what is your WHY?

So the question around our home these days is: What is your Why? Strange question you say? Well... what IS your why? Why do you do what you do? I love to stay home raising our child (soon to be children) and so far have been able to do so, but with the economy, living expenses, etc... it gets more challenging each year. So, I've gone back to work. WHAT!? Work from home doing something I love so that my WHY can be met... to stay home with my kiddos. What is YOUR Why?

A new AGE DEFYING Night Cream just hit the market and I am one of it's representatives/brand partners. NeriumAD is an amazing product. Trust me.. I have the post acne skin coupled with years of sun damage and now these little lines have taken over... I have bad skin. Nothing worked, not prescriptions, over the counter products, NOTHING... until now. Why do I share this with you? Because I know how it feels to look in the mirror and not be happy with my skin... if this product can help me I know it will help thousands of people battling all kinds of skin conditions. Let me know if you have any questions - I love to look in the mirror (after only 3 weeks) and not groan. Plus, you may have a WHY that needs some cultivating and this company is just as amazing as it's product... if you have a WHY that needs to be met, call me... it can happen for you too.

Here's the website for more info:
www.jhoward.nerium.com

the Red Devil

It's been several weeks and I'm not sure I can even write this - our hearts have been broken, mended, given hope - the full realm of feelings, emotions and fears. My favorite (yes, only) sister, Cari, was diagnosed with breast cancer at the end of September. She, her husband, and darling three boys are now concluding tests and starting Chemotherapy. The "Red Devil" as they call it enters your veins killing everything - including the bad cancer. I've put together a website with updates and ways to donate.... it's at the top of my blog. The Lord has seen her through the most difficult two weeks of her life to date and He's mending her body as we write. We have been strengthened through your prayers, encouraged by your words and rejoice that the cancer did not spread beyond the lymph node. Pink ribbons are everywhere and now I understand the power of them, the lives that have been changed and the strength of the ladies that FIGHT this horrible beast.

It's A GIRL!!!!!!

... and I'm not talking about a new puppy this time! Happily surprised we found out yesterday that our baby is a baby GIRL! In a family of 4 boys, this is most welcomed (by the adults) and well, not so much by some of the kids... but I'm sure all the boys will grow to love and protect this little one! Our son changed his tune right as I asked what he thought Mommy was going to have. He said ... "Well, maybe it'll be a baby girl!" His eyes widened when we said he was right and proudly said that he will call her "Bo-Bo". Names to be determined another day :)

1st day of Prek3

We were so excited to bring our favorite three year old to his first day of school today. He was bouncing with excitment and energy before 7am this morning. "Can we go now Mom?" I'm sure he had a great first day... and a celebratory supper tonight in honor of our first day of school!

Overjoyed with good news!

We have exciting news to share with the world! Looks like Baby #2 will be arriving sometime in early February! The Lord has certainly answered our prayers beyond what we thought possible. Brandt is praying for a baby brother and his parents are happy either way! We are overjoyed with this new addition to our family!

Matthew 19:26b

We love to pick Bible Verses from our "Daily Bread" that sits on our dining room table. Today we chose Matthew 19:26b. I'll give you Brandt's quote in his attempt to memorize it:
"With God all things are popsicles." Spoken like a true 3 year old FL boy in the summer!

Jackson Lee Vincent

Baby Jack has arrived and the Vincent family has yet another boy in their beautiful family! We of course, have another beautiful nephew/cousin to love on! Weighing in at 8 lbs 5 oz on 6.14.11 he is already proving to be in our family football team lineup! Photos to come soon. Congratulations Joshua and Cari - we can't wait to meet Baby Jack.

mango madness

We love mangos and even named a cat after our favorite tropical fruit long ago! But what do you do with all those Mangos? If you're lucky enough to have a tree, you patiently wait as they ripen then it's an all out fight to the finish... yes, fight! Between raccoons, squirrels and landscape crews, you're in for an all out war to keep those mangos for yourself. I salvaged about 15 from my parent's tree this weekend and made mango popsicles.

Here's the recipe if anyone is interested! We love mango season!!!!
2 cups cubed mangos
1 cup orange juice
2 Tbs honey
Blend until smooth and pour into popicle containers. Freeze 4 hours and enjoy!
PS: The clear container is lemonade. I ran out of the mango mixture, so you may need to double the recipe if you have more than 5 popsicles to fill!






This is :"Mango", our beloved cat. Rescued in the snow of Indiana and lived a long life in the tropics with his collie friend "Jake".

3..2...1... liftoff

Brandt's first trip to the Cape for the shuttle launch was so memorable. Thanks to the Johnson family who hosted our stay on Cocoa Beach - despite the love bug issue, it was a very successful launch... although I bet there is a love bug in orbit as we speak (they were everywhere)!

the glue of Creation

Gen 1:1 "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."
A three year old, glue stick and a big backyard can lead to a mulititude of activites and teachable moments. Today we collected treasures from our yard and glued them onto our 'boat' (aka: paper plate). Biblical principle learned: God made everything. He is the glue of creation.
Science hypothesis: Will the 'boat' float? will the heavy stick float? YES! Our hypothesis was right.
My learning moment: I can do activities with preschoolers - even without an education degree :)

Crazy for Frangipangi

Spring has sprung early this year and summer is almost here. Yes, we do have seasons in S. FL - you have to be a multi-generational native to see it and more importantly, appreciate it. I love spring in the tropics. My Frangipangi (white flower below) is blooming like crazy and my all time favorite tree, the Royal Poincianna, is bursting with coral colored flowers. Even a cardinal nest is just outside the patio door - creation is in full swing for us to enjoy and see the glory of the Lord. What a beautiful world He has created for us to enjoy!

Arizona delight

I delight in my son delighting in the things he loves. Trains, Disney World, smiling Crocodiles... but most of all he delights in his cousins. The joy on his face when he's around them is unlike anything the rest of the year. Johnny and Benjamin are the 'it' factor of his delightment (yes, I know it's not a word), but it's true. I am so happy they have this special bond and that we got to spend 10 days with these precious boys - they were delightful :)

Aunts rock

I am so thrilled that my sister loves her Nephew and my son loves his Aunt! For an only child to have that Aunt in his life is such a blessing to EVERYONE! He loves his Aunt Cari-o :)

Benjamin

Oh how I love this little nephew of mine... His fun loving personality, brilliant mind and thousands of questions! Congratulations on graduating from Pre-School BB! I love you!!!

Never Smile at a Crocodile - for my favorite Nephews!!!

more Easter

Happy Easter

It's a GIRL!!!!!!!

Introducing the newest member of our family... our 8 week old little girl named Kona. She joined our family on Saturday and is already proving to be the best dog in the world!!! Here are a few pictures of Brandt's sister... a boy's best friend :)