muffins!!!!

Monday, while Jack was taking a nap, the kids and I made some yummy muffins.  They aren't any special recipe or anything, just the type that come in a bag and you add half a cup of milk.  We made chocolate, chocolate chip, banana nut, and blueberry. 

 I love my little muffin makers!!

 Austin lost interest after the first batch.  

He's been playing on the computer like crazy these days.  He loves PBS kids, which is educational so I don't mind if he spends a lot of time playing on it! 

He couldn't help but look up and make faces when he saw the camera!!

gearing up to NOT go back to school

That's right folks, after teaching for the past 6 years I am not going back!  After much, like 2 years, of praying about this, we finally made it happen.  I am 100 percent that this is what God wants for me and even though we will have a lot less money, I feel very at peace with my decision.  

A lot of people have been asking me how it feels now that the teachers have been back to work, and honestly it feels a little weird, like I should be doing something like getting a classroom ready or making plans, but then I feel major relief when I realize that's not my life anymore.  

I've also been so distracted by being homeless and living with my parents, that I haven't really had time to dwell on it.  Hopefully, we will be closing on our new house in early to mid September.  

I am very ready for school to start on Wednesday.  Abigail will be in third and Austin will be in kindergarten.  They need to get back into a routine and I need a break from three kids at home all day.  Jackson is such a handful right now, it will be a tad easier with just him around.  

------------

On a completely separate note, I finally found a vitamin that Austin will take.  He is my extremely extreme picky eater.  He doesn't eat any fruit or vegetable, so I've always wished he would take vitamins, but up until now would not touch any form of vitamin, even the gummy ones.  

I saw these and Target and to my surprise he willingly and happily at two and loved them.  He has taken two every day since then.  

They are pretty expensive, like 10.99 for the bottle, but to me it's worth it for him to get more nutrients!

Healthy kids = Happy Mommy

a vapor

What is your life? 
For you are a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes.  James 4:14

I had some really bad moments with the kids yesterday, where I found myself wishing they would hurry and grow up.  I found myself wishing my life were different and really feeling sorry for myself.

  I hate it when I get to the place where I start asking myself questions like...

 "Will my life ever get easier?" 

and

 "Why is it that my life and my kids are so much harder than everyone else's?"

I know that isn't true and I hate myself after I think it!  I absolutely adore my kids, they are my life and truly bring me so much joy!  

I start thinking about how short life is and about how many parents out there are crying themselves to sleep because their children are ill and dying, or have already died.  I know how blessed I am, yet I still fall into these pitty parties.  Why?

I hope there are other mothers out there that feel this way sometimes and it's not just me!  

What I love about the blog world is that as soon as I got online tonight to started perusing some of my favorite bloggers, I came across this verse, James 4:14, on a post!  

Exactly what I needed to read!

My time on this earth and with my sweet babies is like a vapor and I'm going to do my best to appreciate every moment and focus on the positive!!!

the last of the birthday pics

We had hot dogs with chips and dip!  

I think Jack was have a two year old moment in this picture!

There is some serious conversation going on here!

Jack was giving Christy the cold shoulder!

Abigail and her Paw-Paws

 After opening just one gift, Jack was pretty much done opening!  

Thank goodness he has an older brother and sister who are more than willing to open his presents for him!

 Love the shirts!

Reese had to wear all her new purses and bags at the same time!!

 Jack loved his new tractor!

 Cake Time!!!

 I forgot ice-cream, but luckily the ice-cream truck came by and Paw-Paw Terry was ready and willing to buy his grand babies whatever they wanted!

We had a great birthday party!!

more birthday pics

Short recap for those of you who didn't read my previous post.

Sunday we celebrated Jackson and Reese's birthdays together at the park.  The two themes were Monsters Inc., which Jack calls Monster Ip.  

Then the girly theme was Sophia the First.  Reese is into all things girly.

We also rented a bouncy house.  The kids would have enjoyed this more if it hadn't been so EXTREMELY HOT!

We seriously felt like we were melting.  This will probably be Jack's one and only outdoor party.  The month of August is not a good month for outdoors in Louisiana!  

Austin and his older cousin Sawyer had a great time playing together. 

Jack's Aunt Christy got this adorable shirt made for Jack. 

 He didn't want to wear it, but I forced it on him anyway. 

Every time I look at this next picture I crack up.  Austin is going through a horrible fake smile phase, and this one is the worst I've seen!

Jack says "wing mama, wing" (swing)

It was soooo hot that eventually the boys found a way to keep cool by playing in a water puddle.  

Jack eventually got in on the fun too!

Abigail and her Paw-Paw Terry!

Sweet Audrie loved her some balloons!

Actually all the little ones loved the clump of balloons!

There should only be one more picture filled posts after this one.  I took a ton of pictures, but it was a fun day and I wanted to document all the great family memories!!