Carlyn

1I'm not so much into New Year's resolutions, but I love taking the time in the New Year to reflect on the past year.  So, here are my thoughts in response to Simple Mom's 20 Questions to reflect on 2011 .                          1.        What was the single best thing that happened this past year? My sister Catherine was in a horrible car accident but God spared her life and she walked away with only cuts and bruises.  2.        What was the single most challenging thing that happened? James decided to do a fellowship year in pediatric anesthesia and was accepted to a program in another state.  It has been ever challenging for me to deal with the fact that we have to sell our house and move away from our life here that I love.  We have already had to say, “this is our last time we get to do this”,  so man...

some pictures from our recent vacation: Calvin is 17 month old.  He never stops and he keeps us all laughing.  His personality has really started coming out in the last few months.  He is such a little comedian and a die hard fan of BALLS!!  His 3 favorite words are MAMA, YEAH and BALL. And they are in all caps because he usually is yelling them.  Well, you kind of have to yell around here to be heard.  He love fleece blankets and to be rocked by mommy before nap and bedtime.  He is my first kid to like being rocked.  I love the way he snuggles into my shoulder.  He is really starting to bond with Luther and Pearl.  He will say “Pearl” & “Bubby”, but not on a regular basis.  He loves to get into my pantry and play with cans.  He stacks, rolls and throws them around the house.  He is not a big fan of shoes and rarely keeps them on unless we are outside.  He loves being outside and would be hap...

Luther wanted a cowboy birthday party for his 5 th birthday.  I decided to take the opportunity to make the kids all matching cowboy costumes that they also got to wear to all of the fall festivals.  Pearl declared that Luther was a cowboy, she was a cowgirl and Calvin was a cowbaby!   Luther is not a huge fan of sweets and so he asked to not have a birthday cake.  He said he just wanted lots of real food.  I can’t believe his is a 5 year old!!  He is now riding a bike without training wheels, reading, writing and doing basic math.  He is a great big brother.  He is very protective of Pearl and Calvin and is a great helper.  He is a good little fisherman and can cast a rod, catch a fish and reel it in all by himself.  He has a very tender heart and will tell you that God has changed his heart and he is one of God’s people.  He prays like a preacher and seems to understand every Biblical conc...

last night in the middle of family worship pearl, wearing her pink princess pj's with her crazy hair flying everywhere, stood up in her chair, threw her hands up in the air and yelled "HALLELUJAH, DADGUMMIT".    luther and pearl were eating bananas on the deck and luther came in and reported that pearl dipped her banana in his pee-pee and then ate it. i went out to see what was going on and pearl was playing in a puddle on the deck. when i asked luther what is was, he admitted he peed on the deck. pearl says to me  "you feel better mommy? i give you hugs and kiss. that make you happy!!" i love my sweet girl. luther is playing with trucks. pearl wanted to play too, but none of the trucks fancied her girly taste. so, she has one covered with a pink blanket and is pushing it around saying "this is my pink one!!" pearl(very distraught from the back seat): i dropped my baby's bottle and passy. me: i'...

I had really got myself in a bad rut a few weeks ago.  I was discouraged and not really enjoying my life.  I was just over everything, especially house work, disciplining the kids, and James's long hours.   I spent a week (probably more) doing nothing productive and complaining a lot, but then God was very gracious and pulled me out.  He used several things to encourage and change me.  First, two (older and wiser than me) ladies at my church who I talked to the Sunday after my "bad week" and asked for advice and prayers.  Second, I read a few books to help me get back on track-  Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches   and  Miss Minimalist .   I ordered the kindle versions of them both and read them last week (both quick reads).  And third, two studies I was already doing:  30 Days to Encourage Your Husband   and  Knowing God .    I got some great tips and...

Every year it seem there is a veggie in the garden that really rises to the top and out does all of the other veggies.  and every year it seems to be a different veggie. 2011 was the year of zucchini. these are just a few  pics of all of the glorious green veggies that we picked from our garden.  at one point during the month of June, we ate zucchini for every meal for over 11 meals in a row!! and, there wasn't even any complaining about it.  i got to make all of my favorite zucchini  recipes and try a few new ones.  so enjoy the pics and check out some of the ways i put our bounty of zucchini to good use. me with the biggest zucchini of the season.  i usually pick them way sooner than this one was picked, but he had been hiding under a huge leaf unnoticed for quite awhile.     Creamy Zucchini Alfredo   this was a new one and definitely one i wi...

pearl in her princess outfit i made her for her birthday decorating a tiara making necklaces cake time!!  pearl requested a castle cake, so i did my best to make it happen! the little princesses!! pearl chose the "princess menu":  grapes, popcorn, yogurt and chicken nuggets!! gift time, this was from grandaddy from her friend laria,  she has been wearing this ever since she opened it!! has it on now. pearl and daddy pearl and mommy!! gran, meemaw and pearl pearl had a great time time at her birthday party she says her favorite party was "putting on make-up" and "eating cake and food".  she is very excited to be three because now she get to take gymnastics with bubby!!     

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We love ethnic foods at the Layton house.  I remember the first time I ever had hummus.  I was in downtown Charlton, SC with James and his dad the spring break of our senior year of college.  We went to this great Greek restaurant and ordered it as our appetizer.  It came with cucumbers, tomatoes & pitas.  I thought it was the best thing I had ever eaten!! Since them I have tried lots of different types and flavor of hummus.  For Valentine’s Day this year, James and I tried a local family owned Greek restaurant.  We got a hummus and grilled chicken platter as an appetizer.  They had slices of grilled chicken breasts over a bed of warm hummus, drizzled in olive oil and served with veggies and pitas.  We were in heaven!!   It wasn’t long before I decided to recreate this yummy dish with my own twist using my black bean hummus.  We have now had it for dinner several times, and it is a huge hit around here!!  Black B...