A brand new baby!

My brother and his wife who live in California are having a BOY!!!
I am having my very first nephew on my side of the family! I am so excited...The baby is due in early August...just enough for me to stock up on some baby boy clothes for him.

'Saint' Nicholas sleeps

This was too cute not to post...

What Nicholas wants to be when he grows up

Nicholas told me yesterday that he wanted to be a POLICE MAN and a FOOTBALL PLAYER when he grew up. He told me that he already had the costume for the football player (he dressed up as one for halloween last year) and would just need the one to be a police man. I told Chris that somehow I could see him doing either one of those if that is what he feels called to do with his life. I am sure this will change as he continues to grow but this was the first time he had expressed anything like that to me. I know he will grow up to be the man that God wants him to be!

The trials of motherhood

As mothers, we are concerned (or should I say worry) about our children constantly. Are they ok? Do they have friends at school? Are they behaving well? Am I doing a good job disciplining them? Do I discipline often enough? And this concern starts from the time we find out that we are pregnant. It may start then and the concerns may be different but every mother has to learn to deal. I personally try not to think about too much all at one time and I try to remember that my kids belong to the Lord who gave them to me. The Lord knows and wants what is best for my kids even more than I do. What an awesome thought!
So when your kids have dished out more than you can handle in one day in one morning...remember we all go through those days and that God is right there with you willing to help if you will simply ask Him.

What to do with 2 days off from school

The boys have now had two days off from school because of all the snow we got on Sunday night. On Monday, they were content to play in the snow and play in the snow some more. However, on Tuesday they were getting cabin fever (that need for a routine was kicking in) so we decided to go to Chuck E Cheese. My kids do not get to go to Chuck E Cheese but on special occasions so they had not been there in a while.
We called up Erin and she and I took the kids for lunch and some play time which was desperately needed by all. In fact, Laurie was so tired from getting up early that she stayed home with Chris and took a long nap instead! Jonathan, Emma, Nicholas, and Morgan had the best time!! They really enjoy playing with each other and the new games that are at Chuck E Cheese. It was a nice relaxing time and the kids seem to be in a better frame of mind now that some of their pent up energy has been released.
I am so thankful to have good friends who will meet me for a play date even after we had a slight mix up in the locations. Thanks Erin...we all had a great time!

Lessons from Mommyhood

This is all new to me and I think that I am posting this a day late-sorry! I have lots of lessons from mommyhood..Now to remember what they all are!

1. Life does not get any easier or less complicated when you have more than one child or when your children get older. Life is always full of complications and surprises when you have children.

2. Here is one from my great grandmother who is now with the Lord. The one thing you can predict about children is that they are unpredictable! Just when you think you have them figured out they throw you a curve ball. For example, Jonathan loved pepperoni pizza for the longest time and then all of a sudden his new favorite became cheese pizza. Now he won't even eat pepperoni pizza.

3. Each child is unique and should never be disciplined exactly like another. For example, Jonathan usually does not require a spanking-you simply need to give him 'the look' or 'the tone' (that special tone of voice that means that Mom means business). However, Nicholas and Laurie usually require a spanking. But time out definitely does not work for Nicholas. It also helps if you sit the child down after the discipline and explain to them why what they did was wrong-especially for Nicholas who tries so hard to do what is right.

4. Devotion and pray time is essential to have with your children. They learn through doing and through example. Make the Lord a priority! He is the one who blessed you with your children to begin with..so honor Him.

5. Children love a schedule and consistency in their routines-at least mine do. Laurie Grace does not sleep well at night if she is off her schedule and does not get a nap that particular day (Good motivator to stay on schedule-a full night's sleep).

There are many other lessons I have learned...but I will save some for the next installment!

Snow Pics

Our snow storm, yes storm, came complete with big snow flakes, thunder, and lightning. Since I grew up in the tropics, I was not aware that thunder and lightning could accompany snowfall. We ended up with about 3 or 4 inches!! The kids loved the snow and Laurie kept walking in it saying 'snow, snow, snow'. We did it all outside...rode on a sled, built a snowman, threw snowballs, and tried to ride the bikes in the snow (and no that did not work). The only down side of all this snow is that I was not able to go to the gym today. I am not even sure that the gym is open..

The boys enjoyed our borrowed sled (from our neighbor)

Spot seemed to enjoy the snow too!

Jonathan's first snowball

Our first attempt at a snowman-it was shorter than Laurie!

Even though she kept falling..Laurie really liked the white stuff