Weekend at Arrowhead Manor

What a weekend! We started off on Friday morning and headed to Denver. We were planning a quick stop at Wendy's for lunch....but went past a Red Robin and couldn't resist! We had their specials for 5.99...awesome. And we got stuffed by topping it off sharing a Rookie Magic milkshake. I'm drooling with the memory! Next we did some Christmas shopping, and we were both pleased with the outcome. A quick stop at Sonic for a tasty drink and we headed up the mountain a bit to our bed and breakfast, Arrowhead Manor. We stayed for two nights. We watched movies using the TV and surround sound setup in our room. The Manor had free movie rentals and free popcorn! Our room also had a private jacuzzi tub and massage bed! After a relaxing night, we headed down to the great room for a delicious breakfast (Crunchy french toast, omelet, potatoes, fresh fruit, pastries, juice). After breakfast we headed out to see the nearby town of Conifer, and then went for a hike. It was a beautiful day. We ate lunch in our room followed by football and a nap. Then headed into Denver (only about 15 minutes away)...did a bit more shopping, hit a matinee movie, and topped it off with dinner at Applebees. Turns out the Applesbees cooks were struggling big time...we were within earshot of about 4-5 tables who ended up getting something for free! We could have as my meal was brought out wrong, twice. I ended up just putting it in a box and taking it with us...which was okay since we all know its better to eat S-L-O-W-L-Y when you are pregnant! Ha! After dinner we tried to walk it off by shopping at Babies-R-Us for two "coming home" outfits, one boy, one girl. It was fun to pick them out together and anticipate our little one. We had another relaxing evening followed by another mouthwatering breakfast (bacon, eggs, potatoes, country fried steak and gravy, fresh fruit, muffins...yum!). The weekend was a wonderful time to hang out together...something we haven't been able to do in a long time! An added bonus...I never threw up and felt pretty decent all weekend! :)

Green beans anyone?

So its 9:30 in the morning and Brady just said, "Mom, when can I eat some green beans!"
Uh, excuse me?
"Moooom, I need some green beans so I can get strong!"

Well, I happened to have some leftover beans in the fridge, but my first response was, "No way, thats gross. Its breakfast time."
That didn't fly with him, he was set on eating green beans.
My second thought went something like this....
"Casey, are you nuts? Your son just asked to eat green beans and you said No? What are you thinking! (besides being overwhelmed at the churning in my stomach with the very thought of eating green beans at 9:30 in the morning) Okay, okay, maybe I should reconsider."
So, I got out the beans and warmed them up. Now my son is happily eating his green beans and is thrilled at the thought of how strong he is going to be!
Sometimes you just can't go by the book.

17 weeks!

I'm now 17 weeks into my pregnancy! I just had an appointment yesterday which turned out uneventful! I like those! The baby's heartbeat was strong...I'm still dehydrated (which was no surprise to me)...but otherwise doing well. I've started to regain some weight. I still get sick, but am finally able to keep down food, so this is good! I'm definitely feeling the baby move around and I love that! Yesterday was really the first day I felt like I was being stretched...it always seems like these things happen in one day, and then nothing for awhile. Well, yesterday I think the baby tried to grow a couple inches in one day...just my opinion though :) I really should post a baby bump picture but I have yet to take a shower and get dressed...oh well.

Yesterday after my appointment we went to the Denver Zoo. My mom and dad and the boys were with me and we had a great time. The weather couldn't have been better...sunny and about 70! It seemed as though every animal we saw was posing for us and putting on a show. It was one of the best zoo experiences I've had! (I'm not a big animal fan...especially smell wise!) One polar bear in particular stood up on a rock, faced the audience and did all kinds of silly things. It reminded me of Alex the Lion on Madagascar. It was funny. Of course my mom and I BOTH left our cameras in the car. Oh well (again). It did take us about a half hour to find a parking place, but once we were in the zoo the crowds weren't bad. All in all it was a good day...minus the fact that the boys were exhausted by 3:30 (no naps) and Brady had a melt down. To be expected I suppose. It was a lot of exercise for me which was good...but today I just feel like curling up with a movie...do you think the boys will feel the same? Ha!

Sinking In and Bubbling Up!

So, how often do moms feel like they are beating their heads against the wall...I mean...you are trying to teach your kids a lesson, or a virtue, and it just isn't sinking in? Well, I feel like that often...although I've realized its not something they are going to get perfect the first time and I never have to revisit the issue. Ha! I wish. Instead, I've found these things S-L-O-W-L-Y sink in over time...often much more time than I had hoped. Lately I've been encouraged by a few virtues that must be sinking in...because every so often they come bubbling to the surface.

Example #1
This week we went to church on Saturday night. After the service I went to pick up the boys from their classroom. As we were standing in the hall, Brady and Luke's teacher had picked up a baby swing and was attempting to move it. Well, next thing I know, without a word, BOTH boys each grabbed a leg of the swing and helped her pick it up. They led her out, around the corner, down the hall, through many people, down to the baby nursery and helped her set it down. I watched in awe...and yes, a bit of shock! MY boys....my sweet boys, saw a need and were determined to help...without being asked! As I reflect on that moment, I can see the fruits of many lessons I've tried to teach bubbling to the surface.

Example #2
Saturday morning I felt a bit better, and the sun was shining, so I took the boys to watch Andy's football game. We sat in the bleachers and the boys quickly found two little girls to play with. The 4 kids made a game out of running all the way across the bleachers, from one rail/fence to the other. I told Brady to be careful and not lean on the fence...it didn't seem especially safe, and I didn't want them to slip through and fall to the ground. Well, they played for awhile, and I noticed that Brady was slowing up to stay near the littlest girl. He looked at me and said, "Mom, I'm just going to stay by her and make sure she doesn't fall and get hurt. That way you can just watch the football and you don't have to worry about us."
!!!! I'm thinking, "What did he just say? Was that for real? He is showing concern for someone else, caring for a little girl, caring for me, thinking about me and knowing I want to watch the game?" I managed to pull myself together just in time to thank my son for being so kind before they continued on in their play.

Now, lest you think I simply have shining stars for children, I'm sure you can guess that I could write a whole book about my parenting frustrations. However, isn't it better to dwell on those special moments when all your/my hard work comes to fruition...even if just for a moment? I hope this encourages you parents as it has me. If we keep at it, and look carefully, those lessons we are trying to make sink in...okay sometimes pound in...will eventually come bubbling back up to the top! Here's to more bubbling!