Game Night Quotes

"Thank God it's not a math game..."

"SPOONS!!!!"

"Boomerang"

"Hmmm, hmm, hmm..." "Based on that, I'd say Indiana Jones?"

"Hurry" "Curry!" "YOU CAN'T DO THAT!!!"


Thanks for the laughs everyone!

"Boring" Christianity

That Dude leaves for work around 5:30 in the morning. Usually I wake up just enough to groggily kiss him goodbye. Then, sometime between 5:30 and 6 ChocolateChip will let me know that it's time for some more "Mama Milk". Usually this is when I pull out my laptop and catch up on blogs/facebook/twitter/whatever project I've dreamed up and *needs* researching. This morning I was reading a post (click here to read the whole post) by Pete Wilson of Crosspoint Church in Tennessee which prompted me to comment the following:

Until very recently I defined myself through others' eyes (ok, who am I kidding, God is still working on this in me). Lately though, I've had an opportunity to understand some of the "boring" things that God has called me to do, like be a good mom/wife/daughter/sister/friend. And if I'm going to be completely honest, when I look at that list alone, I feel like I need a nap without ever flying off to some exotic place without bathrooms and limited electricity. It's not that there is anything WRONG with doing missions work. I would love to bring the message of Jesus to the nations someday. It's just that right here and now I'm specifically coming to terms with the reality that while some of my friends are going to South America on what seems like a quarterly basis, there is nothing wrong (and everything right) with me staying home and taking care of my little one.

Right now, I'm reminded that sometimes, especially when trying to fill some of the mentioned roles, I forget that one of my favorite scriptures is Colossians 3:23-24 "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ." How easy it is to be annoyed when my husband tells me that the baby needs a diaper change instead of doing it himself, or to feel unfulfilled when friends are posting pics from the latest church missions trip and I'm at home nursing my little one (on a side note, this is one reason that it's important to surround yourself with people in a similar place in life as you, but that's a post for another time.)

This really was the perfect way to begin my day. It has changed my entire perspective about our playdate this afternoon and my role as a mom and a nanny. I'm off to save the world (or maybe to change a diaper). Have a happy Tuesday!

Two teeth...

I just need to post to remind myself forever that I once had a baby boy with only two teeth (he's had only the bottom two for months now!) I just peeked in his mouth and noticed that he has FOUR white spots in his gums on the top!!

My baby is growing too quickly!

FICTION: Stay at Home Moms Have it Easy

Having been on both ends of this spectrum (well, kinda, since I'm technically NOT a stay at home mom since I do work as a nanny during the day) I must say that being "at home" with Chocolate Chip doesn't always make my life easier than it was for the few months that I went back to work after my maternity leave.

A few things that I thought would be easier (or didn't think about at all):

-I don't necessarily save money on breakfast and lunch since I'm so busy with the kids and sometimes I end up just running out and buying something, whereas when I worked in the office, I was MUCH better about making sure I'd bring lunch to work with me.



-There isn't "plenty" of time to clean up, especially since Chocolate Chip has now decided that the most interesting toys/books/etc are those that Mama has JUST put away on the shelf! Also, since I nanny until 7pm (or 7:30... or 8...) I barely have any time at all to clean at my house!

-Spending all day every day with Chocolate Chip really can wear me down, especially now that he requires SO MUCH attention as his curiosity has him doing things like climbing and putting rocks in his mouth...

-Money doesn't balance out just because I'm home and am able to cut certain things out of the budget. Somebody should have warned me about this, but I REALLY didn't cut out as much as I expected!

Would I make the same decision knowing all that I know? Absolutely! But I definitely see things differently now that I'm in this boat!

Getting to Know Puck

Chocolate Chip has gone from climbing on top of me and crying when he sees cats, to venturing out to actually touch one by himself!

I still think this particular cat is pretty gross, but at least my little man isn't afraid anymore!

9 months old

Things I want to remember:

-You still have only 2 teeth (and think biting Mama is an olympic event!)
-You touched the cat!
-You will (sometimes) play "mimi" (sleep)
-You have a sign for "up" and use it regularly!
-You love to eat Club Crackers
-You are very social, but usually want Mama to hold you
-You are suddenly able to "run away" (crawl)
-You LOVE Papi (my grandfather) and quite enjoyed his nightly visits
-You still love Mama Milk!