What I've Learned From My Pictures

Hanna has good taste in boys. And, as a side note, even at 2 and 4, they can't take their eyes off of the t.v. Some things just never change!

My cat sleeps in weird, contorted positions.

My eight (almost 9) year old is not too old to see the Easter bunny and wear bunny ears around the mall!

This is apparently what my husband and our friend, Melvyn, think vacation means.

My 3 1/2 year old is as tall as my 5 year old and she weighs more than her too!

You can sure learn a lot when you really study your pictures! Hope you smiled today!

Smelling the Flowers...

This is one of my most favorite pictures. I have noticed that Hanna, who is a mere 3 1/2 years old, takes the time to actually stop and smell the flowers. I do not! I took some time to reflect on this. How can she know to do this? Why don't I do it?

Sadly, I have no grand ideas or answers to these questions. I am so glad though, that she can appreciate the beauty of these things, despite her mother's lack of teaching her. I should really take the time to learn a few things from her. What a tender girl. Take a look at her hand gently cupping the flower. She didn't destroy it, but rather, took great care in holding it! Precious! May we all stop and smell the "roses" and take the time to appreciate all of God's gorgeous creation. As I write this, I am spending my last night in Pipestem National Park in West Virginia. I took the time to look at all of my surroundings and appreciate it all! It's beautiful! If you ever get a chance, come check it out!

Funny of the Day

Tonight, we took the kids to eat for free at McAlister's. Towards the end of dinner, Meghan and I were sitting at the table alone. The song "Some Like it Hot" was playing overhead. I started to sing it quietly when all of sudden Meghan announces, "I like it hot...in the bath! I like a hot bath!" Oh my! The table across from us looked over. I just put my head down and laughed.

Hope that little story brightened your day!

Grandma cut my...ummm....wire thing

About a week ago, I was having a conversation with Meghan and the topic of her birth came up. I told her that her grandma cut her umbilical cord to which she responded, "Really! Wow! How do you know that?" So, I told her I was there, that's how. Then, I asked her if she knew what an umbilical cord was and she said, "No!" I just laughed and then briefly explained what it was. She wasn't as impressed as I thought she might be. End of conversation.

Fast forward about a week, and we're at home having lunch with another couple after church. Meghan randomly declares, "My grandma cut my, umm, wire thing!" Our friends weren't exactly sure what it meant and kindly reacted by saying, "Oh, really?" From the kitchen, laughter! I howled! I quickly explained that we had recently discussed how grandma cut her umblical cord and the light bulbs went on.

Lesson: You never know when a topic from weeks or even months ago might be revisited, so be prepared!

Kids

Last night I dropped my girls off at Noah's house. For those of you who may not have been following my posts until now, Noah is Hanna's declared future husband. If you scroll down this blog, you will find a picture of him. So, back to the story. Hanna was wearing her sister's orange soccer jersey. If it's out, she's gonna wear it! Noah arrives with his dad, and as he walks up to the house I notice he is wearing his orange Clemson football jersey. I do declare a match made in heaven!!!! Great minds think alike, so they say.

Anniversary plans

Fifeteen years ago today, I married my best friend. It's been a wonderful 15 years and I couldn't imagine life any other way. It's a pretty big milestone in my opinion. You might guess that we have some big huge way we'll celebrate this anniversary. The irony of it all, is that often times, this day takes a back seat to life. I'm not complaining. I have simply come to terms with that fact. It started with the birthday celebrations.

Do you remember when you were a kid and how excited you were for your birthday to get here. The party, the gifts, feeling like the most special person in the world (even though there were others celebrating that same day). For some reason, along the way it still a special day, but you realize that for the rest of the world, it's just another day. As I write this, I am beginning to see the reason. As a child, we are soooo self-centered. Everything revolves around us (or so we think). As we grow, we (hopefully) begin to see that is doesn't.

So, what are our plans for this big day? Erik gets the privilege of working today, while I have the privilege of taking care of the house (mainly laundry) and kids. Tonight, while Erik finishes with his last appointments of the day, I'll be joining my wonderful worship team for practice. We'll reunite tonight sometime after 8:00. I can't wait!

Features

Have you ever taken the time to really look at your children? I don't mean to just take a passing glance, but to really study them. One of my favorite things to do, is to just sit and watch my girls' face. I love to look at the their smiles, and the shape of their noses. The way they get this shy little smile when they catch me staring at them. I marvel at the fact that we all have noses, mouths, eyes and yet none of us look the same. I took this picture of Alyson at the doctor one day and I still cannot get over her beauty. She's going to be 9 soon and before we know it, the boys will be calling and the "dating" will begin. Ugh! So, while you still can, take a moment to really look at your child and enjoy the beauty that God has given them!

It's Meghan's Birthday!

Today, my baby girl turns 5! I can hardly believe it! I love Meghan! I hope this is your best birthday so far!!!!!

Food Network

I never watch the Food Network Channel, however, I wasn't in the mood to watch House Hunters International and ended up on the Food Network. I've heard of the show Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, but I've never really watched it...until now. And, now it's 10:38 and I'm hungry! And, I can't even go out and get this food because it's in Pennsylvania! Ugh! Stupid show!

How Time Flies!

In three days, My 3rd child will turn 5 and 2 days after that I celebrate my 15th anniversary!!! Where did 15 years go? I can remember wondering what sorts of trials we face over the next 15 years and would we withstand it? And, now here I am, approaching that mile marker. So, have we withstood it? We most definitely have! We have survived getting married young and trying to figure out who we were, 2 miscarriages, 2 job losses, moves to MN and SC where we knew no one, the birth of 4 children...I could go on.

So begs the question, how did we make it? Simply put, God! He is the one who sustained us through the darkness of losing our first child. He is the one who provided for our every need when we had no jobs. He is the one who brought amazing people in our lives from all walks of life no matter where we lived. He has been the center of our marriage from the day we "tied the knot." We made a decision on March 18, 1995 to honor God and we knew he would bless us.

I am more in love with Erik today than the day we married and who thought that would be possible? I cannot wait to see what's in store for us over the next 15+ years. I'm sure that time will fly just as quickly. And, Erik, if you read this, I love you! Thank you for the best years. It's been an adventure and I can't wait for more!

Why? Because I said so! That's not enough!

I had a conversation with my dad recently about teaching your child the reason why you tell them to do or not do something. Most of us were brought up with the saying, "Because I said so, that's why!" or some form of that, anyway. My dad challenged me to give the reason why. There's nothing wrong with telling your child the reason not to lie, especially from a biblical standpoint. If you simply tell a child no and give them no reason to abide, why should they want to obey? We are raising morally inept children!

So, I have been trying to implement this into the way I parent my children. It has been so much more difficult that I thought it would. It has exposed how little I bring God into every moment. If I want my kids to grow up living for God, I HAVE to teach them that. They aren't born knowing how to do that.

This morning, Alyson and Kelli were arguing about talking with food in their mouth and it turned into a verbal war! My first response to them was, "Stop fighting! You need to stop using that attitude and be nice!" Not a bad response, but would I take a step further and tell them why they needed to be nice?

We talked about what being like Jesus means. I asked them how would Jesus ask someone to not talk with food in their mouth. They immediately used their manners and spoke kindly to one another! By bringing, a "Jesus perspective" into it, they could see why they needed to be nice. I told them I wanted people to see that Jesus makes a difference in how they behave. If they acted like all of their friends who don't have Jesus, what makes them different then? Not only did they see why the needed to be "nice" but they stopped arguing!!!! Alyson said, "But it's so hard sometimes!" What an opportunity to tell her that YES! It is hard and that's when we need to stop and ask God for help to control our mouths! I was then able to share with them how I struggle with this and how I have to cry out to God as well! See, even mom isn't perfect!

I have so far to go with all of this. As I challenge my kids to think about how they live and present Jesus, I also need to do the same.

It is 5:19 on a beautiful afternoon in South Carolina! I am sitting in my front yard, while the kids are either playing or working on a work book (and this is for fun, not homework). It is absolutely refreshing and yet somehow, I am not at peace. My kids are being rude to me and to each other, one kept crying over homework (that is now thankfully done), and my thoughts are muddled.

So, that is why I picked up my computer and decided to put my thoughts down on "paper." It appears that things will start looking up soon. A girl can hope right?

Have you ever felt black listed and unable to prove it? Where did Kelli learn to say, "Wow!" when she didn't like what someone did? Who bought the house across the street and will they flip it and sell it to someone nice with a cute little family? Why do they keep on fighting? Hmmm....these are the things running around in my head.

On a lighter note, it is sunny and warm. We will have a new roof on the house by the end of April and maybe, just maybe, some new windows as well. We shall see! Thank you God for being in ALL things.

Here's to hoping for a better evening! Guess I should move on and get some dinner ready. Ugh!

Arranged Marriage Anyone?

No, I did not recently adopt a boy. We still have all girls. This handsome young man is Noah Eargle. He is the son of our dear friends, Toni and Rial Eargle. He just turned 4 and is one of the most amazing little boys I have met. How fortunate for me, because he loves Hanna and she loves him. Toni shared with me the other day, that Noah asked her, "Why do we call them the Davenports?" Toni responded, "Because that's their last name, just like you're last name is Eargle." Noah then asked, "When will Hanna be Hanna Rial Eargle?" Toni explained that she would be Hanna Eargle and asked if he wanted to marry her to which he replied, "Yes!"

Toni and I are thinking that the idea of an arranged marriage may not be a bad idea! We know each other and as far as I can tell, we like each other's family. We have the benefit of watching the kids grow up together and to see the character that each child will develop.

Who knows what God has in store for these two sweet kids, but I would be totally okay if the two of them ended up married in let's say 30+ years. Hahaha!

Friendship

Tonight, I have once again been reminded of the importance of friendship. God has been so gracious to my family and put such wonderful people in our lives. My kids are so fortunate to not just have a mom and dad, but to have people outside of our family who love them. I can think of so many people who take the time to hug my girls and talk with them because they care not just to tolerate them!

For many years, I have longed for families we could just have some good ol' fashion fun with. We have been given that. So this a HUGE THANK YOU to all of the people in our lives who love us like like family and accept my loud, crazy kids without question. My family will never be the same because of you!

2 Hour Snow Delay

So, as many of you know, it snowed here again last night. Just a nice dusting to cover most everything outside, but it didn't stick around for long. Our wonderful school district called at 5:50 this morning to let us know that the schools were on a 2 hour delay. Nothing like being jerked awake by the sound of your phone ringing at an odd hour of the night.

We all slept a little longer that usual, and that was quite nice. What I found funny, was that even though we had 2 extra hours to get ready for school, my kids still were not ready to leave when the time came. They were left scrambling to find shoes, belts, jackets, and backpacks all while listening to mommy loudly declare (also known as yelling) it was time to get in the car! It's a good thing this mommy pads our time so we won't be late!

A Bedtime Prayer

Tonight's bedtime routine was, well, routine to say the least. Meghan brushed her teeth, raced to her bed, did our usual Eskimo kiss, butterfly kiss, kiss on the cheek, and squeezes. Then we giggled!

Next came a quick prayer, at least mine was quick. Now Meghan, she can pray! Her prayer tonight went something like this, "Dear God, thank you for all the people in our neighborhood and for making all the people better with your magic..." I don't really remember what she said after that.

Thank goodness that God knows what we are really trying to say!

A New Venture

Okay, so I have no idea what I am doing but I guess I'll figure it out as I go. So, a couple friends of mine blog and I figured I'd leave it all to them, but they have encouraged me to try it. My thought was, what in the world would I have to say? The response was, "You have 4 kids. You have a lot to share!" So here I am, getting ready to make my first post. Hmmm, should be interesting!

I sat for a while trying to figure out what to title this blog. My friends who blog have the greatest titles, but I couldn't steal their ideas, so I knew I had to come up with my own special title. Then it hit me! Everywhere I go, I am forever being asked, "Are they all yours?" My response, "Yep, they're all mine!" Sounded like a great title to me!

Now, I know there a lot of families made up of way more kids than I have and there are plenty of families with the kids all the same sex, but it still feels like we are a spectacle no matter where we go! Just today, as I walking into CVS, the lady trying to walk out the door had to wait for me and my 4 stragglers to get out of her way. "Oh my, OH my, OH MY!" was her comment as each child came around the corner. It was priceless!!!

I'm not really sure exactly how this blog will go, but I'm sure I'll be able to share plenty of silly stories from my 4 kiddos. Hope you enjoy!