Last night I looked at my blog and noticed it was more than a little dusty. Which is sad, because I sure could have used some journalling over the last few months.
Let me quickly catch you up.
Since the beginning of August, we have:
1. Decided to move to a different country
2. Renovated our home
3. Sold our home
4. Freaked out numerous times about #1-3
5. Started our firstborn in school
6. Supported my mom through intense chemo and difficult health decisions
And there's more...
During this same time, Peanut-lover has also finished and defended his doctoral dissertion, published his research in a major scientific journal, and started lecturing first year biology students.
We are not the type that equate busyness with success. Ok, yes we CAN be, but we actively fight the urge to equate busyness with success. No matter how hard we try not to be busy, it always finds us.
And that's why I haven't been blogging.
I've got some writing to do, don't I?
Showing posts with label The Peanut-lover. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Peanut-lover. Show all posts
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Of boys and men
One of the things that I love about having a son, is that he helps me understand my husband.
One of the things that I love about having a husband, is that he helps me understand my son.
JJ is two. He is learning that he is under authority. He doesn't like learning that he is under authority. When we hit a situation where he and I are in a stand-off (it happens) (did I mention he's two?), sometimes I just have to lay down the law. I have to pull out my parent card. My way or the highway.
He don't like it much.
But I've noticed something that helps a lot. And I probably wouldn't have noticed it as soon, if it weren't for having noticed it also in my husband about a year ago.
He needs privacy to accept that he has failed, or made a mistake, or needs to concede.
One of our battles as women is our need to control. It is part of our curse from the fall. It is a heart issue that only God can fix in us. One of men's battles is pride. It too is a heart issue that only God can fix in them.
Since only God can fix the pride, then I have to let go of the control, and walk away. Give him the privacy he needs to let God fix his heart.
If Peanut-lover has made a mistake (it's happened once or twice), he knows it. It doesn't help if I get in his face and remind him about it and tell him he needs to change. I've tried it. Not helpful at all. He needs privacy. That's it. Walk away.
When JJ refuses to concede, we could remain in a stand-off until one of us tires, but the issue won't get dealt with. If I lay down the law (you can have your snack once you get your jammies on) and then walk away, every single time, he concedes.
Humility is hard.
We can model humility by admitting to our kids when we have made mistakes (one thing that my dad always did, which I really respected). But ultimately, only God can change our hearts.
If I can step out, I get out of God's way, and he fixes both our hearts. That's what he's in the business of doing.
One of the things that I love about having a husband, is that he helps me understand my son.
JJ is two. He is learning that he is under authority. He doesn't like learning that he is under authority. When we hit a situation where he and I are in a stand-off (it happens) (did I mention he's two?), sometimes I just have to lay down the law. I have to pull out my parent card. My way or the highway.
He don't like it much.
But I've noticed something that helps a lot. And I probably wouldn't have noticed it as soon, if it weren't for having noticed it also in my husband about a year ago.
He needs privacy to accept that he has failed, or made a mistake, or needs to concede.
One of our battles as women is our need to control. It is part of our curse from the fall. It is a heart issue that only God can fix in us. One of men's battles is pride. It too is a heart issue that only God can fix in them.
Since only God can fix the pride, then I have to let go of the control, and walk away. Give him the privacy he needs to let God fix his heart.
If Peanut-lover has made a mistake (it's happened once or twice), he knows it. It doesn't help if I get in his face and remind him about it and tell him he needs to change. I've tried it. Not helpful at all. He needs privacy. That's it. Walk away.
When JJ refuses to concede, we could remain in a stand-off until one of us tires, but the issue won't get dealt with. If I lay down the law (you can have your snack once you get your jammies on) and then walk away, every single time, he concedes.
Humility is hard.
We can model humility by admitting to our kids when we have made mistakes (one thing that my dad always did, which I really respected). But ultimately, only God can change our hearts.
If I can step out, I get out of God's way, and he fixes both our hearts. That's what he's in the business of doing.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Big Changes Ahead
For about 4 years now, whenever anyone would ask us how much longer Peanut-lover had until he completed his PhD, we would tell them about another year. The thing with being on the front lines of research is that you can estimate how long a project might take, but since no one has studied that particular thing before, you really can't say how long it might take. It just takes as long as it takes.
Peanut-lover's project has taken just over 5 years. And now we can really say that he will be done in less than a year. He is currently working on his last part of the research and expects to write up his thesis in the new year and defend it in Spring or Summer.
And then what?
Yeah, that's what we'd like to know. Except that we're okay with not knowing. And that is very strange for us.
We are the types that like to have every detail planned out, and yet we have learned to trust God with our plans. He knows the plans that he has for us. Plans for good and not for evil. To give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11 if my memory serves me right).
So many times we have laid out plans for ourselves. Good plans. Completely reasonable and worthwhile plans. But at each turn, it seems God has gently led us in the way he has planned for us. If we'd have had our way 10 years ago, we'd both be married to different people. If we'd have had our way 10 years ago, we'd both be miserable in medical careers (not that there's anything wrong with doctors, it's just not the lifestyle that we want for our family). If we'd have had our way 6 years ago, we'd still both be working full-time, waiting for the opportunity to leave the city so we could start our family.
Instead, we can look back over the years of our lives and see how God led us to one another, how he led us both into fulfilling and family-friendly careers, how he provided for us when the numbers didn't add up for me to be at home with the kids, and how he has used our kids to refine us and shape our personalities and priorities.
And so, God has exercised our faith and, though we would like to know the next step, we are ok with waiting until he reveals it to us. That is pretty huge for us.
-------------------------------------------------------------
A year ago, Peanut-lover told me that a lab in Baltimore was interested in collaborating with him and might be suitable for a post-doctoral fellowship (one of the possible next steps after completing his PhD). He asked me to pray about it. I reluctantly told him I would and then didn't for a long time. Then I started to talk to God about it. Every so often, I prayed that God would give us wisdom about Baltimore, but made sure to tell God that I didn't want to go! I asked him to soften my heart about it though, if it was meant to be.
Fast forward to now and a Baltimore post-doc is looking very possible for next fall. The lab there is led by a well-respected and well-published neuroscientist. He is also a Christian and is very big on teaching his christian students to be excellent scientists. He is very interested in having Peanut-lover come to his lab. It is an excellent mentoring opportunity. But it's way the heck over there. And I'm ok with it.
God has gently taken my heart that was hard-as-rock towards Baltimore, and softened me and even given me an excitement about the possibility. If you know how desperately opposed to change I am, you know how big a deal that is.
There are a lot of things that still have to be worked out over the next 9 months if Baltimore is our destination. God has a lot of doors he could close if he wants to lead us somewhere else. For now, we are waiting and praying.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Peanut-lover has been teaching at a smaller local university for a few years now. They love him there. We had hoped, before the Baltimore idea started really developing, that a full-time teaching position might open up there for the fall of 2010. It still might, but it's not looking likely at this time. Peanut-lover could still opt to work there as a sessional instructor until a full-time position comes up. That route has the perk of keeping us close to our families and friends, so we are definitely considering it very seriously. And waiting for direction from God.
The thing about God is, he often doesn't give us the direction until we really need it. We would really LIKE it right now, but we don't actually NEED it. We don't have to start making definite decisions for several months, so knowing now would only be a luxury and might even keep us from seeking to hear his voice.
And so we wait. And pray.
Peanut-lover's project has taken just over 5 years. And now we can really say that he will be done in less than a year. He is currently working on his last part of the research and expects to write up his thesis in the new year and defend it in Spring or Summer.
And then what?
Yeah, that's what we'd like to know. Except that we're okay with not knowing. And that is very strange for us.
We are the types that like to have every detail planned out, and yet we have learned to trust God with our plans. He knows the plans that he has for us. Plans for good and not for evil. To give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11 if my memory serves me right).
So many times we have laid out plans for ourselves. Good plans. Completely reasonable and worthwhile plans. But at each turn, it seems God has gently led us in the way he has planned for us. If we'd have had our way 10 years ago, we'd both be married to different people. If we'd have had our way 10 years ago, we'd both be miserable in medical careers (not that there's anything wrong with doctors, it's just not the lifestyle that we want for our family). If we'd have had our way 6 years ago, we'd still both be working full-time, waiting for the opportunity to leave the city so we could start our family.
Instead, we can look back over the years of our lives and see how God led us to one another, how he led us both into fulfilling and family-friendly careers, how he provided for us when the numbers didn't add up for me to be at home with the kids, and how he has used our kids to refine us and shape our personalities and priorities.
And so, God has exercised our faith and, though we would like to know the next step, we are ok with waiting until he reveals it to us. That is pretty huge for us.
-------------------------------------------------------------
A year ago, Peanut-lover told me that a lab in Baltimore was interested in collaborating with him and might be suitable for a post-doctoral fellowship (one of the possible next steps after completing his PhD). He asked me to pray about it. I reluctantly told him I would and then didn't for a long time. Then I started to talk to God about it. Every so often, I prayed that God would give us wisdom about Baltimore, but made sure to tell God that I didn't want to go! I asked him to soften my heart about it though, if it was meant to be.
Fast forward to now and a Baltimore post-doc is looking very possible for next fall. The lab there is led by a well-respected and well-published neuroscientist. He is also a Christian and is very big on teaching his christian students to be excellent scientists. He is very interested in having Peanut-lover come to his lab. It is an excellent mentoring opportunity. But it's way the heck over there. And I'm ok with it.
God has gently taken my heart that was hard-as-rock towards Baltimore, and softened me and even given me an excitement about the possibility. If you know how desperately opposed to change I am, you know how big a deal that is.
There are a lot of things that still have to be worked out over the next 9 months if Baltimore is our destination. God has a lot of doors he could close if he wants to lead us somewhere else. For now, we are waiting and praying.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Peanut-lover has been teaching at a smaller local university for a few years now. They love him there. We had hoped, before the Baltimore idea started really developing, that a full-time teaching position might open up there for the fall of 2010. It still might, but it's not looking likely at this time. Peanut-lover could still opt to work there as a sessional instructor until a full-time position comes up. That route has the perk of keeping us close to our families and friends, so we are definitely considering it very seriously. And waiting for direction from God.
The thing about God is, he often doesn't give us the direction until we really need it. We would really LIKE it right now, but we don't actually NEED it. We don't have to start making definite decisions for several months, so knowing now would only be a luxury and might even keep us from seeking to hear his voice.
And so we wait. And pray.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Daddy's Birthday
This is a little bit late (ok, three weeks late) (oops).
Daddy turned 33. So we baked him a cake. My first ever cake.
KK and Grandma decorated it.
It looks like JJ got right in there and helped them...
... but we all know what was really going on.
I found this sparkler that I had bought for KK's third birthday and had decided not to use. The kids were kind of freaked out by it. Try to imagine that there are two of them!
I found this sparkler that I had bought for KK's third birthday and had decided not to use. The kids were kind of freaked out by it. Try to imagine that there are two of them!
Happy Birthday Peanut-lover. Now that you're as old as Jesus, it's time you start acting like him ;)
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Date Nights
On Saturday night, Peanut-lover and I went out for a date night with my mom and her husband. Our city has this "Night Market", which we'd heard about, but never been to before, so we thought it was time we checked it out.
It was sprinkling rain, but we figured it wouldn't last long. We were wrong. It turned out to be a spectacular thunderstorm.
Our friend Tom found some great pictures of the storm on flickr.
First we saw a lot of this. A LOT of this:
And then we got very wet. VERY wet.
And then, huddled together under an umbrella, we saw the most amazing sunset we've ever seen:
The colors in that last picture are no exaggeration. The sky actually looked like it was on fire. It was AMAZING.
------------------------------------------
About 8 months or so ago, Peanut-lover came to me and told me that we needed to start dating again. Each other, I mean. We'd let ourselves get caught up with the raising of the children and weren't really getting along well.
Ok, I'll be honest. It wasn't nice to be us. We were getting by, but we weren't happy.
I couldn't see how we could fit it in our busy schedules, or how we could budget the extra expense, but Peanut-lover was adamant. We HAD to do date nights. Twice a month. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. Nothing else would matter if our marriage fell apart. Not our budget. Not our schedules. He told me to book our babysitter and let the details work themselves out. So I did.
The first two dates, we were so irritated with each other that we literally went to a restaurant, ordered food, ate our food, picked up milk, and went home.
Gradually, the dates started getting better, and I started looking forward to our nights out. Now when I get my work schedule for the month, I immediately sit down with our calendar and block off a couple nights for our dates.
Sometimes, it's just grabbing a burrito and going for a walk. Or grabbing a burrito and sitting at the beach together. Or just grabbing a burrito. We like burritos. One time we went bathing suit shopping together (more fun for him than it was for me, I'm sure). I'm hoping we'll go bowling soon. Sometimes family members watch the kids. Other times our babysitter watches the kids.
It's so easy to put this relationship aside, when so many other things demand our attention. But Peanut-lover was right. If this falls apart, all those other things won't matter anymore. We HAVE to take care of this.
And you know what... I can't tell you how it happened, but the budget? It just worked itself out.
It was sprinkling rain, but we figured it wouldn't last long. We were wrong. It turned out to be a spectacular thunderstorm.
Our friend Tom found some great pictures of the storm on flickr.
First we saw a lot of this. A LOT of this:
And then we got very wet. VERY wet.And then, huddled together under an umbrella, we saw the most amazing sunset we've ever seen:
The colors in that last picture are no exaggeration. The sky actually looked like it was on fire. It was AMAZING.------------------------------------------
About 8 months or so ago, Peanut-lover came to me and told me that we needed to start dating again. Each other, I mean. We'd let ourselves get caught up with the raising of the children and weren't really getting along well.
Ok, I'll be honest. It wasn't nice to be us. We were getting by, but we weren't happy.
I couldn't see how we could fit it in our busy schedules, or how we could budget the extra expense, but Peanut-lover was adamant. We HAD to do date nights. Twice a month. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. Nothing else would matter if our marriage fell apart. Not our budget. Not our schedules. He told me to book our babysitter and let the details work themselves out. So I did.
The first two dates, we were so irritated with each other that we literally went to a restaurant, ordered food, ate our food, picked up milk, and went home.
Gradually, the dates started getting better, and I started looking forward to our nights out. Now when I get my work schedule for the month, I immediately sit down with our calendar and block off a couple nights for our dates.
Sometimes, it's just grabbing a burrito and going for a walk. Or grabbing a burrito and sitting at the beach together. Or just grabbing a burrito. We like burritos. One time we went bathing suit shopping together (more fun for him than it was for me, I'm sure). I'm hoping we'll go bowling soon. Sometimes family members watch the kids. Other times our babysitter watches the kids.
It's so easy to put this relationship aside, when so many other things demand our attention. But Peanut-lover was right. If this falls apart, all those other things won't matter anymore. We HAVE to take care of this.
And you know what... I can't tell you how it happened, but the budget? It just worked itself out.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Through their eyes... and fingers
Several weeks ago, I was playing bejeweled on my iPod while KK and Daddy were drawing at the table.
First of all, KK brought over a few of her creations to show me.
I'm told, by my bloggy friends whose kids are slightly older than mine, that very soon I will be more than a head with legs and arms, so I wanted to record these while they last.
Why are we so sad in the picture? Because Daddy is not with us. (Both kids are especially attached to daddy right now).
Here, Daddy is with us, but for some reason, it appears that I am picking him up by his, um, chin and throwing him. I'm going to choose to believe that means she believes I have hidden strength. I love how JJ and KK are hugging. Or maybe they are scared because Mommy is throwing Daddy?
Once KK was done drawing, she asked her daddy to draw for her. And here's where the giggles started.
First, she wanted a picture of her on her bike, with Daddy helping her. So daddy drew for awhile. Then KK said, "Daddy, why you not wearing a shirt? Is that family talk?" (Family talk is code for stuff we only talk about in the privacy of our home.)
Wouldn't it be nice to have that kind of confidence about your own body?
And then, "Daddy, why are you wearing a skirt? Is that my skirt?"
(snicker)
Next, KK had daddy draw a picture of Mommy and JJ out for a walk. A few minutes in, I hear, "Daddy, what is mommy wearing?" "Those are big girl shorts," replied Daddy.
For the record. I don't wear short shirts like that, but I may be known to wear big girl shorts on rare occasions.
Finally, Daddy worked on a portrait of our whole family. When the snickering got out of control, I knew I had to see this one:
'Nuff said, right?
First of all, KK brought over a few of her creations to show me.
I'm told, by my bloggy friends whose kids are slightly older than mine, that very soon I will be more than a head with legs and arms, so I wanted to record these while they last.
Why are we so sad in the picture? Because Daddy is not with us. (Both kids are especially attached to daddy right now).Here, Daddy is with us, but for some reason, it appears that I am picking him up by his, um, chin and throwing him. I'm going to choose to believe that means she believes I have hidden strength. I love how JJ and KK are hugging. Or maybe they are scared because Mommy is throwing Daddy?Once KK was done drawing, she asked her daddy to draw for her. And here's where the giggles started.
First, she wanted a picture of her on her bike, with Daddy helping her. So daddy drew for awhile. Then KK said, "Daddy, why you not wearing a shirt? Is that family talk?" (Family talk is code for stuff we only talk about in the privacy of our home.)
Wouldn't it be nice to have that kind of confidence about your own body?And then, "Daddy, why are you wearing a skirt? Is that my skirt?"
(snicker)
Next, KK had daddy draw a picture of Mommy and JJ out for a walk. A few minutes in, I hear, "Daddy, what is mommy wearing?" "Those are big girl shorts," replied Daddy.
For the record. I don't wear short shirts like that, but I may be known to wear big girl shorts on rare occasions.Finally, Daddy worked on a portrait of our whole family. When the snickering got out of control, I knew I had to see this one:
'Nuff said, right?And there you have it. The latest art from the Weenut household.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
How our story began
It was September 2000.
No, wait. Let's start before that.
It was, uh, before September 2000. Peanut-lover was praying for a wife.
(Oh, except that he wasn't Peanut-lover yet, because there was no Peanut yet, so he was just himself.)
(Hmmmm... not that I didn't exist yet. I'm young, but not that young.... but... oh just keep reading!)
He'd been praying for a wife for about two years and God had given him a vision of what it would be like to meetme her. And it happened just like he'd seen:
It was September 2000. The first day back at school. Peanut-lover was walking through one of the buildings on campus, and he saw me. He tells me that he walked by several times, trying to get a good look at me, and maybe even my attention. I was too busy reading to notice him. What was I reading? Finding the Love of Your Life. I tell no lies.
That night, he announced to his friends that he'd found the woman he was going to marry. Of course, they wanted to know all about me. All he knew was that I was wearing an orange shirt. So, for a few days, I was "the girl in the orange shirt". When that got a little old, they named me Natasha (not my real name).
His friends told him that I probably had a boyfriend and to pay attention to my outfit the next time he saw me. If I wasn't dressed up, then I had a boyfriend. The next time he saw me, I was wearing track pants and a t-shirt, ponytail and running shoes. Yep. I had a boyfriend.
I first saw Peanut-lover a few days later at my church. Don't ask me anything about the service that day because all I could tell you is that a couple rows ahead of me was this tall, hot guy, in a bright red shirt, with shoulders and arms that I couldn't stop staring at.
For a few weeks, we saw each other around campus a few times. Once, we even sat at the same table, studying. I didn't say we were studying our books. But it still took a few weeks for Peanut-lover to get up the nerve to make his big move: he sent his friend Jen over to meet me. Before we knew it, the three of us were hanging out all the time.
Oh, right. The boyfriend problem. Well, Peanut-lover asked me about that. I informed him that the guy I was dating was just for fun. Oh, and then I pulled out a picture of the guy I was actually going to marry once herealized he couldn't live without me achieved some career goals. Confused? Yeah, so was Peanut-lover.
(I know, right? What can I say? I'm not proud of me, but having had my heart recently broken, and finding myself suddenly the object of a lot of male attention, I wasn't being particularly careful with the hearts that were being handed to me. Not proud, but it's accurate history.)
Well, it took him 3 months, but Peanut-lover finally won my heart. Although if he'd been paying attention, it might have taken him a little less time. (Yo, Peanut-lover: remember the night you came over to help me study? Did you notice the candles and romantic music? Yeah, well, I didn't really want to study. But, uh, thanks anyways.)
The jury is still out about who kissed who first. (I blame him. He blames me.) Regardless, the two kisses in question were just minutes apart and it was kind of assumed that we were a couple after that. That was December 2, 2000 and we have been inseparable ever since.
(Oh, and then he started calling me Peanut. I'd like to think it's because he thinks I'm cute and little... and not that I cause life-threatening allergies.)
More to come...
No, wait. Let's start before that.
It was, uh, before September 2000. Peanut-lover was praying for a wife.
(Oh, except that he wasn't Peanut-lover yet, because there was no Peanut yet, so he was just himself.)
(Hmmmm... not that I didn't exist yet. I'm young, but not that young.... but... oh just keep reading!)
He'd been praying for a wife for about two years and God had given him a vision of what it would be like to meet
It was September 2000. The first day back at school. Peanut-lover was walking through one of the buildings on campus, and he saw me. He tells me that he walked by several times, trying to get a good look at me, and maybe even my attention. I was too busy reading to notice him. What was I reading? Finding the Love of Your Life. I tell no lies.
That night, he announced to his friends that he'd found the woman he was going to marry. Of course, they wanted to know all about me. All he knew was that I was wearing an orange shirt. So, for a few days, I was "the girl in the orange shirt". When that got a little old, they named me Natasha (not my real name).
His friends told him that I probably had a boyfriend and to pay attention to my outfit the next time he saw me. If I wasn't dressed up, then I had a boyfriend. The next time he saw me, I was wearing track pants and a t-shirt, ponytail and running shoes. Yep. I had a boyfriend.
I first saw Peanut-lover a few days later at my church. Don't ask me anything about the service that day because all I could tell you is that a couple rows ahead of me was this tall, hot guy, in a bright red shirt, with shoulders and arms that I couldn't stop staring at.
For a few weeks, we saw each other around campus a few times. Once, we even sat at the same table, studying. I didn't say we were studying our books. But it still took a few weeks for Peanut-lover to get up the nerve to make his big move: he sent his friend Jen over to meet me. Before we knew it, the three of us were hanging out all the time.
Oh, right. The boyfriend problem. Well, Peanut-lover asked me about that. I informed him that the guy I was dating was just for fun. Oh, and then I pulled out a picture of the guy I was actually going to marry once he
(I know, right? What can I say? I'm not proud of me, but having had my heart recently broken, and finding myself suddenly the object of a lot of male attention, I wasn't being particularly careful with the hearts that were being handed to me. Not proud, but it's accurate history.)
Well, it took him 3 months, but Peanut-lover finally won my heart. Although if he'd been paying attention, it might have taken him a little less time. (Yo, Peanut-lover: remember the night you came over to help me study? Did you notice the candles and romantic music? Yeah, well, I didn't really want to study. But, uh, thanks anyways.)
The jury is still out about who kissed who first. (I blame him. He blames me.) Regardless, the two kisses in question were just minutes apart and it was kind of assumed that we were a couple after that. That was December 2, 2000 and we have been inseparable ever since.
(Oh, and then he started calling me Peanut. I'd like to think it's because he thinks I'm cute and little... and not that I cause life-threatening allergies.)
More to come...
Monday, May 4, 2009
He just can't win
No matter how late KK goes to bed, she always wakes up in time to join Peanut-lover for breakfast. It doesn't matter when he gets up, she always seems to wake up at the same part of his morning routine and comes in the bedroom to find him. Even when we got home late last Sunday night and didn't get the kids settled until around midnight (and I foolishly stayed up late thinking I was guaranteed a sleep-in), KK was still up at 7 on the dot to join her daddy for breakfast.
Now don't get me wrong, Peanut-lover appreciates this special time with his girl and realizes how important it is to her. But every once-in-a-while, he just wants a little quiet time in the morning, because, well, breakfast with a 3-year-old is anything but quiet.
So today, he got up at 6 and was extra super-duper quiet. He oh-so-quietly shut our bedroom door and tiptoed out into the kitchen, holding his breath even, just in case breathing would wake the little princess up... and nearly jumped right out of his skin when he was greeted by a very-chipper-for-6-in-the-morning "Hi Daddy" and a bright-eyed, crazy-haired little girl just sitting there waiting for him and petting her kitty.
Poor guy. He just can't win.
Now don't get me wrong, Peanut-lover appreciates this special time with his girl and realizes how important it is to her. But every once-in-a-while, he just wants a little quiet time in the morning, because, well, breakfast with a 3-year-old is anything but quiet.
So today, he got up at 6 and was extra super-duper quiet. He oh-so-quietly shut our bedroom door and tiptoed out into the kitchen, holding his breath even, just in case breathing would wake the little princess up... and nearly jumped right out of his skin when he was greeted by a very-chipper-for-6-in-the-morning "Hi Daddy" and a bright-eyed, crazy-haired little girl just sitting there waiting for him and petting her kitty.
Poor guy. He just can't win.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Five things I love about being married to a student
Peanut-lover has been working on his PhD in Neuroscience for nearly 5 years. He's about a year away from completion. I often get asked about how we manage with him being a student and me working part-time. It's actually not as bad as it might seem because PhD students get grants to support their research. In many ways, it just looks like a job, now that he's done with classes. Of course, we haven't got to the "Thesis Writing Part" of it yet...
Remember last week? When I told you about the two different types of "Five things" posts? I'll let you guess which category this one falls under. (Actually, it really depends on what kind of day I've had).
Here are five of the things that I DO love about being married to a student:
1. Flexible schedule
Most of the time, Peanut-lover's work is fairly self-directed. Less time at work just means slower progress, so he's motivated to keep working. At the same time, he's able to take time off when he wants it. It means that we can work his schedule around events, camping trips, illnesses, my work etc. We remind each other regularly that we won't always have this kind of flexibility.
2. Tax breaks
Our government is big on education AND big on research, so we get tax benefits in both areas. That is a big part of how we get by on the income of a student and a part-time nurse.
3. Intellectual discussions
Yeah, sometimes he throws around words like "calcium-dependent facilitation" and "knock-in mice". Then he'll add a little "familial hemiplegic migraines" and some "neurogenetics and biophysics" and I have no idea what he's talking about... but most of the time, we can talk nerd talk and totally get what each other is saying. And let me tell you, that's quite a step up from the ex-boyfriend who used to tell me that I was only smart in the un-important things.
4. Bus pass
With his student fees, Peanut-lover gets a bus pass, which saves us hundreds of dollars in transportation costs. And it allows us to only have one vehicle between us. Not only does it save us money, but it gives Peanut-lover a little time to study/listen to music/pray on the way to work or on the way home. He's really learned to appreciate using transit.
5. Temporariness
When all else fails, and we get frustrated about where we are in life, we can always tell ourselves that our situation is temporary. (No one is a student for life, right? Right?) We try not to let it keep us from committing to the present, but sometimes, the temporariness of our situation is what gets us through the present.
Being married to a professional student, it's not so bad. Right? Right???
Now it's your turn. What's your five things this week? Write a blog post and link up to join the fun. Or, if you don't have a blog, leave me your list in the comments. You don't have to copy my topic, but feel free if you need a little direction. I can't wait to hear what y'all have to say!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Conversations with KK: Boys are Gross!
KK and I are having our bedtime snuggle-chat and talking about tomorrow:
Hmmmmm... so, are we talking crazy like this?
Or more like this?
Or perhaps, more like this?
KK: Us going to have a girls' day tomorrow. Just KK and mommy. Just girls. No boys. 'Cause boys is gross! I not like boys.
Mommy: Does that mean you won't ever get married and you'll always live with mommy and daddy?
KK: No. One day I'll get a husband. My daddy is going to pick one for me. And his hair going to be SO CRAZY!
Hmmmmm... so, are we talking crazy like this?
Or more like this?
Or perhaps, more like this?
Just wonderin'
Another time, we are walking into the girls' bathroom and KK tells me why we have to use a girls' bathroom:
KK: We use a girls' bafroom because boys is gross (true). All boys is gross.
Mommy: Well, not all boys are gross. It's just any boys who want to kiss you that are gross.
KK: Yeah. Them gross. Smile and wave boys, smile and wave.
(Can I get an Amen?)
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
How we almost missed the Doodlebops
Back in January, I got an urgent call from Peanut-lover. He'd found out that the Doodlebops were coming to town and felt it was important that we be there.
...and this...
So we did. And I marked April 24th on our calendar with big huge red circles. And then we sealed our lips around the kids and waited four months.
Last week, I was driving with the radio on. It's rare for me to have the radio on when driving because I rarely drive alone and if KK is in the vehicle, our van is rockin' to the tunes of the Doodlebops. But this time I was alone and happened to forget to switch stations when the commercials came on. And it's a good thing because there was an ad for the Doodlebops concert, on April 9. (Scroll up, that's not the date I'd circled.)
Being the genius mom that I am, I thought it was weird that they were coming for two concerts, and left it for a few days. But it lingered in my brain and I mentioned it to Peanut-lover who also thought it was weird that they'd come twice in such a short time. Then he suggested that we check the tickets, just in case. And guess what? April 9 is the date on our tickets.
Where did I come up with April 24? I have no idea. I'm just really grateful that we discovered the mistake in time.
Peanut-lover would have been pretty disappointed if we'd missed his concert.
..and since we see a lot of this...
...and this...
...and this......at our house, Peanut-lover felt it was absolutely necessary to get FOURTH ROW tickets for our family.
So we did. And I marked April 24th on our calendar with big huge red circles. And then we sealed our lips around the kids and waited four months.
Last week, I was driving with the radio on. It's rare for me to have the radio on when driving because I rarely drive alone and if KK is in the vehicle, our van is rockin' to the tunes of the Doodlebops. But this time I was alone and happened to forget to switch stations when the commercials came on. And it's a good thing because there was an ad for the Doodlebops concert, on April 9. (Scroll up, that's not the date I'd circled.)
Being the genius mom that I am, I thought it was weird that they were coming for two concerts, and left it for a few days. But it lingered in my brain and I mentioned it to Peanut-lover who also thought it was weird that they'd come twice in such a short time. Then he suggested that we check the tickets, just in case. And guess what? April 9 is the date on our tickets.
Where did I come up with April 24? I have no idea. I'm just really grateful that we discovered the mistake in time.
Peanut-lover would have been pretty disappointed if we'd missed his concert.
Friday, February 13, 2009
In honor of Valentines Day
If you look at the list of what I write about, you may notice that I don't write very often about Peanut-lover. I think grown-up, marriage love is kind of hard to write about. It is hard to put the depth of it into words. Here is one of my favourite posts I wrote about love.
From the archives: July 29, 2008
My heart has been broken a few times in my life.
The first time my heart was broken, I was 14. I thought I was in love. Maybe I was. It was love to the deepest degree that I knew at the time. And the beginning of my journey to finding what true love meant.
He's the one everyone looks back on and rolls their eyes. Just the mention of his name causes my parents' blood pressure to rise. He was the bad boy in our youth group and I thought I could rescue him. I swear, he must have cheated on me every weekend. But he'd cry and I'd forgive him. Over and over. He dumped me at Teen Camp, clearly because there was a lot more exploring to do there.
From him, I learned that love is not just picking someone and being loyal to them no matter what they do or how they treat you.
The second time, I was 18. We had been dating for 3 years and everyone expected us to get married. But I had just left home to go to University and I wanted freedom. I had to break his heart and it was an agonizing decision that took months for me to figure out.
From him, I learned that love belongs to you only and cannot be controlled by how much everyone else wants it to happen.
The third time, I was 19. This time, I fell deep and fast. My dad had always warned me to "guard my heart". This time I didn't and I gave my whole heart to him. He got scared and needed some space. I was devastated, depressed, destroyed.
From him, I learned that even though love makes you vulnerable, you can recover and be whole on your own again.
I'd love to be able to say that I didn't ever love anyone before my husband, but the truth is, the love I had was real. As real as I knew how to love at that time and maturity level. Each experience of heartbreak shaped me into the wife I am today and helped me learn how to love the right way...
...without being mistreated...
...apart from others' expectations...
...so deeply that the vulnerability is scary.
And I live in a love now that is safe and deep, loyal and brave. Ours alone.
For more stories on heartbreak, head on over to Absolutely Bananas.
On this, the day before Valentines Day, you can bet there are a lot of teenage girls running around either completely in love or completely heartbroken. We tend to roll our eyes at them, thinking, that's not/wasn't love. At least I've caught myself doing that. But I've realized in looking back at my journey to true love, that love is just like any other skill we develop. We always think that we are at the maximum of that skill, until we are forced to grow. Love is the same. A girl's first experience with love, as shallow as it may seem to us who know true love, is the deepest that she has ever known. I hope I can remember this when KK is a teenager. I think it will help me understand her better.
Peanut-lover can be in charge of the shot gun!
From the archives: July 29, 2008
My heart has been broken a few times in my life.The first time my heart was broken, I was 14. I thought I was in love. Maybe I was. It was love to the deepest degree that I knew at the time. And the beginning of my journey to finding what true love meant.
He's the one everyone looks back on and rolls their eyes. Just the mention of his name causes my parents' blood pressure to rise. He was the bad boy in our youth group and I thought I could rescue him. I swear, he must have cheated on me every weekend. But he'd cry and I'd forgive him. Over and over. He dumped me at Teen Camp, clearly because there was a lot more exploring to do there.
From him, I learned that love is not just picking someone and being loyal to them no matter what they do or how they treat you.
The second time, I was 18. We had been dating for 3 years and everyone expected us to get married. But I had just left home to go to University and I wanted freedom. I had to break his heart and it was an agonizing decision that took months for me to figure out.
From him, I learned that love belongs to you only and cannot be controlled by how much everyone else wants it to happen.
The third time, I was 19. This time, I fell deep and fast. My dad had always warned me to "guard my heart". This time I didn't and I gave my whole heart to him. He got scared and needed some space. I was devastated, depressed, destroyed.
From him, I learned that even though love makes you vulnerable, you can recover and be whole on your own again.
I'd love to be able to say that I didn't ever love anyone before my husband, but the truth is, the love I had was real. As real as I knew how to love at that time and maturity level. Each experience of heartbreak shaped me into the wife I am today and helped me learn how to love the right way...
...without being mistreated...
...apart from others' expectations...
...so deeply that the vulnerability is scary.
And I live in a love now that is safe and deep, loyal and brave. Ours alone.
For more stories on heartbreak, head on over to Absolutely Bananas.
On this, the day before Valentines Day, you can bet there are a lot of teenage girls running around either completely in love or completely heartbroken. We tend to roll our eyes at them, thinking, that's not/wasn't love. At least I've caught myself doing that. But I've realized in looking back at my journey to true love, that love is just like any other skill we develop. We always think that we are at the maximum of that skill, until we are forced to grow. Love is the same. A girl's first experience with love, as shallow as it may seem to us who know true love, is the deepest that she has ever known. I hope I can remember this when KK is a teenager. I think it will help me understand her better.
Peanut-lover can be in charge of the shot gun!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Men and Directions
We've all witnessed the scene of The Man putting together the piece of furniture/toy/electronic device. He has heavy-duty Man Tools at his side and his brow is furrowed as he attempts for the third time to get the piece together. The directions lay unopened, tossed to the side.
I've never been able to understand why men won't just follow the directions. I mean, it's right there, in step-by-step form... what could be more simple? I believed that men rejected the directions because they thought they were above them. A kind of arrogance I guess.
Then at Christmas, I watched Peanut-lover and my dad putting various toys together, directions tossed aside, of course. And I knew they were doing it wrong. Because I had read the directions. But if I have learned only one thing over the many years of being married it is this: don't mention the directions. Just don't. (Sometimes I do. I'm still working on it.)
Watching them, I realized that it isn't that they think they are above the directions. They just love the challenge. Men love to build and figure things out. It's just part of their God-given maleness.
And so, yeah, it might take them a little longer than if they'd read the directions first. But they are having fun. Man fun. Power-tools-whether-they-are-required-or-not-fun.
Dad, Peanut-lover, little brother, any other manly men who will admit to reading my blog... am I wrong here?
I've never been able to understand why men won't just follow the directions. I mean, it's right there, in step-by-step form... what could be more simple? I believed that men rejected the directions because they thought they were above them. A kind of arrogance I guess.
Then at Christmas, I watched Peanut-lover and my dad putting various toys together, directions tossed aside, of course. And I knew they were doing it wrong. Because I had read the directions. But if I have learned only one thing over the many years of being married it is this: don't mention the directions. Just don't. (Sometimes I do. I'm still working on it.)
Watching them, I realized that it isn't that they think they are above the directions. They just love the challenge. Men love to build and figure things out. It's just part of their God-given maleness.
And so, yeah, it might take them a little longer than if they'd read the directions first. But they are having fun. Man fun. Power-tools-whether-they-are-required-or-not-fun.
Dad, Peanut-lover, little brother, any other manly men who will admit to reading my blog... am I wrong here?
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Who's educating this child? Part 2
KK climbs into bed beside me and announces, "I not like boys everymore. I only like girls."
I ask her why.
"Because boys are gross. And them stinky."
--------------------------------
Where does she come up with this stuff?
I wonder if daddy is doing some education... again? I guess he's been seeing a little too much of this lately!
I ask her why.
"Because boys are gross. And them stinky."
--------------------------------
Where does she come up with this stuff?
I wonder if daddy is doing some education... again? I guess he's been seeing a little too much of this lately!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Who's educating this child?
Lately, all KK seems to talk about is how HUGE daddy is.
"See that lightpole? It HUGE! It HUGE like Daddy!"
"When I get big, I have HUGE muscles like Daddy."
"What that in the picture? (Bulls) Them HUGE like Daddy!"
And it goes on and on... several times a day, some reference to how HUGE daddy is.
I guess this is what happens when you're married to a man who
Friday, August 22, 2008
Note to Self: At least the bathtub's clean now
(Please excuse me while I give myself a little pep talk)
Try to look at the bright side of things here...
You've been meaning to clean that tub for days... ok, weeks... ok, a month. Now it's all sparkly and clean. Doesn't that feel good?
And you have to admit, it was pretty funny to see Peanut-lover come running out of there, shrieking like a little girl, "There's a poop in there! JJ pooped in the tub! Come get him out!!" Seriously, two kids and he's still afraid of a little poop?
And hey, you got out of the bedtime routine because you were busy cleaning said tub. Let's be honest here, you're not so crazy about watching Daddy act out two Cabbage Patch Kids fighting over who gets to pray. For 10 minutes. Every. Single. Night.
And you know, at least you weren't in the tub this time.
Try to look at the bright side of things here...
You've been meaning to clean that tub for days... ok, weeks... ok, a month. Now it's all sparkly and clean. Doesn't that feel good?
And you have to admit, it was pretty funny to see Peanut-lover come running out of there, shrieking like a little girl, "There's a poop in there! JJ pooped in the tub! Come get him out!!" Seriously, two kids and he's still afraid of a little poop?
And hey, you got out of the bedtime routine because you were busy cleaning said tub. Let's be honest here, you're not so crazy about watching Daddy act out two Cabbage Patch Kids fighting over who gets to pray. For 10 minutes. Every. Single. Night.
And you know, at least you weren't in the tub this time.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Heartbreak
My heart has been broken a few times in my life.The first time my heart was broken, I was 14. I thought I was in love. Maybe I was. It was love to the deepest degree that I knew at the time. And the beginning of my journey to finding what true love meant.
He's the one everyone looks back on and rolls their eyes. Just the mention of his name causes my parents' blood pressure to rise. He was the bad boy in our youth group and I thought I could rescue him. I swear, he must have cheated on me every weekend. But he'd cry and I'd forgive him. Over and over. He dumped me at Teen Camp, clearly because there was a lot more exploring to do there.
From him, I learned that love is not just picking someone and being loyal to them no matter what they do or how they treat you.
The second time, I was 18. We had been dating for 3 years and everyone expected us to get married. But I had just left home to go to University and I wanted freedom. I had to break his heart and it was an agonizing decision that took months for me to figure out.
From him, I learned that love belongs to you only and cannot be controlled by how much everyone else wants it to happen.
The third time, I was 19. This time, I fell deep and fast. My dad had always warned me to "guard my heart". This time I didn't and I gave my whole heart to him. He got scared and needed some "space". I was devastated, depressed, destroyed.
From him, I learned that even though love makes you vulnerable, you can recover and be whole on your own again.
I'd love to be able to say that I didn't ever love anyone before my husband, but the truth is, the love I had was real. As real as I knew how to love at that time and maturity level. Each experience of heartbreak shaped me into the wife I am today and helped me learn how to love the right way...
...without being mistreated...
...apart from others' expectations...
...so deeply that the vulnerability is scary.
And I live in a love now that is safe and deep, loyal and brave. Ours alone.
For more stories on heartbreak, head on over to Absolutely Bananas.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Camping Trip - Part 2
And here it is. Finally, the second part of our camping trip pictures.
It is hard to find a picture of the four of us, so even though I look completely dweeby in this picture, I thought you might like to see it. Some lady at the campground offered to take it. When I saw this proof that I should never wear a ponytail again, I was glad that she didn't zoom in. No, that's not a receding hairline. That's me. Being dweeby. Got it? No more ponytails.
Considering I have a hard time getting outdoors once a week, KK was pretty thrilled to have near unlimited access to "inside" (translation: outside). She's a very good listener when we give her limits, so it was easy to just park ourselves by the campfire and let her play peekaboo around the trees for as long as she wanted.
And JJ enjoyed watching his sister disappear and reappear over and over and over and over...
He's a pretty cute little camping dude, isn't he?
When we got really lazy, we had KK build a fire for us.
Uh, just kidding, in case you didn't know. But she makes a pretty cute little lumberjill now doesn't she?
Lots of marshmallows gave their lives for the sake of smores and smookies. Unfortunately, after the first weekend, our awesome roasting forks got sacrificed for the sake of welding experiments.
Camping buddies:
Peanut-lover's family came out to join us around the campfire many nights. This isn't his entire family. This is 10% of his family...and a guitar.
KK got to experience her first boat ride on Uncle J's boat. One of my favourite pictures of her:
We thought she might be a little scared, but she hopped right in the driver's seat and asked to go "faster!" Here's her "get out of my way!" face....oh, and Peanut-lover's model pose.
Near the end of our trip, we had some friends from home come out to visit. We offered them hot dogs and hamburgers. They brought smokies, pasta salad, cookies, chips, plates, chicken burgers, cheese, buns...they came prepared!
Peanut-lover cooked up a feast....while Con kept a close eye on the chef.
After dinner, we spread out and played some frisbee...
As fun as that was, KK really just wanted to play with the "big boys"...
Ummm, did someone forget to tell him that the plate is not the part that we eat???
It is hard to find a picture of the four of us, so even though I look completely dweeby in this picture, I thought you might like to see it. Some lady at the campground offered to take it. When I saw this proof that I should never wear a ponytail again, I was glad that she didn't zoom in. No, that's not a receding hairline. That's me. Being dweeby. Got it? No more ponytails.
Considering I have a hard time getting outdoors once a week, KK was pretty thrilled to have near unlimited access to "inside" (translation: outside). She's a very good listener when we give her limits, so it was easy to just park ourselves by the campfire and let her play peekaboo around the trees for as long as she wanted.And JJ enjoyed watching his sister disappear and reappear over and over and over and over...He's a pretty cute little camping dude, isn't he?When we got really lazy, we had KK build a fire for us.Uh, just kidding, in case you didn't know. But she makes a pretty cute little lumberjill now doesn't she?Lots of marshmallows gave their lives for the sake of smores and smookies. Unfortunately, after the first weekend, our awesome roasting forks got sacrificed for the sake of welding experiments.
Camping buddies:
Peanut-lover's family came out to join us around the campfire many nights. This isn't his entire family. This is 10% of his family...and a guitar.KK got to experience her first boat ride on Uncle J's boat. One of my favourite pictures of her:We thought she might be a little scared, but she hopped right in the driver's seat and asked to go "faster!" Here's her "get out of my way!" face....oh, and Peanut-lover's model pose.
Near the end of our trip, we had some friends from home come out to visit. We offered them hot dogs and hamburgers. They brought smokies, pasta salad, cookies, chips, plates, chicken burgers, cheese, buns...they came prepared!
Peanut-lover cooked up a feast....while Con kept a close eye on the chef. After dinner, we spread out and played some frisbee...
As fun as that was, KK really just wanted to play with the "big boys"...
...but she settled for some badminton instead.
Peanut-lover worked the morning of our last day and then came back for lunch. He and I had sandwiches. Here's what the kids ate:
Ummm, did someone forget to tell him that the plate is not the part that we eat???Stay tuned for the final installment of our camping trip story: Bug the Slug.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Some pre-camping faves
While I'm working on my post (or more likely posts) about our camping trip, I thought I'd share some of my favourite pictures from the beginning of June.
I just love the interaction between these two! Oh, and that's not a tooth in JJ's mouth, that's a piece of barf. (It's not as cute a picture for you anymore, is it!)
KK took this one of her brother. I love how she caught me in the background, still in my jammies, mid-afternoon. Yep, I'm hot.
Nothing like finger-painting. This was before the pictures became soggy masses of brown.
Anyone heard of crazy eyes? She's got 'em!
And it doesn't get any better than this:
....except maybe if my eyes were actually open! I should just be grateful to have a picture of me with my kids and stop complaining that Peanut-lover quits trying after 5 pictures, even if none of them turn out right!
I just love the interaction between these two! Oh, and that's not a tooth in JJ's mouth, that's a piece of barf. (It's not as cute a picture for you anymore, is it!)
KK took this one of her brother. I love how she caught me in the background, still in my jammies, mid-afternoon. Yep, I'm hot.
Nothing like finger-painting. This was before the pictures became soggy masses of brown. And if you want to make mommy's heart actually stop beating, try this:
Anyone heard of crazy eyes? She's got 'em!
And it doesn't get any better than this:....except maybe if my eyes were actually open! I should just be grateful to have a picture of me with my kids and stop complaining that Peanut-lover quits trying after 5 pictures, even if none of them turn out right!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Irrational fears we have passed on to KK
Ok, so you might have noticed my absence for the past week. If you're one of my facebook friends, you probably already know that we were camping for the week. For obvious reasons, I didn't want the entire world to know we were away, so I didn't forewarn you. Hopefully you're still with me and if not, well, I'll woo you back *eyelash flutter*.... I was touched to see that a few of you checked back faithfully every day to see if I'd posted.
Anyhoo...I'd love for this to be a fabulous post about my camping trip, complete with the best pics and hilarious anecdotes....but yeah, the laundry....oh, the laundry. Sorry guys, but the laundry wins this time. So I thought I'd share a quick observation I made over this past week regarding the irrational fears that we have passed down to KK.
Mommy's fears:
1. Spiders
I really didn't want to pass this one down to her because I hate how terrified of spiders I actually am. I know it is irrational. But it is really hard to hide my completely involuntaryfight or flight reaction upon seeing a spider. Unfortunately, at the tender age of 31 months, she has already been brought to tears on many instances upon exposure to a spider, or the possibility of a spider. sigh.
I am proud, however, that so far I haven't passed on my queasiness about all bugs in general. It seems that if mommy acts excited upon seeing a bug, no matter how icky, and shows KK how to a) tickle it with a leaf or b) chase it around (ie. not touch it), KK seems to think that it is the cutest thing out there. True story. She actually called a slug "cute" and said it was wearing a "cute skirt and pink leggings" and all I had to do was name it "Bug the slug" and tickle it with a leaf. Hours of entertainment (and some really great pictures).
(We're back to mommy's irrational fears here people...stay with me)
2. Unpredictability
Yeah, I hate it, but I like things organized. I like to know what is expected of me and where my next meal is coming from. KK thrives on routine. It works for us now, but it frustrates me that she will have to deal with the same kinds of stresses I face as an adult...because unfortunately, I'm not in charge of the world and contrary to popular opinion around here, she is not either. And never will be. Unless of course she becomes President of the United States, for which her Nanna would be very proud, but is not likely to happen, considering she is Canadian and all...
Daddy's Fears:
1. Dirty floors
Actually this one kind of works for me. And I may have been known to encourage this irrational fear in both my husband and my children....but honestly, there are worse things that can happen to a person than having a piece of lint/dirt/lettuce on your sock.
2. Syrup
And here we are. The entire reason for writing this post. The peanut-lover is deathly afraid of syrup and we have recently discovered that so is KK. Hmmmm....
Anyhoo...I'd love for this to be a fabulous post about my camping trip, complete with the best pics and hilarious anecdotes....but yeah, the laundry....oh, the laundry. Sorry guys, but the laundry wins this time. So I thought I'd share a quick observation I made over this past week regarding the irrational fears that we have passed down to KK.
Mommy's fears:
1. Spiders
I really didn't want to pass this one down to her because I hate how terrified of spiders I actually am. I know it is irrational. But it is really hard to hide my completely involuntary
I am proud, however, that so far I haven't passed on my queasiness about all bugs in general. It seems that if mommy acts excited upon seeing a bug, no matter how icky, and shows KK how to a) tickle it with a leaf or b) chase it around (ie. not touch it), KK seems to think that it is the cutest thing out there. True story. She actually called a slug "cute" and said it was wearing a "cute skirt and pink leggings" and all I had to do was name it "Bug the slug" and tickle it with a leaf. Hours of entertainment (and some really great pictures).
(We're back to mommy's irrational fears here people...stay with me)
2. Unpredictability
Yeah, I hate it, but I like things organized. I like to know what is expected of me and where my next meal is coming from. KK thrives on routine. It works for us now, but it frustrates me that she will have to deal with the same kinds of stresses I face as an adult...because unfortunately, I'm not in charge of the world and contrary to popular opinion around here, she is not either. And never will be. Unless of course she becomes President of the United States, for which her Nanna would be very proud, but is not likely to happen, considering she is Canadian and all...
Daddy's Fears:
1. Dirty floors
Actually this one kind of works for me. And I may have been known to encourage this irrational fear in both my husband and my children....but honestly, there are worse things that can happen to a person than having a piece of lint/dirt/lettuce on your sock.
2. Syrup
And here we are. The entire reason for writing this post. The peanut-lover is deathly afraid of syrup and we have recently discovered that so is KK. Hmmmm....
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