Quiet Please

Just Needed a Little Quiet Time

This is what happened when I really wanted to read my Bible. The baby was sleeping and Elias was out with Dad. I told Emma to stay at the computer, play starfall and not say anything while I read in the livingroom. She obeyed.

Back in the Saddle Again

I'm So Glad That's Over

Yesterday Alex and I had the stomach flu. I think there should be a law against both parents being sick at the same time (or when one parent is sick when the other is out of town). While we were laying in bed with aches all over and frequent trips to the bathroom, the kids were running around the house with the opposite amount of energy. And as I've read recently on another blog the outcome really could have been a lot worse. The only two mishaps were gum in the hair and the indoor/outdoor carpet being ripped up off the balcony resulting in black grit everywhere. Surprisingly it took less hairwashings to get the gum out of Emma's hair than it did to get the grit out of Brooke's hair. I'm still trying to figure out how to clean up the balcony without getting black water all over the neighbor's balcony downstairs, but that's a job for another day. Thankfully, however, we are back in the saddle today and somehow my energy has come back full force. It's only 10 and the entire house has been put back in place and vacuumed. A feat that doesn't often happen on a normal day. Now the laundry baskets are full and ready to be washed. Not sure if that will get done today.

While laying in bed yesterday not wanting to get up and deal with the kids, my husband reminded me that these difficult moments are opportunities to obey. I can either grumble and complain or I can choose to believe God's grace is sufficient and with a thankful heart go to the duties that the Lord has put before me. I wish I could say I always chose the grace, but bits of grumbling still surfaced. But thankfully I have the promise of 1 John. If I confess He is faithful to forgive. I know these trials (aka flu) are all apart of His purpose to mold me into his image, but I must confess that during the trial it is really hard to value being made in His image when all I want is to feel better. That battle of flesh is so hard. Thankfully my Lord is so very patient. And hopefully during the next trial I will be able to be thankful during instead of just after.

Balancing Act

Practicing for the Chinese Acrobats

**warning, pictures may not be suitable for viewing by grandparents**

*please be assured that no kiddos were hurt during the taking of these pictures*

Still no job, but we're having fun. If things start getting desparate we may start up a sidewalk act and put out a hat.

Blooming

The Poppies are in Bloom

We drove an hour north today to go to The Poppy Festival, which was a little bit misleading. The only poppies we saw were a few potted ones as we entered the gates. It was a lot of arts & crafts and funnel cake type booths. We saw lots of pictures of poppies but no actual flowers. So after leaving The Festival we drove to the hills to find the real deal. It was very windy so the flowers were not opened up, but it was really neat to see the sea of orange.

Because the poppy is the California state flower it is illegal to pick a poppy in the wild. I, therefore, gave Elias strict instructions to NOT pick any flowers. But as he was running through the field it occurred to me that he was destroying way more flowers than if he had picked a few for his mama. But who can resist the urge of running and singing "the hills are alive" with this kind of setting.

The girls were so tuckered out from the festival that I couldn't bear to wake them for the real deal. But it was killing me to not get a family picture in such a picturesque setting.

Another Blog

Peer Pressure?

I don't know if you call it peer pressure if it comes from a sister. Call it what you want, a request, plea, demand, or appeal. I happen to like guilt trip. My sister needs to start a blog. Elise is just too cute for me not to see regular pictures of her and since I live way too far away a blog is a must.

So what do you think? I've been racking my brain for ideas for a name of a blog for Sarah. Add your ideas in the comments.

Ok, here are some of the suggestions. My favorite is Holly's.

SarahsSundries.blogspot.com

SarasSweetie.blogspot.com

ksarahsarah.blogspot.com (from the song kay sa ra sa ra, which is actually que sera sera)

somethingfromsarah.blogspot.com

blissfullybennet.blogspot.com

bennettbusiness.blogspot.com

babblefromabennett.blogspot.com or bennettbabble.blogspot.com

sarah-says-so.blogspot.com

sarahs-scandal.blogspot.com

These pictures are just too cute to not blog. And when one has a dad-in-law who takes the best pictures, I think it should be required to blog.

Better Late Than Never

It's a little late but I'm finally getting to my Easter pictures.

Brooke is purposely absent. We are starting to get out numbered and therefore the 1 year old did not get to particpate in the egg dyeing process.

They look so cute and almost angelic all dressed up. If it didn't come unraveled in 3.2 seconds I would do it more often. It made it easier this year with Grandma helping with hair and bows. And of course, when Grandma is around the smiles always come easier.

I am really into family traditions. And this is another one that my family puts up with. It has been my (Haverland) family's tradition to take Easter pictures with the dyed eggs in the shape of the year. You can look back in my childhood photos and know exactly what year each Easter picture was taken. And so the Alex Busenitz family is carrying that tradition on. But I have yet to get the whole gang dressed and eaten in time to take pictures before church. Therfore my ever patient husband helps me get tired and hungry kiddos to pose for an Easter picture after we come home from church. Some years have gone better than others, but in general the pictures contain tears.

Here's a few from the past. I always enjoy looking back. They grow up so quickly. I couldn't decide which ones to include so here they all are.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMMA!!!!

Emma is into all things pink and princess.

The cake certainly wouldn't win any cake decorating awards, but thankfully it is very easy to impress a little girl turning 4. Although, as it turns out she doesn't like to eat cake and only licked the frosting. And somehow forcing her to eat her own birthday cake didn't seem right. However, she can eat her weight in tomatoes.

This is my new favorite tradition. My Mom made Emma a birthday pillowcase which she used the week prior to her birthday. It will now be tradition for the birthday child to sleep on the special pillow case the whole week before thier birthday.

A Day at the Park

While Grandma was visiting we had to show off our warm weather with some time at the park.

In typical boy fashion, Elias, was busy running around and never stood still enough for a picture. After getting home and looking at the pictures I realized the only picture he made it in was the family picture. However, his feet made it into this picture.

When Mom Wasn't Looking

I should have listened.

I was in a groove and I didn't listen. This morning I began the daunting task of going through the kids clothes. I did this in December and thought I would be fine for a while, however, all three kids have since then gone through a growth spurt. So in preparation for summer, drawers were getting cleaned out and laundry put neatly away. I was a woman with a mission. I am usually very distracted, but this morning I was getting things done and was trying to be finished with the huge task before lunch. Emma came to me letting me know Brooke was into something and I should have listened. When I finally did come into the kitchen I realized I should have listened and acted more quickly. The mess really could have been much worse, and for that I am thankful. It wasn't until after I discovered Brooke that I realized Emma had come to me and said something about Brooke and the trash. I am very grateful it was just the trash bags and not things out of the full trash can just a few feet away. As far as 1 year old messes go this one was really quite easy to recover from: styrofoam cups thrown away and trash bags stuffed back in to the box. Note to mom: listen to three year old.

This is our latest favorite picture.

More Sayings

My sister told me I should do more sayings blogs. However, they are after all my kids and just not that witty. It takes me a while to collect these sayings. Here's the latest collections.

1. I overheard this conversation while Emma was playing with a couple of dolls and role playing with them.

Emma: I hate you.

Mom: Don't talk about hating people even if we are just playing.

Emma: (resumes playing) I want you to go away.

2. This conversation took place a few days after ear infections and strep throats hit our household.

Emma: Why does it keep raining?

Mom: Because it's a rainy day. (not the most scientific answer, but it's all I could think of)

Elias: Sometimes we have rainy days and sometimes we have crying days.

Mom: What is a crying day?

Elias: It's when all the kids cry alot. (duh)

3. Only in warm Californis does this confusion occur

Mom: Wear the other jacket this one is too heavy.

Elias: Am I not strong enough for this one?