not paying attention

Okay...I just realized that I already posted a picture of my boys playing in the snow. It's under another post, but I didn't pay attention when I posted earlier.

I haven't been paying attention on a lot of things recently. I can't remember what day it is. I have no idea what is happening in church tomorrow in regards to my almost 4 year old. I am surprised every year when Eric tells me he has New Year's Eve day off from work. I am misplacing items. Of course when I do find the missing items, they are always where I put them and in a place where I won't forget. So I say when I put them there orginally.

Maybe my gray hairs are affecting my brain more than I thought. The grays always seem to bring more friends when my highlights fade. Why is that?

Maybe I need to take some vitamins. But I probably wouldn't pay attention to the instructions and I would misplace them anyway. Oh well.

Snow

Here are Jarod and Andrew playing in the first snow of the winter season. They both had a blast sliding down the slide into the snow. Who knew that the swing set could be used year round!

Christmas tree and pictures...

We tried to get some pictures of the boys for that "perfect" Christmas card picture. They turned out fine, but I had jmagined them so much better. I really don't like the Cars trash can in the background. I'm not sure why it is downstairs and not in Jarod's room. I guess this is just life in our house for now and I will look back at the pictures in a few years and laugh. I'm still not sure which one we will choose for the Christmas cards, though.

a first

Today was a first for me. I made cherry bread. Cherry bread is one of my favorite things to eat during the holidays. My mom always makes it and I look forward to it every year. Now, if you know me well, I do not like to bake. I don't even bake cookies. I find the whole process messy and it takes a long time. However, this year I decided to don my Betty Crocker apron and tackle making the bread. I thought the loaves would make nice presents to our neighbors who have been so kind with watching Jarod off and on. I also thought that I would deliver them to our neighbors on either side of us who we have little contact with.

So, I made four loaves today. One loaf broke as I tried to take it out of the pan. Lesson: Do not take bread out of loaf pans until completely cooled. We will keep that loaf for ourselves. I want to make at least 2 more loaves for the bus driver and assistant who take Andrew to school. And maybe have make some more to keep in the freezer. We'll see how adventurous I get this week. My back hurts from standing all afternoon, but I'm proud of my accomplishment. My first cherry bread. Maybe next year I'll try to make fudge. Probably not.

Oh, by the way... the bread tastes really good!

Brothers

Here are some pictures of Jarod and Andrew from the last couple of months. Enjoy!

Here's Andrew in his Buzz pjs.

The boys were so excited to get out in the snow this week. They had a blast going down the slide and falling in the snow.

This was over Thanksgiving weekend at Grandma and Grandpa Peterson's house.

Jarod wanted to be a the conductor from The Polar Express for Halloween. I thought the costume looked great - thanks to Grandma Hansen who made the vest.

freedom

I have heard the term "freedom in Christ" before but it's taken on a different meaning to me today. I have been trying to lose weight for some time now. I have recenty joined a free course on line called Setting the Captives Free/The Lord's Table. It's a scripture based study on how to be free from poor eating habits.

I was reading today from 2 Corinthians 3:16-19 and in verses 16 - 17 is says, "But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." I have neve thought of that in terms of eating. If I turn to the Lord instead of food when I am tired, bored, stressed or just plain emotional, He will give me freedom from that desire to eat to fill that void that only the Lord can fill.

Does that make sense? I am still processing, but I think and pray that it's a start.

highly favored

Last night at MOPS I shared from a book called, The Journey of a Mother's Heart by Glenda Malmin. Here's what I shared:

Tonight we are in the kid's room where our children sleep and dream. It's where they play and grow. My kids rooms have changed over the years from a nursery to a somewhat smelly and messy big kids room.

Getting ready for my first baby was emotional for me. I was filled with joy, but scared to death and I really had no clue what I was doing or what was going to happen. I imagine that Mary felt the same way. She was engaged to Joseph getting ready for the wedding when she heard an angel say, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." What must Mary have been thinking? Maybe something like this:

Yes, sir? You have a message from the Lord for me? He says I'm highly favored?

Who, me? You're making me a little nervouse here. Yes, I know He's with me... He wants me to what? To have a baby! Well, the Lord knows I want to ... every young bride does. All in due time, of course.

I have to admit I'm a little concerned about my abilities. I'm not so sure I'll be a very good ... What? How could I possibly have a bab-? Well, yes, I know at times I can be inquisitive when I should be contemplative, but my mother always told me this mothering thing is a big deal to God. You know, it's a high calling as well as a privilege from the Father above.

How could I possibly...how could it be ...after all, I'm so young and inexperienced. highly favored, you say? I'll have to think about that one.

(pg. 17)

Did you feel like Mary? Did you feel unprepared for what lies ahead? Mary realized though that she was highly favored. We are also highly favored. Favored means: prefered above all others and treated or thought of with great kindness. Isn't that cool, that God chose Mary above every other woman be carry Jesus and tath he chose you above all other to carry your child? He favored you! Once I realized that I was favored by God for myu children - I knew that he would give me what I needed ot reaise my boys - just like God did for Mary.

one way that God helped Mary was in her cousin Elizabeth. Mary went to visit Elizabeth who also pregnant after being barren for years. Can you imagine that conversation when Mary arrived? There was probably a lot of hugging and crying and giggling. It says in Luke that when Elizabeth heard Marys' greeting, her baby leaped within her. Even the babies were excited. Elizabeth was an encouragement to MAry. She gave Mary blessings and Mary stayed with her for 3 months. Was there someone in your life that encouraged you as you began your journey of motherhood? I sure did.

One was my best friend Pamela. She and I were pregnant together; her with her second and I with my first. It was wonderful to tlak to her and seek her advice. She even drove me to the hospital days after her baby was born so I could get some help with nursing.

Another Elizabeth in my life was the nursering group at Lutheran. There was a group of women there that encouraged me while I nursed. I think I would have given up way too soon, if I had not have met them.

And finally, MOPS was an Elizabeth to me as well, especially with my second child. We want to encourage you in your jouney as moms. If you don't have an Elizabeth, in your life, I encourage you to ask God to bring you one. We all need encouragement!

After Mary visited with Elizabeth, she and Jsoeph made along journey to Bethlehem. What was that like to be very pregnant and have ot travel by donkey and walk such a long distance. It probably was not that much fun.

Then Mary gave birth. Jesus' nursery was nothing like ours. It was probably cold, dark, and damp. The manger was most likely filled with hay and smelled bad.

Tose first few days after birth are filled with joy and telling everyone you know about the birth. I had so many hopes and dreams for my children and I still do. I hope that they become responsible citizens, have family, do well in school and to know God. But MAry's hopes were different. Jesus was born to give us hope. He was born so we could have eternal life through faith in him.

Mary's journey of motherhood was not that different than yours and mine. She had emotions, hopes and dreams, morning sickness, labor pains and having to potty train. The only difference was that she gave birth to hope - a hope for you and me.

As you look in on your children tonight in their nusery or room, I hope that your dream for them is to also know the hope that Jesus can bring.

Decorating for Christmas

I love Christmas time! It's my most favortie holiday of the year. I even like decorating for Christmas, to an extent. I usually say that, "It looks like Christmas threw up around here!" I have boxes and paper everywhere and things that I don't know where I exactly want them to go. I like looking at everything when it's all done.

Well, Jarod really wanted to help put the ornaments on the tree. He actually did a good job. I have just always done it myself and which ornaments have the distinction of hanging toward the top branch and which ones are put in the back where no one really notices them. But I realized that there might not be many more year to come that Jarod will want to help me decorate the tree. At some point, he will probably join his dad on the couch and watch football while I place the bulbs on the tree and remember when the boys made their sheep ornaments.

So, as I stand back and look at the tree in a dark room with only the lights from the tree on I am reminded of the beauty of Christmas. Even though there are some ornaments that I would not have put up, like the apple ornament that has a little picture of me from college. I think a professor gave it to me. But, Jarod took pride in the ones he selected and liked how the tree looked in the end. I do too.

scrapbooking

I went to a Creative Memories party on Thursday at my friend Stacey's house. Her sister-in-law, Ellen is a new consultant. I thought I would go and support her. I remember how nervous I was at my first show. I did a demonstration show where each gal that came created her own page. I don't think I really knew what I was doing though. I just told them what I knew and what I thought would work.

I sold Creative Memories for, I think 3 years. Eric and I had talked when I first started and we decided that I could do it as long I wanted until it was not fun for me anymore. So, that's why I quit.

Anyway, Ellen did such a great job. She told us what she liked and knew a lot about the products. She didn't try to sell the big packages. (I always appreciate that!) It was fun to see the new catalog and how things are changing into the digital world of scrapbooking. It made me feel old at 34! You can now download templates and put your digital pics into it and then send it to Creative Memories and they will copy it and send it to you. Pretty cool!

I had to remember to keep my mouth shut though and just let Ellen do the talking. It was hard for me not to jump in and give my two cents!

The party also helped me to get motivated to scrapbook again. I am so behind in my pictures! Hopefully, one day I will get caught up.

Happy Birthday Jarod!

Happy Birthday Jarod!!! Hi birthday was actually October 12, but I haven't had time to post until now. I can't believe he is 7 years old now. Wow. Where did the time go! Jarod had a busy day on his birthday. I brought lunch over to his school and got to eat with him in the cafeteria. Then later in the afternoon I went back to school and went on the annual Jog/Walk to help promote a healthy lifestyle. After dinner we opened presents and had cake and icecream with Jarod's friend and neighbor, Brandon. Jarod got a scooter for his birthday. He loved it and couldn't wait to get outside!

Here's the new helmet!

The scooter...
This is Jarod's friend, Brandon. Are they getting to age where it's not cool to look at the camera?
Jarod loves lemon cake.

After cake and icecream, we went up north to the ever busy and noisy Chuck E. Cheese. They all had a great time. Jarod and Brandon got the same toy with their tickets- a rocket launcher. The boys talked about the evening all the way home. Who says boys don't talk much!

New name

Okay, all of you who read this... I need a new name for this blog. (I don't like that name - blog. Doesn't just flow off the tongue.) Anyway, when I was setting up this site, I was not in a very creative frame of mind and just settled on "Becky's Blog" for the title. I haven't liked it, but don't know what else to call it.

So, any thoughts? It can be cutesy or clever, whatever. I'll look forward to your replies!

Cub Scouts

Jarod is now an official cub scout. Eric and I thought he would really enjoy cub scouts because he will get to earn badges and awards. Jarod loves to go to Lowes and make things with his hands. He then gets a badge to put on his apron. So, we thought cub scouts would be a natural fit. Eric was almost an eagle scout.

Eric took Jarod to a bon fire with his pack last Friday night. They got to sit in a cannon and have smores. They both had a great time!

Jarod's early birthday

Jarod will be 7 in about two weeks. We celebrated with his grandparents in Indianapolis this weekend by going to the Indiana Transportation Museum. That translates to lots and lots of trains! They had several old trains in the yard that you could walk through and get a feel for what it was like to ride in a train back in the "old days". It was so neat to see Jarod climbing in the engineer's seat and grinning from ear to ear. He was in heaven!
Jarod climbed in a caboose to see out of the top like a brakeman would have done. There was a desk in the caboose for the conductor to sit in and keep a log. Jarod felt right at home!


Jarod also sat at a table and chairs in the dining car.



Andrew enjoyed it as well. I was suprised that Jarod shared the engineer's seat with him! It was a special day for Jarod.

Kid Nation

Yes, I actually watched the much talked about Kid Nation tonight. I even let Jarod watch it too. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It focused a lot on team work and the importance of working together. The show also had challenges and awards. It was interesting.

Jarod and I actually had a good conversation about what it would be like if was there and didn't have any grown ups around. He said he might like it for a while, but then would get home sick and want to come home. I thought that was pretty honest for an almost 7 year old.

In this episode the kids had to kill a chicken. Jarod said that killing the chicken to eat it was okay because they were hungry, but that they shouldn't kill it because it was fun.

I really like this age of almost 7, but I'm not sure I'm ready for him to grow up!

Kids say the funniest things

• Last week in church my friend pulled me aside and said she needed to tell me something. She said that during Sunday School, Miss Susie was asking the children if they had ever done anything wrong. "I have," she said. Well, my 1st grader, Jarod spoke up and said, "Not so much this month." My friend said all the teachers were trying to hold in their laughter! Such a funny guy.
• Jarod was involved in a program last year in school called Super Games. It was a chance for K-2 kids to learn some games and get some energy out after school. It took some convincing for Jarod to even go. When I picked him up later after the first day, he walked out of the gym with a very annoyed look on his face and said, "There wasn't anything super about those games!" He eventually warmed up to the teacher and enjoyed it.
• I was playing with Andrew outside last Friday and he was up in the "fort" of our playset. He was steering the wheel and I asked him where he was going. I asked him if was driving to Gramma's house. Well, once we got inside he stood by the back door and said repeatedly, "Gramma's house, Gramma's house." He was ready to go! So, we headed down to Gramma's house for the afternoon. I guess I need to be careful with what I say or me may be going on several field trips to Gramma's!

I have always wanted to write down the funny things my kids say. I want to remember them, but somehow my attempts at journaling have gone by the wayside. Hopefully, this blog will help me to write them down more often. I guess it's just easier to type than to get out a pencil and paper.

MOPS

We had our first MOPS meeting of the year on Monday night. It turned out to be a really great night. We had some new faces to our group which made it fun. The theme for our year is The Home Factor. We will be going through different rooms of the house and hopefully encouraging moms along the way. I am excited to see where the Lord leads us!

This is my last year as coordinator for our MOPS group. I just feel that God is leading me to something else. I don't know what that is exactly, but I'm looking forward to finding out. So, until then, I hope to encourage my steering team in leadership and to work with them to make this year the best one yet. It's a little bitter-sweet for me to think about stepping down. I know my c0-coordinator will do a fantastic job, but it will be hard for me to let go. I've loved this position and I know God has changed me through it!

Picture Night

We had our family pictures taken last night at church for our church directory. I wasn't sure how they were going to go.

The last time we had a family picture taken for a church directory was about 5 years ago and Jarod cried the whole time. We couldn't get a good picture. So, they sent us to another location on another day to try again. Once again, Jarod cried. Our picture was okay, but Jarod's eyes were wet and red and Eric and I looked like we just wanted to go home.

Our last family picture was taken last year around the holidays. It wasn't supposed to be a family picture, however. It was supposed to be a picture of Andrew and Jarod because I had not had a picture of the two of them together since Andrew was a baby. Well, the whole experience was a disaster! Andrew cried and screamed and would not sit with Jarod at all. I went to two locations and I ended up crying as well. So, I convinced Eric to come with us and that way he could hold Andrew in is lap. That picture turned out well. (see below)

So, last night...We actually got a decent picture for the directory. I was pretty happy. (Although, I wasn't completely happy with my look, but whatever...) The fun part of the evening was getting the boys pics together. They were anything but typical! Andrew either had his back to the photographer, his shirt up showing his belly, or my favorite...his fingers in his ears because Jarod was saying "cheese" too loud. We purchased that one! I'll post it when we get it.

Picture night wasn't so bad, but I don't want to do it again for a while!

Being Uncomfortable

Tuesday night I had to lead a meeting. I had planned pretty much all that day. I had an agenda that could be tweaked if needed, but I really wanted to stick to it. Well, nothing that night went as planned. I left there feeling defeated, embarrassed and discouraged. When I got home that night, I talked to a good friend of mine that reminded me that God is probablly stretching me in this area. I feel like I am back at the beginning; relearning how to lead a group of ladies in ministry. This can be a good thing. I knew that I had been getting really comfortable the last couple of years in leading this group, but I didn't know that it meant that I would be uncomfortable later.

I don't like to be uncomfortable! I like to know what's happening, when it's happening and why. I feel vulnerable. And that's a scary place for me to be.

So, what can I do in this uncomfortable place of leading a fairly new group of ladies? Do I stick with what I know? Do I change things up? Or is it me that I need to change? I think God is telling me that I need to trust in Him more by being more assertive. Not mean, but really sticking to my guns. If I have prayed over my agenda and know that this is what we need to accomplish tonight, then I need to trust the Lord that He will give me the courage to follow through with it.

It's not in just this area of leading this group that I feel uncomfortable and need to trust in God more. It's also in my dealings with Drew and his special needs, disciplining the boys, talking to my neighbors, volunteering at Jarod's school, and the list goes on.

As Jarod was preparing for school, I read Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be dscouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." I prayed that for him, especially all that first day.

I need to pray that for myself and allow God give me the courage to be strong in the midst of my uncomfortableness.

Andrew's first three days of school

Andrew is off to a really good start at school. Having Andrew go to summer was helpful because it allowed him to have a smooth transition into the school year. Here are a few comments his teacher has said...

• 8/20 Bus driver said Andrew cried at first then was fine. he also cried when he got off the bus, but stopped when he heard our familiar circle songs. He got back into our routine pretty quickly! Good morning!
• 8/21 Andrew was very happy when he got off of the bus today. He even willingly put his notebook and crayons in his backpack! He imitated at least 50% of movements at circle time. We are hearing more words and a few phrases. (He wanted new paper at the easel and said, "Oh no,what should we do?" He was able to name most pictures in his school vocab. book. he matched our school vocab. word cards picture to picture, but not to picture to object. Good day!
• 8/22 We are working hard to illicit more words. Also, working on sharing! He has a favorite ball toy, but would rather choose something else than share.

That last one made me laugh! That's so true! I'm looking forward to seeing what he can accomplish this year!

First Day of School

Well, it's official: the school year has begun.

Jarod started first grade last week. It's been an adjustment for him to be in school all day, but I think it will get easier as he begins to learn the routines and feel confident in himself. He has a really nice teacher. I'm looking forward to meeting her formally and seeing a class list. I am also excited about having the time to help out in his classroom. Jarod is already bugging me to come to his class!

Andrew started preschool today. He rode the bus for the first time too. He did really well! There was a slight hesitation when he stepped on the bus, and the driver said he only cried a little at the beginning and when he got off the bus. It sounded like he wanted to ride more and not go to school!

I am really proud of both my boys. I pray that God will give them both a peace about school that is beyond their understanding and that they learn to trust in Him more and more.

Interesting Discovery

On Saturday I had the opportunity to scrapbook all day. I was really looking forward to working on my album and trying to get caught up. I sat next to a lady named Diana. We talked on and off during the day. At the end of the day as I was beginning to pack up, one of my friends came over to look through my pages. As she looked at my house pages, Diana stood up, put her hand on my shoulder and gasped. I asked her if she was okay and she said that she knew my house. I asked her how she knew and she said that the previous owner of our house was her cousin. She looked at the pictures on the page in awe because her cousin and his wife have both passed away. Diana began telling me about this couple; how they met, their love for each and their family, how much the wife loved to garden and the pride she took in her yard. (The wife would be shocked by how much I am NOT a gardener!) It made me look at my house a little differently when I got home. Someone else had memories different from mine of the same house. I feel strangely connected to Diana. I hope that Eric and I can bring memories to other peoplel like this couple has done for Diana. I hope that Diana and I can scrapbook again together. I would like to learn more about her cousin and the memories she had in our home.

Time for a change

I have been reading a book recently called Breathe by Kari Wyatt Kent. It's about how to create a space for God in a hectic life. I've been feeling overwhelmed recently about school starting and all the "stuff" and committments that come with the school year. But I know that God longs for me to be in a realtionship with him and if my life is just too busy, how can I give him the time that he so deserves. One aspect of this book is Sabbath Simplicity: a God-focused life of rhythm of work and rest. I love that that! Especially the part about rest. I forget sometimes that it is okay to not go anywhere, to have down time. Other points of Sabbath Simplicity are:

• Its a way of life that you build by listening to God's direction
• It's deliberate, but almost effortless
• It's choosing yes or no based on what God is calling me to do

I pray that Lord will be patient with me as I learn how live this way.

Change is a good sometimes.

T-ball

Last night was Jarod's last night of t-ball. (Jarod's at bat in the picture). They had their game at Lawton Park. He did so well! He hit well, stopped a couple of good hits, threw the ball to first base like he was told to. It was such a fun night. His buddy, Joe was on third base in this picture. That was fun for Jarod to play with a friend this summer. We've had some issues with Jarod not wanting to play, but last night was awesome! We are so proud of him!

By the way, I finally figured out how to post a picture. I did it without any help from my very gifted computer minded husband!

School starting

I have heard some moms say that they can't wait for school to start again. I am not one of those moms (at least not this year). I have so enjoyed having my boys around this summer. Andrew was in summer school for about 6 weeks and Jarod and I were able to spend some quality time together while Andrew was at school. I think it boils down to that this is the first time that Jarod will be away from me all day. He will be getting most of his influence from outside the home now. That is a little scarey for me. I know he will do fine and it will be a good experience for hm, but I don't have to like it! Drew will be at school 3 days a week in the mornings. So, I will have three mornings a week where I will be by myself. That will be a first for me! I'm sure I will find plenty to do those mornings!

Well, we are heading to the zoo this morning so I need to go.

Jumping In

Okay, here I go into the world of blogging. I have wanted to do this for a while but haven't fully jumped in yet. So, here I go...