Just an Idea

So, my kids love sweet stuff. Especially Emma Claire. Ask that child her favorite thing in the world and she will most definitely say, "COOOOOKIES!!" Well, in my efforts to being healthier and better to my body as well as those in my family I've been looking for some alternatives for sweet stuff for the girls. Last night I think I hit the jackpot!
I bought something like this and have until last night used it to pour juice into and freeze for ice pops. This is also a healthy idea as long as the juice is all natural and not sweetened. SO, last night I made them yogurt and apple sauce pops. They LOVED them. I just poured my all-natural unsweetened apple sauce into the mold as well as some yumm-o yogurt. Not together. =) anyway, then let it freeze and Ta-DA, yummy dessert! Try it. You'll like it. Your kids will like it.=)

I've started putting most of the girls toys out of reach and in organized buckets. For instance, there is a bucket of animals, a bucket of doll house and barn stuff, a puzzle shelf, game shelf, dolls and doll accessories inside of a baby bed all up over their heads. Now, those of you who really know me know that I am a clean freak and organizing fool. My kids like to try to wear this out of me, but lately I've beat them! I'll give them one activity at a time and not only does it keep their room reasonably clean, but it also keeps their attention for longer. They also have to clean up the activity before moving onto another activity. I LOVE this new out of site out of mind thing we've got going on and it really does work!

BooHoo! Blah!

I think my blogging mind is broken.

ANYWAY, I've decided that today, we'll have a moment of silence for Kris Allen, winner of American Idol and resident of our own hometown, Conway, AR.




HA! Yeah, I'm glad that he won, but we never even watched one show. Sorry to all you die hard KA fans!=)



ANYWAY, now that the seasons of all our shows have come to an end and summer broadcasting will soon begin I'm not sure what we'll do with our evenings. Although it it tempting to watch Wipeout. Scotty thinks it's so hilarious. Probably just have to sit and talk or something. Gah. I must say I'm so thankful for internet broadcasting of all my favorite shows. I'll have to go back and watch my favorite episodes. I think I could watch the epi of LOST where Charlie dies 100 times and still cry. *Snif. Snif*

Does anyone watch LOST? I'm starting to think that things are going to take a spiritual route in 2010. Dude, we are getting close to 2010. That's crazy.

I'm not sure who all actually reads this, because I always get a good response from people on Facebook.

So, like I said, I have lots of thoughts but not really in the mood to get them out. Maybe I should load pictures. But then, if you are reading from facebook you've already seen my pictures anyway.

Some time soon I'll post a real live update with a point. Until then, let the silence continue...

Give 'em roots. Give 'em wings.

Last night Scotty and I attended a memorial service. As we sat in the standing room only PACKED sanctuary of our church I looked around at all the sad facing mourning the loss of a friend, a cousin, a son, a grandson, a student, a brother, a child.

Our pastor sent out an urgent email this time last week asking for prayer for his family, as they'd found out that their 20 year old son had taken his life.

At the service last night we listened as the family talked about Jordan's accomplishments, inner struggles, and love for his family and friends. What an amazing person he must have been.

His parents raised him to be a strong, intelligent, Christ-loving, outgoing kid. Looking in to their life I'd say they did everything "right." SO, the question I kept asking myself was "WHY?"

Then, just like He was sitting in front of me, God said to me, "'Why' isn't important. What's important for you to know is that YOU can't make a perfect child."

I'm such a perfectionist. Even typing this post is grueling to me because I feel the need for everything to be perfect. Every day I wear myself out trying to keep my house clean, my kids looking adorable, and my life all in order. If, at the end of the day I look back, I can always find something that I didn't do a good job at; I yelled too much at Olivia, I didn't respect my husband, I didn't get the floor mopped.

My perfectionism doesn't stop there. I work really hard to teach my kids the right things. I tell them all about Jesus, show them right from wrong, correct them when they misbehave, and discipline them so that they don't make the same mistake again.

But, what happened last night for me, amid the sadness(and happiness-because Jordan is in heaven) of the memorial service, was that I learned that no matter how much I work at being the best parent I can, my job is to give my sweet blessings(my kids) right back to their maker.

HE and ONLY HE is in complete control of my kids. He's had them in His hand since before they were born. At some point, our kids will take on their own personality, they'll make friends, they'll decide what they believe for themselves. Not just what I've taught them; they'll make up their OWN belief system.

So, I'll do my best-I'll keep my focus on Christ and let everything else fall into place, and at the end of the day, I'll look back and know that my best was good enough. That God is in control-not me. That my kids need me to help them, but I CAN NOT make them perfect.