A Month of Gratefulness {Day 3}

You thought it would be the kids next right....Nope! I like to keep you on your toes.  So I must admit.

 I AM AN ADDICT! I love Dr. Pepper. It is like calmnesss in a can. I need help. In all seriousness, I am working on cutting down the soda intake.  BUT I am thankful for this wonderful can of goodness.

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A Month of Gratefulness {Day 2}

Again, so glad that I am doing this. It is coming at a time where I am facing some mighty big giants. It reminds me of how the Israelites were always having to be reminded of God's goodness, like parting the Red Sea or providing food in a desert.  Anywho...I am thankful for my husband...expected right, but I really am. This is a picture of him at the beginning of redoing our wood floors. On this project alone he spent 36 hours of hard labor to make them look amazing. He has sacrificed much and given much especially the past year or so. He helps me not be so crazy and is one of the most caring people I know.  He inspires me to love like Jesus does and well, I am not so great at that. He is a wonderful father too. I love him and can't wait to spend another ____ years to come with him.

****Reminder to self....proofread all posts before you publish, sheesh!****

A Month of Gratefulness {Day 1}

My "Holy Cow" and I

I refuse to skip Thanksgiving and go right to Christmas as so many stores are already doing. I NEED to remember what I am thankful for. It causes to me to think beyond the temporal and to the things that really matter. So in an effort to improve my attitude, get in the spirit of the month, and up my blogging, I will be giving thanks for something every day this month.

#1 As cliche as this may sound, I am thankful for my relationship with Jesus....He has carried me through a lot of stuff these past two years. I have grown to know Him deeper and He isn't scared or shocked by what He sees. That is important for someone who is scared to let it all hang out there for fear of rejection. I love that I don't have to fear that with Him because He loves me. I literally don't know where I would be or what I would be without Him. He gives me hope when I have none. He gives me strength when I am powerless. He gives me compassion when I would rather not love. He gives me grace when I screw up (on a regular basis). He loves me when I am at my worst. Most importantly, He died so I could live.

Boys and Life

For whatever reason, I am loving this picture of myself. #1 is because my 3 year took it. #2 it was at a park where my kids were playing a goofy game of father may I (our friend's dad was in charge) and it was hilarious. #3 I look relaxed.
Life has been a little crazy and not in a bad way always, but none the less crazy. I have actually gone days without even getting near my computer except for work. So I am going to give you a snippet of what we have been up to.

My oldest boys are being home schooled this year (yes I am still working....a little crazy) So we went with some of our dear friends and ventured into Oak Glen. I praise the Lord I already had a "whatever" type of attitude because it was an adventure. I loved it. It was a little hotter than I like, but it was a welcome to fall. Here are the boys taking the obligatory picture for their mother. #4 is now 2 #2 is 6 #3 is 3 1/2 and #1 is 9 1/2. Cheesy smiles...
A couple of week my father in law came and worked around our house. He graciously made the boards to go around my garden so I can have a raised bed garden this next year. I also had to promise to deliver the tomatoes. Well, as you can see my boys see this as a giant mud pit. They dug a hole and filled it with water. It was a moment I could have freaked out and made them take baths immediately, but I chose to allow the moment to happen. (my husband was out that evening and it was just me) See how they are working together. I love it. I pray that they will learn how to be good friends and work together more often. There is something special about having a brother by your side especially when you are in the mud.

Here is a picture of all clean boys veggin' on the couch. (yes new couch...the other was nasty and it needed to go) This is how my boys spend a lot of time, in their underwear....which is less laundry for me :)

Our time as family is growing and I love watching them grow up yet I tend to mourn that sweet preschool time. #1 is an upper grader now...wow! #2 is reading so well...amazing! #3 can dress himself and match most of the time...awesome! #4 is starting to talk more and says things like "hi, mommy when I get him in the morning...precious!

My goal of late is to be a better mom...be in the moment...be present...lay down my agenda...surrender to God moving in my life....relax....love life....

What about you? What are you up to lately?

The Art of Fort Making

My husband and I were out one Friday evening for a date. While were gone our boys decided to make a fort. I must say that I was impressed with the durability of this one. It was so comfy that the older boys slept in it. We decided to not move them. They should get to enjoy the fruit of their hard work. Pay no attention to the condition of the couch. I can happily say that it is gone now and served us well (7 years for a very cheap couch). What cute brothers!

The back of the fort. See, pretty creative don't you think?

Boys and forts....so much fun...most of the time :)

First Day of School 2011-2012

This year we are trying something new with school. These boys have attended my school, but after some deliberation and hard decision making we are homeschooling them. Yes, I am still working and yes it is hard and we are still figuring it out, but let me say I already love it. (it is by no means the ideal, but we are learning to work with what we have) They go to a learning center two days a week. They have classes like life science, karate, computers, step up to writing, lego league, art (meet the masters), and some other fun things. They are learning lots. It will be an interesting year, but I think we might survive. (might....) I will keep you posted on how it goes.

Checking their schedules and seeing which line to line up in.

Laundry Races

Where have we been? Well, we have been doing laundry basket races of course. There is nothing more fun than using these baskets for everything but laundry. So #1 and #3 raced #2 and #4. On your mark, get set,GOOOOO!!!!!!!The drivers were having a good time as long as the race was clean and safe (no baskets toppling over)