First Day of School

First are the happy first day of school pictures. Noah and Maggie were all smiles, Noah, excited to return to his school for adventures in 3rd grade, and Maggie, a little nervous, but also excited, for Kindergarten. The next photo of Noah is after the first day of 3rd grade, he walked in the door and was starving, or so you would have thought by the way he started shoveling in this popcorn. All reports state that 3rd grade is "okay". When we picked Maggie up her teacher stated, "Be ready for a fight, she will not want to come back tomorrow." The report was that she was whiny, said her head hurt, and she wanted her Mommy-all day. Now, in all fairness, Maggie is going to a Christian school where she attends all day Kindergarten, a big change. As soon as we walked in the door she went straight to her room and crashed, hence the second photo of her. After an hour nap, it was time to go to Owen's birthday party. (Happy Birthday Owie.) She slept in the van all the way there. When we arrived, she was burning up. So now a little more sympathy for the whiny, Kindergartner, who just wanted her Mommy because her head hurt all day. She didn't move and barely said a word the whole party. Needless to say, she probably won't be going back tomorrow. P.S. Chloe' loved all the attention she received with Mommy and Daddy today without her brother and sister around.

The Boots

Maggie absolutely loves these purple snow boots. Never mind that the temperature is approaching 100 degrees outside. If she can get by with it this is what she's gonna wear. What a fashion icon she is, look out Paris runways!

Just My Eric and Me

So this week Eric's parents asked if they could take the kids AGAIN. I wasn't really thrilled with the idea. They had just been away from home for 3 days 2 weeks ago. They wanted to get them Tuesday and bring them back Saturday. I let them go but I was hesitant. I like taking my kids to see fireworks. I love watching their eyes light up. If they went that would mean that they wouldn't be with us for the 4th. Needless to say my 4th was a little boring. As far as fireworks go.
However, I had a wonderful time with My Eric while they were gone. I say My Eric because I'm not big on the gushy nick names, hubby is not usually in my vocabulary. I always address cards and gifts to him as My Eric. Anyway...He usually works so much we don't get a chance to go on dates. Since it was the 4th he was off on Wed. and Thurs. So we stayed on one big date. Wednesday morning we went to an early movie. He wanted to see Transformers. I was not thrilled with the idea. I guess he was a big Transformers kid. I gave in and that's what we saw, I wanted to see Evan Almighty. I was pleasantly surprised! I really enjoyed Transformers. The action was really cool, the story line was not boring, it is definitely not a movie about a "toy". However, caution to anyone with kiddos. It was so good, I would love to take Noah to see it, BUT I won't. The sexual stuff in it is too much. There are a few curse words but I didn't freak out about it, maybe 3 words in the whole film, not that that makes it okay, but it wasn't so over the top. The sex stuff though. There wasn't actually any "sex" in the movie, but the way they played up the teenage girls sexuality and sensuality is too much, the camera zooms in on all the right spots and she is pretty scantilly dressed through alot of the film, it's very suggestive. Also a conversation between the teenage boy and his parents about what he does in his room is ridiculous. They could have still showed everything that transpired in the teenagers relationship, without all the "stuff". They could take out about 3 minutes of "stuff" and it would be a GREAT movie. Unfortunately my son will have to wait about 10 years before he'll be allowed to watch it with my approval. Anyway back to my date. Then we went "window" shopping. Had lunch at Steak & Shake (we had coupons). Then we went to my mom's and hung out in the pool and hot tub, the only fireworks were the ones we could see in the distance from the hot tub. Thursday morning we went to see my grandparents, then went to work at the clinic for a few hours, went grocery shopping, then we decided to splurge and go to a movie - again. We went to the drive-inn and watched Evan Almighty. I thought it was tastefully done, and funny. Some have said that it is blasphemy. I'm sure they have their reasons for saying it, but the overall story still had a good lesson and like I said it was tastefully done. I think God has a since of humor and it was funny. If His story can be retold and changed just a little to be new and reach a new audience isn't that okay. Anyway, maybe it is, maybe it's not. So after that we stayed for the second movie Fantastic 4, I fell asleep, Eric said it was okay. Eric didn't have to go to work until 4 p.m. Friday so we continued our date with a fishing trip Friday morning. It was fun. I didn't catch a thing and he did, oh well, it was relaxing just to float around in the boat. When we went home he went to bed to have a nap before having to go to work for 12 hours and I went to town where events listed below occurred. I had a great couple of days with My Eric, I wish we could do it more often. I love you! Saturday morning I went to work at the pre-school to get some stuff done. My kids got home around 3:30. We were both so happy to see them, I keep so busy while they're gone that I don't realize how much I miss them till they're home. After winding down and telling us everything they did while they were gone, we all loaded up and went to mom's to go swimming. Thank you mamaw and Richard for the new swimming pool!

"We will listen and obey" Deuteronomy 5:27

On Friday I was in town and while stopped at a red light I noticed a homeless man holding a sign in the median of one of the streets of the same four way stop I was at. However, I was on the other side and so didn't think any more about it. Until a few seconds later, I glanced over again and there was Donnie, a friend from church, in his car, I looked just in time to see him hand the man something. Well then my light turned green and I was off. Or was I, I then, ALMOST audibly heard God say "Not so fast, it's your turn." What? I was up for the argument. That would be totally out of my way, I'd have to turn and go all the way back and then I would be in the wrong lane to be able to turn to get to where I want to go, and then after giving the man something, I'd have to go about 1/4 of a mile down the road before I'd be able to turn around again to get back on track to where I wanted to be. How many times does all that involve the word I? So before I get to the next turn around spot I'm convicted and I do indeed turn around. Then I start another argument. You're not supposed to give "these" people money. What if he has a drug or alcohol addiction? What if he goes and buys cigarettes with it? HIS response, again I could ALMOST hear His voice, "You just do what I said and I'll take care of the rest." So I did and I said "God Bless You" to the man as I handed the money to him, and I truly meant it. He smiled genuinely and said, " And you too." So I then turned in the wrong direction, went the whole 1/4 of a mile down the road to do my u-turn and was back on my way. Why had I argued at all? That moment made my day. It took a whole 6 minutes and $6.00 (which was all the cash I had on me), to do something nice for someone else, and to listen to, and obey my Father who always knows best. I hope you take time to listen today, and if He asks something of you, to obey.

Not Much

Haven't really been in the blogging mood lately. So sorry to anyone whose been seeing the same thing anytime you look in the past month. We've just been having a hangin' out kind of summer. Eric working alot and not much else. We went over Father's Day to Tennessee to visit his parents and had a nice weekend. The kids stayed for what was supposed to be the week, but a series of unfortunate events occurred and they ended up home on Wednesday. When they arrived home Noah and Chloe' were throwing up and had been since early that morning. Maggie had the Big "D" a day or so before. Noah was better by that evening but Chloe' took until the next day. Then Eric's dad didn't feel so well they stayed until Saturday and he was sick Thurs. and Friday. On Saturday morning I woke up with it. I thought I was going to die! I don't think I've ever felt that bad. So anyway whatever this bug is, I hope it's out of our house for good. I know lots of others that have had it recently.
Tuesday night Eli stayed all night with Noah. He is the middle son of Pastor Aaron and Stacey. He was so well behaved and Noah and him had great time. So did the girls they want to be in the middle of everything, much to the boys displeasure. Wednesday morning we got up and went to a park to meet Maggie's "friend" from preschool, Buck. They all played for an hour or so then we went to McDonalds for lunch. Buck's mom had to go to work and we were going to go to the splash park at a different park so Buck got to go with us and we took him to her afterward, they had so much fun!
Fourth of July is one day, but the festivities begin this weekend. Nearly a week long celebration for a one day holiday. Saturday we will be traveling to a town about an hour from us to visit some of Eric's family on his dad's side. The kids have been invited to a birthday party for one of the cousins and there will be big fireworks. This family has this get-together every year and they spend lots on fireworks. They always go a couple of days after the holiday every year and buy for the next year so they get big discounts. It's always a good time, I'm looking forward to it.
Well that's all I've got for now, I know, not very exciting!

We Walk by Faith NOT by Sight!

I just want to praise my God right now. I'm on a little bit of a high. We just got home from Wednesday night Bible Study at church and it was just awesome. Pastor Aaron finished his teaching of the book of Hebrews, the lessons have been based on Faith. He has been on this subject since January and wow. I truly have felt myself grow in Faith over the last few months it was just an awesome lesson. You know when your sitting in church and you have to try and stay awake? Not that this happens to me a lot, it doesn't, but you know what I mean. There is no way I could have slept. The holy spirit has definitely been present in these studies. Aaron has just been speaking with such passion on the subject. I have so looked forward to the lessons on Faith that I'm sad that it is over, not that we don't learn lessons on Faith all the time, but again, you know what I mean. Mine and Eric's relationship has changed so much just recently, because of this very study. Thank you Aaron for being obedient to The Father and for delivering His word with such conviction! Every Wednesday that I had to teach or be anywhere other than in the study for the past six months has aggravated me because I so looked forward to and anticipated the personal growth I have received with every Wednesday night session. I know the Holy Spirit is with me always and if I just stop for 5 minutes a day and pay attention I can get that renewal anytime I want it! Anyway I just wanted to share with you my sheer excitement just from going to church tonight. I love my God!

Tagged by Tina

1. What is your first & middle name? Catherine Ann

2. How did you get your name? Catherine & Ann are both old family names on my Mom's side. My Mom's name is Linda Catherine, my aunt's name is Cheryl Ann, & it just keeps going back.

3. What are your kids' names? How did you decide on them?
-- Eric Noah, Eric is obviously my husband's name, and I really liked Noah because of a character on All My Children (I don't watch soaps anymore), not to mention it's a really "RIGHTEOUS" name from the Bible. His name was going to be Noah Eric, when I was pregnant a friend from church asked what the baby's name would be and when I said Noah Eric, he responded "Yeah, I Know A Eric" ha,ha, could see that coming many more times so we rearranged his name.
-- Maggie Catherine, I always wanted to name a little girl after my Grandma who's name is Imelda, so I wanted Imelda Catherine, I would have called her Emma, Eric refused he said that with OUR last name that was just ridiculous. So my Grandma's grandma who raised her was named Maggie, I never got to meet her but I feel like I know her because of all the Grandma Maggie stories we hear. This was the next best way to honor my Grandma. As for Catherine see above.
-- Chloe' Ellen, I just really like the name Chloe' and Ellen is Eric's Mom's middle name as well as her Mom's. We used my family names with Mags and wanted to honor Eric's family as well.

4. Do you like your name? It's a name. I always wished my name were more romantic. I said if I had girls I would give them romantic names, like Juliett, Julia, or Sophia. Guess I forgot that when it was time to name them, Chloe' is kind of romantic though. Oh well they don't need romantic names, they're beautiful!

5. What was the most popular name (according to Social Security) the year you were born? I have dial-up and am not taking the time to look it up! Sorry. However, I think I've seen it before and I think it was Jennifer and Jason.

I choose - Melissa - you're tagged!

A "Picture" Perfect Place

There is a local bank that just has the most beautiful landscaping. Those of you in the community will know just what bank I mean. I had been wanting to use this as a place to play "photo shoot" . We like to play around taking pictures, sometimes they're pretty good pics, sometimes - well - not so good. Some of these turned out pretty. Being that this place is a bank I knew in order to do this we'd have to go on a Sunday or a National holiday. So last Sunday I made sure no one's outfits clashed too bad and after church there we were ready for the spotlight, which the sun so nicely provided in the middle of the day. We had to take all the pics in the shade. Anyway just wanted to share.

Our Memorial Day

Our Memorial Day was one of great accomplishment. I know many people use this day to get together with their loved ones, we did that too (and all day Sunday), and relax, but we used this day to get out and accomplish some things. Noah and Mags (and Daddy too) accomplished their greatest fishing experience to date. I have no idea how many fish they caught, but apparently the Blue Gill were in the mood for crickets! They got up at 6:30 got dressed, packed the fishing gear and some cold drinks and they were off. Chloe & I are not as enthusiastic about early morning fishing adventures. We slept until 8:30, got up, got dressed, ate breakfast, straightened the house then about 9:30 we were off on our big adventure. We decided to walk to my grandma's house. My grandparents live 3 miles from where we live, and it's a walk full of hills. I was hesitant, this would be the first time I'd attempted this feat with her walking the whole way. When we've done it before there have been strollers or wagons involved. She did awesome, she didn't whine one bit, we had to stop and check out the creek and pick some wild flowers. I gave her a piggy back ride at one point but that didn't last long, once it was time to go up the next hill Mom was done. We all met up at grandma & grandpa's house and it was a very fun day!

You Little Rat

Mags, Chloe', Pick, and I went on a walk today. Pick by the way is our dog, part Beagle part - lets just say - not Beagle, the name Pick was decided when we got two cute little puppies instantly we wanted to name one Banjo, a wonderful name for a Beagle (Banjo was a full blooded Beagle), we no longer have Banjo, anyway, when we first got them and had decided on Banjo but needed a name for the second puppy our friend Andi said "every Banjo needs a Pick", so that's how we got the dog with the strange name. Apparently the strange name fits a strange dog. Maggie talks to this dog all the time, just carries on conversations with her like she will answer her. While on the before mentioned walk Pick kept walking into a small ditch to get herself a drink. All of a sudden Maggie tells her, "Pick don't be a rat. I know it's hard to be a dog, but sometimes you're a rat. But sometimes you're not, because you are in fact a dog, so ... (long pause) just don't be a rat." I don't know if this idea entered her head because the dog was drinking out of the ditch or what but I nearly laughed out loud.

Tina is 30!

Today is my baby sister's birthday. I say "baby", Tina is a whole 17 months younger than I am. We used to not get along so well. That's putting it lightly. When I tell the stories, I always add, "we weren't Christians back then". When Tina & Kasey got married and moved to Texas I suddenly missed her, and we became friends over the phone. I went to visit them one time while they lived there and when I came home I missed her so much, and was at a point in my life that I needed something different and I actually pondered packing up and moving there. But God had different plans for me, and for Tina & Kasey. They moved back home just a few months later. She and I are much closer than we used to be and I thank God for that. I can't imagine not having her for my sis. I love you Tina! Happy Birthday! Oh yeah and welcome to the 30's club!

Two Little Girls-Too Big!

Well the pre-school year is over and the pre-school/pre-K "Graduation" ceremony went off without a hitch. Tuesday night Noah's Ark was full of parents and grandparents, aunts, uncles, & cousins, and I even think a few animals from the Ark itself made an appearance. All the kids did great, much better than the practice sessions, much to the pleasure of all the teachers, including yours truly. Maggie's pre-K class actually had the graduation ceremony. They first filed in and stood across the stage and said the pledge to the Christian Flag and to the Bible, they then recited all of the memory verses that they had learned throughout the school year. Then they sang a lovely rendition of "Let Us Pray" & the butterfly song, I don't know the real name of it. After all that they filed out of the Sanctuary, and in filed the pre-school classes (3-4 year olds), they said the Pledge of Allegiance, recited their memory verses, sang "Zachaeus", "The Little Fishy Song", & did a lovely (though not all together) version of The Itsy Bitsy Spider. When their turn was over the Pre-K class was back again, this time sporting gorgeous royal blue graduation caps. They lined up in alphabetical order on risers and as the director of the Noah's Ark called their names they received their diplomas. Maggie and Chloe' both were beautiful, though Mags did look a bit funny in her graduation cap, it was down too far and was covering her eyelids. They both were so excited! Thank you to Mamaw Linda and Mamaw Barb (who came all the way from Tennessee to be at the BIG event), Aunt Tina, Uncle Kasey, Jax, Mason, & Owie, Bubby, Aunt Valerie, Macie, & Logan, and Uncle Tom for coming to their graduation. It means so much to have a wonderful family who are there for you, even the silly stuff. We love you all. I can't believe Maggie & Chloe' are so big already. If I think too long on it I'll cry, so no more on that!

Wet fish

Yesterday while at Mom's working on the garden the kids were entertaining themselves looking at the fish pond. The hose was on as the water in the pond was a bit low. Noah decided to pick up the hose, though surprisingly he wasn't spraying his sisters. When he was instructed to put the hose down and leave it alone he said, "I'm just trying to get the fish wet." ????

"Fertilizer"

On Saturday Eric "broke ground" for his garden. He has wanted to have a community garden to benefit the food pantry, Manna Market, that our church has opened for the people in our community. The Manna Market opened this week as did all of Hope Central which also includes a literacy center called Pathways and a free clinic called the Abba Clinic. Eric has tried to get this garden going but every place he turned to have the garden wasn't a fitting spot for one reason or another. So the garden has gone from a community garden to a family one, but 90% of the food will still go to the Manna Market. We also have asked if anyone else in the church plants a garden to plant a little extra to give. So I think it will all work out. Yesterday as Eric was tilling the garden the kids were assisting him by putting "fertilizer" on it for him to mix in. The "fertilizer" is pig poop!
Yes they are sitting on and playing in pig poop. Oh my husband assured me it is no longer poop, it is decomposed and now is nothing more than dirt. So why is it such good fertilizer if it's just dirt? Anyway, they had a blast helping dad, and all were a filthy, smelly, mess afterward.

Amazing Grace?

God has blessed me with this awesome ministry, Hands of Praise. The ministry consists of a group of ladies (that I dearly love), translating songs of Praise into sign language. Granted we don't know sign language, except for the signs we learn for the songs. True sign language is a life giving tool for those who cannot speak &/or hear. Our form of sign language takes it and transforms it into these beautiful motions that just make a person pay attention to the actual words of the song. We often use the correct sign for a word, but we very often use the sign to come up with a larger, more flowing, motion to hopefully translate the word just as well but with grander visual effect. Anyway, we have only, that I know of, ever performed a song in front of an actual deaf person one time. That person said it was beautiful. I hope she meant it because I would never want to offend anyone by changing the signs. It has also touched the lives of many who can actually hear the music. The group performs at our church at least once a month, and we have also gone out into the community and done many songs at different events. It really is a blessing in my life and I hope it is to others. Now, I explained all of this to anyone who didn't already know, just to share this tiny tidbit. While in the family van going who knows where the other day I was listening to the latest song that Hands of Praise is doing. It is "Amazing Grace", with a little contemporary spin on it, performed by Avalon. If you like the old hymns and also like more contemporary stuff try out this CD, it is titled Faith, again by the Christian group Avalon, all the songs on it are hymns except the last one which also is an amazing song called "For Freedom" which is a dedication to our troops. Okay, back to what I was trying to say. All of a sudden Noah very seriously asks, "Mom is Amazing Grace a real person?" So we had a big discussion, right there in the van explaining God's Amazing Grace. I am in awe at the wonders they think about. It is just such a cute vivid memory in my mind, his serious face, it makes me giggle.

Some Yummy Stuff!

Last night I went to my friend Perri's , www.lottakids1961.blogspot.com, Tastefully Simple party and the food was just wonderful. It was really fun to get together with my gal pals, hang out for a while and eat some yummy treats! If you're ever invited to a party, I HIGHLY recommend you go. It was a great time. Thank you Perri for the invite.

If you haven't already met my kids...

The oldest, Noah, is 8, he is a sports fanatic. His first sport was soccer at the age of 4, he has played baseball for 4 years, spring and fall seasons, he played football last fall for the first time (I wasn't thrilled with the idea, but it was okay-I did grow to like it), and he played basketball for the first time this winter. He's not GREAT at everything, but somethings he is, and he has a passion that just fuels him so it doesn't really matter how good he is or isn't, he just loves to play. He gets very good grades and he is pretty respectful-most of the time. He loves to torment his sisters and be rowdy. Noah is the big kid in the family, but is still very much my little boy. He loves to snuggle on the couch with Mom & Dad and watch movies, he'll still give me a good-bye hug and kiss before getting on the bus, even if all the other kids on the bus can see him (I pray that will last a while longer). A tiny story about Noah in case I never have another spot to toss it in. At Thanksgiving time he wrote a paper at school about what he is most thankful for, now because this is coming from a 2nd graders mind I'm thinking it will include his Gameboy, toys, computer, maybe his hamster. But I was so pleasantly supprised to read, and I have the paper right here to quote it, "Dear God, Thank you for my family, and my home, and electricity, and Jesus." There were some spelling errors that I changed but other than that, that is what it said. Immediately I prayed a prayer of thanks of my own to God, thanks that Noah is so caring and seemingly realizing what is important, though home and electricity are materialistic, they are needs in todays world and this was a very mature letter, I thought, for a 2nd grader. Also, I'm sure his PUBLIC school teacher did not tell him to start the paper "Dear God". I don't know if I've ever been more proud of him.
Now on a different note meet Maggie my "middle child", I hate it when people use that term, but everything about her fits the profile. She definitely gets into more trouble than her brother & sister put together. She is just fearless! Mags has this outgoing personality that just draws people to her. She is way too "old" to be in a 5 year old body. If she can be with teen-agers or adults she will pick them any day over kids her own age. She cannot entertain herself, always underfoot, and right in the middle of whatever is going on. EVERYTHING is about the social opportunity! When she played soccer last fall, she was the only one on the team who never scored, she could care less. She was out there being seen by all, posing for photo oppts., and wearing a way cool uniform, that's all that mattered to her. Her pre-school teacher put it like this when she started school in January, "She is the sunshine this class has been waiting for all year."
Then there's my little Chloe', Chlo Bug. Somedays she wants to be the big girl and informs me that she' not Chlo Bug, her name is Chloe', and others it's the other way around. She is my shy little girl. She doesn't usually like to talk to people she doesn't know, and sometimes ones she does. She really doesn't care to go to school, she doesn't want to go to the sitter's, she just wants to stay home and play with her dolls. As much as Maggie cannot entertain herself, Chloe' can. She will sit in her room and play with her Dora dollhouse, or Barbies, or baby dolls for hours (literally hours) and you won't even know she's in the house. I don't know if she will ever be into sports that's just not her thing right now, she could play soccer this fall but I don't think she will. She could care less. However, she is very girly and if she could take ballet, I think she would jump on that (it's a little pricey though). She has been catered to a little too much and so we're having issues with whining and throwing tantrums instead of using words to get what she wants. Everyone thinks she is just this sweet little innocent angel, she is, sometimes, be careful looks can be deceiving!
All three of them are very loving. They love each other and they love us, they love all their grandmas & grandpas, aunts, uncles, & cousins, and all their church & school friends. We are trying everyday to raise them in a loving, Christ centered home. I only say "trying everyday" because it is truly that for us. Everyday there are new challenges, new battles with the world, we try to teach them that Christ is most important, above all else, but every single day it is trying, it has to be a conscious effort to not let the world come in a take over. Eric & I were both raised in loving homes, but neither of us were raised in Christ centered homes, so it's new for us, this parenting style, we didn't have an example, but we won't give up. God gave us these precious little people to help mold them into people who live for Him, that is what we try to do everyday. My prayer is that they grow up loving God above all else, and that He enable Eric & I to continue to grow so that we will be the examples they need.

Maggie & Buck

Maggie is 5 years old and already we have issues with the males. She likes them, they like her, and it's really scarry! One of her beaus is a little guy named Buck (aka Eric). He is in her class at pre-school. When we started school there in January they had an instant bond. Buck's mom is also a teacher there so Chloe', Maggie, & Buck get to spend extra time together every day after school without any of the other kids around, so they are getting pretty close. Last Thursday Maggie's class went on a field trip to the zoo. I took a personal day so that I could go along. I am assuming that when we get to the zoo all the kids and parents will pretty much stay together and tour the zoo as a group. I was wrong. There were so many parents that we all just took our own kids and went off on our own. Any child who didn't have a parent there stayed with a teacher or just paired up with a friend. Well, of all the little girls there that Mags could have buddied around with she had to be with Buck, and the feeling was mutual. I was certain it would be a day of constantly reminding Maggie and Buck they are just friends and discouraging their romance. However, they were just like best buds all day. It was so cute! It would have been no different if Mags had been a boy with Buck or he a girl, they just had a great day being friends, being little kids. It really was very sweet! We have some really cute pictures of the day and over the weekend Mags and I made a little scrapbook for Buck to remember their fun together. She gave it to him at school today, he really liked it!

Mud

Noah came into the house a little while ago to ask permission to play in the mud. Why, I don't know, because when I looked up he was quite muddy already, by quite I mean he had mud visibly up his nose. I told him that I guess they could since it didn't seem to matter what my response was at this point anyway. Maggie then walked through the door already covered as well.

Pretty Potatoes

This morning as I was loading laundry into the washer I hear a conversation the girls are having. They are sitting at their little table for two, seemingly made just for them, being creative, drawing very colorful potatoes. Why potatoes? Who knows. Suddenly Chloe' announces, "Maggie, your potatoes are prettier than mine." Maggie graciously replies, "Thanks, but yours are much more beautifuller than mine." "Oh, no, no, no!" Is Chloe's urgent response. As I listen to them go back and forth and back again, several times, I then enter the room and tell them how proud I am of them for talking nicely to their sister. "That is the way Jesus would want you to talk to each other." For any one of you who knows my girls very well at all knows that they do not speak nicely to one another very often at all. It was a very sweet moment. As I was praising them their faces just lit up.

New At This

Well, I was persuaded today to join the ranks of bloggers by my sister, Tina who is very into it. So she helped me get it started and showed me the way of "The Blogger". I do like to write things down so maybe I will enjoy it. However, living way out in the the middle of nowhere makes it difficult and pricey to get fast internet access of any kind. So I have dial-up, ho-hum. We tried and tried today to load a picture, and it took FOREVER but I was finally successful, when I least expected it - at last - there it was.

This is a picture of Maggie and Chloe' at the church's Super Bowl party. Maggie was going for the Bears and Chloe' was torn - much to their father's displeasure - he was for the Colts all the way. I think they do it just to get under his skin! Even as young as they are they've already found the joy in teasing their daddy.

Speaking of Tina, I got to spend time with her and her wonderful little boys today. They came over this morning so that I could perm her hair. It turned out really good - she has curls! Mags and Chloe' had a great time playing with Jax, Mason, and Owen. They love playing with their cousins. Noah was at school and didn't get to play so Jax stayed and went to baseball practice with Noah and Uncle Eric.