Before I forget these precious times, I wanted to chronicle a few of my favorite things the kids do.
Right now, I love when Jett wakes up happy and is babbling in his crib. I quietly open the door and make my way to the crib. My favorite is when he hasn't yet heard me. I duck down in front of the crib and whisper his name. He gets quiet because he knows he hears something. Then, he flips over and starts looking, peeking over the bumper. I pop up and surprise him and get greeted with squeals of delight.
Another favorite thing he does involves waking up from naps. (Maybe I love them so much because I've had a break and he's well rested....hmm.) I say "give me your paci". He pulls it out of his mouth (or finds in laying in the crib) and hands it to me. If it's not in his mouth, he usually sticks his finger in his mouth inadvertently as he's reaching for it, not knowing it's not there. He knows right where it goes, to wait for the next nap or bedtime.
One of my favorites with Asa right now involve word mix-ups. I {love} the way he calls Dollar Tree, Dollar Treatment and the 99 cent store, 99 percent store. I also appreciate Asa's gift of drawing. It blesses my heart to sit and watch him draw. His face gets very serious and he's incredibly focused. He draws with great detail and has skills very advanced for his age. It's so much fun to see your kids excelling at something and enjoying it.
True to form, Rylee is still singing and dancing everywhere. I enjoy hearing the tunes she makes up. Sometimes they are sweet, often times they are hilarious. She sings about what she sees in the mirror, about loving God, or about what she's learning in school. And, I never, ever want to forget the beauty of hearing her read. Rylee reads very well, with good inflection. She can be found reading outside, sitting in a corner, in her bed, on the potty, while walking, in the car, at the table...she just reads everywhere!
Jenna continues to nurture and cuddle more than any other kiddo. She is a natural born leader. One of my favorite things in this stage of life is watching Jenna play Strawberry Shortcake or Barbies with her dad. She enjoys every minute of it, and I think he likes it too. She also loves her binoculars. She asked for a pair for a loooooong time and finally got a set for Christmas from our PA church family.
My days are full. I don't feel like I'm getting much done in the grand scheme of things. I am never caught up on laundry, seem to throw my grocery list together at the last minute and hunt furiously for coupons so I can save the most money, plan meals only a few days out at a time, have a very dusty house, and generally feel like I'm treading water. I need to get my act together in some respects. However, I'm happy to report that I am taking time to soak in the beauty of this precious family God has given me. I know the days are long, but the years are short.
Showing posts with label other random stuff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label other random stuff. Show all posts
Friday, February 3, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Lovely Fuzzy Slippers
When I find slippers I like, I hang on to them.
I think I received my black fleece Land's End slippers from my dad and stepmom when I was in high school. I still have them and wear them. Hard sole, soft top. If I'm walking on cold floors a lot, I really like them. And, they can go outside in a jif if I need to.
But, my all time favorite "slippers" are these fuzzy sock-like things.
During a long road trip, I bought these in a shop because my feel were cold in the car. I want to say it was during our first trip to Texas when we were moving here in 2007.
They had little nubby anti-slip spots on the bottom. Those have worn off long ago.
The whole thing hugs my foot and provides great warmth without lots of bulk. I wore them all the time, then they went missing. I could not find them anywhere! I mean, I looked everywhere in my house, the car, and the garage for these slippers. It frustrated me beyond belief. I ended up buying a pair of some other slippers, but they never measured up.
Then, in early December I went into the auditorium storage room at GFA. I glanced to the top of a cabinet that had the supplies I was looking for and guess what was on top of that cabinet?!
My slippers!!!!
I reached for the fuzzy mass on top of the cabinet and began laughing out loud.
I used to lay our kids down in that room during our Friday All Night prayer meetings. I must have left them in there. Then, we stopped laying the kids down there. That was probably sometime in 2009!
Sometimes, it's the smallest things that can make you smile....and keep your feet happy!
I think I received my black fleece Land's End slippers from my dad and stepmom when I was in high school. I still have them and wear them. Hard sole, soft top. If I'm walking on cold floors a lot, I really like them. And, they can go outside in a jif if I need to.
But, my all time favorite "slippers" are these fuzzy sock-like things.
During a long road trip, I bought these in a shop because my feel were cold in the car. I want to say it was during our first trip to Texas when we were moving here in 2007.They had little nubby anti-slip spots on the bottom. Those have worn off long ago.
The whole thing hugs my foot and provides great warmth without lots of bulk. I wore them all the time, then they went missing. I could not find them anywhere! I mean, I looked everywhere in my house, the car, and the garage for these slippers. It frustrated me beyond belief. I ended up buying a pair of some other slippers, but they never measured up.
Then, in early December I went into the auditorium storage room at GFA. I glanced to the top of a cabinet that had the supplies I was looking for and guess what was on top of that cabinet?!
My slippers!!!!
I reached for the fuzzy mass on top of the cabinet and began laughing out loud.
I used to lay our kids down in that room during our Friday All Night prayer meetings. I must have left them in there. Then, we stopped laying the kids down there. That was probably sometime in 2009!
Sometimes, it's the smallest things that can make you smile....and keep your feet happy!
Monday, October 17, 2011
Random Update
Since I'm still not "there" yet [to be back to blogging regularly], I thought I'd do a random update (for the few who read and want to know). So, here goes...
Jett decided he was too big for his baby bathtub (about six weeks ago). He also decided he could pull up on things, especially the baby gate. He started crawling around the middle of September (7 1/2 months old). He did the whole rocking back and forth thing for a good six weeks--keeping us in suspense.
During September, Rylee went to a "spa" birthday party. The girls got facials, pedicures, manicures, make-up, hairdos, and then cake/pizza. It was quite a treat!
I spent more time in the kitchen throughout September. I made an intense chocolate cake (trying to copy the Costco cake). I made amazing Caramel Apple Cheesecake bars. I made some Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies (and have some dough frozen for quick treats later).
I also had the privilege of directing a friend's wedding when she got married at my church. I prepped food for the wedding party to munch on between taking photos and the wedding ceremony. How silly is it that I took a picture of the spread?
Then, as October came, Jett and I went to North Carolina to visit my family.
We spent the first week of the month hanging out with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
My youngest sister had a baby boy the end of July, so we got to meet him. It was a nice week-long visit. And, though I specifically said I needed a picture of Jett with Grandma, I didn't get one.
This picture does not do my nephew justice by any means. But, I didn't take many pictures.
I've been back a week and I'm just now feeling like I'm back in the swing of things. But, I'm not really sure about that. I haven't been "normal" for about nine months now!
Jett decided he was too big for his baby bathtub (about six weeks ago). He also decided he could pull up on things, especially the baby gate. He started crawling around the middle of September (7 1/2 months old). He did the whole rocking back and forth thing for a good six weeks--keeping us in suspense.
During September, Rylee went to a "spa" birthday party. The girls got facials, pedicures, manicures, make-up, hairdos, and then cake/pizza. It was quite a treat!
I spent more time in the kitchen throughout September. I made an intense chocolate cake (trying to copy the Costco cake). I made amazing Caramel Apple Cheesecake bars. I made some Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies (and have some dough frozen for quick treats later). 
I also had the privilege of directing a friend's wedding when she got married at my church. I prepped food for the wedding party to munch on between taking photos and the wedding ceremony. How silly is it that I took a picture of the spread?
Then, as October came, Jett and I went to North Carolina to visit my family.
We spent the first week of the month hanging out with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
My youngest sister had a baby boy the end of July, so we got to meet him. It was a nice week-long visit. And, though I specifically said I needed a picture of Jett with Grandma, I didn't get one.
This picture does not do my nephew justice by any means. But, I didn't take many pictures.I've been back a week and I'm just now feeling like I'm back in the swing of things. But, I'm not really sure about that. I haven't been "normal" for about nine months now!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Works for Me Wednesday
Yeah, I don't really do those blog theme days (works for me Wednesday, Friday funnies, Monday meal plan). But, I don't have much to blog about, so this is what "works for me" and it happens to be Wednesday!
I was playing with my old digital camera and snapped this shot of the kids all laying around one morning. This has been our day every day for the last few weeks...some dressed, some in jammies, playing with baby toys, sharing, ...ha! This lasts about five minutes.
Then, they get bored with it.
Mr. Jett is sitting up quite well these days. He's ready to take off crawling any day. He gets up and rocks. I imagine he'll start crawling as soon as the big 3 go off to school next week. Speaking of school...five more days!
What? What does this train table have to do with anything? Well, it's really the reason I wrote "works for me". Cute, isn't it? Joel found it curbside about a year ago. We had it in Asa's room. Then, I moved it when we put Jett in there. It's been in our front living room since then. It's big. Too big. And, Asa's more into Legos than trains. So, I'm going to get him a much smaller table soon. But, in the meantime, I sold this baby for $40 on craigslist! Not bad for a piece of "trash", eh? Yes, I have no shame. It's not like I picked it up solely for the purpose of reselling it (that was Joel....he picked it up). I, on the other hand, used it for a long time and then decided it wasn't working.
I {heart} craigslist! In fact, I've got about a dozen other things listed right now. The same day I sold this, I also sold some no-longer-needed-by-us baby items. ....so I can buy the stuff we're going to need for the next phase. Never. ending. cycle!
I was playing with my old digital camera and snapped this shot of the kids all laying around one morning. This has been our day every day for the last few weeks...some dressed, some in jammies, playing with baby toys, sharing, ...ha! This lasts about five minutes.
Then, they get bored with it.
Mr. Jett is sitting up quite well these days. He's ready to take off crawling any day. He gets up and rocks. I imagine he'll start crawling as soon as the big 3 go off to school next week. Speaking of school...five more days!
What? What does this train table have to do with anything? Well, it's really the reason I wrote "works for me". Cute, isn't it? Joel found it curbside about a year ago. We had it in Asa's room. Then, I moved it when we put Jett in there. It's been in our front living room since then. It's big. Too big. And, Asa's more into Legos than trains. So, I'm going to get him a much smaller table soon. But, in the meantime, I sold this baby for $40 on craigslist! Not bad for a piece of "trash", eh? Yes, I have no shame. It's not like I picked it up solely for the purpose of reselling it (that was Joel....he picked it up). I, on the other hand, used it for a long time and then decided it wasn't working.
I {heart} craigslist! In fact, I've got about a dozen other things listed right now. The same day I sold this, I also sold some no-longer-needed-by-us baby items. ....so I can buy the stuff we're going to need for the next phase. Never. ending. cycle!
Friday, April 1, 2011
Some Sweet Faces
The month of March came and went so quickly! In fact, I was just typing this and started to say "February" when I realized, March was now done!
We began the month with Joel traveling. He went to two conferences, almost back to back. He was missed by all of us. The kids made signs to welcome him home.
Upon return from his second trip, we took the kids to the Nature Preserve in McKinney. We bought a membership pass on Groupon. We weren't all that impressed with the Nature Preserve here, but the pass gives us reciprocity at lots of places we want to go when we visit family and friends (SciPort in Shreveport, Whitaker Center in Harrisburg, and museums near other friends)
That evening, my sweet friend Kristin and her hubby Chris took our three big kids for an overnight playdate with their four kids (yep, they had SEVEN kids for the evening/morning; they are wonderful). Joel and I enjoyed a wonderful date--dinner at Spaghetti Warehouse, a quick visit to Kohl's to return something, dessert at Panera Bread, and walking/music at Watters Creek.
This place, Watters Creek, is fabulous. It's in Allen, TX (just up the 75, to the east of us). We passed it earlier in the day when we went to McKinney. We sort of "happened upon" it during our date. We were looking for a place to get dessert so I could nurse Jett. I looked on Joel's iPhone and Panera came up as being close.
As a bonus, we enjoyed walking around this place. For locals, it's similar to Shops at Legacy. It was dark, so the photos are edited by me and a little weird. But, I like 'em. They had a band playing cover songs (classic rock, mostly). There is an outdoor fireplace, trees are all lit up, a creek, kids playing, couples dancing, some restaurants with patios overlooking the area where the band played... it was great!)
Since that next week was Spring Break, I tried to do fun things with the kids. Jenna was sick the first day, but we figured out it was an ear infection and she was good by Tuesday! yeah for amoxicillin. I took them to Chuck E. Cheese's on Tuesday. We don't eat there and I buy coins when I have a super coupon. We rationed the coins and on this trip we just used the 1/2 we had saved from Christmas-time.
On Thursday we checked out a zoo (new to us) in Gainesville, Texas. It was a special celebration day so it was just $2 admission and there's no charge for parking. A packed lunch, all the work of my amazing hubby, made for a cheap day of fun!
On Friday, Joel took the three big kids to a flight museum nearby.
As you can see from the pictures thrown in here and there, Jett was still snuggled up sleeping through lots of the action. He's so cute! When he isn't sleeping, he enjoys watching his siblings try to make him laugh.
We began the month with Joel traveling. He went to two conferences, almost back to back. He was missed by all of us. The kids made signs to welcome him home.
Upon return from his second trip, we took the kids to the Nature Preserve in McKinney. We bought a membership pass on Groupon. We weren't all that impressed with the Nature Preserve here, but the pass gives us reciprocity at lots of places we want to go when we visit family and friends (SciPort in Shreveport, Whitaker Center in Harrisburg, and museums near other friends)
That evening, my sweet friend Kristin and her hubby Chris took our three big kids for an overnight playdate with their four kids (yep, they had SEVEN kids for the evening/morning; they are wonderful). Joel and I enjoyed a wonderful date--dinner at Spaghetti Warehouse, a quick visit to Kohl's to return something, dessert at Panera Bread, and walking/music at Watters Creek.
This place, Watters Creek, is fabulous. It's in Allen, TX (just up the 75, to the east of us). We passed it earlier in the day when we went to McKinney. We sort of "happened upon" it during our date. We were looking for a place to get dessert so I could nurse Jett. I looked on Joel's iPhone and Panera came up as being close.
As a bonus, we enjoyed walking around this place. For locals, it's similar to Shops at Legacy. It was dark, so the photos are edited by me and a little weird. But, I like 'em. They had a band playing cover songs (classic rock, mostly). There is an outdoor fireplace, trees are all lit up, a creek, kids playing, couples dancing, some restaurants with patios overlooking the area where the band played... it was great!)
Since that next week was Spring Break, I tried to do fun things with the kids. Jenna was sick the first day, but we figured out it was an ear infection and she was good by Tuesday! yeah for amoxicillin. I took them to Chuck E. Cheese's on Tuesday. We don't eat there and I buy coins when I have a super coupon. We rationed the coins and on this trip we just used the 1/2 we had saved from Christmas-time.
On Thursday we checked out a zoo (new to us) in Gainesville, Texas. It was a special celebration day so it was just $2 admission and there's no charge for parking. A packed lunch, all the work of my amazing hubby, made for a cheap day of fun!
On Friday, Joel took the three big kids to a flight museum nearby.
As you can see from the pictures thrown in here and there, Jett was still snuggled up sleeping through lots of the action. He's so cute! When he isn't sleeping, he enjoys watching his siblings try to make him laugh.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Things I'm Enjoying Today
- the laughter of Jenna & Asa as they find something funny together
- Jett sleeping 8 straight hours!
- watching our big kids get excited about their little flowering plants
- free Chick-fil-A spicy chicken biscuits
- how my kids always say "I'm that girl/guy" as they pick a character in the movie or tv show they like best
- glancing through a few blogs and finding some great deals...saving money without spending lots of time
- the smell of clean laundry
- sunshine
- and a glass of sweet iced tea!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Random...the New Normal
Recently, I have talked about our family in several conversations and referred to "the new normal" meaning the way things will probably be for a while. There is no going back to "the way things were before" because they will never be the same. Oh, praise the Lord!
Makes me think of a worship song that's one of my personal favorites (click here to listen). I want it sung at my funeral. (It will ruin the song for my sister and stepmom, but would encapsulate my life best.)
But, alas, that was NOT the point of my post!
So, new normal...random! Being random will be my new normal--for a while, at least.
So, here goes...
I've been reading several things.
--Started reading John Piper's book Let The Nations Be Glad. Haven't touched it in several weeks. The concepts were too heavy for my brain to easily wrap around and mommy mush brain is in full force around here right now. (If you are unfamiliar with that mush brain, it stems from lack of sleep and an overdose of female hormones.) But, what I was loving about Piper's book was the admonition that missions is all about God's glory and nothing else. We share the love of Jesus with others because God is a glorious God and we love Him and want to make His name known and glorify Him. I think this stands in contrast (at least a little) to the assertion that we share the Gospel so people will go to heaven or have a better life (peace) or anything else. It's ALL about God's glory!
--Then started reading Kevin DeYoung's book Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will. Love it. Favorite quote thus far (and it was really hard to pick just one since I've read through most of this book already): "In short, God's will is that you and I get happy and holy in Jesus."
--Have started a Bible study with my friend Sarah. We're going through Beth Moore's Patriarchs study. Wow. Only in week two and already very blessed. Favorite quote thus far: "Your life in Christ was meant to be a great story. Easy lives don't make great stories. You'd close that book by the third chapter!" Amen sista.
Hmm...hadn't thought of it until right now, but I'm thinking maybe these are all connected. Anyone have enough brain power to help me connect the dots?
Makes me think of a worship song that's one of my personal favorites (click here to listen). I want it sung at my funeral. (It will ruin the song for my sister and stepmom, but would encapsulate my life best.)
I will never be the same again,
I can never return, I've closed the door.
I will walk the path, I'll run the race
And I will never be the same again.
Fall like fire, soak like rain,
Flow like mighty waters, again and again.
Sweep away the darkness, burn away the chaff,
And let a flame burn to glorify Your name.
There are higher heights, there are deeper seas,
Whatever you need to do, Lord do in me.
The Glory of God fills my life,
And I will never be the same again.
But, alas, that was NOT the point of my post!
So, new normal...random! Being random will be my new normal--for a while, at least.
So, here goes...
I've been reading several things.
--Started reading John Piper's book Let The Nations Be Glad. Haven't touched it in several weeks. The concepts were too heavy for my brain to easily wrap around and mommy mush brain is in full force around here right now. (If you are unfamiliar with that mush brain, it stems from lack of sleep and an overdose of female hormones.) But, what I was loving about Piper's book was the admonition that missions is all about God's glory and nothing else. We share the love of Jesus with others because God is a glorious God and we love Him and want to make His name known and glorify Him. I think this stands in contrast (at least a little) to the assertion that we share the Gospel so people will go to heaven or have a better life (peace) or anything else. It's ALL about God's glory!
--Then started reading Kevin DeYoung's book Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will. Love it. Favorite quote thus far (and it was really hard to pick just one since I've read through most of this book already): "In short, God's will is that you and I get happy and holy in Jesus."
--Have started a Bible study with my friend Sarah. We're going through Beth Moore's Patriarchs study. Wow. Only in week two and already very blessed. Favorite quote thus far: "Your life in Christ was meant to be a great story. Easy lives don't make great stories. You'd close that book by the third chapter!" Amen sista.
Hmm...hadn't thought of it until right now, but I'm thinking maybe these are all connected. Anyone have enough brain power to help me connect the dots?
Monday, December 20, 2010
Silence is...Quiet
I like silence.
Sometimes.
But, my blog has been waaaaaay too silent!
Why?
Well, let's see. Sick kids, pregnant mama, Christmas preparations, running a house with 6 people in it (we had a live-in house guest for the last month), laziness. Yep, that about sums it up.
So, what have we been doing? Hmmm...
I honestly thought I wouldn't have anything to post because we haven't done much. Umm, not true! My days just keep running together so I forget how full life has been.
In early December Joel and I took an official tour of the hospital where we will be having baby boy within the next 6 weeks. Then, on December 12th, the kids took their sibling tour. They were cute to watch. They looked in the very empty nursery. Babies don't really go there often; they stay with their mamas the whole time (which I love). And, Rylee said with a little surprise, "You mean, my mom's going to sleep here? [answer: yes] Well, who's going to stay with us?" [nurse: I'm sure your parents have that planned.] uh...yeah, we should get on that! 
What else have we done? Well, do you see that funky looking wooden square thing pictured above? It's called a Learning Tower. They are crazy expensive. Just google it. Basically, it's something you can use so your kids can stand at counter height instead of using a chair/stool. Joel found this one at a resale shop nearby for $40 and knew it was worth much more. So, he bought it. I just listed it on craigslist this weekend and made $35 on it. Yeah, I'm that person. I could have made even more, but I wasn't crazy about keeping it in my garage (along with tons of other things) any longer. We also got the kids new beds and are trying to sell these.
We have changed their beds/bedrooms more than any other room in the house. [When we moved into this house just 2 1/2 years ago, the girls had a twin and crib, then a queen and crib, then just a queen, then bunk beds, then these two twin trundle beds, now a low loft and sort of bunk that will one day be a very low sitting bottom bed in an L shape. Does that make sense?]
Asa had a crib, then a twin trundle, and now the same low loft bed as the girls. Here's their new beds. (Asa has been in the girls room until this weekend. He'll go in there again as we have company for Christmas. Then, he'll be back into his room until the baby is ready for the crib. Then, Asa will join his brother once the littlest one is sleeping through the night. Is that confusing?)
Soon a crib will be joining Asa's room and a changing table will take up residence in a corner of my bedroom.
I've been sorting and washing baby clothes. Very exciting! I used a gift card from sweet GFA ladies and got a snap 'n go stroller off craigslist last week (plop your car seat right into it; very cool; always wanted one of these before). Yes, I use craigslist A LOT. Sold/selling: learning tower, Asa's head/footboard, girls beds. Bought: 2 low loft beds, stroller. That's just what I've done in the last 2 weeks. I {heart} craigslist and buying/selling used items!
We attended Jenna & Asa's Christmas performance at preschool on Tuesday night. It was the sweetest script about the colors of Christmas. Green and red - everlasting life and the blood of Jesus.
It's absolutely precious to me to hear my kids grasping deep truths through fun ways.
We also put up some outdoor decor.
Joel made the nativity set and we got these big lights from a friend. Our icicle lights were borrowed earlier in the year and we didn't get them back until late last week. The house would be prettier with those lights, but I don't know if we'll end up hanging them or not. With 70 degree weather coming to visit for the next 3 days, we will probably take advantage and add to the glitz.
Oh yeah, Rylee's school performance was back on December 2nd and then that weekend we tried to enjoy the downtown festivities. The kids each took a turn tubing down a snow hill...then we left. They were melting much faster than the blown-in "snow".
See what I mean? We've done a lot more than I realize. I just haven't taken time to tell you about any of it.
Now I have. And, as I was uploading photos of the kids' new beds, guess what? I found about 4 other things to blog about just in the other pictures that were on my camera. Oh, my!
Sometimes.
But, my blog has been waaaaaay too silent!
Why?
Well, let's see. Sick kids, pregnant mama, Christmas preparations, running a house with 6 people in it (we had a live-in house guest for the last month), laziness. Yep, that about sums it up.
So, what have we been doing? Hmmm...
I honestly thought I wouldn't have anything to post because we haven't done much. Umm, not true! My days just keep running together so I forget how full life has been.
In early December Joel and I took an official tour of the hospital where we will be having baby boy within the next 6 weeks. Then, on December 12th, the kids took their sibling tour. They were cute to watch. They looked in the very empty nursery. Babies don't really go there often; they stay with their mamas the whole time (which I love). And, Rylee said with a little surprise, "You mean, my mom's going to sleep here? [answer: yes] Well, who's going to stay with us?" [nurse: I'm sure your parents have that planned.] uh...yeah, we should get on that! 
What else have we done? Well, do you see that funky looking wooden square thing pictured above? It's called a Learning Tower. They are crazy expensive. Just google it. Basically, it's something you can use so your kids can stand at counter height instead of using a chair/stool. Joel found this one at a resale shop nearby for $40 and knew it was worth much more. So, he bought it. I just listed it on craigslist this weekend and made $35 on it. Yeah, I'm that person. I could have made even more, but I wasn't crazy about keeping it in my garage (along with tons of other things) any longer. We also got the kids new beds and are trying to sell these.
We have changed their beds/bedrooms more than any other room in the house. [When we moved into this house just 2 1/2 years ago, the girls had a twin and crib, then a queen and crib, then just a queen, then bunk beds, then these two twin trundle beds, now a low loft and sort of bunk that will one day be a very low sitting bottom bed in an L shape. Does that make sense?]
Asa had a crib, then a twin trundle, and now the same low loft bed as the girls. Here's their new beds. (Asa has been in the girls room until this weekend. He'll go in there again as we have company for Christmas. Then, he'll be back into his room until the baby is ready for the crib. Then, Asa will join his brother once the littlest one is sleeping through the night. Is that confusing?)
Soon a crib will be joining Asa's room and a changing table will take up residence in a corner of my bedroom.I've been sorting and washing baby clothes. Very exciting! I used a gift card from sweet GFA ladies and got a snap 'n go stroller off craigslist last week (plop your car seat right into it; very cool; always wanted one of these before). Yes, I use craigslist A LOT. Sold/selling: learning tower, Asa's head/footboard, girls beds. Bought: 2 low loft beds, stroller. That's just what I've done in the last 2 weeks. I {heart} craigslist and buying/selling used items!
We attended Jenna & Asa's Christmas performance at preschool on Tuesday night. It was the sweetest script about the colors of Christmas. Green and red - everlasting life and the blood of Jesus.
It's absolutely precious to me to hear my kids grasping deep truths through fun ways.
We also put up some outdoor decor.
Joel made the nativity set and we got these big lights from a friend. Our icicle lights were borrowed earlier in the year and we didn't get them back until late last week. The house would be prettier with those lights, but I don't know if we'll end up hanging them or not. With 70 degree weather coming to visit for the next 3 days, we will probably take advantage and add to the glitz.
Oh yeah, Rylee's school performance was back on December 2nd and then that weekend we tried to enjoy the downtown festivities. The kids each took a turn tubing down a snow hill...then we left. They were melting much faster than the blown-in "snow".
See what I mean? We've done a lot more than I realize. I just haven't taken time to tell you about any of it.Now I have. And, as I was uploading photos of the kids' new beds, guess what? I found about 4 other things to blog about just in the other pictures that were on my camera. Oh, my!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
What's To Come...
I'm taking a few deep breaths. It's nice and relaxing!
I mentioned in my last post that I've been really busy. Joel and I were blessed to be part of the wedding for two friends at GFA this weekend. This last week was busy with preparations and planning and then festivities. It was a lot of fun! Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of the event. I was that busy. (Those of you who know me well know that means really, really, really busy!)
So, what's to come?
This week I will add some of the recipes and an update on how I'm planning food for our family's soon-to-come expansion. (We have just 11 more weeks until the due date, assuming this little guy waits until then!)
This afternoon we took a tour of the hospital where we plan to have the baby. I have to say it made me a lot more excited and tad bit nervous. I really, really like the hospital. Having had a c-section with the twins, but hoping to not repeat that procedure this go 'round, I am definitely going to be in a hospital and I think this one is the best choice. They are incredibly supportive of my situation and desires, but I also know they are fully capable of handling things well should the plan have to change.
Some friends requested that we register for some baby items, so we squeezed that into last weekend and that also served to get me more excited.
I can't believe we're going to be a family of 6 in just over 2 more months! Really, I'll be the mom of four?! Wow; I'm blessed!
I mentioned in my last post that I've been really busy. Joel and I were blessed to be part of the wedding for two friends at GFA this weekend. This last week was busy with preparations and planning and then festivities. It was a lot of fun! Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of the event. I was that busy. (Those of you who know me well know that means really, really, really busy!)
So, what's to come?
This week I will add some of the recipes and an update on how I'm planning food for our family's soon-to-come expansion. (We have just 11 more weeks until the due date, assuming this little guy waits until then!)
This afternoon we took a tour of the hospital where we plan to have the baby. I have to say it made me a lot more excited and tad bit nervous. I really, really like the hospital. Having had a c-section with the twins, but hoping to not repeat that procedure this go 'round, I am definitely going to be in a hospital and I think this one is the best choice. They are incredibly supportive of my situation and desires, but I also know they are fully capable of handling things well should the plan have to change.
Some friends requested that we register for some baby items, so we squeezed that into last weekend and that also served to get me more excited.
I can't believe we're going to be a family of 6 in just over 2 more months! Really, I'll be the mom of four?! Wow; I'm blessed!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Little of This, LIttle of That
Good thing I pre-posted our newsletter or else I would have been sadly lacking in recent postings!
I feel like the last few weeks have been jam-packed with activities and responsibilities and some really neat happenings.
This last weekend I had the opportunity to speak at our church's women's retreat. Wow. It was just really neat. I can't fully explain all the ways I was blessed by getting to share, but one way, in particular, was the connection it seemed to immediately give me with almost every woman there! They shared their stories with me; after all, I had just shared mine. They told me their weaknesses and insecurities; after all, I had laid quite a few things bare from the stage. It was just a really neat time of seeing the Lord at work.
Our theme was "Walking by Faith, Not By Sight". I learned a lot as I prepared to share from God's Word and as He led me. I love how God teaches us something and then allows us to turn around and teach another person the lesson. I guess the teacher in me is still alive and well.
Maybe I'll write about the major points of what I shared at some point, but right now I'm just a little tired. Being 28 weeks pregnant will do that to you, I reckon.
Oh, yeah, I guess I should take a picture to update that too.
And, last night Joel helped me prep meat for 7 meals. At some point I want to share the recipes I'm using in case anyone else out there would be interested.
But, for now...I get to help with a friend's wedding this week. They are getting married Friday night. We've been very blessed to walk alongside them in the last few months as they prepare for marriage and now we get to take part in all the festivities. I'm so excited! So, I better go nap so I'll have enough energy.
I feel like the last few weeks have been jam-packed with activities and responsibilities and some really neat happenings.
This last weekend I had the opportunity to speak at our church's women's retreat. Wow. It was just really neat. I can't fully explain all the ways I was blessed by getting to share, but one way, in particular, was the connection it seemed to immediately give me with almost every woman there! They shared their stories with me; after all, I had just shared mine. They told me their weaknesses and insecurities; after all, I had laid quite a few things bare from the stage. It was just a really neat time of seeing the Lord at work.
Our theme was "Walking by Faith, Not By Sight". I learned a lot as I prepared to share from God's Word and as He led me. I love how God teaches us something and then allows us to turn around and teach another person the lesson. I guess the teacher in me is still alive and well.
Maybe I'll write about the major points of what I shared at some point, but right now I'm just a little tired. Being 28 weeks pregnant will do that to you, I reckon.
Oh, yeah, I guess I should take a picture to update that too.
And, last night Joel helped me prep meat for 7 meals. At some point I want to share the recipes I'm using in case anyone else out there would be interested.But, for now...I get to help with a friend's wedding this week. They are getting married Friday night. We've been very blessed to walk alongside them in the last few months as they prepare for marriage and now we get to take part in all the festivities. I'm so excited! So, I better go nap so I'll have enough energy.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Seriously...a Video that Captures One of My Loves
I laughed. I agreed. I had to share!
Before you watch it, though, let me explain. I was born and raised in the south for the first ten years of my life. I moved to Arizona when I was ten, but went back to visit all my family (dad and his side) who still live in NC twice a year. While I fully assimilated into Arizona culture (have a decent accent when I speak the wee bit of Spanish I know and love a good NOT Tex-Mex! burrito), I'm still very much Southern at heart. Why do I not sound southern? First, you must not have ever heard me talking to my family on the phone. But, when I was in 5th grade I was teased pretty bad about my accent. In fact, my teacher would make me read aloud because he enjoyed hearing it, which only exacerbated the teasing. So, I learned how to not talk southern pretty fast. When you have a boy haircut, incredibly hairy arms, and a gap between your two front teeth, you do not need yet another thing for kids to tease you about!
Back to the video...enjoy!
Before you watch it, though, let me explain. I was born and raised in the south for the first ten years of my life. I moved to Arizona when I was ten, but went back to visit all my family (dad and his side) who still live in NC twice a year. While I fully assimilated into Arizona culture (have a decent accent when I speak the wee bit of Spanish I know and love a good NOT Tex-Mex! burrito), I'm still very much Southern at heart. Why do I not sound southern? First, you must not have ever heard me talking to my family on the phone. But, when I was in 5th grade I was teased pretty bad about my accent. In fact, my teacher would make me read aloud because he enjoyed hearing it, which only exacerbated the teasing. So, I learned how to not talk southern pretty fast. When you have a boy haircut, incredibly hairy arms, and a gap between your two front teeth, you do not need yet another thing for kids to tease you about!
Back to the video...enjoy!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
For Postings Sake
Thanks to Lisa, I need to post something. She told me today that I haven't posted much lately. She's right.
Hmm...why is that?
Well, let's see. First, I think it's because we haven't done that many exciting things lately. We've just been busy with regular daily life. That's always "exciting", but I haven't really taken any pictures. That would be reason number two. Reason number three is other projects. I sit down at this computer and usually have five or more things on my to do list. Then, if I waste any time by looking at other things (reading blogs, checking Facebook, googling things, looking at Craigslist, or reading emails), I don't have time to finish my to do list and can't possibly think about writing a post.
So, why now? Well, because Lisa said I should.
The biggest reason I think I haven't written anything, though, is my own heart, emotions, and the "place" I find myself these days.
I can't believe I'm even writing this to be posted, but I said I'd be real on here, so here goes.
We went to Arizona in March and I have felt off-kilter ever since. I just looked that word up in the thesaurus because I'm cool like that and wondered if it was really a word. It is. Off-kilter means "unbalanced, off balance, out of order, disordered, confused, muddled, disoriented, out of tune, out of whack". Hmmm...that's spot on!
I can't fully describe this off-kilter feeling, but there are many things that have contributed. The trip itself served to throw me off. We spent a few weeks intensely planning, then two weeks intensely traveling and sharing, and then came home back to normal life. Boom! So, there's an element that is just "post trip" adjustment.
A few other things have been happening: my tasks in the office have been varied and less consistent than they were before my trip, a very close friend of mine here in Texas has been battling breast cancer since Christmas and the last treatments were the hardest (they are now done; praise the Lord!), I got sick (which doesn't happen often), and I've been wrestling with God on a few things.
I honestly don't like to admit that I'm feeling so off-kilter, but it's the truth and I'm all about that. It's nothing dramatic or life moving, but just has led to fewer blog posts. I'm sure not too many people are impacted, but for those couple of you reading the blog who might have wondered...there you go.
I got my hair cut this week. I like it. Maybe I'll start posting more now that I like my hair again.
Hmm...why is that?
Well, let's see. First, I think it's because we haven't done that many exciting things lately. We've just been busy with regular daily life. That's always "exciting", but I haven't really taken any pictures. That would be reason number two. Reason number three is other projects. I sit down at this computer and usually have five or more things on my to do list. Then, if I waste any time by looking at other things (reading blogs, checking Facebook, googling things, looking at Craigslist, or reading emails), I don't have time to finish my to do list and can't possibly think about writing a post.
So, why now? Well, because Lisa said I should.
The biggest reason I think I haven't written anything, though, is my own heart, emotions, and the "place" I find myself these days.
I can't believe I'm even writing this to be posted, but I said I'd be real on here, so here goes.
We went to Arizona in March and I have felt off-kilter ever since. I just looked that word up in the thesaurus because I'm cool like that and wondered if it was really a word. It is. Off-kilter means "unbalanced, off balance, out of order, disordered, confused, muddled, disoriented, out of tune, out of whack". Hmmm...that's spot on!
I can't fully describe this off-kilter feeling, but there are many things that have contributed. The trip itself served to throw me off. We spent a few weeks intensely planning, then two weeks intensely traveling and sharing, and then came home back to normal life. Boom! So, there's an element that is just "post trip" adjustment.
A few other things have been happening: my tasks in the office have been varied and less consistent than they were before my trip, a very close friend of mine here in Texas has been battling breast cancer since Christmas and the last treatments were the hardest (they are now done; praise the Lord!), I got sick (which doesn't happen often), and I've been wrestling with God on a few things.
I honestly don't like to admit that I'm feeling so off-kilter, but it's the truth and I'm all about that. It's nothing dramatic or life moving, but just has led to fewer blog posts. I'm sure not too many people are impacted, but for those couple of you reading the blog who might have wondered...there you go.
I got my hair cut this week. I like it. Maybe I'll start posting more now that I like my hair again.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Celebrity Look-Alikes
I saw these celebrity look-alike match things on a friend's Facebook profile. So, I decided to see what it said for me. (I don't have a lot of front-facing photos of myself. And, the first one I uploaded was about as unflattering as they come.)
Hmmm...I look like a bunch of different men. That's encouraging!
Hmmm...I look like a bunch of different men. That's encouraging!
Okay, at least no men made it this time! But, I haven't heard of most of these people. And, I'd have to say I don't really think I look like any of them.
When I was younger (and thinner), I was sometimes told I look like Tiffany Thiessen. She actually came up on one photo I uploaded, but I couldn't save it like this for some reason.
Then, when I was a substitute teacher the kids told me I looked like Kelly Clarkson and Kelly Osborne. Yeah, quite the combo. Not sure about those.
Do you look like anyone famous?
To have MyHeritage do your look-alike, you can go to their website by clicking this link.
What do you think of my look-alikes?
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