A Day of Gratitude

Turning another year older tomorrow is something that I surely celebrate. Another year that God has blessed me with. I know several people that didn't have the blessing of 40 years. So thank you Lord for the days you have given me. Thank you for family and friends that have touched my life and molded me and shaped me into who are still creating me to be. I thank you Lord for my husband and kids - they are such precious gifts that you have given to me. Lord , you have blessed me beyond my wildest dreams. Only you know the true desires of my heart and give the good gifts that only a good Father can give to his kids. So thank you for this day. Thank you for each minute. Thank you Lord - it's such a time to be grateful!

Turning forty

"Turning forty would be horrible", as I sat and cried,
It wasn't age that mattered, though ...
It became the realization of how fast time flies!

You spend so much of your youth wishing time away,
Here now at forty; how I wish that it could stay!

"Slow down the hour hand
Take a minute and make it last
Don't hurry-up tomorrow
Tomorrows all come too fast"

We are all born to be someone's memory.
It's only older when you realize,
How many of those memories,
Have already blessed your life!

Aging doesn't bother me,
It's a blessing, if told in truth,
I know I hold the wisdom,
Not gathered in my youth!

But I'd like my "babies" to still be babies
for a little while more
and the ruckus I so complain about
won't stand against the silence
that's in store.

I know they say the best years
are just about to begin,
So, I'll hold on to each moment
as I fight time until the end!

By Debra Gimball

This Thing Called - SCHOOL

Well a week ago today Big G started Preschool. Two days a week for 2.5 hours. Although the time doesn't seem that big of a deal - it is. Being away from home for Big G was a big step. On our way to school I have to really build him up because he's not sure about this "dropping him off and leaving him thing" - he's not liking that. He told me the other day that he was going to turn back into a baby so he didn't have to go to school! There is the girl in his class, ya know mommy "the one with the white face and white dress" - not liking her too much. She's "not very nice," he says. There is the line leader (not him of course) - doesn't want to follow them. There is the hand holding rule - not wanting to do that. Ah yes, challenge after challenge is what Big G is facing and it's so good for our strong willed little boy. Hard on one hand but in the long run, it's so good for him to see "what makes the world go round." So, if you think about Big G, pray for him through his tough transition with "this thing called school." Oh... and if you can remember mommy in there too, I am trying to keep up with all the projects. In one week I have had 3 to work on with Big G and you guessed it, he's not really into those homework things either! Ugh!!!

Pretty in Pink

The other night we had G's Back to School Night, so instead of taking pictures of him on "his" big night, I took pictures of Little G instead. Don't ask why I took absolutely no pics of Big G, just too distracted I guess. None-the-less, this is what I captured. She is into these Mardi Gras type of necklaces lately. It's a little of a love hate relationship they have. When she can't get them off or on correctly, it's a fight with them to the bitter end. BUT, when it's on, she loves to show them off...See!!!

Our trip to Indy

We took a little trip down south to the Capital of Indiana. We had a great two days with the kids. We went to the zoo and the children's museum. Two very amazing places for ALL to enjoy. We did a little bit of everything and truly enjoyed the trip, here is just a glimpse of the joy.

It's official, G's goin' to preschool

Placing his official information in the mail

It was such a hard decision as to whether or not Big G would be going to preschool this year. With potty training issues and not sure if "I" was ready to commit to such a task - we decided, he was going. And now we drive around town and he points out every school bus (I think he thinks he's going to school in this vehicle - sorry Big G), he talks about reading, coloring and play-doh often and is always seeking out friends wherever he is. So now that the papers are in and the time is drawing near, I am so excited for him. I know that the Lord has many fun and exciting adventures out there that I know I will not be able to fully provide at home with little G around. And so the school days begin in our home. As a previous educator, I am so excited to go through this being on the other side of the "desk" (if you will). Bless you Big G, the world is waiting for you!!!

I will never forget

Last night I was getting ready for bed and I felt completely exhausted, kind of like a dishrag that had just been wrung out and tossed aside. And as I stood in the shower and let the water run over me, I thought about everything that I did throughout the day. A play by play if you will in my mind. As I thought of my day, I realized all the times I picked up, put down, wiped off, wiped down, cleaned off, cleaned up, stood up, sat down, climbed up and climbed through, got in and got out, packed up and unpacked, told once, twice and a third, completed and repeated task after task. The mindless things went on and on in my mind. And as I continued through my day this sort of prayer came about, "Lord, never let me forget these days so that I can be a help and blessing to someone else who is experiencing these crazy days of toddlers." I know for me that these days will be over before I know it, but I want to remember them so that I can be a blessing to others who are experiencing days of interrupted sleep, little ones with busy hands and busy bodies, dealing with the sleepy one who melts downs in public places. I don't want to forget this time so that I can give complete and total empathy and help to another who is walking this road. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to rush through this season because there are so many precious moments to experience and so much humor in it all. But there is no mistaking that it is taxing and tiring. So, if some day I see and mom or dad trying to take a bite of food while the young child is pulling at the spoon and the other hand is launching the parent's plate onto the floor. I will happily ask, "Can I hold your little one while you eat?" Hopefully a sigh of relief will wash over their face as they pass the precious person to me. And while they eat, I will have the joy of holding and caring for the baby while taking my own trip down memory lane to simply remember, so that, "I will never forget."

The mind of a 3 year old!

Today we were getting ready to go to the local pool to cool off and as I was getting Big G ready the story went a little like this:
A: "Come on G let's get dressed so we can go swimming! Here... let's put on your shirt and swim suit."
G: "Ok, but I don't want to wear my shirt!!!"
A: "Come on G, it's one less thing mommy has to carry and you need to wear a shirt when we go places."
G: "But I don't want to wear my shirt, I just want to wear my tummy."
A: Laughing at his interpretation of not wearing a shirt - I say, "come on, let's put it on and you can wear your tummy at the pool, ok?!"

Gotta love a three year olds thought process. It just puts a smile on my face and a laugh in my heart to see my little boy grow and develop. God knew what he was doing when he created human life. Absolutely amazing!