Saturday, January 29, 2011

Heard Museum

I can't believe it is winter. 72 degrees and sunny! I love days like this where we can get outside and get a break from the norm.

Today we explored the Heard Museum. It was great. We walked the trails to see the dinosaur exhibit. They moved and moaned and seemed to entertain the kids for a bit. We loved reading about each dinosaur and I am certain they have found new ones since I was a kid because I hardly recognized any of their names. Hmm.

Anyway, it was so wonderful to run around and play outside for the day. It brings me so much joy to enjoy the sun with the kids!

You know me....we had to have a little photo shoot at the end of our time so I could capture the moment. They are so tolerant of my photography. The pictures looked great but I did have to take at least 20 before Evan would look at the camera:)

Friday, January 21, 2011

Marry Me

The other day we played at a little boy's house who we've know since Haley was two. They are sweet friends and had the best time together. We sat down at the table for lunch when the little boy leaned over and asked Haley to marry him. Haley just kept eating.

He leaned over another time and asked Haley again if she would marry him. She still didn't reply. So, I asked her who she wanted to marry. She said, "A boy who loves Jesus."

That a girl! You are listening and thinking about the things I say. I have just convinced her that you don't marry family members...like your brother for instance. We also talk about waiting to get married until she is finished with college and at least 25 (a number my mom tried to instill in me even though I was 23). You have to start somewhere, right?


Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Heart Breaker


I dressed Evan in his heart breaker shirt today and as I was putting it on, he started hitting me in the chest. "What are you doing, Evan?" I asked as he kept popping me. "I am a heart breaker mom!"

What was I thinking? Who gives Evan any excuse to punch people....I have to start thinking about the things:) His mind works in ways mine never will and I LOVE that about our clever little guy.

Monday, January 10, 2011

First Snow Day 2011

I have so many great memories of snowy days as a kid. Growing up in the Oklahoma Panhandle, it was fairly common to get a few great snowy days. I especially remember the day that the school bus was trying to make it down the dirt road to our home in the country, when it got stuck in the drive way. The bus driver had all the kids get off and stand by the side of our drive while he tried to get the bus to move. Finally, I think some sort of tractor came and pulled us out:) Living in the country certainly meant a few more snow days at home and more snowmen and forts for me.

Today, Haley did have to go to school, but as soon as she came home we played in the snow. Unfortunately, we don't have the same kind of snow gear that I had as a kid (what a waste of money when it only snows a couple days a year). So we bundled up in rain gear with extra layers. Then, we came in and ate s'mores by the fire. I hope my kids have the same great memories of snow days.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

New Year's Resolutions

I don't know why, but I can't stand to make New Year's resolutions. It isn't because I don't like to be a better person or I don't like a good challenge. It isn't because I can't stand to fail if I don't keep them because I never take it seriously enough to worry about failing. I am a highly motivated person so you'd think that goals and time lines would excite and inspire me more. But, I think this Sunday at church I figured out what it is that prevents me from being motivated by them.

People often see New Year's as a time to start over or be better at something than they were the year before. I think that I really view each day and each moment as a chance to be better than I was the day before. When you really try to live into each day and surrender yourself letting God guide you and light the way, there isn't as much room for all the goals as there use to be. I don't know what to plan for when my life is in His hands...because He always keeps changing things around me. The only promises that seem for sure are that He love me, will provide for me and will be with me. The rest is really all about deciding each day to follow His plan and have faith that it is best for me.

The planner in me would love to check things off a list and move towards a more sizable goal each year but whatever He is shaping or molding in me depends on my willingness to let go of my goals anyway. He seems to make me more whole the more I submit to being more His. When I really surrender to Him, His grace allows me to live each day with more passion, more love and more kindness than the day before.

So, this year I won't feel guilty about my lack of resolutions. Instead, I am just going to surrender each day to the Savior and see where He takes me and believe that it the end, I will be thankful for the things He shows me and teaches me along the way.

(the picture has nothing to do with resolutions just a cute guy in a hat! Can't decide which edit I like better)