Friday Funny

(Catie Beth, Katie saw a photo on your Momma's blog of you, funny girl and decided to give her version a try...jewelry and glasses are super fun!)

Owen really wanted to go outside and not wait for Katie's photos...

but then after I set snack on the table-I went back to get the waters etc and then came back to this. Funny...but will not happen again!

Tea Time

Friendship. Thankful for Robin and Catie Beth's friendship!

What a treat....we both got babysitters for our younger ones and took the girls to the tea room. Sigh :)
Delicious. Great fun. Wonderful talking and giggling.
Thanks for the date Robin and Catie Beth-we think that was a super special time!

Scones and raspberry tea!

Look at those eyes!

Sweet friendship for the past 8 years-wouldn't trade it!

May you both be friends that Love Jesus and others all the days of your lives!

Journaling-Dear Ladies...

.....I am tired of seeing down ladies shirt...I am tired of seeing a ladies chest. I am tired of going to the pool with my kids and wondering if women will fall out of their swimsuit. I am tired of women intentionally or unintentionally clothing themselves with low cut shirts or exceedingly deep V necks or dresses that wouldn't even cover a baby doll. I know that I am guilty too.

I have the same hard problem. Deep down it is a heart issue. It is an issue about, who am I seeking to please or whose attention am I trying to obtain. It is an idol issue. I have turned a good thing into a god thing. I sometimes fight against trying to turn someones head with an outfit instead of simply taking care of my body, doing it well and having fun. I want to be fit for Jesus's calling on my life. I want to be clean and well taken care of so that people will know I serve a God who values people and order and creativity. But those things can easily turn into idols. My shirts can be to low or improperly fitting...Justin tells me when that is the case. It is tiring to continuously be pulling up my jeans or holding my hand over my shirt so it doesn't bare all when I lean down. Not to mention it is distracting to the minds of men/women alike when we are immodest. To both Christians and non...to the business man, the stay at home mom or the single friend. Images can set off dangerous thoughts that ought not to be. So I must work on it...daily if needed. I want to honor my husband, my kids and my Jesus.

I have the same struggles with going to stores and looking for a shirt that fits my body and my budget. It is difficult for everyone. Lots of things that are advertised are super cute, but not appropriate on. I don't want to judge or condemn those who wear clothes that are a bit to low or to tight. I believe our culture has told us that it is wonderful to show it all off-it's your right, it's your body. But instead of empowering folks we have become a used people.

But what will I tell Katie when she wants something that isn't very modest? I will tell her that I want people to see her face, first. Her deep blue eyes, her beautiful smile-to interact with her person. I don't want men/women alike to be drawn to her body first. It is truly an act of art to see a woman that is well dressed (and humble). She can be wearing expensive clothes or not, but to see someone that is dressed in clothes that drawl attention to her face is an art.

Therefore ladies...seek to wear good clothes. When we see ladies/friends that have fitting clothes that are becoming lets shop there! I would rather have friends that have three wonderful outfits that fit then a wardrobe of clothes that they are constantly pulling up to cover their chest or down to cover their bum. Take the time to find out what fits on your body. Ask a good honest friend or your husband if it is appropriate-(humble ourselves). Save money to buy a good fitting bathing suit that you can wear while leaning over to help the kids or surfing at the beach. Don't settle for the latest trends because we are getting older and we are having a difficult time with our age. BUY WHAT FITS and pray people will see our beautiful eyes smiling back at them desiring to tell them about the Jesus that loves them. Lets not seek after our own pleasures that are empty and never lead to joy.

Katie, someday we will have this discussion...I am sure sooner then later. And my promise to you is that I will help you shop-we can ask your friends as well. And we will save to spend the money to get you fun clothes that fit and that allow people to be drawn to your face. You are beautiful and what counts the most is the condition of your heart. And as we pray for you to seek Jesus we pray He will shine through your smile.

Owen, you too. We want you to have clothes that turn folks towards your face. That people will want to be around you because you care about what the Lord has given to you. We want you to take care of your body, but not to make it your God. We also pray for your heart...that it will be pure in its seeking of the King, and that people will ask about your joy from the inside out.

*PS this post is about no one in particular. It really is a reminder to me that clothes takes work, they do matter and to have grace with others--it is a heart issue.

Journaling-10 minutes

this is me....in the last 10 minutes...

I started making wet wipes*I checked on Owen and Katie*I folded the dry clothes and started the washer*I went back to check on the wipes and start to pull them apart*I talked with Katie and Owen about the calculator*I answered the phone*I found the rest of the clothes that needed to be put in the washer and closed the lid*I called my mom to tell her a funny Katie story*I sat and watched Owen try to use the potty*I looked up the recipe for Cuban black beans*I pulled a few more wipes*I rinsed the black beans and put them back on the stove*I texted a friend a Bible Verse to look up*I talked with Owen about playing together in K's room*I came back and put the seasonings in the black beans*I emailed someone that I was supposed to email yesterday*I turned the black beans on to cook*I finally cleaned up the blender from making smoothies an hour ago*I checked on K and O playing and saw that K's room was a disaster*I finally pulled all the wet wipes apart that I was making...

I think I can honestly say that I have a focus problem of starting ONE thing and following through-oh the day of this Momma! :)

Sleep

Thankful, Thankful, Thankful for the past few nights of sleep at the Hime home. We have prayed and strived since day one to get our kids on good sleeping schedules and it just hasn't panned out. (We both feel it is because of our hard nursing bouts during the first year) But for the past few nights Owen and Katie have slept straight from 7:30-7:30ish.

That. is. a. miracle!

Justin and I are SO thankful for the restful nights.

And the one thought I want to remember about getting our kids to this point is consistency. We have been extremely consistent the past 2 weeks. Putting O down at 7:15 pm and putting him down at 1:00pm for naps every. single. day. No messing around... And Katie is getting a 30 minute nap at 1:30 (if she falls asleep), but quiet time for 45 minutes. Then she reads books at 7:15pm when O goes down and we finish with reading one book and the Bible together and out of her room by 8pm-if she doesn't fall asleep while we are reading :). Finally, we take her potty at 9:30-10 when we go to bed and then she is allowed to wake up anytime after her clock turns green at 7:10am. Whew...I know that at some point we can be a little flexible again...but uninterrupted sleep at night is worth the strict schedule! We've tried this many times, but are hopeful that with our kids current ages it will stick. I read in our Healthy Child Healthy Sleep habits book that the most important thing at our kids ages-especially Katie's-is a very consistent bedtime-whatever it takes, even dropping a nap. Yay, thankful for his advice once again.

And after 8 days of this very routine, Katie read her Bible with me during her quiet time and then told me she was tired....she then went in and put herself down on her bed. She moved the pillows, put down a blanket to lay on top of her comforter and grabbed Bunny to snuggle with. It was a precious sight to behold!

Katie thinks...

that the great horned owl looks rude....

I think she truly believes that animals are like humans-all animals in our stories talk and are her friends. :)

And the little blue heron gives her the heebeegeebees...

Oh and then I told Katie once again to 'focus'. I added at the end that her lack of focus was just like me since I can't multitask very well. She looked at me incredulously and said, "You can't focus either?" eyes wide open. "Hehe, you are just like me, Momma!" and she walked away. I looked at Justin and just about lost it...so precious are you Katie Grace. :)

Rain Rain DON'T go away!

It rained! And since it was not thundering/lightening we sent the kids outside to play. They LOVED it! It was wonderful warm summer rain and we needed it. Thank you Jesus!

I am so glad that we decided to let them play-such simple joy to give. :)

I. Am. Having. Fun!

look at those ribs...just splashing around, singing a song... :)

I LOVE THIS PHOTO. What a ham!

Sweet fun

Introducing Paxton Augustus Herrs

My sister and Dustin are the proud parents of a little boy!

Paxton was born on July 27th at 10:13 am.

He was 7lb 6oz and 21inches long.

They have a handsome little boy and both parents and baby are adjusting to life with a little one.

We LOVE you guys and can't wait to see you soon!

Love, Uncle Justin, Aunt Gi, Cousin Katie and Owen

Cars

We've raced cars a few times, early in the morning while it is still bearable outside.
Thankful for kiddos to play with and enjoy sunny summer days!

"you know?"

Katie says, "you know?" every other sentence....you know?

:)

monster cookies

These are my all time favorite cookies. They bake well, freeze well, and make great dough to eat out of the glass bowl. They make a lot and are always a hit with friends and family alike.
Give them a try if you're in the mood for something delicious.
taken from Healthy Recipes from the heart of our home-Phyllis Stanley and Shirley Heinmets

Monster Cookies

3 large eggs
1 cup maple syrup-the real stuff!
1 cup brown sugar-optional (I think it is plenty sweet with just the syrup.)
1 tsp molasses
1 stick butter, softened
4 1/2 cups rolled oats
2 tsp baking soda
2 cups chopped nuts-optional
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups peanut butter-chunky or smooth
2 cups flour-I used spelt
2 cups mini chocolate chips-optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Mixed until well moistened.
Drop by 1/4 cup or size desired onto parchment-lined cookie sheets (or lightly spray with oil)
*Flatten very little
Bake for 12-14 minutes until lightly golden brown.
Place on cooling rack.
Enjoy!
--You can freeze this dough.
--Crumble it on top of homemade ice cream.
--NOTE-This recipe makes a lot of dough.

New friends

Our new neighborhood friends! Hi Riley and Neely! We can't wait to play with you guys more.

Yes, Owen was taken with Neely and her sippy cup...what a helper and super watcher to make sure she stayed right by me. :)