It's Been a BIG Week Around Here!

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ now Jones can write his ABCs. . . Happy, Joy, Elated, Proud, RELIEF!!! Just a few of the emotions I felt after "school time" yesterday--Joens' is on his way to making an "A" in handwriting, or is it an "S" these days? Well whatever it is, I NEVER thought I would see the day that my little boy could write his ABCs!!!! This my friends is a BIG step around here. . .

Now for BIG step #2 this week--his bike riding skills! Last week Jones asked his Daddy to take off his training wheels and of course he did--Trey worked with him a little, but they both got frustrated with that situation pretty quickly. Soooooooooo Laynie and I have worked with him everyday so we could surprise Daddy, and look what he can do now--be proud Popa, he can ride!!! :-)



So we still need to practice breaking and turning, but that will come!! Good job Jones!

Sweet Sleep!

Jones entered Laynie's room early this morning to catch a few more ZZZZZs with his Sissy--this is what I found just a couple of minutes ago. I'm glad they both like to snuggle!

Tulsa Time

We took the kids to Tulsa a couple of weekends ago to check out the Oklahoma Aquarium. We weren't sure what to expect with sea animals and salt water this far away from the ocean, but we were pleasantly surprised. The kids really enjoyed themselves checking out all the sea creatures--Laynie even took (and kept up with) her camera! We picked our favorites--Jones liked the baby alligator and Trey the turtles while Laynie and I both went for the super cool jellyfish (just like in NEMO). It's funny to me that the boy's favorite animals could be found right here in AR & OK while the girls really did choose a sea animal to like! :-)
After the aquarium, we HAD to go by Bass Pro Shop, and they were having some big PBR event (professional bull riding). They had lots of things set up in the parking lot for kids to do, but ours chose this--never in a million years did I think my children would end up asking to ride a bull, well a mechanical bull that is!

Go Jones Go!

Our little swimmer's confidence just keeps getting stronger and stronger. He didn't even want in the pool without floaties at the beginning of the summer and now look at him! I guess this is what a few weeks with swimming almost everyday can do for you! Be sure and listen for the 'commentator;' I think she could talk non-stop for half a day easily! :-)

Burgers Anyone?

Are these not the cutest things? I saw this idea on my friend Julie's blog, and I knew I had to try it. For complete instructions and pictures, you can go here.

I wanted to get these done on our first Make-A-Memory-Monday, but it does require a lot of baking (and work might I add) especially since I had to make two batches of cupcakes since the first batch flopped partly due to my good kitchen help! :-) So the burgers and fries were completed on Having-Too-Much-Fun-Tuesday! The kids enjoyed watching the burgers come together, eating them, and delivering them to various people. I will admit that the fries are what I sampled and they were very yummy!

I do think this has started something though--we may try cake balls today!

Flip Flop Fiasco

Do you notice anything strange about the flip flops on my feet? They are both brown and both Nikes; however, they have different straps and are therefore NOT the same shoe!!! The one on my right foot is new for this summer, and the one on the left foot is from my 3 year old flip flops (that I think I wore everyday). So are you wondering what the fiasco was? Well let me explain.

Last Thursday I had another follow-up oncologist appointment in Little Rock. It was at 10 am so I had to leave VB around 7:30 or so. When I woke up I was faced with many decisions...can I lay in bed a few more minutes, how many more chapters of my new Karen Kingsbury book can I read without being late, breakfast or not, which outfit should I wear, a little make-up or really 'get ready', straight hair or curly hair......all these decisions! I hurriedly got out of bed, read a couple of chapters while eating a quick bite, picked out a cute (why did I want to be cute at the drs. office?) outfit, a little make-up, and curly hair, grabbed my flip flops out of the basket and was off to Little Rock.

About 30 minutes into my trip, I looked down and guess what I saw? That's right--I had on 2 different flip flops! Oh great, now what am I going to do? I immediately called Trey and my mom and shared my situation with them. I also informed them that I would be stopping at Target in Conway to pick up yet another pair of brown flip flops because I was definitely NOT wearing shoes that didn't match! :-)

A few minutes after I made that declaration, I began to think about all my flip flops--6 pair in all. 3 browns, 2 blacks, and a blue pair Question--Did I really need my 4th pair of brown flip flops? Answer--No!

I honestly think God was teaching me a lesson through my flip flops--if you remember back to my morning and all those silly decisions I was worried with. Did anything I was preoccupied with that morning actually have anything to do with helping me grow and become more like Jesus that day? Did I spend any time in His Word that morning? Or was I more concerned with myself and how the world was going to view me?

In 1 Samuel 16:7 it says, "But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

I mean really, was I more concerned with what others (a doctors office full of strangers in this case) think of me that I would go waste money on more brown flip flops? Or did I need to wear those un-matching flops to remind me that day (and every other time I grab my shoes) that what matters most is my heart? I can look like I have it all together, matching flip flops and all, but my heart can still be a mess! That day I was convicted that it doesn't matter how others percieve me (crazy girl that doesn't wear matching flip flops), what matters is living a life that is pleasing to God, even if that means wearing flip flops that don't match on occasion! So I by-passed Target and walked in the doctors office laughing at myself and my un-matching shoes!

I was also reminded that I have a daily decision to make about what I do with God and His Word--I can either ignore Him and care more about my sinful desires, the world, & my outward appearance while neglecting my heart, or I can take care of my heart first by depending on Him daily, meditating on His Word and letting Him teach me more about Himself.

What decision will you make today?

PS--Just for fun--go in that closet of yours and grab some flip flops that don't match today just to be reminded that Jesus cares more about your inside than your outside! :-) Hope you have a blessed day!

What--A Wedding?

Well as you know, it was "Cousin's Week at Momo's House." On Wednesday, I was invited to attend Princess' Wedding to Bentley. Princess is Laynie's favorite bear and Bentley is Jones' puppy. Laynie and Mallory were very creative and detailed in planning Princess' big day! Take a look at the pictures below. I may be in for trouble in about 20 years when Laynie plans her own wedding! She definitely is a girl who knows what she wants! :-) The flower girl (sheep) and the ring bearer (a puppy).... Princess with being escorted by her father, Mr. Ostrich..... Princess and Bentley in the wedding chapel made out of Lego blocks and their guests.... An up close view of the happy couple being married...... Laynie, the proud Mom and the couple at the reception! The wedding was fun and a big event! I even made Princess a veil, Momo played the perfect music and Ronin married the couple--check it out!!

"Cousin's Week"

It is VBS week in Mansfield so that means, "Cousin's Week at Momo's House." Mallory has been coming from Texas for 10 years now so it was only natural that the others would join her as soon as they were old enough. (Hopefully one day ALL the cousins can make it down. My kids love it (and so does Momo)! VBS in the morning and who knows what all they do in the afternoon, but one thing is for sure swimming which is usually accompanied by Popsicles, ice cream, movies and popcorn just to name a few! Last night they even had their own "Fireworks Show" thanks to Ronin's fam--wish I could have seen it! Anyway they are having a blast and not missing me or Daddy at all! Thanks Momo for making some memories!!!Jones, Laynie, Ronin, & Mallory

Corn Anyone???

I successfully shucked about 150 ears of corn today (well 35 ears were already done, so I guess it was more like 115; however it felt like much more)!!! I shucked and my mother-in-law cleaned, washed, and bagged the ears. It was definitely a team effort today thank goodness! I wonder how long it will take to eat that many ears of corn? All I know is I can't wait to have some--thanks Uncle Royce, we appreciate it greatly!!

Dancing Queen

I haven't posted any pics of Laynie's dance recital. She took this year in VB and enjoyed it for the most part. There were always a few times she didn't want to go to dance, but once it was recital time and a costume was involved, she was in love with dance again. I know I'm partial, but look at how cute she is!!

Yummy Summer Treat

This recipe is courtesy of my friend Tammy--she shared her cute and yummy dish!

Fruit Parfait

Layer sliced strawberries, vanilla yogurt and granola in a cup. Place in frig, get it cold, and enjoy! It's super yummy and not many calories either!!

If you layer it all in plastic see through punch cups they look great! You can subsitute your favorite fruits as well.

The Beach

Well my parents are no longer the only people in Crossett that have never gone to Gulf Shores! The kids and I went on a short little beach get-a-way with Mom, Dad, and the Fulchers to Orange Beach, AL. We had such a good time with everyone! Our days were filled with sun, sand, & saltwater; however, Jones preferred the pool water! :-) Evenings were eating out, sightseeing, and playing cards!

I enjoyed almost every minute of the trip!
The beach was nice and not too crowded.
It wasn't too terribly hot.
No one in my family got a sunburn.
Laynie loved playing in the ocean (and collecting sea shells).:-)I got to see Jones really learn to swim underwater much better.I got to read & finish a wonderful book, "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers (I would highly recommended it--thanks Dusti)!
We saw dolphins put on quite a show.
We ate good.
Not so good--Bumper Boats (we were soaked)!I got to spend time with a few of my cousins who I miss seeing.But the best part of the trip for me was playing Group and Run (Liverpool Rummy) until well after midnight.

This is my favorite card game!!! I can't tell you how many times I played this at my Mamaw's house growing up. It's just what we did--we would eat and play cards. Thanks Uncle Donald for making everyone (well almost everyone) play. I'm usually really competitive when it comes to cards, but I was in dead last the first night and not much better the second night and I didn't even complain!