A couple of weeks ago I needed to run some errands and took Caleb with me. Sometimes to get some one on one with the kids I will take them to run errands with me and they actually love going. I love taking them because I usually get some great conversations with them and can really get a heart check.

This time was Caleb's turn and I had a little shopping to do, so he came with. While we were shopping the stores all had their Christmas stuff out and I said, "I love Christmas, it's my favorite time of the year!" All of a sudden I was surprised when I saw Caleb crying some very sad tears. I pulled him to the side and asked him what was wrong. He initially said his usual, "nothing." But, as usual, I'm not about to leave it at that. After some hugging, holding and persistence he finally told me what was wrong.

"I like Christmas, but it makes me sad," he said.

"Why does it make you sad?! Jesus is born! That should make you happy!"

Caleb said, "But Jesus was born so that he could die and that makes me sad."

My heart stopped.

And then I started crying. Tears of sadness, joy, excitement, love...

My boy "gets it". At his sweet age of 7, he gets a profound truth that took me many, many, many years to understand. Simple, profound truth.

Jesus was born so that he could die so that I could go to heaven.

"Gosh, Caleb, isn't it amazing that God loves us that much?!"

I tell this story, not to write about what a great mom I am because I fail more often than I succeed. Nor do I tell this to say that I have the most amazing 7 year old on the planet (although I do!) because he is sinful, selfish and seven.

I tell this story because it is a testament that God works in spite of us. In spite of my disobedience, insecurities, selfishness and sin God is working in the life of my boy. God is working in the life of MY boy!! He IS filling in all the gaps left by me. He sent his boy to die for my boy because he love Caleb and I that much.

And because of Caleb I will look at that manger so differently this year.

Thank you, Holy God, for my boy and all that you are teaching me through these beautiful babies of mine. Thank you for loving me so much that you found a way for me to be with you forever. I'm so sorry that it had to be your son. And I am so sorry for the times that I forget the sacrifice that was made for me. It's amazing Lord, I have nothing to offer you. And what I do have is so tainted. But you don't care and you still want me. Amazing grace. I love you Father.

The YouTube video below is of the song that the kids and I rock out to on the way to school in the mornings. When we get to the part where it says, "Don't be afraid for in three days you will rise again, (this is where we turn it up really loud and shout!) YOU WILL RISE AGAIN!"

Beth Moore ain't got nothin' on Ella!!

After having two boys, to say that I was excited about having twin little girlie's is an understatement. I have lots of friends who had a boy and then a couple of years later had a girl, but they don't seem to have the same obsession with all things girlie as those of us who had boys for a while do.

And as a mother-of-boys-first there are things that I never thought about when it came to being mama of girls. I had to learn a different language. Hair bows, tights, bloomers, dresses, shoes and of course the "3 P's" - pink, pretty and princess!

While I love my Diva's, there are things about having girls that no one told me would be hard. Like tights & bloomers with potty training. The boys just pulled down their pants and went to the bathroom. The girls have to mess with pulling down bloomers & tights, all the while making sure that their dresses don't fall into the toilet or that they don't accidentally go potty on them. It's drama. I feel bad for them, just not bad enough to only have them wear potty-practical clothing. They are learning early that there is a price for looking cute. Can I get an 'amen'?

But, as usual, I digress

One of the other things that no one told me about was HAIR. And how much of a pain it is with little girls. I've always imagined my little girls to have long, flowing hair - all one length, no bangs. Little did I know, while I was dreaming sweet dreams, how much stinkin' work little girl hair is! It has to be brushed before bed, there are terrible tangles in the morning, it gets sticky and falls into their food, and the worst of it is that they fuss while I'm fixin' it. Mercy, so dramatic.

So, now I see why some moms prefer cute little bobs with cute little bangs. MUCH easier.

But, we all know - I rarely do things the easy way.

If you ever thought that you had bad bed head, please allow me to introduce Miss Ella Grace to you. I have no idea what this sweet baby girl does in her bed at night, but she must have smuggled a pick and some Aqua Net to do it.

Really, mother, is this necessary first thing in the morning?

Might as well ham it up while I have their attention!

What can I say? This is my little Texas girl - Big hair, big attitude!

In an effort to procrastinate on the things that really need to get done...

I will blog about nothing!

We have been c-r-a-z-y busy lately and I love it! Most of the time. Here are the highlights:

• I am room mom in both boys classrooms and am busy planning their parties. Really this room mom gig is way more work than I thought it would be. A lot more work. But seeing the boys' faces when I walk in the classroom makes it all worth it. They love me being up there and I'm thankful that they are still proud of me. Especially since I know there will be a time soon when they walk the other way once they see me. (sniff, sniff) Hopefully that's a long time in coming.
• I had dinner with some girlfriends on Sunday night, lunch with some friends today, brunch at a fancy place planned for Friday and another possible girls night out in the works for Friday night. All with different groups of friends. Gosh, I'm blessed with friendships!!!
• Speaking of blessings, we have found a new sitter that we are in love with. She is helping me out on Tuesday mornings by watching the Diva's so that I can have some time to myself. I may have her come on Tuesdays and Thursdays instead of doing the whole MDO thing starting next January. I'm really digging the idea!
• We are actually contemplating something that I never thought we would do anytime soon. We may go to Disney in a couple of months!!!!! We have always talked about taking the kids when the girls are much older, but have a deal that may be too good to pass up - My sister is going to do an internship there and can get us into the parks for free. I have a free plane ticket that needs to be used soon, Joseph and the kids have a week off at the same time, oh and did I mention that my sister can get us in for free? We'd likely pawn the twins off on family and just take the boys for a whirl-wind-Disney-trip!! So, yeah, we are definitely thinking about this one seriously...
• I joined another gym. In addition to the gym that I'm already obsessed with. I'm doing this thing called Crossfit and it is I-N-T-E-N-S-E! My workout on Saturday was crazy, but I love, love, love it. I signed up for this month and am not sure how long I will continue after that. They don't have childcare and that is a HUGE problem for me. But who knows, I find a way to make things happen when I really want it! And I really want this...
• Another thing I really want is to get certified to teach Yoga and I am well on my way... The military is giving spouses money towards a 'portable career' and my thoughts were, "Gee, if they are giving away money I should take it!" So I started thinking about what I wanted to do and decided -DUH, where do I spend most of my time? THE GYM! And I love yoga, so I will work on my yoga certification and also getting group fitness certified too. Free money=Exciting stuff!
• Speaking of working out - did y'all see the Biggest Loser finale? Gosh, mercy, do you just love that Abby girl. SO wanted her to win. Her story just broke my heart, but her strength was amazing. Love her!
• On another note, I have been cooking a lot lately. Very new development in the Mad House. New recipes, lots of soups and freezer cooking again. Good stuff!
• For the first time in 8 years I have Joseph's big Christmas present bought before any other gifts and he has no idea what it is! He's gonna love it!! And I love that he's clueless.
• In case you are wondering what I'm dealing with - I have a 7 year old who wants an IPOD, laptop, facebook account, cell phone, DSi and a digital SLR. That's it. Meanwhile my 5 year old wants this bow and arrow set from Walmart ($6), 2 Bakugans ($10) and a Lego watch ($12). If I've said it once, I've said it a million times - My boys could NOT be more different!

Okay, I really need to go get something done. Something that is actually on my "to do" list. Blogging is definitely NOT on that list!