What's Your Take?

So I need some input from all of my wise, godly Momma friends...

Yesterday Jessilyn got in trouble for aggravating Reese and then lying to me about what I clearly saw her blatantly do. She got two spankings-one for the big sis bullying and another for the lying. I explained to her what she did wrong, why she was being punished, then made her think about her actions. After her "thinking time," I went in, talked to her, loved on her, then prayed with her. I explained to her that when we mess up and do something wrong, we should pray about it. Pray for forgiveness, thank God for loving us unconditionally, thank God for the lesson, and ask for His strength not to repeat the offense. Here is my dilemma, my thought I have been pondering ever since. Should I be teaching her to pray for forgiveness every time she messes up, to confess each sin?

I believe we are all already forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ. Salvation is our acceptance of that forgiveness. I understand Jessilyn hasn't yet accepted that gift. But I do not want to plant the seeds of condemnation and guilt that can come with the teaching that we must "confess every sin." I know as a young child, I really struggled with this point. I remember worrying about every single thing I had done wrong that day and trying so hard to remember every little detail. (I realize I tend to have a little of a compulsive personality, but so does my sweet Jess.)

So, my question is...How do you balance teaching a soft heart, one that is easily convicted of wrongdoing without (possibly) opening the door for guilt, self-condemnation, etc.? What's your take?

SluMBeR ParTy!!!

Jessilyn went to her first slumber party this weekend. She had the best time! Her friend Amaris lives down the street from us, plays on our soccer team, and goest to our church. Amaris had a girl party-she invited three little girls and their moms. We had dinner (mini corn dogs and friendship salad), made crafts, and had desert. Then the moms went home and the girls spent the night. Cece (Amaris's mom) brought all the girls to church the next morning. Jessilyn painted a letter "J" and made a tie-dyed pumpkin shirt. The girls were adorable and the mommys had a great time, too.

They sent the cutest invitations I've ever seen. Cece let Amaris plan the whole party, so the invitation was in Amaris's own words (in italics), with her mom's translations (in bold). Portions of it went like this: The girls have to be here in like 11 minutes, around noon. Around 6:00. The entire invite went on like this, telling what time, plans, what to bring, etc. Very creative!

I must mention that Cece was exactly 39 weeks the night of the party. How brave/crazy is she?!?! Thanks Cece and Amaris for a great night!!!

The girls eating dinner (Notice the bowl in the middle-fresh whipped cream. The girls ate the entire bowl...mostly with their hands!)

Desert time!

My cutie pie!

Amaris, Jessilyn, Ava (fellow Sparkle), and Ella

Jessilyn's Artwork

Jessilyn's T-Shirt

Weekend in Amarillo

The girls and I went up to Amarillo a few weekends ago to meet Hutton and for Marlie's first birthday party. I can't believe she is already one! It is crazy to line up Reese, one year later Marlie, and one year later Hutton. The Meeks kids better slow it down!! We had a jam-packed weekend of fun! We also snuck in a trip to the fair-thanks Pops for the fun night!

The birthday cutie pie

Dig in!!

She wasn't crazy about the toys!

All the kids (minus Randon-darn football!)

Reese loves her Uncle Rob!!

I'm not sure how this happened, but I didn't get one picture of Hutton on my camera! We were constantly taking pics with him, I guess my camera just never got into the pile. URRGH! He's perfect, though-take my word for it!

GOOOOO Sparkles!!!

Jessilyn started her first year of soccer. She is doing really great. She scored the first goal of the first game. (She likes to tell everyone she scored the first goal of the season). She scored two of the team's six goals at the first game, and assisted on another. The next two games haven't gone quite so well. I think at the third game we literally got beat about 40-0. (Since it is non-competitive there is no official score. Everyone wins! ha,ha I don't remember sports being like that when I played!) The other teams just seem to have a much better grasp of the game than we do, but we're slowly catching on. Jessilyn does really well, and is having a lot of fun!! She has a little friend from church on her team, and one of the other coach's daughter is also playing with us. If nothing else, it makes for some great entertainment on Saturday afternoons! On a side note...it has worked out where Randon is getting to make it to quite a few of her games. I was very nervous about how that might go, but God really blessed us with a great schedule!

Sparkles Soccer Diva!

Bend it like Beckham, baby

All the girls

She worked up a sweat!!

We love you, Jessilyn!!

Reese is 2! (1 1/2 months ago)

The birthday girl in her cool shades (upside down)...that's how she rolls!

So we all know I am not the greatest at this blogging thing, but oh well. Reese's b-day was Aug. 15. We had to do something in Midland so that Randon could be there because football had already started. So my parents, Randon's parents, and Randon's brother and his family all came down to Midland for the weekend. We had a lot of fun! It was very low-key. We didn't invite any friends, just family. On Sunday afternoon the girls and their cousins went swimming at Randon's parent's hotel. They had so much fun. Then we came back to the house for presents and cake. Sometimes I am jealous of the cute ideas other moms come up with for their kids' parties, but for me the big parties are way too stressful. I like the simple, relaxed parties. And to be honest, I think simple is good for our kids every once in a while. They don't get that much anymore! Thanks to all the fam for coming down-we had a great time!!

Sister baking, err, eating birthday brownies

The birthday girl and her daddy

Reese and Aunt Misti splashing

Opening presents

So Tired...

What a long day! I worked today-off at 5:00. Sped to Fazoli's, shoved spaghetti down the girls' throats as fast as I could so that we could be to Jessilyn's soccer game at 6:00. Watched her game (which, by the way, was HILARIOUS!), then sped to church for a bible study that started at 7:00 (got there about 7:20). The bible study is a Kay Arthur precept study on John, which in and of itself is exhausting. She crams a lot of info. into two hours! Then home for baths and bed....

Which brings me to my question...how do you moms of multiple older children do it?!?!? I don't know if I am cut out for the sports, music, church, youth group, etc., etc., etc. lifestyle!

And for a second question:
Has anyone else done any of the Kay Arthur precept studies? This is my first one? What did you think?

Hopefully, I'll make it to blogging about Jessilyn's soccer later this week-really amusing. And I still have to catch up on Reese's b-day, my new newphew (http://www.meeksfamilyblog.blogspot.com), Marlie's b-day, etc....but for now I have to go to bed!!

The Great Flood of 08

So, here is the update on the house. We had a pipe bust in our kitchen ceiling. Yes...I said ceiling!!! Our ceiling caved in, and water seeped to every room in our house except for the master bath. We had to replace all the flooring and a few walls. It was a crazy summer, working nonstop...but I can honestly say it has turned out to be such a blessing! God is so creative! We needed (and I really wanted) new floors, and now we have them!

We have worked on every house we've lived in, but this is now my favorite. It is definitely still a work in progress, but I'm the most proud of this house.
Reason #1-I really hated this house when we first moved in. I really struggled with contentment when we first moved to Midland. I hated our house, and felt really trapped because I knew no one and stayed in my house all the time...lots of time to ponder all the things I wanted to do (but couldn't). I have worked hard to find cheap and creative ways to improve, and have learned some new things along the way. I even made my own Roman shades! Now I am really happy with where we are, and have learned to be content with what we have/haven't gotten finished.
Reason #2-This is our first home away from Amarillo and parents....hence, the first home we have really done on our own. I am so grateful for the past two homes, and for all the help we had with them. But this home holds a special place because we've done it all on our own. I feel like a grownup!!

And I must give kudos to my awesome hubby! He worked his cute little booty off this summer, and went right into football season with no rest! He has done some amazing work and been very patient with me in the process (despite a very difficult tile choice on my part!) He has done it all-ripped up old (possibly Asbestos-infested) floors, painted, laid laminate floors, installed an R.O. system, laid tile floors, installed baseboards, installed new toilets...the list goes on and on. I love Randon's work ethic, and how hard he works to take care of his girls! I love that he is a "man's man." He's not afraid to take on a new project, and he really likes to do things on his own. It makes me one proud Momma! I love you Babe!!

Here are some "before" pics:

Kitchen ceiling

Don't you just love the old (tile?) floors?!?!

Our family room (full of fans)

Here are some "during" pics:

I'll have to take some pics of things put back together...maybe later:)