1, 2, 3, 4

I have a Sesame Street song that has been stuck in my head all day long. Yes, I watch Sesame Street. When you have a toddler you can't help it. I love the characters just as much as Brayden. Anyway, I saw this segment over a year ago and periodically the song pops into my head and when it does I just can't seem to stop singing it. Something triggered it again last night and I have been singing it all day long. Maybe its because I will soon have a 4 year old and I am focusing on "4", or maybe because it is a catchy tune. Who knows!

I have posted the link below so you can watch the segment, but let me add a WARNING, you may be singing this song the next 24 hours. Watch at your own risk. :)

1, 2, 3, 4

Best Friends

Brayden went to give Sarah a hug goodnight and he put his arms around her and said "We are so best friends".

I love that they love each other so much. Don't get me wrong they definitely have their moments of bugging each other and Jason or I have to step in, but for the most part they enjoy being together. Brayden really looks up to Sarah and wants to copy everything she does and says. If Sarah tells me something he repeats it to me in his own version of what he thinks she said. If Sarah gets a new IPod app, he wants it to. If Sarah is doing her homework, he wants to work on his "homework". It is funny. A little annoying for Sarah at times, but cute.

I am praying that as they get older, no matter what they age, Brayden will still be saying "We are so best friends".

Time Away...

Jason and I got a chance to get away for a couple of days this past weekend, which was wonderful! His parents were invited to the New Jersey Bible Alliance Fire Bible Summit at Crystal Springs Resort & Spa in Vernon, NJ but were unable to go, so they said we could take their place. Thursday afternoon Don and Donna picked up the kids and we headed to the hotel until Saturday morning. On Friday we were both treated to some amenities. Jason was a part of a golf tournament where he won some new golf wedges. I got to go to the resorts spa to have a massage and facial. It was wonderful. A girl could get used to that kind of treatment. The rest of the day I spent in our room working on my digital scrapbook, watching movies and eating chocolate cake in peace and quiet. :)

The summit has pastors attend the weekend and they raise money to translate the Fire Bible into different languages so they can be distributed all over the world.  We attended a dinner and heard a sobering message of how many are persecuted for their faith throughout the world. We are so blessed in this country to be able to own bibles, carry them with us, go to church and to be able to publicly proclaim our faith. Many in the world are persecuted by being outcast from their culture, physically persecuted and sometimes even killed. My day to day problems are so small compared to what many Christians in this world go through on a day to day basis for their faith.

Happy 8th Birthday Claire!

Tomorrow is my niece Claire's birthday, so I am sending out a special post to wish her a Wonderful, Fabulous, Amazing, Exciting, Awesome birthday!

Claire you are such a beautiful girl. We love your smile, it is contagious. You make us laugh, with your silly stories and by just being you. You make us feel good when you make special crafts or gifts for us. You make us happy by just being you and being our niece and cousin. There is no one like you in this world. God has created you uniquely and beautifully. We think your perfect! Happy Birthday! Love, Aunt Amy

These are some of my favorite pictures from our time together this summer with you in North Carolina.

Disinfectant and Paper Towel

Did I get your attention by the title? Brayden has been potty trained for over a year now, but he is just now getting tall enough that he can stand at the potty and go to the bathroom (like any boy) instead of sitting. He is working on his aim which at first was good, but now seems to be starting off everywhere but in the potty. I feel like the past couple days I have constantly been wiping our bathroom floor and toilet with disinfectant. I am not used to this kind of mess, I like my bathroom clean, but learning to be patient in the process as I know any parent must be as our kids learn to do things on their own. Sometimes that patience comes easier at times than others.  He is also learning to dress himself all by himself, even picking out his own outfits. Sometimes we have things on backwards or on our head when they should be on our bottom. Even eating is still a learning process especially when it comes to spaghetti. He is my fun, silly and always wanting to play little boy. Very different from my Sarah, but perfect in his own ways. Love our little bear.

Where does my help come from?

I was feeling a little overwhelmed yesterday in the midst of a project I was working on and thinking about the other projects I need to accomplish that have been put off all summer long, when the words to a song I know popped into my head. 

God I look to you.
I won't be overwhelmed.
Give me vision to see things like you do.
God I look to you.
Your where my help comes from.
Give me wisdom, you know just what to do.
(God I Look to You - Bethel Live)

I have been singing those words over and over again since yesterday reminding myself where my help comes from. The Lord has reminded me once again that no matter what my circumstances are I don't have to walk each day in my own strength. He just asks me to look to him, and gain my strength from him. He will give me clear vision and wisdom day by day. Ahhh! Not feeling overwhelmed but peace. Thank you Lord.

Update: First Day of 5th Grade

"Today was great! I love my teacher!", were Sarah's exact words. She came home with a smile on her face and lots to share about her school day, classroom, schedule and classmates. Her teachers name is Ms. DahDah, not sure how to pronounce it yet, but she will be calling her Ms. D.

First Day of 5th Grade...

Today was greeted with excitement, nervousness, anticipation and a little bit of sadness (on my part). The first day of 5th grade. It seems just like yesterday that Sarah started Kindergarten, which I think is a famous phrase by all mothers. My baby girl is growing up, which is what brings part of the sadness. Yet at the same time we are so proud of the young lady she has become. She has a kind, generous and caring heart, which shines through in her smile. She is like her Daddy in that she is a social butterfly and couldn't wait to be with her friends again today.
The other part of my sadness comes with the fact that yesterday was considered our last day of summer, which I have to say turned out to be an AMAZING summer for our family. We had so much fun on all our adventures. Brayden and I love having Sarah home with us during the summer, so we will miss her being with us during the day. I keep teasing her I am going to homeschool her, so she can be home with us. She won't hear of it.
Every year we take a first day of school picture in front of our front door, however, today it was raining so she is still in front of the front door just inside. You can see how beautiful she keeps getting from her Kindergarten picture to today. 
So another school year begins and I am sure over the next week as we all get back in a routine I will get over the blues of my baby girl going back to school.

Yard Sale

This past Friday and Saturday we had our yard sale, which was a huge success. The weather was perfect for us. Friday morning we had our first customers at 8:00 a.m. even though we weren't advertised to open until 10:00 a.m. Yard salers always come early. We had a lot to unpack, so they waited patiently as we continued to unload. Friday we closed at 4:00 p.m. completely exhausted from the day. After a goodnights rest we were ready to go for Saturday morning and opened at 8:00 a.m. We closed up at 3:00 p.m. We were blessed with our total of selling over $1300 among 4 different families. We sold a lot, but still had a lot left which we packed up and will be picked up by a donation company this next week.

Sarah, Brayden and Cayla sold lemonade, brownies, cupcakes and muffins during the 2 days and made $40. They did a great job! Brayden was the main salesman asking everyone who came in sight "Would you like some lemonade?" His initiative and being so cute helped their sales I think. :) He was so tired by the end of the day.

Not only did we make a lot of money over the weekend, but we enjoyed spending time together making some extra money for our families. I love being with my girlfriend Melissa, she is the best. Cayla spent 2 nights at our house, the girls and Brayden love being together. Plus, John, Susie & Sammy came by during the mornings since they were selling a few items, as well as my in-laws Don & Donna they provided the furniture to sell.