God Gave me YOU

     We started a new series at church called "I still DO". The sermon started wit the Praise team singing God gave me YOU. I am counting my blessings today. Marriage isn't always easy. But it is so worth it. Like anything else in life it has its challenges and it has its great joys. It has been a great day. Church with the family, Firehouse subs, the park with the kids, and now dinner in the crock pot and kids resting and sleeping. Billy opened all the windows for us and turned up the ceiling fans. It feels wonderful. You got to love Florida. Layers and freezing on Thursday and today shorts and flip flops. Tanner went to the carnival yesterday with his Meme and Grampy and had a blast. He even made his picture in the paper.  It is a cute picture of him throwing darts and winning toys for him and his brother. Grateful for my in-laws who love us and our kids. The four points we heard at church today were 1)Pay attention to your heart  2)Never forget the differences  3)Stop keeping score in your marriage  4)Keep Trusting and believing in your marriage. This could really refer to any and all relationships. Ephesians 4:32 says "Instead be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Man am I ever praying this in my life. I want to be tenderhearted with my kids and husband. Billy is always there for me. He is great at backing me up with the boys. He loves his boys something fierce. He has and would do anything for his family. We need to remember our differences. Its tough at times. But I am trusting God. God has called me to be a wife and mommy. It isn't something I take lightly. He GAVE me Billy, Tanner, and Holden. I love them with all my being. I am excited that for 2015 I am trying new things. That could mean new books with Tanner, new classes at the gym, planting a garden, "helping" my kids to try new food items, being assertive, baking with Holden, setting boundaries, cooking foods that I usually wouldn't, taking a new Bible study, helping someone else, and anything else God sees fit for me to do. Holden is a sweet soul. He is always saying "I wanna do that again." NO MATTER what it is. This child enjoys life. If it's taking a bath, riding motorcycles, going to the park, helping me dust, or just running in the back yard he'll always say "I wanna do that again." I can hear his 2 year old little voice say it as I type this. He is my little adventurer and he loves being outside playing ball and climbing on anything. Tanner is a boy with a BIG imagination. He starts another little class this week at Ocala Civic Theater called Pirates, Pixies, and Peter Pan. He loves drama and theater. I love seeing him using his imagination. Smart and sweet boys. So glad I get to be there mama. Billy is already 9 months into school and doing great. As his wife I am so proud of him.  I STILL DO. I always will!

Pure Sweetness

     Man I am so thankful for days like I've had the last few days. Especially after Nani got sick this week and having to take him to the Vet. Thankful Meme came to keep the boys and

Grampy came to sit with me. 3 days and 2 surgeries later he came home. Dr. Lee said to be as old as he is that he is very youthful. Nani has been with us a long time and so thankful we have a few years left with him.  The boys have been so wonderful. Holden is so sweet and talking so much. Billy has been in Tallahassee the last couple days and tonight I fed the kids and then bathed them. Once they were all settled and running around I made myself some pasta. I ate in the recliner. Holden sat on the couch with his book and blanket and waited until I was done and then he said (in his sweetest 2 year old voice ever)"you done with your dinner mommy?" "I sit with you." He is such a cuddler lately and I am loving it. I sing to him while I rock him at night. I just make up songs that are all about him. He smiles BIG and says "sing it again mommy." I love him dearly. He loves to be outside these days and he loves people. My dad came up Sunday and went to church with us and took us to lunch and we went to the park. This kid LOVES the park.  Billy came too. He loves to take the family to Peachwave for Frozen Yogurt. It is so nice having these little family traditions. Firehouse subs, Peachwave and the park seem to be top of the list these days. Tanner LOVES to get chocolate. He loves picking out his toppings. He is so cute sitting across from me enjoying his frozen treat. Tanner had picture day at school today and I just felt so proud looking at this sweet boy as I dropped him off for school. I am enjoying this past week with the boys. I try to make every holiday special with them. Valentine's is no exception. I made them fun Valentine pancakes Saturday and yesterday we went and picked out fun things for Tanner's friends in his class and his teachers. I got the boys a few treats too! Tanner has his Valentine's party at school this week and then this weekend we are off to Disney. I can not wait! I am excited Billy will get some down time too and we can hit the Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. Life sure is up and down. I am  grateful that God has blessed me with these boys. All of them. Nani, Billy, Tanner, and Holden.  Today was a good one! As I put my boys to bed tonight I thanked Jesus that I get to be there mommy.

The gift of a new day.

     Ever have those ideas of exactly how your day should go? Yea I did yesterday. I took the kids downtown to a church outside that our friends put together once a month for the homeless. They have praise music, a message, and feed everyone a big breakfast. I went with the boys and took fruit and juice. I am trying to teach them love and gratitude and that church is more than getting dressed up and feeling good. Well I'm not sure it landed. Tanner had a moment at one point and it was  all I could do to keep Holden off the stage and playing jump rope with the cords from the sound equipment. Billy was at a conference for NASW. He is doing so much for the State of Florida with Social Work. We are proud of him. The boys and I ran errands and then Ashlee came by for a visit.( highlight) I had to speak to Tanner more than a few times later. He was trying me and was seeing how far he could take it. Then Holden decided to lay down in the middle of the floor each and every time I would ask him to do something. We call this his "BOLD STATEMENT".  In other words he was protesting. I lost it!! (lowlight) :~{  Bad mommy moment. I'm thankful I can pray and start over at anytime. God knew before he created me in My moms womb that I would be Tanner's and Holden's mommy. He knew I would fall short. I would yell. I would make huge mistakes. My kids are pretty amazing. I ask for forgiveness and I'm sure to tell them I am not perfect. Although yesterday Tanner told me "you are a perfect mommy."  My hands are sure full but my HEART is even fuller. Well we ended up having a wonderful night making homemade pizza which the boys each made their own. We organized Tanner's room and played with toys we had not played with in awhile. God loves us. I have Grace with my children and today I'm learning Grace with myself and others. We've had an amazing Sunday. The boys and I were outside at 8:45 a.m. cleaning the yard, playing, raking, blowing, and running around. We had lunch and went to the gym. Now Holden and I are outside and Billy is playing "one eyed Bart" with Tanner. A game the two of them play together often. Tanner is very creative. Friday I asked why his hat was hanging from a branch on a tree, His reply was " Because mommy I am a very creative boy." :) Yes Tanner you sure are. WE are testing him for Madison Street. ( A school for Visual and performing Arts) And Holden will go to St. Paul's a couple days a week next year. So exciting!! Tanner is starting the letter R this week and working on numbers 11-20. I am really practicing in the afternoons with him. God is teaching me so much. Love is at the top of the list. Happy February. Time for chili and baths. Plus daddy brought home 2 new movies for all of us. Boxtrolls and The book of Life. We get to watch a new movie tonight.