Happy Thanksgiving From our Family to yours!

We have so much to be Thankful for this year as with previous years, God is too good to us!

Sweet Blessings from God....

 Family....

 Good Men....

 Food to fill our tummy...

And Lots of Love....

Back to the Bible: Daily Devotional

Back to the Bible

Newest Addition has Arrived-

John Roy was born Oct 26th at 9:55pm. He weighed in at a healthy 8lbs 15 oz and 20 1/4 inches long.
We were blessed to have a all natural birth, no meds whatsoever! However we didn't do the home birth like planned. Although I'm not disappointed because God is good and his will is perfect, we labored and delivered our son at the birth center. And it was a water birth at that!!

I had a short birth, at only 3 1/2 of active labor and pushed for maybe 20 minutes. I'm writing up his birth story, but just like babies do, he takes up most of my time these days.

I'm so looking forward to this Thanksgiving and Christmas. We are having a simple yet meaningful Christmas this year and I have some crafts and recipes that I can't wait to share on the blog. Hopefully baby boy will stop eating long enough to let me post a few;)

More pictures to follow soon!

Lists, To Do's, Planning....

So I think instead of nesting in this pregnancy, I'm listing;)
I have this insatiable need to make al sorts of lists. Calenders, to do's, schedules, plans. But this is a good thing...well actually its a great thing! Because for me there is nothing more satisfying then marking off a item on my to do list!!
So although I don't have the urge to nest (just yet) I have a list of nesting items on my to do (in fact I have a 8 week schedule of tasks, it started today)and each item I get to mark off is so one more way I can prepare for Baby:)

One list I have and will be starting to check off is a freezer meal plan.
Here are some things that I will be cooking and freezing for after baby's arrival.
Seasoned taco meat
Meat Loaf
Chicken and Dumplings
Potato Soup
Mashed potatoes
Meat ball marinara
Chili
Chocolate chip cookies (for the holidays of course)
Banana nut bread
Blueberry muffins
Pancakes
Chocolate chip butterhorns
pie crusts (again for the holidays)
And I'm stocking up on things like frozen veggies, shredded cheese (it freezes great in small portions), canned items such as refried beans.
Anyway, that is just the start of my list, I "plan" on having a month worth of meals, plus some extras premade for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Oh yeah I'm also addressing Christmas cards this week!

Proverbs 19:14, says, "House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, BUT A PRUDENT WIFE IS FROM THE LORD."
Im sure Big Daddy will appreciate all the meal prep when baby is here, after all I know I'll be spending my time feeding baby and not cooking in the kitchen:)

Firsts....

Aw, by girl has lost her 1st tooth!!! She was scared at first but now she's excited to be like her older cousin Skylar who has also already lost a few of his baby teeth.

Randomness

Oh things have been a little hectic around here as of late. But I think its finally slowing down to a easier pace!
The last two weeks we have been dealing with the cleaning and repairing of our rental house in Dallas and that has kept me away from the computer:( I haven't been able to update on things like my pregnancy, our garden, our plans, or participate in the Completing Him Challenge. I'm two posts behind on that and I don't think I have the time to catch up, but I have been reading others posts and really enjoy it! I think its a great challenge though!

Now for a quick update and then its off to make eggs and bacon for breakfast!

Pregnancy is going wonderful! We have decided (and I may have already posted about this) to NOT find out what gender we are having! I think it will be a grand surprise and one of life's more memorable moments:) Although we still would LOVE to have a son, if the Lord has decided on a 3rd daughter for our family then we will gladly accept her and be ever so grateful for her:)

I'm so disappointed in our garden this year:( Between a late freeze (okay maybe we just planted a week too early) and major heat, then some serious rainfall (7 inches in 1 day!) our poor garden just couldn't take it! But every year we plant and every year we learn new things. This year we learned that if you plant wheat you must harvest it when you your suppose to, or else it will rain and your wheat will mold and all your effort will be for not!

Oh yeah, we're not getting a ultrasound done either. Unless something comes up that would indicate we need to further investigate by getting a u/s done. Im so excited to meet this little one this fall!!!

Because I'm an over achiever in the planning department, I'm thinking about things I can do to prepare for Thanksgiving and Christmas. See I'm suddenly struck by the thought that I will have a newborn who will be just a few weeks old at Thanksgiving and then maybe 6-8 weeks old at Christmas! Wow that alot to take during the holidays. And because I love that time of year I do still want to to enjoy it and have my family enjoy it despite any sleep deprivation I may be experiencing. So I'm putting together a list of things I can do in the next few months to make it easier. One thing is obvious...freezer cooking and baking. Cookies, fudge, quick breads, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and gravy. If I have these things on hand, I can mange a bird or ham and not feel over whelmed in the kitchen. And we have also decided to opt out of any Christmas gift exchanged, really we won't have the money and I don't know how many of those family gatherings we will be attending. But I know I will be purchasing stocking stuffers ahead of time also.

Lastly some of my favorite newly discovered spots on the internet.
Money Saving Mom
Women Living Well

And one of my newest faves-Raising Homemakers! Which is a subject near and dear to my heart!

Okay well that is all for now. Hhmmm maybe a picture is in order to round this post out?

Oh my sweetheart, how I LOVE him!!!! He's not aiming at anything living;) Just target practicing in our backyard:)

Week #1 of the Completing Him Challenge.

Well here we are at week 1 of the Completing Him Challenge!

This week is about our dating story and how we captivated that man we married while we were first dating.

I met Big Daddy through friends when I was 23 and oh so immature!!! When we first met he was dating a good friend of mine and I was married! Yes I know shocking!!!

We saw each other occasionally when friends got together to go do immature things like going to the clubs or bars. (hey keep in mind, this was before Christ changed my life!!:))
But for the most part we really had no interest in each other. One night out though that all changed!
My BFF and I were on our way to a club on a Saturday night and we had not intended to meet up with anyone else. My marriage was falling apart at the time I was fixin' to file for divorce. I needed a night out! As we were leaving that evening, my friend (and Big Daddy's ex) called asking if they could come out, as they were still friends even though they were not dating any longer.
So I said sure and we met them along with a few others at the club. That night was long and crazy and had lots of mixed drinks! Needless to say I was in no shape to drive let alone walk when we left the club in the wee hours of the morning. So some how I ended up in Big Daddy's big, loud and black pickup truck and we proceeded to go on to my apartment. Nothing sinful happen that night:) He made me some Pasta Roni and we watched Shrek! No kidding! And we stayed up the entire rest of the night/morning talking:)
The next day we went to breakfast and spent the entire Sunday together driving around in his truck. Oh yeah did I mention he was from Texas!
This all happen while he was stationed in my home state of Washington!! We couldn't be more culturally different!!!
But I can say by the end of Sunday I was in love!! No I'm serious!!!!!!!
I can honestly say that I have no doubt in my mind now 7 plus years later that I was truly in love with my man, not just lust. I mean really, you never saw two people cling to each other the way we did and still do!!!

After a few weeks of seeing each other and being completely obsessed with one another, we had our first real date. He took me as his date to his PLDC Army Ball.

I know its not the best picture ever but it's all I could find! Oh and here is one of the truck, its name- Black Beauty, why do I show you it? Because it really was a huge part of our dating and staying together in that first year.

 Again I know, not a great pic! But this is what you get from a old picture and crappy scanner! LOL:)
A few months after this picture was taken, I (being the only girl who he ever let drive his truck regularly) got into a bad accident while driving Black Beauty to the base to take him lunch. It was totaled. That was a turning point in our relationship!

One thing I'm going to work on this summer with my husband is to do more with him that doesn't involve the kids. Sure dinner and a movie are great sometimes, but one thing that I think my hubby always loved while we were dating is that I would do stuff with him most girls didn't want any part of. Work on the truck, go off roading, you know guy stuff!!
So even though I am 20 weeks pregnant right now, I really want to get out and do something he likes with him, for him:)

Can't wait to read some of the other lady's posts from the challenge!!!

My Big Girl Turns 6!

I'm a little late getting this up...but on May 31 my oldest child turned 6 years old! I'm sure for seasoned moms 6 seems so young, but for me it seems that she is growing in leaps and bounds! I wish she'd stop that!!
We didn't throw a big party or anything, she wanted to go to the zoo and then to lunch at her favorite restaurant, so that is what she got:)
Here are a few pics from her fun day-

They really do grow so fast! I'm starting to realize more then ever before the limited time I get to have with my little ones!! Such a short period of time to form their character and win their hearts for the Lord!

I'm so happy I get to spend so much time with her, if I sent her off on that big yellow bus everyday, Id miss so much! Recently there have been major important questions and challenges that have come her way, and I'm so thankful to be there for those times.

Psalms 127:3 says “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.”
Its taken a few years from the time she was born to realize what a great blessing she really is to me! But Thank you God for this gift:)

Completling Him Challenge!

Here's a great summer challenge that will undoubetly improve your marriage!!

This summer from June 7th to August 9th, Courtney over at Women Living Well
is having a wonderful challenge! Check out this video that gives a run down on the fun-


Hope y'all will join in, head over now to link up!

Remember our Fallen as you Enjoy your weekend!

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, we think of how they have followed in the footsteps of your son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Please hold our service men and women in your strong arms. Cover them with your sheltering grace and presence as they stand in the gap for our protection.

We also remember the families of our troops, and ask for your unique blessings to fill their homes and your peace, provision and strength to fill their lives.

May the members of our armed forces be filled with courage to face each day and may they trust in the Lord's mighty power to accomplish each task. Let our military brothers and sisters feel our love and support.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

WFMW- TMI...this one's for the ladies:)

So this is a Works for Me Wednesday tip that is for those of us of the female variety. But it has helped me so much that I couldn't help but share, even if its a little TMI! So if you want to know more scroll down below the picture.

So being pregnant comes with various issues and discomforts, one of them being itchiness and pH problems down south of the border. So when I felt a yeast infection starting about  month ago I immediately talked to my midwife about a natural way to solve this issue quickly and with out the typical, and might I add expensive, OTC treatments.

So step 1 was to use a clove of peeled garlic inserted into the vagina over night at the first sign of discomfort. For those of us who have regular yeast infections we know that tingle that is so alarming!

Magic! Two nights of garlic treatment and eating yogurt to get some of that ever so important pro biotic, problem gone!

Step 2, balancing my pH levels. I find that I am generally slightly itchy during this pregnancy, so I started to use a apple cider vinegar rinse. A couple cap fulls into a cup full of water, rinsing those lady parts morning and night. I found this to be especially helpful after intimate times.  

I highly recommend using this rinse (not douche, I do NOT recommend douching!) to help correct the pH balance and perhaps keep yeast infections at bay.

Its worked for me!!!

For more great tips visit:

We are That Family!

Memory Verse

I just stumbled upon Good Morning Girls! this morning and I am so happy I did!
Although I'm not part of a group in my area, I'm still looking forward to learning and growing over the summer with some help from this website!
Check it out, you'll be glad you did!

This weeks Verse to memorize and meditate on:

Galatians 5:22,23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

Go visit the website for great tips about memorizing scripture and why you want to do it!

Just so you know...

I really dislike Texas weather sometimes. Aside from the 2-3 week period of absolute loveliness we have in spring...most of the time its HOT or its stormy!!

Between golf ball size hail, winds and funnel clouds...its been one heck of a day!
Thankfully most of the really nasty stuff seemed to skirt us! Thank you Jesus!

Go here to check out some pictures from around the area today--http://www.wfaa.com/younews

Excited:)

We're going to see our midwife today. It always nice to get to hear the baby's heartbeat and confirm that all is going well. But today will be special because we are taking both the girls with us. Madi may not understand what is going on as she is only 3 but Cheyenne gets it and is excited to hear her little brother or sister's heartbeat.
Can't wait for my next appt, 4 weeks from now. That will be when we find out if its a boy or girl:)
Now I must go hang clothes out on the line. Its such a pretty time of year here in Texas. Not scorching yet, mid 80's and breezy. Perfect weather for drying laundry out on the line!

Thankful Thursday!

There are so many things to be Thankful for today! Here's a picture of one of them.

Its our dog Molly who was the most recent additional to our family. She was abandoned over Christmas at the lake. She would have starved to death if we had not took her in. She has turned out to be a wonderful and sweet dog. She's great with the kids, protective even. She doesn't chase the chickens. And she barks at unexpected visitors. And as you can see, she is quite photogetic! I'm thankful the Lord sent her to us!

Ah, Spring in Texas!

The one season I can actually enjoy here in Texas is spring. Which last about a month before the heat sets in:)
Last weekend we took a walk over to the lake and I snapped a few photos of the girls in the Blue Bonnets:)

                                         Molly had to join in on the fun too:)

WFMW- Morning sickness Remedies

For this first time I am experiencing morning sickness. My first two pregnancies I ate whatever I wanted and never had on iota of queasiness! But not with this little one, I was sick at 4 weeks 1 day!
So here is a few things that have helped me along the way the last 4 weeks. Not everything works all the time for me. But at least one of these things greatly reduced that horrible nausea!

Seabands
were the first thing I tried, and they really did help me. I still use them 4 weeks later and they do still work for the most part. And of course they are all natural, so you don't have to worry about taking any pills.

Instead of saltine crackers, pretzels have really been the thing that has helped me. I just love them!

Of course things like Jello help too. I found the sugar free kind gave me heart burn though, so stick to the original Jello.

Also when I can eat, I try to eat things that are very high in protein. High protein diet for the last two weeks has all but make my morning sickness vanish!
One food that I found that I can get alot of protein out of is a veggie burger sandwich made with Ezekial bread.

Oh and try and figure what triggers the morning sickness if possible. For me its dairy, being tired and dehydration. Iv stayed away from dairy that last few weeks too, and I think that has helped big time.

And when all else has failed and I'm having a really bad day...I go to the morning sickness cocktail.
Iv only used this option twice. Take 50 mg vitamin B6 in the morning and again in the evening, and in the evening also take 1/2 of a Unisom ( 12.5 mg of Doxylamine Succinate), Sleep tabs, not the gel caps, those have a different ingredient in them. I'm telling this stuff works like a charm. Of course it will make you very drowsy!!!
PLEASE NOTE: I am not a medical professional. Talk to your Doctor or Midwife before taking any medication or vitamin. I talked with my Midwife before taking this!!!!
Well this is what has worked for me when it comes to that evil thing called morning sickness!!!

For more awesome ideas, tips and tricks visit We are THAT family!

City vs Country

You just never wake up to the sound of gobbling in the city!
There were 29 wild turkey in my yard this morning:)
It was really neat to see:)

NEWS

We are happy to announce that we are expecting baby #3 this November!!!!

More Snow Pictures