Caution:

*** The identities of children below have been altered to protect the innocent.

A caution to all preschool parents: Your children repeat what they hear at home.

Overheard today at school: If _________ doesn't become our next President then we are all going to be in big trouble. I mean BIG trouble! (4 years old)

Overheard in the home living center: I'm just going to sit right here in this rocker, why don't you go out and buy me some cigs. (4 years old)

Last night in my own home: "Mommy, you have a naked booty!" (Austin, 2)
This is what Austin yelled to me as I walked around the house in a towel after my shower. Oh, I am going to hear stories from my child's teachers!!!


Now I want to hear from you! Tell me your funny "repeat" moments from your toddlers!

I'm so glad it's You (and not me)!

I am so proud of you!

As most of you know, I have a sister... a twin the hard way. Jenny was born in May 1976, and I followed 18 months later in November of '77. Mom's plans for matching outfits while we were toddlers did nothing to break our paths for individuality in high school. Jenny could sit at a piano and play any song beautifully by sight, I had to practice for hours for a small sticker reluctantly given by our piano teacher. In middle school, Jenny was a natural on the sports field, playing on the starting line-up from volleyball to soccer. I occasionally won a "coaches' award" for having a positive attitude while bench warming. I worked on making straight A's while Jenny worked at the Cookie Company at the Mall. Where I advanced in school, she advanced in fashion (and so many other areas!) While I was traveling to huts in Africa, Jenny was attending galas as a manager at Tiffany's. Neither path was better, just different...

And then we had boys. Almost exactly one year apart...
Drew is 3. Austin is 2.
And we are suddenly more alike than we would have ever admitted.
We love our boys more than we thought possible, and being a mom to a toddler is one of the most difficult assignments we have ever faced, and yet the most rewarding.
When we talk on the phone now we talk about our prayers for our families, that Bible verses that God is putting on our hearts, and our struggles.
Our mission is the same: following God in the midst of motherhood

So, Jenny, congratulations on your new publication in MomSense Magazine. I want everyone to read it - the article by Jennifer Dunlap (that's my sister!)

Jenny with Austin (2006)

Have I told you lately...

That I love you?

I do.

I really love you.

Something Light...

Christmas is coming!

Sometimes when you read back over a past blog entry, it sounds so heavy.
I didn't mean for the last blog to be heavy, just sharing my heart... but I also have a lot of light, fun things on my mind too - like Christmas shopping! Did you know that I absolutely LOVE Christmas. I LOVE Christmas. My favorite holiday is actually Thanksgiving... I will talk more about that later, but I also love Christmas, birthdays, 4th of July.

This Christmas, I am going to do some of my shopping through handmade items sold online by other moms. Isn't that a wonderful way to Christmas shop?

The Nester (one of my favorite blogs) is holding a party today over at her blog. She is dedicating the party to moms who create out of their homes. Check out the links. There are some beautiful things to buy without walking into Walmart! Ahhh... Walmart at Christmas is not my favorite experience. But I digress. Anyway, click on over to the Nester and see if there is something you would like to buy. (I love everything embroidered - just in case you were wondering!)

http://nestingplacenc.blogspot.com/

I'm back - I think...

It came out of nowhere... a big obstacle...
feelings of such hurt,
a desire to become secretive,
not to let anyone know anything else about my life

A lonely path,
one I needed to walk on my own.

And then I chose another path,
throw that hurt off the road

and enjoy the journey...

"Lord, we are all going to have moments of hurt. Moments when we don't want anyone to know anything about our lives because it just feels safer to not share. Thank you, father, for being completely trustworthy. Thank you, Lord, for being able to remove the ancient boundary stones and the places long ago devastated. I pray, Lord, that you would protect our family in the days to come and that you would help us to fully accept and love all of those around us. Please use us for your ministry, Lord, all of us - James, Austin, and especially me in the days to come."

Go Rays!

Austin and I enjoyed a wonderful weekend in Florida this week. We were there to celebrate the wedding of my brother, Adam, and his new wife, Sharon! Adam absolutely loves his Uncle Adam, and now believes that every time we pass a police car it is Uncle Adam at the wheel!

While we were home, we were able to celebrate the winning streak of the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team! It is only fitting that Austin now has some baseball lessons!