One Two Threee your are down...

The funny thing about this picture is that Ethan has Abby pinned down. Forever now, Abby will sit on Ethan or just simply be mean to him. Not this time. He is getting stronger and this was payback time.

Abby Isn't she beautiful!!

Birthday Party Time!!

Ok, this picture is just funny to me. That horse was sticking his tounge out at Lacy!

Abby was a natural at riding horses...thanks to Uncle Alan.

S'mores please!!

One thing we love around here is S'mores and Laci!!

Park Time

This is my little dirty faced monkey.

Skates!!

Look how happy she looks at school!!

HodgePodge

Being a mother is one of the hardest things I have ever done...ever. I have been told I she is just like me and for that I am so sorry for everything I ever did to my mother. Seriously. On a TV show last night called Family Secrets, one of the first good points was how can you control your children if you can't even control yourself. It was as if I had been hit between the eyes..hard. I kind of like it when God does that. It is as if He is saying look at me Penny....look into my eyes. I did not give this child to make you strong..but to make you weak so you have to rely on me. I CAN NOT do this parenting thing alone. As a mother I desire to be less of me and more of HIM. I want Abby to see that I rely on God. But the fact is I don't. I rely on myself and fail miserably over and over. My words become harmful and my actions do not reflect the Love of God. I desire to surrender to our LORD and depend on HIM for everything. How do you get there? What must change? I will start with tonight finding situations where I can say yes. I read in a blog today that said why not? If it doesn't hurt them or their brother :) or damage the house why not yes? It seems as if I am saying NO to her all the time and often times it really doesn't matter. Now when she is sitting on Ethan's head holding him down, it matters but most of the time a mess here or there doesn't matter. I want to surround myself with Godly women and seek their advice. I want to become a student again...a student of the word of God. Somewhere I haven't been in a long time. I am not sure if anyone reads this anymore..but if you do please pray for me. Pray that I will make time to spend time with God first.

Abby started school this year. She is at The Anthony School and I love that she gets to take gymnastics and SKATE...you read it right SKATE. I will try to get pictures. After one session of gymnastics she came home and stood on her head with no help. She is so funny and full of life. She can make the silliest faces and those eyes....wow. When she is serious...those eyes get real stern and can just as quickly turn to silliness. Bedtime is still no fun, but I feel like we have come to a common ground.

Ethan - he is just a turkey and there is no other way to discribe it. I LOVE hearing him say momma as soon as he comes through the door and he can climb up ANYTHING. He now can scale the bathroom counter and with one hand turn on the water and wash that hand...and then switch hands. If you are serious with him and say that hurt mommy when he hits...his heart melts. He is true boy and loves to play in the dirt and eat rocks. We have introduced potty training and he likes sitting there for a milisecond...then throw paper in there and flush. Not once have we been successful in going in the potty. That is ok. We were blesses with Abby being trained just over 12 months...so we can take some time with Ethan. The paci is a different story. He will fight to the bitter end over that paci...and no the "paci fairy" will not work with him. He could care less about other babies needing pacies...thank you very much "The Nanny"

I will post some pictures soon but wanted to update those few but faithful.

Fear Not

Ethan loves the water....LOVES IT.

My Princess!

I want to brag on Abby a bit. She has
been such a big girl. For two whole nights in a row
she has slept all night long. She gets a "Honey Bunny"
for breakfast if she sleeps all night long!! A Honey Bun is
a small price to pay for peace at night.

Ethan Loves Watermelon!

Broken Lawnmower

Daddy has taught Ethan early to mow the lawn. Sometimes
their mowers need tuneups!!


This is one way to wash your hair!!


Paybacks are bad!!

It is long past over due for an update of this site. Life with two children is crazy!

I love this picture at Grants Farm and will post more pictures soon!

Sticker Chart

I had no idea that something a simple as a sticker would tame my daughters heart. We fight with Abby every night with the whinning and the stalling to not go to bed. So with much hesitation we started talking about the sticker chart. Abby undestood if she did the things on the chart she would get a sticker and then after a week or two we would have something special for her if she did what was asked of her. I understanding rewarding a child for something she should be doing anyway is not the best option but we were exhausted with each night fighting with her. Things like brush your teeth, take a bath, are no brainers but go to bed with a happy heart or no whinning take some practice. The new one tonight is going to bed without stalling. No more asking for water or one more kiss or needing to go to the bathroom (when she has already gone). I must say that the nights are a lot less stressful. She wakes up one time a night (while Ethan now sleeps through the night Praise GOD!!) She gets a sticker for sleeping through the night but hasn't received one yet. I honestly believe she is trying. If she starts to whine, I tell her we will take away a sticker if she doesn't stop...and I usually do not hear another word from her. Those stickers are her gold. Why in the world didn't we start this a year ago?

I am excited to say that Abby is going to Anthony School this Fall. She is ready, I am not so sure I am. She is growing up so very fast!!

First Ride

This was Ethan's first ride. I can guarantee their will be many more. He was so excited and all he could say was WEEEE!

Easter 2009

There is simply nothing like painting/coloring/stickering eggs at mema and poppy's house.
How cute is this?

Poppy

I love that we teach important things in life...like how to make that funny noise when you pop your finger in your cheek. This is a true legacy for sure!! :)

Cody

It is absolutely impossible that Cody (my nephew) went to prom. This just means I am getting way old. He looks so good!! Pictured here are Cody and my brother Bryan. We all have so much to be proud of!

Jonas and Reese, we love you!! WE love having you over to play. There is nothing like fruit loops after dinner to hipe us up before bedtime!!

Ethan

How Ms. Linda keeps up with you durring the day I will never know. You climb on everything. I love your curiosity. I love that nothing is out of your reach and you will figure out a way to get there. For example to get on daddy's computer chair you will pull Abby's chair over and propel your self into daddy's chair. Nice...since it spins you usually make it. :) Ethan, I hope your curiosity and desire never fade. I love you.

Abby Grace

How did this happen? How did my sweet baby girl grow up so fast? Abby tonight you made a huge breakthrough. Bedtime at our house is a huge battle....until tonight. I explained what a sticker chart was to her. She understood completely that if she did the goals on the chart on a regular basis she would get to do something very special. This week it will be going to a birthday party. Tonight my baby girl went to bed with a Happy Heart and she was proud of it. I love you Abby Grace.