A Beautiful Day!

Yesterday started out as one of those days when I did not feel like doing anything. I had no drive for projects or learning. I cleaned house only because it needed it, not because I felt like it. The boys played on the computer and we read some books. They did not want to go swimming or play outside. We just kind of all did our own thing for awhile. Then yesterday afternoon I talked them into going to the park. The only park in our area with a merry go round. That made all the difference! Sometimes we just need some sunshine and a change of scenery. The lake was beautiful. We saw ducks and geese swimming and squirrels playing. We found a gold mushroom. They thought that was really cool! Then we came home and they wanted to go swimming. The rest of the evening was calm and relaxing. It was truly a beatiful day!

Kids say the darndest things!

Brandon: "I prayed that God would give me a girlfriend and God told me that He couldn't find me one right now because He was too busy with all those people in heaven."



Brandon: "Turtles have a trailer park inside their shell. A mobile home on their back."



Isaac: around 4 years. "No, I don't want anything, I had lunch yesterday."



Isaac: We were playing the quiet game one day in the van and Isaac won. He said,"I didn't actually win, I was talking in my head."



When Isaac was around 3 and 4 he did not like us talking about things we did before he was born so he made up this entire family that he had when he was a man. He would always say that he and his family went somewhere or did something that we had done.



Cade always says that he has a friend that has done that whenever we talk about anything he hasn't experienced yet. Cade is the master "tall tale teller". He gives my nephew Andrew a run for his money.



Last year Cade changed his name to Russell Cade because he wanted to have Russell in his name like his daddy and brother. He made us call him that for about 9 months. Finally, I started telling him about all the cool and famous people that had the name William and he finally decided that he was William Cade again.

Sidewalk Art

Friday night Russ and I went to an awesome bible study. Michelle stayed with the boys and this is what we found when we got home. We had to wait until the next day to really appreciate it. Pay close attention to the man with the tie, (which is actually a beard). Yes it is what you think it is. This was compliments of Cade!

Lake Jocassee

Today we went to Devils Fork State Park with Kristie, Jacob, and Joey. We had a great time playing in the water and throwing water bombs at each other. Isaac definitely had the best aim of any of us. So of course we all ganged up on him and we still couldn't hardly hit him. We have had a week of friends, word games, spelling games, swimming, looking at planets on the internet, viewing mars in the night sky, still trying to see some meteors, football practice, computer and wii games, and a bunch of other things I cannot think of right now. We are looking forward to a very busy weekend now. Also, Russ, Michelle, and I started a new diet monday. So far it is going well. I lost 4 1/2 pounds in 4 days. I can live with that!

Adventure is out there!

Diane

What is your parenting style?

Have you ever thought about what type of parent you are? Have you ever thought about how you treat your children? Do you ever stop and listen to yourself when you are talking to or scolding your children? I have. And sometimes I do not like what I am hearing. Most of us were raised a certain way and we are raising our children the same way we were raised. Without putting any thought about why we act and react the way we do. I am not saying this is a bad thing, I am only wondering if you this is what you do? Have you ever wondered if you were doing something wrong? That what you are doing isn't working for your family? I have. I have read many parenting books, listened to preachers and christian speakers on the subject, and read my bible. I have watched the way others have treated their kids and sometimes have tried it out on my bunch. The problem is the only thing I gained from most of it was disappointment and confusion. One expert says to do things one way, another tells you to do things a different way.

I have rambled on to say this: Your family, your self, your spouse, your kids are unique! God never makes things the same. Look at the snowflakes, the trees, the flowers, the birds. They are all different. God likes diversity and uniqueness. Nothing He made is the same as anything else, even within the same species. So God does not expect us to be just like everyone else. He wants us to be different and He wants us to treat our children special because that's what they are to Him. So the next time you find yourself frustrated or confused about how to handle a certain situation or behavior, ask God for guidance. Sometimes He will use a friend or a preacher. But it is impossible to model your family completely after someone else. He wants you to be the parent and person He created you to be. He also wants you to let your children be who He created them to be, even if they are different from you or everyone in your family. God has a purpose for you and them. It is your job to seek His face and will for yourself and your children and God will take care of the rest.

The other thing I want to say is not easy to hear. Most parents do not want to believe it. But that is that you only have so much control over that little person that God has put in your care. You can introduce God, Jesus, healthy habits, good manners, etc, etc, etc. But you cannot make them believe the way you do or act the way you want. All you can do is introduce it and more importantly live the way you want them to act in front of them because they will be the first ones to know if you walk the walk and do not just talk the talk. I am not only talking about modeling Jesus but all other things as well. Respect, are you respectful to them? Patience, are you patient with their immaturity? Kindness, are you kind to them and others? More often than not, the very behaviors that your children do that bother you the most are the ones they learned from you. It is not fun seeing your flaws in your children. That is God's way of waking you up to your own behaviors that need tweeking. Sometimes it is not the child that needs disciplining but the parent that needs to change their behavior first, then if you are lucky, the children will follow.

Now go hug your children and start working on yourself. You and your family will be so glad you did!

Happy Birthday Cade!

My baby boy turned 5 yesterday! I cannot believe that 5 years ago he kicked himself into the world. (literaly). Cade is one of those kids that is very intense. He lives life to the full! Cade has the passion and energy of 5 boys. All he has to do is channel that energy and passion and drive into something great and nothing will be impossible for him. We know that he is destined for greatness. Now, all we have to do is keep him from maiming or killing himself until adulthood. Cade is mister personality, a natural entertainer. He keeps us laughing all the time. You never know what is going to come out of his mouth next. One day he was talking about how great God is and how God is his force field. I love their perfect faith and trust in our Heavenly Father! If only we could be as little children! Our life would never be the same.

High Falls Park

We had a great day playing at High Falls park in the lake. We went with my nephew Ryan and our friends Kristie, Jacob, and Joey. They are our new partners in adventure! Every week we try to find a new place to visit or revisit an old favorite like Chau Ram park. Sorry about not having any pictures today but we were having too much fun in the water to stop to take pictures. Plus it was too hot to not be in the water and my phone is not waterproof. The way the boys were splashing and attacking today, bringing the phone out there would not have been the best idea I have ever had. Now we look like lobsters because I forgot the sunscreen.

The boys also made some great pictures with water colors this morning!

Cold Front!

The weather in the deep south has been extremely hot this summer. Usually, we do not get 100 degree days until august but we have had many in july. Our pool water has felt like bath water. But today it was only 85. We went swimming tonight and the water was actually cold. It was very refreshing.

One thing is for sure, this summer has flown by just like most of them do. I cannot believe it is already August. We have had a great summer swimming, going to the lake and river, camping, science experiments, blueberry picking, football camp and practice, and lots of computer games. We have been learning a lot about the planet earth and the solar system. Don't forget about the Paliseides meteor shower this month. The best viewing is the first 2 weeks of August and between midnight and dawn. We will definitely be checking that out when the clouds go away.