Unexpected Date

This morning was not one of our more stellar moments.  Instead of going to church, we skipped because we had a house full of kiddos sleeping in.  Steve and I both feel better when we start our week in the house of the Lord.  However, time is fleeting with our children and we are trying to make the most of it.  Since I've been under the weather, today ended up being a good day because I had lots of energy.  I declared that we needed to have a family picnic.  Of course, my children had other plans, so Steve and I had an impromptu date.  We took a brief trip to Klyde Warren Park in downtown Dallas.

Who wouldn't love this view?

This is one of the many food trucks that we have vowed to try.

Steve won't be happy that I'm posting this picture but I think he's such a cutie.

By no means do I think this is a good picture, but I need to document the fact that I actually exist.

Fabulous little reading area with books and magazines provided by the park.  I took the time to read an article in D Magazine about Kidd Kraddick, but it made me so sad.  

Next go round, we are bring the kids and we are going to sit at the park and rent checkers from the game cart.  

Of course, Mocha will have to be part of the action.  She may be intimidated by some of the larger dogs at the park.  Look at the Great Dane above and down below.

Once spring arrives, I think this may be a perfect place for a photo shoot.  Enjoy your week!

Welcome 2014

First, I'd like to wish everyone a Happy New Year.  I pray that each one of you are blessed throughout 2014.  Over the past week, I've had to step back and really begin trying to recover from having the flu.  This isn't exactly how I imagined that I'd be spending my long awaited Christmas break.  However, I'm happy to report that I feel much better (though still a bit tired).

Am I allowed to use being sick as an excuse to restart my love dares?  Though I hate admitting it, I haven't done a very good job on these.  I've been rather cranky.  So, I'm declaring a redo on the first couple of dares.  Isn't that what a new year is about?  This is my chance to start over, so I'm going to do it.  I'll keep you posted.

We began the process of taking down the Christmas decorations this evening.  We went from our cozy little mantle…

…to the take down…

…and ended with one boring room (according to Hannah).  

For me, it is a chance of renewal, a fresh approach to the year.  I'm praying that I can see all the changes that seem to happen as a renewal, or a start of something new.  Wish me luck!

Recapo from Day 1 Journey

Today, I made myself crawl out of bed and take my car back to the VW shop.  Though it is only four months old, it is the second time I've had to get my window fixed.  Ironically, my love dare for today (for my children) is patience.  Yesterday, my love dare for Steve was also patience.  Uhhh, I think this is God's way of being funny.  I usually have almost none.  I digress…It was super easy for me to show this towards my spouse.  In fact, I feel like I was super successful.  I want to take a moment to really pat myself on the back.  Of course, I was in bed and still recovering from the flu, so maybe I wasn't the one that needed the reminder to be patient.  I'm suppose to reflect in a journal how I did on the previous love dare.  The question asked if I had any anger toward my mate.  Nope.  Again, I want to brag on myself.  I figure I better use the moments to shine while I can because I've heard these dares get harder as the days go on.  

Jumping ahead, please pray for me as I have to show patience for my children today.  We are all home…together…for two weeks…together.  That is a blessing but it requires what I don't have much of.  This might be why I have to exercise this dare in the VERY BEGINNING.  I'll let you know how it goes.  Please, pray with me as I try to not be seen as an angry, frustrated parent.  I am required to have enduring patience.  Let's hope I can as I watch Noah lay around all day, graze on snacks and play X-Box live while his body continues to wear a hole in my chair.  Let me have enduring patience and not let my eyes glaze over as I listen to Hannah tell me another way she is going to save the world, learn to sew, or attempt some other outrageous idea that she comes up with at the moment.  Most important, let me flow with enduring patience as Phoebe rolls her eyes or sighs at the very existence of my presence.  Let me flow with enduring patience when I tell her that she must clean the car that happens to be ours, but she's trashed with wrappers and cans.  

I'll let you know how this goes.  As far as being a Proverbs 31 Wife, I am cooking a huge meal tonight.  I don't know what it will be, but it will be big.  The worried glances I saw Steve and Noah exchange when I made this declaration will be wiped from their face.  Daniel Plan must wait until Jan. 1.  :)

My refrigerator reminder…

Resolutions

I've made 38 bazillion resolutions and probably been successful with one or two.  Hopefully, that will change this year.  More than likely, I'm biting off more than I can chew but that is just how I roll.  Join me as I take this crazy journey into domestication with the Proverbs 31 Experiment, The Daniel Plan, and Love Dare.  In the meantime...