Saturday, November 28, 2009

Thanksgiving 09

In the morning while we were having breakfast we were talking to our boys about Thanksgiving and asked what they were thankful for. Jackson immediately named off all the members of our little family "mommy, daddy, owen, gavin..." I was so blessed not to hear "spiderman, legos, my skateboard etc etc." Although that would've been fine, it was lovely to know that all of our hard work is noticed even by a 4 year old. And he knows that Family is most important, not things. Of course Owen (2 1/2 yrs) followed his brother and said he was thankful for us all too =)

I decided a Thanksgiving meal was too much for me to take on with 3 kids under 4. So we headed up to Temecula for the early afternoon (no pics) of playing at the park with my sister and mom. In the afternoon we headed home so I could make a fruit salad to share in the Baker Family feast. It was a *very small* gathering this year with only 2 siblings in attendance (Matt and Mike)...so there were 6 adults and 7 kids (then Katie and Alan came home making the total to 8 adults and 9 kids). Doesn't sound small? When all 7 siblings and children are in attendance there are 16 adults and 16 kids. We're almost outnumbered by the kids...next year we will be for sure! More babies on the way =) Oops, got a little sidetracked there for a minute. Back to Thanksgiving.

I wasn't a big picture taker this year which is odd because usually I take a million. Lee used her nice plates so the arrangement was beautiful. We were second guessing it while cleaning up though. Next year she swears it's paper plates no matter what. LOL. The meal was fabulous and our kids were very well behaved so that was a blessing. Barry said a special prayer for Jay, the eldest sibling who is in Afghanistan in the Army. Every year I have a small baby on Thanksgiving (so far it's been every other! OH MY) I take a picture of them at dinner in this Gobble Gobble bib. I lagged this year and when I remembered (at 6pm) little sweet Gavi boy was sound asleep.We went on to have yummy pie and ice cream for dessert (I was too full to partake). Here is newly skinny Grandpa Barry and Jackson enjoying healthy portions. Where does it all go?!

Little Owen concentrating on his ice cream
Yeah! Baby Gavin woke up. Grandma Lee tried her best to hold him so Grandma B and some aunties could adore him. Her back was hurting her though, so I put him in the high chair so he could eat his dinner - sweet potatoes for the first time. He loved it!
My cute little turkey. Excuse the grain - I accidentally had the camera on 800 ISO. Oops.
He is such a joy at 5 months old. I am so thankful for him, even though he's not a girl! LOL
Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving spent with family and/or friends. We have so many things to be thankful for, even in the midst of trials/tribulations. God is Good.

Friday, November 27, 2009

Black Friday

I love Black Friday. Why? Because I have very little *extra* money to spend after we've been fed and the bills paid. This is one day a year that you get 50% off virtually everything. I love a good bargain! I didn't use to shop on this day at all. Actually, I avoided it. But now that I am a wife and mother of 3, I have to provide for 5 people and that is expensive! I check out all the deals on this website and map out my plan. One store I always go to is Old Navy. I don't like clothes shopping - gasp! I know. So I like stores that have cute stuff for the entire family - the more efficient I can be with my time, the better. Old Navy is perfect. I put money aside for our winter clothes especially for this day and store. I buy almost everything 50% off. Love that.
Two stores down and the trunk is full...my stroller is in there too though. Look! The loot takes up almost my entire king size bed. Wow.
Last year I made my husband go to Toys R Us after I got home from Old Navy. Poor guy had to stand in line to check out for 2 hours. EW. This year I decided to hit the toys first and the clothes second. It was fabulous! I was in and out in 35 minutes flat. And look at this receipt! I saved more than I spent...SUCCESS. I came and conquered and never stood in a line. I was home by 8am and nursed the baby before his morning nap. After a few chores and regrouping, I went out again...this time to Christmas shop for my husband. I set out to get slippers at Boot World only to find that the store was empty. Gone, as it were. After the initial shock, I decided to press on at a store in the same center. Sports Authority. You can't really go wrong in there when shopping for a man! Adding the frosting to my cake, this store had wonderful deals - great gifts for hubby (including slippers on sale!) and a few more for the kids. It was like the opposite of a 'murphy's law' day. Wonderful! I nominate Black Friday as a national holiday, how about you?

Good Intentions

OK, so I have great intentions for this blog. I even upload photos and start typing the very same day I do something...and then it just sits. And sits. AND SITS. As a DRAFT. Ugh. There must be 20 of them in there. By the time I have a few minutes to sit down and finish...some very handsome man, with 2 computers of his own (YES I said TWO), has stollen my seat. By the time he gets off I've lost gusto and am asleep.
If you are on the ball with your blogging (eh hem, Brooke!), what is the secret to your success? Please tell me!

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Fall Baby

Our neighbor has a Liquidambar tree and every year we take pictures in the beautiful leaves that fall onto our side of the fence.
Baby Gavin turned 5 months old today. Unbelievable how time flies. I had about 10 seconds to take pictures before he was fed up. He's sitting up pretty good all by himself.

He preferred laying down to sample the leaves.

mmmm, tasty!
This is one happy baby. We all love him to pieces.
and who can resist the totally cute but totally useless-only for pictures-baby shoes?
Adorable, if I do say so myself.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

anyone surprised? I have always seen the wolf. BUT the Bible says that God is still on the throne and only those that He wills are in power on Earth... so we keep the faith and move on knowing the ending. Jesus has the ultimate victory!

Friday, November 6, 2009

Yard Sign

(click to view larger)

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

New Mantra

My friend at work shared this with me and I love it. It is applicable for kids and adults alike!

"YOU GET WHAT YOU GET AND YOU DON'T THROW A FIT"

  • I will say this at dinner time to the kids
  • I will say this (to myself) at 4:30am when my 2 year old is ready to face the day, loudly
  • I will say this (to myself) when I am grumpy about work, with husband, with the state of the economy, the elected President of the U.S. etc. etc. etc.
Don't you just LOVE it?! Why have I never heard it before? It must be in the Bible somewhere...

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have [its] perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-4

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" Phil 4:6-7

God is good...all the time. And I love my new mantra!

Sunday, October 25, 2009

I pray you enough

(part of a nice email I got today)
I pray you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.
I pray you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
I pray you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
I pray you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
I pray you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I pray you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I pray you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Do you text?



Tuesday, October 20, 2009

WW: Grandma meets Gavin

(3 months old)