Hi!!! School started today. Ellie is in 10th grade (high school starts tomorrow), Emma is in 6th, and Cara is in 4th. They are all going to have a great year! Ellie will be in tomorrows photo. Silly Cara crossed her eyes, she is always silly but she is a blessing and keeps me laughing.
 I finally will be able to blog regularly again!!!

The Present

I wonder what will be going on this time next year

wonder but not to the extent I focus more on the future

than the present

the present is just that

a present

Cara looked at me very seriously and said " I want to color a picture for you Mommy, but are you allergic to the cats in my coloring book"? So many moments to treasure... I love moments like that.

Enjoy today!!

The Power of Friendship

Emma was so sad in the hospital. She wanted to be home with her sisters. When they told us she would have to stay one more night, she was so sad, she cried herself to sleep. Then, some friends from soccer came by to see her. This cheered her up. Then, her bestfriend ever, Kayla, came to see her. Kayla's mom let Kayla stay with Emma while they went to their Good Friday service. Emma lit up! She actually smiled and she didn't smile much because of the surgery. Kayla stayed and even offered to spend the night to keep Emma cheerful! Kayla didn't really spend the night but the friendship and the kind thoughts made Emma so happy.

Never underestimate the power of friendship. The power of time. It lifted my sweet childs spirits so much.

The picture is a little blurry because I took it with my cell. There is a before friends pic and an after friends pic...:)

Wordless Photo

Sweet Thoughts

Kids can be so kind and so real that it brings tears to my eyes. Cara brought me some weeds from the yard and put them in a cup.........she brought me sunshine!

This week was teacher appreciation week at school. We had cupcakes ready for the teachers but Ellie took the time to write each one of her teachers a "thank you" note. She did this without anyone telling her to do so.

All adults could learn so much from children. Children follow their hearts without hesitation. Let's all look at pretty yellow weeds as flowers!!!

Emma's Artwork

From our recent Mommy and Emma night.....

Ever Feel Like This????

Talking to kids about strangers

hi friends- I meant to post this last week but ,as usual, I got distracted. I was on the phone with Shannon the other day and the kids were outside in the front yard playing. Emma came running in and said "mama, can I go around the block"? I said "no" but I asked why she wanted to go. She said I need to help the lady find her dog. Apparently, a woman in a car actually pulled up to them and asked them if they had seen her dog and if they could help her find it. Well, this shocked me because it was a woman. I had mostly warned the kids about men in cars asking for help. So, it was either a very irresponsible woman or she was up to something sinister. After I could breathe again (hearing the actual words from you kid is scary) , I did brag on Emma for doing the right thing and then later, I had to warn her not to talk at all to the stranger in the car. UGH... I am sharing this to let people know that although we tend to warn against men, it is best to remind them women can be dangerous too. No one in a car needs help from a child!

Emma's Angel

Happy Birthday Ellie!!

I looked into your eyes

to see

my world was no longer

just about me

I had someone

that I loved more

someone so sweet

and small

someone who through

just being

helped me to

stand tall

Happy birthday Ellison Grace Schrage!!!

11 is going to be a great year for you!!

You take my breath away with your

beauty, talent and kindness.

I love you! Mama

Life is certainly interesting. Her first day of school and she lost her first tooth. Bless her heart.

Ice Cream and Love

Okay, Cara must think like I write. Is that a good thing???

Yesterday, I took her to McDonalds for a sundae and she said "Mama, icecream is like sprinkling a little love on your heart"...

a soul picture

It is best to take a cue

from children

live in the moment

have fun

swing and

feel the wind

laugh

make the soul smile and

take a picture

to always

remember the feeling

Have a FUN Saturday!!!

Little Eyes

Little eyes do you see

you can be anything

you want to be

follow your dreams

to find your road

God will never give you

too heavy a load

I will be here to

help you walk

to stand by in silence

or to talk

The Supernanny Show

Hi,

Thanks everyone for all the kind emails and phone calls!!! I am so thankful for every single message because it is my goal to help other people!!

I will be posting my story sometime today on Jo's site, http://www.jofrost.com/

I have to find someone to watch Cara so I can type it out. It will be a little later. :) She is great while I am on the computer but I get distracted when writing.

So, all I can say is "yes, my kids are still in their own beds"!!! YAY!!!

Oh, and a special thanks to the nice family who want to donate enough paint to us to paint the entire upstairs!!!! That is so incredibly amazing!!!

New Blog

Truthfully, I have several blogs. I have www.babysoup.us where I write about my life and things that God has shown me along the way.
I also have www.pinksquaresonabridge.wordpress.com . That is my poetry blog. I don't know if anyone can understand my poetry but it helps me to write it.
I just wanted to share some encouraging thoughts, stories, people, and anything else encouraging on this blog.
If you are here and you have an encouraging story, please share it. So often we become "Mommy Martyrs", we get so involved in everday survival that we forget to enjoy life..
There is more to come. I hope you like it!!