Summertime and the livin' is easy

I am not so sure about that. Its hot, hot, hot down here in Nashville but we are having fun. Last weekend we went to the park for a picnic, to the zoo and playing in the yard in the sprinkler. We also spent some time trying to figure out the video camera to computer thing, but no luck - visual but no audio. Here Samantha is feeding the bird some nectar. How cool is that?

Aren't they too cute? I love when they are this sweet to each other!

Olivia Marie

My newest neice made her appearance on Friday morning, June 19th at 3:02 am. She is an ity bitty thing, 7lbs, 7oz and just 18.5 cm long. Thanks be to God for a healthy baby and a speedy, safe delivery for my sister. The other girls are gitty with excitement.

Samantha wrote a tune to the "Where is thumbkin?" for Aunt Heather.

Where is Olivia? Where is Olivia?

In Aunt Heather's tummy, in Aunt Heather's tummy,

Hurry out and come out, Hurry out and come out,

I want to see you. I want to see you.

Of course, she got shy when I tried to get her to sing it to Aunt Heather.

Constant motion

I think the best way to describe Samantha right now is constant motion! She has so much energy its both invigorating and exhausting at the same time.

Visiting with Dr. Amy and Dr. Marty during their baby shower...she never stopped. One guest said she is like a 'little mitochondria'.

Looks like she is resting right here but about 3 pages earlier in this book I was reading to myself because she had stepped away for a few moments.

Here Samantha is pretending to talk with her best friend Loreli.

Andrew and his mouth

If you read my post from earlier today, you will remember that AJ doesn't like to try new foods, but he sure seems to like to put his mouth to new uses lately....

Wish I could say that was brownie batter."Lovie" really needs a bath all the time now.

Watch out, girls. Here he comes.

He is also talking up a storm!

Changing times

With kids and work, it seems like life is always changing. Sometimes its harder than others to keep up.

On one level, I think most of us are resistant to change, but on another most of us recognize that change is progress. Meanwhile, small changes are usually easier to deal with then others. Most of the changes we are experiencing in life right now could probably be described as small...but none the less a few are really challenging.

Small changes:
#1. Samantha lost her modesty. Oh wait, maybe she didn't have any in the first place. A few weeks ago she realized she needs her 'pribacy' when she is in the bathroom. Okay. (secretly yay, thats a good sign and a good lesson) BUT yesterday, she dropped her dress off to her ankles at the grocery store. NOT OKAY.
#2. Andrew new favorite word is NO. What? What happened to 'down' and 'bird' and 'truck'. Reality check, momma. Truck is probably still his favorite word, but I really could handle fewer "NO"s. He is so adement about it too- waving his hands, shaking his head. Its more like we have offended him...'Don't you dare put me in my high chair AT the table. I get my own tray.' 'Don't you dare offer me some zucchini bread. I don't try new food. Get me my cheerios.'
#3. I found the time to pull out my cookbook not once, not twice, but three times this weekend. Woohoo. I can handle this small change--this is progress. The CSA is challenging us to use our veggies wisely. Ramen cabbage salad, zucchini bread, squach casserole...on the menu soon veggie pancakes (with zucchini and carrots and green onions).
#4. Samantha started realizing she has bad dreams. Poor David was in bed with her when I woke up. "You stole Daddy from my bed, Samantha" "I needed him because I was dreaming about sharks under my eyes". Working on prayer as an outlet for her with her next bad dream.
#5. The USA lost to Italy...oh, wait, thats not a change and its not progress.

I will post a few pictures soon (and will spare you the minor work related changes right now), but wanted to share a few thoughts with you all today.

I feel so blessed. Thank God for you all.

My new hobby

So some of you know about my new hobby, but others might be surprised to find out that I love coupoing. I have had new motivation this year because we are trying to put as much money down on the principle of our house as possible during this down economy.

I posted a few of my favorite frugal blogs on this site and I don't have any intention of turning my family blog into a frugal blog, but I do want to share with you a giveaway on one of my favorite blogs.

Southern Savers, a grocery savings blog, is celebrating its Birthday by giving away $50 to someone for spending on groceries...you can read about it here. Hope you will use Jenny's site to plan some trips to the grocery too! She covers deals at Publix, Krogers, Harris Teeter, CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreen, Food Lion and BiLo. Oh, don't forget to use and Kelly's site. And Becky's site.