The Shipley's

Our visit with Ryan and Cate was nothing less than wonderful! We're so glad they got to swing through C.S. on their way to Nashville. Here are some pics:





The boys...back together again and ready to play 42.




Taylor Joy and her favorite "Jessita!"




Cate showing Taylor some pictures on her camera...aka: the only way to get her to sit still for a picture. (the MOST active child I know!)




Intense 42 playing...




Me attempting to play Guitar Hero. I was actually horrible at it, but for some reason it told me that I rocked. (who took this picture anyway?)




Taylor Joy played too!



Jessita and a diaper-only Beckett...we had a poop accident when we got there and I had forgotten to put in an extra outfit for him after we had used the last one like the night before. It's HARD to remember all the things he *may* need! Can I get an amen?

The True Vine

This is a branch that Allen pruned a couple of weeks ago. I happened to see it about a week ago and thought to myself, "Wow! The leaves that are coming back are so full and lush and it happened so fast!"

Now, most days I would have just thought about it for 2 seconds and then been off to the next thing, but lately the Lord is showing me how to enjoy the little things and to see Him in everything, not just the things that are glaringly obvious or detrimental.

I was reminded of John 15.

1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes^[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

I am thankful that we are pruned so that we can bear MORE fruit, not just so that we will be tidy and clean, but because He has better for us in store. He says in the verse that we are already clean if we are believers, so that's not the purpose, but that we bring Him MORE glory by producing MORE fruit. At the time of pruning it might seem awful, like we are losing something that is SO ingrained in us, but then the spring comes and our fruit flourishes more than before because... YES, He knows what He's doing!

Lord, help me to treasure the pruning because I know the end result. Help me to be thankful that you are investing time in me because you see the potential for more ahead.

Sweet Boy

Now if this isn't a little Gerber baby I don't know who is...look at that face!

He's 3 1/2 months old now! He's catching up with Taylor on the weight! It's weird to think that he will outgrow her soon enough!

Beckett has such a sweet demeanor. I just have to share about his little up and coming personality.

Last night he woke up to eat around 4:30 a.m. and had peed on his jammies. So, Allen goes to get a new outfit, diaper, etc. while I feed him. As soon as we start changing him, he thinks its time to play. He's smiling and giggling and apparently in the best mood in the middle of the night! Because he absolutely melts my heart I wanted to stay up with him and just treasure his smile, but I knew that wasn't what a practical mom would do. Besides, he's ALWAYS got a smile on his face so I knew it would be there later for me to gaze upon.

What a precious little boy we have been blessed with! I can't help but think that the Lord is going to do amazing things with this boy and I get to be his mother!

Our Little Ray of Sunshine

Treasuring God in Our Traditions

I actually finished reading Treasuring God in Our Traditions by Noel Piper several months ago. Like, right before Beckett was born if I'm remembering correctly.

Well, Easter rolls around and I have to pull that baby back off the bookshelf. Or the shelf in the closet in our case (space is at a minimum in the Duty house and Beckett took over our study).

Anyhoo...

Noel does a great job explaining not only the "why" but the "how" of using traditions in our families. The "why" of having traditions, even as simple as every day teaching, is actually very convicting. A tradition can be as simple as daily teaching, instructing and storing up His Word in our hearts and helping our children to do the same.

"We can only give what we already have. If God's words are not in our hearts and souls, we can't teach them to anyone else."

Her point: The example we are to our children has profound implications and our parenting must point them back to Him . We must value the Word enough to store it up in our hearts so that we will know how to answer our children because it's a given that every question will eventually be asked, every struggle will arise and His every promise will be kept. Let's be quick to quote scripture instead of quick to give our opinion. Let's give our children a legacy that will continue, a heritage that's rooted in the Word for generations to come.

Easter, Christmas and other special occasions are addressed as she goes through weddings, funerals, "gotcha" (adoption) days, and so on. This year my family actually used her idea for an Easter Mountain. We baked playdoh, colored it (that was by far Taylor's favorite part), made the people and colored them, and then enacted the story with her throughout Easter week, letting an event happen each day so that she might understand it better. I think next year there will be more understanding as to what is happening, but it certainly contributed to our Easter, helping us to focus more on the resurrection and Jesus.

The great thing about all of her ideas is that they are just that...ideas. You can take them and run with them, doing what works for your family and the ages of your children. I recommend reading this book and making an effort to plan traditions for your family, whether everyday or for special occasions that will point your family to Christ.

Makeover

I thought it was about time that the blog get a cute little makeover. Come on over and check it out if you use Google reader. It's really worth it, I think! It's fun and easy to make your blog cute! You might also see some more changes in the days to come...

Making Hairbows

I've had several people ask me to teach them how to make little girl's hairbows. I figured it easiest to do a step-by-step photo tutorial for anyone who wants to learn.

I hope you can follow. It's kinda like cooking in that most of the time I add just a little of this and a little of that and it seems hard (and silly) to try to explain everything, but here goes:

Here are the materials that you will need:

Ribbon
Floral wire
Scissors
Hair clips
Hot glue gun


First, cut a long piece (see what I mean here?) of the desired ribbon that you want to make a bow out of. Seriously it's probably like 2 feet...ish...Or you can just cut it after you make the loops. That's actually what I do so I don't waste any ribbon.

Take the ribbon and make a loop like the picture below.



Bring up another loop on the opposite side so the ribbon makes almost an M shape.



Now, continue and make a loop back on the lower portion of the first side.



Finally, one more loop back up to the upper right side and bring the dangling end back down to the lower left.



It does feel ackward holding the ribbon at first, but you'll get the hang of it and it will start to feel more natural.

Take the floral wire and wrap it around the middle of the loops so that its as tight as you can get it. Now, you can adjust the loops so they are even and just how you like them. Take the floral wire and wrap it around a few more times when you are satisfied. Make sure it's wrapped smoothly. Clip the edges if you need to.

Now get your clip and you are ready to hot glue ribbon around the edges of it. Starting at the bottom (flat side) hot glue the edge of the ribbon to the edge of the clip.



Finish by hot gluing all across the top and into the clip on the top of the inside.



Doing this isn't totally necessary if the clip isn't going to show, but I just think it's cute and that's what all the Gymboree clips look like.

Take your hairclip and hot glue the flat side of it to the back of the bow so it doesn't show from the front at all.

Now, take a smaller piece of ribbon and use the hot glue to glue one side the back of the bow inside of the clip. After it's dry take the ribbon and wrap it around the bow so that it's snug and depending on the look you want you may want to wrap it a couple more times. Hot glue the end to the back of the bow (inside the clip), making sure no ragged ends are showing.


I know some people like the look of a little knot in the middle. Just tie a knot in your ribbon and wrap it around in the same way.


Voila! You made a sweet bow for your sweet little girl!

Another thing I like to do is to fire up the edges of the ribbon to make sure they don't fray. Just don't really start a fire! You don't have to get it that close to the ribbon or do it for that long! Let's be smart, people!

Let me know if you have any additional suggestions or ways to make different bows. I know this way has got to be the easiest way! I hope this helps!

Spring Break

We went to Dallas this week and stayed with Nanny, Papa, B and Angel for the week while Allen was gone to do spring break missions. Yep, he went to a border town and BUILT A HOUSE for a family there. Is he amazing or what!

Actually...he told me that the first day everyone was a little leery about building the house because the "regular" construction workers (like those who do this for a living) weren't on the trip this year and everyone was sort of looking to him to lead and he was usually just a "helper" to those guys.

Well, the second day he called and told me they got MORE done than they had ever done in the previous years. It's just a testimony to the Lord that he really doesn't call the equipped but rather equips those that he calls! Praise the Lord! A family there is completely blessed with a sturdy roof over their head now!

Our spring break started off with SNOW! Yep! Spring break...snow...should those two things even be in the same sentence???? I opened the blinds that morning and to my surprise snow was falling and HARD! Crazy! I snatched Taylor Joy out of bed, bundled her up and grabbed the camera. Look closely and you can see snow falling!



In Dallas we mostly just relaxed but did some stuff around town too. Like Tuesday, we went to the Dallas Arboretum where Dallas Blooms was this week and it just so happened that Tuesday was their Toddler Day. Yippee! We had a blast! First, Taylor was greeted by some Children's Hospital helpers who decked her out like a little nurse.



Then, we colored for awhile with markers while I pleaded with Taylor to go dance with the Kindermusik lady who was teaching a little dance to the kids. But, that was a no-go. Coloring was way more fun, apparently.



We headed out to their little petting zoo.



Taylor had a blast!


Can you tell she loved the petting zoo???

Oh, but she hated getting her hands dirty. She was asking for wipes in between petting the animals. What a girly girl. Gee, I wonder where she gets that from...



We had a little picnic lunch and then walked around enjoying the flowers.



This is the closest thing we could get to a family picture.



I like this picture because Beckett and I are making the same face. His is much cuter, of course!



More fun with flowers! This girl LOVES to be outside!






Two worn out kiddos...




What a wonderful week topped off by an AMAZINGLY QUIET car ride home. Beckett slept pretty much the whole time and Taylor Joy was entertained watching Charlotte's Web twice! I listened to a sermon by Carolyn Mahaney about being busy in the home. What a wonderful way to end the week. Hope yours was great too!

Twinkle Little Star Down in Heart

Here is Taylor Joy singing a variety of songs! Here is the translation:

She starts off singing "Down in heart, down in heart" from "I've got the joy joy joy" and then she goes to singing "Twinkle twinkle little star" while she proceeds to stuff cheerios into her mouth. It cracks me up because at first she's almost whispering a soft ballad and then all of the sudden it turns into a rock song! She gets distracted so easily and she goes to humming and dancing after that!

The sounds of Beckett

Here's just a taste of the sounds our precious baby has been making! So talkative! The loud sound is the heater that's in our bathroom. He seriously loves that thing! I think both the sound and the warmth. Anyhow, enjoy! There are more videos to come...especially some of Taylor Joy's wonderful singing! Stay tuned!

These are my newest absolute favorite thing! MMMMmmm! Just looking at the box makes me drool. Seriously if you haven't tried these you should go buy some today! They are yummylicious! They say "lightly cinnamon" but I always try to find the ones that are COATED with cinnamon. Those are the best! I could literally eat a whole box at one sitting. I guess that's okay since they are Wheat Thins? I mean, it must have wheat and whole grains in it, right? I hope that logic works! Tell me if you buy them, try them and like them! And if you ever want to make me smile, just bring me over a box!

More Church!

We just pulled in from church and Taylor Joy started crying saying, "More church, more church!" I couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm for our church, Living Hope. Although I know they do wonderful things in the preschool and teach a fruitful lesson every time she is in there, I certainly hope she keeps that same wonderful enthusiasm for the church throughout her life.

This spring our pastor, Butch, has actually been preaching a series called, Ekklesia, which is the greek word for "church" (basically, a group gathered together, not the building) used in the New Testament and calling us to the standard of the church body that the Bible has for us. I encourage you to click on the link to our church, click on Listen Online and start listening to the sermons today!

Oh, and after Taylor Joy stopped saying, "More church!" she went on to say, "More Daddy, more Daddy!" I'm quite sure that her enthusiasm for her daddy will last for the ages...

Don't Forget!

TO VOTE!

If you live in College Station or Bryan, the details are below. For the rest of you, just check your local newspaper or online news! Early voting is the best bet (in my opinion...)

And you get a really cool sticker!

Early voting places and times

Early voting in the March 4 Democratic and Republican primaries begins on Tuesday and will continue through the weekend until Feb. 29. Any Brazos County voter with a current voter registration may cast an early ballot. No reason needs to be given.

Any registered voter may vote in either primary, but not both. Should there be a runoff in either party, voters who vast a ballot in one party's March 4 primary may not vote in the other party's runoff.

Hours for early voting are:

• Tuesday through Friday-- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Saturday -- 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Sunday -- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Monday through Feb. 29 -- 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Voters may cast a ballot at any of the five Brazos County early polling places:

• Brazos County Courthouse, 300 E. 26th St., Suite 108, in downtown Bryan.

• Arena Hall, North Earl Rudder Freeway at Tabor Road in Bryan.

• Galilee Baptist Church, 804 N. Logan St. in Bryan.

• Brazos Valley Bank, 430 Texas 6 S. in College Station.

• The Memorial Student Center on the campus of Texas A&M University.

Happy 2 Months, Beckett!

Beckett Cole is now TWO MONTHS OLD!

I actually feel like he is older than that...maybe just because he's so big, but he's also 9 weeks old tomorrow. On Monday he weighed 14 POUNDS! I just couldn't believe it. I said to the nurse, "No he DOESN'T weigh 14 lbs.!" and she thought I was seriously doubting her weighing skills. I was just so shocked!

He honestly has the sweetest personality. He is smiling, cooing and talking like nobody's business. He loves his mama. And I love that he loves me so much. It literally takes me picking him up to make him stop crying and saying anything to him to make him smile. He absolutely melts my heart.

I never knew what all the fuss over baby boys was about (since I adore little girls!) but this baby boy is so cuddly and sweet and I now understand the sweet bond between a baby boy and his mama. Not that it's better in anyway, just completely different...I love them both SO much!

Here are some pictures to keep the grandparents happy!

A Valentine's Helper (and Recipe!)

I made some Valentine's shortbread cookies and I had a wonderful helper by my side...the one and only Miss Taylor Joy.

First, we had to put on our aprons...she was insistent on that. I didn't mind since mine is pink! Just like my mixer and Taylor Joy's! Sweet Erin Whitley brought over a matching pink mixer for Taylor Joy. She adores it!

After we made the dough (it was pink, by the way) I thought Taylor might have fun holding it and shaping it like playdoh so she sat down in her seat, smooshed it once and then shoved the whole thing in her mouth! So much for that! Then she started saying, "More playdohs, more playdohs!" I couldn't help but laugh.

Anyhow, they turned out nicely and they taste good too! Here's the recipe. It's super easy!


Valentine Shortbread Hearts

1 cup butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 teaspoon red food color
2 cups flour
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup white chocolate chips
1 teaspoon shortening
Sprinkles/icing for deco if desired

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Beat butter, powdered sugar, almond extract and food color in medium bowl with electric mixer on medium speed 2 minutes. Stir in flour and almonds.

2. Press dough into heart shapes, about 1/4 inch thick.

3. Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until edges just begin to brown. Cool on cookie sheet 25 minutes; carefully remove from cookie sheet to serving platter.

4. Place baking chips and shortening in microwavable bowl. Microwave uncovered on Medium-High (70%) about 1 minute 30 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds, until chips can be stirred smooth. Drizzle over shortbread.

5. Use sprinkles if you want and then I used some icing to write names on them and things like, "Be Mine", "I Love You", etc.

Taylor Joyisms

Today Taylor Joy has started to say, "Hey Dude!" to everyone and everything in our house, including Beckett. I don't even know where she heard that from...who says that? She also calls him "Buddy Boy" sometimes, which I just think is hilarious.

The cutest thing she has done with Beckett was yesterday when she saw him spitting up and yelled, "SPIT UP! BURP RAG!" and ran to get a burp rag and then ever so gently wiped his lips for the tiniest bit of spit up. After that she held his hand and said, "Pray." That sweet little girl wanted to pray with him! So we said a little prayer of thanks for buddy boy.

Her favorite thing to do with Beckett is to share with him and once she has shared one thing and I tell her, "Oh Taylor, how sweet!" she goes and gets a million other things to share with him until he is surrounded with her sweetness!

They sure are livin' up to their precious little shirts...