Wordless Wednesday

~*17 months*~

 At 17 months you:

are learning to officially run

still need your paci and di when you are tired

{but that will soon change, little one}

are wearing 18 month clothes and 5-6 shoes

are a picky eater while you are cutting your top molars

{to go with the 6 teeth you currently have}

love to aggravate your sister in any way possible

enjoy reading books with Mommy and Katie

still potty like a big boy before bath time (usually)

{but we are no where near potty-training yet}

love music and singing

are down (most of the time) to one nap a day

are definitely "all boy"

love dirt and getting dirty, and anything outside

have the most contagious laugh

love to close your eyes when you say "cheeessseee"

say (clearly):  ma-ma, da-da, Ta-tie (Katie), all done, this, that, dog,

bird, deer, quack quack, woof, milk, ball, bubble, nana, paw-paw,
bye bye, hey, and uh-oh

sign:  thank you, please, more, all done, milk, bath

are loved more and more each day, my precious son

My Girl and Her Curls...

Yesterday afternoon, we took the kids to the local botanical gardens to take a few pictures of Katie as she modeled a few new accessories for Mimi's Babies.  She was so excited!  Unfortunately, after about 5 minutes there, I tripped and cut the bottom of my foot badly and had to cut our time there very short.  Katie was very upset that we had to leave so soon, and even Austin was sad to go.  We will definitely be going back soon...I have to make it up to them, you know! 

But in the meantime, I wanted to show you a few of the snapshots I took of my beautiful Katie.  I can't believe how much she has grown lately!  She is such a big girl now...and so beautiful!  Mark is going to have a hard time keeping the boys away from her later... :-)

I love you, my sweet girl...and your beautiful curls, too :-)

House2Home: Part II

I know many of you know that much of our painting is complete {minus a little touch-up work}, and it's been driving you CrAzY that you haven't seen any pictures.  I'm sorry...maybe after you see all of the posts of work from this weekend, you'll understand why it took me so long and forgive me!

Our "Before" Pictures - Living Room

   

   

Before (Hallway)

And now...for the moment you've been waiting for {or maybe not}...

Our *new* Living Room and Hallway (minus our wall decor, since I still have a good bit of work to do):

Our living room/hallway area

More of the living room area

Here's where the Living Room connects to the dining room (so you can see all 3 new colors together, what I like to call our chocolate, caramel, and cherries...even though it's no where near the red color of cherries!)

Looking into our hallway from the living room

We love our new colors, and we're so glad we've begun our changes to make our house a home.  Now, I'm ready to hang my decor to "finish" the look!  After I finish that, I'll be sure to take a "final" picture for you to see.  And then, we're on to painting our master room/bath and installing our new flooring!  YAH!!  As for now, I am going to work on my pictures for Mimi's Babies and a sweet newborn sitting that I finished yesterday.  Be sure to watch for sneak peek posts of those on my photography blog!!

Hermie & Friends: Antonio Meets His Match

Our family, my three-year-old daughter in particular, loves all of the Hermie DVDs by Max Lucado.  I was recently given the opportunity (from Thomas Nelson Publishing) to review the latest in the Hermie series, ‘Antonio Meets His Match.’

Upon opening the DVD, my daughter was immediately thrilled and ready to watch it!  We began movie, and even my 16 month old son sat through the entire show (which doesn’t happen often).  Throughout the entire show, my daughter laughed and interacted with the characters, and, when it was finished, she wanted to watch it again.  She would definitely recommend the movie!

While, I do enjoy the Hermie DVDs, as a mom, I am always hesitant to offer my recommendations on a movie that I myself have not watched in its entirety.  However, I must say that I love the lesson that is so clearly taught through this cute story…”to love your neighbor as yourself “ (Luke 10:27).  Antonio Ant is known as the bravest of the brave in the garden.  He always wins the strength competition, but also uses his strength to often help his neighbors, too.  When the garden becomes home to a group of Scottish ants, Angus being the main “new” character, Antonio is looked to for help in ridding the garden of these different (and quite annoying) new neighbors.  But, when Antonio talks to God concerning his annoying new neighbor and the garden friends’ desire to have them gone, God answers by telling him that he should “love as I have loved you.” We see Hermie and friends learning what it means to truly love, despite differences.

The Bible truths are solid, the characters are loveable and funny, and the songs and music are great!  I didn’t see anything in the movie that I would question.  I would recommend this movie to anyone with younger children.  It’s a great way to reinforce God’s command to love.

Like/Dislike

Austin ~
At 16 months, you like:

• anything that involves climbing
• remote controls & cell phones
• foaming hand sanitizer
• drinking anything from cups that aren't yours
• coloring with your sisters crayons (and markers, if I fail to hide them well enough)
• Meeko, and any other moving creature
• balls of any shape, size, and color
• Brainy Baby and Baby Faith DVDs
• fruit, Nutrigrain bars, pasta, and veggies (most of the time)
• bath time
• listening to music of any kind
• trying to sing and direct when you hear music
• your Bible...it also serves as your song book
• shoes
• books
• saying "cheese" every time I get my camera out

At 16 months, you dislike:

• changing clothes or diapers
• coats and hats
• having to sit still, regardless of where you are or what you're doing
• diaper changing tables in stores/restaurants (not only are they disliked; you are actually quite scared of them now, and I'm not sure why)
• the the naptime/bedtime routine, until I get you to bed, and then you crash quickly
• tomatoes, cucumbers, and cantelope...to name a few
• being verbally reprimanded for your disobedience
• knowing what you want to do, but being just a little too small to accomplish it

Katie ~
At 3 years, you like:

• pretending about practically everything
• doing your "homeschool", especially at your new desk/easel
• spelling your name for anyone who will listen
• to be active all day long
• playing the Wii with us, especially your new Diego adventure
• to watch DVDs of all kinds...
• playing outside
• eating salads any chance you get
• praying for your friends and family, and getting very excited when God answers your prayers
• your bath time
• flip flops
• music and singing
• your dog, Meeko, and any other animals you find
• craft time
• PeeWee Club

At 3 years, you dislike:

• not getting to do things "on your own"
• when your brother crashes your recently set up toys
• wearing clothes at naptime
• drinking water, though I still make you!
• wearing hairbows with your ponytails
• having to sit quietly

You are both growing so quickly!  I cherish every moment I have with you, because I know those moments will be gone all too soon.  I love you!!

{Almost} Wordless Wednesday

Katie's winter "snowflakes"...unfortunately for her, this is as close as she came to snow here in Mobile, but she enjoyed the craft time!  We're about to retire our winter decor and move on to Valentines Day...pressing on toward SPRING!

New Project

A new project!  Yes, I know what you're thinking...I have ten too many to count that are unfinished as it is...why add another one?  And, you're probably right, but at least I will have goals to work toward for a {long} time, right? ;-)

So, what is this new project I'm adding to my list?  I haven't decided what to call it yet, but I'll tell you my thoughts...

If you know me at all, you know that for the last 8 or more years, I've been an avid scrapbooker.  You would then also know that when I had my first child, my scrapbooking days became very few and far between...and even fewer after baby #2.  To put it simply, I have about 2 1/2 years of journaling and photographs to get me up-to-date with my {first} child...and we won't even talk about poor Austin's completely empty scrapbook. 

Now that I have gone "digital" in every aspect of the word, it has become even harder for me to even find the desire to scrapbook the old-fashioned way.  That's why I began blogging during my pregnancy with Austin, to journal through all of the ages and stages of the children with pictures, and I LOVE the freedom it allows! 

So, after a lot of thinking and debating, I've decided that my new project will be to:

• Complete a baby record book for both children with pictures (to help maintain all of the minor details, like shot records, teeth emergings, firsts, etc.).  {FYI...I have all of this information recorded, just not in a neat book for both children.}
• Use our personal blog as our children's "scrapbooks"...posting pictures and journaling of their stages and phases, etc.  And use a chosen program online that will allow me to turn my blog posts into books each year or whenever I feel the need/want.  {That way, we'll have better jourals of each child, lots of pictures, and the ability to make BOTH children scrapbooks with all of their memories.  Can you imagine the time this will save me, not having to hand make 2 or more scrapbooks???}
• Retro-actively post pictures and journals of Katie from pregancy to age 2 (when I started our family blog), in order to have all of the children's "scrapbook" pages together in one place.

I tell you all of this to say...this will be a slow process, I'm sure...but so worth it in the end.  But, in the process, depending how the blog accepts back-dated posts, you may see lots of posts that may seem out of place {ie. Pregnancy - 2 yrs of Katie}.  So, don't be alarmed...I'm not losing my mind...only organizing our family memories and pictures :-)  Who knows...you may enjoy seeing the leap back in time!

Prayer Challenge {Finale}...

Pray for Him (Prayers 7-9)
compiled by Faith Taylor


7. God's Enabling Power
II Corinthians 9:8 I pray that You would make all grace abound toward my husband; that he, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.

Colossians 1:11 I pray that he would be strengthened with all might, according to Your glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness

Colossians 1:29 I pray that he would labor, striving according to Your working, which worketh in him mightily.

8. Wisdom in Relationships
I Timothy 5:1-3 I pray that he would not rebuke an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.  I pray that he would honor widows that are widows indeed.

I Timothy 5:21 I pray that my husband would observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

I Timothy 5:22 I pray that my husband would lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins; that he would keep himself pure.

I Timothy 6:3 & 5 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness...from such may my husband withdraw himself.

9. Personal Growth
II Peter 1:5-7 I pray that he would give all diligence, and add to his faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

II Peter 3:18 I pray that he would grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen.

House 2 Home: Part I

Mark and I have done a lot of talking, looking, and deciding on changes in our house to make it our home.  Yes, it has taken us almost 5 years...but we {finally} know exactly what we want.  And it's exciting!! 

Yesterday we made our first {small} change in our dining room area.  We painted the lower half of our dining room "pretzel twist", though Katie and I prefer to call it chocolate.  It looks fantastic!  Taking away the light olive green color and replacing it with our new choice completely changed the room...making it stand out as our dining room, instead of just part of our kitchen.

Here are a few snapshots we took last night before we moved our furniture back.  As we get all of the "small" details (pictures, etc.) completed, I'll add pictures of the finished rooms.  But this is where we start...

Now, on to Part II...hopefully this week(end)!  :-)

Walkin' on Sunshine

We were indeed Walkin' on Sunshine last week, as the kids and I enjoyed a rather {warm} January day after our long spell of below-freezing temperatures. 

When I saw the sky, I dressed the kids in light jackets, and we headed outside for a long-awaited day in the sun...to play, to run, to relax, and to have fun in January.  We were all so tired of being "stuck" inside due to the weather.  It was a great reminder of what will soon come...Spring, then Summer...ahhh, I can almost feel it!  :-) 

Here are a few pictures from our lovely January day outside...

We haven't seen this beautiful sky and sun often this month, so it was definitely a welcome surprise!

Can't help but wonder if they were thinking, "I know if we put our digging powers together, we can figure out how to get out of here!"

Little Man showing me his newly found rock!

KatieBug enjoying a little swinging fun.  She loves to go so high, that it makes her jump in the seat!  :-)

Katie decided to get a little creative with her sliding...and, of course, Austin tried to follow right behind her.  My two brave little ones...

Austin spotted something in the air, and kept babbling about it, but I have yet to figure out what he saw...

Now, we're even more excited about Spring being around the corner!  We're definitely "outsiders" :-)

{Selective} Hearing

Things I have heard pretended not to hear in my household this week...

"Mommy, I really like the part of you where your milk comes out." (Katie) Talk about out-of-the-blue!  Sweetheart, I'm glad you like them {I guess}, and I haven't had milk in them for quite some time, but thank you for noticing.  Now, let's move on to another conversation...

"Tay-teee" (Austin) Sweet boy, you've finally mastered your sister's name!  Now she has to watch out...you'll be telling on her before she knows it!

"Mommy, Look!!  I found a tree-star!!" (Katie) That's wonderful, honey!  It shows me that you have a great imagination, and we've been watching waayyy too much Littlefoot and friends {The Land Before Time}.

"I really want to help you paint the walls.  Can we do it NOW?" (Katie) Thank you for the offer, Sweetheart.  You have amazing talents with your fingerpaints, but I do think Mommy and Daddy will paint the kitchen walls while you and your brother are sleeping...you know, so you'll have a surprise to wake up to!  :-)

"Mmmm..." (Austin); "Mommy, can you let me have the same thing Austin has in his mouth?" (Katie) Austin shouldn't have anything in his mouth {especially that you would want}, so "No".  Wait a minute!  Austin, where in the world did you find access to a lollipop without any help of any kind???  Nevermind...I don't even want to know. 

Wordless Wednesday

Prayer Challenge Cont'd...

Pray for Him (Prayers 4-6)

compiled by Faith Taylor


Pray for his:
 
4.  Godly Character
I Timothy 3:204, 6-7 I pray that my husband would be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, not striker, not greedy of filthy lucre, but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.  May he have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
 
I Timothy 4:12 I pray that my husband would be an example of the believer in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
 
5.  Perserverance
I Corinthians 15:58 I pray that  he would be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as we know that his labor is not in vain in the Lord.
 
I Timothy 4:15-16 I pray that my husband would meditate upon these things; give himself wholly to them; that his profiting may appear to all.  That he would take heed unto himself, and unto the doctrine, continue in them; for in doing this he will both save himself and them that hear him.
 
II Timothy 2:3 I pray that he would endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
 
II Timothy 2:10 I pray that he would endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
 
II Timothy 3:14 I pray that he would continue in the things which he has learned and has been assured of, knowing of whom he has learned them.
 
6.  Keep from Sin
I Timothy 6:11-12 I pray that he would flee these things (love of money); and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness, that he would fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto he is also called, and has professed a good profession before many witnesses.
 
II Timothy 2:22 I pray that he would flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on You out of a pure heart.
 
II Thessalonians 3:3 I pray that You shal stablish him, and keep him from evil.
 
I Peter 5:8-9 I pray that my husband would be sober, and be vigilant; because his adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.  May my husband resist him steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in his brethren that are in the world.
 
 
Join with me as we continue praying for our husbands daily, using God's word.  I will be posting the final 3 prayers soon! 

Family Artist

Just in case you didn't realize...

Our family has its very own portrait artist...

And I was the first "model", apparently {grins}.  And, if I do say so myself, her "people" pictures are getting better and better each day!  I was amazed at her attention to detail this time.

And here is the sweet little artist, herself...

I love you more than you could ever know, my sweet little artist!!

MY Bubbles!

Austin has a new favorite bath toy now...BUBBLES!  Nana and Pawpaw gave him his very own Lightning McQueen bubble bath for Christmas, and it is a requirement now for {every} bath.

If you've ever watched "Finding Nemo", you may remember the little yellow tank fish and his bubble-fettish. "MY Bubbles!"  Well, that is exactly what I think of when I see Austin and his bubbles!  Can you see why???

Austin usually begins his bath with a little "bubble blowing"...

And before we know it, we have our own little "bubble boy"!

I love my little {bubble} boy to bits and pieces!