Wii pod?

Me: "We really should change Courtney's diaper...she's got quite the pee wad going on.
Nathan: (shakes head)..."Yeah, quite the wee pod."
Maybe this could be an inspiration for a new invention...

Coat or No Coat, That is the Question

Emily wanted to know if she'd have to wear a coat this morning for school. She confessed that she really didn't want to have to wear one...because she'd be chasing the boys on the playground and she might get hot!

Wake Up

Both Nathan and Courtney decided to get up at 6:00 AM this morning. Fun fun. Nathan wanted the TV on. I told him no, but he could snuggle in bed with me. He objected with "but Mom, I was trying ta wake up da sun!"

Obviously no one has informed him that when the sun's not up, we shouldn't be either.

Reasons

On Saturday I had planned to take the kids to the park. All the girls had to do was put a way their laundry and be nice to each other. No such luck. There was wailing and gnashing of teeth when I informed them they had made their choices and missed their chance. After Abby calmed down, she came in and said "Mama, I think I know the reason Emily and I can't get along...I think it's because you make us put away our laundry." Right. Makes perfect sense.

Also during the aforementioned not getting along & half-hearted attempts at laundry putting-away, Emily came upstairs to whine and complain that Abby had called her a such-n-such. Upon questioning, Abby said "Oh no, I wasn't calling her that, I was saying it to satan." Another good one. (How convenient when little sister is standing next to you...say whatever you want and then excuse it by insisting you were just rebuking the enemy.) Clever. They never cease to amaze me.

Crocs

The kids have been excited to get the summer shoes out again. Abby put on her pink 'Crocs' and exclaimed "I love these crotches!" And for some reason she didn't seem to get the significance when I corrected her.

Two Months Old

I take my kids' pictures on each month birthday for their first year of life. Wade helped me with theses. Got Courtney to smile briefly...and then her mood quickly turned sour. She knows she's got a lot of picture taking to put up with as she grows up!

Comparison

So there is this blog I read...it's on my list actually. It's called Resolved 2 Worship. Beautiful title. I don't know why I read it, though. It often tempts me to compare and inevitably decide I don't measure up. I don't personally know the gal who writes it, but she seems amazing. She's younger than me, has 6 children with another on the way--and she homeschools. She's beautiful, runs marathons, and has her own photography business. Most of her blog posts could double as devotionals. She also has a degree in interior design and she and her family recently moved into a former beauty salon turned home--which she single-handedly (sp) redecorated on a budget of about $10. I'm exaggerating but not by much. She often posts these beautiful pictures of her beautiful children frolicking in the beautiful river. She shares what God is teaching her and it's always these deep amazing insights complete with Scripture alongside. Oh--and did I mention she sings and writes music, too? And that she never seems to have a bad hair day or children that fight or struggles in her marriage, or a baby that covers every outfit she owns in urp? (Oh, I forgot--she also makes her girls' clothes--and they always look amazingly cute and trendy.)

I tell myself that the image I paint in my mind of her life cannot be entirely accurate. She can't be perfect. She must have days where she feels the weight of her humanness...or maybe just gets a zit. Well, even if she doesn't, the truth is that I do. Though I love my life, I have plenty of days where I feel like I fall short, days where I not only feel frumpy & dumpy and out of style, but days where I see all my glaring faults and wonder how in the world my kids are going to turn out okay with a mom like me.

The truth though is that I am doing my best, and I am choosing to cling to Jesus and rest in Him. He doesn't judge me like I judge myself. The truth is that God holds my children in His hands. The truth is that although I can't sew a button on to save my life, I have been given gifts and I love using them to serve my God. And the truth is that in God's eyes I am beautiful every day. And as for my character, I am a work in progress and that is how it's supposed to be. He Who began a good work in me will be faithful to carry it to completion. (from Phil. 1:5-7).

Yes, it's not good to compare.

And a Few More Pics :)

Once again, photos courtesy of kelleejeandesigns.com

Portraits

Photos Courtesy of kelleejeandesigns.com (P.S. She's my cousin, and a great photographer! She came to our house and took these in our basement.)

Jest Like Dem Heiffers

Nathan is positively fascinated by watching Mom pump breast milk. Sits with his face 2 inches from the apparatus and the goods. Yesterday he watched, mesmerized, and exclaimed "It's dis wike da cows on Gwampa's farm!"...Yeeeaaah...just like that...or not.

Nathan also asked me if the milk is kept in my saggy tummy. No, in fact I'm trying to get rid of my saggy tummy sweetie. No milk's in there fortunately.

Weekends

Weekends are tough. Wade's work schedule is such now that he has to work Saturdays and Sundays, AND doesn't get home until after 6:15 or so. I dread weekends. I pray my way through them. Yesterday I was Demon Mama, though. Screamed at my kids and then had to ask for forgiveness. We had a lesson in "in your anger, do not sin," with me as the example of what NOT to do.

We usually try to go to church Saturday nights, with Wade now having to meet us there late when he gets off of work. Last night we didn't make it at all. So this morning, 4 kids or not, I decided I needed to be at church. So we went. Glad we did. So thankful for a church where truth is spoken, and communicated in such a way that God's Word seems fresh and new each time you hear it. It's not about being entertained, or just feeling good in the midst of my favorite music though--in fact, often the styles or songs may not even be my favorite. But it's about bringing my mind and heart before God, offering Him a sacrifice of praise and waiting expectantly for Him to meet me where I'm at. So that's what I did. And He met me.