Childlike not Childish

This morning on the way to school, Madison counted how many school days she had left- a little over two weeks! I cannot believe that my little baby is getting ready to end her 3rd grade career! Ok, so she's obviously not a baby but in my mind she is!

This morning I have been thinking about some things I have learned from my children...

• They are always ready to play -schedules or responsibilities never tie them down or cause them to set aside enjoyment.
• Tell them about God and what He can do - they believe it, no questions or doubts- just excitement!
• They have no hidden agendas - they enjoy time that they get with Matt and I and just love being in the moment.
• They don't worry - they know that no matter what, they will be provided for.

Maybe Jesus was onto something when He told just to have childLIKE faith. He didn't mean childISH but the kind of faith to enjoy life, to believe Him, to trust Him, to run to Him, and to never have to worry because He has us in His hand!

Thank you Lord for who you are and all you do!

Quick on his feet....

While making Braylon lunch today, I grabbed his little face and kissed him on the cheek. When I turned to walk away, I saw him out of the corner of my eye, wipe his face where I kissed. In a loud and surprised voice I said " Braylon, you can't wipe off mommy's kisses!" Without skipping a beat he said, "Don't worry, I'm just making room for more!"
Ahhhhhh, love that little guy!

Computer Problems

I have to share this... today, Braylon (4yrs old), was playing on the computer. He kept getting frustrated because the mouse kept getting stuck. Over and over he would say "Mom, you have to help me, you just have to help me. This thing is just not listening to me!" Finally I looked at him and said "Bud, I think you may just need to go out of it and then come back in."... He thought I was talking about his literal location so he walked out of the office, came back in, sat at the desk, looked at the screen and said"Ugh-- mom, that didn't work either!!"

Happy Easter!!

American Politics in the Bible!

Madison makes me laugh so hard sometimes....

Last night before bed, she was reading the Easter story to me. She was standing up in the living room and holding the book like a teacher would to a class. It went something like this...
" Now Jesus was riding through the streets of Jerusalem on a donkey. The people were waving palm branches and saying "Hosanna, Hosanna". However, Jesus could see their hearts and knew that they didn't match what they were saying. He knew they were acting like democrats!"

After I regained my composure from laughing so hard...... I said " honey I think the word you were looking for was - hypocrites."

HILARIOUS!!!

First Day at the Beach

Today, Mar. 7th was our first official visit to the beach!!

Matt worked all night so while he was sleeping, Marcia and I took the kids on a picnic and spent time playing in the sand. (Well, the kids that is! :) It was 75 degrees and everyone else had the same idea that we did! The sun was shinning, the waves were beautiful and the kids were loving it! I had one camera snapping pictures and Grammy had another! Both kids enjoyed collecting seashells, making "sand angels" and just getting their hands and feet all dirty!

2009

It's here!! 2009! This is going to be a good year, I can just feel it.....

The pictures above are all of us on Jan. 1st with the first newspaper of 2009. Matt has the most creative picture taking ideas! :)

Our blessings!!

Thanksgiving 08

Madison's Dance

Madison is involved in the dance program at our church. At our fall festival yesterday, they preformed. She is all the way on the left until her center stage moment! :) We were so proud of her!

"Ladies First..."

Matt and I have both been teaching Braylon to be a gentleman (we are starting early). Whenever we are out running errands and a lady walks up to the store entrance at the same time we do, we will stop Braylon and say "Ladies first", open the door - and allow the lady to walk in before us. He loves it and learning to be a gentleman seems to be catching on!
Tonight as I was giving the kids a bath I said "Ok, time to wash hair, ladies first", and Madison and I washed her hair. After she was all clean I then made a production about "the gentlemen's time". Again, Braylon proudly stepped up and loved the attention. Wanting to help out, Madison said "Ladies always go first before gentlemen."
I will never forget this...Braylon sweetly looked up at me and said "Mom can you teach me how to be a lady, I want to go first sometime!" :)
They both continue to make me laugh everyday!!

On the Farm...

Today the kids and I went with our friends, Mrs. Leslie and Melissa to the "Old Barn Festival". (Matt couldn't go with us because he was doing the responsible thing...working!) :) We sure missed him!
At the festival they had hay rides, pony rides, over 100 craft booths, funnel cakes (although I refrained), door prizes, fresh hot kettle corn and lots of people buzzing everywhere!

Madison was thrilled to be able to ride the pony!

I LOVE this shot of them hugging...too cute!

Getting covered in hay...

In for the ride...

Braylon giving the cows their "treats", right before she completely licked Braylon's hand.
He jumped back and loudly said, "Mom, this cow bit my pingers!" (He replaced all his "f's" with "p's") Madison and I were cracking up at his response!

It was so cool, as soon as the wagon stopped, all the cows came straight over to us - it was so much fun to see the kid's excitement!

Celebrating the Fall Season

Last night we tool the kids to a Fall Festival where they had “trunk or treating”. The church people had a contest to see who could be most creative with their trunks. Some had LSU decor, one had Ohio State, others had pirate theme, country farms, Charlie Brown, a couple had sandy beaches…the kids loved it! They both came home with TONS of candy! Madison dressed as Ahsoka from Star Wars and Braylon could be none other than Thomas the Train!

Family Day!!

This past Saturday we went to a Fall Festival at a church not to far from our house. The kids had a blast! They had hayrides, train rides, indoor and outdoor games, contests, concerts, petting zoo, funnel cakes, balloons and lots of candy!

Braylon had no desire to touch any of the animals, he just wanted to throw the hay on top of them!

Matt is such an amazing dad!

Waiting for the train...

Girls on the train...

Boys on the train. Braylon looks fristrated here because this was the third picture I took. He was more concerned with making a whistle sound than he was with me and my "perfect picture"!

These were sponges that you soaked in a pool of water then threw them at people who were sticking their heads out from behind a board...the kids just LOVED picking up these dripping wet sponges and whirling them. It didn't matter that they soaked themselves in the process as they lifted above their shoulders to toss! :)