Holiday Greeting

As we pause to celebrate our Savior's birth, spend time with family, and participate in the many festivities of the holidays we (the MaybeRed family) want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May we all continue to live and celebrate the glorious gift of Christ all year long.

Tis the Season

With so much going on, it's no fun to have the kiddos sick, but tis the season for illnesses. Liam has been very sleepy and very needy the past couple of days. Yesterday he seemed to have a stomach bug, poor little guy. We made it through the day, even though Audrey didn't get much attention...we made it through. This morning VERY early (2am) I was awoken by a small voice telling me her ear hurt. We quickly found out it was more than her ear that was hurting, she too had the stomach bug. While taking care of Audrey, Liam woke up. Albert took Audrey, and I had Liam. Albert gave up the remainder of the night so he could take care of Audrey, and allowed me to go back to sleep. The poor man has a full day of work ahead of him, but I'm thankful this morning for the few extra hours of sleep I got so that I can be ready for my day ahead. I'm so thankful for my giving husband. We pray our kids will be well soon. For now, we're a tired family.

Just for some cuteness, we took pictures of the kids on Sunday. They were so cute together. I especially love seeing Audrey holding Liam's hand as they giggle together.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Audrey is the talker in this house, from the time she wakes up to the time she goes down. She's 3, and has much to say.

Swinging...
Audrey: Mommy, push me HIGHER than the sky!
(whoa, I don't think I can push that hard!)
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playing "tent" with a large cardboard box (don't you love those things??)
She had put her blanket on top of the box to make it a yellow tent.
Audrey: Blanket, Blanket where are you?
coming out of the box...
Audrey: Oh, there you are!
(I am SO thankful I'm not the only one NOT seeing the obvious)
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Laying on the floor she kicked Albert's shoes...
Audrey: Oh, sorry Daddy's shoes (as she kicked them)
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A sweet moment...she was learning to cut with her scissors...
Audrey: I'm going to cut this so I can make Liam a necklace, and he's going to LOVE IT.
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Me: Audrey, you are NOT the mommy, I am.
Audrey: And Daddy is the Daddy, and Bandit is the Dog
(she's always good for some laughter after...or during a serious conversation)
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At the grocery store with Daddy, and passing an Amish couple in the aisle.
Audrey: (in her very loud voice) He looks like a farmer!


Check out more cute talk at Mary's

She Did What?

Ok, at first glance the picture isn't one of those "gotta blog it" pictures. But considering our 3 year old took the picture, I'm quite impressed she got all of us looking half decent, it became a "gotta blog it" picture. Even Liam is looking at the camera. How did she do that? Daddy is quite proud with his budding photographer.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Audrey is the talker in this house, from the time she wakes up to the time she goes down. She's 3, and has much to say.

After trying a new method of training Audrey's tongue. (I tried giving her hot sauce when she used her mouth wrong - talking back, disrespect, etc...)
A couple of hours later...
Audrey: Mommy, I liked that sauce you put in my mouth.
(sigh...guess that wasn't very effective, but worth the try)
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After her bath and letting the water down the drain...
Audrey: (looking down the drain) Mom! Mom! Are you down there?
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While making lunch with Daddy...
Daddy: We're having rice and beans.
Audrey: Rice! Rice is the head of the church!
Daddy: No Honey, it's CHRIST is the head of the church.
(well, she's kinda learning her memory verse, does that count?)
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Tiny Talk Tuesday Holiday Edition

Audrey: Did you know God was a little baby?
Me: Yes, Jesus was a little baby. Do you know when his birthday is?
Audrey: On Wednesday.
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Me: Who is Santa? (We don't 'celebrate' Santa, but she's seen him around and we've mentioned him before)
Audrey: He wears a silly hat!
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Me: Audrey, where does Santa live? (Just curious if she knew)
Audrey: In his house! (Duh, Mom!)

Life as a Young Mom

Finding time to get on the floor and play, while still making time for myself to avoid burnout (hmm..might have already past that point) is tough. Last week, I really focused on spending good quantity and quality time with Audrey. I forget how fun it is to play, especially when I become overly focused on time for me. Granted, time for myself is important...making it priority over my children is not. After a couple of days trying to be creative (with a little help from websites), I truly enjoyed my time making things with her. I found myself even waiting with anticipation to have her wake up from a nap so that we could play. What a great feeling to have with my child. I have been SO blessed to have this opportunity to stay home with my children, I never want to waste it. Life continues to be a constant balancing act, but when I get my heart in it, it's amazing how God changes my attitude. I still need that time for myself, and I was able to take a day on Saturday, as my dear Hubby took his first full day with both kids. I'm so thankful for him!

Here are some of the fun things we did last week:

Playing in the snow, cloved clementines, and Kisses to count down the days til Christmas (thanks Leigh Ann for the idea!)

What a Sister!

She even helps to feed Liam while Mommy's away.

My Little Lady

Last week Audrey's Grammy (my mom) took her to hear children playing the violin. She was SO excited, as I dressed her up. All I wanted was a cute posed pictures of my little beauty, but the girl wouldn't sit still (does she ever? What was I thinking?). Despite my frustrations with not having her sit still I did get cute pictures, although I didn't realize it until later (after my frustrations were gone). This picture show her excitement, and she's still beautiful.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Audrey is the talker in this house, from the time she wakes up to the time she goes down. She's 3, and has much to say.

Audrey: Oh look, Mommy! I cut off my finger!
(panic would have occurred had I not been there watching her play with the finger nail clippers)
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Audrey: Do you remember, Uncle Jamie hit someone with a bat?
Mommy: He hit someone with a bat?
Audrey: No, no, no, he hit someone with a BASEBALL bat.
(I have NO idea what she was talking about, and I could not contain my laughter as I imagined Jamie hitting someone with a bat...I mean BASEBALL bat.)
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Tiny Talk Tuesday Holiday Edition
Mommy: Audrey, did Mrs. C. read a story to you in sunday school today?
Audrey: Yes!
Mommy: what was it about?
Audrey: It was about Mary, and don't be afraid.
Mommy: Did the Angels tell Mary not to be afraid?
Audrey: Yes, she was afraid.
Mommy: Why was she afraid.
Audrey: Because she was going to have a baby.
Mommy: And what was she going to name the baby?
Audrey: GOD!!
Mommy: God?
Audrey: Yes, No, Jesus

Check out more Tiny Talk especially the Holiday Edition, at Mary's.

Safe?

Psalms 4:8 - I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

In a recent magazine, this was a comment about a previous article.

"Marvin Olasky's comment - 'there are dangers all over, and we are always safest when we follow Christ, wherever He leads' (Urban Calling - World Oct. 13). I am working at a school in South Asia that was attached by terrorists back in 2002, and I get so tired of people who think I would be safer staying at home. Most of the time I feel safer shopping in Islamabad than I do in Houston. I told the kids I was with while our school was under attack, 'God called each of us here, we are in the center of His will, and there is no safer place to be, I don't care how many bullets are flying around outside.' And where do we get the idea that God wants us to be 'safe', at least in this life?" - Nancy Stewart Murree, Pakistan

I loved this comment. No, I don't live in violent area where I have to fear for the life of my family. I am thankful I live in a "safe" place. Safe is such a relative term, isn't it? I hope that if I did live in the war ridden areas of Africa or the middle-east that I would feel safe in the arms of Christ. We never know what today brings, even here in the United States. Even here we deal with terrible tragedies such as the Amish school shootings, the sniper incidences in Maryland, DC, and Virginia, and even weather related tragedies like Katrina. Only by the grace of God has my life not been taken.

We currently live in the city. Cities are rarely ever considered the "safest" place to live. We're surrounded by people, which leads to higher volumes of theft, violence, and other forms of destruction. I do believe that if we are following in the Lord's will we will be safe. That doesn't mean that He will keep us from physical death, but we have the assurity of eternal life. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." What a wonderful promise. With an eternal perspective on our life, we can focus on the Lord's plan for us without fear.

Three Months: My Little Man

Wow....where does THREE months go? Liam's growing quickly, and not even giving his cute clothes a chance to be worn in. He's full of smiles, giggles, and chatting. He loves his sister, who is a constant entertainer for him. She walks in the room, and he completely focuses on her. I love seeing his little face shine just seeing her.