Funny things they "say"

We went to the Y today. The boys have swim lessons.  I guess they don't like the dressing rooms. As we pulled into the parking lot Tommy pipes up and says "Ok Charlie! Just take dad's hand and close your eyes". Yeah, I wouldn't want to see a bunch of naked old men either!!!

Penny's hair is finally long enough for "tony tails"....love that kid. 

Whenever Penny gets one of her sippy cups and it has beads of water running down the side she says, "Mama, there are raindrops on my cup!"

Wash me a new

Trent has been traveling a bit the last two weeks. That coupled with 2 extra days off of school for the kids, a birthday party and a killer migraine, left me a bit frazzled. Really it was the migraine that prompted me to send out an SOS text to my girls begging for prayers for my sanity.  I can kind of laugh about it now that it has passed....kind of ;)

Motherhood is hard sometimes, just plain hard.  Usually, I am the one that makes it most difficult though.  Comparing myself to what "other" mothers accomplish or do is really the evil of all things. And when I get overwhelmed with what I have NOT done, that is when the ugly, not so nice, cranky, needing to apologize later for MY bad behavior, Mommy comes rearing her ugly head!

And so while my friends were hitting their knees all over the city for me, I hit mine.  I knew the reason that my tank was empty.  Sure, a migraine, a traveling husband and extra activities didn't help, but really I was floundering in the sea of life because I had not knelled before Him in several days.  I needed to run back to Him in the quiet of my room, to reconnect if even for a few moments.  He met me there, right where I was, just like He always does. He washed me a new, clean like the snow and I was able to then be the mommy I so badly want to be.

The next day the children, one by one came down with a tummy ache.  I did a crazy thing, I kept them all home from school.  They could of gone to school and muddled through their day but I felt the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit telling me to keep them close.  And so I did. We stayed in our jammies all day.  Daddy brought us gingerale, soup and ice cream for lunch. We rented  a movie and snuggled on the couch.  We napped and woke up at dinner time.  It was such a great day and I was grateful that I had listened and obeyed.

Bear turns 9

Nine years ago this boy stole our hearts and made us parents.  We were chosen to be HIS mom and dad. To love him, raise him, care for and provide for him. 

Nine Things I LOVE About Charlie:
1. He truly is the sweetest kid and wants to please.
2. He has the most incredible laugh.
3. He is beyond creative and amazes us with all the incredible things that he draws and makes.
4. He is sensitive.
5.  He is so much fun to be around and to do things with.
6. He tries really hard to be a good friend and wants to include everyone.
7. He loves his baby brother and sister.
8. He marches to his own drum.
9. He loves Jesus and isn't afraid to tell others about how awesome God is.

God made you perfectly in His image.  We pray that the gifts that God has given you will only mature and grow stronger.  We love everything about you and are so excited to see what this year holds for you.  I tell you all the time to stop growing and your sweet response is "I can't Mom.  But I will always be your baby!".  You better believe it kid!!!

Christmas Break 2014

The boys went back to school yesterday.  They had had two weeks off for Christmas and then an additional two snow days.  The temperatures were frigid.

We did a lot over their break and then we did nothing at all.  It was a good balance.

Penny saw The Grinch for the first time this year.  She is obsessed.  So much so I had to run out and purchase both the movie and the show.  Throughout the day she will bust into character and my sweet three year old turns into The Grinch.  Cracks me up!

 

the boys playing pokemon and being super sweet to one another

 We were stuck inside a lot because it was too cold to go outside. Like -12 too cold.  We had to be creative to keep the cabin fever away!

wrestle mania

  Every day was a good day for a dance party. Especially when Daddy joined in! He is the best daddy. He does everything and anything for these babies.  They are so blessed that God choose this man to be their Daddy.

I love having all the children home.  The slower pace, no schedule or lunches to be packed.  Easy lunches together and snuggles all day. 

long, lazy lunches ;)

By Tuesday we were all ready to get out of the house and off to school they went.  I was sad to see them go but also grateful for the long days together.  It just made me excited for summer break.

New Years 2014

Our little family stayed home, warm and together to bring in the New Years.  Actually, we didn't do anything special but tuck the children into bed at the regular hour, eat some takeout and call it a night. Trent and I actually saw the ball drop this year.  I love the way that man dances!!!

I asked Trent to send me the photo from NYE. Apparently he felt that this is the BEST picture of us on that night. Silly boy.

I have to be honest, this year is a blur.  I can only think of good things so that is a plus, but the months kind of blend together.  I really think it was the medication I was on.  Thank goodness that is behind me! 

We took the children to the movies last night.  It was Penny's very first.  She was just precious perched on Trent's lap with her little arm tucked behind her head.  I looked over my little family and was so proud and full of love for each of them.  I am so blessed to be Trent's wife and the mother of these three beautiful kids.  There is no place I would rather be.

I just sense that there are going to be some fantastic things happen in '14.  

Confiscated

I have been busy organizing life.  

One of my goals this Christmas break is to get all our photos together and print out books for 2012 & 2013.  

I love finding these snapshots from when the kids confiscate my camera. Tommy is the main culprit.  He makes me laugh.

Christmas 2013

 There is something magical about Christmas morning.  The awe, the wonder, the magic. Even if it does begin at 4:30am :)

 I love my sweet boys.

 Santa WAS here!

 Charlie's favorite gifts: Skylanders, Pokemon and Mario Kart

 Tommy's favorites: DRUMS, Red Ranger Samaria Power Ranger costume

 Penny: Calico Critters car

 Look at that face.  We will endure all the Noise music for the joy that it brings this fella.

 Doctor Penny to the rescue.

After presents we put the turkey in and took a nap. A LONG nap and then ate, and ate.  It was perfect!

Halloween Fun 2013

If I had to sum up Halloween this year in 5 words it would be: BUSY, crazy, FUN, Family, kids.  I was a hard week, I won't lie.  There was just to much to do, to many projects that had to be completed, parties to plan, sweet treats to make, costumes to finish etc, etc, etc.  Halloween is a big event around here.  We love to help the kids come up with their costumes, often times making them.  But that takes a lot of work and planning and then some more work.  I also love to be involved with the boys' class parties.  This year I am the room mom for Tommy's class.  I volunteered to make not only Tommy's class but also Charlie's class their sweet treat for the class parties.  Let's just say that Trent and I were up to our elbows in rice krispie treats the night before the party. But the kids loved them, and THAT is why we do what we do. 

Kids, if you don't remember anything else about holidays and the traditions that we do each and every year.  I hope that you will remember that whatever we did we did for you.  To make you happy, to make you smile and to make you feel special. 

Charlie's Class Party 3rd Grade

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Charlie was the Red Knight Phantom from the Legend of Zelda

Tommy's Class Party 1st Grade

Tommy was the Golden Knight Phantom from the Legend of Zelda

Things to remember about Trick or Treating 2013:
* Penny demand to go home after about 30 minutes because she said she had "TOO MUCH candy".  What kid does that?!
*Charlie was just TOO cool to carry a plastic pumpkin to gather his candy. Sooooo, he choose to use his pillowcase like the "big" kids.  The funniest thing he said was "I can't WAIT to go to sleep tonight!!" Me: "Really?! Why?" Charlie: "Because then my pillow case will smell like candy" To funny!

Beautiful Fall Day

The children at Mulbery Farms 2013

Today was the most beautiful day.  The trees are all changing into their magnificent Fall colors, the sun was shining brightly with puffy white clouds against the most brilliant blue sky and the weather was cool and crisp.  It was stunning, really.

But the best part was that we were together as a family, all five of us.  The boys had the day off of school and Trent took the day off of work.  We had a flurry of activities but it wasn't rushed or hurried.  We set our own pace and really enjoyed being with each other.  Truth be told, Miss Penny set some of our schedule with her shrieking from the backseat of the car but we were late with naps so I can't really blame her ;)

We made our Fall rounds. Halloween decorations at the dollar store, homemade donuts from Patterson's bakery, pumpkins from Mulberry Farms and Halloween train ride and family fun at Magic Whooloween at Penitentiary Glenn.

This boy had just informed me that he would NOT be participating in some of the "fun".  It was far too embarrassing for him. I swear he turned into a teenager on the drive out :(

 Halloween train ride at Penitentiary Glenn is one of our all time favorite family activities.  We have been going for years and we all love it.  This was Penny's first time with us.  She loved it.  She said the train was "a little scary".