Confessions of a Crazy Cookie Mommy

Let me start by saying how proud I am of my children. If I had to survive what I put them through, I'd be in a straight jacket! They are so resilent and when I apologize, they look at me with their big brown eyes and say they forgive me AND they mean it!....they don't remember the occurance EVER again. I will confess after bragging on my oldest.

A couple of weeks ago the doorbell rang in the middle of the day "great a salesman" but it was raining so I felt like I should open the door. Low and behold it was Isaac's Principal!!! from his school!!! The first thought was "oh great, his injury is so severe it had to be a personal visit" BUT in fact he wanted to tell me that Isaac was selected as a "CHARACTER STAR" which means he was nominated from his teacher as having high moral character and was chosen. The principal put a big red sign in our yard! I was speechless and so proud!


But that same "character star" can push my buttons. The other night while Marty was at church I was getting the kids ready for bed. I had battled with Rhea an hour (no exaggeration) about taking out her earrings and cleaning them and putting them back. I screamed, coaxed, loved on, talked to, prayed with, then finally resorted to BRIBERY! It worked. It was bedtime and I owed her 2 cookies.

Well, whan Isaac heard of this he was adament about getting his share (although he already had one earlier). I said "no" it's time for bed. And after a dozen "I WANT ANOTHER COOKIE" in a high pitched whiney voice, I snapped. "FINE! HAVE ANOTHER COOKIE" and I threw it across the kitchen skimming the top of his head, then hitting the wall and busting into a million peices.

Time stood still. I felt like I'd been possessed! How could I do such a thing. Isaac got giant tears and covered his face. He is scarred for life! I must've looked like a monster. I ran to him and held him..honey, I'm sorry. He picked up a piece of the cookie (not worried at all about the state of his mother) and through big tears said...."Mom, you broke my COOKIE!"

What character! The saddest thing about it is that the scenerio above (although not so extreme) is somewhat normal for my kids! I confess! Forgive Me Lord and help my kids be Character stars all their lives....in spite of their CRAZY mother!

Keeping In Touch

I literally have friends all over the world. Friends that strengthen me, encourage me, sharpen me, and plain convict me. The thread that sews us together is not motherhood, wifehood, region we live...but simply our love for Christ! My frustration is that I don't keep in touch very well with the ones that press me the hardest! My sister and brother-in-law have been in the states for a couple of months now and I've seen them be "reconnected" with those that push and encourage them. I caught the fever as well and visited some of my bestest friends: Blake and Ally. (after not seeing them really since my wedding!)

Blake and Ally have been in full time ministry for over 11 years now. They have four BEAUTIFUL (inside and out) Girls--and their love for Christ is plain contagious. We were only with them one hour and I was convicted, encouraged and inspired to be more like Christ! It also inspired me to keep in touch better. I have friends EVERY where---but that's no excuse. If I know I'll be more like Jesus after talking with them---I'm making the call. SO those out there (you know who I'm talking about) be expecting a call!



Thanks for being my friends!

Blessings!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! We celebrated the in coming of 2008 with My sister, brother in law, Mom and dad! SO fun!


Heidi and Tammy feeling like kids!

New Year's Day Six Flags Trip! Super fun. Tammy rode the titan and Superman for the first time. She said ONCE is enough!

People do think we are twins. We wore matching outfits (not on purpose) to the mall and at least half a dozen people asked us if we were twins!

My sister and bro-in-law have been at my house for the last two weeks. They are missionaries in Ukraine and are on 'home assignment' until February. I was blessed to have them in my home SOLID for 2 whole weeks. What a giant blessing. We played, laughed, shopped, laughed some more, encouraged one another, played some more, stayed up late, and just was together. Most of you know how close my sister and I am. It is very hard to be separated by so many miles, but the truth is, nothing can separate the bond we have. It was soooo fun for my kids to reconnect with their aunt and uncle. They LOVE LOVE LOVE them! Uncle Matt played basketball with them constantly and tickled and played with the girls non stop. How refreshing it was.
I was trying to upload more photos, but I guess I hit my limit! Just wanted to share my blessings! Love you Matt and Tammy, Mom and Dad!!

Happy Birthday Jesus

Yes, we got a LOT of presents...I mean A LOT! It is our love language at our house: Gift Giving, and this season you can tell! It's a bitter sweet event. We spend months and days trying to find that perfect (at the right price) gift item for that special someone so that you can get a smile or a twinkle, or a "that's JUST what I wanted" It's heartbreaking when that special person rips open your gift you painstakingly labored over and looks at it with no glorious response...or worse yet, if they toss to it to the side to grab the next package. I can't help but think of my Savior. Our Loving Heavenly Father painstakingly wraps blessings up for us each and every day. He watches with excitement to see our faces as we open each blessing, He can't wait to hear "THANKS! You thought of Me! I love it!" The saddening truth is that we too toss our gift to the side not even acknowledging the gift giver. It bums me out for one morning---imagine hearing no thank you's for eternity! He wrapped that sunrise up just for you, He packaged that sweet babie's kiss, he orchastrated that peaceful moment of joy--he wants us to be blessed. Did we thank him? This is all for me---I'm the worlds worst of tossing a blessing aside impatiently waiting for the next one.

Over 2000 yrs. ago, he wrapped his most precious prize up for the world. Imagine his demise when we carelessly tossed His one and only begotten son aside. Father forgive us. Thank you for each amazing gift. We are so blessed ONLY because of you. Happy birthday Jesus. Thanks for giving.

Doubley Thankful

Remember that doublemint commercial--everything is better in two! Well take a look at Abby---she definitely has that concept!
We had a wonderful time over Thanksgiving. We traveled to my mom and dad's in Yukon, OK. We went early and had a chance to visit and relax. We spent actual Thanksgiving day at my Grandparents. They'll be 80 next year and act like 20 year olds! They are definitely my inspiration and I want to be like them when I grow up. I am so blessed and have sooooo much to be thankful for! Praise be to the blessing Giver! It's only through Him I have ANYTHING! Here are a couple of photos of my blessings!

Isaac is an army guy!

Rhea is aaa well, your guess is as good as mine. Princess street walker?

And my little puppy who wouldn't wear her costume the right way! That's Abby for you!
REALLLL SPPOOOOKKKKYYY
Here are my pictures from Halloween! Sorry it took so long. I didn't get a picture of Marty. He was so scary looking. He has been looking forward to Halloween ever since we "moved to the city" He thought, just because we live in town, we'd get trick or treaters. He had the entire yard decked out with strobe light, scary things, spider webs The works! But, we still live on 3 acres! And even though he bought 4 JUMBO bags of candy we didn't have ONE trick or treater :( The kids and I went to the big Church Carnival in town....too many people, but the kids loved it!

A Little Camping?

We were suppose to go camping this weekend, BUT because we had a "coughing" kid and Mazillion things to do, we decided to build a campfire in our backyard and rough it outside for a few hours. We LAUGHED so hard at the kids. They played a hide and seek game where one kid hides then everyone looks for him. When you find him you are suppose to hide with him until one person is left trying to find them. It was SOOO funny! Also, we really enjoyed our smores...as you can see Jennifer had the stickiest fingers. She didn't read smores 101 where you are not aloud to touch the actual marshmallow with your fingers...only the graham crackers make contact. Abby was in the house asleep, and Rhea (as you can see) snuggled up instead of play games. What blessings we have! And sooo much better being able to run in the house and use the potty, or wash your hands or change your shirt. We tried to get Isaac and Joseph to sleep outside in the tent...but they opted for the playroom instead. Maybe next year :)!!! Here are some pics!