Just wanted to share a clock that I made with you.....I saw this clock on Pinterest and I just couldn't resist copying it. If anything it is a conversation starter and a good way to make someone laugh!

Terrible, just terrible.....

That just about sums it up....terrible! That is what I thought so myself when I reviewed exactly when it was that I wrote my last post. July 2010. Now I must say to my defense....blogging is something you must feel passionate about or you just won't do it. I did enjoy it for awhile....then I kinda got lazy. Reading my sister's blog has inspired me to start this again. Not necessarily for the enjoyment of others, but mostly so that I can remember more of what it was or is like to raise my kids....plus, they say SO many funny things and I find myself forgetting so easily what it was they said! The journey gets hard but there are so many rewarding things about being a stay-at-home mom......

This boy of ours....what a hoot! We noticed last week that Kyle has "grown" another dimple! I couldn't believe it....does this really happen? I must admit that I am no expert on the study of dimples, but I have never heard of this before....
Anyways, I was trying to capture this amazing new development and as you can see.....no such luck! I have a great camera but I just couldn't seem to get a clear picture of it. So instead we have several pictures of our sweet boy trying to show me his best dimple face! Kinda cute....if I do say so myself! If you are wondering.....the dimple should be above his left big dimple (when you are looking at him)

Mom, guess what I heard......

.....mud is good for your skin!!!! Really? Is that why you felt the need to go and slather yourself in it? Of course! Why not? If it's there.....use it! That is Kadin's philosophy in life. One that has gotten him in trouble too many times to count!

I felt a little bit contradictory taking these pics. I did get him in trouble for disobeying me, then, because I just couldn't resist, I hauled the camera out. I think that may have sent him a mixed message. Especially when he called after me, " Mom, make sure you don't forget to show Dad!"
If there ever was a boy that was ALL boy it is Kadin. The dirtier, the messier, the louder and the rougher you can be.....the better. Much to the dismay of this mother who usually gets herself tied up in knots at the silly boy. Over time I have relaxed somewhat. But who wants to wash five loads of laundry a day just because mud is fun?! Oh, pardon me, because it's good for your face....lol.
We also love to play fight....Kadin and Daddy that is. I would rather keep my sanity and my pride. Kadin is a very strong 6 year-old and I am doubting my ability to actually put him on the ground and keep him there. Marcel and he were play fighting the other day. Marcel finally told him that if he didn't quit punching him that the next time it was really going to make him cry. Kadin's smart response? "What are you gonna do? Get an onion?" As if his poor old Dad was not able to possibly lay a punch on this little tuffy that would actually be able to hurt him.....hahaha.RIGHT!
Anyways, we love this ALL boy....and I know deep down that it's not actually a bad thing. Boys were made to be this way.....(I hope) I will enjoy him while he is still so uninhibited.

The Merits of Veggie Tales...(the bad ones?)

So, the other day we were reading the story Bible after supper....the story of the day was Daniel and the Lion's Den. Pretty basic, not alot of questions. Until our dear boy Kyle opens his mouth to regale us with abit more of a tale.

Kyle, " Daddy, do you know what Daniel said to the lions when he left the cave?"
Daddy, "No, I didn't realize he actually talked to them..." ( Now we were totally confused, right?) Kyle, " Daniel said, See ya, and thanks for the pizza! Dad, lions don't eat pizza!"
Okay, so after that we were really laughing. Of course Kyle thought that we were laughing about the lions not eating pizza....but the truth of it is, you should have seen the look on his face! Absolutely priceless. To be honest, on my part it was also a little of a embarrassed, nervous giggle. Seriously, does he really think that Daniel had a pizza party with the little old lions? Actually, I think he does. It's not the first time we have heard an interesting addition to what we think are basic Bible stories. We will continue to have open lines on communication about these things and try to gently guide our children in truth. Maybe the Veggie Tales have got to go? Or should I be grateful that my kids want to talk about these things....
Lots to think about and lots to pray about. Especially when it comes to raising our kids in the WAY they should go!
Blessings to all of you who read this....

A Belated Birthday Post.....

Kadin and his new Calgary Flames hat!









I can't help laugh when I look at this picture and see that saying on his shirt...he even knows it by heart!








Kadin specified a
blue and red race
car and Auntie
Jess delivered!
He was thrilled...




I am not sure I can believe it! Our boy is 6! Time flies. It seems like a short time ago that we were in the hospital meeting him for the first time....These days we are seeing him mature into a great kid who is usually quite willing to help me out or watch his siblings so they aren't wandering off or doing something dangerous! I always have to laugh in the morning when I see Kadin first thing. He is so intent on getting out of bed the moment his little eyes open that he stumbles around rubbing his eyes trying to figure out where he even is. Amidst my laughter I have tried to explain that it would be okay for him to stay in bed for a few seconds longer to orientate himself first.....but to no avail! He has very exciting things to all get done in one day and it is such a waste to lie there one second longer than necessary....I mean, why bother? Mom is very good at helping him get his bearings. " Kade! Look out bud...the table is in front of you! Kade, the toilet seat has to be up BEFORE you pee! Hello!"

Such are the joys of our very special son. Some days are more trying than others but with patience and lots of activity Kadin thrives! We have definitely noticed that his love language is quality time so I try to take an hour or two every day that he's not in school and build lego with him.At this point he is still enjoying Kindergarten....they have started home reading. I think they teachers give this assignment to help the parents learn patience. I have started to wonder if it's about the reading aspect at all! lol Marcel and I are looking forward to another fun-filled, interesting year ahead of helping Kadin grow into a young man who heart belongs to Jesus. Pray for us as parents. What an amazing, wonderful, HARD, trying job God has given us!

Who's cakes is this anyways......








Instead of having a birthday party with a thousand 6 year olds running around....we went with another family who's son was also turning 6. After we bowling (the kids beat some of the adults...oops) we went to Montana's for supper. They always give you these moose heads to wear while they sing to you. Kadin decided that they were weird and there was no way that he was going to wear them. Notice in the picture his hands on his head. He didn't remove them till they walked away....hilarious!

Monday mornings....and bread crusts

" Mom, I am not so sure I like these!"

"You wouldn't make me eat these, would you?"

hhhmmmm, I guess you would...."

YUM!

" I know you don't think I'm funny Mom.....but I gotta try!"

And...another Monday morning @ the Tootsies! How we love these mornings! After Sundays, the house is upside down, the kids are a little crabby from the routine disruption and I am happy as a lark and ready to get it all fixed up! I LOVE Monday mornings....and Monday afternoons if I could possibly convince my 4 year old and six year old that they are REALLY tired and maybe a sleep would do them good? and....then the bribe, "if you sleep, then you get to stay up..." (that said with a very cajoling tone a voice, of course!) I had this thought that morning as I watched Kamryn, our 2 1/2 year old push her crusts around her plate ( I really think that she thought if she did it long enough they really WOULD disappear!) Oh, right....the thought--Life is like bread crusts....we "eat" up all the good things and hope that the stuff that is a little harder to deal with will just disappear and that we never have to "eat" them. As we mature in life we will start realizing that the good comes with things that aren't always that pleasant. We need to experience life as a whole so that we reap the blessings of a full life, lived out for Jesus Christ...--
So, that was my thought on a Monday morning while trying to convince Kammi to eat her crusts. I don't think she hates them as much as she likes me think....look at that face! She actually imagines this whole scenario(which is a daily confrontation) is funny! I must admit, being her mother, that I did have to laugh. I also have to remind myself to keep laughing because not all of life goes smoothly and if I wasn't laughing....I most definitely would be crying.
(and no one wants to see that, right?) Besides that fact, I think my kids would start singing "A Joyful Heart is Good Medicine" to me instead of vice versa, and could I handle that? Probably not! My best advice to myself....keep your chin up and trust in your Heavenly Father to help you along....amidst bread crusts and all!



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