Artist?

Brandon has always been eager to learn so teaching him the alphabet, colors, numbers, etc. hasn't been too challenging. The past few months he has been learning how to write his name. I am so proud of him!!!

We stayed home from church this morning because he and Dalton were looking a little snotty. So, while Nate and Carson were at church, Brandon and I practiced writing his name and a couple other words. Here is his name...



I keep his paper and colored pencils on the kitchen table because he goes in there often to draw or practice his letters. While I was eating lunch this afternoon he was sitting at the table drawing a picture of his Daddy. This is what he came up with...



hahahahahahahahaha!! That's my favorite little picture EVER!!!

I am starting to wonder if he isn't going to take after his great-granddaddy, Daddy Bill. After all that is who he is named after!!



His,
Meg
Zeph. 3:17

Friday Friday

This past Friday was a much needed day of relaxation. I cleaned and did laundry but we stayed home all day.



It was also Dalton's EIGHT MONTH birthday!!! When he was 6 months old he started rolling to stuff. If he saw something he wanted he would roll to get there. At 7 months he was crawling...army crawling. He has started pulling up so there's no telling when the walking will begin. I am not encouraging that AT ALL!! =) Brandon and Carson have always been very active but Dalton has them beat. He was very active when I was pregnant and for a few months he was immobile but those days didn't last long.
He LOVES to eat!! He started on rice cereal right before he turned 2 months old because he was always hungry. This was his breakfast the other morning...



Of course I cut up the banana and tore the bread into little pieces but he ate most of it...and an 8 oz bottle. HUNGRY BOY!!!

He is a great sleeper and such a good baby.

We are so blessed to have three healthy boys!!!



His,
Meg
Zeph. 3:17

YMCA

Nathan and I joined the YMCA shortly after moving to Nashville in 2010. Brandon was almost 18 months and Carson was 4 months old. They are 3 1/2 and 2 1/2 now so the Y is a very familiar place to them. Not only do I work out at the Y but I am also employed there AND that's where our church meets. So, yes, we have pillows and blankets stashed in a closet because apparently we LIVE there! =)

The weather has been so nice lately that they have LOVED being there. There is a really nice playground and these boys love being outside.



It's fun to play at the Y-M-C-A!!! =)



His,
Meg
Zeph 3:17

Not For A Moment

His,
Meg
Zeph. 3:17

Crock Pot Girl

I LOVE my crock pot! I know there are people busier than us but we are pretty dang busy. I work on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday nights so I do a lot of our dinners in the crock pot. Mama gave me this book for Christmas and it has been awesome! I have not cooked a single thing that wasn't yummy.



Here are a few recipes for those of you that are on the go or need meal ideas that don't keep you in the kitchen all day.

BUFFALO CHICKEN SOUP. This is one of our favorites. It does require a little prep but it's so worth it. Yummy!
Ingredients:
1 tbsp oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 stalks celery, diced
2 to 3 cups cooked chicken, diced
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
1 cup chicken broth
2 cups milk
1 tsp garlic salt
1 cup bottled buffalo wing sauce (hot or mild)
4 oz shredded cheddar cheese
Directions:
Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and celery and saute for about 5 minutes. Scrape veggies into crock pot. Add cooked chicken to crock pot. Melt butter in skillet over medium heat just until foamy. Whisk in flour to make a roux, stirring well to incorporate all the flour. Cook 1 to 2 minutes, or until the roux is slightly golden. Scrape into the crock pot. Stir in broth and milk. Add garlic salt and wing sauce. Stir well. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours. Stir in cheese about 30 minutes before serving.

ENCHILADA CASSEROLE. I use chicken instead of ground beef or ground turkey but either way it's delicious.
Ingredients:
1 lb hamburger meat, browned. Again, I use chicken.
i can cream of chicken soup
1 can diced tomatoes with green chiles
1 can ranch style beans
flour tortillas
1 bag shredded velveeta crumbles
Directions:
Brown hamburger meat; add soup, tomatoes, and beans to the hamburger meat and mix well. Tear tortillas into strips and place a layer in the bottom of the crock pot. Next, add 1 layer of 1/2 the meat mixture, then layer of cheese. Repeat layers, ending with cheese. Cook on high for 3 hours.

ZESTY SHREDDED CHICKEN BARBECUE.
Ingredients:
6 boneless skinless chicken breasts, frozen
1 (12 oz) bottle bbq sauce (flavor of your choice)
1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp worcestershire sauce
1 or 2 onions, sliced
sandwich/sub rolls, toasted
Directions:
Place frozen chicken in crock pot (stacking is fine). In a bowl, mix together the bbq sauce, Italian dressing, brown sugar, and worcestershire sauce; then pour over the frozen chicken. Slice desired amount of onion and add to the crock pot. Cover and cook on low for approximately 4 hours. Remove chicken and shred with two forks, then return the shredded chicken to the crock pot. Cook on low for an additional 1 to 2 hours to soak up the sauce. Add the shredded chicken and onions to the toasted rolls.

ENJOY!!!!



His,
Meg
Zeph. 3:17

Happy...Valentines?

Nate and I have never been into Valentine's Day. Even when I was single I didn't really care about having a date or boyfriend on Valentine's Day. Just another day to me. Shouldn't we show love every day? Anyway, I won't get on that soapbox! =)

Well, my Mimi, in all her sweetness, sent us money to go on a date. She sent it as get well/date money after I had surgery a couple weeks ago. We try as often as we can to go out ALONE but sometimes it just doesn't happen...like when you get your gall bladder removed! =) We set aside Saturday night to go out and "celebrate Valentine's Day." Really, it's just a date night and I LOVE dates with Nathan. We always have a good time and if you know him...there is never a dull moment!

So, what did we do on Valentine's Day??

We started the day at the Y. Imagine that. I still don't feel 100% comfortable doing Zumba. One of my punctures/incisions is still a little tender and I don't want to chance anything. So, I walked the track which is fine. Brandon and Carson got to play outside and Dalton got spoiled by the awesome YPlay staff!! After walking the track I was able to spend some time READING!! Yes. Reading. Ahhhhh so nice!

It was a GORGEOUS day so this is how we spent the first part of the afternoon...



Since the boys had done nothing but play all day they were exhausted by naptime. So, when I turned on a movie I knew they wouldn't make it through. The boys gave me the best present ever...they took LONG naps AT THE SAME TIME!!!



I was able to watch what I wanted to watch on TV and get some more reading done. I didn't move from the couch which was a-mazing!

The plan for the evening was as follows:
Nate was going to get home from work and I was going to leave and get a much needed manicure. Nate was going to order pizza for the boys and they were going to eat while I was gone.
When I got home from my manicure, Brandon and I were going to the grocery store for our bi-weekly trip.
Manicure DONE (thank goodness).
Pizza ordered...but never received. Yes, you read that correctly.
Grocery shopping done AT 11:30PM!!!!

Because Nate never got the pizza he ordered, we ended up at IHOP at the boys request. The service isn't the best so it wasn't a quick trip by any means. Oh well. Dalton got his first taste of pancakes and french toast and the big boys were entertained...



We might not have celebrated like most people but I spent the day with the boys that I love most!!!

I love you, Nate!! Happy...Valentines?? =)



His,
Meg
Zeph. 3:17

You are I AM

I have heard this song several times on the radio but I heard it yesterday and it seemed to speak directly to me in a way that it hasn't before.

Have you ever questioned His presence?
Doubted His love?
Have you questioned if He is enough?
Have you tried to do things your own way...by your own strength?
Have you questioned His character and who He is?
Have you been held down by the chains of your own shame?
Have you felt unreachable?

Check. Check. Check.
I have experienced all these and more. My head knows the truth of He is but sometimes my heart is not as receptive. God has come near to me and I experience His love, affections, power, and presence more than not.

Exodus 3 - God calls Moses to lead His people. Moses questions God about a lot of things but in verse 14 he asks God what he is supposed to say when people ask who sent him. God refers to himself as, "I AM who I AM." He told Moses to tell the people that I AM sent him. In verse 15, "This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations." Throughout Scripture God proves Himself as I AM and this song speaks of His power...even in sending His Son, the Messiah.

"You're the One who conquers giants
You're the One who calls out kings
You shut the mouths of lions
You tell the dead to breathe
You're the One who walks through fire
You take the orphans hand
You are the one Messiah
You are I AM
You are I AM"

I am so thankful for God's real and powerful presence in my life. I have been delivered from and saved from lots of things because of his steadfast love! Because of Him I can experience the freedom and joy that comes in knowing Christ.

Hallelujah! He lives in me!



His,
Meg
Zeph. 3:17

A Praying Mommy

When each of our boys were born we "assigned" them a verse.

Brandon - Ps. 119:9, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word."
Carson - Micah 6:8, "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Dalton - Ps. 105:4, "Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his presence continually."

I was reading the other day and came across this verse. I have it marked in my Bible as a reminder to pray it over them...

My son(s), do not lose sight of these - keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.
Proverbs 3:21-23

I have had recent conversations with friends about what our plans are for schooling our boys...homeschool vs. public/private school. The reason most people give for homeschooling their children is to protect them from the dangers and worldliness of the school system whether public or private. I will homeschool not out of fear for what my children are exposed to but out of obedience to the Lord. There is no way I can keep my boys safe from everything this world has to offer but I can PRAY they walk in wisdom and discretion. I PRAY that Nate and I are teaching them obedience and discernment in decison making now, even as young as they are.

I am thankful for the Word! This parenting thing isn't easy but I am so thankful I have a guide!



His,
Meg
Zeph. 3:17

Back at it...

Yesterday was my first full day with the boys by myself. I am so thankful for Tiffany, Johnna, Carolyn, and Allie who were more than hospitable while I was down. They helped with the boys and did stuff around the house to help me out and I am SO thankful!!! There isn't any way to repay such generosity!

Since I was still on percocet I wasn't able to drive so we stayed in most of the day but it was SO GORGEOUS outside and I couldn't stand keeping them shut in. So, we spent most of the morning/early afternoon at the playground down the street. I didn't have to drive and they got to play. We even went on a little walk.

Carson has hugged my leg several times today and Brandon will randomly ask if I feel better. I think they missed me which is kind of nice. Since I am with them all the time I rarely get to experience what it's like to be missed. I love my boys!!!

Thanks again for the meals and emails/texts of encouragement and prayer!




His,
Meg
Zeph. 3:17

Hermit

A week ago today I was spending the night at St Thomas hospital waiting for surgery the following morning.

Since then things have been very uneventful. I was on nausea meds for a few days which was awful...I would rather have the worst sinus infection than throw up. I am still on percocet which prevents me from driving so I have been at home since early last week. I am not able to lift more than 10 lbs which means picking up dalton is out of the question. He has learned how to scoot and roll which means I am constantly moving him. I am so blessed to have a great sister and amazing friends to help!! My friend, Johnna, stayed with me ALL DAY last Thursday and Friday. She cleaned, did laundry, took care of the boys...EVERYTHING!! I felt terrible watching her straighten up all of our stuff but I really couldn't do anything about it. I am so blessed!!!

Nathan was home this weekend which was great. Because I am stubborn (there, I said it) I felt the need to straighten up and do laundry which put me right back on the couch with my percocet. I am hoping to be somewhat back to normal this week. It's crazy how much pain a little organ can cause and it's even crazier how much pain it can cause having it removed.

Hopefully my next update will be a little more exciting!!!

Oh, and GO RAVENS!! =)


His,
Meg
Zeph. 3:17