Build an ark

I think we need to be building an ark with the amount of rain we are getting. Rain rain and more rain. Instead of an ark we are building a cardboard pirate ship...I don't think it will get us far in the rain but I know the kids will have lots of fun playing in it tomorrow for Braden's birthday.

My time away for the home school conference was great. Of course it was great having friends to travel with and talk with the whole way there, into the night and back home again. I am so blessed with them. We also got to see a movie and have dinner at somewhere different all in all fun time.

Today will be spent planning for tomorrow since Brae will turn 10...eek. I am suppose to be making a pirate ship cake...I should at least go get a plan together for that since I am behind. Oh well it will all fall together...i hope.

Cross fingers, toes, pray, happy thoughts...anything else you think of...

I am leaving town this evening, without hubby or kids. I will be back Saturday. Praying, fingers crossed everything I can think of that it is uneventful until I return.

Just in the two weeks getting ready Brae has broken his nose and had strep throat. He is on his antibiotics for strep he hasn't had a fever in several days. Seizures have been well controlled. So here is hoping everything goes smooth.

I will be with 3 friends in Oklahoma City at the homeschool conference. Yeah. Also planning on seeing a movie, and going out to dinner. I am really looking forward to the break. I love planning the next school year and seeing all the new stuff.

We don't leave till this evening so I have it arranged to just spend time with the kids until then. Brae has been a little clingier than normal knowing I would be gone. I think it will all go well and I know they will have great daddy time with way more video games than they should!

This and that

I am getting ready to leave the kids for 2 days with hubby. So of course Brae had to get sick. Actually I am glad to do it a few days before I leave instead of the day before or while I am gone. Hubby is wonderful but dealing with Brae's medical issues is not an area he really steps up in, as he has never administered his seizure medicine. Brae has severe fever induced seizures so things like strep throat, etc not so good around here. Of course that is what we have is strep throat! I took him in as soon as he started a low grade fever and complaining so we are on antibiotics and hopefully by the time I leave Thursday he will at least be done with any fevers which will significantly lower seizure probability.

Brae is also not so sure about this whole Mom leaving thing. I will be gone about 48 hours and he has been super clingy since he found out. I know he will have fun with Britt and dad once I am gone. They are planning a video game competition marathon.

Britt is growing up so much and while part of me hates it another part is really loving this girl who wants to run errands, and shop with me, and eat lunch with and have talks.

I am going to a home school conference in Oklahoma City with 3 friends. So excited. We leave Thursday evening and will be back Saturday evening. Plan to do lots of home school shopping which is so fun to us, and catch the movie "All My Past Girlfriends".

Next week will be a busy one as my baby turns 10! How did it happen that I no longer have one in single digits. I am planning a pirate party, complete with cardboard pirate ship to play in and a cake with cannons! Then two days later a huge end of the year sleepover for girl scouts, luckily doing that at a hotel but still planning it.

I am ready for the break to Oklahoma City, I know I will miss the kids, but I will also enjoy myself and love bringing surprises back home to them. Brae has reminded me that school books are not acceptable surprises...LOL.

Sharks and Rabbits

Well Sharks and Rabbits don't go together but I am behind on posting pics so I guess for the purpose of catching up on posting they will.

Yesterday we went to the aquarium for homeschool day as always we had fun. Love this pic of Britt looking up at the shark in the tunnel.


Outside the aquarium there is a alligator statue so of course my son had to stick his head in it.

Britt said I had to show some of the baby rabbits. The kids now have 21 baby rabbits in addition to their three adult rabbits. Thankfully they are all kept at Nana and Papa's.

Soccer

We had to divide up today, Hubby going one way and me the other with Brae to the soccer field. Brae said "Soccer is my life" pause "oh and my family and video games".

They won their game but I don't like shut out games won by that much. I start rooting for the other team.

Looking Back Again

I am actually gaining on my to do list so this evening I have been just sitting in the living room watching the kids play a game and going thru the archives of my blog. Trying to put labels on everything so it will be easier. Of course would have been easier to do before I let it get to over 900 posts without labels. Oh well I am enjoying going through them since it goes back to 2004 I am finding lots of things I had forgotten or am laughing about again.

Speaking of laughing about again. I found this post from Braden he would have been about 7 at the time.

********************
06/29/06
Braden was so tired. Getting up and around. He goes into the bathroom and I am getting Britt's hair stuff. He sits down and says "This morning mom I am just going to sit and pee like a girl because I am just too tired for boy peeing".

Park pics

Saturday was beautiful and so we took the kids to Woodward Park in Tulsa, it was so pretty all in bloom, we saw brides getting their wedding photos done, graduates, and lots of babies. We just snapped some with our camera. Britt was a little more cooperative than her brother but that is normal.

a fun day at home

We did school, we baked, we decorated eggs, we STAYED HOME...no errands no running. Nice nice day!

I had looked at the calendar this week and knew we better get eggs decorated so got that off the ever growing list of things to do.

The rest of the Love Dare days

Day 30 - LOVE BRINGS UNITY
Isolate one area of division in your marriage, and look on today as a fresh opportunity to pray about it. Ask the Lord to reveal anything in your own heart that is threatening oneness with your spouse. Pray that he would do the same for them. And if appropriate, discuss this matter openly, seeking God for unity.

DAY 31 - LOVE AND MARRIAGE
Is there a "leaving" issue you haven't been brave enough to conquer yet? Confess it to your spouse today, and resolve to make it right. The oneness of your marriage is dependent upon it. Follow this with a commitment to your spouse and to God to make your marriage the top priority over every other human relationship.

DAY 32 - LOVE MEETS SEXUAL NEEDS
If at all possible, try to initiate sex with your husband or wife today. Do this in a way that honors what your spouse has told you (or implied to you) about what they need from you sexually. Ask God to make this enjoyable for both of you as well as a path to greater intimacy.

DAY 33 - LOVE COMPLETES EACH OTHER
Recognize that your spouse is integral to your future success. Let them know today that you desire to include them in your upcoming decisions, and that you need their perspective and counsel. If you have ignored their input in the past, admit your oversight and ask them forgive you.

DAY 34 - LOVE CELEBRATES GODLINESS
Find a specific, recent example when your spouse demonstrated Christian character in a noticeable way. Verbally commend them for this at some point today.

DAY 35 - LOVE IS ACCOUNTABLE
Find a marriage mentor - someone who is a strong Christian and who will be honest and loving with you. If you feel that counseling is needed, then take the first step to set up an appointment. During this process, ask God to direct your decisions and discernment. (We decided not to do this but to instead pledge to do or go to two marriage enrichment activities).

DAY 36 - LOVE IS GOD'S WORD
Commit to reading the Bible everyday. Find a devotional book or other resource that will give you some guidance. If your spouse is open to it, see if they will commit to daily Bible reading with you. Begin submitting each area of your life to its guidance and start building on the rock.

DAY 37 - LOVE AGREES IN PRAYER
Ask your spouse if you can begin praying together. Talk about the best time to do this, whether it's in the morning, your lunch hour, or before bedtime. Use this time to commit your concerns, disagreements, and needs before the Lord. Don't forget to thank Him for His provision and blessing. Even if your spouse refuses to do this, resolve to spend this daily time in prayer yourself.

DAY 38 - LOVE FULFILLS DREAMS
Ask yourself what your mate would want if it was obtainable. Commit this to prayer, and start mapping out a plan for meeting some (if not all) of their desires, to whatever level you possibly can.

DAY 39 - LOVE ENDURES
Spend time in personal prayer, then write a letter of commitment and resolve to your spouse. Include why you are committing to this marriage until death, and that you have purposed to love them no matter what. Leave it in a place that your mate will find it.

DAY 40 - LOVE IS A COVENANT
Write out a renewal of your vows and place them in your home. Perhaps, if appropriate, you could make arrangements to formally renew your wedding vows before a minister and with family present. Make it a living testament to the value of marriage in God's eyes and the high honor of being one with your mate.

Resurrection Eggs

We have a store bought set of Resurrection Eggs that we use every Easter but these homemade ones look fun to put together so I wanted to share it.

Resurrection Eggs illustrate the story of Easter in a fun and inviting way for
children. These are simple to make and will quickly become a favorite family
tradition.

Materials
12 plastic eggs
Egg carton
Permanent marker
Piece of a palm leaf or similar leaf
Small piece of cloth with perfume on it
Small piece of bread or cereal
A couple of dimes or nickels
Small cross (you can even make one from pieces of Popsicle sticks)
Thorn or small thorny branch
Piece of burlap
2 nails
Small piece of sponge
A couple of cloves or other whole spice
Small rock
Small piece of linen
Little slips of paper to write Scripture references on

Use a permanent marker to write the numbers 1 through 12 on the eggs, and
then put the eggs in the egg carton. Inside each egg, place the item and Scripture
reference written on a small piece of paper.
Egg #1
Message - Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The people waved palm
branches.
Passage - Matthew 21:1-11
Item - Piece of palm branch or similar leaf.
Egg #2
Message - Mary poured expensive perfume on Jesus' feet.
Passage - John 12:2-8
Item - Small cloth with perfume on it.
Egg #3
Message - Jesus shared the Last Supper with His disciples.
Passage - Matthew 26:17-30
Item - A small piece of bread or cereal.
Egg #4
Message - Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
Passage - Matthew 27:3
Item - 2 dimes or nickels
Egg #5
Message - Jesus carried His own cross.
Passage - John 19:17
Item - A small plastic cross, or make your own cross.
Egg #6
Message - Soldiers placed a crown of thorns on Jesus' head.
Passage - John 19:2
Item - A thorn or a piece of a thorny branch.
Egg #7
Message - Soldiers parted Jesus' garments and cast lots for His coat.
Passage - John 19:23
Item - A scrap of burlap and one of the nails.
Egg #8
Message - Jesus was nailed to a cross and pierced in His side.
Passage - John 19:18,37 & John 20:25-29
Item - The other nail.
Egg #9
Message – Jesus was given vinegar mixed with gall on a sponge to drink.
Passage - Matthew 27:34
Item - A small sponge.
Egg #10
Message - Spices were used to prepare Jesus for burial.
Passage - John 19:40
Item – The cloves or spices.
Egg #11
Message - The stone covering Jesus' tomb was rolled away.
Passage - John 20:1
Item - A small rock.
Egg #12
Message - All that was found was Jesus’ burial linens. He was not there. He has
risen!
Passage - John 20:6-7
Item - A scrap of linen-type fabric.

Easter Foods

I plan on posting more fun foods. These two were the only pics I came across on this computer. So I need to do some digging and come up with my others.

First....Chick Deviled Eggs

Instead of laying the egg long ways and cutting it you will hold it upright and cut it. Then you can make it look more jagged (like the shell cracking) make your deviled egg mix as you normally would. Fill the larger side with egg mix (you may want to cut the bottom so that they will stand up well) then use a piece of chopped carrot for the beak and sliced olives for the eyes (I have used both black and green olives before) and place the other "shell" on top.


Next....Spring Bonnets

The kids love doing these. I use large sugar cookies and mini muffins lots of icing and whatever decorations I want. Put the mini muffin upside down on the cookie using a dab of icing. Then frost the entire cookie and muffin so that it looks like a bonnet. We usually use several bowls with different colors and then use fruit roll ups, sprinkles, mini m&m's etc to decorate.

Broke

Here is a pic of Tex with his cast on. For those that don't know last Friday Brae accidentally stepped on Tex and broke his leg. Brae was sooooo upset about it even though it was a total accident and I think we have all stepped on him at one point or another. Brae still tells him he is sorry almost everyday. But I can tell Tex is feeling better and is hobbling around really good.

Love Dare

Hubby and I had taken a break from our Love Dare book since I was in Austin last week. I could really tell a difference with us not doing it. Mostly in my own attitude. Today's spoke to me as I had woke up to a mess and things like that have the power to set the mood of the day for me. If you have missed some of the previous days they are starting with the first and going to the latest here,here,
herehere,here,here, andhere.

DAY 25 LOVE FORGIVES
WHATEVER YOU HAVEN'T FORGIVEN IN YOUR MARE, FORGIVE IT TODAY. LET IT GO. JUST AS WE ASK JESUS TO "FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS: EACH DAY, WE MUST ASK HIM TO HELP US "FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS" EACH DAY AS WELL. UNFORGIVENESS HAS BEEN KEEPING YOU AND YOUR SPOUSE IN PRISON TOO LONG. SAY FROM YOUR HEART, "I CHOOSE TO FORGIVE."
What did you forgive your spouse for today? How long have you been carrying the weight of it? What are the possibilities now that you've released this matter to God?

DAY 26 LOVE IS RESPONSIBLE
TAKE TIME TO PRAY THROUGH YOUR AREAS OF WRONGDOING. ASK FOR GOD'S FORGIVENESS, THEN HUMBLE YOURSELF ENOUGH TO ADMIT THEM TO YOUR SPOUSE. DO IT SINCERELY AND TRUTHFULLY. ASK YOUR SPOUSE FOR FORGIVENESS AS WELL. NO MATTER HOW THEY RESPOND, MAKE SURE YOU COVER YOUR RESPONSIBILITY IN LOVE. EVEN IF THEY RESPOND WITH CRITICISM, ACCEPT IT BY RECEIVING IT AS COUNSEL.
What does your mate need to see in order to believe that your confession was more than just words?

DAY 27 LOVE ENCOURAGES
ELIMINATE THE POISON OF UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS IN YOUR HOME. THINK OF ONE AREA WHERE YOUR SPOUSE HAS TOLD YOU YOU'RE EXPECTING TOO MUCH, AND TELL THEM YOU'RE SORRY FOR BEING SO HARD ON THEM ABOUT IT. PROMISE THEM YOU'LL SEEK TO UNDERSTAND, AND ASSURE THEM OF YOUR UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.
When you place high expectations on your spouse that they don't feel internally motivated to attain, what does that tell you about yourself? What are some better ways to deal with these disconnects?

DAY 28 LOVE MAKES SACRIFICES
WHAT IS ONE OF THE GREATEST NEEDS IN YOUR SPOUSE'S LIFE RIGHT NOW? IS THERE A NEED YOU COULD LIFE FROM THEIR SHOULDERS TODAY BY A DARING ACT OF SACRIFICE ON YOUR PART? WHETHER THE NEED IS A BIG OR SMALL, PURPOSE TO DO WHAT YOU CAN TO MEET THE NEED.
How much of your mate's stress is caused by your lack of concern or initiative> When you expressed a desire to help, how did they receive it? Are there other needs you could meet?

DAY 29 LOVE'S MOTIVATION
BEFORE YOU SEE YOUR SPOUSE AGAIN TODAY, PRAY FOR THEM BY NAME AND FOR THEIR NEEDS. WHETHER IT COMES EASY FOR YOU OR NOT, SAY "I LOVE YOU," THEN EXPRESS LOVE TO THEM IN SOME TANGIBLE WAY. GO TO GOD IN PRAYER AGAIN, THANKING HIM FOR GIVING YOU THE PRIVILEGE OF LOVING THIS ONE SPECIAL PERSON - UNCONDITIONALLY, THE WAY HE LOVES BOTH OF YOU.
How will this change of motivation affect your relationship and reactions? What does this inspire you to do? What does it inspire you to do? What does it inspire you to stop doing?

Brae talking about the future.

This post is especially for my friend Stephanie!

First a little history...a while back my friend Stephanie was joking around that Brae had to marry one of her girls but that he had to be good at computers like his daddy. Well that resulted in Brae crying that night that he just wanted to be friends with them he didn't want to marry them. So I assured him he didn't have to and we have all laughed about it since.

Okay now to the present my conversation with Brae in the car on the way home.

Brae: Mom I think I know what I want to be when I grow up but you are not allowed to talk about it to anyone.
Me: Why what is it?
Brae: A computer programmer that makes video games.
Me: That would be great why can't I tell anyone.
Brae: You can tell everyone but Ms. Stephanie.
Me: Okay why not Ms. Stephanie.
Brae: (sighing that sigh that says how could you not already know this mom)
Because I sure don't want her to know I am doing something with computers she will start all that wedding talk again. (then he does this shuddering movement).

It was so funny. I did assure him that even if he did do something with computers he could still pick who he wanted to marry (I told him I still got final approval though..lol).

Horse riding lessons

Britt had her first horseback riding lessons today. I had to miss it because of taking Brae to Austin but her daddy took lots of pics. She loved her instructor.

Kid free night!

Tonight my parents are being wonderful and taking not only our two kids but two of their friends as well to spend the night at the farm. Mom plans on letting them work (fun work like painting an old metal desk, and spreading mulch...or she says it is fun anyway...lol).

So we will be kid free tonight and we are looking so forward to it. We needed a break before Brae and I leave for Austin this weekend. We are meeting our friends (parents of the two kids that are also going to Nana and Papa's) for dinner at Olive Garden. Then hubby and I will do the romantic thing we always do when we are kid free.....go shopping at Target and Books a Million. Awww to walk around the store at our own pace and look at everything. Of course we always end up shopping for them when they aren't with us but we sure enjoy it. Then home for some alone time. We know the kids will have a great time having their friends at mom and dads so they can show off the rabbits and lots of room to run and play.

Science Fair

Today was the science fair with our home school group.
It was fun.
Britt didn't place but enjoyed her project. Brae however got 1st place and was SO excited. Britt was excited for him she lifted him in a big hug.

Looking back

I think every now and then that I will stop blogging for several different reasons busy times being one. I decided I needed to organize my archives...I didn't remember starting this blog in 2004...wow 5 years.

I read just the first few one of them being this one:
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Heartbreak
I think I actually felt my heartbreak last night. As you know if you know us or have read my blog my son Braden is 5 and has had serious medical issues and has a significant delay with his speech. While being tested he is so smart it is the articulation or pronunciation that comes out somewhat garbled.
Anyway to last night.
I am sitting watching cartoons with the kids and Braden crawls on my lap and says "Mom I am weird". I said no your not. Brittney then pipes up and says "Mom I told him to talk to you because he said he is weird cause he cant talk good"...(have I mentioned before my 1st grader is way too smart). I thanked Brittney for telling him to talk to me and I took Braden in the office to sit on the couch in there. His eyes look like he is about to cry. I asked him why he thought he was weird. He said "Colton says I cant talk so I am weird". I wanted to cry, yes he is very hard to understand especially if you are not around him, for example he doesnt say the t sound so pick up truck is pick up uck and so on and on with other letters too.
I tried to explain to him that he wasnt weird but that he was special because of how sick he used to be and how much better he is getting. I tried to tell him that he was so smart and that he was getting better and talking everyday.
He seemed happier when we were done, but I sat there a while longer after he went back to his cartoons just thinking. I know kids are cruel I knew in my head that this time would be coming as he got into school but my heart wasnt ready to see those tears and try to ease his hurt.
I cant explain to him that he is 5 and that he has beaten the odds since he was born 11 weeks early, he has beaten them when a mass was found in the brain, then not just one mass but 4 and all removed, he has beaten them by being one of the smartest and brightest kids in his class while having 30 to 50 staring out seizures each day. He has beaten them by being happy and his dimple smile that melts hearts. But he is 5 and doesnt understand this all he understands is another 5 year old boy says he was weird. Yes my heart definitely broke a little with this conversation.

So no I am going to keep blogging. I need to look back and read sometimes to see how far we have come and reinforce reasons that we have made the life choices we have made. I am going to try to organize the posts into categories...eek over 950 posts I should have done this long ago. Also want to find some of my food posts to repost. So I am not going anywhere. I may post a few old stories now and then while I go through. I don't know why the above story spoke to me so this morning but it did.

Now onto a busy day suppose to be super warm again today and then cold again this weekend..ugh.

Happy St. Pattys Day

We are enjoying the 80 degree weather!

My son the king of the drama

I can truly not express how funny my son is.

This morning we are home and hubby is at church. Brittney is my one not feeling well with allergies. Well I started lunch which was pork chops with a onion soup in the electric skillet. Braden smelled it and I told him what it was and oh boy. His big thing is "call the cops" anytime you are making him do something he says "call the cops". So it started with "Senna call the cops" that didn't work so he took my phone and called his nana, papa, aunt, and tried to call the dad of one of his friends. Yep and he told them all I was feeding him poison. He is full of it this morning energy energy and more energy he is wearing me out when he isn't playing dead on the floor or hiding in my closet calling people he is attacking me with nerf weapons. I won't complain though because it is so much better than when he is sick. But Britt had it right when she said we need to put that boy in some drama classes because he is the king of drama! He is everything is so theatrical with him but he is cute so I guess we will let him get away with it. And yes I am still making him eat the "poison" for lunch...LOL.