A fun week

We've been having so much fun this week. At school, Andrew celebrated his birthday with his classmates during lunch by sharing cupcakes. Today he was able to go on an egg hunt at school and then, afterwards, we took him to see and hold some baby ducks. Birthday party is this weekend so there will certainly be more pics to come.

Went to the doctor

Today was Andrew's turn for a well-checkup at Dr. Oliver's office. Andrew loves visiting Dr. O but he hates the time with the nurses when they weigh him, check his height, and measure his head circumference. Today he did great....he didn't even cry when they pricked his finger for an iron/hemoglobin check. Andrew won't have to go back for another year, when he turns three. Luke, on the other hand, still has lots of shots to get since he's still a wee one. As usual, my camera goes with me everywhere......

Dr. Oliver with Andrew and Luke

"Well, well, well....how you doin'?"

Silly!

Just being silly.

The RIGHT hat & a cupcake

Finally....first it was the Red Sox hat, then the NY Yankee hat, and now the correct hat....the Braves! For Andrew's birthday, Mitch and I got him his own Atlanta Braves cap. To celebrate his special day, I made cupcakes. As you can tell, the cake and icing ended up all over Andrew's face. What a great picture! We'll celebrate with a party next Saturday so you can be sure to see more pictures of Andrew blowing out candles, playing and eating.

Also, Luke loves tummy-time. Here he enjoys a few minutes laying on his boppy pillow. He's growing so fast - already four months old!

Libby, Annie, & Riley!

My college roommate, Libby, and her two girls, Annie & Riley, visited with us this afternoon. We had a blast just watching the kids play, reminiscing about our college days, laughing at old pictures, and sharing "mom" stories. We put our kids on the couch to get a picture. Luke was starting to fall over so I snapped this one fast. Andrew isn't as fond of the camera as the girls obviously are...I mean, look at them! They're naturals.....could they be any cuter?

I love you, Lib-Dog! Glad you could use the dress. You're a beautiful pregnant woman! Come visit again soon....I can always use some "libby-time".

Spring Break means play time!

The week of spring break is no different in our household than any other week but we have done a few things these past few days that we've not done before. One thing Andrew has discovered how to do is to use keys....now, don't be scared. We don't let him get in the car with them nor have we shown him how to turn the ignition, but he does know how to open the storage room closet door on our porch. Here he is enjoying going though some of his toys that I had put away earlier last year. It's like Christmas for him when he finds toys he recognizes but hasn't seen in a while. It's cheaper and beats buying new stuff!

Andrew will be two on Saturday, April 8. He shares a birthday with his first cousin, Emily, but four years apart. Happy birthday Emily and Andrew!

Crissy, does this outfit look familiar?

Where's my third arm?

Things I can do with one hand and a baby in the other:

1. scramble eggs
2. load the dishwasher
3. load the washing machine
4. brush my teeth
5. type (very slowly)
6. sweep
7. pick up toys while stooping, being careful not to drop the baby
8. zip my toddler's jacket (I have to use my teeth when doing this)

Sox or Yankee?

Andrew can't make up his mind. Two of his best big buddies are Chad, the outrageous Boston Red Sox fan, and Seth, the Yankee fan from Pennsylvania. A few posts back I posted a picture of Andrew in Chad's Sox hat....last night it was Seth's turn to let Andrew wear his hat. Of course, when not in the company of Chad or Seth, Andrew is wearing his Braves hat!

At the Park

The spring weather is awesome! We went to the park this afternoon to enjoy the warmth and each other's company. Daddy and Andrew went on a tree climbing adventure.

Girl Talk

If you have time, please visit my favorite website:
http://girltalk.blogs.com/girltalk/

What an amazing and encouraging place to spend your time at your computer. I love reading the insight this mother and her daughters have to give. It's full of information on various topics...so much that I still haven't managed to look through all the archives. Enjoy!

My two boys

Both Andrew and Luke took a nap this afternoon at the same time, although Luke didn't sleep as long as his older brother. Andrew loves playing with Luke and I managed to grab my camera in time to capture a moment of them together.

Children's Catechism 1, 2, 3

We've been repeating the first three Children's Catechism questions to Andrew for about five months now. He's spitting the answers back to us and using sign language to express himself.

Q1: "Andrew, who made you?"
A: "God!"

Q2: "What else did God make, Drew-Drew?"
A: "All tings!" (he makes a large swooshing circle with his arm when saying this)

Q3: "Tell me, why did he make you and all things?"
A: "For [His] gory!" (his hands are up in the air shaking, praising the Lord!)

Piles for miles

Last night wasn't the first night I've noticed the piles. Little piles of "TO DOs" all over the apartment. I'm getting claustrophobic. This space is squeezing in on me. I'm going crazy. It's affecting my outward-being. Am I making any sense? Look...see, there is my pile of wooden crafts to paint for the boy's room. Over there are my scrap fabrics that I need to sort through and organize. Oh, and on the side counter are various magazine pages I've ripped out to be placed in plastic sleeves for my craft notebook. There's that fine point Sharpie I've been looking for! My nightstand has a stack of books six high that are balanced just right. Yes, I'm reading them all at the same time, picking up where my bookmark left off (right now I'm reading Shepherding a Child's Heart for the second time). I won't even try to explain the mess my scrapbooking materials are in. No organization there and it's driving me insane when I try to find that certain embellishment or tool. The den bookcase has turned into a catch-all for such items. I'm going to a crop this Friday night and I'm going to have to block out an hour tonight just to find the pictures and materials that I need/want to take with me. AHHHH! Oh, and there's my constant TO DO list....the clean laundry has been sitting in the basket for two days now. I'm so happy to have a dishwasher so I can hide my filthy plates....

...Kind of like my sin....I want to hide it so others can't see it. I like to hide it so I don't have to see it or think about it. My two year old can recognize my sin....sure, he doesn't know it's called SIN, but he knows! Ever have those moments alone (usually, for me, that's only when in the shower and sometimes Andrew thinks I'm in danger so he pulls the curtain open constantly while I'm washing causing water to get all over the floor, his socks, etc) when you think back on your sin and you wince in disbelief and embarrassment? Why am I so consumed with ME and not with Christ? Am I wincing because of how my sin made me look or how I hurt the heart of God?

My goal and desire is to be organized for I love to sort things and put them in their proper place. I love sitting on the floor replacing batteries in Andrew's choo-choo for the fourth time in one week and I adore "chatting" with Luke, listening to his cooing.....but I'm tired. However, Christ is refreshing. He waters my soul, cleanses me of my filth, sees me as perfect, dances over me, disciplines me, and doesn't care that my house has random piles of random things in random places.

Finally...a smart blonde joke

Are you tired of the "dumb blonde" jokes"? I'm a blonde and, although I'm never offended by the often told jokes of my hair color, I loved reading the joke below which finally tells the truth and explains what we're really thinking.

A blonde walks into a bank in New York City and asks for the loan officer. She says she's going to Europe on business for two weeks and needs to borrow $5,000. The bank officer says the bank will need some kind of security for the loan, so the blonde hands over the keys to a new Rolls Royce. The car is parked on the street in front of the bank, she has the title and everything checks out. The bank agrees to accept the car as collateral for the loan.

The bank's president and its officers all enjoy a good laugh at the blonde for using a $250,000 Rolls as collateral against a $5,000 loan. An employee of the bank then proceeds to drive the Rolls into the bank's underground garage and parks it there. Two weeks later, the blonde returns, repays the $5,000 and the interest, which comes to $15.41. The loan officer says, "Miss, we are very happy to have had your business, and this transaction has worked out very nicely,but we are a little puzzled. While you were away, we checked you out and found that you are a multi-millionaire. What puzzles us is, why would you bother to borrow $5,000?". The blonde replies....."Where else in New York City can I park my car for two weeks for only $15.41 and expect it to be there when I return?"

Finally, a smart blonde joke. AND THAT'S WHY SHE'S A MILLIONAIRE!

A Great Quote

I think sometimes we think church music should be sunny or majestic, but for me, that’s not where I live most of the time. I live more in longing and hope, in both joy and sorrow. I want to make music that people can find themselves in, not as they think they should be.
-Sandra McCracken

We all have our preferences of music style but we should be focused on glorifying God, not on what we are comfortable singing or listening to.

Why did I torture myself?

Mitch and I wanted to watch a movie tonight so we (or should I say, I?) decided to view Napoleon Dynamite for a second time. Yes, it was my decision...I was trying to be mature in thinking that my opinion of the movie might change if I were to watch it again. Ugh! Why did I put myself through that torture? It's got to be the dumbest movie ever made. I've heard that you either loved the movie or hated it. I am definitely a member of the "hated it" club. From what I hear, there are more "loved it" members. I just don't understand. Here are just a FEW reasons why I spent the entire movie rolling my eyes.

1. What Stupid-O bakes a cake and leaves it on the front doorstep in hopes that the girl who answers will accept it as an invitation to the high school dance?
2. Come on....a pet Llama?
3. Grow up and stop throwing action figures out the bus window to be dragged down the road on a string!
4. I'm all about taking my leftovers home for a later time but who puts tater tots in their knee-side zipper pant pocket?
5. The ONLY time my face broke into a grin was when Napoleon was sitting on the school steps waiting for his ride, drawing a liger. In case you didn't know, a liger is half lion / half tiger.
6. Napoleon's tone of voice and inflection is just weird.
7. Who calls home to have someone bring them their chapstick?
8. Who dances like that?
9. The Happy Hands Club? Come on!
10. I'm not even going to go into Kip and Rico's daily routine......what losers.
11. I'm am ashamed that I even remember the character's names.
12. The ONLY thing I liked about the movie was that it was free of any dirty-words. If there were any then I missed them....I was probably rolling my eyes.

Yes, I know that MTV's purpose in making this film was to show what losers these guys were but it didn't win me over. Maybe I am the stupid one...I never did these things nor knew anyone in high school who was as lame as Napoleon. Get a new last name.

From two to four in a matter of months

Mitch's side of the family has gained two new grandchildren in the past three months. Here is a picture of Emma, the oldest, Andrew (two years younger than Emma), Luke (age three months) and Ella (almost two weeks old now). I can't believe the difference in size of Luke to Ella. The girls belong to Mitch's sister, Valerie, and the boys are ours. At least the McGinnis name will live on!

Potty Time

Andrew will be two years old in just a few weeks but he's already started showing interest in using the big potty. We're just letting him do it himself at this point since it's still a little early to rush into the whole potty thing, but we're impressed with how interested he is in it.

Luke is making more noise each day. He is smiling almost every time someone talks to him and he loves being held. He's sleeping well (praise the Lord) and loves kisses.

That's about it for now....it's been a slow week. We're all sick with either runny noses or sore throats so we've stayed inside for the most part.

24

Well, there's been a tornado warning issued tonight smack dab in the middle of my favorite show, 24. Not just once did they have a newsbreak, but twice! Of course, a tornado notification is much more important than any television show but it's still frustrating. The city-wide sirens have gone off and the tower to the local FOX station went out with 20 minutes left in the show. I'm hoping that I can purchase the broadcast on iTunes so I can see what I missed. If not, someone tell me what happened after they confronted Chloe in the Situation Room.

Kudos

My thanks to businesses that have parking spots specifically for MOTHERS with CHILDREN. That's all I have to say.

Back Home

Wow, it's been a long and enjoyable week. I won't go into detail of what we did each day, since no one really cares to read every detail but those that participated, but I will say that I had fun and am dead tired. I was able to spend some "quality time" with my friend Suzie while sitting on the floor playing with our toddlers. I love talking with Suzie. She's real. She's honest, open, and we share a lot in common. I was also able to spend some more time with her that night when I visited our "home" church for the weekly fellowship dinner.

Thursday was spent with my granny. What a woman. I am really enjoying getting to know her better. As I've grown up I've learned to appreciate her more. That's not to say I never appreciated her but I think I'm growing to respect her more, despite the fact that she and I have very different opinions about essential issues. She's such a spry, clever, and funny old lady. I love describing her to my friends. Unlike some 80-year-old grandmothers, mine still gets down on her knees to garden, still drives a car like a champ, is still active in the local social clubs, and still plays bridge every Thursday with four women who are older than her! Her favorite place to eat is Wendy's so she treated us to lunch (we found no finger in our chili, by the way). Andrew thinks she's cool and loves spending time with his great-grandmother. Granny loves spoiling her great-grands so I wasn't surprised when she walked in with a basket for each of my boys, full of plastic Easter eggs.

Friday was special because I was able to spend it with my college roommate, Heather. It was the day of her 30th birthday and she chose to celebrate it with me. I decorated a cake for her (see picture of another cake I made). What did we do? We sat on the floor and played with our children; my two boys and her three children (one boy and two twin girls). I also got to eat lunch with her and her sweet husband, Drew, whom I think is the BOMB! I love that girl and wish we could see each other every day. Love you, Scooter! I'll keep the candle burning for you.....



I have spots of hair dye on my arms due to staying up til midnight coloring my niece's hair. I spent the regular hours this morning with my mother and sister making a cute flower bouquet from ballpoint pens (see picture). It was sad pulling out of Mom's driveway. Andrew cried for five minutes after leaving. He loves his Gami. It was a good weekend.

Well, thanks for reading about my week......no deep thoughts here.

Our New Niece

Mitch's sister, Valerie, had a baby this morning.

Here is the first pic of Ella Ruth!

I miss my husband

I miss Mitch. I don't like being without him. It's not that I'm clingy...I get my energy from time alone and savor moments of reflection and quiet. But how often does that come my way? Mitch is my home. It's with him that I sense Jesus. Yes, I know God is with me in all I do and everywhere I go but He gave me a best friend here on Earth and I always want to be with my sweet guy. I love you, Mitch, and only two more days til I can hug you, my buddy. Your boys miss you, too.

What's wrong?

Caught Luke crying. He hardly ever cries. What a good baby. He only cries when he's hungry, tired, or when someone gives him hard slobbery kisses at unexpected moments (like in this picture). He's three months old and already sleeping through the night (do you hear the angels rejoicing?).

Today is busy and I can't seem to stop perspiring. I know that's not a pretty mental picture but it seems that my brow is always wet....rush, rush, rush! I'm taking the boys to my mother's house for five days but Mitch can't go due to work and meetings. We sure are gonna miss him. So, today is full of Daddy time, not to mention all the laundry and packing I've got to do. This will be Luke's first trip to south Georgia so I'll be sure to take lots of pictures while I'm there (as if....).

A rainy Friday afternoon

It's 3:30 in the afternoon. Andrew has been sleeping for almost two hours. Luke has been awake for almost two hours. I wonder when I'll ever get them on the same nap schedule. I know.....don't rush it. Let it just happen and let Luke get a little older. I was excited that Luke slept five hours straight last night before waking to be fed. He then slept for another two before "starting his day". It's been raining all day so we've been stuck inside. I'm usually the one clicking away with the camera but Mitch caught a few moments of me with Luke.

A smile captured

Need I say more?

Cake decorating

Ok, so I'm already into scrapbooking and acrylic painting.....what more do I need to dive into? Well, I attended my first cake decorating class last night and loved it! I've got several more courses to take before I can start making the big bucks (weddings and birthdays) but I'm enjoying all the fun tips and techniques. So far I've learned how to make the icing (do you have any idea how much Crisco and powdered sugar goes into that recipe?.....you don't want to know!), how to color it, how to spread and smooth it onto the cake, and how to ice a cake using several decorating tips. I'll be sure to take pictures of my masterpieces/disasters next week! I hope I don't gain too much weight dealing with all this icing each week!

Another Video!

Click here if you can't see the video.

You must view this!

You will definitely want to see this cute video. Click on the link to the right that reads "The Chambers Family blog". Their twin daughters, Kate and Lily are a little over a year old and have discovered that they can make funny noises with their tongue. It's hilarious! While you're there, read Phil and Jennifer's story as to how God blessed them with the adoption of these precious girls from China.

A Day of Drama

If you notice the time, I'm still up....it's after 1:00 a.m. My youngest child is refusing to go to sleep so I sit here next to him trying to calm him down so he can visit dreamland (...no, I'm not speaking of the famous ribs you'll find in Tuscaloosa and B'ham!). Wednesday (is that today or yesterday...do I type it as "today" or "yesterday"?) was quite an eventful day for us. A day full of drama. It would take too long to type it all in paragraph form so here it goes the quickest way I know how since my head is about to fall off my shoulders:

1. Ran many errands this morning and things went pretty smoothly
2. Picked up Andrew from school and things were still going smoothly
3. Got home to get ready to put Andrew down for a nap, but.....
4. I went down instead....literally. As I was holding Luke, I tripped over the bouncy seat and fell, hitting my head on the door frame. Fortunately, I was quick enough to transfer Luke from one hip to the other so his head would be safe.
5. As I hit the frame, I see terror in Andrew's eyes and hear him let out a blood curdling scream. He was frozen in fear and worry. He slowly walked toward me with tears rolling down his cheeks. It took forever to calm him down and assure him I was OK.
6. Since Luke was transferred rather quickly from one of my hips to the other, he, too, was shaken and scared. So, here I was on the floor with a bang to the head trying to hug and comfort too screaming babies.
7. Called Mitch to come home and help me....he finally put Andrew down for a nap.
8. After naptime, I decided to make a much needed grocery store trip...with both boys. Mitch was at the church praying (for my banged up head!) so I was alone on this journey.
9. I really, really, really wanted to go to Publix but had two coupons for some free stuff at Winn-Dixie so off I went.
10. Why is it that out of all the carts/buggies at the store that I always manage to find the lemon? I didn't realize it was a lemon until AFTER I had gotten both boys situated in it and began "driving" down aisle 1. The bottom was about to fall out, the wheels were rusty and caused the buggy to stop for no reason, and, of course, it made an awful clanking noise with every push.
11. What's this.....a crying baby? Only on aisle 3. Did I mention that I'm nursing? Glad I had a bottle ready (insulated, mind you). No, Andrew....you may not pull down all the Oreo cookies from the shelf while I'm parked here feeding your little brother.
12. Got Luke out of the car seat since he was tired of staring at the grocery store ceiling. I'm now pushing a buggy full of groceries and a two year old. I've got a three month old on my left hip while pushing and manuvering around corners, trying not to bump into anyone along the way. And why is it that people park/stop their buggy in the middle of the aisle when looking for an item (esp. on a Saturday)?
13. Finally.....my list is complete....let's go check out. What? Only two of the twelve registers are open? You got to be kidding! What long lines.
14. The cashier forgot to scan the coupon so she sent the bag boy (is that the PC word? - who cares...) to get me another from the store display. He returned a few minutes later with no coupon. He said he couldn't find the display. After telling him for the third time where it was, another bag boy was sent. He couldn't find it either. The line behind me is getting longer and my children are getting more irritable by the minute (and so am I!).
15. A manager is called to the scene. I think he was 17....highly incompetent. He was no help. I finally told the cashier that I would go get the coupon but I was taking my children and buggy with me. As I get halfway to the display I see a third bag boy walking toward me with the coupon in hand coming directly from the area where I had said the display was located. AHHHHH!
16. I try to turn my loaded buggy around but can't and I watch as two men walk past, offering no assistance. Three random buggies are clogging the aisle so I ram them, wiping the sweat off my brow.
17. I finally pay for the items and am so frustrated that I refuse help from one of the many bag boys in unloading my groceries since all I want to do is strangle them all.
18. I've been gone way too long and realize there's no time to get home and cook dinner before Andrew's bedtime so I stop at McDonald's.
19. In the drive-thru I order. Two cars ahead of me is a person who can't find their wallet and we're all stuck since the drive-thru is blocked in with bushes. Andrew is crying for a french fry.
20. Home Sweet Home.....
21. Oh, and one more thing. My kid shoplifted a Thomas the Tank Engine book today while we were in Toys-R-Us spending a gift card. I didn't realize I'd left the store with it until I was folding the stroller to load it into the van. Of course he didn't intentionally steal it but I had to explain the story to the management when I walked in with the unpaid item. I wonder if they captured the take on camera? Well, if they did then I'm sure we'll see it on INSIDE EDITION in 20 years when Andrew is famous. HA!

Ok, so it ended up being long like a paragraph....HUSH!

Luke's Video Debut

Click HERE.
I'm not sure why it's so dark, but we're learning! The audio seems to be working now!!!!

Red Sox?

Red Sox? Our friends, Chrissy and Chad (well, just Chad, really), love the Red Sox and managed to find the opportune time to put this cap on Andrew's head. We're trying to work it out to go to Atlanta to see the Braves spank the Red Sox in the summer.....I'm definite we'll have bought him a Braves outfit by then. I'll be sure to post a picture of that!

Sweet Baby

I realize that some readers of my blog may tire of always tuning in to see or read another posting about my children but motherhood is my life right now and I am enjoying this season so much. There are times when I gaze in Andrew and Luke's eyes and am overwhelmed with such love in my heart for them. I can't gather the words to express my thoughts. I found this quote by Elisabeth Prentiss, on the birth of her children, which I find helpful in explaining my heart:

Here is a sweet, fragrant mouth to kiss; here are two more feet to make music with their pattering about my nursery. Here is a soul to train for God; and the body in which it dwells is worthy all it will cost, since it is the abode of a kingly tenant. I may see less of friends, but I have gained one dearer than them all, to whom, while I minister in God's name, I will make a willing sacrifice of what little leisure for my own recreation my other darlings had left me. Yes, my precious baby, you are welcome to your mother's heart, welcome to her time, her strength, her health, her tenderest cares, her life-long prayers! Oh, how rich I am, how truly, how wondrously blest!

What an honor to be a mother. How thankful I am that God chose to give me such blessings.

New glasses

Andrew's new glasses.

Publix Field Trip

Luke and I accompanied Andrew on his class field trip to Publix this morning. There, he saw the deli slice meat and cheese, learned how the bakery decorates cakes, watched the butcher cut meat with a metal glove, touched a live lobster, tasted fresh pineapple, and waved at the pharmacist as she counted pills. Since he was so excited about touching the lobster, we came home and downloaded/printed a lobster coloring sheet off the Internet. He and I sat in the floor coloring and talking about that lobster for what seemed like forever! What a memory! Here is the finished masterpiece.

My single brother

He will hate me for doing this but I can't resist. Here's a picture of my 30 year old brother, Stuart. He's single and lives alone in Atlanta, working hard for a company he's been with for 7+ years. Isnt' he a cutie? So.....do you know any single godly women?

Baptism

Luke was baptized yesterday during the church service by his daddy. What a glorious celebration of God's covenant to His children. Above, the grandparents (Gami, MeMe, & Pop) enjoy a moment with their grandsons.

Cheesy Smile

Crooked smile and lacking a full set of teeth...but cute, nonetheless.

Yummy Baby

I love holding Luke on my shoulder like this. He likes to leave a little spit on me every once in a while (yes, that's his drool on my shirt). I could just eat him up!

My favorite preachers

I'm on a sharing kick today. Here are the the names of my favorite preachers, in no particular order:

Mitch McGinnis (duh!) www.westminsterpca.blogspot.com
Burt Boykin www.communitypca.blogspot.com
Steve Brown www.keylife.org
Tim Keller http://www.redeemer2.com/resources/index.cfm?fuseaction=media
Bob Flayhart http://resources.christianity.com/default/ompc.aspx

"It won't happen to me..."

You should really read the latest posting on Mitch's blog (see his link to the right). Although I've never had cancer, nor had anyone extremely close to me develop cancer, I've never given much thought to the disease and all that it affects. I guess I've had the selfish attitude of "it hasn't and won't ever happen to me", so I've remained comfortable with myself and with MY routine....living a life of "it's all about ME". After reading John Piper's view on life and on what he's learned in his battle with cancer, I realized how little I've cared....about the life of others and my own. What is the purpose of life? Only to love God and to enjoy him forever. How do I do this? By caring about the Gospel, sharing it with others, living it out in my own life, and ENJOYING the life God has given me. My eyes are open and I look back and see how I, too, have wasted so much despite the fact that I don't have cancer as Piper does. He wrote such powerful words on the eve of his surgery. WOW! I bet you wanna read it now, huh? Click here to view it.

Random thought for the day:
I've already picked out the names of our future dogs (in no particular order):
Piper, Calvin, Edward(s), Packer, Tolkein, Spurg(eon), Knox...and of course, Luther

Weekend

A relaxing weekend. We didn't do much but hang out around the house and enjoy each other's company. Church was great but Luke was hungry during Mitch's sermon so I missed it, once again. After small group tonight, we took the boys to McDonald's to play in the play area. Luke slept through all the fun but Andrew and I tackled the high stairs and slide! I managed to snap the camera at just the time Luke let out a huge laugh, hence why it's a little blurry.

I am in love

Motherhood is grand. Such joy and delight I take in my sons. Despite the lack of sleep and private time this duty brings, I wouldn't trade this job for anything else in the world!

Handpainted Canvas

By the way, I've started monogramming canvases by hand (see above). I love to paint and find this as a great outlet of relaxation for me. It all started by making them for friends with new babies but I've started filling requests and making them for teenagers and college students as well. Let me know if you'd like for me to make one for you and I will stick it in the mail to you when I'm finished. It only takes me a few days to complete one...usually while sitting in the floor when watching my favorite TV show, "24". Let me know the initials and color scheme you'd like to have. Size = 8.5 x 11 : Cost = $14 flat.

Oops....

Guess what I did today? I realized, after four hours, that I had my jeans on backwards. Since having two little babies in the house demanding my time and energy, I grabbed the first pair of jeans off the floor and simply put my legs in them without looking for the tag. It wasn't until I returned home from being gone all morning that I realized my mistake. I looked down at my jeans and saw the two back pockets facing me! I just rolled my eyes and sighed.

It's the middle of naptime and I'm still trying to get both boys to sleep at the same time. Andrew goes down for his nap pretty well since he's almost two and used to the naptime routine. Luke, however, is still too new to the world so he's a bit harder to calm. Anyway, you can pray that they will soon be sleeping during the same two-hour-window.

Apartment living has its ups and downs. Now, we love the management here and often stop by their office to chit chat, even when the rent isn't due....but, no one can say that apartment living is better than living in a house. I have to be careful what I say here because my wonderful friend, Sandi, is in charge of this entire complex (and does a heck of a job managing it, I must say!) and she reads my blog. It seems that everyone in the world does business while my children are trying to nap in the afternoon. The lawn crew weed-eats and cuts grass outside Andrew's window, cars being started at 5:30 each morning to warm up for 15 minutes before their owner leaves for work, motorcycles being parked right by your master window, people coming home at 1:00 a.m. talking loudly on their cell phones, tenants stopping at the bottom of the breezeway staircase by our bedroom window having a conversation, the carpet team installs new carpet upstairs, the neighbor decides to wash his car with his stereo on full blast, car lights flashing in our windows since we're in the middle of the building at the bottom of the entrance...oh, and did I mention that the water-main faucet is located just below Andrew's window so he hears it when it squeaks being turned on and off. We chose to live on the floor level since I was pregnant at the time of our move and didn't want to take stairs being "with-child" and carrying a toddler. That seems to be the only good reason to live on this level in the front of the building. If we live in another apartment, I'm gonna be sure to ask for a floor level in the back of the building where there's a terrace level below me so there's no car lights flashing in my eyes, no men walking just outside my windows cutting grass, no stereos to listen to while so-and-so washes his car, no dog poop on my porch, and no public water faucet that squeaks when being turned. This is no reflection on the management (I love you, Sandi!)....it just comes with the neighborhood....the apartment neighborhood, that is.

On a more positive note, the advantage to renting is you don't have to make repairs. Our hot water heater decided to die on us last week and the management hopped right on it. We had a new hot water heater in no time. Our toilet sprung a leak.....after making a quick phone call, Mr. Maintenance Man was here with a new hose for it. You're the best, Sandi!

(I'm scared to publish this post...will I regret it later?)

Gotta go....I can hear Andrew crying. He's only slept 30 minutes. The guys are installing carpet just above his room. "Hammer, pow, boom, rattle, hit, pow, hammer!"

Bubble popping time

I really enjoy being with my church family. We spend a good amount of time with them on Sunday mornings and evenings. A few of them took us out to eat lunch after the service and then we all gathered tonight for a SuperBowl party. It's just fun to socialize and mingle with those who are like-minded. I think I get too comfortable in my "Christian-Bubble"....

....Yesterday, Mitch had a converstation with a gentleman who is one of our upstairs neighbors. He and his family are new to town (there's always someone moving in or out due to this being a huge military area) but are living in the apartment for a short time while also making a house payment on their home up north. Anyway, the house they own was burglarized this past week so he, the father/husband, hopped on a plane this morning to get back and see to the matter. While speaking with Mitch in passing yesterday in the parking lot, he mentioned that he needed a place for his kids to stay in the afternoons when they return from school while he's gone, only until his wife was home from work each day. Mitch told him that we'd be glad to help out in any way. My thoughts? "Am I gonna have any help in the afternoons if he takes you up on your offer?" Was I really glad to offer my help? No. To be honest, I only thought of myself. I want my afternoons to be the normal afternoons I was used to with only my two children and no more. I want to do what I want to do on my time, without tending to someone else's needs. I mean, I have errands to run and things to mark off on my TO DO list! I want, I want, I want...blah, blah, blah.....How selfish of me. I didn't even care if the family were Believers or how I might be able to minister to them. How thankful I am that my Father doesn't think that way about me. I'm a worm. I'm glad the Savior desires to expose my sin, show me His way(s), and pop my bubble.

Brothers

Andrew: fair skin, blond hair, blue eyes = Jawan's baby
Luke: olive skin, dark hair, brown eyes = Mitch's baby

Andrew loves holding Luke when sitting on the couch. He holds his arms out and says, "Hold? Hold?" while motioning with his fingers toward Luke. Sometimes I think Luke can sense Andrew in the room because he smiles much more when hearing Andrew's voice. Of course, it could be just gas.....

Hats

Mitch and I have decided to try to walk 6-12 miles each week together as a family. Before loading the boys in their stollers tonight for our outing I couldn't resist taking a picture of my three men in their hats.

Laid-back boys

Mitch enjoys having his sons sleep and snuggle on his chest. Here, he and Luke take a break from their day to relax. My mother and brother were both here to visit us this weekend so Andrew and Luke got lots of kisses and hugs. Andrew enjoyed wrestling with his Uncle Stuart and feeding the ducks with Gami. Luke was passed around and held by everyone that could get their hands on him. Family is a wonderful thing.

Two extremes

One baby likes to sleep on his back and does so peacefully. The other "baby" likes to sleep (and play) on his tummy and does so with much vigor. I love being a mother to boys.

Sweet Face

This picture makes me want to cuddle with him all day!

In need of a clean sweep

Our apartment is slowly turning into Toys-R-Us. I finally sat down one night and purged through the toys but I don't think I even made a dent. Christmas arrived meaning more toys have made their home here, too. I have to watch where I step for fear of tripping and landing on a child or injuring myself. It doesn't help that we live in a small apartment (I feel I shouldn't complain because we have friends who are living in a similar apartment with three children!). We are growing too big to fit in this space and the clutter and lack of storage space is beginning to take its toll on me.....leading to much frustration. I have it on my TO DO list to sort through the piles of stuff (I'm not a pack-rat! It's just that there's no place to put the needed things) but my time is full of more important things right now. When I looked around at the piles of clutter the other day, a surprised smile came to my face. It made me grateful that, despite my cluttered heart, the Lord pursues me and delights in me regardless of my sinful condition. It amazes me that he sees me as perfect. He has made a clean sweep of my dirty heart! My outlook should be the same so I'm gonna pray that I NOT get all worked up about making vacuum lines in my carpet (I can't see my carpet anyway).

Generations

A picture of my mother and her five grandchildren: Meredith, Ethan, Emily, Andrew & Luke. The oldest three belong to my sister. My brother is 30 and single, living in his bachelor's pad in Atlanta. Ok, Stuart....it's time you find a wife and add some to this mix!

Laura came to visit!

Our sweet friend, Laura, came to visit us yesterday and today. She's a freshman at Auburn University and since her home is two and a half hours away, she decided to spend her long holiday weekend with us! We were so glad to have her here. She is a joy to be around and a huge help! We took my two boys shopping today and then she and I watched a movie while Andrew took his afternoon nap. I love you, Laura!

A keepsake for Luke

A local pottery studio invites parents to bring in their infants to paint a free tile with their child's footprint. So a friend and I took our infants Friday morning and above is the result of my time (although it hasn't been glazed or fired in the kiln yet). I love to paint and make things so this was right up my alley! I only wish I had done this same thing for Andrew when he was a baby. I can't wait to show you the finished product. Sorry this post isn't all that exciting....I've been too busy changing diapers to think of anything else to write about.

Loving Your Neighbor

This breaks my heart and makes me angry!

BUT -- is it any worse than ignoring the fact that there are thousands of homeless in MY city?

Handsome little guy

Andrew is growing up way too fast. While eating out tonight with his grandparents, two teenage girls stopped to flirt with him. He enjoyed all the attention. I can't believe that his eyes have remained so blue since birth! Is he really almost two years old?

Mitch's Birthday #35

Mitch's 35th birthday was today. The best way to celebrate was by being in church together, especially since it was my first time back since giving birth to Luke. After the service, our church family gathered for lunch but not before surprising Mitch by singing "Happy Birthday" and giving him a huge cake. Since we didn't do the Christmas card thing this year, we posed for the first time as a family of four for this new year. I'm so happy to be surrounded by these three men!

Are Those The Village People!?!

Last week we were at the Dr.'s office with our boys. We were admiring the construction site border/wallpaper and having fun pointing out all the different trucks, trains and other vehicles for Andrew when I noticed this:Yes, right there on the wall paper, are the Village People doing the YMCA dance! How random is that!?

You might be a RICH redneck if...

you build a house here.

Hey, It's Mitch!

OK -- I forced Jawan to let me start posting on this site -- it is "The McGinnis Message" -- not "The Jawan Message." She wouldn't even have a name for her blog if it weren't for me!
Anyway, I have things I want to say that wouldn't be appropriate for the pastor's blog, so now you get to hear from me -- until she decides to kick me off! Jawan, please let me stay!

Cutie Pa-Tootie!

"Huh, what? Who? Yeah...."

I am so sleep deprived that the words coming from my mouth aren't making much sense these days. So, if you call my house at any point in the day, make sure you repeat all that you say because it's highly possible I didn't catch any of your information the first time you said it. Believe me...ask my sister-in-law.

This will be #4 for me.....

I visited the dentist this morning to find out what could be done about the mouth pain I've been having. Good gracious, it's time for another root canal. I seem to have one about every three years. Part of me wishes for my dentist to just pull all my teeth, get me out of my misery, and give me a full set of dentures! I can deal with blood, wounds, and broken bones but there's two types of pain that I find hard to tolerate.....tooth/mouth pain and stomach issues. I guess I just would rather see what's causing me pain rather than dealing with what's going on internally. Wow, one could really read something spiritual into that statement, huh?

Mitch and I have a date tonight to see Chronicles of Narnia. We're taking Luke with us but have a sweet babysitter to come watch Andrew while we're gone. I can't wait!

More pictures to show off

TOUCHDOWN!

Brotherly love