Let it snow

It's been beautiful here in Alabama with our record amount of snow. First it snowed ON Christmas Day, then a few weeks later the storehouses of snow opened again. This time it measured 8.9 inches at the airport. In the past several years, we've had a light dusting but never enough to make snowballs or really even build a snowman. This year it's a different story...

(playing in the snow)

As I watched the early morning snow falling I came across this scripture: "God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ So that everyone he has made may know his work, he stops all people from their labor." Job 37:5-7

Since this was such a wonderful sight, we took advantage of the time together as a family. We spent from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm just playing. Our day began with preparing for the epic snowball battle: complete with snow built barriers and a wheel barrel of snow balls. The competition was between us and our neighbors.

(preparing for battle)

(prepared!)

(epic showdown)

Then we created the biggest snowman ever! It measured 10'6" tall & was built IN our street! When we were done, other neighbors walked dogs down or drove thier family over just to take a picture in front of the snowman. Of course, the kids helped for about 15 minutes and the remaining three hours Owen, Brad (our neighbor), and myself finished what we had started. A few neighbors even came over to help: carving the waist or hoisting the massive head to the top. The funny thing is this is the first snowman I've ever built!

(Starting the Snowman)

(The finished product)

(His cute face)

(Our friends built a snow truck)

I think it was one of my most favorite days ever! I hope you enjoy the pictures.

~ Casey

PS: Morgan wasn't a huge fan of the snow day. She spent most of her time looking like this... I think she's more at home when on a beach. :)

(Morgan crying)

(oh look, here's another picture of Mo)

All Growns Up

| the first "phone" call|

Today it happened....my soon to be, pre-teen (aka 9 yr old) has spent the entire night chatting on the phone with her girlfriend. I was not ready for this. :|

I thought I had more time...I didn't think this started until somewhere more like 14!!! (Wait, I had my first boyfriend by then...oh no...this is not good.) Is it that every parent has a dawning moment that their kid is actually growing up way to quickly?!?!?!?

Even in wrestling tonight, she pulled a few good moves on me. I know I'll still have a few more years just with my intimidating look alone. This look will back any girl down in a wrestling match but seriously...smooth moves and talking to friends all in one night. I just don't think I can take it!

I will have to say that since the entire conversation was on speaker phone (she hasn't figured out that everyone hears what's going on that way), the girl seems very sweet. She even wanted to say hello to Morgan. I'm proud that Maddie knows how to pick good people to be friends with...maybe we're doing OK after all. (Still...no dating until at least 18 and I'm not backing down from that one.)

Our Dinner Conversation....

Owen "Maddie, pick a number between 1-10."
Maddie "5."
Owen "Morgan, now it's your turn. Pick a number between 1-10."
Morgan "Ummm....4."
Owen "The number was 7 so Morgan do you want to pick another number?"
(Across the table, Maddie holds up two fingers.)
Morgan "Ummm...2."
(laughter erupts)
Owen "Maddie wins."
Morgan "Not fair. Maddie told me to pick 2."
(laughter erupts)

Owen "Ok, let's play again. Maddie, pick a number between 1-10."
Maddie "5."
Owen "Morgan, now it's your turn. Pick a number between 1-10."
Morgan "Ummm....7."
Owen "The number was 3 so Morgan do you want to pick another number?"
Morgan "Ummm...8."
(laughter erupts)
Owen "Maddie wins."
Morgan "How????"
(laughter erupts again)

Too cute!!!

Cute Comments

Morgan and Maddie have chores each day. As Morgan was empting out her part of the dishwasher, she looks at Owen and asked, "Where does the potato scracher go?" How cute!

How Cotton Candy is Made

As we drive by the cotton fields, the large combines are picking the cotton and putting them into huge bails. In the backseat Morgan (5 yrs old) says, "You know why they have to get all that cotton? Because that's how they make the cotton candy." I love how she saw fields upon fields of cotton candy growing. Oh, to be able to look through the eyes of a child!

Maddie's Baptism

"For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

"Do you ever make accidents?"

My Little Mo is now 5 years old. With this new found "age" is a new found "temper" and the girl can be PASSIONATE when she is mad! (I must admit, that passion probably comes from me.) We've had a problem with using physical force to help relieve her anger. Today the wall took a beating when she threw the microphone stand against it. We've tried many punishments but none of them have solved the problem so we held a family meeting to determine the next course of action. Morgan, Uncle Ricky, Aunt Carrie, Owen, and myself were all involved in the incident so we all had input. Taking frogs (her favorite stuffed animal) is effective but it is pure torture for us parents. Needless to say, that course of action was ruled out. We all decided that an extensive amount of time in her room away from tv, computer, friends, microphone stands, etc. would help her realize you must be nice for people to want to be around you. Now....fast forward to bedtime......

Snuggling with Morgan before bed she tells me that she prayed to God asking Him to help her next time when she got upset. She wanted help to walk way and go to the exercise room instead of throwing something. I asked her if she would like me to read a few things that the Bible said about being angry & she said yes. When we were done reading, Morgan cuddled her frogs and with big alligator tears in her eyes she asked "Mom, do you ever make accidents?" I replied with tears in my eyes "Oh yes baby love, we all make accidents. That is why Jesus died for us because everyone make accidents. The best part is when we say we're sorry, Jesus gives us a new day and a fresh start. He loves us and forgives us no matter how many times we have accidents." It is amazing and humbling occasion to see a child's heart be changed by the Holy Spirit and the love of God. This is the last scripture we read during our time together...

"But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Here there is no conflict with the law."

Maddie's First Swim Meet

Here is Maddie's 1st Swim Meet. She was so cute and I thought you would enjoy seeing this video that I made of her.

Sing It Girls

This is the funniest video ever!!!!!

The Grand Opening

It finally opened . . . this is big news around here! (Known as Jingle Bells by Morgan) Bojangles has opened its doors. My children were sooo excited! Yes, we went to the grand opening and while eating Maddie asked Owen to name his favorite restaurant. After much thought he replied "either Brazilian Steakhouse or Bojangles." Morgan agreed that her favorite restaurant was Bojangles. Maddie rated Bojangles as #2 on her favorites list. It was a great dinner together!

My Smart Little Nugget

Maddie who is also known as the "Drama Queen" in the family has had the flu since Sunday. Now that the fever has subsided, today she claims that the aches in her legs so severe that she cannot walk and must crawl around the house on her knees. (I know you are feeling sorry for her but trust me, it is all a front! Her legs move more by crawling than if she just stood up and walked. I'm not saying that they aren't a little sore . . . but come on already.) Being the wise parent that I am, I tell her that if she is THAT BAD we will have to go back to the doctor and they will take blood work to make sure there is not something more going on. I thought this would surly do the trick and the drama would end . . . but she continued to crawl around on her knees.

Since that didn’t work, I called the doctor to make sure I wasn’t being an overly insensitive parent and the nurse confirmed my suspicions . . . "sounds like she is faking it."

After crawling around for several more hours on her knees, I thought I would show her what real drama looks like . . . when tucking her in for a nap she says with a smile "Mom, what happens if my legs always hurt." I replied, "Well, I guess they will have to amputate and you'll be riding around in a wheelchair." The smart Little Nugget smiles at me and says "Why can't I just get the wheelchair and ride around and get to keep my legs." I replied "Just to make sure you're not faking" and the Little Nugget just grinned up at me and giggled!

Check List Please!

You've heard the complaint that parents all over the world wish their child came with a manual. Even when you buy a toaster, you get a manual . . . but this is not the case with kids. At this point in my life, after raising kids for past 8 years, I would settle for a check list!

There are some things that I remember. For example our bedtime routine, "Morgan, have you gone to the potty? Brushed your teeth? Gone to the potty, are you sure??? Did you get your diaper? Well...go get it." You see, I don't need a check list for this because I have been trained due to many tragic nighttime events so now these questions are automatically asked. However, I would like a check list for the simple things in life that might not be so obvious. Here is what happened today . . .

Both girls are home "sick" (also known as milking it) and I being the wonderful parent that I am (ha!) I gave them fruit popsicles. A few hours later, I go to the fridge to get Morgan milk. There on the bottom shelf is a melted, pink, soggy, puddle that has spread over the entire shelf and in the center is a popsicles stick. Needless to say, I know who the culprit is . . . so I said "Morgan, you can't put a popsicle in the fridge to save it or it will melt!" The tiny voice replies "But Mamma I didn't know!" Oh, if it was only on the check list I would have remembered to tell her this simple fact of life!

Morgan's Outtakes . . .

Here is Morgan singing her A,B,C's:

"A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P,Q,R,S,VUT.... (which comes out like "But" & doesn't sound good coming from a 4 year old.)

Picking Morgan Up From School:

"Mom, when can we go to Chuck E. Chex Mix?" (aka: Chuck E. Cheese)

Morgan & I are working on laundry:

"Mom, I'll show you how to play Star Wars & I will be Princess Layers." (aka: Leia)

Morgan's 4th Birthday Party

We had a family, dress up, tea party for Morgan's fourth birthday. Morgan fell during her grand entrance and got a little embarrassed. I had to keep it in the video because it was such a memory. This was such a wonderful day!