Everything Inbetween!: Trying Times

We try so many things at our house ... from new recipies (yes, I do cook sometimes, and sometimes it is something new!), new songs, new hair styles, new lipstick, ... These new things ... sometimes they are a great addition to the recipe box of life, and sometimes not, for instance, the pancake recipe I tried when mom and dad visited which included sour cream was not so much a keeper - I would have to say the "Just like IHOP" was false advertising, unless it was the crepe which I don't eat - however, my new hair style is one I like, and it's EASY, which is a must!

There are also new parenting techniques, new ways to disobey (that's mostly the girls), and new reasons to celebrate. David and I are working on some new parenting tips we are gaining from a program we haven't listened to completely yet. Erin is ever-faithful in her strong-willedness, and the "monkey see, monkey do" effect continues in Avery. We also, are, through prayer, learning to celebrate things like, "Avery didn't have any accidents for 5 days, so when she had two within 6 hours, we can celebrate how great she did for the last 5 days!" and "Erin, I know you are very upset right now, but I am really proud of you for physically stopping yourself from pounding your sister for repeating her question (that you've previously answered 7 times in the last 4 minutes) when you, through clenched teeth, told her very clearly not to ask again. God is revealing Himself to us more and more, and as we battle with the stubbornness of our children, cranky babies who have double ear infections, and the business of life, He is calling us to rejoice in new princess panties, quiet moments of reading, a 6 year old who is responsive to the Spirit, and all of those "trying" moments that make us better. So, I wanted to share some of the funny sayings of the last few days/weeks, wish you a late happy Valentine's Day, and thank you for lifting us to Father during these "times of trying."

Erin:
"I don't need your input, mother." (so this is an example of how to anger one's mother very quickly, even more quickly if the speaker puts hands on hips and taps their toes in a very impatient manner)

While enjoying the first bite of a Valentines candy "crabby patty" ... "Hey! This tastes like the air at grandma and grandpa Gerstenkorn's house! That's amazing!" (this is a way to make parents laugh for a long time)

Avery:
"Ava Cadava, turn the light off!" (pointing to the light bulb while someone works the switch is a great magic trick, even if the "abracadabra" is a little off)

Mommy:
"Avery, we never go down the stairs with our pants around our ankles, it's very dangerous!"

"It is never appropriate to throw your little sister off the bed."

"Baby, I'm so sorry Avery threw you on the floor."

"So what I hear you telling me, is that I cannot use this coupon today (Saturday) because it is not Monday, and you can only process coupons on Mondays, even though this coupon says, 'Valid any time through September 2009?'" (I got to use my coupon, and they gave it back for me to use again, after exclaiming in disbelief upon seeing the coupon that it really was real! Got my Dave Ramsey on that day!)

"Mommy needs a moment. Go away until I have one."