Hello Stranger

Hi there.  Its been a while.  Ok its actually been about 9 months.  ALOT has happened in the past 9 months!  The last time I blogged wehad just found out we were expecting a baby.  Well he's here now. And has been for nearly 10 weeks already!  Doesn't time fly when you're sleep deprived?  He is in one word:  LUSCIOUS!

Lilly has nearly completed her First grade year at school.  She is reading on a 4th grade level and has excelled on every level.  She just passed her Gifted Arts screening and will be starting a new arts curriculum next year.    

Thomas is beyond "all boy"!  He keeps us on our toes EVERY minute of every day!  He is such a blessing and so much fun.  He has welcomed "his baby" with open arms and an open heart!  We are really enjoying watching his new relationship with his brother.

Kris and I will be celebrating 12, count em 12 years of marriage this July.  One word:  WOWZERS!  He is such a blessing to our family and to me specifically.  I couldn't ask for a better husband or better Daddy to our kids.  We have recently received the news that he will be deploying to Kuwait in January. For a year.  GULP!  This news definately comes with lots of mixed emotions.  On one hand I am beyond proud of his service to our country and of course on the other hand its going to be the hardest year of our family's life.  But we know God has his hand on everything and thats all we can trust in. 

I also have to share that my Baby Brother, Dylan got married!!!!!  We just got back from the wedding and had a great time in Florida.  I'm SO VERY HAPPY for Dylan and Rachel and even more happy that God gave him a GREAT GIRL!

So with that I promise to be a better blogger.  And use this an outlet to get all my funny, sad, disturbing, and sometimes innapropriate thoughts out there for all the world to see.  Or alteast the 3 people who follow this blog :)                                                                                                             

GAK!

Today Thomas and I played with GAK! What is Gak! you ask? Its blubbery goodness and is SUPER easy to make.

Here is the blog I found the recipe.
http://cometogetherkids.blogspot.com/2010/08/gak.html

It's the easiest and cheapest thing to make and will last for several weeks stored in a food storage container.

First Day of School

Changes

Its been SEVERAL months since I have blogged and our family has had LOTS of changes in the past months. Its amazing to see how our life and our little family is so different since just April.

The first change is we're having another baby. Surprise, Melissa and Kris! I was at the place where content with our perfect "nuclear" family but apparently God has other plans. After several days of disbelief and shock we are very excited about this new addition and we are all looking forward to the spring!

Tootie has started first grade. This has been met with many milestones already. She is in public school for the first time, has been able to ride the school bus for the first time, and even ate in the cafeteria. She has had a little adjustment but yesterday she came home saying school was"good". This is definitely an improvement from the first day of school when she got into the car at the end of the day and burst into tears.

Thomas IS POTTY TRAINED!!!!!!!!! Praise the LORD and THANKS DARCIE!!!!!! He and I have been enjoying some alone time while Sissy is at school. Other than his daily meltdown when Sissy gets on the school bus and he can't he is doing great! Love that little man!

And Kris has started a professional iDevice and computer repair business: iMonkeyBR.com He has had a great start and we are praying he continues to stay busy. He has also decided to use his GI Bill and will be going back to school in the fall to get a Masters in Computer Science. I'm super proud of him and thankful for him!

11 things I'm obsessed with

Hi rememebr me? Its been ages since I've blogged. I constantly think of things I want to blog about but when it comes to it I forget or am no longer inspired. So I thought I would ease back into the blogosphere with an easy post. 11 things I am currently obsessed with.

#1 This BOY! He loves him some "pay-doh" and I asked him to smile and show me his teeth. This is what I got. Cute, no?

#2 Baking Blogs. Can we say MAJOR eye candy! A few of my favorites are: http://www.bakerella.com/ and http://www.iambaker.net/

#3 Making household products myself. Last week I made baby wipes, laundry detergent AND all-purpose cleaner. It feels GREAT knowing that I am not only saving boo-koo moolah but also helping our family use less chemicals.

#4. HOMESCHOOL HOMESCHOOL HOMESCHOOL (checking out curriculum, talking to other homeschoolers, getting lots of advice and ideas).

#5 My new "Role" at Crosspoint. Community Outreach Lady. Really enjoying serving our community and so very thankful I have more time to do so.

#6. This song:

#7 Collecting "F" initials. So far I only have 3 in my collection but I'm hoping to add more and have a wall in my kitchen with a big "F" display. Odd I know.

#8 Playgrounds. The kids and I have been going to different playgrounds a few days a week after school. We have been really enjoying the fresh air, and I have been really enjoying them burn lots of energy. Lots and lots of energy :)

#9 Conversations with Lilly. They can range anywhere from completely bizarre to heartfelt and spirit-filled. But however they are I am thankful they happen. I pray she ALWAYS wants to talk to me.

#10 New friends and old ones who I can count on, support me, encourage me, and share Jesus with me.

#11 My Hubby, Kris. Thankful for his service and his role in our family. He is a great husband, a patient and loving Father, and an all-around wonderful human being. I like him. Alot.

Head to toe style

Lilly definately has a style all her own. Sometimes I wish I had as much self confidence as this girl does. I pray she never loses her "all out" spirit. She makes my heart smile!!!

Happy VD

Well another Valentines Day has come and gone. Woopty Doo. I am very shocked at my attitude towards it this year. Normally I go way over-board with gifts and trinkets for the kids and even a few for Kris. This year, not so much. I went to the kitchen to start my regular morning routines and was joined by Kris who simply told me "Happy Valentines Day". It literally made me smile and my heart melt. Thats all I needed from him, he said it first. Wow, I love that man! Sorry, I got distracted from my original point.

Lilly came down the stairs asking where her gifts were. I told her no one got a gift this year and she seemed ok with it. There was no meltdown, no throwdown. At no point did Lilly tell me I ruined her life, like she did one time when she spilled water on her dress-up clothes. There were no tears shed and no spankings dished out. She was..............calm. Wow. Usually the living room would look like Cupid had just come off a 48 hour bender. But to be honest with you I simply just forgot. And I am ecstatic to say......WE ALL SURVIVED!!!!!!!!!
And I just might forget to make Easter baskets too!