Back to my normal blogging.......

My sweet, little Kendall girl.....
She ALWAYS says what is on her mind.
Just this morning it was this......
(Me changing Isaac's diaper)
"Mom maybe Isaac's peepee is popping out to say hi!"
And what can you say to that?!

Energetic Isaac
Had his 2 year appointment today.
He is 36.5 inches tall (92%) and weighed 35 lbs (95%)
Needless to say he is a GOOD eater. He is also able to tell you sometimes what he wants.
I am preparing a good meal for the family last week. (Pork chops, beans, garlic noodles, biscuits) Little man comes out and tells me "no momma. izza,izza." (Pointing at the fridge)
Me: "Do you want leftover pizza buddy?"
Isaac: "Uh-huh."

Isaac enjoyed some frosting off of his 2nd birthday cake about two weekend ago.

Working on loving my hubby bigger and better!

Giving him Credit and Props

I know that everyone likes to hear themselves praised. (Our sinful nature right?!)It is a feel-good booster but I think that it feels especially great when it comes from my hubster. He has done ALOT in the past 2 weeks to help me out with VBS prep-work & then with Kendall's party. (I normally take care of all the birthday party details but I was so sick that Ben had to do it this time.) I made sure to publicly praise him to my volunteer staff at VBS & to our friends who attended the party. I can't think of a better way to acknowledge all of his hard work! (Especially since most people assume that I did all of it!)

Keeping my mouth shut!

Oh that is a TALL ORDER sometimes! We were at the beach unloading party supplies at the pavilion. We decided to leave the kids in the a/c for as long as we could. Ben decided to unbuckle the kids. I piped up once to let him know that I didn't think it was a good idea but let him do his thing.....5 minutes later there was part of a can of Dr. Pepper on the front seat. I kept MY MOUTH SHUT!! It would have been so easy to retort a "I told you so." But it would have been a fight starter & that was not needed or necessary! I am learning to let him learn how to deal with the kiddos in his own way & not mine. Even if I have to BITE my lips shut sometimes!!

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Challenge: Pray For Your Husband Daily

Marriage Challenge Week #3

This week the hard work begins! If you do not yet own "The Power of a Praying Wife" by Stormie Omartian - get it! It is an excellent guide and a treasure to keep on your book shelf.

James 5:17 says "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

Prayer changes things - do you believe that? Then let's get started! Here's a list of items you can begin to pray through for your husband (taken from Stormie's book):

1. His Wife -that's a good place to start right? lol!

2. His Work

3. His Finances

4. His Sexuality

5. His Affections

6. His Temptations

7. His Mind

8. His Fears

9. His Purpose

10. His Choices

11. His Health

12. His Protection

13. His Trials

14. His Integrity

15. His Reputation

16. His Priorities

17. His Relationships

18. His Fatherhood

19. His Past

20. His Attitude

21. His Marriage

22. His Emotions

23. His Walk

24. His Talk

25. His Repentance

26. His Deliverance

27. His Obedience

28. His Self-Image

29. His Faith

30. His Future

Challenge: Print this list out and pray through this list daily. Also, do not forget to ask your husband each morning for any specific prayer requests he has for the day. I do this regularly and my husband always answers with a detailed situation he is concerned about. It's a blessing to pray for him and watch God work and answer. Our intimacy has grown through this and he always knows he has a prayer warrior in me. If you don't pray daily for him - who will?

Like a string around your finger reminding you of something important, let your wedding ring be a reminder to pray this week. I want you to pray every time you look down and see your wedding ring. When you take your ring off to wash dishes or shower - say a sentence prayer for your husband. When you are sitting watching television, reading a book or typing on your computer and your ring flashes your way - say a sentence prayer for your husband. Make it a habit to pray for your husband.

For more visit Courtney at

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Tuesday on a Wednesday

Hello all! Sorry I am so behind these past couple of weeks. Between our vacation, prepping all the materials for VBS, & now doing VBS this week, I haven't been able to respond to all the wonderful comments, new followers, & read my normal blogs. I miss you guys and I love all of the comments. Believe me I am reading! Anyway, without further ado here are my Tuesday memes on a Wednesday!

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Need vs Want

I have been trying to censor myself this week (and actually for a few weeks since Ben got home from his detachment.) I have been trying not to put more stress on him by stopping myself to think if what I am asking him to do his an actual need or if it is just that I want him to do it.

It is amazing at some of the little things that I have actually though "Wow, I can do that myself & not bother him with it." I have not perfected the method especially with all of the work and stress that VBS has brought this past week but I am slowly trying to implement it into daily life. I can't wait to catch-up and see what y'all have been doing for your husbands this week!

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It's that time again.....Kendall story time!

Monday, we were in the car & on our way to run errands after a very full morning of VBS. It was Kendall's first VBS so I was kind of curious on her take on it.

I asked, "Bug did you just LOVE vacation bible school?!?!"

She said, "We didn't go bible school yet."

Me: Honey we just left from there.

Kendall: Oh. But it not bible school....we didn't even open our bibles!

Hmmm.....I guess the whole point of the bible story and memory verse was lost on her!

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Top 2 Reality Shows

1. I think that the first reality show that I would like to be on is

The Amazing Race!

I am not sure who I would want to take on it with me but.....

2. Dancing with the Stars

I would love to learn all of those dances but I guess I need to become a star before I can even attempt that right?!

Catching-Up

I missed last week so I have been saving up a lot of stuff!
Compliments/Praise

I have been trying to make sure to remember to tell my hubby little things that I really like/love about him.

For example, last night we were watching "The Bachlorette" (yeah I suckered him into it!) We were talking about one of the guy's voices. I can't stand it but my hubby wouldn't criticize it because he doesn't like his own voice. I told him I really love his big ol' very DEEP voice. Hopefully, it boosted his day!

Embracing their "Manly" activities

We definitely have different ideas of what a "family vacation" is to be. We made a trip this past weekend to Highlands, NC, which was extremely beautiful. There were so many activities that I wanted to do there but the trip was mainly dedicated to his adventure race. I had a great time even though it was not my definition of a family vacation & he had a wonderful time racing and doing his "manly" stuff with his friend Aaron.

I had some more stored up but due to screaming children I am going to leave you with this today! Looking forward to seeing what y'all wrote!

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My daughter, Kendall, has a way of saying whatever is on her mind. Honesty is very refreshing (for the most part) and I am glad that she feels free to speak her mind. It also creates very funny situations and conversations too!

I am thinking of two from the past week.

#1. Friday night, my husband and his friend were making sure their gear was ready for their adventure race. They had put their climbing harnesses on which......AHEM become snug around the groin. Kendall looked at Aaron and said, "Mr. Aaron, your front butt is sticking out." After my husband explained what a front butt was to Aaron we had a good laugh!

#2. Kendall very sweetly asked me why God gave us so many beautiful things and why he had created us. I explained to her why God had done this for us. She then asked "why is he so high in the sky & WHERE is his BEANSTALK so he can climb down here?"
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Top Two Guilty Pleasures

1. Taking a nap while the kids are down. Some days I just cannot go anymore. I think that this is a guilty pleasure because Ben can't take one at work & I definitely should be doing house chores!

2. Eating some of my kids candy on any given holiday that they receive it. They don't need all of that sugar anyway!

It's Tuesday, Tuesday......

Hey all! It's time for those special ways that you show your husband love. So while he is off at his prayer/accountability group on our last day of Memorial Day weekend leave, I decided to bang these posts out. (That way I can love on him some more later!)

This week has been difficult for me. It is always hard when my husband comes home from deployment, training, detachment, etc to leave him alone. The kids and I tend to be all over him & not want him to go anywhere. (Understandable because we missed him but annoying I am sure for him.)

I have been trying to let him go as much as feasible to train for his upcoming advenutre race. He even drove over an hour to meet his partner in crime so that they could canoe together. (It is part of the race.) He had been able to run and try to work on the mountain bike as well. (Although the bike is probably not very pleasurable for him since it is not functional for him right now.)

Yesterday, he also went golfing with some of our friends from life group.

So it didn't kill me. It doesn't mean that I didn't miss him but......

We also went on a date night on Friday! Now for some that might not be too exciting but our last one here in North Carolina was in January when his parents were here. I think that we are going to try to make it a monthly thing.

The final thing from this week was last night. I made a huge dinner to honor Memorial Day and to celebrate Ben coming home safe again. (We are so grateful for 3 safe homecoming from Iraq and 5 or6 yep I have lost count homecomings from detachments.) Even though it is greatly labor intensive, I made round steak & gravy with potatoes, carrots, & edamames. It was so worth it to see my hubby (and the kids too!) dig into all that yummy food!
Well that's it for this week.....for more tips visit Lauren at

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I am going to have to tell on my Kendall bug again. There is not a day that goes by that she says something that makes me go HUH?!? or Did she really say that? or That is something that I am only going to tell the girls and not anyone else about!Sunday, I was in the bathtub getting ready for a Memorial Day picnic. Kendall was in the bathroom with me (which happens a lot....why they like to hang out in there with me....) We chatted about a wide variety of topics. I was at the end of getting ready (rinsing the conditioner out of my hair.) I hear her sweet little voice saying something but the water is on so I can't really make out what it is.....I stop the water and sayWhat baby?She says, "Mommy, you look the most adorable ever right now!"I laughed. What else can you say to an adorable nearly 4 year old telling you how adorable you look while you are naked in the bathtub?!

Tuesday,Tuesday

So everyone's marriage is different right?! That's what makes it so much fun! My husband took a position at a base that is about 54 miles away from us about a year and 8 months ago. On top of his busy work schedule, he tacked on 2.5 hours of commuting time. I started to try to do some of his "chores" to ease some of the strain on him. Now they might not seem like much but they do take some time for me (but hopefully give him more time with us in the long run) I have been mowing the yard and bathing the kiddos before he gets home. I know that it seems like such a small few tasks but I think that they have helped out a lot! Can't wait to see what y'all have been doing for your husbands this past week!
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The Undomestic Mama is having Top 2 Tuesday.
Today is Top 2 Dates.
Golly that is going to be hard considering I have told you before how much my husband likes to be over the top! But ok if I would have to name the top 2.......

1. When we were dating, Ben wanted me to come with him to a reunion at his old college campus. (Texas A&M Whoop!) I was just a single gal scraping by on a full time job as an RN plus a job on the side. I really wanted to go but it just wasn't in my budget to buy a plane ticket at that time. I got home from work to find a card from Ben. It had a bunch of random numbers, letters, and times. I was super confused what all of it was so I had to ask him what it was all about. He bought me a plane ticket so that I could come with him! (Of course being the strong-willed woman that I am, I insisted on paying him for half of it....can't just accept a gift for a gift!)
We had such a wonderful time & it was so neat to meet some of his college buddies and of course experience Texas A&M. I am from PA & virtually knew nothing about all of the traditions at A&M.
Of course the best thing was what happened under "The Century Tree." (Another A&M tradition.....) While Ben didn't propose under the century tree, he said "I love you" for the first time there. Thus making it one of the best dates ever!

2. I would have to say another of my favorites was horseback riding through the rain forest in Puerto Rico. We took a delayed honeymoon with some friends of ours from flight school. We had a BLAST with them don't get me wrong but it was so nice to just ride together and enjoy the beautiful scenery!

Other Honorable mentions.........
-Late night boating trips on the Gulf
-River dance
-horseback riding in the hill country of Texas
-Our Bed and Breakfast weekend in Fredericksburg, TX
-Snorkeling in Puerto Rico
-Our anniversary helicopter ride in Wisconsin
-Greek night with belly dancer in Missouri
-Camping in Shenandoah National park
-Disneyland
-Sea world
-the dog park in Pensacola (long story!)
-hiking at Enchanted Rock, TX
-kayaking in Charleston, SC
-hiking through the foothills of Yuma, AZ
-Our stay in Saluda, NC where we went to Biltmore Estate
And many more that are escaping my memory right now!!
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Here are your questions for this week:

1. Would you rather host party or simply attend a party? Both. I LOVE hosting gatherings at our house. Hospitality seems to be one of my gifts so I like to use it. In the same token, I love to go to other people's homes as well! I just love people!
2. Tell us about the most memorable party you've been to. Wow....too many to talk about I think. I had a really good time at the New Year's Eve party 2008 at Michelle & Dan's house. Quiet, elegant, and intimate.
3. What is one thing you hope for in the after-life? Living forever with my Lord.
4. What do you enjoy most about sunshine? The warmth.
5. When you attend a bridal/baby shower, do you prefer to bring your own gift or chip in with others to buy a larger gift? Baby shower by far I like to bring my own because I like to get crafty and make things for the mama to be. Bridal showers I can swing either way!
6. Would you rather have a FREE week of having your house cleaned or all of your meals cooked for you and your family? MEALS hands down!
7. What song describes your mood today? "Praise you in this storm" Casting Crowns
8. What is something you received for your own bridal shower/wedding that you still own or use? (If you are not married, feel free to sub a gift you received a long time ago.)
Blender, garlic press, 2 clocks, 3 frames, waffle maker,
9. Your favorite flavor of ice cream is?mint chocolate chip followed closely by chocolate peanut butter
10. When was the last time you felt "tested?" Sunday.
11. "Ho-ho's is a food that once I start eating I find really hard to stop."
12. "Praise" is the best motivation.
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Upon watching Dancing with the stars last week, Kendall and I were discussing the gowns as we usually do. She is very opinionated for a nearly 4 year old. Anyway, it is usually pretty fun & just a way for us to bond and create memories. We were discussing the gowns when one of the dancers came out in well a top & a skirt shall we say.....Kendall looked at me and said, "Mommy, she forget to put her shirt on! You said, that we wear our bras UNDER our shirts! She gonna be so embarrassed her chest is out!" Yes baby......now if only she will continue thinking that dressing like that is embarrassing for the next 20 some years I will be set!

To love your husband Tuesday and True Story Tuesday

For today's "To love their husband" advice I am going to go with the chorus of a song that I have recently come to like a lot. "Love like crazy" from Lee Brice. I hope that y'all don't think that this is a cop out today. I really believe all of these words are great ways to show your hubby that he is loved.

be a best friend
tell the truth
over use i love you
go to work
do your best
dont out smart your common sense
never let your prayin knees get lazy
and love like crazy
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Ok,ok since the spotlight was on me last week I will shift it back onto Kendall. She inevitably says something that boggles my mind every day and this past week was no exception.We were searching for something to watch on Friday night. There was absolutely nothing on so we settled on "Clean House."She suddenly turns to me and says, "HEY! That lady isn't supposed to be on this show. She's supposed to be on Dancing with the Stars." (She was speaking of Niecy Nash) I don't know what makes me laugh harder.....that she is naming ALOT of reality shows by name (She also asks about Survivor and the Amazing race) or that she thinks the 'stars' should only be on one show! What she has to learn :-)

My Tuesday memes

Something that I have been trying to do (notice I say trying....it is still a work in progress) is to give my hubby some free time. You know to do "manly" stuff. It is my hope that it will show him how much I appreciate what he does at the house and for us. This has been extremely hard especially as a SAHM that is a military wife. My husband is frequently gone so sometimes I wage a war in my heart and head. That inner voice that is screaming, "I need my me time!" I ask that you pray with me on giving up that need for my me time & give it up so he can have some man time.
www.johnstonfamily519.blogspot.com/ is having For My kids today.

The topic is Mother's day traditions & memories.

Well kiddos.....so far we don't have many traditions. (Unless you count daddy being gone as one of them?! I guess 1 out of 4 isn't too bad.) The gifts that you and daddy get me every year are not really necessary but very much appreciated! I LOVE all of the crafts and cards that you make. I know that I will treasure them for years to come. Every year has been memorable but I would have to say my first mother's day was very special. Daddy came home when you (Kendall) were 10 weeks old and left again to go back to Iraq when you were 8 months old. We went to PA to visit with Grammy & Pappy. It was very unique to spend my first mother's day with Grammy.
Here we are .........2007

Ok I am going to tell on myself today. I have already shared this with several members of our life group so why not with blog world as well! Anyone who knows me well, knows that I have a very bubbly and sometimes airheaded personality. I once had someone tell me that I shouldn't take the blonde highlights out of my hair because they suited me....just saying!A few months back, I decided that since we really didn't have a place to get good manure for the yard and back flower bed that I would use some dog poop. Why didn't I think of this before? Gosh years have been wasted and many,many piles of pooh. I put all of it in the bed while I was pooper scooping the one day. Ben came home & I proudly told him what I had accomplished. He paitently explained why dog poop is not like cow poop. Let's just say I have learned my lesson & it all goes over the fence now!

True Story Tuesday

Since Isaac cannot talk a whole lot yet, Kendall gets all of the glory right now! We have been working very hard with her on teaching her what she needs to know for kindergarten but also what she needs to know about God. I guess that she is somewhat paying attention to us and in Sunday school because these conversations have been had in our house......

Kendall: Where did we get this?
Me: We got it from this store because God provided us with the money to buy it.
K: Can I call God and thank him? (She typically asks on any given day at least 3 times where she got something and if she can call the person who gave it to her to thank them!)
Me: Well the way we call God is to pray to him like we do at night so you can thank him when we do prayers.
K: Mom don't be silly. Just pick up the phone and call him!
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Ben (my hubby): talking to kendall about something outside....
Kendall: Did you know that Jesus made the whole wide world?!
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Kendall: Mama
Me: Yes, baby
K: Can we have baby Jesus over for a play date?
Me: Uhhhh....sweetheart Jesus isn't a baby anymore. He is in heaven.
K: But I think that he will have fun here....PPPPPlllllleeeaaasssseee!
Me: We will see.
K: Oh thank-you mommy. We can invite all of my friends too because they love baby Jesus too!
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Oh she cracks me up and makes me love the sweet little girl that she is becoming!