One Proud Mama

This is Ann dressed up for Hollywood Day at her school.

Early this evening, Tony and I headed over to Ann's school for our first parent-teacher conference. We both enjoyed learning more about what is in store this year for our favorite kindergartner.

Her teacher had so many great things to say about her progress. We were so very proud of her! In fact, the only thing she really needs to work on is not being such a perfectionist. (Noooo idea where she gets that. Ahem.)

Ann also recently wrapped up an excellent first soccer season. She had so much fun. Well, except for the getting kicked part. I can't say I blame her. A pack of four and five-year-old girls running around a field can be a bit scary. Some of them are rather high kickers. I wouldn't want to be kicked in the stomach, so I couldn't blame Ann for being a bit shy of the pack. I'm guessing in a year or two, that will wear off and she'll be right there in the midst of the action. She still loved soccer and we enjoyed watching the games.

In addition to soccer, Ann has been taking dance lessons. I love to see her twirl and leap around the house. I makes me smile. Her dance moves have also taken on a bit of an edge that makes me chuckle. I have to be careful not to laugh at her though, because I don't want to discourage her from her fun. Of course, sometimes, I join in with her. Fortunately she's still too young to realize that I'm a bit uncoordinated.

Now that I'm writing this all out, I realize Ann is a busy little girl. She's been doing Daisy Scouts and loving every minute. Most recently, they had a police officer come and explain safety tips to the girls. Ann soaked it all up. I'm just waiting for her to remind me to look both ways and not to talk to strangers!

This year is the first year we've participated in church on Wednesday nights. I'm teaching the first graders while Ann gets to attend the Kindergarten class. Sometimes the younger two go to the preschool class. They all love it. I'm so grateful for a church that we all like so much. We are blessed!

Tonight, while looking for some photos for Tony, I came across some old pictures of Ann. For a moment, my heart hurt a bit knowing that I'll never see her sweet baby face or her three-year-old self smiling at me. However, as I came upstairs and watched her with her brother and sister, I realized that I wouldn't' have her any other way. I'm so proud of the person she is becoming and I thank God for the honor of being her mama.

Ann, your daddy and I are so very proud of you. Keep up the good work and never forget who loves you most! Know He'll always be there for you while your daddy and I will do our best. We love you!

Sometimes...

Someone else is behind the camera and I actually get a picture of me with my hubby!

That someone, (not sure who it was) snapped this picture of us while we were all in Colorado. So fun!

Wow, I Love Being a Mom!

My friends who know me well, know that the past year hasn't been my easiest at being a mama to my sweet little ones. Overwhelmed would be a good way to describe it. I still wouldn't trade my job, but I won't lie and say it's been very easy this past year.

Such a positive way to start a post, right?

Well, the past few months have been much better and though we still have rough days, they are certainly much smoother than they were last year. I'd like to give our awesome parenting credit, but I'm pretty sure it's only God and the fact that He's allowed our kiddos to get older and mature! (Well, maybe a little bit is due to our parenting, ha, ha.)

Anyways, these past couple of nights, I've found myself thinking more than once that I feel incredibly blessed with this life of mine. How could I not when my night ended like this...

Little Jane was taking sweet forever to get to bed. I'd been patient, but as it was quickly approaching nine o'clock, I was also getting frustrated.

As I took her potty again, she said, "Mommy loves me, Daddy loves me..." She continued by naming her brother and sister. I asked her who loved her most of all and she replied, "Jesus and God loves me." Then, completely unsolicited, she said, "God makes me so happy!"

I'm pretty sure there aren't many better ways to end a long day then hearing your sweet toddler exclaim those words.

Me too, Baby Girl, me too.

Enjoying the Moment

Tonight was one of those nights when I really just wanted them to go to bed already. I gave my children baths in record time and even brushed one kiddo's teeth while she was on the potty. (Yeah.)

However, by God's grace I was finally able to take a deep breath and slow down and enjoy them rather than endure them.

I was able to suppress a smile when my little man told me, "I love you two plus." He then went on to say that, "Daddy said two plus isn't a real number, but it is. It really is."

And because I knew that he thought "two plus" was the largest number ever, I said, "I love you two plus too." (Get it? He didn't, but he felt loved and that's what mattered!)

As I walked into my oldest daughter's room, she announced she had some songs to sing to me. So, I sat and I soaked in all her five-year-old cuteness. Her smile is precious with one front tooth missing and one slightly crooked because it's loose. She sang a song about coins and one about days of the week. (Those kindergarten teachers sure are clever!) I gave her one last hug and headed out.

However, as precious as those moments were, I still sighed a big sigh of relief when I realized my two year old had stayed in her room and presumably fallen asleep!

Yes, I'm grateful for the grace to enjoy the moments tonight, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I wasn't equally grateful for the peace and quiet the evening brings!

Good night!

Wednesday's Schedule According to Ann

We have a dry erase board that from time to time I use to write out our day's schedule. I've noticed that my children do better when they know what to expect. This has been especially helpful on days when we have several different things planned!

Tonight, while we went about our usual evening routine (whatever that is), Ann asked if she could write on the board. I told her she could and later tonight, this is what I found:

Wisd

Sgl Ann

Sgl Chris

Jane Sad

Lizz

Her phonetic spelling makes me smile! I'm pretty sure I'm translating it right like this...

Wednesday

School Ann

School Chris

Jane Sad (Because she doesn't go to school)

Lizz (Apparently Ann doesn't know exactly how I'll spend my day!)

That girl never stops amazing me with the new things she learns. It tickles me to see her walk around so often with a notebook and pen. I have a feeling I did the same thing when I was her age.

Kindergartners are such fun!

A Way of Escape

So, I might as well admit it, sometimes during Bible Study I'm making my grocery list or my to-do list. I know I shouldn't, but somedays I have a hard time focusing. Shocking, right?

Today was NOT one of those days.

I focused the entire time and only stopped to jot down prayer requests that were either shared or that popped into my head. (Whoa, sounds a little self-righteous!)

Anyways, the study was about sin. Near the end of the session, the speaker, via video, reminded us of I Corinthians 10:13. "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it." (HCSB)

I zeroed in on that verse and knew God had something for me there. Then, it hit me.

I haven't been getting much sleep lately thanks to two of my little ones. Needless to say, my patience is wearing thin. This is especially the case when I'm putting the children to bed and my husband isn't able to be here to help. They aren't mellow kiddos. It isn't unusual for them to be going strong right up until they get into bed and crash. I'm not exactly the same way. I'd like to have an hour or so of calmer activity at our house before bed, but that doesn't happen without lots and lots of nagging on my part.

So, unfortunately, it happens more often than I'd care to publicly admit, that I snap at my children before they head to bed. I'm unkind. To sum it up, I'm sinful. Sure, it isn't that I totally lose it, but a few short words here and there add up. Last night, I'd barely uttered something like, "I don't want to be your mom right now!" when I was convicted and felt horrible.

After tucking everyone into bed, I felt defeated. How on earth was I going to have more patience with these children when their behavior so often tempted me to lash out with my tongue.

That Bible verse reminded me today that there is NO way on earth that I'm going to have more patience, but there is a way in heaven and He has promised a way of escape.

The other thing that caught my eye and worked it's way into my heart was that He promised to provide a way of escape in order to bear it, not to get away from it all! It doesn't mean that night time will go exactly as I plan with a few stories, a little devotion, hugs and kisses and lights out. No, there will still be children who need water and to go potty, etc., etc.

However, my God will provide me with a way to keep from sinning even when I'm about to lose it. He's promised me that and I'm holding Him to it!

Of course, I already had once chance as we left Bible study and two of my children started yelling in the car. In my head, I repeated over and over, "He'll give me a way of escape, He'll give me a way of escape." Lo and behold, He did and the incident passed.

Being impatient with my family NEVER helps the situation. Sure, I know I'll mess up plenty of more times, but today I'm choosing to be thankful that He has promised never to fail me, even when I fail miserably.

He is so good and I'm so grateful!

What does Usted rhyme with?

According to my kindergartner, it rhymes with "you're dead."

A lesser known fact about me is that I was a Spanish minor in college. I figure that almost guarantees that my Spanish will be a bit better than my kiddos' Spanish, at least through their elementary years. (I hope!)

So, when Ann came home this afternoon sharing what she'd learned in Spanish class, I was happy to help her remember what the words meant.

"Hola Maestra," she said.

"Hello, Teacher," I translated. Ann then told me her teacher says, "Hola clase." (Pretty sure you don't need a translation on that one.)

The part that made me chuckle was when she kept repeating, "Usted, usted, usted."

I told her that is the formal usage of "you." She looked at me like I was crazy. I assured her that it was indeed what it meant. Tony backed me up.

Very seriously, she looked at me and said that it meant, "You're dead." I had to suppress a laugh! Apparently she's caught on that several words sound similar in Spanish and in English. Therefore, she is acting as her own translator.

Which I suppose should have me wondering why she'd want to be running around saying, "You're dead!"

Hmmm, those kiddos of mine sure keep me laughing and thinking!