Our Butterfly Garden

Rob and I are definately "project people". We love creating things, especially outside. Anything from landscaping to pond building to gardening and now to building a butterfly garden. We had some leftover wood from various projects laying around and got the idea to build one. We headed out to Home Depot to get some screening, a little extra wood and some hinges for a door. It only took us 1 1/2 days to complete and what fun it's been. This morning, the kids and I headed out to the store to get a butterfly net (caterpillars and eggs are expensive to buy through the internet so we decided to catch our own) and a few butterfly attracting flowers. We planted them when we got home and after about 1 hour, we had already caught two butterflies! Here are some pictures and a short video to enjoy. Of coarse, I had to include a picture of my handsome, little man! =)

My Musical Girl

Avonlea has now discovered how to work her CD player in her bedroom and it's been quite the hit lately! She loves playing her music and using her instruments to play along and dance. Here's a peek of what we were up to this morning. I especially like the little part at the end of the second video where Avonlea is picking her nose. =) That's a two-year-old for ya'. Enjoy your weekend!

National Take Your Kids to Work Day

Today is National Take Your Kids to Work Day and that we did. =) At Rob's company, you can only have your children stay the whole day if they are 5 years old or older so since our little tikes are 2 and under, we were only able to join Daddy for lunch. They had pizza, chips and icecream (all the major food groups of coarse!) in a seperate room where we could go eat at and socialize with other parents and their kids. The last time we were at Daddy's work was right before Christmas time and there's a time at the end of the day where families/kids can come in to visit and see all the offices' decorations (they have decorating competitions and they go all out). Well, there's also a Santa Clause every year and as soon as we pulled up to Daddy's work, Avonlea got excited that we were going to see Santa Clause. I hated to break the news to her that Santa makes his rounds at Christmas time and not in April. Poor girl. She was pretty sad.
Needless to say we had a fun time visiting Rob at his work.
















Air hockey anyone?

A Must Read!

http://money.cnn.com/2008/04/21/news/economy/moms_foodshopping/index.htm?cnn=yes

This article is a must read for all you moms out there. Our economy here in America is really plumiting and it's only natural to worry about how we are going to feed our families, pay bills and tithe. We clip coupons, watch our spending, make homemade babyfood, exchange kids' clothing between friends, shop at second-hand stores, work from home while staying home...we do what we can to make every dollar count. Sometimes, it just doesn't seem "good enough". Read this article and I think you'll see what I'm talking about. We need to keep our leaders in prayer, especailly since we're getting ready to elect a new president this fall. I am reminded of Hebrews 13:17 which says...

"Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you."

Living Up to Lyrics

I wanna set the world on fire
Until it's burning bright for You
It's everything that I desire
Can I be the one You use?I, I am small butYou, You are big enoughI, I am weak butYou,
You are strong enough to
Take my dreams
Come and give them wings
Lord with You
There`s nothing I can not do
Nothing I cannot do
I wanna feed the hungry children
And reach across the farthest land
And tell the broken there is healing
And mercy in the Father`s handsMy hands my feet
My everything
My life, my loveLord, use meI wanna set the world on fire
I wanna set the world on fire, yeahI`m gonna set the world on fire
Set the world on fire

This is a song by Britt Nicole who is a Christian music artist. I've always loved this song because I feel like it relates to who I am as a person. These lyrics are how I want to live my life, but at this point in my life, I often get discouraged at how I can follow through. The fact that I have two, young children often makes me feel as though I'm held back and unable to do some of the things that I've been wanting to do as service for the Lord. I've always been a busy, on-the-go girl (yes, only 1 week after my c-section with Lincoln, I was back in the car and driving around to activities). There are days that as a stay-at-home mom, I feel lonely and unappreciated. This song always gets me pumped up to participate in a missions trip or do something great for God and yet I can't just up and leave my family. I have to remember that there is always a time for everything and God reminds us through this verse:

"To everything there is a season,a time for every purpose under the sun. A time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill and a time to heal ...a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance ...a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to lose and a time to seek; a time to rend and a time to sew; a time to keep silent and a time to speak; a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace."
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Just For Laughs

Beach Weekend

We headed out to the beach this weekend and although taking two, young children to the beach is a lot of work and gear, we had a blast. We went to a local beach that allows dogs so Riley had fun chasing tennis balls in the water, swimming and playing with other dogs. Poor thing. Ever since we had our daughter, she's taken the backseat to attention in this family. It felt good to get her out and we enjoyed our day of fun in the sun together.






We've still got it!!!












Avonlea throwing the ball to Riley.

Lincoln had fun that day. He did try to eat the sand multiple times, but what's a 10-month-old to do right? :)

Happy 10-Month Birthday Lincoln!

My little man turns 10 months old today and he's the light of my life. Besides getting his daddy's handsome, good looks, he's such a fun little guy and watching him grow day-to-day is such a blessing. Here's what the Linkster has been up to:

- He loves saying "ma-ma", "da-da", "na-na"(banana), "ba-ba"(bottle), and today he has been repeatedly saying "ball".
- He has 8 teeth with molars on their way.
- He is walking around furniture with EASE these days and Avonlea has to watch out because he steals her food off her little table when she isn't looking!
- He gets very frustrated when someone takes something away from him.
- Whenever someone has food (especially his sister), he just has to have some.
- We're working on weaning him from the bottle to a soft-spout sippy cup. Avonlea was weaned at 9 months so I'm slacking, I know.
- He will stand for a few seconds by himself, although he's still a little chicken to take any steps.
- He sleeps wonderfully through the night (7:00p.m. - 7:00a.m.), but naps are another story.
- He's been protesting his morning nap lately (this is when I have a few, sane minutes to shower and get ready for the day...oh oh!). He's only 10 months old. The second nap doens't start fading until around 18 months!!! I'm doomed people.
- He's not a shy guy and loves flirting with the ladies in the church nursery, especially
Mrs. Sarah. =)
- He likes to feed himself and I know he prefers that versus me feeding him. My homemade babyfood might not need to be mashed anylonger...just steamed and cut up.
- He likes getting into ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. He loves our kitchen cupboards and drawers especially. Rob's job this weekend is to install cupboard and drawer locks! (He'll be happy about that...I love you babe!)

So, as you can see, he's quite the happy and busy little guy and we just love him to pieces!!!

A Trip to the Aquarium

We took a trip to one of the local aquariums this morning and it was really fun! We went with some good friends and the kids seemed to really be interested in all the animals. We saw dolphins, a baby dolphin with no tail (however, the aquarium made a prosthetic one for him/her!), sting rays, sea urchins, otters, giant sea turtles, fish, shells and other aquatic things.









Avonlea and "E" watching the sea turtles










Lincoln with no morning nap.
Poor boy, but he did have fun.












sea turtle














dolphin

(as if you couldn't tell what
these animals are right?!)

Avonlea trying to pet a sting ray

Lessons Learned...

Well, the garden has been doing really well lately. We've been harvesting quite a lot of veggies and herbs from it, but I learned a few lessons this week about carrots and yellow squash.

Lesson #1: Don't plant carrots too close together or they won't grow large. They'll stay small and don't taste very good. Yep! You guessed it...a whole bunch of carrots went to waste. Well, not completely. They were recycled into our compost pile and those nutrients will eventually help other future plants to grow. (Thanks for the tips Dad!)

Lesson #2: Yellow squash need extra TLC! There is a powdery mildew that grows on the squash plants, particuarly at the root of the stem. To keep squash plants flourishing, you need to plant them in full sun, maintain good air circulation, avoid wetting the foliage (how do you do that!?) and remove infected leaves as soon as you see them.

My Southern Living Garden Book is awesome with helpful tips and suggestions as well as awesome information about any type of plant/tree/shrub, ect. That's where I got this information and I highly reccomend this book for rookie gardeners and/or professionals. My parents got the book for me for my birthday and sometimes I sit and read it like a novel or something. I'm weird, I know. =)

Anyway, here are some pics I took yesterday morning when Avonlea and I were outside.





carrots that grew too small...
better luck next time














cauliflower














blueberries











sweet peas

Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of the book I'm reading talks about the mother's role in planting self-esteem in her children, as well as having unselfish love.

Here's to you moms...(based off of I Corinthians 13)

“If I talk to my children about what is right and what is wrong but have not love, I am like a ringing doorbell or pots banging in the kitchen. And though I know what stages they will go through, and understand their growing pains, and can answer all their questions about life, and believe myself to be a devoted mother, but have not love, I am nothing.

If I give up the fulfillment of a career to make my children’s lives better, and say up all night sewing costumes or baking cookies on short notice, but grumble about lack of sleep, I have not love and accomplish nothing.

A loving mother is patient with her children’s immaturity and kind even when they are not; a loving mother is not jealous of their youth nor does she hold it over their heads whenever she has sacrificed for them. A loving mother does not push her children into doing things her way. She is not irritable, when the chicken pox have kept her confined with three whining children for two weeks, and does not resent the child who brought the affliction home in the first place.

A loving mother is not relieved when her disagreeable child finally disobeys her directly and she can punish him, but rather rejoices with him when he is being more cooperative. A loving mother bears much of the responsibility for her children; she believes in them; she hopes in each one’s individual ability to stand out as a light in the dark world; she endures every backache and heartache to accomplish that.

A loving mother never really dies. As for home baked bread, it will be consumed and forgotten; as for spotless floors, they will soon gather dust and heel marks. And as for children, well, right now toys, friends and food are all-important to them. But when they grow up it will have been how their mother loved them that will determine how they love others. In that way she will live on.

So care, training, and a loving mother reside in a home, these three, but he greatest of these is a loving mother.”



Written By: Dianne Lorang as quoted in Keep the Fire Glowing

You've Been Tagged

Melissa, Lori, Sarah, Lisa and Kris... you five ladies have been tagged so let's hear some more about you! =)

"I've Been Tagged"

My dear friend Jo tagged me so here goes:

What was I doing 10 years ago...
Getting ready to graduate from high school

Five things on my to-do list today...
1. Get updated on scrapbooking (yeah right!)
2. Dry and straighten my hair (It's offically no longer curly, just rediculously wavy. Amazing what having two babies can do to your hair!)
3. Get ready to go to The Hungry Caterpillar performance in Tampa
4. Pack a diaper bag for Lincoln to go to grandma's
5. do the dishes

Snacks that I enjoy:
1. Triscuit's garlic crackers
2. cucumbers, carrots
3. any fruit
4. Frito's (they're horribly bad for you though)
5. blackberry yogurt

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
1. Have my husband retire
2. Travel
3. Give to my church
4. Adopt a bunch of children
5. Pay off debt, our house, cars and kids' college education

Bad Habbits:
1. Worrying about things I know God is in control of
2. Eating icecream after 8:00 p.m.
3. I chew my nails while watching nerve-wracking movies
4. I'm not a great multi-tasker
5. When I get excited about something, I don't often have patience to wait. I have to see it through right away.

Five places I've lived:
1. St. Petersburg, FL
2. Clearwater, FL
3. Greenville, IL
4.
5.

Five jobs that I've had:
1. Nanny
2. Pre-school teacher
3. Middle School English teacher
4. Waitress for a local Mexican restaraunt and Outback
5. I called prospective students for Greenville College from our Admissions office
(fun times huh Jo?!)

Five people I want to know more about:
1. Mel
2. Lori
3. Sarah
4. Lisa
5. Kris

Happy 50th Birthday Mom!!!

Surprise!!!

Mom and I

The boys enjoying some grub and baseball.

This isn't the best picture of my niece Grace, but you can see Avonlea's haircut pretty well in this picture.

"Daddy Day"

Today, Friday, is a "Daddy Day" as Avonlea likes to call it. Rob took off of work and spent the day with us (and it's still going). This morning we went to the Ultimate Party and Play Zone where there's tons of blow up slides, bouncy things and toys galore. We stopped at Chick-Fil-A for some lunch and now our little angels are napping. =) We're actually going to be quite busy this afternoon, cleaning and getting ready for my mom's surprise 50th birthday party tomorrow (she doesn't exactly read this blog too much so she won't find out...he he). Avonlea helped paint a happy birthday sign, we're going to take a trip to the grocery store later for some drinks and snacks and yes, let the cleaning begin! It's nearly impossible to keep this house clean with all the baby toys, snacks and art supplies floating around, but this house WILL be (somewhat) clean by tomorrow.

The last few pictures are of our zoo trip last weekend. We have annual passes and is it ever worth it! We love the zoo, especially the water area where the kids can run around and get wet. It's usually pretty hot here (hello, we live in Florida!) so the water area is a perfect end to our zoo trips.

Enjoy your Friday everyone and I'll be sure to post mom's birthday pics after the party.







































Yes, this is my daughter with her new haircut. Let's just say that mommy has always trimmed her hair, but the other night I was going for an actual style and it wound up being a little shorter than anticipated. Needless to say, we went to the salon and go it fixed. She doesn't seem to mind, but I almost cried when I saw how short it was. Hair always grows back right?

Lesson learned: stay with trimming and don't experiment with styles!

Chapter 2 - Masculine Model of Leadership

More food for thought with me today. =) I'm really enjoying this book, can you tell? I'm quoting in on my blog for goodness sakes!


This chapter is based off of I Thessalonians 2:8-12 and it talks about the father's role in relationships with the kiddos.

There were 5 guidelines for the Daddys...

1.) A Fond Affection -
"It's easy to hug and kiss a baby, even a small child. But as that child grows up, physical affection is often replaced iwth physical aloofness-which can have some disastrous results."

2.) A Transparent Life -
"They [kids] need instruction about life, and they need a father who lets them watch him live it, mistakes and all. They need to see how you handle your finances, how you make decisions, what your values are, and what makes you laugh. They need to hear you admit when you're wrong and see you stand up for your faith. They need to know you inside out-and to feel your interest and belief in them."

3.) An Unselfish Diligence -
"They [kids] don't need material goods in place of your time. They don't need to see the fruit of their father's labor instead of their father. But they do need to see their dad do a day's work for a day's pay; and they do need opportunities to earn their own way."

4.) A Spiritual Authenticity -
"Too many fathers leave the spiritual aspect of child raising to Mom; if Christ is taught at all, it's usually by the mother. Dads need ot teach Christ too, and then live their lives in a way that backs it up."

5.) A Positive Influence -
This is a true statistic..."For every single positive statement made in the average home, there are TEN negative ones." !!!
"Children whose ears are full of hte words "No" and "Don't" and "Stop that!" learn not to trust their instincts, not to try. Children who hear "That's great!" and "You can do it!" as often as they hear "That's not a good idea" will face new challenges with self-confidence and explore their potential without fear."

Please keep my friends Adam and Lori in your prayers as they are in Russia right now adopting their little angel, Ellie (just turned two years old). Things are going better and I can't wait to see pictures of them walking out of that orphanage with her in their arms forever. God bless you guys if you're reading this!

The Strong Family by Charles Swindoll

I found a book this afternoon that I thought might be interesting to read. It's called The Strong Family and Charles Swindoll wrote it. I've always been a fan of Chuck and Lucy Swindoll so I thought I might take into account what this book is about. I really like it so far and I thought it might also be fun to blog about some of the highlights. There are 18 chapters so I'll try to sum up each chapter for the next 18 days. We'll see if I can stick to it. =)

Chapter 1 - An Endangered Species
This chapter (based off Deuteronomy 6:1-24) discusses the responsibility that we, as parents, have to nurture and grow our children in the Lord. He talks about Moses and his responsibility of leading the Isrealites to the land of milk and honey. One of the key verses is Deuteronomy 6:1-5. We need to make sure that we are genuine with our faith because our children are always watching what we do and how we live our lives. You can't fake a love for Christ (although sometimes I think people can be pretty good at it!). "Parents who model this love will forever impact their children for good."

Charles states that the home should always be a place where God can be openly discussed and talked about at any time. (Amen!)

This chapter also talked about family devotions and how sometimes, they don't go over well. Kids can get busy with their own lives (just as we adults do!) and not take into consideration how important a devotional (a genuine devotional) can be. Swindoll gives some neat books and ideas on how to "pep up" devotional time. In the long run, it is our responsibility as parents (not the church's, not a teacher's, not a Sunday School teacher's responsibility) to educate our children in the Lord, making sure they observe us (parents) reaching out to those in need, feeding the homeless, reading our Bibles, praying...being AUTHENTIC.

"St. Francis of Assisi reportedly said, 'Preach Jesus, and only when necessary, use words.' "

"It's a Mom Thing"

My mom gave me a book (It's a Mom Thing by Tina Neidlein) shortly after having Avonlea and I thought I just had to share some of the incerpts...

- Those last 5 post-baby pounds are impossible to lose...especially when you haven't lost the first 20!

- Weird how having a baby makes you remember to take that birth control pill...sometimes two just in case!

- So, if I become a stay-at-home mom, does that mean the kids have to stay home too?

- Wow! I must've kidproofed the cleaning supply cabinet a little too well...apparently, even my husband can't get into it.

- Shouldn't running errands count as exercise? Hello! It's called "running".

- Like any mom, I have dreams for my kids...picking up their own socks, sleeping past 7:00a.m. on the weekends...my dreams are small.

- Telling another adult you have to "go potty" doesn't make you pathetic...okay, just a little.

- I'm not positive, but I think I can hear a choir of angels whenever I open the fridge and discover leftovers.

- Show me a mom without stretch marks and I'll shw you-actually, I'll just sob. Maybe don't show me that mom, okay?

- Can someone please send ME to time-out? Hour...half-hour...I'll sit quietly-I promise!

- They call it a baby shower because it's the last shower you ever get to enjoy again.

-The longest road you'll ever travel isn't a road at all. It's called "the cereal aisle".

- Just because it's a minivan, doesn't mean it won't play Zeppelin.

- Now, "dry cleaning" means...I'm able to scrape the stain off with my fingernail.

I hope this brought about a smile or laugh to you hard-working moms out there!