What to do about a grumpy little sister

Here's our recent dilemma...

Gemma gets pretty testy with her well intentioned (well, most of the time) brother. For instance, this morning Zane was trying to take something from Gemma that she was not supposed to have. He went over to her and grabbed it from her. She screamed at him and tried to pinch his arm. Zane in turn looked at his Dad, in dismay, like, I'm just trying to help?!

So, Dad and I offer up some advice...

Bryce says, "Zane, thank you for trying to help, but let Mommy or Daddy take things away from her. If it's an emergency, tell her 'no no, Gemma' (this is what we say to her) and gently take the item away."

I say, "or Zane, offer her a toy in exchange for the item you are taking from her, and then she won't get so mad, because you're giving her something else to play with."

Zane stops to contemplate all of the given options.

He then very seriously says, "or we could just put her outside."

Laughter ensues. Admittedly, I have thought of this option. However, this is not very realistic. So, I think we'll keep working on this one. :-)

1st Day of School

The day has finally arrived. We, well I guess just Zane, has been ready to go for weeks. The beginning of another school year. He was extra excited this morning about his new full size backpack. Here he is, ready to roll.

And here's the backpack. It has boot prints on it.

Here are the pics from his first day of preschool last year. I can't believe how little he looks! My how things change in a short amount of time.

Happy Heart

I have been busy teaching Zane to have a happy heart and what actions reflect a happy heart. Ironically, as I have been so devoted to stay on top of this attitude in him, Satan has crept in and stolen my happy heart.

It is so frustrating to me, to be so easily snared by sin.

A sweet friend asked me a question today and as I tried to impart wisdom, it was as if the Lord was speaking the words for me and yet to me at the same time. What came out of my mouth, was exactly what I needed to hear and be applying in my home. Humbling...

Father, forgive me for my attitude. Let my words and actions be filled with joy from you. Give me a happy heart. Thank you for your correction and guard my heart from evil.

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."
Psalm 51:10-12

Pig Tails

Mowing

Zane had a good time with Dad. Here's the picture to prove it.

Turn the volume way up. This is GREAT!

Sweet Fellowship

The ladies in my small group came over for the evening this week. It was such a sweet time of refreshing fellowship! Here is the table I had ready for them...



Do you see the gladiolus?! That arrangement cost me $3.00!! Dillons had received a large shipment and was selling 7 stalks for $1.50. I couldn't believe it! What a special treat to decorate the table. Thank you God!



Strawberries and dark chocolate cups.



Homemade scones and lemon curd.



Grapes



Phyllo baskets with cream cheese and jelly (orange & jalapeno).

I think the fact that I actually took pictures of all the food is a sign that I enjoy food way too much. Maybe I should work on that...

Tri-State Adventures (Part 3)

OKLAHOMA

Lastly this summer, we headed to Bartlesville to visit my grandparents, Papa and Nana. My Nana is recovering from knee surgery, so the kids, my mom and I, went to see what we could do to help...and to have a little fun! :-)

Here are Papa and the kids playing. Papa quickly became Gemma's best buddy!

Trying out the fun alligator pool in the living room.

This pool saw a lot of love over our stay!

We fed the ducks at a park. There were tons of ducks and geese. We were amazed...and a little intimidated!

Papa and Gemma looking on.

Found a big leaf.

And a caterpillar.

Photo op #1

Photo op #2

Parks are exhausting! Sorry Papa. I had to. It was just too cute!

Zane loved going to Johnstone Park. They have the greatest tiny carnival rides!

Gemma kept looking at me, like, what have you done to me?...but she never cried.

Spiderman boat.

Dinosaur Park

Sidewalk chalking.

Sweet Nana. She spent most of her time doing therapy on her knee, so she didn't make a lot of pictures.

Okay, so from the look of it, we did a lot more playing than helping. I don't know how much help we were, but we sure had a wonderful time! So, to my two most avid blog readers... Thank you so much for an amazing visit! We love you and will be back soon!

Spaghettios

Gemma tried spaghettios for the first time today. Strangely, I decided to let her try to feed herself. As if, I don't have anything else to clean up. It was worth it though. Priceless pics!

Tri-State Adventures (Part 2)

KANSAS

We headed to good ol' Dodge City for the 4th! We love any chance we get to visit Gramps and Mama Frita. (my parents. the names alone are probably a good topic for a whole separate post. I'll get to that.) Lots of fun was had!

We played some baseball...

and blew some bubbles. My parents' backyard is beautiful!

We did a little relaxing...

and some fireworks of course!

We headed to Pop & Gram's (my grandparents) for some more firework fun.

Yes, those are fire trucks. No, it wasn't our fault. :-)

Dodge had a great firework display the evening of the 4th. Dad had to go home, but the kids and I were thankful to stay a few more days. We carried on Stelle tradition, by watching the big show on the roof. Zane was very excited!

We had a delicious picnic. The weather was superb. We made smores in the chiminea.

Gemma was thrilled to try her first marshmallow!

We had a wonderful holiday celebration. Thanks for such a fun time Gramps & Frita! We are already looking forward to next time!

Growing up with an older brother

7 Years & No Itch!

I've been married to my husband for 7 years today. It's hard to believe that it has actually been that long! I do have a lot of memories though...

YEAR 1 - We lived in a men's dormitory. Wow. We did get to play a lot of ping pong though. I learned that we wouldn't always agree. :-) And we got our first pet. A rabbit, Norman.

YEAR 2 - We made a big move to Dallas. We started the adventure of seminary and the ministry Apartment Life. We really saw God move this year, as we watched Him put our lives into place in Texas. We also got some exciting/scary news that we were pregnant!

YEAR 3 - We had a beautiful baby boy. Zane. What fun!

YEAR 4 - We continued to live life "backwards" as we called it (but just right for us); Bryce going to school and staying home with Zane, while I did corporate income tax and "brought home the bacon". :-) We got our next pet. This time a hedgehog, Ned.

YEAR 5 - I watched as Bryce received his diploma. Master of Theology. One of the proudest days of my life.

YEAR 6 - We moved back to Kansas. We joined Central. We bought a house! We received some good news again; we were pregnant!

YEAR 7 - We had another beautiful baby. This time a girl. Gemma. What a blessing!

Looking forward to many more exciting years!

I love you Bryce!