we interrupt this blog.

done with this.

and this.

taking a break from this.

and this.

and this.

so we can go here.

and here.

and do this.

with them.

and them.

and them.

can't wait.

be back next week.

have a blessed week.

alicia

spontaneity defined.

i would not say that i am naturally spontaneous.

spontaneous is defined as of a person having an open, natural, and uninhibited manner.

i think with home schooling and mothering [for me anyways] i have to create some sort of order/routine.

this works for a while.  it's good.

BUT

last night

we

did

something

way 

out

of

the

box

[about 6:45]

lauren and megan gently mentioned that today is Free Cone Day at Ben and Jerry's.

the "routine me" would have said, "it's 7:00. we have been gone all day long [or what seems like all day long]. your brother is a basket case [no nap today]. you need to get ready for bed. i want to go to bed."

BUT [here's the but again]

the "spontaneous me" [something i didn't realize i had] along with jeff said,

"let's go".

and that was it.

we headed down the road to our local B&J and stood in line for less than 10 minutes for a yummy spontaneous treat.  

now i like ice cream.

but to me this was not about the ice cream.

the old me yes it would have been all about getting a sweet treat.

BUT 

this was about something so much bigger for me [and jeff].

we realized how incredibly easy it is to get stuck in that daily routine.

you feel like your in a box.

wake up.  feed the kids. go to work [or stay home if you home school].  take kids to lessons.  be patient. be sweet. timeouts [mommy included].  feed the kids.  go outside.  go to the gym.  feed the kids [i didn't realize this was such a big part of our day].  spend time with each child.  make dinner.  get everybody ready for bed.  go to bed.  and do it all again tomorrow.

LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. my mommy job. my teaching time with the kids.  wouldn't trade it for the world.

BUT

we all need just a drop of spontaneity to keep those days from feeling so "the same".

found this website...pretty cool for some ideas on being spontaneous. enjoy!

who knew that a trip to Ben and Jerry's would revolutionize my thinking.

thank you to my Father in heaven who ALWAYS knows what i need.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan 

that can succeed against the Lord.   Proverbs 21:30

happy wednesday.

alicia

we walked.

on saturday we took part in a truly amazing event.

it was so wonderful seeing all the people that came out to walk for the same purpose.

juvenile diabetes.

the event was at carowinds in fort mill, sc.

our elli's angels team raised $545.00.

all the family teams combined earned over $700,000.

so great.

we love you elli and we would love for you guys to come here and walk with us next year.

can't wait to see you guys in a few weeks.  nine days to be exact.

happy monday.

alicia

three.

according to the other Jack Johnson three is the magic number.  

and I would have to agree.

i love this boy.

today he is three.

it is impossible to restrict my list of what i love about him to 3 things but in order to keep this short and get back to the birthday boy i will....

1. i simply love his enthusiasm for life.

2. he makes me laugh.  he got the funny gene.

3. he loves to be hugged and kissed, cuddled and tickled, but he also loves to play lion and trains, and cars and be loud.

happy birthday to my sweet boy!

happy weekend!

alicia

just do something.

edited:  We met our $500 goal in 3 days!  Thank you so much to everyone who made it possible.  It was so much fun watching our donations go up and up everyday.  This really has been such a blessing to witness and we are truly thankful to each and every one of you that donated.  And even though it is so exciting to reach our goal we can still accept donations. Realizing that it might be hard for some to give, but I am talking $5 maybe $10.  Any amount is precious and important to this foundation.  Please just click on our link at the bottom of this post and donate what you can.  Lots of Love, The Elli's Angels Team (Jeff, Alicia, Megan, Lauren and Jack).

for a long time now....maybe too long, i have struggled with

"I'm 

only

one

person,

what

can

I

do?"

the answer.

plenty.

the answer is just do something. anything.

we have 2 people we know and love dealing day in and day out with diabetes.

we really have wanted to do something about it, but again we feel like we are just one, okay 5.

yesterday megan and i got home from church and knew we were going to start a team to walk at the JDRF walk on april 18 at Carrowinds.

i asked megan to write the letter to family and friends.  this is the letter. 

we are pumped. we are charged.

ready to do something.

please join us if you can on the 18th.  we would love to have company.

and if you can't.

please consider donating to our walk.

all you have to do is click here Elli's Angels and it will take you right to our walk page.  it is safe and secure to donate on their website.

have a blessed monday!

alicia

conversations with jack.

mommy: how was your class at the gym? 

jack: it was good, i hit a kid.

mommy: oh really? why'd you do that?

jack: 'cause she was inspecting (disrespecting) me.

this is the same boy who just uttered this prayer all by himself:

Dear God,

I am sorry for whining at my mommy.  Please forgive me.

In Jesus name,

Amen.

happy thursday!

alicia

*i'm pretty sure no little girls were really hit in this incident.  we know the ladies that watch him at the gym really well and they would have told us had anyone been the brunt of his feeling disrespected.

4 thousand 200 and 20 days.

this is how many days we have had a crib in our home.

megan.

lauren.

jack.

we are now cribless.

sad, but true.

how quickly THEY DO grow up.

sometimes we lose sight of that.

but we blink.

we breathe.

we live.

and they are all grown up.

i am reminded of a time not so long ago (okay, maybe 6 years) that megan finally got the hang of riding her bike.  i remember her pedaling down the road away from me. unstoppable.  just going.  i cried.

same thing when i realized "no more bottles" and "no more diapers" (well, i was happy about that). 

but i imagine it will be the same about sippy cups, and high chairs, etc... 

tonight our sweet little man is in his big boy bed that he helped put together.

sweet dreams baby...i mean big boy!

have a blessed sunday!

alicia