thankful

I interrerupt my normal blogging life to just be thankful, think of it as a commercial break...

Do you ever just sit in amazement at how cool your life really is?    

I lead one of the funnest lives.  I get to stay at home with my girls. 

As I flipped the calendar tonight, I had to take a breath as my calendar already looked full, but then I read what I was doing and smiled.  Our month is filled with playdates with new & old friends.  

A little over a year ago I decided to pursue stampin' up as a way to bring moms together for fellowship.  I quickly learned I am not a salesperson, nor do I want to be.  Then, as I said in a previous post I heard the Lord say give it up I have bigger plans for you.  Since then, I started doing the child care at our women's Bible study.  I really felt called to do the child care (and believe me I have been given grief about not attending).  But, God has opened more days by serving the mommies.  I have met 6-7 NEW moms in the past 2 months.  Our church is big and it is easy to get lost in the crowd, it is also easy to stay within your circle of friends and not stretch out to those new faces.  I know how easy it is to get the blah's as a stay-at-home mom.  So, God has really opened my eyes to reaching out to new people and I am so thankful he has.  

visit with gigi

Acts 2:17

THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND;
  AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY,
  AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS,
  AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS;

I was reading (Voices of the Faithful) of a missionary in South Asia.  He was walking in a village and an older woman bent with age came running up to him.  She was yelling with excitement, she told him that a man in a white robe appeared to her in a dream & told her that if she came to the river that day, she would find men who would give her God's Word.  She repeatedly yelled, "are you the men?"  They gave her a Bible in her language.  She hugged it and said she had seeked all her life for God's Word and and that she would read it to her children and her grandchildren.  When they knew God's Word she said, she could then die in peace.

Lord, please never let me go grow tired of your Word, may I always be as excited as she to receive your wisdom for me.  

Valentines presents from Aunt Susan

Another "mispronounced" word by girls - We are "ta-tu" dancing, whichI guess is better than tatoo dancing.  Thank you Aunt Susan for our cute ta-tu's the girls love to sing, dance and dress-up, so these were perfect.

day in the sunshine

their imagainations

fashionistas?

This is a total reversal of roles for the girls.  LE is usually the dolled-up princess and Bell in a hoodie and Converse. I think LE is walking her sleeping bag?

playdate fun at the "cow place"

Do your kids have funny names for things that you know you should correct, but it is just too darn cute to do?  Two of my faves - "sparking pace" (parking space) and Bella says Hold you, when she wants me to hold her.  Well, the Cow place is of course - Chick-fil-A.  This playdate was special b/c Bella FINALLY went down the slide by herself.  It was a monumental day.

by your side

Why are you striving these days? 
Why are you trying to earn grace? 
Why are you crying? 
Let me lift up your face 
Just don't turn away

Why are you looking for love? 
Why are you still searching? 
As if I'm not enough? 
To where will you go child, 
Tell me where will you run? 
To where will you run?

Cause I'll be by your side wherever you fall 
In the dead of night whenever you call 
Please don't fight these hands that are holding you 
My hands are holding you

Look at these hands, at my side 
They swallowed the grave, on that night 
When I drank the world's sin 
So I could carry you in 
And give you life, I wanna give you life

Here at my side wherever you fall 
In the dead of night whenever you call 
Please don't fight these hands that are holding you 
My hands are holding you 
And I, I love you 
And I want you to know 
That I, I'll love you

- Tenth Avenue North

learning our letters or just eating pudding?

that moment

I have heard Moms say there are defining moments in Mommyhood they will always cherish and last week I had one.  I had been working at the church all morning and was picking the girls up from their morning out.  I had gotten them both Sonic apple juice slushes on the way.  Bella had finished hers off, but LE still had half of hers.  Rule #1 with Daddy is they cannot take the lids off, which happens on a regular basis.  They were sitting on the floor and both lids were off.  I started my usual scolding without asking questions, only to discover LE was sharing with Bella so she could have some too!  

It was so special, I love how much they love each other, (as a screaming wale just occurred in the other room).  They truly take care of each other and love to be best friends.

grocery game

I was talking to a friend about her grocery bill and this amazing website she uses to go shopping.  I am going to look into it, but after talking to her she was SHOCKED at MY grocery bill.  Last year, Ben and I started the cash system and for the most part it works.  I take my cash to the grocery store on the 1st and the 15th and if I go over my budget I don't purchase something.  

For instance this week I was craving cuties oranges, but they were $7 so, they were the last thing to go on the conveyor, when I hit my target I told the cashier I could not get them.  So, I told my friend my budget and she basically said, SHUT UP!  She spent almost twice that every week.  So, it got me talking with my husband and he wants me to start writing my ideas down.  Then, tonight my friend at church and I were talking and she too was like Shut up when I told her our budget. 

So, I tell you - every two weeks I go to the grocery store, on the 1st and the 15th, I take $150 with me for our family of 4 and that is our grocery shopping budget. What do you spend at the grocery store during the month?  Would you be interested if I started sharing weekly grocery shopping tips?  Would you share your ideas with me in case I do decide to finally write that book someday?

Disclaimer - I do not buy diapers or dog food on this budget - I go to Sam's for diapers, and formula when it was needed.

first Valentine's party

The girls attended their 1st Valentine's  party.  We did a card exchange, had loads of sugar and played hard too.  I love making these memories with the girls, I would not change it for anything.

new park

We are all about the parks; free outdoor fun, cannot be beat.  

we love our backyardigans

meet Elsa

Elsa is the child our family has decided to sponsor in Mozambique.  She is almost 9 and attends the carepoint our church will be building this year.  Her favorite color is yellow and her most cherished possession is her dolls.  She is exceptional in math and wants to be a teacher.  We are so excited about the opportunity to bless Elsa and her family.  I cannot wait to meet her this Christmas.

I will be going back to Africa on December 2nd this year to host the Christmas parties. 

adressing Valentine Cards

Children's Cup Christmas Party

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koR5qR236DA

I wish I could figure out to post it directly, but I am illiterate in this area and I keep forgetting to aske Ben for help when he is home, so here you go~

tagged by Jodi

Rules: It's harder than it looks! Copy to your own blog, erase my answers, enter yours, and tag people. Use the first letter of your name to answer each of the following questions. They have to be real . . . nothing made up! If the person before you had the same first initial, you must use different answers. You cannot use any word twice and you can't use your name for the boy/girl name question.Have Fun!!
1. What is your name : Kristi
2. A four Letter Word : kite
3. A boy's Name : Kevin
4. A girl's Name : Kate
5. An occupation : Karate instructor
6. A color : kiwi
7. Something you wear : knicker-bockers
8. A food : kalamata olives
9. Something found in the bathroom : kleenex
10. A place : Kerrville
11. A reason for being late : kissing Ben
12. Something you shout : Kachoo (too much Cars)
13. A movie title : King & I
14. Something you drink : koolaid
15. A musical group : Kutless
I tag everyone with a blog.

hard dose of reality

There are about 5 faces that I vividly remember from Africa. Everyday it seems I think less of Africa and come to the realization that it was 11 amazing days and I got to be a part of an amazing thing for some amazing children. Then, every few days something happens and I am taken back, sometimes I cry, sometimes I smile, but every time I am thankful the Lord chose me. Today, was a crying day. Today, I heard the worst news about one of my faces, his name was Musa. He was about Bella's age, or at least her size, he waddled like her and had the biggest smile you could ever imagine. When, I first made a connection with him, he threw up at my feet, so the next day he was one of only a few children who came to the 2nd party. But, that day he was all smiles, he was so happy to see us. He held on to his balloon as if it were treasure. His smile was infectious and he brought my thoughts to home b/c he reminded me of my Bella. Today, I got news that Musa has gone to be with Jesus. The 2nd day I noticed a rash on his hands and prayed for him, but we saw so many rashes, it could have been anything. I have asked God all evening why him of 6,000 children why the face that represented Africa most to me, the baby I have shown everyone, why him? Ben and I have talked about it all night and I came to the realization that Africa has become simply a memory of 11 days. There is really so much that can be done! And right now I am the voice of those babies. Please, just b/c I do not have any more stories to share, please don't forget these faces. There is so much that we can do. We can pray and maybe that is all you can do, but for $4 a month they can feed a child at the care point. Please consider sponsoring a baby for $30, or for $110 put a child through school, or for $4.50 a month providing the AIDS meds that they so desperately need. YOU can make a difference. http://www.childrenscup.org

best friends

she loves her daddy

Love of a Lifetime Conference

This weekend, Ben and I went to a marriage conference at the church.  Dr. Gary Chapman, author of the 5 Love Languages, Dr. Gary and Barb Rosberg and Shaunti Feldhahn were the guest speakers.  We had a really great time and got a refresher on the 5 love languages.   One very interesting thing, really interesting in my opinion was a comment Ben made.  He said Shaunti Feldhahn was the first speaker whoever "read his mind" like that, "she knew me better than I knew me."  Ok, those are big words coming from Ben. 

So, at the break Saturday we bought her books, For Women Only, For Men Only, and For Parents Only.  I had actually read For Women Only last year, but decided if it meant that much to Ben I would read it again.  She suggested giving each other the opposite book and highlighting what was really important to you personally and then switching the books.  Last night, as we were reading Ben commented I was sure highlighting alot.  So, I guess, Shaunti knows me pretty well too!