A proud moment

Do you see this pretty little face? This is the face of my little girl. And you'll never guess what she did yesterday, Feb. 13th. She asked Jesus to live in her heart and be her best friend forever. A mom could never be more proud than I am right now =)



And as she waited for me to finish getting ready for church I heard her singing "I have decided to follow Jesus". It was awesome and I know there were angels dancing.

Control What You Can and Leave the Rest Alone

I'll start with a question...Has everyone enjoyed the weather we've had?? And more coming as I type this =)

Now on to the post. I want to say that I used to be the kind of person that got really irritated if the kids were out school because of the weather. Not sure why, really, but it bugged me. And still bugged up until this past Friday. Friday was a turning point for me. Thanks to my neighbor I made it to the store that morning before the next round of snow came. We were out playing in the snow by 11 that morning. I wanted to build the boys a snow fort. You know, the kind that they could crawl through. Umm, that did not happen. So, my wonderful neighbor(same one that taxied me earlier) came over and helped me turn the almost fort into a sledding hill. It was the most fun I've had in a long time. I like to stay in if it's cold out. But this day was different. 3 moms got together and spent hours 'perfecting' that home made hill. It took us 1.5 hours of sledding down that hill to get it ready for the kids =) Did I say how much fun I had? And that I LOVE my neighbors?? The kids joined us and we played outside until almost 3 p.m. And then we moved the party indoors. Had dinner and went out to sled some more from 7-8:30. It was awesome!! It was one of those days that made my heart so happy to see my kids with their friends enjoying life. We laughed so much. It was a day that I'll remind myself of if I ever feel like a failure as a parent.

This brings me to my next point...I cannot control the weather. I also cannot control when school is out because of it. I can, however, control my attitude and how I choose to spend the time with my kids while they're home. This is a new thing for me. I like having a schedule and it bothers me when it gets messed up. But to look at the bright side, at least we're all still in bed at 8. The boys told me today that they want to go back to school. My response? I want you to go back to school, too. Not because I'm tired of my time with them. (our attitudes have been great and the kids have been getting along really well) But because I know they miss the routine as well. They miss their friends and the business of school. So, we're all finding ways to get along with each other until things get back to normal. I don't think it's a bad thing to say I'm ready for the kids to go back to school. They know I love them and the time I spend with them. However, I need time to my self and they need time away from me. I need to be able to breathe and just sit with out some one needing me. I need to be able to rejuvenate so I can be that mom they deserve. When we're cooped up in the house with no option of going somewhere I think we all start feeling claustrophobic and that's when we start getting on each other's nerves. I'm starting to think God wants me to work on my attitude. We'll be out of school tomorrow for the 7 straight day. We didn't have church last Wednesday, Sunday, and we won't have it tomorrow night. I'll just keep reminding myself to control what I can and leave the rest alone. I will not let a little thing like 30 inches of snow and 2 weeks of unplanned 'vacation' get the best of me!

You're how old???

Yep! That's right. My oldest boy turns 7 today. I'd fill you in on all the things he's doing now but we'll just leave it at this...He's awesome!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ETHAN!!

blank brain

I think I'm suffering from a blank brain. Lots is going on and I'm staying busy but I feel like I have nothing to say. And what I do want to say doesn't seem significant enough to write about(like this is). So I guess I'll do a random post and talk about stuff. Who knows, you might learn something new about me =)

This is my 3 week working at our churches MDO. I LOVE it. The ladies are great! I'm in with the 4 year olds so the kids can be a challenge some days but over all it's awesome. I'm praying about what comes next. There is an opportunity for me to work the 6 week summer camp the church does and also to come back for the fall semester. Not sure yet what God wants of me.

I'm leading a MomTime bible study starting tomorrow. I kinda feel like a grown up. Or that I'm at least growing up. I'm really excited to see how God's going to work in the lives of the women that come, including my own life. It's the same study I did with my mom this past fall but it's so good I need to do it again. And a year from now I'll want to do it again. It's titled...Effective Parenting in a Defective World by Chip Ingram. It's awesome.

I'm trying to make it to the gym at least 4 days a week but that doesn't always happen when you have kids that get sick. Or at least don't feel well enough to go with you. I'm hoping that changes when Aaron goes back to working day shift. I'm working towards a goal of being able to run a 5K. My brother and I plan on running the St.Patty's 5K this year and so far I'm up to 1.25 miles. I have some work to do.

This is the start of week #2 of Evan sleeping ALL night every night. I'm still not really used to it. After all, it's been 15 months of wondering why he wasn't sleeping at night. I guess we've got it figured out. If anyone tells you that restless leg doesn't happen to a toddler they need to meet mine. Tbs of calcium/magnesium every night before bed has done the trick. Wonder why my pediatrician didn't suggest that before he gave me a script for a sleep aid for my 15 month old?? huh.

I amd so looking forward to what this year has in store for us as a family. I can't wait to see what happens!!

something to think about

Are you the kind of person you want your kids to grow up to be?

And he sleeps!!!

For those that don't know, Evan has had issues sleeping from the very start. And when I say issues what I really mean to say is...the kid hasn't had a staright nights sleep in 15 months. Up at least every 2 hours if not more and sometimes it takes about 2 hours to get him back down. And because of this I stay up waiting for him to wake up. I've missed a LOT of sleep because I've not wanted to go to bed only to get up 30 mintues after I lay down. Evan and I have spent lots of time on the couch the past few months. I have done lots of crying the past few months. Mostly because I'm so tired but a little because I'm frusterated for Evan. There came a point when I realized it was his legs that were keeping him from getting sleep. My first thought was that he had RLS. However, at his 15 month well check I was informed that RLS do not exist in a child this young. I was given a 12 day supply of a sleep aid. I thought that was odd because Evan doesn't have trouble GOING to sleep, he has trouble STAYING alseep. He messes with his legs like a child with an ear infection would mess with their ears. I wanted to address the issue of his legs. But I'm just a mom...what do I know? Anyhoo. I discussed his problem with another and it was suggested to me to try liquid magnesium/calcium. The childs bottle comes flavored(we got strawberry). And so last night was his first dose. And he was staying over with my mom. And he slept all night. We'll see how tonight goes but I'm very hopeful. He's also been congested for months now so we're making the switch from cows milk to goats milk. Just so happens Aaron couldn't have cows milk when he was little either, and was on goats milk. I think I'll have to have a talk with our pedi. For now, he's doing great and maybe I'll start making up for some of the sleep I've lost over the last 15 months. So, if you're up anytine during the night say a prayer for me...that I'm not ;)

Made for the Long Haul

Does this sound familiar??








Mom and Dad were watching t.v. when mom said," I'm tired, and it's getting late. I think I'll go to bed." She went to the kitchen to make sandwiches for the next days lunches, rinsed out the popcorn bowls, took meast out of the freezer for supper the following evening, checked the cereal box levels, filled the sugar container, put spoons and bowls on the table and started the coffee pot for brewing the next morning. She then put some wet clothes in the dryer, put a load in the wash, ironed a shirt and secured a loose button. She picked up the game pieces left on the table and put the telephone book back in the drawer. She watered the plants, emptied a wastebasket and hung up a towel to dry. She yawned and stretched and headed for the bedroom. She stopped by the desk and wrote a note to the teacher, counted out some cash for the field trip, and pulled a textbook out from hiding under a chair. She signed a birthday card for a friend, addressed and stamped the envelope and wrote a quick note for the grocery store. She put both near her purse. Mom then creamed her face, put moisturizer, brushed and flossed her teeth and trimmed her nails. Hubby called,"I thought you were going to bed." "I'm on my way," she said. She put some water into the dog's dish and put the cat outside, then made sure the doors were locked. She looked in on each of the kids and turned out a bedside lamp, hung up a shirt, threw some dirty socks in the hamper, and had a brief conversation with one up still doing homework. In her own room, she set the alarm, lais out clothes for the next day, straightened up the shoe rack. She added three things to her list of things to do for tomorrow. About that time, the hubby turned off the t.v. and announced to no one in particular,'I'm gon gto bed." And he did. Anything extraordinary here?....Wonder why women live longer?.... CAUSE WE'RE STRONGER.....MADE FOR THE LONG HAUL!!