The Tilma Family Blog

Newest Tilma family video

// December 13th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Family Footage

Summer 2009 from Dave Tilma on Vimeo.

Sophie-not in your eye!

// November 12th, 2009 // No Comments » // Sophia Grace

Oh Toby

// November 12th, 2009 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

Oh Toby, You are so patient.

JD sure is cute

// November 11th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Uncategorized

Hard Work?

// August 4th, 2009 // No Comments » // All Blog Posts, Uncategorized

 There is so much to learn in life. As parents, we want the very best for our children  and therefore, try to teach them important values and principles early on in life to  best prepare them for adulthood. But these lessons are sometimes difficult to  teach….and to learn. The other day, Hudson and I were outside while Sophie and  JD were napping. Daddy had given Hudson instructions to pick up the piles of  rocks in the driveway she had worked so hard on gathering there, which Hudson  was not at all thrilled about doing. As I was doing other yard work, I noticed that  instead of picking up the rocks, Hudson was doing anything and everything else  she could think of to entertain herself. We talked several times about the  importance of cleaning up after ourselves, the consequences of not doing so and the  value in being a hard worker. But, Hudson was still not convinced she should pick  up the rocks and instead, pestered me as to what exactly Daddy would be taking  away from her if she had not completed her chore. As it became apparent that she  would much rather have her favorite toy or movie taken away from her then pick up  these rocks, I sat down with Hudson and really tried to teach her about being a  hard worker and where that would lead her in life. As I spoke, I could see she was getting a little upset and finally, she said, “But I don’t want to be a hard worker, I just want to be a Mommy!” To which I quickly responded, “I’ve got news for you, honey, being a mommy is very hard work!” With a look of complete devastation and a little bewilderment, the tears began to flow down her little rosy cheeks as she whimpered, “Oh no” and flopped her head down on her lap and continued to cry. I had just crushed the image of her perfect future life, and yet, I couldn’t help but giggle at her severe response. One popcicle and a few hugs later, the rocks were picked up completely and life was good again.

Thanks for the Smiles Bonnie and Peaches….

// April 27th, 2009 // No Comments » // All Blog Posts

I found this in our local paper a few months ago. I chuckle everytime I see it. In fact, I keep it posted in our kitchen, and never tire of seeing it. So thank you, Bonnie and Peaches, for the neverending smiles you bring to my heart almost each and every day.

Dola the Doula

// April 25th, 2009 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

My dear friend, Bindi, was blessed to have her husband and a doula by her side while laboring with her third child, Nigel. Her husband, Glenn, retells the entire story quite well. My favorite part is that the doula’s name is actually Dola! Dola the Doula. Hillarious! Need I say more?

Great Quote – “Marinate” On This One

// April 23rd, 2009 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

“We don’t wait well. We’re into microwaving; God, on the other hand, is usually into marinating.”

- Dutch Sheets in his book, Intercessory Prayer: How God Can Use Your Prayers to Move Heaven and Earth

Going From Two to Three

// April 21st, 2009 // 1 Comment » // All Blog Posts

Since JD came along a few months ago, I have been asked numerous times what it is like going from two kids to three. I was never able to really answer that because I just didn’t know exactly how to describe it. But, as with many, many things, given enough time, clarity eventually rises to the surface. So here’s my take on it:

The difference between going from two to three kids is going from “constant” to “constantly constant.” There is a difference but it’s the same kind of ongoing commotion you experience with having two kids; it’s just a bit more amplified in a slightly different way when the third child comes along. I can only imagine that adding a fourth child would look something like “constantly constant consistently” and that going to five kids would simply be “just insanely constant”.

With each additional child, your management of “constant” becomes crucial to the ultimate success of your parenting. I have learned through trial and error, success and failure that you can either be “crazy constant” or “controlled constant.” The ultimate difference between the two at the end of the day is how much anxiety or genuine peace you feel in your house despite the hectic “constantness” of your day.

I never knew…..

// April 15th, 2009 // 4 Comments » // Family Updates

I never knew before I had kids:

• that getting into and out of the YMCA with 3 kids would take just as long as actually working out
• that there are really 12 mealtimes a day
• that you can indeed function, sometimes even quite well, on less than 3 hours of sleep and several cups of coffee, several nights in a row, even weeks in a row if necessary
• that everyone sleeping until 7 am is “majorly sleeping in”
• that baby wipes are incredible stain removers
• that packing up to go anywhere just for a few errands requires a rather large suitcase of necessities for “just in case”
• that I would actually enjoy watching “Aladdin” for the 20th time just to hear our kids squeal with delight
• that being a mom day-in and day-out would be my greatest challenge and my greatest joy all at the same time