Traveling Tots

If I ever write a book that's what I'm going to call it...Traveling Tots or maybe Traveling with Tots. It will be a survival guide on how to entertain and take care of your children wherever you may find yourself. I know many who have paved the road of traveling with children throughout most of the year. I just wish they would have written a book for me! We have been on the road with my husband now for the past 3 weeks. He has been on the road now for 6 weeks. All minus our fifth wheel trailer. Hence the advanced training I've recieved in the afore mentioned topic. The tots at hand are 2.5 years and 2 months. Boys no less. (I guess I figure they have more energy than girls, but I wouldn't know.) Thanks to watching PBS's Cat in the Hat, we just tell Ethan that we are "Go, go, going on an adventure" (this will only make sense to those of you who have the privilege of watching this show every morning :-) The first 2 weeks we stayed in one bedroom apartments/prophet's chambers that had a bedroom, kitchen and living room. This week we are all in the same room in a hotel. The longest drive time we have had has been 7 hours. I think Hudson went through 7 diapers in those 7 hours. Made for a smelly truck :-) Well here are the things I've learned from my tots... -For some reason Ethan thinks my diaper bag is full of "something special." I'm still trying to convince him that there are only diapers in there. He must think it is filled with gum or in Ethan's words "gun" (this is thanks to my mom who got him hooked on gum while visiting. unfortunately, Ethan chews the gum for 2 minutes and then swallows it and asks for more. I've limited the gum intake to once a day in order to preserve his digestive system.) -Marshmallows make a long trip manageable. From the toddler to the driver to the mommy, good times were had all around. -Ethan really doesn't know where he lives any more. The first week he said we were staying at the neighbor's house. The 2nd week he called the church his house. This week he does have the word "hotel" down pat. He's just fascinated that we get to take the elevator to our room every day and that there is a "swim" in the lobby ("swim" meaning pool). -It really is possible to make wherever we find ourselves a "home" for the week. My biggest lifesaver has been our crate of toys and an inflateable "buzz lightyear" bed we found. That way Ethan sleeps on the same thing every week and no matter where we are he always has something to play with. I don't worry too much about Hudson b/c he doesn't care about too much except sleeping, eating and...you know...don't want to gross you out. -Ethan is very quickly becoming a people person. He now talks to anyone he sees and if he doesn't know their name he says "hey you" or "hey man, kid, or lady"...trying to teach him to ask them their name. Oh well!

Learning to Lean

"Learning to lean, learning to lean;

I'm learning to lean on Jesus."

John Stallings

This hymn is the first thing that came to my mind as I was trying to figure out how to sum up the last several weeks. Aren't you glad that God changes your life circumstances about through joys or trials in order to teach you more about leaning hard on Him? What would your Christian life be like if nothing about your life circumstances ever changed? I know my Christian life wouldn't change much. To be honest with you, when my life is "smooth sailing" I get in a "rut" of taking all the treasures I have in Christ for granted.

What causes you to lean hard on Christ? I could list so many circumstances in my life that do, but I think right now the greatest "things" that do are these two cute little fellows...

(insert cute pic of Ethan and Hudson, but my internet connection won't let me right now...so just imagine :0)

I don't even know how to describe all the ways my children teach me to depend on my God...where do I begin? When baby number 2 came along, my organized world and home were thrown out of whack! I realized then that one child had been a piece of cake. When Ethan was a newborn, if he slept I slept. Now with Hudson thrown in the mix, I'm still trying to figure out when I'll get to sleep. (well at this point in his life, he is sleeping more at night, hence the reason I have a chance to blog again) The biggest struggle for me is everyday CONSISTENT godly living and responses. I have 2 kids watching me right now, one wanting to copy my every action and word right now. What accountability! Ethan can see if mommy has a wrong response to a bad situation. Ethan can see if I have a quick temper or am impatient. His attitude to unexpected or different situtations from the norm are a mirror of my initial response to the change in our life style. Wow!

I love to act. I have taken many acting classes in high school and college. I have learned how to be happy when sad and joyful when I'm really angry. Sometimes it is easy for me to put on an act for my family...to make my words sound good when on the inside I am fuming or to make my facial expressions look pleasant when I am really dissappointed. Acting in real life in front of my family is obviously superficial and will only last for so long until I get tired or am taken off guard. The only way to live as a CONSISTENT godly testimony to my family is by learning to lean on Jesus.

Everday I must remember that I am weak. Circumstances will come my way that are out of my control. I will have to crying boys both needing my attention when all I want to do myself is cry. But I have a Shepherd who knows my needs and will supply!
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusts in Thee. Trust ye in the Lord forever for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. Isaiah 26:3-4

Added Blessings

So sorry for the long blogging break. I've missed having an outlet to share my thoughts. Let me introduce my #1 reason for my blogging absence...

Hudson David born January 25th. He was 8.1 lbs and 20 1/2 inches long. For the most part, he has been very laid back and quiet...but now that he's 2 months old, his personality is coming out a little more. He is a good night time sleeper too, which I am thankful for.

His name is very special to us because it took so long for us to figure out what we would call him! Hudson comes from the missionary to China, Hudson Taylor, whose life of faith and determined, diligent service for Christ we pray our Hudson will be challenged by. David is my father's first name. So now both our boys will have a part of each of their "grandpa's" as they grow up.

Ethan loves Hudson and Hudson is immediately drawn to Ethan whenever he is around. The first few weeks, Ethan wanted to do everything that his baby brother was doing. He asked us to burp him and then we found him burping his curious George stuffed animal. He even wanted his own paci (which he never ever cared for).

What a joy it is to be a family of four now! It's amazing how quickly you forget how to take care of a little baby and it has been funny to remember our first few attempts to go somewhere as a family of four. We thank the Lord for the new gift He has loaned to us for as long as He sees fit.

Christmas Time at our house

Merry Christmas! This picture makes me laugh for many reasons. We were alone on Christmas Eve, so in order to have a family picture, Jonathan had to set the time and run and join us. I laugh at the picture because to me the angle makes the pregnant momma look...well, pregnant! But the funniest thing is Ethan's smile. He was so unhappy about getting a picture taken, but as soon as I bribed him with the prospect of a candy cane in return for a good smile, this is the picture we got. Oh the memories for times to come!

Here is a look at some of the other memories we created this Christmas...
Ethan's first attempt at decorating the Christmas tree. He LOVED it! He also loved taking his play tools and going over to "work on" the tree. He kept telling me that he was cutting it. He definitely did a good job of getting pine needles all over the floor.

Ethan learned what to do with used wrapping paper rolls this Christmas too. First he used it like a trumpet, but then they became "stords" (swords). It was a good reminder to me that my little baby is growing up to be a boy through and through. He loved having sword fights with daddy and couldn't wait till I used up the wrapping paper so I could replenish his stock.

Ethan worked so hard at helping me make cookies this year. It was fun to see him a little bit interested in what I do in the kitchen (although his interest generated many messes!) At first he was very hesitant to "lick the beater" after we were done making cookie dough, but once he realized how good it tasted, he was the first one to volunteer!

Here are just a few highlights from Christmas day. It was such a special Christmas for us. The Lord provided in great ways for us to be able to give each other good things.

Ethan was so "impressed" with his stocking! (probably because it was filled with candy) He didn't want to put it down and insisted on holding it in his arm or carrying it with him wherever he went. His special toy this year was his very own tool bench. Needless to say, he's been working on things all over the house! We also got him a Betta fish--the only pet mommy will allow in the house right now :-) We thought he might be able to travel with us, but the fish seemed a little shaken up by the ride home from the pet store, so who knows what traveling will do to him. We are enjoying him for now!

We had a wonderful treat of snow on Christmas day. Ethan LOVED it!

2 Great Dinner Recipes

Just had to share these recipes! It has been nice to be home and cooking in my own kitchen again. I've been able to try many new recipes that I've had sitting around for a while. These two were a hit!

Parmesan Pork Chops

(from Taste of Home, I think)

1/4 cup butter, melted

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

2 Tbsp flour

2 tsp Italian Seasoning

2 tsp dried parsley flakes

1/4 tsp pepper

4 boneless pork chops (I didn't use boneless, and it still turned out great!)

2 Tbsp olive oil

In a large plastic bag, combine Parmesan cheese, flour, Italian seasoning, parsley, and pepper. Dip each pork chop in butter; place in bag, one at a time, and shake to coat.

In a large skillet, cook pork in oil over medium heat for 7-8 minutes on each side or until juices run clear.

I loved this recipe! It turns a plain pork chop into something delicious :-)

Ham & Broccoli Casserole

2 cups uncooked macaroni pasta

2 cups cubed ham

3 cups cooked broccoli

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup milk

1/2 can dried onion rings (opt)

Shredded cheddar cheese

Mix uncooked macaroni and ham. Place in 9x13 casserole dish. In another bowl, mix soup, sour cream, and milk. Pour 1/2 of wet mixture on top of ham and macaroni and stir. Arrange broccoli on top. Add rest of wet mixture. Top with cheddar cheese. Cover and bake at 350 for 55 minutes. Take out of oven, place onion rings on top and bake uncovered for 5 minutes.

This is a great way to use left over ham! I didn't use the onion rings for our family since they are not a favorite.

Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Treasures

Memories are treasures. Aren't they? We had a fun time making memories this Thanksgiving. My mom drove back to SC with us and spent Thanksgiving week at our house. It was so nice to have her see our trailer as well as just experience life in our neck of the woods. We were also able to drive to my sister's house in NC on Thanksgiving day. Ethan was so excited to see his cousins again (he calls them "my friends") as well as Dixie, the dog we were watching all summer. One memory is hearing my 3 year old nephew say "Why is her tummy so big?" as I got up from our Thanksgiving table. Maybe he thought I ate too much :-) After nap time we had the boys decorate gingerbread houses. My son let me do all the decorating while he sat there and pigged out on marshmallows :-)

Family Fun & Fall Favorites

We love the fact that we are now stationed at home until baby #2 makes his appearance. It is so wonderful to be able to spend time with family. Here are a few pictures of Ethan and the fun he's been having with his cousins...

Ethan couldn't figure out how to get his shoes off. Leave it to a girl :-) She does so much better with shoes than he does!!

Best of Friends

Ethan was proud to show of his "fif wheel" to his cousins when we arrived home. It was like a big play place for them!

Enjoying the fall leaves in Pennsylvania!

Visiting Papa at his store, Home Depot. Ethan was fascinated by the forklift and all the Christmas decorations. He even got an orange apron like Papa.

So glad we were able to see my Pop-pop (Ethan's great-grandpa)!

Ethan is ready to help in Grandma's kitchen

We had such a nice trip to Pennsylvania to see my family and church. Wish we lived closer! (I am 7 months pregnant by the way with boy #2)