Yuck!

I have been a long time lurker over at http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/..y ...but I will join the rank of commenter's tomorrow as I will post about "What's in your car" messy car blog carnival. I had just cleaned out my van yesterday when I read shannon's post and I knew I just had to post. I threw away a trash bag full of trash (the usual stuff...gum wrappers, McDonald's wrappers, Kleenex, etc.) then I filled a laundry basket with the rest of the junk and carried it in to distribute to it's rightful place. Here is the list: baby blanket, princess backpack, part of hubby's motorcycle saddle bag, rain suit from said motorcycle saddle bag, 3 plastic plates, comb and detangling spray, 4 sippy cups, photo album, baby doll diaper bag, 2 hot wheels, buzz light year, old cell phone, 2 pair of pants and a shirt for 2 year old boy, socks (dirty), hat, 2 dead batteries, 5 books, tennis shoes, several pony tail holders, toy iron, water bottle, staple gun and of course enough old french fries and other crumbs off the floor that should my family be stranded in our van we could be sustained for quite some time. I can't wait to see how I measure up to everyone else's yuck factor. I remember b.c. (before children) when my car was always neat and tidy. Oh, the joy's of parenthood!

my favorite time of day

It's 6 a.m., I am the only one awake, trying to catch up on some laundry, and anxiously awaiting my favorite time of day...when my kids wake up, and I get some quiet snuggle time with them 1 on 1. I am NOT a morning person but nothing makes me happier than a good morning snuggle!

Mr. Big Stuff

J2 sporting a new do! Good bye curls...sniff sniff. He looks so grown up.

Just because-

I don't like it when there are more word's than pictures on here :) and as I was scrolling down all I was seeing was words so here are a few pix I haven't shared yet to make up for it!

J7 bowling on his birthday

J7 and nosey sister opening birthday presents
My little crazy-wigged/she-devil
My beautiful blue-eyed boy

WE LOVE APPLEBEE'S!

We have always been big Applebee's fans but even more so since they are big Alex's Lemonade Stand supporters! They are actually what sprung us into action last year to start our Alex's Lemonade Stand. We were eating at Applebee's last June and saw the kids menus had Alex's Lemonade Stand on them and then it hit me....That is what we can do!! We had been feeling like the Lord was laying it on our hearts to do something in the fight against childhood cancer but just didn't know what. I knew a little about Alex's Lemonade Stand from reading about it in the oncology clinic but just hadn't thought much about it since then. When you are there and going through the fight you don't have much time or energy to devote to much else. But now we do! Another big + for Apple Bee's in my book was when we asked if they might donate some of their cups for our Alex's Lemonade Stand and they sent us a ton! Probably enough to get us through this year's stand also! I just got this email from ALSF telling about Apple Bee's Million Dollar Mission and thought I would pass it along! If you get the chance, visit your neighborhood Apple Bee's and see how they are supporting Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation!!

P.S.

Also - Liz and Jay Scott (Alex's parents/head of the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation) will be on the CBS Early Show tomorow Thursday May, 15 to share their message and recruit volunteers for Lemonade Day's - June 5 & 6. You can tune in if you want. Our family will be working at the St. Joe Hy-Vee Alex's Lemonade Stand that weekend. There will be Alex's Lemonade Stands at every K.C. Metro area Hy-Vee store, St. Joe, Lawrence and Topeka. Just FYI!

Applebee’s is on a Million Dollar Mission to Raise Funds and Awareness!
Participating Applebee’s across the country are coming together to raise awareness and funds for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. Over the past few years, participating Applebee’s have raised over $800,000 and this year they are determined to surpass the million dollar mark by making their fundraising efforts even bigger and better!
In an effort to raise awareness for Alex’s cause, all Applebee’s Restaurant from coast to coast, in partnership with Tropicana, are once again featuring an “Alex” themed kids activity book. The Applebee’s “Find the Fun: Alex’s Favorite Things” kids activity book and menu will share Alex’s story with millions of young visitors to Applebee’s from now until supplies run out.
In addition, participating restaurants in Pennsylvania, new Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois will be raising funds in a variety of exciting ways – including asking customers for donations, donating 25 cents from each lemonade sold in the restaurants, and a golf outing.
In an effort to encourage customers to donate and thank them for their generosity, some of the Applebees’ locations are offering $5 off future orders, entry in a drawing for Applebee’s for A Year, and are even giving away a new Volvo C30!
Visit an Applebee’s near you to see how they are supporting Alex’s Lemonade Stand and Applebee’s mission to raise a million for to help find a cure for all children with cancer.

FPU Alumi

Well... we did it! We graduated from Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. Last Tuesday night was our final class and we received a diploma for finishing the course. What did we learn??? ALOT!! I am excited for us to be able to apply what we have learned and see our money working for us. I know it will be a struggle to keep up this pace of saving and paying down debt but all five of us are working hard as a team to be better stewards of what the Lord has given us and I know we can do it! We have discussed with the kids our plans for saving money, selling what we don't need and doing without some things now so we can "live like no one else later". Saturday as we were moving some furniture around (just for a change...cause I like a change every once in a while) and I am trying to figure out where to put a certain chair, J7 says "mom, we really could just sell that chair couldn't we?" Watch out Dave Ramsey...there is a new financial advisor in my life!

Happy Mothers Day!

A Mother's Day Poem From J7

Mom
Over prteetid (which he tells me is overprotective)
The best mom
Happy motherday
Every bady loves you
Really cool mom

What more could a girl ask for? My heart is full!

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Psalm 127:3