Fall Crafts

Whoa, it has been a while since I have updated this blog!

With only 4 weeks until my due date, everything feels like it is in fast forward!  Here are a few highlights about what has been happening in our lives:

1 – I had the privilege of attending a women’s retreat with our church (thanks Ed for watching K).  It was so refreshing and encouraging.  The topic that was discussed was “Delighting in the Word” and we talked about finding joy in the Word, studying the Word, and memorizing Scripture.  I am SO glad they picked this topic – with there being so many things they could have chosen from hot topics of the day to issues women are dealing with, it is encouraging that they stuck to the basics because the Lord will use the Word to change and help women deal with ALL those issues.  The retreat was at Ridgecrest in Asheville, NC and even though I have been here multiple times, I have NEVER seen a bear here (even though it seems everyone else does).  Well, what do you know?  A few of the women saw a bear!  I told them that if they would have called me, I would have come running, baby and all, to see!  One of the ladies talked about how the Lord has used memorizing books of the Bible to change and impact her life.  It really motivated me to do this, so, even though I am off to a late start, I started this morning memorizing Philippians!

2 – My mom came into town (to see us and Kinsley, but also to let me rest – God bless her sweet soul) and even though we were supposed to be “taking it easy” (I don’t know that this phrase registers to me!) we tackled a few fall crafts, mostly because I was in that “I really am loving this cool weather and want to decorate everything all cute for fall” phase.  So here is what we did (courtesy of Pinterest):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We hollowed out the pumpkins (I LOVE ROASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS this time of year) and planted mums in them.  I am trying my best to keep them alive, but I am afraid I am over watering them a little (since there isn’t a place for water to drain).  Then, we started working on these cute bottles for the inside of the house.  As you can see, I am waiting on one more bottle, so I am missing a L.  But you get the picture right?

 

 

3 – Ministry is going great!  We have been really connecting as a team (we went camping this past weekend and had a blast!) as well as seeing the Lord move mightily on our campuses.  Not only are we seeing growth in our ministries and students’ lives, but we have seen 5 students place their faith in Christ so far this semester!  I have even been able to go to campus at Wake Tech a lot to work with the faculty and students there, and have been blessed to see the Lord working on that campus.  We even have our first leader ever at Wake Tech! Even though there have been some hard things (aren’t there always), the Lord is blessing our efforts and choosing to graciously show up on campus.  Check out our newsletters for more updates!

4 – We have been dealing with some behavior issues with Kinsley in regards to her pushing and hitting other kids.  When we are around, we are able to connect her and have seen that be successful.  But, when others are watching her, such as at the gym nursery, she becomes aggressive.  We are trying to discipline her, take away privileges, give rewards, etc. but one thing is for sure, time outs are NOT effective.  The lady at the gym today said that she is fully aware of what she is doing when she hits or pushes – so much so that she actually put herself in time out multiple times today when she did something wrong.  Obviously, time outs aren’t working to change anything.  Please join us in praying for something to work and that we are able to guide and shepherd her heart and not just her actions (as much as that can happen and she can understand at age 2).  My biggest prayer is not that she changes her actions (even though I hope this happens too!) but that she sees that she is a sinner, needs Jesus, and only he can change her heart from a heart of stone to a heart of flesh.  As frustrating as seeing my child be a bully is, I am grateful she has a strong will and just pray that the Lord will use that for him one day!  I also am grateful to realize that the odds of dealing with this in our next child are real low, PRAISE THE LORD!

Soon, I will post another a picture of my pregnant self and hopefully an updated one of Kinsley!

ABC meme

I loved reading Kristin’s meme, which she got the idea from someone else, so I thought I would do one too.  Enjoy!

A. Age: 29

B. Bed size: Queen.  Plenty big enough usually but with the pregnancy body pillow these days, a queen feels awfully small.

C. Chore that you hate: Cleaning the tubs and showers.  I love the feel of a clean shower, but hate the whole process!

D. Dogs: Timone – a smooth-coated, wire haired dachsund.  We got him when we first got married and he is now 12 years old.  He has so many health problems that I am not sure how he is still here, other than the grace of God!

E. Essential start to your day: Jesus, and then coffee with the Today show.

F. Favorite color: Pink.  Having girls allows me to enjoy this color even more!

G. Gold or Silver: 100% silver.  Not sure if I even have gold, other than white gold.

H. Height: 5’7”.

I. Instruments you play: Used to play piano – then stopped taking lessons and boy do I regret it.  I don’t remember much now.

J. Job title: Senior Staff Member on the Eastern NC team.  Resident team mom.  Full-time mommy.

K. Kids: One (Kinsley) and one on the way (will be here SO soon!)

L. Live: In North Carolina.  Still a Carolina girl (South Carolina that is – the real Carolina) at heart.

M. Mother’s name: Sandra.

N. Nicknames: None that I claim.  Please, a small piece of advice, don’t call an April “ape” for short – its not a compliment in any sort of way.

O. Overnight hospital stays: When I had tonsils removed and when I had Kinsley.

P. Pet peeves: Oh man, I think there are lots.  1 – Guys that cross their legs like girls.  2 – People that drive under or right at the speed limit, especially if they are in the fast lane or on a road where you can’t pass.  3 – When people pull out right in front of you and then turn a block down the road  4 – Guys leaving the toilet seat up…and the list goes on

I have way too many…does this say something bad about me?

Q. Quote from a movie: I have no idea!  Probably something from “Pride and Prejudice”.

R. Right or left handed: Right.

S. Siblings: Two brothers.  I was in the middle and the only girl.

T. Time it takes you to get ready: Anywhere from 10 min to 45 min.  Depends on how “dolled up” I am getting and what Kinsley is getting into.

U. Ultimate Vacation: Agree with Kristin – no ultimate.  But, I would love to go to Australia, Alaska, and Africa.

V. Vegetable you hate: Most.  Seriously, I am picky with my veggies.  It may be easier to list those I like.

W. What makes you run late: Underestimating how long it takes to get a child and all of her “gear” and my “gear” into the car.

X. X-Rays you’ve had: Lots – multiple knee surgeries, broken toes, broken fingers, and lots more.  Playing soccer is tough business!

Y. Yummy food that you make: Lasagna, homemade mac and cheese, or crockpot grits (even Yankees love these because they have sour cream, butter, and sausage in them – so good!).

Z. Zoo animal: Penguins, monkeys, koalas, kangaroos.  Least favorite – Ostrich – I absolutely despise them..seriously my heart rate is going up just typing this!

Hope this has been entertaining and informative!  If you have questions, just ask (unless they are about the ostrich – that story Ed will have to tell you).

 

Finding what works for me…

If you have been around me for an extended period of time lately, then you have heard this, so bear with me.  I love being organized and having a clean house.  I don’t freak out if it isn’t (unless its for a LONG period of time and then I may get a little anal about it) but I strive to have a clean house – not for anyone in particular, but just because I love looking around and knowing things are clean and I don’t have mountains of stuff to clean.

But, with that said, I have always been one who likes to clean my whole house in ONE day – there is something rewarding about everything smelling clean, looking clean, and being clean (even if it only lasts for a few hours – especially with kids).  So when I have heard about people cleaning a little each day, I have thought “well, I am glad that works for you, but not for me”.  But lately, with the combination of back to school craziness beginning, being 8 months pregnant, and running after a 2 year old, I have begun to realize that my days of being able to devote hours to cleaning my house in one day are over (or about to be over).

So, when Crystal at www.moneysavingmom.com recommended a chore planning system by Motivated Moms (www.motivatedmoms.com), and announced that it was on sale for her readers, I decided to take the leap from cleaning all in one day to doing a little at a time.  After being on this for about a month now, I LOVE IT!!!

Here are my top reasons – 1) I do a better job cleaning what she has listed because I only have a little to do each day  2) even Ed has commented that while our house never got really, really dirty before, it now feels consistently more clean, and I totally agree  3) she throws in things that I have such a tendency to forget to do (or forget to do as often as I should) such as cleaning blinds, changing the A/C filter, changing ours and Kinsley’s sheets, cleaning refrigerator, changing hand towels, dishcloths, kitchen towels, etc. and she even throws in spring cleaning tasks every once in a while so you don’t really have to do that if you are following what she has 4) when we are having company that is planned for (or those that unexpectedly stop by – which I love), I don’t feel like I have to find a day that week to stop everything and clean real good –  I may just have to do a few extra chores the day before and 5) I like 20 minutes a day versus 3-4 hrs every week or two.

For some people, having a list to check off would stress them out.  For others, this is just the thing they need and that works for them.  And for me, in this season of my life, this definitely works for me.  If you are interested, check it out – I have a feeling you will be glad you did!!

And here is an updated picture at 33 weeks – I finally remembered to take one.  Is it bad this is only the second one I have taken of me this pregnancy?  This shirt makes it hard to see just how big I am getting – but believe me, I am growing exponentially every day (okay, maybe not that much – even though it feels like it).  I will try to post another one soon!