When I was working Mondays were a dreaded day. The weekend was so fun and then the song " I wish it was Sunday" would pop up in my mind... Being a stay at home is a lot harder than working as a Dental Assistant because I have to entertain this little person who is FULL of energy all day. On Mondays I try to do fun things with Gracie like Crafts, parks, splash park fun, play-dates, and Disney MOVIES- a Must!! She loves: Tangled, CARS, The Princess and the Frog, and Toy Story 2:)
Having Fun today!
Today we went to the park and then I bought her Go Fish and Old Maid cards (I loved Old Maid as a kid). Gracie doesn't understand yet the concept of holding the cards and not showing me so we just play Match the Dora Stars... She is so smart and has the best memory.... I love doing things that make her brain work because if we didn't she would so so bored..... We had the best morning- I clean a little on Mondays but usually my big cleaning day is Tuesdays.
Playing Go Fish
Did I mention that I love staying home with her. I get so much joy from seeing her in the mornings, being there when she takes a nap, feeding her lunch, dancing to the Fresh beat band and so much more... I also love teaching her about Jesus and to hear her pray blesses my heart every time.
Gracie has been so good these past days. I'm amazed at how much she is growing and changing. I look at pics when she was just 12 months old and I'm amazed at how much of a toddler she is now. Gracie has always been Miss Independent and head strong. She rolled over at 3 months, sat up at 5 months, crawled at 6 1/2 months, and walked at 9 1/2 months- ran at 10 months- could say Backpack at 10 months and new her alphabet and could count to 5 at 13 months old. She has never slowed down- she is so determined. When she sets her mind to do something skies the limit. I'm so proud of the little lady she is becoming. I marvel at how smart she is- how much she loves Jesus and her family. She loves people and BABIES!
At 26 Months Old ~ Gracie is..... -28 pounds -Wearing a size 7 1/2 shoe -Wearing 24 months/ 2T clothes -Wearing a size 4 diaper -Knows 3 colors -Count to 12 - Doesnt like Veggies but LOVES Pizza
- Has a HUGE personality
-Loves Flip Flops
-Loves her baby doll Snow White
She also mimics anything you say and do. She has been saying and doing the funniest stuff lately too. Just the other day we watched the movie Tangled ( she LOVES that movie) later that afternoon she got into trouble and said "I want, Mamaw- NOW" then while closing the door to the office she said: "You will not leave this tower: (yelled) EVER"- haha that was from the movie Tangled that we had been watching earlier in the day.. LOL
She is so helpful too and really wants to do anything I'm doing- like she "Tries" to fold clothes and put them away- she always "tries" to wash things. Just as I type- she comes in here and says "Look" she had got the Wendys cup off the counter (did I mention she can climb everywhere- and she has figured out how to use her chair as a stepping stool?) I said "Did you pour out that cup on my floor"? her reply "Yes, Momma" I walk out there and said "where is the mess" she points and there is a huge puddle of coke/water on my clean carpets. I start to get upset and say "Help me clean it" she runs into the kitchen and points to a hot pad on the counter and says "All- wet"- in that moment I couldn't be mad at her because she had "Tried" to clean up the mess with a hot pad.... These are the moments that make me smile. I love-love being her mom and I'm so thankful I get to stay home with her.
Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. 1 Peter 5:7
I haven't felt into blogging lately. First, I think because my heart wasn't in it and Second, I think because I have been busy and really have not had much to write about. Often, I feel like my words come in void. I'm not really sure if anyone reads these posts but for some reason I still write them. I dont know maybe I think of this blog as a journal of my life and whats going on in my head.
I love the verse I posted above. It means so much to me right now and how I'm feeling. So many things- Great things have been happening and I'm blessed. As I sit here I'm kinda at a loss of words still because there is so much to say but not enough time in the day to get it all out.
My last post was about what Consumed you and honestly I didn't think that fasting for 10 days would help with the whole FB addiction but it really did. When I went back on I deleted A LOT of people whom I'm not close with or never communicate with. I deleted people who always talked negative on there.... I used to say that FB was great because you could show non believers how Christians act and how real we are but in the end it was too much for me and I had to let that part of my life go.
We returned from a week long vacation at Madeira Beach and it was so relaxing and refreshing.
We took some awesome pictures on the beach and I think they are gorgeous. I love sunset pics....
I love how calming a vacation can be. Being the ministry you have to take breaks ever so often and have some good quality time with the Family.
I love this picture...
Gracie loved kicking up the water in her dress
This little girl has my heart... Isn't she just so precious!
Walking off into the sunset
Father's day is coming up and I'm so excited to give Stephen his gift. Stephen is the Best DADDY in the world. He works all day and comes home and plays on the floor with Gracie... Dress up, blocks, or reading books... Gracie soaks it all in...
I sit here in awe, yesterday was like a rollar coaster of emotions and all im left with is sadness. Lately the Lord has been working on my heart and whispering to me that i need to fast from facebook and focus more on my family and him. Im saden to say that i was addicted go ahead and laugh but really it consumed me. I no longer saw it as this witnessing tool but an ugly monster full of gossip and slander. People were hurt because someone deleted them and a huge thing broke out over it. That happening showed me just how evil these networking sites can be. I made the tough decision to deactivate my page so that i could have a month off focusing on my family and the Lord. I will reavaluate in a month if i can handle it again and then there will be some changes made like only having my closet friends and family as friends on there. My question for you today is: what consumes you?!?! is it facebook like me-your job-gossip-hobbies... What ever it may be please listen to that voice from the Lord saying follow me.
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you!
Matthew 5:44
Yesterday, as I was cleaning the Lord spoke these words into my heart. I right then prayed and knew I had to share it with you all. I know that in this crazy world sometimes its hard to love someone who acts unlovable but isn't this what Jesus does everyday. We should strive to be more like Jesus each and everyday. The Lord also said to pray for that person- when the devil tempts you to think negative thoughts- pray- asking God to change that persons heart or pray that they have a good day filled with the Lords blessings. I'm not a bible scholar. I have never been to bible college- I do know that when the Lord speaks to you- you must listen and follow his commands. I hope this helps you in some way today as it has helped me.
On to cooking. I do not cook- although I know how to... Growing up in a house where your mom is this awesome chef- you feel intimidated at the thought of cooking and then even more when I have to clean up after I cook:/ So when I married Steve I told him, if he cooked I would clean and for almost 6 years we have done just that. Since Gracie has been born I have been cooking some here and there. Today, I got the cooking bug and wanted to surprise Stephen with a cool dish.. I needed something easy, and simple... and this is what I found:
Meaty Mac & Cheese- I love this dish soo much:)) Try it!
4-6 Servings
Prep/Total Time: 20 min.
2020
Ingredients
1 package (7-1/4 ounces) macaroni and cheese
1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
1-1/2 cups salsa
1/2 cup fresh or frozen corn
1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
3 tablespoons diced pimientos
Shredded cheddar cheese
Chopped tomato
Directions
Set aside cheese sauce mix from macaroni and cheese; cook macaroni according to package directions.
Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add the salsa, corn, olives and pimientos; cook until heated through.
Drain macaroni; add to beef mixture with contents of cheese sauce mix. Cook and stir until blended and heated through. Sprinkle with cheese and tomato. Yield: 4-6 servings.
Note: The milk and butter listed on the macaroni and cheese package are not used in this recipe.
First off- Try to Right click---- you can't--- YAY!! I may still put a watermark over Gracie's face but this should stop people for a while... I love to blog, it has been so therapeutic for me! I don't really know if many people read my posts. I don't want to become famous like others, I just want to share with others my heart and what makes me tick:)
I have to say I'm so very thankful. This week has been so wonderful- the tantrums and all, I'm thankful. The Lord has been showing me this week that the little annoying things that drive you crazy are actually not big at all... Its what you make of it. Each morning we should wake up feeling ready to start the day and leave the past where it should be- the past. Let go of things that have been bothering you because they will just hold you back and make you bitter! I love how each time I pray for forgiveness The Lord gives it to me.. No matter what I've done he's right there.
Today I'm Thankful For:
1. Music- I love old hymns they speak to me.
2. My hubby who this week has been really busy with church but still makes time for us and is the Best daddy!!
3. Afternoons- Like tonight, Gracie and I played in the driveway:)
4. A Dishwasher- Yes its the little things!!
5. Friends- who are always there for me
6. Kids Patch- I love consignment stores and this one is my fav! I sell some of Gracie's clothes and things there.
7. Friendly people- tonight while playing outside I met a really sweet women who was a single mom
8. Hope
9. My blog- I love this thing its like my journal
10. Our water sprinkler thats automatic- First time owning one, and our plants have survived 2 years because of it!
I'm thankful for this little girl too- How could I forget her!! These are few cute videos of her made this week and a few months ago! One has her counting to 12 and the others are of her singing:)
