Splash in the Rain Puddles

"... mothering doesn't always bring out my best;  it can also bring out the worst in me, and I have an ongoing need for forgiveness from the One who understands my guilt.  This reminds me of my own dependence and neediness, which turns me to the giver, who gives me hope in my not-yet-done-ness." I came across this excerpt in a book called Five Star Families , put out by the MOPs organization.  Such a wonderful book reminding us of the importance of setting goals for our families that focus on the right things.  The things that God desires families to be.  Families full of love, joy, faith, and loyalty.  And reminding us that we cannot obtain perfection, but we can strive daily to give our absolute best to our families.  As the above quote reminds me.....I am certainly in a state of not-yet-done-ness.  I am learning and growing daily as I attempt to mother my two little guys.  I am so grateful for a mercifu...

From following the example of my mom I have learned how to be a godly wife and mother.  I have learned patience and understanding.  I have learned the value of putting the needs of others before my own.  I have learned the importance of keeping family close.  Mom, you know me like no other......you know the kind of day I have had simply by the sound of my voice.....you understand me and support me in my ups and my downs.....you love and care for my boys like they are your own.....I cannot thank you enough for everything that you are to me.  So today I wish you the happiest of birthdays!!!  I love you so very much!!   

It's hard to believe that we are smack in the middle of February already!  Just a few more weeks and we will be on our way to spring!!  HAPPY!  However that does mean that the busyness of the planting season begins and we will be seeing much less of my dear hubby.  SAD!  It also means that hubby will be spending more afternoon hours in a tractor which means Jack may be able to catch a few rides here and there.  HAPPY!  As with every season change, we will adjust, find a new rhythm, and all will be well :)  In other news, the boys had a great Valentines Day!  They were so excited to open their cards and gifts.  Jack got a slinky in the mail from Grandma Mullet.  He loves it and is quite fascinated by it.....but the funny thing is he keeps calling it a stinky....then he gets frustrated, and says "I mean slinky".  Which makes me burst out laughing every time he says it.  Bless his heart.  Chase o...

This is Harold.  Jack made him at Preschool during a unit on birds.  He brought him home and named him Harold.  Harold is hanging on my pantry door.  Each morning since we put him there, Jack comes into the kitchen and says, "good morning Harold the Owl!".....to which I echo, "good morning Harold!"  And then we look at each other and giggle.  I love Harold.  I love that he brings a little bit of whimsy to our mornings.  Happy Saturday!

Why are boys fascinated with dirt? Why do boys love to run around without their shirts? Why do boys show their affection by wrestling with each other? Why do boys feel the need to belch after every meal?  And why is belching, or passing any other type of gas, so funny? Oh the questions that I ponder these days........ :) :) And another question I'm pondering.....what is UP with this weather?  And trust me, I'm not complaining. We have had numerous days in January hit the 60 degree mark and I am loving it.  But it's such a tease.  A day like yesterday....sunny and 62 degrees....one would think that spring is popping its head around the corner.  But the reality is that we have all of February left before spring can even begin to surface its true colors.  Anything can happen in February.  Clearly I'm not a cold weather girl, but let me just tell you what motherhood can do to a person.  Motherhood can make this girl.....who...

Here's what's been going on around here this week.... Daddy made Jack's day on Saturday by giving him this amazingly long strap that made his eyes light up like it was Christmas morning.  Oh the possibilities of things he could now wrap up, tie up, lasso, etc ..... all of which I am hoping do not include his little brother.  What we have come up with so far is what you see below.  The wagon is attached to the gator using the amazing strap.  The wagon either serves as Jack's trailer, for when he "is hauling things around his farm" ...... or as a disc, for when he "is working up his fields".  :)  It is absolutely priceless to see him bouncing around on our not so smooth yard with his wagon in tow! Chase is thrilled because I pulled out the old Little Tikes slide that we had for Jack a few years back.  I kind of forgot we had it and probably should have done this much sooner.  Even so, Chase is loving it now.  It also made me r...

Since the new year I have been  doing a children's bedtime devotional with Jack.  It focuses on Jesus as our Shepherd and all of the attributes that entails.  These last few weeks we have been focusing on how Jesus can always hear us when we pray.  The other day Jack was sitting on the kitchen floor just talking away and I overheard that he was explaining what a kiwi looked like and how much he loves to eat them.  He saw I was listening and said, "I'm just talkin to Jesus .... because he can always hear me, right?"  Love these moments.  :)    Happy Monday!