Values I Love

I was just thinking yesterday about how much I love good values. Here are a few I just had to share. :)

Kroger brand: Tater tots, sliced turkey and ham (the kind in the reusable plastic container), prepackage sliced provolone cheese, whole wheat sub rolls, (Can you tell we like sandwiches?) orange juice, whole wheat waffles, frozen veggies

Kohls: I found some really cute, modest (no too low cut, long in length) t-shirts. They are the Sonoma brand. They wash well and come in cute colors. This shirt and this shirt. (Maybe not the color shown, but the style.)

Walmart: Garanimals - these are cute (well made if you can believe it) mix and match t-shirt and pants for John Mason to play around in. They wash well and hold up nicely. $3.50 each!

Costco: Kirkland brand paper towels, toilet tissue, diapers, and baby wipes. Their produce and meats are fantastic, too.

Thanks to a Stranger

Yesterday afternoon was the time I had set aside for us to eat lunch out and run to Walmart for a few things. A trip to the store involves a diaper bag, buggy bag, coats, and of course the kiddos! :) Anyway, things can get hairy, hectic, crazy...whatever you want to call it. Yesterday, though, the children cooperated beautifully. We were headed out to the van, which by the way, was parked in a front spot. That never happens. I got the girls in the van and unloaded the bags into the back. At this point someone was waiting on my prize parking spot. I didn't hurry, but I didn't take my time either. I had to make sure that I got everything out of the buggy and into the car. I made sure that John Mason was buckled in snugly and then I was ready to go. Off we went to visit Brett at the office, then to piano lessons for Mary Blakely. When we arrived at piano lessons a few minutes early, I thought I would sit in the back with the kids and play with John. WELL....my diaper bag was not in the van. NOWHERE. My stomach flipped. I realized that while I was trying to get out the the prize spot at Walmart, I had carelessly left my diaper bag...AND WALLET (right on top of the bag)...in the buggy....in the parking lot buggy corral at Walmart!!! Unbelievable!! To make it short, a WONDERFUL, KIND, HONEST person took my bag into Walmart and gave it to the customer service clerk. Everything was there. Every penny, postage stamp, check...everything. Thanks be to God for his protection! Thank you to the kind, honest stranger.

Five Things

1. The girls started Homeschool Enrichment classes on Mondays at a local church. The group is called North Georgia Homeschool Enrichment. Yesterday was week 3. They LOVE their classes. Mary Blakely is taking drama, ballet, art, and cooking. Emily is taking ballet, Spainish and art. I pack Mary Blakely a lunch and she eats with other students after drama. Emily, John and I eat lunch and then I take her back to attend her classes. This is a wonderful time for the girls to experience a classroom setting and make new friends while learning a skill that I am not teaching at the time. (Although, I have always said that our house was like the Drama Club :) ) John and I run errands and most of the time, I end up reading while he finishes a nap in the car.

2. John Mason is starting to crawl! Where in the world have 8 months gone... When he really gets going, I'll have to put on roller skates to catch him. :)

3. I deactivated my Facebook account shortly after John Mason was born. I was glad to have been able to share the news of his birth with friends and family through this tech outlet. I, however, decided that what little free time I had then could be better spent - rather than reading what everyone was doing on Facebook. Yesterday, I read this blog post from True Woman Blog and I thought I would share. The message is so true and the scripture so convicting.

4. Our three "not so little" pigs are on the way to the slaughter house as I type this. Yay!

5. Our 11th wedding anniversary is this Saturday. It is so hard to believe that Brett and I have been married that long! What a blessing! I am so thankful for my husband.

Lovey Love

Lovey love is much better than tough love...when it comes to my baby. I'll wait on the tough love for when he gets older. That's all I'll say about that.

Tough Love

I took John Mason to the doctor. He's been waking...and crying...a lot a night. I was worried that he might have an ear infection. Well, no, thank goodness. His ears are fine. "He's in perfect health, so maybe it's time for some tough love," says the doctor. Tough love...that is SO hard. Let him cry. That is SO VERY hard. "Check on him every 10 minutes so that he doesn't feel abandoned. Don't touch him or pick him up," she continues, "Just tell him it's night-night time. Time to go to sleep." I know I went through this with my girls...but they were easier to get to sleep. It wasn't this hard.

I think of all the times the Lord has shown me "tough love." He's letting me work it out - often times crying and squalling - waiting on Him to bring perfect peace. All the while sending me mercy - those whispers of His voice to comfort me so that I don't feel abandoned.

8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8 (New International Version)

Thank you, Father, for my children. Thank you for your mercy and grace. Thank you for the promise that you will never leave me or forsake me. Thank you for letting John Mason fall asleep tonight on his own.

Mojo Monday

I took some time today to make a card. I followed the sketch from Mojo Monday. I felt so frantic trying to complete it before John Mason woke up from his nap, but was nice to do some crafting again. It's been a long time since I've been able to play with my papers.The monkey is from an Inkadinkadoo set. I colored her with Copic Markers. The sentiment is from Verve Stamps.

Pictures!

Finally! I have some photos of the kids to share.

Christmas Day

Waiting in line to see Santa

John Mason in a photo session with Mommy in November

Picnic at Amicalola Falls