Iced Mocha Addiction

This evening we were outside playing with our 3D sidewalk chalk (which by the way, really works!). I started writing all my kids names and adding descriptions to their names. So Noah decided to write one for me.

It says "MOM IS MY ICED MOCHA BUDY". Yes, my eight year old is addicted to Iced Mochas. It all started when our neighbor came over slurping one from McDonalds. I told Noah I would take him to get one after we dropped off his little brothers at their preschool summer camp. Since then we have tried them at McDonalds, Starbucks, and even a homemade version. The verdict....McDonalds Iced Mochas are the best.

I love being Noah's Iced Mocha Budy (Buddy)!

My Favorite Poem

I found this many years ago when I was a newlywed. I think it describes perfectly how I feel most days.

Me and Her

She is compulsive.
I am impulsive.
She likes it hot.
I like it cold.
She is neat.
I'm a slob.
Andy Rooney says, "A's marry Z's."
But we are in different alphabets.
I push.
She pulls.
She says, "Up."
I say, "Down."
She is night.
I am day.
Living together is hard.
Living without her would be impossible.

I'm a Single Mom (just for 10 days)

So this week and part of next, my husband is in Colorado. He had plans to go to a wedding over the weekend, but his grandfather (who we call "Gramps") died last week. So he took off 4 days earlier than planned. Where does this leave me? At home with 3 boys who miss their daddy like crazy. If anyone has the bright idea to come rob us, you'd better think twice. We have things like baseball bats, nerf guns, butter knives, tigers, and giant worms to scare you away!

They're Having More Fun Than Us

Over Memorial Day weekend, I got to go camping for 2 nights with my four favorite guys (my husband and my three sons). Going tent camping with the family takes A LOT of preparation for us. There are tents, sleeping bags, pillows, favorite blankets, clothes, extra clothes, food, drink, ice, bikes, air mattresses, chairs, and the list could go on and on. So packing all of this, and then organizing all of this, and then stowing all of this takes a while. My eight year old, Noah, was outside with my husband and I while all of this work was going on. We were hot, tired, and a bit grouchy with each other. As we were working our tails off, a neighborhood dad and two little boys rode by peacefully on their bikes. Noah's comment (which happened to be very loud) was, "They are having more fun than us!" I stopped in my tracks and read him the riot act. I told him we were doing all of this for him and his brothers so they could go camping and have fun, fun, and more fun!!

A while later I had an eye-opening moment. I wondered how many times I have told my Father that someone else is having more fun. I have a bad habit of comparing myself to others way too much! But in the meantime, He is preparing me for something bigger and better. It might just take a while to get there.

Preparation is rarely fun. It is work. Hard work. You will get hot, tired, and maybe a little dirty. But when the destination is reached, you will see that you are having fun!

The next day I asked Noah if the dad and his two boys were still having more fun than us. His answer: "No Way!"

A Book Review

Several months ago I found this blog by The Preacher's Wife. It is a great blog for ministry wives. They extended an offer of a free book to any ministry wife willing to write about their book. So of course I signed up. I love to read, and reading free books is even better! So a couple weeks ago the book came in the mail, and it took me just a few days to read. It is a great book with an even greater message. The premise is about four PWs (pastors' wives) who secretly meet to discuss life and support each other. Each wife comes with her own set of problems (like us all!), and I love the way they work through each struggle with God's help.

I will leave you with my favorite quote...

"God had been so good to her. He had heard her cries for help and grace. He had answered her pleas for mercy and for her family. He had shown up and had proved faithful again. Even when she hadn't deserved it."

This is what I pray God does in my life on a daily (sometimes hourly) basis!

My Four Year Old Twins Rock!

These shirts were made by me (with a lot of help from Dean) last night. The boys will be wearing them all week. They got to wear them to preschool today, MOPS tomorrow, then our family birthday party on Saturday. I cannot believe they will be four years old tomorrow! I am so thankful God gave them to us!

The 'Ment Truck

This was our conversation in the car yesterday...

Devin: "look mom a 'ment truck!"

Mom: "yes Devin. I see the cement truck. Where do they take cement?"

Devin: "in your mouth"

Mom: "cement in your mouth? like they used for Noah's braces?"

Dalton: "no mom. like the round mints in your purse."

Mom: "oh a mint truck!"

Devin and Dalton: "YES!"