Merry Christmas

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We want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! Wanted to share some of our Christmas pictures. Every since I was a little girl my mom always took our picture in front of the tree every year at Christmas time and I have taken on that tradition as well. I really wanted to get Christmas cards made with the kids picture but it just seems that I have not been able to get everything done here lately and that I'm falling behind on stuff. Please forgive us for not passing out Christmas cards. Enjoy the pics and Merry Christmas again. Love everyone!

Kids Decorating Tree

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Well after uploading my pictures I didn't have time to type anything yesterday so now I will. Sorry it has been a while since I posted, it has just been busy. Also please excuse my children looking the way they do but it was late at night when we decorated so they were in their pjs.

Well it is obvious we always make it a family deal to decorate the tree. We have no certain theme for the tree just many different ornaments. My husband likes to find all his old ornaments that his mom has given us and put those on while the kids and I just grab whatever. Each year we usually get something new whether it be an ornament or decorations to set out. This year the kids wanted the train to go around the tree, and they have enjoyed it. They had the batteries ran down in two days when we first put it on the tree. We also have a dancing Santa that they love to turn on, but yet they are scared of a real Santa person!

I love this time of year! I just want to relax, enjoy the music, and do lots of baking. Haiden loves to get hot chocolate with something sweet to eat especially if it is fudge. We have some Christmas books under the tree and usually read one to the kids everynight before bed. This year I made a calendar to post on the fridge and Haiden is marking down the days to Christams. Since we've been in church we have started the tradition of reading the story of Jesus' birth and praying before opening any gifts in our house, and we always do this before going out of town to be with family. We just try to make our children understand the true meaning of this time of year but make it as fun for them as possible. Hope you all have a Merry Christmas! Oh and I have so been waiting on this weather that we have. I don't need it to last a long time but I just enjoy the really cold wintery weather. It is just relaxing to me or something!

So Thankful

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Well I am so tired right now but I just was feeling so thankful and wanted to share it seeings how it is the time of year to really focus and bring our attention to giving thanks. Also, I know I have a busy week to come and may not have a chance to do this. Anyway, I am so glad to be serving God. It just seems easy to be THANKFUL serving the Lord Jesus Christ. He is so good to us. He loves us and has saved us. He has set my feet on a new path in life, the pathway to Heaven. He has shown me truth and filled me with his Spirit. He watches over us, keeps us safe. There are so many things to be thankful for in just knowing God and who he is and what he is, where he is, that he is alive OH...... so many things!!!! Thankful to have a hope beyond this life on earth. Thankful for the freedom to worship and serve God in this awesome country. Oh, THANK YOU JESUS! I just love the Lord and love this life that I live doing my best to serve him with his help. I know people don't always understand why we choose to live our lives the way we do, but oh if they could understand it is out of love, submission and thankfulness to God. It truly is wonderful! We truly are FREE, for God has set us FREE from the bonds of sin. Oh, I'm just so thankful. Now, I'm thankful for my family. Wonderful husband and children. Some think were crazy for having four children, but oh I'm thankful for the JOY that comes from my children. For we are to be like little children before the Lord and how all my children can help remind me of that. A child like faith so to speak! I feel like I'm rambling but as I said in the beginning I'm just feeling so thankful and so much has gone through my mind. I'm thankful for parents who put a fear of God in me as a child, which I believe is what led me to the altar as I was older. Thankful for the morals they taught me, always puting there children first and trying to provide as many of our wants as possible. Thankful for my Father and Mother in law, they are genuine kind, loving, giving people and I'm glad to have them as part of my life. Oh the list could go on forever, but most of you probably wont make it to the end of this post for it being so lengthy so I will stop typing but my mind still dwells on being ever so thankful. Hope everyone has a blessed Thanksgiving and a special time of thankfulness. I have not told my husband but I think were gonna play some tpye of thankful game from the time we leave Wednesday till our way home on Monday. Just bring it up out of the blue here and there and someone say what they are thankful for and just try to talk about many things we are all thankful for as a family. I'm sure the kids will get in on it too! Okay goodnight!

Two Post in One

Well I thought I would just let everyone know that I read and viewed your recent post and you must forgive me for not leaving comments. I have only been on the computer I think twice in the past week or so and both times it was just a quick view of the new post and not enough time to leave comments on 16 and 21 new post, yeah that is a lot!! So to everyone I enjoyed your post and will pray for those who are sick.

Now for my BIRTHDAY GIRL!! Breann Elizabeth Isom had her 3rd birthday on November 7th. I would have posted sooner but between not feeling well, and getting ready for company and a party I just never got around to it. Breann is my little princess and her Daddy's little sweetheart. We love you very much Breann and you truly are our SPECIAL little girl. We love watching you do things so different than your brothers and trying to be so lady like at times. You are so beautiful and just what we wanted in a girl. I remember telling God many times while you were in my tummy that I hoped you had brown eyes and brown hair. You are such a blessing and I love to hear you singing worship songs in your small quiet voice, it is beautiful! I love how you are so quick to help mommy do things. Since you were about 18 months you would get wipes and clean the floor and push chairs in under the table, try to sweep, etc. It is so hard to beilieve you are three already, but we hope you had a great birthday and many more to come. WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!

AIR SHOW

Old Pic

I found two cds today of pics before I got my digital camera. I have not had any pics of Haiden, Ryan and Breann on the blog of when they were little cause I didn't have any on my computer. So since I found these I thought I'd share!

Jump for Joy

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Well until Alaynas birthday party the only one from our family that had been to Jump for Joy was Haiden. We all had so much fun! I'm only posting some of the pics so our family can see what we did.

People Watch Us

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Tonight my husband asked me if I wanted to go somewhere, and I'm like what do you mean? He said, "you want to go to Ross or something?" I told him I didn't have to and it really didn't matter to me. I think he was trying to give me some time from the children, he knew it was kinda a rough day. So, he dropped me at Kohls and went to get something to drink for them. Well, while in there as walking by this lady says, "I feel like I should know you but I don't." I asked her why, she told me she sees us everywhere. I told her I had never seen her I didn't think. She told me the first place she saw us was Jalepeno Tree, which we used to go there every Wednesday night before church. She said she sees us at Walmart and in Kohls (I have not been in Kohls in probably 5 or 6 months) and that it seemed like she saw us all the time. Keep in mind I don't recall ever seeing her before. Then she went on about our kids and always noticing them. Anyway, I say all this to say people watch us! I told my husband later that it just made me think of oh how careful we should be in how we present ourselves everywhere everyday, not just in our dress but oh in our actions. Just to think this lady has paid close enought attention to us that she recognizes us anywhere she sees us, and I have never noticed her. I will pray for her, I feel like it is not so much of us that she is noticing, but I pray it is the Jesus who resides in us. Oh, God help me to be an example of you to others. Maybe our paths will cross again, and again, and again and the Lord will give me the words to say to her. I'm sure things like this happen with you all as well, but I just get excited about this kind of stuff. I mean I am pretty much at home most of the time besides going to church. So it is not like I cross paths with many people on a daily basis, then when I do get out I can be so involved in getting what I have to get and go back home I don't have time for an opppurtunity God may make between me and some stranger. On top of that I am not one to just start talking to people. I have been praying about that lately though, I pray God will give me a spirit of boldness to be able to talk to strangers beyong the hi, thankyou basic words. I've also been asking God to help me sensitive to divine appointments he may make available with others and for me to be sensitive to their needs. Anyway, just remember people are watching us!

Saturday Dinner

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Today we decided to stay home and Chris would smoke some ribs. Well I never thought anything about it till after dinner, then when I did I could not help but laugh and make a post. I went to Dubya Lynn and showed Chris his post about cooking. He of course thought is was hilarious, especially after our ribs. So Chris decided to smoke these ribs (he has never smoked anything) and put them on around 12:30 knowing it would take most of the day. So he kept checking them and adding "the sauce" so they would not be dry, and kept adding wood to the fire so he could have his smoke. He never had a major fire like some others, just lots of smoke! So about 6:40 he goes out and has no smoke, so he puts charcoal on and cooks them the rest of the way like that. Well the kids thought they were great, I thought they were okay with the exception of a very strong smoke flavor in the thick caked on cooked "sauce" that he kept adding to the ribs, and Chris one minute he would say these are okay, then he would be like man that was actually a good bite I think. So then later he said, "I know you were trying to be nice but those ribs were awful, I think the worst I ever had." Anyway, I guess that's one good thing about a messed up meal is it brings some laughter if you will. Oh, and I sure am glad that spur of the moment invitation to company did not go through, LOL! We had a wonderful day at home and just finished off our dinner with some good ol Braums Ice Cream!

Pics

Missed Prayer

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Well for anyone who noticed the Isoms were not at prayer last night I will let you know why. We were on our way and about 10 minutes from the church Haiden bust out crying, of course we are like what is it. He says, "I just think I'm sick." He thought he was gonna do what most of us can't stand to do. So I get him a bag just in case. I told him he was not sick and to tell himself he is not sick. Thinking about that positive speaking stuff! The whole way home he was repeating "I'm not sick, I'm not sick." So we get home and he feels fine and they all want to go the church for prayer now but it would have been over by the time we got there! He started crying saying he felt guilty, I told him he didn't know what it was. So he is fine along with the rest of us and we just had prayer at home. See everyone Wednesday!

More Video

A Smile

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Well I have a big smile just knowing my blog and postings bring a smile to someone else. Thank you Sis. Elms! I will gladly pass this on to some who encourage me, but first here is the description of what this award is all about.
"The thing that I love most about blogging is that I learn so much about a person just by reading their blog. I have met MANY wonderful people with wonderful stories to tell, and I am grateful every day for each person that I have the pleasure of crossing paths in life with. I wanted to create something special for people who have inspired me through their blogging; the stories they tell, and the lives that they lead with grace and dignity. I visit their blogs for inspiration and encouragement. Although there are MANY people I want to give this award to at this very moment, I am going to choose four bloggers: Please grab your badge and wear it(with a smile) proudly, and pass it on because you inspire and encourage me, thank you.”


Back to Sister Elms: Sis. Elms
Joseph: Joseph Oullette
The Elms Extra: Andrew & Mandy Elms
The Holley Life & Times: Gene and Karla Holley

Memories

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Well there seems to be a case of looking back in the past going around on a few blogs so I decided to chime in with mine. I have found myself the past week thinking of how the time has gone by so fast and my children are growing up, and many people tell Chris and I your kids will be getting married tomorrow or going to college or whatever it may be in terms of how fast the time goes. I was thinking of how Ryan is about to be 4, and it seems as just yesterday that Haiden was 4 going to school, and oh how I remember every morning cuddling him in my lap and rocking him until the Tripletts came by to pick him up. Now he is 8 and will be 9 in February. Also, just this past year he has come to me with several little things that just makes me realize how he is growing up. It is hard to believe that Breann had just turned 1 when we moved here and in a few months Colten will be 1. Right now it doesn't even seem like I was ever pregnant with Colten cause the time went so fast. In February will be two years that we have lived here and that seems unreal. Sometimes it feels as if we have been here forever and others it's like it was yesterday we moved. Just looking at pictures of Haiden, Ryan and Breann recently made me realize that I have not been taking enough pictures of Colten, so now this week I have been picture crazy trying to catch up. I love pictures they hold so many memories! Well I love my children and hate to see them grow up so fast but there is nothing I can do to stop it. I just pray it makes me realize how much more I need to take time for each one of them individually, and pray God will give us the wisdom to lead and direct them just as fast as they grow.

Laughter

Well the post Mandy made with her jokes made me think to post this. Yesterday my husband came in with a card for me and skittles for the children. I was about to get into to supper and put it on top of fridge. He told me I had to read it before I went to bed cause it was meant for that day. I was teasing and said, "well isn't what you have to say in there good for tomorrow also, don't you mean what the card says everyday?" He said yeah! Well after we ate and cleaned stuff up everyone was in the living room and it was actually very quiet in our house. So I go get the card and quietly open it in the kitchen, read it then just bust out making myself laugh. I started laughing so hard just from making myself laugh and of course they all came running asking what is it? Then Ryan started laughing just at me laughing. I liked the card from my husband I just thought I'd change things up in our house and instead of saying ahhhh... thank you babe for the card I laughed out my appreciation to bring a little bit of life to the moment in our home. It was fun!

Praise

Praise the Lord, for he is glorious!
Never shall his promise fail;
God hath made his saints victorious;
Sin and death shall not prevail.
Praise the God of our salvation;
Hosts on high, his power proclaim;
Heaven and earth, and all creation,
Laud and magnify his name.

"Praise ye the Lord: for it is good." (Psalm 147:1)

Songs from the Isom Children

Short One...

Okay nothing great but here is a picture of Breann the first night she slept in the toddler bed. No she did not fall out she just got on the floor at some point. She had been in the baby bed just up until a month ago.

VBS Pictures

Well I know it has been a while since I've posted so here are a few of the VBS pictures I had. I have enjoyed helping out with VBS the past two summers we have been at Life Tabernacle.

Random Pictures

State Finals for Jr. Quizzing

Well Friday and Saturday we were gone to Jr. Bible Quizzing state finals. It was an awesome time. Our two boys that still quiz as Center team did great. I am proud of Austin Triplett and Haiden both. They did excellent for no more time than what they had to practice together. The boys quizzed at the tournament in January together, then went to the retreat in Vidor in March, and quizzed in Hilsboro in May. Then the past two weeks Austin stayed with us and between Bro. Chris and I reviewing them they had about 3 to 4 hours of quiz and review everyday. That is not very much practice as a team from January until this past weekend. However, they managed to come in 7th place out of eighteen beginner quiz teams. They knew their material well and played the best they possibly could, and now best of all they have about 160 verses from the Bible put away in there heart just from this years quizzing. Out of the top five high score individuals Haiden placed 3rd with an average of 85 points per game and a total of 340 points for all games played. Way to go boys for doing your best! Please forgive me for bragging a little bit, I don't typically like doing this, but I am very proud of these two boys for all there hard work and sticking with quizzing no matter the miles that have been between them the past two years.

Haiden's Experience

Well Friday night June 8th was an awesome night for many people including Haiden. Family Camp was great all the way around with Friday night being the hit. On this special night Haiden received the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues just like in Acts 2:4. You may think well he is just a child, or ask how does he know he got the Holy Ghost? Well the bible says in Acts 2:38,39 "Then Peter said unto them , Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the Promise is unto you, and to your children, and all that are afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call." When Haiden was six years old we felt so strongly that he had received the Holy Ghost, but he told us he did not know if he did or not. So we left it at that and have just been praying that God would remove any doubt that was there and that is exactly what God has done now. I asked Haiden Friday night, "Do you know you have the Holy Ghost now," and his response was "YES". We asked him if it felt good and he said, "Well of course if felt good." Chris asked him to tell us about it and Haiden said, "I just can't explain it." We asked do you know what you said and he said it was kinda like la la la, and he immediately added I don't know what I was saying. He told us he just felt like he couldn't get his breath. Then the next morning while he was playing with his brother he told us, "you can kinda tell I've gotten the Holy Ghost cause I'm letting Ryan be the good guy." Oh thank you Jesus! Anyone who has received the Holy Ghost knows that the response to these answers are the same way most adults say they feel after getting the Holy Ghost. Well please forgive me if this post was too lengthy but I wanted to put all the details in here. Thank you Jesus for pouring your Spirit out on children also. I will add a slide show as soon as rock you stops giving me errors. Thank you Sis. Elms and Sis. Mandy for having your cameras handy.

Camp Meeting

Well we will be leaving in a little while to head to east Texas so we can attend Family Camp Wednesday until Friday. We are really looking forward to soaking up everything from God we possibly can. We will take the younger three children to their grandparents house, which means it will just be me, Chris, and Haiden. We did not get to attend camp last year and we were disappointed about that. We have been so used to attending at least some of the services since we have gotten the Holy Ghost because our home church was only one hour from the campgrounds. So now being about five and half hours from campgrounds it does not make it quiet as easy to attend, so we are so grateful to be going this year. We are also looking forward to spending some time with friends we have not seen in a while. I know this week will be wonderful with God being the center of our focus.

Got Tagged!

A-Available or Single? Married 6 1/2 years (Christina)
HAPPILLY MARRIED I AM!!! (CHRIS)
B-Best Friend? My husband, Sister Triplett
MY WIFE
C-Cake or Pie? Moist Chocolate Cake
PECAN PIE
D-Drink of Choice? Cherry Coke from Sonic
MY WIFE'S SWEET TEA
E-Essential Item? Hand Sanitizer, Lotion
WATER / GUM OR MINTS
F-Favorite Color? Green
BLUE
G-Gummie Bears or Worms? Bears
IT WOULD BE BEARS
H-Hometown? Jasper, TX
JASPER, TX
I-Indulgence? Warm Brownie with Vanilla Ice CreamSOUNDS GOOD TO ME!!!
J-January or February? January, still pretty coldJANUARY IS GOOD.. THE 7TH IS MY B-DAY.
K-Kids? 3 awesome boys and 1 beautiful girl THEY ARE GREAT.. THE LORD HAS INDEED BLESSED US!
L-Life is incomplete without? Jesus JESUS
M-Marriage Date? September 2, 2000 WHAT A COINCIDENCE..
N-Number of Siblings? Two SistersTWO BROTHERS / ONE SISTER
O-Oranges or Apples? Oranges PREFER ORANGES
P-Phobias & Fears? Wasp, bees, don't really want to flySNAKES
Q-Favorite Quote? I love you, you love me, and thats the way it will always be! THE WOODS ARE FULL OF LONG HITTERS
S-Seson(ing)? Spring, Winter, Lawrys Pepper Seasoning
SPRING / TONY CHACHERIES
T-Tag Three..... Chris Isom, Michelle Bowen, Ashley Jordan
JAMES CAIN, KYLE CAIN, JOSEPH OULETTE
U-Unknown Fact About Me? Don't Know, maybe that my spelling and vocabulary are horrible
MY WIFE ALWAYS BEATS ME AT SCRABBLE

V-Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals? Not to big on meatsCARNIVORE MOST DEFINITELY!
W-Worst Habit? Getting too caught up in having everything in order and finished, being a Martha so to speak
PUTTING THINGS OFF TO THE LAST MINUTE
X-Xray or Ultrasound? Ultrasound I guess, it never seemed to be big deal so far NEITHER
Y-Your Favorite Foods? Mexican & Seafood MEXICAN & SEAFOOD
Z-Zodiac? Picses
CAPRICORN

My Wonderful Family

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Well my husband and children made my mothers day an excellent one. I was a little worried as the morning started, but it all worked out for the good. I am kinda funny when it comes to gifts from my husband. They mean so much more to me when I know he did not wait till the last minute or the day of so to speak, and I thought Sunday was gonna be one of those last minute ones the way our previous week had gone. He had a crazy week of work with Thursday being the worst, then we left Friday to go to East Texas and came right back home on Saturday. So Sunday morning it started off with a word of Happy Mothers Day from all the crew, which was nice, but deep inside all I really wanted was a nice card from my husband. So after two hours of being awake I still did not have one, as I made my way to the kitchen I looked on the counter, the refrigerator, just about anywhere I thought he might put a card out waiting for me to find it, and there was nothing. Everyone except Chris was already in the car so I thought maybe it is in my seat in the car, well nothing! As I sat in the car I was gonna ask him "wheres my card" but before I could ask him that I opened the console to get some gum and there it was a card and a gift. I was so relieved and happy! There was a card from my husband and children and a Willow Tree Angel of Miracles. I just love these angles and have started collecting them. All of this ended up meaning so much more to me when I found out that he went and got this stuff on Thursday because I knew what all happened at work on that day for him. I could not believe he made or found time to leave work and go take care of this. My husband is wonderful to me and my children. I love them all so much! With four children we all have our bad days, but in spite of those days we have such wonderful, exciting, loving, laughing, humorous, joyful, happy days! There is never a dull moment in the Isom family, but we will cherish these moments forever. Thank you Babe for making me feel special on Mothers Day I love you and the children so much.

My Flute

Well this may not be a very exciting post but for some it will be learning something new about me. Every since Sunday School we have picked a song out of the Song Hymnal just about every night and sing it as a family. Haiden and Ryan really like this! It has been fun and quiet humorous seeing how we don't know hardly any of the songs much less how they go. Plus our music talents around here are not the best. Well I have been trying to read the notes and get the right tune and beats to sing the song as close as accurate as we can get it. I have not read music in twelve years, so this got me thinking about my flute that I played in school and wondering if I still had my first teaching booklet to get some tips to help me understand reading the music in the song book. So I pulled the flute and some music I still have down from the closet, and guess what, I still have my teaching booklet that shows the different keys for my flute and meanings for different symbols in music. I got a little excited and started playing around to see if I could remember the keys on my flute. I got most of them, but it did not sound very good! The flute has not been played since my ninth grade year so it needs some tuning, touching up whatever you want to call it. I played a few cheesy songs and would ask my husband do you know what that was, of course he didn't know and he was half asleep already. Anyways, I had fun playing around! It is amazing how something like that can just come back to you when you put it in your hands. I definitely need some practice believe me, but I still have the basics. Well I had fun and thought I'd share my moment of music with you all.

These Are Better

Colten Laughing

Ryan Singing & Preaching

This is what Ryan loves to do everyday. He likes to get a tie and black shoes (that are 2 sizes to big) on with whatever he is wearing and start singing or preaching. He does this with all that is within him as you can see. He pays very close attention to the preacher, service leaders, and choir directer and brings a little of each of these home with him every church service. On Easter Sunday his daddy was trying to button his suit jacket and he told his daddy that he did not want it buttoned. His daddy told him yes that it looked better that way and Ryan very quickly told his daddy, "Brother Elms don't button his jacket." Our children notice more than we think!

Daily Devotional

I have been reading daily devotionals from Joy Haney's book, Diamonds for Dusty Roads, and come across something that caught my attention. When I read this I thought about how I could relate some of them to my own life, and how true it is that when these things take just a small part in our lives and attitudes that it really does affect our witness to others.

If all the sleeping folk--will wake up;
And all the lukewarm folk--will fire up;
And all the dishonest folk--will confess up;
And all the disgrunted folk--will sweeten up;
And all the depressed folk--will look up;
And all the estranged folk--will make up;
And all the gossipers will hush up--;
And all the members will pray up--
WE WILL HAVE A REVIVAL AND IT WILL CONTINUE IN OUR CHURCH AND COMMUNITY.

She goes on to say, "It's time to put the bread of His Word on the table: the table of our heart , and eat until it fills us with the Lord's goodness."

"My Father giveth you the true bread from heaven" (John 6:32)

Easter Sunday

What a sweet sleeping baby!

Our Jr. Bible Quizzer

This past weekend we went to Vidor, TX for the Jr. Bible Quiz Retreat. This was Haiden's third year to participate, and he was one of the top thirteen kids to receive a 1st place trophy. There were a total of 61 beginner quizzers at this tournament. We are very proud of him for working hard at Bible Quizzing. It can be very trying and tiring for us all at times but we believe it is well worth it all. He is getting so much of God's word in him by memorizing all the verses and we get it as parents also with all the reviewing we do. He has learned a total of 92 verses so far this year, and will learn more. This has got to be the best program for children to be a part of, and we love it!

The trophy in his right hand is from the retreat in Vidor, and the one in his left hand is from the Quiz Tournament he attended in January of this year in Dallas. This is an All Tournament Team trophy which means he was one of the top quizzers with highest average points.

This is Austin and Haiden. They have been Bible Quizzing partners for three years now and they make an awesome team! Austin received a second place trophy in Vidor this past weekend.

A Wonderful Time

Well my husband and I had a wonderful time without the kids. We made ourselves slow down and enjoy our surroundings. We stayed at the Gaylord Texan from Friday until Sunday and only left one time for about an hour and half. Sometimes we get so used to going and doing that it makes it hard to slow down, but we did it!