It's Like Pulling Teeth

You may find this hard to believe, but growing up, my Dad had this thing. Every time we had an ailment - sliver, skinned knee, infected something, possible broken bone, loose tooth etc. He was always there to check it out. Mom would say "Let's ask Dr. Dad." Which now I realize was either 1) her way of not wanting to deal with it or 2) her way of calming us down. Probably the latter, she was good like that.

Anyway, Dad would check out our wounds and declare them fine or not so fine depending on the situation. However, when it came to loose teeth, he would always want to try things. It was kind of mad scientist-esque. Like I distinctly remember John tying a string on his tooth and tying the other end to a door knob and slamming it shut. I also know there were several occasions where the pliers came into play. Whatever reason when Dad became part of the loose tooth equation, THAT NIGHT the tooth would come out! He was like a man on a mission.

Well, much to my husband's dismay, I have adopted this twisted, desperate need to pull out loose teeth. Right now as I type Kaden's other front tooth is loose and it's all I can do not to go help him yank it out.

So, a couple of weeks ago Kaden's top front tooth was loose..very loose. For DAYS I let him "wiggle it" and nothing came of it. So, I said "Buddy, I think we need the pliers." To which Kaden said "WHAT?!?!?" After putting his fears to rest (convincing him it would be AWESOME) I proceeded to the garage all the while hearing my husband say "JUST LEAVE IT ALONE? What is your deal? Why does it HAVE to come out?"

We went to the bathroom in front of the mirror. Kaden looked at me with big, suspicious, brown eyes and said "Do you think it will work?!" To which I replied "I don't know, but this is the way Grandpa pulled mommy's teeth out!" So, I told Kaden I would clamp the pliers and he would PULL really hard. And guess what - IT TOTALLY worked!! Kaden's eyes were as big as saucers. He thought it was WAY cool. But, for whatever reason he is loathe to pull the other one out that way? Hmmm...weird?

Anyway, hey Dad, aren't you proud?

Hair's the deal...

Aren't these pictures of Elaina so beautiful? They were taken before school one morning. For sake of story, we will call them the "after pictures!"

Lou Bear is STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL. (Yep, I am her mother, I can totally say that.) She is GORGEOUS to me (and her daddy.) One of our favorite things about our beautiful daughter is her hair. We LOVE her hair. We love it when it's wild, we love it when it's untamed, we love it when it's poofed, twisted, braided or wet. E-Bear has GREAT hair!

School mornings are like a well-oiled machine at our home. Everything is carefully laid out the night before. No, I am not kidding. I am the queen of planning for perfection!! Each night before bed I carefully plan each detail. Shirt-check; Pants-check; Uniform-Check; Socks-check; Louies-check; Shoes-check; Back-packs-check; Lunch Box- check. I think you get the point. It's like a morning ballet.

However, even the most rehearsed Ballet is still performed LIVE...
On this particular morning we were JUST about to get into the car. Am I forgetting something????





Yes, we were late for school that day in the name of WE HAVE GOT TO TAKE A PICTURE OF THIS!

Luuuuucy, you got some 'splainin' to do.

Okay, so it's been a while. I know, I know. So, here is the deal. This week is Spring Break. I hope to have several entries!

Be watching....

Fall Full of Fun!

The colors of Arkansas haved turned and they are reflecting God's design. Kaden is learning about leaves and to see the process that each individual leaf goes through from life to dormancy is just awesome. It reminds me of how personal and intricate our Daddy God is. If He cares this much for a leaf, imagine how He cares about YOU!


This fall we have done so much already. One of the MANY joys of living in Arkansas is the mild fall weather. This allows for much extended outdoor fun. We have been homeschooling outside, riding bikes, going to the park and just enjoying every minute of it.


Following are some pictures from this fall. They range from Homeschool Fun at the Pumpkin Patch to Family Fun Fest (Halloween!) Kaden was Buzz Lightyear and Elaina was a Pincess (Princess.)

Hope all is well with you. We love you and miss you. Oh, incidentally, the little fella with us is Eric. He is Kaden's best buddy. His mom MADE...that's right MADE his Larry Boy Costume!

Prayer Party of Three

Teaching our children to pray is a pretty amazing thing. Every day we pray with them, for them, about them etc. I have tried to tell the kids that they can be completely transparent and honest ("your most real self!") with God. I tell them that they don't have to be fancy and can pray about anything. God loves them and He will listen.

I also tell them that they can pray anywhere, at any time - and we practice that. Every day on the way to school we pray in our car. I ask the kids what they want to pray about. I get the usual - Pray for Dad, Grandparents, trees, flowers, etc.

Well, one day, on the way to school I said "What should we pray about today?" Elaina said "Um...school, Gaddy (Daddy)!" And Kaden was unusually quiet. Not sure I wanted to know and desperately hoping I wasn't going to hear about body parts or functions I fearfully asked "Kaden, do you have anything you'd like to pray about?" I look in the rearview mirror and I am met by beautiful brown eyes of love. Then he points his head at his sister and says dismissively "Pray for Elaina, she sets a pretty good tea party!"

CRACK ME UP I TELL YA!

And you know what folks - she REALLY does!

To see the evidence click
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbZCoznHgbQ

Dad Cakes

I am in love. Every single day I fall deeper into love. I am so in love that I have GOT to blog about it.

My husband is the most amazing guy in the world. I am blessed, blessed I say, to be married to him. I am so thankful for his friendship, laughter and love. He is an awesome provider, a great friend, a skilled....well, you get the picture. I love my Q Bear.

He is also a great Daddy. The kids look up to him in such a humbling way. They worship him as a Daddy and love him so much. They have special things they do together like dropping the hammer, eating stubbies and just goofing around. There are things that I cannot emulate nor would I want to. They are special things...Daddy things. This is yet another reason I love this man. He is a great Dad.

Every Saturday since right after Kaden was born, on Saturday mornings we have a tradition - DAD CAKES. Dad cakes are pancakes made with a secret ingredient that only Dad knows. He makes these round, flat-tastic fabulous cakes of goodness. They are delicious. The kids beg for them and the whole routine is just a big 'ol family festival. The kids wait with looks of awe and anticipation and we often have fun conversation and great memories while waiting for Dad Cakes.

So, I thought I'd let you in on what that looks like:

To me, it's a foretaste of a much bigger Feast :) (A bit of Heaven on Earth if you will)

Love you Q!

"Luke, I'm your father..."

So, Ken is a movie hound, right? Well, he might be just a wee bit (whole lot) more permissive than I am when it comes to what the kids watch on TV. Right now Kaden is hooked on Star Wars, much to my dismay. But, I am trying to be open minded about things.

That said, I will NOT buy Star Wars junk. I refuse, I mean it's all so commercialized and ridiculous. I will not be a party to that. I absolutely, positively will not allow him to play with Jaba the Hut dolls, Sand people and the like. And no way, no how will I allow Darth Vader ANYWHERE in this house - GOT IT!




Or will I???????








Oh, and by the way, just in case you are wondering how I KNEW Darth Vader had entered my home it's because before I saw him, I heard

"kshhhhhh, kshhhhhhh, kshhhhhhhhh Luke, I am your father!"

No, no, I am not kidding, not even one little bit.

ETA: YES he came up with the costume on his own - yes, yes he did indeed.