God Has a Sense of Humor!

Garrett and I have always joked that we were scared to have another child after Garrison because he truly was the perfect baby/toddler/little boy.  We were just sure that if we had another one he would be the complete opposite.  Fast forward about six years and we were blessed enough to be able to adopt one of the most beautiful boys I have ever laid eyes on ~ Ethan Gregory Thomas!

As a baby Ethan was SO easy - he started sleeping through the night about two months after we brought him home, he rarely cried, he did not have acid reflux (unlike Garrison) nor was he colicky.  Over the last several months this little angel baby has decided to show us his stubborn and VERY independent streak.  And it makes me realize - God really does have a sense of humor.  I can just see God looking down at me now, saying, "You thought raising kids was easy, huh?  You thought you had it ALL figured out on your own, didn't you?".  Okay, God... I might need a little help this time around! :) 

This precious boy throws random tantrums by falling onto the carpet face down, screaming.  He laughs when I tell him no (and then repeats what he just did). And he randomly yells "NO" to me all.the.time!  I honestly think I am in such shock half the time that I don't even know how to react. 

As sweet and cuddly as this boy can be (leaning in with a smile to give me "kisses" when I ask for them), I've decided that it's time for this Mama to get back into the swing of mothering a toddler.  Consistency, consistency, consistency. 
I sure hope I'm up for the challenge!  Wish me luck!!!

Loving on Tex - in the dog cage (his favorite room in the house)!

Don't let that innocent smile fool you for a second! ;)

Wrapping himself in toilet paper

 

LOVE HIM!

Love those blue eyes!

Like I said, wish me luck! :)

 

 

~Jewels*

100

My friend Julia posted a link to a great article today along with a cool video.  You can read it here.  Just like the author of the article I had a sudden realization of how short life is after watching this video.  And I really started pondering his question, "What would you do if you only had one hundred years to live?".

Isn't it funny how older people seem so laid back?  I was at my hairdresser's yesterday and her co-worker, an older lady, was in the room with us.  We were talking about parenting and all kinds of other life issues.  We were giving each other advice and talking about all of the what ifs.  After about 30 minutes I realized that the older lady wasn't saying too much.  But the input she did have was incredibly wise and simple.  I think when we are going through the hardest parts of life - a struggling marriage, finding the balance of working and holding together a family, trying to parent in a way that we don't totally screw up our kids, etc. - we get so caught up in trying to do everything right that we sometimes forget to enjoy the "right now" and we miss the point of life. 

I could spend time worrying about how my marriage will be in ten years.  I could spend time worrying about my boys rebelling as teenagers and what I can do now to prevent that.  I could worry that my grandma, mom, dad or sister might get sick and I selfishly won't have them here with me on this earth as long as I want them.  OR I can simply enjoy every moment I have with my family.  I can continue to try and be the person I know God wants me to be.  I can continue to love my family and cherish every single memory we make together.  I think the latter sounds much more enjoyable.

So, back to the author's question of what I would do if I only had one hundred years to live... I will try my best to live every day of this life for the One who gave me life.  I will remind myself that life is short and I need to embrace it.  I will cherish my husband and the sanctity of our marriage.  I will continue to give thanks every day for my amazing and healthy boys and do the best I can to raise them into Godly men who will make an impact on this world for the better.  And when it's time for me to leave this life behind (whether I'm 30 or 90) I will do it with no regrets.

~Jewels* 

Winna' Winna' Chicken Dinna'

My boss told us yesterday we have a professional photographer coming in the week after next to get our pictures for the website.  You can imagine my excitement since I am sporting about three inches of roots right now.  Money has been super tight so I've been trying to hold off as long as I can but the time has come.  And now comes the difficult decision of whether to chop off my hair or leave it long.  I have a weird husband who likes my hair short.  I like it both ways.  And then this morning on the way into work it dawned on me... if the biggest decision in my life right now is what to do with my hair I think I'm a pretty blessed girl!

Baseball has this girl excited today!  It's opening day for the Rangers at home (Hurry up 1:05 pm!) and it's finally opening night for my big boy's baseball team.  Here's to hoping they don't call the game (again) for the fields being too wet still.  Go Cubs!!!

 

I made a chicken dish from Pinterest last night and believe me when I say it was the bomb diggety.  Yes, I did just say that.  Ladies, for those of you who think cooking a good meal takes way too much effort this is a meal you will love.  It's super easy, doesn't take too long (prep time and cooking is about 45 minutes) and it's DELISH! 

 

I'm sure it has a fancy title but I just like to call it "Winna' Winna' Chicken Dinna'". 

 

I halved this recipe since it was just for two of us.  Below is the full recipe.

 

 

Ingredients

                      

oil, for greasing pan (I lined the pan with foil)                                                

              

8 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves                                                   

                       

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, cut into 1/2 inch slices                                                    

                       

1 (8 ounce) package Cheddar cheese, cut into 1/2 inch slices

                     

1 cup milk

                    

1 1/2 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs (I can never find these so I chop up croutons) 

                      

1/2 cup grated Romano cheese (or Parmesan)                                                 

                       

1 tablespoon minced garlic                                                    

                       

3/4 cup butter, melted                                                    

                       

2 tablespoons lemon juice

                    

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt, or to taste

                   

1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)

                

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly coat a large, shallow baking dish with oil (or line with foil).

Butterfly each breast by slicing in half horizontally through the center, cutting almost but not completely through. Place one slice each of Cheddar and cream cheese in the center of each breast. Close again as if placing between the pages of a book. Set aside.

Pour milk into a shallow bowl. In a separate bowl, combine breadcrumbs and Romano cheese. Carefully dip each breast first in milk, then in breadcrumb mixture, patting lightly to firmly coat. Place breasts side by side in a single layer in pre-oiled baking dish, tucking edges under to seal.

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in lemon juice and garlic, and drizzle evenly over chicken. Season breasts with garlic salt and paprika, if using.

Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until no longer pink in center and juices run clear. 

Here is the stock picture from Pinterest (much prettier than mine)!

~Jewels*
 



Toothless...Finally!

It seems like all of Garrison's friends have lost at least one or two teeth.  He has had a loose tooth for what feels like a year now.  In reality it has probably only been about four months.  I really thought we were going to have to have his baby teeth surgically removed at some point after all this waiting.  But FINALLY the tooth seemed like it was loose enough to come out.

Two nights ago we decided we were going to try and pull it.  He has the teeniest tiniest teeth I have ever seen so pulling it by hand was not an option (unless I wanted to grab a handful of teeth).  I decided to whip out the phone and take some recordings of our attempts.  And when I say "our" I really mean "Garrett's".  Ha!

By the way, you might want to turn the sound down on your computer for these.  Don't be afraid of the woodpecker that sounds like it is coming through your computer screen and ready for attack.  That's just my laugh. :)

 

Take 1

 

 

 

Take 2

 

 

 

 

Take 3

 

 

 

We finally gave up on Tuesday night.  Last night we decided it was going to be THE NIGHT!  Especially after I saw that it was pretty much hanging by a thread. 

 

 

We were going to wait for Daddy to get home so he could pull it.  I was cooking dinner and Garrison came running into the kitchen telling me his tooth "fell out".  I hate that I didn't get it on video but I did get Garrison breaking it down for me right after it happened.  My favorite line is, "I'm a man and Daddy is not!".  Bahahaha!

 



 

He was SO excited!  He immediately called my mom and mother-in-law to share the great news!  Here is my little toothless boy.  I told my mom last night that I was actually kind of sad about it.  It's very bittersweet to see your little boy grow up before your eyes.

 

Later that night the tooth fairy went to Sugar Daddy's wallet to get a dollar bill.  Sugar Daddy didn't think a dollar was sufficient for the very first tooth so they decided a five dollar bill would be best.  Is it just me or is that a little steep?  Damn cost of inflation.

 

The tooth fairy actually followed through with a Pinterest idea she saw a while back and left Garrison this really cool note. 

 

 

She was SO nervous before going into this room.  She anxiously paced the living room and told Sugar Daddy she could ruin Garrison's childhood forever if he woke up while she was slipping his note/money under his pillow.  Tooth Fairy finally got brave enough to head in and she held her breath for a good two minutes praying he wouldn't wake up... Success!

 

Garrison was SO excited this morning when he woke up and found his note and money from the tooth fairy. 

 

 

 

I love you Toothless!  I can't believe you are almost done with 1st grade and have finally lost your first tooth.  Here is to many more firsts in your life!

 

~Mama

 

 

 



Take You Back

Jeremy Camp ~ "Take You Back"
Watch it here!


I think one of the biggest misconceptions of following Jesus is that you have to be perfect.  That is so far from the truth.  The truth is that we are ALL sinners.  He paid the price for us when He died on the cross.  And it's by His grace that we are saved. 

But I slept with 30 people.  I was unfaithful to my spouse.  I became addicted to drugs.  I stole to fuel a habit or make a living.  I had an abortion.  I have been living a life of continuous sin.  I rejected God so why would He love me?
I promise you it does not matter what you have done in this life or how far off the path you have strayed; He will take you back.  He has always been there waiting for you.  God is willing to meet you wherever you are in life.  All you have to do is ask Him.

What an awesome God we have.  I know I am incredibly grateful that no matter how badly I screw up He is there waiting for me.  It doesn't mean He isn't disappointed in me.  It doesn't mean He condones my sins.  It means that He loves me enough to forgive me.

No, we don't have to be perfect to follow Jesus.  But what I have learned is the more I follow Him the more like Him I really do want to be.  It's a natural progression.  As I grow closer to Him I find myself letting go of the things I thought I wanted in this life and reaching out to Him instead.  I find myself asking Him what He wants for me in this life.  And I can say, without hesitation, that I have truly never been more full of joy and peace.

Whether you have never known Jesus or whether you rejected Him a long time ago I encourage you to ask Him to take you back.  It is so simple, really.  Say a prayer asking Him to forgive you and accept Him into your heart.  Then maybe try out a church so you can grow that relationship with Him by learning more about Him and connecting to others.  I think you would be surprised that most of us Jesus followers are just like you.  We are just trying to find our way through this crazy, beautiful life. 

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. ~Ephesians 2:8-9

And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. ~1 Peter 5:10

~Jewels*

G~Dawg

I'm pretty sure God knew what He was doing when He gave me this hilarious and sweet kiddo.  God knew I needed someone to make me laugh while I navigated my way through learning how to be a parent.  And Lord knows he makes me laugh.

I mean, I honestly have no idea where he even gets it from!

Since I try to keep this blog as somewhat of a memory book I have to recap some of tonight's events with this sweet boy.  And this is just tonight. 

They have a color chart at school for behavior (green, yellow, etc.).  He got on "yellow" at school today which is pretty rare for him.  I asked him what happened and this was pretty much how the conversation went.
Garrison: "So, you see Mom, this kid was talking to me while the teacher was talking and the teacher put me on yellow.  He didn't even get on yellow."
Me:  "Let me see your folder.  I want to read the note your teacher wrote.  Hmmm, it says here you were put on yellow after receiving two warnings from the teacher."
Garrison:  "Well, you see Mom, I didn't want to be rude to the boy.  And I'm not just trying to make excuses, but I didn't want to be mean, so I talked to him one or two times...maybe three.  I don't know the exact number but it definitely wasn't more than ten."
Me:  "Oh, okay.  So just one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight or nine times then? <insert smart ass smile>"
Garrison: "Moooommmmy!"

I'm so glad (1) he gets my sarcastic remarks, (2)  he talks openly to me about things at school, (3) he doesn't argue with me when I hand out the punishment.  Instead he says, "That's fine because I really wasn't in the mood for candy tonight anyways."  Ha...right!


After practice tonight we got home and Garrison went to take a shower.  A little while later he comes into the living room with a full water bottle.  I was frustrated because he was supposed to be getting ready for bed.  So in an exhausted voice I asked why he filled up his water bottle. 
Garrison: "I filled up my water bottle for the next practice to save you time.  That way you won't have to do it."

And those are the kind of moments that wash away all the "yellows" of the day.

This was from his Pre-K graduation a couple years back.  Pretty hard to imagine that he will have a cap and gown on again in 11 years.  Sigh...

~One Blessed Mama









 

Happy Easter and Restore

We had such a great Easter weekend and I hope y'all did too.  Garrett and I had an at home date night Friday night since Garrison spent the night with a friend.  We rented Zero Dark Thirty and I loved it.  I went to my best friend's baby shower on Saturday and had some catch up time with good friends.  I spent Saturday night with my three favorite guys.  Sunday's church service was amazing, as always, and then we went to my in-laws' that afternoon for a yummy dinner and Easter egg hunt!

Here are some of my favorite pictures of our Easter festivities.

Garrison got a swimsuit, colored bubbles and candy from the Easter Bunny!

E got a swimsuit and a book!

My handsome chickadees (or would that be chickadoos?) are ready for church!

 

Me and my two favorite boys!

 

Family

 

Sweet cousins helping each other on the egg hunt at Nana's and PawPaw's

Sweet kiddos and their eggs

Daddy was so excited to get home just in time for the Rangers.  Opening night was not as successful as we had hoped but here's to Tuesday night!

Restore

I have blogged a lot about marriage and how incredibly hard it can be. You can read about some of those posts here.

This song, "Restore" from Chris August is just amazing and you can listen to it by clicking here.

The enemy tries to come and divide
Trying to get us to give up the fight

Satan is very real and he attacks us where it hurts the most. For many of us that is the number one relationship in our life, our marriage. The success or failure of our marriage has a huge impact on our lives and our childrens' lives. What better relationship for Satan to try and destroy?!

Here is the good news, though:

But darkness will always lose out to light
'Cause we've got the power of Christ on our side

If you are struggling in your marriage don't give up.  Stop trying to control it.  Give it up to God and let Him restore it.  Trust Him and trust that He wants your marriage to work.  I promise you will be amazed at the transformation only He can provide.

Jewels*