Strawberry trifle

I wanted to share a yummy dessert recipe! I have made this strawberry trifle for a family reunion and for playgroup. Tonight I am taking it to an end of school year get together. The recipe is below.

Ingredients:

1 box yellow cake mix

1 pkg (16 oz) fresh strawberries (sliced)

1 box (5 oz) vanilla pudding (prepared)

1 pkg whipped topping

Directions:

Bake cake and let cool (I do this the night before). Cut into small squares. You will not use the entire cake.

Fill the bottom of your trifle bowl with cake squares.

Layer approx 1/3 of the sliced strawberries.

Spread vanilla pudding on top.

Repeat once more with squaes, strawberries & pudding.

Spread whipped topping on top and garnish however you choose!

Chill for at least one hour and ENJOY :)

Mid week update

As much as I would LOVE to be, I am not a great gardener. My next door neighbor, however, IS!!! I am lucky enough to be able to benefit as these beautiful luscious flowers hang over our shared fence! The other day she actually apologized and told me she would come cut anything I wanted. I told her no way, especially since they are the most appealing part of our backyard :) Truth be told, her backyard it breath taking. She and her husband say it took 25+ years to get it that way, but it could literally be featured in a home & garden magazine. Sometimes I like to sneak a peak through the fence :)

Yesterday my mom, the kids and I ventured to College Station so that she could return some books from last semester. We stopped by Target and my mom bought each of the kids a treat. Emma got a pool for the backyard and Owen finally got an exersuacer/jumper! It has already been a life saver for me while working! Thanks, Lita!!

Lemons!

What is it with babies and lemons?? Both of my kids have LOVED eating them as infants. This is the best way we have found to keep Owen occupied at a restaurant!

Batter up, Ballerina!!

Saturday was a very busy day for Miss Emma.....

That morning she was a mighty Cameron cub and played in a great t ball game against the Milano Eagles. Her team is finally understanding the game a lot better and we are enjoying the season.

Memaw (great grandma) was in town and we were so glad that she could come to the game :) She has 5 children, 13 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren + 1 on the way this summer! She has been to plenty of ball games over the years but said that this was the youngest age she has ever watched! She loved it.

On Saturday afternoon Emma turned into a prima ballerina! She loves to dance and be the center of attention, so this is right down her alley :)

Emma and her fellow "fairy princesses" did a superb job on stage! This was recital #2 for Noelle, Ava and Emma pictured below.

Thank you to all family and friends who took the time to come watch Emma in her activities this weekend. We are truly blessed to have such caring people in our lives.

Emma plans to keep busy this summer with a beach trip, Vacation Bible school, Yoe cheer camp and swimming lessons.

Here is a short video from rehearsal. Emma is the first one on the left:

Emma Grace, I LOVE being your Mommy! You have blessed my life in so many ways and I am forever grateful. I am honored that God has given me the opportunity to teach you and mold you into a wonderful young lady. I love watching you grow and blossom! You are so kind to your little friends. You are the best big sister a little brother could ask for! I am so proud of my little ballerina ball player :)

Aggie Emma

Emma has been hanging out a lot with her daddy lately........

Dancing Owen

Owen is a little dancer. Whenver he hears music, especially when his daddy sings, he starts grooving!!!

7 months old!

Owen is 7 months old today! He has recently become a little more content overall but sleep is still a sore subject :/ He is all boy and loves to get into anything he can reach. I think he had chewed all the way through the plastic table cloth at the Yoe athletic banquet dinner the other night before it had started! He loves to grab drinking straws as well as his spoon/food. He is one messy eater! Emma is still as sweet as an be to him but is rather reluctant to let him borrow her toys since he drools all over them.

Owen met a new buddy recently. Benjamin is 12 days older and is my work supervisor's son (Erin and I went to jr high and high school together).

Owen's newest milestone is sitting by himself - just for several moments. We have all hard wood floors throughout the house and I can already see this being an issue with his upcoming milestones (sitting up, crawling, walking, etc.) He fell forward from a sitting position last weekend and had his first poor little bruise for a few days.

Owen is still wearing some 3 month outfits but is mostly in size 6 month. He fits comfortably in size 2 diapers. He has to be double diapered at night and goes through more diapers per day than his sister did at this age :/

Owen is looking forward to his first trip to the beach this month! It's so hard to believe that we will be celebrating his first birthday party in just 5 short months....

Philippians4:6-8

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:6-8

Sometimes I get ovewhelmed with everything going on. I confess that I am a major worry wart...about anything and everything. I procrastinate when I shouldn't. With my lack of sleep I get VERY anxious. This Bible verse calms my fears and worries. It reminds me that there is someone strong and mighty who wants to take on my burdens. I think of a song that is on one of Emma's Bible song cds: "My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there's NOTHING my God cannot do."

Fifteen on Friday

TGIF! Today I am copying a fellow blogger mama's idea and I am creating a list of tid bits to keep you all informed of the recent going ons in the Smith household :)


1. Is there such a thing as being completely "caught up" on the laundry? It seems like a never ending cycle! We have matching hampers in each bedroom....and they are always full. Even with itty bitty clothes! Socks are my worst enemy. Either I can't find a match or I just can't find any for anyone at all! Poor Jarrod often searches for a matching pair before work in the mornings....and he doesn't even complain...much :)


2. I will never clip my children's nails again. Ever. Jarrod is now the designated clipper. On Tuesday morning I was clipping Emma's nails before she got in the bath tub. She was long overdue. I got through one hand just fine and then accidentely clipped a little to far on her left pinky. She screamed and I panicked. I thought we were going to have to make another ER run....it was THAT bad. I held pressure and the bleeding finally stopped. I have never felt so bad in my life. Barbie band aids make it a little better but she is strong and puts up a good fight. When it bothers her she reminds me that I hurt her and she doesn't like me anymore. Great.


3. I love my job. It works out very well for our family. I can stay home with the kiddos but still bring in extra income. However, since Owen's arrival it has become rather challenging to complete my 20 hours. Friday is the last day of my work week and I always end up playing catch up.

4. After tomorrow's game we will officially be half way through Emma's first season of pre t ball. It has been a good experience and the kiddos have enjoyed every minute. The games are quite entertaining and Emma and her bestie, Brinley, exchange pink gloves while out in the field. They also spend lots of time "sunbathing" on the pitcher's mound :) Oooh that's my girl!


5. We are headed to Galveston on June 1st! Emma is looking forward to building sand castles. It is always a fun trip to spend time with my parents, brother and sister-in-law. My best friend Lauren and her husband live closeby always come to the beach house the night my dad boils shrimp!


6. Emma's feet have gone through a major growth spurt recently! All of her shoes seem to be too tight. On Wed morning we were in our usual mad rush to get out the door in time for dance class and Emma would not walk in her ballet shoes. She said they hurt. I do not want to buy her a new pair less than 2 weeks before the recital (esp since we aren't dancing in the Fall). At class one of her teachers un tied the laces and put her pointer finger inside to loosen and stretch the material. Hooray for them fitting more comfortably and not having to invest in more :)


7. Since the weather has been so nice lately we have spent plenty of time in the backyard. The kids are finally able enjoy the swing set Jarrod built last Fall. There is a platform on the swing set that is just under 6 ft tall. Yesterday Roxie followed Emma up the stairs and the next thing we knew she LEAPED off of the platform!! This is the same dog who is scared of cats and needs assistance jumping into the car and off of the couch! Fortunately she had a clean landing and seems just fine. I told Jarrod that she probably practices that move when she is alone ;)

8. Why is the month of May always so busy?!? All of the weekends are booked like CRAZY and we have school banquets galore on the week days. Tomorrow we have a t ball game, my cousin's baby shower in Waco, a graduation dinner in Salado. On Sunday we have our last marriage class at church and then Emma's recital rehearsal. Then Jarrod has to hand out senior awards. Next weekend we have a t ball game, dance recital and a bday party in Waco. I'm hoping June will be a little slower.


9. Jarrod makes the BEST smoothies. He has been doing so since lent because they taste so sweet and it replaced desserts. He blends ice, yogurt, fresh fruit and milk. Emma requests them almost every night. He is in the kitchen making some now :)


10. When I was in college I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning. Just because. Now I WISH I had understood the value of sleep back then. Owen is doing a little better but still wakes up a hand full of times between 7:30pm - 7:30am. It's painfully exhausting some nights. This morning around 1am I told Jarrod to remind me of this when I'm sad when he heads to college (sniff sniff). I'm so ready for "the night"...you know, the one when he sleeps the whole night through and I don't know until morning (after 7am!)

11. Emma's new phrase is "It's not fair." Where does she come up with these things? She even uses it in the right way! Evidently it's not fair that she has to go to bed, brush her teeth or eat broccoli. Last night was the first night she said it to her daddy. His response was that a "fair" is where you can buy a corndog! Her favorite show right now is Phenias and Ferb on the Disney channel - she knows the theme song by heart. Does anyone else watch that?!

12. This week Owen has started dancing. Whenever his daddy sings or he hears a beat of music he moves his body with the rhythm. He did it to the Oprah show song today. He has no interest in crawling. That's fine by me.

13. Emma starts preschool in 109 days....but who is counting?! It will be bittersweet at first, but she and I are both ready! She has started getting bored while I work and its hard to keep her entertained all day long....especially since she doesn't nap :/ She loves, loves, loves interacting with her peers...and always wants to go somewhere or do something!

14. Football season is already underway. It seems to start earlier every year! Coach Smith is already traveling with 7 on 7 teams and watches film after school. We are looking forward to going to coaching school with him in San Antonio in July. After that we won't see much of him until the holidays.

15. I am proud to be a coupon freak! My friend Sandra and I swap when possible. I never purchase diapers or wipes without a coupon in hand. I have saved around $30 during my most recent two grocery runs. I sure wish I lived near a grocery store that hosted double/triple coupon days....maybe one of these days!

Recipe for a happy marriage

1 cup consideration

1 cup courtesy

2 cupfuls flattery carefully concealed

1 gallon faith and trust in each other

2 cupfuls praise

1 small pinch of in-laws

1 reasonable budget

a generous dash of cooperation

3 teaspoon pure extract of "I'm sorry"

1 cup contentment

1 cup each confidence and encouragement

1 large or several small hobbies

1 cup blindness to the other's faults

Flavor with frequent portions of recreation and a dash of happy memories. Stir well and remove any specks of jealousy, temper or criticism. Sweeten well with generous portions of love and keep warm with a steady flame of devotion. Never serve with cold shoulder.

Mother's Day/Baby Dedication

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old

he will not depart from it. -Proverbs 22:6

This morning was baby dedication for both kids at church. What a special day to make a promise to the Lord to do everything in our power to raise our children in a Christian home.

Jarrod and I went out on a date Saturday night. The two of us don't get away alone very often so it was a nice treat! In honor of Mother's day he let me choose the restaurant! We enjoyed dinner at Outback Steakhouse. It was nice to be able to have both hands free to enjoy my meal and to talk to Jarrod without being interrupted. We didn't even talk about the kids. Much!

After dinner we browsed at Barnes & Noble. I could spend hours looking at greeting cards and they have the best selction there! I also spent awhile skimming Kate Gosselin's new book, 'I Just Want You to Know'. It contains individual heartfelt letters written to each of her eight children. Each letter is so tender and loving and is several pages in length. In the book Kate tells about her faith. She shared that she needed God more than any other time in her life after the sextuplets were born (I can only imagine!). She writes that God chose her to be he mother of those EXACT children. That hit me like a ton of bricks and brought joyful tears to my eyes. How powerful of a statement - and what a privilege and honor that God chose ME to be the mother of Emma Grace and Owen Barrett! Some days it is extremely overwhelming, but God doesn't give us anything we can't handle. How amazing that God knew my children before I did. He knows exactly how many hairs are on their heads (albeit Owen doesn't have many!) (Luke 12:7). He also knows my prayers before I pray them (Dear Lord, please help this child sleep tonight.) (Matthew 6:8).

We enjoyed breakfast with Jarrod's mom and lunch with my mom.

I felt very appreciated on Mother's day. Jarrod brought home a BEAUTIFUL flower arrangement on Friday (including a dozen hot pink roses, my fav)! My parents and J's aunt gave me some fun goodies. The kids got me a cute exercise clothing set for aerobics class and perfume. Jarrod always makes me a sweet video with photos from the past year (if you haven't heard Taylor Swift's song 'The Best Day' you should grab a box of Kleenex and find it)!

Before I was a mom...

Before I was a mom

I made and ate hot meals.

I had unstained clothing.

I had quiet conversations on the phone.

Before I was a mom

I slept as late as I wanted.

And I never worried about

how late I got into bed.

I brushed my hair and teeth everyday.

.

Before I was a mom

I cleaned my house each day.

I never tripped over toys.

or forgot words to lullabies.

Before I was a mom

I didn't worry whether or not my

plants were poisonous.

I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a mom

I had never been pooped on,

spit up on,

chewed on,

peed on,

Or pinched by tiny fingers.

Before I was a mom

I had complete control of myself;

my thoughts,

my body,

And my mind.

I slept all night.

Before I was a mom

I never held down a screaming child

so that doctors could do tests or give shots.

I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

I never sat up late hours a night watching my baby sleep.

Before I was a mom

I never held a sleeping baby just because

I didn'twant to put it down.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces

when I couldn't stop the hurt.

I never knew something so small

could effect my life so much.

I never knew that I could love someone so much.

I never knew I would love being a mom.

Before I was a mom

I didn't know the feeling of having

my heart outside my body.

I didn't know how special it could

feel to feed a hungry baby.

I didn't know that bond between

a Mother and her child.

I didn't know that something so

small could make me feel so important.

Before I was a mom

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every ten

minutes to make sure all was okay.

I never knew the warmth,

the joy,

the love,

the heartache,

the wonderfulment,

or the satisfaction of being a mom.

I didnt know I was capable of feeling so much

before I was a mom.

Two hundred

This week a year ago I wrote in Owen's baby journal that I was starting to feel him move! I had also purchased one baby girl outfit and one baby boy outfit, since we didn't know the gender yet!

Time flies when you're having fun!

Tomorrow Owen will be 200 days old! He is growing very quickly and is learning new things every day. His favorite new actvity is the doorway jumper. Thanks to my friend Cristi, Owen has finally found something that he can enjoy for at least a few moments other than being held :)

His most recent milestone is sleeping without being swaddled like a lil burrito! Luckily, this adjustment has been much easier than this mama anticipated! He is also finally getting on a better sleep routine, although he still wakes up at least a hand full of times during the night. Ugh. Nap time can be challenging with a 3 year old sister who likes to gallop on the hard wood floors! Since being unswaddled, Owen seems to prefer sleeping on his tummy, just like his daddy! He likes to have his back rubbed and has become very fond of the pacifier....notice two in the photo below :)

Although he is still a mama's boy, Owen has recently enjoyed hanging out with his daddy. This week I took Emma to aerobics with me and left the guys together for some "male bonding time"...whatever that means! It was the first time ever that we had split boys together and girls together. We returned home to discover that Owen had napped on his daddy the entire time! Since then Jarrod has done bath/bed time alone a couple of times and Owen hasn't fussed :)

Owen has started taking more of an interest in food! He now actually finishes complete jars of baby food and has a strong preference for anything mixed with oatmeal! Instead of always "snacking" he finishes bottles now.

Owen smiles all the time but giggles very seldom. He is very ticklish and that usually forces a giggle or two! We were sitting at the dinner table last week and Emma started acting silly. Owen thought it was the funniest thing he had ever seen (it probably was) and started giggling like a crazy!

Game time!!

We are so proud of Emma and the other Cameron Cubs! They played the Milano Eagles and did so well during their first pre T-ball game this morning. Emma was super excited to put all of her gear on this and requested pancakes (breakfast of champions)! She was literally jumping up and down and squealing with delight as all of her little friend showed up to the field :) There were no umpires, just parent coaches! Jarrod said it was a lot like herding cats and luckily they only played two innings. Each player got two turns to bat, which is their favorite part! It was very cute and entertaining and I know that it is just the beginning of many fun years! Check out the video of our favorite #6 at the very bottom!