On becoming a three year old...

The question is, after such a long sabbatical from writing, how to begin again... and I guess the answer is, I just do.

It's my baby boy's birthday tomorrow. He's gonna be 3. I think there is something really significant about 3. I feel like one year olds -are still babies... totally. 

Two year olds are still babies, with toddler moments, and three year olds... ah three year olds... They are defintely NOT babies, and they will TELL you that... with their WORDS that they have so many of. 

There is something magical about a three year old that once they've turned three, they seem to "take off" and all of a sudden you are left wondering where the time went- along with your baby. 

I realize Judah would totally resent me calling him my "baby", but I'm remembering, and holding on to the littleness of my son, at least for one more day... and Tomorrow with a lump in my throat, my eyes filling, and a happy full heart, he gets to grow up, but today... today he's still my baby.

Learning styles

Im tired today. Viva teething all last night kept me up for most of it, and then when it seemed we'd finally get some sleep (5 am) she bit down on me (with her two new razor teeth), I responded quickly (of course) with a "NO BITE"... two seconds later... ((chomp)) "NO BITE!!!" At this point I decide to switch sides and pray for a change in her tactic... then out come the teeth again. (This is where I make my mistake)... With the other two kids when they were teething they would bite me- usually only once- my first response to biting was a little flick on their mouth with a "no bite" order. It worked, really well. but for some reason I knew that I shouldn't flick Genevieve. I just knew it wouldn't be the same for her. So I had pre-determined WHEN she bit me (not if) I would be calm, set her down on the floor, say "no bite" and hopefully she'd get the message. Unfortunately, in the deliriousness of the moment last night I momentarily forgot my "plan" and when she set her little piranha jaws on me for the third time I reacted with the tried and true method I'd used with Nora and Judah... I flicked her little mouth (not hard mind you, just enough to surprise her) and oh, it surprised her, and seriously hurt her feelings. She cried like her heart was breaking. she cried for an hour and a half. I tried to get her to nurse again she'd try, tentatively- and break off wailing. I tried snuggling her, bouncing, rocking, you name it, she arched her little back and wailed. At the end of the hour and a half- she decided to try nursing again, and finally, finally with much trepidation managed to nurse and fell into a whimpering sleep. I felt like a terrible mom. I should have listened to my natural instincts on this one... then as I looked at my finally sleeping teether, she smiled. Not a little sleepy smile, but a grin, reminding me that she would be ok. I think the biggest lesson I learned was to listen to that sweet voice of the Holy Spirit, that often doubles as instinct. As well as the flicking may have worked for Nora and Judah, (not seeming to really even notice- other than not to bite me anymore) it definitely is not the tactic for Viva. It was a gentle reminder that each of my children are different PEOPLE, with different learning/love/communication styles, and the Lord will show me how to train each of their special selves. So now I'll go try to figure out how to keep my 2 year old from playing in the street, because obviously what worked with Nora is not working with him,  Lord give me wisdom.

I am... from Nora

I stole this idea from my friend and fellow blogger Alysun- and I think it's a great way to find out how my daughter is thinking, thanks Alysun!

I am... Nora

I want... to do the school game

I have... lipstick

I wish... that I had a present

I know... that I love momma

I fear... I can't tell anything

I hate... Satan

I hear... God speak to me

I crave... bread

I search... a leaf, a pinecone

I always... love Viva

I usually... do the things that God wants me to do

I am not... afraid

I miss... Daddy

I love... momma

I never... lie

I rarely... work in the kitchen with pizza and nachos

I cry... because my Judah pulled my hair, and so please stop doing that Judah

I should... do the things that God wants me to do

I am confused... of Satan, cause he gets me bad dreams

I worry... about Satan, that's all, cause he's bad

I dream... and God tells me good dreams

Follow me!

Just a reminder that you can "follow me" by adding yourself at the bottom rt. hand side of my page, it's nice to know who my reader's are!

bathroom boredom

i am bored in my bathroom. and in my opinion, 

no one should ever be bored while they are doing "business". 

so i've decided to paint it. what color should i do? any exciting, adventurous ideas?

 im ready for a change. a distraction from the blah.

Oh blog.

I like this blogging thing, with the exception of- I am so NOT computer savvy (hate that word) that everything takes me like 10 times longer than normal people. seriously. I have been trying for days (not literally- but it feels like) to figure out how to allow comments to show on the page with my blogs. I don't know if it's working- let me know if you know how. I can't change the background on my blog into one of those cutesy ones, actually I could probably could, but it would take me hours, hours I'd rather be writing. So if anyone has any shortcut blog ideas or a "blog class" they are teaching - I'd love to know about it!

Favorite things #4 Herbs and spices

Herbs and spice are some of the greatest sensory delights of my day so I thought I'd share my top five (since I can't just pick one)

1. Thyme: a happy herb, synonymous with savory. I have used it my whole life, grown lots of different varieties... but all of a sudden this love affair has begun, and I am seeing this flexible friend like it's the first time. Recently I have been using it with chicken, and ground beef, totally different, equally awesome!

2. Lavender: it has always been at the top of my list. My favorite little sturdy sweetheart, the joy of my garden (all 30 or so plants) the sweet reminder of summer in my winter underwear drawer, the delicate romance in my scones along with earl grey. Yes lavender, I will always love you.

3. Rosemary: my youngest daughter's middle name... Brisk yet approachable- I love to grab my bush as I walk past, the smell lingering on my hands, reminding of the kitchen, chicken dinners, sunshine. Faithfully green, easy to please, my little baby plant now bushy strong. 

I love it equally for it's flavor and smell, 

and the lore that strong willed women have the knack to grow it. I think it's true!

4. Nutmeg: Sassy and mellow, spicy and smooth. I love that I can use this spice in christmas cookies, spinach and meat! Nutmeg brings out the best in everyone, including myself.                        

5. Basil: Every kind-every variety. Fresh and alive. I love how this friendly herb is a bridge between cultures, and ethnic link to Italy and Thailand equally and most important to those kinds of food! I get giddy smelling a big bunch of basil- as the possibilities for kitchen greatness are endless!

What are your favorite herbs? How do you use them? I'd love to hear.

BTW: I got the pic's off the internet from food sites- Im not that great of a photographer :)