Sister Night

Erin and I got to have a little sister night last night. It was night, we just went to starbucks and talked. You would think that she and I would get to see each other a bunch, but we don't. She works in Sugarland and I am busy being a mom, and wife. I LOVE my Boys, but I was needing a little just girl time. I do not get like that much, but I was in NEED of it yesterday. So, Erin of course had her camera and took some pics of the night. I am blessed to have not one, but 3 sweet sisters. If you ever wonder about having more children, it is worth it for the sibling part. I love that if I can't get one of them on the phone, I can dial up another. It is truly a blessing for me.

We went fishing about a week ago. We have a deck behind our neighborhood pool. It is for catch and release fishing. Coaster caught two and Cruiser caught one.

Fun With Friends

We got to spend time with some of our favorite people last week. Crystal, Noah & Eli traveled at least 8 hours to visit us. Michael, Kim & Hannah got to join us for the time that Crystal and the boys were here. We had so much fun! We filled up the time with many fun activities for the kids. We went to the splash park, pool, big event place (food, games, rides, etc), mini put-put, and a jumping place. We had a schedule and it couldn't have gone any better. No one got sick or hurt. That is kind of a miracle with that many children being together. On top of all of that, us girls managed to have a girl's night out for dinner and shopping. We were blessed to have had the time together! Thanks Crystal for taking the time to come visit!

My brave friend Valerie met us at the mall last week. I say brave because she brought her 3 children by herself. We had a great time seeing each other. Our children had fun as you can see. Valerie is always up for traveling and never lets anything stop her even now with 3 small children. She is such a great friend, always putting forth effort to see us. It was great seeing them!!

Visit With Gina & John

Our sweet friends Gina and John came to visit us a few weeks ago. We had fun at "ITZ" Family, Food & Fun! We miss seeing them all of the time.

Patience

Strength arises as we wait upon the Lord. I am learning that more and more. We are focusing on "Patience" this week. I decided in order for my boys to get what these fruits mean, that we will have to focus on them one at a time in our home and in our family. I believe in order to raise boys after God's own heart that we do have to focus on these things. I am a theme person and it helps me not get overwhelmed with everything. Knowing that there are a million things I am to teach and help practice with my children before they grow up, has caused me to start working on these things one at a time. They are not just going to figure it out one day. They have to be taught, reminded and most of all told how to receive it. We are learning that practice is important and the biggest thing we can practice is showing them time after time how to ask The Lord to give them and us patience. Above all is the example they see in our home. Also, I want them to be familiar with asking for these fruits in difficult situations especially when they just want to blow up. We need the Lord to help us make the right choices and choose patience instead of loosing it and blowing up, throwing fits, and being impolite in hurrying others.

We as a family have been learning more about patience as a whole as we wait on answers from the Lord concerning us. We would not have chosen to wait and wait, but we have learned that this waiting has been neccessary to build patience in our lives. It has really stirred in me more of an importance for making sure my boys are intentionally practicing it. So since we have been focusing on it, we have noticed how every little thing requires patience!!!!! We as adults do not like to wait, but have you ever noticed how little kids DO NOT like to wait. This week has pointed it out to me even more. We are going to take next week to focus on it too. We need the extra week. This occurred to me as we were having a fun family day yesterday at "ITZ Family, Fun". It is a fun place with games, pizza, etc. Cruiser is only 3 1/2 and it is normal for kids to not be patient, but oh my, he showed me that we need to spend more time on this fruit. He doesn't like to wait for his turn, among other things. None of us really do, but we do have to learn how to choose patience in those circumstances.

I know that every day is a lesson. We are teaching our children as we walk, talk and play with them on a daily basis, but this REALLY focusing on one fruit at a time is helping me. It is giving the sense of accomplishment with teaching them. My sweet friend Cathy reminded me last week that inspite of our mess ups as parents, He blesses our efforts and DESIRES. We so DESIRE for our boys to grow up knowing who they are in Christ. Patience is a hard one for us all. For all of you with boys, I saw a book in the Christian book store that is called "Growing Boys After God's Own Heart" by Elizabeth George. Check it out. It's a kid's book to read to your children. The biggest thing I am reminded of is we have to be intentional with children and never check out. We only get one chance and the time is very short.