My birthday

Today I'm 27.  Not that big of deal anymore.  I miss it being a big deal.  ALTHOUGH... facebook sure makes it a big deal.  I got like 45 messages from friends telling me happy birthday.  wow.  They made me feel very loved.  Good idea facebook.

Different topic: Annalie and Micah have fever and a cough. :-(  they're hardly ever sick, so I'm not used to it!  Going to look into different homeopathic methods to relieve cough.  If anybody has any, please share!  Of course, safe for a 13 month old and a 3 year old.

AAAAAAnd, another day of not doing school since I was out all day cuddling with sick kids.  Also, I called into work!  Lazy days are great, but not because of sick kiddos. :(  GET BETTER FAST KIDS!

PICTURES!

Here are a few of the pictures taken yesterday.  A few of the pics are posted, just her favorites.  I can't wait to get the rest.  I am not fond of some of them.  But, some are spectacular.  She posed our family on a park bench, and it is SO unflattering to my body... gross.  But, it's not about me I guess, the kids look adorable.  So, I'll share them anyway. 

CAUTION... one of these pictures might be our Christmas cards, so pretend to be surprised when you get those. :-)












My beautiful Sister-in-law and brother-in-law with sweet Lorelei


My happily married-for-32years- mom and dad-in-law


There are more at her website, I only posted those that would allow me to and my favorites.  The website is http://www.amyrosekingphotography.com/  Hope you enjoy!!!

Lubbock

We are in lubbock! Adam's sister, Jessica, and brother in law, Carl, live here, and we came to have a post-Thanksgiving family get together.  Adam's parents, Owah and Bappo are here, too, along with Carl's mom Sue.  Tonight we gave all the kids a bath, Abigail Jude and Micah together.  And Annalie with Jess and Carl's daughter Lorelei, who is 18 months.  SHE'S A DOLL!  We're having a blast, but had to share what happened after bathtime.

Jude get's a little carried away sometimes with being a boy.  Owah was helping get him dressed, and he said "give me my underwear you moron!". WHAAAAAAA!?!?!?!  We all stopped and freaked out.  "Where did you hear that word!?"  He looked terrified and answered "Toy Story 2". 

I guess you can never be too careful.  It's so important to talk about everything with your kiddos.  You'd think Toy Story would be safe enough to let your kids watch alone.  Gah.  Anyways, when we told him what it meant, he felt terrible and apologized to Owah.  But, lesson for me I guess.  : / 

Jessica and Carl surprised us with a professional photographer tomorrow coming to take pictures of the family!  I can't wait to post those for you guys.  I've seen her work, and she's uh-mazing.  YEA! 

Goodbye, off to play CATAN :-)

Sweet Boy

Ever heard "train your child in the way they should go and when they're older they will not depart from it"? Well, Jude's future wife is going to thank me for this...
For snack today, we had some scones.  Jude came and brought me mine, without me asking, and I thanked him.  He said "Mom, it's what boys do.  Boys SERVE girls."
love him.

Bandit Slam-It

My kids love the Backyardigans.  There is an episode called Ping Pong Mesa and in it, the Ping Pong Bandit does the BANDIT SLAM-IT! Micah loves this.  But there's one problem.

He can't say Bandit Slam-it.  Instead he yells

DAMNIT SLAM-IT!

all. the. time.  : /

Morning Huddle

  So we woke Daddy up this morning all huddled in bed, saying one thing we were thankful for.  After listing what we were all thankful for, I went around and told each person why I was thankful for them.  So here is what the conversation looked like.
to Jude: I am thankful for you because you never let me forget it's time to eat.  Because you're a kind, sweet, helpful boy and are very obedient. **Jude looking down embarassed, says "thanks mama" with a sweet sideways smile**
to Abigail: Abbie, I'm thankful for you because you're gentle, and helpful.  You have a servant's heart, always wanting to help others and put them first.  You are kind, funny, and beautiful. **Abigail looking at me with sweet eyes, with her head down just a bit from embarassment, says "thanks mama, I love you too"**
to Annalie: I'm thankful for Annalie because she can always put a smile on my face.  She is funny and makes me laugh.  And she's so sweet and gives great hugs. **Annalie smiling because she is trying to pull my nose off my face**
 to Micah:  Micah, I am thankful for you because you never leave a dull moment in our house.  You're funny and kind.  Always wanting to help.  And you're learning how to submit to authority very well. (this is my attempt to convince him of it, so he'll start doing it) **Micah is looking at me with a sweet smile.  You can tell he feels very loved.** 
Then Micah says in his high pitched, enthusiastic voice "And you don't want me to die!"
You're right Micah.  I don't want you to die. 

My First Post

So I'm new at this.  I will try to be dedicated to it.  I think it's genius.  It's kind of like a diary for the public to read and judge! ha.  Realistically, who is going to read this beside my mom and sister!?!  But I have been so blessed by people giving their advice through random blogs, so MAYBE I might be able to bless others.  With a house as exciting as mine, I'm sure SOMEBODY can relate! :-) 
Tonight we had our church over for thanksgiving fellowship.  I just really love my church family.  This holiday is extra appropriate for my feelings for them.  Oh. So. Thankful.  :-)
Tomorrow my family is coming over to enjoy our first thanksgiving at our new house.  I love food so much.  I have a feeling A LOT of my blogs are going to be centered around food.  Yikes.  But more than food, I am so thankful for my amazing family.  My selfless mother who always thinks of others before herself.  My sweet Grandma who is so precious.  My amazing, strong, beautiful sister who I can't imagine living without.  My gentle brother-in-law who has such a unique relationship with his nieces and nephews. My hunky hunky husband who is perfect for me.  God knew my needs, and made a partner just right for me.  He won't read this blog, but I will brag on him constantly.  My kind-spirited, gentle daughter Abigial.  My handsome and kind boy Jude.  My independant and argumentative, fun-loving son Micah.  And my precious, happy, sweet daughter Annalie.  WOW! After writing all that, I hardly did any of them justice, but it reminds me of HOW INCREDIBLY BLESSED I AM! 
More than anything, I am thankful for my right standing with a holy and perfect God, through His son Jesus.  I am thankful that my sins are counted as clean.  I am considered holy, though I am made from dust.  That He has given us access to His throne daily- through His word, prayer, and relationships.  He is my ABBA.  My all.  My life is a living sacrifice to Him, whom ALL GLORY AND HONOR AND PRAISE is deserved.  Forever and ever.  :-)
happy thanksgiving.