Today

Today I am thankful for 3 little boys, even when their sister is so far away.
Today I am thankful for the noise that is constant, because my boys are healthy and happy enough to scream.
Today I am thankful for a husband who is so sweet to me, even when I am so cranky and snappy.
Today I am thankful for my home feeling too small, because that means there are many blessings filling it.
Today I am thankful for phone calls to friends, even if only for a few minutes while driving.
Today I am thankful for the lack of naps earlier, because they led to easier bedtimes.
Today I am thankful for a dog who puts up with all my children do to him with amazing tolerance, even if he gets into the trash every time we leave the house.
Today I am thankful for the my house church family, because they accept me even when I am frazzled from a crazy no nap afternoon.
Today I am thankful for Jesus' Grace, even though I don't deserve it.

treasure chores

With a now five year old and an almost four year old we were due to start giving out allowance. We have been slow to start because we weren't sure the best way to do this. In talking to one of my friends this past week she told me they do pirate chest and coins for incentives. I love this. Especially since I have a little boy who LOVES him some pirates.

So we wrote  out our expectations for the kids. They have a list of chores that they already are expected to do each day. Then we told our oldest that he gets 5 $1 coins each week. If he fails to complete an expectation he gets 1 reminder. Then he has to pay me 1 $1 coin to help him or for a second reminder. At the end of the week he gets payed the amount he has left. We feel he is old enough to understand the concept of giving, saving, and spending. One thing we felt important is that if we give him money he needs responsibility. So he is in charge of buying his own snacks when we go to Target or McDonald's or some where like that.

Also each boy has the ability to earn "loot coins". I have a box of prizes and they can buy a sticker for 1 coin, a prize for 4 coins, or a dollar store trip (with 1 dollar) for 10 coins. Bubba is starting out with 5 loot coins at the beginning of the week. He is not quite mature enough to understand money management, but he does understand rewards.

They each decorated their treasure chests. Bubba loves the fact that it is like pirates. #1 likes the chance to earn money. I love that they are learning responsibility.

Special

Tonight some of our dear friends got married. We are so excited for them. My hubby got to be a groomsman in the wedding. When our oldest asked why Daddy wasn't sitting with us his Daddy tried to explain.

Daddy- Matt asked me to be in his wedding. That means I get to sit at the table with them. It means I am very special.  :)

#1- You don't look special to me!

So, hubby got put in his place by our five year old. I  still think he is very special though.

And just cuz they are adorable here are a few pictures of our evening. 

Take me out to the ball game.

 What is summer without a baseball game?

 Lawn seats are a good idea with three crazy boys.

 It is good to have big brother to help grabs stray babies.

What fun is a game if you don't have friends to share it with!

Freezer cooking for August

Yesterday was another fun filled freezer cook day.

 All this...

turned into all this...

and this.

Here's the line up:


Basil Chicken over angel hair (2)
Lasagna soup (2)
Salsa Chicken (2)
Slow Cooker Chicken Marsala (2)
Vegged out sloppy Joes (4)

These sloppy joes are amazing. I will try to post a recipe in a bit. 

Marinara sauce
Taco meat
breakfast casserole cups

I'm excited to have some of these ready to go for breakfast as school starts. 

Soyaki Chicken stirfry
Meat  loaf
slow cooker fajitas

We made lots of meals, and the fun part is that we made a months worth of meals for right around $100. Now my freezer is full and happy and so am I. I love freezer cooking! Thanks to Tami for being my cooking buddy. We make a great team.

2

Two years has flown by. 

Oh, how I love this little guy.

My baby is not a baby anymore.

This little guy makes me smile so much.

He is a little pistol, but such a little sweet heart. 

He gives amazing little squeezes and kisses. 

He constantly makes us laugh. 

I am amazed at how fast he is growing. 

I wish I could slow it down just a bit.
He is such an amazing little man. 

I am so thankful for the gift God has blessed our family with in our youngest member. 

Happy (belated) Birthday little man.