Rehms Reunion

When we were in Texas in April, we had the annual Rehms, my mother's side, reunion. It was a lot of fun, and I enjoyed seeing the kids playing together. The last time we had the reunion at my cousin Charlotte's house, Karis was barely 2 and it was a very rough time. She has blossomed so much since then. I loved seeing her interact with her cousins. I also enjoyed a wonderful visit with my friend Michelle and her family. Their new house is beautiful, just like I imagined it would be. Here are some pictures from the reunion.

The Kids

The grownups

On another note, I am sorry to say that I accidentally erased the other pictures from our trip to Texas. All the pictures from being with Justin's family I some how erased when I was trying to make a collage. If I can get some from Courtney, I will post them soon. I will also have some great pictures from Court's wedding in Florida soon.

My blogging has been very sporadic lately. Hopefully this summer, I will get back on the bandwagon of blogging. We shall see!

Nerf guns and Justin's early birthday

Before we headed to Texas, we celebrated Justin's birthday with a homemade chiffon strawberry shortcake, courtesy of the smitten kitchen recipe. It was very good but very labor intensive. I am just glad it made Justin happy.

Justin also recently bought the kids Nerf guns. Noah can't shoot his, but we have had a great time playing war with each other: Noah and me against Justin and Karis. Karis is a very good shot. She loves to sneak up on me and shot me at any time of the day. She keeps me on my toes.

Things around here have gotten back to normal with Karis finishing her reading, she has learned all her consonant sounds and will start the vowels and learning small words. She is very excited, and we celebrated her finished books with lunch out today and a trip to Target to look at the toys!

I will eventually post pictures from our Texas trip, even though I seemed to have erased the best ones. Sometimes I don't know what the heck I am thinking or doing!

Off to Texas we Go!

The kids and I are headed to Texas tomorrow for a 10 day stay with our families. We hope you have a great couple of weeks!

Welcome Spring!

The last Saturday in March, we welcomed spring with our annual spring baskets. Thanks to Mamou, the kids had some new interesting, fun eggs to hunt for. The eggs talked until you found them, ("I am hiding, I'm over here," after it was found, you opened it and it said, "You found me!"). Noah wasn't so sure what was going on when he heard the noise, he said, "What's that Mommy?"

Hope you enjoy the pics of the fun day. The kids have enjoyed hiding the eggs for each other the last few weeks.

Just shy of 20 Years

Twenty years is a long time to call someone my friend, and I am not just talking about any friend. This friend is a tried and true, thick and thin, friend. The one word that completely describes her is: LOYAL. After almost 20 years, I can still with all certainty say that no matter the distance from her, the infrequency of our phone calls or emails, when we do talk it is easy, comfortable, like being in a safe place.


This is the only picture I could find on my computer, it is a little old and yes, I did spare you the old pictures of us back in junior high and high school. I guess I could have chalked those up to April Fool's! I am however going to post my poem I wrote for you for you. It is always good to reminisce and be transported back to our early days together. I hope you enjoy it and laugh, since we all know I am not a poet, just a want to be!!!

I REMEMBER...

I REMEMBER the gobs of makeup and big poofy hair,

I REMEMBER riding Teah in the soft, cool air.

I REMEMBER when I was the new girl how you reached out to me when I needed a friend,

I REMEMBER our ball room fights and how we promised to be friends til the end.

I REMEMBER you being my bodyguard when a certain girl was upset with me,

I REMEMBER spending days at each other's house before we would disagree.

I REMEMBER being so embarrassed at the Renaissance festival that I never went back,

I REMEMBER after junior high games the countless dinners at Cactus Jack.

I REMEMBER how you stuck by me when everyone else walked away,

I REMEMBER you calling me when my grandpa died and how it lifted my day.

I REMEMBER your many boyfriends and how you always put me before them,

I REMEMBER at state our huge hug after we stepped on each other in order to win.

I REMEMBER always locking my keys in the car every time we went somewhere,

I REMEMBER thinking that a loyal and true friend like you was unique and rare.

I will REMEMBER your loyalty, honesty, and you being my true friend.

John, you're a very blessed man to be marrying Mandy, and she she deserves to loved and cherished until both your lives end.

Mandy, I pray your birthday is very special, and I pray that you know how blessed and honored I am to be your friend. Thank you for almost 20 years of friendship, for being yourself and taking me as I am, and for being loyal without fault. I love you girl.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MANDY!!

Like Mommy, Like Kids, and a Run in with the bed

Those of you who know me, know I would rather eat the cake before it is baked, the cookie dough, and the brownie batter. I have created two monsters in my two children who, when hearing the mixer always ask for a lick, no matter what is in there! Oh, the taste of fresh cookie dough, homemade icing, or anything else sweet that can be made with mixer!

The kids enjoying licking the mixer beater!

Noah had a run in with his bed last night, and unfortunately for him, the bed won. Something about boys and eyes, at least in our family. This is at least his second black one. He seems to still fall so much, I sometimes wish he had a helmet to wear, (wouldn't that be stylish!). Thankfully, he is okay and seems to not have slowed down at all. Oh, the treasure of little boys being boys!

His sour expression matches his poor black and blue eye! You must be more careful my sweet boy!

Happy Birthday Madi

Today is my niece Madison's birthday. She is 11 years old. Madi, sorry about the old picture, it's all I could find on the computer. I remember the day you were born even though I wasn't there, I was in San Antonio doing a week long mission trip with the BSM in college. Oh the joy you brought to our family, the first baby to oh an ah over and to love. I remember many times you coming and staying with Justin and I while in college and seminary before our kids were born.
I am proud that you share my middle name and that I am your aunt. I have enjoyed watching you grow these last 11 years into a beautiful, considerate, kind, thoughtful, athletic, protective, honoring, and gracious girl. I am so thankful to call you my niece and my sister in Christ.
I love you Madi and wish I was there to spend your special day with you. We will see you soon though. I can't wait to see you strike some people out on the softball field, a girl after my own heart!

Trucks and a Tutu

Monday Karis and Noah received a few gifts from their Aunt Courtney! I have been so excited to see Noah's comforter, and I was not disappointed. Courtney, you did a fantastic job. Noah was so excited! I tried to get him to take a picture in his bed, but he didn't want to.

The whole comforter, animals and all, put just how Noah likes them!

Trucks, cars, trains, diggers, all of these are on his new bedspread. He sits on it and names all the trucks! I am surprised he naps in his bed with so many trucks to look at!

Karis got a Fancy Nancy tutu, courtesy of Aunt Courtney, she made it. I don't think she has taken it off since she got it. She even wore it on an errand, which I have always thought I would never let my kid do that, oh how I have learned not to say never!

As usual, my girl is not the picture taking kind.

I at least got a half laugh in this picture. The necklaces only enhance her fancy tutu she made sure to tell me that!

Thanks so much Courtney, you did a wonderful job as usual!

I Passed

I just received my fitness instructor certification letter in the mail. I passed and am now an AFAA group fitness instructor. Thank goodness! I was expecting to have a wait until the end of March to find out. I can now teach classes at the YMCA or anywhere else and make a little extra money doing something I enjoy and already do. Who wouldn't want to get paid to do something they enjoy!
I wanted to thank Justin for all his encouragement through this and hope this allows me to help pay for a few extra things for our family and plane tickets to Texas!!! It will also allow me to have a free membership to the YMCA.

Happenings Around Here

We have been very busy at the Childers' home, especially the last weeks of February, thus my long absence of posting. Last week alone, we busy every night, including Saturday. It was a fun week, and we got to make lots of memories. Justin and I attended the Pregnancy Centers Banquet last Thursday night. It was a great time to visit with people, and eat good food, and raise money for our Wilson Pregnancy Center. Justin is on the board this year, so he is spending many Monday nights there.

Karis took this picture of us before the banquet, quite the photographer.

On Friday, I decorated a cake for my friend, Rebecca's baby shower. It was so much fun, and I even branched out a bit to my creative side! Kind of, at least I tried! Friday night we got to watch our friends children so they could go on a date and eat pancakes and icing, who would have thought butter cream icing would be good on pancakes, it was delicious, thus the extra miles on Saturday!!

Saturday was the baby shower. It was so much fun, and I am always surprised to see how much new stuff they have for babies since even Noah was born two years ago! We are so excited for Chris and Rebecca and can't wait to watch and help them care for Evan's soul.

A few pictures of the cake:

Baby buggy and name

Lips Anyone?

Lips Anyone? Both of my kids have some extra ones for you! Hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day!
Maybe this will brighten your Friday!

Gospel-Powered Parenting Part II

I finished Gospel-Powered Parenting, by William P. Farley last week. I have been thinking about how much this book has encouraged, convicted, and spurred me on in my relationship with God, my husband, and my children. The only justice I can do to the book is to give you some more quotes that impacted me.

"Those who fear God discipline their children, they teach them, they set a godly example for them, and they lavish love on them." (p. 103)

"The most important example that parents possess is their marriage." (p. 106)

"God created the most intimate human relationship, marriage, to speak of the intimacy of his relationship with his church." (p. 110)

"The message that our marriage preaches either repels or attracts our children." (p.111)

"So our attempts to live the gospel expose our failings, which in turn amplifies our humility, which in turn makes us attractive to our children. The gospel is the good news that our children do not need perfect examples. They need humble examples." (p.119)

"Temper tantrums, arguing, and failure to accept correction are the result of plain old-fashioned sin." (p.149)

He gives very practical advice on how to discipline with eight steps to use, which are very helpful. Farley gives examples of teaching opportunities and how to respond to your children with the gospel.

This book draws the gospel into our daily lives, which is what the Bible says we are to do. I am thankful for the book, but most of all, I am thankful for the gospel that continues to give me the grace to discipline, train, love, and shepherd my children's hearts. I will end with this quote that encompasses the whole book.

"Your children need to watch you continually shedding your guilt and fear at the cross." (p.219).

Thank you Jesus, for saving me and allowing me access to the cross through your sacrifice on the cross. Oh that Karis and Noah would see their need for YOU!

Snow Day

The last week of January brought snow, ice, and three full days of being home bound. It was fun to be together for so long and everyone enjoyed the snow, except Noah. He has some kind of phobia with his hands and doesn't like gloves. Here are some pictures of our three days of fun!

This is actually Sunday and Monday. It was strange to be home of a Sunday morning, especially with Justin. We had a fun time worshipping the Lord together and then sliding down the hill at the park down the road. On Monday, I went to the grocery store and Justin took the kids out for some snowman making. Noah was all about the snow on that day.

Saturday the snow was hard like ice and it was hard to play in. We did have fun sliding down our steep driveway though.

Karis 5th Birthday!

Karis started out her birthday with waffles and bacon and opening her first gift, Toy Story 2. We then did what she requested for the day: to stay home ALL day! I am not sure if that means that mommy goes out too much or if she is just her daddy made over, a homebody.

After watching her new movie, we played, ate lunch, played some more, napped, then ate dinner, all the while, I was making her cake. For dinner she requested: pork chops, mac and cheese, and broccoli. After dinner, we opened presents while my parents watched via skype and then had cake.

Karis was very excited about all her presents, especially about her Fancy Nancy doll. She plays with it everyday! It was a fun time with the family of enjoying each other. On Sunday, her actual birthday, we went to lunch with Edwin and Nancy, Karis' request. It was fun to chat with them. I think Karis was a little confused on Sunday because every time someone told her happy birthday, she said her birthday was yesterday. We opened presents and did cake on Saturday. I realized we have always opened her presents on her actual birthday!

The goal of parenting...

I am reading my first book of the new year that Justin picked out for me. It is called GOSPEL-POWERED PARENTING by William P. Farley. I am only on the third chapter, but it is really challenging me in all areas of my parenting: how I look at parenting, the goal of parenting, etc. Here are just a few quotes to wet your appetite for this book:

"Morality is important, but it follows faith. It does not produce it." (p. 42).

"Well-behaved children are not the ultimate end." (p. 42).

"..the goal of Christian parenting is heart transformation." (p. 43).

" In conclusion, it is positively hurtful to build your lives around your children instead of God. It damages children, it tears down our marriages, and most importantly, it displeases God." (p. 36).

Chapter 3 is about gospel fear, what it looks like and how it should govern our lives and parenting. This excerpt brought back so many memories of my dad, he too showed me balance between fear and love of him, that made it so much clearer what the fear of God looks like.

"Fearing our heavenly Father is something like fearing a good earthly father. I feared my father. I knew that he would inflict whatever pain was necessary to instill in me obedience, loyalty, hard work, and perseverance, among other things. But I also hoped in his love. I felt secure in his presence. I knew that he would not reject me-that no matter what I did, he would never stop loving me. I could disappoint him. I could grieve him. But I could not motivate him to withdraw his love from me. Many reading this paragraph did not have a father like this. Whether you did or you didn't, this is what God's love is like. This is what fearing God is like." (p. 66)

I always feared the punishment that I would receive when I was disobedient, but I also knew that I felt the safest in his arms. Dad, thank you for showing me how to fear God and for being such a godly Father. You will never know how much I love you, and I pray that this legacy will be passed down to my children and so on.

I will have more on this book later. God is so good to give us wisdom and lead us in the best way to show the gospel to our children.

My Little Girl is Five!

Five years ago, I held you in my arms for the first time after a long crazy day of labor and then a c-section. I was the last one to get to hold you because of my recovery from the surgery, but after I held you for the first time, I was lost in love for you. I love the way you include and play with your brother. I love to watch you think as you do school and how you always have to have everything in the right place. You are a little ocd when it comes to that, I don't know where you got that from?! When you smile it is genuine, and when you talk, you have something important to say. You are not the most talkative person, and I pray God will use that to allow you to be wise in your words and speech to others. My life is enriched and better because of you. I love being your mom and teaching you about our Savior.
My little girl has is growing up:

Karis almost five.

Karis' 4th birthday.

Karis' 3rd birthday!

Karis' 2nd birthday.

Karis' 1st birthday.

Karis, I pray that in the next 5 years, God will reveal Himself to you and cause you to trust in Him. I look forward to seeing how God grows you and teaches us both in the next 5 years. I love you my girl! You are a joy and blessing to us!

Big Boy Bed

Two Sunday nights ago, Noah moved into his big boy bed! He had to become a BIG boy in another way too, he had to throw away his pacifier before bed that night. We had read a book from the library called I Stink, which was about a garbage truck eating your trash. It was very appropriate and it helped Noah understand where his pacifier went. After his nap on Sunday, he went and threw his paci in the big trash can outside. When it was time for bed, he asked us where it was and we told him it was in the trash. He then got to see the garbage truck eat it the next day.
I was surprised that he never cried about it, just accepted it was gone. He really likes his big boy bed, especially his truck sheets. It will be even more exciting when he gets his truck comforter from Aunt Courtney.

Noah in his big boy bed, rail and all!!

Sweet boy ready for bed!

Schedules

I have always known that I thrive on a schedule and so do most people. Children especially do better when they know what is next or what is coming. I have been very lax with my schedule for Karis and Noah these last few months and have not stuck to the same one for more than a few days, so I decided with much prayer to stick to a schedule for the morning and school. I am also working out at the same time everyday, so that is helping us with not rushing out the door. We are sticking to the schedule on Tuesday-Thursday for sure since Justin is off on Mondays, and I want to leave Fridays open for errands, play dates, etc. Justin has also started teaching Bible to the kids on his day off, it is really mostly for Karis but Noah does have to sit and listen as best as a two year old can. Justin is using The Big BOOK of Questions and Answers by Sinclair Ferguson. I am so excited for the kids, and I know that Justin enjoys this time with them.
This week has also been so good for my soul. I have gotten up by 6:30 every morning, except this morning, thanks to college football!!! The Lord has been gracious in showing Himself to me and giving me truths to cling to throughout the day. What a Savior we have! What a joy to wake up early and sit with Him, knowing that the time with Him is the best part of my day. Thank you Lord for blessing my time, and I pray that my soul will continue to thirst for you because only You can satisfy.

Celebrating Jesus' Birthday at Home

Here are a few pics of our Christmas at home as a family. We enjoyed a tasty dinner on Christmas eve, then opened our presents. Here are some of those pics.

Karis got an Easy Bake oven from Mamou and some things to cook in it from Aunt Courtney.

Justina and Noah got matching Batman shirts!

I think this is Noah opening his Spider man figurine. I look more excited than he does.

Noah loves oranges, as do the rest of my family. He is standing on his stool admiring them here.

On Christmas day, Noah got a Thomas the Train wooden train set from us, which was really a present from my Aunt Barbara and cousins Amy and Charlotte. He and Karis have not stopped playing with it yet, they love it. His other favorite things are all his "Cars" cars that he got, he has to know where they all are before bed time.

We spent Christmas day with one our church members, Sheryl and her mom. It was a fun time of fellowship and getting to know each other better. I so enjoyed hearing both of them talk about old Christmas' and what they were like.

God was good to us this Christmas as He is every Christmas by giving up His throne to come to earth as a baby and ultimately to save us from our sins.

Karis and me putting together her new Fancy Nancy puzzle.

Noah 2nd Birthday

Noah was very spoiled this year and got to celebrate his birthday twice, once in Texas and once at home. My mom was so gracious to throw Noah a birthday party in Texas, and we got to see my great Aunt D, Aunt Lee, my cousin Debbie, and my brother's family came. Also, Justin's sister, Courtney, came. It was a fun time, especially when it was time to open presents. I think that all the grand girls enjoyed Noah's presents more than he did!

We also had a small get together for Noah's birthday with Sondra, Nancy, and our neighbor to eat his firetruck cake. It was fun and he enjoyed getting more trucks. He got enough trucks to put on two shelves of a bookshelf. Thanks everyone for making Noah's birthday special.

This was Noah's first year to eat off the "special plate." He had a fun day of blueberry muffins and Chick-fil-A for dinner.