Today is a very special day.  Nine years ago a love was awakened in me like I never knew could exist.  My sweet Elijah entered this world and has brought a steady stream of joy to our family ever since.  Like most moms, I am of the opinion that my son is of an elite group, a group that is truly extra special, kind, lovable, beautiful, and of course brilliant.  I even have the proof, but that is a whole other entry.  Today has brought about a realm of emotions I didn’t expect.  First, shock.  After all I am WAY too young to be the mother of a 9-year-old.  Second, I am flabbergasted by the way in which time seems to be flying by.  I can still remember the way Elijah moved about in my tummy and the pain his sweet little body created as it stretched for room insisting my ribs move in ways they were not created to move.  Thirdly, and the most abundant overwhelming feeling I am encountering today is the love I have towards this boy.  Words can not even begin to capture the way in which I love him.  On a daily basis I recognize the blessing Elijah is to our family and I love him more and more everyday.  However,  today as I took the time to acknowledge the anniversary of this awakening in me I am amazed by the flooding of love that I feel,  towards Elijah, towards Joel, towards God but mostly from God.  The way he has loved me, entrusting me with this child is a testament to his love for me.

As I drove to school today I played out how our evening celebration would go.  I imagined how excited Elijah would be when he discovers that this momma bought him a BEARDED DRAGON.  (to say I am proud of myself would be a tad understated, after all it is a reptile and eats live food.  Enough said)  I could hardly contain my excitement.  I called Joel to see if I really had to wait until he got home to give it to him.  I couldn’t even focus in class as my tummy rolled with anticipation.  After class I promptly made my way to the pet store.  As I made my purchase,  unable to even touch the little sucker, I told the store owners of my great plans.  They seemed a bit concerned about the well being of the dragon, rightfully so I imagine.  Nonetheless,  I made my way home with it caged in my back seat.  As I drove home I began to think of how much God loves us.  To be honest I am not sure I can even begin to fathom the amount of love he has for me.  I began to imagine Jesus hearing my prayers and asking the Father “now, now can we give her the desires of her heart?”  I was reminded of how I prayed for a third child, I prayed,  PRAYED for  another child.  Can’t you just see Jesus, knowing Rachel was to be our daughter, eagerly awaiting the perfect timing of our Heavenly Father.  I began to cry as I felt the love a Jesus engulf me.  My love for Elijah pails in comparison to the love our Heavenly Father has for us.  The perfection of His love is truly beyond comprehension, yet He extends it so freely.

Today is the start of week two with my boycott on cereal.  So far so good.  We have had toast, pancakes, french toast a.k.a. the special toast per Gaige, and Quiche.  The Quiche was not a hit,  Gaige and I loved it, sadly, Rach and Elijah were basically force-fed.    As we speak/read/type our breakfast for Wednesday morning is in the oven, banana muffins!   I have really enjoyed making breakfast special for the kids, they seem to really be enjoying this trend as well.  I am needing some more ideas to help bring variety.  The boys don’t like oatmeal or scrambled/fried eggs,  maybe cream of wheat will be a go for Thursday.  Being the good little blogger I am I will keep you posted.

Oh yeah, the only thing I have bought special thus far for this endeavor is the sour cream for the muffins.  And the constant hunger pains felt by the Crutchfield clan seems to be at bay.  Who knew a hearty breakfast would solve the never ending whines?

Not sure to be excited or depressed.

Regardless the morning is going to come all to quickly, I am sure!

Off to prep the coffee machine and pack the boys lunches!

Nicole~

Happy Birthday to one the greatest friends ever!!!

Some of my favorite things about Nicole..

• She is kind,
• Loving,
• Encouraging,
• Honest,
• She loves me!
• She is HILARIOUS!
• Beautiful,
• Smart,
• The way she loves my kids!
• She believes in me,
• She makes a mean kettle corn!!

Simply she is amazing.

I am truly blessed to have such an amazing friend and thank God for allowing me the honor to call my friend!

A few months ago I found myself wondering where in the world all our groceries had disappeared to.  I also began noticing how my grocery bill was ever growing and my kids where always hungry!!  I mean 24/7 hungry.  The kind of hungry that can send a momma right off the edge!

Last weekend Gaige requested pancakes.  I promised him I would make some soon.  Monday morning came, there I stood in my kitchen half asleep with my mind wondered from thought to thought.    As I watched the Cheerios fall into the bowls I wondered, ” how much does cereal really cost per child per meal, not to mention the rice milk I bathe it in?”  Not really giving to much thought into it I served the children and went about my day.  Tuesday morning came even earlier as Gaige greeted me at 6:15 with a request for pancakes.  I, being the good momma I am, sent him right back to bed!  As if 7 isn’t early enough!   I mustered up enough wherewithal, determined to make my Gaigey pancakes!   Gaige was thrilled informing me that  “I should take these pancakes to the store and sell them!”  So, I began doing math which is always scary, but before 8am should be illegal!  And my homemade pancakes where cheap, in fact all of the ingredients are items normally stocked in my kitchen.  Right then I came up with a plan.  “Hot” breakfast for two weeks to see if the cost of our morning meal decreases!  Tuesday/Wednesday pancakes,  Thursday French toast, and Friday I am planning for quiche.

An added bonus is that my kids have been less hungry and requesting fewer snacks.  Its a win win situation if you ask me.  As far as the time constraints of my morning,  “hot” hasn’t added more than  a few extra minutes!  I will keep you posted on this experiment!

Five years.

Time, still no healer of the loss we feel.

We miss you Papa Ed!

On this glorious first day of fall I am walking by faith!  After nearly a week of laying flat on my back and then waking up with a sore throat and body aches I am declaring health over myself!  I am better, I feel healthy and whole,  and I am confident our heavenly Father is continuing the good work He started in me!

If you feel so inclined declare it with me!  Health, peace and strength is my portion today!

I REMEMBER!

Last week a friend told me of a blog she had found that shared their traditions for the night before the first day of school.  Knowing my skill level and my time restraints I made a few modifications and came up with what I hope to be a traditions for the years to come.

First, all was invited to a “fancy” dinner at 6pm.  Gaige wanted to clarify what exactly “fancy” meant.  As you can see in the photo below it means momma fixes dinner and lights a few candles!  O yeah, “fancy” also includes sparkling cider and Joel’s best paint clothes!

During dinner, we talked about what each child was most excited/nervous about for the upcoming school year.   After dinner, we sat together and prayed for each child.   Gaige’s prayer for Rachel revolved around her avoiding the principal’s office.  Elijah’s prayers were a reflection of his heart for good friends.  And true to Rachel’s fashion her prayers for her brothers concerned their lunch hour!  Joel and I fought back the laughs as each one laid their hands on their siblings and genuinely prayed for such serious matters!  I am sure our Heavenly Father enjoyed the hour as well!

Our evening concluded with the eating of oatmeal cookies and an interpretive dance with Gaige (sorry no pictures of that)!

This summer seems to have flown by.  Similar to years past, I sit here wondering how I am the mother to school aged children and where the summer went.  I truly long for the days when the smell of my childrens  breath took every care away.  The days where my duties revolved around feeding schedules and more importantly naps.  Napping, O sweet napping!  Those were the days I cherished.  When we would pop in Bug’s Life and all cozy up for a nap together on the couch.  The days when I could forget about being on time, getting dressed or even leaving my house.  That is truly the beauty of summer, 90 days of nostalgia.

On this last day of summer we slept until 10amk baked cookies and now are cozied up on the couch watching animal planet.  As Gaige puts it best “I love days like these!”