A Time For Every Season....

Drew and I went on a mommy date last Saturday, Drew insisted that I had to wear a dress since you can't dance in pants! I braved a dress, boots, and pantyhose just for him! I'll forget about the rash all over my legs and how cold I was most of the night, it was all worth it! First we went out for icecream and then into FortWorth for a special date with the Nutcracker Ballet. Drew loved it, he sat very still, asked questions quietly, and was quite concerned with the nasty rats who were picking on poor Clara. He smiled from ear to ear all evening! What a lot of fun we had together!

What is a mommy to do! Just this morning I heard some unkind grunts and words being spoken in the other room. When I asked Drew why he wasn't using kind words he said that Gabe had hit him and wouldn't stop. I called Gabe into the office and asked him if he had repeatedly hit his brother. Gabe looked at Drew, then looked back into my eyes and methodically leaned his head forward, then slowly backwards. His first real confession of "yes," normally every question receives a shake of the head "no." It was adorable, but I did manage to keep a stern face! After explaining that we don't hit; Gabe turned to Drew and gave him a hug and a little peck on the cheek. Oh, if only it were that simple! I knew if I didn't discipline Gabe he would be hitting and taking things within the minute. So, I'm typing this post, while Gabe sits in time out crying his little eyes out. Joy comes in the morning through insignificant moments, that fade into the past, never t...

Drew is my sensitive child, as I type he is playing at my feet afraid of all the lightning and thunder outside. He just came over and said, "Mommy I'm afraid, will you pray for me?" After our prayer he said, "Thanks, now I'm not afraid!" Such a blessing this child of empathy is to our family. At preschool yesterday Drew's teacher commented that he is such a caring student. Evidently a child had to spend some time in their class today while his normal class went out to play (he had allergies and couldn't go out). The little boy cried and cried, the class wasn't sure what to make of this new student, but Drew in empathy, went up to him and gave him a hug. Drew told him not to cry and then asked him if they could read books together. Some days its hard being a mom, especially raising little men to be like Jesus. Teaching Drew to love others, share and be generous like Jesus comes with a lot of persecution. We've met so many children that love to...

(15 Months Old) (13 Months Old) (15 Months Old) (1 Year Old) (14 Months Old)

We've been having fun this December learning about the coming of our Savior - commonly called Advent. This is our first year adding this tradition so its definitely a work in process. We purchased a set called " adornaments " for the kids a few years back, Drew is finally old enough to enjoy listening to the stories. We set up a small fake tree in the entry way with little lights and each night read a verse out of the Bible which is associated with one of the adornaments . We also added a few of our own - a snowflake to represent Luke 3:16 to remember the importance of water and the miracle of baptism and God's outpouring of love and forgiveness for each of us. "John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." We also added an angel which was passed on to me by my Mother In Law, it belonged to her mothe...

John and I were eating breakfast at IHOP talking about how our life was about to change! Then we drove across the street to the hospital and Gabe was born at 3:33 pm. Oh, how our lives did change! Those times went by too quickly. I can't believe it has been a whole year. Now my little baby is walking all over the house!

(Waiting for Baby Gabe to Arrive 11/2007) This November I will not..... ... suffer under the weight of my large abdomen ... check my blood pressure daily ... be on partial bed rest ... wonder whether our little Gabe is safe to deliver ... fear spending Thanksgiving in the hospital ... miss seeing Drew in his costume ... be able to cuddle a newborn ... stay awake all night gazing into the eyes of my sleepy son on his birthday ... wake every 3-4 hours in the middle of the night for feedings ... be adjusting to being a mommy of 2 ... be exhausted and unable to keep many of our Thanksgiving traditions ... listen to little sucking noises while my newborn nurses (November 2, 2007 - Gabe's almost here) This November I will... ... enjoy every second of my family because it all goes by so quickly ... enjoy capturing the Thanksgiving spirit and continue with our William's traditions of story reading, thanksgiving lists, and french toast casserole! ... enjoy Gabe's first birthday! ......

Today's List looks like this: Laundry Dishes Vacuum floors Make beds Prepare Breakfast, lunch, & dinner Clean linen closet Finish Bible Posts The important things aren't on the list: Cuddle with little boys Play flubber with Drew Read kids tons of books, ask probing question, remember funny answers Work on a few lines from the Catechism's Sing songs with Drew, dance & be silly Relax & pray while watering the garden Pray for my husband as he takes a long exam and then works till 11:00pm Encourage Gabe at his crawling endeavors Take the neighbors cookies Blessed each person who I come into contact with I tend to finish my to do list before remembering the important things aren't listed. Life has a way of always providing ample things to keep me occupied .... Lord may I choose to do those things which are far more important and kingdom focused that those that serve myself and my agenda.

I find it so interesting that as more studies and research are conducted on media, we are being taken back to the basics of life. New research is showing that to " Recapture Joy" , or get rid of depression, we need to get unplugged. Focus on the family interviewed Dr. Archibald Hart explaining how we are addicted too excitement and over-stimulation. The broadcast summary states: On yesterday's broadcast, psychologist Archibald Hart explained how many Americans are addicted to excitement and entertainment, and how over-stimulating the "pleasure center" in our brain can diminish our capacity to experience enjoyment. Today, our guest outlines steps that listeners can take to break the entertainment addiction. Hart offers advice for recovering a healthy balance and gaining lasting contentment in a discussion based on his book Thrilled to Death: How the Endless Pursuit of Pleasure is Leaving Us Numb. "[ Anhedonia ] is the gradual shutting down of the brain's...

Here are some recent pictures of our trip to the pond. We made friends with some boys who love to throw the ball in the water for Kitty. Kitty had a blast running and swimming for almost 2 hours - poor thing came home and slept all night and all day. John, David, and Drew tired her out! Kitty is enjoying our hot 100 degree days, the crazy thing will lay right in the middle of the lawn with the sun blazing down right on her - probably dreaming of her working days in Afghanistan! Uncle David, or " Dayday " as Drew calls him has been keeping all of us busy. Today the boys (minus Drew because it was too dangerous) spent the day welding a rack to hold all of John's wood in the garage. They also put hardwood flooring in the living room. It is so nice! Poor Kitty doesn't like laying on the hard floor though, she has been caught sleeping on our couch! We need to buy her a bed for downstairs so she can be comfy too! I cleaned out under the stairs today and dug out all my pens...