Am I . . .?

They are good friends these two,

laughing over a game of peek-a-boo.Sharing a joke only they understand.

Helping eachother,

Jude using his strength to guide her to a *safe* spot for the bike.

And laughing and loving every minute of it. I got a glimspe of her future last night.

This little girl of mine will one day, in the not to distant future, grow up. She will become a young lady.

And I was struck by the fact that she is going to learn what that means from me. Am I showing her what it means to be a Godly woman?

Or are my words doing more than their fair share of the teaching?

Am I a living example of how to live a life in Faith?
Is my relationship with Troy going to teach her how to submit to and respect her husband?

Is it helping her to understand what that looks like in a Godly marriage?

Am I teaching her the right way to handle the disagreements that will come up?Am I teaching her how to be gracious towards and forgiving of others when things don't go her way ?

Is she learning about compassion and mercy and love from me?

Am I showing her how to parent in a Godly manner?

What is it that she is going to remember once she walks down that far away aisle and starts a life of her own?

I pray that I pave that road well for her,

that God will take her and shape her into His child,

despite my stumblings and failings,

and even despite my best efforts.

Can't you just picture them, 50 years down the road,
talking about their day over a bowl of chocolate chips?

It Takes Over the Living Room!

My little monkey.

This kid is seriously going to give me a heart attack one of these days.

I thought his sister was busy at this age...HA!

We were at the park Wed night and Owen figures out how to climb the stairs to get to the side.

He then proceeds to try and throw himself headfirst down the slide (laughing hysterically at the same time!)

The other morning waiting for Anthony's bus??

Apparently he wants to climb walls and windows now too.

(He was standing on the ledge by the end of his adventure!)

Seeing as Tuesday was Anthony's last day home before school started, I decided to give in and let them build a fort....

It only covered the entire living room and was destroyed by two 15 month olds in matter of minutes,

and yes, I rebuilt it again and took the babies downstairs to play!

First Day of S.K

The beauty of a sunrise, the peacefulness of the morning, shattered by the sound of kids waiting for the school bus!

All ready for the first day of S.K
The bus taking my oldest away from home.
I didn't realize how hard letting Anthony go this year was going to be. He got on the bus and I almost started to cry!
I miss him.
My sweet boy, capable of sending me over the edge and pushing every button I have.
I miss the noise and the chaos he leaves behind in his wake.
He's growing up and I need to let him, but it's hard letting him go.
It didn't help that I didn't know his teacher's name or any of the important *stuff*!

So Long Summer

I've been at work for 3 days now, I'm babysitting two little girls. And it has been wonderful. It's amazing how much smoother my day goes when I actually get my butt out of bed BEFORE my kids to spend some time in the bible and prayer.

I'm not very good at remembering, but I know I need to, and especially with a little more chaos added to the days.

And I have been blessed for it, already! I love how I feel and how my day flows and how it's easier for me to stop and remember to refocus on Him when I have started my day in His presence.

I long to be more disciplined when it comes to spending time in God's Word and taking the time to pray over my family and the day.

* * * * *

Troy goes back to work tomorrow, and Anthony starts school on Wednesday.

So summer is offically finished and we are into the routines of fall!

WOW!

Gotta love it when God just plops the thing you've ben praying for in your lap.
For the past 6 to 8 months on and off, sometimes more off than on (and sometimes so desperately it hurts), I have been asking God to place someone in my life who I could get to know on a deeper level, someone who I would allow to get to know ME on a deeper level. A person to pray with and maybe read the bible with. Someone to walk in faith with, to be accountable to.
Last night, out of the blue, another mom from church called to find out if I would be interested in doing the 'Jesus, the One and Only' bible study with her...just her. Honestly? I didn't even think about it, I just said yes.
It's what I've been praying for and I am so incredibly thankful that she called me. She could have called someone else, someone she knows better, someone she's done a study with before. Instead, she choose to pick up the phone and ask me.
I am very excited. The study looks great and I am even more excited to get to know her and to let her know me.
God is AWESOME!!
* * * * * * * *
Lots to share, it's been an incredible week, this week of mine. And I am beyond blessed by it.
But there are 5 kids resting in my house today instead of 3 and I think I hear one or two starting to stir!
I will share, it just might take a day or two!

Picking Peas at Poppa's

Actually, we were picking peas with Gramma, seeing as it is her garden and all! The kids had a blast. Alexandra still hadn't gotten the hang of using two hands so she would pull the plant right out of the ground...but hey, the peas came with it!

A.Busy.Weekend.

I think the pictures speak for themselves.

Enough Said...

Sweet 3 Year Old

Yesterday you turned 3 sweet daughter of mine.

Where have the years gone?

I cannot believe how big you are getting, how old you seem. We spent yesterday celebrating you Alexandra.

After swimming lessons and eye dr. visits there was lunch

(of what else but Kraft Dinner and grape pop?)

presents, playtime, naptime and daddy's ball game to watch. The look on your face as you opened each gift was priceless.

You truly treasured each one. You have spent hours playing with this dollhouse.

The squeals you let loose when one of your brothers attempts to play with you,

well sweet girl, they are getting a little irritating,

maybe you could turn down the decible level a little

because I think the glass in the windows is starting to shatter. You have blessed our lives with sunshine and smiles.

Your spontaneous singing and dancing brings joy to this momma.

I love your confidence and silliness sweet girl of mine.

May this coming year be filled with joy.

Happy Birthday Alexandra,

We love you so very very much.

At the Park

Tuesday dawned cloudy, cool and threatening to rain. The kids were stir crazy and had WAY to much energy to burn (read, if we spent the day at home there was going to be screaming, crying and the nashing of teeth).

So we headed out to Centennial for a morning of animals, logging equipment, trains and playgrounds.

It was a wonderful way to spend one of the last days of summer.