Happy Tuesday, y'all!

We had a pretty low key weekend & I was totally fine with that.  Millie Jo has had a nasty cold for a few days now so we've been snuggling a lot over here!

My brother & sister-in-love got their new puppy on Thursday so on Friday night, we went to meet him.

 Meet Jack.

It was so funny to see the response when I posted this picture on Facebook/Instagram that night.  If you don't know, I am not an animal person so when people that know me saw the picture, they couldn't believe I was loving on him ;).

Nothing comes to a surprise to God.

He knows exactly what is going to happen in our lives, when it is going to happen and how we are going to deal with it before we even know.

And it was because of heartache in my very own marriage that I was able to teach my children a few things about ... forgiveness.

I love that God can use anything.

. . .

Cooper came home from school a few weeks ago, dropped his book bag on the floor, sat down on the couch and said "guess what, Mom?  Someone stole my sucker right out of my hand today."  I, of course, started asking questions and when he got finished explaining what happened he said those four little words . . . "I'm not forgiving him."

A part of me wanted to grab his sweet little face and say "Coop Coop, forgive him."  But I think we can all agree, that's easier said than done.  I knew what I needed to do and that was to sit him down and explain the importance of forgiveness to him and why we should have forgiving hearts.

What better way to explain it to him than by using Christ?!?

We sat down and I explained to him that God is a God of forgiveness.  He died on the cross to save us from our sins . . . we sin daily and when we ask for His forgiveness, He forgives and never looks back.  Unlike us, God is perfect so He has no problem not looking back.  And as hard is that is for us, we should try not to.  We should never hold the past over someone's head.  People change.  Does that mean we as human beings will forget?  Absolutely not.  Does that mean we have to continue being friends with someone who has wronged us?  Not at all.  Does that mean we should be ugly to the person who wronged us?  Or talk bad about that person to others and encourage them not to be friends with that person?  No.   We are suppose to forgive as Christ has forgiven us.

As Cooper sat there listening to me, he says "yea mom, but what if he doesn't say sorry to me?"  I looked into those big blue eyes of his and said "Forgive him anyway, Coop.  There are going to be times when someone does something to you and isn't sorry but it's our job to forgive them anyway.  We have to forgive so our heart can be happy."

Forgiveness is something that can happen right away or it could take years but I made sure that my precious little boy knew that I was praying that he could forgive his classmate sooner rather than later.

Not being able to forgive only affects one person . . . yourself.  Having a unforgiving heart will make you so bitter.  That's something I never want any of my children to experience.

Later on, I asked him if the roles had been reversed and he was the one who took the sucker, would he had been able to sincerely apologize.  He said yes . . . and knowing Cooper, he could.  I felt like it was the perfect time though for him to see how he felt being wronged & the importance it is to be able to sincerely apologize when he wrongs someone.  Apologizing and admitting your wrong doing is extremely tough.  I mean, who wants to admit they were wrong?? 

We all make mistakes.  We've all done something to someone that wasn't nice at some point in our lives ... and if you haven't, I'd love to know. 

My prayer is that my children always have a heart that forgives.  And that if they wrong someone, they can apologize ... sincerely.  The peace it brings is incredible.  I want them to know that peace.

xo

And a few weeks ago I blogged about teaching your children to be grateful.  You can read it here.

Hey Hey Wednesday!

Today I'm linking up with Shay, Mel & Sheaffer for this month's What's Up Wednesday!

At the end of every month we answer these questions . . .

1.  What we're eating this week . . .

Sunday night my hubby grilled steaks & they were amazing!  We had sweet potatoes with them, too!

And then Monday night my parents came over & we grilled burgers.  I don't know about y'all, but I LOVE a good burger!

On Tuesday nights we have a "whatever" night because Millie Jo has dance.  As for the rest of this week, your guess is as good as mine because I haven't went grocery shopping yet. HA!!

2.  What I'm reminiscing about . . .

I've mentioned it several times this past week, but our weather has been amazing & is making me SO ready for spring & summer!

3.  What I'm loving . . .

4.  What we've been up to . . .

School, dance, playing outside . . . repeat.

5.  What I'm dreading . . .

Nothing at the moment but if you would have asked me last week it would have been Millie Jo's 4 year check up [only because I went ahead and got her kindergarten shots even though it will be another year before she goes to school] & also the root canal I had to have last Wednesday.  Neither were fun ... at all!  I think it's safe to say that we are both glad those appointments are over!

6.  What I'm working on . . .

7.  What I'm excited about . . .

Y'all!

Last May we booked our very first Disney Cruise & were going to tell our kiddos at Christmas time BUT my hubby decided we should wait a little longer because well, kids.  They would ask us 4,323 times between Christmas & the time we go if we were going yet.  But I've been SO excited to tell them that two weeks ago, I couldn't hold it in any longer . . . so we told them!  We watch videos almost every day of the ship we are going on.  We've already done our early online check in & booked some of our meet & greets.  I'm not sure who is more excited ... them, me or Grammy! :)

8.  What I'm watching/reading . . .

This is funny.  So my kiddos have been hooked on Netflix lately & love movies with "real people" not just animated characters ... especially Millie Jo.  Don't get me wrong, they love all the Disney movies but they also love movies like Mrs. Doubtfire, Matilda, Annie . . . and here lately they have been hooked on . . .

Dry shampoo.

I'm obsessed!

This one smells amazing & works so well.

That's a little What's Up Wednesday for you!

Have a happy Wednesday!

xo

Our weekend was such a busy one but SO good!

Friday afternoon when the boys got out of school we headed to get ice cream.

There is never a dull moment with these five kiddos!

Happy Friday!

The first day of January I decided that I would take a daily picture & post the date on Instagram each day.  And then I decided that at the beginning of each new month I could do a blog post recapping the previous month.  It will still be my Little Bit of This & That post but with a lot more pictures :).  I know its the middle of February but I'm just now getting around to sharing!  And it's also Friday so I'm linking up with Andrea, Narci & Erika for Friday Favorites! 

Here's a little bit a lot of what we had going on & some of my most favorite moments in January . . .  

1.1.17
 
Every night you can find one of these two in each other's bed ... or mine ;).

1.3.17

New rainboots, dance tutu, big bow, denim jacket, cute socks & Emerson matching ... check! All ready for dance.
A few of her favorite things!
Love my girl!

1.4.17

1.7.17
 1.8.17

1.9.17

1.10.17

1.23.17

Millie Jo talks about mine & Dan's wedding all the time so when I pulled out the DVD one day her & Coop both were so excited to watch.
And they laughed because some people don't look the same as they once did & they enjoyed trying to figure out who was who!
 We finished out January in the bed sick .. & by we I mean me.  So that called for an early bedtime, snuggles & a movie.
Are my kiddos the only ones who love the movie Jumanji?
Probably so.

And that's what we've been up to!
I hope y'all have such a fun weekend!






xo