Friday Favorites: Pictures in my phone

Here are some of my favorite pictures that I have from all summer stored in my phone...

She loves cats...well lap cats.

We have enjoyed getting to hangout with these guys all summer!

Summer nights are for star gazing.

At the Alamo this summer...kids first time.

At the salon getting a family makeover....

...he is too cool!

An afternoon where he made his toy a superhero costume!

My husband leading a game at BIGS...man of many talents.

Why not? Making fish faces.

I loved my manicure that I had to take a picture.

Being with daddy.

All summer he practiced writing his name...he is self taught!

Simple Life

As I am at my desk I am pondering how we are going into our third week of school.  In the past two weeks I have really had to acknowledge that I can accomplish more with less on my plate.  For years my husband and I  lived to the fullest in the sense of how much can we spin. However in the last four years since moving to Austin we have realized that being able to enjoy life is simple.  I could go into the detail of what  mean but for the purpose of what is on my heart this morning I won't.

I have packed healthy lunches everyday the past two weeks for both kids.  I attribute that to having the time the night before in packing and getting things ready for the next day.  We have spent more time outside in the evenings before bed, we have read more, and I have been cooking.  If I am busy with being too involved elsewhere I find that I am not involved to the fullest at home.  For me honestly I struggle with my independent side wanting to peak out but I have to remind myself that I am mom and the season that my kids are in will pass so quickly.  I do not want to look back and find myself saying, "I should have spent more time at home".  I have had to scale back in things that my heart wants to do and focus only a couple of things so that I can remain strong and present for my family.

But you know what? I have found myself present for myself too. When you give your life away you find it, says the Bible.  As I 'give' to my family and to the areas that I have honed in on I have found myself again.  I am also better at supporting my husband as he is making a difference in our community and church.  During our engagement we realized that what he does is like as if I am doing it and what I do it is as if he is doing it....were one.  So I do not feel left out but included in his influence so I am then bringing him strength as well.

Between my school work, kids school and us getting to a more simple life I took time to reflect.  This idea of a slow pace, simple life is great! Take some time today to really simplify an area....you might be surprised.

Picture Talk....Wordless Wednesday

I know, I know, I know you probably have seen this thousands of times already but I identify to it in many ways....enjoy once again.

Picture Talk...Wordless Wednesday

When I saw this on Facebook I quickly had many thoughts. However I think it speaks for itself without my opinions. 

Testimony

My husband and I were faced with a possible decision to make yesterday.  It wasn't a life changing kinda of decision but as we talked it out it became a matter of our testimony.  Our testimony to our kids and people around us.  I am using the word testimony but I know that many people get lost in thinking it refers to a religious meaning.   I could say it would affect our reputation or how people percieve us. I like the meaning though, that we do declare, advertise our faith.

Testimony:  evidence in support of a fact or statement; proof.open declaration (advertisement of belief or acknowledgment) or profession, as of faith.

We could have made our decsion on one hand with the right to.  After letting some of the emotions settle, I realized that even though we have the right it, would not give a declaration, an advertisement, a testimony to who we are.  We tell our kids that we love all people, that we are friends to everyone and that we should respect everyone.  Our actions do influence our kids and if we do not take decisions that reflect our belief then we are giving a false testimony.  Sure the kids might not ever know that we considered making this decision but the adults around us would. By all means it would have been understood and even expected for us to do so. However there is a bigger picture with a bigger purpose in front of us.

What an opportunity to show that we believe, that we trust and stand confident in the bigger picture.  Granted if needed we will speak up but as we saw last night we have not been given a reason to.  Quite opposite we have been given the ability to show a good testimony of giving other people around us a chance!

What a lesson for the kids to learn...yet I am the one that is learning!

Math Journey

Back in high school I was not afraid of math! I enjoyed algebra and was pretty good at it. I also enjoyed geometry and did very well but I have to say that I had a fantastic teacher. I am currently working on finishing my degree and must take a math course.

Up until now there really has not been a class that scares me.  During the first week of each semester I do get nervous and have to convince myself that I am doing the right thing. The feeling that I am getting my belly is not the same.  But why I am scared of math, something that I felt so comfortable with? I do not know....

I must and will face math in the eye and do my best.  Maybe I am feeling that my best is not the same from when I was a teenager. Maybe I have put this 'I love math' attitude on myself that know I have to admit that I do not.  Maybe I am just being silly.

I can do this! I can do this! I can do this! I can do anything in Christ! I have accomplished much that was purely reliant on the strength of God.  So yes, if I can do then with Christ, then I can do math!  Sometimes a little pep talk for oneself is all we need.



Now I must log in into blackboard and start this 16 week journey......

Friday Favorites: Gearing up for school lunches!

I sent these Facebook messages to my friend sharing my lunch plan for the kids this year.  I love, love, love the Silicone Ice Pop Makers....we have had several smoothies since I got them last Friday. 

Quickly I knew I just had to share with you as they are already my favorite items for packing lunches!

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  4 minutes ago

  Annette Yanez

  • I think you will like the following links for school lunches that I am planning on doing this year. I am aiming to send Alex and Delisa with lunch 3 days a week if not more. 
    
    This was my inspiration...
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    School Lunch Roundup! - 100 Days of Real Food

    www.100daysofrealfood.com
    

    I’ve been sharing my kids’ school lunches on facebook quite frequently this year, and in an effort to put all those pictures in one easy-to-reference place they have all been reposted below. Also, I seem to get a lot of comments/questions/etc. when I share these on facebook so I’d like to start off ...
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  4 minutes ago

  Annette Yanez

  • Here is the link for the freezie pops for smoothies at Amazon
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    Norpro 431 4-Piece Silicone Ice Pop Maker Set

    www.amazon.com
    

    Create your own pop treats. Easy to push up with this cleaver design. Lid holds in ingredients before they freeze and keeps pops secure in ice chest for picnics and BBQ's. Fill seal freeze and enjoy. Create treats using juices, purees, yogurt, soda, ice cream, pudding, applesauce, gelatin, fruit,...
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  about a minute ago

  Annette Yanez

  • and I found these at our Buda HEB that are $10 (I thought I could find them at Amazon cheaper)
    
    They fit great in kids lunch box!
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    Rubbermaid 1806231 Lunch Blox - Sandwich Kit

    www.amazon.com
    

    The Rubbermaid 1806231 Lunch Blox - Sandwich Kit is part of the new Rubbermaid Lunch Blox Series which is designed to make taking lunch to school or work more convenient and organized. The Sandwich kit comes with a sandwich container that is designed to fit sandwiches made with either regular or ...
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