Our battleground

It feels like war around here lately! And actually it is...all too often I am reminded that our war is NOT against flesh & blood but against the powers of the dark (Eph 6). How can I help my children learn and understand this? Believe it or not, these sweet little faces aren't always this sweet :) How can I keep the right perspective as we go through our day?

Gabby adores Kolby. Kolby adores Kyler. Gabby adores Kyler. Kolby adores Mommy (b/c I have soft skin he told me the other day). Kyler adores Kolby. What I am trying to say is that their loyalties to each other change like the wind! As seen in this photo, Gabby is upset that she is not sitting by Kyler but must sit by Kolby. Kolby is happy b/c he is sitting by Kyler and Gabby is not! Teaching these small little people to love each other is a serious task. I think my mom must still feel like this (huh, Mom?!)!!

This week I have been reminded that it is ME that is modeling to them how to love others. It is me that is modeling to Gabby how to respect her Daddy. It is me modeling to Kolby how to put others' needs before his own. This job is a little more scary than I was expecting... :) I am realizing how Satan HATES it when I model Christ to them. God pours out grace to me, then out of the blue I feel like I am getting beat over the head, God pours more grace, more beatings, etc. There is a war going on...not just between siblings. I really need to remember this when the physical chaos is overwhelming and the task tiring. My "little disciples" are watching my every move and listening to my every word.

Kolby, Gabby, and Kyler, I'm sorry for all the times I don't model Christ to you. I know that I am teaching you bad habits all too often instead of good. There is hope though...despite my mistakes, sins and selfishnesses. "B/c of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23) God is faithful and will teach and mold you into who He created you to be!

Kyler 7 months

Kyler is working on rolling, sitting, and pushing up in a crawling position all at the same time. We have been waiting and waiting for him to roll (yes, his first roll was at 7 months and he was a little surprised I think at the big celebration it caused!). Kyler is sweet, loud, funny, sweet, and LOUD. That about sums him up!

Booty Bumpers

One of Kolby and Gabby's favorite made up games is called "Booty Bumpers". We aren't sure how they came up with it, we just know they LOVE playing it. This game consists of the 2 of them bumpin' booties. Very simple. Yesterday it resulted in some pain. Gabby got booty bumped right into a dining room chair. I think their game gets a little violent every once in awhile! Not sure how good you can see her face, but it's pretty bruised. Another weird thing added to the list of things parents must say: No more booty bumpin'.

Minor set backs or is this just life?

Okay I have been a horrible blogger. Mostly b/c I feel so overwhelmed with not doing it for so long...and I had tried to write one awhile ago with cute videos of the kids but I couldn't get it to work so I got mad and boycotted :)

Well tonight is the night I try again.

New topic than the last though. Thought I would share my stressors for this week. Minor set backs or is this just life?! Probably just life huh?

Last Saturday:
Jon's day to put the final touches on the swing set...digging holes for cement to bolt it down. He went to buy cement and came home with 3 things. You guessed it. A bucket of sand, one of rocks, and a bag of cement. All those trips to Mexico came in handy. Took most of the day!

Sunday:
Go to Carrefor (like a Walmart) as a fam to get some stuff. Had a good time until we got pulled over at a stoplight for not having our tags updated...guess we missed the date by a couple days. Jon makes buddies with the officers while the kids and I sit in the truck with traffic zooming past us on both sides. Conclusion: Can't drive the truck until Jon goes to pay the fine and buy the new tags.

Monday:
I asked our cleaning lady (again) to scrub the bathtub really good b/c there was so much mold. That night when putting the kids in the tub we see gaping holes where she scrubbed the grout right out! Another project for Jon. Until then, duct tape will have to do.

Tuesday:
Since I couldn't drive the truck I had to grab a taxi to go to language class. It just so happens my language class starts at the worst possible time to get a taxi. Kolby, Gabby, and I waited for 40 minutes for a taxi. Then we decided to make the trek home (Jon had dropped us off a ways from our house b/c there was a higher chance of us getting a taxi at that corner and he could drive the truck there and back without seeing any police). Took us 15 minutes, uphill, but we made it. Bonus was they both took naps that afternoon. But I missed my language class.

Wed:
Our first official new day off!! Oh was it wonderful! Just hanging out together, not trying to get too much done, eating out, and watched The Incredibles again (Kolby's new fav). A much needed day for us.

Thursday:
My friend Veronica called in a panic...get this (long story, short)! She SAW a paint can come flying over her wall, landing in her yard, holding human poo!! Now this is the 3rd or 4th time they have found human POOP in their yard, FIRST time she has actually seen it arrive! In a furry, she runs over and flings it BACK over the wall...only to hear a woman yell, "Skun?! skun?! (who is that? who is that?)" Yeah, so basically they had a long talk with their neighbors that day...it was their workers who have been throwing their POOP over the wall into Veronica's yard!

Friday:
I wake up, go down to the kitchen and right away notice the microwave isn't on. We have 4 outlets in our kitchen...one for the fridge, one for the AC, one for the oven, so that leaves one for the dishwasher, microwave, coffee pot, and whatever other appliance I need to run while I am cooking. Sure enough we blew that outlet (probably from having so many things plugged in there all the time). Great. Add another thing to Jon's list.

Today (Saturday):
Jon grouted the bath tub. Now we just have to find sealer. On the third load of laundry the washing machine leaked all over. Sorry, babe. Get one thing crossed off, time to add another! :) Poor Jon!!

Thank goodness my real home is in Heaven!! And I am pretty sure I won't need to shower or do laundry there...

Happy Easter!