First solo weekend in our new home!

This weekend was the first weekend that we were in the house the entire weekend with just us as a family!

It was fantastic!

Friday night, we picked up daddy from work and headed for a fun dinner at Steak and Shake!

Saturday morning, we got up and around so that we could get groceries at Walmart before the crowds hit.  We made gumbo for Sunday, and Tim and I hooked up our new Blu Ray player so that we could watch Argo Saturday night.  It was a GREAT movie!

Sunday morning, we went to church and Sunday school for the first time in a month!  I was missing going so badly.  I've been to Bible study and AWANA, but I need that worship time on Sunday morning.

We sang "At Calvary" during service, and the words resonated with me so much. 

"Mercy there was great, and grace was free; 

Pardon there was multiplied to me; 

There my burdened soul found liberty, at Calvary!"

I get so emotional thinking about how grace was free.  It is impossible for someone to understand the good news and love of Christ without first understanding that we are sinners incapable of saving ourselves.  

"Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan!

Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!

Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span

At Calvary!"

This time of year is always super emotional for me.  The Easter season has became a time of reflection for me.  Thinking upon what Christ did for us, sets me at awe.

The first part of this week is going to be busy for me, but I'm looking forward to slower, warmer days!  We are going to the park after school today to celebrate today's warm weather.  Come Spring!

Keepin' it real

I am finally feeling like I have clawed my way out of all the boxes.  There are a few here and there, and the garage, well that's another story.  But, for the most part, things are unpacked.

It's funny about moving into a new home- cabinets are different.  They are different sizes and things have to be changed up from how you were used to having it.  This really upsets me at first, but then I adapt.  

Also, things that looked good in your previous home, will undoubtedly not always look good in your new home.  Now a lot of things have made the transition, but definitely there will be some decor shopping.

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I don't want to paint pretty roses around here all the time and let you assume I have no struggles going on in my life.  Lately, we have had some pretty intense discipline issues.  I know it comes with the territory, but it is most assuredly one of the hardest parts of parenting.

Most of the problem stems from them wanting to have their way or not do something that they do not want to do.  Epic battles ensue and I am left at the end of the night needing a hot bath and a Xanax. 

However, I feel like I have to do hard work now and set the standard for how we want to raise them from here on out.  I am not naive enough to believe that harder struggles are not coming.  My husband is a principal and I know all too well what is lurking in the ages to come.

I don't ever want to be lax or naive about what is going on in their lives.  This may not make me popular with my kids or with their friends or even their friends' parents, but I will not stop working hard to keep them in the best situation possible.

When we discipline them, even now, they get angry at us.  We instill over and over how much we love them, but how they are acting is not acceptable.  I pray every night for help in being a better mother and pleaseohLordamIdoinganythingright?! 

I'm just ready to see fruits from all of this work.  Heh.  They may be 30 before I see it.  It's so hard to persevere, but I know it's what needs to be done. 

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This morning, I was going to head out to Walmart to get some groceries.

Things have not went according to my plans.

I'll spare most of the details, but cat vomit was involved.

So instead, I decided to blog and do my menu for next week and maybe clean the kitchen.

My other plans for the day include going an eating a Seussical lunch with both the kiddos and then finishing up with our PTO fundraiser by handing out prizes.  Hopefully these things go according to plan!

Hope your weekend is beautiful and not as cold as ours!

a little more realness for ya-
B's room before we moved looked like this:

Settling in

I have missed being here.  
Life has been nut-so lately.  
We moved.  And then family came to help us move our big things.  
School has been really busy.  I have a Bible study going on.  
We've had *chances* for winter weather a few times.  It actually snowed here today, but it was AFTER the decision to go to school had been made.  Bummer.  
But, my Bible study class was cancelled, so I have the day to unpack and organize!

The kids are doing great.

B Boy is excelling in kindergarten by leaps and bounds.  He is so very, very bright.  I hope not to sound braggish, I just want to document how things are going with him.
They are blogging in his class and doing online chats.  I love reading all of the things he writes.  He is very descriptive. Math seems to come very easily for him too.  Both kids are even doing some basic multiplication. Blows my mind.

First grade is going wonderful for C Girlie.  She is learning very exponentially as well.  They are both so bright, but she is more introverted with it.  She will talk sometimes about things, and we had no idea she knew those things!  She is reading very well.  They both love to read.  Her writing is gaining more stamina.  She is excelling in math.  
They both have good friends and love their teachers.

Church activities are going well for them too.  They are learning God's Word and asking many questions. It's just amazing to see the things they learn and hear the things they talk about.  

They are really enjoying the new house and love having a playroom.  C Girl loves that their bathroom connects to her bedroom.  We all enjoy having a fireplace that comes on with the flip of a switch!

As I said, some of our family came to help us move the rest of our big things this weekend.  It was also my brothers' birthdays!  I LOVE having family around.  I was so happy that my brother and his family were able to stay with us all weekend!  We love all of you and appreciate you so much for helping us move! AGAIN!  {they will all get this!}

 B Boy was a big helper!

 These girls had really missed each other!

 The guitars come out every time they are together.  Not joking. Every time.

 C Girl mixing the gravy for breakfast Sunday morning. Love her hand on her hip!

 Enjoying lunch!

B Boy and Uncle Keithy

 Sweet Parker boy playing with B's hot wheels.

 Girls!!!!

 I have missed you so much my friend!!!

 Keith and I.  I was kicking myself that I didn't get a picture of me and both the boys on Saturday.

 My love!

 They love their uncles!

 Oh goodness! I love this boy!

I do believe that she does too!

 Our snow this morning!

Milestones

I am so tired, but there are so many things going on right now that I want to remember.

Yesterday was, of course, Valentine's day.  It was a wonderful, wonderful day.  We all got wonderful gifts and felt very, very loved.  The kiddos' both had great class parties.  

It's so neat how life evolves with kids.  I heard C Girl call from her room on Vday morning, "are the surprises on the table like they normally are?" They know how our traditions work now and that cracks me up!

This morning marked a MAJOR milestone in our lives!  We closed on a new home!  It is so amazing this time around because we have worked hard saving money and the house is brand new and fully "ours."  It is a beautiful home, and I just feel SO blessed to call it our home.  May the Lord bless it and all of our times in it!

Another major milestone happened tonight.  C Girlie is at her very first sleepover!  I just could not believe it when she brought the invitation home. I did not think either of us were ready for it yet, but as always, she surprises us.  She is having a wonderful time. Her friend's mom sent me this picture-

We have been moving things over to our new house and will be continuing to do that throughout the next week!  I'm so ready to have everything settled again!