June Update

I just had to post a picture of my little jumping bean and my fire fighter. Tatum jumps on/climbs EVERYTHING and has me climbing the walls and Ty still obsesses over all things related to fire fighting. I am trying to enjoy my time with him as much as possible because he starts kindergarten in August. That's right, kindergarten! First off, when did I get old enough to have a kindergartener and secondly, when did these little 6 lb. babies grow up?????

Tatum is now encouraged to color with crayons only

Tooth Trouble Update

What a trooper! He went under at 8:20 and 10:00 they brought him back out to us. Lots of work done on a tiny mouth, but he's doing well and has already eaten his weight in jell-o and applesauce. God is good and praying with Tyler and Daddy right before he went in really helped all of us feel a little more calm.

Tooth Trouble

Well, tomorrow morning Ty will have some dental work done. Our dentist feels he will react better if we put him under general anesthesia so he'll have his first surgery-type experience tomorrow. If any of you out there are the praying type, add him to yours please. We know it will go well and is not such a big deal, but when you're a mommy everything that your child has done seems like a big deal. Will report tomorrow after he's home and comfortable!

Who Says You Shouldn't Play with Your Food?

"You belong at the zoo..."

We love our membership to the San Diego Zoo! It has been one of our better investments as far as annual passes go. Outdoors, family time, and tons of great hills so even mom and dad can get some extra exercise! (Not to mention all the awesome animals!)

Ty's best impersonation of a flamingo

Nice ducky...

...Crazy ducky, run for your life!

We think he thinks he's Jeff Cromwell.

A bit more to grow and he'll be just like Daddy

Observe...the wild children

Conquering the beast

I usually don't write much about myself on this blog. I try to just use it to update photos of the kiddos, family, or major events in our lives. However, as I look at the date of my last entry I think this is the perfect time to post something I've been thinking about quite a bit lately.

Yesterday I was catching up on some of my friend's blogs then I went to my page and thought, "Jeez-o I can't even keep up with blogging. We'll just add that to the ever-growing list of things I'm not good at." I started to feel like a loser because I wasn't posting frequently or don't write as eloquently as others or am not as creative as so-and-so. I thought some more and thought about all the times I compare myself to other women, mommies, friends, family in my life. It's a daily thing. I often find myself wishing i was more (fill in the blank) or less______. You get the idea.
You see, I used to spend alot of time being unhappy with myself so I can recognize a downward spiral when it's on it's way. I start to feel down on myself, then start to hyper-focus on the negative, then start to get super sensitive to things others say, then start to retreat...blah, blah, blah. The point is I did a little exercise. I made a list. That's right, a list of all the things I am just not good at. Here is a sampling of that list

• Singing


• keeping up with my blog


• keeping ALL of my commitments, (some may even describe me as a flake)


• driving


• scrap booking


• printing out the pictures I've taken


• remembering to write thank you notes


• accessorizing


• drawing


• any sport involving a ball


• making it to church every Sunday


• Speaking about my faith with others


• being diplomatic


• gardening


• keeping up the backyard


• sewing


• being the "mom who is always on the go."


• dancing


• washing the car

The list goes on and on. Why would I do this? Well, as I read the list, the fact is I am Okay with most of the items listed. So what if I can't sew a button back on my husband's shirt. The local tailor can help me. So what if I can't grow my own vegetables. That's why I go to the farmer's market every Saturday. I asked myself, "If you are so Okay with these things, then WHY are you comparing yourself to others constantly?" Hmmmm....

So I made a list of things I am good at. It goes something like this

• Trying


• cooking


• getting on the ground and playing with my children


• loving my saviour in quiet ways


• cleaning


• organizing


• laughing (at the good, at the bad, at myself.)


• being silly


• listening
• Teaching my children about God's perfect love

It came to me. The good, I believe by far outweighs the bad. The list of things I'm not so good at may be much longer, but it's quality I'm after, not quantity.

AND...I'm very good at trying. Trying new things, trying to improve the things I want to improve.

But for today, I'm not going to TRY to be everything that everyone else is. I'll just try to be the best ME that I can be.

At the end of the day, if I can say I've tried my best then that's good enough for me! Hopefully it's good enough for you too!

WE'RE WALKING!!!

I know I am soooooo behind, but I had to take a moment to report that the youngest of the Mitchells is now WALKING!!! I'm not talking Grace Kelly like poise or anything, but getting from point A to point B on her own two little, tiny, feet!!!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

We were on the way home from the grocery store and from the back seat, Tyler asked,
"I please have some alligator?"
Puzzled, Ryan and I looked at each other and shrugged it off as Ty pretending again. Then again, he asked,
"Mooooooommmm, can I please have some alligator?"
I told him I didn't have any alligator and offered some zebra instead. He was NOT amused. Again he insisted,
"Pleeeeeeeezzzz, I have some alligator we just got at the store." Pointing to a grocery bag near him, he said, "It's right there!"

As I looked in the bag, I realized that what he had been asking for all along was GATORADE!

Quote of the week

While visiting with a relative, (who shall remain nameless in order to preserve her innocence,) Tyler started talking about his mosquito bites. "You know I have lots of 'skeet-oh' bites here," he said pointing to his hair line.
"You have skeet-oh bites," he asked our relative.
"No," she replied.
"Yeah you do. You have little skeet-oh bites right there on your cheek."
Blushing ever-so slightly she said, "Oh...yep but when you're a grown up you call them pimples."

Fourth of July

At the last minute, (after weeks of trying to get a room in San Diego, we decided to head to Palm Springs. Long-time family friend Lance and his little guy Jacob met us there. The kids had a blast swimming all day and watching the great fireworks at night!

A Moment to Pray

This link was sent to me by a friend in Arizona. Kate is the five year old daughter of one of the pastors at her church. Without a sound, a look, or a touch she has won my heart. She and her family are enduring an enormous struggle and need prayer. Many of you who read this are the most amazing prayer warriors I have ever known. Won't you please take a moment to read what life is like through her mother's eyes then take a moment to pray?

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate/journal

HAPPY 9 MONTHS TATUM!

I said, "Tyler finish your snack while I get your sister down for a nap then we'll build." When I came downstairs this is what I found. Like any good mother would, I gently woke him and moved him to a more comfy spot...after snapping a few photos.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

I can't believe I'm about to write this, but here goes. This mornig Tyler looked up at me and said,
"You know, when I toot it's kinda hot in my bum bum."

Very enlightening, Ty.

PAINTING WITH (eating) PUDDING

8 MONTHS TODAY!

15 lbs. 26.5 "

Tatum Can

• Crawl
• Pull herself up to standing on almost anything
• Hold her bottle
• Drink water and juice from a sippy
• Feed herself crackers, puffs, and small pieces of steamed fruit and veggies
• say, "Mamama, Dadada, Babababa, Nanananana, and OOOO" all indiscriminately, but still great to hear!
• squeal
• laugh
• smile in response
• imitate waving

Happy Eight Months!

Ty Teaches Tatum the Art of Fine Music

5 Random Things I Adore About My Little Boy

1. Emergency Vehicles; pronounced "emergen-seets" His obsession with all things related to emergency vehicles and the fact that these must come with us everywhere. All of them. In this bag. Everywhere.

2. His "Guys" Meet Chocolate Milk Bunny (for the chocolate milk spilled on his ear,) Other Bunny, Bear, Other Bear, and Babby Bear. Creative names, huh?


3. Monster Spray; to be sprayed nightly to ward off any monsters that may be out there. Of course, there is no such thing as monsters, "but sometimes you just have to spway it to make sure."

4. The fact that he calls knives, "muffins."

5. That out of the blue he'll call out, "Mom, I just want snuggles." ~makes my heart melt every time!

You Be The Judge

OK, I copied the first picture from Stacie's blog. She is of the opinion that her Abigail can take Tatum. I beg to differ. Check out the other two photos where Tatum is clearly in control of the situation.

Now, I don't want to raise a bully either, but you tell me who is the alpha female!

For those of you who don't know us, we are TOTALLY kidding with all of this!