Ever had one of those days where you think - wow, maybe that whole mom thing just doesn't really suit me?

Today, I'm there.

Today was Ellie Kate's 6th birthday party. We had a tea party with a few of her closest friends. Its also one of my husbands busiest weekends of his ministry. I was thinking ahead - for once - and actually hired someone to come and host the party. It is a traveling tea company and they are the sweetest most wonderful people ever. So, you'd think I would have had it together.

You'd think.

I spent most of my day running around, chasing wild children, reprimanding sibling disputes, disciplining disobedience, and saying "calm down" more than I care to admit or remember.

I put my children to bed 10 minutes ago, and now all I wanna do is run up to their bedrooms and apologize for their mommies behavior today.

It comforts me to speak in third person occasionally as if I'm talking about that girl in the 5th grade who threw a dodge ball at my head in gym class.

I mean, I know as a mom and wife we all have our off days, but I'm constantly left asking myself "why?"

I have been given the greatest gift and job on the planet, and so often, I find myself longing for the moments I spend without them and with just some peace and quiet.

Keepin it real, yall.

I think about Jesus unending love for us and it only further allows me to slightly catch a glimpse of what  truly incredible God I know. How I long for an attitude of constant forgiveness and patience. How I pray for a day when I don't lost my cool and a day that my husband can walk through the door and be able to actually WALK through the door as opposed to tripping all over the piles of laundry. How I long for a day when I sit on the couch after sweetly tucking my children in to bed and think - job well done.

Lord, may you continue your good work in me. May my children see you, despite of me. Teach me to forgive. Teach me to have patience. Teach me to love like you.

To my six year old

February 27, 2013. Can it really be already? Wasn't it just yesterday that I was holding you in my arms in that cold operating room, gazing into those bright blue eyes as our surgeon rambled on about Billy Idol? I had never seen anything so beautiful, and it was love at first sight.

You put your daddy and I through the ringer those first few months. I never thought we would sleeep again and you loved the sound of your own scream. But I think God was preparing you and shaping you with a heart of tenacity for the plans He had already mapped for you.

The toddler years weren't exactly cake and ice cream either, as we searched high and low on how we were to help guide this strong willed child of ours! But even at a young age, you loved your mommy and daddy. You longed to be in right fellowship with us and your heart was becoming more teachable. 

We have watched you welcome three of your siblings into our family and you never once showed a sign of jealousy or doubt. You were proud to be a big sister, and it suited you so well. God could not have picked a better first born than you, darling. You have just the right amount of leadership tempered with a merciful heart. Its as if God was preparing you for something BIG. 

And mommy tried to be brave as you started kindergarten this year. I was fearful of the influences the world might inflict upon you and I worried that my voice would grow quiet in your heart as it would be replaced with friends, teachers, and culture.

But your daddy and I are so very proud of you, sweet girl. The choices you are making bring honor to the Ramsey family. Climbing out of our van, you put your people eyes on. You look for those who might need a friend and you speak kindly and obey your teacher. You were even awarded the character pillar award for your kindergarten class. You not only bring honor to our family, but you bring honor to your heavenly Father as well, and for that -we are so proud. 

You get your sillies from your daddy. You still love to dress up like a princess, play ABCmouse.com, and take selfies on my phone.

Your daddy and I pray for your everyday. We pray that God would use you in a might way. This world needs more of Jesus, honey, and you have been given a special gift. A gift of mercy and a gift of wisdom - use them. Obey Jesus in everything you do and shine your light so bright that you change a world that is so full of darkness. The young girl you are growing up to be makes your mommy so proud. 

"Don't let others look down on you because you are young, but set an example for other in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity."

Your mommy loves you, sweet girl, with everything that I am. I thank God everyday for entrusting me with you. God has BIG plans for you, and it is my prayer that you will stay full of life and energy, remain obedient to mommy and daddy, and keep your heart and mind pure. It is an honor to be your mommy, and even a bigger honor to be your friend. 

Happy 6th Birthday, Love. 

Show us your life

Today, I am linking up with Kelly's Korner Show Us your Life Singles. This is my first time doing it, so woohoo!

Meet Michelle. A 20-year old girl from Denver, Colorado.

Michelle is my mentoree, babysitter, youth worker, and bestie. 

She adores kids, loves to travel, loves being outdoors, loves watching the Office and Big Bang Theory, and has quickly become an adopted member into the Ramsey family! 

She spent a semester in Honduras becoming a certified Scruba instructor and loves nothing more than being in the water. She is also from Denver, hence the Tebow reference. 

Michellle spends her days teaching swim lessons to kids, working at a dive shop, and working in our church's student ministry.

She has a great sense of humor, never takes things too seriously, and hates The Bachelor (shameful).

I love Michelle and love watching her grow and mature. She is a true find and I can't wait to see who God has in store for her. No doubt it will be someone great. 

Comment below for more contact info!

Kindergarten

My baby started Kindergarten!

How it that even humanly possible?

Wasn't it yesterday that we held her in our arms for the first time?

\

Or crawling all over the floor? 

Or being a mischievous toddler?

Wait, maybe she hasn't grown out of that yet.

Regardless of all my insisting that she wait, "just one more year," she was persistent and ready to go.
 

She has a wonderful teacher, to whom I have both facebook stalked for serveral hours as well as sent countless bribes to ensure my child's optimal success.

Just kidding.

Except not.

She found her name, and also discovered that at her table of four, she is the only girl.

Didn't seem to bother her as much as it bothered her dadddy.

She did such a great job, and we are so proud of her.

I am also pretty proud of myself because I didn't cry.

Well, ok, I didn't cry until after we left the building, and Peyton did this...

Poor baby. She was just so confused. 

Pretty soon it will be her turn. But let's not get ahead of ourselves.

Memory Verse Monday

So we have started a little tradition here in the Ramsey household.

Memory Verse Monday.

Each Monday, we sit down with our littles, and try and teach them what the world will not. We try and give them a preschool version of the gospel, in hopes of preparing their hearts to say yes to the most important question ever asked of them. Oh, how we long for that day.

But until then, their daddy and I will keep talking and keep telling, and keep cherishing these sweet moments we have together.

This weeks verse comes straight from Hebrews 4:12. Enjoy as our two middles share with you their take on it. Bossiness and Sassiness is optional.

See you next week for another rendition of Memory Verse Monday and feel free to join in on the fun!

Chick-fil-a nugget recipe

If your kids are anything like mine, then they are obsessed with this...

Well, ok, maybe not so much the cows. In fact, my two middles are so deathly afraid of these cows, they will not exit the mini van until the premises have been cleared of any black spotted creatures.

But that is neither here nor there.

What does that saying even mean? Here nor there? I'm now questioning that phrase's origin and its original meaning. Did I pick that up from my grandmother? And what was here or there in the first place that neither pertained to? Although, maybe I should be questioning my use of it as I clearly have issues with the statement.

But that is neither here nor there.

Ahem. Now, what was I saying? Oh yeah, chicken.

So although my kids are not cow lovers, they are chick-fil-a nugget lovers. So much so that I cringe with envy when my friends all get Chick-fil-a coupons in the mail and I do not. So much so that my husband has put a "chick fil a" line into our monthly budget. So much so that I have begun to respond to people's thank-yous with "my pleasure." And so much so that I have stooped to perfecting my very own at-home chick-fil-a chicken nugget.

It wasn't too bad. Just a little bit of mixing, soaking, and frying up.

And the result? Delish!

I used this recipe from a fellow blogger, but I added a secret ingredient - a splash of dill pickle juice. I once asked for the ingredient list in chick-fil-a nuggets and I was surprised to see pickle juice on there, and equally surprised to see it absent from this recipe, so I added it. And rightfully so.

Homemade Chik-fil-A Nuggets(Recipe from A Zesty Bite)
Ingredients: 1 lg egg
1 cup milk
A splash of pickle juice (I added this)
1 lb. skinless and boneless chicken breasts
1-1/4 cup flour
2 Tbsp powdered sugar
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp chili powder
canola oil for frying
Preparation:In a large bowl whisk milk, pickle juice, and egg together
Place chicken on counter and cut into cubed bite size pieces; trim any fat that you may see
Put the chicken in the milk mixture and mix so that all is coated and place in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes
In another large bowl combine the dry ingredients listed above and stir
In cast iron pot or sauce pan pour in oil so that its at least an inch deep on med/high heat
Remove the chicken from refrigerator and place about 8 pieces in milk mixture and then into the flour mixture
Make sure all the chicken is coated with the flour and then place into the hot oil
Cook each side for at least 2-3 minutes or until golden brown (You want to make sure that chicken is no longer pink so you can cut one piece to test it out)
Place the chicken on some paper towels to soak up any oil
Repeat the same steps with the rest of the chicken and serve


Hope you enjoy these delectable morsels as much as my family did! 

To the Farm

Yesterday, a few of my friends and I went to the farm.

Oh, and we took our 19 children. 

It was seriously, one of my children's most favorite days ever.

They had nearly 50 free range chickens, just clucking around the property. They had over 40 goats, plenty or pigs, cows, horses, and what seemed like a vast assortment of every farm animal you can possible imagine. They got to hold baby turkeys that had just hatched one week prior....

Ellie Kate was my only "hands-on" child. The other two just clung to whatever human leg was in closest proximity.

This is a look at all the goats - and one llama, which Stone insisted was a camel.

I guess its time to check out some library books on "What actually lives on a farm vs a desert." 

 The pigs were just about as presh as a pig can be.

I mean, they were cute because they were little, but they did still roll around in their own poop.

I also learned that pigs don't really "oink" they squeal.

I guess its time I also checked out some library books on politically correct farm animal sounds.

Stone hung out with his buddies most of the time. I guess there was safety in numbers.

And hands down the most anticipated event of the day were the pony rides. I can't believe each of my kids rode. Peyton has been talking about it every since.

And just for the record, yes, Parker tagged along. Although, he just hung out in mommy's sling the whole time.

What a fun day. I so cherish these moments with my four preschoolers.