rootin' tootin' Fun...

In early October, our family got to visit the Texas State Fair.  It was like a lot of other fairs that I have been too... there were rides, vendors, food, shows, new innovations, and livestock.  The main difference with this fair...it was TEXAS sized.  This had to be the biggest State Fair that I have ever seen.  I felt, as I walked it, that it went on for miles.  Most every fair I have ever been too could have fit into a small corner of this one, with room to spare.  The only downside to going to a fair is the cost.  Everything is run on tickets.  And try as we might, we spent more money than we intended too.

A very dear friend of ours, Phillip (or as I have affectionately nicknamed him, Phird) was vacationing in Dallas from Florida.  So, we made plans to meet him there.  This proved more challenging than any of us knew, due to the high volume of traffic and the sheer number of entrance gates into the fair.  But, all finally came together and we were united with Phil and the fun began!!

The kids started our adventure by riding some racing cars that were FREE!  We had no idea what a big deal this would turn out to be...

The kids each got enough tickets to ride 2 rides a piece.  There was much debate over what they would choose.  But Genevieve and Dawson both knew what one of their choices would be...the center piece of the fair...the Ferris Wheel.

I was a bit nervous about them riding such a HUGE ride, but they were excited and this picture says it all...they had the time of their life.  Carter chose to stay planted firmly on the ground and I made the "sacrifice" to stay with him.

Mr. Phil treated the boys to a ride on the haunted house.

The pinnacle of the fair for me was the Pee-Wee Stampede.  A rodeo made up entirely of kids.  Carter was the only one who "qualified" to participate, because of the age limits, and I thought that he would be too shy to join in.  But, he stepped right up, got a number pinned on his back and donned a pair of chaps and a cowboy hat.  He looked so cute!!

They had several events that the kids participated in:  bronco riding, steer roping, barrel racing, and bull riding.  Carter was part of the bull riding group and the last to have a turn.  They gave him a "stick bull" and put him in the holding pen.  When it was his turn, they opened the gate and I could hardly believe my eyes!  My shy little boy melted away and he rode that pretend bull like it was the real deal.  I've never seen anything like it!!  It's one of those moments, as a Mother, where you say, "Where did that come from?!"  He did an amazing job and won the event trophy, to boot!!

Here is a video of the grand and glorious event.  You will have to excuse the woman screaming in the video...that would be a mother who was overcome with awe and wonder for her tiny cowboy.

We ended our day by visiting with the firemen who were outside our exiting fair gate.  They kept the boys busy, while I tried to help David find me, after he came back from taking Phil to the airport.

It was a hot day and a more costly excursion than we anticipated...but it was full of smiles, friendship, new adventures, and surprises.  It was a great day at the Texas State Fair!

waiting in the Noise...

I have 3 kids, so things can be noisy sometimes.  Let me rephrase that, I have 3 kids, so things are noisy most of the time. There are times when David and I both forget this fact...like when we get on the phone, or get in the van, or sit on a church pew, etc.  This can be challenging at best and frustrating at worst, but none more so than when we are trying to have a conversation.  There are at least 10 or so interruptions for super important requests like: juice, snacks, gum, snacks, have you seen my ____, snacks...you get the picture.  Then there are the wars that break out and the peace treaties that must be negotiated and enforced 3 times before everyone is settled.  And my all time favorite is where a child walks in between both of us and just starts talking, as if he/she is completely clueless that we were speaking to one another.  Needless to say, we have learned to hold most important conversations until the children are in bed or watching a movie.

I say all of this not to complain, although it does feel good to vent from time to time, but to make an analogy.  This is what my conversations with God have felt like lately.  I feel like I am talking to Him over immense noise and I can't quite make out what He is saying.  David and I have both been praying for clarity on the new direction that God wants for our life.  We have prayed for doors to be open and doors to be closed.  We have definitely gotten some closed doors.  So much so, that we are sadly feeling like staying in Abilene might not be a possibility anymore.  But, then there is this one door.  An unexpected door.  A door to a place that we didn't contemplate, nor would we have even thought of...but a place that our paths have crossed before.  And it oddly appears open or at least God has decided not to shut it yet.  David and I have an unexplained pull toward this door.  A lot of things in our life seem to line up for "such a time as this".  So, how much of this is Him and how much of this is us just putting our own reasoning and desire on the situation?  And that is where I hear the noise...

I know that the noise will eventually fade and the answer will come.  Maybe that is what I am afraid of...what if it is not the answer that I am longing to hear?  What if it is?  Until then, I will wait...

²⁸ Do you not know? 

   Have you not heard? 

The LORD is the everlasting God, 

   the Creator of the ends of the earth. 

He will not grow tired or weary, 

   and his understanding no one can fathom. 

²⁹ He gives strength to the weary 

   and increases the power of the weak. 

³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary, 

   and young men stumble and fall; 

³¹ but those who hope in the LORD 

   will renew their strength. 

They will soar on wings like eagles; 

   they will run and not grow weary, 

   they will walk and not be faint. 

Isaiah 40:28-31

Toothless...

As I said in my last post, the past 3 months have been very busy and full of lots of life changes.  One of those includes my youngest son, Carter, loosing 4 teeth.  Yes...4 teeth!!  He has pulled them all by himself, with no help from either parent.  That is a HUGE feat coming from our worry-wart child.  He was afraid to pull them and afraid that he would swallow them in his sleep at the same time.  Needless to say, the Tooth Fairy has been very busy coming and going from our house.  We even heard a rumor that she had to take a second job to pay for all the teeth!!  

Out comes the first tooth.  He was so proud of this moment.  I however, felt the brevity of the moment...one giant step away from childhood.

Then 12 days later...out came the second tooth!  For the time, whole apples where a thing of the past.

During Christmas break from school, he lost both of his front top teeth.  The last one came out the night before my parents left to go back to Florida, so they got to experience this big event with him.  We, of course, could not help but sing, "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, my two front teeth, my two front teeth..."  He endured it well and looked absolutely adorable doing so.  There is just nothing like a snaggle-tooth grin.  I think it's a sweet gift from God.  A brief glimpse of their "baby-ness"... before they have a mouth full of too big teeth that remind us of the bittersweet journey of growing up that is ahead.

Silent No More...

It has been way too long since my last post, but with the events of the last 3 months I guess that is to be expected.  I know some of you have been waiting for this post...and in some ways, so have I.  But, I think it may be different than anyone, including myself, expected.

To say that the last 3 months have been a journey would be an understatement!  But you know...I wouldn't trade them for anything in this world, because that journey has brought me closer to the One who really matters.  So, this is probably where you are expecting me to talk about the specific catalyst that brought all of this on...that earth-shattering event that changed my life.  And, a few months ago, I thought that this post would be all about that; but, this is where I am taking you and myself to that unexpected place.  If you know me at all, you probably already know what has taken place in my life and if not...feel free to ask...I'm not ashamed or trying to hide the facts.  I have just learned so many things through this experience and that is what I want to share with you. 

1. "God is sweet like that!"  My friend Laurie coined that phrase and I have learned that to be true!  God cares about me...and we're not talking about just the BIG things in life, but even down to the smallest detail.  Not 5 minutes after David came home with our "news", my friend Karen called me.  She said, "I just felt like I needed to call you."  Every time I have been anxious, He has done something THAT day to lift my spirit and calm my fear.  God is so mighty and yet He so tenderly and sweetly cares for His children.

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." I Peter 5:7

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" I John 3:1

2. He's got it!  I have to admit...I have been slightly deluded.  Get this...I actually thought I was in charge of my life.  Oh, I "knew" about the concept of God being in control, but...you know...I'm here...He's there..."really God, I've got this."  Boy, did He have my number!  Beth Moore tells the story about her beloved pointer dog that would go into full point every time he saw a squirrel, while she and her husband, Keith, were out for a walk.  Keith would have to pick the rather large dog up, turn him 180 degrees and then they could continue.  I feel like that is what God has done in my life.  I was fully pointed one direction and God has picked  me up and completely turned me around.  He used a very unconventional method, but make no mistake...it was God that was behind it all!

"The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord." Proverbs 16:33

"Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure." Psalm 16: 5

3. There is One greater!  The very foundation of my life has been shaken to it's core in the last few months and yet I am still standing.  But I am here to tell you that it is NOT because of me.  There is One that is greater than me...greater than anything that this world can throw at us.  We are not alone!  "Every time you're in a tight fist of fear, remember you're in something much tighter." (Beth Moore) Isaiah 49:16 says, "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands."  God is holding us so tightly that we leave a mark on His hands!!  That doesn't mean that my situation stops being scary...there are times I still fall to my face in tears begging for resolution...but that means that there is One that cares and loves me and has the power to see me through.

"Be strong.  Take courage.  Don't be intimidated.  Don't give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you.  He's right there with you.  He won't let you down; He won't leave you." Deuteronomy 31:6

So, there you go...everything I learned in 3 tidy points.  I am a minister's wife, after all.  All joking aside, there are too many things to list that I have learned and experienced...that would take another blog and an entire lifetime to complete.  Plus, if I know anything about God, this is just the tip of the iceberg.  I'm going to be pulling life lessons out of this experience for awhile.  Here is what I know for certain...I am here "for such a time as this" and I am ready to reach out and touch the golden scepter of my King and accept the destiny that He has in store for me.  "And if I perish, I perish." (Esther 4:16)

Light up the sky...

Ironically...I use that term loosely because I believe in an almighty God...right after I posted my last entry about wallowing and feeling alone I stepped outside and had the most amazing experience.  I had the privilege of watching a thunderstorm make it's approach into Abilene.  Now, I am not normally a thunderstorm person.  I grew up in areas prone to tornados, and so I have a healthy fear of all things "thundery" and "boomery".  But, just in case you didn't get the memo, I love Texas...and that seems to have changed a lot of things for me.  The sky is absolutely HUGE here and it gives you a wonderful vantage point from which to view God's spectacular weather systems.

 In that moment of seeing the bolts of lightning streak through thick pillars of dark clouds and feeling the wind swirling around my body, I knew I was not alone...God was present.  Just like each and every day of my life.  Why do I forget this?!  I grabbed my camera...

The pictures hardly do the moment justice, but I needed a tangible reminder of that moment with my God.  I have a favorite song right now by The Afters called "Light Up the Sky" that sums up a lot of how I felt that night.  God is always present in our lives and is constantly reminding us of this.  We only have to open our eyes and look around to see the evidence!

nothing to do but Wallow...
Do you ever have one of those moments where you are feeling stupid and sorry for yourself?  I am having one of those nights.  It's probably being brought on by the fact that my husband is out of town and for the first time, since the move, I am completely on my own to contemplate.

I really love living in Texas.  My heart feels as big as the state every time I go outside and feel the wind in my face.  That has probably been the one thing that has "saved" me since moving here.  But here I sit, kids in bed, with nothing to do but wallow.  I wish I had a close friend that I could call up to come over and sit on the couch with me.  We could drink a cup of tea and she wouldn't care that I was feeling sorry for myself or that I looked like I was feeling sorry for myself.  I have had a handful of these kind of friends throughout my life...and it's their faces that  I wish I could see right now.

That is the hardest thing about military life.  I love the adventure of moving and living in different places.  If I lived 200 years ago they would say I have "wander lust".  My romantic heart sees the true beauty in all of the places that we go.  But there is that shy part of me that takes a really long time to foster the type of relationship that I am craving.  I have a very outgoing, charismatic husband.  He is the complete opposite of me.  It's what drew me to him and what I love about him.  But, I think I tend to hide behind him, peering out until it is safe to test the waters myself.  Only to find, the packers are coming and it's starting all over again.

back to Life...back to Reality...


The first week of school is coming to a close and we all survived.  This has been a summer of really big changes and I think that we were all ready to slip into some kind of normal again.

We really like the school system that we are zoned for....Wylie ISD.  The boys both go to different schools, which is interesting.  Carter goes to Wylie Elementary, which houses grades K-2, and Dawson goes to Wylie Intermediate, which houses grades 3-5.  Both of them seem to really like their schools and, surprisingly, the independence of being on different campuses.  There are no uniforms required at the schools which the boys LOVE, but I oddly miss.  They also both have lockers.  This seems to be the thing that makes going to school an over-the-top experience!

Carter's teacher is Mrs. McGuire.  She seems really sweet and full of energy.  She appears to be a good fit for our "all boy" and sometimes mischievous Carter-man. I am looking forward to getting to know her more and getting involved with the school.  He has already made a good friend, Conner, who sits next to him.  

The big news for Dawson this year is that he changes classes.  He has 3 teachers.  Mrs. Trumble (seen above) is his homeroom teacher and teaches Language Arts.  He also has Mrs. McMillan for math and Mrs. Howdeshell for science and social studies.  He loves his teachers and, frankly, so do I.  He comes home with a smile on his face everyday.  He is making good friends and seems completely at home.  I love the "big kid" atmosphere at his school.  It's going to make the transition to Jr. High much easier next year.

I was reminded this morning as I dropped them off, for their first Friday at school, just how important football really is to our Texas countrymen.  It was a sea of school shirts and cheerleading outfits.  Even the teachers and Moms were decked out.  They are not playing around here!  I see many purple t-shirts and paw-print tattoos in our future. 

Go Wylie Bulldogs!!

turning 10...

Dawson just had his 10th birthday...yes, I said 10!  Believe me, no one is more astonished than I am!  So many things changed on that August day 10 years ago...a child was born, a mother was born and a family was begun.  This feels like such a monumental moment as I look around the bend and see the man, that  my child will be, standing before me.  What an amazing gift to be a mother...to birth these children into the world and watch them grow.

Dawson...10 years of loving you, laughing with you, teaching you, watching you grow (and growing myself), being in awe of you...Precious boy...Happy Birthday!!

Just a little side note:  We did not buy Dawson this DSi for his birthday.  He saved up $100 for a whole year, because he wanted one.  Both sets of grandparents gave him a combined $70 for his birthday, so he was able to purchase it on his actual birthday.  He has been so proud of how he saved and waited.  That DSi means more to him because he worked hard for it...Dave Ramsey would be proud!

my little Girl turns 4...

Genevieve just had her 4th birthday.  What a day that was!  I did learn a valuable lesson though...don't make kids wait until the afternoon to open their presents!  It's just unnecessary torture!

Everything was "Strawberry Shortcake" themed this year.  And, in keeping with tradition, I made her birthday cake.

There were many presents...

Blowing out of candles...

And much celebrating...

I just cannot believe that I have come to her last year of staying home.  Next year it will be back-to-school clothes, backpacks, lunch boxes and meeting teachers.  She is very excited about all of those things.  But for one more year, she is mine and mine alone.  And I am going to absolutely cherish every moment of her being just my baby.

nostalgic Subs...

The kids and I recreated their favorite Firehouse Subs sandwich for lunch today.  We were doing that because it is a place that we really love to eat; but, sadly, Abilene does not have one.  This made us nostalgic for Florida and spawned an interesting conversation. 


I asked them:  "What is the one thing you miss most about Florida?"
Dawson:  "beautiful water when we go to church"
Carter:  "our house...my friends...everything"
Genevieve:  "Grandmommy"


Then I asked them:  "What is the one thing that you like most about Texas?"
Dawson:  "really nice people"
Carter:  "that we almost have everything unpacked"
Genevieve:  "our house"


There are things, places and people who leave an imprint on our lives everywhere we go.  That is what makes up the unique quilt of our existence.  It is interesting to watch the children as their lives are sewn together...noting who and what is making a difference.

i guess it's Official...

I was at the gas station several weeks ago.  I slipped my  credit card in and out quickly and then entered my billing zip code.   But, unlike previous times it didn't immediately accept my card, it rejected it.  I stood for a split second puzzled by the problem.  And then it hit me...I had entered my Florida zip code.  I tried again...this time entering my Texas zip code.  Of course, it went right through.

There standing at the gas pump, I thought, "Well...I guess it's official.  I am a Texan."  Tears welled up in my eyes and a pang for "home" went through me.  I was struck by the thought of how a person can be surrounded by people and be so completely alone.  Just as the despair  was about to overwhelm me, a warm Texas breeze blew across my face and my eyes looked across the sky that doesn't seem to have an end... a feeling of pure joy came over me.

I love living here.  I love the heat... the wind... the sky... the foothills that you see as you come over the hill by our home.  I love the comfortable and easy kindness of the people here.  I feel like I understand now what all of the fuss is about.  I guess it's official...I am a Texan.

blog response...

A friend of mine recently wrote a great blog article about a very difficult topic...homosexuality.  This article was written in response to the news that Christian music artist Jennifer Knapp publicly announced that she is a practicing homosexual.  The article was interesting and insightful (and I am looking forward to future installments), but the thing that got my attention was the comments.  As I read them, I was privy to many different thoughts and perspectives.  I felt myself "bowing up" inside and feeling the need to stand on a soapbox.  It was in that moment I tried to figure out why I was getting upset.  What I really was feeling was sadness.  I decided to post my response comment on Momblings, because I don't ever want to forget what I was feeling in that moment and to remind myself that God is God...His ways and precepts never fail, no matter the discussions or actions of ourselves or others.

"I think that all of us have an area in our life where we struggle to give into the desires of our flesh and turn our back on the heart and nature of God. We all do that on a daily basis. It is our human struggle and our spiritual fight. If we are to be like God "with ever increasing glory", what do we do with all of this humanity? It calls for "working out our salvation with fear and trembling." It is a very personal process. It is so hard not to judge others and it is very hard not to "rank" sin. We must continue to encourage one another to keep God and His love our focus. He meets us where we are...and he expects us to meet each other at the same place. We all struggle, but we must all continue to lay down our own desires and sinful nature at his feet. This world and what we want and our momentary happiness is not what it is all about. God bless us all as we continue this life journey toward the greater end!"

¹Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. ²Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.  Hebrews 12:1-3

embrace Life...

Have you seen it? Have a tissue ready...it's incredibly touching. Protect yourself and those you love. Be safe & buckle up.

a lesson in Modesty...

Genevieve and I have already had a lot of conversations about modesty. Well...conversations may be too big of a word (she is, after all, only 3)...mini-lessons really about being modest and how that translates into the real world. She often asks me..."Is this modest?" We get to discuss this quite a bit when we go down her favorite pink aisle at Target.

Last night, at AWANA, she went "shopping." (The children earn AWANA bucks for all the verses that they learn, attendance & bringing their bibles and books each week. Then, they turn them in for various toys and prizes.) Well, she came running out of the store quivering with excitement, held up a Barbie and exclaimed, "Look Mommy! I got a Barbie that's NOT modest." The moment was so funny that I was instantly distracted.

When we got home, she wanted to open the doll, but I began to realize that I could not in good conscience let her play with this doll. We had a discussion about the situation and I told her that she should not have bought the Barbie when she knew it was immodest. I also confessed that I did not make a good decision...I should have taken her back in the store and had her trade the doll for something else. So, we decided that Barbie could not come out of the box until she was dressed modestly. She and Carter instantly suggested that we borrow clothes from other dolls, but I explained that those dolls would then be dressed immodestly.

Realizing that this lesson was more important than getting her to bed on time, Genevieve and I headed out to Target to go clothes shopping. She picked out a sweet little dress for Barbie...complete with purse...and laid down her head on her pillow proud of herself. I too lay down peacefully...knowing that this lesson was about so much more than a Barbie outfit, but about the heart of my cherub faced 3 year old, who is blossoming all too quickly into a woman.

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." --I Peter 3: 3-4

You led me...

I'm feeling stuck. Actually, I feel like I am suspended in jell-o. David and I keep running into road blocks at every turn. We were all set to move to Texas (which in itself was a huge deviation from where we thought we were going), when we found out that David is facing a possible RIF. The Air Force is downsizing and the chaplain corp is being greatly reduced. We were advised to stay put until May 24th in order to put together our packet at a base where we are well known. So our packet goes before a board of unknown military officers who will decide our fate sometime in the summer. In the meantime, we are still moving to Texas; but we have no place to live. Because of the extended time spent here, we "lost" the base house we were counting on living in. The stress level at times feels above what I am able to handle. David keeps reminding me that this is a great time to TRUST in the one who is in charge of it all. It's hard...but I continue to try...

Good morning the night is over and gone

I thought once this dark would last for so long

Feel the sunlight on my face

You have brought me through this place

Jesus, Jesus You found me

Through the long night you led me

You set me free

Do you see just what You've done in my life?

You gave me more than I hoped for now I

Feel the sunlight on my face

You have brought me through this place

Jesus, Jesus You found me

Through the long night you led me

You set me free

("You Led Me"--Barlow Girls)

How to Train Your Dragon...

We went to see the new DreamWorks movie, How to Train Your Dragon, on Saturday. I first heard about this movie while channel surfing one morning. I happened to watch a few minutes of Regis & Kelly. Kelly Ripa was talking about what a great movie it was and recommended it. The boys became aware of it after watching the preview over & over again one day in Wal-Mart while waiting for me to take Genevieve to the bathroom. They were very excited and so I thought it would be a fun Spring Break activity.

I was completely surprised by how great the movie was! It tells the story of Hiccup, a Viking teenager who doesn't exactly fit in with his tribe's longstanding tradition of heroic dragon slayers. Hiccup's world is turned upside down when he encounters a dragon that challenges him and his fellow Vikings to see the world from an entirely different point of view.

This movie touches the adventure seeking, dragon taming part of every little boy and every man who is still a "boy at heart." It is a captivating story and I highly recommend it for anyone 6 years or older. It still has us talking and has made it to our "must own" list.

count your Blessings...

Dawson woke up this morning with a sore throat...which, this week, could only mean one thing...strep throat. David took him to the clinic to have a throat culture. It, of course, came back positive. Carter is already home healing from strep. I went to tell him about his brother and this is how the conversation went:

"Carter...Dawson has strep throat."

His eyes got wide with excitement & he smiled. "Just like me?!"

"Yes...just like you."

Still excited, "Can two kids with strep throat play together?"

Philippians 4:8

⁸Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Romans 8:28

²⁸And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Kid Funnies...

Things are starting to "ramp-up" at our house this week. The stress of the move is getting to everyone. The only thing that gets me through it are the times when I can laugh. There are a couple of really funny things that the kids have done this week that are worth sharing.

On Thursday morning, we picked up some bagels from Panera Bread. Carter was home from school, because he has been sick. We gave him a half of a chocolate chip bagel and then went into the kitchen to fix ours. He came around the corner, threw his hands dramatically up in the air and said, "Mommy & Daddy...when I die...I want you to bury me in these bagels."

Genevieve was dancing around the room today while David and I were talking. She hadn't gone to the bathroom in a while so I asked her, "Are you dancing because you have to go potty?" She replied back, "No. I'm dancing because I'm beautiful."

Motherhood...

Kids keep you so grounded and humble. I was getting out of the shower today; and, of course, my daughter was in there with me. (For those of you who are mothers, you know that it is completely impossible to take a shower without an audience of small people, either in the room or standing right outside the door, banging furiously. For those of you who aren't yet mothers, don't get weirded out, it's just comes with the territory.) I always try to be as modest as possible when a child is around, but they inevitably see more of me than I would like them too. Genevieve took one look at the broken veins on my legs...ironically the very ones that being pregnant with her produced...and said, "Mommy, why do your legs have cracks in them?"

I took a deep breath and did not pitch the fit I wanted to. Instead I told her they were veins that had gotten broken.

"What are veins?"

"Well...they are tubes or straws that carry blood around our body."

"That's gross!"

I assured her that they weren't gross and that she, in fact, was also in possession of these essential body parts. I patiently showed her the blue lines on her wrist and the tops of her feet. She smiled big and said, "cool".

Motherhood...where else can you be an unwilling exhibitionist, the focus of medical curiosity and a science teacher all in the span of 2 minutes while soaking wet and wrapped in a bath towel?

Here's to keeping it real!

Off with Your Head Day..."

We have started a new tradition in the Black family household. It all started with one of our favorite children's books: It Happened in Pinsk by Arthur Yorinks and Richard Egielski. The book is about a man, Irv Irving, that has a great life, but only sees what others have that he doesn't. So on the morning of March 19th, he wakes up to find that he has lost his head. His wife fashions him a new one out of a pillowcase stuffed with socks. He then tries to go about his day but is mistaken for 3 different people. Through this experience, he learns that his life isn't so bad after all and that he has everything he really needs and wants. He does eventually find his head and he "was not known to complain, hardly ever again."

We decided to celebrate March 19th as "Off with Your Head Day." It would be a day of fun, food and focusing not on what we don't have, but on what we do have and how great our life really is.

We started off by making our own "pillowcase" heads.

Then we ate a delicious dinner of roast and veggies...and for dessert, chocolate pie (see my last post for the recipe). At the dinner table we talked about being content and I asked the children to tell me 3 things that they liked about their lives.

Dawson:

1. family
2. friends
3. that he exists

Carter:

1. family
2. toys
3. helping Mommy cook

Genevieve:

1. doing art/coloring
2. eating breakfast
3. drinking milk

It was such a pleasant meal! No complaining or fighting...just spending time together focusing on what really matters. We ended the night with a family reading of It Happened in Pinsk, prayer and song. All in all...a great evening...and the start of a great tradition!