A riddle for you.

What happens when you hear your 2 year old wake up from his nap, start playing in his room, and not crying.... so you think you'll let him play quietly by himself until he lets you know he's done?

You see where this is going, don't you.

You know that old saying that your Mom tells you... "you know something is wrong if it's quiet...."

Case in point.

Jax found the diaper ointment, took off the lid, and smeared it all over his head, face, arms, body, and.... the majority of his room.

Then it got into his eyes and he started rubbing them.... {sorry for the blurry pics}

No worries, a bath followed shortly after this last pic was taken. I was a little annoyed, but mostly just laughed at the situation as I was cleaning up the mess in his room.

Boys will be boys.

Cohen - 5 months

Cohen Michael,

Once again another month has flown by. You are discovering new things daily and making us smile more and more as each day goes by.

Here's a snapshot of what you're up to these days:

• laughing and smiling so much!
• kicking almost constantly, so hard that you kick your way out of things.
• eating oatmeal cereal 1x a day... we'll introduce veggies & fruits this month.
• sitting up on your own
• scooting yourself places on your belly.
• rolling over front to back and back to front.
• waking up 1-3 times a night... we have our good days, and our bad. :)
• chewing and drooling a lot... we're still waiting for that tooth to pop through any day.
• yelling and having "conversations" a lot!

I love you little guy!

Mommy

Fun, part three.

A post of iPhone pics for you, because I can't think of anything else to talk about.

And yes, Jillian is absolutely kicking my rear to the moon and back, in case you were wondering. Today was only Day 2... I didn't cry, and I didn't threaten to admit myself to the ER either, unlike yesterday. 28 days to go.

"Hey brother, share with me too!"

Completely wiped out after a fun morning at the park with some friends.

Pretty tree in our backyard!

Such a happy guy with a full belly of milk.

Lovin' these doodle pad thingy's... mostly he just likes to erase it and then laugh an evil laugh.

My lil Irish boys on St Patties day.

We set up the jumperoo last weekend... just as suspected, he loves it.

Instead of saying "cheese" for the camera, Jax now says "click!" Thanks, Diego...

Little guy has the ladies swooning all over him already.

Picking flowers for mama

5 minutes before this picture was taken, Cohen was facing the opposite direction, in the center of the mat. He is scooting himself all over the place. Mama isn't too happy about this, little guy. She is not ready for 2 mobile babies.

Jax and his buddy Mark at the zoo :)

See the water table? Almost every morning there's a new cat in our backyard... no idea why there are so many stray cats and dogs in this crazy town.

I love Saturdays because it is the end of our week, since hubs works Weds-Sat each week. Though lately it's been more like Monday-Saturday, which has been rough to say the least. I love the sigh of relief we both have when he walks through the door in... 1 hour and 45 minutes... and counting. :)

The plan this weekend? Nothing. And looking forward to every second of it.

For great is His love toward us, and the

faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.

Psalm 117:2

Round one.

Today I will do what skinny people call ecksirsize.

I'm probably spelling it wrong, it's so foreign to me.

The 30 day shred begins ...... in a few minutes. I'm stalling by writing about it instead of doing it.

Jillian vs. Megan begins... now.

On my mind today.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek His will in all you do,
and He will show you which path to take.

{Proverbs 3:5-6}

What I {didn't} wear Wednesday.

Sorry sister.

On a completely different and happier note...

Our house sold!

We close on April 21st!

Buyers are moving in tomorrow, and renting from us until then!

I get to shut the utilities off!

Deep deep sigh of relief......

Thank you, so so much, for the prayers. One thing off our minds.

I promise to try harder this week to take pics and show you what I wore.

Pinky promise.

happy spring!

Today is the first day of Spring.

Spring? Pshhhh. Apparently Texas skips over it and jumps right to summer.

Do you know how much I hate hot temperatures? So much, in fact, that in high school while hubs & I were dating, we often talked about living in Alaska.

Talking to my friend Erin the other day and said "it's been SO hot in our house that I have come very close to flipping that a/c switch on..."

She chuckled and said "oh, you're not from the South. March is when the a/c does come on."

Rest assured that yes indeed, the following day, our a/c was on. Hey, I never claimed to be a tough guy.

Everything's bigger in Texas... including the price of your electric bill.

40 days.

Yesterday I jumped on the bandwagon that I've heard nothing but good things about, and started the "Love Dare".

Day 1: Love is patient. Something I need to learn a whole lot about.

When you choose to be patient, you respond in a positive way to a negative situation. You are slow to anger. You choose to have a long fuse instead of a quick temper. Rather than being restless and demanding, love helps you settle down and begin extending mercy to those around you. Patience brings an internal calm during an external storm.

{excerpt from the book}

I am really excited to read this book and begin this challenge.

Here's to hoping I can learn to love my husband {and show my love to him} in a whole new way.

This week.

full of disappointment.

frustration.

lack of patience.

hubs working 60 hours.

tears.

exhaustion.

extra cups of coffee.

cohen crying for all.day.long.

frozen meals for dinner.

discontentment.

dirty house. dishes in the sink.

~

looking forward.

reminder to pray more.

living in expectation.

hopeful.

perseverance.

~

God's grace.

joy.

love.

provision.

blessings.

thankfulness.

peace.

What I wore Wednesday.

I failed pretty miserably this week... not because I wore jammies during the day, but because I don't have many outfits to show y'all. Like I mentioned last week, my spring/summer wardrobe is severely lacking, so I wear a lot of the same things. So this week I wore a lot of repeat outfits I've already shown you, and didn't think you'd want to see them again.

Anyhoo.... just a couple for this week:

library time for jax / errands

cardigan: ny&co

purple cami: ny&co

jeans: old navy

I felt a little bit like a LSU fan today {yellow and purple colors} but I love the color combo.

stayed home

cardigan: ny&co

tank top: motherhood maternity {don't stone me... i told ya i don't have summer clothes}

belt: aerie

jeans: old navy

Sorry, that's it for the week.

Anyone else?

Today.

Today is the day I really, really, really {did I mention REALLY?} would appreciate your prayers.

We are supposed to be hearing from our bank today with a final approval for the sale of our house in KC. The buyer did inspections last week, which we're super thankful for, because it gave us a little bit of encouragement we needed that she'll be sticking around until the end.

Specific points to pray for:

• First and foremost, that we'd actually hear back from them today.
• That the sale would be approved.
• Closing would go smoothly, living 9 hours away from the house and our realtor.

Sometimes I find myself thinking we're here in Texas just temporarily, that we're still going back to "our house".... probably because I still have the front door keys and the garage openers. I can't look at pictures of the house without crying, and I really just need to close this door on that part of our lives.

Hopefully this week I'll be able to post some really great news, that it's sold and finalized... but until then, {I may have already mentioned this}, but I would really appreciate you praying with us.

Creative bug.

Have y'all heard of this website?

Pinterest.

I requested an invite, so if I get accepted, someday I can have my own 'inspiration' page. It makes the Type-A organizer in me craaaaaaaaazy! Look at all those gorgeous spaces!

Gorg-eous.

I was going to post a pic of my favorite one, but honestly I can't decide. Too many favorites.

I just want to run around and organize and paint and beautify so many things... yet I look around and can't. Oh my how I love my tiny rental house...... ;) All my craft/stamping stuff is still in storage because I have no where to put any of it. Drives me nuts when I'm in the mood to do/make something and can't.

Someday. . . someday. For now I will just be living vicariously through the rest of these people who get to wake up each morning and create in such beautiful spaces.

Another recipe.

Here's another yummy recipe for y'all.... another easy one and sooo good! You're welcome. ;)

Calzones

{from Kevin&Amanda}

1 can Pillsbury Refrigerated Pizza Dough

1 lb Italian sausage

1 pkg pepperonis

2 cups shredded cheese

Parmesan cheese

2 tbsp butter

Preheat oven to 375. Brown and drain sausage. Spray a rectangular baking sheet with Pam, and then roll out pizza dough thin and flat. Make layers of cheese, sausage and pepperoni on one half of dough, until desired amount. Fold the other half of the dough on top of the meat and cheese, and press edges together with a fork. Melt the butter and brush over the top of the calzone, then sprinkle parmesan cheese over it. Cook at 375 for 25 mins or until top is golden brown.

Fathers love letter.

My child,

You may not know me,
but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.
Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented
by those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…
Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad
Almighty God

{source}

Lime Chicken Tacos.

An amazing recipe sent to me by Grace, thanks lady!

We love love LOVED this recipe... and the best part {in my opinion}, is how incredibly easy it is! Throwing some frozen chicken breasts in a crock pot is the hardest part, haha!

Lime Chicken Tacos

Place 1 1/2 lbs of frozen chicken breasts in crock pot.

Combine:

3 tbsp lime juice

1 tbsp taco seasoning

Pour over chicken. Cover and cook for 5-6 hours on low, or until chicken is tender. {I did about 4.5 hours and it was fantastic!}

Shred meat.

Then add:

1 cup frozen corn

1 cup black beans

1 cup chunky salsa

Cook an additional 30 minutes.

Serve on tortillas. {I used the small ones, yummmm!}

Enjoy :)

Tidbits.

- Life is good. So good. Walking with Jesus and spending daily time with Him has changed me. It has rocked my world and I'm so thankful for the change I can see in my attitude towards life in general.

- I have never really given up anything for Lent, but this year I am determined to make it to Easter without logging on to facebook or twitter. I felt like the Lord put this on my heart, and then that same night that I was saying to myself "there's no way I could... but, but, but...", Kristal tweeted about how she was thinking about it. It was confirmation for me and I am thankful to have a partner in this. I already sent her a text her one day for support and we both relished in the idea of how much we were getting done that day, without the distraction of social networking. I am hoping to not only grow closer to God during this time, but be more intentional about spending quality time with the boys and my husband when he's home.

- I have made some really yummy new recipes lately that I am excited to share with y'all... hang tight and I'll post them in a couple days.

- 3 things I love about Waco. Our church. Our friends. and lastly, the millions of things there are to do for kids. Between library time, Pinwheel Kids, the childrens museum, the zoo, and the awesome parks... we are on 'the go' a lot on Tyler's days at work, and I'm so thankful for that. I swear it keeps me sane! We have a family pass to the childrens museum (yes, it's that awesome) so on days that we just need out of the house, even for a brief moment, we go there and I let Jax run and run and run.

- I am blown away at the ways that God has provided for us. The day before rent was due this month I was trying to figure out how we were going to make it until next payday, and that magical day is tomorrow and we're hanging in there just fine. Things always just work out, don't they?

- I am getting so excited for my sisters wedding. No, she's not engaged {yet}, but we know a wedding is in our near future and I love to see cute ideas and pass them on to her. If we haven't moved closer by the time she gets married, I may or may not be moving in with her for a while to be at her complete disposal. Haha, just kidding. But you just never know.

- No news on the job I applied for, and I am A-okay with that. :) I know it's all in God's hands, so I am just sitting back and waiting for His perfect plan for us.

- Jaxon's speech has greatly greatly improved in the last couple months. I am shocked how much better he's talking and how many more words he says, even since Christmas. I have been really intentional about working with him ever since we saw a speech therapist this past fall, but I know being around other older kids has really helped him too. For the most part, we can understand what he wants, and he's even starting to call people by name, like Gam-ma {grandma}, Kah-yi {kallie}. Yay!

- We are so so so close to selling our house I can taste it! We should be closing within the next week or so, assuming everything continues to go well. Please continue to keep that in your prayers.

Happy Grey's Anatomy day Thursday!

What I wore Wednesday.

As the weather gets more and more warm, I am struggling coming up with outfits... this is my first summer being home and not working, so I don't own summer clothes! Well, of course unless you count last summer when I was pregnant... and no thanks, I don't want to be wearing maternity clothes this year.

Luckily I have a couple gift cards so I'm hoping to stretch them as far as possible and get a few new summer shirts out of the deal.

Anyway -- this week:

to the park

shirt: gap

cardigan: ny&co

jeans: the buckle

necklace: spice village

staying home

(praise the Lord, cuz that shirt looks AWFUL on me)

shirt: (now in the garbage) old navy

skinny jeans: old navy

church / life group

cardigan: ny&co

cami: old navy

jeans: old navy

boots: women within

kids painting at pinwheel kids

shirt: old navy

jeans: old navy

shoes: TOMS (red, my fav)

errands & to the doctor with jax

shirt: old navy

scarf: old navy

jeans: the buckle

hat: target

lazy day at home

shirt: target

leggings: target

I feel yucky and I look yucky. Blah.

I am thinking about rebelling and not posting anymore outfit pictures until my sister does. Just saying.

Anyone else take pics this week?

Down for the count.

Mr Man had really, really, smelly breath the other day -- so bad that I literally couldn't tell if it was his breath or a dirty diaper. No exaggeration... it was nauseating.

My mom graciously reminded me that bad breath = strep throat {typically}, and so we checked the back of his throat only to find big white pockets coating his tonsils.

Never in my life have I heard a doctor say "ewwwww", but I heard it yesterday as he looked down his throat and confirmed my suspicion, that it was strep.

Poor bubba... we're now on day two of antibiotics and I'm slowly seeing his sweet&sour personality come back.

Lucky for him, strep throat = lots of popsicles. :)

Add this to Cohen crying consistently {teething, I think} and I can only hope your week is going better than mine!

One fine day.

It was a beautiful day, in Waco...

A day worthy of an outdoor nap...

...just kidding. Wayyy too much fun to be had.

Why snooze when you can spend the afternoon making pig noises...

...building sand trucks and sand turtles...

...digging holes in the sand to sit in...

...and getting a front row ticket to watch the most fun big brother ever?

My boys change minute by minute, hour by hour...

... their reactions, their faces, and the things they learn.

I adore the smiles...

...the big giggly laughs...

...the "wowwww's"...

... and the sweet sweet heart that I know they've both been given.

Time goes by so quickly... little feet turn in to bigger feet...

...and these little boys will some day be teenagers, and later on husbands and daddies.

I pray at the end of the day as they lay their heads down and sleep...

...that they remember all of the good from the day, none of the bad...

...that they remember how much Jesus loves them and someday desire and form a relationship with Him, too...

And as they reminisce about these fun outdoor spring afternoons...

... full of dirty clothes and sock-less toes,

...that they'll look back and remember the simpler days and the joy that we felt, this beautiful spring day.