31 Flavors for my 31st Birthday

Since today is my 31st birthday, I decided to do 31 random thoughts, quotes and verses that are important to me and have in some way shaped my life and how I try to live it. I know this is long but it is my birthday and the one day out of the year that I can get away with being on a soapbox. If you read to the end, kudos to you! Thanks for reading! Comments are always appreciated.
1. “He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?" -Micah 6:8
2. “Treat others the way you want to be treated” -Jesus Christ (paraphrased, see Luke 6:31)
3. “Bloom wherever you’re planted.” -Unknown
4. “As we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” -Nelson Mandella
5. “I will act as if what I do makes a difference.” -William James
6. “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” -Eleanor Roosevelt
7. “Life isn’t so much about being a good runner as it is about being a good hurdler.” -JK
8. “Memories are all we really own.” -Elias Lieberman
9. “The grass is always a little greener after the storm.” -Unknown
10. “What you are is God’s gift to you. What you make of yourself is your gift to God.” -Unknown
11. Have you ever noticed that peer pressure doesn’t go away after the teenage years? It rolls over into the way you parent, the car you drive, what kind of house you buy and on and on. At least teenagers have the courage to voice their opinion to the other’s face instead of in gossip like most adults do.
12. “Be the lead dog because the other dogs don’t get a good view, they just see other dogs’ rear-ends.” -My Uncle Gary
13. “If it’s not helpful to the person you’re talking to or the person you’re talking about, then don’t say it.” -Jim Warren
14. “I’m continually moved by Christ’s willingness, not just to meet us halfway, but, like the father of the prodigal, to run the entire distance once we take the first step in His direction.” -Beth Moore
15. “On your way up the ladder, don’t step on anyone else because you never know when you’ll need to come back down that ladder.” My Grandpa Bryant
16. “If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.” -Thomas Edison
17. “Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother.” -Lin Yutang
18. “If you do it right the first time, you don’t have to go back and do it again.” -Mom
19. “Life is short, it’s up to you to make it sweet.” -Sadie Delany
20. “A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd.” -Unknown
21. “Don’t depend on a rabbit’s foot for luck. Remember, it didn’t work too well for the rabbit.” -Anonymous
22. “You don’t have to tell others everything you know because then they’ll know everything they know plus everything you know. It’s good to keep some things to yourself.” -My Grandpa Roberts
23. “Think for yourself. Be a leader.” -Dad
24. “I praise loudly, I blame softly.” -Catherine II of Russia
25. “When you belong to God, you have the privilege of expecting what others cannot see or imagine.” -Angela Thomas
26. “I am conservative on the fundamentals of the faith like Jesus Christ, the Bible, the resurrection and those "essentials" but I am very liberal in grace and love and forgiveness and all the things that I see God liberally giving to us.” –Curt Bradford
27. “There is no cosmetic for beauty like happiness.” -Lady Blessington
28. “You know, if we had kids, they’d have blue eyes.” -Caleb Kesler (on our 1st date- no joke)
29. “…Peace means the absence of fear and turmoil, not the absence of pain and grief.” -Beth Moore
30. In my 31 years with all of my moves, experience, exposure to many kinds of people and cultures I’ve learned some things about the human race. We all bleed red, we all have hurts & insecurities, there are wonderful people all over the world in all shapes, sizes and colors and we all need Christ as our Savior.
31. “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength….You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30&31

Serious Disappointment

For the last week I've been planning on everything I wanted to do while in Arizona. I've been planning on giving my dad plenty of "Elle time" so he can get to know her a little better and spoil her by taking her outside and walking around teaching her things for hours. (that's what my dad is known for with the littlest grand babies) Caleb and I have talked about taking my dad's jeep out and watching the sunset (one of our favorite things to do) and all kinds of little things that mean a lot to us. Bry and DJ have been beside themselves with plans of fun times with Momo & Papa and running around their 5 acres, which is any kids' dream place. So I spent Wednesday and Thursday doing laundry and packing. In addition to clothes, I packed my nephews' and brothers' and sister's Christmas gifts. I couldn't wait to get to AZ.
My brother gave us buddy passes and I knew that their was a risk involved but since we checked everything out online in advance, I thought FOR SURE we'd get there on schedule. WRONGO! Not only did we not get there on time, we didn't get there at all. After being bumped from 5 different flights and none really looking good for the next couple of days, we gave up at Philadelphia and decided to come back home. I felt like a kid because I actually had to walk away from the customer service desk so the lady wouldn't see me cry. The hardest part was calling my dad to tell him. I was weepy for the rest of the day. Then I got home, fell into bed and napped for awhile. I was seriously sleep deprived and emotionally drained. Now I'm feeling a little better but I have to admit, I'm still really sad. I guess it just wasn't meant to be this time around.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

We have had such a great time preparing for and celebrating Christmas this year! Last year we had just closed on our house on Dec 8th and began moving in on the 9th, which left very little time to shop and decorate for Christmas. We've been anticipating the enjoyment of the Christmas season for a year now! So this year we really indulged in baking, hanging lights, wrapping gifts, listening to the songs and simply enjoying the season. Yesterday Caleb and I laughed hysterically at the line in Little Drummer Boy that says, "The ox and lamb kept time..." We both acted out parts as an ox or a lamb stomping our hooves, swinging our (immaginary) tail or baaaaa-ing in beat. Pretty funny stuff if you can get a visual of the two of us acting it out between lauging so hard we could barely breath!
Last night we attended our church's candlelight service. It was fun to dress the kids up in their Christmas clothes and go sing beautiful songs and take communion as we celebrated God's love for us. How significant those songs are when we consider that the God of the universe loved us enough to take on flesh and walk among us and ultimately die for us. It still amazes me and I hope that it never because mundane for us. Next we headed over to our good friends' house for a wonderful dinner, games and a lot of laughs.
Today we went to my cousin Deb's house and had a terrific time together! It was so great to just visit, eat and share the day together. On Friday, we plan to fly to AZ to see my family. I can hardly wait and I just want to pinch myself when I think about it. Sunday is my 31st birthday and I'm excited that I get to spend it with my parents! I absolutely LOVE this time of year and getting to go home to AZ makes it that much more special!

Thursday's 13 ~ Things About Our Kids

1. Out of our 3 children, only 1 of them can whistle. It's the 1 year old!
2. Delainey is starting to learn the names of letters and the sounds they make. She LOVES to "play school" and "do homework".
3. Tonight at the dinner table Bryant said "Come to Papa" to a sugar-snap pea he was getting ready to eat. Then he accidentally dropped it on the table and he dramatically said, "I just dropped my grandson!". (to him, Papa means grandfather- their interpretation of things is so funny!)
4. Elle has now added "yes" and "Momo" to her vocabulary!
5. Bryant is finally getting good at cleaning his own room and keeping things organized without me having to walk him through every step!!
6. I have yet to meet another kid who is the dominant one around Delainey. I'm not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing.
7. Bryant was honored to receive the Kiwanis "Terrific Kid" award this month!
8. Delainey recently informed us that she wants us to take her to the airport so she can get on an airplane and fly to Michigan ALONE! She stressed that she did not want us going to Granny & Pops house with her but that she'd be back home soon, as long as she got to go all by herself.
9. Elle has recently learned to walk and has progressed from a "Drunk Orangutan" to a "Sober Orangutan". It is so fun watching her motor around the house with this new found independence.
10. Delainey would rather help me in the kitchen than play with any toy in the world. This makes it difficult to get dishes done or dinner on the table but I am so honored that she loves to spend time with me that much!
11. Elle is finally putting on a little weight and seems much more energetic since we've started giving her iron drops!
12. Bryant just asked a couple of weeks ago if he could be baptized, which we are absolutely ecstatic about!
13. Our computer now is used more for things like barbie.com, lego.com, pbs.org and kid things than the normal stuff like finances and e-mail. I find myself competing with the kids for computer time.

There is never a day that goes by that they don't make us laugh out loud. We hope there is never a day that goes by where we don't realize just how incredibly blessed we are! The choice for me to stay at home with our children has financial sacrifices but I wouldn't trade all the money in the world for the memories I get to make with these precious little ones. I thank the Lord continuously for blessing me far beyond anything I could ever deserve!

I did the personality test thing, do you agree with the results?...

You Are An ENFJ

The Giver You strive to maintain harmony in relationships, and usually succeed. Articulate and enthusiastic, you are good at making personal connections. Sometimes you idealize relationships too much - and end up being let down. You find the most energy and comfort in social situations ... where you shine. In love, you are very protective and supporting. However, you do need to "feel special" - and it's quite easy for you to get jealous. At work, you are a natural leader. You can help people discover their greatest potential. You would make a good writer, human resources director, or psychologist. How you see yourself: Trusting, idealistic, and expressive When other people don't get you, they see you as: Bossy, inappropriate, and loud

What's Your Personality Type?

Gradparents Rock!

We had the privilege in the last week of having both my mom and Caleb's parents come to visit. Not at the same time, but within 2 days of each other. This is truly the highlight of our kids' year- having grandparents visit. My dad, "Papa", wasn't able to come this time around but we're going to keep on him until he is able to break away from work and come see these kids who miss him like crazy. I know it must have nearly killed him to let my mom come without him. That's truly unselfish love!

When my mom was here we went downtown and mostly just spent quality time together. It was very refreshing for her to get away from her new restaurant and take a breather- but it was just as refreshing for me and Caleb. Time with Mom is always a treasure. And of course, the kids love having Momo in the house because she is such a tender, loving influence. They each get to share so many precious moments with her, like a tender cuddle session or a sweet song. She is a teacher at heart, always finding a life lesson in the simplest things. She imparts wisdom in their lives and I believe she prays a great deal for this legacy she and my dad have built. She is especially good at soothing and nurturing. Simply put, she just warms up a room. Delainey told her "We're going to hold on to your legs so you can't leave." Sadly, I did take her to the airport last Tuesday. I drove away with tears stinging my eyes because I knew I wouldn't get to see her again for a few months. But God has really blessed us with my older brother's job at USAirways so my parents fly for about $50 round-trip. At least I get to look forward to visits every few months. I can't wait until the next visit. Next time, WE WANT PAPA TOO!

We also took Caleb's parents downtown and enjoyed the beautifully decorated stores and buildings that really get me into the "Christmas spirit". We also spent a lot of time around the house- decorating for Christmas and baking. Caleb's parents are always so helpful with things like yard work. Caleb's dad likes to jump in and mow the lawn or whatever else he sees he could help in. He's been known to strip and re-wax a tiled floor in a day just to pass the time. He loves projects he can put his heart into. Since he loves us so much, anything that helps us, he puts his heart into. Caleb's mom is notoriously fun for the kids. She loves to read books, jump on the trampoline, sing songs, go to the movies and bake cookies. She does such a great job of spending time with the kids and making memories. The kids sing the songs she has taught them, months after a visit. Bryant sang "John Jacob Jingle-Heimer Schmitt" since he could first talk because his Granny taught it to him. There is no shortage of fun when Granny and Pops are in town! We also opened presents from Granny & Pops while they were here. Caleb's parents have bought probably more than 50% of our children's clothes and toys over the years. They are extremely generous to us and we appreciate the countless ways they give to us.

What an exciting month December is this year! Grandparents AND Christmas, what more could a kid want? Oh, I know, they want Papa too!
(I'll try to post pictures from these visits soon)

Unexpected Blessings

It was 9:30 p.m., last night. My mind was racing through all the things I needed to do today like wash sheets, clean bathrooms, dust and prepare for our company who would arrive the day after. Just as I was getting ready to slip into bed, the phone rang. I was surprised my friend would be calling me so late but I'm glad I answered. She said she had just been given 4 tickets to go see Beauty and the Beast at the College of Charleston. She wanted to know if the girls and I could join her early the next morning.
I had already decided I couldn't add ANYTHING to my schedule for today because I had way more on my plate than I could resonably handle. I took five minutes to think it over and called her back to accept her invitation. So I got up at 5am this morning, got Bry off to school, got myself and the girls ready and headed downtown. After wandering downtown for a little while, we finally found our way to the Theatre. We thoroughly enjoyed the show. Elle sat through the entire thing, clapping and saying "Oooo" on the pretty parts. Delainey was a little nervous about the beast but ended up liking the whole thing very much.
So, as if I'm not far enough behind today, now I'm sitting down to blog about it! It was a great time and even though I blew off a "To-Do" list of about 30 things, I'm so thankful for the opportunity! ...Now, I'm off to work!