It's B-L-E

Kaylee's birthday party was Saturday and it was a blast (Royal Tea and I will post more details later). Her Nana and Dadoo and Aunt Snell stayed Saturday night and we were watching a movie. Anytime we watch a movie as a family, Kaylee turns off all the lights. Kaylee was jumping across the living room and stepped on a bell Christmas ornament. She was crying and her Nana picked her up. Phillip asked if it had a bruise. His mom said, "no, it's C-u-t." I asked. "Is it b-a-d?" and Kaylee responded, "No, it's b-l-e." We of course all cracked up. Cleaned and bandaged the wound and it is healing nicely.

Church is SOO Humiliating

Today I sang in church and then of course Phillip preached. He discussed some of the pivotal missionaries in our history. After church Phillip asked Kaylee how church was and she responded, "It was SOO humiliating." Why it was humiliating, I will never know. I really think she meant boring but she likes to use big words and some time she makes words up that sounds really smart. She told him Sunday School was great but she didn't like the preaching. Phillip was a little bruised by it but I told him it would make a great sermon joke one day. However when Phillip asked her what he preached about she was able to discuss something about each of the 4 missionaries he talked about.

Christmas pictures to come.

I hope you are all having a great Christmas Season!

My husband

Phillip left on Monday for Abilene and we were to pick him up on the way to Sterling City for Thanksgiving. We had the girls Chirstmas pictures done on our way out of town. I was so proud of myself. Monday night I had the girls bathed, the dog bathed, the house straigtened, the dishes all put away, all laundry put away, and the trash taken out and the car was loaded. I was going to get my work done and then head out of town. When I packed for my trip, I had packed for relaxation. Two sets of nice clothes and then the rest were sweat suits and lounging clothes. I had planned on going shopping early on Friday and just chilling out on Saturday. I also don't pack lotion, hair dryer or hari products because my sisters-in law all have that stuff.

However, as some of you know Thanksgiving was my 30th birthday. I had been teasing my husband about my presents for days and he would not give in. I figured it was something special and I really just love messing with him as much as he does me. So, I had opened up all of the cards and gifts and I knew Phillip's was to come later. Around 3, Phillip hands me my card and walks to the kitchen. The inside of the card says some great mushy stuff and then says, "go and pack all of your things, the arrangements have already made and that he is taking me away for a romantic get-away. Of course I welled up with tears and packed all of my things and kissed my babies and we were off. Phillip didn't tell me where we were going until we reached Fredicksburg. We stayed at The Ark which is a big barn and it had our own hot tub and beautiful scenery. Then he says that he is taking me to San Marcos at midnight and we are going shopping. It was all wonderful. We had a great time.

My husband is one of a kind. I tell him often that he is everything I always asked God for and all the things that I prayed he would be even on the little things. I am so blessed and I thank God all the time for him and the daddy he is to my girls. He treats me like a princess and he is definately my prince charming. he is the spiritual head of my family and he is truly just amazing. I could go on and on but I won't. But I do think that I am one of the luckiest girls in the world. I know that what we have is unigue and that not everybody has the special bond that we have. Thank you God for all youhave blessed me with.

Be Thankful...

With Thanksgiving around the corner, it is time to reflect on the many and too numerous to mention them all blessings that are in my life. Since I am turning 30 on Thanksgiving I have decided to give 30 things I am thankful for.
1. I am thankful that I was raised in a Christian home that taught me about the love of Jesus Christ who died for my sins and rose again so that I can live eternal life.
2. I am thankful for a loving husband who cherishes me every day and loves me for all that I am...the good, the bad, and the ugly.
3. I am thankful for a little girl named Kaylee who has taught me so much. I love hearing her tell us Bible stories and for others to tell us that they see that Kaylee loves the Lord.
4. I am thankful for a little baby named Reese. It has been such a joy seeing her develop into her little personality.
5. I am thankful for my mom. She is the woman I strive to be. I thank God for every day that He gave me with her and all the things she was able to teach me while she was alive,
6. I am thankful for Dad and Patti. They love us and they love my children. I am thankful that God sent Patti to Dad because he is happier now than I have ever seen him.
7. I am thankful for my sister. I can talk to her when I can't talk to others and she understands me when I miss my mom.
8. I am thankful for my mother and father-in-law, Bruce and Jere. They are truly examples of Christ. They are loving and giving of themselves and always there when I need them.
9. I am thankful for Janell, April and Lee Pat. They are wonderful with my children who truly adore their aunts and uncles.
10. I am thankful for Matt, Tammye, Lacy, Jordan, Cooper, and Blaine. God is never finished growing a family together.
11. I am thankful for my grandparents and Phillip's grandparents. We have been extremely blessed to have such Godly influences in our lives. Because of them, we all have a relationship with Jesus Christ. They taught us about marriage, family and Jesus.
12. I am thankful for the church that we are in. God has blessed us with our first church. It is full of wonderful people that have beautiful hearts and are ready to serve the Lord.
13. I am thankful for my job. It allows me to be able to spend time with my children and still work.
14. I am thankful for Craig and Fallon. Craig is the pastor at one of the other churches and it has been such a blessing to have them here and to be able to get together and swap stories.
15. I am thankful for all of our friends that we have. Each play an important role in our lives and each have an important influence on us.
16. I am thankful for my friend Cara who I had lost contact with at Tech and was reunited with when we were both in our last trimesters and how she recognized me I will never know, but now we work together.
17. I am thankful for Joe, Andrea and Ella. They have taught me so much. They have had a rough 18mo but have never given up on God and they give Him all the glory.
18. I am thankful for the home that I live in. It is warm and dry and gives me and my family protection.
19. I am thankful for the food and drink that sustain me.
20. I am thankful for reliable transportation. Well, I guess I can't say the Mazda is reliable but it runs...right now anyway.
21. I am thankful for the clothes on my back and that my children have had clothes given to them so that our money can go somewhere else.
22. I am thankful for knowledge. God has given us all knowledge to learn and to think. He has given doctors and scientists knowledge to make medications that help so many people.
23. I am thankful for a Christian president. He may not always make the decisions I would make, but thankfully I don't know all the things he has to know in order to make the decisions he makes.
24. I am thankful for God's grace. Amazing grace...good grace. A grace that I will never deserve. One that I can never earn, but grace that is sufficient for even me.
25. I am thankful for forgiveness. Not only for the forgiveness of my sins but the forgiveness of the ones I love when I am human and mess up or say things I shouldn't.
26. I am thankful for God's love. His love is unmeasurable and unconditional. I cannot even fathom the extent of His love that He would send His son, knowing that He would have to die on the cross for a wretch like me.
27. I am thankful for rain. I love the rain and the storms and the smell after the rain and that rainbows that come afterwards that signifies the promise that God has given to all of us.
28. I am thankful for the sunrise and the sunset and all the beauty of the earth. God is the most amazing painter.
29. I am thankful for my Bible and for being able to look to it for encouragement, for solutions to my problems and to build a better relationship with Him.
30. Lastly I am thankful that I am a work in progress and that God has given me some many things to be thankful for. I know that I can always strive to know my Lord more. I cherish every day I have with my handsome husband and beautiful little girls.

I hope that you are thankful today and remember to be thankful always. Because God said,"This is good, very good" when He made each of us in His own image.

Mommy's Little Helper

Well, I was trying to put away summer clothes and replace it with the warm winter clothes and Reese just was not ready to part with her summer duds. She sprawled out in her drawer and needless to say it took considerably longer with her assistance.

I don't know if anyone else is any the state that I am in, but I cannot believe that it is halfway through November and there are limited days until Christmas. Of coures that is not skipping over the most important day of the year which is Thanksgiving this year. The day is actually my 30th birthday and I love birthdays. Phillip's was Sunday and Kaylee's will follow in a month from his. This is a very fun month for me. At the same time it is hard for me to believe that Kaylee will be 5 this year. She is growing into such a beautiful little girl both inside and out. She is testing the waters lately but I told her that her daddy and I were stronger willed than she is and the walls may get boring to look at after a while and she may get to loke the taste of soap in her mouth, but WE WILL NOT BE DEFEATED! She is starting to try new inflections in her voice and new sayings and it is hard to be a prent sometimes with a straight face. Oh, the joys of parenthood. I thank God every day for the joys and pains of being a Mom. I know that I am blessed beyond measure.

Kaylee vs Reese

Phillip and I were just sitting here and talking with my father-in-law about the girls and how different they are. Kaylee never got into cabinets and pulled things out. She never opened them up. Kaylee never got into the medicine in the bathroom. However, Reese pulls out everything and I mean everything. She is so nosey. Kaylee would climb some but Reese is a monkey. Kaylee was always happy but she could also turn on you. Reese is always smiling and laughing. Kaylee would sit and watch a Veggie Tales movie by now. Not Reese. Kaylee rarely put things in her mouth. Reese is a garbage disposal and eats everything and anything. Kaylee was never afraid of animals and Reese has quite a respect for things with four legs.

It is truly amazing how two little people with the same DNA can be so different in the way they are. Reese still looks just like Kaylee did at the same age. A little boy came over the other day and asked if all the pictures in our house were Reese. They have there small differences in looks but they are so different in their personalities. God is Good!

Oh, Phillip turned 31 today. Kaylee says he is one just like Reese.

Let's Paint a Box...or maybe each other

It started out so innocent. "Mommy, can I paint a box"? Daddy says sure and Reese wants to help so Daddy strips her and the rest is evidenced in the pictures. It sure was fun and it took two baths to get the paint off the girls for church today. We explained to Kaylee that this was a one time thing. She blames Reese for starting it. We also scrubed every surface of the kitchen. Thank goodness for washable tempra paint!!

Let's Paint a Box...Or Each Other

Trick or Treat

Here we are getting ready for Halloween. I had tried to dye Kaylee's hair blonde because she thought that was the only way to BE Princess Aurora but it didn't work. So we resorted to sponge rollers and then I dolled up the girls with some of Mommy's make-up. Reese really played the part of a Princess. She knew she was beautiful. (Okay I rotated this picture and it showed that it was and I have no idea why it is turned sideways now). Here are my 2 princesses with their carved pumpkin and Halloween signs that we made. Next we went on a hay ride and to a few of the churches trunk or treats. We went to a few of my patient's houses before the hay ride. The girls bothe behaved so well. They had a wonderful time.

I'll watch for Mommy

I thought that I would take some time to tell a little about my oldest baby. She is completely amazing. I thank God that He has blessed me with such an angel. She has taught me so much.

I am sure that many of you mommys can recall a similar conversation while driving in the car. The other day we were driving back from the Eastland Mall (Walmart) when Kaylee says, "Mommy, look at what I am doing. Mommm, loook. Mommy will you please look at me?" I tried to explain to Kaylee that I had to keep my eyes on the road. She sweetly responded, "Don't worry Mom, I will watch the road." What can I say, I looked.Oh, and I must brag. Kaylee is singing the solo for her Preschool Christmas program. She is the only one and I am so proud. It is the cutest song. It will be on Dec. 9 at 10:30 which will be interesting since Daddy is supposed to be preaching across the street at 10:45. I am sure we will figure it out.

I'll watch for you Mom

Just had to share a few things about my oldest baby. She has go to be one of the most thoughtful little girls I know. She is absolutely precious. How many of us have heard in the car, "Mom, look at what I can do? Mom-m-m look. Mommy will you please look at me?" I guess the addition of please is what is supposed to seal the deal. The other day we were going through this and I explained to Kaylee that I couldn't look right now because I needed to watch the road. Kaylee's response, "Mom, just look. I will watch the road for you." How do you explain that that is not exactly how that works.

And as a proud mommy, I must share that Kaylee has gotten the solo for her preschool for her Christmas program. I am only a little proud. It will be on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 10:30 am if anyone is interested. It will be interesting to see how we will manage it with Phillip preaching across the street at 10:45.

They never cease to amaze

Reese has become the least happy in our family to travel. She gets bored after 2 minutes. So the other day I offered her my lipstick, which she has never been able to open before. However, she is becoming more and more inquisitive and is figuring a lot of things out. She was able to open the lipgloss and apply an ample amount to her lucious lips. You may see tears in her eyes becaus I have recovered my lipgloss at picture time.

We took this picture the other night when Reese fell asleep in the middle of the floor. It was so cute. She had positioned herself just right and before we knew it she was out. Kaylee used to do that all of the time, but this is Reese's first time. Who doesn't love a sleeping baby.

You might be a Preacher's Kid If...

I have noticed a few things lately about my children. Really I guess it is just Kaylee. She of course plays the usual dress-up and dolls but she also plays church. She will get out her Bible and she will preach to the rest of us. She will ask us questions and will tell complete stories. Not just about Jesus and his miracles and about how much he loves us. Yesterday she preached on Moses. She went from start to finish. From when Miriam watched baby Moses in the water get picked up by the princess to the fight between Moses and his brother to leading the people out of Egypt to the parting of the Red Sea and finishing up with the plagues. It was quite eye opening and she only needed assistance with a few details. She often talks the way Phillip does when he is preaching. We read a verse together at the end of each service and after Kaylee preaches she too asks to have us repeat a verse.

Then today she got quite upset with Reese because she was messing up her bulletins! How cute and how precious. The life of a preacher's kid.

MOO says the cow

We were at some of our friends' house watching the mighty Cowboys play when Ginny noticed that one of their heifers had calved. So we took all of the kids and headed down to look at a brand new baby and to see which number it was that had calved and if it was a boy or girl. So, I get in the back with the 7 children while the other mommies ride in the cab. I am sitting on the back holding Reese. The cows hear the truck and become giddy with anticipation of their meal. The jump and kick and moo and throw their body weigh around. They get within feet of the back of the truck and I, being the mommy, try to act tough and hold my ground. All the while telling the children that the cows won't hurt them. One of the kids starts throwing out cake which only encourages the beasts. We finally ohh and ahh at the new calf which we still don't know if it is a boy or girl but realize we have worn out our welcome when the bull decides to try and get in the back of the truck. Ginny yells for everyone to sit down and she is going to try and divert the cows and then go out fast. Kaylee loves the whole adventure because she loves animals. Reese... not so much. She sees the huge beasts and begins screaming. She is terrified and clinging to mommy. All on all, an exciting adventure and a sad day for the Cowboys. However we still believe that they are going to the Super Bowl to have a rematch with the Patriots.

It's Like Box of Chocolates...

You never know what to expect when you have 2 girls. Kaylee, as we already know has a wonderful, outgoing, imaginative personality. Reese is developing her personality and we may be in for a whirl.

Phillip and I are about to go on the South Beach Diet because he needs to be in peak physical condition when he goes to Sudan. So Phillip asked Kaylee how long she could go without eating. She replied, "Oh, a long time. I think about 15 minutes." Which is about true. The girl eats like a horse.

Then we have Reese. Boy do we have Reese. She is precious in so many ways. The other day Phillip asked Reese where her baby was. She went and grabbed her baby. Sat down and rocked it back and forth, back and forth. It was precious. She was loving on it and kissing her. Then we have always hungry Reese. She goes into the pantry, gets what she wants and then drags it back to you. Yesterday, it was a large bag of jumbo marshmellows. Impatient Reese. Last night as I started the bath water, I noticed there were no towels. So I told Kaylee,"Y'all don't get in yet." Really only meaning Kaylee because Reese can't get in by herself... right? Kaylee runs in and says," Mom, something really bad has happened in the bathroom." So I run in and I find Reese, fully dressed in the bathtub and as happy as she can be. Kaylee said that she hit her head but she thinks she is okay. Pictures will follow.

Just a day in the Thomas household!!

Remember...Baptists Don't Dance

Well I guess my 4 and 1 year old have not quite learned the rules and regs of Baptist tradition. Phillip and the girls went for a bike ride tonight and Kaylee loves to stand on the Calvary Baptist Sign and walk it. For those that know her , you know that all she needs is a stage to sing as her princesses do on TV. She climbs up and this time dances to her hearts content. May I remind you that our church faces the main street in Cisco. However, Reese was to not be outdone. She too was allowed up on the sign and she did her own little jig. Phillip said that since crawling hurt her knees, she did more of a bear crawl on her feet. Thinking that it was not exactly safe, he tried to bring her down and she was deeply offended. How precious!

I came home from my party and I could smell that Daddy had made his girls Cinnamon toast and they were all sitting in his chair watching, Barbie the Island Princess. Daddy had put Mondat night football on hold (or on TiVo) for his little ladies. Made their Mommy cry.

In The Pits

I keep trying to count down the weeks until Phillip is done with school, but then I wonder how much will really change. We will still have issues with child care and I will still have to work. I am praying that the bill in Congress will pass that will forgive the loans of health care workers like they do for teachers but I need it to pass quickly, because it will be 5 years in May. I have had some of the roughest weeks lately and I feel like I am treading water that keeps taking me farther out to sea. Does anyone else sometimes feel underappreciated and then frustrated at your self because at the same time there are millions of people dealing with the same things. I just want an afternoon of no responsibilities. Phillip has the 'out' of golfing and I know that it renews him. Aagh! I get so frustrated with my frustrations. I am so blessed with so many things that it would take days to finish my list and then I let little things get under my skin. My children are so precious and my husband so loving and I really do have a great job. I am trying to get all my ducks in a row and trying to refocus. Pouring my time into the Word because I know that is where I will regain my strength. God always provides a way and looking back I see His mighty hand. Sorry I needed to put it all to paper and maybe now I can get some much needed sleep.

GOD IS GOOD<>< ALL THE TIME

First steps

Reese took her first steps on Sunday. She got up from her little chair and took five steps. We are so proud. She is such a hilarious addition to our family. I don't know if any of you remember Kaylee's pout face or not, but Reese's is a little diefferent. Her's is a pucker and she breaths in and out really hard. It is hilarious! It took many attempts to get this pic!

I don't know about any of you other moms out there, but today has been one of those days where my love for my children has doubled and then 2 minutes later I am ready to put them both to bed without dinner (just kidding). Kaylee was so good today. She helped me wash the cars she took care of her sister while I cleaned and Reese is just doing more and more. Then within 5 minutes. Kaylee had broke a piece of my pottery and Reese broke a huge bowl that was also a part of my pottery. Aagh!

Then as we are getting ready for dinner, Kaylee sets the table and puts all of her stuffed animals at the table as well. I ask Kaylee, " Sweety where am I going to sit?" and without hesitation she says,"By Shamu of course." You can't help but love them and they are so sweet when they are asleep.

Child Dedication

Today we did child dedication at church. As a mother and follower of Christ, I feel that it is so important to stand before the Lord and tell Him that I will raise my girls to love Him. I view them as a gift that God has entrusted me with until He decides to bring them home. I treasure my children with all I have and I hope that I am the mother that God wants me to be. I know that I make mistakes daily but every day is a new beginning, full of potential.

Today, as my huband is standing in front of the congregation, with tears rolling down his face and voice shakey as he, too, is struck by the emotion of how precious our children are, I thanked God for my family. I stood before the church as my husband and pastor spoke to each of the other families and wondered how I was going to make it through all of this and ever thankful that I have a partner to help weather the storms of parenting.

You never know how much your child is learning. Kaylee daily surprises me on how much she does understand. Kaylee stood at the dining room table this afternoon with her new Bible and she had carefully taken 3 crosses off of the wall. I paid little attention at first. Kaylee waited patiently to take the floor as other adult conversation was going on. I finally said, "Kaylee, it's your turn what would you like to add?" And she sweetly says," This is a story about our Lord Jesus Christ who loved us so much that he died for our sins. There were three crosses, Jesus in the middle and one on each side. Jesus died on the cross for my sins and rose again on the third day. And they all lived happily ever after." I looked at Phillip and cried again.

One of the things Phillip preached on today was that Jesus wanted the children to come to Him, because we should all have a child-like faith. He went through the statistics of when children make a profession of faith and the highest percentage is between 5-13. Why can't we have that faith? Why do we complicate it so? "Lord, help me to have the faith that my child has. Help me to not let Me stand in the way of who you want me to be."

Well here are my crazy kiddos. Reese is not quite walking and I would guess it is because she has her attentive big sister to pick her up and carry her anywhere she needs to go. Since this photo, Reese has figured out how to climb the couch by stacking pillows or toys to give her a boost. It is so fun to watch them interact. Kaylee delights in seeing her baby sister do big girl things like hold a crayon. Sometimes it is pointed to paper and accidently makes a mark but most often it goes straight to the mouth. Its funny how eager Kaylee was to have her sister be able to play with her and now that she tries sometimes we hear cries from Kaylee that Reese is destroying her cradle. You may think that this is a baby cradle, but it is actually Kaylee's made up word. The 'a' is more the 'ah' sound than the long 'a' sound. It is a mixture of stable and corral and it is where she keeps her farm animals. Kaylee has an amazing imagination that her teachers say is one of the best they have seen. She invents many stories and words. It is such a joy to see your kids grow and learn. It also is quite humbling to know that the Lord has entrusted you to raise them up to follow Him. What an awesome responsiblity! God has blessed me in allowing me to be a mom and my prayer is that He will give me strength to weather the good times and the bad.

Can See The Light

The semester is now in full swing and I think we have officially loaded our plates full already. Phillip is in his last semester of seminary and is planning on going to Sudan in late January-early February. Kaylee has started her last year of Preschool at the Lutheran Church and is starting ballet. Reese is one and barely weighs 20# and has one tooth and has taken one step. Me...still trying to keep everyone on schedule and trying to keep my sanity.

I have been blissfully married to the man I have always dreamed of and cannot believe that God has blessed me immeasurably. Count your many blessings...name them one by one. My pages would be full. I need to daily remind myself of how God has blessed me and how He always has set things in motion that are in my and my families best interest. I am so easily frustrated sometimes with the craziness of this world and how 'human' I am. I want to be so much more...the wife and mother God called me to be. The preacher's wife who is sweet and serene (for those of you that know me, know that this would be a HUGE transformation but doable with His guidance.) But I can only be who I am, which is a wife who cooks for her family but hates doing the dishes and laundry. Who would rather spend time with family than clean and is okay with things strewn around the house. But over all so in love with her family and would be happy to have them all sit in the same room together and never be apart.

I am so excited to start journaling. Sometimes I may ramble and feel free to set me straight and give advice. My dad will tell you I don't always take it but it is still good to get opinions. I am also excited to share the joys of raising children. I could not be more proud of my little girls and they are the cutest things in the world. Thank you God for the blessings of motherhood and giving me my family! I couldn't have done it better myself.

God is Good<>< All the time