Update!

Wow, how do I let myself go so long without blogging? Here is what is going on with the Hoods...

-Dalen started school this week. He LOVES it! He has already learned to swing without being pushed and we've been told we should have named him Justice b-c he demands it! Sounds right to me.

-Cola is climbing out of her crib....EVERY night. She goes and wakes Dalen up and then they come down and wake us up. Ugh, another phase...at least we are hoping.

-Borders Bookstore is going out of business. All books are 40-60% off. I just finished Bristol Palin's book and now I am reading Jim Bob & Michelle Duggar's book, A Love That Multiplies. I takes a lot not to go back everyday and splurge on more books.

-Cola has pink eye. Needless to say everyone in our home has been washing their hands about 30 times a day.

-We are still house hunting. Finger crossed and many prayers prayed for that chapter to soon close.

-Mario and I had one date night to go see The Help. Umm, seriously do NOT miss this must see!

-Dalen is going to be 4 next month! I can't believe it! Still deciding what to do for his b-day!

-I have heard of 3 couples I know who are expecting twins! Yikes, I so hope it's not in the water! I also recently read an article that said the rate for twins is at an all time high. Interesting....

Proud

I just finished Raising Children by Jane Evans. I am still reading Brining Up Boys and because parenting is constantly calling my name these books are showing me multiple opportunities to correct, praise, love, nurture, comfort and discipline my little ones.

I have had two VERY good days with my son. I don't think it's him that has changed a bit I think it has been my disciplining skills, patience and boldness to not back down.

I must share this morning's moment that had me oh so proud! By 9 a.m. I had been to the grocery store, put a roast in the slow cooker (pray it turns out!), arranged fresh flowers on the table and fed the kids breakfast. I realized rather quickly that our little lady would barely touch her breakfast. Something MUST be terribly wrong. This kid eats more than me!

Her head hung low, her eyes were heavy and yep, she had a fever. Don't you hate it!? This is such a difficult age for a kid to have a fever! Because they can't tell you the other symptoms. Mario and I stood over her as she laid very still on the couch and I felt a little hand grab mine. It was Dalen. She very confidently said, "Let's pray about this!" Mario and I agreed and led the prayer. I can't remember it all but I do remember he started the prayer off with thanks and ended with thanks. Right in the middle of his prayer about "making bad pain go gone" he burped louder than he ever has! Immediately, my eyes opened wide and met with Mario's. We struggled not to laugh and Dalen didn't miss a word.

It was one of those moments where he totally didn't mean burp it just came out. I was very proud of us for not stopping the prayer and correcting him when he obviously didn't mean to do it. I am proud he knows who to call on when someone is sick. I am proud he starts with thanks, because we do indeed have SOOOO much to be thankful for. I am proud he cares for his sister.

I recommend...

A few weeks ago our church had Pastors Ashley and Jane Evans from Adelaide, Australia in for a Sunday morning service. Pastor Ashley preached and I quickly noticed his pretty wife and eight year old son in tow. They pastor a thriving church in South Australia called Paradise Community Church.

After a powerful message delivered by Pastor Ashley and a short word given from his wife we had the privilege of having lunch with them along with some of our other staff members. I was seated by Jane and her charming and inviting accent made it rather easy to talk to her. I learned quickly she was real, down to earth and must love people. After seeing her converse with her son (who was so well behaved you wouldn't believe it!) a few times I concluded if I could be like any mom let me be like her. She was so calm, respectful and knew her son's character so well. She knew just how to respond to him, encourage him and stay patient with him.

About a week ago I found a gift wrapped in white wrapping paper (love that) tied with a black bow and a card underneath on my husband's desk. It was for me. I opened it and it was a copy of her book (which I didn't even know she had written) called Raising Children Without Going Insane. I totally recommend this book for any parent or person who works closely with parents.

Not only is it full of transparent struggles as a mom of three boys it is an encouraging read with highlights of many of their victorious triumphs. She addresses some difficult topics such as; disciplining, parenting the strong willed child (you better believe I did some underlining in that chapter!), seeing the gifts in your children placed there by God and so many more.

It's really amazing how God is using so many books on parenting to help me along in this journey called motherhood. I hope this book may help some of you too!

I usually begin to write a blog after establishing some points or highlights of the kids but not tonight. Maybe because it's 3:23 a.m. or maybe just because there really isn't a point to this blog. I haven't blogged in a while and I hate when I go without. Life this summer has been fantastic! A lot of traveling, planning, and doing ministry with my husband (my favorite!). Now that things have slowed down I am not quite sure what to do with myself.

Everytime I log onto my blog I realize the less and less people are blogging and it makes me so very sad. I love blogs. I love reading about the experience of motherhood through another woman's world and being included in a movie or book review and trying new food someone recommended via blog. I think it's only a short period of time before blogging is a memory and no longer the "it" thing.

I am still reading Bringing Up Boys. I took several weeks off due to VBS and our first youth conference. I still haven't finished Love Wins either. I know I am terrible! Things have been really busy.

There is a lot of talk about a possible tropical storm heading our way. I think her name is Emily?? Don't you hate that?? They take the most innocent, well known, Ms. Pretty Put Together names and mark them to a horrible, destructive, life changing for some storm! When I think of the name Emily I think of a little girl who looks like Mary off of Little House On The Prairie-blond haired, blue eyed, perfect smile, overly sensitive, who in the world could hurt her girl. Oh well, it is what is. I asked some fellow Florideans if they are nervous about the storm talk and they seemed to not even be phased. So I guess if they aren't imagining palm trees whizzing by their windows I shouldn't be either??

Cola has finally hit that stage. She is into EVERYTHING! This morning she managed to eat half a crayon (purple), spray tons of my perfume all over herself (thank goodness I love the smell of Vanilla and Jasmine) AND get the top off of my red nail polish and paint half of her top lip red. This was all in ONE morning. She is starting to stand her ground more everyday, she hits like a boy and I must admit she is pretty fast. I love that when she runs it's like 1/2 gallop and 1/2 prance with an extra spring in her step. She also appears to be scooping air out of her way and pushing it behind her. So cute and funny.

Dalen is quite the big brother. Although they fight on and off all day there is usually at least one moment everyday where I see him comfort her, hold her, kiss her or something of that melt your heart to pieces sort. He has managed to get her out of her crib a few times now. I'm not sure how he does it and I think it's best for my heart I don't know or haven't seen. She has never even cried though so I guess it's not too physically painful.

I guess that's all for this one...