Ten Things Tuesday, What are you thankful for?

I am going to copy the idea of XBOX Wife and give just one word answers this week!


1. Rain

2. Microwaves

3. Husband

4. Kids

5. Silence

6. Paper towels

7. Magic Erasers

8. PB Crackers

9. Propel

10. Sleep

Jacob's first day of preschool

Today was Jacob's first day of preschool. My two friends from church and I started a preschool for our kids at the church. There are only 3 kids and we each teach a day, Wed.- Fri. This makes it nice because we don't have to pay for preschool (other than teaching supplies, etc..) and the kids still get a preschool like atmosphere and get interaction with other kids in a classroom setting.

Jacob was so excited to go to school that he put his backpack on like 20 minutes before we left. Just the fact that he posed for a picture, told me he was excited! So we took the classic picture on the deck like Bubby has since Kindergarten (aren't we all like that!)!

He's become such a big boy since he turned 3 in May. Potty trained, talking and growing so much. It amazes me everyday what he learns.

Here he is going into the church for preschool!

Here's Jacob with Anna one of his preschool buddies! They are two peas in a pod! The first day is over and he loved it! Mrs. Stacey did a good job teaching them and they listened!

Jacob learned about the letter "E", the color red, the number "5" and the diamond shape. We open preschool up with a few songs and the pledge. We then go to class and check the weather out for the day and put the correct card up describing the weather outside. Then it's off to learn about numbers, shapes, colors and letters!

We plan on introducing the Tucker signing method as well. Our goal is to make our preschool structured like other preschools. We have a line leader, an assigned day to bring in a snack and play day, game day and show-n-tell day! We also have field trips planned, the first being Mayse Farm in Evansville to pick pumpkins!

Tomorrow we will have to get some pictures with Kendall. Jacob loved his first day of preschool and I am looking forward to my first day teaching (on Fridays)! I think this will be a good thing for the kids and I am looking forward to seeing what God does with this.

Ten Things Tuesday! What are you thankful for today?

1. It's Fall!

2. For the nice, relaxing weekend we had!

3. For my parents and them raising me in church! For always being here for my family!

4. For old friends, new friends and the friends to come!

5. For the healing He is going to do in Mollie Sue!

6. For God speaking to me through His word and the revelations He's giving me.

7. For our youth group and what God is going to do during this 40 Day Revolution we're doing.

8. For the beautiful weather He is providing for Saturday's Praise Fest at City Lake, a comfortable 84 degrees baby!

9. For all the hard work that the Outreach team has done to pull Praise Fest off!

10. For blemishes because it makes you feel like a teenager all over again!

Goodbye Summer 2008....Hello Fall!

We had an awesome summer and although we did not take a big family vacation like last year, we had some memorable moments this year! The summer began with the ending of Jordan's baseball season! He loves playing baseball and is becoming quite good even if he's my kid! He started taking baseball lessons this summer for the next year. He also attended a baseball clinic and basketball camp this summer.

We also spent most of the summer at Holiday World. My parents buy us passes for Christmas and this allows us to enjoy Holiday World during the seasons it's open! The kids love swimming, so this is right up their alley!

Since both my boys are baseball fans, we took them to an Evansville Otters game this year. Jordan has been before but Jacob was only 1 month old the time he went. We went with my parents and my sister Mindy and my nephew Justin. The kids had a great time! Next year, a Cardinals game is in our future! We cannot wait to take the boys to a ML game!

The highlight of my entire summer was taking Jacob to see Thomas the Train (Day out with Thomas). He loves trains and this was such an awesome experience for us all (not Jordan, he was bored the entire time). We took both the boys, my nephew, my parents and Brad's parents! It was in Bardstown, KY which is about 2 1/2 hours away. Jacob was in Thomas heaven and loved riding on Thomas! The train ride was so much fun and seeing Jacob's eyes light up was worth all the money in the world!

We had play dates and spent time with friends during the summer too! It was a busy summer but a fun one! We're looking forward to Fall and all the fun it brings....the Fall Festival, football, pumpkin picking/carving, Halloween, apple picking and jumping in the leaves! I love fall and am so thankful it's here!

PB&J, Bananas, Wooly Worms and Locusts

Weird combo huh? This is my life according to Jordan and Jacob. For Jacob, pb&j and bananas are all the rave right now. All he wants to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner is pb&j and is now addicted to eating bananas! I am so sick of making pb&j sandwiches that I think I could make them in my sleep!

Jordan on the other hand, is finding new interests this year in school. He has found a love for science. This excites Brad and me so much because we are both scientifically challenged people! His interest started when his class began studying about plants and they did an experiment involving seeds. Ever since then, he's been hunting for different things in the yard and every other place we go! Above is a collection of things he found in our yard after the wind storm on Sunday!

It's been a good week all in all. Another busy week but being busy is over rated! There is so much you miss out on when you are running to and fro, trying to give your children every opportunity out there! Last weekend and this coming weekend, we are busy free and I am so thankful! I love just being at home with my family, in our safe little world!

Ten Things Tuesday

1. For the chill in the air! This means fall is on its way!
2. For my wonderful husband and how hard he works to provide for our family.
3. For Jordan and what God is doing in his life. He knew last night that God helped him concentrate during his baseball lesson!
4. For Jacob and never giving us a dull moment.
5. For friends like Bobby & Stacey, Pastor Kris & Nicole and the encouragement they give on a daily basis.
6. For keeping my entire family safe during the storm on Sunday!
7. For God's mercy and grace.
8. For being able to stay at home with my children.
9. For always supplying the money even when things get tight.
10. For flat irons or my hair would look terrible!

How does your orchard grow?

We had an awesome service last night at church and God revealed to our pastor that my life was like an orchard and that I bare much fruit and that the fruit I bare would not spoil. Bearing fruit to me means, loving people, praying for people, being an encouragement to people and putting others before yourself. So after thinking about this, I had an idea to study about orchards. Below are the ways to plant an orchard according to ehow.com.


1. Consider your climate. The type of orchard that you decide to plant will be determined by the site's climatic influences, including wind patterns, frost, average temperatures, amount of daylight and rainfall. Trying to grow an orchard of lemon trees in the Pacific Northwest would be fruitless.


2. Evaluate the site's soil for adequate nutrients and drainage. Your site probably will need to be amended for inadequate or excessive nutrients before planting. It will then need to be monitored and tested regularly.


3.Protect your orchard from wildlife, such as rabbits, deer and rodents, which are attracted to fruit-bearing trees. Invest in mesh-wire fencing that extends at least 6-feet high.


4. Clear your site of any towering trees that may reduce sunlight on your orchard. A minimum of eight hours of light is needed each day for fruit-bearing trees to be productive.


5. Consult with an expert before purchasing trees from a nursery. Selecting the appropriate tree for your climate and choosing the proper cultivar will help your orchard thrive.


6. Plant your trees according to their common characteristics, such as resistance to diseases and pests, size or expected bloom dates.



I read this and thought about it a while and God began to give me ideas about how to plant a spiritual orchard. Below is my version:



1. Accept Jesus into your life. Put worldly things aside and follow the path He has chosen for your life. Find a good, Bible believing church and surround yourself with those that are like minded.



2. Feed your soil (soul) with the Word of God. This will prepare you for a rich harvest.



3. Protect your orchard (life/family) with much prayer. Cover those around you with prayer. Protect yourself with the Armor of God.



4. Shine your light for the world to see, don't hide it. If people cannot see Jesus in you, then you are letting the things of this world hide your light.



5. Consult with God and let Him lead the way. Don't try to do things your way because His way is the only way! Find out what the plans are for your life and what He has already placed within you to fulfill.



6. Plant your seeds according to the way Jesus would do it and be prepared to bare much fruit. Share your fruit with others and always remember that every season of your life will be different and will require different fruits. Also, remember that trees need to be pruned so that their fruit will increase in number. This means that the trials and tribulations we face is only a form of pruning. This has to happen so that when someone in need comes to us, we have produced the fruit that they need at that very moment.



The fruits of the spirit are found in Galatians 5:22-23 and they are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. If we want the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us, we must join our life to His. We must know Him, love Him, remember Him, and imitate Him (Life App. Study Bible).

A new version of "This Little Piggy" by Jacob Fuller

I don't mean to post so often but I had to capture the moment as it happened so that I would not forget. Jacob, Jordan and I had a lazy day around the house today, this is a rare thing and was greatly appreciated and needed! Brad had to work all day (thank God for overtime $$) so we played and messed around in the cool AC today. I was wrestling with the boys and Jacob comes up to my feet and starts in "This little piggy went to the market" and then gets to my second toe. He says, "And this little piggy takes your toe and you'll never find it now, ha ha ha". O.k. most of you probably are not laughing with me but if you have children and have watched "Dora the Explorer", you would know that Swiper the Fox tries to take things from Dora and says, "you'll never find it now, ha ha ha"! I was busting a gut because I have never heard that version, a cross between "This Little Piggy" and "Dora the Explorer"!

The Week in Review

First attempt didn't go so well!

Jacob's second attempt at putting his shirt on and he got it this time!

Jordan at EBA- my camera isn't the greatest in gyms!

This week has been a wild and crazy week. Monday night, Jordan had baseball lessons in Evansville and I had a PTO meeting to attend. It started with a Head Room Mom meeting first and then the typical PTO meeting. I love being involved in Jordan's school and we have a great group of parents that are involved at Loge! Tuesday night, was Jordan's first game at Evansville Basketball Academy. I love watching him play sports, so this was fun for me! Afterwards, we went and ate at Golden Corral. I'm not impressed with that place at all and it is really expensive, I think. Wednesday night was church and Jordan and I stayed home to study for his Vocab/Comprehension test on Thursday. We normally do not skip church to study but his grade is down to a 91% a "B" and he seems to have trouble with comprehending stories. I know a "B" is not bad at all but there are a few more tests to come and if we don't get a hold on it now, it will continue to drop. Plus, his teacher says he fidgets a lot in class, so I don't think his focus is there. His grades are "A's" in the other classes but for some reason he has trouble comprehending. I don't know how much should be expected from a second grader, so I am flying by the seat of my pants. This has made the week stressful for me because I'm trying to fix the issue and not just give it over to God. I have to do my part at home but I know prayer is ultimately the key! Thursday night, Brad had a meeting with the youth leaders from the community and was gone until after 9:00. Thursday was the most stressful because I was alone until the evening and the kids were wild! To top it off, the gas prices were predicted to be going up and I had people left and right calling me to tell me to get to the pump! I appreciate it but calm down people! To top the week off, I haven't felt the greatest, weird actually. I've been extremely tired all week. No, I'm not prego, I think it's the gloomy weather (and the fact I need to shed some weight!)! There have been some major milestones this week. Jacob moved up to the preschool class at church and recv'd the Jesus' Kids Award at church from Mrs. Nicky! And as you can see by the pictures, he's all about dressing himself. The first attempt didn't go so well but he keeps trying. As a mom, I want to do it for him but he is Mr. Independent! Jordan's first basketball game of the season was this week as I mentioned earlier. It's been a good week all in all, I just have to stop and remember that I am blessed beyond measure and my life could be much worse. Oh and did I mention, I am sick to death of cleaning up urine? Jacob can't seem to hit the toilet and I clean urine up at least three times a day. I don't mean off the toilet seat, I mean off the wall and the floor and the trash can. Thank God for little boys because my days would be boring!!!!

Frogs, Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

There is an explanation behind this crazy and hard to read background! This summer we went over to our friends Mandy and Justin's house and they live in the country/woods. The boys were totally in their element there. There was so much room to roam and a lot of things to explore. This is were their love for frogs began. At the Overton's, there are so many frogs, tiny little frogs. The boys had so much fun trying to catch them and playing with them. A relationship of sort began between my boys and frogs and they have been obsessed ever since. We do not have many frogs here in the big city of Boonville so every chance they get to go frog hunting at both their grandparents houses, they take it! This picture was taken at my parents house and this lucky frog got a spa treatment of sorts! They thought it would be fun putting him in the water and swim with him. Poor frogs! And now you understand the reason for my hard to read background! Happy frog hunting y'all!

Weekend with Papaw and Mamaw Knight

Now it's time to cook and eat it!!!

Putting a little cheese on

Jacob

Making the pizza

Jake and Mamaw

Jordan and Papaw

Jacob's Mickey Mouse pancake

Jordan's Mickey Mouse pancake

This weekend Brad went to a men's retreat with guys from our church. The boys and I packed our things and went to my parents house in Hatfield and stayed the night there Friday night. The boys were in heaven being at Mamaw and Papaw's and of course, Mamaw rolled out the "red carpet" for us. She rented some movies, popped popcorn and bought the boys candy and to top it off....she aired up the air mattress for them to sleep on in the living room with her. Saturday morning was really strange but comforting at the same time. Waking up in the house I grew up in after not living there for so long, was like I was a kid again. Sure, I had slept there since I moved out but it took me back many years. Papaw was now home after working seconds and out the door at 8 a.m. the boys went playing baseball with Papaw. Mamaw made her famous Mickey Mouse pancakes for the boys and they each decorated them with sprinkles and other candies. We played all morning and then Papaw had to go back into work, so Mamaw came and stayed at our house Saturday night. When I was growing up, my mom and my sister and I (and dad when he was off) would make homemade pizzas. This was such a treat for us because we got to help. Since mom was coming over Saturday night, she decided we would make homemade pizzas and chocolate chip cookies. The boys love doing this and loved eating it even better (only Jordan, Jacob doesn't eat much of anything)! Saturday night came and we aired the mattress up again and watched movies until the kids were too tired! It was such a nice weekend spending time with my parents. I love watching them interact with my kids and seeing the joy my boys bring to their lives. My parents (and Brad's) are wonderful grandparents and I am so thankful my boys get to experience what I did growing up with my grandparents. These are memories that can never be taken away!

Lazy Days of Summer

Papaw Knight, Jacob and Justin- we wish Jordan could have been there!

My adorable Jacob!!

Jacob sitting still, this was a miracle!

Justin sitting and waiting for a fish to bite!

Justin and Jacob

A few weeks ago, my dad and I took Jacob and my nephew Justin fishing at our cousins lake in Richland. It was an interesting but fun time to say the least. We ventured out with two fishing poles and some chicken livers! The kids were excited and anxious to catch some fish. My dad got their poles set up and the fishing experience began. We started on one side of the lake and there was no action there at all. So we packed the poles and nasty chicken livers and walked to the other side. Bingo!! Within a few minutes, Jacob's pole began to bend. Where's Jacob? Oh he's peeing on a tree somewhere! He got there just in time to see the fish lying on the grass. Papaw picked the fish up for a photo op but Jacob was not having any part of that. Now here's where it gets tricky....two boys have to do "#2". So my dad decides to take a bucket and walk them to a remote location to do their duty. He comes back and wouldn't you know it, false alarm. Between all the peeing on trees and other bathroom needs, it's a miracle we got any fishing done! The day was a blast but I wish Jordan could have been with us but he was in school. There is nothing like having little boys in your life, everyday is an adventure, a journey!

49ers, Steelers and Colts Oh My!!!

Stacey, Me and Nicole

Jordan, Camryn, Kaylen, Kendall and Jacob

Kaylen reading to Anna and Jacob

Our wonderful pastor, Kris Brown!

Bobby, Pastor Kris and Brad

Anna and Jacob

Kaylen and Jordan


If you are a football fan, you would know that last night was the first NFL game of the regular season! What a better reason to have a party!? No one agrees on who their favorite team is among our friends. We had Steeler fans, Colts fans, 49er fans and "no"fans at all! Our pastor and his wife stand divided on who to cheer for. Nicole cheers for the Steelers and Pastor Kris loves the 49ers. Brad and I agree on the Colts and our boys have been, what I call "brainwashed" into cheering for them too. At this point, Jordan does enjoy football and cheers for the Colts willing! I learned a long time ago, to like sports or live in sports "hell" my entire life. Before I met Brad, I could care less about any sport at all, much less understand football. I was or am not a "girly girl" but I just didn't care what guy threw what ball between which guys butt (I mean legs!)! Now, I am proud to say (after years of complaining) that I actually enjoy most of the sports he watches. I enjoy football (and understand it mostly) and love basketball. I also figured after I gave birth to my second son Jacob, that I was living in a house filled with males, that I better start liking sports. I still do not like car races of any sort! I also have to say, that my husband has compromised too. He attends musicals and plays with me!! We did have a wonderful evening spending time with our friends and eating good food! The kids love being together and get along so well. I am so thankful that God sent us to the church we now attend. The friendships we have made there will be forever!