The Rainy Day!

I got to sleep in today!  I slept until 8 something and it was delightful. 

Sweet Ben unloaded the dishwasher too.  :)

We headed to Dunkin Doughnuts for the boys.  Let's keep it real, me too!

I have been working out EVERY day this week and I was ready to blow it!

YUM YUM!!!!

It was a rainy day here, so the boys and I got out glitter glue (glitter mess) and had a blast.

It turned into finger painting.  We all enjoyed it. 

Then, we got out the play dough.  I STILL love playing with play dough!  We made worms and shapes.  What fun.

The simple things in life are so delightful when we slow down enough to enjoy them.  

OF COURSE THERE WAS MUD JUMPING!  The boys love a rainy day that leaves behind mud puddles!  Nothing cuter than a little boy jumping full speed ahead into a puddle!  

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Ben and I had a date last night.  We went to a delightful hole in the wall that serves steak and rolls that are to die for.  If you are a local-it starts with a C.  YUM!!!   Tell me if you like it too!  

When we got home, our sitter had the baby with her.  After she left, he looked at me and said, "Mommy. Honey, rock a baby."  He has started calling me Honey!  :)  

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Enjoy your Sunday!  

Thank you Lord!

Many of you have heard about our friend, Hannah Grace. 

We are thrilled that she was able to be taken off of the vent today.  Her parents have amazing strength and peace.  We give God all of the glory and will take His healing in whatever way He chooses.  Please continue to pray for her.

Potty Training

Potty training started.  Potty training ended.  

I am not that motivated.  Neither is he.  Like NOT. AT. ALL.

He wet all over the floor.  Multiple times.  It is a no go.

Howdy!

Okay.  Get ready.  This is going to be random.  As if you can't tell by the title.  Obviously I don't have one thing in particular to say.

Today a lamp broke.  When I asked Benjamin what happened, he said, "I was launching myself off of the table."  

No need to go any further.  Thanks buddy.  I am glad you are into aerodynamics.  

Luke is the shining star this week.  His teacher works so hard at making the children feel important. She asks them questions on a piece of paper you fill out with your mom and dad.

Question: "What is your favorite Bible verse?"

Luke stated quickly, "Matthew 21:16."

(I was puzzled.  Lori, I hadn't gotten to this one yet. ;) Had to look it up.)

"Do you not hear what these children are saying?" they asked him.

"Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read,

"From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise'?"

I asked him if he heard this verse in class.  He said no.  He had never heard it before, but he just knew it was his favorite verse.

David is into poop painting.  I guess it might be another form of finger painting.  Gross.  

I am not into this type of art.  He is 2 1/2 and I know from two other little boys, the longer you wait to potty train, the easier it can be.  So, I might give it a try or I might not.  He is not happy in a poopy diaper.  I wouldn't be either.  I have to get it off of him so quick or the painting starts.  You get my drift.  What would you do?

So there you have it in a nutshell.  My life:  Children launching and poop painting.  Ain't this the good life!

Oh yeah, for you folks that have asked about the cake.  It turned out great!!!!  I will post pictures as soon as I find the cord to download them.  We had a wonderful time celebrating Luke.

Happy Birthday

Dear Luke,

You are full of life.  You live passionately and with great zeal.  You love others deeply!  Do you see the picture of you running on the beach?  You were trying to catch a seagull.  You can see the tip of his wing along the wave.  That is just like you, Baby.  You run  hard through life.  

We are so proud of your determination. We know that the Lord has a 

wonderful plan and

purpose for your life. We are thankful for your early faith and trust in Jesus. May you be a

man

of God. We pray that you would use your strength, determination, and faith to reach the

world for Jesus.  

I will never forget the night that you said your heart was in China having a tea party. You 

were just 4 years old then, but perhaps it might be one day.  Oh how we laughed, but you 

continue to want to know so much about China, and pray for the people there that I just have to wonder if 

one day my baby might be reaching the Chinese with Jesus.

Wherever you are and whatever you become your Daddy and I will

"love you forever and like you

for always. Forever my baby you will always be."

Happy 5th Birthday!!!!!

A list.

1.  Lost my child today.  Yes, I was with him.  Let's just say he arrived via golf cart.  More to come on this later.

2.  Cakes baked, not decorated.

3.  House needing to be cleaned.

4.  Dinner to take to friends.

5.  I am listening to my soon to be 5 year old count- he's on 45 right now.  He's supposed to be asleep, but how precious is that?  

6.  I am taking time to slow down a bit.  Thankful the party isn't until 3 tomorrow and enjoy serving my family.  It is too easy to become resentful of our duties (service opportunities) as a mom.  So, I am choosing this minute to embrace them and do all that needs to get done with a cheerful heart.  It is about the heart isn't it?  So, even if I check off my to do list and I do it with grumpy pants on-what does that make me?  Answer: A grumpy list checker.   I think I'll opt for the happy heart and get done all that I can and what is undone will be there tomorrow.

So today has come...

Yep.  Today arrived.  It began at 6:15 with my younger gang waking to their baby brother bringing in the sunshine.  They usually don't get up until 7:00 or later, but I was thankful to not be as rushed getting my 3 munchkins out the door.

So my project today is Project Spiderman.

Luke's birthday is Saturday.

I make their cakes.

BIG cakes.   It is a tradition by default.  Now, they won't have anything to do with an ordered cake.  

So, I have done frogs, caterpillars, bulldozers, trains, the number 2, a shield, a bicycle (using 2 cookie cakes), you get the picture. 

I have not done a character.  So I am embarking on new territory today.  I am not a big fan of spiders anyway, but the Lukester loves the guy.  Has never seen him in a movie, but thinks he rocks.  

I will keep you posted on the progress or the lack there of in my building of the cake.

You might not hear from me for a few days....

What do you do for birthday cakes?

Today. Needs. To. End.

One of those days. 

Started bad.  Still bad. 

HOWEVER, I will not, by the grace of God let it get the best of me.

All of this before the beach...

Do you know what this is?  

The boys brought this to me on Friday laughing.  They had been outside playing in the dirt in the backyard.  They thought it was hilarious that this "worm" was bleeding and still moving.  They called it a surprise for me.  People, it was MOVING.  Yes, bloody, fleshy, movement.  First thought, a snake's tail.  Nope, too smooth.  IT was a SKINK's tail.  Gross. To think they thought this was funny.  YUCK!

When I asked the boys to get into the tub, David took it seriously.  He got in with his diaper still on.

Just a little cleaning out of the closet.  See the pile on the left?  I'll post after pictures.  Maybe.  If I can get it done between skink tails, diaper baths, and the like.

 Beach pictures coming soon....

Donna, this one is for you.

These are the finds from The Rescue Mission.  

2 cute skirts and 2 cute shoes.

I do bargains.  Only bargains.

These my friend, were bargains.

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Now, about this.  

I want to help hungry people.

I have three small children, so this is a little tricky logistically.

Do you know about freerice?

I don't agree with many policies that the UN supports, but I do agree with helping the hungry.

Go to this website and feed the hungry; for free.

If you don't want to do this, do something.  We are called to.

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Today, we were in the car running errands.  

From the back seat came theology at its finest.

Benjamin said, "I want to have a wrestling match with Jesus."

I was like, "Oh really."

"Why?"

He said,"Well, so I could surrender."

"It would be called Conquering Sin."

Seriously people, that really blew me away. 

This is My Tutorial...

So, by now you are wondering what in the world would she be doing a tutorial about.

Sorry to disappoint.  It is NOT the wicker cushions.

It is how we do Valentine's cards.  

It's not so crafty.  

We did enjoy time together around the table as we each went about our different tasks.  Note the word different.  

Just so you know, I tried for two days to have a "child" created valentine signing event.  The boys signed like six.  So now you might be thinking I should have had them involved in making something creative.  Nope.  I stated in my last post that I am not going there.  

So there you have it.

 

For your perfect Valentine's card you need:

1.  Tape

2.  Candy 

3. Boxed, tacky Valentine's bought from your favorite chain.

4.  Pencil (note that mine is camouflage, I live with all males). 

While I did this...

They did this...

Whew.

Today was party day.

I had three Valentine's Parties today.

At. The. Same. Time.

There were Valentine's to make.  Or rather sign.  I am so over making anything (nothing against you peeps that make Valentine's). :)

I did most of the work, driving and writing with VERY little participation from my three boys.  Why Hallmark do we have to buy all of this stuff?

There were a lot of kids 6 and under with way too much sugar.

Like WAY too much.

My kids hands are green from that nasty food coloring in Fun Dip.  It is probably poisoning their insides.  

My kids were brushing their teeth at 4:00 p.m. for fear their teeth might fall from their head.

We are meant for more...

photo: courtesy of flickr

Today, I lost my car keys.  

To make a long story short, I yelled at God.  Yes, out loud.  

"Why did YOU do this to me this morning?" I cried.

The boys spent the night with my mom and dad.  They don't do this very often, so it was a real treat to get ready this morning in some sort of normal way.

Then, to need to walk out the door and not be able to find the keys stressed me!

So, my scapegoat became God.  HE did this TO ME!

My calm morning, that I wanted to cruise to some good music and enjoy my coffee was gone.  I spent about 20 minutes looking for the keys.

Then, I found them where I always keep them.

God smiled.

I got in the car and drove silently for a moment.  Then, I began my apology to the Holy Creator of the universe.  I felt so sad that in a moment over lost coffee and music, I would blame my Heavenly Father.  I talked with Him for awhile, I confessed my pride and anger.  Then, He whispered, "I am working for your good."

I so often think God is somehow out to get me.  Oh beloved, if you know Jesus as the Savior of your soul, He IS WORKING FOR YOUR GOOD.  It so often isn't what we would choose, but we aren't meant to always be happy.  We are meant for more-may my focus shift from seeking earthly contentment to an eternal focus that produces joy and expectancy in the hope of heaven.

PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!

I have resin porch furniture.  You know, the kind that looks like wicker, but lasts a whole lot longer.  

The furniture is in good shape, but my cushions need help.  Coal, our big black lab has chosen the love seat for his daily lounging.  This, however, is about to come to an abrupt halt.  I am not sure how, but it's over if and WHEN I ever get new cushions.

I am on a quest.  I been looking for MONTHS!!!!  I have priced replacement cushions and they are too expensive in my opinion.

The love seat needs new cushions.  The other two chairs could stand new fabric.  Not a must, but wouldn't a fun spring/summer fabric give the porch a face lift?  

Do any of you ladies do cushions or know of someone that can?  I am DESPERATE!!!!!  

I EVEN thought of doing them myself, but Ben and I both laughed when we thought about this prospect seriously.

I used a stapler once to repair a tear in them....

You get the idea-I need help.  PLEASE! 

I hear the bells...

Guess what?

I am directing another wedding.  

I am so excited.

I am putting a notebook together for brides to be.

I love details.

Details are so much fun.

It really is an honor.  I am humbled beyond words and feel a bit silly that someone actually wants to pay me to help them plan the most fun day of their life.  I guess that is where my love of details comes in handy!

Please pray for me as I begin to prepare for this bride's VERY special day.  

Shades of Gray

I am a black and white thinker.

The older I get the more life seems to be gray.

Don't get me wrong, there are the clear lines drawn throughout the Scriptures that point us in very direct ways.  However, there seems to be a lot of other areas that aren't clear and to me, are shades of gray.

Thankfully, we are given the Spirit of Truth as believers.  I know that I am not trusting in my "goodness" or lack there of to guide me.  I am trusting in a Holy, perfect God that says, "This is the way, walk in it."  

  

Honey

For you moms out there that want to know what books to get for your child, check out Honey For A Child's Heart.  It gives a brief description of the books, which is helpful.

I just ordered it at Amazon.com.  It is a great resource recommend to me by a good friend, Sharri. Great for teachers and parents alike.