10 Years - Wow!

My sweet husband and I have been married for 10 years today! I can't believe it has been 10 years since I said "I do" to him...marriage has been so much better than I ever dreamed it would be...time flies when you are having fun, no doubt.

E, I love you more every day. You are my best friend. I am honored that you are my partner in this life...

Two days in Mississippi

E was traveling last week, which is always a good reason for a quick trip to Mississippi to visit family. Two days in MS brought all kinds of fun - especially adding in two cousins to the mix. My children LOVE my brother's children! They all play so well together. Here are a few moments from our short trip:
Cade and Hardy Beth had a big time catching lightening bugs! Sydney and Jordan enjoyed the pool - He was so great getting her to jump to him and helping her float. C did take a spill off his scooter...here he is showing me his skinned hands and big "I'm OK" smile. And, S took a break from her tea party in her baby pool to learn a little game from HB.

Gotta love summer fun with favorite cousins!

Happy Father's Day!

Today has been a day to be thankful. I was doing some thinking today about the "dads" in my life. I am grateful for the wonderful examples they are to my children and to me...they are different in so many ways but they each have so much to share and teach.

I was blessed in my life to have been raised by a wonderful, jovial man with a wonderful listening ear. My dad taught me to enjoy life, to see the good in people, to work hard for what I wanted to accomplish. He still amazes me how he laughs off a hard day. He would do anything for anyone. He never meets a stranger. He loves his family. My sweet daddy is up for an adventure or job most of the time. My dad is the most loyal, consistent man I know. He and I have always had a bond,...I honestly cannot remember an argument between us...we just have always been able to talk about anything. I adore his spirit, how he makes me laugh, how he always makes me feel better no matter what. Now, I enjoy how he is with my babies...teasing them, hugging on them...I cherish every visit with him...
Almost 10 years ago, I inherited another wonderful dad. I have so much to thank my father-in-law for...how he taught my husband to be a strong man of God, how to think independently, how to work hard. He taught my husband how to show love. I have seen males who are too macho to hug, to talk about how they feel....well, not the Allen men. E has told me so many times how his dad always hugged him, always talked with him. And, now, E is determined to teach C the same things...that it is important for a man to show affection, to share their hearts with those they love...and for that, I am deeply grateful to my father-in-law. Now that C and S have arrived, watching Papaw play with them and enjoy them touches my heart.
And, I am honored to spend my life with the most amazing man ever! He and I share a friendship that is based on similar beliefs about life, faith, and priorities. My dear man loves the Lord. He wants each day to be purposeful. He truly wants to be the man God created him to be. My husband adores our children. Just typing that makes me smile. I love watching him with them...the way he talks with them, bathes them, prays with them, tucks them in at night, is interested in their interests, and the way he teaches them about what is important in life. From the minute he walks in our door at night, our rugrats can't get enough of him. I cherish my husband. I cherish the wonderful example of manhood that he is for our son and the powerful example of what a husband should be like that he is for our daughter. I am so utterly thankful that God saw fit to give E to me, that He blessed us with our family.
Happy Father's Day, Pop! Papaw! and E!

the house hunt

Looking for houses...showing ours...this is an exhausting process...I found C in the yard the other day trying to hide our "for sale" sign with his school welcome sign...he is not so fired up about leaving his buddies in our cul de sac...change is hard for little guys...it is pretty tough for 30-somethings too...we'll see what the Lord has planned for us...Life is such an interesting adventure, huh...

hard day's reminder

A good bit going on these days...a lot to think over and pray on...house for sale, big purchases to compemplate/research, events to plan - and the daily grind of household chores do not seem to stop. I understand life is life in this worldly world we tick away our time in...so much of what fills my thoughts is of no value at all. It is disheartening at times....

Hard day today. I slept really really badly last night with a mind that wouldn't stop and a baby inside me that wouldn't either (of course, the Italian we had for dinner probably didn't help my case). I don't think I am the only one who gets edgy the day after a long night. I could feel myself losing it several times today. I even yelled at each child horribly and had to ask forgiveness and explain that mommy was having a hard time today. When their precious response was to tell me how much they loved me, that it was ok, and that I could play with them when I was not frustrated anymore - then I felt like the worst (yet most blessed) Mommy in the world. Well, that was my day today. My children were wild. I was not nice. In order to be totally transparant here, I was not a very good Mommy today.

Tonight, my son messed up BIG time. He had a rather inconsiderate/not so nice day himself. He is in trouble - the BIG kind - the kind that we sent him straight to bed for us to discuss further discipline. As I kissed him good night, my whole day came back to me. My yelling. My impatience. My tiredness and lack of energy to play. My mess ups. I felt the intense need to again let him know my disappointment in his actions yet my never-ending love for him. I wanted him to know that his mommy loved him no matter how badly he behaves. His response was as innocent as can be...he said, "Mom, I know you love me. No matter how bad I can get sometimes, you will always love me. I am yours."

And so, this mom is reminded once again of MY Father's love for me. No matter how badly I acted today, how "checked out" I became from my kiddos today, how much I longed for a break....God loves me. He adores me even. I am so glad I have another chance tomorrow to be better for Him and for my little ones...I am so blessed that true love does not depend on how well I behave...

a good night sleep will do this clan a world of good tonight...tomorrow is a new day!

their future starting now

As my children get older, I am enjoying watching to see what the Lord is doing "in" them, how He is preparing them for the plans He has for their lives - spiritually, physically, mentally - all the development that happens everyday as they grow. On these summer days, when we are home a good bit more, I am seeing all sorts of characteristics developing in my kiddos in their "free" play time....their interests, their talents, their God-given abilities and their weaknesses.

Already, we know that our son, C, is intrigued by how things work. One of his favorite tv shows is "How It Is Made". He comes up with some of the neatest and most extravagant ideas with his tinker toys, legos, magnetix, a hanger, some string, some marbles...well, you get my drift...if you don't want it in an invention, don't leave it out! This was his latest...a spy gadget to detect little sisters lurking outside his bedroom door - pretty inventive, huh... He also has always enjoyed cooking with me. Many hours have been spent and talks have been had while measuring and stirring. He is actually very good at helping too. He is interested in how different spices change the flavor of a food...I guess cooking can be a type of invention too...hmmm...So, will I have a spy, a chef, or a scientist on my hands?
Now, my darling daughter is interested in totally different activities. Already at the age of 3, she is all about having a good time. This child will dress up, dance, color, stick stickers, play she is a momma to her babies, cook in her kitchen, play doctor... all while she is singing and talking the WHOLE time, loudly - no matter what the activity is!!! What will God use this little "fairy ballerina" for in this world? Or, will she be a hairstylist? These days, her hairdo is pretty important to her. She came up with this glamorous "do" all by herself...almost 30 somethings were found in there...pretty creative, huh. Or she could grace us with her style and brains at the same time...future writer, secretary, or computer wiz right here... Of course, I cannot forget those moves...a dancer, maybe? No matter what my children end up being in their future careers, E and I pray daily that they have joy (not necessarily happiness)...that they use the talents and personalities God has given them...that they bring Him glory as their top priority...that they always have each other to lean on and learn from...and that they remember their parents love them no matter what titles they hold or awards they do not win...that their mommy and daddy are amazed at the gifts they are and know/trust that God will continue growing them for the mighty plan He has for their futures. We want them to feel His purpose in each day until the day they pass...no age being too old, no barrier too high to do what God has for them - to be WHO He wants to them to be.

But, for now, we are going to continue watching them develop and grow and learn and love...recognizing each day as a gift with them...

a broken bed

What happens when an old, old, old (yet dearly loved) bed falls apart after already being repaired once? The answer is: a five year old boy sleeping on a crib mattress on the floor and LOVING it (even though his feet hang off the end) Thank goodness for a kid who enjoys a good adventure!!