New Look for the Love Bugs!

Okay... I really need to do some other things besides playing right now, and intended to make the pink background last until the new month.

Alas, I was very tired of it weeks ago!!

So here's our new look! (for now:-))
Here's a few recent pictures of the little Bugs to tickle you pink!



LAUGH a LITTLE

Clayton says to me "They must have to kill a lot of chickens to fill a package of chicken legs, because chickens only have two feet!"

And Zachary tells me "Sue got a paper cut on a very sensible part of her finger."
(read sensitive:-))

And !OUCH! Does this look like it HURT?!!

Things Worth Pondering

"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is" Ephesians 5:17

This is a piece of our morning reading that stuck with me today. (Lately it's unusual for anything to stick with me!)
I just now looked at these verses in greater depth, and here's a fairly accurate Analene interpretation;

"See then that you walk exactly, diligently and perfectly. Not as fools but as wise, to rescue from loss the time because the days are evil.
Do not become mindless, ignorant, rash, stupid, or unbelieving. But consider, comprehend, and put together what the will (desire, purpose, inclination, and pleasure) of the Lord is."

Does this make an impression on anyone else out there?
I have been SO TIRED lately. I have been trying to implement all kinds of new things into our family's schedule. I am desperately attempting to check everything off my lists, so am missing opportunities to impart tools to my children that will be of much more value to them than whether they have written out all their spelling words (not to mention the consideration of what will glorify my Lord the most!).

My question is first; Do I comprehend the desire and pleasure of the Lord for my life?

And then, HOW can I rescue the time so it is not lost?

Tonight I don't have an answer ready for these questions, but I can tell you that I will be chewing on this a lot. Pray for me as I seek to make my life productive in the tangible aspects while capturing the moments that count for eternity.

He is faithful!

Some of This, and Some of That...

It's been a wonderful, fun, full last couple days!
Grama, you are the BEST! And I'm so excited (selfishly) that you have internet now, so you can see our blog - YAY!
We are really missing you, and I can't believe you couldn't stop by for lunch today!=o)
We woke up to a blanket of white this morning, though the sky is sunny now, and the snow melting off.

Mom and I did some painting while she was here, and it turns out that I didn't have enough paint on hand for the projects she was ready to tackle. That is really no surprise, and it's a good thing I didn't, or I never would have got her to sit down and visit, or play ping pong with me!
This large house is finally beginning to look lived in! I think Wyatt is being a great sport!

In other news, before I forget; Carolina Truth turned four months old last week! Wow, how time flies:-) She is beginning to try grabbing things with her hands, she is quite a talker with lots of loud happy noises, and seems to be ever so pleasant and content. I certainly cherish her!

I am posting a couple pictures of my sweet Susanna with her new pink thing - can you see it?
This was a special gift Daddy Bug and I got for her because she has been without her blankie or fingers for several weeks now! This is a momentous thing for Sue, and we are very proud of her.
I sometimes wonder if it was harder for her, or harder for this sentimental Mom!
Mah babies ah growin' up!!

Too much fun:-)

A Lighter Me!

Howdy! I took advantage of Grama's presence to get out for a hair trim. I really DO feel a lot lighter, but I'm happy to have a change, and I could justify it because I donated ten inches to Locks of Love. This is the second time in less than two years, so that should give you an idea how fast my hair grows!
I also didn't feel too bad because when AJ was handing over the cash for this luxury, his words were "They'd better take 45 dollars worth!"
For those of you who know my husbands preference for long hair, this would sound a little out of character!! (He wouldn't put it in writing, however).

We also took advantage of our babysitter to enjoy a date. We went to Landry's seafood restraunt and ordered the crab feast to share. The food was pretty good, but the company was even better!!
After that we went furniture shopping. I actually really enjoy this kind of date, as furniture shopping is just not the same with five buglets along! It's always fun to get the "oh how cute" and "just you wait" comments and looks from the people who assume we are new parents (we took Carolina with us).
I don't mind. It's one of the small pleasures in life to see them reel when we mention that we have four more at home!:-)
Another reason I like furniture shopping? It involves a lot of sitting and visiting - who could ask for more?!
Like I said, it's the little things...

Grama's Here!

Hooray! Grama's finally here!!
I've been too busy enjoying her company (and help) to play with my blog, but I'll no doubt catch up later:-)
We got a special room ready just for Grama - you may see the red in the background. Clayton kept asking when I was painting, "does grama really like red?". I assured him that was so, but didn't bother to add that I had consulted my own taste since Grama's only visiting for five days!
If Grama likes it well enough to stay...
Well that would be fine too!

We're certainly enjoying her, though she may possibly be tired of reading the same five books she brought, over, and over, and over...

Today's Goings-on

Little monkey at the top of the ladder (Daddy was at the bottom). He has been wanting to climb on Uncle Wyatt's banister so bad! If not that... the couch?
Uncle Wyatt doesn't have a tree worth climbing, and Clayton's been suggesting a climbing wall "like Uncle Charlie's", but in the mean-time I hope to make some friends that have some good out door playing!

We got to church this week, and once again really enjoyed ourselves! My head is spinning with the accumulation of so many new names and faces - I'm just glad that people have been generous enough to come say hello!
There's Gina-who-has-four-girls, and a-new-baby-boy (her husband makes rocket parts for NASA?), then there's Lori and Scott -who-have-the-family-of-eight-children-and-take-up-a -whole-row! Amber and Mark, Scott and Kimberly, Mike and Trish, Len and Holly, Carrie and Scott (there's a lot of Scott's at this church, huh?!)
Anyway, you get the idea.

Here at the house, a Contractor was working away at the garage door today. We are having it extended upwards so we can park the van inside. Apparently the neighborhood is likely to complain if there is a honkin' oversized van parked in front of Wyatt's house all the time. I suggested we just tint the windows darker, and get the Mercedes emblem kit, then we could look a little more posh in keeping with the Jones's! Unfortunately my idea fell on two sets of deaf ears. There goes my final attempt at those fancy rims... O'well =o)

Please take note of my little Olie brushing her teeth, and Susie helping me make pancakes this morning. Also, the last picture is of my number one son voluntarily washing all the dishes in the sink after breakfast! What a guy!

Well, on to the next thing! Duty and honor calls (not to mention a very stinky diaper that has insisted on residing next to my desk chair these past ten minutes!!)

Love!

Paint...

This is the kitchen after I got loose in there with a paint brush - it's almost done:-)

Yep. I bought more paint before using up what I already had. Don't say anything just yet... I fully plan (and even expect) to finish all the projects I've started! My mom is coming for a visit next week, and that seemed like a good deadline for getting the guest room painted. So anyway, I'm not painting the "town" red, but I am painting the guest bedroom that color! That's exciting enough for me:-) The earth has settled so much under the house, that the doors on that room won't close (or open) anymore - but not to worry, if you come to stay with us you will be able to shower in privacy thanks to my sweet honey. He took four doors today and trimmed them so they will now function - sort of. Really the house needs to be straightened! Daddy Bug walked through all the steps for sweeping the kitchen properly with Clay, and Z vaccumed the living room for me. I'm going to work on training the little Bugs to do more of the house work, so I can focus on other things. (Like painting?!!) I was impressed with both the boys, so now I just need to follow up often enough that they get the idea that it's their responsibility! I'll work on it in my spare time:-)

Valentines Day Delights...

LOVE TO YOU...and You...and you!

Someone reminded me today of the greatest gift of love ever - God's gift of His Son Jesus Christ!

There were/are many men and women who have sacrificed their lives and comfort for the Love of Christ.

How much do I love Him?

What can I offer as a pleasing sacrifice to Him in worship for His loving kindness to me?

Today would be a great opportunity to thank the Lord for His mercy; and thank Him for those who love Him enough to suffer for spreading the gospel.

I am grateful for every occasion to celebrate people I love; to do special things, and say special words.
However in the precious ten years I have been married to AJ, I have learned that it is more important to behave as I should every day. I myself, have tried all the excuses for why this isn't possible. You know what? It's way more possible than I first thought!

Because of The Lord and lots of practice, it is now difficult for me and AJ to find ways to make these occasions more special than an average day!
Praise HIM who imparts power to do the impossible! (And I love YOU babe!)

[For my five Valentines to AJ, see above photo =oP]

Who... MY Children?!!

Today was our first solo outing since arriving in Colorado two and a half weeks ago.

I took the little Buglets to Target (my favorite store!) for a few things I needed, but also to browse.

"browsing" is one of the worst things to children, and because of that, it's usually not too fun for mom either.
However, my options were rather limited. It was either: take them and go, or... well the other choice wasn't an option today.

So the boys completed their math assignments before 9:00 this morning, and with breakfast eaten, and baby fed, we loaded up!
I bet we spent two hours in that store, and I was very aware that we were drawing a lot of attention (the cart was especially full with two babies, and lots of "stuff", for one thing).

My little Bugs were AWESOME!!! So patient and well behaved. They stayed near; behind me without blocking the isle; I hardly heard a complaint, and didn't even bribe them!!! (Bribery is against my scruples, by the way)
I'd like to take credit for my hard work in training, but I know who really deserves the credit - thank YOU Lord!

Okay so here's the fun part (brag brag); When I was checking out, I had all four bigger Bugs stand in a row next to the food court in front of the check-outs. My cashier was so impressed, she couldn't stop commenting.

Then, another young mom went out of her way to get my attention and said "If I could get mine to behave that well, I could imagine having five!"

As I was trying to get out the door I was accosted by another cashier who left her station to grab my cart "I just can't believe how well behaved those children are! I was commenting to this lady at my check-out, and she said 'I know, and I've been watching her through the whole store, and they were that great the whole time!'"
AS I was finally getting loose, a customer in line congratulated me with wonderment on her face!

So, don't you think that was worth bragging about?
I was positively glowing as I left the store!
I even took my children to lunch to commended them for their excellence!!

I hardly have anything else to add. That story just eclipsed the rest of the day:-)

I love YOU, Little Bugs!!!