He's done!

You know those turkeys you buy at Thanksgiving that have the plastic timers already in them? The timer pops up when the turkey is done.
Vance happens to have his own built in timer. After a meal he checks his tummy and says...



"Look Mom! My timer popped! I'm all done!"

10 years down, many more to go!

Today is the 10 year anniversary of our marriage. It's amazing to think how much we have grown as individuals and as a couple in the last 10 years. I'm incredibly grateful for my husband- a man who works so hard for his family, who gives the best of himself, who loves me and does sweet things for me and most importantly who seeks after the heart of God. I love you so much, baby! Happy Anniversary!

Handsome Fella'

My kids and my sister's kids are wonderful friends. It's so great to see them have fun together. They have one ongoing game that they play- The older ones and Vance are part of "Spy Club" and the younger ones call theirs simply "Club". They make and bring home the cutest, funniest things as prizes from Club. Abbie always makes these "Spy Manuals" that have things like ciphers, codes and spying methods, and the littler ones make crafts, learn Bible verses and songs, etc.

Anyway, Vance came home with these glasses that Abbie made for him as a prize for Spy Club- he LOVED them and wore them constantly until they fell apart. I just couldn't help but laugh every time I looked at him! He was so proud.

Siblings...

We have our share of sibling rivalry around here. Some times I think we actually have more than our share, considering the fact that we home school and therefore our kids are around each other constantly. But there are wonderful advantages to that, as well. My kids love each other as fiercely as they sometimes fight. The boys especially are inseparable. They call each other their "Best Buddy". Tonight we left Jaxson with my mom for an overnighter. Vance spent the whole ride home and until he finally fell asleep in his bed howling, sobbing and calling for his "Buddy". "My Buddy!! I missed my Buddyyyy!" This happens every time Jaxson is gone. Even when we recently just dropped him off for a birthday party. After a couple of hours, even Ellie was saying she missed Jaxson. I am grateful for the deep love that they hold for each other. I hope that some day, when they're adults, they'll be as close to each other as my siblings and I are. I always tell my children that their brothers and sisters are built in best friends!

What do you get...

......when you have a 5 year old who likes to play Mommy and a 3 year old who still wants to be the baby??