Update on Abby

Stephen got a call from our pediatrician's nurse. She said that the 2nd urinalysis still had some bacteria in it but not as much as the first sample. Sounds like great news, right? Well, the doctor wants both Stephen and me to take Abby in to his office this week. That can't be good news so please keep the prayers coming a little longer.

Dreaming about Thomas

the Tank Engine that is. It is Thomas Mania around here. Stephen and I are planning Caleb's 2nd birthday party that will take place in Fort Worth in a few weeks and I just can't stop searching for ideas on the internet. I've gone mad I tell you. I will be surprised if I don't dream about being carried to Sodor Island on Thomas himself. Ya know the sad thing? I found out that "Thomas" is on tour in Grapevine this weekend and next weekend. Grapevine is about 20 minutes from the part of Fort Worth that we'll be in. Why didn't I find that out sooner? I could have had the COOLEST party ever.

So back to Thomas mania, I have already printed about 20 coloring and activity pages that I am going to xerox and bind into coloring books for all the kids. I am making a Memory game for each child too. There will be puzzles for each child to put together at the party and then they will get to take one home. I have found a full sized face mask that they can color, assemble, and wear, Thomas fruit bites, Thomas whistles, Thomas doorknob hangers, THOMAS, THOMAS, THOMAS!! Of course, since I love to make cakes and own about 50 cake pans, I will make the 3-D cake. We are looking into making a train sounds and songs CD plus I am making Thomas bingo with a cool teacher program I have at work. I bought a few Golden Book Thomas stories as prizes and the kids will get a bandana when they arrive. That doesn't cover it all and if we didn't have to cart all this stuff 180 miles in a mini van with 3 carseats, I'd make more.

So all this mania has got me to thinkin' ....I should be a party planner. No really! I love to do this sort of thing. I love picking a theme and going all the way with it, that's what I've always done as a teacher anyway. I'm already thinking about Lauren's party in August.

Easter Bunny 2007

Easter Bunny Picture 2008

Last year I started making some "year-by-year" scrapbooks for the kids. I have one Easter book for each child and I want to put their Easter bunny picture in each year until they stop going to see him. When they are older, I think it will be neat to go back and look at how they changed.

I have also made a birthday book for each child where I will put pictures of them with their cake. I have a Halloween book too where I'll put pics of them in their costumes and don't forget Christmas books for their pics with Santa Claus.

I know I took pictures of these books but I have no idea where my husband stored the pics on the computer and the actual books are in storage since we are trying to sell our house.

Easter 2008

Dyeing Eggs

March 18

If the picture box below is black, click on the x in the top, right corner

Spring Break March 15

Spring Break March 14

Last year I started a google search to find a good friend from middle school. He moved away our freshman year (21 years ago) and we lost touch. Thanks to the internet, I found him and we had a little reunion at Chuck E. Cheese's during Spring Break. Isn't it funny how a friendship picks up right where it left off when you have reunions with true friends?

Spring Break March 11

Update on Abby

We are so grateful for all the special prayers for Abby. The prayers are working. Her weight is up to 7 lbs 4 oz but the doctor wants another blood sample because her liver enzymes were high. Also, he wants another urine sample because the other sample grew bacteria and she could possibly have a urinary tract infection.

Please keep the prayers coming!

Light of the World

A co-worker asked me to go to her classroom today, she said she had something for me. I was baffled because I haven't taught any of her students in a few years and I don't see her often. She gave me this precious book for my kids. I was just thrilled and couldn't wait to bring it home and read it to the kids. I read the title to Lauren and asked her if she knew who the light of the world is and she said, "Jesus." Makes this Momma so proud. I turned to a picture of Mary and asked her who she was and she replied, "God's Mommy." It's so amazing what their minds comprehend at such a young age. Now I'm on the hunt for more books that can teach the love of the Lord to my little ones. Thanks Shanna!

The Jelly Bean Prayer

The Jelly Bean Prayer
Red is for the blood He gave
Green is for the grass He made
Yellow is for the sun so bright
Orange is for the edge of night
Black is for the sins we made
White is for the grace He gave
Purple is for His hour of sorrow
Pink is for our new tomorrow
A bag full of jelly beans colorful and sweet, Is a prayer, is a promise, is a special treat
May the joy of Christ's resurrection
Fill your heart and bless your life

Found here

RESURRECTION EGGS

Have you seen these? Another version.

Please pray for my little Abby

Abby was born December 20 at 5 lbs 14 oz. Just like my other 2 children, she was pre-mature and has had trouble gaining weight. I was ordered to supplement since I did not want to stop breastfeeding. At her weight check in February, she was up to 6 lbs 6 oz so I cut back on the formula a little bit. At her weight check last Tuesday, she was back down to 6 lbs so the doctor told me he wanted me to stop nursing and only give her formula. I don't listen very well so I nursed her as usual and then gave her 4 oz of formula at 6 of her 7 feedings. That's almost 24 oz extra every day for a week.

Stephen took her back in this morning and she was only up to 6 lbs 6 oz so the doctor called in a nurse to give her a catheter. The first nurse was unable to do so so they called in a 2nd nurse and then a 3rd. Stephen said it was just horrible having to stand by and watch helplessly. Finally they attached a bag to her and when there is a urine sample, we have to take it in plus we have to take her for bloodwork. Her follow-up appointment is Friday so please keep her in your prayers. We appreciate it!

Easter Fun

Easter is always the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox (which is March 20). This dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar that Hebrew people used to identify Passover, which is why it moves around on our Roman calendar. This year, Easter will fall on March 23. Based on the above, Easter can actually be one> day earlier (March 22) but> that is pretty rare. This year is the earliest> Easter any of us will ever> see the rest of our lives...and only the most> elderly of our population> (95 years old or above) have ever seen it this> early before. None of us> have ever, or will ever, see it a day earlier.> > The next time Easter will be this early (March> 23) will be the year 2228> (220 years from now). The last time it was> this early was 1913 (so if> you're 95 or older, you are the only ones that> were around for that).> > The next time it will be a day earlier, March> 22, will be in the year 2285> (277 years from now). The last time it was on> March 22 was 1818.> > So, no one alive today has or will ever see it> any earlier than this year.

Some Easter Fun activities I am gathering:
40 day Lenten chain
Fisher-Price Easy Egg Mosaic
Jelly Bean Picture
Cards
McCormick make your own egg dye & recipes for leftover eggs
Various activities
Kaboose
Kids' Soup
Jesus' Ministry Online Coloring Book
He Is Risen coloring sheet
Bible Coloring Pages Alphabet Theme
Family Fun
Child Fun
Printable Stations of the Cross coloring book

My FAVORITE housecleaning product

This is an unpaid product review but I just have to share the good news! I have to share the joy that has been given to me in this handy dandy little sweeper. For those of you who know me, I have never been accused of being a great housekeeper. I am a teacher so I like to spend all my nights with my kids. On summer break I pretend to have a system of keeping the house clean but usually the kitchen is my husband's job. The last thing I want to do is sweep or mop the spacious kitchen floor (see pics below). That might not be such a big deal if it was just my husband and me but on top of our 3 1/2 year old who sometimes drops crumbs, our 2 year old son still thinks it's totally cool to sweep his arms back and forth on the table until all his food is on the floor. Then he laughs that villanous laugh. So at the end of each meal, someone is bending over picking up all the pieces. As gross as it is, I just opted to put on some shoes and pretend like they weren't even there.

Not any more! About a month ago I saw this little sweeper at Wally World and convinced my husband that maybe, just maybe I would relieve him of his floor duties. We debated over the price of $34.99 which is not pocket change for our family. I convinced him that if it didn't do the right job, we could just take it back. We bought it and he did such a good job driving that baby around, I figured I was off the hook once more. Last night I held this gift from God in my sweet hands and just glided all over the kitchen floor. I got all the bits under the chairs and table and just kept on going. I sached over to the cabinets and watched all the debris disappear right before my very eyes. Now when it's time to clean up after a meal, my DH is going to have to put up a good fight to use that baby.

House for Sale

Click on pictures to enlarge.

We are selling our house. If you know anyone who might be interested, please pass this info on to them. Anyone interested can contact our realtor: Mary Beth Duff - work: 979-696-7653 or her cell: 979-204-6441

3 bedrooms and 2 baths in College Station, 1634 square feet
Spacious Master bedroom with sitting area and walk-in closet
Master bath has spa tub and separate shower plus linen closet
Spacious living room with fireplace
Spacious and open kitchen with dining area large enough for a formal dining table plus a walk-in pantry
Backyard has a deck that's great for entertaining

Contact Mary Beth for more details.

DO NOT open on your blog

I just want to pass along to all bloggers that I had a comment by "DUMURO" and all it said was "See Here". I clicked on it and it acted like it was trying to detect spyware. I panicked but luckily my DH was here to tell me to x out of it immediately. Just wanted to pass that along to everyone! It could be a virus.

I AM the big bad wolf

Lauren is apparently at that age where she knows when a 'swat' is coming and she knows to put that little hand on her bottom. Well, today she and her brother were warned for the thousandth time to leave Abby's swing alone. And for the thousandth time, they just had to swing it one more time after their warning. Knowing what was to come next, Lauren took advantage of the time it took me to swat Caleb's bottom first and she ran down the hall to the bathroom. I held in the laughter as I followed her to the bathroom. Not only did she close the door, but she also knew to try with all her might to hold it closed. Now, before I get any comments about spanking, we do believe in giving our kids a swat from time to time. A swat is always on the bottom and only with fingertips, never the palm of the hand. We are firm believers in time-out but sometimes that just doesn't work and the next alternative is a good old fashioned swat!

As we were walking back down the hall, Lauren was obviously not phased by her swat and she said, "That's like the 3 Little Pigs and you're the big bad wolf." Too funny.

Menu Plan Monday

It's time for another Menu Plan Monday. Click on over to Organzied Junkie to see what everyone else is having this week.

I usually plan for 2 weeks worth of meals and I don't know what I'm making until the morning of...

Meal 1: Lemon Parmesan Linguine

Meal 2: Vodka Cream Pasta

Meal 3: Roast

Meal 4: Make ahead Pork Chops with Apple-Sage Stuffing

Meal 5: Pasta Bake

Snow in Aggieland?

At 5:30 am as I was putting Abby back to bed from her 4:30 feeding, the news came on and they said it was snowing. No way, not in Aggieland. They even had a weatherman on the scene in Hearne which is about 25 minutes north of here and he was getting covered with the beautiful white powder. I ran to the back door with the door open in nothing but a night shirt and stood there in awe of the TINY flakes . Then I went back to sleep because I knew I could get in at least an hour before I had to get ready for work. At 7:10, my DH came home from work (he works at the news station) and told me it was still snowing and the flakes were bigger. I knew the kids might not get to see snow again for a long time so I woke Lauren up and opened her blinds so she could she the sight. I found a snowsuit that was handed down to Lauren... I never thought she'd get to wear it. Then we let Lauren wake Caleb and tell him about the snow. So, here are some pictures we took at about 7:20 this morning. Now, all you bloggers north of Texas, don't laugh. I know this is just everyday business where you're from, but this is a BIG deal to us down here. Even our hometown of Fort Worth got 6-9 inches and I haven't seen that much snow since I was a little girl.
I'm not sure why you can't see any of the snowflakes in this picture but don't the kids look cute?

Lauren needs an Aggie coat too, don't ya think?

There's Stephen with his video camera of course!

I promise, there are snowflakes, scroll down.

Keep scrolling.

You can see them better in this picture.

There they are landing on the table. Our poor flowers didn't get covered because it was not supposed to be this cold. What a way to start a morning, it was very exciting. I even got to use the snow in my lessons because I teach English as a Second Language and I have been teaching my students weather vocabulary this week.

Easter Story Cookies

Easter Story Cookies
To be made the evening before Easter (with older children). You can do this with younger children and leave out some of the information that they are not ready for.

1 c whole pecans
3 egg whites
1 c sugar
wooden spoon
Bible
1 t vinegar
pinch salt
zipper baggie
tape

1. Preheat oven to 300 (This is important, don't wait until you are half done with the recipe). Place pecans in zipper baggieand let children beat them with wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.
2. Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 t into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.
3. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.
4. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27
5. So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 c sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.
6. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity of God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:13.
7. Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoonful on wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.
8. Put the cookie sheet in the oven. Close the oven door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.
9. Go to bed. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.
10. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.

Slow Cooker Thursday

Thursday? Is it really Thursday? I had to look at my calendar to double check. This week has flown by. Well, since it IS Thursday, Sandra is hosting Slow Cooking Thursday. For my Crock Pot recipes, click here. For more great recipes go to Sandra's site.

Tomorrow I plan on posting the neatest "Easter Story Cookies" recipe so please come back.

Update on Lauren getting up all night long

Let me refresh your memory...awhile back I wrote "Why Does She Keep Doing This?" and I was surprised to hear about some friends' children who were also having problems with their little ones pottying. We have left the potty chair in Lauren's room for every nap and at bedtime and she has not come out of her room during bedtime since then! Yes, something finally worked! She has been getting up to use her potty chair but it seems that there is less and less each time we check. Last night was the only time she has interrupted my sleep in a week. At 3:20 I was up feeding Abby. I finally got her back to sleep and drifted off at a little after 4. Then in my dream I could hear Lauren, "Mommy and Daddy? I need some toilet paperrrrrr." I woke up, saw that it was 5:00, and heard her say it again. Bless her heart, she had unzipped her blanket sleeper and was sitting on that little ol' potty in the dark, waiting for some toilet paper. Turns out there was some right next to her but it had fallen over since it didn't have the tube to support it- Caleb unrolled the whole tube a few days ago!

Fontinella Fondue

This recipe has been moved to Aggieland Mommy Cooks

Pasta with Creamy Pumpkin Sauce

Pasta with Creamy Pumpkin Sauce by Kraft
This recipe has been moved to my cooking blog.

Vodka Cream Pasta- MEATLESS

Vodka Cream Pasta by Rachael Ray

This recipe has been moved to my cooking blog.

Birthday Boy

My baby boy is 2 today! This morning as I was leaving for work, I heard Caleb in his room. I woke Lauren up and told her to hurry so we could give Caleb his presents. I'm not sure how much he understands about his birthday but he was smiling from ear to ear when we all went in and sang Happy Birthday to him. Hopefully we can post the video soon. Happy Birthday Caleb, Mommy loves you!