Tim and I found ourselves incredibly moved on Thursday evening when we attended a musical performance by the second grade at Briggs’ school. It was entitled, A is for America based on the book written by Lynne Cheney. The theme seemed perfectly planned given Tim’s recent arrival home which included fifteen patriotic songs, [...]
Ever since Tim left from his two-week visit, both girls exuberantly yell out “Daddy” to every man we run across. It has been at the grocery store, the park, and even walking down our street.
While we were at the park this evening, I sensed a woman giving me a strange look after [...]
Tim sent me a copy of the note attached below. It happens to be from the daughter of one of our closest friends. I love the sheer honesty and sweetness of children.
As I was lacing my sneakers for a run the other day, Gage asked me (as always) if I would [...]
We had a peaceful evening…we built forts, setup a surgery center, watched Mr. Mom (one of our all-time favorites), and made magic rocks. Everyone seemed happy…getting along relatively well…not much drama. But toward the end of night, Briggs started falling apart.
He said to me with tears burning his eyes, “You have [...]
The girls are growing. They have really become buddies. They play together, wrestle, and occupy one another’s world. I figured that they have only been apart on two occasions in their lives. It is hard for me to imagine what it must feel like to have a companion always.
In [...]
Thank goodness I am not one to easily develop a complex. I ran across this whopper in Briggs’ desk tonight as I was putting him to bed. I actually wanted to laugh aloud because I found it pretty humorous. I am confident I will be called much worse someday. Instead, I [...]
There is no gray for most people when they see me with twins. They either say in an exasperated tone , “Oh my gosh, I would not want twins.” People actually do say this. Or in a longing tone, “I always wanted twins!” None ever say, “It might be nice.”
So…I loaded [...]
I suppose I should add to my list of talents for Emerson…her ability to use a duck call and to get her eldest brother to follow her lead. Hey Tim…thanks for sending these all the way from Iraq! When there isn’t enough noise with four kids why not throw a couple of duck [...]
As I was purging closets today (my favorite past time lately), I found this. Actually, let me continue with the purging closets thought for a minute…it is completely liberating. I think I feel several pounds lighter from the experience, and I knew it would all go to people that really needed it. [...]
After hearing that Tim will be home around February 12th…we all got excited! We will have a whole lot of fun doing nothing but hanging out. I figured I hadn’t posted any feet messages in awhile. I had fun looking back on some of the others>>> Stinky Message and Father’s Day.
Please [...]
Today…I needed to be reminded that this period in life may seem long and tedious but will quickly pass. I have been carrying Emerson around for days with little break…she is killing me with neediness. It seems as if someone is always crying. But as Tim reminded me…he would give anything to [...]
Briggs:
Did Daddy ever have any other girlfriends?
Me:
Yeah. In fact, one of them didn’t like me too much.
Briggs:
He did? Did he kiss them?
Me:
Yeah. I guess. (Me thinking…oh my…where is he going with this?)
Briggs:
But I thought you had to marry the first person that you kissed? (Side note: He just kissed Sara…his [...]
I have decided Gage is a good catch for any three-year old out there looking for a future spouse. He is wild by all accounts but also sweet to the core. Unlike many of us, he can easily and sincerely apologize. And he does it at just the right moments. I [...]
Briggs and I hit the Big Apple this weekend…just the two of us. It was Stacy’s last weekend there before she has the culture shock of a lifetime…relocating from NYC to Indianapolis! I figured Briggs was the perfect age to do a trip alone and we might not have the opportunity to do [...]
It hadn’t occurred to me until Tim sent the following three images how much Briggs’ world changed within only 20 months. I sometimes think my head must be in the sand because I never thought about the change in family dynamics from anyones perspective but my own.
In any case, we are starting [...]
This single-handedly might be the funniest thing I have seen in a long time thanks to my cousin, Suzy. I am belly laughing almost willing to wake the children to show them because I can hardly wait until morning. I am officially in the holiday spirit now! I videotaped it just in [...]
I learned a valuable lesson this week.
Tim has said in the past that I am quick to jump to conclusions and that I yell fire even before the blaze. And…unfortunately he may be right. Especially right now when me emotions are on the surface of my skin, I get very little [...]
Hi Daddy - It’s me Briggs. I beat mommy in a arm wrestle. It was cool. I hope you come back. I miss you. I think you are very cool. And the smartest. When are more presents coming? And I love you. Briggs
Note from Tiffany: No kidding…he is [...]
Weekends always seem to be the toughest for me. They are long and there is little routine. Most people are occupied with family activities or sports so playdates are few and far between. But now that the cold is settling in I am beginning to feel caged. Is it possible to feel this way already?
Briggs [...]
You would think having four children might give me a moderate expertise in the area of parenting…yet I find myself in new territory almost daily. Half of the time I don’t know if I should laugh or yell. For instance…
- The assembly line bathing approach is the easiest thing for me right now. [...]
It definitely was another wild and wacky weekend with a house full of kids. My good friends, Susan and Stewart (I just love them), thankfully came to visit over Veteran’s Day weekend which I think had the boys in a strange mood and missing their dad.
We did manage to take a nature walk…and of course, [...]
So…
It got nice and quiet after I put the girls to bed tonight. The boys seemed to be playing well in Briggs’ room. I was surprised not to hear much of them while I was cleaning up but I didn’t suspect anything. Then…they came bounding down the stairs giggling about what they [...]
It wasn’t the best night of sleep I had ever gotten…Emerson was crying from 2am until the morning. She couldn’t breathe well from the considerable amount of congestion she has. Then I had the pleasure of unexpectedly getting barfed on with what looked like large, undigested curds of milk. Oh…and I got [...]
Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween.
I love tradition. And…Halloween has become just that around here. Each year our neighborhood has a parade starting at the cul-de-sac leading to the clubhouse. What is especially neat is that the Zionsville Fire Department always leads the kids in the parade. At the clubhouse [...]
We have truly given new meaning to the phrase “within earshot” at the Stoner household.
As I was dressing Gage, he told me he had to use the potty. Apparently, it was more urgent than I realized because the next thing I knew Emerson, who was sifting through a box right next to [...]
This is too funny of a story not to share.
Tim has been trying to send the kids little gifts now and then. I imagine whatever he can find in the Exchange on base. They have received a can of Cheetos, Spiderman fruit snacks, a coloring book, a map (a very special one), [...]
Today was a rough day…we can have those every now and then, right? It is just such a disappointment when they come after a really great day.
The boys and I drove to Nashville, Tennessee to visit Tim’s brother, Mark, and his family. We camped out on the most beautiful Tennessee farm [...]
Just as my children are learning…I am along with them in equal measure. Recently Briggs has been caught cheating and cussing. Now before I go into the details…let me assure you I think he really is a fantastic kid. I don’t believe in bad kids, I believe kids make bad choices. [...]
Happy Birthday to our youngest son, Gage!
Tim is sure to observe tremendous changes in his best buddy Gage when he returns. He talks well and talks back now. He has opinions on his wardrobe…it has to either be camo or Spiderman red. He has a favorite sister he plays with [...]
I remember when Briggs was an infant I caught glimpses of myself as if I were looking into my own eyes. I have never really seen a whole lot of Tim in Briggs. Unfortunately, Nate claims Briggs inherited my temper…too bad that Rowe Family temper will continue to trickle down!
But boy did the [...]