Today was such a nice day!

We woke up to snow this morning.  Yes, in East Texas, can you believe it?  Of course it is all melting into slush now.  That's okay though.  We were happy to welcome the snow here!

The girls got all into warm clothes, coats and gloves and went outside for some SNOW fun!  They played and had just enough to roll snow into a couple of pretty nice sized balls.  Of course a snow throwing "fight" was in order.  Hannah just giggled and giggled.  The girls were laughing and having the best time.  I was inside but was watching them through our over sized glass doors.  

The dogs were mostly staying in their dog house and trying to keep warm.  Of course they had carried their blankets off and they were buried in the snow.  Thankfully my sweet hubby had carpeted the dog house.

They came in sopping wet and we had to get those clothes into the wash but not before we got the girls all bundled up again.  I find socks are a must to keep warm.  So against their wishes, socks were in order!!  I noticed two of them "got away" with wearing their slippers instead.  That's okay because they are the fuzzy warm ones.  Their Daddy built a nice cozy fire and they got close to the fire to warm up!  We had not gotten groceries yet or we would have definitely had hot coacoa and some homemade smores.  I have that on my list to buy.

I did my work in our home today and feel really accomplished and content with what I have gotten done.  It looks nice and clean and I have a candle burning that is my husband's favorite..  While my hubby went grocery shopping (he went on a big grocery shop) I continued working and getting things done, made sure the girls were fed and having a fun time (after school was completed, of course)

After taking this picture, I realized we had the other counter top full as well.  When Daddy grocery shops, he stocks up!

Now, we have groceries to put away and I have a load of laundry left to finish.  I've just finished watching the girls play a round of monopoly.  They are wanting another board game now since we have just the one.  Since I see they are now playing it, months later, and enjoying it and taking good care of it - I will buy them another.  Any suggestions of what game?  They do not want checkers.  Plus we need a game we can do 3 players on.  

I'm thankful for the groceries but honestly dreading putting them all away.  That sounds terrible I know but it's true.  I like smaller grocery shopping.  The kind that doesn't take forever to put away!  

OH!!!!  And, hubby got me a marker board today!!!!  I'm excited about that... but also, he went and bought us two new inexpensive sofas today as well.  How exciting!  I can't wait to get them here.

Mommy is needed!  got to run!

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Our time: Moms, do we?

Do we as mothers take the time out each day to know our children?

Do we spend time with them:  meeting their needs, playing with them, making sure they KNOW they are loved and that they are such a blessing to you?

What are some ways that we can show our children we love them?  Please add your ideas in the comments section.  We all have different ideas and could share and learn from each other.

What about a good breakfast that's healthy, not thrown together, to nourish them?  Do we pray with them in the morning?  Do we start their day out with their focus on God?  We should ourselves, so shouldn't we start our childrens' day like this?  What if you have to get up a little earlier?  That's okay.  Go to bed earlier or have a quick nap.  Do we get them dressed and their hair combed and teeth brushed?  We do.  We should remind the ones that can do it themselves and make sure it's done.  We should do it as we teach the little ones how to do it themselves.  Do we praise them when we hear them being kind, sharing, or showing love to someone?  Or do we only take the time out to discipline them?  Do we show them open arms or do we tell them to "go in there" getting them out of the way?  Out of our way, REALLY?  That's sad.  I am with my children and they are with me and it is a blessing no matter what I'm doing.  They are simply told to be quiet while I do my quiet time and they understand that.  The little one might not understand yet but she knows it's important what I'm doing.  Do we take time throughout the day to let them help us?  Even my youngest, Hannah Joy finds great joy in helping me and I praise her for her good work.  We are training them to be good wives and mothers and most of all for God's service.  Do we leave our older ones to tend to the younger ones?  I'm not saying to never ask them to help but do we leave them to do all of our work with the littlest?  

Do we make sure their laundry is clean and they can choose or you choose for them clean clothes each day?  Do we take time to really bathe them at night or just hop them in the tub with a washcloth and say get clean.  Yes, the older ones can do this.  The younger ones that can't need our help as mothers.  Do we serve them a warm meal at night?  I'm not saying cook every single night... but a warm meal even if it's a corn dog from the oven and some french fries or green beans?  Do we make sure they are hydrated when they've been out running and playing?  Speaking of playing, do we dress them in such a way that we get angry if they get grass stains or dirt on them from playing?  Should we not have "play clothes" as well as clothes we wear out to places like church or to dinner?  

Do you know their favorite color?  movie?  Do we even know what they are watching and monitor that?  Do we show by example what is good and pure and worth watching or thinking about.  Do we encourage our children in the Lord? 

Do we meet their needs all the way around or do we accept that we're just not going to do "this part or that part" because we are too tired, or dare I say too lazy?  Maybe some moms (esp. new moms) need our encouragement and our wisdom.  Do we share with them so they can know, too, what needs children have?  Do we share how to do it or ways to do it better or more simply?  

I know I want to be a Proverbs 31 woman but I also want to be a Titus 2 woman.  So, I am reaching out not only to share but also to be shared with.  Please leave comments on your ideas or if this encouraged you.

The rewards in heaven are great but also the rewards we see from our children are great.  I want to raise Godly young ladies.  (I have 4 girls)  I know you ladies want to be your best with your boys just as well.  I hope this encourages you.  It encouraged me as I wrote it.

Many Blessings!

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Advent Day 4

We have some wonderful friends that we love and they love and adore the girls.  We call them Bro & Sis.  They play games online with hubby and the girls.  They've done this for years!

Each year they send us such special gifts and we love each gift but we love Bro and Sis more.  Today, the girls wanted to make them feel extra special so for advent day 4 we made cards to send to them.  It's Sunday so the cards won't actually get picked up until tomorrow but that was still today's special service, donation, or gift.

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Advent Day 3

WOW!  3 posts in one day!!

Now, I'm posting on advent.  This is the 3rd day!

We decided we would work together to do a service as unto the Lord.  We cleaned out the van today!

Oh!  What a relief to have it done!

Here are Madi & Sarah finished with helping me clean out the van.  Sarah Faith has a few things to bring in!  It was a great feeling to have it done!

.....GUESS WHAT.....

Someone special joined us for Advent today!

Daddy!  Here he is helping sweep out the van (gotta go vacuum it later) and doing some last minute things working to help us!  A SUPER blessing!

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Decorating our tree

After the parade today, we came home and decorated our CHRISTmas tree!  :)

Jesus is the ONLY reason for the season!

This ornament means so much to me.  You see, it was on the tree my sisters and I decorated growing up, while living at home with Mom & Dad.

That makes it special but there's something even still to make even more special!

Do you remember when we lost the things in our home?  Well, we lost our ornaments too.

My sister, KJ, decided to give me one of her ornaments from our childhood tree.  I could *NOT* believe it when she gave me this one!  It's her favorite!  She always hung this one and it was always "hers."  I commented about all of this and she said, "that makes the giving of the ornament more of a sacrifice" and she'll never know how blessed I felt at that moment or how grateful.  And, I still feel those ways!  I have an amazing sister.  I love you KJ!

Sarah Faith & Hannah Joy decorating...

Madi Grace & Hannah Joy decorating..  :)

Dad (my hubby) is hanging the ornament his parents gave us last year from M.D. Anderson while his Dad was fighting cancer.  YEP, he beat cancer!!!!!!!

 This year, KJ, helped me find the perfect ornament to add to represent our year!  (a tradition I'm going to copy from her with her happy permission!)  It is a key with purple small stones in it.  It says, "The key to our 1st new house 2011"  It was just right!

The Little Children!

Hannah Joy - age 5

Sarah Faith - age 9

Madi Grace - age 11

What a blessing to be able to have such precious children and enjoy decorating the tree together.  A special Daddy/hubby too!!!!

So Happy;  MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

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Waking up to a Parade

Today, my husband woke me up letting me know his  parents had called to remind us about the parade.  So, I got the girls all up and dressed as well as myself in about 15 minutes or less!  We were on our way!!!  We watched from their yard because the parade ends there and it's a lot of fun to watch it with Nonna & Papaw.

 I just *had* to take their picture by Nonna's sign, "Welcome to the Littles".  We need one just like it!

I thought this one was very special.  Papaw and Hannah Joy looking out to see the beginning of the parade heading our way!

Here are a couple of views of the parade.

There were TONS more but no need to add them all

(We love our volunteer firefighters!  We know many of them!)

Of course I couldn't help but post some of the horses!!!!  Yee Haw!!!

Some of the floats still had candy when they got to us, the very last house.  The girls got two bags filled nicely and began to eat their candy with the drinks from Nonna & Papaw!

What a lovely time we had!

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Advent day 2

Today we decided to bless a little child by donating to the Shepherd's Shop.  It's ran by a local church by all volunteers and the prices are so cheap it's unreal.  I buy there often, myself.  They also help people in need at no cost.  So, I thought someone will definitely be blessed to find a few good toys waiting there just for them.

 

Each girl chose a toy that they could let go of to bless another child.  Hannah Joy gave one she still plays with but she said yes on giving it.

It was cute while we were there because she didn't quite understand what we were doing.  She kept asking them to put batteries in it.  lol  She left it with no fuss though.  God is good~!

As we were leaving the sweet lady (we know her), Ms. Suzie, tried to give them something to drink from the soda machine.  I told her they couldn't receive something for giving.  She said she understood and could she give them drinks the next time we were in their shopping.  I told her that would be wonderful!

I love this time of year.  Even little things, like we did today, will bless someone.  If everyone joined in, can you imagine how many people would be blessed around the whole world?

All Smiles,

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