Sometimes I just "CAN'T WANT TO" those of you that have known my Mally Pally since she was tiny already know just what I am talking about! ;) When Mal was tiny she had some of the funniest ways of saying things and one of my all time favorites is "can't want to" it was so perfect and just made sense. Sometimes I just can't want to. I just can't want to live in Canada. I just can't want to send my babies off to school all day. I just can't want to be far from home. I just can't want to not be with all the people we love and miss so much. Today I just can't want to. Another great one was how she would just loudly state "I AM ALL DONE" That is still a go to favorite. ;) I am all done missing home. All done. But then I remember it's not about me...I am not a toddler...I am a child a God. Or as the book of Esther taught me...I am a queen in the eyes of my Lord and Savior. My Heavenly Father is walking this walk with me. He has never left me. Not for one single second. And he has blessed me beyond measure. Just look at these faces!!

The Lord Will Guide You Always. He will satisfy your needs. Isaiah 58:11

Then Jesus said, "Let's go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile." Mark 6:31

"Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance." 1 Corinthians 13:7

 Now all Glory to God who is able through HIS mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow it will be anxious for itself. Matthew 6:34

You can ask for anything in my name and I will do it so the Son can bring Glory to the Father. John 14:13

 Ecstatic praise pours out of me until everyone hears how God has set me free. Psalm 40:3

I just need to pause for a moment and say that I LOVE THIS MAN!! Seriously, I am here because I trust him more than anyone and he works so hard for our family. He always does what is best for us. He is always here for me and for our babies. He loves me, crazy and all. Actually he likes to say my Crazy is one of the reasons fell in love with me in the first place. I mean a man that loves your crazy!? Yes, please! And he makes this far away very cold adventure fun! He really does...and can manage to make me laugh out loud when I feel like all I want to do is cry. I love you hubby!! Forever and always!!!

And speaking of people that make this adventure FUN...the 4 little people that I love more than anything on this earth!!! They have all been home for the last 6 days and it is heaven!! It has me dreaming of summer days!! We have been playing games, watching movies, making trips to fun play places, the library the dollar store (one of their absolute favorite places) we have just been relaxing and enjoying each other and that is a slice of yumminess!! I just can't get enough of these little darlings!! I love them craziness and all!! Ha!! ;) I agree with Scotty...crazy is a good quality ;)

Another positive of the last few days!? Melting!! Woo hoo!! We have seen sunshine and splashed in puddles!! Which makes Bentley Boy extra happy because he can wear his "puddle boots"...of course we still have several feet of snow in our yard but the good news with the warmer temperatures is the kids can go play in it!! They love to build forts!! :)

This evening I have had a period of "I just can't want to" probably because my girls have to go back to school tomorrow. But I know that the boys and I will have a great time together and I will get my disaster of a house put back together (which always makes this mama smile!!) and I know the weekend will come quicker this week which really makes this mom happy. And more than all this little things I know that every minute is a gift. No matter where we spend it...we are a family and we are in God's hands. I will chose to embrace. I will enjoy my time with just my family because I know that one day soon we will be back in busy times and I will miss the quiet. Miss the days of just us. So instead of "can't want to" or "all done" I will chose "I love you SO much, meanie pants" Which is Bentley's new name for me...;) ha! At least for a moment it was but then he had a little visit to the "penalty box" most of you may now it as time out and he seems to be back to "I love you SO much mama" these are the days y'all...truly...truly....one blessed mama!!!

Faith is taking the first step when you can't see the whole staircase.

Martin Luther King Jr.

I will restore and refresh your weary soul. Psalm 23:3

My sheep hear my voice. I know them and they follow me. 

JN 10:27

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you. RO 1:8

Happy Birthday to my darling daughter!

Sweet Whitney Grace,

You light up my life! You keep me on my toes, never cease to amaze me, always make me laugh out loud, sometimes leave me speechless for words, and no matter what every minute of each and every day fill my heart beyond anything I could have ever dreamed. You came into this world with your own preciously perfect personality and I adore you. I adore your imagination and your dancing on your toes. I love the way you show your excitement and talk with your hands. I love your hugs, I love your smile, I adore it when you bust out laughing. I love your sassy spirit and your shy moments too. I love one on one time with you and I adore watching you flourish in groups. It is an honor to be your mommy and I thank Jesus for you in my life every. single. day. I will always, always, be your number one fan and I am so excited to see what beautiful moments this year will bring!

xoxo Mommy

I adore this darling little girl!

I adore this sassy little girl just as much!

Friday I took treats to Whit's classroom. I had so much fun seeing her interact with all her classmates. I am so impressed by her teacher and just love little moments when I get to witness it all. Her classmates are sweet as can be and I loved all the Happy Birthday thank you's and hugs as the kids came and got a treat! I must say it's amazing how I step into the classroom and forget I am not the teacher anymore ;) Ha!

I thought the cookies came out pretty cute! :) (I ordered them!)

It was so cute seeing Bentley head off to sit with Whit at her desk...we couldn't get him to take his coat off because he was afraid I would leave him at school! ha! So silly that little cutie! :)

Brody preferred to smile to everyone from his seat (or maybe I was scared of cold and flu...) either way he was happy! :)

Saturday morning we had Whit's party. We found a place that had and indoor playground, laser tag, a rock climbing wall, and arcade games. It was mass chaos, of course, but Whit had a great time and was thrilled with her friends that came. Seeing her surrounded by new friends and so happy just makes my heart sing! :) 

Her party theme was Monster High this year. I have been dragging my feet on that one for 2 years now...I finally caved but tried to keep it simple and cute! The dolls aren't that bad but I am just not sure I will ever get used to how their parts come off and her favorite doll is a ghoul :/ anyway..back to if she is happy I am happy! Ha!

Whit was totally thrilled with her cake! We looked through some picture together online and I found a cake lady near by and she created this for Miss Whit!! :) Again with the skull....but she LOVED it! One layer chocolate and one layer vanilla...I must say it was pretty delicious! The edges were little chocolate candies!

I just had to include a snap shot of her invite...those that know my girl well know that she is obsessed with her Ghoulia doll...takes her every where and spends hours dancing around playing with her. We have had many near meltdowns when Ghoulia has lost an appendage....we have managed to find it every time. Fingers crossed we can keep her in one piece! I got her a back up Ghoulia for Christmas and she hasn't touched it...I guess there is only one that has her heart ;)

Yep...you are seeing things correctly...Chippy returned. There is another book for him called Elf on the Shelf Birthday Tradition and you leave out this cupcake costume and an invitation to your party and he returns for a special day!! The kids were VERY excited!!!! 

                      

My boys and I....no words....love them SO much!!!

After we had a crazy fun time at the birthday party we headed hime for some R&R along with birthday presents! We tried to have some camera timer fun as well...we ended up laughing really hard and never getting everyone in one shot...really we were all 6 supposed to be in it! Ha! I guess I should set up the tripod and use the remote but we were just being silly ;)

Hey Leo, we LOVED our Monster high purses! We colored them right away! We also loved the cards you made us! Especially the Panda stickers and the hearts! We love you too!!! Thank you!! XOXOXO

I am pretty sure this little girl had a fabulous birthday! I took sometime this morning to sit in prayer and just thank Jesus for making her mine. I can not believe 7 years ago right this very moment I was tucked in bed in my hospital room snuggling my precious 2nd born daughter. She is amazing. Amazing. God is good. I am a truly blessed mama!

 Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ephesians 5:20