Random Stories

Cooper came into the kitchen and ate a bite of my homemade granola. He said, "Mom, you are such a good cook! You are better than any restaurant!"



Here is a conversation I had with Miles the other day in the bathroom. I want to document this sample, not because it is super funny, but because it is SO common in our household.

Me: Miles - you need to wash your hands.

Miles: Okay. I will.

Me: Walk towards Miles.

Miles: No, Mommy! I will do it myself!

Me: Okay, Buddy. Can you turn the water on?

Miles: No.

Me: Okay - I'll help you.

Miles: Actually, I can do it. Tries to turn the water on.

Me: Can I help you Miles?

Miles: Yes, you can.



Miles bumped his head at BUM kids and was crying. He told his teacher that he needed Cooper to feel better. They went and got Cooper out of his class to come comfort Miles. Cooper took great care of his little brother, and the teacher said, "Wow, Cooper, you're a great big brother." Coop's response? "I know."



Cooper and Miles were telling me this morning how they want to get the plastic motorized trains, like the Vernons. I explained to the boys that we have wooden trains, so maybe we should just continue building our wooden train collection. Cooper said, "Mom, I have a great idea! Miles can have the wooden set and I can get the motorized train set. I know whow to engineer those tracks."

Snow!

We received about 1 to 2 inches of snow on early this week, and Cooper and Miles were chomping at the bit to get out in it. I held them off all day Monday, promising we would go out to play on Tuesday. So we bundled up and headed outside in the sweltering 20 degree temps.

It took about 30 minutes to get all bundled up. We each had on 2 pairs of pants, 2 pairs of socks, 3 shirts, a coat, a hat, and gloves. And once we were outside, we only lasted about 15 minutes. Miles was cold and ready to come in, but Cooper decided he wanted to stay out. And then, as Miles and I turned to head in, Cooper ran smack into the tree in our front yard. He just took off running, pulling the sled behind him and slammed into the tree.

Here are the Bethell boys, ready for the cold.

And here is what a cheek looks like after being slammed into a tree:

Our family made it inside, and Miles ran straight to his bedroom, instead of staying with us to get all his snowy clothes off. "Miles, you need to come back out with us to get your coat off." I called. Miles response: "Mommy, I will not ever, ever listen to you again!" Slam door. I left the upset and bloody-cheeked Cooper to go "take care" of that situation with Miles. (You can imply whatever you would like in that generic description of how the situation was addressed.) After it was taken care of, and Cooper's cheek was cleaned up, Miles and I were discussing what happened. I said, "Miles, you said, 'Mommy, I won't ever listen to you again!' and slammed the door. It is not okay for you to talk to Mommy like that." Miles replied, "I not say that, Mommy." I said, "Miles - I asked you to come out with Cooper and me to get your coat off, and you yelled at me, 'Mommy, I won't ever listen to you again!' and slammed the door. It is not okay for you to talk to Mommy like that." Miles said, "NO, Mommy! I not say that! I said, 'Mommy, I won't ever, EVER listen to you again!" So true. He did have that extra 'EVER' in there. Goodness gracious. I won't ever, EVER misquote my child again.

The things they say...

Cooper has had a few cute sayings lately, and Miles is in a very fun spot verbally. Here are Cooper's sayings:

Quote from FB on 1/2/2011: I'm wearing a skirt and tights today for church (a rare occasion indeed), and Cooper approached me with a very confused look. He said, "Mommy, I just need to know, are those pants or not?"

Quoted from Nate's FB on 1/8/2010: Cooper says to me: Dad, let's travel around the whole world to tell everyone how good eggnog is.

Miles still uses "me" instead of "I" and he says "yours" instead of your. Here are some examples:

• Running to where he is supposed to be, "Here comes me!!"
• "Who would like to eat lunch?" "Me do!"
• "I'm going to put this blanket on yours head."
• "Mom, is this yours water?"

Topeka

We traveled to Topeka the weekend before Christmas to celebrate the holiday with my sister, my mom, and my mom's sister, Pat. Pat is from New York, so we don't get to enjoy time with her very often!

Here is Nana reading to the boys, with Aunt Pat looking on:
Nana brought a Christmas villiage for the boys to make. It was quite the deal! You can see that even Baby Blakester was involved.

The four boys got matching pajamas. What a group!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from the Bethell Family! We had a special Christmas celebration - here are a few highlights:

1. Miles was very scared of the reindeer. He called his daddy into his room several times on Christmas Eve, asking, "Will the reindeer come in my room? Will the reindeer bite me?

2. Cooper and Miles received an Xbox with Kinect from Santa this year. As Cooper was opening it, he said, "This looks like a grownup game!"

3. A favorite gift for both boys was the new underwear in their stockings. Miles received Toy Story undies, and Cooper received Spiderman undies. They were stoked. I think they each tried on every pair.

4. The BEST part of the day for the boys was that they stayed in their underwear (see point 3) the entire day. They were in heaven. However, due to the chosen dress for the day, we do not have too many great pictures to publish.

Thanksgiving

Our family traveled to Enid, OK, for Thanksgiving with Nate's family this year. It was so fun to be together for the holiday! One of the boys' favorite parts was the three kittens that Grandma and Grandpa Bethell had living in their garage. This experience caused Nate and I to think, "Is it time for us to get pets?" Thankfully, the conclusion we came to is NOT YET! :)

We celebrated Christmas while we were together, and Uncle Wade gave Coop a very cool remote control truck. The boys played outside with it, even in the 28 degree weather. Brrrrrrr!

Here is a goofy family picture we took. I didn't want to use the nice one because Anne is going to use it for her Christmas cards...so here's a preview of what's to come. :)

I have been working through a Gratitude Journal throughout the month of November, and I have so much to be thankful for! I am thankful to God for sending Jesus to die on the cross for me. I am thankful that he has my days set before me and the plans for my life all laid out. I am thankful for my amazing family. I am so blessed.

Nibbles

As Cooper was holding his nipples the other night around bedtime, he said, "What jobs do boys have to do with their nibbles?" Nate answered, "boys nipples don't really have jobs, Buddy." Cooper then asked, "Why do girls have to do lots of jobs with their nibbles?"

Trick Or Treat!

The boys got to trick or treat at Duck Creek on Friday.

On Halloween Day, we went to Craig and Janet's house and Miss Wilma's house. I felt pretty safe trick or treating with these two this year. Surely nothing could happen with Spider Man and Super Man with me.

Boys night out

I feel like I don't blog much any more, but since I'm home and the house is dead quiet I thought I'd take the opportunity to write a bit. The week is off to a great start here in Missouri and we are getting some incredible weather. It’s been in the mid-70’s during the day (even low 80s), but then it cools off into the low 50s at night. I’m not one to wish away the seasons, but I’d venture to say that I could do this kind of weather year round! I love to have the windows / doors open all day and into the night.

Tonight Carey had the opportunity to sub for someone in a local Volleyball league and then had bible study after for a few hours. So, the boys and I took the opportunity to have our monthly ‘guys night’. Although, tonight we stayed in. The boys opted to stay home and eat soup and cook a dessert. I really tried to get them to go for a bike ride with me, but they were set on cooking. Yes, ladies at work, this was a guys night – not some kind of tea party. It just so happens that the guys in my family like to cook. =) So, it was homemade minestrone soup, bread, and peanut butter bon bons.

Here are some funny stories from the evening.

Dinner: we’re eating soup and Cooper doesn’t like anything but the noodles and beans. Because he knows I will make him eat everything in his soup, he proceeds to tell me – ‘Dad, have you ever had noodle and bean soup? It’s the best kind of soup. Why don’t we take all the noodles and beans out of this soup? Then, I will eat all of it!’

This weekend, I pulled a muscle in my back and it’s been very tender to the touch. Tonight I laid on the floor to wrestle with the boys and I hit the spot that is still super sore. I yelled out in a bit of pain and both boys were on me in an instant – ‘Dad, you’re going to be just fine’. ‘Daddy, you’re alright’. ‘Dad, I think if you tickle us you will feel better’. The last one was my favorite.

Some random, thoughts from Miles.
‘Mommy’s house is in Tennessee’
‘Happy birthday to me – Amen!’
‘Me not like bugs’
‘Me have a boogy’

This isn’t a random comment, but something I thought was hilarious and was the highlight of the evening. When we were making the bon bons, Miles and Cooper were helping me stir everything in with their hands (washed of course). Miles had the big bowl of ingredients and was kind of tipping the bowl over at the counter so he could reach everything a little better. I saw him lay his head down a little and I thought he was just tired. So, I went about cleaning up and helping Cooper. Little did I know that Miles, the little stinker that he is, had is tongue out and was very discretely licking the sides of the bowl. It was a classic Miles.

Race Weekend

For my 30th birthday, I invited my family and friends to participate in one of the races at the KC Marathon. Several friends and family members responded and participated! It was such an amazing blessing to spend the weekend participating and enjoying something that is such an important part of my life. Here are a few photos:

Sarita and me before the race

Sarita and me finishing the race

Matt Harader (brother-in-law), Jenn (sister), me, Dad, and Beth

Nate and my mom were so gracious to take care of Cooper, Miles, Jackson, and Blake during the race. (THANK YOU, Nate and Mom!)

Matt and Jenn ran the 5K together, and from what I understand, crossed the finish line holding hands. So cool. This was the first race for both of them. (I can't imagine running my first race with 10,998 other people...I think I would have been tempted to decline!) My sister might even like running a little bit now!! And I think Matt (and maybe Jenn?) is going to do the half next year. I love seeing them love this thing that I love so much! I know what I'm going to be doing with my sister over the holidays to have some girl time.

My Dad ran the half marathon. I can't even begin to describe the joy I felt when I saw him in the back of the crowd coming towards the finish line. (Hanna got to experience it a little bit because she was standing beside me when I started screaming, "There he is! My dad is coming! I see my dad coming!") He had a goal for a running time and he met it. I am so thankful for him! Beth, my dad's wife, walked/ran the 5K, and I think this race has made her want to be a runner! She really enjoyed it!

Nate's mom and sister, Anne and Hanna, get the prize for the longest drive to participate. They came up from Enid, OK, for race weekend. Hanna ran the 5K, and Anne helped corral the kiddos. I am so blessed they made the treck up to KC to participate with me! Hanna - I'm looking forward to the Turkey Trot!

My friend, Sarita, and I ran together. I am so thankful for her. From about mile 9 on, I was really fighting the urge to urp. She encouraged me and sang to me, and I kept on running! She has been my faithful running parter for somewhere around 6 years - this race was our fourth half marathon.

Clint and Jessica Wooderson ran the race together. Clint is not a runner, but decided to train for this event because he didn't just want to be on the sidelines. That's impressive. Jessica is a great friend - another faithful workout partner. She finished the race despite some intense knee pain. She overcame so much! Jessica also was responsible for designing and ordering the amazing green t-shirts!

Ashley Dinwiddie and Rachel Tennison decided to take my challenge and run the half. Rachel ran hospital hill earlier this year, not many weeks after having her second baby. Ashley had never run a half-marthon before. They both rocked it! Rachel and my dad saw each other a couple of times during the race - that's a fun story we'll remember. Ashley is loving running, and is thinking about another half in November in Tulsa.

Holly Shuler ran the half. I'm not sure if this was her first race or not, but she did awesome! She ran the thing alone. I can't imagine running alone for 2ish hours. She recently posted on facebook: New life goal: run another half marathon and then a full marathon sometime in the next 3 years. Who is with me?

Melanie Farris had it on her bucket list to run a half-marathon. Even though she found out recently that she is pregnant, she completed the race! Her dad did it with her, and even though it was a challenge, she finished it! Way to go, Melanie!

Tim and Jana Cossins ran the 5K, and it was there first race ever, too! They finished together and have another race coming up soon. They are both working so hard to be healthier - so cool!

I am so thankful for all my friends who participated in the weekend. It was an amazing way to celebrate 30. Thank you, Lord, for my family and friends!