1,000 Gifts...

8. I'm thankful that I happened to get sick on my mom's day off and for a mom willing to watch my kids on her only day off in 2 weeks!

9. I'm very grateful for a hubby who drives home on his lunch hour to bring me crackers and Coke. God blessed me with a good man :)

1,000 Gifts...

7. Sunday afternoons on Mawmaw's porch hanging out with family. NOTHING is better than hanging out with my family. I am so grateful to have them all so close!

1,000 Gifts ...

5. Right now I am thankful for yard sales that are over, cleaned up, modest profit, garage much less cluttered, and leftovers donated to a friend.

6. That my 2 boys are playing pirate ship so well together.

1,000 Gifts...

Today I am seeking things to be thankful for amidst the overwhelming to do's, but it only takes seconds when you stop to try. There's a lesson there.

2. Waking up with one child's body wedged on my right side and one on my left. Then the latecomer had nowhere to go and is sound asleep on my back!

3. Snuggling my growing too fast daughter and naughtily laying in bed way longer than I should while listening to two boys giggle downstairs.

4. Seeing my daughter trying to teach her baby brother to read any reading him lots of books over and over and whispering the words in his ear and her not even realizing all the while she's becoming a better reader, not to mention a better person.

1,000 Gifts…

While at the beach I splurged and bought myself a book I had been wanting, 1,000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp.

I have been reading her blog for a while and absolutely love it. I’d been wanting to get the book when I could savor it, thus the beach. This is DEFINITELY a book to be savored! I once heard someone say that there are different worship styles just like there are learning styles. Some feel closest to God through music, some through ritual, and some like me who feel closest when studying God’s word and making discoveries and connections therein (there were other worship styles but I can’t remember them right now).

This book spoke to me like few others before (and I’m not even half way through!). There’s a saying about something being a feast for the eyes, but this book was a feast for the soul for me. God truly blessed Ann Voskamp with the gift of prose. I love reading her descriptions of things.

So, I have to join her on the challenge to chronicle 1,000 things I am thankful to God for, though I don’t believe that will be hard as He has blessed me abundantly. I am so excited to chronicle them on my blog and to get into a habit of thankfulness. What a gift that would be to pass on the my children- the ability to always find something to be thankful for during the sunshine and especially during the storms! I can’t think of much I’d rather pass onto them. I tell them all the time that people want to be around people who reflect the joy of Jesus. I’m hoping this habit of thankfulness will make me into one of those joy reflectors.

Wow, number one is kind of daunting. It should be really elaborate and profound and wonderful and the perfect kick off. For once, I’m going to keep it simple. Simple, but fathomless:

1. Jesus.

Wordless Wednesday…

Remind Me Why I Spent Money on Bunk Beds…

Every night as I go up to bed I am never sure where I will find the kids sleeping. Sometimes they are all in one bed and sometimes they aren’t in beds at all!

I love when I find them all in Sissy’s room because I know that means she was reading to them:

Jackson’s room is a very popular stop. Half the time he encourages it and they stay up way to late playing. Other nights he locks his doors to keep out nighttime visitors. Usually, it is Will I find in Jackson’s room because they are my night owls while I will find Ashton and Wesley up playing long before the rest of the house. On this night I took a picture because they were both snuggling their stuffed dogs. Every night I still find Jackson snuggling his Sparky is like a gift because it seems he is growing up way too fast!

All this just goes to prove my case that we should just throw them all in one room and use their bedrooms for other things!

When You Spend a Lot of Time in Time Out…

You have to find a way to entertain yourself:

Big Haps in the Dodd House...

Part of being this wonderful man's wife is possessing the ability to be extremely excited when dead turkeys and deer show up in the back of your man's truck, always photographing them, eating them for every meal, hanging on the edge of your seat to hear the 45 minute play by play of the big kill, and patiently chasing the kids on Sunday morning while he tells it again to every man in the building (OK, so I don't do so well with the last one).

Do you want to know a secret?

I love every minute of it. Maybe not every minute when he falls asleep all afternoon because he got up so early or when I never get to sleep in on Saturday or when he gets home hours after he said he would... wait, where was I going with this?

Oh yeah, I love my hunter. No, really. I love that he is so incredibly passionate about something. I love that he's passionate about something that has been important to my family for generations. I love that he is passing that passion on to our next generation. I love that after days of working at a stressful job and being a very involved father he has this safe, wholesome way to unwind. I love that he says his favorite part of hunting is sitting in nature marveling at the Creator. I love that he is never closer to his God than when hunting. I love that God has gifted him with many hunter friends who are godly influences. I love that God has placed us within a church family where they embrace hunting and the pastor calls him every time he sees a big buck. I love that he has a secret dream of a way to use his passion for the glory of God's kingdom and as an evangelism tool.

And most of all, I love that in 2 years all 4 kids will be old enough to go with him, and I will be making up all those Saturday sleep ins I missed!

So, as the rest of us feel fall approaching and get excited for beautiful leaves, football, pumpkins, and my birthday (maybe that's only me that gets excited about that one) my man is getting the itch feeling deer season around the corner. I absolutely groan and will dread it, (have I ever told how I once missed my own birthday dinner becuase I was helping him track a deer) but I have to admit to loving it for him as well. Besides, I can always get him to do lots of honey do's on Saturday afternoons- if he stays awake.

So there's my secret. Don't tell him or I will lose all honey do leverage!

My Wonderful Husband

I have the best husband in the world.  He is so good looking.

Wesley Wednesday...

When I told Wesley it was going to rain today he started crying- I mean big alligator tears. He was sad and crying about a storm for about 30 minutes (He's become scared of them after a few bad ones we've had lately.). Then he walked up to me and with tears in his eyes sincerely said, "Mommy, can you please ask God to stop watering his flowers?"

I've never said that and have no idea where he heard it from! It surprised me but was oh so precious- just like him!

Well, That's a New One...

Tonight Jon only read the twins one book because it was so late when they got to bed.

Then Wesley informed Jon that, "Jesus said we could have 2 books."

Jon asked if he had talked to Jesus.

Without missing a beat Wesley said, "Yeah, he was at our school. He wore white and He was perfect! And He had a beard in his nose like you."

So, that's a new bedtime excuse around here, and believe me we thought we'd heard them all.

Apparently, I need to keep an eye on Wesley because the morning after his t-ball practice I told the lazy thing he had to put his own clothes on. Then he told me, "My coach said that you had to dress me."

Yep, I'm definitely keeping my eye on that one...

My 10-AGER...

When my nephew Jordan turned 10 he got all excited that he was finally going to be a TEN-ager   So, that has become a big milestone in our family now, and I can’t believe my little baby is there now!

We have a tradition of taking a picture with Mommy the night before their birthday holding up their age for the last time before they officially add another finger! I always have to celebrate lasts- the last year in single digits. That’s a big one!

He still is my snuggler, most of the time any way!

I love this sweet boy. He has an amazing heart and sense of justice. He doesn’t like to see anyone abused (unless it’s him doing the abusing- but let’s focus on the positive here!). He still loves to learn and always asks questions. He still maintains that he wants to be a veterinarian. He has a talent for math and science and only likes to read nonfiction. He is adored by all his siblings (again, most days any way) and really enjoys children. He still loves baseball and is one of the top pitchers on his team.

His daddy and I are so proud of him and are excited to celebrate a decade as parents with the sweet boy who made us a mommy and daddy.

Does Your Table Have These Underneath?

I'd heard there was an infestation of ice cream sneaking, spoon in the toes three year olds under kitchen tables lately, or is that just me?

Just Hanging Out...

I don't know how these things always seem to happen in this house:

but I'm pretty sure one day my kids are going to tell their kids about how their mom always had to grab her camera and take a picture for the blog before she rescued them :)

Wordless Wednesday...

Her Feelings Can Best Be Expressed in the From Of...

If any of you are SNL fans you will remember Molly Shannon's character always had a monologue from some after school special. Our daughter isn't quite well versed in SNL language yet. However, when she got mad at Jon at bedtime one night she also chose an artistic form of self-expression. He heard her door open, she slammed something down, and slammed her door shut. He came downstairs carrying this to show me how she felt about him:

It was a little scary on several levels- the speed with which she whipped it out and slammed it down, but mostly the fact that that is one of her favorite stuffed animals squished in there to hold up the note! Poor innocent Frenchy had to pay for Jon's "meanness".

Of course, I'm sure now that she got that out of her system there won't ever be any more door slamming around here, right? Girls aren't like that at all, right?

(That's what I told Jon so he'd be able to sleep that night- shhhh....)

Wordless Wednesday...

Spiderman Saves the Day...

There are 4 types of kids when it comes to putting on costumes, and I happen to have 1 of each:

1. The kid who just puts it on to get a laugh and act goofy (that would be Jackson- and Jon too)

2. The kid who does it to look beautiful and pose for pictures (obviously, that would be Ashton)

3. The kid who will barely put the costume on and never leaves it on long enough for a picture to be taken (much to my disappointment that is Will)

4. The kid who doesn't just put the costume on but becomes the character:

My Wesley gets full into character. He's obviously a method actor, except he doesn't admit that he's acting! It's very handy to have a superhero for a son. When your other child gets stuck and can't peddle up the driveway Spider Man runs to save the day!

Look at that face of concentration!!!

He also rescues pets as well:

Best of all, he makes us all smile with his constant imagination and the seriousness with which he takes on saving the world. While I've never considered myself a big Spidey fan, I'm the president of this one's fan club!

Junior Daddy...

Ashton came downstairs the other day dressed like this and informed us that she was "Junior Daddy". She then proceeded to follow Jon every where and do her best impersonation of him. The impersonation consisted of lots of talking on her phone-what should that tell Jon???? I love Daddy and his Junior very much- too much cuteness!

Favorite Foto Friday...

There are so many things that scare me about this photo. I can assure you that the bikini has been disposed of and hopefully we'll never see another one??????

When I wore that shawl to church every Sunday in the 80's I could've never imagined its future: I love the look on his face. The little ray even makes this look cute: Leave it to Wesley to make a face to match the hair- my little ham!

As usual, there's never a dull moment around here.

I Probably Owe the Neighbor's a Dry Cleaning Bill...

Sometimes when we have a big project going on and need to concentrate the kids ask us if they can do something we would normally think better of and we absently agree. Case in point, Ashton asked can I paint a big box blue? All well and good until the innocent neighbor girl came over and became a victim of the turquoise paint.

The problem comes when you paint yourself into a corner- literally.

I wrongfully assumed they were using a paintbrush???

Sorry the neighbor's new outfit was an innocent bystander, but it did buy Jon and I a few hours to get our own projects done. Totally worth it, pretty much.

Watch Out Jonas Brothers...

Everyone loves the Jonas Brothers. There's something kind of cool about brothers with talent, but twin brothers would be an all new angle, right. I had it all planned out- millions of adoring fans, a life of touring the country, them dedicating every song to their amazing mom....yes, I had such dreams. Then their mother's day out program happened: At least they have something in common: They're still cute though:

OK, so maybe the world tour is on hold for now, but I'm pretty sure they were still dedicating their performance to their awesome mom:

Who needed to see the world any way...

Happy Jonzwa...

Poor Jon didn't exactly have the best birthday as I was so sick. So, the kids and I did our best to make up for it the next week. We even made him a camo cake:

Of course, it wasn't as fancy as he would've made but I thought it ended up looking pretty cool.

Ashton and Jackson also made a birthday banner and there was some pretty cute singing going on as well.

I know he dreamed 37 would find him surrounded by 4 kids but God has a fun way of surprising us doesn't he? I just can't wait to see what surprises God will have him surrounded by at 67!

Happy b-day to the best daddy I know, a pun-ny guy and my bestest friend for 22 years now!

God Smiling...

This morning I snuck away to my bedroom to have my quiet time. I'm doing a wonderful study by Kay Arthur about prayer. I was sitting cross legged on my bed face down in prayer. As is usually the case, my sweet Will found me. He loves his mommy and always seems to find me when I'm trying to sneak away :)

Apparently I wasn't paying him enough attention so he climbed on my back. He was having a great time pretending I was his horsey. Meanwhile, I'm trying to worship and have, well a quiet time while being swayed back and forth. Just when I felt myself almost starting to be a little annoyed with the stay home mom's constant frustration, "Can't I have one moments peace?"

Just before I went there, in a "sweet kiss" out of the blue God spoke to me, "A little over 10 years ago you were lying in this same prone position crying out to me because there was only one line on the test again. I heard your cry and answered your prayer."

The hardest period of my life was when we were struggling with infertility. It was the greatest test to my faith and the closest I have ever felt to God. I wouldn't change that period of being in the valley for anything because oh how it makes the Promised Land that much sweeter!

God's timing was, as always, perfect. As Jon and I laugh about- "He did exceedingly abundantly above that which we asked of Him."

And the little monkey on my back was proof number 3 of 4 of answered prayer! I think God looked down on this frazzled mommy with a giggler on her back and smiled today. I could feel Him smiling like a proud Papa at what He had done for me. I think He laughed and forgave my distracted prayer and said, "It is good."

And I was again reminded that HE is good, all.the.time.

Wordless Wednesday Will...

Wordless Wednesday...

Happy Birthday Mommy...

Wordless Wednesday...

Happy Birthday Sweetie, Sorry...

I'm pretty sure Jon didn't plan to spend his 37th b-day smothered by naked naughtiness! Actually, that might have been the highlight of his b-day weekend. So wrong...
Poor Jon. Not the best b-day he's ever had:
1. Went to the doctor only to be severely fussed at for his cholesterol and blood pressure.
2. Had a very sick wife for 4 days=single parenting + waiting on someone who felt too rotten to move
3. Took Jackson and his best buddy hunting with his buddy only to get in a snow ball battle, at the end of one hour drive home discovered he'd lost his brand new I-phone, drove one hour back with all 4 kids (remember the sick wife) to discover his phone in the creek with a cracked screen.
4. Left a sick wife in bed to teach Sunday School on his birthday morn.
5. Got to go grocery shopping where he decided to purchase: ginger ale, vinegar pickles, crackers, soup and 2 different types of medicice- apparently ready for sick wife to be better :)
6. Went out to eat at Olive Garden (the highlight) only to realize we were locked out of our house.
7. Spent the afternoon with boys who kept getting naked.
8. Spent the day watching the last Hannah Montana episode and the marathon leading up to it rather than the NFL playoffs.
9. Did I mention he got peed on?

Happy birthday baby, IOU a do-over next weekend!!!!!!