More Christmas Pics

Marc's Candyland Estate

Amanda's "Sweet" Cottage

Ethan enjoying the no bake house fixins on Christmas Eve

Aaron demolishing two walls, Yum!

E at his MDO Christmas Program
(he had just spotted daddy...then the camera went dead)

E & A making waves in Playscape

Aaron Driving an Indy Car
(Look out Aunt Lou)

Ethan Admiring the Christmas Train and Scenery at The Children's Museum

Wrong End of the Fork Sweetie
(Ethan)

Look Mom I am Eating...Sort of a Rarity
(Aaron)

The pictures are in reverse order of occurrence.

Christmas, Life, and Intentions

As I sit here in the office at Marc and I's shared desk, I glance out the window and see the falling snow and sip my glass of Penfold's Cabernet Merlot. I feel so thankful and blessed. This has been a wonderful holiday season. I have enjoyed it like none that I can remember in the recent past. I might venture to say like none I have experienced since I was a child and to be honest, I do not remember a vast amount of my childhood. The memories I hold dear from childhood Christmases included quiet candlelit Christmas Eve's and 11 o'clock Christmas Eve services singing "Silent Night." Every year on Christmas morning I would run from my room to the living room to look under the tree and dump my stocking to see what Santa had left behind prior to going to wake my parents. Santa always put a red delicious apple and an orange in my stocking without fail. I love that Marc, Ethan, Aaron, and I have started our own traditions as a family. I love that we were close to home and didn't have to do a lot of travelling.

I also love being 30! Okay, don't get me wrong aging has its downfalls but really they are minimal at this point. So far I am feeling more and more "at home" in my 31st year. It has been so fun redecorating our house. It is amazing, at least to me, how it is turning out. On New Year's Eve of 2005 we signed on the dotted line to build our current home. We moved in late May, early June of the following year and it has taken until within the last couple of months to feel settled. I think that there are many reasons for that. Marc and I are investing in our relationship. Without a healthy marriage no house can feel like a home! Ethan and Aaron have filled our four walls with fun, creativity, imagination, and love. In addition, my style has changed and I am not sure whether it is a stage or I have found my true sense of style, but I love shabby, vintage, white, colorful, bright decor.

Today I had the pleasure of embarking on a me day! Marc and the boys ventured up north to his mom and step dad's and left me here to do whatever it is that I would like to do. Marc will be travelling for work soon and thought it would be something nice that I would enjoy...and my have I! The boys woke up at about 5am this morning because they went to bed early last night. Since I was up and Marc was up shortly later, I decided to head to Menards. I had hoped to pick up a Christmas tree and possibly a train for under the tree for the boys to put in the basement. Unfortunately I did not find great deals on either item. However, I did get some neat ornaments, gift wrap, and some clothes. It was so nice to shop with no time frame and no one's agenda but my own.

This afternoon I watched the movie Julie & Julia. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is about the life of Julia Child of course and a woman named Julie Powell. Julie had hoped to be a writer, but instead without success of publishing her novel ended up in a totally unrelated career without a great deal of direction (at least according to the movie). She decides to start a blog to sort of jump start her writing again and writes about her challenge of cooking all 500+ recipes in Julia Child's book, "Mastering the Art of French Cooking." Julia seemed to have a lovely, charismatic personality in the movie. I don't really have much knowledge of her outside of the movie other than a vague recollection of her on TV. The movie really made me think. Honestly I am not tremendously talented or gifted in any one area. I like to think of myself as someone God made fairly well rounded and I do think that is a gift. With that said, I do sometimes long to be extremely talented in some area. I am so drawn to creative people! I often ponder what it would be like to have a following on my blog or pursue writing further, take decorating to a new level outside of my own home, or even go back to school to become an OT and fulfill my dream of working at Riley Hospital. I am not sure which if any of those things will ever happen or if any of them are supposed to, but I do think it challenged me to start off the new year and continue my 31st year with direction and intention. I've signed up for my first mini marathon and will be starting my training within the next week. I definitely want to invest more time volunteering and serving within and outside my church this year. We will see, maybe I will start investigating the OT thing a bit again. I most definitely want to continue to be intentional about being a wife and mother. The small things like making home cooked meals, reading to my kids, developing traditions, and so much more are so important. I also want to commit to having a strong relationship with God in 2010 and teaching my children that God loves them in some way each day! Life is hard, but he continues to bless me with so much!

The Long Awaited "School" Pictures

Ethan

Aaron

Jolly Days at the Children's Museum

We visited Santa and DADDY today!

More pictures to come from our trip to the museum, but wanted to share this one right away.

ENT Appointment and Update

Ethan and Aaron had an ENT appointment yesterday morning. They have had three sinus infections pretty much back to back, E's right ear had been draining for 11 days, and prior to the ear infections they had issues with drainage not clearing up with the drops. The doctor increased the dosage of their allergy medicine. She also changed E's antibiotic and prescribed an additional drop to try to clear up his ongoing ear drainage. All and all she felt that the sinus infections were being caused by persistent allergies combined with viruses. Fortunately no adnoid removal at this point. A's left tube is no longer in place and therefore no longer useful. E's right tube is hanging on by a thread. We will hope we can make it through this winter without new tubes, but we will just have to see.

The nurse said you must be going crazy (The boys also had a stomach virus on Sunday with vomiting.) I told her that this year the boys had actually been healthier than last year. Last year they would get fevers, be completely down, and fussy with the ear infections. Although the boys are not completely healthy, they are active and vibrant most days and for that I am so thankful! I am sure it is all a matter of perspective also! Last year everything seemed so overwhelming and this year I cling to the fact the boys and our family are safe in God's hands. I long for and pray that the boys have an even healthier 2010, but I am so very grateful that their health issues are minor. My heart breaks for mommys and daddys who have children with chronic illnesses. We are so very lucky and blessed!

Pictures as Promised

Pictures from The Rhodes' Family Christmas this past Saturday and Christmas at the Zoo last night!

Reading with Aunt Lou

Wow, a doodle pro from Aunt Me Me

A opening his personalized art kit from Aunt Lou

E loves dip!

Ethan & Grandma Rhodes

A & E enjoyed playing with a remote controlled tarantula

Daddy and the boys before the train ride.
Unfortunately it is quite hard to get pictures of them looking!

Mommy and the boys after the train ride...they wanted down.

Ethan & Aaron enjoying the pretty lights.

Look Mom & Dad, Sharks!

Ethan's gonna get'em!

Life through children's eyes

So far the holiday season has been lots of fun. Having a better appreciation of the life that God has given us and little people around will do that. I have enjoyed seeing family for Thanksgiving and our first Christmas celebration, which was this past weekend. It is fun to see the boys play with their cousin and second cousins. They adore their cousin Drew who is in second grade. We took Ethan and Aaron to look at Christmas lights last week. Ethan was fussy, but Aaron enjoyed it. When we got home Aaron sat on the kitchen island and helped me mix the ingredients to make hot cocoa. Ethan stirred it a bit too. Surprising neither one enjoyed the cocoa itself. Last night we went to Christmas at the Zoo. Marc and I started the tradition of going to Christmas at the Zoo the first year we started dating. We missed the last two years while I was on bed rest and with the boys being sick so much last year. It was so fun to start the tradition up again with Ethan and Aaron. They were big men! They walked holding our hands. We didn't even take the stroller in. They enjoyed seeing the sharks and adored the dolphin show. Aaron was so excited Marc had to restrain him on his lap with his arm so he didn't fall off. When the dolphins were under water he would scream more dolphins. Ethan loved it as well. He would raise his little shoulders, grin from ear to ear, and look over at me. They both clapped and loved the show. They also took their firs train ride. They are quite into trains, cars, etc.. I don't think I have ever seen them wait so patiently for something as they did when we were waiting for the ride to begin. I truly can not explain how fun it is to see their joy and excitement! It is amazing to imagine life through their eyes.

I will post some updated pictures later tonight or tomorrow!

Soon to be TWO...

Ethan and Aaron will be two on the 31st. Marc and I have decided to have a small family party this year. The theme will be sea life. The boys just love fish, sharks, and whales. I have got some fun ideas for cupcakes and just love how the birthday invitation turned out.


Marc had decided that the boys needed a fish tank. He has a friend at work who has several tanks and gave us one for them. That also helped seal the deal on the sea life party. We will give it to them for their birthday. I'll be interested to see how they react to the fish. Should be entertaining! :)

Tidbits about our day and general updates...

-Ethan's favorite word right now is "funny" (Katie funny, milk funny, etc.)
-The boys like the tree and the ornaments and are working on the one finger touch method (doing well so far)
-They both LOVE our neighbor Landon. He is a month and a half older than them. They think he hung the moon.
-Poppy Dittmer said they were quite well mannered children over the weekend. Honestly overall they are and that makes my heart smile.
-E & A have colds right now and so does Daddy. A's ear has been draining the last few days and if it still is tomorrow, I'll probably need to take him to get an oral antibiotic.
-The boys loved wrestling with Landon today and visiting with Gavin.
-E & A had fun with Katie tonight while Marc and I were at counseling. Ethan even said "Bye Katie" tonight without prompting.
-They are starting to look like such little men. Between looking like it and talking in two to three word sentences from time to time, our babies are growing up!
-A loved him some french fries this evening. I hate to say it, but they know what they are and if they see a carry out bag they want them! Thankfully they like veggies and fruit too!
-E & A were a little rough from time to time today while playing with Landon, so they would be put in time out. After time out they customarily say they are sorry which usually comes with a kiss. They kissed Landon to say sorry and just to kiss him. How sweet! :)

I want to hold onto these days forever. As hard as being a mom is, it is the best. On one hand our job is to help them grow and develop to go out on their own, but it breaks my heart to think of that ever happening!

Christmas Time is Here

Mini Tree

Our Tree...I think I am going to add a garland of popcorn

Our front stoop...welcome Santa!

The tree is up and shopping has ensued. Marc and I have kept our Christmas gift giving list short the last few years and the monetary value of the gifts in check. Since we are a one income family it is a necessity. With the abundance we have and most of us we know, we also want to try to give extravagantly to those who don't. I have to admit I love putting thought and love into gift giving and you know I love me some decorating (Christmas or not), but God has given us so much and it is our call to do the same for others.

It is amazing how much more in the Christmas spirit I am this year. Children make everything new again. Seeing things through their eyes and watching their eyes light up at even the smallest of things makes life so worth while.

Above are some pictures of our holiday decor. I should have a few with the boys later today or in the next few days. The boys are learning the "one finger touch" Christmas ornament theory. So far they aren't doing too bad. I'll keep you posted! ;)

Our little turkeys...

Aaron and Ethan in their Indian costumes after school

Ethan

Ethan's picture

Aaron

Aaron's picture

I apologize in advance for the pictures being blurry. I realized later that the lens on the camera needed cleaned!

We have had a busy last few days. Saturday was Thanksgiving for my mom's family, yesterday was the 10 year anniversary celebration at our church, and today Ethan and Aaron had their Thanksgiving program and lunch at church. The boys had a blast playing with their cousins during the family get together. They didn't get their regular nap, so they ended up sleeping in until 7:40am yesterday. That was so nice for Marc and I! We had a nice time at the church celebration yesterday. How exciting to celebrate all that God has done through Northeast Community Church (NECC) the last 10 years and all that he will do moving forward. We are so blessed to call NECC our home.

When I arrived for the Thanksgiving program at the boys' school it was so nice. The boys had made place mats, their were cute name cards, and decorative framed pictures of the boys. The boys were simply adorable when the came filing in with their classmates in Indian and Pilgrim outfits. I almost cried when I saw them. However the Thanksgiving program and lunch today, lets be honest, were just plain hard! Ethan and Aaron saw me and decided not to stand with their classmates during the program itself. Ethan was fussy and they both wanted milk. The staff from the EMUC Mother's Day Out program is always so helpful, but it was hard to juggle two. The lunch was buffet style. One teacher carried Aaron while I carried Ethan and filled their plates. Ethan was being fussy so we switched midway through the line. Later another teacher was nice enough to sit with the boys while they ate so I could go back through the line and get food for myself. They weren't sure about lunch. Whenever they are out of their routine their behavior shows it. Don't get me wrong they are wonderful little boys with lovely personalities, but they are basically two and we all know how demanding that age can be. As Aaron is screaming that he wants pie and he has barely eaten anything on his plate and I give it to him so that we don't make a complete scene, I sat there thinking wow these moms and teachers must think I am a mess. At home, I am definitely much more structured but I find myself caving in those kinds of situations. As a mother you just want to do what is right for your child and their is so much pressure as you are shaping the men they will some day be. With that said, it is so hard to know the right answers. Is it really going to make that much of a difference if my child eats pie for lunch just this once, probably not. I just wish I could let go of worrying about what others think of my parenting! I end up walking away from those situations with such self doubt! To think I have been talking to Marc about whether it would ever be the right time for us to have another baby. Hmm, I think it is safe to say it would be best to wait. Marc definitely isn't ready and I suppose I am not either.

With all that I said, please don't take me the wrong way. I love being a mom and honestly I usually feel fairly confident about myself and being in my mommy skin. I take great joy in being a stay at home mom and knowing that I get to be a part of even the smallest things in my little guys' lives. Life is good and God is great. I am so very blessed and thankful!

Who's to say
What's impossible
Well they forgot
This world keeps spinning
And with each new day
I can feel a change in everything
And as the surface breaks reflections fade
But in some ways they remain the same
And as my mind begins to spread its wings
There's no stoppin' curiosity

I wanna turn the whole thing upside down
I'll find the things they say just can't be found
I'll share this love I find with everyone
We'll sing and dance to Mother Nature's song
I don't want this feeling to go away

Who's to say
I can't do everything
Well I can try
And as I roll along I begin to find
Things aren't always just what they seem

I wanna turn the whole thing upside down
I'll find the things they say just can't be found
I'll share this love I find with everyone
We'll sing and dance to Mother Nature's song
This world keeps spinning and there's no time to waste
Will it all keep spinning and spinning round and round and

Upside down
Who's to say whats impossible and can't be found
I don't want this feeling to go away

Please don't go away
Please don't go away
Please don't go away
Is this how it's supposed to be
Is this how it's supposed to be

Ethan and Aaron love the Curious George movie, but most of all they love the Jack Johnson music video "Upside Down" (lyrics above) with Curious George in it. Every time I play it, they say more and do the sign for more. It makes my heart smile not only because I also love music and the song's lyrics, but because I adore my boys' innocent love and curiosity.

This song really resonates with me right now. How amazing that as God fills your heart, your whole world can sort of change and feel upside down in a truly good way. All of the above analogies seem vividly real...reflections fading, mind spreading its wings, dancing with Mother Nature, etc. But the lyric only surpassing not wanting the feeling to go away by a small margin and standing out the most would be, " I'll share this love I find with everyone."

Isn't that what God wants the most for us?!? As mentioned in the message at church yesterday, continuing the Safety is Not an Option series, "God wants us to be his light to the world." Wow, that can be so hard! As I think about living for Him and showing His love more, I do a better job. Lets be realistic though I fall short often. Yesterday, Marc and I got upset with each other and said a few things we didn't mean. I got so angry and I let that anger fill me and take over. Something Marc said really hurt. Had I stayed calm to begin with it would have never gotten to that point. Then after his comment I let the hurt come out as even more anger. I truly have to work on my anger and I know with God's help I will continue to respond in better, healthier ways over time. This can only happen if I embrace God and have a personal vision of God's heart. "God desperately cares about those that don't have a heart for him and wants us to be a light to them. (quoted from Fred Bays' message yesterday)."

So, I challenge myself and those reading this to ask ourselves what our personal vision is? A move of God...results...only come after a personal vision. "Allow people to see God in the flesh through you (another quote from Fred's message)." And, as Jack Johnson says share "this" love with everyone.

Today

Ethan: Night, night momma it is time for a nap

Aaron playing at his "new" table
(the table was his grandfathers, then Marc's, now the boys')

A making funny faces as usual

Sweet little E

So long mediocrity

We had a lovely, but busy weekend. I've been working on several home projects and the latter part of the week I dove in full force to try to get a few more done before the jewelry party I was having Friday evening. There was a nice turnout, the pretties were fabulous, and the company was terrific. Saturday was filled with the celebration of my sister in law, Megan. She is getting married in a couple months and her wedding shower and bachlorette party took place. With that Marc's mom, grandma, dad, and step mom were also here for a visit. This morning was filled with a church meeting and service. The boys enjoyed the opportunity to have some quality daddy time, as did Marc. He is such a sweet daddy. Saturday morning he had the boys outside playing, I look out the window and he is pushing the lawn mower and pulling the boys behind him in the radioflyer wagon. I opened the door to ask him what he was doing and he said something along the lines of I wanted to mow, but the boys won't want me to so I am pulling them in the wagon. Ethan and Aaron were laughing and asking for more...the ride to continue that is! I so wish I had thought to take a picture.

I'm loving life lately. Don't take me the wrong way life is not perfect, but the fog seems to have lifted. I eluded to this in a recent post, but I honestly believe that I dealt with depression for the better part of the last two years. Praise God for healing! With that clarity it has lead me to think a lot about people who deal with mental health issues. Being that this was not the first time I had dealt with depression and that it was the longest it had ever lasted for me., my heart breaks for those that struggle with chemical imbalances and mental health illnesses. Although small in comparison to those individual's battles, I find myself fearing the darkness ever seeping back in. With these thoughts, I also start to wonder how much was under my control and how much was physical health.. As a psychology major, I understand the biology of depression. Yet, as a Christian I question is there something I could have done sooner to embrace God, move past the depression, and back to a life of contentment. I hate that depression causes me to feel so separated from God, so isolated, and so lets be honest, selfish.

The messages at church, conversations with friends, marriage counseling, women's retreat preparation, missions planning, and inspirational blogs have all allowed God to speak to me recently. I have new energy...as a mother, as a wife, and as a servant of God. I want to shout to the roof tops declaring Gods love for each of us. I know some of you will read this and think heck with depression, this girl is now certifiably crazy. I say I am heck with the mediocrity. If God can be so good as to wash away not only my sadness, but all my sins then I need to live extravagantly for him! I need to remember as a dear friend said in his message at church today, "Living a safe Christian life is the most dangerous thing you can do. The safest thing you can do is to live a risky life for Christ." My thoughts need to be more focused on the hereafter as opposed to the distractions that I get caught up in every day and my words as well as my actions need to be teaching that to my children as well. In taking the example from another friend, Jennifer, I ask those of you who are reading this to help me be accountable. Feel free to ask me about how things are going.

The boys will be up and ready to read, play, and embrace another day before I know it. So I am going to wrap up for tonight. That and I am sure you have had enough of my ramblings for now, but I leave you with a line or two from a song that really moved me today.

"I know I'm filled to be emptied again. This seed I've been given I'll sow." - The Desert Song, Hillsong http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE33ejdgWIY

Halloween

Ethan wants to share

E

Aaron this is tasty

A & E love their lollipops

E, Daddy, and A

Promotion

As I sit here eating my leftover Chinese food, the boys just went down for a nap, and I am preparing to go clean...I think about the fortune cookie I got last night. It said, "You are next in line for a promotion at your firm." I had to chuckle. In the stay at home mother role, it is a pretty thankless job with no true promotions. In the business world, recognition and promotions were something I was continually striving for and thankfully achieving. My how life changes. Marc said you are "Head Mommy." I inquisitively responded, "What was I before?" to which he responded, "just Mommy." I am organizing an event for this weekend. When I spoke to the woman who would be bringing her beautiful pretties to my home to sell and told her what time to come, because I would need to get the boys squared away prior, she called us CEOs of our homes. Some women seem to be created to be mothers. Others of us, myself included, struggle to get it together a bit. We deal with bouts of depression, get angry when we shouldn't, loose patience, neglect to do the laundry, and so much more. Yet without fail we love our children. We wipe runny noses, hold our children's hands as they lead us, read them stories, and comfort them when they are upset. Not to mention we act as doctors, nurses, comedians, seamstresses, cooks, domestics, among the many other hats we wear. That is not to discount the role that the husband, father, daddy plays in the home. Both mother and father are exponentially important to raising a family and part of God's divine plan! I absolutely do not know how I would function without Marc. I am thankful for how much he adores our boys, how he gets down on his hands and knees and plays with them, how he picks up around the house every night before bed, how he sneaks to the bathroom and out the door quietly in the morning so as not to wake anyone, and for how he thanks me for decorating the house and because that makes him feel welcome and at home. And so, I embrace this promotionless job! And I cherish when my sons hand each other something and say here brother, or say thank you without prompting. I thank God for the opportunity to have such an important role in life and hope to be his definition of success!

God's Promises are New Every Morning!

Marc and I had a fun filled trip to Ikea this past weekend and the boys had a wonderful time with Mama and Papa as well as Granny and Poppy. Saturday morning we dropped the Ethan and Aaron off at my parents and headed to Ikea in Cincinnati. I had been once years ago over seas, but not as an adult and Marc had never been. We spent 6 1/2 hours at the store. I saved my birthday money for the trip and I am so glad I did. I highly recommend visiting. They have great stuff and awesome prices. We got pillow covers, storage supplies, a ceiling light, rugs, a duvet cover, three prints to frame, a shower curtain, etc all for $324. That also included dvd shelves Marc got and an area rug my mom got for us for Christmas. Amazing!

We had the pleasure of having a visit from Dick and Kay earlier this week too. The boys love having Grandma and Grandpa here. Kay was nice enough to put the wall art up in the boys' room that she had previously gotten. It looks great and really completes their room. Thank you Kay!

The boys' room, E's bed, and A's bed

I've been having fun around the house redoing some things, decorating, and so on. It is interesting how much a little change can change the feel of things. It is fun to think of creative ways to work with what you have and to stay within a tight budget!

The great room and the kitchen
(Marc made the great shelves. Thank you sweetie!)

On a more personal note, I've working to find more contentment in each day. Life is hard, but God is good. The last couple of years I have really felt like I have been just treading water. I haven't done a good job of keeping my mind in a good space and clinging to God's promises. Slowly, I feel like I am regaining my footing. I feel a change in my spirit the last few weeks. Although never easy, the boys are getting to a more manageable age. Exercise has become a more set routine for me. I am easing my way back into serving at church. Marc and I have been seeing a counselor for most of the year and although progress is slow, I see changes in our marriage and how we relate to each other. Within the last few months I have had some really challenging and hurtful things happen within some of my closet relationships. There have also been some relationships that have been an ongoing challenge to me. I know God is working and teaching me through these situations... remorse, forgiveness, reconciliation, acceptance, transition, contentment, grace, humility, and so much more. I pray that I will continue to have an open heart and allow God to work in and through me.


***Finding contentment is like seeing color for the first time. Although the sky is gray, the fall leaves pop and are complimented in just the right way!

Pictures

Finishing the walk

Taking care of the feet

Lyndsay's Party to help raise funds for the walk
Myself, Jayme Ballast, Jennifer Frye, Lyndsay Gettinger, Shelley Moss, and Melissa McCorkhill (girls from Waldron Class of 1998)

E & A getting ready for school

A trying on his Halloween costume

E doing the same

Mama putting A's mittens back on on the "hay" ride

Granny, Poppy, Marc, Aaron, and Ethan

View from our ride

E with a Mohawk/hat head after his pumpkin adventure

Two family pumpkins on each side, E then A's in the center