Ellerie's Prayer

One of the most precious times of each day is praying with our children before they go to bed at night.  Ellerie always brings a smile to our faces when we pray with her.  My parents were in town a few weeks ago and my mom, Mimi, had the opportunity to pray with Ellerie at bed time.  Here's how her prayer went:

"Dear God,

Thank you for my Mommy.
Thank you for my Daddy.
Thank you for my sister.
Thank you for my bruder...
And thank you for my bruder...
And ... thank you for my bruder..."
(She then looks up at Mimi at says, "I have 1 sister and 3 bruders...")

She's a mess!

Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

 Carter turns 2!  March 13, 2011!

 He doesn't like the candles though - he kept turning his head and wouldn't look at them!

 On Tuesday we got together with family to celebrate Carter's 2nd year of life!  He wanted a Woody cake!

 Opening presents...

 More toys...

 Some new shades!  He loves to wear sunglasses all the time!

 Just love this precious boy!  He has brought so much joy to our entire family.  He loves Woody, McQueen, cars, trains, balls...  He also loves to play with his siblings.  I love the names he has picked for everyone so far.  He calls Coleman 'Momo', Emmie is 'Memmie', Ellerie is 'Baby', and Calvin sounds different everytime, but now it sounds like 'Caca'.  

We are thankful for this blessing in our lives and continually pray for him to know God's grace in his life.  We love you Carter.

Spring Saturdays!

Spring is one of my favorite seasons.  After a long, cold winter the extra sunshine is so refreshing.  It's amazing how the sun affects my mood so this extra hour of daylight is a blessing to me and probably to those around me as well!  :) 

A few weeks ago, we were trying to decide whether or not the kids would play soccer this spring.  They played in the fall so the cost was going to be much cheaper since they already had their uniforms (thumbs up).  They enjoy playing and we enjoy watching them as a family (thumbs up).  But ... it takes up almost all day every Saturday! (thumbs down)

If we want to run or exercise on Saturday morning, then we have to get up really early to get it in.  Then we pack up snacks, drinks, chairs, blankets and head to the field for a good chunk of the day.  After thinking about it, Brian said he thought it would be good for us to take a break from organized sports this spring.  I was a little hesitant at first but then I agreed that it would be a good break for all of us before the big kids try swim team this summer.

School is keeping us busy as we look toward the end of the year so I am looking forward to spending these spring Saturdays together as a family without having to always be somewhere at a certain time.  I see lots of yard work and outside projects in our future, while the kids can run around and play.   

Today was the first Saturday in a while where we weren't on a specific schedule.  Brian and I both got a run in this morning after sleeping until 8:00.  He also made pancakes and watched a movie with the kids.  This afternoon he weeded some in the yard while Calvin played in the dirt.  I caught up on coupons and got some grocery shopping done with a few of the other kids.  Laundry kept moving all day.  Just normal, simple things but at a more relaxing pace.

It was so nice and refreshing to be able to be laid back about our day ...I am looking forward to these spring Saturdays!

New ....

I can’t believe that 2011 is already here. Not only is it already here, but January is quickly coming to a close. February already?

I guess it’s time to make my ‘resolutions’ for the new year, especially since 1/12 of it has already passed. Some of them are the same every year: exercise more, eat less, save more, spend less …you know how it goes.

There are so many things I could write as my goals for the year, but the easy way to sum them all up is with one word: intentional. I want to be intentional.

I want to be intentional in seeking the Lord.

I want to be intentional in loving my husband.

I want to be intentional in teaching my children (in school and in the Word).

I want to be intentional in serving my home.

I want to be intentional in my relationships.

I want to be intentional in being healthy.

I want to be intentional …

Christmas Traditions... Advent Devotions

I just love Christmas ... it is probably my favorite holiday. It is such a special time to celebrate the birth of Christ and to make memories with our family. The past few years, we have intentionally tried to do special things each year ... making traditions and special times with one another. We pray that our children will remember these times, holding a special place in their hearts.

One of my favorite traditions is the advent devotions we do each night as a family. We have a special calendar and book that we read. The kids really like doing this together. The little ones are excited about participating this year and our bigger ones are taking more of a leadership role as they are reading the passages to their siblings. Love this time with them!

Thanksgiving Week...

We spent the week of Thanksgiving in Georgia. It was fun to visit with all of the girl cousins from Macon, GA. The weather was warm, actually hot a few days. It was such a relaxing week spending time together with family. We are thankful for that time away and to make memories with friends and family.

Still Thankful...

I am still thankful even though I haven't been posting...

I am thankful for this week away with my family. It is good to get away from the hustle and bustle of life and have an entire week of 'down' time. Brian gets to spend each day with us and we are loving every minute of it. We wake up a little late and snuggle in the bed with Carter (since he wakes up first). We get to eat breakfast, lunch and supper together - it's been so nice being together all day!

I am thankful for less laundry this week. There is a limited amount to wash and that is so great. I think maybe I should just get rid of the rest of our clothes when I get home! ;)

I am thankful for the warm weather this week. The kids have been able to play outside. I love sitting on the porch watching them laugh and play.

I am thankful for the tradition of our Thanksgiving dinner - especially the same dishes we have each year. I love the broccoli casserole, the carrot casserole, and the cornbread dressing. Mmmmm - can't wait until tomorrow.

I am thankful .... for this month of being thankful. It has been a blessing each day to remember how much I have to be thankful for.

Thankful... playing catch-up again...

The end!! Time was 2:22...

Afterwards with my people - they were so excited to see me and I was excited to see them. That thought carried me the last mile! :)

So today I am thankful that the half marathon is over!! :) It was fun (in a different way). Not 'woo-hoo' fun but fun like an exciting, nerve-wracking, adrenaline-pumping sort of way. I actually felt good the entire time and enjoyed running the route around Richmond. I never thought I could do it and am proud that I did. Looking back, 3 out of the last 4 weekends, I ran double digits runs so needless to say, my legs are tired!

I am also thankful that my husband got all 5 kids up and dressed and to the CRAZY race site downtown. He's such a trooper! I am thankful he didn't have to hurt the big tall man who tried to step in front of the kids after they had waited patiently for a spot to 'open up' so they could see me! ;)

I am thankful that he let me take a nap yesterday and basically do nothing the rest of the day!

I am thankful that he rewarded me with a Chick-fil-A peppermint chocolate chip milkshake last night.

I am thankful that he let me sleep in until 9:00 this morning while he got up and fed the kids.

Yes, I am blessed!!