What I've Learned

I've learned something recently.

THERE IS NO POINT IN MAKING THE BEDS EVERY MORNING WITH A FOUR AND TWO YEAR OLD.

There. I've said it. I decided a while ago that I'm not doing it (except once a week on "clean sheets" day). So why have I stopped making the beds? The kids have so much fun on all of our beds. I used to make all our beds EVERYDAY only to see the nicely made beds destroyed into a pile of sheets and blankets moments later. Wow, talk about wasted effort and energy which would then make me cranky. The kids love jumping on the beds (they're small enough now that they can't do any major damage, yet, old enough to be careful not to hurt themselves (I think....)), they love playing in the covers and sheets, they pretend the beds are stages and I get to see many "performances" during the day (which are making some incredible memories for us).

So does this mean I'm lazy and messy? That's something I had to struggle with...."oh dear, what if someone comes over and sees the beds are a mess, what would they think of me?" You know, who cares? Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not lazy and messy. Quite the contrary. Now, I'm not braggin', just sayin'. Anyway, so what if I was messy? To each his own, right?

So now you're thinking, well shouldn't you be teaching your kids about chores and responsibilities and making beds should be one of them! Well, for now, there are other age appropriate "chores" and "responsibilities" that I'm teaching them, BUT, when I look at the big picture of our life at this stage, the beds are NOT important. So there. Yay! :)

Crazy Loud Exhausting. Our Normal Days.

For the past few weeks our house has been pretty crazy. There's no quiet in our house (unless the kids are up to something bad). Both kids are either talking, shouting, asking questions, or fighting. Benjamin is Mr. Inquisitive. "Mamma, why this? Mamma, why that? Mamma, why did you say that? Mamma, what does that mean? Mamma, will you read this to me?, Mamma, can you help me with this?" Mamma, Mamma, Mamma. He's also our resident Super Hero that fights all the bad guys in our house. He's either running through the house with the sounds of pretend guns shooting or chasing Savannah and making her scream. He doesn't mind her scream. Now let me tell you if you heard this scream of hers it will get to you. It happens A LOT during the day and by late afternoon I'm searching for my ear plugs that she so nicely gave me last Mother's Day. Her scream is like the sound of nails on a chalkboard. Sometimes the screams are for joy but most of the times it's because of fear. Poor Savannah. Her big brother really likes to make her scream. She's also been very needy lately (could it be from her brother always taunting her?) "Mamma, carry me!" I carry her A LOT during the day - (my left bicep is much bigger than my right - I'm serious, it really is, I've tried carrying her with my right arm but then I can't do other things). This week I have to let her sit on my lap and feed her or she throws a fit. I can't leave the room or she throws a fit (even to the bathroom). And then, try to step out to run a quick errand? Yeah, right. Did that yesterday and she melted down so hard David called me with her on the other end of the line and the poor baby couldn't speak and was gasping for air from crying so hard. Therefore, I immediately came home. Humpf. There went my 15 minutes of quiet. Or before I forget, one more thing. The kids have their own scooters and bikes. Three out of the four have bells. Loud ones. Since it's been so wet and cold lately they've been riding them in the house (yes, I'm an idiot). So now throw in the sounds of these loud bells being rung that then make our dog scream like a woman and you've got a house that would make even the calmest person have an anxiety attack.

Anyway, amongst the chaos (which is actually a name we considered naming Savannah, yes, honey, you'll thank us later) God gives us little moments of sweet treasures. I'm not saying the crazy, loud moments all day long aren't treasures, they are, ahem, but just a different kind. Yesterday morning the kids woke David and me up by both crawling in bed with us. Benjamin very quietly and sweetly whispers to Savannah "I love you Savannah". Savannah, then in return says "I love you, too". Wow, talk about making you melt. The sweetness didn't end there. He then very quietly and sweetly again says to Savannah, "I'm sorry I've been mean to you". At this point I sit up and look over at him with my heart filled with pride and love for these sweet little gifts from God. He then crawls over Savannah, whispers in my ear, "Mamma, I'll obey you from now on". This was, hands down, the best way to wake up....EVER!!!! Thank you Heavenly Father! You do know when we need a little encouragement and you have such a way of giving it.

Just Chillin' by the Fire

Seriously?

Tom and David rented a car to drive down to San Antonio for the Baylor bowl game. (We won by the way! Yay!!!!) Anyway, he had reserved a Mustang but when he got to the rental car place all they had for him was this burnt orange Charger. Ummmmm, you look like a UT fan! I'm surprised you didn't get booed out of the parking lot. Also, (I love this part by the way), if you look around at any of the stores that sale UT stuff, notice how it's ALL on sale! Baahaahaahaaa!

Happy New Year!

It's been such a year of highs and extreme lows. We are so thankful for all the blessings the good Lord has given us.......family, friends, health, the list goes on and on. We are still recovering from several losses of dear people in our lives. The pain runs deep and it's changed me. I have no idea what the next year holds for us but I will love deeply, laugh often, lighten up, lose the 10 pounds I gained over Christmas (whew, can't button my pants!), but MOST of all, do whatever it takes to be more like Christ. Life is hard, but God is good.

Merry Christmas Grandmother

Look at that grin...think she likes her painting of Mr. Elvis Presley's eyes? Thanks Nancy and Richard.













Merry Christmas!

Who Loves Daddy?

Mr. Smarty Pants

As I was in the living room typing up an email I heard Savannah in the kitchen banging around. Benjamin walked out of the kitchen and up to me. I asked him if Savannah was making a mess in the kitchen. His response? "I don't know Mamma, why don't YOU go check it out." Humpf, smarty pants.