South America?

I am at home today, due to the bad ice storm we had last night. The girls are doing good and I am able to sit down and blog for a second.

This past weekend was so great and relaxing. We took the girls to get their toes done and they both picked purple and to my amazement... the color is still on there today! Elle usually picks the paint all off within a day or two!

Saturday night, we got a surprise... The Smouse's called and wanted Elle to come over and play. So, Joe and I took Emme on a date to La Hac Ranch.. it was so nice and quiet with one kid and Joe and I got to really enjoy ourselves. We have been working out so hard everyday and eating right, that our treat was fajitas and they were sooo good!

Sunday night, we had Home Team. The Polk's are leading a study on Parenting and has been very good for Joe and I to not only read the materials, but also, gain perspective from the other moms and dads who have kids older than ours. On Sunday, we talked about how to raise a God loving child and one who comes to know Jesus. The study encouraged us as parents to be the inspiration and encourager behind your child's relationship with Christ. One challenge to us was to go home and really talk to our kids about Jesus and see how much they know from the day to day things we do as parents to bring God in all that we do.

I sat down with Elle with a devotional for kids and the message was about Friendship. It ended with something like "Jesus is our friend too." I told Elle, Jesus lives in our hearts. And she said why, I want to see him. Well, I told her I wanted to see him too, but before we get to, he lives in our hearts. She said, "Can I see him when I am 49?" She has this strange obsession with random numbers.

The next night at dinner, I asked Elle, "Can you tell Daddy where Jesus lives?" And Elle said, "South America."

Did I also mention she has a strange obsession with the Continents? Funny, since her mommy doesn't even know the names of the Continents, or even where Puerto Rico is!

Kids are cute, you got to love em!

I would love to know your ideas on continuing to educate and bring Jesus into your daily conversations with your child.

The girls stopped to take a picture before Church. Everyday they get up, they say "are we going to church today?" They love their church so much!
This is a card I made for my mom to send out on Valentines day. Thought I would share. Tommy is doing so good and getting so big! I just thank the Lord everyday for his survival and know that he will bring such joy to Ann and Brian!

Wonderful Winter Park

Last week, we went to Winter Park with Steve, Heather and Savannah. We both left our little ones at home... but sure missed them while we were there. I read in Parents Magazine a great travel and scrapbook tip. It said to get a post card from the city you visit and on the back of the card, write down special memories... because most likely our kids won't remember much of this trip. So, here is what I wrote on the back of my post card:

To Elle: You are almost 4 years old and this was your 3rd time to Snowy Mountains, but it was your first time to ski. We watched you on the bunny slopes and then took you up your first ski lift. You got on like a champ! You thought it was so fun. You didn't fall off when we unloaded and you skied with Daddy all the way down. You and Savannah had so much fun summing in the heated pool. You are still so in love with the princess and I am so impressed with your willingness to try new things. You missed Emme so much and we won't ever leaver her at home again :). Your favorite part of the trip was going tubing. You wanted to go on your stomach, alone... you are so brave and crazy! You have to be 8 years old to go down alone!

Is It Over?

Oh My! It Christmas really over? We had such a wonderful Christmas holiday. I, like Kara, have started this post in my mind so many times, but have just not sat down to write it. I can't believe that 2008 is over. It was filled with so many wonderful memories and so many of God's blessings. For me and Joe, it was one of the best years of our marriage as we start to lead our family to its future. We are thankful for our family. Joe and I are both very blessed to have great parents and siblings. Our kids don't know how lucky they are to have such caring, prayerful, helpful and loving Grandparents. It is truly a blessing that we don't ever take for granted. My nephew was born and came home and it is so amazing to see my sister as a mom. For those moms out there, you know how terribly excited you are when someone you love gives birth!

Anyway, Joe, Elle and I are off to Winter Park tomorrow with the Zisler's and can't wait, so look forward to that post for pictures of Elle and Savannah's first attempt at skiing!

Christmas Eve. It was our first annual "Ratliff Variety Show" it was full of funny sketches, great songs, and Christmas bible stories

Part of the reason this Christmas was so special was because all us us "Parents" were setting up all of the toys from Santa!

Mom-O snapped a picture of the kids asleep, just before we woke them up to tell them Santa had been there!

The kids were so cute coming out to see what Santa had brought them!

For the New Year, we spent it in Conroe and spent time with Kirsten & John and the kids and Ruth and Rick

WOW! What a great picture. Elle and Emme seeing their cousin, Tommy, for the first time! They talk about him every day!