4 months old = rice cereal and teeth!

As Caleb gets older I am continually reminded that boys are easier than girls! He is such a content little guy. Always smiling and hanging out. He reminds me to slow down and just enjoy the simple things in life. He is just so darn cute! He loves baths and just looking at people. He is trying to reach for things and tries to chew on everything including his hands.

This past Friday I decided it was time for him to try some rice cereal. He doesn't really "need" it right now to help him sleep because he sleeps about 11 hours at night! I am blessed I know! But he does need to start learning how to eat. He knew exactly what to do! He was even grabbing for my hand and pulling the spoon to his mouth! He took a few bites and then made a look like it was completely disgusting!
We also noticed the reason why he has been chewing on everything.....2 teeth! Both girls had teeth around 3 or 4 months so I was somewhat expecting it! I'm glad they both came in at the same time though!























The girls had to help of course! I think they ended up choking him more than actually getting cereal in his mouth!

WCSG Father/Daugher Banquet

This past Thursday all of us girls went with my dad to the WCSG Father/Daughter Banquet. It was actually his birthday gift this year!
It was a lot of fun to get dressed up, eat a nice meal, and enjoy some good music together.
Caleb had to tag along since he still won't take a bottle but he did great!
Jimmy Needham provided the music and it was really good. I had only heard a few songs by him so I didn't know much about him. His songs are very thoughtful and deep. I really like his style. I'm looking forward to Shawn taking the girls next year. It was really sweet to see all the dad's with their daughters. I think that is one of the most important relationships on this side of Heaven. It is just a glimpse at how much our Heavenly Father loves us. God wants to have that hand holding, personal, dancing together type relationship! I am learning more how to have that as I continue in my walk with Him!

Candlelight Dinner at 6 pm!

Shawn and I had a rare occurrence tonight! We were able to have a candlelight dinner while the kids were home! Let me just share the story...

As I was preparing dinner the girls were playing Candyland. I told them that they needed to pick the game up and put it away before dinner or they would not eat with us. It was like I was speaking German or something because the request went in one ear and out the other. (this happens a lot!) Anyway...I continued to make dinner without reminding them 1500 times to pick the game up. I honestly was surprised that I had enough self-control to do that. Only the Holy Spirit baby! Their current way to play is to pretend they are cats. They crawl around on the floor and make the most annoying meow sound. This is another reason I will NEVER get a cat.

I made some REALLY good Ciabatta sandwiches for Shawn and I as well as some Tortilla Soup. When it was ready, we told the girls to go sit on their beds. Still oblivious to the consequence, they went to their beds. We sat down to candlelight, our yummy food, and jazz music in the background. The girls continued to act likes cats and be silly. It took about 5 minutes for Adrianna to realize what was happening and she asked "Can we eat with you guys?".
This may sound harsh but we ignored them and even shut their door. It was nice to get that brief reprieve of romance in our busy day!
After we were finished we went in and we asked the girls why they didn't get to eat with us. Adrianna immediately said "Because we didn't clean up the game". So they do hear, and they do know! We had them eat separately and told them we were very sad that they didn't get to eat with us. So next time they should choose to obey the first time. (Oh yeah, and they still had to clean up the game)

It was so great to have no stress, no frustration in discipline. It doesn't happen all the time, but for this once it was awesome!



So now, every time I tell Eliza to do something or that she can't do something...she will look at me and say " I'm frustrated!". Yeah me too honey..:)

Fun Dip Tongues

My New Trick :)

Always asking....again and again and again

My kids are constantly asking for things. Can anyone else feel my frustration?
I ask myself if I have conditioned them to do this. I don't give them things all the time, and I don't buy them things all the time. Is this a normal kid behavior?
For instance, EVERY time we get in the car they ask for a mint or a piece of gum. EVERY time I walk through the kitchen, they ask for a drink or a snack. Sometimes they are truly hungry, other times it is just habit. It doesn't help that our kitchen is the main traffic area in our house! I don't know what to do! I really try not to get frustrated and snap back that if they ask me one more time I'm going to throw all the gum, mints, candy, and other kid snacks in the TRASH CAN!

We are trying to teach them to have thankful hearts and not always ask for more. It's almost like it's a routine. Like every time we go see Miss Ellen at church they have to have a sucker. She has always given them one and now they think it has to happen. I keep trying to tell them to just go and say hi and make her feel like they want to see her, not just get the sucker.

Adrianna always has to have 2 of everything. If we give her one cookie, she is not satisfied until she has had 2. That goes with anything. She never asks for 3, it is always 2!

Any suggestions?
Our church is doing a campaign leading up to Easter to have no complaining. Hmmmm...I hope this blog does not sound like a big complaint...just a frustrated mom trying to find answers!

Living life

Not much has been going on in the Gurk house lately! We are all pretty healthy except for a few minor colds which is a huge praise! We are just living life and trying to figure each other out.
I just finished a Beth Moore led Bible study on the Tabernacle and I have learned so much! I am going to start other one on the Psalms of Ascent. I have really been growing in my relationship with Christ and it has come through many facets. I took a class at church on spiritual gifts and I am in the process of determining where I fit to serve in church. It is very exciting! I am still formulating my thoughts on that so I'll share when I can clearly convey them.
I am getting somewhat used to living life with 3 kids and they constantly cause me to evaluate my heart. I am learning so much! I really am trying to be content in everything and it is the best place to be! It is quite freeing!

Enjoy these sweet pictures of my little inspirations!



Caleb has recently been able to hold a few toys and try and get them in his mouth. He loves the Bumbo chair! Thanks to Elizabeth for letting us borrow it! He is doing great with holding his head up and loves to look around.








Mmmm...success!








Eliza cracks me up! She is always doing something silly or telling a silly story. She was playing dress-up this morning and had the hat on backwards!
Her new story:
"Mommy?, I jumped in the pool and splashed. There was a crocodile in there and I spit at him. I hurt my toe."






Adrianna joined in the fun with the dress up!
(I think this hat belongs to Nichole..I need to get that back to her!)