Gabe's Mouth

Here are a couple of pictures taken in the last month of Gabe with toys/things in his mouth.

The bird is an extra added bonus. Carson and I spotted her out our window the other day. She looks a little on the fat side to me. What do you think? ;)

Aloha.

We're FAMOUS-on the 700 Club!!!

Well, not exactly me, but close enough. :) The owners of All's Well in downtown Ashland, "a small town on the Oregon coast" Ken and Jeannie Newfield, were on the 700 Club this week! Not only did they tell their story about how they own everything (know debt!!!), but my family were "extras" on the set. Well not exactly. My sister in law, Sandra needed to make a purchase and her kids, Cole, Gemma and Kai were there so they were used in the story also. My Mom-in-law, Linda, was an "extra" also!

Pretty neat what the Lord has done in the Newfield's lives.

Aloha and happy weekend!!!

UPDATE: For links, click on the font that is a different color from most of the writing. ie. "700 Club this week."

Church

I have not been to church for about a month with all 4 family members. Trever and Carson go more often than Gabe and I (so Gabe can nap).

This morning we all trucked it over and enjoyed church again! I just love my church! Awesome, getting after it worship-it was so great!

I know I am going to get some major comments about this next part, but here we go. ;) Carson goes to Sunday School right away, and the 3 of us go in and worship. So, today I thought, maybe Gabe and I should look into his class so I can start to work on my letting go skills. That is correct, 10 month old Gabe, has not been to his class yet, he has stayed with me. He usually naps and then we go to the "Nursing Moms Room" where there are a couple of toys a TV to watch the teaching and some chairs. So after worship, we went to the childcare area and got the scoop for my little Gabe. We hung out in his class until service was over. He had a great time, crawling around and chewing on toys. And I got plenty of info on what happens in the childcare area.

The church has a ministry called Wheels of Hope that collects certain foods from the congregation and then delivers it to needy families a couple times a year. One of the gals that was blessed with this ministry spoke today. She said that they had no food (and no idea of when or how they would get food) at all until Wheels of Hope showed up. She was able to put her kids to bed with a full tummy that night. She said that she felt like such a failure putting her kids to bed hungry. Can you imagine that? Just thinking about that for my kids and then thinking that people have to experience this makes me cry! I just can't imagine how that would feel. It is just completely heart wrenching. There is so much need in the world, and in our towns, it is just mind boggling. I am so thankful that people are able to get help. And I am so thankful for all I have! Thank you Jesus! God is awesome and such a great provider! Oh, BTW, the gal that spoke has been coming to church ever since she was blessed by Wheels of Hope. Praise God!


This is Gabe on our way home from church. Missing that morning nap is a real doozy! Carson was busy reading books and piling them on Gabe we found out once we got home. ;)

Days and Tuna

The last couple of days have been really nice. Yesterday I went up to where I used to work to say bye to a co-worker that is changing job locations. Then I was able to go to Deja Vu (my mom was home with the boys) and get a couple of tops. I got a certificate for my birthday that I put to good use. Thanks James!

Today I did more than I usually do with Carson. Carson worked on his Thomas the Train puzzle (didn't need much help from me), blew bubbles outside with Carson, and then took the boys for a walk up to Trever's office during lunch.

I was thinking about why these couple of days have seemed so good to me and one thing I have not been doing is laundry. ;) I have a pile to fold and a load to wash and other clothes to still put away from the last folding day. Since I have not been doing that I have been spending more time with Carson (while Gabe naps) and doing more things with a couple of friends.

I had no idea what we were going to have for dinner tonight and was looking at this post and thought I should try to come up with something from the pantry. So I thought of doing a spin on this recipe. What I wanted to do was make the tuna and stuff, canned tomatoes, and then add noodles and cheese. So I cooked some noodles for a couple of minutes, mixed up the tuna and stuff, and grated some cheese. Mixed all that up and put in a baking dish and then topped it off with some more cheese. Turned out pretty good. I am full and keep taking bites of it. Control, Simone, control!!! ;)

OK, goodnight!

Ethiopia and Laughing

Today I got a call from my sister's mom and they (my sister, her mom, and her step-dad) are going to Ethiopia for 2 weeks next month! They are going to visit a couple people that are their church.

Last night at AWANA they had to dress like their favorite Bible character. I now have the schedule (thanks to Ken), however, I need to make sure I know what the date is!!! Trever and Carson leave our house about 6:30 and at 6pm, I looked at the schedule and realized last night was Bible night - not next week!? UGH! So, I had about 30 minutes to come up with something. I grabbed Carson's Bible and on the front is a picture of different people from the Bible. Most of the men are dressed with tunic type tops/dresses and a belt. So, there ya have it! Our costume. He was not into it though, but we got it on him and basically got him out the door immediately.

For some reason, he was totally "striking a pose!"

So at AWANA last night, they celebrated Ebony's (Carson's teachers daughter and class helper) 14th birthday! They got little party noise (without the noise) makers. He was playing with that this morning and get a lot of attention.

Check out the videos below! They crack me up! Carson does this deep talking voice. Don't know where he got that from. And Gabe gets after it.


Video #1, Noise Maker and Gabe. Video #2, Noise Maker and Gabe again.

Encouraging Song

We are listening to Selah right now and came across the song 'Before the Throne of God.' Some times while I listen to songs my ears pick up on certain words or phrases of the song, which just amazes me. Ya know, like you have never heard that part before, but really in fact you have?

All of the lyrics are below, but I wanted to show you the part that really stood out to me.

"My name is graven on His hands, My name is written on His heart."

I know in the time of trials a lot of us tend to get discouraged and feel alone, but remember He has your name written on His heart. Did you hear me? The Creator of the world, the heavens and everything on them, knows your name! No matter what you are going through, He knows. He wants to comfort you, encourage you, hold you and carry you! We just have to let Him. Give up on trying to fix things yourself and let Him do His mighty work in and through us. He loves you so much and longs to be your helper.

Before the Throne of God

Before the throne of God above I have a strong,
a perfect plea A great High Priest whose name is
Love Who ever lives and pleads for me

When Satan tempts me to despair and tells me
of the guilt within Upward I look and see Him there,
Who made an end to all my sin

Because the sinless Savior died my sinful
soul is counted free For God the Just is
satisfied to look on Him and pardon me To look on Him and pardon me

Before the throne of God, I come
Before the throne of God, I come

Behold Him there, the risen Lamb my perfect spotless righteousness
The great unchangeable I Am, the King of glory and of grace

My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in Heaven, He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart

One with Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased with His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God
With Christ my Savior and my God

Love you!

Are you a follower?

I have been blogging for around a year now, and reading family and friends blogs to stay caught up with their lives.

I know someone who is getting married and came across this fancy little blog and showed it to me. pretty.little.world is such a different blog compared to what I am used to following.

So while I was trying to take a nap this afternoon I was thinking about how I should look into fashion blogs. For some reason in these last couple of weeks I have really been enjoying magazines. Woman's Health, a kid magazine for Carson and Gabe and some other random ones. I have always pulled recipes and exercise tips/exercises out of magazines, but have recently started to pull out fashion pages. I have always liked, no loved, clothes and shoes. So, I thought, hey why not look at blogs for ideas or just fun?!

So, that is my mission. Fashion blogs. If you know of any, pass them my way, will ya? Mahalo!

3 Years and 3 Celerations!!!

Apparently I forgot to post this??! So, thought I would do it now.

Carson turned 3 on the 1st and has celebrated to the max! Guess he takes after his Mama!? ;)

Praise the Lord!!!

On Friday after Carson's nap he came out and asked "who did I kill?" I had no idea what on earth he was talking about and after he asked a couple of times, I just said to stop saying that.

Yesterday after several hours of being in his room and not napping , Trever got him out and he was talking nonsense again. He was demanding that he needed to go pee, even though he did in fact have a diaper on. He mentioned a couple of other things that just did not make any sense. So, Trever was rocking with him to get him ready for nap (again) and he said he was cold.

I got called in to take a look and take his temperature. I took it three times, the last time it was 101.1*. So, at 4:30pm, I gave him some medicine and then vitamin C and then we prayed.

We have been told in the Bible (John 10:10, Ex. 23:25,26, Ps. 118:17, Prov. 12:18, Ps. 103:2-5, Gal. 3:13, 1 Peter 2:24 Ps. 107:20...) that Jesus died for our sicknesses and diseases and that we have healing, so we received his healing as Trever and I are his covering.

He went to bed for about 3 1/2 hours, and got woken up by me (he had a dirty diaper that had to be changed). After he had woken up a little we had this conversation:

C: Satan is mad.
M: Because we are healed?
C: Yeah.

Then he ate 2 tacos and I asked him
M: Why did you say Satan is mad?
C: Because I am well. I guess.
M: Jesus has healed us. Praise the Lord!

I do have to admit I got a little emotional hearing my 3 year old say this. He just amazes me!

This morning after he woke up and I got him dressed I took his temperature, at 8:30am, 2 times. The first time it was 98.5* and then 98.1*!!!

PRAISE THE LORD, for HE IS SO GOOD! He is our Jehovah-Rafa (healer), our Jehovah-Jireh (provider), our Jehovah-Shalom (peace), our Comforter! Praise Him!!!




Aloha!

Right to Life rally Sunday

Please read the articled linked below!

Right to Life rally Sunday | DailyTidings.com

Here are other locations and dates.

Mahalo!

A Nice Day Out

I thought Carson, Gabe and I would go get the mail today, and when we walked outside we found it to be so nice and balmy out! A very nice surprise. So once we got home, I put Gabe down for a nap and sent Carson outside to play. I got him some lunch and went outside to join him while he ate.

What a nice break from the cold, bundle up weather!


Hope you are able to enjoy some time outside!

Aloha.

Angels

I just opened an email from a friend that was a picture of an ice sculpture of a fire fighter and a guardian angel. Part of the email said, "angels exist, only sometimes they haven't got wings and we call them friends; you are one of them."

I don't exactly know if I would say that friends are angels in the sense that the Bible talks about angels, but I would say that friends are deeply needed!

Today Carson went to Mimi's house and a girlfriend of mine came over for a bit. We looked at her pictures from a trip, talked, ate lunch, talked, laughed and talked some more. It was so needed for me to do that and have that time with her!

Friends are great. All of my friends are loved. Thank you for being a part of my life. I really appreciate all of your love that you give me!

XOXO.

BIG boys

Yesterday after Carson's nap he wanted to put his big boy pants on and sweat pants (that have pockets) all by himself. So when he came out and the pockets were flopping around I didn't think any thing of it at the time. Then at dinner, when I sat next to him, I noticed that the pants were inside out. ;)

This morning Carson wanted to get dressed all by himself. I put his long sleeve shirt on and then he did the rest.

Here is a picture to show you how it turned out! :) Look closely at the pants on his booty.

He is in a "push up" position.

This morning I was sitting on the floor with Gabe in between my legs so he could use my knees and stand up. Well, he did that and then let go and balanced for a couple of seconds! They learn and grow so amazingly fast!

Aloha.

Blessings - just FOCUS on the Blessings!

I am in a space that I have to focus on my blessings right now and not focus on what is going to happen in the future. So, here we go!

My family and I know how much Jesus loves us (He loves you too!).
I am married and have 2 wonderful boys.
I have a roof over my head.
I have a car to drive.
I get exercise at the YMCA.
I am within 3 pounds of my pre-Carson weight.
I have an abundance of clothing and shoes.
We have family who would do almost anything for us.
I have a very cozy bed to sleep in every night.
We are healthy - Praise the Lord!
Carson loves to help us do little things around the house.
Gabe is pulling himself up all the time and isn't falling backwards anymore.
We have cable TV.
Good friends.
Carson is so blessed with all the gifts and hand-me-downs he has been given (and Gabe can use them too).
We have plenty of food to eat.
Carson is doing a great job of going potty in the toilet.
I have a house to clean.
And clothes to wash.
For a great church!
A son who loves Sunday school and AWANA.

I am sure there are more things that I am thankful for, but can't think of them right now.

What are some of the things that you are thankful for?

Aloha.

Night 5

During the night Gabe made a couple of peeps, one at about 4am and the at 6am. They both could have gone to his crying, but they didn't and he went back to sleep. He was up earlier than normal though - but that is A-O-K, we all got good sleep. I am so looking forward to his 7th and 8th teethies being in so we can get a tiny break from this teething thing! Man a live! He is almost 9 1/2 months and he has 6 teeth!

Night 5 - Most sound night of sleep we have all gotten in some time!

Night 4 - WHY?

So. Last night Gabe had a hard night. He woke up at 11:30 or so for a short time and then was up at 4:45am. He was pretty upset this morning, so Trever wanted to make sure he didn't have any body part stuck in the slats. He held him, and calmed him down a couple of minutes and then put him back down. He fell asleep pretty fast after that.

Night 4 - Up some and sleepy eyes in the morning.

Clarify

Thank you ladies for your feedback on my questions (more feedback is definitely welcomed!). I think I need to clarify though. My question about the kids is literally directed to you.

I am curious how others have decided how many kiddlings they have. How do you decide to have 2, or 3 and not just one more, or 4 more? Is it based on whether you have had a boy and a girl? Is it based on odd or even numbers? We have 2 (a family of 4 is perfect?) that is enough? To those parents who have 3 kids - have you noticed any odd man out? We have 1 and just want 1 more (ending in an even number)?

I know some may think this is none of my business, or a shouldn't even ask these questions, but I really am just curious how other couples decided on how large of a family they want.

Again, thank you ladies for all the wonderful advice on my questions.

Aloha!

Complex and kids

I have 2 very important questions for you and I really would like feedback for both. Please.

QUESTION 1:
At what point and how do you decide when to "stop" having kids? Age, finances, 1 boy, 1 girl...?

QUESTION 2:
A. Do you wear (or how do you feel about wearing) brown and black together? For example: I have a brown pair of shoe that have black soles, does that mean I can wear a black shirt or only a brown shirt?
B: Jewelry. Do you wear gold and silver together? Is that a fashion faux pas?

Looking forward to hearing about what you have to say!

Aloha.

Night 3

Last night went well. I heard Gabe a little and then didn't hear any more for 1 of the 2 reasons. Either I was too sleepy and went right back to sleep, or he stopped pretty fast and he also went right back to sleep. Everyone in the house woke up at normal times today.

Night 3 - Good sleep. Woke up at the regular time.

Are you Ready?

GO DUCKS!!!

Night 2 - late morning

About 1am I heard Gabe make some noises and I thought we were in for more crying. However, it didn't go down that road, he just made noises and went back to sleep. So, I thought we were in the clear.

Not so much! 4:45am, he woke up, and cried, and eventually went back to sleep. Trever, myself and Carson slept in til 8am (pretty unusual - for the parents at least) and Gabe slept in til 9am (usually up by 8am).

Night 2 - Some crying. No puffiness.

Have a very Happy New Years day and a Blessed Year!!!