Every Day Life

We have had the busiest summer. I think every single day had somewhere to be in June. If you know me you know I don't love being busy all the time. I find you can't make time for what's most important when you are going 100 miles an hour. This month, thankfully, is a bit slower. Although this week is still quite full, it's full of important things like celebrating the life of a wonderful man and hugging his sweet family...our family. And then a date night with my husband. It's been a long time and I just can't wait to see him. Then on Friday I have a family day planned. In fact I have one planned for the next 3  Fridays in a row. I found a card for $20 each we can get into 3 area water parks/pools. We've never been to any of them and the boys have no clue. I can't wait to surprise them!

For Father's Day the boys picked a one on one date each with dad. This one picked ice cream and the zoo. They loved having dad all to themselves. I love this picture because it shows the stick collecting phase this boy is in!



We finished soccer! this was Brighton's first year. He did a great job and had a really cute little team.



We spend many mornings and evening out here on the porch. It's one of my favorite spots!



Sometimes he just needs a few minutes to himself. I find it so nice that he's taking the time to regroup when he needs it. I remember at his age walking alone in the dark around my block just talking to God. I loved it.



One night we decided it was time for a good ol' shrimp boil! No reason at all, just because it's summertime.



After the shrimp our neighbors asked if we wanted to join them at the splash pad for a bit. So we did.



It's been unusually chilly for July in Texas so I think they spent more time on the playground than in the water that evening, but still so much fun.

This week is in the 70's and rainy. That's my kind of weather!!

Daily Life and Goals

We have been having such a wonderful Spring! The weather has been a little funny, but that's to be expected in Texas :)

We have started a (very) small garden. We have a ton of shade at our house so we have to use containers, which is nice for a beginner like me.

We have kitchen herbs. Basil, cilantro, and mint. And outside we planted onions, spinach, and lettuce. I'm planning one more container with tomatoes and peppers in a few weeks.



We're moving right along in school, and loving it more than ever! Of course there are many really hard days, but the good outweigh the bad. It still amazes me to see how much the boys are learning and I'm so thankful I get to see it right in front of my own eyes!

I have been praying for a while for God to give me a heart completely for Him. It amazes me how much he's teaching me about loving others, having friends, and serving my family. I am an introvert. I love to be home, but I also realize that relationships are really very important, and God is teaching me how to reach out to others more and be more hospitable. Another area he's working on is making plans and being a good friend. It seems everyone is so busy all the time which made me feel uncomfortable to take the first step to actually make plans. He's leading me to step out and at least ask :)

If you've been around for very long at all, you know my love for setting goals. It's such a great challenge for me, and helps me grow. I'm usually not too open to share them though. Maybe for fear of failure? I don't know. But, not anymore. I want to share my goals with you in hopes that I'm kept accountable?? hint hint ;) and maybe to encourage each other. If you have any goals, please feel free to share them with me? You can bet I'll pray for you and check up on you if you want me too!

So my goals and lists of things to do for this week were:

Daily:
   *read the word - right now I'm reading lasts months' she reads truth study on prayer
It seems God really brought prayer to my attention these past few weeks, and I know I was really needing help in my prayer life.

   *Cook for my family.
If you follow me on Instagram, you know how I LOVE cooking healthy meals for my family everyday. Morning, noon, and night. Honestly, I don't think their are many days when I actually leave the kitchen!
Some meals we loved this week were: Edie's honey garlic pizza, mango basil shrimp served with rice, and these easy pork chops (I baked ours).

   * cleaning. Of course. I've been working very hard to make a schedule that works for me. I'm finally think I'm getting there, and will post my new schedule next week!

   *homeschool. Lots of reading, writing, math, nature study, a few science videos, and I've finally made projects a priority, and oh how we've had fun with this! I'll share more of that soon too.



   * eat well, drink water, exercise 3 days a week, do my hair and get dressed hehe

This week:

Memorize: (with the boys)

The LORD Is My Shepherd

23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green [1] pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest [2] my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. [3]

Visited 2 friends (Tuesday and Thurs)

Went vacation shopping for snacks etc for our upcoming trip to Branson MO!

Jaiden had a dr appt. (please be in prayer for him as they have to test his thyroid)
Get our dog groomed
Call the bug man to come spray

Clean out our school stuff and get rid of anything I don't need.

That was my week! I did almost everything on the list, but still need help getting my workouts in.

Oh and if you're wondering? I wrote this post Monday...had some trouble with the pictures, and finally got it all finished today.I almost didn't post, but I guess it's better late than never!

Thankful

Anyone who has been reading my blog for the past few years know about the struggles we've had with Jaiden's behaviors in the past. The past few months have not shown much relief in those, except for the fact that I don't feel so alone.

My husband is now waiting for a schedule change. A permanent one. A Monday-Friday job, with holidays off. No nights, no switching from days to nights every month, and less inconsistent working on the weekends. While we're waiting on that, his boss has gracefully allowed Dan to go in work late on the weekends they work during the day. This has been such a wonderful blessing to us because when Jaiden sees Dan in the morning, it sets the tone for him for the day. Honestly, we went from meltdowns starting at 7AM  and me calling my parents to help me 10AM, and them keeping him until Dan returns at 7PM every weekend, to this weekend. Dan left for work at 8AM this morning (and a little later yesterday), and Jaiden has been just fine. Just wonderful! So much that I enjoy him so, and that is one of the biggest blessings in my life. I just couldn't stand feeling like I couldn't be a proper mother to him. Not knowing how to help him and seeing him so upset for hours was taking a huge toll on us both.

I also posted on instagram for prayers, and was brought to tears at how many friends were so willing to pray for us. I was reading in the Bible about Moses to our boys last week about God telling him to tell the Israelites that he has heard their cries and was concerned. Well, that's exactly how I felt this whole weekend. I am so thankful for those who have helped us, who have prayed for us, and for God's concern for our cries. So thankful.

This has truly strengthened my relationship with my husband, my son, and my God. I love them all more than I can even explain, and I needed to know their love at this time in my life. I will be ever grateful.

Fourth of July

Have I ever mentioned how much I love the 4th? It's one of my favorite holidays because it's in the summertime (yay), it's simple, and the fireworks.

I remember sitting out on the fence when I was a little girl and watching them from far away. I just loved watching the burst of color in the sky.

We always start the morning with a breakfast to go as we head out to the 4th of July Parade.

These boys were so excited for the big day!






Traditional pictures (and a very messy boy..so messy we had to go straight home after and wash these clothes ha)











With the statue we get pictures by every single year.








A new tradition perhaps? The jumping picture.





The cutest little camper...oh my.





Then we headed home to prepare for our 4th of July party. It was so much fun!


This is my mom and dad, and my aunt and uncle. These ladies are sisters and they are precious. My aunt got in a car wreck a few weeks ago. She rolled her car 8 times. By the grace of God she was okay and came away with some broken ribs. We are so blessed to have her in our lives!











My sweetest cousin and one of my best friends with her littlest.





The girl table...I'm not used to one of those! *grin*









And the boy table:









The flowers. I had a lot of fun decorating if you can imagine.








And at last we headed to the fireworks.








It was such a beautiful day.

Tough Mudder

Last weekend, we packed up and went to watch Dan do the Tough Mudder.

It is a huge 10 mile muddy obstacle course.
It looks hard, but fun.
I think he loved it.

Here he is, ready to go!


His team.


Climbing the first wall before it starts!


AND we're off!


Getting mentally ready for some ice.cold.water.


Whew!


Waiting for dad to come by this obstacle...


He made a friend..she was wonderful with him!


There he is!




Hello.


Another obstacle...we never got to see Dan on this one..we missed him!


Met up with him again a few hours later..


This wall looked hard.


Trying not to get shocked..I love his face!


Made it!


Muddy monkey bars..


Almost done.


After walking the plank..they had just one more to go.


Notice the sign? It's hilarious.. ;)


Ready.Set.Go!


Ouch.


OUCH!




He did it! He said next year maybe they'll print the words the right way haha.


The mount o shoes.


We had a great time. We are SO proud of him!
Good job babe!