One Landes Place

Pickin' Wildflowers

2011-10-06T17:15:00.000-05:00

One of the things I have enjoyed the most about living out here is the creative things my kids come up with to have fun. What once was a crazy busy day filled with play dates and Mother's Day Out is now filled with sitting on the porch, looking at this:

A few weeks ago my aunt gave SB this wheelbarrow and told her it was to use in the garden. Once tomato season ended, she used it to roll through the field in front of the house and fill with wildflowers she picked.

We've had the privlelege of spending this week with Uncle Gabe, Aunt Cheryl and their kids Iassac, Julia, and Caleb. Iassac and SB are two peas in a pod. Although they are 4 years apart, they play very well together and often run off and spend the day together. It is so sweet to watch SB with her cousins. She hasn't said much, but I know it must be tough on a 3 year old to not have many friends in a new place. Since we have lived here for 10 months, she has not had ONE friend come over to play. This week she has been on cloud nine and I have been just as thrilled to watch her laugh and play for hours every day. She loves people and having a house full of them this week has been such a treat for all of us.

Small Town Girls

2011-08-17T11:45:00.000-05:00

I finally have my business site up and semi-running. I still have some holes to fill but it is and probably always will be a work in progress. I have started sewing little clothes to help save some money so we can eventually move to town :) I don't have a ton of stuff in my shop yet but I am adding stuff weekly. I will have boy stuff too. Check out my new page and be a follower!

A Boy in The House

2011-08-12T15:52:00.001-05:00

There's no denying that a little boy lives among us. Nathan has made his mark in this family as the cutest, most mischievous little boy! I do love him to pieces but raising him is going to be NOTHING like raising his sister. Evidence:

Somewhere there is a Barbie who's going nowhere


Stealing toys from sis's backpack


Sneaking on top of great granma's table

My children are a joy, but also a handful. They have adjusted so well to our move and are starting to feel like this is their home. I am another story, for another time :)

What is going on?

2011-05-06T14:16:00.001-05:00

I have no idea what happened in the past 2 months...really. You would think living on this farm and as slow as life is, I would have all the time in the world to keep this blog going. The truth is...there's really nothing that exciting going on!

I spent the first weekend in March in Dallas with my grandmother, aunt and cousin. We had a great time catching up and visiting and my aunt got me started on this whole new health kick I've been on. My grandmother passed away at the end of March so Matt and I spent a few days in Longview and Jacksonville with family.

April was filled with lots of doctors appointments for all of us and a few trips to Little Rock. Matt was offered a job (finally) in Texarkana and we gladly accepted! We came here with the hopes of eventually moving to LR but once we were settled, the thought of moving to another new city and starting over was exhausting. I am thankful we are still here, although I would love to not be living with my mother in law still. I guess I should be glad we have a place to stay while we save.

In other news the kids are growing up like crazy. Nathan is walking and into EVERYTHING! I can't turn my head without him climbing on or getting into something. Sarabeth is growing up into such a little girl. She's just not a baby anymore. We sit together on the couch and have big girl conversations...it just kills me.

We found a church we love and moved our letter on Sunday. It was such a bittersweet moment for our family. Matt and I started our lives again at Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston almost 5 years ago. Both of our kids started out in the nursery there and have grown to love that place just like a second home. Our hearts were torn when we knew God was moving us to a new beginning. After visiting for a few months, we knew Beech Street would be our new home. We are excited about what's in store for our church and how we will play a part. I'm anxious to get involved and watch God work through us.

Easter weekend Nathan started feeling bad so we took him in to the pedi on Monday and they admitted him to the hospital for observation. He ended up with bronchitis so he and I spent the next 2 days at St. Michaels. He was a trooper and did well...even through the tornado sirens and being moved to the hallway for an hour. That night we both just decided to stay awake until dawn! Everyone except me ended up getting sick that week. It looks like everyone is on the mend now and things are back to normal.

I am looking forward to getting my hair cut tomorrow, it's the little things. I also think I will treat myself to a pair of Yellowbox Flip Flops for Mother's Day, I think Sarabeth and Nathan would agree.

*I promise pictures to come (in case our family members were wondering)

Three.Six.Five

2011-02-28T20:37:00.002-06:00

365 days ago I held my baby boy for the first time. I never would have guessed how different it would be to love a son. There is no way to explain the heart to heart connection, it's all in the experience and nothing could compare.

My sweet Nathaniel,
You have captured my heart in a way that just can't be put into words. Today you are one. One silly little boy with one little crazy smile and one cute belly laugh that melts my insides. You are so aware of how much you are loved by us all, but deep down I wonder if you really know how much I love you. I can only hope that by my actions, I can show you love the way God teaches us so that one day you will love like that in return to the ones you love (including your wife...boo hoo!)

Some of the things that I love right now is how you wrinkle your nose every time you laugh. How you get so excited that you just open your mouth and scream until nothing is left! How you jump up and down and squeal when I come into your room in the morning and anytime I pick you up from the church nursery. A few nights ago you let me rock you to sleep in my arms. You still love to be held and rocked and I will savor every moment of that. You still aren't walking but I'm not worried. You are a racing machine on all fours, I can barely keep up with you now.

You adore everything about your sister and you two are becoming such great friends. I can't wait to see how this year will bring you closer together.

I love you son and pray that God will pursue you so that you may know Him and follow after Him in all that you do. Happy Birthday Nathan Paul. You had my heart before you were ever born.

11 Months

2011-02-05T15:30:00.001-06:00

Sweet Nathan,

Man what a handful you have become! You are into everything, everywhere, all the time and quicker than I can keep up with. You are the stinker! You love the fireplace, the media cabinet, under the sink cabinet, and your new favorite-the toilet! You have enough toys to keep you busy all day but you would rather play with anything else.

You just got over ear infection #8 and you are scheduled for tubes in your ears on Tuesday. Finally, maybe you will eat. At 22 pounds, I don't think you are starving but lately you have been spitting out anything I feed you besides Puffs! You sleep through the night most of the time but I think your ears just keep you from sleeping soundly.

We are still waiting for more teeth, you still only have 2 on the bottom and that is it. You have been super fussy the past few weeks and I keep thinking that new teeth are coming in any day but still no sign.

You have been waving bye bye for quite a few months now. You love to babble and say da- da for everything. You definitely have an attitude when it comes to getting what you want, especially went it comes to your sister. You want what she has no matter what it is and will let everyone know if you are not happy.

I love your sweet spirit-you are a lot like your sister in that way. I love coming into your room in the morning and after nap time to see your smiling face greet me. You giggle when you see me come in the room and squeal with happiness. I still rock you when I can but you prefer daddy to do that. No one can put you to sleep like he can.

You still are a little scared to walk. You are ready physically but as soon as you realize you are standing alone, you sit down and crawl-very fast too! I guess you realize you can get there quicker that way right now.

The ladies at BSF just adore you. I didn't take you this week because it was so cold and you had just gotten over a cold. The ladies were so sad! You are just a joy to be around all the time. I love you baby boy and cannot believe you will be 1 in just a few weeks!

Who's That Girl?

2011-01-27T14:21:00.002-06:00

Sarabeth,
You have grown up so fast, some times I wonder just who are you?? You LOVE to laugh and make others laugh-especially Nathan. You have adjusted amazingly to having a little brother around. It melts my heart to see you reach over in the car and hold his hand, or calm him when he is upset. You are certainly the little mother.

This week we have started a Chore Chart for you and you have responded ok. It has made you more aware of the few things we'd like to see you do on your own, which was our intention as well as to add in some positive reinforcement to your day. You thrive on structure and I have struggled with providing that lately, however you are such a well adjusted child that you do well either way. You have gotten up every morning this week and brushed your teeth and dressed yourself without prompting or help. Last night you even went to bed without a word-that's a first!!

Your strong will has made for some fierce battles-including EVERYTHING! I only hope I can help you to use that as strong point and not a hindrance in your life. I stand my ground on issues that matter and chose not to tackle the things that don't. So far that's worked and you've learned that I am the boss and you will not win-ever. I love you enough to teach you to be respectful and loving.

Some of the things you say just crack me up. I love the way you ask for a "kissue" (tissue) when your nose is runny. I always just give you a kiss on the nose and you say "no mommy, a kissue FOR my nose, not on my nose".

We have started some preschool curriculum here at home and you have enjoyed it so far. I think you just love the one on one we get together, especially since little man is always into everything around you!

Sweet, sweet girl I love you more than I can say. I pray for you daily that you would grow up knowing the God that created you and longing to glorify him in all that you do. I pray for your husband one day and that he will be the God-fearing loving man that God intended him to be. Those days are so much more near than I even know. I am so thankful for this time I have to teach you the things of God's word and not the things of God's world. I love you much.

Mommy

Farm Life

2011-01-25T21:32:00.002-06:00

Things are starting to feel a little less like a long vacation and more like...well not quite normal yet but we're working on that. Last weekend we made our last trip to Houston to get a few things from Matt's work storage. Sarabeth and Nathan had a chance to visit with a few friends on Saturday before we headed back.

Addy, SB, Ellie, Solly and Latham

The weather here is still pretty chilly so we have been spending a lot of time inside. Our days consist of staying in our PJ's for way too long, playing with lots of play-do, lunch, nap, computer time, more playing with toys, dinner, bath, bedtime and then Matt and his mom and I stay up playing dominoes. I can play a mean game of Moon now!

This week the sun has been peeking out so we have taken a couple of walks in the woods and ventured out to the swing set a few times. This land is beautiful and full of opportunities for adventures for Sarabeth and Nathan soon enough!

My weekly outing has been to BSF, however today we went into Texarkana to look around for a few shops I have had my eye on. One is a little sewing shop so I can get my fix when I need it! I also stopped by the cutest little kids consignment boutique as well. I ran into a girl I met at BSF last week, she is expecting her first baby in a few months, a little boy. It was so funny to run into someone I had just met but it made me feel good, kind of like I fit in even though I don't! The girl that owns the the little store obviously knew her and the other girl that walked in was friends with them too...just a tight little group of gals around here. Seems the only other place in town to shop for cute kids clothes is a place called Peas and Carrots. The deal is, all the fancy moms by their kids clothes there and then when they outgrow them, they take them to 2Sprouts and consign them. Score for me.

Other than that, we are just trying to adjust to life on the farm. I am (against everything in me) trying to find some good things about living out here. So far I have come up with this:

No need to get dressed in a hurry, no one is coming by
No need to dress fancy when I do get dressed since there isn't anywhere to go
A trip to town is both entertaining and worth the drive every time especially when I get in the line to check out and hear 2 middle aged country ladies talking about how so-in-so wears too much make-up and really needs to take a lesson in "blue is not a trendy eye shadow color"
No loud kids outside keeping you up at night-just coyotes
You can hog hunt, squirrel hunt, and deer hunt right off your back patio-that is only a plus if I actually did that

All joking aside (as if to suggest that the previous was even funny) I do enjoy the quietness of this place. My walks are always so beautiful and peaceful. If I ever wanted to be alone with God, this is the place. I am working hard on being forgiving-daily, even hourly. God is peeling back a few layers at a time and revealing to me my selfishness and self-righteous ways. I don't always look forward to the refining sessions I have with Him, but the outcome is something beautiful.

What we've been up to

2011-01-14T14:38:00.001-06:00

Silly Face Contest with Mommy

"Not really sure how that snowball got in your face."

Chillin' (literally)

Frosty, Sarabeth was very concerned that we did not have a corn cob pipe for him

The past few weeks have certainly been an adjustment for our family. I am just now realizing how different life is going to be from now on. We have been enjoying the snow and Matt being home with us. He goes for his 2nd interview on Tuesday in Little Rock and we are all hopeful he gets the job and can start soon.

The kids are having a blast, although Sarabeth asks about her friends and her "house" frequently. I know it is just a matter of time before she makes this her home. I am trying to help with that but I know I must make that choice for our family before she is going to buy into it.

Life has defintely taken on a slower speed for us. We spend a lot of time at home, especially since the snow last week. Matt's mom took me and the kids into town yesterday to Lewisville which is about 20 minutes away. She showed us around the town square and then took us to meet her friends at Cafe 29-the only place to eat in town. There was only 1 thing on the menu-that's whats for lunch! It was kind of like going to someones house to eat! The place was full of regulars, the EMS team, local police from three surrounding towns, hunters, and the old ladies who about squeezed Nathan's cheeks off!

I am missing my friends the most and the luxury of being able to hop in the car and go "play" when we get cabin fever. One of the adjustments has been to be creative in finding ways to pass the time. Sarabeth and I have done lots of puzzles, read books, made a tent for her and Nathan, play-do time and we even started a little craft time each morning with a Bible lesson.

We are hoping to go to church on Sunday. Last week was too icy so we just watched it on TV instead. We are super excited about our friends coming to visit this weekend. This was supposed to be Matt's annual duck hunting weekend but with little water in the swamp, I think it will just be a fun weekend to hang out with friends and eat!

I am looking forward to what God has in store for us this season but it isn't going to be easy. My flesh is my biggest enemy and I know the only way I can adapt to this season and do it joyfully is to call upon the power of the Holy Spirit daily. I cannot do this alone. My daily prayer is that God would search my heart and make me obviously aware of the things I need to purge and that I would be stripped of all the things that would make me dependent on anyone or anything but Him. I want to live my life this year in a way where when I look back I would see a clear picture of God's perfect intervention and timing in all things. I want to be faced with the opportunities to only have the option to rely on God, and nothing else. "My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth." Psalm 121:2. How awesome to do life with Him who made heaven and earth.

10 Months

2010-12-28T09:46:00.002-06:00

Well my efforts to get a picture of you with your little bear each month have ceased! With the holidays and moving, I can't seem to even remember what day it is. Nevertheless, you are still almost 1! This month we have enjoyed watching you cruise around the furniture and stand up on your own. You really want to walk but you just aren't quite sure yet. This was your first Christmas and we had a fun time watching you and your sister open gifts. You wanted everything your sister opened and you were more interested in the wrapping paper than what was inside.

We have started the process of moving to Arkansas and you have adjusted well so far. I was really sad to see your nursery go but you will have a fabulous big boy room soon enough! You still only have 2 little teeth on the bottom but I am sure more are coming as you have been extremely fussy the past few nights. You are a good eater and prefer baby food to formula any day. You still love your paci and sometimes you have one in your mouth and one in each hand.

We said goodbye to your MDO teachers this month, Ms. Faye and Ms. Suzie. We all had a good cry and they are going to miss you as much as we miss them! You are such a good baby for them and all the ladies at the nursery. I know they were sad to see you go too. You are a loved baby! I can't stand that you are growing so fast but I am enjoying each moment with you.

Love you much,
Mommy

9 Months

2010-11-28T07:38:00.002-06:00

This month has been all about teething and being sick. Whoa, what a month! You just finished round 3 of antibiotics for a list of infections including 3 ear infections in the last 2 months. Next step, tubes-just like sister had. You have not been sleeping for anything! I finally saw your first tooth coming in last night-finally!

You are incredibly active, climbing and crawling on and in everything. You are learning to stand on your own. You are so proud of yourself once you realize what you are doing. You are sooo happy all the time. You love to be tickled and daddy knows right where to get you! You still adore your sister and watch her every move. She is so sweet to you most of the time:)

I love the way you light up a room. You are far from quiet, so everyone knows where you are at all times!

You love to rock, which I am grateful for. When you are super tired, you will let me rock you right to sleep. Getting you dressed is still a task we are perfecting! You can't be still for a second and it drives me crazy!

You've had some special time with daddy this month watching football and playing. He loves the fact that when he holds you, you sit still and chill. What's up with that buddy?

Sister gave you your first french fry this month, and of course you loved it. Other than that, you still only eat baby food and Puffs which you could eat a whole can of if I let you!

I am really enjoying the holidays with a little one again. Something about a baby and Christmas just seems right ;) You love our Christmas tree a little too much so we've had to really watch you. Thanksgiving was lots of fun with all the family at the farm. We also had a chance to visit with Mimi and Granpa and Paw Paw. You had a fun time with your cousins and enjoyed being outside in the leaves!

I do love everyday with you Nathan. You are such a well adjusted child and love people. You make waking up in the mornings such a joy. I love you much.

Mommy

3 Years Old

2010-11-13T17:36:00.000-06:00

I have tons of pictures to post but this will have to do for now. My little baby girl turned 3 this month and it is killing me!

Birthday Pancakes

The much requested Castle Cake

Somebody is 3!

8 Months

2010-11-13T17:30:00.000-06:00

It has been tough to keep up with this but I only have a few months left until my little man turns one so why stop now?

Little Nathan,

Daddy's babies

Just a few weeks ago, we left you and sister with Aunt Phyl and Aunt Peggy while mommy and daddy went on a beautiful (much needed) vacation to Wyoming. I was super nervous but you did great while we were gone. Only one trip to the doctor :( Looks like you had a double ear infection and needed lots of TLC from mommy when we got home.

You are surely getting more mobile if that is possible. I put you down and turn around and you are no where in sight! You eat about 2 jars of food each meal and still drink 4-5 bottles a day.

Making new friends with Lexa

You still wear 6-9 months but I can see you are about to need 9-12 any day now. You love to play and love your MDO teachers, Ms. Faye and Ms. Suzie. I love watching you grow and learn new things. You are so smart. It's so fun to watch you figure out how toys work. You've had a few falls recently. The start of many, I am sure.

Getting Daddy's food

You have the craziest hair so I just go with it.

I love that you still let me rock and sing to you when you are sleepy.

Your sister is still you best friend, but I am not sure she knows that.

Did not want to cooperate for pictures this time

I looking forward to the holidays with you and watching you with all your cousins. I love you little man, like nothing else!

7 months-almost 8!

2010-10-15T14:03:00.000-05:00

Little boy,

You are growing into such a big boy. You have been crawling and climbing on EVERYTHING! We finally put up your baby gate this week, whew! Lots of changes came this month. You are standing up on anything you can grab a hold of. No teeth yet but you are a little drool monster. Some of the things you love:

your sister
Daddy's tickles
balls
climbing on anything
your backyard swing
mommy to sing
FOOD

Things you don't love:

the carseat or the stroller
diaper changes or clothes changes (this is a nightmare!)

You still have tummy issues and have extremely bad eczema but we just finally got you some medicine. You and sister both have a sinus infection and you have your first ear infection this week. The doctors still think you have some sort of food allergy so they took more blood this week to check.

Here are a few pictures from this month:

Sweet, sweet Nathan I love you so!

6 Months

2010-09-14T20:11:00.004-05:00

Just Like Daddy!

Happy Boy all the time!

You love the playroom!

6 Months

Big Sister helping out as always

You are pulling up on everything!

Sweet baby boy,

What an amazing 6 months! Nothing has brought me more joy this year than watching you grow and learn the world around you. You started crawling this week and you love to play with your sister's toys. She is gracious enough to share them, most of the time. She does adore you and the feeling is mutual. Sometime when you are crying, she is the only one that can calm you and make you laugh. You two are going to have so much fun together, and probably drive me crazy too!

You still aren't a big fan of solids, but we are working into them slowly. You are over the bouncy seat and are on to being on the floor and into everything. I had to finally put the rail up on the crib before you crawled out! We just had your 6 month check up and you weigh 16.9 lbs. You are wearing 6-9 month clothes and hardly ever wear shoes-much unlike your sister! You just started Mother's Day Out at our church and the ladies there just love you! You are such an easy baby too, so I'm sure they don't mind that. Just a few things I love about this stage:
You get so giddy when you see your bottle-and you want to feed yourself every time!
Anything can make you smile
You are a squirmy thing when I try to change your diaper-it's almost impossible!
You are so proud of the fact that you can cruise across the room to get what you want!
Even though you are growing so much, you still let me hold you, snuggle and put you to sleep on my shoulder! I love you to pieces.

Love,
mommy

Pig Sooie

2010-09-01T17:07:00.003-05:00

In high school I was a crazy FSU fan. I loved anything Florida State-including the cute quarter back Casey Weldon. I never knew much about football, but always wanted a team to cheer on. I soon fell in love with and married a Hogs fan and by default became a fan myself. My father in law coached football for 20 something years and Matt and his brother Jake played football well into college. So it was no surprise that our fall seasons would revolve around game schedules. Don't get me wrong, I love football. Matt and I even used to go on dates to Friday night games in the area. Nothing is more exciting than a good game with friends and family.
Here is one of the newest fans showing off her hog calling skills, thanks to her Uncle Jake.

5 months

2010-07-28T22:03:00.002-05:00

Little Nathan,
You are a giggle monster! These are some of my favorite times with you! You have several tickle spots and your sister can make you laugh like no one else. You are rolling over everywhere and talking up a storm. It does seem cliche' but these 5 months have flown by! You still aren't a great sleeper at night, about 6 hours but I'm ok with that. I love seeing your smiling face every time I walk into your room. You just had a check up and you weigh 14 lbs and are 22 inches. You are short and stocky, like your grandpa Owens and great grandpa Landes. You are trying to sit up but a little top heavy still! You love to play in the floor, especially when your sister will sit and entertain you. You are grabbing at everything and are starting to grab your cute little feet! I've tried giving you some solids but they just all end up on the floor-but that's ok-we're still experimenting. You know I can't wait to see you grow up but right now I am just loving you to pieces.

Love, Mommy

Binkie for Bike

2010-07-28T16:06:00.005-05:00

After 2 years, 8 months and 28 days, my sweet daughter decided on her own (with a little prompting) to throw her beloved binkies in the trash. It has been a looming battle we have not wanted to face but took the opportunity and bit the bullet, cold turkey. She immediately asked for a high five as soon as they hit the bottom of the trash can. I obliged with a smile and thought "I could be in for the longest night in history!". I explained to her that when daddy got home we would take her on a special trip to the store to pick out a new toy. She knew exactly what she wanted, a fast car! Here is what she came home with:

She has been riding this thing around the house like a pro! She is still learning to use the breaks, however!

The first night was a little rough. She slept with the bike in her room, but still asked for her binkie and said she couldn't sleep without it. It took a few hours but eventually we found her like this:
It has not been as bad as I thought, although nap time has become a constant battle of the wills. It usually doesn't happen without a few spankings and repeatedly putting her back in bed. She is doing well considering. I laid in bed with her the 2nd night and she tossed and turned and kept trying to find a way to soothe herself to sleep. She was so restless. Finally, I looked over and she was sound asleep.

This is a huge milestone for Sarabeth (and mommy and daddy). Although we are happy to finally break her of the habit, it's also sad to see her without it. Something about her binkie kept her a little baby in our eyes. I guess she always will be, but she is becoming more grown up every day. I am proud of her and I know this is just one of the many good choices Sarabeth will make.

My little sis

2010-07-05T22:45:00.002-05:00

Has a cute little blog! Check her out here.

Nathan 4 Months

2010-06-28T08:37:00.005-05:00

Sweet baby boy! You are such a joy to my heart. I never knew a baby boy could do such a work in my heart. I am amazed daily at how God made you so perfect for me. Lately, you have been having conversations with your sister-the cutest thing! You are trying to roll over, and Daddy says you did while I was gone to the store this week...I'll let him have that. We just took you on your first vacation and you did awesome, although I am surprised at how the car doesn't put you to sleep like it does your sis. You two are so different. I love that you are laid back and relaxed and how your sister is just all over the place all the time! You two are going to have a great time when you get older. She still thinks you are so sweet. In the morning you are the first thing she wants to see. She looks at you and says "Good morning baby Nathan! Awww...mommy he's so cute!" She also likes to make you smile, it just brightens her day!

You are weighing in around 13lbs right now and wearing 3-6 months clothes, mostly on the 6 month side. You will have your first round of vaccinations at the end of this month. You are a little sweetie pie Nathan, I love you!

Can you say VACATION?

2010-06-08T15:05:00.001-05:00

T-minus 12 days until vacation. That's it folks, that's all I got.

The way you say the things you say

2010-06-04T21:35:00.004-05:00

Sarabeth, at 2 years old you have a massive vocabulary. I love the way you say some things...cracks me up! Here are a few of my favorites, just so I never forget.

Shire=shower
pwaze wifs me=play with me?
way wifs me=lay with me
jacskin=Jackson (your friend)
fwins=friends
pider=diaper
psycho=Roscoe (our dog-however the name is fitting)
moobie=movie
glackes=glasses
samich=sandwich
binkieblanket=you have somehow made your binkie and blanket one item. You can't just have one without the other and so you say them together when you ask for them.

There are many more but these are just a few that crack me up and make my heart melt at the same time. I know when you start saying them correctly that means you are just growing up :( I hope you never do!

Photo Op

2010-05-29T00:43:00.005-05:00

Sarabeth wanted to hold Nathan today and take a picture. Here she is telling me she needs to hold him...complete with her hand cupped like she can hold him right in there!"Mommy, I need-a hol baby Nathan"

Here's the rest of the story:

"Cheeeese!"

"Look Mommy he's falling off!"

"Cheese...again"

"Ok, Mommy I'm done"

"No, for real I don't wanna hol him"

"Stop taka pit-chur Mommy!"

...but it was all her idea

3 Months

2010-05-29T00:31:00.003-05:00

You are such an amazingly beautiful little boy! I just love every piece of you! You are growing so much more each day-like a little man. You have the most precious feet and I love kissing them! Your big sister Sarabeth thinks you are the best thing since her doll house! You are starting to laugh a little-especially at your sis. Your face will light up a room when you see her coming! You love to sleep and have got a little routine down now for the most part. You sleep through the night like a champ! You love your bouncy seat! You kick like crazy when we put you in. We enjoy laying in the floor with you trying to make you laugh. Sarabeth comes to see you first thing every morning- "where's my baby Nathan?" She loves calling you "wittle budee" (little buddy). We're gearing up for a long road trip to Grandpa's in a few weeks. I know he can't wait to see you again. I love watching you grow but I sometimes want time to stop so I can soak in these sweet moments. Daddy and I pray with you and SB every night and hope you will know one day just how much we and Jesus love you. Nathan, I can't wait to see you all grown up but I'm not rushing you. You are the sweetest thing to me and I wish I could just bottle you up!

Peace

2010-05-28T14:06:00.005-05:00

I snapped this picture of SB today after our very HOT trip to WM. It's not even really summer yet and the heat is almost unbearable for me! Little miss was super tired and passed out with french fry in hand. She looked so peaceful I didn't want to move her, however I know that in this state, I can move her anywhere and she won't wake up. She's so pliable. It started me thinking about the state of peace and what that means. Recently I have been studying the book of John. Jesus is talking to his disciples and says "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

I was thinking of how true peace comes from Jesus only. Sure, I may have a quiet moment during nap time but is that really peace? I think what Jesus is talking about here is not a quiet time or a nice bath but a peaceful heart. The word 'peace' in this passage is talking about the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ. Now, that's peace! Aren't we so much more easily moved by Christ when we have peace in Him. When we know our Father and accept Him and what he has done for us, it gives us security in our future with him. Aren't we so much more pliable ourselves when we are peaceful? God could pick us up and move us anywhere-just like a sleeping child.

It's so easy for me to get worked up over things I have no control over, instead of just resting in the peace that is my Father and see what great things he has in store for me.

2010-05-03T22:16:00.005-05:00

Dear Nathan,
You absolutely melt my heart! I never knew having a little boy would be so much fun. You are such a joy. You are growing so fast, much faster than I thought. I guess everyone was right when they said the 2nd one grows up even quicker than the first. You are starting to coo and smile a lot. You are sleeping great, and only get up once around 4:00 am to eat. You still have reflux pretty bad so I have you on Xantac for now. You sleep on your tummy most of the time. I know that's against what all the experts say, but you sleep so well that way and you like it. You are almost grown out of 0-3 clothes. Most of what you are wearing is 3-6 months. You had your first trip to Ma and Pa's this month and met some of your cousins.

Your big sister loves you so much! She is so great with helping feed you and she loves to kiss on you. You laugh and smile when you hear her voice. You two are going to be great buds when you get older...maybe.

I find myself rocking you more than I did with your sister. You sit still longer than she did! You have been going to the church nursery and they love you! I'm so in love with you little boy, and I know one day I'm going to have to be really mean to some girls!

(A More Real) Love Story

2010-05-03T15:44:00.000-05:00

I saw this video today and literally cried! It's so funny, but so REAL to me. I love Anita Renfroe and how she puts life in perspective and reminds us how much the little things don't matter-our Savior loves us anyway! You can see more of her at www.anitarenfroe.com

My sweet boy

2010-04-17T14:00:00.005-05:00

I remember writing a post about motherhood when Sarabeth was about this age. All I can say now is what a wimp! To have only one child to deal with, would make life so much easier. But who said life was easy anyway. I have to say I am enjoying having a new little life to take care of. It is a challenge, but one I am up for. Nathan is so sweet and cuddly and everything I prayed for. He's starting to interact more with us and I got his first smile out of him today! This picture was taken by my sister in law on the front porch of the house on the farm. He's doing what he does best. Although there have been times when I am ready to crawl in a hole and hide, I have to remember that God has given me all the tools I need to take care of these children the best way He knows. I rest in peace (some days) knowing His truths and that although I know I will-He will never fail me.

Big Sister

2010-03-25T08:03:00.002-05:00

Not our plan

2010-02-28T17:13:00.004-06:00

This story is only funny because I'm such a planner. I like order, no chaos, organization and everything associated with it. God knows my heart and therefore knew I would need a scheduled C-section in order to plan around our next baby's birth...He does have a sense of humor. On Saturday, I was honored by my great friends with a sweet baby shower. Everything was perfect and the timing couldn't have been better, 2 weeks before my c-section. I had plenty of time to get everything in order. My hospital bag was packed the week before, just because that's how I roll. After the shower, I had an overwhelming need to finish shopping for the last minute things I knew we would need when Nathan came. I loaded up Sarabeth and we headed to Target. Later that day, Matt and I went to Lowe's for the finishing touches on the nursery. That night, I stayed up late organizing the nursery and packing Nathan's hospital bag...again,that's just me.

Sunday morning as I was walking back to bed from the bathroom, indeed something strange happened that made me think we should head to the hospital. My water never broke with Sarabeth,nor did I experience much contractions since by the time they came I had an epidural. Not the case with Nathan. Matt and I got ready, packed his and Sarabeth's bags and headed to drop her off at The Hilton's and then to the hospital.

Matt and I waited in triage for the operating room to be ready. Four hours and 4 emergencies later, they finally had a room ready for us, but not before my contractions were now 1 minute apart and I was in full on labor with no drugs. Girls, I don't know how you do it without it!

Nathan was born at 2:37 pm on Feb. 28 weighing in at a hefty 8lbs 12oz! He's ready for football tryout already! Here are some pictures from Nathan's first few days.

Baby Bedding!

2010-02-12T17:06:00.001-06:00

Here is a picture of the finished product. My intention was to sew it all by myself, however all I did is pick the fabric, cut and pin and my sweet friend Rebecca decided to sew the whole thing in one night without me! Not that I am complaining, she did an amazing job and she is an incredible friend. Thank you Rebecca for all of your hard work. It is beautiful and I can't wait to put Nathan in his new crib!

My sweet baby girl

2010-02-12T08:22:00.005-06:00

What happened to these little feet? With a new little boy on the way, I can't help but try to remember when my firstborn was so small. Time passes so fast and I'm starting to get a little sad that the infancy of my little girl is long gone. I will be reminded soon of how quickly time passes. 3 weeks and counting! We can't wait to meet you baby Landes!

My big girl! Cutest little toes I've ever seen!

Fresh Starts

2010-01-27T16:25:00.002-06:00

I finally gave in and decided Christmas had to end on my blog! Sorry Lindsay! I'm realizing what a bad photographer I am too as I scroll through the hundreds of pictures I've taken and I can't find any good ones of any of us.

So, I've been reading about every one's New Years Resolutions and such and was thinking that this year we really didn't make any. Not sure if that's a bad thing but don't most of them go out the window by the end of January?? We did talk a lot about what we wanted to do different this year in terms of how we live our life. It seems like we have been caught up with the rest of the world in just being too busy to enjoy life and soak in what matters most. It's to the point where I would give away everything I owned just to have a moment of time with my family altogether doing nothing! We need to live more simply and with more intention. So, I guess that's our goal this year is to be intentional in all we do and to live a life of simplicity. I've realized that trying to keep up with what I see around me drives me crazy and makes me sick. I'm tired of feeding my flesh and ready to feed my heart instead. David Jeremiah said on his radio show the other day that if you want to know where your priorities are, look at where you spend your time. Ok, ouch! So this year I don't vow to be perfect in anything, because I can't. I just want to live my doing without the things I think I need and filling my life with more of what I know I need. With baby number 2 on the way, I know that I can't possibly do life without God's word in my heart daily. I also know that unless I have a plan, I'll fail. As nerdy as it is, I've made our family a schedule to go by daily to help keep us accountable to where and how we spend our time. I understand life happens and I'm not for keeping a rigid schedule but I like to have something to bring me back to where I need to be before things get crazy off track. Sarabeth's last day of MDO is tomorrow and we'll get to try the schedule out officially next week. Some of the new things we are doing this year include Bible Study Fellowship on Wednesday mornings for me and Dave Ramsey (again) on Wednesday nights for our family. Matt is sticking to his normal every morning quiet time at the church and has added a men's Bible study on Mondays that he is really enjoying.

In other news, I have only 6 weeks left before our baby is here. I went to the doc yesterday and we are scheduled for delivery on March 9. He's turned sideways, which is why it looks like I am carrying 5 babies! I will be having s C-section so whether he turns or not is not crucial. It is rather uncomfortable but what isn't when you're pregnant. I haven't taken any pictures of my belly and I'm not really ashamed considering it's state. Maybe I'll post one before we leave for the hospital just to compare with last time.

I'm hoping to be a better blogger this year for my sake. I tend to forget a lot of things so this is where I can always go back and check out what was going on at a certain time.....if I write about it!

"This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “ The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “ Therefore I hope in Him!” Lamentations 3:21-24

There's No Place Like Home

2009-12-24T21:36:00.004-06:00

Being away from my actual house at Christmas isn't exactly how I would pick to spend my holiday. I'm not really a "home body" but I've always loved just spending Christmas at my "home" with family. This year is our year to spend Christmas with Matt's family in Arkansas. I love his family and always enjoy being with them and watching Sarabeth play with her cousins, but nothing is the same as being at home. It becomes stressful to get all the shopping, cooking, and packing done early so we can head out in time to be the Christmas traffic rush to get to Arkansas before Christmas day. This year we left a few days earlier than planned to be able to spend some time with Matt's dad at the hospital and to help around the farm before the rest of the family arrived. We usually stop at my parent's house in Longview on the way to spend the day with them exchanging gifts and eating lunch. This year we just drove straight through and made plans to drive to my parent's house after we got settled in Arkansas.

Wednesday morning, I got everything together for my 2 hour drive with Sarabeth to visit her Mimi and PawPaw. Matt was going to stay at the farm and work while we were gone. Right before I drove off, Matt decided since it was raining and he didn't think he'd get much work done, that he would just go with us. I would later be so thankful that he did.

After a fun filled day with cousins and grand parents, we set off to head back to the farm. The weather was getting bad and we even heard the tornado sirens blaring a few times. We flipped on the news before leaving and realized we were in the middle of a huge storm cell that was heading north, the direction we needed to go. We stayed for a few minutes to wait it out then got on the road during a break in the storm. I am not a big fan of rain at all, especially when it's sideways! Matt drove, I watched, Sarabeth slept. Before we knew it, the rain was so bad we couldn't see anything in front of us. We got about an hour outside of Longview and Matt did a U turn and went back to a little corner store we had passed about 1/4 mile back. He wanted to see if they had a television so he could check the weather. Come to find out, we were driving right behind the storm that had just blown through Longview, and right in front of another one coming bringing 60 mile an hour winds, hail and possible tornadoes. We decided to hang at the store for a while. We watched the weather intently while Sarabeth colored in her new Tinkerbell coloring books, compliments of Mimi and Pawpaw.

The news showed countless numbers of photos and footage of tornado damage and flooded highways. One tornado even touched down 20 miles east of us while we were there. We weren't sure if had waited long enough for the storm to be far enough in front of us, but we knew if we didn't leave soon, we would get caught in the next one coming, the worst one!

Back on the road again. We were now on hour 3 of our 2 hour drive back to the farm. Matt's mom was in Texarkana at the hospital with his dad. Our plans to stop there on the way back quickly changed when we realized that most of the major streets there were flooded, and we knew we had to beat the storm behind us. Trekking along, we beat most of the rain to about 30 miles from the farm. In a matter of minutes the wind picked up, the rain was slicing across the sky and the lightning felt like it was inside the car with us! We were past any major town and on the highway that led out to the turn off to the farm. We were the only car for miles. I was staring to get nervous. Matt was glued to the steering wheel with eyes wide open trying to keep us on the road and in our lane! The news on the radio reported tornado touchdowns in the town we were driving through. With no place to pull over and for fear of getting stuck, we moved on. The water was getting higher on the street and the rain was so thick we were driving 20 miles an hour.

Because Matt's parent's live in a mobile home on the farm, everyone had gone down to the barn to seek shelter during the storm. We knew we just had to make it to the barn. Turning off on the dirt road to the farm, we feared the creeks had rose and flooded out the streets as that's what usually happens when it rains. But this was more than just a rain. I was scared, and when Matt said to pray, I knew he was scared too. Each time the lighting came, we skimmed the sky for funnel clouds and flying debris, or a tractor-as Matt told me later! Every mile we drove seemed like an eternity. Matt's aunts and other family and friends were calling and checking on us every few minutes. We told them we were close but had yet to cross the creek where we knew we may not be able to cross. The water was rushing across the road like a river, I knew we were going to float away down the river. I kept running through my head-"how do I get Sarabeth out of her car seat if we start to float" I was tempted to go ahead and unbuckle her and hold her just in case. All of these scenarios were running through my head. I really thought we might die. We had no cell services at this point and were about 5 miles from the barn. We were now 5 hours into our drive. I just wanted out of the car and my feet on dry ground.

I was praying hard, but not crying. I didn't want Sarabeth to see my fear and get scared. I kept telling her everything was going to be just fine and we would be to Ma's house any minute. I really wasn't sure if that was going to happen. We came across where the creek usually floods and there was no water on the road! Of all places not to have water. We made it through, and moved on-only to encounter flooded road after flooded road. But, Matt stayed calm and was careful to make sure we could make it through. I don't know how, but we made it to the cattle guard in front of the house and saw the lights to the barn. Only about 1/2 mile to go. As we turned the corner from the lake we could see Aunt Phyl, Peggy, Billie, and the neighbors waiting for us under the car port at the barn. We hadn't even come to a complete stop when they flew open our doors and grabbed us, Sarabeth and all of our stuff and rushed us into the barn. It all happened so fast, I didn't have time to react. I just did what they said. Once inside, I sat down and just lost it. I had never been so scared, but never so glad to be HOME. We spent the rest of the night in the barn, glued to the TV, while we bunked the kids in the back of the vans on the carport with blankets and pillows for the night. The wind shook the barn and the rain was so loud, you couldn't even hear each other talk. We were still in for a long night. Some found a place to sleep, my sister in law slept on the back seat of their mini van that they took out and put in the barn. Others just paced the floor waiting for it all to end. Whatever the case, I wasn't scared anymore. Something about being welcomed back in the arms of my loved ones, made me feel safe. Just like I feel when I'm at home.

I am realizing this Christmas, with everything going on in our lives, that Home is where we make it. Although it might not be the perfect picture of what Christmas would be at our home, it's Christmas nevertheless and wherever I am, I am home.

Matt and Sarabeth "camping" in the van watching Veggie Tales

The Aunt rescue squad

Nester Tour of Homes-Christmas Edition

2009-12-13T22:38:00.007-06:00

I did this last year and it was so much fun! I really enjoyed reading everyone's decorating ideas. I didn't take many pictures this time but here are a few that Matt took last week.
Merry Christmas!

Family Night

2009-12-07T21:14:00.004-06:00

Tonight Sarabeth and I made gingerbread boys and girls. I had never made them before so I was hopeful that they tasted ok. Matt loves gingerbread so I knew he would eat them regardless. Here's a little picture story of our evening.How much longer mommy?

Daddy the perfectionist (his was the best one)

Icing Fight!

Sharing a Twizzler Lady and The Tramp style

Our finished masterpieces! We had so much fun! Matt really took 20 minutes to make just one Santa Gingerbread man! Just typical of my hubby-one more reason why I love him. :) Sarabeth had a ball! I let her get as messy as she wanted. I think she only ended up making one and the rest she ate!

Baby Nursery-Help!

2009-11-17T22:56:00.002-06:00

I have no idea why, but this time I am stressing out about how to decorate the new baby's nursery. With Sarabeth, we didn't have a lot of options since we were in a smaller place and would be moving within 2 months after she was born. I didn't do much in her room, we didn't even put up her crib until we moved. This time we have plenty of space and are planning on staying put for a while. So here lies the dilemma. What should I do for crib bedding. We want something bright, not muted-which is hard to find in boy's bedding. Most everything is tan and light blue, blah. We originally thought we would do an outdoors theme, but couldn't find anything that we liked. We then decided on some cute sports themed bedding. Matt played college football and his dad was his coach so football runs in the blood around here. We thought it would be fun to decorate with Matt's jerseys and some of his dad's football paraphernalia from his coaching days. Then I found this cute bedding and thought if we did this, we could do whatever theme we wanted since it's neutral! My thought was a fishing/outdoor cabin theme. Help! Now I can't decide and I want to nail down something so I can start looking for things to decorate with. What do you think?

More Fun on The Farm

2009-10-16T14:42:00.005-05:00

Matt and I took a quick trip to Arkansas this weekend to visit his mom and dad. His dad finished round 5 of his chemo and radiation treatments and had scans done on Monday to see how the cancer has been effected. No more cancer activity in the brain, lungs or lymph system, however they did find a spot on his liver that they started radiation on immediately. We are still praying for complete healing and more energy for him during his treatments.

The weather was awesome while we were there so we spent as much time outside as possible. We took Sarabeth on a walk and Ma took her on several golf cart rides.

Eating s'mores for lunch!

Sarabeth still learning how to cross the cattle guard without falling in.
Sarabeth found a lady bug and would not let it get away. She finally dropped it and it's wing broke and later it died. Poor lady bug!

MHR-Special Edition

2009-09-14T19:51:00.004-05:00

The last few months around the Landes home have been kinda funky. We've been faced with some challenges and big decisions that have left us just tired. Anyway, a few weeks ago I came home to a sparkling kitchen and this:If you aren't sure what you are seeing, it is a note from my hubby along with some home made construction paper flowers-melt my heart. Click on the note to enlarge so you can read it. It was the sweetest thing in the world. I think Matt finally realizes that it's the little things he does that make the biggest impact on my heart. This is just one of the many.

On Our Way To Normalcy

2009-09-01T18:22:00.007-05:00

Things around here are starting to get back to normal somewhat. I feel so bad that I haven't documented much about this pregnancy but who really wants to see belly pictures of what was leftover from the last one combined with all the other glamorous things that came along with that. I do have an ultrasound picture of our baby Landes #2. This was at 8 weeks. Unless you are a mom, you probably don't recognize the baby in this picture but it's there! It was actually more interesting this go around, knowing what I was looking at. We are still as excited this time as we were the last, just much busier and we forget sometimes that come March we will have 2 kiddos!I'm just not going to overwhelm myself or you with a million posts about our summer. I'll just highlight a few and then get on with the new stuff and try to keep up.

A little goofing off

A dip in the pool via the slide

4th of July fireworks with Daddy

A little bathroom reading

Sampling the red velvet batter

Some bovine spectating

Ma's front porch

Sharing cupcakes with daddy
Dinner "date" with daddy
A little R&R on mommy and daddy's bed

Our summer has been filled with many birthday parties play dates, trips to the park, road trips to family's and some days just laying around in our pj's all day.

We are gearing up for the fall and will be moving into a bigger place in a few weeks. We look forward to having more space for Sarabeth and the new baby.

Part II

2009-08-03T18:39:00.004-05:00

Ok for the sake of not doing it at all, I had to finally upload my Sea World and Alamo pictures to picassa. I kept thinking I was going to sit down and blog about our trip, but the fact that I had to go through our one million pictures to find a few to post was driving me crazy. So...I will post a few with the blog that I will write sometime tonight since my daughter wants me to "caya" (color) with her right now. In the meantime you can checkout our awesome photography from the Alamo and Riverwalk here .

*I hope you all read that last line with a bit of sarcasm. By no means do I want you to think that we think we are awesome photographers....I mean unless you really do. Again, sarcasm.

My Husband Rocks-Friday

2009-07-10T13:32:00.001-05:00

It looks like busy is the new norm around here. Matt and I have been running around crazy so far this summer with mini vacations and work. He is working on a big project in The Heights right now and it is sucking up all of his time! He's up at 5 and home at midnight on some nights. I don't see how he functions and manages to still make time for his family. Sarabeth just adores her daddy and anytime she sees him, I have to pry her off. Yesterday was crunch time for Matt since he was meeting with his Heights client today. He had been glued to the computer all day and at one point I came into the office and left without him even seeing me. I reminded him later that I had a fundraiser to go to at 5 and he was going to have Sarabeth for the night. I knew it was the worst timing and that he was going to be stressed to the max. He handled it well and set Sarabeth up in his office with a little movie corner complete with her own "carpet sample" pallet to lounge on. I left and didn't get home until 11 last night. He never called and when I got home, Sarabeth was fast asleep. Some days I wonder how I function on little sleep and taking care of my girl. My husband really showed me up this week, and I am proud of him. My husband rocks!

Sarabeth and Daddy watching the fireworks on the 4th

Summer Rewind Part 1

2009-07-07T21:48:00.004-05:00

I know it's the middle of the summer, but our vacations are already done! The heat is just to brutal to enjoy anything outside around here and we can't afford to go anywhere cold, although I would love to!

A few weeks ago for Fathers Day, we traveled to Arkansas to see Matt's dad along with Matt's 2 brothers and their families. It was cool for us all to be together since we usually only get to do this at the holidays. The kiddos had a ball swimming and playing outside. I really hope Sarabeth will remember these trips to Ma and Pa's with her cousins. It's so fun to see them all playing together. I'm so thankful that our family makes an effort to get together even though we live miles apart.

Yes, that would be my kid riding the arm of the chair like a bucking bull.

Cousins in undies playing in the pool

Next up...Sea World and Alamo

2009-07-05T21:43:00.003-05:00

Family Recipe

2009-06-21T18:32:00.002-05:00

Aunt Ruby's Pound Cake

Cream 1/2 lb butter and 1/2 c shortening
Add 3 C sugar and then 5 eggs and 1T vanilla
In a separate bowl combine 3C flour, 1/2t baking powder and 1/2t salt (add 4-6T of cocoa for chocolate pound cake)
Add dry ingredients alternately with 1C sweet milk ending with dry ingredients
Bake in bundt pan for 40-60 minutes at 325.

This is a family recipe from Matt's great Aunt Ruby. I found this in Matt's mom's stash of favorites and made it a few months ago. I didn't have the chance to meet Aunt Ruby, but if I did-I would have wanted to watch her bake this and of course eat it too! Speaking of eating, I need to check my cake in the oven now!

MHR Birthday Bash

2009-06-15T19:59:00.001-05:00

You know how much I love KatyLin's blog at the Great Adventure, and this week she is having a MHR birthday bash. Check her out and if you aren't already participating, now is a great time to start!

Sand and Water

2009-06-15T13:36:00.002-05:00

I debated on whether or not to purchase one of these for Sarabeth. She loves being outside, but with such a small yard, we don't have room for much to entertain her. I know she loves dirt and water so I splurged and bought this table from Wal-Mart. I bought a bag of sand from Home Depot and filled up the other side with water and she was all set. It even came with an umbrella to shade her from the sun.

Of course she shoveled the sand into the water part and then she let the plug out of the water so it all drained out onto the patio. Yesterday she was playin outside with it and she shoveled a scoop of sand onto the living room floor. Nice!

Rowdy wanted in on the action too, but she was quick to tell him NO!

After she was done, Roscoe made himself at home on the cool sand. I guess I've got my money's worth now!

Pa Comes To Visit

2009-06-15T13:15:00.004-05:00

Matt's parents were in town last weekend for a tribute to Don, Matt's dad. Don coached football for over 30 years and was the head football coach at Lamar Consolidated for most of that time! So his coaching staff tricked him into coming to what Don thought was a retirement party for another coach. It ended up being a party honoring Don and all of his coaching staff from years past was there to share their stories. I didn't get a chance to go, but Matt was there with his dad and they had a ball! Meanwhile, Sarabeth and I hung out in Rosenberg with Betty and Aunt Phyllis and Peggy. Aunt Phyllis collects bears so Sarabeth took her time playing with each one!

Making sure the bears are doing their homework and reading

Reading with Aunt Phyl

Hangin' out with Pa and bear

We spent some time out in the yard playing ball. The weather was actually very nice out.

Betty and me

My precious girl, she's getting too big!

Batter Up!

We finished the day with dinner and then headed home. Matt's parents joined us for church on Sunday and had the chance to see Matt teach our Life Group class. I know it made them proud to see Matt learning so much about God's word and sharing it with others. We had a great time Ma and Pa! We will see you again this weekend!

New Post

2009-06-05T10:15:00.000-05:00

go see my new post at www.willrunforbeans.blogspot.com

Chatty Cathy

2009-05-25T08:14:00.003-05:00

Sarabeth has definitely been watching "someone" talk on the phone. She is such a parrot and I have to be so careful what I say and do-I turn around and she's doing the same thing I am.

MHR-Friday

2009-05-22T16:02:00.005-05:00

This week I got the sweetest email from my hubby. If you know me, you know I LOVE getting mail, email, whatever kind of mail. I love letters, cards, notes, all that kind of stuff-especially from Matt. When we were in college we used to both sit in the computer library and instant message each other from across the room...so goofy but I loved it! This month we started a Bible study together on Genesis-something I have been wanting to do for a while. Since we've been traveling a lot lately, we weren't able to meet to discuss our first week so Matt sent me an email to make sure we were still meeting this week to go over it. Here is part of the email I got:

Good Morning, Beautiful!

I just wanted to let you know that I am praying for you right now, literally, as I do every morning. I don’t think I tell you often enough when and how much time I spend praying for you. I can say with conviction that God has heard and answered my prayers as He has protected you and is actively refining you in some very obvious and awesome ways. I sense a burning building in your spirit to seek God’s will and wisdom in His word and it excites me more than I can tell you! My conviction as a result of this is to always fan that fire by encouraging you and to keep myself from ever being a bucket of water thrown on that fire. I love watching God work on, in and through you! That being said… I have been spending my morning quiet times in the study we chose to do together and I wanted to make sure we were going at the same pace.

Matt makes my day, even when he's not trying!

Oh yeah, and he always fixes my car!

Now Starring

2009-05-21T07:33:00.005-05:00

Here is a video of Sarabeth I took a few weeks ago. Of course she never wants to "perform" for me when I have the camera out but I was trying to get her to make her animal sounds-which she does so well. I had to help her out a little, which is a little annoying sounding on the video, try to enjoy it anyway! I have tons of video but I am still trying to figure out how to load it on here.

Will Run For Beans

2009-05-16T17:25:00.001-05:00

Check out my new training site. This will be a place where I will post updates on my fund raising and training. I will also post pictures of the team and our events along with stories about our honor patient and others that are battling this disease. Follow me and tell others!

Role Call

2009-05-08T08:12:00.002-05:00

A few weeks ago our Life Group teacher shared a lesson on what it means to "hear God's call" on your life. We hear people use the terms "God told me, or God is calling me" and I always wonder what that sounds like. I now understand that these sounds come from the heart, not the air.

God's call to me is ultimately to serve him by spreading the Good News in the role God chose for me, which is a wife. Although, that isn't my only job, it is the most important human relationship I will have. Let's look at Genesis 2:18 "Then the Lord God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." The word "helper" is translated into a Hebrew word 'ezer which is used in the Old Testament to describe only 3 people, God the Father, God the Holy Spirit, and woman. I'd say I'm in good company! What an honor to be grouped in with the most Holy God! A title of honor and worth! This is just proof that my role as my husband's helper is vital and the highest calling God has put on my life. This is not to be confused with being a slave to him or lesser than him. God calls us to come alongside our mate to help them, not in front of or behind-very important!

I value my role as a mother to my sweet baby girl, but I can't get lost in that being my only job. Although I love Sarabeth to pieces, I would be doing her an injustice by serving her first instead of God and then Matt. She will learn how to love and how God calls us to serve him in our roles by watching me serve her heavenly father and her earthly one. I have to understand that everything else in life gets ordered around that priority first.

I often get caught up in doing things the right way all the time and making sure I do enough for Sarabeth and teach her everyday and take time to spend with her alone, it's enough to make me crazy! I need to know that by honoring my 'Role Call' as a wife to my husband, that God will honor my time and give me those priceless moments with my daughter and everything else will fall into place.

My Husband Rocks Friday

2009-05-08T07:37:00.003-05:00

It's been a while since I have posted MHR, not because he doesn't-just because we've been on the run every weekend lately. This past weekend Matt and I went to Weekend To Remembe r hosted by Family Life. We had been before, but neither of us were really in a place that would allow God to speak to us so we decided to try it again. Everything was pointing toward us not being able to make it this year! At the last minute we had to find alternate child care for Sarabeth and then I had overwhelming anxiety about leaving her overnight for the first time! The day before the conference, our friends called us and said their daughter's school was shut down for swine flu and wanted me to know just in case I didn't want SB going over there for the weekend, yikes! Luckily I'm not a media junkie and I like to trust God when it comes to crazy things like that and we dropped SB off bright and early Saturday morning to head to the conference. We knew God had something BIG for us this weekend-and He did.

Matt and I had an incredible weekend reconnecting and learning. We spent some time alone writing a letter to each other and praying for our spouse. We had some tough moments throughout the weekend, but this time we handled them with grace for each other and understanding that God was in control-not us. It's amazing that no matter how great you may think your marriage is, there's always room for improvement.

So after a weekend like this, it wasn't hard to think about all the reasons My Husband Rocks. Here are a few things that I brought away from the weekend-although they aren't new reasons, just reminders.

Matt rocks because He loves God, his wife, and his daughter-in that order.

Matt rocks because he knows what it means to be a man of God in this ugly world we live in and he knows he can't do it without God's strength and the Holy Spirit.

Matt rocks because he is a safe place I can go and be transparent without judgement.

Matt rocks because he fights fair, always seeing the big picture, pointing us back to God and being the first to ask for forgiveness and granting it to me so graciously.

These are nothing new to me, just things about Matt I sometimes overlook while searching for something wrong! Matt, I receive you as my God given gift of a mate and promise to treat you as such. You Rock!

Day Spring Plates

2009-05-01T10:12:00.001-05:00

I was so excited to see this post today at Nesting Place! I seriously own a partial set of blue dishes that was originally a place setting for 4. They all have chips and were a bargain at Service Merchandise when Matt and I got married in 2002. It's time for an upgrade. I've been wanting new everyday wear forever but with so many choices out there it's so hard to decide. I want something that I wont' get tired of looking at in 20 years-and something that will last that long! I have narrowed it down to something all white so that I can add some fun pieces to it for different occasions. I fell in love with these plates on Nesting Place's blog. They are giving some away and you can go there to enter to win too!

Add My Button

2009-04-28T17:01:00.006-05:00

On October 18th I will be running in the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco. This run benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, a program that is close to my heart since losing my sister to Leukemia in 2005. My sister's life was prolonged by experimental drugs and clinical trials funded by LLS. My family also benefited from LLS by vouchers for parking and hotels while living in Houston for 2 years.

I am officially starting my fund raising today and I need to raise $4500 in order to run the race. Please help me out by adding my button to you blog to help advertise for this cause. Just copy and paste the code you see under the button and add it to your blog with as an HTML gadget.

You can read about my sister's story by clicking on Will Run For Beans on the right. (Beans was a nickname we gave my sister in her teen years) I signed up to run this April 30, 2005 and my sister died the next day on May 1. It was one of the toughest things I have ever done both emotionally and physically. I'm really looking forward to helping out LLS and training for this run this year and I will need all the prayers I can get. Thanks for your support!

**Thank you Stephanie at Blogalicious Designs for the fabulous button!!**

New Blog

2009-04-24T23:23:00.002-05:00

I finally got a face lift for my blog and it cost....zero! I did it all by myself! I know its not as fancy as some of the high dollar ones, but I so proud that I taught myself how to do it! Now I am going to work on getting all my links back on and create some sidebar buttons for fun!

Hill Country Bluebonnets

2009-04-24T21:15:00.000-05:00

MHR Friday

2009-04-23T22:32:00.003-05:00

I have really fallen of the MHR wagon! I really enjoy blogging and I will always do it but it is not a priority of mine so I only do it when I really have nothing else to do, which is rare! Matt has been such a sweetie this week. On Monday he got up early with SB and sneaked down stairs to let me sleep in-what a treat for me! He cleaned up the kitchen the other night and then today while I was at a closing for work, he picked SB up from Mothers Day Out and went to buy flowers to plant in our front yard. I also started a new diet this week and Matt has been so supportive, even taking me out to eat last night. Matt does things for me and I really should praise him more! This week Katy Lin asked us to share ideas on how to create romance on a budget. Well all us married girls know one way our husbands would suggest we could do that...for free! ;) Matt and I love to go on dates, although they are few and far between now. One thing we used to do is get out all of our favorite CD's from when we first started dating and lay in the floor and just listen to them and sing. We always end up reminiscing about the good times in the past. For me, it is romantic and I think Matt enjoys it as well. We also like to go to Barnes and Nobel and look at house plan books. It may not be as romantic, but it gets us talking about our dreams of building our own home one day-something we both desire.

Thank you Matt for being a servant to me this week. I love you. Oh, and I think we should have a music night soon!

Best Friends

2009-04-23T22:21:00.003-05:00

Sarabeth has finally made friends with our dogs. They are so crazy that we have been careful about putting the 3 of them together. The boys stay outside most of the time but over the last week, we have started letting them come in more. Sarabeth adores the dogs. She wants so bad for them to adore her back. Rowdy is tolerant of her most of the time but Roscoe stays away from her unless she has food. She loves to feed them and is very sweet always wanting to take care of them. Every morning when she gets up she starts saying "puppy outside, puppy outside". She knows where they are and she can't wait to play with them. They make her laugh all the time, always taking the opportunity to give her "puppy kisses". Here are a few pictures from the week.

The Childrens Museum

2009-04-23T22:07:00.002-05:00

Our church playgroup went the the Houston Children's Museum last Friday. I had never been there before and it was very impressive. Besides being a little crowded, we had a ton of fun! Sarabeth spent most of her time trying to close herself in the door with the mirror! There was so much for kids of all ages to do. We spent most of the time upstairs in the Tot Lot. I can't wait for SB to be old enough to enjoy all of it. We will be back!

Sweet Face

2009-04-23T22:04:00.000-05:00

HLS & Rodeo Pics

2009-04-13T16:01:00.006-05:00

Matt's brother Gabe and his wife Cheryl and their 2 kiddos came to Houston for Spring Break and we met up with the at the Rodeo for some fun. It was rainy and cold but we made the best of it. I love hanging out with my nieces and nephews and Sarabeth is getting old enough to enjoy it too!

Little Cowgirl

She loved the tractor, it was hard to get her to come down!Isaac discovers the tractor!

Sarabeth discovers...a chicken

Sarabeth is such an animal lover! She shows no fear when she's around them ( I guess that could be a bad thing) She loved feeding the baby goat.Cousin Julia and Sarabeth watching the bunnies.

The baby pigs were so cute!Isaac made a rope and later Matt used it to show him how to rope his cousin Sarabeth...

25 cents of fun! Isaac saw this foot massage and asked what it was. So we put in a quarter for him to find out!

After a long day at the rodeo, we all went back to Aunt Phyl's for some good food and Wii!

Helping dad drive Mario

I am the Wii hula hoop champ!

Sarabeth meet Oliver

Oliver is Gabe and Cheryl's dog. Sarabeth thought she would join him in his cage to play.

Aunt Cheryl read the girls a book. She is such a great mom and aunt. We love Aunt Cheryl...and Uncle Gabe too.

Thanks for coming to spend your Spring Break with us!

Blog Break and Trip to Grandma's

2009-04-13T15:47:00.004-05:00

I have taken an unintentional break from blogging the past few weeks. I just haven't had the time to sit down and do it. Although I love posting pictures and funny stories about our family, spending quality time with them has been so much more important.

Sarabeth and I took a trip to Jacksonville, Texas earlier last month to visit my grandmother (my dad's mom). My dad flew in from Florida and we met him at my grandma Dollie's house where we spent the night. My sweet grandma has lung cancer and the doctors told her that she only has about 12 months left to live. It was such a precious time to see my dad and grandma with Sarabeth. She even played with some toys that my grandma had saved that I played with as a child at her house! My grandma loves to paint and she gave Sarabeth a sweet picture she painted of 3 little kittens. We hung it in her room above her bed and every morning she points to it and says "meow!" So sweet!

Four Generations!

I so enjoyed spending the day with them. I don't get to see my dad much and I haven't made time in the past to visit my grandma as much as I should. It is a shame that we start living more intentionally when we know we don't have much time left.

He is Risen!

2009-04-12T20:43:00.001-05:00

John 20

The Empty Tomb

¹Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. ²So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!"

³So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. ⁴Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. ⁵He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. ⁶Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, ⁷as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. ⁸Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. ⁹(They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)

My New Love

2009-03-25T22:48:00.004-05:00

Well not really but I can't think of creative name for my post and I really do LOVE this place, in the worldly kind of way. I found this great new fabric store called Fabric and More. It's on the Southeast corner of FM 1960 and Kuykendahl in Houston (next to The Casa restaurant and where the Wherehouse Music used to be). I am a fabric collector, and some time sewer when I have the time. I love fabric, but mostly when it's on sale. I went today to browse around the new place and I was impressed. It is nothing fancy as far as stores go but the selection of decorator fabric is far better than anything on this side of town. I felt overwhelmed but strangely at peace with the surroundings of bolts of magnificent patterns. I did not buy anything but I did get many samples of some wonderful fabrics to make curtains with for Sarabeth's new playroom and the living room. What I would usually see at other fabric stores for around $20-30 a yard, I saw today for $6.99-seriously yall! They have an entire wall of trim starting at $5.99 a yard for the really nice ball trim that is at least $15 a yard on a good day at Hobby Lobby. They could use to improve the apparel fabric a little, and I am hoping once they open their custom drapery and upholstery shop next door they will have more room for that. Ok, there is my plug for the new fabric store. If you love to sew or look at fabric like me, you will enjoy a stroll through Fabric and More!

***To answer some of the questions in the comments, yes I have been to Interior Fabrics and the prices here are way better! I do love Glicks but I like the fact that Fabrics and More is so close. It's just nice to have an alternative to going far or paying too much :)

7 years ago today...

2009-03-16T00:00:00.001-05:00

I was sitting in the brides room throwing up, literally. I was so nervous that I asked my brother in law to run across the street to the store and bring me back a bottle of wine! I can just see Jake trying to sneak a bottle of Sutter Home into the Baptist Church. My nerves never calmed and I walked wide-eyed all the way down the aisle shivering in my shoes. I had no idea what I was doing.

I can't say I would have done things any different. Being married to Matt the past 7 years hasn't exactly been what I thought I was signing up for, but I would sign up again-no questions. It's so crazy to think that even at 27, I had no clue what I was in for. It's easy to get so caught up in what the world perceives marriage to be. I bought into the fairy tale of love and overlooked the work part. It has been an adventure to say the least. I love to think about when Matt and were dating and how care free our lives were. I could have never imagined our lives today back then. In honor of our anniversary, here are some old school pictures of the love birds.

This picture was taken the summer of 1997. Matt and I had only been dating for a few months and he took me to Astro World. I was still in school at SFA. I will never forget when we got back to my friend's house that night, Princess Dianna was all over the news. It was the same night she died.

This was taken at Matt's house in college. I had never had a pet before and the maintenance guy at our apartment complex sold Matt this puppy and he gave it to me. All I have to say is, bad idea. Tuff ended up at Matt's parent's house one weekend and I think his mom gave him away.

Here we are standing on the slab of our first house Matt built. This was taken the summer of 2002. We had only been married a few months.

This was taken at the apartment complex I was working at when we got married. It was a really nice luxury apartment complex with a heated pool and we took advantage of the perks on the weekends!This was at a friend's wedding in 2000. We went to 4 weddings that summer!

This was at one of Matt's family reunions at Caddo Lake. I remember this year very well because it was the first family reunion that Matt and I finally got to sleep in the same bed! When we were dating I always had to sleep with one of his great aunt's who had a gas issue.

This picture was taken on a cruise in 2003. Matt won it as an incentive trip at work one year. It was 4 days out of Galveston to Cancun.

This was taken at Matt's family's farm a few Christmases ago. Pre-child birth-I can tell my face is still skinny!!

YeHaw! Here we are at the rodeo a few years back. Also pre-baby-obviously.

What a fun trip down memory lane. I had so many pictures I wanted to post but I couldn't put them all on here.

I'm so thankful everyday for the man that I married. If I had to describe my husband to someone who didn't know him, this is what I would say:

I'm in awe everyday of his commitment to God and to love and serve me through Him. He is the hardest working man I know. I can trust him always. He says what he means and means what he says and if he says he's going to do something, he does. He is honest and always looks for the best in everyone. His integrity is obvious. He's someone you would want as your best friend. He loves to hunt but would give it up to spend a day with his daughter laying around the house. He's never a dull moment. His wit and charm would knock you dead. He's smarter than he would ever lead on. He's humble. He can tell someone they're wrong in a way that would make them want to come over for dinner afterward...seriously. He can fix anything from a car to a frown on your face. He's a student of life and never quits wanting to learn. He's my number one fan and holds the key to my heart.

Happy Anniversary babe.

Love,
Your Wife

My Husband Rocks

2009-02-27T08:41:00.003-06:00

I've been waiting a long time to do this post. I had to get permission from Matt first and he finally told me last night that I could share this.

12 years ago when I met Matt he had a little secret. We still debate today on whether or not I knew in the beginning or found out after we got married (too late!) As the years went by, I began to wonder how this issue was going to affect our marriage. Not ready to approach him about it, I continued to live life and ignore it. About 3 years ago I got serious about approaching Matt on this. I started by dropping subtle hint (yeah right) and complaining a lot about it. I threatened him, gave him ultimatums and started many arguments about this. He promised to deal with it after Sarabeth was born. 1 year later, nothing. Then I began to pray and God answered. February 7th 2009 at approximately 12:39 a.m., my sweet husband came upstairs and got me out of bed. He took me downstairs and out onto the back patio. He sat me down and said "I have something for you. I've been wanting to give it to you for a long time. I want you to watch something." I am sooo tired and not in the mood for jokes at all, but I love gifts and I couldn't wait to see what he had for me!" Then he pulled out a cigarette and said, "I want you to watch me smoke my very last cigarette." Are you kidding me?? I never dreamed this day would come, but I hoped and prayed. I just thought one day he would say he quit, but to ask me to be a part of something so huge in his life meant everything to me. Matt never did smoke in front of me or in front of anyone unless he was at work or with his friends that smoked. I wanted so bad to do something to make him quit. I later realized that there was nothing I could do. I knew God had a plan for my husband and our family and I left it all up to Him. I'm so thankful for a husband that listens to God's tug on his heart and follows obediently. The last 3 weeks have been really tough on Matt. I sat and watched him stir in anxiety and fight through the urges. He says they are mostly gone now, and he's able to cope a lot easier.

I know this habit has held Matt back from lots of things and made him feel inadequate when teaching to Word of God to his peers and counseling friends on issues. Now he is free from the stronghold that smoking had on him.

I am so proud of Matt. This was the best gift I could have ever been given. Although it was so hard watching him smoke that night, my heart was so full of joy to know he loves his family (and himself) enough to quit. The Landes household is much happier these days!

Rodeo Day!

2009-02-26T12:04:00.004-06:00

To celebrate the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Sarabeth's MDO has Western Day at school today! They are having a special lunch and tons of fun stuff for the kids. I tried to get a few good pictures of her this morning in her Rodeo Princess shirt and Hot Pink cowgirl boots with flashing lights (compliments of my dad for Christmas)! She is suck a stinker! She kept pulling her hat off. I took her outside and changed her shirt (since she got breakfast all over the other one) and she took off running and I had to chase her down with the camera.

Cheese!

Howdy Yall!

Giving kisses to the camera

Laughing and about to run away!

Happy Rodeo Day!

Geez!

2009-02-25T15:59:00.000-06:00

Ok this is the 3rd time I have tried to change my blog and forgot to save my widgets! Now I have to add all of my links again! I'm so over this stupid thing...seriously. Tonight I am going to attempt to create my own blogger template. We'll see how it goes.

There Are No Words

2009-02-18T20:38:00.004-06:00

Valentine's Day

2009-02-18T20:27:00.004-06:00

Matt and I don't usually do a lot for Vday and this year was no different. I did have a chance to make some cookies for Sarabeth's MDO class party and I was so pumped! It was my first time to do something for her class and I felt like a real "class mom" :) She came home with a little bag full of valentines from the kids in her class, so cute!I attempted to let Sarabeth make a craft for daddy for Valentines. I let her loose with the paints and she went crazy! They were non-toxic and washable so although it looks like she bleeding from her eye, it's just a lot of paint! The craft never made it, it met it's demise in the trash can.

Crafty chic!

Monkey

2009-02-18T20:16:00.004-06:00

Sarabeth is starting to talk so much more. She is great at communicating with us. Most of the time she just points and mumbles but a lot of things she can say. She knows how to say "nose, eyes, ball, mama and daddy, baby, up, bow (like her hair bows), out (for outside) bye bye, yes, no, and oh snap! She is so hilarious. Her new thing is climbing on the kitchen table. I can turn my head and in a few seconds she is on the table! She loves to get in the fruit bowl and take a bite out of everything in it! Every apple has a bite out of it! Yesterday she bit right through a banana, eww!

Baby Mama

2009-02-18T20:06:00.002-06:00

I love watching Sarabeth play. She is growing up so fast and doing new things everyday. She will be 16 months on March 1-WOW! She is becoming so much more interactive and starting to actually understand "play". She is so in love with babies, real and dolls. She gathers them up, wraps them in blankets and hugs and kisses them. She tries to feed them whatever she is eating and loves on them just like we love on her. She watches us so closely and mimics a lot of what we do. She is so sweet with her babies! Every day I love her more. I'm enjoying being able to spend most of the days with her. I miss her so much when I have to go into the office :(

Little Mama

MHR Friday-Valentines Edition

2009-02-13T08:13:00.006-06:00

Today's post comes from an article Katy Lin posted on her blog. I read it and was convicted instantly! These 10 Secrets to a Successful Marriage are so right! I tried to pick just one to talk about, but I could not decide. I want to talk about how a few of them have affected my marriage.

5. Change your mind, Change your marriage
How couples think and what they believe about their spouse affects how they perceive the other. What they expect and how they treat their spouse matters greatly.

I can't tell you how much I've learned by this. Marriage is definitely a place where you can become selfish and self absorbed. It's easy to think about only what you want and your own feelings. It takes a mature couple to realize they aren't the only one in this. Simply changing your mind about how you feel makes a huge difference. Matt used to always tell me "don't be bothered by that" or "don't let that hurt your feelings". It would always be something trivial and I would get worked up about it and start an argument that left us both wounded. Learning to simply change my mind about the way I let things effect me and the way I felt about Matt in those times changes my marriage dramatically.

6. The grass is greener where you water it
Successful couples have learned to resist the grass is greener myth – i.e. someone else will make me happy. They have learned to put their energy into making themselves and their marriage better.

Oh how I love this one! I learned the hard way what it meant to nurture your marriage. I think the easy way out of a marriage is divorce. The hard part is staying in there and making it. I think some couples believe that if they just had ______, their marriage would be so much better. Whether it be another person or a worldly possession, it's not the truth. Any thing that is hindering you to have a good marriage now, will carry on with you into your next relationship. In order to have a marriage like God intended for us to have, we have to continually nurture the relationship we have with our spouse. Feeding our lives with God's word and surrounding ourselves with godly examples of marriages changed our outlook on our own relationship.

8.Love is a verb, not just a feeling.
Everyday life wears away the "feel good side of marriage." Feelings, like happiness, will fluctuate. But, real love is based on a couple's vows of commitment: "For better or for worse" – when it feels good and when it doesn't.

This is one for Matt. I have to brag on him because this is something he tried to get me to understand for so long. I believe this world over uses the words "I love you". We've heard before the way people can water down this by saying they LOVE _____. (cheeseburgers, race cars, etc). Matt has always said that love has more to do with what you do than what you say. The feelings from the first date eventually go away. The butterflies fly away and the goo goo gaa gaa of love disappears. What remains is the true love that involves work and effort in the yucky times. Matt is excellent and showing me love everyday. He knows my love language and does his best to love in that way. He is usually first to apologize and the last to pick a fight. He sleeps with no covers most of the night, and never says a thing. He fixes breakfast for no special reason, cleans up without me asking, and always asks "what can I do for you today". I can't say enough about how Matt shows his love to me everyday.

This is one thing I need to be better at. I'm one of those who loves to do sweet things for my hubby when life is good, but when life gets bad, forget it! I need to try harder to change my mind and make the choice to show Matt love no matter the circumstance. That is a huge challenge for me, but this week- I'll take that challenge.

You can read the complete list here. Although I had heard many of these before, today they took on a new meaning to me.

These are the cutest shirts! I bought one for Sarabeth, me and Matt. You can get yours here!
You also get free shipping if you mention the Great Adventure Blog with your order. The girl who started the idea of MHR (not the blog) owns this tshirt company. She lives in Humble is an amazing girl with a great marriage story. You can check her story about why she started MHR here.

MHR Friday

2009-02-06T00:00:00.000-06:00

Here are Katy Lin's prompts/themes for MHR Friday this week: I picked #1 and #2.

Prompt/Theme for Friday, February 6, 2009 We have a couple of different options for this week: 1. Tell us about some of the things that you and your husband do to just have fun together!

2. Tell the story of a memory about your husband that brings you a smile and a giggle every time you think about it!

3. Give us your best, most creative Valentine's Day gifts (and yes, this one is a shameless way to use your creativity to help me come up with a Valentine's Day gift, lol!) Challenges: ~ Set an appointment with your hubby to have a "goals and dreams" talk as described in the first article. ~ If you already know some of your husbands goals and dreams, be intentional about encouraging him and helping him to reach them.

So...this week was a tough week for us (more on that in another post). There was a lot of tension and silent moments. Last night we decided Matt would make dinner, actually I decided and he agreed. After dinner I offered to make homemade chocolate chip cookies, only because I wanted one! Matt said he wanted to try his hand at making cookies so we ended up making them together. It was so much fun! We don't get together in the kitchen much but this time was really fun and it kind of broke the tension in the air.

Some of the other things we do to have fun is lay around in the floor and listen to music. This started in college and still today we'll put on some music and lay around in the floor and sing along and reminisce.

Most of you that know my husband personally, know how funny he can be. I've posted about his silliness before. Feel free to revisit some of the things we still laugh about till our stomach hurts!

My challenge this week is to have a goals weekend with Matt. We already talked about it earlier this week. We are planning a weekend soon where we can get away and just refocus and set some goals for ourselves as a couple and individually.

I am really enjoying posting about Matt every Friday. It's become something I look forward to and it makes me really see how much he does for me. Even in the bad times, I can find something good about my man! You Rock Babe!

100 Things

2009-01-31T00:00:00.001-06:00

I saw this on Katy Lin's blog and thought it would be fun. I love reading other people's but I rarely ever do my own list! Everything in BOLD are things I've done. Feel free to copy this list to your blog and do the same.

1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited Hawaii.
5. Watched a meteor shower.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland.
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo.
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child.
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you're not sick.
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Run a marathon.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.
31. Hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise.
33. Seen Niagra Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Seen an Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to truly be satisfied.
38. Seen the leaning tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing.
40. Seen Michelangelo's David.
41. Sung karaoke.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business.
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Russia.
60. Served in a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout cookies.
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Gotten flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma.
65. Gone sky diving.
66. Visited a Nazi concentration camp.
67. Bounced a check.
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Seen the changing of the guards in London.
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.
80. Published a book.
81. Been to the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the paper.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had Chicken pox.
89. Saved someone's life.
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Had a baby.
95. Seen the Alamo in person.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake.
97. Been involved in a lawsuit.
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.
100. Read an entire book in one day.

I really should get out more!

MHR Friday

2009-01-30T15:46:00.004-06:00

The moment I knew I would marry the man I call my husband...

I have to say that I entered my marriage without a clue on how I got there. The beginning of my marriage was not the storybook romance most would think about. Matt and I dated for 5 years before we married. We argued a lot and broke up several times...probably an early sign we weren't ready! Matt was the guy every girl wanted. He was handsome, smart, athletic and came from an awesome family-something I always wanted. There wasn't a particular time where I just KNEW I was going to marry him, oh but I hoped and prayed that I would be the girl that would.

I remember one day (after we were married) sitting on the couch with Matt. It had been a really rough year for us and it was only the beginning. I was carrying a ton of guilt from my past and just didn't feel like I deserved such a great husband. I was sobbing and my heart was so torn up inside. Matt sat down next to me on the couch and held my hand. He asked me this "April, do you think there is anything that you could ever do to make God stop loving you?" Of course I knew the answer and said "No." Matt then added this "Then why in the world would you think there is anything that you could do to make me stop loving you either? God calls me to love you as He loves the church."

It was then I knew that I had married the man God had intended for me. Matt loves me in that way. He is always gentle with me, patient, understanding, and stands by me no matter what. Our marriage has seen the darkest of days, but we have pulled through like CHAMPS! I am grateful for Matt and the calling on his heart to love me like Christ.

The challenge for the week is this:

1. Be patient. As the Love Dare book puts it “Resolve to say nothing negative to your spouse.” Our words have the power to build up or tear down in an instant, and unfortunately the destructive possibility is much easier, and quicker than the re-constructive. Let’s be very careful with the things we say to our spouses this week (well, always, but we’ll really focus on it this week).

2. See the movie Fireproof! I have not seen it yet but Matt and I will be making a date night this week to see it, can't wait!

Blog Prob

2009-01-28T22:07:00.000-06:00

I really should update my blog. I'm so overwhelmed because I have so many pictures and I can't possibly post them all here. I'm not a fan of the slide show either. So...any suggestions?

MHR Friday!

2009-01-23T00:00:00.000-06:00

I decided to use Katy Lin's prompt for MHR Friday this week. Check out her website and be a part of sharing how your husband rocks!

Tell us about a time that your spouse went out of his way to serve you, and love you sacrificially.

Matt honestly goes out of his way to serve me all the time, it's just in his nature. He knows I am an "acts of service" person and he tries really hard to serve me in that way. I don't remember the occasion but one morning after Matt woke up and got ready for the day, he decided to quietly slip out and take Sarabeth with him, leaving me to sleep in and enjoy the morning in peace and quiet. I'm not sure if has any idea how much that meant to me. I am not a morning person and after I had Sarabeth I just knew I would never sleep in again. Other ways Matt serves me is by going out of his way to clean the house. I made a comment one time about how it would be so nice if the toys just picked them selves up! The next morning when I woke up, they did! Thank you hubby!

Katy Lin also issued a challenge for us wives and I have decided to take it on. Here it is:

"Your mission, if you choose to accept it, has two parts. First, look for ways that you can serve your husband. These can be big or small, sometimes the things that seem so insignificant to us can make a big difference in making our husbands feel loved and respected. And second, if your husband asks you to do something for him, even if it seems silly, or like he could easily do it for himself, do it cheerfully and without an attitude of annoyance."

OK ladies, let's try this one out. I promise, you have no idea how these things bless our husbands. God has so specifically wired our men to thrive on us being their cheerleaders in life. Go the extra mile this week and show your man how much you think he ROCKS!

Gun Carryin' Gals

2009-01-15T13:04:00.002-06:00

A few months ago Matt bought me a handgun. While we at his parents for Turkey Day, we shot at some targets and did a little skeet shooting (I am terrible at that!)

What a goof ball

My sister in law, Tarah did very well. I will be sure to always be nice to her!

Matt shooting skeet
My little princess sporting her ear muffs. It was too loud out there for her little ears!

Thanksgiving Rewind

2009-01-03T14:43:00.012-06:00

Before I get to the Christmas pictures, here is a recap of our Thanksgiving. We drove up to see Matt's parents in Arkansas to celebrate Turkey Day and Pre-Christmas with Matt's two brothers and their wives and kids (only one wife per brother, just in case you were wondering). We did our normal eating enormous amounts of food and laying around all day. This year Sarabeth was just old enough to run around with her older cousins and play. Here are a few pictures from our visit."Really, this rock is tasty..."

"You should try it. Here, have a bit of mine""I love my aunt Cheryl!"

"Julia, say cheese like me"
"Ahhh, bath time with Savannah"

" I wanna be BIG just like Isaac"

This big dirt pile is the happening place for the kiddos. Many hours were spent climbing up and down, dragging the wagon (with Roscoe our Beagle), and getting dirt in every part of our clothes.

We spend every other Christmas with Matt's family. So on the years we are there for Thanksgiving, Matt's mom manages to squeeze in Christmas as well. Sarabeth was just the right age to start enjoying the wrapping paper. I was surprised to see that she was just as excited about her baby doll too!

"Babies gotta get strapped in to eat!"

I made all the nieces (and Sarabeth) a tutu for dress up. We attempted to get them all in theirs, and smile. Sarabeth is not a tutu girl. but Julia and Savannah loved them!
I have a ton more pictures but not a ton of time. I'll post a few more later. Enjoy!

MHR Friday

2009-01-02T12:54:00.008-06:00

What better way to start the year than to brag a little on my hubby.

Today I asked Matt what he had planned for the day and he said "I'm just going to help you all day, whatever you need help with." Sweet! He cleaned the kitchen, and I mean he CLEANED it, I walked in and he was scrubbing the tops of the gas range. He had the whole thing apart cleaning every little piece. I can say I have NEVER done that! He has been really sweet the past few days, spending a lot of quality time with Sarabeth and me. We are trying to take advantage of the extra free time he has right now until he starts working again. Matt was let go from his job on Tuesday this week. We kind of knew before the holidays that there may be a small chance his company would be doing some downsizing before the first of the year, but we weren't sure that Matt would be part of that. It came as a surprise to me, but not to him. He sat me down at the kitchen table (the day after he found out) and I guessed what we were about to discuss. I took it well, as did he. We both feel like this is an opportunity for us to grow into our own business now. Matt has been preparing to start his own company for some time. He feels good about where God has him.

The most exciting thing about this whole situation is the way Matt reacted to the news, and the way we handled it as a couple. We have been in this situation before, however our marriage was in disarray. I remember how awful we both felt and how desperate we became, and we both continued to fall apart along with our relationship.

This time, we just relaxed knowing full well God had us safely in his hands. Life is so much different when you have a real relationship with the one that created you. We've worked as a team over the past few days, just brainstorming about how to adjust our lifestyle and what our next steps are. Matt is so reassuring to me. He knows my natural need to feel safe and secure and he stops at nothing to assure me, we will be fine.

Thank you Matt for working so hard at any task you have in front of you, whether it be a 12 hour day at work, a 5 minute talk to ease my mind, or a prayer to calm my spirit and protect our family. You are everything and more to me. You more than Rock!

Blog Make Over

2008-12-31T17:28:00.003-06:00

New Year, New Blog. I'm so excited about my new look, I did it all by myself! I have tons of pictures to post and some funny stories about our vacation to Florida. We had a blast. We are off to celebrate the New Year, see ya in 2009!

Best Christmas Pagent Ever

2008-12-20T10:58:00.002-06:00

Sarabeth's Mother's Day Out performed a Christmas Program on Thursday this week. I missed it because I was having my back procedure, bummer! My friend Lauren took some pictures of Sarabeth as a little reindeer, precious!

MHR Friday

2008-12-19T21:49:00.002-06:00

There is really no particular reason why I'm posting today for MHR. Matt does so many things for me and is an amazing husband everyday. Sometimes I am always waiting for him to do something "big" that just knocks my socks off when it's really the little things that make him ROCK. For instance, I had steroid injections in my neck and back yesterday. Not a fun experience, even with the anesthesia. Matt was so sweet when he called on his way home and asked if he could pick up dinner. I had already made plans for us to eat left overs but I stopped and thought about how he was thinking ahead, knowing what I had been through that day already.

I pray that I will continue to notice the little things that Matt does for me and our family. He truly loves us in ways that we don't even see. I love you babe. Happy MHR day!

Santa Visit

2008-12-18T14:00:00.000-06:00

I took Sarabeth to see Santa Wednesday. So much for a repeat of last year!

Holiday Open House

2008-12-17T20:51:00.007-06:00

Welcome to our Open House!

Kimba at "A Soft Place to Land" is hosting a Holiday Open House. I've already looked at so many decorated homes on there, it's fabulous! Here is a tour of our home for the holidays. Nothing fancy as we are in a small space this year and we didn't put up our tree :( However, my sweet husband did do something super special this year for me.

These little snowmen have been part of my Christmas deco since college. One year Matt and I decorated the top of his huge TV with white paper and stood the snowmen on it like they were ice skating! I love these little guys!

This Santa clown is from the Emmett Kelly collection. I have had him forever too. I used to collect clowns as a child and this is the only one that ever gets put out. He's hanging out with my Nativity Snow Globe.

I took an idea I found at Nesting Place this year and hung wreaths on all my mirrors. I LOVE wreaths and I never can think of where to put them all.
Now for the BIG SURPRISE!!!! My sweet hubby decided to do something really special for me this weekend while I was gone to visit my mom and family. I was really bummed this year when I started decorating for the holidays and realized I had no place to hang the stockings. We don't have a fireplace or a mantle so I hung them in the front entryway on the key holders...and I was so sad to do it! So....I came home to this on Sunday night:

Do you love my sweet mantle?? D0n't ask where you can buy one because it is a one of a kind, hand made by my awesome husband and customized! He even decorated it and hung the stockings! Here are some close up pictures of the detail:

He even added these scriptures on here. They are part of the piece itself, amazing! I was so excited to see this. I still can't believe he did it all in 24 hours. Actually, he told me he's been working on it all week at work. This piece is truly a labor of love. I'm so proud to hang it in our home and to share it with you all!

Merry Christmas!

Garland Party

2008-12-10T07:45:00.004-06:00

The Nesting Place is hosting this great party with lots of really cool garland ideas, I LOVE this site. Since we are going to be in Florida for Christmas this year, and our townhouse is too small for our tree, I decided to have fun with this garland idea. I took two strands of lighted garland that I bought 2 years ago from an after Christmas sale at Michaels and twisted them together. Then I headed over to Hobby Lobby where they had all of their floral stems on sale for 50% off. I also added some things from around the house that I had. This was the only place I could find to put the garland so excuse the big fat TV in view. However, my sweet hubby did build me a mantle over the weekend and it should be up and functional in a few days. I'll repost my new and improved garland complete with my mantel tomorrow. Anyway, enjoy and check out Nesting Place for more fun!

Sneak Peek

2008-12-09T18:34:00.003-06:00

We had Sarabeth's pictures made at True Expressions last month and they turned out so amazing! Nicole is a such a great photographer and was great with Sarabeth. You can see the rest by logging on to her website and use april for the password to view them online. I can't wait to sit down with her and order these!

My Husband Rocks-Early Edition

2008-12-08T14:07:00.008-06:00

I know I completely jumped over Thanksgiving pictures and MHR from last week but I have to brag on my man. If you know Matt then you know he has a big heart. He is always willing to help, the problem is, he rarely has the time. When I say he is a busy man, that's a total understatement! The last few months have been painfully hard trying to schedule some time with him when he's not working on something. So, when he did all of this on Sunday for ME, whoa! I was completely surprised and impressed to say the least!! Here's a taste of what my cool husband did this weekend:

First on the list, new cabinets for my office/craft room. I have been complaining about how crowded everything is in our home and that we need more space so....Matt to the rescue! He surprised me on Friday night with these cabinets (trash from his job site) and he even hung them and added the trim. They compliment my free desk perfectly!

Next on the agenda, a bracket for my window mistreatment (more on that in a later blog)
Not only did he make me a bracket, he actually hung my curtain with a pleat! What a pro!

Daddy's Little Helper

If all this wasn't enough, he built me a mantle. We don't have a fireplace this year and I was distraught on where to hang our stockings. When I approached Matt with my problem he quickly came to the rescue without saying a word. Then on Sunday afternoon, Viola! I won't post pictures, because it's not painted yet but it is fabulous! He also made Sarabeth a shelf for her room that is in line waiting to be painted.

I was overwhelmed with the effort Matt put into speaking my love language this weekend. He really went above and beyond. I'm so happy to be married to a man that knows how to love me and wants to show me in ways that I can understand it. Thank you Matt for all you do for our family, but mostly thank you for loving me the way God intended. You are my rock.

Happy Turkey Day

2008-11-25T17:14:00.000-06:00

Hope you all enjoy Thanksgiving. This year I am thankful for God sustaining our family in these past seasons. No matter what, he has provided for us as always. Here are some pictures from Sarabeth's MDO program last week, enjoy!

Craft Day

2008-11-23T14:50:00.004-06:00

This year Matt and I decided to make Christmas gifts instead of buying them for his family. Each year we trade off holidays with each family. This year we are spending Thanksgiving with his family and also celebrating Christmas while we are there. One Packed Weekend! So this year I drew Matt's dad and he is really tough to buy for. Matt offered to build his dad a surprise for me to give to him. Matt drew Aunt Phyllis and she is no easier to buy for than his dad but Matt has a good idea of what to make her.

While Matt was busy in the garage, I decided to make some things for the nieces and nephews. I made the cutest tutus for the little girls and put them in these totes I found at Michael's for $3. I added the names and put the tutus inside. Instant gift! For Gavin, the youngest, I put decorated a paint bucket and filled it with little cars. Hopefully they will enjoy them. Sorry Tarah and Cheryl, I ruined the surprise for next week! :)

So much for the Tiara

2008-11-23T14:43:00.004-06:00

As much as I try to convince Sarabeth she is a prissy pot, her inner tomboy just won't let her believe it. She is an outside girl all the way! Anytime I open the door, she is out. She loves the grass and flowers, but mostly she loves the dirt. Here are some pictures from yesterday when she dug a huge hole in the flower bed. It will take me days to get all the grime out from under her nails. Poor baby, she doesn't even know what a manicure is yet, but she desperately needs one.

Can You Find The Baby??

2008-11-23T14:38:00.002-06:00

Sarabeth loves to hide. She will start running down the hall for me to chase her and then quickly find a place to hide. It's so funny!

MHR Friday

2008-11-21T14:04:00.004-06:00

Wow, the week has flown by! I have been thinking a lot this week about how much Matt does for our family. I don't always put myself in his shoes and try to imagine what it's like to carry the burden of providing for my family. Matt graciously gives his all to work and then comes home and gives 100% to us. He can't wait to get home and play in the floor with Sarabeth. The other night he said after playing with her for over an hour "man I really needed that!" Family time with her is like breathing, he has to have it to live. I love that about him.

This week in my MOMS group at church, we were talking about creating a home environment that our husbands desire to come home to. It's not about the decorating and furniture placement but more about creating a soft place to fall. Matt works so hard and then comes home and I bombard him with the craziness that happened with us that day. He always listens, although I think sometimes he would rather just come home to silence. Matt rarely complains about how our household is run, chaotic or not. I love that he is a man easy to please and easy to love.

MHR Friday

2008-11-14T14:05:00.004-06:00

He's so special he gets two MHR entries this week! Matt is such a wonderful husband and also my best friend. Here lately he has been getting home from work so late and it has started to irratate me some. By Wednesday of this week I was so done with it all that we had a little disagreement on the phone that ended abruptly when I hung up on him. Not the wisest thing to do, especailly to him because he HATES that more than anything! So I just knew when he got home, it was on. About 9:00 pm I get a text from him asking me what kind of treat he could get for me at the store b/c I deserved one. ??? What, are you kidding me? That's exactly what I texted back to him. He said he wanted to bring me home something special because he loved me. Ok, guilt trip please! I said I didn't want anything so he said ok, surprise it is! A few minutes later he walked through the door with a box of Blue Bell Ice Cream Sandwiches....one of my favorite treats. What a man! Nothing else was ever said and I was thankful. I do still owe him an apology. Honey, I feel so bad for hanging up on you. Please forgive me? You Rock!

Free Stuff

2008-11-12T14:06:00.003-06:00

I am a huge fan of the website Tip Junkie. She has some great ideas for just about any thing when it comes to decorating, gifts, crafts, you know the girlie stuff. For the next 12 days she is giving away some great prizes from moms that have their own businesses. It's called Mom-Preneur Shop- a -Thon.Take a look and enter to win and while you are there check out the cutest, fun ideas!

SAHM

2008-11-11T15:02:00.004-06:00

I used to always see SAHM on chat boards or places like myspace and facebook and never really knew what it meant. It's always fun to try to interpret acronyms. Like SWF, Single White Female, I think they made a creepy movie about that. SAHM could stand for a lot of things but it stands for Stay At Home Mom, something I am starting to enjoy being.

I never thought I would have the opportunity to be at home and raise my kids. I always knew at some point I would have to go back to work. Matt and I really wanted to wait until we were out of debt to start a family so that I could stay home but that would be a long time!

Last night Matt and I were talking about things and we both just started getting weepy (sorry Matt) over the fact that somehow we are able to manage with me not working. It does NOT make sense on paper at all. God has worked it out in a way that we don't even understand, and we are thankful. We both have peaceful hearts about where God has us right now. Although some days are painfully tight, we make it. The joy I have experienced being home with SB has been priceless. I am able to watch her grow and learn and just be silly. I know not everyone has the opportunity to be a SAHM or the desire. I once thought that I would surely want to go back to work after I had kids and some days I think about a job outside of these walls! But, nothing can compare to the job I have taking care of our daughter. Paycheck or not, she's worth everything I'll ever have to do without and more.

Here we are playing dress up. Sarabeth loves to come in my room in the mornings when I'm getting ready for the day. She opens up my jewelery and goes to town. Its so funny how she knew to put the bracelets on her wrist! God designed us so well.

I used this hat box to make Sarabeth a dress up box and filled it with some fun beads and a boa along with some old dresses that didn't fit anymore. She thought it was more fun to get in the box. She's jumping around holding a bottle of baby laxatives! She loves to get into her changing table and run off with whatever is within reach.

I love these times!