Thursday, May 26, 2016

Questionnaire

I saw a questionnaire today that one is supposed to ask a 2 year old.  I started asking Elijah the questions and had to share:

What is your name?                  "Lijah"
How old are you?                      1-2-3
When is your birthday?              My candles, my cake
How old is Daddy?                     "This" he said while he held up his thumb
How old is Mommy?                   3
What is your favorite color?       Pink 
What is your favorite food?        Fruit snacks
Who is your best friend?            Madison
What is your favorite show?       Silly Songs, "all of them" (meaning Veggie Tales), Looney   
                                                     Toons
What is your favorite song?        Play a Little (A CD of Action Bible songs they dance to)
What is your favorite animal?     Bob (his stuffed giraffe from the zoo)
What are you scared of?             Pinocchio
What makes you happy?             My Jesus,  God,  Daddy  

My silly boy
 

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Outside fun

It was nice outside again yesterday!  The kids and I went outside before lunch to enjoy some fresh air.  We have an old tractor sitting in the yard that Justin's grandfather used to drive.  They each wanted a turn sitting on it.
It was very exciting!

We have a tree over by the swing set that has a low V in it.  It's the perfect height for them to learn how to climb trees.  They each wanted a turn sitting in the tree.
I may regret showing them this, but every kid needs to learn how to climb trees right?

Saturday, May 14, 2016

What was I thinking?

Months before Benjamin was born the Husband asked me if it would be okay if he went with a group of men from church on a retreat.  I don't like when he's gone, but told him I'd be fine even though we would be up to three kiddos all under three.

Fast forward to the end of this week and the weekend.  Wednesday night they took off.  Thursday morning we woke up and everything was off to a great start, until I picked Elijah up for something and felt my back slide out of place.  (This happens every so often.  I go to the chiropractor and she pops me back in.) I got breakfast on, hoping that it would miraculously fix itself.  It did not, so I gave the chiropractor a call.  There was one appointment left at 3:45.  Not ideal with naps, but I took it.  Did I mention we drive about 45 minutes to see this chiropractor?  I fed the kids an early lunch and put them down earlier than usual for naps.  They all fell asleep and woke up on their own before we had to leave.  Score!  I was pretty excited on the drive down.  I actually had this all under control! 

As I pulled into my parking spot, I heard Madison say "uh oh", and than the wheels fell off.  She had some how unscrewed the lid to her water bottle and was holding it.  The water bottle itself had flipped over and was upside down beside her in her car seat.  She started crying "I wet, I wet" as big crocodile tears rolled down her cheeks.  Of course I didn't pack extra clothes for her.  I got all three of them out of the car and the backside of her shorts and even her shirt were SOAKED!!  Her seat was just saturated.  I tried calming her down as we walked in.  She settled and started playing with the toys in the waiting room just as Benjamin woke up from his quiet slumber and started SCREAMING! I had tired to feed him before we left, but he just nursed a little and fell asleep.  I didn't know what else to do but nurse him, and I had no choice but to do it right there in the waiting room since the older two were with me.  I apologized to the lady sitting a few chairs down as I started feeding him praying he would quiet down.  (I usually try feeding my children in the car or some where private so I don't make anyone uncomfortable)  Thankfully the lady smiled saying she nursed her own children and understood.  Whew! Benjamin still wasn't calming and would eat just a little before crying more.  I could not figure out what was wrong until he loudly filled his pants.  Ah! Mystery solved.  I was than called back to get adjusted.  Benjamin had calmed even though he was sitting in a nasty diaper.  Madison, however, freaked out when I got on the table and ran out of the room crying.  Oh my word, could this get any worse?!?  The doctor had to run after her and than carried my soaking wet child back into the room where she continued to cry loudly for the entire adjustment.  So much for having things all under control.  I changed the younger two children before we left and poor Madison had to walk out of the office wearing only her wet shirt and diaper.  Thankfully Elijah did not have to potty until we were just a couple miles from home and I could pull off onto a dirt road.  
What an adventure we had, one I hope not to repeat anytime soon!         

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

It Is All Good

I have been slowly working my way through a Kay Arthur Bible Study entitled Lord, Only You Can Change Me.  It is a study on the Beatitudes.  Kay Arthur is AMAZING and I have learned SO much! 

One of the things that stuck out to me, and that God has brought back to mind numerous times, deals with being meek.  Her definition of meekness is kneeling in total submission to Him.  She says we should bow before the sovereign God and in purity of trust say, "My Father, if is pleases You, it pleases me." 

What a hard thing to pray.  I have been truly blessed to grow up in America, in a Christian home, where for the most part, life has been good.  That word 'good', has a skewed meaning for so many of us.  We think of 'good' as things that are pleasant, something that we enjoy.  When it comes to my walk with Jesus though, I believe He has a different definition of the word 'good'.  When I grow in my relationship with Him it is good, but how does that growth occur?  So often through conflict, through something that takes me out of my comfort zone or stretches me.  Sometimes it's something that hurts; something that makes me ask, "why?"  Sometimes an instance or occurrence that in and of itself I would not label as 'good'.  However, when those times come I can put my trust fully in the One who created me.  I can rest in Him knowing that He "causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

In her book, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, Ann Voskamp talks about being thankful in the messy, in the hurt, in those 'why' times.  Our God is GREAT and He is SOVEREIGN.  Nothing catches Him off guard or surprises Him.  So tonight as I get ready to go to bed I'm going to rest in Him, knowing and believing He has a plan for my husband, for me, and for our children.  A perfect plan He prepared just for us.  A plan no one can throw off course.  We are safe and secure in our Father's Arms.  

Chickens and Turkeys

I mentioned in a previous post we had gotten some chickens and turkeys.  Justin went out to take care of some things in the coop so we all tagged along.
They love being able to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air.
For the time being our 5 turkeys and meat chickens are together.  The turkey enclosure is almost finished up, and than they will get moved over.
"Why are you always taking pictures of me mama?"


Once the turkeys get moved out we will put the meat chickens and layers together again.
Up until now Justin has been the one caring for the birds while I care for the children.
In the very near future I'm going to get to try my hand at caring for ALL of them.  The birds are still learning that they need to go back into the chicken house for the night.  I may have some comical evenings trying to chase them all back in.
She is constantly talking to, waving at, or checking out her baby brother.
I've always wanted to have chickens and am excited for our new adventure!

Monday, May 9, 2016

Just Like Daddy

These are a little bit older pictures, but some of my favorites.  Elijah loves doing things just like his daddy.  Justin had left these safety goggles within his reach one day so he wore them around for awhile.
They are currently in the car where he wears them as sunglasses.

Friday, May 6, 2016

Best Buddies

Elijah and Madison are really starting to play well together.  They are using their imaginations and playing all kinds of things.  One day when I was feeding Benjamin they set up a picnic on the couch across from me.  I snapped the picture with my cell phone so I could show Justin when he got home.  They were taking turns eating and Elijah kept getting Madison different things.  It was so cute!
This was my view another day.  They have spent hours in this tent/tunnel thing.  Elijah gets Madison a pillow and blanket and covers her up.  He will crawl in the other side and they will lay there facing each other forever.  Sometimes they will have "tea" in there or just lay there talking.  I love seeing their relationship grow into such a great friendship.  When one is napping the other doesn't know what to do without his/her little friend. 
We can't forget Baby Benjamin.   He has really starting watching his older brother and sister and smiling at them.