I can't mess up His plan...

"...and as He stands in victory, sin's curse has lost it's grip on me. For I am His, and He is mine, bought with the precious blood of Christ...No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me. From life's first cry to final breathe, Jesus commands my destiny. No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand..."(In Christ Alone, Newsboys)

Jesus was gracious to give me a word today. I was writing frantically in my journal, all my thoughts, concerns, fears, guilty feelings...now really, I don't do this very often so I was freaking out a tad wondering what in the world was going on with me. Read some verses, did some praying, and came downstairs to listen to this song. I can't listen to this song right now without getting goosebumps. As I was listened (for the 10th time) I heard Him whisper, "You cannot mess up my plan." Period. That is it. Truth. He has a plan. I am going to mess up. But b/c of Christ, I cannot mess anything up that He isn't already aware of and can't fix! How about that for confidence today!! No power of hell, no scheme of man, OR any dumb, lazy, thoughtless, or inconsiderate thing I do, can EVER pluck me from His hand. Whew. I feel better.

Baby Alex is here!

Lots of fun happening around here...Congratulations Ellie on your new baby brother! Veronica ended up with an emergency c-section and scared us all to death but baby Alex and Mom are doing fine now!!
The kids playing dress up...Gabby is wearing Brogan's flower girl dress that she wore in our wedding!
Oh the 3 children...smiles and love just glowing all around...
Kyler is 5 months old as of Feb. 11! This is his first time in the saucer (that all of our friends pass around). And yes, he is fat and happy...18.6 lbs!

Gabby and the twos

I am realizing this week that there are many things I have already forgotten that Kolby did and said when he was Gabby's age. Even though the "2s" can be trying, they are also filled with lots of laughter due to that child's personality emerging. Here are a couple things I don't want to forget about Gabby's "2s".

She "enjoys" picking out her own clothes, shoes, tights, hair clips, spoons, bowls, you name it, she wants to pick it out. Last night we were reading Jay Jay the Jet Plane. Before I read each page she would have to name each plane. Jay Jay was always Kolby, the pink plane was Gabby, the green plane was Papa or Mee-ma, the strong gray plane was "Daddy", and the firetruck was Jayden (a cousin) or "Unca Ben" (Uncle Ben). Its interesting to me how she usually names everything a family members' name...except if she sees a little girl with blonde hair, then it's always Ellie (her best friend here).

This morning at breakfast she was chatting away (most of which we couldn't understand) over her bowl of cereal. Kolby says, "Gabby, I don't understand anything you are saying!" Gabby replies (hand on hip and getting the sassy head shake going on), "KOLBY! I am talkin' to MOMMA!"

Every time we leave the house we have to go over (and over) who is coming with us. For example, "Daddy going?"

"No, honey, Daddy is staying here."

"Baby Kyler going?" "Kolby going?" "Mommy going?" "Gabby going?"....you get the picture.

She's also into playing this little game. It's called "Where's all the people?" And yes, that is the game. She asks me where all the people are over and over again...whether we are alone, out in public, at someone's house, or in the car. And if she is ready to talk to people and there are none around she wants to call Nana or Mee-ma on the phone NOW. That usually takes care of her "I need people NOW" problem...unless of course it's in the middle of the night in America.

Last night we all sat and watched this little My Little Pony DVD that came in her little tea cup house she got for Christmas. It's so funny to see Jon's reactions to such girly things! I LOVE it!! Gabby and I were having the time of our lives while Kolby and Jon were mocking us...it starts young, the battle of the sexes. I say, "More My Little Pony and pink!" Jon says, "Kolby, lets go downstairs and build a man cave with a pool table."

A couple minutes ago I was laying beside Gabby while she got settled in her bed to go to sleep. It's dark except for the glow of the night light. I think she thought I was asleep. She takes her thumb out of her mouth (which she sucks only while she holds her "Mick", a blue pack n play sheet) and studies it carefully. She cleans it off with her Mick and touches it and talks to it. Then she counts all her fingers real quietly (one, two, pree, pour, pive). She proceeds to LICK each of them! Like she was tasting them to see if they were as good as her thumb. I guess she decided her thumb was still the best choice b/c she talked to it again and stuck it in her mouth, pulled Mick up over her hand and closed her eyes.

Oh the life of a two year old.

First Time for Cereal and Dance Parties

Kyler had cereal for the first time yesterday. He made the funniest faces. Kolby and Gabby were very excited he was eating "big boy food". Thanks, Rick and Jan, for providing My Little Pony dance parties here at our house!

Ants & Rooms

Photos I meant to post last week...the kids' rooms with their new sticker decorations; Kolby's tower he built; and this is what happens when you don't sweep the minute after our meal is over! Our pet ants carrying away a piece of Gabby's eggs after breakfast.

Just A Normal Day With Kyler

Kyler was 4 months old on the 11th. He's super happy and lovable. Kolby and Gabby really can't get enough of him.

Kolbyism

This afternoon, during naptime, Kolby built this massive "castle" made out of megablocks and wooden blocks. When it came time for him to pick them up he roped Gabby into helping (who did so very willingly). They did a good job for a couple minutes then they started jacking around. So I said, "Hurry it up you slow pokes!"

Here was Kolby's response:
"Mom, you just want us to be your slaves! You got all these toys out and now you want US to pick them up!"

Oh brother! How does he even know what a slave is anyway!