9 states, 32 hours, and 1,989 miles

That's what we crammed into a week of vacation. We had a good time, but I definitely don't recommend doing that with a 3 and 5 year-old in the car with you. We went to Louisiana via Oklahoma and Texas. Then to Missouri via Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas. Since we were so close, we snuck over to Illinois too. And then of course back to Kansas. Thank God for portable DVD players and video games. The kids barely whined or complained the whole time. One of the most interesting things we did was take a Katrina tour. Our guide took us through the entire town from the hardest hit areas to the least. The rebuilding is very slow and the guide said it will probably look very similar in ten years because most people aren't rebuilding. You can hardly blame them. Here are some of the pictures:

Precious and Sissy at the Plantation
(I actually sewed Precious's dress. I'll blog about it when I make Sissy's.)

The whole family at the plantation.

If you ask the girls, this is probably all they'll remember about the entire vacation.

"In America, there are two classes of travel: First class, and with children."--Robert Benchley

Love Dare Day 16

Well, as some of you know, I'm doing the Love Dare from the movie Fireproof. Today was one of those epiphany days. The book started out by saying, "You are to nurture the soil of your mates heart and then depend on God for the results." That makes sense and I had already learned that from reading the Love and Respect book. It went on to say, "Have you ever wondered why God gives you overwhelming insight into your spouse's hidden faults? Do you really think it's for endless nagging? No, it is for effective kneeling." That's the epiphany part. I hated the fact that I saw my mates faults and I never considered why I could see them. It finished by saying, "So turn your complaints into prayers and watch the Master work while you keep your hands clean."

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.
3 John 2

Cute or Scary?

A few days ago we had the much-awaited Daniel play date. He's Precious Princess's "boyfriend" who she says she's going to marry when she grows up. All three of them, Daniel, Precious, and Sissy, had a good time. At one point, they were playing in the garage, so I went to check on them. Daniel and Precious were slow-dancing. You know like you did in junior high (4 feet apart). It was so cute, I think. After we took Daniel home, I asked the girls what they did. Precious said that they played prince and princess and Sissy was the sister princess. I'm not sure if I still think it's cute or if it's starting to get scary. The girls went to Daniel's house today. This morning Precious picked out her shirt and said, "I want this one because I think Daniel will like it." What! My little girl is already concerned with what boys think of her. How do I stop this madness?

Where a kid can be a kid.

Chuck E Cheese was the place to be Saturday. My niece turned 7! Precious Princess had fun playing all the games and just had to ride the pretend roller coaster with her cousin. After a few hours wrangling kids at Chuck E Cheese, I promptly went home and explained to my husband how we NEVER need to do that. Hopefully Precious Princess won't get any crazy ideas.

J's parents came to visit Sunday. They took us out for lunch, went to an open house with us, and played and played with the kids. Sissy, however, did not have such a good day. First she fell down at the open house. She hurt her bottom so she thought. Until Grandpa pointed out that she had a scrape on her knee. Then she wailed because that hurt now that she knew it was there. So after that was all taken care of, Grandpa was pushing her on the swing. She let go with one hand and did a belly-flop on the ground as she fell out of the swing. She was just an accident waiting to happen and somehow Grandpa was around every time something did happen. Lets just say she wanted Grandma for a while.

Precious Princess got to enjoy some soccer with Grandma.

And they even played on their teeter totter.

Introduction

Imagine a boy growing up with two brothers. No sign of a girl except Mom. Then imagine those three boys growing up and marrying three girls. It's even now, right? Wrong. Those three couples produce five girls. Now no sign of a boy in sight. One of those boys is my husband. He's had to do a lot of adjusting with a wife and two girls around the house. Our girls don't give him a chance either with their big blue eyes and sweet smiles. He has had to give in to all things pink and sparkly.

My husband, J, and I have been married for almost eight years. We have a 5 year-old daughter, Precious Princess, and an almost 4 year-old daughter, Sissy. I get to stay home while my husband slaves away all day and I'm so thankful. Like most moms I struggle every day trying to keep up with the housework, discipline the children, nurture their relationship with God, continue to build my relationship with God, balance the budget and spend time with my husband all while trying to stay sane. It's not easy and I definitely have my bad moments. All I can do is pray that God will provide the strength.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.