Things that make me smile!

So it has been a LONG time since I have posted - probably should have posted an update a long time ago on the previous post about the car seat. The short version - through Graco (and God's grace) we were able to buy a replacement part for $10. Amazing!

But on this sunny day, while the house is quiet, I thought I would make a short list of things that make me smile today (in no particular order):

• Creamed Corn from Sweet T's
• Hearing Ethan sing "The Father's Love"
• Thinking about how I will decorate my new house
• Squirt Soda - - current addiction of mine
• Talking to Jeremy on the phone
• Seeing Ethan run up and give Gracie a big hug and a big smile on his own initiative
• Getting to church a few minutes early - even with getting the kids ready and everything
• Watching Ethan's face as he watches Kung Fu Panada
• Thinking about the Great Shepherd and his love for me
• Knowing that in 16 days I will see Jeremy
• Knowing that in 10 days I will see my mom
• Looking at all the boxes that I have gotten packed with the help of some special friends - couldn't do this without them!
• Relaxing on my couch
• Allie being such a helper with me with Ethan
• As weird as this will sound - crunched up mini wheats on the floor - - because I am realizing these moments will pass all too fast
• Singing The Glories of Calvary at church this morning
• Being so welcomed into a fellowship group this morning at SRBC
• Seeing Mrs. Dolan holding Ethan in the nursery

This list could go on and on - - - so much to smile about! Who knows when the next post will be - I know the next two and a half weeks will be crazy - but updates will come for sure!

A Broken Car Seat and a Gospel Lesson

Well, I have not posted in quite a while - largely due in part to time, but more than anything, I often don't feel like I have much to blog about. Tonight, I have a quiet house, a few moments to blog and more than anything - a testimony to God's greatness in using all things for His glory and our good. So I feel compelled to share - it was a precious lesson to all of us and I am praying God uses it greatly in the life of our family.

Last night was quite an adventure - another story all in itself - the short version - Ethan got sick several times, resulting in the car seat needing to be cleaned. I worked on that today and had it sitting there - waiting for all the drying parts to be returned. The car seat has this lovely piece of foam that is the head support. To a little four year old girl, this must have looked like a craft project waiting to happen. More than once I had said, Allison, don't touch the foam. While getting dinner ready I see Allison holding a piece of the foam and hear Jeremy asking her where it came from. Eventually she pointed to the broken foam in the living room. Yes, you guessed it, she decided to disobey and tear the foam so, as she put it, she could "make something." To say I was upset would be quite the understatement. I was not happy at all. Jeremy took her to her room, talked to her and we left her to stay on her bed while we discussed matters in the other room - trying to decide what to say, what the consequences were and cool down - all were needed. We talked about how she could pay for it (she had money from Christmas) but that seemed like something of little impact since she doesn't have a real concept of the amount of money. After a period of time Jeremy said he needed to go back and deal with her - I asked, "What are you going to say?" Jeremy's reply, "I don't know exactly, but talk to her about the gospel and forgiveness." When Jeremy came back and shared with me about the conversation, I realized that God used the broken car seat to teach us all a big lesson. Jeremy said that when he was talking to Allie, he told her she would have to pay for the repairs or replacement, no matter how much that was (and we had told her it could be lots of money). She looked up at him, feeling badly and said, "Daddy, I can't pay, I only have $2 from Uncle Adam and $1 from my bank, I don't have enough and I can't pay." Which made her sad. It was at that moment that Jeremy (being a wonderful father - tender to teaching our children about God's love and grace) realized that this is EXACTLY what God has done for us - we come to Him completely unable to pay and he says to us, "I will pay." So Jeremy looked at Allison and explained that because he loved her, he would pay what she couldn't. It was a wonderful opportunity to talk to her about how God did this for us, he paid for our sins which we could never pay for. Jeremy headed to a meeting and Allie brought it up again to me, telling me how special it was that Daddy was going to pay for something that she couldn't but should. When she prayed tonight she thanked God for paying for what we couldn't.

I am beyond thankful above all that God did pay for what I couldn't! I am thankful for real lessons in life where he clearly reminds us of his love and grace. It may have been seemed like a broken car seat - but really it was a great reminder to all of us how God paid for what we couldn't. Allie knows tonight that her daddy loves her - that he is going to take care of what she can't. I pray that takes hold in her heart and that there comes a point where she sees exactly what God has done for her. So thankful for those moments when we so clearly see God at work - His glory - our good! My heart is smiling -

Nothing Like Time with My Kids!

So Jeremy is backpacking and so the kids and I have enjoyed some good time together. Yesterday we headed to IKEA with a friend and enjoyed checking out some fun things there! Then the big decision - where should we have lunch? So many good choices! Once we thought about the Pazookie at BJs, the decision was made! Lunch was amazing - fried artichokes for an appetizer, open face roast beef sandwich for the main course (for me) and then yes, a White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Pazookie for dessert! It was amazing! Of course that meant now we had to go to the Outlet Mall to catch Labor Day sales - I mean - walk off the Pazookie! We caught some good deals. There were a few points when I was wondering why I decided to do this big trip with the kids - like when Allie was crawling through clothes or the window displays or when Ethan was screaming because his sister took his balloon, but I honestly have to say they were GREAT! They did so good being dragged everywhere and I am thankful that I have a girl who loves to shop and try things on - love that I will have a shopping buddy! We then headed home - a full 9 hours of shopping and fun!

Today we hung out at home and enjoyed being together - complete with a walk to Crepevine for lunch (Allie's choice) and the walk was a workout! A double stroller in heat made for some good exercise! Then my favorite part - naps for everyone - ME included! And now - Ethan is sleeping and Allie and I are relaxing watching a special Dora episode "Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom." I love time with her! She is growing up way too fast in my mind but thankful she wants to spend time with me. I love it when she says, "Mom, this is the best day ever!" I love "Mommy and Me" time! So tomorrow - I think feeding the ducks and the park - at Allie's request and we both agree Moxie's would be a special Labor Day treat!

My Girl Kicked back in her favorite chair - the laundry basket - enjoying the evening!

This pic - purely for fun because it makes me smile!

Catching Up

The Writebol's had a fun summer! One of our favorite summer activities is the Sonoma County Fair! We were able to go several times thanks to our fair entries! Enjoy a few pics of our first visit to the fair!

Allie's First Entry to the Sonoma County Fair - Isn't she a great little artist?????? She got us a free ticket!

Fun on the tractor's with her friend Gracie!

You can't be at the fair and not have your free Clover Ice Cream Cone!!!!!

And yes, we came home from the fair with a new member to our family, Allie's pet bunny - Sparkle!

30 Days - Only 29 More to Go!

So day one of the Shred is done! I am back at it and this time with complete accountability! I have two friends who are in this 30 days with me! We are doing 30 days of the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred DVD. So in April I started this video and completed 30 days of workouts - every day - didn't miss a day!!!!!! There were days I felt like I was going to die (and tomorrow will be one of them when I go to put my feet on the floor and try to walk) but it was good - I slept better, felt better over all and clothes were fitting differently - - loved it - hard work but loved it. My sweet husband promised me a trip to the SPA if I did all 30 days! The SPA was amazing - I had my ultimate massage and was feeling so good about my reward that I decided it had to be done again - back to the shred!

I was thinking about it and wondering - if I felt so good while doing it - why did I quit for May, June and July - - - then I remembered - oh right - the flu for most of May at my house and then travel galore! But seriously - it is time for no excuses - time to be serious and stay committed. I am excited about getting back in to the daily routine (I am such a routine person) and LOVE that I am not doing this alone! Thankful for the two people in this with me! Trust me - only real friends would commit to this video for 30 days! So day one is done and I can honestly say - it felt good! (Ask me tomorrow what I think - lol!)

Come On Let's Go to Nowhere Land!

Can't believe it - but it is true - my little Allie will be four years old in a month and 3 days! So let the birthday plans begin! Yes, she has chosen a theme for her birthday that isn't easy - why? Well, it is an older cartoon and so finding anything to go with it has created a big challenge for a mom who loves birthday parties and loves to keep everything in theme. So the theme - well folks - we are headed to Nowhere Land with Maggie and the Ferocious Beast. I think that Allie's love for pretend play is the biggest reason she has fallen in love with watching Maggie!