Ramblings

So goes the conversation in the car yesterday...

J: Mommy, when I'm 6 can we have a sister?
M: WHAT!!!! (Ok, I didn't really say that I just thought it.) Well, maybe.
J: But Daddy just asked me if I want a sister. You know when he was tucking me if for my little sleep (a.k.a. nap) and then he fell asleep in my bed but I didn't?
M: What did you tell daddy? Do you want a sister?
J: Well, I just told him, let me think for a minute. Silence. Yeah...I want a sister.

For the record, Dave has no recollection of this conversation, but Jackson's right he did fall asleep...he may have been sleep talking.

Pressure is on apparently, but a new cousin...and the first cousin I might add...will have to do for now! :)

A little of this and a little of that

I've been a little unmotivated in the blogging department. I've spent more time reading others blogs than writing on my own. I can see how this blog reading (or stalking, depending how you look at it) can become a sort of obsession. I've been coveting, in a good way of course, the ideas of The Nester. Holy cow, this woman has great taste and her house is fantastic. I love it. Who would think to hang an old door on the wall? I love her mantra of "It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful". I've also been reading and consequently praying for sweet baby Stellan. It is amazing how often I find myself thinking of this little one even though I have never met him or anyone else in their family. The faith of these parents is amazing, a testimony to all who are blessed to read their words. Click on Stellan's name above if you'd like to read some of their story.

In addition to blog stalking, I've been getting ready for our upcoming trip to Florida (can't wait!), chasing small children, fishing my cell phone out of toilet after a tantrum that only a toddler could produce sent it plunging, watching neurotic dogs, cleaning dead leaves and dog poop out of the yard, making beds only to fine a tube to toothpaste conveniently crammed under someone's covers and even finding some time to create...the curtain is currently pinned together and also pinned to the window. It's quite sad looking actually, but I'll share pictures when it's finished. And for now, I'm sensing that Will is awake from a too short nap and might need a little TLC from his mama.

Love Letter

Someone in my Bible study shared this with our group. What a wonderful reminder of Christ's love for us. More information on this letter (and printable copies) can be found by following this link .

My Child,
You may not know me, but I know everything about you. (Psalm 139:1) I know when you sit down and when you rise up. (Psalm 139:2) I am familiar with all your ways. (Psalm 139:3) Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. (Matthew 10:29-31) For you were made in my image. (Genesis 1:27) In me you live and move and have your being. (Acts 17:28) For you are my offspring. (Acts 17:28) I knew you even before you were conceived. (Jeremiah 1:4-5) I chose you when I planned creation. (Ephesians 1:11-12) You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. (Psalm 139:15-16) I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. (Acts 17:26) You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14) I knit you together in your mother's womb. (Psalm 139:13) And brought you forth on the day you were born. (Psalm 71:6) I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. (John 8:41-44) I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. (1 John 4:16) And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. (1 John 3:1) Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. (1 John 3:1) I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. (Matthew 7:11) For I am the perfect father. (Matthew 5:48) Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. (James 1:17) For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. (Matthew 6:31-33) My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) Because I love you with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3) My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. (Psalms 139:17-18) And I rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17) I will never stop doing good to you. (Jeremiah 32:40) For you are my treasured possession. (Exodus 19:5) I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. (Jeremiah 32:41) And I want to show you great and marvelous things. (Jeremiah 33:3) If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. (Deuteronomy 4:29) Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4) For it is I who gave you those desires. (Philippians 2:13) I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. (Ephesians 3:20) For I am your greatest encourager. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17) I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. (Psalm 34:18) As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. (Isaiah 40:11) One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. (Revelation 21:3-4) And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. (Revelation 21:3-4) I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. (John 17:23) For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. (John 17:26) He is the exact representation of my being. (Hebrews 1:3) He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. (Romans 8:31) And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. (1 John 4:10) I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. (Romans 8:31-32) If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. (1 John 2:23) And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. (Romans 8:38-39) Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. (Luke 15:7) I have always been Father, and will always be Father. (Ephesians 3:14-15) My question is…Will you be my child? (John 1:12-13) I am waiting for you. (Luke 15:11-32)

Love, Your Dad
Almighty God

Jackson tells all

Life through the eyes of a child is always interesting. I saw this interview and thought I would give it a shot.

1. What is something mom always says to you?
it's time for bed

2. What makes mom happy?
when we stay in our car seats. (We've had a few issues with this...)

3. What makes mom sad?
making Will cry

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
doing funny things

5. What was your mom like as a child?
you played with toys

6. How old is your mom?
20

7. How tall is your mom?
14

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
wash the dishes (very funny...)

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
go to Auntie Suzi's and have a party

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
for wearing a dress (I'm pretty sure modeling is NOT in my future!)

11. What is your mom really good at?
setting the table (I must spend too much time doing dishes and setting the table...)

12. What is your mom not very good at?
building, because you are a girl

13. What does your mom do for her job?
take care of me

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
ice cream and chicken (the kid is on to something)

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
I don't know. Am I done?

16. How do you know your mom loves you?
plays with me and shows me how to play games

So, that's me in a nutshell through the eyes of a 3 year old. Try this with your kids, you may be surprised at how they think of you.

Mr. Potato who?

Wordless Wednesday is hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom.

H is for...

Katie at A Listmaker's Life challenged her readers to a "Top 10 List". However, this list had a catch...each item on the list must begin with an assigned letter. I can hold my own in Scattegories, so I decided to give it a whirl. The lucky letter was "H"; here is my list, in no particular order (except #1!).

1. My Husband- My bestest friend and my love.

2. Hydrangeas- One of my favorite kinds of flowers. I have them all over my yard and they look beautiful in the spring, summer, and fall. Thanks mom for inspiring my love of these.

3. Honey Crisp Apples- Really, they are the best.

4. Hosting- I enjoy having people to our house for any sort of occasion. Meal exchanges, dinner, play dates, you name it. Besides, there's nothing like hosting something big a couple times of year to get some last minutes house projects done.

5. Hamburgers- I was running last week (on one of those really warm days) and could smell the burgers on someones grill. I almost invited myself back to the barbecue.

6. Haircuts- What's not to love about having someone else wash your hair and massage your scalp?

7. Hummus- Especially when paired with Stacy's pita chips...yummy.

8. Hobby Lobby- Love it all. Paper, fabric, buttons, glue, beads, ribbon, seasonal clutter that I don't need but think is so cute. I could spend hours in that store.

9. Hot weather- Is that cheating, to use an adjective as my "H" word? I do love hot and sunny days and could use a few right about now.

10. Hebrews 12:2- Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter or our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let me know, in a comment, if you are interested in creating a list of your own. I will email you your letter. Just be sure to leave a link to your completed list in another comment when you are finished! Have fun!

Bye Bye Baby...Hello Big Boy

My baby went for his first haircut this week. I've been dragging my feet, letting the poor boy walk around for a mullet for quite some time. I just couldn't cut the curls. So, I was sure to take a before picture of these locks because I was quite sure they would never be the same. Much to my relief, the curls are back, just a little shorter!


He sat like a champ, patiently waiting for his "wittle treat" of "Marties", more commonly known as Smarties. I like the hair cut (thank you, Melissa), but I'm not so sure about the big boy look. Where is my baby?

Sunday afternoon nap

Wordless Wednesday is hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom.

Teach Me Tuesday

The name book is finally finished. Or better said, finally ready to share. The papers have been sitting on my desk driving me nuts for almost a week so I decided it was time to add a cover and take some pictures. Here is the rest of the book. We started this activity a couple weeks ago and did one letter each day for a week. We then created a cover, punched some holes, and tied with ribbon. It is now the most coveted book in the house, and Jackson can successfully write his own name. Good, since that was the objective of the book in the first place! In case it is difficult to read, the objects we used in the silly sentences are as follows:

J- jumping jelly beans
A- Awesome Apple Jacks
C- Crazy Cars
K- Kids
S- Silly Seeds
O- "O" Stickers (Kind of lame, I know, but I was trying to use what I had in the house)
N- Noodles