Moseley Musings

My kind of prayer!

2009-06-22T06:32:00.002-06:00

I am reading "The Power of a Positive Mom" by Karol Ladd AGAIN! Or maybe I should say still since I've picked it up and started it and quit a zillion times! Anyway, the last chapter was on prayer and I LOVED this one:

Dear Lord, so far today I am doing pretty well. I haven't screamed at the kids or thrown anything in a burst of anger. I have not grumbled or gossiped or whined. I haven't been greedy or self-centered. I have not yet charged anything to the credit card, and I haven't pigged out on the chocolate cake in the refrigerator. However, in a few minutes I will be getting out of bed, and I am going to need your help to make it through the rest of the day. Amen.

Don'tcha just LOVE that! The point of it, of course, is that this mom realized how much she needs God to make it through the day.

My two fave boys in the WORLD!

2009-06-04T22:06:00.003-06:00

What a great day today has been! Daddy came home for his days off, everyone actually listened (or at least didn't interrupt) during the morning devotion, chores were done in a timely and non-combatant manner, we went to "town" and got Marlie a new bike and helmet and ball gloves for all of us (well all the girls including me)! We all had a quiet time, the girls made a craft that goes with our Bible study that we are doing together while I made some VBS crafts for next week, we tossed the softball in the backyard, the two oldest girls made tacos for supper (they have started making one meal a week with my help - planning, shopping... the whole nine yards), then we went for a walk to the subdivision's park (brrrr... it was CHILLY), and laid on the driveway before heading in to get ready for bed. So far, everyone is in THEIR OWN bed sleeping soundly (except Keven and I of course)! Ahhhhh....

But maybe a highlight of the day was Tyler and Daddy giving "eskimo" and "butterfly" kisses at bedtime. And, Tyler seems to have made up a "bee" kiss which we aren't sure what it is as of yet! Keven is such a wonderful, affectionate daddy! I couldn't ask for more!

What a slacker!

2009-05-30T21:05:00.004-06:00

I am simply amazed at how busy it's been around here! I know I promised to keep up on my blog better but obviously that's not happened! Oh well, all I can say is I'll try!

The girls are glad to be out of school. Their last few days were so fun... for all of us! The day before school let out, Hannah's class had a special lunch and fun time on the school grounds. Me, Dani and Tyler had to go enjoy the fun and have lunch with Hannah. Then we played with bubbles and sidewalk chalk. It has been so adorable... Marlie's teacher's son is in Hannah's class. From the beginning of the year he took a liking to Tyler whenever I would bring him into class with me. His name is Logan and he really is such a sweet little boy. He always gives Tyler big hugs, sets him up with I Spy books to check out, etc... Well, this day was no exception. As soon as lunch was over, Logan rushed over to Tyler and whisked him away to play with the sidewalk chalk! FUN! Meanwhile, Hannah got her hands sticky in the bubbles! Did you know you could make bubbles with your hands? Where has this mama been?

That same day, Marlie's class went to a local park for 3rd grade olympics. What a hoot! And, WOW! It was a HOT day! They played three-legged soccer, frizbee golf, had a watermelon seed spitting contest, etc... what a fun day. At the end of the day they all signed each other's t-shirts as a keepsake. Marlie has hers on her bedroom wall. So cute! I didn't get to stay for many of the events as Dani was misbehaving which forced me to leave and deal with her. But that's another story altogether!

I was so sad that I forgot to take my camera when I picked the kiddos up from school on the last day. Can you believe I have NO pictures of Hannah with sweet Mrs. Anderson?! I might have to fake it and get one on the first day in the fall! And, so sad... Marlie's friend Hannah won't be returning in the fall! She had everyone in tears as she headed to her ride home just weeping! Poor thing! Then, at the beginning of this week I found a note in Marlie's things she brought home from school. It was from Hannah asking Marlie if they could be friends "no matter what"? How sweet is that!?

Here is a slideshow of field day at school!

I've been trying to come up with ideas to keep the summer going somewhat smoothly. I devised a chore chart that gets the entire house cleaned every two weeks, with some things getting done once a week. This was our first week using it and it's worked beautifully so far. The kids are LOVING it. I even got notes on my dry-erase board on the fridge telling me how much they love me after the first day! Wonder how long that will last? ;) And, we've started a fun Bible study called "Just Mom and Me Having Tea". My mom purchased the book for me when Marlie was a very little girl. I have since gotten one for Hannah and Dani too and have been waiting for years to do it while they all could "get it"! It's been great so far. We get together everyday after Tyler goes down for a nap and do a little something out of the workbook. One day a week we do a fun activity/craft and every two weeks there is a formal tea party with a theme. This week's activity was to decorate a "Me Box" and fill it with things that make you special. I set up a table outside and just let them go at it with the paints! They had a great time. Then after lunch I told them to go gather things for their boxes (Dani got some help from her sisters) but to keep it as secret as they could so it would be a surprise when we shared. So, after supper they shared their boxes. Fun stuff!

Here is a slideshow of the decorating fun and some of the things each girl had in their boxes. Oh, and even though this is a mother/daughter study, we couldn't leave Tyler out of the painting fun!

And finally a video of Tyler! I wish I could think of the proper way to set this up! Okay... Tyler and Daddy were playing a game. Tyler would run and Daddy would wipe him out with his blanket! Tyler would crash to the ground and laugh his little head off! LOVE it! Oh, and YES! That is Dani in the background insisting that someone wash her, she was in the tub. To her defense, she was getting ignored for the sake of play and recording said play! Poor kid!

What a busy time!

2009-05-14T14:45:00.007-06:00

I cannot believe it's been almost a month since I posted on here! What a slacker huh? I must admit, though, that I've been pretty good at keeping up with my Facebook... it's my blog that's been suffering. And, I've thought about posting several times but just never got to it. But, I know there are some of you out there who read my blog and are not on Facebook, so to you I apologize. There's been a ton of stuff going on in the lives of the Moseleys! So, needless to say, this will be the mother of all blog posts. Hope you have on your comfy pants and a cup of coffee because this may take a while!

I guess the first event since my last post would be Marlie's NINTH birthday. My goodness, where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday that we found out we were having our first baby and now here we are. Pretty soon she'll be "all growed up and haired over" (a family saying I guess) and we'll really be scratching our heads! Her celebrations started at school with a birthday bash at the end of the day. It was on Tyler's actual 2nd birthday (I'll post about that coming up) so she really wanted him to be there! We all went, even Hannah got out of class to help her big sister celebrate! It was fun. The whole class sang happy birthday to Marlie and her brother and we enjoyed cupcakes and ice cream! Then Marlie's friend, also a Hannah, spent the night with us. Marlie had a hard time choosing a friend to come stay but ended up choosing Hannah because she won't be going to school with Marlie next year. They are both so sad about that! Anyway, Marlie opened some presents that night! She got a bunch of things that she really liked but the ipod from Mom and Dad was a hit for sure!

That night all of us girls went to the high school's production of "Seussical the Musical", which they did a fantastic job on by the way!

On Friday morning we all got up and headed to Denver to go to the Aquarium. We've been there a few times as a family but Marlie's friend Hannah had never been so that's where she chose to go! How sweet is that!? From what I hear, Hannah totally loved it too! Good choice Marlie! And the final phase of Marlie's birthday celebration was a trip to her favorite restaurant, Cinzetti's! It's an Italian market style place. Too fun!

Friday afternoon, Hannah went home and the preparations for Tyler's 2nd birthday party the next day started! We made cupcakes (which Keven decorated) and strawberry ice cream piggies (which Keven did most of the decorating on), do you see a trend here?! They all turned out really cute!

So then Saturday was Tyler's big SECOND birthday. Again, where does the time go people? It was a John Deere themed party because the boy is obsessed with tractors. Well, just about anything mechanical but John Deere things in particular. We had a fairly small get-together with a lot of kiddos! It was fun!

Before I post this next video, I MUST explain. My mom called on the actual day of Tyler's birthday to sing to him. This is a video of Tyler asking her to sing it to him again, and AGAIN! So cute!

And here is a picture slide show of Marlie and Tyler's birthday celebrations!

RIGHT after Tyler's birthday party, Marlie had her piano recital! She did wonderfully!

Later that week, Marlie had her very first science fair! Her project idea was to see if the more expensive waterproof mascaras are "more waterproof" than the inexpensive ones. It was an experience I can say that! She wasn't much into the experimentation part of it, but putting the ideas all together and on her board was right up her alley! Here is a picture that her teacher took of her with her board! Oh, and if you're curious, the $3.50 Maybelline was just as good as the $24 Lancome or whatever it was! ;)

A week later Marlie and Hannah had their Elementary Spring Concert with school. It was called "A Kaleidoscope of Music" and was very cute! Here is a short (and blurry) video of the K - 5 graders singing "In Christ Alone" (I think that's the right title)!

The next night was a camp out at school for students in grades 3 -5 who completed a certain amount of reading in the "Book Adventure" program. It was supposed to be outside, in tents, on the football field but cool weather and high winds moved it inside to the gym. My sweet husband went with Marlie and "camped" with her there overnight! What a fun time for them! He even volunteered to bring his guitar and sing some praise music to wind the evening down! What an awesome daddy!

The day AFTER THAT (imagine me taking a breath!)... Hannah lost a tooth! Her daddy had to trick her but he got it out of there!

And finally, to get us up to date... on this past Tuesday, the third grade teachers and girls had a girls only lunch where they did their hair, painted nails and just engorged themselves in generally primping of all sorts. Is that the neatest idea you have EVER heard of? It is for me! I thought it was awesome! Anyway, here is a picture slide show of the campout and day of pampering!

I think that's it for my mega blog post! I'll try to keep you up better! Until next time...

Awesome video!

2009-04-17T10:10:00.001-06:00

I've seen this before but a friend sent it to me again via email and I just had to share!

New Memory Verse

2009-04-17T10:04:00.000-06:00

I may have gotten a little ambitious on this one but I love it.

Easter 2009

2009-04-13T20:46:00.003-06:00

What a fun Easter weekend we had! On Saturday we went to Sterling for an egg hunt and brunch at my aunt and uncle's house. The kids were so patient to wait until after brunch but once they were lined up at the door to run out... they could hardly stand it! Off they went!

Then we went to Keven's parents' house for an early dinner and a couple of card games. That is one of my absolute fave things to do... just hang out with the in-laws and play some good card games, even if Keven's dad does bray when he wins! ;) You know what I'm talking about Carl!

Sunday was up and at 'em for church. I had Easter bags waiting for each of the kids at their spot at the table. I decided on bags this year as we have several baskets (which I forgot for the hunt by the way) and they are just accumulating like crazy! And, I got bags that can be used for things other than Easter... that's what ya call usin' yer noggin! So, if you get a gift from me in one of these bags... sorry but it's a hand-me-down!

Off to church we went. This is the first Easter we've been able to attend our home church for Easter and we've been there almost three years. The first year I was HUGE and pregnant with Tyler and would've had to go to a FAMILY service BY MYSELF (Keven was working). Me, in a church service, huge and pregnant with three little ones... would not have been a pretty picture. And, last year Keven was working again and Tyler was sick so that meant we all had to stay home. It was an awesome time of worship! Our pastor teaches chapter by chapter, verse by verse and "just happened" to be ready to preach on Matthew 28. Pretty awesome!

I had put a ham in the oven before we went to church and when we got home I whipped up some sides and we ate here at home as a family. Was nice. Afterwards, we made Resurrection Rolls. That was fun! The kids had a good time and seemed to understand the symbolism behind it. I forgot to get pictures of the end products. Oh well!

Then Keven, Marlie, Hannah and myself watched "The Passion". I so hate and love that movie at the same time. It was hard to watch again and I was a little worried about the kids watching the violence of Jesus' beating, etc... what we forgot about were the images of Satan! Oh my goodness... can I just say that I feel like the worst parent EVER!?!???? Poor Hannah was up until midnight with those images in her head! She came to bed and held my hand and just cried wishing the night would end. She finally ended up going to bed with her strong daddy in the spare bed. I felt to terrible... still do! We'll see what tonight brings. Was a perfect opportunity to teach her that what we watch really does stick even if it's unintentional. Poor thing... too bad it was put there by her parents. Golly! Live and learn I suppose!

Here is a slideshow of the weekend's events!

Oh, and I almost forgot... here are a couple of pics of the kids with Megan... she is a sweet girl from church (and the girls' school) that they just adore! Tyler does too, he just doesn't quite know it yet!

The boy can BOOGIE!

2009-04-13T20:35:00.004-06:00

Oh man... I could just watch this kinda stuff all day! We were watching Rack, Shack and Benny (the Veggie Tales movie) after supper tonight and the second Tyler heard this song, he just couldn't help but shake his groove thang! Of course, by the time we got the camera he had lost a little of the oomph but it's still cute! By the way, he's never heard the song until tonight! I think he has an ear for good music! Ha ha ha!

The boy can BOOGIE!

2009-04-13T20:35:00.001-06:00

He is RISEN!

2009-04-12T06:41:00.000-06:00

Happy Easter everyone!

He lives indeed!

Resurrection Rolls

2009-04-10T07:22:00.002-06:00

Most of you have probably seen this recipe but I thought I would still post it just in case. It's a really fun, visual way to show kids the true story of Jesus' burial and resurrection. Enjoy!

Resurrection Rolls

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees

Ingredients:
Crescent rolls
Melted butter
Large marshmallows
Cinnamon
Sugar

Give each child a triangle of crescent rolls. The crescent roll represents the cloth that Jesus was wrapped in.

Read Matthew 27:57-61

1. Give each child a marshmallow. This represents Jesus.
2. Have him/her dip the marshmallow in melted butter. This represents the oils of embalming.
3. Now dip the buttered marshmallow in the cinnamon and sugar which represents the spices used to anoint the body.
4. Then wrap up the coated marshmallow tightly in the crescent roll (not like a typical crescent roll up, but bring the sides up and seal the marshmallow inside.) This represents the wrapping of Jesus' body after death.
5. Place in a 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes. (The oven represents the tomb - pretend like it was three days!)
6. Let the rolls cool slightly. The children can open their rolls (cloth) and discover that Jesus is no longer there, HE IS RISEN!!!! (The marshmallow melts and the crescent roll is puffed up, but empty.)

Now read Matthew 28:5-8

Explain: At the tomb, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary saw an angel, who told them not to be afraid. No one had taken Jesus' body, but He Had risen from the dead! The angel told the women to go and tell the disciples what they had seen, that Jesus had risen from the dead. They were so excited, they ran all the way home to tell the disciples the good news! He is risen from the dead! Alleluia!

After that Jesus appeared in person to Peter, then to the 12 disciples and after that, to more than 500 people. Jesus' appearance to eyewitnesses, those who saw Him with their own eyes, would give support and prove that Jesus rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3-6).

By rising from the dead, Jesus proved once and for all that He was the Messiah, the Savior of the World, the Chosen One, and the Lamb of God. By dying on the cross and rising from the dead, Jesus did what no other had ever done before. As both God and man, He overcame sin, death, and hell. And now because of what Jesus has done, these things no longer have any power over those who believe in Jesus and allow His Spirit to lead and direct them. Rather than being slaves to sin and death, Christians ( those who love and believe in Jesus) are free to obey God and do good ( Romans 6:17-18). The Bible says in John 8:36, "If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed."

However, we will only obey God if we listen to the Holy Spirit our helper. He enables believers in Jesus to do the right thing. It is important that we read the Bible (God's Word) because one of the ways the Holy Spirit helps us obey God is by reminding us of what He says to us in His Word. God's Spirit will never go against his Word. In fact, when we read God's Word, we are listening to the Holy Spirit. Of course, you won't always do the right thing; the Bible says this ) 1 John 1:5-10). But that is why we need to continue to confess our sins knowing that God forgives us, based on what Jesus did on the cross. This is also a reason we need to spend time with other believers in Christ so they can encourage us in our faith.

May you have a blessed and meaningful Easter!

Information taken from this post.

Especially good post...

2009-04-06T14:01:00.002-06:00

on the "Like a warm cup of coffee" blog. Here is the link... I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Hosanna! He is mighty to save!

2009-04-05T19:35:00.005-06:00

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!

Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and having salvation,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Zechariah 9:9
Written some 500+ years before this next passage:

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."

This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
"Say to the Daughter of Zion,
'See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' "

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. ⁹The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
"Hosanna to the Son of David!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Hosanna in the highest!"

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"

The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

Matthew 21:1-11

All praise to our King who is to come again, only this time it won't be on a lowly donkey but on a great white horse! How glorious that will be!

Please pray for Mark!

2009-04-02T20:33:00.001-06:00

I am updating my sidebar with a link to a lovely lady's site! I do not know her personally but have come to pray for her husband through friends of friends. You know how that goes! Anyway, her husband was in a horrific motorcycle accident this past weekend. Wait until you read her updates. This woman in a strong woman of faith! It will bless you and please pray for Mark!

New Verse

2009-04-01T19:09:00.003-06:00

Yes! I have a new memory verse, finally! I sure hope the last one sunk in... if not in word at least in essence and intention. I've already forgotten the first verse that I memorized when starting on this trek.

I actually got this verse from my mother-in-law today! I mentioned to her that I need to come up with a new verse to memorize and she had this one right handy! I LOVE it! I especially love the "perfect peace" part. What IS perfect peace?! I suppose we won't know it exactly this side of heaven. Or, I don't know... maybe there is that rare person who is consistently and steadfastly trusting in the Lord. I am not one of them... yet! I still struggle too much with giving up control and quickly taking back the reigns. But, we've been down that road before. No need to rehash at this point I suppose.

What I hope to take away from this verse is: First that it is God who gives us perfect peace. Not a bank account, not material possessions, not job security... though all of these things are nice.. but GOD! Second, perfect peace in conditional... it doesn't just come because we are born-again, although there is a certain peace that comes with that. But perfect peace comes from God WHEN and IF our minds are steadfast and trusting in Him alone.

So... may I (and you) remember to keep my eyes on the prize... oh, what a prize!... so that we can get a glimpse of the perfect peace that is promised to us! Praise God!

It's official... my babies are growing up!

2009-03-29T14:38:00.005-06:00

My baby is slowly but surely slipping away and becoming a little boy! I'm not ready! I guess I better brace myself 'cause it's ain't going away! On Friday, we set up his toddler bed. Was a little bit of a last minute decision as to when to do it. He did great for his nap. Just laid there and napped as usual. Same with Friday evening.

Here he is Friday afternoon at nap time. So proud of his big boy bed! And, of course, Dani had to be in on the whole thing! What a hoot!

And I had to sneak in and take a picture of him while he was sleeping Saturday at nap time.

Oh, I have to tell ya'll the funniest story! Tyler has obviously realized since Thursday's gloriously wonderful stay-in-bed time, that he can get OUT of his bed as he wishes. So, he got up once or twice at nap time yesterday but stayed in bed from then on. Last night was another story altogether! He got up once and just ran out of his room! Um, I don't think so! Tyler, you STAY in your bed, okay? Tyler: "Okay!" Next thing we know, his door is opening and he is on his hands and knees peeking out around the corner. Keven and I could not help but crack up! It was hilarious! We eventually put a gate up at his door so he cannot get out! He will learn. Funny how I have forgotten how this whole process went with the girls!

This afternoon he got out of bed (we were downstairs) and was sitting in the recliner reading a book! The gate went right up! He is now in bed, leisurely kicking the wall and singing to himself! Oh that child!

Now, to add insult to injury... I was watching Jimmy and Karen Evans on t.v. this morning. I love to listen to them on Sunday mornings if I get a chance. If you've never heard of them, here is a link to their site. Anyway, somehow he got on the subject of when you should have "THE talk" with your kids. His suggestion? Between the ages of 8 & 10! HUH?! Marlie will be 9 in a month! This cannot be happening! I feel like she is nowhere near ready to have that information. But, Jimmy Evans made a good point that we need to get to them before outside influences do. We need to approach them with a godly, biblical perspective before the world does with their misinformation! YES, that's right... but I'M NOT READY!!!!!! I've had the series called "God's Design for Sex" in my nightstand for quite some time. I guess it's time to get it out! YIKES!!!!!

CO Blizzard of '09

2009-03-29T14:14:00.004-06:00

Our area was hit with a significant amount of snow on Thursday morning for about 24 hours. According to the news, our area got a little over a foot of snow! All I can say is FUN!

I woke up Thursday morning wondering where all the snow that I was warned about was. But it didn't take long before the snow started while we were getting ready for school on Thursday morning. After listening to the local AM station for school closures, of which ours was NOT one, I reluctantly made the executive decision to NOT take the kids to school. We live 25 minutes away in a different town and just wasn't comfortable with the prospect of having to go out later to pick them up when school closed early. Of course, the school was supportive of our decision.

To make things even better, it was Keven's first day off for a week. We all went outside, IN THE BLOWING SNOW, and had a blast. But, it didn't last long as it was pretty brutal weather. So, we went in and had just a wonderful family day. Friday we woke up to sunshine and still LOTS of snow on the ground to play in. Keven went out with the kids and this time it was an hour and a half of pure snowy fun!

Thursday's snow:

Early morning

About 2 hours later:

Our birdbath and bench, lots of snow:

Having fun?

Now for the sunshine and snow of Friday. As you can tell, was much more fun!

The tiny snowman... he has since become somewhat of a hunchback heading steadily for the concrete!

Tyler helping scoop snow!

FUN!

Hammerin' it home!

2009-03-28T17:22:00.002-06:00

It's funny how the Lord really just slams me with things sometimes. This time, He's really hitting me from all directions... my Bible study, a book I'm reading, other blogs... you name it, He's not leaving me alone!

So, what am I being hammered for you might ask? Quite simply, for not relying on Him! In my Bible study we are talking about how obedience is a way that we show God that we love Him. And, that there are two parts to obedience or holiness. There's dependence on God and our discipline. You could look at these two things as two sides of a scale with dependence on the one side and our discipline on the other. Dependence will never be outweighed by our discipline. In fact, it is the only thing that will counter-balance and make things fall in line. Hope that makes sense. So, without complete dependence we are just as completely unable to do anything of significance for Him. I am extremely guilty of doing things in my own strength. I am somewhat of a control-freak you could say! Ask anyone that knows me, they'll tell ya!

So, I have started re-reading The Power of a Positive Mom (and am hoping to finish it this time!). The last chapter I read was about staying connected to the power source. It was all about how we must be connected with and abiding in Christ before we can even hope to accomplish anything.

Then, there was a post on the LPM blog a few days ago that dealt specifically with this issue! It was primarily with keeping up appearances and essentially putting on a happy face and the lack of transparency but also spoke of parenting issues. With that it talked about how we have to stay on our knees and rely on God before we can hope to get through this thing called parenting!

So, I am trying to remember to pray for help rather than just take control myself. I've seen where that gets me!

Just for the record...

2009-03-20T21:35:00.000-06:00

I have not changed my current memory verse on purpose! While I do have it memorized... I need more time for it to burn into my heart! I am finding that it is coming to mind quite often. Too bad it's mostly when my kids are saying not-so-kind things to one another and not when I am spewing off at the mouth... usually at my husband! OUCH! Did I just admit that?

Anyway... had to set the record straight! And yes, please feel free to ask how I am doing!

More Spring Break Fun!

2009-03-20T15:51:00.000-06:00

Wow... we've had quite the week, especially for us home bodies! Wednesday was a trip to the Children's Museum of Denver. It is really more of an extravagant play place than a museum but oh so fun! It has different places or areas throughout for the kids to visit. For instance, there is a room set up like a mini grocery story complete with aisles, little shopping carts, play food, a couple of play check out lines, etc... There is another room completely set up like a vet's office, a room for doing artwork, a room for puppet shows, one for dressing up, one with a magnetic wall to play with letters, on and on... it was a blast! Poor Tyler didn't really get too into it. He was tired and hungry so Daddy catered to him so the rest of us could have a good time. I think the two boys weren't really all that into pretending anyway.

Then today we met my cousin, Tracy and her kids and went to the Martinez Park/Farm. It was a bit chillier than we expected but was bearable. There were baby goats so they weren't selling food for you to feed the animals as usual either. That was really a bummer because that really gets the animals to flock to you but... we still had a great time together as usual. Then we went to the mall, had lunch and played at the "mall park" for a while. This kids always have such fun together!

So, I am one beat mama! No... it's not bad... just more going all in one week than I am used to but so fun!

And... no post would be complete without pictoral documentation of some sort! tee hee!

Butterfly Pavilion

2009-03-17T19:19:00.006-06:00

This week is Spring Break for the big girls! It is great having them home! Keven does not go back to work until Thursday so we hoped to squeeze in a couple of fun things before then. Yesterday we went to the Butterfly Pavilion. It was so fun. Tyler was a bit of a pill since it was naptime but all in all he was pretty good! Keven ran into an old acquaintance from his days with another company and his daughter, McKenna, and Hannah were fast friends! Very cute!

Tomorrow we are planning on going to the Children's Museum in Denver and Friday we will go to a petting zoo with my cousin and her three little ones. A fun week! So, so glad to have them home!

Here are some pics... it's a little overboard but you know me and pictures! Oh,and they are totally backwards but until Blogger has an easier way to move pics around (or I figure it out how if they already do) this will just have to do!

LOVE this one! ha ha ha!

Tyler in the bee's honeycomb!

Hannah "petting" a starfish

These things are like 4+ inches long for reals! EWE!

Hissing cockroach. Not so little either!

Tyler letting Rosey the tarantula walk on his hand. What a brave little boy! No thank you!

This precious creature was 11 inches legs and all! BIG MAMA!

We've been to the Butterfly Pavilion before and it still amazes me the creativity of our Creator. That sounds kinda weird but you know what I mean. It's pretty obvious in this pic but this stick bug blends is so cool. The ridges on his body look just like any ole twig!

Can you see this guy in the middle of the picture? He is HUGE and his markings look like the dry ends of a leaf. AMAZING camouflage. Natural selection? I don't think so. An amazing Creator... I KNOW so!

A bettle of some sort!

Tyler and a centipede. I don't think he's so comfortable with this, what do you think?

Before we went in!

I'll be back soon with pics from the museum I sure!

Cruise Control Obedience

2009-03-15T17:26:00.002-06:00

Cruise control obedience is the term coined by Jerry Bridges and he illustrates it in his book "Discipline of Grace" which I am studying with a group of ladies at my church.

Here is cruise control obedience in a nutshell. We as Christians tend to set the cruise control of our obedience to God. We reach a certain level of "acceptable" obedience, usually determined by our Christian peer groups. Then we just kinda cruise along in life. We become comfortable. Not that we are doing anything "wrong" necessarily but we are not loving God with all of our heart, soul and mind as commanded in Scripture. Therefore, we are not obeying Him as such either.

With that said... here is something that Bridges wrote that hit me like a ton of bricks:

God is not impressed with our worship on Sunday morning at church if we are practicing "cruise-control" obedience the rest of the week. You may sing with reverent zest or great emotional fervor, but your worship is only as pleasing to God as the obedience that accompanies it.

Does that strike anyone else? So, I guess my question or challenge is... are you/am I a cruise-control believer. I think to a large degree I am. I am comfortable that I am obedient to "the biggies". And, you know the ones I'm talking about. But what about the "little" stuff? The stuff that no one sees but God Himself? Am I obedient or actively working toward obedience to those things out of a love for my Creator and Savior? Generally speaking... I don't think I am. I may wish I were or have good intentions but is my foot on the accelerator with the pedal to the metal? Most of the time not!

Forgive me Lord! Do a work in me. Show me how! I am unable on my own.

Scrapbooking Frenzy!

2009-03-15T15:59:00.000-06:00

If you can believe it, I had the house to myself all day Friday, all day Saturday and all day today. My family should be home around dinner time.

If you're wondering how in the world I managed this... My birthday is coming up and I told Keven that all I wanted for my birthday was for him to take the kids to his parents' house so I could have time to get some real scrapbooking done. And... here are the results. I got 19 total layouts done. Most of them are from WAY back! Doesn't seem like a lot but I guess I'm a little slow at it. Picky is probably a more accurate assessment really! It feels good to have made a dent in my list of pages to be done! I could use another 1/2 dozen weekends at least to catch up. I'll take what I can get! I hope the slideshow works. All 19 layouts should be included.

My little poet

2009-03-11T20:19:00.002-06:00

Marlie has been working on a poetry unit in school and brought home "Marlie's Antholigy of Poems" this afternoon (her spelling by the way). Some of the poems were hers and some were not. Here is one of my favorites of hers. It's the one that is typed out (in the larger font).

I just LOVE it! Bless her little pea-pickin' heart! I love that so much of it has to do with Christianity or Christian character! God is doing a mighty work in my little girl's heart I think. Poor thing... I've not been feeling well for a few days and she was so worried that she came out of her room crying about it last night. Daddy prayed with her and that calmed her down. The night before last we were talking about end times stuff. She got so worried as we read what it would be like during the tribulation. I assured her that her daddy and I believe in the pre-trib rapture but that no matter what, God is in control. She was still so overcome with fear. Then there is Hannah who says, "Yeah Marlie... if we are here during the bad stuff and get killed or something, we get to go staight to heaven so..." and shrugs her shoulders. It really is amazing how two kids can be so very different in every way. Anyway, after going over some Scriptures, Marlie was better. What a girl!

The poem in her handwriting is based on the smaller typed one and says:

Love That Mom
Inspired by Walter Dean Myers

Love that mom,
like a sister loves to boss.
I said love that mom
like a sister loves to boss.
Love to call her in the morning
loved to call her
"Hey there, Mom!"

Isn't that funny!? "Like a sister loves to boss"... HILARIOUS! Can you tell her birth order? Oh my goodness! I LOVE my kids!

Is this not the cutest?

2009-03-08T21:03:00.006-06:00

My doorbell rang this afternoon and I opened the door to find a young boy, I would guess around 11 or 12 years oldish. I was thinking, "Oh no, I don't have any canned goods to donate, don't need anymore Boy Scouts popcorn or Girl Scouts cookies, etc..." But I was polite and smiled and said, "Whatcha got for me?". Little did I know...

This young boy explained to me that he is starting his own business and was just out trying to drum up some customers. He explained to me that "Basically, we pick up where your dog left off." Here is his flyer!

Made me kinda sad that we don't have dogs! And, I'm tempted to call the local newspaper to suggest a write up on him. I think this is awesome!

Hannah's Birthday & the Grans... FINALLY!

2009-03-07T09:52:00.002-07:00

My goodness it's been busy around here! We had a great time with my parents! Tyler absolutely LOVES my dad! So dang cute! He calls my mom "peekong". Emphasis on the kong and with a long "o" sound! I have no clue what that means or where it came from but it sure stuck. I will point and her picture and he'll call her peekong. He would call her that to get her attention. I still need to write that one down. The girls all got turns sleeping with Mom and getting their tickle sessions in, the gently kind, not the ha ha kind.

We celebrated Hannah's birthday with them on Friday. We started out with some fun at Bounce! What a hoot and WORE ME OUT! Then we went to Hibachi Japanese Steakhouse for food and a show. And, a birthday just isn't a birthday without cake and ice cream. Hannah got a slice of cake and a song from the servers at Hibachi. She was so cute and shy! Then we topped the night off with birthday cake ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery. Yummy!

Here are some videos of the night.

Saturday we went to Sterling to visit some family. That was a great time but went by too fast. Keven and I finally got to go on our date that we've been waiting for forever! We were so pooped that we just went to eat then came home. We are such party animals!

Sunday was church and a visit with my grandparents. My grandpa was in great spirits despite having only 20% lung capacity. Funny how the Holy Spirit can do that work in a person! He is very recently saved! Love it! His outlook is so different now! It's amazing to have watched God work in his life. Now we're hoping for a trickle-down effect on the family! Pray for us!

The rest of the week was busy with trips to the store, lunch with the girls at school, working in Hannah's classroom, a walking field trip with Hannah's class, a hair appointment, visit with more family, etc.... It was busy but so, so fun! Wish they could've stayed longer but hopefully we'll see them again soon!

A slideshow of the week:

Awesome Blog!

2009-03-02T15:45:00.003-07:00

My internet friend Robyn (love ya girl!) posted a link to this blog and so far I love it!

Hope you enjoy it as much as I have so far. Oh, and if you missed the post right before this, please do read it and consider praying for me (okay... AND holding me accountable!)

Memory Verse... yes, I'm a slacker!

2009-03-02T15:03:00.002-07:00

Okay, so I didn't do a new memory verse on the 15th of February! I'm a slacker... totally! So, you will find my new verse on the sidebar!

I can recite the first part of the verse already and most of the second part too! For me, though I already "know" this verse in part, it's more about it becoming WHO I AM! This is NOT who I am! I initially think of gossip when I come upon this verse of Scripture. Do you too? Initially? I'm fairly good about avoiding gossip, not perfect but pretty good. But, at home I stink at this! Let me be honest here, I can be a real SNOT! Not just rarely or on occasion. I would say, and I think my family would agree, that this characterizes me more and more. Sad to admit, but true! I let the busyness, stress and cares of this world rule me and that in turn affects my mouth! Do I have a potty mouth? No! But my tone could eat someone alive, especially with Keven. Poor guy. I can't tell you how many times he says to me that it's not what I say but how I say it. You've even said this to your kids haven't you parents? I have too! What's even more sad is that I don't even realize the way I say things most of the time until he points it out to me. Worse than that is that pride gets in the way of me apologizing! Aye, aye, aye... I have some work to do people!

What does Scripture say? Out of the heart the mouth speaks?! So, what we (I) have here is a heart issue! WOWZERS! Okay Lord, I get it already! Now, how do I change it?! Any advice is warmly welcomed!

Oh, and a couple of other things jumped out at me in this verse. First is "according to their needs". How I speak to someone has nothing to do with me and everything to do with them. If Keven rubs me wrong, and we all know he will, we're human... I can choose to not say anything if that's what will benefit him/us OR if I do say something it needs to beneficial for HIM, not satisfy some sinful need of my own to tear him down or be right or something of that nature! Second is the "that it may benefit those who listen" part. I already KNOW this, but what I say IN MY HOME needs to benefit those who listen... who is listening? MY KIDS! I can already see it in the way Marlie talks to me or her sisters that she is picking up on snottiness! NOT GOOD!

I could really go on and on! But, I won't... this is painful enough! ;) The work I have ahead of me sure feels like a tall order! But, I know that God has begun a good work in me in even making me aware of my sinfulness in this area. And, also according to His Word, He is faithful to complete His work. I just hope I get it soon! I'm sure my family would appreciate it too! Feel free to ask how it's going!

POWERFUL image!

2009-02-25T13:08:00.001-07:00

I saw the neatest bumper sticker in the parking lot at the grocery store the other day. I decided to check on it online, mostly out of curiosity, and stumbled across the exact same wording but way better image to make the point. The text simply says this:

Guess which one is NOT protected...

The first of two birthdays for Hannah...

2009-02-22T14:35:00.007-07:00

Well, the first of Hannah's birthday "celebrations" went off without much of a hitch, except that I totally forgot to go rent a movie! Sheesh Mom! And, there were no kid-friendly movies on pay-per-view but thankfully everyone was happy just to watch Tinkerbell for the umpteenth time!

I am still kicking myself for forgetting my camera when I took cupcakes for snack to Hannah's classroom on Friday! She went to the front of the class and they all sang Happy Birthday to her. SO stinkin' cute!

But she opened a few of her presents when she got home and was quite happy.

Here she is opening an oh-so-cool card from Meghan, our friend from church who also happens to be a junior at the school the girls attend AND our babysitter! She came to Hannah's class for the celebration too!

And the blanket that Meghan made for her. She LOVES it!

Some kind of little plant thingie for our little grower girl!

Her Thumbelina doll!

Her scooter. She is outside as I type trying to get the hang of it! We thought that since neither one of our big girls knows how to ride a bike, we should get them going on SOMETHING!

I still can't believe she is seven! Where did the time go? Well, we'll have another celebration in Fort Collins on Friday with my parents and hopefully one of Hannah's little friends and classmates! I'll post more pics then!

My silly family!

2009-02-22T14:26:00.002-07:00

If there is one thing you CANNOT call my family it's refined! We are self-proclaimed undignified and just plain SILLY! Here are some pictures of us to prove it!

And, this post would not be complete without a silly video! One of the voices you hear in the background is Betty, my mother-in-law who was spending a night with us so Keven and I could take a concealed gun safety class. But, the best part of the video, aside from Dani being silly with the guitar is Tyler. Watch him in the background in the kitchen. I think what he is throwing is a plastic toy car, I'm not sure. I think I was downstairs. And, I can assure you he wouldn't have been doing it if I were there. The little stink got away with some harmless fun while mommy wasn't looking! SHAME ON HIM!!!! ;)

Oh, and by the way, I was NOT so silly until I met Keven... right everyone!? wink, wink!

Happy Birthday Hannah!

2009-02-20T05:48:00.002-07:00

My girl is 7 today! I can hardly believe it! She is just one of those kids that makes parenting easy. Don't get me wrong, she has her moments, as we all do, but for the most part she is just a joy! Today we will celebrate with one of her fave breakfasts (bagels and cream cheese... see easy kid!) on birthday plates, then cupcakes in the classroom, movie night (her choice of movie) and Arby's dinner... that one's to help raise money for the 5th grade classes' mission trip. Again, such an easy kid, she chose Arby's over me preparing her favorite meal. Then the REAL fun happens next weekend when my parents are here from SC with a trip to Fit for Kids and Hibachi Japanese Steakhouse in Fort Collins! I can't wait!

I am just loving recounting her birth with her too. She is just eating it up! I told her last night about how I was eating a root beer float in bed watching TV when I realized I was in labor and now can't eat them without thinking of that! And how Granny and Papa came over to watch Marlie and take me to the hospital because Daddy was working. The best part for us, though, is that I was doubled over the kitchen counter in heavy contractions while my mother-in-law jabbered about her own birth experiences. NOT IN THE MOOD RIGHT NOW! I can chuckle about it now! You'd have to know Granny. I am so glad she was there and stayed to watch Hannah's birth. Well, kinda... she stayed "behind" the scenes as she faints at the sight of blood!

Anyway... HAPPY BIRTHDAY HANNAH!!!!!!

Marlie meets Hannah 7 years ago!

What a beaut!

It's nearly official...

2009-02-18T21:13:00.001-07:00

I am amphibian challenged! No, Fred and Ricky have not croaked (ha ha... get it?) but I'm pretty sure they are on their way out! Don't know what I am doing wrong. Maybe nothing but I think my Hannah's dream of being witness to a tadpole morphing to a bull frog may end up being just that... only a dream! Sigh!

Hannah's First Father/Daughter Dance

2009-02-14T11:52:00.004-07:00

I thought I would share the pictures that I took of Hannah and her Daddy before her first dance with him. We did the curler thing again. Let's just say that I think I need further instruction on technique! Either that or my kids have hair issues. I think it's the former.

Anyway, we got her all dolled up and she was the belle of the ball. They had a great time. Dinner at Friday's and dancing the night away! Keven's brother Dave and his daughter Julia went. I guess Hannah and Julia tore up the dance floor! Hannah saw several people that she knew from school as well! I so wish I could've been a fly on the wall! There are just some things that are to be kept between a daddy and his daughter I guess! SO SWEET!

Hannah in her curlers!

Can you say Shirley Temple?

MUCH better!

Getting her corsage!

And you just knew I had to get several poses of her and Daddy right? I could just eat 'em up!

2009-02-14T10:03:00.001-07:00

Oh, you MUST go to Beth Moore's blog and read her entry for today. If you have been under Beth's teaching at all you will know what I mean when I say you can expect to giggle, tear up, and be amazed at our heavenly Father all in one post! Enjoy!

You can read it here.

Proudly announcing the arrival of....

2009-02-13T21:09:00.002-07:00

the two newest members of the family..... drum roll please..... Ricky & Fred Tadpole! (Yes, as is I Love Lucy) HA! I would post a picture, but let's face it people, if you've seen one tadpole you've seem 'em all! Hoping for a successful morph this time! We'll see.

I'll be back soon to post the pictures from Hannah and Daddy's father/daughter dance that is taking place as we "speak"!

Please keep the Westerfield family in your prayers...

2009-02-11T13:48:00.002-07:00

You can go to their blog, "Journey to Ellison Brook" on the left. Long story short, they've been waiting to adopt a baby girl. They were all set with a birth mom about a month ago. That mom gave birth yesterday and has changed her mind about putting the little girl up for adoption. So, their waiting continues. While their hearts must be breaking, they are trusting in God's provision for their family!

Couldn't ya just listen to it all day?

2009-02-09T14:45:00.001-07:00

Your kids laugh that is?! I just wish they would do it TOGETHER even more! I don't know about you guys or if it's partly due to being cooped up inside but ALL of my kids have been at each other's throats lately! I've been experiencing more Calgon moments than I care to share! But, there was a glimpse of time just after lunch where Dani was crackin' Tyler up today and I was able to catch it on video. The BEST of it had ended by the time I got my camera of course, but still, I just couldn't resist sharing!

Correction!

2009-02-06T09:37:00.001-07:00

I feel I must correct Hannah's poor tadpole's name... it's about preserving his legacy really! He was Huck NOT Tuck! How could I forget? Truth be told, I can hardly keep my own kids' names straight let alone two tadpoles and a fish! What will become of me if we ever get a dog?

Anyhoo... I feel MUCH better now! ;)

Another one bites the dust... eh, um... two...

2009-02-04T21:56:00.000-07:00

...tadpoles that is. I am sorry to report that Tom was found belly up on Monday morning and Tuck took his last tadpoley breath yesterday afternoon! Both are now at home in sewer heaven. Hannah was heartbroken by Tom's demise. She at first asked me to not flush him down the toilet... "What if he's not dead!?" "Oh, trust me honey, he's dead." She was fine after that. I had a feeling Tuck wasn't far behind so I warned her and she was not surprised by the news when she got home from school yesterday.

I ordered two more tadpoles this morning. Sure hope we can get them into the leg-growing phase at least. We did everything right, I promise! According to the site, it's not uncommon for bull frogs to live to 5 years or more. Well, we made it to like 4 weeks, does that count for anything? Anyone out there in cyberspace have any pointers for keeping tadpoles alive other than food and fresh water? This mommy will do almost anything to have a pet frog for my Hannah! ;)

I'll keep you posted!

New Memory Verses... Ah! I'm late!

2009-02-03T14:06:00.003-07:00

I am TWO days behind on starting my new memory verses! Ah! I need to catch up! I first chose Ephesians 4:29 which says: Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. But then I decided to check out the verse in context and decided that I needed to start with verse 25 and work my way toward the end of the chapter. I sure hope I can do it and that these verses will leave a permanent imprint on my heart. I am experiencing verse 25 in a round about way right now so it fits perfectly. And, I don't know about you guys but I have an issue with anger. It doesn't take much to irk me, namely with the members of my own family... you know... the ones INSIDE my own house! I TRY not to let it happen and try even harder not to just react but FAR too often I just spew words or, even worse, looks with little regard until it's too late. So, hopefully these verses will help! Anyone with me?

Bah Bah Black Sheep!

2009-02-02T20:13:00.003-07:00

Keven and I took the kids to a sheep farm about an hour away on Saturday. Jamie who works in Keven's company office has a small sheep business with her husband as a hobby. The ewes were lambing and we got to see newborn lambs. Can you say ADORABLE? The kids had a great time. First we went into the "jug" where the new mamas are kept with the newborn lambs to make sure they bond. Then we went to another holding place where they were all a few days old and got the pet those ones. So cute! I am a sucker for baby animals of any kind anyway. I was going to try to take a video of one of the baaaaing (don't know the technical term - is it bleating?) but didn't. It was a beautiful day, minus the wind, and the kids had a blast running around, stepping in sheep poop, sticking their fingers in the sheep water and the licking it off (TYLER!), chasing ewes (TYLER!), poking at lambs' eyes (TYLER!)... Jamie and Mark were so sweet to let us interrupt their hard day's work! We had a wonderful time!

Dani feeding a baby a bottle

Marlie & Hannah feeding bottles

Tyler "petting" a lamb. He really was pretty darn sweet with them.

The chase begins

Isn't he/she a cutie?

1 of 3....

2009-02-02T20:00:00.003-07:00

Father/Daughter dances that is! Keven took Marlie to her very first Father/Daughter dance Friday. She was so excited! And, being a dance, we had to get her all gussied up of course. First we started by putting her hair in those little foam curlers while her hair was wet in the morning. Remember those? tee hee! I have never curled her hair this way before so it was quite the experiment. Well, let's just say that I need much more practice and many more curlers. The girl has got TONS of hair... and I do mean tons! So, we took the curlers out and there were some tight curls, some barely curled and some not curled at all! But, we stuck it up in a pretty barrette (which was the plan anyway) and took an OLD spiral curling iron to it! Turned out really cute. She even had the treat of some blush (rouge as her daddy so LOVES to tease) and mascara! She looked gorgeous!

Marlie LOVES, LOVES, LOVES flowers! Fresh flowers, silk flowers... you name it! So, Keven and I thought it would be a great surprise to have a little corsage made for her. Well, as you can see by her face when Daddy presented it to her, she did not know what to think of the whole thing. She tried it on but said it was uncomfortable. She never did wear it but I think she just didn't quite know what it was all about. I wonder if maybe she thought she would be the only one wearing flowers on her wrist. Too funny!

Being silly in her curlers

What is this?

Next is Hannah's turn for a dance with Daddy on the 13th. Can't wait to get her all doodied up next! She is such a little tomboy that it's even more fun! Then there are no more "formal" dances but Daddy has promised a Father/Daughter time of some sort with Dani too... any ideas to shoot my way?

Fun in the Snow!

2009-01-27T20:45:00.002-07:00

First of all.... BRRRRRRRR! It is so cold here! And, the gas went out to our house last night and the gas man was here at 3:00am! Another story for another day!

The girls got home from school today and were just itching to play in the snow for some reason! So, I bundled them all up, Tyler too, and out they went. They had a blast! It was so funny watching Tyler! He was like the kid in "A Christmas Story" (I think that's the right title of the movie!). HILARIOUS!

Big Daddy Weave and more artwork...

2009-01-22T19:17:00.003-07:00

I just heard this song on my CD and had to share. I LOVE Big Daddy Weave, especially this song called "What Life Would be Like". I love the words. Here's the chorus:

He made the lame walk
And the dumb talk
He opened blinded eyes to see
That the sun rises on His time
Yet He knows our deepest desperate need
And the world waits
While His heart aches
To realize the dream
I wonder what life would be like
If we let Jesus live through you and me

I love the whole chorus but especially the italicized part. Anyone else rarely take the time to really THINK about the fact that the same God who put the stars in the sky, healed people while here in human flesh, and rose from the dead... that VERY SAME God is the one who woos us unto Himself for salvation? We don't seek Him out, He seeks us out! CRAZINESS! I am glad this still continues to blow my mind. I just wish I would meditate on the FACT of it more! Does that make sense to anyone but me? Anyhoo, sit back and enjoy the awesomeness of our King!

And, I couldn't get away with not sharing the latest artwork that Hannah came up with after school. Just out of the blue she traipses up the stairs and says "Look what I drawed Mama!" This girl will be a warrior for Christ if He tarries I have a feeling! Praise God for letting me raise such an moldable little soul and reaching her in spite of me!

My little prayer warrior!

2009-01-20T17:10:00.003-07:00

I volunteer in Hannah's classroom every two weeks when Keven is home. So at the end of my visit today, Mrs. Anderson showed a short online video of our new president taking his oath of office. Once they were all back at their desks she did a wonderful teaching, as is most suitable and memorable for a class of 1st graders, on the present economy and just how it all works. She did a fantastic job. Anyway, right before I left she handed out coloring sheets of Barack Obama and a maze. Sometime later in the day she must've asked them to write down a prayer for President Obama and this is what was attached to her coloring page and maze. How much of it was suggested to her/them I don't know but I still found it very sweet! I told Hannah we will have to remember to pray this for him as a family too!

Hope you are commmitted to praying for our new president! I think it's one wonderful way to honor God and trust in His providence for us!

My new memory verse

2009-01-15T11:19:00.002-07:00

You will notice a new Scripture for me to memorize on my sidebar. I chose a different one than Beth Moore is doing this time. I didn't exactly come up with it myself either. I looked at all of the other Scriptures that other ladies posted and saw this one. I know the middle of it... the slow to speak, slow to anger part but didn't have the last part committed to memory. And, at least I think, it's a vital part of the verse. So, off I go to put the verse on index cards and place them in strategic places around my house and vehicle. It worked last time! I got it memorized. Now, ask me next week if I've retained it after a week of another verse. That's another story entirely!

Chronicling Tyler's Owie

2009-01-11T21:03:00.002-07:00

I just wanted to share the scrapbook layout that I did of Tyler's "misfortune". It was so fun! Notice that I scanned his hospital band and used it in layout? So fun! The scrapbooking... not the stitches!

Tadpoles, Tropical Fish and.... Triple Antibiotic?

2009-01-10T10:04:00.003-07:00

Strange title for a blog post I know, but just stick with me here!

Thursday, we got Hannah's tadpoles for her frog-growing kit in the mail. I had them on the counter and the tank all ready for her to dump 'em in when she got home from school. She loves them. She named them Tom and Huck! How funny is that? Don't ask me which is which, but believe me, she knows!

So yesterday we all got a wild hair for another betta fish. It's been nearly 3 years since we've had one. So we all piled into the Suburban and headed to Petsmart. The girls picked him out. They paid for the fish and his food out of their own allowance! I bought a cool new bamboo plant too! His name is Azul!

Oh, but the excitement of the day was far from over! Keven and I were so excited to go on a date! It's been about three months since we've done anything together just the two of us. He got home early and hung out with us for awhile. We had a sitter set up to come at 6:00, dinner reservations to a place we've been trying to go to for almost a year now, and the world was our ocean after that! Then 5:00pm hit... LITERALLY! I was on the phone with my cousin Tracy and heard a big BOOM! I knew instantly that sound of a kid's head hitting something quite solid! Then I heard Hannah: "Mommy, oh Mommy! Tyler's gushing blood EVERYWHERE! Oh no!". I quickly hung up the phone... then Keven rushed to the rescue. Thank you Lord that he was home! I just asked if he needed me and if not I would be in another room ready to help when needed. I don't know about you mommies, but I would rather just stay out of it when it's one of my kids! It hurts me too much. Now, if Keven hadn't been home, mommy-mode would've given way to necessity. He said: "He's gonna need stitches." So, I gathered the girls while he doctored Tyler for the trip and off we went to the ER! He was such a trooper! Never cried again after it happened until they started messin' with him! The little stink had to have 5 stitches! Good thing girls dig scars!

We ended up going out to eat as a family and being total giggle boxes! Seems God had better plans for us last night!

Here he is right after we got home from the ER and dinner! How cute is he?

And this morning! You'd never even know he had an owie!

Now you know why I titled the blog the way I did!

Gettin' a kick out of herself!

2009-01-07T10:55:00.002-07:00

For those of you who don't have the pleasure (tee hee) of being with us in person, you must be warned that we are a super silly family! Almost on the verge of ridiculous sometimes! Anyway, Dani and I always read a book together and snuggle at naptime. Sometimes we pretend to be sleeping and SNORE! Here's the kicker... the child has a really difficult time getting her snorts out. It's the funniest thing and we always end up cracking up over the deal. So, the other night for some reason she was trying to snort and really cracking herself up. I was able to catch the end of it on video but the best was before hand. She was a giggle box. What a silly goose!

And... some of you have shared in our struggles with this sweet third child of ours. I am happy to report that she is really starting to come around. We still have our issues but as far as I can tell, based on my parenting experiences, we are now to the point of just your typical 4-year-old troubles. We can see her processing her actions in her head before she reacts. She is really a joy! PRAISE GOD!

As promised!

2009-01-03T21:02:00.002-07:00

I promised to provide a link to our pastor's prophesy update from Wednesday night. Here is the link and if you have about an hour of quiet time to listen, please do so! It was very interesting and eye opening!

Going to the movies... Moseley style!

2009-01-02T07:53:00.003-07:00

Yesterday, Keven and I thought it would be a fun family thing if we ALL (yes, I said all!) went to a movie after naps. So, while I was out running errands yesterday morning, I drove by the theaters to see what was playing. Do you know there were NO kid movies showing? Crazy, huh?

So, Keven came up with the master plan and I helped execute. When everyone was up, Keven told them to get their shoes on... they were going to go watch a movie. So he and the kids loaded up in the Suburban and headed out. Meanwhile, I stayed home to set up our theater experience (they thought I needed to catch up on laundry). I set up the kitchen counter like the candy/drink station. I was their refreshment order gal! Their choices were Reeses Pieces, Twizzler Bites, fun Christmas suckers, butter popcorn (thanks Aunt Laurie), kettle corn (thanks Boy Scouts), and brown bag special (thanks Uncle Neal). All of these were given to the kids as part of Christmas gifts. They each got a choice of popcorn and candy. Then for their refreshments they could choose between water (EXCITING!), mandarin-lime pop or green juice (doesn't sound good, but is healthy AND yummy!). I even had on a nametag and wrote down their orders on my order pad! And, yes, they had to pay me for their goodies! Keven made them all paper money for their drinks, popcorn, and candy.

After they placed their orders they went to the ticket guy to give them their tickets and proceed downstairs to watch the movie. Guess who was the ticket guy - complete with nametag too I might add? There was also a sign that said "Now Showing: Kung Fu Panda". So when they got downstairs, I had set up their comfy chairs all in a row like movie theater seats and the screen was lit up with the Kung Fu Panda image. They settled in while their goody lady popped popcorn, got candy together and poured drinks. It was so fun (and inexpensive - just the price of a pay-per-view movie and a six-pack of pop)! The only thing missing was my camera! Oh well, this is one memory I won't be able to scrap! tee hee!

Writing God's Word on our hearts...

2009-01-02T07:40:00.002-07:00

I don't know about you but I am ashamed of the few Scriptures that I actually have written on my heart! I have been a Christian for almost 12 years now (HOLY COW!) and there are very few Scriptures that I have memorized word for word WITH the address! I have terrible retention anyway. I can forget what I've read ten minutes afterward! It's terrible. Anyway... I do know a lot of Scripture, sorta. But, I don't know EXACTLY where it is or in context or whatever! And, I guess because if my retention disability, I have a hard time pulling appropriate Scripture to mind when someone needs it. Or, worse, I can't seem to come up with it when I really need it! I CAN tell you where on the page of my Bible it is though. I'm thinking I have a photographic memory. That's one reason I still have the original Bible that when I graduated form college... and the MANY notes that are in it.

Why am I telling you this? Mostly for accountability. But also because Beth Moore is having a Scripture memorization challenge this year. Check out her blog (you will find the link on my sidebar) to find out more. Very fun idea. I will just ride her coattails when choosing which Scriptures to memorize unless I feel the Lord leading me to do another one. I will be putting them on my kitchen window (I spend most of my time there, do you?), maybe one in my laundry room, and one in my Suburban.

Anyhoo, check it out! And don't forget to ask me how my memorization is going. If you think about it, will you pray with me to have His Words written in "permanent marker" on my heart? No more retention troubles!?

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T22:42:00.002-07:00

Happy New Year to my friends and family!

Keven and I got wild and crazy to bring in the new year... we cuddled on the couch and watched a bluegrass festival on public access t.v. then laughed out hineys off at VH1 Classic's 2009 of 2009... they were playing OLD and CHEESY 80's music videos! So fun! We did that until we couldn't possibly keep our eyes open anymore and were in bed by 11:45. I know! We couldn't even make it the extra 15 minutes! Like I said, we are a couple of CRAZY kids!

Anyway... last night our pastor did a prophecy update! So interesting. I'll post the link to it as soon as it's available on the website. But, if you are like me, when you hear anyone speaking "prophecy" your shield goes up. But, HE is not prophesying... he just updated us on what is going on around us and how that ties into end-time prophesy! So, no fear, he's not some crazy loon predicted the end! He does, however, offer some very interesting insight into the times in which we are living! Very exciting!

I have more to say but am too tired to put it all out there! I'll be back!

Middle child syndrome...

2008-12-31T13:01:00.001-07:00

I fully intended to share Hannah's Christmas artwork when I posted yesterday but then totally forgot. Pretty typical middle child stuff... always getting overlooked. Sorry Hannah... here is her masterpiece. She couldn't remember if Santa had hair or not! tee hee!

Two down... one to go!

2008-12-30T16:54:00.004-07:00

It's been far too long! We have been super busy with all of the Christmas festivities as most of you have I'm sure!

Our celebrations started Christmas Eve with the six of us opening gifts! It was super fun! It is a blast to watch your kids get so excited, wouldn't you agree? Then Christmas morning the kids all emptied their stockings of goodies and trinkets. We don't do Santa here but we do try to have surprises for them on Christmas morning... isn't that the most fun of Santa anyway, the surprise?

We got Marlie a Fashion Studio kit... it is WAY cool! Too bad no one here knows how to sew! tee hee! I did talk to my grandma, though, and she is willing to give Marlie lessons! Whew. Here are some pictures of the inspiration behind our gift... Marlie LOVES to draw fashion. I wouldn't be surprised if she continues with the passion... IF she learns how to sew! And there are many more of these scattered around the house!
One of Hannah's fave gifts was her frog growing kit! It is so fitting that girl. She would grow ANYTHING if we let her! Now we are just waiting for our live tadpoles in the mail! My mom also got her a stuffed snow leopard that she has to take care of. That's been a big hit so far!

Dani was quite content with the Diamond Castle Barbie horse that my parents got her! It was "just what I wanted"!!!!!! Too cute! She's been telling everyone she sees... the nursery ladies, ladies at church, Mr. Don from King Soopers... if she made eye contact, they KNOW about her sparkling Diamond Castle horse!

And Tyler? Well, he was just happy as a little clam with the MANY toy cars and trucks that he's gotten so far!

Keven was technically working on Christmas day but was able to be home until the kids went to bed that night! The people that are contracted with the rig and such were all off so as long as things were going smoothly at the rig, he was home! That was so nice and unexpected.

Then on Saturday we went to my Aunt and Uncle's house in Sterling for a celebration with my side of the family. Keven did have to work that day but it was still really fun. It's always nice to see family that you haven't seen for a while! When you see the picture of Tyler and Kylie, keep in mind it was RIGHT before he smacked her the first time. Yes, the first time! The second time he had her under a table and repeatedly slapped her on the face while she was laying down! Don't know what that was all about! I think maybe he didn't want her all up in his business but sheesh boy! And, his fave part of the day was an Elmo that my aunt had in her toy box. He discovered it at the end of the day and loved it so much that she sent it home with him. He is still sleeping with it! We took out the "tickle me" box though! This is not our first time around this parenting block!

We are off again this coming Saturday for our celebration with Keven's family! I'll post again then!

Local Griswalds and other misc....

2008-12-18T21:31:00.004-07:00

Hi all!

I thought I would post a couple of pics and videos from the past few days!

First is the way I found Tyler when I went in to check on him at naptime yesterday. He was obviously much more tired than I realized! He was OUT!

And, tonight we went to see "The Greeley Griswalds". It is a home famous in Greeley for it's Christmas light display that is set to music. All you have to do is go there and set your car radio to the station posted in the yard. And what a show it is. There were several cars there so we didn't stay real long but it was fun. The owner/display dude came to our Suburban and handed out candy canes to the kids. He said this is only the second year that he has set the display to music. So cool!

My FAVE Christmas song!

2008-12-18T08:57:00.002-07:00

This is my absolute favorite Christmas song. My sweet friend Robyn posted another video of this song on her blog this morning and so I decided to share with all of you too! This version is by Kutless... they are a "harder" Christian band that I enjoy! I think they do a great job!

Whenever I hear this song I wonder what it was like for Mary. I mean, besides wondering what it must've been like raising a sinless Son... I know ALL of you moms have wondered that, right? But, was she privy to some of His knowledge as God in human flesh? Was He limited in His own knowledge of His future crucifixion until, in His humanness, He was ready for it? I know Mary knew He was the Messiah and Savior of humankind, but did she also expect Him to reign as King in that time as the rest of the Jews did? Or did she somehow know the true path that He had to take to provide our salvation? Did she worry when He fell and skinned His knee or did she not because He was God for heaven's sake? Did He get excited about losing His first tooth, when He fashioned His very first carpentry masterpiece on His own, or when He saw His newborn siblings for the first time? Surely He did all of those things as He was fully human and can sympathize with our every emotion according to Hebrews. So many questions only to be answered in heaven! What a wonderous place that will be! And, only because He was first born... and all to die as the sinless sacrifice for you and me! Thank you Jesus!!!!!!

What a difference that little "y" makes!

2008-12-12T19:21:00.003-07:00

Are you saying to yourself..."Huh?" Girls have the "xx" chromosome and boys have the "xy", right? I am still amazed at the vast differences between girls and boys. Tyler is so stinkin' much fun! He is at a fun age anyway, but the fact that he is a boy after three girls makes all that much more fun! I think God waited to give me an energetic, "all boy" last for a very good reason! I appreciate his differences more than if he were our firstborn I think.

Anyway, the child is naturally drawn to boy things. If he goes in the playroom, which is full to the brim with girly toys, he will pick out the only two cars (which are Barbie-involved somehow) and bring them out into the family room to drive around the uncluttered floor. He loves to stack and build too. He has small wooden blocks that he will just stack and stack for what seems like forever. And some big, plastic lego-like blocks are his fave too.

Well, he just started getting really excited the higher and higher that he can stack the blocks. And he is just as emphatic when his creations fall! Here are a few videos of the event.

I LOVE that boy!

Ornaments & Gingerbread

2008-12-12T15:15:00.004-07:00

Today I did a couple of quick but fun things with my kiddos! Mom sent us some ornaments to make in one of her recent packages so we got to put those together. Tyler's was pre-made... thanks Mom! And, the other day a gingerbread train kit caught my eye at the grocery store and I just couldn't resist. We had fun! Oh, and Hannah's class made little gingerbread houses out of their empty milk cartons and grahams crackers. Too cute!

My son made this endeavor a smidge difficult in that he whined about not being able to participate! He quickly made himself busy reaching on his very tippy toes to reach a bowl of candy and dump it, scoot a chair from the dining room to the kitchen counter to try and get into some other candy we have left over from something, and then scooting the same chair to another part of the counter to open the silverware drawer, take all of the utensils out and onto the counter and bang and clang them. It's amazing how much more relaxed a mother will get with time. I just let him be and he had a ball!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

2008-12-05T20:26:00.002-07:00

Tonight, my neighbor Tara and I (well former neighbor - boo hoo), had our very first neighborhood birthday party for Jesus. I thought of the idea last year but it was too close to Christmas to plan anything. So, you know me, I marked my then new 2008 planner right then and there to start planning early. Thankfully, Tara agreed to help! Thanks Tara! And, the best part is that we thought to use the HOA clubhouse so neither of our houses got trashed! Smart mamas we are! ;)

We started out with a really cute book called "The Light of Christmas" which I would highly recommend. It takes you through the story of Jesus from when God made the world, to the fall, to Jesus' birth, Jesus' ministry and His resurrection. And, it's a picture book that is interesting. Very good! Then we stuck nativity stickers on a manger background, Tara went through the "colors of salvation" with them as they assembled their own color booklets, and we ended with birthday cake and ice cream! It was really quite fun and we hope to make it an annual tradition and pray that even more unchurched kids will be able to come!

Christmas Celebration

2008-12-05T20:18:00.003-07:00

Last night, the girls were in their very first school Christmas program. Can I just say again how much we love their school... that they can proclaim the name of Jesus there proudly! We are so thankful.

The theme of the program was a Christmas County Spelling Bee and the spelling words were all of the names of Jesus. Too cute!

Marlie & Hannah before the program with their contestant numbers on!

Hannah with some of her classmates waiting to start.

Hannah's teacher, Mrs. Anderson, using one of her many ingenius tricks to get the kids to settle down!

And, of course I have to add videos. Please bear with me as I include ALL of them for the sake of distant grandparents! ;) In the first two Hannah is smack dab in the middle and Marlie is above her head kinda behind the microphone stand.

Merry Tossmas!

2008-12-02T21:00:00.002-07:00

A friend of mine shared this on her blog and I just couldn't resist! Enjoy!

Decorating fun!

2008-12-01T12:08:00.003-07:00

Since Keven went back to work on Thursday and we had no plans until Saturday, the kids and I decorated for Christmas! It was fun (although a little stressful!) and turned out cute! Now if I could only get my husband in the spirit to decorate! You think after ten years it will ever happen? ;)

Fun at Chuck E. Cheese

2008-12-01T11:23:00.002-07:00

The kids didn't have school last Wednesday and it was Keven's last day off before going back to work for a week so we thought it would be fun to do something as a family. We thought of a couple of fun places that we've never been to but one was closed on Wednesdays and the other was closed until January so... we were left with the good ole standby... Chuck E. Cheese. It was fun because we met Keven's brother Dave and his wife and two kids. What was even more fun was teasing the kids on the way and telling them we were going to another place to eat, one they don't care for. When we got the Chuck E. Cheese, there was a tool store next door so Keven told the girls we had to stop in and get some tools for the rig real fast. He went to the door to Chuck E. Cheese and said, "Is this the right door?" Hannah, just looked at him and turned around saying "Nope this is Chuck E. Cheese!". So funny! They had a ball!

And of course, Tyler had to get his groove on!

Fun times!

Another of my babies is fading away....

2008-11-25T09:10:00.002-07:00

My Hannah had her first tooth pulled yesterday! What a doll! Her other tooth was coming in behind so we had to take her to the dentist to have it pulled. Poor thing, we sprung the whole deal on her. I went to pick her up from school and when I told her why we were going she about died. But, she put on her brave face and did a super job!

My BIG GIRL!!!!!!

GOOOOOOOOOOO Eagles!!!!!!!!

2008-11-22T16:18:00.005-07:00

We had the best family time today. We went to the high school state football game and the girls' school won! So exciting! We NEVER do stuff like this hardly. It's just that we've always had a baby to worry about. Now that Tyler is getting bigger we can do more things like this. I am so pumped. It was so stinkin' fun! And of course I had us all decked out in school colors! Go BLUE! ;)

It's past my naptime Mommy!

I couldn't resist this picture of the cross on the back of the guys' helmets! I love our school!

We got to the field a few minutes after the game started so there we no seats in the stands. But, that was actually perfect. We were right on the sidelines and the kids were able to play under the bleachers.

Cutie patootie Hannah!

Dani had the best time of all I think. She was under the stands just cheering her little heart out!

The cheerleaders. Aren't they great? No immodesty here! LOVE it! From what the girls said they even wear longer skirts with little shorts under them on warmer days and pep rallies. Again, I LOVE our school!

Tyler DUG his hat and gloves. He thought he was the coolest!

And I have to include the video of the end. It's not very good but you get the idea! Sooooo FUN!

Goodness, it's been too long!

2008-11-22T15:42:00.006-07:00

I haven't posted many pictures or videos on here in FOREVER it seems. Truth be told... I've been catching up with old friends and family I don't ever get to see or talk to on Facebook which has been FUN!

So, sorry for the jumbled mess!

Hannah reading to Tyler. The boy loves him some books!

Daddy reading to Tyler.

Daddy playing with the kids.

Me & Dani on her first day out of nursery and in the big kid class at church. She's getting TOO big!

Just a cool picture of an oil rig at sunset with the mountains in the background. I took this from our front yard. The picture doesn't do the real thing justice at all!

This one requires a little background. Marlie has been coming home after school every day and getting out her Bible, a devotion we bought her at some point and her notebook. She "studies" in the mornings if there is time before school and when she gets home from school. I asked her teacher if they have been stressing study of the Word and turns out they are reading "Case for Faith for Kids" by Lee Strobel. Don't know if that has anything to do with it but she has been in the Word and it's awesome. I found this in her room one day when she was at school and couldn't resist the opportunity to capture it on "film". I didn't set it up at all. If you're curious, she was reading Esther at the time. ;)

Marlie with her shoebox for Operation Christmas child. We are going to put these pictures under the tree in place of the gift they are giving up to give the shoebox.

Hannah with her shoebox.

Dani with her shoebox. What a ham!

I didn't get a picture of Tyler with his shoebox because he was already in bed. He would've just tried to dig everything out anyway I'm sure.

Friday Marlie's class had a Thanksgiving feast and parents and siblings were included. They had to turn in recipes of their favorite Thanksgiving meals. They put together a book of the recipes to send home and they each had to bring in their prepared recipe on Friday. It was really fun!

This is Marlie in front of her decorated desk and centerpiece that she made. Doesn't she look so proud?!

Dani eating her meal. Yep, that's Tyler in the background eating.

Marlie and her teacher's 5-year-old son Jacob. Seems Jacob is somewhat smitten with Marlie, as much as a five-year-old can be. Just look at the way he is looking at her. How cute is that? Marlie's teacher said that he HAS to sit by her and be with her if he is in the classroom. Marlie just loves him to pieces!

'Nuf said!

2008-11-17T06:04:00.000-07:00

Just watch the video... 'nuf said!

This is HILARIOUS!

2008-11-15T11:35:00.002-07:00

I hope I can embed this video... it is absolutely gut-wrenchingly funny!

My blog... awarded... SERIOUS?!

2008-11-14T10:51:00.006-07:00

I guess I just don't think people are all that interested in my life but apparently I am wrong. TWO of my friends and fellow bloggers gave me this:

How crazy is that?! My friend Carrie was the first to give me the award and then Valinda did today. You guys are too sweet! If you click on their names it will take you to their blogs!

So here are the rules:

1) List 5 things you love.

2) Pass the award on to your 5 favorite bloggers.

3) And put a link back to my blog.

So here are the things that I love:
1) Learning about my Savior's unsurpassing love and grace. It really is amazing!
2) Laughing... I am so blessed to have a husband who helps me in this department and keeps me in stitches nearly every day.
3) That I am THE ONE who can comfort my kids right now - I am trying to relish it while it lasts. Sorry honey, you're a great substitute but there's just no one like mama right now!
4) Praising through song. I love to do it, but not so sure anyone else loves hearing me do it. Except Jesus, He loves a joyful NOISE! How thankful I am for that!
5) My extended family. I am not good and showing it and keeping in touch, but I have been blessed with a wonderful family, INCLUDING the family I married into!

Golly... who do I reward? I don't follow a lot of blogs anyway and the ones I do have been awarded... Let's see!

1) Ambitious African Adventures - This is a wonderful blog of my friend Robyn's who I met incredibly through a message board and feel I am kindred spirits with. Anyway, I don't know if it is open to the public yet but I can assure you you will want to keep up with it as she and her family go into the mission field in Lukulu, Zambia, Africa!

2) The Prague Blog - My niece Michelle who stepped out in faith and moved to Prague for 8 months to teach English. What a girl... no... woman! I love seeing what adventures she takes that I was always too chicken to even think about.

3) KK Ville - My aunt's blog. She is an amazing writer and photographer. LOVE it. You should check out today's entry. It's CRAZY!

4) Journey to Ellison Brook - This is a new blog that I am following of a friend's journey to adopting a little girl. Love her honesty and candor!

5) Kendra's Blog - I don't know for sure if this is open to the public or not... but it is an awesome blog written by my sweet sister-in-law. She is a fantastic woman of faith whom Christ just beams through! If you are able, you HAVE to go there and check out the new pics of their adorable family!

There ya have it!

You MUST watch this...oh, and have your tissue handy!

2008-11-13T20:55:00.002-07:00

This is the most amazing video picture of our Father's love and sacrifice. Many of you have probably heard this in a sermon or somewhere before but... MAN! It's only about 5 minutes long and so worth it! Just click here and you should be taken to it!

HIS thoughts are not our (MY) thoughts!

2008-11-10T16:14:00.004-07:00

I don't know about you guys, but I've been wondering over the past week just what God might be doing through the election of Barak Obama as our next president. I've gone through all of the emotions: sadness because of his stance on those ideals we as Christians hold so dearly, anger as I struggle with judgment issues (my own), excitement to see how God is going to use this and could He be ushering in something REALLY big as we humans see it, amazement because it really is a historic moment to elect someone of color to the highest office in this country. But I have to admit that my primary thought has been that God is just giving us over to ourselves (by that I mean our country as a whole), giving us what we deserve, etc...

As most of you know, I am currently reading "Transforming Grace" by Jerry Bridges. Fabulous! Well, today I was reading the second to last chapter on "Appropriating God's Grace", i.e. taking hold of God's grace. Bear with me here, there is a point.

In this chapter, Jerry Bridges talks about seeing the sovereignty of God in our circumstances. He makes the point that if we are to truly take hold of the grace of God we must see the hand of God behind ALL of our circumstances not just the good. No matter how those circumstances take place or who is behind them, God is ultimately behind it all. Most of us get that right? And, he sites the stories of Job and Joseph. The author of Job gives all the "credit" for Job's troubles to the Lord. And Joseph himself did not blame his brothers for putting him in the pit to eventually be taken into slavery but said "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God" Genesis 45:8...

My point? Jerry Bridges goes on to point out that it is hard for us to see God's hand in the hard times. And it is isn't it, even though we know better? Here is what Jerry Bridges said to that effect: "Discipline may be either corrective or remedial. It may be sent for the purpose of correcting some sinful attitude or action, or to remedy some lack in our character. In either case, it is administered by our heavenly Father in love, not in wrath. Jesus has already borne the wrath of God in our place, so all adversities that come to us, come because He loves us and designs to conform us to the likeness of His Son." My immediate reaction to what is happening is to say, yep, we are being corrected. And, perhaps we are but not out of His hatred for Barak Obama or because we as Christians have gone so far to the left ourselves! No, it's because He LOVES us that He has allowed Obama in the White House! Do I "get" that? No! But, I do know that He is behind it, orchestrating it.

One more point that I found humbling... I know A LOT of Christians who are not happy in the least with the prospect of an Obama administration or what this country will look like with the extremely liberal slant to his views/prospective legislation and that of our now almost completely liberal executive branch. Think about this one also taken from the book mentioned before "...we tend to evaluate all our circumstances in terms of whether or not they produce happiness. Holiness, however, is a greater good than happiness, so God arranges and orchestrates circumstances to produce holiness before happiness." (emphasis mine)

Now, I say to you, and myself, isn't is quite possible that God did not just allow this man into the White House to punish us as the outright immoral, sinful nation that we've become. Maybe it's not about that at all. Satan has them in his camp. He just might have an avenue to work on us even harder now. So, maybe, just maybe God is using this to produce holiness in us. Are we willing to let Him do that? Are we willing to go through and do whatever it takes to come to that end? I don't know about you, but I have yet to think of the results of this election in that way so...

In addition to praying for our new president as the Scriptures instruct us to, and praying that "those" people's hearts will be opened to the Truth through this, I will now be praying that God would use this time as He sees fit to bring about greater holiness in me, my family, my church and my fellow believers across this nation!

So, I guess all of this could really be summed up in one simple statement. I guess it's not necessarily about "them" but about US!

OFF my soapbox now and on to cooking dinner! Hope that wasn't just a rambling mess to you but I tried to put all the thoughts floating around in my head down as clearly as I could!

So proud of my kids!

2008-11-09T05:36:00.003-07:00

I am so proud of my kids this morning! Well, I was yesterday too but just now got the chance to sit and blog about it! ;)

Anyway, we have a tradition in our family that each of our kids get three presents from us for Christmas. We did that partly to limit ourselves and what we spend on them and because three gifts were mentioned as being presented to Jesus when the wise men visited him. So, if three was sufficient to be mentioned in the Bible, we figure it's plenty for our kids. Usually they each get one BIG thing, an outfit and one little thing...

Well, we also like to participate in Operation Christmas Child. If you are not familiar, this is a ministry that sends out shoeboxes filled by families here in the U.S. to children around the world who might not otherwise receive anything for Christmas. Anyway, as my kids get older, I get more concerned about making sure that Christmas is not centered around them receiving gifts but about the gospel message. My original plan was to fill one shoebox as a family. But, I approached my kids yesterday with the idea of each of them having a box to fill. Here's the catch: they would each give up one of their three gifts to send out a box for the cause. To my surprise, there was no hesitation. I am so proud of them. So, off we went to the dollar store to fill all of our boxes with goodies: crayons, fun jewelry, socks, stickers, candy, puzzles, books.... it was fun! I figured we could stuff WAY more things in the boxes from the dollar store and the kids receiving them would think it as gold!

So, that was my most recent proud mommy moment! Now we will take pictures of them with their boxes to put under the tree as a reminder of their sacrificial giving this year and so they remember, hopefully, that our lives are about sharing, not receiving!

Thank you Jesus for giving to us - Your life, Your Spirit, Your creation... EVERYTHING! May we as parents live out the spirit of giving and sacrifice in front of our kids so we can develop that within them!

One Nation Under God?

2008-10-31T10:42:00.002-06:00

My cousin James posted this on his Facebook last night and I found it quite insightful!

One Nation Under God?
by James Stoppelbein

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; Psalm 33:12a

The forgotten 3rd verse of our national anthem:
.....Blest with victory and peace, may the Heaven rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust!"....

The seldom heard 4th verse of "America":
Our fathers' God, to Thee,
Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing;
Long may our land be bright
With freedom's holy light:
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God, our King.

Our founding fathers viewed The Almighty God as our nation's King!
Our country was founded on the belief in God, and that the nation would not prosper if we turned our backs on Him.
Paul said, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." - Romans 13:1
The very leadership of every nation falls under the hand of God. God will permit whoever He wants to take control, and He just might give us who we deserve. How can the leader of a nation founded "under God" be led by someone who does not believe that he is under God? We may soon find out.

How can we remove God from our courts; from our schools; from our lives?
At the birth of our nation, The Lord was our God. We have since turned from Him. How can we now expect to be blessed as a nation? Just as Israel was preserved and brought to the promised land, so have we. Just as Israel quickly forgot and turned their backs on God, so have we. The very depravity of man truly shows forth in our nation. The desperatly wicked heart boldly shows its face. We have called evil good and good evil. Our nation and her leaders have never before been in need of more prayer than at the present. What are YOU going to do about it?

I've decided my daughter is a ham and other random pics and thoughts!

2008-10-30T21:00:00.007-06:00

Okay, I just HAVE to share some pictures! I know, I know... not everyone wants to look at pictures of my kids ALL the time but... TOO BAD!

Dani was dressed up the other day! She wanted to dress up in something "scary". I think she had been to art club and they must've talked about scary Halloween costumes or something. Anyway, she wanted an old recital costume of Marlie's from when she was about 3. It was a spider costume because they did their dance to "The Itsy Bitsy Spider". So, I think we must have thrown the rest of the costume out as it was probably in shreds... but as you can see Dani was quite happy with the resulting "costume" and wasn't afraid to pose! Check out the socks! She is just too much!

And, Tyler made a huge mess of himself that night at dinner and it wasn't bath night so Daddy just stuck him in the sink for a quick rinser. He thought he was HOT STUFF! "Whoa!" he says!

Dani loving her new jammies from Grampa and Grammy! Can she strike a pose or what?

I am so proud of my girls. They have adjusted so well from homeschooling to "regular" school. In fact they competed in a spelling bee today and my little Hannah got first place in 1st grade! She was beaming she was so happy, but in her own quiet little way! She got a medal and everything! ;) Isn't she just a doll?

Marlie also competed in the third grade and got third place. You go girl!

Now, today is Dani's official birthday! My baby is not a baby anymore! Ahhhh... Okay, enough of me... Anyway, she got a button from Grammy saying "I'm 4 Years Old Today" that she wore proudly all day! You can see it in the pictures and this was even our second shirt of the day. We had to put the button on the new shirt don'tcha know?! We took cupcakes to my ladies Bible study this morning for the kids and they sang to her there! And, for a few weeks, when we would go the grocery store, Dani was eyeing these fancy caramel apples and I got her one as a surprise for after supper tonight. She was thrilled and super surprised! She was a sweet girl and shared with her mommy and siblings.

What a goofball!And it just wouldn't be a normal day without some form a shenanigans from Tyler. While we were cleaning up from the apple mess and all getting ready for bed, my precious son went suddenly missing. We looked all over upstairs for him! We looked in Marlie's room, his room, our room, the closets... calling him all the while. I knew he wasn't downstairs because the gate was up at the top. Just as I was starting to get frantic wondering if he snuck outside somehow, I hear Marlie laughing hysterically. She found her brother... sitting IN THE DARK, IN THE BATHROOM SINK, chewing away on Hannah's toothbrush. The child is obsessed with brushing his teeth and toothpaste. I HAD all of the toothpaste in a bathroom drawer. Before we finally got child-proof locks on them, I had to put it up in the cabinet above the toilet. The little stink figured out how to crawl up ON THE TOILET and reach the toothpaste! AND, he could get it open and suck it out of the tube! Anyway... I have NO IDEA how he got in the sink! Hence the reason for including the second picture... to give you a true sense of my theory. He must have climbed ON THE TOILET, stepped up ONTO THE TP HOLDER (you can't see it), and INTO the sink. Now, Tyler is only 18 months old, isn't that quite a feat for a little one? I don't how he managed without falling and killing himself. Between this, climbing onto the top bunk bed, sitting on the kitchen table throwing my fruit onto the floor, cutting his clothes with scissors... I can tell I'm in for a treat with this boy. Maybe I should get a leash!

Doesn't he look so proud of himself?

Pumpkin Carving

2008-10-28T10:06:00.003-06:00

Sunday after church we set out to carve a pumpkin for each member of the family. It was a chilly day but full of sunshine! We had fun! Daddy did a lot of the work! What a fun afternoon!

Double Wammie!

2008-10-28T09:45:00.003-06:00

Watch out little ladies! We all knew that Tyler had dance moves but vacuum too? The girls will be knocking down my door for these two qualities! I'll keep workin' on him for ya!

He cracks me up. He will run this little vacuum 'til it runs out of juice! Adorable!

Can she really be 4 already?!

2008-10-25T15:47:00.002-06:00

We had quite the last couple of days. The girls don't have school on Fridays so we started the weekend by going to a pumpkin patch to pick pumpkins to carve! Yes, Daddy is home for days off! Yeah!!!!!! Anyway, we finally found a patch and all got some pumpkins but I forgot my camera. I was so bummed. Hopefully we'll get to carve them tomorrow!

Next, Marlie and Hannah and I drove to Fort Collins to do their shopping for Dani. They both saved their allowances for several weeks to buy her the new Barbie movie! I am so proud of them. They are all watching it for the first time as I type this! They LOVE the Barbie movies.

Then Marlie's friend Tori came over to spend the night. We made cupcakes for Dani's birthday party today, ate homemade lasagna, and did a lot of giggling! It was fun!

And... today was the party. It was so cute. Marlie, Hannah and Tori did a "crowning ceremony" on Dani this morning for her special day! ALL their idea! All of her friends came over and played, ate pizza, decorated "pupcakes" (that's what Dani calls them), opened gifts and played some more! What a fun day!

Soon, Keven and I are off to eat a good steak dinner and watch Fireproof with Dave, Kendra and another couple. What a busy but FUN couple of days!

Get off your duff and VOTE people!

2008-10-24T16:17:00.002-06:00

I've never been one much into politics. Maybe it's something that becomes of increasing interest as you get older... I don't know. But, this election has me riveted! I am anxious to see what God has in store for our country! Will He once again show us favor or will the gavel fall?! Sometimes I get a little fearful of what will happen if the candidate that I DO NOT wish to see in office gets voted in! But then I remind myself that God is still in control and He is not the author of fear! PERIOD!

Anyway, my mom sent me this video and I thought it was good. We are really at a crossroads in this election I think. Pretty serious issues at stake! So, get out and vote people! If you don't, then you can't complain, right?

A MUST, MUST, MUST read!

2008-10-22T20:21:00.004-06:00

Okay people! I am not one to usually promote a book or anything. For one thing, I never finish a book, EVER! However, the book that I am currently going through with the ladies' study at church is a serious MUST read!

It's called Transforming Grace by Jerry Bridges. Aside from the Bible, it is the best book I have ever read! It really is that good! It's been one of those books that leave me hungry for more. Not just more of his book, but more of HIS book... the Scripture! It is not milk but definitely meat as far as study of the Word, in my opinion anyway. It has been mind-numbing at times and my jaw has to be picked up off of the floor quite often when reading it! SO GOOD! I am left grateful, more ready to serve out of gratitude and obedience, but mostly I am left falling more deeply in love with my Jesus, my God!

Oh, and if you usually receive a gift from me at Christmas time... don't rush out and buy this book, K? I'm gonna get it for you for Christmas. Unless you JUST can't wait, then just let me know! ;) Sorry to ruin any surprises but we're all big girls, right? :)

Just for you Kylie! "Tydo" dancing!

2008-10-22T20:16:00.002-06:00

(and anyone else interested in seeing another video of Tyler dancing!). Check out his moves about midway through. He is a HOOT I tell ya, a HOOT! For those of you who don't KNOW Kylie, she is Tyler's cousin who is about 6 weeks younger. Apparently she LOVES to watch videos of Tyler dancing!

I discovered templates!

2008-10-20T21:35:00.005-06:00

Only my fellow digiscrappers will appreciate this. I have discovered the beauty of templates! Oh, I will be using them a lot now! Dad, those cd's you gave me will now be put to good use! Just so you will appreciate my excitement...

This layout took me FOREVER! I mean like 2-3 hours. NO kidding. Partly because I am still learning but mostly because I am a perfectionist and do and redo a bajillion times!

Now, this one that I did tonight took less than 45 minutes and that's with a tutorial and learning how to even use a template for heaven's sake!

I am in love with scrapping again! Look out, my keyboard might catch the house on fire! I have A LOT of catching up to do!

Just sharing!

2008-10-20T14:59:00.006-06:00

I just thought I would share a video and few pics from the last couple of days.

Here's a video of Marlie making Tyler giggle! I could watch them play NICELY all day long! ;)

Don'tcha just LOVE fall? The colors are just amazing! Fall and spring are my absolute fave seasons. Even if they are the most unpredictable weather-wise in Colorful Colorado! For some reason the colors outside struck me as we were at the table eating lunch this afternoon so I just went out and snapped some quick pics. So pertiful!

And... since I had the camera handy, I had to take a couple of shots of the kiddos!

Dani - ain't she just precious?

Don't know what he's pointing at now, but isn't his big-boy haircut just darling!?

Okay, I have to quit goofing off and read my Bible study before the big girls get home! Ta ta!

Food for thought!

2008-10-19T20:15:00.006-06:00

My.... gosh, I guess "niece-in-law" if that's even a term, sent this in an email to me today! I found it quite thought provoking! Please take time to read it if you have a few minutes. It's not theology, of course, but quite true nonetheless!

SATAN'S MEETING:

Satan called a worldwide convention of demons. In his opening address he said, 'We can't keep Christians from going to church.' 'We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth.'
'We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their Savior.' 'Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken.'
'So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ..'
'This is what I want you to do,' said the devil: 'Distract them from gaining hold of their Savior and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!'
'How shall we do this?' his demons shouted.
'Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds,' he answered. 'Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow.'
'Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles.'
'Keep them from spending time with their children.' 'As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!'
'Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice.'
'Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive.' To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly.'
'This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ.'
'Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers.' 'Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day.' 'Invade their driving moments with billboards.'
'Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes..'
'Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives. '
'Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night.' 'Give them headaches too! ' 'If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere.'
'That will fragment their families quickly!'
'Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas.'
'Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death.'
'Even in their recreation, let them be excessive.'
'Have them return from their recreation exhausted.'
'Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead.'
'Keep them busy, busy, busy!'
'And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences.'
'Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus.'
'Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause.'
'It will work!'
'It will work!'
It was quite a plan!
The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there.
Having little time for their God or their families.
Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.
I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes?
You be the judge!!!!!
Does 'BUSY' mean: B-eing U-nder S-atan's Y-oke?

Hits home doesn't it?!

It's been awhile!

2008-10-17T16:58:00.006-06:00

Seems like forever since I posted! It's not that there's been nothing going on, in fact we've been busy!

Nothing too exciting though! Same ole same ole. Running kids to school, grocery store trips, art club with Dani, volunteering in Hannah's classroom, movie night at school.... I shutter to think of how busy we're going to be when all four of our kids are involved in various things! Will be a juggling act I'm sure.

Part of the reason it's been a while is because this happened last time I came downstairs to post! I came to add my song to my playlist which I knew would only take a couple of minutes. Okay, maybe five. Tyler was in his room playing very nicely. I heard footsteps overhead and them some banging but figured he was playing with some balls. Nope, when I came upstairs, I discovered him ON the kitchen table throwing all of the apples and oranges out of the fruit basket and onto the floor! Then he proceeded to take all of God's Promises out of their box! See him pointing to them as if to say: "See Mommy? Look what I did!" (In case you are wondering, we have written several of God's Promises on index cards and put them into a box that stays on our table.) PRECIOUS BOY! What amazes me is the short amount of time it took for him to accomplish this! And, as usual, being the good mommy that I am, I had to bust out my camera!

It seems that climbing onto the kitchen chairs has become a favorite pastime of my son! I have to say that I don't discourage the climbing within reason. I figure that he's going to climb, that's what boys do! If he fall, he'll learn his lesson! But, I should probably discourage the many tiny bites taken out of the apples in the fruit basket, huh? This day I decided to just roll with it and let him have a snack of apple. Dani then had to join in!

This past weekend, Keven went elk hunting near Red Feather Lakes with his brother Dave and his dad! Sounds like they had a pretty good time hanging out with one another. No luck with the elk and it was super cold but they had fun nonetheless!

Keven and his dad. Keven says he was being silly flexing his muscles and Dave wasn't supposed to take the picture yet. If you know him like I do... I'm suspect! tee hee!

Some moose that they saw on Saturday! Gotta LOVE the Rockies!

My dad gave Marlie a harmonica when she was littler than Tyler. All the kids have enjoyed it but Tyler thinks he is hot stuff! What a doll baby! I really do think he is musically inclined like his daddy!

Now we're geared for a fairly relaxed weekend. Well, maybe not relaxed - menus have to be made, clothes picked out for next week, bills to be paid, grocery lists to be made - you get the picture. But, there's nothing extracurricular going on! Yay!

We're hoping Daddy will get days off soon. He's had a handful of days at home since the beginning of August. He is building a new rig with his company and it has taken a lot of his time. He has been home most nights even if it's been late. He's been able to be home pretty faithfully on Sundays and he took some days off for hunting... and a day to rescue our children from me. They were going to die if he didn't come home - meaning I was going to kill them. Not seriously of course! You mommies know what I'm talking about!

I guess that's our week in a nutshell! Those of you who know our plight with our very difficult child named Dani, please continue to pray for us! We are in a pit again as far as this is concerned. Please pray for wisdom for us and for consistent and confident discipline on our parts. And, cohesion as a team in parenting! That's so hard to do! This too shall pass!

Until next time... which hopefully won't be as long in coming!

Another great song!

2008-10-08T10:14:00.002-06:00

I heard this one on the radio just a few minutes ago! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the words to it. It's the first song on my playlist. The Face of Love by Sanctus Real... Please take the opportunity to listen to the words if you have time! Sorry to post so much music but this is one way that God surely speaks to me so I can't help but share!

My little marksgirls!

2008-10-05T21:49:00.007-06:00

Huh? Marksgirls? Well, I couldn't think of the PC term for marksmen so.... SHOOT ME! Ha, ha, ha, ha.... oh, I crack me up!

Well, as you may have read in the previous post, Keven took Marlie and Hannah to a local friend's shooting range to try their little hands at shooting a .17 HMR (Thanks honey, whatever that is!). They were really excited. I prayed when they left for extra safety as this mommy's instincts were to protect them and not let my babies handle a weapon! But, he said they would go over safety first and they did.

They were all three on cloud nine when they got home. I guess they were gone about three hours! Looks like Keven's got him a couple of shooting buddies. The girls did great. Seems Hannah's a natural and Marlie will get a better hang of it with more practice! She's a lot like her mother, these things take practice, LOTS of practice!

Marlie shooting

Hannah shooting

Proud girls!

Their target. Keven said they were shooting at almost 30 yards. Not bad!

Our artwork for the day!

2008-10-05T21:32:00.008-06:00

Some of you may not know this but my kids will sit for hours and draw/color. They LOVE it. Sometimes they create some pictures that just amaze me! They get their artsiness (is that a word?) from their daddy, believe me!

Hannah's hunter. She drew this for her daddy who has become quite the gun enthusiast and hunter! And, she drew this BEFORE she went and shot a gun with Daddy this afternoon! (See next post!)

Hannah's drawing of a gun. Keven was pretty impressed! It has a scope and trigger and everything! Again, before the shooting incident!

Marlie's drawing of a lady. I think it's beautiful!

This one is my fave just because of the message! That's my girl! Hope she will shout it from the rooftops!

And, I finally sat down to do a little scrapping. I've had NO time to do it at all lately. Believe me, you all see everything I do so, yah, it's been that long! But, Dani's birthday is at the end of the month so I thought I would just make some homemade invites. If you see this before you get it in the mail, it's comin'! ;)

That girl!

2008-10-04T10:19:00.001-06:00

Oh, for those of you who REALLY know Dani, she is just as sweet as she is rotten. Might sound horrible but it's the truth. I've never had anyone challenge me in every way as she does! It'll be interesting to look back in years to come and have a more clear understanding of what God is trying to teach ME through all of this!

Anyway, she was just as cute as pie again this morning! She crawls into bed with me for some snuggle time before we get up to start the day! That was so fun all by itself! But, then she said she was ready to get up! Here's what she said: "Mommy, let's get up!" Points to the window... "It's sunny days! See!?"

I DO love that girl!

Poor Baby!

2008-10-02T17:37:00.000-06:00

What a night we had! Poor Dani was up at 2:00 am throwing up. She attempted to go back to her own bed a couple of times only to come back upstairs and upchuck all over again. She was up and down getting sick until after 6:00. I felt so bad for her!

She has been laying on the couch all day watching Noggin. What a treat for her! Mommy the TV Nazi has left the building for the time being! She ran a low-grade fever all morning and hasn't eaten much. It's almost 5:45 and she's been asleep since just after 1:00.

I just have to say that I was a bit of a thankful mama in the middle of the night! Crazy huh? Usually I am SO impatient with children post 9:00 pm until morning. But, I have to say, my time with that little one was sweet last night! She was the cutest little thing. She ended up with me in bed and would reach over to touch me and make sure I was there! One time she found my nose first thing and giggled! She had to be close to mommy! So sweet. I was thanking God for the time but now am praying He will heal her quickly! We'll see how sweet I think she is if we have another night like last night! tee hee! ;)

Oh, now THIS is funny!

2008-10-01T08:46:00.002-06:00

I'm sure many of you have seen Anita Renfroe's list of the things said by a mom in any given day set to the William Tell Overture?! Check this out, she's redeemed the dad's as well! Thanks for sharing Carrie, I got a good laugh. Oh, and you'll have to pause my fave song on the sidebar! ;)

Another Dani funny!

2008-09-30T18:17:00.002-06:00

Oh, that Dani! She never ceases to make us laugh! She is a hoot. You may not find this nearly as funny as we did, but I HAD to post it for our posterity!

We were having a discussion about pirates after supper. Don't EVEN ask how THAT started! ;) But, we were telling Marlie that, yes, they do still exist but that we don't have to worry about them in our country because we have The Coast Guard, etc...

Dani interjects:

"They have treasure checks!"
Keven: "Yes, they DO have treasure checks... and what do they keep in their treasure checks?"
Dani whispers with wide eyes and hands cupped around her mouth: "Their SURPRISES!"

Sooooooo cute!

Give me YOUR eyes!

2008-09-30T08:54:00.003-06:00

Just wanted to share with you my current favorite song. It's playing on the playlist on my sidebar. I LOVE this song! When I hear it, I do pray for the eyes of Jesus toward my family, friends and especially the world around me. I've been quite convicted lately that I don't relish the idea of heaven as my future home and my behavior often times reflects it. On the same token, I don't fully grasp or give enough credence to the real horror of hell that awaits the unsaved around me! What a terrible fate and why don't I have the eyes to see what they are faced with? Oh God, please open my eyes to the reality of the eternal!

Tyler Scissor Hands!

2008-09-20T20:25:00.004-06:00

Okay, if anyone has a "Horrible Mother of the Year" award, just send it on over my way! Would you please take a look at what my son did to his clothing this morning?! Here's the story: I had opened up the dishwasher to let the steam out and cool things off so the big girls could unload it! At the time, Tyler was playing in his room and I went about my business for a few minutes! I come back to the kitchen a mere couple of minutes (or five) later and see this: the dishwasher door completely open/down, Tyler sitting ON the door, playing with my kitchen shears that had been washed in the last dishwashing cycle. He wasn't TRYING to cut anything, simply checking them out, in a motion reminiscent of say.... post hole digging! He put a huge hole in his shirt and two small holes in his shorts. One of my fave outfits I might add! It's a miracle the child didn't injure himself! God was protecting him that's for sure. Oh, and I wouldn't be a good mother if I didn't take pictures now would I? THAT I can do!

Ode to the little people

2008-09-20T20:21:00.008-06:00

Okay, we have a strange son! He sings one song and only one song (so far)! If you are not familiar with this tune, it was made "famous" on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the original movie version. Enjoy! Bear with us on the first video. It's a little long because we were trying to get him to sing it. The second video is much shorter and cuter as I busted him while he was singing it unprompted!

P.S. We don't know how he go this song down so well. We don't go around singing it or anything. Correction, we DIDN'T. Now we do. Not only because it's so dang cute to see him sing it but because it is now stuck in our heads! ALL of us!

Oh, and if you're wondering why the house is so quiet and there is no sign of children of the female kind, they were all grounded to separate rooms from mid-afternoon until bedtime! A story for another post! See book I am currently reading (on sidebar)... purchased today! Yah, it was THAT bad!

Goooooo Eagles!

2008-09-18T13:31:00.001-06:00

(now picturing the cheerleader hands....)

I know I am biased, but MAN, I sure do have me some cute kids!

Howdeeeee Pardner!

2008-09-17T10:41:00.003-06:00

Here are the western pictures that I promised! Please say you'll tell me if I goofed royally THIS time! ;)

Thank you Tara and Ivan for the belts, bandanas and hats. You'll be happy to know that the girls didn't take them to school for fear of losing them or messing them up somehow! Hope Colton and Carson aren't too broken up by letting us borrow them. They will have them back safe and sound this afternoon!

Marlie thought she needed to do something more corgirlly with her hair so she decided to flip it out. Is that cowgirlly?

And Hannah, poor Hannah... she couldn't find her tennies this morning! Ever have things just grow feet and walk off in your house? Now we have a missing pair of tennies AND a missing pair of jeans!

My cute little western ladies!Tomorrow is Spirit Day! Hmm... is that right? Anyway, they have to show school spirit and wear school colors etc... Nothing really very original to showcase but fun still! More pics tomorrow!

What kind of people ARE you?

2008-09-17T08:08:00.003-06:00

I am left wondering this morning, just what kind of people are you that read this? How come no one told me I did the girls' peace signs TOTALLY wrong... on their face and necklaces? Sheesh people! ha ha ha! What a goofball! Keven wasn't home yesterday when I was a design genius! Figures! I had penciled a picture of what I was thinking was a peace sign on my planner to show the girls before I drew them. He looks at it this morning and thinks it's a drawing of a pizza to remind myself to give the girls money for pizza at school tomorrow! We decided it was a yuppie version... like a pie graph peace sign. Oh golly! What a dork!

Anyway, I took western pics this morning. I'll post in a little while! MAYBE! If I feel like being kind to those of you who PRETEND to be my friends! tee hee!

JOKING, of course!

Spirit Week!

2008-09-16T09:52:00.006-06:00

What a fun week at school. It's Spirit Week and homecoming is on Saturday! Yesterday was Pajama Day! That sure was easy! I didn't have time to take pictures and I'm sure you've seen then in their jammies either in pictures or in person so...

Today was Retro Day and the kids could dress up in any style of the 50s, 60s, 70s or 80s. We chose the 60s/70s as that was the easiest. We bought some shirts and tie-dyed them on Saturday. Then we got some hemp yarn and strung some wooden beads on them that we drew peace signs, "LOVE", etc... on. I picked their best hippyish pants and put a bandana on their heads. The look was finished with some face paint! Too cute!

Of course, Dani had to get in on the fun too! We even made a shirt for Tyler but our neighbor/carpooling kindergartener is borrowing it!

I'm off to get some thing done! Tomorrow is Western Day! Yee Haw!