Lessons From a 4-year-old

Last night I decorated for Christmas. I love the season, I love the weather, I love the spirit, but let's keep one thing clear: I hate decorating for it all.
Don't get me wrong, I passionately love the finished product and the luminous glow of all the lights throughout my living room, but the decorating part always seems to leave me in a grumpy, irritated mood. Yes indeed.
And not to mention my decorating process began with the attic floor falling beneath my feat as I was getting decorations down. Yes, an entire side of our attic floor bottomed-out while I (thankfully) was sanding on a beam, balancing as it crashed. That will put you in the Christmas spirit real fast.

Nonetheless, 4 shattered Christmas balls later, I'm done. And since I had a headache 1/2 way through the process (I love hormones), my kitchen is really done half-heartedly.

We recently got rid of the bookshelves in our room to make way for my grandmother's hutch, and thus I don't even have space now to house the Christmas goodies I had last year. So a lot of things remained in their wrappers and are headed back to the attic (the one with the current huge whole though the floor).

One of the things that didn't make the cut this year was the nativity scene. It's too big, doesn't really match the other decor (it's actually just not even pretty). Maybe next year.

But when my intuitive 15 4 year-old son woke up, the first thing he commented on was:
"Where's baby Jesus mom?! Mom, where are we going to put baby Jesus???" implying I obviously wasn't finished decorating yet.

And yall, I kid you not, I found myself saying these exact words to him this morning:
"We just don't have room for Baby Jesus this year, Lincoln. Sorry!"

There's no room for Jesus...we're all filled up.

Hmm...those words suddenly sounded super familiar. And I was convicted as I looked at my concerned 4-year-old.

And guess what? We busted out that nativity scene, swapped it's "not-so-pretty" with one of my more modern pieces, and baby Jesus now sits in glory on the hutch in the foyer.

My personal reminder this season to make room for Jesus.

Thanksgiving: Part 1

Today we did our first Thanksgiving celebration! Our friends from India have been cooking for us the past few months, so we turned the tables on them and cooked them a Thanksgiving meal...which translated meant we overloaded them with casseroles. But that's how we do it in the South, right? :)

It was insane how much food we had between everyone (b/c they still brought some of their yummy authentic dishes as well!).
It was fantastic company and conversation as usual. I have just grown to love these women that live just down the street. Truly blessed. We shared how at Thanksgiving a typical tradition is for everyone to talk about what they are thankful for. We didn't have the capacity to really do this formally because there were so many people there this time (and tons of noisy kids!), but I am grateful Jesus has brought about these relationships with these women! I cherish getting to know their culture, their hearts, and their children.
This beautiful lady hosted the whole crew today!

And some more pictures...

Love these memories!

6 Months

In a few days little sister will be 1/2 to her first birthday. Pure insanity. And let me say, as far as she goes, this past month has been bliss. I on the other hand, have had it out with both a sinus infection and the stomach bug (I won in the stomach bug battle, but the sinus infection too its toll!).
But this little beauty and her cuteness made all the sicknesses much more bearable.

We have not had her 6 month check-up yet, but I will go ahead and guess on her measurements:
Head - huge
Height - tall
Weight - plump.
She is a big girl. I think this one will have some legs on her.

She is still on the same schedule as before, eating six, 5oz. bottles/day.
She still takes a short 20-ish minute nap in the morning (which takes place wherever we are, out and about), a 3-hour nap in the afternoon with the boys, and a 20-ish minute evening nap.
She goes to sleep somewhere between 9-10, and sleeps until 8:00am without waking up. And she has been sleeping unswaddled for the past week or so. We lay her down wide awake for nap and night time and she falls asleep on her own. I love praying over her and watching her just smile back at me before she falls asleep! She has been consistent with this schedule now for the past month which has been awesome. There was a little hiccup for a few days when daylight savings happened, but she has re-adjusted.

She loves playing with toys now! I bet she crawls soon because she gives it all her might to get across the room to a toy. She'll get frustrated if she can't reach it and let out a squeal (in total girl fashion), and she will usually find a way to "roll" to it.
I found her he other day on the opposite side of the room from where i sat her, playing with Lincoln's football players. Ha.

She went to her firs basketball game of daddy's last week, and I had her sitting watching the game, but when the cheerleaders behind her started cheering, she about broke her neck trying to watch them. So I turned her around. And oh.my.goodness. this princess squealed and popped her chest to the rhythm of the cheers with a huge smile the entire rest of the game. It was hysterical. And when they would stop cheering, she would throw her hands out and squeal at the top of her lungs until they cheered again. Aunt Amy would be proud.

Seriously this little thing has been such a blessing. I just adore everything about her. We've already done some shopping together and her favorite place is to sit snuggled in my lap. She is just such a content little thing and she makes me want another one just like her - ha!
(P.S. sorry for the bad instagram photos)

Thankful

Today we went to eat after church (thanks Aunt Judy for the treat!), and it was the first time Lincoln wasn't able to eat free. Sad day - in many ways. A lady made the comment (which I get a lot) - "You must have your hands full everyday!!" And I told her absolutely, and how none of them are in school so it's an all day/every day thing.
But I love that all day/every day. I love how none of them are in school. None of them are in MDO's...how they all trail behind me like little chickadees on all our outings/errands every day of the week.
And I really have often thought to myself  "I look like a hen herding around my chickens!"
Oh how the "mother hen" analogy now makes perfect sense. :/

But next year that all changes. Next year Lincoln (and maybe Noah) will go to pre-school...and yes, i know it's only 2 days/week, but I can already tell you I'm going to miss my trail of mini-me's dragging behind. I'm thankful for these few short years...and I know Adelynn has a ways to go before "school", but I will miss the herd. :) I'm also thankful I listened to my gut and kept Lincoln out of pre-school until next year. I still think Noah might benefit from 2 years of pre-school, but it was definitely not necessary for Lincoln.
Anyway, I'm thankful for these years!

Raising Kids

A few weeks ago, our church held a discipleship seminar with the founder of Downline Minisry - Kennon Vaughan (out of Memphis). The first hour was about general evangelism/discipleship and the second hour consisted of making disciples for Jesus in your home.

He brought his wife up for the second part and basically imparted all of their wisdom to us on raising kids to love Jesus. It was refreshing, convicting, and inspiring.

They shared a few basic things that we decided to implement in our home that I thought I would share, all aimed at shaping our kids' hearts to LOVE JESUS (with added benefits of happy, obedient hearts!).

**FAMILY DEVOTIONS
        - Our aim is to do them once/week for Sunday lunch (increase to more maybe) and incorporate:
               1. Scripture Memory
               2. Sing a Hymn
               3. Work on Catechism Questions
               4. Spin the globe and pick a country to pray for that week
        - The first 3 things come from the Truth and Grace Memory Books
                                     *Example page of Scripture memory for age2&3 (and hymns):

                                       *Example page of the Catechism questions:

**Teach them to Honor & Obey
           - We've worked the past few weeks on really using the words "honor and obey" and helping them see the times when they honor mommy and daddy and each other.
           - These particular behavioral charts were also suggested by this couple that we've been using for the past week and they have been AWESOME.

They are an "If-Then" chart and a "Blessings" chart. One earns rewards and the other lists consequences for behaviors. This way, the kids know exactly what is expected of them. Noah doesn't completely understand (though he is starting to get it more), but Lincoln is absolutely eating it up.
Jason and I decided on our own consequences/blessings that we know most affect them.

For instance, on the blessings chart, they earn "stars" together. They have to get 5 stars in a day to be able to get a reward (something out of prize box, play on ipad, are a few). If they get 20 stars in a week, they get to go out for ice cream, and 30 earns them a trip to chuck e cheese.

These charts are GREAT because they are Biblically based and loaded with Scriptures for each thing. So we are always talking about "what the Bible says".

You can buy the charts here.

**Some other suggestions:
1. Make Sunday special = always cook something special for breakfast so Sunday has a "smell" they will remember. I loved this idea!
2. Be intentional about creating traditions that teach about Jesus. His wife had a good book suggestion that ha TONS of tradition ideas (but I can't remember the name!)

I'm thankful for this seminar and excited for these new tools! I hope you find them helpful, too!

I feel as if I have to mention the election because it only happens every 4 years and is pivotal. And when the last one happened, my sweet little first born was only a few days old! (And then next one, Lord willing, he'll be eight - are you kidding?!).
So here's my mention.
Obama won.
Obviously there is tremendous controversy over this one. But isn't there always?
I mean, when was the last time a President was finished with his allowed 8-year term and the people wished he could stay! It seems by the end of every Presidential term "the people" are complaining and booing him out on his way versus showing their appreciation for undertaking such an incredibly vigorous job.
I wouldn't want that job. I wouldn't wish that job on any of my kids.

Anyway, congratulations Obama family. Much prayers are hopefully headed your way as you've just, yet again, stepped into the ring of fire.

"Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people...Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor."
–1 Peter 2:13-17

And now some pictures. :)

Camping trip post coming soon!

New Friends

So thanks to the great Walmart, our little town of Bentonville has become quite the international mecca...and I love it. The only bummer part is that most people who move here for Walmart are only here a few years before they move again. :(

Over the past few years, I've noticed a lot of people from India living here - a lot. Indian restaurants started popping up and just recently, an Indian Supermarket opened right down the street. I went in there not too long ago and bought, what I thought, was colored pasta. But when I boiled it, it turned the pan rainbow and the "pasta" was not tasty in the least.

Anyway, a few months back, me and some friends have started meeting these wonderful people! The ladies we have gotten to know are around my age, have small kids, and haven' lived in America all that long. They are absolutely precious and such a fun group. We've tried all sorts of their authentic food (I'm still on the "very mild" spice level), and we've brought some of our stuff over to share. One request we particularly got was to make a "Casserole". Ha. I can do that. We meet in their apartments every week and just hang out - super fun. In a few weeks, we're getting them and some of there other friends together to have a traditional thanksgiving meal...I am actually going to attempt a turkey. Oh dear.

Last week, it was Nimmy's 30th birthday and we threw a party. Everyone was taking pictures/videos, and Nimmy's husband put together this video from the party. Hysterical. I only hope next time he throws in Lauren singing the "Titanic" song - seriously.

Oh and my "pasta"? Yeah - they got a good laugh at me. Apparently you're suppose to FRY the little things and they make chip-like snacks. Who knew. Now if I only knew how to fry...

Anyway, love these ladies!