Mighty to Save

Ok, ok, so I know this song is on Christian radio ALL THE TIME, but I just can't get enough. So much truth, so much HOPE. Cameron loves to praise (he looks like he's playing defense on the basketball court -- but I know it's for Jesus) to this song!!

Mighty to Save

Everyone needs compassion,
Love that's never failing;
Let mercy fall on me.

Everyone needs forgiveness,
The kindness of a Saviour;
The Hope of nations.

Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.

Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

So take me as You find me,
All my fears and failures,
Fill my life again.

I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in,
Now I surrender.

Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave. (x2)

Shine your light and let the whole world see,
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus (x2)

Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave. (x2)

Shine your light and let the whole world see,
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus.

Since You've Been Gone

We have missed Caleb IMMENSELY around here. Since he's been gone, we've tried to find things to occupy our time...



...Reading...



...Getting into mischief...



...Snuggling on the floor...

He comes home TONIGHT! We just can't wait!!!!

Cam Dumps the Pancake Mix

Thought you'd enjoy this video. Cameron dumped half a box of pancake mix on the floor the other day. I started cleaning it up, but then decided it should be captured on film. He was pretty upset because I think he thought it would be fun to make this mess, but didn't like the feeling of the powder all over him. It's kinda whiny, but funny too.

So, I told him we didn't do things like dump out Mommy's pancake mix, and it was over with. A few minutes before bed, I showed him the video, because he loves to watch videos of himself (haha). He watched it four times, and while I was getting Elly in her pajamas, he did it AGAIN. Oops. I chose an alternate route of discipline for the second offense!



VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:
Cameron: [Whining] Up, Mom.
Me: What did you do, Cameron?
Cameron: [Still whining, pointing] I do?
Me: What did you do?
Cameron: Meeee, I, I, do. [Pointing]
Me: Did you dump out the pancake mix?
Cameron: Mix?
Me: And then you decided you didn't like that?
Cameron: That. [Whining ensues]
Me: Say, 'Sorry, Mom.'
Cameron: Ree.
Me: [Trying to work on two word phrases] Say, 'Sorry, Mom.'
Cameron: Mom.

As the video concludes, he sees Little Einstein fruit snacks in the pantry and proves that he can speak a decipherable word. Also forgets about powdery mix incident that has been upsetting him.

Cameron: Einsteins?

I promise I don't bribe my son with fruit snacks...very often. :)

Husbandless

Caleb is in Orlando until Thursday night! What kind of company sends their associates to Disney World without their families??! On a side-note, Cameron has a 103 fever...

It's gonna be a long week without Daddy :(

Spinach Alfredo Pizza

I MUST share. I am not usually wild about things I cook for dinner - after planning and sampling and slaving and cleaning it's just hard to get excited. But I made a recipe tonight that I loved! I should have taken a picture of the finished product, but I didn't. Here's the recipe -- super-duper easy and meatless (not something we do very often!)

Spinach Alfredo Pizza

Pizza crust (I make whole wheat dough in my bread machine)
1 jar Classico Roasted Red Pepper Alfredo sauce
1 tsp. garlic powder (opt.)
30-40 fresh spinach leaves, stems removed
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
Marinara for dipping, if desired

Prepare pizza crust (you could use pre-packaged I'm sure...mine needs to bake on the pizza stone for about 8 minutes). Remove from oven and spread alfredo sauce on crust. Sprinkle sauce with a garlic powder, if desired. Cover entire pizza with spinach leaves, removing stems. Layer mozzarella and parmesan, top with black pepper. Place in 400 degree oven until edges are brown and bubbly. So.very.good.


Here's someone's yummy spinach pizza.
From familyoven.com

You could easily add chicken or tomatoes to make this even more tasty! I fiddled with this recipe and "created" it myself, but I was inspired by our Wednesday evening trip to CiCi's, a new Italian buffet in Eagan. I'm not usually a big fan of the greasy buffet - but this was delicious - and only cost us $11! I had some spinach alfredo pizza there (but I dare say this was better!) Now, I must figure out how to replicate their cinnamon rolls. Oh my goodness...divine!!

You should try this pizza! A fun departure from the ordinary.

720 Baby Wipes

This is the amount of baby wipes I bought today. Target brand, in the economy-sized pack. I have resigned myself to the fact that I will be purchasing wipes in large quantities for the next few years of my life.

But I am wondering...has anyone out their tried making your own wipes? I've seen the recipes online, and it seems simple enough, but are they really cost-effective? Are they sturdy? Is it worth the fuss? Share if you know! :)

They're Ba-ack!

Remember this?

Yesterday, on the way back from the grocery store, I saw the UPS truck stopping at my neighbors' house. There were about six boxes stacked outside the garage. Laughingly, I thought that they were probably purchasing items to pawn at the next spring sale.

Today, the garage is open and the FLAGS ARE OUT!!

Adventures in Siehbabyland

I try to send out family updates every month (er...two or three...) to our friends and fam in Iowa and abroad. I sent out the word about my blog, so I'm going to post the update here, too! Just a [little] novel on the kiddos!

Hi Everyone,

I've been horrible about getting pictures and an update out - but I wanted to wait until Elly's 4 month doctor's appointment so I could give you the stats! We are doing well here...every day is an adventure but also a tremendous blessing. Cameron and Elly are already pals - they laugh at each other all the time. It's so much fun to watch them interact! I am coaching cross country at NCU right now, so our weeks include a couple trips up to the city to watch meets and practice. Cameron is even learning to stretch just like Uncle Jay!!

Elly was 4 months old on September 13. At her appointment yesterday, she was 15 lbs, 1 oz and 26 inches long!! What a big girl! She is in the 75th percentile for weight and the 95th for height! (Quite the departure from her brother...we cheer for him when he gets above the 5th percentile!) She is growing and thriving and is SO much fun. We're learning that with our little princess, everything comes in extremes. She's either bouncing-off-the-walls happy, or rattle-the-windows upset!! Elly gives the best smiles and giggles, and loves to chew on her fingers when she's awake. She laughs at Cameron when he's playing, and, as always, is never at a loss for hugs and kisses from her big brother. :) Elly also has her two bottom teeth - which cut through at TWO AND A HALF MONTHS! (Causing me an emotional few days. Where did my baby go?!) They are gradually making their way all the way through, but she still drools like they hurt her! She will sleep through the night every once in a while, and she has found her thumb to suck which makes putting her to bed so much easier!!

Cameron is now 22 lbs, 6 oz, 32.5 inches long. He's in the 6th percentile for height and the 30th for length (the sibs are a little bit different, huh?!) Cameron is still our little reader. He spends at least an hour each day flipping through books himself, sometimes jabbering words along with them, or getting books read to him. His favorites right now are books with dogs, pigs, balls, and brushes in them. He loves to point out the objects on each page, and he likes listening to rhymes. He is our tender-hearted boy, always giving kisses and greeting EVERYONE we see in the aisle at Target. I think it's funny to watch grumpy, hurried people coming toward us, just going about their business, when Cameron stares them down and says "HI! HI! HI!" until they respond! A few people have told me he just made their day by being so friendly! He was born with the gift of encouragement!

I am beginning to fear the day we can't go outside for a walk or at least a few minutes to let Cam burn off some steam. He LOVES running around outside, bringing me sticks, leaves, rocks, and trying to catch bugs crawling along the sidewalk. Thankfully, our Moms group has started at church again, so he has more opportunities for a change of scenery and playtime with other kids!

Cam's favorite foods right now are peaches, pears, string cheese, raw carrots (the teeny-tiny baby kind), and WATER. I can't get the boy to stop drinking it! Elly is almost ready to start cereal, I think. She's awfully observant when we're eating our meals!

It's funny how they just keep getting cuter everyday, isn't it? Just when I didn't think it was possible... :) Also in the past couple days, I've noticed a few very DARK hairs on Cameron's head, and also a good number of BLONDE on Elly's! Maybe they're meeting in the middle and starting to look more alike each day? I used to think Cam looked like Caleb, and I still see the resemblance - but our little girl looks an awful lot like her daddy too!!

Well it's time to wind down - we have practice at 5:30 tomorrow morning in Minneapolis! Go Rams! Also wanted to let all of you know, we have a family blog you can visit for more frequent updates. It's more of a hodgepodge of personal reflections, stories, etc., but there's plenty of info about the babies as well :) You can find it at: www.alittlebitcrasieh.blogspot.com

Hope you're all having a wonderful Fall (almost)! Hope to talk to you soon!

Trying...

It's my own personal resolution...I'm trying to read more often. I was a journalism major, you'd think it would come easy. But I'm given to writing, and not so much reading. Both my sisters are great readers. I think I missed the gene.

BUT, I'm pleased to say that I grabbed "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers from the library just before my children slipped into a dirty look-inducing meltdown, and I finished it today. I chose this book because I was in the "R's" in the library, and it is on so many of my friends' favorites lists. An easy read, fictional -- but based on the Bible (the story of Hosea).

I must say it was consuming, refreshing, and addicting. A good first try. Next, please!

Same Jammies, 16 Months Later

In case you couldn't tell, Cameron is on the left (4 months) and Elly is on the right (3 months). I always used to think Cameron looked like Caleb. Nope. Elly is a spittin' image of her daddy. Cam looks more like me.

Aren't they just punkins??

Garage Sale?

We have neighbors across the way who make quite the business of garage sale-ing. They have signs, flags, tables, and fanny packs...and twice a year (spring and fall) they haul out the goods for a large party in their driveway.

I believe that these kind people are misguided...misinformed as to the concept of what a garage sale is. I've ventured over twice now, and both times was surprised at what I saw. Let me illustrate a few of the things going on at this particular sale:

1. These people never park their cars in the garage. I am convinced the garage is simply another room for them -- a device to store accumulated goods that could perhaps be re-sold.

2. Judging from what I know about this family (older couple...I'd guess 50s or so), they may very well be PURCHASING or acquiring goods for the specific purpose of re-selling them for a profit at their garage sales (see: the free cans of formula you get in the mail when you sign up, lots of newer, slightly used toys, etc.)

3. Prices on items are outlandish for a garage sale - I am immediately disinterested when I can get things on clearance (maybe even sale?) and brand new for cheaper than their sticker price.

4. The entire front staircase and entrance to the house was covered with icky.used.stuffed.animals. A scary amount of plush (I'd say 30 animals)...it was like a creepy, beady-eyed greeting committee.

5. If you did not catch it above -- they have FLAGS. They drape flags from their deck across their yard to their driveway and back. The kind that are at the finish lines of cross country races. This is serious stuff!

I ventured over after a morning walk to check out a children's table that caught my eye. It was pretty rickety and only had two chairs, but was the perfect size for Cameron to use for fun right now. I'm thinking -- maybe they want $10 for it? It wasn't painted. Okay, $15? WRONG. $40 was the price on the sticker! I also passed by a wagon for $40 and some battered kids' books for $2 each.

At the risk of sounding like a crotchety old neighbor, aren't garage sales supposed to be an opportunity to get rid of things? To make some space and maybe collect a small sum of money in the process? These people are attempting to turn a profit! It's like their own little small business!

Funny.

Remembering

Today I remember the events of seven years ago. I was a sophomore in college, on my way to Sign Language I class, when I saw the news reports that seemed so unreal. I remember those who courageously gave their lives, and those who had them stolen away.

I also honor all those who have kept and continue to keep me safe by serving our great country. May we never take for granted the freedom we have and those who have sacrificed their lives for that purpose.

Oh, And Just One More Thing

As I was posting below (seriously, maybe two minutes?), Cameron unzipped the front pocket of the diaper bag, emptied my wallet, and chewed and swallowed three, count 'em THREE pieces of gum with the wrappers still on. I'm a good mom, I swear.

Fun New Game

Invented by Cameron and his Uncle Jay. It sure is fun having him up here at NCU!


Why is it that the storage for the toys is more fun than the toys themselves?

Happy Accident

As I was headed home from the store two days ago with the economy-sized tub of liquid fabric softener on the passenger's side floor, a kind gentleman in front of me decided (at the last second) to observe the yellow light above him, requiring me to also observe it (oops). I SLAMMED on the brakes, both children yelped and the tub tipped over.

Ten minutes later, when we arrived home, I realized the lid on the softener had also been jarred a bit loose in the incident. About 1/4 of the floor mat was soaked with Suavitel (my fav because it smells SO strong, yum). Thankfully, Caleb was home, whisked the kids away and I got to work trying to scrub it out before it left greasy residue. It worked, after 3 rags worth of sopping and soaking.

But yesterday, when I got in the car, I was pleasantly surprised to experience the enticing aroma of freshly-washed clothes as I sat down the driver's seat. There are few smells I love more than fresh laundry. My happy little accident has created a unique-smelling, built-in air freshener! You can't get that scent in the little green trees!

Nothing about my car makes me happier than it smelling less like the dwelling place of a toddler and infant. I may have just invented something!

Baby Crack

Haha. I've heard this referred to as "Baby Crack." Kids that won't eat regular meals are put on PediaSure to sustain nutrition and/or to add calories to their diets.

When Cam was barely cracking 21 lbs at 20 months, he went to see a gastroenterologist. She prescribed him -- much to my horror -- 3 bottles of PediaSure a day. I was afraid he'd love the sweet flavor and start rejecting other foods. Thankfully, that hasn't happened yet. He actually begs me for milk and water instead, and still does a pretty good job eating regular meals.

I just think it's funny - it does taste kind of like a milkshake. I am just hoping and praying he continues to love regular food (like he always has) while we experiment. We go back to the doc next week and we're hoping he's gained at least a pound or so in the month! Please pray that this solution works and we don't have to take the next step - more scans, pokes, prods and tests.

Cheers to Baby Crack!

Fall Loves

All things soup. My fave to make: Cheesy Ham and Potato. But I'd gladly eat this.

whatwereeating.com

Cross Country meets. I still get nervous when I smell Fall air, even though I haven't competed since 2003...

mpsaa.org

Trench coats. I wish for one in a fun color! This wish will not come true!

overstock.com

Honeycrisp apples. Best thing ever to come from MN. The sweetest and most delicious.

leelanau.com

Gotta say it - Pumpkin Spice Latte. I understand this is likely on many Fall Favorite lists.

chroniclesofconception.wordpress.com

Cute hats on baby heads. All babies' heads...but mine are pretty darn cute!

Cameron Christian circa March 2007

Today's weather was just too perfect. Bring on the Fall!

Makes Me Sad

I was filling the car with gas a couple days ago when the gas station attendant's voice came over the loudspeaker. You know, "Pump one, go ahead." Usually, I pay at the pump and am on my way, bu this day, the voice caught my attention.

This voice was that of an older woman. A woman that sounded like she could be my grandma. Actually, she sounded older than my grandma. I peeked into the gas station, and sure enough, there was a sweet lady behind the counter that could have been a grandma...maybe even of the great variety.

As I watched her give a much younger customer her change back, I wanted to cry. If you asked a group of older (perhaps retired) women what they want to do with their time, I expect they'd say "visit relatives, volunteer, relax, travel, enjoy" (at least that's what's on MY agenda!) I just can't imagine anyone wanted to spend their days working the morning shift at the pumps.

It makes me sad because I see more and more older Americans working, and working, and working. I feel like they've earned a break, but for whatever reason, just don't have the means to make it without continuing to punch a timecard.

Grandmas (and Grandpas) should be driving around in an RV, baking, writing letters, relaxing after raising their children and putting in their time. Some may want to continue working, but I have a feeling many don't want to. I just imagined my grandparents -- required to stand behind a counter and operate a register?? It breaks my heart.

Sickly

That's our family right now. Cameron has an ear infection AND pink eye, Caleb has the 48-hour flu, I have some strange metamorphosis of both their ailments...and the diva is just soaking in her breastmilk immunities and hanging out.

It's a scary day when Miss Elly is the most desirable company in the house... :)