"Little Bit"

We have said before that no matter how many children we have Julia will always be our baby. It's just that she's so sweet and snugly and loves to be babied. She's very sensitive and loves to have any one on one time she can get. I call her "Little Bit", "Sugar Bear" and "Sweetie Pie Honey Bunch". I accidentally called Tucker "Sweetie Pie Honey Bunch" the other day and she got very upset. She said, "No, Mommy, I'm your Sweetie Pie Honey Bunch- Tucker is your Love Bug." And so it is- I love, love, love this little girl- she is MY Sweetie Pie Honey Bunch and I hope she always stays cuddly and lovey. She is such a special little girl.

These pictures were taken at Homeschool P.E.- it was a Valentine's party and she was so happy to wear her heart dress. :) The glass is 1/2 full with this little optimistic angelgirl.

Thanks Christy...

"When a simple soul is to act, it considers only what is suitable to do or say and then immediately begins the action, without losing time in thinking what others will do or say about it. And after doing what seemed right, it dismisses the subject; or if, perhaps, any thought of what others may say or do should arise, it instantly cuts short such reflections, for it has no other aim than to please God, and not creatures, except as the love of God requires it. Therefore, it cannot bear to be turned aside from its purpose of keeping close to God, and winning more and more of is love for itself." ~ St. Frances de Sales

Best Buds

Marky and Tuck Tuck have always been super close. And Julia and Marky are very close and play games. But lately Sissy and Tucker are finding they have a lot in common and like to move at the same pace. For instance, at storytime Marky goes and works on computers while Sissy and Tucker dance and sing and smile at each other. Little brother watches everything Sister does and copies every move.

Shake it, shake it, shake it like a polaroid picture.....

And when we are outside all Marky wants to do is ride his bike. Julia and Tucker like to stay in the driveway and she pulls him around in the red wagon. They BOTH equally love this activity- it's a win/win.

Little man also stops and lets Julia serve him tea parties almost everyday. I think Julia enjoys being "in the middle" and able to play with both her brothers in different ways.

Dear Awkward Stage.....

Dear Awkward Stage,
First of all, how dare you. How dare you take my beautiful, baby-faced, baby-toothed boy and turn him into a kid. He lost his first top tooth tonight and it's been hard for Mommy. I mean, look at what I've had for so long.....
Look at this! Now, he is a beautiful boy- but I know you, Awkward Stage, and I was a really cute toddler and you turned me crazy-looking for about 4 years or so and I can't stand to see those pictures to this day. You can't do that to my baby. Do you hear me? He's my beautiful boy and he must stay beautiful- please don't give him the ginormous bunny teeth that stick straight out that you gave me. Let this pass rather easily. Thank you and Good Day, Donna

P.S. We've been giving quarters for teeth around here, and Marky learned at science class that other kids get $2 a tooth and he was rather upset. I said I think the tooth fairy must appreciate our family traditions. :)

Valentine's Day

Today we had a little Valentine's Day Co-op with a few of our homeschooling friends. It was beautiful weather so it was extra wonderful. We started the morning reading a book about Saint Valentine and his life and about how the Romans wanted him to worship many gods and he would only worship the One, True God. We did some coloring sheets and made cards for our Daddies.
Then our friend read us a story from this WONDERFUL book Love Is based on I Corinthians that explained what love is- it is a choice we make. We talked about how we chose to love people and ways we can show love.

Then the kids worked on a wonderful craft where you put the words of what "Love Is" on a heart....like "kind", "patient", "not easily angered", etc.

After crafts, they played outside and then had pizza and snacks on heart plate.
Then it was time to decorate cookies and cupcakes!

And now the party is over, the kitchen is clean and quiet again. A super-fun day with my Valentines.

Weekend

This weekend was a lot of fun. I was able to get together with my "Bible study" group (that's in quotes b/c we don't have Bible study anymore, but still like to keep in touch) and had a little baby shower for one of the girls. Four of us are pregnant right now. Big families are in. :) I remembered during the night that I am an extrovert and get "charged" by being around people and need to make sure I get time with friends more often. And by time with friends- I mean fun, social hanging out time- time without an agenda (as opposed to book clubs, Bible studies and the like).

For Valentine's Day I got a....NEW CAR!!! Actually Marc's poor car (aka "the man van") bit the dust. It would have cost thousands to save it just to keep it putting along another year so we decided it was time to bite the bullet and get something new. We've gotten into a wonderful pattern of getting me the new cars and giving Marc my old one. What a servant- how many men would drive their wife's old minivan to their corporate law firm? He's definitely a keeper.

Well, I'm off to get the sugar cookies out of the oven and clean the kitchen for a Valentine's Day Co-op tomorrow. Hope all is well with you and yours!

Boys will be boys?

I went through this phase my senior year in college where I went to the library every afternoon and read books and poems written by Puritans. I just couldn't get enough. And I found this poem "Don't send my boy where your girl can't go" and fell in love with it. I even wrote it in my notebook and had it for years and hoped to remember it when I had a son. I lost it and have tried to find it so many times and couldn't- but tonight as I was looking for a poem for a baby shower gift I remembered the first two lines and googled and voila! I found it! This is such a treasure and reminds us that our boys' souls are just as white, pure and precious as our girls'-

Don't Send My Boy Where Your Girl Can't Go
Anonymous

Don't send my boy where your girl can't go,
And say, "There's no danger for boys, you know,
Because they all have their wild oats to sow."
There is no more excuse for my boy to be low
Than your girl. Then please do not tell him so.
This world's old lie is a boy's worst foe--
To hell or the kingdom they each must go.

Don't send my boy where your girl can't go;
For a boy or a girl sin is sin you know;
And my baby boy's hands are as clean and white,
And his heart is as pure as your girl's tonight.
That which sends a girl to the pits of hell
Will send the soul of my boy there as well.