family update

Just thought I'd give an update of what's going on in the Walls house lately.

Emma is finishing out her Kindergarten year and really looking forward to being a 1st grader! I can't believe she's going to be in school all day. She is so grown up. Her school has a talent show coming up and she wants to try out for it (didn't know they'd have to try-out for an elementary talent show). I think she's going to dress up like a cowgirl and sing something country! It should be cute!

recent picture of Emma...notice all 4 teeth on top are missing

Nate is finishing up his first year of preschool. Some days he like it and other days he doesn't. Typical for a 4-year-old boy, I guess. We went on a 'date' the other night and it was the best time I've had in a while!! We went out to eat at Skyline, and then bowling, and then went to the store. He even wore a tie! It was so cute!

Julia just turned one a week ago, and is so much fun! She is learning to walk, and getting better every day. Like today she took 11 steps by herself! She is just so sweet and smiley and a joy to have around!

So there's a little bit of what's going on here lately. We are all doing great and really looking forward to summer and lots of time at the pool!! Love to you all!

Being aware

Last post was March 3rd? Really? Cause it seems like it was just two days ago. Time is going by so fast and sometimes I don't think I'm really even 'here', if that makes any sense. I just mean that I'm going about my days and doing things and going places, but am I really aware of how it's all just flying by me? And am I making the most out of this time that God has given me?

I hope I am. I want to. Well, let's say that I'm trying. Sitting in church last Sunday, there was a family in the row in front of us. They took up almost the whole row, with mom and dad first; then oldest daughter and new husband; then youngest daughter and her fiance; then middle son and his fiance. A gorgeous family, inside and out! Did you notice any similarities there? Well I did. Daughter...Son...Daughter - same order as our kids. It suddenly hit me in service that this could be us (jon and me) in like 20 years! WHOA!! While I don't want to wish my life away by any means or not enjoy life with my kids right now, I couldn't help but think about the future. Isn't this whole parenting thing essentially about raising our kids to one day leave us? With very young kids it may seem odd to be thinking about that right now. However, I think I must think about it. Probably a lot more than I want to, and definitely more than I think about it now. Am I raising my kids to love Jesus and others? Am I demonstrating that to them every day? Are they seeing Jon and I love on each other, and cherish each other? Do I show them enough love and grace, but yet set boundaries and expect them to stay within those boundaries?

Well, like I said earlier, I am trying. One thing that has been tremendously helpful and rewarding has been doing a devotional with Jon each and every night. And praying together. I realized the other night that we have been married for almost 9 years, and I couldn't remember the last time we sat down together (just the two of us) and really prayed. I know we did our own thing separately, but rarely ever together. What a blessing it has been so far! I highly encourage all couples to start praying together, or if you already do, then keep it up! Also, try out a devotional together. We are doing one called "Night Light" by James and Shirley Dobson. It's wonderful!

So, I'm going to keep trying. Keep trying to make the most of my time, and to spend as much of it as possible with my family. I love them dearly. And I'm going to keep trying to be really aware of each and every situation, and not take for granted one second! One phrase that we use ALOT with the kids, and that has become one of my favorites, is when we tell them we love them, we finish it with 'no matter what'!!

Thankful Thursday

So it's been a good couple days. Good friends came over on Monday for lunch and a playdate. It's so nice to have friends that are just easy to talk to, and will just listen. I'm so thankful for that.

Tuesday was relatively uneventful, except for the fact that I almost missed that it was my son's turn to bring snacks to school. For some reason (I like to call it a mother's intuition, but I might have just been lucky), I glanced at his calendar, and then saw that, huh, it's our turn to take snacks. So, on Tuesday I was thankful that I went grocery shopping on Sunday, and gave him a box of Capri Sun and graham crackers! What a mom I am! Actually, as I was dropping him off, a mom of a kid in the other preschool class apparently had the same 'mommy moment' happen to her, so I felt better!

Funny thing happened yesterday though. (this is not exactly a proud mommy moment, but one I'm sure is worth remembering for late)  My baby girl is crawling now and is getting into everything, and getting pretty quick too. So, as I was sweeping up the crumbs from under the table (so she wouldn't eat them), she found her way to the bathroom and to the kitty's litter box before I could catch her! Ewwwwwww! I don't think she really ate any, but I would have much rather had her eat the very thing I was trying to keep her away from--the kitchen crumbs! So years from now, we can look back and laugh (hopefully) about the time she tried to eat the kitty's litter!

For today, I'm just thankful for the sunshine! Can I get an 'AMEN'???

My Monday

Ok, so this is my first post on my blog. I'm trying to decide what I want to say. But, who am I trying to impress really? Well, no one. It shouldn't be about that, I guess. We don't live anywhere near family really, and so it becomes a challenge to 'keep up' with everyone, and to stay in the loop. So, I thought that this would be a good way for our family and friends to stay connected (aside from facebook).

Also, a mother of 3 little kids sometimes just needs a place to, well, what's another word for vent?  'Cause I always associate venting with negative emotions, but that's not what I'm trying to say. I just need a place to "insert word that means venting, but in a positive way"!!!! To talk, or ramble, whichever one you think I'm doing. Probably the latter. Anyway, I hope to keep track of all the funny things my kids say, and all the momentous events that will inevitably take place within my home...because these 5 Walls really do make a home!