lauren and zack ... plus 3

London Sole shoes

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren @ Defrump Me) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:34:00 +0000

Look at this awesome giveaway! These London Sole shoes are SO cute. And so expensive, ha!! But I thought I'd pass it along in case anyone wants to go lower my chances of winning... ;-)

I especially love these two colors in the Harriet style:

Platine Leather with Gold Trim

Italian Bronze Leather with Bronze Trim

ANNOUNCEMENT!!

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren @ Defrump Me) — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 14:00:00 +0000

I am SO excited about a project that 3 of my girlfriends and I have started. We talk daily about the joys, struggles, fun, and work of being moms and wives. One of the things we've noticed the most is how it seems like one of the biggest hurdles faced by moms (especially those with young children) is the natural progression into FRUMP land. We HATE that about ourselves, feeling that we have all done that to some degree or another, and we have been working to do better!

Since we already talk about these things and encourage each other in DEfrumping ourselves, we decided to start a blog where we can share what we are learning on the journey!

I have always struggled with my weight, and I am in the process of correcting that! I also love cooking and making menus, so I will be focusing on Defrumping your Diet! My good friend Amber will be Defrumping our Style by finding out all those style rules and helping us put together cute, comfortable mom outfits -- no yoga pants allowed. :-) My sweet friend Audrey loves to bless her family by making her house a true home. She will be sharing what she learns about decorating, as well as doing some projects along the way as she helps us Defrump our Homes. And finally, my lovely friend Susan will be helping us Defrump our Relationships by focusing on those areas of our marriages, families, and friendships where we get sloppy!

I have SO much room to grow in these areas, and I'm excited that my friends will be doing all the thinking and planning for me, ha! I hope you will join us in our journey! We need all the advice you have to offer ;-)

Come find us at www.defrumpme.com.

Menu Monday!

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren @ Defrump Me) — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 20:36:00 +0000

Lots of eating going on this week! We're trying some new recipes (like tonight's Greek salad, and the pork chops on Friday), and also some favorites (Beans & Cornbread, yah! And I LOVE the Tilapia Parmesan). Most of the recipes are very South Beach friendly (yes, I'm working on it... :-)

So, without further adieu...

Monday   Grilled Chicken Greek Salad, Pita Bread, Strawberries
Tuesday   Baked Omelet Squares, Whole Wheat Toast
Wednesday   Beef Stroganoff, Cabbage Noodles, Corn
Thursday   Beans, Cornbread (with enough to take to a friend)
Friday   Paprika Pork Chops, Zesty Coleslaw, Butter Rolls
Saturday   Broiled Tilapia Parmesan, French Bread, Caesar Salad

What are you eating this week??

(linkup)

Very Pinteresting: School!

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren @ Defrump Me) — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 20:41:00 +0000

With the kids and I starting "school" in a little over a week, I thought I'd share some fun stuff I've found on Pinterest. {follow me} I think Pinterest is going to be a totally invaluable tool to home schooling!

Thanks, Stefanie, for the link-up!

One thing we will HAVE to do without a doubt, is have scheduled routines. I love these chore cards for kids. I will likely make some of my own. I'll be sure to share when I do!

Source: livinglocurto.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Here is another super cute way to manage chores. I will have to weigh my options and see what will be the easiest for me to pull off!

Source: theclayfamilyblog.blogspot.com via Lauren on Pinterest

I know we will be quickly overrun with papers galore! Something like this might help us reign it in. I have lots of empty frames! {shame}

Source: lessthanperfectlifeofbliss.blogspot.com via Lauren on Pinterest

I really want my kids to LOVE reading. Of course, the best way for this to happen is to expose them to lots of books! I may do something like this to encourage book time. :-)

Source: sewliberated.typepad.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Of course, none of these ideas are specific to home schooling. Any kid could benefit I'm sure! Do you have any back-to-school ideas for getting your kids in the groove?

Happy Birthday, Paisley!

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren @ Defrump Me) — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 20:18:00 +0000

(I originally posted this on Monday, on Paisley's birthday, but something happened and the pictures didn't work, so I pulled it. Then we were out of town the rest of the week, so I'm just getting this fixed!)

My sweet sweet baby is ONE today! This is one of those things that in some ways feels like it's totally been a year, and in some ways I can't believe it. Y'all know what I mean.

Paisley is truly the sweetest baby I have ever seen. She is so happy and content about 98% of the time. I'm really praying that the easy baby/hard toddler thing doesn't come true in our case. :D

I just snapped a few pictures of her with my phone today. One of these days I'll get something that's actually designed to take pictures. ;-)

I {heart} this face.

She's an observer. Content to (mostly) sit back and watch her brother and sister.

Sleepy girl. :-)

Haha, I don't know what she's telling me, but it looks like a good story!

"Is this food? What? It's called bark? Hmm..."

"Um. No. I don't think so."

She wasn't too impressed with the fiber we were trying to get in her diet.

HA! Love the hair.

This is really an outtake, but I just love it.

Paisley's face is totally saying, "Why are you letting them do this to me?!"

Sweet sisters!

Our family wasn't complete without you, Paisley! What a blessed first year we've had!

Paisley's Perfect Party

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren @ Defrump Me) — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 20:19:00 +0000

{please excuse the excessive overload of pictures. I cannot resist. Why fight it?}

Is it even possible that my baby is turning ONE?????? Well, like it or not, here it is. Paisley's birthday is tomorrow (Monday), but we got together with the family last night to celebrate. I don't do big first birthday parties. The baby won't remember it, and there's no reason to stress and spend lots of money (in my mind) when they can just as easily smear homemade cake on their face without fancy decorations as they can with it. Ha! But it was SUCH a fun time. Zack and I are blessed with the best families, and fortunately, they like each other! :-)

Here is the sweet birthday girl with Uncle A.K. (Zack's brother)

Awwwwwww. Just love this precious girl.

Wouldn't be a Paisley without these two. ;-)

Paisley and her Aunt Willow. These two are great chums already.

Annie makes me (and Paisley) laugh the way she always says, "Ahts dere da Paisley!" Some Nannie gibberish I guess. :-) It always sounds like "Ah, Cheddar Paisley" to me. I might start calling her that. :-)

"There's a chocolate cake!" My boy can say it all, just with an expression.

This is a cushy family to be in as a kid, let me tell you. Even when it's not your birthday, you still get presents! Sara holding her hand out for her surprise...

New animals from Nannie! The kids LOVE these little plastic animals. What is it, Tuck?

A JAGUAR!!!

Um. Ok. So... this was the best chocolate cake ever, if I do say so myself. It was rich and dense, while still being fluffy. And SO moist. Uncle Jay gave it a 15 out of 10! I think we all agreed. (Thanks, Allrecipes!)

Jaguar, meet Puppy.

The real fun begins!

"What is this stuff??"

"No, really. What am I supposed to do with it? I've never seen anything like it."

Haha. Got it figured out!

Lip-lickin' good.

My dainty little girl didn't really get that messy on her own, so we had to help her out. :D

"Friends, relatives, fellow chocolate-cake-eaters, lend me your ear!"

"All gone!"

Nothing sweeter than a baby in a towel. It makes me sad that she is already growing out of this baby-ness!

New dolly from Grandma and Poppy! Giving kisses :-) I wish we had gotten it on video -- when I first held the baby up, Paisley said in an adorable Southern accent, "Hiiiii!!" (which sounded more like "Haaaaaah!")

No iPhone yet, but Baby still needs to communicate, right?

My pretty mama with the birthday girl. I am so grateful my kids have such wonderful grandparents who want to be a part of their lives. They have the added benefit of great aunts and uncles, and their "other" grandparents, Jay & Betty.

This was SO cute. Annie got Paisley this bouncing zebra. Her feet don't touch the ground yet, so I helped her bounce. Any time I would stop, she would bob and nod her head as if to say, "Keep going, Mama!" She was quite serious about it. :-)

What a sweet, precious life Paisley is. I can't even overstate the blessing she is to our family. But. More on that tomorrow. :-)

Crocs, and Snakes, and Jaguars! Oh my!

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren @ Defrump Me) — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 03:23:00 +0000

This past week, Zack needed to go to Dallas to make a presentation at a church on Wednesday night, so we decided to tag along! Annie (Zack's mom) even sponsored a trip to the Dallas World Aquarium for us! What a blast!!

Crocodiles... (or alligators? I think this is a croc. Who can be expected to keep such things straight?? I can barely remember what my own children are called some days.)

Anaconda!

What a sweet little family I have. Love these people.

Indoor waterfall. It was cool, even if it was hot in that rain forest.

This is what Tucker was looking forward to all along! SHARKS!

This jaguar was asleep, but Tucker hasn't stopped talking about jaguars since then! He even requested the episode of Diego this morning where he saves the baby jaguar, ha! And oh my, that cat's coat was gorgeous up close. God is truly an amazing designer.

Aaahhhhh my babies. Blessed.

Sweetest little face in the world.

And quite possibly the silliest face in the world. :-)

Whew! Our day definitely tuckered us all out. (No pun intended.) We drove home after getting a late lunch, and made it home about 10:30. So glad we chose to go with Zack! It's always torture being home when he's gone off somewhere.

We're headed back to Texas next week! But that's another story for another post.

CETBEOCFTPGHFT (aka Home School)

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren @ Defrump Me) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 14:11:00 +0000

One of things God has impressed on me, thanks to books like Shepherding a Child's Heart, is that one of the main things I can do for my kids to ensure a lasting relationship with them is to be the primary friend, authority, and influence in their lives. In order to do this, I want to be around them as much as possible, especially while they are young, to establish that relationship. Our church has an excellent private school (where I went from age 3 through graduation), and our kids may eventually go there, but I plan to start with teaching my kids at home. I actually really hesitate to say we are going to "home school," because that phrase seems to have SO much baggage associated with it! It's like saying you're "courting" instead of dating -- people have an automatic assumption of what it means. I prefer to call it Customized Education to Best Equip Our Children for the Plan God Has for Them. That's much easier to say, isn't it??? ;-)

Please understand that I am not saying that all people should home school, or that I think my way is better than any other. It is simply what God has impressed on us for the time being. Some of my goals and reasons for home schooling:

I want to establish my kids in a love for learning. I want their early learning environments to be full of fun and flexibility.
I want to be able to tailor their learning to their abilities, interests, and aptitude. Not only do I hope to encourage their interests and strengths, but also to train them to improve in areas of weakness, whether academic or character.
I want to broaden their horizons through more community interaction than I had growing up in a typical school system -- more field trips, hands-on learning experiences, community service, etc.

Sara is four, and will be five in November. She would be going to kindergarten next year. Tucker just turned three, and could technically enter the preschool at my church this year. They both know all their numbers (perfectly up to 20, hit or miss after that), letters, sounds, shapes, colors, animals, etc., that they would have learned were they in preschool. Sara can write her name and several other words, can sound out simple words, and is a pre-reader. This is all without any real organized effort. However, this fall I plan to start a more structured regimen. I plan to use the free ABC Jesus Loves Me curriculum. This involves a lot of printables, library books, crafts, Bible stories, songs, and more fun stuff. I am excited! I am going to use the 4-year-old curriculum (what Sara should be using). I bet that Tucker can do most of it, and if not, I will supplement for him with activities from the 3-year-old plan.

I am fortunate to have some friends who plan to do the same thing! I think we are going to do our own stuff on MWF, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays get together and do field trips or group learning. For example, I may teach music, another mom do simple science experiments, and other fun things.

We are blessed with these treasures from God, and I want to be diligent to train them up in the way they should go. I have so many questions, and I am far from figuring this out. I am praying that God will work through me and help me accomplish this task He's given me.

August 22 is our start date! I'm excited!!

Three years of Tucker

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren @ Defrump Me) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 03:26:00 +0000

Ah. Wow. Yes, I'm two weeks late with this. Yes, I have another child who is about to have a birthday and I will probably be late with that one too. But it's never too late to remember a fun day, right?? Right.

Tucker is THREE!! (and as a side note, whoever coined "terrible twos" didn't have a three-year-old) We had a fun day with my family, Zack's family, and a few of Tucker's friends. I am no professional party planner, but we had a fun time in a festive atmosphere, and that's all I really expect of myself. :D

So my brilliant plan (with a sort-of-a-basketball theme) for the cake was to make a bundt pan chocolate cake, and turn it into half a basketball. I had this great silicon bundt pan that was very non-stick. Unfortunately, it was also non-bake. Meaning the outside burns while the inside is pudding. Guess it doesn't get hot enough??? Not cool! So into the trash can that went (pan included). My midnight-hour redo was a simple 9x13 sheet cake that I oh-so-cleverly turned into a basketball jersey. What? You can't tell that's a jersey???? hahahahahaha. At least it was yummy. :-)

The truth of life when you're young -- your friends are the kids of your mom's friends. :-) Meet Susan and Amber, two of my dearest friends.

And their wonderful husbands who can be seen doing what dads were made for... holding babies while Mom eats. :D

We ended up with quite a spread of food! My fabulous mother-in-law barbecued some chicken legs. We had loaded baked potatoes, rotel, and various other goodies including some yummy pretzel-Reese's-pb-M&M-all-melted-together deliciousness.

Uncle A.K. Never dull :-) (Willow and Paisley making a lovely cameo in the corner)

Wow, Tucker, you sure do have a lot of people who love you!!

Presents!!!

What a blessing to have Tucker in our family! I am not joking when I say he is more work than both girls put together, :D but he is so full of spunk and excitement and exuberance. He bounces out of bed every morning, ready to take the day by the horns. Literally. I knew when I was pregnant with him that "Tucker" (as in "tuckered out!") was going to be the right name for him, and he definitely lives up to that!

Here is a picture captured by Aaron that totally encapsulates Tucker.

We love you, boy!! :-)

Menu Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren @ Defrump Me) — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 15:43:00 +0000

Here's what we're eating this week! Go here to see lots more menus.

Weekly Menu Plan

Jun 27 - Jul 3

Monday - Cheese Ravioli with Fresh Tomato and Artichoke Sauce, Caesar Salad
Tuesday - Broiled Tilapia Parmesan, French Bread, Mixed Veggies
Wednesday - Chicken and Spinach Alfredo Lasagna, Caesar Salad (yes, we like lots of Caesar salad)
Thursday - Leftovers
Friday - Gourmet Grilled Cheese, Chips

It's gonna be good! :-)

Keeping busy

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren @ Defrump Me) — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 20:23:00 +0000

I told Zack I was going to party the whole time he is gone so I won't have time to miss him.

But. Wow! What a busy day! We started out at 9:30 this morning (UNHEARD OF for me) by going to Rick's with Amber and Abby. Fun times! My kids have never gotten to just explore the case and pick whatever they wanted. They were in heaven! Sara picked sprinkles and Tucker picked a cinnamon butterfly :-)

Then we went to Eva's house (where Abby nannies) for more fun! My kids had so much fun playing with Eva's toys, they were crying when we had to leave!

Paisley and Gavin (only days apart in age)

THEN we went with Annie for BBQ sandwiches and cake at the new Briar Rose bakery/Damon's BBQ in Farmington. So yum! And that place is adorable.

BBQ (on garlic butter toast. Yes!)

Chocolate peanut butter cake

Cuteness everywhere

Tonight will be laid back I think! I'm TIRED! I was up every hour last night checking my phone to see if I had any word from Zack. He's safely in China now. No more long scary flights... For a week or so at least. =\

Good-byes :-(

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren @ Defrump Me) — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 03:41:00 +0000

Today started out kinda sad. We all got up way too early so we could get Zack to the airport by 8:15. Didn't make it on time, but fortunately he made his plane with no problem.

Bye, Tuck!

Kisses for Sara

And Paisley...

He's going to be gone for 12 days!!! If it weren't for the fact that my wonderful mom is coming for the WHOLE TIME, I would definitely be in the loony bin by the time he gets home.

The evening was spent playing and eating. Mom and Ryan were here. Putting the kids to bed without Zack was HARD. I'm starting to realize just how much he does around here.

Getting back

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren @ Defrump Me) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +0000

I really want to get back into blogging! As long as I have to do it from my computer though, it won't happen. So I bit the bullet and bought the BlogPress app for my phone. I'm hoping it's going to work for me! I mean, after all, I've gotta keep up with this cute thing!

Sara was so funny last night. Her AWANA class was having an awards ceremony. They were all on stage singing their song and saying their verse and motto. Sara stood up there like a dear in the headlights! Then later, she recited everything for me. Ha!

Zack leaves for China today! *sob* Sure gonna miss him. Fortunately, my mom is coming to stay with me the WHOLE time. Couldn't survive without her I'm sure.

Menus!

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren @ Defrump Me) — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 14:48:00 +0000

I know I'm late to the Menu Monday game here, but I made menus!! So I have to share still :-)

(photo credit: user MANATEE on allrecipes)

Mon - Chicken Enchiladas (these were SOOOOO good)
Tue - Jason's Deli - Date night!! :-)
Wed - Bacon & Scrambled Egg Bagel Sandwiches, Smoothies
Thu - Hamburgers, Potato Casserole
Fri - Baked Chicken, Cornbread Dressing, Mixed Veggies
Sat - Chili Dogs
Sun - Annie's house for Easter

So far this is making my week way easier! I would also like to share a new website I found that made all the menu-making possible. Check out http://www.saymmm.com if you need some organization in your menu making and grocery shopping.

Tomorrow is church! Yay! :-)

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren @ Defrump Me) — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 02:56:00 +0000

....is it going to work?!

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren @ Defrump Me) — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 21:45:00 +0000

I am testing posting from my phone...

Best. Moment. Ever.

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren @ Defrump Me) — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 19:43:00 +0000

On a walk!

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren @ Defrump Me) — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 16:19:00 +0000

See the full gallery on Posterous

Paisley's teething bite -- she bites her bottom lip/gums. Ha!

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren @ Defrump Me) — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 16:06:00 +0000

8 Months Old!! (plus a day ;-)

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren @ Defrump Me) — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 16:04:00 +0000

LOVE these girls!

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren @ Defrump Me) — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 19:37:00 +0000

Tucker just told me that Jesus -- AND a cow -- are taking a shower in my bathroom!

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren @ Defrump Me) — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:52:00 +0000

My firstborn child had her first dental cleaning today, and my second is officially potty-trained! Day of milestones for the Blakes ;-)

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren @ Defrump Me) — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:21:00 +0000

Conversations

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren @ Defrump Me) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 16:32:00 +0000

I love this convo that is common in our house:

Sara: "Tucker, I made this picture for you!"

Tucker: "Ohhh thanks, Sara! I just don't need it though. You can save it for me."

Rejection at it's nicest ;-)

Paisley's first tooth is through!

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren @ Defrump Me) — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 13:59:00 +0000