Happenings...

We've been busy here lately. Last week was not only Thanksgiving but also the time of a fight - us versus two stomach bugs. Yep, that's right, we were double teamed, and let me tell you it wasn't pretty. My oldest had projectile vomiting while sitting on the toilet, not to mention the fact that all the others kept me washing two to three sets of sheets every day. But despite the sucker punches by our opponents we ended up the victors and are no worse for the wear. I also painted our bedroom twice, no make that four times. We didn't like the first color we chose even after two coats, so I painted it again. I also painted the hallway and finished off the boys room. Pictures will come soon, Aunt Amanda. Then, we've also had a friend of Colin's here working all day on my computer so I haven't been able to blog. Oh, yeah, we also celebrated Colin's birthday yesterday. Grandma and Grandpapa babysat for us and we went out to see Walk the Line - a really sad story about a man who destroyed his family for the sake of worldly lusts. It was made up all pretty by Hollywood to look like a true love story between him and his second wife. I didn't buy it.

Amidst the fun and frivolity of the past couple of weeks, I had some particular encouragement as a mom. I've been taking the kids out a lot to the stores lately. I used to hate taking them by myself while we lived in California, but my strength has returned the last few months and I'm getting braver :) After many frustrating attempts at shopping, I tried to take the bull by the horns so to speak and invoke a guidance as to what was expected of them. I told them the most important thing while at the store was to glorify God. That means obeying mom, being nice to each other, and not whining for what wasn't theirs. It's really worked for them, and it's helped me to keep perspective as well.