One Down and Many More to Go

On Friday, we received the first week of homework assignments for Colton's class. Don't get too worked up. It's not so much. He has to read a book three nights a week and turn in this poster with the standard 'all about me' questions on it. He worked hard coloring, cutting and writing the answers with Daddy and had all of his homework done before dinner Friday night.

Some answers to the prompts:
-My favorite food - PIZZA
-My favorite animal - WOLF
-My favorite book - DINOSAUR CATCH (Mommy is not sure what this is)
-My wish - be a FOOTBALL PLAYER FOR TEXAS TECH (these Aggies are praying hard against this one, although from the looks of it A&M football will not have recovered by the time he gets there)
-What I like most about out school - MASCOT PANTHERS
-What I do well - HIGH DIVE (he sure is fearless up there!)

Great job Colton!

Technology Rocks

Technology has come so far and it makes my life so much easier. I found this great website for a Care Calendar that lets you electronically schedule things like meals and yard mowing for people in your circle of friends that are in need during times like illness, arrival of new baby, or just a stressful time. You email the calendar link to people you know who are willing to sign up, they sign up and then it sends them email reminders and all the info they need. I just used it today to set up meals for a friend that had a baby this weekend. So easy!

Unplanned is often best

My personality likes spreadsheets, lists, organization, bins, planners, to have everything mapped out, structure and that's just not how my life always happens. We are busy in general and Lino life can be hectic at times. This past week was no exception with the addition of kindergarten. We had our regular activites throughout the week and then we had rain. Yes, I know some of you haven't seen any of that in a while, but we saw close to 2 inches fall over the last 7 days at our house. Those two inches provided some of the best unplanned fun we've had in a while. The four kids and I loaded into the van from gymnastics in an almost terrential downpour and we were soaked to the bones. So when we arrived at home, Daddy joined us for some good old-fashioned playing in the rain. My schedule was messed up, but there was laughter all around. The guys threw the baseball. The girls stomped in puddles. The little snake didn't make it across the road. The clothes were dripping. The smiles were big.

All Systems Go

The Lino house is at all systems go. It's Saturday evening, the clothes are ironed, the hair bows are at the ready, and there is good sleep to be had.....all to be better prepared for worship in the morning. Sundays are always challenging for my house and those of most other believers I know. I am determined that Satan is not going to have a heyday in our lives tomorrow morning. I am shooting for a calm morning, not rushed and with happy hearts for all of the little people and Mommy. Can't wait for worship! Good night.

New Best Friend!

The trusty old crock pot is my new best friend now that we have entered the world of big school. I spent an hour last night looking at recipes online that will make things a little easier for me. I plan on using it at least two days a week if not more. So far this week, I used it on Monday and Wednesday and one recipe did not work out well at all. Well, it was edible, but not good. So I will scratch it from the list and keep looking for new ideas. If you have any ideas or recipes that I just must try, I would love to have them.

Is it really that different?

How is it possible that oatmeal at lunch really tastes different than oatmeal at breakfast? As I type, the four year old is sitting at the lunch table. She made a choice this morning that she did not want to eat her oatmeal. She really wanted all of the samples at the grocery store earlier this morning. She really does not like it when everyone else gets tasty snacks and treats without her. So she has the oatmeal bowl in front of her again for lunch. I did warm it up a bit. Did she eat it? Of course she did. She inhaled it. It didn't taste different. She just did not want to see that oatmeal again for dinner and she wanted what everyone else was eating. I feel certain that the oatmeal for breakfast next week will taste just fine.

As Cute as She Can Be and Still...

Disclaimer: I know the grandparents may not like me saying some of this, but it’s true and I don’t write all of this just for me but in hopes of others being encouraged or at least being able to laugh at life a little.

I will forever remember Cassidy as being our little snuggle-bug. She is the one little Lino that loves to cuddle and be with Mommy. She needs me. She gives great hugs. She also knows how to push my buttons.

Each day is not the same with Cassidy. There are perfectly harmonious days. But there are days when she can out scream any two year old out there and outlast any frazzled mom out there. There are daunting days. There are days filled with tears - hers and mine. There are days I wish I could hold her until she falls asleep instead of listening to her sob on the other side of the door. (Before I get emails that I should not let her cry: she is working the system and can turn the tears off as soon as the door is opened.) We have had those days when at the end I felt like she won. But we have had many more days when the parents win.

For us to win requires a large amount of patience and even more consistency. Reproof, correction and training is exhausting. It is a purposeful task given to us as the parents. This is one of the things I awake each morning for. I love that this is the 'job' that I have been given the privilege of going to every day and night. I was called to this long before Cassidy was my given to my care. In all her cuteness and in all her 'moments' she is the perfect child for us.

I trust Cassidy and I will both one day look back on these 'almost two' days and know we are both better for them. Thank you Lord for entrusting our dear Cassidy to us.