MIA- But I'm alive!

I have been missing in action for quiet some time. We've not been busy with much,I guess I'm just being a Mother and home maker. I miss blogging,but it's not something I can put on top of the list for now. I am able to use the computer more for pictures though. Aaron takes naps in Daniel's room and has been sleeping half of the night in there too with big brother. It feels nice to sort of have our room back. In 8 weeks that will change though. I am 31 weeks and Johnathan will be here soon!

We are all well. We had a terrible virus last week,but recovered finally. The weather is always changing here. Storms,sunny days,cold,hot,and then something different. It's cool right now and that is so odd for May in Southern Alabama,or any Southern states. I love it,so I am not complaining! I am fairly big and really do not like the warmer weather,so cool is fine with me. There were terrible tornadoes last week in north Alabama. It demolished many cities and towns. I can't imagine what they are gong through,but my husband may get to chance to see it first hand. He will more than likely go there with his fellow Troopers for a week. Hopefully, no more will come anytime soon. Prayers for them would be appreciated.

The boys are growing so fast. Daniel is almost 3 1/2 and Aaron is 18 months. It is crazy how fast they grow! They are so cute too. I have lots of pictures to share,but won't be able to share them all. We took a trip to Battleship Park last month and it was so much fun! It still is my favorite family trip! It's only our 2nd,but still.

I am still learning and growing in the Lord. I know I will never stop,but by now you would think I have somethings figured out. Guess not huh? He is always faithful to us and always takes care of us,yet sometimes I want it much quicker than He does. I get discouraged, disappointed,mad,or loose hope. I think to myself why can't I get it? God knows best. He is almighty! He is all knowing!! Then, I think about my kids. How there are certain things they know about me,but still don't believe or their actions don't show it. Funny, how God uses your children to make His point a lot. I am reading the book of Romans right now. I've read it a lot of times,but I don't think you can ever read the Bible or any book in it too much. I know this is a journey and I will have down days,but those are days I cannot forget God is in control.

Alright, here are some pictures!

I love this picture. This was at my parents Tuesday.

A bird nest we found at Mike's parents. Funny they used whatever they could to make it. 

It looked like a cocoon,but I am not sure. It looked neat though!

I love my wedding ring and band. My other camera did not take good jewelry photos.

Till death do me part...

Really love this picture.

This was on the Battleship. Aaron loved walking.

This was at the seafood place we had a late lunch. I love this picture.

The baby alligator we got to see while we ate.

Huge Battleship guns.

This ship was huge!

We loved eating here. It was right over the Bay.

The Blackbird decided to watch us eat a sandwich. Great photo too!

The boys looking at the baby alligator,I love this one!

Me and my boys. 

Mike and Daniel. They look so small!

Daniel had a blast this day!

Daniel and me,he's so handsome!

Daniel the Sailor.

Aaron and me. He is so cute!

Downtown Mobile buildings.

The big alligator we saw on the Gator Alley trail.

Entrance to the park.

31 weeks,this was yesterday.

If anyone knows how to make my pictures rotate,please tell me!! :)

Have a blessed one!

Lots of pictures to share!!

Here are some pictures,but in no order,just random. I'm 27 weeks and counting. Only 12 weeks to go! Woo-hoo! We are good,just enjoying the weather when it's not too hot for Mama. 

My love and I at my parents. He loves when I wear my glasses.

Us again,at our apartment. I was 25 weeks I think.

Never leave your coke unattended. Yeah, he got it while we were not looking.

Love this picture of Mike and Aaron watching God Rocks.

Aaron thought they were going for a ride haha 

Aunt Heather with the nephews and niece.

Daniel and Brook,so cute!

Typical boy look haha

He was helping Uncle Jamie with the greenhouse.

This is precious. I love watching him sleep.

Nothing better than that smile.

Riding the 4-wheeler with Papa.

Strong man!!

He was fishing in Nana's mud hole hahaha such a boy!

Walking on the big path of life.

I love this picture of him walking down my parents drive way.

He was fishing while holding Biscuit. Too cute!

This is at the entrance of our apartment. It was beautiful!!

The picnic table at my parents. Love how the colors all go together here.

I was 24 weeks here I think. All belly!!

The entrance down my parents drive way. I love it!

This was at my brother's,no questions why haha

This is at my brother's house. Beautiful one!

This was yesterday,27 weeks.

Baby Johnathan today,he's getting active!

Friday's Fave Five

It's been quiet awhile since I have done FFF. I miss it!! So I will join up with Susanne@Living to Tell the Story for Friday's Fave Five. 

1. I think Spring is here. It's been so nice outside and so gorgeous!! So we have been outside more than usual enjoying the weather!
2. We got our tax refund check. What a blessing!! It was just in time and way early!
3. A visit to my parents this past week was wonderful!! We are excitedly planning our future and oh we cannot wait!
4. Learning time with Daniel. I have been going over colors and shapes with him. He's so smart!
5. God's grace. It's never ending and really amazes me. He's so gracious to me!!

Join us and share highlights from your week! 

Thankful Thursday

Iris@Grace Alone is our host for the month of March. She talks about the journey. Has your journey been filled with dark moments and blissful ones? Each are a necessity of God to grow us. I'm thankful for my journey. I haven't had very dark moments,but I have had some dark moments. Close family members passing away,close friends passing away,and on the doorstep of depression. All of those have brought me closer to God and I have learned to love Him in a new way. I've had many blissful moments too. Diving into God's Word,meeting my husband,birthing my boys,and many more. We can't have joy without sorrow. It's a part of life,no matter if you are a follower of Christ or not. I have learned to be thankful for those hard things in life. I love the song Through It All. Through it all I've learned to trust in Jesus I've learned to trust in God. It talks about if it had not been for the trials how would we know how wonderful our Lord really is? It's so true!

I am also thankful for my husband. He's a State Trooper and they have to do yearly Physical Training test. Last year he did okay,but this year he topped out. He has been working for months on things he would have to do. He left early yesterday morning going to Selma,AL to stay the night and take the test this morning. He called just a few minutes ago to let me know he topped out. I'm so proud of his sacrifice he makes for us. He's a wonderful man,whom I love more than words can say.

What are you thankful for? Join us today and be blessed!

My Food Menu

I have been doing a food menu for awhile now. I like it,but at first I wasn't so sure. I have found out how to buy only what I will cook and then some snacks. So it is working out really well. I think I do mine more detailed than any I have seen. I really didn't have anyone's to look at to start. We eat 3 meals a day at home,unless we are visiting family or go out to eat. Who all does a menu for the week? I try to start working on it on Thursday or Friday,but usually it's Saturday before I get started on it. This time I did it on Thursday,which is rare. We eat pretty simple things,so it's not really any recipes. I do a few,but not a lot. I try to do a meat,and 2 sides. I coordinate it with Mike's off days so if I want something he doesn't like I do it for supper the day he is working. I've found it very handy.

Monday, March 7
Breakfast: Eggs,bacon,& toast
Lunch: Grilled steaks,angel hair pasta,& baked potato
Supper: Tacos

Tuesday, March 8
Breakfast: Pancakes
Lunch: Cheeseburger Macaroni pasta & corn bread
Supper: Hot dogs & chips

Wednesday,March 9
Breakfast: Eggs & toast
Lunch: Baked chicken,yellow rice,& baked beans
Supper: Potato Soup

Thursday, March 10
Breakfast: Poptarts
Lunch: Pork chops,yellow rice,& mashed potatoes
Supper: Grilled chicken,macaroni & cheese,& green beans

Friday,March 11
Breakfast: Pancakes
Lunch: Fried steak,rice w/gravy, & macaroni & cheese
Supper: Grilled chicken,macaroni & cheese,& green beans

Saturday,March 12
Breakfast: Eggs,bacon,& toast
Lunch: Fried chicken,fries,& macaroni & cheese
Supper: Sandwiches

Sunday,March 13
Breakfast: Pancakes
Lunch: Baked chicken,angel hair pasta,& mashed potatoes
Supper: Potato Soup

Thankful Thursday-Pictures

I am thankful for a camera and God's creation. There is so much to capture in the lens of a camera! Never take fore granted your sight to see His beauty. I have been playing around with my new camera. It's by far a professional one,but it has some neat features. I LOVE taking pictures! I would love to take some classes one day and use them for my own personal use. I'm by far a professional either,but I love to do it. 

I placed the acorn and flower in the branches. Thought it was a neat shot.

I used the Super Vivid mode with this picture. It is so great! Oh and Aaron LOVES when the dog lick him,go figure!

I like how it's focused on the acorn and the background is a blur.

Love this picture! Great angle and in Super Vivid mode.

Another one I like.

This is the Poster effect. I really love this picture!

I like this too. Daniel's feet with mine.

This is a favorite one too!!

I love how the colors are so bright here!

Trying to do some sun pictures. I like this one.

This is just something in our home. I like it.

I love how the color looks here. 

Anyways. Just sharing some of my joy!! Hope to get more this afternoon at my parents! Blessings! This is my normal Thankful Thursday entry,but I like to shake it up a little! Join Iris@Grace Alone and share your thankfulness!

Raising My Boys

I haven't been blogging much lately,it's not that I don't have things to say,just not the time to do it. I think we will be cutting the Internet and t.v. off for good. We tried the new package,but it was not the price they said. With gas going up and buying more groceries. We just have to cut somewhere. I will still have my blog and access with my husband's computer,so don't leave me!! :) You can get in touch with me through Twitter or email also. Just ask for either.

We have been enjoying a touch of Spring here in South Alabama. A little too warm for me though. I like the 60's  during the day and a nice breeze. We have been trying to prioritize the best we can with our schedule. It's a little difficult with Mike's job and schedule. We started reading the Bible together with Daniel (and Aaron is he is awake) yesterday. We have 2 children's Bibles for Daniel that we use. Then we read some out of one of our Bibles. We are aiming to do this everyday,whether it be day or night. He sits out in front with us at church and does well. We're also letting him pray when he wants. It's amazing how much they take in at this age. We really want to move back "home" and have more contact with family. We're also aiming for that as well. So that means cutting back on somethings that we don't need. We aren't entirely sure what the Lord holds for our future,He usually never lets us know with a lot of notice. We go a day at a time,a week at a time,and a month at a time. We see things He wants for us,just have to do our part to make them happen,of course with His help. We've learned a lot in the 4 1/2 years we have been married. We are learning even more being parents.

One thing I want my boys to do is obey God and learn to do it without delay,complaining,and do it cheerfully. I want them to know Jesus personally and talk to him daily. If they sin,I want them to know they can go to him and confess it and still have communion with him. I also want them to know that is the same with us. We can't forgive their sins in the sense that Jesus can,but I want them to know when they sin,they can come to us and confess it and still have a relationship with us. So many things race through my mind when I think about them growing up. Ahh it can be overwhelming. I want to put them in a bubble and keep them safe from all things,but that is smart and just can't happen. I can pray for them,teach them through Word and example,and let them make some decisions on their own. I have been asking God to help me grow in patience with them and kindness. Not that I am not patient at times and not kind,but I want to be more. I lack patience A LOT with my boys. You say something a million times in an hour and it's like are they even listening? I know God thinks this about me,so I want to be patient with them. They are learning day by day and I have to be consistent,just like staying in the Word. If I don't stay consistent in it,then I will not know it or live it or desire it. There is so much to learn while being a parent. I'm not only raising my boys,God is still raising me. It's amazing really.

Both boys are good. Daniel is so bright and vibrant. He is so happy (he has his moments,don't get me wrong) and cheerful most of the time. He is all boy! Love trucks,dinosaurs,dirt,and the outside. He is so sweet at times. He is really excited about Johnathan,but I don't think he understands Johnathan one day will be in his stuff just as Aaron is now. :) He will kiss my belly and say I love you Johnathan. His little spirit is already picking up on evil and righteous and things of God. Aaron he is a mess! He's such a Momma's baby! He loves to dance to God Rocks and just dance period! He's going to be our praiser and Daniel is our warrior. Aaron is very affectionate and sentimental. It's funny how TOTALLY different they are now. Aaron is a talker too,he started saying things at 14 months. It's hard to believe I will have 1 more in June. I wonder a lot what Johnathan will look like and be like. I know it feels great being a Mother,Mama,or Mommy. When I go to get groceries and I make it back home,they just attack me with hugs and Mama. That's usually the longest time I'm away from them,or if I am on a date with my hubby. It's a big task and challenge to raise boys this day and age,girls as well. But men are the head of the houses and it's intimidating. I also want to home school and that is intimidating too. I want my boys to be smart,of course,in books,but I want them to primarily, be schooled in the Word. What we teach them by the Word and action, will help mold them and help them make choices. I want them to seek God in all they do and know He has a purpose for them. To come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and then lead others to Jesus through word and action. I want them to seek a righteous life as Jesus led. You don't have to go overseas to do big things,as I used to think. I want them to serve God wherever life takes them. If they play professional sports,if they build houses,work at a bank,or so on. Live for God,seek God,and apply His truths to their life.

My husband and Daddy will be wonderful,Godly,manly examples to my boys. Neither are sophisticated or well versed in lots of schooling,but one thing they do is seek God and His purification daily. They aren't afraid to say they messed up and need forgiveness. I want my boys to be as Daniel was,he was the smartest in the land at his time. Who knows if he had schooling,he had God's law though and that put him far above the others. Our main goal as parents is to help our boys know who Jesus is and show them the way to the cross. In that I mean read the Word to them and pray the Spirit brings them to the knowledge of their sin and they repent of it,then asking Jesus to be Lord of their life. That is all that matters,but it doesn't end there. Living for Him daily and being the man God wants them to be to others also matters. It's challenging,but I thank God I don't have to do it alone. I have God,Jesus,and my husband. I am blessed.



I had a lot more written,but blogger decided to delete it..... It was me pouring my heart out,so I can't re-write that. Not fair,blogger.

Alright, I am off now. I love pouring my heart out!