I Scream, You Scream

For Christmas, AJ's parents got us an ice cream maker. It is so cool and fun for kids. When I thought of ice cream makers I thought of those huge clunky metal ones where you have to pour salt in and it just seemed like a big hassle. We always had those at ice cream socials growing up and I really would have preferred some good ol' Braums. Well AJ loves homemade ice cream so he was stoked. Last weekend we were watching Tenney so Nick & Emily could go out. We thought that would be a fun activity for the kids. It turned out so great! AJ's mom gave me her recipe for vanilla and it was so DELICIOUS. I added extra cream because I don't think ice cream can be too creamy. The boys had so much fun turning the ice cream.

Here are the boys enjoying their ice cream they made! Nick and Emily said Tenney says ice cream is too cold so he probably wouldn't want any....but he asked for seconds! They really liked it and so did we. We want to try out some more flavors. If anyone has a good recipe they'd like to share, let me know!!

I love this system we have with Nick & Emily. This past weekend they watched our boys so we could go out. We had some gift cards we'd been saving up from Christmas so we went out to dinner and a movie and spent $5 for the entire evening! We ate at Red Lobster, which I haven't eaten at since junior high. Why? It was soooo yummy. Those cheddar biscuits were worth the trip alone. I had pineapple glazed tilapia. Yum. Then we went and saw Juno. Good movie. I want to see it again. I cried. Then again, what movie do I not cry at??

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Hey There. . .

So, I'm sorry to all my faithful readers that I've been bad about blogging lately. Every time I'm on the computer lately, I've been messing with my etsy shop or playing webkinz with Avery. I pretty much have to fight him for the computer. My business, 2 blonde boys, has picked back up after the holidays. It's been nice to have some fun projects to work on.

Last weekend we had Chris & Jill (AJ's youngest sister) over for lunch to celebrate Jill's 22nd birthday. They went to church with us and then came back here for a little birthday lunch & dessert. Much to Avery's joy, Jill brought some belated birthday gifts for him from AJ's parents and Grandma. We always enjoy spending time with Chris and Jill. It reminds us of last summer...only now they leave. bummer.

Here are some pics from the day. . .

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Wildflowers in a Field

So, I just finished reading Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge. It was so good. For some reason it took me forever to get through it. If I'm reading a novel, I usually finish it in a few days. When I'm reading a book like this, I really labor over it. I don't want to just rush through it. I want to make sure I'm really internalizing the truths I'm reading.
I have always known that I wanted to be a full time mom. Being a mother has been one of the greatest desires of my heart. I feel so very blessed to have my two healthy, precious boys. Although I feel convicted that my role is to be home, I don't believe that it is every woman's role. I think that some people assume that because I'm a "stay at home mom" (do I really stay home that much??) I look down upon them for being a working mom. I really don't. This book articulated it really well. Here's a quote: ". . .our true places as women in God's story are as diverse and unique as wildflowers in a field. No two look quite the same. . . .Above all, you must live in that World [whatever world God has called you to] as a response to the invitation of Jesus, for you will be hurt if he has not called you there. You will be covered if he has." Isn't that great? I don't think we can assume we know what God's calling is on another's life. But I'm so glad he called me to be a mommy!!
Here's one more quote that means so much to me:

To be Queen Elizabeth within a definite area, deciding sales, banquets, labors and holidays; to be Whitely within a certain area, providing toys, boots, cakes, and books; to be Aristotle within a certain area, teaching morals, manners, theology, and hygiene; I can understand how this might exhaust the mind, but I cannot imagine how it could narrow it. How can it be a large career to tell other people's children about the Rule of Three, and a small career to tell one's own children about the universe? How can it be broad to be the same thing to everyone and narrow to be everything to someone? No, a woman's function is laborious, but because it is gigantic, not because it is minute.

-G.H. Chesterton

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For Your Viewing Pleasure

If you're really curious or are just addicted to scrolling through blogs, here are some more pictures of Avery's 5th bday party:
http://my3ringcircus.blogspot.com/2008/01/happy-birthday-avery.html

Avery's friend Titus' mom, Ashley, has a blog and put pictures from the party on her site.

I'm really not sure what is all over Avery's shirt in that last picture....maybe he just got a little excited at the water fountain... Pin It

I'm so Excited....

Look what shoes I just ordered! Yay! I can't wait for them to come in...please hurry Mr. Postman! :)

http://merrell.com/Product/NZGP/Womens-Casual-Footwear/Slip-Ons/Womens/Plaza-Bandeau.aspx

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Avery's Birthday, Part 1

One great thing about Avery's birthday being on New Year's, is that AJ is always home. I think it was a great day. I made blueberry pancakes for his birthday breakfast. Then he got to open his gifts from us.
He loves his new scooter! He didn't even ask for it, so it was a real surprise and he has already had so much fun with it.

Trying it out.....

Our good friends, Dave, Mel, Micah & Levi came over for a little bit to bring Avery a gift. Avery had fun showing Micah & Levi his new toys. In the afternoon, while Finley was napping, Avery and I made cupcakes. He loves helping cook and really loves licking the frosting!!

Avery's creations:

After Finley's nap we picked up Catherine & Easton and took them all to the theatre to see the Chipmunks movie. This was great fun. The kids had a blast. Erin sent a goodie bag with each of the kids...so needless to say, they were sugared up by the end of the movie!

Afterwards we all went to the Kennedy's and roasted hot dogs & made s'mores over their new fire pit.

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Avery's Birthday, Part 2

This past Saturday we had Avery's birthday party. His cousin, Mary turned 8 on Dec. 30th, so they had a combined party. We had it at this place, Pump It UP...which was awesome (thanks, mom)! They had a room full of inflatables for the kids to play on....a huge slide, "boxing ring", bounce house, obstacle course, etc. It was totally private and so clean....nice. They had an hour and a half to jump their little hearts out. I think the grownups had almost as much fun as the kids. My parents took a lot more pictures, so hopefully I will be getting those soon (hint, hint). :)

Here is AJ (notice how sweaty he is....he'd been bouncing A LOT and was a big hit with the kids!), Finley, & Audra. I wish I didn't just get the back of Audra's head, b/c she is a cutie!!

Here is Avery's friend, Kaedon jumping away!

The birthday boy with his blow-up crown.

Avery's ice cream cake...YUM...good job DQ!

Finley enjoying his "pupcake."

The kids & their cake....

They had a blow-up throne for Avery & Mary to sit on & open presents. We just shoved them in there together. They were pretty sweet.

I think it turned out to be a great party. Many of Avery's friends came and that made it so special for him. The next day someone asked Avery about his birthday party and he said emphatically, "It was so fun." That makes me happy.

Now just a couple more months before I have to start thinking about Finn's party.

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That was then . . .

So, yesterday I posted pictures of Avery 5 years ago. I wanted to post some pictures of him now. Here is our Avery, 5 years later. . .

"From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another." John 1:16

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5 Years Ago . . .

Wow . . . is my baby 5 years old?? I can hardly believe it. 5 seemed so old....and now here we are. I keep looking at the clock, thinking back to what I was doing 5 years ago at this time. What a wonderful day it was. It was such a calm, yet exciting day. He was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. . . such a gift. I am overwhelmed with thankfulness for the gift of my sweet boy.

Happy 5th Birthday, my sweet Avery Jack.

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