Happy Birthday Levi

Today is Levi's 5th birthday and it blows me away how fast the last five years have gone by. From what I've been told it only gets worse as your kids get older, but if feels like I was holding him as a tiny baby in my arms, I blinked, and now here he is 5 years old! I am so proud of him! He is a crazy guy, full of energy but also has a very sensitive, gentle side. Since we have chosen to homeschool him, I get the privilege of being right by his side as he learns and am amazed at how smart he is! And so funny! I spent 2 days making this birthday cake for him (having a good time of course) and last night he took one bite and said, "Mom, I don't really like my cake." Once again, I just have to laugh! He had a much better time eating the candy off of the top! I am reminded today as we are making a big deal for Levi, how important it is to praise our kids!!! Emphasize the positive! "I love you; I am so proud of you; I am so thankful that God chose us to be your parents; You are such a great big brother!" The list could go on and on. We do not have a hard time picking out the wrong things that our kids do - we discipline all the time! But commenting on the positive seems more difficult for some reason. But today, as we celebrate 5 years with Levi, I am reminded to use my words with my kids to "spur one another on towards love and good deeds."

Sometimes You Just Have to Laugh!

Having three kids can sometimes lead to stressful situations. At times I don't know whether to laugh or cry. I am trying to learn to choose laughter! There are many moments where kids just make it easier. I was watching two of my friend's boys today which is often less stressful than just having your own kids because they play so well together. Things had been going really well and all the kids were playing out in the backyard when I suddenly realized the time and that we all had to hurry and eat to get Levi to soccer on time. I rushed to make sandwiches while Izzy-bell was screaming to eat and rush to open the back door and yell out to the kids to come eat. What do I find when I open the door? One of the boys I'm watching is standing on the stool to get up to the trampoline with his pants and underwear down to his knees, taking a pee in my backyard. Then his brother informs me that he has lost a shoe up on our roof all the while Izzy is screaming to eat and Levi and Lilly are also trying to tell me about the game they just played. I have no other choice but to laugh for if I don't find the humor I will begin to cry at the stress. If laughter is truly the best medicine, small children are full of healing powers!!!

Cool, cloudy Sunday

We have been blessed with a day of rest! We try to find moments of rest during the week (notice I say try) but have yet to really set aside a full day of rest and today the Lord blessed us with one! I guess He knew we needed it! I know that no matter what age you are or what stage of life you are in, there will always be times when life seems particularly crazy. That seems to be especially true for us right now and it feels like a breath of fresh air to have a Sunday where our time is not divvied out to different obligations. Don't get me wrong, we love the things that we are involved in, but even when you enjoy the things you are a part of, sometimes a break is needed! So today we are taking time to relax, enjoy the cool weather, work on some house projects that we don't normally have time to work on, and just be together as a family without our to-do list dictating our day. This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Try, try again

Well, I attempted to keep up with a blog a few years ago and it did not work out so well. But, I am going to try again! So, here we go. Between homeschooling Levi, keeping up with Lillian, and figuring out Isabelle's schedule as well as keeping up with the house-cooking and cleaning and such-we will see if I can keep up with this. I figure it's a good way to pass along fun stories and family info to all of our extended family and friends! Have some grace with me as I get started!