This Face...

...makes me smile every single day. This is how he wakes up! How can you not get a huge smile on your face when you see this preciousness?

Money, Money, Money

If you know me very well, you probably already know I'm cheap. I worry about money too often...except when I walk into Target, but that's neither here nor there.

Lately, God has really convicted me about that specific worry because it wastes too much of my time, not to mention the fact that all of my worries should be given over to him. Well, if God's been preparing me to give up this worry, he's clearly decided it's time for me to take the final exam.

About two weeks ago while driving to work, a good Samaritan flagged me down to tell me one of my tires was dangerously low on air. He was right. Turns out, three construction-grade staples somehow made their way into my tire, which had to be replaced. Tires aren't cheap.

Last week, as the temperatures got hotter, it became obvious that our upstairs a/c unit wasn't working, so we had a visit from our trusted HVAC buddy. He explained the problem and said we had three options, each one more expensive than the last.

The next morning, we took both dogs to the vet. Bailey needed all of her annual shots, and we wanted the vet to check out Dorsey's leg because she's been limping for a while. Yeah, she might have to have surgery. Fun. Taking her back to the vet tomorrow for x-rays to find out the real damage.

Last night, as I was feeding Easton his pre-dinner meal (this child eats a lot!), I heard a really weird noise coming from our laundry room. It sounded like a really loud buzzing or a motor trying to run. I cautiously went to the laundry room to discover that the washing machine was basically stuck in the middle of its cycle and couldn't do the final spin. Who knows how we'll get that fixed!?

But you know what? I'm thankful. Far too many people in this world don't have a car to take them places, a home to feel safe in, a dog to love or a machine to wash clothes. I'm way more blessed than I should be, and my worries are unnecessary.

Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

Sunny, Sunny Days

Blessed

I am very blessed to have such an amazing husband, and my children are extremely blessed to have such an amazing daddy. I have a lot of reasons for loving Greg, and one reason that ranks really, really, really, really high is how awesome he is at loving our children and being the best father he can be. We love you!

Yes, Macey is in pajamas...after dinner...and a bath...playing OUTSIDE! :-)

Too, Too Funny

Potty training Macey has been a bit of an adventure. This week has been really, really good...probably because I came up with a new strategy. I went to Dollar Tree and filled a basket with candy, little toys, small books and lip balm (or "lip stuff" as Macey calls it.) When she uses the bathroom, she gets to pick something fun! The first day she wanted to go potty every 15 minutes or so just to pick a prize, but just as I hoped, the newness seems to be wearing off so she's not asking to pick a prize as often. My goal is just to never replenish the basket once everything is gone.

Last night, after going to the potty like a big girl on her own all afternoon and evening without asking for a prize, she happened to see her basket of goodies on top of the fridge. Of course, she asked for a piece of candy. As she was looking through her basket (which is quite a production every time), Greg said, "Macey, can I have a piece, too?"

She stopped, looked straight up at Greg and very seriously said, "Daddy, you need to go to the potty, ok?"

She's destined to be a teacher...or president.

How Sweet is This?!

Easton's 12-Month Pictures

We got Easton's 12-month pictures back today, and I couldn't be happier with the results! They're amazing. Thank you so much to Courtney Ritchey of Chic Boutique Photography.

Below are some of my favorites, but you can click here to see more on Facebook.

Well Who Doesn't Love Peanut Butter?

I don't typically give Easton little tubs of peanut butter...well, I have never given him a little tub of peanut butter, haha. But this boy has been sick all week, so he's basically getting whatever he wants!

Monday afternoon he started running fever and refusing to drink (I tried any and everything). The fever and no drinking kept up on Tuesday, along with some fussiness. So, a trip to the doctor was in order...double ear infection! Yuck! Wednesday, Easton and I stayed home, and he still wouldn't drink. By mid-morning I could tell he was dehydrated (no tears and no wet diapers), which made me very nervous. I did NOT want to take my precious boy to the hospital. So, of course, I called my mom! She came over and we gave Easton Pedialyte through a medicine dropper...one drop at a time. It was awful, he was miserable, but it helped. After that, he slept for nearly five hours, then I woke him up to check on things. He was happier and had a wet diaper!

By Thursday, I thought we were in the clear. Then around lunch time, Greg's mom called to tell me he was running a fever of 103.4. I left work, picked up both kids and headed straight to the doctor. Turns out that the left ear was looking great, but the right ear still looked really bad. Because he'd already had three doses of the antibiotic by that point, the doctor wasn't too happy about how the right ear still looked, so we had to get a shot. NOT FUN! It was his first "sick kid" shot, and oh was it awful. I was hoping for a good night's sleep, but that night the poor thing was awake crying more than he was asleep. I think it literally took a full 24 hours to kick in, but before bed tonight, he was drinking out of his sippy cup, eating lots and went right to sleep with no trouble. I'm hoping he wakes up tomorrow morning good as new! :-)

Beautiful Weekend!

We were so blessed with gorgeous, perfect weather this weekend! We took full advantage by spending a lot of time outside. Saturday (after Macey's first haircut!) we went to my parents, and the kiddos played outside in their favorite big truck. Sunday after church, naps and errands, we went and walked the greenbelt tail by our house. It was a perfect day, so there were a lot of people out and about.

Driving the "big truck" at Granna and Pop's!

Easton loooooves riding with his crazy sister!

Mommy and her girl!

Easton "walking" with mommy.

Old-school Emily/Greg picture. :-)

Easton just chilling, along for the ride!

Just excuse the unsnapped onesie hanging out!

Macey ran...a lot!

Looking at the river with daddy!

Pushing Easton in the stroller!

So precious!

She decided to act like she was sleeping when I told her the animals were probably taking a nap.

She jumped off the trail to play in some rocks.

So, About Chase Landry...

For those of you who don't know, Swamp People is one of my favorite shows. No guts, no gator is kind of my motto. (Well, not really because never once in my life have I encountered a live alligator in the wild, but it still sounds like a fun motto.)

Now typically, I don't watch the show for the fellas. It's no secret that they're not exactly lookers, BUT hello Chase Landry. Where were you hiding last season? You have to admit, he's probably popular around the swamp...Of course, it does help that he's the son of my favorite gator hunter Troy, but that's really neither here nor there.