Let the FUN Begin

Well, my LONG awaited summer break has finally made its way here! I survived going back to work and now I’m going to soak up every minute with this little cutie this summer.

                        

       

Over the past month and a half, we’ve been very busy. Of course, the end of the school year is always busy for me. But, the month of May is always busy for us. This year I was excited to celebrate my first Mother’s Day. Trevor and Caleb gave me a locket. I love it! And, we were able to spend the day with my mom, dad, my brother and his family.  It was a GREAT day! 

Then the last Sunday of the month, we had Caleb’s baby dedication at church. It was a very sweet occasion. Both of our parents were able to attend and of course we had to take pictures afterward.

(yes, my eye is red… unfortunately, I had pink eye that weekend… L)

We also celebrated Trevor’s first Father’s Day. We ate lunch out and Caleb and I gave daddy a gift certificate to play golf and a book for daddy and Caleb to read together. We had a great day as a little family of three!

And, we had our first fun Friday. We took Caleb to the park for the first time. We put him in the swing and at first he hung on as if he wasn’t sure if he would like it or not. But, after a few minutes, he was giggling. After the park, we ate lunch out and then came home for an afternoon nap. It was nice just having a day together, no interruptions.

I’ve also been catching up on my scrapbook and a few projects around the house. Caleb and I also have gone to the library each week… I’m hoping to get him used to it early because his mommy LOVES the library and I hope he does too! When he turns two, I will definitely be taking him to story time each week in the summer! I don’t know what it is but the library is one of my favorite places. It’s possibly because I love books and I love to read…. and maybe because my mom always took me to the library. Somehow, each week I end up being there over an hour.

Anyway, summer doesn’t last forever so I’ve got plans… lots of plans. I probably have so many plans that it won’t all get accomplished but that’s okay. I’ll just do what I can and enjoy the journey.  Here are just some of the things on my list: visiting family, my cousin’s wedding, vacation, small projects around the house (deep cleaning each room, painting, etc), stocking the freezer (preparing for the fall), finish Caleb’s scrapbook, crocheting projects for Christmas, etc. Okay you get the point… a lot of stuff! But, I’m keeping it in perspective. My most important thing after spending time with the Lord, is spending a lot of time with my boy!

Speaking of my boy, he is growing like a weed! I can’t believe that he is eight months old, eight months old. Ok, sorry for the repetition. I just have to keep reminding myself of that fact. Every day it seems he’s looking more and more like a little toddler boy than a baby. His hair is growing more and he giggles at everything, unless he’s sleepy or hungry! He still loves his jumper and he cracks me up because he gets a serious face and jumps and jumps and jumps! His love of bath time has caused us to move him from the sink to the bathtub. He's still in his little tub but now he can splish- splash to his hearts content. He loves for mommy and daddy to hold his hands and let him walk… he’s still not crawling yet but he rocks back and forth on his hands and knees. He has started using a sippy cup at lunch and he's doing quite well with it. He loves to play peek- a- boo, play with all of his “light” up toys, and his musical toys. This past week, I really noticed him trying to “figure “out his toys. He has some stacking stars that light up and play music and he would pick up a star and look at it and then he would hit it against each of the other stars as if it should light up. So cute! Something else he enjoys is watching me blow dry my hair. In the mornings, I lay him on the bed while I fix my hair. When I get out my red blow dryer, he starts to giggle. Then he stays glued to it as I dry my hair. It cracks me up! Easy entertainment, right?! I just wonder what his little mind is thinking!

This week we’ll be celebrating Independence Day and then traveling this weekend to my parent’s house and to go to my cousin’s wedding. I’m looking forward to fun times!

Until next time... I leave you with this Bible verse.

        Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.   Philippians 2:3-4

Have a blessed week…..      Happy Independence Day!!!

Summer Fun

The summer, once again, is flying by and here I am again waiting two months since my last post. 

I'm completely enjoying my summer break. I'm trying to take in every second because I know before long the lazy days of summer will be over and school will be back in session. 

So, here is what I've been up to.....

-gardening
                                          not a great pic, but this is when first planted

                                            can't wait to eat these yummies!

-enjoying drying clothes on the line

-bbq/ smores

We bought a new grill since birds inhabited our old one and we've really been enjoying dinners from the grill. We also tried a new kind of smores... peanutbutter cup smores. They are addicting!

-reading lots of interesting books....

-and oh yeah, planning a nursery and our home for the arrival of a baby bOy! Everything is progressing well and I'm down to 13 weeks to go!

We received these cute outfits a couple of days after we found out we were having a boy.

- We also enjoyed spending Father's Day with my parents... 

-scrapbooking,  I'm really behind and trying to catch up before baby boy comes

-We also experienced an awful storm the last week of June that knocked our power out for five days and it just so happened to be the week that we had record breaking temps. Quite an experience that I will never forget but am also thankful for because it reminded me of several things.... 1. That I have much to be thankful for    2. That God is faithful    3. That it's easier to hear from God when all the distractions are removed    4. That I waste a lot of time with some electrical devices   5. that we depend on ourselves many times more than we depend on God       and lastly....    6. so thankful for good neighbors and friends

During this time, Trevor and I cleaned and organized the basement which made this nesting momma feel great! We also had a generator that kept our refrigerator running and we didn't loose any food, except a few things from our deep freeze that should have been thrown away anyway. And ya know that said grill we bought a month ago? Well, it came in handy when cooking for meals. One morning, Trevor even made bacon and eggs with it. Although this was a difficult time, not just for me but for so many people, I realize how much my joy and contentment doesn't come from things or even electricity but from the Lord. It will definitely be a story to tell our son in years to come!!

-This past week, I was also excited to get a day with my mom. We enjoyed tea together, shopping and a nice lunch out. We were able to do some thrift shopping, which I LOVE to do. Some things I purchased.... 

some books.. I'm always a sucker for books

maternity pants that I can wear when I go back to work

a cute purse for the fall 

some printer paper that looks like a scrolI which I can use at school 

I spent a whopping $8!! Whoo hoo, that makes this girl happy!

Well, this coming week I'll be traveling to have more fun times with my parents while Trevor is out of town. Looking forward to many more memories made this summer!

Celebrating

Over the past few weeks, I've had a chance to slow down a bit and enjoy being with friends and family. As a celebration for ending some classes I've been taking, my friend Anna Ruth and I traveled to Scott's strawberry farm to pick some delicious strawberries. There's nothing sweeter than fresh picked strawberries. I made some strawberry smoothies that were really good. Next on the list is to make strawberry shortcakes. 

This past weekend, we enjoyed having Trevor's parents at our house to celebrate his mom's birthday along with Mother's Day. On Sunday, Trevor's brother and family came to surprise her but she had already figured it out. Oh well for surprises, we had a great time together anyway!!

As for baby update, things are moving along smoothly. Hopefully on Friday, we will get to find out if we're having a BoY or a gIrL!!!! 

As for school, we're down to 16 days left! I think I'm more excited about summer break than my students. There's so much to be done this summer and I'm so looking forward to being off from work to get it all done. 

Other things I'm looking forward to: 
                                                            planting the garden
                                                            working on some home projects
                                                            catching up on my scrapbook
                                                            spending time with family/ friends
                                                            cook outs/ picnics
                                                            having some fun Fridays with my baby

Summer break can not get here fast enough!!!!!!!!!!!!

I leave with a couple of pics of some cicadas I took a couple of weeks ago on field trip with my students. Actually, the field that we were in was covered with them. 

Keeping Christmas Simple

Since Trevor and I've been married, for the most part we've kept Christmas present giving simple. As we started out, 12 Christmases ago, we agreed we would stay within a budget and purchase gifts that we could afford. Some years we didn't get each other anything, some years we bought a together gift of something needed or just bought for stockings, and then there have been a few years where we did purchase gifts for each other. Even our first year together, we decided not to buy gifts but that we would make something for the other. That's when I discovered my husband's talent in carpentry. This was my gift!!

That Christmas was so sweet and special.

For the most part, we've done really well sticking to a budget. We always wanted to make sure we had some funds to buy presents for family. Over the years, especially our second Christmas, money was extremely tight. We were both seminary students and had moved to New Orleans. As I love to give and enjoy picking out presents for others, I had to learn to be creative in order to stay in a budget. That particular year, we combined gifts for couples in our family. Over the years, as I've really learned who God made with my likes and dislikes, I realized how much homeade gifts mean to me and how I enjoy making gifts. I guess I'm kind of old- fashioned. I think how our society over indulges themselves and sometimes I wish I lived in a more simpler time period where "stuff" really was not the focus. So, since God placed me in this place and time, I'm gonna try to keep my home focused on keeping Christmas simple and to adopt traditions and gift giving that glorifies God. - Not the way our world abuses it today!

I also attribute this to my upbringing. My parents were always thinking of others and lived it out in front of me. Every Christmas Eve for most of my childhood and until I was in college, my parents invited a couple from our church to eat Christmas Eve dinner with us. This couple did not have children and didn't have any family close by. My brother and I kind of adopted them as grandparents and always looked forward to spending Christmas Eve with them. I have so many wonderful memories of them, who've both gone on the be with the Lord.

Another year, as a family, we went and bought a Christmas tree, some decorations, and groceries for a family who faced financial difficulties and who were in great need. When we went to deliver the "goodies", no one was home. So, we left the items on their porch. I can remember being so excited. We weren't able to see their expression but what an impact that made on my life!

Another year we delivered presents to a family with young children who were not able to afford gifts. I could go on and on. An important part of this that impacted my life is that we would pray for and with the families.

So as an adult, I want to continue looking for opportunities to bless, encourage,and be the hands and feet of Christ.- Not only at Christmas, but throughout the year.

Christmas Presents

You know... some of the best Christmas presents are not always found underneath the tree. I found this especially true for me this year.

I'll start with present # 1 my car!

My husband and I have had our car for about 3 years. It's been a great car, nothing fancy, but it always gets us where  we need to go. We've not had any problems with it until a few weeks ago. I began hearing this knocking noise when the car was in park and proceeded to get louder as I put it into drive. Now, I know very little about cars but what I did know is that this noise sounded serious and expensive! Knowing this was probably going to be an expensive repair, but needed to be done, Trevor went ahead and made an appointment to get it fixed. We thought our full warranty on the car had expired, but to our surprise and delight, we had 68 miles left until the expiration. Therefore the expense would be covered through the warranty! God is awesome!

    

Now the second part of this story is that we took the car in to get fixed on Monday, December 20, and did not get it back until yesterday, December 29! Wow, can I say I'm so thankful for my car! Going 9 days without out it has made me appreciate it more.

Christmas Present #2- Rest & Enjoyment:

This present is actually a result of not having my car for a week! Fortunately, because I was on Christmas break when my car was being fixed, there weas no need for a second vehicle. Thankfully, I had planned ahead and had purchased most all of my Christmas presents, except one, (don't worry, I was able to purchase it by the end of the week.. thanks to my husband!) Therefore, I had no need to be out or to go shopping. Although, I must say I'm also very thankful for friends who were willing to share their vehicle with us as we traveled to my parents house for Christmas. I can't express into words how restful and enjoyable my week was. I was able to slow down and take time to really enjoy the true meaning of Christmas. If I would've had my car, I know for sure I would've found a reason to go places and buy things that weren't necessary and I would've missed out on the rest and quiet that was found by staying at home. I guess I've learned that staying on the go is an esy way of keeping you distracted from what's important. It can also keep you distracted from what God maybe trying to speak to you. I was able to unclutter my mind and enjoy rest. My simple week was a blessing from the Lord!

Christmas present #3 Completing our Dave Ramsey class:
We finished our last class on Monday, December 20, and have gained so many valuable tools to help us live financially in a way that pleases the Lord. We are currently working toward baby step #2, which is is the debt snowball. Our goal is to have this completed, being debt free except for our house, in 15 months. We continue to pray and use Godly wisdom as we plan and prepare for our future!

Christmas present # 4 Health InsuranceBack in November, I unexpectedly lost my insurance benefit through my job. As this happened so quickly and suddenly, my husband and I were trying to make some decisions and explore our options. Well, the day I received the news at my job, it just so happened to be the day after our Dave Ramsey class on insurance. I found this to be odd but at the same time I felt comforted believing that God had a plan. Eventhough I was surprised, He wasn't. And actually, Trevor and I had talked about looking into getting insurance apart from my work because it was so expensive. Well, we were able to contact one of Dave's insurance reps in our town and were able to purchase health insurance with her, which was much cheaper than I had before with the same coverage and with dental added on!! WOOT! WOOT! Again, I give all praise to God! He is so awesome that He is able to take our negative situations and turn them into blessings! :)

Christmas present #5 is two- fold: Snow and FamilyThis year for Christmas we traveled to my parents house in SW Virginia (a.ka. snow captial of VA!). We arrived on Christmas Eve and awakened Christmas morning to a beautiful snow fall. Now they already had snow on the ground, several inches in fact, but it was beautiful to watch and it sure did encourage the "Christmas" atmosphere. Now, it became a bit of a traveling issue trying to return home but it still made me warm and fuzzy all over!

While we were at my parents, I was able to see my brother, sister-in-law, and my niece and nephew that I don't get to see often enough. We had such a wonderful time together. Of course it's always fun to watch the kids open their presents. But it was definitely a gift for me just to be with my family. The gifts under the tree will in years be forgotten but the time and memories spent talking and sharing with my family will always be cherished.

Ok, so I had some extra special presents this year! This has definitely been an unsual Christmas but one where I know I'll look back and be able to see God working around me... even if at the time I didn't always see it as a blessing.



I'm praying that you'll see and experience the overwhelming comfort in knowing that God has not forgotten you and that you are placed in the shadow of his wings!