snug house bug house

This has become a favorite for all the kids. I had to document this great experience.

Sledding

I really wanted Paul to go with us to go sledding at least once this season. Even thought we've had above freezing temps in the past few days, there is still plenty of snow. Unlike the other day when we went today it was really, really icy. The kids had a lot of trouble getting up the hill but going down was really fast. There are a few hills where we go and two are really, really big. The kids went down the first big hill and couldn't get back up. Paul helped them up and then I decided I would go down with one of them to help them get up. Then after a couple of times of that, we headed for the really big hill. I went down with Atticus and it was really fast. We hit a bump and slid to the side. We were going so fast I clutched my legs with Atticus between them and took the blow of the icy ground right in the shoulder. I think I bumped the ground a couple of times. It really hurt. Atticus was laughing and then said, my leg hurts a little. The next time down the really big hill, Atticus wanted to go down the hill by himself. No big deal right, well think again. There was a jump at the bottom of the hill that we couldn't see from the top. He hit it and flew off the slide and I saw him slam his head to the icy ground. He got right up but was screaming his head off. Paul went down with one of the other kids and I started down the hill on my behind to make sure he was ok. Earlier in the winter a kid hit a tree and died so I'm a little nervous about seeing my 3 year old fly off his sled. Paul went and grabbed him right away and he kept crying. What's hard is not knowing if it's cause he's really hurt or if it just scared the crap out of him. Paul talked to him about it later telling him that he went off a jump that big kids go off of and then he thought he was pretty awesome. I'm not looking forward to my sore shoulders tomorrow.

Paul reading to the Boys

Why Paul decided to read this book that way, I'm not sure but it was funny!!!

Three Cheers for Daddy

So, we were out late last night having dinner and playing cards with Paul's family. Paul was so exhausted I drove home and then stayed up for a while unwinding. The kids got up at normal time and Paul got out of bed with them. I woke back up at 10 AM and went downstairs, to an empty house. A note was left saying, we went to the museum and the library. I did a happy dance. I got to eat breakfast in silence, I watched the taped Office from Thursday night and I got to get myself ready without any interruptions. Oh My, it was so nice. I went to the store and came back to find everyone back home after having an awesome time with Daddy! We celebrated our 9th anniversary on Thursday but didn't really do anything (we will later in the summer). This was an awesome treat on a Saturday! Even though I thought I knew it 9 years ago, Paul cemented today that he is a great, great man and husband! Three cheers for Paul!

I'm a believer

As I go through the struggles with Sebastian I have felt God share with me about what my struggles are and how I dishonor God and My Husband as I struggle with Food and Money issues. Tonight I shared some of that with Paul and for the first time we had a civil conversation about it. I truly believe that it went so well because I was honest, upfront and owned up to my stuff. I tell you it is so shameful to have to face your stuff with the person you Love the most. Paul finally understood that my actions are not acts of defiance. I spend and eat too much because I'm trying to fill a need with those things that I should be getting filled by God. I told him I couldn't be out here all alone anymore. I need guidance and accountability. He for the first time that I was more important to him than Money or Debt. I needed to hear those words. I needed to hear that I was more important to him than fixing these things in our life. I'm considering seeking some counseling for these issues. My call to you is, if you are hiding something from someone you love, don't let it rule your life. Sit down with them, share the honest truth that you are struggling and that you need their help. You can't go it alone anymore. It's hard, but to be unburdened Is so much better.

Wordless Wednesday - Precious Daddy Time

A trip down a bouncy slide

We decided to take the kids to bounceland on Friday instead of going shopping. Other than Atticus, everyone had a great time. Even me as you can see.!

Can it really be 8 years?

I can't believe that 8 years ago today Paul and I stood in front of our family and friends and said we'd love honor and cherish each other for the rest of our lives. Now 3 kids later, I can't imagine my life without him. He went out tonight got some champagne and we toasted our eight years. He also got me a really nice card. So what are we going to do for our anniversary? We hope to take a couple of weekend trips this summer without the kids.

A new job opportunity

Paul has had two interviews within flowserve for a new position. He's really excited about it and if you wouldn't mind, lift up some prayers for him. He says he'd really like the position and it would be more money. Thanks. We should know something late next week.

Niles Erbe?

Tonight I come home from Curves and Paul is watching an episode of Fraiser on DVD. We get done with the episode and Alexandra and Sebastian are watching it and Sebastian sees a picture of Niles Crane, Fraiser's brother. He points at the TV and says it's Daddy. He repeats it a couple of times as Alexandra says that's not Daddy. Then Sebastian points at Paul and points at the TV and says Daddy! Paul and I couldn't contain our laughter. You be the judge

A weekend without the husband but with

The Kids! It's weird when I'm with the kids all by myself for any given time. Even though most of the time I'm with them all by myself. When Paul goes away and I know no relief is coming, for a while anyway, it give me a whole different perspective. This is why I have so much respect for single moms. When I'm left alone like this I think about my mom and how she did this most of the time for my whole life. My dad took us every Friday night so my mom did get a break then but she also worked full time.

I'm more fortunate than other people that I have a lot of family and friend support so I can get breaks even though I don't work full time. We're heading out to some harvest activities with family later today so I'll get some help then.

If you are or were a single mom at some point in your life know that at least this girl has a lot of respect for the job you do. It's a lot of hard work raising kids and all you can do is your best!