MyPoints [Favorite Things]

I've been a member of MyPoints for probably close to 10 years now. I love it because you earn free rewards for shopping online, for taking surveys and for simply reading emails. It's free and as you collect points (easily done) you can redeem them for gift cards to just about anywhere (Starbucks, Target, Kohls...)

Abby [September '09]

One of the coolest things about having kids is watching them become their own people, develop their own personalities and preferences and habits. It's so amazing to watch them grow and change. Here's a little snapshot of Abby's life lately...
Abby...

...loves to color everything rainbow! She thinks it's so boring to just color something one color. I've got to say, I love this about her. :)

...loves babies. She adores her cousin, Reagan, and loves playing with her.

...enjoys teaching. She lights up when she gets to teach something to Carson. It's nice to see that's something that hasn't changed over the last couple years.

...thinks Playhouse Disney is for babies now :)

...loves one on one time.

...loves having her nails painted.

...does not like having her hair fixed.

...loves dresses, heels, and changing clothes all the time.

...loves t-shirts.

...doesn't like button up shirts.

...is very picky about what she wears. :) ha ha

...loves Hannah Montana, Taylor Swift, and David Crowder.

...favorite songs "Last Dollar" by Tim McGraw, "Our Song" by Taylor Swift, and "Awesome God".

...loves having her back "tickled".

Carson [September '09]

Every now and again I try to write down all the things about my kids that I may someday forget. Right now so many of these things seem so normal, but I'm becoming all to aware of how quickly my kids change as well as their likes and dislikes. So here's a little snapshot.

Carson...

...loves playing drums, guitars, and singing with Jackson. He wants to be a drummer when he's "big".

...his favorite songs are "Mighty to Save", "Last Dollar" by Tim McGraw, and "You Never Let Go" by Matt Redman.

...loves falling down.

...plays "Sonic" in the bathtub.

...always makes up words (like "Nupie" - used as both a name and an exclamation, neither good or bad, as in "Hey, nupie!" or "Give that back, nupie!")

...loves watching TV

...loves playing in the back yard

...loves his cars/trucks/trains

...is always talking about all the things he is going to do when he gets older.

...enjoys being in his underwear. I swear I get him dressed in the morning, but as soon as we get home, he takes off his shirt and shorts and says, "I am underwear man!"

...loves getting to ride in his daddy's truck. He gets so excited.

...and, of course, he is still super attached to his animal blanket!

Community Field Trip

Abby's Kindergarten class went on a community field trip today to visit the fire station, police station, library, and the post office! I was fortunate enough to be able to come along and we had a great time getting to see what it's like "behind the scenes". In general, you do not want a field trip ending like this, however...

Thanks to all the awesome people who serve our community and made it an awesome day for our kiddos! I gained a new appreciation for what you do!

Solo [Favorite Things]

I haven't been all that good at doing my quiet time lately, but when I do, this devotional has been rocking my world. Every day there is a passage of scripture to read (and The Message//Remix puts it in today's language so it's easier to understand and sometimes helps you see things in a fresh new light), and then there are questions and guides to get you really thinking and praying about that passage and how God wants to use it in your life.

It's pretty awesome and I highly recommend it! :)

Superman's Identity Crisis

This morning after we dropped Abby off at school, Carson randomly declared, very matter-of-factly, that "Mom, I really AM Superman."

He was pretty thrilled at this idea.

Later on this morning, he came along with me to be my "helper" when we went to take Reagan's one year portraits with Natalie. As we were packing up, I couldn't help but snap a picture as Carson grabbed Reagan's tutu and declared he was going to dress up as a "pinata". Gotta hand it to the kid, he's creative!

I'm still laughing. This picture cracks me up. :)

Sunday Traditions

Sunday is a day of traditions in our house, especially in the fall. We get up in the morning and go to church. After church we come home, lay the kids down for a nap, and I make Southwest Eggrolls. Aaron and I sit on the couch and eat our eggrolls together while watching football (and I might read a book). Later on, we head over to Aaron's parents' for our weekly Sunday night dinner, where we sit on the deck and talk and laugh with them and with Jason and Natalie while the kids swim and the smell of delicious food on the grill fills the air.

Of course, Ammie always has her camera!

Then there's the yummy food...

Then the kiddos watch cartoons while we finish up our dinner conversations...

And then someone finally announces that it's "time o'clock for pie!" (This phrase was coined by Abby when she was a little bitty girl to declare that it was dessert time.)

And, of course, there's always the Cowboys.

I love Sundays and all that they represent -- family, friends, faith, and (duh) food! :) I feel like such a lucky girl to have it so good.