Cards

Since our family shower last week, today is the first time I've been able to sort through our cards.  I wanted to put each child's cards in a box for them to read later.  There are so many beautiful cards, with the most touching and heartfelt words ever.  One particular one, however, that touched me personally, was one that said; "It's never been a question of if, It's always been a question of when", and the inside says, "And now is your time". 
What more can I say?

Now I lay me...And Liberty and Justice For All :)

Each night we ask our sweet children what they want to pray about, and are encouraging them to say their own prayers- a conversation with God.  We encourage them to just talk to Him.  It doesn't have to sound like anything but a conversation.  Tonight our sweet Katherine had trouble getting started.  I did a little guiding, and started her off with, "Now I Lay Me", which she followed.  Once it seemed like she had it, I stopped and let her continue.  So here was her prayer...
"Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep,  by His hands we all are fed, Give us Lord our daily bread, AMEN

The Difference Between Boys and Girls

Tonight the 4 of us were at Sonic for a snack after a concert.  Aside from the obvious, the differences between boys and girls really intrigue and delight me:).  While sitting there having our snack, I noticed that both Will and Katherine were looking at the same long legged, roller skate clad "car hop".  Katherine was fascinated with the dynamics of her job- what she did, and how she did what she did on skates- if she got free food, and if she could eat anything she wanted while she was working, etc. etc. etc. :)
Will, on the other hand, was watching the car hops every move for quite a different reason.  I pointed this out to Randy, that our children were watching the same person, but for two completely different reasons!
Ahh, the difference between girls and boys- so funny to watch!

Generations of Grace

Tomorrow we are going on our first little overnight "road trip".  We are going to Florence to see my Mama Dot and Papa, and to celebrate my Mama Dot's 92nd birthday!  I am excited for several reasons.  The first reason, and most obvious, is for the children to meet their very large family!  Secondly, and a bit selfishly, I guess, is that I want my grandparents to meet their newest great grandchildren before Mama Dot and Papa are called home to Jesus.  Papa is 94, and his health is declining fairly rapidly.  Randy and I are the last of the 4 grandchildren to bring children into our family. 
After we celebrate with the family, the 4 of us are going to stay in a hotel in town and spend time as  a family.  The children are excited about swimming, and Randy and I are excited about NO alarm clocks!  Our prayer is that we would get there safely, have a great time, and that the children arenn't too overwhelmed, or overwhelmING!
I think we'll have a good time:)

"Tuggles and Giggles"

When we go to bed at night, Katherine likes to, what she calls, "tuggle".  She loves to "tuggle" with mommy and daddy.  Before long, she's fast asleep, even after insisting she is NOT tired!  Tonight she and I were "tuggling", and she said, "I love you to the stars and back".  Then I responded that I loved HER to the MOON and back".  she said, "no ya don't".  So I asked her, "well, how much do I love you?"  Her response made me smile.  She said, "Yeah, you do love me that big.  I love you that big too".  I then told her I loved her all the way up to Heaven.  Her reply, "I love you all the way up to Jesus, and I really like Jesus!"
 Then, the giggles started.  I told her, "I love you more than a new pair of shoes, and I really like new shoes..."
She and I both started giggling at that moment, and when she gets going, she can't stop!  So then daddy came in for some Katherine time and I went in Will's room for some Will time.  Before I knew it, she had dissolved into a puddle of giggles again!  Apparently daddy had whacked his head on her headboard.  She told him, "I knew you were going to do that, but I didn't tell you".  she told him, "Mommy is better at tuggling".  Daddy said, "Yeah, well mommy is a lot shorter than daddy and fits in your bed a whole lot easier".
Another advantage of being short.  Whoever said, "Short people got no reason to live...." was obviously mistaken:)

Tears

I cry at everything.  Yes, I'm a leaker!  I cry when the National Anthem is being played, I cry over music that moves me, and some say (which is false by the way) that I would even cry at a grand opening of a grocery store! 
During our journey to parenthood, however, I've been amazingly dry eyed- until last night.  Randy was paying for my birthday present, a really cool bike so I can keep up with our very active children!  As he was doing that, I was looking around at some frames.  Frames, of all things!  Then it hit me.  Our "Family" frame will look totally different now.  All I could imagine was filling up all those frames with their neat sayings etched in, just filling every square inch of wall space with frames- our life in frames! Then it hit me- WHAM-O! 
So that's what did it.  Frames.  Rectangualrly  shaped pieces of wood.  I'm crying in the frames department of Sears.  Crazy, huh?

You Are Our Samuel

You Are Our Samuel
by Randy McKeithan

You are our Samuel
Cried for to the throne of grace;
Heaven has heard our longing hearts,
In God we stand amazed.

In prayer you have been lifted up,
In faith our hopes made true;
A blessed joy to have you home,
In our loving family through
The amazing grace of God
That has brought you to this day.
Only God could place you here with us,
My Christ, You are The Way.

I've poured my heart for wisdom,
Help me, Abba, to be their dad.
Son and daughter you are cherished,
In God's love may your days be glad.

Your mother looked at your photo,
longing to hold you near;
To cradle you with loving warmth,
Do you know that you are dear?

Oh, how we've waited for this hour,
You in our tender care.
Truly you are a gift from God
We wrap you tightly in prayer.

for as you rise and walk and play,
You're treasured every moment, every second of each day.
And every night as you lie down,
And drift to peaceful rest,
These parent eyes will look on you
And know we're truly blessed.

You are our Samuel
Cried for to the throne of grace.
Heaven has heard our longing hearts,
In God's love we stand amazed.