Family Time Friday- The Most Important Gift You Can Give Your Children

 

Disclaimer:Please don't misunderstand what I am saying here- I have friends who are single/divorced, and family as well- I know not all marriages survive.  This post is not meant to be a guilt trip for those of you who have a failed marriage or are single parents.  This is directed towards the marrieds out there:)

I am a firm firm believer in marriage.  If you've read my blog here or my other blog (that I don't update nearly enough) for any period of time you probably got that.  It is something that the LORD has really laid heavily on my heart.  Marriage in general is often in my prayers, and when I have a friend who is having difficulty in their marriage my heart literally hurts for them.  I have spent many many nights up through the night in deep prayer for a friends' marriage.  It is time well spent.

So this week I want to talk to you about marriage for Family Time Friday.  We all want what is best for our children, and we want to give them the moon, right?  We want to give them the desires of their hearts.  It's only natural for us to want this.  :)

Well, let me just tell you, that *the* desire of their hearts is to have an intact family.  If you truly truly want to give your children the desires of your hearts, then you will put time and effort into your marriage.  The absolute most important gift you can give your children is a strong, healthy marriage.  It just is.  It creates security.  It creates a goal for them.  It creates relationship.  Yes!  When your children are able to witness each day a couple who truly love and respect each other through the ups and downs.  A couple who disagrees, and even argues sometimes, and who still love each other afterwards, they also know that it is ok for them to be themselves with YOU and YOU will still love THEM too :)

I know sometimes it is hard to carve out time together.  Especially if you have small children.  Believe me, I KNOW!  Which is why I'm so excited about a series on another blog I read, While He Was Napping.  She is dedicating the month of January to romance!  She is calling it Ready for Romance.  She has already posted so many great ideas, and it really gets you thinking about ways to romance each other :)  When my husband and I have a hard time getting away (which is too often) I'll rent a movie from netflix and we'll either get take out or I'll make something special to eat, and we'll wait until the babies are in bed and tell the older kids we're having date night in our room and we'll just snuggle and watch the movie.  It gives us some time together.  It's not as fun as going out, but it's a lot cheaper and we don't need a babysitter ;)

So, what are some ways you try to keep the romance alive in your marriage?

This post has been linked to {Titus 2}sdays at Time-Warp Wife

Making Our Homes Like Heaven in 2011- Week 2!

Here we are! Week 2!!! Don't worry- and don't get overwhelmed! This week will be easier than last week in some ways :)

Last week we started working on a couple of areas in our homes, we cleaned out the fridge and freezer, inventorying the items inside, we finished up all of the Christmas clean up activities, took a look at our front door, and started to work on our closet.

We also started making a list every evening of 6 things that we need to do the next day. We share them on facebook and some days we get the list completed, some days we don't. It's ok, and we still only make a list of 6 for the next day too :)

This week we're going to build on what we've started. Here are the five tasks for this week:

1. Go back into your closet and clean out the closet. There are many, many items in there that are no longer of a use to you. Commit to donate at least 20 items to a charity. The items that you do not use on a regular basis need to be stored elsewhere. Take them out of your closet. This is the place you go to start your day, and when it's in a disarray it sets a tone for the day.  Go have a look at this Closet Inspiration and visualize what to do in your own before beginning!

2. Set up an account at It's Deductible and log your donations. Be sure to visit regularly and keep track of your donations. It's free and it will help you a whole lot come tax time next year.

3. Look at your calendar and find at least 1 day in the remaining month of January that don't have any appointments. Block out your calendar on that day and purpose not to fill it up with activities.

4. Go through your list of what you'd like to do to your front entryway. Make a budget and figure out how you are going to accomplish it.

5. Go through your sock basket. Match all of the socks. When they are all matched and the laundry is done throw away the socks that don't have matches.

That's it! Little by little we're making some major progress! Don't forget to link up and post pictures on your blog for everyone to see!!!

Want to join in??!!! Just grab the button and add it to your blog post, and link up on our linky below :)  Also, please add to your blog the following sentence:

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Together we can really help each other and succeed :)

Wordless Wednesday- Date Night!

GratiTuesday-Support of friends

Oh my it's been a busy busy week!  I find myself this GratiTuesday thinking about how thankful I am for the support of my friends.  My friends online and in person.  We started the Making our Homes like Heaven in 2011 series on Thursday and have been encouraging each other on the facebook page.  I have been so encouraged and my house is already starting to have a transformation!  I had 2 CPS visits yesterday and a visit from the Foster Agency.  Normally I am a mess before these visits, trying to clean the house up to be visit ready.  I didn't do any of that this time and it was SO NICE!  I'm making my list of six each day and most days the list gets completed.  I've gotten things done in the last few days I've been putting off for months, and I've heard the same from several of you.  Let me just tell you, if it wasn't for the support and accountability of all of you I would not have accomplished what I have so far.

I also was thinking about how we support each other in other matters.  There is a family I know who got THREE foster children today under the age of 3.  I was telling a friend that they need to be sure they have a good solid support group in place to help them.  I know when we got our youngest it was very difficult to have 2 babies under 1 year old.  If we didn't have the support of our family and friends I honestly don't think we would have made it!  I'm so blessed to have many good friends who care about my family.

So, that's what I'm thankful for- support of friends both online and in person :)  What about you?

This post is linked to Heavenly Homemaker for GratiTuesday.

Menu Monday- 1/10

Ok, week one of Weight Watchers taught me that Alcohol is bad (WAY too high in points), and eating out is very very tricky.  Good thing I like to cook!  Oh yeah, and Lasagna is bad and Hamburgers aren't great ;)  It's all good- it's a process :)  And, I learned that if I make some good choices in the morning it sets my day up for success, and the same about bad ones ;)  Finally, I found that swapping out my cream in my coffee for milk is not a good idea for me-I guess the fat in the heavy cream keeps me feeling more satisfied.  If I use milk I'm starving all day....  Weird, huh?

Here's my menu for this week:

Monday:  Cauliflower Cheese Soup,  Salad, Strawberries and Grapes

Tuesday:  Sauteed Chicken with Potatoes and Onions

Wednesday:  Pizza

Thursday:  Old Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie

Friday:  Tater Tot Casserole

Saturday:  Snack Dinner

Sunday:  Chicken Tortilla Soup

Supper Sunday- Strawberry Spinach Salad

Here's a super easy, super yummy salad for you. No excuses this week for not getting in all of your fruits and veggies!

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Ingredients 

Baby Spinach (1 large bag or container)
1 Pint of Strawberries, Washed, and sliced
Light Raspberry Vinaigrette

Directions
Place Strawberries on spinach, and toss with about 1 cup dressing or have each person dress their salad according to individual tastes.

For those of you following the points plus plan with Weight Watchers you'll need to count about 1 point for the dressing depending on how much you use, and that's it!  :)

 

Singing Saturday- Blessed Assurance

I love this song, and this version is great.  This particular YouTube video really speaks the meaning.  I hope you'll watch it and enjoy it today :)








Blessed Assurance-Third Day Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.

[Refrain]:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, all is at rest;
I in my Savior am happy and blessed,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with his goodness, lost in his love.

(Refrain)


Interested in the history of this hymn? Check it out- very interesting :)  

 

Family Time Friday- Everything is Permissible

  

"Everything is permissible for me" - but not everything is beneficial.
"Everything is permissible for me" - but I will not be mastered by anything."- 1 Corinthians 6:12

These are some pretty powerful words.  How does this apply to our kids?  As a parent we have the daunting task of preparing our children for adulthood.  I think sometimes that task and the magnitude of it causes me to be a little over-strict.  I get so focused on that that I miss today.  Does that make sense?

I'm going to try to incorporate this scripture into how I deal with my kids.  Now, not  everything is permissible for them in my household, but, if I can begin to incorporate this and talk with my older kids about it, then we can talk about the natural consequences of their actions.  That will help them when they  aren't  under my roof!  :)

By the way, this thought came to me from reading Thriving Family, a magazine published by Focus on the Family , and one of the few magazines that I read cover to cover.  If you aren't subscribed, I'd recommend it for sure!!!

What are your thoughts on discipline, especially in the teen years?  I'd really like to know, because some days I feel like I'm flying blind!!!!  :)

Making Our Homes Like Heaven in 2011

It's time!!!  Are you ready??????  I am! 

We're going on a journey together.  A journey to peace.  I don't know about you, but I'm assuming there's some similarity with us, since you're here.  I have grand ideas about what I would like to see happen in my life, but have a hard time implementing it.  I try to do too much too quickly and then burn myself out.  I'm hoping that we can keep each other accountable .  I'm going to break our journey up into bite size pieces, that we can attain, and together we're going to Make our Homes Like Heaven in 2011!

If you haven't done so already, be sure to like Nailing Jello on Facebook- we'll be encouraging each other on the Facebook page for some added motivation.  We've already begun on Facebook by making a list of the six most important things to do each day and then checking in to see where everyone is at on their list.  It's been incredibly motivating for me, and I hope you as well.  If we purpose to get just six things done each day it isn't a daunting to do list that never gets completed and it's still enough to see some real progress :)

Our primary purpose on this journey will be our homes, but I've found that the state of my home directly mirrors the state of my life.  If I'm overscheduled and not able to keep up with life in general, it shows in my house.  If my house is in complete disarray it shows up in my mood.  If I'm in a bad mood, I'm motivated to do exactly nothing.  Sound familiar?  So in addition to working on getting our homes in order, we have to work on the other priorities in our lives as well.  If we don't work on the whole package we won't get anywhere.

So are you ready?  Let's dive in!  Just grab the button and add it to your blog post, and link up on our linky below :)  Also, please add to your blog the following sentence:

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Ok, here's what's on tap for this week:

Week One:
1. Create a Household Notebook, or use your current notebook and make notes about this Christmas- things you liked, things you didn't like, what you'd like to do differently/the same next Christmas.  Update any addresses that have changed on your Christmas card list.  A good source for Household Notebook stuff is Donna Young, or Organized Home.  I personally have my household notebook on my computer in OneNote, using principles found on both sites :)  You can find an inventory list for your Christmas décor here.
2. Get a fresh start on the year in your kitchen.  Clean out your Fridge and Freezer, wiping all shelves etc.  Inventory food that you put back into the freezer and keep the list handy so you know what's lingering in there :)
3. Get a fresh start in your bedroom closet.  Let's face it.  We all have way too much stuff in our closets.  Go into your master bedroom closet and go through your CLOTHES ONLY.  (There is a LOT of other stuff in there I’m sure, but let's start with the clothes).  Take all of your clothes out and as you put them back in, assess if you've worn that item in the last year.  If you haven't, donate it.  If you're unsure, or not ready to get rid of something, don't worry about it.  While putting all of your clothes back in the closet put them ALL backwards on the rod.  This way when next January comes around you can feel good about giving away any items that never got turned around during the year.  :)  NO GUILT! 
4. As you put away the Christmas items from this year, try to put them away in an organized fashion, labeling boxes.  Write down on a note card or a sheet of paper what is in each box.  Store the paper/note card in each box or in a separate file, whichever works best for you :)  Oh- you might want to put the Thanksgiving stuff away too :) 
5. Look at your front door/entry way.  What needs to be changed?  Change what you can now, and make a list of what still needs to be purchased/done.
That's it for this week!  We can do it!  But here are some tips:  (Trust me, I'm talking to myself)
6. Do set a time limit for each task
7. Don't do more than the task prescribes- when you're turning your clothes around in your closet, for example, don't take everything else out too…  We'll get to that- don't worry!
8. Do post a comment on the blog, post on your own blog, take pictures, anything you can do to stay accountable.
9. Don't get overwhelmed, or give up if you don't complete all of the tasks this week.  Just do what you can and move forward.  No guilt!
10. Be sure to go to our facebook page and "like" to stay on top of the weeks challenges :)

I hope you'll enjoy this week's tasks. If you have a particular task that has been looming and you just can't seem to get it done, leave it in the comments and I'll make sure it gets in the program!

My closet:

This is going to be great!!!! Thank you for joining me- I know together we can do great things :)

This post is linked to Show and Tell Saturday on Be Different Act Normal :)

Wordless Wednesday- Before Picture

Don't forget to link up your pictures!

GratiTuesday- Bible

It's been a long winter break, and I'd like to say I'm ready to get back to the grind, back to the routine, but really I'd like to continue to be on vacation. I've enjoyed the break from all of the activities.  Is that a sign that our social calendar is too full?  That is something I need to work on this year.

As we get back into it Gregory goes back to school today and we go back to Bible Study on Thursday.  As much as I've enjoyed my vacation, it is nice to get back to my bible study homework.  Over the break I had an interesting conversation with my brother in law about the Bible and it really reminded me of how much there is to learn, and how important it is to study the Bible from many angles and allow the Holy Spirit to work.  I never cease to be amazed at how I can read the same passage from the Bible 3 different times and get three completely different messages from it.  And, the more I study the Bible in depth, the more I realize I don't know.  I guess that's how we gain the humility we are supposed to have in Christ?  ;)

A friend of mine decided she was going to read the Bible in a year last year, doing the year reading plan.  She didn't know if she would make it through the year, but gave it a shot.  Well, she made it all the way through and was so excited.  I was very very proud of her, and, I'll admit, a little jealous that she made it and I never have.  Well, this year she decided to read the Bible in Chronological Order.  This is something I've always wanted to do, so I'm going to give it a go too.  I have the You Version Bible app on my phone, so I'll have it with me wherever I go, and I think that will help.  I don't know why I've never searched YouVersion before.  What's so cool about it is you can read it on your computer, or phone.  You pick a reading plan and it keeps track for you!  This makes it much better for me ;) 

While on break I really realized that when I'm not in Bible Study I lack the discipline to get in the word every day.  This is not good.  I think have a daily reading will be a good thing for me to keep me on task.  I really think that a serious Bible Study is a must, but this is a good addition.  :)

So, today I'm thankful for the Bible, and it's many facets.  I'm thankful for the multiple ways God speaks to us through the Bible, and technology and the many ways we have now to study.  If you're not in a Bible Study, I highly recommend Community Bible Study.  They have classes all over the world, you can go to their website and find a class near you.  And, if you're not reading the Bible regularly, or if you are and just need some guidance, go to YouVersion or Bible Gateway and pick a plan and commit to stick to it this year.

This post is linked to Heavenly Homemaker's GratiTuesday.



Don't forget!  We're starting our series on Making our Homes Like Heaven in 2011 on Thursday!

Menu Monday- 1/3

Well, last week I did the dreaded walk of shame and went back to Weight Watchers. I've really gotten out of control lately, and it's time to get back on track. Plus, they have a new plan now, which I think is the thing I needed. I had done the old plan so many times that I was very good at cheating myself. Sometimes it just takes something fresh to get you where you need to be. I'm hoping that's the case here. So, with this week's menu plan I have a couple of goals: Stay on plan with WW, and eat primarily out of my pantry and freezer to cut my grocery budget. (I've got to recover from the Christmas and New Years spending LOL)

Monday:  Tamales that my friend gave us- so yummy!, Spanish Rice, Fruit Salad

Tuesday:  Rotisserie Chicken, Spinach Salad, Scalloped Potatoes

Wednesday:  Lasagna- making my own sauce for this, Salad, Garlic Bread

Thursday:  Cauliflower Cheese Soup, Fruit Salad

Friday:  Pizza- I'm gonna try a homemade crust and sauce...  I let you know if it's good.

Saturday:  Burgers on the grill (hopefully good weather), Potato Salad

Sunday:  Pot Roast with potatoes, celery, carrots, Rolls

Supper Sunday-Beef Enchiladas

I wish I took a picture of these, because they were beautiful... New time I make them I'll take a picture for you :)

Beef Enchiladas
WW Points+= 6pts per enchilada

Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp onion powder
1 TBS chili powder
2/3 cup salsa
12 corn tortillas
1 28 ounce can enchilada sauce (Las Palmas is pretty good)
16 ounces of colby jack cheese, shredded
Sour Cream
Shredded Lettuce
Tomato, Diced

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350.  Brown the ground beef, sprinkling with garlic salt, onion powder and chili powder while browning.  When brown, add salsa and stir to combine.  Continue cooking until salsa cooks down a little, about 5 minutes.  Warm tortillas in bag in microwave, cooking on high about 30 seconds or until warmed through.  This softens the tortillas so they don't break while you're working with them.  Place about 1/12 of meat in tortilla, roll up, and place seam side down in a 9x13 baking dish.  Repeat until all enchiladas are formed.  Pour the can of enchilada sauce over the enchiladas evenly.  Sprinkle Cheese over the enchiladas.  Cover, and bake 45 minutes.  Remove cover and bake 15 minutes longer.  Serve with lettuce, sour cream, and tomatoes.

Notes:  I made these early in the day and put the pan in the refrigerator until I was ready to bake them.  I think you could also easily freeze them this way too.  Enjoy!

Singing Saturday- One Day Too Late

This song is a little bit more on the metal side than what I usually put on the blog, but the words are powerful.  I hope you'll take a moment to let it sink in :)  It's a very appropriate song for the 1st day of 2011 :)

One Day Too Late-Skillet

Tick tock hear the clock countdown
Wish the minute hand could be rewound
So much to do and so much I need to say
Will tomorrow be too late

Feel the moment slip into the past
Like sand through an hourglass
In the madness I guess I just forget
To do all the things I said
 

 Time passes by
Never thought I'd wind up
One step behind
Now I've made my mind up
 

 Today I'm gonna try a little harder
Gonna make every minute last longer
Gonna learn to forgive and forget
'Cause we don't have long, gonna make the most of it

Today I'm gonna love my enemies
Reach out to somebody who needs me
Make a change, make the world a better place
'Cause tomorrow could be one day too late
One day too late
One day too late
 

 Tick tock hear my life pass by
I can't erase and I can't rewind
Of all the things I regret the most I do...
Wish I'd spent more time with you

Here's my chance for a new beginning
I saved the best for a better ending
And in the end I'll make it up to you, you'll see
You'll get the very best of me
 

 Your time is running out
You're never gonna get it back
Make the most of every moment
Stop saving the best for last

Family Time Friday- Booking it in 2011

 

Happy New Years~!!!!  Here's to a great 2011!! 

I think I have a problem.  I'm addicted to blogs.  There.  I've admitted it.  :)  I've not done real good with reading books.  Better over the years for sure, and I have practically my own library, because I really like to buy books LOL  ;)  Well, I have found something that I think will help and thought I'd share it with you, in case you have the same problem I do.

I have a friend who she and her kids read every day from like 1-2 or something like that.  She said she had so many books that she wanted to read and never got to them, so they set a time and they do it every day.  I'm not sure how feasible this is for me right now with the babies and all, but I do think it's a great idea!

I never liked reading as a child.  I didn't like to slow down long enough to find the adventure in the book.  As I've gotten older I've begun to crave the slow down :)  But, both of my older boys LOVE to read, and I want to continue to encourage that, so I think I'm going to have them make their own reading list for 2011 as well.  Maybe I'll share it with you to help you if you'd like some things for your kids to read.  I'll try to remember LOL.

Anyway, one of the blogs I read did a program last year (I didn't get in on it, because I just started reading this blog), and she's doing it again this year.  She's calling it Booking it in 2011.  She's choosing 11 books to read in 2011.  I think I'm going to give it a go! I think the accountability of a schedule will get me reading :)

With a hat that size, you will have no trouble

Thoughtful Thursday- New Year's Resolutions!

Wow...  Time has just flown by!  I think I said that Tuesday too, didn't I?  ;)  As I prepare to write this year's resolutions I am reflecting much on the speed of time and that will have a lot to do with my resolutions this year.  I feel like time is moving so fast, and sometimes feel like a stranger on the side of the road as the car of life goes whizzing past.  My children are growing up so fast.  I'm got only a limited amount of time left with them before they become adults and have their own business to contend with.  I want to make the most of the time I have.  I want to live with no regrets.  My husband and I will celebrate 15 years of marriage this year.  I want to celebrate the time we've spent together.  I don't want to rush it.  Time, like life, is temporary.  We should use it wisely.

With that:


Finances:

• Create an Emergency Fund and maintain it
• Develop a cushion in my checking account to avoid charges
• Pay off one creditor (credit card, car, Auston's braces)
• Accumulate no additional debt in 2011
• Menu Plan to reduce grocery costs

Children:

• Teach Auston to drive Oh My Gosh!  Did I just SAY that???????
• Potty Train the chick, begin potty training the Goat  Is there really life with no diapers?
• Find the boys' passions and help them to build on them
• More grace for my children, less yelling, more teaching
• Hug my children more
• Play more games with my children
• Have a sleepover with my kids
• Encourage my children to do something extraordinary, and to see the extraordinary in themselves
• Try to see the world in the wonder that my kids see it
• Finalize both adoptions

Marriage:

• Re-Institute date night
• Do myself up for my husband
• Have a servant's heart towards my husband
• Make sure he has clean socks (It's a problem lately LOL)
• Spend some time away from the house for our Anniversary
• Renew our vows at church
• Believe the best about my husband always
• Tell my husband how much I appreciate him and admire him often

Friends and Family:

• Do something special anonymously for a friend at least twice this year
• Plan another homeschool mom's retreat
• Say no to more activities, and make the ones I say yes to count
• Send out birthday cards and other occasion cards

Health and Fitness:

• Lose weight consistently.  Don't let myself sabotage myself.  Get on a plan and stick to it.  
• Exercise at least 3-5 times a week by the end of the year
• Make more balanced meals for the family- more fruits and vegetables!
• Prioritize myself

Home Management:

• Make my Home Like Heaven in 2011!!!
• Plant Flowers
• Plant a Vegetable Garden
• Replace Facia Boards
• Replace carpets with Tile Floors
• Replace furniture
• Replace tires on Van
• Stain the Deck

Spirituality:

• Pray more
• Pray specifically.  Pray for my children more.  Pray for my husband.  Pray for my finances.  Pray for myself.
• Enrich the DOK Ministry with different topics on prayer and worship
• Complete my lessons for CBS consistently
• Share my faith more- don't be afraid to talk about it
• Revel in awe at God's work
• Trust God- with my children, with my marriage, when it doesn't seem like He's there especially

Well, I pray that your 2011 holds many exciting experiences.

Don't forget!  Next week we begin the series "Making Our Homes Like Heaven in 2011".  I'm really excited about this!  Can't wait to share it with you!

Wordless Wednesday- Spell Check Anyone?

GratiTuesday- 2010 a Recap

Wow... 2010... What a year! Full of ups and downs....  As the year draws to a close it's time for a recap, like I did in 2009 and 2008. It was so much fun to read over those again! So, now on to 2010!!!

January

January was spent mostly adjusting to having a newborn who was very twitchy about how and when he would sleep, mostly not at all, or only on mommy or daddy.  So, we took turns sleeping and  holding the baby.  We continued to chase the chick around, and she turned ONE!!!  We had a "Yo Gabba Gabba" Birthday party for her and I made the coolest cake.  Unfortunately I can't show you because it had her picture on it.  :(  We participated in our last Pinewood Derby with the pack and Gregory decided to race an old car instead of making a new one.

 Our last pack meeting as Cub Scouts :)

February

Andrew, David, Triston, Hunter, Grego, and Semalee at the Arrow of Light, February 6, 2010

In February Gregory had his Arrow of Light :)  He was also a Super Scouter and we are so proud of him!  We were also excited to have both boys in the Troop and only one scout entity to keep up with LOL  ;)  Also in February, one of our favorite artists, Toby Mac came in for a "Street and Greet" and the kids and I got to meet him.  It was so exciting to see my kids look up so much to such a man of God.  Michael and I also got to go on a get away weekend without any kids and my very very good friend Gwenn watched all FOUR kids for me!  It was a much needed blessing, and Michael and I were just so excited to get to SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT :)

March

In March Gregory went on his first Boy Scout Camping Trip and first backpacking trip too!  Oh- and his first campout without a parent!!!  Lots of firsts for that boy!  Auston was there, making sure he got adjusted into the troop :)  They went to Enchanted Rock, and called me from the top of the rock telling me they were "high" LOL...  Funny, funny boys.  We didn't really do anything for Spring Break this year because we were still adjusting to our new life, and were planning two big trips for the summer. 

And Auston got braces!!!!  I can't for the life of me find the pictures.... GRRR

April

In April we spent Easter in Conroe, and it was the first time Michael's mom got to meet "The Goat".  The Chick really enjoyed hunting Easter Eggs, and I couldn't believe how quickly this little 15 month old picked up what she was supposed to do!  She went right to task gathering her eggs, and then when we were done went right to task eating her candy!  She's sooooooo smart....  I'm afraid...  very afraid....  LOL  :)

May

In May Grego turned 11...  And Oh MY...  He's quite the Tweenager :)  We also finished up school at the Encourager and it was very bitter sweet because I had made the decision not to return in the fall as a teacher.  I really miss teaching and my students, but it is the best decision for us right now... I honestly don't know how I'd fit in working in addition to everything we're doing right now....  We also went on our first camp out with the babies- to Garner State Park with the Boy Scout Troop.  Can I just say how much I LOVE this park?  They have a dance every night during the summer and the boys have SO MUCH FUN...  We're headed there again in 2011 and I'm really looking forward to it :)

June

In June I went to Summer Camp with the boys.  This year we went to Bear Creek Scout Reservation, out near Kerrville, Texas.  The camp was beautiful, but not organized and SO MUCH HIKING...  One of our other leaders figured out that we hiked almost 5 miles a day just to and from activities in very steep terrain.  It was hard to enjoy ourselves because of the hiking and it was SO hot.  Oh, and at night the wind would blow so hard that the platform tents would rock......  I have no desire to return to that camp.  :)

Our Bathroom Buddy....

See, I told you it was beautiful :)

Gregory leading his pack of "Rangers"

Look at that HAIR.....

Auston and his stick bug :)

Auston, Kelton, and Grant in chow line :)

The Three Stooges- Andrew, Gregory, and Hunter

Our humble campsite LOL...

July

In July we went to Colorado to visit the Cook side of the family.  It was truly the best time.  My Dad got to spend the whole week with all 6 of his grandkids and the cousins got to know each other.  Om and I got to watch our kids play together and with our Dad.  It was really really wonderful. 

This picture is taken in the elevator of the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park Colorado.  It is the hotel where Stephen King got his inspiration to write the Shining.  It is supposed to be haunted.

We all got our Hippie on LOL

Here I am with Oma and Opa :)

Om and Tay

The boys on top of the rock they "conquered"...  This was before Zim realized he was too scared to get down LOL

El, Om, Me and Leif :)

 

August

 
August was mostly spend preparing for the upcoming school year, getting last minute stuff and all of the meetings etc that go along with that.  We were also preparing to go out of town again, so we were laying pretty low :)

September

September was quite the month for us!  School started and the business of life started.  It's our 5th year of homeschooling and Auston is doing mostly 9th grade work this year.  He and I have been surprised by the amount of it.  Gregory is finishing up Encourager and the big man on campus- 6th grade.  Mikey turned 39.........  Duh Duh Doom LOL  ;) We also participated in a St. Baldrick's event where we raised money for Childhood Cancer, by agreeing to shave our heads.  I learned a lot about my own vanity through this LOL  ;)  But, our event raised like $15,000!!!  So it was worth it for sure :)

 

 

The day after "The Big Shave" we left town for our second vacation for the year. 

October

We spent the end of September and the beginning of October driving across the country in the RV that Michael's Dad bought.  It guzzled the gas like we couldn't believe, but it was a LOT more comfortable and much more convenient to travel in.  We drove something like 4,000 miles in just over 2 weeks!!!  We drove first to Midland and stayed the night with the Joneses.  Then we drove into Tuscon and visited with my mom's best friend from childhood, Tevis.  Then we drove into Williams, AZ and stayed at the Grand Canyon Railroad.  We road the train into the Grand Canyon one day (something I've ALWAYS wanted to do) and drove into the canyon the next.  I've wanted to take my family to the Grand Canyon for YEARS, so it was neat to finally be able to do that :)  Then we drove to the Glen Canyon Dam in Utah and went down into the Dam, drove into Zion National Park and stayed at an RV park just outside.  Next we drove to Salt Lake City where much fun was had putting the Carter 6 pack with the Bilbrey 6 pack to make a 12 pack :)  I think staying with the Carters was our favorite part of the trip :)  While in Salt Lake we went to lunch at my Aunt Louise's and my mom and Bug and her kids and Aunt Tootsi were there.  It was surprisingly pleasant.  When we left Salt Lake we drove to Holbrook, AZ where we visited the Petrified Forest.  Finally, we made our trek home, staying a few nights in Midland and then coming back into town.  Are you tired yet?  And we did this all with the 2 babies in tow!  ;)

On top of ALL that, Auston turned 14, but we didn't have his party until after Thanksgiving!  Life is WAY too busy around here, something I plan to work on for 2011....

November

November marked my 36th birthday sheesh..  And our 6th Annual Bilbrey Family Picnic.  We celebrated the Goat's First Birthday in conjuction with the picnic because it would be mostly the same people anyway :)  Once the adoptions are final I may move the family picnic to the month that happens...  We'll see...  We had Thanksgiving at our house as usual, and played Bingo again for the second year in a row.  I really like that :)  We finally had Auston's birthday party too!  LOL.  He went to the Rock Gym with some friends :)

December

December came up on us at warp speed and before we blinked it was over.  It was a sad month for us.  Our friend and pastor, Reverend Janet Gilmore lost her battle with cancer.  We know that she got the ultimate gift- to spend Christmas in heaven, but this world got a little darker to us on December 18th.  We miss her tremendously.  She was an amazing friend, mother, pastor, woman.  After attending her funeral the Tuesday before Christmas, suddenly life seemed so much more temporary.  It made Christmas with all FOUR children that much sweeter.

 

"The light of Christ will shine through and through.  May the Blessings of God Almighty be felt by all who witness this miracle of faith."

All in all a busy, but good year.  I have a lot to think about for 2011, a lot of things we did right this year, and a lot of things we need to change.