~ She’s only little for a little while, right? ~

Yes, we’ve created a monster, but it’s not entirely our fault. Kenzie suffered from severe acid reflux when she was a newborn until she was about 1. So, out of pure desperation for some sleep, we would get her to sleep in our room and sometimes sleep propped up on pillows to allow her tummy to be upright. Of course, we would fall asleep ourselves and it doesn’t take long to create a really bad habit.

Well, she’s 3 now and she thinks that she owns the right to have cuddle time in our bed before she goes to sleep and we move her to her bed. How do I feel about that? Mixed feelings and confused. I feel that she’s 3, and needs to learn healthy habits and go to sleep in her own bed. On the other hand, I feel we’ve taught her that this is the way we do things and to just pull the rug out from under her would be heartbreaking for her. Back to the other hand, she’s 3…and she needs to learn healthy habits. Flipping again, she’s only little for a little while, right? ...it’s not that big of a deal.

I talked to my pediatrician about the best way to make the transition to where she starts out in her bed and stays there. She said to be prepared for a week or so of “you know what” and extreme guilt. Am I ready? Not sure? It’s not really impacting anything, except my aspirations to be a good mother and make good choices about her well being.

She falls asleep in our bed and we move her to her bed. That’s not really hurting anything, is it? It’s the easy road. I’m guilty. I’m the one that made this the norm for her…not her. So, what to do? I know what I have to do and I know that doesn’t make me a mean mommy, but does she?

~ numbereleven ~

Hey you, it’s me… #11. 

Yeah, the one setting picks for my boys over here dropping hoops.

 Just know... I’m here. 

~ A story of a girl and her TIARA ~

If you are not getting the attention you deserve, just grab your tiara and an upside down laundry basket and DEMAND IT!!!... all strategically placed to block football.

Perhaps us older girls could learn from this lil' one.

I'm not sure I would get away with this or not.

~ Catch it…if you can ~

I realize this is a HORRIBLE picture.

However, I had to post this pic I caught on the way to church Sunday morning because it’s the one of very few times in the car that I didn’t feel like I was a referee to a verbal explosion.

Yes, they are holding hands!!!

Ethan is most all the time a loving individual.  Don’t get me wrong, he aggravates his little sister… but for the most part, he’s very loving and unselfish.  My little K Grace is also a very sweet child, but when it comes to her brother…she grows horns. 

You parents know what I speak of, right?  They become little balls of fire.

Let me tell you, this girl knows what she wants and doesn’t mind telling you.  I’m hoping this will be to her benefit in the future….somehow. 

Anyway, here’s to a car ride where I didn't have to get my bat whistle out.

~ God Uses People ~

~ Inspired by Max Lucado ~

In a world starving and untouched by real love... Christ love.  Not that it's not there, that it's not shared.

Are you ready for God to use you?

For whatever task?

To help

To bless

To love

I am!!!

Biblical patterns tell me that even though I’m ordinary with no “extra” in front of it, that God can use me.

I’m ready!!!

I’m ready for HIM to turn my ordinary into EXTRA-ordinary!!!

So God, here are my hands… use them

Here are my feet… direct them

Here are my eyes… open them

Here is my mouth… discipline it

Here is my heart…fill it

Use me to put your prints on an untouched world.

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Max Lucado wrote:
GOD USES PEOPLE

 

Would you choose a wanted murderer to lead you out of bondage? Would you call upon a fugitive to carry the Ten Commandments? God did . . . Called his name through a burning bush. Scared old Moses right out of his shoes!

The reassuring lesson is clear. God . . . uses people to change the world. People! Not saints or superhumans or geniuses, but people.

I know those I have chosen. John 13:18

~ Winter Storm 2011 ~

Well, we started the year off with another winter storm that dropped from 1 - 12 inches on our city and surrounding counties.  We've had our share of snow this season considering we are a southern state.

That being said, with snow comes excitement and increased anxiety in these parts... but the choas is loved here.  There is nothing like it when snow is in the air.

What many people don't know about our snow is that it's usually a mixture of rain that freezes into sheets of ice and then we get snow on top.  Our climate is such that we hang out at temps that produce ice for winter precipitation.  So, the northern "dry" snow doesn't happen here.  Many "make fun", but simple fact is that it doesn't matter how far north you live, ICE isn't easy to drive on regardless of your geographical location.

Just sayin'!!!  

Anyway, here are a few pics from our SNOW DAY!!!

~ I can be PERFECT?! ~

I read this the other day and it spoke and penetrated deep in my heart. Sometimes I think God just lets you stumble upon words of wisdom from others because he knows you need it right then and there. He takes no credit for it, but I know it’s his grace and mercy that leads me to these writings just when I need them.

Holly wrote:

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I curl up on the couch, coffee in one hand and a pen in the other. I feel weary all the way to my bones.

I think of all the ways I fall short...

The corners of the house uncleaned.

The corners of my heart that are the same.

I whisper prayers about feeling too small, about things seeming impossible, of never being able to grasp that word that haunts me--perfect.

On the horizon of my heart a half-remembered Scripture slowly appears. I search for it. When I find it, I look in wonder...

The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me… Psalms 138:8 (KJV)

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Really?!!

So…… I don’t have to worry about this, because God is going to fill the gap for me?

This triggered me to make a mental list of the things that concern me and that I want God to help me with in 2011… you know, better mother, better wife, better friend and the list goes on. I’m not perfect in any of those areas, but the promise of the Bible is that God will make perfect the things that concern me. Right?!

Now, with that said, I know that God’s perfect must be very different than my perfect.

So, I pray and seek in 2011, that God will make me perfect in His sight and He will teach me and fill the gap of all the things that I fall short of this day.