Who gets the credit?

So I've been having strong cravings for chocolate, not just any chocolate, brownies. Yum!! I'm so out of control I decided to do a little research about chocolate, dismayed to find out that whomever invented brownies is officially unknown, but there are many educated guesses and it was certain in the early 1900's, I'm so glad i didn't miss out, think of all those before this time. This may be one of those things i'll have to find out in heaven so I can be sure to thank whatever saint it was, surely such a wise one will be worshiping our Father in eternity. What bad theology I just spoke. Anyway... what I did learn is the cacao plant was first discovered by the Olmec Indians 1500 BC. Then to the Aztec and Maya cultures who discovered the value of the cacao plant, did they ever. Columbus brought it back (the bean of course) for gifts in the 1400's but no one was thankful, boy did they miss out. It wasn't until 2 decades after that, that the Spanish found value in it, so much so that they secretly had monks growing and harvesting it and selling it to the wealthy (mostly for drinks), so no one else could get there hands on it, they made a killing for about a century. In 1600 a nun started making it for eating, good thought sister. And in the 1700's it made it's way to America, praise God for that! Obviously the good secret got out a little bit at a time, and it spread thought out the world resulting in vast yumminess, but what a fun little history lesson for me this afternoon. Guess I'll go finish that last brownie from the batch I made yesterday. Bon appetite!

BIG MOMMA!

I rarely make it on our camera, but this month has been full of opportunity! I love seeing growing prego friends, so I'm returning the favor. Feast your eyes on this!! :)

A fun-filled weekend!

We had the pleasure to have company in our home this weekend. Both groups of visitors were from NC.

First up is Debbie, her mom and brother. They've become very close to us, our relationship started with Debbie being our go-to babysitter in NC. Later when Mike deployed and I had Hosea her mother started cleaning for us, they have provided a whole variety of services to us in the last 4 years, and we have developed a lovely relationship in the process. Debbie had the honor of graduating from the Abeka home-school program this weekend which is based in Pensacola, so naturally they stayed with us for the weekend, and we all got to celebrate her accomplishments!



The kids loved getting to see them! Here is Shiloh "doing make-up with Debbie".



Then a short but sweet visit from the Gillespies. They were so kind to stop by for a couple of hours as they were passing through on vacation. It was a real treat to enjoy their company and glean wisdom from them in our time together. This is Bubba and Bubba, they both have had the pleasure of carrying the nickname. Two peas in a pod!

School's in Session!

Both Shiloh and I couldn't be more excited to get started with home-schooling. After reading "The well trained mind" and deciding on a phonics program (Teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons), we were ready to get under-way. I know you're probably thinking, it's the middle of "summer break", well........ that is the beauty of home-schooling. The time was right for us. I know that we will have many ups and downs, and this is an endurance race, not a sprint, like many good things in life, but I am excited to kick-it-off and see what the Lord has for us in this. She did beautifully on lesson one, I'm so proud of her, with interruptions and all. We got done and she said "what are we going to do next?"



and............................. since her lessons only require about 20 min. a day there is still plenty of summer fun to be had!!!!

30 Weeks!!

Well I had a check up today. #3's heart stays near 150 so far. 30 weeks and 5 days. Depending upon which due date we decided to go with, my Dr. can't decided to stick with my original date July 20th, the date his wheel says July 18th or the ultra-sound measurements, July 25th. I told him that I trust is will come out eventually, they can't stay in there forever. I also informed my Dr. upon his entering my room and asking how I was that "I'm as healthy as an ox." He laughed of course. But as he was looking through my chart at my vital signs for today, and the labs they drew.... including the 1 hr. glucose test, he said things like " Your BP is looking great, your not swelling, I've never seen a glucose test that low (a good thing), you measure normal" And I just said, I told you I'm as healthy as an ox, he laughed again. Then I confessed, I know i've already gained "too much weight", but what can i do at this point? He didn't seem concerned. This is an age old pregnancy problem for me, i can't say my diet or activity change much, but my body loves to pack on the lbs. "THEY" recommend 30 lbs for the whole pregnancy. I'm already there with 10 weeks to go. I usually end up about 50lbs positive by the end of the game, not to sure why? God in His kindness usually allows me to return back to my "normal size" whatever that may be. Which basically means I get to wear my old cloths eventually. I went to get my brows waxed today and the lady said, "so your expecting" , I said "yes, it will be my 3rd", she replied with "why did you do that?" I commented back "b/c children are a blessing", since then I've found myself wanting to yell it out and proclaim it to the world, "CHILDREN ARE A BLESSING FROM THE LORD!" Just in case someone else has forgotten or maybe never knew.

If a picture paints 1000 words......

Then I wonder how many a video paints? A million at least? So I've decided to attach a video of the kids jumping, I think is shows how big they are getting and how they are developing physically.




If you watched the video and thought........ I wish I could see their faces, well here's one of them....



I'm not sure what we've been up to lately. Life I guess. The kids love playing outside, and I love being outside, so we spend a fair amount of time there despite the growing temperatures down here in FL. Mike has been working much more, he has started learning to fly the new aircraft that he will instruct (T-6), and they really like to pile up the required info. to know all at the beginning it seems, so he is doing a lot of studying, and doing a good job at it. Though it has been more difficult seeing less of him, and taking on most of the responsibility of training the children with minimal breaks, it has gone more smoothly than "hard times" in the past. I told Mike the other day, "it hasn't been bad b/c I know it could be worse". So I thank God for sustaining me and giving me all that I need to do the work he has called me to right now. We continue to make new friends and are getting re-acquainted with some old ones. So our social schedule has picked up as of late. And I decided to capitalize on the strawberry season this year, the kids and I have been picking 3 times, I'm guessing we've brought home nearly 40 lbs. of strawberries this month, many in the freezer for smoothie night, some for short-cake, jam, and fruit salad. I believe we took our final trip out Monday as many of the berries are starting to have spots which makes picking the good ones more work and take more time to harvest. Next month is blueberry season, I'm not sure how prego poe will tolerate that, but I'm going to give it a shot. :)

It's a poe-poe ka-pize!

My sweet girl hasn't mastered the art of saying the RRR sound. I love it!! I just relish their language at this age. I know I need to start correcting her and teaching her the proper way to say words, but 2 of my favorite mispronounced words that she says are; purple, pronounced- Poe poe, and surprised pronounced-ka-prize. The other day she brought me her bow box which is purple and looks much like a wrapped present b/c it has a bow fixed on top. And she says look mommy it's a poe poe ka-prize. I just love it!! It melts my heart and make me grin ear to ear. Sweet moments!