Before and After

I have very, very fond memories of eating my grandma's homemade cream puffs when I was growing up. They were soooo good and we didn't get them often - partly because we lived far away and I'm guessing partly because they were a lot of trouble. I know they're trouble because I made some yesterday!

It wasn't my grandma's recipe (I'm still waiting on my aunt to send it to me - hint, hint!) but it was from my Southern Living Cook Book and that's one fine book. I believe I could improve them a little, but for the first time I was pleased!

So, here's a before shot:

and the after shot:

And they were totally from scratch. Go me!

Best Buddies

These two are best buddies.

For hours every day they play and play.

I really am super blessed.

The laundry basket is often a boat or a cage or a spaceship.

I love these guys!

Chore Time

One of Julia's chores is cleaning all the bathroom sinks and counters. She likes to involve the little ones and usually has them help her.

She lets one of them squirt the cleaner (Mrs. Meyers of course!) and the other one gets to hold the paper towels for her. They all love it and I think it's great! And don't you love that the girls are cleaning in tutus?

Take a good look at that pink bathroom - it won't be around much longer!!! Woohoo!!!

Aulora Likes....

Presents

and sprinkles.

Lots of sprinkles.

The end.

(just a few more old pictures I never posted from Christmas)

A TON of Christmas Videos!

A VERY Belated Christmas Post

It's March and here's a post full of Christmas pictures. I did it on purpose so that the joy of Christmas could be stretched further into the year. Like, into spring even. You're welcome.

We celebrated Christmas at home with my side of the family (my parents, my grandma, and my brother) and then we all drove to Tulsa. We went to be with John's side of the family and my parents went so they could continue on into Dallas and Austin to be with family there. So yes, there is a picture or two of my family at John's family's house. Confused yet?

Pictures were taken here at our house, but my dad took them with his camera and I don't have them. (Dad? That's your cue!) Some more posts will come later on in the day with some videos.

If you are a grandparent then you will probably love this post. If you are anyone else, run! =)

Julia helped decorate the tree at home.

John David was mighty helpful too. (Until he went scissor happy wanting to "trim" the tree a little too much!)

John made "Bananas Foster" for our Christmas dessert.

He set each batch on fire as he brought it to the table. It was hard to capture that action!

All the babies loved on Mimi.

John David roasted some marshmallows in the fireplace on the back porch.

Every time we turned around Aulora was dancing in one of the living rooms. Dodie was dancing with her this time while Gran played the piano.

We had a birthday cake for Jesus. It was SO good! (and chocolate!) Thank you Jesus for being born! ;)

Julia worked hard with Aunt Kara on a gingerbread house. I think she was mostly busy eating it though.

Aulora has that look on her face because her mouth is stuffed with candy.

That's more like it.

There they are dancing again and this time Joshua is trying to join them.

On Christmas morning John David received a note to let him know that Santa was too lame to bring his present inside.

He ran outside and discovered his very own go kart!

Aulora got her first bike!

A family meal

Gran and D at the head of the table

Uncle Zach gave Aulora a Memory game.

Not sure of the reason for the kiss but it's still sweet.

Joshua was the first allowed to run in and see what Santa brought. He got a Buzz tricycle and a big dinosaur.

There's Aulora finding her bike.

Julia is always happy for another Webkinz and she also got the Tangled doll house.

Thanks Gran and D for my Christmas Barbie!

The girls were each given a new Madame Alexander doll.

John David had his new lego set built in no time.

Reece, one of the dogs, was busy inspecting Joshua's new things.

I should probably explain to Aulora the difference between a pretty laugh and an ugly laugh. ;)

Julia's First Art Class Picture

Julia was so excited to start art classes today for the first time. There were about five other kids in the class that she will be attending every Thursday. I can't wait to see what she will learn as the weeks go on.....

Whatever you're dreaming......

...make sure it's God's dream.

Any other dream is just too small.

Aiming for Kingdom Life

I read a moving blog post recently titled, "My Life For Yours: A Mother's Pondering About Her Body". Kelly, the author, was inspired to write the post after reading this quote from (at the time, pregnant) musician Alanis Morissette:

“I see my body as an instrument rather than an ornament.”

Motherhood is not without cost and, while I don't see this as an excuse to "let go of myself", it is very freeing. It's freeing to be okay with what my body is (and isn't). This body that I get frustrated with and would sometimes like to trade in for a thinner, more perfect version, is the same body that gave me four beautiful children.

Kelly also includes this excerpt from Loving the Little Years by author Rachel Jankovic:

“Our bodies are tools, not treasures. You should not spend your days trying to preserve your body in its eighteen-year-old form. Let it be used. By the time you die, you want to have a very dinged and dinted body. Motherhood uses your body in the way that God designed it to be used. Those are the right kind of damages…We are not to treat our bodies like museum pieces. They were not given to us to preserve, they were given to us to use. So use it cheerfully, and maintain it cheerfully. You want to fix your body up in order to be able to use it some more. We should not be trying to fix it up to put it back on the shelf out of harm’s way or to try to make ourselves look like nothing every happened. Your body is a tool. Use it.”

So I say -

Watch what you eat.......so long as you don't miss out licking the cookie dough off the beaters with your 7 year old.

Excercise....so long as you don't forget that playing chase with your preschoolers is far more beneficial.

Weigh yourself....so long as your little girl doesn't doubt her own beauty when she looks at her perfect little round belly.

Show your outward beauty....so long as your son sees your inward beauty more.

Look in the mirror....so long as you remember that your husband doesn't see those flaws when he's looking at you.

Work to be healthy and fit....so long as your aim in life remains solely on Kingdom purposes. Let Christ ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. (Matthew 3:11)

Don't Tell Daddy

I recently went upstairs to find my son wearing the biggest pink tutu you've ever seen. He was happy about it and not about to take it off. So of course I took a picture. Perhaps he thought the Buzz Lightyear pajamas offset the pink ruffles?

I suppose I won't get worried unless he starts asking to go to ballet class with Aulora....

Clearly, These Two are Destined for Greatness

The end is my favorite part. It totally takes me back to my days of girl scouts....