"TY!!!!!!!!!!!! Come Back...DEER!!!!!"

Oh my Tyson... he's such an interesting character.  Straight A student, Vice President of his school, loved by all of his peers and teachers, amazing athlete, and his knowledge of the Gospel is insane! An all around cool kid, until he gets around the twins and I.  Haha.  This week has been an interesting week with him.  He has tested and tried my patience like there was no tomorrow, YESTERDAY.  But, today, it was sincerely BLISSFUL! Lots of hugs, well behaved, kind and encouraging to his siblings, and loads of laughter.  I love days like that. 

This video above was taken about two weeks ago. We were hanging out in the kitchen, after school one day, and I spotted four deer.  I told the kids to quietly go to the sliding glass door, so we could stare at them.  EVERYONE listened, BUT TY. Where did he go? OUT THE GARAGE DOOR, with his BB gun in HAND, to shoot the DEER!  Thanks JAKE SHAFFER for your hunting influence.  Sigh... I tried to capture Ty, but he was hiding on the side of the house.  

AND as if that BB gun incident was NOT enough, guess what I spotted today after taking down the Christmas lights, in Lilah's room? A BROKEN WINDOW!!! From what you may ask? Well...I'll tell you.  An intuitive little boy, who thought shooting his basketball net, with his bb gun, would be fun. The bb bypassed the already broken backboard and hit Lilah's window, shattering it. This apparently happened, a few weeks back, while Darren and I were in D.C, but he didn't have the heart to tell us because he "thought [he] would get in trouble!" The insurance company politely reminded me of our $1,000 deductible that we have to pay BEFORE they would cover the cost to replace Lilah's bedroom window.  Ty said, "I figured it up. I will have to work about 1,000 days to pay this off!" Yes! Yes you will. Needless to say, the BB gun is GONE, G-O-N-E and we are considering this an early blessing/warning from the Lord that GUN SAFETY is key, even IF it's just a bb gun.  

TIME OUT!!!!!

On day 6, the tattling and arguing was intensified x 1,000.  I couldn't take it anymore.  LOL!  As the old saying goes, "All good things must come to an end!" And it was certainly sounding true in our home.  These kids were on day 13 of being in each other's presence: 6 days in Raleigh and now 6 days in Roanoke.  

On the last day and the very last hour before my dad and Carlene arrived to town, Salene came up crying because Tyson hurt her.  I grabbed a barstool and said, "I am sorry you got hurt, but sit here Salene!"  I yelled, okay SCREAMED, down to the other 4 kids in the basement... "GET UP HERE NOW!"  I very abruptly grabbed four more barstools, ONE AT A TIME, and placed them in different areas around the house, on my main floor, saying "You, sit here!" "You, SIT HERE!" "YOU, SIT HERE!" Each time I said it, it felt better than the last time I said it.  I think I was going a little crazy by this time.

I very sternly said, "No talking! No looking at each other! NO moving!" You are all to sit there for 10 minutes in silence and think about the way you all have been treating each other.  After 5/10 minutes, I began sharing with them what the Lord expects of them and reciting a few passages to help them see how they have sinned not only against each other, but especially against God.

One of the verses was 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.  It does NOT insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends!"

1 Peter 3:9

"Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing."

They sat there in silence, well all except for Ty.  He was fighting me left and right, so he sat there for 20 minutes instead of 10.  

I made an instagram college out of it and apparently this post was well received and very comical to so many.  Looking back, it IS, but at the time it WASN'T.

Minivan + Autograph = Self Incrimination!

This just puts DUMB at a whole new LEVEL!  A few weeks ago, I was washing my car and I fumbled across an autograph "written" on my van.  I about died.  Tyson was bored one day, while in the Chick-Fil-A parking lot, and unbeknownst to me, signed his name into my van, with a rock.  If he was smart, he could have at least signed Jax's name!!!! He also drew an "X", the size of half a dollar bill.  

I was a lot upset, but when he stated, "I didn't know it wouldn't come off or I wouldn't have done it!" I really believe he was telling the truth. I could see it in his eyes. Plus, when I was 19, my dad bought me a brand spanking new car.  I was obsessed with keeping it flawless, surprised?  There was ONE, little, black spec, on the red paint, and every time I walked past my car, it irked me to high heaven.  SO... I took a brillo pad to the black mark.  It got the black mark off alright, but it made matters worse. ALTHOUGH PAPER, chalkboards, white boards, or a sidewalk are the ONLY things you should be writing on, I get that he didn't realize the permanent damage that would be caused using a rock to sign his name.  

The other day someone said, "The biggest expense about children, is fixing what they break!" HA! I am not sure I believe that whole heartedly, especially with my kids, but this "oopsie" will definitely be expensive if I choose to fix it.

Due to my perfectionist personality, the below picture, is OFTEN the way I see things.  Everyone wants to know how I handled this.  A stern "talking to" and that's it. In the grand scheme of things, I realize it's not worth ruining my child's self-esteem over. LOL!

Crazy Kids Let Loose In Lowes

Darren and I were engrossed in a conversation, with a Lowes employee.  We are in the market for a new grill.  I realize that our children were no where in sight, but it was just a matter of seconds before I could HEAR them.  This is what happens when you take your eyes off of your children in LOWES.  I honestly had to laugh. Don't worry... we put every single singing, Christmas character BACK, on the shelf, when they were done dancing (both children and character:)

CHRIST in MY Chaos!

I have finally finished reading "Desperate", by Sarah Mae & Sally Clarkson.  I, first, thought that no book could top the short chapters, comedy, and realness (not to mention gospel centered) that "Loving The Little Years: Motherhood In The Trenches" provided me with, but then, I read "Desperate" and chapter after chapter I was left sitting there saying "WOW!". When I read each chapter, I truly felt like I wrote the book myself or like the authors had insight into my daily struggles as a momma.  AND THEN... as if those two books weren't amazing enough, I came across a book titled, "Christ in the Chaos" on Tim Challies' Blog.  I shared the book interest with Darren and within 3 days, the book arrived in my hands (+) the accompaniment of a kiss and an "I love you!"  I truly was BLOWN away at the FORWARD and INTRODUCTION alone.  This book will far surpass the first two books mentioned (but please do still read them).  

I beg you to read these excerpts that I highlighted and urge you to buy this book immediately.  It comes at an especially good time for me... SUMMER. Where children's lives get simpler and mothers' lives get busier.  

The Back:  First, check out a small excerpt from the back of the book

"Moms: Stop comparing yourself to others.  Stop striving to meet false expectations.  Stop thinking your performance dictates your worth.  LOOK TO THE GOSPEL.  Find rest, joy, sufficiency, identity & motivation."

AND one "review" from the back...

"Kimm gives us the truth of free grace that unshackles us from trying to be Mom of the Year, and shows us how the gospel changes motherhood from drudgery to joy. I pray each mom who finds this book becomes more aware of how Christ's love for her changes everything about her."

The Introduction:  The forward comes FIRST, in the book, but the intro gives you a small description of what this book is about.  So, I will share the intro's "notes" that I took before the forward's notes.

"This book is for moms who need to hear how the gospel changes motherhood."  

"This book is about what grace looks like for moms specifically.  It's about how Christ gives peace to women laboring under the burden of all those unwritten mom rules.  It's about how Christ sets mothers free to love him.  You will find the chapters of this book are sound, but short.  To the point, but not heavy - just right for the mom who has been up all night with the baby, the mom who only has a few minutes waiting for the school bus, and for the mom who relishes her own bathroom breaks as an opportunity to read a couple of pages even if her toddler spends the whole time pounding on the door.  This book will not weigh you down with another list of things to do, but aims to free you by reminding you of what's already been done for you."

"I need to hear the good news that he lived a perfect sinless life on my behalf because he knew just how much I would make a mess of things.(Which I do on a regular basis.)"

"He knew I could never life a life acceptable to his perfect standard.  So he lived... for me."

"The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only thing you need now in the thick of mothering.  In fact, it's the only thing you ever need.  The gospel will get you through those long nights of newborns crying and those long days of caring for clingy, feverish toddlers. Take the gospel with you on those car trips back and forth from soccer to piano. Let the gospel guide you when you drop your " baby" off at college and he steps forward into your adulthood.  Bask in Christ's love for you and bathe in the outrageous grace you receive day-in and day-out no matter how many times you fail: the gospel will help you find Christ in all that goes on within and around you."

The Forward: The forward was written by a grandmother.  This was perfectly designed because she presses the message home that even though she isn't a mother to young children anymore, she still has her own chaotic heart.  She goes on to explain...

"Heart chaos is the result of a worship disorder, not circumstances."

"Chaos is a worship disorder: it results from worship of myself, my abilities, my plans, me."

"Chaos turns into peace when the PRINCE OF PEACE speaks deeply into your heart and tells you , "Be still.  I am God.  I've got this."

"What you need for your chaotic heart is to remember the gospel."

HOW perfect does this book sound?  I am anxious to begin reading the first chapter now. Aren't you? Come on, stop pretending I'm the only one who perceives their lives as chaotic.  Or even better, stop allow me to think I am the only one with a chaotic heart.  LOL!  Read THIS book.

A Mom: Overcomes, Engages the Battle, Becomes the Hero

In Revelation, the word overcome is used seven times.  When God repeats anything over and over again, it is, more often than not, very crucial to something we are meant to clearly understand. 

One aspect of the word overcome is to prevail.  To mount up over and endure until one conqers the battle at hand, by staying fast until victory is achieved. Hanging in there until the end- this is our story of integrity and faithfulness.  

This, to me, is a picture of what a mother is called to be: a warrior who will not give up or cease to keep fighting the battle for her children's souls.  There are so many battlegrounds in which to fight and prevail - the work of a home, the discipline of your children, the training of their character, thinking of ways to make your life and home interesting and fun, so that your children will have a safe haven in which to spend time, spending hours and hours as a counselor and friend to answer heart questions and to sympathize with hurt feelings, nurturing depth of thought about God, working through dreams and disappointments.  All of these important roles take a great amount of time and energy.  AND not once, but over and over again, consistently pushing against sin and embracing God's truth, until our bodies, souls, and minds are weary.  

The overarching truth, however, is that we are building a legacy of people who will flourish in their lifetime, hold fast to the gospel, and have an impact for the kingdom of God.  Our labor is not in vain: it does defeat mighty strongholds and brings righteousness to bear.  But we will have to run the race well if we intend to reach the goal of our ideals; it will take a continual refreshing and renewing of them in our life.  

Satan knows that the righteousness and faith of the next generation are in the hands of US, the parents, and particularly the moms, who interact with their children every hour of the day. Satan would just love for us to think that our labor is in vain and ineffective and that we are not adequate for the task.  And yet, in every case, overcoming is always rewarded with great blessing (in Revelation).  

Keep this all in mind what temptation takes place and discouragement arises. There will be many times in the battle when you feel you are at your end; the stakes are so great.  God, if you seek Him with your whole heart and commit your ways to Him will help you give to your children a story of a woman who inspired faith, and who built a legacy in her home of righteousness, grace, and truth.  Your children will perceive you as the hero and champion of their lives if you hold fast.  

Considering this as the school year is coming to a close and being a full time mommy to 3 nears, without a break.  THIS IS A MUST TOR EREAD, OVER AND OVER AND OVER.

Conversation With God...

This "conversation" with God is rather long, but I promise you, you will love it and benefit from it!  

Me: God, can I ask You a question?
God: Sure!
Me: Promise You won't get mad?
God: I promise.
Me: Why did You let so much stuff happen to me today?
God: What do you mean?
Me: Well, I woke up late.
God: Yes.
Me: My car took forever to start.
God: Okay.
Me: At lunch they made my sandwich wrong and I had to wait.
God: Hmmm.
Me: On the way home, my phone went DEAD, just as I picked up a call.
God: All right.

Me: And on top of it all off, when I got home ~I just wanted to soak my feet in my new foot massager and relax, BUT it wouldn't work!!! Nothing went right today! Why did You do that?
God: Let me see, the death angel was at your bed this morning and I had to send one
of My Angels to battle him for your life. I let you sleep through that.

Me (humbled): OH!

GOD: I didn't let your car start because there was a drunk driver on your route that would have hit you if you were on the road..

Me: (ashamed)

God: The first person who made your sandwich today was sick and I didn't want you to catch what they have, I knew you couldn't afford to miss work.

Me (embarrassed):Okay

God: Your phone went dead because the person that was calling was going to give false witness about what you said on that call, I didn't even let you talk to them so you would be covered.

Me (softly): I see God.

God: Oh and that foot massager, it had a shortage that was going to throw out all of the power in your house tonight. I didn't think you wanted to be in the dark.

Me: I'm Sorry God.

God: Don't be sorry, just learn to Trust Me.... in All things , the Good and the bad.
Me: I will trust You.

God: And don't doubt that My plan for your day is Always Better than your plan.

Me: I won't God. And let me just tell you God, Thank You for Everything today.

God: You're welcome child. It was just another day being your God and I Love looking after My Children...

"Where In The World Is...KRISTIN?"

To avoid a horrendous 9 hour drive, to New York, via CAR, for my grandmother's funeral, my husband was gracious enough to bless me with a plan ticket. I left Roanoke at 11:09 am. Upon arriving to Charlotte, NC, my flight to New York kept getting postponed due to weather delays. I was supposed to leave Charlotte at 1:10 pm. Delays went as follows:

2:30 pm

3:00 pm

3:30 pm

3:45 pm

4:00 pm

4:30 pm

5:00 pm

5:30 pm

6:00 pm

THEN,

FLIGHT CANCELLED. The delays were due to weather, but the cancellation was due to the fact that the "crew" of the aircraft went home. SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!!!!!?!!!!!!!!!!!! Us Airways offered me a hotel room and transportation. Darren wanted to meet me back in Charlotte and spend the night with me, but I chose to stick it out and go with my original plans to attend my grandmother's funeral.

So where am I? I'M STILL IN CHARLOTTE, NC at 8:24 pm.

I did have the opportunity to speak with a young girl, age 20, for several hours, who was traveling to Uganda to share the gospel at 11 orphanages in the area. That was a good way to spend some of my time. I have also been able to get in the Word, face time my kiddies, and eat (which is a bad thing because BOREDOM has forced me to eat things I DO NOT WANT TO EAT, but cannot resist.) I've also witnessed many tears and much cursing. I even just witnessed a man being removed from an airplane because he is "slurring". I feel like I am living a small nightmare, but thankfully, I have remained calm. I am just terribly lonely and missing my family.

I leave Charlotte, NC at 9:52 pm and arrive in New York at midnight. AHHHHHHHHH! I could already be in NEW YORK had I driven. Oh well. God is sovereign. He has a reason for this, right?

While We Were Out!

While we were in Charlotte, I left Kaitlyn some painter's tape and asked her to do this art project with her. The idea came from my artsy friend Erin, but I believe, if I am not mistaken, that I have since seen it on pinterest. Am I correct Erin?

Basically, you draw out your child's name with painter's tape, let the child paint away, and then remove the tape. Walaa!!! I love how Kaitlyn added a girly feel to Lilah's artwork by adding a heart "dot" to the "i" in her name.

One disclosure... the painter's tape is a bear to pull off. This is where practicing patience is tested. I wanted to see the outcome so bad, but trust me, if you go too fast, you will tear your masterpiece.

More Fun Christmas Gifts - - IN ACTION!

Darren and I purchased this Magnetic Mosaics by Numbers kit for Christmas! It takes a little bit of patience, which he doesn't have, but we did it together today during part of his 30 minutes of "mommy and me" time! I have been really diligent about making time, alone, for HIM everyday! It has made a world of difference in his behavior!!!

This kit comes with 20 fun designs and/or you can create your own masterpieces if you are creative PLUS over 600 magnetic foam pieces and a magnetic board.

Ty chose a design for us to do and when we filled all the spots up, this is what we created.

It's Beginning To Look A LOT Like Christmas!

Our home has actually been decorated for about 3 weeks now. Christmas cards have been designed and mailed, some Christmas shopping has been done, gingerbread houses made, Salem parade attended, but ONE "key" piece was missing... THE TREE! We assembled our pre-lite tree at the same time we put up ALL of our decorations, but we never decorated it. Upon assembling it, we noticed almost 300 lights had failed. I spent many hours trying to repair the tree, but after many attempts I gave up. I was on strike from decorating it, in hopes that my dear husband would allow me to buy another tree. NOPE! He wants to wait until the day after Christmas to purchase a very discounted tree. I eventually submitted :) and decided to purchase some lights for the interim. So today I decorated the tree finally. I'm not sure it's complete yet, but I am relying on my dear friend Erin Carroll (the BEST Christmas tree decorator I know) to give me her thoughts. So, if you are wondering why a full picture hasn't been taken yet, that's why!

I switched things up a tad this year. I added ribbon to our tree AND CHEETAH print ribbon at that!!!

Of course after the tree is decorated, if you've been following my blog for a year or more, you know what happens next right? Our ELF "Nicey" arrives. Tonight, I put the kids to bed after reading them the book, "The Elf On The Shelf". The twins don't have a clue about the details of Nicey, but I KNOW Tyson will bring them up to par for sure. He'll be up early tomorrow looking to see if he did indeed arrive. Check out this post if you are looking for details on "The Elf On The Shelf".

Sweet little Nicey sits patiently, waiting for our kiddies to find him tomorrow morning.

Caught With His Hand In The Cookie "Jar"

On Saturday, the kids were so excited to make some slice and bake reindeer cookies. Unfortunately (for Lilah and Jax) & fortunately (for Ty), Tyson was the only child who finished his dinner. Ty was able to enjoy some "hot out of the oven", fresh cookies, but Lilah and Jax were NOT. Jax didn't handle the "No'sssssssssssssssssssssssss" too well. The extra s's are for the amount of times I had to say "NO!" Later, after I thought the message was loud and clear, Darren caught Jax alone, working his way up the ladder barstool to help himself to some of those yummy cookies. Needless to say, he STILL didn't get to have any. AND... 3 days later, he STILL HAS YET to eat a FULL meal, so he STILL has yet to taste them. Poor fella. I'm NOT proud of his deceitfulness, but it is amazing how SMART a 2 1/2 year old little booger is. AND I have to admit, Darren and I did (without his knowledge) get a good laugh out of this one.

Up he goes..

He jumped when he realized we caught him.

Then, he sat there just starring AND I am sure contemplating on what the next best decision would be!

And starred, and starred, and starred....

As the tears fell. It broke my heart. Who ever said parenting is EASY is BEYOND ME!

Who's that Girl?

Sunday mornings are so hectic in our home. Our church body laughs and jokes about the "holy pavement." You know... you rush around all morning, frustrated, and then as soon as those feet hit the Church pavement everyone puts on a happy smile. LOL!!

Two Sundays ago.... Jax found my make-up bag. OF ALLLLLL mornings!!! He did a pretty good job though, if I must say...... Cute little girl boy!

Have Some Waffles With That Salt!

I turned my back for a split second, with a salt shaker in "hands reach", and look what happened to Lilah's "hot off the stove" breakfast. Yes... I had to make her breakfast all over again.

Whatever COULD go wrong, DID go wrong!!!!

Last night, While Darren was at the Tech/Clemson game with friends, I took the kids to their favorite store to "shop" and eat... Sam's Club. Upon entering the store, the sales clerk asked to see my club card. I desperately searched for my wallet and quickly realized *I left my wallet* at home. SERIOUSLY!?!?!?!?!?! I drove almost 16 minutes from home and forgot the means by which I could pay for my purchases???? THIS IS NOT HAPPENING! Bound and determined to not have to go home, I asked the sales clerk what my options were.

The sales clerk instructed me to go to customer service so I could get a temporary card. "Shew!" I thought! The solution to my problem. Or so I thought... The line was OUT THE DOOR. Was I missing something? Did Christmas come and go and it just so happened to be the day after Christmas? You know, where everyone rushes to the store to return their unwanted gifts. It certainly seemed that way. I *stood in line for 20 minutes* waiting "patiently" with three kids. While waiting in line, a Sam's Club associate decided to pass out free drinks to test taste. These drinks were NOT provided to us in mouth wash sample cups. *He gave each of my children a 16 ounce FUZE drink.* I tried desperately to convince Lilah to let me help her drink it, but to no end she would repeatedly say, "No! I do it!" It wasn't even 2 minutes and 2 sips in that she failed to sip the drink properly. *The drink poured out all over her.* She's been sick, so every little thing has been setting her off. This set her off AND me. I recall saying aloud, "Serves you right! I told you I would help you but no......" I wasn't hateful, just matter of fact with her. Her little cheeks were filled out, like a hamster preparing for hibernation, with this FUZE drink. It was too much to swallow so...... what can't go down, must come OUT! *And out it came. She was coughing and spitting the remaining BIG GULP all over herself.* The line behind me thought she was puking.

I get my temporary card and head over to the food stand. The kids agreed they wanted pizza. Oh how I should receive the "mother of the year award" for this dinner menu. I stand in that line for 5 minutes or more. I finally get to the register and begin placing my order. As I slowly start to say, "I'll take 2 slices of cheese pizza", the lady says, *"We don't have any cheese pizza left.* It will take 8 minutes at least." What's 8 minutes when I've already been in this store for 45 minutes without accomplishing a thing yet?, I recall thinking. So I said, "That's fine!" I ordered two hot dogs in the mean time and got the crew situated. As Jax prepared to take his first bite, he *fell backwards and busted his head on the table's bench behind him*. He received a golf ball size knot on his head, in the same place he fell playing in the rain a few weeks back. Geez, will that wound ever heal? I finally calm him down, we eat, and we prepare to shop. PS. I forgot my wallet at home, so HOW did I pay for our FOOD? I had my check book. Praise God they take checks. I didn't realize a store even accepts them anymore.

Lilah, "*I have to pee." Mom, "Of course you do!" Jax, "I have to pee too.*" I leave my 6 year old to watch the shopping cart filled with my purse, our coats, our left over food, Lilah's baby etc.... and I bring the twins into the bathroom. Lilah is sitting on the toilet and *smells poop (someone else's poop).* She thinks it's coming from her stall and her toilet bowl, so *she refuses to use the bathroom*. Jax then decided he doesn't need to go, BUT, both kids have now touched everything in the public restroom, so we have to still wash 2 sets of hands. AHHHHH! SERIOUSLY!!!!!! I just want to get food for my house and go HOME.

While shopping, *Jax gets his hands stuck in the shopping cart.* MINOR bump in the road compared to the knot on his head.

We complete our shopping experience. While standing in line to pay, the Bolling kids decide to play "ring around the rosie." And of course what goes along with that song....."WE ALL FALL DOWN". Yup, onto Sam's nasty/dirty floor. Oh well. Bath time is approaching rapidly.

We load our food/toiletries onto the conveyer belt and the cashier says, "You're total is $182.51." I replied, "Great, no problem. I do have to write you a check though okay? I left my entire wallet at home." The cashier was fine with that. I pull out the check book that I used to pay for our $8.00 dinner and was mortified to witness *THERE WERE NO CHECKS LEFT.* Are you FLIPPIN kidding me? Okay, no worries. I have 3 checking accounts. I pull out my next check book and to my TOTAL shock, *that check book had no checks left either.* I forgot I had given my last check to my cleaning lady on Thursday. Okay, praise God for three checking accounts. I pull out my FINAL check book to find that that check book only had 1 check left *BUT IT WAS A STARTER CHECK.* The cashier took it, but then said, "I'll have to see your i.d." HELLLLLLOOOOOOO! I left my wallet at home remember? After holding up the line and explaining all of my drama to the manager, in hopes she'd have compassion on me, she finally let me use the starter check.

We pay. We head towards the doors that lead us outside and guess what happens NEXT? YES, something ELSE actually WENT WRONG. *It started to DOWN POUR rain.* And not in 90 degree weather either. In 45 degree weather. So here I am pushing a heavy cart full of food, with one sick child soaking wet, with one child who has a golf ball knot on his head and bruised fingers, and with one energetic 6 year old (who thinks this cold rain is "awesome"), heading towards my vehicle. The wind was blowing like crazy, Jax was screaming crying because it was so cold, and I was ready to throw my hands up. We find the car and *I cannot find my keys.* It was dark out and my purse wasn't organized like normal. I finally found them though. I put the kids in the car and I open my trunk to put my stuff away and *I find 3 LARGE rubbermaid containers in the back of my van* that I meant to bring to Once Upon A Child. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Where do I put the food???? I had to utilize my entire vehicle to store the food (front, back, sides, and waaaay back!).

I headed to Once Upon A Child around the corner and dropped off the tubs. It was at that moment that *Jax decide he needed to poop.* I left Tyson and Lilah in the car and ran him inside Once Upon A Child to use the bathroom. Once I got back with Jax, guess what happened next? YUP, you got it, *LILAH had to pee.* With twins, things NEVER happen ONCE. They always happen in 2's.

WHATEVER COULD GO WRONG, DID GO WRONG THIS NIGHT!"

Needless to say, it's moments like these that I swear to never shop with my children again. :)

I wonder if....

I will ever post the pictures from our trip to the Bahamas. Grrrrrr

Who Needs Make-Up When You've Got Baseball Clay?

Lilah arrives to the baseball field looking adorable as ever and she goes home looking like an orphan. She is just like the boys on and off the field. She totally LOVES to play in the dirt. She loves it so much that she uses it as make-up (I guess). Check out her brown eye shadow!

All of my friends continually tell me that I am handling the twins "dirty" behavior at the field better than expected. They assumed, I guess, that I'd freak out while watching them play in the dirt. I don't PREFER they get all messy, but it's not worth the fight sometimes. It's also something a warm bath can cure.

She's growing up so fast. Lilah you are incredibly beautiful to ME!

Tested & Trialsome Tuesday!

As if 2 funerals (Darren's Uncle Thursday and Grandmother Sunday), a wedding, a passport rejection (will we be able to still go on our 10 year wedding Anniversary trip to the Bahamas?) and one other trial being left unspoken of is NOT enough....

This morning at 4:30 am, Darren heard some pretty intense noises. He had no clue where it was coming from. His thoughts, "No one in the house is up? What the heck is that? What is Kristin doing upstairs? How can a female possibly make that MUCH NOISE?" He heard it for well over 30 minutes, but just couldn't put his finger on it nor did he think to look outside.

After his shower, he walked to Tyson's room, remember Tyson doesn't sleep in his room, looked out his bedroom window and found the culprit of the noise.... A BEAR.

Last night, Darren was proactive in putting the trash out the night before trash pick up. Well, the bears benefited. This is an aerial view of the disaster, taken from Tyson bedroom window.

It honestly looked like a tornado swept through our neighborhood, but ONLY hit our home.

Darren had to clean this ALLLLLL up while I prepared for Tyson's day at school

This picture shows you the distance that the bears drug the trash. Approximately 25 feet. Darren said one of them put his 'fangs' through a bottle of Clorox and threw up next to it. Serves him right.

I guess the bear did NOT like this toy otherwise I guess he would have taken it back to his cubs.

This picture was taken with my LONG distance lens. It was a close up taken from Ty's window. The photos HONESTLY do this chaos NO justice.

After leaving the mess behind, the bears head back to their home across the street from our house. Lesson learned: DO NOT put your trash out the night before.

I can tell that God is testing our household. It will ONLY be by God's Grace that I survive this already LONG week and it's only TUESDAY!

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” ~2 Corinthians 12:9.