Let’s be honest here, some days we adore our husbands and other days…not so much. Yesterday, however, was one of those days that I adored mine :)
Since my New Year’s resolution was not to spend money eating out this year, we have had very little “fast food” around our house lately. We didn’t have that much before, but once a week or so we would grab a quick meal somewhere out of pure laziness on my part. I’m not sure what the point is of “not spending money” on fast food is since really my budget/food spending has not changed (we are value menu diners), but I’m determined to stick it out to the end of the year.
But there are little things that I miss, the Gyro being one of them mmmmm. Justin decided to surprise me yesterday at work by showing up with a Gyro and my kiddos for a visit. By decided I mean he planned to, but underestimated the amount of time it takes to get 3 kids bathed and presentable for a 30-45 commute to see me. A few minutes after my lunch break had started he called me to tell me not to eat because he was on his way. I decided seeing all of them were better then food so he came straight to see me instead of bringing me food, but it was still awesome. Every mom knows how fun it is to let all your friends/coworkers see your kids (you have to be proud of them!) We only had a few minutes together since my lunch was ending so Justin headed out, but still brought me back a Gyro!!
After lunch he headed with the kids to visit aunt Genny and decided to stick around to have lunch with Grandpa Bob. This meant I had the whole house to myself all night! So what did I do? Clean of course. I know it’s boring, but SO much easier to do with no kids around. In typical Justin fashion of course, Justin was home late (sometime after 11PM but I was asleep so not sure when) and it was super hard to fall asleep with nobody home, but I managed it and slept well.
I appreciate my hubby and all he does for me. Thank you Justin!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
It's Time to Play
If you know Justin and I, you probably are aware of how much music is a part of our lives. Justin more then me, but if it wasn’t for music we would have never met. We met in CBU’s UCO (Choir), we bonded over some amazing Tyrone Wells (Feel the need to do a shout out to Shanda!!), and he’s a musician which for some reason I have always been attracted to.
Justin was Music Major and he, in particular, loves music. He loves listening to, playing, singing, and finding new music. We both have hopes that our children will be some how musically gifted. With that being said the picture below melts my heart. Obviously, he isn’t “playing”, but he sure pounded away and “sang” his cooing song. It was awesome!
Justin was Music Major and he, in particular, loves music. He loves listening to, playing, singing, and finding new music. We both have hopes that our children will be some how musically gifted. With that being said the picture below melts my heart. Obviously, he isn’t “playing”, but he sure pounded away and “sang” his cooing song. It was awesome!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Be Thou My Vision
So if you are a friend on facebook (which I’m sure anyone reading this is) then you may have already seen my post relating to this, but it is well worth explanation.
Last night on the way to Church I expressed to Justin how “drained” I am feeling right now. I feel like so many things in my life have been an uphill battle. I’m crawling to get out of this ditch… I’m tired, broken, bloody, dirty, and I just can’t get out! This hit me hard today when a new position I applied for was offered to another person. However, it was one of the most amazing rejections I have ever had and for that I am extremely grateful!!
I feel like I keep barely falling short of these “dreams” or “goals” that I have, and if you know me that is huge pill to swallow (I wonder how many cliché sayings I can fit in this one post haha). I want to move out of my parent’s house, but I make barely too much for an affordable housing unit in my price range or I don’t make enough for a place that would fit my pretty large family. I want more from my job (I really do like what I do, but I just want a little more from it), but I can’t seem to find another position that is good fit for me that the hiring manager feels I’m qualified enough for. These are the big things with tons of small things feeling the little gaps.
I am tired of all of me, just not being enough… Then it hit me last night or I should say HE hit me last night. Why am I trying to be “enough” for things in this world and not focusing on being enough for HIM?
Our Music Man, Jarrett LeMaster (sorry if it is spelled wrong) sang the hymn last night Be Thou My Vision and the following verse hit me like a truck –
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
Pastor Brian spoke last night of Prayer and Fasting. He emphasized this is a commitment between that person and the Lord and it is nobody’s business to know when you are fasting or what you are fasting from, but still very important to make that commitment to God if you feel God is putting it on your heart to do so. Needless to say, I know God is calling me closer to him right now so I wont’ tell you when, for how long, or what I will be fasting from, but that I will do it and I am excited about what God has in store for me. I need to strive to be enough for HIM which in turn will make all my dreams and goals a reality.
Now for those of you that might be reading this that are not saved I want to make a couple of important notes:
1. I am thankful you have read this far into a post about God when it is probably not important to you.
2. I may never get my dream job or dream home, but if I make my ONLY dream to live a God honoring life, to please HIM then no matter what my job is or where I live my dreams will “come true”. If I do get one of these other things it’s a perk, but not a necessity. I hope that makes sense!
Thank you friends and family for your prayers for our family. It is appreciated so much more then you know!
Last night on the way to Church I expressed to Justin how “drained” I am feeling right now. I feel like so many things in my life have been an uphill battle. I’m crawling to get out of this ditch… I’m tired, broken, bloody, dirty, and I just can’t get out! This hit me hard today when a new position I applied for was offered to another person. However, it was one of the most amazing rejections I have ever had and for that I am extremely grateful!!
I feel like I keep barely falling short of these “dreams” or “goals” that I have, and if you know me that is huge pill to swallow (I wonder how many cliché sayings I can fit in this one post haha). I want to move out of my parent’s house, but I make barely too much for an affordable housing unit in my price range or I don’t make enough for a place that would fit my pretty large family. I want more from my job (I really do like what I do, but I just want a little more from it), but I can’t seem to find another position that is good fit for me that the hiring manager feels I’m qualified enough for. These are the big things with tons of small things feeling the little gaps.
I am tired of all of me, just not being enough… Then it hit me last night or I should say HE hit me last night. Why am I trying to be “enough” for things in this world and not focusing on being enough for HIM?
Our Music Man, Jarrett LeMaster (sorry if it is spelled wrong) sang the hymn last night Be Thou My Vision and the following verse hit me like a truck –
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
Pastor Brian spoke last night of Prayer and Fasting. He emphasized this is a commitment between that person and the Lord and it is nobody’s business to know when you are fasting or what you are fasting from, but still very important to make that commitment to God if you feel God is putting it on your heart to do so. Needless to say, I know God is calling me closer to him right now so I wont’ tell you when, for how long, or what I will be fasting from, but that I will do it and I am excited about what God has in store for me. I need to strive to be enough for HIM which in turn will make all my dreams and goals a reality.
Now for those of you that might be reading this that are not saved I want to make a couple of important notes:
1. I am thankful you have read this far into a post about God when it is probably not important to you.
2. I may never get my dream job or dream home, but if I make my ONLY dream to live a God honoring life, to please HIM then no matter what my job is or where I live my dreams will “come true”. If I do get one of these other things it’s a perk, but not a necessity. I hope that makes sense!
Thank you friends and family for your prayers for our family. It is appreciated so much more then you know!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Good Grub, Good Company
Before I had met Justin I had never had Japanese food. This includes sushi. I have since come to LOVE miso soup, cucumber salad, sushi, and anything tempura.
Now I don’t like fish, this includes raw fish, so my form of sushi is the cooked version with shrimp or crab, but its still oh so yummy with some wasabi and soy sauce! Mmmm
That being said every year we go out with Justin’s dad for a birthday dinner and Justin typically picks Japanese food. Our/His favorite is this place called Matsu’s. This year we took all 3 kids (not as bad as I thought it would be, but still difficult). I was very grateful for Aunt Genny and Grandma Lori taking on the huge task of keeping Jordan in her chair while Justin and I dealt with Taylor and Eli.
What we discovered during this meal though was amazing!
Miso Soup – Loved by Jordan and Taylor
Cucumber Salad – Loved by Jordan (with the little shrimp) and Taylor thought she liked it until the vinegar flavor kicked in to which she responded “it burns me!”
Sushi – Taylor took one bite and said “I don’t like it”…then about 30 seconds later said “Ok now I like it, I want more!”
Rice – The girls still loved it and Eli had his first serving of it (more on his face then in his mouth) and he liked it!
Shrimp (Tempura) – Jordan is a huge fan
Chopsticks – Taylor insisted on using them and thanks again to Aunt Genny getting her the training ones she uses at home often, she did pretty good!
We had a great time and its always nice spending time with family. I don’t have the picture yet, but when I do I’ll post it! Below is Taylor’s first bite of Sushi and Eli’s sloppy rice face.
Now I don’t like fish, this includes raw fish, so my form of sushi is the cooked version with shrimp or crab, but its still oh so yummy with some wasabi and soy sauce! Mmmm
That being said every year we go out with Justin’s dad for a birthday dinner and Justin typically picks Japanese food. Our/His favorite is this place called Matsu’s. This year we took all 3 kids (not as bad as I thought it would be, but still difficult). I was very grateful for Aunt Genny and Grandma Lori taking on the huge task of keeping Jordan in her chair while Justin and I dealt with Taylor and Eli.
What we discovered during this meal though was amazing!
Miso Soup – Loved by Jordan and Taylor
Cucumber Salad – Loved by Jordan (with the little shrimp) and Taylor thought she liked it until the vinegar flavor kicked in to which she responded “it burns me!”
Sushi – Taylor took one bite and said “I don’t like it”…then about 30 seconds later said “Ok now I like it, I want more!”
Rice – The girls still loved it and Eli had his first serving of it (more on his face then in his mouth) and he liked it!
Shrimp (Tempura) – Jordan is a huge fan
Chopsticks – Taylor insisted on using them and thanks again to Aunt Genny getting her the training ones she uses at home often, she did pretty good!
We had a great time and its always nice spending time with family. I don’t have the picture yet, but when I do I’ll post it! Below is Taylor’s first bite of Sushi and Eli’s sloppy rice face.
Monday, March 7, 2011
9 Months Old
Elijah was 9 months on Saturday! We got to spend the evening with Rob, Tawni, Rachel, and Sam. I really love to watch the kids interact and even being so close in age they are SO different! Girls definitely talk and scream more haha!
But back to Elijah. I know its bad, but I can’t tell you how much he weighs or how tall he is. The problem is Justin takes him to his Dr. Appointments so I just don’t see it. I’ve already decided I will be going to his 9 month appointment in a couple of weeks so I can do an update then!
I can tell you he is a tiny kid. He’s tall, but stick skinny!
Eli (or as the girls call him “Buddy”), has 6 teeth with more on the way (makes for long evenings) and is standing on his own. He just recently started to stand up in the middle of the room without pulling himself onto something. I think walking is a month or more away since when we hold his hands to walk he turns his feet sideways.
His favorite song is by far “If You’re Happy and You Know it’. He hasn’t mastered the skill of clapping, but he gets super excited and holds his hands up towards you as if he wants to give you high fives. He’s not “talking”, but the sounds he makes sound a lot like “dada” and I swear when singing that song he says “cla cla”. I know Justin’s heard it to, I just don’t think he’d admit it.
Eli sleeps through most nights and about 2-3 times a week will get up once for a bottle, then back to bed. He takes 2-3 naps a day and is generally a very happy baby.
I think his favorite person in the world is Taylor. I feel bad for Jordan, but she is so vicious to him behind our backs (sits on him, pushes him, takes his things, etc) so he definitely prefers his oldest sister. He doesn’t laugh much and when he does it’s not really a full blown giggle like we’re used to with the girls. People comment all the time about how serious he is, and it’s true! It takes a lot to get him to smile at you, especially if he doesn’t know you.
He likes most food we put in his mouth be it fruit, veggie, or meat as long as it’s pureed. He is not a big fan of chunky food yet. He does love small snacks like cereal and diced fruit as long as it’s not mixed with his baby food. I guess what I’m trying to say is that he likes his smooth stuff smooth and not mixed with anything with chunks.
He loves milk and for some odd reason (first of my kids) does not like juice very much at all! It’s a pain to get him to drink any. I figure this month I will start the transition to Sippy cup and put juice in that only for now to see how it goes.
I adore this kid! And look forward to the differences in raising a boy compared to my girls.
But back to Elijah. I know its bad, but I can’t tell you how much he weighs or how tall he is. The problem is Justin takes him to his Dr. Appointments so I just don’t see it. I’ve already decided I will be going to his 9 month appointment in a couple of weeks so I can do an update then!
I can tell you he is a tiny kid. He’s tall, but stick skinny!
Eli (or as the girls call him “Buddy”), has 6 teeth with more on the way (makes for long evenings) and is standing on his own. He just recently started to stand up in the middle of the room without pulling himself onto something. I think walking is a month or more away since when we hold his hands to walk he turns his feet sideways.
His favorite song is by far “If You’re Happy and You Know it’. He hasn’t mastered the skill of clapping, but he gets super excited and holds his hands up towards you as if he wants to give you high fives. He’s not “talking”, but the sounds he makes sound a lot like “dada” and I swear when singing that song he says “cla cla”. I know Justin’s heard it to, I just don’t think he’d admit it.
Eli sleeps through most nights and about 2-3 times a week will get up once for a bottle, then back to bed. He takes 2-3 naps a day and is generally a very happy baby.
I think his favorite person in the world is Taylor. I feel bad for Jordan, but she is so vicious to him behind our backs (sits on him, pushes him, takes his things, etc) so he definitely prefers his oldest sister. He doesn’t laugh much and when he does it’s not really a full blown giggle like we’re used to with the girls. People comment all the time about how serious he is, and it’s true! It takes a lot to get him to smile at you, especially if he doesn’t know you.
He likes most food we put in his mouth be it fruit, veggie, or meat as long as it’s pureed. He is not a big fan of chunky food yet. He does love small snacks like cereal and diced fruit as long as it’s not mixed with his baby food. I guess what I’m trying to say is that he likes his smooth stuff smooth and not mixed with anything with chunks.
He loves milk and for some odd reason (first of my kids) does not like juice very much at all! It’s a pain to get him to drink any. I figure this month I will start the transition to Sippy cup and put juice in that only for now to see how it goes.
I adore this kid! And look forward to the differences in raising a boy compared to my girls.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Happy Birthday Justin
Today my hubby turned 28! I thought about a billion (or five) different ways to write a post based on him and decided to make this blog dedicated to him and the things he does in his sleep…
Top Five Sleeping Moments
5. Don’t Tell My Wife – he whispers things in his sleep to somebody that is usually followed up by “don’t tell my wife” or “don’t tell Rachael”.
“I ate a chipmunk, but don’t tell my wife”
“I killed a zombie, but don’t tell Rachael”
“PANTS! I hate pants, but don’t tell my wife…”
4. The Black Eye – probably maybe a week after our wedding I woke up to a elbow in the eye. Not like he was just rolling over, but like he was slamming down an opponent with his elbow. I had a black eye for a few days…it was great! (sarcasm of course)
3. The Sacrifice – One night while sleeping Justin was having a conversation with “zombies”. This was back when our only child was Taylor. Here is what I heard:
“don’t eat me, don’t eat me! I don’t taste good”
“here, eat Taylor!”
He turned his head to the side as if whispering to somebody
“don’t worry I’ll shoot ‘em in the head before they take a bite”
2. Who? – Justin has very graciously taken the role of getting up with the kids during the week nights (and most weekends) since I have to be up at 5AM. That being said he is VERY hard to wake up. I asked him to get Jordan because she was crying (I think she peed in her bed or something) and he kept saying “I don’t know who that person is!” Every time I tried to get him out of bed to get Jordan he would tell me that he didn’t know that girl and didn’t want to see her.
1. Ice Cream – I woke up to have Justin holding both of my shoulders to brace me as he licked my back. One large, sloppy lick from the middle of my back to the top and when he finished he said, “mmm ice cream”. I turned and punched him in the shoulder and told him that was gross! Apparently my punch had woke him and he asked why I hit him. After I told him what he did he denied it adamantly… drool dripping from his chin. EWW
Anyway, these are only some of the things he does or says in his sleep. Happy Birthday Babe!!
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