How did you go you may be wondering? Well after 9:41pm I had to go sit between the boys beds, sing them a song, and love on them till the fell which was a total of 5 minutes from start to finish! Then I went to sleep and prayed that they would sleep through the night- it was a long stretch, but hey a girl gotta pray! 2:49am- Archer wakes up to go to the potty and goes back to his bed- WOW I'm thinking what a big boy, NOPE- he went to his room to get his brother and they both came into our room and Archer informed us that they wanted to sleep with us! So I let them crawl into bed and within the first minute I realized that I could NOT start this, so I got up and laid Ashton down and he was fast asleep and then Andrew brought Archer to his bed and back to bed we grown ups went till 7:30am! I would have to rate last night a B, not too bad, but not perfect!
NOW...nap time was another story, which I thought was gonna be easier, since my boys usually lay right down! I was SO wrong and silly for thinking it was gonna be easy! Crabby boys around 10:30 were ready to lay down right after lunch, so 12ish they went down right after a book from our fall basket selection! Quiet- YES...I'm gonna take a nap, which I haven't done in about 3 weeks until I hear giggling, which I normally treasure, but with fussy boys and Mommy wanting a nap there was no room for a treasure! Again, I sat down between them until Ashton fell asleep and stepped out- not even 5 minutes later Archer comes out of his room asking if his nap time was over with heavy eyes- NO- get back in BED! Sad face he turned around and to bed he went! Finally, I was gonna nap for less than an hour when Ashton woke up crying, Archer following fussing, and me wishing for MORE sleep! Archer laid down with me and fell back asleep while Ashton laid at the foot of my bed crying because the silly little boy was SO tired, but won't go back to sleep! Archer promptly went back into his bed, Ashton finally calmed down and laid down with me and then asked to go to his bed, so I took him- sleepy eyes and all! Started blogging, heard pitter patter and then he ran to me not even 5 minutes of me leaving him in "their" room and well not sure if he is happy or fussy- is it 7pm yet?
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
moments not to forget...
This past weekend Archer was hammering away at a crate that some of the wood had separated from the nail with his little plastic hammer and during so he was explaining to Ashton that the nail was like the nails that they hammered Jesus to the cross when he died for us! (TEARS rolled from my face)! Not only was my little angel explaining to his baby brother about Jesus dieing on the cross for us, but that he could tell the story with such confidence! PLUS, he related the nails on a crate to the nails that JESUS endured while playing! I do have to say it is such a blessing to witness this understanding within my children and to know that my eldest is already spreading HIS word and story! PRAISE!
Another note: TONIGHT is the first night that 1- Ashton is in a "big" boy bed (toddler bed) and 2- Archer and Ashton are sharing a room! Thanks to Jodie Connally for letting us borrow Luke's toddler bed so that Ashton can start transitioning into big boy hood, which I am having a hard time with since he is still such a baby to me! Thus far, he is doing really well! I normally read to him while rocking then say a prayer along with a song and the kid did not want to do so- he jumped into his bed, covered himself up, which HE NEVER wants covers on him, and kept saying night night! I finally coxed him into letting me rock him, but we didn't make it through our entire routine, which he was fine with BUT I'M NOT!
As I sit outside the boys door in a rocker that "was" in Archer's room from his nursery hushing not Ashton but Archer to keep myself from getting up and down till the little monkeys fall asleep! Andrew just got home and went in there to check on them and Ashton is sound asleep as Archer still talks away...and gets up to tell me that he is not wanting to go to sleep!
Oh gosh- I better share one more story before I forget it...this past weekend we were at the store and walked down the Halloween aisle to take a peek at the costumes and found Captain America which is not only what I wanted the boys to be, but what Archer is wanting to be because it has an A on it, which is his name! :) We left the store and were driving home when Archer asked me what shoes or does Captain America wear shoes? I told him I didn't know- we would have to ask Daddy and he proceeded to tell me that when we got home we could just look on facebook and we would find the answer! OH MY! I just laughed...
Can't forget the precious moments in our lives that God SO wonderfully blesses us with! I thank HIM daily for the opportunity to be home with my little monkeys! What a treasure and JOY!
Another note: TONIGHT is the first night that 1- Ashton is in a "big" boy bed (toddler bed) and 2- Archer and Ashton are sharing a room! Thanks to Jodie Connally for letting us borrow Luke's toddler bed so that Ashton can start transitioning into big boy hood, which I am having a hard time with since he is still such a baby to me! Thus far, he is doing really well! I normally read to him while rocking then say a prayer along with a song and the kid did not want to do so- he jumped into his bed, covered himself up, which HE NEVER wants covers on him, and kept saying night night! I finally coxed him into letting me rock him, but we didn't make it through our entire routine, which he was fine with BUT I'M NOT!
picture taken via phone, so not the best, but you get the idea...
As I sit outside the boys door in a rocker that "was" in Archer's room from his nursery hushing not Ashton but Archer to keep myself from getting up and down till the little monkeys fall asleep! Andrew just got home and went in there to check on them and Ashton is sound asleep as Archer still talks away...and gets up to tell me that he is not wanting to go to sleep!
Oh gosh- I better share one more story before I forget it...this past weekend we were at the store and walked down the Halloween aisle to take a peek at the costumes and found Captain America which is not only what I wanted the boys to be, but what Archer is wanting to be because it has an A on it, which is his name! :) We left the store and were driving home when Archer asked me what shoes or does Captain America wear shoes? I told him I didn't know- we would have to ask Daddy and he proceeded to tell me that when we got home we could just look on facebook and we would find the answer! OH MY! I just laughed...
Can't forget the precious moments in our lives that God SO wonderfully blesses us with! I thank HIM daily for the opportunity to be home with my little monkeys! What a treasure and JOY!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
rewind the last 4 years- September
Let's recap what we have done the last four years for the month of September, which is the month that Veritas was "born!" Really funny story about the first day sitting in a room with about 20ish people in a circle discussing what the idea behind the class was our name, verse, demographics, different roles you could take part in, and goals for the class! After we discussed those topics we were to go around the circle introduce ourselves, how long we had been married, and something interesting about us...Well Andrew and I were about 12 weeks long, pregnant, with Archer and were super excited to share with the folks that we were in the newlywed class with UNTIL the new directors of the class mentioned that our class was pretty much a kid free class and that I'm sure in a few years we would start adding them to the mix...OH MY heart feel at that moment and I leaned into Andrew and said, please don't mention it just yet and he was like shocked I said that and we should because we were super excited and we were just going to be trendsetters for the class! We disclosed and everyone was excited, the directors were thrilled and said things evolve and not to fret! Also, that very same day I stepped up to be social coordinator thinking YAY that is perfect for me and I hope people don't think oh dear the prego girl is going be the social person- joy, but I proved them wrong and by the next meeting I had a flyer with the next 6 months of activities and dates for events that seemed like fun- and they were!
1st year: "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" was the name of the event, we went to Charlie's (they are now closed down) hamburgers off West Gray for burgers and fries and chilled till everyone was done, then we carpooled over to the FABulous Chocolate Bar off Richmond about 5 minutes away for dessert, which is were we spent most of the night chatting away and listening to music! NOW I will warn you changing locations can be tricky with a group of folks, but if it is a younger crowd and no kids are involved then GO FOR it! It worked four years ago, but I wouldn't try it now, so I think...
2nd year: "Veritas' 2nd birthday bash" was the event, we went to oh gosh a Mexican food restaurant across the freeway from church where we had a private room, birthday cake, and balloons! It was traditional and it was fun! Folks- not all your events have to be full blown ordeals, but do make them special by tying in details like this one- was simple, but was a "traditional" family style birthday party! PS- Brooke Richards was a HUGE help for this event, Andrew and I were super crazy "busy" for some reason and she stepped up and put forth lots of effort in making this a success! Peps- what I am about to say is HARD for me because I wanna do it and do it all, but it is OK to have others help and you should not only for the sake of your sanity, but for the reason that as a leader we are called to raise up other leaders and if you don't allow others to help or assist then you can never "send" people out to grow his kingdom in other classes- this is a VERY VERY hard lesson for me and I'm still trying to learn it!
3rd year: I SKIPPED, I know that is NUTS for me and I won't advise, but the previous month's event took enough energy to cover me for two months and folks were okay with that! You will soon one day get to ready about that one- it was AWESOME and that's all I'm saying for now "Veritas' Wedding Reunion"
4th year: that brings us to the post about the Hoe-Down, check it out for minor details and after the event I will post the full blown details!
That's the last four years of Veritas for the month of September, so gather some ideas for when it's time to celebrate what GOD has done in your class and enjoy the celebration! PS- you really should STRESS about these events, this is suppose to be fun, and suppose to be a blessing to others as well as yourself in witnessing GOD's word amongst HIS people!
1st year: "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" was the name of the event, we went to Charlie's (they are now closed down) hamburgers off West Gray for burgers and fries and chilled till everyone was done, then we carpooled over to the FABulous Chocolate Bar off Richmond about 5 minutes away for dessert, which is were we spent most of the night chatting away and listening to music! NOW I will warn you changing locations can be tricky with a group of folks, but if it is a younger crowd and no kids are involved then GO FOR it! It worked four years ago, but I wouldn't try it now, so I think...
2nd year: "Veritas' 2nd birthday bash" was the event, we went to oh gosh a Mexican food restaurant across the freeway from church where we had a private room, birthday cake, and balloons! It was traditional and it was fun! Folks- not all your events have to be full blown ordeals, but do make them special by tying in details like this one- was simple, but was a "traditional" family style birthday party! PS- Brooke Richards was a HUGE help for this event, Andrew and I were super crazy "busy" for some reason and she stepped up and put forth lots of effort in making this a success! Peps- what I am about to say is HARD for me because I wanna do it and do it all, but it is OK to have others help and you should not only for the sake of your sanity, but for the reason that as a leader we are called to raise up other leaders and if you don't allow others to help or assist then you can never "send" people out to grow his kingdom in other classes- this is a VERY VERY hard lesson for me and I'm still trying to learn it!
3rd year: I SKIPPED, I know that is NUTS for me and I won't advise, but the previous month's event took enough energy to cover me for two months and folks were okay with that! You will soon one day get to ready about that one- it was AWESOME and that's all I'm saying for now "Veritas' Wedding Reunion"
4th year: that brings us to the post about the Hoe-Down, check it out for minor details and after the event I will post the full blown details!
That's the last four years of Veritas for the month of September, so gather some ideas for when it's time to celebrate what GOD has done in your class and enjoy the celebration! PS- you really should STRESS about these events, this is suppose to be fun, and suppose to be a blessing to others as well as yourself in witnessing GOD's word amongst HIS people!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
where do you begin?
Trying to plan a social for a class or group of people? What should you do, where should it be, when should it be? Those are all really good and common questions to ask yourself and I would just keep it simple till you get a following! But how do I do that you ask? Well if the weather is amazing outside do picnics, games in the parks (baseball is GREAT because both girls and guys will play), cookouts, pool parties, game night at someone's house (something for indoor fun) or scavenger hunts with an ice cream treat to follow after wards (team building activities are great for creating bonds between folks)! Keep in mind not to do something where it is difficult for people to chat or stay together, for example the zoo would not be a good first social for a class- trying to keep up with everyone and stay together is a task in itself!
First thing first: create a theme around the event- it helps to bring excitement to the event and brings curiosity to what is going to take place! For example plan parties around the season and what you are doing: "Pumpkin Patch Picnic" is a great idea for the fall time, especially in October! Depending on the age group of the folks and if their are kiddos involved plan an adventure to a pumpkin patch where you can enjoy picking out pumpkins to decorate your homes with and then once everyone is done sit back and chat the afternoon away with a picnic lunch or dinner! Another example for a theme for game night would be: "Don't be "SORRY" you missed!" it involves the the title of the game, SORRY, and creates a sense of "ohh!" I better not miss this! I could go on forever, but hopefully you get the idea and as you follow my blog you will see how each month I follow the trend of naming themes for the events! Also, it shows you are really put forth an effort in planning something for your class or group, therefore if they see you are committed right off the bat then they are more interested in what you are presenting them! GOAL: GET THEIR ATTENTION in the beginning, otherwise it just may not work out!
THE MOST important thing to remember- is to pray about it prior to announcing it, while planning it and before everyone arrives because GOD is the sole one responsible for building the community in which HE has blessed you with! This is something that I learned this summer after our class had the opportunity to "birth" another class, Inside Out, and we had to relaunch our existing class! We did have a relaunching party, but I'll save that for a later post- stay tuned! It was though we had to start all over in planning events, the attendance was low, which was extremely abnormal, and I didn't know what to do- I kept thinking "what can I do?" Finally it clicked one evening at our small group book discussion that GOD was the only one that could bring things back together- I am just the driver of the vehicle, but HE is road in which I drive on, providing me streets to drive on and directions to go! So I began to pray more about what I was planning and the people that it involved and I brought our social back to the basics- so with LOTS of prayer and a "HOT Doggin good time" at our house we had our group back together! We grilled hot dogs, everyone hung out inside the house chatting the evening away, because it was SO hot, and the kiddos ran around playing! We did set up water activities in the backyard for the kiddos and some of the "big" kids played too!
So remember: PRAY, plan a theme, PRAY, and keep it simple till you have a following and have built a community that is strong and desires to be together doing life the way life was intended- with GOD!
Happy Fall planning- get creative and play on words! Just for fun- check out this blog on how to make these cute lil' pumpkins (pictured above) for SUPER cheap! PS- you could plan a social around this! HOW: "Got some spare time?" Join us for a pumpkin treat! Have everyone bring some spare wood, (everyone has random wood sitting in their garage or their parents!) a pumpkin inspired treat to eat and drink, and make sure to provide a saw and the safety equipment that goes along with it! Do it at someone's house, let the guys work in the garage cutting away and have the gals inside painting away their pumpkins (provide the paint and ribbon and have everyone pitch in $ to cover it)! Once everyone is done- then sit around for a treat! Volia- a themed event, easy, fun, and cheap all the while at someone's house! Plus everyone goes home with a party favor! Don't forget to send an email (keep it themed as well) out via evite, pingg, or punchbowl (all free resources- there are plenty more, but these are the three I normally use) at least 3 weeks prior to the event with reminders every week!
Ciao for now...
First thing first: create a theme around the event- it helps to bring excitement to the event and brings curiosity to what is going to take place! For example plan parties around the season and what you are doing: "Pumpkin Patch Picnic" is a great idea for the fall time, especially in October! Depending on the age group of the folks and if their are kiddos involved plan an adventure to a pumpkin patch where you can enjoy picking out pumpkins to decorate your homes with and then once everyone is done sit back and chat the afternoon away with a picnic lunch or dinner! Another example for a theme for game night would be: "Don't be "SORRY" you missed!" it involves the the title of the game, SORRY, and creates a sense of "ohh!" I better not miss this! I could go on forever, but hopefully you get the idea and as you follow my blog you will see how each month I follow the trend of naming themes for the events! Also, it shows you are really put forth an effort in planning something for your class or group, therefore if they see you are committed right off the bat then they are more interested in what you are presenting them! GOAL: GET THEIR ATTENTION in the beginning, otherwise it just may not work out!
THE MOST important thing to remember- is to pray about it prior to announcing it, while planning it and before everyone arrives because GOD is the sole one responsible for building the community in which HE has blessed you with! This is something that I learned this summer after our class had the opportunity to "birth" another class, Inside Out, and we had to relaunch our existing class! We did have a relaunching party, but I'll save that for a later post- stay tuned! It was though we had to start all over in planning events, the attendance was low, which was extremely abnormal, and I didn't know what to do- I kept thinking "what can I do?" Finally it clicked one evening at our small group book discussion that GOD was the only one that could bring things back together- I am just the driver of the vehicle, but HE is road in which I drive on, providing me streets to drive on and directions to go! So I began to pray more about what I was planning and the people that it involved and I brought our social back to the basics- so with LOTS of prayer and a "HOT Doggin good time" at our house we had our group back together! We grilled hot dogs, everyone hung out inside the house chatting the evening away, because it was SO hot, and the kiddos ran around playing! We did set up water activities in the backyard for the kiddos and some of the "big" kids played too!
So remember: PRAY, plan a theme, PRAY, and keep it simple till you have a following and have built a community that is strong and desires to be together doing life the way life was intended- with GOD!
Happy Fall planning- get creative and play on words! Just for fun- check out this blog on how to make these cute lil' pumpkins (pictured above) for SUPER cheap! PS- you could plan a social around this! HOW: "Got some spare time?" Join us for a pumpkin treat! Have everyone bring some spare wood, (everyone has random wood sitting in their garage or their parents!) a pumpkin inspired treat to eat and drink, and make sure to provide a saw and the safety equipment that goes along with it! Do it at someone's house, let the guys work in the garage cutting away and have the gals inside painting away their pumpkins (provide the paint and ribbon and have everyone pitch in $ to cover it)! Once everyone is done- then sit around for a treat! Volia- a themed event, easy, fun, and cheap all the while at someone's house! Plus everyone goes home with a party favor! Don't forget to send an email (keep it themed as well) out via evite, pingg, or punchbowl (all free resources- there are plenty more, but these are the three I normally use) at least 3 weeks prior to the event with reminders every week!
Ciao for now...
Monday, September 12, 2011
a new task in life
...so my husband, who is a great encourager to me suggest after watching me one evening "stalk" the blogs I do that I start blogging more about our family, but also about our class socials! I thought why? I barely have time to blog about my family- actually I haven't blog about my family in who knows how long, but after lots of encouragement from him that I could help other classes I'm gonna give it a shot- it's only once a month!
Class socials- you are probably wondering what I am talking about if you are not in my Sunday school class, well...Andrew and I (mainly I, but he puts up with the stress and joy of it, so Andrew and I) took on the role of our class socials over 4 years ago and have been extremely blessed by this role in our class! So I never realized what an impact it makes, but I have been told by many members of our class and those outside of it what a blessing it is to have someone pull together an event for others to be able to build community within, but that it is done in full force- not one detail left out and the ideas are outside the box! Some may think I'm crazy to go to some of the extremes that I do (details to follow), but I really feel like GOD has blessed me with a talent that I can help grow fellowship amongst friends...
So I will eventually blog about all the different socials we have done in our class, but I'll start with this month's plan...a hoe-down to celebrate Veritas' 4th birthday! I felt it was time to dust off the boots and have a celebration as to what GOD has done in our class over the last four years!
Minor details for now: event to be held at Pappas BBQ private dinning room with some good food to eat and then we will have an instructor come in and teach us an intro to the two step and then a country western swing dance to finish us off! Now most of us are true Texans (mainly Aggies too), so no need for a full blown two step lesson, but a swing dance that is gonna be some good fun that I can't wait to witness! Below is the email invitation that I sent out via PINGG at no cost (there are some on their website that cost) and below the decorative invitation are all the details, but you are only able to view if you have been sent the invitation via email (I blocked it for privacy reasons)!
Further details to follow with pictures of the night after September- I don't want to spill the surprise for those attending!
ps- I almost forgot (perhaps pregnancy brain-dear LORD help me) that a dear friend also encouraged me to blog about this as well, Allison White, so that one day when I'm "famous" for blogging about this subject matter, she can assist me in writing a book! She is the grammar junky, so I'll leave that stuff to her! Folks- you just never know where the LORD will lead ya, so pray hard and think big...
Class socials- you are probably wondering what I am talking about if you are not in my Sunday school class, well...Andrew and I (mainly I, but he puts up with the stress and joy of it, so Andrew and I) took on the role of our class socials over 4 years ago and have been extremely blessed by this role in our class! So I never realized what an impact it makes, but I have been told by many members of our class and those outside of it what a blessing it is to have someone pull together an event for others to be able to build community within, but that it is done in full force- not one detail left out and the ideas are outside the box! Some may think I'm crazy to go to some of the extremes that I do (details to follow), but I really feel like GOD has blessed me with a talent that I can help grow fellowship amongst friends...
So I will eventually blog about all the different socials we have done in our class, but I'll start with this month's plan...a hoe-down to celebrate Veritas' 4th birthday! I felt it was time to dust off the boots and have a celebration as to what GOD has done in our class over the last four years!
Minor details for now: event to be held at Pappas BBQ private dinning room with some good food to eat and then we will have an instructor come in and teach us an intro to the two step and then a country western swing dance to finish us off! Now most of us are true Texans (mainly Aggies too), so no need for a full blown two step lesson, but a swing dance that is gonna be some good fun that I can't wait to witness! Below is the email invitation that I sent out via PINGG at no cost (there are some on their website that cost) and below the decorative invitation are all the details, but you are only able to view if you have been sent the invitation via email (I blocked it for privacy reasons)!
Further details to follow with pictures of the night after September- I don't want to spill the surprise for those attending!
ps- I almost forgot (perhaps pregnancy brain-dear LORD help me) that a dear friend also encouraged me to blog about this as well, Allison White, so that one day when I'm "famous" for blogging about this subject matter, she can assist me in writing a book! She is the grammar junky, so I'll leave that stuff to her! Folks- you just never know where the LORD will lead ya, so pray hard and think big...
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