Little Moments In Our Lives

Cloth Diapers!?!

2011-03-02T06:18:00.000-08:00

Little did I know when I started researching cloth diapers that I was opening the door to a whole world I never knew existed!

My interest was peaked when I read an article at Simple Mom on cloth diapering. Jason was still without a job so the idea that $400 dollars cold take us from birth to potty training was very appealing! The deeper I dug the more information I found about concerns with the chemicals in disposable diapers. Could that be why my kids struggled with terrible diaper rashes? Sorting through all the reviews different styles etc was so overwhelming! I was able to find a local shop Green Pixie Baby and the owner offered a fee consultation. Free I can do! She was so helpful in explaining the different types of diapers and how easy it actually was to wash the diapers. I was hooked. It didn't help that some of these fluffy bums were so stinkin cute! I decided to start with the good old fashioned prefolds and covers. The most cost effective. My initial stash was a combination of cotton and Thirsties prefolds with Thirsties covers. I wanted a few of the Thirsties prefolds because they are a cotton hemp blend. Hemp is supposed to be naturally antibacterial. Because of the girls issues with rashes I wanted to try a few of these. I spent $180 and had the essentials for diapering Lila until 9 months. And with a generous financial gift all off it was covered! Since then we have acquired some pocket style diapers also. I have Leia wearing cloth diapers at night, she loves them! She got upset at me when I tried to put a disposable on her. I did manage to get a pull up on her a few weeks ago when she was having some tummy troubles. We needed to make a quick trip and I didn't want to deal with any issues that might come from not getting to the potty in time! The next day her entire diaper area was bright red. The few remaining disposable went in the trash. Needless to say we are now a cloth diapering family and never going back to disposables. My biggest concern was dealing with diaper rashes and so far Lila has had none. I wish I'd cloth diapered all the girls!

Today I'm entering KellyWels sweepstakes for a bumGenious diaper kit valued at $370! I've heard a lot about these diapers. So excited for the possibility of trying them. Enter here for your chance to win!

2011-03-02T05:58:00.000-08:00

I've been wanting to revive this for a while now. I guess I should start with a review of whats been going on.

August 2009 The girls and I moved to Nashville TN to join Jason.

September 2009 The job that brought our family to Nashville laid Jason off.

March 2010 SURPRISE baby #4 is on her way!

September 2010 After almost a year of living off unemployment, temp work and me working part time for a few months. Jason got a job!

December 2010 Lila Faith joined our family.

I hope to fill in the blanks with some other post soon. We've learned, are learning so much about trust and God's provision. Jason and I share the computer now so my time is limited. This is a start though. To be continued...

Christmas 2009

2009-12-07T20:21:00.000-08:00

Christmas this year will be a little different then usual. Not only are we in a new city Jason is still without a job. So we are getting rather creative. We've never been ones to go crazy, but we do enjoy giving to our family. Usually I make cards. We decorate the house and have a tree. The girls will get a few little things from us. And I'll make a picture album of the girls for the grandparents. This year everything is different!

We knew we were going to be traveling so Jason and I decided to consider an artificial tree (never thought I'd have one of those). As we started pricing them we felt that it would not be wise for us to purchase one. Instead we used our ornament tree to display our special ornaments. First year I have not had a Christmas tree. Honestly I haven't missed it yet. No mess, no keeping little fingers away, no rearranging the living room to fit a tree. At first the girls didn't understand why we were not putting up a tree. Now it doesn't seem to matter. I guess because they know we will be in MD it's not an issue for them.

I'm also not making cards this year. That was a little harder to give up. I really enjoy crafting. Christmas cards have been the only thing I've let myself continue to do since having three kids. Too many other things need to be done. After I started thinking about how much postage, card stock, etc was going to be... it was scratched from the list. I may try and email a Christmas card. If I can figure out how to do what I want to do.

We were planning on not giving any gifts to the grandparents. Other then pictures I'm having the girls paint. That's probably been the most exciting thing for the girls yet this year. Mommy actually has paint in the house and they are getting to use it! I found a good deal on one of the picture websites I've used. So they will be getting paintings by the girls along with pictures.

Next was the girls, what to do! We wanted to do something, but knew we were very limited on cash. Jason reminded me that we had Discover Cashback bonus's saved. Why not try to use that? I started looking through what was available. Found this,

they have been asking for one similar to this every time we're in Target. Made a trip to Sam's picked up the dollhouse. Got a few things from the dollar section at Target for their stockings. In the hopes that it might help keep the girls occupied on the 12-13 hour ride home. Spent about $13 each, if not less.

I knew this year would be different. Did not expect everything that came our way. I'm enjoying being creative with what we are able to do. And starting new traditions!

Our decision for public school...

2009-09-21T09:35:00.000-07:00

Jason and I struggled with what to do for school. All the options we looked at had pros and cons. Private school was appealing, but there was no way we could afford it. There are many things we liked about home schooling. Yet I had doubts. Public school, well that's just a melting pot for all things evil... right?

With private school not an option it was home school or public. Which meant home school. For Jason in particular. I was still unsettled about it. My requirement for my self was that if we were going to home school the girls must meet the same requirements that children in school were held to. Could I do that? I was already having a difficult time just keeping up with my daily responsibilities and three small children.

The other issue we were running into was Jenna's birthday held her back a year in school. I believed she could handle it academically but emotionally? Was she ready to handle the social pressures she would face? Another reason home schooling was appealing.

We decided to home school So I started researching different curriculum's. I found one I fell in love with, Sonlight. It gave me a daily schedule, everything I would need was included and it was Literature based. We would be reading great classics as well as fun modern stories. We were looking at artwork by Monet and Van Gogh to learn about the different seasons. It was the first thing that actually made me a little excited about home schooling. Until we started...

Both Jenna and I liked the work, especially the read alouds. But I was finding it extremely challenging to keep Norah occupied while Jenna and I worked. Add an infant and I was stressed. Norah would end up watching TV so Jenna and I could get whatever we could done before Leia needed me. It was very hard. And I noticed it was causing strife between Jenna and I. There were things I knew she knew but she would take forever to do. Or she'd complain that she couldn't do it when she'd just done it the day before. It was frustrating. Yet I really felt strongly that we needed to persevere and finish out the year.

Half way through December Jason accepted a job that would be relocating us to Nashville TN. As we started planning for the move we re evaluated everything. We knew that Jason would be moving ahead of us. And that the girls and I would be moving to a temporary location until our house sold. Jason was aware of how challenging the home schooling was for me. He encouraged me to pack it up. If we found a house in a good school district we'd enroll her in public school. If not we would attempt home schooling again. I was relieved!

Public school still concerned us. There were so many unknowns. Jason had been all through public school. He had concerns, but he also knew what to expect. I was home schooled. I didn't even know how to prepare her for school.

I spent a lot of time talking with moms who had sent their children to school as well as friends who were teachers. They all encouraged me to be involved. Get to know the teacher and the other students. Be proactive about talking with Jenna and asking her questions about what was going on in school. One person encouraged me that no matter where we sent Jenna to school she was going to be okay because of who Jason and I are as parents. God used that to bring me peace. We are going to be involved with the girls education no matter how they are educated, public, private or home school. Our challenge is to keep that open dialog. To be constantly finding ways to get her to communicate with us what is going on.

We moved forward with looking for a house. I still had moments where I worried about sending her to public school. It took us longer then we thought to find a house. It seemed as though everything we pursued just would not work out for one reason or another. And for a while it looked like we might be home schooling. Until God provided the house we are currently renting. I was starting to get anxious when I found out schools start here several weeks before they do in MD. At that point we had less then a month to find a house, move and prepare for school. I was stressed! Yet God always provides, I don't know why I lose sight of that. Jason found a house in a great school district. Two weeks later we were moving and a week after that Jenna started school.

I am so happy with Jenna's school! Her teacher has been amazing. She's been teaching for over thirty years. I cannot believe how much Jenna has learned in the two months she's been in school! She already knows more then she learned in the four months we were home schooling. Jenna has been sick this week so I stopped by school to pick up some things for her to work on. Her teacher spent time talking with me about Jenna and the class, even gave me a hug before I left. She encouraged me that Jenna has been making huge improvements in controlling her social tendencies as well as completing her work well.

As I look back I can see how despite my fears God was directing us where we were to be. Home schooling didn't work for us for a reason. Don't know why. But I am thankful for where we are now. I am seeing maturity in Jenna that I might not have seen if she hadn't been placed where she is. I have also been able to spend more time with Norah. And I'm noticing things in her behavior that need to be addressed. I might have overlooked that if we were home schooling.

I don't know what will happen next year. I want to hold everything about the girls schooling loosely. God may call us to something else in the future and I want to be willing to do whatever He asks. Despite my fears about what the outcome may be.

I LOVE our new library!

2009-09-19T11:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning Norah, Leia and I went with our new neighbor and her daughter to the downtown Nashville library for their free storytime. They were doing a presentation of Cinderella with marionette's. It was amazing! I have never seen anything like it. Norah and Leia enjoyed it so much we went again this morning so Jason and Jenna could see it. Apparently there is gentleman here Tom Tichenor who is famous for his puppets and marionette's. Today was the last day for Cinderella I'm curious to see what they are doing next. Can't wait to explore this library more with the girls!

Do I "count it all joy"

2009-08-22T06:25:00.000-07:00

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:2-4

Jason and I were recently talking about this verse. It challenged me. Do I "count it all joy?" Did I "count it all joy" while the girls and I were living in MD and Jason in TN for seven months? Am I "counting it all joy" now as we face the challenges of reestablishing our family in a new city? Honestly no. I look toward the end result, the fruit of the trial instead of the journey. I can now look back over those seven months and see how God used that time to change me. I'm thankful for that time. In the midst of it I could feel Gods hand in our circumstances and see Him working. But it was hard and I'd never want to do it again. Instead of seeing the trail as a privilege. God shaping me into who He wants me to be. I just wanted to be done. Attaining the fruit without walking through the challenge. I've recently been thinking about Job. God allowed Satan to challenge Job in every way. Taking everything from him. And what was his response... "the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21b) "Shall we indeed accept good from God and not adversity?" (Job 2:10b) My desire is to find joy in each challenge I face. When adversity comes I want to bless God. Rejoice that He is making me into who I am created to be. Not wait till it's over when I can see why, or how God used that time. As I face the new challenges God gives me. As we enter into a new season I want to have joy in every trial. Not there yet, but I hope to be!

Praying for you.

2009-05-10T04:38:00.000-07:00

I recently had someone contact me to let me know they had been thinking about me and praying for me. I have always been thankful when I'd heard this before. This time I experienced Gods comfort. I was reminded that in the midst of my very difficult circumstances He cares. Enough to have someone else praying for me.

Luke 12:6-7 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God... Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

omop vs. swiffer wet jet

2009-03-21T12:27:00.000-07:00

Several years ago I purchased the swiffer wet jet it was easy to use quick and did the job. I loved it. I am not a neat freak so anything to make my job easier I am all about! It broke around the time the rumors about swiffer's cleaning liquid being toxic to children and pets were circulating. Which have been proven untrue. I had already started switching to method cleaning products which I love. The scents were great and they cleaned well. The price is the only down side. I had a scent for the kitchen and scents for each of the bathrooms etc. I know I'm strange. So I switched to method's omop. It was awesome. Easy to use great smelling cleaner and their philosophy is clean enough to eat off. Which brings me peace of mind. After much use and abuse it also broke. Yesterday I went to Target to purchase a new mop. With a little reluctance I purchased the swiffer wet jet again. It was cheaper and I had coupons which meant even more money saved. Today I used it. The smell of the cleaner gave me an instant headache. I had to open up the house to get the smell out. So the verdict. Once we move and are settled I will be going back to the omop. Although I will never give up my swiffer vac.

Dealing with ungratefulness

2009-03-14T11:37:00.000-07:00

Today Jenna found her favorite dress that I had packed away because it no longer fit her. I had brought it out along with some other things for Norah. When she realized that she had to give it to her sister it was as if her whole world fell apart. Her emotions ranged from stomping in anger, screaming and crying, throwing things to I don't like my sister. I was totally not expecting this. My first reaction was to discipline the actions she knew were unacceptable. We than talked about her heart attitude and why we give things to other people. I told her about the new things I had gotten her. We prayed read scripture etc. She was still upset. Eventually I left her in her room told her she had to clean up the mess she made and that she could not come out until she chose to change her attitude. She eventually did come out with a changed attitude. And with a small amount of sadness she gave to dress to her sister.

How do you deal with ungratefulness?

Our house is finally on the market!

2009-03-09T05:43:00.000-07:00

Our house was listed this weekend. Thank you everyone that helped!

www.312foreland.com

Todays Funny

2009-02-25T13:01:00.000-08:00

The girls were dancing in the living room.

Norah to Jenna "you be Troy I be Gabruelllllllla!'

"Does My Brain Need A Spanking?"

2009-02-23T09:11:00.000-08:00

This is what Jenna asked me after I caught her jumping on the bed. How do they come up with this stuff?

When we moved Jason and I decided not to set up the girls bunk beds. We just put their mattress's on the floor. Perfect for jumping on. If the beds were not under two very old windows I might have been inclined to allow an occasional bounce. But after catching them almost falling into the window we made it clear every time they jumped on the bed they would be disciplined. Today when I caught Jenna I asked her what made her jump? Her answer was "my brain told me to do it. Does my brain need a spanking?"

Are you lonely?

2009-02-22T13:35:00.000-08:00

Jason asked me this the other day and it has been bugging me. Am I lonely with him gone. Yes... and no. I've never been someone who minded being alone. My brothers commented recently how they were always amazed (maybe they just thought it was strange) growing up that I was content to sit in my room and read or do things by myself. So am lonely, for Jason yes. I miss his company. But I also have three little people who are in constant need of me.

Happy Birthday Leia!

2009-02-19T17:40:00.000-08:00

To my little Leia. Today is your first birthday. I cannot believe it has been a year already. This time last year I was miserable. We thought you were breech. After being admitted to the hospital and almost passing out because the nurses (yes it took more then one) could not get my IV in. We found out you were in the correct position. The minute they put the ultrasound to my belly it was obvious. Secretly I was hoping you were going to come that day, I was so ready. But you waited... until ten days after your due date. The morning of the day you were born I was woken at 3 am by a very sick Norah and new you were coming. After days of contractions I was relieved. I should have know you would choose to come just as everyone in the house was getting sick. We headed to the hospital around 6 am and began the long wait for you. Norah's delivery was so much easier then Jenna's I think I expected the same from you. After false labor and being told you were breech I should have know better. While we were waiting for you daddy was getting more and more sick. At 3:31 pm you finally joined our family. All 8lbs 7 ozs of you were finally here. You were beautiful! Today I cannot imagine life without you. You are our most determined, you walked the earliest, have displayed your attitude the earliest. And are keeping me on my toes! We'd had a small party for you before daddy headed back to TN. So today was rather uneventful. We spent the afternoon at Aunt Kate's. You had a little bit of ice cream while we sang you happy birthday. Even though you most likely will not remember today... I want to wish you a very happy birthday! I cannot wait to see more of who God has created you to be.

So I'm Sitting Here...

2009-02-13T18:07:00.000-08:00

I turned the TV on tonight while I was doing the dishes and stumbled upon Fiddler On The Roof, I got hooked. I had forgotten how good it is. And never realized how much scripture was in it. I turned it on right around where Tevia was leading into "If I were a rich man" he was saying "Tevia sometimes I think God has it out for you" that hit me. It is so easy for me to slip into thinking that especially recently (if I can ever finish that post I will post it) Bev has been posting every day one thing she is thankful for. What a great reminder of God's goodness to us! This summer maybe even earlier than that God had been showing me how important it is to be thankful in all things. It really has helped me to keep things in proper perspective. Later on in the movie Tevia says "did You (God) have to send me news like that today!" Immediately he followed it with giving thanks. My prayer is that in all things my immediate response would be to give thanks! Towards the end of "If I were a rich man" Tevia states "You (God) have decreed I should be what I am." So today I am thankful that:

God has decreed who I am to be and that He gives me the strength to be that person each day!

Mercury In High Fructose Corn Syrup

2009-02-04T07:09:00.000-08:00

I read this at Small Notebook, I've always known High Fructose Corn Syrup is bad for you. This is eye opening!

Mercury in High Fructose Corn Syrup: What They’re Just Now Telling Us
February 3, 2009 in Food
As if we needed another reason to avoid high fructose corn syrup. (You’ll want to put down that soda now.)

Last week two studies were released showing that mercury was found in some high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).

One study tested 55 brand-name foods (containing HFCS) from grocery store shelves in Fall 2008, and found mercury in nearly one-third of those products. Do you have any of these at home?

Coca-Cola Classic
Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup
Smucker’s Strawberry Jelly
Nutri‐Grain Strawberry Cereal Bars
Hunt’s Tomato Ketchup
See the complete list of foods tested.
The Mercury Risk

Mercury is a toxin to the brain. There is no “safe amount” to ingest. It is especially dangerous for children and unborn babies whose brains are developing.

Even if the doses are small, it’s a concern because Americans consume so much HFCS on a regular basis: 12 teaspoons per day on average.

The Questions

How could the mercury be there?

HFCS is produced using many chemicals, and those chemicals are made by various manufacturers. Some of those manufacturers still use an outdated process involving mercury to make two of the chemicals, which can then be sold to HFCS producers. Consequently, mercury residue can end up in the final product.

The FDA knew about the possibility… and did nothing. In 2005 a researcher at the FDA named Renee Dufault tested samples of HFCS, and found mercury in nine of twenty samples. The FDA chose not to tell consumers, change industry standards, or do any more testing. Renee Dufault left the FDA, and those test results are now published in the current issue of Environmental Health.

How did the Corn Refiners Association (CRA) respond?

This study appears to be based on outdated information of dubious significance. Our industry has used mercury-free versions of the two re-agents mentioned in the study, hydrochloric acid and caustic soda, for several years…

In 1983, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration formally listed high fructose corn syrup as safe for use in food and reaffirmed that decision in 1996.

The CRA’s response basically assures me that any HFCS I consumed during my childhood did in fact contain mercury. They do not want to assume any responsibility or do additional testing for the current findings.

What to Do

So how do you know if the HFCS in your other food contains mercury? They won’t tell you. The HFCS manufacturers consider it “proprietary.” You may want to avoid it altogether.

You can call the customer service number on the back of food packages and express your concern.

In 2007, then-Senator Obama introduced legislation that would phase out the use of mercury, but it did not pass. Four chlorine factories in the United States (and more outside the U.S.) still use mercury to create those chemicals, which can then be sold to HFCS manufacturers. You can send an email to the CEOs of those companies.

High fructose corn syrup is as safe as sugar? Give me a break.

Sources:

Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) report and press release
Environmental Health article by Renee Dufault, et al.

Yet Another Thing To Be Thankfull For

2009-01-13T07:25:00.000-08:00

Last night Leia slept! She has been my hardest to get to sleep through the night. She gets so angry when I try to let her cry it out I was always afraid she would wake the other girls. So in my sleep deprived state I would go and get her. Since we've moved and she has been sick it's been worse. Most nights she ends up sleeping in our bed. The other night she would only sleep if she was touching me. I even tried to move away from her in the bed and she got up wrapped her arm around mine and went back to sleep. Last night I decided enough was enough. So while she was crying in her bed we were lying in ours where she could see us. I started praying asking God to help her sleep, I need her to sleep. She finally settled down went to sleep and did not get up until 5:30 am and than after I nursed her she went back to sleep until 7:30. God is so gracious to me!

Today I Choose To Be Thankful!

2009-01-12T17:28:00.000-08:00

Recently my life has seemed like a very long list of woes. Thursday January 1st Jason and I made the first of two moves as we prepare to relocate to Nashville TN. We have moved into his grandparents rental house while we prepare our house to sell. The night we moved in I went to give the girls a bath and there was no hot water. I could not believe it! My response "okay Lord how much more-until I loose it." It seems like I've been saying that a lot recently. For the last week and a half we have been going over to the old house or Jason's grandparents to shower, wash dishes and do laundry. But today... WE HAVE HOT WATER! When I turned on the faucet and warm water came out I could have cried. I am learning to choose to be thankful in ALL things like having HOT WATER!!!

Romans 5:3b-5 knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance and perseverance proven character, and proven character hope; and hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

I think this may be turning into the theme for my life-at least for this season.

The Face of Determination

2008-12-11T18:54:00.000-08:00

If determination had a name it would be Leia! She knows what she wants and if you get in her way watch out! Yesterday I decided to take advantage of a "teachable moment." She loves the Christmas tree and every time I turn around she is taking something off the tree. So I sat down next to her and every time she touched the tree or an ornament I flicked her fingers. Well after about ten minutes of this I was frustrated she had tears and snot running down her face both hands bright red and I decided the "teachable moment" was over!

Happy Birthday Jenna!

2008-11-23T18:12:00.001-08:00

Jenna had her fifth birthday on November 11th. I cannot believe she is five! Every day she seems more and more like a little girl and less like my baby.

I'm Learning the Game.

2008-11-05T18:54:00.000-08:00

I've always heard about how much money you can save by using coupons and shopping sales. But I never took the time to figure it out. Well, I've been reading a blog by Mommy Snacks and I have been amazed how much money she saves! So I thought I'd give it a try. So here is what I came up with. I went to Walgreens and...

Celestial Seasonings Tea 2 for $3 plus $1 coupon = $2

Ricola Cough Drops with coupon =$.99

Almay Mascara with rebate = FREE (Here's where it got fun. Almay products are on sale this week buy 1 get 1 free. So, I bought 1 got 1 free with the rebate that's 2 free products!)

With Walgreens you can submit your rebates online so I didn't even have to use a stamp! I'm curious to see if I will get the rebate and the buy 1 get 1 free. All the coupons I used were printed from Walgreens website. I think I could get into this!

I plan on going back before the end of the week to get a gallon of milk for $2.99.

Happy Shopping!!!

My life is full of clutter!

2008-10-16T12:22:00.000-07:00

It seems like everywhere I go someone is talking about decluttering and simplifying their life. MY LIFE IS FULL OF CLUTTER! Everywhere I turn I'm throwing away this and finding a place for that... I am constantly being overrun by stuff. So, a few goals of mine over the next few weeks are:

Get ride of toys.
Everyday get rid of at least one thing I don't use.
Set a schedule for myself so I can stay on top of things.

We'll see what happens!

Any Nursing Mom Can Relate to This!

2008-10-07T18:20:00.000-07:00

"Look what I'm doing now"

2008-09-17T18:39:00.001-07:00

Leia never ceases to amaze me! This week she will be seven months old, time has flown by! She is our earliest crawler. The other girls were barely moving at six months and she has been crawling or better said her version of crawling for quite a while. Just the other day I caught her at the stairs trying to climb up! She had her hands on the bottom step and was standing up trying to figure out what to do next. Since than she has been pulling herself up on anything she can. I cannot take my eyes off her or she's getting into trouble!

She Did It!

2008-09-12T20:26:00.001-07:00

Today Norah got her ears pierced.

She picked out little pink earrings and was so excited...until they wanted to clean her ears.

That is when the tears started!

Daddy was just as traumatized as Norah. She recovered a little quicker than he did and is loving her new earrings!

One of "Those Moms"

2008-09-12T13:22:00.000-07:00

So I always thought I wouldn't be one of "those moms." You know the ones that talk about how they have all these pictures of baby number one and with each baby after there were less and less pictures. I love pictures! I love taking them, looking at them and scrapbooking with them. Because I love pictures I guess I always thought I'd purpose to take at least the same amount of each child...yeah right! Poor Leia hardly has any pictures! So I thought I'd put up something of what she has been doing recently.

Here she is trying to catch a little pink ball. She was so determined to get it that she climbed under the exersaucer. She just couldn't figure out how to get a hold of it.

Norah is THREE!!!

2008-09-10T09:18:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Norah's third birthday. I cannot believe she is three already! She seems so grown up. I don't remember Jenna knowing the things Norah does at three. I guess it's because she has Jenna to follow.

Our plan was to take her to get her ears pierced. She has been asking us for months to have earrings. So we decided to do it for her birthday. When we got to the place they only had one person working and there is no way we were going to have one ear pierced at a time. She handled it very well. We are going to take her this weekend.

Our Future Olympians!

2008-08-28T15:25:00.001-07:00

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Jenna Took The Gold!

2008-08-28T14:53:00.001-07:00

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Our Trip To The Beach

2008-08-27T10:23:00.001-07:00

We spent one day at the park, I think the kids might have enjoyed the park almost more than the beach. It certainly was not as messy!

Landon and Jenna learned to fly kites at the park...

just as a storm blew in.

Jenna loved the water...once she was brave enough to get in!

Norah preferred swimming in the sand to swimming in the ocean. Here she is making sand angels and surfing with the kick board.

So I'm Having One of Those Days...

2008-08-19T10:39:00.000-07:00

It seems like I have been having a lot of "those days" recently. Everything is a battle and I don't want to do anything! My kids are driving me crazy, the house is trashed and the baby has not been sleeping. To top it all off my husband tells me he's coming home late! So I've been sitting here feeling down and I stumbled on to a young mom's blog about the one year anniversary of her daughters death http://aliviarachelhaughery32005.blogspot.com. It was a good reality check for me! At least my girls are here to drive me crazy. I am so thankful for my children!

Trust First...

2007-06-21T18:13:00.001-07:00

Isn't this what we all struggle with. Trust, how can I? What if I get hurt, what if the person I put my trust in betrays me? God I will trust you when you do what I want. God I know you will provide for me but I will trust you after you've come through. I am so quick to say I trust God, but when I really stop to think about it I want God to come through the way I want Him to than I'll trust. Recently Jason was supposed to get a new job, but at the last minute it fell through. We really needed this job, or so we thought. We were devastated. I see now that we were putting our trust in this job to provide for our financial needs. Yet God wanted our trust to be in Him first! Jason is still looking for another job...but we are trusting first in God's provision through his current job and hopefully a new one! Our pastor gave a message this Sunday and touched on this. It is amazing to me how God put something on someones heart that spoke to me. One of the verses our pastor gave was Proverbs 3:5-6. I have heard it so many times...yet I needed to hear it again!
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and do not lean on your own
understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him
and He will make your paths straight.
Trust with ALL your heart! May not be easy...yet God will be there!

My Little Fish

2007-06-21T10:27:00.000-07:00

These are my fish. Jenna would spend all day in the pool if we let her. Norah on the other hand only likes to swim if I am holding her. This was the first time she swam without me and enjoyed it. Jenna pushed her all over the pool and she laughed the whole time. I am so glad summer is here!

A little about me...

2007-06-13T18:18:00.000-07:00

Jason and I will be married six years in July. Everyone says how fast time goes but you don't realize it until you start saying remember when... We have two daughters Jenna is three she is extreemly outgoing and always ready to play with anyone who is willing. She is our joy. Someone once said that parents of extreemly outgoing children are always tired...I would have to agree! Norah is 21months she is our quiet one, although she has started rivaling her sister for attention when we have friends over. She is our peace. You can always count on Norah for a cuddle. Norah is the one quietly playing on her own while Jenna is jumping around creating as much fun and mess as possible. We are also pregnant, I am about four weeks. I am a bit apprehensive about this pregnancy. This is our fourth pregnancy possibly fith (I had a positive pregnancy test last month than about a week later had my period). I do believe God's hand is on this baby...this is the first time Jason and I wanted to try and get pregnant. Before it had always been "oh we're going to have another one, great!" I know this is in God"s hands, yet I can't help but be scared. The emotional ups and downs can be so hard...and I'm not an extreemly emotional person. I have started feeling sick, this part of pregnancy can be so hard! During comunion Sunday they posted this scripture on the overhead, I have heard it so many times yet it still encourages me!!!
Isaiah 40:28-31 Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the Lord, the
Creator of the ends of the earth does
not grow weary ot tired.
His understanding is inscrutable.
He gives strength to the weary, and to
him who lacks might He increases power.
Though youths grow weary and tired,
and vigotous young men stumble badly,
yet those who wait for the Lord will gain
new strength; they will mount up with
wings like eagles, they will run and
not get tired, they will walk and not
become weary.

2007-06-13T05:56:00.000-07:00

So I'm not quite sure why I am starting this...but I need an outlet. So we will see what happens???