Family Birthdays

Here comes a truck load of birthdays!!!  Thank goodness for them too.  It means that 1. They are still alive and well, 2. It gives us a reason to party about something, 3. Another reason to be able to have fun with family.  My birthday is next month and then starting in July, all my kids' birthday follows every 2 weeks till October!  Our birthdays are just crammed together.  :D  It's okay.  We call it the party months. Just party hardy.

My sister-in-law Melanie had a birthday and we had fun getting together to celebrate and spend some time with the family. :)

My mother-in-law Maureen was holding her little two grandsons (Melanie's is on the right) and Melanie's son kept leaning over and kissing Caleb.  It was so cute!  They would turn their heads towards each other and look in wonder that another baby was there, smile, and then Prestyn would kiss Caleb. 

We weren't planning on it being a swimming night but Ivy insisted that the water was perfect and everyone should swim!  So the kids went for it and it was a beautiful night.   The water was pretty and the light made the water look like a pretty blue color.  Later Ivy said, "Mom, tomorrow can we go somewhere else to swim?  Because I want to swim in white water, not blue water."  LOL

Charles (on left), Melanie, and her husband Juan sat and talked for quite awile.  It really is so good to have all my family living in the same city.  Some people aren't quite so lucky and have to travel far to visit.  Although I've always wanted to move to a different state, because both sides of our family are here, we've stayed planted. 

Ryan (my son on the right) loved swimming with his cousin.  What a great night it was!  Melanie, it's so good being sisters with you.  Love you and Happy Birthday.  :D

The Great Divide

In the Facebook age:

It seems people are getting braver.

No, I'm not talking about in the sense of doing something heroic.

It's easy to say harsh things to somebody while hiding behind a computer screen.  What do they call it? Cyberbullying?  Adults do it too.  Maybe not so obvious but it happens through rude jabs aimed at someone. 

When someone's profile states that they have 245 friends, what does that really mean?  Is that something to really be proud of?  Are they REALLY friends?

Would they bring you a meal when you're sick?  Would you?

Might they send you a card on your birthday?  I

Gone are the days of neighbors bringing over a warm, right from the oven, loaf of bread and some stew when you are sick.  Walking over just to say hello or the neighborhood kids throwing around the ball in the street.  Even kids riding bicycles down the street is getting rare.  Where are they? 

TV, games, and internet seems to have put such a divide between people even though it seems it was supposed to bring us together.  Sure we have lots of friends now.  In cyberspace that is!  90% of the time I walk out into my front yard, there is not a single soul outside.  I've made it a point to know my neighbor's name next to me and across the street.  But next to them, only 2 houses down?  I have no idea.  Well, I can't meet them because I've never seen them!  At night, you could take a stroll down the street and see every window glowing a flickering blue color.  You know someone must exist in that house because of it.  I have yet to see them come out so I can wave hello or introduce myself.

I bet I could find them on Facebook though.

Conference Week 2010

I didn't get to blog much last week because I was so, so busy with conference week.  :)  It's where all the churches we've planted around the world and grandbaby churches gather for a time of refreshing sharing of reports of what God is doing in their churches.  Since I'm a member of the parent church, we more help with the duties behind the scenes.  Watching the babies or tots while the pastor's wife is in service or helping in children's church for the older kids.  It means so much for these families to come every year and have conference.  They are sent out and starting churches from ground up.  It's not a easy task when you're not offerering social delights and programs to attract people.  Just the gospel and healing.  That's where it's at.  Instead of putting the money into having a bigger building, our church puts it into launching new churches around the world!  :D

Above:  Song service Sunday morning.

Above:  We're listening to a call put through the speaker system from Pastor Van Staden in South Africa.  That's why their pic is on the screen.  He is giving a 5 minute report of what God is doing over there.  Awesome!  My sister is also in South Africa.

My husband's friend (on the right) was just sent into another city last year.  He's still close enough for us to visit.  :)

Above: Pastor's praying during the alter call after the sermon.

Little Jeremiah praying at the alter.  :)  So cute.

Caleb Is Crawling!

Oh man, Caleb is 8 months old now so I should have suspected that he would be crawling. I know babies usually crawl sooner but I really tried to prolong it. A little tiny baby crawling around my tiled house with other kids can be scary. So he's always been in a small playpen, high chair, or saucer. Despite me trying not to let him grow up so fast, all I did was set him down for 5 minutes at a birthday party and he crawled away. It took him only a few minutes to figure out how to move his legs forward. Now, Caleb is not so happy being put in something stationary. He wants to take off and get into everything. Argh! Haha. Sniff.... it always starts here and then they go crazy and learn everything.

So after he masters crawling in 10 minutes, he decides that that's not good enough, so he stands up!

Oh my goodness.  My baby is growing.  My oldest two sons walked at 10 months old so I'm really hoping Caleb doesn't follow the trend.  Whyyyyyy do kids have to keep growing up so fast?  I know it's a blessing.  But I am not looking forward to my kids going into teens and then moving out.  I know I'll have a teen in 3 years but I try not to think about it. 

You know, when I was a teen I DID NOT like kids.  I ONLY babysitted for the money.  For some reason I always attracted kids to me.  I never tried to.  One time I opened the door to my church and I heard "Jennyyyy!" by a whole herd of kids. They all ran to me and hugged me until I fell down.  I hated it!  I just wasn't a kid friendly person.  I mean, I was NICE to them.  I just had no desire to babysit, volunteer in church nursery.  Nothing. 

Then the miracle happened after I got married just 11 months later.

I found out I was pregnant with my first baby.

It took me a bit to get used to changing diapers, making bottles, hardly sleeping.  It took a LOT of my selfishness to die.  I certainly didn't really want anymore for some time because I could not get over the fact that my sleep was deprived.  Then something else happened when Chaz was ONLY 3 months old.

I found out I was pregnant again.

I still remember my dad saying he was worried about me.  He knows me well.  He knew I was still the same Jenny.  Still the same girl that cared only about her needs more than anyone else's. 

It was my second that started to break me.  I started to cuddle more with my little ones.  It was a slow transformation in my heart.  I started to have some fun.  I started not minding all the nursing and eventual bottle feedings.  The selfishness started to break away.  I still LOVED my sleep and I got pretty cranky about it.  Every time I got woken up in the middle of the night my husband says I would say under my breath, "No more kids."

Then the miracle happened.  I finally figured out kids are great! Kids let you learn life all over again through a younger mind!  I no longer rushed my kids if they wanted to bend down and smell a flower.  I now had a reason to go down every single aisle at Toys R Us just to look at all the fun toys!  When my kids want to get on a bike and try it out around the bike aisles, go for it! 

Then one day I threw my birth control pills away forever.  It's been 8 years since I did and 4 more kids later.  I'm still having fun.  It's an adventure to find more fun kid places to go to. It's hard for me to understand when parents never want to do something just for the kids. I think when your selfishness dies, you find joy into watching your kids eyes light up and hearing their giggles.  It's fun to go to the skating rink just to see their wobbly legs learn how to skate.  Christmas is no longer really about you.  The kids can't understand why mom and dad are happy without receiving a present.  I know why.  Because it's a gift just to watch the kids open presents and express their excitement and wonder over their new toy.  I don't always feel like putting up a Christmas tree but my kids still find it wonderful to decorate it and see the lights. 

Now, when my little baby wakes up in the middle of the night, I smile because he's worth losing sleep over.  I get to give him some kisses, a bottle, and snuggle him back to sleep. 

Thank God He gave me these little wonders.

I needed them.

Twin Baby Moose Playing in Sprinkler

The lady that filmed the video wrote this about it.....
The mother and babies had been in our yard off and on in the morning and the mother seemed hot. She had been laying down and panting hard on the side of the shed for about an hour when I realized that I should put the sprinkler out for them. Then it happened.....:)

Surprise Homecomings

Get your kleenex!

Birthday Party Fun!

Poor David is getting wrestled by the kids! That is the birthday boy's uncle. He was having a grand time but you can tell after awhile it wore him out. LOL.

The birthday boy's grandpa is on the right.  It's starting to get pretty hot out so it's nice to be in the cool and out of the sun.

My husband Charles (below) giving Ivy a snuggle! 

The birthday boy's little sis and Grandma.  :D  I thought it was a sweet picture.

My little Ashley loves to have her picture taken.  She is so sweet with her little curls.  I love, love her little pink Converse shoes.

Time for the pinata!  Bring the violence!  haha.  I think it's funny how people think it's evil to hit a pinata to get the candy out.  When I was little I never had any weird thoughts about it.  Now, if parents put the idea in their head....well, ya shouldn't do that.  "Hey little Johnnie, just imagine what you could do by hitting your dad with a bat!  You might get some money out of him!"   :P

The birthday boy ready to take a swing.

You HAVE to see the faces in the picture below.  So funny!  I didn't see this until I was looking at all the pics when I got home.  Ivy had hit it and some candy came out.  The look on everyone's faces.  lol.

Ivy's got her candy!  She's so happy. 

Greg and Roger hangin out. 

Jeremiah (below) is 6!  I went to Walmart to pick him up a couple of those classic guns with the holsters.  They said they discontinued them.  I was like "whaaaat?  Why?"  The lady said Walmart decided too.  I looked around and I couldn't believe it.  Not one single toy gun.  Come on.  You know, my kids when they play, they act like they are soldiers. Soldiers that protect our country and people.  That's not something I'm ashamed of. I love how they think like that.  I can't believe Walmart did that.  Goodness gracious. Boys will pick up a stick and pretend it's a gun.  Did you know my son got in trouble for doing that on the playground at school one time?  Since we couldn't get him the guns, we got this shirt and hat instead for him. 

The birthday boy's sis below. Michele was bummed they couldn't get a cake for him so they got the next best think.  Cupcakes!  I think it's a great idea because there is no cutting and no plates needed.  They even make them look like cakes these days and write on the top when you first get it.  I would like to do that this year for my kids on their birthday.

My daughter Ashley (below) showing me her yummy cupcake.  She's MY little cupcake.

It was a hot day so Chris set up the little pool for the kids in the back!  Good thing he had a pump.  I've actually had to blow up one of those myself once when I didn't have a pump.  NOT FUN!  LOL

Question For Gardeners

My Roma tomatoes. I call them my "Tony Roma" tomatoes. :) I like how differently they look than the regular tomatoes I show below.

These are my Early Girls. This is where I have a question. I know with some plants it's important to thin out the vegetables or fruits some so the others can grow bigger. Is that true also with tomatoes? Can I just leave them be? I've grown tomatoes before but I've never had so many tomatoes per plant. I have 20 on this one alone.

Children's Church

This week has been super busy with Children's church and conference. I've been trying to find ways to volunteer for stuff since so many pastors and their wives come for encouragement and sharing of reports. It's a relief for them to be able to be in church without having to worry about their babies or kids in Children's church. Since I didn't have nursery duty last night, I asked the children's church if they needed help. It was fun and wild! haha. I had to take a few pics.  My nursery duty is Tuesday and Friday.  What cute squishy babies they are!  It was cute seeing them all set each other off.  Tag crying.  So cute.  They are in a place they are not used to so it's understandable of why they missed their mommies.  I would put a baby in my left arm and one in my right.  Once those two were settled down or fed, set them down and rescue the next two.  I have it Friday again so I get to cuddle them again.  ❤

This year was about planting. (planting churches and evangelism) So, they came up with a theme about farmers who sew their seeds. Tilling the ground and harvesting. So it was cowboy theme this week. :)

I love kids!  I love what tender hearts they have towards God.  There is so much we can learn from children.

Above:  The kids working in the "garden."  My son Chaz is in the black shirt.

Above:  Two of my favorite youth workers!  Ruthie and Breanna.

Above:  Eddie praying with the boys. 

Nancy praying with the girls. 

Every Day Needs a Chuckle or Two

My friend Kerrie posted this on her blog, The Kerrie Show, and I wanted to repost (with my comments added).

A Funny

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die. (If I had a best friend I could trust!)

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong. (Actually, that happens to me quite often)

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger. (I'm tired but I still hate taking naps)

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font. (ya think?!)

5. How the heck are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet? (I bet perfectionist friends of mine can!)

6. Was learning cursive really necessary? (Yeah, but doctors like confusing everyone with it so....)

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood. (LOL, I know!)

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died. (I visit http://www.mydeathspace.com/ for that info.  Morbid.  I know.)

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.  (I'll have PLENTY to tell then in my rocking chair)

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day. (When I worked in an office, that happened as soon as I sat down.  I have to keep moving)

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again. (Well, I don't have a TV so I guess I'll save some money then. Ha!)

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this -- ever.

15. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Dang it!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voicemail. What'd you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste. (I leave the house in sweats and no makeup and see all kinds of people from my past)

17. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call. (Better yet, I have a special ring.)

18. My 4-year old son asked me in the car the other day "Dad what would happen if you ran over a ninja?" How the heck do I respond to that? (My dad has weird questions all the time! I'm used to that)

19. I think the freezer deserves a light as well. (yes)

20. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lites than Kay.  (I don't drink but even if my husband washed the dishes for me, that could be a fire starter!)

My Light In a Dark World

Caleb is 8 months old!

This is outside of church and Charles is holding him.  :)  I can't believe how fast babies grow.  He has SO much energy like my other ones.  lol.

This week is conference week at our church so it's super busy for us.  I had nursery yesterday and then I have it Tuesday and Friday.  Wednesday I sing platform.  So the week is gonna fly by. 

I loved tonight's sermon.  I love, love being fed meat at church rather than baby's milk.  I feel so full, so fed, when I leave.  So many things speak to my heart and it's so good to hear.  Not just a bunch of sweetness whispered in my ear but hidden sins confronted, words of exhortation, encouragement, a challenge given.  I leave with so much of my burdens lifted off and a challenge to take with me during the week.  My head is lifted a little higher and I'm standing up straighter.  Being a Christian in the day and age where so much of Hollywood has filtered in to the churches, Christians are being mocked, or teens are being called prude for keeping their purity, can make it a tough week for anyone.  Coming into church is like have the wounds bandaged.  A healing before heading back out into the battle.  Many will mock because of your righteous stands.  I know as a teen I was mocked even by kids in my own church for being fanatical about Christ.  I didn't care.  :)  At first, I was all alone when I moved my stuff up to the front and center row so I could be away from the mocking and hear the preaching clearly.

Don't worry about what others or even your family thinks about you.  In the end, it's God you answer to.

I'm so grateful to hear the truth being preached rather than my ears tickled. I love the challenge of evangelism and sharing my faith.  I love giving to works such as planting of new churches or supporting missionaries. I love that I have a pastor that cares about the condition of my soul rather than someone who is worried I'll leave the church if my sin is confronted.  Yes, I've been pulled aside and corrected.  Instead of throwing a tantrum, I took it as a gold nugget. I was surprised at my own pride.  My stubbornness.  The day I decided I would start listening to correction was the day God could really do a work in my heart and I could grow. 

It's Hard To Relax At McDonalds

I love McDonalds!  It's one of those places I can go, sit with my laptop or a magazine and totally let the kids run and have fun.  Well, we don't have a game system at home so it's also a treat to play games for the older ones.

There are just some times where it's not so relaxing.  Today has been one of those.  I'm gonna explain so I can look back on this when my kids are teens and say, "That's nothing.  I'll take those kinds of problems anyday."

I take my kids in the van without my hubby (he's at a game) to let the kids run crazy wild and have fun.

The kids are arguing in the back seat.  I see some arms flying so I punish them by making us all sit for an extra 8 minutes in the van before entering McDonalds.  They will not treat other kids better than their own siblings.  Then we get out and go in once apologies go around and the 8 minutes are up.

We get our food and sit down.  Ahhhh..... I open my laptop and chill for a bit.  It's crazy loud.  Kids are screaming as loud as possible in the tubes.  I don't know who's kids it is but it's enough to wish I had ear muffs.  I let my kids get loud.  Don't get me wrong.  But I don't let them do piercing screams.  That way other parents don't have nervous breakdowns.  I just think it's a polite things to do.  Finally the parents leave with the eardrum damaging little cuties.

I order our meal and sit down for lunch.  I reach my my newly bought drink and it's not there.  The kids have no idea where it went.  It's totally mysterious.  So I got back up to get another one from the front and then sit back down.

After the kids and I eat (a happy meal for myself because portion sizes are smaller) I decide to get the kids some cookies.  I get back up and order a coffee for myself also.  I sit back down, take the cookies out, and realize they're burnt.  Oh well.  I seriously don't want to get up.

I take a sip of coffee and it's cold.  So I get back up and tell them but they said it's because I put coffee creamer in it.  Umm... no.  They had no more so I asked if they could make a new pot. 

I sit back down and realize I have two poopie kids and other has to go potty.  So I go to the restroom, change diapers, and come back out to see if my coffee is ready.  Nope.  She forgot to put another pot on.  Being the nice person I am, I said with a smile, "No problem, I'll be here awhile longer", so I sit back down. 

She brings me my coffee to my table which was really nice. I take a sip after she leaves and there is no sugar.  I had asked for creamer and sugar in it.  No problem.  I take it back up and ask for some I can just stir in myself

.  I sit back down at the table and put in some sugar and stirred.  Pppphts!  Gross.  It's waayyy to sugary.  At this point I didn't feel like getting back up but I was really desperate for some coffee.  I finally realized that she HAD put sugar in it but didn't stir it.  So when I went to put my own sugar in it and then stirred, well, it was way too sugary. 

At this point I was so discouraged.  I just wanted to sit down longer than 10 minutes at a time.  No.  I wanted to get up and fix my coffee.  I asked for some more but she said all the coffee is gone!  Sniff.... seriously?  Then she realizes she has some at the bottom to add to my cup to balance out the taste.  Ahhh.... I'll take that.  I sit back down and smile. 

Sniff..... my daughter just pooped again.  Gotta go change another poopie.

It's How You Finish

Picture is of my older 3 boys boys praying at the alter at church.  :D

I don't know why but I've sure been watching families and thinking a lot about my faith.  I grew up in church.  I love having a church family.  I've been to baby showers, bridal showers, weddings, funeral, seen divorces, etc.  I've seen a lot.  I've been in church since I was in my moms tummy.  Now that I'm 30, I see a lot of end results of families serving God. 

People make mistakes.  Spouses hurt their loved one.  Hurt words are said.  Betrayels regretfully happen.  Friends are torn apart.  Misunderstandings are yet to be forgiven or already have been.  I've seen many kids grow up from babies and now to moms or dads themselves. 

I've watched the difference between parents who throw their hands up in the air and walk away from their faith vs. parents that stay in the long haul no matter what trial they have endured.  One of the huge differences is in the kids.  It's hard to find kids make it for God when their parents have walked away and taken their kids with them.  I get sad to see pics of the kid's lifestyle, or their quotes of bitterness or hatred on Facebook.  They've forgotten what they've learned from their faith, the warnings, and reject God's truth.  Some are broken from decisions or some have even passed on.  A majority I have seen have not chosen to come back to their faith once turning 18 even though they now have the free choice to attend church where they please. 

On the other hand.... I see parents that have stuck it out.  Fought the fight.  They're still going.  They prayed thousands of prayers.  In their tears and on their knees for their kids.  Some kids have spit on them, cursed at them, have been unthankful.  BUT.... .life can be tough.  Can put scars on them.  Their parents have set a foundation of truth and they live it.  Something is so attractive about God when your heart is broken and life has dealt some heavy blows.  Maybe mom and dad weren't so crazy after all.  Maybe they meant well by having me attend Sunday School and services.  Maybe, just maybe, they wanted to give me a HUGE chance to learn everything I could about the God who created me and the One that loves me so much that He sent His son to die for me.  Maybe they didn't want to see me scarred by sins and wrong decisions.  Maybe, just maybe, they wanted to see me spare myself from the scars they experienced.  Scars that can be prevented. 

Some parents, even really good parents, make mistakes.  Some fall.  The quote I hate is "I thought he was a Christian!"  Does anyone really think, seriously, that Christians NEVER make mistakes?  I don't know about you but I go to church because I'm a leaky vessel.  I need God's grace.  I need the encouragement.  I hate the word hypocrite that is used to slam on someone that fell down in their faith.  Do you know what matters?  They got back up.  They didn't continue in their sin.  They brushed off the dirt.  Sure they have a scab, maybe even a scar.  They didn't quit.  They didn't throw their hands up and walk out of the race.  God doesn't forsake you because you fail.  He doesn't walk away from us.  WE walk away from Him. 

Christianity is like a race to the finish.  It doesn't matter how many stumbles you took.  Yes, when you fall you get hurt.  There are consequences.  You hurt ones you love.  You hurt yourself.  It hurts God.  Brush off the dirt from falling and keep going!  There is so much counting on it. Eternity.  Your kids.  Your family watching you.  People are watching you run that race whether or not they are in it.  Isn't it worth it to keep going for your own soul?  For your kids?  For your grandkids?  For your unsaved family?  For friends? 

Nothing....nothing....nothing.... is worth spending an eternity away from God.  The pleasures of this life are SO temporary. 

There have been times I've wanted to quit because of disappointments, betrayels of friends, harsh words, etc.  Then I look at my kids.  My kids are watching me.  I look at their tender hearts.  Ones that are so incredibly moldable at this point and I think, "I gotta keep going."  I may be a little bruised but I have to keep going.  There are so many joys in serving God. So many things I have been spared from.  I'm so grateful to my Savior.

It's definitely a race worth finishing.

Funny Mattress Prank

Prank done at a mattress store.  It's in different language but you get the idea.

What's The Fuss?

I don't know why but when I go in public sometimes, Charles gets so embarrassed.  If I'm bored I tend to do something to relieve the boredom.  This was another one of those times.  I would pull over somewhere and ask someone for directions with the flower in my hair, awkwardly holding up my bangs.  Charles would be like "Babyyyyyy!"  Heh, heh.  Michele would have appreciated it.  Michele has been with me while I've gotten on the speaker system at stores and announced silly stuff.  She likes to be goofy too. 

Does anyone want to go cruising with me?

Earth Day at Disney

We participated in the Earth Day recycling at our local Disney store by bringing in cans.  In return we got Disney hats. :)  Come see cute picture HERE!

Permission To Get Messy

We're known for making our own Mud Mania in our back yard but since it's still too cold for that, we opted for a chocolate one.  I made some of these yummy above and told everyone, get as messy as you can!  Baths will come later.  Sigh. It still wasn't nearly as messy as Mud Mania but it will have to do.

Ivy and Kerrie just would not go beyond this.  Girls don't do stuff like that!  Where were the boys in this?  They totally missed out.  They were probably off playing and had no idea that I said we can get messy.

Ashley is pretty proud of herself.  I mean, you have to know her.  She HATES messy hands.  Can't stand it!  Right after this she asked me to wash her hands ASAP.

Caleb had to play whether he was asked to or not.  :D  He was making that face because he was getting a small sample of chocolate. 

And the winner is..........

Alexandra!!!  Dang, you go girl! 

Damage Control

I love that someday my kids are gonna look back and ask me questions about these pictures.  It's cute that Ivy stuck a binky in the toy's mouth.  That she doesn't realize how she put her little sister's headband on wrong. 

What a cutie!

Kids are cute.  Kids make me slow down but they also speed me up so I'm confused about that.

The last 4 days we've had extra kids over. Different kids at different times but our ship (house) is definitely sinking.  We need serious damage control.  I have trained my kids pretty well about how not to trash a place and to put things back but it's harder to control it when you have lots of little extras running around.  :)  So my kids are complaining about how much extra they are doing for their chores this week.  I told them that maybe next time they'll pay more attention while the mess is being made when their friends are here and might want to do something to prevent it. We'll see how that goes!  :)

After all the fun and with a new week that started, I sit back and wonder why I spend so much time cleaning.  So this week I'm focusing on just homeschooling rather than worry about how fast I get the house back in good order.  So if you show up and you are swimming through the mess, I apologize.  Or maybe not.  :) 

Is It Just Me?

Or does it seem that babies grow up so fast? I had a rough pregnancy last time but I couldn't wait to meet my baby Caleb. They grow so fast. It's unbelievable.

Sometime I lay at night just thinking about how God trusted these little guys in my hands. Am I doing everything I know how to lead them back to Him?   Could I do more?  I know it's easy to get caught up in the day, the duties, diapers changes, problems, etc.  I think about what awesome responsibility I've been handed.

I know I have a HUGE room for improvement.  Of course.  I think about how scary it was for our parents.  I'm sure they had the same worries.  There were plenty of times I'm sure I kept my mom awake because she worried for me.  Worried about the friends I was choosing.  Worried about the choices I was making.  I know lots of prayers were said for me.

Sometimes I wonder why I put such an incredible responsibility on my shoulders but then I think about all the cuddles, the kisses, the discoveries, the playtimes.  Then I look at my house and I think "My goodness, my work is cut out for me today."  I sometimes weigh it out in my head.  My conclusion: No matter how much more work I create for myself by having 6 children, I know, and I remember, what it was like for me before kids.  There is just no comparison.  I'm so glad I chose to be a mom.  When I give time to find the positives instead of always seeing the work pile I have, it gives me the energy I need to roll up my sleeves and get back to work.  After all, washing dishes for two wasn't nearly so exciting as setting out a table for eight.

Is it just me that thinks about stuff like this?