Pumpkin Patch 2011

Corn Maze

Right after Hunter had a fistful of dirt and grass in his mouth!

......And now hay in his mouth!!!!!!!    BIG brother/little brother.  Been waiting for MONTHS to put these on them!  :)

Buzz, Buzz!

I spy a fly!

Sleeping in the car on the way to the patch!

We made our annual trip to Masaryktown to the pumpkin patch last Saturday and had a blast.  I look forward to this all year!  It's been neat because this was Ryan's 3rd time and so he was able to really enjoy it; it was fun watching him!  Hunter had fun, too!  But probably I had the most fun!  lol

Pointers from Dr Charles Stanley on Disciplining Children

As I work on growing in the Lord and living by the spirit, not by the flesh, I have been trying to immerse myself in God's word.  I DVR Enjoying Everyday Life with Joyce Meyer, In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley, 700 Club, and Joel Osteen.  I really enjoy each show and feel I have gained much wisdom and knowledge.   Any way, Dr. Charles Stanley had some great tips on disciplining children.  I really feel I need to learn more in this area and just got the a new book called Shepherding a Child's Heart (I haven't started it yet).  I thought I would share this from Dr. Stanley.

Proverbs 3:12 For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

What breaks a child's spirit?
1.  Refusing to listen to the child.
2.  Disciplining without explanation of why the discipline is occurring.
3.  Ignoring the child's opinions and requests (children are people too!!).
4.  Making them feel helpless and hopeless.
5.  Making demeaning comparisons (why aren't you like so and so?).
6.  Using fearful words like always and never.
7.  Expressing misdirected anger (angry with someone or something else, but taking it out on the child).
8.  Criticizing the child's best efforts.
9.  Failing to be loving towards the child (in touch, word, compliments, approval).
10.  Failing to provide good things for them to look forward to (talk about good things). 


Correct Discipline:
1.  Check your motives.
2.  Carefully explain the reason for discipline.
3.  Use a loving tone of voice.
4.  Never discipline in anger.
5.  Keep your promises (if I tell Ryan he will go to timeout for hitting Hunter, but then I don't follow through).
6.  Share your regret (sorry I have to do this, I don't like to, but it is in God's word).
7.  Never strike with your hand or slap their face (use a switch or something).  We had been using our hands until we heard this and it made sense to us.  The Bible even talks about "the rod".  So, date night on Monday consisted of shopping at Lowe's to buy a paddle!!!!  lol Seriously.  :)
8.  Reassure them of your love.

My job

I am starting my new job as an admissions RN at Windmoor (a psychiatric facility) on Monday!  Next week I will be doing orientation Monday through Friday from 830-5.  Then the next two following weeks I will work Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 3-11 to shadow.  After that, I will be on my own and get my normal schedule, which will be Saturdays and Sundays 7 am to 7 pm.  I am looking forward to it. I will miss my boys, but I know it is where God is directing me and us as a family so I feel at peace.  Hunter is in FULL FORCE separation anxiety so I just pray that he can get through the next few weeks.  He really wants no one, but me.  He will go to Sean when he wants to play, but not really other than that.  It's only 3 weeks though.  He can do it! 

Hillary and Ryan's wedding

Kyle (BIL), Courtney (SIS), FIL, Hillary (SIS), MIL, Sean, Hunter, me

Ryan's SIL (the groom), Ryan, Courtney, me, Hunter

May recognize the Pastor......he married us too!!!!  We hadn't seen him since our wedding day (Feb 2005).  I feel a special sort of bond with him!  It was really nice to see him.

The rose garden again

The groom rode in on a bicycle

Ryan looked very handsome in his bear bearer outfit :)

Ryan's brother, Kyle, Ryan, Sean

I finally got some wedding pictures.  :)  I stole them from my MIL's Facebook. :)

The boys....and mama

The hubby took these photos, and well, they are the grandbabies so I figured I better post them!  I know the grandparents apreciate it.  Not that my husband takes bad pictures!  :)  I'm happy any time I see him take some pics because he really doesn't like to.  For one, that means I may be in them, not because I'm vain, but because I can prove I actually was around and a part of my kids lives!  lol  Also, I like looking at Sean's view of the world behind the lens.  :)  The ones of me and Hunter I had no idea he was taking the pics so I look a little silly.  The last one is too funny!  We are trying to get Hunter used to riding in the stroller when we go walking at night.  He usually rides in the Bjorn or the Moby, but he is just getting to heavy for our backs and shoulders.  He typically cries for awhile in the stroller, but eventually falls asleep.  :)

Tips for the Christian wife

I am reading a book called Intended for Pleasure by Dr. Ed Wheat.  I just finished a chapter called The "Perfect" Wife.  I thought it was so good and inspiring that I went back and typed up some of the important points.  I printed it out and put it on my nightstand.  It is now a part of my morning Bible study and serves as a good reminder.  Thought I would share. 

The “Perfect Wife” (Having all the qualities necessary to assure my husband that I’m the perfect wife for him!)

Ø  Ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake 2 Cor 4:5

Ø  Attitude of thinking about him instead of being preoccupied with myself.

Ø  Looking for ways all the time to help him and please him.  (good and not evil all the days of her life – Pro 31)

Ø  My husband is king of my household and king of my marriage.

Ø  Next to the Lord, he is the one I want to please the most. 

Ø  It is my joy and privilege to treat my husband as my Lord.  He is my top priority right after Christ.

Ø  Unfading loveliness of a calm and gentle spirit, a thing very precious in the eyes of God.  1 Pet 3:4

Ø   1 Cor 13:  Patient and kind?  Never envious or jealous?  Not possessive?  Not conceited?  Never rude?  Never indiscreet?  Not insistent on its own right?  Not self-seeking?  Never touchy, fretful, or resentful?  Pays no attention to a wrong suffered?  Count up past wrongs?  Not rejoicing in wrongdoing, but in the truth?  Believe the best of him?  Never fail?

Ø  Feel beautiful!

Ø  Accept my husband the way he is!  Don’t cut him down in word or thought.

Ø  Compliment him!

Ø  The power of God within me can enable me to change.

Ø  Turn my attitude over to the Lord and then be, say, and do what I know is right. 

Ø  As I please my husband, I am obeying and pleasing the Lord.   Let it be a love offering to both.

Ø  The Lord will not make me do anything.  He will not change me without my cooperation. 

Ø  With God’s strength operating within me, I am going to be different!  Now DO it!

Ø  Feelings always follow correct action.

Ø  Submission to God and my husband is supernatural, the result of my own choice of action plus God’s power.  Psalm 40:8 – I delight to do thy will, O my God. 

Ø  Bathed and pretty nightgowns for bedtime. 

Ø  Look pretty.  Keep smiling.  Don’t complain.  Receive my husband with open arms.

Ø  Give extra attention to the beauty and comfort of our bedroom.  Keep the house picked up before husband comes home so there is an appearance of order even if I have not had time to clean.  Freshen up before husband comes home.  Wear clothes I know he likes. Serve food he likes.  Take an afternoon nap so I can stay up late with him since he prefers to stay up late.  Learn to like his interests (baseball, football, etc.).  I want to enjoy his world with him. 

Ø  A wise wife will not argue.  I will keep him peaceful and satisfied and happy by gracefully conceding to his wishes or deferring to his opinions.   When an issue is an important one, it can be discussed and decided on its merits. 

Ø  Listen more and talk less. 

Ø  Adapt myself to my husband.

Ø  To stay beautiful, do not let myself go.  Don’t add 10 pounds a year!  Physical fitness program with husband.

Ø  Don’t neglect inner beauty.  Being miserable on the inside will show through wrinkles and my countenance.  It will show in my actions by pushing others away.  It will be revealed in my voice, which would be loud and strident or whining and complaining or ridiculing in tone.

Ø  A woman who is loved and knows she is loved, who loves the Lord and loves her husband, will be lovely. 

Ø  I will have attitudes that will rise up within me that are not right.  Back up and start again.  Turn it over to the Lord.  I don’t have to act this way as a Christian.  I don’t have to let my old nature be in control. I need not choose to be childish and peeved about some insignificant thing that my ego felt as a slight. 

Ø  I am free to be obedient to God and pleasing to my husband.  I do not have to behave in any other way. 

Ø  Husband must come first and children after that. 

Ø  Children will observe actions and absorb attitudes. 

The more you love and submit to  your husband, the more he will love you, just as Christ loved the church.

http://www.christianbook.com/intended-for-pleasure-fourth-edition/ed-wheat/9780800719371/pd/719371?kw=intended%20for%20pleasure&event=PPCSRC&p=1018818&cm_mmc=Google-_-Titles-_-marriage-_-intended%20for%20pleasure&gclid=CIm8152m4asCFYEj7Aod7g1iNA

Tuna Noodle Casserole

This is my MIL's.  Requested by Cicely!  :)  Here you go.......

1 bag wide egg noodles
1 can cream of celery
1can tuna large
1 cup celery
1 cup green pepper
1 cup onion
2 cups shredded Cheddar (with extra for the top)
1 soup can milk
1/2 cup mayo
2 T brown mustard (or Grey Poupon is good)
salt and pepper
1/2 bag peas or corn or carrots

Saute onion, celery, and green pepper in butter.
Pour al dente noodles over drained tuna and frozen peas.
Start sauce by combinig milk, soup, sauteed veggies, and cheese until heated, then add mayo and mustard.  Season with salt, pepper, and herbs to taste.
Add noodles and tuna and peas to sauce.  Pour into casserole dish.
Add some extra cheese to top of casserole for topping.
Bake 350 until bubbly.

Enjoy!

What-Nots

Our Mazzy Duck

Allie's 7th birthday!!!!!!  10/9/2011.  Sean put PB, chocolate sprinkles, and lit candles on her bone!  lol 

Just started to sit unsupported a couple of weeks ago. :)

The rest of the pictures are from Crest Lake.  Our date night on Monday evening. :)

Getting our ducks in a row :)

.........and a Roseate Spoonbill!

Do I spot fall foliage in Florida!?