The boys.......Ben, Tim, Jeff, Ray, and Paul. 

Teal, Garry, Jenny and Cindy 

The Ridgells 

My sis, Kimmy, Steph, Shea, Amber, Emily, Tim and baby Anna (Ridgell) 

The Conways and Caves 

Happy 30th Birthday to Brian

Today is my hubbie's 30th birthday. Wow, that's a BIG birthday isn't it? I have come to understand that everyone ---whether your older or younger, thinks 30 is a big deal. You are officially crossing over from your teens/twenties to a decade where you are simply waiting for middle age to hit. :) Brian is out playing golf at the exclusive Vaquero golf course this morning. Then later tonight I have some secrets in store for him. Can't go into detail just in case he checks this today---which I could almost guarantee he won't. I'll definitely post some pictures in the near future though.
So I realize I skipped a month in updating my blog. I really do feel bad about it because people start to think that it isn't worth looking at anymore. I frankly do not read any blog/space that isn't updated regularly. I apologize and ask that you not give up on me!
With the web, we now have opportunities to extend our prayer circle much further than our church small group. With that in mind, I'd like to ask your prayers for my family (extended). There are some hard things to be worked through and a lot of pain to heal from. Please pray for God's grace, love, and mercy to be poured out on our family in sizeable quantities. I appreciate this so much. Maybe someday I can disclose more, but for now, that's it.
I became an aunt for the 7th time this week. Jeremiah Tucker Mulree was born weighing a whopping 9lbs 11oz....booting Noah out of the biggest baby reign. I am so excited about this little boy---more so than usual and I'm not sure why. The last nephew that was born was Payton---and he turns 4 years old tomorrow! But I just LOVE babies and find myself being very drawn to Jeremiah. I think Noah and I are going to make a visit later this summer to spend some time with him (he's in CA). My other two sisters are done having children and it makes me sad. It widens the age gap between us. I obviously just started having kids and there is this funny need to have everyone around you having kids as well. But to know that my sisters are done, and that Kristy is possibly done now, makes me sad. There is a sense of everyone moving on and "closing" that chapter of their life and looking towards getting their kids all grown up and in school so that they can have more flexibility and freedom again. Which don't get me wrong, makes perfect sense. But I always seem to be closest to people who are one life stage ahead of me....and a few that are one stage behind me. I suppose my astounding maturity puts me in this place. ha ha ha. just kidding.
Well, I better get going and start making last minute preparations for tonight. If you know Brian and didn't realize it was his 30th today, send him an email or give him a call. He would appreciate it so much. Until next time..............

Happy Easter!

Good morning! I hope that Easter was enjoyed by all. While Brian, Noah and I had no specific plans with family, it was quite a relaxing wonderful day. Church was exceptional today---lots of energy, smiles and love. Then I came home and fixed us a non traditional to us/traditional to some meal of BBQ beef, sweet potatoes, and corn on the cob. It was quite yummy. And Noah enjoyed his very own cob for the first time. He devoured it! We slept a lot, played outside in the 95 degree weather with sprinklers, and slept some more. It was pretty awesome. Here's a clip of Noah in his Easter garb. He actually didn't wear this on Easter. His father would not have that. He wore a cute very BOY outfit for church. But this outfit I thought was adorable and so I had to get it. Come on, it has an alligator on it!! What girl wears an alligator??? But for some reason some have said he looks feminine. Yes, he has curls, so what. Anyway, I'll stop acting defensive. :)

So Easter has come to mean much more to lately than in my growing up years. I actually got a great Easter book from Target this year for Noah. It talks about how Easter eggs, new dresses, sparkling shoes, and the Easter bunny are all good, fun things. But that the REAL reason for Easter is of course, Jesus--the fact that he died for our sins, and God raised him from the dead three days later. Or as my friend's little girl says it "Jesus has no more owies!". I thought that was adorable. If you grew up in the church, then what I just said is a no brainer. But I have to say that Easter bunnies, candy and dresses are what occupied most of my upbringing. There was never a big emphasis put on the real meaning for Easter. I think it's a shame. Between Christmas and Easter, we have 2 huge opportunities as Christians to use holidays that our culture actually celebrates to be bolder than ever about the faith we profess. And frankly, the fact that Jesus did not stay in that grave, is the reason I can be confident in my faith and eternal salvation. Jesus is alive today and I am free because of it. What a wonderful thing to celebrate! Noah has learned to say "eggs" over the past few days as I was prepping him for his Easter basket. He associates the word Easter with eggs. Yesterday I kept saying "Easter is about Jesus!" Noah would say "Eggs!" I would say, "No, Jesus." Noah would again say, "Eggs!" It was actually pretty funny. But it made me realize that whatever is impressed upon him more, is what he'll remember. Raising Noah up in the Lord is something that will take a lot of work and prayer. But I know God wants him to be his child more than I ever could. So that is pretty reassuring.

Hey, before I get too carried away with Easter, I thought I should write a short update about my days off lately. I am LOVING my days off now. Not only do I love having a pretty open schedule, but I truly have not focused on "getting things done" on my days off. I really just do fun things with Noah, or maybe run an errand or two. But mostly just let the day take us where it wants. I bought a couple books from Mardels that have various activity ideas, so that is good. But going on walks, baking cookies, and doing puzzles have managed to be very fulfilling. So thank you to those of you have said a prayer here and there or offered an encouraging word. We both appreciate it.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I really care nothing about St. patty's Day but I couldn't think of anything else to title this. Yes, lack of creativity is my name. Anyway, I'm right on par with writing once a month on this blog. I would love to do it more and heaven knows YOU want me to do it more! :) ha ha But I simply don't have the drive or time to sit down and do it. I want to write long entries and not little snippits, which is what keeps me from sitting down and doing it because I know it'll take awhile. All that aside, here I am, writing today. I had to update everyone on my not so part time status at work. Well, officially as of March 1st, I am part time. Woo hoo! To be honest, it doesn't feel much different. See, I am keeping the exact same schedule---the difference is the 2.5 days I am at home, instead of working on my computer, I can play with Noah. Now while that may sound simple, I have to admit it is an adjustment. If you haven't ever had 2 full days every week off work, then you know what I mean. What does one do with that time? There are two extremes that I dont' want to fall into. One would be that you can sit around and do nothing all day and be lazy (at 4pm I realize Noah and I are still in our PJs). The other extreme would be every Wednesday and Friday I run all my errands and haul Noah everywhere. NO THANK YOU. This all may sound silly, but I'm serious, I don't know how to "structure" my days off. Noah is a very hands on child---meaning, he does not like to play, think, sing, babble, BE alone....ever. As you can imagine, this poses a slight struggle for me. I have to come up with meaningful, fun, educational things to do all day long. I am completely uncreative and so I am having to learn this. You can only play so many puzzles, throw so many balls, and watch so much Barney. :) So any ideas out there would be quite welcome. I've been meaning to go to a teacher supply store and start fishing for new things to do with Noah. If it were up to Noah, he would "sfing" all day long. That would mean he wants to go outside, into the yard, and have me push him on the swing hanging from our tree.........all day long. Hmmmm, no thanks.
All in all, it's wonderful to not have to think about work every day and know that instead I get to be a mom and individual (oxymoron?) 2 days a week instead of a human calculator.
Well, I am actually working today so I better get back to it. Enjoy this incredibly green day and drink some green beer for me.

So anyone else procrastinating?

It's only mid February and I'm already procrastinating on any resolutions or ideas I had last month. Man, I'm pretty sad. My goal to lose some weight still definitely exists but isn't being pursued..........hmmmm with gusto, you might say. But I have till June (trip to Puerto Rico with Brian's company) so plenty of time, right?
My bible reading has actually hung on strong, so that's good. My prayer life needs a good kick in the pants. Anyone have any ideas about how to really get enthralled and disciplined in prayer? Man, I need help. Forgive me Lord, for putting you on hold way too much.
As far as the transition to part time---it’s a slow one. Basically exactly what I thought would happen is happening. We are all so caught up in our work because it is the busiest time of the year and therefore my part time status gets put on hold. I’m just as much to blame though, because I’m too busy to really push it. Plus, they honestly don’t have anyone that can start taking over and no money to pay for a new person. So I’m a little apprehensive because I don’t want the quality of work to go down and I know they don’t either. EVERYTHING that happens in the LST office is so important for the end result---more people hearing about Jesus. I just don’t know how to bridge the gap.....but I know that’s not my job. I also don’t think I want to do as many hours as originally intended. I had said 30 but now I’m thinking 23-25. I know that’ll throw em’ for a loop as well. :)
So bottom line, I've got lots of work to do to in all areas of life. But the good news is Noah is fantastic---I am more and more in love with him everyday. And Brian's and my marriage is doing awesome. So ultimately, what more could I ask for?

Happy New Year

I have had a lot of people recently tell me that they love the new year desperately because it provides them a "clean slate" if you will. I honestly have never really thought of it that way, but it seems to make a lot of sense. I've made resolutions in the past, yes, but I've never really seen it as a brand new beginning. However, I would like to start looking at it this way because I think it would keep every month from banging into the other in an out of control manner where every year is similar to the previous.

But I know this year is going to be different for one reason in particular. I have requested to start working part time. Yes, it's a big step for me. I didn't really see this happening except for maybe when I had child #2. But God has His own beautiful timing for everything. I've been praying off and on for awhile that He would show me if and when I ever should switch to part time. Over Christmas, He chose to make those thoughts known. :)
Some of you aren't aware that my current work schedule consists of 2.5 days in the office, and 2.5 days working from my home. As you can imagine, when I work from home, I also have the job of being a mother. This has proven to be more and more difficult with each passing week. So much so, that I started to see some of my depression symptoms kick back up again. I talked to my doctor about it and she saw a direct correlation with stress and working from home. But I told her there was nothing I could do about that for now. Well, little did I know that God would orchestrate a wonderful transition sooner than I had thought.
All of this is only possible because I work for a wonderful organization with wonderful godly people. The director of Let's Start Talking is extremely supportive and basically agreed with everything I proposed. I honestly can't tell you what a relief this is. It is actually very unexpected (one month ago, I wasn't even thinking about part time), which makes it even better. Just knowing that I wont' have to be splitting myself in two anymore is awesome. I will no longer be working any from home. That time will be reserved for playing with Noah and enjoying that time while I have it. So far it looks like I'll start working 3 days a week. This change will not happen necessarily soon. There are a lot of odds and ins that need to work out, so please be praying about this. I would appreciate it.
Brian has been so great about this. He said the other night that he feels a lot of peace surrounding this, which didn't use to be the case when this subject came up. He has been doing so well at this job and we are hoping for a generous raise next month (his 1 year). His boss has been very encouraging and complimentary towards Brian's work and wants to keep him around at Cook for a long time. :)
Anyway, that's my big news. It's a very exciting step for me and I can't wait to get started. This New year is already off to a great start. I hope yours is too.