Snow day {well, half!}

We haven't had much winter weather here in Oklahoma.  It's been cold off and on, but nothing too consistent.  But we love to see snow! And today we got more snow than expected! The drive to school was uneventful and there wasn't much of anything on the roads.  But just two hours later and the roads were covered! The snow picked up and school was released early!

After nap time {for the littles}, the boys decided they should go outside! While it was so, so very cold -- I did throw on a coat and take a few pictures.  This seems like the first snow day where the boys have actually played outside and both of them enjoyed it! Elise was very upset that she was inside and I did sit her on the patio for a few minutes.  She enjoyed that -- until Andrew threw snow on her.  {Such is life with brothers, I guess.} That was when the ladies retreated to the warm indoors!

Yay for snow days! Yay for snow! Yay for both that like the snow!

Being the little brother is tough.

Elise is not spoiled at all. Also, she likes necklaces.

A list for you.

I realize I haven't blogged in two weeks.  I've been writing posts in my head, but they never actually happen.  Instead, I will give you an informative list about our lives and you can look forward to my next post about all the awesome foods I've been cooking up.  You'll want to check back for that one.

*Patrick was in Ecuador for nine days.  Well, two of those days were travel days.  He was teaching pastors there about the Old Testament.  God did awesome things and I'm so blessed to serve a man who willingly fulfills the ministry God has called him to at this point in his life.  Patrick is so gifted at teaching and presenting the Word well.  God has certainly gifted him! And I think he is awesome.

*We have been playing "Pirates and Princess" a lot lately.  And I'm pretty sure our couch has been a castle for three days.  There is really no reason to take it down only to put it back up.

*When we play P&P, Benjamin always asks me to dress up like a princess.  So, I put on my prom dress {which is black and too big, so it just doesn't look very princess-y} and B said, "Um. Where is your big, white and fluffy princess dress".  I explained that I wasn't a real princess and that I did not have a dress like that.  Although, I think I need to change that.  I kind of want him to think that I'm a real princess ;)

*And while we were playing P&P tonight, I had on the black prom princess dress and Patrick started this awful bit about black being the evil witch dress color.  But I'll have you know that, despite his best efforts to turn B against me, B did not want me to change and insisted that I was still the princess.  Bless that child.

*I found this new app called PepperPlate.  It's wonderful and I really enjoy it.  And I will elaborate when I go into detail about the yummy food we've had for dinner in my next post.

*My mom is having surgery {again} to remove cancer from her body on Wednesday.  This is round number two for her and the cancer is in a different spot this time.  Please pray for her and the surgery and the doctors.  And go ahead and give her a little shout out in the comments ;)

*B wants to be a "Star War" for halloween.  And I laugh about this.  But he's very serious.  We have never seen the movies {as in, he has not} and only knows about Star Wars from friends.  And Target.  As far as I can gather, he wants to be a jedi -- not a storm trooper, or darth vader, or princess Leah.  He mentioned something about Luke Starwalker.  Ha. hahahahhahahahaha.  He makes me laugh so much, and sometimes he has no clue.

*I was thinking today that Andrew will be 17 months old in six days.  I got pregnant with Andrew when B was 17 months old.  And I was sick a lot  and slept on the couch and B watched A LOT of Elmo and I don't know how we survived.  But my point is this:  I would not trust Andrew at all if I fell asleep on the couch.  And even more, I would not trust B and AR together if I was asleep on the couch. B is a little more cautious, but still Andrew has no fear and does not watch TV.   SO hear this -- God's timing is ALWAYS perfect :) Amen.

That's all for now.  I need to sleep.

Pictures galore.

Dear blogger world.  I do take pictures of my children, I promise. {see below}  It's just that my iPhone is so handy and I can make those pictures intsagram pictures and I really like that.

But for those of you who think my boys are super cute and want to see real life pictures of them -- here you go!!! :)

Andrew loves to help/play with the dishwasher.

These guys are t.r.o.u.b.l.e together sometimes!

Fuzzy. Blue chalk smile.

My thinker.

Isn't he handsome?!

Just my baby eating {another} stick.  No big deal.  It's good fiber, people!

Andrew LOVES the water.

B loves playing around the water.  But not in it.

See.

Snacker.

Sweeeeet face.

See those teeth? He has 7 total.  Apparently he is in no hurry to get teeth because he can consume anything he desires with the seven he has!

Patrick made out back yard awesome with a new deck, this awesome patio, a sandbox and a little garden. We are loving it!

He also loves balls.  And being outside.

This is what I walk into on a regular basis.  Sheesh.

Haha. Andrew.

Playing "Coffee Shop". I have no clue where he would get that from.

Another fuzzy one.  But he was sleeping during lunch.  We are working on getting rid of the morning nap -- by Andrew's choice, not mine!!!

And some day there will be more pictures.  I just don't know when :)

Mom thoughts... {a lot of them}

There are days when I long for more babies.  I would take as many as we could have/get.  But there are other days -- when I'm on the verge of pulling my hair out -- that make me question the insanity of more children.  

Having a somewhat strong willed, independent, opinionated first born -- who is high energy and needs a lot of attention -- makes me feel like I'm putting in a lot of work and getting only a little accomplished.  It also makes me feel like I'm not giving Andrew all that he needs because so much of me is given to Benjamin.  And I will tell you quite honestly that my second doesn't get nearly as much attention {one on one} or play time as my first did.  I think that is just life, though.  I would be super amazed to meet a momma who gave every single thing to her second as her first -- especially when they are 26 months apart {or less!!}.

But they adapt.  You adapt. Always.  And, Lord willing, are no worse for the wear.  Either of them!

{Mommy guilt is real, though, and should be prayed over and talked through with great wisdom and rational.  Our job is hard, as a mom, and there are great ways to over come feeling awful, or like a failure, or just simply not good enough.  God chose us to be the momma's of each child.  It was not a mistake.  Take heart in knowing that the Creator of the universe gave you each of your children because YOU would be the best mom for him/her.}

Finding their needs and meeting them can be hard.  I hear Benjamin yelling for me, and I find that he simply wants to be near me.  At the same time, Andrew is pulling at my leg with a book.  Clearly there is a compromise AND a good solution.  But not all situations come with a good solution or a compromise.

Days that are full of difficult decisions or not-so-easy solutions can be so exhausting.  Finding the best choice for both of my boys can be taxing on them and me.  And, on days like this, we are all a little weary and tearful by the end of the day.  But there is so much hope in the fact that God has given me wisdom as the momma of Benjamin and Andrew to give them whatever the need for that day.  And whatever I can't give them -- He does.  He's faithful and full of love.  Praise His holy Name!!

I am so grateful for the endurance and patience and strength that only the Lord can amply supply.  Being a momma without Him sounds like the most difficult, daunting and discouraging thing I can think of.  I love that I can find encouragement in His word.  I love that praying for myself and my boys can change everything.  I love that a simple worship song, or two, can bring peace and laughter.

I'm grateful that the Lord is my perspective and not the world.

I'm grateful that my worth is not what my children think of me, but that it's in the King of Kings.

I'm grateful that my heart can rest in Him, it can find peace in Him, it can rejoice in all things because of Him.

So don't lose heart yet, momma!  All that YOU need is found in Christ -- your worth, satisfaction and joy.  Your children can't complete you or fill any voids.  Your babies grow up and everyones needs change. Enjoy the arms of Jesus and rest at His feet.  His burden is easy and His yoke is light.  And there is, quite simply, no better place to find yourself as you spend your days mothering small {or big} children.  

This {being a momma} is your ministry, find yourself in Christ so you can fulfill it well and for His glory!

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Need some biblical encouragement? 

"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress, I shall not be shaken.  On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.  Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us." ~Psalm 62:7-8

"But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded." ~2 Chronicles 15:7

"Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him." ~Proverbs 13:24

"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable.  He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength." ~Isaiah 40:28-29

Grass and brothers.

Andrew did not like sitting in the grass a few weeks ago.  

He didn't like it so much, in fact, that I ran inside to get my camera so I could take a few pictures of him being very upset about grass.  

I am happy to report that in the last four weeks {picture delay.oops!} since these pictures were taken, Andrew thoroughly enjoys being outside -- even if it means sitting in the grass :)

You will see, in the progression of pictures, that B came over to sit with him in hopes that the grass would be more appealing.  

It was not. 

But Benjamin was, per usual, very appealing.

Here is a glimpse into how my boys interact on a fairly normal basis:

{Hee hee hee. I'm chuckling at these boys over here! Hope y'all are having a great day!}