Happy Monday:)

I woke up this morning and was VERY tired. I had taken Benedryl before bed in order to prevent the allergy sickness that is spreading through my house. I had to leave earlier than normal for work in order to take my kids to my sister's house for the day. They were so excited so it was entirely worth it. I had a long day at work and was prepared for a long night. However, on my long ride to get my kids, I determined within myself that we were going to have a good night. When we got home, the daunting task of dinner preparation threatened to steal away my determination. Thankfully, I had gotten chicken out and just had to figure out how I wanted to prepare it. I found a good casserole recipe online and started cookin'! Along the way, I decided to try making some home made french bread with my bread maker. Along that way, I decided to make some chocolate chip cookie bars to accent my wonderful chicken casserole and home made bread. All in all, dinner turned out great and the night was enjoyable. God is good. After a long day at work, He somehow sparked my heart and enabled me to still have a good night with my family. There are so many days when I feel the best parts of me are used up at work. I get home and want to sit and do nothing. Again, God is so gracious for giving me the strength needed to be a decent mom and wife after a hard day at work!

new outlooks...

OK. I usually find myself updating this blog when times are toughest. It seems there is always something to complain about. Well, of course, there is always something to complain about. Life is just that way. The bumps and curves are not fun but what would life be without them? And besides that, I need to start focusing on how good we have it and not on how bad life can seem on some days. I had a not so fun day today. I actually was wishing I could skip this day last night...and yet, here I am today at the end of my horrible day wondering why I ever worried at all. Everything worked out just fine. Yes, I had a huge evaluation at school and a not so pleasant annual doctors appointment, but it all worked out just fine. The Dr. only had to ask me a few questions about how the kids are doing to make me realize how much we have been through since seeing her last. Those few questions also made me really thankful for all the progress we have made in those moments. This life is flying by, and I am worrying it away on days that really shouldn't be worried about at all! God is good to us. He always makes sure the bills are paid when mommy's best budgets cant fit them all in. He makes bad days go better or He gives us the strength to deal with them. He is God after all. I just wish I could remember to trust Him as such.

I keep up with a lot of blogs--a lot of others' stories and lives written down for memories sake. I read their hopes and dreams and follow their heartaches. It's fun and entertaining to keep up with these families through their blogs. A lot of times it is their heartaches that make me realize how good I have it, or their words that encourage me to improve certain areas of my own life. I hope if you read this blog it can do the same for you.

Who knows where my family will be in 3 or 4 years. I can't see that far ahead, and I really don't want to. I want to enjoy every moment that we have here and now. I want to keep blogging and reading blogs and figuring out how to truly 'live' this life as I should!

pictures

Here are a bunch of pictures of my sweet family just havin fun:) Easter photos included as well....sorry they are all mixed up....blogger is not my friend:(

Above you see JJ's throwing stance...just like his daddy!

The Splan Clan on Easter Sunday

Best Buds


Pretty as a Princess

Coloring eggs with dad

"Quiet! Man at work!"

What ya doing Babe? and Spring Break

The kids in their new flip flops

One day a few weeks ago, Josh was outside grilling chicken and I was working inside on the rest of dinner. The kids were running in and out between me and dad. I called Josh and didn't answer. I called again...Finally I said, "Whatcha doing babe?" The kids, especially JJ, thought this was hilarious. Ever since that day, JJ has enjoyed using that phrase when addressing his daddy. While in Walmart, I was looking for Josh and JJ was saying..."What you doin, babe?" It is too cute!

Our Spring Break started out a bit rough with mommy having the worst case of strep ever. Overall, I was feeling pretty better by Wednesday so we ventured out for a few hours to get some much needed groceries and Easter clothes. JJ made the shopping trip bearable by being Mr. Cutie. When I put fruit snacks into the cart..."Ohhh, my fav-it!". When I picked up an egg coloring kit..."Ohhh, my fav-it"! Literally, everything he thought he liked was his fav-it. It was so cute. I don't know where he picked up the phrase, but its adorable. When I picked up his little Easter outfit, he didn't pay much attention. Miracle loved hers and had to try it on. Once we got home, I asked JJ if I could try his new shorts on him. (we went with a cute, casual plaid short/polo outfit for Easter this year...we wanted something that would work for other occasions too!) He agreed to trying the shorts on (AMAZINGLY!) so I grabbed them out of the bag. When he saw the brown plaid shorts he smiled so big, "Just like daddy?" It was priceless. He sure does love his daddy.

We took the plunge and let Miracle get her first hair relaxer done. It worked out great and her hair is so cute. She is so grown up!

The kids are really enjoying the new summer air. JJ wanted a pair of flip flops like sissy so I picked him up a pair at the dollar store thinking he wouldn't wear them. He LOVES them. He even wanted to wear them to bed last night. He is pretty good with them too. It's so easy to please them right now...if only a $1 pair of flip flops would continue to please them when they are teenagers?!?!? (The kids are pictured in their new flops at the beginning of this post...I couldn't figure out how to get the silly picture down here!)

la di da

OK. I haven't had much to blog about lately because the 'sickies' seem to be following us everywhere we go....or at least following JJ. The stomach virus made its rounds very slowly this year. JJ's turn, JJ's turn, MOMMIES TURN...BLAH! In between JJ's two bouts of this dreaded virus...he also has had a cold, another cold, and now pink eye in both eyes. Somehow, Miracle seems to be dodging each and every bullet...at least so far! I am praying so fervently for JJ's little body to get healthy so that his immune system can catch up. It seems that before he is able to get back to normal after one horrible virus...he is struck with another! Thankfully, spring break is speeding upon us, and we will have a full week of recuperation....and potty training! Everyone say a prayer and cross your fingers with me. The time has come! I will let you know how that one goes!

Overall, life has had its ups and downs around here, and I am only sure of a few things these days: God is in control. God is merciful. God is gracious....oh, and the most important one of all, God is holding my hand through each and every moment of this wave filled life!

I will keep you posted as far as our spring break adventures and potty training go. It should be fun, and we are all looking forward to the rest!

Its not by 'luck' but by God's mercy

We are learning to never take good health for granted at our house. JJ came down with another stomach bug less than 3 weeks after getting over the worst one ever. Poor kid! I guess I find that we take for granted the good health God sends our way on most days. I woke up feeling pretty yucky myself this morning. Runny nose, sore throat, and the wonderful sick feeling in my head is not making this the best Saturday ever. I am thankful that JJ is feeling better though, and that no one else is showing symptoms of a stomach bug. I know it could still hit us, but I am remaining hopeful. One lesson I am learning though is that I should stop counting on our luck to keep us healthy. I used a coffee cup this morning that really got through to me. It has a verse on it from James that says, 'The prayer of a righteous man is fervent and effective." I immediately began kicking myself. God is in control. He would be even more in control if I just let Him be. I tend to try and deal with everything on my own. I worry, fret and make myself sick over the anxiety. Sickness can do that to me. Who will get it next? How many days off work will this cost me? How will I clean up yet another throw up? (It is my LEAST favorite activity as a mom). I am going to give this one to God and let Him decide the answers to all those questions. He will surely give me the strength to deal with it all if I just let Him.

Lord...take me away until only You remain.

Snow days and Naps= Perfect!

Today was an awesome day. Snow was in the forecast but no one really believed it would come. We have had several of these 'snow' forecasts and had not yet been blessed with snow on a school day. I was really hoping for it though! It turns out that snow started to fall around 9:30am...we all anxiously awaited the announcement of early dismissal...and it came about an hour later! It was so fun! I picked up the kids, and we all went home to enjoy a much needed nap time. The poor kids had a fun filled weekend that left them both over tired and crabby. I too needed some extra Z's so off we went to dream land...for a good 2.5 hours!! I highly doubt I will be able to sleep tonight but it was worth it. Of course, a half day off is never enough so we are hoping for a cancellation again tomorrow. High expectations I know...but snow days are so fun!

Overall, we are all doing well. Miracle is doing well in school and really starting to understand the reading process. She still has a lot to learn but is doing very well considering the disadvantages she has had in life. She is really starting to figure out that girls are supposed to like boys and vice versa. She commented the other day that the boys at school probably thought she was cute in her new black pants and pink shirt. ADORABLE..yes. SCARY...yes!! JJ is finally starting to get back to his normal self. Aside from being sick and coughing excessively, his little cheeks were all red and chapped from the cold weather and playing outside. After several nights of lotion on the cheeks, cough medicine, and allergy medicine...he is finally starting to look like my cute little man again!

We are all counting down the 3.5 weeks until spring break and looking forward to the summer fun that is soon to follow. It is so nice to know that the along with the warmth will come less sickness...and more time to sleep!