Trick of Treat

I tried posting these pics Halloween night, but my computer crashed. Here the kids are trick or treating with Mommy, Daddy, Mimi, Pawpaw, Aunt Kelsey, Aunt Christi, Mr.and Mrs. Bailey, and Landry. We had quite the entourage.

Funny moments:
-Ava saying "Thank you nice man." when she was given some candy and walking all the way into someone's living room when they opened the door.
-JG seeing some sheet ghosts hanging from trees and laughing hysterically while saying "Mommy, somebody put their dirty laundry in the trees. Phew!"

Fall Festival

This year the kids had a blast a our church's fall festival. The theme was "Bringing Childhood Games to Life" and the fun included a petting zoo (Ava LOVED it), bounce houses, and lots of cute games like life-sized Candyland and Chutes & Ladders. Nana and Poppy came with us and we all enjoyed their love and attention.

Things to remember for next year:
-Daddy should go into all bounce houses to rescue kids. Somehow I got stuck climbing up a 10ft wall and pushing 6 or so stuck kids over my head!! What a work out!
-Wear ear plugs. The music was SO loud.
-Consider dressing Ava as a puppy dog, so that I can put her on a leash without getting "the look."

ICF Halloween Party at our House

We had a Halloween party at our house this Friday for our ICF students. It was a lot of fun. We carved and painted pumpkins, had caramel apples, and played some serious ping pong. Check out the pics:

Adrian's 7 months old

Yep, another month has gone by already!! Adrian seems so much older this month. He eats as much homemade baby food as he can get his hands on, sits up pretty well, and is on hands and knees rocking and ready to crawl. I'm pretty sure I even saw him wave and clap this last week! We are all having so much fun playing with our content, happy, smiley little boy.

P.S. This month includes his first time in a park swing, playing in hay, and rolling pumpkins :)

It's finally fall!

The last few weeks have been full of fall fun. We've been to the Arboretum a few times and to a great Halloween party at the park. Here a few pics of the kids in action.

Adrian's 6 months old!

These last 6 months have passed like a whirlwind. Between the busyness of moving and all the back-to-school activities, the time seems to have disappeared.

Adrian's favorites at 6 months:
-gnawing his fingers
-jumping in the johnny jump-up (thanks Cassie)
-talking and smiling at everyone (especially Daddy!)

Highlights from the last few months:
-1st visit to San Antonio
-spending the day with cousin Lillian
-going swimming at Nana and Poppy's
-days with Mommy while JG and Ava are at school

Today he had his first really bowl of baby cereal and ate it up. He'd tried cereal about a month ago, but made such awful faces that I decided to wait awhile longer to get started.

Adrian remains a sweet and content little cutie. He is pretty happy playing alone as long as he has toys in reach. He slept through the night from 2-4 months and has been back to waking up again 1-2 times a night since we moved. He smiles whenever spoken too and loves people. Here are a couple of cute pics in the front yard of our new house.

2 children + 2 minutes + 1 sharpie=

lots of fun. While I was working on packing today, the kids got a hold of a black sharpie and colored themselves ALL over. JG ended up with a hilarious looking Hitler style mustache, and Ava must have thought she was applying makeup. Ava was in a diaper and JG in underwear, so sharpie also ended up all over backs, arms, feet, legs, hands, and Ava's hair... When I found them, JG mumbled something about camo and looking like Mulan???? I wish my camera batteries were charged...they looked hilarious.

Just so you know, most of the sharpie came off with canola oil :)

Moving

Yep, we are moving!! As thrilled as I am about it, moving still kind of stinks. Especially with all the "helpers" I've got these days. If only 4 year olds, 2 year olds, and 4 month olds could really help, we'd have it all done in no time :)

That's what we're doing these days. What about you?

Be the Church ...

Check this out to hear how you can be the church with us ...

Parties, Parties, and more Parties!

I seems that lately we have had party after party celebrating birthdays in our family. The parties started when my sweet hubby turned 30 at the end of May. Then the kids parties with my Dad's side family, then with my Mom's side of the family, at home on JG's actual birthday, and today at the pool/water playscape with a handful of friends.

At today's party, all the kids seemed to have a great time splashing in the water, playing with buckets and shovels, squirting each other with water, and going down the water slides. We couldn't have had such a great party without all the help from Mimi and Tay-tay!! Thanks guys! Having you with us made the party so fun!

Here are a few pics from all the birthday fun! (These aren't the best, I still waiting on Tay-tay to email me her pics, the REALLY good ones.)

(Oh, and I apologize for the funky layout... I don't know what's up with it)

Happy 4th Birthday JG!

My little JG turned 4 years old yesterday! I can hardly believe that next year he'll be going to kindergarten. He has grown up so much this year.



Last night, Mimi and I decided to ask JG a few questions to see what some of his 4 year old favorites are:



favorite toy: castle

favorite food: green birthday cake

favorite movie: Kung Fu Panda

favorite book: Cinderella

favorite restaurant: Taco Cabana

favorite place: park

best friends: Ava and Adrian "because he is cute and I love him so much"



He also told us that when he grows up he wants a "work job" with Daddy and live next store. Hopefully I'll remember to ask him the same questions next year.



We love you JG and are so blessed to have you as part of our family.

Oh-- and if you are wondering about the crazy cake, it was suppose to 3 layers but they all crumbled... hence the hill country look. Then JG decided to help me decorate it with his knights. He loved it.

Professional Portraits

The other day my mom and I took the kids to get their picture made. Here is a cute one of the 3 of them. Others will hopefully come later.

JG's a preacher

Last Sunday, we took JG and Ava to witness my sister Kelsey's baptism. Before we went, I told JG all about baptism and it's meaning. When we got home, I caught him chasing Ava around the house and pushing her backward by her forehead while yelling, "Ava, I'm gonna baptize you." What was Ava doing, you ask? A cute combination of laughing and squealing.

Adrian update

For those of y'all wondering how about our littlest guy, here goes:

weight: 10 lbs 15.5 oz 75%
height: 23 in. 95%
head circumference: 14 in. 50%
personality: content & sweet (as long as feed every 2-3 hrs day/night)
favorite pastimes: taking long naps, partying at night, spitting up, & drinking

So overall, he is doing great and we are all just loving him to pieces!

Adrian's 1 month old

To celebrate Adrian's 1st month here a few pics of the family. It seems we've been busier than ever with Easter celebrations, trips to the Arboretum, family in town, and just the regular old routines. Thanks to everyone who has been praying for us. Going from 2 to 3 has been a breeze and I'm praising God for that blessing daily :)

Adrian is Here!!!

Ready to go ...

Just Born ...

Family Photo ...

JG approves ...

Ava is thrilled ...

What a stud ...

Sweet Sayings

Today after nap, JG was cuddling on the couch with me and randomly turned to me and said "Mommy, I love you ALL much." I guess he wanted to top our usual exchange of "I love you SO much." I thought that was pretty sweet.

What for dinner? Part 4

On Feb 19th (apparently this didn't post and I just now noticed it), I tried a new recipe and everyone in my family seemed to like it. Ava (my non-meat, rice, veggie, bread eater) even ate one whole serving! This recipe is the Amyized version, but feel free to search http://www.recipezaar.com/ for the original. It is not too different.

Oven-Fried Chicken Chimichangas

6 Chimichangas (8 if you add the optional rice)
2/3 cup picante sauce or your favorite salsa (I used Pace Medium Chunky Salsa which I pureed)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves, crushed
1 1/2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
1/2 cup cooked brown rice (optional)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 green onions, chopped with some tops (about 1/4 cup)
6-8 (8 inch) flour tortillas
1 tablespoons margarine, melted
shredded cheddar cheese, for serving
chopped green onion, for serving
picante sauce, for serving
Mix chicken, picante sauce or salsa, cumin, oregano, rice, cheese and onions.
Place about 1/4 cup of the chicken mixture in the center of each tortilla.
Fold opposite sides over filling.
Roll up from bottom and place seam-side down on a baking sheet.
Brush with melted margarine.
Bake at 400°F for 15-25 minutes or until golden.
Garnish with additional cheese and green onion and serve salsa on the side.

This recipe is very versatile and could be filled with all sorts of yummy combinations. I hope some of y'all will try it!

Lessons to Learn

Today at MOPs, my wonderful discussion group leader gave us a great handout that was very convicting to my heart. I thought I would just take a minute and post these thoughts and the corrolating verses since I was so blessed. Please take a minute to read the list... I know that God's holy Word will be a blessing to your heart as well.

1. Spend less time reading the latest parenting (or other self-help books) and more time reading the Bible.
James 1:5- But if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

2. Spend less time asking others what they think and more time asking God what he thinks.
Isaiah 55:6- For my thoughts are not your thoughts; neither are My ways your ways.

3. Spend less time trying to figure out what to do and more time being still and waiting for God to show me what to do.
Psalm 46:10- Cease striving and know that I am God.

4. Spend less time trying to do everything in my own strength and more time doing things in God's strength.
2 Corithians 12:9- My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.
2 Corithians 2:8 1 Corinthians 10:13

5. Spend less time examining the actions and attitudes of my husband and children (and anyone else) and more time allowing the Lord to examine my own heart.
Psalm 139:23-24- Search me, O God, and know my heart,; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.

6. Spend less time telling my children what to do and more time being a good example to them.
2 John 6: - And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.

7. Spend less time focusing on the results and more time focusing on the process.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9- And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

8. Spend less time judging others who are struggling and more time praying for them.
Matthew 7:1-3- Do not judge, lest you be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged, and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

9. Be more concerned about becoming more Christ-like and less concerned about becoming a better wife and mother.
Matthew 6:33- But seek first the kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

10. Be more concerned with holding tightly to God and holding loosely to everything else.
Psalm 62:5- My soul waits in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him.

Catching Up

Last weekend, we not only tackled putting up all the Christmas decorations but getting "new" beds for all the kids. JG got a twin bed (the top section of my college bunk beds), Ava got JG's crib (that converts to a toddler bed), and baby boy got Ava's crib set up in the office. It was hectic and it took my body several days to recover, but I'm SO happy to have all those things accomplished.

On another note, here some cute pics of the kids. Ava playing, JG in his new bed, and Ava playing dress up.

Behind on Everything :)

What's new over here, you ask? Nothing much. I'm still behind... I think I'll always be behind. Behind on laundry, dishes, cleaning, keeping in touch with friends, Bible study, etc. In fact, I'm so behind that my Christmas tree is still up. Yup! Anyone else still have Christmas decorations lingering? It might make me feel better to know that I'm not the only one. :)

Oh, in other news, we scheduled an induction date for baby boy for the morning of March 24th! YEA! I think that is a mere 8 or 9 weeks away. Friends and family are welcome to come visit us... and with all the advance notice, I'm hoping we will see a few of you!

Wanna buy a car?

Hey everyone, just thought I'd send out an email to see if anyone was looking for a car. We are selling our 2007 Hyundai Sonata. If you or anyone else is interested, here is the info:

Our car ad
Kelly Blue Book

Let us know if there is any interest in the next day or so. We have one person who test drove it today and I want to see if anyone else could use a good car before I sell to a stranger.