Children are a blessing

Children are a blessing from God.  I love my boys so much.  They are wonderful boys--sweet, kind, and caring.  Yes, they have their moments, but then so do I.

We watched "Nanny 911" on Netflix instant a few months ago. (we enjoy finding a TV series and then watching it over a period of weeks or months--depending on how many episodes that there are) It is amazing the crazy homes in America with wild, rude, and disrespectful kids. The funny thing is that in most cases it is really the parents that are the problem. The families all seem to have common threads as to why their children are misbehaving:

1.  Parents are not consistent with rules and discipline
2.  Parents do not demand respect or give respect
3.  Parents are not in charge; the children are in charge
4.  Parents and children shout at each other
5.  The father does not help out and discipline
6.  Parents nag too much
7.  The parents allow the children to whine and whine and whine
8.  Parents threaten but do not follow through
9.  There is no consequence for bad behavior
10. There is no reward for good behavior

I am so glad that Michael and I tried our best to follow these rules, even though at the time we did not even know about these rules. We have tried to be consistent, and I really think that this has paid off for us. At the time, it was such hard work. I remember many long days as a mom, because Michael worked really long hours. If I had not been consistent, I believe that the boys would have been terrors. Fortunately, Michael and I were always on the same page as far as parenting and discipline. Now though, we see the reward for our hard work. The boys are "good boys" (I steal Dad Smith's phrase :) ). Recently, 2 different people commented on what good boys they were. This makes me so proud as a mom. I love them so much. I praise God for giving them to me--I praise God that he helped Michael and I be good parents.

I watch Men's Shows

Being the only girl in this house, I watch a lot of men's shows. Seriously, I do! The crazy thing is...I don't really mind it. In most cases, I really like the shows. Here is a list of the shows that I have watched over the past 10 years that are more geared toward men:

• Man vs. Wild
• I shouldn't be Alive
• Survivor Man
• Animal Cops
• Special Ops
• Top Shot
• Out in the Wild
• Dual Survivor
• Future Weapons
• How it's Made
• Wild Alaska
• Mythbusters
• Get out Alive
• Mountain Men
• Swamp People
• Swamp Loggers
• Tons of Military Shows
• Tons of Survival Shows
• Tons of National Geographic Shows

The God Box

A while ago I read a book called "The God Box." It was fantastic. It basically was about a mother who kept a God Box. In the box, she put notes of prayers that she had scribbled on pieces of paper. Such as: "help daughter as she has to memorize the lines for a play" or "help husband be safe at work". It was really neat. I have not done this idea, but I have always wrote down the things God does for us that we want to remember. It is about 10 pages long, filled with lots of blessings. I decided that I wanted to do something similar to "The God Box," but I just changed the note and box idea and decided to write down my prayers in a notebook.  I have really enjoyed this a lot.

I have also come across a web site called "She Reads Truth." I have been using this as my devotions every morning, and it has been fantastic. I actually really look forward to having my devotions first thing every morning. (and this is something that I have struggled with--I tended to do it more out of "have to" instead of "want to") I have benefited so much from this devotion time.

Glimpse of our Weekend

Our weekend was pretty quiet because it stormed all weekend long. We had really strong winds and lots of rain.

On Friday night, we had Chipotle Grill and watched some of our shows.

On Saturday, Michael did a little work on his car, mowed the grass, and cleaned the garage. The rest of the time we just hung out.

On Sunday, the weather was terrible and I was not feeling too good, so we stayed in. We picked up The Rock: Wood Fired Pizza for dinner, and the 3 boys watched Oblivion while I got to watch Hallmark. (with 3 boys in the house, I don't get to do that very often)

It was a nice relaxing evening.

Fall Wreath

I have been looking for a fall wreath to put on our front door. I have searched everywhere. I either could not find what I was looking for, or they were way too expensive. I finally found one this past week for $9.99.

Goodies Box

I get a sample food box every month for the boys and I. I love it! Goodies.co sends the best samples to try. This was what our box looked like this month.

Fall Magazines

I love getting my fall magazines. Fall is my favorite season, so seeing those fall magazine covers with pumpkins and changing leaves puts my in the fall mood.

Favorite Designs

I love to look at different designs for houses. I am very content with the house that we have, but sometimes it is fun to dream.

I would love a huge laundry room like this one, with lots of cupboard space.

via

I would also love a huge entry way like this one. I love it!! I really love the floor.

via

Fridays Letters

Dear Jesus:  Thank you for your blessings! Thank you for taking care of us and providing for us. Thank you for your love.

Dear Michael:  It has really been nice this week to have you home earlier. Last night was awesome. It felt like we had so much time together.

Dear Cam:  You are a walking encyclopedia. You are always telling me bits and pieces of information about everything. I have become a smarter person (I did not say smart :) ) because of you.

Dear Jar:  You are such an amazing builder. I do not know how you do it. Everything you make is so amazing! You have such a gift.

Dear Lily:  You look so cute in your new outfit.

Dear House Hunters Renovation:  We love your show. It is so much better than House Hunters. We like to see what people do with a house after they buy it.

Dear House Hunters International:  I want to move to Carrick on Shannon in Ireland. We saw an episode the other night about this place. It was amazing! I love House Hunters International.

Dear Middlesworth BBQ potato chips:  You are the best chips ever. I cannot have you in the house though--I cannot say no!!

Dear Weather:  Yuk!! It is rainy. But, I guess it does feel cozy to be inside.

Dear Dad:  Hopefully, you can soon find out what is going on. I am sorry that you have been so sick. I pray you get well soon.

Dear Mom:  I cannot believe that you are going to have laser back surgery next week. I really hope that it works. It will be amazing if you no longer have pain. Praise God for this miracle!

Dear Weekend:  We are so glad that you are here. We have a special evening planned tonight. I am not sure what we are doing tomorrow.

Dear The Rock Wood Fired Pizza:  We cannot wait to try you tonight. I think it is going to be so yummy!

Dear Foyle's War:  Cam found you--I cannot wait to watch you. Your reviews say that you are amazing. I hope so.

Dear TV Shows:  I am so glad that all of the TV shows start up next week. A few started last week and this week, but the full schedule is next week. I love that we have TV now.

Dear DISH:  How did we ever live without you? We don't ever have to waste time watching TV now. We never have to watch a commercial again. Yahoo!

Favorite perfumes

There are very few perfumes that I like. Most are too strong for me. Michael is allergic to most of them.

When we were dating, I used Undeniable from Avon. They discontinued it a couple of years after we were married. (I hate it when that happens)

I never really found a perfume that I liked until Sherry bought me PS Design for Christmas one year probably 8-10 years ago. I love that perfume.

3 years ago, Michael found another perfume that he really liked. He traveled to Chattanooga, TN for his Aunt's birthday celebration. His cousin had one on that he liked called Dolce and Gabbana:Light Blue. I use this one for special occasions, as it is more expensive.

Another one that I really like is Jean Paul Gaultier Classique Eau de Parfum. I got this in a sample size in a Sephora order. I may get this one for my birthday next year.

Favorite PA treat

Two of our favorite foods from Pennsylvania are Middlesworth BBQ potato chips and Tastykakes. Every so often (once a year or two) I will order some from PA. They bring back so many memories for us.

Kids Growing Up

When the boys and I went shopping last Christmas, I remembered when they were little and we shopped for trains and toys and Legos. We also shopped at Children's Place, Gymboree, or Gap kids for clothes.  

Those days are gone. Now, it is the electronic section or Best Buy. For clothes, it is Aeropostale or Rue 21. The times have changed for sure. I miss those simple times, even though I absolutely love the age they are right now.  If I could stop time. . . that would be my super power!!!!

We used to shop for Thomas the Train

Or...we used to shop for Legos

This is where we used to shop for toys

I loved The Children's Place when the boys were younger-I could always find incredible deals on the sales rack (pretty much the only way I shop)

I loved Gymboree when they were babies and toddlers (they tended to be expensive though-I had to buy sale items only)

I liked Gap kids clothes as well, but could only buy when they were on sale

But now that they have become teenagers, things are different. They go off on their own to shop in the electronics section, or to their own section in clothes. I meet up with them later. I miss them being in the cart and pushing them around the store. (although. . . now I can go to the bathroom alone--that is nice!!)

Now, the toys are electronics

And the favorite "toy" store is Best Buy, not Toys R Us

Now, almost all of their clothes come from Aeropostale

or Rue 21

I cannot believe how fast time flies. It seems like everyday now I think about the boys, and when they were little, or how much longer they have at home. It really saddens me. I love to be with them so much.  I get choked up right now as I write this. I love my boys. They are good boys. They are both so loving and kind and helpful and fun. I don't want them to grow up and move on. . . not yet anyway. I don't do well with change. . . and this change is the hardest one of all.

I love you boys. . . you both mean the world to me.

Michael's New Office

Michael moved into a new building at work a while ago, and he got his own office. I am sure that he is really glad to have that again. The boys and I really like it. Michael is not sure about the orange color; I like it because it feels modern and clean.

He has a really great view of the trees outside his window--that is really calming to me. It is much better than a city skyline that is for sure (or honking taxis or loud trucks). Now, if only we could figure out how to live closer.

2013 Summer Vacation

We took an 11 day summer vacation to California at the end of July. We had the best time. Because we knew we would not be going there for a while (because we have other places that we want to visit), we packed a lot in during those 11 days.

Day 1:  to Oakland, OR and Grants Pass, OR

Soda Fountain in Oakland, OR

Drive to Grants Pass, OR

Day 2:  to Redwoods, Crescent City, OR, Eureka, OR, and Fortuna, OR

Crazy drive from Grants Pass, OR to Crescent City, OR

Cam and Jar by Redwood tree

The beautiful Redwoods

The drive-thru Redwoods (we didn't fit :) )

Crescent City, OR

Day 3:  to Castello di Amorosa Castle; Napa Valley; Vallejo, CA; Sausalito, CA San Francisco, CA; San Ramon, CA

Napa Valley, CA

Castle

Sausalito, CA 

Sausalito, CA

Golden Gate Bridge-San Francisco, CA

Palace of the Fine Arts-San Francisco

San Francisco, CA (taken from Mission Delores Park)

downtown San Francisco

Chinatown-San Francisco

Russian Hill (Lombard Street)-San Francisco

Pier 39-San Francisco

San Francisco is a beautiful city, and it has lots of wonderful sights, but I never ever want to go there again. I do not like the craziness of that city one bit.

The Hyatt House Motel-San Ramon, CA

Our motel room

 Day 4:  to San Jose, CA; Santa Cruz, CA; Monterey Bay, CA; Carmel, CA; Fresno, CA

Santina Row, San Jose, CA

Santa Cruz, CA (boardwalk in background)

Santa Cruz, CA

Marianne's Ice Cream in Santa Cruz, CA (over 100 flavors)

Monterey Bay, CA (17 mile drive)

Carmel by the sea, CA

Carmel by the sea, CA

Carmel by the sea was one of my favorite stops. I love cute towns a lot, and Carmel by the sea reminded me of photos I've seen of cute towns over in Europe.

boys feet in California water of Pacific Ocean

drive to Fresno, CA

Day 5-7:  at Kelly's house in Fresno, CA

Cousins

Kelly's house

The cousins had so much fun together. They played video games a lot, went swimming together, and we went to see Monsters University together. The boys never wanted to leave.

Day 8:  to Yosemite National Park, Tioga Pass, and Mammoth Lakes, CA

Yosemite-Half Dome

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite 

Mammoth Lakes, CA

Mammoth Lakes, CA

Mammoth Lakes was another one of our favorite stops. The ski town was super cute. Our motel was fantastic. The only thing that was a bother was the altitude. Sometimes it was hard to catch your breath.

Day 9:  to Lake Tahoe and Carson City, NV

Lake Tahoe, CA

Day 10:  to Virginia City, NV; Reno, NV; Yreka, CA

Virginia City, NV

Virginia City, NV

Virginia City, NV

boys in Virginia City, NV

16 years ago, when Cam was just 7 months old, we made a trip to California for my brother's wedding. During that time, we went with Mom and Dad to Virginia City NV. It was fun to go there again. It is a unique experience.

Day 11:  to Medford, OR (Harry and David store); Myrtle Creek, OR; and home.  We saw covered bridges.

It was a fantastic trip. We really packed a lot into the trip, but we are very glad that we did. God's amazing world is so beautiful. We saw a lot of amazing sights...some of them even scared us. (like the curvy driving roads, the skinny roads, the huge drop offs--like the drive up to "Dead Man's Drop"--well the name was really Klamath River overlook, but I like my name better. Another crazy spot was Tioga Pass after Yosemite National Park.

We are so thankful that we were able to take this trip. It was so amazing to be able to see all of the sights and also to be able to spend time with family.