I hate fire hydrants!

So Cole's new obsession happens to be fire hydrants. We have no clue why he is so crazy for them. I mean, dogs pee on fire hydrants so what is so great about them! Plus, he doesn't even know what they do or their purpose. He just likes them! The only thing I can think of is that there are a million different colors of fire hydrants all over Houston. If we walk into Target, we say hi and bye to the fire hydrant out front. The street that takes us from Hwy 288 to our church has like 500 of them and some are blue with green tops and some are green with blue tops. Regardless, our child is crazy! We literally say hi to every single fire hydrant in the world b/c Cole is sure to find it. It is pretty funny. The best part is that he calls it a giar-odrick. Not sure if you can pronounce what I was trying to write but that's how he says it. No one has any clue what he is talking about when he says it except for us, so when we explain, people look at us like we have the most odd child ever. Tonight we took Cole to the park but baby sister got fussy so we left early. I don't know if many other kids do this but Cole always finds a comfort word. For a long time it was Elmo, for a while it was Mickey Mouse and now it is "giar-odrick" but we don't know why he does this. If he has a meltdown or is throwing a tantrum he says it over and over again. So when leaving the park tonight and for 15 minutes after we got home he screamed "giar-odrick" which is why I decided to post tonight. I can't imagine that anything else could be on my mind b/c that word seems to be on repeat in my brain. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!
PS.... Chloe is doing great! I feel bad b/c most of my posts are about Cole b/c he is the crazy 2 year old and there are so many stories to tell. Chloe is 12 weeks old today. We can't believe how fast the time has flown by. She is the most precious, perfect little angel. She is in her own room now and such a great sleeper. She isn't sleeping through the night but has done so a few times. Most of the time she wakes around 4am and then that is it. This morning she slept until 7 and Cole until 7:20! It was awesome! Anyway, she is so much fun b/c she is smiling nonstop and talks like crazy. She is a big cooing baby and she loves to squeal. She is always on her play mat b/c she LOVES the blinking star on it and b/c big brother insists that he get most of the attention so poor baby gets left on her play mat. Everything else is going great in the Lunsford household. We go on our annual trip to Florida with the Riches in less than 2 weeks so we are getting so excited. More to come...

Many blessings, equal heartache

Well, I have a lot to report actually. I have been wanting to post since yesterday but wasn't able to b/c I couldn't get our dang camera to transfer pictures to the computer so I could post Cole's first day of school pics. Anyway, it still won't work so I decided to go ahead and post anyway. So, Cole had a great first day. He cried when I left him but a big part of that was b/c one of the kids was literally flipping around screaming. It set him off. Poor baby. Anyway, I didn't get much accomplished while he was gone b/c Chloe refused to take naps and forced me to hold her all day. The day before I made Cole a doctor's appt b/c he has been bruising easily and in odd places. I became concerned for several reasons so I knew that if he didn't go to the doctor that I would worry myself sick. This morning I took him in and Brent stayed home with Chloe. I explained my concern and Dr. Wilber was equally concerned. He felt that it was good that I had brought Cole in. He ran a CBC to get all of the information he needed on Cole's blood. For 15 minutes, I was terrified. I was on my knees begging God to make my baby safe. Cole was looking at me like I had lost my mind. Maybe I had! Just the thought of something being wrong with my children pretty much kills me inside. Finally, Dr. Wilber came back in with good news. Cole was healthy! The results showed to be perfect. There was little explanation other than "it's just Cole." This is just what his skin does. Anyway, while we were there we went ahead and got him the flu mist so we didn't have to return in a week to get vaccinated. He handled the blood work and the mist like a champ. He was really brave so I took him to Toys R Us after to get Buzz Lightyear. Cole is obsessed with Toy Story so he has really been wanting Buzz. Over the course of the day I got pictures of my Granddad 'ringing the bell' at MD Anderson which is a tradition amongst patients who complete their radiation. My Granddad was diagnosed with Lymphoma less than a year ago and had a place on his lung. The cancer seems to be dying and he seems to be pulling through. When I pulled up the picture of his smiling face, I teared up but also gained so much hope. A smiling 82 year old man was standing there so happy b/c he was beating cancer. On the same hand, Brent's Popo was laying in a hospital bed across town, being given the news that he for sure has an aggressive form of bladder cancer. They will find out tomorrow where they go from here. So, I have been given 2 beautiful gifts from God today. My baby is healthy, my Granddad is beating cancer but Popo is sick, very sick.
Today Lord, I am thankful... Thankful for my many blessings. Cole is healthy, Chloe is healthy, I have a wonderful husband, a loving family and friends. I just pray that your Will be done. I trust in you, even when times are tough and even when my family is dealing with heartache. Please continue to look after my children, as they are such beautiful gifts from you. Help me to be a better Mom, wife and friend. Lastly, please watch over Popo and give strength to those who love him.

Orientation

Today was Cole's Kid's Day Out orientation. I dropped him off in his new classroom with his new teachers b/f heading to the orientation. He scream, cried. Of course! This is what he does when he adjusts to new things. It does make me a bit sad, but now that Cole has already completed a full year of KDO, goes to Sunday school all the time and spends time away from me on Tuesday mornings when I go to Bible Study, I know that he is fine after a few minutes. I hate that he cries b/c I know it is due to him being confused. I like his new teachers, one of which he already knows pretty well from Sunday School but I am still just having such a hard time with him not having his same teachers from last year. I loved them! They just love Cole so much and with last year being his first year, they are the ones who took care of my baby for me. I just have this crazy attachment to them b/c they were his first teachers. Not to mention, they are awesome. Anyway, things went well at orientation. Chloe kept me busy keeping her happy but it was all fine and well. This afternoon the kids were great. They both napped at the same time which was great for me.
Once Chloe woke up and ate, I decided to attempt a grocery store run with both of them. Usually I go with just Cole when Brent gets home but today he was up at the hospital sitting with his Popo who was told today that he has an aggressive form of stomach cancer. That in itself is just so heart breaking. I really feel for Brent b/c Popo has been a father figure to him and he is very close with those grandparents. It's never easy to watch grandparents get sick.
Anyhow, the kids were both pretty good at the store, but it was quite a task to keep up with both of them while shopping. But... I made it home in one piece without losing my cool! This evening went smooth and it's just about time to feed Chloe her last feeding b/f we all turn in for the night. Tomorrow will be bittersweet... I am ready for Cole to get back into his routine of going to KDO but I will miss him. Over the past month I have enjoyed spending extra time with him even though we have had some major tantrums. I think it's best for both of us that he has something else to do besides stay at home with me. Man, I love that child. He is my best friend. I am so thankful for him. God, please watch over him and protect him while he is away from me. More later....

Twinkle, Twinkle and REJOICE!

I haven't blogged since last week and I just haven't felt like there has been much to report. But tonight as I was laying in bed next to Cole, singing his bedtime songs I just had a tug at my heart. He was giggling b/c I did "this little piggy" to his toes but then it was time for one more song. He wanted "twinkle, twinkle little star" so I began singing. It was dark in his room but some light was shining through the crack in the door so I could see our shadows. I put my hands above us and opened & shut them,like a star as I sang. Then Cole raised his arms up and began doing the same thing. Seeing his little hands doing what mine were doing was just precious. I felt a tug at my heart and almost shed a tear. A few things came to mind. 1. I can't believe Cole is getting so big and can now follow my lead and 2. I am so thankful for him. With a 2 year old it seems that all you do for the entire day is say, "No." It's only natural to have to do that b/c I think most people understand how 2 year olds can be. But at the end of the day when everyone is tucked in bed after a wild day, that crazy 2 year old who was in trouble half the day can still have complete, unconditional love for his Momma. In some ways it makes me feel guilty but if I didn't tell him "NO", I wouldn't be doing my job.
One another note, I want to end by telling about our sermon today. We had a guest speaker who is actually not a preacher. He is actually from Fuller Theological Seminary and asked to speak to our church. He told us that every single person came to church today carrying some sort of burden. For some it was something small, but for some it was something very painful. The reading for the sermon was from Philippians 4. Here are a few pieces that stood out.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."
This is the part that sums it up...
"I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
So.... for anyone who actually reads this post, whatever burden you are carrying with you today, "Rejoice in the Lord. I will say it again, REJOICE." May you gain the strength you need to get through this day and be "content" that the Lord is with you.

Midland Trip

We had a great trip to Midland! It was such a fun, relaxing time even though we did our usual bouncing around to visit everyone. My parents have a new house now that has a pool so Cole had a blast getting to swim. He started swimming at like 8am on Saturday morning! Saturday afternoon we all played in the pool all day. Bonnie's boyfriend, Kelly came over too and Cole played with him the entire time. Cole loves to play with Aunt Bobo and Kelly. Hopefully Bonnie will end up with Kelly because we love him and I'm not sure that she'll ever find anyone who loves my kids as much as he does. Anyway, we got to visit with my Momoo and my Mom's brother and his wife that afternoon as well. That evening we went to my Grandparents house to eat and help celebrate Granddad's 82nd birthday. We all had fun but Cole drove everyone insane. He has a new obsession with fire hydrants so he made people keep taking him out front to see the yellow fire hydrant. He is so strange! Cole goes through these odd obsessions and they crack me up. He is crazy over something for like a month and then it's on to the next thing! Anyway, we went to the country club for lunch on Sunday and then swam some more! Sunday afternoon we went over to my Dad's for a visit with them. Cole got to play with 2 of his cousins. My 99 year old Mama lives with my Dad and Trenia so we got to see her as well. Cole cracked me up saying, "Mama Cole" in his little Texas accent. So funny! So all of a sudden Monday was here. We spent the day just hanging out, getting our stuff together and letting Cole get some more swimming in before leaving. I was really sad to leave. We all had such a great time. Probably won't be back until Christmas. Both kids were pretty good on the airplane both ways so our trip was really pretty great.
We're home now and getting back into the swing of things. As I write this, Cole is banging his toy truck on the coffee table, making tons of noise as I ask him not to or he'll wake up Chloe and he just looks at me and keeps doing it. That's my life...

P.S. I am slowly figuring out this blogging thing so bare with me! I just figured out how to post pictures but have no clue how to label them. I have a background, but still haven't figured out anything else. It is slow coming but at least I'm getting some posts up!

Lights Out

Well, I haven't made a post in several days. I seriously haven't had a moment to do anything the past few days b/c of demanding kids. The only time I have not done anything has been when I've been asleep at night. The past few days have been crazy. Yesterday I had Bible study which was wonderful so I did get a break from the kids but as soon as it was over, it was back to the crazy life. Today was one of those days where nothing went my way. Chloe had a tummy ache all morning so I finally decided to just get out of the house anyway b/c I couldn't stay trapped at home listening to crying all day. We went to the Galleria and then ate with Brent but Cole was wild, Chloe cried and refused to eat. We were running late taking Brent back to work, we got caught by a train, Chloe cried some more and refused a nap. Once she went down, Cole got up. Never one minute of downtime! Finally Brent got home AND.... THE LIGHTS WENT OUT! Our electricity went out b/c we had a huge storm. It has just been one of those days. We had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for dinner, the kids both had baths in the dark and the electricity finally came back on. The kids are in bed and I FINALLY have a second to reflect on my day. It is not something I want to relive tomorrow but I thank God that I have a family to cause my life to be complete chaos.
Tomorrow I am planning to take the kids to the Children's Museum but we'll see how the morning goes. I get my hair cut tomorrow evening which I haven't done in forever. Time to myself! We head to Midland on Friday and I can't wait! I haven't been home since January so it's time for a visit. I'm sure that the trip there with both kids will be a major blog post in itself! Wish us luck!

Loss of an old friend

I learned last night of the passing of an old friend of mine... Melissa Brinker. She and I went to elementary school, junior high and high school together. She even went to Tech. I haven't been in touch with her much over the last several years other than on facebook, but I am still deeply saddened. I just wanted to dedicate this post to her and her beautiful life. In times like these we tend to question God but it is in these times that we must have faith that there is a better place and that is Heaven. I have to trust that God has a plan for each of us and although we may not understand, we must believe in his Grace and Love. Melissa, may you rest in peace. I pray that you are dancing with the angels today. You will be missed by so many.

Tee Tee in the Potty

So, the last 2 days Cole has decided he wants to tee tee in the potty! He is turning into such a big boy so fast. His little life is flashing before my eyes! It's funny b/c he's really just doing this to get treats, but you have to start somewhere! I think he is totally ready to be potty trained but Brent and I just aren't ready to put forth the effort. We go to Midland for a visit next weekend and we certainly don't want to be traveling and dealing with a kid who is potty training. I think after we get back we'll take a full weekend and let him just run around naked to help teach him. I think he might have a hard time going to the bathroom with nothing on unless he actually goes in the potty. I've never done this before so I don't really know what works so it will just be trial and error. I am very excited though that he is showing interest and that we won't have that kid that still won't get out of diapers by 3 1/2 years old. On another cute note, Cole has been very big into kissing this week. He even kisses the furniture and today he started stopping in his tracks, sits down and kisses his own knee. What a silly! He has also been calling everyone Miss and Mister. Oma came to babysit last night for our VERY first night out since Chloe was born and he called her Miss Oma. Yesterday he wanted me to call Mr. Mark (Brent's brother) and he has been talking about getting to see Miss Bobo (his name for my sister Bonnie) next weekend. I think this is because he has spent a lot of time at our church lately so he calls his teachers Miss and Mister. He is just getting so smart!
Anyway, one thing that I want to leave you all with is something I read about in another blog this morning. I thought it was one of the neatest and most true things I have thought about in a while and it's about asking God for more. Sometimes I feel like I only go to God to ask him for little things. This is my take on what I read... God wants to bless us. He wants us to come to Him all the time, not just on Sundays or before bed or when we need help. But He's a gentleman, so He waits. But most of us don't come. So really we're shortchanging ourselves. We ask for little things, like to help us get through the day without frustrations or for patience; and we don't understand that God's just waiting for us to ask for more. It's like when Jesus fed the five thousand. He didn't bless the bread and fish and then pass out communion-sized portions. You know, the itty bitty cracker and 1/4 of a shot glass worth of grape juice. He provided so much that there were baskets and baskets left. Anyway, just wanted to share that with you.

Not much going on...

I've held off posting the past few days b/c we've had a few crazy days at the beginning of the week followed by really low key days and there was nothing I could really report. But I don't want to get out of the habit of blogging so I figured that I would just make a post anyway. VBS ended today and I'm really looking forward to not rushing around in the morning. The past 4 days we have rushed around getting everyone dressed and fed b/f getting out of the house by 8. I am exhausted! Cole and Chloe both did great in the nursery all week. It's funny b/c I never would have left Cole in the nursery for so long at such an early age. Things sure do change with your second child. I have realized that in so many ways.
So today when Brent got home from work we went to Target to get a few things. Our main task in Cole's eyes was to get chocolate milk. Why he randomly wants chocolate milk, I don't know. It's not like he ever gets chocolate milk. Anyway, we split up to do different things. The boys went one way and I took Chloe to the clothes section. About 10 minutes passed and I could literally hear my child screaming from across the store. Oh yes, it was mine! I thought that there must be another kid that sounded just like Cole but when I got to the scene, it was sure enough... my kid. He was pretty much foaming at the mouth, snot flying out his nose, tears everywhere, sweat dripping down his face and steam blowing out his ears.... all because Brent wouldn't let him get 'Buzz Light Year' from the movie Toy Story. He is obsessed with that movie and he wanted Buzz. Oh my! That kid was freaking out. We both tried to calm him down and he just kept on and on. We finally made it to the front of the store while Cole was still freaking out. We arrived at the dollar section and Brent found some little plastic toy soldiers and told him that they were the soldiers from Toy Story. It was like a switch turned off. Cole just flipped from a psycho to the happiest kid. Anyway, we left with a bag of toy soldiers that were a dollar and a happy 2 year old. I suppose we shouldn't have rewarded his behavior but we kind of felt bad for him. It was pretty sad. Anyway, our night has run super smoothly and we are about to be off to bed. One little boy sound asleep in his bed, a baby girl who is about to fill up one last time before we put her down for the night, toy soldiers scattered about and two very tired parents. What a blessed day!

Crazies

My children are 'crazies' today! Ahhhh! So the day started off great... we got up and rushed around to get out the door by 8 so that we could get to our church, get the kids each dropped off in their rooms so I could head to my room to teach VBS. All went well! I have eleven 4 year olds which was refreshing from my everyday life, but also a glimpse into the future. Yikes! I had one little girl who said, " Ummm, my name tag is not right... I am 4 and A HALF years old, not 4." She also told us that she had better stories than the stories we were telling the kids and all she wanted to do was tell us about her wonderful dreams she had the night before. Oh my! Then I had 4 little boys who wrestled and rough housed the entire time, one of which told me that he would punch me in the face. Nice! Anyway, it was nice to know I was helping little kids learn more about God and Cole was able to go play in the nursery for a few hours. Anyway, noon rolled around and we headed home for the day. Cole decided not to eat lunch and that he would only take an hour nap which may be the reason that our day ended the way it did. Chloe took a 3 hour nap like an angel. One funny thing that happened once Cole got up was that he all of a sudden jumped to his feet and remembered where he had hidden 3 of his toy cars. It was too funny to watch how his little brain works. It's amazing the things he remembers. Some things I wish he would forget! Anyway, once Brent got home the fun began. I needed to take a trip to the grocery store so we figured that we would all go make a quick run. After all... we only needed a few things. No! Nightmare! We pulled into our parking spot and Cole immediately started freaking out b/c he didn't want to ride in the cart. So we listened to him scream all the way in until he got his balloon at the door. He took a 5 second break from screaming and then screamed some more. I'm pretty sure we pulled over in a few isles to threaten him which in turn, made him scream louder. Ugh! So, this continued the entire time. We finally arrived at the checkout lanes which looked as if we were in line for a ride at Six Flags... miles long! I mean! Was everyone in Pearland out of milk today???!! After we got lots of dirty looks and a few dozen rolled eyes by the oh so friendly people at HEB due to the fact that our 2 year old was throwing fits left and right... we were on our way home. Now it was time for both kids gang up on us. They both screamed the entire way home. Brent was either shoving Chloe's paci in her mouth or holding his hand over Cole's to get them to quit screaming. We almost went insane! We finally arrived home to a very quiet evening of our 8 week old screaming her colicky little head off. Cole actually ate dinner for once in the last week which was nice and I JUST got Chloe to quit fighting her sleep. My kids are little 'crazies'!!!! But, it was when I laid in bed next to Cole while putting him to sleep, saying his prayers and singing him his songs that I remembered how blessed I am. He made me sing 3 songs and then said, " I love you, Momma." God is good! Thank you, Lord for giving me kids that scream and cry and give me all sorts of heck all day. Without them I would not have a family. I am so grateful. And that was my day in a nutshell...

Tummy Bug

Yuck! This weekend was NOT fun! I wasn't feeling 100% on Friday night but really just tired more than anything. Sure enough... at midnight I woke up with a stomach virus. Brent stayed up taking care of me and getting up to feed Chloe in the middle of the night. Brent and I are such dorks. We both slept on the couch together... my head at one end and his at the other. I didn't want to be in the same room with Chloe since she is still sleeping in our room these days so we were on the couch! I was totally out of commission all day Saturday and felt really guilty for Brent having to do everything. But I think he got a good taste of what my every day is like. I was very appreciative though for the help since I was so sick. Today was much better as my strength has returned and I can finally feel like I can hold my kids. I was just so nervous for anyone to get what I had.
Cole who has always been such a good eater has also decided over the weekend that he doesn't like to eat anything but cookies and crackers. That's all he wants! So annoying! I am a bit more of a softy than Brent is though. Brent thinks that Cole should eat like an adult and I guess I realize that he is only 2. Anyway, Chloe has been super good. She took a 3.5 hour nap this morning and Cole has just worn us out! Not a very exciting weekend but I suppose that's just how it goes. Tomorrow is day 1 of Vacation Bible School at our church which I have volunteered for so the kiddos will be in our church nursery tomorrow. Cole will love it, but poor Chloe! I just think it's a great opportunity to volunteer. Anyway, that's all for now...