Tickle Monster by Josie Bissett

I found this PRECIOUS book online the other day while browsing for some new books to read at night with the boys. I mentioned in a previous post that Jerrod and I spend a lot of time in the evenings (and for me- during the days) "kickling" our baby, Teague. He loves to be kickled...if I sit down, he thinks its time. If I am working in the kitchen, he just comes and lays right next to my feet and says, "kickle me Mommy!". When he wants to be tickled, he wants to be tickled!!

Anyway, got this book today in the mail and it is just perfect! I couldn't get Teague to sit still long enough to read it with me, but Jackson LOVED it! He begged me to read it to him over and over again! It's the best and highly recommended by both Jackson and myself.

You can even purchase it as a boxed set which comes with little blue monster mits. I am sure the book can be bought at most book stores...I bought mine from Amazon.com. Here's the link on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002FWXRD8/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=1932319670&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0DWZRJE72K44DG9MZGQW

The book was written by Josie Bissett from Melrose Place. Remember that show??! You can read more about Josie's book at www.josiebissett.com

The perfect step stool

We recently got the front loading washer and dryer. I was shocked today when Iwalked into the laundry room to find Teague inside the dryer. I wondered immediately how he got himself inside since they stand higher than our previous dryer...until I saw the basket of clean laundry located right underneath the door. A perfect step stool, I suppose.

WANTED: friends

I had the privilege of going on an overnight "women's retreat" on Friday night with a group of great ladies. There is a new church in Sugar Land and a few of my friends are members. They invited me to go on the overnight event and I jumped at the chance to hang with girls and study the word of God. I'll never miss that! We went to a very large ranch in Somerville, TX. It was more like a resort of sorts and it belonged to a very blessed family. It was so nice and everything was so LARGE. Word is, this was Lance Berkman's ranch that he recently sold to this family. We all decided that was why everything was so tall, large, etc. It took a small ladder to get into the bar stools that lined the bar area in the "gathering" room and it was just that- a perfect place to gather! We spent the night learning about what God's word says about friends and friendships. He designed us to be relational beings with every intention for us to spend time with "friends". We focused our study on Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10

Two are better than one...for if one falls the other can pick up his companion.

I learned that Jesus spent 1/3 of his time with his "close, intimate friends" and then spent the rest of his time with "friends" that he associated with and worshiped with but weren't in his inner circle. He spent 2/3 rd's of his time with acquaintances- ministering to them- but he still referred to them as friends. Amazing!!

I also learned this evening that I am not the only person that has had difficulties with friendships. It was refreshing to hear...we are hard on ourselves. As women, relationships are a challenge and can be difficult to manage especially with a family with children! Something so fun shouldn't be so had!!

We studied His word and found these truths:

We were created for friendship- he didn't want us to be alone. Genesis 2:11

Jesus had good friends.

God knew we would need a friend. Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10

Our salvation must be worked out. Philippians 2:12-13

Relationships show us our need for the Father. Romans 15:5-6

We applied these truths to our lives and discovered that we all have choices in friends- and they are just that, choices. Just like we tell our children, we too must make good choices in friends. It's no different for us. I learned so much about these choices! The community I live in is absolutely wonderful. I am blessed with many friends- some close and some are acquaintances. Either way...I need friends.

WANTED: Friends

Must be willing to deal with a mother of 4 precious children and a wife to a very busy husband (both pretty much run my life). Must be able to deal with dropped plans, cancelled play dates and the occasional late arrival. Must be willing to deal with a woman that is totally normal- up one day and down the next, organized one day and totally a mess the next, a meticulous cleaner one week and a total pig the next- and be willing to lift me up when I am down. Must understand that I am not perfect or claim to be anywhere close to it. Must be able to be honest with me and have my best interest at heart. Must love the Lord. Must be willing to pray for me, to have great discernment for me, to stick by me and to challenge me to live a Godly life.

I hope you want the same for yourself and if so- you have a friend in me.

Ever wonder why it's the little things...

that make things better? It seems so simple, but I have been wanting to hang this row of hooks since last semester. Summer came and went and I finally got Jerrod to hang it for me this past weekend. Now, a perfect place to hang 4 backpacks every day! Off the floor and off the staircase, finally!! Much better.

We are not in control- He is

Last week my great Aunt died after 94 glorious years. She was such a sweet soul and I loved her dearly. Aunt Willeen had a serious sweet tooth and she must have added sugar to everything! She always promised my brother and I when we would come over for dinner that she would make what she called "sugar rice". It was a deliciously carb filled dish with milk, sugar and cinnamon. I could make a meal off of that side dish...it was delish! She also made a mean array of candies and cookies during the holidays. As a child, I ALWAYS wanted to go to her house. I was asked to provide some memories of Aunt Willeen for the Eulogy at the funeral and this is what I said I remembered most.

Then, Friday my Uncle Tim died. He was in his early 60's and he had been taking care of his wife that has been in the hospital for the last few months (seriously ill) and he didn't show up to work on Friday. They went to see what the problem was and he was found at home. He apparently had a heart attack in his sleep. My cousins have come to take care of funeral arrangements and they have made plans for the EMS to come and pick up his wife so that she can attend the funeral this next week. This family is having a hard time...I feel so bad for them.

In light of my recent medical discoveries, this has really got me thinking about life and all that we really don't control. There is only one person in control and that's our Lord and Savior. He is the only one that truely knows our plan and I have to go on faith knowing everything is going to be OK for me and everyone else.

I love lava rocks

I have been priviledged with many, many lava rocks this year so far. Jackson brings home these "lava rocks" every day for me from the asphalt track at school during recess. It's his "flower" for his Mommy!

I have collected enough of these large rocks to fill a decorative vase (I think I may try it) and have found remnants all over the house. The remnants have appeared in the chair cushions, the couch cushions, in the washer, the dryer, and even in my bed!

I love lava rocks!

Buc-ee's vs. Reliant Stadium

This past Sunday we got to go to our first Texans Football game with our season tickets. Jerrod has been to another game, but the rest of the family couldn't go because of school so it was the first time for the rest of us. The excitement of getting there is enough to make anyone's day. I've never seen so many people decked out in Texan gear!

The oohing and ahhing started immediately as we entered the arena. The kids eyes kept getting bigger and bigger as they saw the most important things- the concession stand offerings. There were a ton of choices from ice cream to cotton candy and everything else....

We made our first trip to the concessions right before the game started. Everyone chose nachos and got their seat. The game was just starting, we were enjoying our nachos and Jackson asked the first insightful question of the day. He didn't comment about the yummy nachos, the cool fireworks that went off as the team arrived in the stadium or the cheerleaders that were dancing right in front of us. He asked Jerrod when the game was going to be over.

Then, we decided to make our second trip to the concession stand at half time show. This time it was Jerrod's turn to go so he and Bailey went and picked up the goods. While they were gone Emma explained to me how the "Astros" weren't very good and even said, "well, they have already lost the game".

I am guessing that neither Emma or Jackson were impressed with the game, but they sure liked the treats! Here they are enjoying them:

On the up side, Emma and Jackson participated in the "Jump Jam" during half time. This is where the kids jump to the music and try to get on the big, jumbo screen in the stadium. Emma and Jackson were spotted by the camera for their jumping skills and were shown on the screen! They were thrilled!! They even went to school on Monday and several of their friends said they saw them on the big screen at the game. Funny!

For the record, the Texans did stink. They lost to the Jets (24), Texans (7)

I'll never understand why the kids think nothing of a world class NFL football stadium right in their own hometown, but can't wait to get their paws on a slurpee from Buc-ee's, a highway filling stadium in Luling, TX.