We eat leftovers.  Food doesn’t get thrown away intentionally around here.

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Occasionally food gets taken to our extra fridge which we often refer to as “The Land of the LOST!”  Once food goes there, it often doesn’t return without a little fuzzy coat on it.  One time I let a fruit salad get so nasty that I REFUSED to clean the bowl.  I had decided I was going to be wasteful, but save myself some gagging…I was just going to throw the whole bowl away.  Being so wonderfully frugal, that wasn’t an option for Brad.  He took it outside and power washed it in the driveway.  GROSS!

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So that little aside has nothing to do with this post.  In fact, erase it from your memory so you can focus on non-molded, yummy food. :)

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I made grilled veggies and a pork loin Monday night.  Tonight I needed a fast meal before church, and I remembered I had some leftovers from Monday.  I didn’t want to serve the same meal, so I just reinvented it a little.

I made veggie pasta!

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Chop the grilled vegetables up a little smaller.  Also cut the pork loin into bite size pieces.

Throw the veggies in a skillet with the following:

Small Can of Tomato Sauce

Can of Diced Tomatoes

1 tsp Basil (or handful of fresh basil leaves if you have them)

1/2 tsp Oregano

1/2 tsp Garlic Powder

Bring to a boil.  Add the chopped Pork Loin (or whatever meat you grilled with your veggies).  Cover it and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.

As it simmers, boil a package of Thin Spaghetti.

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If you think that chopping your veggies with the end of your spatula while they are simmering (and while you’re frantically preparing dinner because you’re late for church) is a good idea, then you might want to wear an apron…so you don’t look like you killed someone.

When the pasta is cooked to your satisfaction, drain it and toss it with the veggies.  Add 1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese.

This gives you a completely different meal, and takes only 10 minutes!  Plus, you use your leftovers so they don’t get stuck in the “Land of the Lost!”

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ENJOY!

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-kate

Today was a great day!  I’ve been trying to be productive.  It’s a new thing for me!

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The Lord is teaching me some valuable lessons this year through BSF (Bible Study Fellowship).  Every year I have different convictions, but this year I am actually going to try to act on my convictions.  (SHOCKING!  I think that’s WHY the Holy Spirit CONVICTS us!  I’m a little slow at times!)

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I was very convicted that television needed to go…temporarily.  However, I have really enjoyed not having TV in my life the past few weeks.  I have decided to continue with my New Year’s Resolution to give up that great big TIME SPONGE and I would encourage you to give it a try.

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I have also started to realize that so much of what I do in these early years shapes

THE REST OF MY KIDS’ LIVES!

Talk about pressure!  I am far from the perfect mother…in fact just typing that is laughable! (haha!)  But I do love these little maniacs and I want the very best for them! One day they will have kids (which would make me a grandmother, and the thought of that stresses me out, but…) they will either blame their mistakes on me or they will realize I loved them, prayed for them, taught them, and trained them with Godly wisdom and discernment.

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A verse we studied today at BSF was Isaiah 40:6-8

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“All people are like grass,

and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.

The Grass withers and the flowers fall,

because the breath of the LORD blows on them.

Surely people are grass.

The grass withers and the flowers fall,

but the word of our God endures forever.”

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I am a very visual person.  This is how I read this verse…

We are all like the grass.

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We might be grass that is starved of nutrients and sunlight (the WORD of God) and we will still grow, but we won’t thrive.  We will be weak, puny, unproductive, and leave behind few seeds.  We will wither and die and leave very little to this earth.

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Or we could be beautiful, lush, thick, green grass that is fertilized, watered, and in full sun (reading, memorizing, studying, living the WORD of God).  We will be strong, producing many flowers of faithfulness.  They will be beautiful and healthy, releasing many seeds to the earth.  Even the strong, nurtured flowers and grass will die, but they will leave behind many healthy seeds.

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Only God is eternal, but our actions do make a difference FOR GENERATIONS!

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I am learning over and over this year that there are several things I need to be doing with my babies…planting seeds in their little hearts…and strengthening mine!

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*Scripture Memory

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*Bible Time as a family.  We have always read a short Bible story before bedtime, but since Preston has been in all-day school, we’ve gotten lax because we want him in bed on time.   (again, priorities!)

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*Praying about issues as they arise.  Praying together as a family.  Allowing my babies to see my prayers about them as individuals.

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*Keeping my Bible open so they see that it is important to me to read God’s Word!

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We are so temporary.  The Lord is so constant, permanent, ETERNAL!  I need to be focussing on things that are ETERNAL!  I guess that means that for now, Cupcake Wars, Everybody Loves Raymond, The Office, and The Real Housewives would probably not fall into that category.

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This post may seem like a long ramble, and it kind-of is.  I just want to document my thoughts, let this be a reminder to myself, and and encouragement to other moms and dads to focus ETERNALLY.  For our sake, for our kids’ sakes, for their kids’ sakes.  What we do now won’t last forever, but it will effect forever!

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-kate

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I love to cook.  I cook as often as possible, and I always want to invite people over to eat with us.  Often we invite our parents because my house is usually in no condition to entertain.  Sad but true.  The way I see it is this…If I’m going to spend all that time and energy cooking a good meal, I want people there that will eat and enjoy it!  If I have food, I’m happy to share it.  Plus, sometimes my 3 maniacs don’t offer the words of affirmation I desire after slaving away for hours.  Please refer to the broccoli casserole story from yesterday.

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I think eating together at the table as a family is extremely important.  I also firmly believe in cooking “real” food, not over-processed fake food.  However, there might be a Totino’s Pizza or two in the freezer for emergencies, but I try to feed my kids “the good stuff.”  I want to make sure my kids are eating their fruits and veggies.

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I love foods that are healthy, but I still like junk!  I love sweets.  LOVE SWEETS!  If you don’t believe me, click on “Real Good.”  If I ever found out I was diabetic, I think my world would come to a very hungry, depressed, unsatisfied, end (not to be dramatic).

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Anyway, I’m going to share the wonderful and very healthy veggies I made for dinner last night in this post.  Later I will post the wonderful and very UNhealthy dessert I made Saturday night.  I love them both equally…but differently.  Make sense?

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I have always had a very strong admiration and love for The Pioneer Woman, but now that I’ve started blogging, I am pretty sure she’s absolutely amazing.  The woman must not sleep a wink.  If you haven’t read the blog, you should.  If you do, you’ll be hooked.  Don’t say I didn’t tell you!  I love the way she documents her recipes with pictures and I have tried to emulate that, but it’s tough…and sometimes I forget…and I’m slow…and I have these little people hanging on me…and, just don’t make fun of my poorly colored, fuzzy pictures.  I’m still learning.

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Grilled Veggies

Use whatever vegetables you like.  Sometimes I just use 3-4 veggies, other times I use anything I have.

This time I used:

2 Zucchini

2 Yellow Squash

1 Onion

1 Carrot

1 Sweet Potato (Red potatoes are great, too, but cut potatoes very thin)

2 Roma Tomatoes

Hand Full of Cauliflower

Hand Full of Broccoli

1/2 Bell Pepper (my kids don’t love the taste of cooked bell pepper)

1 Small Carton of Mushrooms

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Marinade:

3-4 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

3-4 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar (I like a strong taste, but use less if you prefer mild)

3-4 Cloves Garlic, Minced

1 tsp Montreal Steak Seasoning

1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning

1 tsp Salt

1/2 tsp Pepper (I use Garlic Pepper, but either will work)

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Chop vegetables into bite size pieces.  Put in large bowl with lid that seals tightly.  Add remaining ingredients.  Place lid on and turn bowl over several times to combine ingredients.

To Grill:

I love my handy-dandy grill basket and I highly recommend getting one if you don’t have one.  I just coat it with “Pam for Grilling” and pour my veggies in.  Grill over medium-low heat until tender/crisp, stirring every 5-8 minutes.  I prefer mine more tender/soggy, so I cook them for about 30 minutes.

To Roast:

(If you don’t want to turn the grill on, this is an easy alternative.  Don’t grill, roast!)

Preheat oven to 350°.  Place veggies on a large cookie sheet or in a 9X13 dish.  Place in oven for 45 minutes – 1 hour.  Stirring occasionally.  You may want to use less Balsamic if you plan to roast.

ENJOY! :)

-kate

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It was GLORIOUS to see the SUN on Saturday.  It’s been so long since I’ve gotten my Vitamin D fill from that wonderful ball of fiery gas the Lord made.  It was exhilarating to stand in the sun and feel the warmth on my face and arms.  The kids were just as excited as I was.  They kept saying, “Isn’t it such a pretty day?”  We played outside and enjoyed the weather for as long as we could.

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Sweet Brad was working all day, so he didn’t exactly get to enjoy it with us.  In this crazy real estate market, we have been so blessed that he continues to be busy.  Because he’s been so crazy at work, our yard (which is usually his “baby”) has gotten put on the back burner.

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Brad’s dad (Granddear) very graciously gave up his Saturday to do our yard work.  Lilly Katherine could not have been more excited.  She was right behind him every step of the way.

She mowed and edged for 3 hours.

Needless to say, she didn’t sleep much last night because her legs were hurting so badly.

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Saturday night we ate with some wonderful friends, Mike and Ame (who we don’t see often enough)!  Ame made a 5-course gourmet meal that was DELICIOUS!  I made a measly little dessert, that took about 10 minutes, but it was yummy.  I’ll post the recipe tomorrow.  I must get to bed.

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However, I’ll end with two of the most wonderful things a mom can hear, and I heard them both this weekend…

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#1…”Nigh nigh my bed” (Translation: Please stop talking and take me home and put me in my bed so I can cuddle up with my baby and my lovey lamb.  I’m only 2 and I’m ready to be asleep.)  Isn’t it so sweet when they start to vocalize what they need with sweet little words, instead of just fussiness.  Precious little maniac!

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#2…”Mama, can I please have some more BROCCOLI?”  yes, YES, YES, yes, Lilly Kat, you may have a bowl of raw broccoli!  This is the child that, well, don’t judge when you hear this story, but…a few years ago i made this broccoli, cheese, butter, ritz cracker thing in order to get her to eat broccoli.  I’m sure the fake/bad ingredients totally negated any nutritional value of the broccoli.  I thought that if I hid something green in all that “stuff” she wouldn’t notice it.

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I was WRONG!

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She hated it and didn’t want to eat it.  I told her she had to eat one real bite if she wanted dessert.  She finally shoved a bite in her mouth, got down from her seat, walked over to me, and started gagging.  She threw up her entire dinner on the kitchen floor.  It was then that I decided I would not be making that dish again…and she had probably earned her dessert.  So, the question “Can I please have some more broccoli?” made.my.night!

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“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.”  -Psalm 113:3

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This morning I was rushing around trying to do laundry, pick up the house, make beds, make cookies, and take care of my maniacs.  I had several shirts that needed to soak in OxyClean, so I plugged the sink in my laundry room, turned the water on, and poured OxyClean in the sink.  I was watching the water rise, and it was almost to the perfect level.

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At that moment, I heard a jingle, jingle sound running through our house.  The jingle, jingle of a collar.  The collar that belongs to a wild, crazy, four legged maniac named Sam…who was outside in the mud, and whose feet were bound to be nasty!  My suspiciouns were right.  Sam had been let inside.  His feet were filthy.  The kids forgot to wipe them off, and I wanted him OUT!  I was chasing him around the house, flustered and frusterated.  I was running late already (SHOCKING!) and I did not have time for this!

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I finally gave up.  His feet were dry, my house couldn’t get any dirtier, and I needed to move on.  It was at that moment that I found AnnaLeigh on my bed, she had emptied a small tube of lotion and was rubbing it all over her legs.  Her legs, however, were clothed in footed/footy pajamas, so she was just rubbing the lotion on her clothes.

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I did not handle the situation well, as I was already flustered, frusterated, and late!  I threw the girls in the bathtub, bathed them, clothed them, fixed their hair, brushed thier teeth, made yo-yo’s (a recipe I will post soon), and was just about to get dressed when Lilly Katherine said, “Uh, Mama, There’s WATER!”

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I ran around the corner to find W.A.T.E.R!!!  I ran into the laundry room to find the source of the problem.  I assumed it was the washing machine, until I saw water gushing from the counter top, the cabinets, and even the drawers!  I HAD LEFT THE STINKIN’ SINK RUNNING FOR ALMOST AN HOUR!!!!!  How clueless am I?  Water was an inch deep in my laundry room, my laundry room closet (that holds everything), my a/c closet, my half bath, my entry from the garage, a little bit of my kitchen, and it was running into the garage.

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I called brad.  No answer.  I called again.  No answer.  I called again.  No answer.  I had 3 children just staring at me.  AnnaLeigh decided that it was a good time to try out her rain boots (“boops” as she calls them), so she started splashing in the water.  She learned real quick that it wasn’t a good time for that.

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I called my dad panicking.  My parents both jumped in the car and ran over.  Brad ran home and said it was about 8 times worse than he expected.  It was FLOODED!  My parents, Brad, Preston, and I spent the next 2 1/2 hours moving things out of the water and into the kitchen, den, and garage.  My dad had a professional shop vac, for such a time as this…and it was a life saver!

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You can’t tell how deep the water is in the pic, but you can see the reflection of the fluorescent lights.  Believe me, my floors aren’t that shiny.  That reflection is from the inch of water on the floor.

This was not what I had planned for my morning!

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I did get a clean laundry room out of the mishap!

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But now my garage looks like this!

The other good thing that came out of this experience is that Lilly Katherine basically potty trained AnnaLeigh.  She spent the entire 2 1/2 hours taking A to the bathroom every 20 minutes.  She would tell her to go, wipe her, take care of it, everything!  They would just come report to me every few minutes that she tee-teed on the potty again.  LOVELY!  I’m serious when I say I am not potty training AnnaLeigh.  She can do it herself…or LK can do it. :)  Sweet girls!  They were so good during the whole ordeal.  Preston was such a sweet, hard worker, too.  The maniacs couldn’t have been any better!

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The plan for the morning was to spend hours with my dear Baylor friends, Kathryn, Liana, Nancy, and Meredith.  They came and picked up P and LK and eventually I made it over there to spend a little time with them.  These friends are such wonderful blessings!

Photo courtesy of Preston! :)  I look like I had a rough morning!  Ha!

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Here are most of our kids.  (Not pictured – Will, Charlie, and Elizabeth)

Thank you, Lord, for sweet friends.  Thank you, Lord, for a wonderful family who will come to the rescue of one clueless mom.  Thank you, Lord, for a wonderful husband who doesn’t freak out when his clueless wife floods the house.  Thank you, Lord, for my precious maniacs!  Thank you, Lord, that I didn’t leave the house with the water running!

I’ll never forget my first day at Baylor.  My parents drove me down to good old Waco, Texas, and we spent all day unpacking in the blazing Texas heat.

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Being the first born, everything was new for them.  Everything was new for me.  Baylor seemed HUGE!  The dorm seemed HUGE!  I had a potluck roommate (who turned out to be the best match I could have dreamed of and one of my dearest friends!)  I had emotions running WILD in my body because this was uncharted territory for our whole family.  I was excited, nervous, anxious, scared, and I felt so grown up, yet not old enough to be there all at the same time.

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We had finished unpacking the car, the room was fairly settled, and I saw my mom tell my dad it was time to go.  What a strange feeling to be taken to another city and just left there.  Left!  They just dropped me off!  Was I ready for college?  As we said an emotional and tearful goodbye, I went back into my room to finish unpacking.  Almost immediately I opened the giant green rubbermaid box that held my shoes.  At the very top of the shoe pile, I saw this…

My little shoe.  Just one little scuffed up baby shoe with a little note rolled inside.  Sitting on the cold, hard, floor of dorm room #205, I read these sweet words,

Kate-

Today your mom and I take you to college.  This represents a big step in your life as we both took big steps 23 years ago.  We can no longer see you everyday, or even every week.  But we will pray for you every hour.  You will always be our little girl and our prayers have confirmed that you are at Baylor for a reason.  We love you!  -Diddy

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(I call my dad, “Diddy.”)

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I turned into a puddle of tears.  My roommate probably thought I was crazy. I’m pretty sure I was an emotional basket-case.

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Fast forward a few years. (When my dad wrote the note he probably didn’t know I would get married, move less than a mile away, and bring my little maniacs to their house almost daily.) This past Thursday I walked into my parents’ house, and this little shoe was sitting on their counter with the note still rolled inside.  I opened it, read it, and remembered reading it for the first time as if it were yesterday.

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I must say that I am so incredibly blessed to have 2 wonderful parents that love me, and have always loved me.  They taught me, trained me, spanked me, guided me, and showed me how to live honestly and ethically.  They are kind, caring, and have been wonderful examples of how to live as God wants me to live.

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It’s so comforting to know that I have parents that did pray for me, do pray for me, and will always pray for me.  I want to be a prayerful woman!  I go through spells where I am fervent in prayer, and other times I am not as fervent.  One of my goals this year is to pray every.single.day. for my babies.  A friend of mine has a wonderful prayer plan for 2011, that I am going to try to stick with.  I would encourage you to look at it, too.

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I know that by posting this, I have people that will keep me accountable.  Pray with me.  Let’s pray for our babies!  I’ve had so much fun with this new blog.  Thanks so much for reading about our crazy, wonderful life! :)

It’s Friday morning.  The kids hear the garage door and they start chanting, “Nut-nuts!  Nut-nuts!”  They know that their sweet daddy is going to come through that door with little white sacks filled with sugary goodness.  AnnaLeigh calls them “Nut-nuts” so now the big kids call them that, too.  Friday is “DONUT DAY!” around here.

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The kids get Donut holes and Brad brings me an apple fritter…aaaaand McDonald’s coffee.  Simply the best!  I’m sipping on it as I type.  You just can’t beat the $1 cup of  joe from Mickey-D’s!  Isn’t he the best daddy and hubby in the world?!?!

Brad gets our goodies on the way home from his middle of the night basketball game.   He says he plays basketball in the morning.  I say anything before 7:00 am is NOT morning.  He wakes up at 4:30 several mornings a week to play ball, run, work out, etc.   I.DO.NOT.DO.MORNINGS!…unless I’m still up from the night before.  There have been times where we’ve crossed paths as I’m going to bed and he’s waking up.  CRAZY!

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Anyway, Brad plays basketball, then gets donuts.  This morning, Lilly Katherine said, “Daddy, do you have to win at basketball to get donuts?”  Oh, she cracks us up!  Today I’m going to start a new category called “Real Quotes” that will be filled with LK-isms!

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I’ll leave you with this pic…of my cute hubby.  This pic is just a couple of years old, but he pretty much looks the same.  He just gets cuter with age!

A few months ago everyone was whining, “I’m ready for colder weather.”  “Will this summer ever end?”

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I said it then and I’ll say it now, I’m a summer girl!

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Yes, it’s hot as stinkin’ heck around here in the summer.

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Yes, the humidity is 95% most days.

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But i miss the “DOG DAYS of SUMMER” and i miss this…

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So, go away 28°!  I don’t mind being cold for a day or two, but I’ve had enough, thank you.

Please bring my summer back!

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Most of the time Lilly Katherine and AnnaLeigh play really well together.  Of course there’s the occasional screaming, hitting, and “MINE!” but overall, they really have fun cooking, singing, playing with dolls, etc…

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I love to listen to them interact as little adults.  I love when they play with their dolls and I get to see what I must sound like to them.  Sometimes good…sometimes NOT GOOD…always funny!

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Today they were playing with their babies and it seems that the winter cold season has hit their toy box hard.  They had an infirmary in my room.  All their babies were “at the doc-ta” sick with various ailments.  AnnaLeigh’s baby’s back hurt (Mimi and Nana both have had back problems this week, and she’s heard them talk about it).  LK kept taking her baby’s “temp-shi-ter” (be careful saying that one) and her baby had a bad fever.

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At one point I looked at AnnaLeigh and started laughing so hard.  She HATES to have her nose aspirated (sucked out), but we have to do it sometimes because she refuses, i mean REFUSES to blow her nose.  When I have to use that nasty “booger sucker” as we call it, I sit on her without putting my weight on her so she’s pinned down.  Sounds horrible, but the child leaves me no choice.  Anyway, I turned around and saw this…

So stinkin’ funny! I laugh every single time I look at this picture! Oh, I love my maniacs!

Preston LOVES sports…LOVES, LOVES, LOVES sports.  He had his first basketball game of the year this weekend and he was so stinkin’ excited he could hardly stand it.  He asked me once an hour if I had his clothes clean and ready.  He reminded me a million times that the game was at noon.  (I guess he was worried I would be late or something…how dare he!) :)

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I thank the Lord that Preston has athletic ability.  He DOES NOT get that from his mother!  I couldn’t throw a tennis ball through a hula hoop.  I’m proud of my little man and I’m thankful he’s so much like his daddy.

Preston taking a shot…and it’s GOOD!  Look at that form.  I say that, because I truly don’t have it.  I don’t get it.  My “big bug” has so much more athletic ability than I.

He was so excited.  This is right after the basket.  So cute!  I might have been screaming “GO PRESTON!” in a loud, proud, mom voice while taking this picture!

So what were the girls doing during the game?  They love to cheer for Preston.

LK was also grooming her dog, Brandy.

AnnaLeigh was sitting in Nana’s lap, and as long as she has chapstick (“ka-kick”) all is right with the world.  See that look of adoration…simple pleasures.

Preston’s first comment to me when he saw the snow was, “Mama, last year when it snowed you said we should enjoy it because we wouldn’t see snow like that for another 15 years.  You were wrong, Mama.  Do you remember saying that?”  I don’t remember saying it, but I’m sure I did.  I’ve learned not to question this child’s amazing memory.  He’s a little maniac!

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We had so much fun in the snow yesterday

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Walking in the snow…

Making snow angels…

Rolling the snow into big snow/leaf balls…

Building a miniature snowman with Paige and Kendall…

Sitting in the snow…

Eating the Snow…(even after being pelted in the head with a snowball)

Speaking of SNOWBALL…There was a wonderful snowball fight.  Everyone participated.  (Well, someone had to hide behind hold the camera.)

Kendall taught AnnaLeigh how to make a Snowball.

Lilly Katherine was giggling at the thought of throwing a snowball at Preston.

LK wasn’t the only kid excited about throwing snowballs.  Our neighbors Mike and Debbie were having a blast chunking snowballs at each other.

Preston even got AnnaLeigh.

Then Kendall got Preston!

We had the best time with our neighbors!  My maniacs absolutely ADORE the Wells’ kids!  AnnaLeigh asks “Where’s Clay?” about 100 times a day.

After the snow we went into the Wells’ house and thawed out by the fire.

The girls were “sleeping.”

Then they played “beauty shop.”

Such a fun day.  Such sweet neighbors!

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“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.”  -Luke 10:27

This is my “little” brother, Taylor.  He’s a foot taller and double my weight, but he’s still my little brother.

“Uncle Taylor” is our HERO!

(Taylor and Preston)

Taylor is in the Air Force and just returned home from his third tour in the Middle East.  He works hard every day to keep you, me, my babies, and our future safe!  He is smart, devoted, loyal, and I’m thankful he is serving our great nation!  I’m proud to call him my brother!

(Taylor and Lilly Katherine)

To all the men and women who have selflessly given up time with their friends and family to serve our country, who have devoted their lives, their time, their passions to protecting us, THANK YOU!  You are not thanked enough.  You are not appreciate enough for what you do!  From the bottom of my heart, I THANK YOU!

My brother works hard!  His wife, Kelly, works hard, too.  I have seen what Kelly goes through when he’s away.  I can’t imagine what it’s like for those left here “holding the fort down at home” for months at a time.

(Taylor, Kelly, and their nieces/nephews…Lilly Katherine, AnnaLeigh, Caleb, Truett, Preston)

If you know someone in the military.  Thank them!  If you’re at the mall  and you see a stranger dressed in uniform, go out of your way to say “Thank you!”  Since my brother has been in the service, I have found that just seeing people in uniform can bring tears to my eyes  (My eyes do moisten easily).  I try to make a point to thank them.  It’s the least I can do, when I think about what they’re doing for me.  I get emotional just thinking about it.  I know, I’m a pansy.

(Taylor, Truett, AnnaLeigh)

So, I want to say THANK YOU to my sweet little brother.  I love you, I respect you, and I look up to you (both literally and figuratively)! :)

(Siblings…Ashley, Taylor, Me)

Thank you for your dedication to our country!  Thank you for being the bestest brother in the whole wide world!  Thank you for loving my babies!  Thank you for being our HERO!  I love you!!!  (Love, your favorite sister) :)

We tried out our new Christmas toys on a stroll/ride/bike/scoot around the block.

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It was Pandemonium!  (Maybe not totally, but close)

Preston, my cautious one, was too scared of falling to ride his scooter (razor) so he walked it instead.  Don’t be fooled by this picture.  He was scooting uphill at this point, which didn’t make him near as nervous as going downhill.

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Lilly Katherine had never ridden her bike on the “bumpy road” and didn’t have any control at all, which should surprise no one!  She was going so fast she almost ran right into a parked car.  I didn’t think she knew where the brake was but she assured me that she did.  She’s probably going to know one speed…FAST.  Lord, help me when she’s a teenager.  Going uphill, she wanted me to pull her because pedaling would exert too much energy.  She’s a dainty flower and shouldn’t have to work that hard.  Oh, she’s so me!  Btw, her poor baby doll looks like the victim of a little whiplash.

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I was trying to push AnnaLeigh in a stroller, but she wanted “OUT!”  Aaaaaaand, trying to walk the stinkin’ dog at the same time.  So picture this…WILD dog that hates his extend-a-leash is darting in-between 3 very unstable (physically, not mentally) kids.  I have one hand holding both the leash and a handle of the stroller.  My other hand is pulling a 4-year old on a bicycle, and P is trying to prove he isn’t scared.  We were a sight!  I had to take the dog home because i was afraid we were going to have a massive dog-pile (no pun intended!)

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We did finally make it around the block with no major injuries.  I’m sure they’ll get better at their wheels and they’ll be zipping around the neighborhood in no time.  On second thought, I would rather have the chaos than have them grow up!  Who’s up for another lap?

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I do love these little maniacs!

I want this blog to be about all the things that are floating around in my head.  While that may be scary sometimes, I think it will allow our lives to be documented as well as my passions, fears, dreams, etc.

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This week my heart has been so heavy for a wonderful friend of mine, Kellie.

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Kellie is a rock!  She’s stronger than anyone I’ve ever known.  She is an amazing mother to a 6 year old boy and twin 4 year old boys.

18 months ago Kellie lost her husband to a very aggressive brain tumor.  She cared for him, loved him, mourned him, and picked up the pieces to keep life as normal as possible for her boys.  At that point, I couldn’t imagine her sorrow or the loss she was experiencing as she had to raise 3 boys alone, go back to work, and keep life consistent for her boys.  She did it better than anyone could have.  She was prayerful and many people were praying with her and for her.  She stayed unbelievably strong.

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In August, her father died unexpectedly.  All I could think at that time was, “Lord, why take her father so shortly after she had lost her husband.”   Still Kellie stayed strong, she juggled family and emotions, and kept going.

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In November while she was at work (she works part time for Brad) her house was broken into.  The jerks that robbed this single mother of 3 took their electronics, her jewelry, and even her babies’ piggy banks.   Along with that they took her sense of security.  How could so much “stuff” happen to one wonderful woman?  Kellie is a low drama, low maintenance, happy, strong person, who deserves only the best.  Anyone else would have cracked at this point.  Kellie, again, picked up the pieces and kept rolling.

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Friday morning (Dec. 30), Kellie texted me to let me know that her older brother (42) died in his sleep.  He went to bed thinking he had a bad cold, and didn’t wake up.  They are awaiting toxicology reports, but they assume he had an infection he didn’t know about and it went into his blood stream.  He left behind a wife and 3 children.

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Kellie is devastated!  She’s had enough.  She loved her older brother so much, and so did her kids.  Her 6 year old son’s first questions was “Why does everyone in our family have to die?”  How can you answer that?  I’m 32 and that seems like a pretty accurate assessment.

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My point…or plea…

Please keep this wise, strong woman in your prayers!  Pray for strength and peace.  Pray for comfort.  Pray that her kids will allow her to grieve.  Pray for safety for she and her boys.  Pray for understanding, because I truly just don’t understand.  I can’t imagine, nor do I want to imagine, losing Brad, my dad, and my brother in 18 months…or even 10 years!  It’s as if she’s Job!  Pray that she and her FAITH will be a light to others through this situation.

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God’s word says in Jeremiah 29:11-13 “‘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.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord.”

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I know that God’s plan is perfect, and I’m sure she will be able to look back on this dark chapter of her life (20 years from now) and see how God was working through it all.  However, I know she’s broken right now so I’m just asking for prayers.

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“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honor one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

-Romans 12:9-13

Before you even ask…YES, I have 2 kids with birthdays the first week of January (and Brad’s is the week of Christmas).  Not very good planning.  I’ve never been known for my planning!

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Happy Birthday to my Sweet AnnaLeigh!

(a.k.a., Pinky, Leigh, Maniac)

I just can’t tell you how much I love this little maniac!  She is small and mighty.  She rules the roost!  She is a miniature little woman, but has her mama’s Italian temper.  She has brought our whole family so much joy!  She makes us smile every single day, from the time she wakes up and starts demanding, “Come get me out!” to the way she bosses Sam (“Hammy”) around.  She’s a woman who knows exactly what she wants and will make everyone laugh as she gets her way.  Her smile lights up the room. She’s cute, wild, speedy, and loves people.

She is loving and motherly and LOVES babies. She loves her cousin Truett.  She’s 5 weeks older, and they have so much fun together.

AnnaLeigh completely has my heart!

We’re joined at the hip…almost literally!  At a whopping 21 pounds, I carry this child 90% of the time, and I love it!  I love that she loves me, and I love that she wants me.  She’s my shadow.  I love my little sidekick!  She melts my heart daily with her cute little personality.

I just can’t believe this little baby girl is 2!!!

Seems so cliche, but it’s just so true.  Time is flying.  I am trying to treasure every moment with my little Pinky, but somehow my baby is still growing up…even though I’ve demanded repeatedly that she not!  The good thing is that she’s getting older, but not bigger…so at least she’s trying to obey, right?

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Lord, thank you for this sweet little firecracker that was such a surprise!  We didn’t plan this child at this time, but your plans are always greater!  Thank you for the absolute joy that she brings every one of us.  Thank you that my baby girls each have a sister to lean on and love.  Thank you that she has a wonderful older brother, whom she respects and admires.  Thank you for her precious smile and her nurturing little heart.  Thank you for her health, her abilities, her personality.  Please protect her and help me to protect her innocense.  Help me to know how to discipline her and train her in the way she should go.  Please guide her and give her wisdom and discernment that only comes from you.  Please help her to be a sweet friend and to have wonderful Christian friends, as I always have.  Thank you for blessing our world with this baby girl!

Yesterday my baby boy was born.  Yesterday!  How can it be that he was 7 years old yesterday?  I know i saw his sweet little face for the first time just yesterday, but yesterday was his 7th birthday.  How does that happen?  I remember every detail about his birth, the labor, delivery, being at the hospital.  I LOVED IT!  I vividly remember my sweet, sleep deprived husband lovingly gazing upon his newborn son the first night in the hospital, and in the sweetest daddy voice he whispered, “I love you, baby Presley!”  It was then that I, in a not so sweet voice, reminded him that our son’s name was PRESTON!

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Yesterday after church our family met for lunch to celebrate with the little man.  We are so very blessed to have almost all of our immediate family here.  We just wish Uncle Taylor (my brother) lived closer, but he’s in the Air Force fighting for our country.   He comes home from the Middle East this week!  YAY!  (We hope to see you soon, Taylor and Kelly!)

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Anyway, we went to lunch.  Preston got all kinds of goodies from aunts, uncles, and grandparents.  Sports, hunting, and guitars…that’s Preston’s life!  This child can do the batting stance of almost every single Texas Rangers player.  It’s so cute!  His favorite two players…can you guess?  His aunts and uncles did a great job!

What would I do without my sweet boy?  This 7-year old is such a precious gift from God.  I have prayed since birth that he would be just like his daddy, and he is almost a carbon copy.  For that, I am so thankful.  There’s no greater roll model on this earth than Brad!

7 things about my 7-year old…

1. Preston is all BOY! He’s a wild maniac!  He’s aggressive, tough, loves to wrestle, loves to hunt, loves to be a boy.  He tackles his sisters, he makes a ball out of any object in his hands, and he wants to be outside every single moment.

2. Preston is sensitive and thoughtful! He doesn’t want to do anything to upset anyone.  He wants to make sure everyone has exactly what they want and will willingly give up what he has for another.  He has a heart for people.  He loves to share and does it well.

3. Preston is Type A! He is a first-born male.  He wants things to be fair, just, and according to the rules.  He wants to be on time.  He lives by the clock and is always telling me when we need to leave.  (Who is this child and how did he come from my body?)  He enjoys routine, loves tradition, and will hold us to it.  He’s cautious, logical, analytical, and careful.

4.  Preston is an athlete! He can throw a ball further than I, kick higher than I, and make more baskets than I.  He loves all things sports!  He lives for stats on SportsCenter in the morning, and doesn’t forget any of them.  He’s competitive but still wants to include everyone.  He wants everyone to love sports.

5.  Preston is smart! He constantly amazes me with what he remembers, how he figures things out, and how quickly he performs work.  We don’t know where he received these brains, but we’re very thankful for them.

6.  Preston is loving and kind! He loves his mama, loves his sisters, craves time with his hero (his daddy).  He still gives me kisses, hugs and holds my hand.  He loves Lilly Katherine because she’s so funny and full of joy.  He loves AnnaLeigh because they are joined at the heart.  They have a special bond that is so sweet.

7.  Preston is responsible! He takes care of his homework without being asked.  He reminds me what needs to be taken care of.  He is my calendar, appointment book, and alarm.  He keeps this family going!

I love you baby boy!  I will love you forever!

Thank you, Lord, for this perfect, precious gift!  Thank you for entrusting me with this child!  Thank you that he’s more responsible than I and keeps me on my toes!  Thank you for his sweet heart, his mind, and his abilities.  Please help him to use all of these for your glory!  Lord, please give Preston your Godly wisdom and discernment all the days of his life.

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Now a few more random pics…

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Cupcakes were made that morning.  I didn’t have enough eggs, so they were a little crumbly, but still good.  The icing is always homemade!  I just can’t buy the fake stuff.  I’ll post the recipe soon. This is my little helper.  She could not wait to lick the icing from the beater.  The avocado green KitchenAid mixer was my Papa’s.  He gave it to my father YEARS ago, and my dad passed it down to me.  Still working great, and I love that it was my grandparents’ mixer.

I put Preston’s favorite candies on top of the cupcakes.

There’s my girl.  Just like her mama, she only ate the candy and the icing.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABY BOY!

Oh, my daughter…she is so very much like her mother and it’s going to DO.ME.IN!

I love her so very much and everything she does makes me smile.  She is happy and joyful and the most “blonde” person I’ve ever met.  I think I’m going to create a new section of the blog called “real quotes” so I can post all the funny things she says.

She just came to me and her mouth was blue.  I asked if she had eaten a cupcake (today is Preston’s birthday…more on that later) and she said no.  I went to the kitchen to assess the damage and I found that she had not eaten a cupcake.  She just stuck her finger in the icing of every single remaining cupcake.  I can’t reprimand her for this…because she is ME!  I totally understand her rationale.  She wanted to taste it without eating a whole one because she knew that wasn’t allowed.

When I was a Senior in High School my mom brought home a box of Shamrock cookies on St. Patrick’s day.  I saw that one had a leaf broken off, but I knew she needed the cookies for her Mah Jongg group that night.  Instead of taking a whole cookie, I broke a little piece off of every one of them.  I thought she was going to kill me when she opened the box.

Now I understand.  LK just stuck her grimey, dog-petting hands in every single cupcake.  Oh well, can’t say I blame her.  I love that maniac!

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UPDATE…

As I was posting the pics on the blog, I heard a noise coming from the kitchen.  Sam found the cupcakes!  BAD DOG!  At least I know they’re liked by all!

The cupcakes have now been put away!

A new year, a new chance to be a new person.  It seems like every year (since birth) I’ve had the same New Year’s Resolutions.

#1 Stop picking my fingernails

#2 Get organized

#3 Stay organized

#4 Go to bed earlier

#5 Eat better or exercise (I see no need for both)

Every.Single.Year!!!

Since I have obviously failed miserably every year, I’ve decided to go to the root of the problem…TV!  My New Year’s Resolution is simple this year…NO TV!  I have a few exceptions, but simply said, I am not allowed to touch the remote.  In order to set an attainable goal, I’ve committed to no TV for the month of January.

If I cut out the useless, mind-numbing, waste of time that fills my head with nothing positive, I will have time to blog, to sleep, to play “words with friends”, to exercise, to spend time with my husband, to do laundry, and to be the kind of mom my babies need.

For the past 3 years we’ve made New Year’s Pancakes.  We looked a little rough this morning.  Okay, a lot rough!

Truett and Caleb are my sister’s kids…and my babies’ best friends in the world!

Our past pictures…

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.” -Phil 4:8

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We love decorating the Christmas Tree.  Each ornament is special.  I try to write on every ornament when we got it and from whom.  I also try to get each child a new ornament every year.  It’s so sweet to see the bottom half of the tree FULL of ornaments.

Reason #97 why I’m not a teacher:  Wiggly Teeth

I don’t like wiggly teeth.  They gross me out.  They make my skin crawl, and they just don’t look natural at all!

Preston has about 30 wiggly teeth right now…ok, he has 3, but he just lost 2 teeth in July, and 3 more are loose!

The top tooth he lost in this picture hung on for WEEKS by a little thread.  I don’t know how he ate anything.  It was so nasty!  He finally bit into an apple and it came out.  I should have given him an apple 3 weeks earlier!

This tooth came out while chewing gum.  Thank goodness it wasn’t wiggly for too long.

He loves to wiggle them.  He loves to show everyone.  It’s just nasty!  He may  start first grade with about 8 teeth missing, which he’s super excited about!  Such a boy!

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He gets really excited about the Tooth Fairy, but the Tooth Fairy that comes to our house is very irresponsible. About six months ago she forgot to come.  He was worried, but I happened to…uh…find the money for him.  You see, it had mysteriously fallen under the bed and he just didn’t see it.

This time, when there was no money under his pillow, my child took all the pillows off the bed, took everything out from under the bed, crawled under the bed.  It was perfectly clear there was no money.

When Lilly Katherine woke up, she busted out of the bedroom like a wild elephant, as she does every morning, and yelled, “Preston, did the Tooth QUEEN leave you some money?”  He just sadly said, “No.  She forgot.”

Well, that silly Tooth Fairy left 4 quarters on the table where Preston eats breakfast.  He didn’t buy it.

This week the Tooth Fairy remembered to come.  I saw her come at about 3 am, but at least she remembered, and that’s all that matters.  I also saw her borrow the dollar from another child’s birthday money, but it will be repaid…as soon as she remembers which child’s money it was.

In the meantime, I want to know, who came up with the idea of a fairy floating around giving money for nasty, bloody, little teeth?  I’m sure some mom made it up because she was tired of seeing a dead tooth dangle from her child’s face!  Thank you Tooth Fairy creator for giving moms just one more thing to remember (or forget) to do before going to bed.

My wonderful friend, Meredith and her sweet baby boy, Benjamin, dropped by.  AnnaLeigh loves Benjamin, and thinks he’s her baby doll, which is funny because Benjamin outweighs AnnaLeigh!

She’s 18 months, he’s 4 months.

She’s little, he’s…not.

She thinks she can pick him up. She can’t!

She looks like such a little girl and not just a baby.  They grow up so quickly!

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Lilly Katherine has the same love for Meredith’s older son, Samuel.  Here’s a picture of Lilly Katherine at 13 months and Samuel at 4 months.

What mom wouldn’t love a relaxing day at the spa?  I would love to be pampered – to have my hair done, nails painted, maybe even get a massage and complete make-over!   This is as close as I’m going to get to that right now.

My maniacs fixed my hair and put make-up on me.  Then they wanted to take pictures of how beautiful I looked.

I looked like “I just stepped out of a salon”

(Flashback to the 80’s and name that commercial!)

“Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful!”

(Name that commercial!)

Proverbs 31:30

“Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”