Ballantyne Books

I apologize for being so terrible at updating this blog lately. I keep trying to remember to take pictures of the kids so I can have something to put on here, but it somehow keeps slipping my mind. I'm also trying to find time to update my profile pic by getting a decent family photo of us since Mercy's arrival - wow she's already nine months old (blink, blink)!

Anyway, the purpose of this post is to let any readers out there that are left :) of a great giveaway:

Life in a Shoe is hosting a giveaway of Vision Forum's exciting new adventure series, Ballantyne Books.

The sleeping house

Okay, I know she's not actually sleeping but she is wearing her nightgown, and she just looked so cute!

Luuuke who's One!!

Win a new header!

Did I mention I love contests? Being a competetive person by nature, I like to win just about anything, but I'd really like this new prize. Everyday mommy is offering a new blog design. But if you don't want to enter that's fine by me. More chances for me to win ;)

On pizza and cuteness...

We got pizza this week from Pizza Patron as a little treat and we made up a little jingle that went, cleverly, "Pizza, Pizza Patron! Ahh, aahh, ahhh." Molly must have really liked it because she's gone around the house singing it to herself the last couple of days. Mercy has also started babbling and saying, "mama, dada" and now funnily enough, "'ahhh, ahhh, ahhh" just like in our jingle :)

Commuting

To all my Bay area friends, I offer my utmost sympathy. I feel your pain.

Yep, they're mine alright

The kids took a tub of chocolate icing and four spoons out to the back yard today. When caught, they explained, "It's okay , Mom. We're pretending we're feasting in heaven with God." Chocolate as a feast?! I'd say my genes are definitely dominant :)

The Gunn Clan

Here we are in Texas this past January! I've been wanting to get a group photo for a while now, but it's not very easy to get everybody in the same place at the same time. How cool is this?! :)

Did you know..

that Nancy Wilson has a blog now? It's about time. :)

Birthday boy

This last weekend was Knox's fourth birthday. The camera ate the pictures. That could've been my fault. He got lots of toys from Grandparents all of which he promptly shared with his brothers and sisters - I take no credit here or I'll have to also take credit for the boy/girl who tried to get the grandparents to buy presents for Knox that he/she wanted. He also got a birthday card that sang "Happy Birthday" with a British accent when you opened it up. You should have seen the look on his face - it was like he'd just won the lottery. Then he played with that card for the rest of the day, even taking it to bed with him. I couldn't say enough wonderful things about this kid. He always has a very sweet and jovial take on things. Like laughing after falling down and scraping his knee, or asking for kisses and hugs instead of just plain begging and whining when he's trying to get out of going to bed. I admit I'm a sucker for that last one :) I thought you might like to hear a couple of quotes from the little guy.

In church last week, referring to the big stain glass window at the front: "Mom I can see God from here."

Said everyday since Mercy was born, and with the same level of excitement every time: "Mom, can I hold Mercy? Look she's smiling out me! Look Mercy likes me!"

Said to the Rescue Hero in the bathtub: "Here you can stand on these bubbles like they're the ground. Oh, no it's quicksand! AAAGGGHHHHH!"

Pics

Keep in mind these pics were taken less than 24 hours apart!Molly loves driving ;)

Knox is always so much fun.
Mercy pulling up. You can get a nice view of some of her rolls.
Noah riding his bike. The boys were enjoying the lovely warm spring day.

Mercy showing off her new tricks. I was hoping you could see her blue eyes. Maybe if you squint.


Gracie's second tooth gone. Noah was playing with the camera and took this one o f me. Gracie drinking hot chocolate and marshmallows.
And now this is why we will have no Easter pics in the bluebonnets :)
Our first sad little snowman attempt. We quit early because we couldn't feel our fingers.
Now that's a decent snowman! Don't worry, Mercy was only out there hatless for a few seconds while we took this pic.

It's snowing!

That's right, it's snowing in Texas in April! I took pics but they look like our yard with blurry things flying around. I'll try and post some soon though. Right now we're watching Pooh's Heffalump movie for the second time and drinking hot chocolate while snuggling up :) Must go, many such pressing things to do with the most important people in the world. Bye!

Happenin's

Lots has been going on the last couple of months but I've had very little computer access so I haven't posted much. First Colin's had a young gentlemen apprenticing with him for Monstrous Regiment. He's using my computer so I've had to depend on the laptop whose battery died a sad, slow death right about the time he got here. I got this new one in the mail yesterday - can you say, "EXCITED!" I've been sitting here way too much today which I've managed to excuse because I was sitting with Knox who's sick. It's been a crazy two months including brand new floors being installed in the kitchen and den and a stomach virus that managed to take out all the adults at one time - not pretty.

The kids have been great. Gracie started taking piano lessons and has been filling the home with music while she practices on our new(to us) red piano! She's lost her second tooth now. Actually she literally lost it because as soon as it came out, it fell down the drain. Oh, well! Good thing we don't do the tooth fairy. Noah's learned how to ride his bike all on his own! Knox will be turning four next week. Noah's already said he wants all his presents :) I still haven't planned anything yet. Molly's decided she's a big girl in just about every way except going to the potty. She likes to tell people off by talking real loud and pointing at the palm of her hand with her other pointer finger. I'm not sure where she learned that. Mercy learned to crawl and pull up these last two weeks. I tell ya, when that girl makes her mind up, there's no stopping her. She's beautiful with blue eyes and possibly a little red to her hair. She's wonderful, sweet, fun, loves raspberries, her daddy, and NOT being tackled by her big brothers and sisters. I'm so glad God gave her to us. Pictures coming soon, and since Easter's this weekend, I'm hoping they'll be in bluebonnets.

Got video?

We're in search of a video of a 4D ultrasound to use in our Monstrous Regiment movie. Please email us or leave a comment on the movie webpage if you're willing to share your video. Thanks!

This was beautiful...

Go watch this video. This comment sums it up..."I stand in awe of parents who love and let go and continue to trust God."

Free Dyson Vacuum Giveaway!

I've been through almost as many vacuums in my marriage as I've had children. So, this last fall, hubby and I bit the bullet and bought a Dyson. It was expensive and so the tightwads that we are fought our way through it. But, I have no regrets so far. I love that it sucks up just about every ounce of dust in our house, and how you can empty the bin with one hand! Now here's your chance to get one too, but for free!

Works for me Wednesday

Okay, this isn't really a handy cooking or organization tip but it does help for a mama's sanity. I keep an open bag of dark chocolate chips in the freezer at all times in case of an emergency mommy moment... like when husband is out of town and you're potty-training a stubborn two year old and have used up all thirteen pairs of princess underwear in one day- hypothetically of course.

"Babies are like chocolate chips...So sweet and there can never be enough of them." ;)

BIG and small...

As we remember God's love today, let us be thankful for more ways He is faithful and loving even when we don't deserve it.

First, and more importantly for my friend Karen that the radiation has removed almost all signs of cancer -- PRAISE THE LORD!!! Five months ago, things looked very grim indeed for Karen and her family but God is restoring her to health and we thank Him mightily for this.

Secondly, I got a stomach bug a couple of weeks ago and I think it is safe to say - eighteen days later, that I was the only one in the family to get it - yes this is a miracle too although decidely smaller than the previous one. I hesitate to put something so seemingly minor with such a large blessing, but I think it's important to mention because it shows that God cares not only for the big concerns of ours, but also for the little ones. And anyone who has lots of small children will know how amazing this really is!

Let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;
Let those also who love Your name
Be joyful in You. Psalm 5:11

Valentine's

Today is the day we focus on that thing called love. It's amazing the lack of attention that we devote to the author of Love today. Too many chocolates and candy hearts giving us brain fog I guess. Don't worry, I'm thinking mainly of my own failings on this, not yours. As we eat our homemade heart cookies with pink sprinkles or open our box of chocolates may we remember that they are a gift from our God who loves us dearly and loves to give us good things. He is the one, not our husbands, children, or friends, who really gives us these presents of love today and everyday. He is also faithful and will continue to bless even when we forget to remember Him in it all. Thank Him today for the loved ones you hold dear, for the chocolate that tastes so yummy and puts a smile in your heart and on your face, and most importantly for Christ who died for us. One day we will be with Him in heaven and will rejoice in that we finally truly, truly know LOVE

Marriage

Gavin Newsome apologizes for his affair with his campagin manager's wife?! I think that this is just sick. I cannot believe that this is the man who tried to put himself in charge of our nation's marriage morals while he is stealing another man's wife and taking her for his own. This poor man was working for his wife's adulterer and has now had to resign as a result. Losing wife and job to Mayor Morality!

Today I was out driving with all the kids. I pulled out of a parking lot and was trying to get into the middle turn lane. I had plenty of time except for the fact that some punk in a Mustang decided he wanted to be ahead of me at the red light and sped up at me. I had to quickly move out of the lane so that he wouldn't hit me. Nay, so that he wouldn't hit the van full of children I was driving! I pulled around him to the other side, rolled down my window, and said, "That was completely unnecessary!" To which he answers, "Okay!" in a very sarcastic way while he pushes the buttons on his flip phone. Who is this selfish brat?! And why did his parents raise him to be so spoiled?! Did they think they did a good job because they provided him with things while letting his personality become so vile?! He had a really trendy surfer hair cut that apparently the girls his age just love, and he's out talking on his cell phone while he drives his very fast sports car in reckless abandon for any concern about the others on the road. Hey, at least he's got his priorities straight, right?

I ask myself, are these two pitiful men what the world is offering up today as examples of manliness? How sad! I hope and I pray fervently that my boys will not be like this. I am so thankful that I have such a wonderful husband and father to be an example for my children. He doesn't sit around all day watching sports, nor chase after women, nor drive a flashy car to show off his manhood. But he is a hard worker, selfless, disciplined, faithful, and more to the point today, CAREFUL on the road! I thank God for him especially as it seems he was the last good one left!!