FREE BOOKS!

Oh, it is just TOO exciting!
For those who know me, you know that I am a book Fiend. Yes, Fiend with a capital F.
It's an obsession really, but I come by it honestly (just talk with my mother).
Anyhoo, I was perusing a homeschooling website last night and came across a fellow bloggers post on homeschooling children and the issue of socialization. I liked what she had to say and so further explored her blog for other goodies.
Lo and behold, I saw her connection with BookSneeze.com.
Cute name, I thought. What's this all about?
Ten minutes later I learn that Thomas Nelson has started this little system where you choose a book from their list of available titles and they send it to you FOR FREE. You read the book, write a review on your blog and on a retailer's site, and voila....you get to choose another book and do it all over again.
Seriously? Get free books to read and review?
Does life get any better than this?
I wonder if any other publishing houses do this? Hmmmmm.....
Looks like I'm on the hunt.
Stay tuned for a review of Beautiful Things Happen When a Woman Trusts God by Sheila Walsh.

Dedication

Matthew and I dedicated our children on January 17th at Elmvale Community Church. We were able to show a wonderful video that Grandpa put together of our two munchkins. Pastor Shane charged us with raising Jackson and Grace in the Christian faith in order that they may grow to love and know God and make a difference in this world. Both sets of grandparents came and declared their support. Our church family stood and promised to support us as well. It was really rather moving and I felt a tad overwhelmed by it all.
Matt and I tend to default toward hermit-like behaviour. We're comfortable on our own - in our own home. But it felt good to be part of a group of people who were willing to stand with us and support us.
This parenting thing is not for the faint of heart. We'll take all the help we can get.

In God's hands

Today I am reminded of why we must partner with Jesus when we parent. I need His gentle spirit to temper my impatience. His humble nature to counteract my pride. His wisdom to supercede my foolishness.
The lesson for me today is this: For as hard as we may try to parent our children the "right" way and teach them the "right" things, the most significant act we can do for both our families and ourselves is to place them in God's hands. Daily.
I love my kids. So much.
But, I am frustrated by disobedience.
I am annoyed with immature behaviour.
I am embarrassed by their poor decisions and lack of judgement.
And I am catching a glimpse at how God must view me.
Thank God He loves me. So much. And shows me grace on a daily basis.
May I be continually reminded to do the same with my kids.

Chickens in a basket....

Today was a pretty good day. Had a bit of a rough start trying to get Jackson to focus on learning this morning, but all things go well once the focus is turned to music. He is uber-excited about learning piano and is prepared to show his Grandpa what he's practiced in the last week. Tomorrow is Music Morning (Ukulele, Voice, and Piano Lessons) with Grandpa. We definitely have a boy who is interested in music and performance - we just need to find out how to channel that energy and talent. God bless Grandpa. Matt and I would be at a loss otherwise.
...And tonight we got silly with the laundry basket. Our little peanut loved her new surroundings and Jackson had to get in on the action. :0)
He was so excited to hold his sister. And then promptly told me to take her out so he could "steer his boat".
Some pics:

Christmas is officially over....

The tree has come down. Finally.
Things seem to take twice as long with a baby AND a 4 year old in the house. I tried to convince everyone I was waiting for Epiphany and then Jan. 6th came and went and tree, wreaths, and creches still abounded. But today was my chance. Jackson went to a fabulous Super Hero Birthday Party for 3 hours and Mimi came to play with Grace.
Now my living room is back to it's normal chaos sans fir needles and nativity scenes.
Until next year...
Does anyone know if Gripe Water is addictive?

Sleep Terrorist Strikes Again

Another sleepless night. Poor Peanut seems to have such a bad tummy. Her nightly Night Cap of Alcoholic Gripe Water is a must and even that doesn't help sometimes. She also just seems to need less sleep than her brother.
It can be so hard to see the benefits of parenthood at 2a.m.. Papa took her downstairs for a rock in the chair for almost 3 hours (from 4-7a) so I could get a bit of sleep without her attached. And then of course she fell asleep when the rest of the world needed to get up and start the day. But when she wakes up and looks at us with those big eyes and chubby cheeks ...such joy on her face to see us there - it reminds me why I endured 15 hours of labour epidural-free. For this gift.
As my mother says, this too shall pass. And I'm sure it will pass all too quickly. So I'll take the midnight wake-ups and cuddle times.
Just don't comment on how tired I look or I might burst into tears.

New Beginnings

I LOVE the idea of scrapbooking. Chronicling our lives in tangible form with pictures and cute captions. It's the reality of it that is the problem. Photo corners and choosing which pictures to include...trying to find just the right words for captions and agonizing over layout. I haven't even finished Bubba's baby book and don't get me started on Peanut. Makes me feel like a bad mother.
I dream of having all the time and patience to create beautiful memory books that they will enjoy for years to come.
Not gonna happen.
So...we try the blog. Who knows? Maybe I'll be better at the computer stuff - posting random pictures and saying whatever comes to mind. I'll probably still agonize about what to write and what pictures to include but at least I won't have all the craft clutter adding to my already cluttered kitchen table.
So for those friends and family members looking in - Welcome. We'll see what unfolds.