November Pics

Here are some random pics from November. 

Courtnie's Shoes, which we had to THROW AWAY so she wouldn't wear them anymore!  But first she made us promise her new ones, which we gladly bought.  I wish I had gotten a better picture of the second angle.  The back side of her shoe was half missing!  These may very well be the worse death of a pair of shoes I've ever seen.



I was asked to make 6 large cookie trays for a business' 6 top clients.  At first I thought it would be fun and easy.  It didn't take long to learn it was fun and lots of work!  I think I worked well over 12 hours getting all 6 trays ready.  The extras were made into a tray for the kids' Elementary school.

These is my newest home decor.  I've had it for awhile but knew I hadn't blogged about it.  I just LOVE it!

And this last picture is so stinkin cute!  There's just something so special about a sleeping child.  Sure, it's nice that they are quiet and still and nothing new can be broken or arguments to be had.  But really, they look so angelic while they sleep.  It makes the days events worth it all.

Family Advent Calendar

Yet another pinterest idea!  Easy to make, I had all the items need already at home. and the kids LOVED it!  Now to talk to them about Advent and the reason we honor this season.

1. Make a paper chain for the tree.
2. Buy an unwrapped toy to donate.
3. Make Christmas candy.
4. Write a letter to Santa
5. Everyone pick a story for bedtime – Mom and Dad will read them.
6. Make a holiday wreath.
7. Elf on a Shelf…. Where is he?
8. Make paper snowflakes and decorate the windows.
9. It’s family game night!
10. Invite a friend to church tomorrow.
11. Dance and sing to Christmas music.
12. Make a WELCOME HOME banner for Aunt B.
13. Make Christmas cards for family and friends.
14. Is the sky clear? Get out the telescope for some star gazing, if not, go for a nighttime walk with your flashlights.
15. Make Christmas crafts today.
16. Bake a batch of Christmas cookies.
17. Bake another batch of Christmas cookies and share with neighbors.
18. Family Wii night.
19. Make a list of ten things you are thankful for. Hang it where you can see it every day.
20. Make and hang edible gifts for the birds and squirrels.
21. Watch a Christmas movie together.
22. Make a gingerbread house.
23. Drive around and look at Christmas lights.  Don’t forget the hot chocolate!
24. Make a birthday cake for Jesus.
25. It’s Christmas Day! Read the birth story of Jesus.

Uh-Oh Jar

I have this new found LOVE for pinterest!  You can follow me HERE.  It has really inspired my crafty side (I use this term loosely, very loosely).
I found this Uh-Oh jar and wanted to do it for the kids.  So from now on, every time I hear whining, complaining, tattling or the dreaded phrase "I'm bored", they will have the most wonderful opportunity of picking something out of the Uh-Oh jar to do.  So much fun!!

Here are some things in there for them to do.  If you think of any other ideas, please do share!

Clean your bathroom.
Play Wii
Watch a movie in your room.
Read a book.
Dust an area (Mom’s choice).
Draw a picture.
Make a collage from magazines.
Pick up Oakley’s poop J
Vacuum your room.
Sweep the kitchen.
Clean out the van.
Sweep the driveway and sidewalks.
Clean some glass (Mom’s choice).
Write a letter to someone special.
Clean off back porch.
Do Mom’s exercises.
Organize a closet (Mom’s choice).
Ride your bike outside.
Write a story.
Take Oakley for a walk.
Bathe Oakley!!
Call a grandparent and tell them how special they are.

Idle Time

Since I was asked to leave my most recent "ministry", I have found my idle hands being kept busy in a different way lately.  I truly believe that this time off from any commitments has been a blessing - I have been able to care for my Mom one-on-one all this time.  In addition, she has provided me with much comfort and friendship that I so desperately needed with my sister being gone.  Not many people can say they have truly, and whole-heartedly enjoyed taking care of their parent(s).

In this "idle" time, my mind has wandered.  I've found time to volunteer at the kids' school and I'm now volunteering for www.traffic911.org.  This organization is very new and I've found myself being pulled to do more.  And of course when you have a calling to do more for God, Satan tried even harder to bring you me.  Which is exactly what he's been doing.

I've found myself keeping busy cleaning, taking care of odds and ends, and even trying my craft hands at new projects around the house.  Thanks of course to pinterest :) 

But most importantly, I've spent many hours in prayer.  No better way to keep yourself grounded, focused and busy than through prayer!  I've posted on Facebook a few Prayer Calls for the day and have LOVED this!  People will tell you exactly what they want prayer for, which I am not good at myself.  I like to ask people to pray for me but never give specifics and yet I prefer specifics when praying for others.  Maybe I should pray about why I do this....

In changing my prayer style, Satan his having to fight harder.  Through these last few weeks, I have found myself closer to God and in more direct communication with Him as well.  Sometimes I shout my praises and if I were to be truthful, sometimes I shout my heartache and frustrations. 

I know He has something so grand in store for my life.  I want to leave this life knowing I had an important role.  Yes, raising my family, being a mother and wife, and taking care of the day to day events in the Gautreaux house are important, but I wanted to leave my mark elsewhere.  I have compassion for those hurting and I wanted to make a difference. 

Being led to traffick911.com was not by coincidence, I know this was a God-led thing.  I know in my heart, big things are about to happen for the Dallas area and the rescue of minors being trafficked for sex and exploitation.  I know I am supposed to be working with these girls.  I know my circumstances in life are all going to come together for this one purpose. 

Now to be honest....  I want to get moving with this!  My idle hands have had about all the "idle" they can take.  I'm ready for changes to happen.  I'm ready for God to reveal my direction in all of this.

Pray for me please.

Time Warp

Our ice maker is currently broken.  For whatever reason, I was able to find ice cube trays in the house.  I do not keep junk in the house to save for a possible ocassion; if it hasn't been used in a year, it goes.  Now the only reason I can think of our use for ice cube trays is when I was making baby food and friends that was a LONG time ago!  But alas, I've found a new need for them......

Back to the ice maker... it's broken.  Do you know what I've been doing for a week now?  Making ice!  Poor Colton just stares in awe that you can "make" ice.  Forget the science he learns in school and the random days when we get icy weather, but to MAKE ICE?  He clearly doesn't get that ice is made from water and that it doesn't just randomly fall into the freezer or fall from the sky.  It never fails, he looks at me like I'm taking "thrifty" to a whole new level - popping ice out and refilling it with water.  Who does that anymore?

I'm thrifty, but I'm over making ice!

Boys Being Boys

We saw RAIN people, RAIN! 

School Days 2011

Another school year begins.....

Cameron started 8th grade (gulp), Courtnie started 5th grade, and Colton started 1st grade. 

And here is the much dreaded first day picture!!  Getting this picture is like pulling teeth, every year.  I warn them, give me a good smile and we can be done.  But they always make this such a task!  I did get somewhat of a good picture, no one was crying or mad or grumpy and they're all facing the camera and smiling.  I guess for a picture they do not ever want to participate in, this is pretty darn good.  Colton however doesn't seem to mind.  I was able to get a picture at his desk and even of his new shoes!!

Pics with Aunt B

My sister wanted pictures taken with "her babies" before she left for Africa.  Sometimes pictures capture the best moments and this sitting is definitely one of them. 

Brownwood Kind of Summer

This year ALL 3 kids went to Brownwood with my Aunt and Uncle.  Colton was able to go because my Mom and sister went.  He requires extra sets of eyes for his own safety!

I used to LOVE my summers at the farm but now that I'm older, I don't really dig the hot, sticky dirty days.  And once upon a time, I thought the phrase "watch for snakes" was just used to keep from running completely off without supervision.  Today, I know that phrase really does mean to watch for snakes!  And as a child, I never had to check my bed for scorpions, my parents did that when we weren't around. As an adult, it's MY job to check the beds and shoes for scorpions.  No thank you!  Not my idea of fun anymore I dare say.

But my kids.... THEY LOVE IT!  They definitely did not get their love for the outside from me!!

You see that ugly face of hers?  PROOF right there she's not as sweet as candy!

And this my friends is Colton's ugly face!  No need for proof, we all know he's rotten!

What did Jason and I do with our extra long weekend?  Relaxed.