the fickey five

big news for the Fickeys

2010-09-20T14:22:00.001-05:00

check out our exciting new adventure we are embarking on together........

new blog.
new life.

our eyes are opened

(click on the above link)

washed by the water

2010-08-22T22:24:00.007-05:00

Questions that have been in my mind over the last several years............

What is the right age for a child? When does a child become accountable for his or her own salvation? When does a child truly understand the price Christ paid for us on that cross? Sure they may love the idea of Jesus, but do they really grasp the meaning of Him living in their heart and being Lord over their lives?

I was baptized (ie sprinkled) as a baby. But later, when in college, I grew to understand what the scriptual meaning of baptism was and chose to be baptized (ie dunked!) again. I was 19 years old. I understood the meaning of my decision. I knew I was being obedient to this loving and merciful God who had saved me many years before from the pit.

Mitch was baptized when he was 10 in his church. Now, knowing Mitch and the fact that at 33 he sometimes acts like a 60 year old (in a good, wisdom-filled way ;) ), I can only assume that at 10 he understood as much as I did at 19.

So, when at the ages of 7 and 6, Brody and Addie started showing interest in baptism, I have to be honest and say my first thought was "They are way too young. They don't get it. They need to wait until they understand or else it won't mean anything to them."

I was excited that they were interested, but was doubtful that they really knew what it meant.

We took them to a kids "faith class" at church where the teachers do a phenomenal job of explaining baptism and why we do it. (By the way, I should probably mention that both of the kids say that the moment they asked Jesus to live in their hearts was last summer with Nana, at "Nana Camp" . So, this has been an ongoing conversation for a while now.)

Anyway, during that class God spoke to me..... "Why are you so hesitant? Yes, they are young. But, when I call you, I call you. Their hearts are tender to me and ready to be obedient. Don't stop them because you think they might not be ready. It is not your decision, it's theirs".

So, there it was. Not my decision. Not my salvation. And if I ever had any doubts of whether or not they understood, those would all be wiped away in a matter of seconds while talking to them and asking them about why they are doing it. They know it doesn't save them. They know only Jesus' taking up residence in your heart can do that. They know that it is like a wedding ring. Shows everyone you are married, but doesn't make you less married if you take it off.

So, how could I say "No. You are not old enough" to these sweet kids who hear the prompting of the Lord and are ready to be obedient? I can't. And I didn't want to.

So......Brody and Addie were baptized today. In the Guadalupe river along with about 40 other people from our incredible church family. Grandparents and friends were there to help us celebrate and the kids were so excited. It was a wonderful way to end the summer and begin a fresh new year (school starts tomorrow). And more than anything, it's a wonderful way to begin their life with Jesus. I pray for their lives to be filled with obedience to the Lord like they showed today. I love their little hearts and their faith.

Enjoy some pictures of today. It was truly special....

Show me your muscles...

2010-08-16T22:32:00.002-05:00

Handy

2010-08-11T18:59:00.005-05:00

Brody has always been a hard worker. I can vividly remember him at the age of 11 months sitting in his car seat with a empty bottle of water and lid (pretty sure an 11 month old should not have something small like a lid while strapped into a carseat out of arms reach of an adult...but, I digress....). He tried over and over and over and over and over until he figured out how to get it screwed on, then off, then on, then off. I remember thinking, "wow...this kid doesn't give up".

And his basic personality hasn't changed. When he is determined to do something. He tries it over and over and over until he gets it. He's a logical thinker and quietly contemplates how it can be done before he even starts to work on it. And, unlike his wonderfully adorable and talented in many other ways sister, he likes to work. He likes to help and feel productive. He likes to organize and make sure things are exactly the way they should be.

Brody also likes (ie loves) his dad. He, like his father, isn't one to express his emotions into words, but believe me....he idolizes Mitch. He watches him. He copies him. Mitch's favorite foods are Brody's favorite foods. Mitch's dislikes are Brody's dislikes. (I've warned Mitch this is a scary position to be in....).

Brody loves his daddy and wants to be with him as much as possible. So this summer, when he has been able to, Mitch has taken Brody to work with him. They travel from house to house stopping for treats like Gatorade (I don't know why, but Gatorade is a really big deal to Brody). They take measurements and nail stuff up (don't I sound sooo knowledgeable?). They talk to trades people and homeowners. They wear boots and jeans and hats. They walk around and kick up dirt (and possible roll around in it, since they are covered in it when they come home). And Brody l.o.v.e.s. it. The days he doesn't get to go, he is heart broken. "what??? I have to stay with mom?!?!" (it's such torture, I know.).

Mitch bought him his own tool belt for his hammer and tape measure and other tool-ish kind of things (there I go again...sooo knowledgeable).

Isn't he so cute??!!

According to Mitch, Brody's "jobs" include

- walking around and hammering nails completely in (Brody's OCD coming into play there..)

- piling stuff up

- handing Mitch tools

- taking measurements of random things

One of Mitch's workers told him to enjoy it while he could, because when Brody is 16 he won't want to get anywhere near the job site. I think he might be wrong.....

Oh, and by the way.......Brody and Addie both decided they want to be baptized. They will be baptized in the river next Sunday. So proud of them....another post on that later.....

Where have you been, young lady???????

2010-08-01T23:33:00.012-05:00

So, it has officially been ONE month since my last blog post.

What in the world?

What happened?

How has a month passed by already?

Well, to catch you up here are some of our adventures during the month of July.

They include, but are not limited to....

- Mitch and I took a trip away while the kids stayed with Nonnie and Big Daddy (Mitch's parents) to celebrate our TEN year anniversary. Yep! That's right....TEN years. I love that man. So glad he's mine.

- Lots of trips to the pool. Sam is fearless. Fear. Less. He loves to swim and doesn't think he needs my help at all. I don't have any pictures of them at the pool cause I totally don't trust him for even the quickest second to grab my camera. Brody and Addie are great swimmers too. They LOVE the pool and beg to go everyday.

- Mitch has had a couple of triathlons and the kids and I have gone to cheer him on. He's done great! Such a competitive spirit in that man. I don't really understand it, but it's what drives him and makes him who he is.

- A few trips to Sea World. So glad we live in a place that has such fun things to do close by

- Sam chipped his front tooth during a wrestling match with his brother. This has become the Fickey boys' new favorite past time. Maybe I should invest in some mouth guards.......

- Me and some of my precious friends, Kelly and Misty, had a bake/lemonade sale to raise money for a water purification system in Zambia. We were encouraged by our church to do something that makes an impact. To "right a wrong". Babies and children drinking dirty water with swollen bellies is wrong. We raised a little over $200, which means that 200 people will have clean water for a year through a program called "Water for the World". The event itself was interesting....melted icing, sweaty faces, collapsing tables, but...I think the kids learned a good lesson, and some sweet kids across the ocean will have some clean water.

-We got a dog. A chihuahua. We named him Peanut. He is super cute and would be THE perfect dog if it wasn't for the pooping in the house thing. But, at least the poop is small. You know...cause he's a chihuahua. We're working on it though.

- We have made some serious progress on the addition. Although our yard still looks like a construction zone (and I have to remind myself every day not to let it bother me...it's part of the process.......a VERY long process...), the house is coming along. Mitch set a goal of October for it to be completed. We will see....

- We've taken the kids to feed the homeless in downtown San Antonio with our church. It's a humbling experience. I so badly want my kids to see the church, as it should be, in action. I want them to know the world is bigger than their safe little comfortable corner of it. Mitch and I would really love to take them on a foreign mission trip sometime soon. I can't wait to see how God uses that to shape their little lives. And mine.

- Addie lost her two top teeth. She now has a gigantic gap in the front of her mouth. No teeth on top. No teeth on bottom. She does a lot of side chewing.

- We just got back from a trip to the beach that was complete with shell digging, crabbing, boogie boarding, kite-flying, mosquito swatting, shrimp eating, family loving good times. I love the beach in the summer.

We only have three weeks left of summer and I think my kids may have regressed at least 3 years in their schooling, no thanks to their mama and her lazy summer ways. So, my goal for the next three weeks is to catch them up.

It is also my goal to enjoy this time with them. We have our moments in the summer when I am praying for the first day of school to come faster. But, we also have moments like tonight where we got to eat dinner together last minute at Taco Cabana, had a little wrestle match, considered the idea of giving Brody a mohawk, had a good talk with the kids about the omnipotent power of God, and didn't have to do any of it on a schedule.

No early bed times.

No homework (or any school work at all for that matter...tsk! tsk!).

Lazy days are slipping away. I want to enjoy them while I can. I start work in August as well. I'm teaching at a preschool here in Boerne two days a week. So, my summer is coming to an end too :(

Thanks for being faithful to this fair-weathered blog. Love you all.

Just call him Sammie Davis JR

2010-07-02T13:14:00.003-05:00

Oh my handsome little boy.

Would look much cuter without the orange pacifier though.

Pics from the vault

2010-06-28T15:44:00.000-05:00

My sewing/crafting has been on pause lately. I'm not sure why, but I've just kind of totally lacked motivation for it.

BUT...I did make these things in the last month and wanted to share...........

A friend of mine asked me to make her kids some shirts.

She has three boys under the age of 5 and just had......

wait for it......

TWINS!

yikes.

So "big brother" got one

(by the way...he is the same age as Sam.

I can't imagine Sam being a big brother to anyone right now)

the twins (one boy , one girl) got a shirt.

These shirts were way cuter in person. Didn't photograph well :(

And another brother got one (his name is Gibson)

Me and the kids made these for their teachers as end of the year gifts.

We printed them out on card stock, cut and hot-glued the crayons on, and put them in shadowbox frames.

And I fully expect them to be in their teachers' classrooms ON their desks for the next 20 years!!

(not really....)

I'm missing my crafty bug. Hopefully he will make a re-appearance and bite me again soon.

daddy

2010-06-19T23:10:00.002-05:00

for the best daddy in the whole wide world......

Caring

2010-06-14T22:45:00.005-05:00

The last week of school (2 weeks ago) Addie was given an award for the character trait of being "caring". They have an awards assembly and announce the recipient for each classroom and read a little speech that the teacher wrote about why they were chosen for that particular award. It is a surprise to the student. They don't know they are getting it. Although, they have to be tipped off a little when they walk into the library and their parents are there (which I think was kind of a bummer for Brody since he walked in and saw us and was thinking he was getting an award. Poor guy. But, he was a good sport and clapped and smiled big when his sister's name was announced. And he did get an award last year, for being "trustworthy")

We were very proud of her. Her teacher said she always was kind and helpful to her classmates and was always concerned with how everyone else was feeling. Sweet girl.

this is after the principal announced her name....

can you spot the embarrassed face in the crowd?

she walks with her arms straight down at her sides when she is embarrassed...not sure why.

in the group with all the other recipients. Kinda made me laugh that 99% of them were girls (makes sense though, you know....sugar and spice and everything nice...)

Sam came too.

Charlie the Cougar (pretty sure "he" is one of the lunch ladies...hope they pay her extra)

How cute is she???!!!!

I will say that if there was any character trait of Addie's that deserves an award, it would definitely be her caring nature. Sweet little precious girl who wouldn't hurt a fly and cries when she sees someone else crying and hurting and would sponsor every poor and impoverished child around the world if the tooth fairy would just bring her some more money. I love her.

Disney World

2010-06-08T19:04:00.004-05:00

So, it's been a loooonnnngggg time, huh? Is anyone even still reading???

Sorry for the hiatus. Seems like there is no extra time to blog these days. But, I did want to post some pics from our Disney World trip. We had a great time with my brother and his family. The cousins loved getting to experience it together and I think they made some great memories. So did we.

I decided not to try and post the bajillion pictures I took here on blogger because it takes me so long to upload them and organize them and everything, so I thought I would just make a quick little movie on my mac and then upload it to youtube.

Thought that would be much faster.

Yeah. It wasn't.

But, once I started it, I had to finish it. It's a personal flaw. Or a fantastic quality. Depends on how you look at it. I choose to think of it as the latter.

Enjoy the video and I will be back soon with some more posts, I promise!!!

Oh and you might want to watch it on youtube so you can see it better. I loaded it as too big of a screen so you can't see the whole thing. But it is time to take a bath and get in bed, so click on this link to watch it on youtube instead.

Neglected

2010-05-24T10:31:00.002-05:00

Dear Blog,

I'm sorry I have been so neglectful of you lately. Times have been busy. But, there are tons of fun pictures I will post on you soon. Thanks for being patient. You just seem to be last priority. And I think if you weren't, something would be wrong in my life. I love you, but you have to wait a little longer.

See you soon,

Katie

Sick

2010-05-05T22:01:00.004-05:00

pathetic, huh?

Sam has been sick for the last several days. So my computer time is limited. I have enjoyed the extra cuddle time, but.....c'mon already. I miss my smiling happy funny little boy! This time it has come with extrememly high fevers (104 ish) an infected throat and swollen irritated eyes. Called the adendovirus??? Never heard of it before, but apparently it's going around. And it's yucky. I will be glad to see it go.

By the way, I fully recognize that this blog has been full of Sam posts lately. I do love my other kids as well, I promise!

2010-05-01T21:00:00.002-05:00

Check out what Shaun Groves has to say when asked "What Christians Believe"

Sad, but true.

Wish we were all on the same page.....

and that it was the right one.

Modesty?

2010-04-30T15:45:00.006-05:00

So, I have come across a few things lately that I wanted to share.

First, is a site that was shared with me by a friend. It is a cute little company that makes swimsuits for those of us that want to look cute but don't want to have random body parts hanging out (or also in my case, would feel sorry for the poor soul who would have to look at my random body parts hanging out). Cause, you know, even if I had a perfect body (not holding my breath), I am still called to modesty and to not be a stumbling block for any one else (especially someone else's man!) BUT...I still want my hubby to think I'm cute and sexy. How is this accomplished?!!!!! Aaaaahhh!!!! Anyway...

I think this is a great option.......

limericki.com

Check it out! I ordered some bottoms from them this year and am excited about getting them in!

So after looking at LimeRicki's blog, I discovered Eliza. A magazine created for.......

" women who want to be stylish, sexy, and engaged in the world while retaining high standards in dress, entertainment, and lifestyle. In a media culture that frequently objectifies and commercializes women and their bodies, ELIZA strives to provide an alternative to the current mainstream media that emphasizes sex and skin in order to push products or sell magazines.......We are realistic about women's bodies: we don't retouch bodies, and we mix real women and professional models. We are realistic about women's interests, featuring fashion and beauty information, current issues, and real life problem solving, all while keeping perspective on what's really important in life."

Wow. Modesty and fashion mixed together? Who'da thought? Think I might have to subscribe to this one.

Addie and I were checking it out and also found this cute little intro video done by the people at Eliza. It's for a web series called "Girl's with Glasses". Addie loved it, and I thought it was pretty fun too.

I Am A Girl - The Girls With Glasses Theme Song from The Girls With Glasses on Vimeo.

I want her to grow up being confident in the Lord and also in her own body. I want her to know that she can be cute without having to be practically naked. AND I want her to have fun! It is encouraging to me to know that such things exist out there in the world......

without having to wear things like this......

Pride is a Cheater

2010-04-30T14:13:00.004-05:00

I have been helping lead a Bible study the last six weeks or so about discerning God's voice by Priscilla Shirer. It has been an incredible study for me personally. I have understood the way God speaks and moves more than ever before. The fact that God even chooses to speak to us (especially a sinner like me) at all, let alone with authority, truthfulness, compassion, mercy, and power still amazes me.

And even though I have been in God's word studying about the discernment of His voice, there have been numerous times over the last few weeks that I have missed out on it completely, and consequently missed some lessons God was teaching me.

God spoke to me this last week at bible study and completely convicted me.

The study was talking about Naaman, a commander in the army in the Old Testament (this position was regarded as very important), who had leprosy. With money and the blessing from the King, he traveled to meet the prophet Elisha wanting to be healed by him. Elisha's response was for him to go to the Jordan river and bathe in it 7 times and then his leprosy would be gone. So, instead of going immediately to the river to seek that healing, Naaman, was "furious and went away and said, ' Behold, I thought "He will surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper."

He went on to even doubt that the Jordan river was good enough. Wow! The pride this man suffered from (I know nothing about this thing called 'pride')!

She pointed out in the study that Naaman's first problem was that he thought. He had preconceived ideas of what was best for him and his healing. He thought he knew better. Second, he thought he was going to get fireworks and amazing wonders right there. The fact he had to be a little more obedient was almost too much to ask of such an important individual.

I was totally convicted of this. Without going into any detail (because you may not want to admit to knowing me after you hear), I have even in the last few weeks uttered such things as "we deserve better than this". Seriously? Geez. Pride being swallowed is not so tasty.

This poem was read in the video at our bible study and has been in my head since. It was unbelievably convicting for me (notice verse two.....shaking my head in embarrassment)

Pride is a Cheater

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.

I cheat you of your God-given destiny...because
you demand your own way.

I cheat you of contentment...because
you "deserve better than this."

I cheat you of knowledge ...because
you already know it all.

I cheat you of healing...because
you're too full of me to forgive.

I cheat you of holiness...because
you refuse to admit when your wrong.

I cheat you of vision...because
you'd rather look in the mirror than out a window.

I cheat you of genuine friendship...because
nobody's going to know the real you.

I cheat you of love...because
real romance demands sacrifice.

I cheat you of greatness in Heaven...because
you refuse to wash another's feet on earth.

I cheat you of God's glory...because
I convince you to seek your own.

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.

You like me because you think I'm always looking out for you.

Untrue.

I'm looking to make a fool of you.

God has so much for you, I admit, but don't worry...
If you stick with me

You'll never know.

-Beth Moore

I am grateful for God's mercy and grace and His ability to rid me of this stupid, cheating thing called "pride".

Beep-Bops

2010-04-25T20:53:00.008-05:00

Sam has some new favorite shoes.

"Beep-Bops" (other wise known as flip-flops)

Here is a video from a couple of weeks ago when he first got them.

He was obsessed with putting them on and taking them off, and they

now have officially become the only shoes he is happy with.

I may have ruined him on normal shoes forever.

(This video doesn't really do him and his adorableness justice, but the kid will never sit long enough for me to video him, so this is the best I got.

Pay close attention, he says it quickly.

Oh....and ignore that annoying man-voice asking Sam questions.).....

Sam

2010-04-20T20:46:00.007-05:00

Just a few pictures I have captured with my phone (hence the super poor quality) over the last few weeks of my favorite little boy being...well....a "little boy"

"It's a car, which means I should be able to sit in it.....right?"

"my brother and sister think this is soooo funny. I'm just appeasing them."

Big cave-like hole + warm, soft clothes + door that closes = too much temptation for a little boy

"okay, mama......I'll get out."

"mmmmm....chips, my favorite snack"

okay, so this isn't so "little boy-ish", but he is still pretty cute, eh?

LOVES to be at the ballpark and cheer for bubba

(will have to post a video of him cheering for Brody soon!)

The new "ooh-ooh"

picking strawberries.

"Look up there mama! There's flowers on that tree!"

And this was tonight. Right before we found him I said to Mitch,

"Sam is way too quiet...where is he?"

........Ta-da!!

"Look mama and daddy, if you pull all of bubba's clothes out of his drawers you can sit in them like a boat!"

This kid keeps me busy but I love it and wouldn't trade it for anything!!

Addie turns 6

2010-04-18T13:50:00.008-05:00

Addie turned 6 this last week (April 15)!

I mean, I know I'm biased and everything, but how cute is she?!!

We had a little party for her at the gymnastics place here in Boerne a few weeks ago (had to have it early because it was the only time we could get the place).

A few of her friends came and they got the whole gym to themselves. They had a blast.....

rolling,

swinging,

and hanging on for dear life

The gymnastics lady helped Sam. He wasn't so sure about her...

We had cake and cookies afterwards...

And of course the candle. You have to know that Addie takes the "wishes" that she makes extremely seriously. Like a little too seriously. She closes her eyes and concentrates and kind of talks to herself a bit. Yesterday, she picked two different dandelions and stood in the rain while we were in the car waiting for her so she could make "wishes" and blow them.

Anyway, I have no idea what wish came after this picture, but I'm sure she made it count.

These are some of Addie's precious friends from school. She was so excited to get to spend her birthday with them. They are super sweet little girls.

This is one of my precious friends from school (soooo long ago). I was excited to get to spend some time with her too!

Addie is six.

I can't believe it. On her birthday we watched some old videos from when she was born until she was about two. And Oh. My. Goodness. was she so adorable and tiny. Big brown eyes and such a sweet gentle spirit. And of course a little fire too!

She hasn't changed that much.

Just grown about three feet (seriously, this girl is the tallest kid in her class!)

and developed a little bit more of an attitude.

But, all in all, she is that same precious little girl that changed my life 6 years ago.

Happy Birthday Addie!

Update on Ooh-Ooh

2010-04-11T13:23:00.002-05:00

Update....

The original Ooh-Ooh is still MIA.

BUT...being the super mama that I am, I found a new Ooh-Ooh (exactly the same, only in MUCH better condition) at Babies R Us.

Sam raised his eyebrow a bit when he saw this new, clean monkey with a normal monkey nose. But, that only lasted about 5 seconds, and he was hugging and eating the monkey's face all over again.

He was dragged though the dirt and grass yesterday. Already. Got to break a monkey in, you know?

M.I.A.

2010-04-08T21:13:00.008-05:00

Major, MAJOR, dilemma in the family today.

Ooh Ooh (remember him from this post?) is M.I.S.S.I.N.G.

Sam and I went on a run this morning and somewhere along those two miles, Ooh Ooh escaped.

We retraced our steps, and still no Ooh Ooh.

I am positive that no one would pick up a stray stuffed monkey on the side of the road.

Especially one that looks like this on a good day...

Would they?

For the rest of the day Sam kept saying in an extremely pathetic voice,

"Uh-oh, Ooh Ooh, Bye Bye. Uh-oh, Ooh Ooh, Bye Bye."

How sad is that?

Will it evoke more emotion if you read that again while looking at this picture?

(sniff-sniff)

I will now be adding "finding a monkey exactly like Ooh Ooh" to my list of things to do tomorrow.

Easter

2010-04-05T22:52:00.001-05:00

Here is a snapshot of our Easter. Enjoy!

Create your own free slideshow design

Yummy

2010-04-01T13:43:00.004-05:00

A combination of several of my favorite things-

Milano cookies, marshmallows, chocolate, and almond bark

Creates the cutest edible lamb ever!!

(wait....I guess all lambs are edible, aren't they? Anyway...)

I saw this somewhere (?) and knew I had to try it out. Me and the kids made a few and gave them away. Addie took one to school to eat as dessert.

I can only imagine what her teacher thought when she pulled it out of her lunch bag....."could that mom have packed any more sugar into that ziploc baggie?")

They were super easy and fun to make. The body and face are Milano cookies. I melted white Almond Bark (just a little) and used it to attach the marshmallows to one of the cookies. I used brown peanut M&Ms as the legs, mini chocolate chips as the eyeballs and pinched the marshmallows for the ears.

I think he needs a name.

Moopy? Samson? Wooly?

On second thought...

I have learned from my pig-raising-4-H days that you really shouldn't name something you will later consume, so he shall remain nameless and only be called yummy!!

1000 things

2010-03-31T15:12:00.007-05:00

So, my sweet friend Kelly has just started a blog and taken up the commission to list 1000 things she is grateful for. So, ~~as not to be completely beaten by a newbie~~ as to continue what I started, I am adding on today......

51. Bluebonnets. I am quite sure they are the best state flower of ALL 50 states (my totally unbiased opinion).

52. Drives to Fredericksburg. My favorite place to be in the Spring/Summer.

53. Found glasses for a 6 yr old (yes, they were lost for a few days. Won't be the last time, I'm sure)

54. Hearing Sam call "MAMA......MAMA!" when he wakes up from his nap. Totally trusting that I am still in the house and awaiting the exact moment he wakes up so I can burst in his room and rescue him from his bed.

55. God's choosing to speak to us. Trying to learn to discern His voice.

56. Celebrations. Any kind.

57. Sweets. Oh how I love thee. Why do you tempt me so and then betray me in the end? I am grateful for your pure delight. Just wish I didn't have to work so hard to get rid of you.

58. Vacations I take in my head. Big giant dream vacations that are nearly impossible to ever take and even if we could, probably wouldn't turn out as great as I imagined them to be. But, oh how I enjoy them in my imagination. (side note to Lara K. "so..... I picture us wearing these really cool sunglasses"- still makes me laugh out loud)

59. sweet friends. I have so many I am grateful for. So many different ladies (and men!) that teach me so much. They add spice to my life. Without them it would be like rice krispies without the marshmallows. Edamame without the salt. Fritos without the chili and cheese. Easter without Cadbury eggs (mmmmmmm). I love you all.

60. My mother. Who is funny and brave and determined and loving and patient and wise and loyal and forgiving and who almost never reads my blog and who is currently trying to text me a picture and is failing horribly. So very grateful for her.

61. Our resurrected savior. Not the Easter Bunny, or even Cadbury Eggs (mmmmmmm). But the chance to live forever in Heaven with a God who came to earth to die on a cross and be raised three days later. For an empty tomb and a fulfilled prophecy.

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:8-11

Meet Ooh-Ooh

2010-03-23T21:11:00.004-05:00

Meet "Ooh-Ooh"

(as in "ooh ooh, aah, aah"...you know, the sound a monkey makes)

Sam's most prized possession.

He sleeps, eats, and plays with him.

He's filthy most of the time. Mostly because I can't pry him away from Sam to wash him.

He's normally tucked away under that chubby little arm...

And hauled off to all kinds of fun places.

He's the buddy that will go down slides with you....

And is always there for a quick snuggle

(notice the pointed nose...it has been "snuggled" loose

from the cute little pug nose he used to have).

Wonder how long this little monkey will last?

picnic

2010-03-22T16:16:00.007-05:00

The kids and I went on a walk today and discovered a great picnic spot. Out of the way. By the water. No admission. Green and grassy. Lots of rocks to throw in the creek nearby.

We spread out our new picnic blanket (made out of $1 bandanas that the kids helped me sew together) and enjoyed our last lunch together of spring break (but definitely not the last of the season, I'm sure).

Walking back to where our car was, the older two ran ahead, and me and the little one toddled behind.

I'm sure I'm not the only one, but every once in a while,

God reminds me that this is all fleeting.

That my kids are growing up before my eyes.

He reminds me that these are the memories he will bless me with when I am old and gray,

so take note of them!

Remember how Addie's ponytails where unkempt and her pink tennis shoes were untied.

How Brody always wore his hat backwards and his hair stuck out in front.

How they ran off together racing and screaming at each other.

How Sam wanted to walk the whole way by himself,

with a rock in one hand and a stick in the other.

How happy I was at that moment to be their mama.

Now, please know, I'm not always so filled with joy.

We seem to have more rough moments than not.

Kids are fighting,

Sam is crying,

things are being spilled or broken,

attitudes are growing at a record pace,

and discipline has to be dished out.

Bleh.

But, I am so very grateful for moments like the one I experienced today.

Being a mama is good.

God is good.

Glasses

2010-03-19T14:34:00.004-05:00

Addie has suffered from headaches since she was tiny. I think the first time I remember her clearly telling me that her "head hurt real bad" was when she was 2.

Then she threw up.

And so our lives have gone since then.

The poor girl inherited her daddy's migraines.

She had a CT scan when she was 3 to make sure there was nothing more going on (which there wasn't). And I, being pretty medically paranoid, ask the Dr every chance I can to do neurological exams on her, just to make sure. She is fine. Except for those annoying headaches.

Within the last four or five months her migraines, along with her more mild headaches, had increased dramatically. So, I, reluctantly, let the Dr put her on daily medication for migraines. (not only am I medically paranoid, but I'm a little medicinally paranoid too...if that's a word.)

Anyway, she started that a couple of months ago and success! the migraines stopped. But, she was coming home almost every day complaining of little headaches still. So, the doctor decided she should have her vision tested.

Duh.

Why hadn't I thought of that?

The last 6 months she has been reading and straining her eyes more than any other time in her life.

Totally made sense.

So.....guess what?

Addie needed glasses.

This is not the cutest picture of her. It was just a quick one I took on my phone, but she does look super cute in her trendy glasses. AND....the best part is, since the glasses (about two weeks ago) she has only complained of a headache once! And, she doesn't have to wear them all the time either. Only when she's at school or reading at home.

She was super excited about getting them too.

I give her about 10 years and I'm pretty sure she will be begging for contacts or Lasik surgery.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2010-03-16T20:54:00.006-05:00

Happy St. Patty's Day

in honor of

my used-to-be-red-headed-Blarney-stone-kissing-Irish father

(the best dad around)......

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

1000 things

2010-03-07T21:20:00.003-06:00

44. the desire to be a part of something bigger than myself.

45. a few poles being put up in our yard which means we may have a fence up soon!

46. this tender heart that has grown softer and softer as I have grown older and older

47. watching movies with my kids

48. my home. my small and imperfect, work-in-progress home.

49. running water and toilets (yes, kind of crude, but I mean really. Aren't we all glad we have toilets? Can you imagine what our lives would be like without them?!)

50. the thought of spring. I know it's coming. It teases me with brief glimpses of it every now and then. But, it has yet to make it's full appearance. Aahh, but when it does? It is like seeing the world being born all over again. And it reminds me of God's promise to make all things new.

Gateway

2010-03-03T16:56:00.004-06:00

Gateway Homes is Mitch's dream and our bread and butter.

It has given us grief and joy, turmoil and blessings.

Mitch has poured out blood, sweat and tears over it.

He has loved almost every second of owning and running it.

I think there have been times that he wishes he could just come home and turn everything off.

But, God has made it clear that he currently wants to bless this small company and we are so very grateful for that.

Mitch has built something amazing from the ground up and I am so proud of him and of Gateway Homes.

Please check out our new site featuring Mitch's amazing handywork (and some of my "amazing" computer skills :) )

Gateway Homes

(click on link above)

Don't forget to click on the tabs at the top of GWHomes site to see more pictures and info.

Oh, and if you ever want to build a house..........

Welcome Spring!!

2010-03-03T16:41:00.002-06:00

In honor of this gorgeous Spring like weather we are currently experiencing today, I decided the blog needed a little spring cleaning. A little sprucing up.

I hope all of you are enjoying this beautiful weather and are as eager as I am to see God turn the brown and dead into life again!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!!!

2010-03-02T10:40:00.011-06:00

Today is Dr. Seuss' Birthday!

I love Dr. Seuss.

In my opinion, he comes second only to Walt Disney when it comes to celebrating childhood.

"From there to here

and here to there. Funny things are everywhere!"

I have loved him from the time I was little.

I was amazed that once I started reading his books to my kids

years ago I still remembered most of the words from my own childhood

(thanks for reading to me mom and dad!)

I love that he is still so celebrated today.

Especially at my children's school.

1st grade had a parade today.

A Dr. Seuss parade!

Any character you choose.

Brody wanted to be something different.

"Everyone is going to be either Cat in the Hat, or Sam I am. I want to be something different."

(I love that about him.)

So.....he was a Nook. What is a Nook you ask?

We took a look

We saw a Nook

On his head he had a hook,

On his hook he had a book.

On his book was

"How to Cook"

We saw him sit and try and cook.

He took a look at the book on a hook.

But, a Nook can't read,

so a Nook can't cook.

SO.....

What good to a Nook

is a hook cook book?

(One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish)

Brody as a "Nook"......

My first time ever to sew a "hat".

Let alone a hat with a hook and a book.

(notice the burned hotdogs on a stick,

cause you know....a Nook can't read, so a Nook can't cook)

The book kept hitting him in the face, so it ended up behind him most of the parade.

I think he was pretty happy with it, though.

And his friends' costumes were pretty cute too...

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!!

1000 things

2010-02-23T21:48:00.004-06:00

35. God's word spoken fresh to me last week

36. an open minded husband who has grown immeasurably over the last 10 years

37. crazy Texas weather.....80 degrees one day, snow the next!

38. hot soup on a cold night

39. Brody and Addie reading a book together

40. chubby baby toes

41. getting quilt squares in the mail!

42. starting a new book

43. a good nights sleep (I am grateful for this, because it is few and far between....hoping for one tonight)

Have lots to share, but never enough time to do it!!! Maybe tomorrow!!!

Love you all!

smiles

2010-02-14T21:31:00.003-06:00

This baby completely has my heart.

Can you blame me?

Celebrity Look-a-like

2010-02-05T13:49:00.004-06:00

In honor of Doppelganger week on Facebook, I used the "celebrity face recognition" software stuff online to see what celebrity it said I looked like. I got such a kick out of it, I kept uploading pictures to see what it would say. This is what they came up with.....

This is Mitch with goatee....

Yikes!!!

I think he and his celebrity look-a-like are much more handsome without the goatee.....

Much better, don't you think?

This was one of mine. Yeah, she's pretty. But she's like 55 yrs old. Not exactly a compliment.

And, of course Sam looks like Millard Filmore (whoever that is). I can see it, can't you?

100th Day

2010-02-04T15:40:00.006-06:00

Wednesday was Brody and Addie's 100th day of school, and in the tradition of every elementary school in the country, they had a "10o day celebration" complete with a parade through the halls!

Brody's first grade class dressed up like 100 yr old senior citizens. Brody used Nana's glasses, Papa's tie, his own hat, and a stick shaped to look like a cane. We also put baby powder in his hair to make it look gray. He LOVED it and was so excited to go to school!

This is his old man face....

Addie's class had to bring something with 100 things on it. That was really the only guideline.

So, we made a giant cupcake out of a popcorn bucket, aluminum foil, floral foam covered with spackling and food coloring (which hardened over night and looked exactly like icing), candles.....

and 100 pieces of candy to look like giant sprinkles......

She was very excited also!

She wanted to wear an apron while she carried her cupcake in the parade. I made this out of three different bandanas, for a total of $3, in about 30 minutes and it totally made the outfit (if I do say so myself).

Now, sadly, I didn't actually get to go to the parade because this little guy (I chose this picture of him because I think he looks funny in Addie's old apron)......

was up the night before with some sort of bug and Mitch was out of town. So, thankfully, Nana was able to go and video for me. However, Nana had a hard time figuring out how to actually video (you know, how to turn it on and off, very difficult and complicated.....you know I love ya, Nana!!), so she only got a few seconds of Brody in the parade leading the whole parade! And actually trying to walk slow like an old man! From what I can tell, he was super adorable!! And super proud to get to be the "grand marshall"!

Quilting Bee Tutorial

2010-01-28T14:24:00.009-06:00

Hello Ladies! Hopefully you have received your package in the mail and are checking here for further detailed instructions. I can't wait to see what all of you create! Remember to post some pics on our facebook page so we can all see!!!

In your package you should have 7 different pieces of fabric, labeled 1-6 and then one labeled “c”. I did this because I wanted each square to be made of different fabrics, but the same pattern. So each of you will have different fabric for each of your pieces. But your pile should look something like this.....

KEEP THE LABELS ON YOUR FABRIC! THIS WILL HELP YOU NOT GET CONFUSED AS YOU SEW!!!

The first thing you will need to do is "shrink" the fabric. This simply means, iron them using a little bit of steam....
All your pieces after they have been pressed....
Now it's time to cut your pieces down. You should have a chart in your packet of the measurements for each piece. If for some reason, you have lost your measurement chart (tsk! tsk!), let me know and I will email it to you.

So, for those of you that have never used a mat, ruler, and rotary cutter before, this is a quick little lesson.....

1. Place your fabric on the corner of the mat.

2. Line your ruler up along the bottom and left side of your mat. This way you will be sure the ruler is straight.

3. You will cut one side at a time. For instance, the picture below is of the center square which is supposed to measure 3.5"x3.5". I have placed my ruler over the fabric 3.5". Your ruler will stick out to the left of your cutting mat grid (as pictured below) I will now cut the excess fabric off.....

4. Press down on the ruler with your left hand to hold the fabric in place and use your rotary cutter with your right hand, pressing it against the ruler to make sure your cuts are straight.

5. This is my piece "1". I will use my ruler and measure 2" over and cut off the excess fabric....

6. Then I will turn the fabric, use my ruler to measure over 5" to cut piece 1b, 2"x5" (you can cut which ever piece you want first, a or b...this is just what I did). Then slide the remaining fabric over and cut your other piece out of #1 fabric (2"x 3.5"). Continue cutting each piece according to the measurements.

As I was cutting all these strips of fabric getting them prepared to send to you all, I did not take the time to make sure they all had straight edges. As you are lining up your fabric with the cutting mat and ruler, you may notice that the edges are crooked. If you find this, use the ruler to trim up the edges just a little. Do this in the same way as above. Line the bottom of the fabric up with the bottom of your grid. Place the ruler on it straight and trim the excess......

Once you cut all of your fabric you should have two pieces of each color (your pieces "a" and "b"s) ......

Now you can begin sewing!!!!!

This is what your finished square will look like (the log cabin pattern, not necessarily the fabrics. Everyone will have different fabrics in different places to make it more fun!!). Each of your strips have been cut into two different pieces now, piece "a" and "b" of that number. As you sew, you will always sew piece "a" on first, then "b". You will pretty much be sewing counter clock-wise, making your square bigger and bigger.

I found this great little animation to show you how a traditional log cabin quilt block goes together. It actually goes clockwise instead of counter-clockwise like we will do, but you will get the idea and it may help you understand a little better....

Log Cabin Animation

1. Pin piece 1a to the top of the center ("C") square right sides together (make sure you have the label "C" right side up so that you will always know where the top of your square is)

2. Sew together with a 1/4" inseam. My sewing machine has a setting for 1/4 inseams where all I have to do is make sure my fabric rides along the right edge of my foot. Check your manual and see if yours does as well. If not, it might be a good idea to find the 1/4 marking on the metal part underneath and place a strip of tape along it. This will help you guide your fabric straight through your machine....

3. Press your seams open. You will be doing this every time you add a piece, so make sure your iron is nearby so you don't waste a bunch of time running back and forth...

4. Pin and sew piece 1b to the left side of your unit. Press open the seams....

5. Continue sewing. You will sew piece 2a on the bottom of your unit, then piece 2b on the right side of your unit. Remember to press your seams each time. Your square should measure 6.5"x6.5" and look similar to this.....

6. Continue pinning, sewing, and pressing the remaining pieces according to the directions on the packet I sent you. Remember you will always sew piece "a" first, then "b". (ie next up would be 3a, then 3b, then 4a, then 4b, etc sewn on counter-clockwise)

7. Once you have sewn all pieces together, you should have a 12.5"x12.5" square that looks something like this.......

Now, don't worry if your square ends up being like 12.25 " or something. I know there are a lot of you out there that are just beginning and I don't want you to get frustrated if it does not turn out exactly 12.5". I will adjust them accordingly once I get them all before I piece it all together.

I can't wait to see what everyone creates! Addie is VERY excited about this new quilt for her bedroom....mostly because she realizes it will probably come with other art projects she will get to do to "redocorate" her room to go with the new quilt!!!

Don't forget to post questions and pictures on our facebook page!!!

Continued........

2010-01-26T21:47:00.004-06:00

1000 things I'm grateful for, continued.....

(see this post)

22. when God's word meets you right where you are

23. late night laughter

24. watching my kids blossom into people

25. medicine

26. warm days in the middle of winter

27. cold, rainy days when you can't do anything but stay inside

28. technology which enables me to keep up with other moms who love the Lord and/or craft!

29. hearing new words come out of Sam's mouth ("ti-ter" (ie sticker) was the word of the day today)

30. a friend who is willing to train for some ridiculous goal (half marathon) with me and promise to finish it even if we are puking and crawling across the finish line, we will do it together! Love you friend!

31. Pride and Prejudice

32. the closing of a house for Mitch. It's always a long journey to that day, and such a relief when it comes. He pours his blood, sweat, and tears into something that becomes someone's home. The place they will be a family.

33. Prospective homeowners. We are honored and grateful to have work.

34. my bed. my soft, warm, cozy bed.

goodnight my precious friends.

Best baby dance ever!!!

2010-01-17T22:46:00.003-06:00

Sam is such a ham. (yes,that is intentionally Dr.Suess-esque)

But, really he is.

He loves it when his brother and sister laugh at him. He will pretty much do anything on command if he thinks he will get a laugh out of it.

Including dancing.

And his dance moves?

Incomparable.

gratitude continued

2010-01-17T20:18:00.002-06:00

22. life-giving friends

23. giving Sam a bath

24. tucking my kids into bed

Continued........

2010-01-16T13:47:00.002-06:00

14. lunches with my parents

15. little boy wiggles and smirks

16. getting to go to the bathroom in peace

17. converse

18. watching little kids friendships. So uncomplicated.

19. a fresh, clean, warm towel when you get out of the shower

20. un-apathetic children who would give all of our money away if they could

21. date night with the hubby!!!

1000 gifts

2010-01-15T23:18:00.006-06:00

Most of my blogging is done late at night.

While my kids are quiet in their beds, the tv is off, and my husband breathes heavily in his sleep beside me.

It's funny how at the end of the day, when all is calm, I can really only remember the good things that happened that day. The funny things the kids did or said. The last words Mitch says to me "I love you..." (before he drifts off to sleep incredibly fast- a skill I am very jealous of). I do not think about the numerous messes I cleaned up that day (almost always including some sort of goldfish cracker), the fights I broke up, or the tense moments felt between stressed out parents trying to make a chaotic house function.

And although I am jealous of Mitch's uncanny ability to time falling asleep with the touching of face to pillow, I am also grateful for these quiet moments of reflection.

These moments to remember that I am blessed.

I am blessed. Not only because I have all the normal things that the world would say your "blessings" are....like a house, healthy kids, loving husband, food to eat, etc. But because God lavishes those on me when I don't deserve them. And, trust me....I don't deserve them.

I am not always grateful for them. I take them for granted. Or, even worse.... I think I am "owed" them.

I am not.

God owes me nothing. He has saved me and that is enough.

But, for whatever reason, He didn't stop there.

I am blessed. I don't deserve to be, but I am blessed.

And I choose to be grateful. For it all. The little stuff and the big stuff.

Today, I am going to begin a list. 1000 things I am grateful for.

I recently saw this on another blog and want to emulate it in my own life.

I want the act of looking for the blessings in life to be a habit. A constant and consistent habit.

So, today I will begin this....who knows when I will finish? Tomorrow...next week....next year? Will I stop at 1000 or just keep going? God doesn't stop at 1000.

So, here we go. Will you join me? Will you find 1000 things you can show gratitude for? I can't imagine it will be hard. And our God is deserving of this. Of our praise and adoration for our undeserved gifts.

1000 (and more?) things I am grateful for....

1. my salvation

2. my sweet husband whose wisdom surprises me

3. my firstborn whose quiet diligence astounds me again and again

4. my precious baby girl who is constantly humming or singing and never simply "walks" anywhere. There is a skip in her step and joy in her heart.

5. my Sam who I now can't imagine my life without.

6. the sound of the heater coming on just when you are beginning to feel a chill

7. sitting for two hours in a chair that's not quite big enough for two people just so you can be close to each other

8. love. real love. almost 10 yr-been-through-the-ringer-but-nothin-gonna-stop-us-now-kinda-love.

9. a roof that somehow is holding this rain out even though it is older than the hills.

10. a peaceful heart

11. a perfect God

12. sleepy eyes and a restful spirit

13. creating new happy habits

I think that's all for tonight. I will add on to this list whenever I have time to sit down and type it out, but will be working on it constantly in my head.

There is just so much.

Thank you God.

Will you work on yours? Will you tell your God that His blessings have not gone unnoticed? Join me in gratitude sweet friends!! He is ready!

First

2010-01-13T10:03:00.002-06:00

Sorry it's taken me so long to post these pictures I promised a while ago.

So, this is Sam getting his first haircut. He was really good. Well, after I gave him my keys. (He kept pressing my alarm button over and over again. I think the people in the shop were getting irritated. Oh well. Better than a screaming baby.)

Look at Brody. He was almost as excited as we were. No really, he was. Sweet brother.

How cute is he in that little smock thingy?!

This is pretty much the finished product. I kept it long on top but we cut the sides pretty short.

It's always so hard for me to cut my kids' hair. I hate to cut their pretty blonde off because I don't know how much longer they will have it.

Wait....what am I saying? I still have mine! They can keep their's forever too! :)

Time for a haircut?

2010-01-06T21:39:00.001-06:00

Mitch caught this picture getting Sam up from a nap recently. We decided it was time for a haircut. Another post about that coming soon....

2009...year in review

2010-01-04T19:34:00.011-06:00

Our year in review.....

we have had good times and bad,

we have been demolished and rebuilt,

we have learned to crawl and walk,

we have lost teeth and seen new ones grow in,

we have made new friends and seen our family grow,

we have been flower girls and ring bearers,

we have made home runs and we have struck-out,

and we have been reminded of God's undeserved grace and faithfulness again and again.

This is our 2009.

Christmas

2010-01-04T14:42:00.007-06:00

Merry Christmas!!! (a little late...)

For those of you on Facebook, you can probably stop reading now. I posted these same pictures a few weeks ago. Or, if you just can't get enough of us Fickey's, keep going :)

Sam REFUSES to sit still for any pictures. We have tried every trick in the book. No luck. Addie is trying to hold onto his sweater but it's obviously not working. I think she looks as frustrated as her mama was behind the camera.

So, here they are without Sam. I don't always realize how big they are until I see pictures like this. They have grown up so much. I really felt like this might be the last Christmas they will believe in Santa. I tried to soak up all that naive wonderment this year. Questions have begun, and I don't really want to lie to them. I just tell them it is way more fun to believe in Santa and hope they are satisfied with that. At least for a little while.

This was one of Sam's toys. It's a little playscape with a place to climb up on one side and a slide on the other, and a yellow steering wheel at the top which apparently is used to jump up and down and shake the whole thing and almost fall off numerous times and keep his mother from sitting down all day.

Brody got a "Razor Rip Rider 360" (he calls it that whole name every time he refers to it) from Santa. It is basically a tricycle with small caster wheels on the back so every time you turn a little, you spin around. Lots of fun.....for all of us.

Addie asked for a "little sewing machine" for Christmas. Luckily Santa found one that fit that description without having to buy a junky toy sewing machine. This one is perfect for her to learn on and make some small projects. She was very excited for her first lesson....

She sewed like a pro! I was very impressed! I think she must have watched me more than I thought she did. She knew lots about the machine that I didn't think she would have. Our first project was a pincushion. What seamstress doesn't need a pincushion?

Look how proud she is! I hope she keeps her interest and sticks with it.

We had a great Christmas. It was busy and Sam got sick again (started to get that pneumonia business again, along with an ear infection, but is better now) and we traveled quite a bit. But, we got to spend it together and no one broke their hand (hm mm, Mitch) and Santa was not discovered in the middle of the night and the kids were very excited about their gifts and we got to remember our Saviour's birth and our undeserved salvation.

Hope all of you had a merry Christmas too!!!

Now, I'm ready for spring!!!!!

Toilet Worm

2009-12-28T08:26:00.003-06:00

I will post some pics from Christmas soon, but wanted to share this video first.

I picked this little guy up from a store a couple of weeks ago. I saw him and remembered a friend's (Avery!) post where she lovingly tricked her children too. Now her kids are much younger than mine, so I was thinking that my kids would catch on for sure and not be bamboozled into such a prank. I was wrong.

Mitch practiced for a few minutes, then walked into the living room where the kids were to show him this "thing" he caught out of our toilet (I told him to say he caught it out of the tub, but apparently he thought 'toilet' would freak them out more). They walked over to see it, then immediately took off out the door. Such brave children.

This is where the video picks up. Please enjoy the cruelness that is our parenting....full of lies and deceit. But so darn funny.

Addie is too smart and caught on shortly after this that there was a string tied to Daddy's pants. Too bad. We could have gone on forever.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-15T08:53:00.006-06:00

I have been feeling overwhelmed lately.

Too much to do. Not enough time to do it.

Too many headaches and too much blowing my nose.

Traveling. Cleaning. Moving. Shopping. Wrapping. Planning. Crafting. Cooking.

I have ben feeling guilty that this is what our holidays have become this year. I have so badly wanted to sit down with my kids and read books about the true meaning of Christmas. I wanted to rent "The Nativity" and watch it with them. (I think they are old enough to understand and be grateful for God's gift to us.) I wanted to make Christmas cookies and eat them by the fire. I wanted for Christmas to be different than what it has become, yet again.....being busy.

The next week looks as though it will be filled with more activities than I want to list. And as I sit here thinking about the million and one things that need to be done, I know that I cannot "create" the perfectly calm Christmas I have in my head. It is what it is......crazy family time, a little sickness here and there, shopping at the last minute, too much fattening food, and hectic crazy schedules.

But, it is also laughter with friends and getting to hug people that I don't see very often and little kids getting to play with cousins and seeing the excitement in their faces when they open their gifts, and an occasional hot chocolate and yummy dessert.

But most of all, it's Jesus. In the next week when life will seem overwhelming and when I am completely worn out, I know there will be little moments for me to remind my kids that God's gift to us is immeasurable. And that our hearts should be joyful with that gift alone. That we have been given grace and forgiveness through that precious baby. I want to find time to remind them that the things they ask Santa for pale in comparison to the gift of salvation and the peace that comes from knowing God loves us.

I wanted to share this with you. This came from a link on a blog I read fairly regularly. It's about Christmas. And it spoke to my heart this morning:

"It’s hard to find Jesus in Christmas.

His Name is right there in the very word. How can we miss it? I searched the Christmas aisles of the scrapbook store for a sticker of baby Jesus in the manger. I couldn’t find one.

I looked high and low for a book about the Advent, the Coming to read with my children and couldn’t find one at the Christian book store.

Christmas was created to be a birthday party for Jesus, but the guest of honor is forgotten.

It’s hard to find Jesus in Christmas.

But we need Christmas.

Creation and Christmas are intertwined.

Thousands of years before there was a stable, bewildered shepherd’s and a Holy birth, there was a serpent in the garden.

He deceived Eve–she deceived Adam–we were born into deception. And that’s when we needed Christmas.

When we see Jesus, we see Christmas. When we see Christmas, we need to see Jesus. And it’s there, when the Tree, and The Manger mingle, we find The Cross. "

I hope you are able to see the cross this Christmas. I hope you are able to remind your families of the love that the Lord has lavished upon them and the grace He so freely gives.

I am so thankful to be reminded of this today. I did not sleep well last night. I am still not feeling great from this relentless sinus infection. I was up at 5am dreading my endless list of things that have to get done today with little or no energy to do them all. But, God spoke to me this morning and reminded me that my lists have nothing to do with Christmas.

Take joy in our saviour this week. Take joy in Him humbling Himself to be born in a manger (I mean, seriously. I don't like the fact that when we travel Sam has to sleep in that small, uncomfortable pac n' play. Really? A manger people! I'm pretty sure I would have strong objections to someone laying my son in hay in a barn) and remember that amidst the busyness of this season, our true delight and joy is in Jesus.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Welcome home...

2009-12-14T08:39:00.006-06:00

So, things slowed down for about five minutes today, and I finally took a few pictures of what the new fireplace and floors look like. I looked back through some of my old pictures and found one random picture from right after we first moved in of the old fireplace wall.

As you can see, the entire wall was white limestone rock.

It was a neat feature (which I secretly hated)....

This is what it looks like now. We have a darker rock and now that it's a 'normal' fireplace size, we were able to rearrange our furniture. I like it sooo much better like this!

(please ignore the GIGANTIC recliner which is now residing in our living room. Yes, it's huge. BUT...it was free and unbelievably comfortable!)

Our new hardwood floors in the living room...

The new tile in the kitchen and dining area (there used to be laminate wood flooring..which was HORRIBLE!!!! But when we redid the house two years ago, we ran out of money and that was all we could afford. I am SO grateful for this tile!!!)

Brody's room got a little facelift too. We painted it, got new bedding (wait..I have to brag about this...it's expensive to buy new bedding for those bunk beds. BUT....I got that queen sized comforter, sheet set, two shams, and the twin comforter and sheet set all for..wait for it.......$35!!!! About two months ago I found them on clearance at Target! I'm very proud of myself. Thanks for indulging me)

Glenda......do you see what is on Brody's nightstand? Yep...the pig/football. That is a place of honor.

Oh, and by the way...I didn't realize that the top bed is not made up until after I posted this picture. Oh well. That is what it normally looks like. Do you know how hard it is to make up a top bunk bed?!

We did kind of a globe/world thing in Brody's room. I kind of think he is a little too old for a "theme" per say, but he has always been really interested in globes and maps. About 6 months ago, I came across a box of old classroom globes at a garage sale. They were $5. I bought them not knowing what I would do with them, but couldn't pass them up (I get into a lot of trouble that way...).

Well, this is what I did with them...

They are hanging above his desk...for now. I think they might be a little too tempting for little hands that find themselves on that top bunk.

Good to be home.

We're in

2009-12-06T20:37:00.002-06:00

Three and half weeks later and we are home. Finally. I am currently sitting in my warm, comfy bed typing this. I may never leave.

The house looks beautiful. I will have pictures to post soon. Nearly every room has changed, either with new flooring, paint, or just rearranging furniture. It feels like a brand new house. I was A LOT of work. The house was filthy and EVERY SINGLE THING IN IT was COVERED with dust from all the jackhammering when they were digging holes.

But...lots of dusting, washing, wiping, and vaccuuming later....it is possibly the cleanest it's ever been!

Oh, and my precious little Sammie has pneumonia. It has been a struggle to just get through the day lately, let alone clean and move into a house. So......a short post and no pictures. But, it's worth the wait. For all of us.

2009-11-26T11:19:00.005-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving

from.....

a little Indian girl,

a little pilgrim boy,

and a chubby, little turkey.

This year, I am grateful for.....

...my babies who challenge me every day to live out the idea of grace

....my hardworking husband who provides for me sacrificially

and loves me unconditionally

....my precious friends who bring me joy and laughter

....my gracious family who I know will always be here for me

...a place to lie my head at night

....food in my tummy

....iced green teas from Starbucks

....my merciful God in whom I find redemption again and again.

Hope you are all having a wonderful holiday!

Love you all!

All jacked up...

2009-11-20T15:28:00.005-06:00

Two weeks of work so these little jacks could do their work and move the house a whole inch and a half.

We are done with the foundation repair, but are now in the process of filling the holes, patching the concrete, and tearing out and rebuilding the chimney and fireplace.

This is what our house looks like now.

YIKES!!!!! That used to be my living room.

Down our hallway and the kids' bedrooms....

A lot of our furniture is shoved into our kitchen and dining area. AND it is ALL covered in dirt.

Don't believe me? Check it out for yourself....

Anyone up for a cleaning/moving party in about a week?

Happy Holidays!

2009-11-20T07:43:00.003-06:00

I am meeting my cousin's baby for the first time this next week. She is only a month old.

I made her a few things to wear for the holidays yesterday out of some scrap fabric I had.

Too bad Sam can't wear pink and polk a dot turkeys. Hmmm...well, maybe he can. :)

Anyone looking for a model?

2009-11-19T21:11:00.003-06:00

I made these aprons for a woman that wanted her and her daughter to match for Thanksgiving. I asked my mom and Addie to try them on and let me take a few pictures.

Well....look who totally hammed it up. Complete with props and all.

This one's my favorite. Cutting fresh flowers in her apron. How domestic.

My mom said, "I think I should start modeling for magazines".

Ta-Da!!!

2009-11-17T20:11:00.003-06:00

I love how a pile of random fabric.....

Can turn into something like this!

Yes, I know they aren't Christmas colors. I think the closest I got was the fabric for Addie's has deer on it. But, my tree isn't so "Christmas-y" either. I like bold, bright colors at Christmas because the rest of the year my house is pretty muted.

These took me literally about two hours to crank out. I tried to do different embelishments on each one as well.

(Left to right) Mitch's has embroidery thread and buttons, Mine has a flower with some bright fabric, Brody's has a felt zig zag thingy with buttons on it, Addie's has a flower as well, and Sam has ric rac.

They are cute, but smaller than I wanted. I still make the mistake of cutting things out the size I want, but then once you sew them, they always turn out smaller. You'd think I'd have learned by now. But, I have decided that the bigger I make them, the more "Santa" has to fill. So, smaller is okay by me!

Anyway, one project done, nine million to go.

(House is going pretty well, by the way. Still at my parents' house. Thinking maybe another week. BUT..I get to go home to new tile in the kitchen, new hardwood floors in the living room, AND a brand new fireplace with beautiful new rock!!! I definitely can't complain!!)

Projects

2009-11-12T15:41:00.005-06:00

I stopped by our house today. To check on the progress. I almost had an anxiety attack right in the middle of what used to be my living room. Big giant holes. Dust. Dirt. Furniture piled in my kitchen. Mud. Men swarming everywhere. Mud. Carpet rolled up sitting outside. Jackhammering piercing my eardrums. Mud.

Sigh.

I have a control problem. I admit it. To see all that and not be able to do anything about it right now....to know that in a week or so, I have to go back and clean, unpack, and rearrange everything, but can't do one thing until then. It was different when it was all happening outside. I could still control the inside of my house. I could keep it clean and organized. Even if it meant sweeping and mopping 4 times a day (yes, that happened). But, now.....there is nothing I can do. But watch. Or not watch.

[I recognize this control thing is unhealthy. I am working on it. Don't you judge me.]

So. To save my sanity and possibly my marriage, I am staying away.

Instead I am working on a few projects here at my parents' house.

these will become stockings.....hopefully.

this is a plan for a quilt...my first REAL quilt.

I am making a few other things as well to make some money. Bleh. I definitely don't like making things for money as much as I do making gifts for friends and things to make my kids happy. But, it must be done to feed my ever growing sewing habit AND keep me somewhat sane during the next few weeks.

Pray for me, friends. That I will remain positive and grateful and supportive to my hard-working husband for creating a more beautiful (and level) home for us. Patience is not my best quality.

We've changed locations.....

2009-11-11T12:35:00.007-06:00

Welcome to our home. Our filthy, filthy home.

Remember this post? In APRIL?!!!! Well....nothing much happened between then and now. We found out right after we started all that work back in the Spring that our foundation on our existing house was completely out of level and it would cost $8000 to fix. $8000 on top of our already extremely tight budget. So, we had to put everything on hold and wait. For 7 months. Until we had the money. Well.....we would never have $8000 to just hand over. So Mitch, being the resourceful man he is, figured out that if he and his guys (workers he has with his business) did all the demolition, digging, and concrete work, the foundation repair company would lower the price tremendously because all they would do is use their nifty jacks to jack up the house.

So, work began about 10 days ago. This is what our house looks like right now.

There are approximately 15 holes around the outside of the house about 2ft wide and vary anywhere from 6 ft to 10 ft deep (depending on where they hit rock)

And what in the world? Don't we live in the Hill Country? What is this water in the ground? And where is all the rock? Maybe this is why our house is moving.

This became an issue when digging the holes. They kept filling up with water from the soil. Possibly a water table? (Mitch wanted to rule out a leak from the house, so....long story..in the midst of checking that out, we had both toilets flood our bathrooms. Fun times.)

This is a cement truck parked in my front yard where my beautiful St. Augustine grass used to live.

Meet Santana. One of Mitch's helpers. The one in the hole. He is a hard worker and we are grateful for him. Right before I took this picture he said, "How's my mustache?".

The view from our front door. Yes. Those are holes in our front porch.

The always driven and hard-working Brody helping dig holes.

Sam crawled up on Brody's chair and looked out the window at all the action throughout the day yesterday. If you look closely, you can see Mitch at the window.

They began digging holes on the inside of our house today. Which means we had to move out. We are currently "living" at my mom's house. Hopefully it will just be a week, but there is a lot of work to be done on the inside. They have to pull all the furniture out of a few rooms and pull carpet up to be able to dig the holes. What a mess.

I may be posting some blogs about losing my mind soon.

Seven

2009-11-10T20:41:00.004-06:00

My first born turned seven.

We are so proud of him.

We have learned so much from him.

We learned how to be parents with him.

We have made many mistakes with him too.

I am continually reminded that I do not know what I am doing.

Each new year is different and scary.

I realize now that the terrible two's is nothing compared to what we have in store with this precious boy.

He is brilliant and funny and has his daddy's determination.

I truly believe that Brody is destined for great things. I feel deep in my heart that his future limitless. And I can't wait to see it.

Birthday adventures....

We took cupcakes to his school for lunch to celebrate his birthday with his friends.

Sam was completely revved up by all the action in the cafeteria. I had forgotten how crazy an elementary school cafeteria can be. Whew.

We took Brody and one of his friends, Jackson, to "Walking with Dinosaurs" (a live show with robotic and puppet-type dinosaurs. Pretty cool)

Jackson spent the night and the next morning we had a celebration breakfast complete with eggs, pancakes, and presents.

(notice the bike in out dining room? Will one of you please tell Mitch that bikes belong outside! No matter how much they cost!!!)

On Saturday night, we went to eat and Brody picked Pei Wei (yay for kids who love Asian food!!)

Then came home and were surprised by an INCREDIBLE cake made by Nana!!

Seriously! How cool is that cake?!

This is us in front of Pei Wei. (notice Sam's shirt and pants. They are soaking wet. He thinks he can drink out of a cup with no lid all by himself. Who's watching this kid?)

Brody wanted to eat at Pei Wei last year too....

Maybe he will make this a tradition and we can have a whole line up of these pictures.

Happy Birthday sweet Brody! We love you!

Handmade Halloween

2009-11-09T21:05:00.003-06:00

We had a great time trick or treating.

Sam discovered lollipops. I discovered lollipops and gnome beards don't mix.

Addie was worried no one would know what she was supposed to be, but was proved wrong.

Brody loved his eyeball costume, but Mitch has informed me I have to let him be something "normal" next year. Yawn....bor-ing.

Luckily, they have all successfully forgotten about their candy and it's not sitting around tempting me anymore.

Bring on the Holidays!!!

IOU

2009-11-06T13:53:00.002-06:00

I owe you a post. Soon. I have been busy lately sewing some things to sell at an upcoming M.O.P.S. meeting. It has consumed every spare second I have when Sam is not being the high maintenance baby he has become.

Tomorrow is Brody's birthday. My goal is to finish all my sewing before then. I promise a post soon. Thanks for sticking around sweet friends!

Meat Hand

2009-11-01T21:41:00.004-06:00

I decided to cook hand on Friday night. Monster hand.

Where do you buy monster hand you ask? Well.....at the HEB of course. Don't they have everything?

(It's really just a meatloaf shaped into the form of a hand with onions as the fingernails and wrist bone, and with tomato sauce and cheese on top placed on top of mashed potatoes, in case you really thought it was hand.)

They weren't so sure about it. They didn't know I was making it, so when I put it down on the table and announced that "Tonight...we are having monster hand, their faces were priceless (as pictured above).

Now, they obviously knew it wasn't a monster's hand, because they know there's no such thing as monsters.....but the hand. They weren't so sure about the hand part.

Brody said, "So........whose hand is it?".

That meant it looked real! Mission accomplished!

It was yummy too, despite it's gruesome appearance! Good way to kick off Halloween (pictures of costumes and trick or treating coming soon!)

lady (little girl) in red

2009-10-25T14:31:00.002-05:00

Enter clever title about Elephants here

2009-10-20T15:51:00.007-05:00

This one's for Kyle..... :)

For Sam's birthday I wanted some kind of table cloth, but didn't like anything I found. So, I bought some fat quarters for about $1.50/each, cut them in random widths, and then sewed them together to make a long table runner.

This is the best picture I have of it...

I knew I wanted to do something with it when the party was over, but wasn't sure what. I decided that I would attempt to make a stuffed elephant for Sam to keep in his bed and possibly sleep on like a pillow (that has not happened yet. It is typically thrown out of the crib, but I faithfully put it back there because...well, because I made it and that's where it looks the cutest! ).

Front side...

Ear... (duh)

Okay, this is slightly embarrassing and doesn't speak well of my sewing skills. But, I had to share. The picture below is the tail. Look directly below the tail (to the right in the picture). On the seem in between the blue and the green.

Yep.

That's a hole.

Right where it should be.

I didn't realize there was a weak seam there until after it was already partially stuffed.

It was late at night.

Enough said.

Perhaps I will hand stitch it closed some day.

Perhaps not.

My friend, Kyle, said "it's just anatomically correct". I kinda like it that way.

The back side....and a cute little Sammie foot.

He seems to like it okay. Could probably live without it too.

It was a fun and easy sewing project.
And now we have an Elephant with a poop shoot.

All in a day's work.

Spanish Immersion part 2

2009-10-14T14:20:00.002-05:00

Maybe we should do this instead of "Los Vocales"? Might be more fun. Even if it doesn't make any sense.......

Las Vocales

2009-10-12T14:07:00.004-05:00

So, Addie's dual language class is going pretty well. I still have a few reservations, but I have to keep reminding myself that a few issues here and there won't matter at all when she is speaking spanish for the rest of her life. Who knows what opportunities God will send her way because of this?

Anyway....in hopes that parents will help reinforce classroom learning at home, Addie's teacher sends home books and cds that go along with the songs they are learning in class (they learn a lot through song....just like we did, I guess. ABCs, days of the week, all that stuff).

She has one song, in particular, that is her favorite to sing. She taught it to her daddy on a long drive they took recently. It is the vowel sounds in Spanish.

This is a video I took one night last week. Baths had been taken, p.j.'s were on, dinner was eaten and mostly cleaned up, and we were all jamming to "Las Vocales" (don't ask me what that word means....I don't really know. I'm thinking "vowels", but I'm honestly not really sure. Oooohhh... Addie is in for some trouble if she thinks I'm ever going to be able to help her with her homework.)

Please be sure to notice Sam dancing along and trying to sing the song too. Hilarious. Well, to me anyway.

Stay tuned for more developments in the land of Spanish immersion.

Bringing home the bacon

2009-10-07T15:14:00.005-05:00

Look at this precious shirt my friend made for Sam.....

"But mom.......I don't want to go to work."

Are you kidding me?

2009-10-07T07:49:00.007-05:00

9 years of marriage
several different sets of sheets
umpteen million loads of laundry
ridiculous amounts of time spent on trying to fold sheets by myself only for them to look like a mess when I was done.

Who knew it was this easy to fold a stinkin fitted sheet?

Am I the only one that didn't know this trick?

I realize this isn't one of "Life's greatest challenges" like this woman says.

I do have some perspective.

There are many greater challenges in life (like EVERY OTHER ONE) that trump folding a fitted sheet.

Seriously.

But........it does kind of make my life a little easier.

One challenge down. 50,000 to go.

Just because

2009-10-06T16:55:00.005-05:00

Yesterday, I attempted to capture Sam trying to crawl on and off his little car/train thing. He never would do it for me. Stubborn kid. Trust me, though....it's funny. Maybe another day.

This is what I got instead.

How precious is his little head-tilted-flirty-aren't-I-so-cute-don't-you-just-love-me smile?

Sigh. I love that baby.

(by the way....I have no idea what "dah" means. Still trying to figure that one out.)

Wanted: craft buddy

2009-10-05T09:37:00.008-05:00

Anyone want to try something new with me?

How about stitchery?!

(I don't know what it's really called, but I like the way 'stitchery' sounds...)

AND....I like the way this would look on a big pillow on my couch for Christmas.....

Or the way these would look hanging from my oven door at Thanksgiving....

Or any and/or all of these (probably different fabric and colors...but you get the idea) would look next to that other pillow I plan to make....

Okay, so I have never hand stitched anything in my life. But, I found a website with a great tutorial and it seems pretty easy (famous last words?). If you are interested I will share the website.

Someone out there........ please try it with me?! We can share pictures and tips, maybe? Don't you want, er...NEED these things for the holidays?!

In your house?

As gifts?

Just to appease me???

Come on, friends....don't leave me hanging! Crafts are so much more fun when you do them with someone else!!!!!

Feeling stitch-ey yet?

Radio Flyer

2009-10-04T20:43:00.004-05:00

Role model

2009-10-02T13:49:00.005-05:00

I came across this picture the other day.........

Sweet little Addie mimicking her daddy and looking to him for approval. Melts my heart. (click on the picture and it makes it bigger....look at her face! Sigh.)

Made me think.....

Are Mitch and I examples for our children to emulate?

Are we living in God the way we desire our children to?

Are we showing the fruit I want so badly for them to possess?

We are trying.

We fall short more often than not.

But, we are trying.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in truth.

3 John 1:4

Sick days

2009-10-01T09:14:00.007-05:00

My baby is sick.......

He knows his whole class misses him

(and their arms...and feet.....and hair...)

In the mean time, he made up his own math problems for some practice.

Sweet Brody....it "mite" have been a good idea to make up problems

that you were sure about.....

And of course, I can't forget about Addie. She has gotten to partake in the constant TV watching since Brody has been sick (don't make me feel guilty for that. You know when you're sick, all you want to do is lay on the couch and watch TV too...)

She drew Sid the sloth from Ice Age

I was pretty impressed! Not too far off, huh?

I am beyond ready to get out of this house!!! Go away flu...go away!!!

2009-09-30T08:54:00.002-05:00

"To whom will you compare me?

Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.

Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:

Who created all these?

He who brings out the starry host one by one,

and calls them each by name.

Because of his great power and mighty strength,

not one of them is missing.

Why do you say, O Jacob,

and complain, O Israel,

"My way is hidden from the LORD;

my cause is disregarded by my God"?

Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The LORD is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom.

Isaiah 40:25-28

To Satan you are a number. A faceless being to trick and manipulate.

To God you are called by name. He has loved you since before the creation of the world, my friend.

Take hope in that. When you are feeling useless and nameless and pointless. You are not. You are loved and regarded.

I'm a flats kinda girl...

2009-09-20T20:46:00.004-05:00

and this is why.....

Laughed until I cried. Four times.

Poor little model.

Sam's party

2009-09-20T14:27:00.013-05:00

Sam's party was yesterday. It was small and simple and perfect. We had some precious friends there as well as Nana and Papa (what party is complete without friends and Nana and Papa?!)

I made him a shirt and hat for his big day!

I have seen this cake idea all over the place and thought it was so precious! Who doesn't need a giant cupcake for their birthday?!

Decorations.....

Present time!!!!

He got lots of fun things! Thank you everyone!!!

I think this might have been his favorite toy. He rode in it for at least two hours yesterday....

Cake!

Some sweet little girls enjoying cake too...

He's so big now.

Not just because he turned one, but because he's doing all these things I'm pretty sure Brody and Addie didn't do until they were older.

Like open doors. Inside AND outside!

And throw temper tantrums.

And go up steps. All by himself.

We love this baby.

Er....I mean big boy.

Can't wait for more birthdays with him!

By the way....we just got a new, nice camera and these pictures are actually really good quality, but for some reason in between editing them and posting them, they don't look that great. Will have to work on that.

updated wedding!

2009-09-16T09:04:00.008-05:00

When I uploaded a video on blogger of the wedding pictures the video was so small you couldn't see it very well. So, I uploaded it to Youtube so you can expand it and see the pictures better (if you want to). You're welcome ;)

Love you all!

To expand it press the second button from the right on the bottom.....

And afterwards scroll down to see another new post! Luck you! Two in one day! ;)

sam

2009-09-16T08:20:00.006-05:00

my baby is one.

he had is birthday this last saturday.

his life has brought me endless joy.

he is precious and perfect and hilarious.

he makes us smile and laugh and occasionally stuff our fingers in our ears.

he is loud and friendly.

he doesn't meet a stranger and I love that about him.

his face is constantly full of expression.

21 months ago I was panicked at the idea of another baby.

today, I can't imagine my life without him.

happy birthday sweet sam. we love you.

wedding

2009-09-14T17:06:00.003-05:00

Wow. What a weekend!

It included, but was not limited to,

rain...lots and lots of rain

a two hour long traffic jam with screaming kids

getting lost almost everywhere we went

being late almost everywhere we went

one hotel room + five people = no sleep

kids getting stuck in an elevator

baby discovering his fear of elevators

meeting new people

seeing old faces

lots of emotions, familiar and some new ones

laughter

tears

and a new sister-in-law!

Here is a little compilation of the pictures I took this weekend! Enjoy!

Tugging at my heart

2009-09-10T16:20:00.007-05:00

Wow. Look what I stumbled upon today. A group of women devoted to giving to the needy around the world through the work of their hands. Their crafty hands.

They make blankets and hankies and hats and booties and dolls and sock monkeys for impoverished and needy children.

Lonely and forgotten children.

Burned and wounded children throughout the world.

They post a project, then pray that there are women out there that have the heart to take the hours or minutes it takes to create these things and send them to them.

I have to be honest with you. As I scrolled through the pictures of piles of tiny hand-knitted hats and booties for children thousands of miles away, I started to cry.

What precious little feet would those booties cover?

Dirty ones? Malnourished ones?

What arms would cuddle those handmade dolls and sock monkeys?

Lonely ones that had been orphaned or abused?

Ones that were burned and scarred?

Wow. Women are awesome. I never get tired of that revelation. And I never get tired of our God who created us to have hearts that are tender for children and hands that work endlessly for them.

Check out their website....

Craft Hope

Thank you God for these ladies' hearts and what they are doing to change the world. Clothing the poor and needy. Just what you have called us to do.

Fashion Merchandising

2009-09-07T20:52:00.005-05:00

Umm...hello?! Who has found their new calling?

Paper doll clothes!!!

Addie had her first homework assignment this weekend. The sheet said it was really a "family assignment" (ie mom does, Addie watches). Decorate a paper doll with things around the house to look like Addie..... and be creative!

We loved making the doll clothes!!

Addie designed the heart and belt

We both designed the netting underneath and the pink converse

Maybe we should go into business?

Big day has been moved!

2009-09-01T09:43:00.003-05:00

So my precious little Sammie turns one on September 12. My brother is getting married on that same day, so we decided to have Sam's party the weekend before....September 5.....Labor day.

What was I thinking? That people actually make plans for that weekend and possibly even go out of town?! Never! We would be in town...so wouldn't everyone else?

Nope.

After recieving several (pretty much all) negative RSVPs, I just decided that we're going to postpone the party to September 19 instead. I want to celebrate Sam's life with as many of our friends and family as possible so it only makes since to move it.

So....if you were planning on coming (which you probably weren't...since no one really was), please change the date and come on the 19th!

If you weren't able to come this next weekend, please try to come on the 19th! We would love to see you there!

And...if you didn't know anything about this party...please come too!!! :)

Brody and Addie both had wonderful memorable 1st birthday parties that meant so much to all of us. I can't imagine Sam having one with me, Mitch, Nana and Papa sitting around staring at him.....not too much fun.

Love to you all!

Let's go for a ride

2009-08-28T15:43:00.008-05:00

New past time for the Fickey kids....

This next one is a few rides later....even funnier.

(sorry for my loud "man-laugh"....does it really sound that masculine?! Yikes!!)

Note to self....next sewing project: recover Addie's pink gingham baby chair in a more boy-ish color so Sam can ride around in style.

Should I let this happen in my house? Let my baby be dragged around and knocked over again and again?

When my first child was a baby?....definately not.

When my second was a baby?......probably not.

With my third?

It's free game this time 'round, my friends.

Free game.

multiple personalites

2009-08-28T14:05:00.002-05:00

Just a short post to let you know that I have ADD when it comes to designing my blog. I want to change it constantly. I pick one I like, then decide after a couple of days I don't like it so much. Have you noticed?

Sorry if it has confused any of you. Hopefully it just keeps it fresh and interesting so you keep coming back and reading my ramblings.

I think I like this one, so hopefully I will stick with it for a while. Maybe........

Sew busy

2009-08-28T09:53:00.012-05:00

Sew, I've been sew busy sewing these days (yes, I will continue to use 'sew' instead of 'so' throughout this post....cause it's funny...and cause I can).

My mother has sewed (or is it sewn?) my entire life. I think her creations (ie curtains, pillows, blankets, etc) have graced every home I have ever lived in. She is very talented and I'm sure wanted to share this skill with me from the time I was little, but I really wasn't interested until the last few years. But, now....it's like I can't turn my brain off from thinking about fabric and projects and "oh, I could sew that for in here"...or "I could re-cover that"...or "sure I'll make those pillows for you"...or "Addie's hair is in her face. She needs something for that...I could whip that out real quick".

Sew (you didn't believe me, did you?), here are a few things I have worked on over the last month....

Addie's school bag

Hairbands for hair that I can no longer re-do all day (cause she's at school)

she will have 50 headbands by the time I'm done

a preschool napmat for a friend's precious little 2 yr old girl who is a little reluctant about preschool. Maybe this will make her more excited about going.

(Addie a little reluctant about modeling...say what?!?!)

...and this is a fly fishing vest. Yes, that's what I said. Why make a fly fishing vest? Well, it was for our crazy friend that we met in Boston who fishes. It was his birthday. He is probably the only person in the world that might actually wear something this wild and tacky and possibly scare away all the fish. I love him!

It's a little sloppy basically because I had no idea what I was doing. I made the whole thing based off a picture I found on the internet.

Not sew close, I know.....but he was excited. Or at least pretended to be.

Sew, there you have it. I love it. Even if they are not perfect. They are imagined, started and completed and that is the best part.

If you don't sew...don't be intimidated by that machine!! You can do it!!!! It's all trial and error and screaming and cussing at the machine and tears and pin pricks and pride and joy! So fun!!!!

Boo hoo

2009-08-24T14:03:00.004-05:00

(this picture kills me. Seriously. I can't look at it without tearing up. When did she get so big?)

6:15 came really early this morning. Both Brody and Addie woke up on their own (I'm sure that will change starting tomorrow) and stumbled into the kitchen where I was making a big fun breakfast (also something that will change starting tomorrow). They were so excited. I'm so glad they love school.

I attempted to decorate the table as best I could with some extra stuff I had around (ie scrapbook paper, ribbon, stickers, and their new school shirts) A little make-shift, but the best I could do at that moment. They thought it was a grand celebration. The fact that they got to use "real glasses" was monumental to them.

Nana drug herself out of bed this morning (also not a morning person) to come have breakfast with us and ride to school.

One last pose before the big 2 minute trip to school.

The long walk. (after today they will ride the bus to and from school)

We took Brody to his classroom first and apparently when your child gets to first grade, you don't hang out in the classroom and take pictures. There were no other parents in sight and Brody was actually the last one in the classroom (oops!). He was already a little embarassed because of that, so I didn't dare take a picture of him. But trust me, he was precious in his little desk.

We took Addie to her class next. She is going to be in a dual-language program this year, which means her class is half english speakers and half spanish speakers and the instruction will be 90% in spanish. Scary!!! I have a lot of anxiety over this, but am trying to remember that the benefit of her being able to speak spanish in the long run, outweighs some of my little concerns.

Daddy helping her find where to hang up her bag.

At her table. Then we were supposed to leave.

But....I lingered at the door for a few moments and snapped this picture.

She thought we had left. She didn't see me standing there.

The look of anxiety on her face was heartbreaking for me.

But, we had to leave. I cannot protect her and walk her through everything. She has to experience life on her own.

It is now about 20 minutes from the time I get to walk out and meet their bus. I cannot wait to hear what happened today....good and bad.

Do you think she missed me? Probably not.

Do you think he missed me? Definately not.

Did I miss them? Every second.

I miss chattering Addie asking me a million and one questions and singing and dancing.

I miss crazy Brody making Sam laugh (and scream occasionally) and always being helpful.

But....luckily I have this little guy to keep me company.

He crawled under the stool and decided it was a pretty cool place to be...for about 30 seconds. Then completely panicked.

He is precious and I am overjoyed that I get to do this all over again with him.

Last Day

2009-08-21T21:10:00.004-05:00

Today was the official last day of summer. I don't count the weekend, because...well...it's the weekend. We have many weekends throughout the school year, but this was the last weekday they will not have to go to school (except holidays of course).

We couldn't just sit around here all day...so we went to the McKenna Children's Museum in New Braunfels. It was great! A perfect day for all three kids. Yes, even Sam. Since he is walking now, he is finally getting to get in on some of the fun that the other two get to partake in.

Check out our pics from today and go there yourself! It's a great place to spend the day.

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