A little behind

Well I've gotten a little behind but that is because we got the coolest dog in the world last week.  Here is a picture of him.

This is one of the coolest dogs ever!!  We named him Goliath after Christian's favorite Bible Story but call him Goli for short.  Hey very rarely barks, lays in the middle of the floor most of the day and is super gentle with the kids.  The only flaws we've found are that if given the chance he will run away and sometimes he doesn't know how big he is when he wants to play.  He's getting used to the latter of those two though.  We absolutely adore him and are so grateful that we went to Kiya Koda when we did.

Anyway, that's why I've been a little behind but I have still been very blessed in raising my 4 beautiful kids.  Today is all about Joey....

This past week Joey has really shown her very determined side of herself which at times has been challenging but has also allowed her yet again the bragging rights of doing something first in our family again.  All the kids (except Kinnick) have wanted to go off the diving board forever but haven't had the chance to beings they haven't had swimming lessons and Mommy didn't quite trust them in the water yet.  Daddy got to come to the pool with us one Thursday afternoon and he said they could all try while he stood by and watched.  All the kids really wanted to do this but they all shoved Joey to the front of the line because they know that she has no fear when it comes to doing something new.  Joey, with no hesitation at all, got to the diving board walked right out to the edge and jumped right in and swam right to the side with no problems at all.  The other kids then followed because they saw that Joey made it without drowning. :) 

Joey has shown what a passionate heart she has.  Every time Goliath would run away Joey would collapse into this small pile on the floor and just sob in hopes that he would come back.  Or when the story of the lady who got picked on by the 7th grade boys came on the news her and Hayden were really shook up by it and could not understand why anyone would ever treat someone like that.

My prayer for Joey, today, is that she is always as determined and fearless as she is right now and that with that determination she doesn't it allow herself to miss the opportunities when she can be loving, kind and passionate about something or toward someone.  I love you tons Jo Jo

Sweet to the core!!

I'm falling further and further behind here.  Luckily today our summer officially starts.  No more summer bands, no more vacations and no more must dos in our summer. 

 So I am so thankful for Hayden today!  She is always such a sweet heart but extra so today.  It started off by letting her be in charge for a short errand I had to run with Christian.  Hayden forgot she wasn't supposed to answer the phone while we were gone. Luckily it was Daddy that was on the other end but then unluckily he had to be a little firm with the scolding he gave her on not answering the phone when Mommy is gone.  This sweet girl of mine starts crying and crying until Joey calls me and tells me about it.  We talked it out and everything was good until I got home.  Hayden then tells me, "Mommy, Daddy is going to tell on me to you."  Ummm Hayden I think you already told on yourself. :)

Later this evening we got to talk to all of our neighbors for a while and while talking, 3 or 4 times, Hayden walked up behind me, wrapped her arms around my waist and gave me the tightest hugs.  It made my night.  I wonder if there is a bad bone in her body at times.

My prayer for Hayden, tonight, is that she is able to have a summer full of fun and relaxation.  She seems to be coming out of that anxious phase she's been in and I pray that she enjoys it to pieces!!!  I love you Haydie!!!!

Buddy

Oops, I got a little behind yesterday.  We took a trip to Wisconsin this weekend so that Ryan could run a half ironman.  The weekend was very long but a lot of fun as well!  Anyway, we took yesterday to re coop and clean some of the dirt and grime off of, well, everything in this house. 

So today is why I am blessed to have Buddy around.  Although Christian is rather rambunctious and crazy at times he also has those very sweet moments where you think, "wow that's my kid".  Yesterday morning I woke up a little later than the kids (8 am) and I was so surprised to hear all of my kids playing in the basement.  This isn't an odd thing for the younger 3 but Christian had involved himself and was having a great time playing with the others and making his little brothers whole week.  Now this wasn't just a short 20 minutes they played together but probably, altogether, 2 or 3 hours throughout the day.  It was such a wonderful day in which I got a ton done beings I wasn't having to break up fights. :)

My prayer for Christian today is that he is always able to have a lot of fun with his siblings and never think it's weird to be with them.  I pray that he is able to have more and more moments where he can be the big brother that Kinnick looks up to and admires. I pray that he will always be able to set a good example of the behaviors that Mom, Dad and especially God desire from him.  

I love you Buddy and you made yesterday sooo much fun for all of us!

Kick Start My Heart

Oh my goodness am I ever blessed and challenged to have Kinnick in our lives.  This kid is sooooo determined to be right and push the  envelope at all times. Although he can be a challenge at times he has always been my hugger and snuggler.   I love how he really thinks everything through and his random statements at what he's concluded from all of his thinking.  The other day he told me that it was pretty cool when you turn your turn signal on in a vehicle that it makes the car turn in that direction.  He is always processing something.  He absolutely adores his older brother who really doesn't appreciate this quality in Kinnick.  He mimics everything Christian does from what he says, even down to the muscle shirts they both wear under their t-shirts.  

My prayer for Kinnick today is that he will figure out how to be his very own person.  He has this extremely hilarious side of him that he very rarely lets shine.  I pray that he always feeds that very inquisitive mind of his.  I pray that he channels his curiosity towards how he can better God's kingdom.  

Kinnick is sooo much like his daddy that it's scary.  Right now it tends to be a frustration but if he turns out to be even half of the man his father is we will be soooo blessed!!!  I love you tons Kick Start!!!

Firecracker

Oh my, why is my life blessed by having Joey in it???  I don't even know where to start.  Joey is soooo full of life and squireliness!!  If you've met our family I am positive that you know which one is Joey because she is definitely the leader of our pack.  Although I butt heads with her the most she is also the one I find myself trying not to laugh while disciplining or just laughing at throughout the day.  You just can't help but be happy around Joey.  Now I'm not saying she doesn't have her sour moments because when she gets angry, although it usually is short lived, it is very big!!  I find myself looking at her and thinking holy cow she is so much like me and then feeling the need to apologize to my parents for never giving them a down moment. :)  I wouldn't change any of it though.

My prayer for Joey, today, is that she will be able to continue to confront everything in life with as much enthusiasm and determination as she does right now.  I also pray that she knows when to take it down a notch and when to be able let craziness fly.  I pray that she always has the extreme dislike towards sin as she does today.  Almost daily Joey says to me, "Mommy, I wish satan never existed."  Oh, Joey I am soooo with you on that one!  I love you sweet heart!!!!

Near Perfect

Hayd-a-babe (Hayden) is the child every parent hopes to get.  She has the biggest heart of anyone I know.  Hayden is the one who is always trying her hardest to make sure that everyone is happy and no one is left out (even if she's dealing with her siblings).  I absolutely adore how, when it is just our family, Hayden's awesome sense of humor comes alive.  She knows that I will ALWAYS laugh if she gets right in my face, crosses her eyes, pulls on her ears and sticks out her tongue.  I am so thankful that she has grown out of many of her anxieties and has allowed herself to have one of her best years in school both academically and socially. I also love how modest Hayden is.  I hope she always stays very aware of how much skin she is showing in everything she wears.  Although it makes it nearly impossible to shop for her she makes her daddy so very happy!!

My prayer for Hayden, today, is that she is always aware of people who are hurting around her but not so much that it tears her to pieces inside.  I pray that she will be able to be quick on her feet when dealing with other peoples hurts and troubles.  She told her dad and I the other day that she was going to run a homeless shelter that took care of not only people but also animals.  After she said this she looked at us with the most serious face and said, "Boy, I sure am going to be busy!"  Oh Haydie I love you to pieces!!!!

I AM BLESSED

Thankful

Okay, so I know I haven't blogged in...ohhhh.....over a year but I am determined to get back into this and to try my best to be consistent.  Why you ask?  Well my dear sweet friend, unfortunately, had to endure one of the hardest situations some are asked to go through here on earth.  Her very sweet 10 year old son passed away due to a  form of brain cancer.  No God did not make her son have this illness.  It's just one of the horrible consequences that we face daily due to the ugly sin in this world.  I have been so amazed at the faith her and her family have shown through all of this.  (Tami if you're reading this you guys truly are amazing and such an awesome witness.)  While watching her endure all of the heart wrenching grief and pain that she has endured over the past few months I became painfully aware of how much I complain about or take for granted my children.  This is what brings me here today.

I am going to try my very best to devote one day a week to each of my kids and get in writing why I am so thankful and blessed to have each and every one of them.  We have no idea how long we get to be blessed by them so I want to make sure that I am enjoying, teaching and loving them the best that I can every day!

So with that being said, I'm going to start Monday off with Christian

This sweet boy is a bundle of all kinds of emotions!!!  He loves, laughs and gets angry with all his heart.  I am so thankful that he is still such an innocent boy.  He hasn't figured out all the cruelties of the world yet and although it makes his life a little harder outside our front door it allows us to hold on to the little boy that is still inside.  Christian is packed full of imagination and loves to quote lines from any movie or t.v. show that might make him giggle. 

My prayer for Christian, today, is that he will be able to figure out how to filter the energy that he sometimes doesn't know what to do with into something very productive.   Possibly into the drawing that he has shown so much promise in.  

Here's my proud mom bragging moment....

This is something he drew this morning.  When the other kids and myself tried to draw these characters we had to use all kinds of step by step instructions.  Christian looked at the picture on the cover and just drew it. (better than all of us put together)

Christian you are such a cool kid with so many different talents!!!

I love you Buddy!!!

Chloe Werling..... Sometime 2010- Feb. 6 2011

Well Chloe wasn't long for this world but she was super sweet and very loved by Joey. Her death could have been caused by many different things.... a common cold, a play date with the cat George, rough housing with Joey's friends or a dirty cage. Whatever it was we were very glad to call her part of our family and she will missed greatly.
Remember to cherish the time you have with your rodents because you never know when it could be your last moment with them. ;)

All joking aside Joey does really miss her and this morning was a pretty tough lesson in death. I just needed to record this event because it was pretty big in the Wacky World of the Werlings.

The Pizza Guy

Well we've started scripture memorization in our house and so far it's been going really well. We start listening to a song that is made from the portion of scripture we're memorizing on Sunday morning on the way to church. After we listen to that and get that memorized we talk about what the scripture is about and how we can apply it to our lives on Wednesday nights. This weeks scripture was Phillipians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything with prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
For the object lesson we tried to mix oil (worry) and water, which was colored to see it better, (trust in God) together.

As you can see, and probably already knew, they don't mix. I thought this was such a great reminder that if we truly believe that God is control , is looking out for us and has a PERFECT plan for our lives there absolutely is no need to worry! So often in our lives we tend to worry thinking that we're improving the situation by milling over it in our minds when really we are just not trusting that God is who He says He is.
Well after our lesson we started making sure the kids had the scripture right, understood what words were in it and that they weren't messing up any of the words. Joey, of course, said she wanted to go first because she was not about to be outdone by anyone else in the family. ;) She started in on the scripture and was doing great and then she hit the middle of the verses. Instead of saying "And the peace of God", she says as loudly and as confidently as she could, "and the pizza guy". We all busted out laughing and the scripture has never been the same since. :)
Now not only is pizza one of our favorite meals but the pizza guy has inherited super hero powers.

So the next time you start to worry remember that God's got it ALL under control!!!! Oh and also remember to tip the pizza guy well because you never know when you'll need him to save your life. :)

Tough Kid!!!

Well for the first time in 4 weeks I am home alone again. I'm not gonna lie, part of me is loving it but I kind of miss Christian who has been my side kick for the last 3 weeks. I had to shove him out the door this morning crying because he told me that his tummy was killing him. I dropped all the kids off and then walked him in while he was still crying a little bit. Once he hit the classroom door, however, he puffed up his chest and walked into his room with his head held high. Part of me was very proud but my heart also broke a little at the fact that he could put on a front like that so easily. Buddy my prayer for you is that you can always be honest with your feelings at all times if at all possible but when you have to buck up I pray that you have as much courage as you did today!!! I love you little mister!!!!