Our Day On The Ice!

I purchased a groupon for Ice Skating because Creighton has been begging to take ice skating lessons ever since she watch the movie "The Ice Princess." I stupidly thought, "how bad can it be?"

 My goodness though, she LOOKED adorable. I was shocked they had skates her size and was VERY unprepared for her to be on the ice or thinking her being on the ice was even an option. That was problem number 1.  I assumed she'd be thrilled and happy to just sit and watch her movie while we skated. But other than the 4 seconds it took me to take this picture, she was NOT at all happy to do that. Problem number 2.

 Creighton quickly found out that ice skating wasn't as easy as it looked in the movie Problem 3 (although at least I was prepared for this one :))

 Charleigh was so cute and really wanted to be out on the ice with us the whole time. Zone defense parenting skills AND ice don't mix! Problem 4

 Precious kiddos...on the rubber they were GREAT :O)

 Having those OFF her feet was a beautiful site to see :) 2 year olds have no business having ice skates on!

 Precious little Ice Princess...

 Ice Prince

 The only pair of ice skates they had that fit me were SO incredibly painful to wear because of plastic malfunction. Problem 5 But thankfully I am at least effective in skating, certainly no Ice Princess, but I can hang. My kids took that literally.....at times I am not sure how I didn't fall holding up both of their body weights as they wiped/almost wiped.

 MAJOR WIPEOUTS hurt really bad Problem 6. But the hugs you get while making it better make it easier on this momma's heart as I thought I was insane for bringing my kids to skate....

 Daddy was able to join us for most of the adventure! Wouldn't have made it at all without his help.

Falls without gloves, jeans and pads are NOT cool for kids.  Problem 7.

There were lots of problems, but all kinds of smiles, thumbs up, hugs and cute pictures along with them.  So it kinda was a wash. :) I doubt we'll be back any time soon, but it was a fun adventure while it lasted and I was never more thankful to be told free skate was over :)

Sweet Creighton

There's only ONE Creighton. Unique as they come. Amazing as they come, too. 

 Mommy and Daddy got to spend some one-on-one time with you, and you love all things art: acting, painting, dancing, singing, sculpting, drawing; if it involves DOING & BEING, you are doing it!

 We went to see Will Rogers (Jenks High School put on the musical)

 Mommy got to take you on a special date to the Disney Store to spend your gift card from Grammy. You were in HEAVEN. But you seriously are the most indecisive person on the planet! It took us 2 hours to find the perfect combination. You were thrilled with your choices.

 Rapunzel is one of your favorites but that day at the store you decided you also loved Minnie (out of nowhere).

 Afterwards we went to a dinner date at Steak-n-Shake because mom is cheap and kids eat free :)

 You didn't care. You are always SO much fun on dates. You light up and I seriously think you were meant to be an only child...too bad you are a middle :)

 There's Minnie who has remained a favorite even months later (I am so behind on posting, sorry!)

 You LOVE games. It doesn't matter what it is, you love to play it....well, only if you win!

 We had another special date to the Purple Glaze to paint! You had a blast there and picked out two items!

 My little artist! You are quite talented too!

 You play hard and you sleep hard girl! I found you like this one night...I check on you every night and rearrange your covers. Even in your sleep you are moving and wild...no different than when awake.

So proud of your star box. And your turtle! You were thrilled to see your finished work. We had to pick it up two days later after it was fired in the kiln.
You make my days a little crazy, but when you are gone, life's quite boring! :) I'm so thankful for your spunk and attitude and heart and wild wild girly tomboy playful and serious self. You are growing up on me way too fast. I can't believe you will be in Kindergarten in only a few months! I love you sweet girl with all my heart.

Curls!

One day at the mall before Christmas a lady at the mall stopped us to ask if she could curl my hair with a iron she was trying to sell.  I said she could curl Creighton's, but not mine.  She did. It looked great, but was not about to pay the fortune she was selling the straightener and/or wand for.  So I just kind of noted it in the back of my head to be looking out for.  I found a great deal on a wand and I purchased it because it was really easy and Creighton loves the curls!

 I did that in about 10 minutes in a super hurry before school one day for her.

 This is her AFTER school in the wind.  STILL CURLY!

 It lasted for like 2 1/2 days still very curly....
This one I took a little more time on, but still learning how to use it

 The first day they are very tight and you can see the separation lines pretty bad in this one.

 But this is the next day and they are more relaxed and SO pretty.  She eats it up!

 I even did her pigtails and it was cute and lasted for several days here too.

I love Charleigh's curls in the back so much and so does Creighton...now she can have curly hair too.  I've used the wand on Charleigh's not-so-curly front/side pony to make it a tight curl and it works perfect! Making the front match the back....works great!  woohoo....LOVIN' CuRLS

Tough Morning

One day we had our friends The Gore's over for a sleepover, yes, the whole family!  The night went fine.  The next morning was a bit chaotic on all kinds of levels.  First Charleigh started running a super high fever. Then she puked. No church for us. So that thwarted all kinds of plans.  So in the few hours that Daddy was gone at church, we had all kinds of mayhem happen.

 Jackson fell into the window pane outside in the fort. His tooth thankfully was already out (a few days prior, naturally) and it didn't do any damage to any teeth, but his poor gums were badly beaten. It could have been SO much worse had it been in either direction!

 Then Creighton fell outside and bumped her back pretty good.

 And poor Charleigh was still just not doing well at all.  She had RSV. :(  But even when she's sick she's still as cute as a button flashing that sweet smile of hers!

It was quite the rough morning for all of us.  Our friends the Gores haven't been back since :'\ Thankfully we have a long history and are due another family sleepover again soon :) (right Dana?)

Melt my heart with a bowl of cereal

One morning Jackson made himself breakfast and then I came in to find this one the counter:

Melt my heart! (even though I do not eat chocolate wheaties) The note said "mom    jackson" Love my orange juice and the thought! (he even remembered not to pour milk so it didn't get soggy!) love that boy!!!

Charleigh got her nails done...

Well painted anyway:)

 We were waiting on Nonna and she was running late so Miss Michelle painted her nails! She was thrilled!! Of course they were red, because EVERYTHING is red in Charleigh's life currently! :)

Happy smiles....love that cheese ball!

40 days

Dear Jackson, Creighton and Charleigh,

December 31, 2011 dinner was Daddy's last meal until Feb 9th, 2012. He didn't have one speck of food for 40 straight days. It was a LONG time period and Daddy was literally starving.  He shed over 40 pounds during the time frame.

 Mommy made Daddy a chain (and a 40 day chain was LONG just to make, I can't personally imagine not eating for that long!).  We got down to day 40! Woohoo....

 Look how great he looks!  Although losing weight was certainly an added bonus to his fast, Daddy did not fast to lose weight.  (Nor was he losing weight because he was sick or had cancer, as many tried to conclude).  He was fasting because he wants revival among the youth of this upcoming generation! That was the main reason. There were a few personal reasons as well, but he fasted for the leaders of tomorrow.

I know that change is happening and I am so proud of Daddy for playing such a vital role in that.  Not many people can stand before you in honestly say that they have fasted at all, and most cannot say they've done a long term fast. Those that have successful completely a 40 day fast are minimal.  But it's not about pride or boasting that I write this post.

 (the first meal he was able to have was 5 boiled and peeled tomatoes, only)

Your Daddy is serious.  Your Daddy loves the Lord and he loves us. He takes the Word of the Lord seriously. He is dedicated to his calling of serving students, leading students and loving them.  He has walked the road before and can help if/when you feel the call to do a long term fast. He trusted that the Lord Jesus would sustain him, even when everyone else doubted. His faith is real. I wanted you to know.
The Word speaks of WHEN you fast, not if. I pray that you all will be able to make spiritual disciplines a large part of your every day once you are firmly standing on the Rock.

Lots of love,
Mommy