scraps of me...

Back to School Interviews

I decided last week to take some back to school photos and give the kids a little "interview" of sorts...just to remember some little tidbits about them. Here's the results...
(I'll type the answers word for word, letter for letter)

Name: Austin
Nickname: Spud
Age: 10      Grade: 5th
Favorite Subject: Math
Favorite Food: Ribs, Steak, Pork Tenderloin
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Bunny Tracks
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Past time: Playing Video Games
Favorite Movie: Action ones
Favorite TV Show: Dirty Jobs
Favorite Holiday: My Birthday

Name: Meghan Diane
Nickname: Monkey Doodle
Age:9 Grade: 4th
Favorite School Subject: Math
Favorite Food: Spaghitti
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Strawberry
Favorite Color: Lime Green
Favorite Past time: Coloring, Play with Jennie, our new neighbor
Favorite Movie: Flicka, 1 and 2
Favorite TV Show: 19 Kids and Counting
Favorite Holida: Christmas because of Jesus's birthday

Name: Kaitlin
Nickname: Katiebug
Age: 6 1/2 Grade:1 Grade
Favorite Subject: Raeding
Favorite Food: Macaroni
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: BlueBare
Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite Past time: Play Barbies
Favorite Movie: Barbie and the Dimand Castle
Favorite TV Show: Imagination Movers
Favorite Holiday: My Bithday
  

Meg's Birthday!

Today's post comes from Meghan...since it is all about her special day!

**********************************************************************

Last Saturday I turned nine and I had a birthday party

and I had tie-dye cake and cupcakes, and the colors were limegreen pink and blue.

 

I got lots of gifts and I got a monkey beach towel, and the movie Flicka 1 and 2, and rainbow markers. I have a amercain girl doll...well I got a beauty shop chair for my doll. And I got two t-shirts and a pair of shorts. I also got three necklaces and they are pretty. I also had my favorite friend over for my birthday and her name is Tatum and I can't see her anymore because she goes to Guthrie schools and I'm homeschooled.

I got some money and a gift card for PetSmart where I went and bought my betta fish, Razzleberry.

 It was a great birthday!

Project 365

Sunday, May 9th: I had the best Mother's Day yet...even though I did miss my Mom like crazy. I got up and headed to the gym for a workout. We had a quick lunch before we headed to the city to run a few errands and afterwards, we went to Peach Wave for some delicious frozen yogurt for the first time! I had white chocolate yogurt with granola, mixed berries, white chocolate chips, and one brownie chunk. It was so fabulous! We came home, relaxed, and Troy made dinner for all of us.

Monday, May 10th: Tonight, we had a family meeting. We refreshed everyone on the family rules. We discussed consequences (losing a marble...or more) for bad choices. We discussed rewards (special priveleges, allowance, etc.) for good choices. Last week did not go well. I'm hoping this week is much better.

Tuesday, May 11th: Austin got the neatest book at the libary on Sunday called Amazing Rubber Band Cars. He's been working on building one of his own and finsihed it today. I'm so proud of him for figuring it out on his own with just a little help from Troy and I.

Wednesday, May 12th: It has been a week full of science fun around here. Austin's growing salt crystals and learning about the different layers in the earth's crust. Meghan's bird watching and creating a bird booklet. Kaitlin's growing wildflowers. The kitchen has become quite a little laboratory.

Thursday, May 13th: Nana bought this OU football helmet at a garage sale for Austin and he's been wearing it around the house ever since...especially while playing his football game on the Wii. This is his attempt to look tough and mean, like a linebacker.

Friday, May 14th: Tonight, Troy and I went to Eischen's in Okarche with our life group. It was the first time for us. Troy loved their fried chicken that they're incredibly famous for. Me? Well...it was good. I just don't get as excited about fried chicken and okra and most Okie's do. I guess I'm still a northern girl deep down. Afterwards, all twelve of us went bowling and had so much fun! We love spending time with these wild and crazy friends!

Saturday, May 15th: Happy 9th Birthday to our sweet Monkey Doodle! It's so hard to believe that Meghan's nine and growing up to be the most wonderful young lady ever. I'm so proud to be her Mom! She had a great time at her party, with a lot of friends and family. She was giggling while we were singing Happy Birthday to her, so she covered her mouth so she wouldn't blow out the candles before it was time. :)

  

05.19.2009

A few weeks ago, Troy and I watched Jim Carrey's movie "Yes Man".

It was good. romantic. funny. But most of all...thought provoking.

**If you haven't seen it yet - you might want to stop reading this post now. I'll probably spoil it for you.**

Jim Carrey plays a man named Carl, who is negative and critical in every aspect of his life...romantic relationships, friendships, career, etc. He says 'No!'. He makes excuses.

One day, he bumps into an old friend who hands him a brochure to a conference that would change his life. It's a self-help program centering on the simple word, "YES!".

Carl attends, still feeling quite skeptical. The leading guru singles him out and the crowd chants "NO MAN!NO MAN!NO MAN!" every time Carl answers with negativity. But eventually, Carl says 'YES!' to saying "Yes." to new situations and opportunities in his life and the crowd went wild.

Carl soon discovers the magical power of 'yes'. However, he misunderstands the essence of the program by saying 'yes' to everybody and everything and every circumstance. And all too soon, things begin to backfire and his life begins to unravel.

In the end, he finds the balance of truly living while still maintaining some limits and showing discernment in what he says 'yes' to.

After it was over, I had an epiphany.

I'm a "NO MOM!"

I say 'no' to just about everything regarding the kids. And if I don't flat-out say 'no' - then it's a 'we'll see.' or a 'maybe later.'

I suck the fun out of each and every day...and it's purely for selfish reasons.

"Mom, Can we play outside?"
"No, I don't feel like doing baths again."
"Mom, Can I paint?"
"No, I don't want a big mess."
"Mom, Can ________ stay the night tonight?"
"No, I'm too tired to have any extra kids."
"Mom, Can we go to the park?"
"No, I have too much to do in the house today."
"Mom, Can I help you cook dinner?"
"No, I'm in a hurry and just need to get this done."

NO MOM. NO MOM. NO MOM. NO MOM. NO MOM.

I can hear the crowd chanting.

But did you notice what all my 'reasons' center around...or maybe I should say who? Me!

I can be so selfish with my time...with myself. It's sad.

But on the flip-side...I don't want to make the same mistakes Carl did by saying 'yes' to everything. I still need to be the mom. I still need to set limits, teach them right from wrong, and share my past mistakes and consequences with them.

I think it's all about dealing with my own selfish and negative tendancies. I think it's all about finding the balance between being a 'No Mom' and a 'Yes Mom'.

I contantly ask myself, "Will it matter in 10 years?"

Will it matter that I had to take the time to give them an extra bath or that they played outside in the fresh air, discovering nature?
Will it matter that there's a spot of paint on the floor that I can't get clean or that there's hand-painted masterpieces hanging on the wall?
Will it matter that I had a few extra kids stay the night or that I encouraged my children's friendships?
Will it matter if the laundry is caught up and the house is cleaned or that we went to the park to swing and play together?
Will it matter that dinner was 10 minutes late or that the kids learned how to prepare one of our favorite recipes?

I'm trying. I'm slowing down. I'm thinking twice before I answer. I'm saying 'Yes' more than I ever have before. It's good.

02.20.2009

Wow. What a week it's been. cr-a-zeee!

I'm a homebody...a hermit, if you want to call it that.

This week, I've been on the go so much more than I like to be. It's left me feeling a bit behind and frazzled.

I'm so thankful there's not much on the calendar for next week. :)

Anyway...here's some random bits from our week...

• Austin made a bird feed from an apple, peanut butter, a dowel rod, and bird seed, at cub scouts on Monday. He's been disappointed all week because it didn't look like there had been any nibbles off of it. He'll be happy to know that I saw no less than 10 birds out in our tree this morning fighting over it.
• Our home is now free of girl scout cookies. yay. The temptation is gone and I'm happy to report that in the past month, I've eaten only 1 box of samoas. :) Some may think that's 1 too many for somebody with at lest 70 pounds to lose...but they tasted so good.
• Kaitlin and I both had eye doctor appointments. She does not need glasses and my prescription hasn't changed. yay. I picked out some frames to get a pair of sunglasses instead. They surprisingly have a little 'bling' on them. super cute.
• Austin and Meghan went to school today with their reading glasses for the first time. They look so different...so much older...maybe even 'smarter'...with them on. :)
• I've been making a bunch of cards this week...at least 20 (half of them are for you, Becky.) I still have some more to make...but I think I'm going to spend today planning layouts instead.
• I was reading a blog this morning...of course, I don't remember which one...but she was talking about to-do lists...and ya'll know how much I love my to-do lists. ;) Anyway...she said that she organizes her's by the following categories: Now, Soon, and Eventually. I thought that was so cool. There are things I put on my list that I sometimes forget don't have to be done NOW, yet I wrongfully give these things a high priority, sometimes even above my family. I think maybe writing them down in a different way will help me keep my priorities in check and realize that I can't do it all, everyday. It'll still be there tomorrow, next week, etc. Let things go.
• I had a check-up this week as well...with a new doctor. loved her. The appointment went good and all is fine. But I did realize one thing...I no longer dread stepping onto the scale at a doctor's office. It doesn't stress me out. I don't get a knot in my stomache. I don't have to listen to them tell me I'm overweight (duh, as if I didn't already know). Yes, I'm still overweight...but when they see how far I've come already, they congatulate me instead. It's a great feeling.
• And last, but certainly not least, today is Austin's 9th Birthday!! He was so excited and slap-happy, yesterday, and even more so today. I haven't taken the obligatory birthday photo yet...but I will after school. He's having about 5 of his good friends over tonight, for pizza, a cookie-cake, football, and video games. I'm hoping to escape with Kaitlin and Meghan to Erin's house for awhile, but I doubt Troy will let me. hee hee. Austin keeps reminding me that he'll be driving in ONLY 7 years. YIKES! I suddenly feel so old. :)

Anyway...it's high time I get off this computer and get busy. Hope ya'll have a great Friday!

02.06.2009

I don't remember where I read this quote awhile ago, but it's stuck with me...

"Yelling is Lazy Mothering."

Sometimes I'm a lazy mom. Okay...a lot of the time.

It just seems easier to yell down the hallway then to walk down it and talk with the kids face-to-face.

Does it usually give me the results I'm asking for?

Rarely.

So does lazy mothering (aka yelling) work? Not really.

These past few days, having strep, barely being able to talk or eat or even swallow...I've discovered just how much it doesn't work.

I've had to walk to wherever Austin, Meghan, or Kaitlin is and speak to them in a quiet, calm voice. Does it take more time? sure. Do they respond better? yes. Does it change the entire atmosphere in our home? absolutely.

I don't want to be a lazy mom anymore...even after I get feeling better...

12.03.2008

Today is going to be a 'Random Wednesday' kind of post...a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

So where to start...

• I'm making slow, but steady process on my long to-do list. I've crossed off one item each day so far. Austin's cub scout patches are sewn on (slightly crooked, but done), I made all the cards for December birthdays and anniversaries, and I've got the meal and grocery list done.
• Speaking of meal/grocery list...I've also made myself a little 'menu', planning out my meals and snacks..taking out the guess work of 'What should I eat?' which tends to lead me down a road filled with salty and sweet treats. This past week I haven't done so great...with exercise or eating right...and my weigh-in this morning reflected that. Up 1.5 pounds. But today is a new day. I'm going to sweat my butt off. I'm going to stick to my plan. I'm going to get back on track.

Tonight Troy and I have a date. Which means eating out. Scary territory. But I'm going to get online, check the menus and nutrition info, and choose a restuarant and what I'm going to eat. I'm not even going to open the menu when we get there lest I be tempted to order some fajitas or something equally bad for me.

Troy and I have been quite creative in our discipline lately which I'm actually kind of proud of. Is that wrong? The fact that the punishment fits the crime and makes the kids miserable kind of makes me smile? For instance, just this morning, Meghan brought me her reading log, where she has to write down the title of the books she reads and I have to sign it. After she reads so many, she gets a certificate at school. Now normally, Meghan's my book worm. I rarely doubt her. But this morning, it just wasn't adding up. She had put 5 books on her log. One of them was brand new (just got the Scholastic order yesterday) and kind of long. It's about Jesus' life. So I decided to ask her a few questions...
"So what was the book about?"
"His life."
"What about His life?"
"His birth."
"Is that it?"
"Oh, and He prayed and worshipped God."
"Anything else?"
"He helped his mommy and daddy too."
(at this point, I'm getting really suspicious)
"Really? How did He help them?"
"Um...uh...Did they do laundry back then?"
Can we say BUSTED!!
Anyway...her punishment...read the book, outloud, this afternoon...and it will not be added to her reading log. And in the future, she'll be answering questions on EVERY book she reads until she regains my trust in her. *sigh* Being a parent is hard sometimes.

My sweet sweet husband came home yesterday with Prince Caspian!! I never got to go to the theater to see it and have been waiting ever so patiently for it to come out on dvd. I love the books. LOVED the first movie and can't wait to watch it this weekend!!

Um... I just realized I never saved and posted this...4 hours later. I guess I didn't have anything else to blab about. :)

Hoping everyone is staying warm (it's a blustery day here in Oklahoma). Have a great Wednesday!

Stinky Underwear

Just a few mintues ago, I asked Kaitlin to come and put the laundry that I was taking out of the washer into the dryer for me.

She said...
"Okay...but I'm not going to touch any stinky underwear."

I said...
"There isn't any. It's all clean."

She said...
"Yes there is. The boys underwear is always stinky."

hee hee.

No comment from me. :D I plead the fifth.

10.03.2008

Today, Kaitlin and I went shopping at nap time. She bought a present for her daddy, brother, and sister, as well as a blanket and some books for her baby. I went to the scrapbook store and picked up some adhesive and patterned paper, then went to Katie-bug's Emporium and bought a teething toy for my fussy baby and a $90 rolling pin!! We had so much fun! It's rare for me to take time to actually get on their level and just simply play...one on one. Today reminded me that I need to do it more often!

   

We're looking forward to the weekend...some fun stuff planned. I hope everyone enjoys some fun family time this weekend as well! Happy Friday!!

09.26.2008

Wow. Where'd the second 1/2 of the week go?

Yesterday was my dad's birthday. He doesn't like it when we make a big deal about it, so of course, that meant we all had to get together and shower him with cards and gifts and cake and ice cream and hugs and kisses (mostly from the munchkins).

He did try to spin it around and take the focus off of him by proposing to Vicki. Yes, you read that correctly. He proposed, as in asking her to marry him. That probably sounds shocking to some of you, but trust me when I say that it came as no surprise to all of us. Vicki is so wonderful and they are so incredibly happy and cute together. I won't go into too many details, but we all truly believe that they were brought together for a purpose, totally a God thing. We're all so excited to see what the future holds for them, as well as our family. A fresh start. Of course, I was a total slacker and didn't take a picture of them together...but I'll get one...soon. :) Here's one of Dad with his cake though...

And today, another celebration!

*sniff* My baby is 5!! I can't believe it.

She's had a fabulous day! At school, a special snack (s'mores snack mix) and a birthday crown and sticker to wear. She was invited to go to the Guthrie Homecoming Parade this afternoon with her friend, Emma, where she got a lot of candy and a blue beaded 'bluejay' necklace. Tonight, she (along with Austin and Meghan) are having a sleepover at Erin's, where they will consume cake and ice cream. Then tomorrow, is her Tinkerbelle Party, which she is totally excited about!

Five is definitely a special birthday...one I hope she'll remember!

09.23.2008

Gosh, this smile melts me.

She found this long piece of scrap fabric. I caught her in the bathroom, standing on the toilet to see in the mirror, trying to tie it around her head in various ways. Like a hood...little red riding hood. Like a tiara...princess Kaitlin. Like a headband...ahh...my little getting-big katie-bug.

09.22.2008

I so wish she would crash like this every afternoon. I love the little girl that appears after a good nap...I just wish we could skip the one hour meltdown beforehand...

09.09.2008

Do any of you read Karen Kingsbury? Erin and I absolutey LOVE her books, but especially the Baxter Family series. So wonderful. So hard to put down! I'm on book 4 of the second set of 5. Wow. That's all I can say.

 

Tonight, we had Open House at the kid's schools. Their teachers are so fabulous this year! They had a lot of fun showing us around their classrooms. Austin's teacher asked us to send in a shirt, pants, gloves, and shoes about a week ago. I was thinking they'd be making scarecrows. Nope. They made 'students' to look like themselves. So cute. Mrs. Smith even made one of herself, sitting in her tall chair at the head of the class, reading a book.

 

This week has been going great for us...hope it's the same for everyone else. :)

08.21.2008

It's the second day of school...and already, I'm getting a phone call from the school secretery. Austin twisted his ankle in P.E. playing balloon tag. So he's home, on the couch, with an ice pak, watching the Olympics. I'm praying that a day of rest will get him back on both of his feet tomorrow.

08.20.2008

It's the first day of school!

This is the first year that I haven't had daycare kids in the morning on the first day, so it was nice to just get up and have just my 3 to get ready.

We started off the morning with smoothies, scrambled eggs, and toast. Here are the kids patiently awaiting their smoothies. yum.

They all got dressed and ready while I cleaned up the kitchen. Then it was outside for photos. Of course, it was raining, it always does on the first day...so the photos aren't the best...

Then we loaded up and headed out...

Austin and Meghan got dropped off first. They're at the same school this year...

Then Kaitlin! My Baby! Off to Pre-K!

She jumped right into some coloring...I barely got a kiss and hug from her. :) She was soo excited!

I headed home to meet my one daycare kiddo for the day. She helped me clean the house (she had fun with my swiffer duster-thingie), then we baked brownies together before going to pick up Kaitlin. Here's what we created from the pan of brownies...

A special after-school snack that we'll share with Austin and Meghan when they get home.

All-in-All...it's been a great first day back to school...and this mommy is enjoying the extra time to get a few things done around the house. :)

I'm hoping to get back here in a bit with a post about my binders, zone cleaning, routine, etc. :)

08.13.2008

My boy has been outside for more than 4 hours today.

He's done the following with his band of neighborhood boys:

• rode his bike to the park
• played on the skateboard ramps
• rode his bike back home
• walked Shelby
• dug up the backyard
• played on top of a broken-down car in my neighbor's yard (that sounds kinda red-neck, huh?)
• moved around some dirt
• rode bikes up and down the street
• played some video games
• walked Shelby again
• dug up the yard even more
• played football
• and is walking Shelby one more time before I force him to come inside and wash the stink and sweat and dirt and grime from his body so he can be clean by dinnertime

I'm so thankful I only have one boy...I'm not sure how you mom's with many of these creatures manage. lol. God knew what He was doing when I prayed for another boy and He gave me Meghan instead. lol. With Kaitlin...I thought it didn't matter - boy or girl - but once again...thankful for another girl. They're not so much a fan of dirt...just like their mommy!

Off to drag my dirty one inside...or maybe I should just hose him off outside. I doubt the neighbor's would care...they have boys too and should totally understand...

Or is that way beyond red-neck?

hee hee.

(No offense meant to any of you who may or may not be red-neck's. It's all in good fun!)

07.03.2008

Can you see it? Meghan's zig-zag hair? She's so excited about it! I have to admit...looks pretty cool. Might even have to try it with Kaitlin's...maybe for pig-tails. cuh-ute!

ouch!

Austin and Meghan had their dentist appt. this afternoon to have some A LOT of baby teeth pulled. They're such troopers and are doing well...already both of them have had a smoothie and some scrambled eggs. Although they're not nearly as amusing to Troy and I as they were when their faces were still numb. lol. They're not quite up for picture taking quite yet...maybe tomorrow I'll be able to share their new hole-y smiles...but for now, check out these cute little tooth containers. The glitter one is Austin's (it holds 6 teeth) and the two white ones are Meghan's (5 teeth in each one!). The tooth fairy is going to be one happy camper tonight, don't you think? :D (although our pocketbook might not be quite as happy. hee hee.)

04.22.2005

So not a good day with Kaitlin today.

Why do I let a 4 yr old get the best of me?

Why do I let her frustrate me so easily...stress me out to the point that I'm mindlessly eating E.L. Fudge cookies that I don't want or need to be eating. *sigh*

Rest time in her bedroom for 45-60 min isn't too much to ask, is it?

She doesn't have to nap...just lay there quietly and/or look at her picture Bible.

Why does it have to be a big deal?

Why does she have to cry and scream to the point of waking up all the daycare kids? (who are great nappers, by the way) ...sigh.

Sometimes being a mom just isn't all that fun....

especially when you have to make her lay there even longer because she won't stop crying.

especially when she's crying for her Bay-Bay and you can't make that little heart feel better.

especially when you have to look into those puffy, red, watery eyes and explain disobedience (for the 100th time).

especially when she has to put her sister's necklace back together that she broke when she was supposed to be resting quietly.

but I still love her... :)

04.18.2008

So my avoidance of the to-do list lasted until today when I realized it's Friday and I've yet to make a dent in anything. ACK! So I've made a new list of things to tackle before Monday (hopefully)...

Places to Go:

• Car wash (my van is just gross)
• Library (laminate craft and chore chart stuff, check out a few books and/or movies)
• Walmart (the list just keeps on growing)
• Storage unit (Take: suitcases, daycare paperwork from years past, and the girl's clothes for next season. Pick up: black backdrop, any other clothes that may fit the kids now, and hopefully try to find my missing box of books)
• Church (sat night), Konnect and Life Group (sun night)
• Maybe Hobby Lobby (I want to pick up some more photo boxes so I can implement a new system outlined in the book below)

Things (I have) to do:

• May crafts ready for daycare kids
• Stitch up my tank-top
• Make to-do lists for next week
• Sweep broken glass up in the barn (and take a peek at the metal shelving that I spotted hiding out there and see if it's use-able in the house somewhere)
• Finish making the chore charts for the kids
• Update weight loss goals
• Do my weight loss card challenge using inspirational quotes
• Clean the kitchen and dining room (chandelier, mini blinds, fridge, microwave, inside of cabinets)
• May Daycare Newsletter
• Make strawberry shortcake (for life group sunday)

Things I'd like to do:

• Scripture card challenges
• Read Photo Freedom book
• Start organizing photos
• Write some Bible verses on notecards and hang around the house
• Start planning some crafts for this summer for daycare kids
• Play spaceheroes with the kids...Kaitlin already has a 'helmet' from Hat Week here at Amy's daycare. hee hee.

Here's to a productive, yet relaxing, weekend!!

Happy Friday, Ya'll!!!

04.08.2008

This post is going to be filled with lots of random gibberish...but that's just the way I'm feeling today...probably due to my lack of sleep last night. Welcome to Spring in Oklahoma...

Nope, that's not snow...it's hail! Quarter-sized at least! The storms kept the kids up half the night...which of course, meant I was up as well.

I received some bad news yesterday...one of my daycare kids is leaving to go to a large center here in town. It's sad. I first met her mom when she was only 6 months pregnant with Lauren. She started here at 1 month old!! She's now 15 months...her little personality really emerging. She makes me laugh every day...*sigh*. It's hard when they're like your own children!

I also lost one of my part-timers a few weeks ago...so if you know anyone needing daycare in Guthrie...please send them my way. lol.

Thankfully, Troy now has his CNA license and can pick up a few extra shifts on the weekends to make up for my loss of income.

And now onto funny stuff...

I overheard Kaitlin playing in her bedroom with her doll house saying "WOW! I'm the photo of the day today?!? Thanks Mom!!"

hee hee.

I think I've warped my children's minds. She's such a silly one.

I haven't updated my 'Going all the Weigh' page in awhile...not sure why. I'm still trucking along though...slowly but surely...it's coming off. Here's a few cards I made these past two weeks though...just to inspire me and keep me motivated to continue...

 

(sorry, must have resized them differently)

They're a lot of fun to make though.

--------------------------------------

And one last thing, before I need to get to folding laundry...

I started reading Taking Care of the Me in Mommy yesterday. Wow. I had forgotten so much of the good stuff in it...and I only made it through the introduction. lol.

Here's just a few great points Lisa Whelchel makes:

"As mom's, we get so busy doing and giving that we often don't take the time to rest and receive. We've bought into the world view that we can havie it all and then believed the self-talk that insists, "If I don't do it, it won't get done." Isn't it ironic that at the same time we are feeling more and more driven, we are usually running on empty or, at the very least, on exhaust fumes? (You know what I mean: we're either 'exhausted' or 'fuming'.) We are worn out trying to do it all. No wonder there is such an epidemic of mom burnout!"

"Moms give and give. But if you never learn to receive, then you have nothing left to give. If you won't take time for yourself, then take time for yourself for your family. By filling up you tank regularly, you will have the energy to drive your childre to all their activities, drive your husband wild with desire, drive back the enemy with prayer, and drive a hard bargin at the latest clearance sale. You can't do any of these things if you're broken down and out of gas on the side of the road.
It's time to recharge and refuel. the first thing to do is plug into the Power Source and jump-start your day. Jesus says, "Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

I really struggle with all of this...taking time for me. I always feel so guilty doing it, even though I know that ultimately, I'm a better wife and mom when I do. And not just taking time for myself...but taking time out to spend with Jesus each and every day. It does refuel and recharge me...but why is it so hard somedays to ignore the housekeeping and daily busy-ness to spend some quiet time in prayer and with my Bible?

She has the book divided into 3 sections: spirit, body, and soul. I'm going to start at the beginnging and try to read one chapter every day or two...and really dig in and apply it.

Here's what she said at the end of the introduction...

"The following chapters will be full of encouragement and realistic ways for you, as a busy mom, to find time to sit at the feet of Jesus and receive the strength to continue pouring out your life for your family."

Good stuff.

04.02.2008

*yawn*

so sleepy today. must go to bed earlier if I plan to continue getting up at 5 am to exercise.

here's a few photos:

kaitlin...and another one of her adventures in dressing herself. at least she matches today. lol.

and here's two of the scripture cards i've done so far. maybe i'll get around to working on a few more later today...maybe.

i couldn't narrow it down to just one verse about faith, so i chose two.

Hebrews 11:1
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

and

Colossians 2:7
Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught...

the next focus word is "kindness".

kindness is an outer expression of inner goodness.

do you have a favorite Bible verse about faith or kindness?

03.18.2008

Q: What do you do when you're cooped up with a bunch of kids while it's raining cats and dogs for 2 days straight?

A: You play LOTS of board games...especially Sorry!

I usually lose...

and speaking of losers...

The Biggest Loser is on tonight! YAY!

And speaking of Biggest Loser...

I lost another 3.5 lbs this week for a total of 25 so far!! Woohoo!!

Troy informed me that I only have a few more pounds until I weigh less than he does! This is so exciting and motivating to me because I don't think I've EVER weighed less than him!

And speaking of weight loss...

I started a weight loss/get healthy challenge over at Just 4 Keeps. Click here if you'd like to join in.

And speaking of challenges...

I'm hoping to do a bit of scrapping tonight and work on the scripture card challenge.

And speaking of scrapping...

Here's two of the layouts I did Friday night at the crop...

How was that for a random peek into Amy's thought process? hee hee.

02.26.2008

Check out these cuties...and the amazing castle they built together this morning...pure talent I tell ya!

(left to right: Cooper, Carly, Sara, Kaitlin, and Gavin)

It's been a great day so far...I'm feeling good, cleaning the house, playing and doing crafts with the kids, planning dinner, washing bed sheets...I so enjoy productive days. :D

And how about a 4.5 pound loss this week...now that's productive too. YAY! Ear-piercing photos coming this weekend for sure! Meghan's going to be so excited when I tell her!

Have a happy, and productive ;) day, ya'll!!

02.20.2008

I'm alive...I really am. Just busy...and worn out...with no energy to type a detailed blog entry by the end of the day...I'll play catch-up with the photos eventually...now that my camera is friends with the computer again. (Thanks Troy!) :D

But just for tonight...I'll post this one because it's was a special day...

He turned EIGHT!!! How and when did he grow up so big?!? ACK! It just means that I'm getting old!! hee hee.

Anyway...here's eight fun facts about Austin on his 8th birthday!

1. He's very sweet and compassionate towards other people to the point that it surprises me sometimes.
2. He loves tech decks, football (and most other sports), and video/computer games.
3. He's very independent...since he's my oldest, I'm not used to him not 'needing' me for every simple day-to-day thing...like getting breakfast, packing his lunch, personal care, etc.
4. He has lots of adorable gaps and holes in his smile still. Braces are definitely in his future. lol.
5. He loves to make us laugh by doing the silliest things, telling the dumbest jokes, and just being plain ole goofy.
6. He's reading chapter books now...on his own with minimal help. So exciting, this coming from a 'bibliophile of the year' way back in 1989! lol.
7. He still sleeps with his puppy 'Wolfie' and the quilt BayBay made him every single night.
8. He's 100% boy...enough to make up for all the girlie girls in our families (2 sisters and 8 cousins...no other boys on either side!) He's totally got the fake burps, armpit 'music', bathroom humor, and all other forms of gross stuff covered. hee hee.

And that...is our little man in a nutshell! He's such a blessing to us! I truely can't wait to see what the next year has in store for him!

Happy Birthday, Dude!

The Next President of the United States of America

Meghan: Why do you have to go vote, Mommy?

Me: Because I have to pick who I want to be the next president of the United States.

Meghan: Why?

Me: Because we have to pick a new one every 4 years.

Meghan: I hope it's YOU!!!

hee hee.

01.29.2008

Wow does it ever feel good to be back in the groove of exercising! It's been over a week since I've felt okay enough. It's so strange how just a short month ago I could barely make it through a 20-minute 1 mile workout...and now, I miss doing a 35 minute 2-mile workout using hand weights. And on another good note...today I weighed in with a 4 pound loss! Yippee! 12 pounds gone!

And just because...here's a picture of Kaitlin hanging out inside the Winnie the Pooh tent that I finally gave in and set up today while the little ones napped. We even read some new books that came from Scholastic today inside the tent. Fun...new books and a cool clubhouse. lol.

Oh, and guess what she's wearing? Her flower girl dress!! She's wears it CONSTANTLY and always on the coldest days. hee hee. She really loves that dress, Julie! ;)

01.09.2008

Kaitlin kept busy with her 'friends' while I kept busy making cards this afternoon. I love listening to her 'friends' 'talk' amongst themselves as they go about their day. I think there was a wedding happening today. lol. so cute.

01.05.2008

I love this cute little sign that Meghan made to hang on her and Kaitlin's bedroom door. Check out the curly (?!) hair, long earrings, and beanstalk-sized flowers. lol.

And here's a picture of my best friend this week....Germ-X. Most of all my daycare kids have had the cough/sniffles...and guess who has it now? ME! I even went to the doctor...just to make sure it wasn't strep throat again, but totally forgot to call this morning to get the lab results back...so I guess I'll wait till Monday to know for sure. I really think it's just a horrible head cold! I'm so stuffed up that I can't smell anything, not even Vick's vapor rub....and I can't taste a single thing I eat either. Brussels sprouts, yum! Liver...heck, why not. It all tastes the same to me. Like nothing. lol.

Maybe now would be a good time to go on a diet and eat all those healthy foods that taste like cardboard...

Somebody send some healthy bug-free vibes my way...please.

01.03.2008

5Can we say 'STATIC ELECTRICITY'?!?! lol.