Monday, December 27, 2010
 snow is a novelty around here. and 8 inches is nothing short of miraculous. this has been a Christmas we won't forget anytime soon! Hope yours has been wonderful! ~stacey | |
Monday, December 27, 2010
~Let It Snow~
Monday, December 20, 2010
~Have a BeAUtIfuL week of Christmas~
Monday, December 20, 2010
Have a BeAUtIfuL week of Christmas. 
~stacey
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Wednesday, December 15, 2010
~Darcy, Knightly, Edward, and Brad~
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
~Darcy, Knightly, Edward, and Brad~I admit that I am the world's biggest sucker for a great romance.I swoon. (that word is way past it's prime but I can't resist typing it) Any way you slice it, I'm GOING to be a fan. Darcy, cravat and all....... Mr. Knightly. Completely devoted to Emma.........*sigh* Edward absolutely cannot function without knowing Bella is safe. He exists for no other reason than to love her...... The list is long and the stories are oddly similar. He wants her. Needs her, even. The wanting part is better than the needing because there's nothing you have to do to be wanted except to breathe. Those movies leave you firmly believing that several years and children later, a few pounds heavier, and after every detail of who they are is no longer a mystery, the man will still want his girl. Really want her. If I ask Brad Wall to live up to the ridiculousness of a vampire madly in love with his soul mate or werewolves imprinting  , bless his heart.I mean, c'mon, man. Seriously. If I expect to only ever get an, "As you wish" response from this man I married, I am in deep trouble. Those movies conveniently omit financial stress, selfishness, sleepless nights, a messy house, extreme exhaustion, a broken ice maker, kids with rotten attitudes, long days at the office, and a myriad of other realities. WHO would pay to see that movie?! Quite a while ago, I came to my firm belief that the single most attractive trait in a man is none other than the quality of commitment. Maybe it was when, before Brad was leaving for six months, went out in our backyard at midnight to chop down a tree stump that I was worried about the kids falling over. In nothing more than his shorts and hiking boots. I hung out the window, loudly whispering to him, "Stop that! You don't have to chop down that tree right now! It'll be fine!" My heart was screaming, he loves me and cares about these senseless details. I almost swooned. -sorry. there's that word again. More recently, after having the luxury of spending a week in the woods, hunting deer with one of his best friends, he came home rested. Renewed. As only a guy would know, he told me how God had spoken to him on the deer stand. Weird. I know. It has to be a guy thing. There's no other explanation. (The only thing I would hear on a deer stand would be my teeth chattering or a warm bed calling my name. ) Anyway, in our kitchen, after being home a day or so, he hugged me and very simply said, "Honey, I want you to know I've prayed all these years that God would give me eyes only for you and He's done that. I'm so thankful for you." he then proceeded to tell me how cute he thinks I am....... TMI.  anyway....It is a moment I will never forget and one almost to intimate to share but I find myself compelled to. And I think this is the reason: I want to challenge you to honor those qualities in your husband that matter. Faithful is something a man can be. A vampire or mythical millionaire in a top hat? He's not going to measure up. If you are married to a man who is committed to you, give him a big hug tonight. Whether he pumps your gas, bathes your kids, drives them to school, says he's sorry, cleans a bathroom, takes you to dinner, tells you you're cute, or goes to work every day, tell him thanks.  ~stacey | |
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Monday, November 22, 2010
~A Day In The Life~
Monday, November 22, 2010
A Day In The LifeLet the Thanksgiving cooking begin!
One cute little chef....
   
Telling secrets.....
TRYING to get a Christmas card picture.....
Not real excited about peeling the potatoes....
 
hope your Thanksgiving preparations are filled with fun, laughter, and lots of memory making.
~stacey
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Wednesday, November 17, 2010
~I'm Sorry I Keep Saying I'm Sorry~
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
I'm Sorry I Keep Saying I'm SorryI tend to apologize for most of what I do.People come to my house, I apologize for the bathroom that is half torn up, waiting for a remodel or the fact that if they look for dirt, they will find it. I did an experiment once when a babysitter was coming over. I thought I would try to not explain or apologize for ANYTHING in my house. It didn't work.  I apologize for being 30 seconds late. In not so many words, I apologize for the the decisions I make concerning my kids. I tend to be paranoid about offending someone with my personal beliefs or opinions. I've even found myself complaining about things that are basically non existent in my or my family's life just to be relatable or to avoid giving the impression that I have no problems. Crazy. I know. So I'm stopping. And this post is putting this new found commitment to not apologize to practice. maybe. I love the school we have Jake in. Love it. It's a University Model School and they attend class in a traditional manner two or three days a week and then complete assignments at home the other days.I do not pretend to know what is best for anybody else's kids nor do I know even how we will be doing school in five years. (THERE I GO AGAIN....EXPLAINING THINGS!!!) arrggghhhhh.However, I do know that I absolutely can not/will not entrust my child's education to anyone else. That doesn't mean I will never have them in public or full time private school but it does mean that I believe it is my responsibility to see that my kids learn the things that I value.The days I have Jake at home have nearly brought me to tears on more than one occasion and for more than one reason.Teaching your child anything exposes all kinds of lovely charater flaws....in you AND them. I am more concerned with my own since I am modeling for my little adults in training. I've apologized more than once for impatience. I am thankful-as strange as that sounds-for those ugly things being exposed because it means I have an opportunity to deal with heart issues.I've gotten chill bumps reading history with him, being reminded of God's hand in our country's formation. The stories of Godly men who put it all on the line to become one nation under God are invaluable accounts our kid's cannot afford to miss."I have lived a long time, and the longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?"-Benjamin FranklinHistory should be more than just memorizing facts. It's about lessons from people who have lived before us, the laws of sowing and reaping, and understanding that pushing through when things aren't easy is the only way to meet real success. It's a little thing called character.Jake brings home textbooks. I know what he is learning. He's reading quality novels that reaffirm things I want him to learn. I'll never understand new titles like, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid or "Stinky Stinky Diaper Change". I'm all for humor and a good fiction book and my son read the Stinky poem in second grade. (He thought it was hilarious, btw) But when I back up and just think about those titles.....yes, it just bugs me.(I'm really resisting the urge to tell you it's okay if you love those books. because it is.) See?!! I can't do it! Can't go a whole post without making sure you feel good!! I love having TIME with him. I'm helping shape the man he will become which is terrifying and nerve racking but giving him as much of a foundation as I possibly can is never a mistake. One of the awesome things about being a Christian is knowing that "The mind of man plans his way but the Lord directs his steps". I believe God is grooming our kids for different callings and purposes. That means our walks won't all look alike. There's a reason for that. We are all individuals, who need different environments and experiences to shape who we become. The key is to listen to the desires and promptings he puts on your heart with regards to your children and how you rear them. My heart is HIS, therefore, what's there MATTERS. Don't ignore those little nudges whether they seem strange, counter culture, unpopular, or mundanely normal. We are responsible to help steer their little hearts and sometimes that may mean we swim up stream. We're supposed to be different, remember? Run your race.  ~stacey | |
Monday, October 25, 2010
~Dear Avery~
Monday, October 25, 2010
Dear AveryDear Avery, How did you get to be five years old? You've grown up more in the last year than I ever thought you would. You have graciously given up your place as the baby of the family to little Emma and have taken on the role of big sister beautifully. In the eight months she has been a part of us, you have never once complained about the time she requires of me. You willingly help in any way I ask. You are also little sister and have learned how to stand your ground quite well. I remember something you said earlier this year that sums up a big part of your personality. I was giving the three of you some instructions about cleaning up the play room and said that Jake was in charge because he was the oldest. You, obviously frustrated, put your little hands on your hips and emphatically said, "When I get older, I am going to be in charge of EVERYTHING!"You can be so very serious with grown up worries. Like whether or not Daddy knows where your school is because you were "tired of telling him how to get there". (and for the record, darlin, yes, Daddy knows how to get to your school thanks to your giving such good directions the first time he took you.)  The things you say make me laugh just about every day. One of the sweetest, funniest things you said recently that I want never to forget is,"Mom, will I look ravishing in this?" "Yes, you will." I replied trying hard not to laugh. "Is that a good thing or a bad thing? What does ravishing mean? Does it mean beautiful?" "You're exactly right." I told you. ravishing [ˈrævɪʃɪŋ]
adj
delightful; lovely; entrancing
ravishingly adv
You are just that. Delightful. Lovely. Entrancing.     ~stacey | |
Thursday, October 21, 2010
~Dog Drama~
Thursday, October 21, 2010
It's nearly nine o' clock at night and I am forced to sit at my kitchen table, back door open, telling my dog, "HUSH!" every five minutes. The kids and I got home after a long day, that consisted mostly of being in the car, to find a smelly surprise in Easy's kennel. The dog was still IN his kennel which really posed a problem. The pooh (not to be confused with Winnie) was bound to be on his paws. The kennel is in the unfinished basement on the concrete floor, but he has to walk on the play room carpet to get to the yard. I called Brad with my desperate S.O.S. (which did me no good since he would be in the operating room until late tonight.)So Jake and I, breathing through our mouths, moved the tv cabinet, rolled the carpet back, and hurried the dog out the back door. I shut every door between the mess and us on the main floor. I hate to leave it for Brad, but that's exactly what I'm going to do! ............See, I don't do pooh unless it comes from my children.Back to why I'm perched at my table with the door open......he can be a real barker. It could be another dog, a neighbor walking, a car driving by, the moon, a tiny spider on the fence....doesn't matter. He's going to bark. And it's too late for that.  (too bad he still isn't' this irresistible)It's been such a busy couple months that I feel like I've missed most of them. We had one thing after another on the calendar, the last of which was our vacation. I decided about two weeks ago that after we got back from Disney, I was putting the brakes on. I had gotten a novel idea. I decided I would go back to being a house-wife. You know, a wife who is actually in her house enough to at least semi keep it.....sometimes. The halting is happening. Slowly.....but it is happening. It's as much a mindset as it is in decisions I make. I don't know where I got on the crazy train of going non-stop but I refuse to live that way.  I think I had forgotten how much more demanding the day to day is with a crawler. You pretty much have to have an eye on them constantly. They eat everything. Which means it's just that much harder to get things done. The other day Emma was on the floor smiling at me, flapping her little arm, which is her "pick me up!" cue. I scooped her up and told her, as she stared blankly back at me, that she deserved as much of me as the other three had gotten. She just grabbed my nose, smiled and started looking for the next thing she could find to put in her mouth.  I want to sit on my driveway and watch the kids ride bikes.I want to not be so pushed that I practically throw them in the bed and say a Speedy Gonzales prayer and fly down the stairs to do the next thing that has to be done.  I want to breathe.  ~stacey | |
Thursday, October 14, 2010
~WDW~
Thursday, October 14, 2010
WDWWe recently took a trip to a place that really is a world of it's own.I learned some valuable, some interesting, and some funny lessons while there. For example: 1. As much as they've talked about it, heard about it, or imagined it, they really have no idea how excited they are about to get.  2. I couldn't believe how excited they would be to meet characters. I mean, who knew Woody and Goofy were celebrities?!     3. ALWAYS have your camera ready.....your kids looking back at you to mouth, "Chip kissed me!" create some priceless pictures.   
4. If at all possible, HAVE LUNCH AT CINDERELLA'S TABLE.
When else can you eat at the top of a castle? (even if it's not really a castle) ....Being able to see 5 princesses at once is a HUGE bonus. Saves you so much time later on in the park. Trust me.      
5. The moments that make you laugh the most
will be the unexpected, unplanned ones....... Like watching Reese hula-hoop for the first time, or getting SOAKED on Splash Mountain despite being assured that-and I quote- "Seriously, honey I promise. I've barely gotten wet every time I've ridden." 
6. You will walk your feet off.
I am so not kidding. 
7. No. It's not ALL princess.
(For my almost nine year old son, this was a blessed fact.)   
8. For heaven's sake. If you do nothing else, hold your babies' hands.
I lost Jake in a sea of people for about 2 minutes. It felt like an hour, brought tears to my eyes, and complete relief when Brad found my scared little boy. After that, every time the crowd thickened, Jake would spontaneously grab my hand,which is something he almost never does. And every time, I smiled, squeezed his hand extra tight, and thanked God for him. 
9. Even princesses need a rest. The stroller was my best friend.
10. You are going to get on each others nerves at one point or another. It's okay.
11. #10 is okay mainly because the laughter and good memories far out weigh everything else.
    
12. GET OUT OF BED!
Ours were the first feet in the park. Yes, I'm a little crazy that way.  I took the high road amidst being ridiculed by my husband. I ignored his repeated head shaking and laughter at my occasional psychotic behavior. I turned the other cheek to his, "you're loco!" comments. By the end of the second day, he was a believer that it pays to be early and it pays to have a plan. If my memory serves me correctly, I think I even got a, "Honey, you did a really great job planning this trip."   
13. If we can have as much fun as we did and still look forward to going home,
that's a good thing. (I told them to make sad faces.....this is what they came up with) 
~stacey
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