Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Quick Kitchen Tip

Did you know that olive oil will clean stainless steele? Sabrina Soto shared this tip on one of her home staging shows. I tried it about a week and a half ago, and it really works. Try it if you want to. -Amber

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Another Whirlwind Week

I'm very tired. Life is full to the brim and overflowing. Praise the Lord! Our week was full of the normal crazy that we typically experience Monday through Friday....work, commutes, packed lunches, school days, church, fun, chores, chaos and so on. One interesting highlight though:

On Tuesday I texted this to Dave after picking the girls up from school: "Evidently Julia proposed to Daniel today. Daniel Agreed."
One minute later I sent him this: "Oh wait. Bryce said that Julia sounds like Ariel when she sings. So she loves him. She might want to marry him, but she loves Daniel more. Fyi. (Oh my)"
Dave response: "We've got to talk to her about playing hard to get."
I wholeheartedly agree with him. Dave later explained to Julia that she has to ask her Dad before she can marry anyone, or ask them to marry her.

So, I'll tell a little more about our weekend. On Saturday morning, we went on a family walk and enjoyed each other's company. In the afternoon, Dave tutored, and we met up with him in Pearland at a park for a birthday party. The girls had tons of fun in the jump house and the playground. I went to HEB on the way home, and the girls went to bed shortly afterwards. Dave and I had a few hours left to put the finishing touches on the lesson that we were invited to substitute teach in our Sunday School class today. The topic we were asked to share about this morning was, "The Problems with Prayer; Why doesn't God Always Answer our Prayers?" This was the first time Dave and I tag team taught, and we truly enjoyed it. It was actually a lot of fun working with Dave on the material we planned to present, and after class, we received many encouraging comments. I hope we get the opportunity to do it again sometime.

The rest of our day was more typical Sunday stuff. I baked, Dave watched a lot of football, the girls and I napped, I did dishes, and Dave did some painting in our bathroom. All I need now is one more weekend, and then I think I'll be ready to start my week.

Before I go though, I'll leave you with this amazing C.S. Lewis quote we dissected during our class discussion time:

"Prayer is either a sheer illusion or a personal contact between embryonic, incomplete persons (ourselves) and the utterly concrete Person. Prayer in the sense of petition, asking for things, is a small part of it; confession and penitence are its threshold, adoration its sanctuary, the presence and vision and enjoyment of God its bread and the most important one--from that revelation."

God is good! -Amber

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Art

Julia is quite the artist. I love when I find her drawing or coloring peacefully. She just woke up with the ability to color beautifully inside the lines one day. It's amazing.

 I guess she's into sculpting, as well. Below is a snapshot of her latest work. It's made with clay the girls "earned" from HEB buddy bucks and a crayon. (If you couldn't already tell what the mediums where that she used.) This particular sculpture was made for me. :) I have been instructed to carry it with me everywhere, and even sleep with it.


My hands smell like clay.

- Amber

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

All Things Pretty and Pink

Dave and I had the privilege of watching the newest member of our family wiggle and kick for over an hour today. Our newest addition, and our third baby girl looks happy, healthy and hyper.

We had our first gender peek for our new little bundle of joy about a month ago. When the ultrasound technologist told us our new baby was a girl, Dave and I were both surprised, and I was, ashamedly, very sad. I don't really understand why I've always wanted a boy or why I wanted one so badly this time around. I mean, I much prefer glitter and nail polish to tonka trucks and dinosaurs, but for some reason, I seem to think that having a little guy would be so much fun (in addition to my girls). But, it isn't like girls don't like to fish and camp. I always have. It isn't like girls don't enjoy getting dirty. The two girls I have are quite good at it. I'm positive the one on the way will be good at it too.

So, back to today....Today the technologist again confirmed what I had come to peace with in my heart- that we are completely and utterly, beyond imagination blessed with another sweet, beautiful baby girl on the way. I know God has big plans for this little girl. (My plans were that her anatomy would be completely different.) I know God has great purpose for this little girl- better than I could ever hope for or imagine. I know that Dave and I will love her with all of our hearts- just like we love the two intelligent, graceful, wonderful, beautiful little girls that we are already blessed with. I also know that we are having the darndest time choosing a name for this little one. But, we'll get there.

To our baby girl # 3: I haven't met you yet, but I love you. I know that you will bring more spunk and pizzaz to our lives than we can imagine, and that we will be utterly amazed by how you have been beautifully and wonderfully made. You are special to us, and I am thankful for who you are. I will dress you in pink, let you choose your favorite princess, and teach you about a heavenly Father that loves you more than I do. I am excited when I feel your constant wiggle in my tummy, and I am excited to see you for the first time. Love, Mom.

Thanks for reading. -Amber