Randomness

I am on a decluttering mission. I despise clutter.

I am going to clean our windows today.

Isaiah has had a fever since Tuesday. His birthday party is Saturday (yes, two weeks after his birthday). Fever and birthday party are not a good combination.

Jazlyn's best friend, who lives across the street, is moving to Tennessee today.

It's been over a week since I have worked out and I can tell. My energy level has depleted.

I haven't let Junior out this morning and he is not whining. I wonder if he is still alive.

I love my husband.

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Momentous Monday

We spent our Sunday morning a lot different than most probably did. We were having roller coaster rides......in our house.

Saturday we had the threat for tornados, so we had a crib mattress downstairs to cover up with, just in case. I guess while my husband was taking the mattress back upstairs he had the bright idea of riding it down the stairs.

I was enjoying a cup of coffee before we had to leave for church, and I see my daughter fly down the stairs on the mattress. Yes, my husband was holding onto the mattress to make sure it didn't get out of control. My mother-in-law was at our house. She didn't like it too much. She thinks my husband does too many dangerous things with our kids. Jazlyn sure did like it though.

Dangerous or not, it was fun. I rode it down once with Jazlyn. My husband rode it down once or twice too. If you have stairs that have carpet on them, and they are set up so you could pull it off safely, you should try it. I think we might have to ride the roller coaster again today.

Head on over to A Moment Cherished to read more Momentous Mondays from others.

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God's Friend

I mentioned being out of town this past weekend. We visited my mother-in-law in Atlanta. While there, we went to her church on Sunday. The message was about friendship. He was mainly talking about friendship in regards to marriage. The text came from Song of Solomon (which I recommend you read if you never have, or if you have, read it again. Can I put this much in parentheses?). What I got out of the message, however, was a little different. God used that man to inform me where our relationship stands (with God, not the man). Ouch. It hurt.

I thought I had it all together. I pray. I read my Bible. I go to church every week. All the right things can be done, but if the motive for doing those things is not right, then they are done in vain. I honestly didn't realize my motives weren't right.

I was doing all of these things so that I can please God, so that He will be happy with me and give me a good life. I often picture God sitting in heaven waiting for me to mess up so that He can strike me down with lightning. You can laugh at me, but I am just being honest.

I learned that although we should have a reverential fear and respect for God, He really just wants to be our friend. When someone is your friend, you spend time with them because you like to be around them, not because of what they can do for you. And you don't hang out because you are scared of what will happen if you don't, unless you are in the mob.

So I am on a mission to make God my best friend. I'm going to pray and do all of the right things, and not because it is what I am supposed to do or because of what it can get me. I'm going to do the right things so that I can enjoy my friend.

Is God your friend? If not, you should make Him your friend. He's super cool.

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Happy Birthday, Isaiah!

I'm a little late on this. His birthday was last Friday. In my defense, we have been out of town.

This is him playing at Chuck E. Cheese.

I can't believe my little Zae Zae (that's what I call him) is a year old. Happy (belated) Birthday, little buddy.

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My Mom is Superwoman

Or maybe she is just healthy.

Once I became a mom I thought my mom was Superwoman. While I was growing up, she worked a full time job, cooked our meals, and kept the house neat and tidy, while running me to and from multiple practices and games during the week. Once I had Jazlyn I always wondered how in the world she had the energy to do everything she did.

Now I finally understand. She takes care of herself. She is not a health nut (no offense to health nuts), but she exercises and drinks water. Very basic things that have a great effect on the way you feel. The better you feel, the more you can do.

I started exercising last year. I have in no way been consistent with it. I sometimes go a week (or a month) with no exercise, but so far I have picked it back up again every time. I have mostly been doing Wii Active. On average I probably do it once or twice a week. I know there is room for improvement, but my kids don't mind me not doing it everyday.

I also started drinking more water. The only beverage that I buy for our house is fruit juice. Sometimes on the weekend I will pick up a two liter of some kind of coke. (In case you're not from the south, coke means any carbonated beverage.) When we are out I will also drink a coke, but water is the main liquid going down my throat.

The last change I made is I started taking a multi-vitamin everyday. Or maybe not everyday. I have a hard time remembering it sometimes.

In the past year I have lost around forty pounds. I have not changed my eating habits very much. I do eat a little more fruits and vegetables than I used to, but I still eat a lot of unhealthy stuff. For the most part, exercising sometimes and drinking water has done the trick. I have more energy and feel so much better than I have in years.

I'm so glad I figured out how to be Superwoman.

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Momentous Monday

Today I am joining a new blog hop that I am excited about, hosted by A Moment Cherished. Here are a couple of my cherished moments from last week.

We are doing a project in our backyard. We are putting in patio stone so we can have a nice place to relax back there without having to worry about bugs attacking us. Right now there is only a little tiny concrete slab. Soon that will be transformed into a nice patio. We are also redoing our grass, for the second time. Our nice dog likes to dig and tear up the grass. Thanks, Junior.

My sweet husband has been working hard on this, with the help of some great family members (Love you, Dad!) and friends. The best helper has been Isaiah. He has been loving getting dirty while "helping" his daddy and I have enjoyed watching him "work." He even tastes the tools to make sure they are ok to use.

While we were looking at the stuff we needed to buy at Home Depot, Jazlyn informed us (and everyone around us) that she had peanut butter in her ear. Yes, it was ear wax. Just lovely.

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Thankful

I am feeling very thankful today.

Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

God chooses not to remember my sins. Every action and thought (past, present, and future) that is not pleasing to Him, He doesn't hold against me. Jesus took on all my sins so that I can be in right standing with my heavenly Father.

I don't have to sacrifice an animal so that my sins are covered. The Ultimate Sacrifice not only covers my sins, but He cleanses me of my sins.

For this I am so very thankful.

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Before and After

Here are the before and after pictures that I promised yesterday. Before and after what, you ask? My baby boy got his first haircut.

This first picture is from Easter.

Getting ready......



Bye bye hair.



He is eating crumbs off his arm. We had to bribe him with food to get him to sit still, of course.



His hair now goes straight as soon as it dries. No more curls, but he is still the cutest baby ever. Don't ya think?

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Our Life at the Moment

I haven't been posting as much lately, so I wanted to give an update of what's been going on here lately. I've been trying to enjoy this time with my kids as much as possible. Soon I won't have all day with the two of them.

Isaiah is now walking. He has been walking for about a month, but I never got around to telling you. Forgive me. Life is a lot easier now that I don't have to carry around a twenty-five pound baby everywhere. He kind of looks like an old man wobbling around everywhere with his big stomach.

Isaiah is also now talking. He has his own language of course. He has yet to use a word correctly, but he babbles all the time in his new found language. He babbles in complete sentences while pointing at things and often changing his tone. It is the cutest thing ever. If only he would teach us his language.

Jazlyn is acting more and more each day like a "big kid." I didn't think it was possible, but she is becoming more independent. My baby girl is becoming a big girl before my eyes. She is ready for kindergarden this year, but I am not.

We have a busy month planned that I am looking forward to. I love that spring is here and we can finally get outdoors on a regular basis.

Look forward tomorrow to some special before and after pictures.

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Dear April,

Go away. You are not welcome is this household. Although we do enjoy the beautiful weather you bring, my sweet Isaiah is not ready to turn one. He wishes to remain a baby a little longer.

So you may kindly leave. Now. Thanks.

Yours truly,

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