Sweet & Sassy!

In that order. My sweet baby & sassy two year old. I didn't plan on taking Ezekiel outside so we put a blanket on his head.




Justus knows when it's time to smile. Sometimes he cooperates....other times we get this.

Twilight Zone-

That's the feeling I've had for the past two days....my internet was down & I lost my cell phone. Point blank- I'm a genius! So, it's definetly wierd to be without communication! No one to read my daily "toils"...poor me. And no one to pick up the phone and gabb to for the three minutes before chaos reigns. (it takes approximately 3 mins. for one or both of my children to realize I'm not busy helping them).

k. So how was your weekend??? I've been trying to catch up in three minute invervals....no making much progress. The good news is....internet is back on!!!!!!!!! And Sam found my cell at the church. OOOPPPS! Thank God it didn't rain; I'd left it outside beside the swing. Zeke went a swinging & love it. Mom lost her mind & left her phone. Hey, the baby was happy!

Three minutes is up! Gotta go!

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the prescence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodnesss and love willl follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forver.




Thank you Lord for hearing my heart. For listening to things that I can't even put into words. You are my joy.

More conversations with J

J: Baby's cute

Me: Yep & you're handsome.

J: Mommy's handsome.

M: No mommy's pretty.

J: I'm pretty.

M: No your handsome.

J: Why?

M: Because boys are handsome & girl are pretty.

J: yeah.


NIGHTLY PRAYERS:

God bless, mommy, daddy, baby......on & on....God bless shampoo..man..Yardigans...followed by lots of giggles! And more prayers. Amen.
Goodnight momma, goodnight daddy. ME: What about Jesus??? J: Jesus loves me this I know....continue with the Entire song....followed by more giggles. And eventually a Goodnight Jesus.


OTHER FUN SAYINGS: "mommy, what time's for it??" aka what time is it?, "can I have the jump rote?" aka jump rope, he also likes to call brothers passy a pass seat; not sure if he can't hear right or if I just don't pronounce it well. Maybe it's his age. Whatever the reason, there is always reason to laugh around here!

Pumpkin patch

I was pretty dissappointed with this particular pumkin patch. We won't be going back there next year. The kids were wild & the picture taker (sam) was in a hurry so we didn't get any "great" ones. This was NOT an enjoyable trip. So after this torture session was over we took the kids to the park & had a much better time. Still, I thought I'd share a moment of our day. The other two kids are my niece & nephew.

Cobb webs...

My mind is full of them right now & it's hard to think entirely straight but I will try for just a moment. A few fun things have been happening in the midst of my fuzzyness.

#1 God has totally blessed us! When Sam & I got married we bought a car for 1000 bucks & it's lasted for six years. The poor thing has been all up & down the east coast. Even to Texas & Ohio! Well, its still running but on it's last leg. So, I'll just blirt it out---someone gave a minivan!!!!!!! Yes, it needs a little TLC & maintenance upgrades but it was FREE!!!!!!! How awesome is that??!!!!!!!!!!!!

#2 Windex works: Ever seen the commercial where the bird flies into the sliding glass doors??? Well that happened yesterday. Only the bird didn't fly off it fell into my house two feet away from a sleeping ZEKE. For a moment I almost panicked but then I grabbed the skimmer from our pool & gently pulled the thing out of the house. He must have been dazed still. As soon as he got a breath of fresh air he flew away. YEA---we're all safe.

#3 Allergies are at full blast. I woke up with a nice little headache this AM. Zeke had nice boogies & J has the black eyed (circle under his eyes) look. Plus when I talked with Staci yesterday she & Chloe weren't feeling all that hot...allergy related as well.

#4 Went to get an FLU shot for the boys. Sam & I were the only ones who walked away with them. The one they had gotten that day wasn't for 4 & under. HUM, would have been nice to know before dragging the family to the sick room at the doctors office!!!!!!!!!!

#5 I've been doing some spring cleaning. Yes, it's fall. And no, I'm not pregnant. We just have TOO MUCH STUFF! I find myself throwing things away when the boys aren't looking. And by boys I mean Sam & Justus. They both seem to have the "I need it" mentallity. I have the get rid of it mentality. Poor guys.


#6 Justus makes me laugh, like hold my side LOL kind of laugh. And Zeke puts a smile on my face every day. Man, I'm blessed! And Sam, well he's just good to me! He came home early from work yesterday. Told me to go get a shower. While I was doing that he packed a picnic lunch & got the boys dressed. He took us to the park. We had a blast. I needed a day out of the house. So thoughtful!

#7 So this one isn't so fun but I'll still share. I'm gaining weight & my hair is falling out. This is exactly what happened after I had Justus but with J it happened much faster. I thought that I had avoided it but alas I have not. I am walking on the treadmill 4-5 times a week but haven't seen much physical results yet. My legs are a little trimmer. Anyways, it feels good to do something for myself so I will continue.

#8 Justus has started calling me mommy again. I love it. I've been momma for almost a year now. Wierd huh???

A car ride with the kids

Staci & I hit up some consignment stores today...they were a terrible dissapointment- to expensive for our blood. Followed by lunch with some friends. Then picked up Justus from Sam & headed on our short drive to shop a little more. At one time all three kids were crying; thankfully that didn't last long. Other wise they each took time for a solo cry before they all crashed for a nap. Over all we didn't buy much. Wipes, a thermometer & a bottle of water. Nothing that we were looking for neccesarily but some things we needed. Thanks Staci- it was a fun!

Isn't this beautiful???

It would be so great to sit under this tree & have time to reflect!

Hmmmmm....

Well, this past week went by in a big blur. There were a few moments to pause & reflect but mainly a steady flow of activity. Our EC department put on Masquerade Ball on friday. It went very well. I didn't get to take any pictures like I wanted to b/c my department for the night was food. Since we encouraged our youth to go I was pretty busy keeping food on the table. Getting ready for this event was the main focus this week. AAaaah. It's over.

This month is our missions emphasis ending with the International Banquet last night. It's pretty self explanitory but just in case; we got together & ate food from the nations. As well as the missons report. And funds raised....etc.

That's it.

Except that Staci is coming home at the end of this week!!!!!!!!!!! Look for pics of the kids together sometime next week!

For Mel...and anyone else who might care.

A) Four jobs I've had in my life:

1. Daycare teacher
2. office assistant
3. Intern (for a children's pastor)
4. Babysitter extrodinair


B) Four movies you would watch over and over:

1. Pride & Predjudice
2. Sound of Music
3. My Fair Lady
4.Seven Brides for Seven Brothers


C) Four places you have lived:


1. Dayton, OH
2. Alabaster,AL
3. Palmetto,FL
4. Rockwell, NC

D) Four TV shows you love to watch:

1. Survivor
2. Lost
3. Grey's Anatomy
4. American Idol

E) Four places you have been on vacation:

1. Orlando, Fl.
2. Asheville, nc
3. The Outer Banks (NC)
4.Bahamas

F) Four of my favorite foods:
1. All things dessert
2. Chocolate - this isn't a dessert; its a main food group!
3. Ceasar Salad
4. Pasta, pasta, pasta!

G) Four places I would rather be right now:
1. New York City
2. Niagara Falls
3 The mountains
4. In my own home!

Digging deep

So I gave in and had Sam start me a myspace. I'm not really a big fan but lots of former aquaintences are there that I just wanted to say hey to. Anyways I was doing a few updates on it after devotion time (yeah; I'm doing a little better) & I shared a little.

For the longest time I had a hard time reading the bible. I would read but it would seem like a blank page that no matter how many times I read it nothing sank in. Lately there has been a stirring in my spirit. And the word has come alive! Thank you God for hearing me!

So when I'm up with lil bit I pray, if I can't sleep I try to think of my future. And when the boys are napping I take time for devotions. Can I say RENEWAL?!!!!!!!! This also corelates(sp) with stirring in our congregation at church. There is a sense of urgency to repent. And a hunger for closer relationship with God.

Here was my devo for the day:

Out of my mind!

If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 2 Cor. 5:13

God's spirit has been moving in a great way lately. And one thing has become quite clear. God desires relationship with his people & he won't tolerate sin. Sin has become so commonplace that people think we're 'out of our minds' when we: pray for miracles & answers, save sex for marriage, forgive rather than seeking revenge. And the list goes on.

So, if we're going to be 'out of our minds' lets do it for God. Keeping in mind there is a right & wrong way to do it. Live a life pleasing to God. Spend time with him learning his ways & letting go of our own.

Alot for a little

First check out my consignment finds; all for $80!!!!!!!!!!


It's hard to see all that I got but the quick recap is: 2 winter coats for Justus, a fall costume for Zeke (pram?), 2 pairs tennis shoes for the boys. Several longsleeve t's for each kid. A few girly items for my nieces. 4 fall outfits for Ezekiel & a pair of adjustable jeans for jbean. There are several other items that didn't make it into the picture. 2 games for the PS2, a bag full of cars & a car carrier for the TONS of cars justus has.

For you Staci

More conversations with J

J: Baby's cute

Me: Yep & you're handsome.

J: Mommy's handsome.

M: No mommy's pretty.

J: I'm pretty.

M: No your handsome.

J: Why?

M: Because boys are handsome & girl are pretty.

J: yeah.


NIGHTLY PRAYERS:

God bless, mommy, daddy, baby......on & on....God bless shampoo..man..Yardigans...followed by lots of giggles! And more prayers. Amen.
Goodnight momma, goodnight daddy. ME: What about Jesus??? J: Jesus loves me this I know....continue with the Entire song....followed by more giggles. And eventually a Goodnight Jesus.


OTHER FUN SAYINGS: "mommy, what time's for it??" aka what time is it?, "can I have the jump rote?" aka jump rope, he also likes to call brothers passy a pass seat; not sure if he can't hear right or if I just don't pronounce it well. Maybe it's his age. Whatever the reason, there is always reason to laugh around here!

Dear Diary....

It's 1:46am & I'm awake. Babies are sleeping, husband is snoring. Fan is spinning, and somewhere in this room there is a stinking cricket singing his heart out. I've been having a little sleep issue for about two weeks now. I can't go to sleep. At least at night. Could it be possible that Zeke has rubbed off on me??? B/c sleeping during the day isn't a problem. Nope; it's only during the quite times that I just can't get settled.

My heart is wrestless (sp?) & my mind is reeling with so many what should be's but aren't....and a bunch of nonsense. Such as I really want to paint the walls & the floors. FYI we have concrete floors & walls in all but one room of the house. Yep, that proved pretty much an adventure when J was learning to walk.

Other things on my mind include...I need a liscense, we need a new car, I want a house, Justus needs to potty train, Sam deserves a raise, my toenails are ugly, the laundry is almost caught up- ha what a joke like that will ever happen. Etc., Etc, Etc.

Here are some more...if I lose 10lbs I'll look much better; what color will Zeke's eyes be??, will I ever get good at devos? it's time to take the pool down, now who's gonna do it? Does God hear me tonight??? What's next????

Lunch in bed?

Here's what happens when mommy spends the entire day on the computer instead of doing housework:

When Sam brought Justus home today NOTHING had changed. The bed was still unmade & laundry waiting to be done. Sadly enough I spent an unamed amount of time reading not writing blogs today. Zeke of course was fed and well taken care of but other than that I had a date with the computer. Can we say addicted?? UUUURRRRRRGGGGH. What a shame, there was so much that I should have done but didn't.

Coversations with J

About pillow fights-"I said wait".

This is what you will hear if you're ever in a pillow fight with Justus. "Wanna fight momma?". Sure J. The pillows quickly become a bat. "Batter up!". Next Justus becomes a football player. Be prepared to be tackled. Then it's time to wrestle. Belly flop to the pillow. In other words be prepared for a variety of fun. While you never know what your gonna get he will always say-'I said wait' before it's over. He has to be sure & get his blows in before the fun is over.

Where's Justus?

Each night before we go to bed we spend about 30minutes winding down. J's new thing is to hide under the covers & say where's Justus? Followed by Sam/myself saying silly things like: he's upstairs taking a bath, he's cleaning up his toys, he's standing on his head. This continues until we say something Justus thinks is funny. So sometimes he responds with a NO!, sometimes a yes. And every once in while he comes up for air & says- here I am!

Bedtime is one of my most favorite part of the day. Not just because sleep will soon follow. But it's one time of the day when we're all together with no distractions. No one is calling Sam needing help. The TV is off. And there is nothing left to do but get the kids to sleep. I truly enjoy the process. We have some important coversations right before bed. (When I was a kid these conversations happened at the dinner table.) Justus is especially affectionate at this time so I get lots of hugs, tickles & kisses; what fun!!!!!!!

Other things you might here Justus say: "Watch with me" (cartoons). I'm hung-a-ree. Let's check the mail...he'll do ANYTHING to get outside even if it only lasts for a minute. It's way harder to get outside with him since the baby is here..poor kid. Wanna ____________ with me???? Fill in the blank with play with me, fight (army men), play game?????? He really is getting social these days.

Also, "come with me mom' that means he has something to show me. Or press the red button;in other words "Get off the computer mom I need your attention!!!!!!!". And "I hear brother, you go get him. He's to little. He knows that he's not allowed to pick up the baby by himself.

I just asked him if he was hungry. My brother made supper & it's time to eat. Justus said: no, no thanks. A moment later he's eating supper. And just now he said 'I gotta get a drink.' In my biased personal opinion he is quite the conversationist!

There's so much more I could share but I'm probable boring you. So I'm off to eat supper while its hot!

Celebrity Duets

So I'm watching celebrity duets & it's pretty interesting. I just saw Lee Ann Womack sing with Carly Patterson. Carly was in the olympics as a gymnast. I barely recognized her...she isn't stick thin anymore. They sounded pretty good. I haven't watched this show before but so far they are my favorites. We'll see. Ok. Smokie Robinson & Lucy Lawless were pretty good too.

oops

I posted two of the same pic...it kept saying your request didn't go through or something like that. Anyways, it's really hard to catch Zeke smiling. Our camera has a delay. :( So below is a semi-smile.

What's new?

Well, it seems everyone is tired of looking at the 'visitor' aka the freaking bat! I am too; so here's what's going on around here. HUM.....

The kids are growing! The lil'one weighed in at almost 12lbs yesterday. And J will probably hit the 40 mark by Christmas. YIKES.

Sam & I are praying about some serious changes that have to be made. This is exciting to me b/c it usually hits each of us at different times. So it's nice that we're finally on the same page. Now we just have to continue seeking God's will & get to work. I know this information is pretty vague but I do covet your prayers. So if you think of us please send up a prayer!

We're planning a maquerade ball at church! I wasn't really that interested at first but now I'm excited. The whole point of it is to do something that the community can enjoy. Since the dancing reality shows have been such a hit our EC director decided this would be a good way to draw people in. It's kind of scary b/c we don't know what to expect.

We also have a consignment sale coming up in a couple of weekends. I sold some stuff last year that I absolutely did not like. Funny thing is someone liked it b/c I made over $60. This year I am helping with set-up & such so that should prove for a busy week.

Sam & I will celebrate our 6th anniversary next weekend. WOW- time really does fly. And somehow 30 doesn't seem old but rather just the starting point. Can I get a witness???

I've also been thinking of fall & Christmas. We looked at christmas stuff for Justus the other day. All the "good" toys are expensive so layaway it is. This is also another reason I'm ready for the consignment sale. We've got to do a clearance in the toy department for Justus. Everyone & their brother gives him toys. I mean we could buy only one toy for christmas & he'd still end up with 10+ new toys....where are we going to put them all??? Would it be bad to request less toys for my son? A saving account would be better, right???

Ezekeil is waking up---gotta go!