Cousins-2

Gabriel played with his cousins again today. It is so much fun to see them all together! I'm not allowed to post pics because my blog is open to the public (Becca's orders), BUT I have some fun ones =). Here are a few of DG.

This is Gabriel with his lunch box. He likes to drag it around and put EVERYTHING he can into it:



Needless to say, this is where we go if we are missing a phone, a ba ba (bottle), a remote control, etc.!

Here is a picture of DG trying to play with the razor scooter:



I also have to add that my kid is into the piano more and more every day. He plays it with Katerina and Mylena A LOT. He also likes to push the buttons and dance to the music. It is funny to see him nodding his head, bending his knees, and raising his hands in the air. I don't want him to be a rock star EVER, but I think he looks like one when he dances. It's pretty fun to watch. I got a video, but I still have to load it to You Tube. Of course he was dancing much better before the camera came out. He is VERY camera aware =)

The Compartment Store

Yesterday, in Raleigh, I found myself at the Compartment Store. It is located directly across from Crabtree Valley Mall. Boy, was that overwhelming or WHAT? I went in with big dreams to organize all this clutter in my home. We have been cleaning the garage, moving clothing around, and throwing "junk" out lately in our humble abode. So, I thought the Compartment Store would be the perfect place for me to get inspiration to organize! Instead I ended up walking the isles of shelving, hooks, storage containers, pantry, bathroom, kitchen, closet, and office organization "stuff" frazzled! Literally wondering what I would do with all this stuff, and how I would ever afford it?! Call me ADD, but that was too much for my brain to process. So, what did I end up with?



A portable closet on sale for $19.99 from $29.99 =). I'm not sure how much they are at say, Wal Mart, but I was happy with the sale price from this store. Everything else seemed outrageous (to my cheapo self). Oh, I did come away with an idea though. A leaning desk/bookshelf for Josh and I's room. I figure it will look much nicer than the big blue metal desk that currently resides in his office (side note..my room furniture is black and deep brown). More news on why we are re arranging later (as if its a big secret, haha)! Here is a picture of a leaning book case. I'm looking for the desk online now, but this will give a general idea of what I'm talking about:

Book Shelf

15 Months!

Gabriel just had his 15 month check up yesterday. He is still in the 25-50% range. He is our little man =). He is still very proportionate though! The doctor found a very slight heart murmur that she is going to watch. I am praying he will grow out of it and I have faith that it won't cause him problems. Matthew 7:7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

Gabriel is an active kid and has not been hindered thus far by the slight murmur. Everything with his growth and development seem great too according to the doctor. He still drinks 18-21 ounces of whole milk each day. With him being pretty small there is no need to cut that amount down. I am going to start introducing a few more fats to his diet though (to fatten him up a bit). Not ice cream, cookies, and junk food, but bologna, peanuts, etc.. Good fats! Today we started with eggs and cheese for breakfast, bologna, turkey, and Lima beans for lunch, and dinner is yet to come. He is now snacking on a tuna fish cracker (mayo to add a little fat)!

This weekend the Fowlers are coming to visit! I am really looking forward to watching Gabriel play with his cousins!!!! Pictures coming very soon =)

Knitting Project

My knitting project, a soon to be scarf:






I had to begin this project over after Gabriel yanked out my knitting needles! My little "scarf" (I use the parentheses because it was starting to look awkward after I added a stitch to each row, hehe) was un knitted and begun again last night. I must say it is already much better than the last one. Even on the edges at least! I loved this yarn because of the flecks of color in it. It will be a nice addition to my winter wardrobe. That is if I can get it done by the end of winter ;). This blog is motivation to get it done. If I write/type it here I HAVE to get it done in a decent amount of time! Here is to trying, CHEERS!

A Warm Drink

I am craving a warm drink tonight, as I have been many nights these days, and thought I would just write a note about it. Why? Because I'm bored! I have also been eating A LOT lately, and would feel like a heifer for getting up and making a hot chocolate right now. Although, it would probably be worth it and I most likely WILL make a cup after this blog ;). The more I think about it the colder I get, and the more I want it. Maybe that was the real intent of this blog. To make myself want it bad enough to get up and get it?!

Another thing I crave is little Gabriel snuggling on my lap to watch Barney (his new favorite show). I didn't think I would enjoy Barney, but it is educational and Gabriel seems to love it. He will clap his hands, dance, and talk *babble* when it is on. He also comes to me with his arms up in the air when I have my laptop in hand. That, to me, is the best part of Barney! It gives me a chance to snuggle. A chance to smell his hair, tickle his face, and just enjoy my little man for everything that he is. He is my beautiful little angel, Gabriel. I will put up with Barney for those snuggles!

Now for a drink...

Until next time...Some exciting news to come!

Pictures

On a lighter note, here are some pictures:









These pics are of Gabriel and daddy playing in Gabriel's new tunnel (thank you Grandma and Grandpa. This is what your Christmas money got him!), Gabriel in a hat daddy bought mommy =/, Gabriel with the light saber (he even makes the psh psh noise as he plays!), and Ender and Gabriel playing. Daddy obviously does not know how big my head is! haha!

New Year!

I have started a new blog two times in 2011. I just didn't know what to blog about! I have been slightly depressed in the new year. Just thinking about what is to come and what came to an end. I am starting to get out of my "funk," and decided to write. The question still remains though, what to write about?! It seems the hot topic is New Years Resolutions. I've never been one to make resolutions. I tend to just get things done when I set out to do them. Maybe it is because I have a bad memory, and I'll forget what I set out to do unless I do it right away?! Or maybe it is because I don't believe most people follow through on their resolutions, so it's pointless. Either way, I'm setting out on a new year without any resolutions. As always my main goal is to let the Lord guide my paths. The Bible tells us not to worry about tomorrow, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." -Matthew 6:34. I whole heartedly believe this, because we do not have any idea what tomorrow will bring. Why worry about it?! Sometimes I find myself worrying and it is so pointless. Worry does not change the future, it only makes the day ever more dreadful. I say "ever more dreadful" because I'm learning that life does not hold much happiness for me in and of itself. The world has nothing for me, and it will all be gone in an instant. Sometimes I drive by markings on the pavement and I wonder if someone died in that accident. Is that all there is to life? You live, you die, and all that is left from your life is markings on the pavement? Maybe there are some belongings that family will fight over. For what?! Will those belongings bring them happiness? No. So, what is there?

At the beginning of 2011 I was/am still depressed. Why? Because I ask myself, "what have I done that means anything to anyone?" Will I just be markings on the pavement (not prophesying that I will die in a car accident, just using this statement as a hyperbole (exaggeration), if you will, to emphasize the nothingness of life), or will I mean something that will be passed on? Long story short, I feel bad that I have not done anything for anybody this year that means anything. The question then is, "what can I do this year that means anything?" I want to do more. I want to help people. The Bible tells us in 1 Timothy 5 to care for the widows. Other verses say:

1 Peter 4:10 says, " 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. "

Mark 9:35, "35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

John 15:12-13, "12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. "

1 Peter 4:10-11 "10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. "

The point is that the Bible is FULL of commands to serve others, and I fall SO far short of this it's depressing. I understand that it is only by the grace of God that I am saved, but Faith without works is dead. My desire in this year is to honor God. To help and love others. To be a servant to others, and to make a difference in peoples lives. I would like people to remember me and know me by my love.
John 13:34-35. If that is a resolution so be it.. Hello 2011!