No kissing in kindergarten!

The other night before bed Brayden announced to me that "Mom, did you know...there is no kissing in kindergarten!"

My first thought was "oh no, what is Brayden doing at kindergarten?". I asked him if his teacher had told him that or if they had read it in a book and he said his teacher had told him that. I was thinking "oh great, my son is kissing girls at school and causing problems". When I went up to say goodnight I asked him why his teacher had told him that and then I got the real story. Turns out some girl was so excited that Brayden had sat down next to her that she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. Well good, at least it wasn't Brayden doing the kissing! He said that Mrs. Burris said there was no kissing in kindergarten because it spreads germs. True, true!

Luckily that's the only explanation a kindergartner needs, I am thinking that won't work when he's older!

Sand, sun and the park

Things I'm learning

God has really been reinforcing and reminding me of some things lately, it would appear I have a lot to learn still! (Plus, I couldn't let my last post be the one on the top of page for too long!)

• I need to respect my husband. He needs my unconditional respect more than he needs my unconditional love (although he does need that too). Chris and I have been reading through and discussing the Love and Respect book by Emerson Eggerichs. It has been very challenging to me as to how I treat him and how a godly wife should act.


• My three boys are unique and each created differently for a special purpose by God. Therefore, each boy requires different and unique instruction, love and discipline. I have been studying Raising Responsive Children by Judy Rossi for my personal devotions and have been challenged this week to get to know my children as individuals and not lump them into one category. I do know that they have different personalities, but to intentionally think about it and apply it to how I treat them has been more challenging than I would have thought.


• God has a will for my life and our family. It isn't always apparent at first and often times scary and stressful, but God will provide all our needs and knows what we need before we even do.

Our new TV

Okay, let me preface this by saying that I think it's kind of dumb to post a picture of our new TV. I don't want to come across like I'm bragging or that we are materialistic. I mentioned to Chris that our friend, Sean, had left a comment that he wanted to see a picture of the TV and Chris said he thought that was a good idea. Maybe it's a guy thing? Anyway, here it is....

Happy Birthday Chris!

Today is my sweetie's 29th birthday! He has to work and then there is a basketball game tonight, so we won't see him much today, but we will have a good weekend of celebration! We have spent the last 11 birthdays together as a couple and I have to say that he just keeps getting better every year!

Our Valentines

We had a really good family day for Valentine's day this year. Valentine's has kind of taken on a new meaning now that we have kids old enough to understand what it is and want to get involved, but it is still a lot of fun. There isn't as much Chris/me time, but there are a lot more gifts and love to go around now!

• When we sat down to eat breakfast, the boys were greeted with small gifts on the table. We gave them each a little Nemo activity and sticker book and a Disney ice pack (they like to use them when they get hurt). Brayden's comment was "Wow, I am so excited, I didn't know we were going to get gifts too."


• After we were all ready, we headed to Walmart to return some things and look for something for the boys. While there, Chris found a really good deal on a TV (we have been looking for a newer one for awhile). We went home and then he headed back to get it since it wouldn't fit in the van with all of us in it.


• We spent most of the afternoon putting it together, cleaning and rearranging.


• We got one of those heart-shaped pizzas from Papa Murphy's for the boys for dinner.


• After dinner and their baths, the boys got to eat popcorn and watch Madagascar 2 (we rented it).


• After the boys went to bed, Chris and I finally got our time! We made cheese and chocolate fondue and ate by candlelight. We had really good conversation and it was very romantic.


• I was showered with Valentine's and gifts all day long, from Chris and from the boys. My favorite gift, however, was when Chris told me he wanted to start doing a Bible study together a couple of nights a week and go through a book. I am so excited! I am hoping it will bring us closer to God and each other and make our marriage even stronger.

A (early) Valentine's day surprise for me!

Brayden woke up this morning and told me he needed paper and scissors and then that I couldn't watch him because he was making a surprise for me. He returned about 15 minutes later with the cutest little heart. He told me it was his Valentine for me because "we might we really busy on Valentine's Day and he might not have time to make me one then". It was so sweet, it really made my day!
The drawing is a red heart with red flowers and a yellow vase and green leaves!

Donde esta Preston?

(Hint - he's wearing a green shirt)

Preston loves to sleep with his head totally covered by his blanket. I used to worry that he might get stuck in there and not be able to breathe, but now that's he older (and has been doing this for so long with no problems), I know he'll be able to get it off his head if he needed too. It's funny that when he is sleeping he totally covers himself, almost head to toe, with blankets. Must be comfy, maybe I should try it?!

The 100 club

Remember that old TV show -- the 700 club (it was on in the 80's)? I don't really know much about it except that my mom used to watch it during our nap time and it was kind of like a Christian talk show (if I remember right). And I remember one day I got to watch it too because I electrocuted myself during nap time by sticking a bobby pin into a electric socket (ouch, I know!). So, my mom let me come out and sit with her and stick my hand in a bowl of water. But I still don't remember much about the show, just that my mom enjoyed it and I didn't really get it -- I thought it was a boring, adult show. Anyway, I digress.
Well, the 100 club is a bit different - it is neither boring nor for adults. After Brayden's 100 day party, his teacher encouraged them to learn to count to 100 by themselves. Brayden learned that weekend following and then last week, counted to 100 for his teacher and got to be part of the 100 club (one of only 8 kids in his class to do it so far). He got this sticker, which he wore all day and told everyone he met about how he counted to 100! He was very proud, it is quite an accomplishment for a 5-year-old!

Washing the car

This past Saturday it was so nice outside, so Chris and the boys washed his truck. Surprisingly, they weren't totally covered with soap and water when they were done!
Such good little helpers!

100 day party

Brayden celebrated his 100th day of kindergarten last week at school. His teacher is so creative and fun, and she really talked it up so that it was this big thing that Brayden was really excited for. Earlier in January they all painted t-shirts and then they got to wear them and take them home after their 100 day party. Brayden made a dinosaur shirt and he has asked to wear it every day since! He is so proud of it (as he should be)!

They also had to bring in 100 of something that were all the same (crayons, cheerios, stickers, etc). Brayden brought in 100 marshmallows and did a show-and-tell with them. Then he got to bring them all home and all 3 boys enjoyed eating them!