A Time For Every Season....

Yes, call me totally crazy, but I had this brilliant idea that getting up early, taking the dog for a jog and swim in the cool 75 degree weather would somehow cut off the inches AND give me more energy. So, here I sit at 3:00 PM, I've played and read and cooked and taught all my sore and weary body will endure. The kids are in the bath with about 2 inches of water having the time of their lives while I lay on the bathroom floor trying to get a 10 minute nap! Energy, please come soon!

Drew said the cutest thing yesterday , I asked him why he was sad and crying. His reply, "I'm not crying, my eyes are raining!" So cute! This week we have been learning a little Geography. We found some wonderful world & state maps and stuck two of them up in the kitchen area. We then placed ladybug tacks in the places where family live. Drew is so proud to show where his Grandma Patti will be living for 9 months - the country of China! Drew has learned the the map locations of: Oregon, Washington, Texas & Oklahoma. We also worked today on writing the letter "D." We're going to need to work on those fine motor skills! We're also muddling our way through the book "Big Truths For Little Kids." I say muddling because every time I get the book out he tells me, "Mommy later, lets read that later." Evidently learning the Catechism's is boring to our 3 year old! Drew is getting a ton of good truth and despite his complaints, he...

What a Sunday! John left right after church to work at HD . He is anxiously awaiting the completion of his teaching certification - 8/1 is his last day. Drew and I had a wonderfully terrible day. Right after lunch Drew and I had the biggest battle ever. He had done something worthy of a spanking and we went through our routine: M: "Drew, what did mommy ask you to do?" D: " I didn't obey" M:" I know you didn't obey, what happens when you don't obey?" D: "I get a spanking..." About that same time he was saying the final word, he ran under his bed. Normally he isn't too bad about getting my spankings - Daddy is a whole other story! We battled for about 10 minutes while he screamed uncontrollable, kicked, and kept trying to get away. I prayed one of those "help me, give me wisdom" prayers and God showed up. I left Drew in his room and told him to come get me when he was ready to submit and take the spanking. I knew he would ...

8 Month Comparison Pictures: Gabe (Left) Drew (Right) Today Gabe discovered he can climb up on things! Now, he wants to stand up in the bathtub, along the couch, in his crib, and up against the walls. Too bad he hasn't figured out how to sit back down. Today he was standing at the toy chest and took away one hand so he was standing straight up with only one hand supporting him! * You can also check out the video page for a video of Gabe's new skills!

(Our Little Prayer Warrior!) This week Grandma Patti came for a visit. It was a very relaxing time - we visited the Fort Worth Zoo, went to church on Sunday, and then Grandma Patti & Drew went to a fun little children's water day at our church for a few hours. Drew is totally in love with his grandma - she brought him Richard Scarry books from 20+ years ago. He has been reading them constantly. Its cute, we'll be chatting after dinner or talking to Gabe and wonder where Drew went. We normally find him sitting on the couch looking at his books. She also brought him Tiger Jammie's from China which he loves wearing around the house growling like a Tiger! Grandma Patti left on Tuesday night and all I heard about Wednesday & Thursday was how he "needed to see her" and then he tried to convince me to fly to Oregon so we could find Grandma Patti. Poor Drew, he really misses his Grandma! Gabe is cranky again.... still teething yet no teeth to show for it! He is s...

Last night I was blessed to attend a benefit concert for the MidCities Pregnancy Center. The concert was a evening with Steven Curtis Chapman. What a wonderful time we had celebrating life. It was such a humbling experience. Many of you know that Steven lost his youngest daughter Maria in an auto accident a few months back. The evening was spent going back over Steven's songs and contemplating the deeper meanings. Unfortunately, he and his family have entered the group of people who know what it is like to lose someone close. I think every person in that room was asking the same question, "If God were to take my child from this earth, would I still believe that God is God and worship Him?" It was a humble experience being with someone grieving and mourning the loss, yet through his own mourning allowed the audience to see into his heart. What we all saw was a man, questioning, yet steadfast and committed to his Savior. Through his pain, he can already see the good that ha...

Here are Gabe, Drew, and Titi - both boys were around 8 month of age. Gabe currently weighs 19 pounds 2 ounces Drew weighed 18 Pounds 6 ounces

351. 3.98 diapers & wipes from Target, the second time they were free 352. Sweet husband working so hard to find a teaching job 353. Time, a peaceful evening to read and refresh in God’s word 354. Evening stroll with Kitty, watching her chase a frog 355. Joy… Lord may my children be filled with the joy given to You through the Holy Spirit 356. Fevered head cuddling and falling asleep on this humble mommy 357. Medicine to bring down Gabe’s 104 degree fever 358. The doctors, and mother, who diagnosed Drew’s balding head as ringworm… Yuck! 359. Reflection, He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely our grief’s He Himself bore, and our sorrow He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God and afflicted. He was but pierced through for our ...

Here are a few of the money saving tips I've learned from others or by trial & error: Own a deep freezer, it allows you to buy in bulk with things are on sale! Formula is a major expense with little ones, I signed up with Similac, Nestle's, & Enfamil when the boys were first born. I put on the survery that I was breadtfeeding (they'll send you more checks because they haven't got you hooked yet). I collected the checks and when formula went on sale or the packaging was discontinued I'd use all my checks to buy the large fulmula containers. Tom Thumb will let you use multiple checks on one item, Target and WalMart won't. I collected tons of formula before Gabe was even born! Then when the boys hit 8 or so months and were in need of formula I didn't have to spend 25+ dollars a week on cans of formula. Drew actually just stopped drinking formula at 3 years old, I had such an abundance for so long I would give him formula instead of milk. Don't be a ...

We are home relaxing! Gabe is still sick with the flu - just a mild fever and diarrhea remain. Drew proudly displays his balding head for all to see. My mother, sweet mother, searched the Internet trying to find what plagued our 3 1/2 years old head. She didn't believe that he randomly cut a perfect circle in the middle of his scalp, to her horror she diagnosed him with Ring worm. The doctors confirmed her diagnosis this morning. He is now on anti-fungal medicine 2x per day for the next 6 weeks. Joy! One more thing for my tired head to remember. I don't think I mentioned but our bi-annual fast was moved from August due to the Olympics. So we're fasting from TV, media, and spending money from: 7/7-8/7. I started trying to coupon this month because my goal is to only spend 150.00 for the entire month on groceries. Last fast I spent 200.00 but felt I could have been more frugal. This month we are well on our way, I've only spent 70.00 on groceries! We are taking the mon...

So my friends finally got me hooked on CVS and their awesome deals. Here is what I purchased tonight: Photo Book 6x8 Photo Book 6x8 Photo Book 4x6 Ensure 6 pack 2 Colgate Toothpaste 2 Colgate Toothpaste Liners Rootbear Diapers - Huggies Size 4, 34 Pack Face Wipes Total Retail was: 67.76 I paid out of pocket: 13.68 and I will receive a rebate check from Ensure for 6.99. So, really I paid 6.69 - that's a savings of 90%! It took me 1 hour at CVS to make my photo books and 1 hour at home organizing coupons. That's a really awesome deal. To learn how, and other great deals at various stores go to Money Saving Mom and look under CVS. I could have had some even better deals, but I haven't been collecting the Sunday paper's coupons so I was missing a few coupons from prior weeks. All of what I purchased above was with coupons from the money saving mom website and a few toothpaste coupons from this past Sunday.

We are still around, just sick with the flu. Who knew you could get the icky flu in July? We spent a very fun weekend with my sister and brother in law! The boys loved being spoiled by their TiTi and Tio! We went swimming a few times and had our first trip to the FW Zoo. Drew's favorite part of the Zoo was..... the 2 minute train ride! Gabe had a great time "staring" at his Titi. For some reason, he would follow her with his eyes and stare at her with the most serious look on his face. Too funny! Gabe current weight: 19.2 pounds Drew current weight: 29.0 pounds Mommy is currently 4+ pounds lighter than a week ago. Its nice loosing weight and not being hungry. Well, that's trying to be optimistic! Thank you Aunt Sherri for the inflatable Killer Whale! Drew loved playing with it. The whale's outcome is posted on the picture page!

Today's List looks like this: Laundry Dishes Vacuum floors Make beds Prepare Breakfast, lunch, & dinner Clean linen closet Finish Bible Posts The important things aren't on the list: Cuddle with little boys Play flubber with Drew Read kids tons of books, ask probing question, remember funny answers Work on a few lines from the Catechism's Sing songs with Drew, dance & be silly Relax & pray while watering the garden Pray for my husband as he takes a long exam and then works till 11:00pm Encourage Gabe at his crawling endeavors Take the neighbors cookies Blessed each person who I come into contact with I tend to finish my to do list before remembering the important things aren't listed. Life has a way of always providing ample things to keep me occupied .... Lord may I choose to do those things which are far more important and kingdom focused that those that serve myself and my agenda.

329. A new vision of submission, a happier home, and a healthier marriage 330. A plentiful month with extra to give to those in need 331. Crayola Markers that are for coloring on windows! They’re so artsy and fun for young & old 332. Smiling child, perfect lighting, summer vinca in full bloom, and the snap of the perfect picture 333. Time, remembering to slow down and enjoy this moment 334. Smiles of brothers playing together 335. Drew’s sleepy smile that awoke at 12:00am for a drive to the airport to bring his Nana home 336. Lowering the crib mattress – growing baby whose looking less like a baby each day 337. Gabe’s accomplished smile as he awkwardly moves from a tummy to sitting 338. Peaceful day with my youngest, just the two of us, giggles, peek-a-boo, & smiles 339. A night away from home to visit with friend, brag on husbands, share about children, dream about the future 340. Time… for a good book 341. A patient spirit, just listening through the silence to hear what swee...

He is so darn cute, I took these this evening and had to share. I tried to get some cute pictures of Drew but he refused. Now I know why the Pro's stick to babies, they are much easier to photograph......