February Monthly Mission

First of all, What happened to February? I mean, I know it has a few less days than the other months, but wasn't I just putting away the Christmas decorations (except for that garland and wreath that is still hanging on the front door...that's right, when Spring shows me that she is here to stay I will take down the evergreen!)

For our monthly mission in February we made Valentine's and delivered them to a local nursing home. In preparing for this "mission" I took the opportunity to talk to the boys about how we all get older and some of the positive and negative things that go along with that and also how some people don't have family that comes and visits them. We even read a couple of books about grandmas and grandpas getting older (although I find it humorous and a bit confusing that the drawings of grandparents in children's books look more like Great-grandparents than grandparents).

The boys enjoyed making the Valentines (at least what little creative freedom I gave them. I'll be the first to admit that when it comes to crafts I have a few "control issues" that I need to work on.) and I thought they turned out pretty cute! Daddy and Cash stayed home with the a little stomach bug, so Tytus, Beau, and I were off to spend the morning at Spring River Christian Village. I have to admit I was a little nervous about how they would do...what I mean is, I LOVE old people, but the truth is there can be some frightening looking folks at nursing home (at least in the eyes of a three and four year old!) But the boys did incredible! They just looked like pros...they were walking up to people, handing out their valentine's, giving hugs...I think Beau even gave one little old lady a kiss! And the residents seemed to be truly blessed to have children around. It was really fun! I think we will definitely be making this an annual event!

Tuesday Triumphs

Whew! First of all, we made it home from Breckenridge, CO last night. We had a great trip! All the kids traveled well (with a couple of early stops demanded by Priscilla and/or Cash, but hey, who can blame them, I was ready to be out of my 'car seat' too), the weather was fantastic, the slops were awesome! I hope to soon dedicate an entire post to our First Ever Family Ski Trip.

So, the boys and I made it home last night...finally. Daddy had to stay in OKC/Tulsa/Stillwater for work for a few more days, which meant that I pulled the cargo trailer home! And YES I triumphantly backed that puppy up to my garage and unloaded all of our crap...pardon me...travel necessities. Then I backed him up again in the alley and unhitched him!! Okay, so I had to recruit the teenage neighbor boy to help me unhitch him, but I indeed felt triumphant to accomplish this task that my husband asked of me (and I do think I heard a bit of hesitation in his voice, which of course only fueled my determination to, how else can I say it...Git R Done!)...TRIUMPH!!

Despite starting the day a little rough (the aftermath of being away from home for nine days), we had a lot of fun and got quite a few things done (Heaven knows I have a lot to do, after unloading that trailer with all of our "stuff" from vacation, the house looks like a tornado hit it!) Tytus and Beau eagerly helped me with my chores and did a mighty fine job at it. Tytus unloaded groceries and in typical T-man fashion organized the can goods and baby food just as I asked him to do. And Beau put away silverware and various other items from the dishwasher and stayed on task until the job was complete...he even came to me reporting that he had finished and needed another job!!! (This is quite an improvement as he in the past has proven to be "easily distracted")...TRIUMPH!

And I did FIVE loads of laundry...TRIUMPH!!

Tuesday Triumphs!

The bags are all packed!!
The car is clean and fueled!!
The kiddos are all enrolled in ski school!!!
And EVERYONE is HEALTHY!!!

I'd say that is triumphant!


**Stay tuned for pictures and stories from our First Ever Family Ski Trip!!)

Friday Flashback!

"Sisters, Sisters, There were never such devoted sisters..."

Love my sister, Kandy, and love this picture...Look at all that HAIR (and a lot less me!) She has always been referred to as an 'angel', and I suppose she (mostly) fits the description, but with a little bit of SASS (I hold the family francise on that one!) We had a lot of fun growing up together and now I can easily call her one of my best friends. She has taught me a lot about having patience, kindness, and understanding. Our family is so blessed to have her!!

Tuesday Triumphs

One of our most triumphant Tuesdays to date...

First, I saved a whopping $20 at Wal-Mart just by using coupons, AND an additional $15 in rebates once I mail them in. Not too bad, definitely not like some of my other very savvy coupon using friends, but it's a start...

Second, and of extremely great value, I finally found a BBQ Sauce in the state of Missouri that is worth spending my money on. It's called Casey's Famous Hickory BBQ Sauce, it's not quite Head Country...but it's the closest I have been able to come to the golden child of condiments (I'm very picky about my BBQ sauce!).

And last, but certainly not least...ALL THREE CHILDREN TOOK A NAP AT THE SAME TIME!!!It was a glorious ONE HOUR AND THIRTY MINUTES!! I was so excited that I even considered sneeking in and taking a picture of each of them just for proof, but didn't out of fear that I would spoil this very special moment for all of us (ok, especially me, but trust me, they were enjoying their slumber). Each awoke happy and hungry...

All in all a triumphant day!!

100 Days of Prayer

Yesterday I started a new devotional titled "100 Days of Prayer for Women." Today's focus was on priorities and the importance of keeping God FIRST in my life. I thought the content was quite timely with it being just a couple of days following Valentine's Day. Here is a quote and scripture that spoke to me most...

"When I have learnt to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now. When first things are put first, second things are not suppressed but increased." -C.S. Lewis

"And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you can determine what really matters and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ."


(*In my prayers for Brock each day I sometimes read along in Stormie Omartian's "The Power of a Praying Wife. On this day, Feb. 16th I read chapter 16- His Priorities. Isn't God clever...to coincide my study and prayer for myself along with my prayers for my husband!!)

ATTITUDE!

We have been talking a lot about attitudes at our house. And by the way, someone forgot to mention to me that as soon as our son turned four years old he would all of the sudden develop some serious ATTITUDE! Good attitudes and bad attitudes...we all have both at times, but even when it is difficult we should CHOOSE to have a good attitude, right?

That being said, today as I was helping the older boys get dressed (ironically to go on our "monthly mission", more on that later), *SIDENOTE: Is it just my kids or does it seem like at times just getting dressed is the most difficult task of the day?? Anyway, Tytus was showing some signs of a not-so-good attitude...heavy sighing, slouching, even a tiny little eye roll. So I say to him, "Buddy, I do not like your attitude right now, you are just acting kind of ugly. I mean, I do not know where you got all of this attitude, but I wish you would give it back!" To which he replied, "I know where I got this attitude." And I say, "oh really, where did you get your attitude?" Oh, Yes, get ready for it, because without skipping a beat and actually quite kindly he followed with, "From YOU!"

OUCH!! Nothing like having your eyes opened by the honesty of your child. It can be a shot to the gut when you see your not-so-best qualities come out in your child. So after a quick pep talk and a promise that I will also work harder at having a good attitude we were on our way. Guess it's time for me to practice what I preach!!