Emilyisms... (Part 1-ish)

Emily was in her bedroom telling her stuffed animals about God, and I overheard her say, "God is OLD. He's 71. But he loves you very much!"


I just learned from Emily (3 years old) that hick-ups come when your bottom is dirty. AND, if your bottom is dirty and you still don't clean it, then the hick-ups turn into coughs, and if you STILL don't clean your bottom, then you throw up.

It's amazing what you can learn from your children!

We're Being INVADED!!!!

Okay, I know that I am noted for my disgusting stories, so I don't want to disappoint...
The other night I was sooo tired, but I couldn't fall asleep. I was so mad!! AND, to add to the frustration, I kept hearing scratching followed be loud THUDS in the attic directly over our bed. I started grunting and rolling over every few minutes, and finally Eric just said, "Will you BE QUIET!?!?! You woke me up!" I pointed out to him that there was a rodent making a nest directly over our bed in the attic and it was being VERY LOUD, and I couldn't SLEEP! I wanted him to jump out of bed and take care of the whole rodent thing -- even though it was 3AM!! Well, obviously no one in their right mind would go rodent hunting in the attic at 3 am...
So, the next morning while getting dressed, I heard the scratching and thumping once again... I suddenly remembered that taser Eric gave me for Christmas, and wondered what would happen... I got it out, aimed it directly at the spot where the thuds were coming from, and BANG!!! (Did you know that tasers "BANG?!?!" -- I thought that they just shot electricity across the room -- kind of like that guy in "Star Wars" when he can shoot electricity out of his fingers...????) It looked like I had pulled the cork off of one of those New Year's confetti shooters... My head was pounding, heart was throbbing, and I couldn't really speak for about a minute. I scared myself to DEATH!!! That was NOT what I was expecting! I wanted to be like the "Star Wars" guy! I didn't want a New Year's explosion!!
Finally I found my voice, and the lump went down a little, and I called Eric, and asked him to come into the bedroom really FAST! (I couldn't believe he didn't hear the shrilling bang that nearly made me pass out!) He walked in and saw the "confetti hanging from the ceiling looked at me, and it took everything in him to NOT laugh hysterically at me! He KNEW my entire thought process, and then explained to me that I am NOT to shoot things before reading the instructions or watching a video, or letting HIM give me lessons, AND that tasers don't shoot through the ceiling...
I OBVIOUSLY figured all of that out, BUT just as he was explaining all of that, the scratching and thuds returned... UUUUGGGG!
I thought that was enough rodent mess, but NOOOOO!
My friend, Heather, was staying with us for the weekend, and she likes to sleep with lots fans, so I went out to the garage to get our other fan. I brought it into Emily's room where Heather was sleeping, and I plugged in the fan, turned it on, and then it made a really loud sound, like when you put cards in your bike wheels... Well, I shook the fan and a little dirt came out, and I saw some toys in there. So, I was just a little annoyed that the kids had put toys in the fan, but thought I could just shake them out of the way. So I gave the fan one more BIG shake, and when I did THERE WAS A MOUSE!!!! It was dead and crunchy!!!!! I jerked the fan OUT OF THE WALL, ran down the hall as fast as I could! I tripped over my own feet and crashed into the wall, slipped across the kitchen floor, and finally THREW THE FAN OUTSIDE!!!!
Now, those of you who know me well, know that I am a germ freak... I couldn't help but think of all the crunchy mouse parts that I had fanned across Emily's room, and shaken all over ME! I started a very thorough cleaning and disinfecting process on the carpets and floors and then myself!!!
I am contemplating STARVING the cat, so that he will do his JOB...

We are having a nice, quiet evening at home tonight! After bathtime, Emily decided to turn a movie on in Evan's room, and they were sitting on the floor playing legos! As I was finishing up dinner, I heard the pitter patter of little feet, followed by Evan's voice yelling excitedly, "MOM! BAMBI is coming out in March of 2005!!!! That means we can SEE it!!!"

I couldn't help but laugh because even though I was explaining to him that March 2005 was around the same time that Emily was born, he still thinks that since the previews say it, it will still come to "Disney DVD" very soon...

Hick-ups

I just learned from Emily (3 years old) that hick-ups come when your bottom is dirty. AND, if your bottom is dirty and you still don't clean it, then the hick-ups turn into coughs, and if you STILL don't clean your bottom, then you throw up.

It's amazing what you can learn from your children!

Oh dear! It has begun...!

Today we took one of Evan's good friends, John Calvin, home with us! He and Evan are in the same class at school (and church -- i think...) Anyways, all the kids were playing in the back yard, and I was inside cleaning or something, and watching them through the windows... Well, my three-and-a-half year old daughter, Emily comes in and says, "Mommy, HE KISSED ME AND HE'S NOT MY PRINCE!!!" After trying very hard not to laugh at her, I went outside and explained to John Calvin that we don't kiss girls until we want to marry them (what else do you say to a four year old...), and we have to be ALOT older before he can marry anyone! And his precious response was, "Okay, I'll marry her NEXT year!" Then he grabbed her hand and trotted off and pushed her on the swing while Evan was telling him to play with HIM instead of EMILY! It was priceless!
John Calvin and Evan did eventually go and play without the girl..
When we were driving back to the school he kept telling me that he was Emily's girlfriend, and I kept correting saying, "No, it's BOYfriend...and WAIT, you guys can't be boyfriend and girlfriend!! You can be friends, but no more kissing! Anyways, I found it hilarious that I was having a kissing discussion with a 3 and a 4 year old.
All I have to say is, HOLY COW! It has begun... Evan's friends are now going to come over and pay more attention to his sister!! I am praying even more!!

Fun Day!

Fun Day!

Happy New Year!

Eric and I spent New Year's Eve just us, and it was great! We went to one of my favorite places called Picasso's and had a two and a half long dinner! We just sat there and talked (my biggest love language is quality time, so that is huge for me to get his attention for that long!!) Then we went home, and he wanted to bring in the new year with us earnestly seeking after the Lord together! So, we came home and spent time in prayer and we read a book that my sister's father-in-law reccommended we read called, "Marriage: The Journey." We started it and are enjoying it together, and we also worked on memoirzing scripture. (We have a challenge set before us in our Sunday School class at church,s o we are doing our best!) I can't imagine a better way to bring in the new year! I pray that this year will be one that the Lord will use to continually draw us closer to Himself and his likeness!

Christmas 2008

We have a family tradition of having a birthday party for Jesus on Christmas Eve, so this year Emily, Evan, and few of the other chldren who attend the party, got to play a part in telling the story. Emily played the part of Mary, Evan played the part of Joseph. Easton and Andrew were shepherds, and Joseph narrated the story of Jesus birth. It was very cute! After the story was finished the music started and we listened to "Happy birthday, jesus" sung by the Brooklyn Tab. Choir. It really was so precious!! Andrew played the part of a shepherd extrememly well! Every time there was an action verb, he made sure to act it out -- my favorite was when the shepherds were "frightened" he made sure to faint!!

Eric's dad, Maw Maw, and his friend Nancy all joined us for Christmas, so that was fun as well!

Thanksgiving Week!

We had a fun Thanksgiving Week! We had friends and family over before Turkey Day, and then Eric kidnapped me and the kids and took us to the Gaylord Texan, and we stayed there for four days!! One the first might we were there we ate at one of our favortie steak places, the Old Hickory, and Evan and emily were so well behaved! I was very proud and greatful for Eric's iphone!! On thanksgiving day we went to the zoo, which we had almost to ourselves, and the animals were very happy to see us! They were so cute! We ate dinner at Ama Lur where we had the best turkey ever!! We spent the other days, swimming, shopping at Build a Bear, and enjoying each other! The decorations were georgeous at the Gaylord! Our room was the size of our house, and it overlooked all the beautiful lights inside the Gaylord! It was great! Eric and I took turns enjoying the amenities at the spa, and we all enjoyed ordering pizza and watching movies in the room! It was wonderful!

Confessions from Cat

No matter what choices I make in life, whether it be good decisions or bad, every decision I make causes a wake. A ripple in the lives of those around me. Sometimes it's easy for me to forget that, and I just want to do my own thing rather than rememebering that God is actually in charge of every single choice I make, not me. But we serve a precious God who is full of grace, who also allows me to fall on my face HARD so that I can see that I can't do it alone. I love and hate that all at the same time...
I have been dealing with alot lately, in ways that I never dreamed I would struggle, and it's been one of the most difficult things I have had to face since my eating disorder. It's funny how quickly and easily sin can creep in and make itself at home, and you don't realize it until everything in life is unraveling. The hardest part is when you realize that you've not only hurt yourself, but the ones you love the most, and your relationship with the Lord isn't as close because you've chosen other things over him. It doesn't take long for that to happen!
I am so blessed to have a husband, kids, and family that love me and point me to Christ when I am not looking to Him. I know that I am not the only person on the earth that struggles with things, so I think that you can relate in your own personal way. Going through the desert is so hard and painful, but remember you are not alone.

Next Week...In a funk.

So next week is CRAZY for me! Can't wait for it to be over. I am decorating this weekend, and the guy that I was totally depending on to help me went to a different country for the holidays... SO, I get to do it alone for the most part. Oh well, I can handle that, but I am already in a major funk, and don't need to add more stress on top of "the crazies."
Sunday, I won't even go there, is going to be difficult for me due to some strange things going on... Monday and Tuesday I am going to be the best mom I can be, but come Wednesday, I will be invisible to everyone. I am cooking for a tea that I am hosting for 200+ people, making the decorations, and taking care of all the specifics, etc. Thursday is the tea, but Friday is when I am singing at DBU for their homecoming. I am sooooo nervous about it. I haven't sang -- like show tunes and stuff -- in 7 years. I'm only singing one song, so in a way that makes it even worse because I can't mentally work through the whole nervous issue. I have to fake it and be perfect. UUUGGGG! I am also having a full orchestra behind me (if only I was singing a song I loved... oh well). If any of you guys want to come, it's completely free. It's at DBU in the Burg, starting at 8pm on Friday. Get there early. It will be packed.
BUT, I am VERY greatful that Thanksgiving week is coming and I have several days where I can get my head straight and hopefully enjoy doing nothing.
For those of you who read this to find out about my mom, she is doing MUCH better! The only complications she has now are the fact that she will be in pain for a very long time. She is going to work (she couldn't stay away if she tried...) and she is being super woman yet again. The whole "pack" is in San Diego this week, but will be back soon -- maybe tomorrow!!
Evan and Emily are growing up too fast, and they are the best kids in the world!! Eric is so ready to be home and finally be a family again. We've all missed that. It's been so long it seems.

(Sorry girls! I FINALY got around to getting these up!)
These are the pics of a bunch of us carving pumpkins in the back yard (obviously), and Halloween, and one pic of Tony Bennett (when I saw him a few weeks ago!). Sorry I not wordy for once!

This is an old pic that I found on Eric's computer. I am in "Carosel." I thought it was funny to come across this picture because I am singing Rogers and Hammerstein songs -- including the one I am singing in this picture -- for DBU's homecoming in a few weeks.

We are playing legos today. I am having a hard time slowing down so I am forcing myself to do nothing but play. I hate that I have a hard time playing. That didn't use to be the case. You guys know me, I am the one that's getting out the shaving cream and water balloons and making a ness of the place in honor of FUN, but lately all I can think of is the fact that I don't have time to clean things up. We are ON PURPOSE trashing the place today, and i am letting go of this rediculous notion that I "don't have time." I don't have time NOT to get messy and knee deep in legos and My Little Ponies. (I will confess that I am playing the blog rather than cleaning while the kids watch a movie...) It's lunch time, and we are still in our PJ's. AHHH! We whipped out the silly string and have had one war, but war 2 will be on after lunch!! (Poor Dollie usually gets brunt of the silly string, but it's still fun!) I didn't go to work today because Emily keeps having throw-up sessions and tummy issues (I think that they are over), but we still needed to have a "get perfectly well" day.
I know this sounds ridiculous, but I have to start decorating our house for Christmas before I start doing everyone elses otherwise I won't want to do it, so I should be doing that today -- but I'm not right now! Well, Tom and Jerry is over! I'm off to play!