Changes

Here's Liam, another victim of Taylor's fashion torture. There's something so cute about it though.

It's been tough around here lately with sickness and fussy babies so we have to cut loose sometimes.

Here's a picture of my new haircut too. I'm glad to have something that's easier to take care of at this point. Gotta go, Gavin's screaming....again.

Praise God in all things

I've been thinking about a post I received about how we're willing to praise God when things go well but do we think to do it when things aren't? Not really. I was really convicted about that and so started to praise Him for the hard times that caused me to grow or that transformed my marriage. At the time it wasn't fun but it definitely was for the best.

Last night was a prime example. Liam decided to scream in his crib on and off for over two hours. I checked his diaper several times and kept telling him to go to sleep but nothing would soothe him. I really got frustrated and gave up. Then Bill got involved and in his frustration brought all the kids back downstairs to watch t.v. since no one was sleeping anyway. I told him to go back upstairs and turn off the baby monitor. Liam stayed up until 11:30 and then threw himself down on the air matress in exhaustion. Then at 12:00 he threw up. Taylor ran upstairs and I had to clean up barf. As I was wiping the cushions I was thinking about how I should praise the Lord in all things. I already had worship music on in the background to help my patience level. Praising God really helped me laugh at the situation. I made up my mind that I wouldn't get any sleep anyway so I started praying too. It really was a great night even though the circumstances weren't great. These are times that force you to depend on Him. Thank you Lord for such lessons.

Halloween fun!

My kids love Halloween. They especially love to dress up and of course the candy. We call it candy day. It's a fun time to talk to neighbors and let the kids create a look for the night.

Dylan made the Spongebob costume himself. It's so cute but it made his arms hurt having to have them up all night.

Taylor was a Kabuki theater woman and wore my old kimono. It's an authentic kimono that was hand-stitched as a gift for me when I taught over there years ago.

Austin was Dracula ( a character from literature mind you!) and had fun with that.

We took their friend Anna this year who was Sarah Palin. Since most of our neighborohood was Democrat I wasn't sure if anyone would be rude but everyone was very sweet. Many would say, "Hey look, Sarah Palin is making a personal campaign stop!" One lady asked if she was a teacher.

What my children do for fun!

This was an unauthorized activity but the kids took the leaf blower and blew it into their faces. THEy are funny pictures though although Bill had quite a talk about it with them. Another pic is of GAvin! Do you see how his face is starting to fill out? He's almost completely weaned off the lactation aid! Yeah! The other pic is of Austin and Liam having so much fun in leaves. We're trying to enjoy the beautiful weather now while we can!

I feel like a big loser.

Follow up isn't very strong characteristic for me. When I got my dog I had great plans to train her and make her a real good dog. Well that didn't happen. Apparently when you neglect this particular breed they become destructive so she went on rampages of steeling food and going through the garbage cans. She ended up driving me crazy and I gave up on her. The kids gave up too. In the end she was put outside most of the day and was miserable so I told the kids she needed to be in a different home, one where the people in it could pay attention to her. So that's what we did but it wasn't without lots of guilt from me. I guess I deserve it.

I also cannot keep my house in a state of order. It's in constant chaos. I know this is driving Bill crazy but I don't know what to about it. I feel like I nag my children daily about putting their things away but it doesn't help and they look at me like I'm some cyclops monster. This is my fault too as I don't put my own stuff away so they've taken my bad habits and run with them ten fold. At least Liam is good about putting his stuff away!

I know that the Lord puts things in our way so that we stop and run to Him (hopefully), so that's what I want to do. The problem is that I get distracted when I pray due to sleep deprivation and the chaos so I'm not spending as much time as I need or like. I don't want to be the way I am, easily frustrated right now but I don't know how to not do it in my own power. Thankfully I know that I'm not perfect and the Lord knows it too. Breathe on me sweet breath of God! I would so like to be a sweet and thoughtful woman but instead I feel like a scatterbrained nincompoop! Maybe that will happen yet someday.

Sorry to be a bummer of a post but I just felt the need to be honest.

THings I'm grateful for:

Health,
Shelter
Food
Clothing
Family
Fall Colors
The honor of living in a free country with the right to choose our leaders!
Freedom of religion
My Bible
My husband
Books
Sewing machine
music
Friends (especially the ones who really know who I am!)

Learning to be a big brother.

Liam is doing well being a big brother these days. He likes to touch Gavin's nose and give him kisses. At times he does things like smack his head and poke his eyes but I think it's more out of toddler enthusiasm than vindictiveness. He is fussy these days though but I think it's because he's sick. I've been trying to give the baby to someone else to hold so I can spend time with him. Sometimes all he needs is to be held and kissed too. Don't we all?

Look who's filling out!

Gavin is doing great. He's gained 2.5 pounds since he was born. He eats well and is trying to smile but doesn't quite get it. He sleeps 2 six hour stints at night. Whoo-hoo! I'm so in love with all of them!