Snow: Pretty, Fun, & Laborious -- Yet, God Ultimately Created It....

Many of you reading know that we live in Kansas, specifically South Central Kansas. Where we live, we typically only get around 15 inches of snow per winter -- assuming I'm remembering correctly what my weather-minded husband has said. Last year, we hardly received ANY snow at all -- maybe 2 inches if I remember correctly. Our winter this year started out as having very little snow. In December, close to Christmas, we received just enough for Luke to be outside and THOROUGHLY enjoy it, despite Marc being at work and my need to be inside with a baby. At the VERY end of December, BEGINNING of January, we received a little bit more. This time, Marc was home for the holidays...they went sledding in another part of town where there is sort of a hill (relative to Kansas)....(Marc said that Luke did LOVE sledding -- he's just not showing it in this pic...I was home with Kate)... THEN, at the end of February, we got the "Mother of all Snowstorms." Actually, we got two of them in less than a week. It was "deemed" by the weather guys that Kansas hasn't seen snow like this in 50 years. According to Marc's measurements in our yard (which is reported to the National Weather Service), we had 19" in those two storms. School was cancelled quite a few days -- which means Luke didn't have preschool for quite awhile. It was pretty, fun, and laborious (henceforth, the title of this post). AND, we're grateful for it -- after all, God did create it! Marc was home from work for a total of 1 1/2 days...we were grateful he stayed home -- both for safety reasons and for the "need to shovel" reasons. Not too many people own snowblowers here in this state. However, a couple of our neighbors actually do. One neighbor cleaned a good portion of our little street -- which NEVER gets plowed. Another neighbor loaned us his snowblower or our driveway when Marc & Luke spent several hours on it and never made a dent. Marc later told me that if we ever moved ANYWHERE NORTH of here, he'd want to purchase a snowblower. I didn't disagree! One thing I learned during these snowstorms is that Luke knows how to GET AFTER IT with the shovel. He did awesome, and he didn't complain at all!

On Kindergarten...

I'm doing this post more as public information to my followers -- not for advice (unless you're an older mom who wants to encourage or share your story about your child(ren) when they were young -- see previous post)....Luke's birthday is July 21. He will turn the big "5" this summer (Sniff Sniff). Of course, when I was pregnant and obviously had a summer due date AND when we knew Luke was a boy (and announced it), several well-meaning elementary teachers had to tell me THEN that we should think about "holding him back" until he was 6 to start kindergarten. NOW, I know these teachers meant very well and were basing the statement on professional experience, BUT I, to this day, am BAFFLED at how I heard this before Luke was born -- well before we knew much about him or his personality. Several years ago, when Luke was around 2 1/2, Marc & I did go on ahead and make the decision to most likely have him wait until he was 6 to start kindergarten. I spent a whopping ZERO amount of time on the internet, reading books, etc. researching the topic. We pretty much solely based this decision on a) MANY older parents telling us their experiences with summer birthday children and waiting OR not waiting, AND b) My personally watching Luke interact with other children who would eventually be in the same class as he would be. During all of my observations, I did tend to notice he tended to act a bit younger -- because duh, he was younger. At that point, 2 wonderful older moms suggested to me (on different occasions) that if we at all thought we might hold him back until 6 to start kindergarten to hold him back in Sunday School at that time. That way, he'd be in Sunday School with the same kiddos he'd go to kindergarten with. Then, he wouldn't at all notice the difference. We took that advice, and we're grateful we did. Kindergarten round-ups are going on right now or will very soon. You will not see us there. We are waiting until Luke is 6. Luke will be going to preschool 3 mornings/week next year, and he's excited about that! AND, the SELFISH part of me is excited that we're waiting because that means I get to have him home with Kate and me one more year. Kate also has a summer birthday -- though it's early summer, and she's a girl (obviously). So, we'll see with her. We definitely have made no decision on that one yet!

Thoughts from My Mind....

WARNING! This post will be a "No Pic" post -- just a bunch of ramblings from my head...Here goes! I remember one distinct time as a child -- I don't remember the exact age, but I'm guessing elementary age -- asking my mom if she liked being a kid better or being an adult better. I distinctly remember my mom saying, "I like being an adult better." But, she said it VERY matter-of-factly, and she didn't embellish (for which now I'm grateful). I know it wasn't my mom's statement exactly, but I can very distinctly remember times throughout my childhood -- longing to be older, longing to grow up. The funny thing is -- I didn't have a bad childhood at all. My parents were married. My brother and I lived in a stable, yet not perfect (as nobody does), home. Naturually, there are "improvements" Marc & I are striving to make in our children's lives (I think most people do this). When I was in high school, I can remember several adults saying to me, "Boy -- I sure don't miss high school -- the drama, the hormones, etc." AND, of course, I distinctly remember, throughout a good portion of high school, LONGING to graduate and go to college. I'm sure my thought process was longing to get out of my parents' house, longing to be on my own (I'm fairly independent like that). Again, funny now, high school for me was not bad at all. I went to a safe, good school. I had friends, etc. etc. THEN, college arrived. The first 1/2 of college was fine. The second 1/2 was fine as well, BUT I can also remember a few older people saying to me, "Boy -- I don't miss those college days -- studying all of the time, NEVER having any money, etc. etc." I can vividly remember the second two years of college, longing to graduate and just be done with that phase of life. You might be seeing a trend by now. College was not a bad experience for me either. Other than the first year, I was not a traditional college student. I lived off campus. I worked a lot to pay rent, car insurance, etc. I managed to keep some scholarships. Combine all of that with a little bit of help with books from my parents, I managed to finish those last 3 years with ZERO debt -- and now that I'm older, am VERY grateful I took that route. But, despite college not being bad, I couldn't wait for the next phase of life. After I graduated, I got a good job within a couple of months. Around the age of 25, I was really longing to find the right person and get married. I remember having lunch with a friend one day (who was engaged at that point). She said to me, seemingly not meaning to offend or upset me, "Oh, I'm so glad I'm getting married -- I'm DONE with the dating scene." I remember thinking (but not saying aloud), "Well, that's great for you, but some of us have not yet met the right person to marry. Some of us are stillin that 'dating scene.'" I had graduated from college at the age of 22, and I didn't marry Marc until the age of 28. SO, I had 6 years of single, working-hood years. I spent 1/2 of those years, longing for the next stage of my life. At age 28, I got married to Marc. I loved getting married and being married. After 1 1/2 years of marriage, we started trying for a baby. That didn't happen right away for us. Those almost 2 1/2 years from starting to try for a baby until Luke was born, looking back now, I didn't enjoy. I was, again, longing for the next stage of life. Luke was born. We loved him (and still do love him, obviously). After another 1 1/2 years or so, we started trying for a second baby. Obviously, if you look at the age span of our kiddos, you know that didn't happen right away either. I vividly remember over the last 3 years or so, longing for that stage when we'd have another child. Kate was born last summer. While I was in the hospital (with a month early newborn who was way too sleepy to eat properly while recovering from a C-Section), somebody texted me (again, meaning no harm or discouragement), "I'm really glad I'm not in the newborn stage anymore." I remember sitting on my hospital bed thinking, "Yep, we're starting over after 4 years -- no sleep, here I come." I think I might've even shed a tear -- who knows? It's all a blur -- Ha! We know we won't have anymore kids. I often find myself thinking about all that I can do once both of our kids are in school full-time -- which will be a bit yet. At the same time, I announce fairly frequently to Marc that I will cry once Kate goes off to kindergarten. I know it's cliche, but the time with kids when they're small really does go fast. For that, I'm very grateful I stay home with them full-time right now. BUT, with all of that in mind, are you noticing a trend? I have spent virtually my entire life longing for the next stage? AND, I'm really wondering now just how much I miss in the current stage because I'm so longing for the next stage? Recently, in the last couple of months or so, I've read two different women bloggers announce just how much they love having older kids -- no more diaper bags, no little kid fits, no diapers, no bottles, etc... While I KNOW they mean absolutely no harm or lack of encouragement, it really is discouraging to those of us in that stage. It's harmless remarks like those that often put me in the "longing for the future" thought process. It's all of those people throughout elementary school, high school, college, single years, etc...that do not help my thought process. NOW, if you have done this to somebody, don't worry...I'm relatively certain I have as well. If I have done this to any of you, I deeply apologize. I seriously have started praying for God to help me with my words to other women/moms, etc....I want to encourage, not discourage. AND, I want to soak in EACH and EVERY moment with my small children right now. It's going so stinkin' fast. I LOVE hearing from older Godly moms -- they're advice, regrets, mothering tips, etc....I've been extremely blessed with a community of them at church. I am noticing a trend from many of these moms. They all seem to love my small kids and my friends' small kids. That tells me a couple of things. It tells me that as hard as life may seem right now with small kids, it's really a good stage to be in. It tells me that this stage isn't as bad as I sometimes think it is. It tells me that mothering really does matter....even when the world tells me that there is more to life than changing diapers, constantly disciplining, and time to myself at a definite premium. SO, thank you older mothers who have encouraged both myself and my friends with small kids. I pray that I have the awesome opportunity to do the same someday. And, as I already stated, I pray daily that what comes out of my mouth can be an encouragement to others, not a discouragement.

A Promised Recipe from the Weekend....

Well, now that I have you reading this blog (perhaps for the first time or again -- since I hadn't blogged much in the last year or so), I'm going to post a recipe. This is a recipe I saw several had posted on Facebook. I don't know exactly where it came from (it may have originally been on Pinterest)....But, I tried it this weekend, and I even did something I generally don't do -- I used others (as opposed to my own family) be guinea pigs for the new recipe. I made it for our church's tech and worship team breakfast -- which I do on occasion. BUT FIRST, because the recipe just might have piqued your interest to this blog, you must look at a pic of one of my kids. I decided this past weekend to start something I'd been thinking about for awhile. There's a trend "out there" where one takes a pic of their child(ren) each day for a year. Then, one puts these pics on Instagram daily with a created hash tag. At the end of 365 days, one has 365 pics of their child(ren) -- thus able to create a cool collage. SO, here's my Day 1...under the hash tag #gratefulforfriesenkiddos. (You can find it on Instagram if needed. You can also find me under "scfriesen"). AND NOW, the recipe....Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Cake....With an electric mixer or stand-up mixer, mix 3 Cups flour, 1 Cup Sugar, 1/4 tsp. salt, 4 tsp. baking powder, 1 1/2 Cups Milk, 2 Eggs, and 2 tsp. Vanilla. Once combined well, slowly stir in 4 Tbsp. melted butter. Pour batter into a greased 9 X 13 inch baking pan. In a large bowl, mix 2 sticks of butter (1 Cup), 1 C. brown sugar, 2 Tbsp. Flour, 1 Tbsp. cinnamon, and 2/3 Cups Nuts (optional) until well combined. Drop evenly over cake batter by the tablespoon and use a knife to marble/swirl through the cake. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick comes out nearly clean from center. Place 2 Cups Powdered Sugar, 5 Tbsp. milk, and 1 tsp. vanilla in a large bowl. Whisk until smooth. Drizzle over warm cake. Serve warm or at room temperature. Quite tasty!

The Friesen Strollers....

Since early 2009, MANY of you locals have seen Luke and me up and down our little town....I have NO idea how many miles I have put on the "blue stroller" (as we call it in our home). Looking through some old pics, I came across some baby pics of Luke in that stroller.... ALL of these walks is something I have thoroughly enjoyed in my life. People often ask me now how Luke, a 4 year-old, does on these walks. Luke does fabulous. Then, I get asked if he's always asking to get out and walk. Nope -- I always respond that he's used to it...I like to think he's been trained to sit in the stroller nicely so Mama can get her walk in :) Then, Kate came along. The "blue stroller" simply wouldn't work anymore with 2 kids. So, before Kate was even born actually, Marc and I talked about a double jogging stroller. Marc, with his awesome research skills, decided THIS STROLLER would be a good one for our family. Then, we started saving for it in a cash envelope (you know, the good ol' fashioned way). Back in February, we bought it! Luke was VERY excited before we even took it out for the first time.... Despite cold days, we've bundled up and been out quite a bit in the last 6-7 weeks....EXCEPT when there was over a foot of snow on the ground :( These awesome kiddos of our's often fall asleep on our walks.... AND, a couple of times now, Kate & I have walked to pick up Luke from preschool -- resulting in stops at a park or two on the way home.... I would LOVE to know how many miles Luke and I logged on that "blue stroller." SO, this time, with the double stroller, the NERD in me is keeping track of the miles. So far, in less than two months, AND with an interruption of a major snow storm, the NERD in me is happy to report that we're at 96 miles :) Wave "Hello" to us if you see us walking (I'm talking to you locals, obviously)....

A Little Bit More Flashback....

This past week, Kate rode in a shopping cart like a big girl for the first time....She thought she was BIG STUFF! I had this on Facebook and Instagram, but in case you want to see it again....OR, if you aren't a friend of mine on Facebook or a follower on Instagram.... AND, for the flashback....here's Luke -- the first time he rode in a shopping cart like a big boy! Luke was right around the same age as Kate is now! Earlier this month, Marc gave Luke a haircut -- as Marc generally does. Luke sat on the chair SO VERY NICELY -- no tears, no fit, etc. etc. etc. AND, he even agreed to wear a cape (we usually have to brush hair off of him the entire time because he had refused to wear a cape nor did he care for the hair on him)....Honestly, I thought Luke looked like a little man getting his hair cut.... AND, for the flashback -- we gave Luke his first haircut when he was 10 1/2 months old -- about a month older than Kate is now. It was warm enough to do on the deck. His first haircut went well...BUT, I can't say that the last almost 4 years of haircuts have always been pleasant. Here's Luke's "Before Shot" on the first haircut... And, the "After Shot" on the first haircut.... Why did our baby boy have more hair as a baby than our baby girl currently does? Oh well -- she will get hair eventually. I just want to put something girly in her hair, and no offense to anybody, I just personally don't care for bows on the head.

A March Flashback....

Nope, I haven't posted in awhile. I will quit making excuses and making promises about posting. I'm just going to post when I post. I hope people read once in awhile and don't give up on me. ANYWAYS, a year ago last week, our little family of 3 1/2 (I was pregnant with Kate) took a trip to Tennessee. I partially blogged about it, but I never finished it. While I'm certainly not trying to play catch-up, I will do a flashback of something I never blogged about. In a bit, you'll see why this post is appropriate. In case you didn't know, Marc is a Texas Longhorns fan. Don't ask me why. Ask him if you're curious -- Ha! I can't explain it either. The night before we left for our little trip to Tennessee, it was "Selection Sunday." (You know, for the big NCAA basketball tourney). The University of Texas, though seeded at a 16 (I think), was going to play at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville -- when we were to be there anyways. After some brief discussion and quite a bit of online searching for various ticket prices, we made the decision to purchase three tickets for our little family and go to a game -- Marc getting the opportunity to watch Texas, a pregnant Sarah, and a 3 year-old Luke....sounds like good times, doesn't it? (I know how much many of you would want to attend an NCAA basketball game with a 3 year-old)... Luke was VERY intrigued with the escalator. Basically, we spent quite a bit of money on a ticket for him for the escalators. BUT, what can you expect from a little boy? He very much enjoyed looking down from the nose bleed section that we were in. We DID discover on this trip that, as of right now, Luke has NO fear of heights. I packed quite a few snacks for Luke, and fortunately, upon inspection of our bags at the entrance, the "Grandpa-Like" security guard didn't mind our bag full of snacks for Luke.... Texas did lose this game....Our tickets were also for another game. We stayed for the first half of the next game (when Luke was D.O.N.E.)....One of the teams playing in the second game was St. Bonaventure -- a small, Catholic school from upstate New York. Despite being from a long ways off, quite a few students and parents showed up to watch. They were VERY lively and had A LOT of school spirit. And, I'm not saying that in a bad way AT ALL! Their spirit was amazing to watch! It was fun to see a smaller school like that make it into the big NCAA tourney. Their loudness, however, did intimidate Luke a bit -- a kid who doesn't like loudness. Between the two games, as the St. Bonaventure students were getting loud and excited, Luke wasn't exactly enjoying himself. SO, we did what any good parents would do and bribed him with ice cream. Yep, it worked, and that's who we made it through the first half of the second game after TX was finished.