I Did It!

I figured out how to customize my blog! Oh the possibilities...

Too Many Things To List

There is no way I could list all of the things I'm thankful for. But here's a start.

I'm thankful for:

• God, who is so full of grace, mercy, love and second chances.

• My husband- even through the rough times it has been finding a job in the past couple of years he still kept at it. The military was not his first choice and he gave up what he wanted to do so we could be provided for (and at the current moment he is cleaning his guns in the middle of the living room and aiming at my head. I'm thankful that he keeps his ammo locked in the garage!).

• My kiddos- Kayley, who is so full of love, and Cole, who is so happy and smiley all the time (unless he's throwing a tantrum!). These kids bring so much joy to my life.

• My home. This is the first house I've ever truly felt like I was home. I love it!

• My friends-New or old; even though some of them don't live close I still love talking to them and hangin with them when they are here! I love that I can be myself around them and that they are just as insane as I am (most of them anyway!)

• My family-there are always going to be people in my life who will love me no matter what happens or what decisions I make or how stupid I can be. Thanks familia!

• My car. Yes, I'm thankful for my big black bundle of joy, even if the check engine light comes on for no reason every couple of months and people seem to feel the need to ram into it every six months or so and leave me driving a rental car. But I love it. If I didn't have the Tahoe I wouldn't have had a vehicle large enough to do daycare, which leads me to number eight.

• Katie, Noah, Ashley and Isaiah. All of these precious little ones have helped make ends meet at one time and I'm thankful that I am/was able to be home with my children and also bring home some bacon. I suppose in my case I would be making the bacon at home:)

I could go on and on. I'm so blessed in every area of my life! Next time I complain you have my permission to slap me on the wrist!

Happy Thanksgiving!

By the way, I know the layout is weird and the picture is off center but I'm workin' on it!

I lie awake...

...and think of him. What's he doing, what's he thinking? What's the future going to be like for us? I'm scared, anxious, overwhelmed. I guess all I can do is search and find the most handsome picture of him and post it for all to see...and then smile...and maybe cry.

"My buns don't smell anything like cinnamon"

Above were my children, ready and waiting to watch me create a work of culinary art. The art of banging the container on the counter to open the package. The art of trying save the rolls after discovering that when I tried to separate each one it rolled out into a thin, snake like piece of dough. The art of devouring them and hogging all the icing so I can smother my four, I mean my one with more than a person would ever need. I am an artist, appreciated in my time, and the best kind too:)

You Better Watch That Attitude Young Lady!

That is something I've said quite often around these parts lately.

I've known before how great it feels to finally potty train my kids or teach them to ride their bikes. But now I feel a sense of something greater. I had a chance just the other day to teach Kayley a lesson straight from the Bible about our attitudes. I read to her Phillipians 2:5 which says "Your attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus." Then I made her write it after I gave her the the dotted letters to follow. Once she memorized it I had her hang it on the door to her room. Since then we have been referring to the "verse on the door" when the attitude comes creeping in. It totally works! I love it, not because of anything I've done but because of the Word of God that made its way into Kayley's heart. And the best thing of all is that I too have been aware of my own attitudes and sometimes I have to refer to the "verse on the door!"

Sis

I love how life evolves. There once was a time when I pinned her to the floor and spit in her face. But things have changed. Now we're friends, better by the day. My sister rocks.

No Fall This Year

Is it just me or have people/stores/commercials decided that they were going to skip Thanksgiving this year? I hear talk of people already decorating their homes and going gift shopping and it seems so strange to me. I seem to remember a time when Christmas didn't start until after turkey day. Maybe the fact that it has been 90 something degrees has something to do with it. "Fall" here isn't really fall, it's more like a tree here or there turned yellow or orange but everything else remains the same. Sometimes I wish I lived in a place that had true seasons where I could wear a coat and a scarf in the morning and still need it around lunch time; a place where when I walked by the scarves, hats and gloves in Target I would actually stop and maybe buy something instead of looking, laughing and going to check if there are any shorts left on clearance.

Fun With Chalk

Kayley, Katie, Cole and I spent the morning outside today (you know, since it was warm and all) and we decided to color with chalk. Cole didn't come up with anything more than scribbles and Katie did more drawing on the inside of her mouth than anywhere else. I was however proud of my darling daughter who managed to draw these two very amazing pieces of art.

My First Blog

So I'm completely taken by the whole blogging world and, mostly because Kim has one and I think it's fabulous, I have decided to start one myself. So for those of you who have nothing better to do than hear me ramble on about my children, my husband, our new military life and all the craziness that goes on in our Batten world, feel free to read and comment.