Kids do weird things:)

So lately AJ's thing has been to make beds in random places. I wish I would have taken a picture but I didn't. He was in the kitchen in the corner of the cabinets and he balanced a stick on the drawers then put a rag over it, then got his pillow from his bed and blanket and turned the lights out (trying to make dinner) and said 'sleepin'. I don't know why, but the last 3 days he has been doing that. Mostly in the kitchen, but today it is in the living room.

He got some clothes given to him from his 4 year old cousin and they were in his room the next thing I know is that he is bringing me clothes insisting to put them on. Well, he couldn't move then fell to the ground and was rolling around bc he couldn't get up (notice I had time to get the camera and I let him struggle, opps:))

This is what daddy and AJ do to bond:

They chase each other and wrestle and then Jason throws him on the bed. I didn't realized how much of a girl I am bc while they are having a blast I just try to stay out of the way. Not one bit of it looks appealing. Girls and boys are different, I guess:)

Advice:

So I know there are a lot of moms that read my blog, I have a question. How do you night potty train a child? At his naps he wakes up dry everyonce and a while but at night he doesn't. Any insite would be helpful:)

What is life really about?

I went to a women's bible study last nite. I went in blind and with out any expectations. Sarah asked a few ice breaker questions and then led us in some scriptures. She asked one question that really meant a lot and got me wondering; what life was about. The question was; why are you here and what do you want to get out of this? Katy started us out with an explanation about a sense of community and deeper friendships. I added that there have been several bible studies (all of us could relate) that you enjoy each others company but it doesn't get much deeper in the connection. We both thought that was really sad. Then we got to reflecting back about Laura Ingles Wilder and little house on the prairy. All of the women hung out together and did dishes, laundry and cooked. THey worked really hard and enjoyed each other. It was silly but true. We all have things that need to be done and bc we do those at our own houses we miss the community that working together brings. I don't think this study is going to bring about village living, but if we get creative about bringing some community to our homes I think we would all be blessed. Using our work to serve each other in a Godly fashion. I have been temped a few times to have closet cleaning parties or gift wraping parties at Christmas. I don't think this is the only way to have community but deeper relationships is the goal:)

Happy Holidays from the Rhodes Family!!!

I hope everyone had a great Holiday and was able to see all of their loved ones. We had a great trip to OK and are happy to be home. AJ was really fun this year. He has been watching Wow Wow Wubbzy and all of his presents (even the underwear) were 'Wow, wow', and then he was on to the next one. His favorites this year were a scooter and this Tigger that rolls. He had a good time.

AJ loves to cook

IN the morning he knows that we have eggs and he loves to help. He says 'egg' and then 'up'. He hands me the eggs and then I set him on the counter and he cracks the egg and I put it in the bowl. He then asks for a fork so he can make circles (stir them). It has made cooking a lot more enjoyable for me:) Here are a few cookie and egg making picts. (The first time we tried to take a pict he almost burned his leg so we tried again.)

AJ is a trickie one

We have been able to let AJ play in his room without destroying anything for quite some time. Well, he was playing in the kitchen with playdoh and I stepped out of the room. Not a new thing for us. Well, when I came back he had gotten into the fresh fudge we had made for the Holidays and fingerpainted all over the window. A creative little thing. He kept saying 'yum yum' and he was truly having a good time. It was hard for us to be mad. It was bad.

I tagged:

Rachel
Jen
Julie
Nicole
Tara
Sarah

Here are the rules:
1. Link to the person that tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself
4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs
5. Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.
6. Let your tagger know when your entry is up.

Here are the 6 non-impt, habits, quirks about me:

1. My favorite thing to do around Christmas is to bake Christmas cookies and candies with my mom.
2. I have to 'set the mood' to watch TV/movie ie; pick up toys, turn off lights, start the dishwasher.
3. I love to watch my kid play/be funny.
4. I eat eggs every morning.
5. I still want to build a dance room with mirrors in my house when I build it. (Doesn't every little girl, who dances, want that in their house?)
6. I have to do my make-up (not mascara) before I can do my hair in the morning (then mascara).

Update

So after about 12 weeks of trying to get this loan to start our own practice, we got denied. We are really bumbed because we all thought that this would go through. It has been really hard because I haven't had a job for 6 weeks now because I had to quit my job for training. It has been a huge learning process. We are still hopeful and we know that when one door closes another opens. We are just waiting for which door is going to open. We don't know what the future holds that is really hard to be ok with. If there is only one thing that this process has taught us is to trust. Trust completely in the Lord. This was something that I didn't know I had a hard time with until this process. I think so many of us are such planners and know that we have x amount of money in income and think we have some control over things. Well, this has been an eye opener and when I thought that I had learned to trust, God is telling us that we still have more to learn. We have gotten really good at knowing that he will always provide. Thanks to those of you who are praying for us. We are evaluating our options of what to do next and always know that God is Good.

Christmas had better be good

AJ is kind of a funny kid. He has a 'fun face' like I did. Serious. You know he is having fun, but he needs to tell his face sometimes. And it is hard to get a picture where he is cooperating. Well, he has found his match, HALLOWEEN!!! He has never expressed as much fun as he did on that night. Such a simple concept, I say trick or treat (in toddler words) and these grown ups give me candies. He thought it was awesome. It was the funnest holiday for us as parents.

Waiting:)

So while I am waiting on the banks approval, I have been at home with AJ. It has been really fun and we decided that this was probably a good time to start pottie training. It hasn't been as bad as I thought it was going to be. It has been about a week and today was the first day of no accidents!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was pretty happy. He doesn't pee his diaper during his naps. It has been pleasant. I guess when you wait till the right time and find the right motivator (candy) this was a good experience. Here are a few picts. We are doing good, just biting at the Bit ready to start working on the practice. Have a great Holiday:)

Alright I am back!!!

We have been so busy and then my computer had to get a new mother board, whatever that means. I am planning to start my own Chiropractic Clinic. We are so excited. This is a really big step for us and we are being very cautious. We are projecting an opening date of January 4 or 11, 2009. We got back from this thing called Life Book and it was amazing. You get to relax in a ultra cool lounge for 4 days and think about what you want, but more importantly, why you want it. It is a great experience and we are so glad we were able to do it. I think their web site is http://www.mylifebook.com/.

AJ is doing so great. He is definatly 2 years old. He is learning so much. He is changing. He is getting big; he is almost in 3T. For the most part he is good. Right now he is into Pooh and Friends. He knows the names and sounds for the animals. He also likes Little Einsteins. He is pretty funny.

Jason is still clicking away at school. Life Book stimulated some really great passions of Jason's that he has been trying to ignore for a while to concentrate on school. We are hoping to move out to New Town next year at the end of summer.

I DIDN'T WANT FOR MEAN FOR THIS TO HAPPEN

SO AJ, KAIYA, HANNAH, AND KALEB GOT TO PLAY THIS LAST WEEKEND. IT WAS SO CUTE TO SEE THEM INTERACT. AND GUESS WHAT I FORGOT, OH YA, MY CAMERA. I HOPE RACHEL WILL POST SOME. I REALLY MISSED THEM AND I THINK THEY REMEMBERED EACH OTHER. THERE WAS NO DOUBT THAT KAIYA REMEMBERED HER MIMI AND GIGI (MY MOM AND I). THEY GOT ALONG SO WELL:) THERE WERE NO REAL ISSUES THE ENTIRE WEEKEND (THAT IS RARE FOR AJ).

ONE OF THE FUNNIEST THING

SO KAIYA HADN'T SEEN HER DAD FOR A LITTLE WHILE SO HER MOM WAS REHERSING A FEW LINES FOR HER TO PRACTICE. WELL, MY FAVORITE WAS 'WHAT IS DADDY'S NAME'? SHE POINTED TO HER TOE AND SAID 'TOE..' THEN TO HER KNEE 'KNEE'' IT WAS STINKN CUTE. KALEB WAS REALLY SWEET AND WE HUNG FOR A LITTLE WHILE. I MISS PLAYING WITH OTHER PEOPLES KIDS. WE ALL NEED TO GET TOGETHER.

AJ is All Grown UP

He is officially in a toddler bed!!!! This was a big deal. I kept thinking we would do it soon and we never did. My sister wanted his crib so we took the plunge. It has surprisingly been a pleasant experience. We had his crib railings down for about a month so he was used to hearing, "no, stay in bed, it's nite nite." He has done great and he loves it. He really thinks it is cool to hang out in his room.

We have been kind of crazy. Life is crazy. If you don't schedule time for relaxation, devotion of some sort, and play time, the devil finds ways to run you to the ground. I really feel like that is the truth. We need to 'sharpen our saws' through the week so we can stay healthy emotionally and physically, and he knows that. God designed us in His image and the devil tries to destroy us. I don't mean to rant I want everyone I love to enjoy life (plus it reminds me to do the same). I love you guys and have a great week!!!

So I Need to Catch Up

A couple of weeks ago me and my home dogs (brothers and sister and our kids) went to Grant's Farm. It was really fun. It is a small zoo with beer at the end. Here are a few picts.

What is up with this weather?

It was like 55 degrees in April and we are like lets BBQ thinking it would be the season for it soon. We have had a monsoon and just when we think summer/spring is finally here it rains again. Now June is almost here and we still have crazy weather. Almost everyday that we can be outside we are. We have been walking at Queeny Park and enjoying the sunset and wildlife. It has been really neat to hang out, outside. AJ loves it.

Jason's Parents were in!

We went to New Town to show them some of the town and houses.

Well, later his mom and I gave a redo to my flower arrangement. It has been there for 4 years since we have changed that arrangement. I was changing my kitchen to a more spring look with greens and blues and yellows accented with black and white. So we went to the store and picked out all of the flowers and put it together. This is what it looked like.

What God is Doing

So God has opened some leading opportunities in our lives and we finally are ready for them. A lot of the teachings we have been hearing lately have been about Loving God, Loving People. It is funny how you can hear those words and they don't mean anything, and then one day you are actually listening and they mean something. We talked about it in our small group and we are trying to look for ways to do Gods will, look for the 'burning bush'.

I am thinking of making a career move that will entail a lot more leading and determination. I am comfortable where I am but the opportunity available with the doctors I might go in with will be wonderful for my career. If I take this position I am going to grow in areas that I need to grow in. The only thing is; I know growing isn't always comfortable. I know I will be a better doctor and business woman after this. It is really neat and I feel like this is a God thing bc they have four docs already and we had no idea that they were looking for someone. I will have to drive farther and I don't know how I will work my lunches with AJ but I hope this works out.

We will be praying and if you would help us I know how powerful prayer is and I want to make the right decision. Thanks and I will keep you updated.

Fun New Stuff

So we have been trying to get things to make our house look more 'homey'. We bought a toy box that doesn't look like one so it looks like furniture. Oh ya, a little more control. So we got a treadmill. This was a really hard decision bc we wanted one we could run on. Well, that is hard to find. But we did so we were excited. The AT&T guy came to get us advanced TV bc my mom wants it for during the day. Videos on demand is the shiznitobama. Halla!!! I had no idea what we were missing. We have had bunny ears for the last 6 years. Technology has changed a lot, to say the least.

Cleaning!?!

Once I get started I can't stop (needless to say I just don't start). I really like to organize and 'spring clean'. I just don't do it a lot because I have two boys working against me. So I finally got around to de-cluttering the house today and took what we needed and why we were cluttered and tried to make it fool proof . Maybe we will make it a little longer before the house looks like crazies live there.

P.S. It is really great to hear from you all who comment. It is really fun to get little updates. Talk to you all soon.

Sorry about the truck picts. We are selling the truck and I couldn't get them to email to the guy so I had to post them. Talk to you all soon. Jen

New News

Carmen is Engaged!!! Can you believe it? Well, at first I didn't know what I thought about it but seeing them together is really neat. He is a really nice and sweet guy who has his life under control. She is excited, but scared. They weren't even dating when he proposed, but she thought about it and I think it is going to work out great. Plus, Chase will get to grow up with his mom and dad together. They haven't set a date, but I know it won't be too soon. She will probably be moving out in a month or two:(

Jason is finished with finals and is really happy with is grades and being one more tri ahead. As a lot of you know he has been through it with Logan falling in to every loop hole they have and then some and 90% of the time he could do nothing about it. Well, some of his teachers have started to join forces to help him out a bit and they got a few things straightened out. He is pleased and glad to be off for a little while

AJ is so fun. Ever since he got over being sick he has just been awesome. He knows all of his shapes and he is starting to communicate with us more and he has loved the nice weather. He wants to be outside all of the time. This morning he brought me his shoes (before he even ate breakfast) and then brought Landon his shoes (he was still asleep). It was cute and he was able to go out side for a bit but then the rain came. Maybe tomorrow.

I don't know what it is with him and hats lately. Here are a few more he found.

Funny Developments

So now that AJ's ears are healed from swimmer's ear, ask me if you have any questions about the at home natural care you can do for that, he has been so funny.

His newest thing is that he jumps. He jumps from the carpet to the hardwood, the hardwood to the tile, outside to the inside, any change in the flooring he jumps over. He does this with both feet and grunting afterwards. At first we didn't know what the crap he was doing, it was funny.

He now knows all of his shapes thanks to my sister. We were a little worried that he wasn't talking as good as he should, but what do you do when they are 2? So I wasn't that worried. Anyways, he is fine and starting to progress more.

Last nite he was quiet, that is never a good sign, so I went to check on him. He was standing on the oven door, yes he opened it to stand on it to get to the brownies. What?! He is not supposed to even know how to do that. It was funny.

He has been taking interest in potty training. I know, I don't know what to do either. So I was thinking we might start soon? If he really doesn't like it we won't but I could be cool if he does. Talk to you all soon.

So last week we were in Oklahoma on Friday. So there went that blog and this Friday I am going to go out of town for business. So I will try to make this a good one.

AJ is growing up

He is getting really fun, still frustrating at times but I think that is parenthood. God is great. He gives us these little stinkers to look after for Him while they are on this earth so that we can love them to pieces and we can worry about them. I think about him when he is older and I cringe at the fact that he will go to school by himself. Wow, the bus!?! Or the fact that he will go to the mall or the movies by himself. It kind of gives us a glimpse of what God feels for us. We live on this earth and He wants us to love him and do all of the right things because He loves us so much. However, it is our choice to walk with Him.

New Town

AJ wasn't feeling good Saturday so we went for a drive. We have visited this New Town a couple of times and think it is great. I don't know if you guys have heard of it, but I hadn't before Jason told me. It is in St. Charles and I was almost certain that we were going to Tulsa so I wasn't looking at houses in MO and I didn't want to like it when we looked at them. But it is a really special area and we think it is going to be great to raise kids. Check out the web site. They are a little more expensive but I think you buy into the community.

Here are some picts of the kids. Landon starts school in the fall at central. Chase is sitting up pretty good ( when he is put down). AJ gets funnier everyday. I love the boys and it has been fun having them here. Talk to you all soon.

I FEEL A NEED TO EXPLAIN

SO THE NAKED PICTURE OF AJ RUNNING IS REALLY CUTE NOT BECAUSE HE IS NAKED BUT BECAUSE AFTER HIS BATHS HE RUNS TO GET ME A DIAPER AND SAYS 'PEE PEE, PEE PEE ' THE WHOLE TIME. HE LAYS DOWN WHERE EVER I AM AND LETS ME PUT IT ON. THEN HE RUNS AND GETS HIS PJ'S AND BRINGS THEM TO ME. IT IS FUNNY. HE THINKS HE IS REALLY CLEVER.

SO WE HAD A ZOO EXPERIENCE

WE TOOK ALL OF THE BOYS TO THE ZOO. LANDON, RYAN (MY BROTHER'S KID), AJ AND BABY CHASE. IT WAS SURPRISINGLY A GREAT EXPERIENCE. WE RENTED ONE OF THE TWIN STROLLERS THAT THEY ALL RODE IN. CHASE WAS IN HIS OWN STROLLER. THE WEATHER WAS NICE. IT WAS FUN FOR THE FIRST HOUR AND A HALF THEN WE HAD TO PULL OUT SOME TRICKS. WE HAD DIP AND DOTS AND WATCHED THE SEA LIONS GET FED.

LIFE IS GOOD. CARMEN IS SURVIVING. SHE HAS A JOB. I THINK MY MOM IS GOING TO GO BACK TO HER HUSBAND (AFTER COUNSELING). TALK TO YOU ALL SOON.