I love being home! I just overheard a conversation between Parker and Reese. The were playing with Kinex (a building toy, kinda like legos) they were creating something together. I heard Reese saying a catechism answer, "Chosen men who wrote by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit" The question is Who wrote the Bible? He then asked Parker "who were the chosen men?" Parker said, "The men who wrote the Bible" and they proceeded to have a conversation about who wrote the Bible. I was grining from ear to ear. My 11 yr old and 7 yr old were bonding with each other while playing and discussing theology!!! What a wonderful blessing that they have each other and are together all day to be able to be influenced by one another. We were all outside this morning, I was watering new grass that Patrick planted and the kids were riding bikes and we were watching a beautiful display of hotair balloons going directing over our house. They were close enough we could talk to them. The sky was covered with all different colors and shapes. It was breathtaking! While outside Gabriel hurt his bid toe and said, "Ouch! I hurt my toe thumb!" A little while later Miles said, "Ouch! A skeeter got me" (mosquito) I chuckled and thanked the Lord for the opportunity to be home with our children to be able to share our lives together day in and day out. Even in the simple things! I am off to go do some baking w/ Mary Paige she has been wanting to create a huge chocolate chip cookie! I love my "job"!

I wish you could have been here this morning. I had set my alarm for 6:00am because I wanted to get back into the routine of school. During the night one of my children woke me up twice to help him to the bathroom and back to bed. When the alarm went off I was NOT ready to get up. So, I hit the snooze several times. When I did get up and get in the shower I had to chuckle because I could see the image of a little person on the other side with a sleepy, "goodmorning Mommy". This was the same child that had me up twice. He proceeded to sit on the rug outside the shower until I emerged clean and ready for the day. I took him back to his room where I found his younger brother in his crib wanting to start the day. I told both boys they were to play in their room that I was going to go read my Bible and I would be back. I was reading and I heard noises from their room. I opened their door and there was a white cloud of powder. Yes, they had decided they needed powder on their bottoms. Only most of it was on Gabriel's face, the bottom bunk and the floor. I had to close the door quickly and catch my breath. See, yesterday was one of those days where this same child put too much toilet paper in the potty, was covered in mud, spilled his entire class of sweet tea, etc. etc. The look on his face when I opened the door was one of, oh, no I messed up again. I just looked at him and all he said was, "sorry, sorry, sorry" I asked what he was doing and he told me he was trying to put powder on. I said, "I see that you need to ask me for help you're not old enough to do this by yourself." He said, "I need to vacuum it up?" So, that started our day. I am so thankful for my little ones. I just need perspective at times. In the midst of a day of trying to get school done, preschoolers making constant messes, being judge and jury in sibling squabbles by the end of many mornings much less the end of the day I am EXHAUSTED! I read an article last night after all of my little blessings were in bed that was a terrific reminder. It talked about a lady who was in her 80's that had had 3 boys and 5 girls. A young mother saw this elderly lady at the grocery store and the lady was enjoying the young mothers children. Remembering the days when she had a house full. She was such an encouragement to this young mom that it changed her perspective on her busy life. I had to agree. Even though my oldest is only 11 I can only imagine how quiet this house will be in just a few short years. I heard a quote once, "They are the longest days, but the shortest years of your life" I thank the Lord for that perspective yesterday. It caoused me not to blow it w/ my little boys this morning. I knew by the look on Gabriels face that he truly was sorry and hadn't meant any harm. Does that mean there is not punishment? No! However, w/o the Lord reminding me how often I blow it in my walk w/ Him and I am truly sorry I know how comforting it is to feel His arms around me w/o any anger or frustration towards me. I pray my boys felt that same love of our Heavenly Father when I just dealt w/ the mess and tried to train in the moment. I need to get back to my blessings and make sure I have direction and a purpose for our day. God Bless!

My children are getting to the ages that I am trying to be more deliberate about "training" them to take responsibility for themselves as well as their place in the family. This is a constant thought on my mind. Parker turned 11 last week and he grows bigger w/ every breath. He's so responsible for an 11 yr. old. I have to remind him at times to not take on too much because he is ONLY 11. It is such a fine line between making them be responsbile for chores and such around the house and allowing them to still be little. Mary Paige has a heart for service and loves to jump in and help me in the kitchen. She's quite good at it too. For a girl of just 9 to be able to clean up the kitchen about as well as I can is something that has come naturally for her. She can follow a recipe and carry through to the end and make something that tastes wonderful. Reese is learning that there are responsibilities to being an older brother as well as privileges. He seems to get "caught" in the middle at times. At 7 I couldn't be prouder of his willingness to help be an example to the younger boys while being younger than the older two and not getting as many responsibilities and privileges. Gabriel,5, is learning to listen to the guidance of the older three while trying to make right choices that his younger brother is watching him make. He too is a wonderful helper! This morning I have had a hard time getting some things done because he has been "helping" me so much and gets frustrated if he can't "help" me. Miles,3, is learning to clean up his own messes w/o any assistance from the older ones. It is too easy for me to request one of the older ones to clean up after him instead of training him to do it himself. I have alread invested the time in the older kids so they will follow through. Miles, however, I have fallen short on. He is so proud when he does a "job" for Mommy but I need to be there through the whole task to make sure he completes it. Making sure I am intentional w/ each day is a constant thought. Remembering every moment w/ my family is a teaching moment. Oh, Lord may I always be shining your light into my families lives.