May 29, 2009

In the effort to save a little money and give my kids a little something more wholesome...I made my first attempt at freezer jam. I've been saving my glass jars for misc things and finally had enough. Fresh fruit, a little sugar and some magic dust....20 minutes in total and poof! Freezer jam:

May 25, 2009

A funny from Jeremiah:

So today I was busy changing laundry loads and Jeremiah was being weird. He was sucking in large amounts of air and swallowing it. "What are you doing?" I asked him, (he giggles but keeps doing it)
"I'm sucking in air." he replies. "You know mom, I'm sucking in air and that way Jesus can be cool."
"What?" (I am thinking, did I really just hear that right??)
"Yea Mom, you suck in air and it gets inside your chest (he's showing me as he explains)and then Jesus can be cool...like air conditioning. It's pretty hot today, you know.", he explains. "Oh, ok.", I say as he runs off....
I have to remember he's five...and we've explained that Jesus lives in our hearts....I guess he has to stay cool, too ?

A funny from Alison:

We don't allow our children to use certain words in their everyday vocabulary...stupid...dumb...hate...these are just a few. The other night Alison woke up with a tummy ache and John was gone working his one night for the week. I think that something we ate that day just didn't settle well for her because although she had a slight fever, she only threw-up a couple times. After a little trip to the bathroom, she was lying on the couch, holding her tummy and says, "Ah, my tummy hates me." I tried not to giggle at her statement, but I recalled that line from movie the kids watch frequently, "Ice Age 2" so I asked her where she heard that before and if she got it from a movie. "No," she says. "It just does." "It just does what?" I asked. "Hates me, that's all." she replied.
I told her I loved her, prayed for and put her to bed with me...she was fine. She kept me up for at least two more hours wiggling and squirming in my bed.
I think that it is so funny how our kids use their words and how they pick lines up from here and there. For the most part, they pick up the funny-okay parts, versus the bad negative things...and when they do, it turns out to be an opportunity to teach them something. They are so cute.

May 18, 2009

**HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN**


Dear John...
I love you SO much. You are an amazing best friend, husband, father, encourager, lover, confidant & provider. Words cannot express how amazing you truly are. I am so blessed by you and your love for me and the kids. You are always striving to provide us with the best of whatever is offered and you are always willing to go the extra mile. You have been a excellent example of a godly man. I am so happy to have you as our leader and I know that God has given you the strength to take our little circus on the road he intended for us. The children absolutly adore you...they think their daddy is the best and only you can take care of their needs. And of course, only their daddy can be the best policeman ever!
You deserve a WONDERFUL birthday! I hope that we can make it a good day for you....I know you didn't want to actually do anything, but I had to at least share with the world what a great man you are. I love you so much, babe. Happy Birthday!
Krystal

May 15, 2009

I've been on a blogging kick these last few days...kinda crazy. I am so blessed by my family..my husband, my kids. I have really been enjoying the kids more lately...I know that sounds weird, but if your a mom, you know what I mean. I have gone thru seasons with each kids where I really love them, but I don't really like them. I know that is a bold thing to say, but it's true...and we need more truth these days. There are those days when you just can't WAIT for them to go to bed....and then there are days where you might as well just put the spoon you've been using to spank them with in your back pocket because that's just how naughty they've been. But then, when you see them get hurt, kiss their siblings boo-boo, tell you they love you...your heart is softened. Or, with our kids, I have been seeing who God is for them in their lives...whether its just a song, a prayer or a backwards-but-semi-right version of a bible story...
Jeremiah asked me today if I remembered when he was in my belly. "Yes", I said. "Yea, me too Mom, it was really dark in there. I couldn't wait to get out. I just didn't want to stay in that belly anymore...I wanted to see you", he says. My sweet, sweet Jeremiah. He is so tender and loving. His heart is SO big and he wants to love and be loved by everyone. Yet, he is still a five-year old little boy who likes rocks, dirt and wiffle ball.
Then there is my Alison. My long-awaited little girl. She almost didn't make it and I am so glad she did. She is strong and caring. Always wants to be close to mom, but yet...she fights hard. She is me, when I was her age...it scares me. I know how awful I could be...and I want her to be a sweet little girl who will mind her manners. The days and moments when I feel very stretched and overwhelmed with her attitude and strong will...I remind myself about those moments when she was born and the days after...the tubes, the drugs and the tears. Then, deep breath and prayer for help...ahhh....I love her even more.
Hosanna....she is my spunky little monkey. We recently had a developmental evaluation done on her. I was concerned she wasn't talking enough along with some other things....apparently, she's fine. She talks up a storm! She is climbing on everything and saying "no", "dooonnn't" and about 30 other words. She loves to hug! She has a perfect smile and I love when she laughs.
My little, big baby...Judah. He is so big. He just turned 15 weeks and is almost 17lbs. He loves to eat, poop, sleep...eat, poop, sleep. I just started putting him to bed in Jeremiah's room this week and I already miss having him in his little bed next to me. He is starting to talk...rather, coo more. He is smiling a ton!
Today, I guess I have felt like reflecting more because I came across this video and it really touched my heart. It has really made me feel blessed that I have all my babies here with me...
I did the math...and Judah is 106 days old today...I can't imagine getting to know him this well and then....well, you better watch the video. Get out your kleenex!
http://www.ignitermedia.com/products/iv/singles/570/99-Balloons
Mother's Day was wonderful. My parents and brother came over and John and Dad grilled for us. It was a beautiful day and the kids flew their kites in the backyard...they had soooo much fun! I can't believe how big they are getting.

(my camera is still on the fritz...so we just keep praying for it)








May 13, 2009

My MUCH cooler brother...

My brother is cool. Way cooler than me. Here are some pics from his last tour.
































**BUSTED**



JEREMIAH AND ALISON HAVE BEEN LEARNING A VERY HARD LESSON ABOUT TRUST OVER THE LAST WEEK. THE LAST THREE MORNINGS THEY HAVE GOTTEN INTO THE CANDY JAR WITHOUT PERMISSION, BEFORE JOHN OR I GET UP IN THE MORNING. THIS IS A BIG NO-NO IN OUR HOUSE. SO FOR THREE MORNINGS NOW, THEY HAVE RECEIVED THEIR SPANKINGS AND BEEN SENT TO THEIR ROOMS WITHOUT BREAKFAST...AFTER ALL, THEY JUST FILLED UP ON CANDY, RIGHT? AFTER A LONG TALK WITH THEM ABOUT TRUST AND DOING THE RIGHT THING...JOHN AND I WERE LOOKING THROUGH THE PICTURES I HAD JUST DOWNLOADED OFF THE CAMERA AND FOUND THESE....APPARENTLY THEY DIDN'T THINK WE WOULD LOOK AT THE CAMERA! THEY GOT BUSTED BIG TIME AND NOW WE HAVE ACTUAL EVIDENCE, OTHER THAN ALL THE WRAPPERS I KEEP FINDING!



May 8, 2009

Here are so pics of the latest with us....nothing too exciting!


The kids this morning, playing outside


Judah's first time in the supersaucer

Daddytime!


This one is for John's mom...I have a copy of a pic of John when he was a baby in the same position. I didn't realize until after I took the pics that it was situation!



Mr. Judah