4 or 14?

My sweet little girl had a rough day on Thursday. It started out with an exciting trip to the pumpkin patch with her class, but then it went south. After the pumpkin patch, I took her back to school for lunch and art club. She loves art club and makes and creates great projects. Mac and I were at home when I got the call to come get her. The school secretary said that she was crying and that her tummy was hurting. Her teacher said that Sydney got really upset that she didn't have a spoon for her fruit - which is my fault! I felt pretty bad about that.

Once we got in the car everything was fine. She didn't have a fever or anything. She and I chilled out on the couch during Mac's nap. She said she wanted to go to gymnastics. We went to gymnastics and after the warm-up she started crying on the balance beam. Now, it is a pitiful sight to see a little girl crying on the balance beam. We gathered our things and headed home. She was once again fine when we got in the car. She said that the beam was 'scary.' She usually loves gymnastics and has never been scared on any of the equipment!

It just reminded me of what a friend told me, 'little kids are human beings and they are going to have bad days just like the adults.' No one can possibly have great days everyday. This is so true.

There are days when she wants to be so BIG and then days when she wants to be little. It would help if she could put a sign on her door announcing the age each day, but until then I will take each day at a time.

Favorite Recipes

Hey! I would love to share two of my favorite recipes. The Greek Salad Dip is one I got from a friend who brought it to a meeting. I love it, and it is a crowd favorite! The other is from the back of a Bush's Black Beans can. We had it tonight with baked chicken and sour cream. It is one of Bart's favorite dishes as well.

Greek Salad Dip
1/4 cup cilantro
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1 small can, drained, chopped black olives
1 pint of grape tomatoes, chopped
6oz feta cheese
1 avocado, chopped
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
Dash of oregano

Combine and serve with pita chips or tortilla chips. It is delicious!

Traditional Black Beans and Rice
(servings 6-7)
1 Tbsp. olive oil
3/4 cup onion, chopped fine
1/2 cup green pepper, chopped fine
1 cup tomatoes, diced
1 can (15 oz.) Bush's Black beans, drain and reserve juice
1/2 tsp. thyme
1 tsp. garlic salt
3 Tbsp. cider vinegar
1/2 tsp. hot pepper sauce (I use Texas Pete's)
2 cups cooked rice
Lime wedge or sliced mango (optional)

In large skillet heat olive oil; cook onion and green pepper until tender; stir in tomatoes, beans, thyme and garlic salt, cook 3 minutes; add vinegar, pepper sauce and reserved juice, continue to cook 5 minutes. Serve over rice. Garnish with lime wedge or sliced mango (optional).

I hope you enjoy!

Disciple 1

I am taking a 34-week Bible study at church called, Disciple 1. I am thoroughly enjoying it and gaining so much. By the end of the study, we will have read about 80% of the Bible. Our minister, Smoke, is leading the study. He is tremendously knowledgeable and truly has a gift of teaching. We are currently reading Exodus and Deuteronomy and learning about the laws and order. This verse stuck with me today:

Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever. Deuteronomy 5:29

The footnote says that God told Moses that he wanted the people to want to respect and obey him. There is a difference between doing something because it is required and doing something because we want to. God is not interested in forced religious exercises and rule-keeping. He wants our hearts and lives completely dedicated to him. If we love him, obedience will follow.

This really spoke to me. I am a stubborn person and a lot of the time I think my way is best, but this reminded me that God has a plan. If we love Him, obedience will follow. He wants all of me, not just the portion I am willing to give. He wants me to want to give Him everything.

A whole week of fun in four hours?!?

I am not sure how it happened, but I managed to pack a week's worth of fun into four hours. We started the day with flu vaccines at 9am. Mac got the shot and Sydney got the flu mist. Let's just say that the boy only cried for 5 seconds and the big girl for much more! Luckily, when you are crying the flu mist just sucks right up your nose.

After the vaccines, we headed to the library. Sydney played nicely on the computer while Mac pushed books through to the next aisle. I was on the lookout for chapter books. I hear that is what we need to be reading. We ran into one of Sydney's friends from school. She had 'Ruffy' the class mascot on their library adventure. We hosted Ruffy over Labor Day weekend. He enjoyed an adventure to Alabama. Anyway, Mac had the worst stinky diaper (2nd of the day) and we needed to leave. This is when it gets really challenging. The boy does not like to have his diaper changed - except by a grandmother! He rocked and rolled until it ended up on his shorts. Yuck! I scrubbed them clean and off we went to the ZOO.

The zoo was great. The kids enjoyed seeing the elephants, reptiles, giraffes, lions and monkeys. I also met a fellow Auburn graduate. She is a pediatrician and we know a few of the same people from Auburn, which is always fun. Mac enjoyed the chimpanzees. They were really putting on a show. He demonstrated how they sounded to Bart when we went to his office for lunch. Yes, all of that happened before 11:30! We picked up lunch at Chick-fil-A and had lunch with Bart at his office. Sydney loves to visit Daddy at work.

After lunch Sydney had ballet and Mac and I headed to Target. I always get lots of sympathetic looks when we are out. Mac is very vocal and likes things his way and usually right away. I am not sure where he gets that-maybe me! Today, someone asked how he got that mark on his head? I told them that he went head first down the slide at the Sunday school party. He was also wet from my cup of ice he poured on himself. The lady said that she has a three year old just like him. I just said "he is my baby boy." He makes life interesting!

We had more fun in the afternoon playing outside. Sydney did some artwork in the driveway. Mac played with his cars. Mommy trimmed ivy.


Glasses?

We had a lot of fun today. Days like these are exhausting, but also a reminder of how blessed we are. I have two healthy children that I get to enjoy every single day.

Happy Birthday Ava!

Our sweet friend, Ava, turned four on Friday, and we went to help her celebrate. Ava has been a dear friend to Sydney. They have been friends since Sydney was 11 months. Ava's mom, Lisa, is from Australia, and she is a hoot! I have enjoyed listening to her tell of her adventures. And boy has she had them. After traveling the world extensively, she fell in love on the streets of Sydney, Australia to a 'Yankee.' After living in Singapore and somewhere else, he whisked her away to the exotic St. Louis, Missouri! They later settled in Greenville, SC. We cherish their friendship. The girls truly love one another. Their goodbyes are always sprinkled with lots of hugs, kisses and 'I LOVE Yous.'

They just informed us that they are looking to move back to Australia. This makes us really sad. We thought it was bad when they left the neighborhood! Luckily, these days we can keep in touch in many ways. We will miss them badly! But, we are excited about a trip 'Down Under!'




We are 4!!

Touch a Truck

Mac with his friend, William, on the fire truck.



Poor Mac. I guess it is true what they say about the second child - they don't get as much attention. When Sydney was his age, I had her in Gymboree and playgroup every week. Poor Mac gets to go to Target! I finally took him to a "boy" activity. We met some friends at the park for a "Touch a Truck". This is when they have all types of trucks and emergency vehicles on display for the kids to "touch." He had a blast. He ran his little bottom off. We followed up with a trip to Toys R' Us and Zaxby's. Could it get any better?

I have taken him to other activities. We attempted "Mother Goose on the Loose" at the library once! He wasn't much for sitting in a circle. I tell Bart that we should enroll him in gymnastics, but Bart doesn't find that funny at all. I actually think Mac would love it.


Hanging out with William.


Meeting the police officer and receiving a "badge."


Making the police officer laugh by strategically placing the "badges!"




My friend, Kristy, and her nephew, Hugo, and little boy, Parker. This girl loves politics -she wants to dress up like Sarah Palin for Halloween! She offered me a "Read my lipstick" bumper sticker, but I politely declined. Don't worry I am voting for the Republicans.

Open House

Sydney's music teacher.


We are blessed to have a wonderful preschool for our children to attend. Sydney has loved every year of her time there, and Mac has had a great start this year. This year Sydney is in 4K. She is learning so many great things. She loves Science Club, Spanish Club and Art Club. The first week of school she brought home a bag of water, bag of Skittles and a balloon to demonstrate the three state of matter. I am very thankful they sent home the "cheat sheet" for the parents!

We had Open House last week. It was great to see the teachers again and get feedback on how Sydney is performing. Granny came back in town to attend. Sydney's Science teacher is an Auburn graduate. Yeah!!!





Our church is starting a building project and Mac and Bart enjoyed the heavy equipment around the church.