Still learning

I'm so glad that we don't know everything by the time we graduate high school, even though most of us think we know do at that age. Life would be boring if there was nothing else to learn. Just a few of the many things I have learned as an adult.
- Pumping gas for your own car is not as much fun as it was when learning how on moms car
- Sleep is very important and uninterrupted sleep is a luxury to be cherished.
- Things in this world are so temporary, its pointless and sad to chase after them and make it your life goal.
-Word choice and tone can be everything
-Parents really do have super hero hearing and knowing abilities
-Schedules are meant to be kept, not broken. This makes life so much more pleasant.
-Diaper changing is not the scariest thing about becoming a parent.
-Our kids teach us just as much, if not more, than we teach them.
-You are your kids favorite toy!
-True love is not at all like what the world advertises, and I'm so glad its not.
-The experiences you have (good and bad) can be so much more than a memory, they can be an encouragement and outreach tool to other.
Something I often think about and can't make much since out of; the world is so concerned about Christians offending other religions or ways of thinking, but very few people care about offending Christians, more importantly Christ. Satan is so powerful.

Party like a 4 year old.... with Dora

So I'm a little late posting these, but everyone but daddy has had the flu this week, so better late than never, right? Amara had a wonderful birthday, and is very proud to be 4 now. For the first three days for being a 4 yr. old she proudly announced it to everyone she saw, "I'm 4!" On the fifth day of this new adventure she asks me "Mommy am I still four?" I'm thinking stop trying to grow up so fast! It's only been 5 day, can we just enjoy being 4! When I told her that she was going to be 4 years old for another 360 days, she throws her hands up in the air, "O man that's gonna take me forever!" (If that the same kind of "its gonna take me forever" that she says when cleaning up her room, it could be true.) Here are a few pictures of the happy day! :)

is she your life?

Our oldest two are at a stage right now were they want to know how everyone is related and what the special names are for those people. We have Nannie and Papa, great grandparents; then there's Mimi and Popi, one set of grandparents; Grandpa Joe and Grandma Kim, also grandparents, and then there is an aunt who is my sister, and uncles that may be a brother, and aunts that are aunts to them, but not blood related (but equally loved). They have lots of sisters and a mommy and daddy but who is Shayne, and who is "honey" and why does mommy call Popi, "Daddy"? (Confused yet- they are.)
It is becoming common practice to go through the family while at the table for a meal. Addy starts it off this time, "Mommy what the letter of your name are?" I reply.
Amara, "Sage is my uncle and your brother."
I correct "He is daddy's brother, I only have a sister, Aunt Annie is my sister."
"Caleb is your daddy?" they ask.
" No Uncle Caleb is Jaels daddy and Annie's husband?"
"Oh.. ok" and they continue eating. Soon Amara looks up to her daddy and asks as sincerely as possible and with a little pride because she knows she has this one right, "Daddy, is Mommy your life?" Meaning to say wife of course.
And yes he did say what any great husband, not just the ones in those mushy totally unrealistic chick movies, should say. "Yes, honey Mommy is my life, and my wife."
I'm so blessed! Its nice to be reminded that at the end of the day that had been filled with dirty diapers, cleaning, wiping noses, folding clothes, and playing on the floor you are appreciated and are someones "life". Of course with 4 kids 4 and under I guess I could say that there are 5 people who would agree with that statement. ;) I do give my life for them everyday, how richly blessed am I to hold such a position! I have the best job ever- I'll take this to the bank and cash it!!

new freedoms

The twins are learning that with new freedoms come new adventure, but also responsibilities. Up until today they had been keeping them on the main floor of the house, which has not been an easy task these last two or so months. They would crawl under the chairs to get upstairs so we put something underneath it, then started climbing on top of the chairs, so we would configure another arrangement with objects under and on top of the chair that would allow the older once access to me but keep the little one down. It has been quite a ridiculous display of gates, chairs, and boxes but effective (of the most part) although I managed to brake at least one toe trying to hop over the home aid contraption. They have had the art of climbing up mastered for quite some time but were unable to get back down. Karis would sit and at least try to learn, but Kaelyn didn't want much to do with it, she would reach for the handle , thinking she could walk down like the rest of us, and then become frustrated and whine until someone would pick her up and carry her down the stairs. (Its funny how even in them being twins that the birth order rule is still holding true. Karis, the oldest by a whopping 75 seconds, is very much the leader and more adventurous one. While Kaelyn, the baby, is happy for the most part to be pampered and carried.)
They have both been much stronger and confident on the stairs so I decided today when I was dismantling the gate system to vacuum that I would try an experiment and see how they would do with the new freedom. At first they were both pretty unsure, looking at me like you know you forgot to reconstruct the barrier. But it didn't take long after I gave the look of approval that they both scurried up the stairs and began "running" from room to room, pausing every now and again in the hall where I was at the top of the stairs as if to make sure I hadn't come to my senses yet and realized what I was letting them do. It was bliss! Karis would coming walking out of the older girls bedroom with a token and her chest puffed out and the biggest grin ever. Then not far behind there would come Kaelyn peeking around the door giving a come and get me look as she squealed.
After a few more practices on the stairs I continued with my cleaning list and let them play. It was now their responsibility to know where the stairs began and to sit and come down the correct way, with mom close by and watching theem faithfully from a distance of couse. Karis would go up and be back in a few minutes with another treasure she had found from the playroom. Kaelyn would come out with a ball and toss it down the stairs and giggle then run back to find another one. Towards lunch time I looked to the stairs while dusting to find them coming down side- by- side in all their glory saying "WEEEE" with each step they slid to. I was really wishing the camera would have cooperated I tried servile time to capture it, o well.
I began think how this is so true to my Christan life. When I walk with God and sit and study with Him, I learn how to act appropriately in the situation that I am facing. And when I have learned what is need for that time God allows me to have new experiences that help me grow and shape me into a maturing person. Sometime I may not want to get out of my comfort zone, but once it happens I am able to see all the new and wonderful experiences I would have missed, all the joy that I couldn't experience from were I was before.
Thank you God for not letting me be satisfied in all situation and allowing me to find the joy that comes when you step out. So thankful for a patient and understand Dad, please keep pushing!