Tuesday Twelve

1) I just turned on a television show about Detroit, brought back some fun memories. My husband and I visited Detroit our first year of marriage. Believe it or not, several of the best museums I've ever been to were either in Detroit or right outside the city. Additionally, Detroit has a great tram that circles downtown. We loved the "tour", circled around several times. That same year Charles went to Connecticut and initially I complained about missing out on Connect - I - cut and going to Detroit instead. You know what, I'm glad I got to go to Motor City.

2) My middle son is the hardest working thing I ever have seen. He reminds me so much of his daddy...if I get the vacuum cleaner out he runs to get his as well. Together, we vacuum. He is meticulous, moves the furniture he can move, vacuums behind doors. I'm telling you, he's going to make his future wife a happy woman!

3) My mantel is bare. I'm planning to use some fabulous fabric I bought last year, some pitchers I will paint white and some cool stick thingies I have to decorate it with. My friend got a Compound Miter Saw and air compressor for Christmas she's planning to use to decorate at her place. She's much more ambitious than I am. I don't even know what a Compound Miter Saw is. I am planning to use my husband's staple gun. That's pretty wild and crazy for me. I'm going to staple that fabulous fabric I got to a frame, wha-la, instant art. Maybe I'll post a picture when I'm done.

4) Dad goes in Thursday for the results from his biopsy. We're ready to know what is next...

5) We're battling food issues at our place. I've always been a bit prideful about how well my kiddos eat, serves me right. I am determined to stand firm; trouble is, so are they.

6) I tried to make a pot of pinto beans today, pinto beans from the pinto bean capitol of the world, Dove Creek, CO. They are mushy and flavorless. I'm pretty sure it's the cook, not the beans, and I am sad. Guess I'll try again. Maybe I'll add bacon next time. As a culinary side note, I did make some pretty tasty soup tonight using chicken sausage and kale. Who knew kale had such incredible flavor?!

7) I want to open my home more this year, to my sweet neighbors, to other mommies, to some young couples we know from my husband's job. We bought our house because it was perfect for entertaining. This is the year...

8) Every time I see the new Weight Watchers commercial I tell myself I absolutely have to get serious about losing some weight. I weigh 45 lbs more than I did 10 years ago...wish I looked like Jennifer Hudson.

9) We drove around and looked at Christmas lights over the holidays. After seeing home after home with no nativity, no evidence of the Babe in a manger, my daughter said, "I guess all these people don't know Christmas is Jesus' birthday." Pretty profound, if you ask me.

10) My sister passed on a book on potty training, her youngest is 6. It's a bit more descriptive than I'd probably have chosen, but my middle son has asked to have it read to him twice in the last two days. I think he's probably ready to begin the potty training adventure whenever I am. Wonder when I'll be ready.

11) It feels like it should be Thursday...

12) I miss my best friend. It's been way too long since I've seen her. She's not met either one of my sons. Yep, way, way too long.

Tuesday Twelve

It's been a long, hard week...

1) A week ago my dad went to the ER with what was believed to be a stroke...after further testing it was revealed he has what appears to be a tumor on the right side of his brain. He goes in for a biopsy Tuesday. How our lives have changed in the last week...his and my mom's most of all.

2) While in the hospital Dad's constant source of strength was the Word of God, which he has so faithfully hidden in his heart for the last 25+ years. Even with slurred speech and other affects of the swelling on his brain, as well the tumor, all who entered his room were bathed in the truths of God's Word...from Dad's own mouth.

3) We've been using a cardboard advent calendar with a beautiful nativity on front to prepare our hearts for Christmas. It's been a fun opportunity to go over the story of Jesus' birth each and every night and our kiddos have loved opening each cardboard window to see the picture and read the scripture revealed inside. Our three year old has it memorized, at least the first ten days or so, almost verbatim, beginning with, "Now the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee called Nazareth."

4) I have long talked of how important Scripture memory is, how I long to make it a priority, but talk is cheap and I have done little to hide God's Word in my heart. The example of my dad and my daughter has been humbling and convicting and I have been asking God to give me a love for His Word that far surpasses my love for sleep or blogs or magazines...I am working to memorize Proverbs 3:1-10 over the next several weeks/month.

5) My middle son is all boy. He is so very aware of trucks and construction vehicles and tools. Bless his heart...I have told him the name of most construction vehicles and he is so excited when he sees "diggers". I'm pretty sure that's not what they are really called, but what he doesn't know doesn't hurt him. He's been diligently building me a house for weeks. He loves his mommy...it's even going to have a fireplace, between the master bedroom and bath I hope!

6) I threw my kids in the backyard today after lunch, without jackets. It has to be 70 some degrees. And I say, thank you, God for Texas weather!!!

7) With my first born I knew when every milestone should take place and recorded each incredible moment. My poor third born...I asked my husband the other day, "When should babies start rolling over?" We have no idea. I may get out my "What to Expect the First Year", but then again, I may not!

8) I cannot explain the joy it brings me when people tell me my daughter reminds them of me...I guess it's because I love her so. She is a delight. While at my in-laws, feeding the bunny, she tightly held her brother's hand and put out her arm to keep him from moving forward, "Don't stick your fingers in there, Bubby. It's a bunny!!!" I giggled about it again even as I typed it.

9) We unpacked all of our Christmas decorations last week but did not get them up before heading out west to be with my family. We leave to head back to my parents' on Friday...I'm debating whether or not I put a few things up or put them all back into their boxes. Maybe I'll just put my favorite nativities out and a gorgeous set of candle holders my hubby and I especially enjoy in the evenings when it's just the two of us.

10) My washer has been doing a funky thing for probably six months and today, by shear accident, I fixed it. Even though it was completely unintentional, I'm still pretty pleased with myself.

11) The Christmas lights on our front porch just came on. My husband worked so hard to put them up to resemble curtains drawn. I LOVE them, and him, well, I love him even more. Our first Christmas he cut out a J-O-Y sign for our front yard, with baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph nestled in the O. I always have a project for him and he is such an amazing man, he always comes through...

12) For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Twelve

I'm going to take the lead from a friend of mine from high school. She does a Tuesday Twelve post MOST Tuesdays and I enjoy them so. (Thanks, Chandra!) I figured this may encourage me to become more regular in the posting department.

1) My youngest giggles in his sleep...it brings his daddy and me such joy to watch him. Did my other two giggle in their sleep and I've just forgotten?!

2) I'm considering trying to implement some Fly Lady around this place again. I'm desperate!!! I did "bless" my floors yesterday, but still feel like my house has gotten the best of me.

3) Our Thanksgiving tree was such a blessing! I hated to say good-bye to it. I'm looking forward to the Christmas prayer/service chain we'll begin tomorrow. I know it will be such fun!

4) My middle son stayed in his class Sunday at church. When I left him he was bawling. I think he did fine, but when I went to pick him up he said, "Mommy, I was calling you." Breaks a mama's heart...

5) Children are sponges; my oldest had a memory verse she learned Sunday in Sunday School. I was quoting it today, hoping to help her remember it, and she corrected me. Me..."Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works..." Her..."No Mommy, it's that they may see your good DEEDS..." Of course, she was right.

6) My husband has only one more class and one final exam and then he will be finished with school until January. Hallelujah!!

7) My oldest is training her brother well. His future wife will be forever grateful. "Look at my toenail polish, Bubby. Isn't it pretty?" To which he dutifully responded, "Wow!!"

8) Note to self: Do not go to Hobby Lobby to make a return with three children three and under during Christmas season...

9) My hubby and I are reading a family advent book together in the evenings, such a joy. It is our prayer that our hearts and our home would be prepared to worship the Christ Child this beautiful season.

10) Seriously, how in the world does my friend come up with twelve?!

11) I've cleared the mantle in order to decorate for Christmas...mind you, I cleared my Christmas decorations from the mantle in July. No, I am not kidding!! At this point I'm thinking to myself, why in the world did I even take them down?!

12) I've been bound and determined to make a little money doing something crafty. I give up! I'm just going to do crafty things for family and friends and let my husband do the money making thing. I'm off to put matching Pooh appliques on shirts for my three kiddos. Hopefully I'll be able to post a picture soon!

Delight...

How I delight in my middle son. He is such a joy! He's staying home with Baby and me on Tuesdays while Sissy goes to school. Today after we dropped his sister off he proceeded to talk up a storm. He gets extra opportunity to talk when he's the only "children" (as my daughter would say) in the car who's old enough to talk. He waved at the workmen on the side of the road, "Hey guys!", shouted "Yay!!!" and clapped his chubby little hands as we approached the grocery store, and made sure to tell me to "Get Baby" when we were getting out of the van. He was very concerned I was going to forget his little brother. How I love that little guy...

Our Little Girl's First Date and Her First Program...

We recently celebrated a third birthday and the birthday girl, upon turning three, began having dates with Daddy. She was supposed to begin going to bed by herself AND having dates with Daddy. The date was a success, the going to bed by herself, well, we're still working on that!!

Here she is, all dressed up for her first date. Daddy let her choose where they were going to go and she chose breakfast at I-Hop.

For her next date she has selected Barnes and Noble. She is hoping to get a box of milk at Starbucks and score a Winnie the Pooh book at the bookstore. I bet Daddy comes through on both. I've been trying to convince her that really, Mommy is the Starbucks gal, as Daddy doesn't even like coffee, but dates are reserved for Daddy alone!

Last night was her first program...adorable!!! She didn't sing a word, but was, of course, the cutest girl in the place! She intently scanned the audience for her daddy when she got up on the risers and upon spotting him, pointed excitedly, saying, "Uh oh, uh oh, I see a handsome bald man!" As I said, she did not sing a lick, but three different times she pointed out "her handsome bald man." She is such fun!!

Time Flies...

What?! How have I let time get so far away from me??? I spend way too much time reading other people's blogs and not nearly enough time keeping up with my own.

Where to start? We are expecting our third little one in August, August 18th, to be exact, and another little man, to be more exact. We are thrilled. Big sister knew all along the baby was going to be a brother and has even chosen a name, Noah's Ark, still in negotiations, but a darling choice. Big brother ADORES babies, seriously, I've never known a kid to love babies as much. I hope he's as excited when we bring one home to live with us!

The kids are getting so big. I'd include pictures, but well, quite honestly, I haven't taken any in months. I may not be kidding. I don't actually remember how long it has been, but way, way too long. Kind of like the blog!

So, besides, the baby, what's been happening...

Our little girl turned 3! Seriously, she's 3 and while she insists she is still my baby, really, she's turning into a little girl. It thrills my heart and at the same time breaks it. Such a bittersweet time. I suppose that will be the rest of life, reveling in the growth and grieving those precious moments that are gone forever. For now, I enjoy putting her to bed and sharing a pillow, her arm around my neck and her warm breath in my face. Oh how I love her!

Her brother is 18 months old and such a joy. He's learning all sorts of things and loves, loves, loves his sissy and playing outside. He is our official meal time pray-er. He gives thanks for all things, and seriously, sometimes it is ALL things, his mu (milk), ba-berries (blueberries), poon (spoon), ba (bread) sissy, mama, da-da, Bi-ba (Bible), his mu again. We eventually have to cut him off and say, "In Jesus name", so he can wrap up with a loud "Ma-men!" Otherwise we may never eat. Man, how that little guy has captured my heart!

Oh, there is so much more, but it's late and I am determined to walk in the morning, so I'd best get to bed. I'll be back...soon!