She's Better Than Dreams

Today I have the privilege of sharing Aftermath's new cd with you.  Last year, I reviewed their debut album.  When Jonathon informed me that they would be releasing a new one in January, I was so excited to get a sneak peek.  I have to say that as soon as you can get this, you really need to do so.  Not only did this make it onto my iPhone (first music ever on any i product for me, that's a pretty big deal I think), but I can't wait to burn it so I can have it in my car at all times. 

In my less than professional opinion, Jonathon's voice seems to have matured over the past year.  It isn't like we haven't heard him singing through out the year, but there is a quality to the cd that I hadn't heard before.  I like this album even more than the last.  I don't feel like that is always the case with music and I am so pleased it was this time.  I don't know how better to describe the cd except to say that I would want it playing all the time.  It is one that I catch myself humming and then realize that I am humming one of the songs.  Spence and I have already listened to it a few times and I find myself playing it around the house while I am going about my day. 

I highly recommend that in January you get this as soon as you can (January 10, 2012).  If you didn't get last year's debut Aftertaste of Abandonment, seriously go ahead and go get it so you can get familiar with this band. 

Here are the necessary details that you need to know;

*Album release January 10, 2012

*For more info on the band visit their website

*To stay up to the date on their latest info, follow on twitter @NotThePuritan

*If for some strange reason you missed out last year and did not get their first cd, please go here and get it now

What I'm Into

So my buddy Rachael did this and I thought it was a fun idea, so here we go:

On my nightstand:


The Strawberry Shortcake Murder by Joanne Fluke.  I recently read 3 pretty heavy books and I needed something light and fun.  The murder series by Joanne are super cute and include fun cookie/dessert recipes.  Easy, fun, lighthearted read

Expecting by Marla Taviano.  This is one of those week by week pregnancy books.  What I love about it though is it's link in with what is developing with your baby and a verse and prayer for your baby.  I highly recommend it for any pregnant mama

Comforts from the Cross by Elyse Fitzpatrick.  This is an "Ohhh!"  or "OUCH!" book.  I adore Elyse and love reading this book.  I really don't think I can describe how awesome this book really is.

Grace Based Parenting by Dr. Tim Kimmel.  I'm just gonna say I am needing some grace and I am needing to extend some grace to my boys right now. 

Movies I've Seen

Monday on my day off when Spence took the boys for the day to his parents, I watched Just Go With It.  It was a cute chick flick that I would totally recommend.

Also, on Monday I watched True Grit with Spencer.  I fell asleep, he said it was really good.  I think it was really slow...


TV:

*The Chew- if you haven't caught this yet, you gotta see it!  It is on at 1 on ABC everyday.  It is a The View with food.  Each day has a a fun theme and you can get the recipes from their website.   LOVE IT!

*Parenthood- I am not a "let's solve all the problems so we can smile at the end of 30 minutes" show kind of girl.  This is a great one that doesn't work out everything each week and deals wtih some real life issues.  Some of the topics covered over the past year have been: adult daughter returning home to her parents house with her two teens, a child being diagnosed with Aspberger's and the family learning how to help him best, a guy finding out he has a 5 year old son he didn't know existed, fertility issues/adoptions falling through.  So it is just wow for me.  It is on a 10 on Tuesdays on ABC I think

Those are really the only ones I gotta see, but we do also watch The Office, Glee, Bones, and House

In my ears:

*Christmas music, of course! The kids and I turn on the directv channel and love it!

* In the car the boys always want to listen to "our music" which can be anything from Go Fish Guys to a cd I made with tons of kids music from church years ago to the current kids worship music from church



In my kitchen:

I am in such a baking mode right now.  The combo of Christmas and my pregnancy nesting is baking is out in full force!  I am baking about 2 different things each week right now.  Up this week is Saltine cracker toffee and whoopie pies.  YUM!


Looking forward to:

*Christmas parties we have coming up.  Can't wait to hang with some friends and also with our church staff (who are our friends too of course)
*Spence preaching on December 18
*Christmas services at the Summit.  We are having 5 services between the 22, 23 and 24.  You can get more info at http://www.christmasatthesummit.com/. 



OK, if you managed to read all of this -

it's your turn!!

Blog it and link back here so I can read yours!

The Name Game

Yes, we have been playing the "name that baby" game around this house since we found out baby girl was a girl in October.  Spence and I even went on a date to name her and I promised we could get him his iPhone if we did it.  Well, none of the stores had the phone in stock and we didn't get her named that night.  After having a list of names on my phone and asking the boys what we should name her, we have decided on  a name.  Zeke had suggested fish, house, flashlight, and car.  We opted to not go with any of those.
We are happy to announce that we will be naming our sweet girl Elizabeth Mae.  Elizabeth means "promise of God".  It was also my Grandmother's name.  Mae is from Spence's Grandmother.  We also like that Mae is spelled similar to Rae.  I think it's a sweet thing for our girls to share that. 
We will be calling her Ellie.  I know, I know so flipping cute, huh?  I can't wait to see our sweet Ellie's face.  You should hear Zeke and Ben talk about her and call her by name.  It's making it all very real that we are about to bring some pink in our dirt filled boy world :)

TAR

HEEL!

Zeke went to his first ever Carolina game a couple weekends ago.  We have friends who have season tickets in the blue zone (apprarently a really cool thing with free food and great seats).  So, Spence and Zeke met up with them and enjoyed a beautiful day (they left before the game ended so to them it stayed beautiful).  Zeke was a hit with the crowd around him.  He enjoyed yelling the TAR-HEEL chant.  He has been running around yelling some other chant that I can't quite make out.  His favorite part was any kicking/punting.  He has talked about it for days on end.  I am only a bit jealous of Spence getting to share this day with him, I am more excited for the future fun times they are going to get to have. 

PT

So, round two of potty training a boy began a couple weeks ago.  I wasn't sure how Ben would take to my method I used with Zeke.  After day 1 we were both so worn out I didn't want to try for day 2.  It has taken a bit more motivation for Ben (bribery of chocolate hasn't really been enough for this boy).  On the flip side though, it has been easier in some ways.  He has woken dry from naps and nights (he is still in a diaper for those) the past 3 days.  It took Zeke 6 months and me just taking the dipes away to get him off that crutch.  Ben has learned to pee on command when we take him, he is only averaging 1 accident a day and it is a poop accident so I don't even really count it.  He isn't telling us before he has to go yet, so we have to stay on top of how long it's been and what he has had to drink.  But I think we can safely say I have 2 potty trained boys!!!

 We always read on the potty

 Please notice Zeke being the proud big brother in the background (he has been the biggest supporter of Ben's pt-ing I think)

 Do you see that tiny little toosh?!

 So proud of his undies!!!

There's always a naked escape while in serious training... like any good mom I grab the camera instead of clothing

Two boys making trouble

What do you get with two not-napping boys?  Apaprently a party in boy number 2's room...

 So, Ben whatcha doing?  You wanna play?

 Yeah, Zeke, let's play

But one little boy couldn't quite hang...

Thankful

I thought I wuold just take a minute to reflect on what I am thankful for this year.  I'm not going to do a huge post, but I did want to acknowledge this year with thanks.  We have had quite a year and I just wanted to write down a couple of our blessings:

• Spencer
• Zeke
• Ben
• Rae
• Our new baby girl coming in February
• Family
• Summit
• Friends who walk through real life together
• Our neighborhood/neighbors
• Being able to stay at home
• My van (I know so materialistic!)
• Spence's increase in writing/speaking stuff (even though it's made our lives crazier it's cool seeing him do stuff he is passionate about)
• Small group

This is obviously just a little list of what's in my heart, but I want to be sure that when I look back over 2011, I don't only think about things we lost.  We have suffered tragedy this year, but we have also continued to see God's hand through out our lives.  My hope for you is that you can find joy even if you are in the midst of sorrow.  Our real joy doesn't come from anything listed up there.  It comes from the one thing I don't just want to throw into a list.  If you want to talk more about what that is I would love to share how was can look back on this year with a sense of thankfulness.