what a beautiful sight

The kids wanted to have reading time outside today. It is a beautiful day here. And it is such a beautiful sight to see all three of them reading!!! Abby is into the American Girl books, Erin is reading Junie B. Jones Toothless Wonder, and Samo is reading anything I can get him to read. Today it was Dr. Seuss and ABeka readers. And for me, I had some time to dig into one of the bible studies I'm in.

Samuel's Camping Trip

Samuel woke up last Monday morning and his first words were"Daddy how many days til we go camping?" Needless to say he was very excited about his first real camping trip. Jason and Dave had been talking about taking him for a long time. They left yesterday at around 2:00 and got home at 5:00 today. Samuel loved every minute of it. I sent the camera so I could see some of what they did. They hiked about 4 miles....wow, he's such a big boy. He said they threw pine cones at him while he was on the rope, and acted like he was a pinata. He loved it. I'm sure it was good I was not there. :)

Watching History Unfold

Today as I watched the Inauguration of President Obama I was struck by many emotions. I am very thankful to be an American where the transfer of power from one leader to another is so peaceful. No riots or civil wars but instead handshakes and hugs with smiles and well wishes. For that I am very thankful. Also to see a family with dark skin color take the role of first family was a great thing to witness. I loved watching those little girls taking it all in. How proud they must be of their Daddy. I told my children this will be something they will tell their grandchildren about. I plan to pray for our new president. There are things I do not agree with that he has supported. So I will pray. God is sovereign. I am hopeful.

Firewood

Today I went to my parents house for the day. While I was there my daddy loaded some fire wood for us to take home. This wasn't just any ordinary firewood though. Can you feel a story coming on?

My parents still live in the same house where I grew up. My mother lived in the house with her parents before that. My Grandmother planted a cherry tree in the backyard probably around 40-45 years ago. It grew to be an abnormally large tree. In the Fall it had the most colorful leaves, it had beautiful blooms in the Spring, and in the Summer it shaded us from the sun and it held our big tire swing. I have so many memories of climbing that big tree. My children even got to climb that big old tree. Several years ago it started dying. A limb here or there would die and fall off. On Saturday My daddy finally cut it down. I must say I was sad to see it go. But I am very thankful for all the firewood to keep our homes warm during this cold week!

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8

Just an ordinary week

Well this is the third time this week that I have started a new post. I have nothing exciting to write about this week. Its just been an ordinary, kinda boring week. So those of you who read this to see what me and the kids have been doing will love this post.... We have had school everyday, some outside playtime, found a few bugs and a frog, sold some girl scout cookies, rode bikes, walked in our neighborhood and built a fire everyday. Right now I am cuddled under a blanket with Samuel and Charlie the dog, Dave and Abby are laying on the bed, Dave is reading and Abby is watching The Princess Diaries, Erin is playing a game on the computer and there is great fire burning. This is the life...so when I say ordinary, boring week, I mean it in a good way:)

a conversation

I know alot of you have kids so you get to hear some of their interesting conversations while driving like I do. We had to make a trip today that was about a 30 minute drive. This is one of the conversations... "Hey wouldn't it be neat if we lived in the mall. Yea, I would want to live in the toy store, Ooh I would want to live in Claire's...no no I would live in the food court. Hey Mama where would you want your room at the mall to be?" And it goes on and on. They have had this conversation many times and every time it sounds like it is the first time they have thought of it. They asked me every time which room I would choose....Most of the time I say I would rather live at Wal Mart:)

Progress

Its been one month since I met with the nutritionist. I made it through the holidays without eating every sugary treat in sight. I wasn't perfect, but did not completely blow it. I am doing better with my food choices. Adding more fruits and veges and cutting out sugar. Yesterday I taught the kids all about the food guide pyramid. They were very interested in learning what goes in each group and how much they should have. I gave them blank pyramids so they can fill in what they eat everyday. The girls thought that was great. Samuel is just happy if I give him PB&J or cereal at meal time. I hope making them aware of nutrition will help them to not make some of the mistakes I have made. You know like choosing little debbie cakes over fruit all the time!! One day during the holidays when we were eating out at a buffet, Samuel came back to the table with about 7 or 8 cookies on his plate. That's it just cookies. Abby proceeded to tell him loudly how he was going to get diabetes if he ate all those cookies. That's not exactly right but at least she realizes you can't just eat cookies and be healthy. I also have been exercising. I am sore!! My abs hurt when I laugh, my legs kill me walking up the stairs. Hopefully I will start to see some results soon. If I don't I may get very upset and eat a whole cake or something:) just kidding...I'll update on my progress again next month.