National Recall?

o.k. so America, don't eat peanut butter- apparently it's contaminated with salmonella. Ha! A few of you are reading this, thinking 'really, uh-oh' I must live under the same rock you do and then the vast majority of you are saying out loud ( I can hear you) HELLO! WAKE UP WOMAN! NO KIDDING! Well, I must say I am a great mom- just not at the moment. I think poor David is sick with the bug and I imagine it must be from peanut butter. I am the wise mommy who never leaves home w/o pb & j or crackers. Duh!!! Where have I been? Poor David, if he knew any better, he'd toss his blocks at me- really hard. And who could blame him. Well, under the mask of sarcasm, I am extremely embarrassed and guilty of not paying attention. I just don't watch the news, nor do I read the paper. But, after surviving being thrown up on and changing sheets twice in the past 24 hrs. I am stating a goal to all my faithful and forgiving friends. I plan to get my head out from you know where and pay attention. It's the least I can do, especially for my boys. And for those of you, if any, that didn't know; I hope this helps.

Happy (belated) New Year

Not a great start to a new year, huh. I am already behind on our blog. I figure going back and recapping is the easiest thing to do, at this point. I am content now that I've realized what a great journal it is keeping a blog, so if I get behind it's o.k. I am killing two birds with one stone. (thanks for enlightening me Kristen) December was a fast month, as I am sure most of you can relate. Every year, I do the same thing; I plan to have my shopping done by Nov. but am still finishing up the week before Christmas. Thankfully, I managed to keep the list small and really focused on the true meaning.... my stressful days were lifted a little higher, and my heart seemed more carefree to share Jesus with others. I enjoyed making bread and bringing gifts to David and Daniel's teachers at school, to show them appreciation for their wonderful care. Brian and I experienced our first Christmas program, and my heart felt soft for David as he sat on stage starring at his classmates and teachers. His little finger probed around in his mouth, like he was searching for the escape button and it was all I could do to not run up and hold him, and wipe the dried tears from his cheeks. He was not in "his glory" and Brian reassured me he was the same way, when he was David's age. The 15 min of agony was fully healed with cookies.



Christmas was somewhat calm. I had to work part of the day, but enjoyed a quiet time with Brian and the boys in the morning and appreciated that special time of "just us". The boys did well at the Christmas eve service and most of the people didn't seem to mind the noisy wheel loader scooting across the floor, from time to time.



New Year's wasn't really much. We were in bed by 10:30 to prepare for our flight the next day. Hopefully, there isn't some true meaning behind the kiss when the clock strikes midnight, b/c we totally miss it every year. I guess we'll have to stick with prayer to set our feet firm. I mean that in a sweet, teasing way. We had a great time visiting with Brian's family in California. Unfortutately we missed our plane in the morning b/c we over slept but God blessed us, and despite the two 5 hr. lay overs we got to fly First Class the whole way. SWEET!! Let me tell you. I was dreading coach on the way back, but it went fine of course and the boys are troopers. I will be posting pics to follow. one of these days. Hang in there I am still learning this blog thing.
I am anticipating a full new year of learning to walk with Jesus, praying more and consistently, appreciating every moment with my kids and Brian, letting go of the things I can't change and getting over me. I believe that God has many things planned for us this year. We are praying about a house, new job opportunities, reading through the Bible and memorizing scriptures together. I can't wait to see how this year unfolds. I am so grateful that our heavenly Father is gracious and give us a new clean slate every day. I know I need it. One of my favorite scriptures is Psalm 32:5 Create in me a pure heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. I hope to concentrate my mind and heart on the word daily. Thanks for the motivation Andrea. I hope all my blessed friends are on a new solid foundation and anticipating a great year also.

"We're going to the fair....."

Well, these aren't really the usual fair pics one would see, however, being that it takes me 15 min. to download a pic. I ran out of time this day. Anyway, the kids first time going to a fair. We went all of the way to big town Williston to see animals, ride a few rides ( I can't believe I used to go on those things, I was too young to see the danger :) ) and of course, they tried cotton candy. The highlight however, was playing trucks in the big mound of dirt one of the companies had there, displaying their equipment. Go figure. Daniel really enjoyed the horses, and I think would've gone right in the pen. David actually did. When we were walking around, there was a girl doing a talk about cows or something and the pen behind her (thank God was empty) but David just climbs under the gate and starts running around the pen. It was pretty funny. admittedly a little embarrassing. Life with kids is truly an adventure.

Lovin' Halloween?

O.k. so for those of you daily blog stalkers, I have greatly disappointed you. However, for those of you who are slackers like me, you'll be right on time. These were obviously taken at Halloween. Grammy from CA was here, and enjoyed the festivities with the boys. Daniel didn't enjoy them as much. We took the kids to the fall festival at one of the Baptist churches in Gainesville. Our church didn't do their usual "trunk or treat" so we tried something new. David only wore his entire outfit for this pic and then stayed with the jacket only. Good thing grammy took the pic quick. I don't generally like Halloween. It seems like a lot of pressure to come up with the "coolest" costume and I am not that creative, so I get frustrated easily. It usually happens that I come up with an idea and then spend the entire month of Oct. looking for stuff to do my own costume and then I totally drop the ball b/c I can't find what I am looking for. I think I've decided to go with the ready made deals. This event took place before Brian and his mom left for Brazil. As you've already read, I struggled a little bit with them being gone. I've recovered and hence that is why this month as flown by and I am getting to you all now.

single mom

Well, I've managed to make it 6 days w/o Brian. I didn't realize how much I'd miss him. It's definitely harder with the kids now. But the boys are handling it well. David talks about him being on "the big bus" every day. (they took a charter to Miami) My heart leaped when I heard his voice (he was able to call)for about 60 secs. Wed. night. He and the team are doing o.k. The day to day routine is pretty much the same, but the evenings get lonely. I don't like being at home at night by myself. I am sort of a scaredy-cat. I pray everynight, and place my trust in God; that's all I know to do. I wondered if He was hearing my prayers lately, though. David has been waking so early now b/c of daylight saving time but yesterday 4:30 was a little much. I've been sensing the need to get up early to pray & study but....... I had difficulty getting him to cooperate and go back to sleep and then Daniel was wide awake (they share a room) so I gave up and stuck my head in the Bible and prayed and would you believe those boys went back to sleep at 6 and didn't wake up 'til 7:30. I was so excited and appreciative. My mom came up today so I could work, it was really good to have her there. We had time to hang out and take a walk with the boys. I know good will surely come from this season of time, and I pray that Brian and the team our doing great work in the Amazon. We are not "here" for our luxury and this is a good reminder of that.

Thought this was funny of David. We were at the costume store, hunting around, and he found these bull frogs. He lined them all up on the floor, about 6 of them and then didn't want to put them back. I got quite a kick out of it. The boys enjoy being outside so much, that's all they ask for all day. Their new thing is pushing each other in one of their dump trucks. Silly boys! Here, mommy and the boys are at Sesame Street Live. They both really liked it (for about 30 min) and then.....

Anyway, just a little - 'this is what we're doing now. Now, I am off to bed. Long day. Brian's mom comes tomorrow. Can't wait, we miss them all so much.

Surviving the "Terrible Two's"

Well, a much better week it has been. David is still trying at times but the past few days we've managed to love on each other a little bit and mommy is learning how to cope much better. I am reading a very interesting book about child training and the author argues against the "world's view" about stages. He says they don't really exist and states that the Bible doesn't recognize them. He also goes to say that if parents implement this biblical principle,and refer to the Bible for instruction, then their children never go through them. I am still coming up with an opinion about this but I have figured out little "tricks" that seem to simmer down his tantrums and when all else fails, out of desperation, I pray with him. This really gets him quiet; he'll stop his ranting and look at me perplexed and listen intently. Works every time. (so far) David has also "graduated" to his toddler bed and actually staying in it. He wasn't too keen on sleeping in the full-bunk bed, even with the cool truck sheets. So, I decided to break his crib down to the toddler setting. He as adapted so well, we feel very fortunate. On dilemna though, is regardless of what time he goes to bed, he wakes up ~ 5:45- 6:00 am most mornings. It's been very frustating and we debate on how to respond to it, which is stressful. However, praise God! The past two mornings he slept 'til 7:00. Whew. much better. Quick note about Daniel: he's a little sweetheart, but a monster in disguise. He does the funniest, wackiest things and has no fear. Climbing on everything, digging in the dirt (eating most of it) and going down the slide almost by himself, he'll even push David on his big wheel. He has the best kissing cheeks ever and he and David love to chase each other around the island in the kitchen. Me and the boys are getting prepared for daddy to go on his mission trip to Brazil next weekend. It won't be fun, but we know God is going to bless all of us for being obedient and the people of the Amazon will also be blessed.