Obsessed with Scentsy: Passing it on to a younger generation!

Here is my neice Alaina. She is a dolly. We just love her and for her birthday I got her a Scentsy. It matches her new room and I knew that she would love it.

YUP!

Now, I love smells and things to smell clean and nice. The variety of smells is amazing. The warmers can be left on constantly, or not. Plus, they aren't a fire hazard. Perfect for me. So the boys have one in their room (3 boys- ya know and it was SURF themed- A match!) and one in my living room. I love the smell and how everyone notices it when they walk in. YUM-O!!!

Now, this is not the first Scentsy gift and surely not the last (Erika, Maren and my sister in law Sarah). So all of my friends- beware. You will either be invited to a party or get one given to you sooner or later. OBSESSED, and now my little neice is too! So fun!!!

Using our ZOO PASS!

I called my buddy Jenae at 7:25 a.m. and asked if she wanted to go to the ZOO. I told her I was aiming to leave around 8:45. She agreed (don't you love those spur of the moment friends) and off we went taking our 5 munchkins to the zoo.

Here we are looking at the backside of the elephants! ;)

Here I am with my cutie pies: Gavin and Grant.

SNACK TIME!

Here is Gabriel rocking the sunglasses!

Here we are at the new Africa "Predator" Exhibit. The kids were going wild banging on the African drums. They were really cool!

Gavin going solo!

Grant and Jack doing a duet!

Gabe and Grant getting there groove on!

Ellie on her toes!

Jack posing by his favorite drum!

Grant riding the lion!

Loving the new lion area!

YUP! They are all wearing from shirts from Gymboree! Of course 2 are matching and Gabe is coordinated. Did you even need to ask?

Kids' view... uhh....

Up please mom, so I can take some pictures! Here are the zebras.

Impala on 2 legs, standing up, eating the leaves!

Another impala behind the trees. Now it has been an incredibly warm morning, but the kids are hungry, so we decide to eat our lunch on the train!

Here's our ZOO TRAIN. And it was RAINING heavily the whole time. God blessed us with great weather, then lunch under cover on the train, we then just fed the lorikeets and headed home. A PERFECT day!

Gabe feeding the birds. Notice the hoods up and rain on us!! Thank you God. It couldn't have worked out better. And the naps my kids took were LONG and AWESOME!

A random rant over an epidemic of LAZY parenting

*Yesterday at the zoo with my 2 smallest monkeys where I once again heard, "Double Trouble."

A small rant from a MOM who loves her kiddos:

I find it so offensive when people comment "Double Trouble" or "There's Trouble" when they see the twins (Gavin and Grant) or me with 3 small boys. I TRULY feel that my kids are such a blessing. They make me a better person - less selfish, more loving, cheerfully able to give and to find happiness in the little things.

My kids are NOT trouble. They have been taught/trained to be obedient, kind boys who will hopefully grow up to love and follow God with all of their hearts.

I did not want to just HAVE kids. Corey and I desired to RAISE and TRAIN our children. Now, that takes work and time, patience and love - but the payoff is huge!!! And so WORTH IT!!!! We have three boys aren't perfect, but so GOOD! They are fun, happy, sweet, kind-hearted, obedient, hilarious, thoughtful, helpful and respectful. *Spoken like a true parent - I know! :)

The problem with many is that good kids have good parents who put in LOTS/LOADS of time. This is NOT time with the children parked in front of a video game or the TV. This is quality time playing games (Candyland at our stage) and teaching them how to be a gracious winner and have a good attitude when you lose. Playing with them and guiding them through sharing, compromising, etc. Actually playing with them- yes, building forts in the living room and coming up with a plan to work together. Baking cookies and taking turns dumping ingredients in, and then cleaning up together with teamwork.

I think that many find their children hard to be with because their children aren't responsive or respectful to the parents. Then when the kids are disobedient, the parents want to spend even LESS time with the children. Resulting in less time training/guiding the children in acceptable social behavior. What the parents aren't seeing is the long-term need of this. Children who are kind and respectful have more friends, an easier time in school and result in happier children. What a gift to your child. What it takes is LOADS of time and effort and then eventually they "Get It!" Then it is only "maintenance" and EVERYONE notices the change.

That is my favorite compliment! When my children are noticed for how well their behavior is that makes me BEAM, because I was able to instill in my children something that will last and will guide them through life. Lastly, Corey and I thoroughly enjoy our children. They are easy to take places and FUN!! We KNOW children are truly a blessing from the LORD!!!!

Psalms 127:3-5

RANT OVER!!! Please Note: I do have pretty easy children. None of them are extremely strong willed. So this is from my experience only. Please DO NOT feel any judgement. I have not walked in your shoes and have not worked with your child. Please just feel support and hope that your work is NOT in vain and it will pay off. Time spent with our children is NEVER A WASTE!!! God Bless. Hugs ~ K

* Leave me a comment please! What do you think?*

My little GARDEN gnome!

"Hey Mom! Can I water the garden?"

"Sure Bud!"
"Thanks Mom!"

"Mom, is this enough water?"

"Just PERFECT Mr. Gabriel!"

"I love to help mom, especially in the garden."

Enchanted Forest with Aunt Mindy and Daddy

When I was in Seattle, Corey wanted to do something memorable with the kiddos. He chose to take them to Enchanted Forest in Salem. Being a realistic, awesome Dad he brought along his cousin Mindy to help him keep up with our sweet, BUSY boys.

So off they went on Saturday morning.

The boys found a WORM right off at the ticket booth. YUP, they are boys!

Here is an attempt at a group shot.
They were all so excited to get playin' and riding rides, that is was only somewhat successful!

Here they are at the Hansel and Gretel candy house!

My monkeyw with Aunt Min-Min!

Cheeseball Gavin, Gabe, Mindy with Grant

Here is Gavin showing a better smile, by the mushroom of Alice in Wonderland.

They were all getting ready to go into the rabbit hole!

Getting brave and all 5 of the gang went in.

ON the other side of the rabbit trail/hole, they found the home of the 7 dwarfs.

Cute shot of them all peering in the window.

Here they are with Daddy-O in front of the home of the OLD WOMAN WHO LIVED IN A SHOE!

This is so fun because you get to slide down it! (out the toe)

Grant on his tummy and Gavin sitting up!

There go Daddy and Gabriel!

Here is the gang going through the cowboy tunnels and caves.

Here comes Aunt Mindy!

You come out of the caves into the Indian teepee. So stinkin' fun!!!

Aunt Mindy took Gabe on the Log Ride. Gabe was NOT thrilled, to say the least. I heard about this on the phone!

Some water, thank heaven for the ponchos!

Gabe terrified even though it is over.

Here are the bummer boats. Much more his style. Corey said that this was the boys FAVORITE. They were ready to ride in the boats all day!

Here are the little two!

Days over and well, I think that Aunt Mindy looks more tired than the 3 little boys! What a fun day and SPECIAL, AWESOME Daddy!

Weekend with Daddy-O!

When I was up in Seattle visiting my best friend Erika, Corey was home having a BLAST with our 3 amazing boys.

Now I left on a Friday night and Corey and the boys took me to Amtrak. It was the first time that they had seen a train up close. Gavin and Grant FREAKED OUT when I got on (I think they thought that it was swallowing me up whole, as the train rolled in, I got on, and it rolled away!) Corey took the boys to the toy store, just to recover and start off the weekend right.

Corey kept saying that it was going to be some "hard knocks" for the boys since Mama was gone. I really don't think that I am THAT EASY on them, but whatever.

They had a phenomenal weekend, but here is a lesson that Gabe learned that weekend. Food is a blessing that we are thankful for - not a right ( a privilege. )

Roll camera....

Corey gets the boys ready for breakfast and is making pancakes.

They are A-DORABLE!!
Seriously..... is he a fun dad, OR WHAT!?!? :)

Gabe walks into the kitchen and says, "EW...."

Corey tells him, that was rude. You aren't eating after that comment. Gabe says, "You HAVE TO feed me." Corey, "No, I don't."

So, plate was removed and Gabe sat in his room while the other 3 enjoyed a lovely breakfast.

Gabriel, came out later and apologized profusely, and then ate his cold pancake alone with only the company of his tears.

While this is sad, what a lesson to learn about graciousness, thankfulness and not being rude. Gabe has been so appreciative of his food and the people who prepare it ever since. Way to go to the best dad in the world. I love your support in taking an active role in teaching and training our boys in RESPECT, LOVE and GODLINESS. It is good to learn lessons young!