A little bit redneck, but a whole lot of fun!

That title is probably a country song, but it describes perfectly what our summer has looked like so far!

Before you make fun of our "mobile" swimming pool, try it for yourself - the kids LOVED it! (And I promise, Kara wears a bathing suit 99% of the time, just not in these pictures!)

We have a name!

For those of you who have anxiously been awaiting a vote for the name of our next child, I hate to disappoint you, but we actually made a decision (with weeks to spare)!

Let me back up a little and explain that Garet and I are terrible when it comes to naming children. I don't know why it is so difficult for us, but it just is. We decided on the name Levi sometime around 36 weeks (which is cutting it close on a first pregnancy since you don't know how long you have - it turned out to be plenty of time for me).

Kara almost didn't have a name! After polling our friends on my Myspace account (does anyone check theirs anymore?), we cut it very close. I had a scheduled induction and the day before our friend, Melodie, told us we had to make a decision! She made us each write our top two choices on a napkin (we were at Applebees) and then Levi drew the name. Kara it was!

That experience really stressed us out and so we were determined not to let it happen again. Plus, with a 3.5 year old and a 20 month old, we were getting tired of saying "baby brother".

Before we knew if Kara was a boy or a girl, we had a boy named picked out. She obviously wasn't a boy, so we put it in the archives. When we found out we were having a boy this go around, we decided to pull it back out, but for whatever reason, I still hesitated. Well, I finally decided I just needed to make a decision.

So, without further adieu, "Baby Brother" will be:

Garison John

Garison is a combination of Garet + Alison (get it?) :), thus the reason for the one "r". I think that will bother a few people, but Garet and I both dealt with the single consonant issue and we turned out OK. It was more important for us that he shared our names.

And, for my Aunt Ruth Ann (only because I love you :), John is from my dad & brother.

We feel that this will be the fitting addition to our family. All the children have one of our names in their name and I think that this will probably/hopefully?? be the conclusion to our family expansion.

In closing, I have to share Levi's question regarding Garison if you missed it on Twitter/Facebook:

"when baby Garison comes out of your tummy are you going to be all out of babies?"

My response? "I sure hope so!"

Auburn Reunions!

I've said it many times, but my four years at Auburn were some of the best of my life. I have so many good memories from that time period and I know that they are due in a large part to the wonderful friends we made from our time on the plains.

We have been spoiled the last couple of weeks to be able to spend some time with a few of these friends. I'm always amazed at how easily it is to talk and hang out despite all the changes we've incurred over the last 10+ years! If you are ever in the area, please let us know - we would love to see you!!

Our buddy Jason is a pilot and so his schedule is always last minute. Thankfully, we were able to pull a dinner outing together when him, his wife Lindsey and kids were in town for the night.

Here's the crew! Dan & Ellen, Bull (minus Ashley), Jason & Lindsey and us! The restaurant was so kind to give us our own room in which we let all the kiddos run around while we talked. War Eagle!Then, a couple of weeks later, a few of us got together for a big surprise!! In Auburn, Carmen, Joy and I were the best of friends and did everything together. Carr married a guy named Scott and in January or so he started planning a surprise birthday party for Carr's 31st birthday. Of course, I was in! Joy and I ended up bringing our men and it turned out to be a perfect (although too short) weekend in Chattanooga (could it be anywhere else?) on the lake. The surprise was a huge success and you can read my friends takes here: Joy and Carr.

Apparently we still thought we were in college, because we stayed up until 3:30 AM talking! That was a little taxing on this preggo mother of a toddler and preschooler, but it was so worth it. I think we all agreed that our early 30s are not exactly what we had envisioned. Life is a little harder, things aren't perfect, there have been some surprises in life, but I thank God that we still have each other and our friendships despite the very different paths our lives have taken. For instance, as Joy mentioned, we all married completely different men, but they hung with us this weekend and we had a great time together. Here we are with the additions to our trio:

I couldn't end this post with out a huge thank you to Carmen's parents - they took care of all the cooking and cleaning and I felt like I was in college all over again. I can't remember the last time someone has taken care of everything for me and I just get to enjoy!

I hope the reunions don't stop here!!

My Motherly Intuition

was very wrong today.

Because they were 100% sure at the doctor today.
And I am still in shock.
And thrilled that God provided just what our family needed.

The Materialism Monster

A couple of weeks ago, we started this new series at our church called "Monsters". Last week our new pastor, Brian, challenged us on the "Me Monster". In other words, "we aren't the center of the universe" to quote my mother. Good reminders, steps taken, but still a daily battle.

This week was on the "Materialism Monster". Josh, our student minister, spoke about how if we constantly crave more and more, our focus is not on the right thing and we will never be satisfied. I'll be honest, the "Me Monster" is a much bigger challenge for me than the "Materialism Monster" or so I thought....

Fast forward two days to this morning. While I was buckling Levi in the van, Kara promptly crawled into the front and poured my drink in her lap and all over our new van (diet cherry pepsi to be exact- errr). I am not my best in the morning and immediately yelled: "Kara, you just ruined our new van!!!".

Levi promptly said: "Mom, it is STILL a new van".

Josh, I'm afraid Levi got the last line on your sermon. Ouch.

Something to try next year

I realize that Easter was almost two weeks ago, but I had to share this Easter cookie idea for those of you that have never seen it before. This was my first time to make these cookies with my own kids (and niece and nephew), so it was extra special.

Begin this recipe on Saturday, the day before Easter.
1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon or a wooden meat hammer
duct tape or packing tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300*F.
Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon or hammer to break them into small pieces.

Explain that after Jesus was arrested he was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon of vinegar into the mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.
Add egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave his life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste. Then put your pinch of salt in the bowl.
Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27 So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing! Add 1 cup sugar to the bowl.
Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because he loves us. He wants us to know and belong to him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 10 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks form. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheets. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape to seal the oven door.
Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66. Leave the kitchen. If you've been making these cookies just before bedtime, GO TO BED!
Acknowledge that the kids are probably sad that they've worked hard to make these cookies, and now have to leave them in the oven overnight. Explain that Jesus' followers were in sad when Jesus died and the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Ask the kids to notice the cracked surface. Have them bite into the cookies. The cookies are hollow!
Explain that on the first Easter morning, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.
HE HAS RISEN!

I wish I had some pictures of the finished cookie, but we made them at Garet's parents house and we had to go home. Levi was pretty sad about that, but hopefully next year we can follow through. Special thanks to Kelly (Garet's sister) and Nana for their help too!

My Latest Endeavor: Coupons

After having several conversations with friends in recent weeks about "couponing", I finally decided to break down and give this thing a try. Keep in mind that before kids, I was very organized...to an extreme really. That all changed when suddenly my free time was zapped in half and then half again and is about to be non-existent. That's OK - the hugs and kisses are worth it.

Sorry to digress there. So, in my now less than organized way, I have been trying to work this whole "couponing" world (and it is a world out there). While I have been very successful at the large grocery store trips (I saved $56 on my last trip to Target!!), I still find myself spending way to much money on those "I'm just going to run in and buy a couple of items" trips.

Before I go any farther, let me tell you about my favorite website of the moment: Southern Savers Blog. This girl thinks like me and writes things down in a way I would and it makes it very easy for me. I decided to start with her CVS "plan" since I live so close to one. I must say that I have been working the system very well. Take for instance my shopping trip yesterday:

I got these 11 items for $17 with $13 in CVS dollars to spend on my next visit. If I had more time, I would have ended up spending only $8 with $5 in CVS dollars, but I didn't have time for another transaction. The hardest part has been trying to stay away from brand loyalty (trying new shampoos, toothpastes, yogurt, granola bars, etc). So far it has been OK, but we'll see. I also don't have any room in my house to hoard items for an entire year...I can only imagine the size of these ladies pantries! A good deal is a good deal, but not at the expense of floor space!

I've also got a number of friends that use couponmom.com. It took awhile to sign up, but it is free. I like that they provide Target and Wal-mart shopping lists since that is where I primarily shop. However, these ladies are working the Publix deals, so they may be my next endeavor.

My only problem with Publix and Kroger is that while you can get some fantastic deals on certain items, unless those exact items make up a meal, you are still going to have to buy the other items. Wal-mart is so much cheaper across the board that I'd really like to see a price comparison since you can still use coupons at Wal-mart (they just aren't doubled).

That's where I'm at. Any other "couponers" out there? What tricks or tips do you use. I really am quite fascinated at the money I could save. Thanks!

New Heights

Tonight Garet and I put up a bunk bed in Levi's room. This bunk bed has some history. My dad built it for my brother, Brian, when he was a kid. Thankfully for us, my parents didn't get rid of it and my brother said we could use it. My dad left fantastic directions and we put it up in no time at all.

The plan is to transition Kara into Levi's room at some point in the next 4 months. However, Levi loves sleep and Kara does not. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out. I have no idea of what kind of "theme" I am going to do in their room. I might stick with the Hawaiian/surfer theme, but we'll see. When I figure it out, I'm going to paint the bunk bed a lighter color and we'll be good to go!

First time up on the bunk:That's a long way down! Levi has never fallen out of his bed...never needed a rail or anything. Let's hope that his first time isn't out of the bunk bed!

Practicing the ladder (ignore the room - we were trying to move things out of the way and get it done before bed time):

Getting ready to go to bed:

Pretending to sleep for the camera - guess who got him to do this "pose":

Night Night. Love you, Levi: