Park Play

Before the weather becomes too hot for outside play, we love to take the kids to the park. Jeremy and Brandy usually go and do their own thing on the swings, and sometimes will get lucky and see a friend at the park. Our neighborhood has a few places with park equipment, and the main park we like to go to at the elementary school has three play areas to choose from.

Kien finds the slides as a thrill. Gabe... not so much.

This particular slide is a big FAIL in my book. First off, a slide should not be bumpy or jerk you

*very uncomfortably* side to side. Gabe didn't like this one either.

Kien goes front side down...

Gabriel, front side down..

Different Nights, Different Stories.

We love reading a variety of books before bedtime as well as in the daytime. Night time is a great time to wind down from the days events and just relax our minds. Kien loves reading his Bible Story book, and Gabe for a while, loves Goodnight Moon. We have ventured new stories, but those two are the favorite. Here is a collection of different nights with different stories.

We are searching for all the "Gah-Goo's" which translates to motorcycles.

In search for the mouse in Goodnight Moon!

And the Old Lady whispering hush...

It doesn't take long before one or both become restless and need a new story. Gabe is usually the one who needs to get up and move. Kien is pretty "chill" when it comes to listening with his ears and looking through his mind's eye of imagination!

Sometimes, Gabe likes to read solo. I know their teachers will be proud when they enter elementary school. Especially during reading time! :)

Puppies, Ah-who and BOOTS!

Gabriel is always loving on Daisy and Duke, sometimes a bit too strong, but the dogs love it. Gabe even shares his beloved "Ah-who" aka lovey, aka blankey. Yes, I have called him Linus! Ha!

 Brandy needed a new pair of shoes, of course! While she was browsing, Kien felt it necessary to try them on for her to see if they were the right style. He had fun, which was a WIN WIN situation because taking toddlers shopping for shoes is typically never fun because of screaming children or boxes toppled over from their curiosity of what is in them!

Needless to say, we did not choose these boots. :)

McDonalds Play Date

My sweet friend Katina and I decided that we were going to have to have a play date for the boys because time was on countdown before she and her two sons were to reunite with her husband who via Militarty, moved to Bahrain. Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands, the largest being Bahrain Island. You can read more at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahrain

Upon our arrival, the boys felt it necessary to just hang back and let us mom's order for them. Too bad it doesn't last into the teenage years! (Ha!)

I am sure they had quite the conversation, and even Gabe chimed in!  

 Still waiting. :)

 Since this was going to be the last time for a play date before they were to head on with their journey to another land, we just let the kids -play -eat -play -eat. No rules were set, it was a free for all. Gabe of course went straight for the car. :)

It is always sad to see any friends leave, especially as far as the Lackey's were moving to. Thanking God for places online such as facebook where, although their physical presence isn't here, we can still "see" them through photo's, posts and updates. :) :)

Enjoying Lunch at Chili's

Greg was with a friend for lunch, so we decided to go to Chili's. Well, I just opened a checking account for each of the kids and Jeremy was eager to use his debit card for the first time. It was actually a very nice time with all four kids. 

 Kien enjoying his food! 

 Gabe also enjoying his food, macaroni and cheese. 

 Note here that even Woody (his 2nd lovey) had to have his hat involved with dinner. (lol)

Home Team Date Night!

We are active in our home team which consists of a few precious people that attend our church's campus in Fort Worth. We typically meet twice a month for going over the last couple of messages taught by our Pastor, and the second is for Date Night. Now, we have a choice, we can either take some much needed one on one time with our spouse and do our own thing, or we can go as a group. Greg and I have opportunities to go on date nights more often because Brandy is our babysitter. (As she is for our home team as well). So, we choose to go as a group for the MUCH NEEDED adult interaction time. (Did I mention MUCH NEEDED? LOL)

Here are some of our awesome team members. 

Now, I know, it's suppose to be a "date" night, so you may be wondering how we can do this with a child with us! Well, Gabe is still too young to be left with the group because he requires a bit more attention one on one or with a small group. Brandy can have up to 10 children, so when there are that many children, or close to that number we just take Gabe with us. Of course, we can't seem to get it through to him that those are the nights he is NOT the center of attention. Does he listen?! LOL! 

Jumps Before Bed

Kien and Gabe have started a tradition of "jumps" before bed. They both stand on Kien's toddler bed and count to three. Then, they jump to the floor! For a while Kien would want to hold Gabe's hand, however, that was very short lived as Gabe was not a great "lander" from these said jumps. It was a recipe for disaster, so the -no hand holding- jumps are sufficient enough! Oh, and not to mention that our photo's are not great with the "action" shots, but you get the point! :) 

Gabe jumping! 

 Kien's turn! 

 Oh, and yes, sometimes there IS cushion at the bottom of their jump. Pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, whichever they feel necessary. :) 

 Kien was becoming bored with just the simple mattress to floor jumps, so he tried to spice things up a bit and  jump from the footboard. The first time was a disaster because he was still wearing his socks. So, instead of jumping to the rescue, the natural consequence lesson was learned so fast that the very NEXT jump he performed with NO SOCKS! Smart boy! 

Reading upside down, all around and not at all...

Gabe and Kien enjoy story time right before bed. Sometimes we will read before or after nap time depending on our schedule. Kien is open to read a variety of books. He does have his favorites, but doesn't stick to just one. Gabe on the other hand, his absolute favorite is "Goodnight Moon" -which is cute to listen to him speak some of the words. I have noted that both Kien and Gabe, on separate accounts, both enjoy finding the mouse that is on each of the colored pages. I wonder if that is common with other Goodnight Moon readers?!

For Gabe, it doesn't matter if the book is upside down or not, he still loves it!  

 Here is the miniature version of the big "Goodnight Moon" book. He also likes to skip the black and white pages for some strange reason. *shrug*

 Kien has a short attention span sometimes. Other times he can sit and contently study the details of every page in a book he is interested in. He gave Gabe his "Things That Go" book to hold on to so he could release some physical energy that was bound up, I suppose. He is our little monkey man and very graceful with his jumps.

 I don't like to, but at times it's a must to get on the floor with the boys. I used to love sitting on the floor, but since the hip surgeries it is more difficult for me to just get right up with no aches or popping of the knees even. I do it anyway because my boys like for me to. Old in body, young in spirit? Ha!

 Here we are again with "Goodnight Moon" -this time I was the one animating the "old lady, whispering hush" which Gabriel will do himself from time to time. Kien is reading a mother goose book. Which, I must say, I remember hearing the same stories growing up, but as an adult, some of those nursery rhymes are barbaric and crude! So, we say the cute ones and the book now stays in the closet. *sigh*

 Oh, oh... I ALMOST have Gabe's attention with another book!

 Oh, yes! Finally a glance!

 Then I lost him to his favorite book!

 Gabe even had to sit away from me, I guess I was reading too loudly. (LOL)

Our Mall Experience... YEP! We Survived!

What was I thinking?! - was the question I asked come 60 minutes after our normal routine of what we call lunch time! When you have four kids, eh hem -- TWO TEENAGERS and TWO TODDLERS to be exact, it leads to a very interesting and tiring (calgon take me away ~ hunnie can I please have a foot massage) kind-of experience!

The PLAN was to go with the following list...

Sears:

1. Electrolux Vacuum Bags

2. Shorts for Jeremy

3. Cute tops for Brandy

4. Filter for Fridge

Dillards:

1. Greg Jeans

2. Clearance racks

Forever 21

1. Tops for Brandy

Antie Em's Pretzel

(yummy treat)

Old Navy/Baby Gap:

1. Jeans for Kien

Well, need-less-to-say.... we did stick to the plan. (muffled - kinda)

Ok, you know how it goes.. Plans change!!! Always.. if you are woman, you KNOW plans will change. That's my story, and I am STICKING TO IT!! hahaha ---

I totally was side tracked by the Sketcher tennis shoe sale. My beloved Sketchers, oh how I love thee! SO side tracked that I totally spaced my mental list and forgot the vacuum bags and filter for our fridge. LOL -- BUT- I did spend enough to get a free $10.00 gift card, so now I HAVE to go back! :)

Lunch was a must at the point two babies were squealing and reaching for every item on the rack that we passed and the two teenagers were constantly complaining of hunger pains. Sonic was fast and the line was near none when we rolled into the food court. Kien and Gabe each wanted the corn dog. Brandy and Jeremy had a breakfast burrito and frito chili cheese wrap. I went straight to the caffeinated drink, Dr. Pepper. (lol) And we skipped the pretzel. :(

Then, after being rejuvenated and feeling ready to get our shop on again, we hit two stores before the boys' eyes became mesmerized and the noise that proceeded out of their mouths was the largest squeal, "mommy mommy, stop! We have to shop for this!" says Kien. Gabe's words... "DOW DOW DOW"... along with an earth shaking (more like stroller jerking) sways back and forth as if I was going to stop all heaven and earth for him to get down and go play on these magnificent (slap the vendor for putting them right in front of where I needed to go to get out of the mall) toys!
WHICH BY THE WAY.. we put $1.25 in the $0.75 it took to ride and it never moved! GRRRR...

Lesson?! We will only do this AS NEEDED or with Daddy's presence! LOL

Gabe's First Haircut!

Gabe's hair was getting so long that I noticed that he was constantly pushing it out of his eyes. It was finally time. The only worry I had -hence the reason I was waiting as long as I could- was that once I cut his curls, they wouldn't come back. With Brandy and Jeremy they both had locks. When I gave them their first haircuts, *POOF* the curls were gone. BUT--- have no fear, curling DNA is here!! LOL! 

Luckily enough from Greg's side, when I pulled the hair out straight and cut the length it "boinged" right back into a tight curl!! YAY!!! Well, this is good for now while he is young. :)  

By the way, if you will take note of the decoy to keep him from moving or turning his head, it worked like a CHARM! :) :)

 Here is the side view after I "trimmed" his hair. :) :)

 Oh, yes, I saved it. Written in permanent marker on the inside of a plastic sandwhich baggie is the date Gabe received his first haircut. I actually have each of my children's hair saved for their baby books!! :) I know, cheesy.



Recent Words, Their Translations and A Cute Conversation

Gabe:

NO = NO

oyE oyE oyE = "Woody" from Toy Story. (say really fast with the LONG E sound at the end) ~lol

Daddy go? = Where did Daddy go?

Go a rie! = I want to go for a ride ~in daddy's car of course~

oooh dow = I want down

brooohh = It broke -or- I throw it

durmey = Jeremy

Mommy = Mommy (go figure)

Dobey = Brandy

Nana = Nana (my mom) or Banana

Papah= Papa

Dassy = Daisy (our girl boxer)

moreey = I want more (also included with the signing as well =) )

Baaa= ball

noo = nose

eye = ear

eye = eye

pee pee = well, you know.

bee bee = belly button

beebee = baby

on = one

tooh = two (see a pattern here? yes, it tells on mommy that she uses the "one, two, three" to get things done around here LOL)

oh no = oh no (basically when he drops something)

nomi nom = want something yummy to eat

ok = yes

where da go? = where (person) go

eh -geh-gee-om-di-ba-na-no-beh-nom-iss = trying to talk, not sure what he is saying

ONE TIME SAID -- bah-boo was blanket but now he responds to the word "blankey" but does not yet say it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kien: Mommy, can I wear my Buzz Lightyear belt to school today?
Mommy: Sure, lets see if it will fit.
Kien: Oh, my teachers are REALLY going to like my belt when I show them.
Mommy: Oh yeah? I bet they will, too.
--trying on belt--
Mommy: Uh, oh, it won't fit in these jeans buddy, it's too big.
Kien: Oh, great! Can you just make it fit?


Kien: I "fink" (think)
Kien: Your fired

My innter thoughts part 1- Do you fully TRUST God?

I signed up for Max Lucado's devotionals weekly knowing that every word of scripture will feed me during the in between times I read my "life's manual" -aka Bible. For today, it suggested asking our selves if we truly trust God in any and all situations. One of the scriptures that I had found in the devotion to be quite, well... different from what I had ever been taught or heard about God's Love, or more specifically - God doesn't cause bad things to happen. I have always held on to the scripture Matthew 5:45 That you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. This is what has helped me KNOW that I will face adversity, and bad things WILL happen. However, the scripture I read today was:

I am the one who creates the light and makes the darkness. I am the one who sends good times and bad times. I, the Lord, am the one who does these things. (Isa. 45:7)

I suppose I never really paid attention to the part where he says, "I am the one who sends good times and bad times." I have always told people that God doesn't "cause" bad things to happen. Which made me question, wouldn't that be a false statement I have made to all those people I have ministered to?

I understand that God doesn't desire to inflict pain, or cause us to stumble in anyway shape or form. That would mean He contradicts Himself, which He doesn't! AND- I know that God uses "bad" situations to bring such magnificent victory in many evident ways to uplift and reach out to those who NEED victory in their lives.

I also look at JOB. Job was a faithful man of God in every way, shape AND form. Even to the UTMOST while during the times he lost everything right down to the one thing God told satan he couldn't have, and that was his last breath. What an AMAZING testament of Job trusting God in every way possible right to the rock bottom. However, God didn't "cause" or "send" these things to happen to Job, but He gave satan the ability to test Job's heart. So, I would then say God "allowed" these things to happen.

I can share heart wrenching situations that have happened in my own life that could attest to the bad, but I can testify the outcome of God's victory without missing a beat in every single situation. I have never believed that God "CAUSED" these things to happen, and it is very clear to me that our God loves us so very much, enough to send Jesus to die in our place just so we can be in His presence -first and foremost. And secondly, that God can bring us through the wilderness, through the fire, through death and the grave and do it with such class that even satan has to admit GOD IS GOOD!! HA! So, whether I was right or wrong in my thinking, who cares, if God sent these bad things to happen, wouldn't He give us what we need to have victory over the situation also? I mean, He did give us some awesome armour to wear in the battle, and gave us armour bearers to help hold one another up... just sayin...

I'm thinking, YES- I FULLY TRUST GOD!!

I have also sadly seen TOO many people hurt, knocked down, beat up and everything stripped away except their last breath. The "sadly" part only attributes to those who have stayed down and turned around to BLAME God for the troubles instead of rising up and "seeing" through Spiritual eyes that the battle is here and we CAN have victory no matter the scale of the situation. And I mean, NO MATTER is too much for God.

Food Coma

It is so cute to see the boys drift off into a sweet slumber while eating lunch. It has happened a couple of times actually, I just need to sift through my photo's and find the other ones!! =)

A lovely Sunday

Greg likes to take the leisurely stroll or drive home from church from time to time. He found this place right by our church (not sure of the name of the park) that has a stream and lots of ducks. On this day, it was just Greg, Jeremy, and Gabe. Kien was sick with fever for the previous couple days, so I kept him home. I feel that it is honoring other parents when we keep our sick kids home and not expose them knowing they are sick. Here is Jeremy holding Gabe. I think Gabe was tired.

So cute!

 Gabe does NOT like the sun in his eyes. It is not very enjoyable in the car if the sun is shining on him directly! As you can see in the photo! lol

 Kien had been feeling much better mid morning, eating and drinking back to normal so we let him play outside for a little bit. Of course how in the world he figured out how to do this, I have no idea. He definitely takes after daddy!! Let's pray now for him. lol

 Here are my little loves with one of my bigger loves in the background. I am one blessed mommy!