Firehouse

Monday, we took a trip to the firehouse. We went to station No.1 in downtown Gastonia. As usual we were running late so mom forgot the camera but maybe I will get some pics from Emily's teacher, Miss Donna. Emily & Anna both enjoyed it. It was much needed and educational. I told Emily she can just jump out her window since we have a ranch house but she seems to think this is inappropriate maybe we will have to go have another talk with the firemen...

Date with my Daughter

Last weekend I had a date with my daughter, Emily. It was the perfect date, her & I drove to Hunting Island Beach, SC for my dear friend, Kimbo's wedding. It a weekend full of travel, sun, sand, princes, and princesses everything magical to a four year old. For some reason my kids LOVE hotel rooms: low budget, high end it doesn't seem to matter to them. I think it's just the sensation of 'we are sleeping somewhere new tonight HOW COOL!' For the rehearsal we practiced outside in a park downtown where Emily got to roam and explore with all her friends. Then we ate at a restaurant aptly named Emily's :) While we had to wait for a quite a bit the steak was truly yummy!

The next day at the beach was neat Kim & Mike we married by Kim's Father and Brother what a neat ceremony giving glory to our AWESOME creator~the Lord Jesus! We saw the bride and groom off in our swimsuits and finished the day playing in the sand. This was a memorable trip for me and my sweet Emily~

Birthday Bonanza Part I: NC

This year was FULL of celebrations for the Triple Kratt birthdays. For those of you who don't already know: my daughter Emily was born on September 26, my daughter Anna was born September 29, & my husband Bill was born on September 30th. so 3/4 of the birthdays in our house are celebrated together. Bill is VERY thankful for what he calls the two best birthday presents in the world!

This year we started off the festivities we NC friends & family. First off there was a scare on Thursday, Emily threw up for no reason just once and a whole bunch...I freaked out, cancelled, and told, everyone not to come... Well, all day Friday she seemed just fine. So, encouraged by my cousin Shad and Aunt Alex we decided the show must go on! Friday night Shad, Mary, Tyler, & Chloe Rayner arrived! This is my cousin and his family~they live just a short drive away in Fayetteville,NC. Shad had a hockey tournament.

Saturday, Bill ran his first half marathon! He finished this in two hours and five minutes! I am very proud of him )after two miles I would have stopped off for ice cream and/or donuts).

While he was doing this Mary & I prepared for the party! Thank the Lord for Mary(who is really more like Martha wink wink)She helped me organize and I prepared the cake~ Miss Anna picked this theme: Minnie Mouse. This was my first cartoon character cake decorating experience...Anna B.~ the Martha Stuart of our region gave me some advice and I was off and decorating. It was worth the smiles from Bill & the girls(I think Bill actually liked it the most!) It was such a joy to have so many friends and family to share this special day with!

Depravity and evil lurk in every corner quietly poised to rip and tear. Desconcerta convenes waiting and yearning on her throne in the center of the castle. She wants to be a dove: soft, docile, and peaceful. However, she shrieks like a Pteranadon seeking battle after battle. Will she sit and wait? Will she choose the honourable path? No, not always! Desconcerta rocks back on her throne thankful for His grace.

Plans

I was so excited this past week. Bill & I were going to go on a date to Arts' Night. I would get to share my pieces with others and see and hear new artwork and poetry. For me it really doesn't get much better than that. Not to mention all in a place that has ice cream & coffee!!! I looked forward to it all week.

Well, Saturday finally arrived. We had made a lovely dinner for our neighbors and were enjoying good food and fun times. Finally, as we were all finishing up; Anna climbed up into her booster and projectile vomitted not once but three times. What a show!!!!!!!

I washed my little muchkin up, Bill cleaned off her chair, and Nanc busily put everything away. My sweet husband said, "You go on to the Arts Night and I will take care of Anna but I couldn't. I could not be anywhere except holding and praying for, and loving on my sweet little lady.

I am sharing this with you because mothering does not come naturally to me, just as puting others first doesn't, and being a wonderful wife. But the Lord in this moment gave me His heart for what should be top priority in my life. He has made it clear to me: Lord, Husband, then children. I am not going to tell you that I don't struggle with dreams of personal career goals. But the Lord has sent me these special gifts for a short while, sometimes they drive me crazy and give me fits. But I pray for the strength to care for them as He would have me care for them. And I thank Him that He is enough! He is all that I need, His grace is sufficient! I will rest in the peace that no matter the plans I have His are the best!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

First Day of School

Yesterday was Emily's first day back to Preschool. She is in the four year old class this year with Miss Donna. I am excited for her Miss Donna is very structured and has a great curriculum lined up for this year boasting that most of her children are reading by the end of the year. But best of all the Lord is an intregal part of her learning. She enjoyed her first day and told me she read a book about a Raccoon.

It has been a struggle to decide homeschool vs. school. For Bill & I that choice was made clear when we found Pisgah Weekday. I love the staff and know my child is getting what she needs. Miss Anna & I get some time to explore the world together which is fun, too.

I am eagerly awaiting cool fall air, apple cider, & pumpkins.

"We have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God" 2Corinthians 3: 4-5

fall is in the air

School is starting, MPG (mother's prayer group) will begin again, the weather is STILL in the 90's. Autumn, Spring, and Summer always feel like a new birth. Winter creeps up on you like a ninja.

Emily will be in preschool 4 days a week this fall. She is changing so much recognizing letters, writing her name, asking good questions. She amazes me.

I am thankful for each moment with my precious girls

TEETH!!!!!!!

Monday Emily had her fist cavities filled. In dental care I feel as though I have failed as a mother. I guess the most important thing Bill & I learned at parenting with this is not to give the kids anything at ALL to eat or drink at bedtime except water!

Emily did awesome at her appointment. She is not scared to go back and that is good! We are putting Anna on our dental insurance and getting her into the pediatric dentist ASAP to avoid any further issues

Summer nights

Emily & Anna
Tonight we had some Fun Times! Your Dad found a cool event. The Mount Holly Police threw a party at Tuckaseegee Park! We enjoyed free hot dog and hamburger meals, jumped in the bounce house,played on the neat playground, met new friends, and won prizes! I won a gift certificate for a FREE Haircut at Edoo Hair Studio $38 value, you guys won a real mini digital camera(your first camera), & your Dad won a $5 GC to Family Video! I got to see one of my former second grade students who is in 7th grade now! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE summer nights with my family!
We even broke the rules and let you have orange crush! Who Loves you?

Soundtrack of Life

I believe Music is a gift from God. It can express so many different emotions, capture a memory, inspire hope, give comfort. I have fought with depression and anxiety most of my life and am not sure how I could have gotten through without the Lord. He has used music to pull me through, he has used my children's smile, a friend's kind words, a thoughtful note.
This has me considering the soundtrack of my life. What does my soundtrack sound like? Is it a tormented lover screaming at the world with a chip on her shoulder (I am thinking Alanis Morisette's first album), an awesome song of praise and worship~thankfulness for each detail he maps out, perhaps it is a whining needy beggar empty with regret ~filled with fear, or is it a love song full of promise and hope? As with most albums I am sure my tracks vary. It is my prayer that whatever it may be it is for the Lord's Glory. What's on your soundtrack?

Weekends

Aren't weekends the best? We have really been treasuring ours here lately. They go by so quickly but are great. The whole family gets to be together and have fun adventures, work on projects, or just sit and relax.
Last Friday was $1.99 meal deal day at the Subway at Westfield Eastridge Mall. So, "Aunt" Nancy, the kids, & I met Bill & "Uncle" Brian up @ the mall. We had to wait in line for a bit but it was worth our sweet reward. The kiddos had fun talking to the Giant SubGuy, Westie the kangaroo, and the Chick-fil-a Cow characters. Emily actually only liked the cow and kept hugging him. They had some music and a raffle. Good times.
Saturday, we went to the Beach Blast at Patriot Park in King's Mountain. It was this festival with live music, vendors, & such. There was a sprayground to keep cool, volleyball, & best of all kettlecorn, & fresh squeezed lemonade! We will definitely check this out again next year! Bill & I finished out the night with date night on the wii! I love this. He broke some records and outdid me as usual :)
On Sunday we had dinner with "Dancy"(Emily calls Nancy this), Brian, & Dylan. Bill made his World Famous Chicken and Nancy made some awesome guacamole as well as chocolate covered strawberries that sent me to cloud nine! Praise God for good friends~so nice to have when you are far from your extended family!
On Mondays, Anna is usually asking where Daddy is and my mind wonders how it went by so quickly.I am so thankful to the Lord for each moment I get to spend with my family!

My hubby

I just want to give a shout out to my hubby! God has really put on my heart this week what an amazing man he is! He works very hard, is a great listener, spends A LOT of time with his family, does lots of chores around the house, and best of all he loves Jesus. Don't get me wrong he can be a butthead just like any other man and he's definitely not perfect. But the Lord created him specifically for me and I am so thankful. I don't need big fancy gifts or lavish vacations but a man who makes time for his family and the Lord that I can admire!

Dan Nicholas Park

This is an old entry but a goody I wanted to share with local mommies. This place is called Dan Nicholas Park. The Kiddos LOVE it (I do, too). My friend, Cel & I took our kids there in the spring. It has two HUGE playgrounds, covered picnic areas, a small zoo, petting farm, carousel, and train. Check it out for your next field trip. It is located in Salisbury, NC and if you pack your lunch very cost effective.

http://www.dannicholas.net/

Weekend with Cousins

Last weekend my cousin, Shad and his son Tyler came to visit us. This was the first time my girls got to meet them so exciting times. They live in Fayetteville just a couple hours away from us. Shad was here for the North Carolina State Championships for his Hockey League. His team took home the Silver!!!!!! We took the kids to the Kings Mountain YMCA pool. Afterwards Shad treated us to lunch at Chili's. We are looking forward to more fun times with our NC Rayners. Hopefully next time Emily and Anna will get to meet Mary(Shad's beautiful wife) and Chloe(his cute daughter who is the same age as Emily).

Lofty Expectations?

Everyone I have ever loved has let me down. And I, as well, have done the same

I attribute this to my putting heavenly forecasts on earthly relationships

Constantly craving perfection in a world filled with flaws

HE alone is Holy, HE alone is Pure

Treasure the beauty the recesses of your heart behold

and do not fixate on the apparent pits

Summertime

We have been trying to keep busy this summer :) My theory is wear the children out so they don't have time to get in trouble. It works some of the time. We have already made some trips to Monkey Joes, the local Splash Park, a Pajama Party, swimming at the YMCA, and sometimes we just play in the back yard for a couple hours!

MisMatch

Today after naps the girls put on mismatched socks and danced around the house. They had their unofficial mismatched socks party complete with a picnic of crackers.

Dress Yourself

Everyday is an adventure here with my wonderful little rugrats :) Currently Miss Anna prefers to attempt dressing herself. This is quite a hoot because as usual her desire precedes her ability(same with us, eh?) So yesterday she came running out with her shirt on her head and this sent me into a fit of laughter which in turn sent Emily into her room copycatting the same shirt hat effect. Check out the pics :)

Book A.D.D.

Ok So I have Book Attention Deficit Disorder. I am generally reading anywhere from 3 to 5 books at once. Right now I am steaming because I lost one of my current reads. I have others to back it up but I read according to mood (don't judge the method, man we're all a little bit loony). I do want to let you know WOMEN that I am reading a cool book called For Women Only:what you need to know about the inner lives of men by Shaunti Feldhahn. I highly recommend; I am not saying this will happen to you or anything but since I have been reading it just this week I have received flowers for no reason, date night, and some awesome intimate time with the hubs! The Lord is really using this in my Life. It reminds me of the Love & Respect book by Eggerichs; but it uses surveys to get inside the minds of men and really find out what's going on in there. And for those of you who aren't big readers it's a little book :)

Cajun Canvas

As I go through motherhood, I find when I get time to myself that I prefer to do things I really enjoy. The other day I was looking for an activity to do on my night off. Don't get my wrong I adore my family but sometimes it's nice to have a night off. In my inbox that very day was a coupon for 1/2 off of a painting class at a place called Cajun Canvas. What a neat little place! The night I went was called A Piece of Havana. We painted a picture of a tropical sunset and had Cuban appetizers from the restaurant next door called a Piece of Havana. What a fabulous night. It was also interesting to see everyone painting the same pic but coming out with different perspectives. Karen was the teacher and she was very sweet and gave us step by step instructions. SO, even the most artistically challenged could partake. Lovely way to spend an evening out if I do say so myself. I would love to have one in G-town! A big thanks to my friend T for going with me! I had a blast. And now Bill has a cute little painting for his office.

An even bigger thanks to my hubby who took excellent care of our girls while I was away!

Teeth

Last week Emily had her first trip to the dentist. I was so proud of her she wasn't scared at all. We read a book about Barney's friend going to the dentist and I think that helped a lot. The dental hygenists said she did awesome and didn't even act like it was her first time. She did have some cavities, though...luckily they are in her baby teeth.
Anna has been teething the last week. All four of her eye teeth are coming in...So, for the last couple nights at about 2:30 AM she cries then comes in my bed and has a little party singing and talking and acting a little silly (this has been how she reacted to teething in the past as well). Luckily, we have all slept in a little the next day so it works itself out.

If... Then

When I was in my twenties; I remember praying Dear Lord if you sent me to a place with Christian friends I would be better I promise. The old if then prayers... I cannot tell you though they are immature; how gracious the Father is that he answers even my weak, selfish, immature prayers. He answers all my prayers in His best ways. Sometimes I have a hard time seeing his answers but in retropspect it's so easy to see how Awesome he is. If you look back can you not count the immense overflowing of Blessings poured out into your life? I can and I praise Him for it!
I do want to give a shout out to the people the Lord has surrounded me with; the Lord has used them mightily in my life and they spoil me rotten :)

The Little Piles

Ok for this post Read the devotion Hang Up Your Robe Fri, June 4 from Proverbs 31 first...the Lord has been convicting me to follow through with projects. I have been hearing it in sermons, seeing it in devotions. I am not a naturally born domestic engineer. In fact the main reason I wanted to attend college when I was younger was to avoid having to cook and clean as much.

However, when Emily was born the Lord used the circumstances in my life to show me how to stay home with my children. It has been extremely difficult forgoing personal, financial, and career goals to essentially watch my children grow. It has saved my life in a whole different way I never imagined. I have learned more about the Lord in these last 4 years than ever before. I would like to give humongous kudos to my hubby who at one point almost worked himself to death to allow this to happen.
My domestic training had been interesting to say the least and definitely ongoing I will never be Suzie Homemaker or Martha Stewart but I am definitely the best version of Shelly Kratt that I can be (on most days). I mean now at least our parents aren't afraid to come inside our home(unlike the old college days HA!)
The structure of the post above is simply take care of the little things; take a little extra time to do things like hanging your bath robe up, making your bed, putting your shoes away, etc and the little piles won't turn into gigantic mountains! I am always looking for helpful housekeeping tidbits :)

Smiling Saturdays

Saturdays the girls and I venture out and try new things. i.e. anything to keep us busy until we meet up with Daddy noonish. Today we went Yard Sailing (this may not be a real term but I have coined it and find it most applicable). I found Anna some designer baby shoes($3), a double sided kid's art easel($5), and another kid chair ($4). I wasn't in a negotiating mood so I have slight buyer's remorse for not trying to get a better deal.
Then we went on a top secret mission to find Daddy's Father's Day gift. It was successful in terms of research...
We ended up at this Flea Market on 321...Why have I not been there before today? It reminded me of the markets in Mexico: Gaston Co style. What a mesh of different types and colors of thread... quite fun, and full of good deals. Anna of course LOVED the chickens; she is all about chickens.
Now for a nap and hopefully I will finish up painting Anna's Big Girl Furniture!

am, is are, was,were, be, been, being loved by Him!

Today is a new day! How refreshing that the Lord creates a new day in which we can start over again. No matter who I was or how badly I acted yesterday. If I confess and repent I am forgiven all because Jesus died for my sins. He paid the price that I should endure. What a loving and compassionate Lord I have.

Even now in my 30's a wife, mother, sister, friend, leader, teacher I struggle with people pleasing. What do they think? Is this acceptable to him/her? I am struck with the Truth that it does NOT matter who on this earth mocks me, ignores me, or confronts me negatively. I am here to serve this merciful and perfect God! Not everyone will like me, notice me, and sometimes I may feel completely invisible. The Lord makes this well within my soul because He alone I serve. I may struggle with narcissism or love of other idols: people,cars, clothes, toys~whatever may be my earthly object of desire at the moment...but He, only HE is worthy of my affection.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord not men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Colossians 3:23-24

The Lord uses sermons and reading to point me to his word and right now our Pastor is doing an awesome series on Pursuing Wisdom as we delve into Proverbs. You can access Sunday's sermon below: It is called Wisdom and Work, text:Proverbs 6:6-11, date: 5-30-10

http://oak.nowsprouting.com/parkwoodbaptistchurch/media.php?pageID=13

DP III

Part III of a series

The last part of the museum was very fun, too. ALL ages kind of entertainment. This was the FEATURED exhibit. It had a machine that you put torn newspaper in and it would shoot it out and fall like rain, this tent with colored light circles that would play music when you stepped on them, a place were you took foil and created objects, a shoe making area, and a couple other things we didn't make time for...

We ended our visit by enjoying a 3D movie (just my F-I-L and) I b/c we were not sure if 3d dinosaurs might be too scary for the wee ones. there was also a 3D turtle show but Anna was about to fall asleep so we passed.

In conclusion, a fun time was had by all but boy were we tired (:

DP II

This is part II of the DP series

Discovery Place has an overly priced cafe but full of variety. It was basically a cafeteria style deli. We're talking three types of jelly & butter(when I say butter you've got your organic PB, almond and some other fru fru health conscious one which escapes me at the moment) sandwiches that were approx. $3.50 Other sandwiches ranged from 5 to 7 greenbacks. And come on people a chicken nugget meal for 7.95 that's cheaper at a fine dining restaurant. I will say my Tarragon chicken salad sandwich was super yummy and made on wheat bread(I LOVE wheat bread).

Following lunch we ventured onto the main floor. Half of this floor was full of simple machines which Emily who is 3yrs. loved she walked around with Daddy and did all the activities. Some of which included pulley systems, some type of immense mouse trap looking machine which exported metal beads from one end to the next, a bed of nails you could lay on... I didn't see much of that at all because Anna who is 1yr. was instantly bored. so we went over to a block area and played there for quite sometime building towers and such. they had a replica built from jenga looking blocks of Kukulcan from Chichen Itza, Mexico that was quite impressive.

To Beach or not to Beach that is the question...DPI

Our big Memorial day plans were to visit Lake Lure. Since the forecast was filled with Thunderstorms our hopes of swimming at the beach and gracing the river walk were trashed. So, we decided to head out to Discovery Place in Charlotte. For those of you who may not know~ this is a hands on science museum. Well boy has this place changed since I was last there. I mean it was cool before but now it's INCREDIBLE. Please note I love museums as long as they're cool and not full of taxidermy alone...While waiting in line some man walked up to me and asked if I would like 3 FREE tickets!!!!!!!!

Our first stop was the play land called kidscience (ages 0 to 7) which has been revamped since my last voyage: this has a GIANT water table (mom's you may want to pack extra clothing for kids under 2 or 3. At least make sure they are wearing a smock. I am not really sure if the smock kept them from getting wet or not~ if you do forget the nice people of Discovery place had a hand dryer in which you could easily pick up a small child and attempt drying their clothes not that I know this from experience or anything...). My favorite part was of course the HUMONGOUS lite brite you remember lite brite right? This is essentially a light table with a black cover full of holes. Colored pegs are placed in the holes revealing a beautiful picture creation of your choosing. My final top 3 pick was the light box with different colored shapes in which you could make designs. There were also many, many other activities for children including a gated soft play area for crawlers and not so sure footed walkers.

This is part I of a series stay tuned for further DP description...

Memorial Day Picnic

Sunday Grandpa and Grandma joined us for our church wide annual picnic. We kicked off the fun with some games. Emily & Bill did the water balloon toss, Grandma & Emily hopped along trying to keep a ball between their knees. Emily also did a Dizzy relay race where she ran down to the mark and was supposed to spin while holding a giant pool noodle. She preferred to talk into the noodle instead! Ha. At this point Anna & I went over to the playground because she was getting a little upset that she could not do the games. However, I am told them Emily was amazing in the potato sack race and Bill & his father did the wheelbarrow races. Which I am sure was a big hoot!

I got to chat a little bit with some of my fellow parkwood mommies which was nice! Then we dined on hot dogs and hamburgers and finished with a beautiful service where we sang the star spangled banner and our pastor interviewed a war veteran, Mr. Webb. I did not get to hear most of his story because Anna was yelling MINE so we went to the playground again. I am so thankful for the sacrifice our military heroes have made for me. Please take a moment to pray for them and their families this Memorial Day!

IKEA

Saturday we made the pilrimage to the almighty Ikea! I love Ikea. I don't need to even purchase anything~ There's something about the ambiance of low prices and home decor that sends me into a frenzy.
This was Bill & the grandparents first visit to Ikea so it was also fun to note the aw, wonder, and confusion as they experienced Ikea on their intial voyage.
The wonderful thing about Ikea is that just when you're not sure you can handle the massiveness of it all there is a food cafe where you can stop and refuel for awhile. Since Ikea is Swedish they have for your dining pleasure Swedish meatballs and lingonberry sauce and lingonberry drinks Yumm-O!
Grandma bought me a little container to store my kitchen sink tools i.e. scrub brushes and sponges and the like. It has already proven extremely useful. She also purchased a few gadgets and we pondered installing a wood laminate floor in the living room someday...

Grandpa & Grandma Kratt

Usually on Memorial Day weekend Grandma & Grandpa Kratt come to visit. This year Emily was so eager for them to arrive; it has been all she has talked about. She is really starting to get close to Grandma. This time they stayed at a hotel so Grandpa could get his beauty sleep and Emily has been a little confused because she is used to them being here when she awakes. But it makes their arrival each day even more exciting!

What a joy it is for me to see my children establishing bonds with our family. Most of all of our family lives in Ohio and since we reside in NC visits are sometimes few and far between.

The kids for some reason are entralled with getting grampy his shoes. Everytime we say it's time to go~makes me laugh! Grammy is so sweet and has little chats with the girls and plays with them what a joy.