The Woman of the Home

Two years ago I found this on a blog I frequently read- Women Living Well I have done a few of their bible studies and currently use the SOAP system they use for my bible study at church. SOAP is Scripture. Observation. Application & Prayer. Anyways- I printed this out two years ago and it has sat on my kitchen sink. However, I recently had to re-type it because the water splatters on it had made the paper look ratty. But I wanted to share it with you. 

I have been a stay at home mom for almost a year and it is a struggle. It is an adjustment. I would NOT trade my job for ANYTHING!! I absolutely LOVE being a Stay at Home Mom but its different and you have to learn how to do it. I have clung to this and tried my best. Yeah I fail a lot- but God is faithful to teach me new things and I pray he will make me a better woman of the home daily. Also, I don't think it just means SAHM moms- I think all women are women of their home- whether they are there all day or just in AM/PM.

Here is what she wrote about the woman of the home in 5 points:

1.     The woman of the home is engaged. She is aware of what everyone is doing right in that moment. If a child needs help of correction- she is right there to give it. If her husband needs a hug, an encouraging word or a helping hand she is right there to care. She is playful and makes time to tickle, dance, play checkers or Wii with her family. This is a woman whose family praises her. (Proverbs 31:28)

2.     The woman of the home is wise with her time management. She guards her family from getting so busy that they lose connection with each other. She dissects her calendar and eliminated things that are unnecessary  She is prepared when it is time to go somewhere to alleviate the stress that comes from last minute rushing. She and family enjoy the slow paced life she has created in her home.

3.     The woman of the home has a pleasant demeanor. She does not stay up late watching TV, reading, surfing the web or working. She goes to sleep at a reasonable hour so she can wake cheerfully for her family. She knows that some seasons of life are harder than others so she is patient with her season of life and is confident that she will reap what she has sown. She works diligently trusting God with the results of her labor.

4.     The woman of the home is content. She knows that no home, husband, child, church or neighborhood is perfect. So she chooses to be content with what God has given her for today.

5.     The woman of the home prays. She knows that she is weak but God is strong and that she cannot fulfill the role of wife, mother, homemaker, and sometimes employee, on her own strength. She is completely dependent on God and practices this dependence by daily praying for all of these things.

The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.”

Proverbs 14:1

Hadley's Dedication

Back in the middle of February we took a trip to Dallas for the weekend to watch and be a part as our niece, Hadley was dedicated at church. We drove up Saturday morning.

Justin loves when I take photos of him driving, can't you tell?

Hello Dallas!

We had a quiet Saturday catching up and letting the babies watch /play each other. Ascher was fascinated with Hadley. Saturday night we ate pizza and continued our hang out. We don't get to see each other that often so when we are all together we don't even care if we do nothing but just sit around talking and being together.

Sunday we got up and went to church. We dropped Ascher off at nursery and headed to big church. It was a beautiful service and Hadley and her parents looked perfect. Beaming and proud.

After the service we walked over to the cafe at the church and had a wonderful brunch buffet. It was fantastic! They had all you can imagine for breakfast and walk a little further and all you can imagine for lunch. Delicious!! We all ate and sat around talking, eating and taking pictures.

Me, Mom, Jess, Hadley & Aunt Janice

Sisters & their babies

ready for a nap but still smiling

Aunt Janice (mom's sister) and Mom

Mom, Dad, Jess, Roy, Hadley, Roys Parents, Ava & Nick

Mom, Dad, Jess, Roy, Hadley, Me, Justin & Ascher

Dad & his first Grand-daughter

giving mommy kisses 

loving on my sweet niece

Dad & his first grandchild and first boy in the family since him. : )

After lunch we went back to the house, took some more photos, and let Ascher sleep a little bit before packing up and hitting the road to come back home. Glad we were able to be a part of the special day for the Reis family!

love my little niece

I just love this photo of Mom & Dad with Hadley- hahaha!

Justin, Me, Jess & Roy with Hadley (Ascher was sleeping)

Spring Break: Thursday- Sunday

Continued from Spring Break: Monday-Wednesday

Thursday: We got up and got ready to go to the zoo. We fed and dressed the babies & ourselves. Carla arrived (my other SIL who is a teacher on Spring Break in Houston) and we headed out to the zoo. Or so we thought. Two hours later, we were still driving around looking for a parking spot. It was INSANE! We even left what we thought was early. I sat in the backseat with the kids and we watched the entire movie, Mulan. We decided that the zoo was a bust and we would just go eat at Willies and let the girls play in the sand. After lunch we went back to Ragan's and sat out in the front yard while the girls napped. We caught up with Carla and just enjoyed the beautiful weather! Around 3:30 Ascher was ready for a nap so I packed the car up and drove home to College Station.

Top Row: Ascher eating breakfast, Ragan & Carla in car after driving around forever, Avery & me in the backseat watching Mulan
Middle Row: Avery playing in the sand, Ragan & Ascher at lunch, Carla at lunch, Ascher being a good boy in the backseat
Bottom Row: Carla & Ragan on blanket in the front yard, Ascher & me playing in front yard.

Friday:
Justin and I got up and drove to Lake Conroe for the day to boil some crawfish and see the rest of the family. My other SIL and BIL are also teachers and were on Spring Break so we all headed to the lake to enjoy family time. Ascher & Emerson, his cousin are only 7 months apart and they are so cute to watch. They are really starting to interact more and I just know this summer they are gonna have a blast! We boiled crawfish, potatoes, corn & sausages. I didn't eat any of it. I don't like crawfish and the other stuff was too spicy!! But everyone else dug in!! Ascher, Ella, and I all went swimming in the hot tub. We tried to take the boat out but the water was too low to get it out of the slip...next time. We sat and talked on the patio for hours and just enjoyed each others company. We had a wonderful day (minus the pollen-YIKES!)

Top Row: Crawfish boiling, Ascher & Me in hot tub, Ascher LOVES the water
Middle Row: Eric, Justin & Ascher peeling crawfish, KDan took Ascher fishing
Bottom Row: Justin & KDan trying to fix the jet ski and of course me and my little man

Taylor sent me this photo after I had made the collage. Ascher was so thirsty he drank the rest of Gigi's drink. He thought he was hot stuff drinking out of a big people cup!

Saturday:
We spent the morning just being a little family. After lunch I went to Natalies for a little while until time for afternoon nap. We sat and talked about our babies being one, their birthday parties, life, etc. We just enjoy spending time together even if we aren't doing anything.

After Ascher's nap Justin and I drove out to his friends house for another crawfish boil. They live on land and have three horses. Horses are such beautiful animals. I just love them! We chatted and enjoyed the beautiful weather (minus the pollen of course). There is something about a sunset on untouched land. GORGEOUS! It was a fun time and I'm glad Justin has made such good friends at work. Liking the people you work with can make a big difference in your happiness.

Top Row: Carsen & Lee (guys Justin works with), Justin & Ascher, Cooper- the puppy
Middle: Beautiful sunset
Bottom: Ascher throws himself back in his pack n play- lays there and kicks and laughs at himself (so funny), eating crawfish, Ascher trying to walk over to me

Sunday morning we went to church and met Carsen. A great sermon & Ascher loves nursery time! When I picked him up he was passed out! Of course, when he heard Justin's voice his little eyes popped open. He loves his daddy. We all went to Chuys for lunch. Delicious! The rest of Sunday was chill. Ascher and I took a nap. We did some laundry, mopped the floors, and just enjoyed family time. : ) Praise Jesus for Sunday afternoons!

It was a great Spring Break!! Love spending time with friends and family & thats just what we did!! 

Spring Break 2013: Monday-Wednesday

No I am not in school.
No I do not have any children that are in school.

Yet the title is Spring Break 2013. Well Bible Study took a week off and we didn't have MOPS and everyone else was on Spring Break so we called it our Spring Break too. Granted- Justin worked all week but I had fun regardless.

My original plan was to meet my Mom in Houston on Tuesday to go to Ikea. I really want a shoe closet & to maybe find some stuff for Aschers birthday. However, Monday I woke up with the crud. Yuck! We headed to Target and got some medicine and some other stuff we needed and the rest of the day I loaded myself up with tons of meds determined to knock it out. I really wanted to go to Ikea. However, Tuesday morning I woke up feeling worse than I had on Monday. Justin thinks I took too much meds. Its possible. So Ascher and I canceled on Mom and spent the day resting and trying to get better. I didn't take any medicine and it seemed to get a little better as the day went on. When Ascher napped, I napped. When he played- I laid on the couch/floor. I'm waiting for the day when he understands when I don't feel good. Until then we improvise. It wasn't that bad. (Looking through my phone- I didn't take ONE picture all day- which never happens)

Wednesday came and I was determined to feel better and thankfully I woke up feeling much better. We packed up and drove to Houston to spend the night with my sister-in-law. She is a teacher and was on Spring Break and Ascher ADORES his cousins. When we arrived we let the kiddos eat lunch, play for a little bit and then it was nap time. However, Ascher isn't a fan of napping when he is somewhere new or there is a lot going on so he would NOT sleep. Finally I got in my car and drove around and out he went. While the babies slept, Ragan & I laid out on the drive way and caught up. I am very thankful for our relationship. Ragan is my sorority sister. Ragan is the only reason I married Justin. Ragan was my friend before I even knew Justin. Ragan introduced me to her older brother. Who knew!? I just love that our friendship truly did turn into a sisterhood. 

After the babies woke up, we went to Kohls to return some stuff for Ragan and I found Ascher his first pair of Chuck Taylors & a hooded monster towel. They look so cute! He looks like such a big boy! (both of which will be part of birthday present) After Kohls we headed home and Ragan grilled us a steak. (Brad was at band practice for church) Dinner was delicious and over all it was a wonderful day! We showered, and headed to bed before too late. However, I drank a coke and was up until well after midnight. Coke really affects me lately. I made a collage of our day.

Top Left: Ragan & Ascher when he wouldn't sleep
Top Right: Ascher's new shoes & towel
Middle left: Ascher playing in Pack N Play before he went to sleep
Middle Right: Avery when she woke up from nap & came outside
Bottom Left: Ragan and her steak
Bottom Right: Ascher & Kinley eating green beans

NOLA

The first weekend in March I left Ascher for the first time. EEEK! I was so excited for the weekend so that made leaving him a little easier! Not to mention, I was leaving him with his daddy so I wasn't worried. It was Jordan, one of my besties bachelorette party in New Orleans! I could hardly contain myself I was so excited! Friday morning I got up and got ready and headed to Houston so I could ride with Chelsea & Kimberly. We got on the road and it took us all day- but road tripping with the girls is always fun and it didn't seem like it was that long. We left around 1 and got there after stopping, eating, and visiting Kimberly's cousin at 8 pm. Talk about a day of travel but like I said- it was fun being the girls!

Once we got to New Orleans we checked into our hotel which just so happened to be the #1 Haunted Hotel in NOLA. Granted, I don't believe in ghosts but it was a rather creepy hotel.

Once the three of us had settled and changed we headed to the airport to pick up the rest of the girls- Jordan, Block and Kelly. First time I've been dressed cute in awhile too- here I am before we left-

We went back to hotel to drop bags off and walked to a wine bar not to far from the hotel. It was really nice because I don't drink a lot of wine and it was cool because you could choose whether you wanted 1 oz, 2 oz or 4 oz and you paid by the ounce. Perfect for this girl. We sat around and talked and all caught up until they closed at 2 am. Latest I have been up (not for a baby) in years!!!

After they closed we started walking back to the hotel but the girls saw Harrahs and insisted we visit. Much to my dismay- I was tired but being a trooper went along. We went to the penny slots and wasted some money. However, everyone lost money but I won $12 on the penny slots! WOOHOO!!

We finally left and got back to hotel around 4 am and didn't go to sleep till after 5 am. We had so much energy it was crazy. We had a blast! And get this...we all were awake by 8 am. and cheery none the less. We got showered and walked to Court of Two Sisters for brunch. We stopped along the way and took pictures-my feet were still happy at this point. (bought new shoes on the way to NOLA & by the time we got to brunch my foot was bleeding-UGH!)

Breakfast was delicious- a little pricey- ok a lot pricey but it was fun experience and now I can say I ate at the court of two sisters. We got seated right next to the band who played the whole time. It was a great start to our Saturday. 

After we ate we went outside to the courtyard and took some pictures by the well just for fun before we walked over to Bourbon Street. 

If you look close in the second photo you can see that my shoe isn't all the way on anymore because I was bleeding-- already miserable and it was only 11 am. We walked down the street a ways and arrived at Pat O'Brien's  

My parents met in New Orleans at Pat O'Briens 37 years ago the day before I went so I had to take a picture in the spot my mom first saw my Dad.

We walked out onto the patio and were happy to see what a beautiful day it was turning into. All the tables were full so we made friends with what we thought (& were right) to be a bachelor party. They were good Southern gentleman and quickly offered us their seats. We spent the rest of the day chatting and all hanging out. It was so nice because a bunch of them were married as well so it wasn't awkward and was very relaxed.

 We played a game the whole weekend and no one got it right- not ONE person. We would ask the random person- out of the six of us- name the oldest, youngest, dentist and mom. Jordan is the youngest, Kelly the oldest, Block the dentist and I'm the mom. I got youngest ever single time. No one could believe I was a Mom. : ) 

After our day at Pat O's we walked back to the hotel (stopped and got some beignets) and crashed. Considering we had all only slept three hours the night before we all needed a nap. However, when we woke up we decided we wanted pizza and to just stay in. Kimberly went to see her cousin and the other girls went out for like 30 minutes just since it was Jor's Bachelorette party- but I, on the other hand- stayed put wrapped up in the warm cozy bed. I'm lame like that. 

Sunday morning we all got up at 8 again and showered, cleaned the room and packed up. We went and ate at Lucy's for brunch before we got on the road to come home. We took 2 hour shifts driving so it made the drive go by really fast. It was so much fun and we all were dreading the 6 hour drive home but it wasn't that bad. The only part that sucked was once we got back to Houston I still had to drive another 1 and a half hour to College Station! I can not say enough good things about this weekend. I needed a mom weekend with no kiddo and who better than to spend it with my best friends!! It was AWESOME!!!

oh oh oh! How could I forget!? We got a DELICIOUS king cake and munched on it all weekend. We kept saying wheres the baby!? 

So Saturday morning I marked an X where I thought the baby was- totally random- well we all kept eating and still no baby. Sunday morning we are about to leave and Kelly (who had never had King Cake) was determined to find the baby-so we cut the X and you'll never believe- I WAS RIGHT!!! We all laughed so hard and couldn't believe it!!

Wow- this got really long! It was a great weekend! Lots of memories to record!! : )

11 months 3-1-13

Ascher 

11 months old

March 1, 2013

(No February 29 this year)

Weight: 21 lbs

Height: ?

Clothing: 12 months

Diaper size: Size 4 Pampers Cruisers & Size 4 Huggies Nighttime Protection
Teeth: none :( 

Eat: He eats 3 meals a day, two snacks and 4 bottles of soy milk. He eats breakfast around 8:30 which is yogurt, oatmeal, cherrios, fruit, etc. He then eats a 6 ounce bottle. Sometimes he drinks the whole thing other times he drinks 4 ounces and finishes the rest before his nap. He has a snack at 10ish before nap. Lunch is around 12:30 and he eats cheese, crackers, lunch meat, chicken salad, veggie, fruit. We change it up each day. Drinks a 6 ounce bottle after lunch. Snack time around 3 usually a mum-mum or puffs. Watered down juice and water is in sippy cup all day. He is getting so good at drinking out of his sippy cup. He will even go and find it to get some water. Dinner is between 5:30-6 and he normally eats what we are eating. He loves chicken and beef. Veggies aren't his favorite but he eats peas pretty good. If we are eating cereal or something he can't eat he will have fruit, chicken or veggies. After dinner he gets a 6 ounce bottle. Before bed he gets one last 7 ounce bottle to keep his tummy full all night. 

Sleep: Ascher wakes up around 7:20 every morning. I normally go change his diaper and put him in bed with me for 15 minutes and he just lays there while I wake up fully. He will take a nap around 10:15-11:45 and then again at 2:45-4:00ish. Afternoon nap varies depending on what we have done that day. He goes to sleep at 8. It took me a long time and many frustrating nights but he knows 8 is bed time and he gets very irritable if he is awake much longer after that. 

Favorites: BALLS! (He is obsessed with his basketball & a big green ball I got at Target) banging on everything, Bubble Guppies & Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, the mall (I think its the people watching he loves), HIS DADDY, climbing, walker, activity table, swing in backyard, emptying baskets and buckets and then putting everything back into the bucket, falling backwards, practicing walking- he is so proud of himself, petting Pip & all animals for that matter- anytime he sees a cat or dog he gets the biggest smile on his face and jumps up and down 

Personality: His little personality is really starting to shine through. He is such a little fireball. He is very hard headed and throws a fit when he doesn't get what he wants. He knows what he wants and flails around until he gets it. He also loves to crawl in tight spaces and then gets really mad when he can't get all the way through. He is also such a lover. He will come and give kisses just for sitting on the floor with him. He is always laughing and smiling. (unless he doesn't get what he wants). When you play on the floor with him he comes and sits next to you and tries to imitate what you are doing. 

Dislikes: getting fed unless its yogurt/oatmeal, sitting still, being contained in anything (always wants to move), getting stuck places, getting his diaper changed, going to sleep when other people are around or we are out 

Firsts: 

WALKED!! (with walker but walked none the less)

Valentine's Day

thrush in mouth & bad yeast infection on legs & area : ( 

Pictures: