Imaginary Friends...

I was packing and heard Ryan in his bedroom talking to his imaginary friends, Jack and Katelyn. He told them, "I'm going to Grandma's for a couple of days, so I won't see you. So, have a really good time and make sure you play with Madison and Chloe. And if they want to play football, you need to play it with them. See you in a few days, bye!"
Love that kiddo!

On another note--Nicholas is talking up a storm. He came in to the bathroom yesterday and said, "I buush tee? (I brush teeth?) So cute!

No excuses.

I think I have come to a point where I'm done with the excuses. I reap what I sow. If I choose to watch television after the boys are in bed, then I have chosen to have a messy kitchen in the morning. If I choose to eat doughnuts and brownies, then I am choosing to have trouble getting my pants to button. I'm not going to whine about it--I need to realize that the things that happen are a product of the choices that I am making.

Tonight, I was lamenting the fact that Jamie plays volleyball on Monday nights and I couldn't go out and run. Poor me, stuck at home while Jamie gets to go and do something really fun. I work in the mornings and I feel strongly that because I am at work part of the day, I need to be home in the evenings (other than AWANA night). If I want to get some exercise, well, then maybe I should pull out one of my workout DVD's and actually do it.

No whining! No more excuses!

Danskin Triathlon--2011

My goal for this year, was to train and complete the Danskin Triathlon. It was a sprint triathlon, so it was a 1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike and 3 mile run. Well, I did it! The whole experience was a little overwhelming! There were over 2,000 women competing in this event--just imagine a transition area with over 2,000 bikes racked! There was not enough parking at the event, so everyone parked at Safeco field and school buses shuttled us to the event.
We drove up on Saturday, got checked in, racked my bike and then the race was on Sunday. My fantastic friend Heidi drove me down to Safeco at 5:30 a.m. and we got on the bus for the park. My swim wave didn't start until almost 8 a.m. so I had time to lay out my area, get everything set and even see the first wave start and complete their swim. (I was wave 18--and there were 100 people in each wave).
When it was finally my turn, I had my wetsuit on and was ready to go. (The water temp was about 66 degrees, so the full wetsuit was a must!) I am a strong swimmer, so I got in front before the start. I knew that I didn't want to get stuck in the middle. Since I was in front, I was able to escape most of the bumping and pushing that tends to happen at the beginning of the swim. I got about 150 yards out and started feeling like I couldn't catch my breath. I think the whole thing was just a little overwhelming and I was having some anxiety. I just rolled over and kicked on my back for about a minute and then was able to start swimming again without anymore issues. I was not prepared for the choppiness of the water--after I rounded the second buoy, I felt like I wasn't even making progress because of the waves. (I was, but it didn't seem like it!) The swim was rough--not going to lie--I was SO glad to be done and I was wondering how I would finish the race after such an exhausting swim. I ended up finishing the swim in about 17 minutes and I finished 262nd over all in the swim!

My transition went pretty well after the swim, even with getting my wetsuit off. I got my shorts, shirt, socks and shoes on and headed for the bike start. My transition area was really far from the swim area and the bike start, so that did make it tough. I got on the bike and went! I knew the bike would be my weakest leg. I used that leg to hydrate and re-charge a little. I am not a fast biker and I did try to save some energy for the run. The bike crossed the floating bridge on I-90 and went through the tunnel. When I reached the halfway mark and turned around on the bike, it seemed to have gone very fast. I finished the bike leg in 54 minutes--not great, but I felt okay starting the run.

I changed shoes, racked my bike, hit the restroom and went to do my run. The first mile seemed to go on forever!! It is always hard when you aren't familiar with a course to run. (At least for me!) I did have to walk a few times throughout the run. I would set an end point each time I started to walk though; I could walk to the next stop sign, then I had to run again. I was able to run the better part of the last mile, but there was a huge hill right before the last 1/2 mile. I made it up about 3/4 of the way up the hill before I had to stop and walk. After that, I was able to run the rest and run hard into the finish line. I finished the run in 33 minutes.
This was definitely challenging for me--I finished in 1 hour and 57 minutes and placed 1139th overall. I am ready to do another one! It really was fun and the feeling of accomplishment at the end was amazing. I think I'll sneak a couple of 5K's in before next summer and then I'll find a tri to do, maybe closer to home!

Loving the summer!

Joy Comes in the Morning

Psalms 30:5 says that our sorrow may last for the night but joy comes with the morning. Well, I will say that on Friday night, I just couldn't see how that joy was going to come. And it didn't come the next morning. I was in North Carolina for my uncle Thomas' memorial service and everything was just hard. It was hard to be in his house, remember the times that we had been there with him and to have him missing. Adding to the tragedy of the accident, was the fact that we did not know if he was a believer or not. It was very discouraging and did not seem like there was hope.

On Saturday, I was looking through my uncle's bookshelves and came across a Bible and a devotional book. That gave me pause and made me wonder. (Disclaimer--he had more books than anyone I know. There were full bookshelves in every room in his home) Then, when I was looking at another bookshelf in the living room, I came across the book, "A Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel. Everytime I got discouraged or sad, God put something in my path to encourage me. Then, I found "More than a Carpenter" by Josh McDowell. And then Evidence that Demands a Verdict. And then another Bible. Then a book by Billy Graham. (Of course, in North Carolina, they have a freeway named after Billy Graham!) And then a video series on Creation. Now, uncle Thomas was the epitome of the term intellectually curious. He read everything and wanted to know about everything. If it was on his shelf, he had read it. So, was this curiosity or was there something more?

At the memorial, his good friend Barbara mentioned how flying made Thomas feel very close to his Creator and said that she has no doubts about where he is. She knows that he is in Heaven. At that point, I was just clinging to those bits of hope.

Later, at the reception, we were talking about when we all had to leave to go home. Someone mentioned that my flight was leaving at 6 a.m. on Monday and that we were going to need to leave around 3:30 for me to be there on time. Luci Mae, one of Thomas' friends offered to drive me. I knew that no one else wanted to get up at that hour to do it! I asked her if she really was sure that she wanted to and she assured me that she did. So, I took her up on that offer.

After a night of tossing and turning and dozing off and on, I got up at 3 a.m. and got ready for the trip. I had already dragged my suitcase downstairs the night before and so, I waited for Luci Mae. It was starting to hit me that I was in Thomas' house for the last time and it was hard to leave. Luci Mae pulled up, we loaded the car and started the drive to the Charlotte airport, about 45 minutes away.

We talked about her background, how she knew my uncle and shared memories. Then, she asked what my beliefs were and I told her that I was a Christian. Then, she told me a story. When she first met uncle Thomas, he told her that he liked to fish. She also loved to fish and invited him to go fishing at her cabin. It was a long trip and she really hoped that they would catch fish, so the trip wasn't made for nothing! After they fished, they went into the cabin and Thomas picked up a devotional book by Joel Osteen that Luci had on the table. He started skimming through it and said, "You know, I don't think he believes in Jesus. He only talks about God and he doesn't mention Jesus at all in this book." Luci was surprised and they looked through the book and saw that he was right. So, she asked him, "Do you believe in Jesus?"
He told her, "Yes, I do believe in Jesus. I don't go to church very often, but I do believe in Jesus."

I started to cry when she told me this. Luci started to apologize for making me upset and I told her that I was crying because I was happy and so relieved because I didn't know before this. I firmly believe that God put me in that car with Luci Mae this morning. He orchestrated the situation because He wanted me to know that uncle Thomas is in Heaven with Jesus. Luci Mae was an answer to prayer and I am so thankful that she was bold and asked that question. I am so thankful for the friend that she was and for her faith in Christ.
It took a week, but my joy did come this morning.

Word for the day: Supercalifragilisticexpialadocious

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
Jamie and I went up to Portland to see Mary Poppins last night! We hit a little traffic on the way, which made our time for dinner a little crunched! We found a great Chinese restaurant near the theater and they assured us that we could be in and out in 30 minutes! Boy, they kept their word! Our food was out in no time flat and it was delicious! Then, we walked to Keller Auditorium to see Mary Poppins--with the rest of the Corban Alumni group! It was a fantastic show and we loved it! On the way home, we tried to stop for milkshakes. And I do mean tried! Using our trusty Garmon, we found a Coldstone on the way and drove to it. However, their was NO Coldstone where the GPS directed us! Okay, no big deal, I searched again and found a Baskin Robbins nearby. So, we drove to the Baskin Robbins and all we found was a demolished strip mall. We took that as a sign that we should just go home and eat the ice cream in our own freezer at home! We finally get back to the freeway and at the next exit we passed we saw a Coldstone! At that point, we said forget it and just drove home! All in all a great night!

New Format....

So, I've been very remiss in blogging lately. I'm going to try to do a new format--a word of the day. I will pick a word for each day that fits what happened that day! It will probably be the word for the day that just happened, since I'm sure I won't get it all done the day it happened. Anyway....stay tuned!

Changes...

It is no secret that I don't adapt well to change. Especially when it is a change that I didn't want, or have any control over. Things like going from changing diapers to having a child who uses the restroom...I can get on board. No problem. But other things are harder.
The budget cuts in my school district are awful. There is no other way to describe it. They have cut ALL the school librarians in the elementary and middle schools, and 248 teachers have lost their jobs.
I found out last week that my position was cut from our school and I was transferred to another elementary school. I just felt like I had been punched in the stomach. I know that it comes down to numbers and logistics and the transfer wasn't personal. Our school lost a .5 teacher and I'm the only .5 teacher at my school.
I have loved every day at the school where I work. I have a fantastic kindergarten teacher to work with, great students and parents, and an amazing group of teachers. I've been told that I'm going to a great school, and I'm sure that I am, but right now I'm just sad to leave. When I look at the big picture, I have NOTHING to complain about. I still have a job, and I know that any one of the teachers who have been laid off would trade places with me in a heartbeat.
God has a plan, and without going into details, this transfer has eliminated a potential conflict where feelings would no doubt be hurt and a relationship might have been damaged beyond repair. I had prayed about the situation and there was never an opportunity for me to address this situation. And now that I have been transferred, the situation is resolved.
So, I'm off to pack up books, files and charts and go into the unknown. Not a place that I enjoy; I prefer familiar turf... but, sometimes, that isn't a choice.

Moo, Baa, La La La

Nicholas' favorite book is Moo, Baa, La La La by Sandra Boynton. If you have little ones, I highly recommend it! Check it out--he loves it!!

Love my boys!

A little grace

Today, I picked up Ryan at school and I noticed when I signed him out that he got there a little later than usual. I had an early meeting todayand Jamie, sensing my stress level, offered to skip Bible study and help me get the boys ready. (He has been working early hours this week, so I've been flying solo most mornings). Well, and of course we overslept, so Jamie ended up taking both boys, instead of just Ryan. Still, not getting to daycare until after 9 is pretty late!
So, I asked Ryan what happened. He told me, "I wasn't obeying Daddy." Oh, that explains the time! Then, I asked him, "Did you need a spanking?"
Ryan says, "Yes, but Daddy didn't give me one."

And on another note, yesterday, we were in the car and Ryan told me, "I'm going to eat all my dinner tonight." I thanked him for that and then he said, "You're not making couscous, right mommy?"

First Haircut!

Nicholas' hair is very light blond and curly in the back. He also was born with a receding hairline--and doesn't have a whole lot on top. However, the back was getting longer and when Jamie compared him to Gary Busey one morning, I decided that it was time!
So, today was the day! I took both boys for haircuts after I got off of work this afternoon. Bittersweet for a few reasons--it was hard to cut those precious baby curls, and it was our last haircut with Lindsay before she moves to Arizona. Nicholas did pretty well--he did want to hold the comb, but no tears and he does look pretty handsome!

The "before" shot.




The "After"

Nicholas is one!

My sweet little guy is one! He is such a happy little guy and loves people! He is not shy and will let most people hold him--even if they are strangers. (Note--strangers to him, not us! I don't let strangers hold my baby!) He prefers men over women though, and grandpa and daddy are his favorites!

Nicholas babbles, says words and loves to point and wave. He will give high fives and he gives great cuddles and hugs. But, you have to catch him first! He is a mover and a busy little guy! We have learned to keep doors closed and things up high. We also have to make sure there is nothing on the floor--because he will try to eat it!
Nicholas started walking at about 11 months old and now can walk from one end of the house to the other. He gets so excited when he walks and is doing it more and more each day!
Nicholas LOVES to eat! He is done with babyfood and wants whatever anyone else is eating! He went to town on his birthday cake! He ate the whole thing--and ended the meal by rubbing his plate on his head!



Words Nicholas says:
Mama
Dada
No
Up
Shoes
Bath
Ball
One
Ma-ma (Grandma)
Bye
More
Boo
Happy Birthday Nicholas--we love you so much!

For it is by grace, you have been saved, through faith...

Ryan and I have had quite a few conversations about Jesus and how He died on the cross and we have read about it in his Bible. On Monday, he told me that it was good that the soldiers took Jesus away, because He needed to die on the cross for our sins. We talked about it for awhile--and I did tell him that it was also sad because the soldiers hurt Jesus and He died. He was very clear on what it all meant and I asked him if he wanted to pray and tell God that he believed that. He told me that he wanted to do it after rest time.

So, after rest, Ryan and I talked a little bit more. I asked him if he sinned and he told me yes, and that his heart is black because of the sin. We talked about how because Jesus died, our sins can be forgiven and our heart can be clean. He fully believes that he has sinned and that Jesus' death on the cross allows him to be forgiven and go to Heaven when he dies. Ryan wanted to pray about it, but wasn't sure what to say, so I had him repeat after me. We prayed together and Ryan put his faith in Christ and asked Jesus into his heart!

I feel so blessed that I was able to talk with him and pray with him! I told Ryan that we could have a special dinner to celebrate this important decision--he picked waffles. I'm so thankful for him and I'm so excited that he chose to make this decision!

Knock Knock...

At our dinner table last night, Ryan was telling knock knock jokes. Then, Jamie told one to Ryan--here how it went: (Disclaimer--I know Jamie's joke was a little lame, that isn't the point!)

Jamie: Knock Knock
Ryan: Who's there?
Jamie: Little Pig
Ryan: Little Pig Who?
Jamie: Little Pig Little Pig Let me Come In!
Ryan: No, you can't come in because you have muddy feet and I just vacuumed.

Happy Birthday Ryan!

I know that mothers say this a lot, but I can't believe that he is four! And I really could not ask for a more wonderful four year old. Yes, we have our moments, just like anyone else, but the good moments far outweigh our bad. Ryan is such an amazing big brother to Nicholas. He will do anything he can to make Nicholas laugh and my heart melts when I see them holding hands in the back seat.
And I'm expecting big things from this little guy. At four, he has been reading and sounding out words for the last six months and he loves to show me how high he can count (about 128!). I love that he is so eager to learn and do "hard work."
Ryan is my chatterbox--he is constantly talking and asking why. I can almost hear him processing as he asks these questions and tries to figure out things. He loves school, but is pretty quiet there according to his teachers. He is still slow to adjust to new situations and he likes to be the one in control. Ryan does things on his terms and it is hard to push him when he is not comfortable.
Ryan is turning into my sports nut. He wants to play soccer, football, baseball and basketball all the time. He will even sit and watch sports with daddy for long periods of time. Ryan was given a bicycle a few months ago and he loves to ride it around the neighborhood.
I'm so proud of my little guy--I love to hear him sing, pray and practice his Bible verses. I love listening to his silly knock knock jokes and I love that he still comes over and asks to sit in my lap.
Happy Birthday Ryan! I love you!

Quotes from an almost 4 year old...and big news from the little one!

Ryan and I were doing laundry today and I had to remind him of something.
Me: Ryan, Remember, you are not the boss of mommy.
Ryan: Whoops! I forgot!

Later this afternoon, we were driving home from the grocery store listening to a kid's worship CD. Ryan: They sure say Jesus a lot. (long pause) They must really love Jesus.

What a kid!

And in other Brulotte family news--we have a walker! Nicholas took his first step on Friday and then took about 4 steps in a row on Sunday night. Big stuff! He really is determined and he tries to walk with no prompting from us at all. He will do it even if we are in the other room. No coaxing needed for this one!

Where have I been?

I have not blogged in weeks--but it has been weeks since we have been healthy around our house!
First, Nicholas got a cold, which turned into wheezing and we had to start all of the asthma meds. Then, Ryan got the cold, which also turned into wheezing, so we pulled out the asthma meds again. Next, Nicholas started wheezing again and we started another course of steroids and asthma meds. Fun times, let me tell you.
We finally seemed to be healthy and had a great weekend with the AWANA Grand Prix and then last week my throat started feeling sore and I went into the doctor and left with meds for strep. It hit me pretty hard and I'm still not back to normal. At least it was just me sick, right? Oh no, Ryan's ear started hurting on Saturday night at bedtime and he has an ear infection.
I don't even want to say this--but I'm hoping the sickness is going to be done with now, so that we can have a fun spring break! Last year, Ryan was VERY sick all of spring break and I was about 37 weeks pregnant and we were miserable--we even had to cancel his birthday party.
I'm praying for the health of my family and hoping we can finally be done with the icky pink medicine!

Where is Nicholas?

My little mischievous baby has discovered that he can crawl into the shower in the master bathroom. And then he can splash in the puddles and have a great time! Of course, then he is all wet and we have to get his clothes changed. Which is fine when he is in pajamas, not so much when he is dressed and we are ready to walk out the door. There is not much else to do but laugh, shake your head and remember to close the bedroom door next time! Life with Nicholas definitely keeps you on your toes!

And so it begins...

"___ says I can't come to her party."
This is what Ryan told me today during breakfast. (Names have been omitted--this is the internet after all). Keep in mind, that it is Sunday and the last time he saw this particular person was on Friday. Apparently, this stuck with him through the weekend. I'm so upset that we are dealing with this at 3 years old. Why can't kids wait until at least first or second grade to be mean to one another? Now, the child who said this is not a close friend of Ryan's. She is a girl and I know he generally plays with the boys. But the fact remains that his feelings were hurt by this child who has let him know that he is being left out.
I know that I am not going to be able to protect him from every hurtful word, mean comment and hurt feeling. I'd like to. I know that he remembers these things. Ryan still brings up an incident that happened when a few older kids told him that he was too little to play. As hard as it is for him to deal with, I think it is just as hard for me. No one likes to see their child hurt and sad.
The worst part--this is only the beginning. Unfortunately, there will be more of this, not less, as time goes on. Sticks and stones will break your bones, but words will break your heart.

Brothers

So cute...and of course, they are both sick right now! When I ask them to share, I guess I should specify that they can keep their germs to themselves!

A Reality Check

I think I sometimes delude myself into thinking that I am much younger and in shape than I really am. I was a competitive swimmer for a lot of years--and for some reason, I think that I can still jump into the pool, swim 3000 yards and still feel great at the end. Well, I think I have forgotten that my last REAL swim practice was over 11 years ago. Yeah, I swam 1000 yards this morning and I am TIRED! I timed a couple of my laps near then end of my swim--just about sent me into a mid-life crisis. When did I get so SLOW??? (And I do realize that 29 is too young for a mid-life crisis.)
Seriously--very humbling morning for me at the Kroc Center. And I have a LOT of work to do before August!

Not Done Yet

At this point, Nicholas is 9 1/2 months old. And I have been able to feed him with no problems until now. Since we started making him sleep through the night, I'm missing 2 feedings that he used to take. And my milk supply has tanked. :( My goal was to feed Nicholas at least as long as I fed Ryan (10 1/2 months). But, with a month to go, I'm not sure if we are going to make it.
Really, it would be very convenient in a lot of ways to be done. I could go out without worrying about when or where to feed Nicholas. I could leave for more than a few hours; I could drink coffee again.... So, what is my problem?
I think it is the fact that there is no choice here. With Ryan, I had been supplementing for awhile and he decided one day that he was done and quit cold turkey. His choice--and you can't force a baby to eat. I've tried.
This time? Not my choice. Not Nicholas' choice. I'm frustrated.
But, it isn't over until it's over. I'm not down for the count yet.

Adventures of a 3 year old's imagination...

The other night, Ryan wanted some apple juice. Well, he was already in bed at the time and so I said no. Then, he says, "no, I mean pretend apple juice." I'm not sure if there is any rule about pretend juice in bed after your teeth have been brushed, so I said okay. And I really didn't want to go back to his room again, so I had imaginary Madison bring the juice, thinking I was outsmarting him. But, Madison (who only obeys on church days) didn't bring Ryan the juice. Since I can't see the imaginary Madison, I had to take his word for it!
So, I go to Ryan's room and hand him imaginary juice.
He hands it back to me and says, "This isn't juice."

Ryan Quotes...and a Nicholas one too!

Ryan is never at a loss for words and we were sitting at the kitchen table talking while I fed Nicholas the other day. Ryan looks at me and says, "We are chit-chatting Mommy!"

Ryan's imaginary friends all sleep in his bed with him. We have to make their beds every night and cover all four of them up. Ryan came out of his room the other night and said that he needed his blankets fixed. I asked him why and reminded him that I had just made everyone's bed. He tells me, "But we made a slip and slide!" Does he think this is a frat house? Seriously!

Yesterday at WinCo, Ryan told a lady that her child was sitting in the cart the wrong way. He was right--but very embarrassing!

Ryan told me that when we go to grandma's house, we sleep in the guessing room. Sounds like a spot for the Riddler!

Ryan also told me that he was playing "coughs" with the other boys in the gym at school the other day. I was a little confused and asked him how to play. He told me that you have to run and get the bad guys and put them in jail. I think they were playing "cops!"

And the Nicholas quote of the day..."Mama!" First word!!!

Nicholas is on the move!

Nicholas had a big month of milestones in December. He seems to have "graduated" for lack of a better word. He is eight months old and is no longer a little baby--he is definitely on his way out of the baby stage.

This past month, Nicholas:
--learned to move from his stomach to a sitting position
--started waving
--pulled himself up to stand
--started crawling
--got his first tooth
--started cruising around furniture

Big month for a little guy! I really wish I could add sleeping through the night to his list of accomplishments, but we are still working on that one. And he is a busy baby! We love Curious George in our house, and the phrase at the beginning of the book fits Nicholas well. Nicholas is a good little baby, but always very curious. His personality is starting to shine through and we are having so much fun with him!