Backseat Conversation

While driving home from Bible Study this morning I overheard this conversation from my two oldest, Adalie just 7, and Kylia now 5.

Kylia: Those boys were funny.

Adalie: What boys?

Kylia: Those boys.

Adalie: Billy and Bobby? (Names changed to protect the innocent.)

Kylia: Yep, I am going to marry Billy when I grow up.

Adalie: Don't talk about that.

Kylia: Why?

Adalie: You need to ask Jesus if he is the man you are supposed to marry.

Kylia: O.K.

This is what happens when girls are given Barbie and Ken in wedding attire.

The response from Adalie however stems from conversations with a daddy who loves his little girls so much and wants only the best for them. He is training them to seek the Lord in all things. Well done, Papa!

Something New (and fun!)

Dating, when you have children, can be a challenge. This last Friday, Seth decided to face that challenge head on. He arranged childcare, and away we went. THIS date however was different from any other. Seth had it in his mind to mix-it-up, and that is exactly what he did. So after kissing the babes, we hopped on our bikes, and headed for the beach! There was a backpack upon his back, and hidden secrets inside. As we neared the beach we came to a table, so it was here that we stopped.

First from the bag, a table cloth. Next came two cloth napkins, then two goblets, a bottle of sparkling cider, a candle (yep, he thought of everything!), chopsticks, and lastly a package of very fresh sushi. Why is this different, you may be wondering? Well, I have never tried sushi. I have actually been very afraid to try sushi. It's raw fish people! But, I am happy to report that I am no longer afraid of sushi. Not a fan, but not afraid.

After dinner, Seth pulled out strawberries and chocolate to help cleanse the palette. (Just in case the sushi taste tried to stick around.) I told you he thought of everything!

Okay, he forgot one thing.

Did you know you can open a bottle on a chain link fence?

Maybe not ideal, but it will work.

Then with dinner done, we took a walk on the beach, smooched a bit, and rode home. It was an evening to remember, something new tried, a fear removed, and a night alone with my husband. What could be better than that?

A Heart to Understand

Adalie blessed my heart this last week. On her 7th birthday, she received a "real" Bible, (one like mommy and daddy) and I often find her upstairs, on her tummy, reading away. Last week was no exception. After reading a passage of scripture, she ran downstairs and asked so innocently, "Mommy, why are we supposed to love our enemies?" Adalie has such a heart to hear God's voice and obey His commands. It blessed me to know that when something didn't make sense to her she would rush down the stairs to ask. It blessed me to know that her heart is to discover the truths of the Lord and then follow them. Adalie you are such a blessing! Always keep your heart longing for a closer relationship with the Lord. Keep asking questions. Never stop learning and growing. I love you baby girl!

Barbie in awe of Ken

While lounging in her lawn chair, Ken's jacket wrapped warmly around her shoulders, Barbie sat in awe of her man. So strong! So handsome! Push-ups in a bathtub, while wearing a tuxedo? Now that is amazing!

(Please note: This may not have been the thoughts going through my daughters' heads as they played.)

Morning Outing in the Rain

Walking together as a family, with the rain softly misting, is something to do. And so last Saturday we donned our coats and hoods and set out. We had few plans, simply a desire for adventure. Along the way there was a little puddle jumping, and some plum picking. As we rounded the corner we discovered the farmer's market. The girls enjoyed perusing the booths, especially those with little girl toys, little girl clothes, and little girl hats. Next to the farmer's market? The library and a donut shop! So in we walked, three donuts for the girls and to the library for a little story telling. A morning in the rain? Who knew it could be so nice?!!

How Old Are We?

Seth and I both have moments when we feel like little kids again. We feel as if we are playing house, Seth gets to play the daddy and I play the mommy. We wonder what God was thinking to intrust three beautiful little girls to us, two people who feel like children ourselves. We wonder how it is that we were given so much responsibility. We're just kids! But then yesterday we saw it! Gray Hair!! That's right! Gray Hair!! Seth found a gray hair on my head, and then I found four or five on his. How old are we? Aren't we still 18 and dating, our biggest concern being what restaurant to go to on our date? No! No! and NOOOOO!! We are now 31!!

But that doesn't seem too old. Yet the hair is there. The proof exists. We are parents, we do have responsibilities, we've been married for 10 almost 11 years, and we are getting older. There are times when this bothers me and others when I am so thankful. I am thankful when I realize that I am more in love with my man today than I was on the day we married. I am thankful when I see my three beautiful girls that I love so dearly. And I am truly thankful knowing that I don't have to go through puberty ever again.

Will we ever feel our age? I guess my hope is no. Why not feel young for as long as we can?

So my handsome man, you want to go to the prom? It could be fun!

A Balanced Life

Have you ever wondered what a balanced life is? Well, I sure have! These last two years that we have been self-employing it "Balance" has been my word. I am learning that the key to a Christian life is a balanced life. As I go throughout my days I sense the Lord showing me little glimpses of what is important to Him. Every once in a while I feel I can almost grasp what He is trying to show me. Unfortuanately, balance is not something easily attained or even understood, but it is definitely something to strive for. So I continue to strive. I continue to listen. I continue to learn. And maybe, one day, I will be a bit more balanced than I am today.

Broccoli

During dinner last night Kylia made a funny. We were all finishing up, but for the broccoli that was still on two plates. We told the girls to eat up. Kylia picked up her broccoli and exclaimed, "This broccoli is amazing!" (She then took an itty-biity bite.) "It fills me up so fast!" The broccoli was returned to her plate and Kylia was "full". The way in which she approached not having to eat her vegetables was truly unique and I had to give her kudos for trying. :)

p.s. She still had to eat her broccoli, which she did with a happy heart.

A Man of God

I am so blessed to have a husband who loves the Lord and is the spiritual leader of our family. About a week ago Seth asked a financial question of his friend and for some reason the enemy chose to attack me all day with the words he had spoken. The enemy twisted it inside my head to where I found myself getting more and more upset throughout the day. There was definitely a spiritual battle going on inside of me. As soon as the lie was spoken the Lord would fight back with truth. My peace for the day was shot. For some reason God's truth wasn't combatting the lie. That night I sat down with Seth and shared with him my feelings from the day. He instantly confirmed what I knew in my heart to be true. He broke the lie instantly! And then he prayed with me!! How precious are the prayers of a Godly man! My peace was instantly restored and my love for my husband grew in that moment. I am so thankful for this man God has placed in my life and for his heart that is always pointing us to God.

A Little Humor

I am often fascinated by my children and the things they say. This morning Seth picked up his phone and declared, "Five missed calls?!?" To which Kylia responded, "Five miss calls? Then there should be five Mr. calls too!" She then laughed a "Ha, Ha" I am funny laugh, and I am still chuckling. That was a good one, Kylia!!

In Tune

Seth and I were having a conversation this weekend, and in the middle of it I exclaimed that my neck hurt. Zoie was near, apparently listening to us talk. After my comment she cheerfully declared, "I will pray for you!" She laid her hand on my neck, prayed a simple prayer, gave me a kiss, and that was that. At that moment I knew that our Heavenly Father was looking down from heaven beaming from ear to ear because of the faith of a three year old little girl. He was blessed and so was I.

Dinner Gone Wrong

I have been experimenting lately! With the little we have in our pantry I have been excited to see the variety of meals I can make. The results, until last night, have been amazing. We've had complete meals. All the courses have complemented each other, and the girls have enjoyed most of them. Well yesterday something went terrible wrong. Let me explain. We were heading out the door for an afternoon playdate and we had a meeting that evening. I decided that I needed to figure out dinner and throw it in the crock-pot so it would be ready when we returned. So after observing the little we had, I began to experiment. Chicken. Chicken goes with everything! Raspberry Vinaigrette dressing. Hmmm. (People marinate chicken in Italian dressing, maybe this would be similar.) Frozen Raspberries! That should go with the dressing! I threw it all in and headed out the door. When I arrived home the house smelled wonderful! So I cooked some rice, and steamed some broccoli. This is when it started to go down hill. With everything cooking, I was in the bedroom talking to Seth when, "Something is burning!" came rushing out of his mouth. I'm thinking, "What could be burning?" We ran to the kitchen to find that the water had boiled out of the steamer and the pan was now black. I have never had this happen before. The broccoli was above the pan and looked fine, so I served it. As we sat down to eat Seth just began laughing. The broccoli tasted burned, and the chicken looked... Well let me describe it. The raspberry dressing turned the chicken pink. The raspberries came apart and made small, dark, pink spots all over. So we had a bowl of soupy, pink chunks, with dark pink dots all over. This I served on top of rice. What does this picture make you think of? That's right! It looked like vomit! I have never served anything that looked so similar to vomit in my life! Oy-EE-Vay. Dinner Gone Way Wrong! (No pictures. It was too gross!) Why is this something I want to remember? Well, I want to remember to never make it again!!! :)

It's Your Day!

On this day, at this time, seven years ago I was deciding if it was time to head to the hospital. That's right today is the day that my Adalie was born. At 1:24 p.m. our very first little girl was born. She was 7 pounds 12 ounces, 19 1/2 inches long, and completely beautiful! Seven years later she is quite a bit taller, weighs a little more, still beautiful and our love for her has greatly multiplied over the years. Our excitement on that day mirrored her excitement today as she came down the stairs anticipating all that is to come. Birthdays at our house seem to last all week long! Adalie you are our joy and delight. We are so blessed to be your parents! Happy Birthday baby girl!