Basketball Tricks

My kids have a few creative basketball tricks that I was lucky enough to see -

Not sure what these will be useful for, but they sure enjoyed their basketball fun!

Not My Child! Monday

I was totally going to skip my "Not Me" post today, just from busyness!  But...Austin changed my mind.  So, here you go...

After being careful to hide all types of writing instruments, I definitely would not find my sweet little boy like this!

Trust me, pictures don't do it justice at all!  My child drew all inside of his ear, hair, head, face, belly, belly button, legs, arms...you name it, it was drawn on!  And, unfortuately for him, after much scrubbing, he still has lots of marks (obviously he pushed down really hard while drawing).  What's hilarious is that he was going about his normal business...like he had done nothing.  Even Katie didn't notice (or say anything). 

And, no, that's definitely not all he colored on.  About 1/4 of one of Katie's wall had lots and lots and lots of Austin's handiwork.  Even the magic eraser had a hard time getting it off!  I was a little preoccupied by that point to take a picture of the wall, sorry!  My sweet, innocent little boy would never do that!  Not my child!!!

Be sure to check out more "Not Me! Monday" posts at http://www.mckmama.com/!

Wordless Wednesday

Not Me! Monday

I did not find Austin drawing me a picture on his wall this week with a colored pencil.  Neither of my kids have ever tried this, and certainly wouldn't start now!  {I'm just grateful that it was colored pencil and was easily removed!}

I also did not find this new "artwork" by Austin this week...{YES, that is our computer monitor!  Thankfully he grabbed a special pencil I use on the back of pictures, versus a pen or marker...}

I have not determined that there has to be a conspiracy with kids hitting their heads and getting "goose-eggs" right before their bedtime!  {You know, because then you have to keep them up later, just to be safe...}

My kids did not find a new favorite pasttime when we were in North Alabama recently...hopefully no one will mind the spread dandelion seeds too much....{These are hard to find in Mobile, so they were in heaven at Granny and Papa's house, where they were plentiful!}

I am not beginning to question the truth in the "be more stubborn than they are" advice for strong-willed children, because I've yet to succeed at reaching that level of stubborn-ity! {Did I just make up a new word? LOL}

I was not impressed with Katie's love for creepy crawlies this week...especially when she rescued a little lizard from certain death {AKA Meeko}, and carried it around forever trying to find it the "perfect place" to live.

Katie's hair has not almost completely turned into perfect little ringlets now...naturally...and we adore it!

I do not have a specific "story" to go with these last pictures.  I took them at Granny and Papa's house last weekend at our visit.  We don't get to see them often, so it was very special to be able to capture them and t heir time with the kids on camera!  Unfortunately, Austin was no where to be seen...he was playing in the dirt nearby {all boy, I tell you!}  I'm so thankful for my family and the relationship they already have with our kids.  Though we don't see them often, none of the kids' great-grandparents are ever forgotten.  Katie, especially, talks and asks about them frequently...how blessed we are!

I hope you enjoyed my "Not Me!" Monday post today!  If you did, you may enjoy reading other "Not Me's" at MckMama's place.  Be sure to check them out!

Blink

Blink

By:  Revive

Teach me to number my days

And count every moment before it slips away

Taking all the colors before they fade to gray

I don't want to miss even just a second more of this

It happens in a blink

It happens in a flash

It happens in the time it took to look back

I try to hold on tight, but there's no stopping time

What is it I've done with my life

It happens in a blink

When it's all said and done

No one remembers how far we have run

The only thing that matters is how we have loved

I don't want to miss even just a second more of this

It happens in a blink

it happens in a flash

it happens in the time it took to look back

I try to hold on tight but there's no stopping time

What is it I've done with my life

It happens in a blink

Slow down, slow down

Before today becomes our yesterday

Slow down, slow down

Before you turn around and it's too late

It happens in a blink

it happens in a flash

it happens in the time it took to look back

I try to hold on tight but there's no stopping time

What is it I've done with my life

It happens in a blink

I read about this song in my email update from Sherwood Productions newest movie in production, Courageous. Our time is short, especially with our family and friends. This song is a simple but good reminder to make the most of our time while we have it. Courtesy of Provident Label Group, you can download this new single for free!!

Not a Good Mother

Lately I've been struggling with managing my frustration and sometimes anger with my daughter and her strong-willed, tantrum-throwing self.  Tonight, after having another frustrating evening with her testing me in every way, I sat down and picked up my copy of She's Gonna Blow, by Julie Ann Barnhill, that I had started reading several months ago.  What I read brought tears to my eyes as it revealed such a basic but oh, so important truth. 

Be sure to check out Amazon.com to get your own copy of this book.  I would recommend it to any mother out there striving to be the mother that God wants her to be...we all feel like we are "gonna blow" at one point or another.  This book is a great encouragement to help deal with those days.



An Excerpt from She's Gonna Blow, by Julie Ann Barnhill

"What is the picture of a good mother that tends to lurk in your (envious and discouraged) mind?  Mine looks a little like this.  She is a woman who

• never loses her temper
• wants to be with her children 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• doesn't mind children grazing from her dinner plate or 12-ounce drink
• is able to maintain a serene sense of control as she travels five hours alone with the kids to see their grandparents
• maintains a fashionable wardrobe for her children on one income
• doesn't wig out when her carefully hoarded Fiesta-ware plates are broken
• feels nothing but a maternal glow from pregnancies 18 months or less apart
• gently but firmly tells her kids, "No," and they listen!
• breastfeeds forever, then feeds her children only nutritious food
• graciously hands out sugar-free Popsicles to the entire population of neighborhood children aged two through ten...and does it every day
• is 100 percent satisfied with her life 100 percent of the time--and never complains 99.9 percent of the time
• and, of course, never regrets...anyhing
• and never, ever, blows her top when the stresses of parenting build!

Sounds familiar, doesn't it?  But wait, there's more!  The "good" Christianmother is someone who

• never wants to fake being sick on Sundays or church activity nights
• does daily devotions with her children...daily!
• keeps an up-to-date prayer calendar, constantly interceding not only for her own children, but for the children of her friends, her Sunday school class, and the missionaries of the week
• memorizes new Bible verses--even after having children
• is never even tempted to use inappropriate language in stressful situations
• never doubts or worries because she always trusts God
• might get depressed...but "gets over it" quickly
• never fights with her husband (or just fumes in the background)

You see the real problem, don't you?  Good mothers like hat just don't exist!  They're all in our heads--but the pressure they exert on us can be all but unbearable!...

We have two choices.  We can keep trying in our own strength--and failing--to achieve whatever "good mother" standard we have accumulated in our heads.  Or we can turn to God, admit that we're just not up to being good, and ask Him to teach us more about Himself.

..God doesn't want us to be "good mothers"; He simply wants us!  He wants us to be His children, to draw on His strength, to learn from Him what it means to be a successful human being. 

But here's the interesting thing.  As we draw closer to Him--learning about Him, depending on Him, allowing Him to handle the inevitable pressures in our lives, we'll become more godly women...His women. 

And then, as a byproduct of this dynamic and personal relationship with Him, we may even find ourselves coming to resemble the good mother we had in mind to begin with.

No, we won't be perfect.  Chances are we'll still blow it from time to time.  But as we strive to be women of God, we will be growing more and more into the likeness of Christ, so that even our precious little ones can clearly see in us the face of the Father.

Who knows, they might even follow the example of the children in Proverbs 31.  They might rise up and bless us!"


Wow!  Am I the only one that felt like she was just hit with a ton of bricks when reading this??  Father, please help me to correct my view of a "good mother".  Help me to be what you would have me to be...growing in you and letting your light shine through me for our children to see every day.  Please help me to grow in patience and wisdom daily while training our children in your Word. 

Randomness...

I haven't had the time or energy to sit down and update the blog in a few days, though I have thought of it often.  So, I decided I would try to give you a brief "overview" of our recent lives...be prepared for lots of randomness in thought!

The last month, I have spent way too many hours on the phone and online making sure I have all of the proper licensing, sales tax procedures, bookkeeping, and other legal matters for my photography business.  Most of the time, it makes me want to go back to hobby photography, but I keep pushing myself to make it through this initial work, so I can find that enjoyment again (but with monetary gain).  I have a new respect for stay-at-home moms owning their own businesses, while also taking care of their homes, children, and homeschooling!  It's a LOT of work!!

The kids have been spending tons of time outside lately, and their poor elbows and knees are proof!  They like to compare their "boo-boos" on a normal basis now...but they never complain.  I think they would live outside if I would let them!  It does give me a little time to clean up the kitchen, etc., while watching them through the window or door in the kitchen. 

This past weekend we were able to go to North Alabama and spend a little time with my family, which we all enjoyed.  It went by much too fast, but it always does.  The kids enjoyed driving the tractor with Papa Flannagin, petting calves with Papaw Tim, hunting eggs & feeding {monsterous} fish with Papa and Mawmaw Rikard, and enjoying some playtime with Mimi, Papa Ricky, Uncle Gabe, Aunt Megan, Aunt Heather, Uncle Kyle, and Sydney.  We're all looking forward to seeing them again next month for our annual girls' getaway trip!

Austin is still cutting molars...the bottom ones, now.  Most days you wouldn't know he was teething (unless you felt of his terribly swollen gums), but he has had a few rough days/nights (like last night) where he had a hard time sleeping due to his teething.  It has also affected his eating habits some, as well.  I'm looking forward to him having all 20 teeth, so we can forget about teething for a few years!  He is starting to try to repeat many new words now.  He loves to try to say his alphabet, though he gets a little lost after C ;-)  Before long, I'm sure he'll be holding conversations with us all.

Katie is growing taller every day, it seems...outgrowing every outfit I bring out for her to wear.  She's doing great in homeschooling, and loving it!  We've started taking homeschooling down to 2-3 days a week with a little more time spent (versus a shorter time every weekday).  It has worked out well for us to be able to have more flexibility with errands and playdates, etc.  She's regressed a little in her pottying the past month...she's getting lazy...wanting to wait too long before taking a potty break.  It's been a little frustrating for me at times, since I know that she can do it, but we're working on that daily.  We've been dealing with more frequent tantrums the past month, as well...but praying daily that God would give us wisdom on how best to train up our strong-willed daughter. 

I've started Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred DVD...day 1 was a good but tough workout...day 2 (just completed) I thought I was going to die...we'll see how the next 28 days go! ;-) 

Mark has stayed very busy at work, but we're thankful for his job!  He's in Portland, Oregon this week, and we miss him terribly!  Though I have tons to keep us busy this week at home, I'm wishing for the time to go by so he can be home with us again.

I think that's enough randomness for one day...pictures will return soon, I promise...as soon as I catch up on my to-do list...

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

Mark snapped these pictures on Sunday.  Austin was singing his little heart out during choir rehearsal!  Katie didn't realize the picture was being taken, so no smiles for this one.  She did smile afterward it, though...

Overheard

A few things I've overheard the past couple of days...

"Mommy!  He's sitting on me again!" (Katie...as Austin does his best pestering)

"Boo Boo (Blues Clues)" and "Duh-Duh (Dora)" along with his creative corresponding hand motions (Austin, wanting to watch his favorite two DVDs)

"I'll show you why I don't want to eat this...because it makes me go *gag*" (Katie and her newly picky-eating self)

"But words keep coming out, even when I try to close my mouth" (Katie - when she's trying to be quiet and explaining why she isn't)

"This this...up up" (Austin, wanting Easter candy)

"Uh-Oh" (Austin...all day long!)

"I just hatched an egg!"  (Katie...I didn't ask...)

"I'm still hungry..." (Katie - I'd be hungry too...seeing as how you don't want to eat anything we offer)

"Can you check my panties?  I'm afraid to look."  (Katie, knowing that she had an accident)

"But why did I say I wanted a sprinkle donut instead of chocolate?"  (Katie, trying to understand her choice of dessert on our family night out...she wanted both apparently...)

Our Graffiti Artist

Last week we started noticing lots of Graffiti showing up on our house...

See???

As you can imagine, Mark was furious curious to see who was behind this work...

Amazingly enough...I caught the "artist" red green-handed!

And, he was quite proud of himself...so much so,

that he continued his artwork with a smile on his face...

And we absolutely love it  :-)

Not Me! Monday

I did not order the 30 day shred DVD this week, after repeatedly being frustrated when looking in the mirror.  Not to mention that the beach trip is now less than 2 months away...that should be at least a little motivation to get me started!

I have not had many boo-boo's to doctor the past several days...especially on little Austin.  You can tell we've spent a lot more time outside just by looking at his bruised and scuffed up legs!  Little guy is tough, though...he falls and never once makes a peep...just gets right back up and keeps on going.  I'm the one that has to stop him to help him stop bleeding, etc.  It's amazing how tough little boys are by nature!

I am not starting a photography business class this week at USA, to hopefully help me to be sure all of my "ducks are in a row" with all of the legal stuff.  I'm not at all looking forward to the course, especially since it is causing me to miss Wednesday night church, but I am definitely ready to get all of the loose ends tied up!

I have not been enjoying planting and gardening (on a very small scale) with Katie lately.  Now, if only we can continue to keep them alive and well, we'll have cucumbers and tomatoes later on! :-)

Hope on over to MckMama's for more Not Me! Monday posts!!

Plain Paradise - A Book Review

I recently received a complimentary copy of Beth Wiseman's book Plain Paradise to review for Thomas Nelson Publishing.  I will start by saying that I am not a big fiction reader (I'm a busy mom of two young children...not much time for pleasure-reading).  When I do choose to read fiction, I am very careful in my choices...sticking with specific authors, types, or subjects.  Choosing to review Plain Paradise was a little out of my "norm", as I like to stick with modern Christian fiction that I can closely relate to.  However, being that my husband and I enjoyed a trip to Lancaster County, PA, where this story takes place, I could not resist the offer. 

The first thing I noticed as I began reading the book was the list of Amish "vocabulary" words.  I was a little intimidated by the list at first, fearing that I would not remember them as I read and would be confused with the language.  That was most definitely not the case.  The book was very easy to read and understand, but more than that, very quick to "pull you in" to the storyline.  I love it when I can read a book that somehow makes me feel connected to the characters along their journey, and Beth Wiseman accomplished this!

The story focuses on a sweet Amish family, and their adopted daughter in particular.  Linda is in her teenage years, loving her life and expecting to be proposed to at any time by her beau, when her birth mother locates her and wants to connect with her.  The many emotions, unanswered questions, worries and joys that come from this circumstance beg you to join in the journey to see the truth of God's will and following it, regardless of the unplanned turns it brings.  This is a heartwarming story that can be enjoyed time and again!  I look forward to reading more from the Daughters of Promise series. 

This book can be purchased on Amazon Plain Paradise (A Daughters of the Promise Novel) for around $10. 

Disclaimer: As a blogger I received a complimentary review copy from the Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger program (http://booksneeze.com/ ). There was no requirement to give it a positive review.  The above review is my personal take on this book.

Easter Family Fun

I've been a little behind posting pictures of our recent Easter fun (sorry)...hopefully filling this post with LOTS of pictures from the last week will help you forget about me being so slow to share them.

Last weekend, we went to the Bellingrath Gardens' Annual Easter Egg Hunt.  This is one thing that Katie looks forward to each year, so we were all excited to see how Austin would react this year.  Unfortunately, the egg hunt for the 0-3 yr old children was (for lack of a better word) a dud.  There were no eggs left to hunt, which makes an egg hunt pretty hard to enjoy.  The kids did get to sit with the Easter Bunny, though.  Katie still loves seeing the Easter Bunny.  Austin wasn't at all scared of it, but he wasn't nearly as impressed as his sister, either :-)  Here's their picture to add to their collection (since this is a family tradition for us):

Since the Bellingrath Egg Hunt didn't go so well, the kids were thrilled to know that we had another egg hunt planned with several of their little playdate friends!  Here are a few shots from their fun...

Can  you guess who's hiding?  ;-)  I think he got tired of waiting at the door to egg hunt, so he decided to make himself a hat.  It definitely had us all laughing!

Katie was very fast at hunting eggs this year!  She left no crack or crevice unturned!

Austin carrying his basket of eggs...

Katie had to count her eggs...she had found 14!

Austin enjoyed finding the "hard" eggs that required climbing (like this one that was hidden on top of the swing set fort)...

And, to continue a family tradition for Mark, here is our annual family picture at church on Easter Sunday!

We had a lot of fun with all of our family and friends as we celebrated our RISEN Savior!  I hope you had a wonderful Resurrection Sunday, as well!!

Peeping Tom

We have a "Peeping Tom" living in our household...

Do you??

*Note - At least we know what he's trying to see...both of our neighbors have dogs that like to stick their heads under the fence to see the kids.  Now that Austin has learned this, he likes to look for them, too!