Marvelous Monday

Just keepin' it real. The Monday Morning aftermath. Do you experience this at your house? :)

There was a tease of fall in the air for a bit this morning.


Lots of fun at the park this morning with some friends.



More fun outside tonight with our sweet neighbors.

Blake, there is no denying her. I think she is your mini me.

I have been reading Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson, as recommended by my sweet friend, Jenna. I am about halfway through the book, and have loved, loved every chapter. She talks so much about the influence of a mother in a home. Often the mother's attitude can control the atmosphere of the home...I have had that on my heart, and have thought about it often the past couple of weeks. I really do want to embrace my role as a wife and mother, and give it all I have for the glory of Him. I love when God reaffirms what has been in your heart in different ways...

This morning I was reading my devotion, and was reading about the disciples and different things Jesus asked them to do. Some of the requests made sense to the disciples, others did not. The disciples grumbled about some things they were asked to do, others they did willingly. Some things He asked them to do....the disciples did not understand the relevance of significance of them at all. They did not know if what He asked them to do even really mattered.

I love what Beth Moore said when she was talking about the disciples and paralleling it to our lives.

"We have no idea as to the significance of the work God called us to do."

"Christ's ultimate goal in any work He assigns to us is to reveal Himself, either through us or to us."

"The tasks God gives you are never trivial."

(page 361, Jesus: 90 Days with the One and Only)

Sunday Snapshots

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

This Week in Pics

Claire really got the hang of using her sippy cup this week. She says she wants wa-ee.

She sleeps like this. Looks quite uncomfy.

Blake had his first BLT. He was very skeptical...and he LOVED it. He has been missing out!

Emma and Izzy were here to play two days this week.

We watched football at Blake's work.
She loved the cheerleaders.
And...drumroll please...we have a crawler.
Homemade pizzas..YUM!
Tonight we celebrated Tutu's birthday. Happy Birthday!!

Random Jack Story: Tonight he got a juice box straw...stuck it in his mouth...think cigarette pose...I asked what he was doing...You know, mom, I have one of those hot things in my mouth. He takes another "puff".....He and Blake have an...ahem...nice father/son chat about why that is inappropriate...

Jack and I were at the mall a couple of weeks ago, and he saw some people smoking. I am not sure if he had ever seen or just not noticed cigarettes before. He asked me what they were, and I explained they were cigarettes and they were bad for you...he asked me if they were hot (hence the smoke), and I guess they mind wheels have been turning. YUCK!!!

Preschool Fun: Phase In Day

Jackson had a phase in day at preschool on Thursday. He stayed two hours, and I think he really liked it. This is his first time in a group setting, other than church, so it may take him a little while to get used to it. His teachers are really sweet, and his classroom has a lot of different things for the children to explore the things that interest them....I think he is going to have a great year.This pic is out of order...but, he had this gear on (again) about half a second after we arrived.

All ready for school. He packed his Bible in his school bag...I asked him why..his reply: "Mommy, we don't know if these people know Jesus."

Mommy may have had a moment to herself at Starbucks (and Target and T.J. Maxx) during the phase in festivities. Claire was at "Nana's Day Out" with Izzy having some serious cuddle time.

All of the Amigos seemed to be happy when we picked them up.



I put them both a new book in their car seat for after school. We start our regular school schedule this week. Yay for Preschool!

What's for Dinner?

Friday: Homemade Pizza
http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/04/01/recipe_homemade_whole_wheat_pizza/#more-324
Saturday: Spaghetti, Salad, Bread
Sunday: BLT Sandwiches
Monday: Taco Salad
http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/08/15/recipe-taco-salad/#more-1658
Tuesday: Roasted Chicken, Green Beans, Squash
Wednesday: Salad, Sweet Potato or Baked Potato
Thursday: Leftovers

There you go, Blake. I know you check this at work to see what you will be dining on. Enjoy. Hope you like. :)

Take a Picture...It Will Last Longer

Okay, friends...yesterday, for about 30 minutes, the entire house was clean and orderly(because I woke up at 6:00 a.m.), and the laundry hamper was even empty (for about 30 minutes). This never happens anymore. It was a good moment.

Poor Lady...Life with a Little Boy

Jack loves Lady...but sometimes she is the "bad guy" and gets caught by Batman. Sometimes she is even a horse for a Cowboy Jack before this mama intervenes.

Claire and her Paci(s)

Claire is slightly obsessed with her pacifier...last week, I could not find any, so I bought a new pack at Publix, assuming we had just lost the others. After that pack disappeared within a few days, I began to wonder where all of our pacifiers were going, and was kind of getting tired of looking for one every time she was ready to go to sleep...well, I pulled out her crib from the wall, and that little stinker has been dropping them behind her crib. I found a total of 7 when the hunt was complete.

Sunday Snapshots

Jack's First Day of Preschool

Thursday, Jackson went to Visitation Day at his preschool. He got to meet his teachers and explore his classroom, as well as the music room, art room, and playground. His best buddies are also in his class. I know he is going to have a wonderful year, and learn lots of new things.

What's for Dinner?

Blake is working lots and late..beginning of the school year activites and athletic events, so many nights we are taking dinner to him at work, or meeting him at the football field...this is what we are munching on this week:

Monday: Salad, BLT sandwiches, grapes
Tuesday: Breakfast for Dinner: Whole Wheat Pancakes, Bacon, Eggs, blueberries

Going to try this new pancake recipe. I will probably double it, and put some in the freezer for preschool mornings, in case we are in a hurry.

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/06/whole-wheat-pancakes.html

Wednesday: Chicken Bruschetta, Squash, Salad

Thursday: Leftovers...pick your favorite dinner dish, and you can eat it again. :)

Ya'll have a great, blessed, and wonderful week!!

A Day at the Museum with Jack and Claire

Jackson woke up Wednesday and requested a trip to the Museum. We did not really have any other plans, so we all got dressed and headed downtown for the day. He really liked the "Bob the Builder" exhibit, so we spent much of our morning upstairs. Claire enjoyed "The Little Yellow House." This was her first trip where she was old enough to really get out of her stroller and enjoy. We such a fun time...the only minor catastrophe happened while we were walking back to our car...Claire's blankie fell out of the stroller...I realized it when we were almost back to the car...we parked several blocks away....luckily, it was still laying on the sidewalk. I am not sure who would have been more upset, Claire or her mama. She loves that blankie.

I really enjoyed my time with Jackson on Wednesday. He is becoming such a little boy. So curious. Always asking questions. He wonders why things work the way they do. He is growing up, and I love the little guy he is becoming.