-Nikki
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
The front.
Yesterday Stephen put a fresh coat of paint on the front porch. We spruced up the garden a little last week, and we are hoping to get some better pictures after our tulips and daffodils have all bloomed! We also put down some grass seed for all the patchy areas! Here is what we've got so far... (it's obviously a rainy yucky day- no good for pictures)!
-Nikki
-Nikki
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Manifesto
I'm diggin this song right now.
Manifesto by The City Harmonic
Abigail digs it too...particularly the "aaaaaamen"!
-Nikki
Manifesto by The City Harmonic
Abigail digs it too...particularly the "aaaaaamen"!
-Nikki
Monday, March 21, 2011
Tongue.
I guess that madeline's six teeth are causing her to be fascinated with her tongue. She can't seem to keep it in her mouth lately.
See what I mean...
I mean, I'm not complaining or anything. Personally I think it's kinda cute!
-Nikki
P.S. Tonight abigail heard me use Madeline's middle name, and all evening she called her Maddie Piper. It was pretty precious! "don't cry Maddie Piper" "Maddie Piper you need go to sleep" "hey, Maddie Piper, what you doin?" love it.
See what I mean...
I mean, I'm not complaining or anything. Personally I think it's kinda cute!
-Nikki
P.S. Tonight abigail heard me use Madeline's middle name, and all evening she called her Maddie Piper. It was pretty precious! "don't cry Maddie Piper" "Maddie Piper you need go to sleep" "hey, Maddie Piper, what you doin?" love it.
Incomparable God.
He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?
Who can fathom the Spirit of the lord, or instruct the lord as his counselor?
Whom did the lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding?
Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.
Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires, nor its animals enough for burnt offerings.
Before him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing.
With whom, then, will you compare God? To what image will you liken him?
Isaiah 40:11-18
It's easy to forget how magnificent the God we serve is, but fortunately we have the scriptures to remind us!
-Nikki
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?
Who can fathom the Spirit of the lord, or instruct the lord as his counselor?
Whom did the lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding?
Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.
Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires, nor its animals enough for burnt offerings.
Before him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing.
With whom, then, will you compare God? To what image will you liken him?
Isaiah 40:11-18
It's easy to forget how magnificent the God we serve is, but fortunately we have the scriptures to remind us!
-Nikki
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Cindrella.
Next weekend Abigail and I are going to see the Disney Princesses On Ice. I don't know about Abigail but I'm pumped! I can't wait! I know that she will love it.
I still remember when I was a little girl my Dad took me to see Aladdin on ice. I was older than two and Aladdin was my absolute favorite Disney movie BUT I'm convinced that Abigail will always remember this even though she has never seen a Disney movie!
We do have all of the princess Little golden books and we don't make it to bed a single night without reading at least one of them.
So far The Little Mermaid is her favorite. I'm not a huge fan of the seashell bra so I have tried to convince her that Cinderella is better. I bought her a new Cinderella doll, and matching princess dress to wear, and a princess light twirler to take with us (to avoid spending $20 on one). Hopefully my efforts will be worth it, and she will have lasting memories of this time!
My little princess!
I still remember when I was a little girl my Dad took me to see Aladdin on ice. I was older than two and Aladdin was my absolute favorite Disney movie BUT I'm convinced that Abigail will always remember this even though she has never seen a Disney movie!
We do have all of the princess Little golden books and we don't make it to bed a single night without reading at least one of them.
So far The Little Mermaid is her favorite. I'm not a huge fan of the seashell bra so I have tried to convince her that Cinderella is better. I bought her a new Cinderella doll, and matching princess dress to wear, and a princess light twirler to take with us (to avoid spending $20 on one). Hopefully my efforts will be worth it, and she will have lasting memories of this time!
My little princess!
A Long Story Short.
So, to make a long story short...very short, I will say this, in the past month Stephen resigned from his job and I have started working full time. We are preparing to put our house on the market, and hoping to move closer to the metroplex. We are unsure right now how long this transition will take but we covet your prayers, and encouraging words during this time. We are hoping that this season of uncertainty will not last long, and that the Lord will make clear to us his plan!
I have felt unable to share these things here on our blog until now, and because of that I haven't been able to share all of the things that have been keeping us busy (very busy) the past few weeks.
When I say that we are "preparing" to put our house on that market, please read "we're working our buts off to make this baby sell". We have spent many nights hanging out at Lowe's bugging the paint guy with our crying babies, and then putting our girlie's to bed so that we could actually use all the paint we bought. 5 gallons so far, but who's counting!
We have completed a couple tasks but it is quite overwhelming. Our short list of repairs is this...paint the living room, kitchen and hallways (done), paint the porch, freshen up the garden (almost done, we ran out of mulch), plant some grass to fill in the patchy areas (we purchased the seed), and stage the house.
Luckily when we bought this house it had brand new carpet, laminate flooring, kitchen cabinets, sink and back splash, new counter tops in the bathrooms, and all new lighting. We added a completely fenced in yard and a few ceiling fans, so everything is in really great condition!
We are also planning to have a garage sale very soon to get rid of the clutter, and we are still working on getting some great photos to put on the ForSaleByOwner website, and zillow, and our flyer's, of course!
I don't know what made us think that we can do this on our own BUT up to this point all that work we have done a realtor wouldn't have helped with anyway!
Wish us luck!
Tha Vedro's
I have felt unable to share these things here on our blog until now, and because of that I haven't been able to share all of the things that have been keeping us busy (very busy) the past few weeks.
When I say that we are "preparing" to put our house on that market, please read "we're working our buts off to make this baby sell". We have spent many nights hanging out at Lowe's bugging the paint guy with our crying babies, and then putting our girlie's to bed so that we could actually use all the paint we bought. 5 gallons so far, but who's counting!
We have completed a couple tasks but it is quite overwhelming. Our short list of repairs is this...paint the living room, kitchen and hallways (done), paint the porch, freshen up the garden (almost done, we ran out of mulch), plant some grass to fill in the patchy areas (we purchased the seed), and stage the house.
Luckily when we bought this house it had brand new carpet, laminate flooring, kitchen cabinets, sink and back splash, new counter tops in the bathrooms, and all new lighting. We added a completely fenced in yard and a few ceiling fans, so everything is in really great condition!
We are also planning to have a garage sale very soon to get rid of the clutter, and we are still working on getting some great photos to put on the ForSaleByOwner website, and zillow, and our flyer's, of course!
I don't know what made us think that we can do this on our own BUT up to this point all that work we have done a realtor wouldn't have helped with anyway!
Wish us luck!
Tha Vedro's
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Rough.
I won't lie, it's been a rough week. I have been discouraged, exhausted, and overwhelmed. I am so blessed to have faith in the one who paid my debt, and carries my sin. I'm so glad I can cast my burdens on him. I don't know what I would do if these things weren't true.
Maybe your having a rough week too.
Maybe some of the verses, songs and quotes that have been encouraging to me this week, will do the same for you.
So here you go...
God is enough
God is enough
He is good
He will take care of us
He will satisfy us
He will get us through this
He is our treasure
Whom have I in heaven but you
And on earth there is nothing I Desire besides you
My flesh and my heart...may fail
But You are the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
-piper
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Col 3:23
For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice
and watching over the way of his saints. Proverbs 2:6-8
He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead those that are with young.
Isaiah 40:11
Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable. 40:28
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
40:31
Shall I Take from your hand your blessing yet not welcome any pain
Shall I thank you for days of sunshine yet grumble in days of rain
Shall I love you in times of plenty then leave you in days of drought
Shall I trust when I reap the harvest but when winter winds blows then doubt
Let your will be done in me in your love I will abide oh I long for nothing else as long as you are glorified
Are you good only when I prosper and true only when I'm filled are you king only when I'm carefree and god only when I'm well
You are good when I'm poor and needy you are true when I'm parched and dry You still reign in the deepest valley your still god in the darkest night
So quiet my restless heart. Quiet my restless heart. (sovereign grace music)
fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.' Isaiah 42:16
'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by
name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I
will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they
will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned; the flames will not set you
ablaze. For I am the Lord your God... Isaiah 43:1-2
These Sweet little faces help too...
-Nikki
Maybe your having a rough week too.
Maybe some of the verses, songs and quotes that have been encouraging to me this week, will do the same for you.
So here you go...
God is enough
God is enough
He is good
He will take care of us
He will satisfy us
He will get us through this
He is our treasure
Whom have I in heaven but you
And on earth there is nothing I Desire besides you
My flesh and my heart...may fail
But You are the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
-piper
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Col 3:23
For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice
and watching over the way of his saints. Proverbs 2:6-8
He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead those that are with young.
Isaiah 40:11
Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable. 40:28
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
40:31
Shall I Take from your hand your blessing yet not welcome any pain
Shall I thank you for days of sunshine yet grumble in days of rain
Shall I love you in times of plenty then leave you in days of drought
Shall I trust when I reap the harvest but when winter winds blows then doubt
Let your will be done in me in your love I will abide oh I long for nothing else as long as you are glorified
Are you good only when I prosper and true only when I'm filled are you king only when I'm carefree and god only when I'm well
You are good when I'm poor and needy you are true when I'm parched and dry You still reign in the deepest valley your still god in the darkest night
So quiet my restless heart. Quiet my restless heart. (sovereign grace music)
fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.' Isaiah 42:16
'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by
name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I
will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they
will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned; the flames will not set you
ablaze. For I am the Lord your God... Isaiah 43:1-2
These Sweet little faces help too...
-Nikki
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Are you ready for some football??
Abigail is!
Too bad her team won't be playing today!
Maybe next time boys, maybe next time!
-Nikki
Too bad her team won't be playing today!
Maybe next time boys, maybe next time!
-Nikki
Monday, February 7, 2011
Nine.
My dearest Madeline,
Today you are nine months old.
The time has passed so quickly! I have loved watching you grow, and develop a personality all your own! You are very similar to your big sister as a baby in the way you smile at everyone you see. You also jump willingly into anyones arms, as if to give them a little taste of your joy! You are also similar in your independence. You hold your own bottle and put yourself right to sleep, usually without a single tear shed!
However, you are unique from your sister in many ways too! You have an attitude that I didn't know was possible at such a young age! I hope this goes away before the teenage years! You yell at me when you don't get your way, not a cry but a distinct scream! It's not cute. You love soft things and sleep with your soft blanket (only) covering your face! You LOVE to eat! You have the cutest little pot belly!
You are in love with your big sister and try to play with her, she isn't very good at sharing just yet. You love to climb the stairs and you can almost stand up on your own! You cruise around the house like you own it and you love to take long baths! You will probably be walking before you turn 10 months, you are perfectly stable on your feet, yet you always sit down when I let your finger go!
Oh, and you love to eat paper! It's almost impossible to keep you away from it! I catch you at least once a day with some sort of paper in your mouth! Like this just yesterday...
I love you.
I honestly can't believe how fast this time has gone by. My little girl will be a toddler before I know it!
-Nikki
Today you are nine months old.
The time has passed so quickly! I have loved watching you grow, and develop a personality all your own! You are very similar to your big sister as a baby in the way you smile at everyone you see. You also jump willingly into anyones arms, as if to give them a little taste of your joy! You are also similar in your independence. You hold your own bottle and put yourself right to sleep, usually without a single tear shed!
However, you are unique from your sister in many ways too! You have an attitude that I didn't know was possible at such a young age! I hope this goes away before the teenage years! You yell at me when you don't get your way, not a cry but a distinct scream! It's not cute. You love soft things and sleep with your soft blanket (only) covering your face! You LOVE to eat! You have the cutest little pot belly!
You are in love with your big sister and try to play with her, she isn't very good at sharing just yet. You love to climb the stairs and you can almost stand up on your own! You cruise around the house like you own it and you love to take long baths! You will probably be walking before you turn 10 months, you are perfectly stable on your feet, yet you always sit down when I let your finger go!
Oh, and you love to eat paper! It's almost impossible to keep you away from it! I catch you at least once a day with some sort of paper in your mouth! Like this just yesterday...
I love you.
I honestly can't believe how fast this time has gone by. My little girl will be a toddler before I know it!
-Nikki
Thursday, February 3, 2011
The stuff
I lost my keys....
In the great unknown...
And call me please....
Cause I can't find my phone....
This is the stuff, that drives me crazy,
This is the stuff that's been getting to me lately!
Have you heard it? It's a new song from Franchesca Battistelli. She's a Christian artist and a new mom. Maybe just knowing that she's a young mom makes me relate to her more (not that I know her or anything) but I can absolutely understand this song!
I even have a few things I'd like to add.
So, this is the stuff that's been driving me crazy!
The Stuff.
Abigail asking to go potty as soon as I buckle her into her car seat, after making three trips to get everything and everyone in the car!
Blowouts.
Making a pot of coffee only to realize that I'm out of creamer!
Forgetting the combination to my lock the day after I threw away the package!
Tantrums.
The dog getting into the trash.
And...
Drum roll, please...
Finding an old milk cup under Abigail's crib, solidified!
Just to name a few...this week!
I'm glad to know that the Lord is using all of these (ridiculous) things to refine my character, teach me new things about himself. He is teaching me patience, and perseverance through each one of these mundane things. He is teaching me to love my children deeper, to firgive them often, and to admit when I need to seek forgiveness!
This is the stuff that the Lord uses, like it or not!
What's the stuff that's driving you crazy?
-Nikki
In the great unknown...
And call me please....
Cause I can't find my phone....
This is the stuff, that drives me crazy,
This is the stuff that's been getting to me lately!
Have you heard it? It's a new song from Franchesca Battistelli. She's a Christian artist and a new mom. Maybe just knowing that she's a young mom makes me relate to her more (not that I know her or anything) but I can absolutely understand this song!
I even have a few things I'd like to add.
So, this is the stuff that's been driving me crazy!
The Stuff.
Abigail asking to go potty as soon as I buckle her into her car seat, after making three trips to get everything and everyone in the car!
Blowouts.
Making a pot of coffee only to realize that I'm out of creamer!
Forgetting the combination to my lock the day after I threw away the package!
Tantrums.
The dog getting into the trash.
And...
Drum roll, please...
Finding an old milk cup under Abigail's crib, solidified!
Just to name a few...this week!
I'm glad to know that the Lord is using all of these (ridiculous) things to refine my character, teach me new things about himself. He is teaching me patience, and perseverance through each one of these mundane things. He is teaching me to love my children deeper, to firgive them often, and to admit when I need to seek forgiveness!
This is the stuff that the Lord uses, like it or not!
What's the stuff that's driving you crazy?
-Nikki
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Abigail and Oliviah
Abigail loves church. Which would be a good thing, a great thing really if she cared at all about Jesus. I mean, I know she's two and all. I know that she doesn't get it, but the only reason she steps foot in the door is this little lady...
Oliviah.
I'm sure you have heard me mention her before. Abigail is absolutely smitten.
(They just happened to be wearing the same outfit this past Sunday!)
She adores her. They honestly aren't even in the same Sunday school class but she is really the only other little girl, Abigail's age that is consistently at church!
The beginning of a life long friendship, I'm sure!
Oliviah.
I'm sure you have heard me mention her before. Abigail is absolutely smitten.
(They just happened to be wearing the same outfit this past Sunday!)
She adores her. They honestly aren't even in the same Sunday school class but she is really the only other little girl, Abigail's age that is consistently at church!
The beginning of a life long friendship, I'm sure!
The most delicious.
One of the most delicious desserts I know how to make.
Triple Tier Brownies.
Definitely not for the faint of heart.
Thanks a bunch to my mother in law for introducing me to these little treats!
A brownie on the bottom.
Cream cheese frosting,
crushed peanut,
melted chocolate chips,
peanut butter and rice crispy cereal.
Yup, that's right! Pile it all on!
Yumm-O!
Here is the precise recipe, if you like!
Family size fudge brownies
1c peanut butter
1bag (11.5 oz) milk chocolate chips
1 Thingy of cream cheese icing
1c crushed peanuts
3 cups rice crispy cereal
Bake brownies, let em cool.
Frost with frosting
Sprinkle with peanuts
Melt chocolate chips and peanut butter together, stir in rice cereal, smear it on thick!
Enjoy!
And be prepared to share! I can only handle a very small piece at a time... Of course I have them several times a day but that's not important!
NOTE: Do not Frost these brownies with cream cheese they will be disgusting! I promise, just ask my sister! Cream cheese frosting!!
-Nikki
Triple Tier Brownies.
Definitely not for the faint of heart.
Thanks a bunch to my mother in law for introducing me to these little treats!
A brownie on the bottom.
Cream cheese frosting,
crushed peanut,
melted chocolate chips,
peanut butter and rice crispy cereal.
Yup, that's right! Pile it all on!
Yumm-O!
Here is the precise recipe, if you like!
Family size fudge brownies
1c peanut butter
1bag (11.5 oz) milk chocolate chips
1 Thingy of cream cheese icing
1c crushed peanuts
3 cups rice crispy cereal
Bake brownies, let em cool.
Frost with frosting
Sprinkle with peanuts
Melt chocolate chips and peanut butter together, stir in rice cereal, smear it on thick!
Enjoy!
And be prepared to share! I can only handle a very small piece at a time... Of course I have them several times a day but that's not important!
NOTE: Do not Frost these brownies with cream cheese they will be disgusting! I promise, just ask my sister! Cream cheese frosting!!
-Nikki
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