"Moobie" Night

Movie Night has begun at our house and it is one of our favorite family times. Brad and I share a love for movies of most any kind although he is much better at picking out really good ones than I. We have now taken it to the next level and used that love for a way to capture good family time together. It use to be a lot more comfortable when we could snuggle up on the couch with a big blanket and we have now moved to the floor with a BIG tangled pile of blankets. But that makes it all the more enjoyable because this is the one time that OCD mom loosens up a little and we can make a mess. Even little Carson enjoys laying back and relaxing as you can tell. Caroline can't wait for the next "moobie" night. (She'll get those v's down soon and I'll miss the mispronunciation)

The innocence of a Child

Kids have such amazing minds. As 2 year olds go especially talkative little girls, Caroline and i usually have our best conversations in the car when we are both required to sit still. The other morning Caroline shared something with me that filled be with such joy that only the pure innocence of a child can. We were on our usually morning trip to the babysitters at 6:30 in the morning and she says "Ohhh! mommy look it's pink!" I respond "What's pink?" she responds "over there" as I figure out she is talking about the sunrise. I respond with "isn't it pretty? Do you know why the sky turns pink? Cause the sunshine is coming up" and she responds with the most innocent "Jesus wakes the sunshine up cause Jesus love me and you too mommy" The when we arrived at Mrs.Gail's she couldn't wait to run in to share with Mrs. Gail that she had a pink sky at her house too cause Jesus loves her too. It is so amazing to me that at such a young age, a child can be so in tune to the love and protection we receive from our heavenly father.

The Hidden Valentine's Day Suprise

I must take the time to brag on my husband. I was so suprised this year on Valentine's Day when Brad gave me a beautiful dozen red roses. Especially since we never spend money on things like flowers not to mention that Brad hates Valentine's Day so we usually don't even acknowledge the day at all. I guess that's what made them so special to me. Because they were totally unexpected to me as ironic as it seems, especially on Valentine's Day. It seems so small but do you ever stop and wonder how perfect God's plan seems to work out. Though sometimes you may not always understand why things are the way that they are. The longer Brad and I are together the better things become, the closer we get, the more we seem to understand one another and I guess that is the point in a marriage but God has helped us to develope this new appreciation for each other and we have come to realize that our differences are the stronghold that bonds us together. That our differences become ones strength to hold up the others weaknesses. We have been studying marriage enrichment at a class at church and one of our most recent discussions delt with the world's 50/50 plan where we both do our part and meet in the middle to get everything done although no one can ever seem to agree on exactly where the middle is versus God's plan for marriage from Ephesians 5. And God's plan of 100% from both parties all the time. I think all my married friends no matter how wonderful their marriage is should take the time to read Ephesians 5 with their spouse. Marriage truely is, can be and should be a wonderful blessing from God. And it seemed only fitting to praise such with my wonderful Valentine's Day suprise. Simply put and I try to remember this each day... that to live your marriage as God designed it to be you should do all that you can each day to lighten the load your spouse carries each day. No matter how trivial or how minute those little things can add up to weigh quite a lot.

A Circus at the Circus

Our first Circus was... well a circus but I guess that's the way kids can be sometimes. Besides that we tried to squeeze it into an already packed day in Memphis on Valentine's Day during nap time, then it becomes obvious that it was by no means the fault of Caroline and Carson that it was a day to put behind us. So after all the whines and requests for blinking snow cones and light swords, cotton candy and popcorn we made it through to the end. All in all it was still our first circus and therefore whatever memories we have from it we will one day look back and cherish. Pictures didn't get high on the priority list for this event. Under the circumstances, and to add that most of the time things were dark or too far away to capture a good image... It was Caroline's first of few times to get to ride an elephant and a one of many to ride a pony (but I'm certain that a circus pony is completely different than any other pony) All in all it was a memory all children should have and I'm grateful the Lord blesses me with the means to give my children these memories to cherish.

Bull Riding and Cowgirls

It's hard to tell from these pictures but this was our first experience with Caroline being a little cowgirl. She would rather watch bull riding than most anything on TV even cartoons. So off we went to watch the event in person. So lets just say that the bleachers where quite exciting in themselves but it was fun just the same.

Thank you Lord for that one more snow...

Yes a bit late but we had to share our snow memories we made this year. This was Carson's 1st snow. Next year Carson will be able to actually play. As for Caroline, boy what a difference a year can make. Last year she hated the snow but this year... Well lets just say where the snow lands and what method it gets to your mouth should make it taste different right? Caroline had the most fun eating the snow. We even brought some in to make snow cream with. Thank you Lord for that one more snow I hoped for so we could enjoy it a little bit.