Moments to remember

Riley helped dad shovel the driveway today. 

Austin took his first steps today all by himself!

Today was a exhausting, hectic day full of craziness.

 

Goodnight. 

Light at the end of the tunnel

Someday when I am older I will look back on these days and think "How did I ever get through that?"  Sometimes I wonder if I am qualified for this job.  Being a mom is great but I was never well prepared for the lifetime of all that it entails.  It has been a rough 2 weeks in the Weisbecker house and I think I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Riley has been sick all week and Jason and I were up all night long(with short naps here and there)  for a good 6 days straight.  I kept telling myself, "It's ok, this will pass soon.  Riley will eventually get better and I will be able to sleep again but that day just kept NOT COMING!  Sunday night Riley was up until 5 am coughing and not sleeping(poor guy and poor mom and dad).  I had to go to work all day and Jason stayed home with him all day after we were both up all night long.  Not to mention Jason was sick with the stomach bug for the second time since Christmas and I too then got the bug for the second time as well.  It is one thing taking care of sick kids when you have not slept in days but then add on being sick yourself and that is almost impossible.  I have to say through it all we stayed pretty calm and did not get too ornery with each other.  Of course we had our moments but overall we made it through in one piece.  I honestly was thinking I can't take one more day of this nightmare.  Somehow you make it through and live to tell your kids who  have kids of their own one day, "Don't worry, I have been through it and you will get through it too."  Sick kids are the worst!  The good thing is there is finally peace in the Weisbecker house.  Riley is no longer coughing and we are back on a somewhat normal schedule.  Struggling times build good character.  The more you struggle the stronger you become.  Thank God for life's struggles that shape us into better people and teach us the important things in life.  No matter what, I am always thankful for my life and all that is in it. (struggling or not struggling)

Here are some pictures from our week.  Looking at them you can't even tell we were going crazy! 

  

Monster Jam, Baby Bonding and Sickness Galore!

Jason took Riley to Monster Jam in the cities last Saturday night.  Riley was so excited to go he was talking bout it weeks before the show.  He is definitely all boy.  I was excited to have a night alone with Austin.  It is nice every now and then to be able to just have one child, not just because it is easier, but also it is nice to have bonding time with them alone.  I was able to get a lot done during the day.  I cleaned the entire house from top to bottom and I even put up some decorative pictures in my bedroom that I have been meaning to put up but never had the time.  I listened to my country music and my Christian music really loud as it was just me and Austin in the house.  That was a rare treat.  Funny how the littlest things in life can bring such joy.  I put Austin to bed at 8:00 with no problems and then had the rest of the evening to MYSELF.  Jason and Riley didn't get home until 1am.  They had a great night too.


Sunday morning I went to church for the first time in I don't know how long.  It felt so good to be back.  Having two kids and a husband who works third shift makes it a lot harder to discipline myself to get to church every Sunday.  I want to try harder though because it makes me happier when I go.
After church we were sitting at the kitchen table eating lunch when out of nowhere Riley puked all over the table!  GREAT!  My just cleaned and germ free house gone!  Austin had just gotten over a puking spree a few days before Riley so I guess it would be too good to be true that it had ran its course.  Riley was sick for a good three days and just starting this morning seems to be back to himself.  Yuck.  Both Jason and I had to call in sick one day and we were both exhausted.  Hopefully we can avoid sickness or a little while now. 

    

Politics: The root of all evil

There are many things in life that can lead you to an evil place.  From the day we enter this world each one of us has the God given choice to choose right or wrong.  As babies we are exempt from the choosing as we are too young to understand but as toddlers we know when we are not choosing to be good little boys or girls.  As the years go by we learn lessons to help us choose the right thing but more often than not we choose the wrong thing and suffer the consequences.  Sometimes in life right and wrong are obvious choices but sometimes right and wrong can be hard to decipher.  For example:  Some people might think drinking beer is a sin and is blatantly the wrong kind of behavior but others might think there is no harm in enjoying beer every now and then.  Some people may think Halloween is a pagan holiday and by partaking in the festivities you are worshiping Satan and therefore you have clearly made the wrong choice.  Although others may argue that Halloween is simply a day to dress up like your favorite super hero and enjoy getting lots of candy from your neighbors who love to see those dressed up little ones at the door yelling "trick or treat!"  Some people believe being a certain denomination is the "right" religion and all others are therefore "wrong".  Others may believe that loving Jesus is the only "right" religion no matter what denomination you choose and all others are "wrong."  Some people may believe that being gay is a choice and if chosen will lead you to hell.  Others may believe they were born gay and have no other choice because it is how God created them. Some people believe watching reality shows, rated R movies, or listening to secular music is wrong and yet others watch these things all the time and feel no conviction whatsoever.  Some people believe abortion is wrong and should never be allowed as a choice for anyone and others believe it is a woman's choice what she can do with her body. Some people blame President Bush for all the shortcomings of this world, while others point the finger to President Obama for every negativity to occur.  Some people believe republican is the "right" choice and others believe democrat is the "right" choice.  The list goes on and on and on. You could sit and debate about each side for years and years and years and yet most of the time either side will always agree to disagree.  We live in a world of extravagant differences and every day we see just how different we all are from each other.  Yet each one of us are special, important, cherished, respected and unique.  Our lives have made us who we are and only God can change us into the "right" image we are to be. 

Every day I hear arguing, I see judgment, I see pain and I feel sad.  This world is made up of a bunch of people who simply cannot agree to disagree.  Either side is always raging against the other.  The people who believe one way stay together and the people who believe the other way stay together.  Both sides scream and yell, throw tantrums, make fun of, pick on, bully and gossip about each other.  The funny thing is both sides think they are the righteous ones!  Seems like we have all retorted to toddlers who can't get along with one another, me included!  How do we expect to raise our children to act like adults when we ourselves are acting like kids!

Sometimes I find myself wondering, "What does Jesus choose?"  "What side would Jesus take?"  "Would he take any side at all?"  "Does Jesus agree with what I believe?"  One person is willing to spend their whole life believing one thing and another person who is just as worthy has the opposite belief.  Both think in the end the other will find out they were wrong and have to suffer the consequences.  Very interesting this world we live in with all the different opinions.  I hope to agree with God but I know that most of the time I don't. Sadly, I probably think I am.  Thankfully we can rest on God's grace knowing he forgives us our shortcomings and leads is into all truth.  It is comforting to know that in the battle of "right" and "wrong", Jesus always wins in the end no matter what we agree upon or disagree upon here on earth.

The next time I see someone post something on Facebook bullying one side or the other I will fight the urge to do the same and hope we can all just get along regardless of our personal beliefs.  

Every moment counts

What a week.  Life has been crazy these days.  I feel like I am constantly moving.  It is amazing how many things one person can do in one day.  I would hate to think what would happen if I just took a break and let everything go for a week.  CHAOS!  Just when I think I am ahead on the laundry....wham bam the mountain of clothes is back.  Just when I think I took out the garbage, wham bam garbage day was yesterday.  Just when I finish picking up the last toy, wham bam they are being poured out again.  Just when I think the floor is squeaky clean, wham bam the juice is spilled across the floor.  Just when I finish giving the kids a bath, wham bam puke all over the place.  Just when I think I can get some sleep, wham bam a crying baby.  Just when I think I get a day off, wham bam I forgot I have children!  A day in the life of a parent is wonderful, rewarding, funny, crazy, hectic and  lot of work!  The best and hardest job is being a parent and your first day on the job you realize there is no going back.  Thank God for the lessons I've learned, the unconditional love I have become to know and the selflessness I have gained from being a mom.  Only God could have designed such a miracle in life. 

Today my Grandpa fell while walking out of his back door and broke his hip.  Life is so fragile and we never know when something catastrophic can happen.  I am so thankful he is ok and was able to get to the hospital and have hip surgery on the same day of admission.  Amazing what doctors can do these days.  He went into surgery at 5:03 and was out of surgery at 5:50.  The doctor said everything went well and now he will just need some time to recover.  Hopefully he has a swift recovery and is feeling better soon.  I pray all works out the best it can.  Life is short we should be thankful for every single moment, even the ones that include doing laundry, cleaning spilled juice, picking up toys and staying up all night with a sick child.  Every moment counts!  

New things

I registered Riley for preschool last week.  Hard to believe my little man will be old enough for that.  Where did the time go?  He will start in September and will have to ride the bus.  So weird, I think I will be more nervous than him.  I think it will be a good preparation for kindergarten.  I was worried about the transportation, didn't know if it was going to work out but things always seem to work out somehow in the end.  It is hard these days when both parents work to get your kids to things like this. 

Austin is 10 months as of today.  He is doing a few more things.  I noticed he waves goodbye now.  He is such a delight.   He likes to cuddle with me a lot which I love.  There is nothing better than a cuddly baby.  His favorite baby food is hands down (fruit medley) and he loves to eat.  He is not too into baby toys, instead he prefers Riley toys.  Whatever Riley has Austin wants.  It is funny to watch.  I guess I should start planning for his 1st birthday party.  Riley's first birthday was Elmo themed.  I can't believe Austin will be 1 already.  What a great year it has been.  Praise God for giving me two of the best gifts I could ever receive.  It is not easy raising children but it is so worth it and I am thankful for them both. I think the best years of your life are spent with your kids.