Life with the Osborne's

We're moving on up...well, down

2011-06-09T20:38:00.000-07:00

So in the past 6 months a lot has happened. How's that for a blog summary? Seriously, I know I am quite possibly one of the worst bloggers ever, but, since I am probably the only one who reads this thing, I've decided to give myself a break and stop the guilt trip. Because I have a bigger trip on the horizon that is quite frankly requiring all my mental and physical energy.

Our family is in the middle of what is quite possibly the biggest change we have experienced yet (aside from the birth of our children). We are moving to San Antonio. When my BFF heard the news, she said, "you have to start blogging again". My first thought was, "yeah right. I am having a hard time getting in a shower every day much less making time to blog." But then I thought maybe she was right. She usually is. I could blog again. It would give me a chance to process through all that is happening. Document all the ways God is moving in our lives. And *tear, sniff, sniff* allow me to keep in contact better with our family and friends once we make the move south.

So, you'll be seeing more of me on here. We are in the process of getting our house ready to put on the market. Lee accepted a great offer one week ago after a 5 week layoff from "The Place that Shall not be Named". The offer is a great one but it means moving to San Antonio. Which we've heard is lovely. But it isn't here. Obviously. We are still processing how we feel about all of this. Excited, nervous...lots of conflicting emotions. We have so much to do in order to get our house ready that we don't really have time to think much, and I think I am grateful for that.

So amigos and amigas, stay tuned.

Baptism Pictures

2010-12-05T16:07:00.001-08:00

Lee got to baptise Lillian today. Very cool Daddy moment.

Talking to his girl- she had some last minute jitters.

The cameraman

Me and My girl- so proud of her!

Both sets of grandparents were there, but somehow we only got a picture of one. Oops!

Baptism

2010-12-04T18:15:00.000-08:00

Lillian is getting baptised tomorrow. Our church has a short questionnaire that you fill out prior to getting baptised. I asked Lillian the questions and wrote down her answers as she gave them.

1. What was your life like before accepting Christ? "It was hard. I didn't make very good choices. I chose sometimes not to obey God."

2. How did you come to commit your life to Christ? "By asking Jesus to come into my heart."

3. What has your life been like since accepting Christ? "When God came into my heart, it felt good. I make good choices and love my family."

The truly sweet part about her answers was that she didn't have to think about them. As soon as I asked the question, she had an answer. Some people might wonder if she is doing this because we are pushing her to. It's actually the opposite. Last Spring, she kept asking us if she could become a Christian yet, and we kept telling her not yet. You're too young. You need to learn more first. Finally one day in March, she looked up at me and asked if we were ever going to let her become a Christian. I asked her a hundred questions to make sure she understood what it meant to be a Christian, who Jesus is, what the Bible says, etc. She was ready. So, she prayed and asked for forgiveness for her sins and for God to come in and forgive her and make her new.

Very quickly, she started asking about getting baptised. Again, we told her she needed to wait until some time had passed for her and us to make sure she was ready. Every time our church has had the baptism class, she has asked us if she can attend. Finally we took her to one two weeks ago, and tomorrow she is going to be baptised.

I remember talking with Lee a few years ago about how I was afraid Lillian would be a strong-willed child (sweet of course but strong-willed too). He said, "I'm okay with strong-willed kids. Once we get them to God, they won't let go. No one will be able to shake her faith or convictions." I joked with him that we first had to "get" her to God. Apparently, we didn't. Apparently, God still draws people to himself. Even if they are 4 or 5. Even if their parents are trying to make them wait.

Lillian has so many gifts that God has given her, and now she has given her heart to Him. Her life won't be perfect or trouble free, and she will still mess up. But she has His presence inside her now, and that can't ever be taken away. When she walks through tough times, He will help her. When she experiences blessings, she will know who sent them. The hole in her heart has been filled with the presence of God Almighty. The same God who put the red in her hair and the freckles on her nose is bending his ear to hear her thoughts, dreams, fears, and prayers. Now, she is free to be who she was created to be. A child of light, a child of love, a child of God.

The Karate Kids

2010-12-04T13:47:00.001-08:00

Lillian and Luke at karate today. Lillian doesn't have her gi yet, but Luke is in his. I LOVE this school! The kids are learning so much and having a blast.

New Perspectives

2010-12-03T18:32:00.000-08:00

I was talking to a good friend today about our kids, and all the gifts and challenges God has given them. Personalities, natural tendencies, struggles, strengths, etc. We were talking about how outgoing Lillian is, and she mentioned a little girl at her church who is outgoing like Lillian. This little girl will go up to anyone and ask them 30 questions (just like Lillian). However, this little girl also makes a point to ask people if they need her to pray for them or if they know that God loves them.

I was so challenged by this because I can't remember the last time I asked a total stranger about God or if I could pray for them. I mean I've done it on mission days with my church or on mission trips but not as I go about my daily life. So, I mentioned this to Lillian as we were on our way to Petsmart to get Lucky's nails trimmed. I challenged her (and myself) to try to be more intentional with our interactions with people and not be afraid to really talk to people.

We walked in the door, and Lillian immeditaly saw a woman standing off to the side with a Golden Retriever puppy. She asked if she could pet the woman's dog, asked a few questions about the dog, and then asked the lady if she knew about God. The woman said yes. Lillian proceeded to tell the lady that God was good and loved the woman very much. The lady said thank you, and we walked away. Lillian looked up at me and said, "I did what you said. That was fun."

It was quite a moment for me, and I realized that though I sometimes wish Lillian didn't try to talk to EVERYone we meet I love her heart for people. She has never met a stranger, and she literally has 100 questions on the tip of her tongue at any minute. Thanks to my friend today I have a new perspective on how Lillian can use some of her gifts to bless other people and a new conviction to follow my daughter's example.

Life

2010-12-01T20:09:00.000-08:00

I think I am a bipolar blogger. I either have nothing to write, or I have a million things to say. This blog is causing me angst. AAGGHH! Never the less, I will not quit. This blog is my scrapbook for the kids. And for me. So yet again, I find myself trying to synopsize the last few months. The problem is my memory is too short. So, I'll just write about the past few weeks.

Luke and Lillian have started tae kwon do. It's something they have asked about for a year, and Lee and I were quite excited for them to begin. They go twice a week to the Christian Martial Arts Academy and are learning so much like defensive moves, kicks and punches, some Korean, and how to be a person of good character.

We are going "lean" this Christmas due in large part to a large cut in Lee's salary; we are grateful he survived two layoffs and still has a job, but things are tight. Interestingly enough, I am having more fun this year deciding what to get everyone on my list and trying to find the "right" gift for the "right" price. I am also more focused on developing traditions that don't cost any money and building our appreciation of the season for what it is: a time to reflect on how much God loves us, a time to reach out to those around us, and a time to be grateful for all we have been given. We started one new tradition yesterday that I will share and post about soon.

Lillian's 5th Birthday

2010-09-01T15:31:00.001-07:00

This past week, Lillian turned 5. I have no idea how she got this old, but I do know she has made our lives richer every day of the last 5 years. She is stunning to look at, but her spirit and personality are the most beautiful thing about her. To know her is to love her.

We had a tea party/spa party this past Saturday with 7 of her friends. It was a blast. I had so much fun planning it, and the girls had fun painting their nails, putting on makeup and doing their hair. Then we had fruit, creme puffs, cupcakes, and punch. It was girly and lovely. (Lee and Luke went to the driving range since no boys were allowed)

My friend Rachel took some AMAZING pictures, and I will share some of those when I get them. She's awesome if you are in the area and need a photographer (http://reflectinggrace.blogspot.com/). For now, here are some of my pics from the party:

The birthday girl

The table and the Princesses

After the party, doing crafts with Luke

A dog...

2010-07-30T19:57:00.000-07:00

Those of you who have been reading this blog for a while and know our family probably know that my children (specifically Lillian) have been praying for a dog for almost a year. Click here for the backstory behind how this desire came to be. Anyone who has heard my kids pray over the past year has heard one or both of them ask God for a dog (repeatedly). Seriously, I have had church friends, school teachers, YMCA workers, family members, and strangers in Target tell me that Lillian and Luke want a dog.

When they started praying for a dog, I assumed they would lose interest or forget about it within a month or two. I should have known. This prayer request was lifted to the Lord daily at our house and usually multiple times a day. I was confident God would either answer it right away by providing a dog or make it clear we did not need a dog right now. I did not expect for us to get to the 11 month point with no end in sight to the request and no dog. As Lillian's birthday approached us, I was starting to have doubts that God would provide and beginning to think I may need to give in and go find a dog myself. Her faith was stronger than mine. I listened to my sweet daughter pray some of the most beautiful prayers I have ever heard including my personal favorite:

"God, we want a dog. We know that if you want to you

will provide the right dog at the right time.

But if you don't give us a dog, we will trust

you anyway because you are a good God."

To some of us, praying for a dog might not be a big deal when compared to praying for healing from a horrible disease or for a job or a rescue from a bad situation. But to a 4 year old girl, this was huge. Over the course of the year, I have watched her faith grow stronger, her discipline grow, and a few weeks ago I saw God answer her prayer in a big way. My sister in law called to say that they cannot keep their almost 2 year old mini Dachsund, Cookie, anymore and would we be interested in taking him. She and I had never talked about dogs, but she did know that Lillian was praying for a dog.

To make a long story short, we "dogsat" Cookie for a couple of days and decided he was a perfect fit for our family. He is super sweet, small enough for the kids to take care of him, doesn't shed, loves to ride in the car, and is super playful. Lee and I joke that he doesn't really need legs because Lillian carries him everywhere.

Here are some pics of our blessing and Lillian's answer to prayer. We changed his name to Lucky because the kids had a hard time remembering he was a boy dog and not a girl dog. It was not because every name in our family starts with an L. We are not that silly. Or are we?

Coming home from our first trip to Petsmart. She was thrilled!

Tuesdays with Cherine

2010-07-20T18:43:00.000-07:00

Did anyone read that book (or see the movie) Tuesdays with Morrie? It's a sweet story about two people who spend time together talking about life and learning from each other. If I was writing the book, it would be Tuesdays with Cherine. Cherine is a good friend of mine, and we have gotten together almost weekly for the past two years either at the zoo, the children's museum, swimming, or just hanging out.

I hope you each have a friend like her. She is the most encouraging, serene, peaceful, and talented person. Each time I meet with her I walk away feeling better about myself, my children, the world, and life. We have joked about writing up a betrothal contract for her son, Jack, and Lillian because we love each other's children and each other.

God has granted me and my children with some amazing friends, and I am thankful for their impact in my life. Today I am especially thankful for Cherine and her friendship. God bless you, sweet friend! I have no pics of Cherine to share (we are always taking pics of the kids), so I will post some of the kids from the museum.

the 3 amigos: Jack, Luke, and Lillian

Making a movie

little ambulance drivers

building a rocket (I think)

checking out in the grocery store

this fell shortly after the photo :(

I get by with a little help from my friends...

2010-07-16T11:50:00.001-07:00

Today my friend was the Blender Guy at Costco. He was doing a demo of some crazy blender that will liquify an avocado pit, pulverize an Iphone, and make a tasty spinach ice cream all in the span of a few minutes. My kids were fascinated by this, so we stayed for a while. They had one veggie smoothie, one fruit smoothie, enchildada soup, and spinach ice cream. In the course of 20 minutes, they had more fruits and veggies than they had all last week. They walked out of there stuffed. They also helped him sell two $379 blenders while we were there. I was hoping he'd throw us a free one for the biz, but I walked out of there without one. I think I had a tear in my eye because this is truly the blender to end all blenders. If you have $400 extra that you need to spend in the next week, stop by the Southlake Costco. If you have $800 extra, pick one up for me. It'd make a lovely gift! (I'd like red)

I'm a horrible blogger

2010-06-04T20:26:00.000-07:00

Note: This was posted on July 16th not June 4th.

Updating this blog has been on my to do list for about three months now. The problem is that so much has happened that I am overwhelmed even thinking about how to note it all. So, I've decided to give myself a break, hit the high points, and move on. I'm sure my 2 readers will appreciate it. :)

Luke had a musical at school; he had a speaking (2 lines) and music part (bass xylophone). It was lovely.

Luke had awards night at school; he got a scholarship award (all A's all year) and a conduct award (outstanding conduct this year). We were very proud; he's a great kid.

Luke began playing ice hockey. We thought it'd be a simple fun activity for him to do. Apparently, most of the other parents and the league think these are future NHL players we are dealing with. The good news is that Luke is having a blast. The bad news is that we are traveling 1-2 times a week to take him to games that are anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour away. And don't forget practices. Did I mention that Luke is having a blast? The other good news is that tonight is our last game! Football season starts in September and is thankfully much less of a commitment. I'm sure I'll post again about kids and sports (this has been a very enlightening experience).

Luke turned 8 on May 29th and had a rollerskating party. He asked me to make the cake. It was supposed to be a hockey rink. Luke was very happy with it; I was just glad it was edible.

Summer has been absolutely crazy. We were so busy the first two weeks we didn't even notice we weren't in school. Then I got the H1N1 flu and was out for a whole week. It was awful but also very relaxing (almost like a vacation). And that my friends is truly sad. Since we aren't going on a vacation this summer (money is tight), my vacation was being stuck in bed with the flu. Gee. I might have to avoid thinking about that anymore. Too depressing.

Since having the flu, we slowed down a little. We still swim 3-5 times a week (love our local pool), go the library (the kids are both doing summer reading clubs), have playdates with friends, and just chill. I am working through the summer but have been able to take off a week each month to just hang with the kids.

So that is all you need to know to catch up on our lives for the past 3 months. Well, I left quite a bit out, but I'm sure it will come up later. Now that I have gotten over my anxiety about writing again, it won't be another 3 months before you hear from me.

Beautiful Sunday Pictures

2010-04-25T18:21:00.001-07:00

We ate lunch after church today at Chipoltle and then walked down the street to this neat little sculpture park. The weather today was just so beautiful: tons of sun, cool breeze, classic Texas Spring temps that make you want to live outside because you know the heat of summer is a'comin. Here are some pics from today.

JoJo and Pa in their motorcycle gear

My Little Man

I didn't pose her, I promise...

Hockey

2010-04-25T15:22:00.000-07:00

Two years ago, Luke did a free 5 week ice hockey program at the Dr. Pepper Stars Center. He loved it of course, but he was really shaky skating and Lee and I weren't quite ready for him to play hockey (or rather we weren't quite ready to pay the big bucks for him to play) so we bought him some roller blades and some roller hockey stuff to use on our patios in the back and front of the house.

For the past 2 years, he has been playing roller hockey outside or a version of hallway hockey inside our house. If you see him at home without a hockey stick in his hand, he's probably eating, sleeping, doing homework, or on his way to pick up a hockey stick.

Over Easter weekend, we took him ice skating to see if his skating skills had improved due to all the roller blading he's been doing. He stepped onto the ice and took off. We had one of the coaches at the Stars Center look at him, and he said Luke was ready to play on a team (skipping their usual skate school and Hockey 101 they have). So next weekend, he begins his first practice.

I'm excited for him because I know he loves this sport. I'm a little nervous because child #2 has decided that she wants to play hockey too. Um, no. I am so not ready for that.

One of the coolest things that has happened with all of this (besides Luke learning the lesson of working hard for something and seeing rewards) is that God totally provided all of Luke's equipment for free! We were looking at paying around $200 for all of the pads, sticks, etc. you need to play ice hockey. Seriously, when Luke gets all dressed up, you can barely see him for all the protective gear he is wearing. God helped us find a very nice lady at the Stars Center who brought out all this "extra" equipment they had for kids to borrow. I thought we'd find one or two things that would fit him. Ah, ye of little faith. God provided every single piece of equipment Luke would need. If Lee had not already bought Luke some skates, they probably would have had those too.

So, we are looking forward to the first practice this coming weekend. In the meantime, Lee and Luke have been going up and playing some parent/child pickup hockey each weekend. They are having tons of fun.

And I think I have talked the princess into karate instead of hockey. I mean if she's going to be this cute her whole life she needs to be able to protect herself. Right?! I'll let you know how the karate goes. FYI: this may be a whale tattoo on her arm, but it's a "killa whale"!

2010-04-11T18:26:00.000-07:00

I shouldn't be blogging. I've got a load of laundry to fold, buttons to sew on a jacket, pants to hem, instructions to type up for Lee while I am gone this week, and work to do. But here I am. Blogging.

This weekend was so fun and exhausting. Friday night was our traditional (well as traditional as we get) pizza and movie night. The kids watched Beverly Hills Chihuahua again; Lillian is still obsessed with dogs so any movie about dogs is her favorite. Lee and I watched 500 Days of Summer. Loved the soundtrack from it!

Saturday we joined my dear friend Triste and 2 of her kids at the FW Nature Center. This was our second time to go there. We hiked and had a picnic lunch. Here's a pic.

After spending 4 hours at the Nature Center, we had just enough time to come home, shower, grab a leftover piece of pizza, and head out to a school fundraiser at the local rollerskating rink. It was Lillian's first time to roller skate, and I was a little nervous about how she would do. Those of you who know Lillian know my nerves were completely unnecessary. After about 10 minutes, she told me she didn't need me to help her anymore. I convinced her to let me hold her hand for another 5 minutes before she said, "Mom, I don't need you anymore. You can go stand with the other moms." Ouch. So I did and watched her skate for the next 2 hours by herself without stopping (except for brief drinks of water). Luke rollerblades and plays hockey in our driveway for about an hour a day, so he was zooming around like a maniac. I was proud that he did stop several times to see if Lillian was okay.

The kids were so tired by the time we got home. I think they fell asleep before their heads hit the pillow.

Then today we went to church, ate lunch with my mom and dad, came home for an hour or so, then went to watch Lee and Luke play some father/son ice hockey. But I think that's a post for another day.

Good night, friends!

Oh Happy Day!

2010-04-04T18:51:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago, I was sitting and talking with the kids one night when Lillian looked over at me and asked me, "Mom, when am I going to get on God's team?".
Me: "I don't know. I guess when you are ready and understand a few things. "
Her: "Like what kind of things?"
I did my best to explain our need for a Savior to a 4 year old. Our faith is a big part of our life, so she has heard us talk about God and our need for him since she was born. In true Lillian fashion she decided to tackle it much earlier than I thought she would.
We wound up talking for almost 20 minutes about sin, the cross, living for God/living His way, etc. and at the end Lillian decided she was ready to become a Christian. She prayed the sweetest prayer (I had to fight myself to stay in the moment and not go running for the video camera- how sad is that?), and then we spent about an hour rejoicing. No kidding- my kids were bouncing off the walls, and Lillian just radiated joy. You could see it on her face and hear it in her words.

I am so thrilled she has made the decision to follow God and live under His direction. We rejoice with her as she walks through life now with a new heart and a new set of eyes.

This girl is pure sweetness!

2010-03-15T20:12:00.001-07:00

Day One of Spring Break

2010-03-15T19:24:00.000-07:00

We are on Spring Break, and all I can say is "thank you God" for the break from school and work. We needed it. The kids were tired and so was I. We decided not to go anywhere out of town for the break, so we started thinking of all the "local" attractions we haven't been to.

So today we visited the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge. We had a blast hiking for 4 hours! They have 21 miles of trails. We didn't hit all of them obviously, but I have to say that I was so proud of how well the kids did. They just kept walking and walking.

All of this was followed by a quick lunch, visit to the bookstore, short nap and then 3 hour outside birthday party with a neighbor. Day One was highly successful. Day Two is going to involve some time with JoJo for the kids and some "mommy time" for me. I see a pedicure in my future!

The 7 year old mind

2010-03-07T17:54:00.000-08:00

Almost on a daily basis I am amazed, astounded, and befuddled by the questions pressing on the mind of my oldest child. Out of nowhere, he will come up with questions like "what is the fastest fish in the ocean?", "how big can orca whales get?", "what do the rings on the Olympic flag stand for?", and my personal favorite from today: "did dinosaurs have ears?".

Holy guacamole, Batman. I used to think I was reasonably smart. I'm not an Einstein by any means, but occasionally I can finish a crossword or answer a hard trivia question. Apparently though I am no match for the mind of a 7 year old.

In May, I am up for an upgrade on my cell phone, and I'm going to get an Iphone so that I can quickly google the answers to these and many other questions. By the way, the answers to the above questions in case you are wondering are: sailfish, 19-26 feet (the largest recorded was 32 feet long), the 5 inhabited continents of the world, and yes.

The Blizzard of 2010

2010-02-13T19:45:00.000-08:00

This past week we experienced something I have never seen in the 29 years I have lived in Texas. Snow in record numbers. 12 inches of snow fell at our house, and it was an awesome sight. The kids built snowmen, threw snowballs, and had an all around great time.

Here are some pics.

Did I do that?

2010-02-08T18:12:00.000-08:00

I have often commented on the fact that Lillian is 4 going on 40. I think some of this is being a 2nd child (they do things faster than the first child did because they have an older sibling to keep up with) and some of it is being a girl (she is more advanced verbally than Luke was at this age). Some of it is also pure Lillian. The girl has spunk. She also has a will and a desire to make her will known.

Tonight she wanted to be a "helper" to me. After bath, I told her we would paint her toenails. While I was busy hanging up the towel and restoring my bathroom to some kind of order after 2 whilrwind showers with both kids, I heard a horrible crash from the other bathroom. Then I heard Lee yell. He was in the hallway playing hockey with Luke and was much closer to the disaster zone.

I go running in the direction of the already loud crying and yelling sure that someone has fallen and seriously injured themselves only to find that my sweet "helper" has managed to dump my entire box of nail polishes on the tile floor thereby breaking 2 bottles all over the floor.

Red nail polish everywhere. Everywhere. Glass everywhere. Disaster zone created. One crying child with nail polish all over her paints. I'd like to say that we kept our cool, but we didn't. We stripped her pants off, put her on the floor in her room (where she proceeded to cry the entire time we cleaned the floor), and set to work using an entire bottle of nail polish remover (thank God I had just bought some the other day) to try to clean the floor.

I am so grateful it came up. All I can say is thank you God! There might still be a pink tinge to parts of the tile, but I think only Lee and I would notice. Heck, with all the alcohol poured on that floor tonight, it might be the cleanest it's been since the day it was installed.

I think Lee and I could have been a little calmer in the midst of this process, but I have to say one thing for us. We take the time after something like this to talk with our kids openly about why we were frustrated, how much we still love them, and how we can avoid situations like this in the future (i.e. ask for permission before you get into stuff that doesn't belong to you).

Lillian is now banned for the foreseeable future from painting her nails. I hope tonight was the finale to the series of lessons we have been trying to teach her related to the subject of "you must ask permission first", but I'm not really that naive.

And the tooth is gone!

2010-02-02T20:17:00.000-08:00

Thank you, Jesus. Hallelujah, Lord! Luke has finally lost his first tooth. This is several years in the making ever since his friend lost one at the age of 4. Luke has been very concerned about when this blessed event would happen for him. His bottom right tooth started to wiggle about 3 weeks ago, and tonight it was finally loose enough to pull. Oh yes, we pulled. Luke was so excited he could not wait. He asked me to pull it for him, but I told him I will not be a part of any tooth removal in this house. (Those of you who know me know about my bone/tooth/bump issues). Thank goodness Lee came home early. He grabbed some TP and gave it a pull. It took about 3 tries mainly because Lee was afraid of hurting Luke and scarring him for life on the whole tooth removal process.

You have never seen a kid so happy to have a bloody hole in his mouth! He was dancing a jig. Of course, his first question was "how much money do I get?". I think he might consider this a new business venture. I noticed he was poking around at his other teeth as he got into bed. Hmmm...

Anyway, the tooth fairy did leave $2 under his pillow (we give big for the first tooth apparently).

Here's a pic of his new look. He had just gotten out of the shower; his hair normally looks much better. :)

A little cold, a little hockey

2010-01-30T18:47:00.000-08:00

This weekend we have seen a resurgance in the cold temps here; the high was like 29 today. Absolutely freezing! So, what else goes with freezing temps? A little ice hockey. Lee found out the Dallas Stars were practicing at a local arena, and once Luke heard about it I knew we were going. I was hoping the boys would go and have some boy time, and Lillian and I could have some girl time (maybe go get our nails done, which is one of our favorite things to do). Lillian decided she wanted to go see the Stars though, so all 4 of us bundled up and headed on over.

Here's some video of Luke watching them practice. You'll notice how closely Lillian was watching the practice.

Friday night dance off

2010-01-29T19:47:00.001-08:00

Tonight after dinner, we put on some music while we cleaned the dishes. One thing led to another and before we knew it, we had a little dance competition going (strictly between the kids of course- if Lee and I had broken out our moves there would have been no competition). Personally, I think Luke won though I have to say I had no idea Lillian could breakdance. Check it out.

Luke has a looth tooth!

2010-01-07T19:07:00.000-08:00

Yeah! Luke FINALLY has a loose tooth. He is 7 years old and hasn't lost a tooth yet. The dentist said his mouth is just a little behind- probably much like his physical growth (he's small for his age). Luke has been eagerly anticipating the time when he could wiggle a tooth. That day arrived today.

My Mom was watching Lillian for me today while I worked and then got my hair highlighted and Luke was home because of school being cancelled due to ice. I got a message on my phone from Luke that said, "Thanks...Bye...". So I called back to see what he was trying to tell me. Luke shouted into the phone that he had a loose tooth. My Mom said he told her it was the "best day of his life". Oh sweet boy!

When I got home, he started wiggling, and his fingers haven't left his mouth since. (We are trying to emphasize the "use your tongue not your fingers to wiggle" approach) He cannot wait to tell all of his friends at school tomorrow about this; he's been keeping a tally of how many teeth the other kids in his class have lost already.

It is so fun to watch him get excited about things like this. It reminds me to not take life too seriously. Especially now as I am watching Texas get their booties handed to them in the National Championship game. I'm a little stressed but trying to remember Luke's joy!

Our first white Christmas

2010-01-03T19:11:00.000-08:00

We had our first white Christmas in like 83 years this past year. I had to get this documented on the blog. This is also my first time to up load a FLIP video here.

Happy 2010!

2010-01-03T18:53:00.000-08:00

So, I guess in addition to a break from normal life over the holidays I also took a break from blogging. Honestly, we were moving so fast and there was so much to post that I just got overwhelmed. It was too much. But, here it is the start of a New Year, and I am hoping to be a more faithful blogger over the next few months.

I know 2009 was a really hard year for many people (some very close to me), but for us it was a good year. We experienced the blessing of God in so many ways: we both were blessed with jobs the whole year, Luke was baptized, we saw most of both sides of our family this year, took 3 vacations, and came out of this past year still really in love with God and each other.

In the meantime, we have watched people we love go through some gut wrenching experiences: death of a loved one, unemployment, divorce, etc. I am in awe of the strength and faith they have shown, and I pray I could be like them in the same situation.

I have no idea what 2010 will hold, but I know this:

Any good thing I have has come from God and is not a result of any good thing I have done.
Any bad thing that comes my way is an opportunity for me to experience the strength and providence of God.
God has surrounded me with treasures (my husband, kids, family, and friends). I will strive to treat them like the blessings they are to me.
If I'll let him, God will take me on an adventure this year that I can't even fathom yet.
I'm in.

Lost and Found

2009-12-24T16:58:00.000-08:00

My wedding ring has been found! For those of you who didn't know, I lost my wedding ring about a month or so ago somewhere in my house. I found my wedding band in Lillian's room but there was no sign of my engagement ring anywhere. I was pretty sure I had vacuumed it up, emptied out my vacuum canister, and sent it to the dump in a garbage bag. Needless to say I was devastated.

I started praying believing that God would help me find my ring- possibly even get it out of the dump and place it back in my house if need be. So two nights ago while cleaning out my closet, I found my ring in a little pail on the floor. I was shocked! Thank you, God, for answering my prayers!

Ah, Christmas break

2009-12-19T07:05:00.000-08:00

This past week has been so busy and crazy, but as of yesterday at noon most of the craziness is over. I am done with work until the New Year, and Luke got out of school yesterday at noon. I helped coordinate his Christmas party, which went really well but was a lot more work than I anticipated.

Yesterday I finished all of my Christmas shopping except for 2 gift cards I need to purchase. And, all but 3 gifts are wrapped. Now, I just need the gifts I ordered online to come in and then quickly try to ship them out. Next year, I vow to shop online earlier. Of course, I think I make that same pledge every year. :)

Lillian and I are supposed to go to the Nutcracker today at 2 pm; she got a new dress and everything. The tickets are from my work and are free, but they seem to have been lost in the mail. Unless they come today and unless my mailman comes before 1 pm, we won't be going. Thankfully, Lillian really only seems to care about wearing her dress; she is so flexible. However, I'm praying really hard that the tickets come in. Hopefully they will.

Tonight is possibly a girls night out with my dear friend, Triste, to celebrate her birthday. I am so thankful for a friend like her; she is incredibly smart (she keeps me on my toes since my brain gets slower and slower each year), giving, energetic, and fun! We have so much fun together, and she really encourages me in marriage, kid raising, being a Christian, and living life. Happy Day, my friend!

Then tomorrow night we are taking Luke and one of his friends to the Mavericks game; Lee got free tickets from a client at work that are Platinum Club tickets and come with $120 worth of gift cards (these are the same tickets we got for a Stars game before). Luke and his friend are really excited about the game and spending the night afterward. Lillian is excited to spend the night with Grammy and Pa by herself and sleeping over at their house.

Even though we have a lot going on, it's all fun family time, and I love it! Happy Holidays everyone! I'll post pics soon of the Nutcracker (speaking in faith here that our tickets will come) and the Mavs game.

Lillian's Dance Recital

2009-12-07T19:33:00.000-08:00

My sweet, precious, funny, talented daughter was in her first ever ballet recital today. I won't lie and say there was a lot of actual ballet going on, but there was a ton of cuteness present. Here are some pics. Lee has all the action shots, so I'll post those when I get my hands on his phone.

This is a picture of Lillian and her buddy Zoe. They play together every Monday morning and then go to ballet together. Their playdates are so fun- they are so quiet! I was used to boys playing together and banging into everything and being loud.

This was after the performance; she is holding her Christmas bouqet.

Me and My girl

I am never baking again- make a note!

2009-11-22T13:46:00.000-08:00

Why do I have this obsession with becoming a great baker? Is it because they make it look so easy on Food Network? Is it because I love all things dessert? Seriously, I have had sooo many failures in the baking realm that you would think I would eventually say, "Hey, all I can do is slice and bake cookies, and I'm okay with that." But no. I continue to try my hand at homemade bread (not good), homemade cakes (the box kind is so much better), and homemade pies (don't really even like pie).

I tried to make an apple pie last night because I had some granny smith apples I needed to use up before they went bad. Here is the pie:

Looks good right? Kind of pretty. Taste good? Nope.

Here are some lessons I learned:

Only use really fresh apples otherwise your crust will be great and your filling will taste "old".
More crust is not always a good thing. Might start to seem like you are eating a loaf of bread instead of pie.
If you don't have apple cider, do not substitute with some watered down, sugared apple cidar vinegar. Not a good plan.
You can use too much nutmeg. It may be better if you actually use the measuring spoons instead of your hand to get the amount called for in the recipe.

I'm looking at this as a blessing since I am trying to eat healthy. At least now, I won't have a delicious apple pie to ignore. Nope, just a pretty bad apple pie to throw away.

The truly sad part is that I have a desire to try to make a new one again tonight. Maybe I need to put a rubber band around my wrist and snap it every time I think about pulling out my flour and sugar.

Twilight

2009-11-22T13:31:00.000-08:00

I love reading the Twilight books series- total love story, great characters, etc. I also love joining a great group of girls and going to the midnight showings of the movies when they come out. We did it for Twilight and of course had to do it again this past week when New Moon opened. We got to the movie theater at 8 pm this past Thursday night and joined the ranks of Twifans congregated there. The fans range in age from junior high to much older than me. :) That's one of the things I really love about the series too is that people from a lot of different walks of life and generations are bonding together in their love for the characters. There are hundreds of stories about how this series has helped so many young kids develop a love for reading too.

We had a blast! Seriously, if you have never gone to a midnight showing of a movie, you should try it. Well, as long as you have a great group of girls to go see it with. Because you can talk for hours while you wait for the movie to start- such torture for me. :)

Here's to my Twigirls! Thanks for a great night!

Doggies

2009-11-22T13:19:00.000-08:00

No, we don't have a dog yet- still praying. But we did do the next best thing (or maybe the best thing I'm not sure)- dog sitting. Ahhh....sweet doggies that come for a while and then head home. My best friend and her family are going to Austin for Thanksgiving, and we are going to watch their 2 precious min Pin/rat terrier mix doggies. We took the doggies in yesterday for a trial run to make sure they would be okay away from home. They did great. These dogs are so sweet (total lapdogs) and so little since I am used to big dogs. Luke and Lillian had a blast! They got to walk them, feed them, pet them, etc. Lillian especially was in Heaven.

Luke the Model

2009-11-22T13:11:00.000-08:00

Luke was in 2 photo shoots this past week. On Sunday, he stayed all afternoon at church along with other kids from the kid's ministry to take promo pictures for some materials for our church. He was more excited to be hanging out with some older boys.

Then this past Friday he stayed after school to be part of a photo shoot for his school as they put together a new website and materials.

Lee and I are thinking of charging for his next one. $100 an hour? :) He is seriously cute though!

This is Luke and his buddy Casey eating lunch at school one day.

Chiropractors and Natural Remedies

2009-11-17T19:08:00.000-08:00

About a year ago, I went to my first chiropractic appointment because my neck and lower back were really messed up. I could not believe the difference a few visits made. I loved my chiropractor and when she moved I just stopped going. I was pain free and didn't see the need.

Two weeks ago, I started having some issues in my lower back again, so I went to a new chiropractor a friend recommended. I have been a few times already and even took the kids today for a free kids evaluation. I have to say I am sooo interested in this area of medicine. The more I learn about our bodies and how God made them the more amazed I am. He is so clever.

I'm not a nut about homeopathic care, but I do tend to go for a more natural approach to issues and save medicine as the last ditch effort to cure a problem. My kids take colloidal silver and a great probiotic every day for immune support. When they start to get sick, I give them elderberry to help them fight off the virus. My kids have never gotten a flu shot and probably never will, so when Luke got the flu earlier this year I gave him a homeopathic flu remedy that worked quite well. I've been taking apple cidar vinegar (the super potent unfiltered kind) to help with some stomach issues, and I use white vinegar for everything from general cleaning to fabric softener.

I know there is so much more that I could be doing and I just try to add new things as I learn about them. It's easy for me to get overwhelmed if I try to make too many changes too fast.

It's a melancholy day

2009-11-02T07:19:00.000-08:00

The sun is shining; it's beautiful here. But I am feeling low. I'm not sure why but I have been missing my Grandpa so much this past week. I've been mourning the fact that I didn't see him more before he died. He lived in Arizona, and it was never easy to get out there either timewise or financially. I always thought I had more time.

I am so glad I know where he is and that I will see him again. I have eternity to spend with him so this is really just a short separation, but it is painful. I know I've already blogged about what a great man he was, so I won't do that again. But he was. Great. Amazing.Wonderful. He is. Missed. Needed.

Love you, Papa. Miss you.

Lovely Friends

2009-10-30T18:43:00.000-07:00

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

-Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

I live and have lived under the blessing of wonderful friends. From the time my Wendy (as she will always be known) came into my life, God began putting people into my life who would change it and me forever. There are no words to describe the impact these friends have had on me or the blessings I have experienced just in knowing them. Talk radio host Dave Ramsey says "5 years from now you will be the same person you are today except for the books you read and the people you meet". I wholeheartedly agree. I am who I am because of the influence of the people who befriended me. I'd like to list some of the big ones in order of when I met them.

Wendy- You have been my best friend since 7th grade. You introduced me to Jesus as my savior and loved me when I was unlovable. From you I learned what a gentle and quiet spirit is really like.
God- Oh how you love me. So thankful you are my friend as everything else would be meaningless without you.
Lee- I love that we are still best friends after all these years. You challenge me, pick me up when I am down, carry me when I can't go any further, and love me just for me.
Stacey, Berly, KK, Denise, Sonja, Susan, Kristen, Amy P. (and all the other college ladies)- I could write a book on what you taught me and the impact you had on my life. (Sonja and Kristen, for your sakes I will leave out the embarrassing details of our time together- hee hee)
Cherine- I have learned so much about how to value people and show them honor from you. You are an amazing hostess and a refreshing waterfall to my soul, but you already know that. :) You have the most beautiful spirit of anyone I know.
Lori- You are so generous to me always. Open heart, open hand. Awesome woman!
Rachel- I love your strength and desire to follow God. You are amazingly smart, talented, and beautiful! Thanks for all the nutritional info. I am a better parent because of you. I think through things more now because of you.
Triste- You might be the smartest person I know. I love you for never making me feel stupid though I often am compared to you. I love you like a sister and have been and continue to be so blessed by your friendship. You are my chai latte- you make life sweeter, spicier, and infninitely more enjoyable.

This is not an exhaustive list. I was just feeling blessed tonight and these people came to mind.

Pumpkin patch

2009-10-30T17:47:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday we took some friends to our favorite pumpkin patch near our house and had a blast. It was a beautiful day with bright sunshine and temps in the 70s. Here are some pics. The first one was taken by my lovely friend Rachel, and I think I did something to it to make it small like this. Oh well, it's still cute.

Lillian baking

2009-10-30T16:35:00.000-07:00

Both my kids love to bake, and now that they are older it is more fun because they can do more. I love to make scones and try out different recipes seeing just how healthy I can make them without losing taste. Today we made some cranberry orange walnut scones with white whole wheat flour. They were good but needed a little bit more sugar. Or maybe just some glaze. Of course that would make them slightly less healthy. But I digress. Here are some pics of Sugar with her scones.

Luke got baptized!

2009-10-28T18:49:00.000-07:00

A week ago Sunday on October 18, 2009 Luke got up before a very large group of people and got baptized. It was a great day! He had decided to make Jesus the Lord of his life earlier this year in February, but he had not been ready to get baptized until recently. Lee and I didn't push him to do it before he was ready. The really cool part was that when he told us he was ready and we took him to the class kids go through before getting baptized 5 of his friends were also in there. We had no idea that all of them were going to be there. So, he had lots of friends around to share the moment with and to get baptized with. Afterwards, we all went out to eat to celebrate.

I am proud of Luke for choosing to follow God early in life. I am thrilled to know he is on God's team now and that no matter what he faces in this life victory is assured for him. Life is hard, and I can't imagine trying to walk through it without the help and the hand of God.

Luke and Daddy beforehand. Lee got to help baptize Luke!

He was to tiny up there in size but so big in courage!

Yeah!

Go Stars!

2009-10-16T21:13:00.000-07:00

This is the time of year that Lee and Luke really love. Dallas Stars Hockey is on, and the free tickets are a-comin'. Lee was generously given 4 Platinum Club tickets, a parking pass, and $120 worth of credit for food/merchandise. This was the first time we've gotten 4 tickets, so we were all able to go instead of just Lee and Luke going. Lillian was so excited to be at the game. I was just excited for another fun night with the family.

In addition to our amazing seats, getting to watch the game, and enjoying snacks, we also came home with new hats for Lee and Luke, a Stars shirt for Lillian (who was lamenting the fact that "everyone" but her was in a Stars shirt when we were walking in), a Stars wallet for Luke, a pennant for Luke's room, and a new backpack for Luke. And for all that, we paid NOTHING. Can you believe that? As we were driving off, we told the kids to remember that nights like this are really a gift from God. We would never have had a night like this if not for other people's generosity and God's blessing. Our pastor always says that "God will not rip you off". Though I don't think God's eternal plan for mankind involves hockey (some, including my husband, may disagree), I do think that God knows how much my son loves hockey and wants to use that to show Luke how much he is loved by God. As for the rest of us, we had a great time too!

I just love Luke's face here!

Can you see the cotton candy on her face? Good times.

Luke- Tough enough to eat pink cotton candy and like it!

Me and my girl

Lily-isms

2009-10-11T18:30:00.000-07:00

Lillian is the type of child who really challenges you as a parent. One minute you are so proud of her you could cry. She's so smart, beautiful, funny, determined, etc., and her personality is super unique. On the flip side, she can be a little flippant (especially during sentimental moments), independent to the point that she really doesn't care what other people think of her, and she does have a small "drama queen" tendency (shocking I know given who her Mom is).

Some recent examples:

Burying our pet frog in the backyard: She tells her brother who is crying, "Luke, I don't know why you are crying. I mean I'm not sad at all. So the frog is dead, who cares?" (at this point, I start praying this is not a sign that she has no compassion or empathy but simply her way of trying to be "tough", which is a major Lillian value).

Playing Candyland tonight: After being sent back a long way, she says, "Oh well. Save the drama for your Momma, you know?"

Other favorite expressions, "Stickers" and "Manners" when something goes wrong. I think "manners" came from "oh man", but I have no idea where "stickers" came from.

She also loves to rhyme words a lot, so tonight when describing her dress-up outfit she had on she said it was "pretty mcshitty". (That was one of those times as a parent that I did not respond at all.)

I love her to death! Some days I pray harder for her than others.

Surprising benefits of the Swine Flu

2009-09-29T18:30:00.000-07:00

So, Luke has been sick since Sunday at noon, and life here has definitely been full of challenges. However, I have also noticed some rather lovely benefits.

You have to slow down. No school, football practice, ballet, etc.

You have to stay home. No running errands, running around, spending money, etc.

You get to be together. Even if one of you is pitifully sick...

Your house is amazingly clean and disinfected in your quest to keep others from getting sick.

You get to pray a lot and trust God to take care of your family.

We aren't usually home much between all of our activities and work for me, but I have found a new appreciation for my house and the comforts it provides. I have also learned how fun it is to just be with no plans whatsoever except to keep up to date on medications. And there is a lot of life you miss in the running around and business of the day.

Luke is much better now, and we are both ready for him to go back to school tomorrow. We cancelled all our weekend plans because he was still pretty weak (and I also thought someone else in the fam would have caught the flu), and our weekend was relaxed. Lee ran 13 miles yesterday, so maybe that wasn't super relaxing for him! I did not run 13 miles but did make it back into the gym after being a slug for a week.

Luke has Swine Flu

2009-09-28T18:36:00.001-07:00

My poor baby is sick! He started to feel bad yesterday around noon (right after we left church- uuggh, sorry other parents out there), and by the time we got home had a fever of 102. It peaked at 104 last night but came down quickly with some Ibuprofen. He had a pretty good day today though he is hoarse and still running a high fever without medicine. However, tonight at about 5:30 he just crashed. His fever spiked again to about 103, and it seemed to take forever for the Ibuprofen to start working.

I spent a small fortune at the Vitamin Shoppe this afternoon buying up homeopathic medicine to help with his symptoms, boost his immune system, etc. I am giving him elderberry syrup; it is supposed to have a similar impact as Tamiflu, which is very hard to find here. I am also giving him Oscilloccocinum (sp?) which does some of the same stuff reducing the duration of flu-like symptoms. And I am giving him his usual Colloidal Silver and probiotic. Hopefully between all that good stuff, we will see some improvement by tomorrow. Half of his class was out today with similar symptoms, which is why I am pretty sure it is H1N1. I have to say from all I've heard this seems to be milder than the regular flu at least in terms of how long it lasts. We'll see.

Please say a pray for Luke to get better and for the rest of us to stay well!

Direct Current

2009-09-27T13:56:00.000-07:00

Last year, Luke became a part of a praise and worship group at our church called Direct Current. The kids in the group learn some really fun worship songs and then learn motions or dance moves to go with the songs and then lead worship during our kids service on Sunday mornings. Luke loves it! Lee and I knew that Luke liked music, but we had no idea that he would enjoy performing so much. I mean he loves to perform in front of us, but in front of all the kids in the NRG Zone at church? Surely not.

This is part of one of the songs they do. Luke is in the front row in the middle.

Labor Day weekend (part two)

2009-09-27T13:47:00.001-07:00

Labor Day, we went to the new Cowboys Stadium for a highschool football game. Lee's alma mater, Trinity High School, was playing a team from Utah. Lee and Luke are big fans and go to a lot of the Trinity games. Plus this seemed like the cheapest way for us to go to a game there. The stadium was beautiful, and the game was really fun!

The biggest screen in the world

The kids waiting for the game to start

Me and the Kids

Daddy and Luke

Labor Day weekend

2009-09-22T18:39:00.000-07:00

Labor Day weekend we enjoyed some football fun. On Friday night, we drove out to Weatherford (about an hour away) to enjoy a game at a new highschool stadium (well a renovated stadium) that Lee designed. We tailgated with a bunch of people from his work and enjoyed some football in the parking lot along with some good barbecue. We also got to watch about 30 minutes of the game before lightning cancelled the fun. It was a really fun night (my kind of football too- nice and short), and we were so proud to celebrate Lee's work.

The Stadium (they are the Weatherford Kangaroos)

Another view

The best part for Lillian was stomping in the rain puddles

Luke enjoyed playing football in the parking lot

Grandparents Day

2009-09-13T18:32:00.001-07:00

Happy Grandparents Day to all of our grandparents and our great grandparents! We love you all so much and are especially thankful our kids have you in their lives. From those we see every week to those we only see once every year or two, you have an impact on our kid's lives in ways you don't even understand. They love you, and we love you!

I'd like to especially thank my Mimi and Papa for the impact they had on my life. I loved spending weeks each summer with you and learning from you. I remember hours spent in the broken down Jeep in your backyard at the house in Cheyenne pretending to drive, and I loved working with Papa on the ranch in Wyoming and being with you as you picked out your new house in Arizona. I always felt so special at your house, and I cannot thank you enough for your love. I learned a lot by watching you love each other; thank you for showing me that love can last a lifetime (and beyond) and two people can share a whole life together and still wake up as best friends.

My Papa was one of the best men I have ever met. He was tough but fair, smart but humble, and a leader who served. He was larger than life to me as a kid, he was an amazing role model for me as an adult, and I still mourn his loss. I cannot wait to get to Heaven and see him again whole and healthy. There are not a lot of men like my Papa left in this world, but with the lessons he taught me I hope to be raising one of them now. Love you, Papa.

My Mimi is an amazing woman (she'd have to be to have snagged a guy like Papa). I've learned a lot from her about how to keep a home, love your husband, host guests, and walk through tragedy. She is stronger than women twice her size, and she is a force to be reckoned with. She puts others before herself always and doesn't slow down for much. Her hands are never idle. It was an honor to hold her as she mourned Papa, and it was a blessing to sit up and be "girly" with her on our last trip to her house. The sadness was still there of course, but I saw her strength in her smile and heard it in her laugh.

Thank you, God, for my grandparents. Thank you that my kids have 3 sets of grandparents they know and interact with and two sets of great grandparents that love them. Blessings indeed!

9-11

2009-09-11T08:34:00.000-07:00

Since writing in my blog is often very cathartic for me, I am turning to it today in the hopes it can help me out. This is me being really real, so stop reading now if you aren't in the mood.

Today is a hard day for me. It is a hard day for me every year. It was a hard day for me 8 years ago. Though I didn't lose a close friend or family member on that fateful day, I still feel the tragedy and utter wrongness of that day as keenly now as I did back then. I cry, I rage, I question, and I wonder. If I'm honest, I hope for revenge. I do all these things in the quiet of my soul while I continue on with the daily demands and details. No one knows; no one sees except for God.

9-11 was a day that forever changed our country and most of us. It was a day that altered my world view and my ability to feel safe in my own home. When I hear a plane fly low over my house, my first thought is "has it been hijacked? is it going to come crashing into my house?" I hate that I think like that.

However, like all horrific events in our lives, there are valuable lessons to be learned and good outcomes to be found. I loved the kindness and solidarity we shared and showed as Americans in the months following 9-11. I loved that I stopped taking for granted that I had 60 years to make a difference or to be the person God wanted me to be and started trying to be that person today. And I loved that we started acknowledging true acts of heroism instead of making someone a hero because they wore a jersey or had a hit record.

My prayers for today are:

For all those who lost a loved one- May you be comforted.

For our nation- May our resolve "Never Again" be strengthened and may our bond as Americans be stronger than our ties to a political party or agenda.

For the true heroes (those who give their lives figuratively and literally in service to God, their country, and their fellow man)- May you experience blessing and protection.

For all people- May you realize today that your life has a divine purpose and that you can make a difference and may you start praying again to God the way you did after 9-11. He can save you and you still need Him even in the good times.

God bless America!

Prayers...

2009-09-10T18:41:00.001-07:00

In this crazy economy that has affected us all, I have learned some positive lessons.
One, if you don't have the cash to pay for it, don't buy it.
Two, there is a difference between a want and a need.
Three, delayed gratification is an aquired taste.
Four, I can learn a lot from my kids.

The kids have been asking for a dog ever since we returned home from our trip to North Carolina this past summer. They fell in love (well, Luke fell in "like', Lillian fell in love) with Pa and Nana's Bichon Frise (spelling?), Ben. Lillian cried that she missed Ben about half the way home, which equated to about 9 hours. She currently has a picture of him that Nana sent up on the wall above her bed, and she kisses it at night before bed.

I personally do not want or need anything else to take care of. One husband, two kids, myself, one house, one part time job, and a one inch leopard frog are enough for me. However, I want my kids to learn that God will come through for them and to ask Him for the "desires of their heart". If it's the right time and the right request, He will grant it.

So, Luke and Lillian started praying for a dog. I told them that it had to be very clear the dog was from God. In other words, a homeless dog shows up on our porch with a sign that says "I am from God, and I am for you". Okay, I am sort of exaggerating; the sign doesn't have to say those words exactly. But the dog does have to be free, need us to be his family, and appropriate for us. Like a smaller dog that the kids can help take care of.

It has been over a month that they have been praying and so far no dog. However, they will randomly come up to me and say, "Mom, I prayed for a dog today". For now, I am fine with them learning the discipline of waiting on God to answer a request.

Enter my own application of this lesson. I have a list of several things I really "want" right now. Some of them I personally would classify as a need, but I think that might be pushing the definition of the word. All of them I have the money to buy now. However, in this uncertain economy, it does not seem very smart to go out and buy all of it or even some of it.

So, I have decided to make my own prayer list and ask God to provide these things, make them even more affordable, or change my wants. I'm going to learn from my kids.

I'm going to store my list somewhere private, so only I will know what is on it. I am not testing God simply allowing Him to dictate how I spend my money and when. For most of you this is probably not a new concept. It isn't for me on big items either, but for small things I tend to rely on myself to get them. Not this time. It will be fun to wait to see what God does.

Sons

2009-09-06T19:00:00.000-07:00

The Bible says, "Sons are a heritage from the Lord; children a reward from him." I'm not sure I fully understand all that verse entails (it may take a whole lifetime), but I do know I am so thankful for Luke. Tonight he and I went to a praise night at church, and it was a sweet time for us. Lee was home sick with his second stomach bug of the week, and Lillian was in childcare since she was a little young to appreciate the service.

As we walked into the church, Luke grabbed my hand and continued to hold it the whole evening. I remember thinking how small his hand felt in mine even though he is getting bigger and always seems so mature. Compared to his sister, he is a big kid but compared to adults he is still so young. He doesn't usually sit still long enough to hold my hand longer than about ten seconds, so tonight was especially meaningful to me. I was reminded again that he is a gift from the Lord (a reward I am sure I don't deserve) and to treat him with all the care and graciousness that God shows me. I sent up a prayer that we will still be close when he is taller and bigger than I am.

For now, I am happy he is young and still thinks I am cool. I am happy to sing praise songs with him and to pray with him as he learns more about who God is and how much God loves him. I'll try to still be happy tomorrow when he comes in my room at 7:30 am and asks me to play Lego Star Wars with him. Or at 10:30 when we are at the new Cowboys stadium watching some highschool football. Gotta love boys!

The Haircut

2009-09-02T18:43:00.000-07:00

On Lillian's actual birthday (yesterday), I took her to a kid's salon called Sweet and Sassy to get her first real haircut. She came out of there with her hair cut and straight (at her request), nails polished, and glitter everywhere. We had so much fun!

This is her before the haircut. Can you believe that is the way her hair looks when she wakes up? Seriously, I didn't even touch it before we left.

I have never seen her hair this straight. It looked just like the way my Mom used to style her hair in high school.

Getting a pedi

Lunch with Daddy after the spa

See the flowers they put in her hair?

The only way I get pictures of the two of us together is to hold the camera out at arms length. This was us at the bookstore after lunch.

Big girl bike

2009-09-02T15:39:00.000-07:00

We gave Lillian a big girl bike for her birthday. Luke took his training wheels off a month ago, and he is now a lot faster than she is. She peddles as fast as her little legs will go and still ends up 40 feet behind him yelling, "Lukey, slow down".

The bike is turquoise with a white banana seat that has red cherries on it. The tires are whitewalled. It just screams out "Lillian".

When she woke up, she opened two presents inside the house, and then Lee asked her why she left something in the driveway. She walked outside and saw her bike.

First ride

So cute!

We sat on the porch and watched her ride around and around while we waited for Luke's ride to come take him to school.

Dear Lillian...

2009-09-02T09:47:00.000-07:00

4 years ago yesterday you and I met for the first time. It was a meeting that forever changed my life. As we were talking about your birth yesterday (as we do every year on your birthday), I was reminded of the chaos that ensued in the hospital before your arrival. You were an active baby constantly flipping about in my womb though you were full term. We went back and forth about whether or not you would be born via the usual method (can't bring myself to type the V word in our blog) or C-section. We finally went with a c-section partly because your Dad and I were so anxious to meet you and starting to get nervous that you might never come out.

I will never forget your sweet face peering at me over the screen when they got you out or your Daddy saying how beautiful you were over and over. I will also never forget the first time your bubba climbed up on my hospital bed and saw you (even though I was extremely dizzy and sick at the time thanks to the medication they gave me). Luke has loved you from the moment he saw you too, and you have been the best friend to him that he needed.

It would be impossible to write all the things I adore about you in this blog, so I'm picking a few things to document that I never want to forget.

I love putting you to bed at night and singing "you are my sunshine" or "sugar pie honey bunch" with you. I also love the way you stroke my face when I am talking to you.

I love how you roll your eyes when your Dad and I ask you to repeat a funny phrase. It's as if you already know how ridiculous we are, but I secretly think you love it!

I love the way you and Luke will hold hands when we are out in public. Daddy and I walk behind you and just smile.

I love it when you call Luke "honey"- sometimes you two act like an old married couple.

I love it when you do the wind up before you take off running. You look like the roadrunner cartoon.

I love it when you yell, "Do it again, Daddy" when he shoots you up like a rocket in the pool.

Most of all I love your personality. You are a wonderful mix of courage and tenderness. I swear your theme song should be "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". Sometimes you scare me with how daring you are. I think it is God's kindness to you and Luke that he gave you a cautious big brother and Luke a daring little sister. You spur each other on to better things (and okay sometimes you spur each other straight into trouble, but that is to be expected). You are loyal, smart, funny, and definitely an independent thinker. I wish I was more eloquent to tell you all that is in my heart for you. Instead, I will have to end with our signature phrase. I adore you.

Your Momma

Lillian's Birthday Dinner

2009-09-01T20:06:00.001-07:00

We took Lillian to the Rainforest Cafe for her birthday dinner Sunday night. She had so much fun though both she and Luke agreed that they did not want to sit next to the big gorillas (they come alive and roar at various intervals), so we sat next to the elephants. Of course, Lillian spent most of the night dragging my Mom over to see the gorillas every time they roared.

Big smiles!

Pa and JoJo

Lillian and the elephants

Yes, we are suckers for the balloon animal lady. That's a butterfly in case you can't tell (there is also a crown on her head)

Lee wearing Lillian's crown at her request- such a good Daddy!

Lillian's 4th birthday party

2009-09-01T19:52:00.001-07:00

This past Saturday we had a birthday party for Lillian at a gymnastics center. It was a blast! The kids got to jump on a bunch of trampolines, play games, swing and drop into this big foam pit, etc. These pictures are in reverse order, and it won't let me move them. I'm too tired right now to fix it, and I just want to get these up so people can see.

At the end of the party she wouldn't let anyone help her carry out her presents or balloons.

Luke jumping on the trampolines (they were in the floor). I so want one in my house.

Lillian and her friends- notice it was an eclectic group.

Coach Becky and Coach Sam who ran the party.

Her beautiful Hello Kitty cake that Mrs. Laura made!

My sweeties! I can't believe they are so big.

Update

2009-08-23T14:24:00.000-07:00

My thoughts lately have been kind of random and in bullet format, so I think this post will follow suit.

Lillian's birthday is in one week. I thank God every single day that He gave her to us, and I cannot wait to celebrate her special day (or special 3 or 4 days).
I hate party planning. Hate it, hate it, hate it. The pressure of where it will be, who to invite, what to serve, what color the balloons should be, etc, etc.
I think I found a great place to have her party. It's a gymnastics center, and they do awesome birthday parties. The kids will have a blast, and the parents and I don't have to do a thing but watch and take pictures. Still stressing about the colors (it's a Hello Kitty party but half the guest list is male)!
On her actual birthday (September 1st), I am going to take her to a kid's salon called Sweet and Sassy to get a haircut (very tiny trim) and her nails done. She also wants to go to eat at the Rainforest Cafe.
For years, Luke was scared to death of the Rainforest Cafe because of the huge mechanical gorilla inside it that roars. Lillian reminds him of this everytime the restaurant is brought up in conversation. (Luke is no longer scared of the monkey and gets mad when she brings it up). I think this might be the reason behind the birthday restaurant choice.
Lee and I have signed a contract to eat better and workout more. He'll probably drop 20 pounds by tomorrow while I go up 2.
Luke had a rough start to school (not getting his work done and having a hard time focusing). He has really turned it around this week, and I am exceedingly proud of him.
Luke is wickedly smart. He can read something once or twice and have it memorized. We NEVER work on his spelling words or memory verses because he has them memorized the first time we go over them. Crazy.
Right now our family life is rolling very smoothly. Everyone is getting along famously, everyone is employed who needs to be, and our house is relatively organized and clean. Makes me wonder what is coming around the next corner. I try not to be cynical or worried, but I know I do not grow the way God wants me to if life is always "roses". He will send trials my way to test me, grow me, and teach me. I don't always have a good attitude about all of that, but I want to.
I get to go out tomorrow night for a girls night out- finally. Kim, Cherine, and Becky- can't wait!

I think that's all. If reading this post gave you a headache, say a prayer for Lee. This is his daily life with me.

The Ballerina

2009-08-17T13:35:00.000-07:00

Lillian had her second week of ballet/tap/tumbling today. It is so fun to help her put on her leotard, tights, shoes, and get her hair in a bun. The look of pure "girly joy" that takes over her face is so precious. I think I must have a similar look on my face too. These pictures don't do her justice and are pretty bad, but lots of people have asked to see them.

What all good ballerinas do after class: eat a very large ice cream bar at Costco (seriously ate the whole thing herself)

Striking a pose in her bedroom

Sitting in her class

So sweet

Love this face! Such joy.

Pictures from our trip to North Carolina

2009-08-08T20:51:00.000-07:00

These are some fun pictures of our visit in North Carolina before we headed to the beach.

Luke and Zane: Post baseball game

The Dads during the baseball game- it got a little more competitive than it needed to...grown men verses little kids.

My Dad, Lillian, and Ben

Lillian and her new best friend, Ben- she cried for him about half the way home.

Nana's car- I'm not sure which "kid' had more fun riding around in it.

Myrtle Beach pictures

2009-08-08T19:27:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to post pictures of our trip to Myrtle Beach since the day we got back 2 weeks ago. Sorry it has taken so long! It took a while to catch up on everything. It was also hard to pick only a few pictures to post. I'd love to post them all but it would take forever.

These are two cousins from North Carolina (Lauren and Katie). The kids had a blast together!

Everyone but Pa at the beach (he was at the store getting groceries!)

Lee, Lillian, Nana, Lauren, Katie, me and Luke

She is such a little gymnast- her toes are even pointed!

The kids love it when Daddy does "Rocket" with them

Had to get a picture of Luke in a confederate hat

Luke and Nana

Luke on the boogie board- he was awesome!

Good bye from the Beach!

No more training wheels

2009-07-31T18:15:00.000-07:00

Luke has been asking us for a few days to take off his training wheels from his bike. So tonight after a classic summer dinner of hot dogs (got to love easy summer cooking), we set off for a field near our house. He did awesome and got it much faster than we were expecting. Here is the video.

We're in Tennessee!

2009-07-17T18:55:00.001-07:00

We left home this morning at 7 am for the first leg of our trip to North Carolina. The kids did pretty well though Lillian was a little uncooperative at times. But one book on tape, several stops, and two movies later, here we are. In Nashville, in a great hotel, in a suite, across from Vanderbilt University. We had no idea where we would stay when we pulled into town, so we followed our GPS to an area that had quite a few hotels in it. For once, our GPS actually came through. It's a very fun college area with lots of fun shops and restaurants, and we were able to walk a short distance to the Centennial Park where the kids ran, rolled down hills, and played (pictures to come once I get my camera cord from down in the car). Did I mention it is only 80 degrees here? With a cool breeze? We left 102 degree temps at home yesterday to come to this! Our hotel room was cheap because they are in their off season, and we got a suite that is the size of a 1 bedroom apartment. Super nice!

We are excited to finish up the first part of our trip tomorrow and get to North Carolina to see Pa and Nana. I haven't been to their house since Luke was a baby, and it will be great to visit with the rest of the family there including my paternal grandparents. We'll have a few days at Pa and Nana's house before we head to Myrtle Beach on Tuesday.

This trip is such a blessing, and we are so grateful to Pa and Nana for inviting us and getting the condo on the beach. Getting to see them is the best part- the beach is just icing on the cake.

More to come later!

Shopping with the kids

2009-07-13T15:20:00.000-07:00

I needed a new swimsuit for our vacation next week, so I headed off to the mall with the kids to find a swimsuit. Last time I did this was two years ago. Luke was 5, and Lillian was 2. Needless to say, today was a much different experience. I won't repeat all the "comments" I was subjected to today, but I did have some big revelations. One, swimsuit shopping is really something that should only be done by yourself or with a very understanding and supportive girlfriend. Two, at 7 years old Luke is way too old to be in the dressing room with me. When he turns himself to the wall and says, "Tell me when you are not naked anymore" that's a good sign he's too old for this (for the record I was not naked. Oh geez, I can't believe I just wrote naked on our family blog). And three, my kids have tons of opinions about what looks good and what doesn't.

Once I found a suit I liked and picked my self-esteem up off the floor, we were off to shop some more. Thankfully, the rest of it was not as painful. Apparently, shoes and tshirts do not elicit the same types of feedback as swimsuits.

4th of July

2009-07-05T20:10:00.000-07:00

Our 4th started off with blueberry pancakes and funny conversation from the kids. As we were eating, Lillian and Luke started talking about life after they get married. Lee and I spent a few minutes going over the basics like "you can't marry your sister/brother", "when you have kids Luke can't be the Daddy", etc.

Lee and I thought we had successfully navigated this conversation when all of a sudden Lillian looks at Lee and says, "I can't wait until you get a girlfriend". What?!? I raised my hand and said, "Um, that would be me. I'm Daddy's girlfriend." Not sure she bought it. Ouch.

Later, we headed to a 4th of July party at our friends' house. We swam, ate barbecue, and then walked .7 miles one way to see some great Fireworks. Our hosts decked out a wagon for the kids to ride in, and Lillian had a ball. Luke didn't want to ride; he wanted to walk with the bigger boys. They both had a great time! We didn't get them home and into bed until a few minutes after 11 pm, and Lillian was asleep in about 20 seconds.

It was a great day and a wonderful celebration of our country. I love America, and I love being an American. I am so grateful I was born in this country and that my kids were born here. Happy birthday America!

Swimmer boy!

I call this one Lillian and the lifeguards- there were so many sweet, precious preteen girls at the party who were so kind to Lillian.

Lillian jumping off the diving board. A random ray of sunshine shining down on her, or evidence that she is an Angel from God? I think the latter.

Our festive wagon to carry the kids to the fireworks!

Trip to Arizona

2009-06-30T11:09:00.000-07:00

Last Tuesday, the kids and I boarded a plane for Phoenix, AZ to see my Mom's family out there. Lee stayed home and spent the time studying for his next architectural licensure test, playing golf, watching movies, etc. He had a great week but was very happy when we came back. He even spent 3 hours cleaning the house on Saturday for me. He did a better job than I do. It was pristine! Such a blessing to come home after a trip and have nothing to do but rest.
Here are some fun pics:

The kids in the DFW airport prior to boarding the plane.

So precious!

Getting ready to take off...

The kids and Mimi. Such a blessing for them to spend time with her and to know their great Grandmother. She spoiled us rotten while we were there.

At my Aunt's ranch, my little cowboy and cowgirl. I was so proud of Luke for getting up on the horse. I had no doubts that Lillian would do it; she even wanted to trot. Luke was content with walking.

I love this picture! My aunt is one of my favorite people, and I loved watching her and Lillian together.

Sweet ladies!

They gathered these eggs themselves from the chickens. They didn't understand why we couldn't take these home.

After we rode horses at my Aunt's house, we went swimming in her pool with her 90 or so pound Lab who appointed himself as Lillian's personal lifeguard. I wish I had pictures but I was laughing so hard I didn't even think of grabbing the camera. Just picture this huge sweet dog paddling around after Lillian every time she started swimming. He was so worried about her we thought he was going to have a heart attack. LOL

Now, we are back home and trying to adjust to the time difference (two hour difference!). We've got a few weeks before our next vacation to Myrtle Beach and to see my Dad, Kathy, and family out in North Carolina. Yes, I feel very spoiled this summer.

Lee and I were talking about how great it is that our kids are getting to know and spend time with not only their grandparents but also their great grandparents. We are blessed, and we know it. It was very moving to watch my kids with my grandmother and aunt because I kept flashing back to memories I had of visits with them. Though we didn't live near each other, my grandparents, aunt, and uncle were very instrumental in my life (probably more than they know), and I love them so much. I'm thankful my kids are surrounded by so much love.

Swim Lessons

2009-06-18T16:22:00.001-07:00

The kids have just finished up two weeks of swim lessons at the YMCA. They have had a blast and are really turning into little fishes. Lillian was so advanced for her class that she was the example the teacher used for all the other kids to follow. Luke has a great front crawl stroke and has lost his fear of the water. Both of them need to work on swimming on their backs, but I am so happy they love the water. We will be swimming a lot this summer. Here are some pictures from their last day today. You might notice Luke's new crewcut- we buzzed it in the backyard last weekend. It is so nice to not have to fix his hair everyday, but I do miss his long locks. That kid has some great hair.

My Little Swimmers

Silly boy!

This is how a kid with no fat on his body floats on his back- a few inches below the water!

Yes her teacher has his hand under her, but she can do this on her own too.

Super Girl!

Super Boy!

Our favorite lifeguard Nick- you can't tell in this picture but he bears a close resemblance to Zac Efron.

Luke's swim teacher Drew

I could just eat her up!

Our trip to see the Alamo

2009-06-11T19:59:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we loaded up the kids, way too much luggage for a 2 day trip, loads of DVDs and snacks, and headed down to San Antonio to see the Alamo. This was Luke's birthday request. He chose to come see the Alamo instead of having a party- he is so precious!

We had a great time! This was our first family vacation in a year (sad, I know but don't despair we have 2 other vacations planned for this summer alone), and we really enjoyed being together. We had a fun adventure with our hotel and a Jazz concert they had Friday night, but other than that we ate some good food, walked a lot, laughed, and had fun.

Here are some pictures from our trip.

Luke's first glimpse of the Alamo- could he be any cuter?

The whole trip was worth it for this moment. He also kept writing us notes

in the hotel room thanking us for taking him on this trip.

The first Saturday of the month they recreate

life at Alamo- it really made the whole experience

10 times better. This was Luke playing music with the minstrel.

Lillian and Luke on a cannon-

this was one of the few times she smiled all day.

She was not quite as into the Alamo as Luke was.

We did a lot of walking.

This was Lillian's main form of transportation.

On the way home, we stopped at the Texas Capitol in Austin

(again at Luke's request).

That's sweet Luke in front of the Capitol building.

We joked that he might work there someday.

He does love to tell people what to do. LOL

Happy Birthday, sweet Luke! We absolutely love you and hope this next year is full of blessings for you.

Zoo trip with Cherine and Jack

2009-06-07T20:10:00.001-07:00

When I was homeschooling Luke last year, we spent almost every Tuesday from September to May at the zoo with my good friend Cherine and her son Jack. We all had Zoo passes, and every week was full of fun and adventures.

It has been bittersweet this year for Cherine and I to continue our Zoo trips without Luke who has been in school. Jack and Lillian still have fun, but all of us feel something is missing. Since Luke is out of school now, we decided to head off to the zoo last week (all of us together again) for what might be our last visit for a while. (We are Zoo snobs due to our passes- we don't like to go in the summer when it is hot because the animals are not as active as they are throughout the rest of the year, it smells, and it is too crowded for us).

Here are some pics of our day! It was a sweet fun time.

Luke's birthday

2009-06-07T19:56:00.000-07:00

Sweet Luke turned 7 two weeks ago, and I spend most of the day wondering how my baby boy could possibly be 7 already? Where does the time go? His birthday was a fun low key event for us because instead of a party Luke decided he wanted to go see the Alamo. He had studied Texas history in school and really, really wanted to see the Alamo. So, we had a small family only party at our house the night of his birthday. Luke's toy of choice this birthday? Legos, legos, legos. It is hard to tell what he is obsessesed with more- Legos or Star Wars. Combine the two (Star Wars Legos) and he is in heaven. He got several new sets for his birthday, and I didn't see him for hours as he worked on each set. It is quite amazing how he puts them together on his own. The few times he has asked for my help, he ends up figuring out the solution before I do.

Here's a pic of him working on one of his sets (thank you, Triste!)

These are the Star Wars cupcakes I made for his birthday. Please don't be jealous of my awesome baking/decorating skills. The decorations on top are stickers stuck on toothpicks.

Blowing out his candles!

HE SCORES!

2009-05-30T20:03:00.000-07:00

Luke scored today during his soccer game! You may not know what a big deal this is, so I will elaborate. Imagine if you will being the smallest kid on a team. Now imagine being the smallest kid but also the most competitive. Now imagine going through an entire basketball season without scoring (except during practice). Now imagine entering soccer season and almost getting to the end of the season without scoring in a game. Now you understand where Luke was entering today's game.

It was a beautiful goal (and also the only one his team scored today), and it kept his team from losing (again). They tied! I had the camera in my hand, but I was so excited by what was happening that I didn't get any pictures.

Luke was quite thrilled and immediately turned and ran down the sidelines so he could high five his coaches and teammates. Lee and I had been praying and asking God to please help Luke score all season. As he was kicking the ball toward the goal, we started to rise out of our chairs and yell. When he scored, we started jumping up and down, yelling, and pumping our fists. I think some parents looked at us and thought "Geez, calm down", but they had no idea what a moment this was. Or maybe they did, and we still took it over the top. Who knows! Who cares!

Thank you God for helping Luke score and for not letting him get through a second season playing a sport without scoring. It was a lovely birthday present for him. Pictures to post soon.

Today

2009-05-23T19:18:00.000-07:00

So, some of my friends have on occasion said to me things like, "You are such a good mom" or "I can't imagine you ever yelling at your kids". I quickly tell them that I can yell with the best (or worst) of them depending on how you look at it, and I have so many days where I truly stink at mommy-hood. Today (or more specifically the past 4 hours) was one of them.

Let me first say that I truly love my kids- more than I love anything else except for Jesus and their Daddy. However, there are seasons or stages of their lives that I am not 100% sure we will escape from alive or at the very least unscathed. I'm a little worried we got scarred today.

Luke is a fantastic kid. Luke is also so unbelievably competitive that he can be very hard to deal with. A common past time at our house has been hallway soccer or hockey. We set up goals at the end of our hallway and pass the puck or ball back and forth keeping score (the keeping score is all Luke's idea). Despite lots of pep talks ahead of time, Luke seems incapable of losing without whining or becoming upset. Tonight was no exception. Even after telling him that if he whined at all the game was going to end, he could not help himself. So, I picked up the ball and told him the game was over. He got very upset, and I decided it was bedtime since it was getting late anyway.

I tried to talk to him some more once he was in bed, but he shut down and told me he wanted to be left alone and that he "didn't love me anymore". Ouch. I had some expectation that my kids would say this to me during their teen years but not at the ripe old age of 6.

All this to say, I am at a loss for how to deal with him and how to help him learn to be a good winner AND loser. Lee is very helpful, but he isn't always around (tonight he was outside hanging patio lights while all this went on). I'm praying for God to help me help Luke.

So friends who think I am somehow super Mom, the truth is I am so imperfect that if my kids live up to their potential and turn out to be amazing people, it will not be because of me. It will be in many ways in spite of me.

Thankfully God is walking through this with me (or carrying me on nights like tonight) and can take even my wrongs and make them right. I'm falling on my knees and asking him to teach all of us how to be.

Field Day/ Last Day of School

2009-05-22T20:09:00.001-07:00

Today was one of those perfect days. The last day of school, field day, ice cream with friends, and lots of playing. I am so glad summer is here. I have high hopes and expectations for this summer; I'm hoping it will live up to even 50% of them.

Here are some pics from Luke's field day:

Luke right after the water balloon fight

Luke flying over the obstacle course. This was right before a major crash.

Some of Luke's buddies: Grayson and Jacob O (there were 3 Jacob's in his class, so they were all known by their first name and last initial)

Luke in the boys vs girls tug of war

Lillian had to join in

Luke and sweet Lauren!

Mrs. Peltier, his first grade teacher

Mrs. Garcia, our favorite kindergarten teacher.

Good buddy Kasey!

Luke Tyler

2009-05-21T19:39:00.000-07:00

This week has been crazy but good for us. It is Luke's last week of 1st grade, so it has been full of all the last minute things you do to wrap the year up (teacher appreciation, field day, awards ceremony, etc.). Tonight was the awards ceremony. Luke received an award for getting all A's this whole year and an outstanding conduct award. I knew he was going to get the first award, but I did not know he was going to receive the second. I was very proud of him and all he achieved this year (moving from homeschooling to regular school, learning cursive and French, asking Jesus into his heart, playing team sports, making lots of new friends, and being part of a singing group of other boys at church to name a few).

I am so thankful for Luke. He has a sweet heart and makes life fun. He is so kind to Lillian and genuinely loves people. He is really smart (amazing memory) and talented. He makes me want to be a better mom because he deserves someone amazing raising him. I don't feel I meet that requirement, but I do absolutely love him.

His birthday is coming up in a week, and he will be 7. I can't believe he's that old. I have no idea what this year will hold for him, but I know we will walk through it together and I am thankful for that.

I'm here

2009-05-19T19:52:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in a while mainly because my kids have been giving me so much material for the blog that I've been overwhelmed. Now, I can't remember half of it. Sorry.

This is Luke's last week of school, and we are all ready for summer to come. I cannot wait to turn off my alarm and just sleep until the kids wake me up, which won't be much later than we get up now. There's just something about not having to use an alarm clock to wake up; it feels better.

Luke is still doing soccer, but it will finish up the first week of June. We are going to San Antonio on June 5th to celebrate Luke's birthday. He studied Texas history this year and really wanted to see the Alamo. We told him that we could go to San Antonio for his birthday or we could throw him a party. It took him about 10 seconds to decide on San Antonio. I've got both kids in two weeks of swim lessons mid June, and then I leave with the kids on the 22nd to go to Phoenix and visit family. We'll come back for a few weeks in July and then leave on the 19th to go to North Carolina to see my Dad, his wife, and family out there. We'll also head down for some time with Dad and Kathy at Myrtle Beach; we went there 2 years ago with them and had a great time. Luke starts back to school on August 12th, and summer will be over.

For now, we are trying to make it through this very crazy week with as few meltdowns (theirs and mine) as possible.

My morning

2009-05-08T08:21:00.000-07:00

So, here's what I did this morning. Dropped Luke off at 7:40 for school. Went to Wal-Mart to buy Borax (more on why later). While there I had to stop by the clearance section (don't even get me started on this- it is amazing but will be gone when my store is done remodeling). Picked up High School Musical pj's for $1 (pant and shirt set- two kinds pink and blue). Got 2 for Lillian and 2 for her friend Sara who is 5 years old and has given Lillian hundreds of hand me down clothes and toys. I know $2 worth of pjs doesn't seem like much payback, but Sara loves HSM and it's a start. Also finished Mom's day shopping and got the rest of what I need to make dinner.

Then...off to the Farmer's market to buy some tomatoes. The farmer's market is one of my favorite things about summer. I love going there!

Then...to Starbucks because I was in major need of caffeine after a late night with Cherine eating sushi (so fun, friend!) and um drinking Starbucks. Whoa, just realized I've been to Starbucks twice in 12 hours. DO NOT tell Lee. :)

Then...mailed a letter, returned a movie, and headed home where...

I waged WAR on the mold in my bathroom with my vinegar, Borax, peroxide combo. And I WON!!! This was no ordinary war. We had a small, slow leak under our sink and the plywood base of our cabinet had started to grow mold. (I was panicking about this yesterday but today I was just mad and determined to get rid of it) So, I knew this was going to be harder to get rid of than mold on tile. But I was successful. Sweet victory! And because I didn't use bleach (which doesn't kill mold on porous material anyway) there is no nasty smell or out gassing.

It is now 10:35, and I have to run out the door to grab Chik-Fil-A and meet Luke for lunch at his school. After that (when my caffeine high runs out), it will be nap time for Lillian and I.

Whew...

Couponing

2009-05-05T20:25:00.000-07:00

I started couponing three weeks ago (check out grocerygame.com) to try to ease back on our food budget. We weren't spending an outrageous amount on food, but I knew we could do better. We eat meat every night because Lee is a meat and potatoes guy so that inflates our budget some. I thought I could try to cut back on what I spend on toothpaste, paper goods, cleaning supplies etc. I had no idea what I could actually accomplish until yesterday. Before now, I have not been focusing on buying things when they are at rock bottom prices and stocking up (i.e. buying more than I currently need). I don't have a lot of storage space, so I don't go crazy stockpiling. I do however currently have 8 tubes of mascara if that tells you anything though. I figure if I don't use them all I can always give them away.

So, on Monday I went to one of my new favorite stores (CVS) with my list and my coupons and got 3 boxes of Special K with Berries (Lee and the kids all time favorite cereal), 8 bottles of Aleve (no, I don't have a problem but it was a major good deal), and 2 tubes of toothpaste for $7!!! I also got $9 in ECBs back. ECBs are credit toward your next purchase and are basically free money. So, techinically, I got paid $2 to buy all of that. I was beyond excited.

Then, my friend Rachel called to tell me about a deal at Staple's where you could buy a Casio label maker, which I have wanted for a while, for $20 with a $20 rebate. So, it was FREE! I called Staple's had them hold one for me, and while I was there picked up a free bag of Ghirardelli chocolate for one of Luke's favorite people in the whole world, Mrs. Garcia (a teacher at his school). Did I mention it was all FREE?

So, I got everything in the picture below for $7. Can you hear the angelic choir singing? Just kidding. Please don't worry that I'm becoming a nut about this; I'm just super excited from yesterday. I promise not to talk about it every time I see you, or blog about it anymore (well, unless I have another amazing day like Monday). I do not worship the coupon or money, but it is a really good feeling to know that a little bit of effort paid off in a big way.

Our Weekend

2009-05-03T14:52:00.001-07:00

This past weekend has been super relaxing and nice. We have had a ton of rain, which has forced us to stay inside for most of the weekend, but it has still been nice. We started Friday with a trip to the zoo (before the rain came), and we brought along a sweet friend for Lillian in addition to meeting another friend there. We walked for 4 hours, so I was super tired that night. Lee took us out to eat at a restaurant we don't normally go to, and we sat on the patio near a pond. Both the kids were so tired they just kind of sat there quitely coloring, looking at the pond, and eating. Bliss...

On Saturday we were able to get in Luke's soccer game before the rain came. Their team got stomped; it was so sad. As they were walking off the field, they all looked so dejected, but they rallied after a few encouraging words from the coach and once they got snack (always a high point). After lunch, Lillian and I both took long naps, and Luke read on his bed. It was one of those dark, quiet afternoons that don't come often around here but are perfect for napping. Then the floods came. It was a close call on the water actually coming into our living room, but Lee got out there and pushed the water off with a broom. We grilled some awesome burgers and zuchinni and onions.

Today was church, a workout for me, and now the boys are watching the Mavs while Lillian cleans the imaginary pee off the walls (it supposedly came from her stuffed animal bunny who was being naughty- don't ask...), and I blog and get my coupons together for the week.

One funny from earlier today: the kids were not listening this morning as we got ready for church, and Lee told them to get their listenings ears on. Lillian looked up at Lee and said, "Daddy, my listening ears are still asleep." LOL

My Favorite Things

2009-04-29T19:31:00.000-07:00

I saw a friend post her list of favorite things, and it got me thinking about mine. These are not in any particular order or rank of importance though one could argue that #1 wakes me up and helps me appreciate all the rest.

1. Grande Iced Coffee from Starbucks (with cream and 3 Splenda).

2. Couponing (great to get stuff for dirt cheap or free, and it provides money for my Starbucks habit)

3. Rainy days

4. Lee's laugh- seriously great!

5. The two tiny freckles near Luke's right eye (and really every single thing about him)

6. Lillian's lisp- speech therapists stay away!

7. Diet Coke- I know it's awful for you, yada ya ya...I DON'T CARE

8. Blogging and Facebook- love being re-connected with people and journaling.

9. OPI nail polish color "I'm Not Really a Waitress"- is it pink? is it red? No one really knows, but it looks amazing.

10. Pandora.com- totally free personalized radio via the internet. I can be found listening to this when working or at home. If you haven't checked it out, you really should.

Of course this list is not complete, and I didn't even try to add God, my friends, my family (except for some specific things about the kids and Lee). Those are whole separate posts.

Transformer teeth

2009-04-29T18:58:00.000-07:00

As promised, here is the story of Luke's trip to the dentist though I apologize for being about 4 days late with it. What can I say? Entire days pass in a haze of school, work, house cleaning, laundry, cooking, etc.

Last Friday, I took Luke to the dentist to have 2 silver crowns put on 2 of his lower teeth. Like the rest of him, his mouth is small, and his teeth are pretty close together (I have already begun praying he won't need braces later). So, it is hard to clean in between the teeth. Okay, yes, I was not good about flossing his teeth either. Okay, I'm not great about flossing my own, but since all this I have become much better. Baby steps...

I was nervous because they were going to have to "consciously sedate" Luke because the whole process was going to take about an hour and a half, which would have been way too long for him to withstand without some happy juice. So, they gave Luke some bubble gum flavored drink to make him feel really good. The assistant said it would take about 20 minutes to take effect, so we went back into the waiting room. Luke was glad to be able to play the Star Wars video game they had again. I went back to reading a magazine thinking we had lots of time before the drugs kicked in. It did cross my mind that Luke's metabolism is very similar to his Daddy, who experiences the effects of drugs sooner and stronger than most people. But like a good mother I ignored my intuition and continued my article. (insert sarcasm)

After about 8 minutes, I heard a boom. Turns out it was Luke falling into the wall. I ran over to him, but I couldn't tell if he was really out of it or just pretending. I tried to take him to the bathroom before it got too bad, but he kept falling on the ground and laughing. Now, I'm getting kind of testy because it looked more like he was just being silly and goofing off. I finally got him in the bathroom, sat him on the potty (no way he would have been able to stand), and turned around to answer a question Lillian was asking me.

Crash #2 occurs. Luke fell off the potty. He didn't even brace himself with his hands. At this point, I realize 3 things: 1. The drugs have definitely kicked in, 2. I have been getting mad at him when I should have been helping him, and 3. I am a very bad mother. So, I pick him up off the floor, set him on the potty again, and this time I hold him to prevent another spill.

The dentist was really great, and Luke came through the whole thing awesome. The dentist told Luke he had Transformer teeth, which he thought was awesome. He spent the next 3 days showing them off to everyone. I spent that time praying he was so drugged up that he didn't remember that I let him fall off the potty and mourning the loss of his sweet "white" smile.

Here is a pic of the teeth:

And because I can't not put one up of Lillian, here is what my daughter did to entertain herself (and us) at lunch one day. Yes, we are out in public.

She wore this hat to church last week.

I can't wait to die...

2009-04-23T20:43:00.000-07:00

Lillian is an amazing child. I know most Mom's think this about their children, and really all kids are amazing. But Lillian blows me away almost on a daily basis by the things she says, her physical ability, her emotional intuitiveness, and all around neatness.

Luke has his moments too, but he isn't as verbally expressive as she is. He also tends to have 3 emotions (mad, sad, glad), focused interests, and delayed reactions to emotional events. In short, he is a boy.

I have found in talking to the two of them that I can say one thing to both of them, and Luke will break it down to the bare bones "nitty gritty" while Lillian romanticizes it and transfers it to her imagination.

Example: we had a discussion about Heaven recently. We were talking about who would be there, what it will be like, etc:

Luke was concerned about whether or not he would be going there by himself, if he had to go now, and how you walked on a street made of gold ("is it hot from the sun?").

Lillian said she couldn't wait to go, so she could be with the angels and see Papa (my grandpa who passed away).

Today (almost 3 weeks after that discussion) as Lillian and I were walking down the hall to her room to get her dressed for the day, she looked up at me so sweetly and said, "I can't wait to die".

Me: "WHAT???? Why do you want to die?"

Lillian: (looking at me like I'm an idiot) "So I can fly."

I am so grateful for a daughter who has never met a challenge she won't take on, who sees the good in everything, and who has such a sweet childlike faith. People notice her because of her hair and beautiful face, but they will remember her for her strength, courage, and joy! She is and will be a world changer.

I am so grateful for a son who makes decisions cautiously, loves his family constantly, and stands firm for the Lord. Luke is devoted and sweet natured. He has a quiet strength about him that draws others to him. He will be a man others can rely on and who God will use to do amazing things. He is and will be the perfect big brother for a little girl who is ready to fly and may need someone to catch her when she lands.

(on a side note: I can't wait to die either- die to my selfish ambitions, desires, pride...so I can fly through this life and not sink beneath the weight of disappointment, unfulfilled dreams, hurts, and hangups. And then one day to fly into God's arms and hear him say, "You kept your eyes on me even when it was hard or life didn't make sense. Here is your reward...")

Fun facts

2009-04-18T18:09:00.001-07:00

Below are a few fun and random facts you might not know about us. Nothing big but little things from our daily life.

1. Lillian cannot say the word "animal" correctly. She says "aminal". This makes it intersting when she asks for a "Danimal" (yogurt smoothie) because it comes out "Can I have a Daminal"? Early in the morning before my brain is really working, I often think she is cussing.

2. Luke cannot blow his noise. He literally cannot do it. This is very frustrating during allergy season.

3. Sometimes when reading to Lillian, I will purposely skip pages to make the book shorter in order to get us to quiet time faster. Terrible, I know. I take great advantage of the fact that she can't read yet.

4. Lillian caught me doing it two days ago as I was reading a book she apparently knows by heart. She made me go back and read the other pages.

5. Lee is studying very hard for his architecture licensure exams, which means that between work, the men's group he is a part of at church, and studying we don't see him a lot. We miss him, but it has made us be better stewards of the time we do have together. Our family quality time has improved.

6. This weekend, I was horribly sick (again), got better, read an amazing book, took the kids to see their first and my first 3D movie (pics below), and had a great dinner out with the family on the patio of Wing Stop.

7. I totally broke my diet at dinner and currently feel absolutely disgusting (I've lost 13 pounds by the way). Back on track tomorrow.

8. Tomorrow we will take 2 cars to church, which means I get to stop at Starbucks for coffee!! Lee is not a fan of their coffee, so we usually go to McD's to compromise. Yes, I do have a very nice coffee maker at home, but sometimes it's nice for someone else to make it.

Here are a few pics of the kids in their 3D glasses:

Easter Recap

2009-04-13T19:06:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was so busy and fun. Luke was off for 4 days, and his cousins from Minnesota came into town. To say my kids had fun playing with their cousins would be a major understatement. They had F-U-N all weekend long. Here are a few pictures from the hundreds of pictures I took over the past few days- I went a little overboard.

Luke's Saturday morning soccer game: Lexi, Logan, and Austin came even though they had just got in town after an entire night of driving.

Luke had such a good time at his game; he is so into the game now.

My two favorite spectators:

Okay, here's a little confession. We have no flowers at my house because I kill every green thing I touch, so we made a quick stop at a lovely doctor's office near our house that has amazing landscaping. We had to take pictures quickly because Lee was paranoid we would set off the alarm somehow by being on the grounds. LOL. You can't quite see it in this picture, but Luke has a huge scab on his chin from a fall Friday at the playground. Just in time for Easter pics.

I made a bunny cake for Easter dinner, and Lillian and her girl cousins Lexi and Brianna decorated it. Though I think Lillian was more interested in eating the candy than she was in putting it on the cake.

Soccer Practice

2009-04-07T17:26:00.000-07:00

Luke had his second soccer practice tonight; he has his first game this weekend. The last time he played soccer he was more interested in the grass, the birds, and everything going on around him besides the game. This time is so different. He is into the game, chasing the ball, and blocking kicks with his body. Testosterone is an amazing thing.

Here are some pictures from soccer:

Luke was off yesterday from school because he had a fever the night before. Lillian was overjoyed to have him home. I kept him home this morning until noon to make sure he was well, but he begged me to send him. He loves school! Lillian cried and asked him why he couldn't stay with her. It broke my heart. I told her we would do something fun, and she asked if we could run errands. LOL! That's my girl. Here are some pics of them drawing and playing at home:

One last funny: tonight at dinner Lillian was being really bossy to everyone at the table, and Lee looked over at Luke and said "What are we going to do with her?" (in a joking way). Luke replied way too quickly, "Kill her." It was so deadpan it was almost funny- almost but not quite.

Our weekend

2009-04-06T12:48:00.000-07:00

We had a great weekend. Lee had Lasik surgery on Friday, and he can now see great without his contacts and glasses. He is quite excited. Here are some pre-surgery pics:

This is the iodine they put on your eyes before surgery. After I took this picture, Lee told me to watch out for payback. I thought it was worth it...

Lillians' favorite part of the surgery was the free snacks the Lasik center had out. I think she ate a package of cookies, pretzels, and fruit snacks.

Luke had 2 birthday parties this past weekend for 2 school friends. The moms were so kind to also invite Lillian. Here are some pictures:

The party was at a gymnastics studio; they are jumping on trampolines in the floor. I need those at my house.

Of course, we had to end the weekend with me and Luke sick, so he is home from school today. Lillian is beside herself with joy; it is so sweet to see how much she lights up when her bubba is home.

Another story of God in the Mundane

2009-04-01T09:05:00.001-07:00

I had another mini-revival this morning right smack in the middle of Wednesday morning while washing the breakfast dishes. Just me scrubbing eggs out of the pan listening to a song on the computer. You can click on the video box at the bottom of this post to hear the song. As I listened to the song, I realized there was a message for me in it, and I began to cry. (there's another post on here about my first revival that came out of a mundane morning if you're interested)

The morning started with sweet Luke reading a devotional to me in the car on the way to school (Lillian refused to listen and spent the whole time singing). Grammy O bought him this football devotional book, and I swear he has read it through 3 times. Anyway, he was asking me what it meant when the Bible said God would never forsake us. I told him it means God never leaves us alone or hopeless. Then I retold him the story from the Footprints poem. I hadn't thought of that poem in years, but it still had the power to make me cry. At this point the kids are looking at each other like what is wrong with mom (I don't cry a lot).

So, I was already thinking about how God has carried me through the hard times, and I started to feel guilty about all the times I have turned my back on Him and done my own thing or "rebelled" as my pastor would say. And folks, let me tell you it has been a lot. A whole lot. Then this song came on, and my first thought was "how cool is God that He wants people no matter what they've done". Then the Holy Spirit knocked on my heart and said, "He wants YOU no matter what YOU have done. Picture the worst thing YOU have ever done and then picture God singing this song to YOU (and meaning it)."

Man, I don't deserve His love, but I am going to cling to it like it is the only hope in the world for me because it is. If I disappointed everyone, if everyone left me, if I was the lowest of the low, if I had messed up like no one else on the face of the planet has ever done, God would still sing this song to me. He knows me by the forgiveness He has given me.

I think 2009 might just be the year I truly get how much God loves me. Click on the link below to hear the song.

Funnies

2009-03-30T17:49:00.001-07:00

Tonight at dinner, Luke was teaching me some of the French he has learned at school. He taught me the words for cold, hot, cat, small, etc. Not to be left behind, Lillian looked at me and said, "Can you say uno book? That's called Spanish and English."

Lately, I am noticing a trend when an issue comes up with a kid at school. Luke accidentally hit a little girl with a football at recess the other day, and she refused to forgive him when he apologized to her (not an uncommon kid reaction). Luke was telling us this, and we were talking about how you sometimes have to give people time to forgive you and that all he can control is asking for forgiveness; he can't make someone forgive him. We mentioned that you could pray for the person and just continue to be nice to them. Apparently, that advice did not meet Lillian's approval because she said, "Don't worry, bubby, I'll have a talk with her tomorrow at school". I think she might have meant something more than "talk". I had an image of Lillian being her brother's bodyguard in high school. We moved into a talk about how Luke is Lillian's protector not the other way around.

Finally, tonight after showers, I was holding Lillian who was wrapped up in a towel like a little burrito and having our nightly conversation about how much I love holding her and how she is growing up and soon I won't be able to hold her like that anymore. Then I had one of those Mommy moments where you just get a flash about something great you can say to your kids that will really sink into their hearts and psyche. I said, "You are the daughter of my heart. If I had the choice of all the other daughters in the whole world, I would pick you. Your heart and my heart are one." She looked up at me with her big brown eyes (red hair wet and slicked back from her face) and said, "Thanks. Are we done?" She seems to have the same tolerance for my cheesy moments as her Daddy.

This Weekend

2009-03-29T19:18:00.000-07:00

It finally happened. For the first time in a long time, we had nothing to do this weekend except church. No basketball, birthday parties, work events, etc. It was delightful. We slept in both days. Saturday morning was quite chilly, and we got to stay under our warm down comforter instead of having to get up and rush out the door. Heaven!

The kids played inside all weekend, which was the only bad part, but our yard was too wet and it was too cold for them to go outside. They enjoyed coloring, playing games, and generally just hanging out together. They would disappear for 30-45 minutes at a time and just play. Weekends are so much nicer now that Luke is in school because they appreciate each other; Lillian knows how boring home can be without Luke now. I think they played about 10 hours of hockey, which is Luke's favorite sport to play, talk about, watch, etc. Sweet Lillian really needs to get in a ballet class quickly.

I wish I could say that I was a patient kind Mom all weekend, but I was a major grump on Saturday. Today was better- I was the kind of Mom I want to be, and I don't think I grumped at all (or at least only when appropriate). :) I am working on being more positive and more forgiving with my kids. I have a real tendency to be really hard on them, and I keep forgetting that Lillian isn't 10. She's only 3 even if she acts older sometimes.

So, my goal this week is to not grump and be super positive in my speech. I'll definitely be asking God for help on this one- He's obviously very patient because I am still walking the earth. Luke has standardized testing this week at school, which will be an interesting first experience for us. I'm not 100% sure what this looks like for 1st graders. Because of this, he doesn't have any homework or other tests, so it may seem like an easier week to him.

Sibling Life

2009-03-24T18:09:00.000-07:00

Sometimes my kids do and say really nice things that blow me away. It doesn't happen often, which is why it stands out so much in my mind I guess. During dinner tonight, Lillian looked at Luke and asked him, "Bubby, have you noticed how much I love you?" Then she went back to eating her chicken as if she had not just said the sweetest thing to him. He looked straight at her and said, "I noticed", and then went back to eating his dinner.

I was raised an only child though I had step and half brothers and sisters. I desparately wanted a brother or sister to play with (to this day I hate to be alone). It has been such a joy to watch my two kids love on each other, play together, and conquer the world together. Of course, they also drive each other crazy and fight a lot, but hey that's part of sibling life. I figure they are learning good conflict resolution skills with each other.

I remember asking Luke when he was 4 and Lillian was 1 if he remembered life before Lillian came when it was just him and us. I asked him if he liked it better then or now. He quickly responded, "Oh now is so much better". I chose to take that as a sign of his love for Lillian and not a reflection of Lee or I's appeal.

My prayer for them is that they will not merely tolerate each other or love each other because they have to, but that their hearts would bond in such a way that they are a true team- friends to the end through good and bad. I am so thankful to have these specific children, and I hope I can be a Mom worthy of them.

Garage Sale

2009-03-19T17:54:00.000-07:00

Today was the first day of the last garage sale I will ever have. Actually, it wasn't that bad. The prep work for it almost killed me, but today was pretty fun. Well, except for the creepy old guy in the Mercedes convertible who didn't understand the concept of "all prices are FIRM today". I wish I had done a better job of standing up to him, but I caved and took less than I wanted for the stuff he was hoping to buy just so he would go away.

So, to the bullies of the world, I give this warning: No longer will I be the nice guy or give in to your pressure. No longer will you get your way just because you are bigger than me or meaner or more persistent. Next time you give me an ultimatum, I will stand my ground- even if we are just talking about the price of some caulk, a chess set, and some lotion. (The guy wasn't that bad; he just made me mad because he didn't take no for an answer)

The best part of the day was getting to visit with two friends who came and hung out with me. While our kids played, we caught up on life and sold some junk. The weather was amazing too- the kind of day that begs to be enjoyed outside.

The kids were exhausted tonight which was very evident in their behavior. Lillian in particular had a hard time. Right before some discipline she was to receive for lying and disobeying, she looked at me and said, "But Mommy, Eyeore says that everyone makes mistakes". It sure is harder to discipline her than it was to discipline her brother. She's so much more articulate than he was/is, and she knows exactly what to say to get out of trouble. She's been getting way too much grace lately though, and I've been dancing to her tune way too much. So, the next few days should be interesting as we try to realign the levels of authority and responsibility.

Here are some other pics from this past month. A few are from the awards ceremony for Luke's basketball team, and a few are from the Mavs game Lee and Luke went to two weeks ago.

Pics from today

2009-03-17T21:10:00.000-07:00

So, today was our second day of Spring Break. I have to say that yesterday was a much better day. The kids were happy to be together and got along so sweetly. Today it was as if they remembered they were brother and sister. They grumped all morning. Thankfully we met up with some sweet friends and had a great time during the middle of the day. This evening I had a brilliant idea to pull out Lillian's trundle bed and allow them to have a mini-sleepover. Two hours and some tears later, Luke was back in his room. Ah, the joys of parenthood.

Here are some sweet pictures from today:

I don't foresee being able to take pics like this much longer, but it's cute while it lasts.

This was the release of our butterflies we had raised. No one cried- success!

Lillian fell in love with this statue.

Pictures

2009-03-02T17:55:00.000-08:00

I finally got my laptop back (I've been working off a borrowed work one), which means I can update pictures finally. These are pictures of Luke's basketball game on Saturday and of Lillian's first experience with pig tails. Enjoy!

Mini Revival

2009-02-23T08:15:00.000-08:00

This past weekend was an unexpected spiritual boost for me, and I had no idea it was coming. God knew after two weekends of sick kids, small fights with hubby, and disappointment I was low on enthusiasm and excitement. I was also feeling a little forgotten by God. Not so anymore.

The weekend started with a date night with my hubby where we enjoyed a delicious 3 course meal at Macaroni Grill (courtesy of a gift card from my parents). I had an especially fine pomegranate martini (if you've read my blog on the pomegranate you'll know how much I enjoyed this)! Then we go the idea to buy Fireproof and watch it (we've had trouble finding it to rent it). I had seen a few minutes of it at a Super Bowl party, and I'd heard it was good. It was so much better than I thought- some cheesy acting and lines aside, it had a great message and some really poignant moments. Lee and I bawled like babies at several parts. It was a nice way to bond.

Saturday was busy but filled with good family time and reconnecting with an old friend at a baby shower. She'd been out of the country doing mission work but is back now to have a baby. It was like she'd never been gone.

Then Sunday the worship at church was just awesome. The message was all about love, and I realized again something I often forget. God loves me. Me personally. Not just me who is part of the collective human population. But Leslie- imperfect, sinful, willful me. I may not always (ever) feel worthy of His love or understand why He does it, but that doesn't change the depth or constancy of His devotion to me. I'm still reeling from this and hoping it settles a little more in my heart this time.

I know some people feel God has forgotten about them or is not interested in who they are and where they are going. I sometimes think He must be too busy to care about me. He isn't. It's an awesome feeling to know that the God of the universe thinks I am really cool. Kind of makes me feel like I can do anything and be the person I've always wanted to be- patient, self-sacrificing, loving, and noble.

So, this was my mini-revival in the midst of an ordinary and often disappointing February. I'm looking for messages from God now in the mundane- He's got things to say, and I've got ears to hear. I've got a renewed sense of belonging and purpose- kind of like Superman when he puts on a new uniform. I'm off to clean some bathrooms now- wonder what I'll learn about God and me in there.

Sweet, precious Luke

2009-02-21T18:30:00.000-08:00

So today was our 5th Upwards basketball game. I thought basketball had become a part of our Saturday morning routine now- something we look forward to and enjoy but not something we anticipate with all the joy of Christmas morning. I was wrong.

I knew Luke was excited about this game when he began the countdown to game day on Tuesday. Everyday I heard how many more days there were until the game. I think he was excited because a friend of his was on the opposing team. They must have been talking it up at school all week.

However, I should have known something was up when he had a hard time going to sleep last night. Then this morning it became clear that Luke's level of excitement for this morning quite eclipsed everyone else's.

Picture this: I'm sleeping peacefully in bed at around 6:30 dreaming of who knows what, warm, content...when I roll over and GGAAHHH- a scene right out of any scary movie you've seen. Luke standing about 1 inch from my bed just staring at me. Not doing anything but staring. He was waiting for me to say something. When I mumbled "Wha?", he took that as the sign that I wanted to hear that he was awake, ready to get dressed for basketball, and when were we leaving? Being the good mom that I am (sarcasm here) I told him it was not time to get up and to go back to bed. Nothing like killing your child's enthusiasm one morning at a time.

Once it was time to get up at 7:04 am (a crime on a Saturday as my sleep-loving husband would say), he was so busy jumping up and down that he had a hard time putting on his clothes. I had to keep reminding him that if he didn't get his clothes on he couldn't go to the game. I've never seen a kid do that many laps around the house that early in the morning.

Needless to say, the game was fantastic! Possibly the best performance by their team the whole season. I LOVE watching Luke play basketball. He's the smallest kid on the team, but I swear he doesn't know it. He hustles, guards, and even dribbles so much better now. Today he also told me that he used his "bottom" to push off on someone for the first time. Apparently, this is some kind of common basketball move, and he was quite excited to have used it. He also set up a screen and a pick according to him, and though my husband has tried to explain it to me several times I still don't know what it means. More importantly, he cheered on his team, helped someone who was hurt, applauded kids who did well, and had a super attitude.

Luke, you made me proud to be your Mom today. Now, if we could just work on the sleeping in...

2009-02-18T19:10:00.000-08:00

Thank you God:

Lillian is feeling better, and right now no one is sick at our house. Yippee!
For all the people who will still open doors, wave, smile, etc. (The rest of you grump boxes should stay home)
That marriage is a give and take and that two people who might fight one minute/day can show love the next.
For parents who quietly let adult children live their own lives offering support but not lecturing. I hope to learn this secret when my kids are older.
For giving me some very cool friends who are all much more talented, pretty, smart than I am (this is not false humility- they really are).
For helping me through life's ups and downs with a wisdom and grace that only comes from you. What a basket case I'd be otherwise.
For Lee, Luke, and Lillian- I know I don't deserve them, but I am so thankful for them.

Things are looking up

2009-02-17T18:03:00.000-08:00

I am coming out of my cancelled trip depression slowly. Today was better. Luke had a great day at school, and Lillian was more herself. I still couldn't go work out because I didn't want to take her into the childcare room. I think a workout would have really helped. Oh well.

A couple of random comments from today:
1. I love Costco. They will take anything back (including a phone you don't have the box for anymore).
2. One of my favorite times of the day is when the kids are playing in the back of the house, I've got the Fray playing on the CD player, and I'm making dinner (tonight it was grilled asparagus and salmon). Good times, good times..
3. Trying to play after dinner volleyball with a balloon, blanket for a net, and a 3 year old for your teammate leads to some hilarious moments.
4. I loved the old American Idol before it got so horribly commercialized. They've ruined a great show. I've been having nightmares about me trying to audition for the show and wake up in a cold sweat. Momma is a closet karaoke singer.

Dashed plans

2009-02-16T18:14:00.000-08:00

This weekend did not turn out as planned. We were supposed to leave on Saturday morning after Luke's basketball game and head down to a bed and breakfast owned by some friends of ours. We were going to stay two nights, hike in the woods, go see a natural cave, play games, watch fun movies, and just hang out.

What happened instead is that Lillian threw up twice Friday night and has been sick with the unmentionable (not throw up) since then. We spent the weekend at home not hiking. We did watch some TV; Lillian was too pitiful to do much else.

I have still not unpacked all of our bags- I think I'm in mourning for the weekend that never was. I am thankful that she threw up before we left town- can you imagine if we were in the car, or already there stuck with a sick kid? I am also thankful I got to watch my son be so kind to his sister. We praised him a lot this weekend for his maturity and sweet attitude.

She is better but still not herself, and her tummy continues to bother her.

Things I love about my daughter

2009-02-10T18:41:00.000-08:00

Everyday I thank God that he gave me a daughter and most specifically Lillian. She is beyond precious. Here are a few things I absolutely love about her:

She is such a nurturer to her big brother. She even tries to protect him from bullies at the Chick Fil-A playground (took on a 3rd grader the other day- scared him and me).
She has the most amazing red hair. It's as unique as her personality.
She talks in her sleep. When I go in at night, I whisper to her that I love her and that she is special. She will whisper back "I love you too" even if she has been asleep for several hours. Sometimes she tells me random things about her toys.
She loves meat. I asked her what she wanted to have for her birthday dinner, and she replied "meat".
She does not use "he" or "she" when talking. For example, some of our favorite phrases of hers are: "What him doing?" or "What her want?"
There is very little in this world that scares her. She is the first to try something new and is often seen in the middle of a group of older kids on the playground holding their attention. Lillian's theme song is "Ain't no Mountain High Enough".

Thank you God for my loving, spirited, independent baby-woman!

It's Cold!

2009-01-28T11:07:00.000-08:00

We are experiencing our first ice day here, and school has been called off. Luke and Lillian are thrilled. I am coooollldd. They've been playing together all morning- I can tell she really misses him when he is at school. It's great for them to get this kind of time together, and I love it when they play without fighting.

I'm sitting here telling myself that 3 cups of tea is enough, but more hot tea sounds so good. I think tea might be my new addiction. Oh well, there are worse things than being addicted to tea. Right?

I'm off to release the kids from reading time and let them start quiet play time in someone's room. Their newest loves are Legos and building pirate ships out of pillows.

Thoughts on working out...

2009-01-27T18:52:00.000-08:00

Working out is bad for the following reasons:

It makes you so sore you have a hard time standing up without looking like you are 80.
It causes you to do things you would not normally do like make a complete fool of yourself in front of fellow gym people during Yoga class.
It causes you to have bad thoughts about skinny women twice your age in short shorts. (I'm sure they are very nice people.)
It makes you think it's okay to eat a brownie as long as you drink skim milk with it because "hey, I've already worked it off".

On the upside, 2 pounds have found their way off this plot of land, and for that I will be back at the gym tomorrow to try out yet another new class (or as I like to call it "let's make Leslie look like even more of an idiot event").

New things

2009-01-26T10:31:00.000-08:00

This week represents a new frontier in Luke's school career. Tomorrow he has to recite The Little Turtle by Vachel Lindsay in front of three judges for his first ever speech tournament and on Wednesday he will do his first report in front of the class on Neptune. (...smile...) All this for a first grader!

He is so precious while still being all boy. Yesterday at lunch he stuck his straw from his water cup into his noise and said, "Hey, I can smell the ocean". We weren't sure if we should be disgusted or laugh. We ended up laughing.

Tonight is basketball practice, which might actually be one of my favorite nights of the week. This past week at the game, they introduced cheerleaders for the first time (Upwards has a cheerleading program too). The players didn't know what to think of them. When the girls started cheering while the boys were playing, the boys on the court all stopped to stare at them. I think they thought they were supposed to watch the cheerleaders instead of continuing to play. LOL

On a side note in case you never hear from me again, my laptop is hanging on by a thread. I am hoping sweet hubby can fix it tonight (he spent several hours on it last night and plans to again tonight), but I'm also laying hands on it and praying quite often. Our home computer died a few months ago, so I am trying not to panic at the thought of not having a computer in the house. AAGGHH (that's me not panicking). We do not want to buy a computer right now, but I can't live without one because of work. We'll see what happens...

No more Diet Cokes!

2009-01-24T18:06:00.000-08:00

So my husband told me last Monday that he was not going to drink any caffeine or diet sodas anymore. Then he looked at me with that hopeful "please join me" expression I can't resist. For the last 5 days, we have been living on water (I have had an occasional cup of hot or iced tea, but I think he has only had water). We feel healthier. He thinks he has even lost some weight. I wasn't quite sure we could do it, but it hasn't been too bad.

This success has got me started thinking that this needs to be the year I get back in shape. So, I've stopped eating after 7 pm and have been at the gym more this week than I was in the past month and a half combined. I'm going to have to really step it up though and be a little tougher on myself since my body likes to hold onto fat like a baby holds onto it's bottle. Lee's probably going to drop 20 pounds just by cutting out sodas. I'm going to have to live on celery to see those numbers.

Rabbit food here I come...