Friends

My friend Judi has 4 children and she wanted to go on her church's mission trip so I volunteered to watch her younger two and she would take the older two. I watched Hannah who is 20 months and Sarah who is about 9 months on Thursday and they spent the night and left Friday evening. Let's just say I was exhausted! They are terrific kids but with three in the house I was going non-stop. Certainly made me appreciate mothers who have more than one kid! Thursday night we went out in the backyard and swam and got on the swing. It was a great time. Abbie loved having Hannah to play with.

July 4th

I know it's a bit late but at least I am writing. This year we let little Abs stay up for fireworks. She loved them! That night she didn't get in bed till 11! and of course was up bright and early. We had friends come over and we cooked out, played games, then loaded up to enjoy a great night in Texas!

Firetruck

We have adopted a fire station here in town and on holidays we take them some sort of goodies. Abbie loves the firetruck too. They are very nice and welcoming of our hospitality. While we there the alarm went off and they had to leave. Not before Abs had a chance to sit in the firetruck though.

Magic Ink

Yesterday I was in the study with Abbie while she rummaged around, something she does quite a bit. I turned around to see this scene appear.


I took the PERMANENT marker away and she kept telling me, "Yeah!" No, not this one! Then I looked and noticed this. Look closely. She marked on Landry.


Needless to say, regular soap and water does the trick of getting it off. This time.

If all the rain drops were..

money I would be loaded by now! If you live around here you know it has rained and when it was done doing that, it would rain. Time outside is few and far between so what are you to do when you can no longer hang out indoors and your daughter is giddy with the thought of going outside? You go outside in the rain. This is her first time to play in the rain and what fun we had!

Potty Training 101

I think I know how to potty train. If you would like to know how, just see below. We have actually not gone yet, but it is fun to sit there.

Happy Father's Day

Today Abbie and I went to surprise dad at work. We had made a picture last night for him hand painted and colored by Abbie and was going to stop at Starbucks to pick up his favorite drink. I called to see how his day was going and I thought, "Great, he will be in the office when we get there." Then Abbie began to ask, "What's that?" Over and over. At that time we were going over Lake Lewisville so I said, "It's the lake." Realizing my mistake instantly my husband asked where we were going and since I can't lie to save my life, I had to tell him we were on our way to see him. We didn't surprise him but his Starbucks was a nice treat and we went out to eat lunch as a family. So to you dada-Happy Father's Day. We love you and love what you do to support this family!

Grandparents

I have come to realize how blessed Brian and I are with our parents. They are all in good health and can remember most everything :) They are in love with Abbie and go above and beyond to help us out. They love for her stay with them, spend the night, and just have fun. Not too many people I know are as fortunate as us to have family around and grandparents who take an active role in their granddaughter's life. So to you grandparents: Nana, Pops, Mimi, and PePaw, we say thank you for all you do!

Incredible Pizza

Looking for something new to do this summer? Have you been to Incredible Pizza? Indoor race car driving, bumper cars, bowling, games, golf, all you can eat pizza, pasta, salad, baked potatos, dessert, and drinks. All for an entrance fee of $6.99 per person. Of course games vary on price. We love this place! Pick the room you want to eat in. Feeling like family? Drive in? Diner? Gym? Best of all, it's a Christian run place. Check it out!

Staying Home

If you ever read anything on here you may begin to pick on a theme of staying home is the goal of our life. Today God and I had a chat and it came to my attention that I have been home, but haven't been home. Make sense? Even though summer is here, Abbie and I have just gone and gone. We have yet to have a day where it's just us, at home, no errands, nowhere to go. Just her and myself. So you stay at home moms, how do you balance it all? Quality time with your children and still keeping your sanity by getting out the house? When do you cross the line of being out too much? This is short season of my life to be home and I don't want to miss out!

Zoo Times

Back in March we bought zoo passes to the Ft. Worth Zoo because I love to go. We have been quite a few times and today I got out with Abbie with our cousin Robin and her two daughters, Mia and Taya. They had a blast today. Unfortunately, there is only one decent picture of all three. And you can see that one is not good at all! Abbie loves to ride the train: choochoo, ride. That is what she tells me. She also got to enjoy her first lemonade Capri Sun thanks to Robin!

Treasure

This doesn't have anything to do with Pirates of the Caribbean as much as I want to see the movie, but our treasure we lay up. You have heard before that where your treasure is, your heart will be also. I have heard that and thought how nice it was and that yes, my treasure needs to be in heaven so moth and rust won't get it and that pesky thief can't get to it. But I don't think I ever hit the core of it before until tonight from church. Basically it's this: you can pursue God and serve him, or you can pursue money and have it. If you pursue money you don't get God and in the end, you wind up with nothing because you don't get to take it with you. Pursue God, and you have him and he gives you his kingdom. This is all to say that this is a test of where our hearts are. If you like the transient, your heart is here on earth. And if you like (pursue, desire, long for) the invisible, well, your heart is in heaven.
I guess I have some work to do in my life. I am ok with this sermon because I know that I have been asking God to help me deal with this very issue and will continue to ask for him to help me so that my treasure may be found in him.

Home at Last

I finally have taken a few moments to sit and blog. Ever since our lap top crashed, blogging just isn't easy. I actually have to come sit in the study. I have been home almost a week now and I love it. I have been a bit uneasy about going from full time working mom to non working and what that might do. I have praying for God to give me peace and to enjoy each moment with Abbie and he has been faithful to answer that prayer. I think we live in Seattle because it has rained every day! Well, not today. There was actually sun this afternoon. The first day in a couple of weeks. I have to remind myself that the rain is God's mercy after us having a drought. Abs and I headed to the pool. The purple plastic pool in the backyard that is. It was great fun. She is a blast and I am loving staying home.

God has each of us in different periods of our life. This is a time for me to see what a stay at home mom life would be like. May I get a taste and do what it takes financially to get me home. Brian and I have been praying for God to simplify our desires in addition to liking sandwiches for meals and them filling us up. I pray for the hand of God to bless us...not because we deserve it, but because he finds us faithful to his calling. May I search out the heart of God always and forever.

Life's Learning Lesson

In life, we learn many lessons. As we grow up they are from parents. Then we enter school days and teachers begin to teach us and friends enter the picture. As adults we are being taught too. We still learn from parents and friends, but God teaches the life lessons that are valuable and bring character. Since attending The Village Church, God has used the messages there to open the eyes of my heart to the lessons of God and his desires. Life is not about me. Never had been, never will be. It is about the glory of God and making his name known. This teaches me that selfishness has no place. I pray boldly now for God to strip me of that. The Lord may ask me to wait. That is my season of life. Waiting on God to answer my many questions such as where should Abbie be next year for daycare? Do we have another baby? Do we try to make it with me working part-time? What is our next move? The waiting period is rough when you are like me and want answers now. I wouldn't have it any other way though. It brings me closer to God, keeps me dependent on him, and makes me seek his face. During this season of waiting, I am also learning about the heart of God and his never ending love and his faithfulness. I will continue to wait and may he find me faithful. My dad sent me this verse so if you too, find yourself trying to answer questions, seek God and he will speak over you, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." Praise God for life lessons.

Too Long

I was looking at the last date I wrote and realized it's been about two months. A lot goes on in two months and I guess that explains why I haven't written or perhaps it's on the bottom of my list. Brian and I are attending covenant class for our new church to become members. We do enjoy our new chuch a lot and just love what they are about and where their focus is and where their vision is. Abs is still doing just great. I am finding life a bit difficult with the demands of a full time job, full time kid, full time husband, and full time household to run. I get tired and run down and just have to ask God to extend to me a bit more grace and tolerance (that's the other word I use for patience. I'm scared to pray for it!)This week is super busy. We have Little Gym, Covenant Class, TAKS Writing, field trip to Austin (yes, down and back in one day! not my idea), and I have class for school on Saturday. Yikes. I am not use to this kind of schedule. May God just help me to keep my head up, trust him, and let him help me through. Grace and peace to you as well through this week.

Updates

Time sure does fly and I am not sure if anyone really reads this. For those who do, here is a bit about what is going on. Abbie had her first little Christmas play she was in. Her little Children's Day Out class "sang" Jingle Bells and I do use the word sang loosely. She was so cute! We have been so enjoying our holiday break and getting to reconnect as a family. I just forget how precious, smart, and fun she is. Thank goodness I am reminded of that. I pray over my daughter daily that God will continue to watch her and help her grow and development. Christmas was very nice and she got lots of goodies. So did Brian and I. We are working on her playroom and getting it to look cuter. So far so good.
Tonight we had a little fiasco. We apparently have (had) a little birdie who spent the night in our wreath on the door. I went out to check the mail and the little birdie decided to fly into the house. I hit the floor screaming my head off out of fear and my eyes being pecked. Brian comes running carrying Abbie to see what was going on. The bird made its way to the back of the house into the living room. We tried turning off lights in the house and outside lights on. Needless to say, Landry got the little birdie and it well, is now in our neighbors yard. Brian "helped" it over the fence if you know what I mean. I feel pretty bad for that little birdie. He was just trying to sleep. :(
We have also found a new church that we just love and hope to attend their class in January to learn more about the church but I feel a peace about where we are at. His sermons are just amazing and so applicable. Abbie likes it too.

Turkey Days

Turkey days are coming and I glad for the break from school. We are lucky and have to go to school the week of Thanksgiving. I only work on Monday since I will be having a student teacher sub on Tuesday. That will be nice. Brian is also going to be off so we will take little monster to school on Tuesday and a have some time to just hang out and be together which we have not done in a long time. My friend and I are planning on doing the Turkey Trot but I got to thinking, why drive to Dallas to run 8 miles when we could do that here in town? So, I am going to talk to her and see what she thinks about that new idea.
Brian and I are going to join a gym. LA Fitness. It is brand new and very nice. They even have free child care there which is a bonus plus an indoor pool. It's out front though where you walk in. I am thinking that is a poor layout idea. Most people don't want to show their "swimming body" to each and every member of the gym. It's their own fault if they look. I am excited though about getting to swim laps. Something I have not done since pregnancy. (Which I truly believe helped me have only 5 1/2 hours of labor from beginning to end!) I hope that my new enthusiasm continues because a couple of days a week I will be heading out at 5 am!! Don't worry, I won't be like the Biggest Loser and post my before and after picture. That can't be good for anyone! :)

Retirement

I am now in retirement. I thought I could train for a half marathon but was not correct in that assumption. It takes way too much time and my knees can't take much more. I ran 6 miles today (the most ever!) and my knees hurt so bad I had to limp around. Probably not the best for my body. I am doing the 8 mile Turkey Trot though and am working on training for that.
This weekend we took Abbie to the Dallas Aquariam at Fair Park. It was ok but probably won't go back. We were suppose to go to the zoo but it was so windy and cold that we postponed it until today and it was beautiful weather. Abbie loved all the animals and seeing everything. She discovered something very fascinating. Acrons. As many as you can possibly hold in your 15 month old hand and if you run out of room, try picking them up with your mouth. Silly girl. We had such a good time and tonight was Treat Night at the Ranch where we live. She dressed up in her pumpking costume and got to go on a hayride and get in a bounce house and do a cake walk. She has had a very busy weekend! She is just so precious!

Today

Today was a good day. It was beautiful outside. My friend came over this morning and we ran 5 miles. It was great! Full moon shining down on us, cool breezes. Loved it. We picked up Abbie's halloween costume. She's going to be a pumpkin. Can't wait to try it on. Then we went to......SUPER TARGET! Yes, in Denton. It was wonderful. We went grocery shopping. We got home and Abs went to sleep. I fixed her some bracelets and necklaces with some beads we had bought there. I am hoping she likes these better than mine. We will find out when she wakes up. It is just a nice relaxing day, TX/OU is playing. I just love the fall.
AND, on Thursday I took the day off and I went to the pumpkin patch with Abbie and her school. It was fun. She had a blast. I have added a couple of pictures for you to see. I sure did enjoy our special day.

In the words of...

In the words of Black-Eyed Peas...running, running, running
yup, that is what I am doing. Today I did a 5 mile run. I again, was dreading it and just about turned around and headed home. But Erwin was on the Ipod and my shoes were on the feet and my legs were already in motion, so I kept on. I am so glad I did. I got to see the sun peak over the horizon, feel the cool breeze, and see and hear a flock of geese in the early morning. I felt great! There is something that I keep thinking of though...I am training for a race I have not entered. That would be bad to miss it! Perhaps I should stop blogging and go register.