One Little....Two Little....Three Little Indians

This was one of the best weeks by far this winter for the girls and I. This past week Paiyton was off of school for the "Winter Break", for you Southerners the schools up here get a week off in Feb. for a winter break. Of coarse we missed Tim lots but had a wonderful time up north with my cousin Paula and her son Joey. Paula has always been like a big sister rather than a cousin to me. When I was a kid she would come and get me for the weekends or even for a couple weeks at a time during the summer time. I loved spending time with her. We only lived a half hour from each other though as a child it seemed farther than that. So this past week we went to my Aunt Linda's Cabin (or should I say home in the woods) as you can see by the pictures it is just "PERFECT". Aunt Linda is Paula's Mom. We planned this trip about six weeks ago and let me just say the girls and I couldn't wait to get some time away from the every day routine. We had never been to the cabin yet nor had we seen it at all in pictures so we didn't know what to expect. But the one thing I did know was that if it's Aunt Linda's it will be Phenomenal and it was. I will go to the country any time if I am staying there, of coarse who wouldn't.

This is Paiyton & Emmah next to the Bear that Dave killed. They were in awe of this bear and how big it was Emmah asked me the entire visit "What is that bear doing?" I think she thought it was going to come after us all at some point.

Paula playing Cow Girl for Paiyton to take her picture.

Paula playing the bad guy....

The Carlton Duet of "Once Upon A Dream" (Sleeping Beauty movie) Our outside adventure of hunting for Dinosaur bones & exploring the woods. This is the girls riding their wooden horses. (Aunt Linda had these made and put saddles on them. They sit at the kitchen counter/island and they are the stools you sit on at the counter....fun...fun.)

The kids sitting in the "Amish Made Baby Crib". This crib is beautiful, I have never seen a log Amish made crib before.

We relaxed, played cow girls and boy, Indians, air hockey, basketball, hunting for dinosaur bones, karaoke, road their wooden saddled horses every meal, you name it and it was done, without makeup and hair being done too. It was about relaxing and letting the kids play. The girls loved the hunting for dinosaur bones out side, it is all Paiyton has talked about since. For a side note my cousins Dave and Paul (Paula's brothers) hunt a lot and when they get deer they keep all the bones for the purpose of kids hunting for dinosaur bones up at the cabin. I thought it was a fabulous idea and the kids LOVED it. We explored out side on the wood pile and in the trees. It was the best time together. We love you Paula and Joey!

Any one else?

Ok, I am a bit frustrated.....Is any one else having trouble with spacing and pictures when posting? I can't get my paragraphs to space properly.

Here it goes...."Not Me" Monday

Well, after reading all the "Not Me's" for a few weeks now, I have to join in this week. I am not sure I will be able to keep up every week but with each little or big moment this week all I could say was " I did not do that" OR "please not me" to my self. So here are a few: 1) I did not while driving Paiyton to school several mornings this last week, reach back to hold her hand and say a morning prayer with her, while driving with one eye open, NOT ME. 2) I did not skip the gym last Friday to spend an hour and a half in Target, just leisurely passing the time, NOT ME. (I didn't feel so bad since I have been going so much and have lost another 9lbs). 3) I did not get locked into Emmah's room when starting to put her to bed last night and after pulling the pins out of the door jams realize it will not work (just call me Blondy) all to get lucky and find a screw driver in a box to UN-screw the door knob and let my self out....sigh. NO NOT ME (or at least that is what I was saying the entire time). 4) I did not listen to Paiyton ask me why I drink coffee every morning and then proceed to hear her ask me "Does the coffee make your boobies grow", NO NOT ME (her words, not mine, I was in shock and laughing at the same time, the things they come up with).

Seven Prayers a Day

Ok, Ladies.....This is an awesome idea. I know we all pray for our children daily and in different ways but I just wanted to share this. I was reading this on the "Bring the Rain" Blog. Angie Smith is a great Godly example for all of us and her story is just......well I don't have the words. When you have some time read her story on her blog, it is in the "My Friends & Favorite Blogs" to the left side of my blog. Be prepared to cry....but what a blessing she is for so many woman. (Her husband is part of "Selah", they are a great Christian group....awesome music.

Here it is Below:

The other day I came across a verse that God used to prompt me to write this post. If you are a mom (or have someone else you want to pray for specifically), I hope you will join me as I do this for the next 7 days. It struck me that I need reminders during the day to be praying over my girls, and I decided to choose 7 events in a day that would remind me to do so. Then, I chose verses that had to do with that time of the day (for example: as my kids are getting dressed in the morning) and then I put them on note cards.

Here are the events and verses I chose:

1. When they wake up: "Let the morning bring (child's name) word of your unfailing love, for she has put her trust in You. Show (her/him) the way (she/he) should go, for to you (he/she) lifts up her soul." (Adapted from Psalm 143:8)

2. When they are getting dressed: "Therefore, as God's chosen child, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Lord, help (him/her) bear with others and forgive whatever grievances (he/she) has against others. Help (him/her) forgive as the Lord forgave (him/her). And over all these virtues, help (him/her) put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Adapted from Colossians 3:12-14)

3. While they are eating: "Teach (child's name) the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Teach (him/her) that (he/she) can do everything through him who gives (him/her) strength." (Adapted from Philippians 4:12-13)

4. When they go out of the house: "(Name of child), do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will." (Adapted from Romans 12:2)

5. While they are taking a bath: Lord, give (name of child) clean hands and a pure heart, and let (him/her) not lift (his/her) soul to an idol or swear by what is false. Let (him/her) receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God (his/her) Savior. Let (him/her) be part of the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. (Adapted from Psalm 24:4-6)

6. When they are going to bed: "The Lord Your God is with you; he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, be will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)

7. While they are sleeping: "I pray that (name of child) will do everything without complaining or arguing, so that he/she may become blameless and pure, a child of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which he/she shines like a star in the universe as he/she holds out the word of life-in order that he/she may boast on the day of Christ that he/she did not run or labor for nothing." (Adapted from Philippians 2:14-16)

I feel like God has been reminding me more and more lately that I need to live my life in prayer. For my children, husband, family, friends, country, those in need, etc., etc. As a mother, it has been so pivotal for my children to hear me praying out loud over them, and I want to commit to do this every day (seven times a day!) for the next week. If you care to join me, just copy these verses onto index cards (or, feel free to print them on pretty scrapbook paper and embellish your little heart out....:))

Have a great (and prayer-filled!) week. And may God bless you and your babies richly.