Day at the Park

The missing madre...self portraits: my only way to get a pix once in a while. :)

Samuel's favorite toy--he wants to be just like Justin



Luv the swings!

Table w/ a Story

Easter Pictures

Lots of grandkids! They may make it to the #20 mark..who knows! (I guess it's up to us though, since we're the only ones in the running now--ha, ha!!!)

Happy 1st Birthday, Owen! Funny how much happens in a year! Carrie and I were both pregnant last year...and now the babies don't seem like babies anymore! (yep, must be time for another one! :)

Justin and his sweet Mom, Janeen.

Lil' Pixie Girl...I think she's adorable!

The Lineup...on your marks, get set...GO!

Excited to go hunt for eggs!

William playing w/ his cousins, Connor and Owen

Life...

"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
John 10:10

"I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved..." John 10:9

"And you hth he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins...But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)" Eph. 2:1, 4-5

"Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
And hath made us kings adn priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." Revelation 1

To me, Easter means LIFE. The Lord laid down his life for me!
"Living He loved me, dying He saved me, buried He carried my sins far away. Rising He justified, freely forever!"
I'm so thankful that Jesus Christ isn't an impersonal, religious figure. He opened my eyes to see my need for a Savior.

"Praise, my soul, the King of heaven,
To His feet thy tribute bring;
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Who, like me, His praise should sing?
Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise the everlasting King!" H. Lyte

~The Lord Jesus is my reason to rejoice and my purpose for life~

Living Deliberately...

"See then that ye walk circumspectly not as fools , but as wise,
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:15-16

I've been thinking over the past couple days of my need to live life deliberately. To me this means organized, thought-ful, careful, and wisely. Life has a tendency to sweep by if I don't live deliberately, and I miss opportunities. I find myself reacting instead of responding as the Lord unfolds His plan for me on any particular day. It's so easy to fall into that w/ two little guys and being pregnant. I've realized my need to be more consistent w/ the boys in light of chores(for Samuel), first-time obedience, boundaries (for both of them!), teaching from Scripture (memorizing) and a form of a schedule.

So, I've been thinking of ways I can be more deliberate...If I'm not thought-FUL about these things, I find the day goes by and it doesn't happen!

~Joyfully serving my family
~Praying for my husband diligently, daily
~Teach (academically and spiritually) and train my children
~Worship God daily (while I meet the needs of my family)
~Have family worship
~Pray w/ Justin before we crash at night :)
~Save $$
~Teach my children to pray and sing
~Smile into my children; enjoy them!
~Teach them how to work with a great attitude
~Be consistent about a quiet time
~Memorize scripture w/ Samuel
~Be less distracted (phone, Internet, housework)!

It's interesting how a little planning and deliberate choices will make things happen. The day goes so much smoother too! I find that the boys and I are tying heart strings, in the midst of training and teaching. Plus, we have fun~

"Stand in awe and sin not; commune with your own heart upon your bed and be still. Selah" Psalm 4

I've been doing a lot of the last part of that verse! Thanks to pregnancy insomnia. For some reason, I don't remember it hitting me this early. Thankfully, I feel great when I wake up. :)

Justin just started his new job w/ a new company. We're trying to get used to the new schedule. He's up at 4 am every morning, so he can read his Bible and get ready for work. I'm so proud of him! Habits that aren't formed at young ages are harder to form later in life. (being both an early riser and a reader) He leaves an index card for me every morning with part of the scripture he read for the morning. Those are the best kind of love notes!

Kids cooking in the kitchen...

I didn't realize how blessed I was to "help" my Mom in the kitchen when I was little. While chatting w/ several different ladies recently, I realized how fortunate I am to have been nurtured and taught in my mother's kitchen! Come to think of it, I have memories in both of my grandma's kitchens as well!

I suppose it's easy to justify the need to make dinner "really quick" or whip up this batch of cookies w/out a huge mess. (I do that sometimes too:) Thankfully the women in my life have take the time and effort to let me and my siblings make a "mess." I have such great memories of baking and cooking with my Mom and sisters. Just found out, that other girls and boys may not have those memories. I actually enjoy cooking and baking and enjoy including others in the experience.

Even Uncle Max has spent time in the kitchen and he even has a few signature meals, outside of scrambled eggs, cornbread, and Mac N' Cheese! That's a good idea in my book. Train little guys how to cook, so that when their big guys, they can impress their wives every once in a while. :) (So she can go and eat bon bons)

Eva stirring up the batter...

Learning the art of crunching/smashing the walnuts~ Needless to say, Samuel and Mommy were a bit overzealous and filled the cruncher too full. Most of the walnuts spilled ALL over the floor! What's cooking without a mess, right? When baking w/ kiddos, cleanliness is not the focus. Having fun, making memories, and learning is!

Boys like to learn how to cook/bake too! It's a good thing for them to know their way around the kitchen. You know, I'm preparing him for another woman some day (far, far away!).

So here's my resolve: to give my own children, my younger siblings, nieces and nephews to come, and whoever else happens to be in my home some of the same pleasant memories my Mom and Grandma's gave to me~


So what did we bake that day??? Starring THE BEST muffins I have ever made or tasted! (We even ground our flour fresh using a 9 grain mix) Thanks to Abby Phillips here's the recipe:

FAIR BREAKFAST MUFFINS

1 EGG
1/3 C. MILK
1/3 C. OLIVE OIL
1 C. MASHED BANANA
1 MED. TART APPLE, PEELED AND CHOPPED
1/2 C. CHOPPED WALNUTS
2 C. WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR
1/3 C. BROWN SUGAR
3 tsp. BAKING POWDER
1 tsp. SALT
3/4 tsp. GROUND CINNAMON

TOPPING:

1/3 C. PACKED BROWN SUGAR
1/3 C. FINELY CHOPPED WALNUTS
2 T. COLD BUTTER

DIRECTIONS:

Beat egg, add milk, oil and bananas. Stir in apple and walnuts. Combine dry ingredients; stir into the banana mixture till moistened. Fill greased muffin cups 2/3's full. Combine topping in gredients till crumbly. Sprinkle over batter and bake at 400 for 20-25 minutes.

YEILD:1-1/2 DOZEN

Motivation...

There are a few things that just give me a boost once in a while! For one, I'm so glad the weather is more springlike. Nothing like a little warmer weather to boost the spring cleaning mood!

Friday morning, I made three big lasagnas (1 for company we had over, and 2 for the freezer) and cooked up extra hamburger. Usually when I make a mess, I make a big one. I figure it saves me time in the long run to cook ahead. Just having the meat cooked, helps meal preparation go so much faster! (one of those tips I learned from my mom :)

As you can see in the picture below, I did lots of laundry! I'm certain their's a laundry monster that has babies during the night. What will I do when there is 5 people's laundry to do! This is the happy picture, b/c at least it's clean piles of laundry! It's a relief to me to have it at least washed and dried. Sometimes it takes a few days to make it out of the basket, folded and in their proper places!


The other "high" I had was going to a clothes sale yesterday. I am so spoiled now, after having great hand-me-downs and shopping sales, that I can't bring myself to pay full price for things! Kids clothing is as expensive as big people clothes! I got Oshgosh brand jeans, some cute tops, and a winter coat for baby girl, winter sweaters for all of the kids, flannel shirts and some nice shirts for the boys. Everything was $4.99 and under! Sometimes I find I need some "new" things for the kids for church or places where play clothes aren't appropriate. I find it thrilling to see how far I can make the clothing budget stretch! :)

Wills

Guess who popped a tooth?!

One of the fav. aunties/sisters

Here's Krista in a few years! (only w/ her own kiddos :) Can you tell she gets smothered whenever she's home---just like a celebrity, only better! (They do the same to Leah too) Guess me and T are old hats around here since they see us every day. Huh... :)

Babies...

I love showers...especially baby ones! It was so fun to eat yummy treats and chat w/ ladies who I don't see too often. Krista and the baby received so many nice gifts. They're ready now for her arrival. She now has a high chair, bouncy seat, stroller/car seat, lots of adorable outfits, diapers, toys, and some stylish diaper bags. I'm SO excited for the baby, I can hardly stand it! I'll be buzzing up there as soon as I get the call. :)

Singing Happy Birthday to the Birthday Girl. Happy 4th Birthday Eva! Let's fly kites this week when the weather gets warmer!

Grandma Nett and William

Here's Krista looking adorable~~

The delicious lunch! Aunt Therese and Chloe made it so special! Everything was delicious!


Krist, Me, and Aunt Carolyn



Here's Dapper Dan ready for Church yesterday. :) I wish I would've gotten a picture of both boys w/ their coordinating sweater vests on. (Complements of Aunt Lisa) I'll have to get them dressed up again and take some Easter photos.



William the big cheese

Oh, and for those of you who wanted to see a tummy picture of me, here you go. Krista's 35 weeks and I'm almost 20!