The Biggest Entitlement Program

If you're like me government entitlement programs are very unsettling. When in history has it ever proved affective to give people free handouts with out requiring any sacrifice on the recipients behalf? So, if it is that concerning when the government does it, why I am I not doing everything in my power to remove entitlement from the little ones in my care? One of our jobs as parents is to teach our children discipline. If all we do is give them freely God's resources that have been entrusted to us how are we teaching them discipline and sacrifice?. The last two weeks around here have been rough. I could easily blame it on two weeks with Grandma and the kiddos getting everything their hearts desire, but I think I would be missing the truth. While that may have contributed to the problem, I was made painfully aware of the monsters I've been creating after the celebration of Caleb's birthday party. He has been naughty ever since we came home from Texas. It has been pretty overwhelming watching my little ones treat each other as though stuff is far more important than loved ones, but until Sunday it was more a theory. After a wonderful party and great celebration one would think I would have the happiest little boy on the planet. Oh contraire! His behavior resembled the little boy in the movie Problem Child.  I decided to take away everything for a few days to help him feel the pain of his bad choices, but what I realized after two days is that my theory was actually reality. I finally fully understand the devastation that results when our focus gets on things.  In the past two days the kiddos have been getting along fabulously. No fighting over toys and I haven't heard the words "hey that's mine" or seen Caleb plow his sister as she confiscates a Dinosaur. I am working on our language to teach them everything is God's and none of it is ours, so they realize they are gifts entrusted to them. A great reminder to me as well. 


I lost my beloved iPhone. I was pretty upset. I left it on the playground and when I went back to retrieve it, it was gone. I wanted to cry, but I thought about the message I am trying to teach my children about stuff. I realized it is just stuff and can be replaced. Maybe not now, because it would cost a few hundred dollars. For now maybe God wants to remove an item that frequently metabolises my time and robs me at times of being all he wants me to be.
  

Caleb is 4!!!

We celebrated his 4th birthday today and it was amazing thanks to Daddy!!! We thought we were going to have to cancel the bounce house we ordered because of the none stop rain we have been experiencing. 2 years in a row it has tried to rain on our parade. However, Daddy pulled through in the clutch and not only found a new location indoors but managed to get an awesome Chuggy Choo Choo that fit perfectly in the banquet room at the golf club.

It seemed that everyone had a blast.

We enjoyed some food and played a game.
Lindsey one of Caleb's friends from preschool found the first Night Fury.

And Coleton a great buddy won the second prize.

Hosting events is definitely not my strong suit. I tend to get a little stressed out and ampt up. Hence we sang happy birthday after I served half the cake to the kiddos. And then I loudly declared CRAP!! So all the little ones got to take home a great vocabulary word. Oops. 

Of course we had the How to Train Your Dragon theme.

Jeremy captured this picture of two moms that are always behind the lens and rarely ever seen.

So thankful for this family being in our lives and living just a couple houses away.

And I love this family that we have built great memories with over the last year. 

I determined that simple things like noise makers, rings with dragons on them and balloons are great entertainment for preschoolers. Such a fun time, and I especially loved that the clean up was super low maintenance. I am so thankful for all our sweet friend that came and made this day so special. 

Caleb loved that he got to celebrate and play with his wonderful friends, but he was also pretty excited about the presents.

Here he is enjoying one of his new toys in the shower before bedtime, ending an amazing and blessed day.

 

Growing Up Fast

You really see how quickly your little ones are growing up when you move away while friends have newborns or are pregnant and you return almost a year later to little people who can walk, talk and are developing unique personalities. I had so much fun reconnecting with my mommy group and sweet friend Alyssa. I always miss these girls, but after spending a couple days getting filled with great conversation, and watching our kiddo reconnect like no time had passed it was especially hard to say good-bye. Thankfully it was super hot and I couldn't breath so I had a little motivation to get back to the north. Oh and Cory was at home and missing his family. The Vorel's hosted use for 2 nights and I loved it. Courtney really is a person that models Christ amazingly. I always think of the verse Paul said imitate me as I imitate Christ. She lives out her walk and I do look to her for wisdom and encouragement. So I was especially excited to get to be inserted into her everyday. I was encouraged and left feeling loved and cared for. All the kids did great together. I will especially cherish watching Makaylee and Lillie bond on our drive home from the Science Museum. They sang together made up games and Lillie even made up a sweet song about her brother we got to enjoy. The boys had a great time at the science museum and especially enjoyed digging for dinosaurs.

Or should I say jumping off` rocks

Watching the big nose sneeze

Playing in the water

Being firefighters

We also stayed at the Kreusch's house for a night and I had so much fun visiting and getting great advice from Caren. All the travel has been so worth it and considering the long hours and many miles has gone amazing. After this fun trip to Dallas I headed to Denver. My sweet little ones are in the care of Grandma and Papa and I can't wait to see my Sister, Attie, Dad and all my other wonderful family. The only thing hard about flying without my kids is leaving them behind

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Adventure Kingdom Part II

The Cake

Dinos for brother and of course princesses for our princess A party wouldn't be complete without presents

The mini golf course was impressive.
Four!!! Someone forgot to tell Caleb it was 40 feet not yards.

Getting in on the fun

The balloon game was a blast we got soaked, but so did papa.

We were so thankful for the family that shared this special day

Aunt Shelda

Papa

Caleb and Joni

Maddie and Makaylee