True Woman | Little people grow up way too fast!

**Warning this may make you cry...I did

I had one of those dreams filled with such normal stuff that you think it's really happening while you're in the dream. You know what I mean?

When my children were little, we used to go camping a lot. We loved hiking through the woods, eating s'mores around the campfire, fishing from the bank's edge. We even tried mountain biking as they grew older. So in my dream I was working my way up the side of a little mountain trail, wondering where Rachel and Caleb were. I started thinking about the fact that I hadn't seen them for a while—at least not the "little people" version of Rachel and Caleb. Shouts and giggles interrupted my climb as I turned around to see the eight- and twelve-year-old version of my children running toward me. "There you two are! I've been looking everywhere for you. I've missed you! Where've you been?"

That's when reality crashed in on dreamland and I woke up with tears streaming down my face, because I realized I'd never see those two little people again! They no longer existed in that "pint-sized version." The next morning at breakfast I relayed to my teenaged, six-foot-three son the dream (with big mommy-sized tears streaming down my face!) and the fact that I missed those two kids so much. Caleb looked at me incredulously. "But Mom, I'm sitting right here!" He couldn't understand my confusion. My tear-filled reply was soggy. "I know, I know—I'm glad you're here. I just miss that little guy who used to come running to show me the lizard he just caught, and the one that needed me to help him tie his shoes and find his missing frogs. I'm really glad you're here—I just miss that little guy!"

Today's post is for those young moms who've had a really long day of laundry and dirty diapers, one too many spills, and no breaks from the world of "toddlerhood" for weeks!

Tips from an "old mom"

•Pause for a minute. Take a deep breath, and ask God for grace to enjoy this season.
•Ask Him to remind you of the brevity of this season in moments when you're so tired you think you'll collapse.
•Find creative ways to have fun with your kids today!
•Go give each of your children a hug—right now while they're this size—because tomorrow they'll be a little bigger!
•Tell each of your children something special you've noticed about the way God created them. Then pray with them thanking God for that particular trait.
•Ask your children for forgiveness—often! It will train them to do the same.
•Watch for opportunities during your normal routine today to teach your children something new about God.
•Ask God to remind you (often) to treasure these years.
•When you go to sleep tonight—be sure to thank Him for the gift of these little ones.
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights (James 1:17).

Lord forgive me for the days I don't cherish your gift!

Fall in the air

Well now that we have recovered from our sickness and the rain has stopped we have been enjoying fall. We have had beautiful cool days and even chillier nights just right for all the fun things fall has to offer.

This weekend was packed with fun for us, we started off by seeing "Where the Wild Things Are" at the IMAX and went to the "Wild Things" party they had.

My Wild Thing!

Then Sunday we had "Baby" Lily's 1st birthday party which my kids had really looked forward to and had a great time.
Then Sunday night we went to Boo at the Zoo with some of the kids from church and since we did not have school the next day we got to stay longer than anyone. It was very chilly Sunday night just perfect for fun fall activities. The kids got to trick or treat and since they went through some of the trick or treat areas 3 times they racked up on the candy and it was good stuff too.
Caleb meets his kind

Sharing the Magic

So I can't believe it we had planned for going to Disney for so long and now here it is 2 weeks since we've been and I have finally gone through all the pictures and am ready to post them.

Waiting at the airport
We made it...Magic Kingdom
First ride...tea cups Ella loved them!
They made Caleb barf later in the week ;0

Our first day was full we flew in and then spent the rest of the day riding rides, meeting characters and taking in all the Magic.
Since this was our first trip to Disney we weren't sure how the kids would do with meeting the characters and rides all of this was new to them but they took to it like they had done this a thousand times. We found out Ella is fearless she rode everyting she was big enough for and did not even think twice about her first time on rollercoasters. Caleb loved the roller coasters too.

Country Goofy was the first character we met

City Chicks

Do you see a problem with this picture?

NO?
Well then you don't have much experience with chickens because the problem with this picture is one of our "hens" grew up to be a rooster. We suspected it for a while but then on morning as we walked outside to a cock a doodle doo we knew we had a rooster! Knowing that a rooster crowing every morning would not go over too well with the neighbors we knew we would have to do something...so we named him pot pie. From that day on every time he crowed Ella would yell "you stop that pot pie" just hilarious!
So on Saturday we had our first chicken killing. This was a project for Dan and Caleb, Ella watched for a while then came running in "that's a boy job, I'm never going out there again" my thoughts exactly!
Now pot pie is in the freezer and you are invited to dinner... guess what we are having?

That's right Pot Pie!

Back to School

So yesterday was the first day of school for my kids, I think they were officially the last kids in the state of Alabama to start school. I'm glad they started a little later we were able to eek a few last days out of summer and get in one more trip to the grandparents. This year begins a new chapter in my life...both kids in school...how did that happen? The night before when I was putting Ella to bed is when I got all sentimental and as I looked at her and we talked about school I did actually have the thought I need another baby! don't worry that has passed;)

Our traditional silly faces and poses picture

Who couldn't love that face...sweet girl!

Aren't' they cute and so sweet

I'm ready to go mom

headed in with supplies in hand

Yes we brought some cookie bribes for the teachers...yes I'm a nerd but the teachers always love me.

I am pleased to say nobody cried on the first day, Ella thought she needed to a little but we got past that and I thought I was going to but held it together. It was a good day.

On the Table

OK so this is late I promise I am trying to get better

Monday - Pork Tournedos with Mango Salsa and Backberry Sauce, garlic whipped potatoes and green beans
Tuesday - Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry with Texmati Brown and Red Rice
Wednesday - Church
Thursday - Angel Hair with Shirmp, Scallops and Pesto Sauce
Friday - Pizza Night

Inspiration for Monday