Thursday, March 7, 2013

How did we get so blessed?


I was looking through all the pictures and videos in my phone yesterday. I couldn't help but laugh and smile. Quite a few of my pictures and videos consist of the kids.

{I'm not sure if I have ever explained it for those who might not know me personally. Kali (sister) is the nanny to Braxton and Lizzie. I am the nanny for Julian. They all come to our house during the work week.}

So, I was looking through all these pictures and videos, laughing and smiling at all the silliness of the kids. Also, its so neat to see the progression of their lives from even the past couple months.

Here are our kids... and a few fun things about them :)

Braxton
{3 years old, next friday}
--The oldest child in the house and certainly acts like it
--Been 'a part of our family' for a little over two years
--Loves, loves, loves anything monster truck or sports related

Silly stories:
--When we were teaching him the concept 'God made everything', we would point to things and say 'God made that' and ask him in return 'Who made that?' Later, he went home and his neighbor was mowing the lawn, Braxton proceeded to yell at the man mowing {across the street}, "GOD MADE THAT!!" He said this loudy over and over again trying to get his attention. Silly boy.
--Today, as the little ones were napping, he went with Kali and I to workout downstairs. He was trying to do the exercises with us, laying on the ground trying to do bicycle crunches. All of sudden, he let's out this big 'whew!', gets up, and goes to sit on the couch. I guess it was a little too much for him!

Julian
{2 years old, next friday}
--Yep, you read that right, Braxton and Julian are exactly one year apart. Pretty funny.
--I have been caring for him almost 6 months already. When he first started coming he was barely talking, now he is spouting off words left and right. He is always ready to babble off some kind of story. Although, he will not say Maggie for whatever reason. I guess he will say my name in his good time. Stinker.
--He's also our little laughing boy. He loves to laugh and when he does, it's very contagious! He enjoys tickling and being tickled.

Silly stories:
--When he falls down {in the snow, for example} he will just lay there for a while, like a bug stuck on his back. He stays still and doesn't even cry out for help or anything. So, so funny.
--I'm pretty sure he has this cell phone radar attached to his brain. We usually set our phones on top of the piano and one day I found that he had climbed up on the piano in order to reach the phone. One of those moments that you need to punish the child, but laugh behind a corner.

Lizzie
{2 years old, in May}
--Kali has been caring for Lizzie for about a year and a half.
--She's our little princess. Totally different from the boys. A snuggle bug and very sweet.
--She was a little baby when she started coming, so it's been so fun to watch her progress into a toddler. As she was getting bigger, she basically skipped crawling and went straight to walking. Anytime I would try to get her to crawl, she wouldn't have any of it!

Silly stories:
--We found a kids song on pinterest that is sung to the words of a book. The kids absolutely loove it, it's called the 'pout pout fish song'. Whenever we refer to it during the day Lizzie then says, 'waaaatch it' in her little girl voice, without fail.
--I went to check on her during her nap time last week, and I found her standing there without pants AND without a diaper! In the midst of quietly laughing to myself, I asked her where they were and she just closed her eyes and looked down. She had tossed her diaper over the play pen. Haha, I guess she was saying she is done with that!
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All this to say, we are so, SO blessed to have these sweet children in our lives. I absolutely love being a nanny and am so thankful God saw fit to bless our lives with these precious kids. They always keep us laughing. Kali and I get good practice in being Mom's and our parents are enjoying taking on the Grandparents role. :)

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."
~Psalms 127:3~

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Moldy Cheese or Caramel Corn?


Have you ever had these?

There are several types of jelly beans but two kinds of each color. You can pick your color but as you place it into your mouth you don't know what you are about to eat.

Here are your options:
Skunk Spray or Licorice
Rotten Egg or Buttered Popcorn
Canned Dog Food or Chocolate Pudding
Booger or Juicy Pear
Baby Wipes or Coconut
Pencil Shavings or Top Banana
Toothpaste or Berry Blue
Barf or Peach
Moldy Cheese or Caramel Corn
Centipede or Strawberry Jam

Disgusting right?!

This was very comical with the kids but some even kept coming back for more! Of course, several adults from church {myself included} tried some and I can tell you that the risk is not worth it!

These jelly beans also doubled as my object lesson for the kids. How our 'yummy or good words' can leave a good taste in someone's mouth, but those 'yucky or not nice words' leave a very gross taste in someone's mouth. The thing about those bad words too is that just like the gross jelly beans, the taste usually stays longer in your mouth than the yummy ones.  

Just thought I share a little humor from my weekend!
Happy Tuesday!

Friday, March 1, 2013

On birthdays and celebrations


Last month, we celebrated this handsome man's 24th birthday! {also, known as my big brother}

Then, today is Kali's 26th birthday!
I feel like we are all getting so old! I mean not old, old but we are definitely not kids anymore. Kali's now 26, Josh 24, and I'm going to be 22 fairly soon. Craziness how time flies.

In other news, my grandpa is celebrating 2 years with Christ today! We miss him so much, but are SO thankful that we know exactly where he is!

Happy March!


Monday, February 25, 2013

Butterfinger Cookies


This recipe is a happy merriment of peanut butter cookies and butterfinger candy bars.

Oh, so delicious.

Crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside. Can't ask for a better cookie!


Peanut Butter Butterfinger Cookies - Makes 3 dozen
{Recipe adapted from: Six Sisters' Stuff}

1/2 c butter, softened
1/2 c creamy peanut butter
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t baking powder
1 egg
1 t vanilla
1 1/4 c all-purpose flour
8 'fun size' butterfinger candy bars, crushed

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Beat butter and peanut butter for 30 seconds. Add sugars, baking soda, and powder. Beat until combined, then add in egg and vanilla. Add in flour, then fold in the butterfingers to the mixture. Place by spoonful on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 7-9 minutes. Enjoy!
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I made these for my kids in Junior Church, but of course there was quality control by the family. :) I asked Dad how he liked them, his eyes got big and said "Delicious!"

These definitely 'climbed the charts' to one of our favorite cookies. Hope you enjoy them!


Thursday, February 21, 2013

Rays of Sunshine


A couple of days this week the sun has popped out of the clouds, making its grand entrance. It has been wonderful!

The kids are loving being outside! Yay, for the snow melting and kids getting outside to run, yell, scream, and get their hands dirty!

All of this sunshine has given me spring fever! I am SO ready for the weather to warm up. Long days spent outside, picnics on the green grass, popsicles, and pool time for the kids is sounding soo good!

Hurry up, Spring!

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Setting a Goal


I am very much a goal-oriented person.

Oh, and I am a list-lover too. The joy of crossing 'to do' things off of my list is very gratifying for me.

Maybe I'm weird or maybe your weird and I'm normal.

Maybe

That being said, I set a new goal for myself yesterday.

That's right, read the New Testament in 60 days. This goal is short enough but something I feel I can easily grasp. Plus, what better goal is there than to take more time reading God's Word?!

The reason I chose this route was to make it more manageable on a day to day basis. Also, that way I don't feel extremely overwhelmed by how much I need to read, that I can actually get something out of what I'm reading.

Oh, do you see that I get to check off that little box after I've finished my reading for the day? That makes this list-lover very happy.

If you would like to join me in this goal, here is the link to print off the plan I have.

Friday, February 15, 2013

Valentine Eats


I try to make {or do} something special for my wonderful family on Valentine's Day. This year it was all about delicious homemade goodies.
It was my very, first time making homemade bagels and they were delicious! These blueberry heart-shaped bagels were happily consumed for breakfast!

We have been working out and trying to eat better so I opted for a healthier dinner and dessert this time.
Baked salmon, quinoa, and roasted green beans were on the menu!

You may be wondering, "Wait, what in the world is quinoa?!" {Pronounced KEEN-wah} Quinoa is a healthier version of rice, basically. It has a good source of protein, fiber, magnesium, and even iron. Not too popular yet, but I was able to find it a Walmart. So, if your wanting to give it a try hopefully you can easily find it too!

Then, we finished off the evening with some yummy chocolate covered strawberries!
I hope everyone had a love-filled Valentine's Day!