HAPPY BIRTHDAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMMA!!!!

Emma is into all things pink and princess.

The cake certainly wouldn't win any cake decorating awards, but thankfully it is very easy to impress a little girl turning 4. Although, as it turns out she doesn't like to eat cake and only licked the frosting. And somehow forcing her to eat her own birthday cake didn't seem right. However, she can eat her weight in tomatoes.

This is my new favorite tradition. My Mom made Emma a birthday pillowcase which she used the week prior to her birthday. It will now be tradition for the birthday child to sleep on the special pillow case the whole week before thier birthday.

A Day at the Park

While Grandma was visiting we had to show off our warm weather with some time at the park.

In typical boy fashion, Elias, was busy running around and never stood still enough for a picture. After getting home and looking at the pictures I realized the only picture he made it in was the family picture. However, his feet made it into this picture.

When Mom Wasn't Looking

I should have listened.

I was in a groove and I didn't listen. This morning I began the daunting task of going through the kids clothes. I did this in December and thought I would be fine for a while, however, all three kids have since then gone through a growth spurt. So in preparation for summer, drawers were getting cleaned out and laundry put neatly away. I was a woman with a mission. I am usually very distracted, but this morning I was getting things done and was trying to be finished with the huge task before lunch. Emma came to me letting me know Brooke was into something and I should have listened. When I finally did come into the kitchen I realized I should have listened and acted more quickly. The mess really could have been much worse, and for that I am thankful. It wasn't until after I discovered Brooke that I realized Emma had come to me and said something about Brooke and the trash. I am very grateful it was just the trash bags and not things out of the full trash can just a few feet away. As far as 1 year old messes go this one was really quite easy to recover from: styrofoam cups thrown away and trash bags stuffed back in to the box. Note to mom: listen to three year old.

This is our latest favorite picture.

More Sayings

My sister told me I should do more sayings blogs. However, they are after all my kids and just not that witty. It takes me a while to collect these sayings. Here's the latest collections.

1. I overheard this conversation while Emma was playing with a couple of dolls and role playing with them.

Emma: I hate you.

Mom: Don't talk about hating people even if we are just playing.

Emma: (resumes playing) I want you to go away.

2. This conversation took place a few days after ear infections and strep throats hit our household.

Emma: Why does it keep raining?

Mom: Because it's a rainy day. (not the most scientific answer, but it's all I could think of)

Elias: Sometimes we have rainy days and sometimes we have crying days.

Mom: What is a crying day?

Elias: It's when all the kids cry alot. (duh)

3. Only in warm Californis does this confusion occur

Mom: Wear the other jacket this one is too heavy.

Elias: Am I not strong enough for this one?

FOOD

Why is it that I spend most meals encouraging my kids to eat and encouraging myself to do the opposite?

I've often thought what a blessing it is to a person to be disciplined and trained as a child instead trying to discipline one's self when older. Now I know perfection will never be obtained as a child or an adult, our sinful nature just won't allow it here on earth. But progress can be made through the grace of God. And I continually remind myself that I not only have to be diligent with my sin, but my chidren's sin as well. Oh, this is so hard, but what a blessing it is to my chidren if they start learning now to put other's interest before thier own or to not obey every fleshly desire. How thankful I am for the Lord's mercy and grace which makes sanctification not only possible but not such a burden.

Music Shop

Things I'm glad not to own

Elias had a fun field trip today at a music shop. The owner is a man who loves music and uses it to serve the Lord. He was very gracious in letting the kids play all the instruments. I'm very glad that these instruments do not reside in my home as my kids don't need help from musical instruments to make alot of noise. Elias complained a few times that it was too loud at the music shop(notice the hands over the ears in the picture with the trombone). Why is it that kids never complain about how loud something is when they are the ones making the noise?

Elias was a little leery to play the big base violin saying he was scared. I think he was afraid it would fall on him, but once he tried he loved the deep sound it made.

Smile

My Cookie Cutter Kids

These are three favorites from the past of all the kids at about the same age. It's smiles like this that do make mothering a little easier. I love my smiley crew. And I know that although they look like they are all from the same pattern that are uniquely and wonderfully created by a most gracious and loving God.

Dad's Home!

God has been very gracious to us during this seminary journey and Alex's job has been a part of that. While it seemed each semester varied in it's hours and locations, Alex's vendor job supplied great flexibility over the last 5 years. However, God has decided not to meet our needs though that job anymore and we are eagerly awaiting to see what He has in store. We know that God is faithful, good and sovereign and will continue to meet all our needs. While we would prefer that Alex had a job we are greatly enjoying having him home. I wish we could say we are trusting in God alone during this time, but when there is a savings account to fall back on I wonder how much of it is trust in the Provider rather than the provision.

BEFORE and AFTER

Sayings

These are a collection of conversations I've heard in our home. I've yet to figure out the formatting for these posts so the conversations may be a little hard to follow, sorry.

1. Mom: No you may not pray and if you fuss about it you'll go to your room. (This may need some explaining. I usually do encourage my kids to pray, however, this morning there was an argument about who would get to pray and after an executive decision one child decided to loudly protest.)
2. Elias: I can't pick up the toys because I'm sick and I don't want to get my toys sick.
3. Elias: I know where babies come from, when you eat too much your stomach gets big and then there is a baby inside.
4. Any mom who has seen the trying to hold it, "potty dance", will appreciate this.
   Mom: Do you need to go potty?
   Emma: No, I'm just exercising
5. This conversation took place in the car.
   Emma: Mommy, mommy
   Mom: Yes, Emma what do you want?
   Emma: No, I'm talking to Elias and pretending he's the mom.
   Mom: Oh.
   Emma: Mommy. Mommy. Mommy. (each mommy got louder and more frustrated)
   Mom: Emma, you may not talk like that even if you are pretending.
   Emma: No, mommy, I'm trying to get your attention.
6. This conversation took place after the kids were put in bed with instructions of no talking or getting out of bed. Names have been withheld to protect the not so innocent.
   Mom: You are getting a spanking because you disobeyed Mommy and got out of bed.
   child: You better not spank me because I will cry and then Brooke would wake up.
7. Emma: When Brooke was in your tummy, how did the doctor get her out?
   Mom: That's a good question for daddy.
   
   

Bath Time

Splish Splash I was taking a Bath

I know a boy,

His name is Bill,

Never took a bath,

And never will!

Ach, poo! Dirty Bill.

Rub a dub dub.

Three men in a tub.

The butcher, the baker, the candle stick maker.

If their boat had been stronger

My story would have been longer.

I saw you in the street.

I saw you in a tree.

I saw you in the bathtub.

Oh, pardon me!