This seems like a life-time ago.

Getting to know you

When we sit down for supper at night I ask the kids two questions; what was your favorite part of today and what did you hate? I get so much more information out of them this way. When I ask the "what did you do at school today" I get 'I don't remember' or just a tid bit of information. I really enjoy hearing their answers and I learn so much more about them.

Another thing we have started doing as a family lately is talking about what we are thankful for at breakfast. I was beginning to lose sight of how blessed I am by our awesome God and this keeps me more centered. I love hearing the kids answers as well. One morning everything Bo answered was food related. I should mention that he chose not to eat dinner the night before. I want my kids to have a more positive out look on life than I do.

There is one more thing that I have started with the kids that has me get a good look at who they really are and what they are really feeling. I have begun asking them what I can pray for about them that day. I wasn't sure how it would go over but it has worked well.

I don't share all of this because I am bragging, truth be told I have felt like a crummy mom from the second day Kati was born, I share this to give you ideas you may not have thought about to get to know your own kids.

I love my little stinkers.

As I lay in bed praying and contemplating what I will do this summer to support my family I hear the rustle of a diaper. Expecting to hear the same "I want to be wiss you" that I heard 5 minutes ago I am not pleased. It's something different. He needs to potty. I sit on the cold tile that Jeffrey put in almost a year ago and share a victory with my little guy at 5 in the morning. Knowing that he wont be sleeping again I wager with myself that it's better to put him in bed with me then to have him wake Bear so early. We snuggle down under my thick comforter.

I go back to praying but can't resist the urge to peek at his sweet face. I open my eyes to see another set of eyes, beautiful milk chocolate brown, just inches from mine. His round cheek turn upward as he sees me looking at him. "Kissy-kissy", I hear. He clumsily comes to kiss my forehead, right where I needed a kiss. His cool lips mash against my warm forehead and an arm is thrown around me as my face is smashed into his chest. I am certain I must have an imprint of the penguin skiing from his pajamas tattooed to my face. This time I hear "huggy- huggy". He settles back down with Daddy Bubba tucked under one arm while the other is upraised with a thumb firmly tucked in his mouth. I close my eyes. Even though I would rather stare at him for the next hour and a half I know he wont sleep if I am looking at him.

I return to my thoughts of summer when his sleepy baby breathe begins to blow my hair from my forehead. I try not to smile. He begins to quietly sing the 'abc's'. A soft delicate, un-worked, baby hand strokes my cheek, cool against my face. Refreshing. I can feel his love for me, almost hearing the words he likes to say to me, "You da best momma in da whole world." I lay there thanking my Lord for this precious gift and my two other gifts just down the hall..........

Family is forever

One year ago my Mom got married. She waited two decades for him but he was worth the wait. It's nice to see her smile.

35 Years

I am way late on sharing their anniversary. (I didn't forget Daddy I promise, it was just a rough day.)

When I was a kid I had three marriages I would have banked on making it for all time and theirs was the top of the list. I love you guys. Thank you for letting me watch you two hold hands all these years.

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