Thursday, September 30, 2010
Cheap decor!
So I ran across these two really inexpensive decorating ideas online and I'm totally syked to try them both. (Did I spell "syked" right??). Yay for cute AND cheap!
These floor candlesticks are adorable!!! Click here to learn how to make them (from Impatiently Praying for Patience).
And secondly, here's a way to take 12x12 scrapbook paper and turn it into cute wall art. Click here from Rose Knows Coupons to learn how.
For the Fam
I know it just kills our parents that were in Texas and although I'd like to think it's because they miss Jon and I, we all know it's really Brennan they miss. :) And I don't blame them! He's changing a mile a minute. We're like the worst kids ever, taking their sweet grandson from Michigan to Texas. I do truly still feel bad about that!! Anyways, here's a few videos I thought our families would enjoy of Brennan and his car. You all know how car obsessed he is, whenever we go outside to get in our car, he runs for his little cozy coupe. Too cute!
And here's one of him just hanging out with me in his nursery:
(sorry, this second video is shakey! I am obviously not the talented videographer in this family!)
Monday, September 27, 2010
Stomach viruses and White Chicken Chili
Dear blogger,
Why are you being so difficult? I only want to update a video of Brennan for my sister! @#$&*!
Meg, I'll get up some video as soon as I can, promise! Perhaps when my stud of a husband comes home and figures out what I'm doing wrong. :)
Jon came home on Saturday afternoon from the Story conference. We got a babysitter so I could go pick up Jon and have a lunch date while Brennan was home napping. It was a great plan. But Jon was sick with some sort of stomach virus/food poisoning. Poor guy had to fly home super sick. We did still take advantage of our babysitter and went to lunch anyways. I ate, Jon sipped on coffee and toast. Such is life!
We mostly chilled this weekend and watched football. Brennan is repeating so much of what we say, this weekend he picked up "football" and "peace". So funny.
It's a TON cooler here today in Houston and it's AWE-SOMMME. Our playgroup met at a park today and I didn't want to leave it was so nice out! Yay for fall type weather!! I even have white chicken chili in the crockpot as a celebration to fall.
I love fall. I love fall decor. I love fall colors. I love fall foods. I love roasting pumpkins and squash and sweet potatoes. I love fall scented candles. I love hanging out with friends and family watching football. Yay for fall!
Excuse me while I go eat my chili that's in the crock pot. . .
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Is anyone else praying this week goes by quickly? Jon is in Chicago for the Story Conference and while I'm thrilled for him (I really am), we miss him! Saturday afternoon can't get here fast enough!
And I have to give credit where credit is due. I got the following prayer from Beth Moore's Living Proof Ministries Blog and I thought it was fantastic. It's the prayer of commissioning she has women do at the end of her simulcast in pairs and I wanted to share it because it's THAT good. It reminds me of a quote from this morning's bible study: "choose your travel companions wisely".My Dear Sister,
Your God has called you
To use that mouth of yours
For His great glory.
Don’t just add to the noise.
Become a real woman
Who opens her mouth with wisdom.
God wants the Law of Kindness
On your tongue
And the love of Christ
In your heart.
Never forget:
Kindness is not a weakness!
When you’re wearing down
Head to Christ and His people
And let them build you back up.
Always remember:
His yoke is KIND.
Make sure
It’s the only yoke you wear.
It’s time to go our separate ways
But we’ll all meet up again
At the glorious epiphany of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Until then,
Let the One who led you here
Lead you on with cords of kindness.
Now, get out there
And build a welcoming fire
In a cold world.
Live by the Law of Kindness!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Jeans, Jewelry, and Super Sized Bugs
Anyways, I perused through Forever 21 on my way out of the mall and was just in awe of their jewelry selection and prices. And perhaps I left the store with *several pieces of jewelry. I don't normally just shop for the sake of shopping, but it felt really good to buy something for myself, know what I mean? What a cute cocktail ring wont do for a girl.
We had a great weekend. Friday night I met some friends at the church and did some scrapbooking. Saturday, our small group had a get together at a ranch about an hour north of us. It was beautiful! And the house was completely fenced in so we could let the kiddos run around and not have to worry about them. Besides seeing tarantula sized spiders (Texas grows things big, these bugs are causing me to lose sleep) it was a great time.
And I know I can't end this blog without a photo of the B man. He loves to read books about cars.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Thumb Sucking Suckers!
Hi all!!
So Brennan is a thumb sucker. Around 4 or 5 months old, he started sucking his thumb and it was a LIFE saver for us. He would self soothe in the middle of the night when he woke up or when he was upset and was a much happier camper once he found his thumb. My mom told me her happiest babies were her thumb suckers, and I trust my mom, so we didn't think anything of it.
Well, come to find out, it's kind of a controversial thing!! I had no idea! He's 18 months old now and sucks his thumb when he's riding in the car, riding in the stroller, watching cartoons or going to sleep. I've gotten quite a few comments about his thumb sucking and it's really surprised me. We were going through the Sonic drive thru earlier this week (tehehe, love that place) and the lady at the drive thru counter commented on him sucking his thumb. And then she told me "not to worry because she's 18 and still sucks her thumb". Oh boy. Apparently, people don't think kiddos should suck their thumb. . . that pacis are the only way to go since you can take it away.
So now I'm a little nervous. I'm wondering if we should start trying to get him off the thumb. I'm wondering, if your child was a thumb sucker, how did you wean them off and when? Are you a paci-all the way type of mom? Or are you laid back in this area like us?
I'm really not too worried about it, but I am curious.
In other news, we taught B how to say "yee-haw" and it is a never-ending source of laughter for us. I'll try to get video and post it on here. He's having a word explosion, repeating a ton of words and picking up a least one new word a day. So fun!!
Have a great Saturday!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Wednesdays are like "church" day for Brennan and I. In the mornings I attend a women's bible study and he goes to child care. For this semester, I joined the MOPS bible study and we're doing Kelly Minter's book on Ruth.
Wednesday nights, Jon and I are facilitating a small group as we all go through Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. Jon's Uncle gave us Dave Ramsey's book "Total Money Makeover" when we were first married and we've been huge Dave Ramsey fans ever since. I feel it's set a good foundation for our finances- we're on the same page for a lot of big decisions and both agree to stay debt free. Our friends running this class needed facilitators and we thought it'd be a really good refresher course for us.
Okay, I have more to type, but Brennan is a DISASTER so I need to get off this thing. I knew something was up with him, we could see his gums were swollen and he was teething but he was just melting down with everything. Yesterday was his 18 month well child check up and not only is he teething but he also has an ear infection. Plus he got some shots. Plus, as we were packing up to leave for his appt, he started choking on a cracker. Like, couldn't breathe choking. Jon did the finger sweep and got some of the cracker out and then Brennan puked the rest of it up. I'm not sure if he puked from the finger in his throat or the choking or both but it was pretty scary for all of us. So needless to say, I'm outta here. It's time-out time :)
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Our House "Situation"
We had four months of double house payments last year (one payment for our apartment here, one for our house in Lansing). Killer on the mind, the finances, everything. Thankfully, my brother and two of his friends were moving to Lansing and wanted to rent out our house starting January 1st. They've been a HUGE blessing to us. They told us last week that they wouldn't be renewing the lease (they had a 9 month lease) and we're moving out October 1st. We don't blame that at all, but long story short it kind of had us stressed and on our knees. Jon actually had a couple sleepless nights just wondering what we should so. . . should he get a 2nd job to pay for the mortgage in Lansing? Should we put it on the market? Should we fly home to get it "show ready"? Should we rent it? Should we quit the job at The Met and go back? (well, not really, but the thought did cross our minds.). So on Friday, a friend recommended we list it on Craiglist since she sold their last house on Craiglist. I put up a quick post listing the house for sale or rent and didn't really think much of it.
Lo and behold, the next day, someone called wanting to see the house. My brother (thank you, Dave, you are AWESOME) gave her a tour of the house and she called me ten minutes later wanting to rent it out. Starting October 1st. I.E. no months of double payments for us. Are you kidding me? Pretty much that one of the most relieved feelings we've ever had. We feel comfortable with them as renters, they are both in grad school and all their references spoke very highly of them. Anyways, just wanted to share the good news!
In other news. . . anyone ever been to www.houzz.com? It's a home design site where you can save photos of designs/paint/colors that you like and create your own idea book. Except I don't recommend going to that site if your a renter like me because then you just drool and try to stay patient.
You're welcome.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Our Weekend
Saturday we went to Galveston Island with some friends from our small group. There's a beach on Galveston that you can drive on, it was awesome to have our cars SO close in case we needed anything.
Some of our group, there were a lot of us!
The kids (and adults) dug this out for the babies to play in.
B loved playing with his cars. Shocking, I know.
We've been out and about a lot this week and Brennan was exhausted. They have showers at this beach and while Jon was showering, I was holding Brennan and right there on the beach he fell asleep in my arms and stayed asleep the entire ride home. I'm sure the bendaryl didn't help either. Sweet kid.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Good Things
*Netflix Instant Streaming.
Right now Brennan is currently watching "Thomas the Train Engine" on Netflix instant streaming and I am one million times thankful that we got a Netflix subscription! He doesn't watch a lot of TV but knowing I have Thomas on hand for days like today is just, well, wonderful. He's got a head cold (allergies?) and you would think that would cause him to sleep more. But the funny thing is, it actually causes him to sleep less and today his nap was one hour. Funny, huh? :)
*Playdates with friends
*A happy baby. Besides this little cold, Brennan's been such a joy to us lately that I can hardly stand it.
*Our small group at The Met.
*Running! I ran 3 miles twice this week and although it's almost killed me, it's a nice feeling of accomplishment. I haven't ran 3 miles since the week I found out I was pregnant with Brennan. It's slightly embarassing that that was 2.5 years ago, but, you know, whatever!
*The possibility of our house being rented for TWO years! (more on this at a later date)
*The Ruth bible study I'm going through at The Met right now (and the subsequent child care they are providing during that time, hallelujah).
*Financial Peace University. Jon and I are facilitating a small group for that class on Wednesday night.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Texas On-Going's. . .
My dear friend Katie came to visit last week. We had a blast with her and baby Charlotte! She is on maternity leave and was brave enough to fly with her 8 week old Charlotte to visit us, I was thrilled. I showed her the goodness that is Chick Fil A, we shopped at the Galleria one day, visited Galveston Island and went to MOPS together. One night after the babies went to bed we were able to go to BJ's for drinks and pazookies, YUM! We had a great time discussing childbirth and breastfeeding and high school and the craziness of being a mom. THANK YOU for visiting Katie! (P.S. please come back) :)
We've had a fun Labor Day weekend with friends here in Texas and I am so thankful for them. We've been to the park, out to lunch, had friends over for dinner and had our "annual" labor day get together with some staff families from The Met. Now we're off to detail our dirty/sandy cars. Have a great week!
P.S. We have a possible renter checking out our house in Lansing tomorrow. This is huge. PLEASE PRAY.