We are back

I actually feel overwhelmed with everything that has happened in the last 7 days, that I don’t even know where to begin. Kurt's 30th Birthday was Saturday and Leslie and I did it right! We planned a huge surprise for him for the whole weekend. He was totally surprised and we had a great adult weekend :) So let’s see if I can break it down short and quick.. Friday Leslie came in Surprise #1 Friday night he got his first gift Riding jacket surprise #2. Saturday we wake up go to breakfast and he went golfing with his two friends at Torrey Pines Golf Course.. surprise #3 Reservations for 333 Pacific in Oceanside with Limo service to and from where ever we wanted to go... surprise #4.. I think he had a wonderful birthday now we have set the expectation high for my 30th hahahaha. At least he has 2 years to plan for it :) So that was our weekend, the week has been nice, went to the Zoo yesterday, the kids always have a blast. Madison's favorite animals were the Iguanas.. who would guessed? That place is definitely a work out, uphill downhill uphill downhill pushing a double with two kids who don’t want to walk up hills so I got a nice leg work out :) Anything for my lovies! Today Matthew and I hit up the beach with Meagan and Baby Madison (she isn’t really a baby anymore cant believe she is going to be 2 next week) I just have to say Madison and Matthew are meant to be.. they already show signs of a married couple. For example, she is always looking for affection from him and he turns away and pushes her away hahaha, she goes to hold his hand and he lets go because his hand is sweaty. they fight, they kiss they fight again haha they are too cute together! So tonight was pretty peaceful in our home for the first time in forever.. seriously forever! I tried a new technique for bed times. Every night it’s been bathes then 2 books then prayers then bed, and every night our kids stay up for at least 2 more hours after this playing laughing fighting screaming yelling crying.. you name it they do it. I really have been at my wits end with them, I just didn’t know what to do, till it recently dawned on me to put them to bed at separate times. So far they go in there together then as soon as we leave they go wild. Well tonight everything was done separately. Bathed Mathew did prayers laid him in bed, and no joke 5 minutes later he was out!! I was so relieved I actually cried, I thought this was just going to be our lives from now on and I really was thinking of committing myself to a mental institution. I mean I love my kids to death but they sure can run everything out of you. So I praise God for the revelation to actually do this. As soon as Matthew was sleeping in goes Madison, she wasn’t as easy but she is a piece of cake compared to Matthew. She has to come out and ask a few questions before she can relax. Question #1 "Mom, when I wake up tomorrow is it show and tell?" "yes, Madison you can pick out a toy in the morning" then she runs back in bed. About 3 minutes later she comes in "Mom, when we wake up tomorrow where are we going?" "To Maggie’s" (their nickname for Meagan) "okay, mom goodnight... oh wait kiss hug?" "yes Madison you can have another kiss hug" then she scurries to bed and is now sleeping after about 15 minutes!! I am just so happy right now, because I think of previous nights trying to write and I have to stop and yell " GET IN YOUR BEDS" or "TURN OFF THE LIGHTS" or "KURT HELP ME" which he does :) I really just feel relieved that we may have found a nice solution to our bedtime terror :) I have to give it all to God, because when I was boiling over I stopped and prayed and repented of the way I have been with them and asked God to fully intercede take over take control help me to love my kids the way Christ loves them and help me to see all the good in them. Show me what to do to raise them the way HE wants me to. And snap of the fingers God was there. He was waiting for me to let go and let him take control. Funny how you see the test after you pass but not when you are going through it. God is so good to me and my family it is just so overwhelming to talk about. I always get emotional when I think about how great His grace is for us! We were dirty with sin and he loved us anyway to send His Son to die for us! What a sacrifice!! What an amazing God! All I know is that I want to raise my children to love Him and know Him the way I do and a million times better! I want them to know the creator of this world as their best friend, their Father their Savior and worship Him with every ounce of their souls. Praise God for all things, He is so faithful!