Jackson's First Day of School!

Saying bye to me and getting ready to walk of and hold his good friend from church Xander's hand. Happy tears, Jackson has come so far in the last year.

He has been waiting almost 4 years for this day, and was so excited. So thankful for his good friend from church, Xander, waiting for him, and showing him around. We are so blessed here!

Jackson will just be going to school two days a week. I really did not want to put him in a Pre-school unless he knew someone, so we are so blessed to have Xander in his class. I think this is going to be a big blessing for Jackson. He has so much energy and when we put him down to bed, he cannot get to sleep for another two to three hours which is crazy. He will have this and Upwards Soccer where daddy is his coach again, and Xander is on his team! I think these will be good outlets to release all of his energy

Things to work on before kindergarten (I will post math skills to work on in two weeks). This is for a Pre-Kindergarten Class (4 year olds). I think we have mastered almost all of the 3 year old goals so this is what we will be work on at home (take one skill and work on it all week long for 10-15 minutes a day..he already has mastered some skills such a putting puzzles together).

Cognitive Skills

• Can do a puzzle (8-12 pieces)
• Draw person with 6 recognizable body parts
• Draws and describes recognizable picture
• Knows street address
• Knows telephone number
• Knows birth date
• Recognize six basic shape (circle, square, triangle, oval, rectangle, diamond)
• Name 11 colors (red, orange, green, yellow, blue, black, brown, gray, pink, purple, white)
• Understands same / different concepts.
  

Tuesday's Tip: Working out at Home

I wrote on Facebook:

"Emily Wallace has just canceled our gym membership and will not be going to Body Step for the first time in three years because the classes are not offered when we can go now that Jackson is going to Pre-School and playing soccer again. What work out videos do you recommend at home (we have a great room out back for working out) besides P90X? Zumba? Insanity?"

Got back in response:

"Jillian Michael's Shred....20 minute workouts, but very good."

"Anything Jillian is GREAT! Do you have TimeWarner Digital cable - they have Exercise TV on Demand - It's free and the workouts change all the time!"

Very thankful for help people give on Facebook. I think I am going to try one of Jillian's workouts and Exercise TV on Demand.

I am planning to try to work out Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

We finally have gotten ourselves into a good schedule here but now things are going to change with Preschool and soccer starting. Throughout the summer we would go to the gym Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturday (mornings). Mondays we would stay in the house and I would wash-clothes all day and "recover" from Sunday. Wednesday morning we would go to Wal-Mart. I think our Monday/Wednesday schedule will stay the same, but, I am now going to try to work out while they take a nap on Mondays and Wednesdays. It is hard, though, without accountability!

Weight Watchers tip for the week: If you want something to eat really bad and are not hungry, wait 15 minutes, and if you still want it 15 minutes later then eat it. I have also been thinking is eating "goldfish" (or any snack food that my babies are eating) really worth not being able to reach my goal? Is this food worth my stomach still being large? The answer is usually "no!"

What workout would you recommend at home?

August 2010 Pictures

Faith

It has been a crazy couple of weeks and the Lord has been teaching me a lot about faith!

Last week, a good friend at church almost died after child birth. They could not get her to stop bleeding (her uterus would not stop bleeding),and she lost all her blood (doctor told Charlie he only sees this once every five years). We prayed so hard for her! God's power and glory were shown through her and after probably hundreds of people prayed for her she took a turn for the better. Charlie could not believe what a turn she took in just a few hours.

This week, Charlie's mom went for her mammogram and they discovered a small lump and the test came back and she has been diagnosed with Stage 1 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.

Charlie writes: "The doctor told my mom that if she was going to get cancer, this would be the type to get. If caught early enough, it can be easily defeated. She is scheduled to have surgery to remove it next Friday at noon in Columbia. Continue to pray that the cancer will not or has not spread. She'll also likely have to have a couple of rounds of radiation after the surgery. We are praying for God's complete healing. Thank you for your prayers - they have worked and they mean a lot."

Both Charlie and his mom are very positive and know that God is in control and is going to work this out for her good and His glory.

Faith is a gift from God, so no man can boast. I often forget this. I think I have to do it all on my own, which is against God's plan for my life. He wants us to die to ourselves and depend on Him, and many hard situations cause us to do just that.

I am asking God to give me faith. Faith to believe that He is going to work all situations out for the best interest of that person. It might not be easy, but it is for our holiness, and for us to depend completely on Him. I am daily asking God for faith in all areas of my life.

Two areas I am always working on are glorifying God with my speech and with my eating. These two areas are hard because we have to speak and we have to eat. One reason I am not able to overcome overeating is because I do not pray to the Holy Spirit for supernatural help, and I do not have faith that God can really help me overcome this silly little thing: overeating.

I found a great website on overcoming sin: http://www.christian-faith.com/forjesus/how-to-overcome-sin

"Unbelief also, is the root of much sin. If we really believed in God's goodness, wisdom and love, what motive would remain for not doing things God's way? These attitudes hurt the heart of God and often cause insensitivity to others as well, resulting in us saying and doing things that were better not said or done."

I am praying to the Holy Spirit, that he will be able to supernaturally help me overcome overeating, and not pleasing the Lord with my words. I am praying that the Holy Spirit will give me the gift of faith.

Fun with Gigi

Saying "cheese."

Book of the Month: War of Words (Tripp)

We all know that we need to be constantly learning and growing, but especially if you are at home and have to listen to Barney a lot (Abigail's favorite).

I decided to find a book from Charlie's library this month, and this is one that I did not read in seminary for some reason.

Tripp states

"If your dream would crumble, if there were nothing left, would you rise in the midst of your tears and say, "I am full of joy because the Lord is my lord, the Lord is my life, the Lord is my strength, and gloriously, in the midst of all this loss and destruction, I have him"? You can pursue your dream, or you can pursue the Lord's dream for you, You can ask him to conform you to his image, so that more and more your life and your words would bring him praise. Or you can wish that Christ would conform to the scope and focus of your dream. Whose dream are you seeking"? (100).

and he goes on to say

"How does God produce long-term heart change in us? Or, as Paul says it, how does he "compel" us away from living for ourselves to living for him? Second Corinthians 5:11-21 clearly teaches that the thing that compels Paul---and us --- is the love of Christ. Ultimately, the thing that turns us is not just God's sovereignty, his holiness, his anger against sin, or his mighty power. It is the kindness of the Lord that leads people to repentance (114)."

Life-changing words here and I would highly recommend this book!

Tuesday's Tip: Printable Coupons

I just printed off many printable coupons from

coupons.com

Cereal, yogurt, meals, roles, etc.

Also, Hungry Girl is a great website to check out for recipes, and weight watchers ideas.

Movie Monday: Charlie and Jackson Sliding at the Bethware Fair

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Fun at the Bethware Fair!

Abigail was very excited to be tall enough to ride this ride (she is our little daredevil).

Thursday's Tip: Overcoming Feeling Defeated

"He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything . . . . No name and no power [are] exempt from his rule (Eph. 1:21-22)."

Last Sunday, Charlie challenged us to pray 10 minutes a day for one week (it has taken some getting used to with my husband being my pastor too...he is an unbelievable teacher and pastor).

As I was praying, I just cried out to God in my prayer that I just have felt so defeated in two areas of my life: finances and overeating.

So, after praying, God and His Spirit showed me some ways to overcome feeling defeated. Have a plan!

With finances there have been many expenses that have occurred that are out of our control - keeping up with two houses, Charlie having his gallbladder out and then those bills pouring in. But one thing I can control is how much we spend on groceries and out to eat and I really do not feel like we have been good stewards in this area at all. It takes some time to figure out how much it is going to cost to live in a new town as well as adjusting to a different type of pay schedule.

So here has been our challenge this last week and only by God's power and His provision have we been able to only spend $200 on groceries and out to eat.

1. We got $200 in cash out for last week. Spent $50 at Ingels, $50 at Walmart, $20 at CVS, $15 church meal and had the rest left over. We went out to eat one time at Ham's where the kids ate for .99 (Monday night).
2. No matter what, we eat at the table and try our best to cook on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday nights. Charlie enjoys cooking and I do not mind cleaning it up! I am planning out our meals one week in advance.
   
3. During my Walmart trip I could not believe how I got 30 items for $50. I totally felt not defeated, I was a conqueror. Going out to eat is not a desire but for one time a week when I could get so many groceries for $20.
4. I love having cash in my wallet and I have hardly had to use my debit card.
   

With overeating:

• I write down everything I eat in my 3 month Weight Watchers journal.
• I weigh in every Monday with Charlie for accountability. (trying to lose 2 pounds a week).
• My goal is to have this 15-20 pounds (I am that much more heavier since my wedding day Jan 2004) off by next summer. I am going to join back Weight Watchers when I get 10 pounds away from my target weight and hopefully become a lifetime member of Weight Watchers.
• There is nothing I can get at Zaxby's under 20 WW points, so I just do not get anything!
  
• Just always trying to lose weight is frustrating, but giving myself a big goal and specific time limits has really helped my attitude!

What about you? Do you feel defeated with your fiances or overeating? What has helped you?

July 2010 Pictures

The above picture is from the girls lunch that I got invited to this year as a surprise for mom (she tuned 60...shhh...do not tell anyone). The below picture is from when our friends come to Columbia.

Xander and Jackson buddies getting to be in the same Preschool class next year. We are so thankful!

Birthday party for Gigi!

Thursday's Tip: Educational DVD's

I love educational dvd's and in the car that is what the kids watch along with Veggie Tales and Cedarmont Kids dvd's.

Top 4 Favorites:

• Baby Signing Time Volumes 1-4. Volume 1 is a great baby gift to get someone. Also, the other Signing Time videos are good as well. I never buy new dvd's for my kids, I buy them used on amazon or half.com
  
• Spectrum Connections: Bounce: Lets Talk...speech therapy dvd's
• Baby Babble...speech therapist dvd's. Both volume 1 and 2 are great
• Lets Talk with Puppy Dog

What are your favorite educational dvd's?

Also, CVS has great deal on diapers this week:

$10 ECB wyb Pampers Baby Dry, Swaddlers or Cruisers 48-96ct., $21.99 LIMIT 1 (reported LIMIT 2)
-$1.50 off Pampers Diapers or Pants, PG 7/04, PG 6/06 -$2 off Pampers Cruisers, Swaddlers Sensitive or Extra Protection Diapers, PG 7/04 -$2 off Pampers Swaddlers or Swaddlers Sensitive Diapers, RP 6/20
-$4 off Diapers and Wipes, any printing on CVS receipts (store coupon)

(from Southernsavers ). Also, remember that if you are like me and live in Kings Mountain where the CVS is not open 24 hours a day you can shop both the deals for the last week and the next week on Saturday night and Southernsavers posts the deal on like Friday I think.

What is your money saving tip this week?

Romans 7: 5-7 and Romans 8:15

"Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of the sinful man is death, but the minds controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God."

Later on:

Romans 8:

"For you did not receive a spirit that makes you slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship And by him we cry "Abba Father."

New Apple Juice with a 2 Total Fruit and Veggie Serving Per 8 ozs

I got this new apple juice at Ingels and I am very excited that it says it gives 2 servings of fruit and veggies. Jackson tried it yesterday and really liked the apple juice (I think it is apple and carrot juice blend).

I would definitely recommend it and I am planning to give it to Jackson every other day (it was like $3.50).

Do you have an tips on how to get your little ones to eat more veggies? Is there a certain vitamin your little one likes?

I am ordering This Steamer Soon from QVC!

Natalie writes (this picture is from what she cooked):

"Last night I used my Technique 3 tier steamer and made tilapia filets and asparagus. On the side I made minute rice. It was a delicious 6 point meal. Did you know that for 4 ounces of tilapia, it's only 2.5 points? The pic below is what it looked like when finished."

I love asparagus and with all the fresh veggies we are getting from people at the church, this steamer will be a great way to cook veggies.

http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.K26182.desc.Technique-85qt-3-Tier-Food-Steamer

She also says,

"HOT NEW FIND!! This thing is awesome! I steamed boneless skinless chicken breast in the bottom tray, cauliflower in the middle and fresh yellow squash and zuchinni in the top tray. Most tender chicken I have EVER eaten and all the fat dripped away. I coated everything in extra virgin olive oil (just a little), sea salt..."

She is on facebook and is so close to reaching her goal. I think she has lost 80 pounds through Weight Watchers and she posts every week on her group on facebook, "Knotts So Much of Me," you can join.

I am having a really good week this week, eating healthy and feeling great. Weighing in every Monday morning at the house.

What is your weight lose tip this week (or eating more healthy tip)?

Abigail's Second Weekend Away...Jackson's Favorites

at Gigi and Grand!

When Jackson was a baby we tried to get him to stay at Gigi and Grand's one weekend a month. It was great bonding time for them and a great break for us.

Well, with the craziness of this year and living with my parents for a month, Abigail has only gotten to stay with Gigi and Grand one time. So, it has been like a mini vacation with just one child! We were nervous on how Abigail would do considering she is a huge mama's girl and says mommy all day long, but she has done great. Abigail is so sweet and loving and I am so glad she has been that way with my parents as well.

We are so thankful for Gigi and Grand!

So with Jackson:

His favorite DVD right now is: Veggie Tales, "Silly Songs"

His favorite thing to sing: "God is bigger than the Boogie Man"

His favorite thing to do: Play the Wii with Nick (the next door neighbor who both my kids talk about all day long...we are so thankful to have someone for our kids to look up to and play with that goes to our church) and his daddy. He is so incredible with swords, I can not even come close to beating him in this game.

Also, we signed him up for group swim lessons at the YMCA, and he had his first lesson was last week and he loved it. It is for 3-5 year olds and goes till the end of August. It is every Saturday and it was only $25 for me with being a Y member and getting a coupon in the mail. In the Fall, we will do soccer, and in the Spring tee ball, and the summer swim lessons (once he turned 3 years old).

His favorite toy: New Woody Doll from Toy Story that we got that says like 20 phrases and when you take his hat the doll says, "Where is my hat?" along with a couple other phrases

School challenges: I try to do "School Time" and Brain Quest worksheets Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. He is working on when I say to put a block beside his teddy bear, he puts it beside it. Then I ask him to put it "on top," and "behind." This was one exercise he struggled with on his end the year testing. He also can tell you what street he lives on now.

Do you know what other "school tests/activities" we can be working on for a 3 year old (turning 4 in September)?

What are some of your preschooler's favorites?

Chick Fil A Cow Appreciation Day

This year at Cow Appreciate Day we made it for the costume contest (that I did not know about), and Jackson got 3rd place! He got 2 free kids meal, toy cow, and pencils. He was a cow last year for Halloween so we still hat the costume.

They did change the rules this year and you had to be dressed up more than just your shirt to get the combo meal. Charlie referenced it in his sermon he will have up soon here:

Fun to look back at last year's pictures ,here.

Abigail's 18 Month Old Check Up

Weight: 24 pounds and 3 ozs (50%)
Height: 32 1/4 inches (50-75%)
Head Circumference: 75%

Funny thing is that I checked Jackson's blog post (here) and he was 24 pounds and 4 ozs at his 18 month old check up.

I am beyond thankful that Abigail is right where she needs to be with her words, probably a little a head of where she needs to be. If you ask her what her name is she can say Abigail and the other day she said, "I see the flower." While we were at the doctor's office a ball hit the doctor and she told the doctor that she was sorry...ha! She loves to sing, and tells me what she needs all day long with her words.

Eating: She is a lot better eater than Jackson, but she is started to become more picky. The big issue with her that the doctor and I discussed is her not drinking but a few ozs of milk a day. She eats yogurt and cheese, but is not liking whole milk even out of a straw.

Any suggestions on how to increase her milk intake?

The doctor's suggestion was hardly offer her any juice, but she really loves her 8 ozs of juice a day!

She still has pear baby food and squash baby food and is good about trying new foods. We finally got rid of her wake up bottles last month, she told me she did not want them anymore...ha!

Prayer

"reminds you that life is not about you. Prayer reminds you that the center of your universe is a place reserved for God and God alone. Prayer reminds you that real peace, satisfaction, and contentment come when you live for a greater glory than your own. Prayer reminds you that the hope of marriage is not found in a husband and wife conspiring to build their own kingdom but in submitting together to the wisdom and rule of a better King. Prayer calls you away from the kingdom of self, which is so destructive to everything a marriage is intended to be, and welcomes you to the kingdom of God, where a God of love rules in love."

Tripp, "What Did You Expect?" (265).

Tuesday's Tip: Weight Watchers and Budgeting

Weight Watchers Tips:

• I got off going to Weight Watchers meetings after we moved but I am back to using their journal and my first tip is to plan out what you will eat every day right when you wake up!
• Normal day of eating for me is: Fiber One Bar first thing: 2 points, Smart One Chicken Alfredo frozen meal: 6 points, Fiber One yogurt:0 points, Weight Watchers brownie (heated up in the microwave): 2 points with light cool whip on top, Junior Burrito at Moe's: 8 points, chips and some dip: 4 points, Red Velvet cake bar: (found only at Weight Watchers meetings) 1 point. Total used 23 points even though my goal is 22. Writing down what you eat is huge, and I love the 3 month journal that is found only at the meetings.
• Every other day I eat Special K Chocolate Protein Shake for breakfast for 3 points. I try not to have the same thing for breakfast and lunch every day. I also try to wait to I am hungry to eat!
  
• Recently, I have enjoyed the new Special K vanilla almond cereal. What are some low calorie/ low point food that you enjoy?

Budgeting:

• I am making a new personal legalism of only spending $100 a Walmart per week on groceries, medicine, diapers etc. I will not go back to Walmart for 7 days, not matter what!
• Trying to not spend more than $200 a week on groceries and out to eat food
• Check on how you are doing at least once I week...I do it on Mondays usually.
• We try to spend no more that $3 on breakfast for all of us, $5 for lunch and $10 for dinners for all of us.
  
• What are your money saving tips for this week or budgeting suggestions?
  

More Amazing Pictures Taken By Dana

If you live in the area, email me and I can give you Dana's information (emilywallace80@hotmail.com). She is so good at taking pictures and has a great big lens!

Fun Water Day at the Church

This picture was taken by Dana who is incredible photographer. More picture hopefully to come later this week!

Wednesday's Word: God is in absolute control of the details of our lives

In Paul Tripp's book, "What Did you Expect." he states:

"Acts 17:24-27 is one of the most helpful and encouraging discussions in the New Testament of God's rulership over our lives:

'The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of earth, having determined allotted periods and boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us.'

"Having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place." What does Paul mean by these words? Well, let me paraphrase. God determines the precise place where each of us will live ("boundaries and dwelling places") and the exact length of our lives ("having determined allotted periods"). It is God who determines the precise details of location, situations, and relationship in which each of us lives. This means not only that God is in control of where you end up and who you finally live with, but also that, in order to do this, he has been in control of everything that brought you where you are. This means that God has been in control of all the experiential, cultural, and familial influences that shape how you desire, think, act, and respond. So, God is in control not only of the locations in which you live, but also of the influences that have shaped you as a person. He has not only written the story of you and your spouse and determined that your stories would intersect, but he has controlled all the things that have made you different from one another.

"As you struggle, you must not view your marriage as bad luck or poor planning, or a mess that you have made for yourself. No God is right smack-dab in the middle of your struggle. He is not surprised by what you are facing today. He is up to something."

"He is working to rescue you from you, to deliver you from sin, and to form the character of Jesus in you."

"He has designed marriage to be one of the most efficient tools of personal holiness. he has designed your marriage to change you."

Go Gamecocks!