GO CARDS!

In 1982, the year I was born, the Cardinals won the World Series... do you believe that they didn't win again until 2006, the year my first born was born! Here is Matthew in 2006, sporting his Cards jersey while we watched the winning game! I may be living in GA, but I'm a Cards fan through and through.

Three cheers for the Cards in 2006...

And this is him cheering today!

Today, in 2011, the year my third boy was born, the Cards did it again! GOOOO CARDINALS! Here's Micah decked out in Matthew's jersey that has been hanging on the wall since 2006! We found Grandpa's old Cards hat and the boys had a great time cheering the Cards for another victory!

Christmas Crackle 2011

I have my first batch of Christmas Crackle in the oven!!! Mark was asking for some "Christmas Candy" so I said, "SURE!" Mmmmmmmm.

For the recipe, go HERE!

What’s in a name?

Lately, a certain member of my family has been extremely cranky. He’s been rude and loud and angry … a lot. Now, it could be that he’s two. And two year olds operate a little differently than other ages. But the meanness and the crankiness has got to stop. Two or ten, it isn’t allowed. I had something gnawing at me about his name lately… and I couldn’t remember for sure what Mark meant so I looked it up again. I was thinking it meant war-like or something which right now was all too fitting… As it turns out, in some places, Mark simply means “Warring.” Awesome huh? In some it only translates into things related to the planet Mars or the god of Mars such as “From Mars” or “Red like Mars” or “of the War-god from Mars.” The one I like the best says that his name means “Warring, polite and shinning.” That is the one I’m going to claim for him. I believe that he can and will be a warrior. But I also think he can be polite and shinning. The cranky crank monster has got to go. And I do know that he’s two. And usually, we are aware that the second half of the year is worse behavior wise, as they get closer and closer to the birthday… but buddy, I’m about to pull my hair out with the meanness. It’s got to stop. So, Mr. Warrior… I’d like you to be a kind brother please. ...I like the shinning part of the meaning. Shining. Ooo shining. It makes me smile to say it. I wonder what about Mark will be shining. His personality already is. I wonder what else. Hopefully his conscious, if we can get past the warring, will be. I need to teach my little buddy to be a polite shining warrior instead of a warring meany.

Do you ever think about what your child’s name means? Does it fit nicely like a glove? Or is it comical? (My dad’s name is comical… Paul means small) Is it true? Could it some day be true? Do you pray that they’ll grow into their names? Or have you ever given it any thought at all. This is just something that I’ve been thinking about lately. Back “in the day” there was a lot of thought given to names. In biblical times, the meaning of your name told your story. I’m thinking specifically of Naomi and Ruth here. Naomi means pleasant. She wanted to change her own name to Mara which means bitter be/c she was so bitter about her circumstances but only she referred to herself as Mara. God did not. He continued to call her Naomi. And Ruth… Ruth, her daughter-in-law, her friend, her only family… Ruth means “Companion, friendship.” Oh isn’t that neat?! Doesn’t it just give you chills to know that God, the Author and perfecter of our Faith knows our names. Even in the womb He knew us and called us by name? (Ps. 139) Doesn’t that just make you feel loved!?

Micah’s name means “who is like God.” This could mean many different things. There are many attributes to God and of God’s character. Henry means “Ruler of the Home.” I see this going many different ways as well. Already, he rules my home. My day is set about based on his nursing schedule. We’ve also given him the nickname of Bear and isn’t that the truth. He’s the loudest of the bunch and he’s still so small. Hopefully he’ll grow into a Teddy Bear and not be a Grizzly Bear.

Matthew means “God’s gift” and that he is. He is my sweet gift, my first born, my first son. Christopher means “Christ bearer” and how I will pray that this name will be truth. I pray that he will grow in the Lord and bear Christ. I pray that he will truly learn to love and know the Lord and know Christ as his personal Savior and proclaim the truth. What a powerful and wonderful name he has. I am so thankful for my gift from the Lord.

Mark’s first name I’ve discussed, but his middle name, Edward, means “wealthy guardian, protector.” Now isn’t that cool? My little warrior is also a protector to be. And hopefully a guardian over wealth. I can pray that he doesn’t become a squander-er but a guardian.

Besides your children’s names… do you ever think about your own name? I do. Especially my middle name. As it means bitter. And so often I am. I try not to be. But I hold grudges awful. And I’m bitter and broken about a lot in my life. I wonder how much is because of the name given to me? Perhaps learning this meaning can help me to remove some bitterness in my life, to free myself from it. I can hope so. I am praying about it. Katherine means pure. I love this. I think it’s a very special and pretty meaning for my first name. It’s funny together “pure” and “bitter” but it’s who I am.

I really had some fun with this and continued to look up names of loved ones… Here’s a list I’ve compiled.

Nancy—gracious

Paul—small

Krystle—clear, brilliant glass

Marie—bitter sea

Brian—strong one

Jamie—supplanter

Thelma—ambitious

Ray—wise protector

Mildred—mild strength

Len—like a lion

Sandy—helper of humanity

Chuck—manly, farmer

Kimberly—ruler

Rick—powerful, rich

Deb—honey bee

Dan—God is my judge

Esther—star

Nicole—victory of the people

John—God is gracious, merciful

Jonathan—Gift of God

Allison—of Noble Birth

Anna—gracious

Lee—Sheltered from storm

I love how my mom’s name means gracious and how her middle name, Janette, means God is gracious. I wonder if my grandparents knew. I know I’m grateful for her. And she is such a gracious person. Doubly fitting.

I find my dad’s name comical.

I see my grandpa… both grandpas names as truth in their names.

I’ve really enjoyed this little quest I’ve been on for a couple days.

Signed…

Pure and Bitter

Mother to

God’s gift and

Warring, Polite, Shinning and

Who is like God.

Lilburn Daze 2011

Something we've started as a tradition each year is to go to the Lilburn Daze Festival. It's like a huge outdoor craftfair/carnival thing. Matthew can't wait until he's old enough to do the bouncy/bungee jump ride, while I am secretly glad he's not old enough. There is a tractor/hay ride and petting zoo area and pony rides and Home Depot sets up shop and lets the kids big enough to wield a hammer build something... there is face painting and balloon making and crafts for sale and crafts to make. This year, the boys made a mask to wear, a decorated leaf to hang up and a cupcake to eat. They also enjoyed the petting zoo and the pony ride. Micah enjoyed a nice morning nap in the stroller. (It doesn't seem all that long ago when we were pushing Mark in the stroller...) I really enjoy this time of the year, to be outdoors but not be unbearably hot or cold. It's a fun season.

squash

publix rocks

Lately Publix has been doing awesome sales with their BOGO deals. I've come to the conclusion that I can not buy anything from publix unless it is on BOGO sale AND with a coupon. This week I got 5 ranch dressings, 6 boxes of oatmeal, 6 boxes of cereal, and one box of dishwasher tabs. I spent $30.45 and saved $45.42! CHA CHING! I love saving more than I spend. I also have a goal not to spend more than 30 each "deal" buying, so going 45 cents above that 30 works for me. Yay publix! Thank you for continuing to stock that stockpile!

Teeth

Since Tooth Number Two is popping up, I thought I'd mention that Tooth Number One was sighted last week! My small fry turned 7 months yesterday. How fast the time does fly. It just keeps zooming right along. I love my little Micah Bear. He's so sweet and happy. He's such a good baby. He's becoming more and more mobile by the minute... we have to pull him off the fireplace a lot and he tries to eat the handles on the side table. You can't leave shoes in the living room, as he'll find the laces and eat those. The big boys can't set a cup down on the floor as he'll bee line toward it in hopes of finding something in them. We started jar food... I'm trying my best to delay the baby stuff, but he's doing his best to plow right through the mile markers and find he can break new ones. He's such a joy. We truly are so blessed.

belated birthday

While my dad was here, we had a little belated birthday party. Dear friends, Deb and Dan, had come over to celebrate. We had a nice meal as a family... I heard a story told about my grandparents I'd never heard before, which was fun. We shared stories and laughed for a while. Then we had some ice cream and opened gifts from Ms. Deb and Mr. Dan. This was a very sweet time. They'd purchased Matthew a train gift and hadn't had a chance to give him it yet so we had a little fun time. Grandpa was able to get it set up and Ms. Deb actually got down and chugged with Matthew. He loved it. He walked around holding his new James for a couple days afterwards. Mark really enjoyed his little computer game too. It's so fun to have sweet friends to share in some special times with us.

publix finds

This past week at publix was a pretty good deals. I got some frozen veggies (9 boxes) and salsa (4 jars) and ragu sauce (6 jars) and a couple other decent finds today. I have been very pleased with publix ads lately. I hope they keep it up. I spent $38 today on all deals and saved $42! Yay. I love when I save more than I spend! I didn't think to set it up and take a picture until after I had it put away, but that's alright. I'll try to remember next week-- which is also looking to be a great sale. Thank you publix!

Grandpa's visit

My dad had a couple extra days to take off from work, so we enjoyed a visit from him this past week. I thought it would be hard without my Mom with him... and it was different but, I will say, we had a blast. We played like 22 games of our favorite Train game "Ticket to Ride." Dad and I played in and around the kids napping/school schedules. Micah was a pretty good exersaucer camper while we played some of the time. We watched silly tv and movies. We talked. We played with the boys. It was nice just spending this sweet time with him. And I will say, though he may be embarrassed, it was really the most wonderful time I've ever spent with my dad. I've never spent such a just sweet and fun time with him. The Lord is truly blessing us and I'm ever so grateful. Here's just a few pictures that I took of him being Grandpa.

Walking back from the bus stop with Matthew

Letting Micah find his whiskers

Reading books every night

Playing "Simon Says"

Playing "Uno!"

Thank you Dad for being so wonderful with these boys.
They love you. Matthew's already counting down the days until Thanksgiving.