Life on our corner

Let me start by saying that some of these stories I am not particularly proud of, but Jordan said "You need to blog these so we don't forget them. We were reading a story the other day with two personified bears.  Ahhh...a sweet moment with mommy and kids when Audrey interrupted "I don't like that one.  She doesn't look very pretty."  I paused the story to explain to her that man looks on the outside, but God looks at our hearts.  We discussed different characteristics that we should have to be truly beautiful.  Lesson taught, resume story. The bears play dress up with grandma's old clothes.  "See NOW she is pretty!"  Lesson taught, but not learned. "Mom, why don't you work hard like...?" then she named two of our neighbors.  Take a deep breath and remain composed.  Several questions from me later revealed that she was not referring to my laziness but was specifically referring to working in a flower garden.  I assured her ...

Camping story is to come after I get the pictures loaded onto the computer, but first a few little things that I wanted to get written down so that when Audrey has a daughter and is embarrassed of the things that she says I will have something to show her. My sister came to visit.  She was no more than out of the van when  Audrey looked her up and down and asked "Why aren't you wearing pretty shoes today?" Later that day we met the son of a neighbor.  He had a little more of a "New York" to him than the farmer or engineer crowd that we tend to hang with.  Audrey noticed this and said to him " I have never seen a guy that looks like you before."  Thankfully he rolled with that one nicely, made  a funny face and said "You mean like this?" Last week I wore a brown shirt to church.   As we were getting out of the van Audrey said "I like your shirt mom."  I should have said "Thank You!"  But her complement took me off gua...

When I was in Jr High my mom found this really funny article by Erma Bombeck about treating kids and friends the same.  I actually have been writing down some of  the crazy things that I say during the day.  Here is a sample.. "Who put put their fingers in the butter?  Stop eating butter!" "Put down the bat and stop hitting your bother like a pinata." "Put the stick down and stop hitting the van. " "Stop hugging her so tight,  I think her head is going to pop off." "Whoa, that was a lot of raisins. Would you like a banana?" "Yes, Honey, I am sorry."  (The question was "Mommy did you fall asleep sitting there while I was talking to you again?") "Sit down please...sit on your bottom...Honey, where is your bottom? Please sit on it!" Reading the list made me smile, and I just had to dig up the old Bombeck article.  Here's to you Mom! Erma Bombeck: On TV the other day, a leading child psychologis...

Here are a few sound bites from our world this week.  You pick your favorite. We had our energy audit this week to see where we can save on heating before the winter.  The man had to run back to his SUV to get a ladder to check the attic.  When he came back the kids were lined up as if they had never seen a ladder before.  He walked in asked "So are you guys trying to keep up with the Duggers or what?"  Yes, we are only 15 behind them, but give us 10 years and we should be close! As I often do if I have to leave the floor that the kids are on I tell Jonah "I am going to switch the laundry.  Can you keep an eye on Reuben and Audrey for me?"  He likes the power, but I didn't realize how much until this week when I heard him say very seriously to his sister "Did you hear that Audrey?   I am the boss...me, the mayor and the president."  He thinks pretty highly of his position as older brother! We had a picnic at the airport with f...

My two favorite quotes of the night: Sniff...sniff...sniff..."Mommy, can you remember why I am crying?"  Audrey if you can't even remember what you are crying about this time maybe you can stop! "Mommy!"   "Mommy!"  "Mooommmy!"  I got into her room and she smiles, "Mommy aren't I doing a good job of laying in my bed quietly?"  Yes, Audrey until you started yelling for me at the top of your lungs and even though you have gotten out of bed twice to check on me, you were doing great at being quiet.

It happened to me during pregnancy two and three so I am not surprised that it has happened during the fourth as well!  I get a little sentimental about my babies growing up and not being babies anymore.  There were more than a few extra kisses, hugs and "I love you"s this week.  If I keep laying the sugar on this thick until the baby comes I think that the kids are going to be sick!  I have always liked putting my babies to bed.  We have a sweet little routine, and this week I rocked and rocked Reuben.  We both loved it.  I am however trying to make him walk and hold my hand a little more often.  The bigger each of us gets the harder it is getting for me to carry him.  Not only is it getting a little awkward, but it is getting a little painful too!  I babysat a two month old this week, and it made me glad that I four months before baby.  I look back four months at how much more he can do and say and it makes me a little less ...

Just a few things I wanted to get written down before I forget them.  Audrey has made me laugh more than a few times lately!  She always says what is on her mind! We needed to go to Menard's this week. Prior to our departure Jordan went around and around with her about her footwear.  She wanted flip flops; he wanted her Nike sandals.  Jordan won.  He was getting her out of her car seat and said, "Come here, Pretty."  She pouted, "I am not pretty; I am wearing Nikes!"  She is so dramatic! This morning Audrey greeted me as I was getting out of the shower.  I went to my closet to get dressed and she asked, "Mommy, can you please wear something pretty today?"  Apparently she does not like my current maternity attire of mesh shorts and t-shirts! I have found that one way to get things done on a day when naps seem to be running short is to offer an ultimatum: Clean the toy room or go back to bed.  Audrey opted to clean wit...

Jonah was sitting at the table yesterday and said "Mom, I was thinkin' 'bout somethin'.  I want a girlfriend." "What?" "I want a girlfriend? "How about I just be your girlfriend?" "No, I want a little one." "Where did you hear about girlfriends" "Gramma let me borrow her DVD when I had my tonsils out and that boy had a little girlfriend.  I want one." I cannot think of what he watched or what might have reminded him about this concept. Audrey was running ahead on our walk yesterday "Look mom!  I can run fast and I don't even have things in my ears!"  I assume this means earbuds that would connect to her ipod!

I was trying to explain the importance of keeping our hands out of our mouth while in line at Sam's Club this week.  "Our hands have germs, and germs will make you very sick!"  (Yuck, can you imagine the germs on their hands after shopping at Sam's!)  Audrey got very serious and said, "Did Grandpa Brouwer put his hands in his mouth?" Audrey always watches me put my make up.  She finds it fascinating.  The other day she asked my mom "Do you have an eyeball brush?"  (mascara)

Jonah loves "Little Critter" books and was "reading" them to his brother and sister this morning. He was in the middle of I'm Sorry. Each time he would say what Little Critter did wrong and say "I'm sorry," and Audrey kept replying "I forgive you." Jonah rolled his eyes at her and said, "No, in this book we don't have to forgive!" :)

Clifford the Big Red Dog was at the library the other day. Dan Wardell, the host of our public television station was there too and read books to the kids about Clifford. At the end of the story time all the kids got a chance to meet Clifford. We got in line with the rest of the herd but were to in the back half. It was Dan Wardell's job to walk up and down the line to do a little PR making the wait go more quickly for the kids and to maintain a little order. Mr. Wardell was talking to the kids a few families in front of us and when Audrey interrupted, "Dan Wardell! Those kids aren't taking turns!" Dan Wardell smiled and said that they were and she would get her turn soon. "I can see that you are a rule follower." He looked at me and then told her "That's good because the middle child has to make sure things are in order." I agreed and said that we really think that she has a great career ahead of her in law enforcement. Dan Wardell talked to h...

The last two mornings Jonah has asked me "Is Jesus coming back for us today? Tomorrow?" I do my best to explain that we don't know when He is coming back while not squelching his excitement and anticipation. I am in awe (and a bit humbled) at how real it is to him. I wish I could bottle up that simple faith for him for when he gets older. Amazing...