Mercy's Mouth

I'm well aware that my little one's mouth is going to get her into trouble in the growing up years. Mine always got me into trouble. Now for those of you who don't know mean I do not mean in any way that she uses foul language, I mean that her mouth is never closed unless she is sleeping! Ha!

Today as we are walking to our car after PDO, we are passing the playground. M tells me that that is where she was supposed to be playing today, but she was hitting the boys. Now this takes me back to the 4th grade when the minute the recess bell rang, me and my gal pals hit the door running after the boys to kick them in the bottom. Apparently some "game" we created. I don't know. Don't remember. Don't ask. Not real proud of this memory.

Now my little girl is not a bully. She is bossy, but she is rarely out and out mean. So ask her why she was hitting the boys. Were they being mean? She said yes. So I say, "what were they doing? were they hitting you?" Then she says, "No. They were spitting in my hair." PAUSE... "They were spitting in your hair?!"
"Yes"
"Well, I can see why you hit them."

I put her in her seat and proceed to tell her that it's not o.k. to hit, that this does not please God. I did say that I understood and I told her to make sure that she told the teacher. She said she did tell the teacher and they got mad at the boys, "not at me cause I wasn't spitting in anyone's hair." Later her daddy asked her if the boys got punished for their unacceptable behavior? and she said, "punished, yeah, reprimanded, they got consequences." I thought that was soooooo funny coming from my precious little 2 1/2 yr. olds mouth! What?! punished, reprimanded, consequences?! and all used correctly?! I have got to be on guard what I say cause she is a sponge!

Her daddy and I felt the same way. and told her that next time try to tell the teacher right away, but if she can't, at least give the perpetrator a warning and the chance to make the right choice, but if they reoffend then you might just have to hit them. We said that it is generally not acceptable to hit, but sometimes it is necessary.

What a story! seriously makes me laugh just rehashing it now! What do you think about our response?! I'm not sure myself. Turn the other cheek and all, but really, if something inappropriate is happening or someone has my kid trapped, I want her to not be afraid to fight for herself if she needs to.

So many things...

There are so many things to blog about today so I will hit them all. In a weird way they don't any of them go together, but yet they are all part of my random day, so here goes...

Love having deep meaningful conversations. they are much harder to come by in these days of stay-at-homeness. But my SIL is good at continuing to engage me in adult conversation. We talked of healing and prayer and whether or not our earnestness, relationship, prayer, etc actually plays in the effects of prayer or God's decisions. Of course, we aren't pretending to know the answers to these questions, but it was sort of a tennis game of questions and possibilities backed with scriptures. See our friend Monica is in the hospital. We don't like to talk about the end result of this battle she is having with stage 4 lung cancer, because we dont' want to go there and because we don't want to put limitations on God's awesome power. But it does leave us with lots of questions.

On another notewe saw a fashion show this a.m. Haha. it was cute and slightly amusing as I am pregnant and I will be nursing for a good year more post birth. But I was also reminded by another pregnant friend not to succomb to the nursing frump. No need for all that nursing wear if you can call it that. too many layers, too much bulk, not attractive unless you buy the really expensive brands and immediately fit back into you pre-pregnancy sizes (which they seem to assume were rather small and sexy to begin with). I had a good laugh with that. Nursing is not the most attractive time in a womans life especially if she was already bigger to begin with (interpret that as ye may!).

I recieved a baby gift today! Diapers and wipes. I'm 10 weeks from my due date and this is the very first of any diapers that I have for baby boy. I'm so far behind what I was this time into M's pregnancy! Still I found the coordinating fabric to the already picked out theme fabric for his bedding, so I'm about ready to cut out and get busy sewing. I'm a little nervous about making my own piping but my mom swears she's got it down pat now...so I suppose I'll learn something new.

We picked up the $25 rocker that I got on craigslist. It's not exactly as it seemed in the pic, but it was a small pic, so its sometimes hard to tell. It is in really good condition and is very clean, but the fabric is old and dated, so it will have to be recovered! another project. oh well, I intend to tackle it quickly so as not to frustrate my nesting instincts or my hubs preferences for things of particular beauty.

I worked sub childcare at my SIL's church and they didn't actually need me so I got paid to sit around and jabber with her for a while and had a break from general responsibility (including Mercy). I am very thankful to have her friendship even though we are family. So many different points in our lives so far have intertwined and we have benefited from eachother. I don't have that one special friend that we've been praying for and she too prays for that same type of thing, but we do have eachother and for that I think we are both thankful.

Lastly, these Wednesday nights subbing in childcare have left Daddy and Daughter Date nights fantastically available. These are turning out to be such a joy for everyone. There date food is usually Moes which is very near our house. She loves it and so does he so it works out. Then this night, he decided to treat her to an actual manicure at a nail salon in the same shopping center. She wowed everyone in there with her wit and charm (and verbal skills cause boy is she a talker) and daddy was overjoyed with her excitement about her $5 pink manicure with designs and sparkles! Good idea dad. And I told him that next week he could take her for her toes! haha. seriously good way to spend $5 on a little girl!

Can't have our yard sale again as we had hoped cause the weather is very uncooperative, but mom took all the yard sale stuff to her house to put in the garage till weather and travel permit an actual sale (gotta go before the babe comes!). Hallelujah! It feels like we might be getting our house back. We have NO storage (this is not an exaggeration), so it was all just hanging out in ugly piles here there and everywhere. Literally 3 closets in the entire house. Each are small, one is in our room and is only mine (and the vaccuum, gift things, some storage, guitar...) one in the "hall" which is J's and all his sporting good storage, and one in M's room (normal closet with a bit of her extra storage things). No linen closet, no laundry closet, no pantry, no broom closet. There is an attic, it's huge if you can fit anything into my closet and through the opening. Which we have not had any success with thus far. Ha ha. so we are reclaiming our house from the clutter.

Every step is a step closer to a more contented relaxed environment! That is my so many random things. Theological discussions, rocking chairs, fighting the nursing frump, daddy daughter nights...It's whats going on!

The Day's Happenings

Well, it was a weird day for M. I mean, did I not post last night that she hasn't had an accident in like 2 weeks! Sure enough today, just about everytime she needed to go, she had a little bit in her panties! Gee Wiz! We had a play date today and I hadn't even brought her a bag, cause it's been so long since she had an accident. In fact, tonight, she was obviously frustrated about it all and just asked for a diaper! hahahahaha! seriously?! when is the last time she had a diaper?! But who knows. they say this happens. I just wish it didn't.

I'm feeling a little better about baby preparation. I'm fighting the urge to be discontented with our housing situation. It's a moment by moment thing as I am pregnant and these mood type things seem to be fluctuating a good bit! A friend gave (let me borrow I'm sure) her carrier/base car seat which I'm thrilled about cause though I had the one M used, it was bought used and apparently as of today is no longer up to standards (3 point harness instead of a 5 point harness). I was a little annoyed at that, but now I don't have to worry about it! AND me and M did go pick up the sit and stand stroller from the craiglister fro $30! seriously! I registered for one at target that was a good price but was still a good $100 more! I'm thrilled! Thank you Lord! We scored a really cute, unisex portable swing at a yard sale this weekend for $10 which I thought was a decent price seeing how on craigslist they are going for $15 or more even the ugly, dirty ones. We can only do a small portable one because of the space issue.

My next project is making the kitchen livable after the hopeful yard sale this weekend (though I'm not sure the weather is in my favor). AND making baby boy's space situated (Not to mention the lack of bedding as of yet). I've had trouble finding something to match the fabric I've chosen for a portion of his bedding. I'm bout to give up and go the alternate route and remake my fave quilt that never gets used into his new bedding motif! Seriously! just ready to have it done!

Rocking chair situation! Found the one I like on craigslist a while back but wasn't sure if I was ready. it reappeared this weekend at $25! for an upholstered swivel, gliding rocker that doesn't smell or squeak and that quite possible already matches my existing decorations! OK. that could only be God or too good to be true. We'll see bout it all on Wednesday evening.

My hubs is finally home. Yippee! no more out of towns for another almost 2 weeks. Hallelujah! Had a neat conversation with sis today about needy people and Jesus and our responsibility and how hard it must've been for Him and how hard it is to be like Him. Also about how to live on one salary...that is a fave topic of mine and you know it's not all peaches and cream either, but I still love the choice I/or rather God made for me. Making it work is tough sometimes, but always in the end is worth it. Always. Oh so many good things. Only one slight let down...my hopeful friend, though still a friend and to be determined just how great a friend did turn out to be needy. My radar has been up since I met her and I was beginning to think I was just untrusting or cynical about the idea of having true friends cause we could sit and talk for hours, but I was right. The "needs" came out today and they are not small! They are heavy. So heavy that I have prayed for her and her fam several times since we were together. I even had trouble napping. But it isn't my need and I can not do much about it but pray, so I do that. Knowing that God is over it all.

Where is MY responsibility in it all I don't know. I wanna fight but I also wanna flee, so we shall see what God's plans are in all this. Still I pray for that like minded, safe friend that God has for me in His time.

Relationally Inept!

Seriously...I don't wanna sound like a school girl, but as out going as I am...as social as I am and extroverted, I still find it hard to make friends. I'm not talking about the kind of friends that you see once a week and like and find things in common. I can claim many of those. I'm talking about the kind where you actually wanna play catch up on the history and past of the person to see how they came to be as they are today. I'm talking about the kind of friend that laughs and cries in the same conversation. The one that can talk about important things, vulnerable things, and then nothing all at the same time. The one that you have a hard time hanging up on the phone with.

No I'm not trying to date this person...but I suppose all relationships do have similarities. We all have our trials and tests that we put people through to see where they fall in our little world. I'm not saying you don't befriend someone cause they don't meet your standards, but the counselor in me knows a good bit about safe people and healthy relationships and there are different levels of intimacy for different kinds of friends.

I am, I'll admit, giddy at even the idea or possibility that I might have a new friend. Now things are still new and I'm sure that the friendship will evolve as time is spent together, but I spent over an hour on the phone with my new gal pal and could have kept talking. AND we are supposed to get together tomorrow as well for a play date.

We aren't the same, though things in our life make us laugh at similarities. But I find her easy to be with and talk to. She is new and therefore safer considering all the harmful relational things I've been through in the past 3 yrs with Katrina, moving, moving again and again, trying to rebuild, my fathers forced termination and various levels of rejections surrounding that. It is nice to have freshness. I need a friend. A good one that I can call in a pinch. One that would do the same. Who doesn't need one really...but with all the life change that seems to never end in my life, it seems I've been unable to secure one of those kind of friends for years.

God has his ways...I will continue to pray. In a funny way I'm very cautious. I don't want to be too excited by the mirage in the desert, but I also don't want to be a cynic! May God help me balance emotional things in my life as I am well aware that I'm pregnant and will have a hard enough time doing that.

just us girls

Feel like its been just us girls and the boy in my womb for way too long. Let me tell you, preggo women in their third trimester need others! Well, I mean I am talking about a grown woman and a little girl who are both extremely extroverted and social! Me and M have really been having a great deal of bonding time which I will treasure my whole life most likely (and I'm glad to be getting it as baby boy is coming close to being a huge new part of life). However, it's sure been a while since I even had the mental break that hubs was coming home at some point to help out. We chose to go on our last hoorah, so I certainly can't complain. But I will say that eating, sleeping, and breathing with M, though delightful, is quite tiring! Luckily, with the whole visit to Minnah I know I always have a helping hand cause she is soooo great with kids!

Now, J is out of town for a little boy fun and "class" (gun play as he says). It's sort of his last manley hoorah before baby boy gets his name! ha! I'm thrilled that he gets to go and I know he's having a ball, in fact tonight it a night shooting course, so he is still going. However, M and I got home late Monday night, Tuesday night was birthing class, so no real quality family time, Wednesday nite I worked childcare at SIL's church, Thursday night J got stuck at work till 10pm and Friday morn he was gone on his trip and won't be back till monday midday or so. ugh.

I can't really complain. I do have it good. THank goodness I have the love of my life to miss you know...Thank goodness we have family to take trips to go visit. Thank goodness I have little miss M to spoil. And excess money to spend in said situations. I suppose I'm just feeling pregnant, bored, lonely, whatever...pregnant! ha!

It's not like I don't have an atrocious mess here at my house from leaving my hubs alone here from 5 days to having a 2 yr old all by myself for several more days! I've got massive cleaning to do, and no motivation, and no help. Fun times. Tomorrow will be devoted to cleaning, and hopefully picking up a sit and stand stroller from craigslister! I really hope this works out. it'd be perfect and inexpensive! Getting ready for final yard sale which I hope to hold next weekend if all gets pulled together and weather permits. I'm ready to get this junk out of my house!

On an amusing note, M asked me if my belly was getting bigger tonight! I said probably, what did she think? She said, Yeah, I think so! Ha ha. She also told someone a few days ago that her baby brother was running out of room! I couldn't agree more!

Pregnant Brain

Here are some things that I have noticed this time around that I didn't notice, or maybe didn't experience, the first time around.

1. The many, many weird dreams! I had one last time that was so intense I woke up sobbing (hubs didn't even wake up!) This time I have 3-4 in a night (or nap) and they too are intense and slightly realistic--meaning they always involve real people, but the scenarios are less realistic

2. I feel huge like I'm carrying a large rock in my womb (especially by the end of the day)...AND I have almost 3 months left!

3. I have far less patience than usual, or maybe my threshold is lesser of something.

4. Once I reach the threshold I have a difficult time containing my true feelings.

5. I have a good bit of nesting instinct but not enough energy to make it happen

6. Apparently, laughter and tears seem to go hand in hand. It seems I get teary at random times...if I'm talking about anything personal at all.

7. I'm back to having no idea what to eat!

8. Love to feel the boy wiggling in there, but even though he feels huge to me they say i'm measuring under! How?!

9. I want a house to fit my family in (which isn't going to happen now at least), and Jason wants an excursion to fit our family (which isn't going to happen ever! ha!)

10. My hubs thinks I'm a hot pregnant woman and sometimes, I think so too!

Last Hoorah

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

Cousins Easter Egg Hunt!

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

Chikalada Pasta

This is one of my favorite dishes! It's really called Chicken Enchilada Pasta, but this is the way it came out when M said it tonight. I thought it was cute enough to stick.

Chickilada Pasta

cook some spaghetti noodles (or any kind of pasta really)
--enough to cover the bottom of the casserole dish.
When you are finished cooking and draining, add a smidge of olive oil to keep them from sticking.

Boil a chicken breast or two for about 20 minutes, then cut into bite sized pieces. (I usually boil a whole bunch and do all this cutting and boiling at once and then freeze the rest for any recipe that calls for bite size chicken).

Place the chicken on top of the noodles.
(Optional-but I love it!) Place a few jalapeno pepper slices around the chicken.

Now for the sauce (which is basically a gravy)!
in a saucepan, melt a stick of butter.
when it is melted, add in a hair less than 1/2 cup of flour.
stir immediately, making sure there aren't any clumps.
While this is cooking (for a minimum of 4 minutes), microwave to boiling 2 cups of chicken bouillion.
Stir the butter flour mixture, and then pour the bouillion quickly into the saucepan (after it has cooked for at least 4 minutes.)
stir rapidly as it will quickly begin to thicken.
turn down to low to medium and add seasonings to taste. Salt, Pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and jalapenos and/or jalapeno juices.

Pour this sauce over the casserole dish evenly and add cheese on top.

Bake for 15-20 minutes @ 350 degrees.

Found a Quote I Love

"Be True to Who You Are and the Family Name You Bear."

What a day it was yesterday! We were very productive around here! And on palm Sunday! Wouldn't they have thrown us in jail back in biblical days! how dare we be so productive! Still our Sabbath proved to fall on Saturday this week.


After naptime we found hubs hard at work recreating a table for my sewing projects. He's so sweet! He seems to be really supportive of all my TeederToddler projects. He's even remaking an old table we had in order that I might have a place to sew besides the dining room table and half of baby boys space! Hopefully we can get it organized enough in here before baby comes! We'd like to feel as though we fit in here! So much to do and time is fleeting.


M dressed herself. We didn't go anyway for conventional "church" but she picked out a sunday dress and shoes and all just to go outside and play. She is so cute and as girlie as they get! When she saw her daddy working outside, she wanted to help! So she gave it her best go.

Up to No Good

Me and my serger! Ah. We were the best of friends, we are the worst of enemies! No seriously, check out my post over at TeederToddlers for more of that story. But it seems that my serger needs a name cause I personify her quite a bit. Let's see...Ah, perfect. My serger, Suri, will have to go to the Dr. first thing this week cause her mother/owner--me--can't seem to take care of her properly and she is a bit over sensitive as I hear most of her species are. So, Suri the serger will be staying in the serger hospital overnite a day or two till her timing is realigned!



I pulled and prodded as you are not to do with a serger and managed to bend a needle in a big way! Then I proceeded to change it and restring Suri several times just to be sure and yet...alas, she will not loop. not even a little. And after further investigation, it appears that the needles are rubbing into the loopers and some other bit I have no idea what its name is, so...it is beyond my scope of fixing. Metal on metal is definitely a shop kind of thing, at least for now!



Still, I am forging ahead on new projects! check out my latest over ollie at teedertoddlers! AND I posted a pick of my latest diaper wreath that was delivered as a present at the shower I attended today! That turned out great and is a really unique gift if you'd like to order one!

New 6/9 month outfit @ TeederToddlers

Projects have begun! check out TeederToddlers.blogspot.com for the latest!

Priceless

Yesterday was Priceless.
-Dropped car off at the garage next door at the crack of dawn for some brake work. (expecting a charge from $150-$600)
-Rode to Mom to mom with SIL and cuz and M of course
-had interesting theological discussion in group. Very fulfilling for me as deep thought is somewhat hard to come by in the stay at home mom world
-had lunch with SIL, cuz, and M
-M went easily down for her nap
-checked in with parentals
-after nap had a snack (jello!) and walked next door to check on our car
-it was done and the bill was fantastic ($161.50!)
-since it was in the 70's, checked in on hubs to see if he was coming home for sup (was having a computer meltdown day at work). and he wasn't, so M and I decided to go to the park.
-Park was closed for maintenance, bummer, so M says lets go to the zoo!
-Why not? don't know if it'll be open since it is after 4:30pm at this point, but there is a fabulous park in front of the zoo if it is closed.
-zoo is closed but park is in full swing! M plays and plays!
-m is a big girl and goes potty, no accidents!
-time for sup and since we are so close to downtown westside we head there and park in the lot behind hub office (its the cheapest).
-we get out the stroller and decide on either pizza or soup.
-m says soup, cheesy, or potato.
-we locate Atlanta Bread Co. and she decides no soup, but p,b,and j is perfect. She eats a good bit of her sandwich, her entire bag of chips and all but one bite of her pickle!
-she goes potty again like a big girl! no accidents!
-i have one of my fave sandwiches too
-off to Marble Slab for some ice cream!
-M wants pink ice cream but no strawberries...not sure if that exists. Sure enough they have pink bubble gum ice cream.
-she samples, she like, I buy her a cone with sprinkles on top.
-we are both in heaven.
-back to our car, pay the parking lady, and head for home as the sun has now officially set.
-its 8:30 when we hit the bath together (as hubs is still working bless his heart)
-by 9:30 she is almost out cold.
-call sis and have a long overdue fun chat (50 min!)
-go to bed
-hubs finally gets home around 12:30 poor guy!

I spent a total of $19 on M and me. Cash from craigslist sale. I loved every minute of my date. And I realized, I don't do this enough. I left the dirty dishes in the sink, I left the huge pile of clean clothes unfolded, and we did spontaneous things. And she was delightful. It was a glimpse into my big girl's life. I wondered if my mom must have felt these same things with me sometimes as I grew. I cherished every minute of the night. All the "I love yous" that she lavished on me. I think we both felt so special! I to her and she to me. I felt special to God that He would allow me such a privilege! Priceless day!

Productivity

Well, I was sluggish yesterday...that is true. But even still, I was a bit productive. Did a good bit of dishes, worked on the laundry, hung and put up all of M's clothes and straightened her room. I decluttered our very small hall. In fact, some of the decluttering led to craigslist, and thus today I will have made a quick $35.00 (most likely to pay for dinner tonight with hubs).

I picked up my check, made a deposit, ran an errand for mom, and got our free monday night redbox movie. AND...I got a decent nap in there. M got to play outside a bit, which thrilled my soul seeing as it was perfect yesterday! We (me and M) even walked over to the neighbors at DeYoung's Garage yesterday to do some checking on some brake work that we needed done. That will have to wait till Friday...or maybe I can squeeze it in tomorrow. we'll see.

Today has been far more productive than I would have expected. I dropped M off at schoo, caught up with a friend via telephone (been meaning to do this for awhile), made a quick stop at starbucks (most recent craving), stopped at Goodwill and hit the motherload for my teeder toddler projects and on half off! I came home and did some more laundry, ate lunch, caught up with parentals, met a craiglister, straightened the living room since k and SIL are coming over to watch M while we attend birthing class. The bathroom is straight, finished ALL the laundry! Now I have to work on dishes and folding the clean clothes. There is a permanent (or so it seems) pile of stuff next to the back door that is for ebay, garage sale, and/or goodwill! Can't wait till that is gone!

Gotta get M in a minute, but I'm going to keep goingsince I seem to be on a roll. I'm less sluggish today and no nap! maybe that exhaustion had more to do with daylight savings time?! We shall see. In the mean time. I'm determined to get to a point on this housework that leaves me sanity to work on TeederToddlers. Got a big project up my sleeve that I hope proves to be profitable! Fuller schedule than usual for this stay at home mom! I'll post when I can.

Third Trimester?!

Seriously...I'm going to be 25 wks. tomorrow, and I'm already feeling the tug of the exhaustion that comes with the third trimester! Not yet! I was feeling so good! I felt it yesterday. One day is no big deal, but I feel it really bad today and I've remembered to take my vitamins and such. Of course M had a little rough night last night. She had some nightmare or something. At any rate she was scared and called for me in the middle of the night. I had to deal with that. I laid down in her bed for a while, but that never works for long cause she wasn't sleeping and neither was I, so I tucked her in again and tried to go back to sleep. Couldn't get comfortable. tried various things and finally went back to sleep. That doesn't help my sluggishness! I'm going to try to be at least a little bit productive today. I've got quite a bit of work to do. We'll just see how far I get. Not going to make a list, cause I think I would get depressed.

Chester the Third

So you know how they say that Cats have 9 lives...well, I now know that mice have at least 3 lives. Only time will tell as for the remainder of his little lives. We had a visit from Chester again last night. After two previous times, I was actually better able to sleep, but he did wake me up a good 3 times. No we are not extremely dirty people, though J swears we have too many crumbs around here from our toddling eater. We are in a very evolving spot.

The first mouse came after they cleared the lot to build the CVS diagonally across the street. The second visitor came the very morning they drove the house off of the lot across the street. Now they have begun construction on a huge "lot" and are in the process of moving two more houses (already drove one off). They are clearing the area and preparing to build a whole bunch of townhomes. And we got a visitor. We have packets under the house and plugged up the only "hole" we knew of. Still, he came, he visited, he died...and all that for some peanut butter (on the trap of course).

Hope that is the end of chester!

TeederToddlers Official Blog

Well, its a start. TeederToddlers has an official blog site and email address. http://teedertoddlers.blogspot.com and teedertoddlers@gmail.com These are your ways of contacting us on questions about our latest creations and such. Enjoy. And seriously, the only way we can help you is if you contact us. Go ahead. leave comments, email with questions. This is only the beginning.

I'm posting.

I'm posting though sometimes I feel like I've got nothing to post about. J was out of town last week all week so I was worn out and didn't feel much like blogging. This week we are working off the illness that M got at school last Thursday. Yippee. I almost kept her home today, but she isn't contagious and seemed alright, so I sent her. I had tons of things to do today anyway..

It is only 10:30am. I've barely been out and about for more than an hour and I already got a huge portion of my list complete. I returned our free redbox movie from yesterday, I ran to the bank to finally take care of all that. I went to pay rent and visit with the landlord. she is an older woman who loves to chat...so that usually takes a while. I have an appt. with a kids consignment place at 10:45 but gotta wait for mom and dad to get here to help with the loading and such since it is heavy things we are checking out today. can't do any of that heavy lifting while i'm pregnant.

I have even called to schedule my doula appt. and childbirthing classes. we are all signed up and ready except for paying. now I just need to organize child care for M for the next 8 tues. nights. guess that'll be date night for us for a while.

Things are moving along...trying to figure out what to do with our housing situation. feeling a bit cramped here, but know that we could make it work if we have to. Dreary day, supposed to get several thunderboomers as M would say. can't believe I'm actually being productive on such a day as this! Amazing.

On Napping

This is a quote or such from the back of Celestial Seasonings box. Seriously dorky I know, but I kept it for a long time maybe cause I agreed with it and/or because it justifies one of my favorite things...a nap.

"When we were young, the 'tall' ones told us when to slow down. When the demands of the world became too great, their powers of reasoning proved maddeningly accurate. 'I think someone's tired,' they observed. And off for a nap we went. Ten minutes later, our dreaming faces had put us back in good favor with our exasperated parents. When we woke, the world somehow made sense again. What kind of truth might a napping child impart to us? Now we are the tall ones, living in a complicated world with no one to tell us when to slow down. The slumbering little one knows the value of not having the last word, of accepting a minor defeat. It's so simple. Miss out on something. Put yourself back in your own good favor. The world will wait."

Single Mom and Snow

Seriously, it snowed this morning. Some people didn't even realize it that's how little it is, but I had flurries on my car and grill (and no it wasn't frost--i do know the difference) Last week it nearly peaked at 70 degrees and this morning we had snow flurries! Ugh. I'm officially ready for spring.

And...I'm officially ready for hubs to come home. I'm a single mom for the week. Luckily I only have one child though she is 2 1/2 and one on the way. I've tried to be remotely productive, but I have low motivation. I swear if I don't get ALL the dishes done and ALL the laundry put away before J comes home I may check myself into the mental institution.

On a good note, M didn't have any accidents today and was in two situations where she had to go while in the car. She held it till we got to a potty. AND she gave me warning! That was amazing! She even went #2 by herself twice! So victory there.

On napping however, for about a week or more she has been having a really difficult time with naps. This is fairly new. We have a serious routine around here...I'm careful about the sugar intake anywhere near naptime, and still...she gets bout 45min. to 30min. by the time she goes to sleep. Hoping this is just a phase.

Well, Friday and Saturday have come and I'm finally going to post this which I began probably on Wednesday. M is sick (and napping of course cause she needs the rest). Going to the Dr. today. Poor girl. I need more sleep myself, but at least I'm getting my massage today. Ah!

Nanny-Nanny-Boo-Boo

We have officially named our little boy on the way! And..................We're not telling yet! That's so mean I know. There is just always such a stink with certain people over something that is our choice anyway that it's easier to wait and announce it once the ink has dried on the birth certificate. If I choose to tell earlier it will be at my discretion. (Our discretion really).

My M has returned from the mother ship, at least for this lovely valentine's day...Of course tonight should be interesting considering the amount of sugar she has taken in! We shall see, but so far, so good.

Met with a doula today. Glad I'm choosing to do that. Seriously worth the money.

Getting ready for a yard sale tomorrow. Ookie! You would not believe the amount of things I save! Actually most of you are probably more like me than you would like to admit. And I am always cleaning out, but alas. still plenty to sell.

We celebrated Valentine's day as a family this morning! That was really awesome! I mean it. A lovely little memory I will enjoy for the remainder of my memory's existence. We splurged (which won't happen for a long time to come)and actually bought real Hallmark cards at the Hallmark store! I know. I'm officially crazy! I was costly let me tell you, but M really enjoyed picking them out for each person. She loved hers from her dad so much that she took it to school and held onto it at least half the day her teachers said. It had glitter and disney princesses on it. Daddy's and daughters are great!

Got to split lunch with Mom at Brickstreet from my Valentine's Day treat and J got me a Starbucks card. That was perfect! I didn't ask for it and didn't even think of it, but it really is perfect. I have trouble splurging like that on myself, but I do love my Starbucks! I wanted to get him a specific something that will sound ridiculous to anyone else, but J would've loved it! I wanted to get him one of those shower curtain rods that is curved for extra room. Thought they ran around $25...nope. They are more like $40. Then add in tax. So I didn't get it. I did howver find him a hilarious book about "How Babies Are Made" Seriously amusing. He will enjoy that too. Gotta go through garage sale stuff and make sup. More later.

The Child Formerly Known As...

Anyone who doesn't believe in original sin doesn't have children.

Anyone who doesn't believe in original sin should have been a fly in my diaper bag all day. Now, to date, my child is generally a fairly well behaved child. I'm beginning to think that my family was part of some kind of awful experiment by the aliens to see how aliens and humans interact, because that surely wasn't my M...that must've been an alien trapped in her body...a pod person.

Granted maybe she feels a bit like I do that we (she and I)have had more than our usual fill of eachother in the last two weeks, cause I know that especially after today I could use, I mean really use, a break.

She was uncooperative most of the day. Purposefully choosing to not listen, obviously ignore, roll/avert eyes, attempt to distract, and just about anything she could do to be frustrating, disobedient, and whiny. At least the potty thing went well most of the day, so I can't complain about that.

Sweet girl woke up from nap time and stayed till about supper. Then I was convinced that maybe I did carry twins the last time I was pregnant cause this child looked just like mine, but was absolutely undisciplined!

Now you know as her mom I'm totally going to spend the rest of the night trying to figure out what I did to contribute and overanalyze how this happened and what I ought to have done to get different outcomes. The truth is. I felt frustrated and angry a good bit of the day because I couldn't make her obey.

HOW MANY TIMES DO I THINK GOD FEELS THIS WAY ABOUT ME! ABOUT US!

Ah, we do learn alot from our children.

Tomorrow is Another Day

Bout half-way through the day I was feeling like the above statement...praying that God would indeed give me another day to make up for the slow going, one step behind kinda day I was having. But it got better.

Here goes:

7:30am--wake up feeling cruddy (still)

Wake M up who is officially sound asleep. This never goes well cause she is usually quite cranky in such scenarios. This was a medium cranky episode (whew). She goes to the potty and her diaper was dry (yahoo!). Then she whines and fusses cause she wants to put on a diaper. I didn't cave. She wore the panties.

7:46am--get M some rice milk and convince her that she needn't watch a movie at this time. No desire for breakfast and barely drinks any milk. I hop in the shower, get ready...slowly, and go to get M ready (granted by this time it's closer to 8:30am).

Argue over which potty she's going to go pee pee in...leave her on one only to come back and find that she has hiked herself up onto mine is going potty! Hey, I'm confused but proud. Finally get her dressed...ask her to finish watching some Disney thing while I get her lunch ready...and her bag ready...and my bag ready.

By the time we get out the door it is pushing 9:30am. I've cut her bologna into hearts, cupids, and other various shapes. Realize I don't have any juice left, so make up an on the go drink and poor it into two sippy cups. Whew. Grab a snack for myself since I'm getting my hair done and sometimes that takes awhile.

As we are locking up the house, M says that her tummy is rumbling and that must mean she's hungry. I feel bad and convince her to have my granola bar. She doesn't think she will, but she really likes it. We make it to school, tell her teachers she hasn't had an accident in 4 days, so I don't expect any problems, but I'll be at the salon. I hope upon hopes she is still in the same outfit when I pick her up, but I don't really expect her to be.

I'm gone...and running late...and still have to stop at the bank. I have to do it on the way cause that's how I'm paying the tip. I call a friend to assure her that I haven't forgotten about her, just been sick. Love credit unions cause I was out of deposit slips but I still needed to deposit some and keep some. So the guy just asks and then takes care of it for me! Yeah. That's service!

I pull up for my hair appt. just a mere one minute late! hallelujah. Getting your hair done is always fun. And she threw in an eyebrow wax for the heck of it (mainly cause I've purposely neglected to keep mine up since they needed some adjusting). I still got out of there in under 2 hours.

Met mom for lunch...perfect. I was in the mood for Schlotzkys and she was right there. Splurged on the caffeine and had Cherry Coke (love it). Then went home to wrap b-day present for M's friend's party. Called Sarah to let her know that I (which means she) will not be at Mom to mom tomorrow cause I'm still not up to par. Talked longer than we should but enjoyed it. Didn't nap and did a mediocre job at wrapping that present. Went to get M.

M was still in her same outfit, had had no accidents, and took a nap! Which is huge since she didn't nap at all yesterday! We went to the elmo b-day party. Got two requests for the "Overhauls". M gets a little overloaded in that type of environment, but she had fun. We got a pic with Elmo and a cute video I'll post later. Cake was good too, but M didn't want any. She'd already had cupcakes and suckers...

We came home, M wanted to watch Pocahontas (which is like her new favorite) so I let her so that I could doze a minute and then start on dinner and dishes. Didn't want to, but I did and now I'm glad. Dinner was delish! M ate sooooooooo much brocolli! She thought it was sooooo good! Hilarious! And fantastic really. Made Chicken Enchilada Pasta (one of my faves), and broccoli and sweet tea! Even Hubs enjoyed it all.

Potty time comes after dinner always in our house till we get it down (the #2 I mean). We had a little resistence, but I didn't cave. She did it and was greatly relieved and had energy like you wouldn't believe after that. Nani came by with a special prize for her perfect potty day and all ended well that started off sloppy! Thank goodness I didn't have to wait till tomorrow to redeem my motherhood abilities! What a day. And I'm still up.

DIY

Seriously...Here are the bow pics for the birthday project. Please enjoy laughing along with me as I try to figure this creation out!

See the previous post for the frontal pic of these "overhauls". Here is the frou frou on the back. So now to make a matching bow!

I actually downloaded and printed, read and followed directions to make this bow. besides the fact that it's too big, it looks a mess! Buh...so I decide to give it a go without the instructions. I eyeball it if you will. And I'm relieved to have this as the outcome!

TeederToddlers

My mom and I are working on a new project. We are making and recreating boutique clothing for toddlers. We've only just begun and right now we are only doing girls clothing sizes 2-5...and it is fun. Not to mention that M is the beneficiary of all the demo model clothes (the ones we work with first to get them just right). Then she gets to be our little model/walking advertisement! There is one more outfit that is complete minus the monogram so I will post it later. But the scoop is that we will have an Etsy store/site very shortly (Thanks itsamomthing for that tip) and you and anyone you tip off can go, search, browse, shop...


Here's the scoop. TeederToddlers is our name. We make clothing for toddler girls sizes 2-5. Our goal is to make one style of clothing per week/one pattern if you will. We will make only one item in each size (unless there is a special request for twins), and that is it. The next week will be a whole new item. The purpose here is to keep things very original. The quality will be high, and the demand great because THERE ARE SO FEW THAT ARE ALIKE! If there happens to be a particular pattern and/or fabric that is extremely popular, then you can expect to see it reappear in the following month's picks. But the goal will be to keep things unique and individual AND high quality, made in America! Can't wait to publish the post that says that we are up and running.



THIS IS THE PREVIEW! Here are the items (minus the one in need of monogramming) that we have experimented with so far.


This is a birthday present for one of M's classmates! It comes with a matching hairbow and there are a few cute embellishments on the back as well, but I've maxed out my pics for this post. Will post the hair bow pics next cause it was a funny experiment.

Baby Boy Pics

Finally scanned these in...Thanks Mom and SIL! If you know what you're looking at you'll notice the boy parts to be very obvious! The two middle ones are face pics 3D and the last is just a pic of his hand spread out. Very cute to me the mom.

Update! We had a great potty day with M. She didn't have any accidents. In fact just before dinner she went potty all by herself and then called us from the toilet. That was funny. We celebrated by going to Ruby Tuesdays and ordering dessert. Keep in my mind I am pregnant as well!

I did the sinus flush last night. No idea if I did it right, but after a great deal of dosing off and on and big nap this afternoon I feel a good bit better! Still going to repeat flush and tea tonight.

Went to Earth Fare last night. We decided to do meats and dairy's all organic to reduce the amount of hormones and antibiotics that we put into our bodies. I've heard to many tales of early (and I mean really early) periods in young gals most likely due to the hormones in most meat and dairy. Not to mention I think M may be allergic to dairy or milk or something that causes a lot of her bathroom woes. So, I went and only got the things that fall in those categories and some of the other things that I needed for treating my current illness. I spent more than my usual $50/wk. Thank goodness this was the first trip the the grocery for me this week. It was $63. And that's not too bad considering I bought more than enough meat for at least 2-4 weeks. We'll see. I guess I'll have to do some budget adjustment for this new Whole Food type adventure. Any tips? Everything else is going to be bought somewhere else. I've read enough about pesticides and such and fruit to know that in general if you wash fruit you are rid a good majority of these things away. I just want to rid of hormones and antibiotics for now. When we get rich or something then maybe I'll be able to afford all whole food all the time.

Me and Hot Tea

Well, I managed to ward of the evil bug for a good while and then woke up this a.m. several times with way too much mucus (that's all I'm saying so I don't gross anyone out). been battling a bit of a slightly achey throat. Today is the first day I actually felt sick. So I call my midwife...this should be interesting cause I'm not all super all natural mamasita, but this is the general routhe that she takes. Still, cost wise, if it all actually works then I will be less broke if you know what I mean. I generally pay out of pocket for Dr. visits and medicine, so most sick visits are no less than $100!

I'm doing hot tea. I'm sleeping upright. I'm preparing to collect things for a disgusting over the sink sinus irrigation. I'm also collecting my all natural ingredients for specific types of very hot tea. Gargling with salt water...and let's not forget creating my own ear drop solution in the event that I have an ear infection which tends to be the case only when I'm sick and pregnant. One good thingis that I can have mucinex! That I can do. I'm just curious if my ear is going to smell like garlic since the whole ointment is made up of olive oil and garlic (oil). Should be an experience. Hey I'm willing to try anything at least once!

In the meantime I'm still potty training. We had an awesome day yesterday. No accidents all day even at nap. today not as good but still not bad. One big accident and two little dribbles that required an undies change. we even had a huge success at going #2 on mommy's big potty! those of you who frequent this post know how hard this is in our house! The key to getting M to drink more is the juice box. I think its the concept rather than the juice.

I'll be taking it easy this weekend...and hoping that M isn't getting this funk too (started with the congestion today too.) We covet your prayers round here.

Something Going Around

I mean besides all the pregnant gals...there really is something nasty going around. Two of the gals pregnant with in a week of my date are really sick with flu and/or major congestion etc. I've been reading about it and am simply praying that I too am not coming down with it. I am at the beginning of something and am hoping to head it off with vitamins (lots), rest, and fluids. It's all not making my tummy feel very good either and nothing sounds good so I don't guess I'm eating as I should.

AND we are trying to catch the whole potty training thing while we can cause M is finally waking up fairly regularly with dry diapers. That's cool. Still there is a little bit of battle of the wills. I've heard the words, "No, I don't want to," or " no, I don't have too" a few more times than my nerves can generally tolerate. Coaxing doesn't generally work, so I just tell her that when Mommy says______ (whatever, fill in the blank), your response is "yes ma'am." and we obey. That usually does it. (at least for now). And while I was rocking her before bedtime tonight she told me she had to go potty, so we went...even though she was all ready for bed and in a diaper! AND on her initiative. That was cool. we made it 7 or 8 times and only to close calls but no big accidents.

I'm trying to focus this for the next two weeks, so I hope and pray that we don't get as sick as it seems everyone else has been getting. It seems especially rough on us pregnant gals, especially when we have another toddler at home! Please say an extra prayer for all us sickies this week!

I'm Blue...la-da-dee-la-da-die...

I feel like I should change my blog template to blue for this post cause I'm having a boy! Crazy huh?! I don't mean blue as in sad...I mean blue as in boy! and healthy I might add. That's all so crazy! I guessed boy, but who really knows! Well...I'll post more later. Maybe I can get a quick snooze in before it's time to rouse the big sis and tell her the news (about which she will be heartbroken and probably still insist on calling it "Sissy"). More to come.

Time to Vote!

Seriously, sorry that this will be quick. I had my appointment today and then we were to schedule our Ultrasound appt. didn't realize we'd get there so quickly, but apparently we will find out on Friday afternoon. Still deciding whether to take M or not. Hmm. It will be during her naptime so that makes it a little bit of a tough decision.

Here's the low down on hunches. I think it's a boy, Hubs thinks it's a girl, M thinks a girl, mom thought it was a boy, but today she changed her mind. The midwife originally said she leaned towards boy, but today after heartbeat and extreme movement in there she said that I may have an active little girl on my hands...so who even knows! And who really cares?! I just want a healthy human. That'd be great! So cast your vote in the side bar and I'll give you the results over the weekend!

The Rest of the Photo Shoot

These pics were taken on 12/14/07. Love them. I linked to Jana's blog so you could see some of them. Here are the rest of M and Cuz. Enjoy!

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Winter Wonderland

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Snow Day!

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200th Post!

This is my 200th post! AND...it's snowing!

I sort of hope that there is actually snow on the ground in the morning so that M can experience it. I mean she's never experienced snow. All children should and she's at the age that it will be really fun to watch her discover it! Just wish I had a fireplace to warm her up with after it's all over. I also sort of hope that there will be ice on the roads so that I can have an excuse to keep hubs at home since he's been out of town and we've missed him. Not to mention that he is worn out from all the manual labor he did on this business trip.

Grocery Shopping:

We started to talk about this just a smidge in Mom to Mom today and I thought I ought to post about some of the basics. I do not pretend to be an expert, but lets just say that I tend to have a nack for it.

1. If you're going to do coupons, really do them. Now I know that couponing is hard. It takes organization, time, and effort. But if you are not an organizer, then do a basic organization of alphabetizing, or collect them into like categories (cleaning supplies, packaged goods, cereals, etc.) But it pays to collect alot. Get several sunday papers...you can get them at a discount at walmart or dollar stores and I think walgreens. It's better if you get them from people who don't care about coupons.

2. It really does pay to have more than one coupon of the same kind (especially if you use that product alot). Here is why. When you have a coupon, the most savings can be had when you use your coupon with the product in its smallest size or quantity. So if you need more diapers than the 30 pack, it really pays to have $1.50 coupon for a 30 pack and then another $1.50 coupon for another 30 pack. That way you've saved $3.00 on 60 as opposed to buying the 60 pack and only using the one coupon and only saving $1.50. Do you see you just saved twice as much.

3. Lots of supermarkets double coupons (look out 2-4 times a year some triple coupons). So, coupons do pay...sometimes double. usually up to .50 or .60 cents. Check and double check. One of my fave stores I thought doubled coupons, does not. It was disappointing.

4. If you want to get the best deal, then you can't be brand selective. Let me clarify. I always thought that this meant I had to get the generic, but keep in mind you don't have coupons for generic. Sometimes the brand name when on sale and combined with a coupon are way better deal then just buying the generic.

5. Buy One Get One combined with 2 coupons (yes this is legit cause you are buying 2 items, so you can use 2 coupons) is almost always the best deal! Try it and do the math. I'm serious. 2 coupons and bogo!

6. When It's at it's Lowest Price, Buy Extra! I can not express this enough. A few weeks ago I found Sirloin Steaks for 2.99 a pound, that was $4 off. We never have steak cause it's expensive, but at that price I got two packs. One we ate that week, and the other pack is in the freezer for another week. This way we can have steak twice and not have to pay the full price either time. Same with things like paper towels. I do have my favorites...paper towels are Viva and if I can get them on sale I'll buy those. I just got them almost half off in a pack of 6, or I could buy them for almost 2 times that if I just bought them one at a time as I neede them. No way. This way I have my fave paper towels for a good 6 weeks and they were half price!

7. Don't forget the coupons on the back of your receipt! That's how we get out hair cut around here for under $7!

8. If you are not a couponer and probably never will be or maybe you have fallen out of the habit (like me) shop at ALDI. If you don't have an ALDI, do the Wal-Mart thing. If you like to get all your shopping done in one place, then these are generally your best bet. You could also just shop sales (look through the adds and go to the various stores for the various deals). Only don't forget that gas is expensive and time is precious.

9. Make things from scratch. This is almost always cheaper than pre boxed/packaged things.

Hope this is helpful to those who frequently ask how I do it.

*Just as a note of encouragement, even if you fell of the coupon wagon and feel drawn to a particular grocery store (like I am to Bloom right now), you too can save a good $25 every visit. Last time I saved $25 and only spent $25 (don't think I used coupons that time, just shopped the sales only). Today's visit I spent my usual $50.00 and saved $25.00. Using one coupon for diapers and a nice, fat coupon for the entire purchase. The store sends these to me the more I shop ($10 off $35). I got 4 of these for the month--hallelujah.

Almost 17 weeks

So, I can't remember alot of things...in general. And I don't remember in great detail things about my first pregnancy, so I haven't any idea how to gauge or compare this one to that one.

I am "showing" if you will. I have a friend who isn't always up on social graces who lets me know that I don't really look pregnant. Thank goodness I love and understand her in the way that I do or I would want to smack her for basically reminding me that I look more plump than bump if you know what I mean. Still, truth be told. If you don't know me, then you might thing that I have simply put on a hefty bit of holiday poundage. And yet at my last visit to the birthing center I had actually lost a pound since the day I found out that I was expecting (at about 4 1/2 wks)! I was sort of surprised since I felt like I was hungry and eating all the time...and I was never really throw up sick. Now granted I was unsettled and I was a million other kinds of sick, but I think it way have to do with the weird cravings that I have had. I eat healthier now than I ever did before, and not cause I'm trying to be such a good mom. Now really I'm totally selfish and I just want what I crave which is generally fruits and veggies in their raw form. I know! It's great, but really odd!

Only thing is that I am very uninterested in meat in general, so I'm curious about my blood work, although they said they'd call if they were concerned and they didn't call. Still, my iron tends to be low anyway. I was also concerned about my energy levels cause I was extremely tired even in the 14th and 15th weeks, but Amy (my midwife) felt sure that the up and up was coming in the 16th week. And...she was right. I'm finally feeling significantly better! Hallelujah!

So, I guess I'm to be expected to get some real things done now that I'm feeling better. My ribs finally healed from the awful strains of all that coughing, so that pain is gone (which was immense btw). Now mom and I are up to sewing and creating! I sould be fund, but boy do I have alot to learn! And I'm still a little curious how in the world we are going to make this 2 bedroom, 1 bath mill house work for our growing family. especially since I had such a hard time sleeping with a child in my room. Should be interesting. Well, my next appt. is scheduled at the very end of the month (about 2 weeks) and then we will be scheduling the U/S. So not long now till the sex and general health of the baby is determined.

And that's the update.

See Cousin Pics

Check these out! Isn't Jana a great photographer?!

This is a Review!

Seriously, I never do this, but I just have to say that I love this product. Yesterday I went to Sears to get two "tummy sleeve"s. My Aunt Martha told me about them when we visited them over the holidays and she had heard it from her dental hygenist. How odd is all that by the way.

Does anyone remember the old "Units" idea from the early 90's? Well this is only slightly similar and yet I am constantly reminded of it. It is basically a moderately thick, spandex "band" that is not too tight (cause its all elasticy), that holds up your pants and can cover your entire pregnant belly at the same time.

Now this is really good for early pregnancy when you are in between clothes and such. You put this on and you can leave your pants entirely unbuttoned and/or unzipped, and this covers it up, smooths out the lines, and holds your pants up as well. And it just looks like the bottom of a longer t-shirt. You can even get them in different colors with or without lace as a trim.

In this cold weather, I'm loving that it is another warm layer on my belly that also keeps the wind from getting in, since its fitted. And I love being able to wear some of my favorite pants still! It also saves me from having to spend a bundle on so many maternity clothes of varying sizes.

Here is an example of some really funky ones. Mine are simple one white, one black...And Sears had them for slightly less than $17!

Holy Day!

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T'was the Night Before Christmas...

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Been Tagged Awhile

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Just copy this entire post and paste it into your own post. Change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then tag someone else!

I tag Nico, Michelle, and anyone else that actually reads me and hasn't been tagged yet!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both, but those bags are oh so easy!

2. Real or artificial tree? With the whole pre-lit thing going on I have to say artificial, plus it pains me when I think of all the trees that we cut down every year to sell and then dispose of. Just doesn't seem right to me.

3. When do you put up the tree? weekend after thanksgiving. Like to start the season of Christmas as soon as possible

4. When do you take the tree down? I'd keep it up through the season of epiphany if hubs would let me, but it usually comes down a weekend around the first of the year.

5. Do you like eggnog? I used to LOVE it, but this year I'm pregnant and it just sounds repulsive.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I have trouble remembering my favorite (this should tell us about something about what we are stressing ourselves out to buy for our kids). I honestly remember just loving the festivities surrounding Christmas! But I do remember to particular gifts. I got a Cabbage patch premie, and mine was of a different ethnicity I think cause maybe that's all they had left, but I thought that made it even more special...even more mine. And I remember the year I discovered that santa wasn't real I got a purple scooter. Saw the box in the parents room and then remember hearing them trying to put it together Christmas eve at my grandmother's house while we were supposed to be sleeping. (none of us were).

7. Do you have a nativity scene? 2 actually, thanks to my SIL! we have a ceramic one that we bought years ago (at least two heads have been glued back on), and now Shelby gave us an adorable small one made of wood that M loves and we will most likely put it on Jesus' b-day cake this year. P.S. when I was in college I had one entirely out of paper (just like paper dolls with the little stands and everything) that I got at the Dollar Tree for $1. That thing was awesome!

8. Hardest person to buy for? In-laws on all parts. We don't really do lists so we know that in general gift cards are the way to go, but we have a tight budget, so I always feel like it's not enough. I can make an actual gift seem more valuable in many ways cause of the time and effort put into them, can't do that with a gift card.

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? generally any type of underwear would have fallen into this category, only now that I'm older, I will buy underwear with my Christmas gift cards.

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, if I actually send any. I rarely find time to do this.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I have snuggled up and watched two recently. My utmost fave, "The Family Man" with Nicholas Cage and Tea Leoni! What a movie! Makes you remember the things that really matter.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? All year! seriously, but I didn't do enough of it this year cause I was still scroungin this last week even.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? heck yeah! Especially if it's a really good one that you happen to have two of.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Mom's dressing and chocolate pie

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear/white

17. Favorite Christmas song? Love Christmas Songs! Carols are Silent Night and Away in a Manger. Still cry when I hear O Holy Night on the radio! What a worshipful song about Jesus' birth! Then I love any Christmas songs in New Orleans Style something about it. Love Harry Connick Jr's Frosty and Lois Armstrong's Christmas Time in New Orleans.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? used to travel alot. Now we try to stay home and enjoy it as our own family.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen, AND Rudolph

20. What's on the tree top? A rusty star that has lights in it.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? One on Christmas Eve. The rest on Christmas morning AFTER we sing Happy Birthday to Jesus and blow out the candles on the cake (and while we are eating cake for breakfast of course)

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? I have a list: People refusing to be jolly about Christmas-- It is the best time of year ever; TRAFFIC and trying to shop; People being rude

23. Do you decorate your tree in any specific theme or color? No, though eventually I'd love to have more than one tree so some could have themes. We pick up similar ornaments whenever we travel to different places. We have lots of those on our tree.

24. What do/did you leave for Santa? Cookies and milk.

25. What were any traditions you had growing up? Any that you do as an adult now? I always loved the Carols by Candlelight service growing up, but it was tricky to work any family time in at Christmas as Dad was usually involved with the music. So, Mom started the tradition of fondue. And that is Christmas eve dinner! It is fun and takes awhile, so it forced us all to interact for more than 30 min. at a time. I love that tradition so much I have carried it on. This is the first year we have done it. J, M, and I all sat down to fondue tonight. Steak, Chicken, bread and apples for the cheese fondue, fresh strawberries and pineapples, graham crackers, apples, and marshmallows for the chocolate fondue. My intention was to also serve baked potatoes, but completely forgot those in the prep of all that and the Birthday Cake for Jesus. Oh well. It was great. M didn't enjoy it like J and I did, but then she is an impatient 2 year old. Still she had a great time.





The only other is to actually through a birthday party for Jesus on Christmas morning and have cake with breakfast. Wait till you see it! It was at least as fun making it as it's going to be eating it tomorrow. We were going to do streamers everywhere, but I'm too tired at this point. Oh well. Maybe before we do the blowing out the candles on the cake and singing we'll read the Christmas story! Yep. I think so.

A Wise Quote

This is a quote I borrow from a gal who also borrowed it...AND YET I find it stunningly appropriate for life right now. I am not battling terminal cancer like my friend, but none the less am battling something else (aren't we all). I would have liked to remind myself of this quote almost daily during Katrina, but I never knew. Now, at a time when I watch my family go through what I can only describe as a far more painful, "man-made", personally inflicted by people that were supposed to love, disaster...I find these words comforting. In this season of joy and celebration, please remember to see those around you. Not everyone is in a season of celebration in their lives. Some people may need more than a $4 gift wrapped in a bag with sparkles and tissue paper. If nothing else give Christ this year. Be the reminder yourself. Be Christ for others.

Octavius Winslow… “During the process that God is providentially dealing with His people, there is often much that seems to ruffle the surface of the soul, disturbing its repose with a wave here, a billow there, a swelling yonder. His providential dealings are sometimes so inexplicable, painful, and dark, that for a moment the child of God is, as it were, unbalanced. He begins to think that all these circumstances and events are about to militate against his best interests, while that is transpiring, the feeling of perfect satisfaction. But let him calmly wait and trustfully hope until God Himself interprets…gives him light on what is now so shaded, perfects the thing concerning him, and then,…he will say, ‘Lord, it is enough; I am perfectly satisfied with all your dealings with me. I thought the stroke severe, I felt that burden crushing; I trembled as I entered into that cloud; my unbelieving heart murmured; but now, my God, my Father, in clearer light I…exclaim, ‘It is enough; I shall be satisfied when I awake in thy likeness.’ The full, the perfect satisfaction is reserved when we enter glory, and look back on all the past and see how wise, how loving, how holy, was the whole arrangement of God’s gracious and providential dealings with us.”

6 years!

Happy Anniversary Baby...I got you on my mind! Well, it hasn't been the most enchanting anniversary ever, but I'm more glad than ever to be married to my man! It's hard to believe when I look at these pictures how long it seems that we've been married and yet in the scheme of life it's been no time at all. I hope it is sooooo much longer. I can't imagine life with out him. I love living it with him and I'm thankful to God for placing us together for this journey.

Savvy Surprise!

Today was girls day out. Me, Mom, and M are out and about and have no agenda. We think we might like to stop by lots of the Goodwill's in the area and we know we have to stop by a Wal-mart. When we come to the first Goodwill, M doesn't want to go in, till she discovers she will most likely get something out of the deal. And what is the first thing she went for might you ask? A lovely pair of pink and colorful rainboots in her size! Stride Rite no less! A mere $2 (which Nani foot the bill for). I ventured to the maternity section cause if you are avid readers you'll remember that in our last yard sale my hubs mistakenly sold the entire tub of maternity clothes that I had set aside for a friend. And he only sold the whole tub for $2! Not 2 weeks later we heard the surprising news that we were pregnant again and unexpected!

A very giving friend over at itsamomthing let me borrow two tubs full of maternity clothes which will be fantastic come summer! A good bit of them are for summer time and they are in XL which will be a while till I can wear them. I'm still wearing my regular clothes sort of. Truthfully, I may have gained 2-3 pounds at the most (even though I'm starving and eat all the time), but most of the pants I still wear are low rise and that help. However, I noticed that the waist on at least one or two pair are seeming a little more restraining these days and thus I realize it won't be long now till I'll need another option.

My fave thing last pregnancy was my fave jeans and this red shirt. I went to Goodwill looking for a fave pair of jeans. Lo and behold I found 2 pair and a khaki pair in L which will be perfect as I get even bigger! I also found several shirts that I really liked and they were longsleeves. I'm picky about styles, so I was thrilled to find quality and style. Thank you lovely post preggers lady who gave your clothes to Goodwill! On top of that many of them were 1/2 price today!

Then...we tried the Goodwill on Haywood down by Laurens Rd. As we rounded the corner we saw that the sign said Goodwill Clearance Center! This should be good I say to my mom. Then we open the doors and our eyes got as big as the bins that were filled with items all over the store for the one price of 99 cents a pound! Mom and I only looked in the toys and books bins! And we were there for 2 hours AND M was perfectly happy! There were toys coming out of her ears to keep her thoroughly entertained! I found up to day NICE brand name toys of all kinds. Leap Start, Vtech, Li'l people, Fisher Price...So many NICE toys, but I couldn't take them all! Still.

Here is a pic and list of what I did come away with: Many will be gifts for others. Some are toys we've wanted for a while, but refuse to pay even close to full price for. Some are for potty training rewards. AND all of them cost $14 total. (That was the pounds remember). Except books. Books are 10 cents per pound, which I spent 20 cents.

6--Children's books (one dora, peter rabbit, The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton, Pat the Bunny...)

1 Dipsy Teletubbie (he talks when you squeeze him- 6 different things)
1 La-La Teletubbie fingerpuppet still in package (stocking stuffer)
2 sand scrapers (realized I didn't have any this week as it was 80 degrees)
3 pink mega blocks (M always asks for the pink ones)
6 1/2 cups of play doh (a new fave of M's)
1 parents magazine ball pounder and hammer
1 Playskool Airtivity Ball popper w/2 balls
2 small and 1 lg play doh molder thing(s)
1 blue/white push on nite lite
1 blue/white light up wand
pedicure set (flip flops, brush, cuticle press, file)
electric nail dryer
silver sparkles nail polish (gift)
crystal drop necklace
dress up purple tiara
dress up aqua irridescent purse
dress up perfume sprayer
dress up necklace
dress up compact (magical sounds)
dress up mirror
Little People's Eddie (and Freddie)
1 Sprinkler sprayer for summer fun
1 old school Care Bear (even if this doesn't come out well after washing...it only cost like 10 cents)
1 American Idol noise maker clapper
6 Ponies
1 My Li'l Pony lunch box
1 Talking Dora swimming pool and Dora figurine
1 leather coin purse
1 Homer Simpson doll (which I actually had a dream about last night that I bought one at Sears for J's stocking stuffer!)

Ever Feel Like This!

M has been like this in recent days past...Thankfully we are at least temporarily out of this stage! Couldn't help but pass it along for those who are there.

Decorations Complete!

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