I just read this in a novel, but it is quite a stunning thought.  Makes me want to ponder it –

Thought I would share.

On discussing the difference in a good and dutiful mother -

“A duitiful mother is someone who follows every step her child makes”

[A good mother] “is someone whose child wants to follow her.”

                                                                                                              Jodi Picoult  Handle with Care

Wow!  Made me stop and think about how proactive I need to be with my children.  I am not here to put out fires and keep them safe alone, but to encourage them and be a role model! Yikes!  I am praying, especially today, that the Lord will order my steps so I can be a “good” mother, going above and beyond because my babies are well worth it!

This has been posted on my Facebook page for about 2 years now and I am ready for a change, but I wanted it documented somewhere — so here it is -

Things I like: Chad and Charlie, shopping with my mom, finding bargains, when the clock says 11:11, having dinner as a family, wasting time, Explorers, MOPS, my sewing girls, skipping to the end of a book, children’s books, daydreaming, artwork with Charlie, singing along with the radio/cd, reminiscing, sunshine, smocked children’s clothing, conservative politics, putting my makeup on in the car, seeing God’s hand in my life, long bubble baths

Things I would add to these lists:

Like:  Being a mother, having both a boy and a girl, having no indoor pets, a clean and neat house, my new friends, my walking buddy, working with children, Mexican food, COKE, coordinating my children’s clothes, planning  a trip to Disney (totally a fantasy, but still. . . )

Dislike:  Working to get my pre – baby figure back, sick babies, hurting friends, getting up and at ‘em in the morning, trying new foods, cutting coupons, buffets, food from people I don’t know what their kitchen looks like, mean people, music (according to Chad), Biology, Multiple sounds at the same time, morning sickness, cleaning food out the fridge, wet washcloths – ugh!, lettting water out of the tub if it has been sitting and has gotten cool

Life is good at the Cottle home!  We have so much to be thankful for!  I have loved blogging for almost 2 years now (where does the time go?), but have really struggled with my blog over the past few months.  I use to blog about our real life, about things that bothered me, things that I loved and things I missed.  Lately, my blog has turned into a photo album and an occassional random post.  As a family, we have struggled with our blogs and facebook status being thrown back at us and I just can’t decide if it is worth sharing our lives on the internet.  I write posts all the time in my head and sometimes in my drafts, but then I wonder if I should.  Will certain people use this against our family, take our blog out of context, view us as something we aren’t???  (note — these are not strangers, this is not a scary, stalker situation)

I have no answer to our situation.  And -  No - going private wouldn’t help. 

Does the good outweigh the bad?   What would Christ want me to do?  Am I being vain?  What is the purpose of my blog?  You get my drift.  . . Then, I wonder has anyone noticed.  Or do people just want to see my kiddos anyways??? 

Just wondering aloud . . .

UPDATE — I am not planning on leaving my blog! I just am struggling over how much real life to add!  Do I stick with random picture posts and random musings — or do I go deeper???

Having a girl has given me the “crafty bug”.  I see all these cute things that I can’t afford, so I try to make them at home –

Some turn out better than others.  I have taken a break from sewing clothes to making bows, flower clips, headbands, burp cloths, and socks!  I’ll share 2 of them today –

Flower Clips —

Here are her little clips!  I am so excited for her to wear them on her precious beanies Amy gave us!

A little close up —

Isn’t this so cute????

And this one too . . .

And on our MODEL . . .

and a few of her bows!

What fun it is to have a girl!!!

Too bad I couldn’t compete with the TV!!!  Next time I’ll turn it off before I snap!

What is up with Charlie’s new smile??  It is for the birds!!!

Halloween PAJAMAS (no such luck on 2 smiles!)

Our Little Monkey and Mouse before the Fall Festival this morning!

I just loved this face on MK – the very next face was quite tearful!

Poor Molly Kate is in outfit number 2 due to POOP!  Poor thing can’t handle Amoxocillin!  Thankfully she had a little Halloween outfit in her diaper bag Nothing like arriving at a party in a soiled outfit!

Molly Kate and Ruby at the Fall Festival!  (Her little birthdate buddy)  (I sure hope Cindy got a better picture because this is BAD!)

Our HAPPY family of Four!

Charlie had so MUCH fun at the Fall Festival!  Here he is doing a game with his Daddy.  A special thanks to Beth and everyone for their hard work!!! 

A little Inflatable Fun

Our Little Monkey!

We had the best time with the Cottles and were so sad to tell them goodbye after the Fall Festival!  We just love them and wish they lived closer!!! 

We got home just in time to cheer for the Dawgs.  Obviously we didn’t cheer hard enough!  We had a great time with friends!  We grilled out after the game and enjoyed the Little Tricker Treaters!!!  Charlie had so much fun answering our door!  He got to trick or treat at one house – lucky fella!  He thought it was great fun!  We love our neighbors! 

3 of the 4 couples have little ones – aren’t they PRECIOUS???

Haven, Brody, and MK  (yes – I washed MK’s outfit when we got home and yes she pooped on it again before I could get her to bed!!!)

With the Mamas!  I hope Amy’s picture with the Daddy’s turned out better than mine — too blurry to share!

Frank and Chad with the Cat and the Mouse

What a great day!!!! 

Don’t you just love my new sign!  My friend Amy gave this to me today and I couldn’t be more excited!  I just love it!  Her super talented sister -n- law makes them.   They are $35 (includes shipping and handling).  Let me know if you are interested.  She makes Christmas too!  Actually, I think she probably will do just about anything!  She made Amy the cutest one for Haven when she was born!

Up close and personal! 

Charlie sang tonight for the First Time in BIG Church!  I have looked forward to this for about 3 and a half years!!!  He had an ear infection and RSV at the beginning of the week, so we were super thankful that he was well enough to sing tonight!  Actually, singing was a stretch!  The kids sang “Jesus Loves ME”  and “This Little Light of Mine”. 

The Kiddos getting ready to sing!

This is what Charlie did the whole time they were singing the first song!  He was doing the universal sign for SMILE!  He just didn’t know to not take it literally!

Charlie JUMPED through “This little light of mine”!  Wild thing!!!!

We were so PROUD!!!

We went to a local church’s Fall Festival on Saturday.  It was so much fun!  The church was so hospitable and it was a joy to get to know some of the members there and to see our little man enjoying himself!

Here are a few pictures:

Charlie on the pony ride with some random child.  Hey  – it beat having to wait for a turn

This is what Charlie does when you ask him to smile!

Chad and our Lil’ Pumpkin on the Train Ride

At the Farmers Market!  Charlie loved the goats

Charlie and I decorated cookies the other night!   We mixed up the dough, rolled them out, and even used the Halloween cookie cutters.  We had a good time decorating.  Wonder who did which ones????