Came across this again...

I read this a while back and it resurfaced recently. A good lesson:

"People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway." — Mother Theresa

Future Hairstyle

Tonight I cut Jacob and Nathaniel's hair. Leah sat and watched. She ALWAYS wants a haircut. But, since she'd already taken a bath, I told her she'd get too itchy so we'd have to do it some other time. Later on, when we were going to bed, she said, "Mom, someday can I have my hair like John the Baptist?"

Oh My Darling, Clementine!

Sunday evening around 5pm, I went to Price Chopper to pick up a few things. They had the 5lb boxes of clementines on sale. I asked Patrick if he thought anyone would eat them and he said, "I would." So, I bought a box and brought them home. And low and behold, the kids loved them and in about 24 hours, the whole box was gone! I don't think Jacob ate any, but the rest of the kids did and I was surprised to see the empty box last night. Glad they liked them.

So then I was thinking, they were still on sale, should I buy more? Then I rethought - no way. I'm sure that if I do, no one will eat a single one. Just never can tell, but I'm sure it's in my cards that it would be a different story with the 2nd. So, we'll call it good with one quick box! Ha.

Hard Workers in Action

Well, the basement project is officially underway. Patrick has decided to dive in. He's started some of the framing, but couldn't have done it without his big helpers. When he bought the supplies, we had the whole family helping to carry the wood and insulation to the basement from the garage. They did great!

Happy 7th Birthday, Leyton & Nathaniel! (1/7/11)

Another part of our Happy New Year times (along with the year, and Patrick & I's anniversary - 13 this year by the way) is the wonderful celebration of Leyton & Nathaniel's birthday. What a fun day. It was a Friday and I was actually able to arrange being off work, so that was extra nice, too, to spend the day with the family. I took treats to their classes in the afternoon and got to read a couple of books they chose to the classes as well. Then at home, we had an at home family celebration that evening. The menu they chose was "breakfast for dinner" so we had bacon, scrambled eggs, chocolate chip pancakes, and wheat pancakes. Yum. They all enjoyed it quite a bit. Aunt Stacy came by and was able to join us as well. We had decorated chocolate chip cookie cake for dessert.

As we always say, time sure flies. These boys have come a long way and are such nice boys (I'm biased). Nathaniel is really a thinker and he enjoys playing basketball, doing projects around the house, and reading, along with Star Wars and playing with his siblings. He has a great smile and a huge heart. In fact, he really helped Patrick today with the basement as Patrick has started the framing for finishing the basement...Patrick put up a wall section which will go to the storage area and Nathaniel said, "Dad, where's the door?" Patrick mentioned several times today that he sure is glad Nathaniel mentioned that! Ha. Nathaniel is a very hard worker, too. He always likes to work and do his best. He's told us that his teacher says that in first grade, you "always have to be busy, always" in reference to him getting his morning work done (sometimes some of the kids have a hard time getting it all done). A patient, sweet, loving boy.

Leyton is laid back about almost everything and is pretty content going with the flow. He is, however, a perfectionist. He likes to have all of his school work perfect and takes pride in doing his best. He also enjoys basketball, reading, and playing all sorts of things. He enjoys Star Wars, KU, and playing with his siblings. He takes good care of his younger siblings and they often go to him with their questions on how to do something or how to spell a word. He's very good with them and really makes Anne laugh. A carefree but caring, loving, sweet boy.

Hmm, I'm pretty sure they weigh around 55 lb each now...imaging their start at just a total of 8lb: Leyton was 3lb 13oz, Nathaniel was 4lb 3oz! Crazy. Boys, the true gift of your birthday is you! We love you!

Thought for the Day

"All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness." -Hebrews 12:11

No School today!

So the boys are out of school today for MLK Jr. It is so much fun having them home. Last week they had two snow days, on Mon. & Tues., and that was a lot of fun, too. I enjoy having them home & I know they enjoy an extra day to play. This morning, they've already played Blokus, Flip Uno, Sorry, and Chutes & Ladders. Then they played matchbox cars in the kitchen, and now they have moved on to Light Saber battles - that could go on for a while. I love hearing them playing and having fun. The girls have been playing playdoh and pretend kitchen stuff. Anne pretty much just tries to be part of whatever is going on. Sometimes, it happens to be destructive to others' efforts (like a lineup of about 30 matchbox cars getting kicked apart - not intentional, but you know). She's a hoot.

The only bummer of the day...I don't get to stay home for all of it...I have to work today. At least I get to spend the morning with them.