The Norris Men

Daddy and Miller at our buddy Alex's tee-ball game

Love

Last night Maggie made the decision to bite Miller just before bedtime. Jeff and I were pretty upset because we are trying to teach Miller not to bite, hit, and shove, and when Maggie does those things to him, it fuels the fire. She got sent to bed immediately. She was pretty hysterical; she doesn’t like getting in trouble (a lot like both of her parents). And I don’t like putting her to bed thinking we’re upset with her. I knelt by her bed to give her good-night hugs and help her say her prayers, and she couldn’t calm down. I explained to her, as I have many times before, that we still love her just as much when she makes a bad decision, but that we want her to make good decisions.

I couldn’t help but think about how many more times I have been disobedient to my Heavenly Father and how much more He loves me—so much so that He gave his own son’s life so that I could be saved. I never really understood that sacrifice until I had children of my own. I think about how much Jeff and I love our children, and then I think about how much more God loves us. It's hard to understand how a love that vast could exist. But it does. And I am thankful every day for it. I am so thankful for the sweet children Jeff and I have been given, and it is my earnest prayer that God will teach us daily how to better show HIS love to them.

Night night!

The Norris kids all dressed for bedtime and giving each other a night night hug

Baby Bethany!

Meet Bethany Claire Allen--the sweet, brand new daughter of our friends Jessica and Chris. The kids and I got to go meet her today, and she is an absolute doll. Jessica and I have been the best of friends since the ninth grade, and it is such a treat to get to see how God has blessed her and Chris, first with sweet Lane, and then with sweet Bethany. They are some of the best parents (and people) we know, and God has placed Lane and Bethany in wonderful hands. Congratulations, Jessica and Chris!
Can you tell Chris is already smitten?
Bethany and her favorite honorary aunt and girl cousin (okay, maybe I'm putting words in her mouth...)
She's already stolen my heart!

Our Family Dish

One of Jeff's cousins painted us this cute plate when we got married. When I was cleaning the kitchen tonight, I noticed that someone had decorated it with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse stickers. I had a hunch who that someone might be and asked her about it. Her reply: "I just wanted to make it OURS." I left the stickers on the plate. It is now OUR plate. I love my little decorator.

My Sweet Growing Boy

I can't believe how fast my sweet Miller is growing. He's twenty months old and will be TWO before we know it. He's constantly surprising us with the new things he does and says. We learned today that he can say "cookie" and "flower." He is starting to repeat almost anything. He's a mess and is into everything. He loves to blow kisses. He loves to give hugs. He melts his mama's heart each and every day. Here's a picture of my favorite little boy before church this morning.

Happy Mother's Day!

Two reasons I'm the most blessed lady in the world!