Home Team Date Night!

We are active in our home team which consists of a few precious people that attend our church's campus in Fort Worth. We typically meet twice a month for going over the last couple of messages taught by our Pastor, and the second is for Date Night. Now, we have a choice, we can either take some much needed one on one time with our spouse and do our own thing, or we can go as a group. Greg and I have opportunities to go on date nights more often because Brandy is our babysitter. (As she is for our home team as well). So, we choose to go as a group for the MUCH NEEDED adult interaction time. (Did I mention MUCH NEEDED? LOL)

Here are some of our awesome team members. 

Now, I know, it's suppose to be a "date" night, so you may be wondering how we can do this with a child with us! Well, Gabe is still too young to be left with the group because he requires a bit more attention one on one or with a small group. Brandy can have up to 10 children, so when there are that many children, or close to that number we just take Gabe with us. Of course, we can't seem to get it through to him that those are the nights he is NOT the center of attention. Does he listen?! LOL! 

Jumps Before Bed

Kien and Gabe have started a tradition of "jumps" before bed. They both stand on Kien's toddler bed and count to three. Then, they jump to the floor! For a while Kien would want to hold Gabe's hand, however, that was very short lived as Gabe was not a great "lander" from these said jumps. It was a recipe for disaster, so the -no hand holding- jumps are sufficient enough! Oh, and not to mention that our photo's are not great with the "action" shots, but you get the point! :) 

Gabe jumping! 

 Kien's turn! 

 Oh, and yes, sometimes there IS cushion at the bottom of their jump. Pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, whichever they feel necessary. :) 

 Kien was becoming bored with just the simple mattress to floor jumps, so he tried to spice things up a bit and  jump from the footboard. The first time was a disaster because he was still wearing his socks. So, instead of jumping to the rescue, the natural consequence lesson was learned so fast that the very NEXT jump he performed with NO SOCKS! Smart boy! 

Reading upside down, all around and not at all...

Gabe and Kien enjoy story time right before bed. Sometimes we will read before or after nap time depending on our schedule. Kien is open to read a variety of books. He does have his favorites, but doesn't stick to just one. Gabe on the other hand, his absolute favorite is "Goodnight Moon" -which is cute to listen to him speak some of the words. I have noted that both Kien and Gabe, on separate accounts, both enjoy finding the mouse that is on each of the colored pages. I wonder if that is common with other Goodnight Moon readers?!

For Gabe, it doesn't matter if the book is upside down or not, he still loves it!  

 Here is the miniature version of the big "Goodnight Moon" book. He also likes to skip the black and white pages for some strange reason. *shrug*

 Kien has a short attention span sometimes. Other times he can sit and contently study the details of every page in a book he is interested in. He gave Gabe his "Things That Go" book to hold on to so he could release some physical energy that was bound up, I suppose. He is our little monkey man and very graceful with his jumps.

 I don't like to, but at times it's a must to get on the floor with the boys. I used to love sitting on the floor, but since the hip surgeries it is more difficult for me to just get right up with no aches or popping of the knees even. I do it anyway because my boys like for me to. Old in body, young in spirit? Ha!

 Here we are again with "Goodnight Moon" -this time I was the one animating the "old lady, whispering hush" which Gabriel will do himself from time to time. Kien is reading a mother goose book. Which, I must say, I remember hearing the same stories growing up, but as an adult, some of those nursery rhymes are barbaric and crude! So, we say the cute ones and the book now stays in the closet. *sigh*

 Oh, oh... I ALMOST have Gabe's attention with another book!

 Oh, yes! Finally a glance!

 Then I lost him to his favorite book!

 Gabe even had to sit away from me, I guess I was reading too loudly. (LOL)

Our Mall Experience... YEP! We Survived!

What was I thinking?! - was the question I asked come 60 minutes after our normal routine of what we call lunch time! When you have four kids, eh hem -- TWO TEENAGERS and TWO TODDLERS to be exact, it leads to a very interesting and tiring (calgon take me away ~ hunnie can I please have a foot massage) kind-of experience!

The PLAN was to go with the following list...

Sears:

1. Electrolux Vacuum Bags

2. Shorts for Jeremy

3. Cute tops for Brandy

4. Filter for Fridge

Dillards:

1. Greg Jeans

2. Clearance racks

Forever 21

1. Tops for Brandy

Antie Em's Pretzel

(yummy treat)

Old Navy/Baby Gap:

1. Jeans for Kien

Well, need-less-to-say.... we did stick to the plan. (muffled - kinda)

Ok, you know how it goes.. Plans change!!! Always.. if you are woman, you KNOW plans will change. That's my story, and I am STICKING TO IT!! hahaha ---

I totally was side tracked by the Sketcher tennis shoe sale. My beloved Sketchers, oh how I love thee! SO side tracked that I totally spaced my mental list and forgot the vacuum bags and filter for our fridge. LOL -- BUT- I did spend enough to get a free $10.00 gift card, so now I HAVE to go back! :)

Lunch was a must at the point two babies were squealing and reaching for every item on the rack that we passed and the two teenagers were constantly complaining of hunger pains. Sonic was fast and the line was near none when we rolled into the food court. Kien and Gabe each wanted the corn dog. Brandy and Jeremy had a breakfast burrito and frito chili cheese wrap. I went straight to the caffeinated drink, Dr. Pepper. (lol) And we skipped the pretzel. :(

Then, after being rejuvenated and feeling ready to get our shop on again, we hit two stores before the boys' eyes became mesmerized and the noise that proceeded out of their mouths was the largest squeal, "mommy mommy, stop! We have to shop for this!" says Kien. Gabe's words... "DOW DOW DOW"... along with an earth shaking (more like stroller jerking) sways back and forth as if I was going to stop all heaven and earth for him to get down and go play on these magnificent (slap the vendor for putting them right in front of where I needed to go to get out of the mall) toys!
WHICH BY THE WAY.. we put $1.25 in the $0.75 it took to ride and it never moved! GRRRR...

Lesson?! We will only do this AS NEEDED or with Daddy's presence! LOL

Gabe's First Haircut!

Gabe's hair was getting so long that I noticed that he was constantly pushing it out of his eyes. It was finally time. The only worry I had -hence the reason I was waiting as long as I could- was that once I cut his curls, they wouldn't come back. With Brandy and Jeremy they both had locks. When I gave them their first haircuts, *POOF* the curls were gone. BUT--- have no fear, curling DNA is here!! LOL! 

Luckily enough from Greg's side, when I pulled the hair out straight and cut the length it "boinged" right back into a tight curl!! YAY!!! Well, this is good for now while he is young. :)  

By the way, if you will take note of the decoy to keep him from moving or turning his head, it worked like a CHARM! :) :)

 Here is the side view after I "trimmed" his hair. :) :)

 Oh, yes, I saved it. Written in permanent marker on the inside of a plastic sandwhich baggie is the date Gabe received his first haircut. I actually have each of my children's hair saved for their baby books!! :) I know, cheesy.



Recent Words, Their Translations and A Cute Conversation

Gabe:

NO = NO

oyE oyE oyE = "Woody" from Toy Story. (say really fast with the LONG E sound at the end) ~lol

Daddy go? = Where did Daddy go?

Go a rie! = I want to go for a ride ~in daddy's car of course~

oooh dow = I want down

brooohh = It broke -or- I throw it

durmey = Jeremy

Mommy = Mommy (go figure)

Dobey = Brandy

Nana = Nana (my mom) or Banana

Papah= Papa

Dassy = Daisy (our girl boxer)

moreey = I want more (also included with the signing as well =) )

Baaa= ball

noo = nose

eye = ear

eye = eye

pee pee = well, you know.

bee bee = belly button

beebee = baby

on = one

tooh = two (see a pattern here? yes, it tells on mommy that she uses the "one, two, three" to get things done around here LOL)

oh no = oh no (basically when he drops something)

nomi nom = want something yummy to eat

ok = yes

where da go? = where (person) go

eh -geh-gee-om-di-ba-na-no-beh-nom-iss = trying to talk, not sure what he is saying

ONE TIME SAID -- bah-boo was blanket but now he responds to the word "blankey" but does not yet say it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kien: Mommy, can I wear my Buzz Lightyear belt to school today?
Mommy: Sure, lets see if it will fit.
Kien: Oh, my teachers are REALLY going to like my belt when I show them.
Mommy: Oh yeah? I bet they will, too.
--trying on belt--
Mommy: Uh, oh, it won't fit in these jeans buddy, it's too big.
Kien: Oh, great! Can you just make it fit?


Kien: I "fink" (think)
Kien: Your fired

My innter thoughts part 1- Do you fully TRUST God?

I signed up for Max Lucado's devotionals weekly knowing that every word of scripture will feed me during the in between times I read my "life's manual" -aka Bible. For today, it suggested asking our selves if we truly trust God in any and all situations. One of the scriptures that I had found in the devotion to be quite, well... different from what I had ever been taught or heard about God's Love, or more specifically - God doesn't cause bad things to happen. I have always held on to the scripture Matthew 5:45 That you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. This is what has helped me KNOW that I will face adversity, and bad things WILL happen. However, the scripture I read today was:

I am the one who creates the light and makes the darkness. I am the one who sends good times and bad times. I, the Lord, am the one who does these things. (Isa. 45:7)

I suppose I never really paid attention to the part where he says, "I am the one who sends good times and bad times." I have always told people that God doesn't "cause" bad things to happen. Which made me question, wouldn't that be a false statement I have made to all those people I have ministered to?

I understand that God doesn't desire to inflict pain, or cause us to stumble in anyway shape or form. That would mean He contradicts Himself, which He doesn't! AND- I know that God uses "bad" situations to bring such magnificent victory in many evident ways to uplift and reach out to those who NEED victory in their lives.

I also look at JOB. Job was a faithful man of God in every way, shape AND form. Even to the UTMOST while during the times he lost everything right down to the one thing God told satan he couldn't have, and that was his last breath. What an AMAZING testament of Job trusting God in every way possible right to the rock bottom. However, God didn't "cause" or "send" these things to happen to Job, but He gave satan the ability to test Job's heart. So, I would then say God "allowed" these things to happen.

I can share heart wrenching situations that have happened in my own life that could attest to the bad, but I can testify the outcome of God's victory without missing a beat in every single situation. I have never believed that God "CAUSED" these things to happen, and it is very clear to me that our God loves us so very much, enough to send Jesus to die in our place just so we can be in His presence -first and foremost. And secondly, that God can bring us through the wilderness, through the fire, through death and the grave and do it with such class that even satan has to admit GOD IS GOOD!! HA! So, whether I was right or wrong in my thinking, who cares, if God sent these bad things to happen, wouldn't He give us what we need to have victory over the situation also? I mean, He did give us some awesome armour to wear in the battle, and gave us armour bearers to help hold one another up... just sayin...

I'm thinking, YES- I FULLY TRUST GOD!!

I have also sadly seen TOO many people hurt, knocked down, beat up and everything stripped away except their last breath. The "sadly" part only attributes to those who have stayed down and turned around to BLAME God for the troubles instead of rising up and "seeing" through Spiritual eyes that the battle is here and we CAN have victory no matter the scale of the situation. And I mean, NO MATTER is too much for God.

Food Coma

It is so cute to see the boys drift off into a sweet slumber while eating lunch. It has happened a couple of times actually, I just need to sift through my photo's and find the other ones!! =)

A lovely Sunday

Greg likes to take the leisurely stroll or drive home from church from time to time. He found this place right by our church (not sure of the name of the park) that has a stream and lots of ducks. On this day, it was just Greg, Jeremy, and Gabe. Kien was sick with fever for the previous couple days, so I kept him home. I feel that it is honoring other parents when we keep our sick kids home and not expose them knowing they are sick. Here is Jeremy holding Gabe. I think Gabe was tired.

So cute!

 Gabe does NOT like the sun in his eyes. It is not very enjoyable in the car if the sun is shining on him directly! As you can see in the photo! lol

 Kien had been feeling much better mid morning, eating and drinking back to normal so we let him play outside for a little bit. Of course how in the world he figured out how to do this, I have no idea. He definitely takes after daddy!! Let's pray now for him. lol

 Here are my little loves with one of my bigger loves in the background. I am one blessed mommy!

Dinner with Friends

We were invited to our sweet friends Al and Julia for dinner. Gabe found a chef's hat and knew exactly how to put it on! =)

 We took the kids down the hill to see the cows. They even let them all pet them. Of course, it was dinner time so they didn't exactly WANT to run away. Ha!
Kien from this point forward regularly stated he wanted to be a farmer. A cowboy farmer to be exact! Gabe didn't know what to think about the cows and when everyone was petting the cows!

 This is Kien probably asking if he can go in with the cows. Oh how fun would it be to be in the mind of this precious little boy.

 Jeremy was very humble and kind after dinner to play with the girls. They were having a tea party! Of course when I mentioned taking a photo, he begged me not to. I just HAD to! LOL

Mohawk, Bed, Playing and Sleeping..A Full Days Work!

Everyone has to have a Mohawk photo!! I really should research all my photo's to find Kien's. Oh, and maybe even scan a photo of Brandy and Jeremy's! lol

 I don't know if anyone really notices, but Kien is not one to sit still. He is in a constant move, which makes it real difficult to catch greater shots more often. We have literally had to delete so many that look very similar to this where his face is blurred. At any rate, he was jumping on his bed! I do miss this arrangement of their room, but it is more practical the way we have it now. :)

 Jeremy likes his computer. As a matter of fact, in his computer literacy class, he has recently learned a new program called Gimp. Basically it's a photo shop program.

 Brandy was caught sleeping at the table! Well, I should think so considering she is in Marching Band AND Varsity Swimming! Those two are very physical! She's still my baby girl anyway! =)

 I am sure this is me contemplating at the end of the day to either finish my bathroom cleaning project or save it for the next day. Either way, wow, I really look deep in thought! Could this be a good thing?! LOL

Dinner at Subway With Daddy

One of the nice things about living in the southern states is the weather during the month of November. I had to pick up Brandy at the school to head to church with the kids and Greg took Gabe across the street from the high school to Subway. The plan was for them to walk back home.. well, Greg would walk and Gabe would ride the cozy coupe.

Gabe loves to munch on ham.

 Maybe he can munch on ham with style wearing daddy's hat! So cute!

 Greg stated that the night was a bit chilly, so we planned ahead knowing that when the sun goes down, the temperature changes. We made sure Gabe had his coat, blanket and hat. Well, it wasn't even but 5 minutes into the ride that Gabe fell asleep to the sound of the wheels on the sidewalk.

Saginaw Makes State Again!

Saginaw Marching Band did it again!! Last year Saginaw High School was considered a 4A school, and was in their reach to make the State competition. This school year they were moved from a 4A school to a 5A school based on their population. Which then put them in the reach of ANOTHER chance to make State. WHICH-- they did!! YAY!!

So, off to San Antonio we go we go! Brandy rode down with her band on two very nice buses. We left the day before the competition and stayed an hour north of the Alamo Dome so we could get up early enough to drive in and not have to be rushed and miss the competition.

Mommy thought she had everything packed, and unfortunately I forgot to pack extra onesies *sign of losing my mind part one* --lol-- so we had to locate the closest Carter's ASAP! Gabe didn't get enough sleep I guess and so daddy carried him in the store like this. =)

 We arrived at the Alamo Dome and stopped to grab drinks and a snack before Brandy's band had marched. Jeremy was being silly with a straw, but oh so cute!

 Once the performance was over, we found Brandy and took some photos together. The plan was we were going to have her ride back with us, so we could go see the Alamo again, and other site seeing, but we know how important it was for her to hang out with her band team after such a great competition. They placed 19th in the whole state of Texas! Go SAGINAW!

 To avoid the crazy lines and groups of people trying to find a seat smack dab in the middle of where our team would be competing, we decided we would go sit off to the left and still be able have a great view. Kien and Gabe were in the stroller (my lifesaver) while Greg went to the top of the arena to take video of their whole performance.

 My babies!!! Love them...

 Brandy and her friend Ryan. He's not normally a blond, he lost a bet and had to dye it bleach blond. Good thing Brandy didn't lose! LOL

 I had to take a photo of this booth and send it to my brother who worked for Mr. Video. He had an opportunity to edit videos for last years competition, but because he is no longer employed with them, he won't have access to this years.