6 Months!! (long)

As my friend Stacey said: "Don't adjust your screens" - yes I am finally posting! Yes, it has been 6 months, and yes I actually have something to say- Hey It's been 6 months.

Let's just start with NO #4 is not on the way, although for some reason Donovan thinks it's time. He keeps talking about the next baby. Devin is only 2 1/2 months buddy, take a breath - Let Mom shed the weight from the other 2.

We'll start with Terrence and I! We have thankfully been unscathed by this so called recession. And after watching Dave Ramsey's "Town Hall for Hope" have decided not to participate in it! We have learned over the past year that credit cards are horrible!! And not the easy way either. Although I can't imagine how you would learn that the easy way. We are working to become debt free and finally have got our rumps in gear to pay them off. It will take time probably a long while, but we are set on doing it. So please pray for us that God will give us the wisdom and guidance to make wise decisions and be good stewards of ALL He has given us.

We have found a wonderful new church that is literally across the street from us. Yes! We still manage to be late, but apparently we are right on time with everyone else there!! Our friend Lynn calls it "RE" time. Terrence has jumped right into serving, which I love. It motivates me. We just started "The Purpose Driven Life" and while I knew it wasn't "all about me" the majority of the time I wanted it to be. That doesn't mean I don't go every day without a self-centered attitude. I am just more aware of it now and will attempt to create a new thought process when those thoughts sneak in. I now know how and why it isn't all about me... How he has put ALL of us here for His purpose and that everything you do right down to picking up a piece of trash is a test on Character. This is the practice run. I have learned that the closer I am to God and the more time I spend with Him, the more all the other stuff with seem trivial. How our life is a millimeter of what Eternity is going to be. So why would it matter what you drive, wear or live in. It's not going with you. This body will pass away but he has a house for you that will last eternity. Who wouldn't want that!! These last 2 weeks have been very enlightening. Terrence and I have taken turns each night reading a chapter from the book and it has been wonderful. Onto the mini's

For whatever reason the G-Units thought my daredevil 2 year old needed a Barbie 4 wheeler. Now I imagine any other almost 2 year old would sit on it and ride it like your supposed to. Feet flat on the "feet holders" hands on the handlebar. That lasted about 2 weeks. Yesterday she had her feet and hands on the handlebars driving, she tried the sideways sitting position, I think her favorite is standing up though. My favorite has to be her running into the walls, couch, car, door, big brother, or anything else that happens to be in front of her. Yes I said brother! AND she can steer, she chooses not too. Because steering would be too much fun. And why should she when brother is such a fun target! It also makes a great step stool for lights, the refrigerator, trying to get in the pack and play with the baby, and to reach those hard to get to places for a 2 year old. You know the places that you put the items you don't want her to have. So when your children's grandparents ask if they can buy your child a power wheels 4 wheeler, remember what they taught you in DARE and just say NO. OR tell them to Keep it at their house; my walls, car and oldest child have enough dents in them. I could go on for days with the things that Avery does to entertain us. She is our No Fear kid. Her pain tolerance is so high it frightens me. She has no problem getting down on the floor and wrestling with Dad and brother. She will run full force into almost anything, fall , get up and keep going. It should have hurt, it would have hurt me. But apparently she can take and give a hit like a linebacker. She had a double ear infection, and the only reason I even thought something was wrong was because she woke up in the middle of the night screaming had she not done that we never would have known! On the flipside, she is a loving, sweet, happy little girl, who ADORES her brothers. She may smother the baby one day with so much love but she loves him none the less! Avery will help wipe a diaper, even a poo poo one. She helps me load and unload the washer and dryer, she will carry the clothes to the washer or couch when complete and will see it thru until the task is finished. She will throw anything in the trash that you ask her. She will grab a blanket for the baby if he is going to sleep or a bink if he is crying. She is super independent and also has those "I don't want to do anything today but sit and cuddle with Mom" days. She loves books and her "baby" videos - for example baby einstein, baby so smart. She has also decided Horton hears a who is pretty funny as well. Mom and Dad enjoy this one so repetitive watching is not an issue! Although Donovan I think may roll his eyes out of his head if he has to watch it again. Hmm... I felt the same way about the Wiggles. Which Avery totally digs but we only have 2 movies and they are on VHS -- HAHAHA so they will die eventually. She is going to be our little dancer, and most likely singer. She brings me so much joy that it outways all the almost heart attacks I have almost suffered because of her daredevil ways in her short 22 months.
We are still homeschooling! And the fact that Avery can count to ten and almost has her ABC's down keeps me sold. This is all completely unforced.

Onto the Oldest - Donovan is so SMART! He amazes me. The vocabulary this kid has blows my mind. He choice words lately are: "Well actually and Technically." He loves reading, science, math and Art. He tolerates handwriting. He is taking Karate and is Testing in a few weeks for his Orange stripe. For those of you, like me, who are Karate/Kung Fu illiterate - it's between a yellow and orange belt. From my understanding it means he has more work to do. I want him to take piano lessons, and he says he isn't interested. We'll see. He would love to play tackle football but Dad and I can't bring ourselves to let him bang himself up yet. He is a sports fanatic (I wonder where that comes from) He has an amazing love of the Lord, especially for a 7 year old. Donovan is a fun loving, big brother. He looks out for Avery and Devin already. He get's her out of bed in the morning and helps her brush her teeth at night. He is a great entertainer and has such a sweet heart.

Ahhh.. The youngest of the brood. Devin is the calmest one. The only time he cries is if he is REALLY hungry or REALLY tired. He fell right into the "Baby Wise" schedule Eat, wake time, and then Sleep. He just started really cooing and he rolled over about a week ago. He really doesn't like to be on his stomach so that's why I think he rolled over so fast. See, I am the mean mom and will just let him whine and fuss. I don't mind if he's on his stomach, why should he. LOL.

Well 3 is a whole new ballgame but I can't imagine how it would be without any one of them. They bring us so much joy and happiness.