Pete

I'm not sure when this started.

I certainly do not promote it.

We don't talk about other races in terms of color or any other differences.

PERIOD.

But somehow Garrett has picked up on some differences and has shared his take on the matter.


G: When I see people with brown faces, I call them Pete.

Me: Pete? What is Pete?

G: You know, like Stinky Pete from Toy Story?

Me: What? We don't call people Pete! I'm not sure what it means, but I don't think its good.

G: I'm still gonna call them Pete.


So, now every time we see someone with a brown face, Garrett says, "There's Pete!"

I don't know if its a bad thing or a negative viewpoint. I don't even know what it means!

Any suggestions on handling racial differences?

Mommas, lock your doors!

It has come to our attention recently that Garrett is somewhat of a ladies' man!

He has had a little thing for Ms. Brenda at school for a while. He tells me they have lunch together and he likes to tell her stories and hold her hand. (Although he told me that yesterday, one story involved someone tooting in the bathtub, so I'm not too worried!) He said last week, "Mommy, I know I'm your boy, but I'm also Ms. Brenda's boy too!"

But, watch out, Ms. Brenda, 'cause he also has a little something for his friend Kierston (not sure if that's how she spells it!) in his class. He told me yesterday that when they got big, they were getting married and going to be a mommy and daddy together! I even heard tale that they were linked arm-in-arm going to lunch!

He really likes to wink at the girls, too! I think he must have learned that from his Dad! Garrett can be spotted winking at all the cute girls (and his Momma too!) But we warned, Garrett does not like hair pulled back into a ponytail! He only likes it long and straight, or so he tells me! He often says, "You put your hair in a ponytail! You messed it up! Take it down right now!"

He has quite a way with words, too! He's really free with the words 'beautiful', 'princess', 'lovely', and 'snuggle'. So if he slips you the wink and tells you how nice your long, beautiful, straight hair is...WATCH OUT! 'Cause he's already got you hooked!

Choice

I've had the book Jesus Calling by Sarah Young for a while now, but it never ceases to amaze me what God will bring out of that little book every day! It doesn't matter if I've read that day's devotion before, it always seems to fit perfectly into my life.

If you're not familiar with the book, it is written as if Jesus is speaking to you--and He usually does with this book!

Here is today's devotion:

"You need Me every moment. Your awareness of your constant need for Me is your greatest strength. Your neediness, properly handled, is a link to My Presence. However, there are pitfalls that you must be on guard against: self-pity, self-preoccupation, giving up. Your inadequacy presents you with a continual choice--deep dependence on Me, or despair. The emptiness you feel within will be filled either with problems or with My Presence. Make Me central in your consciousness by praying continually: simple, short prayers flowing out of the present moment. Use My Name liberally, to remind you of My Presence. Keep on asking and you will recieve, so that your gladness may be full and complete. "

I Thessalonians 5:17; John 16:24

It seems like here lately, I've been living in the "despair" category. I have all three of the pitfalls she warns against: self-pity, self-preoccupation, and giving up.

"God, help me to CHOOSE deep dependence on You instead of despair this day."

My Valentine Surprise

My Valentine surprise is coming a little late. It will be here tomorrow morning! I've waited almost a week for its arrival!

I'll give you a hint:

• Its shiny
• Its black
• Its larger than I am
• Everyone in the house will use it
• When you open the door, the light comes on
• It will hold most of my favorite things
• It will make my life a whole lot easier

Give up? Its not a new minivan!

Its a beautiful fridge!

Ours went out last week and is now stinking up my house! We have all the food we could salvage in coolers outside, so I'm sick of digging through ice every time the kids want a sip of milk!

I know what you're thinking: "That Randy Sapp is one romantic guy!"

It almost beats the new furnace I got for Christmas!

I hope my birthday turns out a little less costly!

In all honesty, Randy did well this year. He and the kids made me "We love you, Mommy" necklaces and bracelets! So sweet!!

Snowy Days

Its no secret: I HATE the snow! So, a few nights ago when it started snowing I knew something had to be done before the kiddos started asking to play out in it!

We made "snow men" indoors!

A few marshmellow, cloves, and toothpicks later:

Unfortunately, some snowmen lost their lives in the process!

Then, Randy caught on to my scheme and made me feel bad about trying to get out of playing outside in the freezing cold! So, we all played outside the next day! So much for staying warm!

Check out this beauty!

"Snow...YES!"

They got a new sled for Christmas, and this was the first chance they got to test it out!

I've brainwashed the kids! Once we got outside, Garrett said, "Are we going to get hot chocolate?" Why yes, of course!

That's the best part!

Perspective

My life was filled with "blessings" today! All BEFORE 8am!

• Thank you God for the ability to rise VERY early this morning and for the kids who got up soon after.
• Thank you God for P90X, for without it I surely would not have had the strength in my arm with which to spank Garrett for hitting his sister.
• Thank you God for the cow that produced the LARGE cup of milk that was spilled all over my couch.
• Thank you God for the laundry detergent with which to wash Charlotte's blankee (that was also covered in milk) BEFORE school so she could take it with her.
• Thank you God for creating enough cotton for the 3 towels it took to mop up the spilled milk.
• Thank you God for the sense of smell that will surely kick in once the milk spoils in the cushions.
• Thank you God for little voices that scream "Mommy" everytime one or the other touches them.
• Thank you God for ponytail holders so that I can pull up my hair because I didn't have time to dry it for all the "blessings" this morning.
• Thank you God for plenty of food that we can waste when we decide not to eat.
• Thank you God for lots of toilet paper so we can throw it on the floor.
• Thank you God for date night tomorrow night, for without it I would surely lose my mind this week!