A Time For Every Season....

391. Sweet uncle who comes to visit and play in the garage 392. Drew’s kind voice asking “momma, will you play Lego ’s with me?” 393. Drew is going through a “needy” time, he now wants to be a baby and has started to call me “mama” instead of “mommy.” He is growing so quickly! 394. Letter puzzle stacked 12 high – a wonderful way for a boy to learn letter names and dexterity – not so much fun crawling on hands and knees under table with dog hair and cheerio’s 395. CareNow – so glad its open Sunday’s – Gabe jabbed a medal pointer into his cheek and we went over for Antibiotics just in case . 396. Intimate times with the Lord – I wish I were more diligent about keeping my mind fixed on Him 397. Musical reminders “Be careful little feet where you go, for it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow” from Casting Crown song Slow Fade 398. Coffee chat with friend – sharing struggles, brief stitches of time, & strength God is growing in our hearts. 399. You know those fri...

Today is a quiet, peaceful nap day! We've been off our schedules lately and both boys haven't been getting enough sleep. So, today we're just resting and getting things ready for September. Drew hasn't quite been his joyful & fun loving self the past few days. I'm not sure why, but his little heart has been very defiant. So, today he has spent some much needed rest time in his room. I didn't realize how tired he must have been - he has slept most of the late morning to afternoon. Plus went to bed last night early. I'm fervently praying for wisdom and discernment concerning his attitude - so is John. The house is quiet, the boys are quiet, and the radio isn't even on - very weird for our house. Gabe and I spent the morning quietly playing and singing, then he crawled around under my desk while I worked. He is such a sweet boy - his teeth are very close to breaking the skin! Drew is excited for school to begin next week. He gets to meet his teacher on...

This morning Gabe woke with a swollen cheek. I ran into CareNow to get a prescription for antibiotics. The Dr. gave me one specific for mouth infections which turned into a huge debacle since Walgreen's didn't have any stores carrying the medicine. I would have had to order it and pick it up tomorrow, but I really needed to get it into Gabe's system today. So I dropped by CVS and they said they could mix it for me... so sweet! While I waited at CareNow & CVS & Walgreen's, Gabe slept in the car some of the time and I looked through the adds and planned out my items - I normally head out on Monday nights, but since I had the time and was there anyways it seemed stupid to go out again tomorrow. I found a few great deals! CVS 1 Kotex 16 Ct 1.39 - 1.39 ECB = free + 2.50 overages I used 1.00 coupon + 1.50 CVS printout for hygiene products + 1.39 ECB 2 Zipfizz 5.99 - 5.99 ECB = free + 2.00 overages I used 2/10 coupon CVS Total - I made $4.50 + gained more cou...

(Making Laundry Soap from Scratch; Drew was my super helper! He especially loved grating the bar of soap!) Drew I made our own laundry soap yesterday - we had a ton of fun and loved the outcome! Our liquid soap fits perfectly in the Kirkland containers. Now my only problem is that I recycled all but one of those Kirkland containers! An added bonus - the washing soda + Borax mixed 50/50 also works in the dishwasher. For a rinse-aid you can add vinegar! I just ran my first load and really liked it. I also read that you can add a tbsp of dish soap for particularly greasy dishes. Oh the wonders of the Internet! I think I'm sold on the homemade dish washing soap - we spend .30 cents a load using the Costco package with the rinse aid & soap squares. The homemade kind costs a penny per load! We are celebrating my mother's Birthday this weekend; thanks to Titi, Drew knows Mom will be 52 and freely tells everyone! Tonight we all had dinner and Gabe found a plate stand under the hutc...

Well, our fast ended on 8/8/08 - we celebrated by watching the opening ceremonies for the Olympics. I learned that giving up TV is a piece of cake, giving up the convenience of dining out wasn't so easy. I cheated a week before our fast ended and met a friend at Starbucks. I cheated again on 8/7 and ordered a cheeseburger at McDonald's while running home from the store. I did learn that convenience is a huge decision maker when ordering out. So, to help my cravings for convenience I've started cooking a few items in "bulk". Tonight I made breakfast burritos after the kids went to bed - 15 to be exact. I then wrapped them in plastic wrap and stuck them in the freezer. Now I have a simple breakfast item to grab when I'm rushed. In case you want to make them, their very simple and cheap! Dozen Eggs .99 * sale at Safeway Ground Sausage .65 * discounted meat at Safeway Grated Cheese 1.67 * 3/5 at Kroger Tortilla's .90 * Costco 50 for around 2.50 Rice .10 * Left...

It finally rained and cooled off. Today it was only 80 or so and tonight it gets into the 60's! Here comes my favorite season.... Autumn! Drew is very ready for preschool! He is also ready to move to the "big kid" hall at church. His new class attends a puppet/lesson/singing class and also has a game time! He so wants to go to worship and sing! We walk by while they are practicing and Drew always has to stop and watch. Today Gabe is 9 months old! He went in for his well-check and had another shot. He is days away from getting his two bottom teeth - the gums are so swollen and tender. Poor kid, he drools and gnaws on anything. Gabe weighed in at 20.6 pounds and 26 1/4 inches long. Gabe is now standing unassisted - just today. His personality is becoming crystal clear to all! He is an extremist - most of the time happy and joyful - always laughing at his big brother. However, he has a temper! You don't want to cross him or he'll scream so loud you can't hear an...

"That which is known by heart is what the heart knows." ~Dennis Lennon Some have asked what the Catechism's are that Drew is learning. We got them out of a wonderful book called, " Big Truths For Little Kids " by Susan Hunt. She was on Focus On The Family a few years back and I desperately wanted to teach them to Drew (he was only 9 months at the time). So, here we are at 3 1/2 and Drew knows about 10 of the statements, 20 with some help. Each week we read a story and add 1-2 new statements. Each concept builds on the next. For the entire list of Catechism's click on the title of the post. Below are the ones Drew has been learning. This process of Questions & Answers has been awesome! Drew has learned his birthday, address, phone #, and various states just by using the question & answer form of training. I'm excited to start included scripture memory in this too. The Book "Big Truths For Little Kids" has a real life story to go with t...

I heard Beth Moore tell this story in a Bible Study I took, it was just e-mailed to me so I had to post. I really makes me think about how many times I don't ovey God for fear of what people will think. For those of you who do not know Beth Moore, she is an outstanding speaker and Bible teacher, and the author of several excellent Bible studies. She and her husband of a number of years live in Texas and have two grown daughters. This is one of her experiences: April 20, 2005, at the Airport in Knoxville , waiting to board the plane, I had the Bible on my lap and was very intent upon what I was doing. I'd had a marvelous morning with the Lord. I say this because I want to tell you it is a scary thing to have the Spirit of God really working in you. You could end up doing some things you never would have done otherwise. Life in the Spirit can be dangerous for a thousand reasons not the least of which is your ego. I tried to keep from staring, but he was such a strange sight. Hump...

364. A perfectly ordinary day! 365. A new, very fast computer – I'm thankful for my, 8 year old computer which has been passed along to Drew for his "gaming" with the alphabet. 366. John's hard work and dedication! He has been working so hard at finding a teaching job & working his business. 367. Teaching Interviews! 368. Completion of John's teaching program – 4 weeks of 40 hours sitting listening & writing – without pay 369. Gabe's full out belly laughs when you say "Boo" 370. Drew's new found love for geography, he loves our new maps and learning the names of the continents 371. Morning school with Drew while Gabe naps – Drew is learning so much these days 372. John selflessly taking the boys to Oklahoma and giving me 3 days to catch up on work & housecleaning 373. Completed Bible Posts 374. Deals & steals at CVS & Walgreens – I haven't a clue how these places stay in business when they give products away 375. Opening C...

What does a mommy do when her husband takes the kids to her sisters for 3 days? She works, completes monthly posts for the Interactive Bible Reading, then completely vacuum's the entire upstairs (moving everything and getting into all the corners, then she takes a shower and reads a book before falling fast asleep at 2:00 am! I really enjoyed the first 12 hours of being alone. It was weird, I had such freedom! I could vacuum at midnight and not wake anyone up! This morning I tiptoed out of bed and then remembered.... no one is here to wake up! Alas, I have two more days of being alone and I'm already starting to miss my boys (husband included). I'm finishing up cleaning the whole house tonight so I can enjoy it tomorrow. Maybe I can finish my new book - 90 Minutes In Heaven before Friday! I've been so busy lately the quiet is really nice and calming. John was so sweet to give me a little break. I'll have to surprise him when he gets home! Enough rambling! I'm...

Drew is fascinated with learning. He and I are into reciting various things back and forth. Saturday he was talking about his Birthday and how he would be 4 years old and that he wanted a rocket cake that would go to the moon. I asked him when his Birthday was, he said he didn't know . So we practiced "January 24" back and forth. Then today, I asked him when his birthday was and to my amazement, he replied "January 24!" We also put a world and state map up in the kitchen. We added little ladybug pegs where various family live. I told Drew he was going to see his TiTi and Tio in a few days, he replied, "I'm going to Okluhuma " and then he ran and pointed to the state! I was so excited for him. He is learning so much! John showed him where Australia is and I mentioned that Kangaroo's live in Australia. Now he loves to show us where Australia & kangaroo's are located. We also put a peg where our missionary lives (India) and Drew has me...

Dawn Dish Liquid, 11 oz. CVS deal: Sale price $.88, no limit.Stack manufacturer coupon: $.50/1 - today's insert (exp. 8/31/08).Get it for $.38. Fusion Razor CVS deal: Buy it for $9.99 and get $3 ECBs , limit 1.Manufacturer coupon from 8/3: -4.00 Total Cost: 2.99 Pert Plus 2in1 Shampoo/Conditioner 13.5 oz. CVS deal: Buy one (3.69), get one free (no limit). Manufacturer coupons: $2/1 (use 2 from 8/3 save 4.00!) Cost: Free plus 31 cents overage Colgate Total Advanced Clean Toothpaste, 4 oz. CVS deal: Buy 2 for $2.99, get $2 ECBs , limit 2. Use $1/1 manufacturer coupon Price free or $.01 overage. Extreme Energy Orange or Berry Flavor 2 pk, 4oz total CVS deal: Buy it for $4.99, get $4.99 ECBs , limit 1.Get it free! Also - CVS is issuing a free coupon for something when you make a purchase in August - I received a coupon for free pain reliever. (I think it just happens the first time you use your card in August). Sounds like it is either a CVS pain reliever, CVS lip balm, CVS al...