Sitting Up

Our little sweetness is sitting up by herself now! She still has the tendency to fall backwards, so I try to keep her against the couch or chair, but she is actually content to play now! I just put her little basket of toys in front of her, and she takes her time pulling everything out to ultimately gum on her links :) She's also getting up on her hands and knees and rocking quite a bit--but no crawling yet.

Jus Fi Min-us

This is our usual nighttime activity before putting the kids to bed. They ask if they can play on Daddy for "just five minutes." :) I'm not sure if it actually tires them out a little more or just re-wires them :)

Sweet Girls

MJ wanted some pics with her little sis :)

Mikaela Funny

Today, the letter Mikaela was focusing on writing was a lowercase t, so there was a turtle on the back for us to talk about and color. After coloring, she asked me if she could name her turtle Tee-oder and informed me that it started with t like turtle. Well, she was adding a few more things to her picture--she usually gives the animals earrings and bracelets, etc :) but today, she wanted to color the ground magenta. She asked me what color it was, and I showed her where it was on the color and how to pronounce it. So a few minutes later, she that her turtle wasn't Tee-oder anymore, it was Magenta. She said her turtle (a girl) didn't like the name Tee-oder and wanted to be called Magenta instead :)
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MJ had just read a story to me about Elijah being fed by the ravens--he'd had to run away b/c he was scared of the king. So she wanted to know who the king was; I told her his name was Ahab and that he was very evil, and Jezebel was his wife and that she was even more evil. So as I was making my bed, she kept telling me that we have a nice Jezebel--the baby that was just born out of her (MJ's) tummy. I pretty much forbid her to name her "child" Jezebel--she wasn't happy with me at all and kept telling me that this was a nice Jezebel, not an evil one. Sorry--I don't need any Jezebels in this house :)

Awww!

Well, this is what I walked into the dining room to find this morning! This was TOTALLY a surprise! You have to remember that our home is my domain--a very small (cozy :) ) domain. You don't get by with very much without me knowing about it almost immediately. So kudos to my sweet husband for taking the time and effort to think about when he could actually do this without me 1) finding the receipt :) 2) seeing him put it out :) Thank you baby so much for loving me the way you do :)
Btw, the kids LOVED the balloons (oh, and the gummi bears :) )

God's Grace/Pics

Can I tell you what a wonderful, gracious God we serve? He even cares about about the tiniest, most seemingly unimportant details of our lives, and for this, I am truly grateful.

Well, last night we went to bed around 10pm, but I couldn't fall asleep until around midnight--ugh! Well, as I'm tossing and turning, my mind is wandering on and on about so many random things, one of which actually turned out to be a good thing. A couple of posts ago, I posted about Elijah getting entangled in some red thread and was so upset with myself for accidentally deleting the pics before pasting them into my folder. Well, I started thinking that since we got our new computer, I don't really use the pc very often. So when you copy something, you can usually paste it until you copy something else, right? So, unless something else had been copied, I should still be able to paste the pics into my folder, right?? YES!!! It worked! Fortunately, our computer had not done an automatic shut down or anything! What a great gift for the Lord to bring that to my mind! So without further ado, here they are:

<---- He thought he was in big trouble--until I started snapping all these pictures :)

Mikaela Funny

(Mikaela screaming outside as she stands on top of the slide)

MJ: "That other Mikaela is copying me."
Me: "That's called an echo."
MJ: "Echoes are cool!" :)

Thread

While I was helping MJ with her writing, EM was playing with a spool of red thread he'd taken off the sewing machine. He was right next to us, and I didn't even notice until he had it all wrapped around his neck and body and was totally tangled up in it. I think he was taking the spool and throwing it up in the air so that it would fall to the ground, and each time he did this, more and more thread would come out. Who knows how many times he did this :)

Oh, and this is just how brain-dead I am--I had taken a few pics to post and was putting them on my computer; I copied them, took the memory card out, erased all the pics from it and then went to upload them just to see that they weren't there! I get this major sinking feeling in my stomach any time this happens. Turns out, I copied them, but I don't think I ever pasted them into the folder :( So now they're gone forever, and you'll just have to take my word on the event :)

Bandera Vacation

Last week, we had the opportunity to go on vacation to Bandera, TX. It was really nice and especially wonderful just to have Eric be with us all week and not have to go to work. We stayed at this cute little cabin, and there were deer all over the place. We got there early Saturday evening, got something to eat and then went grocery shopping for the week.

On Sunday, Eric had to do a test for school, so he played with us for a little bit, and then I let the kids play on the swing, seesaw, in the sand on the sand court, blowing bubbles, etc. The main goal was to just let them wear themselves out :)

Monday it decided to rain, so we took our time getting ready and found a mall in San Antonio that had an indoor play area. It was teeny, tiny, but MJ and EM loved it, so that's all that mattered.

On Tuesday, we went to the River Walk--the weather was awesome that day, and we figured it would be all sidewalks--we were trying to escape any mud from the day before :) so we did that for a few hours and then found another mall that had an Inflatable Wonderland. It was totally awesome! MJ and EM LOVED it--too bad there's not one actually in a mall around here--it was quite convenient. The down-side was that it was FREEZING cold inside--and of course, it was the one time I didn't bring my jacket inside--oh, and little man had an accident b/c he wanted to keep going down the slide, and all I had for him to change into was a long-sleeved onesie (he didn't seem to mind :) )

Wednesday, we went to the SA Zoo. The weather was a tiny bit humid but still nice, and the kids loved seeing all the animals. After that, we still had time to end our day with a train ride. It was the perfect thing to lull Elijah to sleep (not that it takes much for him) :)

Thursday, we were finally able to go to a pumpkin patch on an apple orchard in Medina. It was just the perfect size for the kiddos. Mikaela got to dress her own scarecrow, they got to pet turkeys, brush a pony and horse, go through a hay-maze and go on a hayride around the apple orchard. Since we weren't with a school group, we got our own personal tour on the hayride! It was pretty chilly that day b/c the wind was blowing so hard, so after a couple of hours we were done, ate some lunch and then went driving around.

On Friday, I'd really wanted to go to Lost Maples State Natural Area b/c there are lots of maple trees there which were supposedly changing their colors, but we knew the kids would get tired fast and would want to ride--the thought of pushing a double stroller through trails just didn't sound appealing. We'll have to remember to get backpack carriers for next time :) So, we opted to go to Fredericksburg instead--not really a place for kids, but we did manage to find a really nice plaground in the Square--that was the highlight of their day :)

Overall, we had a great time but were ready to get home to get some sleep. Our wonderful little munchkins joined us EVERY night in our bed b/c they were scared :)

Favorite dialogue of the trip: we were in the car a lot--EM usually falls asleep, but this time he was wide awake and kept pointing things out to us; we were getting a little tired of answering him, so he says, "MommyDaddyMommyDaddyMommyDaddyMommyDaddy..." We finally respond, "What buddy?" to which he says, "tra-ter" (tractor) very shortly and matter-of-factly. He managed to crack us up with that :)

Ok--and I'm trying something new--let me know what you think. Instead of using picasa, I'm going to start putting picture albums in a different spot. Click on the picture below to see the album.

Another "Who's Who"

Well, there shouldn't be much guessing here b/c I've recently posted pics and there are dates on half the pics, but it's been requested, so here goes :)

My Sweet Girl

The other night, my wonderful husband went to Walmart for me and even offered to take one of the kids. So we let MJ go--poor little man was so disappointed :( He even said, "Bye Mommy," and was heading out the door with Daddy and sis, just to be pulled back inside.

Anyway, upon entering, MJ saw some flowers and told Eric they "needed to get Mommy some flowers!" He told her they'd get some later. Well, they did all their shopping and were in line when MJ exclaimed, "Daddy, we forgot to get Mommy some flowers!" Eric told her they would have to get some next time and got such the super uber devastated look from MJ that he got out of line and let her pick some flowers out for me. She also informed him that she wanted to give them to me--which she did as soon as she came in the house :) Too sweet :)

Favorite Recipes

Ok--I've gotten a couple of recipe exchange emails and even a blog challenge for favorite recipes in the past week or so. I know I'm not playing exactly by the rules, but here's what I have time and energy to do. Fortunately, they're already typed up b/c I've already shared them with quite a few of you--they really are our faves :) So here goes:

Mexican Lasagna

1.5 lbs. lean ground beef
1 pkg. (1.25 oz.) Lawry's Taco Seasoning Mix
1 tsp. Lawry's Seasoned Salt
1 cup diced tomatoes, fresh or canned (I normally use a can of RoTel--Chili-fixin' if I can find it; otherwise reg. RoTel)
1 can (15 oz.) tomato sauce and 1 can (4oz.) diced green chiles (I don't put in the green chiles)
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 eggs, beaten
10 corn tortillas
2.5 cups (10 oz.) grated Monterey Jack Cheese

In large skillet, brown ground beef, stirring until cooked through; drain fat. Add taco seasoning mix, seasoned salt, tomatoes, tomato sauce and chiles; blend well. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes. In small bowl, combine ricotta cheese and eggs. In bottom of 13x9x2 inch baking dish, spread 1/2 of meat mixture. Top with 1/2 of tortillas; spread 1/2 of ricotta cheese mixture over tortillas and top with 1/2 of grated Monterey Jack cheese. Repeat layering, ending with grated cheese. Bake, uncovered, in 350 degree oven 20-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting into squares.

Becca's Chicken and Rice

Ingredients:
1 can cream of mushroom soup, 1 c. uncooked rice, 1 stick of butter, 1 lb. of chicken breasts, 1 packet of Lipton's Onion soup mix, 2 cups water, salt & pepper to taste.

Directions:
In a 9x13 baking dish, melt butter. Salt and Pepper the uncooked chicken and place in dish. Pour soup of top of chicken and then sprinkle soup mix on top of that. pour dry rice evenly over all of it and then add the water. Seal with foil. Bake at 325 for 1 hour.

Quick Fix Beef Burrito Skillet

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 pkg. (1-1/4 oz.) TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Taco Seasoning Mix

1 can (19 oz.) kidney beans, drained, rinsed

1 cup TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Thick 'N Chunky Salsa

1 cup water

4 flour tortillas (6 inch), cut into 1-1/2-inch squares

1 cup KRAFT Mexican Style Finely Shredded Four Cheese

1/3 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream

1/3 cup chopped green onions (about 1 large)

BROWN meat in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat; drain. ADD seasoning mix, beans, salsa and water; stir. Bring to boil. Simmer on medium-low heat 5 min. STIR in tortillas; top with cheese. Cover; let stand 5 min. or until cheese is melted. Top with sour cream and onions.

Gooey Butter Cake

1 Duncan Hines cake mix (we've decided red velvet and dark chocolate are our favorites)
1 stick melted butter
1 egg

Mix together until form a ball--spread in 13x9 ungreased pan

In same mixing bowl beat:
8 oz cream cheese (I've even used the Neufchatel cheese--an alternative to cream cheese)
2 eggs
1 stick melted butter
1 tsp vanilla
3 3/4 cups (16 oz box) powdered sugar

Spread on top of other mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-47 minutes--middle will still move.

Swollen Oatmeal

So I had somewhat of an epiphany this past Sunday. We were getting ready for church--bathing kids, getting ourselves ready and so on. MJ, EM and KL were each crying at some point at not wanting hair washed or whatever the reason, but still I had our hymns playing and hadn't lost my cool. Then, KL got to wear the oh so adorable sailor outfit that Aunt Kelli got for MJ a few years back, so what's a mom to do but to take a few pictures? My wonderful Eric assisted me in trying to get her to smile and so forth. By then I'd used up at least 20 minutes when I should have been doing other things so as not to be late. My wonderful hubby fed the kids and then proceeded to offer to make me something to eat. I told him I wanted some oatmeal, but I wasn't really wanting him to make it b/c I'm pretty picky on how I like it. But he was offering, and I really don't like to turn him down when he's offering to help. I told him how long to warm the water and such. He got everything ready for me, and I went to the kitchen looking forward to filling my hungry tummy with my yummy oatmeal. Upon pouring the water into my bowl, I thought it felt a little warmer than usual, but that didn't stop me from pouring it in. Well, I don't know if you've noticed before, but, the hotter the water is, the more the oatmeal swells, thus also giving you a larger portion of food to eat. I DETEST overly swollen, goopy oatmeal--it makes me want to gag! But, I'd already poured the water, so that's what I had. I asked Eric if he warmed the water for the amount of time I'd told him, and he said yes. So I continued to probe saying that he MUST have warmed it for longer b/c it was just way too hot. I finally found out that he'd filled the cup with scalding hot water from our kitchen sink and then warmed it in the microwave! Well, I hated to waste two packets of instant oatmeal, and I knew Eric would be frustrated if I didn't eat any of it. But the whole time I was just complaining and questioning and really wanting to just dump it out and do it the "right" way :) The joy I'd had just a few minutes before was stolen, and I really just wanted to be upset that now I didn't have time to eat breakfast b/c Eric didn't do things right. In trying to calm my inner thoughts down, the Lord graciously reminded me that I spent 20 minutes taking pictures, with Eric helping, at my request, and he was just trying to help me get something to eat--I'm just not being very grateful. After church, my epiphany was that Satan was trying to steal my joy over a bowl of swollen oatmeal! He wasn't successful through whining, crying kids, but he could somehow take my husband's thoughtfulness and turn it into something bad in my eyes. So, may I never forget the lesson of my swollen oatmeal, and I pray the Holy Spirit would not allow Satan to steal my joy, especially right before going to worship.

The Color Did It!

As I was getting either lunch or dinner ready yesterday, Mikaela comes into the kitchen and says, "Mommy, the green color just colored by itself all over Elijah's chair!" :)

Such a Boy

So this was another "you're such a boy" moment this morning. Elijah was using their kitchen ladle to try to hit the toy egg into the window :) Every now and then he'd scoop it just right and would really send it flying :)

Rolling Over

Fun Day

On Saturday, we had a little get together with many of the ladies from our church. It was a wonderful time of singing, sharing and then later talking over Ephesians 6:18. I pray we all become better intercessors after our time together. We enjoyed a yummy breakfast and lunch and had an absolutely gorgeous day to sit outside by the pool while we ate. MJ and EM had fun hanging out with Eric, Grandma A and Pops :) And then Eric and I enjoyed a little mommy and daddy time at Lupe Tortilla's and Starbucks to end the day (alone!) :)

No Words Needed...

Prayers

For almost every meal now, Elijah says, "I pray too," after we pray. His prayer every time is, "Dear Jesus, food, amen." :) He has to go last--we've had him go first and then we'll pray, and then he'll want to pray again, so we've learned to just let him close us :)

Very rarely does Mikaela want to pray, but every now and then she'll say yes. So she usually just says, "Dear Jesus, thank you for this food, amen." Then, one day this past week she wanted to pray too and said, "Dear Jesus, thank you for this delicious food, amen." I was surprised she added something in on her own. Well, shortly after for a different meal, she wanted to pray again. I was waiting for the usual and was very pleasantly surprised when she started in on something way different. I did not take a moment to memorize it or write it down, so I'm kind of sad about it now, but after thinking about it, some of it has come back to me. She started, "Dear Jesus, thank you for this food...please break our hearts and give us new ones...I pray that you die--thank you for taking away our sins :)..." There was quite a bit more--obviously, these are the things that really stood out to me. After she finished, she very proudly said, "That was a long prayer!" :)

It really was more of a scenario she was playing out of her head than a sincere prayer, but she knows the truth and really remembers the things we talk about, which is exciting. She's asked Eric and I each if we have new hearts and are God's children and has said multiple times that she wants a new heart too so she can be His child and go to Heaven and not to Hell with Satan. Oh Lord, please let your truth go from her head to her heart, and lead her to salvation soon.

Munchkin Funnies

The other morning, Mikaela came up to me (as I was still trying to wake up) and started counting to 100. I was thinking, "Wow! This is kind of random." So, she's going, going, going, very quickly. I'm kind of half-heartedly listening at this point b/c I thought she was going to eventually stop and quit, but she kept going, and I'm pretty sure she got it all right w/o any help from me (I'd kind of zoned out on a tiny part of it). I gave her a very excited, "Yay! Good job!" and a hug. We've been working hard on this to get her not to stop at every 10. So I'm excited at this point and just still amazed that she did this w/o any prompting from me or anything. And she then says, "Can I have some milk now?!" Poor thing counted to 100 so I'd get up out of my chair and get her some milk :)
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The other morning, I was in the bathroom and heard a thud from the kids' room...then the hard pitter patter of running into the living room. It was little man waking up. He came to me and said, "I jump-e off bed!" :)
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The other day I was finishing up lunch or something in the dining room, and EM was in the living room. MJ finished and walked into the living room, and I heard her, very dramatically, say "Oh. my. gosh!" (to something Elijah had done that she thought was a big no-no) So I called her into the dining room and asked her if we're supposed to say that. She tells me no and has her head down and then looking at me but not saying anything. I knew she was trying to come up with some excuse as to why she had to say it. Finally, "Only Daddy can say that?" :) Too funny--he really doesn't even say it very much anymore, but these kids don't forget anything!