Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Spending Time

We didn't do a vacation this year. I knew pregnancy and Kevin's schedule was too much to juggle around a vacation. So we took a few small "fun trips" together to make memories.

One was riding on a little river boat. We had a great time together and learned a lot. 

 
Before the boat departed we had dinner. I think we had the only kids on the boat. Many people used this time to have a date and many stared as if we were crazy for bringing kids. But our boys are good. They know how to act in public so it was no big deal to bring them. We were thrilled to share it together.



Kevin taught us all something about driving the boats. 

 
 
 
 
 

My boys are still talking about the trip. They really enjoyed it!

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Monday, July 27, 2015

Kid's Birthday Parties "Kip's 5th"

Over the years, I have come to realize that the more simple birthday parties are the better ones. I don't rent places anymore, and I don't spend way over budget on decorations and party supplies.

The kids just want to have some fun and open presents. Honestly.



We celebrated our son Kipton's 5th birthday party last weekend with a pool party. Both sets of grandparents have a pool, so that was the easy part. He had a blast, and enjoyed his "special" time.

We had lunch and then cake and ice cream. He played with his brother and cousin and had a ball.

Kids don't need spectacular!

They need people. They need time.

 
When they realize that every birthday is going to be this HUGE, extravagant event they expect it. So year after year you are expected to compete with what you did last year and compete with other friends birthdays. It doesn't have to be like that.
 
In our society we think we have to out do each other. Why?
 
I used to be the same way. The bigger, the better. I thought I was doing the right thing for my kids. Turns out, I wasn't. I was just creating a monster each year.  

Keep it simple.

That is what they will remember forever.
 
Don't fall into the Pinterest trap of being the best and spending more than you have just to impress.
 
"Don't spend money you don't have, impressing people you don't like."
 
I know this quote kind of seems hurtful, but it's really true. Give them the gift of TIME.

Monday, July 20, 2015

Keeper of the Home

God calls us as wives, and mothers to be the keeper of the home.
  • What does that look like to you? 
  • What do you think it means?
  • Do you take on this job seriously?
I do my best to be the keeper of our home. Whether you stay at home, or work away from the home I believe us as women should be the keeper of the home. Everyone's home is filled with different atmosphere and different aspects.  
But we all have this duty within us to fulfill. 
 

 
To me it means........
Making the meals. 
Cleaning the inside of our homes.
Taking good care of our children.
Keeping a happy heart, that shines to our families.
Keeping all schedules going. (Church, appts, extra activities)
Staying organized.

Saving your family money where/when you can.
Grocery shopping.
Helping your husband.
Helping with the outside chores when needed.

Helping others, giving, and being resourceful.
After making and reading the list, WOW us women have many many tasks to do each day. We don't realize how important our jobs are when we are in a season that seems mundane. Day after day of the same sweeping of crumbs.
Or day after day of re directing your child towards good behavior. However, God sees your hard work each and everyday.
You may feel "No one notices, or pays attention to all of the details and hard work I put into my home and children."
But YES the most important person does, and that's our Lord. 
He is happy that you keep wiping bottoms. 
He is happy that you keep your pantry stocked and organized to feed your family well.
He is happy that you give your children time at the park to run and play and to socialize with others. 
We have an important role to fill! 

Don't let the enemy steal your joy!
"By wisdom a house is built,
And through understanding it is established;
Through knowledge its rooms are filled
With rare and beautiful treasures."
Proverbs 24:3
"Put your outdoor work in order 
And get your fields ready;
after that, build your house."
Proverbs 24:27
  
 
"Better to live on a corner of the roof
Than share a house with a quarrelsome wife."
Read the book of Proverbs very very slowly. 
 
It is Very helpful and encourages us as wives and moms.

Monday, July 13, 2015

26 Weeks

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Image Map
 
 
Image MapHow Far Along? 26 Weeks
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Total Weight Gain/Loss: 18 Pounds

Baby Related Purchases: This time around, I have made a pact with myself that I will not spend too much on baby related items, and remember the important parts of adding a blessing to our family. We have purchased a crib, nursing pillow, pump, crib set, bassinet, bobby pillow, and many cute sleepers all USED. I am a huge consignment finder now, and hope to not purchase anything new except for diapers & wipes :)

Maternity Clothes:  I wear a lot of skirts when we leave the house. While I am home working in the home, I do wear my husbands gym shorts to keep cool, and a large shirt to cover. I did find a few things on sale at Target, and Motherhood Maternity a few weeks ago. I am thankful that while I was teaching I was not that big and could make my regular clothes just work. Now, there is not much of a reason to buy new maternity dress up clothes. I make it just work :)

Sleep: I am normally asleep by 9:30 each night. I wake up around 7:30. Some nights are easier than others.

Movement: I started feeling the baby move around 20 weeks for sure. Before that I felt little twinks here and there, but for real movement it was around 20 weeks. Now he is very active!!

What I miss: If I had to pick something, it would be my working habits. I LOVE to work outside and just work work work. I have had to SLOW way down! I am in pain in the afternoon/evenings if I do too much so I have to really limit myself. I like to be busy, and be working. No more cutting grass and weed eating for me. 

Cravings: Ice water, Popscicles

Anything making you queasy or sick: Working too much and being in the heat for too long.

Gender: IT"S A BOY!!!!
 
Labor Signs: None

Symptoms: Full bladder, pressure in the evenings.

Best moments this week: 
Feeling really well most of this week. I had a hard 22 weeks, so this week was a breath of new grounds. I was so happy to see week 22 go!
 
 
Looking forward to:
More and more kicking from baby boy.

 
Size of Baby: Eggplant (9.2 in, 2 pd)
 

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Confidence Booster in Sports

  
Confidence.
 
I would say we all struggle from time to time to keep our confidence up.
 
Our oldest son, has always needed more reassurance compared to his younger brother. He needs that "you've got it" words of wisdom on a daily basis to feel confident in his decisions and actions.
 
We thought baseball may help build his confidence and self - esteem so we tried it out this year.
 
 
 
He began the t-ball season off kinda rocky. He was VERY unsure he would be able to be good at baseball, and going into the first practice he was scared, nervous, frightened, and more.
 
 
After it was finished he said "That wasn't so bad!"
 
We were hopeful that his season would go good and he would learn a lot. Not just a lot about baseball, but about being  a good teammate, and working hard towards a goal.
 
Here are 4 ways that I felt his confidence was boosted!
 
 
 
1. He gained friendships. He saw some new faces, and old faces that he recognized and that made his new surroundings much more comfortable. He learned that every single kid on his team was different.
 
2. He learned that even though he doesn't hit the ball every time, he WILL eventually hit the ball and it will be a special time that will give him that BOOST of confidence.
 
3. It's ok to loose. Part of his lack of confidence is because he doesn't like to loose. He feels like he is letting his parents, and his team down even though we are all SOOO supportive of his every move. When you begin to loose at something, then it makes your WINS even more special.
 
4. You reach a goal that you have worked towards. One of our son's goals was to end the season not needing a tee when batting. He reached that goal. He became very good at hitting the ball, and playing in the field. He reached his goals, of learning the sport of baseball and learning to play on a team.
 
 
He began his first organized sport in April with just small goals.
 
Now in July we are still playing baseball, because it was his choice to continue past t-ball. He was asked to play all-stars and he accepted it proudly to the coach. We were not going to make this decision for him, but rather be behind him in whatever he choose.
 
 
 
He has had a blast this spring/summer playing baseball with  bunch of fellow boys. It has been a huge blessing that I didn't even see in the beginning.
 
 
 
My "wear my heart on my sleeve" boy has become stronger with each passing practice and game.
 

Friday, July 3, 2015

Happy Fourth America

 
I am so thankful for this holiday.
 
A day to put all worries aside, and just be thankful.
 
 
We have had MANY rainy days this past week.
 
The boys want to be playing outside, but instead we are snuggled up in the house working on things to be ready for school. I have cleaned the house really good, and starting to purge things.
 
Cleaning out the attic and things we don't use feels good.
 
Hope you're fourth is fun!
 
My baby when he was just 1 year. Now he is six. Time is flying by.