Tea Time!

Speaking of sweet little girls and fun ways to teach them to be "keepers of the home"... Cait and I went to a "Mommy and Me" tea today. She and I painted our toes, packed our pink purses, put on our prettiest spring dresses and headed off to "Into My Garden Tea Room" in Plano. You should've seen Cait's eyes as she caught sight of the tiny little tea cup, saucer and tea pot that had REAL pink punch in it. And best of all...she got to USE it!
Joining us for our tea time were 9 other mommy-daughter combos, almost all from our church. What a blessing to see all these sweet little girls trying their best to act like little ladies.

This tea room was in the back of a very large gift shop. They had an enormous amount of little girl toys and accessories. They carried the cookware that I mentioned yesterday in my blog. They also had a babydoll nursery set up where you could choose your baby. Then they had all the accessories you needed to go with the baby. Fun, fun!

My sweet friend Christi (who helped me plan the tea today) she shared with everyone about teaching your young daughter to be a future "keeper of the home." It is so good to think of those types of things and be intentional about what we want to teach our daughters. What a blessing to be surrounded by so many like-minded people. I realize how rare that is and I am grateful for it!!
Here are some pictures from our little outing:


Tea for 2
(or 25)


Cait drinking her "pink lady punch"

My dear friend Christi and her daughter Shelby

Our now "far away" and very much missed friends, Amber and her daughter Mary Alice

The little girls plates had a flower-shaped sandwich, cheese and fruit kebob and mini muffins.


This is the nursery where the babies are born and wait to be adopted. Right next to it is a clothing and accessory section (huge) where you can dress and deck out your baby. So funny!

Girl Toys

Okay, I want to talk about girly toys.
I believe that choosing what toys your children have and play with are a big part of the parenting job. It is super hard when Christmas and birthdays roll around and your kids receive toys that they instantly LOVE, but that you would rather them not have. I feel like I've had lots of opinions in this area, but I've been a wimp about doing anything about it.

Some of you may be wondering what in the heck I'm talking about. You know, choosing toys for our kids that will be valuable to them in some way...teaching them a skill (an educational toy), giving them a constructive outlet (Legos, blocks, art supplies) or helps mold their thoughts/ideals about the kind of adult you want them to be (in Cait's case, I want to teach her to be a loving wife and nurturing mommy).

When I think of toys that I want Cait to spend her time playing with I think of "Little People", baby dolls, books, her little kitchen and tea set. This is all appropriate for a 2-3 year old. But I have been thinking about what is up ahead. I'm not thinking about these things because I want my children to have TONS of stuff. I'm thinking about what toys would be best for them because I don't want to have a house full of less-than desirable stuff that I wish I could throw out! When grandparents, aunts and uncles ask what they can get for our little girl as a gift, I want to be ready with some great ideas.

What do I have against Barbie?
Is Barbie evil?...I think "no," but I still don't want my daughter to play with Barbie dolls. Why would I want my two year old to play with a doll modeled after an adult model? Is this what I want her to envy? Is this what I want her to use as her role model? Gosh, no! I want to ask, "What would be best for my little girl to play with? What would be a toy that she could play with that would reinforce the values I want to instill in her?"
Something that I heard John Piper say once when talking about his sons...they would sometimes ask,"What's WRONG with that, dad? What's WRONG with this movie or what's WRONG with this CD?" And his reply was, "You're asking the WRONG question son!"
The better question to ask is, "How will this help me treasure Christ more? How will it help me show that I do treasure Christ? How will it help me know Christ or display Christ? The Bible says,"Whatever you eat or drink (or let your kids play with), or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." I Corinthians 10:31

So you're thinking, "You sure are making a big deal over a doll. Your two year old doesn't know the difference between Barbie and the mommy doll from her Little People." But what it really comes down to is, what do I want my daughter to value? What do I want her to think is beautiful? A model with long legs, big breasts, almost non-existent waist, gobs of make-up and teeny tiny clothes? Or do I want her to look at a mommy caring for her baby and making meals for her husband out of joy and think that THAT is lovely and desirable? This is what I teach her. This is what I strive to model for her. Why would I give her a doll that pointed her in a different direction?
There are so many things in this world that can potentially influence our children that we have NO control over. But why wouldn't we seize the things that we DO have control over, like their toys, as an opportunity to mold their little minds. I wish for Cait to look at the Proverbs 31 woman and pray to be like her, not Barbie and her pals in heir plastic convertible.

So What Do We Want to Teach our Little Girls?

What does the Bible say that we should teach our daughters? In Titus chapter 2 it says to teach the younger women:

• How to love their future husband (through modeling primarily, I think),

• how to love and care for their children,

• to be self-controlled

• to be pure ( I think modest dress and speech fall in this category as well)

• to be hard workers in the home

• to be kind

• and how to honor and submit to their husbands

So What Toys Are There That Can Reinforce What I Am Trying To Teach?

• I was at Barnes and Noble today and I found the coolest toys for little girls. They had these kitchen accessory sets for girls ages 5-10 approximately. They had everything from a child's apron with matching oven mits to child sized rolling pins, measuring cups (these were accurate), and every shape and size of baking pan and muffin tin you could think of. These were not for their little play kitchen in their room. All of these pans were functional and can came with child-friendly recipes to make in those sized pans. I looked at Cait and sighed...she's 2, not 5! I want to bake with her and teach her to work in the kitchen and find joy in making a treat for someone (namely her daddy) to enjoy. I can't WAIT! I'm putting them on a future list for birthday number 5 so I don't forget about them.

• Baby dolls are always a favorite with little girls...and should be! It's in their nature to nurture and care for little ones.
• Craft supplies, coloring books, artistic outlets are always great for any child
• sewing cards, bead lacing
• A play kitchen with plates and play food for cooking and serving others
  
• Doll house and little dolls that make up a family
  
• pretending to be the "lady" in dire distress and call out for your brave knighted brother with a Ninja sword that he got from his last visit to the dentist, to save you! (Not sure how this reinforces what I want to teach her, except for the roles of a man and woman! HA!)
• Books...with careful consideration to the content, obviously!
  

What else? I'm asking because I want ideas? What did you play with as a child that you have precious memories of that you consider of great value?

You know what's coming tomorrow, don't you?...Boys Toys!

Just Returned from the Land of Scrapbooking

Well, we had a great weekend at the lake doing what we love to do...scrapbooking and eating! My mom, my sister, my mom-in-law, sister-in-law, my friend Laurie and 5 of our children all caravaned up to the lake house on Friday evening. When we arrived we got right to work. The kids played and we scrapbooked ... (some of us) until 2 am! After sleeping in a little we were up and at it again the next morning. We all took our shifts watching the kids and prepping for meals, but mostly we tried to get pictures into our albums. I was working on Cait's album from when she was a baby (I'm a little behind!). I was sad to miss church on Sunday morning, but it was so great to have time visiting with these women I love so much! I forgot my camera, so I will have to get pictures from some of the other girls and post them later. I'm just glad to be home and back in routine.

Have a Magnificent Monday!

The Wedding

Thank you Ann for reminding me to put up pictures from Sarah's wedding. Sarah is my friend Ann's sister. I met Sarah through Ann. Sarah now watches our children for us on Tuesdays while I go teach. She is wonderful! She is godly and sweet, loyal and kind. She is no longer "Ann's sister" to me, she is my friend!
We were so blessed to witness her vows on Saturday
to Lance Keeling...the husband she has been praying for all her life.
We are SO happy for her!
Here is a picture of Ann's kids (Judah and Truth) playing with my kids in the
Bride's Room (the nursery). They were so cute!

Truth was the flower girl and Judah was the "bubble boy"!

Benjamin and Cait with the radiant bride!

Oh happy day!

Check out this cake, will ya? My friend Julie Pate made this cake with her own little hands! Trust me when I say that it tasted JUST as good as it looks. Can you believe the initials in chocolate on the top of the cake? She is amazing!!!

What kind of car is this again, honey? I can't remember. This is Lance's brother-in-law's car (Peter Fay...Lance and Kelly Fay are brother and sister...this will matter to some of you). Awesome car, huh?

On a side note and COMPLETELY off the subject...Cait slept in her big girl bed again last night. This morning Chris found her sound asleep UNDER her bed...only her little legs were sticking out! Will she get used to it? Or do we need to help prevent her from falling out? I don't want to use those side rails because they're unattractive and she would need one for each side of the bed. Any ideas, anyone?

Sunday School, Easter pictures and a Big Girl Bed

Mr. Benjamin in his first tie. He's growing up!!!!!!!!!
Slow down please, baby!

Little girl of mine.
Easter Sunday on the steps of our church,
First Baptist Church of Parker, Texas

David Pate

Cait and her friend Anna Pate

I thought I would show you a few pictures of some kids from my Sunday School class.
Only about half of them were there on Easter Sunday.

The class playing playdough before we get started.
Luke Hamm with a big, big grin!

L-R, Jack Ramares, Darla Morris, Emma Bean (she's our newest addition to the class!),
Luke and Isaac Pettinger

Color time after our lesson about Adam and Eve

Cait's big girl bed right after it was assembled.

At 5:00 Cait is ready for bed...she's so excited about her big bed.
Can't wait for bed time!
The next morning we found her on the floor asleep...on the other side of the room!
She's a wild sleeper, so we weren't THAT surprised!

Today was such a full and fun day. We started things out with mommy sleeping in until 6:30! Woo hoo! That felt good. Especially since yesterday I had a major set back in the mono department. I obviously had too much of a sugar intake and too little of a sleep intake over the last week or so. I paid for it yesterday with achy muscles, sore throat, swollen glands and a body I could hardly drag from one room tot he next. And climbing the stairs...ha! Felt like a mountain.

Anyway, today we got a lot done in the morning with no rushing around. The kids just got to play. They loved it. Then it was time to go to the dentist. We tried a new dentist this time, here in Wylie. I timed it. It is 1.5 minutes drive from our house. Besides the huge commute to their office it was a great experience. My kids were thoroughly entertained with almost life-size pony in the waiting room to ride, video games (Pac-man!) and a ton of other fun toys. Then when it was time to take a "picture" of their teeth they each got a tattoo (their first! Shoulda had my camera, right?). Benjamin got his first REAL cleaning today and he was a trooper. They put sunglasses on him so the water wouldn't splash in his eyes...how cool! Then he got a battery operated astronaut toothbrush, sugar-free candy and tons of other goodies in his little "take-home bag". When it was all over they each got to pick ANOTHER prize on their way out. Benjamin picked this 3 foot long plastic ninja sword in a sheath. WOW! You would've thought it was something really expensive. He has yet to put it down all day, except for when he got it taken away for "spanking" his sister with it. Uh-huh.

Then tonight we went for much needed haircuts. Benjamin got his first "little man" haircut and Cait got a trim. They were both so proud. I had to take their picture.
Here they are...

Good night everyone!

For Julie: The Inspirer

Julie, you say you're an ENFP,
"The Inspirer"

You are the same as Chris. Well, he actually thought he was this type and then we discovered later he is really something different. Regardless...here ya go:

Here's the scoop on you...

• People of this type tend to be: enthusiastic, talkative and outgoing; clever, curious and playful; deeply caring, sensitive and gentle; highly innovative, creative, optimistic and unique; adaptable and resourceful but sometimes disorganized.
• The most important thing to ENFP's is freedom to see possibilities, make connections, and be with a variety of people.

How to spot ENFP's:

• high energy, friendly and good natured
• imaginative, fun loving and off beat
• curious; discussions quickly shift from one topic to another
• warm, concerned and eager to help solve problems

Tips for communicating with ENFP's:

• Focus on interesting and innovative possibilities and new ways of solving problems
• Don't overwhelm them with facts and details
• Keep things relaxed, warm and flexible

For Amber: The Protector

Amber, this profile is of an INFJ:
"The Protector"

About you:

• People of this type tend to be: creative, original, and independent; thoughtful, warm and sensitive; global thinkers with great passion for their unique vision; cautious, deliberate and planful; organized, productive and decisive; reserved and polite.
• The most important thing to INFJ's is their ideas, and being faithful to their vision.

How to spot INFJ's:

• reserved, proper and cautious at first
• creative, visionary and complex
• decisive with strong convictions and values
• thoughtful, figurative language

Tips for communicating with INFJ's:

• Present your idea in terms of your vision with an emphasis on the larger goals
• Appeal to their creativity
• Expect a careful consideration and then an in depth discussion of ideas.

Amber, this sounds a lot like you! This description sounds like the perfect homeschool mom- creative, thoughtful, cautious at first, organized visionary! WOW!!
You know, I think Julie has the same profile as you...I bet! We need to get her to take the test!

For Ann: The Performer

Ann, you are an ESFP:
"The Performer"

Let me start by saying that this is you - 100%. I can't believe how this description is a perfect one of you!!! Here goes...

About you:

• People of this type tend to be: warm, gregarious, and playful; impulsive, curious, and talkative, sensitive, caring, and gentle; social and unpredictable with a great zeal for life; active, responsive and highly aware of the physical world.
• The most important thing to ESFP's is freedom to be spontaneous, have fun, and enjoy the company of others.

How to spot ESFP's:

• friendly, approachable and easygoing
• energetic, talkative and playful
• curious, excitable and spontaneous
• express concern about the problems of others

Tips for communicating with ESFP's:

• Be friendly and yet straightforward
• Emphasize how to help others in practical ways
• Take action! Respond immediately to requests
• appeal to their common sense

Let us know the verdict. Do you think this describes you? If you don't, then I know you better than you know yourself!! HA! Just kidding! Love ya friend!

We're Home

We had a really, really great time at the lake house. It was so relaxing and yet full of fun things to do. My blog was starting to look a little wordy, so I have to post some pictures of our trip!
If you told me your personality type, be sure and scroll down to see the profile I posted for you!




Cait showing what is in her egg

Benjamin showing off his collection of eggs

First time flying a kite

Poppa checking out B's muscles

Late night swim

Swinging!!

Showing off their catch! 10 fish in just a few hours!

Going boating

My fish and B's fish that we caught on our boat ride.
When the fish hit Benjamin's line he threw the
pole down and said he didn't want to fish anymore.
Poppa reeled it in for him!

Cait's first lesson in fishing.
She's using her new "Dora the Explorer" fishing pole.
Cait caught the most fish of any of us!
Her pole had a rubber fish on the end of it, so every
single time she cast, she "caught" a fish.
She acted shocked and excited each and every time!!!
Our surprise began to wane after a while, however.

For Lori: The Idealist

Lori, you think you're an INFP? Well that is:
"The Idealist"

Scroll down to Mary's posting. She is also an "Idealist". You can read about your personality type there! This is so interesting to me, because I would never have put you in that catagory. I think these tests help you learn more about those you love. You think you have someone all figured out...and then you read these profiles and learn so many new things about them! I love it! Thanks for sharing your results with me.

For Kathryn: The Nurturer

Kat, If you are an ISFJ then you are what they call:
"A Nurturer"

About you:

• People of this type tend to be: cautious, gentle, and thoughtful; hesitant until they know people well then affectionate and caring; very literal and aware of the physical world; uncompromising about personal standards and easily offended; diligent and conscientious, organized and decisive.

• The most important thing to ISFJ's is living a stable, predictable life and helping people in real ways.

How to spot ISFJ's:

• quiet, private and modest
• hard working, conscientious and serious
• gentle, thoughtful and sensitive
• careful dressers with an eye for color and comfort

Tips for communicating with ISFJ's:

• speak clearly and slowly; respect their privacy
• Be explicit and map out the steps and details of your ideas
• Honor your commitments and be prompt and thoughtful

This sounds a lot like you Kat! What do you think? Let us know! This sounds like a description of someone who is very loyal. That's a great quality to have!

For Mindy and Jenni: The Caregivers

Okay...two of my dearest friends with the same temperament! I am having a hard time seeing you two as having the same personality though! Well, let's see what the analysis says about the ESFJ:
"The Caregiver"

About you:

• People of this type tend to be friendly, active and energetic; outgoing, affectionate and talkative; concerned about others and careful to be polite and cooperative; realistic, literal and conscientious; highly sensitive and easily hurt; organized, responsible and conventional.
• The most important thing to ESFJ's is their relationships and helping people in real, and practical ways.

How to spot ESFJ's:

• friendly, talkative, and concerned about others, even strangers
• expressive voices, faces and eyes
• speak with great conviction, using plenty of personal, value words
• decisive, enthusiastic, energetic

Tips for Communicating with ESFJ's:

• Respect their feelings! Look them in the eye and respond to what they say
• Mention points of agreement first
• Be clear and specific- lay out the steps whenever possible

Let me know if this sounds like you. If so, then I will take their advice on communicating so that I can be a better friend to you both!

Leaving Town

We're on our way out of town this afternoon. Chris (and of course I am too) is in desperate need of some R and R. We will pick him up from Starbucks at 3:00, get hooked up with drinks for the road and head of to my parent's lake house on Camp Creek Lake (approx 30 mins. outside of Bryan). Hamburgers and an evening of fishing and porch swinging awaits us. Tomorrow we will have our Spring Celebration (scroll down to Spring Celebration) with the kids, more fishing, and porch swinging, followed by a fish and shrimp fry...YUM! Monday evening we will head home to start our week. Fun, Fun! I'll talk to you guys when we get back.

For Danielle: The Giver

Danielle, you are an ENFJ
"The Giver"

Yours is the same as my friend Christy who I posted earlier today. Scroll down and read the profile for ENFJ's.

It is so much fun to find out more about your friends and what makes them tick. Tell me if you agree or disagree with the profile.

Love ya!

For Christy: The Giver

So you took the test and found that you're an ENFJ,
"The Giver"

Here's the scoop on you:

• People of this type tend to be: friendly, outgoing, and enthusiastic; affectionate, articulate, and tactful; highly empathetic but easily hurt; creative and original; decisive and passionately opinionated, productive, organized and responsible.
• The most important thing to ENFJ's is their relationships, and the opportunity to communicate and connect with others.

How to spot ENFJ's:

• friendly, enthusiastic and empathetic
• creative, original and articulate communicators
• very expressive with strong, sincere, value-based opinions
• decisive, organized leaders

Tips for Communicating with ENFJ's:

• Express appreciation for their contributions
• Avoid confrontations- be diplomatic and look for points of harmony
• Respect their feelings and their need to be true to their values.

Wow Christy! I want to be more like you!!! As a friend, you are the model! Thank you for being my friend. I value your friendship so very much. Thank you for taking your time yesterday to share with me about homeschooling and answering all my questions. I know your time is precious and you shared some of it with me...thank you!
I love you friend!
(Enjoy your newly painted bathrooms!)

For Mary:: The Idealist

Mary, you say you're an INFP,
"The Idealist"

Here's the scoop on you:

• People of this type tend to be: quiet, reserved, and kind; deeply passionate, sensitive, and easily hurt; loving and dedicated to those close to them; creative, original and imaginative; curious and flexible in small matters; nonconforming.
• The most important thing to INFP's is their deeply held beliefs and living in harmony with their values.

How to spot an INFP:

• idealistic with deep yet private passions
• creative and imaginative
• initially hesitant and cautious
• original, even funky dressers

Tips for Communicating with INFP's:

• Share genuine beliefs and values to establish rapport
• Respect their slower warm time and need for privacy
• Emphasize the ways ideas will benefit others

So what do you think? Does this sound like you? I definitely see things in this description that "hit the nail on the head" when describing you...but others, I'm not sure. I want to get your feed back on this. If this does describe you, then I just learned a few new things about you! Regardless if you find this description to be an accurate one of you or not, you are as they described...

"kind; deeply passionate, sensitive, loving and dedicated to those close to them; creative, original and imaginative."

Those are some of the things that make you so lovable! This makes me miss you all the more!!
Love you Mary!

For Chris: The Inspirer

Chris, you say you're an ENFP,
"The Inspirer"

Here's the scoop on you...

• People of this type tend to be: enthusiastic, talkative and outgoing; clever, curious and playful; deeply caring, sensitive and gentle; highly innovative, creative, optimistic and unique; adaptable and resourceful but sometimes disorganized.
• The most important thing to ENFP's is freedom to see possibilities, make connections, and be with a variety of people.

How to spot ENFP's:

• high energy, friendly and good natured
• imaginative, fun loving and off beat
• curious; discussions quickly shift from one topic to another
• warm, concerned and eager to help solve problems

Tips for communicating with ENFP's:

• Focus on interesting and innovative possibilities and new ways of solving problems
• Don't overwhelm them with facts and details
• Keep things relaxed, warm and flexible

So there it is...my husband! I can see where my job as the keeper of our home would really come into play on the last line of Chris's profile: "Keep things relaxed, warm and flexible"
That's my job. "Cultivate Calm," as my pastor's wife describes it. This has been inspiring for me! Thanks for taking the test babe!

What is your personality?

When I went to the Kindermusik conference this last weekend we took personality tests. The purpose of this was to identify the different ways people think and act...what drives them, what impresses them, what is important to them. Then we practiced quickly placing someone in a particular category. This is to help us know what this person is expecting to get out of my classes. How do I teach to them. Is it important to them for me to start on time, or is it more crucial that I create an environment filled with lots of time for cuddles and hugs? Do they want to hear the scientific research behind the activities that we do or are they just there to have fun...no more?
Well, I took this little test, found out what my "letters" were and then picked up a paper that supposedly told me all about myself. Well, the first problem I ran into was that I wasn't sure if I was an introvert or an extrovert. The questions of "Are you reserved or outgoing?" Answer, "YES." Do you prefer to be alone or with people?" Answer, "YES." I seemed to be right straight down the middle. I started wondering if I was born an introvert and had been encouraged to "put myself out there" a little more. Or was it the other way around? Had I come to a happy medium in my life? I honestly can say that I DO get rejuvenated when around people, but I also LOVE my down time. I love being out front and being the one with the BIG job, but I also LOVE the relief of NOT having the big job and working behind the scenes where my performance matters very little to others. When it came down to it though, I had to choose A or B, Introvert or Extrovert. I decided I was most like the extrovert category.

This made my letters....(drum roll please)

ENTJ =
Extrovert
Intuitive
Thinker
Judger

This combo of traits earned me the label of "Executive."
What? Me? Executive? Hmmmmm.....

Here's what they said about my type personality:

• People of this type tend to be friendly, strong willed, and outspoken (NO!); honest, logical and demanding of selves and others; driven to demonstrate competence; creative with a global perspective; decisive, organized, and efficient.
• The most important thing to ENTJ's is demonstrating their competence and making important things happen.

How to spot us:

• High energy, take charge leaders
• decisive, organized and productive
• quick, strategic thinkers
• move with great purpose and confidence

Tips for communicating with ENTJ's:

• Get to the point - be organized and assertive
• emphasize the innovative and creative aspects of ideas
• Be prepared to defend your position with logic
  

So okay, that's me (supposedly) in a nut shell. I sound kind of scary, don't I?? IThe sad thing is, it sounds just like me. If I don't cross enough things off on my "To Do" list each day, then it hasn't been a very good day. I measure my worth by how productive I am. Think of the implications of that kind of thinking for my husbnad and children!! Poor things.

So what are you? Do you want to do the test? If so, post a comment and tell me what your letter combo is (i.e. ENTJ, ISTP, etc.) and I will post a little blurb about you. This way you can hear all about yourself!!!

Go here to take the 4 question test. It is so easy. Each question gives you a letter, that at the end, when you have all 4 letters, then you know what your personality type is.

Let us know what you are!!!

Disclaimer

I need to clarify something about my last post...concerning my little Sunday School class. I was in no way implying that I am a good teacher, or wise in the ways of teaching little ones. I credit the blessing of these little lives obviously to the workings of the Lord. But in addition, I credit the parents of these little ones who teach them diligently day after day, morning, noon and night about the Living God. I also credit the wonderful curriculum that we are using form Children's Desiring God as well as the people in my life who have influenced my thinking about how to teach children about God. My thinking has been revolutionized about who He is and how we need not hide the deep truths about God from our children in their youth. They receive what we tell them about God with very little, if any question. They are soft clay waiting to be molded....OH! And they will be molded into something. But what? I want to help mold their little minds with the truth of what an awesome God we serve!

He is the ONE True God!
God is so powerful!
No one is as strong as God!
God always keeps His promises.
God made everything. Why? For His own glory!
God loves us!
Jesus is God.

I always ask Benjamin each night what he thinks we should pray about. We pray for family, friends who are sick or are in need and he ALWAYS, always prays that God would give daddy only one job so that he can be with him more. So sweet. But tonight I asked Cait for the first time what she would like to pray. She said, "Strong tower." So I said, "You want to tell God that His name is like a strong tower?" She nodded. So I prayed her little Bible verse. "God, thank you that your name is like a strong tower. Please make Cait one of the righteous so that she will run to you and will be safe (from Proverbs 18:10)" She smiled SO big! It was all coming together for her in that sweet little head of hers. Blessing upon blessing!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

General Update

I really don't have much of anything exciting to say, just a little update on what we've been doing for the last week.

Last Thursday we had a great day at home, cleaning, playing, reading. We went to the library because we didn't get to go the day before for story time. Friday we had a fun day of preschool and then the kids went to the Clary's house for naps, etc. while I went to Day 1 of a Kindermusik conference in Garland. That was very refreshing!! I sat around and listened to these educators who had been teaching Kindermusik for 10, 14, 17 years. And they were struggling with some of the same issues that I was. What do you do when "Johnny" is running around the room while we're supposed to be seated in a circle playing instruments? How do you teach a child like that and still teach the others as well? I got LOTS of ideas and lots of encouragement. I was even able to give advice and ideas to some educators who have been in this for a shorter time than me.

Friday night we went to our first small group with our church. We had such a neat time of fellowship and prayer. We look forward to many more meetings like this in the future. Right about the time we were finishing up small group, my mom was pulling into our driveway at home. She came (at the last minute, per my plea for help) to help me on Saturday. I went to the second half of the Kindermusik conference while she spoiled my children. It was great for everyone involved. We treated her to a well deserved Mexican dinner that night and then we all went to bed early!

Sunday morning mom left to go home as we left to go to church. I was running late, but I am so glad that I was there this particular Sunday. My sweet little Sunday School class was such a blessing! I told Chris that I wish I could video our class and play it back for our church. They would be so blessed to see the enthusiasm for the Lord, their knowledge of who He is , their scripture memory bank and their obedience to their teachers. This week we started back at the beginning of our curriculum again. This go-around will be a little bit deeper and more detailed. Our theme was "God made everything!" What a blessing to know that we're teaching these children serious and crucial ideas about who God is and how He works. These truths will go witht hem for the rest of their lives as a foundation of doctrinal truths. WOW!! And to think that I just teach 2 and 3 year-olds!

Monday dawned in a new week and a refreshed Kindermusik teacher who was eager to make some changes. I wish I could say that my "Johnny" didn't run around the room as usual while we played instruments this week...he did. AND he decided he wanted to stand in the chair and dive off into the middle of the room. But...hopefully I handled it better and will continue to grow in this area.

See...I told you. Nothing big or exciting here, just a general update. I hope you guys are doing good out there. It's getting hotter by the day here. I love it!! I'm a southern girl, for sure!