Wordless Week and a Half

I guess I have blogger's block...I just can't think of anything interesting to post lately.  Life has been busy, we've all had colds, Stephen is preparing for boards...it just seems hectic here lately.  So here is ALMOST wordless Wednesday:

Wordless Wednesday

It's a Hard-knock Life

Play date on Friday- Nothing beats cardboard box!

 Aubrey is cutting all four of her molars at the same time (well has been cutting them for several weeks now).  She's been incredibly fussy lately and Saturday morning I didn't know what else to do with her.  I stuck her in the exersaucer and went to check on her a few minutes later:

It's hard to be a baby

Daddy's Girl

When Stephen was little, his mom took him to a well child check.  Before the doctors appointment she reassured him that he wasn't going to have to get any shots.  When they got to the visit they were told about a change in the immunization schedule and Stephen was going to need some shots.  Since she felt so bad, his mom told him if he was brave for the shots she would take him to pick out a toy.  He did well and she took him to pick out "any toy he wanted."  He chose a puzzle.  

Lily Kate has been working on filling up her Good Behavior Chart for a few months.  Once she filled the chart she could pick out any prize she wanted.  She talked about a Tangled or a Snow White dress-up dress.  She put the final star on the chart tonight.  Her prize: a $5 Rapunzel doll from Target.    

She's her Daddy's Girl

These Boots Are Made for Walking

Much like her older sister, Aubrey was in no hurry to walk.  Her scoot crawl got her anywhere she needed to go.  Today (almost 15 months old) she decided was a good day for walking and took 5-6 steps!  I need to brace myself for the mayhem that will ensue :)  I'll post some video if she tries again tomorrow.

Birthday Boy!

Thursday was Stephen's 29th birthday.  He was able to take the day off and we just hung out as a family.  What a treat!

We ate dinner at Cajun Yard Dog then came back to the house to enjoy the carrot cake LK and I made for him. 

Can you tell she picked out the decorations? :)

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!  We love you!

Encouragment

A friend just shared this poem with me.  It really spoke to my heart as so many days I struggle with not having a feeling of accomplishment even though I worked all day.  Being a stay-at-home mom is no easy job, but I love my job nonetheless.  May you find this as encouraging as I did.


Loving Jesus

I started my day early,
Before the room was light.
I lifted my son from his crib
And wished it was still night.
But as I held him close and said,
"Hi, Kenneth, precious one,"
I knew that as I greeted him,
I greeted too God's Son.

When my daughter woke up later,
Calling, "Mommy!  Mommy!  Down!"
I picked her up and hugged her
In her worn Elmo nightgown.
I know she felt the closeness
That a mother's touch affords.
I welcomed not just Ellie,
But so, too, the Lord of Lords.

That day, I mixed some formula
And opened jars of peas.
I fixed some "pizza butter" bread
When she grinned and said, "Pleeeeease."
I heated up some leftovers;
I had to nuke them twice.
And when I fed my children,
I was feeding Jesus Christ.

I made some funny faces,
And "played puzzles" on the floor.
I dressed kitties, ran around outside,
And played with them some more.
We laughed and jumped and tickled,
Making memories to be stored.
When I spent time with my children,
I spent time with my Lord.

I wiped up sticky cereal
And washed the dishes clean.
I straightened, picked up, put away,
And dusted in between.
I did six loads of laundry
And folded it like new.
When I cleaned for my children,
I cleaned for my Savior, too.

When my children were both crying,
I held them in my arms.
I cuddled them and whispered
That I'd keep them safe from harm.
I told them how their Father saved them
With His perfect Lamb.
When I comforted my children,
I comforted I AM.

Later on that evening,
I put them in the bath.
I washed their little bodies
As they kicked around and splashed.
I dried them in soft towels
And put their jammies on.
When I had washed my children's feet,
I'd washed the Holy One.

I cooked and cleaned and rearranged,
Made beds and taught and played.
I made sure that we had food to eat
And that we often prayed.
I died to self.  I made a home
From ordinary things.
But when I served my children,
I served the King of Kings.

To some, I have done nothing,
But to two, I've done the world.
I made eternal difference 
To my precious boy and girl,
And to the One who watches over
Every pathway that I've trod.
For when I've loved my precious children,
I've loved Almighty God.

- Megan Breedlove 

Things I love

Here is a list of things I love in no particular order:
1.  I love free stuff (samples in the mail, shampoo & lotion from hotels (okay, I realize you technically pay for it) I recently won a free hand mixer on the CMF blog),.  My kids love free stuff (cookies & a balloon from Harris Teeter will brighten any child's day).  I just found out about this great giveaway at my sister's blog.  Check it out and see if you can't win these beautiful one-of-a-kind necklaces:

Jonathan & Rachel's Blog

2. The touch of coolness in the air today, reminds me that fall is right around the corner.  I love a piping hot mug of hot chocolate, Panthers games, candy corn & peanuts, crunching in the leaves (though I hate to rake them :)) wearing hoodies and cuddling up under a blanket, falls new line-up of television shows.

3. Digging into God's Word.  I am blessed to get to study Isaiah and Amos this year through Community Bible Study.  I love that we just study the Word.  Each week I am amazed at what we glean from the living breathing Word of God.  There is still room if you are looking for a good Bible Study.

4.  Sudoku- I realize I am about 5 years late on this trend, but I just discovered them and I'm addicted.  I have to do at least one each day.  Stephen bought me an Easy Book last year for Christmas, now I've worked my way up to Expert and am trying to trim down my time :)

5. New recipes.  Well let me rephrase that- new simple recipes.  My requirements are A. prep time less that 30 minutes, B. kid friendly, C. nutritious and delicious.  That shouldn't be too limiting should it?

I just got this great one from my neighbor.  My kids ate it up!

Chicken Zucchini CasserolePreheat oven 350 degree; Cook casserole 40-45mins.
1 pkg. (6oz) stuffing mix
3 cups diced zucchini
1-2 cans cream of chicken soup (start with one can and add another or part of another if needed)
1 medium carrot, shredded
1/2 cup dried cranberry (or as much as you want!)
1/2 cup melted butter
2 1/2 cups cooked, cubed chicken (I baked it)
1/2-1 cup sour cream

Directions:
1. Combine butter and stuffing in bowl. Set aside 1/2 cup for topping.
2. Add remaining ingredients to stuffing mix. Put in 9x12 baking dish.
3. Sprinkle casserole with reserved stuffing mix and pop it in the oven to bake!
Enjoy!

*all photos are from Pinterest.

Summer - in Cell Phone Pictures

Though we may be behind in our cell phone technology, I still capture some precious moments with the camera on my phone.   Until this week, I had no idea how to get them off.  It took some finagling, but here they are in all their cuteness (excuse the quality, cause like I said they are from my phone) :

Sweet Cousins 

Country Bumpkin

Swimming with Nemo

Singing Jesus Loves Me in front of all the Renfrows (~80people)

Cousins at the Beach

4th of July

Residency Graduation- Woohoo!

Real Life Cinderella (she asked to help!)

Sweet Sisters

Holding Hands

My Little Monkey- dress up at the neighbors house

Treasures from my cell phone

Home Sweet Home- Back from Cameroon!