Travel Tips

To keep a toddler busy on a flight, give her a baby wipe and tell her the plane is dirty.


To keep the same toddler busy in the airport, let her climb behind a candy machine. She'll spend quite a while trying to figure out how to get the candy out. Then how to get herself out!

Question and Answer

Question: "Why is it so hard to get places on time?"

Answer: "I have a four year old that would rather dress his penguin than himself."

15 Years Younger

My car is at the dealership having some repairs done while it's still under warranty, so they gave me a rental to drive today. I was going to have to pay to upgrade to an SUV, so I just took what they had: a VW Beetle!

I have to tell you I was a little skeptical at first, but as I started down the freeway I felt at least 15 years younger! Sure, there are two car seats in the back and I was going to buy groceries and a new shower curtain, but hey, I can dream for a minute or two! I'm used to driving a wagon, so imagine my surprise when I looked over my shoulder and actually saw out the back windshield! It kind of freaked me out. You're probably thinking, "Two car seats? Doesn't she have three kids?" Coleman's just out of luck! Actually, after I pick up Spence and Allie from MDO, we'll walk to go get Coleman. Then my Mom will be here later since she's staying with the boys this weekend. And I guess I'll have to go return my sweet little ride. But really, it's fun for a day, but I wouldn't trade a thing, or especially anybody, that fits in my wagon for anything in the world.

Earlier this week a friend and I went to see Brandon Heath. I love him! Our Christian radio station has free concerts at Chick-Fil-As around town, and this one just happened to be in Sugar Land. I had lots to do while the kids were at school, but I'm so glad I made time to go to this!

Play Time With Daddy

The kids enjoyed a crazy play time with Daddy tonight! Allie was on Brian's back too, but neither of the boys could seem to hold her on. So after falling off two or three times, she was done.

While I had the camera out, all three kids were here, and everyone was in a good mood I tried to get a group picture. They all smiled and looked at the camera at the same time. Wow!

Allie's favorite word is, "Cheese!" Well, that along with mine, no, and help.

Rainy Monday

It's a rainy Monday here. I didn't want to drag the kids to the gym in this weather, so I did 3 miles of my workout DVD at home. That was a great way to start my week! Spence and Allie actually cooperated (for the most part) and I got it done without having to hit pause too many times. That's my goal for this week: 3 miles every day!

I've been so bad at keeping up with the blog lately. Every day the boys say something cute and I think I'll write about it, but then I get sidetracked. I'm really bad about getting sidetracked. It's a complete miracle that I ever finish anything!

Today Allie dumped a bowl of Life cereal (no milk, just dry) into Spence's new rain boots. Then she ate it straight out of the boot! He's only worn the boots a few times, so they aren't completely gross. There, I rationalized it enough so it wasn't a disgusting act.

And really, how could anything she does be disgusting? She's just too adorable. As is her brother, who is playing behind the blinds with her.

Brian, Allie, and I will be traveling to Wisconsin this Friday to be with our family for a memorial service. Rita's sister Jeani passed away on January 11th. She was such a sweet, loving woman. Even though I did not get the opportunity to spend much time with her, she made me feel like a part of the family. She would read the blog and comment, she would send the kids things. Even though she never got to meet Allie and only met Spence once. She truly had a love for her family that will never be forgotten. We are so thankful that we get to go and celebrate her life and be with the people that she loved so much, and the people we love so much. It is amazing that even in the midst of grieving, God allows us to have peace. That's what I'm praying for Jeani's family: a peace and comfort that can only come from above and knowing that their loved one is in the presence of Jesus and no longer in pain. I am so blessed to have married into this family.

Today's Excuse...

... for not putting the laundry away:

Coleman's Bible Birthday Party

Coleman's Bible birthday party was this past Saturday and it was a lot of fun! There were 25 kids there. Yes, 25. Yikes! It was great though. We had an obstacle course and several other games, so I divided the kids up into teams: The Lord's Army (Coleman's team), The Solid Rocks (Spence's team), The God Squad, The Miracle Makers, and The Saints. Thanks to Brian, my mom, and a few other parents that helped lead each group, it went pretty smoothly. Here are some pictures:

Since Coleman wanted a Bible theme, I decided to do "fish and loaves." That seemed a little easier than what he originally asked me to do: a cake with Jesus on the cross. The loaves are chocolate cake loaves frosted with chocolate buttercream frosting. The fish are cookies made by my mom (THANK YOU!) which we frosted together.

The fish turned out really cute!

Noah's ark game - We hid 5 pairs of animals in an adjoining room and when the kids found the pairs, they could put them in the ark.

Spence and a friend in the ark

Fruit of the Spirit Toss - Each child tossed the fruits and got points for getting them in the baskets. The winners from each team played for a prize.



Armor of God Race - I didn't get a good picture of this game, but the point was to put on the armor (breastplate, shield, helmet and sword), race down and back, and give the armor to the next teammate. I think they just liked to sword fight.

Rebuild the Temple - The kids had to follow the directions to build a temple. I think this game was a little difficult for them. But kids love blocks, so they had fun!

Pin the Stone on the Giant - Similar to pin the tail on the donkey, but they had to see who could get the stone closest to the center of Goliath's forehead.

The obstacle course had 7 "stories" to go through:

Run through the parted Red Sea...

Then crawl through the fiery furnace...

Make your way under the fish net (miraculous catch of fish)...

Get in the belly of the big fish (just like Jonah)...

Row across the Sea of Galilee...

And finally, climb Mount Sinai to see the 10 Commandments! (I didn't get a picture of the Good Samaritan station.)

Happy birthday Coleman!!!

Hold My Hand

Last night Allie and Spence were playing and she looked up at him and said, "Hand!" I told him she wanted to hold his hand, so he grabbed her hand and they walked around the house smiling and laughing. It was the sweetest thing!





You might have noticed the mark on Allie's face. She was trying to keep up with Spence and a friend and skidded on the sidewalk. It looks pretty bad, but she only cried for a minute and hasn't acted like it hurts. Here she is with her rough and tumble skid mark while playing with a G.I. Joe tank. My precious little tomboy...

Happy Birthday Coleman!

It seems impossible that my baby boy could be six years old today! He is most definitely my favorite six year old in the world. I am so proud of him and love him so much. He is a great son, older brother, and friend. We love you Coleman!

This picture is of Coleman with Cupcake the Frog. His teacher sends a birthday backpack home on each student's birthday with the frog and a birthday journal. You take a picture with the frog, write a note in the journal and tape the picture in, and return it to school. I love the idea!

Pictures Again!

Brian bought me a new card reader so I can upload pictures again finally! There are so many Christmas pictures, that I'm a little overwhelmed. So I've chosen one picture to share that gave me a laugh. I was walking through the kitchen one night and got a kick out of what was lying on the kitchen table.

Guns -n- Roses

This picture was not staged. The boys just happened to leave a gun by my vase of roses. Loved it!

Captive Pictures and Hatching Noodles

My body has been rebelling against structure and routine this week! I have been dragging myself out of bed with just enough time to get Coleman up and ready for school without being late. I have so many pictures from Christmas and the last few weeks on my camera, but the only card reader I can find isn't working to upload the pictures. I only halfway seem to care about this! That's how tired I am!

I've been on strict birthday party prep mode. Coleman's 6th birthday party will be next weekend and the plans are really coming together. He asked to have a Bible-themed party, so we're having lots of fun with it! I'm so proud of my little guy for wanting a party about God and the Bible. I hope it's his best party ever! I know if I can't find the card reader that works for the camera by next weekend, I'll have to go buy a new one so I can share the pictures!

Since I have no funny pictures to share, I'll leave you with these words:

This afternoon I was doing a lot of cooking and Spence really wanted me to play with him. I kept saying, "As soon as I'm done cooking I'll come out and play." He would come back every so often and ask if I was done. Finally, I said, "As soon as these noodles are done. I can't leave the kitchen while they're still cooking." And he said, "Why? They might hatch?"

Walking home from Coleman's school today, Spence saw a house he wanted.
Spence: Look at that pretty house! When can we have it?
Mommy: I don't think it's for sale. Why do you want it?
Spence: 'Cause it has a flag out front and I like flags.
Mommy: Then maybe we should get a flag. That would be a lot easier than buying a new house.

Happy New Year!

We had a wonderful Christmas and New Year! I have lots of pictures, but unfortunately I'm unable to upload them right now. Hopefully soon! We spent Christmas and a few days with my parents, then came home and Rita and Gale arrived to spend some time with us. We are blessed to have the most amazing family!