Remodeling

So, my inlaws have been with us for 2 weeks now. We've remodeled our master bathroom and we're putting in a new front door. Everything looks great and I love it! I'll have to take pictures when it's all done. I haven't had much time to blog, b/c we've been so busy. Right now I'm taking a break from painting the door while it drys. And I'm so excited that new neighbors have moved in right across the street and they have 3 boys! My boys now have neighborhood playmates! I was hoping for that!! Remodeling is a lot of work, but I'm just thankful to have family to help us!!!

getting older

This past Tuesday we took some youth to Busch Gardens in Tampa. Most of them have season passes b/c it's so close, so they go pretty often. I hadn't been to an amusement park in a while b/c I've been either pregnant or nursing, so I was excited to be able to finally go and ride rollar coasters again! But, I did notice this time that the rollar coasters seem to have more of an effect on me now! I came off of one rollar coaster barely being able to walk straight of all the hoops and twists - I was dizzy and nauseated. I don't remember being affected like that before I had kids! So, either I'm getting old or having babies messed up my equilibrium or something. But, overall I had a blast! I was overly exhausted by the end of the day since we were there from 10-9, and was still tired when I woke up the next morning. I just can't seem to hack it as easily as I could before! Kind of depressing! But if you're ever at Busch Gardens, Sheikra is the rollar coaster not to miss out on! I love the floorless rollar coasters!

Who needs toys?

My in-laws are staying at our house right now, so they've been sleeping on an air mattress in the living room. Well, when they blow up the air mattress, the boys go at it! I mean, why did we buy all these toys? Who knew an air mattress was all they ever needed?

Josh's shots

So, this morning Josh got his last shot until Kindergarten. Wow! I remember when Josiah was at this point - 18 months - and I thought, "We've been coming to get shots every few months and now we don't have to do it again until Kindergarten!" Makes me feel like they're growing up too fast! And my little Joshua didn't even cry today! One poke isn't as bad, usually the second or third poke makes him scream, but I was proud of his bravery! Josiah was with me and he was looking really close to see what was going on. When he saw that long needle go into Josh's thigh, he reached to grab the nurses arm - like he thought she was hurting him. And then he said, "Does Josh have an owie?" I saw a couple occasions today where Josiah was trying to watch out for his little brother. When we were in the waiting area and Josh was running around and Josiah was trying to help him back to our seats guiding him by putting his hand on his back. And he kept saying, "I've gotta get Josh, mom!" And later they're chasing each other and then Josiah says, "Josh, come give me a hug!" They were all the entertainment everyone needed in the waiting area. I just love that even at an early age, Josiah wants to watch out for his little brother and help take care of him and love him. I know it's not always that way, but I'd rather dwell on the happy memories.

4th of July Fireworks

So, I've learned that watching fireworks now is so much more enjoyable when you have little ones. To see how amazed and fascinated they are makes it so much fun. So, we went down to the pier downtown and it was beautiful. Josiah and Josh were in their stroller and Josiah kept saying, "Cool fireworks, Good job fireworks, Kerpow!" And Josh would just yell out and jump up and down in his seat. They loved it and I was glad Josh wasn't scared of the loudness of it! Josiah did start singing the B-I-B-L-E at one point, I'm not sure what triggered that, but it was funny. So, I sat there in my beach chair watching the boys more than I watched the fireworks. They just make everything so much more memorable.

My 29th Birthday

Well, I thought I'd be a little depressed about getting so close to 30, but actually I'm not. I don't feel 29, so that's good. When you're a teenager, 30 always seems so old, until you start to get near it. And when you realize how young you still are and how young you still feel, it's not near as bad as you thought it'd be.

This morning Ronnie and the boys came to the bed and woke me up singing "Happy Birthday" with a cake made out of legos. What a sweet way to wake up. We make Lego cakes a lot around here. I love it when my boys sing to me. Of course Josiah does most of the singing!

So, tonight Ronnie took me out - no kids. That was the freeing part! Not often do us moms get out of the house w/o the kids, so we went to Cheddars (we had a gift card!) That makes it even better! I love Cheddars mostly b/c they have Cookie Monsters - huge warm chocolate chip cookies with warm chocolate syrup and vanilla ice cream on top! We shared it of course! But, the funny thing was I ordered the beer battered shrimp, so Ronnie was giving me a hard time about it being 'beer battered' and of course we all know it cooks out - and he was only joking. So, we're leaving the restaurant and I was in a silly, giggly mood and Ronnie walks in front of me to go open my car door and stops and starts to hold me back and I'm not really paying attention and he noticed that thepeople in the car right beside us were getting ready to get out and I never saw them and someone pops up out of the backseat and I screamed and jumped right in front of them! I didn't expect anyone to be getting out of the car b/c I never saw them pull up. And I'm kind of jumpy - I can get scared easily. So, I bust out laughing and run over to the other side of the van b/c I was so embarrassed and laughing hysterically. So, we get in the van and I'm still laughing and then Ronnie really starts to think my 'beer battered' shrimp was having an effect on me. But, then I settled down and got back to normal. So, we end the evening by going to Super Target, which is one of my favorite stores!

I just want to thank my hubby for taking me out tonight. I had the best time and I cherish the times we get to spend together. I'm blessed to have a husband who enjoys spending time with me and who likes to make me feel special. I don't need anything big or expensive - time is much more valuable to me than anything. But, don't get me wrong, I love some new clothes every once in a while!!! ha ha!

But, there's more to this night before we go to bed....we watch The Cosby Show....the best show ever made!!!

Josh's 18 month Dr's appt.

As I look at these two pictures, it's hard to believe that they're the same boy. Where has time gone?

Today Josh went to a new pediatrician for his 18 month appt. I'm always anxious to see how much he weighs and how tall he is. I'm not too into the head measurement, but I know it's important! He's always been on the high end of the percentages with his height - he's just like his daddy. My little baby who was born at 8.1 lbs now weighs 25 1/4 lbs which was only 36% and was 33 3/4 in his height, and that was 84%. My little baby is not a baby anymore. He's a toddler. They grow so fast! Of course it was a difficult morning b/c daddy could not be with us. So, I had both boys going crazy in the dr's office while I'm filling out paperwork and waiting for the Dr. And when things go a little rough you tend to feel overwhelmed and that I was. But, now as the boys are asleep and I take a little time out, I'm feeling much more relaxed and grateful that both of my boys still take naps!! And I want to thank God that I have a healthy and strong little boy who is growing and learning new things every day! I love you Joshua Andrew!

Thanks to Dana for the adorable baby outfit in the first pic! - I loved that outfit on him! Pictures like that make me want to have another!

Don't worry, just trust God

Ok, so today during church (before offering) Ronnie leans over and says, "Hey - you need to write out our tithe check." I had forgotten to write it out when I was paying bills. I immediately thought, "now we're really going to be low on money this week!" So, I wrote out the check telling God as I'm writing, "God, I have the money to pay my tithe, but I'm writing this check out in faith that I'll have enough money for the rest of the week! I know you're faithful, you always have been" Then, our Pastor preaches on money and being faithful in your tithes and being content with what you have, spending your money wisely and living within your means. So, as I sitting there listening, I"m thinking, "Ok, I can be more content with the things I have and not think I need something better, forgive me God for being selfish. " So, we've been in the process of selling some furniture since we've moved. We had two couch sets and only need one now. I thought, "Well, I'll sell them both and get something new." We've already sold a dryer, aphgan racks, and my coffee table and end tables, so I was down to two couch sets. So, this afternoon I get a call about one set of couches. We normally have gotten lots of calls on Sundays b/c of the Sunday paper. And she actually came and looked at them and bought them! Thank you Lord!!! I sure didn't expect God to move that fast!!! God is so faithful! Why do I worry?

Just like in Luke 10:41 and Jesus says, "Martha, Martha, "you are worried and upset about many things." I tend to be like Martha sometimes and lie awake in bed and worry. But in Matt. 6:25 it says, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more imporant than food, and the body more important than clothes? (v. 27) "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" (v. 33-34) "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."