Technology: a blessing and a curse?

A month ago, in an effort to cut back some of our monthy cost, my husband and I decided to send me back to the stone ages :) and canceled my data package on my touchscreen android phone. Oh how I was lost for a few days. I mean what on earth was I going to do to occupy my time. After a few days I realized just how much time I was actually spending on my phone; checking my g-mail, facebook, playing games, etc. This got me thinking with all the wonderful things at our fingertips what are we missing. Let me clarify that I am not at all against the advances in technology. My husband uses his phone for his job and a dear friend of mine was able to have face time with her great grandmother in another state and she will probably be going to Heaven soon. So I think that technology is wonderful, but how much does it take from our lives. Now days when you are in a waiting area or even sitting at a resturaunt almost every person is on some type of device. I heard on the radio that it is not unusual for teenagers to be in the room, and not saying a word. Instead they are texting each other. We are loosing our social skills because we do the majority of our conversations on facebook, e-mail, tweeter, or text. Something my pastor said that really made me think. He said "Is there so much world noise that you can't hear the Lord. That the Lord's voice is drowned out by all the noise" Then I read an article that was saying that Joshua Bell (one of the most talented musicians in the world) played his 3.5million dollar violin in disguise inthe metro station of Washington D.C. and no one noticed. I had the privilige of seeing him in concert last year and he was amaizing. Tickets sell for around $100 and there in the metro staion everyone was so busy with their schedule and busy with their devices that they missed this amazing music. Only children stopped as their mother's rushed them along. How often are we so involved in our schedule and our own activites that we miss the beauty that is around. That we stop and "smell the roses" or lend a helping hand to someone in need. Reminding ourselves to live and enjoy where we are and what is around us. It is important to have a schedule, but there needs to be some flexibility in it. Most things that are memorable, breath taking, and the best moments of your life are not penciled in on the calendar. They are the times that are unexpected, unpredictable. I guess the conclusion I have come to is that I need to be more aware of the beauty that is around. That I don't let the noise of the world drown out the beauty that God has instore.

Try Again

So it has been so long since I have blogged about anything. So long infact that the sweet chubby little girl in the picture is now an active, comical, kind, energetic 3 year old. That is right it has been 2 years since my last post. My then 3 year old Avery is now in kindergarten, able to read, write, add, subtract, and try to run the show (well she has always tried to do that, she is our leader of the 3). Yes I said 3, this past September we were blessed to welcome our thrid child and 1st son, Jacob Christian Winfield. Coming in at 8lbs 11 oz and 20 1/2in, he was the biggest of the three. He is now 5 months old (well 2 days shy) and actually currently he is sick. He has been such a blessing. The girls absolutley love him (wait until he is in their stuff and we will see how they feel then). He has a temperment in between Avery and Peyton. He is not as strong willed as Avery but he is definetly not as easy going as Peyton. Though it is funny, right now he is pretty sick and he has not been all that fussy. Most of the time he is even more fussy than he is now. I am currently staying at home. I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to stay at home and be with my children. Life is crazy, unpredictable, exhausting, but I would not trade it for the world. There are those moments in the midst of the chaos that I believe the Lord puts in just to remind me why I am doing this. Why I stay at home. A smile from my son, a hug or I love you from my girls, or a thank you from my husband are all precious gifts. Before long this season of my life will be over. I will driving all the kids to school, sports, hobbies, friends houses. I want to cherish every minute of it (okay not EVERY minute :) For our family the reason I stay home is to build a strong foundation in Christ and a strong bond in our family.
This blog will cover everything that goes on in our lives. Things that I have on my heart or mind, things the kids are doing, crafts or recipes that I just need to be shared. For those who choose to follow this blog I pray that it helps to remind you what is important in life God and family. The rest is just nice to have. So here we go, TRYING AGAIN!!!

Finally

Oh Finally!!!! Aunt Mena, Uncle Blake and Renna wer down!!! So for about 2 1/2 weeks the Winfields were back and fourth betweeen Tyler and Athens. It was so good to see them. Renna has grown up so quickly. Avery did very well with Renna, of course Peyton thought she looked like a fun toy to play with, but for the most part she was more interested in what the big girls were doing, which was usually causing mayham. They spent a lot of time at V's house (Addi calls Avery V) which was under the piano. Avery decided when they were going to go to V's house (or she at least tried). They loved going into my parents bathroom and screaming. Let's see they also went skinny dipping in my parents pool (which is not heated). They went fishing with Uncle Blake. The funniest thing was when Avery called Renna (her mommy calls her Renna Benna) Render Bender. Too cute! Then of course there was the time that all the girls including the adult girls were on our parents bed because Avery and Addi told us that it was time for us to go to bed, hmm who runs this show? Then there is just watching the girls Avery in the lead, Addi right behind her, Peyton on her hands and knees going as fast as she can to keep up and Renna just looking on. There was the time also that the 3 bigger girls were all crawling around after each other. Or the time all 4 girls took a bath together. Can anybody say CHAOS!!! But we loved it and wish that they lived closer. Wonder how it will be with a little boy toddling behind the girls.

Around the house

Just some fun pics of the girls

Halloween 2009

Halloween 2009. Avery decided to be a bride instead of Cinderlla, but whatever makes her happy. Nonee, Popee, Aunt Mal, Uncle Paul and Addison came over to go trick or treating with us. The girls had a blast. They Packed their bags and went to "sonic". They hide on my bed from the Nonee monster (earlier it was the daddy monster, mommy monster, and Avery monster, she is into that right now). Avery and Addison have so much fun together, they are so cute! Wish that Aunt Mena, baby Renna and Uncle Blake could have been here.