getting to the real purpose....

So the real purpose of my blog is to serve as a journal for my kids.  a chance for them to look back at things Mom remembers or went through or just funny stories, meaningful stories, and so on....
But lately, I tend to post stuff on facebook and then don't translate it to my blog.  So today is a recap of some ponderings I've had lately as well as some kid stories.
I've actually been trying a lot harder lately to focus on the spiritual, to be a better person, to seek after spiritual answers and be the girl I think the Lord would be proud of and I've had a few break-throughs:

so I've tried to be positive today and I was productive (which always helps) but as I was thinking of my to do list, I had an epiphany! If I can do 4 things each day: 1. something for my family 2. something for someone else 3. something for myself and 4.something for the Lord. Then I've had a successful day...it's just that easy

 

talking to someone today about how my feelings got hurt over something and she shared how her feelings had been hurt about something completely different but both situations revolved around a person saying something without caring how it sounded to others. This got me thinking about how we, and more to the point--I, say something often with such abandon, assuming that people get "what we mean" and not "what we say" and how it can totally defeat someone without you even realizing it. I hope we can try to speak kinder to one another and realize that words hurt more than fists most of the time

 

wanna do a fun, daring and CRAZY field trip? Take 25 3,4, 5yos to Victoria Theater in 50 mile/hr winds with rain. Make them park in a parking garage in downtown Dayton that is a 3 block walk from the theater (also going on the same time as a show at the Schuster Center so we have to fight through parking and people for that). Then set them in the highest part of the BALCONY which is very steep. Seriously! I kept ahold of Kal's shirt the entire time b/c I was afraid he would fall over the balcony. On the flip side, Kal had a great time

 

sometimes when we have my teenage nephews spend the night at our house, we tell Izzy that she can't sleep in the living room with the boys b/c boys and girls don't sleep in the same room. Tonight while fighting to go to bed b/c she is scared, she shouts amid tears "I wish boys and girls could sleep together before they are married!"
one of those moments where I had to flee the room before the laughter came bubbling out of my mouth

 

for Papaw's birthday, Sam said he wanted a "Pa haircut". My dad was sooo excited!

Daddy/Daughter Dance

Each year, Izzy's school does a Daddy and Daughter Dance Night. Izzy loves it!  She gets dressed up with Daddy and they go out to dinner before their big date.  This year her restaurant of choise was:  McDonald's!!!  My school never did this so I don't have any memories like this with my dad.  I'm so glad that Izzy can do this and that Kurtis is such a good daddy.  Love it!

Izzy in her fancy dress

Iz and Dad

Kal gets in on the action

favorite mom moments

one of my favorite mommy moments: when you turn off the TV, put on some good music and the kids come running in the room. then you have an impromptu dance party in your pajamas with everyone

 

Today's dance party involved Lionel Richie

Kal, the funny man

a few funny Kal moments:

While wrestling with his Uncle Joe today, my brother comes out of the room and says to Kal: "tell your mother what you just said to me."
Kal: "I said 'Uncle Joe, your butt is SERIOUSLY gross!"
Later when asked to recap again for Mamaw, he replies "Uncle Joe's butt is just EW!"

While driving today, I ask "Kalen, do you think I'm the best mommy ever?"
Kalen: "No way!"
Me: "Oh?  So who IS the best mommy ever?"
Kalen: "Daddy!"

Lastly, yesterday afternoon Kal tells me "I'm going to be a doctor.  You lay down and I'll check on you."
Me: "okay"
Kal: "You don't look so good.  You need to stay in bed for the rest of the day."
Me: "Alright!  That sounds like a great idea!"
a short while later as I'm moving around the kitchen, Kal: "You are supposed to be in BED!  Dr's orders!"
I wish I could've followed his orders.

He is just a funny little guy!

a note to my children

Frankly right now, things in life are rocky.  Some things are uncertain and Kurtis and I are doing our best to focus on our family and take care of what the good Lord has given us.  With that being said, I was thinking as I was driving tonight, what is one word I would use for each of my kids?  What would I use to sum up what they mean to me....so here it is:
           To Sam: "NEW"  Everything with Sam was new, the first, a great way to experience everything for the first time, like I was a kid all over again.
           To Isabel: "DIFFERENT"  Everything with Izzy was different, whether it was a boy/girl thing, a first child/second child thing, or just plain watch you be different from your brother thing.
           To Kalen: "FUNNY"  Everything with Kal is funny, even when it's a serious thing.  Kal does everything his own way, with no fear, watching his older siblings and figuring out how to do it himself even if he is 2-4 years younger.
           To Zeke: "BITTERSWEET"  Everything with Zeke is sweet; he's just a doll, lights up my day with a simple smile and chubby cheeks.  But it is bitter b/c he's the youngest.  As Zekey grows from a baby into a little boy, I miss the experiences of fresh, new little spirits in my home.  I miss that newborn feeling.

Zeke is the reason I thought of this tonight.  Things are on the fritz, money is tight, the future is uncertain and I look back in the van and see this little chubby-cheeked, only a few teeth smile, wondering wide eyes taking everything in and I'm so thankful for my children.  SO THANKFUL for my life and the little people entrusted into my care.  This is my note to my children.  You make everything worth it....really, everything.  It sounds like a cliche and it is BUT it is also true!

Valentine's Day with my little Ebers

I tend not to make a big deal about Valentine's Day.  Holidays and gift-giving aren't Kurtis' forte and it tends to just bog me down if he doesn't celebrate it as I hope he would. But this year, the kids seemed to get into the spirit of things.  Isabel and Daddy went to the pharmacy the other night to pick a prescription and before I knew it, they had gotten something for everyone for Valentine's Day.
So while, Kal and I were out the other day, we picked up V-Day straw cups for all the kids and little stuffed animals holding candy.  Last night before bed, I lined up everyone's little Valentine's things and this morning the kids were SO excited to see their goodies.  It made my day to have something that made them smile. Then I was able to send them on to school looking forward to their classroom parties and such.  What a fun way to focus on today without being down about what Kurtis might or might not have done to celebrate.  Tonight, as requested by Sam, we will order a Papa John's Pizza in a heart-shape and then we will sit on the couch as a family and watch a movie.  What a wonderful way to focus on my blessed life.

I will throw in the cute things the kids have said lately.  The other day, while driving home from the bus stop, Sam says "Mom, when you die, I will not be mad at you.  I'll know that you didn't mean to leave me but you just got old and died".  Isabel replied "SAM!  You are not supposed to call a person old.  It's rude!"  It was very funny how upset she was that I was called old but no one seemed bothered by my impending death.

Isabel also informed me yesterday that her teacher, Mrs. Worman, has 3 sons and therefore "she has no one who loves shopping!"  So Isabel suggested that we go out and buy her some clothes so she can look cute at school.  She has really bonded with her teacher and really thinks the world of Mrs. Worman!

when kids say the cutest things....

So while driving to the bus stop this morning, we were listening to Anne Murray singing "Nobody loves me like you do...."
Sammy from the back says "Mom, nobody loves me like you love me"
Isabel "This song is the truth.  She is right.  Nobody loves us like Mom loves us!"
I was smiling so big!