Our Four Blessings

Can You Decipher?

David — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 02:43:52 +0000

B4 “accidentally” caught this on video this morning. She picked up Casey’s phone and wanted to take a picture like she does so often. Casey and I were in the kitchen and she said something. We know exactly what she is saying. However, we wanted to give everyone a chance.

Can you tell what she is saying?

Well Worth It

David — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:17:21 +0000

I guess winter has come and gone for the year. We saw snow Sunday and Monday and by Thursday I think it’s going to be 70. Projects at work have been building up but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. I at least like to get one good snow playing day in for the year. We got close to 2″ and it was going to melt fast.

I woke up early Monday morning hoping we would at least get a delay. I checked my e-mail and there was an e-mail, but it said we were going to be on regular schedule. I went ahead and e-mailed them to tell them I would be in at 10. We are going to get out in that snow before it melts! I slipped back in bed though.

A little while later I heard feet sneaking up the stairs to our room. I shot up out of bed, ok as fast as I shoot that early in the morning, at was ready when B1 opened the door. Before he could get a word out I told him he better run and get his snow stuff on so we could go outside. I hurried and put mine on and went to get B4 out of her bed. She first told me she didn’t like snow. Then she did. I didn’t listen I just got her stuff on as fast as I could.

We finally made it outside and B3 had already gone in because of the cold. This was before he got the two layers of socks for gloves. Sidenote, I thought I found him a nice pair of gloves to begin with, but it was two left hands. That was just strange. I wasted no time and got B4 on a sled. She loved it! Then comes the moment that made it all worth it.

I got on the back of the sled, she was on the front and we took off down the hill.

“I sledding wit my dadeeeeeeeee!” She said it loud and proud with a smile from ear to ear. I’ll never forget and it still warms my heart.

Bunnies, Babies, and Snow

Casey — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 04:13:21 +0000

In our great state of NC we don’t get too much snow in any given winter. It’s pretty common though for us to get a couple of small snows a year. But this year, we’ve had nothing, nada, zero in the snow gauge. There hasn’t even been a chance of it for that matter. I haven’t even bothered checking to see if all 4 of the bigger B’s had snow appropriate wear. But, this Sunday night it finally happened. Yes, we got some snow. A very small amount of snow. But in the true spirit of childhood my kids would not let even the smallest snow go by without donning the snow gear, or lack thereof resulting in socks on hands, and pulling out the sleds.

Lucky for us, it doesn’t take much snow in these parts to be able to sled down the hill.

Don’t you just hate it when that happens.

Look I found a snow bunny.

Her big brother made her a snow baby.

But, the best thing of the day was the….

littlest snowman ever. Do you see it?

Mid-Week Mind Dump

Casey — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 03:22:57 +0000

Does Thursday still count as mid-week? Oh well here goes anyway.

-I may have mentioned a while back that I was considering some reorganization of our school room. We’ve always done school at one large table together but I’d recently considered giving everyone separate work spaces since we would soon be adding B3 to our school time. Last Saturday we found out that someone in our home school group was trying to get rid of some school desks. Long story short we ended up getting two school desks just perfect for B1 and B2 for FREE! B3 and B4 already had desks to fit them and we were able to cut our large table down to a size that is perfect for me to put my books on. I was very excited to be able to do all of this at no cost. That is truly an answered prayer!

- At this moment B2, B3, B5, David, and I are all in our bedroom together. B2 is typing, David is working from home, B3 is playing with army men, B5 is sleeping in his bed, and I am blogging (B1 is out on a birthday lunch with my parents and B4 is sleeping in her room). It’s actually very quiet. I love these times of being able to be close as a family even though we are all doing our own things.

- We had a three day revival this week at church that was a real blessing.

-The kids and I attended an interesting “concert” this week. It was a band from a rest home, they played homemade instruments. The average age of the members was 82 and they had five people that were in their 90′s. It was inspiring to say the least. The sweetest story was one of a lady who played the clarinet. Her husband (a woodworker) had made her clarinet for her. As the leader was telling her story she beamed with pride, it was obvious that she holds it close to her heart.

- B1 had a great birthday. Did I mention that he was still celebrating it?

- I’m feeling like it’s about time to get started reading a new book, anyone have any suggestions?

-Sounds like my time is about up today, everyone have a great end to your week! But first, you remember that show Baywatch?

Mission Statement

David — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 05:06:44 +0000

Today in a meeting someone recited their departmental mission statement. It was interesting on a number of levels. Firstly, I don’t think I have ever heard anyone tell me their department’s mission statement. Secondly, the mission didn’t have anything to do with what their department actually does. Are they striving toward something or completely off?

A number of years ago, in a previous job, I was part of a team who created a mission statement for our company. It was a long process and the end product was probably the longest statement known to man.

I have read in the past of family mission statements. This statement serves as a guide for the family. All activities, events or other miscellaneous things are looked at through the eyes of the family mission. Does it meet the criteria to uphold the mission?

We have thought about creating one for our family in the past. Do you or your family have one? Would you mind sharing? Family meeting time. It might be a fun process to see what the kids would come up with. I think we will take input and pray over it though.

Dear B1, On Your 10th Birthday

Casey — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:26:20 +0000

Well here we are again, another year gone by. I know to you these years seem to drag by but that’s not the case for me. It doesn’t seem like you should be hitting double digit birthdays yet. You were born on Valentines, a day of love and boy do I love you! I’ve seen a lot of growth in you the last year. That doesn’t mean that you still don’t act like a kid sometimes because you do and it’s nice to see those times too. You still giggle when I say goofy things, you’re not too old for that yet. You’re still there to give hugs and tell us that you love us, I pray that never changes. But I can definitely see that your maturing and truly becoming an essential help to our family. You’re handsome, like your daddy, and you’re a thinker. Last week you drank creek water. Sorry I had to throw that in, possibly you could have put a little more thought into that one. Maybe the mother-like thing to say would be “it’s hard to see you growing so fast”, but I’m loving watching you grow into a young man. It’s a blessing to be able to parent you. Keep growing son, keep learning, keep following Jesus, and keep loving. But please, don’t drink anymore creek water.

Love,

Mom

Think On These Things

David — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:56:24 +0000

Our greatest fear should not be failure, but succeeding at things that don’t matter.

A Good Read

Casey — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:54:53 +0000

Just a quick note today. I’m a bit busy with one certain little guy today and don’t have much time to write.

Yep, this guy. Anyway, I came across this article a couple of weeks ago and just loved it. I thought it would be a good read for anyone but especially mothers.

Click here for the link.

Have a great week!

When men were men

David — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:35:46 +0000

I’m just going to leave this here, it is a short read. I’m not going to go into a commentary on masculinity in today’s society. I came across this article earlier in the week and had to read it a couple of times because I had never heard of this and it is just a little unbelievable.

We had former President Bush Sr. at work a few years back and I was interviewed by a Secret Service Agent prior to his visit. We see our presidents surrounded by security and security for his security today. That’s what made this story about the first ever assassination attempt on a president so far fetched.

To tease it further, the story involves presidential beatings, guns and Davy Crockett. This may not intrigue you but I know a few boys in my household who hung on my every word while telling it.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0108/8184.html

Quiet Moments

Casey — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:40:56 +0000

It’s those quiet moments in the day that I pray, and praise.

When I’m holding my little one close so close that I hear his every breath, when all is quiet that’s when He revels Himself. Yes, life is busy and those moments, sadly, may not come everyday. But in all of this busyness I realize that if it weren’t for the busy times the quiet times would not be so sweet.

Jesus, thank you for the busyness and the sweet quiet reminders of your grace, mercy, forgiveness, and love!