Sisters...

How awesome to see my two girls sitting in bed reading books quietly together. No fighting, no pulling hair... only in a diaper/ pullup- yes, that's how we roll.

Valentine's Day...

These pictures are a little late from Valentine's, but I forgot they were in my camera. What a feast! So cute seeing them all (even Kate) go through their Valentine's from school.

Explaining Lent to a 5 year old...

Tomorrow is Fat Tuesday and time to prepare for Lent. I told Little D that he could bring beads to school tomorrow to share with his class. Here is our conversation tonight:

D: What is Fat Tuesday? We all have to be fat?

Me: (laughing) No, it is just a day to prepare for Lent. This is the time before Easter when we think about Jesus and how He died on the cross for the bad choices we make.
On Wednesday, it is called Ash Wednesday and they make a cross on your head with ashes.

D: Awesome! I love crosses!

Me: Then during Lent- we give something up that we really enjoy like a favorite drink like coke.

D: Oh, well, Ms. Melissa (his teacher) likes to drink coke.

Me: Okay. Well, we can give up something that is a favorite thing or do things differently- like choosing to share with sisters or not yelling at each other- speaking kindly.

D: Well, how about I give up being at school!

Brent: Yes, I will give up being at school, too.

Me: (laughing) Nice try!

Caroline.... the rat

Caroline loves taking things and hiding them. The problem is I can't find her hiding spot. I am missing toothpaste and her tennis shoes! The other day we were missing chapstick and David's toothbrush. These have been found though. I caught her one day putting on the chapstick, and the toothbrush was in my nightstand drawer!?! My makeup and devotional book are her favorites to take. Who knows what else is missing that I don't even know about! I have cleaned out her whole closet, looked under beds, under the couch/ pillows, everywhere... How can a pair of tennis shoes be gone? She is quite the sneaky little girl! If anyone comes over, she even tries to sneak in their purse. I have found her many times under the kitchen table with my purse. If she is around..... beware! She is storing up for something.

Soul Mate Friends....

My friend DeNae is such a treasure to me. She has been my best friend for 20 years. It is so amazing that we do not see each other for months but stay so close. She came in town from Austin this week and stayed with us for a couple of nights. She just left today, and it makes me so sad to see her go. Usually when you don't see someone regularly, you drift apart not knowing what to say to each other or just talk about "old times". I am not saying we don't laugh and laugh over old times, but we share who we are now. We have both changed so much, but we have grown together and I will always have such a special place in my heart for her. We are so similar that you would think we were sisters. To me, she is my sister. We can share our deepest selves with each other- all the good and bad- and still love each other. We have such a strong bond that will never break, and I am so blessed to have her in my life. She is my soul mate friend.

Obama... at Little Ceasars

The other night we went to Little Ceasars to get our fast, tasty dinner. We went through the driveway, and a new person comes out that we hadn't seen before. He was African American.

David yells out, " It is Obama!!"

me: "No, sweetheart. Obama is much too busy to work here."

D: "Yes, it is. It is Obama! He works here now."

me: "No, David. He works at the White House - far away."

D: "That is him. He has black all over his face!"

Luckily, the nice young man didn't hear him. We were pulling away, but David still believes that he saw Obama.

Love and Forgiveness

I am still reading The Power of a Positive Wife. It just takes me a while because I like to read this in quiet (so that is not often). The scripture she has given in the book is so amazing and perfect. In one chapter, she focused on love. I know I used to look for love to fill my heart on this world. No one can do this- no one can fully meet this need. God's love is so strong for us - it is humbling.
There is a part she writes, "Oh, what awesome and overwhelming love our heavenly Father has for us! Relish it. Enjoy it. Fill your heart with it! As we recognize and receive God's love for us, it awakens our love for those around us."

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" 1 John 3:1

The next chapter talks about forgiveness and how important it is to teach your children and be in your family. Sometimes it is so hard to forgive others and especially ourselves, but He pours forgiveness on us.
She included this beautiful verse:

"He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Isreal: The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accusenor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust." Psalm 103:7-14

She says that forgiveness requires God's strength not our own. The first step is just to recognize . Sometimes anger and bitterness creaps into our heart. Se aside a day each week to reflect and do a "forgiveness check".
Second is to realize. Realize everyone falls and we are dependent on God's power to forgive. Third is to release. Picture a heavy bucket filled with all the hurts and disappointments. Instead of throwing it all back on your husband's head over and over, imagine holding over the ocean and letting it go. Finally, resume your relationship. Support and encourage him. Help him to be the person God created him to be. Actions speak volumes with love and forgiveness.

"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:18

Shaving Cream Mania

Tonight, I decided to add some fun to bath time. The kids love playing with shaving cream at school, but I usually save those types of art for school. I am sorry- I really try, but it is so messy! Well, I let them all pile in the bath (except Brent, of course :) ) and then sprayed shaving cream all over the tile walls. Oooooooh, I heard some squeals of delight! They loved it! They were laughing and giggling and having so much fun. David was even writing his name and letters in it. Mmmm... nice- learn and play. Plus, the bonus for me- easy clean up. They even wanted to clean it up because that is fun to wipe off. Now our house does have an overwhelming shaving cream odor, but everyone went to bed with smiles and memories.

Little Prayers... they are precious in His sight

Tonight I was saying prayers with David before going to sleep. I have been trying to say "Our Father" with him, but he gets so frustrated about not knowing the words. It made me begin to think... I do want him to hear it and learn it one day, but right now our focus needs to be just talking to God. I said my prayer with him, and then he began his:

He said, "Thank you for helping me not scribble. I have been good and bad sometimes, too. I really love you, but sometimes I just don't know the words. Help me to know the words. I really like you. Amen"

How precious and innocent! What a gift to teach and lead him to pray. How sweet to hear my child talking to God!!

Family Competition

I am getting addicted to Wii. I love this game! We got this from my dad and stepmom for Christmas and have had so much fun! We mostly play the bowling- my score is improving and I am getting lots of turkeys! Fun- didn't even know what a turkey was until now. :) I was actually sore after playing the games. Love that!

Also got Wii fit from my mom. Nice! They really hold you accountable and ask where I have been if I haven't been on in a while.... pressure! I also got a game called My Fitness Coach. This is similar to Fit, but has different exercises.

On less active nights, we play in our new family band with Guitar Hero world tour.
I never realized until playing this how well my husband can play the drums. He has always told me he played, and he beats on things like the table or steering wheel while listening to music, but he is really good.

I thought, "Wow... he's hot!!!" Nice to think your husband is hot after 12 years!

I must go... time to play Wii!!! ;)

Exhausted

I am exhausted from this Christmas break. I think we all need and are ready to go back to school- thank goodness it starts next week. We need the routine back and the flow of regular activities. Each child has tested me and gone to the limits. I feel like my house has gotten out of control!!! Worn out... frustrated... exhausted...

Falling in Love

I know that there are times when I want to pull my hair out, but then they do something sweet. Today my littlest one climbed up in my lap and fell fast asleep. I just looked at her and fell in love with her all over again. Her precious little face- she looked like a sweet little angel. It made me go back in time when she was born and all of them were born. I was just remembering the peace and love I felt holding each one- their tenderness. Even though they can be little maniacs, I love them with all of my soul.

Naughty or Nice.........

NAUGHTY!!!!!

These girls have lost their minds! They have teamed up to get into any kind of trouble imaginable. They get into my purse and pull everything out of my wallet. They get into David's bathroom cabinets and pull all kinds of things out. They got his wallet and pulled it all out on the floor under the table and ran around with twenties and ones in their hands- which is how I knew this wallet wasn't mine. They pull out all their clothes from the drawers and toys everywhere in the room. Who are these people?!?

After the one millionth time of cleaning the room and mess, I took action beyond spanking and time out. All toys taken away- no princesses, no barbies, no little animals, no rudolph!!! I put all toys high in the closet and garage and left a few books and stuffed animals. They are going to earn back their toys! Now what? This seriously better work before I have to padlock everything in the house. After a day, Caroline has been asking, " Can I have my princesses?" "Sorry, not yet!" I say. I am not sure when they will get them back, but they will not get everything at once. Exhausted....ready to go back to school/ mother's day out....need some adult interaction....and quiet. I may have to call Supernanny again...look out, girls!!!!!

Frosting Cookies... mmm....

We decided to make some sugar cookies and the kids were going to help me frost them. I gave each one their own cookie, frosting, sprinkles, and a spreader. David was the only one that covered his with frosting and decorated it- then ate the finished product. The girls' frosting didn't make it on their cookie. A little on the spreader... a little in my mouth. I have to say that I did get some quiet for about 30 minutes with this project.