A Child’s Ten Commandments

1. My hands are small; please don’t expect perfection whenever I make a bed, draw a picture, or throw a ball. My legs are short; please slow down so that I can keep up with you.

2. My eyes have not seen the world as yours have; please let me explore safely: don’t restrict me unnecessarily.

3. Housework will always be there. I’m only little such a short time—please take time to explain things to me about this wonderful world, and do so willingly.

4. My feelings are tender; please be sensitive to my needs; don’t nag me all day long. (You wouldn’t want to be nagged for your inquisitiveness.) Treat me as you would like to be treated.

5. I am a special gift from God; please treasure me as God intended you to do, holding me accountable for my actions, giving me guidelines to live by, and disciplining me in a loving manner.

6. I need your encouragement, but not your praise, to grow. Please go easy on the criticism; remember you can criticize the things I do without criticizing me.

7. Please give me the freedom to make decisions concerning myself. Permit me to fail, so that I can learn from my mistakes. Then someday I’ll be prepared to make the kind of decisions life requires of me.

8. Please don’t do things over for me. Somehow that makes me feel that my efforts didn’t quite measure up to your expectations. I know it’s hard, but please don’t try to compare me with my brother or my sister.

9. Please don’t be afraid to leave for a weekend together. Kids need vacations from parents, just as parents need vacations from kids. Besides, it’s a great way to show us kids that your marriage is very special.

10. Please take me to Sunday school and church regularly, setting a good example for me to follow. I enjoy learning more about God.

 

These words could be not be more true. Being a parent is such a gift.  We only get a chance to do it once.  What greater words to help us remember how to be good as parents.   I should hang this on my fridge to be reminded daily.

This is by Dr. Kevin Leman

 

Whew!!  What a busy weekend.  Mom and Grandma visited, three birthday parties, church, Celtic women…but it was fun.  And it of course went way too fast.  I always hate it when ma and maw have to head home.

This is the gymnastics party…Haleigh had sooo much fun.  And now she is asking for gymnastics lessons again!! This year she did much better on the ring.  I don’t know if you remember the picture from a similar party last year but when she was on the ring she looked absolutely terrified!!

I was so mad this picture was blurry!! She loved hanging on the rope!

 

The Celtic women were amazing.  I couldn’t take pictures during the performance but when we left they bagpipe player was in the lobby….Chris loved it!!  So did I!

Haleigh loves walking Snowball.  Snowball does pretty good with her…surprisingly!

Surprise Bunny Sighting

MiniHeart-If I can do it, you can do it!

I NEVER—never, ever---thought that I would run a 5K!!  I must say that I am pretty darn proud of myself for accomplishing this goal today.  I was on a pretty big high after I crossed that finish line…but I couldn’t help but be excited for what I just did.  Not trying to toot my own horn here, but seriously, I promise you I never thought I would be able run 1 mile, much less 3.1 (I realize that this even seems miniscule to you 10K, 15K and 1/2 marathoners out there but we all start somewhere, right!!!!).  So, if you are reading this and considering doing a 5K but have doubts—don’t doubt yourself because if I can do it, YOU CAN DO IT!!  It wasn’t easy and the course today definitely wasn’t a flat course.  The final hill on Columbia Parkway pushed me to my limits!  Looking back at the beginning of the training (I used the 8 week program called Ease into 5K on my iPhone), I used to get panicky when I had to run 9 minutes straight!  And on those days, I remember thinking that I would have a hard time making it more than that!  But I kept on and little by little it got more doable.  And now I actually enjoy running (that seemed weird to even type)!!

But I couldn’t have done this without Chris.  He is such a great supporter…listening to me complain about aching legs, buying me gadgets for my iphone to make my run easier, and most importantly for letting me get outside and run.  Getting off the treadmill and out the door was the best thing that happened in my training.  It was then that I started to enjoy it!  Honey, I know that I couldn’t do this without you so THANK YOU. And since I’m thanking people, I must not forget my friend Michelle who encouraged me to do this with her.  Although we have never officially run together, she’s a great running buddy!! And a great friend.

But I don’t wanna stop now.  I would love to continue running…Not just for me, but for my kids.  I want them to see that I want to be healthy for myself, for them, for Chris, for future grandkids.  Along the course today they had little “facts” to read about the importance of cardiovascular health, about making better choices for better health, heart, and happiness.  They were enlightening and encouraging.  Now if I could just make better choices when eating…lol!!

So my final numbers today were:  33:50 which averages to a pace of 10:55.  I’m fine with those numbers but would like to do better next time!    My goal today was FINISH with no concerns about time!! 

I'm now gonna wear my medal and my tshirt with great pride!! Holy moly…I ran a 5k!!

I mean, really, I look like such a dork in this picture but this is when I saw the end and I was super excited!! 

My favorite part of the race, besides crossing the finish line to Adam Levine singing Stereo, was seeing my family standing on the sideline and cheering me on.  So fun to see their sweet waves and grins…I am so blessed! So incredibly blessed.

Kids Against Hunger

So proud of my kids (and everyone for that matter) for doing such a great job helping pack food to be shipped to Nicaragua.  Our church is involved in missions in Nicaragua where we have teams that visit frequently.  Last year one of the teams actually served some of the food that was packed right from inside our church.  The team had bigger goals this year, and moved to a local high school to do the packing.  300 gathered in the school cafeteria and packed 45,108 meals in just three hours. Those meals included the 1,000,000th meal packed by NiCE/Kids Against Hunger-Highland since September 2009.The school kids in Nicaragua will be happy and blessed to receive what loving hands packed for them today.  “Chicken, veggie, soy, rice!” The kids even got to try a sample of what was in the mix and they LOVED it!  I feel like it is important for the kids to be involved with projects like this.  I want them to know that the world isn’t a perfect place but they can help make a difference in the lives of others; even at such a young age.  We know that there are things, people, and places locally that need help too and our church definitely recognizes that as well.  LUMC strives to address these needs by branching out their missions both near and far.  I’m glad my family can help; even by doing just the simple things like patting a bag of rice flat.  The kids were EXCITED about helping and it was so cute to watch them get to work. 

Daffodils

Doesn’t everyone get this dressed up to sweep dirt out of the driveway?  Our little Haleigh…no surprises here!!    And barefoot to  boot!

The Boys

These pics are a little late getting into the mix.  I forgot I took them and discovered them when I went to clean up one of my thumb drives!  Glad I found them!    Proud to know each one of these special men and blessed to have them as a part of my family. 

Proud of you, Chris, for your decision to become a Mason. I know it is an honor for you to be amongst such a prestigious and honorable group of men.  So glad that PapPap AND Great PapPap were able to be here to witness and share in your accomplishments! 

She was getting some dance lessons fro
 Great pap pap. :$ 

I love this pic of Pap Pap tickling his grand babies. They were all having fun. 

Maw, this pic is for you. This is my helaboris. Not sure I spelled that right. :)

Oh boy!!  Haleigh is officially on a booster seat. She is beyond excited. 

This is James. He fell asleep on the couch. He started chewing as if he had gum in his mouth...cracked me up!!

I have other pictures to share.  But I am beat and ready for bed.  The evening was a lot of fun.  It was such joy to watch the Dad's and their Daughters.  A group of truly fabulous fathers...especially this one...

Lots of iphone pics!

This first set of pics is from “Boat Regatta” night at Awana. Each kid got a small white boat to bring home and they decorated their boats however they wanted.  Imagine that Haleigh’s was pink!!  They had so much fun.  James loved watching (he’s not old enough for Awana yet).  The kids put their boats in the water and they raced by blowing behind them with a straw.  You’ll notice captain Bob in the pic…the kids still talk about him!

Doesn’t everyone eat lunch with goggles on?!

The kids had their own carts…take note of Jamesy’s cart…4 boxes of cookies appeared…lol!

The kids at the movies!! What a fun time.  Colton was soo excited!