Chezneys' little fin'ers

We were at my parents tonight and I had been helping get dinner ready in the kitchen when Chezney decided to climb up on the mantle and burn her fingers on the glass around the fireplace. The poor thing got second degree burns (bubbling blisters) on the pads of her fingers, and the surrounding skin on the fingers have first degree burns. I feel so bad for her. She sobbed almost the whole night shaking her hands and making throwing movements like the was trying to throw the pain off. I know there's nothing I can do to make it better and she is finally resting peacefully...but probably not for long. Once she recoups from the exhaustion of crying, I'm sure it'll all start up again....

Everybody knows...a TURKEY and some mistletoe...

In a flashback to years past, this time of year reminds me of when Danissa was little. We always play Christmas music and drive around looking at Christmas lights. It never failed that when this song came on, Danissa would laugh HYSTERICALLY in the backseat when the man said the word "turkey". "Awwg!!! He said TURKEY!!!", she would howl. Well, without even remembering about it earlier this evening, the song came on and Danissa laughed all over again. So we said to Ethan "listen for him to say 'turkey!'." Then when we replayed it once again, Ethan said "Yup....he said turkey, alright!" And it started a second round of laughter in the car. Just a funny song...and a favorite of the Farr family.

Popped Balloon

The kids have had a balloon bouncing around here since Friday. They have had a lot of fun passing it around and a lot of arguing over who it actually belongs to. Well...today Chezney placed it on the ground and laid on it. She bounced up and down over and over, laughing hysterically. Then it popped and she fell to the floor. She jumped up, started to cry,...ran toward me and then veered to go behind the recliner instead. Then she peaked out and just stared at the bits of orange latex laying on the ground. Poor girl.

Baby Words

I finally broke down and bought the twins a new thing that is just their own. Up till now...pretty much everything they have (short of christmas or birthday presents) has been hand-me-downs. They have had a few clothing items in their infancy that were bought to match, but other than that, we really haven't bought them anything. Well, awhile ago I bought them each one of those thick cardboard books called "Baby Words". They LOVE them. They climb in my lap all of the time and open them up and just start looking at the pages. Sometimes they point and I'll say the word, but mostly they just turn pages and stare. They just love these books!

And since Mike had the camera out, we decided to get a group shot with mom ;)

Bedtime Glow Ball

It seems like everynight for the past while, we have taken out one of Mikes old basketballs that glows in the dark, and we turn off all the lights in the house and just roll the ball in the livingroom. The kids think it's so much fun and even the twins are learning to sit and wait their turn and then pass. It's a great way to wind down and the darkness keeps the mood mellow even if we're playing a game.

Family Pictures

We just had our family pictures done on November 1st and they are now up on Mary's website and ready for viewing. If you're interested, the website is:
http://albums.phanfare.com/4906518/2008/ and then scroll to the Farr Family album.

Cunning Closet

Danissa and Ethan were doing their laundry together. I heard obnoxious whining coming from their room and found them arguing over a River Academy T-shirt that they both have, but only one of the shirts happened to be in the laundry and neither child had the matching shirt in their closet- so of course both claimed the shirt as theirs.
The condensed version of the conversation went as follows:
D-"No...it's my shirt Ethan!"
E-" Nuht-uh...it's my shirt!"
D-"Well....why don't I put the shirt on MY side of the closet to keep for YOU."
E-"Oh! Okay!"

Beanie Baby....Coffee Bean, That Is...

We were at my in-laws tonight when I decided it would be a great idea to tickle Cohen. He reacts uncontrollably and pretty much clenches up into a tight ball and can't release until you stop. Well....he had just grabbed the handle of a hot-ish cup of coffee the instant I decided to tickle. The coffee came down right on top of his head, down inside his sweatshirt, all over my white sweater sleeves....ugh. His hair was literally dripping....so after calming down, we pack up and head home for a bath.
In the car, Cohen falls asleep drenched in coffee...so I have to wake him up to bathe him, and after A LOT of scrubbing....he still smells like coffee. My little coffee beanie baby is tucked into bed and his room smells like a fresh pot of coffee.....mmmmm.

Haiku!

The pictures below of Cohen against the glass brings to mind a Haiku I had to write in college. As much as I HATE any Haiku, I still feel inclined to share, just because of how well it fits. So it is as follows:

Cleaning my window
Of smeared little faces
I leave one intact.

Before we get ridiculously far away from Halloween (since it's already almost Thanksgiving!!!) I wanted to flashback really quick and post a picture of Danissa's first Halloween. She was actually a pooh-bear, but her daycare had an early Halloween party and her teacher painted her face like a kitty. This pic was taken at home right before she plopped into the bath....and I'm embarrassed by how evident it is (by my picture) that it was taken long long ago. Doesn't Danissa look so much like the twins?! It's just crazy....

Portrait forgotten

I had forgotten to share this picture I had taken about two or three weeks ago. I just loved it and wanted to share and then forgot. So....here it is!

Little faces and finger prints

I was bringing in the groceries today and Cohen had his face pressed against the window. His mouth was wide open and his tongue was pressed against the window licking up and down on the glass. It was so hilarious that I opened the door, ran in to get the camera, and then tried to make faces at him and encouraged him to do it again. Of course...he didn't...but I got some cute pics and even one that was just a little bit pressed on the window. I love the last picture...how you can see his little finger prints pressing on the glass....

The River Academy

Sometimes I get a bit frustrated with the kids school. I love it, but it can be frustrating. Sometimes I wonder if we made the right choice...Is it too strict? Will the kids thrive? Will they feel excluded because we aren't members of the same church as the majority of the other students? I wonder if there would ever have been a perfect choice...and the answer is: most likely not...just like everything else in the world.
However, there are days like today where I KNOW it's the right choice. My kids start everyday singing praises. They spend their memory cells on bible verses, as well as biblical truths and historical facts. Every subject is focused on how God was involved in making that subject...Math is taught from a biblical perspective, history: from a biblical perspective. They are taught to see God in every subject of their lives.
I love getting in the car and hearing my kids sing Hymns that I don't even know. I learn them from my kids. I learn bible verses with my kids. I have to study my bible stories to answer questions. I just love this school and how it molds the entire family.

Seven years OLD

Apparently---seven years old is old enough to decide to cut your hair without talking to anyone first. Danissa decided that the bangs she has been laboring to grow out since May were no longer straight and decided to straighten....about half....of them. OH that GIRL!!!

End of Fall Clean-Up

We finally got outside and took some time to winterize the backyard. It feels so good to get out in that fresh air and do something once in awhile. Mike and I bagged up the majority of the leaves and then while he mowed up the rest, I gathered all of the toys that stay out all summer and placed them under the porch along with the bikes and everything else that hibernates through the winter. Then we had a little fun in the backyard, and -courtesy of Danissa!!!- we have a few pictures! =)

Danissa turns 7!

Danissa's birthday was yesterday, so to kick it off we started a weekend of scrapbooking on Friday and then took a short break Saturday to go to Brians Pizza in Cashmere for pizza, cake, bowling, and a few laughs. I didn't get any pictures of the girls scrapbooking (as I had intended ALL weekend...) but here's a few pictures of the party! We really enjoyed seeing family and getting some time to just hang out with everyone.

50 years of Fun

Danissa is coming along in her reading skills and practices daily. Today at the dinner table, she spoted a large tin can that a bunch of play-doh and assessories came in. She read the words on it: "50 years of fun with Play-doh". She thought about that a minute and then said "50 years?!? We've only had it for about two!"

Ethans Kinderprep School Picture

Another Flashback

Today my mom reminded me of a funny incident at 7-11 that she wanted me to share.
One day, while I was running into 7-11 to pay for gas, I was greeted by a midget at the door. He opened the door for me and I walked in, just thinking to myself...oh my goodness....I know my kids will see him! I hope they don't do or say anything he gets offended by! *if you know my kids, you'd know that those kinds of things happen pretty often*
When I returned to the car, the kids were just overflowing trying to tell me that they saw a little grown up man get into a car and drive off...but he was little...but he was grown up...and he was driving...!!!!!
Then Danissa blurted out "He must have drank WAAAAAY to much coffee when he was little!!!!"

Danissas 1st Grade School Picture

Veterans Day

Danissas class has been studying Veterans Day, so when their teacher suggested the class take a mini field trip to the Veterans Day Parade- and it was approved- the headmaster decided they should get the whole school in on it. So, almost every grade loaded up or walked down to Centennial Park and honored the Veterans. I just love some of these pics.

Blatant Disobediance

Danissa...for the first time (at least obviously) has blatantly disobeyed something I told her to do. Mike and I actually found ourselves very surprised, because Danissa just doesn't act this way. However, tonight at the dinner table, she didn't want to eat her meal. That's fine...we give the kids that choice, but 1) we don't dish too much or expect them to eat excessively, and 2) if they don't eat, they missed it. The chance to eat has passed and they can eat again -come breakfast.
Tonight, Danissa argued and argued her way through the entire meal, which she didn't HAVE to eat, but if she chose not to, she didn't get to go to grandpas and ride in the new truck. Finally I told her, eat 1 of each veggie, don't worry about the mashed potatoes, but eat all your meatloaf (probably a total of 6 bites...). I walked into the kitchen and looked back to see her under the table. I came around the corner, and there she was, meatloaf on the floor, and the cats neck in both her hands trying to force the cat closer to the meatloaf to eat it. HAHAHA....I had to stifle a laugh and sent her to her room to put on her jammies. She is still in tears as I type this. So funny...but just so shocking coming from her....that's totally an Ethan move!

New Car

We gave the kids to my mom this morning and headed for the coast in search of a new car that- God willing- will safely and dependably get my husband, and occasionally, my kids- safely throughout the next couple of years. After 13 hours on the road and a few good laughs at dealerships expenses, we purchased our car and came home. We had to spend a hair more than we had planned, the interior is clean but an ugly color, and we had to give up the 4x4 for 2WD but that will just save us more on gas. The dealership was so great to work with us. We'll have the extra $ taken car of in three months and then we'll own our car free and clear. I think it was a total God thing. Every car we looked at (and there were MANY) had problems that were made clear to us as soon as we looked or drove them (and for us not being mechanical AT ALL, this in itself was a miracle!!!). At first we were frustrated but then realized that at least we had taken the time to figure out what we didn't want, which is half the battle. Finally, just before we gave up, we found one that seemed to be just what we were looking for (minus the 4x4). I think we got really lucky and hopefully we will find ourselves with a pretty dependable car for a long time. By the way, we ended up getting a gold 1991 Toyota 4Runner with only 109,000 miles, which is exactly what Mike wanted when we headed that direction this morning.

Flashback

For as long as any of you have known Mike, he has been--to one extent or another--an avid basketball player. One weekend back in 2000, he was in a 3-on-3 tournament in Cashmere, where an ex-Sonic basketball player also was a contestant. To Mikes luck (and excitement) he actually ended up paired against this guy. This is a picture taken from the clipping of the newspaper article on the 3-on-3 tournament. Can you believe how midget-ized Mike was compared to this guy!?!? (Mike was obviously still the same height he is now....)

Mike is so......sweet

Saturdays are my days to sleep in, generally. Mike gets Sundays since I'm the one that gets the kids ready for church, however, I think he gets the bum end of the deal ever since we've started going to first service instead of second. Anyway, today I slept in and Mike woke me up earlier than I had expected. I asked what was wrong and he said "nothing...I just made you a really yummy breakfast." So I got up, and in the microwave was a plate with hashbrowns and a breakfast burrito. Mmmm...then he said "actually...me and the kids were hungry so I took them to Jack In The Box. I got this for you and then put it on a plate and even cut up the hashbrown patty so you wouldn't notice. Hahaha...how funny!

Children and Politics

We have the most interesting conversations on the way to school in the morning. This morning, it was borderline heartbreaking. Danissa heard from so-and-so that Obama wants to kill babies. This has been an ongoing conversation and it continued again this morning. I once again reassured her that this was not true, but that he wanted to make it okay for other people to kill UNborn babies. (which from what I heard but didn't include, he also has approved it up till 1 hour AFTER birth!!!!) SO then she thinks that Obama thinks it's okay to kill ANYONE, so I have to explain how some people believe a babies life doesn't start until it is born and so he makes it okay to kill the babies that have not been born yet, but it's not the same as killing a big person--that's still considered wrong by everyone. She says how that must be sad for the pregnant mommies families that don't agree with her and want to keep the baby. How insightful is this six year old? She contemplates all these things and tries so hard to understand things I don't even think I should be telling her.
Then she starts thinking how it must make God sad but that these people must love Jesus at least a little bit because they are listening to the ten commandments which says not to kill. I explained that we don't know if they love Jesus or not, but that it does make God sad, and then we had to get into Mans law vs. Gods law and how you can be a non christian and still end up listening to some of the ten commandments because they are mans law also.
Holy Cow!!! I think I need to be a politician to answer these questions! I am so overwhelmed at my lack of knowledge and these things I find myself trying to explain so much earlier than I ever anticipated!

New Daycare

We started a new daycare today after only making it through 4 days at the previous one! I am happy to report that the kids had a blast and the twins even came home with paint on their clothes! I'm thrilled that my kids are getting to be in an environment where they get to paint and play and be creative all day long. They are with lots of other kids and get the chance to interact with others. When I picked up the twins they ran to me as soon as they saw me, but then quickly went back to their playing and I even had to chase them down to leave. How wonderful!

United We Stand

I feel compelled tonight to write about our country.
Far back into our worlds distant history, we can find countries and lands separated by their religious beliefs and for just as far back, we can also find Godly men prevailing over ungodly countries and lands. God stood by his people and helped them conquer in the worst of circumstances.
Our country was one of these. We were founded on God, and with his blessing we prospered and thrived in unimagined ways. We were United under One God.
Tonight, we have taken one more (of many) drastic and ungodly steps in a direction that leads us farther away from our maker and Defender. Tonight, we take one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind into a direction we will undoubtedly not turn away from, but continue down. I think back to these stories in the bible of God standing next to his people. Did they realize they were living in a time that would go down in history for centuries to come? Did they realize that they were living in a pivotal moment that would serve as Gods hand and be written down in the Bible? And then I think...there are portions of the bible written as a forecast of the times to come. Will the people that live in those prophesied moments realize that THEY are the ones that were spoken about centuries before? THEY are the ones living in the present biblical forecast? Are we THEY?
Our country has strayed from GOD...I may not have strayed from God, you may not have strayed....but we, as a country have strayed and WE as a COUNTRY will pay the ultimate consequence. God doesn't turn his back from his people...but man turns his back on God.
The end is nearing. The time for destruction and chaos is at our door. And at this time in our counties history, we find ourselves a Republic that stands One Nation, without God, divisible, with liberty and justice for all.

4 Pirates

I ended up with four ADORABLE pirates for Halloween. The twins were going to be pumpkins but majority won and we had four pirates. They were super cute and super sugar high-ed by the end of the night!

Reformation Day

The River Academy celebrated Reformation Day on Friday. This is a day when they dress up "Medieval Style" and they joist, sword fight, have baking contests, etc. It was so much fun for Danissa. (Kinderprep doesn't participate, to Ethans dismay...) Danissa decided that this was the first year she wanted to participate so we go her an outfit and she decided to enter the baking contest. We ended up with a Pumpkin Apple Pie. Interesting...not horrible....not wonderful...(I forgot to take a picture of it) but she actually did surprisingly well.