Out of the Mouths of Babes

Tonight Kaibryn and I were working in the kitchen and she said, "Mommy, I know why Jesus died on the cross?" I said, "why?" And she said, "So we don't have to die." I am really trying to be sensitive to when my kids start asking questions. I don't want to say too much to confuse them I want to have short answers where they might understand on their level. I said, "Well Kaibryn that's kind of right. Our punishment for sin is death but Jesus died on the cross to forgive us of our sins because He loves us so much and He wants us to live in Heaven with Him." She said, "Well, when will I do that." I told her one of these days she would. She would feel a "prick" at her heart and she would know that it was Jesus. I told her it would happen soon. She kind of got this scared look on her face and she said, "Mommy, will it hurt." I said, "no". I should have been more selective with my words. Her response to that was "will it feel like a needle." She looked a little worried. I had to reassure her that it would not be painful. I told her that God loved her so much and has such a great plan for her life. That seemed to calm her worried heart and face a little. She's not too fond of shots. She has such a sweet heart. God used her as a reminder to me to continue to pray that my children's hearts would be so sensitive to His gentle "prick". He loves them more than I...hard to imagine.

Thankful Thursday!!

I AM THANKFUL...

1. I am not sick with the stomach stuff anymore.

2. For a mom willing to drop her plans for the day to come and take care of four kids.

3. The rest of my family has not gotten sick.

4. For a mom who cleaned my house and did ALL my laundry...HUGE job>

5. For answered prayer.

6. For kids telling me they have prayed for me.

7. Sonic

8. My Bible study on Tues. mornings. God is teaching me to love and be authentic.

9. Answered prayer

10. Getting taxes done early!!!!!

11. For a messy house (at times). Reminder to all who enter that we have kids...someday I will miss that (tears to my eyes).

12. God's love...strength...mercy...grace...forgiveness...protection...joy...provision...discipline...timing...control over all things

"Give thanks to the Lord for He is good."

The Anderson Weekend

Well, as I sit here I am thinking about our busy weekend and wishing that it keep going on for a few more days. I love the weekends mainly for the reason that all of six of us are home and together. Our weekends are usually pretty busy and this one was no exception. Saturday was a big day for Christopher. He lost another tooth. Losing it (like the others) was quite traumatic. There were many tears shed over the pain...even though the tooth was dangling. However, Sunday morning he woke up even more upset because the tooth fairy forgot to leave money in his "baggy." We told him that it was because the tooth fairy did not recognize the baggy his tooth was in. We put his tooth in a sandwich size baggy instead of a snack size baggy like the other teeth. That seemed to make him happy. Hopefully the tooth fairy will not forget to visit him tonight.
Saturday was crazy at our house. I had a baby shower for a friend and trying to get ready for that with four kids can be pretty tricky. Chris was a HUGE help and did whatever I needed with a "happy heart." I know that he would have rather just relaxed but he knew this was important to me and I am so grateful for him and his willingness to help. He's a great Dad and an awesome husband whom I love greatly. He took Kaityn and the boys to my parents house and Kaibryn stayed with me. She is such a big help as well and she loves to help, so having an extra set of hands that day was great doing last minute jobs. As you can tell from the "blurry" picture she loved the chocolate fountain. While gifts were being opened and people were talking I noticed that she was gone. I walked into the dining room and saw her licking the chocolate off the fountain. Thankfully people were finished eating. Everyone laughed and she enjoyed the attention. She has such a sweet sensitive heart and she loves her brother (even though there are times when it does not show). I was getting ready for church and she said, "Mommy, Christopher is on the couch and he is really sad..." (about the tooth fairy). Then she said, "Mommy, I want to whisper something in your ear." I leaned down and she said, "I have some money in my room that I will give him." To be honest with you, I almost started crying. Sweet!!!
Kaityn likes to be in the middle of everything that is going on. saturday morning I was folding some clothes and she decided to climb in and make herself comfortable. She's so CUTE!!!!
To end our weekend, after church we went to eat with the students. We were eating and the owner of the restaurant brought out popsicles for the kids. Cooper was so excited. As you can tell in the picture Cooper has a red popsicle face and two of his favorite things...his "blanky" and his dolphin.
The day is almost over and I'm sleepy so I'm off. I pray everyone has a great week...I'm looking forward to next weekend.

I tried posting pictures but had a hard time. I will try to post pictures later!!!!!

Thankful Thursday!!!

I was just introduced from another blog to "Thankful Thursdays". In God's Word it says to give thanks always. As a mother of four, I'm sitting on the couch thinking about my day and how glad I am that it is over and have been challenged to be thankful and convicted that I have not been thankful. This has been a crazy day starting out with Kaityn being sick and not sleeping and for about a 30 min. span of time did nothing but scream at the top of her lungs. She was attached to my hip almost all day. No wonder my arms and neck are sore. Have you ever tried doing laundry, cooking, run after three others & eat with one hand. I guess that's what being a Mom is , huh? Even though it was a rough day I am to be thankful and "do everything without grumbling or complaining." So here goes...."Thankful Thursday!" I better hurry the day is almost over.

1. I am thankful for God and His Word gently leading me to His throne, and for His UNCONDITIONAL love. I know who I really
am and just the thought of him loving me is humbling.

2. Thankful for my great husband Chris who works hard so I can stay home with my great kids. I also loves how he makes me laugh - I'm too serious. (no amen's please).

3. I am thankful for Christopher & his constant energy. I wish I could have some.

4. I am thankful for Kaibryn and her willingness to help me do ANYTHING. The macaroni tonight was AWESOME!!! :)

5. I am thankful for our little miracle Cooper. He just makes me smile and has fun in everything that he does.

6. I am thankful for Kaityn ( even though she did not sleep today) and her smile. I love that even though we know she can
take steps she walks on her knees over to her momma and lifts her hands to be picked up.

7. I am thankful for a dishwasher (in our last home for 5 years - NO dishwasher).

8. I am thankful for Sonic - Large Vanilla Diet Coke...easy ice - there's nothing tastier - I'm also thankful for my husband who
allows me to go all the time - I LOVE YOU HONEY!!!!!!

9. I am thankful for friends who call to check on me and how the kids are feeling.

10. I am thankful that my babysitters (mom & dad) are coming home from Hawaii tomorrow.

11. I am thankful that tomorrow is Friday.

12. I am thankful to hear my kids recite John 3:16.

13. I am thankful that I am sitting here on the couch and my living room is clean.

14. I am thankful that we got a Nintendo Wii for the kids (yeah right :)) and I can beat Chris at Guitar Hero.

15. I am thankful that even though Kaityn STILL gets up in the middle of the night she goes right back to sleep.

Wow...I could keep going of how the Lord has blessed us. We are truly NOTHING without Him. I need to be more thankful.

16. I am thankful that I found my friends blog and was challenged to be thankful!!!!!

Kaityn Mae's Discovery

Well, Kaityn has begun eating some table food and she really enjoys it. In earlier posts I talked about how she is into everything. I don't know how she got this box of crackers but she loved them. Today she discovered OREO cookies. As you can tell from the picture she enjoyed them as well...her Grandad would be proud.

Happy New Year (Late)!!!

Happy New Year to everyone. It has been such a long time since I have posted a blog so I thought I would give an update as to what is going on in the Anderson household. With four children around there is never a dull moment and barely a moment to just breathe. However, as I am typing this I guess I have a free moment because I am able to type this with no children around :).
Christopher is 6. He knows only one speed - FAST. Very rarely does he just walk to go somewhere. Usually he is jumping or hopping. He is already such a leader. One day last week we met Chris at McDonald's for lunch and right away there were 3 or 4 kids following him around. He had them obeying his every command very quickly. As we were eating the kids were hollaring at Christopher to see if he was finished eating. We made him finish his lunch. He took bites inbetween the instructions he was giving them. He is a great big brother and always willing to help especially if he is helping Mom with Kaityn. He is enjoying school and doing well. If you ask him his favorite part his answer would be math. He says, "It's awesome."
Kaibryn is 5. She is Mommy's little helper. There is not a day that goes by where I am in the kitchen cooking or cleaning and I back up and I about fall over because she is right behind me. She loves to help do anything. She makes us laugh quite often. She is becoming quite the drama queen though. One day last week we ran an errand (probably went to Sonic) and we left her carseat in Chris's truck. I told her she could just ride in the seat and buckle up. She said, "My wish has finally come true. I have always wanted to ride in the regular seat...thank you Mommy." Thanks to her my laundry has doubled. She is constantly changing clothes. The other day she came out in a "flowery" tank top, her "princess" shorts, pink tutu, black leggings, black "tap shoes" (AKA pattened leather shoes), a pink scarf and a tiara and said, "Mommy, don't I look beautiful?" She also is doing well in school. She is keeping up with Christopher and soaks everything in.
Cooper, Cooper, Cooper...what do I say about Cooper except everytime I see him or think about him it brings a smile to my face. Cooper is3. He has never met a stranger and everyone loves him. He is really into playing the guitar - whether real or imaginary. This past Sunday I worked in the nursery. The 3 and 4 year olds have their own little worship service. While in there they were singing songs along with a video and Cooper on othe front row starts playing his "air guitar". Neal Livingston the leader said, "Good job Cooper. I see you brought your guitar again today." I started laughing because it sound like Cooper brings his guitar every week. He and Chris's dinner time is usually about twice as long as everyone else's because it takes him so long to eat. We really think he likes the one on one time with Dad. I think that Dad enjoys it as well. He is still very much into Cars and quite often he informs us that his name is "Lightning McQueen." He is our little miracle and can't imagine our family without him.
Kaityn Mae is almost 11 months. We can't believe how quickly time has gone by. She is happy all the time and is faster than Lightning McQueen on some days. I am constantly asking, "Has anyone seen Kaityn Mae." She loves the toilet...yes, disgusting; and loves getting into everything. None of the other three kids ever got into the cabinets or into things. So all this is a new experience for me. Climbing has also become one of her favorite games. She climbs into her toy basket, onto stairs, ladders, and booster seats. She is beginning to take a few steps and even now is in her bed crying and saying, "MaMa, MaMa". She can say, "DaDa, Bubba, and TaToo (thank you)". She is precious. She is still in the "bed baby" room at church because she is so happy there. She smiles at everyone but goes to no one except for her Mom. She is definately a Momma's girl...good at times, frustrating at times.
Then there is Christ & I. Chris still really enjoys his job and is very involved with the student ministry at church. For Christmas we got a "Nintendo Wii". There have been many a nights where we have stayed up WAY past our bed time and I have beat him at our new favorite game "Guitar Hero." He does not like that too much so I'm thinking about letting him win every once in a while. I am busy doing the usual stuff...cooking, cleaning, changing diapers, playing, teaching piano, teaching school, etc.
As I look at this picture with the longest blog post in history I am reminded about how blessed we are with 4 great children
and just a great family.