Will You Be Mine

The boys and I had lots of fun today making valentines to send to Granny, Mammaw and Grandma. Jalen addressed the envelope himself and put it in the mailbox. They were both so excited! Jameson called his friend Ry Ry to see if she would be his Valentine. Then Jalen got mad and said that he didn't have a girl to be his Valentine. When I told him that I would be happy to be his, he informed me that I was too old and that he needed someone that was only 5.



In making our valentines, we realized that a lot of our crayons were broken and missing wrappers. We've been trying to recycle all of our plastics at home but why not recycle our crayons? Sounds like fun to me! We sprayed the inside of a muffin pan with PAM and placed an assortment of colors in each tin. Then we stuck it in the oven on 400 degrees for 5 minutes. After cooling in the freezer, our new crayon buttons popped right out. Aren't they cool?

Four Hours of Fun

Today was Jalen's first day of preschool. Unfortunately, they didn't have availability on the same days that Jameson attends so I'm dropping off every day Monday - Friday, just alternating kiddos. Craaaazy!

Although the schedule of it all is some what chaotic, it allows me to have one on one time with each of them for a few hours each morning and that has been amazing. Today, since Jalen was in school, mommy and Jameson ran a few errands and then had some fun.

First we went to library and read a book about Groundhog's Day.



Then we did a puppet show!


On to Uniquely Yours pottery to paint a dinosaur!



After pottery, we went to the post office, the ups store and grocery shopping before picking up our brother. Jalen had a great 1st day, loved his teacher and learned a lot.




Look mom, he saw his shadow. Six more week's of winter!

Can I taste it yet?

Well, the boys and I stayed home for the majority of the day. We watched cartoons, cleaned the playroom and practiced the alphabet. Then, I realized that I needed several things from the store. Yeah, only one problem. I had already given them baths, they were in their pajamas and James wasn't going to be home for a few more hours. So, we threw on our shoes and our coats and headed to the store. Fortunately, there was only one other person inside and we didn't look too lazy. It's a snow day right? Pjs are totally permitted. When we got home, our neighbor had plowed our driveway as well as the other houses on both sides of us. How sweet is that? We hardly know them but everytime it snows, he makes sure that our driveway is clear. I couldn't even tell you his name but one thing is for sure, acts of random kindness are far and few between in today's world. Jameson and I decided that it would be nice to bake a warm batch of brownies to take over as our way of saying thank you. With each step of the process I heard "Can I taste it yet". Finally, I gave him his wish. He licked the spatula clean. He's always mommy's little helper around the kitchen. Love him!

"Can I taste it yet?"

"Can I taste it now?" " Is it almost ready to taste?"

"Can I taste it? I just want to taste it."

"Yum. It tastes really good, our neighbor will like it. " I like it too. "

Girls Night Out

The ladies from our Covenant class enjoyed "27 Dresses" night at The Melting Pot on Tuesday. The weather was horrible and the snow just kept coming but that wasn't going to stop 12 chocolate lovin women from their night on the town. We all dressed up in old prom or bridesmaid dresses and headed to The Melting Pot for a night of fun. We paraded around the restaurant in the fashion show all competing to win 12 free months of chocolate fondue! Well, being the strategic team that we are, we all voted for our fearless coordinator for the night and she won best dress! Since there were 12 girls total, she divided her winnings amongst all of us and we all received a certificate for a free chocolate fondue! The food was amazing, the chocolate was even better and the company was the best. We all had a great time and cannot wait to do it again:) Thanks girls!

To God Be The Glory

Well, there are no pictures to go with this post but every happy face posted this year will be as a result of what you're about to read. In February of 2008, James and I filed for full custody of our two boys. Month after month, hearings were set, rescheduled and drawn out. Our lives were under a microscope for the past 10 months with vultures just waiting to find something that they could attack us with. We remained faithful to God, following His path and speaking only the truth throughout the process. There were days that we questioned why we were going through this and days where we cried with frustration. The past week was the most difficult. It was finally down to the week that the decision would be made. James and I called daily as the secretaries at the court became more and more frustrated, finally asking us not to call back until we received notification by mail. We continued to call daily. Finally, today at 12:45, James received a phone call at work stating that we had been awarded full custody. I could go into great detail as to how the decision was made and why we were concerned for the children in their other environment but none of that is important. What is important is that our God is a faithful God, an unchanging God and a remarkable God. Looking back we can see how His hand was at work all along. He knew what His plan consisted of and His plan was one to not to harm us but to give us a future and hope. He could see what was best for His children and the results had to come in His timing and not our own. Throughout the past year's trials, we've learned a lot through perseverance and through our love for Christ and especially through His love for us. We are honored that He has entrusted the boys to us and we vow to raise them to be followers of Christ and to teach them about His word and His love for us. We are both so excited to start our life together as a family. I look forward to many posts of happy times and happy faces. To God Be The Glory!

Welcome to the family Tommy Rodger

I now realize that Christmas was over two weeks ago and I haven't posted since December 20th.
Ahh...so much to share. We spent Christmas Eve at James's parents house down south. Good times. I made homemade caramel corn which was a big hit that paired nicely with my apple dumplings for dessert, yum! The boys were so excited. They were amazed that we made popcorn on the stove and that it didn't come from a brown paper bag with steam rolling from the microwave. It was great to spend time with family that we don't see very often. Christmas morning was a hoot! I tried to sneak in the shower before the boys woke up but as soon as Jalen heard the floor creak it was "Mommy, did Santa come?". We headed downstairs only to find that Santa had ate our cookies and that the reindeer were quite pleased with their carrots. We even left Santa strawberry milk this year! Jalen thought that he would like to try something new.
We started the morning with a hearty breakfast...it was our Happy Birthday Jesus cake what else? Then it was on to the presents. Jameson opened his oh so wanted tool bench (not what it sounds like when he says it ;),Jalen was thrilled with Sorry Slider but that was only the beginning. Oh yes, what was that tall present under the quilt? Ahhhh.....IT'S A GUINEA PIG...SANTA BROUGHT ME A GUINEA PIG, OH I KNEW HE WOULD, I KNEW HE WOULD, I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT SILLY SANTA BROUGHT ME A GUINEA PIG! ......priceless. Tommy Rodger is his name and messy is his game. That's right, we are the proud new parents of Tommy Rodger, a 1 month old calico guinea pig that the boys believe came straight from the north pole. I hate to admit it but the little guy is sort of cute. Against better judgement of course but what do you do when 1 week before the big day you hear "Dear Santa, if I only get one present this year, I hope it's a guinea pig"? After all the boys have been through this year..I figured what the heck. I'll be sure to post some pictures of the newest addition to our family very soon.

Not my gum drop buttons....

The boys and I spent most of the day together today as James was tutoring all morning and afternoon. We first went down to church and delivered the gifts from our giving tree. It was so cute to watch the boys load the presents into the car and sort them at the community center. I'm so proud of them for doing God's work. We then made a quick stop to help some friends from our small group move. After some chicken nugget action, we headed to walmart to battle to crowds all for a loaf of bread and a gingerbread house kit. I must say that it was worth the hussle and bussle though. The boys did a great job building their gingerbread house and it turned out great. Here are a few pics.

A Time To Remember

Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men (Luke 2:14).

Behold...I bring you good tidings of great joy. Luke 2:10

For unto us a child is born...Isaiah 9:6

All kings shall pay Him homage, all nations shall serve Him. Psalm 72:11

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: he is Christ the Lord.Luke 2:11

And there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. Luke 2:8:9

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

And suddenly there was the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest." Luke 2:13

She shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call His name Jesus; for He shall save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:21

We have seen His star in the East, and have come to worship Him." Matthew 2:2

Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name. Philippians 2:9

All kings shall pay Him homage, all nations shall serve Him Psalm 72:11

The Song of the Angels: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth, Peace." Luke 2:14

They lifted up their voices with ...instruments of music, and praised the LORD. 2 Chronicles 5:13

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy...Hebrews 4:16

He put a new song in mouth... Psalm 40:3

Thy face, Lord, do I seek: I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the Land of the Living! Psalm: 27:8, 13

Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among the peoples. -Psalm 96:3

The Book of Love

Yesterday was quite an eventful evening for the Gilbert family. We started the night at church where we enjoyed a Christmas play put on by the elementary students, followed by a cookie reception with a few of our close friends. We then began our 45 minute journey home which would include a brief detour to the Frankfort Park for their annual Christmas Light Display and Santa's House. I must say that the conversation that took place during our car ride home was even more eventful then the actual events themselves that night. Let me explain....I'm not even sure as to how the conversation came about but we somehow arrived on the subject of love. We were discussing how you were suppose to treat someone that you love and in what ways you could show someone that you love them. Our 5 yr old then proceeds to tell us that he knows all about it and that he wrote a book about love. "It's called the book of love" he said "and its for kids my age". Oh how we could not wait to hear the details. "The first thing that I would do is take her to eat dinner in one of those long black taxis" We can only assume that he is referring to a limousine which is a nice start, lucky girl. "Then I would give her flowers and a ring" Well what can I say, he's a quick mover but then again ....he is his father's son:) Our 3 yr old then decides that he would like to share his opinion of the perfect date...again our 3 yr old! "I would like for her to have pink hair and blue eyes and I would take her to the beach and I would buy her candy and she would love it" The boys then continued to talk amongst themselves about what the perfect scenario would be as James and I listened from the front seat. We treasured this precious moment of the little voices in the back, knowing we would someday watch them pull away in that long black taxi with the girls they described by their side. Hopefully without the pink hair of course. We are realizing that time goes by so quickly. Each day a new word is added to their vocabulary and each day they are one step further from needing us to wipe their nose, wash their hands or tuck them into bed. I've been trying my best this month to make the most of every possible second that I have with my children, knowing that each day with them has been a gift ; a gift that cannot be purchased by standing in a bustling line of grumpy people, maxing out their plastic and expending all of their energy on ribbons and bows, but a gift that has been given by the Lord and one that should be irreplaceable and indescribably of value and of worth. A gift that is an opportunity to make memories. I encourage all of you to make your own memories with your children this Christmas. Teach them the reason for the season and savor the flavor of every precious moment that will soon be gone; from changing a dirty diaper to having snot stains and boogers on the shoulder of your favorite sweater. Read stories, bake cookies, live, laugh and love them....and they will in return forever love you and their memories . "To be in your children's memories tomorrow, you have to be in their lives today"....Barbara Johnson

Frosty with a little Fruit Loop Fun

Well, today started with snowy surprise! James and I had no idea that it was even in the forecast. Who has time to watch the weather with two rugrats and their father competing for attention right? As soon as the boys, and I do mean all three of them, were awake, they were bundled up and out the door! Frosty only lasted for few short hours but he sure was fun to make!

Then we came inside to warm up and decorate our tree. Our living room is so bright that we need to wear shades:)

Jalen and Jameson had fun stringing fruit loops for the tree. Unfortunately, more ended up in Jameson's mouth then on the string.