I've been thinking about church a lot lately. Mostly because if The Husband has to work over, we don't get to go. And that's a bummer.  I've noticed something about the church we've been visiting. They, unlike our previous church, seem to encourage (or at least they don't discourage) parents keeping their little ones in the service with them.  At our church in Houston, there was a separate area where toddlers and kids and teenagers went while the adults worshiped. They had their own lessons and songs to keep them occupied. I didn't really think anything of it until we started our family.  I realized very early on, that unless my kids were being super disobedient or were causing a ruckus for some reason, I wanted them with us. I wanted them seeing us worship and singing the songs. I wanted them hearing God's word preached while they learned to sit and listen. I wanted them in and among the body of believers taking it all in. I read this article the oth...

I have really taken such delight in watching Jack's imagination develop. In his little mind, anything can be something totally different, and I attribute his creativity to having room time every day.  He has learned to play on his own for an hour and fifteen minutes.  To build things.   To pretend to fix things.  To look at books.  To watch the world outside his window.  To race cars and use his ambulance/fire truck/police vehicles to help his animals.  And, to then clean up the mess that's inevitably been made.  :) Research shows that playtime, without electronics to distract, is vital to the maturing toddler brain.   Technology is amazing, but the ability to imagine is what got us technology in the first place. What will happen when all of the tech-savvy toddlers and children and teenagers (who were never "forced" to entertain themselves without iPads and iPhones and TVs) grow up? Where will the innovators be? The thinkers? The dreamers...

1.  My sister and niece stopped by yesterday before dinner to drop off a belated birthday present. I snapped this sweet shot while I was getting food ready.  2.  So this was added to Netflix today. I watched four episodes while folding laundry this afternoon during the kids' naps. It's cheesy and sweet, and it's absolutely wonderful to revisit my childhood :) And Uncle Jesse still looks as handsome as ever, haha! Have mercy! 3. These gorgeous weather days have been great for after-nap playtime, and a neat, cheap spray bottle is a perfect outside toy.  4.  Jack's tricycle was "broken" and needed "fixing."   Ta-da! 5. I had to run to the bathroom when we came inside and heard the sound of lots and lots of small plastic pieces being poured onto the floor. Two minutes later, I open the door to this. It definitely took them a while to clean it all up. 

It's the middle of February, and we're dressed in our springy Sunday best while we enjoy this overcast afternoon.  Jack likes me to trace him with the chalk. We have several chalk outlines on our front porch, haha!  Ella likes to shout with excitement when she sees birds :) I think these will be their Easter outfits since they both looks so sweet!

1. These two enjoy being around each other so much. Even when one is (or both are) having a potty break.  2. Ella's still doing well with getting used to the potty. When she's successful, she'll loudly say, "bye-bye, tee-tee!" It's adorable.  3.  They also enjoy sharing the backseat of the car. I snapped this when we got home from the library yesterday afternoon.  We returned our books about boats and checked out six or seven books on trains. I think we'll check out books on animals next week.  4.  The Husband and I went on a double date with The Bestie and her hubby last night. It was nice to get out and be with other adults :) 5.  Anyone else seriously sad to watch these coming last few episodes of Downton Abbey ?! Also, I'm loving the return of The X-Files , even if it's only 6 episodes, and I'm super pumped to watch Fuller House on Netflix in a few days!!

Today, I'm thankful for the few men and women in my life who are honorable. I'm thankful for those people who not only make promises but keep them. Who are men and women of their word.  Because, when it boils down to it, people who talk big but don't follow through are dishonest. People who make promises and then don't come through affect others in ways they probably can't even imagine.  I'm doing my best to teach Jack and Ella that following through on something they've said they'll do or not do is important. That being someone who thinks of others first is important. That being honorable and honest is important. Thank you, reliable family and friends, for being people we can count on. You are setting an awesome example for these two little ones.  

Today's my birthday.  Ella decided that my morning should begin around 5am (I was able to go back to sleep for about another hour), haha, but, really, the morning so far has been lovely.  I found these gifts from The Husband on the table when I went to fix breakfast.  My favorite is the iPad case (mine was falling apart), but the coloring book comes in a close second.  Then, The Husband arrived with these. The roses are pretty, but I LOVE the hydrangeas! He's pretty impressed with them, too ;) He took me to an early lunch while my parents stayed with the kids, and we are now stuffed. Goodness.  But the food was sooooo good.  And for the last part of my birthday, I get to go have a massage this afternoon while my mom stays with the kids while they nap. Thanks, Momma, for gifting me with that! It's been a nice day :) 

If you take only one thing away from reading this blog, I hope it's this:   God loves you more than you can fathom.  Yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  

1. The kids and I have been enjoying going to the library to pick out books. The last time we went, we checked out 7 Eric Carle books that we didn't own ourselves. Today, we checked out 6 books about boats. Jack was very excited. He LOVES boats. I'm currently searching for a boat or two that they can play with during bath time.  2. Speaking of bath time, this gal likes to lie down for most of it. She'll still play with toys, but she prefers to lie on her belly while doing so.  3.  The Husband works most evenings, so dinners were proving a challenge to prepare with two little people hovering nearby the entire time. So, I made a switch about a month ago. Our big meals happen at lunchtime now when he's here most days and can keep them distracted and away from the hot stove and oven,  and our lighter, easier-to-make meals happen at dinner.  Here's tonight's easy-peasy dinner.  We usually have sandwiches or leftovers and rarely something from ...

1. I saw this on Pinterest the other day and decided to try it out. Our learning activity for Tuesdays uses glue, so it was perfect for today. I didn't have shaving cream, so I was sort of crossing my fingers that The Husband's shaving gel would work just as well.  I mixed up equal parts of glue and shaving gel (I totally guesstimated amounts), and showed Jack what to do.  He had fun making clouds. I suggested we add in a few drops of red food coloring, and it turned a nice shade of pink.  Then, I added in some blue to make a pretty lavender.  He really enjoyed the activity, and the dried puffy texture is pretty neat. I will say that it's more spongy than I thought it would be, but that may be because of the shave gel. :) 2. The weather has been so pretty the last few days. We've spent most afternoons after naps and before dinners playing on the porch.  Sidewalk chalk has made a reappearance now that Ella is old enough to ...

1. Ella is still doing well with potty training. I'm only focusing on bm's right now, which makes things easier. She applauds herself, and I make a big deal every time she's successful.  2. She also has decided that sleeping at night is not for her. I'm so grateful that The Husband gives his two nights off to take care of any issues that may arise with them while I sleep (usually) interruption-free.  She sure loves her daddy. And yes, he shaved his hair off. And no, I'm not thrilled.  I miss that gorgeous red hair :/ I am getting used to it though.  3. I love my quiet moments of nursing her, but her ice-cold fingers in the morning sometimes are a shock! :) 4.  Jack is as sweet as ever. He really enjoys coloring pictures now, especially  ones from his Batman book, and tells me they are pretty when he's finished.  5. I love coloring, too.