How God Makes Us

Evan (age 4) on October 1, 2011:

"Do you know how God makes us? He makes Mommies get a big tummy and they push in the hospital and then babies come out. That's how He makes us."

Andrew's Birthday Card

Andrew made Elbert a birthday card. He is getting so confident in his writing and wants to sound out all the words and spell them himself. He wrote "I love you Dad I rilee duw." So cute!

Plan B

Mom: "Nathan, can you go put the sheets on your bed, please?"

Nathan: "Can you help me?"

Mom: "Sure. When I'm done doing the dishes, I can help you. Or, when Daddy is done reading to Kyle, he can help you."

Nathan: "Mom, you're Plan B. Are you OK with that?"

Mom: "Definitely."

Kyle's Words

Evan was so excited on Monday. He came running up to me saying, "Mom, Kyle said a word he's never said before!" I asked, "What word?" He replied, "I don't remember." What a let-down.

Dad's Age

This morning, Evan and I were talking about Elbert's birthday coming up on Friday. Evan said, "I know why Dad's older than us. Because we were born after him, right?"

Evan's Compliments

Unprompted, Evan said the following to me this morning. I had to rush to write them down so that I wouldn't forget!

"Mom, you're the most wonderful mom in the world."
"Mom, you're the most happiest mom in the world."
"Mom, you're the most loving mom in the world."
"Mom, you're my favorite mom in the world."

What a way to start my day!

How is Your Day Going

Andrew, Evan, Kyle and I went to Nathan's classroom to deliver his birthday treat yesterday. When Andrew walked in the door, Nathan said, "So, how is your day going?" Andrew responded, "Fine." Nathan replied, "Mine is going pretty good, too."

It's so nice to celebrate when they are nice to each other!

Wonderful?

On Wednesday, it rained and rained all day long. I told Evan that if it was a little bit colder, we would be getting a lot of snow. He responded enthusiastically, "That would be wonderful!"

What is the Holiday Called?

This summer, the boys wrote to soldiers who are currently overseas serving our country. We got the addresses from a website called anysoldier.com. Each boy wrote a letter and drew a picture. We also sent pictures of our family. We didn't know who would receive the letters. We just prayed that they would encourage soldiers who was sacrificing for our freedom.

Yesterday, we got a big package in the mail to "The Yeh Family." The package was from the US Naval Forces Central Command Staff serving in Bahrain. In the package was a bunch of candy along with a letter, a thank you card, a navy calendar, a magazine, pictures and maps. It was so interesting to learn about Bahrain as well as this unit's responsibilities.

We thought that we were going to bless someone with a letter. We were even more blessed by the fun package. We are excited to write back and start corresponding with this Officer.

Referring to the holiday on Friday, I mentioned at dinner that it was great timing for us to receive the package. Nathan said, "Oh yeah! Because of Veterinarian's Day!" Not quite, Nathan...

Girls in Kindergarten

Last week, Andrew told me about some frustration he had during free-choice at school. He said, "I can never play at the Art table. There are always girls at the Art table. All they ever want to do is play 'school'. I don't want to play 'school'! I liked Young 5's when there were only boys in my class. I wish there weren't any girls in my Kindergarten class, just like Young 5's."

I'm going to tuck this one away and remind him of it in 10 years!

The Three Little Pigs

I just read The Three Little Pigs to Andrew and Evan before rest time. It was the Paul Galdone version where the wolf eats the pigs and then the last pig eats the wolf. After the story, Andrew said, "It's sad because his brothers are dead. And, he [the pig with the brick house] kind of ate them because they were in the wolf's tummy." In all my years of reading the story, I never thought about it like that!

That's a Good Question

Evan and I were just talking about how a Mommy is the person who gives birth to a baby. Evan told me that I gave birth to him, Nathan, Andrew, Evan and Daddy. We talked about how I didn't give birth to Daddy. I said that Nai-Nai gave birth to Daddy because she is his Mommy.

Evan then asked, "Then why is Daddy big and Nai-Nai and Yie-Yie are small?"

Hard Conversations

A few days ago at dinner, we were talking about a woman at church who was in a car accident. We were telling the kids that we need to pray for her recovery. Because of things that happened with my Dad, the kids associated being in the hospital with dying. We had to explain that just because she was in the hospital, it didn't mean that she was going to die. We were also able to talk more about heaven and the joy we will experience there.

Andrew then said, "I hope that when you and Dad die, I am old and already have a wife and kids. Because if you died now, there would be no one to take care of us."

Before I could respond, Nathan said, "Yeah. We'd have to go to an orphanage or something."

We were able to have a conversation about how we love them and have made plans for them if that were to occur. And, we were able to reassure them that the chances of that happening are very small. It wasn't something that we had ever thought about talking about, but apparently they needed to know.

Andrew Is Planning His Wedding

A few days ago, out of the blue, Andrew told me, "I hope that Becca picks you to be a bridesmaid. I'm going to pick Dad." Maybe I should give Becca (age 15) a heads up!

Nathan's Charge

As I was saying goodbye to Nathan and Andrew this morning before they left for school, Nathan responded with "Keep the children safe!" Thanks for the reminder, Nathan.

Legos

Evan's Prayer

During family devotions after dinner tonight, we were discussing Colossians 3:8-10. We talked about how when we spend time with Jesus, we start acting more like Jesus. Evan volunteered to close us in prayer. He prayed, "Dear God, Please help us to act like Jesus, to fight nicely with other people..." I was trying so hard not to laugh that I didn't catch the last sentence.

Encouragement

Elbert was playing monkey in the middle with Andrew and Nathan after dinner. Evan was watching. He was encouraging his brother and Dad by saying, "Good job!" when they caught the ball. I complimented Evan on his encouraging words.

Elbert told the boys they should encourage me, too. Andrew said, "Good job washing dishes, Mom. You're the best!" Thanks, Andrew.

Speeding

Last week at Andrew's school, a police officer came to visit with the students. Officer Julie talked to the kids about speeding. Andrew raised his hand and said, "My Dad was speeding once. I told him that he was speeding. He said, 'But, we have to get to church.'"

Why I Love Mom

Andrew's preschool teacher asked him why he loves his mom. He said, "Because she takes care of my bed for me."

I asked him what he meant by that. He said, "You change my sheets and make them clean. It's really hard for me to do that, and you do it."

I had no idea that he appreciated clean sheets so much!

The Bully

Nathan wrote a story this evening. Here it is in its unedited entirety.

The Bully

Once opan a time thre was a boy hoom was tessed a lot. There was a bully named Pete. The boys name was tom. One day Tom and Pete got in a figh. Tom got hurt so badleay he had to the hosple.He had to stay in the hoslpl for five days.Pete had to pay 200$!But he oly had 175$.He stopt bing a bully.”the end”or is it? By,Nathan.

Andrew's Wedding

At lunch today, Andrew leaned over to me and asked, "Can I tell you a secret?" I said "sure".

He leaned in really close and whispered in my ear, "When I get married, you're going to be a bridesmaid." A minute later, he added, "And Dad, too. He's going to be a groomsmaid. It's a secret, no one else knows."

Maybe someday in about 20 years, I can share this when he's about to get married.

Strange Nursing Question

Andrew this morning: "Is your body still producing milk for Kyle?"

Mom: "Yes, it is."

Andrew: "Will you tell me when it isn't?"

Mom: "Umm...sure."

What Andrew Likes About Life

Andrew: "The best thing I like about life is the sunshine and my Daddy."

I'm Ready for Kindergarten

Yesterday, I put a form in Andrew's preschool folder for him to give to his teachers. On it, his teachers were to recommend whether or not he is ready for kindergarten.

On the way home from school, Andrew said, "My teachers think I'm ready for kindergarten. Can I go tomorrow?"

Evan's Song

This morning Evan was singing an original song:

I love my Daddy
I love my Daddy
Because he hugs me
And he kisses me

I just wish Elbert had been here to hear him!

Big Noses

My laugh for the morning... I was kissing Evan at the breakfast table this morning and he informed me, "Your nose is bigger than mine." Nathan piped in, "That's what you get when Polish and German combine -- big noses."

The Ultimate Dream for a 7 Year Old

Nathan woke up this morning and told me: "I had a dream last night that every single man, woman and child was a Lego Mini Figure. And, everything was made out of Lego bricks!"

Kyle is "Talking"

Evan: "Mom! Kyle said a word!"

Mom: "What did he say?"

Evan: "He said, 'I love Evan.'"

Three Year Old Logic

Evan and I play this game. I say, "I love you!" He says, "But, I love you more!" I say, "You can't love me more. I loved you before you were even born."

Today, he said, "But, when I'm taller than you...then I will love you more. Daddy says."

Lovely Songs

Evan this morning: "Do you hear the lovely songs the birds are singing? I love it when the birds sing!"

Young 5's

Andrew and his teacher were cutting out pictures that began with the letter "K" in school yesterday. His teacher said it was quite challenging because there were both "C" and "K" items in the pile. Halfway through the task, Andrew looked at his teacher and said, "You know, this would be a lot easier if I knew how to spell!"