Engagement Photos!

My brother and his fiance, Jenna, recently had their engagement photos taken.  Here are a few of my favorites from their shoot.    I am so excited for them and cannot wait for their big day!

Looking at their photos made me remember when Chris and I took our engagement pictures.  I had to bring out some of our engagement pictures too!  (Sorry in advance Chris!)  Don't we look like such babies in these pictures?  Oh, memories...

(Our pictures were taken by Gissendanner Photography in Charleston, SC.)

I Scream, You Scream...

Do I love Starbucks?   yes

Do I love ice cream?  yes

Then imagine my delight to see Starbucks ice cream on sale this week at Publix!  I've been wanting to try it for awhile but just wasn't ok with spending almost $4 on it.  We got the Java Chip and Caramel Macchiato flavors and tried them tonight.  They are SO good!  I suggest heading out to your local Publix with some $1 off coupons.  (You can get it for 89 cents each).  You will thank me!

Things I've Learned Today...

                                                             (Picture by Sarah Rogers)
                       
1.  Do not go on a walk after 9am....it is HOT!   (Even if you had 2 chocolate donuts for breakfast)
2. Don't leave toilet paper in reach of your toddler while you are in the shower, it may be thrown into the shower with you.
3. Eventually your toddler will crack your Blackberry screen.  (Sometimes twice)
4.  Watching your son and husband dance and laugh is super cute!

I hope you learned some lessons today too! 

Cleaning Help?

Noah is now available to hire for cleaning...His specialty is dusting!

Changes

It hit me this week that my time as being a summer stay at home Mommy will soon be over.  I have loved getting to sleep until my little alarm clock wakes me up each morning, making him breakfast and watching cartoons together, heading out on a morning walk, spending time with friends and family, going out on the town, taking naps and hanging out at home.  I know I should be grateful of this time with him, but I can't help but feel sad that I'll be heading back to work in a few weeks.  I do enjoy my job and I'll be working in a new school which I know it will bring me new of challenges and changes which will be good for me.  Don't worry, I plan to rush home each day to get my little guy and treasure each moment I have with him.  I know it will be hard for me but I also know it's what I need to do.  Believe me, I've tried every idea to stay working part-time or stay home and I've prayed my heart out, but me working is the best thing right now for our family.  I plan to remain positive and remember that I am blessed to work with children and hopefully have an impact on their lives.  I am very blessed to have been able to work part-time and to have the summers off.  Noah will be in good hands with Chris' mom during the school year so I have no worries!  I plan to cherish these next few weeks! 

"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:4

Favorite Bible Verse

Over on Kelly's Blog, everyone is posting their favorite Bible verses. 

These are a few of my favorites: 

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;

I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.

Isaiah 42:16

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Anniversary

31 years ago today, my parents were married!  Today was a little sad, but we all ended up focusing on the positive side of things just as he would have wanted us to do.  I think that my mom's Facebook status today was a perfect description of hope:

"Thirty one years ago I walked down the aisle of St. Andrew's Episcopal and into the arms of the man who would change my life. I thought then he was my true love, but now I know it. I am comforted by these words: "The Lord I have placed my trust in tells me that I will see my husband again, and while He stands beside ...me, He weeps. He cries because I can't see what he can."

When you lose someone you love, Heaven becomes real.  It is hope that keeps us going.  It is hope that helps us get up each morning and live our daily lives.  And even though our hearts are heavy, it is the hope and promise of eternal life with my dad that makes all the difference.

"Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

-Matthew 19:26

Weekend Shopping

I had a pretty good week shopping at Publix and Rite Aid.  I use Southern Savers to help plan my shopping trips each week.  I also use I Heart Publix and a printable coupon page.  It is crazy how much money you can save!

Here is how I did:

At Publix, I got $155 worth of groceries for $88, so I saved $67. 


At Rite Aid, I got 3 packs of Pampers Diapers ($8.99 each)  for $15.97 with $5 reward to use next time and $2 rebate making each pack of diapers $2.99 each.

Not too bad...

4th of July

I hope you had a great 4th of July!  We enjoyed the day at the pool.

Noah was excited to try out his new sandbox at my mom's house. 

Noah didn't feel like swimming in the big pool, but he had fun playing in the bucket of water.  (I think he just wanted to show off the National Champ Gamecocks!)

Noah was worn out!

We didn't make it to see the Fireworks this year, maybe next year!  Hope you had a great holiday weekend!

What a week!

This week has been tough!  Poor Noah has been sick since Tuesday.  We finally took him to the doctor on Thursday and she said he was just teething.  He is getting his molars in I think.  He has been SO pitiful and dramatic!  He has been throwing fits and crying all day long just not sleeping or eating well.  Needless to say, we are all very tired and worn out at this house.  Growing molars must be no joke!  To make it worse, I had a mole removed yesterday so I have stitches and some pain on my stomach.  I'm hoping that Noah will return to his "normal" self soon.  We hope to enjoy the weekend by the pool! Happy 4th of July!