Weekend Happenings.

The days lately have been challenging. With 3 year old and 2 year old tantrums, testing the boundaries, fighting, flat out disobedience, and whining, it just wears this mama slap out. Oh so often there is a struggle in me whether I will respond with grace or with my flesh. Sadly, many times I have to ask forgiveness from my babes for my response. How thankful I am that they quickly forgive and don't hold grudges. 

Motherhood is such a wonderful, rewarding calling, but it certainly makes your own sin and weaknesses flash boldly before your eyes. I am so thankful for the grace of God. I'm thankful for His Word that I can cling to in the moments of trouble. I am thankful that I can come boldly to Him and receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 

I know these little years are going to be gone before I know it. I am endeavoring each day to savor the sweet times, not dwell on the difficulties, and choose joy even when I don't feel like it.

So...on to the happier moments of the weekend :)

On Friday I made Lily and Levi chore charts. They love them and have been so excited to put stickers in the boxes as they get finished. 

Jacob's mom, Uncle Judah, and Aunt Elizabeth came over on Friday night to watch the kids so Jacob and I could go out on a date. Above is Lily and Levi's reactions when they found out Grammie was coming. :) 

Funny story about the date night. It's literally been months since Jacob and I have been out together. Last Tuesday or Wednesday I asked Jacob's mom if she could watch the kids and I was going to try to surprise Jacob with the date. So, Wednesday night he talks to our babysitter and wants her to come Thursday night so he could surprise me with a date. On Thursday morning he kept talking about going out that night, and I kept putting him off since I'd planned for Friday night. We were supposed to have snow and ice Thursday afternoon, so I tried to use that as an excuse. I finally ended up having to tell him about what I'd planned. We both got a laugh at how we haven't had a date in months and then we each try to plan a surprise date the same week! :)

We used a coupon from my mom for supper at Ruby Tuesday and then we went to Starbuck's and talked about finances/goals for 2013 - better late than never. :) We had such a good time!

Saturday we played at home, bought groceries and took naps. I attended a friend's wedding while Jacob kept the kids home during naps. 

We went and ate mexican with Jacob's extended family. It was a fun time! Lots of sweet memories were told about Nanny and Pawpaw. We miss them so much. 

Silly kids begged me to take a picture of them sitting on the box of diapers. :)

Sunday we were finally able to be at church as a family again (the kids and I missed the last two weeks because of their coughs). I love this picture of Lily and my nephew, Ridley with Papaw reading to them. So sweet!

Happy Monday!