We are family

It would be easier to send them out to play 

instead of playing with them

It would be easier to turn on the TV

instead of turning it off

It would be easier to not get involved

instead of getting involved

It would be easier to ignore

instead of paying attention

It would be easier to do what I want

instead of what they need

It would be easier to send them to school

instead of keeping them home

It would be easier to deal with outward appearances

instead of the heart

It would be easier to love what is lovely

instead of what isn't

It would be easier to respond harshly

instead of kindly

It would be easier to only share part of the truth

instead of the whole

We had a rough day yesterday.  The kids just couldn't seem to get along.  I felt like, instead of being Mom I was Referee. It was hot out but not as hot as it has been. I told the kids they needed to go out to play. From the moment I uttered the words there was nothing but complaining. They fought over everything while they were outside. I had a lot of issues I had to deal with with them. It was very draining.

I'm not sure what the change was but I happened to look over at the kids as they all huddled around Katie (who was sitting in a make shift pool, aka a rubber maid container), I see  them pile their hands on top of each other.  They did it several times. I leaned in closer to hear what they were saying.  I was surprised at what they were doing. "On the count of three. 1. 2.3...FAMILY!" They shouted.

For a brief time I got a glimpse of something good...the value of hard work.  The value of putting in the time.  The choices we make to do the right thing with our kids, often times the hard thing. It is no easy task being a parent.  There are days when I wonder if any of the work I put in will amount to anything.

God is good to give small reminders.

Keep going.

Keep pressing on.

There ARE good things happening here...even when it doesn't feel like it.

To see fruits of our labor is such a reward.

This verse has become something that I pray over my children. It is my desire that they would live it.
"Do everything without complaining and arguing,  so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life.." Phil 2:14-16

In order for them to live it, I have to model it and so that means making those hard choices.  That means being diligent and consistent. That means letting Christ love them through me so that they can see Him.

And so I press on. :)

Christmas 2010

The day after our graduation (yes there is more on that to come)we decided to drive home to be with family for Christmas. We have been enjoying our time here in WI visiting friends and family.

This is the tree that the kids decorated in our apartment in MO.

The best picture I could get with our kids (minus Katy) and their cousin Evan.

Anna and Aunt Tara.

Claire was pretty excited to get loving family dolls.

We got the kids "The Chronicles of Narnia" on CD so they can listen to them in the car when we do all the traveling we need to do.

Katy was sleeping while we opened gifts so when she got up we had her open her gifts.  She really just wanted to eat the wrapping. :)

Her first baby doll.

Giving her big kisses!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Our trip out east

It was a long trek from WI to OH but it was worth every long hot mile to be with my family.

Here we are going through Chicago. No offense to anyone who lives there but I am NOT a big fan of driving through this city. Although it is fun to look at it is NOT fun getting stuck in traffic every time we go there.

The only time the kids are allowed to play on their Dsi's is on long car trips. So they spend a lot of their time doing just that.

Waiting at a rest stop while I nursed Kaitlyn. This is what made our trip take 3 hours longer then it normally would. (I took the pic from out the front window of the van while I was nursing)

Sunset. We drove late into the night.

We did lots of fun things while we were there.

We played at a park that had a splash pad (I think that's what it's called). Claire and Gavyn (my sister's daughter) played in the water together.

James and his zest for life

You gotta love that face! :)

James and Gage running through the pad

This is pretty much what Kaitlyn did the whole time were were there. :)

Beautiful Anna

Okay so I threw this one in just to prove I was actually there. My sister Allie is sitting next to me.

My brother really wanted to take the kids fishing. This was their first time. My brother Matt enjoys fishing. Although he never really had much of a chance to fish because he spent the the whole time putting worms on hooks and helping all the kids.

Bill caught the first fish...which is really funny because he told us before we went out there that he used to go as a kid and NEVER caught anything. :)

The kids were very intrigued.

Uncle Matt helping James.

My beautiful 2 year old niece Gavyn.

Aunt Dana (my brother's wife) helping Claire.

Gage playing in the rocks.

James and his cousin Gage.

The boys. They have fun together. I think this is my favorite picture.

Uncle Matt also took us mini golfing. That was a big hit. Although some of the kiddos needed a little help.

And I had to throw this one in just because Bill makes me laugh.

Can't wait to do this again! I just wish we lived closer so we didn't have to wait so much time between seeing each other.

Nighttime routine

I love nighttime
when the house settles down
teeth have been brushed
we say our prayers
and kiss the little ones
and then quietness begins
I pull out the books
listening ears
excited eyes
where will this page take us

traveling back in time
Anna and I are captured
by a little girl the age of mine
neither of us want to stop
but alas the clock says we must
it's time to sleep
I'm so thankful for
the quietness in our routine
books that build character
the time of sweet fellowship
that bonds us together
what a blessing!

A secret of the best variety

We have a secret. Any guesses?

I love having a secret...knowing something that no one else does, especially when it's the good kind of secret. :) It's a secret that can only be kept for so long before it becomes obvious. Was that a big enough hint? Actually, at this point it probably isn't much of a secret. I'm pretty sure most of you have heard either by us in person or by word of mouth. But we did keep it quiet for about 12 weeks. :)

The Lord has decided to add one more person to our family, set to arrive sometime in June 2010. Surprised? Well, so were we. :) I guess it's true what they say...you shouldn't get rid of all your baby things. Ha! When you least expect it God decides to do something big. While we were taken by surprise, God obviously wasn't. We are humbled at His gift and thankful that He is working out His plan in our lives. It's exciting because you just never know what He might decide to do. :)

Professional family pictures

If you get a chance and you want a sneak peek. You can head over to Pam's blog to see some of the pictures she took of us when my family was out here! I am in love with all of them. As always Pam does such an amazing job. I don't know how she did it...manage to get a picture that James was actually sitting still and looking at the camera. He was in one of those moods where he was just NOT going to do what we wanted. But, I knew that if anyone could do it, it would be Pam. :)

Thanks Pam for all your hard work! These are precious memories that you documented for us. It means more to me than I can express!

Day at the beach

We happened to pick the best day to go to the beach. It was warm but not too hot, and just enough sun out that it wasn't miserable. Perfect for taking pictures too. :) I am pretty sure this was the highlight of our time together. Hang on because I have a load of pictures from that day.

The water was cold so I didn't bring the kiddos swimsuits. I didn't plan on them wanting to go in...silly me. :) They loved the water and could care less that it was like ice!

Gavyn and Gregg

Claire playing with her piggies in the sand.

So interested in everything.

Laughing and enjoying themselves.

Oh I LOVE this one of my brother Matt. He really is such a cool guy...and very funny too. I love how you can see everything that is going on around him through his glasses.

Claire's and my sand covered feet. :) I also painted Claire's nails for the first time!

This was Claire's first time at the beach, and she LOVED it!

My dad. This pretty much sums up his time with us....laughing and taking it all in. He told me that he just enjoyed watching us all interact. He is such a great Papa and Dad.

Anna and her mud/sand balls.

Gage enjoyed his time in the sand...so concentrated.

Showing Papa something.

Aunt Dana and Claire.

James burying Anna.

Sweet Gavie girl, covered in sand.

My love.

Matt and Dana walking on the beach.

Our time on the beach ended as storm clouds rolled in. The sky may have been dark, but it certainly didn't dampen the mood of our time together. 3 years is much too long to go without seeing each other. We must do this again soon.