My One Word

This year, I heard a new idea from KLove Radio. (If you've never heard them, you NEED to try them- they're online @ http://www.klove.com/) They are encouraging their listeners to focus on ONE word for a year rather than a New Year's resolution. The website: http://myoneword.org is the starting point or the motivation behind this "one word" phenomenon started. I have thought about it throughout the entire month of January as I listen to the radio and hear of the different Christian artists sharing their "one word." I have to admit that I thought its kinda difficult to devote myself to having just one word to guide me through this year. However, as I've thought, pondered, analyed, and prayed, I have decided on my ONE word- since of course today is supposed to be the official deadline if you're following along with KLove and the myoneword blog.

I used to see myself as a very loving and kind person. But further reflection on one of my favorite verses in the Bible (and one of our verses from our wedding), reminded me that I may not be as loving as I should be. While there are MANY verses about LOVE in the Bible, I will just share this one for now. Each couple of weeks though I hope to check in and let you know how my "resolution" of focus is coming along.

1 Corinthians 13: 4-8:

Love is patient,

love is kind.

It does not envy,

it does not boast,

it is not proud.

5 It does not dishonor others,

it is not self-seeking,

it is not easily angered,

it keeps no record of wrongs.

6 Love does not delight in evil

but rejoices with the truth.

7 It always protects,

always trusts,

always hopes,

always perseveres.

8 Love never fails.

I have a lot to work on! :) LOVE isn't just a 4 letter word we say to the people closest to us. Its for our enemies too! For me, its hard to even admit that I might have enemies despite the fact that I need to LOVE them! This will be my focus verse throughout the year to hold myself to a higher standard of loving others.
 
I'd love to hear if you had a ONE word resolution. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think or link to your blog where you made your one word resolution.

Chefs

For the 2nd night in a row now I have come home with a terrible headache. Its a great thing that my soon-to-be 3 year old can fix his own supper now, huh?

I found his with a tortilla shell and some shredded cheese wrapped up. He was so clever.



But, cooking is hard work, and exhausting:


We had KS birthday celebrations at my school today. It was a lot of goings-on and I am utterly exhuasted. The boys are off to boy scouts together. They are having a movie night. I'm having a try-to-keep-my-headache-at-bay-so-I-can-get-some-homework-done kind of night. :)

New Sight

I have to admit - I was extremely exhausted tonight on the drive home. I wasn't completely focused on the road and getting home. But, when I saw this out of the corner of my eye, I knew it was not the regular scenery:


In fact, I slowed WAY down and asked the boys what they thought.


And then, I called Shawn and told him to grab my camera and meet me out at the street.

We went back and took pictures. I've never seen a herd of whatever (elk maybe) here in KS, although I've heard tales of having them all the time on the base and around Milford. So, here is proof. . . .kinda . . .I mean, if you can trust pictures these days.

A Calm House

Almost twins. . . .(just by size) and of course, triplets when you add Mr. Tarin:

Malachi does this now when you ask him to smile:

Mr. Cuteness and Ornery that I needed a break from this weekend (thank you mom!):

My 3 boys (+Tarin):

I was so productive in homework today. We've had a VERY calm house with Zach spending time at my mom's house. He had a VERY rough day at school on Friday and I think we needed some space, so hopefully things are better now for him. We're ready for a frantic Monday and hopefully no more snow for awhile.

Where Did the Day Go?

I'm still oogling over pictures of my beautiful niece from last week. I wish we didn't live so far away from each other. I love holding her and loving on her. She's precious.

These are some of the pictures from my grandpa's birthday party. The boys were WILD that evening.

Logan told Courtney, "You go to my school." She said, "No, you go to MY school."

The kids found a crab to toruture each other with.

Tarin figured out how to get piggy back rides from Malachi.

We tried hard to get all 6 of my parents grandkids, but as you can see, some just would not cooperate. This year I aim to try to edit some photos and change color, etc. This would have been a good one to practice with.

Tarin practicing to be a big brother soon.

My 3 beautiful angels. (You can see Tarin's hand in the very left-side of the picture. I didn't crop it out because I thought it was so funny how he tried to be in every one of my family pictures.)

Today started out GREAT with an early text message from one of my best friends. She is up this way from OK and wanted to catch lunch together. It was such a pleasant surprise and we had a great time. Logan loves her little girl. This afternoon, I'm not sure what hit me, but I have been extremely nauseous and woozy. I have been in front of the computer for a vast amount of time, typing papers, blogs, essays, and discussions. Since I'm taking so much online, I am flooded with online reading. I think that has a little to contribute to it, but am not sure that would make my blood pressure as low as it is today.

Brienna's Aunt (Shauna) Rocks!

Some days. . . when I get bad behavior phone calls from my children at school, when my lunch gets burnt as my stomach growls in pain, when its a Monday on a Friday, and when I'm subbing when I had ten kazillion things to get caught up with my groups. . . .Days like today, I look at this and am reminded that I rock! Well, at least Brienna thinks so. Of course, I bought her that outfit. She really can't quite read yet. But I know she loves me a lot. The first time she wore this outfit, she had a bit of an explosion in it. A brand new outfit and that's how she treats it- see if aunt Shauna buys anything full-price again! Just kidding. I'll still spoil her.


Look at this pouty face:

And a second later when Grandma told her she'd get a bottle:

Brienna is such a joyful little girl. I love her and can't wait til she's old enough to come visit longer.

Another SNOW Day

We have had our second snow day in a couple weeks. It was so nice. As I stayed home yesterday to feel better, today I was able to recover fully I think. :) The boys had a hard time believing me that we didn't have school. They love school, so hearing that there is a snow day doesn't always make them happy. Logan even said, "Mom, are you sure you just don't want to take us to school???" He was pretty upset. But, as soon as Shawn got home from work, they forgot their unhappiness and got to play in the snow. There is a forecast for 2-5 more inches this weekend, so Shawn might take them sledding at the farm. YEAH!!!




Suzie wasn't a fan of the snow, but she doesn't like being inside if the boys are outside. She was almost swimming in the snow!



This shows love- when you stop what you're doing and pose for a picture for mom. Because I knew if I didn't get a picture now, there'd be bloodshed and we'd never get a happy snow picture! :)

SNOW!!!!

I wish I had a recent picture of the 10 inches of snow we got today. Maybe it wasn't exactly 10 inches, but it was a LOT! I have been really sick lately with my heart rate being out of control and making me more exhausted than I possibly can remember. The boys have been. . . . boys.

A few nights ago, Zachary said, "I prayed to God and asked Him why He didn't give me a different mother if He knew how mean you were going to be." That's the kind of days I've been having. The boys have been revolting against me and I'm at my wits end with energy. The stress of driving in the snow was about enough today too. Even as sick as I was, I picked the boys up early from school because of the impending snow storm. Yes, I AM that mom!

Here are a few pictures I took the other night when we celebrated my grandpa's 75th birthday. Taige was being a little stubborn. . . like his mama.

My baby brother, who is NOT a baby person! :) But, who can resist holding this little cutie!?

FIVE generations of kids (see all the grandboys????)


This is how I feel most days:

Except I wish it wasn't just tea in that cup! Praying for a snow day, but not counting on it.

Brienna's Baptism

Miss Brienna slept through her baptism this past weekend. She squirmed just a tad bit, but otherwise, was peacefully content in the FREEZING cold church.

Pastor Gil has done all the grandkids' baptisms and also 2 of the 3 weddings. He is a special member of our family.


I'm off to bed after a tiring evening. I had a wonderful friend come over to help clean out the boys' toys and organize. Oh Lord! It'd been probably a few years since that'd been done full-scale. I've been having major heart problems again and circulatory problems, but don't have time to go to the doctor. Last night I woke up in extreme pain in my shoulder and wrist and my heart rate was 187 with a blood pressure of 85/69! Go figure! I told Shawn that if I die in the next couple days that I called it. I've never had this awful of pain associated in my veins. Its difficult to manage sometimes, but I hate calling a doctor because I'm a little unhopeful that they would offer any hope. So, I just put my trust in God. He knows all the minutes of my days anyway, so why not trust Him to comfort and provide for me. He's such an amazing God!

Great and Productive Weekend

Miss Brienna's cheering for the Cats tonight.



Zachary finished reading a great book- "We Can't All Be Rattlesnakes"- a definite recommendation if you're looking for a quick, fun read.

Suzy got grounded to the outside while it was nice out. We found out she'd been "going" on our couch. So, she's in the doghouse.

Logan got his head smashed in the door a few days ago. Zachary is in the dog house too right now.

I wish I could have gotten a nap today. Malachi was so hyper and giggly, so its going to be an early-to-bed kind of night.

I got a lot of cleaning done today. I cleared out a LOT of clothes and toys. Goodness how my kids have accumlated stuff. I'm almost ashamed of how much stuff we had and what we still have! I hope I still have energy tomorrow. The kids have taken all my energy I possibly could have had. Zach told me today, that I "don't deserve to be a mom." I think we're all ready for some rest and get back into the routine of school tomorrow.