Funny conversations

If a comedian wants good material he need only have a few young children - I feel like I'm in a comedy show most every day. Mary Jo makes me laugh with just about everything she says these days - if someone's having a brownie or has been asked a question she will quickly answer. She walked around the house singing a lot today, at one point it was "All About That Bass" and later tonight it was "Holy, Holy, Holy." (she doesn't listen to pop music, by the way, just heard her Daddy singing that on occasion, and of course she picked it up!). When playing with her siblings she has quickly changed from being a doormat to screaming, "No, Mine!!" She's become a little pistol, but is still a sweetheart.

David is currently asleep in his bed in a tank top, shorts, and soccer socks pulled up above his knees. Soccer season starts in just under 2 months and he is SO ready! The other night we were talking about what he and Eli were going to be when they grew up - Eli decided on a police officer and David was torn between "A policeman, a bad guy, a firefighter, and a power ranger." We need to work on the "bad guy" aspirations, although recently he's been telling me "I'm going to listen to you tomorrow!" 

Eli is starting to read! It's been so exciting and I've used lots of praise and encouragement (if it took me as long as it took him at first to sound out words I might just give up and be illiterate). Early on he was sounding out the word "pal" and was slowing saying each letter sound - as I was struggling to stay patient - he said "papapa aaaa alalalal....eloise!" Not sure where it came from but it provided the much needed comic relief in the school room. My Mom gave me some old phonics books from when she taught Kindergarten a few years ago. The first one is called Mac and Tab, and Eli has gotten pretty comfortable with reading it. I tried to introduce book #2, The Tin Man, the other day and he really protested, he said he only wanted to read the first one forever. I laughed at the thought of him in college curled up with a very beat up copy of Mac and Tab. :)

Sadie is my work in progress, we are deep in character training. She is a pendulum, having very sweet moments then some very challenging ones. Sometimes I question my decision to take her out of school, worrying that I've created a monster, but I really think the Lord's given me this time with her, much needed time, to re-establish her boundaries, her authority, and nurture her in the admonition of the Lord, as the Scriptures teach us. The other night we were doing her devotion and it was about staying on the right track, but if we fall, we can always call to the Lord and He will put us back on the right track. I looked at her, smiled, and said "Was this devotion written just for you?" She answered with "I know! I really needed to hear that!" 7 going on 25.  Below is her precious little self, sick, from earlier this week. Thankful for my 4 little blessings and treasuring every conversation we get to have. Goodnight!

Davidism and a December Wrap-up

Steven and I decided to go to Myrtle Beach for a few days the week before Christmas - with Steven's busy schedule it was so nice to get away for a few days with just our little family - plus our kids absolutely LOVE Myrtle Beach. David put on his bathing suit for our walk on the beach - I didn't fight the battle. 

Eli snuck on a swim shirt under his jacket, too....

This little one had a blast just walking around and playing in the sand. 

Maybe the highlight of the trip was our visit to Medieval Times - Steven went when he was little and was just as excited as the kids to watch the knights fight, again. And Mary Jo got the special rose from our knight. David still talks about watching the knights, although none of ours actually got up on the table to cheer the knight on (like their Daddy did when he was young, apparently...) And ours was the first one out, so maybe we should have!

I got home from the beach and realized how ill-prepared I was for Christmas. Add that to a work shift and some illness and I just couldn't get it all in. But that's ok - hopefully our neighbors had enough sugary treats without ours in the mix (our neighbors rock the baking!). And I'm sure the elderly folks I had planned to visit appreciated our not coming with sick germs. 

These little people surely didn't care about things being just right, Santa (who they know is not real) visited, Mary Jo was quite enthralled (or scared?), and even happier when Papa took the costume off. Kids on Christmas morning is so fun.  

The big gift this year was a zipline - thankfully my Dad and brother were both there and the beautiful day allowed for easy installation and hours of enjoyment. I think this was Steven's only ride, however. :)

We had a fun, crazy Harrell Christmas the following day (with this many kids how can it not be fun?). So thankful for family.

After we had a few days to recover we went to Roanoke for "2nd Christmas" (New Years Eve to normal people). We let the kids go to the dollar store and buy presents for each other, wrap them, then open them the next morning, at their Great Grandma's house. Steven thinks that's all we should spend on them is 20 bucks, but the toys themselves don't last 20 minutes.

The next day we went bowling - here is Mary Jo with David's bowling shoes on. Steven's 85 year old grandma decided to join in, she's competitive, but Steven can't even let her beat him. It's in the genes.

Sadie has lost a couple more teeth, unfortunately she didn't get any new ones for Christmas. She does like the song, though. :)

Eli is finding new things to climb....I used to do this too as a kid. 

David and Mary Jo are (finally!) starting to bond. She can say his name very clearly and I think she's going to love having not 1, but 2 big brothers to take care of her.

We're out of holiday mode and back to normal life, which includes 2 sports for Eli. He's playing indoor soccer and Upwards basketball and loves them both. 

School is going well....some days. Other days we find new ways to make it work. I just ordered some different curriculum so I guess I'm not planning on quitting - even the bad days we learn some things. Sadie has started doing a kid's devotion book every night, with her Daddy if he's home, and I think it's really been good for her. I don't know why that surprised me - when I'm daily in the Word of God I tend to have more peace, joy, and kindness - as well. This parenting thing is not easy, I'm finding out for myself, but God so graciously reminded me that if we ask for wisdom He will give it. What a blessing to have His Word to live by.

As for this guy - he's still loving his "up pants", although the cold finally got to him (and I finally succeeded in hiding the summer clothes) so now he's obsessed with pajamas. I'm not sure why, I think it has something to do with superheros. He passed a little gas today while he was talking to me about Spiderman (we have endless conversations about these things, one night last week we were talking about the Grinch being real at 4am), and he quickly said "Sometime Superheros have toots, especially if they're Davids". He's a mess, but I couldn't imagine life without him! Goodnight!