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Saturday, August 30, 2008

Gustav

I'm sure you all are tired of seeing this image on the tv. However, I bet a lot of you know someone that was affected by Rita or Katrina and is in the path of Gustav. My entire family is bracing for the blow of this storm. They live in the Beaumont area and are having flashbacks to 3 years ago when Rita ripped their towns and homes apart. My grandparents had to rebuild the entire front part of their house because trees demolished it. Fortunately (and surprisingly), my parents' home had minor roof and fence damage. I could go on for days naming close friends and family whose lives were changed in a matter of days. And it could happen again.

My family is coming today to stay with us. My parents will be at our house and my grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins will be staying in hotels. The storm isn't predicted to hit until late Monday or Tuesday, but they are getting out now. They know how chaotic it will be when people decide at the last minute to evacuate.

I remember when Rita came, our church became an evacuee shelter. My parents were here and were technically "evacuees" themselves, but were working alongside our church body to set up beds for weary travelers. It was quite humorous putting them to work, but such a blessing. If needed, I hope our church is able to open our doors again this time.

So the point of my post..please be in prayer for the gulf coast. Not only because I know and love so many people in that area, but because there are so many people that we don't know that may lose everything. Pray that the storm takes a turn and won't even hit land. I know that the forcasters don't think that's possible..but all things are possible with God. I can't even imagine what is going through the minds of the citizens of New Orleans. "Not Again."

I am so thankful that I live here and can offer my family a safe haven away from the storm. I wish we had room for more people!

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Boys and Their Toys

Brody got a new "ride" today. As soon as we put it in our buggy at Target he could not take his eyes off of it. He kept reaching for the box and laughing. He was so excited. I have no idea how he knew it was for him. As we were walking out the door, Matt walked ahead of me with Brody. He strained to look over Matt's shoulder to make sure it was coming with us.

When we got home I sat the box in the living room next to where Brody was playing. He immediately got excited. As I took it out of the box, he kept diving towards it and peeking over my leg as I got it all set up.

Finally, it was time for him to give a test drive. And he was such a big boy in it. So here's Brody in his new "ride."

Yep, he got a big boy carseat today! And he already loves it! I seriously couldn't get him out of it. I put him in it first of all because he was so curious and excited about it, but mainly because I wanted to get all the straps adjusted before we installed it in the car. He absolutely hates his infant carrier. He's always trying to sit up in it and get out. So it is definitely time to move on. He looks so tiny in that big seat but he fits very well and will have plenty of room to grow in it.

So this will be his ride for a long while. He's slowing abandoning his "baby" gear. No more infant carrier, no more swing and he rarely sits in a bouncy seat anymore. How did we get here already?!

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Creatively Homemaking


As I mentioned in my previous post, I love homemaking. And I love sharing with other women. So I decided to go for it...another blog. It's completely devoted to being a biblical, creative homemaker. Thus the name, Creatively Homemaking. I love to write and I love to "homemake" so I thought this would be a great outlet for me. I haven't really even announced it yet, but I've already had a great response from other moms that I don't even know that have found the blog!

Some features of the site:


  • A coupon bar where you can print coupons directly from the site

  • List of helpful websites and blogs that list store deals, money saving strategies, etc

  • Fun posts featuring organizational tips, money saving tips, home management tips, etc

  • Hopefully some coupon giveaways!!

  • And more fun, helpful stuff!

I am so excited about this new venture. I feel like for so long I just took care of my home because I HAD to and not because I love it. And the Lord has changed my heart..and now I DO LOVE IT. And I want to share that with others. So go check it out!

www.creativelyhomemaking.blogspot.com

Monday, August 18, 2008

I Love My Job

I really do. I love my job. The job that wakes me up at 7:30 or earlier everyday. The job where my attire is whatever is most comfortable and may include pajama pants and a pony tail. The job where by the end of my day I have changed shirts a couple of times due to "unexpected eruptions."

I am so thankful to be able to stay home and devote my time to taking care of our son and home. There is no other job so rewarding.

Taking care of our sweet Brody Boy is indescribably incredible. To be able to watch his personality blossom and his excitement as he learns how to do new things. And I love that when he does something, I can send Matt a picture, video, or sound clip to his phone so he does not miss any of the action. I am able to spend 24 hours a day with him to teach him, nurture him, and comfort him. Its amazing watching him intently focusing as I teach him sign language or as he tries with all his might to get into a seated position from laying on his back.

The other aspect of my job is "home manager." And specifically "manager"..not leader, president, or boss. The duties of a manager are to oversee the day to day operations of a company, while still reporting to a higher authority. Matt is the leader of our home. But he trusts me to manage our home while he is away at work each day. Prov. 31:11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

And I absolutely LOVE to manage our home. I referenced Proverbs 31 above. I strive everyday to be this woman. The woman who is a wife of noble character and her children call her blessed. This passage even tells women how they can work in their home in order to please the Lord and their husbands.

Prov 13-17
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family

and portions for her servant girls
She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

This is only a short example of the how the Lord commands women to work in their home. You can read the entire passage here.

So as I was saying, I do love to manage my home. I love coming up with unique ways to organize our cabinets and closets. I love to organize our calendar and keep Matt up to date with what's going on whether it be church or family events. I love the feeling of accomplishment as I fold that last load of laundry for the day. Matt has also intrusted me to handle our finances and bill paying. I try to give matt a weekly budget print out to let him know where we stand financially and tell him what ways I'm finding for us to save money. You get the idea. My job brings me pleasure. How great is it that I not only love what I do, but its a job that brings glory to the Lord and is a blessing to my husband. I couldn't ask for anything better.

I have all these ideas of how to better manage our home and have started putting them into application and have seen a huge difference, whether it be by saving money or ways to save time. I have done a ton of research over the last couple of months in order to turn our finances and home around. I have had a deep desire lately to start a blog strictly devoted to home management. Whether it be organizing tips, money management, craft ideas, etc. The Lord has definitely laid it on my heart to do things differently in our household and I would love to share with others the changes that are taking place. And I would love to hear ideas from other women and moms who are working daily to provide a peaceful haven for their husbands and children. Would this be something that you would be interesting in reading and sharing about? I know that I currently subscribe to a few blogs that inspire me so much with organizing ideas, coupons, etc. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Thrifty Gifting

My sister's bridal shower is this weekend and I wanted to find a cute, creative, yet inexpensive gift for her. Have you shopped for wedding gifts lately? They are outrageous! Even the basic spatulas, potato peelers, and other utensils are like $8 a piece! So I needed to be creative.

I decided it would be so neat to make a cookbook for her with family recipes that we grew up eating, plus to add some in that I have discovered that are fun and easy for a new wife to make. So to go along with that, I wanted to give her an apron. Now if you know me at all, you know that I am NOT a seamstress. So I sought out a very talented friend of mine, Kendra. She worked her magic and whipped up this adorable apron! I LOVE it! I want one for myself!

*Now, I need to say here for all of you that know Kendra... Kendra and I worked out an agreement to exchange our services. I did not go to her and ask her to do this for free. She is way too talented and has 2 little ones to take care of to do things like this for free, I'm sure. So please don't get any ideas and go running to her to start spitting out aprons for you! But I had to give her credit for her beautiful work!

Because this is my sister, I am throwing in other things with this gift. But what a perfect gift for a friend! I would love to receive a gift like this!

My sister never reads my blog..so I'm not worried about her seeing this before Saturday :)




So what are some of your thrify gift ideas? I would love to hear them!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Because I'm Just So Cute

I decided it was time for another Brody picture post. He's hilarious these days. So here goes...


Carrot facial hair. Doesn't it look like a little goatee and beard?

Little Slugger
(there's a lot of these bc he was just so cute in the baseball hat!)



Big Boy with my sippy cup

Practicing sitting up...we're ALMOST there!

Momma's little helper.
He loves to sit in his new table top high chair and play while mommy does work on the computer.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Heaven

Ok, so this is nothing compared to the heaven where Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of God. The heaven that I will one day call my home. But if I had to pick one place on Earth that I would like to spend lots of time, has everything I could possibly want or need, and is just a joy to be in(besides my own house) this would be it.

Wait for it.




Wait for it..



Here it is.



And not just any Target, MY Target. The BRAND NEW ONE right around the corner from my house. I think I've been about 5 times in the last week and a half. It is HEAVENLY.

Brand new shopping carts that a million people haven't spread their germs to.

Shiney new floors that haven't had icees and Starbucks spilled all over them.

That brand new smell that makes you just take a deep breath to take it all in.

And they have such a better selection! The baby department is WONDERFUL! For all you mommies-to-be...you'll have a better registry now! They had a "New Store" sale and they had tons of great baby items for dirt cheap. Food, Baby bath, lotion, etc. I seriously bet I've been almost every other day!

And what's even better...its never crowded, there are no college students (sorry guys, I love you, but I can't even find a parking spot, much less walk into the College Station Target! There's so many of you!)

So yes, it's been glorious for the last couple of weeks since MY Target has opened. So if you ever call and ask where I am, and I tell you "Heaven", you will know that I am leisurely strolling the aisles gazing upon organizational supplies (one of my loves in life), cheap furniture, baby gifts, and home decor.

Maybe I'll see you there!

Sunday, August 3, 2008

They're HERE!!

I was looking for a picture for this post but couldn't find one that would work. And I wanted to take a picture of what I'm talking about...but that would be quite difficult.

So what's here, you ask?

TEETH!!! Yep, Brody's first teeth are coming through. And not just one tooth, there's 2!! It appears that both bottom teeth are coming in at the same time! Yesterday I felt a tiny little something..then an hour later, it had come through even more. By today, the whole top of the first tooth had come through and it looks like the one next to it is about to make its debut! If we can get him to sit still long enough, we can see one tooth for sure and the other is just right under the skin.

So..guess what our life is like! Whining, fussing, drooling, chewing, and BITING! (not on purpose or out of meanness but OUCH!) Even that little tip of a tooth is sharp! The only good thing coming out of this is that he has slept literally ALL DAY today! I guess that's normal huh? I guess he'd rather sleep off the pain.

Along with teeth, he's almost sitting up all on his own, he's eating all kinds of yummy fruits and veggies, and is pretty dang good at holding a sippy cup. Our baby boy is growing up! ok, ok, so he's only 6 1/2 months old..but geez, the time is flying by!