Coffee Bean

ah, yes. Sometimes, just like us, our kids learn life's lessons the hard way. Poor Caleb had a day like that today at Wal-mart. We were walking down the aisle that includes breads and peanut butter.... and coffee. When I turn around to look at my boys I see Caleb with this incredibly sour face. "What's wrong?" No response. Just more sourpuss face. So we enter the frozen food section. Again, I inquire what's wrong as he continues "the look." He responds this time by opening his mouth and sticking out his tongue--all covered in chewed up coffee beans. Ewwww....
My guess is that Caleb will never attempt that again. If only all lessons in life were that clear.

Jesus is the Reason

Christmas is almost here and I can really taste it in the James house this year! Jonathan held me to all the ideas of Christmas that he remembers from years past....(not that I minded, of course!) So there has been the advent calendar drawer that needed to be opened each morning, the sugar cookies that have been rolled out, cut out, baked, and decorated.....Christmas cards have been sent, and gifts have been bought and wrapped and are ready to open tomorrow morning. The boys, like every year, went to the Dollar Store and picked out presents for everyone. ALWAYS an adventure. I just love Christmas--especially what it does for enduring the cold yucky winter!
Thank You, Jesus, that Your birthday is celebrated at this time of year! YOU are the reason for this season and I'm so thankful for You.
Justin and I will allow Santa to come to our house tomorrow morning but strive to keep Jesus the focus in all things. Our packaged tree brownies are all set for candles and a rousing chorus of "Happy Birthday to Jesus."
Merry Christmas, everyone.

Mommy Ministry and the Faraway Land of Grenada

Justin's in Grenada on a missions trip w/a group of teens from church. Every day this week they have been leading a VBS for the children there with TONS more little faces than they were expecting! How cool is that? My ministry right now is my 3 boys and I consider that a great joy. Someday the realm of my ministry may once again include trips to faraway lands but for today I am content eating peanutbutter sandwiches off paper plates, singing Jesus Loves Me for the 100th time, and snuggling in for yet another reading of Curious George. It may not be enough of a ministry adventure to include in a Sunday Evening Service but on most days it's enough for me to hit my pillow exhausted. I know my Lord will continue to answer the prayer of my heart that His grace will cover my family and that He will give Justin and me the wisdom to raise our boys in a way that honors and glorifies Him.

In SICKNESS and in health

Justin's been doing his share of holding up the "sickness" part of the marriage vow while I have been doing the faithful wifely duties of caring for him. It's been an interesting week to say the least. I'm ready for a healthy husband again...but I'm pretty sure he's even more ready!

Having it all Together

"No mom has it all together. Some of us are just better at keeping up appearances, that's all," Julie Barnhill. Amen, sister! I love people who tell it like it is.

A Day Away

So I got away today. Girl's shopping trip! It was a long and fun day and I managed to buy at least one thing for everyone. That makes for happy guys when I get home!! The funniest part? Justin probably spent more money today than I did. I come home with one little shopping bag and he's got the boys decked out in new black crocs (Wal-mart edition), and my oldest is telling me about the baseball and golf balls Dad bought. And the McDonalds they had for lunch. Anything else?! Justin would never survive as a stay-at-home dad--he always takes the boys here and there and everywhere when I'm away. It cracks me up. When our youngest was only a month old Justin took all the boys out for the night to buy a new dresser and to get some dinner. By himself. At that point I hadn't even been brave enough to take all three on a quick grocery run!
My boys love a day with just dad. But they miss me, too. How do I know? My oldest told me so. My middle gave me an extra big hug. And my baby gave this silly look when he saw me and came toddling over as quick as he could. I enjoy an occassional get away day when I'm not cutting up everyone's food and I get to engage in adult conversation. But I miss my boys, too.

A Boy, A Boy, and Another Boy

I love my husband so incredibly much. He cracks me up...usually when he's not even trying. He makes me smile...even when I'm totally frustrated with him (how does he do that?!). I miss him when he's away--or even just at work for the day. I feel like we have the most incredible marriage ever known to man (and woman). Seriously. I married my soulmate.
We're both pretty easygoing (he is more than me!) and so that makes for very few conflicts. I asked him the other day......after 8 1/2 years of marriage.....how many big disagreements he thinks we've had. His answer? 2. Okay, I would've answered more like 5, but 2 is a good number! But it's really true.
We made a new years resolution to go on a date every month in the year of 2009. That was the most fun resolution I have ever made. No crazy diet plans that I will break by January 3rd, no exercise regimes that should be saved for the military, no lofty goals of organizing the chaos known as a home filled with little boys. Date nights. Or a date DAY as we experienced last week--how fun was that? Middle of the day, the sun was shining, and we were out sans sons. We discovered an amazing italian eatery which we thoroughly enjoyed. Okay, actually it was the butter they give you with the bread that was the best part. But my cheese filled shells were really tasty, too. And I just enjoyed the uninterrupted conversation I was able to enjoy with Justin.

So these 3 boys we have together--
they make for an interesting, fun, loud, energetic, dirt-filled, grocery disappearing, sometimes even smelly household. I love them dearly. But last night Justin and I were longing for a date (even though we already fulfilled our April quota)......just one more, you know?
But there were no babysitters to be found. Anywhere. And believe me, we tried. But, alas...Failure.
Well, not failure at all really. We changed our plan and took the boys on a fun friday night adventure. It wasn't romantic, it wasn't filled with deep conversation, and it certainly didn't include any gazing into eyes......but it was fun. I'm such a blessed girl--out with 4 guys on a friday night! Sure, they kept asking for bites of my Q'doba burrito. Sure, they kept dipping their spoons into my ColdStone ice cream (boy germs!). But I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.