Funny things...

I don't know how many times I sit down at the end of the day and remember how hard of a day it was with my kids or how tired I am. But lately, I have purposed to sit down at the end of the day and really be thankful for the little moments that made me smile.

Today, I took the kids to the library. We were looking through the videos and I pulled one off the shelf that said Bibleman. I asked Jordan if he had ever seen it and he got really excited. "Yeah mom. Yeah. That's the superhero one. That's the one where you learn about the bible and the NIV." I was cracking up. I asked him if he knew what the NIV was and he said, "Yeah. It's the bible." It was so cute. I could almost here him singing the B-I-B-L-E only spelling it N-I-V.

And then tonight, Greg and I borrowed our neighbor's Wii Fit. It was really kind of boring until we got to a 2 person race. Greg and I were racing and our kids were watching. As we started running in place in the middle of the family room we were being taunted by the trainer in front of us. So we both sped up. It turns out if you run to fast, your person face plants or you run into and over the trainer. It was so unexpected and funny that all five of us erupted in laughter. Arms were flailing, legs were trying to keep up, and our family was enjoying a few moments of pure silliness. Good times!

The hip bones connected to the..........

Does anyone else know what the medical term is for the hip bone? Does anyone else know what the correct term is for the thigh? WHEW!! I have jumped into my classes this quarter with both feet. This weekend I did some insane studying. As I memorized and located many many body parts and cavities and whatnot, I thought about the amazing way that God has put together the human body. It is awesome. More intricacies than I will ever understand.

There have been few times in my life that I have been happy with my body. I was always fat or plump (never skinny), short or just average, wanted straight hair when it was naturally curly, wanted to be a darker tan color than the hypercolor that I was blessed with (you know, the color that is highlighted with the beautiful vein hues), didn't like my freckles, etc.

I know I'm not the only one who has ever felt that way. I have a friend that takes pictures. She's really good. Her pictures all look amazing. The people in them look amazing. But....if you really look at her pictures, you find that the beauty in them and the draw towards them is the story they are telling. The glimmer in the eye or the slight smile of innocense. What intrigues, is the story or the relationship. Now, I am an advocate for exercise and healthy lifestyles. We do have that responsibility in it all. But more than that, I have learned to love myself. I've learned to love the body that God chose for me. The slightly shorter, not super thin, freckly, very white me. It is not an easy place to get to but I am thankful for the little steps that I take each day in remembering to be exactly who I am and who I was made to be (inside and out!).

Mikayla's Garden Oasis

Aunt Chrissy worked hard yesterday to finish up Mikayla's room. It is amazing. It turned out even better than we could have hoped. Mikayla loves her garden!

Do the Puyallup!

What a fun day. We started out the day not sure exactly what it would look like with daddy away at a retreat this weekend. But leave it to Aunt Chrissy to get us moving! She suggested the Puyallup Fair and there was no going back once the kiddos heard those words. We had a great time. Grandpa, Grandma, and Great Grandma got to join us too. There were games to be played, munchies to eat, animals to see, and faces to paint. Jordan ran into one of his buddies from school which was definitely a highlight for him. Great Grandma's favorite part by far was petting the pigglets. But man were they hard to find. Like a needle in a haystack. The only part I wish I'd done differently was the wagon. NOT a good idea. Maybe it was just crowded but I felt like I was always running into people and I didn't like Isabella being behind me like that. So, it's the jogger next year (if we need it). She was definitely tuckered out by the time we left. We all were.

Sneak Preview...

Well, here's just a quick glimpse at what Aunt Chrissy has been doing in Mikayla's room. It's already so wonderful. I can't wait to post the final product. She is so talented. That's some good freehand!

Christmas in September

This afternoon our Calvert curriculum finally arrived. Isabella was so excited it had to be opened immediately. I still can't believe how much stuff was sent. I also still can't believe it didn't cost me a dime!! I am so thankful that everything has really come together this month. Although we have already started school with some other learning books and materials, it's time to get super organized this weekend! Here we go!

www.columbiavirtualacademy.org
www.calvertschool.org/educational-solutions/curriculum/kindergarten/

Isabella's private lunch today!

Isabella thought it was so cool today to get to go out for her free bday lunch at Red Robin with just mommy and daddy. It was very fun and she was so happy to have her parent's undivided attention. I forget how much fun it is sometimes to have that time with one kid all by themselves. Unfortunately, the tie around her wrist gave way as soon as we walked outside the restaurant headed back towards the van. She took it all in stride though.

Watch D.O.G.S.

The kids had a great time with Greg last night. The school has a Watch DOGS program that is all about dads volunteering at the kid's school. They kick it off with a pizza night with dad. Mommy definitely enjoyed a little down time. The kids' book fair started the same night. They had a lot of fun perusing the new books and fun things to possibly spend some birthday money on!

A Big Splash!

Today was Jordan and Isabella's birthday party! They had a swimming one this year and loved every minute of it. There was friends to laugh with, a diving board that was way too much fun, cakes to cut, and presents to open. It was so much fun celebrating with friends and family today. Enjoy!

It was Charlotte's first time in the pool!


Mayla's first time in the pool too!


Greg and I enjoying some swim time with the birthday girl who is 5 years old today!!


What a cutie patootie. Safety first!


CANNON BALL!!!


Mommy diving in. We won't even comment on the attempt at a cannon ball from mom.


Jordan was so excited to show Grandpa his big dives.


Goofy Boy having the time of his life.


Mommy and her girls.


The boys waiting for more turns to jump.


The other Earnhardt ladies!


Mommy and Bella all dry again and ready for pizza!


Isabella with her flip flop cake. Fondant turned out to be far less scary than I though it would be.


Jordan with his flip flop cake. He just had to have Bumblebee the transformer on his cake.


Thanks Dad for being the pizza delivery guy today. You and Chrissy did a great job getting things rolling and serving people food.


Of course, the girls were getting in plenty of chat time.


Grandma lovin' on her birthday boy.


Isabella was so excited to sing that she started her own happy birthday to you song.


Blowing out the candles with a little help from the air conditioning vents above.


Our Big Sister helper.


Thanks to my sister who reminded me (more than once) that I couldn't have done it without her!! LOVE YOU!


Thanks Everyone!!!


Our performer LOVES her new microphone!


Point....Set.....Match!!! Yes, the WII is already out, set up, and being played non stop by both of my "boys"!!