Edie

I first found Edie’s blog around the Christmas of 2008. I loved the vibrant turquoise she used and all of the eclectic appeal, yet it all seemed so comforting. Isn’t this the most fun Christmas tree you’ve ever seen?

And her words, oh her words, I was enthralled.

From 100 Things about Edie:

“41. I speak from experience when I say that having children who are compliant can give you the false sense that you are an extraordinary specimen of a mother. And on the contrary, having strong willed children will have you convinced that you are not capable of parenting at all. I have both varieties in my little family.   Until you’ve parented a strong willed child, it would be wise to save all your statements that start with “Well, if that was my child, I’d….”.   Give people the benefit of the doubt and spend the time you might judge them–saying a prayer for them instead.  This is no task for the faint of heart.  And grace and mercy need abound.”

Her wisdom abounds and I am so thankful for those words above. As well as countless others, in which her posts spoke directly to me.

I actually wrote about her in a blog post in March 2009, of course my topic being how I would love to be in her class. She struck me as such a remarkable educator. I was in awe. Then I sent her a small email telling her. The email and appreciation I received back was remarkable.

She is a rock. She is amazing. She is a mentor. I just love her and today is her birthday.

 

Happy Birthday, Edie. I can’t wait to see what is in store for you in 2011. You are in my prayers and thoughts constantly.

lifeingraceblog.com

~mrs. dunbar

Ringing in 2011

We rang in 2011 with a family hoorah.

The hooligans had a blast.

So did the adults. Even the old guys.

Even though some people ended up nude, all the rest of us kept our clothes on.

Topics like vasectomies, circumcision, labor, and potty training were all covered; thoroughly.

We laughed and laughed and laughed.  

The kids only entered the kitchen for drinks or dessert.

Especially this one, with a sweet tooth.

The bigger ones just played and wrestled and played and ran and played and played.  

I was told I smile the same in every picture. Like this:

But this is what a I really look like when I’m laughing. Mr. Dunbar hates the camera.

We rang in a New York New Year’s with some good ol’ Martinelli’s.

Grape flavored even.    

Plenty of toasts were made. Along with more laughs.

Do you remember using these red cups in college? Yeah, well the contents are just a bit different now. No headache in the morning.

Our gracious hosts.   Thanks for letting us crash your place two years in a row guys! 

~mrs. dunbar

Reflections 2010

I’ve always loved this quote.

Be the change you want to see in this world. ~Ghandi.

Reflections on 2010:

I’ve learned:

That I love my husband more today than I did seven years ago. Back then I thought I could make him into the man I wanted him to be, today he is more than the man I could have ever dreamed up.

I can plan life all I want, but God is seriously in control and His plans don’t always match mine. 

I can’t make my kids into the kids I envisioned them to be, they are who they are, personalities, traits, bodies and minds. God created them, not me, and its my job to mold them and teach them and love them the best I can with what I know and when I don’t I need to find unbiased educated resources to help.

I’ve learned that what you see on the outside is not necessarily what is going on on the inside. You have to invest in people with your time, your heart, and your efforts. Sometimes your money, too. How you spend your time and your money, says more about you than your words.

Keeping your mouth closed more than open is a good thing. It dissipates drama and gossip and hurt. And that’s among the adults. For my kids, by listening I’ve learned that I no longer have two babies, I have a Pre-pre-schooler and kid. Like a true kid. All of those baby rolls and chubby parts are gone. All of those babbling words and baby snuggles have been washed away. What’s left in his place is a child who is seeing parts of the world that went unnoticed 6 months ago; bullying, how far the mall or Chuck E. Cheese is from our house, saving money for a big ticket item, or the fact that our family dynamic is going to change drastically have all been verbalized thoughts that have come out of Monkey’s mouth recently.  

Let your yes be yes and your no be no. Say what you mean and mean what you say-KINDLY.  Kids pick up on your cues very quickly.

I’ve learned how to go without. My “without” may be much different than others, I know. I started to list what I went without, but then quickly deleted it, because what I did get was much more important and valuable then what I did not.

I’ve learned this year what I want to be like this upcoming year, in 10 years, in 20 years, and if I make it; 60 years.  I’ve seen more of what I don’t want to be in this world than what I do want to be. How sad is that? 

I’ve learned that mumbling, grumbling, complaining adults are worse than mumbling, grumbling, complaining kids. Get over it. It’s a choice.

I am the only one who can create the environment I want for my own home. And I have a LONG way to go  and a lot to work on,  to make “home” the place I’d always want to be. Home being a place I want my kids to always feel comfortable coming back to, a place where I will be, but most assuredly I tell you its their dad they’ll always want to come home to.   

A quality life is chosen each day.

Can’t wait for 2011!

~mrs. dunbar

And to all a Good Night

Christmas 2010

Our Christmas celebration started with church on Christmas Eve. It was the first Christmas in our new building so that was pretty exciting. Sandals (our church) had sent out 25,000 flyers inviting the local neighborhoods to our celebration, and boy did people show up. The sanctuary was filled, as was the overflow. So people were sitting in the lobbies and the children’s classrooms. We got there early so we actually got seats. 

After church it was time to celebrate with Mr. Dunbar’s family. I’ve mentioned before that this is the best party of the year, held at Auntie Marian’s house with lots of extended cousins. There is always great food, playing, and then Santa.

After Santa left, all of the kids got into their Christmas jammies.  

And the morning of Christmas at our house we had an early riser- who changed into his clothes and out of his Christmas pj’s just in case I told him we needed to get dressed first. He’s proactive, which is a good thing, unless Mommy wanted pictures with Christmas pj’s.  

After opening gifts under the tree and having breakfast the boys were given their big gift from the Dunbar Grandparents.

A Wii.  

This is going to be my new thing so that my boys know I was present in their lives.

“Hi Guys!!”

After gifts and breakfast at our house it was off to the Gramma and Papa’s house. My parents, of course, thought it would be funny to set up a toll to get our presents. Each family was suppose to sing a Christmas Carol before they could receive gifts. Monkey stole the show by singing a solo.

 

     

Here the boys got all of the games and accessories for the Wii.

And a belly shot in the window. It just didn’t work out so well.

Sunday it was back to the Dunbar’s to open more gifts.

The cousins got this video system and of course Monkey had to try it out.

These two got along great…

these two, not so much.

And what Christmas wouldn’t be complete without swimming in your underwear? 

        

The End.

~mrs. dunbar