Abigail turns one!

Happy Birthday!

We celebrated Abigail's first birthday yesterday, one day early. She did extremely well all morning long! It helped that she had an hour nap just before her party started. She sat in her high chair to eat, chow down on birthday cake, and open presents....never complained. It was a very calm party (much different than my boys' first b'day parties....hmmmmm). There were lots of friends and family in attendance and it made my heart swell to see so many people in our life that care for us. Anyway, on to what you really want to see...the pictures.

My sweet friend, Tera, made the delicious cake. Isn't it cute? Oh my, it was heavenly! Back in February, I picked up some cute pink and red heart paper products on clearance the day after Valentine's. This is what I used for Abigail's party.

Happy first birthday, Abigail!

One year ago today...

One year ago today, we were packing our bags early in the morning so we could be admitted to the hospital for a scheduled c-section. Abigail was due to make her arrival around noon. Before leaving the house, we hugged the boys and took a picture with them. Their babysitter for the day, Anna, was just the person they needed to entertain them since Mom and Dad would be out of sight for quite some time.

After being admitted, I chatted on the phone with friends and family, filling them in on what was about to happen and how I was feeling. Goofing off just seemed normal.... I mean, aren't I normal?

Finally, a little after 12 o'clock noon, Abigail made her debut into our world. Happy parents cried.

God is indeed good.

Our Independence Day celebration

As a family, we've spent the majority of our Independence Day celebrations with our church family. This past July 4th was no different. We gathered to swim, play ping pong, grill out, race cars, hunt "creatures", and swing together. Here are a few moments captured on film ...ummm...camera.

Luke loves the water but spends all his time in the pool just hanging out on the steps. He's getting braver, though. Can't wait to see what tricks he'll be doing next year in the water.

The diving board is Andrew's favorite thing about going to the pool. He just finished swimming lessons and has a new love for the deep end.

You can't let July 4th pass by without a little watermelon juice!


For those of you who weren't aware, Luke is already committed in an arranged marriage with A.C. They have been known to sneak a few kisses when in Sunday School or MMO together. Please save the date of fall 2030.

My "baby's daddy" with our little one. R.M. enjoys hanging out with his Daddy, too.

Looks real, huh? Nope.....pure plastic. However, I was the one who discovered it just a few feet away from me while pushing Luke on the swing. I nearly lost my breath for a second until I realized that the type wasn't indigenous to the U.S. Andrew then proceeded to chase me with it.

Go Speedracer!

The towel was so big that they both wrapped up in it to dry off and stay warm.

Free Nibbler sandwich at Zaxby's MONDAY

Our family loves eating at Zaxby's. My first experience with this restaurant was in college when it was originally known as just Zax's. I remember my college roommate, Libby, lovin' the Kickin' Chickn' sandwich. My favorite item there is the sauce. I dip every piece of food on my plate in that good tastin' stuff. Oh, and they also have another favorite of mine.....crushed ice in the little pellets that are easy to crunch.

So, join me (in mind and spirit) this Monday, July 7, as I go get a free Nibbler sandwich at Zaxby's from from 2:30 - 4:30 . Click here for more details.

Thanks to Freebies 4 Mom for the "heads-up" on this offer.

A day in our life

Just some random pictures from one day this week.

First, we went outside where Andrew spotted the guy from the gas company roaming around the neighborhood on his Segway, checking house meters. This is the real picture of the guy in our neighborhood. Don't you know I ALWAYS have my camera strapped around my neck? HA! Anyway, Andrew was amazed. He is asking for one for Christmas. Yeah, right.

I decided to make peanut butter banana and honey sandwiches for lunch. Yummy!

After dinner, I started washing dishes. Look what I found floating in the bowl in the sink? A fish! I had to take a picture. How cool is that? It's like looking up at the clouds to find shapes except you are looking down into the wet sink to spot marine life. Can you tell what we had for dinner?Yep, spaghetti...can't you see the tomato sauce ring around the bowl and fish? I bet you can if you click on the picture. Ewwwww!

Our baby with her baby

Only one year of age and already she is in nurturing mode. She loves her stuffed animals and dolls.

Wrestling

I have two friends in my life that help to keep my motives in check. I don't see either of them on a regular basis but they both came to mind today. They are genuine and enduring. They ask me deep questions and are totally invested in every word of my answer. When they ask, "How are you doing?", they mean it. Never do they come across as our time together being about themselves. Sure, we talk about ourselves and our lives but they are both the type of people that honestly love and care about their friends [me]. What's neat is that they both know each other (anyone know who I'm talkin' about? I'll let you keep guessing. Hint: They both live in St. Clair Co., Alabama).

So, if I were to sit down with them today, they would probably ask me the same "how are you doing" question followed with the "What are you struggling/wrestling with?" question. I would have to tell them that, today, I am struggling with grief, anger, unbelief, and joy. One of my husband's best friends from college lost his four year old daughter yesterday. Apparently, his wife went into their daughter's bedroom and found that she had died in her sleep. I think that, after hearing this, I am just overwhelmed with the thought of death - especially among children and especially as a mother to little ones. Hearing this story brought back the grief from the drowning of two year old Brody Burgess this past January as well as the driveway accident that killed five year old Maria Chapman just five weeks ago. A friend in church just shared with me that her friend lost her two year old son when she found him dead in his crib last week.

Not to make this post "all about me" but this is what's on my heart -

I'm grieving for Sherri, for Mary Beth, and for Hope. As a mother, my heart breaks for them. In cliche' form, I can't imagine the horrible pain they are going through. I try not to think about what these women will carry in their memory as all three of them were present at the time of their child's death (in some way or another). I grieve because I see pictures and watch videos of these children and can't believe that they were just "here" a few months/weeks/days ago. I grieve because they are gone.

I am angry. I am angry that these mothers and fathers won't get to hold their child anymore. I am angry because there are siblings that are confused and left without their best friend. I am angry because there are sometimes no explanations. I am angry because I want all the answers yet know I never will. Why does God have to get all the glory?

I sit in a pool of unbelief because I know we don't know the number of our days and I selfishly ask the Lord to take me before he takes my children. I don't want to be sharpened....I don't want to be broken....I don't want to be totally dependent upon Him. I don't want to experience His grace....I don't want to be held by Him. I just want these mothers to have their child back (the very same child that God gave them in the first place). I want assurance that I'll never have to go through such horror. Sometimes I feel that my own tragedy is just around the corner. The Lord could take me, my husband, or any of my children at any time...and that scares me. Lord, help my unbelief.

I am struggling with being joyful right now. I know these mothers will see their babies again but I want them to have them NOW. Knowing that they'll see them again isn't enough. I want more. I want them to touch, smell, hear, and see their child. I'll never forget the way that Maja greeted me at her door on the day her teenage daughter died in the car she (Maja) was driving. With a cast on her arm and stitches all over her upper body, she raised her hands in the air and cried, "Glory to God!". God uses all things for His good but I don't know if I can respond to the death of my child the way that Maja did. I don't know if I even want to.

As I type all of this, I am crying...hard. I don't care if you've misread me. Well, I do care....because I want you to know that I love my Savior. I love Jesus with all my heart. I really don't understand His ways and I don't always like His ways. I get mad at him and I tell him so. He always gently answers that He loves me. He always gently reminds me that His grace is sufficient. He is always faithful to me. He promises me good and perfect gifts. God is good. Please help to remind me.

How do non-Christians go through such horror?

Hat

Luke loves to wear a hat.
Any will do but he loves a baseball cap most of all.
What a cutie!

Date Night

Mitch and I went on a date last night...our first without any kids! The few times we've been out over the past year, we've taken Abigail with us since she just plops in any seat we strap her in. Our sweet friends, Chad and Chrissy, offered to come over and play with all three of our children (and bring their five week old), so we snatched up the chance. It was a delightful 3.5 hours!

First, we went out for some good 'ole BBQ. Then we found a quiet spot along the streets of UPtown Columbus and sat to discuss our budget. Some might find this a distressing and terrible thing to do on a date with their husband but I loved talking about where every penny should be spent, how to carry out the system (cash only envelopes), and see where we're making progress in our plan. I must say that Mitch has done a wonderful job at keeping up with our accounts and devising a plan to be faithful in our payments, debt reduction, and other financial responsibilities.

After discussing money, we went to the bookstore to spend some....money that's been sitting on a gift card, that is. There, I got these beautiful pieces of vintage prints/stationary paper for half price! Writing a letter is a love of mine and nothing is better than a handwritten personal note. I can't wait to send some of these to friends and family; however, I did decide to save one of each print so I can frame them for Abigail's bedroom wall. Who knows....I might get crazy and decide to decoupage them to a canvas. I'll post a picture of my final result when I decide when to tackle the project.

Another Bath & Body Works coupon

Ok, girls. Thanks to Wendy at More Than Enough, here's another awesome Bath & Body Works coupon, good until July 6. You should only have to purchase one thing (anything!) in the store to be able to redeem the coupon for one lip favorite or hand gel.

Deal at Walgreens.....diapers!

I went to Walgreens tonight to purchase two packs of their store-brand training pants that are on sale this week for only $5.99 per pack (the same is true of the store-brand diapers). I heard there was a coupon in the Walgreens Easy Saver Catalog (it's red this month and can be found in the front of the store when you first walk in or near the registers) for $5 off the purchase of two packs. So, I got two packs tonight for only a little over $7 after tax. The cashier was impressed and said she was gonna do the same scenario that night before going home to her two year old sleeping son. I love a bargain.



Then I came home, quite proud of the bargain I had just made, when I sat down to my computer to find this better scenario on a blog I love to read. I could've saved even more. Oh well, the sale is good until Sunday, July 6, and I need to purchase two more packs anyway.

"Excuse me, Officer...what did you say?"

After she crawled through the cupboards, she decided to take a spin on her bike. Just shy of her first birthday, she received her first citation.

"I'm sorry, Officer. I was going how fast? No, I always look this good when riding in the wind, but thanks for asking....I think."

It's ok...I was thinking "COPS" when I wrote this post, too. Just look at that messy hair, no shirt, diaper only, jalopy riding, cupboard climbing baby. All the components are there.

Old Navy flip flops

Shhhhhh!

I heard a rumor.....

Old Navy flip flops will be on sale this Saturday for only $1 a pair!

Thanks to Carlie at Why Ask Why for this "heads up".

Swimming Lessons

Andrew has just completed the Skipper swimming lesson course. He did so well and looked forward to every evening in the pool with his instructor, Amanda. He now understands to hold his breath when his head is under water and he's become more brave than I would like - jumping off diving starter blocks, disappearing underwater, and doing flips. Fun, but scary. We are so proud!

My child's portrait

I have a sweet friend named Carolyn. She and I worked together for a couple of years at our school and always enjoyed having conversation in passing or as she dropped off her class in my art room. We share alot in common such as a passion for scrapbooking and anything crafty. Well, low and behold, she picked up a colored pencil one day and started drawing! All these years and no one ever knew, not even her, how gifted an artist she was. Carolyn would never admit to that but I'll brag for her because her work is amazing.

So, after seeing Carolyn's work, I immediately asked her to draw Abigail's face from a picture that my friend, Holly, took. Here's the final result and comparison.

Here's the photograph of Abigail by Holly:



Here's the pencil drawing of Abigail by Carolyn:



So, if you are interested in having Carolyn draw the face of your loved one, please contact me. She is eager to do more work! If you'll email or call me, I'll give you Carolyn's contact information so you can communicate with her directly. She is waiting with her pencils ready!

Another WAGS coupon

Click here for another coupon for $5 off $20 at Walgreens, only good tomorrow, Friday, June 27. I've already got my coupons ready and my list made.

Sickies

Andrew has a fever of 102 and tested positive for strep throat yesterday. He spent the rest of the day on the couch or in my lap. He had a few hours of no fever today (after the Ibuprofen kicked in) upon which he spent fighting with his little brother. Andrew is upset that he missed swimming lessons Tuesday night but he's ready to take his medicine so he can go back to the pool tonight!

Abigail was awake for three hours last night screaming in pain. This is very unlike her. I took her to see the doctor today as well and it was discovered that she has a double ear infection (is that a groan of understanding, Becky? Or are you just glad it's me and not you this go-around?).

Luke.....well, he's Luke. Always perky; always hyper; always a clown. I don't think that child has been sick one day in his life. I just realized something as I typed that last sentence....he's the only one of my three children that I nursed longer than a year. Hmmmm.

Guess what, Mom? Abigail is about to celebrate her first birthday and I'm actually NOT pregnant this go around! I look back and find it funny that I was pregnant with Luke on Andrew's first birthday and then pregnant with Abigail on Luke's first birthday. Maybe next summer. HA!

My first oil painting

I've always loved painting with acrylics but have never dabbled in oils before. I've got a few friends who will be having baby girls soon so I thought I'd experiment with oils by making something for one of them (I won't mention any names). I had so much fun with this project and can't wait to do more.


Note to self: It takes quite some time for the oils to dry. It's been three days and the canvas is still wet. I wonder how long I'll be waiting....

Plastic #6 shrinks!

Once again, I participated in the weekly Unplugged Project challenge. This week the craft topic was "plastic". So, since my brain is almost dead, I (once again) copied the author and did the same thing with the plastic I had on hand.

Who knew that #6 recycable plastic also functions like shrinky-dink plastic? I had prepared myself to go to the grocery store to look for needed items that might be contained in #6 plastic but I realized that the fudge container my in-laws brought back from their Ohio Amish country trip last week was just what I needed!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Start with #6 recyclable plastic (it's thin & brittle)

Cut various shapes from plastic, making the shape at least the size of a half dollar coin.

Draw a design on the plastic shape with Sharpie markers.

Punch a hole in the shape so it can be hung on a necklace, put on a keychain, etc. I would suggest punching two connecting holes, side by side, since one hole tends to become too small after shrinking.

Place shapes, design side up, on aluminum foil (or parchment paper) on top of a cookie sheet.

Place in oven for about two minutes. Watch the shapes curl and then lay flat.


Remove cookie sheet and wait for a minute for the shapes to cool so they can harden.

Ta Da!