Girls are so different than boys

My little girl...she's already beautiful in her own little sweet way.  Of course, I would say that, I'm her mom!

I look at her often, and think, Stanley never did things like that.

Like, for example,

• The other morning, I dressed her for church in a cute little curduroy dress, she immediately went to the living room and started twirling around with her arms open wide and a big smile...it's was as if she was saying, "Mommy, I feel beautiful in this!"
• On any given day, you will find her going to the basket of shoes by the door, changing in and out of her shoes.  She looks at them and loves them, and changes them lots of times throughout the day.
• Just today, she was taking on and off her winter hats and smiling big as if she was saying, "I know I'm cute!"
• Just recently, she started pulling out her princess crown, maybe it's because she has watched that Little Sophia show on Disney, it's like something is clicking for her that that little crown is for her.  If we can only instill in her how much of a "princess" she truly is.

But, I have to say Sunday afternoon was my favorite, I was playing one of my favorite songs on the computer.  This girls loves to dance, she can dance fast, she can dance slow.  This particular song is a slower song, so it's just like she intuitively knows it required slower dancing...what does she start doing?  She starts slowing twirling around with her arms held high.  (I would have loved to get a picture of her doing this, but turns out, she stops these spontaneous moments when you turn on the camera!)  She stayed in this "moment" for quite some time (probably because we were just watching her and  not pulling out the camera!).  What was even more symbolic and meaningful to me was the song playing, the words go like this...

Trust You

Aaron Keyes, Pat Barrett, & Matt McMichael

Father of heavenly lights, Fount of wisdom and love

All is laid bare in your sight, You know my ways

I believe you will provide all I need in my life

I will not fear anymore, For I will, ever...

Trust You Jesus, Trust You Jesus, Trust You with my life

V2 You hold the world in your hands, God of mercy and might Knew me before I was born, called me by Name How could I ever respond but to fall and adore I live to know You more, Lord I will, ever...

Trust You Jesus, Trust You Jesus, Trust You with my life

BRIDGE

Let not the wise trust in their wisdom

Let not the strong boast in their might

Let not the rich glory in riches

I will trust You

If you want to listen to this  beautiful song, check it out, the first times I listened to it this summer it  brought me to tears!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6ZqwF4eLBc

(I'm not sure I have this sharing a link  thing down but  you can  use your mad computer skills and get there!)

So the twirling around and dancing was cute, but the image it brought to my mind was priceless - the unguarded dancing of my little girl reminding her mommy how to trust Jesus with everything in my life, in our lives - without hesitation, no guards up, just being open to how the music of our lives plays out.  These little ones of mine, they sure do already teach me and us so much.

Now, before you think that Clara is all girl, because she is showing a lot of those qualities, she'll be the first one to play with McQueen and Thomas.  She will often choose a book about CARS and Thomas over others, although she loves her some Minnie.  And, she's a strong little girl, she can hold her own, which I'm proud to see.  Stanley and Clara have their moments, but their sweet moments outweigh their "other" moments - their hugs, their kisses, helping one another, and reaching to hold each other's hands in the van are precious.  Those are the moments that you are reminded that everything else that happens as a parent is worth those little moments, even if some days they feel few and far between.

If she would have been awake one afternoon, she for sure would have been in this picture with Stanley, notice all his little Cars characters beside him.  I'm pretty sure his mind is one big You Tube presentation of his little cars (he for some reason loves to watch these people on You Tube displaying and describing all of their Cars stuff, kinda strange, but we figure there's no harm in it)

Now, have I mentioned my big boy, Stanley (oh, yes I just did!)...well, I had a moment with him today...it was a BEAUTIFUL day outside today, so we spent all afternoon outside playing.  They were dirty, tired messes when we went inside, but content, and afterward, I made our dinner in peace!  Not the point of the story...I'll carry on...our neighborhood is fairly quiet, so I suggested to Stanley that he put his helmet on and ride his bike down the street while I pushed Clara in the stroller.  He, of course, thought it was a great idea!  So off we went, and suddenly, it hit me!  Is it true?  Do I really have a little boy that rides his bike on the road? (not yet alone of course!)  

I remember the days of riding our bikes around our neighborhood in good 'ole Dalton, Ohio.   That feels like just yesterday!  Now, here I am pushing my almost 2 year old daughter in the stroller as my 4 year old rides his bike alongside of me.  I don't want to be too sentimental, but gosh, how did that happen?  Time is just moving right along!  He was super proud of himself riding his bike, making conversation with his mommy, he said, "it's a perfect day out today, Mommy!"  Those are the melt-your-heart kind of moments as a parent - the ones you have to hang on to (because I won't take the time to mention here how much I don't enjoy "nap" time with Stanley right now, he's turned into quite the procrastinator, whenever I can pass that lovely job to Eric, I don't miss the chance!)...so those are my Mommy moments from the last month or so.  I feel like I'm finally really growing into my role as a stay at home mom, which means most days, not all days, I feel like I might just be embracing it and reminding myself that these days will soon be a memory.

Well, that's all for now, blogging right before you go to sleep is not the best idea (I'm learning!) because it wakes me up and gets my mind going when I'm supposed to be preparing to sleep, oh well, as always, thanks for stopping,

Kendra

"Parking my mind" on such things...

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."                                                         Philippians 4:8 A book I am reading right now suggested that it's too easy to "park our minds" on bad spots - to dwell, rehash, and wish things were different.  Instead, what if we "parked" our mind in a better spot?  How would our daily lives be different if we truly did focus on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy?  So I'm making a choice, this is an active state, it's not something that just happens or passively just happens to you, you have to make  an active choice to focus on "such things."  Unfortunately, it's so easy to focus on the bad spots, but it takes much more endurance, persistence, and strength to do the opposite -- but, it's worth the daily battle, I believe it. I feel I'm on the verge of some significant life changes, writing it here, causes me to be accountable...how it will look, I don't know.  Will I fail, yes I will.  Will there be grace, yes there will be, thank goodness.  I don't know how it will look, but I'm putting one step ahead of another, and asking God to show me how to be obedient in every area of my life, even down to what kind of food I eat, how I treat my body, and how I teach my children about these things.  I am thankful that Eric has bought into this too, because it's going to be much easier to make long term changes with his support as well. If you are interested in the book I am reading, it's called Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeurst.  She gives some pretty hefty challenges and is quite counter cultural to our diet crazed society, but it's one that is giving me freedom in how I think about food, and the choices I make everyday - and how this greatly impacts our spiritual vitality - our my connection to the Lord is greatly at stake if I don't start making these changes now. Click below to read and listen to a little bit about the book here: http://madetocrave.org/ Maybe you find yourself being stirred in your heart to think upon such things, I encourage you to get this book.  I tried reading this book last summer, but never caught on, quite honestly because I was too distracted, I had many excuses.  But, since doing this fast, and taking away some of those daily distractions of food choices and other distractions, I found myself actually hearing, actually listening to that still small voice within me, speaking truth and not lies.  There's a lot more work to be done, but I'm thankful for the journey, no matter how difficult it may become.  I have a choice, and my gut tells me I'm heading in the right direction, may this urge you to "park your mind on such things" as well... As always, thanks for stopping, Kendra

I joined a gym...

yep, I joined a gym.  It is nine years to the month that I recall last joining a gym...Calfornia Fitness in Columbus, Ohio when Eric and I were 5 months away from getting married (good memories with my dear friend and then roommate, Molly!).  If you would have even asked me a month ago, I would have said, no, I don't see myself ever joining a gym again.  I don't know why really...it could have been for financial reasons (do I really want to spend that much money to exercise especially if I stop going after a little while) or for practical reasons (like where will the kids go?) or really except for the past year, I was working full time, so most of the time, I just didn't have the energy to go  exercise after working 5 days a week...but whatever the thought was, I had labeled myself for quite some time as "I'm not the kind of woman who goes to a gym", even though I like to walk and exercise (I really do, my daily habits do not reveal this), "it just wasn't me anymore."  

Nine years ago, I joined a gym to get fit for the wedding.  This time it's for different reasons.  Not that getting fit and becoming more healthy is not one of my reasons because it is.  But, the week before last, I heard several women talk about this women's gym in Tupelo.  I asked more questions, and found out that a. the price was right (around 16 bucks per month! if I paid in full) b. child care was included with their current special.  So I went and checked it out last Monday, and to my surprise, I got excited about the possibility!!  The child care was included, and the lady who sits with the kids has been doing it for as long as the gym opened over 15 years ago, and she's great with the kids.  The exercise equipment is high quality, and the classes are included.  So the more I thought about it, I realized all right, this is a win-win-win...Clara can be around other children (and Stanley too when he's not at preschool), I get to exercise and feel healthier (and maybe a positive outcome would be losing some of this baby weight, who knows?!), and I also can meet women outside and inside the church (there's a lot of Orchard women who go there!).  So I am hoping that the motivation and excitement remains, I'm focusing on the the health benefits, the benefits for Clara especially since she isn't with other children as much, and the social benefits for me as well.  So it's really more about finding balance for me in my daily life.  I am an extrovert, and I dearly miss the daily interaction with my co-workers and friends at hospice.  I didn't realize how much daily adult interaction really fuels me until I no longer had it as a stay at home mom!  I don't make new year's resolutions typically because it just makes me feel guilty when I don't meet any of the goals, but this is a good change for me, and I am praying it sticks.

We've been making some food and drink changes in our family as well, it's supposed to be just for this month with some accountability with a women's group from church.  But, the longer we do it, the more I wonder if these are long term changes that we need to consider.  I have a friend here who started me thinking several months ago about all the junk we put in our bodies with preservatives and chemicals.  It got me thinking, but to be honest, I wasn't sold because honestly, I didn't want to go to the hassle of figuring out what that looks like.  Let's face it, my convenient lifestyle was easy and well...convenient.  She suggested a book called "Food Rules" by Michael Pollan, it's an easy read for someone who is considering making some food changes, it uses simple language and is not highly technical.  I'm not talking the American "diet" and food fads, I'm talking returning to our roots, eating more natural and not as much processed foods.  So I read the book, and Eric and I decided on the foods we were going to cut out, and in all actuality I wanted to focus on all the healthy things we were putting into our bodies not as much what we were cutting out that I think I "need" everyday.  I won't get into all the specifics, but some main things I cut out for the month were my daily diet pop (Eric had done this long ago because of his Chron's), my morning coffee with my hazelnut creamer, my daily candy, and my almost daily sweets.  Crazy, I know, but before you look at me, and think wow, I could never do that....just know, it's taken me FOREVER to take the plunge and make this change, and it's only because of the accountability with this group that I decided to do it because I truly want to see how my body feels after a month of not having those things daily.  Besides that, we are trying as much as possible to go fresh with vegies and fruit and other foods, just becoming more aware of all the junk that the food industry puts in our food (this does not yet mean I don't get my fresh fruits and vegies from Wal-Mart so this may be an oxymorn, but I can't make too many changes at once people!)...Eric has even gotten into the habit of making whole wheat tortillas!  We are a little less than two weeks in, and I honestly I do feel different.  And, I've thought about if this is a self-fulfilling prophecy, "I think it's going to happen, therefore it does."  I really think I feel different.  I feel more motivated, energetic, my mood feels more balanced (let's face it I still have my irritable and grouchy mom moments!), and I just feel better all around.  So we are half way into this month, and my mind is starting to make the switch of thinking about...what next?  How is this going to change my daily life in the future?  How am I going to remember how this feels so that motivates me to continue to make positive changes in how we eat?  It shouldn't be a surprise to me, but funny, I've noticed that the kids are eating more fruits because that's what mommy and daddy are eating (I can't say they have bought into the vegies though!).  I haven't even begun to fully understand what that looks like for our children because we have only implemented this with Eric and I -- because I may be a little embarrassed to admit my almost 2 year old girl totally calms down if I give her fruit snacks (and what's in a fruit snack really?!).  OK, so through all of this, what have I missed the most?  Drum roll please....my morning coffee with hazelnut creamer!  It hasn't been the pop (although believe me I've had some cravings for it), it hasn't been the candy (because believe me I have been tempted to pull out a piece of candy for me out of the candy jar when I get some for the kids), and it hasn't totally been the sweets or the ice cream (which I love as you all know!) or our at least weekly pizza...it's been the coffee and I have to have my coffee with my hazelnut creamer (I cannot drink my coffee black, come on people!).  So for now I've decided with complete trepidation that pop needs to be out for good (I struggle even as I type that), but coffee with creamer remains after this month.  Sweets, candy, and ice cream and pizza and my other favorite foods in moderation, but  I've never been great with moderation so if I'm serious about this, I will have to figure out what that means in the future.  Beyond the focus on food and changes I've experienced, I have also noticed that these negative habits draw me away and keep me less focused on my relationship with God, it lures my focus to physical food, and not the spiritual food that can only satisfy.  OH MY, what does all this mean?  And, why did I feel the need to write something of this personal nature on my blog? I don't know in full, but if nothing else, it may be because I wonder who else out there that may read my blog is on the same journey and could offer advice or encouragement or how tos or what works for you because my curiosity has been spiked and I'm "almost" in.  I might have just taken a drink of the "kool-aid" (or not so much the kool-aid)...and I'm wondering if I make these kinds of changes in our daily lives...will it bring honor to the Lord because we choose not to believe the lie that our culture and food industry tells us daily, but we return to the roots of how our grandparents and great-grandparents in choosing and preparing our food.  I pray that a month from now, I don't look back in this blog and think to myself, "oh I'm so not there anymore" but I find myself continuing on the journey to a healthier me and family.  If I'm not, someone remind me where I was today, and that there's more to life than food and the food that's in our grocery store that gives temporary satisfaction to a craving, but is nourishing and places our minds on "eating to live, not living to eat."

I do not think it's coincidence that I have joined a gym along side all of these food changes.  Not for joining the gym to become a buff Kendra like our society buys into :)  (HA!), but to experience the full benefits of eating right and exercise.  It certainly wasn't expected and was not planned when I set out on this journey on January 7, but I believe it's a good and needed part of the process for my physical and emotional well being as a mama, a wife, and a friend.

I believe that when these changes continue to happen over the long term, they will also have a huge impact on my spiritual life, my ability to connect with the Lord and not be as distracted.  They already have, and for that I am thankful, I do feel less depressed, less anxious, more confident, less guilty and shameful, and find myself more able to live in the grace, peace, gratitude, and deep inner joy that I believe the Lord has for us if we could just break away some of these walls that stand in our way.  

This blog post is not meant to be a "hey, look what I'm doing" kind of post, it's truly about what is happening within me.  I'm on the journey, I have not or will not ever fully arrive, but I'm on the journey to be set free from all that tears us away from what is most important in life.  I struggle with comparison to others, like a lot of women these days.  I have a love-hate relationship with face book and blogs...when I'm in a good place, they are positive, when I'm in a "less healthy" place, they are negative.  I'm never going to be addicted to drugs or alcohol, but I can be addicted to things in other ways, and social media and food can be my "addiction" in so many complex ways.  And, I know I'm not alone.  So if you read this, and somehow feel "less than" because of anything I said, please know that this was not my intention, I'm just someone who is struggling through the mess, and trying to find my place amidst the piles of junk around me -- and trying to find me because sometimes I feel lost in trying to live up to everyone's expectations, and forget that I have only ONE that I am here to please - and that is in my relationship with the Lord and being true to what He believes me to be - his child that He loves so very deeply.

But, if you read this and you are on the journey and you connected to what I have said, encourage me with your story and tell me about books, thoughts, quotes, or ways that you have learned to make these changes in your life.  And, we will join together on the journey.  And, oh, just a promotion for Jen Hatmaker's book, 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess 

http://www.dayspring.com/books_and_journals/christian_living_books/jen_hatmaker_7_an_experimental_mutiny_against_excess/?gclid=CPSinNCz9bQCFRQcnAod5zcAgg

some of these thoughts were born out of processing this book together, so if want to be challenged and laugh all at the same time, purchase this book today. :)  Yes, I'll take that thank you from you, Jen Hatmaker, I just helped to promote your sweet little book!  :)

As always, thanks for stopping,
Kendra

Happy 4th Birthday, my little "Curious George!"

After spending the whole year, reading Curious George and his Birthday Surprise...it was no surprise that Stanley chose Curious George for his 4th birthday party.  This was his first year to have a birthday party with friends, and he shared it with his friend, Brody who has a birthday a few days after Stanley...we started off the day making sure Stanley felt very special like he is!

Breakfast at Cracker Barrel - start the day off right!

They were so excited about his Curious George cake!  No, I'm not one of those
moms who makes wonderful birthday cakes for my kids, and I'm ok with that!
We were very pleased with his cake, and it was yummy!!

Getting ready to open presents!

Getting ready to leave the house to go to Brody's for their 4th birthday party!

Brody and Stanley with their cakes...Brody had a batman party!

Happy Birthday, our sweet Stanley!

The Brand's - Brody's family

 Ever wonder what to do with six energetic boys?!! A Curious George pinata!

It was so much fun to watch!!  They had a blast!

And, they finally got it!  Too much fun!

 My energetic, strong-willed little-turning-into-a-big-boy monkey!

Mr. Stanley, you brighten my day with your smile and laughter and all

the funny things you say!  Can't wait to see what another year will bring!!

We love you, Stanley!

As always, thanks for being patient with my marathon posting, and thanks for stopping,

Kendra

Happy New Year's from the George's!

When we returned from Disney, of course, Eric worked at church that Sunday, but then thank goodness! we had two whole days to totally veg around the house!  And, we did just that!!  We spent our last day of the year...

Finger painting

Coloring in the bathtub...enjoying some of their stocking stuffers!

Enjoying their toys from Disney...

My matching kids - I don't do this too much, but I find myself doing it every once in awhile!

Mickey and Minnie Mouse Pancakes - thanks, Daddy!

 Stanley just had to have a picture of their new ornaments we got at Christmas!  We 

thought they would be good reminders of our Christmas in Disney, we enjoyed them 

for a bit on the tree before we packed all the decorations away!

The technology generation - our friends, Landry and Morgan
were over with their parents for New Year's Eve...the kids got
to stay up a little later and to slow them down they played with iPads
and iphones...oh my!

 My marathon postings is almost over, next up Stanley's 4th birthday!

As always, thanks for stopping,

Kendra

Our "Magical" Disney Christmas...

We were very blessed to spend Christmas at Disney with Eric's family.  Eric's parents are now snow birds for six months of the year in Davenport, FL, real close to Disney.  So Disney it was!  Eric's brother, Brian also came to Disney for the week!  It was so fun to be at Disney over Christmas with all the Christmas decorations, lights, and parades.  Great memories for one year, but to be honest, we wouldn't choose to go back at Christmas because of how busy it was.  It's impossible to do everything at the parks regardless (although we sure tried!), but it's even harder when you experienced wall to wall people all week!!  We had our share of melt downs - kids and adults (ha!) - but it truly was one of my favorite weeks!  I know I've heard adults talk about Disney before, and I didn't quite get "it" but now that we have been with our children, I can't wait to return.  There certainly is a science to how to plan your time at the parks, so I was thankful to make daily texts and sometimes calls to my sister and brother (who have become Disney gurus and great travel guides!).  I really want to try to pick my favorite pictures, but bear with me, it will be difficult to do! 

Entering Radiator Springs for the first time

So excited to finally see McQueen in person!!

And Sally!

 First night was at the Magic Kingdom...Stanley's first ride was the tea cups, and Clara's was on dumbo!  Love their little faces so excited!

 This was the first of a series of pictures of Stanley in his Mater bed - it was a Murphy bed.  Stanley loved pulling his bed down every night, and there Mater was already sleeping!!  Every night, Stanley just had to have a picture in his Mater bed.  

 Mama and her girl on Christmas day, riding on the bus to Magic Kingdom

 Waiting for the Winnie the Pooh ride...one of their favorites!

 Stanley's first "holer" coaster ride on the Barnstormer with Uncle Brian, he rode this one three times!  He loved it, I can't wait until he can ride the bigger roller coasters, he was 3/4 inch too short for Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain which he would have loved!

 This is how our kiddos sat the whole week in our stroller...we have a love-hate relationship with that stroller!

 Stanley giving a play by play of his first "holer" coaster ride!

 One of my favorite shots of the kids - loving one of the Christmas parades!

 Papaw and Memaw George enjoying a break while we wait in line for a ride.

 Taking a break...

 Naps were hard to come by at Disney, so she slept whenever she couldn't go anymore!

 Merry Christmas from the George's!

 Christmas evening, we had dinner with all of our Disney friends...there was time to meet all the characters, a Christmas dinner, dancing, and a whole lot of fun!!  Clara loved the characters from afar, turns out when she was encouraged to go up to the characters, she wasn't too crazy about that!  So eventually Mommy had to help so she could see them up close, although she wasn't too crazy about it!

Memaw comforting little Clara after Donald and Daisy were a little scary up close! 

Notice Clara is still checking them out, she's just not too sure!

She still can't keep her eyes off of them, you just don't know what Mickey and Minnie will
do if you aren't watching them!

Eating ice cream bars

Dancing the night away!

Back at the hotel after a fun day at Magic Kingdom, here the kids are checking out the art work on the walls...

Photo bomb!!

 When the mice are sleeping, the cats will play...after a long day at Magic Kingdom, Eric, Brian, and I returned so we could ride the "big" rides!  Good choice, we had very short waits and got to ride all the rides I remember as a kid!

 The next day, we took it easy in the morning, we were already tired!!  Stanley was running around in his CARS pajamas while checking out all of his friends!

Swimming in the Nemo pool...we went swimming on the best day 

as far as weather, gotta love heated pools!!

 At Hollywood Studios, we got to meet Woody and Buzz!  And, McQueen and Mater (again!)...Still Clara is very unsure of these guys...

Mama, take another picture of me on bed, please!

Hanging out in the room

Doc!

 The decor of the resort was awesome!

 At Animal Kingdom, we enjoyed Finding Nemo and the Lion King Shows.  

AHHH, Mater, you are biting my head off!

 Celebrating Stanley's 4th birthday Mickey style!

Bathroom, too fun!
Below, ready to get in a line, and the kids were enjoying some music in the park!

Our last day at Disney

Our last night in our CARS dream world!