I've told myself that after Christmas things would slow down. I could sit down and blog, we could have family movie night, I could catch up on laundry and dusting and mopping and vacuuming my window seals (because I live in the middle of cotton fields and they ALWAYS have dust in them) and all the other things that seem to never get scratched off my "to-do" list. Well...guess what...I did all those things! HA, except for blog. So since it's February 1st I decided today was the day to catch up on what we've been doing.
I'll start with Tye. I don't say this enough. I know I don't say it to him enough but I just love my husband. Not in that corny way that I'm so head of heels that he never does anything wrong because believe me that man can make me "madder" than a hornet! However, he has so many qualities that I lack and he has a way of reminding not by his words (he's a man of little words and the words that do come out are usually jokes) but of his actions. I'm just lucky to have him. I'm blessed to have him. Oh and I guess I do love him in that corny way...he's my Tye Bunny. hahaha
Have I ever mentioned that he's a fantastic carpenter? He can build anything and create anything aside from my horrible descriptions of what I want.
Me: I want a new mantle so my decorations will fit better. (Let me just mention here that he got a new TV that's bigger than our old one. Now my decorations won't fit!)
Him: Okay what do you want it to look like?
Me: I dunno. Rustic, the wood to look like...I dunno...different colors or something. Maybe white washed...I dunno...do you think it could have metal somewhere on it? I want it to be lowered down from the t.v. so during Christmas my bubble lights fit better. Oh and maybe longer..but still look good and not to big for our fireplace. Do you think you can do that?
(this is Tye's typical response toward me)
Him: Huh? I'm sure I can figure out something.
Me: Oh and while you're doing that can you make my shelves even and maybe put shiplap or something behind them...like an accent wall of sorts. (Let me say here that the shelves on either side of our fireplace haven't been the same. When B and Shell lived here they had a t.v. sit on one of the cabinets and had the cabinets build that way.)
Him: Sure
LOOK what he built!
Isn't it beautiful! I love the wood behind my shelves and my mantle is absolutely beautiful! Pictures just don't do it justice. He used old sweeps from his tractor plow and bent them to brace the shelf. He also fired the wood to make it "different colors" like I wanted. I didn't even know you could do that. He's built SO many things in our home and each one is so special to me.
He wouldn't like all this recognition because he just isn't that kind of guy. I'm just proud of him and wanted to share his skills!
If anyone is ever needing anything custom built he's your guy! He loves doing it and is obviously good at it!
Okay, moving on from my handsome husband...ME! I don't have any special skills to share with you but I do have some encouragement I have recently received from a book. I love to read and do it often. When you ask? In the mornings. After the kids go to school I sit in my chair, drink my coffee and read. The Bible, a devotional book, the Chronicles of Narnia, haha it ranges but here lately I've been reading Bringing Up Girls by Dr. James Dobson. I got this book and Bringing Up Boys that I'm going to start tomorrow for Christmas and have enjoyed it so much.
One thing that really hit me while reading this book was Dad's really matter. Obviously Mom's play a crucial role in their daughter's life. The biggest influence is the same-sex parent. I know that my daughters look to me to model and speak in ways that are Christ-like. I know this and it's one of the many reasons I "check" myself quite often. I know all Mom's feel like they've failed especially on really hard days when the children seem to have lost all their marbles. However, Dad's don't get enough credit when their daughter's well being comes into question. I had a fantastic father and still do. He's my hero. Tye had a fantastic father and still does. He's his hero. It's interesting to me when we have sat down and talked about it how both our fathers where wonderful but our memories of them are quite different. The things Tye remembers growing up where physical acts that him and Brent did together. All this wood work I've been talking about Tye learned all that from his Dad who made him start off using hand tools. My memories are different in the fact that I remember every single night we played a game of "I love you MORE" as he was shutting the door to my room or as he was headed off to work. We went on dates to Olive Garden and I sat squeezed into a small space in his chair to watch t.v. The last time I did that was the night before my wedding.
"Fathers inevitably change the course of their daughters' lives-and can even save them. From the moment you set eyes on her wet-from-the-womb body until she leaves your home, the clock starts ticking. It's the clock that times your hours with her, your opportunities to influence her, to shape her character, and to help her find herself-and to enjoy living. You will make a difference in your daughter's life."
I loved this passage. The truth is the clock is ticking and in a world that's telling her she's not worth it, it's our job to tell her she is and that we know that because she's worth everything to God. I want to encourage all parents, mom's and dad's, to never stop trying. Our oldest daughter is only 7 and I can't say we have faced any real world events yet but I know they are coming. Be prepared, take them on dates, tell them they are beautiful right when they get out of bed, remind them how wonderful their heart is, tell them what a real friend looks like, take a moment-hug and kiss them and tell them how proud you are of them. Then do this over and over the rest of their life.
Now on to my precious, sassy, energetic, sweet, angelic (HA) children.
They participated in the Pee Wee Stock Show this year. They were so stinking CUTE. They "showed" pigs and rabbits. They were all really nervous, except Ryan who never admits it, but they all got out there and did it. I was so proud of them.
Ayden will be old enough next year and she's really excited to show pigs.
The big kid who owned the pig was out there with them and showed them what to do. I'm thankful for the older kids showing the littles what to do. Ayden (or me) has no clue how much work is involved but we will soon!
Myles was really excited and couldn't wait to tell us his pigs name was Nacho.
Little Miss Syd was heartbroken when she didn't get a number on her back. Then when she didn't get a trophy she was REALLY, really sad. You know as parents you have moments of "maybe we are doing something right" this was one of those moments. Sydney was so sad and all three of her siblings gave her a trophy. Even Myles handed one over...you could tell he didn't want to but did all on his own. It was so sweet.
I have a feeling this was the first of many hours spent at the stock show and I can't wait.
We've done lots of puzzles! I love when it's quiet and I walked into the living room to see my kids playing with puzzles. Ryan can put any puzzle together. It doesn't matter the age range. His brain amazes me in how he can build things without even thinking! Myles loves his United States Map puzzle and loves to look at the pictures on the different states. He informed me yesterday he's going to live in Idaho and "make potatoes."
While Ryan and Ayden are both at school I love spending time with Myles and Sydney. Sydney is the youngest and just requires more time. I feel like being number #3 in a family of four kids can be rough. He's not the oldest but he's not the youngest. He sure is the funniest though! He's always happy and always willing to help me. I've paid special attention to Myles lately only because I wanted too. I needed too. We made muffins and I let him crack the eggs. He was so happy. He reminded me that he's not five (you have to be five in our house to crack eggs...who knows why..) but I told him it was our secret. It made his day and it made mine. I would've eaten all the egg shells in the world after that.
Family Movie Night! These two became best buddies over Christmas break. Sydney always wants to be with Ayden and Ayden is the best big sister anyone could ask for.
More puzzles!
The kids here lately have been playing Bible stories. I LOVE to listen to them play. It's amazing how many small details they know and can put into action.
Ryan: I'm King Solomon and will build my temple...right after I go poop.
The Bible never talks about King Solomon's bathroom habits but surely he had them!!
Last but certainly not least this girl is POTTY TRAINED. Let me tell ya..potty training isn't for the faint of heart. This...t.h.i.s is where all my time has gone. Sitting in the bathroom floor cheering for tee tee and poo poo. It took about a week and a half but I can say she is potty trained. We are so proud of her and she couldn't be any cuter in her Peppa Pig panties!
Whew!! Now that January is over we are ready for February! It's going to be filled with birthday parties, a marriage retreat, Valentine's day parties and moments that we will ever get back! I'm going to slow down a touch and cherish February.
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