They Aren't Being Very Nice

The children were all playing last night and of course there is always one who gets left out or dumped on it seems.  Last night it was Janai and here are the sad faces I got when she came to tell me that her brother's and sister's were "being not nice to me!"  We called all the children together to show them the results of their choices and to do some scripture reading with them.   I have found it to be beneficial to stop everything and address the issue immediately.    Otherwise I am missing a perfect opportunity to train their hearts for the better.  Here is the scripture we chose.  It seemed to connect both to the offender and the offended.  (Depending on the offense we have the children memorize the given scripture)

Ephesians 4:32~~And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.  Amazing how truly humbled the little ones become when approached with the tender words of scripture.   They're hearts are so receptive to the teachings of the spirit.  Truly to enter the Kingdom of God we must become as little children.

As a Child

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God,

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. Matthew chap. 10 verses 13~16

A simple random question that came my way the other day left me with some very curious thoughts. The question was this: If you could change 3 things in your life at your will, what would they be? How quickly one could come up with an answer. I mean really, it isn't that difficult. Win the lottery (if I played it!), always have a clean house, 100% obedient children 100% all the time. Could I be thinner, heavier, prettier, nicer? There are millions of things any one of us could change if given the chance. So I gave it some heavy thought. And the funny thing is, is the more I thought of changing my life at MY will actually "gave me a fright!" Let me explain.

Because I will publish the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are judgement: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. (Deut. 32:3-4)

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

There it is. I am not even close to being perfect, I wouldn't dare trust my own understanding or trust my own directions. I am not just, nor am I totally without iniquity. Therefore, I wouldn't dare attempt to direct my own life. I simply do not have what it takes. At all. Can I for a moment even come close to know what the Lord has prepared for me? I am so thankful that it is NOT left to me to mark my path as sure and certain I would mess it all up. I can't do it. The kingdom of God is like a little child. I think of a newborn baby completely and totally dependent upon those around them. Think of it. Most of us have been in the presence of a new little baby. The only hope they have is in US. The big people. That is how it is with God. All we have, is HIM. When it comes right down to it we can't deny our total and complete dependence upon Him. If we trust, He will direct our paths and always for our good.

I Get Daddy's Spot

As is always the case when daddy is on night shift the little girls want to sleep in our room. I sent them on their way to make a bed on the floor while I had some quiet time. (yea right!) So, when I finally was ready to crawl in bed I came into my room to find them all snoozing in MY bed. Question~~How do you move 5 sleeping girls AND keep them asleep all at the same time. Solution~~

First secure the bedding on the floor next to mama and papa's bed, then gently and delicately grab them by the feet and pull them feet first down the side of the bed and onto the floor!! Wish I could sleep through such restructuring!!
However, the risk was too great to even try with the two youngest ones. So they got to stay put and spend the whole night snuggled next to mom!!

A new daddy plus so much more

Here is our eldest son and his brand new baby girl Gemma Lorel. A little boy turned daddy and it seems like it was only yesterday when he was my little baby. Now he is all grown up and filling lots of shoes these days. A daddy in this picture

Ummmm, well, my little boy---again

EMT handing out candy. I wouldn't mind him turning into a little boy again. He's much too grown up these days.

Delightfully Irresistible

Who can resist a little guy like this.  Doesn't it make you want to pick him up and squeeze him.  I am feeling so very blessed to have this little boy as a grandson.  Simply irresistible.

Taming the Hair Monster

We found the perfect solution to taming the hair monster in our home.  Grab up some hair pins, an 18 year old big sister, and a bunch of little girls who have the patience to sit still long enough to have their hair twisted, pulled, pinned, braided, and combed.  And yes, it can sometimes be painful but the results are fabulous and I can see their faces again!  (pain is beauty, or is it beauty is pain!)

Yet Another 'Christie' Design

Have you ever?????

Silly Questions

100 Things
RULES: There are 100 statements and you bold (mine are in dark blue) the ones you have done. Grab it and play for yourself!!*
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyworld
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Had stitches
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea - on the beach, at least
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept in an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse (solar)
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language (Does Latin count?)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten cavier
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chicken pox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Fun and Fabulous "UPDOS" (1 of 13)

More Hairdo's

NOW THIS IS INTERESTING!!

The Beginning

The Middle

And the End

What are big sisters for?  (Besides sneaking into their room and getting into their lovely things!) How about a day at the~~salon~~free of charge and only for the cost of sitting really still!!  Here are the magnificent new hairdo designs by "Christie"

5 addictions

Yikes, this is scary.  I've been tagged by my friend Karie and I have to list 5 addictions.  (Only 5, but I have so many more than that)  But I'll take a stab at the biggest 5.

1.  Walking and exercising.  I love to workout.  Brings with it such a great feeling.  Too bad it doesn't help with my weight loss.  Since this is the case I suppose my next addiction will be.......

2.  FOOD-all kinds.  

3.  My kids and homeschooling.  I know way weird, but I love learning and teaching them what I've learned!! 

4.  Leaving comments on the blogs of my family, friends, and even "friends" I don't even know.

5.  Spending as much time as I can out in the woods near our home.  (can't wait till spring)  

Dinner for two please~~or is it one?

 As time goes on this is truly beginning to manifest itself in my relationship with my dear husband.  In more ways than I can imagine.  An example: Tonight we were out to dinner at a buffet.  (if you are on a diet I suggest you don't go there)  Anyway, it's time for dessert so I thought I would sample a small piece of several different delicacies that looked tempting.  My husband did the same.  Sitting down at our table and checking out each other's plates I noticed he had a coconut cream pie.  Now the following conversation was real and serious so please don't make fun.

SCENE #1

Me-Yum!  that pie looks good. Can I try a little bite.   But if I remember right one of us doesn't like coconut.  Do you like coconut?  I can't remember if it was me or you!!

Husband-looking at me like I just took leave of my senses said--I was just thinking the same thing,  that you didn't like it so why are you trying i?  I like coconut.  You're the one who isn't crazy for it.

Me-Oh, I knew one of us didn't, I just forgot who.

SCENE #2---So on my plate I had chosen some kind of chocolate ball that had been dipped in peanuts.  Now, I am NOT a huge fan of all chocolate but I like some.  Long story short....

Me-Hon, would you take a bite of this and see if I like it!!

Husband--(that look again)--Are you kidding me?  You want ME to take a bite of that to see if YOU like it? 

Me-Well, yea, I trust you.  You'll know.  Come on, just one.

So, I have concluded from our day together that A.  One or both of us is plain crazy and missing a few nuts and bolts or B.  We are actually are becoming ONE.  Does this sort of thing really happen over time?  I know that many times all it takes is a look across the room and we can read each other's thoughts but THIS?  Wow, this is heavy!!!  I just had to share.  We laughed our way all the way home tonight.  (Well, he did anyway)

Birthdays and Babies Are the Best

Introducing the newest addition to our growing family. Gemma Lorel was born January 6, 2009 to our son Vance and his wife Heather. I am guessing that grandma and grandpa are every bit as happy and proud as the new parents. We love you already sweet heart.

Our twins just turned a whopping 11 years old on the same day their little niece was born. Happy Birthday girls. Love you so very much.

Aubryn is our very first grand child and she turned 4 on January 1st. Amazing how quickly they all grow. Is she precious or what?

Daughter in law Heather's birthday is January 3. She just gave birth to her first baby on the 6th. Congratulations Vance and Heather. We are so happy to have another little grand-daughter. (pictured above is Heather's baby)

High Centered Saturn

What happens when you mix a Saturn, a lot of snow and a dark night? (and a teen driver)  Add to that the fact that daddy is 2000 miles away in another state.  What's a mom to do to fix the situation?  No, not duct tape.  This is definitely a "snow beast" moment!!!  I never knew anyone could get high-centered in the snow but you learn something new everyday.  (The dates wrong on some of the pictures, someday I'll figure out how to work the camera!)

You know what they say--"If you can't Dodge it, Ram it"  I can happily say we are all back on 'track' right now and doing well!

Our December Birthday "Babies"

Our December Birthdays are Robyn and Mary. These 2 sisters are sharing a few moments together during the Christmas season 2008.