Naughty List

We have had my in-law family in since Wed. It has really been fun. We let the kids play the first night they got here while we chatted. The next day we went to the beach and took some pictures and ate seafood. Friday we went to Mexico for eating and shopping. Much fun. Today we had an early birthday party for Jesus and let the kids hit the pinata and open presents. In the midst of all this of course we are all eating until we are sick. Then, half the crew left to fly home and the rest headed to a beach condo for the night leaving us here tonight with just our family. We were just relaxing and taking things easy when my daughter looked at me and said "Mommy, do you think I am on the naughty list?" I got a so tickled but tried to hold it together. I asked her if she thought she was on the list and she said "Well, sometimes I am naughty." Whewll, aren't we all! So, I said that only kids characterized by naughtiness would probably be on that list. Then she and brother named a few they thought were on that list. Ha! I tried to give the other side to those kids as well. I just thought that little cutie girl and voice and question were too funny. Merry Christmas Eve!!!

Ode to DayO

When once a girl to change her hair
Finds out that life isn't always fair
Orange is the color that it Had just been
When she decided she wanted to set a new trend
She worked so hard to make it right
Only to see it looking white
Remembering the words of her dear friend
When in other times embarrassament had been
To raise high her head and strut her stuff
With much confidence the shame to snuff
Here she is now remembering to stand
Marilyn Monroe hair is in her hands.
When she is fixing it she noticed a blur
Her right eye must have been irritated by all of the fur
However, it seems the blur doesn't end
It must mean good eyesight is no longer for lend
Can it be now after all of these years
That glasses will come oh here come the tears
Her beloved husband she calls in despair
Only to hear "Honey, your old, life's not fair"
He continues to tease then gets off the phone
She calls others to encourage and not leave her alone
Oh what a day this one has been
With a wink and a giggle this is the end

But I'm Hungry!

We had a Christmas weekend. We hosted a staff Christmas party at our home on Sat. night and it turned out really fun. Peter and kids re-arranged our furniture to all be in the family room and I really think I like it better. At least while we have more people so we can all visit and be comfy. The living room looks quite bare but we are rarely in there anyway.

Sunday we had the last of four candles of advent. Very nice, and the choir sang some special music so that was fun to be involved in. We invited company over and we had so much fun that they stayed until it was time to head back to church. I really had thought we might get a cat nap but it was okay because we enjoyed visiting with them. Last night was a candlelight Lord's supper as well as Christmas sing. I had been volunteered to be one of the ones to sing so I ran over my song quickly and headed to church. What I anticipated the sing to look like and what it actually was were two very different things. I thought it would be Really low key and casual. Nope. It was dressy and Lots of people were there. I felt SO nervous. Anyway, since we had had a long afternoon my daughter sitting beside me quickly fell asleep. We enjoyed the music and the Lord calmed my nerves and helped me enjoy singing. Then we had the Lord's supper. Faith was still sleeping mind you. I tried to rouse her before the candle part but she just told me she didn't want to do it and fell back over.

After service the men were putting the stuff up from the Lord supper table and I was talking. Faith came up to me and said with some teary looks "Mom, I'm Really hungry and they are putting all the stuff up!!" After all, she had heard that it was the Lord's SUPPER. Ha! I tried not to laugh right there but inside I was rolling. I tried to explain that there really wasn't real food but just a remembrance. She still was frustrated so finally I just said, "Honey, there wasn't real food we'll eat in a minute." She seemed content with that and ran off to play.

Family Day Blessings

My idea of yesterday was to wake up and just stay at home and get a lot of stuff done. My husbands idea was to head to Mexico for some shopping. Well, shopping sounded much more fun so off we went. It was a cool somewhat rainy day, VERY different from when we went in the HOT summer when you want to dodge into any cool feeling store. It was nice to be able to take some time. However, if you take much time at any table the people are immediately trying to put something in your hand and sell it to you. I have to keep my hands in pockets unless it is really something I want. Hubby wants to just give overall glances and keep walking. We found a few really good items then headed back for home...only 45 mins away. Ha!

Then we came home and the kids watched a wonderful video that they got in Mexico (in English) and hubby made a call to a prospective worship guy while I worked on the endless christmas cards. I don't usually do Christmas cards. For years I thought I would do Christmas letters but they never seemed to get done. A couple of years ago I was frustrated with the Christmas card thing because although I loved hearing from people it made me feel bad that I didn't do it. This year I relented and decided to jump on the band wagon with millions of other Americans and buy Christmas cards and actually send them! However, I am finding that the more I do the more people I remember....YIKES! Will the list ever end. However, it really is fun to think of all the different people in your life and realize how many wonderful people God has placed around us throughout the years. I have also discovered cute ways to decorate with the Christmas cards I receive so they are not just heading to trash cans. Well, enough of that.

We went to a S.S. class party last night. We got to talk to a new couple who are amazingly similar to us! It was really quite wild to us that a couple would have so much in common with who we are. They have a boy and girl ages 7 and 5 very close to our kids. Their kids are mild tempered as far as we can tell. They are very close in a age to us. In fact, she asked my age and I told her and she was so excited! She said she really thought I was in my early thirties. I assured her I was old...ha! The husband is a counselor who gave Peter some great info. for me. When Peter mentioned that I homeschooled the wife looked shocked and said "Where were you when I needed you?!" I started laughing and we got to talking about homeschooling. She did homeschool but just recently with their move put them in school. However, she is praying about whether to get back to homeschooling next year. The list could go on but I will stop there because I know you get the picture. It is just exciting to have a new friend that could be one of those bosom friends.

I also got a much needed e-mail from one of my closest friends from home that was SO wonderful! I miss her! But I am glad that I can still connect so quickly from e-mail!

Old friends and new friends...what blessings God gives!

Well, I need to run...house to clean, food to cook, party to have, plumbing to be fixed, cccards to finish writing, addressing, mailing, table decorating to be done, gag gifts to be bought etc. etc.

Warm Days/Mall/JOY!

Well, Dad sent me some pictures of huge snow drifts. I am sipping coffee looking at a beautiful sunny day around high 50 low 60. Yesterday it got up to 75 degrees. It is actually kindof fun to get to enjoy this time of year without always gearing up with coat gear. We get cool days where I do get to wear sweatshirt or coat and then it warms up again. It is quite beautiful.

Have you ever taken kids to see Santa and they change what they have been asking for for months? We hit the mall the other day because I wanted to check out a bookstore. Anyway, we got there and there was Santa with NO kids around. The lady even tried to entice the kids and I let them go to him. It was so funny because after they were up there I asked what they had said they wanted. Noah said Narnia playstation game...up until this point it was narnia GBA and Lego Starwars Playstation 2 game. Hmmm. Faith came out of the blue and said she wanted a rocking horse. I looked at her and said "Really? that's what you really want? I had thought you were wanting baby Annabel?" She realized her mistake and said "Oh no, that is what I want Mommy!" I said "It is? are you sure or did you really want the horse?" She said "No, I really wanted the baby Annabel!" and the lady said "Quick, run up and tell Santa to change it." She did. Good thinking lady. ;) Noah has questions about the reality of this person and I simply avoid real answers and put questions back to him. It has never really been a huge focal point for us but they do enjoy some aspects of expecting santa. Noah has always seemed to have a realistic view of this such as "Is he real Mom?" I say "What do you think?" he starts to analyze and then we get back to the real meaning of Christmas.

We have been listening to Selah's Christmas album...SOOOO good!! Anyway, there is a song on there called "JOY!" It is upbeat and is talking about how long the people were looking for Jesus and finally he had come and what joy. It just brings the excitement of the birth of Christ to light. Such hope fulfilled!
Chorus: Joy! and the angels sing
There was Joy! and the whole world noticed (not positive on this phrase but what I think)
Joy! Our King has finally come
Joy! He is the promised one

What excitement! As my kids and I have been singing and dancing to this song (frightening I know) it stirred conversation of how they must have felt back then and how blessed we are that He has come!

Mr. Maggots/Attacker

Last night my hubby got the privledge of getting to go to a professional basketball game VIP. He got to go early and get autographs, have parking, courtside seats etc. Needless to say, he was very excited and had a great time.

I had a counseling session with a couple and had my kids in the next room. Interesting but it worked. Ha! The session was very intense and I would covet your prayers for the couple. Since the kids were so patient and willing to wait and have great attitudes I decided to reward them. So, we were going to a pizza place that has fun games and stuff to do. As we were heading there my son said "Mom, there it is! Mr. Maggots is right there!" I started laughing hard and asking him what he was talking about. He asked why I was laughing and said he was talking about the pizza place we were going to. I laughed harder then finally got my composure and told him I just got tickled because if the name was Mr. Maggots no one would probably want to eat there. Then we talked about what maggots were and he remembered and he and sister began laughing with me.

My daughter is so funny to wake up. When she is in deep sleep and you try to wake her she wrestles you. She just swings arms and flops about. However, if you keep at it, when she really begins to rouse, she becomes so soft and sweet. It is really funny. It seems that when she is in that place between sleep and conscienceness you better watch out for the attack. She just came in telling me she couldn't find the bug spray. I asked when she'd had it and she said "Day after tomorrow I think." Too cute!

Dying to Know

Okay, I know you have just been chomping at the bit waiting and waiting for me to update you on my new tried events and weekend. First of all my Edwardian dress....well, the skirt of it seems to keep being a tad sideways in the back. Then I closed the sides to the top and, I know you'd never guess it but, it's a little tight. That is not exactly how those dresses are suppose to look. I've decided to ask my sister in law for the book "Sewing for Dummies". :) My Korean egg rolls however have turned out quite nice and I am enjoying them daily. It only took me about three hours to get it all going. My husband worked with the sauce and we think he might have even done a better sauce than the original. So much creativity. I am not thwarted in my efforts because I know trial and error are sometimes the only way to learn. It's the vision and learning process that is so good...right?!

Saturday was our three party day. It is amazing to me how different 3 parties can be. The first one was young families with young children who were constantly running, crying, screaming. Since ours are a little older it felt very loud and a bit chaotic. However, I enjoyed meeting some of the new people and trying to talk to the ones I know. After that we went to a party with more mature friends. Only 2 other kids that are pretty mild and we sat at tables and had food, laughs and relaxed while the kids played. The third party was more middle aged and it was informal snacks and games and santa funny exchange. So, it was good. I thought we would feel rushed and not really enjoy any but it turned out much better than I had thought. That was nice.

Sunday was church and we had a lot of visitors. Our young couples class was about double what it normally is. It was some who have been coming periodically who decided to come to S.S. and others who were just new. I so enjoyed it. I really love our church. Our pastor teaches from the word and it so good! ;) The S.S. teachers are also so good and do verse by verse studies. We have been studying Revelation (one book that has never been easy for me to delve in to) and it has been so good. Our teacher has a gift for teaching and it really makes a difference. Sunday nights our kids go to Awana's. I do choir and counseling and church service. Our Sunday's are pretty busy but it is all stuff I enjoy and learn from. I'm hoping to either get a couples or womens Bible study going during Awana's. We have various Bible studies going on throughout the week.

One thing that is interesting to me is how quickly people respond to anything I or hubby say. If we suggest something, someone is up doing it. If I ask about finding something, instead of pointing they are up getting and doing it, if I suggest a new way of doing something they try it. It feels a little fun as well as scary. I feel like I have power or influence and it is weird. Many times I like to just brainstorm but I don't think I better do that here or it will all be going before I really think it through...ha. No, really, it is just a great staff and leaders. I am amazed at how helpful and dedicated these people are. I feel like I am thanking them all the time because I am SO appreciative of all they do and so happy to have them working with us! IT really makes a difference when it is a team approach!

I am feeling happy here and acclamating but I still feel that missing of my family, close friends and other church family. I know God will continue to work in all of our lives and I am so excited about what He will do in the future!

Confession

I had a comment from a beautiful friend that addressed me as a "good" mommy that prompted me to realize maybe I wasn't showing my vulnerable side. I need to also show the other side of the story. I have had days when my one year old was screaming at the top of her lungs (and let me tell you that was VERY loud) while at the same time my 3 year old boy was asking thousands upon thousands of questions (well at least it felt that way) and all I wanted was a moment of peace. I would put my son in an activity and my daughter in her bed as she wailed and I would run to my bed, put the pillow over my head and cry, because I felt like I just needed quiet and because I wanted quiet and my own time, I felt like a bad Mommy. I felt many times like a failure as a Mom even as I had joys of a Mom. I would talk too abrubt with my kids and wound their heart. I would not listen as they needed or choose my self time over time with them.

At first in motherhood I just thought when I failed that I had failed me, my children and God. In time, God showed me that parenting is a process. He allows me to see my failures with my children so that I become humbled enough to seek His help and He can give it. It is He who can take my failures and turn them into something beautiful. The other part when I allow the enemy to feed me lies or work on my weak thoughts. The enemy knows when I am tired and what things push my triggers. The good part is that I don't have to believe what the enemy throws my way. Whether that is what others think, what I think, feelings etc. I was really freed when I realized that before I just accept what someone else thinks to be truth I need to seek my Heavenly Father and see the Real truth. So many times when I felt stressed or quick tempered with my kids it was because of my feelings of failure or not wanting to fail others. I had to begin to make a conscience choice to rather fail others than wound my kids. I still don't always win this battle but the Lord continues to work on me. Usually the things I get so stressed about are not that big of a deal but rather just what I want when I want it. Selfishness in me is one thing the Lord is constantly working to flush out.

Busyness is another thing that gets in the way of wonderful times with family. When I don't have tons of activities or commitments I slow down and then enjoy the moments so much more. There will always be important things in life to do but the season with my kids is so short. I want to enjoy it and cherish it. Therefore, I limit activities even if they seem good, I feel God wants me to invest in my kids in the short time I have rather than invest in everything else. I even used to run errands several days of the week and finally learned that that also interrupted our relaxing days. So, I have tried to limit running around to one day. I have to be careful because I can easily overcommit so I take time to really think about committments before accepting them. Even if it is just one night in the month it can take away. So, even if people look at me weird or think I am over possessive or not helping enough, I have to look to my Father and seek His desire for me at this season in my life.

Another thing that allowed me to get stressed which then affected my family was keeping up with the Jones'. I think the biggest area of this for me was with homeschooling. I would think that I needed to do just what someone else did or I was jipping my kids of what they needed. I would run here and there trying to change and fix and workout. Finally, God showed me that He knew what was best for my kids. He knew their hearts and their futures and the most important thing to Him was that they know HIM. Studying His word, seeking Him in prayer etc. Knowledge is good but Knowledge without wisdom (Wisdom-knowing and doing good) is nothing. This was life changing for our schooling. I still feel panicky at times when people start drilling my kids or asking me what I'm doing, because the world's opinion is not the gage for my kids education...God's direction is. Sometimes I can rest there and other times I wrestle there. But when I go to the throne of God I find peace.

School, parenting, life should be peaceful in Christ not hurried, racing aimlessly. I think a great example the Lord showed me was with my kids. When my son was little and my first child everything is a big deal. He wasn't walking when everyone else was and I felt a little pressure. I tried to get him to but the time wasn't right. I felt nervous when people would ask and be surprised that he wasn't walking yet. I got unsolicited advice (which I heard as criticism). Then, when the time was right he walked without any problems. Did I need to worry and fret? Did I need to worry with what people thought? Does it really matter now WHEN he started walking or is it just great that he learned? The same thing with learning to ride a bike. He was later than some of his friends and family. At this point I didn't worry as much and sure enough, when the time was right he caught on in a day. The point is not to rush but to allow the timing to be right. To allow God to direct to what time and season all things should be done. I still struggle in learning this and many other things but I am thankful that it is a process and not one of us knows everything at the beginning but all of us can learn from the Lord.

In my closing confessions, I am a Mom like any other and if you see any good in me I can only praise God who is the good in my life.

Winter and Narnia

I can't believe we have had cold weather for about 3 days! It has been fun! We have actually pulled out our coats. Yesterday we got to go on a family outing to see Narnia!! We had bought early tickets to go to the first showing of the day. We got there about an hour early with great expectation to see many others in line. However, the only cars there were the workers. We got tickled at our miscalculation but we didn't care, we were determined to have good seats! We grabbed a bite to eat and came back and more people were coming. We went in and printed out our tickets and walked right in to the theatre. It was SO GOOD!!! We Loved it! Some of the evil creatures were a little scary but overall the makers were very gentle with the tough stuff. The kids on it are adorable! Lucy reminds me of one of my precious nieces...too cute!

The kids had been so excited and it was a countdown. They were singing the Annie song "Tomorrow" on Thurs. and got up with Great enthusiasm yesterday! It was wonderful to have a relaxing family day together. We came home and kids played while adults cleaned up and fixed dinner. We had relaxing evening together just doing small stuff and then we went to the store.

I have had a real hankering for some korean egg rolls. We had some friends in Bella Vista who would make a big batch and give us some. I don't have them near us anymore so I am going to try to make it myself. They are different from chinese egg rolls. They are soft and the dipping sauce is to die for! I am hoping it will turn out good. Hubby said to have low expectations so I won't be disappointed. He is probably right. The lady who made them Was Korean so I'm sure she had the art down.

We have a low key day but tonight we have 3 Christmas parties to go to. I'm looking forward to meeting and visiting with the new friends. Well, I need to run get my egg rolls started. :) Have a great day!

Another First/Hair Dilemas

Well, my little boy wanted a certain costume item really bad and I had already bought the material for it. He had watched his sister and me sewing and decided he wanted to try. He really wanted to make the item I was going to make. I thought about it and told him he probably could. So, off we went. I had some things that needed seem ripping so Princess worked on that while brother and I worked on his item. I was so excited because we actually started and finished it and he LOVES it! What a fun thing to do! I love that they are ages that we can do this stuff together. He also had many questions about finances, gambling etc and we the three of us had a great discussion together at lunch. At lunch sister wanted to help so we worked together to make grilled cheese...yumm. N-decided he would film us making a sandwich and F- decided we would be cooks in a castle and so the story began. The one area to not film was the sink since we were late running the last load of dishes. They were so funny. The director acted like he was going to eat some cookies while little miss told him not to touch that those were for the king and queen. Since he kept being honory, I, the head cook ran him out the kitchen while being filmed...a chasing insued. Daddy came home not long after and also decided to bake some cookies. So, the story of the chiefs continued. :)

I decided to do something about the big 3 inch highlight grown out look. I thought I had a highlighting kit but it turned out to be one of those that you color and then paint on. It looked like it was a blond all over color but when I put it on it didn't look like that color. It was purplish brown. I have ruined my hair many times in the past due to my adventures so I wasn't panicking yet. I told Hubby I was waiting for the blond color to kick in and he looked at me and said "Honey, it's brown!" Son chimmed in that it looked black to him and little girl just screamed and cried like she was a baby and I was scaring her. I washed it out and it looked a bit scary. Then, I proceed to paint on the highlights. Well, it was a brush that is like a mascara brush only much bigger. I have to say it turned out pretty good. The last time I tried this it was a total and complete disaster. So, other than looking a tad orange on top I am happy with the outcome.

Honored

Today I was honored to just wake up and meet another day. It was cooler today and felt so great, more like December. I was honored today to share a first with my daughter. She joined with me in sewing actually using the machine and making two things that turned out beautiful. I was so amazed and honored to share these moments with her. I was honored to sit and cuddle up with my son while he showed me a project he had been working on. It was a movie involving legos. It was so imaginative and funny! I was so awed and honored. I was honored today to have a friend in desperation cry out to me. Honored to be given the opportunity to be trusted by her. I was honored today to sing worship to my Lord in praise team practice. It was a time of real reaching to Him and realizing yet again how wonderful He is. I was honored by having old friendships re-awakened with an e-mail as well as newer friendships. I was honored to receive an uplifting cd from my Mom who thought I would enjoy it. I was honored to have a loving letter from my Dad telling me of a time that he had an experience that related to my experience. I was honored today to have laughs and talk with my sister. Honored to kiss and hug my husband. Honored to think of the newborn King. Thank you Lord, for giving me so many moments to feel honored.

Jingle Bells Overflow

Today we are continuing the theme of Christmas and as we were coming home from a store my daughter was singing away at Jingle Bells. I got so tickled at one phrase that she was singing as she remembered it. "Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells Jingle all the way, Oh what fun it is to ride in a one or oh pin sleigh hey" It is so much more cute to hear it sung than it is with typing it but I was trying to stifle my giggles. So cute. I have tried before to tell her the correct saying but it is to fast for her at this time so she quickly reverts to her saying.

My son today was taking funny pictures with the digital camera. He took a shot of his mouth wide open and laughing and then of it closed and as a straight line. He came to me to look and narrated. When it was wide he began singing loudly, then told me to shush him so I did, he stopped and had it at the closed mouth. Okay, maybe it doesn't sound so funny here but again it was really funny at the time. He added a picture of a whistle mouth and added that in narrative. He just made a funny story out of about 6 pics. He also LOVES making movies. He is really good at directing and acting. I really do enjoy more of his movies now because he is getting better at knowing how to entertain as well as keep them shorter so it is not marathan movies. I am amazed so much of the time of his deep questions as well as creative mind.

As a Mom, have you ever done something really stupid. Well, I decided to fill my bathtub with water and put clorox bleach to really whiten it up. We are in a rental house and it is clean but just worn. Anyway, I was filling it up and got bored of waiting and the kids were starving so I ran in the kitchen to get them lunch. Well, then we got to talking and yea, you guessed it....overflow. I went back to get something and heard a noise, wondered what it was, realized what it was and ran to the bathroom. Thankfully it had only begun to overflow so it did not do damage. Whew. That's one of those "Thank you God for causing me to come back here just in time!!" Amazing. My stupidity and His Grace! What Love!

Feeling Feminine

I feel like God has really been challenging me to be more of a lady and homemaker. I never really knew why people called us that. Home maker, isn't the home already made? But alas, it is not and the never ending pile of dishes or laundry or food to fix lets me know it! However, my husband was speaking a few weeks ago on Titus. I was looking at the text as he taught and a verse just leaped off the page to me. Titus 2:5. In that verse it was talking about the older women teaching the younger, but one phrase in my translation said "to love their husbands, to love their children and be workers at home", in another translation it said "keepers of the home". In study later on I looked up in the Blue Letter Bible on internet to quickly find greek and hebrew interpretations of this and found that it even could mean guide of the home. I have stumbled upon some wonderful sites talking about how dressing feminine can acutally make you feel more beautiful as well as more positive and submissive. All of which are good to feel. :) So, I had mentioned that I was working on a dress that has the Edwardian Time inspiration. Of course I want to also relate that I've only been really trying to sew for the last month and I don't seem to want to use measuring tools or patterns so there is a lot of seam ripping going on.

Anyway, so today I got up feeling all feminine and wore a fun full skirt. I felt more like Holly Homemaker so I wanted to get stuff around the house done. My kids and I worked for a while with our wonderful fun Christmas music blarring in the background focusing on the birth of Christ. We did some school with hot chocolate (made with my new tea kettle from Mom and Dad) since the kids didn't want hot tea and in the afternoon started cookie cutting sugar cookies. It was so fun. My daughter, princess, loves glitter and make up but she is also an acts of service girl. So she was trying to cut about 3 cookies to her brother's one. He, my son, valiant, is more laid back and took his turn when it was time. He can get irritated with Princess at times rushing him. He has more focus on the detail of how the cookie looked and if you could see all the facial expressions. He was dismayed when the cookies were baked and you couldn't see the details anymore. However, they both seemed to have a wonderful time. We had fun talking and working and it was just a wonderful time. It was cooler today so we had chili for dinner and a relaxing evening. I got to work on my dress more or re-work it and it just felt like a glowing time. I realize the the best part of being a home maker is being at home to make it up and enjoy those to live there with me! I love that my Lord has made me a Lady in His kingdom! I am a princess, child of the King and I want to act, look and feel like it! (picture dress flowing, breeze blowing, tea kettle bubbling, flowers smelling...ahhhh)

In a Moment

Have you ever noticed that just in a moment things can drastically change. When you look up and realize your child's head is now at your neck, when your friend who was pregnant just found out there is no longer a heartbeat, when another friend just got engaged, when someone confides in you without names only to slip later and influence your feelings. So many things have happened today in just a moment. My heart yearns for the years with my kids to go slower, it aches for my friends loss of a baby, it leaps with joy for the one who'll be married, and feels tight to know something I shouldn't. How I am glad that I got to dig in God's words today. How wonderful that they never change, that in a moment they can bring you the peace you desperately need, give you the love you so dearly cherish and the grace you do not even deserve. He is Life and Truth and Freedom. Oh, I long to know Him more, in a moment!

MaMaaa! My Bambino!

My little girl is fascinated with being a baby. A while back when we were trying to learn some spanish before our move she learned how they said mamaaa and I would say My bambino. Her brother told me how cute she sounded when she said it and I agreed. It makes me smile everytime! It is a little game we have now and she loves to sit in my lap and cuddle. She still likes to have snuggle time with me. She also curls up and pulls her hair with one hand while sucking her two fingers(pointer and middle) of her right hand. Man, I remember when she first found then and now here we are trying to get her to stop. I have to admit that her Daddy is much better on staying on top of that than me. I just love watching her. God made such a lovely creature when he made her.

Last night when my kids were going to bed my daughter put her tooth under the pillow but wanted to keep the tooth. I told her she could leave a message asking to keep it. Then my son who just lost a tooth a few days before also wanted his tooth back. He got sentimentle and I told him if she (toothfairy) had kept it maybe he could ask for that back. Needless to say she got money and they both got to keep their teeth. What they will do with it I do not know but we have them!

I got crafty today and began making an edwardian inspired dress. No pattern but just trying to make it the way I want. My mother finds it humorous that I don't want a pattern, she told me they are not very expensive. It is just the principle of the thing. I guess I think it would just be faster if I didn't have to do all that measuring and cutting of patterns. Of course the outcome might show how much I need it but nevertheless it is fun to create! My own little crafty bambino!

Where'd It Go?!

Last night I was working on e-mail and my son came in to tell me the dog was gone. I had a really bad feeling. We've just moved to a new state, city, home etc. The dog got out the front door and he is like lightening when he runs. My reaction was not good. I said "Ohhhh Nooo!" My son promptly said, "Mom, remember, he knows how to get home." Well, that was where we had lived before among rolling hills, forest, quiet neighborhood. Now we are among more streets and close to highway and our dog is black. I was thoughtful and smiled back at him. I began to pray immediately that God would take care of our dog. I didn't want him to get far off and get hit or hurt and us not be there to help him. Mind you, I am not a fanatic animal lover but I have grown accustomed to our dog and I knew My kids would be heartbroken. My sweet husband and daughter had been putting up the outside lights while I and son were inside. Evidently the door did not get shut all the way and the dog got out. It was a bad feeling in me that we might not see this little member of the family again. Later, my daughter crawled up in my lap and said she had something to tell me but she was embarrassed. I encouraged her and she said that it was her fault the dog got out. She had been helping and had left the door open and heard the jingle of his collar. I told her it was okay and that we have all done that before. She said "No Mom, I let him out, it was My fault!" I was hurting for her as well as proud of her for being so quick to take ownership. You just don't see that very much in this day and age. I told her again that it was just an accident and we have all let him out at different times. I tried to comfort her and then her Daddy asked what she had said. She asked me to tell him and I did. He told her it was not at that time that the dog got out that he was the last in and out and he had let him out. I was actually relieved it was him because I knew he could take it better than she would. As the evening wore on the worry was on all of our minds. Finally, my husband said "Look who came home" Our beloved family dog had found his way Home. I never dreamed I would feel so attached to an animal. Isn't it just like us who loose our way or run off thinking we will find something better only to come back to the One who truly cares for us the most, our heavenly Father.

Today my little girl became even more of a bigger girl because she lost her front right tooth and it left a gaping whole that she is So proud of. I find myself happy for her but so sad to see that little baby tooth go. It is so hard to let stages evolve and have to deal with letting go almost daily. I am thankful for the time we had with that precious baby and baby tooth. My son lost a pointer tooth just days before. Again it is hard for me to watch the heighth of my baby boy and the big teeth coming through. I still covet my cuddles with him and her and love every one I am allowed! How precious these times!

This Is My Heart's Joy

Isn't it amazing how many things can give your heart joy? I am in awe of the many blessings in my life from my relationship with Jesus, my husband and children, family, dear friends, home, food, computer. My husband spoke not long ago about how anyone making $30,000 a year is in the top 5% of the world's richest people. When we look at a world view it is easy to see that we live as kings and queens and don't even know it! How humbled it makes me to realize I have NO reason to complain about my life.