Aren't Three Year Olds Great?

I wasn't sure what to title this post.

Title #1: What to do with a three year old, who has lots of energy, and can't go outside because it is too cold.

Title #2: Homeschooling Dance Class

or...

maybe the real title should be...

Title #3: how to entertain your little ones while you clean house. I crank up the music and let them jam while I get floors mopped and finger prints off windows (for at least two seconds).

Then I came around the corner and saw this and had to capture it. Which leads me to the last title possibility...

Title #4: The next Taylor Swift? (and her backup dancers)

But, I settled on the title above because that is what it all comes down to. Three year olds are great!

Pretty Pink Boots

These adorable pink boots have been with us since the beginning.

Each girl has had her turn to walk through life in these. But daughter #6 has loved them the most. She doesn't see the scuffs. She doesn't even care if they match her outfit. She wears them each day as if they were bought specifically for her. Occasionally, she even sleeps in them. Now that is love.

I once read that the meaning of contentment is: Realizing that God has provided everything I need for my present happiness.

If we were all as content as little Piper is, we would revel in all that God has given us...even the hand-me-downs.

That's Why God Made M & M's

Because of this post:http://firsttime9months.blogspot.com/

Which led me to this post: http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeschooling/2010/02/how-dominos-pizza-saved-my-marriage/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+pioneerwoman-full-rss-feed+%28Pioneer+Woman+FULL+RSS+FEED%29 Wow that link is long!

Which caused me to laugh out loud and almost pee my pants.

I had to follow up on these two posts by telling how I survive.

"Survive?" You ask. "Survive what?"

Those days when I have to constantly remind my older girls that the definition of homeschooling is not "mom sits beside me and does every question with me." I spend 50% of the time teaching them subjects ranging from math to science and 50% of the time teaching them to be diligent w/o someone watching over their shoulder.

Then there is the hourly tearful break down of my little ones. To bad God didn't make sharing as natural to them as breathing ( or as natural as screaming comes to them).

There is the laundry marathons that happen several times a month. They come after days of being to swamped to even walk into the laundry room. So, then comes the catch up. Trying to get it all done in one day or we'll be naked.

Last week was so rough, I told my sister that I had thought about quitting my job. She said the problem was that I work with a whole bunch of immature people:)


So why homeschool? It is like anything else in life. It is hard! Like the other post talked about, if you see someone who you think has it all together, think again. Life is hard no matter what your daily grind is. But.....

THAT IS WHY GOD MADE M & M'S

Think about it.

M & M's make life nicer. Your child will do whatever you want them to do if you promise an M &M. These tiny candies are small enough that eating five or ten of them won't make you feel guilty. They are so special that people sprinkle them on other deserts like cakes or ice cream.

Life is not going to get any easier. No matter how many kids you have. No matter if your kids are grown and gone. No matter if you homeschool or not. But just like Mary Poppins said, "A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down." So sit down with a handful of M & M's and realize that everyone is roughing it. Everyone is running the race. Don't believe the lie that others are handling this crazy life better than you. When you feel yourself being fooled into looking at others, STOP, and look at your own life. Pray that you can see it the way God sees it. START counting your blessing, those things all around you that make your life beautiful and precious. I can count six blessings off the top of my head. How about you?

Wish The Stayed This Small

I wish they could stay this little forever. Small enough to sit in the sink. Obsessed with chap stick. Absolutely adorable after a bath and a good smothering of lotion.

Who can say "No" to this face?

"Look Mom, make up!" The smell of baby lotion mixed with the to-sweet smell of lip gloss must be getting to my head because I would give her anything at this moment.

"Don't I look cute?" She knows when to stop. Never overdoing it.

"One more sweet pose for the camera. Then I'll go back to acting like a two year old is supposed to act."

"Well, maybe just a little more wouldn't hurt. Mom says I'll look like Tammy Faye, but I don't even know who that is."

They are growing up so fast. Pretty soon it will be real make up, she won't need me to help bathe her, and she'll be making fun of me for being old enough to know who Tammy Faye is. But, for now I am cherishing it all.

Story of True Love

You want to be encouraged?

You want to see how big God is?

Want to hear a story of true love?

Please go read this story.

http://enjoyingthesmallthings.blogspot.com/2010/01/nella-cordelia-birth-story.html?spref=fb

I want to be a better mom after reading this.

I'm I that strong.

How can one little baby's story make us all want to be better?

I hope you will be "more" after reading this.

Another Must See

This site is another must see.

This is the most amazing photographer in Oklahoma.

Go check out her new site!

http://tiffanymgardnerphotography.blogspot.com/

Boomerang Syndrome

She's got IT!

My two year old has Boomerang Syndrome.

Everyone of my girls has contracted this around the age of 2.

How do you know if your child has this? Well, you put them to bed, and then they return to you. Again, you put them to bed, and they return back to you. This could go on for hours.

What are the signs to watch for? If you see a grumpy mom with her eyes half open, or a two year old who is cross and flopping on the floor in exhaustion, they probably have this.

Not sure if it is contagious. I have not seen any of my older children catch this from my younger ones. They usually just show the same symptoms of grumpiness that I do. It is still up for debate on whether or not she could have caught this from someone in the church nursery:)

Cure? A dose of patients, mixed in with consistency, but mostly it just takes time.

Got to go now. To tired to type. Hope my little one gets over this fast.

Mom Talk

Last night our church held a session called Mom Talk. It was a time for moms in different stages to come together and encourage each other. This was my first time to attend one of these session, and boy did I need it. After days of snow and being trapped in with kiddos, I needed some mom time. The leader of our group asked us different questions and we would share our own experiences with each other. Here are some of the questions that were asked:

What is the greatest advice you ever received as a mother?

I shared that the best advice I ever got came from my mom. She once said to me, "Is this a ditch you want to die in?" I am a black and white person most of the time. This reminds me that somethings are gray, and I have to decide to pick my battle with my kids.
One of the other ladies shared her greatest advice was, "Whatever you stay up late to do, and whatever you'll loose sleep over is what is most important to you. So what is most important to you?" This grabbed my attention. Bed time has been such a struggle lately, not because of the kids, but because of my attitude. I confess, I just want to hurry up and get it over with. I want to get downstairs, sit down with my honey, and relax watching tv. But, this advice reminded me to grab hold of those selfish thoughts and slow down and enjoy this time because it will not last forever. I am showing my girls, with my attitude, that they are not as important to me as my relaxation time is. I am purposing to slow down and go back to ending their days with mommy's love, not my impatience.

What do you do to unwind?

I touched on what I do to unwind above. I cherish my time with Scott at night after everyone else has gone to bed. This is my time with my best friend. I love telling the girls that he is my best friend. We also have one hour a day where each of the girls go to a different room for reading time. Even my little ones who cannot read yet spend time looking at the pictures so that mommy can have some quiet time to recharge.

Where do you find your gratification?

Outside of the Lord of course, I get my encouragement from Scott. I soak it up when he comments on even the littlest things. I am so praise oriented that I can live on a compliment for three days.

What is your greatest desire for your kids?

Salvation first. Then I greatly desire for them to have a deep relationship with the Lord. I want Him to be so real to them. I want them to know Him, and love Him, and share Him with all those around them. They are growing up in a harder world then we even did, so they need to hold fast to Him.


This was a great time sharing our hearts as mothers. Moms should encourage each other more. Some times as moms we feel like if our kids fail, than we have failed. Some of my failures in life have brought me closer to God. I want them to stand strong, but when they fall I want them to land in His hands.

So, who are you encouraging? Are you looking for those around you that are a few steps behind you in life that you could encourage?

How would you answer the questions above? Any great advice for this mom? I want to glean from all those around me. I am not a perfect mom. I am constantly changing as God changes me and as He changes them.

I don't know all my readers, but I am praying for you. I am praying that you are encouraged and that you will encourage others.