Family "Date" Night

The kids (usually Peter) occasionally (very rarely, actually) request from Daddy that we go out to eat for dinner, especially taking advantage of evenings that I don't exactly know in advance what I'm going to make. :) So last night we got to go eat dinner in the table section of Safeway's deli- fried chicken, sourdough bread, and some Sprite (we packed plastic cups and an ice bucket). :) After grabbing a couple groceries, we headed on over to the mall playground, where the kids could run around and be crazy and make new friends. 

 The girls have decided they like trying on hats. Not wearing, just trying on.

 The little group of kids organized a rousing game of Duck, duck, goose.

 Our little jaguar slipped off his perch shortly after this picture was taken...it was pretty amusing.

Tirzah was just so excited our whole time there, she could hardly contain herself- she would cackle and screech and regular intervals. So fun! :) Sorry for the dark pictures, we obviously didn't use the flash.

Random Pics

Here are a few new pictures...some are taken by Peter.

Abiding or only Surviving?

I've been getting so frustrated with the kids these days, which makes me frustrated with myself for getting frustrated... This chart-thing has been a good re-focusing tool for me the last couple of days. I've also been listening to Mark Driscoll's series on Proverbs, where he reminds me that in dealing with the kids' behaviors (stop that, do this, etc.), and my own for that matter, I'm only treating the symptoms- not the problem. The problem in all of us is a sinful heart issue. So I am going to be trying to be an "Abiding Mom" and not stress about all the "Super Mom" things. As an abiding mom, I'm going to be needing to actually prioritize spending time reading my Bible and applying it to my life. Please feel free to ask me how I'm doing in this area if you think of it!

Sisters, sisters...

"...there were never such devoted sisters...", or so the books told me most identical twins are like. :) Maybe someday. Not yet. :)

Kinky hair

Slightly reminiscent of the 90's, but at least it's something different! Grace and I permed each other's hair yesterday. It was fun! And smelly. And, knowing my hair, probably won't last very long. :) Photos compliments of Peter.

Quick Pic of Kale'a

My amazing sister and FAMILY came over last night and Peter took this cutie picture of Kale'a- I'm afraid I'm smitten. Not enough to have more of my own! But smitten nonetheless. :)

What Happens When I'm Distracted

A little background...

Months ago, maybe a year ago, a friend of mine gave me a box of chocolates. I was (and of course still am) trying to lose some weight, so my wonderful, thoughtful husband hid them. I found them and ate two them on two different occasions, but being so dratted transparent, I had to 'fess up. He then hid them again. And forgot where. So for Christmas, to make up, he bought me a ginormous bar of Special Dark chocolate- enough to last me awhile. :) I haven't had the nerve to open the package, knowing that once it was open I would be sorely tempted to visit it too often.

So it's been buried in my nightstand drawer, under some papers. I was just reading though my friends' new blog postings and looked over and saw Berea on the rocking chair, eating a dark, square object. Eyes pan to Tirzah, on the couch, also eating a dark, square object. Putting two and two together (which made a rectangle), I grabbed the pieces and headed down the hall to survey the damage. Could've been worse, but it was a good reminder that if all the older kids are taking a nap, I need to not be checking blogs!

And just for fun, here are a few more of the terrible two... :)

I'm an Auntie!!!!

No pictures or anything right now, but lots of happiness! About 31 hours after her water breaking, my sister finally had her baby! Kale'a (pronounced Kalaya) Amariah Lanting was born at precisely 12:00pm today, weighing 8 lbs 3 oz and 21 1/2" long. She has a good head of dark hair and is just beautiful. I'll wait until Caleb and Laura send out their e-mail announcement before posting the meanings or pictures (not that I have any!). Happy happy!!!! :)

Stuff

 Anne in the dress I made out of Grandma's nice wool. The twins have matching ones which will hopefully fit them before summer!

 From inside our van

 This is a REAL duet. :)

 Stockings! It was pretty weird stuffing our own stockings this year without any "real" grown-ups around.

 Sledding!

 Elijah is NOT enjoying catching the snow in the face from Uncle Caleb's steering with his feet. :)

 This is more like it.

Elijah kept wanting to go down standing up. Future snow boarder???

But now the poor boy has a nasty, nasty cold, which I'm trying to loosen up, so I'd better go get him out of the tub!