My Big 1-Year Old

Chandler turned 1 year this week, and we celebrated last night with a few friends.

I love you, sweet boy. I love your smile that encompasses your whole face. I love your cuddliness, your independence, and your energy, all wrapped up into one. I love watching you grow and change and learn. I love everything that makes you...you!

The Long Wait

I realize that my blog has suffered over the course of this year, but what God has been doing inside of me has been more important than conveying parts of my hectic life here online. At some point I want to try to put words to what this year has meant to me spiritually, but until then, I have a couple of exciting things to share (for those who haven't been keeping up with me on Facebook)...

1) Our house is under contract! After 2 and a half months & 30-something showings later, we are seeing the end of the tunnel, as far as keeping the house show-ready goes. After our inspection this week, we will, hopefully, be home-free. While I haven't really worried that the house would sell (and we weren't opposed to leaving it on the market after we leave Columbia), I have been super tired of keeping it so clean. So, in rebellion, the house is now a total wreck.

2) Many have asked me here or on Facebook where we are moving. I didn't want to say anything publicly online until it was official (and we still haven't finished all the paperwork to make it a complete official done-deal)...but the plan is to move to Louisville, KY at the end of June for Dave to take a job at the VA there.

While we will be sad to leave Columbia, we are excited (and nervous) to start a new adventure together as a family with God. More later!

Menu Plan Monday: May 11, 2009

Don't worry, guys, I know you have been worried that we haven't been eating since I haven't posted menu plans, but rest assured, our bellies have been filled. Here's what we're having this week...



Monday
Lunch -- Pita Pizzas
Dinner -- Cream of Asparagus Soup, Salad, Bread

Tuesday
Lunch -- Hot Dogs, French Fries
Dinner -- Barbecue Sandwiches, Potato Salad/Roasted Potatoes, Baked Beans, Toll House Pie (making for a friend's shower)
Wednesday
Lunch -- Tostadas
Dinner -- Leftovers

Thursday
Lunch -- Ladies Bible Study lunch at my house: Lasagna (other ladies bringing sides & desserts)
Dinner -- Pasta/Lasagna, Sauteed Zucchini, Salad, Garlic Bread

Friday
Lunch -- Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Fruit
Dinner -- Out

Saturday
Lunch (another friend's baby shower): my part -- Dip w/ veggies, Chips, Mini-cheesecakes
Dinner -- Homemade Pizza

Sunday
Shredded Beef Burritos or Potato Soup

Please Pray

UPDATE: Micah's body was found tonight. Please continue to pray for her family. I don't know what else to say in such a sad time.

Friends, I don't know many details but am asking that you pray for Micah Rine Pate who has not been seen since she went for a walk last night in Memphis. There is a group on Facebook for people to join and show their support to her and her family.

Strong Man Caden

Way back on an unusually warm day in February, Caden wore his favorite shirt to Mother's Morning Out: his "I'd Rather Be At Surf Camp" shirt. I, being a little embarrassed by his selection, said to his teacher, "He decided to wear his muscle shirt today..." She quipped back, "Hey -- when you've got 'em, flaunt 'em!" That really made me laugh. Here is a picture of Caden flaunting those bulging biceps. :)

Another couple of cute stories about Caden...one day in the car, he asked, "Mommy, why don't we tell the devil about Jesus?" Sweet boy.

And this last week, Dave has given the boys extra jobs to do in the mornings. Caden, in addition to brushing his teeth, getting dressed, and making his bed, now clears his spot at the breakfast (and lunch and dinner) table and empties all the trash cans in the house into the kitchen trash can. On the second or third day of doing his new jobs, he initiated taking out the trash by himself, and the following conversation took place:

Dave: Thanks for taking out the trash, Caden.

Caden, smiling: Thanks.

(Short Pause)

Caden: Do you know why I said, “Thanks?” Because when you said, “Thanks for taking out the trash,” it filled me with good feelings.

I'm always amazed at how much better my kids respond to encouragement and praise instead of nagging!

Where in the World Have I Been?? and Menu Plan Monday -- April 13, 2009

I have to apologize for not posting anything since the very first day our house was on the market, but we have spent more time away from the house than in it for the past month! First we were away for a week and then we were home for a week and a half and then away for 2 more weeks! And during the times that we've been home, we have had to keep the house in a constant state of show-readiness which means getting out most every morning to do whatever we can find to do: library, Mother's Morning Out, Bible Studies, the mall, McDonalds or Burger King playplaces, parks, friends' houses, etc.. And that is on top of trying to unpack, pack, unpack and repack (or whatever -- I can't make my brain count up the trips to figure out how many packings and unpackings there were). This past week, in a 7 day period, we had 8 showings, and if you think that that doesn't sound like very many, consider that they fell only on three different days: 3 on Saturday, 2 on Tuesday, and 3 on Friday. Needless to say, we were really thankful for a relaxing no-show weekend. :)

And no, no serious bites yet. But at least we feel like we're accomplishing something since we're showing often. I've gotten pretty good about cooking and still somehow keeping the kitchen show-ready (don't ask me how -- it probably has to do with a husband who helps with the dishes). I just couldn't do any more simple cooking-free meals. My taste buds were suffering.

Here is what we might be eating this week (if we don't have to leave the house for a showing):

Monday -- Veggie Stir-fry w/ Black Beans

Tuesday -- Bowties w/Meat Sauce, Garlic Lime Green Beans, Garlic Bread

Wednesday -- Leftovers

Thursday -- Cream of Asparagus Soup (from freezer), Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Fruit

Friday -- Steak, Roasted Potatoes, Brussel Sprouts

Saturday -- Homemade Pizza

Sunday -- Leftovers

I have had a lot on my mind lately, but I don't know when I'll have a chance to actually formulate posts. I'll try to at least get some pictures up of the kids soon! Thank you for checking in if you are reading this!

Day 1, Day 1...

God set up a showing just for fun...
Day 1, Day 1
God set up a showing just for fun!

(sung to the tune of the Creation Song)

That's right. Our realtor stuck a sign in the yard at 10:30 AM with the intentions of putting it into the system this afternoon. At 11:45 AM we got a call from her associate asking if we could be ready to show at 12!! Yikes -- 15 minutes?!!!

We rush the boys into their room to clean up their pirates and to finish making their beds. I quickly wash a few dishes that I had used to make lunch and put all the lunch components back into the fridge. Dave swiped all the laundry on our bed into a basket (yes, most of it had already been folded) and hid it in our closet and then got the boys ready and loaded in the car while I put the finishing touches on the bathrooms, wiped down all wood surfaces with a dry washcloth (no time for dusting!) and did a final walk-through to make sure everything was presentable.

And off we headed to Captain D's for lunch. We're thinking that the realtor who came was just taking a look at our house herself because as we were leaving, we noticed that she had just put a "For Rent" sign in the yard of the house next door earlier that morning. Who knows. But one way or another, it was good practice!

Menu Plan Monday: D-DAY

Today's the big day: our house is officially on the market. I'm doing our menu plan a little differently this week and just going to list the meals that I have on hand since I don't know exactly how things are going to go. We are actually only going to be needing enough for 4 days because of nights out and traveling, so I'm sure some of this will run into next week. Here's what we might be having this week:

Baked Potato Bar (Bacon, Cheese, Sour Cream, Broccoli & Cheese Sauce)

Toasted Ravioli, Marinara Sauce, Garlic-Lime Green Beans, Salad, Garlic Bread

Minestrone Soup, Salad, Garlic Bread

Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Chips, Veggie Dip w/ Veggies

Poppyseed Chicken, Garlic-Lime Green Beans or Brussel Sprouts (yes, we like them)

Beans & Rice (w/ Smoked Sausage)

Black Bean Soup, Salad, Garlic Bread

Mac N' Cheese

Pizza

Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches

Hot Dogs & French Fries

I am still looking for other ideas of quick, easy (but still yummy and not super processed) meals...so bring them on!