My Most

After visiting a friends blog (http://mommysondra.blogspot.com/), I was inspired by her "simple list". She made a list of all the simple things around her that she enjoys each day. I have decide to change it up a bit and make a list of my mosts.

What I do the most..... laugh.
My answer could be clean or teach, but I laugh far more than anything else in my day. My hubby makes me laugh so hard it turns into the ugly laugh. The side hurting, eyes watering, gasping for air kind of laugh. Our six "squirly" girls are always doing or saying something that interupts all seriousness and sends us rolling on the floor. I think parenting is a comedy routine (just ask Bill Cosby).

What I think about the most...
There is a four way tie on this:
"What time is it?"
What was I about to do?
"Where did that go? "
"I need to add that to the grocery list! "
Years of mothering have left me very forgetful.

What I say the most...
So many things that it is hard to narrow it down. At the top of the list is:
"Use your nice words."
"Time to quick clean."
"Please remember to flush."
"Lets go!"

Around me I see...
A beautiful fall day. Little girls playing outside with frogs. We have had so many frogs lately that we are checking into the plague theory.

At night I hear...
Sure you may not be able to understand a word she is saying, but God does. He knows she is praying for the two frogs she played with earlier. She named them Katie and Jojo. He understands every word she is saying. All I know is that it was so cute I had to get it on film. (What is it about a three year old that is so cute? Everything she does makes us all giggle.)

What is your day like? What are your "mosts"?

Product Review

I have found a few things at Target lately that have made my life a little easier, so I thought I would share a little product review with you.



First, we have the EZ Combs. I found these to be great. I used these for the first time last Sunday. They were very easy to use. It was a quick way to get a beautiful look, and on a Sunday that is very important to me.

I don't think they are strong enough to last very long, but they were cheap enough to replace later. It came with two, one wooden and the other black. Here is Macy and Sadey showing off their new look. They were kind enough to be my models.

The only "problem" is that the packaging says that there is a free online styling video, but I've searched for it and cannot find it. (Quick side note: I did find out that there are many videos on youtube that show how to make lots of cute hairstyles. Being a mom of 6 girls, I was in heaven.)

Overall, I thought these were great. Give them a try and tell me what you think.

The next two products are:

So, maybe they are new to you, but this was an answer to prayer for us. We have had 5 other children that stayed confined to the indoors when told, but #6 is totally different (remember she is the one practicing for her future career as a sky diver). With a pool, even though it is fenced, I could not have her going outside at her choosing. These handle locks were so easy to install. I did not even need any tools. Maybe this will keep her in, I hope.

What new products have you found?

What has made your life a little easier?

Indoctrinating Kids

Lyrics: Songs About President Obama - Political News - FOXNews.com

Posted using ShareThis



Have you seen this? It seems like I am hearing more and more about American children being taught the wrong message in school. Sure I knew they were not opening the Bible in class each day, but I was naive enough to think that they were not being indoctrinated. Foolish me! I have said before how I used to pay little attention to the news and what Washington was doing, but that has all changed. Why? I realized things were going on around me that were going to rob my children and grandchildren from some of the freedoms that I hold so dear. I am now "awake" and listening. I am searching out truths in order to protect their future. Next, I am indoctrinating my children. You heard me right. I am indoctrinating them with The Doctrine. My goal is to fill them with so much truth, that they will be able to easily see a lie when it is presented. Not my truth, but His, our heavenly Father. I want them to make scripture their measuring tool. If the facts do not measure up to what scripture says, than it is not truth. I hope that a fire is being stirred up in the hearts of all believers to prepare our children to carry God's word to the next generation. Will there be a Daniel? Will there be a David Livingston? Will there be a Dwight L. Moody? The phrase that changed DL Moody's life was "The world has yet to see what God can do with one man wholly dedicated to Him." Wonder what God could do with six little girls? What could God do with a stay-at-home mom? Great and mighty things, I know for sure! At the end of Mr. Moody's life he said this, "I do not know anything America needs more today than men and women on fire with the Fire of Heaven. Not great men, but true, honest persons, God can use!" He spoke these word over 100 years ago, and how true they still are today. Want to know what will change the future? Our children will. Will we raise men and women on fire for God, or we will let others raise them to worship and praise mere men?

Coping

I just got back from a great lunch with my sisters. When Tiff called this morning and asked if I could meet, I told her I was going to make it happen. I love my sisters! We have so much fun together. We laugh so much, it is obnoxious. The three of us might be the biggest smarty pants in the world. As we share our hearts with each other, I am overwhelmed at how we feel the same pain and joy. Sure I have friends that I can nod my head with when they are telling me of their daily grind, but with my sisters it is different. I feel like, no I know, they can read what my heart is saying, not just what my mouth is saying. I can do the same with them. There is nothing fake between us. So as we sat at lunch today, Mandy said something that stuck with me. She said, "Are you coping, or hoping?" Even as I drove home, I thought more about that question. I have been just coping! I have been doing whatever it takes to get through the (long) days lately. Have I been obey Christ's direction? Yes. Have I been checking things off my to do list? Yes. But for about 3-4 days now something has been off. I was not Hoping. In today's society hope means wishing for or desiring but not very sure it will come to be. But, as Christians, the word Hope means a strong and confident expectation. Hope is the confident expectation that what God has promised in His word is true. He is my Hope, my real Hope! My eyes had not been on Him, but rather on whatever situation life was throwing at me. Wow, has my outlook changed since lunch. I have my sight set on Him, and my Hope has returned. So, for Thankful Thursday, I am so glad I had lunch with my sisters. I needed it. And I am thankful God uses them to call my attention back to Him.

Romans 8:24,25 "For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it."

My Perfect World

In a perfect world...

-I wouldn't have to tell my 2yr old to stop spitting on daddy's laptop.

-I would never have a cross or screaming kid in public.

-Laundry would fold itself instead of lying on the floor, mocking me, reminding me that one more job needs to be done.

-My third grader would work without daydreaming or talking. I would not have to remind her again to be diligent.

-All 12 little hands would pick up after themselves.

-The appliances in our house would never break causing more work for everyone.

-There would be more time with my hubby.

-I would get more sleep.

-I would not feel the Holy Spirit reminding me to be more patient.

-Homeschooling would be easy.

-Watching the news would not give me nightmares about my children's future.

-I would be a more creative writer instead of using this blog as therapy.

-My little ones would not be fighting right now (have to pause to make #4,and 5 let #6 in to the playroom).

-The before mentioned playroom would not have so many toys out that it looks like all the toy boxes thew up while no one was watching.

-My house, car, backyard, and garage would always be clean and orderly.

In a perfect world like this I would not call on my Savior each morning to help me with the day to come. I would not ask Him to help me know my children's hearts and how to train them to love Him and others. I would not thank Him when Scott and I get to steal a moment together. I would not have anything to do and would be miserably bored. So I think I'll let my perfect world look like this...

-God what do you want me to do today?

-How do you want me to train/teach?

-Thank you for all that I have to do today. Thank you for the messes that will keep me from being bored.

-Thank you for the Holy Spirit that strengthens me all day long.


What does your perfect world look like?

Foul Ball

Little Girl Tosses Back Foul Ball - Watch more Funny Videos

This is so adorable! The dad's loving reaction is priceless. I guess little girls can really get away with anything!

My Week

My week in a nutshell...



Monday - Home school outing. Had many pep talks with #4 before leaving the house in order to encourage good behavior. It worked, kind of. The outing went well, but lunch with dad after was asking to much. She and #'s 5 &6 had been quiet long enough. I feel like I should say sorry to those in the restaurant. Hopefully they have kids and where understanding. I tried my best, even to the point of letting #6 eat butter with her spoon. Butter is a food group, right? Just ask Paula Deen.



Tuesday - #6 wakes up cross. This had building for 2 days, so I figured it was an ear infection. I packed up the youngest three and headed to the drs. As I am sitting in the room waiting for the dr, the "jr dr" comes in to check little PJ. After telling him of all her symptoms, he precedes to tell me, w/o even looking at her ears, that it didn't sound like she was sick and I was overreacting. Why do some drs question moms? Our real pediatrician came in, examined her and found a double ear infection.



Wednesday - Out the door early to get older 2 to bible study. Came back home and started school with #3. I heard a noise in the kitchen, so went to check it out. I found PJ completely naked grabbing cereal out of the cereal box. To do this she had to first push a heavy chair over to reach the box. Nothing stands in her way. A couple hours later she was practicing for her future career as a sky diver. She jump from the top of the chair and hit the tile. She has a nice bump on her head. Now she has a headache and an earache.



This is only the first three days of this week. I'll leave out the everyday demands of cleaning, laundry, dishes, cooking, and bathing little ones. On weeks like this there is only one thing to do, focus on all the blessings around you. So here is my Thankful Thursday list:

1) I am thankful for God and how He hears me cry out during those demanding days. He is the source of my peace, and the One who puts a song in my heart.

2) My awesome hubby. I am thankful that he took the girls to the park the other night and gave me a whole hour of peace. He is so helpful, and always knows just when to step in. He is my best friend and I love every minute with him.

3) My girls and how helpful they are. I love my time with them. I enjoy talking with my older girls and just chilling with them on the couch. Those little ones keep me laughing. I can't even plan for what comes next with them.

4) My mother-in-law and my mom. They are so helpful to me. They sacrifice their own time, to help me accomplish daily activities. Their thoughtfulness can not be measured.

5) My other best friends...my mom and sisters. I love how close we are. I love how we laugh at each others jokes and finish each others stories. I wish we had more time together, but for now I'll take the brief phone calls and occasional lunches.

There is so much more I could say thank you for, but that's it for now. So no matter what the next few days bring, I'm ready for it. I hope you are having a good week, but if yours has been a little crazy like mine, take a minute and count your blessings. You'll find your smile again.

He's the One

I love the fall. When the cold weather sets in, I get so excited. It puts me in a romantic mood. Why? It was seventeen years ago, in the fall of 1992, that I met the man I had been praying for.

He is my whole world. When Scott has to go away, the girls and I know how to manage. I know how to hold down this fort, but it is like I'm doing it with less oxygen. That is the best way I can describe it. When he returns, our whole world is right again.

So how did it all begin? Scott and I met in the ninth grade. Neither of us remember that exact moment, but it wasn't long before we were best friends. We spent the next four years talking every night on the phone and spending our days together in class, never choosing to date. From the beginning if I missed one day of talking to him, the world seemed off. I'm not sure how I didn't see sooner that he's the one.

He is "the one"
.... that makes me laugh. No one is as funny as he is.
.... who I still love holding hands with.
.... with so much wisdom. God has given him girls, but nothing gets over on him.
.... that makes all my dreams come true. All my dreams revolve around us.

I can remember praying for "the one" when I was younger. I prayed for a David that would walk with the Lord. I prayed for a Daniel that would be obedient even if it meant facing giants. I prayed for a Noah that would follow any of God's requests. I prayed for a Paul that understood "the walk" in a deep way. He is all of these.

So when at the young age of 18 he asked me to marry him, I knew he was the one. It took about 5min after the wedding for us to have our first girl. I am pretty sure it was about 5 min between each of the other girls. Time has flown by and now we are coming up on our 14th anniversary.
Our marriage has been like climbing up a mountain. It's a hard climb, but the view is beautiful the whole time. I love this journey we are on. It can be hard sometimes and a blast other times, but it is never boring. I know I can go anywhere as long as he is right there with me.

He is the one forever!

Mom of Toddlers

Does your car smell like goldfish and is littered with scribble pictures from Sundays gone by?

Do you find small pairs of undies scattered throughout the house (they know how to get them off, but can't put them back on)? If you're like me, you have to do a panty and shoe check before leaving the house to make sure everyone has all they need.

Do you speak a language that others around you can not begin to understand, mostly because the words you are using to represent certain objects do not sound in any way like the correct word for that object (ex. in our house "bum" = blanket)?

Are small toys scattered throughout the house? Do you find yourself, even after cleaning before bed, always stepping on that one small (excruciating) toy as you stumble off to bed?

Can you change sheets in a dark room filled with 3-4 other children and never wake anyone up? possibly not even fully wake up yourself?

Does every black shirt you wear quickly get smeared with snot and every white shirt get smeared with food stains? No color is safe.

Do you open your purse to sign a check only to find that the only writing utensil you have is a broken crayon? (you know, the one lying next to the goldfish crumbs at the bottom of the purse)

Do you carry a small potty in the back of your car because you know they will need to go when there is not a potty in sight?

Can you get a onesie off and a child lifted on to toilet in 2.5 sec (because that is all the warning time you will get from them)?

Do you have these kinds of conversations?
me trying to teach animal sounds: "What does the pig say?"
Caymber: "Not by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin!"

Do you find yourself trying to capture on camera every little adorable thing that they do?

I am guilty of all the above and proud of it. I am the mom of toddlers. It can be challenging to my patience level, but the moments of joy and laughter far out number those challenging times.
They are just TOO cute! Don't believe me? Watch this....

GO SOONERS!!!

**Please take time on this day of remembrance to consider the cost of freedom. Please tune in to Fox News tomorrow and watch those who have gone to Washington on our behalf to stand up and say enough is enough. If you are in the Okc area, please join me and others on Sunday at 3pm on the steps of the capitol to make your voice heard.**

Catching Memories

.....Once upon a time...

...there were six young girls....

....whose mother was always busy...

....capturing their beautiful smiles.

...Their story is still being written...

...but we have a picture for every page.

Some people bake, some scrapbook, but I can't help but snap. With all my little subjects so willing, I enjoy snapping a shot wherever we are.

Happy Labor Day to all! Whatever you are doing on this holiday, grab your camera and catch a memory.