Jesus lives in my heart!

In the last few weeks we have been talking with Blaire about God's forgiveness of our sins and His love for us. While I find these conversations with her tremendously important(which they are), Blaire does not always find them particularly interesting. After all this is not a concept that she can see nor touch but is demonstrated through our love for her as parents. However, I continue to talk to her anyway and hope and pray that it begins to sink in, which I believe that it will. She is after all not even 3 yet.

Along with that, during our trip to Montana, we talked about that Aunt Jenna, Uncle Pobzeb, Papa and Grandma Jill live in Montana(which is also confusing because our dog is named Montana) and that we live in Kansas. As a result, she is particularly interested in where people live and so on. So during our trip I asked her where Jesus lived just to hear her response. Blaire responded, "in Kansas!". Well this is true. Jesus does live in Kansas and I affirmed to her that she was right. However, last night I asked her the same question, "Blaire, where does Jesus live?" and Blaire responded, "in our hearts!".

The Lord has impressed on me just how moldable our children's hearts are. I know that Blaire still has a lot to sort out in her understanding of the Gospel but I trust that God is working in her life at the young age of 2 years 11 months and 13 days. Praise be to God!

Family Pictures!

We went last week to get our first picures taken as a family of four! We also had pictures taken of Presleigh at 6 months(almost) and Blaire at 3 years(almost!) We had a great time and the girls were champ picture takers. In fact we went with a budget and wound up doubling it(Sorry Dave Ramsey!) They were great and we couldn't turn them down. Here are a few to share.

Babyfood!

When Blaire was about 6 months old I decided to tackle making my own baby food. I was amazed at how expensive baby food was and was also picky about what she ate(have you noticed the crud they put in some of that stuff?!) So a friend and I got together and steamed/blended/food processed the day away! It was great! I had a freezer full of food that was made from fresh vegetables and NO preservatives.

When Presleigh was born I knew that this was the way to go. So at the beginning of the summer I started in. I decided that a whole day wasn't necessary but rather when I had time or had leftover veggies, I steamed them up and pureed them. I have also used some of the veggies from our garden. I'd say that is about as close to the grove as you can get!

Hi Ho Hi Ho it's back to Work I Go!!!!!

After what has been a wonderful summer I head back to work next week. I look forward to getting back in my classroom but do admit that I will miss my girl tremendously during the day. I have enjoyed every moment I have had with the girls and with my husband. It seems we have made the most of every moment we have had this summer including: growing a garden, painting a house, going on vacation, taking swimming lessons and all the little things in between!

I feel like my most important job as Mom is to make sure I remember all of these moments as crystal clear as the day they happened. I fear I am going to fail at this job but thanks to video cameras and digital cameras I feel I have a little help! I am truly humbled by how fleeting these moments are and while seemingly insignificant at the time, I know in a few years I will look back at this season of our lives and miss all of their little antics and sayings....oh how wonderful it has been to be home this summer to be here for all of them!!

Baking Cookies!

I am not a baker. I love to cook but do not enjoy baking much. However, as a mother I do feel it is my duty to bake cookies and/or bread with my children occasionally. There is much to learn from cooking or baking and the time spent with your children can be priceless. So a few weeks ago I found a recipe for Peanut Butter Cookies. Here is the recipe:

1 cup of Peanut Butter
1 cup of sugar
1 egg

Mix ingredients together. Roll into tablespoon sized ball and roll in sugar. Place on ungreased cooking sheet and press(with a fork). Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes or until slightly brown around the edges.

Anyway, when I found this recipe I thought it would be great to do with Blaire. It is so simple and requires few ingredients which is what I hate about baking(so many things to find and measure). So this afternoon Blaire and I made cookies and what a good time we had.

We mixed all the ingredients together and watched the mixer do its job(quite a thrilling activity for an almost 3 year old). Then we made our little balls and Blaire rolled them around in the sugar and we pressed the fork into each of them. We baked them up and they were so good! We had a great time together and Blaire was such a good little helper.

Final Days of Summer!

The summer is quickly coming to an end and I am getting the bug to be back in my classroom. The downside to that is I have to be away from the girls, but, we have had such a sweet time together this summer. Both girls have grown and changed in such a small amount of time.


Blaire seems to have gone from a toddler to a little girl in a matter of weeks. She is talking more "grown-up" and her imagination is running all the time. We have yet to claim potty training as accomplished, but I hope that is just around the corner. I have discovered through this process what a head strong little girl I have on my hands. While I know that this trait is a tough one to parent, I know that if she is molded and groomed in the right way she has the potential to be a great leader. I pray that this is true.


We have had a few moments in the past few weeks that have tested both of us; Mommy's patience and Blaire's understanding of choices and consequences. I am trying to teach her through her poor choices that God's sin covers our own and that we are forgiven through Him. Of course in much simpler terms. Her current understanding of Jesus is that "Jesus lives in Kansas!". Which is so true. Now my job is to make that more personal!



Presleigh began the summer as a 3 month old and has just turned 5 months. She is now rolling over, eating a little bit of cereal and communicating in such sweet terms. I have started working with her on baby sign since she has started eating some solids. I know it is early but it was such a great experience that we had with Blaire that I hope I can also have with Presleigh. Of course she has not quit smiling and laughing!




Both girls are such blessings in my life and I continue to pray that the Lord will work through me to mold these girls into wonderful women of God! What an important and wonderful task I have at hand.

Montana or Bust!

Create a scrapbook design

I am sitting on my couch watching T.V. and digitally scrapbooking our wonderful adventure to Montana and Washington State! We had so much fun!

The girls are champion car riders and while I give a little credit to portable DVD players, mostly they just did awesome! We logged 3400 miles and 70 driving hours total. We got home with only 1 trip to the emergency room, one blown tire and I am pretty sure one fractured finger(we will see what the doc. says!) But, all in all the trip was successful and we made so many memories and I have far many more pictures than I can put in a scrapbook!