Chill Pill

Christmas is just around the corner and I can't wait! I feel like it snuck up on me this year. I'm behind on family gifts...I do apologize :)

 

 

I tried to run errands today, but I didn't get around to all of them. Zipping three little ones in and out of stores is an accomplishment, even when it ends in a fit and when I say "ends in a fit," I'm not talking about our 5 year old...our 3 year old...or our one year old...Mama had one today. It didn't really have anything to do with the kids at all. They were getting compliment after compliment from the store workers (makes a Mama proud). My hands just felt full today. There were about a million people out today and they all were exhibiting their best driving skills, and everywhere you looked were glistening breakables dangling on the isles, screaming break me, break me. Made me a nervous wreck. Ha!

 

On my way home, I turned up the Christmas tunes and in between songs, a lady started talking about the end of the world tomorrow chatter and she said, "If today was your last day, how would you spend it?" Wow. My answer came so quickly and was the very opposite of what I had spent the last hour and a half doing. So now I'm home...Ahhh...I spoke with the honey, my dear sweet friend, and am soaking up my children. They're my little loves and they're just perfect in every way. It's been a good day.

 

This year will be a quiet Christmas for us, which is just how we like it. Well, as quiet as it can get with three little ones bouncing around with screeching happiness :)

 

 

I found this really neat post titled, The Hush Among the Hustle, from Candace Cameron Bure (AKA: DJ) and I'm thinking of doing this...

 

 

And I pray that you, bring rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:17-19

 

 

 

Merry Christmas!

Science

A few weeks ago, a dear friend of mine mentioned how amazing this book was...

 

 

It seemed familiar, like I had seen it before... I figured I had seen it online somewhere, but when I went through all the homeschool story books we had purchased through Sonlight's preschool curriculum, I was happily surprised to see this book already on my shelf!

 

This was a super interesting book with lots and lots of cool pictures, facts, and math. It was also not too long and not too short, so it was able to successfully hold everyone's attention. It's definitely not a Christian science book, but the end of the book leaves things open for some really neat discussion opportunities, even for my little guys.

Afterwards, we did this art project and talked about how God is BIGGER! I think this will be read again and again.

 



Dancing In The Mine Fields

I think one of the most important gifts we can give our children is for them to see you and your spouse making each other a priority. Every single day. It brings them a sense of stability, comfort, and love. Love that radiates from the parents on to them. It's a beautiful thing, when you think about it. Our children were created in love and for them to remain in complete love within the home, it needs to remain in us, the parents. We have the greatest responsibility to show them Christ's unconditional love.

 

 

When you add in the craziness of life... work... extra commitments... children... It becomes so easy to forget the importance of making our spouse a priority. The marriages that you hear about falling apart when they become empty nesters totally make sense... they had their priorities somewhere else for all those child-rearing years and one day they woke up with a roommate. I know none of us stand at the alter, bearing our souls to the one our heart desires, yearning for them to be our roommate. Of course not! We yearn for them to be our priority, our best friend, our love. What a treasured, delicate relationship marriage is. It must be nurtured and cared for daily.

 

 

 

I think that is why my trip away with honey to Florida was so important to me. To us. It was our way of showing our little children that mommy and daddy love each other so much that we desire to spend time alone together. It's not only for us, but for them as well.

 

 

Do you need to take a vacation alone together every year? No. Would it be nice? Do I even have to answer that? :) Though you may not be able to have a destination getaway every year or ever, it is possible to spend quality time alone together to nurture that relationship. Sometimes it requires creativity,locked doors,strict bedtimes, and good friends who will take your children for you, but it is totally do-able.

 

What will we do today to show your children where our priorities lie?

 

For the past couple of days, I just couldn't get into the blog writing mood. And yesterday...it just didn't feel right. Talking about my planned Christmas post seemed disrespectful. What words can be said? Today my heart is heavy and my children will be held tight.


Gun control?...


Can I get a hell yeah?


I felt comfort in Linsey's post, Hope for a Heavy Heart, from LLH Designs.

 

 

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned."

Isaiah 9:2

Happy

My son and I just happen to have birthdays just two days apart. Whenever my birthday approaches, instead of thinking about getting older, I start thinking about going into labor with him...all the excitement leading up to his birth...it's always so fresh in my mind. Such sweet memories (except for all that excruciating pain and vomiting).

 

Crockett turned five this year. Yes, five. I think that's the official big age, don't you think- when you reach a full hand. When I look at him, I can still see that baby. It's gone by in a blink and I'm hanging on tight to those little boy moments he has. Just for a little longer :)

He had a small birthday celebration this past weekend. He's been planning his George Washington-themed birthday party for nearly a year now. I hope it was everything he had imagined!

 

 

Wonder what it will be next year?...



~Linking up to Savy Southern Style~

Flo Rida

 

 

Last week the honey and I went to St. Petersburg, Florida. He had a two day meeting, so I tagged along and we extended our trip so we could make it a mini vacation. It was so much fun and exactly what I needed!

Our second full day there, I woke up, had coffee all by myself on our balcony, while I sat silent, listening to the waves crash onto the shore. What a breakfast!

 

It felt weird, at first, the honey being in all day meetings... me... all by myself... However, it didn't take me long to get use to it. If you can't tell :)

 

I turned 29 last Friday, so I treated myself, a little, while I was there. Of course. I got a massage, a facial, a manicure, and a pedicure.

 

It was totally over the top, I know, but in my real life, I promise you, fancy is replaced with all things mommy. Like, right now, I'm sitting in my jammies, robe... my hair's up in curlers, and I've yet to put in my contacts. It was nice to splurge for my 29th. But I realized when you tell people that you're 29, they think you're lying. Next year I will be lying.

 

The last full day we were there, was so much fun. We went paddle boarding, which was a blast! I totally recommend it!

 

 

We also went on a dolphin cruise, which may sound corny, but ended up being a really neat experience. I may have been the most excited person on the boat.

 

 

Plus, the boat took us to a tiny little island where we were able to get out in the water and play and hunt for seashells.

 

 

 

We had a blast!

 

More about the trip to come :)

Christmassy

 

I thought I would share a few pictures of my house decorated for Christmas...

I'm in love with this wreath I found at Trader Joe's! It makes me happy.

Each year I try to get one new Christmas thing. This year I purchased burlap ribbon from Ballard Designs to drape on the tree and I love it!

Ho Ho Ho!

 

 

The mantle is always something I struggle decorating...I hear that a lot, so that helps. I pinterest the crap out of mantles, but I'm never able to execute the stunning ones I see. I have some topiaries and a big family photo...that's about it. It needs something, but for this season, twinkle lights, berries, and Santa will do just fine :)

 

My mom gave me this nativity scene for Christmas when Tim and I were engaged. It's so special!

 

 

It was given to her by her aunt and I always remember it being displayed at Christmas. So delicate... I also remember playing with it. My kids do not get to do that :) They have their plastic little people nativity scene for that.

 

As my boys are older, and we're doing homeschool, I've had the wonderful opportunity to devote the month of December to learning about the birth and life of Jesus and what it means for us. I would love to commit to doing more advent activites next year. We still have fun with Santa and Dobby (our elf), in fact, I think Tim and I have just as much fun as the kids. It's been a neat experience to circle it back around to Jesus every day. Something I should be doing every day of the year, right?

Back in the saddle again

After a much needed break, things will be getting back to normal around here this next week and I have a slew of things to talk about! I can't wait! I feel like I have some traction and can really dive into the blog and I'm super excited.

Stay tuned!

For now....I'm going to relax some more :) I hope you're doing the same this Saturday!

Gettin busy with it

Today is going to be a busy day. The honey and I are getting ready to go on a mini vacation. He's talked me into doing a carry on. Blah. Maybe I can talk him into pulling it for me :) When I'm flying without the kids, which is rare, the freedom is so nice. Since we've had kids, the only time I've flown without them was about two years agao and I was pregnant with Calamity Jane, so that totally doesn't count. I am looking forward to carrying a purse. I haven't carried a purse is years. It'll be so nice to not the weighed down with diapers, wipes, sippy cups, snackies, books, cars, soldiers, Benadryl, Tylenol, teething tablets, and another just in case you have a layover mountain of extras. I know I will also miss that, but instead of focusing on missing the littles, I'm going to focus on this wonderful little vacation. Thank you, honey :) I'm going to soak it in. There's something about mommy getting away that's hard. Your heart hurts a little, but there's also something refreshing about it. You come back better- refocused and ready to jump back in with a new perspective.

I have a few minutes until school starts. Davy Crockett's blown through his Sonlight preschool, which I have really loved. Very sweet curriculum, Crockett just likes to do more than 1-2 worksheets most days. We're down down to our last of 4 workbooks. I'm just not ready for him to start kindergarten yet. #1: He's still little. #2: I haven't decided on a kindergarten cirriculum yet. There's so many great choices out there! And #3: I want to go to the homeschool convention in June before I make a cirriculum decision. Anyone up for babysitting? :) The Duggar's just happen to be one of the featured guest speakers!!! The honey probably thinks I'm a starstruck nerd and I probably am. I want to do whatever program they're doing, because what they're doing is producing wonderful little people. I'm wondering if Michelle Duggar is going to do a how to stay calm mommy tutorial. I'm there.

Well, better get a jump on the day! So much to do and I'm running out of time! A trip to Costco with three kids is in my near future. This is always interesting. If you see me, please don't ask me if my hands are full. They are :)

Morning thoughts with a side of coffee

 

I love Christmas time, don't you? I love my house smelling like cinnamon. I love the coziness the Christmas decor brings. I love plugging in the Christmas lights in the living room before the sun's even up. It makes the early morning a little happier. I love how excited my kids are this season.

 

With all the loves I have, this year I have realized that I need to be better- much better about making Jesus the focus. The daily focus. And I have that authority. I have the wonderful opportunity to, not only be a mother the my children, but I'm also their teacher. Homeschooling or not, that's my job. My calling. I set the tone, the mood, the focus for the day and I feel like I've been missing the mark.

 

I read a blog past, this morning, from Perfectly Imperfect that tugged on my heart strings. She writes:

 

"You have too much.

Of everything.

Your need for nothing destroys your need for me."

 

So that's what I'm thinking about today.

 

 

Today's one of those crazy mornings. You know the ones that include throwing Lincoln Logs. With three kids 5, 3, and nearing 2, it's always a little crazy, but throw in the need to cook some things for Thanksgiving and it gets extra nuts. I have several things to put in the fridge for tomorrow and there's literally no room!



Happy cooking and happy early Thanksgiving!

Beloved

On my way to a play date today, I heard the song, "Remind Me Who I Am" by Jason Gray. Such a beautiful song and, I thought, of how often I get so wrapped up in the day...the day to day things that don't matter...the past...all those labels I put on myself...the regrets and insecurities I try to hide...all of those things that I always felt made me me. A messy me, but they were me. This song reminded me that I am a beloved and that's my label.

 

Oh me

 

 

One of our favorite family things to do is to go hiking. I wouldn't say it's this girl's favorite thing to do :) but when most of your family is made up of boys, hiking is what you do. Plus, there's nothing like watching your boys run free in beautiful open fields. Truly. When we're out hiking, they're in there earthly heaven and I wouldn't give anything to miss that- except.......

 

Yesterday at church, I wore a belt over my sweater and it kept bothering me. I had worn the same outfit before and never had an issue. I kept thinking, "Is it on too tight?" And so I would loosen it up, but when that didn't make a difference, I changed as soon as we got home. I felt like I had a sore on the side of my back. When I looked in the mirror, I realized that our lovely fall hike had left me with more than sweet memories and a handful of freakin amazing instagram photos, it had left me with a tick. Yes, this girl said tick. Gross. Please excuse me while I go take another shower... The honey was sweet enough to remove it for me. That's something you never think you're going to have to ask your husband. Scream!!!!!!"Honey, can you please help me remove this tick?" That's sexy at it's finest, right there. That's also real life and real love.

 

After googling ticks and pictures of the ones that carry Lymes Disease, I'm going to make an appointment with my doctor today and get on some antibiotics. If anything, just for peace of mind.

 

I'm thinking homeschool might look a little different today...Perhaps, we'll be educating ourselves on tick safety before, during, and after a hike. I think we all might could benefit from that!
 

With Thanksgiving this week, and our traditional Christmas decorating on Black Friday, we have lots and lots of errands to run to get ready for it all. I've been blessed with three little tinies who love to cook and you better believe I'm going to put them to work! One of the things I've come to embrace during this very new journey of homeschool is that everything becomes apart of learning for us. Cooking includes math and real life application. Now that we're immersed in homeschool, I'm realizing just how many opportunities there are in a day to teach my children- too many to count!

 

On a different note, I read a wonderful post, this morning, from Life in Grace, titled, My poverty (and yours). I think you should read it too :)

Snag

I found this little beauty at Goodwill today. I have big plans for this chest! I spotted it in the back of a man's car as he was dropping off. I wasn't sure if it was rude to make an offer for it, but I did anyway. His response was way too high, so I just waited about .5 seconds and went inside the store and made them an offer. Accepted!

You see, we have the tiniest kitchen and there's just not enough storage space. Especially for utensils. We've made due and I've actually grown to like it. It's caused me to get rid of all the access kitchen stuff. Actually, that's been the case with our entire townhome. A few months ago, I got to a place where I just wanted to live with what I love. There isn't much room and I was tired of being surrounded by all the extras. So, I made a promise to myself to get rid of at least one thing a week. So far, I've kept that promise. It's been so freeing. Today I took six full bags to Goodwill. I had to blindfold the kids, but we did it. Now my closet is down to my favorites, plus a few mom shirts, just as it should be, right?

 

Now that I have the chest home, it's much bigger than it looked, but it works. I was able to store a lot in it and rearrange my cabinets, which work so much better for me know. It needs a paint job severely. I'm thinking of either using chalk paint or milk paint in lucketts green or mustard seed, something different from my usual go-to red. Either way, I can't wait to make it a beloved piece in my home. 



Joy

"I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete."

John 15:11

 

 

I am going through the devotional book called, Praying for My Family. Let's be honest here, sometimes what I read goes in one ear and out the other. Too often I forget what I have read as soon as the book is closed. I hope today that it isn't the case.

 

 

When you become a parent, you start thinking a lot about your legacy. You swear up and down, "I'll never..." or "I'm going to always..." or "No matter what..." For the honey and I, that conversation began way before our children ever entered our lives. And I can say, we've succeeded thus far in the big things. Somewhere between the sleepless nights, tantrums, missing child handbook (they came with their own personalized one, right?), those "I'll nevers" get pushed aside and prioritized. Not the big ones, necessarily, but the small ones. Those are the ones my children are aware of now and it has nothing to do with child-rearing, but with my attitude and disposition as their mommy.

 

Need we mommies, wives not forget that our "joyful spirit serves as a powerful example" to our children and our husband. That's what they're going to remember about us- all the day to day things, like our attitude. Are we radiating joy? Will they radiate joy when the tough days find their way to them? They will find their way. Will their faith and relationship with God remain their constant? When I think about the memories I pray my children will one day have of me, as they're walking hand and hand with their fiance, planning their life, I pray that their mother's joy made an imprint on their life.

 

If we were to have Proverbs 31:28 at the forefront of our minds, how would that change us, our family dynamic? "Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her"

 

 

Let me end with this prayer~

 

"Dear Lord, You have blessed me with a loving family; make me thankful, loving, responsible, and wise. I praise You, Father, for the gift of Your Son and for the gift of salvation. Let me be a joyful Christian and a worthy example, this day and every day that I live. Amen"

Sweet Potato Souffle

 

This is my very first blog post of Le Roux and I am super excited! I enjoy reading Kelly's Korner, so I couldn't think of a better way to kick things off than to participate in SUYL's Favorite Side Dish Recipe and since Thanksgiving is on the horizon, I thought I would share one you could use at your table this year.

All of our extended family lives in both Texas and Oklahoma, so most every holiday we spend alone. Though a family of five is never alone, right? :) Most times, it's absolutely perfect, other times, it would be nice to have some extra people around. Looking back, I think my most special Thanksgiving memory is after the honey and I had been married about year and a half. It was freezing cold, literally- sleeting, icy roads, but we needed to get out of the city, somewhere quiet and still. The mountains seemed perfect, so off we went- tonsillitis and all. It was wonderful. We had a cute little cabin stayed one night. We cuddled, watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and ate the most expensive meal I think either of us had ever tasted.

Last year, we had the privilege of celebrating Thanksgiving with some friends of ours. They brought over the most yummy side dish ever! It was sweet and savory...absolutely the perfect addition to our holiday menu! It's called Sweet Potato Souffle and it's delectable!


photo via allrecipes.com

Recipe: 

Mix the following with a hand mixer...

2 cans of sweet potatoes (3 cups)

2 eggs

1/2 cup of soft butter

1/2 cup of milk

1/2 cup of sugar

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1 tablespoon of vanilla

Place in buttered shallow baking dish (we used an 8 x 8 dish)

Topping...

1 cup of brown sugar

1/3 cup of flour

1/3 cup of butter

1 cup of chopped pecans

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Enjoy!

Coming soon!

In my new blog, Le Roux, you will be read about our not so typical homeschool, my ever-changing home decor, our gluten-free way of life, and how I keep it Southern :) I am very excited! I look forward to sharing this journey with you!

This blog is currently under construction! Will be up and running soon!