What's going on with us...

I feel like I have been making excuses for not writing lately! My heart is in it. Unfortunately, my lack of time makes me let some things go. Three of us had a tummy bug this past week. This will be the forth time we have had tummy issues in the past month and a half. I suppose it beats strep and colds since they usually last longer! I tell you what though. Have you ever had to clean up your child's throw up while you feel like throwing up yourself. It brings a whole new meaning to not feeling well. I hate to be graphic, but Emily, the 6 year old, ate a hot dog for dinner. Need I say more...I am pretty sure that is the worst smell I have ever smelled! Okay, enough about that. We also finished cheerleading this past week and have one more soccer game left for Ty. I love all the extra-curricular stuff, but isn't it nice when it ends. It is like the calm after the storm, so to speak. I am finally getting in to the holidays. I was afraid that my motto was going to be "Bah Humbug" a few weeks ago, but I did buy my first present today. I usually adore this time of year, but I feel like it is all about the gifts for our kids. I have been letting their attitude alter my perspective of Christmas. Last year, I woke up and asked Ty if he liked what he had received and he commented, "That is all I got..." I keep thinking about that. Plus, I am pretty sure Toys R Us located an alternate warehouse location at our home! I am looking for some new ideas on how to refocus our children's minds to seeing the meaning behind Christmas. A friend told me their family wakes up to read the Christmas story from the Bible and then, opens their three gifts each alternating between the three kids. We cut down the number of gifts last year. I am hoping that adding this to our Christmas morning routine will allow the kiddos some reinforcement for the true meaning behind the birth of Jesus. If you have any other great ideas, I would love to hear them. Also since my last post, we found out Ty needs braces. We have been going to an orthodontist periodically for about two years, but it was finally time. I am so thankful our insurance pays some though! Now that I see how much it is, I am going to add my other children's teeth to our prayer list! I can't imagine doing that for all five! Since the kids were out of school on Monday, not only did we get braces, but I took all five kids to the zoo. We parked, got out of the car and had just made our way into the zoo when Will decided to just sit down, scrunch up his little nose and tell me "I NO walk!" That should have been a sign on how well this little trip was going to be. I did not let it put a damper on the trip. I put on my big girl panties and told him we were going to have to leave and go home right then and somehow, he pulled himself together! So, off we go. It was a really good trip for the most part. Will scrunched that little nose at me several more times as well as plopping that little hind end on the ground and screaming, but I am thanking Jesus because I did not lose my temper or hold any of my children up by one arm and beat them like some of the mommas do in Walmart! Let me tell you that I was both physically and mentally exhausted that night. I was glad we did it though. I love those special times with our kids. Making time carved out just for them. I would go on to tell you some insight I have had on Job this week, but I am sure you are tired of reading me rambling again. I will tell you some next time. It is good stuff.