Carlee

I want to remember some things Carlee has been saying lately:

• The other day when I was cleaning the house, she asked me if she could mop and I told her maybe when she gets a little bigger. Then she replied, "but I am a big-year-old." I laughed so hard and then let her help.


• She has told me that she wants to be a "lifegarden" when she grows up, meaning a lifeguard.


• Carlee told Mrs. Sherry the other day that when she turns 16 she will be able to drive.


• In her prayers she prays every night, "Thank you God for all my family and all my life, and thank you for my walls and chairs. Thank you for Barney and Baby Bop and BJ." Then she begins to whisper and thank God for things that happened that day. I'm not sure what else is said, but I know our heavenly Father hears her.
• The other night, Carlee had finished brushing her teeth and she came to me and told me that she just tried all our toothbrushes: hers, Zachary's, mine and Greg's. Needless to say I went on to explain to her why we don't share toothbrushes. (I tried very hard not to laugh when she told me what she had done)
• Today on the bus, Carlee looked at this little girl sitting next to her and said, "Mommy she has her ears pierced!" It was so cute.... I think her time might be coming soon.
• Carlee has been imitating me when she sees a roach. She says, "roach, AAAAWWW!" I told Greg this is one of the only times she can scream inside. All girls are allowed.
• Tonight, Carlee was in the car with Greg and she asked to push the button to close the garage door and Greg said, "ok" and then Carlee replied, "I am all about buttons." (sounds like her mama)
• Anytime we ask Carlee where she learned something, she always replies, "Uncle John!! haha... He teaches me everythings I want." (this makes us laugh because we barely see him and it is not true at all)

Carlee is such a joy to be around and I love these sweet little things that make her special. Hearing her say things in her precious little voice with her wonderful imagination makes me smile and so glad to have such a lovely daughter. She is getting cuter by the day and has some sweet freckles on her face to show for it. Carlee is very much a leader and wants to be in charge. She hates messing up and gets embarrassed and mad when she gets hurt. She likes things just so and has a good idea at any given moment. She is always thinking of the next fun thing to do. Carlee changes clothes about 3 times a day. At any given moment she is in her new Cinderella gown, in a hot winter outfit (because she loves to be all comfy cozy and thinks she looks like a cat in long sleeve and pants), or she is wearing just panties with her silky blanket wrapped around her. Can you say, "GIRLY GIRL?" The other day I caught her rolling her eyes. Now where did she learn that? Carlee loves to make jokes and has become quite the story teller lately. She is so excited to learn new things like buckle herself in the car seat. She likes to do everything by herself these days (dress, brush teeth, use the potty, wash hands, put shoes and socks on, and anything else I might teach her once). She remembers most of the things we tell her and absorbs it all so quickly. I think she might just be ready for preschool. I just don't know if I am. She loves all children and pretty much sees them as her next friend. She is a social butterfly and compliments people for what they are wearing. She is a doll and uses her manners very well. I love this girl- my daughter- my friend- Carlee. You are beautiful, my darling inside and out!

Special Moments

Gotta love these moments of pure precious sibling love. It's during these times we can sit back and smile and thank God so easily for the blessings of children.

Thank you Lord for blessing my life with these two. I am a different person because of them. I never knew I could love so deeply...... and to think Your love far surpasses my love for my children. You are an amazing Father! So rich in love and abounding in mercy. Give me the grace I need to love my own and treasure the even not so easy moments. May I always bless Your name through it all!

Big Rewards

Carlee's good manners payed off last week. She earned all her stickers and received her Barney doll. This positive reinforcement has worked. Carlee is more aware of her attitude and has been mindful of the words she chooses. She still has her moments, but this was a step in the right direction. She is beginning to understand the meaning of self-control. It's never to early to start learning the Fruits of the Spirit.

Gal. 5:22 "The fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

Big Accomplishments

Zachary is standing on his own these days. He has yet to take one step, but boy is he proud he can hold his own ground. He'll clap for himself for his achievement! Good job little man! You are growing up!

Let Your Light Shine

I have to tell you about what happened yesterday while I was at the mall. I was on my way to Children's Place and I was stopped by one of those vendors who sell flat iron's and hair extensions. Normally, I would say no thank you and be on my way, but since the kids were at home with daddy and I was curious to see how these things actually worked... I stopped. Plus, I felt that I needed to for some reason (GOD). So I sit down and forewarn him that I am not buying anything, but am interested to see what the flat iron can do. He begins his sells pitch while styling my hair (curling my hair with a flat iron) and in the meantime I am thinking what did I just get myself into. After he comes to a break in his speech, he begins to ask me questions (small talk). I am curious to know where he is from because of his accent and he tells me Israel. All I am thinking is wow that is so cool because last week at Intercessory Worship at New Haven House of Prayer we were praying for Israel and salvation to come to the Jews. So I asked the man if he was Jewish and he said, "Yes." Then I asked if he believed in Jesus and he said, "No, Jesus is not the Messiah." He begins to tell me how all the stories in the bible are just stories and there not real. I tell him that they are real and Jesus has changed my life. I go on to tell him that Jesus loves him and died for him and wants him to love him back. I begin to pour out my heart to him just as God would do and he listens with respect, but also with amazement (I could see it in his eye). After finishing my hair, he begins to go on about the flat iron and how he is going to give me a discounted price. I tell him, I can not buy anything without asking my husband first. So I call Greg and ask if I could purchase a flat iron (knowing in the back of my mind he would say no) and he did. So I tell the man (Seann), my husband said no so I will have to get it perhaps another time (birthday). Anyways, he noticed that I was an honest person because I asked my husband first and said he had not seen people like me around his booth. He said most women say they'll come back and they don't or don't ask their husband before buying any products and buy them anyway even if they can't afford it. I told him I respect my husband and want to do what is right and we have two kids who need to be taken care of and a flat iron is not priority for me. Anyways, the man did not become a Christian, but he was given the gospel message in a loving way and I am thankful God used me to share with him about my first Love (My Jesus). I told Seann I would be praying for him.
Sometimes, I wonder why I am so silent. Here I am with the answer to peoples problems and I don't talk. I think I have been too caught up in my own life that I have missed what is going on in others lives. But, this was the second time this week I shared with someone (a stranger) about God and it makes me come alive inside. The Holy Spirit has been speaking through me and it is totally incredible! I am so glad to testify of my Father's love. I know this is just the beginning of more to come. I feel ripe and ready to share. It's time! He has done great things, let's tell the world!

2 Tim. 4:2 "...be prepared in season and out of season...."
Ps. 122:6 "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure."
Gal. 6:9 "Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
Matt. 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill can not be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand and it gives light to everyone else in the house. In the same way let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and pray to your Father in heaven."

Got Milk

I love this first picture of Zachary. It's basically the way he smiles all the time. It melts my heart and makes me more in love! The second picture of him is when he is completely excited and "all boy." It is his strong aggressive side. I love both sides of him. Sometimes I don't know how to deal with his intensity, but I know God will direct me as I teach him. Zachary is a blessing from the Lord!

Dog-sitting

I bet you are all wondering, when is Rebekah going to post another entry. It's been more than a week and I check this blog everyday. What is going on? Well, here is the latest....

We are dog-sitting my parents miniature greyhound, Lady. She's a lot of fun and not too demanding. Our children adore her and wake up in a better mode because of her. Carlee enjoys chasing her around the coffee table (this happened about 50 times last night), taking her for walks (more like runs, because Carlee runs wherever she goes), bossing her around (this is just one more thing, Carlee feels she can say, "No" to) and letting her sit in her lap. We have almost accomplished losing her the second day she was here (she'll be with us for 10 days total, so I thought about posting a blog entitled, "How to Lose a Dog in 10 Days"). Carlee let her out the front door without a leath attached. Meanwhile, I am thinking... fast greyhound running out the door, there is no way I'll be able to catch her. Luckily, she is a very obedient dog and stopped when I yelled at her. So mom and dad you will have a dog when you get home. Who knows what kind of condition she will be in. Zachary loves to hit her, pull her legs, feed her whatever he is eating (this drives me crazy) and put his finger in her ear. I know Lady is beside herself, probably thinking when are these kids ever going to stop bugging me and settle down to sleep. As I type, my children have been sleeping for three hours. They have worn themselves out because of this dog. I have always thought there is no way I want a dog, but I think I could change my mind. Lady gets so much attention from them that they are coming to me less and less. I'm sure the newness will end one day, but who knows? I just love watching them all interact together, it makes me laugh hysterically. This has been a smooth transition and I'm sure we will all hate to see Lady go. Adding a dog would be much easier than adding another child; however, they do bring on a whole new set of responsiblities and training that I am unsure about.

Fireworks

We went to see the fireworks tonight. We basically had to talk Carlee into going because she was so afraid of the big boom noise that fireworks make. We got a little bit too close last year. We told her we would be far enough away this year that we would not hear them, but we could take her earmuffs and wear them if she needed to block out the noise. She thought that would be a good idea. We parked our car at Babin's across the freeway way far away from the noise (we went here the first year when Carlee was a baby with Greg's parents and remember it being a good spot with little noise). Right before they started Carlee was getting a little nervous and scared. I told her that I would pray with her if she needed some reassurance, but she said, "no." Once the fireworks started she was amazed. She saw them and did not hear a big boom. YEA!! Carlee smiled so big and said, "Mommy, I am not scared of the fireworks, I'm not scared." I rejoiced with her and jumped for joy inside. My heart was blessed! The picture of her raising her hands is her praising Jesus and thanking Him for not being scared. She talked about the fireworks and about which ones she liked and how she didn't want them to end. I was so happy! Zachary loved the fireworks too and pointed to them as well as everything else that was lit up like the street lights and Babin's sign. It was so cute! This has been a great day and will be remembered as a day of victory! Oh yeah, on the way home Carlee said, "God just kept me safe. He is big and I am not afraid." Praise Jesus things are soaking in!! To God be the glory!

Fourth of July Parade

This morning we went to the parade at Market Street here in The Woodlands. This is beginning to be a family tradition. We walked there from our house and made an adventure of it. Greg ran there while Carlee, Zachary and I walked. Now I'm thinking it would have been better to drive and bring chairs, but all went well. We had so much fun being outside and seeing all the floats. The heat was a little unbearable, but fortunately there is the fountains to get wet in if needed. Zachary had fun playing in the fountains for the first time. He got sprayed pretty good in the face, but handled it well. He took a nap in the stroller for a little bit. I don't know what it is about being outside, but it wears this little man out. Carlee was so trilled to see Barney and Baby Bop. She will probably be looking at the picture of her and Barney everyday for the next week. She adores him! She actually prays for him and thanks God for Barney every night. Too cute! She loved the parade and enjoyed watching it with daddy. We are so glad to have Carlee back home after being gone at grandparents house for four days. We missed her and her funny personality.

On this day, we would like to thank our troops for putting their lives on the line, so we can live each day in freedom. God bless you and your families. Thank you for fighting for us!