Procedure Checklist

While I am convinced this is not for everyone, a very intriguing concept this procedure checklist. I am seriously considering trying this for a week or so to see if it will help streamline life around here - goodness knows I can use any tool/help I can get to create order in our days and in our home. I think in my own type A style (sounds so much better than OCD or anal retentive) I would like a list for my daily stuff but also for the different aspects of cleaning (ie a bathroom cleaning list, a dusting list, etc).

If there is success here I will be sure and let you know in the event you may want to try it too.

two fun pictures from this month

Anna Grace and Dean enjoying the VeggieTales show.


Caleb pitching a fit...he stopped, started laughing and
ran to the camera to see himself as soon as Neal clicked the picture.

A Great Talk

This fall I am reading Feminine Appeal with my bible study group. Thus far it has been wonderful and timely. Our leader gave probably the best talk I have ever heard - if not ever heard certainly the best I have heard recently - on being a wife. I figure since it has been 3 weeks now and I am still thinking about it it is certainly worth sharing. Belinda did an excellent job reminding us of our appropriate order of priorities especially in this phase of life.

Click here if you would like to listen. Scroll to the bottom of the page to the "Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife & Mother" section then select "Sept 23." Hopefully it will work for you; as I said I thought it was wonderful.

If you ever forget to "stock" your diaper bag...

your child might end up coming home looking like this.


Not exactly the way I left him in the nursery this morning but I am glad they were able to find something in their stash to cover him (apparently he felt the need to involve someone's cup in his routine diaper change). Still a cutie, yes, but I did not know who this bright child was they where handing me when I walked up.

wow, what a day!

Today was a big day for our family. Now that all three are snuggled in their beds and down for the night let me recap.

It began with a "family" trip (sans Caleb, we figured he was not that interested in what all was really going on around here outside of the next meal and determining to destroy the house) to the doctor's office for the ultra-sound. Anna Grace has been very consistent to remind us all that she would like a baby sister and Dean declared last night during prayer time that he would like a baby brother...There was lots at stake. After what seemed like forever the nurse showed/told all four of us that we are indeed having a...boy. I was watching Anna Grace's face to see her response regardless. I thought she was going to burst into tears. She finally said, "I wanted a little sister." After a few minutes of shock and a special reminder that now she would always be our favorite girl she seemed to move on. By the time she called my mom to give her the news she was excited. I think the whole family - extended family included, with maybe Dean as the exception, wanted this child to be a girl mainly for Anna Grace but it is amazing how quickly God has changed her mind on the subject and she has embraced being the only girl around here and having 3 little brothers. As for me, well all I can say is, "Wow!" I told my mom today on the phone that my gears have switched and it sees a future of fighting with each other, wrestling for play that turns into fighting, and fighting over girls and sports in our future...3 boys with just under 4 years between the oldest and youngest! I decided about a month ago that this baby's hymn was I Need Thee Every Hour I am now wondering if this song is not so much for boy #3 as it is for me. I guess newest, Little Man, (we have not even considered names yet) I'm taking that song back and we will find you a new song.

After running our errands we return home to find the For Sale sign in the yard and the lock box on the door. Our sweet realtor came while we were gone this morning and put her sign in the yard. It was a little sad and a little exciting all at the same time.

So again I say, "Wow! Boy #3 on the way and house for sale!" We are blessed; can't wait to see what God has in store next.