Beloved Dr. Pepper

They'll learn one day that it's good for their health!

And a few days later... She's learning!!

Growth Group

Growth Group is our time outside of church to get together with the women in our Life Group and dig deeper into the word of God and really focus on bigger and more meaningful topics. I hosted this week and made brownies. (I offered Wheat Thins too, although I realize the two of these together are an oxymoron of sorts.) I brought them over with the intent to cut them but we decided it would be far more fitting to just grab forks.

And that friends is how we read our Bibles and eat brownies!

Laundry Payment

My payment for laundry - definitely keeping the dollar, no need for the now-clean cup, and good thing that Kit Kat had already been eaten. We would have been one less child if that had ruined my load of clothes!

That $1 sure makes me happy :)

Spring Break Day 5

Cam came home!! They left early Saturday morning and returned the following Friday night.  They cut down trees to clear the lot for a new church and also framed a bathroom as a new addition to another church.  Great experience for him!  Here are some pics from Cameron's mission trip to Rio Valley....



Spring Break Day 4

I spent the day in court and the kids had a good day with Nanie :)

Spring Break Day 3

2 hours of solid jumping.... Will it wear them out?

Spring Break Day 2

.50 cent movie and Chick-fil-a for lunch (kids eat free).

Spring Break Day 1

We hit the park and them came home for more fun. Hooray for water days in March!

Dear Children,

I am a mad mom, a very mad mom.  This morning, I woke up and logged in to work, as I do everyday.  While working, I managed to watch the clock and get every one of you off to school on time.  But you three left my house a complete disaster.  As you all know, on Mondays I spend my day working and doing laundry (your laundry is included don't forget).  Boys, I noticed an abundance of laundry which included clothes YOU DID NOT WEAR.  Do you know how mad this makes me?  It's the same as me walking into your room and messing it up and then making you clean it.  Or grabbing your homework, tearing it up and making you redo it.  It's a complete waste of my time.  I also noticed shoes laying around, hairbrush and accessories and (perishable) lunch items and scissors that were used this morning still on my kitchen counters.  The laptop always seems to be out somewhere and not put up like I ask you to do.  Beds aren't made, which is a MUST in this house.  Toys, trash, and "stuff" are all over your bedrooms, even AFTER we ask you to pick up.  Boys, why oh why are there towels still on the bathroom floor?  Why are there crumbs and sticky messes all over my kitchen table?

In addition to laundry on Mondays, I also try and pick things up and get them tidy so that when everyone comes home from their day, they can have a quick snack and play outside.  Not today.  Because my house was left a disaster, I couldn't do my part without cleaning up after ya'll first.  And since you all know I don't clean up after you, you now have a massive size list of chores for the afternoon.  Not only will you be doing your chores that should have already been done, you can do my Monday chores as well.  And while you're working around the house, I'll be in my bedroom with the door locked.  I'm so mad at you all right now.  I'm sad that you would treat our home, which is such a blessing to us, like a dump.  God gives us blessings and it is our job to cherish and take care of them.  You have not done this.

Courtnie:
Thank you for not adding clothes you didn't wear to your laundry.  I finished your laundry for you, but you still need to put it away.  Your room is the messiest.  I'm starting to think your new bedtime needs to be bumped back down since you can't seem to find the time in the morning to get things done.  Get your bed made, NOTHING should be on your floor, your shelves and nightstand need to be cleared off.  If you cannot do this to my standards, I will take care of that tomorrow while you're at school.  And if I think something needs to be in the trash, that's where it's going.  I need you to clean my kitchen countertops and finish the dishes you didn't complete last night.  The ones sitting in soapy water need to be washed off and set out to dry (this should have been done last night).  You also need to sweep the kitchen floor, hall and entryway and you and Colton can dust the living room bookshelves.  You also need to help clean the garage with the boys.  Oh, and please vacuum your room and the dining room.  And don't hit the walls, table or chairs with the vacuum.

Colton:
You need to pick up your room.  If your room is messy, I'm coming in there with a trashbag and will start throwing your toys away.  You can also clean my garage, empty the trashcans and take the trash out.  You will also need to finish your own laundry.  You will need to somehow figure out how to get your clothes in and out of the washer and dryer by yourself.  If you can't do this, then your laundry does not get done.  You can also clean your bathroom.  Then you need to go upstairs, pick it up, and fold all the blankets nicely.  Then you can vacuum your floor.  If you hit the walls with my vacuum, I'm going to get more mad at you.  I also need you to clean the kitchen table.  Then you and Courtnie can dust the bookshelves in the living room.  And before it gets dark, you need to go outside and pick up poop.  Cameron will hold the bag.

Cameron:
You can also finish your own laundry.  I don't appreciate being given MORE laundry to do when you didn't even wear those clothes.  Rude.  You can also clean your bathroom with your brother and clean the garage.  Your crap everywhere out there is a terrible example to set for your siblings!  There is absolutely NO FOOD OR DRINK allowed in your room.  EVER.  Towels are not allowed on your bathroom floor.  Let me guess?  You didn't do that, it was Colton?  Since neither of you ever take ownership, I blame you both.  As the oldest sibling, you have a duty to help keep Colton on track and remind him to pick up after himself.  When you don't do this, I can only blame you both.  I also need my living room organized and the floor vacuumed. The laptop sitting on my couch (where it doesn't belong) is in my way.  Then you can mop the kitchen floor, hall and entryway.  Before it gets dark, you and Colton need to go outside and pick up poop.  Don't forget to vacuum your bedroom floor and hte hallway outside your door. 

This list of chores and an early bedtime tonight is your punishment.  If I hear you bickering, I'll add a chore and you'll get an additional day of grounding.  And no need to worry, I have plenty more chores up my sleeves!  Don't bother me in my room please.  If you have a question, text me.  I'll come out at 5 to start dinner, don't talk to me then either.

Yum!

Clearly enjoying an orange!