Look what I got.........

The other day, as I was driving home from running errands ( pretty much a daily occurance around here), my cell phone beeped loudly that I had a message. It was from my husband and he told me that he had left a present for me on our bed. He said it was really from his company and for me to "ENJOY". So I drove home trying to figure out what on earth it could be. Believe me, I was trying to contain the excitement of receiving a t-shirt, a pen, or some other product with the company logo on it!!! So imagine my shock and delight when this is what I saw:























YES....it is a very nice, very hip, BLACK IPOD!!! Greg won it for having the most customers attending one of his "work things". Yes, that would be one of those work things that I COMPLAINED ABOUT! Honey, you can do as many of those "work things" as you want from now on!!! I am so excited about my new toy! It says it will hold 7500 songs. Do I even know 7500 songs? WHO CARES....Martina, Celine, Carrie, Casting Crowns, Worship Tunes, and all other favs, here I come!!!!! WOOHOO! Now if I only knew how to work this contraption! :)

My house...Part One....

I haven't posted much about my house on here except to ask for prayers, etc. I didn't want it to sound like I was being ungrateful. We are so blessed. We have lived in this house now for almost 3 years. We had one weekend to find something and this had the space we needed, it was new, and I got to personalize it. We live 3 mins from the brand new elementary school that the girls attend, and I have several neighborhood friends. So then, why would we even want to move? Well, it probably won't make much sense to most people. Ever since we moved in here, we felt like the layout of our home was not *ideal* for what we want *longterm*. I am still VERY thankful for the space, there are just a couple of things I want different. Also, we are praying that this next move will be it for a VERY long time. We put our home on the market at the end of August after much prayer. We got an offer the second day, but it was very low and the couple would not negotiate at all! Since then, it has been slow, slow, slow and I have since had to change realtors. I have struggled along these 8 months wondering why God hasn't answered my prayers when I felt so strongly that this was the direction he was leading me in? I know that his timing is the best. I don't quite know why it hasn't worked out yet, or why I have found FOUR homes now that I have loved and lost during the long wait. My realtor sent me a very nice email on Saturday and she told me all about a personal experience that was very similiar to ours and she strongly encouraged me in the Lord and that HE has the *perfect* family in mind for our home. So to make a long story short, I believe my house is going to sell and I believe that I am going to see God's hand at work in this long process. I can't wait to get on here and give God the glory for the sale!!!!

On a sidenote, the family that I asked you to pray about on Friday has apparently added us to their *short* list of homes they want to see again. He is a doctor and they are in negotiations about his new position. Once that is done, they will come back and look again. Sooooo, they could be the family. I find it funny that the last house we sold was bought by a dr as well! :) Yesterday, a realtor came and previewed the home for a client. She told me on the phone that he had some accessibility issues. I assumed that meant 3 car garage which I DON'T have. Well when she got here, I found out that he is in a wheelchair and has all kind of requirements that have to be met. She was measuring in my bathroom and talking about tearing out the tub and then she saw my laundry room and told me that maybe he could turn half of it into a shower. I was trying to nod my head like I really understood what she was talking about! It was all just alot to comprehend! So, I say all of this to just let you know what has been going on. Please keep us in your prayers! Lord-willing, I will be able to post Part 2 VERY SOON!! ;)

Happy Tuesday....

Wow, I haven't posted in awhile. I needed to just take a *break* I guess. I tried at least 3x to get on here and blog but I ended up deleting everything. I have a few minutes while the kids are out screaming and playing outside, as their dad attempts to fertilize the yard! It really is comical and I am sure that anyone driving by gets a good laugh. Noah is in his cozy coupe and one of the twins is literally riding on top of it down the driveway. Oh the things they think of to pass the time!!!! ;)

Today was a nice day for me. I was looking forward to my break. I got to do some shopping ( not good for the ole bank acct, but good for ME!). I met a friend for lunch and it was delicious....especially the strawberry cake for dessert...YUM YUM! I will be doing extra minutes on the ellyptical tomorrow morning, but it was soooooooooo worth it! For me, there is just something so wonderful about having time away from my kids. I call it "ME TIME", as selfish as that sounds! I love Tuesdays and Thursdays for that reason. I always pick up my children with a better outlook on things. Even if all I do is get some coffee and go home and listen to the quiet, I somehow feel better! Next year, Noah will be going to school either 3 or 5 days a week. He got in the 5 day program but I think I want the 3 day one so he is on the waiting list. The only problem with this school is that the hours aren't as nice as I have now. I get 9-2 twice a week. Next yr, it will be 8:30- 11:30 2x a week and 8:30 -1:30 on Wed, *IF* I pay for lunch bunch. So, I will cherish my last few weeks of blissful solitude. Summer is right around the corner. I am already trying to mentally prepare myself for the noise, chaos, & dragging all 3 with me on errands! How did my mother do it without Mother's Morning Out? My respect for her is at an all time high!!! ;) Just think, there wasn't even Nogin back in those days!!!! :)

Prayer Request....

I am selfishly asking for prayer. We have a family coming to look at our home tomorrow. They apparently want space which is what we have. Could you just pray for God's will and that I would not lose my sanity? LOL There is power in prayer! Thanks! Jer 29:11

Some encouragement......

I am still not feeling well, but I had to post this morning. I have several family/friends that are going through some challenging situations. Oh, and did I mention that I am one of them? Well, my situation seems like a gigantic mountain that is never going to move and somedays I wonder if I will ever see the promised land? I have cried and begged God for some encouragement and just a little glimmer of hope. Of course, I was intending that would mean a change in my situation, but that is not exactly what has happened....yet! :) Anyway, what I am learning is that through these challenges in life ( & yes we ALL go through them) he does indeed use that time to draw us closer to him. I am literally having to CHOOSE each day whether I am going to mope around and worry or if I am going to "take every thought captive" and live in FAITH and speak God's word over my life. I wish I could say that I have risen to the occasion and am completely victorious in this area. I am not, BUT...I am seeing some small improvements! I have this neat book I bought at Lifeway. It is called 'Praying God's Will for my Life'. I love it. You are literally praying the scriptures over your circumstances. God's word is the encouragement that he has given me in answer to my prayer. So I thought I would share a few and I pray that it is encouraging to someone today!

' I pray, God that you will perfect that which concerns me, and that I will remember that your Mercy, O Lord, endures forever '
Psalm 138:8

' I pray that I will hold fast the confession of my hope, without wavering, for you, God, ARE faithful' Hebrews 10:23

'I pray that I will always remember that you God, have declared, "So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11

' I pray that I will CONSTANTLY take the shield of faith with which I will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one' Ephesians 6:16

A quick post....

I haven't blogged in almost a week! There are several reasons for that, one being Greg was out of town the entire time and It was just a hard week! I wish I had something witty or clever to share but I am just not in the mood. I seem to have caught a cold from somewhere or maybe it is just the weather changing from cold to hot continuously! My head feels stuffy and I can't breathe. I am sure you guys can relate to how that feels! I promise to be back soon. I can't possibly go too much longer without something weird happening....such is my life! LOL Oh I did think of one funny....well it was funny to me. This has to do with my previous post on Noah and his potty habits. The other day, he was standing there getting ready to "do his thing" and I told him to make sure he didn't spray. He told me in all seriousness " I won't spray, Mommy....I am good at this!!!" . Don't I have a talented child? ;)

One more picture.....

I can't resist posting this picture, because to me it is a perfect shot of MY BOY! There he is in his khaki pants & sweater vest, playing in the dirt with a firetruck!!! My sweet Noah....he is 100% male!

My Easter Weekend......

My Easter weekend was such a blessing. I was feeling tired and rundown and thankfully my husband stepped in and allowed me "time" to myself! Friday night we went to dinner as a family. Saturday, Greg took them all day long and I got to go meet a friend for lunch that I haven't seen in a few months. We enjoyed our lunch immensely along with our caramel brownie and coffee ice cream ( that is the FINEST dessert ONLY next to tiramisu)!!! We also did a little shopping and girl talk...FUN! My day would have been complete after that alone BUT Greg also got us a sitter for Sat night and he and I got to go eat dinner at one of our favorite italian places. To say that I ate well that day would indeed be an understatement!!! Sunday was a beautiful day spent with family after attending church. We headed out to Greg's brother's house and the kids had a blast romping around with their cousins. Sunday night, we put the kids to bed and watched 'The Illusionist' which I highly recommend. GOOD MOVIE....Mom it is right up your alley!!! Monday the kids had an extra day off school so we got to meet Christy(mommy brain) and her two children. Laura Grace is looking like the picture of health and I think everyone had a fun time including my 9 yr olds!!!! So as you can see, I am feeling rejuvenated and ready to go. Good thing, since Greg left for the entire week yesterday!! God knew just what I needed. Below are some pics I took on Easter. Be sure to click on them to see the full picture! Of course I didn't get the perfect shots that I dreamed about. The weather was cold and windy and the kids would not cooperate, so I had to settle for candid shots and individual pics. There is also a precious one of Noah and his cousin Stephanie whom he adores. She is so good with him. I hope everyone had a blessed Easter! :)

A post about little boys.....

I always wanted a little boy. In fact, before I ever got pregnant with the twins, I imagined having a baby and what it would be like. For some reason, I think I knew I was destined to have a little boy! Most would find that funny, because I am such a girly-girl. About the only tomboyish thing I ever did, was climb trees at the park in New Orleans, La when we would visit my grandmother. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE having my girls and I feel like the older they get, the more closer we will be. At least, that is the way it is with my mother and me. I am rambling, but here is what I really wanted to post about. Why are little boys so messy when they go to the potty? I mean we are talking all over the seat, the floor, and the wall not to mention ME. Noah is standing up now and I literally need a raincoat on if I am anywhere near him. I have tried to tell him to point it down. Sometimes he does, but then all of sudden it has a mind of its own! This is such a new world to me. I have TWO brothers, so you would think I would have been prepared, but I honestly don't remember them being messy, AND I shared a bathroom with one of them for YEARS!!!! So I guess this is just something that people don't really tell you, therefore I am warning all of my friends with little boys that haven't quite reached the potty training stage. GET READY! Have the Clorox wipes with you at all times and COVER yourself and your clothing!!!!! Of course, then you get a sweet little reply of " I'm not going to spray you Mommy"! How can you not smile at that? :)

A Recipe and a Recommendation....

Last night for dinner we had some GOOD food. I am trying to get better at cooking, regularly! HA HA! Anyway, we had Jenny-O turkey burgers on the grill. They are in a box in the freezer section at Walmart. I just got the lean ones. They are individually packaged and so easy to just pull out. We ate ours bunless and it was YUMMO! We put a little garlic salt and pepper on top....oh my! With the burgers, we had baked fries, a green salad, & Roasted Asparagus. My mom told me to look for the skinny ones and these were perfect. I followed Tyler Florence's Roasted Asparagus Recipe, but truly it is so easy. You just cut the woody ends off...about an inch or so. Then you lay them flat on your baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and then season with salt and pepper......Bake in a 450 degree oven for 15 mins. Turn them in the middle of the cooking time. I think I ate about half of them! They were soooooo good!!! Try it and let me know what you think!

How did April get here so quickly?

I can't believe how fast March flew by....blink and you missed it. The girls are now in their final SEVEN weeks of 3rd grade. Is that even possible? It seems like just yesterday I was wondering about who their teachers would be and how I was going to survive without a carpool? Now, we have managed to get through birthdays, Christmas, tonsils removed, soccer season, 3 report cards, homework, and the list goes on. I am definitely looking forward to summer. No, not the heat, but days that do not begin at 5:30! That will be the biggest treasure of all! I do hope though, that we can slow our pace down just a bit. I pray that we can enjoy each day and be thankful for even the small blessings. I tend to get so caught up in the circumstantial things of life. There is truly so much to be praising the Lord for! Why does my mouth seem to forget that?

I hope you all have a wonderful Monday. I pray that I can be a blessing to someone this week! :)