CONGRATULATIONS!

I am so excited for my sister and (official!) future brother-in-law! They became engaged this afternoon and we are very happy for both of them. I had to keep it a secret for 3 weeks! I have never had to keep a secret that long, much less from my sister who can read me like a book. However, I was very thankful that her fiance included me in the anticipation! In fact, he called me right after he purchased the ring weeks ago and even emailed me pictures of the ring! It was hard, but I kept mums the entire time! He even dropped her hints that I knew, but I stood firm! I also knew that he had been to ask our Mom and Dad for her hand in marriage on Christmas Eve. And then my sister and her fiance spent Christmas Eve with our family! That was hard! He did keep the "official" date a secret which was neat. It was quite exciting to receive her phone call this afternoon- she is the happiest I have seen her in her life. You two are a great match and I wish you many years of happiness and love! Can't wait till the wedding..........!!!!!

A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed

Tonight Smoke Bomb and Bottle Rocket were playing in their room upstairs when Smoke Bomb "accidentally" ran into a door jam with a toy in his hand. He had apparently hit his eye and from what we could tell probably scratched it. He was alright- we put ice in it and drops in his eye. Dada decided to have him wear a patch for awhile and Smoke Bomb protested right away. A few minutes later Bottle Rocket was overheard telling him that "it would be cool to wear a patch and they could pretend to be pirates together". Even Fire Cracker chimed in and said he would wear a patch. Bottle Rocket had not been solicited to get Smoke Bomb to wear the patch. He just knew it would help his little brother feel better. How cool! I went up to switch the laundry and when I came back, Dada, with his wonderous creative ideas, had fashioned eye patches for everyone. He dug out the left over leather from our couch, garden ties for the tomato plants and whipped them up in a matter of minutes. How clever! And Smoke Bomb had gone from "not going to wear it" to "where is mine". We all put the patches on and Smoke Bomb's eye had a nice break from any strain! Thanks Bottle Rocket and Dada for making the experience fun.
Pulling together as a family is what it's all about!

What is that in Fire Cracker's Playdough?

I am not sure, but I seriously think there is a limit to the number of things you can find in a 2 year old's playdough. I mean Crayola makes plenty of kits with tools and toys for playdough. Of course Fire Cracker does not prefer to use those, of which we have plenty. He prefers to use his own creativity. I love that he thinks "outside the box"! At least he knows not to eat the playdough. The downside is that he likes to feed the dogs playdough! Here is a list - no joke - of the things I/we have found in his playdough since Christmas morning. They are not just on the playdough either, they were embedded in the playdough!

1. lego(s)
2. miniature race cars
3. the motor for Smoke Bomb's Snaptricity set
4. the connectors from Bottle Rocket's Snap Circuit set
5. the lid to a bottle of water
6. the lamp socket for Snaptricity
7. a whistle
8. crayons

Out of the mouths of babes!

Conversation in our car today after Bottle Rocket had attended "big" church with us:

Mama: "Bottle Rocket, what does Pastor T say we all need?"
Bottle Rocket: "A Savior" (pretty good, he was listening in church!)
Mama: "Right, great work"
Smoke Bomb: "Maybe we can go out and get one tomorrow!"
Dada: "Smoke Bomb, we already have a Savior, named Jesus"
Smoke Bomb: "Oh yeah"

Good Times

Do You Know HIM?

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger". Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests".
- Luke 2:8-14


Merry CHRISTmas!

I'll Pass On The Energy Drink, But Thanks

It is 2 days out from Christmas. You would think from our kids that it IS Christmas already! You would also think that we gave our kids a (an) energy drink to start the day, then one with lunch and another for afternoon snack! They are "super-duper" excited and letting everyone know it! We were in the pediatricians office today and ran into the kids regular pediatrician (who is SO AWESOME!). He said he was sure the kids were "hard to contain at this point" for CHRISTmas. I agreed with him 100%! I quickly remarked that I had a new-found respect for my own parents. I mean it is challenging to keep up with all the excitement, questions and ants in the pants. But honestly it really is quite funny and fun to watch! It is also hard to believe that this Christmas excitement seems to grow each year. Fast forward 5 years with 4 kids and the excitement level it gets to is unimaginable!! I will need my own Monkey Joes to contain them at that point! We are enjoying each moment and making lasting memories. We are truly blessed to have 4 healthy, happy and "high-strung at the moment" children! Better run......there is a bunch of singing and dancing going on in the den. Merry CHRISTmas!

"The ?!Angry?! Santa"

Hmmmmmm......Created by Bottle Rocket this week at school! He thinks it is hilarious! Perhaps it is a boy thing? Perhaps I have not been spreading the Christmas joy and acting too stressed out this holiday? Perhaps he is just playing tricks on his mama? What do you think?

Finally Friday- Finally!

Way to go!

I am so proud of our 6 year old! He has been working hard over the last 2 weeks to learn all the books of the Old Testament. If you recall these are not easy names. Last night in Awana he earned a jewel for saying all 39 books! I will be the first to admit that I was learning them right along with him. Way to go Bottle Rocket!

Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalms
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
The Song of Soloman
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentaions
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi

Not My Time

It has to be one of the hardest struggles in my life. I like to be in control of things. I like to know when things will happen. I like to plan ahead. I love to have things scheduled. I like to be prepared and ready. I like when I am in the loop and know what is going on. It really is a character flaw to a point. I mean how dare I think that it's possible to have so much of a handle on things.

Our daughter had surgery planned for this coming up Monday. It is a surgery we had to decide for her as parents. I was ready. I had plans in place for the other kids to be taken care of. I had Tylenol and bandages ready. I had asked the doctors tons of questions. I knew how the procedure would take place. I had dotted all my I's and crossed all my T's. My husband and I had done extensive research. We had disussed the issue in depth. I had come to peace with putting her through surgery. I was ready! Until they cancelled her surgery today due to a cold. What?! But I am ready. Let's get this done. It is time. It is already scheduled. (Of course I am 100% behind the surgeon putting her safety as the #1 priority, but these are thoughts in my head at the time!).

Boom! It hit me again, like many times before. It is NOT about MY time. It IS about HIS time. God is an on time God. God is never late and He is never early. God is always right on time. Who knows why some things happen in our lives. Who knows why some things happen at certain times in our lives. Who knows why Sparkler woke up today with a cough and cold. I may never know. But that does not matter. I trust that God has a plan for each of us and there is a time for each part of that plan- down to the second. Surgery for Sparkler on Monday was not part of her plan. Period. No argument to be made. I must accept that.

It really is kind of nice to know that I am not in control of things and that He is. I had really struggled with putting Sparkler through this surgery at such a young age. I was so focused on the pressure and responsibility I felt as a parent. I was so concerned with how I felt about the surgery. I had tuned God out in a sense- forgotten that I am His child and He is taking care of me. He shares my burdens and responsibilities. I can lean on Him, cry out to Him, ask Him for help. And He hears me. This "schedule adjustment" has forced me to turn my selfish focus back to my faith and trust in God. He is guiding me and if I listen, He will teach me so much.

Scattered, Smothered & Covered

If you have ever been to Waffle House (even if you don't want to admit it!), you are surely familiar with the term...... scattered, smothered & covered hashbrowns. One of my most favorite times of the day is bright and early in the morning when the kids are ready to go downstairs for breakfast. One by one they will come into our room and pile on the bed with us. By the end of the "'gathering", there are 6 people snuggled up under the covers close as can be. Their intent is to wake us up and get moving, but my husband and I end up with a wonderful treat. For those few priceless moments, we get the chance to be scattered, smothered & covered with our children's love and cuddles! It rarely lasts as long as I would like, but it's a great way to start the day! Thanks kids!

Finally Friday!!

One more week closer to CHRISTmas! This month is flying by! We had some technical issues with the camera this week (ahem.... truthfully I dropped it last week causing the technical troubles). Needless to say we were not able to take many pictures this week. So............here are a few of my favorite shots from the summer beach trip. Makes me want to hop in the car and head where it's warm! Enjoy and have a fun weekend!

weekend!

He's FIVE!!!

WOW! Has it been another year already? Smoke Bomb has grown so much this past year- physically, emotionally, maturity-wise! He is so much fun to be around and such a dynamic part of our family! We are so proud of him! Happy Birthday to our favorite 5 year old!

Free Fun Family Entertainment

Hats off to Bass Pro Shops for this years' Santa Wonderland! We heard on the news that Santa was visiting the store this past weekend and decided to take the kids to have their picture taken. When we walked in the store we realized it was WAY more than just pictures with Santa! The boys eyes were huge! They had tons of stations set up- each with an activity the kids could take part in. There were remote control monster truck rallies, slot car racing on a 30 ft track, fishing video games, dart tag target shooting, coloring stations, bow and arrow practice, letters to santa, giant mailboxes to put the letters in for Santa, popcorn, candy, large scale trains and free pictures with Santa! They even had hand sanitizers at each station and the attendants made sure each child used it after their turn. Bass Pro Shop really thought of everything with this activity. Of course the items they had set up were all available for purchase. It was just such a creative marketing idea. We ended up spending 2 hours there and never spent a dime! I would definitely recommend this to any family- just get there early!

PS. Yes, Firecracker and Sparkler cried in the Santa picture. It will be a few years yet before we get a tear free picture with Santa!

Finally Friday!!

Yeah! It's the weekend! Here are some candid shots from this past week. These kids just crack us up all the time! Hope you have a great (snowy? just kidding!) weekend.