Andrew (AJ) is 5 yrs old, 6 months, 13 days old

A 2 minute photo shoot with my AJ.

                                         He was showing his boo boo on his lip.

                                          He has proudly lost 4 teeth now.

                                         This is what he did when I told him to look cute. =)

Favorite Foods- Grapes,Bananas, Apples with Peanut butter

Favorite Color - Red,Green, and Blue
Favorite Place to Go - Zoo
Favorite Place to visit -Papa's house
Favorite Thing to Do - Play with DS
Favorite Sweet Treat - ice cream and cookies
Favorite T.V. Show - Thomas
Favorite Movie -Nemo
Favorite Song - Car 2 songs
Favorite Restaurant - Whataburger
Favorite Clothes - pants and shirts (more like running around in his underwear)
Favorite Shoes - Cowboy Boots
Favorite Hairstyle - not too short
Favorite Book - 5 little Monkeys Jumping on the bed
Favorite Animal - Alligator
Favorite Bible Story - David and Goliath
Favorite thing to do at school - going to eat lunch
Favorite thing to learn at school - exercise
Favorite place to go after school - back home
Favorite Friend - Ethan

Attitude of Gratitude 215-230

215. Thankful for homemade creamy mash potatoes.
216. Thankful for Kari Jobe's music. So anointed! I tend to wash more dishes when praising Jesus with her praise music on.
217. Thankful for rain this past week.
218. So thankful for diary queen blizzards.. those are such a treat for me. I try to make them a rare treat.

219. Thankful for yummy Jalapeno cheese burgers from Whataburger.
220. So thankful that our family had a chance to go with 18 kids and 4 other sponsors to church camp in Dallas back in July. We had a great time and so thankful to our church for the opportunity.
 

221. SO thankful that we know have health insurance through my job, taking full advantage of that.

222. Thankful for a clean bill of health from my last "female" doctor visit. (Maybe TMI, but my mom's history of health, you would want to share as well.)

223. Thankful for a midday nap, especially when I have to get up so early in the morning. (4 am)

224. Thankful for enough money to buy school supplies and school clothes.

225. Thankful that we have been able to sell a few things on the online trading post and buy a few things especially clothes for the boys.

226. SOOOOOOOOO thankful for my job right now. My husbands unemployment just officially ended and thankful that all bills are covered with my job. We may not have as much income as we used to but that doesn't matter, we are taken care of, and that is what matters.

227. Thankful I got to be apart of my son's activities at the end of his school year, both of them, especially seeing AJ graduate from Pre-K.

228. So thankful for the miracle God provided for the Brown family. Little Lexie Brown is only 2 mths now and just came home after having open heart surgery last Monday. She was in the hospital for 5 weeks, and very critical in the beginning. She is doing well at home with her parents. 

 229. Thankful we got to have a fun day with my good friend Steffanie and her boys this summer at her friend's place. We had a great time together, I am so thankful for our friendship as well.

 230. I know I might of said this one before, but I am so thankful for my Momma D below here. I have known her since I was a young teen in San Antonio. She has been so helpful and so loving to me and my family.

Happy Homemaker Monday

The weather in my neck of the woods:
Nice in the morning and of course HOT in the afternoon all the way till at least 9pm or so. Jealous? =)hehe


Things that make me happy:
Getting really good time with my boys today at the library.
I got 5 almost new board games at a garage sale this past weekend for only 6 dollars. Score!

Book I'm reading:
I am finishing up my book that I had put down and now picked back up, Choosing to SEE by Mary Beth Chapman. It has been so helpful and makes me even more grateful for my boys!

What's on my TV today:
I got a few episodes of Little House on the Prairie from a garage sale. I want to watch those with my boys.

On the menu for dinner:
Homemade pizza's on hoagie rolls made by my hubby with my boys help.

On my To Do List:
A million things.. but the most important thing today was spending some good one on one time with my boys.. that consisted of no tv and computer. We had fun, and their cup was full and no bad behavior. It makes a difference.

New Recipe I tried or want to try soon:
I did try the July 4th Flag cake. I was pretty proud of myself. I learned from my mistakes, but that was a big deal for me to do. I hadn't made a layered cake ever before. My family loved it!!!


In the craft basket:
I finished one of my blankets and finally sent it to my sisko (sister in Finnish) to Finland for her new baby girl. She was our foreign exchange student from Finland my senior year.


Looking forward to this week:
Spending my time with my kids and my husband more wisely, be more productive, getting to bed at a better time, and spending time with God the FIRST thing I do in the morning.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
Also starting to do some photo sessions again. I am feeling creative again, and sure love being in my element.

Tips and Tricks:
I used leftover turkey spaghetti sauce to go on our pizza bed along with some turkey pepperoni and cheese. Yum, the kids liked it!

My favorite blog post this week:
Not to brag, but I would have to say my latest one.
I am doing this new thing. I am writing/blogging a 1000 things that I am grateful for. It has helped me and put things into better perspective!

Blog Hopping (a new discovered blog you would like to share with the readers):
Don't have one this week.

No words needed (favorite photo or picture, yours or others you want to share):

My sweet goddaughter and her brothers.
(Picture borrowed from my best friend/their mom.)

Lesson learned the past few days:
Put God first daily and the rest will fail into place.
I have learned that the Smith family hasn't been going through challenges, as people might see it on the outside, I see it as learning experiences, and a new season that is before us.

On my mind:
The right job that God has for the Smith family.


Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20
Once again Sandra.. love this one!

End of the school year for AJ.

AJ has come so far with his learning and disabilities. AJ know has his own opinion and we can have a conversation. He tends to crack me up when he begins to tell me a story, he has lots of hand movements. Imagine that? I wonder whom he got that from. His sensory disabilities seems to be non existent now! Praise Jesus, I give Him all the glory!
He will be in main stream pre-k next year along with speech therapy and occupational therapy as well. He got to do lots of fun things as well, and I loved that he can now come home, and tell me all about it!
I wanted to share some pics that his teacher took throughout the year, more in the spring semester. I took the last 3, I thankfully got to go with him to the zoo.

Happy Homemaker Monday

The weather in my neck of the woods:
It has just been beautiful. My hubby and kids even planted some flowers today.




Things that make me happy:
Knowing my Jesus is in control of my life.

Book I'm reading:
My bible. I have a few others I want to pick back up again, but haven't yet.

What's on my TV today:
I actually watched Charlie St. Cloud for the first time. It was really good.

On the menu for dinner:
I made a big dinner last night of Turkey Enchilada Casserole and salad so we had leftovers tonight.

On my To Do List:
A million things. We are leaving for a trip this week for a funeral and a wedding. Not the usual combo. My son is also having dental surgery on Tuesday so I am getting ready to drive to another town for that.

New Recipe I tried or want to try soon:
I tried ground turkey browned with red onion, garlic, red and green bell peppers in my enchilada casserole instead of hamburger meat. It was yummy!

In the craft basket:
I finished another baby girl blanket. It is for my friend of 15 yrs, for her 3rd baby.

Looking forward to this week:
Spending some needed family time by getting away, even though the schedule is busy, we are going to make sure we focus on being together as well.


Tips and Tricks:
We have put up most of my sons toys in storage because they only play with just a certain few all the time. It sure has helped keep their room cleaner and more room to play. If they want the others out then I just pull out a few, not all of them.

My favorite blog post this week:
http://hollingsworthblog.blogspot.com/
These are friends that I met when going to a bible club on Thursdays when my little one was not in school yet. Well they now live in Honduras for the time being to travel abroad, they have a love for Spanish speaking people, and experience other cultures. A quote from the husband, Taylor, "We enjoy seeing the Christian church function in different cultures and yet, at the same time, in harmony with God's written word in the Bible."


Blog Hopping (a new discovered blog you would like to share with the readers):
http://hollingsworthblog.blogspot.com/ The one that I am talking about above.

No words needed (favorite photo or picture, yours or others you want to share):

One of my moms handwritten recipes. I love to make this.

Lesson learned the past few days:
Again, live life to the fullest! My best friend of 15 yrs lost her mom to cancer coming back for the 3rd time this past week. She was an amazing lady and lived life to the fullest for sure! I learned a lot from her. She also gave God the glory everyday. She is now healed and dancing with Jesus along side my mom.

If you are even struggling with a grudge against anyone, give it to God! Instead of talking about that person, venting, or whatever you are doing, stop and start praying for that person. I have learned that big time today. The later works so much better!

On my mind:
Life and family.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
1 Thess. 5:15-18
15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Happy Homemaker "Tuesday"

The weather in my neck of the woods:
Little chilly but the sun is out!

Things that make me happy:
Getting to spend extra unexpected time with my hubby.

Book I'm reading:
Finishing Choosing to See and have a few others that I want to start.

What's on my TV today:
Brothers and Sisters

On the menu for dinner:
not sure yet

On my To Do List:
Sweep and Mop the floors
Finish the laundry
Change bed linens
** My list is the same Sandra**


New Recipe I tried or want to try soon:
I wanted to make a healthier chili with less of a tomato base to it. I gave it a whirl last night and it was so delicious in a more healthy way. I just made up the recipe and tasted as I went. I am trying to do that more these days, I used to cook and never try what I was making while I was doing it.

In the craft basket:
I finished the baby blanket I was making. Now I am going to start a new baby blanket and a few baby beanies.

Looking forward to this week:
Being more productive and praying my sons recurring headaches go away!

Tips and Tricks:
When I wash all the glasses/silverware I don't put them all back up in the cabinet I put some away and only leave out what is needed. I don't have a dishwasher and washing everything by hand takes for ever. I know the less I have available the less to wash and dishes are done more often without fuss from me.

My favorite blog post this week:
http://www.profoundlyseth.com/2011/01/fool-me-once.html
El over at Profoundly Seth was able to share her heart once again with honesty and grace and Gods honors that for sure!

Blog Hopping (a new discovered blog you would like to share with the readers):
I have been exercising more now and have really been watching what I have been eating AND drinking. It is not a diet but a lifestyle change. I found this blog link from Women Living Well. It is called Peak313 Fitness. I love how she incorporates your spiritual health with your physical health.

No words needed (favorite photo or picture, yours or others you want to share):



Lesson learned the past few days:
You have walk the walk not just talk the talk.

On my mind:
Thankful for making more time to pray with my husband more often.


Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13

Happy Homemaker Monday

I link up with Diary of a Stay at Home Mom every Monday for Happy Homemaker Monday. Check it out! I love her crochet projects and food.

The weather in my neck of the woods:
not bad.. just a little chilly


Things that make me happy:
That the holidays are over.. we had fun, but now back to normal. Getting extra time with Gabe over the weekend.

Book I'm reading:
Finishing Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman

What's on my TV today:
dumb stuff

On the menu for dinner:
popcorn and apples.. break from cooking

On my To Do List:
finish the never ending laundry.. and finish putting away Christmas decorations and get boys ready for school tomorrow..

New Recipe I tried or want to try soon:
we have been eating more different kinds of fish for dinner.. and my hubby has been doing the cooking when it comes it fish.. and it has been so good..

In the craft basket:
I am still working on a baby blanket.. even though I ran out of off white caron yarn and now waiting for my ever slow walmart to get more in.. and now working on a new blanket and it might just be for me for once.. I have never kept anything I made.


Looking forward to this week:
The boys going back to school.. and my speech delayed son showing his teacher how much he has learned and started to say over the holidays..

Tips and Tricks:
Call people on their birthday and not just leave them a Happy Birthday on their facebook wall. It is so much more personal!


My favorite blog post this week:
Don't have a new one this week. Still having fun with the iCrochet from last week.


Blog Hopping (a new discovered blog you would like to share with the readers):
I discovered this one awhile back, and I wanted to share it now.
I hope to have a baby girl one day but until then I like looking at the hairstyles for little girls and also us ladies as well.

No words needed (favorite photo or picture, yours or others you want to share):


It is my dad's 60th birthday today. This is him with my boys playing in the indoor pool last week after we had our Christmas celebration with him and my step mom.
Happy Birthday Dad, you are one handsome 60 year old. We love you!


Lesson learned the past few days:
To always take advantage of the time you have with your family.

On my mind:
My little one that is almost 4 is coming along and doing so great. He is delayed in a few areas and he has shown so much improvement in the past few weeks. He even for the first time today sang Happy Birthday all the way through to my Dad, his Papa.

**Also a sweet young lady that is missing from a town near by and friends of ours know her and her family personally.**



Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
I learned the meaning of this big time last week.