Memorial Day

My friend Lara wrote a beautiful post about a Memorial Day encounter she had yesterday. Go over and take a few minutes to read it. It left me speechless and certainly grateful for the sacrifice fellow men and women have given so that I may have freedom. Thank you!

Restoring Order

I am excited to host the Restoring Order series this week! On my agenda, it's sorting, tossing and filing stacks of paper. This includes my coupon organizer. I can confidently say that I think it's going to get done, as I've already spent a good hour on it this morning. I am ready to be done with stacks of paper! (For the time being anyway....)

What are your plans for tackling a little project in your home to bring a little order? Be sure to check back here on Friday and we can cheer each other on! :)

Lady Wisdom builds a lovely home - Proverbs 14:1A

Not Me! Monday...

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.


I have been following McMama's blog for a couple of months now - and I thought it would be fun to join in. So, here's a little list of things I certainly didn't do this week....

• I have not allowed Little One to eat more gummi worms than any other type of food for the past two days - all in the name of potty training. Nope, not me!
• When in Target, by myself, I did not buy a hot pretzel and coke just because I was by myself - and just wanted to.
• I did not go above my budget and purchase this magazine at Walgreens yesterday just because I am so curious about what is going on. Not me!
• And this morning I certainly did not roll over and go back to sleep until 7:38 because all of my children were sleeping - and oh, the sleep did not at all feel divine.
• I totally did not write this post while I should have been fixing dinner. Not me!
  

Want to join in? Or, would you like to read more? Visit here.

Feeding the pigs.

One of the things I miss about Colorado is the Farmers' Market in Old Colorado City. I love a good farmers' market on a Saturday morning. It's the perfect way to start out the weekend. Anyway, the only one I have been able to find here in Austin is located downtown, which is a good 30+minute drive (if there's no traffic) and I just haven't been able to get down there on a Saturday morning.

Until this weekend. My only goal this Saturday was to go and find the market. As we headed out - it started to rain - but we went anyway and beat the rainstorm by just a few minutes. We were able to scout it out and it is a super cool market (with live music!).

I can't wait to go back when I'm not threatened by getting drenched! And, when I go back, I'm going to leave enough time check out this place.


Here's what we came home with - Fresh eggs (SO EXCITED ABOUT THAT), a bundle of onions, a free reusable shopping bag and one carrot. Yep, one carrot. Little One was slightly confused about what a farmer's market was. He was certain that we were going to a farm and that he was going to see pigs and cows.


When we got back to our car after a mad dash through the rain, Little One had a carrot in hand. Neither one of us saw him pick it up - and we have no idea which table he snatched it from. In his words - "I've got a carrot for the pig! Let's go feed him!" In his sweet mind, all these tables held food for us to feed to the animals - and he chose a carrot to feed the pig.

So, much of the car ride home was trying to explain that we don't take things from the tables unless we pay - and what exactly a farmers' market is. It's pretty much clear as mud.



On a completely different note, the bouquet in the back ground - that is my Mother's Day bouquet - and it is just lovely. The Lillis opened up on Saturday - and they are gorgeous! I don't think I've ever had a bouquet that has lasted this long and just keeps getting prettier.

We all scream...

Yep, it's warming up here in Texas. This past week it's been in the high 90's. And we're lovin it! In the words of Little One..."I'm so glad it's hot outside so we can eat ice cream!"

A Morning's Notes to Self....

• When brewing a cup of coffee in a single cup coffee maker, it's a good idea to put the mug under the dispenser.

• Do not take your very social, ready to join in any game, son along with you when you are shopping for a preschool. I might as well had put him smack dabb in the middle of a candy store and told him he couldn't have anything. (Someone is way ready for pre-school I might add...)
  

• If you do take your son with you, watch him at all times because he may run out the door and hop into the empty seat on the big red stroller that holds eight babies - and then you'll have to explain to him why he can't go for a ride when he so desperately wants to.
  

• Be extra sure there are not random leaves, twigs or bite size anythings lying on the floor.
  

• Refresh your memory on how to do finger swipes with a gagging baby.

• Tears are okay.

• Having a friend who lets those tears fall and then makes you smile in the thick of it, is a blessing and treasure.

• A good nap for baby, toddler and mama, (at the same time!!) does wonders.
  

Mercy, Mercy!

Well, we're back. We had a great trip to CO and I have pictures to share - except I can't find my silly USB chord. I may have left it in CO? Maybe it's in that one random suitcase pocket where you find treasures you thought were long gone until the next time you go on a trip? Maybe a certain toddler ran off with it and who knows where I'll find it? Regardless, I have to figure something out because my memory card is full. And you'll know when I find it because there will be pictures on the blog!

Right now I feel a tad bit overwhelmed with all that there is to do around here. To be honest, I don't know where to start. I am tired. Rightly so, because both of my children are having sleeping issues. My toddler doesn't want to go to bed without Mama by his side. Every night we have had a long battle of the will over staying in bed. The battle ends way too late and my personal time is gone.

Then it happens again at about 3 AM - only this time he is so scared because no one is awake. This wakes up baby brother. You get the picture. I am so sleepy and tired. And grumpy.

Mama was definitely a bear this morning. It's so hard to be merciful and loving when disobedience and disrespect are present. My attitude and words this morning have been pretty grrrrowwwllly. This morning we went to story time at the library. It took way too much effort to get us all out of the door and into the car. When we arrived,(20 minutes late) I opened the van door to see two sets of very precious eyes looking at me. The blue eyes of Little One danced with anticipation for what we were off to do. Baby Brother's deep brown eyes followed his big brother's lead and just smiled broadly. And in that moment, I wanted to just sit down and have a good cry.

After a rough morning, (and night too) they still look to me with all of the admiration and trust that is so endearing. What a gift. What a huge responsibility!

On my refrigerator I have a poster that reads Micah 7:18 "God Delights In Showing Mercy." My poster is an every day, or some days, every moment, reminder that I need to show mercy to myself - as well as show mercy to my family. And to thank him that he shows his mercy to me every single day. This morning was not a morning with a whole lot of mercy on my part. I am hoping to change that this afternoon. The boys are sleeping right now -I'm going to go refresh myself, and hope we can have a mercy filled fun afternoon - and get things back on track.

And, maybe I'll come across the USB chord. Lord, have Mercy! :)

Restoring Order

Well I didn't even get to my project. However, I left my house in really good order - which felt great!

So, how about you? Tell us about it!