Mommy Time Out

When Anna Britten has a moment of "strong will", we sit her in time out on the rug by the front door. This happens a great deal in our house now, so it is a frequent thing to find her sitting there. Blaine's time out is a loss of privalege, although we have spanked him on occcasion. Sarah Claire usually just takes a verbal warning, but she has been know to have a time out also. This summer, our house seems to be full of sibling fights- I feel like I need to be wearing a black and white striped jersey! Yesterday was a particularly hard day- I was physically and mentally worn out by the time Mark came home. As I sat down to have my quiet time this morning, I read the verse, Be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man's anger does not accomplish God's righteusness. James 1:19-20 I sat there for a moment and just took in those words...so many times, their behavior is a reflection of my own. I thought back to yesterday and all the times I just jumped on them for something petty- my best teaching is to set an example to them of how I react when I am angry...trusting God is taking care of the situation. Funny thing is, I read the verse, Indeed, we have all received grace after grace from His fullness. John 1:16 at the beginning of the week. Grace- I haven't had much with my children this week!! When I think about all the grace I need each day- I should be quick to give it away to others. SO- I will continue to work on putting myself in more "Mommy time outs" and think about grace a little more each day...

So blessed to be the mother of these two!

Spent Monday with a sweet friend from high school, Indie, and her two precious children Elliott and Millie. It was fun getting together and catching up on life!

Tuesday we went to see Cars 2 with my Mom. (Needed that grace when AB spilled SC's icee down my leg during the movie and then preceded to hop in it!) We also got to watch SC's hip hop class. It was so fun!

Mark called us to come to Wells West which is a RV/camper park that just happens to have trains. He had an after hours function there. So we ended our day riding the trains.

Today I found the kids in the living room watching tv like this...

We took a trip to Kangarooz with our church preschool play group today...it was lots of fun. Blaine got to enjoy a movie and pizza with the older kids.

Getting ready for a family vacation with Mark's fam to the mountains! Looking forward to it. So need to go pack...this is what awaits me first...

Low key week

Blaine, Anna Britten, and I headed to the park while Sarah Claire was dancing this past Tuesday. It was hot, but they had fun. The motivation was we were heading to Mr. Gene's Beans for ice cream after picking Sarah Claire up!

It was nice to have a week where we didn't have much going on.

This is what we do at night...

Practice our backbends!! It is funny to watch...Sarah Claire actually started practicing and B and AB quickly joined in. Another favorite is to turn the radio up and dance!

The kids went camping at the State Park with Mark's parents this weekend. They love it! Mark and I took them dinner last night, then we made Smores...

About to go out by the pool- really enjoying our pool this summer:)

Uniforms

I am beginning the uniform ordering for Sarah Claire. I actually decided to begin looking online the other night for uniforms for her. Blaine has been in uniforms now for 2 years and boys stuff is pretty standard. I basically go to the Polo outlet and stock up on polos. I haven't ordered a whole lot online for him. As I was looking the other night, I stumbled upon some pretty good deals at Gap and Lands End. (I've been told Lands End is great for ordering.) Lands End had a deal $40 off $100 plus free shipping. Thought that was great! It is still a little sureal to see Sarah Claire in a uniform.

Sarah Claire trying on a few that came in last week.(Ignore the messy hair- she had been swimming!)

I must say, I am a fan of uniforms- mornings will be so much easier!

Happy Birthday America!

Wow- what a weekend...we drove to Huntsville Friday night to attend a family reunion on Mrs. Betty's side. The reunion is held each year in Gurly, AL which is near Huntsville and Guntersville. (Mark and I should know, we missed a turn and drove to Guntersville while trying to get to the reunion!) I ended up getting sick Saturday morning before the reunion which didn't make for the most fun trip. When Mark's Grandmother was living, it was so much fun to watch her interact with her siblings at the reunion. This year, her twin brothers turned 90! The kids enjoyed the water slide while I sat in the shade for most of the time feeling a little loopy from the phenergan I had taken for my nausea!! We drove back to Fairhope Saturday night- quick trip!!

Sunday we traveled down to the beach to spend time with all my Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins on my Mom's side. It has been a while since we had all been together in one room. It was so good to see everyone...

THe kids had a wonderful time playing together...

Wish my Grandaddy McKey could have been here to see all these sweet faces!!

My kids LOVED the "hot pool" as they called it on the balcony!

So on the fourth, we stayed at home and enjoyed being "home"! My parents, Grandmother, sister, brother, and his family came over.

I didn't get a whole lot of pictures...

We ended the night watching the Fairhope fireworks from our car!