February Kid Cuteness

A Collection of Cute Quotes From the Kids This Month

Me: "Are you gonna lay down with me?"

Pennie: "Yes. Because you are sweet. You're a sweet mom. I 'wub' you."

Addie: "I have a bad feeling about this." Said in response to me asking Gabriella if she could "hold it" a few more minutes till we got home. 

Pennie: "You are a sweet mama!" *big hug*

Me: "And you are a booger head!" 

Pennie: "Nuh-uh! I don't pick boogers!"

One night Justin helped Pennie out of the bath and took her to get jammies for bed. On the way to her drawer for panties, she began singing her made up song to the tune of "Do you know the Muffin Man?"-- "Do you know the Panty Man, the Panty Man, the Panty Man."

Addie-"Mama, when I'm a mom I'm gonna get my kids everything they want. I'm gonna let them choose a bath bomb, and I'm gonna get them a juice, and candy at the store." --her response to the many no's I told her and her sisters while grocery shopping. 

On our way home from our visit with the midwife and the kids hearing the baby's heartbeat-- 

Justin- "What did you guys think?" 

Said in unison:

Gabrie- "Good!"

Lillie- "Great!"

Pennie- "I don't think!" 

We ate dinner at 5:20 one night. Addie says, "Why are we eating dinner when it's still morning time?"

"Can you start me out?"- Addie, handing me a cutie, requesting that I help get the peeling started. 

Addie says "smallow" instead of "swallow", and soy sauce is "soil sauce". 

I caught Addie messing with my phone, and stopped her. She says, "I just need to see what time it is."

Me: "Why do you need to know that? You're 4. It's 6:15, what does that tell you?"

Addie: "It tells me the time."

Addie: "Pennie, do you think I'm dumb?"

Pennie: "No, Addie. You are 'tute'!" (cute)

Justin likes to give the kids and me gifts every year for his birthday. He's been doing it for at least the last 5 years or so. This year he was extra busy with work and simply hadn't had time to go shopping for us, so one weekend he had the kids pick out their own toys from Wal-Mart. The girls all chose a special Barbie set and Nathaniel chose a new hockey video game. Pennie chose this "Giant Barbie" and throughout the entire store and drive home, so kept exclaiming, "I can't 'beliebe' it! I'm so LUCKY!" 

And the last comment for February goes to Nathaniel. I came across this cool video of quadruplets being delivered via c-section and wanted Justin and Nathaniel to see it. I showed Justin, who thought it was gross, but watched it to the end. Next was Nathaniel's turn; I sat him down on the couch by me so we could watch it together. 

"EEWWW I don't wanna watch this!" (Jumps off the couch so he can't see it anymore)

"Dude, sit down and watch it!"

"No, Mama. I'm not Kim Kardashian. I don't wanna eat your womb or something!" (referencing placenta encapsulation)

I don't want to eat my womb either... I just thought it was a cool baby video. 

I guess Lillie and Gabrie didn't have much to say this month, but Lillie did lose her first front tooth!

Some Not So Shocking News ;)

We're excited to announce our newest adventure for 2019--baby #6 is due this August! This past Tuesday, we finally got to hear the sweet sound of life from this new soul God has blessed us with. The kids sat quietly on the bed with me, (the quietest they have ever been in their whole life!), and listened intently while the midwife searched for a heartbeat. 

Penelope brags daily about being a "big sista". Adaleine asks me every single day "has the baby kicked yet?". Before that though, her question was, "are you sure you're 'preganant'?" Lillianna and Gabriella are hoping for twins. A boy and a girl, because "we've never had a baby brother before and we want another girl to play barbies with us". Nathaniel is happy with either one. I don't think he's holding his breath for a baby brother though. 😉 

Our plan this time, God-willing, is to have a home birth. Yes, that's right. This baby will be a TEXAN! Nathaniel and Gabriella were both born in Arkansas because we still lived there. And then Lillianna came in April, a month after Justin graduated from Spartan. Awaiting her arrival was the only thing keeping us in Oklahoma, so we decided to just stay at my parents house in Arkansas until she arrived, because we knew Oklahoma was not where we'd be living. At the time, Justin had two job offers, one in Texas and one in Colorado, and we hadn't yet decided which one to take but knew the best thing was to wait for Lillie to be born before moving away. She came a day early and Justin left for Colorado to start his new job and find us a house, just a week after she was born. We followed him three weeks later after he found us a beautiful house. (Still miss it!) In 2014, Adaleine joined us and it was during my pregnancy with her that I began researching home births, and falling in love with the idea. We met with two midwives, but ended up deciding to do something crazy... we planned on having her in Arkansas instead. So a few weeks before my due date, Justin drove the kids and me to Arkansas, and turned right back around to Colorado so he wouldn't waste time off before her birth. The plan was for Justin to come back a couple days before my due date; all my babies came the day before they were due, after all. What could go wrong? Miss Adaleine decided to arrive four days early. The second labor began, I called Justin and told him to leave NOW! He made the 12 hour drive in record time (with one potty break on the side of the road, one gas refill, and without any tickets), we went to the hospital and Addie came an hour later. And then it was Penelope's turn. We decided on the same plan we made with Addie, except this time we lived in Texas and it was only a 9 hour drive. Pennie came ten days early but with another twist--my water ruptured early that morning, but thankfully not enough to rush to the hospital, which allowed Justin enough time to get to Arkansas. Contractions didn't even start until after we got to the hospital, and she was born shortly after. 

I can't wait to find out what this sweet baby's birth story will be. Hopefully it will be the intimate, peaceful experience I've been dreaming about for five years. It will be an adventure either way. 

Happy Heart Day

Our homeschool co-op celebrates Valentine's Day at the skating rink every year. The kids had a wonderful time, loved making boxes and valentines for their friends (in true Grace fashion, we threw boxes together the day before. Glitter glue for the win!), and we came home with at least 150 cards with candy attached. Nathaniel skipped the box and valentines, but wasn't too cool to whip out his blades. (Or to help Addie around the rink several times. He's a keeper.) And yes, it was really actually warm enough for shorts. 82 degrees in February.

Kid Cuteness-January Edition

Normally I would document cute things my kids say or do in a Facebook status, but since I'm trying to limit Facebook time this year, I had to come up with a new way to remember those funny things they say. It meant saving it in a memo on my phone, and unfortunately that was harder to do than a quick FB post, but I'm going to get better. The reality of it is I'd almost have to record our entire day, because honestly, they say and do many hilarious things... but then I'd also have to remember the many feuds, attitudes, and bad behavior we encounter daily. The stuff that isn't supposed to happen between sweet, happy siblings. Like the current fight over a coloring book that I'm trying to drown out with the help of Alexa and The Lumineers.

Back to the cute stuff...

1. One night this month, Justin brought up our need for an escape plan in case we ever encounter a house fire. We discussed the basics with the kids before bed and tried to prepare them a little for what it could be like if they woke up to the house on fire. Of course there was concern for the cats; how would they get out?! I told them we'd try our best but it was most important to get the people out. Just after we finished discussing, said our good-nights, and prayed over everyone's night, Addie exclaimed, in all seriousness, "Daddy! What if there's a fire under your blanket??" Insert obligatory toot joke. Exploding laughter. I no longer recall who made the toot joke, probably the boy, but it could go either way. 

2. We just finished our Friday co-op and Justin was home early and off for the weekend, so we decided on a spontaneous trip to Dallas. I do all the packing for our trips and instruct the older kids what to bring to me so I can arrange it in the suitcase. It's a big job and even though wherever we go probably has a Wal-Mart, I tend to get a little stressed. I strive (and mostly fail) to be an organized person, and forgetting things we need is not organized! Lillie is a little shy, but don't be fooled: she comes to life at home and can be quite the comedian. And if you can imagine her serious little voice saying it, it's even cuter. "Lillie, did you get three pairs of socks?" "Oh, I got more than three. Now that's what I call -- BEING. PREPARED." We hit the road a couple hours later, and embarked on what felt like the longest drive of our life. Obviously it wasn't but we severely miscalculated just how far Dallas is from Midland. Justin doesn't like to make too many stops, especially since our destination was so close...we arrived at our hotel after 8, none of us had eaten dinner yet, and we were a little "testy". The next day was record cold temps (I'm guessing. All I know is it was freezing). Definitely not Zoo weather, huh Justin? So we opted for something indoors, the Dallas World Aquarium, along with 500 other guests that morning. Above the trail inside, there is all sorts of jungle-y vegetation; Pennie looked up and thought the vines were snakes. I told her, "no, those are just branches." Later, Justin tried to scare her by saying, "Pennie, look at all the snakes up there!" to which she frantically replied, "No, Daddy! Those are just 'ranches'!"

3. A couple Sundays ago was serious business for football fans around the nation. We watched both games, almost back to back. Don't tell Ma I actually somewhat enjoyed watching it this year. (The boys have corrupted me, Ma. It's not my fault!) I have to be the annoying girl watching though, and root against whoever Nathaniel is rooting for and ask him to explain the rules to me. Justin to Nathaniel: "Give up, Dude. I've tried explaining it to her for years." Anyway, miraculously both teams Nathaniel was cheering for won. He swore at the beginning that he was having really good luck that day, (I think it started earlier that morning when he found out the Oilers won the night before.) and that his teams would make a comeback and compete at the Superbowl and WHEN that happens, "Daddy has to take me to buy a lottery ticket, because I'm lucky today!!!!" That night they went to the convenience store and bought two tickets. The drawing was held a few days later, and Nathaniel Googled the results. He came to me with a slump in his shoulders, "Well, I didn't win the Powerball. BUT, I did learn that if you stack 1 billion, $100 bills on top of each other, it would be as tall as TWO Willis Towers in Chicago!" His disappointment turned so quickly into enthusiasm over that little fact.

4. Gabriella is very into pranks lately. She has gotten "stuck" in two trees, "not cleaned her room" at least a dozen times, and has plans of countless more, I am certain. The prank-er, might soon become the prank-ee.

See ya, 2018.

During the last days of the year, like most people, we've been planning out what we want the new year to look like for us as a family. Some of our goals are probably a little lofty-- like going a month completely without TV (we chose February. Haha!) but we're realistic too and have small resolutions, as well. Weight-loss, of course, made the list. Healthier habits, both for mind and body. More book-reading, less sugar, more exercise, less electronics, more productivity and better time management, less eating out, more date nights, less yelling, more love. One of my personal resolutions is less Facebook time. I waste an unbelievable amount of time there. If I could tally up the amount of time spent, it would not be pretty. For 2019, I want to spend far less time reading about people I barely know anymore, or even know at all, and more time living in the moment and being more intentional with my time. The last year FLEW by and I don't want to miss a moment of the next year! However, I do love how Facebook makes it so easy to document life events and even the more uneventful things we post about, I love seeing "my memories" and reading the cute things my kids used to say that would long be forgotten if I hadn't posted about it. I've decided instead to be a little more regular on my blog. I may share it on my Facebook page, and I may not. If you love us and want to know what we're up to in 2019, check back here! :)

Now, a look at 2018:
Nathaniel read a book about Tim Tebow earlier in 2017 and decided he wanted to do what Tim did and have zero carbonation for an entire year. We decided to join him in his challenge. He not only succeeded, but has decided to continue it in 2019. The rest of us fell off the wagon in May... but we did drink significantly less soft drinks than we ever have before. We will all try again in 2019. Nathaniel's self discipline amazed me!

We traveled to San Antonio, Marfa, and Dallas, Texas; Shreveport, Louisiana; Phoenix and Tombstone, Arizona. And we spent over 7 weeks in Arkansas to visit family. Justin went to Canada for the first time, spending a total of two weeks in Calgary, Three Hills, and Beaver Lodge. And then as a family, we vacationed in Edmonton later on in the year.

We visited museums and zoos, saw mysterious, hovering lights, roamed with cowboys and outlaws, took lots of pictures, celebrated birthdays and holidays, paid off lots of debt, said goodbye to friends, the kids and I took our first plane ride, acquired three cute kitties, buried a loved one, started a new job, endured sleepless nights, tears, tantrums, and black eyes, and we bought our first house. We've grown, we've achieved, we've messed up, and we've learned.

Here's to 2019. We hope for more adventures, successful resolutions, and less trips to the ER. 

Misunderstood

A simple Google search will show you image after image of moms cheering for the start of a new school year. This is what bothers me. Moms, who are essentially thrilled at the fact that someone else will be caring for her children. It isn't about homeschooling. It isn't about back to school pictures. I'm not against public school. I'm obviously a fan of homeschooling but that doesn't mean I think if you don't homeschool you're a crappy parent. I'm also a huge fan of my kids, so that's why memes like these don't make any sense to me. Are my kids impeccably behaved? Of course not. Do I think I'm a better parent? Nope. I fail everyday. There isn't a harder job in the world than being a parent and nobody has it down perfectly. But I can not, and will not ever understand how a person can jump for joy over their babies being gone all day long, five days a week, and for the majority of the year. I enjoy my kids! I don't need a break from them! There will be plenty of time for "breaks" when they're grown and off on their own, going to college, getting married and having babies. I totally get that it's overwhelming sometimes...I have FIVE for goodness sake.

 What kind of message do the meme's above send to kids who need their mom, though? "It's a joke! The kids are in on it too. They're laughing with her." I'd be laughing too if my mom were leaping all over the driveway like an idiot. But ultimately, jokes like these really say, "'Me time' means more to me than spending it with you." This attitude toward back to school will come back to bite 'em too... 

By all means, be excited for your kids' excitement about school. Be proud of them. Take their picture on the first day showing off their new clothes. Just don't throw a party cause you've been relieved of your parental duties for the day, Monday through Friday, and until next May. Enough of my opinions though. I just felt the need to clarify my stance on the subject because it was never intended to offend anyone or to toot my own horn. 

Lillie's Song

It was a saturday morning, exactly one year ago. It was supposed to be a normal day; Nathaniel had a soccer game that morning. We probably would've gone out for lunch afterwards (probably at chickfila). Instead, a few hours before his game was scheduled to begin, we were trying to make the all too common parental decision on whether to take our daughter to the doctor.

It happened over night. She had a cold; snotty nose, maybe a slight cough, but nothing serious. Until Saturday morning came. She was laying in bed between her daddy and me, and her breathing did not sound good. Chest caving in, short inhale, rapid exhale. It was worrisome, for sure. Something we've dealt with a few times before, but each time you sit and watch and ponder for a second "should we go?" 

I try not to be one of those crazy, hypochondriac moms. I fail, quite often. Almost every time I've taken one of the kids in to the doctor or ER, I feel silly. I'm just sure the nurses are laughing at me for being "that mom". I've learned over the years to assess the situation more thoroughly and to wait certain things out for a little while before panicking. I still Google and my searches almost always come back with the absolute worst scenario possible. I have finally learned that every bump on the head does not lead to a concussion. I've learned to let the fever do its job. I'm still working on the Googling part, although it is quite a handy resource to have. 

So while watching Lillianna breathe, and reading a few articles about labored breathing, I decided she should be taken to a doctor. Normally, if she's having a hard time breathing (which only happens when she gets sick with a cold or something), we have an inhaler to give her, but about a week before this episode, her big sister, Gabriella, thought it'd be fun to squirt the remaining 30+ puffs out. The plan was to get to urgent care as soon as they opened, be the first ones seen, get a breathing treatment and maybe a steroid shot (as was given in the past), and make it out in time to watch Nathaniel's game. Justin kept the other three just in case it wasn't quick, so at least Nathaniel would still make it to his game. 

Lillie and I got to the clinic and waited about 20 minutes before being seen. The doctor checked her oxygen levels and they were low. 85-87 I think? Too low for an otherwise healthy child. They tried a breathing treatment, and her levels still didn't improve. He said he had no choice but to send us to the hospital. In fact, he insisted we travel by ambulance! Then, the plan changed again when he talked to her pediatrician, who insisted she be taken to Children's Hospital instead of the hospital down the road. 

It was scary. I called Justin at the game to let him know what was going on. He was scared too. Out of all our trips to the ER for bumps and scrapes and fevers that seemed too high, we'd never, ever experienced the urgency of an ambulance, or the seriousness of a children's hospital. (And I pray we never do again). I tried to remain calm. I couldn't become a hysterical mess with my precious three year old watching. I made slight conversation with the paramedic treating Lillie. She'd been doing her job for about ten years. I can't remember her name but I remember what she looked like. She was nice and good at her job and good at helping an anxious mom feel a little less anxious. Twenty minutes later, we arrived to Children's and had a whole team of doctors and nurses waiting on us. Several hours and even more breathing treatments later, we were admitted to a room because her levels were still not high enough. 

At the hospital the next morning

Justin took Nathaniel and Gabrie home that night; they weren't allowed to even go to Lillie's room because of the fragility of so many patients at Children's. Addie was allowed to stay with me at the hospital because she was breastfeeding. I can't speak highly enough of the staff; everyone was great. They really made you feel like your child's health was of utmost priority. We continued with breathing treatments and steroids throughout the night, and her levels were monitored continuously. Our expected stay time was at least two days, depending on her condition. 

My sweet, joyful Lillianna Mattison sang "Jesus Loves Me" to herself the entire night, even in her sleep! (And would have me sing it to her too). It was just precious. With each time she sang, her condition improved. By the middle of the night her levels were exactly where they were supposed to be and because her improvement was so great and stayed consistent, we were able to leave Sunday afternoon! I completely believe her songs to Jesus and lots of prayers were what helped her get well so quickly. I also believe that Gabrie's previous orneriness of wasting the inhaler was really a blessing in disguise, because I'm not sure I would've taken her in when I did if we had it. Her oxygen levels were dangerously low, nearing the point necessary of causing brain damage.

Last day of being a 3 year old!

Lillie just turned four last week and still loves to sing. On her birthday, Justin gave her a microphone (that we hook up into Nathaniel's amp). The kids all did a little show for us and one of her performances included "Jesus Loves Me". Yes, He does love us, Lillie. Thank you for always reminding me.