My Passion

I have been thinking alot lately about the 3 gifts that God has given me in Allison, Rachel and Tyler. Growing up I always knew I wanted to be a mom, but I didn't really have a clue what that meant. Of course I thought it would probably be all fun and games. Umm, if that were the case wouldn't we all have at least 5 or 6 kids? Once I became a mom I realized a few things. One, it wasn't all fun and games. Two, I never really knew love until that baby was put in my arms for the first time. Three, you will spend massive amounts of time trying to figure out how to be a better mom. And last but not least I realized raising kids is my passion.

What do you mean by that some people may ask? Other people might think well of course, any good mom would say that. For me parenting is something I take very seriously and to be honest it ticks me off when other other parents don't take it seriously. There is nothing that gets my blood boiling more than hearing about a child who has parents who just don't care. That is a soapbox I could on and on about, but will save that for another post :)

When I look at my kids I know there is no other job that is more important than being a parent. What does that mean for me? It means putting my relationship with God and Daryl before them. Daryl and I have regular date nights and do the kids complain about that sometimes? Yep! Our kids know and understand that mommy and daddy were together before they were born and we will be here when they leave the house, so in order for us to be better parents we spend time alone without them. It means the job I have to pay the bills, is just that, a J-O-B. I have made a commitment to myself and to my kids that my job will never come in the way of me being a mom first and foremost. The minute that happens is the same minute I will no longer have a job outside of the home. I have pretty strong opinions about this, but again we will save that for later. It means that I show my kids through my words and actions what "real" love looks like. One of the mantra's in our house is that no matter what you do our love for you will never change, but there are consequences for the choices you make. We have rules and guidelines that they are expected to follow. Some of them are for safety reasons and some of them are to build their character. I will discuss the reasons for these with them, but the rules themselves are not up for discussion. It also means that I am constantly looking to improve my parenting skills. I am not happy to stay where I am at as a mom. Some of the ways I do this is by surrounding myself with parents who have gone before me and parents who are in same stage as I am. There is something to be said for watching other people parent. I also read, watch and listen to things that will help me hone my skills as a parent. It means that I am constantly re-evaluating my parenting skills. I ask other people what I need to improve on. There are things other people can see from the outside that I can see from where I stand. All of these things take alot of time and attention, but my kids lives and well being are at stake.

I truly believe that someday I will stand before God and He will ask me what I did with the children He gave me. I know that God has placed this passion inside of me for a reason and it starts with my own kids for now.

Happy 7th Birthday Rachel Lauren.

Dear Rachel-

Where did the last 7 years go, you turned 7 years old a week ago and I cannot believe it. I can remember going to the hospital in the middle of the night to have you. From the moment you were born I was in love. Your were our second little girl and from the beginning you were the most laid back, happy girl. I can remember just walking around the house holding you and you would smile from ear to ear. You also from a very early age had the best expressions. You didn't even need to say anything, we could just look at your face and know exactly what you were thinking. Funny thing is that those expressions have not changed much in the last 7 years and it is one of the things that I love the most about you.

You just finished First grade at Mary Frank Elementary School with Mrs. Ziege. You loved First grade and loved your teacher. You made lots of new friends this year. Instead of having a few very close friends like your sister you are friends with everyone. You would come home everyday and would tell me about a new friend you had made. You still love to spend time with Abby and Jacob Callender and can't seem to get enough time with them. You also enjoyed playing with Meadow, Lydia, Hannah, Jillian, Laila, and many others. You also came home in the middle of the year talking about this boy named Josiah. You called him your boyfriend and said you had found the perfect boy to marry :) There was even talk that you held hands at one point and that he kissed your hand on the bus one day. Of course your mom had to remind you that we don't have boyfriends in First Grade. You love school and always looked forward to being there. You became a great reader this year and also loved art, you seem to have a knack for drawing that you must have gotten from your dad.

You played soccer last fall for Upwards and you are playing right now for MSA. You seem to like the sport okay, but the social part is what you enjoy most. You started taking piano lessons this year and I love listening to you play. You did ice skating lessons and continue to become a better skater every year. You also did swimming lessons this past year. You love to be in the pool or at the lake swimming. You are for sure my outside girl. You also BEGGED me this year to sign you up for Girl Scouts. I did and you loved it. You love to spend time with your friends, but you also love to spend time playing Barbies with Allison and playing Webkinz or anything else with Tyler. You also don't like it when we miss a family movie night. You always have to be snuggled up with someone, which I love.

There are so many things about you that I love Rach, but I think my favorite part is your personality. You have a personality that just doesn't stop.You come up with the funniest, cutest things all the time. The things you come up just crack us up sometimes. Your smile and laughter is contagious. You wear your emotions on your sleeve and we never have to guess how you are feeling. You are an absolute joy to be around and you have this way about you that just makes other people smile.

I know that God has great things planned for you life sweetheart. My prayer for you is that you will live life to the fullest and that you will run after God without abandon. I pray that you never let anyone change the person that God made you to be and that you will give God all you have in every aspect of your life. Keep your eyes focused on God and your feet pointed in the right direction. Love other people well Rach, for that is how others will know that you belong to Him. Your dad and I will always be here for you. No matter where life takes you we will always be your biggest fans and we will love and support you in every way we know how. Your love and joy for life has made me not only a better mom but a better person. I cannot wait to watch you grow into the beautiful girl that God created you to be.

I love you Rachel Lauren with all my heart!!

Love,
Mom

Sunshine State

I am headed to sunny Florida for 3 days with these girls, Becky and Jami. Why you may ask? To hang out, relax, talk, read, lay in the sun and just be for 3 days. No kids, no husbands, just the girls! Don't get me wrong, there is nothing better than spending time with my husband and kids, but I have learned that in order to be a better wife and mom I need this time away.

So with that said, see you when I am a little bit tanner :)

Wishing Summer Was Here

We took the kids to the park today for the first time this year. It was 50 some degrees and yet it still felt a little cold.

They had a blast though - just can't wait for summer to come...

Skating: It's In Their Blood

The kids have been doing skating lessons for a couple years now and I can definitely see how starting young makes a difference. Even Tyler (age 4) can skate fairly fast and is getting more cocky each time he's out there.

Allison - the "composed" skater. Already has the stride of a figure skater.

Rachel - the "wild child." She skates 100 miles an hour without fear.

Tyler - the "slider." He loves to skate fast and then slide on the ice.

I can't wait until next year. Tyler gets to do intro to hockey at the Ice Box!

Wii Boxing Fun

Just had to get a clip of Tyler and his Wii Boxing style.

Not sure what is up with the fancy footwork but he does seem to be successful a lot of the time.

CakeTV

I was going back through our picture and video files the other day and ran across this. With the help of Windows Movie Maker I was able to pull together five or six clips and create a partial episode of CakeTV (also referred to as AllisonTV in the video).

I don't know how or where she got the idea - probably on TV - but I love the fact that she was able to conceptualize the entire project enough to break it out into a TV show.

The project was actually completed. She made her "Memory Cage" from beginning to end. It was an envelope type thing where you could store your task notes (things you need to do the next day). Leave it to my first born to come up with an organizational system.

This episode isn't completed. Ally was half way through when the batteries went bad on the little point and shoot camera she was using as a video camera. Unfortunately I didn't know what she was doing at the time or I would have changed the batteries and encouraged her to finish on tape.

Maybe in the future she'll do another one.

2008 Year In Review

Hello to those returning readers and a big welcome to those of you that are here for the first time. 2008 has been a wild and crazy year full of difficulties and yet amazing and wonderful things. With the economy the way it is and the uncertainty so many are facing, I can truly say we've been blessed and have a lot to be thankful for.

I thought I'd just walk through the family and let you know what's been going on with each of us.

Tammy
What an amazing wife. Tammy definitely gives of herself until there isn't much left. Week in and week out she takes care of me, our kids, the house, our finances, etc. And she still finds time to work close to a full time job at AWS and hold Lia Sophia parties for fun. She loves to read (current series: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer) and loves watching Gray's Anatomy & Private Practice.

Tammy has shown me what it means to be "social" and maintain close personal relationships rather than curling up in my cave and just existing. She is part of a close knit small group that gets together on a regular basis to shop, watch movies, eat out and in essence do life together. Thank you Becky, Jami, Debbie and Leah for being part of that. We also spend time as couples each Saturday night after church - chatting, questioning, pushing, encouraging and laughing.

Allison
Ally is 8 and in the Second Grade this year. The picture is a little misleading. She has lost quite a few of her baby teeth and there are adult teeth half way into most areas.

In true first born fashion, Ally is a rule follower and a perfectionist in many things. She loves to do things well and do them the correct way - often questioning others when they do things outside the box.

She plays soccer, has an American Girl doll, loves Hannah Montana, and spends a lot of time drawing, painting, writing stories, singing and otherwise being creative. In fact one day this year I found her creating her own television show. She had a video camera set up and was showing viewers how to create a memory pouch out of paper. She even interrupted for commercial breaks with her own transitional flair. Check that out here.

Rachel
Rach is 6 this year and in First Grade. Talk about the exact opposite of what a second born is supposed to be like. She is not at all the left out, depressed and misunderstood child. Instead she is funny, in your face and at times downright hilarious. Out of the blue she will make a comment or use a phrase (often in the wrong context) that you can't help but stop and laugh over.

She has an infectious smile and energy that never ends. She also plays soccer and loves Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers. You'll find her playing the Leapster, watching Disney Channel, coloring, painting and drawing.

Rachel loves the water and will stay in it even though her lips are blue and she can't stop shaking. She collects shells, swims under water loves the sand.

She is quick to make friends and is the one with no fear. She'll be playing with new friends the minute they become available and doesn't stop to think about whether or not they are good for her. We'll have to keep working on that.

Tyler
I hate to use the phrase "Momma's Boy" but at this point it seems to fit. Ty is 4 this year and in Preschool. Still young, he whines when things don't go his way, but for crying out loud I know some adults that do the same thing still.

Tyler is a fun boy to be around. He loves to play and beginning to be creative and self sufficient during the day. He loves TMNT, Phineas & Ferb, dinosaurs, cars and has begun to draw and color like his sisters (if you can't beat them join them...)

Tyler learned to swim well this year in Myrtle Beach and hasn't looked back. He loves to bob, hold his breath and is jumping in all by himself at the lake.

Tyler has sporadic breathing issues like I did when I was young. He gets breathing treatments when it gets bad and then its gone for four hours. We hope this is something he grows out of like I did. There's nothing worse than sitting listening to your child hack and wheeze just to get good breaths...

Tyler has also played soccer and I can't wait to get him back on ice skates this winter :)

Me
This year has been a good one.

I love the fact that Tammy and I have grown closer and that we are doing what it takes to maintain a solid relationship. Date nights twice a month, random lunches together and the occasional long weekends away without kids are a HUGE part of this.

I have enjoyed watching the kids grow, mature and take steps in the right direction. Each has their own personality and I love each of them as much as the other. I've been able to have the random conversations where you really feel like you are connecting and can't wait for more of this to happen as the grow.

I love living in Granger. Aside from the weather of course. I was going to title this post, "Merry F'n Christmas" where the "F" stood for "frigid" but decided against it...

My job at the church has been one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I love being in ministry and getting to do the stuff I'm passionate about. I recently launched a website (webdrivenchurch.com) so people can find me. You can get to my blog from here and see some of the stuff I've been doing lately (both work related projects and freelance web projects).

It has been a great year and I can't wait to see what 2009 brings.

The world may be falling apart around us but we can still have joy and peace knowing that our futures are safe and secure because we know the One that controls it all.

Peace in the new year.

A Better Person

Do you have friends in your life who make you better? Friends who know you well enough to know when something is wrong just by the look on your face. Friends who help you be a better mom and wife. Friends who are "for" your marriage and won't just tell you what you want to hear. Friends who guide you and remind you what is important when you are in the middle of a parenting crisis. Friends who have the hard conversations with you even though it is not easy. Friends who don't always agree with you, friends who remind you what is important and what your priorities should be. Friends who are completely honest with you and who you can be completely honest with. Friends who just push you to be an all around better person...to be a better Christ follower, a better wife, a better mom, a better friend, etc.

I have this in these girls (plus Deb not pictured).

Becky, Jami and I have been through a lot together. We have shared alot of laughs and helped each other through some of the hardest times in our lives. I love these girls, I love their husbands, I love their children. I would do anything for these girls and I know they would do the same for me. I am so thankful to have these girls in my life. I hope you have people in your life who push you to be a better person.

Ghetto Boys

I love this picture. Tyler and Jacob were playing one day during soccer practice for the girls and Daryl snapped this shot. One of those pictures that makes me smile when I see it.

I love watching these two grow up together, it makes my heart happy!