things to ponder

This is my brain. (mental pic of eggs frying in a pan. remember that commercial? anyways you can see where this post is going.):
- birthday party today for my niece. I am wondering what do people do who live by family and lots of cousins? In KC this was not an issue as there was no fam around. I LOVE being by my family! I understand this is an incredible gift. but... what to do when there are three to four birthday parties a month? Every weekend a family something? How do I afford presents for all these parties? What are some suggestions? What does your family do?
- I really am getting antsy to put of Christmas decorations but am making myself keep my pumpkins up til Thursday. I am feeling a random surge to deep clean everything before putting up the Christmas clutter.
- what are other people's "rules" about playing with toys? Only in the kids room? A certain place for toys in the living room? Let the kids run wild? I am dealing with little toys from a five year old and it gives me a panic attack. I need some structure because of someone who loves marbles and legos to lick as much as her brother likes them to build.
- How much does the average family my size spend on groceries per week? Or per month? If the checkout lady at Trader Joes knows my name and what color balloon my child wants or gives me flowers because my grandma is dying this week does that mean that I probably didn't follow my budget this month on groceries?
- Do you know you can take a virtual tour of the Mayflower online?
- did you know that when I spell check this they think I am trying to say "Trader Jose's"? Did you know Trader Jose is a beer at trader joes? Did you know it is actually good? Did you know the flour at trader joes is called "Trader Joseph's" or that the clementines are called "Trader Josies"?

Quote of the week

Israel loves Mondays. Monday the trash truck comes. Israel runs out to the curb. He watches. This week a black truck came and parked right next to Izzy. The man said "Hey junior". Israel fired back with "I'm not a junior. I'm a Christian."
(If you only knew the intensity that Israel speaks with. The conviction. The furrowed brows. This was hilarious.)

Eternity

Today was an ordinary day. Until something eternal happened. Israel, my first born, my blond blue eyed boy, my sensitive one, my morning cuddler, my buddy, my challenge; this special heart did something. He made a choice that made heaven sing. He spoke outloud a declaration that moved heaven and etched forever a name in the lambs book of life. Israel Michael Weaver. Born 8.8.04 Born again 11.12.09

Blessings

November is my favorite month. This year has had so many ups and downs but again I am reminded of the faithfulness of the Lord. I am so thankful for so many things. I am overwhelmed these days by three wonderful people. I am lucky enough to have these people captured by the wonderful and talented Rafael Guajardo. He runs Rafael photography. If you live in South Orange County check him out for any of your photography needs. He does incredible work, is fun to be around and has such a personal and artistic touch to all his work. You can check out his websight at http://rafaelphotography.com/

Because I'm feeling exceptionally spiritual today

I stress myself out sometimes

Ok so when I was little I used to arrange the furniture in my room ALL THE T I M E. When my mom asked me to clean my room what she meant was pick up the clothes, put away your dolls, make your bed. What I would do was - change my sheets, dust the shutters, reorganize all my closet, make a gigantic mess to get organized and three or five hours later my room would be perfection and more often then not, rearranged. That's just how I work. So the other day when I could not face the laundry or my dishes that were three days old what did I do? Clean out Israel's fish tank and vacuum out the car. Because that is the obvious thing to do in order to congratulate myself on being productive without actually facing all things practical. So this brings me to the latest series of events.
* "Hi Katchen, yes this is Israel's awana teacher and he is barfing all over the room here, could you please come pick him up before all forty kids get sprayed?"
* Soak Izzy's clothes, car seat, awana vest and book bag overnight
* attempt to disinfect my entire house today starting with the kitchen
* get side tracked my apples in my fridge. home made applesauce
* get sidetracked by some rotten bananas. banana bread
* might as well make a casserole while I'm at it
* organize the fridge, food cabinet
* rip off the label on my disinfectant spray because my dish soap and hand soap are green and so is the spray and the only thing bothering me is the label.
(at this point I kinda am like Elija Wood in that movie where he collects the labels and wears the funny glasses and zip locks everything)
* wash the top of my fridge
* take down my curtains
* disinfect the bottom oven drawer because I'm sure that is where all the germs are
* mop, vacuum and wipe down the windows and counter tops
At this point I am happy with the results. Do you think Kurto will be mad if there are 8 loads of laundry blocking the door and no sheets on the bed? Will he notice if there is a mess everywhere else but a clean kitchen? I'm guessing I better throw in that casserole to distract him.

On a side note of thankfulness: Israel has not been sick again after awanas and aubrey has taken two naps today! Praise the Lord!

kurto and his loves

The kids both love when their daddy plays the guitar. It seems to calm them, intrigue them and makes for a terrific time with our family. From the womb they have both reacted strongly to music. Israel used to jump around in my belly whenever there was music and today he still responds so strongly to when there is music in the home, car or whenever we are at church. Aubrey was literally bathed in worship music at the house of prayer all the time as she was in the womb. She has a different response than Israel though. Aubrey is busy moving all the time. When Kurto plays guitar or when she hears worship music it calms her and causes her to stop and listen intently. Israel becomes intrigued and really desires to jump in and get involved with all things musical. Here are some pics of the kids as babies lovin on their daddy and his guitar. I am so thankful for music and worship to be a part of our family.


and here is the boy all grown up trying desperately to be like his daddy and loving every minute of boy guitar time.