"Snow on the Ground....Snow on the Ground"

Today is last day of duck hunting season. "Yay" for me......"Boo" for Bobby. My husband is truly a dedicated duck hunter to go out in this cold yucky weather just to shoot a duck that may or may not fly. I just don't quite understand it but I guess I don't have to! You can tell by Bobby's smile the joy he gets out of hunting a duck. Here is Bobby showing off his frozen ducks from this morning's shoot and waiting for his ride for the second duck hunt of the day.

I know that you have heard of the ever so popular American Idol song "Pants on the Ground, Pants on the Ground" from this years season tryouts. Inspired by a Pat Adams blog, Bobby came up with his own version today while waiting for his ride to go duck hunting! Press play and check out his funny video. Also check out Pat Adams version at porkchopqueen.blogspot.com. It is cute too!

Landon was having so much fun that he didn't even realize that He had snow in his boots. He finally reached a point where he could not feel his right foot and wanted to come in. I pulled his boot and sock off because they were soaked with water and his little toes were red as fire. We pulled off all of his other top layers and headed for the covers and snow cream. He forgot quickly all about his toes hurting!!

Snow Cream makes all the hurt go away and brings a smile to your face!

"I Am So Happy It Snowed Mama"

Today was much better than the last time we were calling for snow. I did learn my lesson from the "false alarm" of the call for snow about a month ago and did not make a big deal out of the forecast (just in case). Landon woke up just like he did a month ago with the Christmas like spirit of a kid looking for the snow. To his surprise he opened a door to winter wonderland. Like most kids he was so excited and immediately wanted to go outside at 6:45 this morning!! I did talk him into waiting a little longer but it surely was hard. Shortly after going outside Grandma picked Landon up so that he could eat some snow cream and Grandaddy pulled him around on a sled behind the four wheeler. He has truly had a BLAST today!!

Landon all geared up to take on the snow!!

Landon dodging a snow ball

Landon riding on a sled behind Granddaddy's four wheeler

When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade

If you are from Greenville you know that it has rained, rained, and rained some more over the last few months. We live a ways off of the road down a long dirt path that is now part pond and part practice run for mud sliding! Our yard looks just about as bad with tire tracks going through those areas that are slightly less wet because of the hills that have allowed the rain to trickle down to the other areas. The rain coupled with the condition of our yard has been very frustrating over the past week. I literally have to pray my way out in the mornings that I don't get stuck. I have learned a few new sliding techniques that would actually be fun if I knew I would be able to get out on my own!! Anyway Bobby and Landon, on the other hand, decided to make Lemonade out of Lemons and make some fun out of all this rain. They decided to go for a boat ride in our newly formed pond. Bobby was a little too heavy so he played as the motor while Landon paddled his way through. Here are some pictures of their fun. Landon concentrating on paddling the boat in the right direction

I made Landon stop and look at the camera of course!

Daddy steering Landon through the water

Daddy pulling Landon on their last round into the sunset

Praying Works, Ask Landon....

Here's another one of those stories that you just want to keep in you back pocket for a smile when you need it. I hope that I can write it so that you capture the cuteness of my little boy. So here I go....Me and Bobby have been trying to talk to Landon each day about his timeouts at school. At first Landon would come home day after day with no timeouts until Mommy caught on to the same pattern. I pulled the old, "I'm gonna ask your teacher tomorrow" and suddenly the truth came out, not in words, but all over his face. Immediately I knew that these "no timeouts" were no longer the truth. Now I had to approach this differently. We had the talk that it was OK to tell Momma and Daddy the truth about his timeouts and that we would talk about each timeout when they came. Most of all it was important to tell the truth! Wow did that change things. Now 0 timeouts changed to 2 today, 3 today, and sometimes even 4 today! Once again we had to approach this differently because we can't have our child driving the teacher crazy by getting timeouts everyday. So Daddy had a talk with Landon about his timeouts and we decided that we would talk about the timeouts and if he got two timeouts or more then he would get a punishment. Landon thought about this really hard and decided that we needed to pray for him every morning. He specifically said that we needed to pray that Jesus would help him not to get in timeout. So Me and Bobby began to pray with Landon either together with Landon before we left the house or right before we got out of the car in the morning. Last week we forgot to pray before we left the house and when we got out of the car. I was in my car ready to leave and I looked up to see Landon waving goodbye and I could read his lips, "You forgot to pray for me." I stopped in my car and put my hands together and said a little prayer for Landon. He started smiling and he said, "Did you pray for me?" I gave him a thumbs up and he went about playing. He amazes me everyday (God and Landon)

Canvases for Baby Luke's Room!!

What was I thinking when I posted the bedding without the work of my most talented Mother? My Mom has been working on some canvases to go over Luke's crib ever since she received the bedding in the mail and as always they look AWESOME! I can't wait to get them up in the room. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

Baby Updates

I can hardly believe that I am 28 weeks pregnant today with my second child. I had a doctor'a appointment this past Friday and everything was looking good. My belly was measuring where it should, I heard the heartbeat, and baby Luke is moving like crazy! I know that it has been a long time since I was pregnant with Landon but, I dont remember him moving like this little one does. He likes to kick me in my right rib when I settle down on the couch at night. He certainly wants me to know that he is here!!! Next is the nursery. I am going with the sailboat theme from Pottery Barn. We are waiting for it to arrive so I can start the ever so dreaded of cleaning up the spare room. Slowly but surely all my extra space for storage is dwindling away with only more to add to it!! My next appointment is February 5th. Ill keep you updated!!

Enjoying the Day

I woke up this morning to Landon saying, "Mommy will you play with me?" I only wanted a few more minutes of sleep and I kept hearing the same sentence over and over and over again. Finally I gave in and got up out of bed. I made blueberry pancakes for me and Landon and daddy opted for plain pancakes and bacon. I played a few games with Landon and decided to go pick up Landon's favorite "play" partner, Cousin Peyton. These guys played so good today. They started on the swing set, then made it to the old weeping willow tree to climb, and last they went imaginary hunting around the house. They even cleaned up all their mess without me asking to surprise me!! We all had a good time today! Peyton and Landon shared Landon's stocking stuffer sucker. They took a few bites and then back to hunting out of the back of Bobby's truck
I want the first bite!!

Peyton was trying to keep up with Landon in climbing the tree.

Landon went as high as he possibly could til I told him to stop! I don't think he understands that the smaller twigs might break if he is not careful

Landon and Peyton just enjoying life!! They are truly best buds!

God's Little Life Lessons

I say it all the time...I need to write down the little things that Landon says so that I can remember them years to come. Here is one of those cute little stories that I will cherish forever and thought I would share. For Christmas Landon got a Big Buck Hunter game that he (and his Dad) has fairly enjoyed. It is amazing how much a game can teach a child about some of God's life lessons, patience, competitiveness, persistence, etc. First of all let me give me you a little background. Bobby, being a natural born hunter, is really good at this game and Landon would give anything to be just like him. In each level the object is to shoot the three bucks that come out so that you can become the "New Hunter Hero!" The other night it was late, Landon had been playing the game WAY TOO LONG, and he was so frustrated. I could hear him grunting and fussing at the TV screen in the distance. (It was time for mommy to step in) I went in the room where Landon was almost in tears and I told him that it took a lot of practice to be as good as Daddy. I reminded him that when he was frustrated and needed help then he needed to ask Jesus for help. With is forehead crinkled and a slight pout he said, "Dear Jesus please help me shoot these three deer. " The next level three levels came and went with no New Hunter Hero. By this time I was praying for Landon to shoot three deer!!! I tried a different approach and told Landon that sometime you have to pray a little differently. Maybe we need to ask Jesus to help you learn to shoot better. Still frustrated, he went with my suggestion and asked Jesus to help him shoot better........still no three deer. By this time he gave up and started crying and said, "Momma I think Jesus is sleeping." Isn't it amazing the faith of a little child. Landon knew that Jesus would help him if he just asked. We should all have that childlike faith! Next I will have to teach him, In God's time not our own. I know if you all are wondering if Landon ever killed the three bucks? The next night I was on the way home and he called me from his daddy's phone the most excited that I have ever heard him. He said, "mama, mama, I killed all three bucks!" I responded Jesus did help you! He agreed!

Relaxing Day

Landon is loving the camera these days!!

Going head first on his new slide!

Today has been pretty relaxing. Landon stayed with his cousin Peyton last night and Bobby went duck hunting this morning. I had the morning to myself so I stayed in bed and watched a little TV, read blogs, and looked up schools for Landon til at least 11 am. It is so nice to do nothing sometimes!! I left around lunch to pick up Landon from my sisters house and we were back home about an hour later. Landon wanted to play outside for a bit on his new swing set that he got for Christmas from both sets of grandparents. Of course the cold air pushed us back inside to play after about 15 minutes because our hands and toes couldn't take it! I put on a pot of vegetable beef soup (that was one of my new year resolutions!!) and made some grilled cheese sandwiches. After we ate we played a few games of Candyland and Landon fell asleep on my shoulder around 7:30 while watching me play a matching game on the computer. Great Day!!

There's no Snow on the Ground

I always forget how much excitement snow brings to a little child or in my case how snow can bring out the child in you. The first word of snow immediatly brought thoughts of building a snowman, eating snow cream, having snow balls fights, and most of all watching Landon all bundled up in layers playing as hard as he could outside in the snow. Needless to say none of those things happened Friday morning and all of that childhood excitement turned into childhood disappointment. Landon came running in my room with more excitement than Christmas morning and whispered in my ear, "Lets go look at the snow!!!!" I wiped my eyes and popped out of the bed to open the front door to a rainy mist that covered the porch and cars parked out front. Landon just took a deep breath and started crying slightly. He said, "it didn't snow last night??" Of course I had to explain that one to Mr. Inquisitive and of course he got over it for the most part. I did learn a very valuable lesson that morning, never tell your child that it is going to snow until you see it for yourself. Ill have to keep that childlike excitement to myself until I see with my very own eyes that first fallen snowflake hit the ground!!

Hide and Seek in the Bean Field

As you can see I am in the blogging mood! I got a new computer for Christmas from my parents and I can now download all the pictures that I have taken with my new camera. I loved these pictures of Landon in the soy bean field. Landon loves going out in the field to pick him a handful of soybeans to eat. His Grandaddy taught him how and when they were ok to eat. I actually tasted them myself and they dont taste that bad!

Here I am mommy!!!

I found you!! Landon was trying to hide from me in the beans!

New Year's Resolution

You know I don't know if I have ever really sat down and written out my new year's resolutions. I have for some reason had things popping in my head all day that I would really like to accomplish so I thought I would sit down and attempt to put them down on paper. (This is somewhat of an attempt to hold myself accountable to these things) Earlier today I was googling New Year's resolutions just to see what the experts say and I came across an article that was named "What sort of New Year's Resolution should a Christian make?" As I read this article I realized that I was going about these New Year's resolutions all wrong. Was I making this list for me or for God? Was I going to attempt to do these things by my own power and works or through God's power and works? I quickly realized that I could not accomplish any of these things without God's provision, wisdom, and strength.

"I can do everything through him that gives me strength" Philippians 4:13

1. Blog more. Well I haven't posted a blog in over three months. We have so many blessings and cool things in our lives that I would like to share with my friends and family through my blog. Landon is growing like a weed and I really want to have something that he can reminisce about when he gets older.

2. Read the bible more often to grow in my spiritual life. God is really working on me and my obedience. I know that God has plenty more in store for me through my quiet time with myself and God's Word.

3. Pay an additional 1000 on credit card debt so that I can be released from those burdens asap. I know that God will provide but sometimes don't you just want something to go away!!! Lord I lift that debt up to you now!!!

4. Save $ towards Bobby a hunting trip (Bobby's dream is to go on a hunting trip. I would love to be able to surprise him with a trip to another state to hunt a big buck.....a couple of years down the road)

5. Find Landon a school by Feb. (I have a burden on my heart to send Landon to a private Christian school. Although it does cost additional money I know that God will provide if it is the right decision)

6. Always have $10 in my God Pocket. I heard this on the radio and I thought it was a great idea. What if we all had $10 set aside to use in those times that God speaks to us and tells us to hand it to the homeless man, or to buy a few items for the needy person in front of you in the grocery line) What a great way to show God's love

7. Find an additional income????? Hmmm…… aren't we all looking for this? I have so many ideas on how to make additional money on the side but I never really act on them. One thing that I would like to do is list things that I no longer use on craigslist so that I can make an additional $500 this year. Hopefully I will think of more and I'll let you in on my secret when I do)

8. Take a photography class. One of my passions is taking pictures. I would love to have this as a career one day or at least a side business because I enjoy it so much. My first step is to take a class to completely understand my camera. Then I can take off!!!!

9. Action Plan to become store manager. God has had a tremendous hand in placing me in the business that I work for. I can't tell you how many people have prayed for me to get the position that I just got over the last two months. I know that he is not finished with me yet and when it is God's time hopefully I can move up to become a store manager. I need to create another whole set of goals to get there. (I'll save that for work)

10. Volunteer minimum 50 hours. Doesn't volunteering make you feel so good in your heart? Why don't I do it more often I ask myself all the time?? Maybe if I put it on my list and get my great friend Elizabeth to hold me accountable to this (she has the same goal but many more hours) I can mark this off my list and create another one with more hours. This is less than 5 hours a month so I hope to do more.

11. Get both bathrooms painted and completed. I have been in this house for over three years now and I still haven't finished the bathrooms yet. I think it is time!

12. Get baby's room done by end of Feb. God has blessed our family with another boy, Luke Allen. He will be here so soon and haven't even really started decorating his room yet.

13. Cut out and use coupons to save money (Ok I am not too lazy to cut the coupons out because I do that all the time but I am not organized enough to sort and remember what coupons that I even have. I need to start off with planning my meals and my grocery list ahead of time so that I know in advance what coupons I need.

14. Ok if I have to plan out meals for cutting coupons maybe just maybe it will help me with this New Year's goal to cook more often. I don't even want to put how many times a week because they are supposed to be achievable. I will definitely have to ask God with help on this one!!

15. Last is to continue to add to this list and find ways to make a difference in people's life.

Dear God,

I know that with a new year brings changes and new beginnings. These New Year's resolutions that I have laid before you are just the beginning of change for 2010 for me. Give me the strength, courage, and wisdom to carry out these resolutions so that they may bring glory and honor to you. I pray that you show me the way and open the door for those resolutions that have not yet been added to this list. Thank you in advance!!

In Jesus name I pray…..Amen

Happy New Year Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas

This year our family celebrated Christmas at the River. Me and Landon went down Friday night to help prepare for Saturday and Sunday. Saturday we spent all day with our family. Landon took a trip to Walmart with Papa while the girls started cooking some goodies to munch on all day. Saturday night we all enjoyed the Kearney's famous spaghetti dinner, each others company and opening gifts from each other. Sunday my family from Burlington came down. Adam cooked us steaks while the girls made all the other sides. Once again it was great family time!! Landon enjoying playing with some gifts from Grandma Sue Sue and Papa
Connor found a new friend Millie (Mamaw's new addition)

Landon and Peyton playing together with new toys

Landon playing Sorry Sliders with Uncle Adam

Landon & Peyton trying to teach Connor how to escape from his playpen