A Time For Every Season....

Me and my faithful "twin" Nicole who is on this complex  parenting journey with me. She is my encourager and the brains behind many ideas, she is also the one who makes all my kids Birthday Cakes since this non-creative momma  can't! I've been to enough conferences over the years to know that the "homecoming" isn't as whimsical as I imagine, I also know that I fall into a depressed slump for about a week after returning  home. Then, what I learned sinks in and can begin to produce fruit in my life and action in my bones - maybe I'm just weird, but I roll with it! I'm back from the Sally Clarkson conference ~ it was just as good, if not better, than the last two years. I was inspired, challenged, and convicted. If you've never been to a Mom Heart Conference I can't sing enough praises about the life changes it will inspire in your life as momma! The message is very similar each year, but the stories of inspiration and the inner-worki...

The day has begun, I woke up late (but the kids slept in too!) I actually made my bed (which is rare) only to discover that the boys had taken the bed sheets apart and were enjoying using the bedding as a trampoline and the comforter as a landing pad. I've had a lingering headache for 16 weeks, mornings and evenings are the worst. Today I can tell will be a pounding headache day. We're out of Q Tips and my ears itch really bad. I made the boys yummy oatmeal and blueberries for breakfast... only they decided they weren't hungry and I'll probably get to hear "I'm hungry" 100 times before lunch. I'm still in sweats and I'm not planning on changing until this afternoon when I actually have to leave my house. I e-mailed some things out for work, only to discover a few hours later the VPN wasn't on so all the mail sat in my Outbox. My marriage isn't perfect (funny how some days I really believe it is perfect), in fact we went to bed angry last ni...

My lesson for this warm Thursday was, " Say "yes" as often as possible - God uses all opportunities to reveal himself through life's daily circumstances. The day began as any other, I awakened my sleepy eyes too early for my liking, calls of "Mama" from the other room drew me to reality, and Drew's excited voice jumped to the euphony of classical music -- my day had begun. We hurried through breakfast, packed lunches, and I sent oldest child ahead to dress and brush his teeth before school. When I arrived upstairs, I sighed and persuaded, "Drew. why are you wearing jeans to school? It is going to be hot and sweaty today, your not going to enjoy wearing pants." Believing I had won my argument I went into his drawer to find a pair of shorts to match his already worn shirt. "But Mommy I want to wear jeans, their comfortable and I like them!" I glanced at the clock, almost time to go, no time for Drew to argue with me. Then I heard a s...

About a month ago I tried to use my organically grown basil plant for some cooking. I had tons of extra and I didn't want to waste any. So I researched frugal and easy ways to freeze fresh basil. Here is what I did (with the help of my 4 year old) in three easy steps: Step 1 - cut the basil leaves off your basil bush (or buy some from the store, its much cheaper to grow your own 1.50 at Lowe's!) I read that for everywhere you cut, two basil leaves will grow back on the bush (we're still investigating that claim!). Leave enough extra on the bush to encourage growth, don't hack the whole thing off! It takes about a month for the growth to come back, I've added another basil plant for this reason, so I alternate cutting them back every other month. Then wash the leaves thoroughly and lay to dry on a towel. Step 2 - place basil leaves in a food processor or blender, add extra virgin olive oil (Costco has a great price 24.00 or so for almost a gallon, it will last a lon...

Drew just celebrated his last day of being in FBC Keller's 3 year old program. He loved Tuesday and Thursday's because he was able to play with his little friends - Sky, Malone, & Natalie. Drew also loved his teachers - Mrs. Misty & Mrs. Andrea. His teachers just loved their jobs and took such great care with their children. Every day the children were greeted with hugs and smiles! Drew's favorite days were Pizza days and his teachers informed me that they had to cut Drew off after 4 slices! He was also the sweet tooth junkie of the class and would "sulk" when told he couldn't have a second cupcake. Can you tell we're working on contentment? His teachers often commented on Drew's sensitive spirit, he always wanted to make sure others weren't sad. Also despite his shy nature, he enjoyed singing "worship" songs to his classmates. Drew was their energetic and sometimes spacey little boy who was always on an adventure and off plannin...

Well this past week was a total failure - from a type A, perfectionists point of view! I hardly ever get sick, but this past Easter I came down with the flu - it lasted through Wednesday y, then on Friday I woke with a horrible migraine and sinus infection. Drew and Gabe have been taking turns getting sick, I thought Drew was finally well but Drew came home from church with a high fever. Alas - we're all getting it out of our system before our big camping trip this coming Friday - Sunday! Gabe spent the week wishing he wasn't home with sick people. He is at the awkward age where he doesn't really play well with others, but wants desperately to be included. His sweet disposition has altered a little and he is now, lets just say, turning those terrible 2's a little early. At 17 months Gabe has discovered his own opinion and normally it is the opposite of what you have just asked him to do. Gabe has mastered the art of placing himself on the time out mat (in the pantry) a...

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Today I took Drew on a Mommy Date. First we went to Cabella's and bought him a new fishing pole with a 1 year warranty - seeing as the his Christmas fishing pole broke on the first cast. We took some time and enjoyed watching the huge fish swim in the glass aquarium. We especially enjoyed the turtles! Then we headed out to Starbucks where Drew enjoyed a doughnut, we sat and just talked. He told me all his favorite things and a few times I tried to say it was time to go and he replied, "But, I want to talk about my day again!" He had so much fun cuddling with mommy and sharing his favorite things. Then we went home and said good-bye to daddy who was off to work. That afternoon we took Gabe, Kitty, Nana, and Great Nana to the pond for some fishing. I can't believe I forgot my camera! I even caught a fish and was able to show the boys. Drew wasn't as impressed as I thought, Gabe wanted to eat it - fortunately for the fish he weighed next to nothing and its a catch an...

This December we focused on Advent - remembering the Lord through various Biblical names. It was so much fun to see Drew captivated by who God is, not just one aspect of God, but God in all his Glory and Abundance. We put the ornaments away yesterday and Drew was so sad to see the Advent ornaments and tree leave our entry way. It was sweet watching him place each ornament back in the "puzzle" book that they came in. He called each by name as he placed them back - "Goodbye Father of Light," "Mommy, here goes the Bright Morning Star," "Where does the Good Shepherd go?," "Here is the Cross, I mean Savour," "Good Bye Bread of wife." We opened Jesus' gift first on Christmas morning - so it wouldn't get lost in the gift opening. His gift -- a home made book filled with pictures and verses and personal writings about the gifts we gave Jesus in December. Though we would like to see our children giving all year long, this month...

We've been having fun this December learning about the coming of our Savior - commonly called Advent. This is our first year adding this tradition so its definitely a work in process. We purchased a set called " adornaments " for the kids a few years back, Drew is finally old enough to enjoy listening to the stories. We set up a small fake tree in the entry way with little lights and each night read a verse out of the Bible which is associated with one of the adornaments . We also added a few of our own - a snowflake to represent Luke 3:16 to remember the importance of water and the miracle of baptism and God's outpouring of love and forgiveness for each of us. "John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." We also added an angel which was passed on to me by my Mother In Law, it belonged to her mothe...

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!

Well our little man has turned 4 months old today. Gabe has turned into a very easy and relaxed baby - he sleeps when he can and is content to look around at the world when awake. Often he wakes from naps and I hear him giggling to himself. For the past week Gabe has been sleeping through the night without any 11:00 feedings. I put him to bed around 8:00 and he wakes around 8:00 the next morning! What a blessing! Here are the boys 4 month comparisons: is it the picture or does Gabe look huge next to Drew? Anyhow, Gabe is as spitty as Drew! At least Gabe doesn't have the acid part of the reflux. Gabe loves to smile and coo at us. he is content to watch his big brother play. Gabe still loves to eat but is at the fun age where distractions (like a brother or daddy) often catch his attention when eating. Tonight, Gabe was nursing, then stopped, looked me in the eyes and gave me a huge grin, then went back to eating. So sweet! Gabe loves to be sung to, but won't let me rock him to...

Can you tell which is which? The one on the left is Gabe at 8 week of age, the one on the right is Drew at 16 week! Gabe has already surpassed Drew, Gabe weighs in at 10 pounds this week! Gabe has tons of fat rolls and loves to eat. Even though Gabe does have reflux, he doesn't spit up nearly as much as Drew did. Gabe is really starting to be alert , picking his head up and following mommy with his eyes. Gabe also rolled over from his tummy to back at 6 weeks.