Happy 5th Birthday, Megan!

I can't believe you turn five today, Megan! You've grown and changed in so many ways during the last year! :) This time last year you were wearing size 2-3 and now, you're so tall you need a 6!

You've learned so many new things! You are so bright and interested in learning. You are proud to be God's Girl and have chosen to follow His plan for your life. You've been able to learn so many Bible verses and you look forward to AWANAS every week. You have done a good job in learning to handle and control your emotions and temper. You love "home school" and you are just beginning to learn how to read and write. We are shocked that you learned how to read three books this week! You are beginning to learn how to sew and you're doing a great job with it. You love to play on Starfall and PBSkids. I don't mind, because you always learn something new and can't wait to share it with me (and anyone else who will listen)!

Since your 4th birthday, you've started taking speech. Your pronunciation has really improved. All of your progress reports have been filled with glowing compliments, because you are a hard worker. You will try any new word or sound that you're asked to try and you often master letters and sounds beyond what's age appropriate. I love to see the self-confidence you've gained because now you can communicate more clearly. And, you're not afraid to stand up for yourself and remind others that you are learning.

You are very friendly and like to play with kids of all ages. You have a great care for the elderly. Somehow, you understood from a young age that they love and appreciate when you pat their hand and generously give hugs. You love to play with and talk to babies and enjoy making them smile. And of course, you love to play at pre-school and love your time at the library!

You love to pretend (or should I say RE-prend! ;) You love to play dress up, My Little Pony's, babies, restaurant, Barbies, and Legos.  You can turn anything into a baby...the other night, you were the proud mommy of a balloon! :) Your sense of humor keeps us laughing and guessing what you'll do and say next.

You are loving, very sensitive, passionate, and try to do the right thing. I enjoy watching you play, learn, and grow and I truly blessed to be your Mommy. Happy 5th Birthday, Megan! We love you so very much!

Transform

I found this article today and I want to share it with every woman I know! I love crosswalk.com and I use it for the multiple Bible studies I'm doing, as well as just reading. Often, there are articles that catch my eye and step on my toes. :)

I know that God has so much more planned for me and He's just waiting for me to say, "Transform ALL of me! Use me! I'm yours!" I love how she points out that God will only transform as much as we give Him.

This will only make sense if you read the article, but in case you are wondering, and I filled in family.

Learning To Weave

Megan and I have been reading and studying about Moses. She is facinated with the story of the baby being placed in the basket (Exodus 2:1-10). I love her questions and the way that she has related to Mariam, Moses's sister. She has told me how she thinks his sister would feel and that if she was the sister she would keep thinking, "Oh no! Don't tip over basket and don't sink!" :) She has also asked about the basket...a lot.

I have been wanting to teach her how to sew. I'm waiting for our next trip to a big city to be able to pick up those supplies. But, the basket sparked an idea. The basket would have been woven, right? And weaving is a skill needed for sewing. So, I started to figure out a way to help her learn to weave something into a basket. Like most moms, at my feet sat a laundry basket of clothes waiting to be folded and neatly put away. It happened to be a kids' basket. The holes were perfect for weaving a large ribbon through! Although I'm not really up for coating it with tar and pitch or seeing if it's sea worthy, I think it made for a pretty good object lesson.

Happy New Year!!!

Wow! It's 2013 already! 2012 was filled with blessing big and small, trials, fun, adventure, and new friends! It's hard to look back and truly remember all of the wonderful things that happened. I just found the following picture on facebook and it has inspired me to look for the blessings God provides.



We're getting started today and my first note reads...I've been so blessed by my wonderful husband and kids. They add fun, adventure, love, hugs, (and gray hairs) to my life. I am thankful to have them to love and laugh with and I'm so very thankful for their love. ~ I love the way Matt and Megan are playing games and legos together today. They are working together, laughing, and enjoying each other's company. I'm going to go join them!~ 1-1-13

May 2013 be pleasing to God!

Vows?!

This post has nothing creative or cutesy or fun and easy to make, but it's sure to make you laugh. :)

Our seven-year-old, Matt, is in first grade. Earlier last week, something was said about couples saying vows when they get married. To which Matt says, "So they say A, E, I, O, U, and sometimes Y?!" Michael and I couldn't help but laugh out loud! Fireproof, happens to be one of our favorite movies. (Our kids love it too! And if you haven't seen it, you HAAAAVE to!) So, I brought up the wedding scene and used it to better explain.

So, I thought we were all clear on vows verses vowels...until today. :)

Today, Michael and Matt went to a Toroes (Semi-pro team near Austin) basketball camp and game that the team put on for Cub Scouts. They had a really great time and Matt learned so many new things. As he was eating dinner, he was reliving the camp and telling us all about it. Then he stood up, crossed his arms in an X and said, "They'll do this and yell, 'VOW! VOW!'" This time, I was the one with the puzzled look. Michael chuckled and said, "That's FOUL! FOUL!" Matt (almost rolling his eyes in exasperation, yet still smiling) says, "Ohhhhh! I'm a silly kid like that!"

Ok, writing all of this totally does NOT do it justice!

Thanksgiving Thankfulness

We had a wonderful time visiting with family and friends during the Thanksgiving holiday. Grumps always smokes a yummy turkey and Grammie fixes the best dressing ever (from a recipe handed down for generations) and other delicious sides and pies. Her chocolate maringe was the best ever this year! I think I gained 5 pounds just thinking about the food again! Yum! And I'm thankful for the baggie of leftovers in my freezer! :)

***I totally fell down on the job this year and didn't make my pecan pie. Really, this is only the second time I haven't made a pecan pie in the last 19 years!!! What's worse, is that I didn't even have a good reason for it. I just went shopping! (The first time I had a good reason...bed rest while expecting Matt!) Oh well!***

I have to admit, that I actually love Black Friday shopping...until I'm there. But, I did get some great pre-Thanksgiving and Black Friday sales and now have one person left to buy for! This made me laugh and I just have to share!

Grumps, Matt, and Michael went hunting Thursday night through Saturday. It was Matt's first time on an overnight hunting trip and I have to admit that I was (more than) a little nervous. They all had a great time! Matt got the only "kill" which turned out to be Grumps' duck decoy! He shot it and it sunk! (It's ok, you can laugh!) Grumps had him target practicing and didn't expected him to be such a great shot...or that a duck decoy could sink.  (Oh how I wish I could have seen the looks on both of their faces!!!) They also roasted hot dogs and marshmallows and played Go Fish and War. As for the rest of the trip, Matt said, "We just did man's stuff." :)

Bows to Headbands

My four-year-old is a girly girl. She has always loved bows, but she has recently discovered a love for headbands. In an attempt to dress up the headbands, I came up with this solution.

I wrapped a soft hair tie (a small rubber band would also work) around the headband and then slid the bow through. :) Simple as that! And I have a little girl who is tickled pink!

I love that the bows can be easily changed out to match different outfits!

 

Got any cute/clever solutions for Moms? Please share! :)