I'm Back.......

*Hello friends* Things around here have been busy. Jolie started cereal and she is sleeping really good. Last night she slept from 9pm to 5:20am! Jaelynn is going strong in basketball. She is a pretty good little player. We had to laugh at her the other day when she told us she really did not like getting sweaty. So, she might not play next year. Ha ha! Oh, Jaelynn that is SO girly!! We just told her give it one more year please. :) Jake finished up basketball and is getting ready for t-ball. He is so excited. Last night, in a Bible study at church, we talked a little bit about self confidence in our children. Oh, boy did it make me start thinking. When I was growing up I was VERY shy (I know a lot of you are shocked!), but I really was. I did not want others to look at me, talk to me, or get in front of people was a real fear!!! I really do not know when I just stopped caring what others thought. I think it was sometime my 11th grade year when I developed more confidence or maybe just did not care about their judgements! Well, anyway it is not that I did not struggle, but I just felt more comfortable in my own skin. Jaelynn on the other hand has so much confidence (not too much but just enough). I guess we did something right. She comes home with stories of what people said to her and her response back. WOW! You go girl! I just hope the older she gets she will continue to stand up for herself and her strong beliefs in God. Now Jake on the other is not so confident. It makes me so sad that no matter how we have tried to build him up and pray for him it is not enough to fill his cup! He is getting better and we see improvements slowly. Back to him being excited about t-ball. Jason and I were talking about the whole confidence thing and the business of our lives at points in the year (another subject to come). We both agreed that Jake would continue one sport each season....soccer in the Fall, basketball in the Winter, and t-ball in the Spring. I wish yall could see him when he comes off the field or court. His smile lights up his face and his eyes are shining. These are things that he is really good at doing and loves all of them! So, we will continue to pray for and hope that we are making the best parenting decisions that we can concerning all three of our children. Now, about the business of life....Jason and I have talked a lot about that the last few months. You know we have struggled with that for many years. We have both been very involved in different church ministries, committees, activities, etc.... which are not bad please do not get me wrong. But, when we realized we were only taking turns at being home with the kids and rarely all together..... something HAD to give!!!! So, ever since Jolie we have really cut back and said NO!!! It can be done. Wow- at the difference it has made on our family. Dinner together around the table, talking, playing games, reading books, tickling, wrestling, and just having FUN! Not that we never did those things before because we did a lot, but now it is all together. :) To end on a great note..here is what we did for Valentine's day. Let me just say I could not have asked for a more perfect present! Spending the day together...laughing, cuddling, walking at the park, and candlelight dinner. Awwww.. at the memories.

I hope everyone remembers to laugh with, hug on, and treasure your family today! :)