Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Peanut Butter Lover's Month

Wow... So if i counted correctly it's been about 5½ months since i last posted. Ever have a "hey-this-will-be-a-great-way-to-keep-track-of-things-happening-in-our-lives" moment? Like starting a blog... lol. 

It's November... the month of Thankfulness.  It's also Peanut Butter Lover's Month. Or at least that's what we learned during storytime at the library last week.  But we're focusing on being thankful this month.  It would be easy to jump straight to Christmas... after all, people are putting up Christmas decorations and lights already... and the toy commercials... yeah, don't even get me started on those!!  Thanksgiving is important to me.  Not just because society around us wants to skip it and jump from Halloween to Christmas, but because instilling gratitude in my kids' hearts is so important.. especially in the world we live in.  Respect and manners in general have fallen by the way side... but i for one am not letting that happen in our house!!

So, the kids were so excited when i drew leaves and cut them out for our Thankful Tree.  Every day they're adding things that they're thankful for.. So far... Daddy, Nana, Mommy, Jesus, Grandma, birthday parties, cousins, and a warm house.   It will be interesting once the most obvious ones are taken what they will come up with.  It's also fun to watch our 'tree' filling up with leaves... as the ones outside are emptying of them.  

Today I'm thankful for laundry.  The seemingly endless chore with hundreds of pieces, means i have a family to care for... and money to buy clothes for them.  What are you thankful for today?

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Walking on Water: What's Your Message? A Giveaway!

Walking on Water: What's Your Message? A Giveaway!

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Life Surrounded by K's... [my family that is]

Today has been one of those days.. and it's not even lunchtime yet! Karson waking up in a bad mood, and is continuing the grouchies no matter how much I've tried to put him in a good mood [I'm pretty sure it's his 2 year molars], Kiana annoying him just enough that he pinches her, which results in her crying.. for like 5 minutes. [not sure what happened to my tough girl] Karson barely apologetic, but giving a hug and saying 'sorry' none-the-less..mostly to escape a time-out i think.. and Kiana's response ~ EVERY time!! ~ "I forgive you!" Doesn't matter if she's still crying because the wound still hurts, or her feelings still hurt because of what he did, she responds that way to anyone who says "I'm sorry" to her. Wow. I've learned some lessons from my kiddos.. 

When I think I'm teaching them, they show me something that I need to work on in my own life. Disappointments, frustrations, hurts, betrayal.  All feelings I've had.. Whether with my husband or others.  How many times did i say "I forgive you"? Eventually, yes. But right away?  When i watch her say it, I rarely, if ever have thought that she's just saying it, just going through the motions.  Her demeanor changes, she truly forgives. How many times would my hurt feelings NOT have turned into bitterness and anger if i could've said those 3 words right away. Or told someone that i was sorry immediately, instead of letting their hurt feelings turn into anger.

Well, this post took a whole new turn. : )  I love it when God speaks to me through my kids.. and even just writing about my day!
My s-i-l took this pic..
it won 1st place in her school's art show!!





My day's tone has since changed... the "house" they were playing in [and hurting each other in] turned back into a table, they played with Kylie and had her giggling for a long time. Karson came to 'tell me secrets', and they actually played together nicely for awhile! : ) *sigh*

Someday i know that i won't remember days like these [thank God], but those will be the days when i will miss the innocence i see in their faces, the "i forgive yous" that maybe won't be as quick to be said.
snacktime with friends..



Kiana just turned 4 a few weeks ago.. and it seems she's grown up even more. She's such a huge help to me, and she loves doing it... for now. : )  She is turning into quite the responsible little 4-yr-old! I love hearing her talking to her 'Daddio' on the phone, and sounding so grown up. I love watching her conquer writing another letter that she's struggled with getting 'just right'. She's my little ballerina, and I had the privilege of watching her perform her dance last week, and looking forward to her recital this weekend. She loves making 'lists' of all the things that she can help me with... and she does! There have been times when she'll come to the kitchen where I'm washing the dishes and say, "Mommy, how about i do that so you don't have to!" Such a sweetheart!
[picture day at dance... this was her idea of posing ;)]

Kiana and her friend Piper at dance..

love.her.


Karson is officially 22 months as of yesterday.  Where has the last 2 years gone!? I love the stage he's in right now.  Figuring things out for himself, learning all sorts of new words... His vocabulary expands every day.  My favorite thing to hear him say is okay. He says "tay". Not sure why it's my favorite... reminds me of the Little Rascals i guess. :) I especially love hearing him say it when I'm explaining something to him, because i know he gets it.. remember it? not always. ;) We're working through the rough-with-Sissy phase right now... hitting, punching, shoving, wrestling... Trying to teach him to be a gentleman, but still letting him be a boy has me stumped at times! He has a very sweet heart though, and I'm so glad for that! He's always looking out for his baby sister, even if he's rough with his older one. I can see them [KJ and Kylie] in a few years... best pals while Kiki is at school. : ) The other day he was sad about a Christmas story that pictured Baby Jesus in a barn surrounded by baby animals... Karson thought that his Mommy should come back and he didn't want the baby in a barn. It was a little sad watching his little heart break at that thought. He's my snuggler, and I'm enjoying it while he still does too. ; )

-painting-

He loves all things Semi and Tractor ;)
My Sweetheart
Kylie is 6 months.. The time has flown since her birth. It's hard to remember what life was like with just 2! At first i didn't know when life would ever feel 'normal' again, but it has settled into a routine and I'm loving it! She sits by herself, is eating some baby food now, rolls from tummy to back, talks and giggles a lot, still sleeps all night, and is growing like a weed!  I've just noticed how bored she gets if she doesn't always have something in front of her to do or see... and how aggressive she's become watching her older siblings.
Playing with Cooper..
Sister Love.
Checking each other out..
Happy with food :)

 I love all the differences in my kids' personalities and character traits... I'm learning the importance of loving them individually, the way they need it most. Not treating them the same, or expecting them to respond to the same type of discipline the same... bummer right? ; )
[Mother's Day 2011]

Thank you God for the privilege of being these precious kids' Mommy! Thank you for the lessons you teach me everyday as i attempt to be the best i can be. Help me in 'this time in between' to serve you with my whole heart, and in doing so, set an example for these young souls to follow. Not that I'm perfect... it's only through your grace that i have any good in me at all. Amen. 

p.s. this was written a few days ago... just finally getting the chance to finish it up..