kids

conversations:: lifesavers and mythological creatures

February 8, 2012 By lissa 3 Comments

BB: I know why LifeSavers have holes in them.

Me: Really? Why?

BB: So if you start choking on one, you can still breathe.

~~~~~~

As we are driving along to our various 1,083 evening activities, the subject turns to BigFoot and other creature-monsters.

BB: Mom, do you think the Loch Ness monster is real or mythological?

Me: I think there is a possibility it is real. There are lots of species of creatures we don’t know much about or have little contact with humans. How about you?

BB: I’m not sure. I really just wanted to say the word mythological.

Filed Under: conversations, kids, my life Tagged With: BB, bigfoot, Bridger, choking, conversations, funny, kids, LifeSavers, loch ness monster

Room Redo:: Twins

January 24, 2012 By lissa 5 Comments

When we first bought this house almost 5 years ago, every wall was white. Or beige. No joke. I have been soooo overwhelmed at the thought of decorating, painting, or anything else. So much that I have done pretty much nothing until this year! Bit by bit, things have been coming together, walls have been getting painted, projects have been completed.

Back in 2007, I did add some vinyl decal-thingies to the twins’ walls, along with some red and blue striped vinyl. It was not bad, especially for their 4-year-old selves. But they aren’t four anymore. Time for an update.

For the past two weeks, I have been slaving away tearing decorations and posters off of the walls. We have been organizing toys, giving away boxes of stuff, and throwing away bags and bags of trash.

The colors (darker turquoise, limish-green, and orange-butterscotch trim) are totally wild, but they work GREAT together. Seriously!

Before (ignore the child-labor and jammies, please):

After:

Not too bad for an amateur, huh? I must say the twins have NEVER played in their room this much and this nicely before. It’s well worth all the work I put into it!

Filed Under: creating, kids, my life Tagged With: children, color, growing up, kids, makeover, redecorating, remodeling, room redo, twins

hat trick

January 16, 2012 By lissa 4 Comments

I was on the phone with my business partner this morning talking about, you know, business. The twins were upstairs going through the morning routine of showering, brushing teeth, and getting dressed. It’s always a little risky leaving them up there to accomplish these monumental tasks without supervision.

They came running down the stairs, yelling out “MOM!” excitedly and I tried to ignore and held up my finger to signal that I was involved in a highly-important conversation on the phone.

Both boys planted themselves in front of me, unable to hold still because of the anticipation. Finally, I hung up my phone. They both started talking at once.

“MOM!”

“GUESS WHAT?!”

“Ashton was peeing, and he sneezed and farted at the same time!! He was doing all three at once! Like this!”

Insert farting noises, sneezing, and pee sounds, times two.

It is obviously the highlight of their day.

And probably mine.

Filed Under: kids, my life Tagged With: boys, farting, kids, my exciting life, peeing, sneezing, twins

just be.

January 10, 2012 By lissa 3 Comments

I sit here on my favorite corduroy chair with my warm blanket and a steaming mug of coffee, with a computer on my lap and a cat at my feet. The kids have just been whooshed outside to meet the bus at the end of the driveway, and I sit as I do every morning for a short time. This is the most peaceful time of my day. So quiet. So un-chaotic. I love the chaos {most of the time}, but sometimes it’s lovely to just be.

I think about how I arrived at this place in my life. Many, many mistakes and lots of hasty decisions. It’s so odd to think that if I had just made one different decision all those years ago, my life may have veered off on such a different path. But, all of those decisions and mistakes added up to be so right.

I am blessed with an awesome husband, who has put up with me and my quirks for over a dozen years {not to say that he doesn’t have his!}. Children who know they are loved, get it, and are able to pass this love onto so many others. Some may think our hearts and house are overflowing, but we have so much more to give. We will open our doors {and hearts} to those children that may not know this kind of nurture. My family will be the love, acceptance, and stability that they need to thrive. I’m excited {and nervous} to see what our new journey will bring.

Linking up with Just Write.

Filed Under: kids, my life Tagged With: family, foster care, just write, kids, love, my life, warm

two days

December 28, 2011 By lissa 1 Comment

watch. love. share.

{thank you}

Filed Under: charity, kids Tagged With: Bridger, charity: water, clean water, doing good, fundraising, kids, love, thank you, video

to our water angel

December 23, 2011 By lissa 3 Comments

I tell him that someone anonymously donated $500 to his Clean Water for Christmas project during the night’s sleep. He falls to the floor in shock and disbelief.

smiles. tears. lots of hugs.

overwhelming feelings of gratitude and love.

That $500? Will bring 25 more people safe drinking water, but oh so much more. TWENTY-FIVE children will have a greater chance at life. They will have the opportunity to grow and learn and pass on love and generosity. It’s so much more than just money. It’s LIFE. That’s like the twins’ entire classroom of 3rd graders being given a brighter future.

The sky is a little bit more blue today.

The sun a little bit warmer.

Thank you, secret water angel. Thank you.

Thanks to all of you for every kind word shared, every dollar donated, and every ounce of encouragement to my little boy. Our hearts are growing bigger by the day, and there are no words that can express our gratitude.

Merry, MERRY Christmas.

{if you wish to give Clean Water for Christmas, go here}

Filed Under: charity, kids, my life, people, photos Tagged With: amazing, angel, Bridger, charity: water, doing good, gratitude, kids, water, wow

you capture {festive}

December 22, 2011 By lissa 8 Comments

I simply cannot believe that it’s December 22nd already! Just this morning, we loaded up the truck {and trailer!} and sent Justin, Kane, the dog, and two cats to work. The kids still in school, the other cat, and I will follow tomorrow or the next day. How we are all going to fit in our tiny little home-at-work is beyond me.

This is the warmest Christmas in North Dakota that I ever remember. There are only a few remnants of snow from a brief flurry we received a few weeks ago. North Dakota. Not a white Christmas. Pure Crazy!

{festive}

Our youngest little man is swearing off Christmas presents for the 2nd year in a row! Last year, he raised $5,622 for charity: water, and a clean water well is currently being built in Ethiopia! How awesome is that? This year, his goal is TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS. Bridger currently stands at $1,317 raised for people desperately in need of water. Did you know that a child will die every 15 SECONDS due to a lack of safe water? If you want to help Bridger change that statistic, you can donate on his secure web page, just click on the photo below!

I saw this mitten garland on the Land of Nod website and fell in love. I swear, I turn instantly happy every time I see it!

Christmas balls:

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

linking up to You Capture! Join us!

Filed Under: kids, my life, people, photos Tagged With: 2011, charity: water, Christmas, christmas card, decorations, festive, garland, kids, mittens, ornaments, photos, You Capture

who spiked the hot chocolate?

December 22, 2011 By lissa 3 Comments

It was the perfect evening to drive around and look at pretty Christmas lights throughout our town.

Being the awesome mom that I am, I mix up six hot chocolates-to-go.

We pile in the Expedition, turn on the Christmas carols, and set out in search of the best lights, as we sip on our drinks.

We ooooh and aaaaah over this beautiful sight:

and then all returns to normal.

listen. These are my children on hot chocolate.

I shake my head, look at my husband, and laugh.

Our youngest child is giving up gifts this Christmas
and collecting donations for CLEAN WATER!
Click the photo below to donate directly to his project!

Merry Christmas!

Filed Under: conversations, kids, my life Tagged With: christmas lights, crazy, hot chocolate, hyper, kids

it takes a village.

December 19, 2011 By lissa Leave a Comment

This boy.

This little, blue-eyed boy with a BIG heart.

He steals MY heart.

His wish this Christmas is not for an iPod, Pokemon, or Legos. The one item on his Christmas list?

WATER.

To raise $10,000 for clean, safe water for 500 people.

It takes a village, friends.

Can you help?

Will you help? Will you share his story on your blog, on Facebook, and through email? Or place a Pig with a Purpose at the center of your family gatherings this week?