We had a visit from the Tooth Fairy!

Yesterday afternoon right before church, I pulled Sara Beth's first tooth!  You can see the excitement in her eyes!  I think I was as excited as she was that I got to pull it!  I really wanted her to be with me when it came out.  I knew it was close and I wanted to be able to share in her excitement.  

This was my Tooth Fairy pillow from when I lost my teeth! I love it that my mom kept it and that my kids now get to use it.  The Tooth Fairy brought her $3!  She's been thinking all day trying to figure out how she wants to spend her money. 

Goals and Sam

So, I've never been creative with titles, but this one just calls it like it is. I have had several people stop me and ask me about our summer reading. We did finish our goal of 200 books. It wasn't necessarily pretty--we had quite a few to read on that last day, but we finished at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday before school started on Friday! The girls had so much fun with this. We will definitely set a goal for next summer. And as for my other goals...I've been doing good with the grocery budget. In July I was under budget for the first time since we started the budget in January. The taste of success makes me want to keep clipping coupons and keep cooking foods that are on sale to keep making the budget--plus, it makes Zeb happy! ha! I would say that I have done better keeping my house "company clean", but I am still working on that. Also, I really enjoyed Train Up A Mom by Vollie Sanders and would recommend that as a devotional tool to other Mommas!

I haven't put many pics on the blog lately because I have been too lazy to click upload, but here are two that I couldn't resist uploading! I can no longer put Sam down for a nap in just his diaper! Thankfully no mess!

I love the fact that Sam found Doe's walker and pushed it around. This was a few weeks ago, but every time we go he makes a beeline for it!

A Sacred Marriage

The last couple of weeks I have been listening to some broadcast from Focus on the Family that have been really good.  Two that I really enjoyed were God's Sacred Design for Marriage (Part 1 and 2).  So often we hear or have told our kids that we want them to be holy_to be set apart-to be dedicated to God.  We have heard and tell them that this comes before their happiness.  Have you heard this or said this to your kids?  To me, it's been always been pretty easy to say.  In our house Zeb and I are trying, by God's grace and with His help, to rear our kids to love and serve Him.  We try to make our decisions based on what he has commanded us in His Word.

  These broadcasts really rocked my thinking.  Gary Thomas (the man on the broadcast) posed the question, "What if God designed marriage to make us holy and not happy?"  I have to admit, I have never really thought of it that way.  It kind of hit me in the gut.  It's a lot easier to say this to  my kids than to apply it to myself.  It's not about our happiness.  Nothing is.  It's about being more and more Christlike (Matthew 5:48, James 1:4).  This is in complete contrast to what the world is telling us.  We hear constantly from everywhere if you aren't happy just give up because we deserve to be happy.  That should not be our attitude.  God designed marriage and uses it as a tool to sanctify us.

Anyway, this is just something that I have really been thinking about.  I know from my conversations with friends this has been on their mind too. We need to be in constant prayer for our marriages, for our friends marriages, and for our children's future spouse. May our marriages be sacred. May God be our guide. May He use our marriages to make us more like Him and closer to Him.

I would really encourage you to go to the Focus on the Family website. I have the Focus Daily app.  That makes it easy to listen when I'm cooking or doing carpool.  I am sure there are many ways to get these broadcasts, but you can type "God's Sacred Design for Marriage" in the search blank on the website and then click on video and audio only. It's worth your time to listen.

Back to School Dinner

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I couldn't get my act this year on our Back to School Dinner.  I had lots of great ideas, but I couldn't actually get them done.  Maybe next year I can do what I really wanted to do!  Even our scaled back version was fun and I think helped to get the kiddos excited about a new year!  

The girls loved having their placemats be kindergarten lined paper.  After that ate they had fun practicing their letters and drawing.

We kept dinner simple and made pizzas.  If you haven't had the Pioneer Woman's pizza dough you are missing out!  It's super easy and tasty.  The couple of times we have made it, I made it the night before and put it in the fridge--that helped to take my fear of yeast away!  The kids just made cheese pizza, but I made us an eggplant and tomato pizza (you can find that on P.W.'s website as well)--it was YUMMY!

Very Random...

Sara Beth has been inspired by Mrs. Parker and this is what I found them doing a couple of days ago!

We have taken advantage of the cooler mornings and spent some time outside!

Zeb has been taking Sara Beth to school in the mornings--it's been so nice!  I think most weeks he will be able to everyday but Monday!

Leigh and I had a special date at Beagle Beagle (as she calls it) after her meet the teacher.  I am so tired of her eating all of my chicken salad so I got her her own cup and then gave her some of my fruit and pasta!  She ate it all!

Sam has eaten a few breakfasts outside so Leigh and I can take advantage of the cool mornings!

I saw Parker Page in the dinosaur shirt last Friday at school.  His momma told me that she got it at Target.  I went ahead and bought Sam two shirts.  The dino is a 3T and the monster is a 4T.  For 4$ each I thought it was worth it to store them for a few years.

And the hymn that I woke up to this morning... If you don't know about Keith and Kristyn Getty go to U tube and search for this song.  When we put the girls in bed, Zeb sings them this song.  Last week, the girls were putting their babies to bed and singing them this hymn--priceless!

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My comforter, my all in all
Here, in the love of Christ, I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save
'Til on that cross, as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin, on him, was laid
Here, in the death of Christ, I live

There in the ground, his body lay
Light of the world, by darkness, slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave, he rose again
And as he stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am his and he is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from his hand
'Til he returns or calls me home
Here, in the power of Christ, I stand

 The girls take a bath in our tub every night, but they had no idea about the whirlpool part of it.  For some reason I thought last night was the perfect time to try it out!  We may be doing this more, after the initial shock of the noise, they loved it!

3 year old garten

Since Sister is going to Kindergarten, Leigh started 3 year old garten. I beg sister not to correct her and say it's 3 year old preschool!  Leigh has Mrs. Nuzzo and we couldn't be more excited.  She focuses so much on teaching the kids to be kind to each other!  I love that! That is exactly why I send mine to preschool!  I am so excited for Leigh and can't wait to watch her mature this year!

A Full Proof Way to Make Sure Your Throw Up Lands in the Bucket

No Kidding!  She has been asleep for an hour and forty five minutes and this is how we found her! (We got hit by the stomach bug about 3 a.m. Saturday morning--fun!)

My Big Kindergartener!

I have said what every other mother has said today--"I can't believe my baby is big enough to be in Kindergarten!"  I was shocked at how hard this was for me!  As you can tell by the smile, it wasn't hard for her!  I am so very thankful for First Pres Day School.  I know from teaching there that all the things they were saying about how much they love our kids is so true.  They really do want to get to know our kids and help us to rear them in the admonition of the Lord.  I am looking forward to her time at that school and watching her grow!

These are her sweet teachers-Mrs. Parker and Mrs. Slack

You can tell in this picture I am barely holding back tears--well, I didn't for long!

Her preschool friend, Sarah, is in her class.

Henry and Sara Beth smiling with their new FPDS bears! ( I think these two look so much alike!  I have a picture when they were just weeks old and they looked alike then too!)

Another preschool friend, Lauralee.  She's not in her class, but hopefully they will see each other some!

A Prayer for Gospel Parenting

Zeb has gotten hooked on The Gospel Coalition Blog.  He has me checking it every now and then!  This is good!

A Prayer for Gospel Parenting

Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Ps. 127:1–3

Heavenly Father, it is a liberating joy to address you today as the architect and builder of your own house—including the household of faith and our children’s place in your family. No one loves our children more than you. No one has a greater investment in their future than you. No one can teach us to parent them like you.

As I look back over the years of my pragmatic parenting, I’m saddened, for there have been consequences. But I’m also gladdened, for you’ve always been faithful to your covenant love, even when I was overbearing and under-believing. The move from parenting by grit to parenting by grace has been a fitful, but fruitful journey. Take me deeper; take me further.

You’ve rescued me from parental “laboring in vain”—assuming a burden you never intended parents to bear. Father, only you can reveal the glory and grace of Jesus to our children. Only you can give anyone a new heart. You’ve called us to parent as an act of worship—to parent “as unto you,” not as a way of saving face, making a name for ourselves, or proving our worthiness of your love.

Oh, the arrogant pride of thinking that by our “good parenting” we can take credit for what you alone can graciously do in the lives of our children. Oh, the arrogant unbelief of assuming that by our “bad parenting” we’ve forever limited what you’ll be able to accomplish in the future.

Oh, the undue pressure our children must feel when we parent more out of fear than faith; more out of rules than relationship; more out of and pride than patience; more out of comparison than covenant; more out of threats than theology. Forgive us. Free us. Focus us.

Father, since our children and grandchildren are your inheritance, teach us how to care for them as humble stewards, not as anxious owners. More than anything else, show us how to parent and grandparent in a way that best reveals the unsearchable riches of Jesus in the gospel. We want the gospel to be beautiful and believable to our children.

Give us quick repentances and observable kindnesses. Grant us confidence that you can redeem our past parental failures. Convict us quickly and surely when we don’t relate to your covenant children, “in line with the truth of the gospel” (Gal. 2:14). So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ faithful and powerful name.

 

After lots of debating, Zeb and I decided to put the girls in gymnastics together.  They are doing a preschool 3, 4, and 5 year old class.  It's perfect.  They are together for the warm-ups then they separate to do the "events". I think you can see the excitement in the pictures!

I had a certain little boy in my arms so I was having trouble taking a good picture.  This was the best I could do! 

Happy Tuesday

Well, my three are back and I'm glad!  Also, I have a super clean house--at least for a day or two!  It is as organized and clean as possible (don't look in my closet)!  I have been thinking a lot  about how to keep my house clean without having to work hours at a time.  I really like a clean house and so does Zeb.  This is something that is semi-important to him.  I mean it is important, but he doesn't ever want to add stress to my day. How do you keep your house clean?  Do you do it all in one day, or a little bit every day.  I am really trying to start the school year off to a good start.  A clean house keeps me calm!!!!

My mom used to have notecards at our kitchen bar every morning with things we needed to do.  She also had them for her.  Seriously, for the few of you who read this, I would love to know what you do!

The precious boy on the left is my cousin Stacy's little boy Hunter.  He looks IDENTICAL to my cousin!  It is so funny to watch him because it just takes me back 25-30 years! He was here two weeks ago when my sister's kids were here so they all came over one morning.

This is my Aunt Carol, Dad, and my grandmother, Nannoh

Dad has this expression on his face because look what's below him ...

Leigh!

Dad came over on his lunch break to visit and play!  He sure loves little ones! And little ones sure love him!

This is Nannoh with 6 out of 8 of her great grandkids.

I had to put this picture on here...not because it's great.  It's not. Just to notice what grandmothers put up with.  Two three years fixing her hair.  All I can say is -ouch!  I don't think mom is blinking in this picture, I think she's trying not to wince!

My trio

I love my trio! Most of the time they are so much fun!  They make me laugh! We needed all of these things on Saturday just to walk down the street to say good morning to our neighbors!   

I really enjoy being home everyday with them and being their momma!  That being said, the grandmothers are giving me a much needed break for the day.  As much as I love them and enjoy them, they have been driving me crazy the last few weeks.  I think it's just the end of the summer and everyone is ready for the routine of school. They have been cranky and so have I.  

 I am very thankful to the grandparents for doing this! 

Now...I am off to clean and organize my house so we can at least start the school year with a clean house!

This picture kills me!  I could eat this child alive! She is so full of personality!

We went back to the MCM when Katie and Bryson were here.

We also went to the Flowood library for story time.  That week it was camping week.  Mrs. June always does the best job.  There were big tents in the room and she had flashlights for the kids! And of course popcorn for a snack!

William and Wes came down and their visit overlapped some with Katie and Bryson being here.  So, we all loaded up and went to the Science Museum.

Laura, how on earth do you get Wes to smile?

Even though this picture is terribly blurry, I love it!  

And...I must say I was so proud of myself for allowing Sara Beth to do this.  It was all I could do to make myself be quiet!  I wanted to grab my kids, run away, and scream.  Instead I bit my tongue, sat down so I couldn't run, and took a few pictures! The girl behind her put this snake around her neck.  I am sure all of Jackson would have heard if SB had done that!

Cousin Time

I'm behind in posting--again!  Seems to be where I stay.  I am going to try to catch up from the summer this weekend because school starts next week and I hate starting something from behind!

We have had lots of cousin time this summer.  It's been fun, but I'm tired.  We go, go, go when they are here.  About 3 weeks ago the Atlanta girls came.  Somehow I ended up with no good pictures of Ariana.  

Of course we went to the Children's Museum.  I do think my kids could go every day!  This was the first time SB did the velcro.  It isn't opened all the time.  Ari went first and I think that spurred Sara Beth to go!  You can tell from her face that she loved it!  I love this picture.  It is so hard to capture her in a big smile! 

Obviously I just had my phone with me so the pictures aren't great.  Alexandra and Leigh always have fun together.  They splashed in the water for quite a while.

And Sam loves this place!  His favorites are the water and the underground tunnels!  Honey took this good picture of him playing in the water.

All the cousins have been here the last three weeks, so more cousin pics to come!

Pooh

Last Friday, we went to see the Winnie the Pooh movie.  It was Leigh's first movie and Sara Beth's second.  After paying $27 for 4 of us to go watch an hour movie, I was reminded why we don't go often!  It was fun and the girls loved it.  I was glad we had read the Winnie the Pooh book because  the girls already knew all the stories and easily followed along. I think this might be a movie to buy when it comes out!