Stories for My Mommy Memory

The other day we went to fill up the van with gas and I just had the little kids. They know when you fill a vehicle up with gas you must have the engine off otherwise things could be really bad.  Well, Ross seemed nervous about the van being off and I assured him it was off and he relaxed then Carson said "well any way we'd go to heaven" (this has been discussed before by older kids). Then Ross said "That's true but then we'd be on the news and I don't want to be on the news." If you know Ross it makes it more funny. Ross does NOT like his mistakes to be known. So if we were all to die by mistakingly leaving the engine running and then the mistake was announced to the world that would be embarassing!


Last week Ross brought Jedidiah up from downstairs to show me what Jedidiah could do. I watched as Jedidiah handed a toy to Ross. I just sat there thinking o.k. . . . Ross piped up completely thrilled "He can share!" He also told me Jedidiah usually takes it back 5-10 seconds later but never the less he was as proud as punch that his brother had the ability to share that long. I just love it!!!

Last week I said how odd it would be to have Daddy, Gabriel, and Annalina out of the house and wondered how it would be. Gabriel piped up and said "You won't have time to think about it . . ." Does he understand my life or what! :-) Pretty funny! The kids and I had a great time and it took me back to when I only had little ones. Little kids are busy but simple in that they have no agenda or place to be. We played wiffle ball and had a grand time!

Just Funny!

Ross was doing his week day reading to me and as usual I was getting on him for expression. I've told him he is good about reading the words but going from a good reader to a great reader means learning how to be expressive. WELLL, Ross doesn't like goofy and to him expression = drama and he does NOT like drama. His grandma is on his side there. I really do press him in his expression in reading.

Anyway, after he read to me today Annalina was talking to Ross and I was standing there listening. She was telling him that once you learn how to read (which he knows how to read) it is really fun and that if she has a book she really loves that reading is one of her favorite hobbies. Ross always one to give me a good natured bad time said "Unless you have Mommy saying to you 'Put more expression into it!'" And continued to rib me about the hard time I give him. :-) That's my Rossers. I just love him.

Just Tid Bits for my Memories

Just tid bits of memories for me to put down:

Ross and Carson: Can't remember if I already put this down but just in case I haven't . . . Ross and Carson were playing indians. I heard Carson say "I'm scared" then Ross "Indians are never scared . . . then get out of the tribe." Carson again "I'm a scared indian". HILARIOUS!!!

Carson: I had just finished reading a book to Carson and he said "Mommy, I like you." I think so far Carson is the kid that enjoys books read to him the most at this age.

Carson: I mentioned in his birthday blog entry he is maturing here is a for instance. It other day we was being naughty and crying about nothing big. Something we really work on with him. Anyway, all on his own he came to me and said "I'm sorry Mommy." I talked to him about praying and saying I'm sorry to Jesus and he asked me to pray with him and sit on his bed.

Carson: Can't remember the whole story here but I wrote down something cute Carson said. I believe they were putting things in water and seeing what happens. We have an aircraft carrier not made for water play but they put that in. Carson said "The aircraft carrier floated and I was perplex and I thought, WOW!

Carson: I short time ago I worked with Carson on writing his name. After he wrote it for the first time I encouraged him to go and show Gabriel and Annalina. As he was walking down the stairs I heard him holding the paper in both hands in front of him and saying "I did a GREAT job!"

Carson: Carson was playing army/soldier whatever with Ross and I heard him say in a firm army voice "Sir, I love you" to Ross. Pretty cute.

Carson: Carson was in a bad way one night and hurt his mouth. He was overly tired. He asked me to lay down with him awhile when he went down for bed that night. As we are laying there he says "it's (his mouth) is going to hurt in the morning, and at night, and spring and forever." Gabriel walked in as he was saying this and made some comment as to the drastic comment. Then things settled and he was quiet and just before laying down I had eaten some boiled eggs . . . all of a sudden I hear Carson say "Your breath smells violent." I thought that was pretty funny. It probably did smell a bit funky! He was trying to say Ross's favorite word for gross "vile."

Gabriel: He changed the order in which he did devotions and leisure reading because he read about needing to focus on God's words over men's words.

Gabriel: The older kids ask me questions about if you could do this or that what would you do. Like maybe where would you go in the world, etc. It is often hard for me to answer because my focus in life has really changed and I don't dream the same way I did when I was young. I have a different focus and that is my children.

One day one of my dreams came to me and I told Gabriel I remembered that I had really wanted to go to the Netherlands during the spring and see the tulips. I believe it was days later and he came to me and said that when Daddy and I are old he is going to send send us tickets in the mail to go see the tulips. What a sweet kiddo. Love him. I want him to come too because I know he would love it as much as me if not more.

Gabriel: We were somewhere where there was a fence and I had been there before and didn't think there was away around the wood fence. I was contemplating how to get under it as last time I was there I wasn't the size I am now. I was very aware of some one sitting in a car faced toward us in the parking lot and made a remark about people laughing. Gabriel said "I don't care if people laugh I just want you to be safe." That is my Gabers. Another way around was found by Ross. My protectors.

Gabriel: Gabriel and I went on a Mommy/Son date a few Saturdays back. The same evening Daddy took Annalina to a fancy steak dinner at The Famous in downtown Colorado Springs. Anyway, Gabriel and I went to a dive in Woodland Park for breakfast. When we got inside the restaraunt we went to a booth and does Gabriel sit across from me? NO, he sits right next to me on the same side. We had a great time and he was telling me he wished we could do that more. We'll have to try! I love my kids and I am thankful with all my flaws they love me. It warms my heart in a BIG way.

Ross Wins Bronze Medal

Today Ross won the bronze medal at the West Side Classic Wrestling Tournament! We are so thankful he enjoys wrestling and excells at it!! No videos today. I forgot to put the camera in! Oh well, Good job Rossers!!!!! Keep up the hard work and good attitude!!!

Auntie Flo was hoping to watch him wrestle but as we left the ladies tea at our church and started driving we found out the tournament was done! Hopefully another time!

Ross Climbing Update

My friend Florence is here visiting us this week. The kids have been having a great time playing games with her and for me it is nice to catch up on her life. I will post more when I get some pictures downloaded. We had a pretty big snow storm after she came!!

Today we went to pick Ross up from class and the teacher came over to talk to me. I can't even remember the words she used to describe his climbing but basically impressive. She said she has never seen a child climb like him and she said she gets excited. She told me some of the things they look for in people that may become good climbers and he has them. She offered to spend more time teaching him. We found out he is now climbing at an adult intermediate level and told us in his hour long class he did 10 climbs!! We found out were she trains herself which I believe is closer to the house which would be nice.

The most important thing is he LOVES climbing and has a blast and that is great for him. The teacher was telling me about the credentials of the guy that fills in for her when she is gone. He instructs the military I guess in climbing and things and when he taught Ross he also was positive as to Ross's ability.

Finding Ross

 Ross has struggled in school and in reading. He is a very passionate kid and that can be a really good thing or a really bad thing. I think it was back in January we decided to put him in rock climbing not knowing the effect it would have on him. 

We found out Ross is gifted in climbing which shouldn't have been surprising since he can scale the door frames and fireplace. He quickly became a teacher's pet BIG TIME. Last Friday Babe went to pick him up and the teacher said "I can't say enough good about Ross." He is climbing at such a level, etc. She loves his politeness. She was amazed when early on she took him off the self-bilay and he did EXCELLENT. She said a lot of kids can't climb off the self-bilay because of the force that helps them up. Ross though climbed. She says he stops to think about his next move. The two of them get a long extremely well and Ross has continued to improve. Little did we know a long with excelling with rock climbing would come excelling in academics! His reading shot off and he is doing EXCELLENT now. He just needed to find his talent and his thing and leave the shadow of his older brother and sister. Then as I have blogged about already he started wresting and LOVES that and again is talented in it. Ross has prayed and thanked God he gets to climb. The other day he went through many of the days of the week and said he wished he could climb all those days. We have found Ross and it has been good to the heart to see.

The below pictures were taken when he was just starting out and a newbie at he whole thing.

Ahhh, the fun of coming down!

Our Biggest News

I mentioned it briefly in the last post but in January I found out I was pregnant. I have been journaling my pregnancy in a post I have just kept unposted for now as I continue to add to it. It has been a typical pregnancy in that I have been really sick but the pregnancy became not so routine a few weeks back when I started bleeding and went to the ER to find out I was pregnant with twins!

They are adorable! I've been able to see them a number of times and they both have a very distinct personality. Baby A is a girl (mild mannered) and Baby B (CRAZY, show off and maybe a bit ornery) they think is a girl but not for positive yet. I was THRILLED to find out we were having another girl and I'll be thrilled no matter what Baby B is. My mommy intuition said A was a girl and B a boy before the ultrasound and one was right so we'll see how it all turns out!

Fatigue has been extreme this time around. Today I fell asleep on the floor while Ross was doing his math test next to me! I woke up to me making a snoring sound and Ross started laughing telling me he told me to Oink like a pig and I did. That is my Rossers!

Yesterday I read a break down of the Proverbs 31 woman in a book I just started Large Family Logistics and today I was exhausted and like you got to be kidding me!! Jedidiah has been really fussy. I think his top front teeth are getting ready to appear. A lot easier to deal with when you can just pick him up but I can't due to restrictions put on me by my doctor. Thankfully I have children willing and able but each time I ask the 4th grader it is another opportunity for her to lose focus for the next however many minutes. I think I spent over an hour today giving a first grader a spelling test, etc. Then a pink envelope came to my hands from my daughter and inside a thank you card.

Dear Mommy,
Your the Best! Thank you for taking care of me. Thank you for you. 
Love,
Annalina

That's my Annalina. Last night she told me "No one could replace you." This from a girl whose Mommy is a bit emotional at times these days and was annoyed the other day over how she was licking an envelope! She was allowing the spit to stack up and then smear it on! Nice job on my part being patient, long suffering, gentle, kind, etc., huh?! Reminds me of that prayer where they tell God all the things they haven't done that day and then say and now I'm about ready to get out of bed! Ha, to funny! I'm human. My kids know I'm human and they know I know I'm human. I often think this is part of why we have good relationships. I'm sorry is something Mommy says too.

Thankfully I know the hormones will dye down. My energy level will come up and Lord willing I'll have 2 beautiful babies to love on. It's all good and it's all worth it!



OK, a funny story from yesterday. I called Gabriel upstairs for a special mid-morning snack someone gave to us. Gabriel came upstairs and looked upset about something. I asked him what was wrong? "I've been getting distracted." Gabriel usually does well staying focused. I said "How did you get distracted in your school room?" He really looked upset (no joking). "If only I weren't in a library." I started laughing and laughing. I said if your grandpa and Daddy were here they would sympathize with you! He had been pulling a book or books off the shelf to read during his school time and knew it was not the right use of time and was disgusted with himself. Pretty funny. As Babe said when I told him the story and he also thought it hilarious was that if it was Annalina it would be paper clips and erasers that would distract her. Another difference to though is she wouldn't let it bother her as much as it did Gabriel unfortunately! :-) They are all different so different.

Today I heard Carson say to Annalina "I love you". Annalina said "I love you to Carson". About 5 minutes later I heard Carson say to Annalina "I like to play with you Anna." Annalina said "I like to play with you to Carson." Annalina walked over to me and said "Carson and I have a special relationship." I already knew that and had just told my mom that a day or so ago! They don't cross each other much and adore each other. Annalina has come to me and said how much she gets a kick out of Carson. Homeschooling isn't always easy but it sure has it's rewards. She has at times given him an extra copy of her math homework page so he can do "math" too.

Carson got hurt yesterday and I offered to kiss his owiee. I wish I could remember what he said! It was ADORABLE but after I kissed him everything was better. Wonder how long my super mommy healing power will last.

I'm Addicted . . .

Addicted to being a wrestling mommy. On Saturday Gabriel and Ross had their first wrestling tournament. The Gold Rush Tournament. As you can see in the videos Ross didn't even have the right gear yet except for the wrestling shoes. It was obvious the boys were newbies.  They have only had weeks of practice. They were nervous which was understandable. After walking into the tournament it was WAY bigger than I had imagined little kids wrestling would be!

I am having trouble getting pictures up on my blog but can get video up so here is Ross wrestling. I got pictures of Gabriel. Hopefully next tournament I can get some up of him. Although, this was the last tournament of this type for the season. Through the summer the boys will be working on Freestyle and Grecco Roman wrestling which is different. Grecco Roman (I believe) you can't use your legs.

The boys main coach is Sieracki (I think that is how it is spelled). It is an honor for the boys to be taught under him as he and his brother are well known names in the wrestling world. Both are 10 time Department of Defense Champions. Next week there is no practice because it's spring break and their coach goes to Washington State to put on a wrestling camp.

 The coach REALLY enjoys having all three boys. He keeps bugging Babe about having the boys here for high school because he told Babe he wants a strong team to take state and obviously thinks they have what it takes. At practice last night he asked again when Brian thought we'd be back to Colorado. He's SERIOUS and Babe says the coach openly hopes one of the twins is a boy (we already know one is a girl). Which we are THRILLED about! There needs to be girls to cheer them on!

The brother of the coach was filling in for him at the tournament Saturday was shocked by Ross. After the first match the coaches brother took Ross and showed him the Half Nelson on Brian. The next match was the one above where he won again. He used the move he had JUST learned over and over again! Fast learner. The coaches brother turned to Brian during one of the matches and said "you have to be kidding me?" The head coach had told Babe Ross was a natural athlete and later he said to Brian "didn't I tell you?"

 I only video'd 2 matches.  In the video you can tell Ross doesn't understand everything that was going on. He keeps looking over for advice on what to do next otherwise with more experience he would have had the one kid pinned. The first video they stopped the match because the score was 19 to 2 and I guess Ross won on a technical fall? because he was so far ahead. The next match was the gold/silver match and obviously Ross lost to being pinned. Earlier a kid in the tournament came up to Ross and told him he hoped he won which was nice. Ross didn't even know why they were lifting up his hand and would come off the mat and ask who won. Pretty funny. He took winning and losing really well.

Ross won the silver in his FIRST tournament! After the tournament he went and handed it to Gabriel because he wanted Gabriel to have it. Gabriel VERY KINDLY said "you earned that Ross you need to keep it . . . your uncles are going to want to see it." That statement really gets me. Gabriel knows wrestling was a big deal for his uncles. Ross was crushed Gabriel wouldn't take it. When we got home Babe and I talked to Ross and said both boys had done the right thing. Ross was being EXTREMELY generous with his brother and Gabriel was an older brother that understood the value of doing his own work. Ross understood after that. Almost always when Ross prays he thanks God for wrestling and sometimes rock climbing (have yet to post about that). I also want to post the influence of especially rock climbing on his academics.

Gabriel although he lost his matches did a good job. If he was not a strong boy it would have been a different story. These kids had wrestled for years. He also has the potential along with Ross to be a very good wrestler. It is going to take time and lots of practice. One of the kids that beat him had a mohawk and was quite intimidating in his looks but came to one of Gabriel's later matches to cheer him on which was really nice.

Carson is also in wrestling but is not ready for tournaments. We don't think he understands the point yet. There is no rush. Babe takes ALL the boys to wrestling practice and Babe told me that last night when the boys were doing push ups Jedidiah put his hands on the mat with his butt up in the air. One of the wrestling parents got a kick out of that. Jedidiah was terrified the first few matches on Saturday. Daddy and Mommy were yelling and yelling and one of his brothers was fighting with someone! Finally, he realized all seemed well with us and was ok with it.

 The wrestling world people are SOOOO nice and casual. Very different atmosphere than the ballet moms in Monterey! I am not around the wrestling people as much as Babe is but the contact I did have with them was positive. Babe really enjoys the time he spends with the boys and the people which is great. Wrestling is a mid-western thing.

Here is a note from my mother-in-law concerning the videos. She was a wrestling mom when Babe and his brothers were growing up and she understands the intenseness of a match!

Wow, that sure brings back memories!  Abigail, you sounded just like me when I would be cheering on our boys.  I would be very nervous before a meet....I'm sure I was more anxious than the boys ever were.   During the matches, I felt like I was pushing out the wall behind me while cheering them on!  I'd be squirming and yelling.  Thanks so much.  That was great.  Keep them coming.  Love it!!

Love,

Ma Lysne

Lysne Craft Projects--Yep, my blog is NOT a craft blog!:-)

 Annalina likes to sew on her sewing machine and she decided to make me a bedtime hat. It was

a bit small but fit Jedidiah GREAT! She eventually did make one that fit me and Gabriel said "Daddy is going to get a good laugh when he goes to bed tonight!"

 What a cute little model he makes!
Annalina got fabric from Auntie Theo for her birthday and
she has put it to use!

 Ross made me this very creative craft. He LOVES

cardboard! LOVES cardboard! This sits on my nightstand.

 While the guys were on one of their hunting trips Annalina and

sat down and messed around with scrapbooking supplies I had given her.

She made me a really sweet card and I made . . .

 a Christmas card for our piano teacher and her husband. Don't laugh!

I bet they don't get another one like it!!

Funny Boys and other Brag stories

Today Carson said to me "I have a phobia of spiders."-- What a kiddo.

Carson was calling me "Nightmare" the other day not out of meaness just he is silly. It was funny and I got a kick out of it. Being the mother of boys is never dull.


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Also today, I was in a room and I heard Carson say to Ross "Sir (when they are in imaginary worlds they speak military) anyway, "Sir, you are going to die if you do that." Ross replied "I am a dare devil." At this point I figured I better go and see what was going on . . . good thing I did. Ross was going to put himself down the stairs in a tall very narrow box. He has done this before in a taller box and shot down like a bullet but there was a BIG difference this time only his body up to his neck was in the box with his head sticking out!!! It would have been really bad to go down with the head thumping down behind and his hands stuck in the box since it was narrow.  And we only have one more chiropractic appt. from another thing Ross did and had to be "fixed". We don't need another round. Didn't think I'd ever say this but thankful Carson was cautious and had foresight to realize it was indeed a bad idea! WOW, that sounds weird . . . Carson CAUTIOUS and FORESIGHT not two words I would have put with him.

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Lots of Thankfulness for my Kiddos

I've known for awhile now that Annalina is not typical there's something different about her (I probably figured that out when she was in kindergarten) and if you spend much time around her you see it. 

I've had it spoken to me before about how unique Annalina is but recently I've gotten more comments confirming my thoughts. One lady down in town said "She is so different from other children! She is a joy!" (I knew this lady doesn't care for kids but I bring them near her anyway!:-) She needs to see that Jesus makes people different . . . not perfect but different. I brought the boys one time and she never said anything to me about them (I saw the disgust she had on her face as they came) but later she talked to Gabriel about how well behaved they were.) Then again recently someone told me "Annalina is unique and I mean that in the best sort of way. She is a joy to have around." Nobody is perfect but I know I am blessed with an unusual and sweet little girl that looks at her life as a blessing and loves who God made her.

Honestly, I believe ALL my kids are different. There are days I feel like pulling out my hair with frustration but they are sweet and loving and different. What is the difference? . . . I know it. . . it's Jesus and they love Him and take Him seriously.

I took all the kids into a Pottery Barn store in an upscale mall this past weekend while we waited for Daddy to meet us. One lady said "you guys are so well behaved! . . . You should be on a commercial about how to behave in a Pottery Barn store!" I was in there before with the kids and a lady started talking to us and commented to me what a sharp family we have and she asked where they went to school. One of them answered they were home schooled and she said "I knew it!" I was able share about Jesus with her little girl.

Just recently, I took them to the doctor's office with me. I took Carson and Jedidiah in with me. Carson wanted to be with me and watch me get my stitches out from one of my biopsies. He thought is was a little freaky but watched! Anyway, the other kids I left in the lobby. We were walking out the door when a lady stopped me and asked "Are these your children?" Well, "Yes". She said "Those are the best children in the world!" I agree with that assessment but I have to say it was a bit weird to have a stranger make a statement that emphatic! She was a sharp looking middle aged lady that obviously was watching them.

I took the kids shopping at Goodwill and Carson told me he wanted to show me something. He took me to a small Christmas basket and told me he wanted to get it for Annalina for Christmas. Annalina thought that was so sweet and I did too. Later in the day we were at Annalina's favorite store Claire's. Ross was asking her questions and following her around trying to figure out what she liked and what to get her for Christmas. He was determined and focused on his job and it was incredibly cute and sweet.

All God's gifts are not deserved but I really look at my husband and children and marvel at what I have been given. I goof up SO much yet have been given so much. God's grace is so evident in my life. My life is so full of wonderful! I am learning that which is NOT wonderful is for my teaching and I have plenty of that too, believe me. This fall I have had to face fears I've had since a child. I've always been extremely afraid of medical things and I've gone through a lot of that and have more to go. He is working on me and teaching me to rest in Him. Thankful He is so patient in His teaching of me.

Stories From My Day

This morning Ross and Carson got in a little spat about praying before they ate. Carson said to me that Ross said that "you [Carson] prayed to yourself". Carson annoyed said "I did NOT pray to myself I prayed to God!" Ross meant Carson had prayed on his own not actually to himself. It was pretty cute to see Carson's reaction.


This evening I was in the office looking up some baby gate info. for our very soon to crawl little one! I could hear Gabriel and Annalina talking as they were doing their jobs and they didn't know I was listening. I have some candles that are VERY old and are in the shape of carolers at Christmas. I have one from my childhood and I found another one in amazingly excellent condition at Salvation Army. The sight and smell takes me to my childhood. I was telling the kids about them and talked about the smell reminding me of my childhood. Anyway, they were discussing making me a Christmas card and how they could get the smell of the candle in the card since they knew that was important to me. They discussed rubbing it on the card but weren't sure. Annalina told Gabriel she didn't think it smelled nice. It was so sweet hearing them talk and try to figure out how to make something special for their Mommy.  Hearing all this meant A LOT to me. A LOT. What sweet kiddos I have.

 This afternoon Ross didn't want me to come in a room because he was making something for me. He came later to me and asked "What day is today?" I told him it was Thursday. He told me that he decided that every Thursday he was going to make me a craft. To sweet. He has started writing me the I Love Mommy notes which I just love. The other day we were doing school together and he told me that "the reason I can read so well at school [homeschooling group on Wednesday] is because you teach me here. That meant so much to me. Ross and reading have been a process. He and I have come a long way in the journey and that is so fun to see the progress in reading and the growth in our relationship. Again what sweet kiddos I have.

Carson is still coming to me and saying "My Mommy" and hugging me. He has done that for quite awhile. It will be sad when he moves out of that phase. It all started about a year ago when he and I were out shopping just the two of us and I said "You are my Carson" and after that I was HIS Mommy. I love that and love hearing that. Today Carson was crying at nap time that he wanted me to stay with him. That is NOT common. He does a great job going to sleep. I sang him some songs and he settled and went to sleep. Not sure what was concerning him about being alone but thankful that Mommy can make it better.

Jedidiah is SOOO close to crawling. Today Gabriel was working with him and encouraging him to give it a try. It could be any day now that he takes off. As always he brightens everyones day with his easy smile. He LOVES LOVES LOVES paper. He found a stack of Gabriel's math paperwork and got a hold of one of those to crinkle and chew and had to get it away from him. Annalina was talking to Jedidiah today and said the sweetest thing and I thought I have to blog that and of course now I can't remember! I hope it comes to me because it was absolutely TOOO sweet!

 I was thinking the other day how different Jedidiah's life is from the other kids. He has 5 people in the house that carry him around and care for him!! Way different than the older kids. Five people is a lot of attention and care!!! Carson can't carry him around (he did the other day and I put a stop to that) but he does pay attention and give care to Jedidiah. He sings and talks to him. Carson is our big time singer. He sings and sings Christian songs and I LOVE that. Annalina sings a lot too. She came to me tonight before bed and told me she didn't think she could make it if someone told her she couldn't never sing again.

Tis The Season

It's hunting season. A few weeks ago Babe and Gabriel were off somewhere in Colorado hunting antelope for some days. Gabriel is not old enough in Colorado to actually shoot big game. Twelve years old is the age to look forward to for big game hunting but Gabriel can tag along and hang out, have fun, and learn. They didn't get an antelope but came close just not close enough. They saw a fair amount of antelope but they were either the wrong gender for the tag they had or in the wrong hunting area. They did one time find what they needed for their tag and in the right zone but couldn't get close enough for a good shot. Nevertheless they had a GREAT time!!! They came back with stories of stars, bugs, antelope, and the game warden. I guess the stars in the middle of nowhere where just amazing. The game warden got to know them some and tried to help them out. He seemed to like Gabriel and it was good for Gabriel to learn about game wardens and what they do. They saw a truck of guys being chased down by the game warden!

Yesterday Babe, Gabriel, and Ross headed off to near the Nebraska border for deer hunting. Babe and I decided to let Rossers go and he was SOOOOO excited to be going with the big boys. It was fun to see how happy and excited he was. We'll see how he holds up to early mornings, etc. I've prayed they'll have a great time. Ross told Daddy that if he gets a deer that he will give him a penny. Cute.

Well, poor Carson had to stay home. He is used to at least Ross being home but with Ross gone I think it was a little harder. Even though Carson adores Annalina she is not one of the boys. Today he said a couple of times that he wanted to go hunting which he has never said before. When Annalina, Carson, and I were sitting at dinner he said "I am a big boy that has to stay home." Annalina and I got a kick out of him.

Annalina was excited for them to get a deer and liked spending time with just me but she still likes it when everyone is home. I told her that is a good attitude  . . . she's excited for them and thankful she and I can hang out, but will miss them. She and Carson had a great time doing "gymnastics" on the couch in the evening. Annalina and I stayed up and hung out which was fun. She and I have a few crafty things we would like to do during the coming days.

The big event of the evening was that I fed Jedidiah dinner and then he had a big spit up so I had to take off his clothes so I left him in his crib in his diapers to play around while I got some stuff done. When I came back he was on his belly with YUCKY stuff on the mattress under his mouth. I thought that was weird he seems to have thrown up but that is weird looking throw up. Since the mess was under his face that is what it looked like. It was under his nose and around his left eye (a Big chunk of it!). But he was so happy to have just thrown up. I went to pick him up and saw he had pooped out the back of his diapers and it ended up on the mattress and then he had flipped over and put his face in it!!! Carson was disgusted!!!! I got Jedidiah into the baby tub and got him cleaned up. Jedidiah loves baths now but wasn't so keen on them when he was really young. The kids and I sat around and watched him play for awhile and then Jedidiah peed while in the bath. What a baby! He sure was happy though!!

Cute Kid Stories

Ross and Carson were playing Indians yesterday and I don't know what Ross told Carson to do (Probably dealing with climbing on something)  but I heard Carson say "I'm scared". Ross replied "Indians are never scared." Carson, "I'm scared." Ross, "Then you are out of the tribe." Carson, "But I'm a scared Indian!" I told Babe this and later on in the day when Babe and I were together I asked Carson "Did you get kicked out of an Indian tribe today?" Carson, "Yes." Very matter of factly and a bit frustrated.

I may have already blogged about this but just in case I am going to type it out. While Carson and I were in the van recently he told me that some people tell you to follow your heart. So I asked him who are you supposed to follow and his reply "Jesus".

Ross and Carson

I was reading Ross and Carson their Bible story for Bible class and it was about Joseph and his brothers. We were to the part were Joseph invited his brothers to dine with him. Carson said "That is scary . . . they were scared." I listened then continued reading and one of the next sentences said that the brothers were scared. Carson said "See, I told you so!"

Today we were on our way home from piano lessons and Gabriel put the Sound of Music in. Julie Andrews is singing and I hear Ross say "She is a really good singer." Then I hear him say "I don't know who is better her or Auntie Theo?" Little later I hear "They are both really good!" He just couldn't pick because they were both so good. I thought it was GREAT that he held his Auntie in such high regard. I told my sister-in-law and she said she is going to have to give him his own copy of her music CD when she gets it done which will be really fun.

Royal Gorge

 Ross, Carson, and I got to go on the Royal Gorge Bridge this summer. I am getting around to blogging about it now! We had such fun! I can't say I'd pay the price to do it again but I am glad I did it with the boys because we really enjoyed it.

 The canyon below sometimes you could see people whitewater rafting which 

would be a cool thing to do in that canyon!!

 The boys loved stopping to look through the cracks in the bridge. I found this most unnerving for some reason!! I could look over the edge of the bridge fine but to look down under my feet through the cracks gave me the creeps. The boys found this humorous and so did other people on the bridge as they heard the boys say "look Mommy!" and I was obviously nervous

 but that was part of the fun of it. So the boys were brave and Mommy was a scaredy cat!:-)

Be A Missionary Every Day!

I saw Ross and Carson riding the horse and thought it would make a cute video clip. Little did I know what Ross would say while I was recording! So glad I have it on camera! Ross tells where he is going which ends up being where he has wanted to be a missionary!

Ross and Carson are quite the duo and so funny to watch.

Another Ross missionary story . . .
A week or so ago Ross pulled me aside and said he needed to tell me something. He told me that at homeschooling group there was a little boy that said naughty things to him and that he would try to get away so he wouldn't be listening to them. I was concerned and thought what type of naughty things?! Anyway, Ross is the only boy in his class that prays and the little boy would tell Ross things like "God doesn't answer my prayers!" or "I don't like you!" I talked to Ross and it was obvious the boy targeted Ross due to his difference from the others which that difference was that of prayer. Even though this boy tormented Ross, Ross did not stop praying but he was finally ready to tell Mommy. We talked about some of the things he could tell the boy about prayer and then all on his own Ross said "I could tell him about getting saved." Which was a great idea.

Time went by and this week we were having devotions that dealt with being persecuted for Christ's sake. I brought up Ross and he said that the boy "did not do it much anymore since I am ministering to him". Oh, GREAT! He said it so matter of factly like it was completely common for 5 year olds to "minister" to other 5 or 6 year olds! My dad pressed him on his situation at school and Ross again told grandpa that things had improved some since he started ministering to the boy and that he had told the boy that sometimes God says we can have something, sometimes He says wait, and sometimes He says No. I don't know if he has shared about salvation or not but I think he is off to a GREAT start. "DARE TO BE A DANIEL! DARE TO STAND ALONE!" Proud of my Rossers.

Who Said It?

Uncle Ben reading to the boys before bedtime. We had a great weekend with Uncle Ben! He traveled through the night to come visit.

Uncle Ben with Carson. Carson is wearing the football helmet Uncle Ben and Cousin Canon got him and painted special just for him. He loves the helmet.

Uncle Ben brought a BIG surprise . . . a tent to play in!

Who said it?
"You paddle, I'll shoot!"

A. George Washington
B. Seal Team 6
C. Carson Lysne

Correct Answer: C. Carson Lysne!!

My brother Ben was here this past weekend to hang out with us as we wait for the baby to come. The kids had a blast with him and he got a kick out of watching the kids. Ross and Carson are quite the duo and are full of entertainment!!! Uncle Ben had carved and sanded hiking sticks which the boys used for guns, boat paddles, etc. as they acted out their imaginations. We were laughing and laughing watching them in their imaginary worlds. At one point they were up on the fireplace landing and Carson ordered to Ross "You paddle, I'll shoot!" We just busted out laughing. My brother wants that on a T-shirt.

Since I'm on the topic of Ross and Carson I had been wanting to blog about them awhile back. I had one particularily interesting day with them about a month or so back. The two of them have really become a duo. One Friday as I was in Annalina's school room helping her. Carson came crawling into the room roaring like a tiger with no shirt on and blue marker ALL OVER. Come to find out Ross knew Carson wanted to be a tiger so he drew tiger stripes on him. BLUE tiger stripes with marker. To Ross' credit he saw I wasn't happy and on his own got a bath ready for Carson and put him in and scrubbed him but it took a number of days for the marker to wear off!

Same day as the stripes Ross poured crackers in Carson's hooded shirt which added to the mess they had already made with the crackers. Last but not least Ross and Carson had gone in the bathroom to play with some toys in the sink. They were content which I was thrilled about and I did send Gabriel to check on them and make sure they were not putting water all over the place. At the time Gabriel checked them they were doing pretty well . . . time marched on. I heard them yelling for me and went to check on them. They had plugged the drain and the hole in the top of the sink that is there to keep the sink from over flowing. Hence, the sink was overflowing and had been overflowing for some time. The bathroom was flooded, the things under the sink were sopping wet, and the water was literally pouring through the ceiling into the laundry room below seeping into the drawers of clean clothes and sopping that floor!! Ah, raising boys. Never a dull moment!:-) Obviously imagination seriously clouded judgement on that one! That really was a rough day though.

Another day I was sitting with Annalina in the school room. I asked Gabriel to take Carson to the potty and shortly thereafter I see a processsion down the hallway. First came Gabriel past the door, behind him Ross, behind him Carson carrying either a long play gun or stick with a red cape on top like he was bearing the colors for battle and he was doing like a goosestep march. I broke out laughing. How funny is that?

One morning at breakfast Carson looked across the table to Ross and asked Ross if he would go "iceboarding with me?" Ross said that he would. Gabriel asked if he could come and Carson said "No, you go fishing with Daddy." Make a long story short he had it all figured out Daddy, Gabriel, Annalina were to go fishing which is so funny because that is within their personalities and taste and he wanted Ross, himself, and I to go iceboarding with me along to "watch us". I thought is was so funny how he separated the personalities to what they would prefer doing! He loves Daddy, Gabriel, and Annalina very much and will tell you they are his friends but he knows them well. We all got a good chuckle out of this.

"The Piggy Opera"

Ross recently had his homeschooling play and they performed "The Piggy Opera" which is a musical/play of the story "The Three Little Pigs". It was absolutely adorable and hysterical to watch the kindergarteners perform this! We loved it!

Ross was REALLY nervous about getting up in front of people but through encouragement and prayer of family he made it! He even said "That was actually fun!" when it was all done. I think that was definitely a great experience for him and hopefully next time he won't be as anxious. He is so cute.

Honesty

At dinner the other night I said to the kids "Tell Daddy what you learned from Proverbs causes contention." Gabriel quickly and correctly said "pride" and then I heard Ross say quietly "me". Ross does have an issue with stirring up contention but he is refreshing because a lot of of people hide or ignore their wrong and Ross is able to see it for what it is and admit it.

Gross

I was down stairs the other night to make the top bunk of a bed when I heard Ross calling for me upstairs. Annalina came down and said that Ross wanted to show me he had corn in his poop. I was busy and wanted to complete my task without getting side tracked so I told Annalina to tell him that was ok and completely normal. I wanted him to be sure he understood it was nothing to worry about. I finished my task and came upstairs to find that Ross had waited me out and was VERY SERIOUS about me making sure I saw what happened. He picked the piece of corn out of his poop and put it on a towel on the bathroom counter!!!! Yep, I was pretty grossed out.