$ Saving Tip

Who is not hurting at the pump? Here's a little way to save. Shell Platinum Mastercard offers a 5% rebate on all your Shell gasoline purchases. I fill up about twice a month. My last tank was about $82 so I received a rebate of over $4 which is like getting a gallon free (and 2 free a month). I believe there is an annual fee which they waive with minimum purchases (if they do not do this automatically you can call to have the charge removed). They also offer 1% back on all other purchases...just be responsible and you'll end up on top! There are other offers out there, however, this was the best I could find and there seems to be a Shell on every corner so it is convenient as well.

What's new...

I took Andrew for a haircut on Monday morning. We had such a good experience the first time I decided I could do it myself. Andrew flailed and screamed. I'm sure all the other moms were thinking, "he's scaring my kid!" So, his hair ended up a little shorter than planned. Very cute, but he looks like a big boy :( By the way, we do cut our grass. This picture was taken on Tuesday; our grass was cut on Friday. But we are ok with it. Tall grass is better than dead grass!
Lila is pulling up on everything! Naps are a bit of a challenge these days b/c she is more concerned with standing and looking behind her bed than sleeping. She is really interested in everything Andrew does.

Stepping Up

I began a new Bible study today - Stepping Up, a journey through the Psalms of Ascent, by Beth Moore. When I was invited to do this study, I said "yes" before I even knew what it was going to be about. All I knew was I LOVE Bible studies, our church takes a summer break from daytime studies, and nights are out for me for a while. God just delivered this opportunity to me knowing I would need a boost "at a time like this."

So this study is on Psalms 120-134. These songs were sung by the Jews on the pilgrimage to the 3 Great Feasts each year. I look forward to all the historical tidbits I will learn about Psalms (I love to learn context), as well as the words I know God spoke to Beth (no, we aren't really on a first name basis) with me in mind. This study references "stepping up" as the Israelites climbed the 15 temple steps.

One thing I heard today, "We'll never do the same thing and move up with God." I don't know about you, but I'm tired of my agenda. I'm ready to start "stepping up."

1 Peter 5:6 (The Message)
6-7 So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; he'll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.

(New American Standard Bible)
6Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,
7casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Tribute to the "Paci"

Sunday was Andrew's first night without his beloved "Paci." My emotions were all over the place through this process. Drew and I knew it was time, but Andrew has been attached to it since he was an infant that I was scared to death of how hard it would be. He LOVED his "paci" and got so excited about it, I just didn't want to crush his cute little spirit.

I read up trying to find the best way to part ways. We thought Andrew would go absolutely nuts watching it float away on a balloon, would be fixated on the mailbox if we tried to mail it to some baby somewhere, and knew I'd cave in if I just said, "No more." So I decided to go with the snipping technique. We trimmed a little off every few days and he started asking for it less and less. We continued to give it to him at bedtime Sunday evening and now we've made it 3 naps and 2 nights!

So Andrew has taken another step to being a "big boy." Next up...potty training. (Don't hold your breath, I'm not ready for that!)

Above: Easter 07

Below: Rosemary Beach, May 08

The trimmed "Paci"

Our family at 7 months

Lila is 7 months old today! She is (army) crawling and keeping us BUSY. She is still a good eater (no surprise) as you can see my her carrot-stained face below. She has just learned to move from sitting to crawling and back. I found her sitting up tugging on the bumper in her bed last week. She likes the pool and baths with her brother.

Above is a picture of Lila, below a picture of Andrew at 7 months.

Most people look at our kids and think they look just like me. Other than the blond hair (which Drew had as a kid), it is hard to see Drew in Andrew. I saw this picture of Drew (above) and realize how much Lila looks like him. Above is a picture of Drew around 6 months, below is me at about the same age.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to the dads in my life...

Drew and Andrew "chilling" in the backyard.

I am so amazed that Drew can work and study for law school and STILL have energy to play with Andrew and Lila. He is such a good Daddy and the kids and I adore him!

This picture of my dad and me was taken nearly 6 years ago.

Love you, Dad!

Drew, Andrew and Papa Joe last Christmas. Thanks for giving me such a wonderful husband!

A Father's Blessing
"A righteous man who walks in his integrity -How blessed are his sons after him."
(Proverbs 20:7, NASB)

Summer Fun

Family Favorite!

Hope you enjoy this recipe, we certainly do!



Chicken Enchiladas (sort of like #59 at Lupe's)



1 -2 pounds of chicken (I've used skinless, boneless breasts and thighs)

1 can of diced tomatoes and chilies (Rotel - get mild if kids will be eating)

1 large can of enchilada sauce

1 can crm celery soup

1 can crm of chicken soup

1 onion

1 package of crm cheese (I use fat free)

1 package flour tortillas

1 package of shredded Mont Jack cheese (or the Mexican mix)



In a slow cooker, combine first 5 ingredients. Cook all day. The longer you cook, the more tender the chicken and easier to pull. Remove chicken from cooker. Add sliced onion to soup mix. Pull chicken.

Mix pulled chicken with cream cheese. Use 1/2 package for 1 pound, 1 package for 2).

Place chicken in tortillas. Add a spoon of soup & onion mix to each enchilada. Sprinkle with cheese.

Roll enchiladas and place in a baking dish (last night 1 pound of chicken thighs gave me 5 hearty rolls). Pour remaining soup/onion mixture over top of enchiladas.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Take out and add remaining shredded cheese. Cook 5 more minutes.

Serve with Spanish rice.

What's the best stain remover?

On a trip to the beach, we acquired a few mildew stains. It must something in the water there, because I've only had this happen once or twice over the past 2 years. One of each of the kids' outfits were stained. I bleached to no avail. Does anything take out mildew? I've almost resigned myself to throwing away these clothes, but what about food stains.

What's the best stain remover? Please post comments to help me out!

One vote for Finazzle. Anyone else?

*UPDATE*

I tried Oxi for laundry because it was in my cabinet. Lifted a little, some stains still there. I'm going to try some of the others when I get to the store to buy them. Thanks!

**I treated the stains (mildew in particular) with the Oxi Clean 3 or 4 times and it has taken care of it. I just needed to be persistent!