Fun in the Snow

We finally got to go out and play in the snow today. I was just glad that the snow lasted this long. It was killing the kids not to be able to stay home and play in it, and then of course, a miraculous thing happened...Aiden threw up at school yesterday and couldn't go back today. So I'm home with them and unable to sleep now before work tonight...no biggie. Sleep is overrated. I don't think Aiden's sick. He probably just ate too much for snack! So out into the snow we went. Sophie didn't have any snowboots, so she got plastic grocery bags taped to her legs. It was a fun time. They had fun making snow angels and throwing snowballs. Sophie threw on and it hit Aiden in the face, and of course that was a disaster. Snow went down his shirt and he was ready to go in shortly after that.

Puzzles

Both the kids got new puzzles for Christmas. Sophie got a 100 piece "Belle" puzzle and Aiden got a "Very Hungry Caterpillar" puzzle. They both had a lot of fun putting them together. Saturday evening, we didn't really know what to do with our time, so we decided to go to Target and get some new puzzles. Sophie got a "100 piece funny froggy" puzzle and Aiden picked out a 24 piece Cars puzzle. Sophie and Daddy put hers together with a little help from Aiden. She is proud of her 100 pieces! Aiden put his Cars puzzle together ALL BY HIMSELF! He has been putting that puzzle together and taking it apart since he got it. I couldn't really believe that he could do it, but here's the evidence! He even does well helping Sissy do hers. They spent over and hour this morning doing their puzzles. I'm sure we'll have more trips to Target to get more puzzles!

A January Afternoon at the Park

We were blessed with nice weather today, so I decided to load up the kids (and my camera) and head to the park. The kids had a great time playing and just running around. Sophie likes the swings the most and Aiden is all about the slides. Aiden hated the swing and I'm glad that I got a good picture out of it because he only let me push him once and then begged me to get him off of it! They had a great time getting some much needed fresh air and sunshine! Overall, I took about 150 photos and managed only about 20 good ones. You gotta love digital photography!

Sophie's Hair Cut

First of all, I want to say that there are pictures coming!

And here's the story....

We were at dinner tonight and I was looking at Sophie's hair and commenting on all the short little pieces in the front. I was thinking that it was new hair growth or something else until Travis said, "Sophie! Did you cut your hair?" in that upset fatherly tone of voice. Then I started to look. Yes, her hair had been cut in several different places, but because of the way it grows, you can't really tell unless you pull it back. And I can't really believe that I didn't notice it when I put her hair in a pony tail this morning. It is so obvious.

What happened next was the best part. When she was asked if she cut her hair, Sophie looked down, and said "yes." I had no choice to feel great as a parent, knowing that my child told me the truth, even though she knew she would get in trouble. We have told her over and over, that if she tells the truth, even though she made the wrong choice, she would always be in less trouble than if she lied to us. Travis and I were very proud of her for making the right choice. She got her scissors taken away for a while. (For those of you who don't know, she is an artist and does just about nothing but color and make "projects.") We let her know that if she had lied we would have taken away her colors, markers, stamps and paper too.

Now I'm thinking about her hair...not that I really care too much, I mean, what can you do??? I actually had to hide my laughing and was just glad that she didn't cut her curtains or bedspread or something expensive! She now has some bangs in front that are about 1/4 inch long and a couple other spots on the top of her head that are about 1 inch long. I have worked so hard to grow out her bangs since she was a baby and now I have the feeling that we'll have to cut bangs for her before uncle Garrett's wedding to hide the little shorties in front!

Kids, I'm making tacos for dinner!

Last night I was tired and just not feeling like making dinner, so Travis decided that he'd make dinner. It is not typical in our house that Travis will make dinner if I'm home (other than PBJs and mac-n-cheese), and the concept of her dad making tacos freaked her out! She said, "Daddy, you can't make dinner!" and "You don't know the recipe for tacos!" I'm pretty sure she was panicking! The tacos were good, but after dinner Sophie told her dad that mom's tacos are way better than his. It made me feel good even though I know they tasted exactly the same!

A Reminder.

It's the time of year where the hustle and bustle of the holidays is over and life is getting back into a routine. Gifts have been put away and resolutions are being tested. I think it's good to frequently remember that we have much to be thankful for, not just at the holidays, but year-round. The world is changing, our country is changing and there is much out there that can get you down. That's why I've decided to make a list of the things that I'm thankful for. I want to remind you what keeps me going, and of course, I want to hear what keeps you going. Make a list. Somehow writing it out makes you think how trivial all those complaints are.

1. Our Lord God
2. Jesus, who suffered and died in our place
3. A Christian Family- parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins
4. My husband, who is a great partner and a wonderful father
5. My Children, the two most wonderful children God has ever made (in my opinion)
6. Friends, who we know we can rely on for help, support, or friendship
7. Our Church Family
8. The Lord has provided for all our needs, and most of the time some of our wants
9. Our Jobs, however much we don't like them at times, it is good to remember that we have them
10. Our house, it's warm and is filled with way more than we need
11. A car that keeps running on minimal maintenance
12. Health- asthma, allergies, breathing treatments, back pain...seriously...those are minimal issues, I have nothing to complain about
13. Nearly free college education- work is paying for most of it... it's taking a lot of my time, but it's free
14. Living in a free country and those people who have sacrificed their time and lives to keep it that way- just watch the news, would you want to live in any of those places?

And for the fun things I'm thankful for:
1. Nap time
2. Starbucks
3. Borders
4. Shopping
5. My new camera
6. Living not too far from my family
7. Guitar hero (I'm sure we'll be getting this soon. Travis thinks we need to spend more time together and that this is just what we need!)
8. My iPod
9. Sleep
10. Shoes and shoe stores
11. Shopping with my Mom
12. Shopping with Sophie
13. Red (the color)
14. Books

I could list more. I just wanted to remind you to have a good year. Nearly everything on my list could be taken from me tomorrow, but number one and two will never be taken from me (or you.) It's important to remember that although there are hardships in this world, we are here on a temporary basis, and are meant for more than just mere existence. Contentment is also not the answer. Change your mind about your life, and then start to help others change theirs.

Cinderella and Belle

Sophie and Aiden love to dress up and even though Aiden has a cowboy, fireman and train costume, he still prefers the blue dress. Sophie just likes to try and look silly! They both love to wear the "old lady wig" that Travis wore for Halloween last year! It has been a lot of fun!