I am back....Not Me Monday!

So I am back and man was it a long, yet very enjoyable trip. I hope that all of you had a really nice Thanksgiving too.



Here I go again with my Not Me Monday to join in visit MckMama @ My Charming Kids.

- I did NOT totally lose my mind and decide to begin college again! I start my first class today! Yeah it is online so I can start now! YIKES!!

- I did NOT try again with the potty training Joshua and fail again.

- I did NOT nap all but 2 days of our vacation and use my 2 year old needing a nap as an excuse.

- I did NOT use my 2 year olds nap to skip out on Thanksgiving dinner clean up! OOPS!

- I did NOT walk circles around my in-laws yard just so I wouldn't feel so guilty about the Thanksgiving meal only to eat way too much popcorn and reese's pieces at the movie.

- I was NOT singing along to "I like to Move it" in Madagascar 2 and acting so goofy that my 2 year old would rather play and laugh with Mommy than watch the movie.

- I was NOT so excited about Black Friday that I made up an excuse to stop at Wal-Mart on the way home from the movie just to scope out the sales early.

- I did NOT wake up at 3:30 even though my alarm was set for 4 Friday morning because I was so excited to shop!

- I did NOT convince my dear sweet Sister in Law to chase down a Wal-Mart employee that had something she wanted because I thought he was putting it back on the shelf.

-I did NOT along with my Sisters-in-law convince a lady, ahead of us in line, to buy even more merchandise than her probably 1000 dollar loot.

- I did NOT get so overwhelmed in one store that I had to leave because it was nerve racking.

- I did NOT go back to Wal-Mart Saturday only to find more deals that I just had to have.

- I did NOT totally ruin my diet all weekend.

-I did NOT use the grandparents to get extra sleep.

- I did NOT trick my Husband in to telling me one of my Christmas gifts.

- I did NOT write such a long NOT me Monday that even I got bored!

Does this mean I am addicted?

OK I know I have already posted today, (not even an hour ago). I just have to confess that I must be addicted to blogging. My in-laws live in a TINY town, like maybe 200 population and therefore can only get dial-up internet which is so impossible with blogs. We are leaving to go this evening and will not return until Sunday. I have been so worried about this and have wondered how I would survive, until last night.

Joe and I were discussing Black Friday and all the shopping we will do, and the idea hit me. We always stop at Starbucks to grab a coffee of some sort, HELLO free wi-fi!! I started packing up my laptop, and got a funny look from Joe. I just looked at him and said, "There is a Starbucks when we shop, so I will blog on Friday." He laughed so hard I thought he may cry!

AM I ADDICTED???????

Thanksgiving

I know there will be tons of post about being Thankful this week, but I just can't pass the opportunity to join in. I have so much to be thankful for and feel greatly blessed. I read stories and talk to people daily and see the problems they face, and I think WOW I have nothing to complain about. I have a healthy family, a wonderful husband, and a Faith in Jesus Christ that makes it all that much better. So here is a list of the things I am thankful for, even though there are many, many more.

- My graceful loving Heavenly Father, who sent his son that we too may live an everlasting life. If God is not a part of your life, or you ever would like to talk about him please let me know. There is nothing more satisfying or life changing than becoming a Child of God.

-My wonderful Husband who puts up with me, and all my good and bad! I love him with all of my heart and more and more each day.

- My boys, who I never thought I would have.

- My Parents who raised me into the Woman I am today, and introduced me from day one to my God and Savior.

- My In-laws who raised a wonderful and loving man who also has a very deep faith.

- My extended family for always being there.

- My church family for the loving Spiritual support and friendship we all need.

- My job and the wonderful people I work with.

- My home, car, food, and being able to provide for our family beyond just needs.

- The Military men and women who serve and put their lives on the line for mine and my families freedom.

- The free country that we live in.

- The beautiful creation that God has given to us to enjoy,love and CARE for.

- My Friends who love me even when I am not the best at communication.

I hope that you too have a thankful list. I have a ton more, and go on all day, but I will leave it at this. I will be gone the rest of the week, but will catch up with all of you soon! Have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving holiday!

And the Winner is...............

Honey Mommy!!!!!

Random Sequence Generator

Here is your sequence:

* 20

Thank you so much for playing along everyone! If you didn't win head on over to Monica's Creative Corner and place an order. You will not be disappointed.

Don't forget to enter!!

Hey ladies don't forget to enter my giveaway for a Custom Christmas Bow and a bow holder. Even if you don't have girl enter and use it as a precious gift! I will take entries until 12AM!!! Good Luck!

Not Me Monday

This is my first time to play along and I am excited!!

1. I DID NOT eat so much food yesterday that I thought I might explode, and not feel guilty about it today.

2. I DID NOT let my child who is allergic to milk have it because he cried so hard and was super pitiful.

3. The milk DID NOT make my baby have yuck diapers and a tummy ache all day and make him smell like spoiled milk ALL DAY.

4. I DID NOT stay up late playing Super Mario Brothers on a 30 dollar game Console that we found at a mall kiosk and make my boy go to bed.

5. I DID NOT rip a controller out of my 2 y/o hand out of wanting to "just beat the next level"

6. I DID NOT sound like my Mom and tell my boys, "you look out your window and you look out your window, and I better not hear another word!" I would NEVER do this!!

7. I DID NOT let my children eat Pizza for 3 meals in one weekend!

8. I DID NOT clean house in commercials of Grey's Anatomy because I just couldn't wait to whatch it off the DVR.

9. I DID NOT buy my child a toy just because he wanted his brothers, and should probably learn you don't get everything you want!

10. AND I DID NOT run into a wall while talking to my boss! I mean I really didn't have a bruise on my cheek I hit so hard.

Award for today!

I got this award a few days ago from Maggie at Life with Boys and was so busy last week that I didn't have time to post it! I am thankful and blessed by my blog friends and love having other Moms to use as a support. Thank you so much Maggie!

This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships!

*These blogs are exceedingly charming.
*These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends.
*They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement.

Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly written text into the body of their award.

I would like to pass the Proximidada Award on to:
1.Honey Mommy
2.Space of Grace: The homemaker's Library
3. Lindsay at Our Lives in a Nutshell.
4. Monica at A Day in the Life
5. Val at Life is Superb
6.Rachel at Little Bites of Heaven
7.Leslie at The Moody Family
8. Pam at Your Gonna Miss This

PSF: Joshua's Climbing Days!

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Before Joshua could even walk he began to climb. It AMAZED me, when he was 5 months he climbed out of his exersaucer. I could NOT believe it! I thought I was going nuts when he was out of it, thinking I had taken him out and not even remembered. I put him back in, and watched him climb out! He still loves to climb and get into everything! I tried to get pictures of all the places he climbs when he was small, so I thought I would share!

My News is: A Giveaway from Monica's Creative Corner

OK so here is my "news", sorry to disappoint those of you who thought I was preggers! I just am sooooo excited to do this giveaway! Monica is very talented and I was honored to be able to be able to share it with all of you.

The giveaway is for the Christmas bow, and the Bow hanger, so yep you get 2 for 1!! Here are the rules:

1. To get one entry visit Monica at Monica's Creative corner and give her some blog love and comment back here that you did so.
2. For 2 entries do the above, plus link to the giveaway on your blog.
3. For 3 entries do all the above, plus add one of Monica's nifty buttons.

4. For 4 entries do the above and follow both of us.
5. The giveaway ends Monday at midnight and I will do a random selector for the winner and post who that is on Tuesday.

Wordful Wednesday: Craft Show

My sister in law Monica of A Day in the life, and I did a Craft Show this weekend. It was a very small show in the very small town I live in, but it was a fund raiser for the school, so a very good cause. We had a lot of fun getting to show off our creations and spend the day showing people what we do in our spare time. My Mom and Mother in law also contributed to the show. My Mom made jewelry to go along with my stuff and our Mother in Law made candy to add to our booth. It made for a full, pretty, and TASTY booth. Monica did great selling bows and bow hangers and her stuff is super cute, wish I had a girl to use them on! I sold custom Mother's Bracelets and then a few of my other pieces. It was a really good time!

One of my pieces. (not a great picture)

Monica with her bows!

Me and my Jewelry!


My Jewelry!


Candy!


For more Wordful Wednesday visit Angie

Prayers Answered!

Well my Dad is out of the hospital and on his way to a full recovery. I just want to thank everyone for your prayers, because prayer is such a powerful thing.

Ephesians 6:18
New International Version


18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

It is so comforting to know that people who do not know me or my family have prayed and God has answered YES! Thank you all!

Upcoming Excitement!

I am so excited I can hardly contain myself, but I can't tell!! I have some fun and exciting news to share but...........



































You must wait until Thursday to find out!!!!

I love Awards!

Tammy of Pink Stinx passed this AMAZING award to me! I was super excited! Thank you Tammy for thinking that I possessed all the qualities of this award.

Rules: The qualifications to receive the award are:
A. Display a cheerful attitude.
B. Love one another.
C. Make mistakes.
D. Learn from others.
E. Be a positive contributor to the blog world.
F. Love life.
G. Love kids.

The Rules:
1. Must link it back to the creator
2. Post the rules
3. Choose 5 people to give it to
4. Recipients must fill the characteristics above
5. Create a post to share this
6. You must thank the winner

An the Award goes to:
1.Honey Mommy
2. Ali at Home of the Lazy Dog

3.Kameron from a Wrinkle in Time
4.Leslie at The Moody family
5.Jacie at Mom Stuff

Prayers Please

I just wanted to let all of you know that this week may be a bit boring on my blog. I may try to get some guest posts but we will see how it all works out.
My Dad visited the ER Sat. night and was released, only to have to return last night. He was admitted and they are running a ton of test. His blood pressure is extremely elevated and a few other things are going on. I am waiting on some test results before I head up there. My day today will be spent getting things ready and in line in case I leave. Please keep my Dad and our family in your prayers.

I have an award to pass on from Tammy of Pink Stinx I am excited about this award, but will have to post it a bit later! Thank you Tammy for thinking of me!!

PSF: Baking Fun

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Last Saturday I got the pleasure of having a Mommy Day with my very good friend Michelle! We had planned this day for a day of baking for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It was a blessing to get to spend time with such a good friend doing something that we both love. I didn't get to bake near as much at I wanted due to a mistake while making sugar cookies! I added double of one ingredient and so had to double an already huge batch. so I worked on those most of the day. I did Sugar cookies, Peanut Butter Reese's cookies, and Pumpkin Cranberry cookies. Michelle made Sugar cookies, Peanut Butter Balls, and Ginger Bread cookies. It all turned out so YUMMY, (we did have to sample as we went). I froze it all to give as gifts for Christmas, and of course let the kids taste one of everything I made. Thank you Michelle for a wonderful day, and thank you Joe for occupying 3 active boys so we could share the day, you are the BEST.

One of those Weeks!

Have you ever had one of those weeks, where you just wish things would SLOW down? That has been my week, exactly! I am trying to make jewelry for a craft show, work, teach Ladies Bible Class tonight, help Joe Braden with his first major project, take care of my sick children, clean my house for company, and be a good wife and Mom! Way too many extras for one week! I am notorious for putting too many irons in the fire and I have seriously topped myself this week. Oh and I didn't mention a youth group concert, and Oral Reading Practice!

I am trying not to see the negative but oh my it is hard! I just keep telling myself I am blessed to be this involved!

Sorry this is a short post but as you see I have a TON to do!

Wordful Wednesday: Where does the Time go?

Tonight I was bathing the boys and they were splishing and splashing and making a MESS. I, not feeling good, was just trying to get them in and out and I started getting so frustrated at the mess they were causing. I usually don't bathe them together because of this, but again I didn't feel well and thought maybe I could cut my time.
When I went to get them out I wrapped a towel around Joshua and thought of this picture:


Lord, forgive me for being frustrated, and please let me remember I will miss this time.

I hope that all of you are enjoying your children in the moments they are in now. Each stage is enjoyable and one day they will be grown. Many blessings to all of you!

For more Wordful Wednesday visit Angie at Seven Clown Circus!

More Awards!

OK so now I have gotten yet another 2 awards! Yep 2! I don't even know how I have gotten these because I don't feel worthy at all!

The rules for this award are:
1: Post the award on my blog
2: Link to the person who gave it to me... Space of Grace
3: Link to the originating post - here
4: Pass the award on to 5 people.
5: Post the rules for the recipients

Five recipients are:
Maggie at Life with Boys
Octamom- Who I was giving the award to and went to get her link and found she had awarded me!!
Tammy at Pink Stinx
Debbi of Who Says Eight is Enough?
Rachael of Little Bites of Heaven



OK so the second one is from Octamom
1. You must eat a piece of chocolate in honor of accepting the Octamom award.
2. You must, um.....oh, ah, eat another piece of chocolate when you put it on your blog.
3. You must visit Debi B. by clicking here. It's neighborly, you know.
4. Try to go by and see the other good folks I'm going to put a link up for.
5. Feel free to add or subtract from the rules as suits your fancy...except that chocolate one...I must insist on that.
I am passing this along to all my followers and all those I follow! So take a look at all these girls!

Update on a few past post!

OK so here are a few updates......

Remember the "Where is Baby" Post? Well here is the update. We went a week without baby with little problem. Joshua was fine with blue and actually reverted back to his very first "lovey". I did have to go to Wal-Mart today so I looked and found a baby similar to the one we lost and bought it for him. He loves it and so now we are sleeping with Blue, Elmo, Lovey, Baby, and pillow Elmo. Ummmm yeah can we say attached? Hey if it helps him sleep without crying and sleep through the night I can't complain right?

Update on the "Something in the Wall" post:
So we found out what the something in the wall is, are you ready for this? It is a Squirrel!!! I cannot get over this fact! We are in the process of trying to get him out, and hopefully that will be tomorrow. Joe finally saw him going in, and the other night the little thing was in the attic right above our bedroom! We are fixing the opening and getting rid of Mr. Squirrel. What is sad is Joshua loves to watch the Squirrels! At least he is too young to understand they are "leaving".

Update on Is it Potty Time Already?
Well Joshua has tried 2 different times since then to potty train and has proven he isn't ready. He starts out good and by day 2 he is throwing fits to get out of underwear. I am NOT going to push this! He is going to be ready one day and he isn't even 2 1/2. I fought with Joe Braden but will NOT do this with Joshua. He knows what is going on but isn't ready and I know he will let me know when he is. I do take him any time he wants to so we are keeping the potty fresh in our minds!

And last but certainly not least is the update from today's post "Another One".
I took Joe Braden to the doctor this morning and found out it is Strep throat. Well I suspected this after seeing his poor little throat. While we were there I decided it would be a great idea to get my flu shot. I am second guessing myself now! When I got home I decided to sweep and mop so I started and found that I was sweating profusely and my stomach began to churn. Not a good sign I thought so I sat down. When I had a seat I began getting chills, so I took my temp, and you guessed it FEVER! I have had a scratchy throat off and on for about a week but seriously haven't felt that bad. Well I looked at my throat and oh my it looks AWFUL. I am glad it doesn't feel as bad as it looks. So I call the doctor and tell them what is going on, and they are nice enough to call me something in, so I don't have to drive the 45 min again today. My throat still isn't terrible but I am aching all over, and I am sure that is from the fever. So now we have all been sick! Oh and Joe is going back to the doctor tomorrow because he still isn't well. I wouldn't be surprised if it is full pneumonia now!

So there is your update on my recent blogs! Everyone have a good Monday night and Tuesday. I probably won't post again until Wednesday, since I should probably rest!

Me? How cool!

I was just given my FIRST AWARD!!! Yes, me, can you believe it? I am so honored and thank you so much Maggie at Life with boys! You need to go over and read her blog it is so entertaining and so fun!

The Rules:

1. Name 5 things you love.
2. Pass the award on to 5 blogs you love.
3. Please link back to my blog.

Five Things I Love:

1. God
2. My Family
3. My Friends
4. Our Youth group
5. Camping

I am passing this blog lovin' award on to:

1. Monica at A Day in the life
2. Janet at Janet's Jumbled Thoughts
3. Kellan at On the Up Side
4. Leah (Mc Allen) at These are the days of our lives
5. Val at Life is Superb

Take a look at these ladies pages..... They are GREAT!

Another one??????

Last weekend Joe got sick, and was really feeling awful. What was really disappointing is we were childless for Saturday and we couldn't even enjoy our time together. Oh don't get me wrong it is always nice to have quiet moments, just the two of us, but it was really pitiful to watch him feel horrible!
Fast forward to Tuesday. I go to drop Joshua off at daycare and he cried when I try to leave him, well then I notice that he is warm. I decide to take his temperature before I leave and yep he had a fever. I took him to the doctor and he had double ear infections and a cold to top it off. So we got antibiotics and he was fever free by Wednesday and feeling really good by Thursday.
In the mean time Joe was getting worse and would NOT go to the doctor saying, "I am sure it is viral and there is nothing they can do!" So by Thursday he finally is sick enough to give in and am I ever so glad he did, because he has walking pneumonia. I can't say I am shocked since he has had this several times, but he got antibiotic, a steroid shot, and flonase. He still isn't feeling well but he is better than he was.
Then this morning when Joe Braden woke up and said he had a headache and his throat hurt a little. I took his temp and it was normal so I thought it was probably allergies, since mine were raging too, and gave him Zyrtec and Ibuprofen. Well we went to church, came home and ate, and then went to an out door trades day to browse and enjoy the beautiful weather. We met the inlaws there and had a great time, but when it was time to leave Joe Braden broke down. He usually doesn't do this so I found it odd. He proceeds to tell me that he is feeling bad and his head and throat really hurt. Sure enough he is now our newest sick guy! He has had fever of 103 most of the evening, so I am afraid we are in for a long night. I am guessing a call to the doctor is the first thing I will be doing tomorrow morning. Let's just pray I am not next on the list! I am way to busy this week to be sick!!

PSF: My Favorite Place on Earth

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Every year the third week of June my family sets out for our favorite spot on God's beautiful earth. No it isn't the most beautiful spot nor the most comfortable. It isn't the best climate either in fact it is usually so hot your skin feels like it is melting. To my family we do not care, we LOVE it.
If you know me personally you already know that I am talking about Central Texas Christian Camp held at Camp Hensel in the beautiful Hill Country. God forever changed my life through that camp and I will be forever thankful. My Dad has been involved in the camp for 11 years and I have been able to help for 6. I helped there the summer I met Joe, and not again until Joe Braden was 1. Joe didn't enjoy Church Camp as a child so he was not interested in helping and I didn't want to go alone. In 2004 my Dad took over the director position and between the two of us we finally convinced Joe to join us as staff.
That week in June was the most amazing week of our married life. We saw what God wanted for our lives. He wanted us to work with children, bringing them to Christ, or closer to Christ. He used this week to work on our hearts, and man did he work! So now every year we all go, even the boys! We have staff there to help with staff children so that our boys will always be involved in our work. They love it as much as we do and it makes for a great Spiritual uplift for our year! Joe always says that God pulled him to camp for a reason and his only regret is that it didn't happen sooner.

Uh Oh Papa gave the mic to Joe Braden!


Bonfire being lit


Girls ready for skit


Camp Sky

Thankful Thursday: My "Son" is home!

I know that I have mentioned in previous posts that my husband is the youth minister of our church. Well one of our Seniors last year joined the Army National Guard, and has been gone for 3 months. Well Jaylon spent most of his time at our home before leaving. He slept on our couch or floor most nights and ate 75% of his meals here. He was best friends with my brother who was living with us at the time, and they both left at the same time making me so very sad. Not to mention all the other seniors *cough* Kim *cough* that left too.
Well Jaylon has returned home to his "Mama Lori" and I am so excited. He will always be so special to our family, and my boys think he is their brother. I admire that he is serving our country to ensure our freedom. He will be leaving for Iraq in January, but until then I will enjoy the time that we have. Please pray that God keep him safe and uses him for His good when he is there.
Now if only Tim (brother) and Kim were home it would feel like my family was complete!
For More Thankful Thursday visit Iris at Grace Alone.

Wordful Wednesday: Bored with Baseball

Joe Braden isn't real athletic, although he does try. He does like T-Ball for the most part but sometimes he gets bored and it is painfully obvious. He looks cute though, and it makes for some really fun pictures. One day he may really love sports, or he will find something he is passionate about, but until then we are having fun watching. We never know what he will do next! The first game he ran to third base every time he hit, and boy was it comical! I love this child and all the laughter and fun he brings to my heart. God truly blessed my life with both of my boys.

For sure Bored in this one!


Look at him run! (That is his favorite part!)


Isn't he cute!!!


For more Wordful Wednesday visit Angie at Seven Clown Circus.

Where is baby???

Where is baby is the question in our house tonight, and the answer is, nobody knows. Remember a few post back where Joshua sleeps with a baby? Well baby has gone MIA! The boys went to spend Saturday night with my parents and Joshua HAD to have baby, so I reluctantly let him take her, and you guessed it, he left her there. The bad thing is this, my Mom can't FIND her!
Last night it was easy to get him to bed, because he was asleep in the car, and barely woke when I was getting him ready for bed. Tonight, however was a different story.
We did our normal bath, brushing teeth, books and bed, BUT the bed wasn't happening. Joshua was refusing and so pitiful when he just kept asking, "Where is Baby?" We tried to explain to no avail! We just kept trying to find something to replace it, but it didn't work. The baby came from the nursery at church where the teacher just let him take it because he loved it so much, so Joe went up to the church to see if there was one we could borrow, but there wasn't. I tried every other baby we had and he wasn't biting, so I let him lay with me while I read to Joe Braden. After reading I dug all through Joe Braden's toy box and Joshua agreed to take a small Blue. He wasn't thrilled and still cried a bit, but at least it wasn't an all out fit, and he had something for each hand.
I sure hope my Mom finds baby! If she does she is sending her, so I just pray we make it until that point without too much of a fit. Let's just hope he doesn't wake in the night wanting baby! Oh and btw I did go to the Dollar store and Super Market in our small town and neither had anything remotely close to baby!

Halloween fun!

We had such a fun Holiday! We started off by carving pumpkins Thursday evening. Joe Braden just had to have a Mickey pumpkin so Dad set out to make his wishes come true. It took quite a bit of work and time, but it turned out great and the boys had a blast. I didn't get pictures that I could post of Joshua because he decided to strip for some odd reason. I have no idea why he did this, but it was kind of comical! Friday we had Joe Braden's classroom party, which was a BLAST, he thought. It was fun for a Kindergarten party, but a little loud for Mama!
Friday evening we were joined by 2 families to go on a Trick or Treating hay ride. It was a lot of fun and the children really enjoyed themselves. Joe Braden is really good "friends" with one of the little girls that went and let me tell you it was PRICELESS! They helped each other out of the trailer at each house and talked and giggled. I always tell him no girl friends because he is just in Kindergarten, but it was so cute! They are so innocent and it is just precious!
Here are a few pictures! Hope you enjoy!

Daddy and Joe Braden getting ready to carve!


Carving in process!


Finished product


Joshua and I


Joe Braden and Ashton



Our crew minus Joshua


Joe Braden on the "Batmobile" AKA Daddy's Moped!


Joshua on his pumpkins!



Joshua saying Trick or Treat and singing the Batman theme song! Ignore my annoying voice!