What I've learned...

Well, this is very unlike me but I am in the mood to write... hmmm, I hate writing but lately it has been somewhat relaxing to me and today I feel the need to write and since I don't have much news on the home front, I decided to do something different. Today I am going to write on lessons I have learned from my children. I thought about this last night and considering all that our family has been through this year, I am amazed at how much of a strength my children are to me. Their innocence and their love is perfect and I really do have much to learn from them.


Lesson #1: Every day is a new day... This one is the most important lesson because it deals with forgiveness and moving on. Kate and her little friend got in a fight a couple days ago and Kate came home in tears saying she had no friends and her best friend hates her. I sat with her on the couch trying to console my heartbroken child and within 5 minutes the door bell rang - it was her friend. Kate smiled and ran and gave her friend a hug and said sorry and off they went to play. That is amazing to me and quite the example. Children are so able to forgive and forget and most importantly they don't hold grudges. We all could learn from this example... life is too short to be burdened with anger. Everyone makes mistakes - we just need to learn to let it go.


Lesson #2: If you fall, you can cry for a bit, but than you get up and brush yourself off and move on... Kate is such my accident child - she is the only one of my kids who has had stiches and she has had them three times! However, she is the bravest kid I have ever seen... she cries went it happens but she realizes that there is not much she can do and she faces stitches with a brave face and no tears. She does not let it ruin her day... what a cool kid! I love this... It doesn't matter what happens in life as long as we are able to pick ourselves up and move on we are doing ok.


Lesson #3: Looks don't really matter... Kids have the ability to accept people for who they are. My kids will play with anyone - they don't care where they are from or what they look like. They are just happy to be with them.


Lesson #4: Happiness is found in the little things... We got a new washer and dryer a couple of weeks agod and gave the boxes to my children to play with. They had so much fun!! They built forts and boats and hideouts... hours of happiness from a piece of cardboard. As adults, we often forget this. We get so caught up in keeping up with the Jones' so to speak and forget that the little things in life can really make a difference.


Lesson #5: Don't take life too seriously... My Thomas is great with this one. I have never seen anyone let things slide off his back as easily as this kid. To him life is all fun and games... He does understand that there needs to be a serious side but he also knows that he is happiest when he is being goofy and just having fun.


Lesson #6: If you don't know just ask... Kids are full of questions because they are not afraid to just ask. Mattie is my question child - she always asks "why" and wont back down until you give her an answer. Life is so curious to her that she wants to know everything. I love that! How much easier would life be if we would just ask and not always assume we already have the answers.


Lesson #7: Smile!!... When Ella smiles at me, I can't help but smile! Somehow a smile for a friend or from a friend can turn your day around. It makes you feel that someone really cares and really trully loves you.


There you go... my life lessons from my children. I know there are many more but these ones have made a real impact on me over the last year. Life is not easy but it is definitely worth it and how grateful I am to my little ones who show me this everyday!

Yummm... and more yummm....

Our little Ella - yes, we have made it to cereal!! As can be seen by her beautiful face decoration, not much made it into her mouth... but it was a first try and I would like to think a somewhat successful one at that. Ella has reached some very important milestones over the last few weeks, she is sleeping 9-10 hours a night (did I say she loves me - oh yes, she really loves me!) - she can officially roll over from her back to her tummy and from her tummy to her back. Also, she has recently found that the best toys she could have are her toes... This is my favorite baby age because they are starting to notice things and recognize you as their mom. I love it when she looks at me and grins from ear to ear because she is genuinely happy to see me. Little Ella has been quite a joy to our family and I can't wait to see what she will do next... I will be sure to keep you all posted!

It took me 20 minutes to convince her to give me back the whisk...

Super cute Kate (PS - she has her first loose tooth - she is quite proud of this accomplishment!)

Who doesn't like a good beater every now and than???

So Cute!! I just love this kid...

Proud of their hard work and their tasty creation!

Mattie decided she needed a taste before it was finished.... that one's a sneaky little stinker!!

Last Sunday, Dad gave mom a much needed break and decided that he and the kids would make the brownies for our party that afternoon while I took a nice nap. Dad definitely earned his title of best dad in the world that day when he even let the kids lick the beaters and various other utensils when they finished. I didn't get much sleep while all this was going on because it was just too cute to pass up taking at least a few pictures. The brownies turned out perfect and I think Andrew earned the title of official brownie maker for the family!!

On another note, my busy time at work has finally passed!! YAY!! My annual conference was this last week and seemed to be quite a success. I held the conference up at Thanksgiving Pt in the giant event barn. We had about 400 people come and they all seemed to have a great time. The venue was awesome and even the food was great (for all those who plan or attend conferences - you know that food is not always that great). The staff up there was terrific and I really had no complaints. I am really glad this is all over and I can start on the preps for next year... no, I guess it never is really over is it...

The kids are getting ready for Halloween. After much debate and deliberation, the costumes were finally chosen. Thomas is going to be a knight, Kate is going to be a Singer Super Star (or something like that), Mattie is going to be Dorthy (or as she says it Dorsey with red shoes), and Ella is going to be a very cute, very girly skeleton (I know - but it really is cute and is very girly). I will be sure to post pictures when the events are all over.

And finally - kids say the darndest things...

This conversation took place in Andy's truck yesterday on the way to a work site:

Thomas: Dad, did you know your heart is as big as your fist

Dad: Yep I sure did

Thomas: Wow, how does something so small do so much work... Dad, God really knows how to maximize space doesn't he.