We are in the middle of a series at church called ‘The  Joy Genome,  a study in Philippians’.  It has proven to be a very powerful series for me and our entire family.  Last Sunday our pastor discussed Phil 2:14, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure children of God..”   Not only was this verse the focus of the sermon Nick and I heard, but the ekidz ministry also had lessons for the kids that were focused on it.  During their class the kids made ‘Ugly Jars’ for each family to bring home.  It was the size of a peanut butter jar with probably the ‘Ugliest’ paint job you can imagine.  Each family headed home after being encouraged to fast from complaining or arguing for a week with the challenge that for each time you were unable to control yourself, you had to put money in your ‘Ugly Jar’.   This Sunday we brought the jar back to church and all the money collected  is going to go to one of our outreach partners in the city of Charlotte.  Wow, has this week been an eye opening, insightful journey for our family!!  Here are some of our take aways…..the girls are so innocent and honest.  Ada Grace came home from school on Wed and put money in the jar because she argued with a friend at school.  Later that afternoon, Maddie and Ada Grace were playing outside and got into an argument and they both came inside to put money in the jar!!   They are at an age they can understand the simple truths of God’s word and put it into action.  I realized I complain the most when I am at work.  Other people are complaining so I go ahead jump right in, instead of being a light in the darkness!!  Such a convicting realization!  What an insightful exercise for our family.  I am proud to be a part of a church that not only preaches God’s word but encourages us to walk it out in our life!!

- Thanking God we are all finally healthy!

- Gearing up for Upward basketball season for Maddie.

- Preparing for birthday celebrations for Ada Gracie this week!

- Trying not to complain or argue this week so I don’t have to put money in the ugly jar (Phil  2:14).  Another post explaining this more coming soon.

- Starting to think about Christmas shopping…making my list

- Continuing to read through my bible, however did not finish in 90 days.  I am more on the B120X plan instead, but am determined to do it!

- Cracking up at my beatboxer and break dancer….I love my family and boy do they make me laugh…..take a look at their skills…get ready to be amazed!

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Last Thursday was the first day of the girl’s fall break from school so we decided to have a “girls day”.  Jake had preschool that morning, after dropping him off I let the girls decide what we would do together.  They wanted to go shopping for Halloween costumes and then to Chic-fil-a for lunch.   When we got into the car after shopping and as we were headed to lunch Maddie said, “I want to go get my ears pierced.”  That might seem like an innocent little comment, but let me explain the back story.  We have been twice to get her ear pierced and she has chickened out.  The last time was in July for her birthday and she was in the chair with the dots on her ears and she freaked out….I mean really freaked.  Hiding behind store displays, crying uncontrollably, freaked out.   After that experience I had told her she would have to wait until she was a teenager, and she was fine with that timeline.  So after she made this statement in the car, Ada Grace quickly responded, “I want to get my ears pierced too, for my birthday.” – which is only a couple weeks away.  Given our previous experiences, I made Maddie PROMISE that she would go through with it this time.  After the fiasco in July, Maddie and I had a conversation about over coming your fears, which is a lifelong skill that she must learn.  We talked about how she had overcome fear in the past…riding her bike without training wheels, learning to dive into the pool, and pulling her loose baby teeth.  In order to move forward sometimes you have to overcome your fear and with God’s help it’s possible.  She reminded me of this conversation and said, “Mom I can do this, I know God will walk with me.”  I know all this may seem a bit cheesy and a little too deep for a simple ear-piercing procedure, however in these seemingly insignificant decisions and situations in life, I believe I have the opportunity to teach my children important spiritual truths. 

So on to our adventure….we skipped Chic-fil-a and ran by the house to get the video camera before heading to Concord Mills.  Maddie was first to climb in the chair and although it took three trips she finally did it!  Her reaction is priceless!!  Check it out….

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Then it was Ada Grace’s turn.  She was hesitant but had the courage to go through with it.  I was so proud of her.

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This video is for you Papa.  We did a song for you and we hope you like it.  Hope you get better soon.

Love, Riley

 

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That’s what Maddie said when she found out the Hubatka girls would be spending the weekend with us.  Kelly decided to fly to home to Seattle Washington to be with her father who is in the hospital so we offered to have a weekend slumber party at the Dooley House!  The highlight today was attending a local fall festival.  There were plenty of activities to keep the kids entertained, the weather was perfect and best of all everything was FREE!!!  Here are some of the  pictures from our day……

Of course we had to start out with a dose of sugar for everyone…..

Then onto face-painting or “arm painting” in this case.  Maddie and Riley have adopted the term BFFL- best friends for life….

Pumpkin Painting….or for these two it ended in body painting

 

 

Audrey surprised me and came down not only head first but on her back….please no one can get hurt under my watchful eye….

 In this picture, Maddie is trying to show us her arm, Jake looks angry, Lucy has her vitamin water in front of her, Audrey has her hands clasped so nicely and that is Nick in the background with the video camera and Halloween bags hanging from it.  He makes me laugh with the ways he will rig anything so he doesn’t have to carry it! 

So there you have it….Nick and Heather Plus seven.  And no worries our marriage is still intact!

- Hosting a fall party for Uptown Elevation Volunteer Leaders at my house tomorrow night…chili extravaganza, smores by the campfire, games and prizes!!

- Trying to decide on a new phone, TV, and internet provider.  We discontinued our Time Warner Cable because of continued problems with our phone….those of you I talk to frequently know exactly what I am talking about.

- Thanking God for his son Jesus Christ….I am finally into the new testament as Nick and I continue to read thru the Bible in 90 days.  It is amazing to see how Jesus is a fulfillment of all the prophecies made in the OT.

- Wondering why my son does not like to wear clothes?  He prefers to be naked or shirt-less.  Is this normal behavior for a 3 year old little boy?

- Looking forward to fall break with my kids.  They are out of school for the next six days.  We have made plans  included a weekend long slumber party with the Hubatka girls, a trip to a corn maze, a fall festival and a picnic in the park!

- Praying for many friends this week who are hurting.  So appreciative of the friendships in my life.

- Remembering my Grandaddy.  It was a year ago this week when I had the privilege to be with him as left this world and entered another!

- Exciting Dooley Clan news to announce…..Ada Grace can officially ride a bike without training wheels.  I did not think it would ever happen.  She is more into music and barbies and not so into into exercise.  So here is the proof:

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Nick and I are intentional about spending one on one time with each of our children.  Unfortunately it is difficult to make it happen on a regular basis because we seem to stay so busy.  However, when I do get quality time with one of them I savor it.  A couple Saturdays ago, Maddie got to choose what her and I would do together for the morning.  Her choice was breakfast at Cracker Barrel and a bike ride.   After we got home I journaled about our morning together and recorded some of my observations about my Maddie girl:

- She is the most extroverted child you will ever meet!!!  We knew all the people sitting around us at Cracker Barrel before the meal was over.  She played peek-a-boo with an 8 month old little boy sitting behind us and got to know his mother and grandmother too.  Then she initiated conversation with the elderly couple sitting beside us.  They were just passing through town and having a quick breakfast- I could give you lots more information about them and their grandchildren but I won’t bore you with the details.  And I can’t forget the four year old little girl who was sitting on the other side of us who was on a breakfast date with her daddy.  Her mom was running in a 5k that morning.  See I told you we knew everyone sitting around us!!

- Not only is she friendly but she is growing up sooo quickly.  She ordered her own pancakes with OJ and then asked the server for chocolate milk instead because she did not like the pulp in the OJ.  She put the napkin in her lap and used her knife to cut up HER OWN pancakes!  She even remembered to use her manners and said Please and thank you without me having to prompt her.

- She loves to be outside and she loves exercise.  Maddie has more energy than should be allowed for one kid.  I seriously make her run the cul-de-sac frequently in order to release some of her crazy energy!  She has been asking to go on a bike ride with me for months.    Every time Jacki and I would go practice for the triathlon she would want to go too.  I must say I did not think she would be able to bike that far but she proved me wrong.  We biked over three miles and she was able to keep up with me!  She said multiple times, “This is the best morning ever mom”.  The weather was perfect, there was a chill in the air and the sun was shining.  As we rode, she talked (big surprise I know) about how beautiful God’s creation is and even noticed huge rocks which she said looked like castles, trees that hung over the bike trail and all of the different birds.  At one point she actually broke into song singing, “It’s a beautiful day and I thank God for the weather.”

What a much needed morning for Maddie and I.   She can be a difficult child sometimes with her constant energy and strong personality.  This morning was a good reminder that she is growing into a lovely young lady so quickly.  I admire her love for life and her passion for people!  What a wonderful morning where I simply was able to enjoy my Maddie girl!

We spent the weekend with Nick’s family at his Brother’s house in Virginia.  Thank you to both Casey (uncle Mimi) and Sara for hosting this rambunctious clan.  We had lots of great adventures including playing with the puppies, riding the horses, making the campfire, and of course Uncle Mimi hand-cuffing the kids…   I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

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There is such comfort in our daily routine.  So many little things that make me smile every day…..

- The sound of my husband grinding coffee beans in the morning while I am still in bed

- Ada Grace coming every morning into my bed to snuggle before she starts getting ready for school

- Jake’s first request every morning for “chocolate milt”

- Hearing the garage door open each evening….knowing that my husband is about to walk through the door

- Laughing together at the dinner table and playing quiz questions (we ask each of the kids age appropriate questions, such as who is the president?, name four states, what is your address and then Jake’s questions are what is your teacher’s name, what is your full name- and sometimes he has a hard time answering those!!!)

- How my husband MAKES me stop cooking, cleaning etc., and turns me around in order to give me a hug and a kiss

- How Jakie still calls his sisters Ma-ma and Day-da

- Listening to the kids prayers each night.  It always warms my heart to hear what they pray about and who they pray for.

- Making Maddie turn the light out everynight because she is so engrossed in her book, she always responds, “just one more chapter mom.”  Her love for reading at such a young age amazes me!

- B90X with my husband at night