Here we go.....

First off, I notice everyone has code names for their kids so I will do the same.

Oldest son (6 years) = Lancelot (because he loves to be a Knight when he plays)
Middle son (3 1/2) = Einstein (because he is way too smart to be 3)
youngest son (1 year) = Bam Bam (he is full of energy all the time and very busy)

So, Lancelot started first grade yesterday, and it was our first day of public school. He did great. To say I am not a morning person, is really putting it lightly. Because of this, I did all the lunches (one for kid and one for hubby), had boys pick out what they wanted to wear, and laid out my own clothes the night before. I was showered and ready by 7:30 am, which is crazy for me. I actually have Einstein and Bam Bam napping at the exact same time each day, which means I have a quiet house for 2 1/2 hours a day. I have loved this schedule so far. Ask me in a week, when the newness of waking up early has worn off, and I may not be so excited.

I need some advice on two things. Hubby and I need a good book to read together when kids go down. The last book we read was "The Five Love Languages." Anyone have a suggestion for our next read?

Second question--I need some sack lunch ideas for a kid who doesn't like lunch meat. I can't keep making PB&J and Pimento and Cheese sandwiches all year long. Any suggestions?

Hopefully with my quiet time, I can blog more and read more blogs.

Oh...I almost forgot...I also need weeknight meal ideas to add to our repertoire.

Mountains, Caves, and Tanks...Oh My!!!

I have been absent from the blogs lately because I was getting the family ready for a mini vacation to climb Enchanted Rock and visit Longhorn Caverns in TX. We also spent a day in Fredericksburg where we toured the Nimitz Museum. The museum wasn't that fun with small kids. I would like to go back when I can actually read all the signs in the museum instead of constantly telling someone to not touch or, "Get off of that." A few days before we left, our AC in our Suburban went out (another blog), so I was busy dealing with that too. Every time I would think to blog or read blogs, I was just too tired, and decided to go brain dead in front of the TV instead.
Back to the vacation. We went with my sister, her husband, and their 3 boys. It was SOOOOO much fun. I might have grown up on a farm, but this girl is a city girl through and through. That said, I have to admit that I fell back in love with nature. I still hate bugs and creepy crawly things, but I finally know why God gave us 3 boys. Being able to share climbing this HUGE rock with my boys was such a thrill. They were so excited, which made me excited. We had planned, earlier in the year, to go to San Diego and do the zoo thing, ocean, etc...., but because we are doing this Dave Ramsey class and are so "Financially Responsible" now......we knew we couldn't blow that kind of money on that. My husband is a loan officer who deals mainly with the sub-prime market, so the pickings are slim (again, another blog). Anyway, I never knew Texas had so much to offer. We only took a 3 day trip, but it felt like one of our best vacations. We ate at one of the best bbq pits in the country- Coopers in Llano, TX. The only problem was we ate at Coopers the night before our big climb at Enchanted Rock. My big joke the next day on the climb was that I was sweating brisket. MMMMMM.......BRISKET!!!......
Where was I? Ok, so dh and I are determined to find out all the cool places to see in Tx, and then take little day or weekend trips here and there with the family to see it all. At the end of each day, we felt like we had really accomplished something besides just spending money. BTW, getting into Enchanted State Park only cost us a total of $12. My brother-in-law got a year's pass to all the TX state parks for Christmas, so they all got in free. I now know what I want for Christmas. Being in this financial class has made us search harder for affordable family entertainment, but what I've found is the best things we've done, as a family, don't necessarily have to be in neat, convenient packages. Sometimes it takes a HUNT!

The Jesus One

The Jesus One

4andcounting tagged me for the Jesus meme. I'm supposed to list 5 things I love about Jesus and then tag 5 people. I've been out of town all weekend, so sorry for the late response. 1. Jesus loves me. Sounds so simple and childlike, but I am overwhelmed that even though my love runs cold sometimes, He loves me SO passionately. And when I finally turn my head toward Him, He never hesitates to immediately embrace me. 2. Jesus loves the unlovable. This is an area that I struggle with. The more I read about Jesus, the more I realize most of us "Christians" are focusing on the wrong things. He loved the ones crucifying Him, and spitting on Him. He never thought of His reputation, but only wanted to reach those that no one else thought was worth the effort. 3. He only does what He sees His Father doing and says ONLY what His Father is saying. Too many times, I run on ahead of Him, even with good intentions, but He gently taps me on the shoulder and says, "I never told you to do THAT." He is very efficient and trustworthy. 4. He died for me. Obvious one here. Eternity in Heaven is possible for me because of this. This gives me purpose in THIS life; to tell others of this gift. 5. He said I would do even greater things than He did on Earth. This is still a mystery to me, but WOW! He has offered us so much, and given us every key to expand the Kingdom of God.