Cool Kids Party

I know that every parent probably feels this way about their kids, but ours are REALLY amazing.  They have handled the life “given” them SO well that sometimes we just stand amazed by them.  I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised.  When we felt God asking us to move overseas we also felt like He wanted to use ALL of us.  Our conviction on that played an integral part on the country we chose…we did not want to go somewhere were children could not be seen or heard, or where we would have to home school or where it would mainly be the “man” doing all the ministry.  We felt too strongly that we should all be involved…and God led us to Portugal.  I’m so thankful for that.

Our children have handled this move (two moves actually) with so much grace.  They do a wonderful job “sharing” us and our home with others.  Mg and I (taking turns) are often gone at night.  We also often have people over and thus they are constantly expected to pick up, but they also do an incredible job welcoming people into our home and loving on all the students that come in.  They have also been the ones to open doors for us…through their schools and extra curricular activities.  We are so thankful that they are friendly kids because that causes others to have a desire to hang out with us.  I truly see God using their little lives here.  I am one proud momma.

Life is SO busy right now that they hardly ever have any “down time”.  Mg and I get some during the day while they are at school, but they go to school, go to their extra-curricular activities, come home and do homework, eat dinner, take baths and then bed.  And weekends are CRAZY…that is the only time we really have to hang out with other families, so we are ALWAYS on the go.  I get exhausted sometimes, so I really marvel over the fact that they don’t melt down more.  They aren’t perfect of course…(they do have their moments of whining, etc.)…but overall, they are truly wonderful.

So, their sweet daddy came up with the idea to throw them a party, just because.  It was to express to them how much we love and celebrate them.  We chose a random Thursday (the one day they all come home at the same time and we have no night activities) and decorated the house and set out snacks and crafts and surprised them after school.  It was a fun day together and it was sweet to hear the big two say, “this is the best party ever!”  When asked why they said, “because it’s just us.”  I am thankful that they still enjoy family time.  We just hung out all afternoon blowing up balloons, throwing confetti, eating, building train-tracks, doing crafts, etc.  They woke up this morning and said, “can we have another party today?” 

Gumballs and m&m’s, popsicles and kooaid, rice crispy treats and cheetos are going to make for some happy kiddos Reading their invitations (well, except for Lily, but isn’t she adorable in her brothers old cowboy boots…her new obsession )

Ha.  We had confetti EVERYWHERE, but it was fun!

The guests of honor

Can you tell they were enjoying the party?!  If not, below is a “before and after” shot   All in all, I would call it a success!I hope they ALWAYS feel loved by us, but this was an extra fun way for us to express it to them AND they were really receptive to it.  Yesterday, pretty much anything went.  We even ended the night with a movie on the “big screen” and popcorn (a LOT of junk food was consumed yesterday).  It was great.  In my opinion, they really did deserve this little celebration.  They are some of the most loving kids I know.  They truly are “cool kids”.

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