Welcome Home!

After a few days at a conference in FL, Chris returned to us yesterday safe and sound. He thought he'd be getting a ride from Nashville with a colleague, but the kids and I surprised him by picking him up at the airport!

Kyleigh couldn't wait to see her daddy & was practically jumping out of the stroller, and Josiah was also happy amongst the chaos but fell asleep while waiting!

Chris was excited to see all of us, and each of us were very glad to have him home!

To celebrate my husband's homecoming, we went out for pizza then went to play games at an arcade for just a few minutes. Chris and I competed at Ski-Ball, and I kicked his tail! Kyleigh also played a little of that game plus a little bit of a Bozo Ball game, which was a similar concept.

Mommy and Daddy combined our earned tickets with Kyleigh's so she could win a fun prize. With the earnings KyKy came to be the proud new owner of a dinosaur finger puppet, which she quickly placed on her finger and exclaimed, "Rooaarrr!" We were only there about 15 minutes and spent only $1.25 on games, but had a world of fun! This is a new favorite & inexpensive outting we enjoy with Kyleigh, and can't wait 'til JoJo will do more than sleep through the excitement!


But no worries, Siah got to stay up late to spend some low-key special time with Mom and Dad (past midnight, so the date on pics is 9/26)! Needless to say, when the night came to a close we were exhausted, but also at peace looking forward to a whole weekend of quality family time!

My Rapture Moment

Today my hubby had to leave for a business conference. He has these meetings twice each year, and we never look forward to the time apart from each other or for him missing time with the kids. Last Fall was his first time flying on an airplane, so that was tough in itself, and was the most consecutive days he'd been away from Kyleigh and me (and actually I was pregnant w/ Josiah then, but we didn't know it 'til Chris returned!). And while away this past Spring Chris got stranded in a snow storm. That was also a stressful and difficult time with many safety concerns as he drove home through the snow and ice as I waited at home very pregnant and busy with our toddler.

Today's journey had him flying out of Nashville early this morning. Chris and I were both rudely awakened by an alarm clock at 4 a.m., and after we got cleaned up we had Chris's bags as well as the kids all in the car at 5:04 a.m! Our goal was 5 a.m., but considering I'm NOT a morning person and I did this all without caffeine, I was truly impressed!

The kids and I were home from the airport by 7:40 a.m., and I got both kids fed within minutes of their usual breakfast time--still functioning without caffeine, so I'm very pleased with my personal performance! A while later, I got 2 kids down for an earlier-than-usual nap, and I even got a decent nap for myself! It seemed to me things were going smoothly. TOO SMOOTHLY.

How do most people react to being awakened in a strange manner? For me, waking up suddenly to a bizarre sound or situation draws to my mind two words: THE RAPTURE! I know that's weird, but it's true! I was napping well when I heard my baby boy stir and fuss a bit, which is his way of letting me know he's hungry. I lay in bed semi-conscious, considering whether or not I'd get up to nurse him (j/k...that's not an optional task!). Then I heard something LOUD, right outside my bedroom window! I was jolted awake and thought, "The Rapture"! *Giggle*

Then I realized it sounded like something had burst, and I heard liquid swooshing and spraying against the house. The head of our bed is against a window, so the first thing I did was sit up and peek outside, and in that quick moment I feared something terrible had happened and wondered if I'd be able to handle whatever it was while my husband is out of town! What's the next thing I did? I grabbed the camera! *Giggle* Then I ran outside barefoot to find the cause of the chaos. A tangled hose had been left attached to the spicket and it had burst, shooting out water like a geyser! (The photo below was snapped when the water had been reduced quite a bit, so just imagine it at full force blasting against the siding of the house!)

Turns out it wasn't the end of the world at all! It could have been far worse--like a broken pipe or something, so I'm thankful that my rapture moment was nothing more than my yard in a momentary water fight! If I can handle this much before Noon on Chris's first day at a conference, I feel confident I can surely handle the next few days as well...but oh how I look forward to my hubby's return!

Bad Football, Good Friends

With Chris scheduled to be off work by 3:30pm, Saturday evening actually presented options:

1) We could go to Nashville to see our pals Adam and Camilla
2) We could hang out & watch the OSU v. USC game
3) We could combine 1+2




We opted for #3, and met up w/ our friends at Dave & Buster's to watch the game on the big screen!






OSU lost--badly--but it wasn't due to lack of Casto team spirit!








The fun games at D&B provided great entertainment for Kyleigh and those of us who cracked up watching Kyleigh play Ski Ball! (She just learned Ski Ball on her recent date w/ her daddy...read that story found a bit below)




Josiah was a real trooper through the noisy activities, and the little man chilled in his carrier most of the outing while the bigger people enjoyed a nice dinner.




Camilla & I have been friends 15 yrs, and she loves my kids. We met her special guy Adam earlier this year, and already he's got a fan in KyKy!




Milla, if you're reading this, special thanks go to you for the opportunity to combine quality time with friends and family!

Turn The Magnifying Glass Around

Something that saddens me is to hear people verbally bash their spouses and children.

During our engagement, Chris and I had attended a seminar about The Five Love Languages (http://www.fivelovelanguages.com/). Then we attended another of these seminars when we were newly married to explore if growth and change in our relationship changed our view on our "Love Language". During this second seminar, which was offered through our church, we were seated at a table of couples all much older and married much longer than the two of us. Pretty much the entire group was chatting and teasing one another, and then the teasing turned to criticizing of their spouses. Men were even trying to one-up each other on how selfish their wives were, and wives doing the same on how lazy their husbands were. One would make a remark, then another would follow it with, "Oh yeah, well my (husband/wife) does this...". They laughed, as though it were all in jest, but the body language of some of these sweet souls revealed their embarrassment. They were embarrassed that their loved ones were saying such negative/condescending things in front of the group. We didn't partake in these conversations, but sat back staring in embarrassment for these people. Some of these couples were involved in leadership at our church and had the opportunity to impact so many--including a young couple like us!

I'm sure we looked as shocked as we felt 'cuz one lady finally asked how long Chris and I had been married, and at that time I believe it had only been a matter of weeks since we'd said our vows. That woman smirked and said, "Just wait, you'll see." with a matter-of-fact tone. WOW. These were the people meant to encourage us in our new journey as husband and wife? Neither Chris nor I have ever forgotten that event and the sadness we felt for those people whose outlook on marriage had obviously soured in some way.

I love and appreciate my husband so much. I'm certain I don't tell him that or show him that enough. Now don't get me wrong, he sometimes bugs the freckles right off my nose! But one thing I do know is this: MEN NEED TO FEEL RESPECTED, and WOMEN NEED TO FEEL LOVED. (Ephesians 5:25-33) That's how God designed us. How we go about showing these feelings depends on the person to whom we're married and how they best understand and receive love.

I'm certain that criticizing and pointing out any shortcomings to a group of people would not make my husband feel respected. In fact, my hubby's Love Language is Words of Affirmation. If I give him 99 praises and 1 criticism, that 1 critical attitude can erase or at least lessen the other 99 expressions. And that's just at home--I'd certainly never want to berate him in public! And men definitely want to feel respected in their own home. If they can't find respect in their safest place, they may look elsewhere for it, and no wife wants that.

Someone reading this may think that their husband is just not a good guy...maybe he's lied, cheated, etc, so why/how would they show him respect? I'd just encourage you to look for the positive things. If he's not handy but cooks a great casserole, tell him and others what a great chef you have at home! If he doesn't have a great work ethic but genuinely loves his children, tell him and others what a great father he is! Your example of Christ's love can motivate him!

I was recently with a group of women who were sharing some personal needs and prayer requests. Some of these ladies were mothers, and their prayer requests mostly involved their children in regard to the start of the school year or health concerns. Then one woman called her child a name, and if memory serves correctly I believe she referred to her as "a terror". Exactly what the mother called her kid (I think a teenager) is irrelevant, but the tone and attitude and her resolve about it let me pick up on the fact that she'd felt this way for a while.

My heart felt so sad about this because I'm a mother who can't imagine feeling that way about my kids! I really LIKE my kids. I have a toddler who's learning boundaries and to push boundaries, but that's where my (and my hubby's) loving discipline comes into play. She won't always behave perfectly--not now, not as a teenager, maybe not even as an adult--but I will always love her and lovingly try to help her appropriately navigate her way through this world. I've had tough mommy days, and I can understand where this lady might feel exasperated and that those critical thoughts may cross her mind...but to say it aloud to a group of people?

I felt embarrassed for the daughter who wasn't even present because whenever this group of women sees her in the future, those critical thoughts are going to accompany that girl's presence! I also felt sad for the daughter--whatever her name, her age, or issues causing her mom to think she's a terror--because I bet the girl picks up on the mom's attitude, ya know? At some point, if not already, that girl's going to think, "Why bother? My mom doesn't like me anyway." And that's a scary thought. When a child feels that alone and desperate, there's no telling the depths that path can carry her into. There are people in this world who cannot conceive children, so I desperately wish the ones who can would appreciate those kids more! I don't feel compelled to pray for just this girl, but I'm going to be praying for the mother's heart to be softened.

It seems that sometimes people are nicer to their pastors on Sundays, acquaintances they mingle with occasionally, and even strangers they simply flutter past in WalMart. I hope that anyone who reads this will simply consider the idea of speaking highly of those they love. I'm not saying to pretend your loved ones have no faults or that they're perfect, but I bet if you turn the magnifying glass around then the negative things will become so small and the positive ones so enhanced!

The Shape Of A Mother

I always said that having a child would change my life, so I would expect it to change my body, too! I came across a website through a close friend, and it had a quote virtually identical to my feelings about the changes to a mother's body during and after pregnancy! (Site info below)

Aside from trying to fit into my favorite jeans again, I don't think I've mentioned much to others about the effects of motherhood on my physical being, but I'll do so now. The good news is my children were polite guests of the womb and didn't cause much "damage" as other mothers experience during and after pregnancy.

My first pregnancy, with Kyleigh, left virtually no trace that she'd ever once dwelled in my belly! I didn't really severly show 'til about the 3rd trimester, meaning I maybe looked like I needed to suck in my tummy before that, but didn't look pregnant. At the time of delivery I thought I was huge...but my second pregnancy would change that perspective! LOL
Anyway, I had NO stretchmarks, and the 28lbs I'd gained melted off via breastfeeding. I didn't change my eating habits during or after the pregnancy, and I didn't excercise (I think I'm allergic to anything tougher than a brisk walk!). For a person who hasn't done a workout since jr. high PE class, my body was surprisingly toned and in great shape. And after Kyleigh was born I actually ended up in a smaller jeans size...

...And then I ended up pregnant again within 9 months!

My second pregnancy, with Josiah, was different from my first. For starters, I wasn't carrying a petite little girl, but a big ol' husky boy so I started showing earlier! And rather than a little round basketball shape in the center of my belly, JoJo was oblong and rode low---I mean low, like when I sat down he was trying to make my belly sit on my lap!

I was still breastfeeding Kyleigh during the early months of the second pregnancy. Some chicks really like the "enhanced bosom" that accompanies motherhood, but that's one aspect where I didn't jump for joy. Before pregnancy I already had a chest size bordering on too-large for my small frame; so combined with chronic back problems, an enhanced bosom was not seen as a perk to me. I had 5 months between KyKy's weaning and Josiah's birth with no breastfeeding, and I was glad to be a bit smaller on top during that time! Then Josiah joined the world, and "the twins" are back to being even bigger again! (Oh, NO stretch marks on "the twins", which I've heard is common.)

And I didn't get any stretch marks while carrying Josiah--until the 9th month! And I'm fine with that--I believe these markings are the outward evidence of the miracle that was once inside. I got some light markings on my midsection which are already fading, but I know I got off pretty easy compared to some stories I've heard. A friend (who shall remain nameless out of privacy respect) told me of her stretch marks going from her pelvis to up underneath her breasts. My experience was extremely minimal in comparison.

As before, I've not changed my diet or begun any workout routine post-delivery. My weight's dropped via breastfeeding, so the 35lbs I gained isn't an issue, but I'm not toning up as easily as I did the first time around. While pregnant I'd said that I realized I may have to excercise the baby weight off this time...but I think I've been secretly holding out hope for it to magically disappear!



Maybe I'll get trim or maybe I won't, but I'm happy with who I am, and I proudly wear the shape of a mother! - - - - - >>>

CHECK OUT THIS SITE:

www.shapeofamother.blogspot.com/

My Date With A Younger Guy

While my husband was out on his date, I had a date of my own...with Josiah!

Our day, however, was not as fun-filled as the day Chris and Kyleigh shared. Siah's tummy didn't feel too super, so he spent the majority of the day crying, and I spent the majority of the day cuddling him.

I didn't rejoice in JoJo's discomfort, but for me it was a sweet time because he's a snuggly baby and it brings my heart a peaceful joy to know my arms can comfort my child.

My Husband Went On A Date

Yup, it's true. My husband had a date with another chick today. And I was glad to help him set it up!

It was a Father/Daugther Date, a special day for Chris and Kyleigh to spend some quality time together! Kyleigh's always been a daddy's girl and they've always enjoyed their time together. Now that there's a second child in the home, we want to make sure Kyleigh's still getting that special one-on-one time with her daddy. Her daddy is the first man in her life, and whether inadvertently or on purpose, he is the person who will model for her the way men should treat women. We think it's best he act with purpose to show Kyleigh how special she is!

The two of them are like two peas in a pod, and they had a great day. While Chris and Kyleigh ran some errands, I stayed home and made them a picnic lunch in the back yard. It was perfect 'cuz the grass had just been mowed and it meant they wouldn't have to haul all their picnic stuff to the park.

After their picnic, Kyleigh was ready to hit the town for the next phase of her date with Daddy!

Chris took Kyleigh on a carousel ride and to an arcade! She had a blast on their carousel ride, plus she won a fantastic little duckie necklace with all her arcade tickets! (I learned that although she had many tokens, someone gave KyKy an extra token they chose not to spend. She won tickets with it, but since she already had enough for her prize, she in turn gave away her extra tickets to someone before leaving the arcade! What a sweetie girl!)

Oh, and I must not forget to mention their special treats...ice cream for Daddy, french fries for Kyleigh! It's one of the few "regular" foods Kyleigh can eat, and she's a french fry fanatic! I really believe this had to be one of her favorite parts of the whole day!