Critz Kids on the Go

Shutting Down for the Night

I am up late. . . again, and this is what's going through my mind as I shut down tonight.

1. My sweet husband is in the garage painting dining room furniture. I need to do something really nice for him.

2. I can't remember the rest of the song, "Summer Days" from Grease so one line is running over and over in my head.

3. If Kailey wakes up every two hours again tonight with her teeth hurting, I am REALLY going to wish I had gone to bed sooner.

4. I'm making progress on my Christmas shopping!

5. I don't understand how the floor can be so dirty when I just vacuumed. And how Kailey can find the tiniest thing on the floor and eat it. She must have been a Hoover in a previous life.

6. What are we having for dinner this week?

7. I am in the planning process for so many parties and showers that I'm very afraid I'm going to let something fall through the cracks somewhere! Or I'm going to send an e-mail to the wrong group of hostesses talking about someone's shower they don't even know!

8. I need to get my windows cleaned.

9. It's almost November!

10. Goodnight!

Piano & Parenting

I have had one piano student for about a year and a half now. Recently her cousin also started taking and it was one of those moments where you realize that you've been missing something. I've paid so much attention each week to where we are in my student's progress that I failed to fully realize how far we had come! When my new student started and I taught them back to back, I saw how much my original one had learned in our 18 months together. I am so excited for her! Her family recently bought a piano and now she is practicing more and beginning to sight read beautifully. It is such a delight to be a part of anyone's learning process! I'll have to keep on my toes to stay ahead of these two girls! They are smart cookies and so much fun!

As I thought about this little revelation, I wondered how often I do this in my parenting. I stay so focused on where we need to be and what behaviors, attitudes, etc. still need work that I miss the extreme progress we are making. I can easily become discouraged and frustrated when I should be rejoicing that day by day God is giving us the grace to overcome our sinful natures. And believe me, overcoming mine as just as much a part of this parenting process as overcoming Little John's or Kailey's! So, I am determined to spend less time hoping we get to Destination Well-Behaved Child, and more time celebrating the victories! I'm sure glad my Heavenly Father doesn't wait for me to get it down before he rejoices in me!

Safe Among Us

I recently read a quote on another blog's comments that has stuck with me and been running through my mind frequently. It was a saying talking about gossip that said, "Let the absent one be safe among you." Doesn't that put a completely different spin on a conversation about someone who is not present? It makes you want to protect, defend, and ally yourself with the one who needs you. The absent one. The one not there to hear the tacky, ignorant, or judgmental thing being said. It makes gossip seem so cowardly, like hitting someone whose back is turned or who is unable to defend himself. It's a great sentence to keep in the back of your mind during conversations.

Growing up I had a best friend (who is still a best friend today). We spent many, many hours together, traveled together, roomed together, went to sleepovers together, and the majority of our time spent together was during our teenage years when tongues usually seem to be their loosest and cattiest. However, I have never, not once, heard this friend say something ugly about another person. If she ever says anything that might be even perceived as negative, it is prefaced and followed by something positive or an explanation for the person's behavior. I have been challenged year after year by this sweet friend and her loyalty. She is trustworthy and kind and if someone tried to convince me that they had heard her speak wrongly of me, I would laugh. I know she's not even capable of doing that. Well, I guess capable, but chooses not to. She has allowed her conscience in this area to become so sharp, that God can prompt her of the tiniest variance from her high standard of speaking of others in their absence. Because of this, I find myself always wanting to speak as highly of her as possible. I want other people to think of her as the most amazing woman and friend. It's astounding the effect that your loyalty can have on the people to whom you are a faithful friend. So, to my Rebekah, if you read this, I love you dearly. Thank you for modeling a strength that few women are ever able to achieve - some tongue control. I pray for that same ability to protect the absent with my words, and at the same time that I pray, I know that God will not do it for me. It is my choice. A choice to choose my words carefully and use only those which will bring honor and love. And then my prayer turns to a cry for forgiveness for all the times I fail and the desire to start again tomorrow.

May the absent be safe among us!

I've Created A Monster (I Think I Like It)

Well, I think I started the madness when John's cousin sent one of these out and I just had to try it. The first video is the one that started it all when I sent it out to Shelly, Ches and Julia. I laugh thinking about it. I'll just be driving down the road and start laughing thinking about Shelma's cartwheel at the end. The second video is the one of my family that even Kailey thinks is hilarious! If you want your own crazy video, go to www.jibjab.com.

A Reason to Smile

This picture makes me laugh for two reasons. One, it proves that no matter what you buy for your kids to play with, they will pull out the plastic forks and simply use their imaginations. Second, LJ has recently started picking his pajamas. For instance, this morning he was modeling a lovely combination of transportation pants and a lizard T-shirt. He says they match. I don't think he quite understands the concept of matching. He is also wanting a lot of say in what he wears. I figured that was normal, but lately he's carried it a little too far and is now telling me how to dress Kailey. He wants her to wear "the big, pink bow" with everything.

Yesterday he told me that "the guys" (no idea who that is) wouldn't play soccer with him so God did. He asked if I wanted to take a picture of him playing soccer with God. I told him I sure did but my camera can't quite capture something as special as that! Sweet boy.

State Fair

We went to the State Fair last Friday. I had never been so I figured it was a Texas experience we should try at least once. It was crazy. First of all, we got there on Friday afternoon only to discover that it was "High School Day" according to the large banners everywhere. It was packed. We parked across the street because all the lots were full and as we started to unload we realized that LJ had no shoes. Yep. I won't even go there. After wondering where the nearest Wal-Mart was and considering going home, we decided to buck up and go for it. Of course, we had the little stroller and not the wagon we had considered bringing for both of them. So, one rode and we carried the other pretty much the whole time we were there. I have to say that I wonder if that wasn't for our protection because it kept LJ right with us at all times and it could have been very difficult to keep up with him otherwise. I would not have wanted to let him walk. After that crazy start, we went in and got a free ticket for LJ, thanks to the nice lady at the counter, and a few people handed us unused food coupons on their way out. Feeling a little better now. Once we got going, we had a lot of fun just hanging out with our little fam. The kids enjoyed it and we did too. Here are the highlights:

I think LJ and Kailey's favorite thing was the car show. They both wanted to "drive" every car. LJ got in each one and put his sunglasses in the cup holder.

They have a serious collection of animals in their petting zoo. I've never seen camels, giraffes, zebras, and water buffaloes in one before!

Family picture at the children's barnyard. You have to love LJ's enthusiasm for having his picture made.

By far the best thing was the kids' farm where they do little farm chores and get "paid" at the end.

Pulling his produce and Kailey in the tractor

Daddy had to work to get everyone looking through the holes at the same time!

LJ takes after his mommy and daddy and wanted to ride every big, fast ride at the midway. This is Daddy and LJ coming down the big slide.

Riding the bubble ride "all by himself"

"I'm Gonna Need My Glasses"

Yesterday morning over flaxseed waffles and a discussion about his and Daddy's collection of tiny Nintendo DS games, LJ informed me that he was going to need his glasses to see the little words. He went and found his sunglasses and put them up on his head. I guess it helped. Hmm, I wonder if maybe he's heard his grandparents say that phrase before?

Right now I have to go get him because I hear "I Shot the Sheriff" coming from his room. Apparently he has gotten the radio going on his CD player. What a boy! : )

I Like It Friday

It's been a while since I've blogged on Friday but since I know you haven't been able to find anything new and helpful in the meantime, here is this week's thing that I like:

www.cooks.com

I do a lot of cooking and hostessing and I can quickly jump to this site and look up what I need, whether it's a recipe with acorn squash, a fruit dip, or a new dessert recipe. So far, everything I've tried has worked out well!

Missing Someone Tonight

For some reason a little someone that I always miss has been often on my heart these past few weeks. Maybe it's because his third birthday is quickly approaching and I saw it on my calendar, maybe it's because there have been such drastic changes in my little guy over the past months and I know we would also be seeing those changes in him, maybe it's because I love his little sister so much and watching her love her older cousin always leaves me with a tiny ache in my heart. Whatever the reason, my Benjamin-sized ache has been just a little sharper lately. But tonight I was looking at my blog and all of the sudden those three pictures Brittany took at the park just hit me a little differently. There are those two, precious, girl cousins, but John is alone sitting in the tree. And nights like tonight the ache is a little sharper. Because I love Benjamin, because I love his mommy and daddy so, very much and know that their ache makes mine seem non-existent. And I cry out to God as Healer and Comforter just as we have so often over the past three years. And I ask Him to continue to minister His peace because in some ways it is still needed every bit as much today as it was in the beginning. Lord, pour out what only You can give to my brother and sister, to my niece, and praise You that my nephew is where Your glory and Presence surrounds him at all times! And once again I am reminded of how these separations cause us to give up our earthly citizenship and start moving in, one heart piece at a time, to our heavenly home. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

Little Ears are Listening

The other night I was reading to Kailey before bed. LJ came in and wanted to read with us. He picked up her little, pink Bible and asked me to read from that. I think he was a little enthralled that something so tiny could be the same thing as Daddy's big Bible. He was moving around, making noise, avoiding Kailey's kicks with all three of us crammed in the rocking chair, and I wasn't sure he was hearing a thing I was saying. But, in my mommy way, I was talking about the Bible being God's Word and how He talks to us through it and He also talks to us in our hearts. I ended with something (I'm sure very profound and deep) about listening for God and then read him the story of Baby Jesus from Luke. I hadn't thought much more about it until the next day when LJ was helping me with a project. We have a lot of fun, alternative things we are doing right now to help him focus on God's power over fear and evil to balance out the constant reminders this month of what we can fear in this world. He is very sensitive to "the scary guys" everywhere we go the past few weeks and so our theme for the month is "No Fear!" Anyway, we were working on one of those projects and I mentioned something about Bible verses and started to walk down the stairs. He picked up the piece of paper I had been looking at while talking about the verses and held it to his chest. Then he said, "My heart!" I said, "What?" He said, "My heart, God talks to me in my heart. And to Mommy, and Daddy, and Kailey." As he, in his tiny way, tried to repeat back to me what I had said the night before I was overcome with the seriousness of my job as a mom. Every moment can be redeemed for our Father's glory. Little hearts and spirits are ready and we only have so much time during these formative years when they are so open to God's voice. Before His whispers start to be drowned out by the world and what it expects of and for them. I am so glad to know that I do not have to do this alone and that the Holy Spirit is already beginning His work in them, prompting them, putting "eternity in their hearts" so that they can begin crying out for God before they even have the words to do it! They are listening; are we talking?

Pictures from Aunt B

My sweet sister-in-law took these beautiful pictures at the park a few weeks ago. She and my photographer are about the only people who can get great shots of Little John when he's still enough to not be a blur!

My handsome, tree-climbing boy

Don't you love these sweet, little cousins! They're already best friends just like their mommies!

Fall is Here!

Contrary to what our weather seems to think, fall has arrived. At my house that means pulling out the dark blue linens, leaf dishes, and caramel scented candles! I am particularly enjoying revving up for the holidays this year because the last two have been so full of other, more pressing things. Two years ago we were moving and last year we were on the countdown to Kailey's arrival. So, this is the first fall in this house where I have been free to do all the little things I want to do and I am taking full advantage of that. We've already had two nights of soup suppers and I keep dreaming of pumpkin bread whether it's cool or not. Hooray for the holidays!

The morning that I first started pulling out the fall decorations, LJ was very excited and decided to have his toast in the dining room on the newly set table.

Treats

We recently made a special treat one night and LJ got to stay up a little while later than Kailey and share some time with "just us" and his treat. They were frozen bananas dipped in chocolate and sprinkles. A little healthier than the average dessert and LJ still thought it was pretty yummy! His stick broke and then he was quite the messy, happy, little guy!

Kailey's First "Slumber Party"

Kailey had her first "sleepover" last Sunday night with one of her bestest little buddies, Eva. Eva actually only stayed for an hour or two past bedtime while her parents were out at dinner, but Kailey was sound asleep so she didn't know! I used to always go home after my friends went to sleep because I got so homesick. : ) I've been picked up and taken home at all hours after failed sleepover attempts so I will have much patience for kids who want their mommies. Anyway, it was pretty cute and LJ is still lovingly referring to the pack 'n' play as "Eva's bed."

Bathed, in the pj's and ready for bed. No, you can't have any popcorn when you hardly have any teeth, girls!

LJ kissing the girls goodnight. Your daddy will tell you about how great those "sister's friends" can turn out to be someday, Buddy! : )

And "Kailey Sister's" turn

Pumpkin Patch

Today we went to the pumpkin patch in Flower Mound. If you haven't been there, it is a ton of fun and completely free! They make their money selling pumpkins and, obviously, you don't have to buy one. It's hard to believe how much LJ has changed since we went last year and he was calling them "punks." And Miss Kailey was in my tummy last year when I was chasing a two-year-old across fields of pumpkins! I went with my accountability group girls and their kids, although we were missing Julia, Emma, and Addie! LJ was very disappointed not to see them. It was fun and hot. Hot seems an odd mixture with pumpkin pictures, but that's Texas for you. LJ picked out a big pumpkin and two little ones for a fall project at home, and he picked a really good one! He looked all over before he decided! He is really proud of his pumpkin and couldn't wait to show Dad. I'm going to totally sound like one of those crazy moms, but Kailey definitely said "pumpkin" today (it was more like pu-pin). I didn't believe it at first but after it happened three times and only when she had a pumpkin in her hands, I finally decided I wasn't crazy. She had a blast! You can see all my pictures online at http://gallery.mac.com/john.critz#100044.

"Pu-pin. Yeah!"

Mommy pulled the huge pumpkin and two kids back to the car in the wagon. Whew!

Sweet girl! It's hard to believe she was in my tummy a year ago!

LJ's good buddy, Hayley

Showing sister the baby pumpkins

"I see you through the pumpkin house, Mom!"

Looking at the friendly horse and donkey with Garrett

Little John Update

What is Little John up to these days? What is he not up to? He is hilarious, sometimes mischievous, and always fun to be around. He is precious with his sister, when he's not tormenting her. He's obedient and thoughtful, except when he's not. He is loving and grateful which means the world to his mom! Right now his favorite things are gymnastics class, playing any sport, being outside, pretending, playing with cars, making cookies, and calling people on the phone. I know I've left some out.

The other day he was giving me a long explanation of being at gymnastics and talking to "the green boy." (This is how he identifies all people when he can't remember their names - by the color shirt he last saw them wearing. It keeps my memory skills sharp!) He said that "the green boy" was playing tag and Little John said, "Dude! I want to play!" He cracks me up the way he sounds just like his dad.

He has one shirt that he wants to wear ALL of the time right now. He asks for it every morning, except this morning when he asked for his brown one with the shoulders (sleeveless so his shoulders are exposed). The favorite shirt is bright blue with Mr. Happy on it from those Mr. and Miss books that were popular when I was little. I kept telling him it was dirty and I had to wash it and trying to at least only have him wear it every other day. He asked for it one morning and when I told him I had washed it he went crazy, "THANKS, MOM! Thank you SO much for cleaning my shirt!!" Yes, ladies, this is actually what we are all secretly hoping for every time we do a load of laundry. It makes the never-ending job much cheerier.

Tonight I was vacuuming the kitchen and LJ and Kailey were under the kitchen table like it was a bunker with LJ screaming, "No, don't get us!" They both thought it was funny and I liked them being entertained while I vacuumed. Funny kids.

I'm sure I'll think of a bunch of things I wanted to say about him later, but that can be another blog for another day. I love this boy!

LJ feeding the birds at the zoo last week

His face made me laugh when one of them suddenly flew and scared him

Riding the big lizard

Eating a green popsicle in his pullup and hat. What a life.

Family Baseball Game

I'm going to wait on LJ's update until tomorrow when I have more time. For tonight, here are some pictures of a family baseball game a few nights ago. Kailey decided she was tired of being a spectator and crawled over, picked up a bat, stood up, and started trying to swing it! It cracked us up! So the guys humored her and let her "play" a little bit.

"Wait, I want to play too!"

Getting some tips on batting stance

"Look, Mom! I'm playing baseball!"

This is my favorite because it totally looks like she's about to steal second. And I love the strawberry stains on her little behind.

Dad pitching to LJ

Kailey Update

Since I haven't blogged in so long, I'll give an update on each of the monkeys. We'll start with Kailey since Little John usually gets to go first (if that isn't the second-born in me talking).

Kailey is ten months and into everything. She finally decided she would enter the world of drawers and cabinets so nothing is safe. She loves to climb the stairs so the gates are up and locked and I love having an extra pair of eyes on that one, "MOM, she's going upstairs again!" She is babbling constantly and now putting two words together like, "bye bye dada." So far her recognizable, consistent words are mama, dada, bubba, baby, duck, puppy, all done, bye bye, hi, no, yum, ball, book, and I'm pretty sure she's trying to say some other people's names as well. Just yesterday she took off to a new level of walking and took ten steps! Here we go! She is content to play by herself with whatever is around her for long periods of time but then returns for a snuggle every now and then. She doesn't want baby food, she wants big people food she can feed herself and will eat absolutely anything. She listens intently to what Bubba is learning and doing and I can tell she's going to try to keep up with him in every area! Last week when we were working on potty training, she would crawl in the bathroom and try to sit on the little potty! She is a constant delight and this first year with her is flying by so quickly.

Into everything (notice the green crayon and the mark where something rolled down the stairs and bonked her little head!)

She never wants to sit when she can stand

Bubba is the funniest person in the world

And it's so fun when he'll have crawling races!

I'm Back!

Sorry about the blogging funk. I honestly have needed to take every bit of strength I had to just do the last few weeks. John has been extra busy at work and with his other commitments, Kailey's mobility is allowing her to get into more and more things, and we have been hard at work attempting potty training. . . again. . . without success. Jayci and Ches can testify to just how great that's been going.

But, on a brighter note, my precious kids are growing and changing and bringing so much joy. I don't have long today, I'm on my own again because John's playing at the junior high retreat, but here is a picture of my babies to make up for my absence. Thanks to those of you who missed me while I was gone! It's nice to be missed!

I Like It Friday

Well, I've made it right back to Friday again. I feel lately like my weeks are vanishing before my eyes. Full of wonderful things but flying all too quickly. This week, for your constant battle with the dirty clothes. . .

Color Catchers

If you have not used these yet, your laundry is not all that it can be. : ) I love these because I no longer worry about something new getting in the wash and bleeding onto the other clothes. I use one in every load except my whites! I still don't have the nerve to wash whites with colors, but the clothes that have white on them in my colored loads look great!

I Like It Friday

And now, what you've all been waiting for. . .

Leapfrog Videos!These videos have been wonderful for Little John. He started watching them before he was two and quickly learned all his letter sounds, a song to help remember them, and words and pictures in his mind associated with them. They do a good job with the sounds, for instance "m" says "mmm," not "muh" (which can cause confusion in the reading process). We're working with another curriculum now that he's starting to read and have moved on to the next two videos that talk about building words. I would highly recommend these for anyone!

Pictures

Kristin took Kailey's nine month pictures on Friday. The proofs are up on her site if anyone wants to take a look. I'm so excited about them! I love having my precious girl's personality captured in these beautiful shots!

After clicking the link, at the bottom of the page click "Client." Type in "kailey" as the password (it is case sensitive).

Thank You

A big thanks to all of you who were praying for me this morning as I spoke in the lecture class at our church's ladies' Bible study. I felt that the Lord really pulled things together for me last night, helping me to remove some things that I had intended to say and replacing them with things He wanted said. I felt calm and peace as I was speaking and was so refreshed by the time I spent with those beautiful ladies. Afterwards I was able to talk and pray with Kelly Vaughn and Laura Shiro which was a tremendous blessing as I heard about their latest faith walks with our Lord. God is so good. How unbelievable the many ways He is able to use us when we are such broken, insignificant, little vessels. How amazing that He loves us the way He does.

I spoke today on Sabbath rest and the way our Lord wants to minister rest to us within our circumstances instead of us always begging to be rescued from our difficulties in order to rest. Waiting only for those quiet moments with a teacup and a Bible study, asking to be used for bigger things than sweeping floors and wiping noses. May you find rest today as Jesus meets you wherever you are and calls you to Himself. As Naomi says to Ruth about her kinsman redeemer, Boaz. "Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today." Our Redeemer is not resting so that we can fully rest in His work in us. We do not know all that He is doing, but we know that it is beautiful! I love all of you!

"I Like It" Friday

It's that time again. Today I will share one of my favorite baby and child product websites. . .

One Step Ahead

Here are a few of the cool things I have purchased from them.

Softball Gang

John has been playing softball with some guys at church for four years. When he started I was pregnant with Little John and now he's running around with all the kids out at the fields. Savannah was the only child when we started and now she is LJ's protector, always looking out for him. The group has changed over the years but a lot of the guys currently playing have played every season for quite a while. We love this group of people and look forward to dinner and the game any Tuesday night that it's not too late for me to take the kids. We have loved getting to know these couples! John looks forward to spending time with guys who have such varied interests and are enthusiastic about enjoying life. I love the girls as well and also appreciate being witness to the fun, loving relationships that these husbands and wives have with each other. There is a lot of upcoming excitement among this group with one couple engaged and three babies on the way! We love you, softball gang!

Corey(?), Derek, John, Kirk, Landon, Ryan, Ed,
Ty, Jared & Eric

Meredith, Jodi, Candy, Betsy, me w/Kailey, Randi w/Cason, Taylor
& Savannah - it's hard to tell because the mommies are so cute and small but there are three other babies hiding in bellies in this picture!

Reflections

I've been in one of those reflective moods lately. Sometimes I have a tendency to internalize what is going on with me. I do it in the name of being strong, of working out my attitudes before I say or do anything. While this can be good, it can also cause me to struggle through alone without calling on all the supports God has given me in my life. Sometimes this can even go as far as my prayer times being spent on all the things going on around me and carefully avoiding me and my issues. This internalization is one reason that writing and this blog are so therapeutic for me. Prayer journals help me in the same way. I can use the pen to do some of my thinking better than my brain alone. Due to my spiritual gift, I have even more difficulty leaving the heartaches of others at God's door than in dropping my own. I trust God with my own pain, my own problems but really think He should let me help sometimes on what other people are going through. : ) I feel helpless and simply don't want people to hurt.

Next week at our ladies Bible study I am speaking in the lecture class on rest. Usually before I do something like that, I have a period like this of reflection. A time where God is calling me to sit with Him and listen to what He has to say. Where I feel a little detached from what is going on around me and feel more attached to Him. Where I feel conviction in areas of my life that I have allowed to slide. My parents and other teachers did a very wise thing for me in teaching me to recognize these periods as a child. During times when I felt lonely or separated, they reminded me that God could be calling me away with Him. This has been a tremendous blessing in my marriage because I recognize these times not as gaps that John needs to fill in my life, not as times to cling to him and need from him things that he cannot give, but times for me with my God. Maybe preparing me for something that is ahead or healing me from something that has already happened. Maybe readying me for a new chapter or calling me to a new purpose or task. Over the years you can find these periods in my Bible with dates and can tell when the verses of crying out are underlined or sometimes the pages even tear stained. These are the special times that I wouldn't trade for any amount of easy floating through life. Why in the world the Great One would ever choose to call me aside with Him is something that floods me with a sense of unworthiness! But He does, and I'm ready. Knowing I will come out of this season better, changed, convicted, challenged, ready for what's next.