Wednesday, January 27, 2010

One of my favorite things...

is when my kids role play. There is just nothing cuter!
Today, I just stood outside the playroom and listened
to Hudson "doctor" these baby dolls.
He has been to the dr twice in the last week with Pneumonica so he had it all down.

I kept hearing him say...
"It seems to me....."
"I know. I'm SO sorry."
"Breathe for me."
"Cough for me."
"I can fix that."
"You don't have to cry...it's me Dr. Buie"
Notice he is using the Sit N Spin as his doctor stool
(his doctor sits a stool that spins).
Pretty creative!

Sunday, January 24, 2010

WOW!!!

So...
tonight Lawson blew me away!
She read The Three Bears to me
with VERY little help!
I mean this isn't a diluted down easy reader version.
She read the real deal!
I'm so impressed!

Fun Weekend!

We got to keep my neice (Steph's daughter) Brooklyn over the weekend!
Myas kids had SO much fun having her here!

Meanwhile...
Seph and Eddie were moving into their new house in Heath, TX (Rockwall area)

Eddie built this HUGE pile of packing paper for the kids to play in!
We had to tear our kids out of th pile when it was time to go home!

We are so glad to home them closer to us!

Its really a fabulous house!

Friday, January 15, 2010

Hudson Funny

Hudson came running into the living room and said,
"the devil told me a bad word, but I didn't say it!"
Which if you have been around Hudson much lately...
you know this is quite a break through for him!

Monday, January 11, 2010

Lawson Funny

The kids were playing with some numbered easter egg toys. Hudson told Lawson he wanted to have the #3 egg...because that is his number. She then said, "no, all the numbers are God's and he just shares them with us!"

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Mercy

1. Compassionate treatment, especially of those under one's power
2. A disposition to be kind and forgiving: a heart full of mercy.
3. Something for which to be thankful; a blessing
4. Alleviation of distress; relief


I was telling this story to my mom on the phone of how I received mercy,
so underserved, one Sat before Christmas.
She said you should blog that so you don't forget.
So, here it goes...
It was December 12. My Christmas "To Do" list was long and I had a few hours where Rob was watching the kids and I was going to try to go knock it ALL out. That way our Christmas shopping would be done and we would have no stress. I was on a mission. I had several great coupons I wanted to use but they were not at stores that were extremely convenient to me.
But, I had decided to drive a little more to use the coupons and save the extra money.
I had made 2 of my stops, gotten the items I was looking for, and was headed to my 3rd stop. I was making great time...probably because I was driving 46 in a 30! I didn't realize I was going that fast until I saw flashing lights behind me.
In the 30 seconds it took me to pull over and come to a stop, reality hit SO hard.
I realized that all the time and energy I was putting in to save money on these gifts was now forfeited. I was going to get a ticket that would cost me. I could have just stayed home, not used my coupons, paid a little more and done my shopping online....and had a clear driving record. I realized that instead of relieving the stress of the holiday season I was now adding to it by now needing to squeeze in defensive driving to reduce the fine of my ticket. Despite my good intentions, I had made things worse for myself and not better. It felt bad.
The officer came to the car and asked me if I was in a hurry for some reason.
For a second, I felt like telling him about my Christmas coupons and how I was just trying to get a lot done (because I am rarely a woman of few words)...
but then realized that was a ridiculous reason to be speeding.
People can't speed because they have a long to-do list!
So, I just said, "no, i just didn't realize I was going that fast."
He then looked at my car inspection sticker and asked me if I knew it had expired on Dec 1.
Again, I said, "no, I did not."
Any hopes (which were not high but in the back of my mind a little part of me was still hoping) I had of a warning were now gone. I was guilty of two infractions. There was no way this officer could let me off...even if he wanted to.
In the quiet, while I waited for the officer to come back with my ticket,
I just sat and talked with God. I knew I had created this dilema for myself. I was just talking to him about how I had my mind to wrapped up in "stuff" and how I had failed to focus on what I was doing. I wasn't asking him for anything. I knew I was getting the consequence I deserved. I just needed my closest friend to listen.
I saw the officer returning to the car with nothing in his hand except my Driver's Lisence.
I was like what? It looks like I'm not going to get a ticket.
I rolled down my window.
He said, "You are free to go. Slow down and get your car inspected."
I thanked him as the tears welled in my eyes.
I rolled up my window and just cried.
The feeling of receiving mercy ...when you deserve punishment...is just powerful.
I had been restored. My mission was not dimenished in anyway.
The guilt I felt my mistake was lifted.
It was as if the wrong I had done had never happened.

Now, I KNOW this story seems a little dramatic
for the possibility of just getting a speeding ticket.
But, it just was such a PERFECT visual for me
and a reminder that I needed of how my God forgives me and shows me mercy
just when I am just caught red handed in the middle of my sin and don't deserve it.
Romans 5:8 says...
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
While we were STILL sinners, Christ died for us."
The feeling of being forgiven is just powerful.
It changes you.
Thank you,God, for your mercy towards me.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Nat's 35th Birthday

I LOVE birthdays!
Even if it means getting older!
There is just nothing better than a day
when you feel like it is "your" day!
First thing this morning, my co-workers blessed with me with these beautiful flowers and a card filled with kind words! The best part was that they debated over wheather to give me a cookie cake or flowers. They said that they decided on the flowers because they said they don't think I eat junk food! They said they only see me eat healthy things! Boy, I have them fooled! I don't think I have ever been known as the "healthy" one!
Lawson just LOVES fresh flowers!
I walked in and caught her up on the table smelling them!
Nothing like taking a picture of your child and then scolding them for being on the table!
Can you say "mixed message?!"
But, she was SO cute I couldn't resist!
After work, we went out and did a little birthday shopping and then ate dinner at McDonalds. (not my most fav food....although I DO enjoy it....but it accomplished two important things....
1- a quick dinner so we could still eat cake and not miss bedtime....
2- I could eat my meal in peace without saying things like "sit down, shhhh, etc..." )
It was a great day!

Monday, January 4, 2010

Hudson Funny

I was laying in bed with Hudson tonight after reading his bedtime story.
We were were just laying there quietly with our eyes closed.
Our of no where....
he opens his eyes and was as serious as he could be as he says....
"Mom, where do we poop in heaven?"
He went on to say that he was concerned that there were no potties in heaven.
I told him that I wasn't sure if our new heaven bodies would need to potty,
but IF they did I'm sure God would have potties for us.
He seemed satisfied and rolled over and went to sleep.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Christmas (a little late) with the Colemans

We are blessed with some great friends!
I have decided that I want to serve and spend more time with friends this year.
Today, we had our longtime friends, the Coleman's, over for lunch and to celebrate a late Christmas. I had a lot of fun cooking this meal for them.
It was more cooking than I have done in quite awhile!

Meet my lovely assistants!
Thank you, God, for all of our wonderful friends!

Saturday, January 2, 2010

DJ Hud

At Keystone Church tonight
they had a DJ playing and "scratching" music in the lobby.
Hudson had never seen a DJ before but evidently took it ALL in.
When we got home he set began setting up his DJ table...
laptop, round lid which was his turn table and a block that he used for making sounds.
AND of course, the hat and headphones!
This kid is just TOO much!

Friday, January 1, 2010

Bye Bye Paci

So,
Rob and I made a resolution for Hudson for the new year.
No more 24 hr a day paci.
In 2010, mr. paci is going to be restricted for bedtime use only.
We probably should just get rid of the thing all together...
but we know it would make bedtime a really impossible event.
AND it is just hard for us to take away from him something that brings him so much joy!
I mean, we are the ones who offered him the thing (when he was a baby) and developed this habit in him after all. You just feel kinda bad! So, we are making a small step in the right direction.
Anyways,
he had a couple of major melt downs over it this morning. Bless his heart!
Usually he is a little reluctant to willingly go lay down and take a nap....
but not today.
He couldn't get in bed fast enough...
so that he could have his paci!
It was a sweet reunion!
I walked in his room to check on him...
and this is what I found!
How long are his legs?!?