It's Okay Thursday

It is okay:

- that I already ate oatmeal for breakfast and I am still hungry.

- that I am looking forward to our girls weekend next week and the Maroon 5 & Kelly Clarkson concert

- that I enjoyed my birthday yesterday but am glad it is over.

- that my boys are growing up WAY TO FAST!

- that I am constantly worried about speding money. We by no means have a lot but we don't go without either.

- that our guest room/ office has turned into the junk room. (sorry Mimi)

- that I am in such a good mood since it is sun shining outside.

- that I am sooo ready for the weekend!

Bath & bed time

Family beach trip 2013

Last week we spend three nights at Mexico Beach with some friends of ours. We played on the beach and did a little shopping. It was nice to get out of town and relax. We had a blast!. I will let the pictures tell about our trip. Enjoy!!

Getting ready to crab hunt.

Sweet friends

Enjoying a little beach picnic

Cally and Grant

Silly Bryce

Mommy and her sweet baby

Daddy and Grant wake boarding

                                                

Naked baby

Good friends

Silly Grant

Playing in the sand

Sweet Cally-Rae

Mommy and daddy (blurry but cute)

Andrew kayaking and shark fishing

 

    

Two little monkeys swinging

 

They melt my heart

Yummy Doritos

We were so thankful for the wagon!

Parenting: a touchy subject

"If I had my child to raise all over again, I’d build self-esteem first, and the house later. I’d finger-paint more, and point the finger less. I would do less correcting and more connecting. I’d take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes. I’d take more hikes and fly more kites. I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play. I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars. I’d do more hugging and less tugging."- Diane Loomans

When my children grow up I want them to talk about how I always made time for them, played games with them, let them bake cookies, colored and read books to them, jumped on the trampoline with them, etc... I am realistic and know that I will always have something I need to do. This is a hard one for me. I am OCD and have a constant  to-do list in my head. I am working hard to turn this off when at home and just enjoy the moment. I am guilty of sending the kids to their play-room while I clean the kitchen or fold laundry. Yes, I could clean the kitchen when they go to bed but then it cuts into my "grown-up time". So do my kids win or am I selfish because I want my " grown-up time" longer??  I think the main thing I have learned is that parents need a balance. We should spend time everyday, even if it is only a few minutes of good non-distracted quality time. I don't think parents have to spend every waking moment with their kids. Children need to learn to entertain themselves. They need to learn to take care of themselves. Children need to learn independence. And parents equally need some "adult time". Everyone needs a balance.  However, I do think there is a fine line between spending time with your kids and spending non-distracted quality time with your kids.

I know too many parents who consider being in the same room as their kids spending time with them. I know some who think sitting on the couch to watch tv everyday is spending time with them. Yes to an extent is it, but to me a "special movie night" or going to the movies is spending time. If this is an everyday occurrence, then no I don't think it counts. Most of the time the parent ends up playing on their phone or a computer while the kid watches tv. I know some who consider going out to eat spending time with their kids. Once again it could be but.... Are you engaging your kids in conversation about their day? Or are you constantly getting on to them and making them be quiet?

Kids need to feel loved. They need affirming words. They want to feel needed. I ask my 4 year old to help me do things I could easily do by myself. He loves it. He has a look of pure delight when he finishes the task mommy needs help with. It makes me feel good to see him so happy. I try my best to set aside mommy and me dates. I try to spend special one on one time with each of my children. I would much rather go grocery shopping by myself but occasionally I take Grant. We walk down aisles and look at the toys.  We take our time and I let him pick out a few snacks. Simple things make kids happy!!

Too many parents think they can buy love. " It's okay if I don't spend time with them, I will just buy them a new ipod" This breaks my heart. Of course, kids would love the new ipod or video game, but they would love your TIME more.

" Adults spell love L-O-V-E, kids spell love T-I-M-E"
"To be in your children’s memories tomorrow, you have to be in their lives today”

I also get very frustrated at the pretend parents. Lets post pictures on FB and pretend we are happy. Let's post pictures and pretend we spend time together. Young children may not understand just yet but soon the day will come when they wonder why they have to pretend. Don't be that parent who has to pretend. Be the parent who spends time and is truly HAPPY!!

 I am not perfect. I have flaws and I sin. I make mistakes. And sometimes I repeat the same mistakes. I get frustrated. And sometimes I want to give up. However, I am working on these things. I am praying about them. I am trying to change. I am also trying to be the best parent I can. I know all kids are different and all parenting styles are different. But it just absolutely breaks my heart to see what kids go through these days. People are mean! One day soon our children will have to deal with bullying and self-esteem issues. I want to be the parent who has built my child so far up, other kids can't tear them down. I want my kids to feel like they can come to me with anything they want to talk about or have issues with. I just want to be in their lives in a big way.... Not just my presence but with my heart and soul.

"Life affords no greater responsibility, no greater privilege, than the raising of the next generation.” - C. Everett Koop

Fun in the Sun

This past weekend we broke out the kiddie pool and slide. Both boys loved it. Here are a few pictures of our fun afternoon. Only two more weeks and then we can have some real fun in the sun at the beach!!

Grant's randomness

These are a few random funny and sweet things Grant has said over the past few months:



"Mom, why do you ask so many questions?"

"You are a knucklehead."

"I love you but i'm still on my daddy's team."

" Mom you love me because I pick you flowers"

"My daddy can get that balloon down because he is bigger than the other working men."

"Do you know why i'm a good big brother? Because I listen to you most of the time"

" I thought I saw a pretty cat, I did I did saw a pretty cat"

" You crack me up"

"You look pretty and smell good mommy"

" I'll be back in a jiffy"

"Mom, when I get bigger and i'm a girl I can use your hairspray"

" Mom I just love Bryce's cute name"

"Mommy I love you to the moon and one million"

Sweet suprise

One of the many things I love about Andrew is how thoughtful he can be. This past weekend he went to the Gridiron Men's conference in Birmingham. When he came home Saturday he suprised the boys with two Bearstein Bear books and myself with a book called 365 things every woman should know. I brought it to work for some daily inspiration. Here are several of my favorite quotes from the book:

God's grace is only a prayer away.

You might be the only bible someone will ever read.

A perfect wife is one who doesn't expect a perfect husband.

Your marriage will only be successful if God is an active partner in it.

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. - Eleanor Roosevelt

It's not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.

A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

A friendly no is much better than a reluctant yes. - Spanish Proverb

For success, attitude is equally as important as ability. - Harry F Banks

Being friendly coast nothing but reaps great rewards.

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it
Proverbs 22:6

The greatest teacher is not experience, it is example.

If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have money can't buy.

A great weekend...

Our weekend line-up....

Play with the kids, watch cartoons, go swimming, wait for daddy to get home, have a squealing contest, drink coffee, kiss my babies, read my Nook, go to church, visit with family, and hopefully find a little time to clean and go grocery shopping!

It's Okay Thursday

Its okay.....

- that I don't feel like going to clean up the church tonight. I am just super tired!

-that I think I have the best kids in the world.

- that I am working really hard on my relationship with the Lord. I am still falling short of where I would like to be but I am making progress!!

- that Father's Day is Sunday and I still need to find Andrew one more gift from the kids.

- that I want some Hot & Ready Krispy Kreme's real bad.

- that I filled up my gas tank today and cringed at the price.

- that I am so ready for August 29th!! (Vacation Week)

Makes sense to me...

Brotherly love

We are so blessed to have two beautiful healthy boys. They love each other so much. I told Andrew I hoped they stayed this close growing up and he informed me that they wouldn't. That would be my dream for my boys to not only be brothers but best friends. Here are several recent pictures of our sweet babies!!

Grant

Sometimes, I sit and reflect on the fact that Grant used to be "my baby". He is such a sweet, loving, goofy, wild, OCD little man. Don't get me wrong he definitely has his moments when I could ring his neck, but for the most part he is such a blessing. Grant loves to help me cook, play games, farm with Uncle Jeremy and daddy, play with his dogs, help clean up the house, play cowboys, knights, or superheros, watch cartoons, and spend time with Bryce. Grant can often be seen dancing or running wild around the house.Grant has also matured so much in the last few months. He now says his own nightly prayer. It can be the sweetest thing and sometimes the funniest but it comes from his heart. It makes Andrew and I happy that he is learning to follow in the footsteps of the Lord. He brings such joy to my heart. I am so blessed to be his mother!

When Grant turned four back in May we decided to let him have a sleepover party. We had Maddie, Jeremiah, and Brady spend the night. We ate pizza, let the kids decorate their own birthday cakes, played Mouse Trap, and opened presents.

Grant also had his first dentist and eye appointment after his 4th birthday. Both went well. Andrew took G to the eye appointment so i didn't get any pictures but here are some of  Grant's 1st dentist appointment. (And yes he wore sunglasses while the bright light was shinning in his eyes).

Grant also had his 4 year check-up this month. He weighed 37.5lbs and was 42.75 in tall. He is growing right on track according to his pediatrician.  Here are a few more random pictures of Grant. Enjoy!!