What is in the toilet stays in the toilet

I have a problem. My kids leave the toilet seat up. My 14 month old Titus loves to play in the toilet. So far all types of things have been found floating toys, food, and my personal favorite dog food which when soggy resembles poop. This week though Titus took my sneakers and you guessed it gave them a bath in the toilet. Now I guess I could wash and wear them but it grossed me out so much that I threw them out. I mean really no one would notice but I would know and just feel gross. So needless to say I will be purchasing a new pair of shoes because what I find in the toilet stays there!

The Haircut

Grace has been growing her hair since birth minus a few trims a long the way. Over the holiday weekend we took her to get it cut since she has been asking for a hair cut since she started first grade. It turned out nicely and she is caring for it a lot better.

Grace is enjoying first grade. She is also looking forward to playing soccer this Spring. It has been fun watching her grow in her faith and set a good example to her siblings. She is a treasure.

The twins at three...

I am not sure if easier is the right word to use but things are definitely better now that the twins are able to speak in sentences. New challenges abound like fighting, competition, potty training, eating meals and other rather daunting issues. One thing is for sure Micah and Kerith are VERY different and for that I am very thankful but they do have one thing in common and that is they love their mom A LOT. So much so they won't go to Children's Church anymore. It's been the one challenge that has Eric and I both scratching our heads. They are well behaved as they participate in the adult service both cuddle up to me and let me rub their heads. I have to admit I am starting to treasure the moments even if it sort of takes my mind off the sermon. Seeing Micah try to sing praise and worship has been priceless, and watching Kerith try to take notes with her pencil has been another memory I will treasure. 

Their current favorite game is Mom and Dad. They usually fight over who gets to be Eric. Nice huh? I guess my job is not glamorous enough for a three year old.

Kerith's favorite saying is "I am not hearing it" she picked it up from me. I say it to the kids when they are tattling on each other. Micah's new word is actually which comes out as "axually" and everything is "axually mom..."

don't worry I haven't forgotten the rest of the kids I'll update them as well. I know you want to hear all the funny stories I have. I have many. Lots of blackmail...

Snow!!!

We finally had our first snow fall. Even though it was only a couple inches we still had a bit of fun.

Jake had some fun too.

Taylor not so much.

Capturing Carissa

Head on over to my new blog for my photography and weight loss journey. capturing carissa Of course A table for eight is still my main blog where I will continue to post about daily life and the kids. I thought I could use the page feature to journal here but didn't like the format so I just decided to have a blog devoted to pictures and weight loss.

The Spiritual Detox

Lately everything on my facebook friends list has been about people detoxing. Seems everyone is on a detox diet this new year. I am always struck that people go to such great lengths to rid their body of waste. With the new year everyone is making those healthy resolutions myself included although mine are a little less taxing.
I wonder how often we detox our spiritual body? I wonder if we have the same focus and determination to eliminate the toxins that stand between us in our relationship with Christ. I wonder if we are even aware of what those toxins are?

The answer is easy for myself. I do not detox spiritually enough. I am thankful that the Holy Spirit brought it to mind as I was reading facebook(see some good things come from facebook!) now I can be in prayer and ask God what toxins I need to get rid of.  I often put an emphasis on outward appearance when my heart and mind really need the overhaul. I like what Ephesians 4:17-32 has to say in The Message.

The Old Way Has to Go

 ^17-19And so I insist—and God backs me up on this—that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. They've refused for so long to deal with God that they've lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. They can't think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion.  ^20-24But that's no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.
 ²⁵What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.
 ^26-27Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.
 ²⁸Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can't work.
 ²⁹Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
 ³⁰Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted.
 ^31-32Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

Weekly Health Check In: Week 1

I am trying to get back exercising and have been doing the Wii Active 2 9 week challenge. So far my goals are to burn 1,000 calories a week and work out 4-5 days a week. Week one goal accomplished.I've got to get some motivational things on my blog for this. To say it's a struggle is an understatement having a metabolism disorder AND pituitary tumor doesn't make it easy. Easy to gain five times harder to lose. Yeah I am not fat for overeating and being lazy. Imagine that? If I get a little venty in my blog I'm sorry. I plan to use my blog in the coming year at least once a week to write about my journey and it's sure not going to be all green grass and butterflies, I am sure there will be spiders and weeds a long the way. One way or another I plan to be lapping everyone on the couch no matter how slow I go.