Flashback Friday

Since tomorrow is my nephew Tyler's 9th birthday I thought I'd feature him in today's Flashback Friday. I had the pleasure of helping take care of him for the first few years of his life and he was my "practice baby". Happy Birthday Tyler! Auntie loves you and your card is in the mail!

Seven Things

My friend Bridget tagged me to make a list of seven things you may or may not know about me:

Seven things that attracted me to my husband-
1. His eyes. They're super cool. They are greeen when he wears green & blue when he wears blue.
2. His commitment to the Lord. That was at the top of my list of requirements for a husband.
3. His butt. I always used to give him "special hugs" where I go to hug him, but grab his butt instead!
4. His smile.
5. He knew how crazy my family is & still wanted to marry me anyway..
6. He always helps me when I ask.
7. Easy going personality (I need that in a husband) That's how he puts up with me! (Amen Bridget!)

Seven things I always say-
1. Bad Monkey! (When Joshua does something bad)
2. Joshua, do you need to stand in the corner?
3. Go get a book.
4. Miiiiieeeer! (When calling my hubby downstairs.)
5. Seriously!?! (usually talking about a mess the kids made etc.)
6. I-Boo! (Sort of my nickname for Rachel that I say when she is chewing on shoes or getting into something.)
7. Oh my poor baby! (When Rachel is crying.)

Seven things I love to eat-
1. BBQ Sunflower Seeds
2. Dr. Pepper (okay I drink this & not eat it, but it's my favorite!)
3. Salad with cheese, sliced black olives & ranch mixed with salsa
4. Orange Chicken from Panda Express
5. Chicken Bacon Ranch from Subway
6. Eggo waffles for breakfast
7. Teriyaki chicken on a bun w/mayo.

Seven things I can do-
1. Take care of 3 babies under the age of 9 months and a 2 1/2 year old without going crazy. (Well most days anyway.)
2. Breastfeed while reading a book to Joshua.
3. Tell you the name of most NASCAR drivers based on their number. (I know, I know. What do you want, I live in Texas now...)
4. Sew a super cool blanket without a pattern.
5. Get my husband to do just about anything with just a pouty look.
6. Recite lines from TV shows & movies that correspond to any daily situation. (Dude, my sister would know!)
7. Pay all my bills online & use my Excel spreadsheet to organize them all.

Seven things I can't do-
1. Whistle.
2. Be away from my kids.
3. Smell cinnamon without gagging. (Especially hard during Christmas time when they have those nasty scented pinecones in every store!)
4. Go more than one day without talking to either my mom or my sister Heather.
5. Do math (which makes me hesitant to homeschool in the future.)
6. Let a dog kiss me or lick my face (I know where it's tongue has been and I can't help but think about poop! - Me too Bridget!!! Ewwww - yuck!)
7. Stop worrying about my kids' future. (Like what would happen if I died & they didn't have a mommy. =(

Now I tag you...feel free to do your own and leave me a comment so I can check out your 7 things.

Brag On Your Man

My friend Bridget found the blog called Brag On Your Man, so here goes:

My husband and I have been married for 4 years, but have known each other for almost 15 years. We actually went to the same Jr High and were in band together in 7th grade. I was in colorguard and he played in the band. We didn't actually meet until high school and under sad circumstances. You see, Brian is best friends with Jeff, one of the boys that lived next door to me growing up. And it wasn't until Jeff's younger brother Tim was in the hospital that we met. Actually, it was in Jeff's car on the way to the hospital when we met for the first time.

After that I saw him from time to time when he would visit Jeff. We hung out in different crowds in high school. I was involved in student government, ASB & cheerleading and he was busy playing trumpet in band and causing mischief with his '67 Barracuda. Boy was that thing loud!

Anyways, fast forward to 2003. I had done the whole "bad girl" thing and hadn't found what I was looking for even though it was in front of me all along. "Hiding in plain sight" as it were. I had finally come to a place in my life where I truly knew what I was looking for in a husband and BAM! There he was! I always knew he had a crush on me, but he never followed me around like a puppy dog or anything. He had standards too. And I love that about him. He could have moped around feeling sorry for himself, but instead he simply purposed in his heart that he would never date me while I was living my life for anyone other than God.

Well he finally got his chance and we've never looked back. To say that he adores me is an understatement. He is so good about cleaning the kitchen after I've cooked and loading & unloading the dishwasher (I hate to do it!). He always comes downstairs from his computer when I see something funny on TV and pause the TiVo for him to watch it. (Even though it's usually like 20 times a night!) He is such an amazing father to our two children and has never hesitated when I've asked him to help me out or change a diaper. And of course the one thing I want to brag about most is that he gives me a back & foot massage at least 5 times a week before bed. Yes, seriously. He's so good that I'd suggest that he become a masseuse, but then I'd have to share him and I'm too jealous for that. ;)

He is the spiritual leader of our household, my best friend and I couldn't be happier. We often tell each other "Thank you for marrying me." And today, (even though you're going to kill me for this post) I say again, Thank you for marrying me.

Flashback Friday

This is a picture of Joshua at 6 months old.
It's hard to believe how he's grown into a little man.

My Daddy came to town

So my Daddy just finished his whirlwind tour of the United States, visiting my sister Heather in Virginia and then stopping here in San Antonio. Sunday was a beautiful day and we decided to go to the zoo after church. Here are the pics.

Joshua pointing at fish

Brian showing Joshua more fish

Papa with the kids

Me & Brian

The Bailey Family

The petting zoo

Joshua is rethinking this idea

Joshua is not a happy camper

Trying to get away from the animals

Me & Joshua

Flashback Friday

My daddy is visiting me for a few days so I thought I'd post a flashback of us when I was a baby.

Emergency Prayer Request

**Update** Jamie lost the baby. Please continue to pray for her during this difficult time.

Our very close family friend Jamie Anglen is a few weeks pregnant and has been rushed to the ER. Please take a moment to pray for her and her unborn baby. We pray that the baby will be okay, but ultimately that God's will be done. I will update this post as I find out more.

Take a moment...

Today is Veteran's Day and I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge how much I appreciate everyone who has ever served our country. This country would be nothing without the sacrifices that our brave military personnel make on a daily basis for our freedom and national security. My dad's father, Norris Skadsem was in the Army and so was my father-in-law Steven Bailey. My brother-in-law Chris Perry is in the Air Force and is currently serving in Iraq, and my beloved grandfather James Costello was a Marine.

From the bottom of my heart....Thank You.

**Update** Applebees Restaurants are testing out a new promotion to honor all active duty & veterans of the military. Military members will receive a free entree & sides on Veteran's Day when they provide proof of military service. Here is the link for more info: http://www.applebees.com/VeteransDay.html

Personally, we will be dining at Applebees tonight to show how much we appreciate their support of our Armed Forces.

Flashback Friday

So my friend Bridget does "Flashback Friday's" on her blog & I'm jumping on the bandwagon.

Here is a picture of me in the Don Lugo parking lot my Jr year of high school. Can you believe this picture was taken 14 yrs ago?!? Time flies...

Seven Prayers A Day

Okay, so in my favorite blog Bring the Rain, Angie has come up with 7 verses to pray for your children each day for 7 days. I substituted my kids' names & printed out each verse onto scrapbooking paper & then glued them onto more cutesy paper last night. Today I taped them up all over the house in places that will help remind me to pray.

Here are the verses that Angie picked:
When they wake up: "Let the morning bring Joshua & Rachel word of Your unfailing love, for they have put their trust in You. Show them the way they should go, for to You they lift up their soul." (Adapted from Psalm143:8)

When they are getting dressed: "Therefore, as God's chosen child, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Lord, help them bear with others and forgive whatever grievances they have against others. Help them forgive as the Lord forgave them. And over all these virtues, help them put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Adapted from Colossians 3:12-14)

When they go out of the house: "Joshua & Rachel, do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will." (Adapted from Romans 12:2)

While they are eating: "Teach Joshua & Rachel the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Teach them that they can do everything through him who gives them strength." (Adapted from Philippians 4:12-13)

While they are washing hands: Lord, give Joshua & Rachel clean hands and a pure heart, and let them not lift their soul to an idol or swear by what is false. Let them receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior. Let them be part of the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. (Adapted from Psalm 24:4-6)

When they are going to bed: "The Lord Your God is with you; He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)

While they are sleeping: "I pray that Joshua & Rachel will do everything without complaining or arguing, so that they may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which they shine like a star in the universe as they hold out the word of life-in order that they may boast on the day of Christ that they did not run or labor for nothing." (Adapted from Philippians 2:14-16)

Go Vote!

Here in Texas we have what's called early voting, so I already voted last week, but in an election where so much is at stake, please take the time to go and vote. It's a privilege to live in a free country, so exercise your right to vote today!

PS - Rachel cut her first tooth on Halloween! Pictures will be forthcoming...

Halloween 2008

Last night we went to the YMCA for trick or treating. Here are some pics of our brave fireman and adorable ladybug.

Joshua with fairy princess Ava!

Dang I look sexy!