Awesome

I was skimming through "Praying God's Word Day by Day" by Beth Moore just now. My friend JJ gave it to me for my birthday (Thanks JJ!) :)

I found this great quote that I had to share:

"My God is huge and my God is able. If I don't get what I ask Him for, I know I'll get something bigger."

God is big! Help me to pray BIG!

It's Never Too Early To Start

So, today we were sitting at the kitchen table eating lunch, when all of the sudden Ella gets down from the table and says she needs to do some exercise.

I said: "What kind of exercise?"

She said: Body Pump and Yoga

haha!!!

In A Word

My friend Katie tagged me for this MeMe, so heeeeeere goes!


1. Where is your cell phone?

Purse

2. Your significant other?

Loving

3. Your hair?

Long

4. Your mother?

Wise

5. Your father?

Generous

6. Your favorite thing?

Family

7. Your dream last night?

Forgotten (Stole this one!)

8. Your favorite drink?

Carbonated (Stole this one too!)

9. Your dream/goal?

Wisdom

10. The room you’re in?

Bedroom

11. Your hobby?

Exercise

12. Your fear?

Failure

13. Where do you want to be in 6 years?

Here

14. Where were you last night?

Home

15. What you’re not?

Lazy

16. Muffins?

Hot

17. The last thing you did?

Feeding

18. What are you wearing?

Workout

19. Something you’re not wearing?

Earrings

20. Your mood?

Peaceful

21. Your summer?

Fun

22. Person(s) you tag?

Kelly and Leah

Cooper's 6 Month Portraits!

We had Cooper's 6 month pictures done today! What do you think?

A Mother's Prayer

I am still reading the Book "The Power of a Positive Mom". I am in the chapter titled "Women of Prayer". Here is a Mother's Prayer that she has in there.

"Dear Lord, so far today I am doing pretty well. I haven't screamed at the kids or thrown anything in a burst of anger. I have not grumbled or gossiped or whined. I haven't been greedy or self-centered. I have not yet charged anything to the credit card, and I haven't pigged out on the chocolate cake in the refrigerator. However, in a few minutes I will be getting out of bed, and I am going to need your help to make it through the rest of the day. Amen"

Haha!! Can you relate sometimes??

Havin' Some Fun in the Sun!

This week the weather has been BEAUTIFUL, so we have been out enjoying it everyday. Here are some pictures I snapped from today. Ella played, while Cooper and I just watched and took it easy. :) The other little girl in the pictures is a little girl from across the street.

Don't look at me with that tone of face...

I was about to read Ella a story before her nap today, and she was being all pouty because she didn't want to take a nap. So, I was looking at her with a smile on my face because how she was acting was making me laugh! So, she says to me "Don't look happy at me!"

ha! She's not tired you know.....

Long Lost Twins?

What do you think? haha

Wordless Wednesday: Bathtime Buddies!

Yummers!

In the last couple of weeks, we've given Cooper "Biter Biscuits"...or "cookies" as we call them. :) We feed Cooper his dinner right before we eat, and then while we are eating we give him a "cookie" to munch on while we eat. Well, turns out he LOVES them and gets all excited when you ask him if he wants his cookie, and then proceed to get it out. He does the ever famous "excited face" and starts shaking his head and arms. The boy loves him some cookie!! :)

Here are the before and after pictures. This was a less-messier-than-usual night, but still good pics. Enjoy!!

Yay! My Cookie!


Mmmmmmmmmmmm!


All done!

Inspiration

I had to write a quick post and tell you about this man that comes to the gym every morning. He is 78 years old-78 y'all!! He gets to the gym every morning at 5:15 a.m. He waits in the parking lot until the manager comes to unlock the club and holds the door open for her! Everyday!

So, the point of my post. This guy is 78, comes decked out in his running shorts and a t-shirt, and pounds out the miles on the treadmill everyday. I am talking full out running, for like at LEAST 30-45 minutes. Then he does weights.

Seriously, this guy is my inspiration. I hope to be as dedicated and in shape as he is when I am 78!!

Cutie Pies, Kissing, KinderGARDEN, Scary Swings and Mini Team!

A few things that I wanted to update you on that have happened in the past couple of days....

Here is a cute picture of Ella and Cooper playing together the other morning. Ella is such a great big sister, and will sit and play toys with Cooper and read to him while I am throwing in a load of laundry, making beds, etc...Sweet girl :)



The other day, Ella and I were watching "The Little Mermaid". At the end Ariel and Prince Eric kiss. Lately Ella has been acting really funny if there is any kind of kissing, you know how little kids do. :) Anyway, so we play it up and act all "oh no!" and cover our eyes....and I said "oh no! I hate when there is kissing!!! Do you like the kissing?" And Ella says "Yes! I think it is beautiful." hehehe

Today I was talking with Ella about kindergarten. She has been asking about it because two of her little friends in the neighborhood are going this Fall. So she asks me "Do they have flowers there?" (Get it? KinderGARDEN) So cute!

Today we went to the playground, and Cooper took his first swing ride! I think he was a bit terrified though, because everytime he would swing forward, he would get this look of sheer terror on his face. So, his first swing didn't last long, poor baby! I did manage to snap a few pics though :)



Any finally (CAUTION: Mommy brag moment about to happen!), today at gymnastics, they let us know what class to sign our children up for the Summer/Fall sessions. I assumed Ella would remain in the class she was in because the class is for 3 1/2-5 year olds. I get the slip of paper that has her class assignment on it, and it says "Mini Team". Attached to the slip was a description of the class, and it said:

"For the preschool gymnast who shows advanced skills. This team will work on all 4 gymnastics events along with learning performing routines to prepare for Jr. Team or for a higher level class."

The class is for 3 1/2-4 1/2 year olds. I am so proud of her! Cool, huh?

Half of a Year Old!!!

What?! How did this happen?

Cooper is 6 months old!! Look at this little sweet chubby baby!!



He had his 6 month well-baby check yesterday. He weighed in at 18 lbs. 6 oz. and was 26 inches long. 75th percentile for weight, and 50th percentile for height. He is meeting all of his milestones, and is doing so great! He got 1 shot yesterday, as well as the oral rotavirus vaccine.

At 6 months, Cooper is sitting up on his own for small periods of time, doing "Sooooo big!", waving (somtimes ;) ), screeching and just being generally noisy, babbling-including "Dada!", loves playing in his exersaucer, loves playing with toys, loves his big sister, and he loves to EAT! :)

Cooper is still nursing up a storm (6-7 times a day to be exact....haha), as well as eating solids 2 times a day. He has loved everything except green beans so far. Yesterday we tried avacado and he loved that! Tomorrow I am going to add in a solid meal at breakfast time. I picked up some of the YoBaby yogurt cups that have cereal added to them, so we shall see how he likes them.

We are finally getting on a good, dependable (most of the time!) schedule! Yay!! He goes to bed around 7:00 p.m., sleeps until around 5:00 a.m. eats and goes right back to sleep until sometime between 7:00 and 7:30. He then goes down for a nap around 9:00 and sleeps until around 11:00. He goes back down for a nap around 2:00, and I try to get him to sleep until 3:30 or 4:00 so that he can make it to bedtime.

He is such a joy, and we can't imagine our lives without him!!

We love you, sweet boy!!! Happy 1/2 birthday!!!! :)

For Your Viewing Enjoyment :)

Here's a few pictures from this morning!

Can you believe he is just about 6 months? (6 month update post coming his Friday after his well-baby check!)



Cute Kiddos



Big boy sitting up!! (his shirt says "I Dig My Mom" :) )



Ok, what you need to know about this picture is that this morning I was giving Cooper some"practice time" sitting. So, he is sitting there and doing what we like to call his "crazy excited face". He makes this really funny face and shakes his hands and head and his body gets stiff. It is soooo funny! Anyway, he kept doing it while he was sitting there and making himself fall over. Ella and I were cracking up!!

Free Books for your Kids!!

A few years ago, Dolly Parton started a reading program for kids that supplies them with a free, new book every month from the time they are born until their fifth birthday! How amazing is that? The program is called "Dolly's Imagination Library"

I had totally forgotten we had enrolled Ella in the program in the Fall when her school sent home a flyer about it. Yesterday, her first book came! It is "The Little Engine That Could". It is a hardcover book, and it is the "old school" version of it, with the original artwork-so awesome!! She was SOOO excited to get something in the mail. :)

I just recently signed Cooper up too!

So anyway, I had to pass on the awesome information. If you haven't signed your child up, go now and do it! It is free and totally worth it!!

If you are a Georgia resident, go to this website:

The Ferst Foundation





If you are NOT a Georgia resident, go here: www.dollysimaginationlibrary.com

These are quality books! Pass on this awesome information to your friends!

Have you searched for the good in your child today?

I don't know about you, but sometimes at the end of the day, I feel like just about every encounter that I have had with Ella, my 3 almost 4 year old, has been negative. Whether she or I have just had "one of those days" or what, by the end of those days I am just over it-you know? You know what I am talking about-one of those days that at 8 in the morning you say to yourself, "Is it bedtime yet?"

If you never have one of those days, then you are Super Mom and you need to share your secrets! ;)

Anyway-this week I started reading a book entitled "The Power of a Positive Mom" by Karol Ladd. Moms out there-you need to pick this book up. It is such an awesome book, and definitely a must read!

In one of the early chapters of the book she poses the question:

"Have you searched for the good in your child today?"

Wow! What a great question to ask myself everyday. It is so easy to focus on what my children are NOT doing, and to totally look past what they are doing right and the positive qualities that they possess.

The author goes on to talk about being on the lookout for your children's good qualities-ones that reflect the fruit of the Spirit, as well as things they accomplish throughout the day-such as doing something the first time you ask them to do it.

This week, since reading the book, I have found that my days flow much smoother, and the amount of negative encounters during the day have diminished since choosing to focus on the positive, and searching for the good in my sweet babies. (ok, so it's not that hard with a 6 month old..haha)

The power of a positive words in our kids lives is an amazing thing! By pouring on the encouraging words, we can watch our kids finest qualities strengthen and grow. It is our job as parents to build them up, and help them to realize that their self-worth is based on the fact that God made them and He loves them. What an awesome responsibility we as parents have been blessed with!!


Have you put fuel in your kids emotional tanks today?