7:15 AM

Caleb: Mommy, it's still dark outside and I'm still tired. Let's go back to bed.

Sounds like a good idea to me!
(I think it's time to set our clocks back)

Like Mother Like Daughter

My favorite 11 year-old just so happens to make life--including shopping trips--much more fun! I love having a daughter!

Working Late

Cleaning out my office and catching up my last week on the job. I walk in the house and all is quiet. It is way passed bedtimes and everyone is asleep. There is a half-way completed puzzle on the table and crumbs on Aaron's highchair tray that resemble what they had for dinner. The dinner dishes are sitting on the counter in the drying rack. My plate is covered sitting perfectly on the counter with a good-night note from Alisia. Lunches are packed.

I walk into each of the kids rooms to tell them good-night and begin to weep. I missed it. I missed hearing the tales of their day at school, missed Aaron's arms reaching for me, practicing Caleb's spelling words while quizzing Alisia for her Science test tomorrow. I missed all the chaos that comes with the evening routine. I missed cleaning up dishes, packing lunches, baths, pj's, and goodnight prayers. Caleb snores away as I rub his back and stare at his beautiful face. Alisia whispers "we prayed for you, Mommy. Can you make me some tea in the morning" as I hug her tightly. With tears still in my eyes, I realize Aaron isn't in his bed. I go to my room, and there he is, laying peacefully in my spot. As I pick him up, his little hands grab tightly around my neck. I want this moment to last forever. I gently kiss his forehead as I lay him down in his bed. He won't remember, but I will.  

I set my alarm 30 minutes earlier to have some extra time with my loves in the morning before it all starts again tomorrow. 

Playing in the Bathtub

When all is quiet, he's up to something. Here's where I found him:

I guess he knew he needed a bath! 

The Homework Saga

I get to work and open my bag. There it is staring me in the face. Oh Great! Feelings of guilt overwhelm me. Realizing, again, that I'm not the perfect parent.

How do I apologize?

Rewind.

We were anticipating this BIG test for weeks now. I'd been helping her study every night for this thing. We'd study while making supper, driving in the car, grocrey shoping, everywhere. Finally it was the night before the test and we were going to sit down for one last review.

"Uh, Mommy, I can't find the paper."

What do you mean, where did you have it last?

I thought I put it in my backpack this morning and it's not there.

Well, your test is tomorrow. I started feeling tense. Now what are we going to do?

I don't know. Since we've been studying, I feel ready.

Well, we have to review tonight, DEAR. I just wish you would put your things away where they go so you would be more ready when it's time to study. You should have been looking for it before now. Go check the car.

I did already, it's not there either. Trying to hold back tears.

Well. What are you doing? Go look for it in your room.

GRR. I felt so upset. I didn't even think how easy it would to look up most of the information up online, or she could just call a classmate to get the information. I just got mad. I yelled. She went to her room to look for the paper crying. I took a deep breath, and immediately went up to her room to appoligze. I appoligized for yelling. But I made sure to make my point clear about being organized, and not waiting till the mast minute to find something. Then we went back to look it up on the internet. Found it right away. Easy. We studied.

Which brings me back to the beginning of my story. I get to work and open my bag. There it is staring me in the face.

Big Helper

Aaron wants so bad to help. Usually it's easier to just do it ourselves, but we have to remember that each time he helps, he is learning what it means to serve others and bear one another's burdens. That is a lesson worth learning. No matter how long it takes.

I just love the way Angel is guiding him in this video.

"Serve one another in love" Gal 5:13b

"Oh yeah!" at 1:00 AM

Alisia: I woke up at 1:00 last night and remembered the name of that movie we were trying to think of yesterday! But I was too tired to get out of bed to tell you.

Me: Thanks for not waking me up!

"As for Me and My House..."

We met them when we first moved into our new house last year. Eight children, two single mothers, in a two bedroom apartment almost in our front yard. They were outside every day watching a new family move in across the street and eager to have some kids in the neighborhood to play with.

It didn't take long for them to introduce themselves and make friends with my children. We just moved and I was 8 months pregnant. I wasn't happy when I came home from work to see our backyard full of "street kids" and referring to our yard as "the playground."

But at the time, I couldn't see God's bigger picture. They lived across the street from us for just 10 months before they moved to a bigger place a few miles away. But in those 10 months, God did an amzing work. I began to see those children through God's eyes. He quickly changed my heart and gave me a love for each one of them. He knew that they would need so much more than neighbors for 10 months. He planted seeds deep in our hearts to have a relationship with them. 

The kids played together every day. It didn't matter if it was raining or snowing. They played outside. They played in the garage. They played church. They played school. They would play 'till dark. Somehow it was always "too dark" for them to walk home by themselves. Angel walked them back. Two of the girls, "H" and "N", started spending the night every Friday and Saturday. They asked to come to church with us.

They learned our household rules. Sometimes they got sent home if they didn't follow them. They helped with Saturday chores. They had family devotions with us. They listened to our prayers before meals and wouldn't take a bite until we prayed. Then, they prayed. They thanked God for their food, their family, and their life. H said it was the first time she ever prayed. But she knew God heard her. They continued coming to Church, Bible Study, and Sunday School with us. They learned Bible verses and songs, heard Bible stories, and most importantly they learned about God and his love.

We have had to work out disagreements among them. We've had to work through some hard situations with them. They've seen us make mistakes and heard us apologize. They know we love them. Oh, how thankful I am to have a godly husband. Together we have worked through these new situations and a renewed meaning of reaching out. He reminds me that God is in control and can use our imperfect family. They call Angel "Papi." And say I'm much nicer than a "step-mom." They know that in our home, we serve the Lord. They have become a part of our family.



I would be honored if you join with us in prayer for these two girls and their families. 

Pumpkin Patch

This week we had a fun outing for the clients I work with. To go to the pumpkin patch! I got to take Aaron and we had a great time! We went on a tractor ride, got to pick a pumpkin, and pet some farm animals. 

 He loves being outdoors and just loved all the farm animals. He would squeal and scream to want to touch them, but once we got up close, he was scared. He liked the bunny's though, they were his size. 

We also got to see a pig race! That was fun. And a new experience for both of us!

Tractor ride:

This is my favorite picture of the day of my little man!

This pumpkin was almost as big as him!

What a sweet day! I wish I could take him to work every day!