My How They Grow

I was cleaning up outside today and came upon Charles' and Jay's shoes. I had not realized how big Jay's feet had gotten. Wow!! Of course, as a Mom, I started getting a little sad. Where has the time gone? Where have I been? Am I being the best Mom I can be to these sweet children who are growing far too quickly? It felt as though God was reminding me that they were not going to be little forever. 

I can get in those moods when I am wondering when they will ever grow up and be able to do things for themselves like pick up their things or do their own laundry. But, today, I needed to be reminded that all of those things will come, sooner than I think. For now, I need to ENJOY where we are. Thank you, God, for the reminder! 

A Little Caterpillar Came to Our House to Play

My children have been wanting a pet for 

sometime. I grew up with lots of pets. We had cats, dogs, fish, birds, gerbils, rabbits, hamsters, turtles, even horses and cows. You name it, we had it at some point. I loved having them. So I can completely understand their desire for a pet. Problem is, Charles is not as gungho on the idea. Well, my children, being super smart, decided they were going to have a pet anyway. While working in the yard last weekend, we spotted several caterpillars. So, you guessed it, we had to keep one of the little guys. Bless his heart. We got a plastic container for him and put leaves and a stick in it. He must have known what was coming. I could almost hear him screaming, "NOOOO!!!". He was then taken on the ride of his life. The kids took him on the trampoline, a bike ride, and all through our house(upside-down). Ahhh, every caterpillars' dream day. They even named him. Cabby (I think it was supposed to be Catty but we misunderstood and no one knew the difference).  He spent the first night sleeping with Roo(still in his box of course).   

After Cabby visited Roo's class and the new wore off (after a WHOLE week), we reluctantly put him back in the yard. Our time with Cabby was not in vain, I believe we saved him from certain death. It was very cold here last week and many a not-so-lucky caterpillar were found on our back porch. After having Cabby, I wonder if we are really ready for a "real" pet. Maybe we will move up to a fish and see what happens. I'll keep you posted.

Preparing for Easter

This year was my year to have Easter lunch. I had my whole family over, my brother's family, my sister's family, my mom and dad, and my in-laws. It was wonderful. We had such a fun time together.   

 (Side Note) It is funny how when we get together we end up telling the same stories over and over from our childhood. We are all just dying laughing and our spouses and children are looking at us like we have lost our minds. I guess we feel some wisdom can be gained by telling these stories in the first place and then we retell it because someone obviously did not get the point. Maybe we just think we are getting old and need to relive the past to feel young again. Anyway, I love my hubby for allowing me to tell those same stories and he acts so surprised and laughs at just the right spots. Bless his heart. 

(Now back to the point) As I was preparing food and table decorations, I was starting to stress out a bit. Now, I love to host a party. Absolutely love it! I would not have had it any other way than to have Easter at my house. That all said, I do tend to stress a bit when it gets to the day before. I start getting that feeling that everything is not going to come together, my table decor looks awful, the house is not spotless, the food is going to taste terrible and so on. A real little "woe is me" moment. And , of course, I started doing this Sat. night. I had to stop and remember why I was doing all of this. Not to show off my spotless house or the pretty flowers on my tables or the yummy food or even our Easter attire. It was to enjoy spending time with the family I love so much, sharing old, worn out stories, laughing together, getting so full we could barely breath, loving on each other. Most of all, I realized that in my anxious state, I was not focusing on the real reason we were getting together in the first place, to celebrate the Risen Lord! What was I thinking putting any of this Easter Celebration on me? It has nothing to do with me and everything to do with Him.