Quiet Snuggles

Mornings are crazy around here. Three boys to get up and ready for the day. Coming hair, breakfast time, don't for get the teeth and checking lunches and backpacks; the rush out the door and the traffic filled drive home.
 But then... there is the moment.
The moment when my third little boy, the one who yells everything he says as if you are across a large field from each other even though we are standing in the same room. The third boy who has two speeds fast and faster!  The third boy who has his hands in everything good and bad.
But in the moment ... after we walk in the door, he comes to me grabs my hand and pulls me to the couch to watch cartoons with him.  As the toddler tunes start up each day, he snuggles a little closer and closer. I know he is still and quiet because of the dancing colors on TV, but he wants me there with him!  Those are the quiet snuggles that I look forward to each morning. 


Writing prompt “Quiet” from Lisa-Jo for Five Minute Friday
Also linked up at :  The MOB Society

Work (Together) Wednesdays

With our South Texas Heat reaching an upwards of 105 degrees, afternoons must be spent inside in the air conditioning.  However, with three rambunctious little boys... afternoons get a little crazy! Who are we kidding most afternoons I'm ready to pull my hair out, unless the brothers have structure and a project helps too! 

The boys are natural creators. Sometimes it's Lego's, sometimes it's wooden blocks, sometimes it's dirt from the back yard... but one of the all-time favorite building material is blankets and pillows.  That's right, there not just for bedtime anymore! 

For Work (Together) Wednesdays, I grabbed an empty laundry basket and overflowed it with blankets, pillows, sheets, stuffed animals, and flashlights.  I called in the brothers and stated the challenge

TO WORK TOGETHER

AND BUILD A FORT THAT IS WORTHY OF THREE MIGHTY WARRIORS

After trying several locations... behind the couch, under the bed, in the bathtub... the brothers finally settled under the kitchen table.  Two hours later, that's right they worked together for 2 whole hours with no help or arguing AT ALL! I'm even joking, 2 whole hours!!! I think they rebuilt it 10 times before everyone decided it was up to par. 

then the moving began! Cade enjoyed coloring inside the tent with a few (major understatment) pillows, while Brennan was content with the constant moving... I think every toy/book/stuffed animal/ and shoe he owned was in his designated area. Will, made a comfy spot and enjoyed some reading time.

Making Memories while working together, yes please!

Busy Summer Days

Well, we are now 5 weeks into summer and all my blogging dreams and goals have gone out the window.   I promise I have been doing Memory Verse Monday, and Work (Together) Wednesdays, and even Fun Mom Fridays!  The problem is, I have been so focused on making the most of my time with the kids, that my sweet Cup of Daisies has been neglected.  However, I do not apologize for this... these are sweet memories that I want to experience them fully and I'll catch up with the writing part later.  I have so many notes, pictures and thoughts running through my head, but after all the other running I have been doing I don't have any energy left to get to the computer. How do some of you mom's do it?  I need a clone writer! :)

See you tomorrow! Happy Summer!

Work (Together) Wednesdays

This weeks Work (Together) Wednesday project will hopefully be accomplished without complaining or arguing!! Our focus last week was transforming our lives by the renewing of our minds. So we will be transforming the crazy messy garage into a nice neat one... or at least more nice and neat. And Father's Day Bonus - A project that will help out Dad.  Our Garage is crazy messy and I know Daddy will be very pleased to come home to a nice clean garage.  Of course, I will be pitching in to help and guide the project (the kids are way to young to let them do it all themselves).  But they will get plenty of age appropriate jobs. 

I'm almost embarrassed to say, that yes this is our garage neat... we obviously need to have a garage sale! However, everyone was a huge help, and actually had fun and laughs in the process! I love it when hearts are right and everything comes together!

Look at those red faces! They were so hot, but never missed a beat!

What projects are waiting to be finished aroung your home? What projects can your kids work together to bless someone else?  Up next... helping weed the flower beds!

Memory Verse Monday - Philippians 2:14-15

How in the world did this happen… Only one week in on the summer schedule… and I’m already running behind.   Did I bite off more than I can chew? I sure hope not.  Thank you all for being so patient and I hope your memory verses went well last week. My boys loved Memory Verse Monday, and loved getting Transformer toys… They have been asking me for the next verse!  So here it is Tuesday, running one day behind, as usual. 

This week we will be working on a Memory Verse to help remind all of us (me included) about being joyful. 

Philippians 2: 14-15

Do everything without complaining or arguing,

so that you may prove yourself innocent children of God,

in a broken world.

Sample Devotional:

The Bible is full of situations where God’s people complained and argued about the things that were happening in their lives or things they were asked to do. One example is the Israelites.  Do you remember their story?

The Israelites were slaves in Egypt. God brought them to freedom and they thanked Him by complaining about their food, the time, the weather… to the point that they decided to make an idol and worship it instead of God. 

How do you think God felt about the way they acted? Were they  acting obedient? Were they joy-filled?

God commands us in Philippians to do EVERYTHING without complaining… did he say, “Unless you don’t want to do it then you can complain? “ No, He didn’t. Did he say, "If you have a good enough reason/argument, then you don't have to obey." No, He didn't.  When we complain about the things that are asked of us, we are not only telling our parents, teachers, and others NO... we are telling God "No, I don’t want to obey you."  Just like the Israelites did.  God loves us even we complain, but we can show Him how much we love him by obeying with a joy-filled heart and not arguing and complaining. 

Can you share a time you complained or argued?  How were you feeling at the time? Was your heart filled with joy or frustration?

Can you share a time you share a time you were obedient? How were you feeling then?  Was your heart filled with joy or frustration?

Sometimes it is very hard to obey without complaining… but remember God commands us to do everything without complaining or arguing… and if we are transforming by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2 ) we can be obedient and grow closer and closer with God as well as be a shining light to the broken world around us.  

Activity:

This week, our activity is to make a sticker chart of attitudes.  The paper will be divided in half and will have the verse written across the top. (We are making this tomorrow, I'll put a pic up on Twitter)  On one half the boys will draw a picture of a time they were obedient with a good attitude.  On the other side they will draw a Picture of a time they had an attitude of grumbling and complaining.  For the rest of the week the boys will earn stickers by being obedient without complaining and arguing (this is going to take a little work on my part…I’m thinking I’ll keep stickers in my pockets) and the stickers will be placed on the second side to cover up the picture of disobedience and bad attitude.   At the end of the week, we will see how everyone did… and some sort of prize will be given for saying the verse.  If you can come up with a clever idea of a prize that relates I am open, oh wait, desperate for ideas!!!

Memory Verse Monday

You made it! To the first ever Memory Verse Monday here at Cup of Daisies!  Thank you for joining us and I pray that your family will be blessed and have fun while learning God's word! Go here For more info on what, when, and why; Memory verse Monday!

Do not conform any longer to the things of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind. (Romans 12:2 NIV)

Source

 Here is a quick sample of our devotional:

Conform means to become similar and more alike or the same, while transform means to change from one form ot another, to be different than before.

Now that you know this lets read the verse again.

Can anyone tell me what the verse means?

"Because of who our great and wonderful God is, we should worship Him. Paul says we

should give our bodies as living sacrifices. He is not talking only about our physical body. He

means that we should give God our whole self – that includes our body and our mind

(thoughts).

In the Old Testament times people who loved God offered dead animal sacrifices to Him.

Paul says that Jesus was the greatest sacrifice. So because of what Jesus did for us, we do not

need to sacrifice animals to God anymore. Now God wants us to give our whole selves to

Him. We should put aside our desires so that we can follow Him.

We are not to copy the behavior of the people in the world who do not know Jesus. We

are to even think differently than they do. When we think about Jesus and seek to follow

Him, our minds are changed or transformed. When this happens we can know what God

wants us to do. And we will know how good it is to do what He wants us to do.

Source

Think about the transformer toys you play with.  Optimus Prime conforms to the world by being a semi-truck. He blend in and becomes more  like the things in this world, the things around him. But his true power is released when he is transforms and becomes much different than the world around him.  He becomes a super hero. Optimus Prime is an alien to this world,  just as Christians are. We are here serving worshipping and being transformed by the renewing of our mind and being a living sacrifice or giving our whole selves to God, until we join him in our true home, Heaven. 

Tell me some of the ways you conform to the world. What would that situation look like if you are transformed and sacrificing or giving your thoughts or actions to God? (Some examples to start the conversation might be handling arguments with siblings, what they want to watch on television, obeying parents)


After the boys are able to say the verse to their age appropriate ability. They will each be recieving a small transformer toy for a reward and reminder of the Bible verse.  I hope that this lesson will stick with them so that every time they see a transformer, this verse will pop in their mind.

I love to connect Biblical truth to something so tangible for the boys. What verse are you working on this week?

Memory Madness Monday

I was once told of a woman who, as she aged, had lost her eye sight and also her hearing. It was impossible for her to read and near impossible to hear those around her speaking.  On her 90th birthday she was asked what her greatest regret was,  her response was, "That I didn't memorize more scripture, because now I can't read scripture and it is so hard to hear it read to me." Obviously this woman had a heart for God, and was hearing from Him in other ways, but I was convicted when I heard this story to learn more scripture. To "hide God's word in my Heart" so that no matter what situations or ailments come my way, God's word will always be within! 


I recently went through a Bible Study called ONE ON ONE WITH GOD by Jerry and Marilyn Fine. It is a wonderful tool that really helped me to understand my purpose as a daughter of the God Most High; and  also how to practice and live out that purpose. 

Philippians 3:10 AMP
¹⁰ [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [^[a]which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]





One of the tools taught through One on One with God is scripture memorization.
Here are a few tips on scriture meemorization, Jerry and Marilyn share in the book.

1. Read the context of the verse in your Bible. This helps you understand the verse in it's proper setting.
2. Read the verse through several times, thoughtfully and aloud.
3. Write the verse out on an index card. Some people find it helpful to write the verse out several times.
4. Meditate on the verse - Ponder the verse, Picture the verse, and the Pray the verse back to God.
5. Break the passage into natural phrases. Learn the reference and first phrase, then the reference first and second phase, and so on until the entire phrase is memorized.
6. Review the verse immediatley after you have initially memorized it by quoting reference, verse, reference 30 times.
7. Share the verse with others - use it or lose it.
8 Review Review Review! Review the verse everyday for the next two month!

Honestly, the thought of scripture memorization is so overwhelming to me. It doesn't come easy to me, which also means that I have to be so dilligent about making myself study and work on it daily.  I do believe it to be a proven tool in growing a closer relationship with the Lord. So,  I will persevere and we will see what the boys and I can accomplish over the next 8 weeks.  The scriptures I have chosen will have a short activity or reward that will hopefully help the verse come to life and encourage the kids to work on it too! Each week I will post the verse we will be working on that week, along with the activity and/or prize for the week.  Please feel free to join us starting next Monday, June 4th!   Learn the scriptures we learn, or share some of your own.  I'm still looking for a few more to finish out the end of summer ... just saying, suggestions welcome!  What are some of your favorite scriptures?


Image Credit:

Horia Varlan

Strawberry Shortcakes (cupcakes)

I found a few of these little Strawberry Shortcake cuties around on pintrest, but decided to combine a few of my own recipes and shortcuts to make this quick and easy Strawberry Short-Cup-Cakes! These are perfect for any summer activity, birthdays, pot lucks, or just because! And Memorial Day is right around the corner... this is a perfect picnic treat!

image credit

What you will need:

Silvery White Cake:
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 2/3 cups sugar
2/3 cup shortening
1 1/4 cup milk
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
5 large egg whites

Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Line cupcake pan with paper liners or grease pan well.
Beat all ingredients except the egg whites in a large bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until well incorporated, scraping bowl constantly.  Beat on high speed for 2 minutes.
Beat in egg whites on high speed for 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
Divide into cupcake pan filling each 2/3 way full. 
Bake 25 minutes or until an inserted cake tester comes out clean.
Allow cakes to cook before inserting filling.




Strawberry Filling:
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons sugar
10 oz. frozen strawberries in syrup (drained)
1/3 cup reserve juice

Mix cornstarch, sugar, and syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat.  Stir constantly until mixture comes to a boil for one minute. Remove from heat, stir in Strawberries and allow filling to cool completely before using, about 30 minutes.  (Note: I ended up chopping my strawberries up a little in an electric chopper... I wanted to make sure they would slide through my piping bag.) To fill, insert tip of  piping bag with filling into top of cupcake. Fill with approximately 1 tablespoon of filling, until cake rises... it took me a couple of tries to figure out a good amount.



Topping:
I confess... all I used was Cool Whip.  I could have made my own whipped cream, or maybe a yummy icing but I didn't.. and I don't care! :) It was the perfect "frosting" for these sweet strawberry cakes.

Summer Break Activities and Fun

Hey Mamas!!
 I hope you are having a fantastic week! I can't believe that the school year is over and summer break is here!  WOWZA!!
Because this is our first year of public school, this is all our first summer break from public school. Although, have had a little anticipations from all the stories I have heard of bored kids, that argue, complain, and sit around watching TV all summer; while I'm sure we will have plenty of that to go around, I really want to spend this summer focusing on two things, the word of God and growing the bond of brotherhood and family.

I am so excited to share with all of you some fun activities, lessons, and crafts that I have up my sleeve. Make sure you grab the Cup of Daisies Button and subscribe so you don't miss a thing this summer! 


There will be plenty going on around here, but here are a few that will be on our weekly schedule!  I'll share my ideas and make sure you link up with your too!  This will help us all stay intentional, and busy this summer.  

Memory Madness Mondays:

I will be posting a list of the weekly verses the boys and I will be memorizing, (who knows maybe Dad will get in on the fun too.) There will be prizes involved!

Work (Together) Wednesdays:

Team Work is the key here. The boys will have a  project or a game to complete each week. Some of them will be fun... some will not. It will however, be an activity that each brother will have to do his part and depend on each other to complete the project. Our first project will be making a summer work chart, and a seperate summer activity chart. This will help keep the whole family accountable for our time and responsibilities.

Fun Mom Fridays:

Friday's around our house this summer will be deemed to be Fun Mom Fridays!  Make sure you visit each Friday for your Fun Mom Friday Craft/Activity to take and share with your family! Nobody wants to be that mom who is overwhelmed and grumps around (I am that way sometimes), so this summer I will be proactive and intentional about being fun, but more importantly present with my kids. 

Did you Grab my Blog Button?

Hey guys! 

Just wondering if anyone noticed that really awesome button off to the side there!  Did you grab it yet? I hope so!  If you have let me know, I will be placing some of my most beloved buttons on my page too!

Love y'all!

Audra

Grace in the Eyes of a Child

Today, The job to be accomplished was folding my families weight in laundry.  In the midst of feeling swamped with a never ending stream of freshly dried cloths, my dearest three year old boy came in with a "can do" attitude and a glimmer in his eye asking to "help mommy".  At first my heart melted...how sweet, he wanted to help mommy... and then instantly I cringed

as pile,

upon pile,

upon pile, 

of neatly folded clothes where jumped on, tossed aside, and literally strung across the bed, as he grabbed for a single pile of washcloths in the middle of the bed. I wish I could say that I calmly picked up the clothes spoke calmly, and led by example what to do when frustration hits...or rather, not let sweet Brennan know I was frustrated at all and guided him to put the washcloths away and thank him for his help and servants heart.

Unfortunately,that was not the case.  As I yelled, NO! Brennan, Stop! I watched as his face full of innocents, joy, and good intent fell with confusion, and tears welled in his eyes as he turned and ran from my room.  My heart sunk, I had done it again, acted rash in the midst of a frustrating moment. Shown no grace towards a sweet boy.  A moment I would never get back; a feeling I could not take away.

As I picked up the clothes and began to fold them back, I  prayed asking for forgiveness and grace; and headed to Brennan's room to apologize.  Before I could say a thing, I found that grace. Brennan looked up at me with his big blue eyes, shining bright and said, "Mommy, I'm sorry. Can we still do that?  What can I help you with mama? ".

At that moment I was reminded again of the quickness and eagerness in which forgiveness and grace should come. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3



 I scooped him up in my arms, and apologized for yelling and asked for forgiveness, which was instantly given, even before I asked.  Then tried to explained to him why I needed him to be patient and wait for mommy to help him.  He did such a "good" job of putting the towels away so neatly....

I am so loved! I am given so much Grace, from my husband, from my kids, and most of all from my God. Thank you Lord for Forgiveness, Mercy, and Grace, and thank you for showing me your faithfulness through the heart of a child.

Sisters, Does God show you his faithfulness through your children and people around you?  Is He constantly revealing His heart to you through your children's actions? Do you thank Him when He does? Please share your testimony and help encourage those mama's around you!!

Menu Plan Monday- The Last Week of School!

It's a busy week wrapping up the school year as I'm sure you are too!  I am so blessed to have my Mother-in-love coming in and helping me out this week, so I can go to school and help with field trips, splash days, and just be a general classroom helper.  That being said, meals will be good, but easy (I know that's not that much different than normal).

Monday:
Kraft Fresh Take-Chipolte Lime Chicken, Black Beans and Rice Pilaf, Salad

Tuesday:
Red Beans and Rice, Cornbread (I love cooking beans in the oven)

Wednesday:
Grilled Chicken Cesar Salads

Thursday:
Beef Tacos, re fried beans(use leftover beans), Spanish style rice(use leftover rice)

Friday:
Pizza Movie Night! Whoo Hoo!!

Saturday:
Monkey Bread
Hot dogs, veggie dippers
Leftovers (Clean out the fridge)

Sunday:
Waffles
Crispy Stuffed Shells, Salad
Life Group, Potluck Madness:)

Enjoy! I am linked up at orgjunkie.com

Boys vs. Dog (The Stink Challenge)

As you know, I have a house with ALL boys!  My Husband, three sons... and then, there is me... the lone girl; well except for the dog.  So, we all know that as boys get older they smell more, deodorant is a must. They think body hair is awesome, tooting is funny, and joking about bodily functions is part of their everyday life... or at least that's what I've been told and somewhat prepared myself for. Will's favorite line to say to me used to be, "Mom, I can't wait for this to be a stinky boy house." To which I would grimace my face and say "Oh, no! Gross"; and make him giggle.
 But I have to say, the stinkiest member of our family isn't a boy... and it's NOT me! It's this silly dog of ours. Doesn't she know how unlady like she is... talk about silent but deadly, Literally had to leave the room while writing this article because of her fatal stink bomb!!!

Yes... I did just said, fatal stink bomb;I learned it from my boys.  Do you have a stinky boy house? Or maybe just a stinky dog?

Summer Fun and A New Blog Design

Apologies for all my absence this past week. It's not that I haven't been thinking of all you sweet  readers each day, but instead that I have been doing a lot of behind the scenes planning and not as much writing!

 I wanted to let you know things will be looking a little different around here for a while.   For Starters, very soon Cup of Daisies will be looking much different, Thank  you, Thank you, Thank you -  to Hannah Nicole Designs!  She is at this moment working on getting the design installed... I CAN'T WAIT, for you to all see it!



 I also can't believe that the school year is coming to an end and summer break is upon us! We only have 10 more days of school.  How about you? WOWZA!! Because this is our first year of public school, this is also our first summer break from public school. I am experiencing a little anticipation from all the stories I have heard of bored kids that argue, complain, and sit around watching TV all summer; and while I'm sure we will have plenty of that to go around, I really want to spend this summer focusing on two things, the word of God and growing the bond of brotherhood and family.

I am so excited to share with all of you some fun activities, lessons, and crafts that I have up my sleeve. Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss a thing this summer!  No Really, Subscribe!!! :)

There will be plenty going on around here, but here are a few that will be on our weekly schedule! I'll share my ideas and make sure you link up with your too! This will help us all stay intentional, and busy (like you need help) this summer.

Memory Madness Mondays:
I will be posting a list of the weekly verses the boys and I will be memorizing, (who knows maybe Dad will get in on the fun too.) There will be prizes involved! Boys thrive on competition, so I will definitely be using that as an inspirational tool to keep them in the word as it takes hold of their hearts.

Work (Together) Wednesdays:

Team Work is the key here. The boys will have a project or a game to complete each week. Some of them will be fun... some will not. It will however, be an activity that each brother will have to do his part and depend on each other to complete the project. Our first project will be making a summer work chart, and a separate summer activity chart. This will help keep us me accountable for our time and responsibilities.

Fun Mom Fridays:
Friday's around our house this summer will be deemed as Fun Mom Fridays! Make sure you visit each Friday for your Fun Mom Friday Craft/Activity to take and share with your family! Nobody wants to be that mom who is overwhelmed and grumps around (I am that way more than I would like to say), so this summer I will be proactive and intentional about being fun, and more importantly present with my kids.

Looking forward to hearing from each of you! What are some activities and projects you have planned for this summer?

Menu Plan Monday

I am looking forward to our menu this week.  Especially the pasta dish on Monday night (love me some pasta!) Hope you are inspired to create some menu's of your own also.. but feel free to use this one.  There are a TON more menu's to browse on, over at orgjunkie.com

Notice the recycle bag... it was Earth Day yesterday you know!!!

 

Monday:
Rigatoni with Broccoli and Sausage,Sliced Garden Tomatoes, Garlic Cheese Toast

Tuesday:
Sloppy Joes with Veggie Dippers & Sun Dried Tomatoe Hummus



Wednesday:
Beef Taco Casserole, Garden Salad

Thursday:
Leftovers (cleaning out the fridge night!)

Friday: We'll be camping!
Chili-Cheese Dogs, chips, sliced apples

Saturday:Still roughin it!
Breakfast: Sausage and sweet rolls
Lunch: Peanut Butter & Jelly, chips
Dinner: Hambugers, chips, cookies

Sunday:
Breakfast: Eggs & Bacon
Lunch: Peanut Butter & Jelly, sliced apples, pretzels
Pampered Chef, Pepperoni Pizza Twist, Garden Salad

Holding Hands

Each day after picking up my oldest son from school, we pull in our driveway unload our many bags, books, and groceries from a day of school,work, and errands; and make our way down the street and around the corner to the mailbox. 
Being  natural competitors,  my older boys usually line up on the sidewalk set for the race. As they dash off, my 3 year old will run up to my side, reach up, and slip his small delicate hand into mine.  As his small body rushes to keep up with my longer strides, I know all he is wanting is the security my grasp offers him as we walk along. I love knowing he is depending on me, and I love knowing he is feeling secure and safe by simply being in my presence. 


Image


Each day as we stroll , I can't help but think about our Heavenly Father, and the joy it must bring to Him when His children reach up, ask Him to hold us; offering security and safety within His Holy Spirit! What rejoicing there must be to know His children are walking with Him, seeking refuge and comfort, depending on Him to guide them through the paths He has laid before them.
¹⁸ Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ¹⁹ Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ²⁰ Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates, ²¹ so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth. Deuteronomy 11:18-21

Do you experience God's word through your children? What truth is He sharing with you this week?

Our Unique Family

The other day I was browsing around at Finding Joy and come across a post on what makes Rachel's family unique... It got me thinking, hmmm what makes our family unique?  So after some thought and observation and chatting with my hubby and kids. Here it is... the things that we love about our little family, the things that fill up our days, and the things  that bring joy to us all. 

• Once a week, we all stop to spend time doing something we love... Pizza, Popcorn, and a movie!
• Almost everything we own has sentimental meaning behind it!  Just ask. I'll share the story! But my favorite item... Drop leaf table.
• Everything is a competition... we do have a houseful of boys you know!
• Books are a huge part of our lives.  We all enjoy reading and being read to.
• Food is a love for each of us, for some of us it's homemade fettuccine Alfredo or perfectly grilled steaks... for others it's chicken nuggets and peanut butter and jelly.

• Like Cage fighting or WWF? Tickets are on sale now... We don't have to watch it on TV, all we have to do is stick two boys in a room and before long the giggles, wrestling, goofing will begin.
• We love to laugh. The joy that is shared in our home is contagious and I love to share it with others.
• Everyone is unique and we try our best to celebrate those differences and passions.
• Deep conversations about God, beliefs, and faith spring out of thin  air. I love that God is alive here and a natural curiosity is always welling over.

I love the closeness that our family shares. I love that each person has a special place and purpose  and that even through the little tiffs and arguments, that ultimately we know we were woven together as a family by God's unique plan.

Word Filled Wednesday Matthew 7:13-14

"Brennan go get in bed. " And this is what we find.  Brennan always takes the road less traveled! I'm hoping this characteristic is a blessing, and as he grows he will stay on the "road less traveled".

Complete with a happy crash landing. :)

Goodnight Sweet Boy.

 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. 

Matthew 7:13-14

For the Love of Books!

I love books. I love to turn page after page and watch the story unfold before my very eyes.  I love the feel of the smooth, crinkly (that is a word, right?) pages and the musky smell of a good used book. I love to think of the adventures that readers before me have experienced and wonder if they also felt the same emotions or if the book has touched them in the same ways it has touched me. There is something magical that happens when I get to read a really great book, a classic. I have had this love of books from a very young age.  I cherish the memories of drifting off to sleep as my mother read chapter after chapter of Boxcar Children, Little House on the Prairie, Nancy Drew, and so many others.

Image Credit

I also love now, that these are moments, characters, and stories that I get to share with my children. I love that William reads everything he picks up. I love that on Thursdays when he comes home from school with his new library books, he can't wait to get to his quiet room, and his comfy bed and sit for the rest of the day combing over the pages, analyzing the characters, and immersing himself into the story. 

I also have found a new way to share these stories with my children.  We spend at least an hour a day in the car. Like most of you, I'm always driving to and from school, grocery store, post office, sports practices, activities... you know what I'm talking about.  I know many mom's use car DVD players... but that just isn't me.  We usually listen to Christian radio or play alphabet and counting games in the car...until recently.

We were at our local library for story time, while I was glancing over a few of the DVDs when I came to the section of books on CD, my eyes instantly rested on one of my all time favorites, Little House on the Prairie.  I found myself hoping one day my boys might want to read a book about a family with 3 little girls... Yeah right!  But I decided I would get the CD and just see what happened.... turns out they love to hear about Laura and Mary, and the adventures they have as they travel in their wagon and make a new home.  We are now on the fourth book in the Little House on the Prairie series and the kids request it every time was get in the car. 


I love the exposure to classic literature they are absorbing. I love the history that the stories hold, and the raw adventure and emotions that are expressed as we listen intently. I love the questions and conversations that keep coming from my boys as they listen to what life was like in the pioneer days, and the joy that they feel with every victory the Ingalls family has.

I hope to continue to show my children the fun and adventure that can come from something so simple as a book; I also hope that they too will grow a love for the written word and that it will follow them through life.  ]

Do your children love to read, or be read to?  What do you do to encourage that love?
I'm always looking for more wonderful stories to share with my family...What are your favorites as a child or favorites that you share with you children now?

First EVER Caldwell Family Camping Trip

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Spring is in full swing down here in South Texas and us Caldwell's have decided to take full advantage of the gorgeous weather.  Santa brought us a tent Christmas morning and we put it to use this weekend with our first ever camping trip.

Choke Canyon State Park, proved to be a perfect choice for our outing. So after school Friday, we loaded up and made the quick trip to our weekend destination.

 Our tent! It was perfect!

 We did a lot of tree climbing,

 Saw an alligator!

 Splashed in the water,

 Did some fishing,

 Played with icky worms,

 More fishing,

 Slept in  tent,

Boys Battled,

 Relaxed,

 Cooked up deliciousness,

Did a little painting and creating,

 Played baseball,

 Found a huge ant colony,

More relaxing,

More fishing,

 We were silly,

 and Happy,

 It was all quite a balancing act.

This is the only fish caught all weekend... a red rubber fish to practice casting.  Each time Brennan reeled it in (must have been 200 times) He would say, "Mommy, I think I caught something! Look it's a fish!!" He was so proud!

 Of course, we took time for smores!

 Dad got the fire, just right!

 The smores made us really Happy!

 William told us some spooky stories before bed.  The other boys chimed in as well.

Perfect creation + Perfect weather + Family = A Perfect Family Camping Trip!