Thoughts.

These are just random thoughts - 

Our weekend was pretty good. We did normal stuff - grocery shopping, visiting Memaw and some out of town family, playing outside, etc. 

Levi had fun riding our uncle's tractor. I was surprised that he wasn't scared of how loud it was.

After all the planning, preparation and serving of the food for the men's conference, I've just felt wiped out. We were out of the house every day last week and most days we were out two or more times. Jacob was one of the directors of the conference, so he left around 6 each morning and got home around 11 each night. 

I am thankful for my children although they have been more than difficult today. I think everything last week has caught up with them. Hopefully nothing a little time at home and re-training won't help.

Lily and Levi beg to hold Asher. I love that they love him so much!

Last night was the first time in weeks we got to bed before midnight! Tonight should be night #2!

My sweet Memaw has fallen twice in the last two weeks. I feel so bad for her. Thankfully she remembered both times to use her LifeLine necklace so family would know to come help her. (This is monumental since most other times she's needed help, she hasn't remembered about the button on her necklace.)

Look at this hair! When it's wet, it's nearly halfway down his back! We are trying to decide whether to cut the curls or not.

"Hmm, this looks tasty. Let's give it a try."

With Jacob gone so much last week and then playing for a funeral and a wedding yesterday, I've been feeling like summer has ended and solo parenting has returned. The kids and I got a pretty good bedtime routine worked out last week, now we just have to work on the rest of the day.

I am thankful that God's grace is sufficient for my every need.

My plan this week is to catch up on cleaning, laundry, picking up, and sleep...

Desserts.

I think I mentioned about our church hosting a conference for a few days this week. We have been providing some meals each day. Anyway, I signed up to make most of the desserts. Each night after I got the kids to bed I would get to work making the desserts for the next day.

Banana Pudding for 100 people

5 pans of Brownies

15 dozen cookies

2 Strawberry Pretzel Desserts - my mom made the other 3

It's been crazy but lots of fun!

Sweet Babes.

Right now Lily is really into wearing coats, tights, and long-sleeved anything. Yes, with this heat and humidity! Crazy girl! The other day she was running around in her coat and I found her sweetly playing with Asher. It was the most precious thing to see her hugging him and talking quietly to him. She is such a good big sister. Of course, like any 2 1/2 year old, she has her moments of not being so nice to her little brothers, but we try to focus on the good times and use the bad times as training ground.

Weekend.

Levi and Lily having quiet time in their rooms. We've been doing this for just about 15 minutes in the morning during Asher's nap.

Friday afternoon we had family pictures done with my brother in law. While the kids were napping I ran out to try to find some new shoes. I found these on clearance at Cato and loved both colors. I texted this picture to Jacob to see if he could help me decide - he said he liked both too. :) I finally decided on the green ones and found a necklace that matches them perfectly.

The pictures we pretty well, although it was extremely humid and we were melting after about 10 minutes. Lily got cranky just like she did during our Fall photo shoot. I'm not sure what the deal is with that, because she doesn't act that way when we take pictures of her. Oh well, even the pictures where she's not looking or she has her arms crossed will still be memories we'll be able to look back on and laugh about.

After pictures we took my brother in law out for supper to a yummy mexican restaurant. The kids did great and we had such a good time talking! After supper we used a groupon for frozen yogurt. Yummy!

Saturday was Jacob's sister's birthday. We went out to Cracker Barrel for breakfast (we like CB if you couldn't tell. ha!) and of course I forgot to take any pictures. 

Jacob, the kids, and I headed to get groceries after breakfast. The scariest thing happened - we put the kids in the cart outside like we always do. One of the front seat straps was broken so Levi wasn't buckled in. I was holding Asher and feeding him (we left his seat in the van). We were in the produce section and I asked Jacob to pick up something and I had my back turned. Just as I turned back around, I saw Levi flipping over the handlebar of the cart and  I couldn't catch him before he hit the floor. I was so scared. He landed flat on his back. Jacob came running back over and picked Levi up. A precious lady came and took Asher from me and stood by Lily while we checked Levi. The breath got knocked out of him, but he was ok after a few seconds. His eyes were dilating and tracking ok and he could walk fine. He was extremely pale and he wouldn't talk for about 20 minutes. Jacob went and got Asher's seat so I could carry Levi. Thankfully by the time we were checking out, his color was normal and he was talking. We watched him closely the rest of the day and praise the Lord, he acted completely normal.

Sweet boy reading one of his favorite books - completely back to normal about an hour after his fall.

I did a ton of baking Saturday afternoon - chocolate oat bars, blueberry muffins, 2 batches of mini quiches (for a conference at church this coming week), 2 regular sized quiches, and chocolate meringue cookies (which obviously flopped! i think it was too humid). 

The kids and I took supper to my sister and then went to visit my mom for a little bit. When I got to Mom's, I walked around the back of the van and there was my brother holding a 6 ft long chicken snake. It was dead, but I screamed. Ha!

Sunday we spent time in God's House and visited with family. It was a long but good day.

Happy Monday!

Snapshots

 snoozing.

 playing with stickers.

sweet moments.

reading before church.

watching for daddy.

growing boy.

snacktime.

reading with daddy.

my precious parents.

kale chips.

splash pad.

sweet face.

stinker.

smiles.

ice cube fun.

sharing.

hugs.

loving his new quilt from a dear friend.

Midweek Randoms

We have been having a good week. I feel like I never stop going - but I am thankful I have three little blessings to keep me busy. 

Asher is teething and has been so fussy this week. Teething tablets are my friend!

The kids have been playing so well together lately. It warms my heart to see them getting along!

I am this "--" close to getting off Facebook. I'm just really tired of drama, controversy, negativity, and people posting things aimed at others but not coming right out and saying. I'm already not getting on but maybe once or twice a day, but just letting those of you who are my "friend" know, if I disappear, it's not because I've "unfriended" you, I'm just off for awhile.

We are having a conference at church next week. I'm helping as much as I can with the food - mainly making stuff at home and taking it for the meals. Today I did a big shopping trip to get all the ingredients. It was crazy, especially with three kids in tow! 

Playing sweetly.

I got to talk to my best friend today! It was the best 30 minutes! I seriously miss her so much and hope we can somehow figure out a way to talk more often.

Lily "working on" her shopping cart. Notice the tool bag. I love the heels too. Ha!

I called around to a bunch of speech therapists to get info and rates. I had no idea it was so expensive! All the offices I called cost about the same, so we are hoping to get in with the one in our town. There is a program the state offers called Early Intervention, which would be free, but they don't work with articulation, which is what Levi needs help with to determine whether he needs palate surgery or not.

This week I've been thinking a lot on Matthew 6. There are so many precious verses there, but these are some of my favorites:

Matthew 6:30-34

Wherefore if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Therefore, take no thought, for your Heavenly Father knoweth that you have need of all these things.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

Take therefore no thought for tomorrow, for the morrow will take thought of the things of itself.

Celebrating

We have been celebrating a ton the last few days! Today was my Memaw's 97th birthday and Jacob's Pawpaw's 91st birthday!

On Saturday we celebrated Memaw's birthday. Out of town family came in and our group of 25 (give or take a few) descended on a local steakhouse. We had such a great time visiting and of course, eating. Lily and Levi kept themselves occupied with the lemons and their cups of water.

This boy is a goof ball!

Sweet Asher.

After lunch we headed back to Memaw's for presents, cake & ice cream. It was past the kids nap time, but they did pretty well. 

Levi had the greatest time playing with all the toys.

Memaw fed Levi a bunch of her cake and ice cream. 

I think they both enjoyed it.

We took the kids home for naps and I made dinner for my sister. After the kids got up, we loaded back in the van and went back to Memaw's to give Myra her supper and visit with family. 

The cousins had the best time playing around the farm! They fed goats, rode bikes, threw acorns in the ditch, made goofy faces while swinging, and kicked a ball to each other. I sat outside and watched them  for most of the time. So many memories of my childhood flooded my mind and made me so thankful that my children can experience some of the same things I did. 

After Sunday dinner with Jacob's family, we went over and visited Pawpaw. He is at home now with Hospice and Home Health coming in and caring for him. He was in pretty good spirits. Lily was so sweet to sit by him. She told me today that she doesn't want to give Pawpaw hugs because he looks so scary (with the oxygen and breathing treatments). I felt so bad for her, I know she can't really understand what's going on.

Jacob played some of Pawpaw's favorite hymns - Great is Thy Faithfulness, Amazing Grace, Satisfied, It is Well With My Soul, and Be Still My Soul.

Levi telling Pawpaw bye-bye.

Today was full of more celebrating. It started off with breakfast at Cracker Barrel. Pawpaw has eaten at cb nearly everyday for years. His birthday wish was that he would be able to go there for breakfast after 7 weeks of being in the hospital/rehab. We were thrilled that he actually made it! Of course since he's been so often, all the waitresses know him, as well as lots of other customers. 

They seated us at a great big long table. It was crazy to say the least!

Lily and Aunt Eliz. 

Pawpaw, Asher and my mother-in-law.

Our wonderful babysitter came and watched Lily and Levi while I ran some errands. After naps Lily and Levi helped me make jambalya for supper. Lily insisted that we all wear our aprons. Ha.

After supper we went over to have cake with Pawpaw. He was pretty tired and sat in his chair sleeping most of the time we were there, but we had a great time with all the family that was there. Asher got to play with his cousin who is 3 weeks younger than him. So fun!

What a precious few days these have been celebrating our grandparents! God has blessed us so much! We are thankful for the sweet, sweet memories we've made!