Gingerbread houses and other sweet things in life...

Nana and Papa came last night for a visit and had a special surprise for the kids~a gingerbread house...The kiddos had so much fun! I know they always enjoy being with their grandparents no matter what they are doing but this was definitely a special memory. Greg and I were also thankful to get a night out to attend a Christmas party.

This morning we heard about their fun evening and they could not forget about eating that gingerbread house! I think they asked at least a dozen times today when they were going to eat lunch...I told them they could eat some of the gingerbread house after lunch. It was the first thing they asked about this morning. We are so thankful to have such a great set of grandparents for our kids to spend time with...we are truly blessed.

I keep getting the same question asked, "so how do you have time to take so many pictures of your kids and how do you have time to have a blog?" I think over the past 5 years of parenthood I have learned so many important lessons and I still have an endless amount to learn! One thing that I know that the Lord has taught me is learning to say "No." I don't pour myself into anything else much except for my husband, my kids, my family and my close friends. I have also learned that to be a better mom I have to make time to enjoy the things that I love doing, the "sweet things" in life that keeps my spirit energized. I absolutely love my kids and my family but the Lord also blesses us each with special gifts that HE wants us to use for HIS glory. As a mom I know that I have to make time for the things that the Lord has created me for. It is all a part of enjoying HIM because you realize what He has blessed you with. And at the same time when you are doing what He has called you to, you draw closer to Him and the people around you that you love so much. If He has blessed you with creativity or the love of reading and learning you have to continue to pursue those things in your life...of course in moderation, not sacrificing your family. For me in the past year I have found that I love photography and learning more about it because I love capturing the smiles and memories that I am making with my kids. I think it is one of the ways the Lord blesses me and fills me as I continually pour out my love and time for my husband and my kids. By the way if you haven't read "Heaven" by Randy Alcorn I know you would be blessed if you did. That book really goes into the gifts that God has blessed us each with and how we will even use them even in Heaven. So, today as I think of everyone that has asked me that question I pray that you would find something sweet in life that you really enjoy and that you would take time to enjoy it and enjoy your CREATOR because of it... if you haven't already.

3 year old~

This little boy is 100% boy and so much fun. He has such a tender heart but at the same time he seems to be our most strong-willed. We started a reward system in our home and basically our kids collect stars on their charts for doing chores and other age appropriate tasks around the house. They will be able to cash in their stars for treats or something special. This really motivates Caityln but this little guy could care less. Just this morning I asked him if he wanted to earn a star today and he responded with, "No I don't really want a star." That is just the way he is. He often skips out on ice cream and other treats just because. He has to make up his mind about something and you can rarely ever force an idea on him. He also has such a tender heart. We got home from the grocery store and he sat in the car playing and talking to the baby as I unloaded everything. He said he "wanted to make Dakota happy." He also asked me if we could keep Dakota for forever. I said we could keep her for as long as God wanted us to and he said, "I hope we can keep her forever and I hope she never gets big." I love the way he thinks.

Five year old~

Just finished up school with her today and realized how thankful I am for her great attitude about learning. It really makes homeschooling so much easier and her attitude sets the tone for the other 2. They are often interested in "doing school"...of course they don't last very long. This morning was a crazy one around here...and believe it or not that is not always the case. We usually get through school work pretty easy. The 2 younger kids kept fighting and the baby cried a lot but Caitlyn stayed so focused on her work...I was amazed. Greg and I were talking about her goals last night that I set at the beginning of the school year...she has learned so much in the past few months...I just might have to write some more goals! She is very creative as well and very much a helper to mommy. As I was feeding baby before lunch Caitlyn prepared bread and cheese for grilled cheese sandwiches, got 3 apples out and counted out 7 animal crackers for each of them. Sometimes she amazes me because she does it all in a sweet way without being bossy to the others. I pray that the Lord would continue to lead her in HIS ways and He would continue to give her a servant's heart.

Refreshed~

Ever have one of those days, weeks, months or years (OK hopefully NOT years) when you feel exhausted and overwhelemed by everything happening in life? Well for me it has definitely been the past couple of weeks. Probably because I had sick kids and babies waking me up at all hours of the night and I found myself exhausted during every minute of the day and had finally caught what eveyone else got. I felt like I was definitetly not being a good mommy. I have also had a lot going on with my extended family and was probably a little worn out emotionally. Spiritually I was also worn thin. There are people who I pray for daily...people who are close to me who are under attack...and well sometimes I think we fall under attack when we faithfully pray against satan at work in the lives of others.

But this week is a NEW week. I have the best husband and father for my kids. We packed up everything and spent a much needed day at the lake and we even endured the last 30 minutes of the car ride with a screaming baby. We did NOTHING but enjoy our kids and the company of some close friends. You know the friends that you can do "nothing" with? We also got to see the Christmas lights that Marble Falls displays every year and it was good to see the kids enjoy them so much. I am so thankful for the time that we got to spend there and I am definitely feeling refreshed.

This smile makes my day~

If you didn't know me you would think she is my only child by the looks of how many pictures I have posted of her...but she isn't. She is just filled with so many smiles these days that I can't help but share them with others.

I like these black&whites...

7 week old cutie~

Couldn't help but post these pictures of this cute baby boy. My favorite is the one of him in the basket with the Christmas lights in the background. Thanks Non for letting me take these...can't wait to take some more!