Happy Golden Birthday, my Charlie!!

As I am praising the Lord for creating you 29 years ago, I am thankful for the many moments that you've invested in the three little lives that live in this home.  


Going along with the all things 29 on this golden day, here are 29 things (in no particular order) that we adore and are for thankful for about you:

#29 Moments like yesterday--when after several weeks of "doing nothing" but holding a sick baby, you tell me, "That's the most important thing you could be doing right now...I don't care that the cleaning has been neglected....you are doing exactly what I want you to be doing."  God continues to show me his goodness and grace through you, Char.  When I fail or think I am such a failure, you remind me of how loved I am--despite my faults.

#28 Moments of tireless sword fighting, chasing children in circles around the trampoline, and playing with little boys the way that only you are able.

#27 Moments that you lead this family to walk in faith through prayer as we ask the Lord for direction over what goals and priorities we should be living for.

#26 Moments that you lavish us with affection--from holding a child on your lap to rubbing your feet all over mine under the covers.

#25 Frequent moments that you tell your girls how precious and pretty we are to you.

#24 Moments of peace that you allow me each evening after dinner, as you give the kids their bath while I clean up the kitchen.  I notice just how thankful I am for these on the nights that you're absent. 

#23 Moments when you build forts...yours are always way better than mine...period.  Maybe that' why I don't have any pictures of your masterpieces. (Sorry you know how competitive I am.)

#22 Precious moments spent singing our princess "her song" before bedtime.

#21 Romantic, detailed moments of planning and preparation for at home dates or sweet surprises. I'm glad that you are the romantic for where I am weak, you are so gifted.

#20 Moments spent each evening following rigid nightly routines of flying children to bed, performing puppet shows and Rubber Ducky impersonations--so many things that only Daddy can do just right!

#19 Unforgettable moments that you spent last summer teaching Asher to swim...you're an expert swim coach.


#18 Selfless moments each morning when you retrieve McKlayne for her early feeding.

#17 Again, the selfless moments that you spend reading Asher & McKlayne books that I have deemed "Daddy books".

#16 Moments that you dish me (and all of our female friends) out "not too much" Blue Bell.  (Yes, this made the list...it is that important to me....and you do it perfectly--every time!) No picture needed...you know what I'm talking about.

#15 Moments when Asher's whole face lights up because you tell him how proud you are of him.

#14 Moments that you allow us to be included in your work because we love any moment that we can get with you....even though it usually takes longer than it would if you were working alone.

#13  Imaginative moments where you inspire creative play...and the fruit of those moments...sometimes I can't believe the stuff that comes out of Asher's mouth.

#12 Relaxing moments that we spend each Tuesday night watching our shows.  How I look forward to this every week!

#11 Faithful moments that you spend as my steadfast running partner...though, I'm not always thankful for that in the moment.

#10 Silly moments that you let me talk you into something absoultely ridiculous and you still participate with all your heart.

#9 Moments that you give me a break and cook up one of your specialties...love these...even if it is just scrambled eggs.

#8 Moments that you teach us-be it letters, the meanings of words, or the truth from God's Word.

                        

#7  Moments upon moments spent working hard to make this house perfect for us.

                        

#6 Moments when I am so exhausted from a day with the kids that you jump in enthusiastically to take over.

#5 Moments when you save the day (you always seem to know which days need saving) with my beloved lime water.

#4  Rebellious moments when you abandon the schedule and all the rules.

#3 Late moments in bed spent pillow-talking that go on and on...even after one of us has declared that it's "time to go to bed."  These are some of my favorite moments with you, my kindred spirit.

#2 Moments of discipleship that never really end because we're watching (and mimicking) every little thing you do.

#1 And all the moments that we try to give you some peace...

but come back for more.... 

because we just can't get enough moments full of you.

We love you.  Happy Golden Birthday, Charlie!

Friday Funnies: A new one and a repost

Disclaimer: This is never funny in the moment that your child is correcting you. 

But, I thought this was fitting since we were just talking about how edifying motherhood is in Her Hands last night:

One day, I was impatient and my tone of voice towards Asher was short and ugly.

A: Momma, you're talking ugly to me.

M: You're right. I'm sorry, Asher.

A: It's okay, I forgive you, Momma.   But, Momma...what does Matthew 22:39 say?

M: (Uh-oh...I wasn't getting out of this one...) And the second is like it:You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

A:  And was talking ugly to me like that, loving me, Momma?

M: No, Asher, it wasn't.  I am sorry for not loving you by talking ugly to you.  And I'm sorry for being a bad example to you, too. 

A: It's okay, Momma.  But I want you to love God by loving me...

******************

And just so we all remember how "awesome" of a mom I can be (I don't want to pretend like I have it all together around here!) I am reposting this from this original Friday Funnies:

About a month or so ago, I had been having a bad day. I was irritable at the kids. Charlie. Everyone. It was a tense day in the Apel home. 

I was especially irritable at Asher. I had been impatient with him and my tone towards him had been ugly. I had to stop several times throughout the day to apologize to him for "speaking to him in an ugly way." Even after all that, I still hadn't learned. Right before dinner, I was short with Charlie when he asked me a question. Being the wise man that he is, Charlie asked me to pray before dinner (knowing that I needed to examine my heart before I could offer a prayer of thanks to God.) 

So I started, "Lord, I'm sorry that I've just been ugly to everyone today..." then I hear this tiny little, "Meeeeeeeee!!" I look at Asher and he has one of his hands up in the air as high as he could reach, while his head was still bowed reverently, eyes shut tight. I guess he thought God needed some help in figuring out who I had been ugly to that day. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry at this point...I think I did both.

Friday Funnies

Asher was sitting on the potty with a book:

A: Daddy, Momma bought this book.

C: How do you know that?

A: Look right here. See?  That's a Barbie-code.

**************

Last week we had several errands to run, each time we'd get out of the car and walk through a parking lot, I would make my two baby ducklings hold hands and the three of us would form one long, often wandering chain.

Every time we would link up...Asher would look down at all of our hands and them up at me and proudly say, "Look, Momma, we're just like a family!!"

**************

Asher was drinking a smoothie and was having trouble sucking it through the straw because it was so thick.

A:  Awww man! My smoothies not working! It's out of batteries!

Who would have thought that in 6 years...

this...

(Is everyone laughing that I am wearing overalls?  Yes, I am, too.  Linds! Cate! Why EVER would you LET me!?)

would become this?

plus two more...

God sure has done some beautiful things in our souls and in growing our family since then.

Once again, I have been meaning to write about this for weeks but free time is minimal between chasing two little ones around. I couldn't think of a better day than the 6th anniversary of our first date to post about this.  In the last six years, obviously, a lot (like cleaning out my drawers of hideous fashion faux pas) has happened and we've just, well, stopped dating consistently.  Not because we don't like each other.  But, honestly, things have just gotten busy and it's difficult to track down a babysitter each week. (We miss you, Emily!)

I don't quite remember how I stumbled across this blog, but I'm glad I did.  Ever heard of Project 52: Date Night?  Basically, this couple made a New Year's Resolution to resurrect their dating life.  Each week they have a set night and hour (though often it turns into several hours) when their kiddos (they have two young children like us) are in bed, where they have an at-home date.  They take turns planning their dates each week and if something comes up on their "date night" they simply move it to another evening. Sound intriguing? I think so!

Here are a few examples that Tiffany (the mastermind behind Project 52) gives on another site: 

A list of 16 creative at-home dates…. That’s enough to last 4 months

• Discuss a book you both recently read. Create a cafe or coffee shop atmosphere at home.
• Play the First Words game where you read a word card and the other person say the first thing that comes to mind. Here’s a free download of the First Words game.
• Look through old photographs, wedding albums, other photo albums or scrapbooks.
• Flip through both of your high school yearbooks.
• Go through your digital music library to make a CD or playlist of each other’s favorite songs or songs that reminds you of each other.
• Sketch out a blueprint of your dream house.
• Borrow or purchase travel books and plan your dream vacation.
• Write down and discuss each of your bucket lists.
• Have a cookie or dessert baking contest. Each person try a different recipe and see which one you like best.
• Browse through magazines and catalogs to a collage of clothing and fashion styles you would like to see the other person wear or try.
• Watch family home videos.
• Ice cream or soda or cheese tasting. Try flavors you have never tried before.
• Set up a photo booth in your home, put the camera on timer and take pictures of the two of you.
• Go through each room in the house and talk about what you would like to see done to the room.
• Learn a new skill together – photography, painting, carpentry, massages.
• Turn your story of how you met into a children’s book. Your kids will love reading it.

She has a lot more ideas here and bloggers will link up each week and post about their dates.

So, why am I telling you all this?  Because I want to recruit some Project 52: Date Nighters from my readers for more cool date ideas (because I'm selfish) and for some accountability because I can be fickle and start things without finishing them!! Charlie and I are going to pick a "date night" each week and then post about it the following week.  

So, who's in?  Please, pretty please, will you leave a comment to let me know that you're taking the pledge? Come on! Do it for your spouse!!

Easter Weekend in Pictures: Part V: Easter Sunday

This is finally the last of the Easter Weekend in Pictures.  There were so many, aren't you glad that I broke it down for you?

These are just a few pics after church on Sunday before we made the drive back to College Station to celebrate with our church family.

My sis is pregnant with her THIRD girl?! How great is that? I was, well, I guess still am the third girl!

Oh...I guess I thought I had more than three pics to share...I guess that wraps this post up!

Easter Weekend in Pictures: Part IV: Egg Hunt

On Saturday evening, Mimi, Jordan and Wade hid Easter eggs for the kids....and they were off!!  I was in charge of photographing them, but it was pure madness with 6 kids running around.  

Here are some more from Mimi's Easter Egg Hunt:

Unfortunately, we didn't get any pics of the Adult Hunt, but I walked away as the cash Grand Prize Winner!  Luckily, we're all winners if Mimi's in charge.  But, get ready, siblings, I am going to make Charlie hide eggs for me a few weeks in advance so I am conditioned and ready to defend my title!