Road Trip

We have become quite the explorers since we moved to Dallas.  This weekend we decided to head east and check out Lake Tawakoni.  This time, we came across some memorable towns along the way.  On our  way through Terrell, we found a family owned fruit orchard. 

Ham Orchards started by selling peaches out of a pickin' trailer and since have added home-made ice cream, fudge, homemade cobblers, plus hamburgers and hot dogs under a pavilion.  We LOVED the peach and strawberry swirl ice cream the best.

 Colson napping... This boy can sleep!

He couldn't help himself...

we had a pit stop for lunch in Greenville. The chopped beef sandwich was amazing and the banana pudding was delicious.  They had a brisket stuffed fully loaded baked potato on the menu that looked great. Maybe next time?

We finally made it to  Lake Tawokoni State Park. 

Kinley of course found all the baby frogs in the area.  My out to conquer the world first born wanted to take them all home. It took a lot of negotiating but she finally settled to taking just one home.

Yep,  I’m young enough to know I can, old enough to know I shouldn’t, stupid enough to do it anyway... on our way back home, we stopped to pet some free kittens and ended up bringing one home with us.  What was I thinking?!?

Hammies

A long time friend from MOPS gave me this recipe and it's become a staple in my house .  I call her Sara Stewart because she is a wonderful cook and is extremely crafty. She always puts her heart into everything she does.  I needed something easy to make for dinner for our priest at church a few months ago and they loved them!   

Recipe:

Potato Rolls ( I use Kings Hawaiian Rolls in the deli section)

Sliced Ham

Provolone Cheese

Sauce:

2. T Mustard

4 T. Brown Sugar

2 T. Poppy Seeds

2 Sticks of butter

1 T. Worcestershire

Cook sauce - put ham & cheese in rolls and drizzle sauce on top.  Cook at 350 covered for 20 minutes and 10 minutes uncovered.

Singing a New Song

Because of yesterday's post, I decided it wouldn't be fair to leave that open without adding a few things I like to do to get me through some of those days we can all relate to.   I have found singing a new song in my heart does amazing wonders for my house:)

I play Pandora or Music Choice almost all day long.  My stations change based on the mood of our house.  It’s amazing how the simple sounds can perk up the emotions.  I personally can't stop laughing when Colson shows us some of his baby moves.

I often light a candle. My favorite scent is cinnamon and much of the time I light with intentions for friends and family going through a difficult time.  It’s a simple way to be reminded of those I love.

I open my blinds.  Light is good for the mind, heart, and health.  I personally find I’m always more energetic.

I fill my mind with beautiful words. Even if it’s five minutes, I aim to read or listen to scripture.  Reading Psalms in the bible, I have a few pod casts I listen to while I’m folding laundry or doing the dishes.  I love words that settle deep into my heart. I try to memorize a promise from the Bible.  I write them on index cards and post it on my bathroom mirror or in my car.   Hebrews 13:6, James 1:5, Psalm 15 are a few of my favs. 

I take a walk with my kiddos or spend some time in our backyard.  We always find an interesting rock or leaf to remind me that God has many creative and beautiful ways to accomplish His purpose in my life. 

I love to volunteer and take meals.  I find getting out of my own world and help those around me my spirit is always lifted.  I find great joy in being the answer to someone else’s prayer with a wonderful meal or simple help or encouraging words.

I have a journal and write about my feelings.  It’s a great outlet.  Just writing out a list of grateful things in my life helps put things into perspective. 

Here lately going to bed early and taking naps have helped me have a clear head and has helped me get back on track.

I love to spend time with encouraging friends.  It ALWAYS renews my soul ;) 

I hope in some small way this can help you get through some of the crazy and sometimes exhausting days of motherhood:)

The Story of Our Life

Enough said.

Tea & Testimony

A God sized dream became realized this year in my MOPS group.  65 women for 40 hours came together to share motherhood and life together. 

Introverts, extroverts, moms with 1 and moms with 11 (Thanks to Suzanne Hollman our mentor mom:). Leaders, followers, a magnificent paradox of women created a real life community that was seeded on motherhood, and came fruition on this day.

The Lord used MOPS this year to speak differently to each woman in this group.  He opened our eyes, quieted hearts, birthed new friendships and new babies and allowed life to bloom.  It has been such an over the top God thing.  "THANK YOU LORD."

As I watched new face book posts, and read the comments, one truth resonates in my heart, "We needed this.  We need real community."  Not the Webster's dictionary kind of social group community, but community that calls us to bring our messy, our misunderstood, and even our mundane.  Community that allows us to acknowledge our failures, but will also let us celebrate our success.  Community that will sometimes just "be."

Community is hard sometimes.  The Lord, in his infinite wisdom, wired us to crave community, and when the fellowship of Christ occurs, it points others to Him. 

Community is not just about being together, it's about doing life together.  That is what happened in my MOPS group.  I thank this group for giving me a place to share my struggles and joy as a mommy and for making the last six years of motherhood so wonderful.  I pray God will continue to shine his magnificent  light in this wonderful group of women. 

I am forever blessed!

1 Corinthians 16:14 "Let all you do be done with Love."

Muffins with Mom

Muffins with mom was the highlight of my day today.   Bailey's teachers did a great job making all of us mommies feel special and loved.  She told me tonight she had a really good time too!

She has a smile that lights up the world.

Random kinda stuff

 The snow cone lady is officially in business!  THIS is why I LOVE Summer.

Kinley found a frog in our back yard last week.  She came to the door to show me and I started to scream.  The frog jumped out of her hand and went hopping around the living room. 
As she was looking for the frog, the three of us were sitting on the counter in the kitchen.  At that moment it was evident that she is my husbands child.

Bailey in front of the new McDonalds by our house.  We couldn't resist  a snapshot.

Our MOPS group had a fundraiser at Chick-Fil-A.  Another great reason to eat more chicken! 

Climbing the walls

If you did this...

Your childhood was awesome.

Doctor Checkups

I took the girls for their six and three year check up today.  One of the advantages of sharing their birthdays, is having the choice of scheduling check ups together. It actually makes it easier because Bailey had her big sister Kinley to help ease the nervousness. It was sweet to see Kinley comforting her baby sister.  It warms the deepest part of this mommys heart.

As a child growing up, I secretly always wanted a sister of my own. There's a special kind of bond they share together.  They see their innermost fears, and show their true feelings with each other and they can simply be themselves.  I pray this is a bond that will never be broken.

 If you have a sister, give her a call, write her a letter, send some pictures, an e-mail, a smile or a hug.  Take the time to treasure the moments shared throughout your life together.  I hope my girls will reminisce on the memories they've shared and be blessed with a lifetime of true friendship in one another. 

All three kiddos checked out great. Bailey better start eating more vegetables because you'll notice Colson is  four pounds away from weiging the same as her. 

Butterflies

The girls have been catching butterflies in our backyard for the past few days.  

 I finally got Bailey to sit down (quietly) long enough to capture a few close-ups.

 I now have a butterfly cage hanging in the laundry room filled with several that have been held captive by these little people.

I'm slowly sneeking them one at a time back into the yard so the girls won't notice.

Isn't it amazing how simple beauty can always be found in unexpected places?