Older than I thought I was

Heard from the bathroom this morning.


**Upon noticing the headband falling out of the drawer onto the floor

Princess: Mommy, I need your headband because my hair keeps getting in my face

Me: No, you don't, your silly-I'm brushing your hair

Princess: Mommy, I need it. AND it's the color of your hair

Me: That headband is NOT the color of my hair-that headband is Gray

Princess: Yes it is Mommy, it's the color of your hair

Me: My hair is brown, thank you very much!

Just so you know, there was only one gray hair found on my head and it was discovered by my hairdresser and promptly removed by her.

Oh, what a day!

Well, it has been interesting so far. At therapy they informed me that the munchkin has been having crying fits- (I affectionately call them tantrums) and that they can't do therapy because he is screaming so much. Then they asked me if I knew how to control them-Ummm, no that's the main problem in our house! They also asked me if there was a better time in the day when we could do therapy, when he is in a better mood. Ummmm, no again, it's pretty much whenever you can catch him (or his twin for that matter) in a good mood and if you give him his way.

Then, when I got home I got an e-mail from The Prince's teacher reporting that he is not doing what he is supposed to be doing in school today.

Then, I got a call from my Dad, he was in a bad mood from something that went on today so that brings me down.

And then, finally (well for now anyway) I got a call from the Prince's step-mom saying that football practice would be starting tomorrow and she would come and pick him up at 4:30 then take him to practice at 6:00 and then return him at 7:15 on my weeks, two times per week. And then games are on Friday's. Ummm, I don't think so! I will be taking him to practice on my weeks so that will be an added stress, but at least I am not without my boy for that many hours. I am extremely selfish with my time with my boy. His friends always want him to come over to play and I have the hardest time letting him go. I only see him half the time in a month already, it is so hard to relinquish any extra time that I may have with him.

As I was writing this my best friend from Boston called me. When I heard her voice I started crying. I told her all about my terrible day and just talking to her made me feel better.

I just got off the phone with another friend and we are going to have a playdate tomorrow. The Lord sure knew who to send me to change my day from terrible to much better. Thank you friends!!!

Houston, we have a problem...

Okay

It Happened

The beginning of the end

We witnessed it with our own eyes

it was scary, you'll just have to see it for yourself...

His sister was more than happy to create a soft landing spot for him-made up of and Elmo chair and a blanket "Come on jump you can land here"

Immediate action had to be taken, so that we knew everyone would be safe. We took the bunk beds apart to ensure the safety and well being of the daredevil little sweetheart.

This is the room before the incident (with the slide out bed on the floor.)

This is the room tonight after they finally went to sleep

There is some rearranging to be done like headboards and foot boards and railings but it is good for now. We are down one boy tonight-he is at his Dad's, this arrangement may not work when he comes back- the excitement may send me them over the edge.

He has a future in Hollywood as a stunt man or maybe skydiving instructor. Not exactly what I had hoped for....

The Foods We Eat

By we, I mean all of us (Including you reading this). I just found a blog this morning that I am extremely impressed by. Ship full o' pirates, she makes her own deodorant for her family (healthy and cheap), she makes her own bread (mulitple loaves per day-she has a BIG family), and she makes her own condiments (Ranch and ketchup). She makes the bread and condiments due to High Fructose Corn Syrup. This article about HFCS is astonishing. I have been trying to avoid it for the Prince because of his behavior sometimes. But HFCS is in EVERYTHING! read the article and check out her blog you'll be amazed I have only read a few of her posts so far but really I am inspired to make more things on my own and not rely on the grocery store for everything by purchasing products in their most natural state and then creating from there. The thing that would save me the most time would be to make double of things, like banana bread, zucchini bread, pizza dough.... and freezing the extra for another day-not stuffing ourselves with the delicious banana bread all in one day. One suggestion I read in a free e-book from Minute with Molly was to bake all on one day, say Saturday, you would make your bread, muffins, loafs or whatever for the week. I hope you are inspired too. By the way that free e-book is awesome!

Funny Girl

So this morning the Princess got dressed and she was wearing a purple shirt and black skirt. I said"Oh, I forgot, you need to wear green today-it's St. Patrick's Day!" She looked at me puzzled and said, "Does he like purple?"

Later she comes up to me and says "When is the boy coming?"
Me: "What boy?"
Princess: "The boy who likes green..."

Clearly I need to explain this holiday further, she is definitely confused.

Hope you had a great St. Patrick's Day! I made Corned beef and cabbage in the crockpot which the kids would not eat (that's nothing new!) and we wore our green shirts. That was the extent of today's festivities. Tomorrow I get to get my hair cut-it has been soooo long since I have been. I can't wait!!!

Friends

We went over to a friends house to see some of my friends from high school a few weeks ago. Two of this group are pregnant now and what cute pregnant tummy's they are! (The two on the right are pregnant, please don't mistake my belly fat for a baby bump)

Me, Erika, Sara, and Angie

Us with our Husbands- from the left Matt, Mike and Brad (Erika's Husband was putting their baby to bed)

We all went to each other's weddings except I did not go to Erika's because I was in the hospital on bedrest. If i had been at home on bedrest I was planning on going, my doctor didn't know that though. That is precisely the reason I was in the hospital-my doctor knew I was incapable of following orders. Anyway, Erika would bring me the best chicken salad sandwiches from her dad's restaurant while I was in the hospital. Sara and Angie helped take care of my two kids at home and brought food, movies and books. Angie even cleaned my bathroom while I was on bedrest. I love these girls I don't see them nearly enough!

Complaining

I received this devotion in an e-mail from Above Rubies and I thought I would share. I have copied the entire page.

**All writing belongs to aboverubies.org**

HOME DESTROYERS


Philippians 2:14-15, "Do all things without murmurings and disputing: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke,in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world."


COMPLAINING

Psalm 106:25, "They murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord." Read the story in Numbers chapter 14, especially verses 2 and 27.

Where were the people complaining? In their tents, which were their dwelling places in the wilderness. Where does most complaining happen? In the home. But what does it do? It tears down the home, whether we complain about our circumstances, the work we have to do, or our husband. Not only do the walls of our home hear it, but our children hear it--and God hears it!

The children of Israel murmured and complained against Moses and Aaron, but when God heard it, He said they were complaining against Him. God says in Numbers 14:27, "How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against Me? I have heard the murmuring of the children of Israel, which they murmur against Me." Stop press! Help! When we murmur and complain about all our problems, God hears it as murmuring against Him.

The ten spies had returned from spying out the land of Canaan. It was a land flowing with milk and honey, but they complained about the fortified cities and the giants they would have to fight. It looked impossible! Even after all the miracles of coming out of Egypt and provision in the wilderness, they did not believe God could help them. They blamed Moses for bringing them out of Egypt. They complained that all their children would be taken as salves.

What happened? God told them, "Get back into the wilderness..." He told them that they would all die in the wilderness and their children who they complained would be taken as slaves would be the ones who would go into this magnificent land. Where do we end up when we complain? In the wilderness.

Wives and mothers,
we take our families into
a wilderness journey
when we complain!

The root of complaining is unbelief. "Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?" The Israelites cried out in unbelief. (Psalm 78:19). "How could we ever have another baby?" you cry out in unbelief. "We can hardly make ends meet now!" "How can we afford to educate our children?" "How can I put up with this little house any longer? I need more room" And so it goes on.

Here's a good habit to start. Change every sigh into a Hallelujah! Every time you are tempted to complain, turn your heart to the Lord and acknowledge His power and His presence. "Thank you, Lord, I trust you. I know that you are ordering my footsteps. I thank you that you are with me in these circumstances." It will take time to establish this new habit, but keep at it.

It doesn't mean that your circumstances will necessarily change, but you will change. God promises in Isaiah 43:1-3 that when you pass through the waters, that "I will be with you. They will not overflow you." God says that when you go through the fire that "You will not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon you."

What is our confession? "I'm going through a fiery trial. I don't know how I can make it." Or, "Thank you, Lord, no matter how hot it gets, I will not be burned because you are with me!"

I remember when complaining as a young child that my mother would immediately direct me to think about those who were poor and suffering in the world and didn't have all the blessings that I had. It's not a bad idea. There are millions in the world who live in abject poverty, without running water, adequate food, shelter or any of the basic amenities of life which we are used to. My husband, who has ministered in the slums of India and many third world countries, often says, "Just to live in a tent in America makes you a millionaire!"

I think about the Karen people, the displaced people of Burma who have been fighting a genocidal war against them from the Burmese government for over 50 years. We complain about keeping up with homeschooling. The Karen try to school their children while they live in hiding. We complain when things are not just as we want them when we give birth. Many Karen mothers give birth while running from the enemy. No time for recovery. No time for relaxing with their baby. No gifts. No excited calls from family and friends.

The wife the founder of the "Free Burma Rangers" shares about the love, forgiveness and generosity of the Karen, even in the midst of suffering and hardship. She says, "The gifts they gave were of themselves--their time, energy and love. In my experience in the West it is easier to go to the store and buy a trinket as a gift. For this reason I have chosen to raise my children in this war. The influence of these people is something I have never experienced anywhere else."

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

"Oh Lord, I find it so easy to complain. Please give me strength to create a new habit of praising instead of protesting, gladdening others instead of grumbling and being content instead of complaining. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

"Not for the lip of praise alone,
Nor e'en the praising heart
I ask, but for a life made up
Of praise in every part!"

Horatius Bonar


Many women like to save these devotions. They print them out and keep them in a folder to read over and over again. Some print them out and pin them on the fridge with a magnet to read through the week. If you are printing this devotion and need it to be smaller, highlight and change to a smaller font.

If you know others who would be blessed by these devotions, you are welcome to forward them or let them know they can subscribe by sending a blank email to subscribers-on@aboverubies.org

An Accomplishment

One of the Munchkins goals from therapy is to be able to sit at the edge of something with his legs hanging over. And he has done it! He has reached other goals since this one (reached in December) but this is just so cute because he is so little. Just thought I would share how proud we are and how proud he is of himself.

Sharing the spotlight with their brother

"Look at me Mom, I am doing it"
The bulldozer and his cutie smile

Christmas Day!

We woke up and opened our presents. Before we started the opening I popped the sausage strata in the oven, which takes and hour to cook.By he time we are done opening presents we eat.Then I pop the cinnamon sticky buns in the oven to be baking while we ate the strata. So yummy!! The food was a lot of preparation the night before and I will probably only make one next year-most likely the sticky buns-mmmm they were so good. We gave the rest to our neighbor across the street or else we would have finished them. Here is some pictures-no pictures of the food though I do have the recipes if anyone wants.

A family of jammies!

The boys

The girls
Her puppy (pretend) she asked for

Teamwork to open their big present

A little people train set

Happy Birthday Jesus! Lots of sprinkles!!!!

The blanket the Prince made for the boys

Look at that morning hair

Ooh, what is it?

I'm excited!

So now I am done with Christmas posting-Yeah! I do have a few more things to catch up on. This auto post thing is great! I can write up a bunch of posts and set them to each post one per day instead of posting six at once and then not posting forever. It is marvelous.

Craigs List

Well today I posted something for sale for the first time on craigslist. It's our patio table set, the kids prefer to climb on it so we wold prefer to have something not as dangerous to just sit on. I was not planning on listing it for so much($200) but after doing some price research, another table was on there for sale for $200 and it was only 5 pieces (half what ours is) and not nearly as nice, so hopefully with the money we make we can buy a "conversation set" I would like to find something similar to what we want at a thrift store but we will see.

This is what we are selling:

This is what we want-basically

****UPDATE**** It sold within 5 hours for full price to the first person intersted. We then had 6 other inquiries before 11pm. It had only been on Craigslist for only 9 hours. Craigslist is awesome!!!

Festivities after our company left (Christmas Eve)

After the Grandmas left I had 2 pairs of pajama pants to finish making, we had a birthday cake for Jesus to frost, I had sticky buns and sausage strata to prepare to put in the oven for the morning. It was a busy evening. The kids opened their pajama pants from mom and their shirts from Dad that he made. We were all so cozy.


My shirt says "God is Love"
...So does Daddy'sBulldozers shirt says "Stick with Jesus" with a picture of drum sticksThe munchkin in his jammies-his shirt says "pick Jesus" and has a picture of a guitar pick Her shirt says "Some day my Prince will come"

Very little frosting went on the cake Don't you frost your cakes wearing a leotard??

My sweet boys

Christmas with Grandma and Great-Grandma

Brad's mom and Grandma came over Christmas eve and we opened our presents from each other. The kids were mostly well behaved. It was nice to spend time with them. The kids enjoy the attention when people come over so it gets terribly loud in our house. That is why we really don't invite people over, it is overwhelming!

This kid should be on a commercial!

They look so calm and serene. When they are screaming and hollering at me I will mentally put myself in this pictures, and maybe put in some ear plugs. Hey, not a bad idea!

See, they are little angels

Oh and they share so nicely, are these even my kids?
Great Grandma Jean, she looks so lovely

Trouble Makers

These two are always into something. Climbing, biting, screaming, crying, wrestling, screaming, hollering, singing = driving mom crazy. But how darn cute are they?


They have to be this cute or else we would never forgive them for the shenanigans!Who said it was okay to get on the table??? Dangerously close to the edge

They had fallen asleep after an very long and drawn out supposed to be napping extravaganza! Apparently removing ones pants and diaper was part of the party.

Clearly the child in the bucket, with the bucket is waiting for his brother

Going back to Christmas

Yeah, I know, I am a flake. I am just finally blogging about our Christmas festivities. I figure if I don't do it now I never will and then I can freely move on to other things without any event induced guilt. So this is our trip to Candy Cane Lane. The princess is wearing about five layers, she was so funny and insisted upon wearing them. We were frozen. I know, I know go ahead and say it we would never make it the snow, and on the other hand you "snow people" would never survive one of our treacherous summers. So anyway we had a blast and stopped at Sonic Burger on the way there, what a cool place that is. I am pretty sure I have never been there before, I was very impressed with the amount of people they can service there. So, this is our trip, it was fun and now I have to try to figure out how to use autopost.