Don't let me watch your children....

You may find them like this.

In my defense, I did roll her to her side afterwards.

Home Again

I am back from my busy trip to Tulsa. It can hardly be considered a relaxing vacation, but it was productive.

Most of you know that my main purpose for this trip was for my JBF training. It was WONDERFUL. I learned so much and met so many terrific people. This is such an exciting endeavour and I'm hitting the road full speed now that I'm back.

Oh, looky! I made it onto my own blog. That's me with Shannon (back row, green shirt) and Daven (front row, glasses), founders of JBF, and my fellow trainees. The girl in the red striped shirt is my wonderful sister-in-law and friend, Holly. Don't tell any of these people that I posted this, else they hunt me down.

My time was pretty rushed to see people, but I was able to spend some time with family, and took a few pictures of the kiddos.

I'm so glad that D.J. got to spend some good bonding time with the grandparents. Training was from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. so Dad and Mom watched him while I worked. He learned how to climb stairs (thanks, Mom!) and how to ask for "tandy" (um, yeah, thanks, Dad) and learned that he is definitely a Florida baby because he does NOT like cold snow!

D.J. at the Woodland Hills Mall playground. That place was insanity!

Dougie spent a lot of his time eating. I'm pretty sure that's soy yogurt on his face.

Elisa is non-stop action. She is talking a ton. I could write a novel on all the hilariously adorable things I heard come out of her mouth. She's incredibly smart, so pray for her Mommy and Daddy! She's a tricky one, that girl. I have honestly never seen a little girl with that much energy and pep.

Peek-a-boo! Look at that hair! Can you tell she's been hiding?

She really reminds me so much of Grace's baby pictures. In fact, I'm pretty sure Grace has given me this look many times. I've been collecting black and whites of the kiddos to put in my hallway, so this one is going up.

Evelyn (or as I've had to go to calling her, Cassie, because my pea-sized brain keeps getting the "E" names mixed up!) is just adorable! She babbles happily and is constantly smiling...unless you leave her laying by herself. That girl needs company! She's such a lovable little chunk compared to the tiny little baby that had just been released from the I.C.U. last time I saw her!

This is what Cassie/Evelyn looks like EVERY time she sees Mommy. Her Mommy has that effect on me too =)

Okay, seriously. This picture is just hilariously adorable.

Meet little man Zak. He's Joel's girlfriend's little boy and he's cute as a bug. Don't you just love his dimples? It was funny watching him and D.J. together. Zak is easy going and laid back and just went with whatever was going on, whereas D.J. would take a long time to warm up and was wary of changes. I love how each of them is unique!

Isn't he a cutie? I was really impressed watching him and Joel together.

At this point he was probably thinking, "Seriously, weird lady, how many pictures of me are you going to take?" If he would've quit being so stinking photogenic I would have stopped. So, see, not my fault.

Those Whom He Loves

Baby Doug came down with croup almost two weeks ago and, even with steroids, hasn't been able to shake it. At our second trip to the doctors, the doctor discussed with me his opinion that D.J. probably has asthma and prescribed us a nebulizer with instructions to give him breathing treatments three times a day for the next week.

I knew right from the start that little man was going to hate it, and boy was I right. After the first experience of Doug and I both having to hold him down while he screamed and squirmed for fifteen minutes in obvious discomfort and confusion, I didn't know how I was going to handle it by myself.

At some point during Dougie's third treatment, single-handedly trying to control and calm at the same time, I was suddenly convicted that probably the ONLY way I was going to gain control of the situation was to spank him. I struggled with the guilt aspect for a while. How could I possibly spank him when he's already scared and uncomfortable? But I did it anyways. Then again. By the third spanking he quieted down and snuggled me while we read books and made animal sounds. Tonight we finished up his tenth treatment for which he climbed up in the chair, let me put the mask on him, and pushed the button to start it himself.

It hit me as one of those things that has been so convicting. How often do I NOT discipline correctly because of guilt? How often do I let my children get away with behaviors that are damaging to their character, simply because I feel bad about a situation? This is not the example that the Lord has given us.

How thankful I am that the Lord continues to discipline me, because it is how I learn. In fact, the Bible says that he disciplines us because He loves us. Oftentimes His discipline is the only way to get our attention, the only way to make us give up ourselves and turn to him. It is for our good. It is to mold our character so that we can be more like Him. A repentant response to His discipline brings peace. Discipline has a purpose.

It is the same way with my children. Not disciplining them when they need it, due to guilt, laziness or any other reason, is not benefiting them. It is hurting them. It is allowing them to create negative character traits that will be carried with them into adulthood. It creates attitudes that will cause them to make bad choices that will lead to painful consequences in the future, and it paves the path for them not to obey God.

So for tonight, I am thankful for the conviction. I know it could have been a week of screaming and flailing. Instead it has been a time of quick discipline followed by peace...and a precious 45 minutes a day when all D.J. and I have to do is snuggle.

New Years Doug Style

Just for the record, I would like to says that even though I was raised in Oklahoma, I have had way more redneck experiences in Florida. That being said...

Doug's friend, Tracy, came into town for New Years and brought his Jeep along with him. Of course, the boys couldn't let the week pass without taking the two Jeeps out. Might I add, I have never been off-roading before (although my kiddos HAVE), but I wasn't about to pass up an opportunity to snap some pictures of the men being boys. Besides, Doug has been asking for some pictures of his Jeep, so why not ride along? So we rounded up a group of friends and off we went.

Sideways (that's our friend Brian's head sticking out the side)

Nosedive down the hill (so much fun!)

Doug is very proud of this picture. Please note the wheel off the ground.

Doug allows pictures of himself as long as there is a Jeep involved. And, yes, I did almost get run over taking this picture.

So the moral of the story? When your husband asks you if you want to go do something you don't think is your cup of tea, grab the camera and head on out anyways...you just might have a lot of fun!

So I'm thinking...maybe for next years Christmas card Doug will let me get a family photo done as long as we're all piled in the Jeep?