Tuesday, January 29, 2008

My sweet boys...

This is what I came apon yesterday. So rewarding that the boys are starting to interact with eachother, and I am so blessed I am able to be home to witness it!

Monday, January 28, 2008

Needing some improvement in your life??

I know I do!!
~Praying each day at a regular time and place.
~Daily excersise
~Healthier eating
~Organizing house and time

Needing some inspiration to improve those areas of your life??
I know I do!!

On the Inspired to Action site,(see their link on the left hand column?) they will be starting a 21 Day Challenge. Modeled after Kat’s 21 day challenge.

For 21 days, we will commit to improving an area of our lives, and discuss our progress each Monday, on the site.

Wanna join in with me??

Baby Got Back!!


Or in other
words........
this baby
has a
big hiney!
(And belly, and thighs!)
He can't help it,
and I just love it!






After the
boys had
a bath
today,
I dressed them.
(as twinkies- a
weakness I know)






But I couldnt fit
Taylor into his
size 18 months
pants, he fit
better in Dylans
size 2Tpants! HA!
So, we will just
have to keep them
them rolled up
to accomodate
all the crawling!

Friday, January 25, 2008

A tea party- Strickland Style

After school today I surprised the girls with a tea party. Although, in the tea pitcher was strawberry koolaid, the creamer pitcher was full of nerds, and the sugar bowl had peanut butter and spoons for the crackers on the plates.

I could hear the song " These are a few of my favorite things" from The Sound Of Music. Emily told me she is so proud Im her mommy! I scored some big points today!

And who said Joel can't be creative???


Thursday, January 24, 2008

Parent’s University: Faith

This is a series hosted by Kat. This weeks topic is faith. I wanted to share a true story on faith.

I will title it : Faith Like A Child.

Last summer I was at a department store with the two boys in the double stroller (baby Taylor in the back sitting backwards in his car seat, and Dylan in the front.) Kayla and Emily were walking next to me and the stroller.

The boys were getting a bit uneasy, and Dylan was going through a phase where he would scratch Taylor. SO right in the middle of the store, Taylor starts screaming. I look and he has scratches all on his forehead from his big brother who had reached behind and scratched him pretty bad. I had to get Taylor out of his seat, comfort him, and inspect the damage. The scratches were bleeding a little bit, Dylan had dug in deep.

After comforting, then disclipining, we were all able to move on. I remember being so mad that Dylan had scratched him so bad! Well, I started my search for whatever I was looking for so we could get out of there quick, when Kayla stopped me. She got right in front of me, and said "Stop mom..Taylors scratches are gone....I prayed and asked in Jesus' name Taylors head would be healed...and the scratches are gone."

To my disbelief, the scratches were gone. They were just there, three red scratches, I was just frusterated at these noticatble wounds, and now...they're gone? I had to ask her to explain to me again what had happened. She repeated "I put my hand on his head, and asked in Jesus name Taylors scratches wouldn't hurt him anymore, and I felt my hand get warm, like the magic was coming out of my hand onto Taylors head."

Dear readers, please understand, I have never witnessed any miraculous healings ever before in my life. And with my own eyes, on that very day, I witnessed a complete healing. I cannot explain what happened other than this. Kayla had the faith that God could heal Taylor of his scratches...so she asked...in Jesus' name...and the scratches went away.

It was a testimony and a lesson that I must have that childlike faith. In Mark 10:15 Jesus says to the disciples "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

9 month old Taylor

Our baby boy is now crawling! He has been since Christmas! It was the motivation of the Christmas tree that got him moving! He loved getting to it to grab those dangling ornaments! Here is a video I took today of him crawling out of his room. He is growing up so fast!

CAMERA---->>> FOUND!!

YES! I found it today! There have been so many things I have wanted to take pictures of! Come back soon!

Sunday, January 20, 2008

MOON watchers!

We have become serious moon watchers lately.

Not only because our Papa loves to look at the moon
(we have so much fun looking through his telescopes and going to the observatory), but also because Emily is learning about it in school. She is to track what the moon looks like each night for the month of January.
We have all been intrigued by the cycles of the moon. We wanted to share some facts with you, and give you some great links to check out the moon.

The Moon's Changing Phase Night Sky: Tony Flanders












Each month as the Moon circles the Earth, we see it go through its cycle of phases. Starting from “new Moon,” when it is nearly in our line of sight to the Sun, the Moon grows, or waxes, to a crescent, then to first quarter (half lit), gibbous (somewhat football-shaped), and full. Then the Moon wanes back through gibbous, last-quarter, and crescent phases to new again. When waxing, the Moon is visible mostly in the evening. When waning, it’s best seen in the early morning hours.

Did you know the U.S. Naval Observatory provides a picture each day of what the moon looks like? Check it out here. To read more about the moon phases click here. There is so much more to learn about the moon than just its phases. Maybe we will share more later!

Until then....
Happy Moon Watchin'!!

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

~ Emily ~

E nthusiastic and energetic
M erry and marvelous
I nquisitive and intelligent
L ovely and beautiful
Y outhful and fun!



















These are a few things that describe our beautiful seven year old Emily. We are so blessed to have her in our family! She is always willing to help, or serve in our family. She also likes to share smart facts with us.
She loves God and is a prayer warrior.
She loves to cook chocolate chip cookies and make pizza.
She is so fast with her math facts, and is an amazing reader.
She is a loving friend and is always caring.

She loves her family dearly, and her family loves her the same!

Leave Emily an encouragement if you'd like. Please also pray that God would continue to strengthen her and mold her into a beautiful young woman!

CAMERA ---->> M.I.A.

Our camera has been missing for a while now. I know I recently put new batteries in it! HA!
Not too long ago I found a spoon in Dylan's pockets while doing laundry. I also found a nursing pad hanging in the girls room as decoration, the TV remote in the car, and several pair of shoes in the backyard! So who knows where our camera has ventured off to!!
Please pray with me it'll turn up soon!

Thursday, January 10, 2008

LOOK at what we are watching ALOT of.

CARS by Pixar!




























Dylan has just realized that the cars he got for Christmas come to life on TV!



We are
trying
to not
go over
a twice
a day
showing!!










This is truly a really good movie! Dont just trust our judgement, check out this quick clip.


Wednesday, January 9, 2008

SUPER mom powers!!!!

Kat asked the question today on her blog " If you could be any superhero, who would it be?"

I answered
I would want
to be Elastigirl
from the Incredibles.
As a mom, those
super powers
sure would be
INCREDIBLE!!














Just thinking about the possibilities! I could keep Dylan from putting a DVD in the VHS player....while sitting upstairs on the computer!! I could help Kayla button a shirt....while nursing Taylor on the couch! OR, maybe I could get that missing item Joel cant find upstairs....while Im reading with Emily.













Oh well! Maybe God can give me the special powers to accomplish my dishes, laundry, house-cleanup, lunch-cleanup again, girl-pickup, homework, dinner and everything else in this day!

SO.....if you could be any superhero, who would it be?"

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Family FUN at the ZOO!

We explored the zoo again. It never seems to get boring when you take four kiddos. The animals always seem to be doing something exciting, matter of fact, the four kiddos always seem to be doing something exciting too.

Friday, January 4, 2008

A Monopoly playing family!!

The girls got this Pet Shop Monopoly for Christmas.


We have
enjoyed
playing it
several
times.









But last night was a hit! Our Papa (formerly known as Granpa) and our Uncle Matt joined us for a game. It was alot of fun, especially with hot chocolate!











And you can see who
won, Uncle Matt is a professional. Emily came in 2nd place.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

This mommy's new do!

UPDATE! Here is another pic of me with my hair fixed!
















Can you all believe it? This momma got all her haircut off! Honestly, its going to take a while to get accustomed to the shortness!


I like what the headresser (Tyler at Salon Adeva- he is amazing) said "I was wasting too much energy in having long hair." Such a true statement. I love having it out long, its just alot of work, and in this season, I need to focus my energy on other things! I was called a "hot momma" today. Wow, its been a while since Ive been called hot!

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

New Year’s Reflections

Looking back on the months gone by,
As a new year starts and an old one ends,
We contemplate what brought us joy,
And we think of our loved ones and our friends.

Recalling all the happy times,
Remembering how they enriched our lives
We reflect upon who really counts,
As the fresh and bright new year arrives.

And when we ponder those who do,
we immediately think of you.

Thanks for being one of the reasons We'll have a Happy New Year!

By Joanna Fuchs