Facebook

On a whim last night I decided Id create a Facebook profile. Neil and Justus were out at a FSU basketball game and Haven was sleeping. So away I went. I really have no idea how these pages work. I did what I thought and then had to call Renee (mind you Renee lives three timezones away so I effectually rang in about midnightish) (you know you have a good friend when they dont mind...or you know are watching some tv show...I digress.....) to explain to me the wonders of Facebook. She helped me get my page secure and even let me be her friend! So after we were confirmed friends, I was able to see her Wall. The first thing I noticed is that I could see all her conversations. And I had to ask "Why do I want to see this?" I dont care what her conversation with so and so was about or who her latest friend was. I really think its very not private. But of course she told me blogging was not private either. Ok, I agree, but its not like Im conversating with someone....Im just typing my thoughts as if in a journal. Hmmmm.....still not so sure that Facebook is for me. I think Ill take it a little at a time.

Let Freedom Ring

Lately Ive been having some random thoughts about what Freedom really is.  I think for the first time in my life Ive felt that my freedom is threatened.  This economy is squelching to say the least.  I feel like my freedom to have the "American Dream" is quickly diminishing.  Not to say thats all I want in life - that is far from the truth.  To reach further - maybe even to far - I feel that our country is being punished for turning our back on God.  And I think therein lies my feelings.  People I dont know, people who dont love Jesus or have no regard for God, have passed laws - such as taking prayer out of school, allowing abortion - that make my God cringe.  Therefore, my freedom to flourish is gone.  Maybe this is way off-base, but at least, Im really understanding the price our forefathers paid so that we could have religious freedom.  And now it seems that it is all in vain as people continue to choose to support agendas against Godliness.  Of course I know that God has me in His hands, I am not afraid of the future.  I trust His perfect path for my life and I do not waver in believing that He knows the Plans He has for me, to prosper me, not to harm me, to give me a Hope and a Future, as expressed in Jeremiah 29:11.  My hope is in Jesus, not national freedom.  It just saddens me.

My New Favorite

I am normally a SaveMart shopper, but on my recent trip to Vons to get cheap chicken - this is what I found! I was so happy - Ive been looking for something like this for a long time. Trader Joes has something similar, but its not whole wheat. I am ecstatic! The ingredients are:Whole Wheat flour, sugar, baking soda, sodium aluminum, monocalcium phosphate, & salt. This is the most "whole" pancake mix Ive found and its my new favorite!!

High Hopes

I have high hopes for my backyard. With the last several days being so beautiful Ive spent a good portion of the kids nap time outside. As I was sitting there, doing my bible study and just thinking, I was envisioning all that my backyard could become. I have some grand ideas and I cant wait to be able to make it what I want. But in the mean time, Im grateful that I have a backyard to have high hopes for!! Here are some before pics and hopefully one day Ill have after pics to share.

Historic day

I woke up early this morning and got up to watch the inauguration. I think it really is wonderful that Barack will be president. I think he brings a lot of hope and pride to African Americans. As much as I dont agree with so much of his ideas I appreciate that he has picked Rick Warren to be a part of the inauguration. Im praying that Gods Truth will be revealed to him and that he will surround himself with wise counsel. But as I was thinking about this historical day and the hope that Barack brings an old hymn came to my mind -

My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;I dare not trust the sweetest frame,But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
Refrain:On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;All other ground is sinking sand,All other ground is sinking sand.

Im thankful that Barack brings hope, but for me, Jesus is my hope.

I love it!

I love my new home. I love where we live. I love days like today when the sun is out and shinning gloriously. I love getting up and making breakfast with my family. I love having my sis and her fam over and then going to the park. I love having them over for lunch afterwards. I love it! I love nights like the past few when Ive been cooking dinner for my family and watching the sun set outside my windows. I love it!!

Savoring it

Right now my kids are so much fun. I love Havens little personality. She has the cutest smile and chubber chubber cheeks - so squishy and cute. She loves to just sit at her little table and play. Justus is loads of fun right now too. He is great at playing all by himself. But often he engages Haven and they just laugh and laugh. He also is great at minding me so when we go somewhere I have no worries and complete confidence in knowing that Im in control. I love the conversations he has with me. It is always the most random things but I can tell that he is really learning about his world and all that is around him. He has the most tender heart and is so thoughtful. His face is so sweet and I just love it. I know these next few years will be so full of fun new things and fun times with great memories.

What do you do when...

you are craving something sweet - aka chocolate - and there is absolutely none in your house and the kids are napping soundly in their beds?? Well, Ive been known to eat all the faux chocolate sprinkles that I use when baking, but today, all those were gone so instead I ate the rest of my Honey Almond slivers that normally go on top of my salad when I have company. Hmmmm....just doesnt quite do it tho......ugh!!

Got sun??

Who hasnt been tired of the gray, gloomy days here in Fresno? We were blessed to be able to go visit my sis and her family while they were on Vacay. Yesterday we packed the kids up at 6am and headed for the Beach!! Our plan was to leave at 6 and get there by 8:30 so we could feed the kids bfast, which their normal time is 8 so we figured it wasnt to far off.....well, we had only gotten as far as Leemore and it quickly became apparent that Haven was ready for some food. So we stopped off for a bite to eat. But then we were quickly back on track....although we did arrive a bit late - maybe an hour or so....not to bad, right?? Anyways, it was no matter. We had a great time hanging out at Avila Beach all day. Neil took Haven back to nap, but other than that we all had a great time together. We headed to Pismo pier to watch the sunset and then to dinner at some Italian restaurant that had great pizza. We then headed home. I was so proud of our kids. Justus went all day without a nap and didnt have any meltdowns and Haven did really well also. It was a great day, with beautiful weather. It is always fun times with my sis and her fam, and Kaleighs friend Ashtin. What a blessing!!

How do your kids eat Cheerios??

Cause apparently mine think licking them up is the way to do it. Haven started and Justus followed suit. Not sure where this came from, but it sure was comical to watch!

I did it!!

This morning (with the help of hubby) I got up at 6:08! I got up, walked on the treadmill for 30 min, took my shower, came into the kitchen, made some coffee, unloaded the dishwasher and now I sit - blogging away! Yay!! Much thanks to Neil - I asked him last night to drag me out of bed if I wasnt up by 6:15. We got to have some conversation before he left for work...but he leaves so early! But hopefully this will become routine!

Motivation - lack of

Im not kidding, I dont think I can drag myself out of bed before 7:55. For some reason, my body just wont get up until the very last moment. I really would love to get up and take my shower, get dressed, even have some conversation with my husband before I get the kids up. But, it just isnt happening. I dont know what to do.....Im getting plenty of rest, often going to bed by 9 or 10. I also would love to have the motivation to use my treadmill. But where did all the motivation go?? If you know, please point me to it!!

Rough day at church

I love going to church! Normally, its a very easy and fun thing for the kids also. Not today. Justus had a poopy accident (I totally feel bad for Mrs. Christine who cleaned it up!) and Haven had a little scuffle. Apparently one of the little boys (who I know and love dearly) was trying to hug on Haven and got a little rough and knocked her down. She hit the play kitchen and bit her lip. Poor girl - now it is all fat. But all is well, they are now napping soundly in their beds!

New Baby

Today I got to go see our friends new baby that was just born last night. So precious! This girl was a trooper, she is shorter than me by a good bit and pushed out a 9.3lb, 21 3/4 in baby boy! Oh my!! But all is well and baby Alexander is healthy and Mom is recovering well. I got to hold Alexander which really kinda reminded me of Justus cause he was almost as ginormo as Alexander. But he just slept the whole time, so sweet. But then I was so happy I was not going home to sleepless nights! Im definitely in that Im-so-glad-for-you-but-would-never-want-it-for-myself stage! But he was oh, so sweet!

Hangin out

Well the last couple of days have been fun and relaxing. We are still trying to get things together in our house, dreaming about what changes we want to accomplish one day....there is always another project. I know that is true for everybody, there is always something to do or change.

So we have just been hanging out and playing. The kids have enjoyed their new toys...right now the hot item is Handy Manny's tool set that sings. Justus and Haven both love it although it is really Justus' toy. But they do a good job sharing. Haven really loves her baby dolls. Baby Cindy, as we call her (she is a baby Cinderella) is her favorite. She does a good job pushing her in her stroller. One night while I was cooking dinner the kids where wanting in on the fun so I gave them their own bowl and utensils to play with - my own little Master Chefs!!