Family Worship

About a year and a half ago, we made a real effort to begin and do family worship every night.  Now, I will say, we don't do it every night, but we do at least do a Bible story and prayer.  But we really have tried to add scripture memorization and music to our nightly routine.  It's a little crazy, since the Joshua requires a little more 1:1 time from mommy at night, so sometimes, I'm taking care of big boy and Daddy's tag-teaming the big boys...but, nevertheless, we try.  Usually, I sing songs with the boy and tell him the verses we've learned while daddy does the Bible stories and prayers with the big boys.  So I guess it's not really FAMILY worship, but we do the best we can. 

Occasionally, we get the distinct honor of doing worship with our dear friend Luke Wisley, who has an incredible gift from the Lord.  He comes by once every 4-5 weeks or so and we do full on family worship as Luke leads us with his voice and guitar.  Tonight, was one of those blessed nights for us.  We just love Luke so much.  So thankful to have wonderful young men to be Godly role models for our sweet boys.  Joshua was precious tonight... just staring up at Luke while he was playing.  Then, he started trying to give Luke things while he was playing.  So cute.  Really.  Most of the time, he just kind of played around doing his own thing, but when Luke played "Jesus Loves Me" - he flat out stood still and was mesmerized.  He clearly knows that's his "nite nite" song.  After it, he went to the gate and wanted his pacis.  So cute!  Thanks Luke for blessing us tonight - we love ya!!

favorite moments

One of my favorite ever momma moments happened last night.  And then just like that, one of the OTHER moments that defines motherhood happened today.  :-) They really deserve separate blog posts, but I'll just put them together. 

Last night, Billy was playing ball so I was home alone for bedtime...not a big deal, but not always the easiest task either.  SO, last night at 730, I had big boys get on their jammies and work on brushing their teeth while I gave Joshua his bottle and snuggled him and sang silly songs (MY FAVORITE PART OF THE DAY WITH HIM... and the only time he's still.)  He laughs and laughs.  I tell him all the Bible verses that the boys have memorized and he shakes his head whenever I say no one or never...  it's so cute.  Anyway, when I was done with him and laid him down, I came into the big boys' room to find this...

Melt.my.heart.  Jacob was reading the Bible stories and Jonathan was reading the little prayer at the end.  I ran down to get my camera and when I came back upstairs, they hadn't moved - so I did what all mommas do... I eavesdropped.  Come on, you know you've done it too!  I heard Jacob say, "I love reading the Bible.  Like, I LOVE it."  Jonathan said, "Yeah, me too.  God is cool."  Ahhhhh - almost erases all the tough moments - the fighting, the tattling, the WILD boy behavior, the dirty clothes all over the floor.  What a special moment for this momma! 


And then there's today... another snow day.  Sigh.  But it's been great.  A play date, Valentine's crafts, homemade cookies, lots of Brown Bear Brown Bear reading... and then.there.was.lunch.  Joshua was getting cranky - too close to nap!  So, I put some carrots and green beans on his tray and he immediately threw all of them on the ground.  He is a thrower, that boy!  I immediately took him out of his chair said, "Uh Oh" and put him in time out - only the second or third time I've really done it.  He was pitiful sitting by the door  - but totally didn't move.  I grabbed my camera and went in to get a sneak peak and this is what I got...  Can that sweet boy turn on for the camera or what?   love his heart - but the throwing??? not so much!!!!

What I Should Be Doing...

Goodness... I'm sitting here snuggled under covers, perusing facebook and writing this blog.  Feeling a little guilty while doing so...Y'all - you should see my house.  There's unknown sticky substances on my kitchen floor.  Dirty dishes in the kitchen sink.  Zaxby's sacks (yep - that IS what I cooked for dinner) cluttering the counters, and countless balls and little alphabet magnets all over the place. There are remnants of Valentines Day crafts on the table and scraps of papers the littles failed to pick up after craft time (they tried!).  The contents of every basket in the bathroom is dumped out in the floor and there's a game of Candyland that we started but didn't finish in the floor.  Oh and I can't forget the bags of stuff I pulled together to spend the night with some dear friends because our power was out today.  It came back on, but the bags are still packed.   And I should be cleaning it all up.  But I'm pooped. 

I've always tried to remind myself that at the end of the day, my kiddos won't give a hoot about a clean house.  Today I need that reminder.  I KNOW that they won't remember a clean house today, here's hoping they will remember the Candy Land game, beating me at Disney Beat the Parents (twice, but who's counting...), the impromptu dance party, watching Joshua bust a move and the Valentine's Day crafts we made for my new niece. Oh and to top it off - we spontaneously went to see a movie... Frozen is SOOOOO good.   Yes, those are the memories that build a family.  Not Windex and pledge and the trusty ole vacuum.  Here's to many more dance parties and fun games of "win lose or draw" on the chalk board... 

Oh Snow days, you.are.exhausting.  Fun, but exhausting!

Here's a few pics from the other snow day this week (Monday) - today, it was too icy to get out and play.  :-)