All is Well that Ends Well.......

Samuel is almost 3 now and he has decided he is ready to use the potty (awesome). But he wants to do it on his own and not let anyone in the bathroom when he goes (no problem). Well, I thought it was no problem because he was doing really well. He would flush the toilet and wash his hands and he was so proud of himself! But you can only let a little boy alone in the bathroom so long. Unfortunately, leaving Samuel alone for only 2 minutes was way too long. He used the potty and flushed it about 5 times so I thought he went #1 but when I went in to check that was not the case. I spent the next hour giving my bathroom that much needed scrub down from top to bottom!! He got so excited the other day when I brought him home some new Hulk and Spiderman underwear. The only thing is that he refuses to wear them correctly. He thinks that the picture of the superhero is supposed to be in the front and not on his bum. So, if I do not let him wear them backwards he will not wear them at all. I guess if it all turns out in the end that he can wear his underwear however he wants.............

Life Happens..........

This past week was one of the the longest weeks I've had in a long time. It started on Tuesday with a series of head aches that would not stop. Taking pain killer only took the edge away not the whole head ache away ( and I am still suffering from them right now). Then on Thursday everything came crashing down (figuratively and literally) when Abby fell off the bunk bed and fractured her elbow!! We spent the entire afternoon at the doctors office and then the Hospital. We did not get home until 11:30 pm and then we had to go back to a specialist doctor on Friday which took the entire afternoon and some of the evening. This whole time my head was hurting. In the end Abby got a PINK cast and is very proud!! All of her siblings keep giving her a lot of attention. Just a side note.........Abby did fall off a bunk bed but don't all at once decide not to get bunk beds or take down ones that you already have............She could have just as easily fallen down the steps or off a swing or gotten hurt while wrestling with her brothers or any number of things we don't think about. Just food for thought. Life Happens! Abigail is doing great and is such a little trooper.

Okeechobee News........

Every year our somewhat small, rural, lake town puts on several fesivals. They run through most of the winter (because it's too hot in the summer) when all of the Northerners come to the Lake to escape the snow. Most of the festivals are the same (at least I think so) except for the so-called themes. We usually don't go 'cause there is nothing for kids to do but this past weekend we decided to go to the "Speckled Perch Festival" in the park (I just learned that the Speckled Perch is a fish).
This year, Okeechobee Christian Academy was asked to participate in the annual Chili Cook-off at this festival. Since Joshua had to be there we all went to hang out with Daddy. The kids found a few booths that had free games and prizes so they had fun and it turned out to be an eventful day. The school entered the chili contest at the last minute and had to compete with 12 total teams, but took home first prize for their chili! It was completely unexpected! It really isn't much but we are really proud of the school and the hard work the volunteers put into it.Joshua and Tom (a friend). Tom also entered the chili cook-off and they were goofing around.

New Family Member............

Yesterday my brother and sister-in-law celebrated the arrival of their second baby. They had a little girl! Her name is Autumn Mae and she is beautiful and healthy. Congratulations to you both on her birth! The kids are excited to have a new cousin!

Don't you wish you were here...........

It is winter all over where we are originally from. Both my parents and Joshua's parents are bundled up, looking out their living room windows at a lot of snow. All of our friends in North Carolina may not have snow but they have broken out the hats and gloves and coats. Truth be told, we miss all of that. We miss having four ACTUAL seasons. But when I talk to my mother or mother-in-law, they always say that they wish they were here. Here! In South Florida! I will admit, though, I do like not having to dress 5 children in coats, hats, gloves, boots and all other winter attire every time they decide they want to go outside. Here, we have two seasons. HOT and HOTTER! We have one wardrobe. Shorts and T-Shirts for everyone, a few pairs of jeans and one or two sweaters or jackets (just in case). So, while family and friends up North are running your heat, this is what we are doing......................................................
And yes, none of the kids are wearing shoes. I think they have forgotten what shoes are for.....

Sing to the Lord a new Song...............

Katelyn loves music! I recently observed her bouncing and waving when we put a worship CD on and so I tried other things. She loves to hear any type of music. She likes it so much that she has started to "sing" when she hears it. So here is a video of her "singing."

Children are a gift from the Lord...............

God has truly blessed us with 5 beautiful children. We as parents are responsible for teaching and molding their young minds and characters and "training them up in the way they should go." This is not always an easy task but we try to be good stewards of our children. We sing worship songs with them. We pray with them. And we even read the bible with them morning, noon and night hoping that they will take it all in and get something out of it. It is always exciting when one of them shares what they have learned..............

So, for our evening devotions we get everyone ready for bed (snack, brush teeth, pajamas etc.) and then gather in their bedroom. We usually go over a memory verse and then read scripture and do a devotion. Well, tonight, we had the kids say several verses that we have been learning, (John 14:23, Exodus 20:12, Luke 6:37 and Joshua 1:9). Then we read Proverbs 22. As I was reading, Samuel was having a hard time sitting still. In fact, he wasn't really interested in behaving at all. I know that comes as a big shock to everyone. But, I kept reading. I got to Proverbs 22:15 which says, "A youngster's heart is filled with foolishness, but discipline will drive it away." I paused and looked at Samuel and then read the verse again with a little bit more volume in my voice so I could make sure he heard me. I looked at him again and spoke to him. I said, "Samuel, the Bible says that 'Every child is full of foolishness, but discipline will get rid of it.' What do you think will happen if you keep acting foolishly?" And then I said, "If you do not quiet down and let Mommy finish reading to everyone, you will get disciplined." Samuel stopped and smiled at me and then stated very matter of fact, "Be bold and strong, For the Lord is with you wherever you go.........Joshua 1:9." And then he started to giggle and act all proud of himself. Now, I am not really sure if he was just randomly quoting a memory verse or if he was saying, 'I'll take anything you can dish out, Mom," but if there is one thing I know about Sammy, it is not to underestimate him.

So, Joshua did end up correcting Sammy and then we finished our devotions. Everything went well after that.