Thoughts of Janey

Janey is getting married today!  I wish I was there!  We grew up together.  We lived next door to each other for many years.

I remember...

• going to preschool together
• primary classes together
• playing in the circle
• being so sad the day she went to kindergarten without me (I think I even cried)
• putting together a summer school for younger kids
• walking home from school together
• swapping books
• classes together again in high school (loved that)
• hanging out with friends
• group dates together
• and so much more.

Mommy lessons | Encouragement over Praise

I recently finished reading "Positive Discipline, the First Three Years" and thought it was a great in helping me better understand what Elizabeth understands and needs now.  One of the things that really stood out to me was the part about Praise versus Encouragement.  We live in a society where we all seek after praise {especially including myself}.  The praise though is something that can be a hindrance.  It says that you just get recognition after you have done something.  As for encouragement, it is saying that you believe in the person as they are working on something.  So as a parent I am going to try to seek was to encourage Elizabeth more.

I have already found that to be encouraging instead of just praising is a difficult thing to do.  Praising is such an ingrained thing.  I have found that I have to think really hard to change the way I say something to make it as encouragement instead of just praise.  I am looking for ways to help me better understand what encouragement is, and then make it into a habit to seek for ways that I can be encouraging.

I CAN DO IT!!!

Sweet little moments

Elizabeth gazing out the window with the evening light gently surrounding her.

Elizabeth falling asleep in my arms while reading to her before her nap.

Little Miss E standing on her little chair on the opposite side of the desk, flipping through a magazine.

Little E tasting the waffle batter, and leaving a ring around her lips and nose.

Rocking my girl before bedtime.

Blurbs of thought

After almost a week, Little Miss Elizabeth's fever has finally left!

Took Elizabeth to the doctor this morning and found out she has an ear infection.  Glad that this can be treated with antibiotics, unlike her croup.  But doctor thinks her croup should be gone in a few days.  I sure hope so!


The weather has been so beautiful!  Warm and sunny!  We all love it!!!


Jakobe called to chat this afternoon.  I love talking with my brother!


Elizabeth took a really long nap, and woke up content.  This makes us both really happy!

I never want to forget...

Elizabeth laughing in her sleep at DTW airport...

Elizabeth had fallen asleep on the first flight last Friday, and I carried her to our next gate and waited to board with her in my arms.  While waiting, I enjoyed watching her sleep, and once again noticed that she doesn't sleep with her eyes completely shut.  I knew that some in my family sleep the same way, but I didn't know about Brian.  So...I asked him if he slept with his eyes open, and he looked at me as if to say, "Really?  What kind of a question is that?"  I made me laugh, and when I laughed I heard and saw Elizabeth give a gentle smile and laugh in her sleep.  Well, this made me laugh a little more, which made Elizabeth laugh a little more, and smile a little bigger.  Which then made me laugh more, and you can guess the rest.  Elizabeth eventually woke up smiling and laughing.  I loved this moment!

This is for you, Amy

August 10, 2009

Nine days before Elizabeth Adelaide was born

Blurbs of thought

LOVED Tangeled!  Watched it as a family last night, and we all loved it!  Elizabeth even sat mesmerized through it all.

Elizabeth loved sitting in her own seat...her booster seat with tray {of course}.  She also loved hanging onto the bowl of popcorn.


Loved running around with E and B before bed last night.


I love watching my baby take care of her babies.


I can't believe how lightly I am packing for my trip.  Still have over 5 pounds, and that's with all the books I am taking back.  So glad I don't need to pay to check a bag.

I love packing with Ziplock bags!  See through, categorized stuff, get out excess air, and can label.

Only one carry on suitcase and diaper bag!  That's for both me and Elizabeth!


I have been asked to take pictures at the funeral.


Love that Elizabeth is now saying prayers by herself.  When I picked up dinner yesterday, she knew I had food and wanted to eat it.  So...from the backseat we saw her fold her arms and heard her pray with a big 'Amen' at the end.  She knows what we do before we eat, and she wanted to eat!

Life lessons: simplify

Recently I have stumbled upon a few blogs about Minimalism.  As I have been reading them, I have come to feel that what they are saying really 'speaks' to me.  Minimalism is about living with only the things that make you happy, and cutting out the junk.  It's about simplifying your life so that you have the time, and energy for the things that you love.

I love this concept on so many levels!  I am often hating myself for getting so bogged down at times.  I hate feeling like my home and life is overstuffed.  I often feel like I have to choose between a clean house, a happy toddler, a happy husband, or being sane.  Reading about minimalism makes me feel like there is something that can help me have all three.

I have started to work towards this by first getting rid of clutter, and extra stuff in my home.  This hasn't been easy and I still have a long ways to go, but it feels wonderful!  I get so excited by each bag we take to the garbage, or Goodwill.  I have been making more space everywhere, which is great when living in a small apartment.

I am looking forward to a more simpler life.  Spending less time cleaning, running around and getting nothing done.  But most of all...I am excited to take the extra time to spend it with the people I love, doing the things I love!

"You!"

We just watched "Toy Story 3" as a family the other day, and Brian and I like to copy the scene when Ken and Barbie saying "I love you."  They each take turns saying a word in the phrase...

Barbie, "I."
Ken, "Love."
Barbie, "You!"
Ken,"I."
Barbie, "Love."
Ken, "You!"

Well, today when we were in the car getting ready to drive home from the river trail, this is the variation that we had...

Brian, "I."
{Kiss}
Me, "Love."
{Then we heard the sweetest little voice from the backseat}
Elizabeth, "You!"

Can't get better than that!

Snow day fun

Elizabeth is finally better, the temperature was moderate for winter, and there is snow on the ground.  These all combined made it perfect to finally take Elizabeth outside to play.  She was so in her element!  We walked, and tromped through the snow, and ended up at the playground.  Can you believe we had the whole place to ourselves!  Elizabeth loved the slides, especially the big twirly one, that I had to go down with her.  It was so slick we almost ended up in the snow at the bottom, and I found that I need some snow pants too.  I am so glad that I was able to take her outside, it's where a toddler should be.