Pigs and Canceled Birthdays...

 "As good as it gets"....the two quotables just before Mothers' Day

We have been very busy!  Tim had an event this past weekend, so I took the opportunity to take the kids up to Maine to see the new piglet and chicks that my parents recently got.  It was a nice weekend with friends and family.  While there, we also got to see the World's Smallest Horse that was born in New Hampshire, not far from my parents!  Carter and Emilie got a kick out of that and loved all of the miniature horses, but especially 'Einstein'- the star of the show (the horse farm happened to be having an open house while we were there!).

Emilie proudly showing off her Einstein "Smallest Horse in the World" card

While in Maine, my dad gave Carter the difficult job of coming up with a name for the new piglet.  Carter did not take this lightly and spent two days coming up with what he thought would be the perfect name!  Well, here it is......Bologna (for those of you who need to sound it out "Bol-own-ee")!!!  I couldn't believe that is what he came up with!  What a ham (no pun intended)!

We are now back in Connecticut and are anticipating Carter's 4th birthday tomorrow!  He is so excited to be the birthday boy!  We will not have his official party until the 22nd, but he'll have cupcakes at school tomorrow.  Tonight as I was putting him in bed, I reminded him to stay in bed and that if he didn't go to sleep his birthday wouldn't come.  He replied ever so sweetly "Is God gonna cancel my birthday?!"

Our sweet boy reluctantly petting a miniature horse

We are so thankful for our precious son and the joy he brings to our lives.  We couldn't ask for a better child to raise.  We just can't believe it's been four years!  Happy Birthday, Carter Stephen!

Please Hold Your Applause...

This past weekend I had the wonderful privilege of going on the Women's Retreat held by our church.  It took place at a hotel in Hartford and I enjoyed every minute!  While I was away, Tim took the kids to Pennsylvania to see their Papa and Mimi!  They had a super fun time and were quick to tell me all about it during dinner!  While I was at my retreat, I received this picture on my cell phone of Emilie.  They were out to breakfast and this is what happened......who knew we had such a talented daughter?!!  Anyways, this just made me smile so much and I looked at it every day I was away from her!  What a HAM!!

When I grow up.....

This morning Carter told blurted out "When I grow up, Mommy, I want to be a Pastor!".  Be still my heart!  That was one of the sweetest things that could come from him.  Not because that is what I want him to be, but because it is from HIS heart and it shows me he has a heart for God.  He's always been very aware of God, creation, and heaven.  We have a lot of talks and there is nothing like the innocence of a child of God.  No one is without blemish or sin, but there is something about a true childlike faith that I think just warms the Lord's heart. 

 Our little Carter in 2006

I don't know what God's plan for Carter is, but I just pray that he will follow Him all the days of his life.....even Carter realizes how much he is loved by God and how special he is!

"The Dump"

Today Carter was walking around the house with a bucket and a hat on.  He would go back and forth between rooms pretending he was bringing his trash to the dump.  I found this so amusing.  Before the dump, he was "strawberry picking" with his "wife" (Emilie).  He's in a great imaginitive stage right now.

I love the fact that there was no shame in simply pretending to bring his trash to the dump.  No- it's not glamorous, but it's life.  Tim has to do that once in a while.  I have to say, I think the reason I found it so great is that I used to go to the dump with my dad every Saturday.  And can I tell you a secret?  When I am at my parents' house even at my age.....if I'm there on a weekend and have the opportunity, I STILL make my dad wait for me so I can go to the dump with him.  Why is it that those are the memories that stay with us?!  It's those small things that we remember.  Not the toys we had or the what's-her-name that was at our tenth birthday party.....or the grades we got or that time we sat in a time-out.  It's the everyday moments we share with our children that they will remember.  One thing Carter loves is going to the Home Depot with Tim, among many things.  And I love that 

We will never be perfect parents, but may our children remember the time we spent with them and how we spent it.......whether at home or at the dump.

Quick Quotes

All compliments of Carter, of course.

Lily- "Carter, is that your friend over there?"
Carter- (looking up) "No.  There is my friend!  GOD."

Lily- "Who's boat is that?" (we have our neighbors boat on our property)
Carter- "Oh, it's a LONG story."

After receiving a surprise outside our door today:
"Play Dough- boy I am glad to see that!"

Don't Talk to Strangers.....

Sometimes I feel like (even thought my kids are little) the things I say go in one ear and out the other.  Welcome to motherhood you say!  As most of you know, my kids are anything but shy.  Never have been shy, and never will.  Because of this, the kids tend to make friends with anyone- young or old!  Doesn't matter who they are or where they came from.  If they speak, bark, cry, or meow (among other things) they WILL befriend you.

The worst of it started about three months ago.  I had ordered groceries online (yay!) and the only delivery time was between 6-8 am.  I hoped it would be 8.  That morning, Tim left early.  Next thing I knew, Carter was in my room saying that "they" were here.  I assumed he had seen the truck outside.  I said "Where are they?" and he said "They are by daddy's backpack in the living room."  Hmm....that's weird.  So I throw on my bathrobe and head out to the living room.  And there they were.....all the groceries.  And there SHE was.  The grocery lady.  Standing there in my living room.  She says "Oh, he's so sweet!"  Yup.  Carter had opened the door and let her in.  She had unloaded all the groceries.  And all the while, she never wondered where the mom was, or didn't think it was strange a three year old was all alone?!  I was horrified!  It was then I attempted the "stranger talk" with Carter.  Unfortunately, we've had a few since, and they don't seem to be helping. 

So for the past couple of weeks we have- for the first time- had a consistent mail lady coming.  We used to be a "pick up route" and whoever made it to deliver the mail- and whenever they delivered it was up to them.  This new lady comes every day at a normal time and she drives the mail truck (which my kids love....the other people always walked). 

Today she happened to come right when we were getting home.  Of course, my kids, not taking any of the "stranger" talks I have taught them to mind, went right to her and started talking.  She was very sweet, thankfully. 

Here is what went down:  She now knows the kids names, ages, and birthdays.  Carter invited her to his Chitty Chitty birthday party and then proceeded to tell me that if he invited her, she would say "Thank you-that is very sweet, Carter."  She will be back tomorrow, her name is Mary, and she's no longer a stranger.  This is everything that went on between her and my kids.  Guess they don't even need me! 

Let's just hope they both keep their friendly personalities and I'll keep relying on the Lord to watch over them and keep them safe!!

In other news, today Carter kissed me and told me he didn't want me to die......

.....stay tuned for THAT talk.

Race Car Mom

Just a little something to add to your day:  Yesterday we went to a friends house for dinner.  After we arrived, Carter hopped out of the car, gave me a big hug and said "Thank you, Mommy!" I was a little confused so I said "For what?" to which he responded.....

"For driving super fast down the highway!"

I love that he THINKS I drive fast.  I'm sure if you asked Tim, he would think differently!!

Who says minivans can't be race cars?!

Welcome to the Neighborhood!

So a new neighbor moved in across the street.  It's a young couple.  Yesterday, the husband came over to ask a question and introduce himself since the kids and I were outside.  We chatted and I answered his question.  Then he was ready to leave.......or so he thought.

Let me clarify that I had never met or seen this person before- and neither had my kids.  So- the man is about to leave when I look down.  Thank goodness I did.  Carter had hooked a bungee cord to the man's shoe lace and connected it to his bike.....all while we were talking.  I was horrified.  All I could think to say to Carter was, "Carter, we don't hook people we just met."  Yup, couldn't come up with anything better. 

Needless to say, the neighbor was very understanding.  I'm not sure if he was faking it or not, but I have to say- his wife is pregnant with their first baby (A BOY) and for a minute, I think I saw sheer terror in his eyes.

BOYS WILL BE BOYS!

They are Precious in His Sight.....And He In Theirs

Easter Sunday was such a wonderful day!  The weather was gorgeous, the service was amazing, and time with friends was treasured.  The kids were very excited about Easter this year- especially Carter.  This year is different than the years past.  He is getting old enough to truly understand Easter and why we celebrate it.  We did the Resurrection Eggs, as I had mentioned before, and we tried to read a different Easter book in the couple of weeks leading up to it- some just for fun (Easter Bunny!) and some more serious.  His heart is so precious and lately he has really been grasping who God is and what Jesus did for us.  Easter was no exception- he woke up and I said "He has risen!" and Carter responded "He has risen indeed!"  All day he was very excited about this. 

What I really wanted to share is something Carter did.  Usually he goes to Sunday School while Tim and I attend the service.  I thought it might be  nice to be together in the service for Easter, so I asked Carter if he wanted to come in with us.  He was quite excited at the prospect of coming to "our class" with us, as he calls it.  He was such a good boy and he stood with us as we sang some awesome songs of Christ's resurrection.  When it came time for the teaching (sermon), Carter sat nicely drawing in a notebook I had brought in for him.  All of a sudden, Carter taps me on the leg and whispers (loudly, as a three year old would) "I drew a picture of Jesus."  I looked down, not expecting to see much, but what I found brought tears to my eyes.  Carter had drawn Jesus (belly button and all) with thorns on his head and crosses on his hands (so sweet).  We talked about Jesus dying in great detail this year- so this is Carter's impression of what Christ did for HIM and for all of us.  When we talked about the story, it made Carter sad that Jesus had to wear the crown of thorns and that it hurt him.  It was so precious to me that he understands what he does at such a young age.  This drawing will be so dear to me at he gets older.  I hope I always have a child-like faith as Carter does.

After this, Carter continued his drawing and this time made it clear that he wanted to draw the tomb.  He began, and when he was almost finished, he asked Tim (again, in a very loud whisper) to help him draw an angel.  I again thought it was so sweet that he understood the story so well and that he was excited that Jesus was not there- that He had risen!!  My favorite part is that when his drawing was finished, he leaned over to me and asked me how to spell "He is Risen"......and after telling him letter by letter, he wrote it out and completed his drawing of the tomb (stone and all).  May Carter's drawings speak loudly- and may he always have the courage and the excitement to share his faith with others! 

Happy Easter everyone- He Is Risen!!

The OTHER Easter story.....

So, first of all, here are my two goofs!  Right after my own heart.  Emilie is now sporting one of the worst baby mullets of all time.  Its cute because I can fit it in a ponytail, but she hates when I do that, so she pulls it out, revealing all of her stringy baby hair, that is quite long in the back.  Oh well.  Everyone assures me that it will grow out and look nice....and ultimately, they tell me not to cut it.  It actually looks cute on a normal day when I have a bow in it. 

We are doing the Resurrection Eggs as a family before Easter.  If you haven't heard of them, they are a great tool for kids to learn the story of Easter.  Yesterday we opened the egg with praying hands inside, which symbolizes when Jesus went to the garden to pray before his death.  Today, we recapped that story before moving on to the next egg.  While I was in the middle of my very serious moment with Carter, I asked him if he remembered the name of the place Jesus went to pray (Gethsemane) and I had to remind him.  Next thing I know, my precious moment of seriousness is ruined as Carter blurts out "Ohhhh, I thought he went to the HOTEL to pray."  I looked at Tim and tried not to break a smile, but MAN that is hard not to do!  Good thing we are only doing two eggs at a time because he can only make it through about 1 1/2 before I lose him completely.  Oh well- there is always tomorrow's egg.

And this is why I keep track.....

When Emilie woke up from her nap today, I sent Carter in to turn on her light and say hello.  Next thing I know, he's yelling "Call the Police!"  When I asked him why, he replied, "Because Emilie just threw this toy at me!" 

Let's hope this is not a sign of things to come.  Emilie is two years younger than him, but I have to say- she's been beating up on him an awful lot.  Even making him "cry".  About ten times a day I hear him yell, "She hit me on the head!" followed by "She hit me on the head again!"....and on and on.  I know it's horrible, but I can't help but smile!  She's only 20 months old!  I think she's going to be one tough cookie.

Starting Over....

So, it turns out I wasn't so good at blogging! I decided that my kids, however, were worth blogging about, so here is my second attempt! Carter is, on most days, the most entertaining and funny kid I know. I share most of his quotes and stories on my Facebook page, but I realized that so many of you were missing out, so I have decided to share those with you through this blog. Emilie is talking more and more each day, so I will begin to post her quotes and stories as they come, as well.

Because you have missed out on so much, I am starting by giving you a glimpse into the Carter- my most quotable kid! Here is a sample of some of my favorites:

6/15/09 We were doing devotions before bed and I was explaining that God made him (Carter) and that he was a miracle. He responded: "I'm not a miracle! I'm just a guy!"
7/22/09 We were talking about names and he asked me what my last name was. I told him it was Blow and he laughed and said "Nooooo, that's MY last name!"
9/18/09 Sadly, Carter started recognizing the UPS truck at an early age. On this particular day, it pulled up and he yelled "Look! The CVS truck is here!"
All the time- A good part of the time, when I ask Carter to do something he responds with "Aye Aye Captain!" or "Yes My Majesty!" He can be so fresh sometimes.....but it always makes me laugh!
10/25/09 This Sunday morning Carter was bringing offering to Sunday School for the first time. In the car on the way to church, he asked "Mommy, are we going to heaven to give my offering to God?"
11/2/09 While talking during dinner, Carter was randomly asking questions about the jungle. He asked who lived in the jungle and Tim jokingly told him Tarzan did. Carter then asked Tim, "Is that your cousin?"
11/18/09 Carter said to me one day "I wish I had a tail like a kangaroo." I said, "Well, God didn't make you with one- did he?" and he said, "Nope. Just my bum."
1/27/10 I had just gotten out of the shower and I went to sit on the couch next to Carter. He sniffed me and said "You smell good- did you put on some potion?!"
2/10/10 Carter asked me to play pretend with him and he wanted me to be his wife. He came in the room and said in a deep voice, "Where are my boots, wife?" to which I responded, "Over there, husband." He then switched back to his normal voice and seriously said, "Don't call me husband, call me dad."
2/21/10 We were asking Carter questions for fun. When we asked him who the President was he said "President Obama." When we asked him who was President before that he responded "President O'Bush!"
3/7/10 Tim's brother Jon got Carter a football coin bank for Christmas and it cheers and yells "Touchdown" when you put coins in. Carter was putting money in it one morning and he was so excited to come out to the kitchen to tell me, "It is saying "Hot Cowwww!"

I hope that you will all smile and be reminded of childhood every time you visit our blog. Carter and Emilie are so rewarding and I love being their mom and spending each day with them!