Deal.....or No Deal....

Our constant quest to get our 3 year old son to eat anything but chicken and hot dogs turned ugly last night. So ugly, I decided to tape it (it was either that or scream into a pillow - which I did anyway). He is hard headed - I guess the politically correct word nowadays is "willful". Whatever. To me I'm being nice calling it hard headed. My husband and I were determined to get him to eat the rotisserie chicken I bought, as well as the mashed potatos and broccoli I made. The face on my 3 year old when we set the plate in front of him said it all. Then it began. "I don't like that chicken. Where is MY chicken. I don't like mashed tatos". It went downhill from there. My husband, settling in for the fight, calmly told our son he wasn't getting up from the table until he at least took a bite of everything. "How do you know you don't like it?" he asked. "You haven't even tried it". Thirty minutes of this went on. My oldest finally whispered in his fathers ear to use the trick he used a few weeks back. Basically my husband pretends he's a complete idiot and doesn't know how to use his fork and spoon and asks our 3 year old how he does it. Kudos to my oldest. That trick at least got his little brother eating his mashed potatos. (I knew we weren't wasting all that money on a private school for nothing!) On to the brocolli. After another 20 minutes of making jokes about eating trees, and cutting down a normal size piece of broccoli to something barely seen by a microscope, we finally got him to choke down the miniscule morsel. And by choke, I mean CHOKE. I literally thought all our hard work was going to go to waste. As he gagged and coughed I envisioned all those little potatos coming back up. But thankfully, they stayed down as he chugged down half his milk. And lo and behold, he actually said he liked the broccoli. By now I am cleaning up and my oldest has moved on to dessert. My husband and youngest are still in a battle of wills to the death over the last hurdle.....the chicken. My son was not budging. His dad reiterrated again that he wasn't going to get up from that table until he tried it. "You can sleep here if you have to" I heard him say. My 3 year old, using all the preschool education we've paid good money for countered with "I'm not hungry." So there. How are you going to argue with no hunger? What were we to do. No trickery was going to work this time. He had figured out his father really wasn't stupid and DID know how to use a fork and spoon so that wasn't going to work this time. No, my husband had to pull out the big guns. Out came.......the M&M's. Yes, that's right, I'm embarrassed to say it. My husband started with 6 m&m's. "Son, if you eat one little bite of chicken I'll give you six, count 'em, six m&m's" as he laid them in a nice line in front of his plate. My son's face lighted up "6 nem-nem's for eating my potatos?" You have to give him credit for trying. "No" said my husband. His face sank. What to do? You could see him struggling. Then the crying began. "I don't want that chicken. I don't like that chicken." After 5 minutes - No Deal. My husband upped the anty. "Buddy, if you eat all your chicken I will give you the whole bag" as he piled up all the m&m's from the bag in front of him. This was getting interesting. Still, No Deal. My husband took a break to play with our oldest before bed and asked me to just keep an eye on him so he didn't shove all the m&m's in his mouth while we weren't looking. Mommy's turn. After a few minutes, I walked over and tried to wave the chicken in front of him and reminded him of the m&m's. I even cut the piece down for him. No Deal. Finally I asked him what it would take for him to eat that chicken. He thought about it and said "A sleep over with Day-Day" his brother. (Basically this is the 2 of them in the pull-out couch watching movies until late). Not tonight, because it was a school night for big brother, but I did offered up a decent alternative. Deal. He gagged down the little piece of chicken while shoving 6 m&m's in his mouth and chased it down with the rest of his milk. Daddy and big brother came running in so happy - there were high-fives all over the kitchen. "What did you do to get him to eat it" my husband asked. "Go get my pillow and my alarm clock honey, I'm having a sleep over with our son tonight" I responded.

How a weekend with my Husband is like going to the dentist...

I've been going to the same dentist since I was a kid. There are some years I do very well and go to see her twice a year like I am supposed to. And then there are other years, well, let's just say I don't make it at all. The years I go in twice it's always great. The receptionist greats me by name, has my file already pulled, everything is up to date and she asks about my family. The cleaning isn't bad at all from my dentist and rarely does she find anything that needs to be fixed. I'm in and out in less than 30 minutes with no pain at all. The appointments where I haven't been to see her in a couple years are not so smooth. I walk in to find a receptionist I have never seen before and she looks at me and asks "name?". I give her my name, she rifles through her papers and hands me a clipboard full of paperwork. "It's been a while since you've been here, you need to fill these out and hand me your insurance card." So I take the papers back and fill in all the information they should already know about me and my family since I have been coming there for years, and hand it back to her. She doesn't ask about my family and hardly looks like she cares. My dentist greets me with "How are you? It's been a while. How old is your child now?" I of course have to tell her I now have 2 children, and he's 3. Yes, it has been a while. We get each other up to date on our families and then she starts to work. These are the appointments I don't look forward to - lots of plaque to scrape off which makes me cringe. I feel like my whole mouth is swollen by the time I leave there.....and it's not within 30 minutes. A weekend with my husband can be categorized one of these ways. The longer it has been since we've taken time to spend together, the more our time would resemble my once every 3 year dentist appointment. We could sit across the table from one another and have to get reacquainted. Sure, I don't have to tell him his kids names - or that he now has 2, but it would take a lot of effort on our parts to get to know each other again. It would be painful at first. Thankfully our weekends have never reached that point, because we don't let them. We don't have a weekend every six months like my dentist appointments, but we do try to do date nights fairly often. We try to connect in small ways throughout the week by simple phone calls or notes or just an "I love you." I am thankful that at the end of our weekend my husband turned to me in the car on the way home and said "I'm so glad that after 16 years together we can still reconnect like this. It's like no time has gone by". My worst fear is that I am going to look across the table at him while he does some annoying habit for the millionth time and I say to myself "Why did I marry you?" Or worse, that he says that to himself about me. Couples make every effort for their children; take them to school, ball games, gymnastics, swimming. We make appointments with their teachers and doctors. We even make appointments for ourselves to get our hair done and yes, even go to the dentist. Why do our marriages get pushed to the back burner? Just as much effort needs to be made for our marriages if not more so. Because when the children are gone, all we have is each other. Don't let another day go by without making an appointment with your spouse. If it's been a while the first appointment may be awkward and a little uncomfortable, but if you keep those appointments on a regular basis with your spouse, you will notice an incredible difference in your smile.

Unbelievable Deals!

We have a 16 year anniversary weekend coming up (ours) and a wedding to go to in February (a cousin's) that I have been needing to shop for. So I twisted my friends arm to go with me (ha, ha) yesterday to search for a jacket and much needed shoes. She's one of the best dressed people I know and can find the bargains. It pays to have a great friend like that! Anyway, off we went to Southpark. We went in to Sigrid Olsen - a store I have to admit I have never been in - and low and behold there were bargains galore! I bought two $100 pants for $20 and a top for the same. I also found a great jacket that was deeply discounted. There was a ton of other stuff that I am definitely going back for when I have time. My friend found a pair of pants and a top - and she wasn't even planning on buying anything! The manager also informed us that they will be closing the store in 90-120 days. Needless to say my friend and I have it on our calendar to go back in a few weeks to see if their spring stuff is on sale. I love getting bargains like that! Check it out if you are over there.

New Fashion for Women - How to Look Pregnant When You Are Not

I wrote earlier about my wonderful shopping experience with my husband. What I neglected to leave out was the down side of shopping for today's fashions. One of the beautiful blouses my husband found for me was the latest fashion - silk that is gathered above the waist. Looks beautiful on the hanger......looks awful on the body. I tried it on and even dared to go outside the dressing room to show my husband. The look on his face said it all. I looked pregnant. As a matter of fact, I looked more pregnant in that than I ever did while I actually had a child in my womb. I've seen many girls wear this fashion - none that actually can pull it off. Even the ladies who weigh 90 lbs soaking wet still look pregnant in this blouse. I have even had girls at church come up and ask me "is so-and-so pregnant?". "No" is my response. "She's just a victim of the latest fashion craze". Even the sales girl at the department store couldn't figure out why someone came up with this design. My friend and I have a funny store about a blouse like this from the summer. I saw a really pretty top on a girl at church and I immediately thought she was pregnant. Knowing she wasn't having any more children, I knew she wasn't. Then I saw this top again on another lady. She had a totally different body type and looked pregnant too. I loved this top but in no way did I want to look pregnant. As great as they were, those days are over for me. I found one in a store and tried it on. Yep, preggers. I managed to get a belt around it and it looked good, so I bought it. My friend bought this same top in a different color but the belt didn't work on her. I actually thought it looked good on her and did NOT make her look pregnant. But when she got home her husband - her HUSBAND of all things - told her she looked pregnant in it. Needless to say my friend gave it to her friend....who actually WAS pregnant. The moral of this story is, don't wear fashions that make you look pregnant, no matter how trendy they are. Unless of course you are pregnant, than by all means knock yourself out.

Filthy Hair

As part of my "resolutions" I am back working out at our church. I have loved taking aerobics again and it has helped my attitude tremendously. Some days, however, my schedule does not allow me enough time to make it back to the house to shower before heading out again. So several times I have packed all my stuff to shower at the gym. Friday was one of those days. I had a great workout and walked downstairs to the showers. As I start to get the shampoo out for my hair, I noticed not much was coming out. As a matter of fact - NOTHING was coming out. I knew the bottle was running low, but I truly thought I had at least one more shampoo left in there. Now, my hair was disgusting. Aside from being all sweaty and smelly from my workout, I hadn't washed my hair in several days. It was gross. So here I am, in the shower, banging on the bottle praying for more to come out. I even took the top off and scraped the inside with my finger. Nothing. Great, I thought. Now what am I going to do. I guess I did what any woman would do faced with this situation.....I used the soap!

"What good is snow if you still have to go to school!"

That was the running theme around my house this morning. My oldest son, who came in our room at 2 a.m. to inform us it was snowing, was sure he was not going to have to go to school today. Wrong. When we informed him they had NOT canceled school, he began to sob. It was awful. He cried most of the morning and most of the way to school. He finally pulled it together and had a good day, but my heart just broke for him. I know what it's like to be so excited about something and then have it pulled away from you. (I secretly was hoping to stay in my jammies this morning too!) My youngest, on the other hand, did NOT have school today. Which was a shame because he actually wanted to go to school. I did the best I could meeting with my bible study girls with him there with me. He really did a good job behaving himself. So, in spite of the fact that this morning didn't turn out the way we all wanted it to, we still had a good day. It sure was pretty while it lasted.

Here's your answer

My husband spent the weekend alone in the mountains - just he and the Lord. It is something he tries to do every year and we work hard to make it happen for him. When he came back we talked for a long time about what answers he got, and also what the Lord asked of him. My husband sarcastically said to me that he didn't know why every time he went inquiring of an answer from the Lord that the Lord assigned him another task. It's not always the case, but more times than not it happens that way. My husband's weekend reminded me of Moses at the beginning of Exodus. I can relate so much to Moses at this point in his life. Although I haven't killed anyone the way he had, when the Lord approached him with what surely seemed like a monumental task, he gave all the excuses in the world for why he couldn't do it. I imagine their modern day conversation would go something like this: Lord: "Moses, where are you?" Moses: "Here I am, but who's calling please?" Lord: "I am God. I've heard my people crying out and suffering. I am going to rescue them, but I need your help" Moses: "Are you kidding me? Who do you think I am that I can help you?" Lord: "You can. I'll be with you. See that mountain over there - you and and my people will be worshipping me from there. Trust me." Moses: "Wha..., well, just saying I go - and I'm not saying I am - but say I go to Pharaoh - what the heck am I supposed to say to him?" Lord: "You tell them I AM has sent you." Moses: dead silence Lord: "Ok, look, get together the leaders of Israel, take them with you. I will make everything work in your favor." Moses: Rapidly thinking of a way out "They aren't going to believe me. What do I say then?" The Lord, rolling his eyes, decided to show Moses signs to prove he could do it. He turned the staff into a snake, turned Moses's hand leprous and then back again. He then said if those signs didn't work, to take some water from the Nile and it would turn into blood. Moses thinking to himself "great, now what excuse do I have? He has the elders going with me, he's turned me into a magician. How can I get out of this. Wait! I know!" Moses: "Lord, I really appreciate you thinking of me, but really, I talk like a redneck. They'll never take me seriously because of that. Sorry Lord. Better find someone else." Lord: "I made you that way, don't make fun of my work. If people will listen to Jeff Foxworthy than they can listen to you. Besides, I'll tell you what to say." Moses: begging "Please Lord, don't make me do it. I can't. I just can't." Kicking and rolling around on the floor "you can't make me, you can't. I won't go, I won't, I won't, I won't!" Lord: "Oh MY goodness. Alright fine. Enough with the tantrum. Take Aaron with you and I will be with you both. Now get moving before I turn you into a pillar of salt." I think of the things the Lord has asked me to do and it usually begins with "I can't; or I'm not ready; or I'm not smart enough, I don't have the time". I often wonder how many blessings I have missed out on because of those excuses. Yes, the Lord does expect us to do things for Him. But it is usually in being obedient that we find the answers we were looking for in the first place.

My Missing Child

Not to be alarmed.....we did find him. But it was scary for a few moments. We had settled into bed last night, the children had long been asleep, when we heard a loud noise. My husband went to check on the kids and was taking longer than normal, when he finally re-appeared back in our doorway and said "come here, you have to see this". I begrudgingly crept out of my nice warm bed and followed him down the hall to the entrance of our youngest son's bedroom. He then nodded his head telling me to go in there. As I walked into the room, my eyes were trying to adjust to the darkness as I looked into my youngest sons bed. Not there. My eyes swept the room for some hint of where he could be. Nothing. My heart started racing as my eyes struggled to find him in the dark room and I said to my husband "where is he?". I turned around and looked at my husband; "where is he" I said more anxiously. He backed away from the door and headed towards our oldest sons room. "Good" I thought, "he just fell asleep in his older brothers room." That's when my husband stopped and pointed towards the stairwell leading up to our bonus room. There he was, fast asleep on the stairs with his favorite doggy. I covered my mouth to suppress my giggles but it didn't work very well. We stood there looking at him and laughing. He really did look cute, but it sure was a few tense moments I'd rather not repeat again!

Be silent

I have been struggling to sleep lately. Maybe because there are so many decisions weighing on me; maybe it's a matter of trust. I'm not sure what - but every time I go to lay down, my mind just swirls and swirls. The Lord gave me a verse the other night and I have pondered on it ever since. "In your anger do not sin: when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent." Psalm 4:4. Both of these sections are relevant to my state of mind. How thankful I am that the Lord led me to this little nugget.

Our pastor has been doing a wonderful series on Perspective and believe me, I need it. During this time the Lord has also been dealing with my pride. When I am able to see how small I am in comparison to this vast universe God created, I realize how insignificant I am. Yet God loves me and directs me. How selfish I am to believe I can do anything apart from Him.

One of the pictures our pastor showed today is from the spaceship Voyager as it traveled out into the universe, it turned around and took a picture. That tiny little dot highlighted in white is our planet Earth. The only reason it was picked up on film was because of the sun's rays hit it at just the right time. What an awesome God we serve!

Who am I to think that anything I do is important? Who am I to think that anything I create is original? Who am I to think I can do all things by myself? Who am I to think that God has parented me enough and I am strong enough to set out on my own? Even the slightest breath I take is only because He has allowed it to be.

The Mohawk Crew

My boys are letting their hair grow out so they decided today to do mohawks (thankfully after church!). Here is the end result:

Daddy had been out of town this weekend and he informed my oldest that he was the man of the house. He took it literally. He has always been responsible, but this weekend he went above and beyond the call of duty. We decided to do movie night on Friday and I set up their sleeping bags in the spare room next to our room. We were watching a movie in my bed and I must have dozed off, because the next thing I know I wake up and the t.v. is off. Come to find out my oldest had shut the t.v. off, put his younger brother in his sleeping bag and put himself in his own sleeping bag and went to sleep. How responsible is that? I was so proud of him!

Husband = Personal Shopper

Last weekend my husband and I dropped the kids off to spend the night at Grandma's while we had a much needed night out. We went to dinner and shopped at a local mall. My husband has been bugging me to buy some new clothes - yes, you heard me right. I am not a shopper when I know I need to lose 15 lbs., but my husband insisted we at least "look". So we wandered into a large department store known to keep petite sizes and off he went. For as long as I have known him, he always picks out the best clothes for me. As a matter of fact, if I had $1,000 to spend on clothes, I would give it to him to shop for me. So while I was in the dressing room trying on the first few things we found, he kept finding stuff. The funniest thing was the sales girl. She would walk into the fitting area and say "uh, ma'am, I think your husband found more things for you to try on. Do you want me to bring them to you?" She later informed me how cute she thought that was. I finally had to tell him to stop - the store was closing. I later was telling my friend about this and she said that it was her ultimate fantasy to have her husband do that! I admit, I am blessed to have a husband like the one I have. It was a great night and I wound up with a lot of great clothes!

A sad anniversary

Today marks 13 years that my father went to be with the Lord. In some ways it doesn't seem that long, and in other ways it does. I was 25 when my father died, had only been married 3 years and had no children. A lot has changed. It makes me sad that my father hasn't been here to share in my joy and sorrow; to talk to when I need advice or just to be able to feel his hug or hear his voice. The thought that he is watching from above brings little comfort to me. I miss him terribly. The cavernous void that was left with his passing the Lord has graciously filled over time, although there will always be a deep void that will always be there. I think back to how I felt 13 years ago and how my thoughts on his death changed my life. It wasn't until I put a photo album together for my first son about his grandfather several years ago that the Lord spoke to me about anger and resentment over his death. It was cathartic for me to go through old pictures of my father and hear what his friends and family had to say about him. I cried like he had died all over again. But as I was putting the finishing touches on the album, the Lord spoke to me in a voice I have yet to hear that clearly again. He said "Sherri, look at the life I gave your father. You have focused on his death, focus on his life". So from that point on whenever I think about my dad, I think about my years with him. I am flooded with memories of him pulling me and my brother on a sled; me baking cupcakes for him in my easy-bake oven; the patience only a father could have trying to teach his daughter piano at age 6. I remember fondly now the boundaries he put around me that I resented as a teenager and how often those boundaries protected me from my own naivety. The strength of a father to walk his only daughter down the aisle - keeping from her how much pain he was in so that she could enjoy her day. It has taken me years to get to this point, but I am thankful for so many wonderful memories the Lord allowed me to share with my dad. Philippians 4:8 is my verse for today "...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things". I have many questions to ask the Lord when I get to heaven as to why my father had to suffer and die at such a young age. But for now, I cling to this verse and remember a loving father whom I miss very much but will one day be reunited with again.

Funny sayings from my 3 year old

We've been playing a lot of Chipmunks Christmas and Cartoon Christmas carols in our car the last few weeks. I am amazed at how much my 3 year old remembers all the words, but there were a few he got mixed up (as well as some other routine words) that make me laugh. "Ho, Ho, the Mister Toe..." (instead of mistletoe) "Then one froggy Christmas Eve....." Then the questions always come, "why is it froggy out mommy when Rudolf flies?" Frosty's two eyes made out of "cold" "daffries" instead of french fries "front pooch" for fruit punch Try to tell him he's saying it wrong too, go ahead. See how far it gets you!

Back in the swing of things

Yesterday school started back for my oldest and today starts preschool for the youngest. Although the youngest didn't make it today because he was sick, we still enjoyed one more day together and he was my little helper putting away the Christmas decorations (yes I broke a few more than usual with his "help", but it was worth it!). My oldest went back without any problems. This truly is a miracle. He is a homebody as much as me, so for him to go back without a fight tells me he was ready, just as much as I was. The fighting and bickering that goes on between these two wears me out most days and as much as I am thankful to have had this wonderful holiday, I am glad to be getting back to our normal routine. I think it will also help my mood, which has been pretty crappy of late. I was up until 3 a.m. not able to sleep. I kept asking the Lord if He was keeping me up - or just too much iced tea - and I never really did get an answer (although the number of trips I took to the bathroom tells me it was more likely the latter). At least the Christmas stuff is down (with the exception of one of our trees - I can't get it apart) now we move on to cleaning. We have 2 people interested in our house so it needs to be clean for the weekend. I know the Lord has the right buyer out there - I just hope he/she comes soon!

2008 - What's in store?

As I begin to write down the goals I want to accomplish for 2008, I am reminded of how I felt a week or so ago. My husband and our oldest were in NY visiting family, my youngest was spending the night at Grandma and Grandpa's and I was enjoying a much needed evening out with one of my best friends. It was the first time I could remember not having someone waiting for me. I could stay out as late as I wanted, do whatever I wanted, didn't have anyone calling me or waiting up for me. To be honest, it was great! I thoroughly enjoyed dinner and shopping and coffee and talking and laughing with my friend. On the drive home though I felt sad. Strangely not sad that no one was waiting for me, but sad that I had re-connected with myself and how much I missed that girl. I was incredibly sad that I had forgotten there was a Sherri in here somewhere. For just a few hours I wasn't in the capacity of being a wife or a mom or daughter or Room mom. I was just me. No other responsibilities other than what I - and only I - wanted to do. I got home and stayed up until 2 a.m. watching late night t.v. and wrapping all, yes all, of our Christmas presents. I enjoyed snacks and a glass or two of wine while I sat on the floor giddy at how excited our boys were going to be over their presents. But I haven't forgot about how I felt on the way home, and so, as I begin this New Year I am determined to find moments during the day, and week, to reconnect with myself and what I enjoy. I know that if I do this, I will be a much happier person which will make me a much better wife and loving mother. My first goal for this year was actually suggested to me by our church counselor over 9 months ago - find time each week to be by yourself. No writing grocery lists, or running errands. Do something you like to do for yourself. I honestly tried - twice - to do it when he suggested it and then life took over. So starting this week, I am going to get a good book, go to my favorite bagel place and for an hour (or more) once the kids are at school I will read. I love to read and I have really missed it. I am hoping taking this important step will help me do all the others. My second goal is just as important as my first, to reconnect with my heavenly father. This has to be a daily thing for me and I have bought a notebook to just write down prayer lists and other daily events. This notebook will give me a great indication of how well I am doing in my prayer life as well as other things. The next is obviously my health. As I get depressed or lonely, food is my comfort. It shows. My thoughts about that have to change, and as they do, my weight will too. I feel better when I work out and my goal is to take an aerobics class once a week and then the elliptical machine 2 times a week. This won't happen though unless I do step 1 and 2. My thoughts of food have to change and the only way I know to do that is to fast. I am praying about when to fast and for how long, but I have done it before when my thoughts of food get out of line and it's the only way I know to get them right again. No food, no matter how great, can take the place of Jesus. Our life is in upheaval now and I will openly admit here that I am not handling it well. I don't like change and instead of standing on my rock I am shifting with the sand - and eating lots of chocolate along the way. I know the only way to weather this storm is to hold tight to Jesus. It's my only way through. My other goals will come as I spend more time in prayer of what the Lord wants me to do. More dates with my husband, more patience with my kids are on the short list (and always remain there), spending more time with my brother and extended family too, but how to do it I am still working out. I do know for sure that once May rolls around I will be taking a much needed break, but instead of waiting until then I am making steps now to improve. My husband and I each take a weekend -separately - to pray and spend time with the Lord. We will be doing that in the upcoming months as there are many decisions we have to make that affect our future. I look forward to sharing with you then what the Lord has given me.

2007 - A year of growth and challenges

This last year the Lord allowed a lot of growth into my life that I am thankful for. Through this growth I deeply depended on Him and when things weren't going the way I wanted, I reverted back to depending on my self. My relationship with Him has suffered of late and I am feeling it. My desire to pray and spend time with Him has fallen way short of what I want it to be. It's a roller coaster I ride too often and I am ashamed of it. We made tremendous (and frightening) steps to make our home life better. We are still in the process of finalizing all those steps but several pieces have fallen into place recently that helps us to know we are moving forward in the right direction. MOPS at church continues to do well and single handedly has been the greatest blessing to me this last year. I will be winding down my responsibilities there and praying fervently for the Lord to instruct me as to who He wants to take this job over when I am done. It's an awesome responsibility, but how the Lord has blessed me through this ministry I can never put in to words. It has changed who I am. Our neighborhood bible study covered a lot of terrific topics this year from Believing God by Beth Moore to a study on Esther. I knew the challenge of doing a Beth Moore study was going to be tough and unfortunately there were a few that decided the challenge was too great and left. I wouldn't change my decision to do this study though and I am deeply proud of the girls that have hung on and continue to make our study a priority. I've seen too many bible studies become social events where the study becomes non-existent. I am committed to understanding God's word more in depth and also enriching relationships through these studies. I continue to pray as to what the Lord will have us do in 2008. I am thankful to still be working for the investment company I was working with before I had my boys. They are a blessing to me and an outlet I am deeply grateful for. The Lord allowed new friends into my life this last year and I am so thankful for them. They are good friends that I can pray with and laugh with and cry with and I can only hope I bless them as much as they bless me. My oldest continues to learn and grow and become more independent. It's hard to believe how much he has matured over this last year. He is still my sweet, caring son, but with more confidence in himself than I have ever seen before. I owe most of that to the Lord putting him in the right school that is perfect for him and who God made him to be. I also think the right amount of sports activity has also helped with his confidence without burying us as a family in commitments. It was the perfect amount for him this year and it has shown. My youngest continues to challenge us and at the same time make us laugh. He has adjusted very well to school and for the most part cries very little - only in Sunday School. He still has a horrible diet. It has gotten better this last year but no where near where it needs to be. He also pushes every button I have and challenges me on every decision I make. We continue to hold firm the boundaries we have set in place for him and one day he will learn to stop hitting his head against this brick wall. Until then I accept we will both just be frustrated with each other for now. He loves being at school and is not shy - he is a leader which will help him later on. Him trying to be the leader in our house at 3 years old is what is causing the problem, but I am learning to understand his personality more and loving him through it. My husband has always been a terrific goal setter and this year was no different. He wanted to lose weight, he did. He wanted to change his lifestyle and he is. I admire him greatly and I know the Lord will bless him for putting our family first. This last year for us has been challenging both as individuals and as a couple. We didn't go on as many dates as we planned and fell way short of prayer time together. Changes are being made though. Thankfully all of our family members are still with us and are healthy. We had a few close calls but the Lord answered our prayers. This has definitely been the year of answered prayers. From my little friend Carter being delivered from a brain tumor, our friend Julie as well, to Rick's grandfather recovering from surgery. So many of our friends have been blessed with babies this year, and most of them had been trying for a very long time to add to their family. For them I am thankful to the Lord that He heard their prayers. Our church finished it's new Preschool/Children's wing and it is a true testament to what God can do through His people that make sacrifices in His name. To look back over an entire year and say that all is still as good or better than the last is a blessing. I know not all years are going to be like that. I am thankful for all the Lord allowed to happen this year - good and bad. I pray the decisions we have made this last year were according to His plan and that everything will fall into place in 2008.

Happy New Year!

After much debate yesterday of whether we would go to the mountains to ring in the new year or stay here - we settled on staying home. I am glad. The main reason we wanted to go was to see the snow - that didn't materialize and I was thankful we didn't make the trip. We spent a great night watching movies, eating pizza, popcorn and candy and then watching the ball drop. This was the first year our entire family made it to midnight! We had a great time and are still in our pajamas as the kids are playing ball inside with Daddy while I reflect on this last year. Before I post on my goals for 2008, I think it's good to reflect on where I am now and what was done in 2007. I look at goal setting as a perfect opportunity to take stock in what's been accomplished, but also to measure what needs to be improved on and how much. Kind of like losing weight. If I set a goal to lose 15 pounds but never get on the scale to see that I really need to lose 25, I'm not getting the full benefit of goal setting. If you can measure it, you should. And such is my theory on goal setting. My next post will be all about 2007. I hope you have a healthy and happy start to the New Year!