comes out again.

I love my kids.  I've been having trouble focusing on the good stuff lately, as we have some jealousy/time management issues since little Kylie arrived.  But being a parent is almost as much fun as being a kid.  Some days, its even better ;)

Dylan is 3!

I really can hardly believe my little boy is 3.  I have these moments every few weeks where I just stop and go "I have three kids.  My oldest is in preschool. My little boy is talking and climbing and knows the alphabet.  How did that happen?"

Dylan had a good birthday party.  We don't do big shindigs with our little clan--kids are so easily pleased, I have to admit I don't understand the ginormous parties for such little people (the exception being ginormous families, of course, where you just invite over the cousins and all of a sudden there are 25 kids there).  Grandma and Grandpa came over of course, and brought Rachel.  Paul and Christa came down as well, and I was glad, because Dylan LOVES Keith.  Seriously.  He asks for him regularly.  Keith is just as rough and tumble as the Tank, so they're a good match for each other.  

Dylan very much enjoyed the cake and chips.  I had to make a Porterville run in the morning, so I left Dylan here with Daddy and took the girls with me.  Apparently, Doug came downstairs at one point to check on Dylan who was running/dancing all over the living room, obviously very pleased with himself.  When Doug asked him what he was doing, he happily exclaimed: "I ate it! I ate it!"  Note the photo of his cake below.  He LOVES anything that flies, so I made him a very crude airplane.  His two gifts from us were an Iron Man action figure (we just had to replace his beloved but long lost Burger King toy) and Kung Fu Panda, so he's spent the last two days alternating between flying Iron Man around, doing a little high-skill Kung Fu, and driving the little remote control train from Zoran and Azia-Rain.  It was a very good birthday.

This is Doug's favorite picture from the whole day.  He's very proud of having taken it.

Isn't Alexa a pretty little girl?  I guess you can't see her face very well in this pic--but take my word for it, she's a doll!

Keith helped Dylan check out all his presents.  You know, make sure they were working OK.  2 year olds are generous like that.

Yaya got Dylan some cool binoculars.  Another one of his many mini-obsessions.  He loves binoculars and magnifying glasses.

Mimi got him this soccer ball, which was convenient since two nights previous he had turned to Doug out of the blue and said, "Daddy, I want a soccer ball"

Annie, Keilana and Dylan take in some Kung Fu action and Sun Chips while the grown ups were over at McDermont taking the requisite you're-at-our-house-you've-got-to-go-over-and-see-it tour.

I love that he lunges when he sword fights.  Cracks me up!

Growing Babies

Dylan turned 3 yesterday.  Can't hardly believe it!  Anyway, I'll write more about that after his party on Saturday, too tired to get blogging right now, so just a quick update.

Took Kylie Bear to her 2 month check up today.  She is 23.5 inches long and weighs 14 pounds even (this time, Daddy guessed it exactly right).  While I love that she's easy to hold on to and find her chubs extremely endearing, it is also rather annoying.  I went and bought her several more 3-6 month items because I was tired of trying to stretch 0-3's over here, and it has become quite apparent that the 3-6s are not going to last until June. Ha. Not even close.  Grrrr!!  Anyway, she was awesome.  For some inexplicable reason, she cried at Dr. Resa.  Both of my other kids love him, and he adores little babies.  He has mentioned several times that he would like to take Kylie home with him. Maybe she thought he was serious, because my normally very low-key and contented baby cried every time he tried to talk to her today.  Fortunately, she handled her shots really well.  She cried (that little, wimpy baby cry--not that heartbreaking shriek/howl thing) when she was actually getting stuck each time, and then let out one biggish (though still pretty wimpy) squeal on the last one (I think at that point she was just mad that it kept happening over and over).  Then I picked her up, she stopped crying and that was the end of it.  And after 5 shots and one oral vaccine, she was still smiley and cooing at me:

(Forgive the picture quality, I snapped this with my phone).

Daily Dose

Valentine's Day

Daddy spent Saturday snowshoeing up at Wolverton, so the kids and I spent the day making cookies.  Sugar cookies are one of Keilana's absolutely most favorite things to do.

The flowers Doug got me for Valentine's Day.

While I was doing some pre-cookie dishes, Dylan decided to color himself with a Sharpie.

Keilana enjoyed actually frosting the cookies.  Dylan enjoyed adding extra food coloring and eating the frosting.

Dylan was set to work on a block task while Keilana was put in charge of sprinkles.  I only need so many tiny sugar crystals all over my kitchen floor, after all.

The very proud cookie maker with her finished product.