"Not Me" Monday!

I follow a blog of a lady whom I have quite a bit in common with.And she started this idea of being brutally honest,about what she did,while claiming she did not,and I happen to love it!This is officially my first not me monday post,but I'm sure it wont be the last!

This week has been hot,yet that is no excuse to not play outside according to my small children.While playing outside we turned on the sprinkler...my children were not so thrilled with that,they had fun,but did not like getting sprayed in the face.I most certainly did not unhook the sprinkler,and use the hose to let them play in the mud,and upon Elliott's diaper getting full did not let him run around naked,being that we live on a very busy street,I would never let my children run naked.Not me!

Last week was Vacation Bible School,every morning,and I most certainly did not let my two oldest wear their special shirts that were a tad damp because I did not put them in the drier before going to bed the night before.Who would make their children wear damp clothes to VBS? Not Me!

Riley has had issues with runny diapers as of late,and after changing all of his bedding for the third time,I did not put him to sleep on the mattress with no sheets for his nap.How uncomfortable,I mean really.Not Me!

I would never tell my daughter,when company was coming over,to take all of her toys in her room and put them in her "secret hiding place",so her room would "look" clean.Who would encourage their children to be pack rats?!Not me!

And lastly,I did not take a nap for two hours yesterday afternoon,even though there was water in our basement (again) and it needed to be cleaned.Who would leave standing water in their basement,to take a nap,how selfish!?Not Me!

May The Words Of My Mouth...

This Song has become one of my new favorites.I want this song to be my hearts song.It's so easy for me to get focused on the little things in my life. I tend to get wrapped up in the daily tasks I have,and forget the big picture.You know,I get on "a kick",I think" have to finish the laundry",but,then my neighbor comes over, who is a single mom,and needs some help with her daughter.In my head I'm thinking "I can't,I have to finish laundry",but in my heart God whispers "You,can,I have to reach her heart". There are SO many more times that I need to stop,and care for people like our Lord cares for them.I want the words of my mouth,and the meditations of my heart,to speak Speak Of My Lord.And,I want to be Glad to be serving him,and be joyfilled.This song is my reminder to do just that.We have been singing it at church quite a bit too.Don't you just love when that happens? You have a song that you have been singing in your heart,and then you go to church and they sing it!? Oh,I just love that!

So here is the link.And below,are the lyrics.Be Blessed!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3slST5bM0Y

May The Words Of My Mouth- Tim Hughes

May The Words Of My Mouth And the thoughts of my heart.

Bless your name,Bless your name Jesus.

And the deeds of the day,and the truth in my ways

Speak of You,Speak of You,Jesus

For the is what I am glad to do,it's time to live a life of love that pleases you.and I will give my all to you. Surrender everything I have and follow you...I'll follow you.

Lord Will You be my vision,Lord will You be my guide

Be my Hope,Be my light,Be the Way

And I'll look not for riches,nor praises on Earth

Only You will be the first of My heart.

For this is what,I am glad to do,it's time to live a life of Love that pleases you.and I will give my all to you. Surrender everything I have and follow you...I'll follow you!I will take up my cross Lord,You be my vision,You be my guide,and I will follow you...

Showin our love for Daddy...

Happy Fathers Day Daddy!
Yesterday we made cinnamon rolls for Daddy,and served them to him in bed.Jackson was not too happy to be up so early in the morning,as we had to do this before church.(see Picture below)Then Riley woke up screaming,and felt warm.He had a low fever,and had been up most of the night before.(Mommy did night duty,so mommy was worn out too).We are pretty sure he is teething,and cutting his last few molars.Poor baby was not very happy yesterday.Hence why we don't have many pictures of him.We gave Daddy a pair of crocs to wear around the house,our Daddy likes to be outside,and the kids thought he needed some crocs like theirs.Elliott and Clara took Daddy his breakfast of Cinnamon rolls,bacon,and fruit salad.Daddy was SO excited!Clara made some beautiful cards for Daddy,and the boys signed them.(Jackson let Clara make the cards cause he said "she makes better hearts and flowers than I do"!haha) We ended up not going to church,because Riley was pretty much in-consolible.I just did not have the heart to leave him in the church nursery.He ended up falling asleep as we drove to my inlaws for lunch.I have an adorable picture of him with his arms behind his head (it's known that all the men on my side of the family sleep this way,Riley is carrying on the family tradition) I had to run by the store on the way to our family lunch,I was bringing dessert,and the kids decided they wanted to make ice-cream Sundays!My mother in law put on a wonderful lunch,and we had a ton of food to choose from.After we ate,it became apparent that we needed to go home and put the little boys down for naps.So we did just that.And,my sweet wonderful husband,told me to go lay down too,and he entertained Jackson and Clara.Did I mention how much I love my husband?!
I am SO thankful for my husband,my children's Daddy.I grow to love him more daily.I don't want to come across as everything being so perfect,because,it's not.Because,niether my husband,nor I are perfect.But,My husband is perfect for me,and us. He is a hard worker,and provides for his family.He loves his children,and takes time out to show the Love of God to them too.He desires to train them to love God with All their Hearts,to be radical Christians,on fire for God.I love him for that.I love that we believe and have the same values,and want to instill those in our children.I love that he encourages me,and the our Children,in even the little things.I love that he takes time on his days off to play outside with the kids,and take them out,so I can get things done.I love that he loves his family more than anything,and would do anything for them.
So,honey,on behalf of our children,thank you,for being the best Daddy for our Children.And for pointing them to their Heavenly Daddy.We LOVE YOU!

This last picture was taken by Jackson,he had the camera in his back pack,and I did not know it! He took this picture,and I love it for so many different reasons.Yes,my son took it,but I think it's a wonderful example of how our children are always watching.And that we are the leaders in their lives,Directing them in the Path of Rightousness for His Names Sake.Okay,so maybe thats getting a lot out of a blurry picture,taken from the back of our mini van,in front of wal-mart.What can I say,I like to look for God,and things he is trying to teach me, in the little things! Blessings to you all sweet friends!

Take Me Out To The Ball Game...

Silverhawks Game!:

A few weeks ago,my mom got free tickets to the silverhawks game.Since we never pass up something to take the kids to,for free,we loaded everyone up and headed out to the field.The kids were not into it so much.But,Daddy was! The kids liked watching the funny competitions between bats,the game pictured below,was people dressed up in hamburger bun costumes,and they had to collect the lettuce,tomatoe,onion,and burger,around the plates,then pile them onto the bun below(also a person)and jump on top.The kids were laughing and cheering them on.And still talk about the hamburger baseball game! (ha) It was very hot though,and we were sitting right in the sun. We ate supper,consisting of hot dogs,and pop-corn. I did pack water,and healthy snacks,to even it all out! As you can see below,Elliott wanted to climb the stands,Clara wanted to take a nap.Jackson drew pictures the entire time,and Riley liked all the music and was whipping out his special dance moves.(All caught on tape below)If you want a fun family night,head out to a silverhawks game,that is if you live the SouthBend,Indiana area!

Sleeping Riley...

Sleeping Baby...

The other night,I got Riley ready for bed,then I put him down.The older kids were in their beds,and I went to the basement to fold laundry.I kept hearing Riley playing,but thought he was just was entertiaining himself.Well,after being down stairs for about three hours.I come up to go to bed.And find this.His light was on,and there were toys everywhere.Aparently,Clara heard him playing too.And thought she would come and give him some company.She went back to her room after he fell asleep,and left this behind.I could not stop laughing! Riley also has a new trick,he can take his pants off,and then proceeds to take his diaper off.Thankfully,this time,he only took his pants off!We have only been putting footed p.j.s on him for that reason! Oh,and yes,there were toys all over his bed too,don't worry we did not leave his bed filled with toys!

Carosel Fun!

Shipshewanna...Amish Country...

My Grandmother was here visiting for about a month.We had a wonderful time visiting with her.One day we all went out to Shipshewanna.My Dad graciously offered to watch Riley,since he is very dependant upon getting a nap! Whenever we get out of the car I always say find a hand.They know to not even think about not holding someones hand!I realized that I have never gotten a picture of that,because I am usually holding Riley! The kids had so much fun riding the carousel! Jackson wanted to get on a medium size one,that went up and down.Clara wanted a stationery animal to sit on.Elliott wanted to ride the biggest animal,that went the highest! There is a fun toy store in Shipshe and christian bookstore the kids love to visit as well! It was a fun day for all!

Sweet Memories...

Tunnels of Fun!

Jackson and Clara were playing last week with the tunnels that Elliott's therapist left.Elliott and Riley were taking naps,and Jackson snapped some pictures.It was great to have new toys to play with,esp since we had some very rainy days last week!I love the first pictures of Clara with the umbrella,and ski cap on! SO cute! I love these relaxed fun days at home,making tunnel forts,collecting all the pillows in the house,and blankets and having fun!