Dig us out!

We got out of the house today! :) We spent a solid hour outside this afternoon exploring the snow drifts around the farm. The temp is not so bad now that the wind has stopped howling! We have ALOT of snow.

Jett is wearing Lena's shades. :) We couldn't find his sunglasses and it was far too "sunny" (bright) for his sensitive little eyes. I love it.

Jett is trying to do his part in snow removal on our yard. 

 Kalena wasn't quite so appreciative of his efforts. 

These round structures are calf hutches... most of the time. Thankfully, there are no calves in them right now. ;) They are at least 5 feet tall and the snow is HARD packed that high up!

There are some farm implements below J there, it's like a mystery game trying to figure out what! 

Lena often likes to ride in her sled around the yard, but she bailed on us here. She was scooting backwards on her belly :) 

This right here is our manure spreader... something we would typically start using to clean out cow pens this time of year... we're not quite ready. 

These kids may keep me on my toes, but they have enriched my life SO much.

Melt. My. Heart. 

(even if he does have her arms pinned...) 

 This is our freshly plowed driveway. In most places, the snow along the sides is higher than I am tall!

 Mitch has been pushing snow, and snow, and more snow for days now. I'm sure that when he closes his eyes all he sees is snow! I sure hope it stops snowing soon!

This is our larger, more powerful tractor that pushes the bigger blade. If you look closely at the wheel that Jett's climbing in, it's not supposed to look like that. Perfect timing to get a flat tire :(

We definitely own the right breed of dog for this crazy place we live!

StirCRAZY

Maybe it's because winter began almost 6 months ago... Maybe it's because the blowing snow blocked ALL of our physical access to the outside world... Maybe it's because I've had two incredibly busy toddlers cooped up in a small farm house for 48 hours...

(This above pic was taken on a day when our drive was cleared and we COULD drive on it. 

Currently, that space in the middle that we like to drive on is all filled in.)

I am going STIRCRAZY!

It's not THAT bad, I suppose. :) I am warm. I have food to eat. My family is safe and healthy. I'm pretty sure we will eventually see green grass again. God is good. (Even if this snow sticks around a while yet)

The upside to being snowed in?... I have time to blog! :) I've had multiple posts floating around in my mind over the last month, but I've lacked time (motivation, maybe?) to flush them out.

Yesterday, while the kids were napping, I had a quiet moment where I could reflect. Here are my musings:

I often pray and ask for patience and wisdom as I raise a very busy little boy. Today, I think the Lord and I have been having that familiar chat at least hourly.

Why must he play SO rough with his toys? Why does he throw everything? Why does he sit on his sister and think that it’s funny/okay? What do I DO about it? 

Earlier today, Jett and Lena were racing the upstairs circuit. Our hundred-year-old house connects the bedrooms so you really can run a circle through the rooms. The kids love to chase each other round and round and round and round… I watched as Jett would push Kalena from behind as she was hurrying around the rooms. I scolded him, of course, and asked him why he would push his sister. “It makes her walk too fast.” He told me in a matter of fact; as if it made sense to push her. He was amused at how she would stumble on as her little legs couldn’t quite keep up. Poor girl.

These types of interactions happen all the time. The other day we were at the kids play area in Lawson Heights Mall and a boy (4 yrs old-ish) didn’t see Lena walking and plowed her over. She wasn’t even fazed. She got up and didn’t even cry about it. She’s a tough little cookie because she has to be.

After the kids did multiple laps through the upstairs of our house, I changed Kalena’s diaper to prepare her for her nap. Jett twirled himself up in the curtains that separate Lena’s room from ours, and pulled so hard that he broke the curtain rod. It snapped right off and fell down.

I growled, “Jett!” which sent him running to the other room. I got Kalena settled for her nap before I went after my boy. He was in his bedroom waiting for me. We had a talk (for the bazillionth time) about how he needs to be careful and not so rough with things. How he needs to be kind and gentle with his sister. And how he needs to obey when I ask him to do or not do something.

He then proceeds to wrap his arms around me, look up at me with those beautiful big blue eyes, and say, “You’re the best mommy in the whole world,” and “I love you SO much.” I melt. Instantly I feel less aggravated with him. And yet, I’m frustrated. He seems to grasp the power those words hold and knows when to use them to his advantage. How can a little boy who’s not even 3 yet be such a masterful manipulator?

So I pray for wisdom and patience. Patience to not react too quickly or severely when Jett acts in a way that he shouldn’t. Wisdom to know how to respond, how to talk to my boy in a way he will truly understand, and discernment to know how to discipline him effectively.  I’m trying. I’m really trying.

Then there's Lena. She is now one year old (there will be a blog post about her in the near future) and acting very much like a toddler. She may not have actual words other than, "mama, dada, yessss, and hi", but she communicates quite effectively. There is a defiant streak in her that is beginning to surface (as it does with most children) and we have mini showdowns where she'll look me in the eye while she intentionally throw food off of her tray. Her eyes give the challenge, "What are you going to do about it, mom?" Like I did with Jett, I sternly tell her not to throw food off her tray and I make my point with hand gestures. Then, if she does it again, I flick her hand or give her a small slap on the top of the hand. Here's the part that gets me. She completely unravels!!! Jett would stare me down, not care about the punishment and make me crazy by continuing his acts of defiance. Kalena's eyes well up with big tears, her lip sticks out and she sobs like her world is falling apart. It took me a good five minutes to calm her down the other day. She is SO sensitive. Sometimes simply a stern look will set her off. Lord help me when her hormones kick in one day!

I also pray and ask the Lord for His grace to cover up the many mistakes I make in the parenting department. I really didn’t think it would be this hard. I used to be an expert. (Before having kids ;)

We've also had some really fun moments lately. Here's a few snapshots.

I'm glad my babies like the snow. I love their rosy little cheeks. 

We met up with some sweet cousins at the Shaw Centre last week. These girlies are destined for many fun times as they grow up! (the babies and mamas ;) 

Mr. independent LOVES the water.  

This little miss is a waterbaby, too. 

 On Kalena's birthday we snapped a few sweet mother-daughter pics. I am blessed.

Eyes so blue... (and cheeks full of cake) 

This was taken at a dear friends house. I love the backlighting from the window. 

When you're stuck inside a small house for long stretches of time, you need to be creative to pass the time. "Watch this, mom!" My little daredevil practices his jumps and "moves" off of anything he can. ;) 

AND... why not a video? I love these kids... even after being locked up with them for too long. ;)