Pumpkin Pictures

Here's a pic of us at the local pumpkin patch that we went to with our MOPS group.

Although we don't "celebrate" Halloween, we do enjoy fall. The outfit baby L is wearing was a gift and was too cute for her not to wear. K had a blast going up and down the bridge with the other kids while baby L just hung out as we followed K around.

There were about 30 parents and 50 kids. We had to split into 2 groups because there were so many of us. We played in the pumpkin patch, everyone had their camera in tow, and then we listened to a story about how pumpkins grow. Then, it was snack time. Oh, and as you can see by K's face, the kids were able to have their faces painted too.

Here's a pic of the kids with Howdy the clown.

Finally, a pic of baby L doing a little pumpkin hugging.

I GET THE MESSAGE!!!!

Last night before I went to bed, I decided I was going to set my alarm to wake up before the kids so I could MAKE sure I would be able to read my Bible in complete quietness. I set my alarm for 6 a.m. and went to bed. Baby L only woke up once (I think) at 3 am for a feeding. As I crawled back into bed at 3:38 am., I realized I only had 2.5 more hours to sleep. It didn't take me long to fall back asleep.

Right on schedule, my phone alarm rang at 6 am. I looked at the phone and pushed a button to silence it. A few minutes later it rang again. This time when I went to silence it, the screen was blank. There was no way to silence it or turn it off. OK, OK, OK, I get it!!!! I got out of bed, went in the living room, and did my Bible study. As soon as I was done, I went back to bed. Needless to say as soon as I laid down Baby L woke up unusually early.

Although there was a slight reluctance on my part, I'm so blessed that I finally got the message and got out of bed. I was able to make breakfast for the entire family, get myself and the kids ready, and make it to church early. To me, there really isn't anything better than starting the day off in the Word of God.

Safety in Church?

As I sat in church listening to the pastor the other day, I notice the couple in front of me had their newborn with them. I couldn't help but smile, especially since my memories with baby L at the stage were so new. As I continued to listen to and watch the pastor, I noticed the lady moving around in front of me. It was as though she was looking for something. Her newborn seemed content and was very quiet. As I watched for the next few seconds, I noticed that she was putting a nursing cover around her neck to cover herself as she fed her child. As a breastfeeding mom, I smiled and wondered for a brief moment if she knew if the church had a nursing room. I started to mention it to her, but then realized if she wanted to get up and go somewhere private, she would have. So, I chose not to say anything at all.

That afternoon M and I had lunch with some Sunday school peers at one of their houses. As we sat around the living room watching the kids play and talking, someone mentioned the "nursing lady". The topic quickly escalated.
"Did you see the lady in front of us?"
"I couldn't believe she was doing that."
"I kept waiting for her to get up to leave, but she never did."

It wasn't long into the conversation that I interjected my two cents, as I am known to do. I told those around how I felt about it. I thought it was great that she felt comfortable doing that in her pew. She was completely covered and was doing something she was designed by God to do. Besides, if she didn't feel comfortable nursing her child at church than where could she?

As a Christian breastfeeding mom the one place I should feel the most comfortable breastfeeding my child is at church. Seriously! If I don't or can't feel comfortable breastfeeding my own child at church, where should I feel comfortable? In the privacy of my own home? Church should be the one place that I shouldn't have to worry about people looking at me with lustful eyes or in judgement.

It's not my place to judge others or the decisions they make. I have enough to worry about. Although my peers don't agree with what the lady chose to do, it's not my right to judge anyone or the decisions they make.

"Do not judge or you two will be judged." Matthew 7:1

Unnecessary Worries

As a human, a wife, and a mother I can't help but worry sometimes. I really try not to because the Bible specifically says not to. It's not as easy to do as it seems as though it should be. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself." Matthew 6:34

To worry shows little faith in God.

I was reminded of my lack of need to worry as my day progressed today. I woke up this morning with SO much to do today. I had made my list last night and it looked like this:

1. BSF - 9:15-11:15 (20 min drive one way)


2. Rich Dad Poor Dad Conference - 12:30-2ish - (about 10 mins from BSF, but had to take kids home first)


3. K's swim class 3:30-4:15 (by my house)


4. take kids to sitter's for 5:30 (20 min drive one way)


5. people coming over at 7

I truly had no idea how I was going to get all that done, feed the kids and myself, and still clean the house for those coming over. I got a little worried. "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life" Matthew 6:27

I didn't set my alarm because I knew one of the kids would wake me in due time to get ready. I was right. K crawled into bed with us about 7 a.m., but I didn't get out of bed until 7:30 a.m. I had just enough time to get the three of us ready for BSF. As I got baby L ready, I noticed her voice was getting a little raspy and she didn't seem to be feeling too good. Uh oh! More teeth coming in? Off to BSF we went and of course, I was a little late.

After BSF, I took the kids home and ate lunch while M took K to get a movie. They got home in enough time for me to visit for a brief minute and leave. I made it to the hotel at 12:31 p.m. Registration had not started yet. I really dislike being late. Lucky for me, I wasn't - they were.

I left the conference at 2 so M could go to work early. We met in the parking lot, loaded up the kids, and I rushed to get home so K could change clothes for swim class. As he was about to change, I noticed I had a message on our phone. Swim class was cancelled. *Sigh* One worry taken care of. I actually had a couple of hours to clean... YEAH!!! K wasn't too happy. He was looking forward to going. He doesn't do too well with schedule changes. It's for that reason that I usually don't tell him when we're going to do something. Especially, if there is a remote chance the plans could change.

Anyway! After a K threw a brief tantrum, he fell asleep. He woke up with enough time to eat before Ms. Alex came to pick him up. I was going to take them to her house (20 mins) away, but she was kind and wonderful enough to come pick them up for me. They left the house about 6:30ish.

After everyone that come over at 7 p.m. left, I went and picked up the kids at Ms. Alex's at 9 p.m.. Baby L cried the entire way home. Poor Baby barely had a voice to cry with.

In worrying, I caused extra strife on myself and probably stressed my relationships a little. It had all been taken care of. I know I could have not done any of the things on my list at any point, but I'm not that type of person. I had already made commitments and didn't want to not show up just because it was inconvenient for me.

Had I completely surrendered and not worried, not only would everything had been taken care of like it had been, but my relationships with those I loved wouldn't have suffered any because I would have been more calm.

Childhood Memories

I have SO many wonderful childhood memories, but I can't even tell you how excited I got in Wal-Mart today.

As I walked into Wal-Mart today to get groceries and a few Christmas presents, I saw something I hadn't seen in YEARS. Much to my delight, there was a crate of Franken Berry, Boo Berry, and Count Dracula cereal in the aisle. I got so excited that I know someone had to turn to see what was going on. I actually caught myself talking to myself in the most excited manner. You would have thought I was talking to my 3 yo (that wasn't with me).

I don't know why I got so excited. My excitement has nothing to do with the upcoming Halloween celebrations. We have yet to celebrate or honor Halloween in our house. I just remember loving Fraken Berry cereal as a kid, almost as much as I loved Smurf cereal. Does anyone remember Smurf cereal? I know I'm not crazy.

We didn't have a lot of money growing up. To be honest, I don't even know if I remember my mom ever buying it or not, but I do remember eating it and absolutely loving every second of it. Aside from eating it when I was a kid, the only other memory I really have of it was walking down the grocery store aisle asking my mom if she would buy some. I don't remember if she did or not, but it was so nice to be able to get some without asking anyone.

Yes, I did buy a box of Fraken Berry and Boo Berry. Although I haven't opened the Boo Berry yet, I enjoyed my bowl of Fraken Berry and strawberry milk almost as much as I did 20 years ago.

K likes both of them too! So much that his daddy let him eat 2, yes 2, bowls for lunch today (Thurs.) while I was gone.

Always teaching

On our way to do errands as a family, M decided it was time for him to give blood. Quickly after checking in to give blood as well, I realized I wouldn't be able to b/c I still have sinus issues and you can't give blood if you are sick in any way.


I wasn't sure how it would go with me watching the two kiddos while M sat in a chair turning very ghostly as blood went from his arm into a plastic container. Let me mention that K only came to the hospital for a very short period of time when I had baby L b/c it scared him to see his mommy with tubes coming from my arms. Although he's getting better, he doesn't do well in hospital settings.


As always, we used it as a learning experience to teach him about helping others. We compared it to his money box. Just as money is stored in it until he needs it for something, the blood bank stores blood until others need it, usually when they have an accident and lose a lot of blood. He seemed to understand it, about as much a 3 yo old can.


He got to watch Ms. Courtney put the needle in his dad's arm. He did really well. Afterward, as we were going to Home Depot, he asked his daddy. "Is your arm feeling better?" I thought it was cute how he was concerned about his dad's well being.

K went crabbing

K went crabbing with Ms. Alex and a few other people from church the other day. He had a wonderful time and is still talking about it. Here are a few pics they took for me.
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Home Made Fishing Pole

MandyMom over at http://www.preciousmind.blogspot.com/ wrote a blog about things made from everyday items around the house. I told her about the fishing pole and fish I made, but realized I had not posted a pic of it.


A couple of months ago K asked for a fishing pole. Well, we don't really go fishing, so I didn't see a need to buy him one so I made one out of a large stick and string. He got on his boat (our doormat) and proceeded to catch a few fish. I couldn't go outside unless I was on the boat b/c he didn't want the alligators to get me. I love imaginations!

Well, a few days later, he got more specific in his request. He asked for a fishing pole that rolled up. I had to think. Yet again, I did not feel like taking both kids and my money to the store to buy a fishing pole that would lose it's novelty fairly quickly. This is what I made.

I think it took longer to make than it would have to go to the store and buy it, but it was fun to make and it showed I still have a little bit of creativity. Even his 7 year old cousin, A, had a fun playing with it and it helped his eye-hand coordination.

New Song from Church

With the Dow Jones and house market frenzy and the upcoming election, one can't help but have a slight curiosity about what is going to happen to our country in the next 4-8 years. SO many people have given fruit to past presidents not completely knowing or understanding how they truly effected the economy and it's current happenings. That's right - it not ALL Bush's fault. I'm sorry, but there were presidents before him, do you really think if one was bold enough to have an affair on his wife while in office, that he didn't commit some economical wrongdoings - seriously!

I was at a conference in KY a couple of weekends ago and found out a few things from Bob McEwen. Did you know the Financial Advisor appointed by Clinton during his term was paid $333,333 a WEEK while the President only made $275,000 a year. UNBELIEVABLE!!! He was the largest pay out from all this Fannie Mae and mortgage crisis we are currently in. Did you also know the second largest payout went to Barack Obama? Yep, the guy that is running for President. I had NO idea. How could I have known? I don't know what role he played, because Bob McEwen wasn't try to sway our vote, but to make sure we were informed. He never talked ill of either party, just gave facts.

Anyway... today at church our pastor opened up the sermon with a new song that I wanted to share.... it's sang to the tune of "He's got the Whole World in His Hands."

He's got the Dow Jones in His Hands.....
He's got the Presidential Election in His Hands...
He's got your 401K in His Hands....
He's got the Whole World in His Hands....

No matter what happens in this Presidential Election or in the years to follow, I know that God is in control. Although I might face persecution while on earth, God is in control of my life and I will see Him on the other side.

God is in control, but we must do our part. Are you registered to vote? Do you know who you are voting for and WHY? Make sure it's for the politically correct reason and not because he's a Democrat! I know where I will be on Nov. 4 with two young kids in tow!

Thanks to www.Mandymom.com and our pastor for helping me decide what to write about today.

Baby L's first teeth

As M was trying to get baby L to say "da da", she decided to chew on my fingers. As soon as she put my fingers in her mouth, I felt a tooth coming in. When I examined it a little closer, I noticed her two bottom teeth coming in. I'd say I'll post pics soon, but it took K's first tooth about 2 months to come in. I'm glad I was the one to find them... Stay tuned for pics

K's photo

K took this pic of Baby L today and I wanted to post it b/c I think he did pretty good capturing her. I can't believe how quickly they grow.

Here are a couple of pics of baby L eating turkey for the first time. She seemed to like it. (I took these pics.)

a pic of me

K drew his first picture of a person today. When I asked him who it was he added the name.

Can you see what it says?

Yep, that's me, Mom! It's one of the very few words he can actually spell and write by himself.

Who needs gymnastic classes?

So K learned how to do a flip off the coffee table without using his hands today. I just had to share.

I know... some of you, if not all, are probably wondering what I'm thinking for letting my 3.5 yo on my coffee table, but he truly does understand that is the only coffee table he can climb on. He doesn't try to do anything like this at anyone else's house. The only reason we even let him on our coffee table is b/c we know it's not a permanent fixture. It's become a "school work" table. It's only a table....

I'm back!!!!

As you can see, I was MIA for a few days. It was greatly needed, but I can't seem to catch up.

I went to Louisville, KY on a business trip with a few friends. The ride was nice, especially since I didn't have to drive. It only took us 11 hours and 40 minutes to get there from Lafayette. We arrived in Louisville on Friday afternoon and I got home about 3:30 am yesterday. I went to bed as soon as M went to work (about 5 am) and slept until about 10 am.

I didn't sleep as long as I would have liked because I missed the kiddos too much. They were staying at my in-laws in TX and I had to go pick them up. This was my first trip w/out baby L and I have to say.... it wasn't too bad. I actually got a full night sleep the second night we were gone. The first night we were in the hotel, they tried to freeze me out so I didn't sleep too good. Actually, the temp would have been perfect if I would have been properly prepared with more blankets, but since I wasn't.... I almost froze. I survived though and that's what matters :-)

In regards to catching up, I told a friend of mine that is a new mom, that we would walk together when I got back. Unfortunately, we can't seem to find 30 mins anywhere. How is that possible that I don't even have 30 mins to take a walk around the neighborhood? I think we're going to be able to go tomorrow.... As soon as I do my Bible study, take the kids to story time, take a friend that's going through cancer a bottle of Mona*Vie, get groceries, and go to the post office. Oh yeah, I have to feed the kids and myself at some point. Then, I'm planning on going to church too.

Poor K hasn't been able to do much school work lately. We got about an hour in tonight. Of course, it was after 8 pm when we did it, but at least we did something. That's one of the great things about homeschooling, it can be done anytime. Nights are good for us, because then he doesn't have to miss playing outside during daylight hours.

You know... as much as I feel as though I can't catch up, it's not until I sit down at night or tell someone about my day that I feel or even notice the busyness of the day. I have a wonderful God that allows me to handle the day gracefully. Now... it's time for bed though - G'nite!

"...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles: they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 41:31

I Can Eat Again!!!!

Yeah! My tongue only has one small ulcer on the tip of it. I was able to eat some food yesterday and am feeling much better. Just in time to go out of town.

My first trip without either of the kids. I'm feeling a little sad about it though. I have a strong feeling I am going to come home and baby L is going to have a tooth. She was up a couple of times last night whining. As soon as I gave her some tylenol and her pacifier she was good for a couple of more hours.

She's had some crazy diapers the past couple of days and she hasn't really wanted a bottle too much. She's ok with eating real food or nursing, but hasn't really "drank" too much. So, we shall see what happens. I've come to terms with the fact that even if I do miss seeing her the day she gets her first tooth, I have a lot more firsts to have with her.

I love my life as a stay at home mom!

Carry your Cross

I recieved an e-mail the other day about cross carrying. I really enjoyed being reminded that there is always someone else with a bigger cross to carry.

I called my husband, M, at work the other day to let him know I was about to go to the Dr. It had been 5 days since my tongue had started swelling. I had lost my ability to taste, I couldn't eat, and I was having a hard time swallowing. I had been on a liquid diet for 3 days. For those of you that know me, I love to eat realy food. I actually lost 3 pounds and can fit in my pre-baby L jeans again... Anyway, as we were talking, he asked me if I was going to take the kids. LOL!!! Of course, what else would I do with them? He then told me he would help, but he left work early to go to the Dr. too.

Well, we both ended up at the same Dr.'s office and waited in the same room together so it wasn't too bad. Seems we both have a viral infection. He had to get a shot in his hip while I was given on over the counter remedy. We're both feeling better now.

Although I long ago stopped feeling sorry for the problems I have, I couldn't help but wonder if there was anything else that could happen. It had been one of those weeks.

When I got home I had an e-mail telling me a friend of mine in her 30s is going into pre-op on Tues. Oct.14 to have a brain tumor removed. This young mom has 4 young kids. When I texted her to let her know I was praying for her, she immediately called me. You NEVER would have known she was carrying a heavy cross. The only thing she asked me to pray for was for her to not get a cold. ALL 4 of her kids have colds right now. Her getting a cold right now would only delay her surgery.

Luckily, her and her husband are able to stay home full time with their kids. They have homes in Michigan and Florida. She mentioned that they had been trying to decide where to spend time recently and this sealed the deal for them. The entire time we talked, she had such a wonderful attitude and really didn't want to talk about her trials or what she was going through.

Thank you Terri Brady for being a wonderful example of a strong and courageous woman!

We should carry the crosses we have trusting and knowing that God will allow us to use it to get to the other side.

"... we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, " Romans 5:3

Obedience

A few minutes ago, while I was taking a nap with K, I was awaken with the urge to read my Bible. For some reason, I waited. I didn't get up, thinking just a few more minutes. Then, Psalm 119:5 came to me. I immediately got out of bed and took out my Bible to read, "Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!"

Wow! Talk about a slap in the face.

I sometimes wonder why K doesn't always obey me the first time I ask/tell him to do something. I now realize I'm asking him to do something I don't always do. Had I got out of bed with the first urge, I probably would have read something different, but instead I needed to be gently reminded to be steadfast in obeying His commands.

6 months

Baby L turned 6 months today.

We celebrated by going to MOPS, eating at Sonic, going to the hospital to visit a good friend that just had a baby, going to Chess Club to hand out homeschool directories, watch K drive his new jeep, and then visiting another friend that just got home from the hospital with their new baby. It was a busy day. In the midst of it all, I did manage to take some pics.

Caps for Sale

This is one of our favorite books. Caps for Sale by Esphry Slobodkina. You should hear a 3 yo try to say that name. I think the spelling is right. I've said it enough that I should know how to spell it, but the book is in K's room and he's sleeping right now.

It's about a peddler that walks through town trying to sell caps while balancing caps on his head. During his walk, he decides to take a break and rest near a tree. While he was sleeping, some monkeys in the tree took his caps and he had to figure out how to get them back.

We didn't do as much as we normally do, because of our crazy week, but I posted a few pics of K trying to balance caps on his head.

He's still wearing his p.j.s and his "crazy" socks from Awana's Crazy Sock Night.

K, coloring a booklet I found online. You could interchange the hats, faces, and shoulders to make different characters.

Only at home can you do school in your p.js. I love it!

12 days of Homeschooling

This was sung at one of our Homeschool Conventions and I thought it was wonderfully cute and wanted to share it.

Sung to the tune of The 12 days of Christmas. Enjoy!

On the first day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Can you homeschool legally?"

On the second day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the third day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Do you give them Tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the fourth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "What about P.E., do
you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the fifth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "YOU ARE SO STRANGE! What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the sixth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "How long will you homeschool, YOU ARE S0 STRANGE, what about P.E. , do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the seventh day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?"

On the eighth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, what about P.E. do you give them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?"

On the ninth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "They'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E. do you give them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?"

On the tenth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "What about graduation, they'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the eleventh day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "I could never do that, what about graduation, they'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the twelfth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Can they go to College, I could never do that, what about graduation, they'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the thirteenth day of homeschool I thoughtfully replied: "They Can go to college, yes you can do this, they can have graduation, we don't like the prom, we do it cuz we like it, they are missing nothing, we'll homeschool forever, WE ARE NOT STRANGE!, We give them P.E., and we give them tests, they are socialized, AND WE HOMESCHOOL LEGALLY!

On the fourteenth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "How can I get started, why didn't you tell me, where do I buy curriculum, when is the next conference, WILL PEOPLE THINK WE'RE STRANGE? I think we can do this, if you will help us, we'll join a sports team, and we'll homeschool legally.