Father/Daughter Dance

Friday was the Father/Daughter dance and so Joe and the girls were all dressed up and headed to the dance! Ella had an emotional meltdown. Nothing fit so we headed to the mall and found a dress in 20 minutes and she looked beautiful. We took pictures and then they were off.

The boys and I went to dinner with some friends and headed to the SJCS basketball games. It was super fun. Max's little friend Lane stayed the night and his birthday was on Saturday so we surprised him with a donut with a candle and a present! It was super fun.

So Joe said the dance came with lots of drama. Having 2 daughters at the F/D dance is never easy, someone always feels like daddy didn't spend enough time with them! Too much drama for this mamma! But Joe said Maya had a blast and danced and sang her little heart away. Ella was all about her friends. All in all I think it was a pretty fun time.

I enjoyed hanging out with my boys. I asked Ade if he had a girlfriend in his school and he said, "no Mom, we all just hang out!" Really my little 3 year old. He kills me!

This weekend has been crazy busy. We rearranged Ella's room and did a thorough cleaning that was brutal. I seriously about had a panic attack. I couldn't believe all the random things she had just stuffed in various places. So many huge rubber maids of clothes that no longer fit. Also cleaned out Maya's closet and it was bad as well.

Headed to church this morning and Ade started running a 103 fever:(. Pray for my baby. This is just a rambling post!

Happy 12th Birthday Ella Rain!!!

Today my oldest child is 12 today! I can't believe Ella Rain is that old! It seems like just yesterday I was trying to get to the hospital in a terrible snow storm. Just yesterday I held that chunky little blacked haired baby in my arms for the first time. I mean the girls hair went down her back! She was absolutely adorable! My life changed forever for the better most of the time.

She was my baby girl that was a major Mom's girl. She and I were the best of friends. She slept with me, ate with me, bathed with me, did everything with me and I loved it! I am so glad I got to have that time alone with her!

Here are some things that I love about Ella Rain......

-She is beautiful
-She is funny
-She knows how to make people feel good
-She has a heart for missions
-She is a people person
-She has a guilty conscience so she generally tells on herself:)
-She is fairly respectful
-She is a great basketball player
-She is so smart
-She is bright
-She likes to read
-She loves children
-Her blue eyes
-Her dark hair
-Her heart for Jesus
-Her desire to do the right thing
-She does not care what people think of her
-She is not out to impress or be cool
-She is my oldest girl!

There are many more things but those are just to name a few. Ella Rain, I am so glad that God gave you to me to mother. You are such a blessing and you definitely keep me on my toes. I love you so much I can feel it in my bones!!!

Just Being Honest

I am going to go ahead and say it, sometimes being a parent SUCKS!!! It doesn't stink, it's not just hard it just downright sucks. Today is one of those days. There is no "SuperMom" in this house today.

I am the only one that experiences this, you go to pick up your kids from school and you are excited to see them since you haven't seen them all day and they get in the car and are just totally rude and grouchy. Snapping at you when you ask them anything, crying and melting down because they can't get a snack at the gas station and giving you attitude and my very favorite, SULKING!!! Oh how I loathe the sulking. "Hey, it's great to see you kids too!" Glad I picked you up. Ughhh

And then after you have talked and talked and tried to train and teach them about a certain thing and it totally happens over and over and over again!!! Please people go ahead and talk about something you weren't supposed to and let your mouth get in your way for the thousandth time. Go ahead and get angry and pound the floor at your basketball game. Please, we love to be embarrassed. We love looking like you have never been disciplined a day in your life.

Oh dear Jesus, help me through these days and not lose my temper and patience, but to parent with grace. The most beautiful thing about us is that we are flawed and that Jesus loves us anyway. And that is what I tell my kids, even though you humiliate me and make me angry and frustrate me I don't love you any less.

I'm sorry for this mean post, but man do I feel better after writing it!

Love that my boys each have a brother!

This week was Max's birthday. I have mentioned before that Ade ADORES Max. And Max is so wonderful to him. So today when I opened up Ade's school bag there was a picture with a note attached to it. The picture was Ade holding up a "birthday cake" made out of snow for Max, with candles and all. The note read, "Ade wanted to make a birthday cake for Mackey, but I told him it would melt so we took a picture to send." The look on his face was so precious. It seriously made me want to cry happy tears. To see the love between those two is priceless and worth ALL the hard work.! Love my boys!

Happy 9th Birthday Mackie-Moo!!!

Today is Max Wilen's 9th birthday. I can't believe my boy is 9. I like to say he is the 2nd boy who truly stole my heart! One look into those huge almond shaped hazel eyes and I was taken! He is such a sweet boy.  I wanted a boy so bad and was so happy to finally get my boy. He is such a blessing to us!

Here are some random things about Max:

-He is really good at doing flips!
-He is so handsome!
-He is very smart.
-He is really good at putting things together.
-He is very compassionate.
-He loves Jesus.
-He is so good to his little brother.
-He and Maya are good buddies.
-He is a good student.
-He is a really good basketball player.
-He can be really funny.
-He loves his blankie!
-He looks so cute in his clothes.
-He is super stylish and fly!
-He loves to shop.
-He sings well.
-He adores his daddy.
-He is very snuggly!

There are plenty more things but these are just a few. Happy Birthday Max, we love you more than words can say and we are so thankful God chose us to be your parents!

Happy 7th Birthday Maya!

Maya Jane turned 7 yesterday. She had a fun day. I can't believe my baby girl is 7. She is such a blessing to us and we love her so much! Here are some random things about Maya girl!

-She is hilarious!
-She looks just like her daddy!
-She is a really good basketball player.
-She has one of the softest hearts of anyone I have ever meant.
-She is a perfect mix of sass and sweet!
-She is a good dancer.
-She is a fashionista.
-She is so smart.
-She loves her family.
-She loves Jesus.
-She is easy to discipline.
-She loves her baby dolls.
-She will be a great mommy.
-She is a major Mamma's girl.
-She loves to read.
-She loves babies.
-She is so kind.
-She has the cutest little glasses.
-I love her little baby feet.

Needless to say Maya Jane just all around rocks! We love you MJ!!!

Spelling Bee, Awards, and funny things!

Well today was the spelling bee at school. Honestly I dread this day every year. My Max is ultra competitive and I know if he doesn't do well he is going to get in the car and instantly think he is not smart and cry and be mad at himself. Ella every year has the same girls win and so she does it just for fun not expecting to win. And this was Maya's first year. Luckily I had an inside track to the spelling bee and my friend Joey gave me the heads up. Maya went out the 4th round and Max went out quickly, Ella on the other hand got 4th. So she was pretty excited. I guess when Maya got out she just started crying. Thankfully Jojo was there to comfort her and hug her until she calmed down. When Max got in the car he said he did horrible and got last place and was a horrible speller. I felt so bad for him. I hate it when my kiddos feel bad about themselves and especially feel like they are not as smart as everyone else. We are in a private school and have a ton of really smart kids and sometimes it's hard when you are a good student, just not a straight A student. BUT being the super mom I am:) I bought them a little present to help ease the blow and to let them know that Joe and I were so proud of them for even trying. Lot's of kids didn't even attempt the spelling bee. And we were proud.

When I got home I was going through backpacks and found a character award in Max's bag. He got the "compassionate" award for the month at school! I was so proud of him. I told him that though I was so happy for the kids that won the spelling bee I would much rather have him win an award like that! He is showing the heart of Jesus and that makes my Mamma's heart happy! So he was really proud of himself.

Some funny things Ade said today, Joe had opened the garage today as we were leaving and didn't come in the garage because he was on the phone, so Ade looks over at him and says, "what is Daddy up to?" Totally cracked me up! Then he said Daddy is frustrating! That boy makes me laugh so hard. Then I was buckling him in his car seat and he says in a high pitch voice, "don't hurt my balls!" He is such a boy!

Well, that is about all for now. Have a great weekend if there is anyone reading!