Good stuff

This is not my own, I actually cut and paste it from another blog that I was reading. I need this reminder. I think I'll print a copy and put it on the mirror in my bathroom along with the oddles of pictures the kids have placed there. Enjoy!

If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place,but have not love,I am a housekeeper, not a homemaker.
If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements,but have not love,my children learn cleanliness, not godliness.
If I scream at my children for every infraction,and fault them for every mess they make,but have not love,my children become people-pleasers, not obedient children.
Love leaves the dust in search of a child's laugh.
Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window.
Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk.
Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.
Love accepts the fact that I am the ever-present "mommy",the taxi-driver to every childhood event,the counselor when my children fail or are hurt.
Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, and runs with the child,then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood.
Before I became a mother I took glory in my house of perfection.
Now I glory in God's perfection of my children.
All the projections I had for my house and my children have faded away into insignificance,And what remain are the memories of my kids.
Now there abides in my home scratches on most of the furniture,dishes with missing place settings,and bedroom walls full of stickers, posters and markings,
But the greatest of all is the Love
that permeates my relationships with my children.

-Adapeted by Jim Fowler

Celebrations

The spring is busy for us birthday wise. And for my dear friend Kelly, January is her month. So being the ever-so-smart lady she is (along with having an almost three month old & heading back to work next week) she scheduled her first "joint" birthday party for Luke and Brooke. It was one of those wonderful, fun, sweet, and exhausting evenings that I enjoy having. As I watched these two children open gifts in their living room, I couldn't help reflect on how lucky I am. Here I sit with two of my best friends and their kids, all whom I held in my arms shortly after their arrival into the world. Now I am blessed to be able to celebrate with them in these awesome milestones of their lives. Ella and Luke have grown up to be a little more like brother and sister rather than friends. Carter and Brooke are only three months apart and they are both the firecrackers of each family, which always proves interesting when we gather. Ella and Kaylie (daughter to Shannon) are the horse lovers {who even managed to follow Grandpa Larry out to the horse barn to help get them settled in for the night} (despite the frigid weather). Dominic and Carter.....well let's just say they made up quite a team at this gathering. Oh, it was so fun to see all 8 of these kids play. I won't lie to you......it did get a little crazy a time or two but hey, what do you expect of 8 kids between the ages of barely six and almost 3 months??? It was a riot and as they continue to grow the times will only be more interesting! Here are a few pictures:

The birthday boy Luke aka a PowerRanger

The birthday girl

Ella helping to oversee (and photograph) the gift openingCarter getting down to the important business of eating

(one must take off the party hat, you know)

{Playing dress up in the playroom. What a handsome cowboy}This picture is precious, Christian was just enthralled with Brooke, who

happens to be wearing Ella's 2T jammies! Where has the time gone??

Kaylie & Ella enjoying the festivities

Christian was Mr. Sociable, waving at anyone and everyone

The C-A-K-E

After everyone else had gone, we snuggled the kiddos into their jammies to end the night with a movie while the parents enjoyed a glass of wine and conversation. Carter and Dominic didn't get too far into the movie before they discovered throwing the popcorn was more fun than sitting still to watch TV. ........BOYS!@#!

1,2,3 and 4

I can't believe it...(actually I knew it was coming but I am just in denial) Christian was playing in our room last night and that little turkey took 4 steps from me to Ella. It was so cute and he had no clue we would all erupt in screams and claps. All this hulabalu startled the poor kid! So after his little jaunt from here to there we spent the next 15 minutes trying to get him to do it all over....in hind sight I'm not sure why I would want to encourage this???? Oh, yet another step in our baby growing up! He is also about to pop one of his top front teeth as well. Ho hum! I didn't know I'd be so sentimental with all this stuff. Who knew???

What do other kids do in subzero weather?

We have had VERY cold weather here lately. So cold, that I haven't let the kids go outside in quite a long time. Except for yesterday when the sun was warm and it had "warmed" up. For the last week and a half, the kids have been playing this delightful game of TRAVEL. Now this is a game that Ella has been playing since she was about 18 months. She is the biggest pack rat and LOVES to pack things up into different purses, bags, or backpacks and pretend she is headed off on some adventure. She now has Carter tuned into this fun game and they actually spend hours "packing and traveling". As of late, they have made the living room craft closet into their airplane and packed up to go off to Hawaii! They don their swimming suits and even used one of the blankets for the ocean. They were adorable and completely entertained for a long time. They invited me to come, sit on the beach, and even let me read my magazine while I sat there watching them "swim". Christian had to get in on the fun. He is into copying so after watching them run from the hallway, slide onto the blanket and roll around: Christian did his best to join in. He would rapidly crawl onto the blanket then roll back and forth squealing. It was precious. I wish I would have thought to video it. However, I was too busy enjoying the moment...however insane it was to be sitting there watching my kids run around nearly naked as it snowed and was FREEZING outside. Christian "enjoying" the ocean.
The boys also got haircuts on Tuesday last week. Christian had been pretty shaggy but I just couldn't bring myself to get it cut. But in a lucky chain of unplanned events, we popped into the salon and got the boys all dolled up. They were both great and I think they look pretty (big) and handsome!

Laughing it up while the kids are "diving into the ocean"

Carter: "watch me dive in face first mom, it's w-eally t-old in the ocean!"

Super Dad to the rescue!

There is a super hero who lives at our house. It's not Spider man, a Power Ranger, or even Super Man himself. It is my dear husband! He doesn't have extremely large, bulging muscles, or any super powers. But he sure is a hero to our kids and that is the most important thing! All three kids typically run/crawl screaming to the door each night when he arrives home; full of hugs and kisses and each one talking over the other to tell of all the excitement of the day. Scott takes it all in stride, thrilled to hear of each adventure or heartache. I am so thankful for Scott and his continued commitment and energy he brings to our family. We are both reading parenting books right now him; Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters, and I have just wrapped up Bringing Up Boys. Both books stress the importance of active and strong fathers and I am so glad that he fills that role so well in our family. If you read this babe, I LOVE YOU! Thanks!

Last Sunday he took Ella and Carter out to play in the piles of snow. The kids wanted to dig some tunnels and so.......they did! After being outside for over an hour, I called them in for hot chocolate! They had so much fun! Here are a few pictures from their fun.Before the digging began.

His and her tunnels tunnel

Christian even enjoyed a swing around the yard in his toboggan

Super fun and super crazy

We have been up to our normal fun and crazy business of being a busy family of five around here. Unfortunately, I haven't taken time to blog lately. If the stars align tomorrow and all children allow me semi-productive time at the computer tomorrow (via napping or cooperative play) I will post pictures of our happenings.


By the way....did you know a Super hero lives at our house? I will fill you in more tomorrow! Good night!

Snow much fun

Today was the perfect winter Saturday..yep woke up after another full night of sleep to a blanket of fluffy snow. Scott made his traditional and yummy pancakes for breakfast and then we enjoyed a surprisingly relaxing morning. Scott was able to read a good share of the paper and I spent some time on the computer searching for deals and playing around. Much to our delight all the children were playing....together....happily! The snow was falling steadily outside and we were in the mood for some family fun. (it is amazing how more sleep makes me energized and more adventurous!) We grabbed an early lunch and then geared all the kiddos up for an adventure on our favorite sledding hill.

Ella and Carter were ready to tackle the big hill with fervor. Scott and I were also feeling more like kids than parents to start the excursion(this could be due to the caffine buzz we were sporting since it was such a smooth morning!). Christian was not sure about the snow pelting him in the face. He is surely more reserved than Carter (thank heavens) and wanted to be carried up the hill rather than ride in his baby tobogan. We all had a blast. Thankful no injuries...however I think that climbing that hill towing the kids or walking up with Christian in my arms will prove to be more of a workout than I had first intended! I will feel that in the glutes tomorrow morning! But it sure was worth it. Here are a few pictures from all the fun!

A week in pictures

The snowflake project so beautifully done by
Carter and Ella



Snack time for Christian

After fun sledding outside, the kids enjoyed "snowman soup" from Grandma Moorlag




The kids made their own pizzas...and were exceptionally proud!

Before school, Ella has been so excited about reading, she is reading to Carter all snuggled in our bed! Cute!

Funday....not Monday

So it is cold, and snowy, and icy, and did I mention cold? But today we made the most of it! I had a blast inside with the kids. When we got home we all shared a delicious pieces of leftover lasagna that Scott made this weekend. Could it possibly taste better simply because I didn't make it??? Sharing one piece of lasagna three ways sure does help cutting back on calories and it was deliciously fun! The kids went down to their rooms..in hopes of a nap for both of them however, it just turned out to be "quiet time" for them and time for Christian and I to bond. Christian by the way is so fun right now he is busy clapping, cruising furniture, opening every drawer and cupboard in the house, and just being the happy go lucky kid that he is. He is equally obsessed with my hair, as is Carter. I continually tell Scott he should take an insurance policy out on my hair per the chance anything happened to me. Sure Christian would miss the nursing and Ella and Carter would miss the care and love I give but both boys would be lost if my hair was gone!

A little off topic but here was the schedule of our ever so fun day:
-Upon arrival home the kids played in their rooms--it's hilarious to here their conversations with themselves.
-When Carter just couldn't stand to be confined to his room for one more minute I did a cute little art project with them. Coffee filters with blue watercolors and then we cut them to make snowflakes! Turned out pretty cute if I do say so!
-Then I bundled them up and sent them out into the wintry wonderland. They had a blast sledding together and using the barrage of trucks, loaders, tractors, and dump trucks to plow and scoop snow.
- They came in and enjoyed a delicious cup of "snowman soup" which was so cleverly put together by Grandma Moorlag. It was a huge hit. They loved have the cocoa mix to add on their own, topped it off with the included marshmallows, and stirred with the mini candy cane! Adorable!.....don't mention that I ate two of the chocolate kisses that were included...it left them each ONE!
- After that special treat we organized our restaurant. Yep, we turned our dining room in the local pizzeria. Ella and Carter set the table using a play table cloth, baskets bought in the dollar section of Target that resemble old fashion diner baskets, plastic cups (?), and snowman napkins! Then we set right to work on making the pizzas. I gave each kid their own circle of dough and showed them how to make their pizza. Of course they were meat and cheese kids and thought the veggie pizza I made for Scott and I was "too much YUCK!" We even had sprite with dinner! The kids were down right giddy to eat dinner. It was cute. I will include a few pictures I snapped later.

As for now, I am going to fold a bit of laundry and then get up to date on Star Wars. One of my best friends is throwing a Star Wars party for her 6 year old son and one must be in the know for these special events. I also enjoy shopping for theme appropriate gifts.

As a quick side note I just want to praise God....yipee Christian has slept through the night the last two nights and I feel as though I am a teenager again. If this keeps up maybe five years will slip off my face by next week???? Oh bugger by publishing this I am sure to jinx tonight! Here's praying for many more sleepfilled nights!

Precious Carter

This is the setting:
Ella is away for an overnight at Grandma and Grandpa Blackmer's. Carter & Christian are home with mom. Christian....sleeeping. mom....cleaning like a possessed nine month pregnant nester, Scott...out running errands.

Carter is infatuated with his new Cars tent. I have given him numerous snacks, have gone in there to play with him for a few minutes here and there, he continually keeps trying to coax me in. I am madly purging Ella's room, trying to get rid of all her little treasures, oodles of notes, and arrange her new toys so they are inviting and intriguing so she will want to play alone in her room for hours upon returning home from Grandma's. Carter has been back and forth trying to get me in the tent for the umpteenth time.
This time he calls from the tent, "hey mom, come here. Guess who's here in my tent??

Mom: thinking maybe a guessing game with spark his imagination or put him off a bit longer "ummmm is is Lightning McQueen?

Carter: "nope, its God. He is just here in my tent."

Well he has gotten my attention now. God has never shown up in imaginary play before. So I must go out and see.

Mom, climbing in to the tent. "So what is God doing here?"

Carter: "he came to play with me and he wants something from me"

Mom: eyes wide with curiousity "really what does he want?"

Carter: "my little light" holding up his middle finger to me he begins to sing This little Light of Mine.

I was so touched and almost wetting my pants with all of his sweetness and adorableness. I scooped him up to hug him and he looks me in the eye and says "can I play in Ella's room?" Of course this is typically off limits because he is destroyer to all Ella's well thought out and intricately set up doll house and Pet Shop. But today because it is special I say, "of course let's go get out the doll house". He has been playing in there without anything more than a speedy potty break for 30 mintues. When I went in to check on him he jumped as if knowing he is playing in an off limit area and looks at me with saucer sized eyes questioning, "Ella be home in 3 minutes and I play in my room, o-tay???" Oh man I love this kid!