LOVE

The highest level of spiritual warfare you could do is...

LOVE!

-Joyce Meyer

Monkeystory #693

Ellie was coming out of the bathroom after her shower with just a pair of undies on
and Gabe came running 100 mph around the corner causing an accidental collision.
Ellie ended up getting hurt and crying.
The rules at our house are this: Stop and ask the person if they are ok, then give them a
hug and apologize. I reminded Gabe to do just that.
His dramatic reply: "Boys can't hug naked girls!!!!! I can't hug her!!!!"
Now to figure out who is teaching this monkey this life lesson?!?!?!

Tucking in BabyMonkey tonite.....she put her hands on both sides of my face and pulled me close
and said, "Mommy, you are beautiful....now I give you baby kisses."
She proceeded to kiss me on my forehead, cheeks, nose, and lips. The whole time, pushing my hair out of the way. She then tells me, "Mommy! Your crazy hair too long!"
I tell her it's time to go to sleep now. She rolls her eyes and says, "Me three now....Me big girl
like Matidda. (they watched the movie Matilda) Matidda not go to sleep...me not go to sleep!"

Monkeystory # 692

Overheard at the monkey lunchtable today:
Ellie: "when I grow up I want to be a ballerina!"
Gabe: "well, when I grow up I want to be a microphone singer like Lizzie and a drummer like Daddy and Tim!!!!" :) (they are part of our worship team at church)


The monkies wanted some "permanent stickers" applied to their arms today....so we did.
Tonite when tucking Gabe in he says: "Mommy, can you let God know I want this tattoo to
stay on here forever? I don't want it to ever wash off."
When giving me a hug good night, I teased him that he wasn't hugging me very "stronglike".
His reply: "Oh Mommy! I don't want to hurt your back, I have too strong of muscles!"

People

Hurt people hurt people. Forgiven people forgive people.

MONKEYSTORY # 691

This morning....I was woken up to the sound of barking. We have no dog....I feel something jump on me before I can open my eyes. I hear a sweet little voice say: "Wake up Mommy! I'm a puppy!!" More barking....panting.....jumping all over the bed....tongue hanging out of her mouth. It wasnt a dog...just a cute little monkey. What a great wake-up call :)

Lunchtime: BabyMonkey comes running....has something all wrapped up in her shirt.
With big eyes, she runs past me singing :
" I don't have anything in my shirt!!! I didn't take anything!!!
I don't have anything!!! I'm a good girl! I be a good girl.....nothing in my shirt...no...no...noo....!"

Later in the day:
MiddleMonkey: "Mooooooooooomyyyyy!!!! He called me a bad word!!!"
GPS: "I only called her a squirtypants!!!!! That is not a bad word! I know it's not
cuz it doesn't even sound bad!!!!!"

At suppertime:
GPS..playing with the toy cell phone.
Ring, ring, ring!!! "I'm calling 9-1-1 now!!! Hi....yeah, this is GPS...I need you to
come get my sister now. She wasnt listening to her Mommy. You need to put her in jail."

Tucking GPS into bed tonite:
"Mommy, I just want to be what Daddy is when I grow up....."
Me: *sigh*.....".that's ok with me baby....I love your Daddy."

Limitations

“Your only limitations are those you set up in your mind, or permit others to set up for you.”
― Og Mandino

Extraordinary

Andy Andrews

If you want kids who are just absolutely extraordinary, you’re going to have to raise them differently than other kids are being raised.

Monkeystory # 690

I came home from last weekend's conference singing:
"This girl is on fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiire!!!"
Played Barbie Match with Middle Monkey.....who totally beat me....
So I started singing to her:
"This girl is on fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiire!"
She loved it and laughed at my new song.
The next night we played, she says:
"Remember Mommy? When we play this I'm on fiiiiiiiiiire! I will win!!!!"
Now that's the attitude we need to fight these good fights in life.....
I played the song the other day during schooltime.
GPS perks up and says: "Wow Mommy! I didn't know you sang on the radio!
Is that you coming out of the radio????"
Made my day.....
Today I hear him singing from the other room:
"This boy is on fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiire!!!!!"
Oh how I love these littles :)
The days I want to give up....they remind me to keep on keeping on!!!

My Cup....

"The optimist says, the cup is half full. The pessimist says, the cup is half empty. The child of God says; My cup runneth over." ~Anonymous

Pruning

Christine Caine

pruned if you do... pruned if you don't.

  it's just God's way...

 time to see the divine pruning shears as your friend.

Inconvenience

Those we consider "great" in the Bible are those who let God interrupt their lives and made certain sacrifices to follow the plan & purpose God had for them. For such a time as this you were plucked out of eternity to do great & mighty things thru Christ. Will you let God inconvenience you?!

I Trust....

"You and I are constantly surprised by the unexpected, but the One who holds our hope is never surprised, confused or unprepared." ~ Paul Tripp

"But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever." ~Psalm 52:8

MONKEYSTORY #689

Playing Barbie Match with the monkies last night for my first time. Now I know why GPS always feels the need to "cheat". Middle Monkey knows her stuff.....she.wins.every.single.time. That girl has a memory like an elephant!!! It's maddening but oh so cool at the same time.
At one point I picked up a card with 2 barbies on it.
MiddleMonkey says: "Oh those are the worship girls!"
Me:"what?!?!? why do you call them that?"
GPS: "Because they are smiling, and sparkling and look happy....and that's what people do when they worship God!!"......wow, these littles "get it".

MONKEYSTORY #688

 Gabe: "Mommy? Why don't girls have nuts like boys???"
Me: "Cuz they just don't. We are made different."
Gabe: "Well that's sad....cuz how will you ever know what it's like to have nuts??"
Me: "I'm pretty sure I'm ok with not ever knowing....thanks for your concern......"

Open Your Eyes

From Jesus Calling today:

 

I am the Risen One who shines upon you always. You worship a living Deity, not some idolatrous, man-made image. Your relationship with Me is meant to be vibrant and challenging, as I invade more and more areas of your life. Do not fear change, for I am making you a new creation, with old things passing away and new things continually on the horizon. When you cling to old ...ways and sameness, you resist My work within you. I want you to embrace all that I am doing in your life, finding your security in Me alone.

It is easy to make an idol of routine, finding security within the boundaries you build around your life. Although each day contains twenty-four hours, every single one presents a unique set of circumstances. Don’t try to force-fit today into yesterday’s mold. Instead, ask Me to open your eyes, so you can find all I have prepared for you in this precious day of Life.

The Eagles

"He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
²⁹ He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
³¹ but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint."

^{Isaiah 40}

 

^{If you say you will soar with the eagles....you will.}

^{Because we can do all things thru Christ...who strengthens us.}

^{There are power in our words.....Speak greatness into your life.}

Daily Exercise

“I now see how gifts like courage, compassion, and connection only work when they are exercised. Every day.”

~ Brene Brown

For the Teachers....

Today I want to say thank you to all the teachers out there.

For all that you do for all these kids that aren't even your own.

For all the time, energy, love, efforts, kindness and patience that you pour out.

For doing it 5 days a week....for mostly 10 months of every year.

For continuing to go to school and teach even when the kids are driving you crazy.

 

We made the choice to homeschool this year...and I don't regret it one bit...it has

been an amazing experience and adventure for the kids and I.

But let me tell you something...it's not for the faint of heart.

Especially when you have kids that would rather be playing instead of trying

to concentrate on reading, writing, and arithmetic. {isn't that over 75% of kids!?!?!}

Or have a hard time grasping the

concept of things because their attention span won't sit still. {isn't this why schools started adding

paraprofessionals to classrooms and now many schools are having to cut that very same position?}

 

I love our kids, I love that we made this choice to educate them....

but I have also gained a whole new appreciation

for these amazing teachers out there. The ones that have made the choice to give your kids an education day after day after day after day.....so that you don't have to do it.

 

The next time you think that teachers have it easy...I ask you to try an experiment.

Try keeping your child or children home with you for 2 weeks. Try teaching them all their lessons.

Try getting them to listen and comprehend 5 days a week. Then I ask you to try another experiment.

Try adding 15-20 more kids and teaching them as well. Then I want you to try that experiment for 10 months of the year. Then I want you to tell me how easy teachers have it.

And tell me again that they don't deserve a break during the summer.

 

Thank you...thank you...thank you...to all the teachers. You are one of a kind.

And this world is a better place because of you!!

Give...

Give all your worries to Him because He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7

MONKEYSTORY #687

....as told by our monkey nanny last night when we were on our date night:
This is what I get when I put a 6 year old to sleep
Gabe-You use to have a boyfriend. Did you guys kiss?
Me-Yes, just a little
Gabe-Where did you guys kiss? You didn't kiss him on the lips did you?
... Me-Only on the cheeks ;)
Gabe-When are you going to get another boyfriend? Why are you laughing at me? Am I funny? Do your mom and dad kiss? Do your mom and dad know you had a boyfriend? What if your mom and dad found out you kissed eachothers cheeks? Mom said you use to have a boyfriend but not anymore. Why did you guys 'cut' up? When you get another boyfriend can bring him over to play sports with me?
Needless to say, I love what I do!

The Beauty of It....

You can't appreciate or understand true happiness without going through things that hurt, make you cry and knock you down. The beauty of it is the moment you pick yourself up off the floor, and realize your stronger and better for it.

~Hillary Scott

Love is.....

-finding your first gray hairs together.

-letting him have the last bit of oreo dessert.

-ending a fight with a make-up kiss.

-dancing in the kitchen with dirty dishes piled high.

-laughing until you cry.

-chasing me thru the house.

- singing together with the radio turned up loud.

- back rubs even though you are so tired.

- being my best friend.

- loving me when i'm unlovable.

-

God Made a Mother

Loved the: "So God Made a Farmer" commercial.....

 but i love this too:


http://www.aholyexperience.com/2013/02/god-made-a-mother-so-farmer-on/

Families

"Families don't have to match...you don't have to look like someone else to love them. The thing that needs to be addressed here is that there are wonderful kids all over this country and this world that want a forever family. We believe there are no unwanted kids....just unfound families."

~Leigh Anne Tuohy

Your Gifts

My new favorite date night on the couch: "The Amazing Spiderman".....and i leave you with my favorite quote from the movie:

 

"i know things have been difficult lately and i'm sorry about that....ever since you've been a little boy, you've been living with so many unresolved things. well it take it from an old man.... those things send us down the road that makes us who we are. and if anyone is destined for greatness it's you son....you owe the world your gifts. you just have figure out how to use them. and know that wherever they take you will always be here. so come on home peter....you're my hero and i love you."

MONKEYSTORY #678

Driving home from church and Middle Monkey informs me she forgot to put her seat belt on.
So I proceed to launch into yet another lecture about why exactly it's important that she puts
her seat belt on before the monkeybus starts moving.
GPS pipes up with a very sad/dramatic voice: "Remember the accident Mommy where a truck/trailer full of pigs crashed and a bunch of pigs flew out of the trailer into the field...and some them died...and it was so so so so so so sad???!!!!?."
I replied, "yes, I remember." {middle monkey's eyes are getting very big}
GPS then reminds me with a very "know-it-all" voice that pigs don't wear seatbelts so that story doesn't really go along with the lesson I am trying to teach them....he just wanted to remind me of that story.
Oh thank the good Lord for little smartypants monkies.....these littles remind me every day that my life is sure to never ever ever in my long-legged life be boring...ever again.
Meanwhile....big brother's story hit home with the middlemonkey.....she clicked her seatbelt on so stinkin' fast and said she wouldn't forget to do that again.

I'm a Babe....

PapaMonkey and GPS were heading downstairs to play MarioCart. GPS stops and yells at me:
"Sooooo long Babe!!!!!" He then starts laughing and turns to PapaMonkey: "Hahahahah, I just
called your wife a babe!!!!!" PapaMonkey just looks at me...."Who's kids are these anyhow?!?!!?"

I can't smiling....MamaMonkey was just declared "a babe" by a 6 year old....dude, I'm nearing my 30th birthday....I'll go right ahead and claim that compliment!!!

My Wife

BabyMonkey: "Daddy!! Stop talking to Mommy!"

PapaMonkey: "What?? She's my wife, I can talk to her!"

BabyMonkey (hands on hips and a serious look)

"No! Mommy is my wife!!!! She's mine!"

 *uncontrollable laughing from all monkies in the kitchen*

BabyMonkey Talk

When the older 2 monkies go to basketball practice with PapaMonkey and
BabyMonkey is left alone....this is what I hear:

"Come come come honey bunny!!!
Mama right here honey bunny!!!
hmmm.....lalalalala....hhhmmmm.....lalalala
Come here little honey bunny....I make you a warm bed.
Honey bunny!!! come out of yer bed!
Eat your lunch supper!!! No cookies now!
Go to bed now little baby....bad guys won't get you.
No bad guys get you... little angel with you.
hhhmmmm......lalalalalal....ladaladadladadeedeedaa
Daddy be home soon! He read you a baby book
then a big kid's book. You stay here......
What? You can read? Ok honey bunny....you read book to me then!
You sit on my lap.....kids, don't step on us!!!
No bad guys get you sweetie peetie.
Baby, you take that crown off right now! You not princess!
You my honey bunny!!! No...you can't play compeetah!
I make supper now for all my sisters, all my brothers, all my daddies, all my mommies."

Complete conversation had by her and her babydoll :)

The Light

"Let nothing dim the light that shines from within." 

~Maya Angelou ♥