The Mommy Princess

Ahem, Happy Valentine's Day

2012-02-08T14:26:00.003-05:00

Evidently, I am a holiday blogger... And, yet, even at that, I missed New Year's and Martin Luther King, Jr. day, and Ground Hog Day... So, well, maybe an occassional holiday blogger...

I know, pathetic!

Anyways, I don't have much to say, really, and, yet, SO MUCH TO SAY, but not a whole lot of time to get it all in. So, I will be back...

For St. Patty's?

Seriously, I hope it to be sooner than that, but with the speed of life, who knows?

Merry Christmas!!

2011-12-23T15:37:00.001-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T13:06:00.002-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!!

2011-11-13T15:37:00.001-05:00

Please go here to join in the fun of the Happy Day Project. Seriously.

Cause everyone needs a little love...

Happy Anniversary!! :)

2011-11-04T13:12:00.003-04:00

In my life this week... Eleven years ago today, at 3:12p.m. (I know the exact minute because my cousin Herb kept a close eye on the clock & was sure to tell us as we dismissed each pew...miss him), I married my sweet husband :) It hasn't been an easy road, as I'm sure everyone in the history of marriage can attest to, but it's been worth it. Eleven years, 4 pregnancies, 2 born babies, Emmaus walks, family, little tiny annoyances, personality conflicts, literally rolling-on-the-floor-laughing, joy, love, all of it's been worth it.

Love my hubs :)

In our homeschool this week... After Trick or Treating this past Monday, we have now begun Thanksgiving studies!! I love this time of year! So much fun! So much to learn, and so much love and thankfulness to share! I have discovered 2TeachingMommies and their free units, 1+1+1=1 and her free units, and a hodgepodge of other free printable unit sites (thanks, pinterest!!), and am SO EXCITED!! This is helping me think outside of my box, and a lot of the things can definitely be used for more than one age/grade, so we are all having more fun!

Also, a few weeks ago, we FINALLY got Math-U-See & Abbey is LOVING it!! So, it's a winner for our homeschool!! She loves doing math, now! And, she loves Mr. Demme!!

I am inspired by... This week I have been reading a couple of books... I normally don't like to read more than one book at a time, but I have one from the library, and one that I bought at our homeschool meeting a few weeks ago, and I couldn't help myself! They have both inspired me & encouraged me to keep going, to look closely at my kiddos hearts.

Things I'm working on... I'm trying to get some sensory bins together. I think both of the kiddos will enjoy them, and I think they're fun! It's something I used to do as a preschool teacher, and kinda forgot about when I had my own kiddos (oops!). But, again, thanks to 2TeachingMommies & 1+1+1=1 I have 're-discovered' them! I'm not telling the kids until I have our Thanksgiving one put together, probably by next week... I can't wait! I think they will both love it!

I'm reading... I mentioned 2 books that were inspiring me earlier... They are "Good and Angry" by Scott Turansky & Joanne Miller, and "Talkers, Watchers, & Doers" by Cheri Fuller. "Good and Angry" is a parenting book about teaching children character. So far, EXCELLENT!! "Talkers, Watcher, & Doers" is about learning styles, and really, every parent, homeschooler or not, should know how their child learns so they can reinforce & help make things easier for their children to learn to their best ability, whether that means during homeschool or homework from school. Seriously, it makes sense!

I am thankful for... I am so thankful for the opportunity to homeschool. I know I grumble, and it's definitely NOT easy, but it is a blessing. I like to compare it to the mommy who desires a child so much, and then is finally blessed with their beautiful baby, and discovers the responsibility with becoming a Mommy (it's not all feather light kisses and rocking chairs and beautiful nurseries...it's messy!). So it is with homeschooling. It is a blessing, but can be messy! Complaining and despairing and "why doesn't it just flow naturally?!?!" are all a part of the blessing. Because nobody can prepare you for the responsibility of the blessing. It's something that has to be lived out.

So, when I write a post about Abbey not doing her writing assignments (she's getting better, btw, and that is a MAJOR blessing!), please don't misunderstand. I am so thankful for this child. I am so thankful for the opportunity I've been given to teach her at home. I'm just living out the reality of the responsibility of the blessing! I hope that makes sense!

A link to share... (I wanted to leave a picture, but I don't have any new ones... Bad Mommy!)

Here are where you can get the books I mentioned above... I got "Talkers, Watchers, Doers" from my library, but it is definitely one I wouldn't mind owning because I'd love to write notes in it!

Good and Angry, by Scott Turansky & Joanne Miller from The Courtship Connection. They have a LOT of great resources. I bought the book after I heard Kathie Morrissey speak at my homeschool meeting a few weeks ago. She.Is.Excellent.

Talkers, Watcher, & Doers, by Cheri Fuller Paperback, Kindle Version

You all have a blessed week!!

Just wanted to say...

2011-10-25T23:58:00.004-04:00

Yes, I'm still alive ;) Yes, we're still truckin' along with school, and yes, we've been very busy! I've missed blogging SO much!! I don't know how other moms, homeschool moms at that, have time to blog & surf other blogs to have something to blog about, and do everything needed to get done. I marvel at their productiveness.

Anyways, here's a picture to leave you with, just so you know we have been busy!! lol

{we made a covered wagon! we're studying the pioneers}
{I cannot account for the historical accuracy of the doll in the wagon, though! teehee}

I will eventually be back with more!!

Love you all!!

Book Review! "Gabby, God's Little Angel" by Sheila Walsh

2011-10-02T22:50:00.004-04:00

This is the first book in Sheila Walsh's new children's stories, "Gabby, God's Little Angel" illustrated by Marina Fedotova.

All in all, this book was a very sweet and easy read. The message of the book is based on Psalm 91:11 “The Lord will command his angels to take good care of you.” (taken from the NIRV, emphasis mine). In the book, Gabby, an angel-in-training, gets her very own assignment: a little girl who has a lot in common with the little somewhat clumsy little angel. We get to see Gabby’s first days “on the job,” and how the little girl keeps Gabby on her toes!

I read this book with my 7 year old girl, and we loved it! My daughter is reading proficiently now, so it was great to share the story with her, alternating the reading. I didn’t find any of the text of the book to be too difficult for my daughter. I also appreciated that the message was not condescending, either. The illustrations by Fedotova are beautiful and as sweet as the story! My daughter loved the pictures, and they made her giggle! She is a big fan of the “Gigi” books & DVDs, and wasn’t disappointed with “Gabby.” My daughter and I highly recommend this as an addition to your bedtime story library.

*disclaimer* I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

2011-10-02T21:08:00.001-04:00

{courtesy of Julie @Joy'sHope}

Happy Sunday, Ya'll :)

Cooking a Whole Chicken

2011-09-22T18:31:00.002-04:00

So, as many families out there, we are trying to cut costs as much as we can around our home. The best and most awesome way I have recently run across is to cook whole chickens in the crockpot…and then make your own, homemade chicken stock (which can be frozen!!) in the same said crockpot. WOOOOHOOOO!!

Besides getting over actually touching the gross chicken & worrying that I will contaminate my kitchen and family with e-coli, it is an awesome time & money saver, and yummy, to boot!! It makes the kitchen smell heavenly, like Thanksgiving!!

There are several really great-sounding recipes out there, but the basic of the basic I found at The Happy Housewife. (and look in her comments for even more tips & tricks!)

Not only do we eat the chicken for dinner one night, after the chicken has cooled (TRUST ME), get the rest of the meat off that carcass, stick the bones back in the juices you left in the crockpot, along with some carrots, celery, and onion, and let it cook on low overnight. The next day, strain out the yuckies, and let your broth cool in the fridge. When you get done homeschooling/from work/the spa, you can scrape the layer of fat off that has settled on the top, and then freeze the broth for future use!! So, not only are you eating that chicken TWICE, you are also making delightful homemade stock that you don’t have to put on your shopping list!! Usually a chicken will go for about $4 for a 4-5lber.

I don’t know why, but this thrills my heart to heavenly places… Maybe because when I threw my casserole together tonight, all I had to do was literally throw ingredients together and put it in the oven… Time saver!!

Maybe you think this is a really lame post. But I {heart} saving money!!

The Family Man... No, not the cartoon...

2011-09-01T15:46:00.004-04:00

Last night, Steve & I had a very rare date night. We started with dinner at Grub Steakhouse (it.was.amazing.), then went to Fairhaven Church to hear one of our favorite homeschooling speaker & author, Todd Wilson of Familyman Ministries. I will start by saying, even if you are NOT a homeschooling family, Mr. Todd has some very wise general parenting advice for all families there on his site, so don't let the "homeschooling" label scare you away or make you think it's not gonna be applicable for you!!

He spoke mainly about how we as parents {and this applies even if we're not homeschooling} can doubt our effectiveness on our children's hearts. We with smaller children, since we're in the thick of it, find ourselves in "the fog," forgetting "the most important things" we can teach our children. Worrying about this activity, that curriculum, socialization, manners, and the list goes on, we often forget about training the heart, teaching to trust God in EVERYTHING, not just through music or songs, but through our LIVING life.

I will never be able to express to you how important and pivotal that message was for me last night. We started back to school last week, and I mentioned it was a rough start. Monday & Tuesday were a bit better, but Wednesday was another stressful day.

Tuesday, we began school, using a Unit Study. A bit like pulling teeth to get Abbey into the swing of things, and most of all, the dreaded writing...

Wednesday, a little better, we finished what we were supposed to, and life went on... But, oh the drama... you would think that making her write was a criminal offense.

Thursday, we woke up to NO ELECTRICITY. No prob. I can roll with the punches. Let's go to Burger King & have breakfast kids! Then, ON TO TARGET!! Then, we went to Wegerzyn Gardens in Dayton & had a blast in the Discovery Garden. And, there was no blessed writing.

Friday, we woke up to A FLOODED TOILET. Awesome. Crazy kid mayhem. Crying Mommy cleaning the whole.blessed.mess. More frustration from Abbey because she didn't want to write. I even threatened not to take her to her cousin's birthday party. I know, I know, mean Mommy.

We had a lovely weekend, though. Relaxed, go with the flow, it felt more like summer... *Ahem* maybe because it still is.

Monday, not too bad. Electricity on. No flooding. Still being stubborn with the writing.

Tuesday, can't complain. No problems... except the writing.

Wednesday, tears, mayhem, chaos, more crying, pleading, bribing... It was not pretty, people. And, I'm not even talking about Abbey. She was out of control yesterday. I was out of control yesterday. Finally, we got through it, and she had to finish her work at Mammy's house, and Steve & I went to see Todd Wilson, and I literally had to hold in tears as he kept talking.

Somewhere along the line, I decided that the curriculum was more important than my children's hearts. Wrong purpose, people, whether we are homeschooling, private schooling, public schooling, and everything in between. Education is great, and obviously important... Yet, if we don't have love, what's it all for? (referencing I Cor. 13, very loosely ;) )

So, today, I didn't hurry, and I admit, almost lost it when I saw it was 12noon and we hadn't covered any of the unit study, yet, but Todd's voice was still fresh in my ears, "focus on the relationship first..." So, we did. And, you know what? We did get through all of school today, got everything done that needed to get done. But I enjoyed my kids more. I laughed with them. They laughed at me! (in a good way! lol)

So, now I'm on a quest to keep things (schooling, activities, hobbies) in perspective with my eternal eyes, not my "Get 'er done" Homeschool Mama eyes.

{please forgive me, I forget the source of this picture.}

Crazy Busy Summer... Sort of...

2011-08-31T11:55:00.004-04:00

Hey, Everyone... and by everyone, I mean those that still remember that I have a blog and every once in a great while, will put something on it ;) LOL I haven't been on the ball this summer... It's been a fun & busy one & I will have pics coming soon. I still have to download all of them, especially from the beach... Ahhh, the beach... I wanna go back there...

Anyways, we had a great time being off school & 'normal' routine, but we have started back to school & things are going *ahem* well. The first day was pretty rough, and the 2nd day, oh, and the 3rd, but it's a new week, and things have been running much smoother!

We're 'officially' ending summer break this weekend with our annual trip to Reunion, followed by a few last days in the Smokies! We're all looking forward to the last "HOORAH!!" of summer.

And, this is weird, but I'm excited to set up boundaries so that we don't get over-scheduled this year. Balance. Isn't that a complex word? LOL

Anyways, I have a few topics I plan on blogging about soon, a few projects. I know that I am not completely bloggy-hopeless since I still think, "Oh, I should take a picture of [insert craft/idea/activity] so I can blog about it!" LOL

That's it... I just didn't feel right with my last post having a June date on it!! LOL ;) And, because she is awesome, here is a little eye candy from one of my favorite bloggers, Julie @Joy's Hope.

"Time to get our summer on!"

2011-06-21T09:34:00.004-04:00

In my life this week… It has been a BUSY week!! Steve & I have been watching The Middle this year, and the last episode of the season absolutely sums up how I felt the last 2 weeks!! LOL I am happy to report, though, that I am NOW going to buy a tiki torch & “Get my summer on!” LOL

In our homeschool this week… We had our annual assessment this week & everything looks great! It’s amazing to me all the different things we covered this year, especially using unit studies. I am in love with unit studies! And, the progress we’ve made this year has only made my love grow!! I think I am most in love with Amanda Bennett… She.Is.Awesome.

I am inspired by… My Dad. He has been such a great teacher and leader in my life, and I realize with every passing day, every young woman’s testimony who hasn’t had a great relationship with their dad, how awesomely I have been blessed with mine. He has made it so easy to accept my Heavenly Father because of his example & love in my life… Happy Father’s Day!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing... Last Sunday (NOT Father’s Day) we went to Wegerzyn Gardens for the first time with Daddy (meaning, the kiddos & I have been there, but Steve hasn’t ever been). It was an impromptu trip, and one the kiddos are still talking about! Gotta love that!!

My favorite thing this week was… Friday night was Abbey’s dance recital! I can’t believe how much she has changed from the cute little Pre-dancer to the Tap I class I-can-remember-my-whole-routine dancer… Amazing to see the progress! And, she was still so stinkin cute!!

Things I’m working on… I am working on getting my house clean… Keep reading, there's more to this…

I’m reading… I am getting ready to start Sarah Mae’s 31 Days to Clean; Having a Martha House the Mary Way. I have joined the Homeschooling 31 Days group on Facebook for more accountability & encouragement! Ugh, that I even have to join something like this… But, it is what it is…

I’m grateful for… My family, my home, and my bed. I made my daughter do 3 chores today, and because her attitude stunk (where does that come from? *ahem*), I made her tell me 3 things she was thankful for when she was done with the 3 ‘assignments.’ Her 3 were “Family, Friends, and my bed.” I have to agree with her… And, I totally saw the log sticking out of my own eye at this, so I am also thankful for the things that cause me the most grief. I need to be reminded that these are blessings, not burdens… I have so much when others are happy with much less…

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

I am linking up with Hip Homeschool Moms, but since I have used the Homeschool Chick's prompts, there's a link to others there, too... I was just too late to join this time around :)

Homeschool Home Stretch...

2011-06-04T18:44:00.003-04:00

In my life this week…We are in the home stretch! We have our assessment scheduled for next Tuesday the 14^th… I am trying to keep calm about everything, but I waffle back & forth between “I can DO this!” and “What was I thinking?!?!” Thankfully, I’ve hopped back into my book “Super Homeschool Mom… NOT!” & that has been encouraging & keeping it real for me… Yet, my perfectionism still rears it’s ugly head & that’s what I’m battling.

In our homeschool this week… We have pretty much finished our Spring Surprises unit study. That is part of a series of Download N’ Go by Amanda Bennett that we have been doing this year. We started with Autumn Treasures, continued with Winter Wonders, and are almost finished! Explode the Code… almost finished!! One more lesson in 2 ½, and some post-tests, and we’re done! I want her to finish her Map Quest workbook, too, so we can officially wrap things up & “get our summer on!”

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing… This week we celebrated Memorial Day with my parents & my Grandma & Uncle. The kiddos got to play in Dad’s sprinkler (Eli called it “Papa’s pool” lol) and we made a trip to the cemetery.

My favorite thing this week was… How well the week seemed to go while actually doing school work! HAHA It was a great week & we got a lot accomplished. I am starting to see the fruit of not losing my ~~temper~~ patience, and using a gentle, quiet voice. PLEASE DON’T MISUNDERSTAND!! I do NOT mean that I never ~~yelled~~ raised my voice, but I did notice a difference in my attitude this week. That’s what spending time in the Word will do for a gal!

What’s working/not working for us… Setting a no-distraction/no TV/no appointments policy this week, and really & truly devoting an allotted time JUST for school. This sounds like it should happen naturally in a homeschool, but, um, yeah, it doesn’t. Life DOES get in the way, and sometimes the importance of saying, “NO” to these things can get underestimated. Just sayin…

Questions/thoughts I have… Does anyone know if Math-U-See EVER goes on sale?!?!?! Seriously!! Even ebay is pricey!! Ugh…

Things I’m working on… Patience…

Books I’m reading… Super Homeschool Mom… NOT! I LOVE IT... Again, just sayin...

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”^[c] Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

Philippians 2: 14-16

Maybe I'm the Last One On the Planet...

2011-04-27T15:06:00.003-04:00

Okay, so I am a kitchen gadget junkie. Take me to a Pampered Chef party & I will swear I need everything the consultant is showing! (This explains why I have a food chopper & the cheese grater-thingy, AND the cool whip dispensing thingy...which (except for the food chopper) I can count on one hand the number of times I have used.)

So, the Kitchen Unlimited store is not a safe place for me. But, we are starting a book called "Learning Responsibility at Home" (or something like that) & I needed some garnishing tools. The Big 3 (Walmart, Target, & Meijer) didn't have what I needed, and last Saturday I found myself at the new 'outlets' off of I-75 beside Trader's World. (How they can be called 'outlets' with a Saks 5th Ave, I'll never know). Anyways, after Children's Place (the real reason for our stop) Abbey & I decided to take a look around.

So, after I found what I was looking for (Whew!!), I might've bought something that has the potential to gather dust, or be totally awesome...

But I tried it out today. And, I {HEART} it!!

{ignoring the mess on my counter would be appreciated, thanks! LOL}

Basically, you chop the top of your pineapple off, center the "device" over the core, and start twisting. AMAZING how quick & clean it makes cutting up this pineapple. Can you picture the possibilities with this thing? Using the pineapple shell as a vase, container, DRINK cup... Seriously cool.

But, maybe I'm the last one on the planet to have one...

Max on Life

2011-04-26T22:45:00.004-04:00

Max on Life is a new book written by Max Lucado. He writes this book because of the many questions he has received over the years he has been "America's Pastor." These are not easy questions! The topics range from salvation and becoming a Christian to "Where is hell?" The book is segmented into different topics, and are actually numbered.

I was worried when I first read the title of this book. It sounded a bit self-absorbed, but once I started reading the book I remembered who I was judging! Don't let the title fool you. This is not a book all about Max's wisdom! He definitely points to the One with All Wisdom, and he shares the wisdom he's gained with grace and love.

I wasn't sure I would love the layout of the book, but as the Mom of young children I found it an asset! As I mentioned before, all the questions are grouped together according to content, and numbered. The answers are also short & not chapter-length. The answers are delivered with love and grace, as well as short and to the point. Very easy to pick up and read through, or, as I had to do, put down for a bit until the next moment I could snatch some time to read!

I can definitely say that I have found comfort and peace because of the answers I have personally struggled to answer. I loved the scripture references, because they showed me that Max didn't "pull the answers out of a hat!" I would absolutely recommend this book for everyone. It would make a great witnessing tool, also, and a good gift for someone struggling for answers.

*As a note, I received this book free in exchange for my review.

For All the Doubters

2011-04-21T16:13:00.004-04:00

Ok, who am I kidding? There aren't many readers that read this blog to doubt that I would deliver on my promise of another post this week that was NOT HMJ-related. lol But, because I believe I should keep my promises...

I am going to share a recipe!! It's a family favorite, very easy & always adaptable. I hope you (whoever you are) enjoy!! :)

{Be sure to notice the Paula Dean bakeware the pizza pasta's in!! My favorite sister got that for me for Christmas!! It makes everything I bake in it look prettier. I'm such a dork.}

Pizza Pasta

Supplies:
9x13 pan
1 box of pasta (we use rotini noodles)
1 jar Pasta sauce
1 2c pkg of shredded Mozzarella cheese
Pepperoni
Onions, chopped (optional)
Peppers, chopped (optional)
Mushrooms, chopped (you guessed, optional)
Any other of your favorite pizza toppings! Or, get creative!

1. Pre-heat your oven to 350 & spray your pan with some non-stick cooking spray.

2. Cook your noodles per pkg directions; drain, add pasta sauce to noodles. Layer this mixture in the bottom of your prepared pan.

3. Top with shredded cheese.

4. Layer pepperoni on top of cheese, plus additional desired toppings.

5. Bake @ 350 for about 30 minutes.

This is so easy it's stupid. Just sayin'. I feel a bit silly posting such an easy recipe, but I know I appreciate an easy recipe in my pocket! LOL

So, enjoy!!

The Homeschool Mother's Journal (Blog Hop)

2011-04-12T11:58:00.006-04:00

I'm joining the Homeschool Chick's blog hop again, but I didn't make the deadline for last week, so this is actually from the week before! haha (March 31-April 4th is highlighted, especially) Please show me some grace! We've been very busy & very exhausted...but having fun! And, I promise I will try to do at least one other post a week that isn't HMJ related!! HA!!

In my life this week... We’ve been getting over a very crazy weekend!! We went to the Midwest Homeschool Convention in Cincinnati last weekend (we went down on Thursday, left late Saturday night). We took a MUCH needed day off on Sunday, then Monday morning went back to Cincinnati for a day at Newport Aquarium with our homeschool group PEACH.

In our homeschool this week... Still focusing on the basics. Because we were gone, we didn’t “do” much school, but focused on where we were & where we want to go with homeschooling. The Convention was, of course, ideal for that!! Haha

Places we're going and people we're seeing... I’ve already mentioned the top 2 places we went to this week!! But, I’m sorry to say we didn’t really get to slow down much this week. Tuesday we took Eli to class, went to the Library; Wednesday we stuck around home most of the day then went to church (I’m teaching our Youth group on Wednesdays for a short time right now). Then, Thursday it was back to Eli’s class & the Library!! BUSY!! We were out all day yesterday… After we stopped at Target & shoe shopped (UGH!!), both of the kids fell asleep in the back seat. So, I drove around & we ended up in my parent’s town (15min away, not another long day trip! HA!) & played at the new park playground there as a special treat. Eli went to bed SO easily!! I’m looking forward to a low-key weekend THIS weekend! We’ll see if I’m successful!

My favorite thing this week was... The Homeschool Convention. And Newport. I guess just spending time as a family made both of those things MORE special. It wasn’t easy taking the kids to the Convention , but it was worth it to all be together.

What's working/not working for us... Things are going pretty well. No new changes, yet, but I have a few ideas floating around in my head that I’d like to start implementing.

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have... One of the best things I’ve heard that just brings RELIEF & JOY to my soul is from a book Steve got me from the Convention by Todd Wilson. HE.IS.HILARIOUS. Just sayin… Keeping it real. Stop wearing a mask. Stop comparing what I’m doing to what others are doing. We’re not all perfect! Let go of my often too-high expectations & have fun enjoying my kids. Seriously, I don’t think I do that enough.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share...

{Abbey's highlight of the whole convention! Meeting Jessa & Jana Duggar... Them, and seeing Tim Hawkins!}

{I think Steve's face is priceless! Our homeschool group had a ps-like "meet-the-reptile" session!}

{Eli's favorite! NEMO!}

{Our family's favorite! The Penguins!}

The Homeschool Mother's Journal from The Homeschool Chick

2011-03-17T16:57:00.004-04:00

Hello!! :) I'm joining in the Homeschooling Mom's Journal again this week!! :) Come check out the other Homeschool Mama's @ The Homeschool Chick. They have it way more together than I do!! HA!! :) They're so inspirational!! :)

In my life this week... I’ve had a weird week, really… I haven’t been feeling the greatest, but am feeling a bit better, now. And, things just have to get done, regardless, sometimes, ya know? So, beyond that, it’s been pretty good! I bought the kiddos St. Patrick’s Day T-shirts at Target, they were marked down already!! LOL That’s always a good thing!!

In our homeschool this week... We’ve really just been focusing on the basics. I’ve come to realize that I might have been a bit high-strung about how Abbey gets her schoolwork finished (as in, “DO YOUR WORK OR YOU CAN’T [fill in the blank]!!!!). Not fun for me, definitely not fun for her. I realized that since she was being wiggly, there wasn’t anything to do but let her have a mini break after she got something done… I believe it’s called incentive! LOL For instance, on Tuesdays & Thursdays we do school at the Library while Eli’s in Toddler Group (Speech class). The Library has a pet hamster. No matter how far away we sit from Bob (the hamster), it’s like he’s saying, “Pssst. Abbey! Come watch me run on the wheel!” So, instead of me saying, “No, Abbey, no Bob time til after all your work is done,” I’ve revised it a bit. “Abbey, get your reading workbook done, and you can visit with Bob for a mini break!” I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me until now to do it this way… That was just a simple answer to my problem. It feels good! And, she’s been WAY more productive with the mini breaks than the “do it all then you break” way. I know, seems like a small thing, but what I learned is that the change started with MY attitude…

Places we're going and people we're seeing... We’ve been here & there & everywhere. Eli’s loving his Toddler Group!! And, Abbey & I enjoy our breakfast & Library girl-time together.

My favorite thing this week was... I’ve been reading Tedd Tripp’s “Shepherding a Child’s Heart” and I LOVE it. This is not a review, it is just my thoughts about it, but honestly, if you’re finding that you feel yourself beating your head against a wall because you see your child’s behavior change, but not their attitude? This book is great… Again, it all starts with MY attitude…

What's working/not working for us... The best resource I’ve bought lately is the Explode the Code workbooks! I love them! Abbey loves them! She will sit down & usually do more than one lesson at a time. Now, she is done with Book 1 & is almost done with Book 1 1/2 but she is flying through it! I’m thinking she’ll be more challenged by Books 3 & 4, but this has been great review of the vowel sounds!! It’s amazing to me how well she’s reading!! I love it!!

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have... Has anyone been to a Homeschool Convention? We’re going to our first, the Midwest Homeschool Convention in Cincinnati, OH the first weekend of April. Any advice?

A photo, video, link, or quote to share...

I'm Late for this Week; But Stay Tuned

2011-03-03T13:47:00.008-05:00

I don't share a lot about our homeschooling journey, at least not the day-to-day stuff, so I thought this would be a neat blog-hop to join. I have only joined a blog-hop once before, and I had fun, so I thought I'd do it again. My goal for this blog has evolved a bit, and I'd love to share more than just crafts, more than just homeschooling, more than just Mommyhood... My life is an eccentric blend of all of this, so I'm hoping my blog will follow suit :) Anyways, here goes :)

The Homeschool Mother’s Journal

In my life this week... I have been dealing with a few challenges in my life this week. Pretty personal because I am dealing with the consequences of others' actions, but I can definitely say, with complete confidence, that walking through this "stuff" I have heard the Lord speak more clearly to me through His Word, His people, and through music than I have in way too long. I have constantly been reminded that He Is who He says He Is, regardless of circumstance. Regardless of the messes we find ourselves wrapped in. He is awesome, as always, regardless of life.

In our homeschool this week... Abbey has been LOVING her new Explode the Code workbooks. They have really helped me & have spoken to her weaker vowel recognition (not that it was horrible, but I am hopeful that these workbooks will just reinforce & help her gain confidence with the vowel sounds). I am so frustrated with Math, though. The original plan this year was to do Math-U-See, but it is pretty expensive. SO, we did little math workbooks & whatever for a fill-in, and I was just so disappointed & felt lacking & not prepared. So, I went ahead and bought McRuffy stuff. It's OK, but the "complete" kit didn't come complete with manipulatives, and they are pretty important for the curriculum... ARGH!! So, we are slowly waiting on the pieces of manipulatives that I've ordered through the mail. On the up side, though, she is really excited about getting to "play with her new blocks" & such :)

Places we're going and people we're seeing... We've been to church (sometimes it feels like we live there), Waffle House (during Eli's class on Tuesday), and Perkins (during Eli's class today), and their first trip to Cheesecake Factory...and their last for a VERY VERY LONG TIME. It was unbelievably expensive for all of us to eat there... WOWZA!! Definitely a bit of a sticker shock!! LOL

My favorite thing this week was... probably the loosey-goosey Tuesday & Thursday mornings while Eli was in class. We usually go to the Library & get a lot done there, but it was nice to break from our normal schedule this week & take it easy. I think we both needed that. Also, I have LOVED watching Eli color this week!! He went from scribbling to trying to stay in the lines in a week!! AMAZING!! :) And, he can count to 10 by himself!! Again, Amazing because he went from saying Mommy & Daddy to saying just about everything, including numbers!! In order!! :) It's been awesome to see that!!

What's working/not working for us... The TV is NOT working for us. Most of our struggles is OVER the TV. I know that I have been mostly to blame over this, and especially when I'm sick, or the kids are sick, we turn to the TV for help, but it has gotten pretty out of control. Dual issues: Too much TV & not following the rules. They have been taught from infancy (LOL) to NOT TURN ON THE TV without asking. Yet, Abbey, especially, has just been ignoring this rule, I think to see how far she can get without us noticing. And, really, if she's sneaky & I'm in here getting stuff off the computer, she can get away with it for a time without us noticing. But I'm afraid a complete un-plug is about to happen. Lord, give me strength... :)

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have... I am REALLY missing the support & resources from our PEACH meetings. I know I need this, and I have really gotten a lot out of the meetings. The field trips have been exceptional, too, for me & Abbey (& Eli). It is so easy to get discouraged & weary without support from others walking this path, too.

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{{{{{{{{{{{**sigh**}}}}}}}}}}}}}
Mama's ready for summer...

Is it Weird that I'm Stalking Cookware?

2011-01-12T11:29:00.004-05:00

So, I just wanted to share a couple of things that I've been obsessing over lately, and I'm just being totally honest... I need to stop!! HAHA!! :)

For those of you who started reading my blog back in the dot matrix days (LOL) know by now I may have developed an obsession for teal/aqua (whatever you call it... I LOVE it). So, it probably stands to reason that every time I go to Wal Mart my breath is taken away every time I see these:

{Paula Deen Signature Porcelain 12pc Cookware in Robin's Egg Blue}

EVERY TIME I got to Wal Mart, not matter the mission, I track my route through the store so that I may go by them & drool... For Christmas, my sister got me the 9x13 version of this. She totally has fed into my obsession... Everything I bake in it is just SO MUCH PRETTIER!! :)

Oh, and it doesn't end there... I am wanting ALL of her cookware & bakeware in this color... It's ridiculous, I know, to worry & want so much... But I do...

Then, there is my other obsession...

{Cricut Machine in Teal}

HOW PERFECT IS THAT?!?!?! I know, I know, I'm obsessed. But, again, every time I make a trip to Wal Mart, I "conveniently" walk by this... And drool. It's not pretty, people.

So, this, my friends, is sharing that I have an issue. Please pray for me. ;)

Talk to ya'll later :)

If We're Gonna Be Craft Buddies...

2011-01-03T23:42:00.002-05:00

If we're going to be craft buddies, let me get a few things out of the way.

1. I do not measure. Anything. Eyeball it, baby, eyeball it. And, if it's absolutely necessary, measure with an inanimate object, not a ruler.

(necklaces, decorations & favor boxes I made as party favors for my daughter's 6th Birthday party)

2. Sewing machines make me break out into a cold sweat. I have visions of 7th grade Home Ec. when we had to make gym bags. My breakthrough combination of red vinyl-ly fabric (calling it fabric is a stretch!! haha) and purple woven straps... Let's just say I was ahead of my time. I am looking into taking some *ahem* refresher sewing lessons... We're getting a Super Jo-Anne's (yes, Virginia, they do exist!), and I am thinking of facing my fear... *seriously breaking into a cold sweat*

3. I {heart} hot glue guns. Really, if I need to go into more details without you finishing my sentences, I don't think we can be friends!! LOL :) (totally just kidding...sorta)

4. I also {heart} patterned paper. I am currently banned from buying any more right now. Every time I look at that big pad of My Mind's Eye paper stack I start to drool. It's not pretty. Hobby Lobby will from time to time put it 50% off... which leads into #5...

5. I {heart} Hobby Lobby, mostly because I live less than 5 minutes from mine. And their coupons... I love you, 40% off any one regularly priced item.

(I know, awful picture, but it's a rusty star I painted & distressed for my son's room)

6. I am corny. Embrace the dorkiness.

7. I am a sloppy crafter. I currently just got done with a project, and I think I got more sand on me than on my project. I just piqued your curiosity, didn't I?

8. I am an insecure crafter. I am constantly worried that what I make looks like something I've made... Ya know, not exactly pulled together. And, I know this is a reality because I have failed. And failed. And failed. But, I like learning through doing. Sometimes there's just a learning curve.

9. I love to ~~stalk~~ read other crafty/mommy/homeschool blogs, and will often direct you to those who inspire me. Sharing the blog community love. Because bloggers rock.

10. I may or may not start an etsy store. I'm nervous about putting my stuff out there, because $money$ talks. (see #8).

(Fall wreath I made this year)

I am so looking forward to being a part of the crafting blogger community!! I can't wait to share my first "real" project. Be looking for it soon!! :)

Merry Christmas!

{Note: All projects shown were from this past year!!}

I {Heart} Fall

2010-09-28T15:50:00.005-04:00

I love this time of year!! The weather getting cooler, the hoodies come out, and the anticipation of Christmas starts like a little whisper in the wind...

I know, a little mushy from me, but this time of year brings it out of me!! LOL :)

I have to share my latest creation. That's the whole reason I set aside time to post!! HA!! :) I am so proud of myself!! It's the first wreath I've made that doesn't scream "First Timer" or "Hobby Crafter"!! LOL It's simple, not too overdone, and it has one of my favorite trends...MONOGRAMS!! :) LOVE IT!! :) I can hardly believe I made it!! :) LOL

OK, here are pics :)

Since I haven't shared a whole lot from this past summer, let me give you a peek at what it looked like!! :)

Happy Fall, Ya'll!! :)

I'm So Random...

2010-08-30T15:39:00.003-04:00

OK, I give up... You can read here to hear all about the last day of the cruise. Missy did a great job of recapping, and frankly, I've got a lot more things to blog about!! HA!! :)

Where to start? How about homeschooling? We've already started, more to get a feel for what kind of schedule will work best for us than anything. We're finishing up the reading book we started last year, and Abbey's just doing great!! I've got to say, it's a perk I never even thought of, but knowing that I taught her how to read is incredible!!

I've also found some great new homeschooling blogs, and I'm planning on doing a "links I've found" post soon to share all the exciting & creative ideas mommy bloggers are coming up with!! It's so much fun!! :)

This coming weekend is Labor Day, and of course, for us that means taking our annual trip to Somerset, KY. We went down about a week and a half ago for a funeral. A patriarch of our family, Great-Uncle Verrel, passed away from cancer. It was an honor to sing at his funeral along with my favorite voices to hear on the planet, my family. I hope that we offered comfort & peace to everyone grieving. His passing so close to reunion will make it VERY different "on the hill" this year. So many of my childhood memories exist because of his hospitality.

It was a good quick trip down & back, though. I really love hangin' with my family. I love the talking & the laughter & the sharing. They are such a blessing to me!!

We girl "cuzfrenz" went out the following night @ Cheesecake Factory... Oh, CF, how I love thee... Anyways, it was more of the same, giggling, talking, sharing, I just love my cuzfrenz. Yes, it is now a word.

I will be sharing links next time!! There are so many cool things happening in blogger-world...and I'm afraid that I'm passing on my addiction to others!! LOL Last weekend I was talking to my cuz Andrea & she was saying, "Thanks. I'm addicted to blogs, now, because of you." LOL I asked if she had her own blog, & she said, "No, I think it would stress me out!" LOL Just wait... She'll show up in my sidebar soon enough!! HA!! :)

The Adventures of Spray Painting

2010-07-02T15:28:00.003-04:00

I admit I have not used spray paint much. I don't know much about it other than it's stinky & nice when you need it for graffiti... But, I have decided that I need to buy stock in a spray paint company, because the 'good stuff' ain't cheap & the cheap stuff is EXACTLY what graffiti artists use.

We went to Wal Mart last night because I ~~wanted~~ needed to get spray paint for the craft I mentioned yesterday. So, we went as a family (NOTE TO SELF: DO NOT TAKE KIDS TO WAL MART AFTER 8:30p.m. We were *that* family last night) because we needed to get more than just spray paint, I needed to get some other stuff for this weekend.

SO, off to WallyWorld we go... After the worst trip to WM I have ever taken with my kids, we left with no spray paint (I did get cake mix, though!! That was on the list!!) First of all, their selection STUNK!! I found ONE primer, and it was GRAY!! I needed, of course, NOT gray!! And, do you think they had any colors I needed? Either teal/turquoise & hot pink are VERY popular (& really, why shouldn't they be?!?!), or WM's selection was awful. Their prices on Rust Oleum or whatever was really good, though...

Today, I decided to take the kiddos to Hobby Lobby (they had, after all, gotten a great night sleep, right?!?!). Their spray paint prices were kinda painful...and the cute little bottles of spray paint were the EXACT colors I needed, but will only paint something the size of a thimble.

The kids were actually REALLY good @ Hobby Lobby, and I left there with baby cans of spray paint & a WHITE primer... (NOTE TO SELF: DON'T BUY IT IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE 40% OFF COUPON!!).

I laid out my drop cloth on the patio (you're welcome, Steve ;) I would find nothing wrong with turquoise & hot pink concrete, but I don't think he'd appreciate it!! HA!!), got my little treasures ready, already envisioning their metamorphosis into cuteness. Shook my primer...sprayed...and then there was.....NOTHING. The primer didn't come out of the can. So, I will be going back to Hobby Lobby, because I am NOT going to eat $5 for a can of paint.

Now, it's naptime, and both of my kiddos are asleep (Abbey is taking a self-initiated nap...I'm a little flustered!! HAHA!!), and my hour/hour & a half that was supposed to be spent spray painting? Gone... I'm kinda at a loss as to what to do, now!! Abbey might have the right idea!! HAHA :)

We Interrupt This Regularly Scheduled Cruise Recap....

2010-07-01T14:15:00.005-04:00

I just have to share something. I {heart} Joy's Hope blog!! Julie is an awesome person & very crafty!! Her 'boyfriends' have become MY boyfriends (sorry, Julie!! LOL), and she is just all around inspiring. And, in a blog world that is full of ~~too-wordy posts~~ blogs like mine, hers is refreshing in its simplicity. Plus, she has a pretty cool etsy shop...

Anywhoo... while reading Julie's blog, I came across THIS... so I have been ~~stalking~~ regularly checking out my local Dollar Tree, and guess what I'm gonna make?!?!?!

No, it's not catchup, Diet Vanilla from Sonic, or Abbey... but the TRAYS!! :) If you clicked on the link above, you can see what Julie did to these same components :) I'm hoping they turn out half as cool as hers!! LOL

OK, next time I'll give you the FINAL recap on our last night & the trip home from the cruise...although that one involves a lot of waiting & isn't quite as long...aren't you glad?!?!?! LOL

Love ya!! :)

How Do You Know You're A Grown-Up?

2010-06-20T14:49:00.002-04:00

When you start parenting your Mother!! LOL No, no, we're not talking retirement home or anything, but Chelle & I had to break out the "Mommy Look".....on our Mom. Weird.

Some of you who know my Mom get this. It's a weird story. My Mom is calm, cool & collected 99.9% of the time. When she freaks out, there is usually a very good reason and no other appropriate reaction BUT to freak out. It has to BIG. Monumental. We're talking natural disasters, terrorist attacks, major accidents, that sort of thing. We rarely see her FREAK.OUT.

As we were leaving the beach, and Chelle & I had gotten waylaid on our way from the beach to our shuttle bus because of the gift shops along the way. We were checking out & got wind that it was time to GO, the shuttles were leaving. So, thinking that our very calm cool and collected Mom was probably already on said bus, Chelle & I proceed to the bus, get a great seat considering the bus was packed & looked around. Mom was nowhere to be found. Then, we saw the rest of our Posse heading towards the buses & thought, "Oh, there she....wait, nope, she's not with them." So, we sit on the bus, our "wise" cousin Jodi sitting across the isle from me, and Chelle & I are going back & forth, "Maybe she thinks we're still in that gift shop. Maybe she's waiting on us. What should we do? Should we go back & get her? I don't know, they're telling us this is the last shuttle back to the dock. Should we just leave her to her own devices? Should we go back?" We look longingly at our wise cousin Jodi, just knowing that she will share with us a nugget of her vast wisdom... Uh, yeah, she shrugs and says, "I don't know what to tell you to do." LOL So, then we're really worrying.

There is a lady coordinating the bus trips back to the dock. I think her main goal is to get everyone on 2 buses so they can save gas on the 3rd bus. I didn't know that then, but looking back, this just makes business sense. We decided that we'd better go after Mom. Just in case she was waiting outside the shops thinking she was waiting on us... The Bus Lady says, "Whoa, whoa, why you getting off?"

We said, "We think our Mom is waiting for us, back there, and we don't want her to get left behind because of us..." We could see her processing this in her business math head. We could see the wheels turning, like, if I let these ladies off, am I going to have to send that third bus?" LOL But, the looks on our faces must've been enough, because she relented & let us off & said, "We'll wait for you & your mother for 5 minutes!" LOL

So, Chelle & I go back down the now deserted areas of the gift shops, and was our poor Mother standing outside, anxiously waiting for her daughters to be done haggling over the price of 2 mini guitars, maracas, and a blanket? Nooooooooo... she was haggling over a RING. She was buying a ring, and Chelle & I both gave her "The Look." She didn't even try to pretend she didn't know what was wrong!! She came out of the shop with her head down!! LOL

We went back to the bus station & watched the bus our cousins were on drive away, and the 3rd empty bus pulled up. Bus Lady says, "You get on this bus!" So, there was the 3 of us, and ONE other couple that rode back on that one lonely bus!! LOL The Bus Lady looked at Mom & shook her finger at her, "You!! You have beautiful daughters! Not every daughter would go after her Mom like that, and you have 2!" LOL So, that was nice :) LOL She got a lecture from the Principal!! LOL :)

Once we got back to the little hot spot back at the dock, we walked around & shopped a little more, then headed back to the ship so we could get ready for a REALLY late dinner & more dancing & karaoke!! :)

And, if you thought the little story above was filled with drama, just get ready for this next doozy!! LOL

We were in our cabin, Chelle had just taken a shower, I was IN the shower, and Mom was cleaning out her beach bag...over the side of our balcony...and while she was shaking the sand out of her bag, her wallet sailed down to the pier and made a little "plop" noise.

Remember the whole little paragraph above about how she never freaks out? Well...SHE.FREAKED.OUT. I've never seen her so frazzled!! LOL I was in the shower, not much I could do, Chelle was at least decent, so while Mom finally got calmed down enough to get a room steward to get ahold of SOMEBODY who could go down & retrieve her wallet, Chelle stands guard over the balcony to, I don't know, look at the wallet? But while she's out there, I hear her yell, "HEY!! That's OURS!!" Apparently, someone on the pier saw the wallet & walked over & picked it up. Chelle then saw Mom & some security officers walking the pier going towards where the wallet was. Once Chelle realized the man who picked it up wasn't stopping to give it to them she yells from the balcony, "MOM!! HE'S GOT IT!!"

I'm out of the shower at this point, and Chelle said that the guy turned around & gave them the wallet.

Mom's sign & sale card was in that wallet (or so we thought at the time), along with her credit card & ID. This all happened around 9p.m. & we were scheduled to leave port at 9:30!! So, there was a time crunch along with the wallet scare. And, evidently, her credit card flew out of the wallet & is now in the bottom of the ocean!!

Mom was DONE. I've never seen her like this. She did come down to watch us karaoke for a bit, but she didn't shower or change from her beach clothes. It was kinda surreal. She doesn't ever leave without makeup or having gotten dressed. But she was DONE. We ate at the Midnight buffet (which was really good) & talked & walked with the Cousins & Aunt Di & Joy & her cousin. It was so nice!! We hadn't all been together at one time like that until that night. Not without dancing & karaoke singing. It was nice to hang out together :) Great night for that :)

I'll have to share the last day of the cruise with you next time. Right now, I don't think I could type any more. I know these recaps are long, and it doesn't look like anyone's even reading them, but I am so thankful for a place to write this out & revisit these memories, if for no one else, than for myself!! :)

Til next time!! :)

Cozumel, Mexico

2010-05-30T14:18:00.002-04:00

WOW. It's beautiful. And, it's HOT. Now, mind you, I didn't venture off the beaten path in Mexico. It wasn't that kind of trip for me. Keep me in the pretty part that looks like a piece of Disney World. I did tend to tip our drivers a bit more there, though. I don't know why, because the touristy parts are gorgeous, and the beach? Think Kenny Chesney beautiful :) "Toes in the sand, a drink in my hand with no bottom...No shoes, no shirt, no problem..." When we walked from the pier our first sight was the Three Amigos Cantina...yes, from the movie!! LOL That is a family favorite, so we took lots of pictures there, but didn't get anything to drink. I hear they were servin' it up pretty strong!! LOL

My first impression was that the sun was literally boring down on me. I didn't have straps on my bathing suit, and my cover up was halter-style, so my shoulders were bare. Even though I had put on sunscreen before we left the ship, I was starting to worry that it might not be enough, and once we got to the beach, I did, actually, reapply liberally!! LOL

But, before we went to the beach, we perused the touristy gift shops. The buildings were very colorful, and there were palm trees...a very nice part of Mexico :)

Finally, we found our "guide" to the shuttle bus to the beach. Those guys were pretty funny & we had a great ride to the beach. They told us that the last bus back to the pier would be leaving at 6:45. Remember that, it is a clue for what's to come!! HAHA!! :)

The beach was awesome. The ocean, once we got in it, was beautiful. It wasn't a beach that you think of with waves crashing on the sand, it was more like a lake-ish. When we reached the part of the beach where the lounge chairs were, we got umbrellas & started ordering drinks!! HA!! :) It was an open bar included in the price of the excursion, so we took advantage of that & ordered things we normally wouldn't ;) LOL I learned that even though I don't like regular margaritas, I do enjoy a BLUE margarita :) Yum :) There was also a nice buffet lunch there, too. Not cruise ship quality, but it wasn't bad, either :) I believe the beach made up for a lot of the negatives!! HAHA :) They had blue rafts we could use in the ocean that were awesome!! :) It definitely made floating in the ocean more fun :) And, we used those mats when we were done as a lounge chair cushion. Delightful!! Just laying there, with the sound & sights of the ocean, the breeze, the pina colada, it was refreshing!!

But all good things have to come to an end. So, we decided to check out the shops before we made our way back to the shuttle buses. Funny side note... While I was washing the sand off my feet, a couple who had been to Karaoke the night or two before was there & the guy asked in a very thick New York accent, "Hey, you the girl who sang karaoke the other night?" I smiled & said I did. He says, "You were awesome! You should cut a rec-ud."!! LOL It was a struggle to not respond, "You know a guy?" LOL

Then, the co-parenting of my Mother started!! LOL But I think this is enough for one post!! LOL We can revisit Cozumel next time :)

Have I mentioned that I had a blast? I can't wait for the next cruise!! :)

Busy Spring!!

2010-05-27T22:38:00.002-04:00

So, while I've been away, I have PLAYED HARD, now have a 2 year old, and am obsessed with cruise ships!! LOL

First of all, homeschooling is going great, even in the midst of our chaotic schedule. I hope to have Abbey tested before the summer is out!! HA!! :) By state law, we don't have to report to the school again until the day before the beginning of school, so I technically have lots of time, but of course, don't want it hanging over my head all summer. So, we still have some ground to cover, and I have learned a lot that will help us next year!! Yes, I said next year :) I'm feeling more confident, especially since she started READING :) I can not tell you how awesome a feeling it is to know that I have had such a major role in her learning to read!! It's amazing to watch her :)

OK, now let's talk about the PLAYING HARD :) LOL I went on an ALL GIRL'S CRUISE just a few short weeks ago!! I can't believe it's been two weeks!! Last weekend all I thought about was "This time last week..." It was an AMAZING time. Of course, there was nothing to compare to the company :) I am not exaggerating or over-dramatizing the fact that I have been so blessed to call my closest girlfriends my family. I absolutely realize how rare that is, but for whatever reason, I have been blessed!! :) Not only cousins, but the "Aunts" were fun, too!!

For those of you interested, or who went, here is a recap of all the fun!! :) If you're bored already, skip down!! LOL :)

Wednesday we met for pedicures & got matching flowers (for FREE) on our toes!! :) They are super cute, and I am going to be really bummed when it's time to re-paint my toes. Anyways, that was our pre-cruise get-together!! LOL :) It was so much fun, & the ladies that did our pedi's were fun!!

I had already said my goodbye's to my Hubby & kiddos before I left for the pedi. They were headed to Pennsylvania to spend the weekend with his family while I was gone. It was really weird, and kinda nice, to be home alone Wed. nite. Even if I didn't get to bed until 1a.m.!! I was packing & excited & getting my house somewhat straightened up because Steve was bringing his mom back with him for the week after I got back. More on that later.

We got up ridiculously early on Thursday morning (I got literally 2 hours of sleep before I had to be up & ready). But I was so excited anyway, it didn't really matter!! LOL I took some Bonine because I wasn't sure how I'd travel on a basically empty stomach, and I am SO GLAD I did. Our flight from Dayton to Detroit was pretty scary with some really bad turbulence. My Mom said that all she could think about was that there were an awful lot of people from the same family on that plane!! It was pretty scary, especially first thing in the morning. Although, the view from the window seat was beautiful. I got the side facing East, so I saw the sunrise in the clouds.

Detroit was BREAKFAST!! :) And, we had a pretty easy, kinda bumpy but NOTHING like Dayton to Detroit flight to Miami. Again, I scored a pretty awesome window seat & could see us fly down the East Coastline. SO beautiful!! :)

Then, after getting our bags, we followed all the people with signs that said "Carnival"!! :) We bussed over to the ship & when we got out, THERE. IT. WAS. Those ships are HONKEN. SO AWESOME :) We boarded, found Aunt Di, Missy & Jodi waiting on us, already drinking some pretty "drinks of the day." Found our room, freshened up just a bit, and we headed down to the lunch buffet.

By dinner Thurs. night, I was ready for another Bonine, because I was NOT feeling well. You can ABSOLUTELY feel the boat moving, and I wasn't really prepared for that. So, halfway through dinner, I had to go back up to the room to get some more med & by the time I got back down, I was ready for chocolate melting cake. There are no words to adequately describe that dessert. I am going through withdrawls. Although, Jodi has since found the recipe, but I'm not sure I want to try it, because I might decide it's not hard to make & make it A LOT. Delicious infinity. LOL

By the time we got to the karaoke lounge, I was feeling MUCH better & sang a song with the Cousins ("Cruise Chicks") & sang a solo. I was starting to think it was a bad idea cause Missy sang "Killing Me Softly" & a lot of people got into that one, and my choice was a pretty lesser known country song "I Try To Think About Elvis" by Patty Loveless, and it was fine!! LOL After I got done, it was kinda cute, because the man after me sang "Teddy Bear" BY Elvis :) LOL Fun. I {HEART} karaoke!! :)

I was DONE after karaoke that night, but the rest of the girls went to the live band lounge next door & discovered the best live band I've ever heard that didn't have smoke & lazers on the stage!! We went down the next night, and the last night. The night in between they were on the Lido deck & I guess the crowd was pretty wild.

Friday we went to Key West, FL. Think Yellow Springs meets the beach!! LOL :) Very cool & eclectic place. It would be neat to spend a lot of time on the historical side of things, but we stayed pretty close to the touristy parts. Some of the girls went to the Original Margaritaville, and had I realized it was there I'd probably tried to stop in, too. I do regret not trying some Key Lime pie. I know, weird that I didn't, right? LOL

Friday night was Formal Night, and that was SO MUCH FUN!! :) It's not everyday ya get to dress all sparkly & over the top, but it was awesome :) It was also a GREAT night to people-watch. There were some pretty cool dresses. I also tried lobster tail for the first time!! :) Delish!! :) I don't know if it was the lobster or the butter I liked the best!! HA!! :)

And, guess what I had for dessert? LOL :)

Saturday was a day at Cozumel, Mexico. I have never been outside of the US, so that was neat. It didn't really feel different from the states because we didn't go off on our own, again, we stayed pretty much in the touristy areas. BEAUTIFUL, btw. The water is really pretty there. We went to Playa Mia beach as our excursion that day, and it was pretty neat. It wasn't a "waves crashing on the beach" kind of beach, it was more like a little lake, but it was neat to see straight to the bottom, usually, in the water. It was kinda cloudy, so it probably wasn't even as clear as normal. That was where we just laid on the beach & chilled...well, we were sweating, but you know what I mean!! LOL The sand was white, the sun was hotter than I have ever experienced, and it was most likely a blessing the clouds were around that day, or I would've roasted!! LOL

OK, since this is really long, I'm gonna have to do this in two parts, so I'll leave you there, with that beautiful picture of Mexico as I say goodnight :)

Til next time :)

Sharing What's on My Heart Today

2010-03-22T11:19:00.005-04:00

This past weekend was so powerful for me... Actually, any time I get to spend with my ultra-wise cousins leaves an impression, but this weekend touched me beyond comprehension, and I am still processing, really.

The subject of our Grandpa & family history came up, and where I don't want to over-share (hehe, I know, that line is often blurred here!! HAHA), I will say, God's hand on our family's lives is so evident. Where tragedy and desperation could've been the outcome, God changed our lives forever, literally, eternally...by a girl inviting my Aunt to church after she met Jesus...it has changed the course of our history.

I am so in awe right now. I love Him. I do.

Yesterday at church, I couldn't keep it in. Every song that we sang in worship time, just affirmed the fact to me, just made the Truth that much sweeter, and I shared, as condensed, yet as clearly as I could, like someone who was ready to explode!! LOL

During our "meet & greet" time I shared with my Share Group Sister, and she said, "You have to share that today. I'm serious!" I wasn't convinced, but couldn't shake it, either. After I butted in (haha), another worship singer said, "That is answer to prayer, I just prayed for a testimony to happen," it was like God saying to my heart, "Girl, you did good." LOL :) Refreshing to my soul :) The whole weekend.

And, even as I'm home, back to the "real world" of "real life" I am being constantly reminded that He's in control, that I don't have to be, and that I have an awesome God, Father, Friend to run to, to come to my rescue, in the most real sense of the word superhero.

Speaking of real life, mine is calling, now :) hehe Talk to you all later :)

Top 10

2010-03-11T15:54:00.002-05:00

I have fallen in love with crafting/mommy blogs, and they've inspired me & helped me realize that it is possible to craft even with little ones around & curious as to what Mommy's doing :).

Here is a list of the top 10 things I've been inspired to tackle... Almost like you've taken an art class and can't wait to get home to use what you've learned on projects of your own.

1. Teal. Turquoise. Aqua. Whatever you call it. IT. IS. AWESOME.

2. It started with Design Dazzle and the pom-pom tutorial. I am still diggin the pom-pom & will have pics of the next place they'll show up :) (hint: there's a baby shower this weekend...okay, that was pretty much a give-away).

3. Re-purposing. Recycling made cool. I can't wait to tackle some of my furniture deemed otherwise useless... And, I am so dreaming of a belt sander...and a nail gun...

4. Photography. I LOVE pretty pictures, and would love to take pics of my kiddos like that, without paying through the nose to get em. Not that I don't appreciate the value of a great photographer, it's just not in our budget to pay for a great photographer. I would love to take a class or two & learn about using an SLR camera (or whatever the step down from an SLR would be).

5. I have FINALLY tackled the metal "barn" star that I bought for Eli's wall, um, before he was born... Infarrently Creative inspired me, and I decided to just do it for heaven's sake. I used antiquing medium by Plaid, after I painted it, um, teal...same paint as the necklaces... Anyways, I thought it was too dark after I used the antiquing stuff, so I went back over the middles with more paint, and wiped it off, so it brightened it up without looking painted in the lines. It's now moved from the kitchen table to Eli's room :) I guess that would've made a better picture than the one sporting leftover birthday party fish & Lysol wipes...

6. I'm not gonna lie... The thought of sewing makes me break out into a cold sweat. I have nightmares of the home ec project I labored through... I had to make a skirt. Long story short, bobbins are my enemy. Anyways, I did eventually finish the skirt...and a couple Christmases ago, I got this for Christmas, mainly for scrapbooking, where straight lines look weird and crazy stitches are cool. But, I digress... Remember the tulle? I am going to try & attempt to SEW something... If it goes well, I'm thinking curtains, next... But let's see how the tulle goes...

7. I want to use Teal Rit. Yes, they make AQUA Rit, and Julie from Joy's Hope Handmade rocks the Rit... and everything teal, really :) Check THIS and THIS out...

8. I want to cover everything with pretty paper :) I. Mean. Everything. I almost put paper on the star, but I didn't like it, and liked the distressed blue better... But I will cover something up with that paper. Maybe make some kind of wall art or something...

9. Do more crafting with my kiddos. Make & Takes has great ideas, and they pride themselves on keeping the cost low...HELLO, yes, please!! Abbey LOVES to craft, so it's great for us to do together, and she's not drawing on my walls...

10. I'm seriously thinking about opening an Etsy shop... but just thinking. I would love to be able to turn my crafts into something that would help pay off some bills. Or take us on vacation. Again, we'll see...

Wait, did I mention teal? Haha :)

So, there's my top ten things of what I'm loving, and what I'm being inspired to do!! I know not all of you are crafters, per se, but surely something or someone has inspired you lately in some area of your life, and I'd love to know about it!! :)

Not Me Monday

2010-03-08T10:44:00.004-05:00

MckMama is on a trip to Kenya, and she is showing some really awesome photos & some heartbreaking & yet hopeful tidbits from their journey. And, I believe she has put a hold on Not Me Monday, so I will post this, then when she resumes NMM, I will link back to this post :). I'm just excited to join in...I've never been a part of a blog carnival :)

I certainly did not set my almost completely dead cell phone on the couch Tuesday, only to never see it again... I have not been looking for it ever since. And, when I searched under the couch & found TOYS, CRUMBS, AND WHO-KNOWS-WHAT-ELSE, I most certainly did not look at those things with a blind eye & return the cushions right back where they were... Cause we all know I would never do that!!

What have YOU not been doing? hehehehe

Alright, I'm IN!!

2010-03-05T11:27:00.002-05:00

I found Living with Lindsey's blog yesterday through Googiemomma 's blog...I know, I'm like a blog junkie now...

ANYWAYS, I thought I would give it a shot. You can check out the rules here if you'd like to jump in, too. The deadline is March 25th (to be linked up at her blog).

Basically (and this is my interpretation of the rules, not the official rules), you have $5 (excluding tax) to spend at the dollar store (examples: Dollar Tree, Deals, Everything's a $1, etc...). Then you re-make it into something fabulous for Spring. You are allowed to use already-owned items (WHEW!! I can maybe break out those stamps I bought yesterday?!?!), take a pic of your completely fabulous re-make, blog about it, then link up with McLinky @ Lindsey's site.

There will be preliminary judging, then the Top 5 will be up for the Reader Vote. And, yes, there is a prize...but she hasn't shared, yet...just that it's fabulous!!

So, are you in?

JoAnn Fabrics ROCKS!! :)

2010-03-04T15:48:00.010-05:00

Steve called me today around 11ish asking, "Are you dressed yet?"

I was ~~slightly offended~~ curious, so I said..."Yes, and my make-up's on..." Quesion mark implied.

"Well, how would you like to take me to lunch today?" he says in his cheeky way.

"OK, what's the occasion?" I ask, still waiting for the punch line...and it came!!

"Well, it seems I've locked myself out of my car!"

So, racing to get the kiddos dressed & ready {even though they really both needed baths...}, we took Steve to lunch...sort of. He had to be at a meeting at 1p.m., so he ordered, paid, and had to leave...

And we ate, then went to the library where Abbey played on the computer (she asked for help to get on the computer while Eli & I went to the restroom...), Eli kinda whined the whole time {read: sleepy}.

But, did I end our day-trip out at the Library? OH NO!! :) We walked down to JoAnn Fabrics, and WOW, am I ever glad we did!! :) Look what I got out of there with!! :)

I will be doing something with this tulle...and, the hearts are just on a tablecloth underneath the tulle...it's still Valentine's Day here ;) What I do with the tulle will remain a mystery until I get my project done...no use getting your hopes up in case it turns out awful!! hehehe

This is a WHOLE little chipboard album kit that was cLeArEnCeD for 2.97!!

I know, blurry picture, but SUPER CUTE embellishments :) $0.97!!

A nice-sized sticker booklet, again, $0.97!!

And, these are my FAVORITES!! :) Clear stamps, REGULAR SIZED {meaning these aren't mini's} for $2.97 each!! I was so excited!! :)

Eli was a trooper at first, but then he started the pitiful whining that just annoys everyone, so I finally said, "OK, we're DONE." and paid & left...probably missing the sigh of relief that I'm sure followed our exit!! hehe

Little guy was asleep in his car seat before we left the parking lot...so naturally I had to swing through Sonic for a Rt. 44 Diet Vanilla Coke during Happy Hour, right?

Ahhhhh....Love me some Diet Vanilla :)

So, while I sip on my diet coke, I will leave you with a question or 2... What would you do with the goodies I ~~stole~~ was blessed to find? And, are the strikeouts annoying, or funny? LOL :) ~~Don't answer that if it's annoying!!~~ :)

Invisible Mother......

2010-03-02T11:54:00.007-05:00

I know I don't normally post twice in a day, but this goes along with what
I've been thinking on lately.  So, I had to share!!  And, if you've read my
"Diet" blog lately, pay attention to the VERY LAST SENTENCE!! :)

*********************************************************

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the
way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and
ask to be taken to the store.

Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?'

Obviously, not.

No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor,
or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at
all.

I'm invisible. The invisible Mom . Some days I am only a pair of hands,
nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this?

Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a
clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What
number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30,
please.'

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the
eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated sum a cum laude -
but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen
again. She's going; she's going; she is gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a
friend from England ..

Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on
and on about the hotel she stayed in.

I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so
well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself.

I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a
beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.'

It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe ..

I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her
inscription:

'To My Dear Friend, with admiration for the greatness of what you are
building when no one sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would
discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after
which I could pattern my work:

No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of
their names.

These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see
finished.

They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.

The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of
God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the
cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny
bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are
you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be
covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied,
'Because God sees'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place.

It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you. I see the
sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act
of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've
baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a
great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a
disease that is erasing my life.

It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the
antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.

I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As
one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see
finished, to work on something that their name will never be on.

The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could
ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to
sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend
he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4
in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a
turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That
would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him
to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his
friend, to add, 'you're going to love it there.'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're
doing it right.

And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at
what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world
by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Great Job, MOM!
Hope this encourages you when the going gets tough as it sometimes
does..

We never know what our finished products will turn out to be because of
our perseverance.

Meet My Inner Brat...Holly.

2010-03-02T09:52:00.002-05:00

I was musing this morning while brushing my teeth (you know you do it, too...I usually do it in the shower, but I haven't gotten that far, yet...). I was doing my Flylady Swish n' Swipe & got to thinking about my perfectionism. I have recently "met" or "acknowledged" my inner brat, Holly. (To get to know/name your inner brat, go here.) Holly is the little girl inside me who whines & talks me out of doing what I *usually* know I should do. I was thinking today that she not only affects my home's cleanliness, she affects EVERYTHING about me.

The thing is, Pam Young from "The Brat Factor" (among other things :)) is ABSOLUTELY right. I won't do it if it isn't fun. That's her motto. Once we acknowledge our inner brat, that's when the work begins. Because we have to reason with them. Sometimes out loud.

I realize that most of you who read my blog are BO (no, not body odor, Born Organized!! LOL). I know this because I've read your blogs & have even been to your house, so I know!! LOL I am not. Hence the whole Flylady thing...and making it fun!! :)

It's not about being lazy, necessarily... it's about preferring to do *ahem* crafting of some sort over emptying the dishwasher...or mop the floors...or de-cluttering my dresser drawers... Not that I would do that!! Hehehe, those would all be a good for MckMama's "Not Me! Mondays." More to follow with that, most definitely!! LOL :)

So, I'm in the process of LEARNING how to get along with my inner brat {Holly}, and to stand up to her!! LOL The whole premise behind "finding your inner brat" is laughing at ourselves & gaining perspective. In a very fun & unique way!! LOL

And, yes, there are more links in this one post than there is on my sidebar...j/k...only half :) LOL

SUCCESS!!

2010-02-20T11:12:00.010-05:00

Here are the party girls all ready for bed!! :)

And here they are eating Krispe Kremes this morning!! Is there anything better? Really?

Here's the pic "under the waves" in the living room...there are a few fish hanging, but I'm not sure they show up real well...

My Mom did an AWESOME job on the cake!! :)

Princess of the Waves. I wanted to make a round sign, but it just didn't happen...this was MUCH quicker & easier...and it got the point across :)

I moved the pom-poms from the corners of the table to *kind of* parallel to the table...that might not make sense how I just said it, but I made 'em in a straight line instead of on each end...

Pretty Princesses!! :) It was SO worth it!! :)

Happy Birthday, Abbey May!! :)

Feelin' Crafty

2010-02-18T09:31:00.006-05:00

We are FINALLY having Abbey's 6th Birthday Slumber Party this Friday night (and, depending on when you read this, that means tomorrow!! HA!!). We've had to postpone it for 2 weeks because of snow, illness, snow, illness, snow, and, oh yeah, illness. SO this is the weekend!!

Now, my house isn't completely ready, but I thought I'd share with you just a sneak peek of the transformation that's been going on here for, um, 2 weeks!! LOL

You can find directions for making these pom-poms here.

Please forgive the feather duster...we are in the middle of participating in Flylady's Winter Olympics, and that is our "torch." But you get the idea!! :) That is the wall behind our dinner/school/crafting table in the kitchen. I had originally thought to just let the table cloths hang, but then I had a revelation!! LOL Why not pucker or gather the table cloth to make it more interesting. Abbey loves it!! I also decided to add fish, and not get too into perfectionism. I just cut an obviously basic fish shape out of cute scrapbooking paper, and inked the edges (that's my thing...I LOVE inking ANYTHING!!). But, I have to say, my friend Hazel suggested the fish. She had her son a Spongebob party & had streamers on her walls (like waves) with die cut fish tucked in!! CUTE :)

Just a close-up. I promise it looks neater in person!! HA!! :)

This is one of my favorite ideas for the party. I first saw this idea @ The CrEaTiVe CraTe, who first saw it at Mod Podge Rocks!! LOL Totally cool blogs, and to my Brain Twin Jodi, you will get addicted. I kinda put my own flair to it, though. I added the tag that already had a ring (so I didn't have to buy jump rings in the jewelry department...but I might at a later date when I make 'em for gifts). I am also LOVING this teal paint I bought at Hobby Lobby!!

Finished projects...didn't turn out too bad, huh? I'm loving the polka dots!! And, I am happy whenever I can cross scrapbooking with anything else!! LOL The plan for the jewelry, btw, is to have the girls add self-adhesive rhinestones to them after each game/activity we do. So they'll all have something to wear that's the same...and girls are into that at this age, ya know?

And, what party wouldn't be complete without a treat bag? These are buckets I got at Target for $1 each, are filled with stuff I've been collecting since right after Christmas, and since there were only 4 other girls, I might've stepped up the ante on what's inside!! LOL But each bag was under $5 to make & fill, so that's still not bad, right? I wouldn't do it for a party of more than that, but you know what I mean. I carried out the monogrammed theme with the buckets, too. Did you notice? LOL

I know, there is something seriously wrong with me, right? I've just been needing an excuse to get crafty, especially after I've found all those fabulous crafting/scrapping/diy blogs!! I might be becoming a blog stalker!! LOL

Love ya!! Gotta get back & finish up...oh, yeah, and get the rest of the house ready!! hehehe

2010-02-10T11:54:00.004-05:00

OK, so I'm cheating a little bit...this isn't exactly the pictoral post I promised, but there IS a picture!! LOL :)

AIRFARE IS BOOKED!! And, we're on the same plane as Aunt Di, Missy & Jodi!! :) HOW FUN!! I don't know about Aunt B & Jeanna & Mandie, but I hope they get on this same flight, too!! Won't we be obnoxious!! LOL At 5:30a.m. no less!! LOL ;) Pray for the other passengers...LOL

I AM SO EXCITED!! :)

Now, to get that passport...

Things have been interesting here the last week or so... It's definitely been an adventure, with snow, croup, fevers, coughs, throw-up, you name it, we've had it here this week... Complete with a trip to Urgent Care, transport to the hospital (no sirens), and an overnight stay @ Children's...

It started last Friday night...actually, before that, but that's when the "barking seal" cough started...We had decided to postpone Abbey's Birthday slumber party because of snow...well, that night, she came down with a fever, and was pretty sick-eyed (Mom's know what that mean!! LOL). Anyway, Eli started to cough that night, AND stayed up the WHOLE NIGHT...we didn't officially get to bed until 4:30a.m. When we got up the next day, he sounded worse, and according to our pediatrician's nurse, was wheezing, struggling to breath...SO, Steve took the little guy to see Dr. Matt.

Dr. Matt said it was croup (really bad croup), and gave him a steroid shot to help open up his airway, to make breathing better, told us to keep up with the cold air/cool mist humidifier, etc...

Sunday was worse...

I called the dr. on call & she said she would take him in to be seen at either Children's ER or Children's Urgent Care. For reasons that made sense at the time, we went to Children's Urgent Care. When we got there, there was a 2 1/2 to 3 hour wait...

They called us up to check us in (you know, the preliminary paperwork stuff), and the receptionist, after hearing Eli struggling, asked the nurse to listen to him real quick "before she took anyone else back."

That's when I got nervous...

The nurse then said, "Yeah, we need to bump him up the list."

That's when I got REALLY nervous...

We were the next to be called back.

If you have ever been to an Urgent Care/ER, you know that they tend to move slowly, so we prepared ourselves to settle in after the nurse took all of Eli's vitals...

But that didn't happen. The Dr. came in because she said she could hear Eli breathing down the hall. What she said was that they were going to give him another dose (orally) of the steroid, and a breathing treatment. And, because of the steroid & breathing treatment, he would have to at least be observed overnight at Children's Hospital, but that the ER would make that call officially.

SO, after the breathing treatment & forcing medicine down Eli's throat (I have never seen that boy more upset!!), he immediately started sounding better. So, Eli & I rode to Children's hospital in the transport (yes, an ambulance, but they didn't turn on the sirens), gave him his favorite thing on earth (a green soothie paci...the kind that smells like vanilla), and he drifted off to sleep on the ride over there.

We got to the ER, and they were really nice, and acted quickly. He had another breathing treatment (went MUCH better than the 1st one because he had that green "B" :)), and even started acting more like himself. Steve had gone home to get him some PJ's & some diapers (it didn't dawn on us that we were in a Children's hospital, of COURSE they have diapers there!! HAHA, and the name brand kind!! haha

We saw Peyton lose the Super Bowl...bummer...but, WOW, that Saints guy who intercepted that throw? What a smart play!! Gotta give 'em kudos for that ;) Not that I care that much for football, but Steve immediately changed channels when he walked into the room!! LOL

They moved us to a room in the "Almost Home" ward, so that they could watch Eli overnight & make sure that all the meds/breathing treatments were doing what they were supposed to, and in case he had a relapse, they could take care of him.

Sleeping in a hospital is not restful...but I did have peace of mind that if something were to go terribly wrong, we were in the right place.

He did great overnight, and by morning sounded so much better. All the drs kept telling me that it looked like he would get to go home "today." Which is their way of not committing to a time!! LOL He ate breakfast & lunch there, then we got to go home!!

Abbey had her own little adventure during this whole time. She got to stay the night at Mammy & Papa's house while we stayed at the hospital. Mom told me that Abbey asked her at one point, "Why do you keep calling my Mommy?" and Mom told her that she just was worried about Eli & wanted to check to see how he was doing. She asked Abbey, "Aren't you a little worried about Eli?" Abbey's answer broke my heart when I heard it, "Yeah, I don't want him to die."

*sniff sniff* *bawl*

She got shuffled around a lot on Monday because of work schedules & Mom had to go out of town for the night, etc... So I didn't get to see her until late Monday night.

He's been doing somewhat better the last couple of days. He has been fighting a fever today (103.6, down to 100.3 after Motrin & a tepid bath per the pediatrician's nurse's directions). They said that getting a fever was normal when fighting a virus like he has, so not to worry...

But of course, I do...

He's on the upside of this, now, though.

Well, I'd better go. We're postponing {again} Abbey's Under the Sea slumber party, because I feel like we need a whole weekend to just get over this stuff...and rest!! lol

SO, that's what's been going on here...Did I mention I'm going on a cruise?!?! That makes being snowed in a little bit more bearable :)

Talk to you all later :)

Love ya!! :)

Creative Juices are Flowing...

2010-01-29T16:02:00.002-05:00

OK, I have, since I found Design Dazzle, discovered an amazing array of Crafting Blogs. WOWZA!! I am in Creativity Heaven!! I am LOVING all the ideas & how they are making me look at the spaces in my house differently. I am loving seeing women (mostly) taking old things & making them unbelievably new & beautiful!! From Mod Podge, to "Roadkill" finds (I love that term that Beckie @ Infarrantly Creative uses), from party to home decor...I am just LOVING it!!

I believe in my last post, I listed Abbey's room. I have been really thinking about it. I don't want to go too shabby, but I don't want to go too cutesy/character, either. SO, I have some ideas that I think she will love, and won't hopefully, break the bank.

I told her that this year, her Birthday present would be a new room, if she wanted. Well, a newly decorated room. She lit up like a firecracker!! She was so excited!! LOL Nothing to worry about!! HA!! She needs a new chest of drawers, where the drawers actually work. I love the look of her armoire, but the drawers have never really worked right, and they don't pull out smoothly, or push smoothly, either. One of the bottoms has cracked in two, and one drawer has just completely fallen apart. Now, I am sure that if I thought hard enough, I could come up with something, some other use for it, and, actually, something just came to mind...BUT, even if I could use it for her toys or something, she needs a place to put her clothes...

SO. A $40 4-drawer chest is better than a 3 drawer armoire (which I love, btw, don't get me wrong. It's so pretty). So, she's getting one for her Birthday... I told her I would paint her room this spring. ALSO, she needs a quilt/comforter set for her bed. That drives me crazy that she doesn't have one. It's hard to decorate without the fundamentals being there, ya know? So, colors will follow after we pick out a quilt/comforter set. I'm thinking something with a light pink, light aqua blue? We'll see where this hunt leads us...

Something that puts a catch in my planning? M. O. N. E. Y. We're doing it on a shoestring, sister...a very skinny one. You might almost say, transparent!! LOL

I'm trying to muster up some enthusiasm for Steve & my room, but it's just not happening, yet... One room at a time...

Be sure to check out the new links & things in my sidebar. I'm so excited to share this stuff!! Jodi, I can totally see you getting into some of these websites!! There's lots of "shabby"!! :)

OK, PROMISE, pictures next time!! hehehe

I am a SHE

2010-01-28T17:27:00.003-05:00

It dawned on me that I might actually blog more if I started writing things down as they came to me & posted it later instead of doing it all from scratch each time!! LOL Now, this may seem like a "duh" kind of thing to some (like, born organized people), but I am a SHE (sidetracked home executive), and I LOVE spontaneity. But, as with most things in life, where there is balance, there is, well, balance!! LOL There is room for both.

So, some of this post is taken from notes, and some just pop into my mind!! How fun!! And, hopefully, no one else will know the difference :) LOL

Well, since that's over with, let's move on, K?

I don't do New Year's Resolutions. My resolution changes. But, having somehting on a To Do List is different. I like To Do Lists. I love them, actually, because they help me (again, a SHE) stay focused.

So, here is my To Do List, not to necessarily be completed this year. Some things are just not gonna happen this year (see #1), but I want it on there to remind me that I want to go there someday... does that make sense? Of course, not, but it does to me...

Anyways, here it is:

1. Take the kids to Disney World, and stay at one of their resorts.

2. Continue on my quest to exercise & eat healthily regardless of my feelings.

3. Become persistent about orgainizing our home. Surely there is a way to organize our stuff & KEEP it that way...

4. Paint the house (inside).

5. Re-decorate Abbey's room. She's never had a bedspread/comforter that matches her room ever since she's had the big girl bed...and it bugs me.

6. Scrapbook more. Or should that just be: scrapbook. I don't get to do it nearly enough, especially not enough lately to even refer to myself as a scrapbooker...sad.

7. Be more diligent with Flylady's methods of decluttering and keeping it that way...I can dream.

Now, what I like about this list is that it's check-off-able and carry-over-able. There is no "done" To Do list...there is ALWAYS something to do... And, with a To Do list, there's a sense of priority...Such as, what's more important, Disney World, or being one year healthier? Disney World can be carried over, but healthy living is an immediate need.

There is a downside... Accountability. That's where the blogosphere comes in, I guess. I will always have this post to refer to, and can update, I don't know, bi-yearly? We'll see...

Thanks for hanging in there!! LOL I really need to start sharing pics...like, from this year, not 2 years ago!! Maybe that should go on my To Do list!! HA!!

Love ya!! :)

Blogging

2010-01-25T19:39:00.002-05:00

I just watched Julie & Julia, and can I just say, wow, blogging can be powerful!!

Not only that, but it's such a great outlet. I also came upon another amazing blogger earlier today, and it's just so amazing that these ladies (mostly) are out there, and they're doing such a great job at helping and encouraging other women. There are those "political" blogs, but I don't read those. (I know, shocking that I'm not that into politics...lol) Anyways, I didn't realize it, but there is "blogging etiquette" and I am probably breaking every rule in this one post!! LOL I did hear that the playlist thing can be offensive, but I disagree. I think that what a person listens to just adds to the depth of getting to know a person.

ANYWAYS, I just had to share that...more about that next time.

Tonight, Abbey is staying the night at her cousin Katie's house, and it's just Eli & I...and the Wiggles!! LOL He LOVES the Wiggles, and I'm giving a shout out to PBS Sprout for bringing them back onto our televisions. AND to Sprout on Demand...Eli just did the cutest thing...they were over, and he came marching back into my room holding the remote & said, "Me..." That boy is so smart!! LOL He's known what that thing was for since the womb, I'm sure!! LOL

Boys...

Until next time...

2010-01-22T23:10:00.002-05:00

Is it actually possible to be obsessed with a website? Because I am. I am LOVING the Design Dazzle website...even if I can't afford any of the stuff on it!! HAHA!! I LOVE the blog & how they show you really neat & easy design tricks, not just for your home/kids' room, but for birthday parties & stuff, too.

LOVE IT!!

Anyways, speaking of obsessed, I think that I may be obsessed with Cafe World on Facebook. It's not as bad now, but, wow, in the beginning I might've been a little on the wacko side. But it is fun.

OK, I guess I needed to ramble about obsessive things, because I can't seem to get them off my mind.

Which begs the question, are they really worth being in my mind?!?!

No....but, um, excuse me, I've got to see if my Three Berry Cheesecake is done, yet... just kidding... sort of...

Homeschooling & Other Miscellaneous Stuff

2010-01-20T23:35:00.002-05:00

I don't think I updated on the homeschooling front last time...It's going great!! I love it, actually. I have to keep reminding Abbey that she would have to do her work (even the stuff she doesn't like to do) if she went to "classroom" school, so forget about trying to get out of it!! HAHA

I had a great chat with another homeschooling Mom tonight, and I just love talking to her. She boosts my confidence & always reminds me that this choice isn't just about teaching academics...it's about building our childrens' character...and, as I'm finding out, building mine, too :)

In less than a month, I will have a 6 year old... That sounds so old!! Where does the time go?!?!? Seriously, I have no idea where it went. Sometimes I just stare at old pictures of her & tear up because there's a reason you hear so often "It just goes so fast..." It DOES. She's always gonna be my baby girl, though.

So, for her birthday party, we're having a somewhat small slumber party. We'll see how many of the girls actually sleep here!! LOL I'm hoping that I tire them all out & they fall asleep watching a movie...that's the plan, anyway. I will try not to make a big deal about bedtime, and hopefully they'll fall asleep before they even realize what happened!! LOL

The theme is "The Little Mermaid" because Abbey had already asked Mammy (my Mom) to make her an Ariel cake. So, I've got LOTS of neat decorating ideas & games floating around in my head. I'm about as excited as she is!! LOL

Eli's doing great. It's so neat to see his little personality emerging...and a little sad, too, because he's not a baby-baby anymore...he's officially a toddler. And into E V E R Y T H I N G. It's amazing how fast that boy moves from one place to another, destroying the order I work so hard to keep... I know, why? LOL Because that's what Mama's do. He'll be 2 in May, and, seriously, these last 2 years have flown by, too...

There is talk of trying for another baby, but we have yet to settle on an agreed-upon time frame...LOL...Let's keep that on the DL...I guess if I wanted to keep that on the DL, I shouldn't be posting it here on a public blog...

No definite commitment to that, yet, but we're thinking :)

Speaking of babies, I am so proud of my cousin Jodi who is now a proud Foster-Mommy to a new baby boy!! :) Brand-spanking new, too, I gather :) Congratulations, Jodi & Jimmie :) Love you guys!! :)

OK, I'd better go...I need to get to bed before midnight...LOL...who am I kidding?

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Happy New Year's!!

2010-01-06T11:20:00.002-05:00

Hello, Blogger Friends... I haven't been on here for obvious reasons!! LOL The Holiday Season is VERY busy & with our old computer, it took f o r e v e r to do much more than check statuses on Facebook.

ANYWAYS, life ain't bad :) haha

Thanksgiving was nice & pretty quiet. We went to Mom & Dad's and had a great meal, great game-time, and Chelle & I got up stupid-early to go shopping on Black Friday (our first Early Bird Black Friday experience). We had a lot of fun, and I think we're going to make it a tradition (when we can), because had I known, I probably would've been done with my Christmas shopping for the season on that one day. But, we know for this next year!! :) Fun, fun... Stupid, but fun :) LOL

Our church finally did something I've been talking about for a couple of years for Christmas this year. We did "A Night in Bethlehem" and it was AWESOME!! It was such a great thing for our church body, to work together, and we had such a great turn out!! We had 250+ people over the 2 nights we held it. Just awesome. Bigger than I could've ever imagined. After our VBS this summer, I told the lady in charge, "I've got something pretty awesome for you for Christmas!!" and handed her the kit that's been collecting dust in my house for 2 years.

There was no way I could've organized it, plus, she just had the fresh perspective that I've been lacking the last few years. It was great to work alongside her, though, and another lady, to finally see this come to fruition. And, the congregation is all abuzz about doing it next year, already :)

But, because NIB was the 2nd weekend in Dec. it felt like the season just flew by after that. Add to that, the week before NIB, my inlaws decided to crash our house (with less than 1 week's notice, thank you very much). So not only was I working on NIB as much as I could, I was hostess & cooking "Christmas" dinner for them... WORE ME OUT!! Anyways, it happened, we survived, and NIB was so worth it!!

Christmas was fun!! :) We missed seeing Santa, though. Evidently, the mall doesn't believe in letting people know Santa's ACTUAL schedule, because he left early on Christmas Eve. We did get a few pictures of the kids on his chair, and we didn't have to pay an arm & a leg to get it done, but it was still a bummer...we just waited too late...I'm already seeing a page layout of "The Year Without A Santa Claus" on it!! LOL We did send him a letter, though, and left out cookies & milk, and wouldn't you know it, he came!! :) He brought Eli a Lightning McQueen 4-wheeler (so cute!!), and Abbey the Baby Alive she'd been hoping for (the freaky one, not one of the ones that I would've picked out!! HA!!).

And, of course, Christmas day was spent at Mom & Dad's. And, let me just admit it up front, I am a spoiled daughter. I really am, and I feel so undeserving of their gift, because Mom is taking Chelle & I on the Girl's Cruise in May!! Can we say, waterworks? I couldn't stop crying all day...

The plan was to go to Scott & Missy's house for New Year's, but poor Faith got the stomach bug, so that plan was out. We ended up @ Mom & Dad's (again!! LOL), and hung out, ate pizza, and played Cranium (that's my favorite game on the planet, btw). I just love it...even though the boys won...

We ended the New Year's weekend with Shelby's 16th Birthday party...I cannot believe that girl is 16 already!! Where does the time go, seriously? That was fun, again, just to chill out & chat with family.

It felt weird this year. I don't know that I can put my finger on it, but it felt different this year. Not bad, please, it was awesome, but something felt, I don't know, just different.

Now, it's back to the ol' schedule, which I think I'm having a harder time with more so than the kids. I feel like I haven't quite caught up or something.

Well, OK, I guess that's a good recap, and I hope it wasn't too boring for you to read!! LOL :)

Love you all!! :)

Ahem It hasn't really been since October, has it?!?!

2009-11-18T15:49:00.003-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving!! :)

I LOVE this time of year. It's my favorite time of year... This is probably more fun than Christmas Day, because there's so much more done through the weeks leading up to Christmas Day!! :)

I can't make this a really informative post, because I already hear Eli up from his nap, and that means Abbey & Katie will be soon to follow, but I just wanted to say a quick "Hello" & "No, I haven't forgotten about blogging, or my new in-the-works blog." LOL We've got a new computer, and as soon as that's up & running, I'm sure you won't be able to get rid of me!! LOL :) Part of the blogging/facebooking problem for me has been a SSSLLLLLOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWW computer. I don't usually have time to wait on stuff to load...

OK, better go...

Love you all, and thinking of you!! :)

Pennsylvania in the Fall

2009-10-10T16:04:00.002-04:00

We are visiting Steve's family this weekend, and WOW, I wish I could stay & watch the trees change into their full glory...it's already promising to be a beautiful fall up here. I LOVE AUTUMN!! :) And, this cooler weather is awesome, too :)

We're missing the Apple Butter Festival, though. That's mine & Steve's Autumn tradition. It's a VERY small festival, so you get the festival feel without the masses of people (like @ the Potato, Sauerkraut, and Strawberry Festivals!! LOL)

I've had plenty of time to do more lesson plans today :) Grandparents & Aunts are awesome :) Nice chunks of uninterrupted time during the day when I'm still awake & not ready to just flop into bed exhausted!! HA!! :) It's been really nice.

Tonight we get to have dinner with Aunt Marge & Uncle John. Steve & his Dad went to the shooting range (boys & their testosterone...whatever). Tomorrow we'll see the Barlett side of the family :) Probably in intervals :).

Monday we'll head home, and spend a few days learning up a storm!! Then, Friday I'm off to a Women's Retreat in Hillsboro, OH hosted by Mamie Johnson Ministries :)... Then, HOPEFULLY, things will kinda quiet down some...HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I love this time of year, though. There's so much to contemplate about God in the natural changing landscapes He's provided for us to watch with wonder... He is really Good, you know :)

OK, better go. I think there's a line forming for the computer, and even as much lesson planning as I've gotten done, I still need to iron a few more things out.

SO, Happy Autumn & I'll see you next time...Hopefully with pictures!! :)

I've Added Another Blog to the Mommy Princess Series!

2009-09-25T14:49:00.002-04:00

HAHAHA...Seriously, I have. It's called "The Scrappy Mommy Princess" and it will be linked to my facebook & etsy accounts. I want to start selling home-made/pre-made kits on etsy.com to help supplement our income, and connected to that, I want to have a blog with updates, and my scrapbooking philosophies for all to see & read & contemplate.

It's not all about the paper...it's ALL about the Love...that's the heart of my scrapbooking philosophy. As much fun as all the embelishments, patterned paper, different types of books & albums, and crazy awesome layouts, there's really only one reason we scrappers scrapbook...it's the love, man...

And, no, I haven't necessarily turned into a hippy!! LOL :)

Homeschooling's still going well. This week I haven't felt the greatest (gotta love TOM), so we've had a pretty lax schedule, but other than that, it's been going really well. We keep pluggin' along. I have to remember, too, it's not all about the clock. "Classroom" school, kids aren't sitting & studying & doing worksheets for a whole 7 hours...there are lots of transitions, and transitions may (or may not, I guess) take more time because of class volume...ANYWAY, just because we don't get everything done in my pre-ordained (HA!) schedule, doesn't mean we're not getting anything done!! :)

I'm singing (along with Jeff, our Worship Minister) @ Emmaus Women's Walk tomorrow. A new song called "Beautiful" by Kari Jobe...GORGEOUS!! I LOVE IT...Anyways, Jodi & Missy will know what I mean when I say "dying communion." That's when I'm singing...Here's the Youtube version...

That's what I'm leaving you with today...I can't top that!! :)

Love you all!! :)

Tomorrow is Jodi's Birthday!!!!!!!

2009-09-16T13:10:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday, Cousin!! :)

WOW, there's so much to share, I don't know where to start!!

I'm sick...that's not so much fun, and my left ear is clogged up & I can't hear things well, and my head is pounding...LOVELY!! LOL

I'm very excited about the upcoming Girl's Cruise (probably in May!!), and am starting to iron out the financial side of things...SO EXCITED!! :) The thought of that cruise will be so nice & encouraging throughout this winter, I'm sure!! :)

Homeschooling is going well :) Abbey's so smart & is just like a sponge. It's been such a blessing to watch her "get" things as we go. Still not using any particular curriculum, but we're doing well without it so far...Next year, though, probably won't be so easy without a curric, and I'd still like to get something for this year, too, as a guide/resource with planning lessons.

We have become regulars at the library, and more than just for Leapfrogs (the reading/craft program for 4&5s)!! :) We've been going for this & that... I'm so glad she loves books, and I love them, too.

Next month I hope to get together with the homeschool group that meets @ the library every month.

Lots going on, and so much more to tell, but that's all I have time for right now. I miss blogging on a regular basis... Facebook is fun, but there's something about having more characters that appeals to this chatter-box!! LOL :)

Love you all :)

I've Officially Won the Award for "Worst Haircut EVER" in the category, "Just Before Vacation"

2009-07-30T14:12:00.002-04:00

That's what my facebook status was this past Tuesday night. Now, I have NOT had a haircut this bad EVER. I've said before that you can't really get it too short in the back for me, which is mostly true, but if the crown is too short, watch out!!

Not only was this haircut too short (mainly on one side of my head), it was awful all over. One side could've been "grin & bare it" too short, but the other side was "GET A HAT" too short. Not only was it too short, but some areas of my hair hadn't even been touched!! WEIRD!! Who does that? Who in their right mind would actually let someone walk out of their salon looking like that?!?!

Tammy from Great Clips, that's who.

So, I cried when I got home Tues. night. Then, after I showered & attempted to fix that mess, I cried even harder. Abbey came into the bathroom a couple times to check on me...I think she was scared to death, poor thing. And, Katie was here, too, and she steered clear of me.

So, I don't normally do this, but I was so frustrated, I called them back. I started crying while I was talking to the lady, and I know she felt bad because she said, "Oh, honey, come on in & we'll see what we can do to fix it." She made sure she told me when to come in before Tammy came in. Thank heavens!! But maybe she should've been there, to face the mess she'd made.

I really need a regular hair person. I miss having my own "hair lady/guy." The regularly scheduled apts. The ability to close my eyes & trust them to do whatever they want to my hair, without fear. Ahhhhh... Those were the days...

I have always had the attitude, "If I don't like it, don't worry. It'll grow back." But this was just too much, even for me!!

So, we're leaving for Myrtle Beach on Saturday, and I will be buying a sun hat as soon as we arrive!! :)

In The Good Ol' Summertime

2009-07-03T15:37:00.002-04:00

Hello, fellow bloggers...although, my ring of bloggers have been pretty quiet lately... I think people are REALLY addicted to Facebook. And, that's cool... But I still enjoy blogging...

Check out my "Diet" blog, cause I posted a new one about that part of my journey :) I'm OK.

We're pretty busy around here!! I can't believe I did it, but I signed Abbey up for Fairborn Girl's Softball (the season only lasted a month & 1/2!!), and I cried at her dance recital, AND rehearsal... And, now we're gearing up for the beach in August!! :) WOO HOO!! :) I haven't been to the beach since 1999!! Can you believe it?!?! Haha, so I guess I'm gonna party like it was 1999!! Yep, still dorky!! LOL But, seriously, SO EXCITED!! And, so is Abbey!! She's so sure she's gonna "surf" and I will be surprised if she gets in the ocean beyond her knees!! LOL :) She is so my daughter!! :)

Eli's doing great!! He turned one, and still isn't walking by himself, yet, but that doesn't stop him from getting into trouble!! He's into EVERYTHING... But he's a sweetheart!!

Steve's doing well. He started a new job on base back at the end of April, and is loving it!! It's in a new building, with a lot of new, different people, and he's really enjoying himself there. He will probably get a pay raise in the fall sometime...just in time for Christmas!! :) WOOHOO!! :)

So, here's some more exciting news!! I, who have never won anything except when EVERYONE gets a prize (you, know, work parties & that sort of thing), won $1,000 in gift cars to Meijer!! That was pretty awesome!! We've been doing the majority of our shopping there (DUH!!), and it's just been a blessing...

OK, I'd better get moving...I'd like to head to Hobby Lobby after Steve's done mowing the lawn... I'm making "Christmas in July" party invites!! :) It's only a few weeks away!! :)

Love you all, and see most of you on Facebook!! :)

Averaging a blog a month!!

2009-05-05T17:29:00.002-04:00

There is SO much to blog about...I really need to just start sharing tidbits at a time... But that would mean I would have to HAVE time to do that... *sigh*

Someday!! :)

I can't tell you how refreshed I've felt since WOF!! I REALLY needed that (& to go with my girls instead of "church people" if you know what I mean)...it just filled up my cup!! :)

Obviously, Steven Curtis Chapman was excellent!! And, I might've bawled like a baby while he sang...He started out singing, "Blessed be your name, on the road marked with suffering, though there's pain in the offering, blessed be Your name..." For those of you who don't know or are just passing through this blog (maybe for the first time), SCC & his family lost their 5-year-old daughter in a freak accident in their driveway, and to be able to sing those words 10mos. after the accident, it was just powerful, and I admit, pretty humbling. God is God no matter what we are going through, and I've been a bit of a whiner in my relationship with God.

Friday was spent with Sandi Patty, and MAN, that girl can sing!! :) I always seem to underestimate her talent, probably because I associate her with "old people music" when that's not the case, really... Awesome testimony & just a powerful voice!! :)

The speakers were great, the company greater, and the music...INCREDIBLE... Because Saturday was Mandisa!! She just blows me away, and I have to say, she is even better live than on her CD's (and she's pretty awesome on her CD's!! :))

GREAT time, and I was just filled... There's just so much to share!! :)

Alright, my time is up, apparently... Eli's up & hollering "Mama!! Mamama!!"

Hate to be so abrupt!! :) Love you all!! :)

Library Ramblings...

2009-04-02T13:17:00.002-04:00

So, I know it's been awhile, but I'm gonna pick up like I never stopped blogging for a month or more :) LOL

I've been listening to Mandisa!! Girl!! I LOVE her!! :) I love her music, I love her testimony, and I love what GOD is saying to my heart through her...

I was asked to "teach" our Devo group at church this week (13+ youth kids), and I am wondering if the Lord isn't leading me to share with them "True Beauty" & how we are not to be defined by anything other than Christ...Or maybe that's just the message He's been speaking to MY heart, especially the last few days...

Steve surprised me with Mandisa's new Freedom CD (it came in a box from Christianbook.com, and, yes, was addressed to him, but I *thought* I knew what was in there!! :)), then, yesterday, after a very tough day (Eli's teething...apparently he's getting a mouthful all at once!! UGH!!), he brought home her 1st CD that we didn't have, and I escaped to the shower with the CD player & CRANKED IT UP & cried & praised in the shower...I was a happier Mommy after I stepped out of the bathroom :)...

Anyways, there are other ways He's been speaking to me about "True Beauty" lately, too... Too many to count, though!! :)

On the homeschooling front, I have been devouring any kind of books that have the word "Homeshcool" in the title!! LOL I have a few homeschooling friends who are quick to tell me, "Seriously, it's not that big a deal!!" But, it's kinda like when you're pregnant for the first time, and you check out every pregnancy book that has ever been published, and maybe a few that haven't, and are just obsessed about being the "best" pregnant woman in the history of pregnant women...Until about the 2nd month, when the only thing that sounds appetizing is Taco Bell!! LOL

But, I am a perfectionist, and the perfectionist in me wants to know everything... And the "take it easy" side of me is saying, "Sesame Street is very educational...I wonder if that counts as Kindergarten?!?" LOL See? I'd LOVE to be somewhere in between...

All right, that's it for me, kids...I'm at the library today, and I can't share photos or anything, and it's almost time for Abbey to get out of storytime...

LOVE YOU ALL!! :)

2009-03-21T18:29:00.002-04:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATIE LYNNE BIG GIRL!! :) I can't believe you're getting so big!! :)

Katie's birthday isn't actually until Monday, but I thought I'd go ahead & share that today while I had a minute!

3 years ago, I had a 2 year old!! Can you believe it? Abbey was a little princess & had everyone's undivided attention...then came Katie!! :)

3 years later, and they're bestest of friends...The older they get, the smaller their age-gap closes....It's so fun to see the 2 of them playing & making each other giggle....

Okay, better go...Just had to share that!! :)

Love you all!! :)

I'm Either Called or Insane...

2009-03-01T22:49:00.002-05:00

That is a joke, of course!! :) LOL I feel confident (at this moment in time) about the decisions I've made for our future...Starting this fall...

First of all, I have decided to homeschool Abbey. I think in my heart I knew all along I would do it. I think that I wasn't totally honest with myself because of fear...lots of fear. I have a friend, though, who told me that I would not be a failure if it didn't work out, and that I won't scar her for life!! LOL So, we're "officially" taking the plunge.

That is a huge undertaking, especially since we want to do it mostly for free...that means lots of research & study time for Mommy, as well as Abbey...and it will only become more so the older she gets...

ANYWAYS...

Second is this...I plan on heading up our Awana program for the next school year. I have a bigger vision than just the Awana program itself. I would LOVE to expand into Family Ministry. Maybe this all sounds wierd to you all who are in a church that has these things in place, but I go to a church that does not. SO, here goes!! LOL

We had a huge problem with Awana in the past at our church. Poor leadership, and that leadership tended to focus on the incentives (the kids earn Awana Bucks and that equals prizes), and I guess they became so outlandishly ginormous, and the kids needed so many Awana bucks to buy these prizes, that turned into crazy memorization time, with little emphasis on LEARNING the verse, not just memorizing them. There are more issues, but they largely point back to leadership...The leader wanted to have a "bells & whistles" start, instead of starting small & growing from there.

Well, this cheapskate is all for Oriental Trading-type prizes, with maybe a few "big ticket" items being a lunch box or something like that...Maybe an Awana T-shirt, stuff like that that's not way over the top...

I will have a busy summer...

PRAYERS ARE NEEDED!! Not just for me, although, I will need plenty of them!! I would like to start recruiting teachers this summer (like July & August) so that we can start training & stuff in August. I'd also like to get the congregation to praying & understanding that it's not going to be as dramatic as it was...Learning scriptures are the key principle here, and that should stay the main principle (remind me of that when I'm worrying over which pencils to choose for the Awana store!! LOL).

The second phase to the vision (I sound like a villain giving away his "evil" plot!! LOL), is to get parents involved. A LOOOONG time ago I found these "family day" activities on children'sministry.com & filed them away for future reference...And have recently been thinking that now is the time...to get started...

So, quarterly, we're going to have a Family Day at church, with there being a main focus for parents to be encouraged & equipped to be examples & influence their children by their lives with Christ. That sounds all deep & heavy, but I can assure you that these principles are laced with LOTS of fun!! :) First would be a day about prayer!! There would be a workshop for parents, a seperate workshop for the kiddos, and then they would have free rein to explore different developmental stages & ideas of incorporating prayer into their familial lives (ie. what to pray about, from toddlers praying for their families while holding & looking at pictures of them, to a station set up with a TV newsreel loop & newspapers to open up dialoge with their teen children on praying for current events.) Families would have time to explore these different centers & then there would be lunch (of course, we're Baptists!! LOL) .

Again, PRAYERS, please? These are some big ideas, and I obviously won't be able to do everything by myself, so it will take a team of volunteers (can I just hope for positive-attituded ones?LOL) to carry everything through.

OK, love you all, and if you made it this far without skimming, thank you!! LOL :) I appreciate you wading through my craziness!! I needed to blog about it...

Trying Not to Eat Everything in the House...

2009-02-23T18:35:00.004-05:00

I just had a bad week...

We've been fighting THE COLD here...and I don't mean the weather...

Poor Eli & Abbey just got over stuff, and last week, about the middle (I've forgotten the days of the week, and am moving into where all the days kinda mush together...) Eli started coughing in the middle of the night...that barking/croup-like cough that scares me to death! Then, this weekend, Abbey started it.

The good news is that I think Eli's starting to get better, so that means Abbey will start getting better soon (although, she's older, and it doesn't seem to be hitting her as hard).

Between sleepless nights (I've been exhausted, just not able to sleep! ARGH!!), coughing/whining/grumpy babies, I about lost my mind last week...

Then I got a breather...the weekend...

Abbey stayed with Mammy & Papa (she was feeling OK), and Eli slept much better this past weekend (especially since Steve was here most of the weekend to help).

So there it is...I'm just hangin' in there, trying not to eat every scrap of food we have in the house out of stress & raging emotions...

Love you all!! :)

2009-02-13T23:29:00.000-05:00

Make a Smilebox postcard

Party Day...

2009-02-07T11:39:00.003-05:00

Today is Abbey's Birthday party!! :) I am trying to stay sane because this throwing a huge party thing is NOT easy on a Mommy, especially with Steve working every night...

But then I feel stupid because I think about what my friend is going through right now, and I know that I have nothing to complain about, and realize just how precious life is.

Tragedy has a way of clearing our focus, our perspective.

Love you, Sara!!

A 5 Year Old...

2009-02-03T22:08:00.002-05:00

I cannot believe that my baby girl is FIVE already!! This was a very emotional birthday for me this time.

We had stayed out pretty late Sunday night because of the Superbowl (we went to Chelle's), so the kiddos didn't get to bed until really late...

And, then, we got a 3a.m. wake-up call from Abbey... And, it was the "ear infection" cry...

It actually turned out to be a very sweet moment for me (and for her, too, I think, especially after the Motrin kicked in! LOL). I was sitting with her in the living room rocking her & cuddling a little bit & happened to look at the clock. Exactly 5 years ago at that time I was tossing & turning all night because I was so excited & nervous all at the same time! I told her that, and she said, "For real?" LOL I told her I was so excited to finally see her face!

So, needless to say, I was a mess all day Monday!! LOL Well, it wasn't that bad, but I did choke back some tears a time or a hundred...

My Dad called Monday to wish her a happy birthday, but she wasn't here (she had a trip to the dr. with Daddy). So, we got to talking & he says, "Yep, 5 years ago today all of our lives were changed forever." ::SOB::

We met Mom & Dad & Chelle & Katie at Chuck E. Cheese's and had so much fun! We went to the one in Springfield, and no matter how much they change the look of that one, I will always have fond memories of MY birthdays that were spent there!! :) (read: the gorilla man is still there playin' his keyboard, only now he's purple with neon green hair & is called "Munch." I will always miss Billy Bob, though.)

So, aside from an ear infection, she had a great birthday!! :) LOL And, so did I!! :)

Love you all!! :)

Girlfriends...

2009-01-31T12:32:00.003-05:00

I have been having one big pity party for myself this week...I even blogged about it last time!! LOL But, even when we whine, God is so good to us!!

Last night before bed, my devo (from "Joy Breaks: 90 Devotions to Celebrate, Simplify, and Add Laughter to Your Life") was entitled "Help...Now!" by Patsy Clairmont (one of my favorites!!). Anyways, her reference was Psalm 70:1 "O Lord, Come quickly to help me." That was the root of the cry from my heart this week. And, boy did He ever!! :) He's helped me all through this week; from snow days to girlfriends!!

Monday my friend Amy & my sister Chelle & I decided to go out on Friday. I had a sneaking suspicion that Steve had to work, but thought I'd ask my Mom to watch the kiddos for a while.

Well, she couldn't, so earlier in the week I told the girls I couldn't go (::insert Debbie Downer "Wah-wah" here::). So, last night rolled around, and Chelle & Amy went out...Then called me on their way to eat...

Amy: Hey! Whatchya doin?
Me: Oh, just sittin here with the kids...
Amy: (she laughs) Well, duh! Chelle & I are on our way to eat, then we're picking up Cheesecake Factory cheesecakes, and then we'll be over!
Me: (looking at my unbelievably messy house & who-knows-when-the-last-time-I-mopped kitchen floor) Ummm, ahh, OK.

Let me tell you, what a blessing!! It took them a little while, plenty of time for me to get the house 'BFF' ready (you know, not perfect, but acceptable), and I got the kids down right as they walked in.

I can NOT tell you how blessed I felt after they left. It's amazing what a good piece of cheesecake & giggling with your girlfriends will do for your perspective!! :)

But mostly, it's awesome the ways God comes to our rescue...

Lots of Snow...

2009-01-29T16:51:00.002-05:00

Okay, I'm done with winter...

Only, I guess it's not done with me!! LOL

Steve has had the last couple of days off (during the day...he still had to go into HRB...) because of the snow, and that has been SO nice!! :) I have needed the help!! I about had a mental breakdown over the weekend, and Monday...

I was just overwhelmed, the babies wouldn't stop crying & whining, and I was just at my whit's end. He came home Monday night (after the storm had subsided) & said, "You're not going to like this, but I think I'm going in tomorrow night." I just started crying. My intent, honestly, was not to guilt him into staying home, Because "He'll be home tomorrow night, and I'll be able to get a couple of things done." had been my mantra all day (because I knew that he was working every other night but Tuesday). He did say that he could stay home, but I said, "No, go in, it's OK."

Then Tuesday came, and he went to work (reg. work, not HRB) & came home because the weather was getting so bad.

So, I'm sorry it's been inconvenient for all of you, and I know it has been, but it has been a breather for me. Winter is always harder because we're cooped up inside so much more. And, with the 2 of them, it's harder for me to even THINK about leaving the house unless absolutely necessary.

Maybe that makes me look like a wimp, but I don't care. I'm just feeling overwhelmed, so that makes a wimp out of me! LOL

On a happier note, Monday is Abbey's 5th Birthday!! Can you believe it?!?! It's amazing to me that we're already to this point. It feels like yesterday that we brought her home from the hospital.

Okay, I'd better go...the natives might be getting restless again...

Love you all!! :)

2009-01-24T23:36:00.003-05:00

Not much going on here...

We're just waiting on the warmer weather...I only left the house a few times this week...Am feeling a little (read: LOT) cabin fever...

Eli has an ear infection & never cried like Abbey did when she had one. I only had a hunch because he wasn't exactly acting like himself, and was being a little cranky pants :). But, he wasn't constantly screaming his head off like Abbey did!! :)

That same day I took him to the dr. (Wednesday) we went to Meijer...I went alone with the kids & my Pointsfinder, and wanted to sell my kids when I was done!! LOL Abbey was a major PILL & wasn't listening or staying with me for anything. Needless to say, she went to bed extra early that night!

She's been pretty good since then, though, and is trying to earn a sleepover at Mammy's. Every day she has the chance to earn a letter to spell "Mammy" & when she does, she gets a sleepover (when Mammy's schedule allows it, of course).

I'd better get to bed. I'm helping Mr. Ed in his Sunday School class tomorrow...the kids are going to alter composition notebooks as their Purpose Driven Life journals, and I said I'd help with that :). It should be a lot of fun, because these kids are a lot of fun!! :)

Love you all, and am praying!! :)

Heaven...

2009-01-17T11:03:00.003-05:00

I'm so excited!! Today I'm going to my favorite scrapbook store & am going to create as much as I can in 10 hours!! :) I also plan on re-organizing some things...I read a great article in my favorite scrapbooking magazine (Simple Scrapbooks) that got down to how you work is how you should organize...So, I feel like I have a better understanding of what will work for me...The hard part will be not spending so much on new containers!! LOL

I'm a visual person. I don't usually start my project with the photo (I know, sounds weird). Of course, technically, it starts with a photo! But, when I sit down to create, I don't reach for photos first, I reach for paper, colors, etc... So, seeing my colors, sorting my things by color instead of theme will work for me, I think. And, if not, I can always change it later.

So, I'm in heaven...I have a project halfway done, and I'd like to start a similar one to get finished by Abbey's Birthday (an "all about me" book like I made for Gracie).

That will be a timely gift this year.

I stuck to my guns yesterday, and we did not watch ANY TV until she was done in her room. I had decided to leave her alone in her room because I had been in there for about half an hour & she just wasn't cooperating, and I was beginning to just do it...and getting mad. So, after the last time of me directing her in what to do next, and she twirling around like she was alone, I said, "OK, Abbey, I've got to leave & you can do this yourself."

So, I left.

It worked! Well, sort of. I got cooled down, she still didn't get to watch TV, then I finally she asked me to come see her room...Nothing was really different, but I was, so I stayed & watched her clean up.

I hate to yell. So, I've decided not to do that. Dr. Lehman says to "1. Say it once. 2. Turn your back. 3. Walk away." The idea is to get your child thinking on their own, problem solving on their own. And as the parent, waiting for the teachable moment. As he says, they're not exactly teachable during a tantrum.

Months after reading his book (Have a New Kid By Friday), we still waffle back & forth between doing that & back to our old habits. Simple strategy, difficult to execute.

Anyways, after all the drama (and I guess that just comes with her being a girl :)), she came up to me later (while Eli was napping) and says, "Mommy, sometimes when I'm cleaning in my room & you're out here [living room] with Eli, I think you love him more than me."

Talk about melting my heart. I just about sobbed!! I have a lot in common with Abbey May. We are both 1st borns, so I understand that feeling. And, I've worked hard, or so I thought, at trying to balance all that comes with a new sibling.

So, as you can see, an "All About Me" book for her birthday is very appropriate this year, even more than it would have been last year.

Off to Scrappy Land!! :)

2009-01-15T19:56:00.002-05:00

Hmmm, I don't know why you had that problem with the other blog, Missy...

Ok, so today was a pretty good day!! :) I feel like all I've done are dishes, but other than that...

We're having issues with Abbey right now. But, I'm trying to not yell & let her learn through consequences...NOT EASY!!

She wanted to watch "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" that she & Steve borrowed from the library the other night, but I told her that she needed to pick up her toys in her room before she watched ANY tv tonight, and definately before she watched a movie.

SO, no popcorn, no movie, and she's still not cleaning her room. She doesn't know it, yet, but she doesn't get to watch TV tomorrow until her toys are picked up.

I don't want anyone to misunderstand me...I'm not expecting perfection from my almost-5-year-old, but a big helping of effort would be wonderful.

She did pick up some, but not all...::sigh::

Eli's sleep-deprived. He's so exhausted during the day, no wonder why he sleeps all night...Not that I'm complaining. It's just frustrating when he's grumpy because he's not letting himself nap.

He's a sweet boy, though :), no matter how grumpy!! :)

I'd better go. I want to hear President Bush's last address to the nation.

Love you all!! :)

2009-01-14T21:06:00.002-05:00

Happy Wednesday!! :)

Well, I've started a 2nd blog...NOT a "new" blog, but one to co-exist with this one. It's called "The Mommy Princess on a Diet." I'll be blogging all about my weight loss journey with Weight Watchers, sharing recipes as I come across them, and just being a little more focused on one topic over there. There's a link for it in my sidebar if you'd like a gander. No big deal, just something for me to ramble & share on over there.

Not much more going on with us, because of the sNoW!! :) Yes, the 'white death' is here. How can something so beautiful & fluffy looking cause so much havoc?!?! LOL It really was beautiful to watch coming down today...and it never really stopped all day. They were big fluffy flakes, it looked like a movie set had done it!!

Oh, I started the new blog because I started back to WW's last night. Missy, you would remember the leader at my meeting as the first leader we had in Fairborn with the southern accent who had to leave because she was overloaded. Well, she's still a leader!! :) And she's in Huber!! :) So, not only is she the closest to me, I know her & really like her!! :)

Anyways, it was a good day, I was trying to "get rid" of 5pts. tonight & that has never happened to me before, first day or not!! LOL :) So, I'm taking that as a good sign!! :) Next week's booklet is about exercise, I think, so I'm going to only have the goal of sticking to my points this week & next week will start incorporating the exercise.

Aren't you glad I got another blog for that stuff? LOL Wouldn't you hate to hear all about that when you could care less? LOL

Love you all...Have a great snowed-in weekend!! :)

A Pictoral Post...

2009-01-11T22:59:00.004-05:00

Here's a little look into our Christmas & New Year's...and maybe a few of Isaac's "bathtizing" today :) (that's what Abbey called it)...

And, Missy, I will email you more...Unfortunately, all the ones I took of them in the baptistry were blurry for some reason...

Okay...Love you all!! Good night!! :)

2009-01-07T22:45:00.002-05:00

How do you keep a 4 year old from dragging your 7.5 mo old all over the living room, repeatedly, after being told not to touch him?

Abbey May was definitely a Diva today, and proud of it.

Everything I said today was met with a "No. I don't want to." She quickly changed her attitude when she got the Mommy Glare, but still...

Awesome.

So, my lesson for the day is that maybe I went a little too soft over Christmas holidays...

In other news, we watched Kung Fu Panda last night (and again today). VERY CUTE MOVIE :) I wasn't disappointed!! :) I wouldn't mind having that one.

Now, because I feel "The Crud" coming on, I'm gonna watch my babies fall asleep, then drink up some NyQuil & head into a restful sleep. I knew I should've still been taking my EmergenC...That stuff's pretty awesome, too!! :)

2009-01-05T14:44:00.002-05:00

I can't believe it...they're all 3 asleep! I'm watching Katie today for Chelle & my 2 are asleep (Eli was a hard one today), and both girls are asleep in the living room on the couches...So here I am, in my bedroom, with QVC on & blogging on the brain...

I was actually folding laundry in the living room when both girls went out. I was standing there thinking about how much laundry I do, and it seems as if I'm never caught up...

I realize I've lamented quite a few times about laundry, and it is true that it's a constant chore that never gets checked off as "done."

But as I was standing there folding towels, watching the girls drift off into Sleepy Town, it hit me what a blessing the laundry is. It is a visible sign of life. The life we lead. All those tiny socks, sleepers, princess nightgowns, matching Children's Place sweaters, bed sheets, and, yes, even the dreaded towels, are all evidence of where my life is right now, and how blessed I am.

Those aren't just articles of clothing. They're bedtimes and bathtimes, playtimes full of giggles & smiles, tickles & piggies. OK, and sometimes an, "I thought I told you to put that in your hamper!!"

So, I will try to keep thinking about that when I walk into Eli's room & try not to heave a big sigh at the sight of his overflowing laundry hamper.

I am, beyond a doubt, absolutely blessed.

2009-01-04T20:34:00.002-05:00

Wow, I didn't really mean for that last post to be my last until Christmas & New Year's!! What a busy season!! Our computer's S L O W, too, so it's easy to resist the temptation to blog...

Hmmm, what to talk about? There is too much to catch up on, really, so I'll give you the highlights!! LOL :)

Christmas was GREAT!! :) We had such a fun season this year!! Abbey sang her first solo at our Christmas program at church & did such a great job!! I was so proud of her & my whole family cried while she sang!! Super sweet!!

Eli had a wonderful first Christmas. I'll tell you what, that boy is the best baby I've ever known. He doesn't make much of a fuss unless he's hungry or beyond needing a diaper change, ya know? And, he's always got a smile for you. I love that baby boy!! :)

Christmas Eve was fun, as usual!! :) We got together with the Powell side of the family & this year, we went caroling to some of Mom & Dad's neighbor's houses, and that was a lot of fun!! It got some of the kids' wiggles out, too, so they were ready to sit & sing some more, but of course, we opened presents right after we sang Silent Night!! :) I love the chaos that is Christmas Eve. It's a good chaos...

Christmas Day was easy-going :) We had our little family Christmas (Abbey asked for a "microphone on a stand" from Santa, and Eli got a busy ball popper), and we got ready to go to Mom & Dad's a little earlier this year because we knew we weren't going to stay as late as we have in the past because Dad had surgery the Friday after Christmas Day (on his shoulder...more on that later). We had a great time, and played a game of Scrabble, which I lost miserably. The kids were great all day & Katie LOVED the Princess dress-up dress I got her... She had to immediately put it on & wore it about all day :). When she put it on, her whole countenance changed. That girl, she IS a "Pin-pess."

So, Dad's surgery. I don't know if I shared with all of you or not, but on Thanksgiving Dad tore his shoulder up pretty badly. He had a torn rotator cuff & other torn muscles, come to find out, all from a fall he took in the garage on Thanksgiving day while playing with Abbey & Katie. So, he hasn't had as much fun the last month 1/2 or so as you might think, and I know that kills him. Christmas is his favorite!

Drugged up on percoset & motrin, and he's STILL in pain...I think it's gradually getting better, though...

New Year's we spent at Scott & Missy's!! :) Thank you, Cousin, for having us all over again!! :) We had lots of fun, the kids all got along well (for the most part) & we played a few games that I'd never played, but were a lot of fun!! I hadn't really been sleeping well the few nights prior to that, because Eli was waking up with a cough, so I didn't make it as late as I might've otherwise, but it was good to see & play games & just spend time with family again. Everyone's lives are so busy & full it's hard to make time like that all the time, so it was great getting together with everyone again.

So, now it's 2009, I've got a new background on my blog, and the Christmas tree is starting to make me feel claustrophobic in my living room. That's coming down this week sometime. Also, the trees at church are coming down before next Sunday, too :). I'm still listening to my Christmas music, though! That's always the hardest part of the holidays for me, to start integrating "rest-of-the-year" music after Christmas. I LOVE Christmas music, and literally listen to it all year round.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, Everyone!! :) Love you, and I'm praying blessings to fill your 2009!! :)

2008-12-02T11:16:00.001-05:00

I just had to share this...HILLARIOUS!!!

2008-11-13T23:10:00.002-05:00

Can you believe there was internet traffic at the library today? So, I had to post here from home!! LOL :)

We've got a busy weekend around here...again... Last weekend was spent mostly at church singing for me, running the sound booth for Steve (he had to be there more often than I did because he had to run sound for all the other praise teams there from other churches...no, it wasn't PraiseFest...we hosted a little conference)...

And, this weekend will also be spent mainly at church. This weekend is the church's annual craft bazaar, and I will (hopefully) be there personalizing ornaments again this year. I still need to get to Hobby Lobby & get my ornaments, but I normally paint them all there that weekend. I won't be there as long each day this year, but I'll still be there a good chunk of time collectively :)

I feel like I haven't had any time to breathe this week. We've been so on the move, at least that's what it's felt like. I guess we didn't go anywhere Tues. or Wed., but it sure has felt like a pretty busy week. I feel as if I'm constantly in motion all the time...

And then Sara comes to mind, and I think to myself, "Stop whining!!" Praying for you, Sara...

So, seeing as I'm rambling on & on about nothing (that tends to happen the later in the evening I get here), I will say goodnight, Happy Thanksgiving & Merry Christmas!! :) (Yes, you read correctly!! LOL)

2008-11-06T13:27:00.003-05:00

Again, at the library...

Ahhh, let me tell you how nice it is to sit down today. You'd think that having to be here at the library at 1p.m. would be easier than in the morning...but that is NOT how it usually is...

Especially not this morning!!

Abbey woke up at 6:30a.m. this morning (her usual is 8:30/9a.m., just so you have an idea of HOW early this was for us...) Anyways, the House Fairy came to visit, and after she saw that, forget going back to sleep!! Then, about 6:45a.m. Eli woke up, too, so they were both up before dawn this morning. WooHoo...

They are my little blessings, though, and I am so thankful for them. I couldn't stay aggrivated at them this morning, they were both being so adorable & loving.

Abbey has been acting like a different kiddo the last couple of days... In a good way! LOL

Let me recap our Halloween week...

She was a monster! As I was telling Mom & Chelle & Jodi & Missy, it was just a series of behaviour & it was getting worse, so we had to do something drastic. One of her misdemeanors was that she was hiding crayons, markers, & pens in her room & writing on the walls, armoir & CARPET (how you write on carpet with a crayon, I'll never figure out!). So, after that, AND after her lying & sneaking & some major disobedience, Trick-or-Treat was taken away from her. AND, she didn't even get to hand out candy, because of how she behaved on the day of TorT. So, while I answered the door to cute ToTers, she was in her room with a magic eraser cleaning off her walls, armoir & carpet.

I cannot tell you how badly I felt. I think it really was harder for me than for her, and now I understand why my Dad would tell me that before he spanked me!! LOL You know, the whole, "This is harder for me than it is for you..." speach. Anyways, I did dress Eli up as Charlie Brown!! STINKIN CUTE!! :) I'll post a picture. Oh, and Abbey DID get to dress up in her princess costume on the Monday before ToT, because they let them do that for their dance class. So, she wasn't totally out of the fun!! LOL :) Oh, and I took Eli to my Mom's for TorT, because I wanted to see Katie (she was Minnie Mouse...CUTE!!), and I wanted them to see "Chuck." I left there with a Santa's Toy Bag sized trashbag full of candy & other goodies... So, she really didn't miss a whole lot, just the "experience" of TorT...

That was the saga of Halloween this year...

But she has behaved MUCH better since, so thank goodness it was worth it!! :)

For example, yesterday morning I told her that after {fill in TV show} that it was time to turn off the TV for a while. Well, I got busy, and checked my email for a few minutes, then heard the TV go off, and Abbey walked into my bedroom. I was in disbelief!! I told her I was so proud of her!! And I was!! You maybe don't know what a big step that was for us!! To not have to re-ask her to do something...Amazing...

But that's not all...A little after lunch she asked me, "Mommy, is it nap time?" I said, "Yes, why don't you go ahead & go potty, then go lay down..." And, oh my goodness, she DID IT... She laid right down on her bed (after she put her imaginary friend Ladu down in the floor, of course), and went to sleep without a fight!! I'm telling you, I was beyond flabergasted...

SO, today's been good, too... Actually, it's been a good week so far...

Okay, I'd better go. I'm gonna look for a few more Thanksgiving books before we leave...

Ya know, I just counted up all my blog entrees this year...I've blogged less than 30 times this year!! Wow, that is sad!! LOL :) Or, a good thing?

2008-10-23T13:13:00.002-04:00

So, this is a first. I've never blogged at the library before!! LOL

I'm here, waiting on my daughter while she's in Leapfrogs, a free story/craft time here at the library. We came last week & she LOVED it, so here we are, back for more. I think this is a great thing to incorporate into our weekly schedule.

ANYWAYS, not much really going on here... HAHAHAHAHA

Yeah, right :)

Steve's still recuperating from his carpal tunnel surgery, and gets very frustrated since he can't really lift baby boy (I have to place him in his left arm if he needs/wants to hold him), and he definately can't clean out the garage right now. Which is a bummer because I just realized that I have a couple of tubs out there with my warm/winter clothes in them... **sigh**

Abbey's taking dance classes & is loving that, too. She's such a sneak, though. I've caught her in her room this week with a MARKER writing on her walls, her Princess table & her little princess vanity table, AND, she smuggled in some of my acrylic paint (BROWN) & was doing heaven knows what with it... She got into some major trouble this week...

ANYWAYS, she has been funny, too. Here's part of the conversation we had after that awful day...there were other issues this day, too, if memory serves...

Mommy: "Abbey, you are 4 years old, and you are more than able to put your own clothes away in your drawers after Mommy folds them."
Abbey: "You mean, like Cinderella?"

Part of me wanted to laugh out loud & part of me wanted to wring her little neck!! LOL (Just a figure of speech for the casual passer-by). So, Steve & I went on to tell her the difference between how Cinderella was treated & how SHE was acting...She didn't like being referred to as an ugly step-sister.

Eli's been doing great!! He's in that stage where he doesn't really know what to do with himself, yet. We REALLY need an exersaucer. We lent/gave ours to Matt & Chelle & they had a flood this past spring, & that was in the basement, so it was lost. It was a freebie to us, anyway. I think we'll look at Once Upon a Child for one. I think that will help him occupy himself & see what's going on & satisfy that wanting to see Mama thing :)

I'm going to the EWomen's conference this weekend with some ladies from my church. We're doing that instead of a traditional fall retreat (traditional for us, anyway). I'm really looking forward to the speakers!! Lisa Whelchel will be there, Chonda Pierce, Thelma Wells, Mark Shultz, and a few others...I'm SO looking forward to it!! :) We're staying in a hotel & eating out...Just like a girl's night!! :)

Okay, I'd better go... I don't want to spend all this free time online :)

Love ya!! :)

2008-10-11T10:30:00.003-04:00

Happy Saturday!! :)

I thought this was cute :)

Not much going on...my husband, who just had hand surgery this past Wednesday, went on a men's campout retreat yesterday...

MEN!!

I think it's silly, but whatever :) I know he'll have a good time (if he doesn't hurt his arm/wrist/hand) being with the fellas, but seriously...

Anyways, I'll talk to ya'll later!! :)

LOVE this new website...

2008-10-09T23:21:00.003-04:00

If you're reading my blog, then you see what a neat-o look I've got going on!! I can't take credit for designing it, but you can follow the link & get your own!! I had to fiddle with the template some to get the background colors off & stuff, but it wasn't too hard...

Anyways!! LOL I'm such a techno geek!!

I don't think I shared with you all, Abbey started taking dance classes!! This past Monday was her 3rd class, and she loves it...Unfortunately, though, we might have to start using that as "currency" because new sibling rivalry has started in, we think...It's been a rough couple of weeks...

In other news, Night in Bethlehem is off...again... After reading all the materials & getting the message "this is a great way to show new people how much you have going in your children's ministry" it just didn't settle right with me. I don't get into it too much here, but our church is in trouble...financial, low attendance, big mortgage, you name it, we're going through it!! We've had a need for Sunday School teachers ever since we started going there, and there still hasn't been anyone to step up to take over my old class & I've been gone since Easter... So, after praying about it (A LOT) & going to my 2 sisters who are also Elders, we made the very hard decision to cancel/post-pone this until further notice. I didn't want to have a Children's Ministry Wonderland set up only for people to find out that it's not... It's pretty depressing, actually...

I have decided, on the other hand, to start bi-monthly "Family Day" programs. These will, hopefully, give us a starting point to get everyone excited about welcoming families & children into our church, and DO something!! :) Not very expensive to put together (Always a plus), Not too involved teaching-wise, but still informative & encourages family togetherness. Now, don't misunderstand me, I love VBS!! I really do!! And, Awana is pretty awesome, too!! But there isn't a whole lot out there for whole families to come together & do things together as a family. This would discourage "drop 'em off, pick 'em up" & hopefully not be a turn-off because of that...Again, not that there's anything wrong with that, I've just felt that, my church in particular, has a bad habit of departmentalizing families instead of bringing them all together every once in a while...

Am I being boring so far? LOL

Steve had carpal tunnel surgery on his right hand yesterday. He's doing very well with his vicadin!! LOL He took off today, gets a new bandage put on it tomorrow, but he's been doing very well. Soon, he'll probably have to schedule to have the other one done, but since it's not as bad as his right one, they'll wait a while for it...

I'd better go. I need to get to bed at a decent hour tonight. Steve has it in his head that he's going on the Men's Camping Retreat this weekend, not having the use of his right hand, and I think he's crazy...but we'll see...The dr. or whoever that sees him tomorrow will be able to tell him yay or nay...

Love you all & prayers for Missy & Jodi's family...

Vacation, The FlyLady, and The House Fairy...

2008-09-23T23:06:00.002-04:00

Wow, I can't believe I haven't posted on here in so long!! Vacation was almost a month ago, now, and I haven't been on here much at all!! Facebook is quite addicting, and I have a few things to share with you...

First off, Jodi already shared with you about the "towel" incident at the hotel...That lady...ARGH!! My Dad was ready to pick up & leave that night, and I did in my principles, but we had basically moved in...we had a pack n' play, 4,000 suitcases, a cooler & our snackies...practicality won out over principles...But my Dad was HOT about it, and even spoke with the officers that night while they were there, and also, while they were there, he walked up to the counter & asked (in front of the police, mind you) for some towels...and got them!! I don't think this was lost on the officers. Dad said all they told him was, "Hey, we're just the messengers..." I don't think they really believed her, either...

Anyways, we had fun...Reunion was great, although my very easy-going baby boy got very overheated right after dinnertime & was basically DONE being outside...He was crying inconsolabely, and we just had to go back to town...Abbey & Steve went to the pool, and I gotta tell you, I wasn't hating that air conditioning!! LOL Eli was a different baby after a good nap & laying down in a cool room :) We headed back out around 5/6ish & he was good the rest of the time :) Abbey LOVED digging in the dirt with all her cousins!! I think she dug in the dirt more than anything else, actually...

Vacation was SOOOO nice!! :) We had a great time, except for wanting to beat the tar out of Abbey!! (don't call child services, we did not actually beat our child!! Actually, we probably went too easy on her during vacation, because, God love her, she was a spoiled little Diva that week...There's something to be said for nap times & low blood sugar levels...). Anyways, Monday night we ate at Calhoun's (which was pretty good) & settled into the condo, then went for a night drive in Gatlinburg...it's so pretty & vacationy looking at nighttime :) We always remember Dad telling us a story of when he & his family took a rare vacation down there once after a reunion. You have to drive through part of the National Park between Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg & it's so neat...well, Dad's always told us that when he was little, he always wanted to stay in that little hotel/motel right as you enter Gatlinburg because when he was little he always thought it was so neat to come straight out of a forest & then POW!! there's a neato swimming pool!! I'm sure that when he was little, it was a pretty neato hotel, but I'd be afraid to guess at what's inside that place now!! LOL :)

Then, we went to Krispie Kremes...

Tuesday was a little bit of shopping...We did eat at a new (to me) breakfast place called Flapjack's...Pretty yummy :) We hit Lil' Dolly's, then dropped the girls off to Dad & Steve (who went golfing) to swim, then we took Baby Boy shopping...I have to say, Eli was the best behaved child we had along with us!! LOL :)

That night we ate at Huck Finn's fish place...YUMO!! We also took Katie & Abbey to this little tykes amusement park thingy...SO cute!! You can really start to see Abbey & Katie's different personalities...Abbey was afraid to go on much more than the train, the merry-go-round, and the swings, and Katie would've done every ride there if we had enough tickets!! LOL Just neat to watch them, ya know? :)

Then, we went to Krispie Kremes...

Wednesday, we all went to The Pancake Pantry for breakfast (YYYUUUMMMMOOOOO!!!), then met up with Jodi & the rest (LOL) @ The Aquarium...But she told you about that already!! :)

After that, Steve kept Eli, and Dad took the girls to the pool, and me, Mom & Chelle got to actually shop by ourselves for a while!! :) It was heavenly!! LOL We met up with them at the Applebarn for dinner (AGAIN, YYYYUUUMMMMMOOOOOO!!)...Here's something a little funny...We wanted to shop at the Applebarn before the gift shop closed, and then head to the farmhouse to eat...Well, to get to the Christmas store there, it's easier to walk through their Winery...And this lady at their wine-tasting bar stopped me (I really tried to walk fast & not make eye contact, but I wasn't about to be rude!! LOL) I told her I didn't really like wine...She says, "Oh, yes you do!" LOL That was a new one!! LOL I told her I was more of a frozen daqari kind of girl, and she says, "Then, you like wine!!" She got this frozen daqari mix they had & they mix it with their Apple Strawberry wine, and boy, it's yummy!! I almost bought me some!! She said, "See? I told you you like wine!!" LOL So, I kept walking & caught up with Mom & Chelle at the Christmas store...we browsed there a bit, then walked back through the winery & this guy stops us (the lady who had previously served us wasn't there anymore). So, we all 3 tasted enough wine to relax us a bit...he was very generous, and we tasted, like, 6 wines!! Chelle did buy her mil a bottle for Christmas, and if I had it to do over again, I would've bought a bottle & that daquari mix...It was delish!! :) We were laughing at ourselves because we are obviously not big drinkers, and I think the guy knew that...Actually, I think anyone who glanced our way would've known that!! LOL :)

We ate a very nice dinner, went to THE Incredible Christmas Store & got our ornaments that we get every year...Abbey & Katie loved that store!! :) I LOVE that store!! :)

Then, we went to Krispie Kremes...

We came home Thursday, just like Jodi & Jimmie, and have decided that next year we're going to try & stay through Friday or Saturday because we're tired of just hitting the highlights & not being able to do those "what we'd like to try sometime" things, ya know?

Anyways...we've been home for a few weeks now, and I just put away our last suitcase today!! LOL I've been getting back in touch with the FlyLady...and she introduced me to The House Fairy (www.housefairy.org). Abbey was pretty impressed with her!! :) So, we're having her start to visit our house...

I'm sure I've left LOTS out, but then you would be unbelievably bored instead of just bored!! LOL :) I'm sure this is a long post, but I had a lot to catch you up on!! LOL :) I'll have to share more about church, & other stuff like that next time, I guess...

Love you all, and am thinking about you!! :)

2008-08-15T23:30:00.003-04:00

I just got word yesterday evening that my friend (I might've mentioned her earlier) is miscarrying a surprise & very wanted baby...My heart aches for her.

That, and reading Jodi's blog, brought this song to mind, and heart.

Like I commented on her blog, it's funny what God uses to touch, heal, speak, love, move us. When I first heard this song, I was at a pretty dark place after our 1st miscarriage...I was mad at God. He's bigger!! And, He's compassionate... He is just awesome...Anyways, I hope this song blesses you like it did me, and if you're not at that place to hear & let the message wash over you, that's okay, I'm not posting it to be "holier than thou" or insensitive to wherever you are...It was just laid on my heart to share...

When Steve & I started attending COTC (that's our church) we took a "Finding Your Spiritual Gifts" small group study...and I learned a lot!! Great study!! I'll have to find the "official" name of it to pass on to you all...ANYWAYS, through that study, I "found out" that one of my top 3 strongest gifts is faith...And I have to tell you, that's no lie!! Through everything I've experienced, the good, the bad & the ugly, I've never doubted that God is who He says He is, and that Jesus is always there for me, that He loves me... Not that I've always understood the depth of His love & grace (I don't think anyone can really comprehend that this side of heaven), but I've never doubted Him...

But sometimes knowing who God is, and that He is who He says He is can be confusing in the midst of heartache & despair...Because knowing He is and was and is to come, has the power of life everlasting, and knowing that He loves us so much, it just doesn't jive with the heartache & despair...I forget that He isn't heartache & despair, but the enemy is...Sometimes I mix up who to blame, who is really responsible for the heartache. I don't understand why God lets him, but I know heartache isn't of God...I know He grieves with us...He cries with us...He ministers to us any way He can (and that's a lot!! Thank you, Holy Spirit, for working through an animated movie about Joseph!!).

I've still got a TON to learn, a ton to work through here, and like my Dad says, the more I read the Bible, the more I realize I don't know diddley squat!! LOL :) But take this little grain of rice (actually smaller than that) that I do know, in the Spirit in which it was meant...Just to love ya, girlies!! :)

Christmas in July, a funeral, Pennsylvania & REUNION/Vacation

2008-08-10T19:31:00.002-04:00

That is what has been, and what is to come!! :) First of all, July was fun!! We actually "celebrate" Christmas in July, and this year Abbey invited her friends Mackenzie & Maguire, & her cousin Katie. Well, okay, so we Mommy's wanted to get together to "celebrate," too :) We had a GREAT time!! :) I pulled my little Christmas tree that I keep up all year round by my front door & put some ornaments that I bought last year for Abbey's room tree on it. I baked Christmas cookies (sugar cookie snowmen & hearts), made special sandwiches (YUMMO!! cream cheese, sliced strawberries, & strawberry preserves...DELISH!!) Anyways, I also made hotdogs in crescent rolls. We played Christmas music, had Christmas movies on for the kiddos, but they mostly played outside & in Abbey's room, and we Mommy's mostly talked about this & that...It was really nice!! :)

Then, the following Monday we had a family funeral. Maybe some of you locals have heard the 2 brothers shot in Trotwood... Those brothers are my, Jodi & Missy's cousins... I never really knew Jimmie (the one who was shot & died) that well, or at all, really, but Tommy (was wounded...shot in the chest & "just" nicked his lung...he's since been released & is healing). This whole situation is weird & I'm not even sure if I could repeat the story without confusing all the details...Anyways, VERY VERY sad...What struck me, though, while at the funeral was how many people don't know Jesus...The preacher did an excellent job, I thought. They also played the song, "Cry out to Jesus" by Third Day & I thought that was an awesome pick, whoever picked it...That's all the preaching some people hear, and to hear the truth in a loving, caring way was a breath of fresh air. Anyways, as I was standing there during the service I just prayed & prayed that hearts would be receptive to Jesus...I just felt this urgency to pray that, so I went with it...

After that, it was nice spending time with some of my family at Lone Star Steakhouse!! :) Jodi & Jimmie were having lunch on their way back to KY, so a few of us joined them...It was nice to be with everyone, since, like Jodi says, we don't really do that very much anymore, and I miss my family, sometimes...But, reunion's coming!!!!

Before Reunion, though, we're heading to PA. We thought Steve's parent's feelings might be hurt if we went on vacation (after Reunion we're going to the Smokies!! :)) before we brought Eli to their place, so the last weekend in August was the only weekend that worked...We're going up on Friday, back on Sunday... Then, I'll have a week to do our laundry, then re-pack everything, then some, and we're off to Somerset, KY on Saturday. We like to get there a little early on Saturday so Abbey can swim some before we head out to the shelter (where the pre-reunion is on Saturday nights before THE Reunion on Sunday). We were going to leave Sunday and head down to the Smokies, but the price of the room on Sunday night compared to the rest of the week was OUTRAGEOUS!! Sickeningly so, actually. So, we're going to stay the night in Somerset again on Sunday night, as usual, then leave for the Smokies early on Monday.

We're staying at the same condo place that we stayed last year...it's SUPER nice...Steve's coming this year, too, but Matt's not...Matt's mom & dad aren't coming this year, either...WOOHOO!! Bless their hearts... It's just more stressful, more work, more awkward when they come...So, we're looking forward to vacation!! :)

Our VBS was last week...and I wasn't in charge!! I missed it a little bit, but it was nice to not have to answer any questions!! LOL :) Although, the first night, everybody came up to me like I was in charge & asking questions!! LOL I thought that was pretty funny...I kept saying, "I seriously don't know...All I'm doing this year is the painting!!" LOL Abbey loved it...They did Power Lab & it was very cute...

Anyways...that's it for me right now...Eli's crying...he's fighting sleep already...I hate when babies do that!! It's hard on their Mommy's!! :)

Love you all!! :)

WowieKazowie!!!!

2008-07-24T22:18:00.003-04:00

It's really been a LOOOOONG time since I've posted, huh? I feel like it, anyway... Those first weeks after Eli was born seem so long ago already...Time sure doesn't stand still, does it?

We've kept pretty busy so far this summer...I knew that with a newborn, we wouldn't be able to do as much as I would've liked to do this summer, but we pretty much did nothing last summer, so I feel like we should attempt more this year. We've been to the pool once...I wanted to go more, but I can't always count on Mom to be able to watch Eli, but Abbey LOVED Kett. Rec!! I did, too, for that matter!! We want to go to Splash! Moraine before summer's out, too. I'd love to go back to Kett. Rec, again, too, maybe one day my Aunt has Missy's kiddos there...

Anyways, I'll do a Missy-style recap!! :)

Steve~ has been doing pretty good!! He's taken his last finals this week & is done with school until October!! WOOHOO!! And, he's only taking one class that semester, and then he's DONE!! I'm thinking of having a Graduation-type party for him, maybe at Marion's or something, to celebrate. I don't think he had one when he graduated from business school, and I want to do something to let him know without a doubt that I'm proud of him!! He's pretty busy, still, with his church commtiments. The difference in our church committments is that his involves a lot more meetings...mine will, eventually, but not as often as his are. He said he's thinking about not being Church Clerk next year, but he's only mentioned that once, so we'll see. He's on the Stewardship Committee, too, and I know that makes him frustrated, for more reasons than I can barely grasp, really, let alone share with you all!! LOL To put it as simply as I can, it's not just financial stuff that's frustrating him, but the lack of organization & lack of protocol that has him fired up...Actually, our church could really use your prayers in this...Sometimes that kind of stuff can feel like such a huge problem, and it's not just a problem with Stewardship, it's in every ministry...it doesn't feel like we're working together, it feels like we're working separately...Maybe that doesn't make sense to you, but just keep us in your prayers that we, as a church, would work as a team, instead of individuals... ANYWAYS, I'm very proud of him for being so involved & caring so much about where our church is going, what we need to leave behind, etc...

Abbey~ She's "graduated" from "Princess" to "Diva"!! LOL Ever since her very first sleepover at Missy's house, she's been into Hannah Montana!! LOL We don't really watch the show much, although I was flipping one night & stopped on it because Dolly Parton was on it!! LOL :) It was a cute episode... Anyways, I digress... She's SO into glitter & lip gloss!! She's also into her sandbox!! That's been her favorite thing to play in this summer!! One day I had Katie while Mom & Dad were on vacation, so we filled up her kiddie pool & had the lid to the sandbox open, and in 30 minutes I was wondering which was the sandbox, and which was the pool!! GROSS!! But, they had fun, and took REALLY good naps that day!! LOL She had some kind of viral something a couple of weeks ago, and that turned into an ear infection...She was put on antibiotics & is fine, now...We've actually been celebrating Christmas in July this week!! :) Not really doing much of anything, but we've listened to Anne Murray, and were supposed to have some friends over tomorrow for a party of sorts, but that's been rescheduled til next week...as a consolation prize, she got to spend the night @ Mammy's house tonight!! LOL I bought her a cute little cheerleader outfit @ Target (it was clearenced!! WOOHOO!!) as a little "CIJ" gift, and will give it to her tomorrow...I was starting to think I was really doing this for me until she asked me today, "Mommy, is tomorrow Christmas in July?!?!" When I said yes, she said, "YAAAAYYYYYY!!!" So, she's excited about it, and it's fun...it's our little thing :)

Eli~ What a sweet baby!! He's a WONDERFUL nighttime sleeper!! I couldn't have asked for a better night sleeper!! After that first dr.'s visit we haven't woken him up for one feeding, and he's steadily slept longer & longer!! :) He averages between 6-8 hrs. a night!! Again I say WOOHOO!! :) During the day is a little different, although he's getting a little better about that... He's a cat-napper during the day, which means I don't really get any housework done until late at night when they're both in bed...but that's okay, because once my head hits the pillow, I am OUT!! :) He's also smiling & cooing!! A lot!! He's just stinkin' adorable!! :) Mom was feeding him today at the mall & I looked over at him while she was burping him & just about burst with love!! He was looking right at me, and he was just stinkin' adorable!! :) He visited Dr. Matt on Monday, and weighed in at 12.2lbs!! I didn't get how long he was, but I'm sure he's a whopper!! LOL :) He's growing so fast!!

Me~ I guess I've kinda filled you in on me as we went, huh? LOL I didn't mention, though, that I'm planning an "event" for Christmas this year @ church. I think I mentioned it last year some, but we're actually doing it this year, "A Night in Bethlehem." It's an awesome community outreach, and that's where our church's focus has been shifting lately...Let me tell you, we've been VERY tempted to start going to the Vineyard in Kettering with Mom, Dad & Chelle, but we know that that's what we want, not where God's leading us right now. I think that would be the easy way out, not necessarily what's right, ya know? ANYWAYS, I've decided to stop complaining about procedure because I can't control what others do, only what I do. And if I want things to change (and they HAVE to change, or else we will leave, I can tell you that much), then it has to start with me, and that means no more griping (to myself or anyone else) about how bad things are, and start making decisions about the way things should be...**officially off my soap box** :) Actually, that statement up there came from my Dad...He was my Sunday School teacher for most of my teen years & those kinds of things just stick, ya know? :)

Alright, I'd better go...Thinking of you Sara & Kelley!! :) Has Sara had Baby Boy, yet?!?! I saw her last post about it, but didn't know when "Baby Day" was, officially...

Okay, love you all!! And, hope you all have a great weekend!! :)

ER, Birthday Party,Girl's Night, and other exciting stories...

2008-06-26T20:45:00.008-04:00

Hello, Strangers!! :) haha :) This is the first chance I've had since my last post to get here & actually post again, but the last time I checked, I'm not the only one!! LOL (meaning my cousins!!) Anyways...

So, THANK YOU all very much for your prayers over my ER incident. I don't know what my Dad told you, Missy, but I didn't have chest pains, but my legs were still SuPeR swollen (and my dr. thought one was more so than the other) and that, along with my 'breathing' problem (I would wake up in the middle of the night & couldn't "catch my breath"...it was always worse in the middle of the night...) Dr. H sent me straight to the ER in Kettering (and now I know it was the Wed. before Brian went there, too...so we kept 'em busy that week!!) That was around 3:30/4ish & we didn't leave there until midnight...

While we were there, I had a ginormous migraine. It was seriously the worst thing I've ever experienced. I had been fighting a bad headache since that Monday (Memorial Day) and the 800mg motrin I was taking was just dulling it, not really getting rid of it...While we were waiting at the ER my meds wore off & I experienced the Migraine from you-know-where...seriously, I don't use that term very often, so you know how bad it was!! So, while they ordered a chest scan to check for possible blood clots, they ordered a head scan, too...

LOOOONG story short, everything came back normal, and they sent me home (Oh, yeah, after they gave me one awesome muscle relaxer for my headache...FINALLY!!) They also gave me lasik (sp?) that removes any *extra* kind of fluid anywhere in your body, so my ankles looked better than they did in 9mos!! They never actually told me why I was breathing funny, if it was wierd congestion, or what I think happened, a hyperventilating situation (anxiety attack...never had one of those before...pretty scary...) ANYWAYS, like I said, I'm fine, and have started feeling better ever since (so the swelling was probably not a good thing, either).

So, fastforward through some short nights, post-partum blue days (it was worse this time than I remember it being with Abbey), and we come to my "surprise" party...it kinda was a surprise...until Friday night before...He started acting really weird about dinner. We were grilling out, actually earlier than normal, and I decided that as a side-dish we use the new pan he got for Father's day & roast some potatoes for dinner with our hamburgers & hot dogs...Well, when the burgers were ready (he forgot the hot dogs, which I didn't think anything of), he hurriedly took the potatoes off the grill & threw them in a serving dish...I asked if he had tried one, he said no (also not weird) & so I tried one...it was still pretty raw...so full of frustration he took them back out on the grill & we just ate the burgers while we waited...Then, he goes out & brings 'em in, I tried one, still pretty raw, Abbey's only eaten 1/2 of her burger & he hasn't eaten any, and he says, "Come on, Abbey, let's go to the store..." I said, Steve, it's only 7p.m., there's time to go to the store later... He says, this store closes at 8p.m. (I'm thinking Hobby Lobby, maybe?) So, they hop right out of there...then I get a call around 10:30p.m. saying that they're almost done at the store, and what are they building by your Mom & Dad's house? DUH!! :) I had pretty much figured out by this time that they weren't just "going to the store" & that there were bigger plans going on here. When Abbey came home (around midnight, btw) she says, "I saw my Mammy!!" Steve said, "Abbey!!" She says, "I didn't say anything!!" LOL I said, "Abbey, do you & Daddy have secrets?" She says, "Nope, a Surprise!!"

I met with my share group that morning, went to the church car wash (I didn't wash cars!! LOL) and then we went home & got ready for *a-hem* Young's Jersey Dairy (which was code for "PARTY") Anyways, we got there, I wasn't expecting it to be where it was!! LOL & had a great time!! That kareoke equipment was AWESOME!! :) I wish I had some at home!! :) It was so much fun!! We took it over to Matt & Chelle's the next night (we got it all weekend!! because he rented it on Friday, but they're closed the whole weekend, so didn't have to return it until Monday) & had a blast!! :) That was lots of fun!! :)

Then, by Tuesday I was ready for a girls' night out!! Chelle, Amy & I saw "Made of Honor" with McDreamy, and it was very good...then we went out for dinner & ice cream at Friendly's...I was just in some MAJOR need of no-kids-allowed time, ya know? I love my kiddos, but I've been going a little crazy, especially on Mondays when Steve doesn't get home until 10:30 or later...Plus, I just hadn't had girl time & was ready for girl talk...they understand how I feel about being a Mom better than Steve!! LOL

Anyways, that's where I'll end it, and if you've read til now, go you!! LOL :) There was lots in there, and of course it's been so long, so I've left LOTS out, so for that, you're welcome!! HAHA!! :)

Love you all!! :) Here's a few pics!! :)

What a difference a week makes...

2008-05-27T20:30:00.003-04:00

Hello!! :) Surprised to see me?!?! LOL :) I was sure I wouldn't be able to blog until this boy was 1 year old!! LOL

So, the new addition to our family {finally} arrived last Monday!! Thank you, Missy, for letting everyone know the details!! You were a great reporter!! :) And, thank you for visiting Eli's website!! :)

I can't believe he's here!! He was a BIG boy & I was pretty uncomfortable there at the end, and after the final push (I'll go more into that...not THAT into that, though hehehe, in a minute), I was talking to Dr. H & said that my sister who had the C-section asked me what it felt like to push a baby out (hehehe) & I told her it was the best feeling of relief EVER!! LOL Dr. H agreed & said she remembers that with her babies & that even the afterbirth (sorry if that's too graphic for you) was even more so...Anyways, amazing what kind of conversations you have with your OBGYN while she's still working on you!! LOL

Anyways, here's how it all went down :) LOL

6:15a.m. Steve & I arrived at the hospital (yes, 15minutes late...what can I say?)

6:30ish Pitocin drip started...WiCkEd stuff, man...

7:00ish Pitocin is definately working...

8:00ish Yeah, where's that epidural?!?! LOL

9:ooish FEELING GOOD!! :) Epidural's in!! :) I'm dialated to 4cm!! (from 2.5 when I came in at 6)

10:00ish Still laboring...The pitocin's working, and the gang's all there...Mom, Dad & Chelle were there after Dad's car was forced into the Krispie Kreme drive-thru...Abbey & The Inlaws arrive shortly after.

11:00ish Still laboring...Dad, FIL, BIL, and Abbey leave the room every time the nurse comes in!! LOL

12:00ish A "Check" tells us we're at 5cm!!

12:15ish Eli's heart rate starts dipping at the end of every contraction & nurse does another check...We jumped from 5cm to 7cm in 15minutes!! YIKES!! There's some information lost in translation between my nurse & Dr. H (apparently there was a language barrier), and pitocin is stopped for a bit to let baby destress...

1:00ish Dr. H comes in & is upset with the nurse because she didn't get the right message...says we could've been done by now!! LOL :) They restart the pitocin, and with Dr. H just right outside things progress quickly again...

2:00ish My nurse (who is pregnant, btw) is forced by the other nurses to take a lunch, they start getting things ready for me to push...

2:20p.m. PUUUUUUSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! Steve is threatened within an inch of his life to count to ten every time I push...

2:45p.m. I'm pushing but can tell that there's something going on with the baby...Dr. H is VERY focused on "things." I vaguely remember hearing something about the umbilical cord...

2:50p.m. Dr. H says, "You're gonna have to deliver through it..." HUH?!?! I believe that's what I've BEEN doing!! LOL One final push & Eli Jacob Lee enters the world!! Dr. H placed him right on my belly, just like in A Baby Story (she didn't do that with Abbey because she came out "sunny side up" & the nurses needed to check her right away...) Anyways, there was my precious baby boy, screaming his head off & all gross with that "stuff" on him!! :) What an amazing miracle!! :) There's not a more miraculous sight, I've gotta tell you...

Now, you know that my inlaws were here & surely you know that I've left out some of THAT part of the drama...but I'll get to that :)

My MIL is a nurse... An OB nurse, and she's been an OB nurse for over 30 years, so I'm sure she's got a wealth of knowledge...Do you know why I'm sure? Because she never seems to waste a moment to remind us all that she's been an OB nurse for over 30 years & doesn't hesitate to share some fact or use OB nurse mumbo jumbo that nobody but an OB nurse would understand while explaining things to you...

But there was not a breast yanked out of a hospital gown without permission this time...So, maybe she's learning?

There were a few issues, though...And I was VERY proud of my husband for standing up for me to her...I believe Steve had told her to video a few things for us, and that was fine...I believe she understood I did not want a documentary version video, or any of the pushing, for that matter, but some before, and some after would be just fine, thank you!! :) So, towards the end I started feeling "pressure" & was starting to get uncomfortable, even with the epidural...So uncomfortable that I was starting to breath through the contractions again, but because of the need to push, not the pain of contractions...There is a misconception about epidurals that they take away ALL the pain...that is false...ANYWAYS, MIL got out the video camera during one of these moments & starts narrarating my "progress" to the camera, and I look at her & Steve & said, "Uh, no!" I wasn't going to go into it, because I was trying to breath through that stuff, so there wasn't much breath left over to say, "TURN THE HONKEN CAMERA OFF YOU CRAZY LADY!!" But, when Steve saw what she was doing he said, "Mom, turn the camera off." She says, "I won't get any of the [nurse jargon here that means documentary video]." "Mom, turn it off!" Then, my very tightly wound husband took a few deep breaths & says, "Mom, let's get a cup of water," and leaves the room to tell her that I probably didn't want to be taped because of how uncomfortable I was. When he told me that my jaw dropped!! LOL :) I hadn't told him why, but that was EXACTLY why!! I do not get excited about seeing myself in paint, thank you!! LOL Or, anyone else seeing, either!! But, she did pout the rest of the day, I think, at least that was my perception. But, that didn't completely stop her the rest of the week...but that's another blog entry!! :)

I felt AWESOME Monday evening & Tuesday & Wednesday...We came home Wednesday & that night we had the inlaws & my family over for burgers & dogs & watched the AI finale...It was a pretty good one...It was a little awkward in spots, though, because the inlaws (at least his mom & dad) don't watch AI (I KNOW!! Who doesn't watch AI?!?! LOL) and MIL kept asking questions & made this comment, "Oh, so they're just trying to sell [fill in the blank]." My Mom says, "Isn't that what all TV shows do?" Again, MIL didn't say much after that...that's her way of pouting...

Thursday I was feeling a little more achy & tired (duh, I'd just spent the first night at home with a baby & a big girl!!), and Friday Eli had his first meeting with Dr. Matt!! He was already past his birth weight!! Which means that we can let him go a little longer between feedings during the night!! :) YAHOO!! :) (I was waking him up during the night to feed him every 3 hours, because I wasn't sure if it was OK to go longer than that...) Saturday & Sunday I was tired, too, and achy & sore...Yesterday wasn't too bad, but I think I definately over-did it last week in the beginning...I just felt so much better than I had in a long time, I didn't think about it...

Last night I was an emotional wreck...HORMONES GONE CRAZY!! I just started thinking that tomorrow (today) would be my first day with both the kiddos by myself because Steve went back to work today. I was just dreading last night's feedings & today's "activities." But, things went just fine, mostly, and Abbey was really good, and Baby Boy did alright, too :)

Alright, duty calls...Steve needs to get online & I need to get Abbey into her jammies after her bath :) Love you all & thank you so much for your prayers!! Things went so well at the hospital & after today I know that I am capable of being home by myself with the 2 of them...I know that not every day will be easy, and tomorrow may be a totally different story, but I needed today...

Okay, seriously...LOVE YOU ALL!! :)

Last Post for a few days...

2008-05-18T11:50:00.003-04:00

Well, I go in tomorrow VERY EARLY (6a.m. we have to BE there), and I will be holding my baby boy in my arms instead of on my bladder at LEAST by tomorrow night!! LOL :) Hopefully sooner!! :)

My inlaws are enroute as we speak (although, they didn't leave until 11:30ish instead of 10a.m. as they had planned...I can't say much about that since we do that with just about every big trip we take...) But, they will be here sometime tonight. We have a 30th birthday party (not mine!! LOL) scheduled tonight at a skating rink (COOL!! oh, wait...I don't think I'll be strapping on any skates tonight...) but we'll see how it goes...I might just take it easy tonight, we'll see...

Yesterday was an interesting day. I had a wedding shower to go to (it's really been a long time since I've been to a wedding shower!! Most of my friends have already had their 2nd Baby shower by now!! HAHA), but this was for a cousin & his bride-to-be, and they're a bit younger than I am!! :) SO, that was fun...Abbey & I picked Mom up & headed over there, then afterwards did some last-minute running around (I needed one more "leisure" outfit for the hospital, and Mom wanted to get this cool drink jug thing from Sam's Club (It is REALLY cool...she says she's throwing out her punch fountain because it's junk...it only worked, like, 2-3 times...but this thing is really pretty & has one of those spouty-things at the bottom...anyways...). So, we "ran" around & did that, then dropped Mom back off at her house & Abbey & I went home for a little while (so she could "rest" & I could clean the kitchen...or so I thought...

So, we got home, and of course, Abbey zonked out on the way home...Well, as soon as I picked her up to carry her inside she woke up & got her second wind...then I saw what my husband had been up to all day while we were gone...I have never been so mad in all my life...He was trying to do the "deep" cleaning (as I would say) without sorting through the "junk" laying on top!! I was livid!! Seriously, I was just so disappointed & overwhelmed, because usually when we leave like that & he's home to work at his stuff you can tell he's done something other than move the loveseat into the kitchen...But NOTHING was put away that was on the loveseat, and even though he'd done 2 loads of laundry, they were piled on top of the big couch...Now, this wouldn't be so bad, except that Chelle & I had just worked in the living room really hard, and I was planning to straighten the kitchen up, only to find that I couldn't get INTO the kitchen...and I'm 9 mos pregnant, people!! Do I really need to make excuses for my fluctuating hormones?!?!?! Let me hear the pregnant women say "Amen!" lol Anyways, that, and it just didn't look like he'd done a daggone thing in the 5 hours we were gone...and his parents coming in 24 hours...ARGH!!! Yeah, we might've had a loud "discussion." Okay, very loud, because I am a yeller... That is one thing I don't share with you, Brain Twin!! LOL :)

Anyways, after I calmed down (which took a while, btw) and apologized to Abbey for the ugly display her parents didn't hide very well (we tried going to our room with the door closed, but she still heard us...), we were off to Fazoli's to meet Mom & Dad so they could watch Abbey for us while we went to Candlelight (which was AWESOME, btw!!), and we talked a LOT more calmly & "made up" (minds out of the gutter, people, we were in the van!! LOL) & even prayed together (okay, so it was over dinner, but we held hands, still), I think because we were going to Candlelight...and I needed that last night...It helped to really make me see clearer & see that, while it's OK to get mad, we all get mad, my behavior was petty & yes, childish...Hormones or not...but, anyways..."He's still workin' on me...to make me what I ought to be..."

I get so frustrated with myself AFTER I react like that...I am SO not proud of that...I'm sharing this ugliness because I know we all have moments we're not proud of, and I just wanna be real...I'm gonna fail, repeatedly, this side of heaven, and that probably won't be the last time I react like that...but hopefully these incidents will get further & farther apart, and not as loud (lol) as the time before...

SO, glad I shared that...Steve just walked in & was reading over my shoulder & asked, "Why do you have to share our fights?!?!" I hope he reads the above paragraph someday...

Love you all & hope I haven't made anyone uncomfortable!! LOL :) We're doing better today, and just need to do those little things you do before "company" comes :)...I'm sure Missy will share pictures of Eli tomorrow as soon as she can!! :)

JUST A FLY-BY!! :)

2008-05-15T11:36:00.002-04:00

Hey, there!! :) Well, I had my appointment with Dr. H this past Monday, and I was dialated to 1!! LOL :) So, she said if I wanted, we could induce me on Monday the 19th!! I said, very quickly, "YES!!!!!!" So, we will have a Baby Boy this coming Monday!! :) I'm excited!! :) I'm just hoping & praying that everything goes as smoothly as things did with Abbey...

Steve's parents (and brother, of course...) are coming on Sunday night, and staying through 'til Thursday. They're staying in a hotel close by, though, so that's less weight off my mind...I could only imagine what my house would look like if bil stayed here without me to stay on him to pick up his dirty socks in the middle of the floor...it will still be crowded with their stuff, regardless, though...They are paper & other junk bringing kind of people...See, you can really tell I'm 9mos pregnant!! LOL :)

Chelle's been a MAJOR help to me this week...I think I would go insane if she weren't here to help, and she's just been great...My husband seems to be stuck in an "everything will get done" mode, yet he is Mr. Major Procrastinator, and it's driving me insane...

But, anyways, things will, eventually, get done...and there may just be a point where we call it "done" whether or not it is!! LOL :)

I'd better go...Abbey's throwing a GINORMOUS fit right now because I wouldn't change the channel to one of "her shows." She also had a sucker in her mouth (with permission) and was whining with it in her mouth & I made her throw it away because she was whining...THEN, she proceeds to scream a blood-curdling scream at me because she was mad...so, now I'm waiting for her to calm down in her room (with her door closed, because that works with her), and can talk to her about her behavior...and I'm thinking she doesn't get to watch any more TV today...we'll see...

Love you all!! Talk to ya later!! :)

2008-05-08T17:20:00.002-04:00

I come to you, Journal Goddesses, another year older...and it was a big one...but I won't go on about that!! LOL :) Let me just say, I don't recommend being pregnant during your birthday...I squwalled all day...not about anything in particular, but once Abbey said, "Here comes the crying again," and shook her head at me...LOL

We went out for dinner with Mom & Dad & Matt & Chelle (& Katie & Abbey, too!!). We went to Logan's, and I didn't check my sugar after I ate!! LOL I'm such a rebel!! LOL I also had TWO pieces of cake!! LOL :) My sugar levels were fine in the morning :)

I am SO ready for this baby to be here...Well, in ways, mainly physical, I'm ready for Baby Boy to be here...We still need to set up his room (we're waiting on his new crib to arrive!! Sears had a great deal on one that was exactly what I was looking for!! :)), and we still need a changing table, but we're getting there with his room...Once the furniture is in everything else will fall into place, ya know? So, hopefully this weekend, early part of next week, we'll have his room finished, and the rest of the house? We're getting there....Chelle came over today to help me clean out/re-organize my 2 front closets (a coat closet gone awry & my pantry closet), and now my scrapbooking stuff has a home instead of being out in the middle of the floor!! :) That is SO nice, and takes away some of the overwhelming feelings I've been struggling with...I didn't realize how much that stuff was bothering me...

Our room's still a work in progress...Hopefully it will be "done" this week...And, by "done" I mean clean...Steve's job is to get all his paper junk out of here & to make room for the port-a-crib for Baby Boy's first few nights home. I'd also like to get a few of the things I've bought for the redecorating of our room out, including the beautiful quilt & shams that Mom bought me for Christmas from Lil' Dolly's over a year ago!! I need to get a new bedskirt for that, too...Curtains DEFINATELY need to be replaced, but that's gonna have to wait for now...Oh, and not just curtains, but a new curtain rod, too...

See why I've been feeling overwhelmed? One thing just leads to another & I start to think bigger than I've got time for!! LOL :) But, we'll get there.

I've been obsessed with Designed to Sell lately, and that probably doesn't help!! LOL :) I'd love to repaint the living room & halways a lighter more neutral beige color (more appealing to a wider buyer market, and with so much dark color on the walls our living room can feel cave-like at times...), but that's definately gonna have to wait until Baby Boy's a little older...

I think we're narrowing down on a name...Nothing set in stone, yet, but we're getting there. I hope to have him named before he comes...Abbey knew & responded to her name already by this point!! LOL :) j/k Poor baby...

Okay, I'd better get back to work...I'm feeling inspired to clean/declutter more in the living room...Oh, the Vietnam Vets are loving our house right now!! :) We have them come by picking up stuff once a week/every other week!! LOL :) They didn't come this week, though, when they were scheduled...

Okay, I'm starting to just ramble...I love you guys & lurk even when I don't post a comment...I don't know what I'd do some days without checking on my Journal Goddesses!! :)

2008-04-12T17:16:00.002-04:00

So, how've you been? LOL :) I've been great...Today some ladies at church threw me a Baby Boy Shower & it was a lot of fun!! :) There was really a good turn-out, and Baby Boy got LOTS of clothes & accessories!! Now, we've got to work on fitting it all in here somewhere...

Speaking of, I am getting a little overwhelmed with how close we're cutting this being ready for baby thing. His room doesn't look much different, even after Chelle & I (and Mom, too) have worked in that bedroom...I guess it's just getting a bunch of that stuff out of there & I can't do that without Steve's & AmVet's help...And, thank goodness, Tuesday is the 15th & Steve will have a lot more time to help me out with that...PLUS, we have to get a crib & dresser/changing table SOON, too, because as of right now, all we've got's a port-a-crib (which won't be bad for the first few nights in our room, but I didn't keep Abbey in our room very long, because I was too attentive to every little sound she made instead of sleeping when she slept...but for me, the first few nights are with us...and that port-a-crib will be a good fit in here...if we can also get our room together before he gets here...OH, and there's another thing...this baby boy doesn't have a name, yet, either!! We're thinking Eli or Ethan, but are having trouble with a middle name(s) for him...Sometimes we like Eli better, sometimes Ethan...Abbey's decided it's Ethan, but I'm still not so sure...

So, I thought I had all this time to figure this stuff out, but now I'm starting to really feel the time crunch...because to tell you the truth, I don't see me going until my due date...I think Dr. H will want to induce him early, especially after my next ultrasound (April 30th)...But that's just my guess...She's also wanting to see me every week already, instead of every-other, so there's my next clue...I'm going to ask her about that next time, though...

Next weekend is the family Baby Boy shower!! :) I'm excited!! :) Hopefully we'll have made some more headway in the baby room front to have room to put all his little clothes that's starting to accumulate :) There are a few pieces of furniture in there that, once out of there, will make things feel more accomplished, ya know? My hope chest is going to Chelle's basement (storage), the big honken bookcase is going into the garage for more shelving storage out there (maybe for my crafts?), and Abbey's toddler bed is going to Matt & Chelle's for Katie Lynne to start using soon...Once those things are out of there, we can rearrange & add in the baby bed & dresser/changing table & get that room set up for Baby Whatshisname...

Oh, I forgot to mention that a few ladies at church got me some "just Mommy" gifts along with their baby gifts, and that was SO nice!! :) VERY NICE Bath & Body Works spa slippers (which will be a must in the hospital!!), some bath salts & pampering masks & foot scrubs, just nice stuff that was extra special Mommy stuff...Oh, and a few ladies gave Abbey some presents, too...I thought that was very sweet...

I'd better go...Abbey went with Mom after the shower & Steve's working at Block (ONLY A FEW MORE DAYS!! WOOHOO!!), but I think we're doing Marion's Pizza for dinner, and I need to get moving a little here...I've been looking for one of Abbey's brown shoes that just seem to have disappeared...and I'm getting tired of looking...Who knows where that shoe is...

Love you all! :)

2008-04-05T12:56:00.002-04:00

Okay, Here's the recipe for "Green Stuff": (btw, it could also be pink stuff, or orange stuff, or whatever...depends on the jello you use)...

Jello, any flavor, but to make it "green stuff" we use lime flavored
1 20oz. container cottage cheese
1 can crushed pineapple, drained
1 tub defrosted cool whip

(*Note, all of the above can be substituted with sugar free/fat free/reduced fat whatever...it still turns out OK)

Make the jello per pkg. directions, but only let set in the fridge for 45min. or so. Then, add the pineapple, cottage cheese, and fold in the cool whip. Let it chill for a few hours or overnight...

VERY LIGHT & Fluffy & Refreshing...I'm not a huge cottage cheese person, but there's something about it, I just love this recipe, so if you're afraid of cottage cheese (like me!!), don't worry...it's not scary!! LOL Also, because I use lite/ff/sugar free everything, it's great for my G-diabetes right now...it's always good, though...and SUPER easy...

Okay, better get back to cleaning...Mom & Chelle are coming over later to help me sort out all the junk that's in Baby Boy's future room!! :)

Love you all!! Kelley, I hope this is all we've pumped it up to be for you!! LOL :)

2008-04-04T11:47:00.002-04:00

I know, I know, it's been virtually forever!! :) I AM still alive, and, yes, STILL PREGNANT!! LOL :) I feel as though I've been pregnant forever...but the end is drawing near...and I'm getting a little nervous...

I've got a very yucky cold right now, that has me not feeling very good all over...I'm wondering, though, if it isn't more allergies than a cold...No fever or anything, but I feel achy & lots of sinus pressure...I know you all aren't my dr. so I'll stop giving you my symptoms!! LOL :) Just not a great week for me...

Anyways...I guess I didn't get here to share with you all about my wonderful Emmaus experience, huh? There are some things I just can't share with you (and even if I told you about it, I don't think you'd get the deepness of the experience) plus, if you ever go on an Emmaus walk yourself, I don't want to set your expectations up...We're all on different areas of our walk with Jesus, and what my experience meant to me might not necessarily be what you should/would experience, ya know? SO, I will just start by saying THANK YOU for your emails/cards, they were so sweet & unexpected, and thank you for your prayers...It was a truly humbling, yet very empowering experience for me...

I have to say, my 'tude probably wasn't what it should've been on Thursday night, because I was trying not to anticipate, but I hate not knowing some sort of schedule. That was a hard one for me, and not knowing what time it was & stuff...I never realized what a big time-freak I am...

I've shared a little bit with Missy & Jodi, that looking back over the past year, I can see where God's been gently and sweetly "wooing" me with His grace. Last year (about exactly that, now) we went to Women of Faith (maybe you remember?) and the theme of the Conference was "Infinite Grace." I can't begin to tell you some of the barriers I had up that he started chiseling away at during that pre-conference. Things that I needed to let go, and just realize that God loves me, and sometimes He takes away the things we want so badly out of His grace & mercy, not His anger...And, even broadening my perceptions a little bit about the people I love & their treatment of me. Their actions/reactions aren't always about me & our relationship with each other, but can stem from their previous relationships & their perceptions of themselves...Just like I do!! LOL It just gets trickier with the people we put on pedestals...

Even getting ready for the Women's Retreat last fall, where I spoke about low self-esteem, insecurities, anger, all of that was just a part of the journey of learning more about His grace & love. It forced me, in ways, to look at some things from my journey-my disappointments, my circumstances-and see where I had thought it was God's anger & disappointment in me, but was really His love & grace & mercy for me...

ANYWAYS, a great weekend, where I FELT loved & accepted; FELT His grace & mercy wash over me; and ate VERY WELL!! LOL :) These people don't make you go hungery, that's for sure!! LOL:)

Moving on...Missy shared about Easter...it was pretty much the same with us, just not so many people @ Mom & Dad's house :) We went to church (Steve cooked a TON of bacon for our Sonrise service...) we ate breakfast at church, I taught my last Sunday School class, and was surprised with Mom, Dad, Chelle, & Katie walked through the door!! :) I thought they were going to the Vineyard (which is their church, now, I think, officially). We left & went to Mom & Dad's house, then to Grandma's, then BACK to Mom & Dad's...Oh, and I got addicted to "green stuff" at Grandma's house, btw...Aunt Diane made it, and since I've talked with my dietician, it's pretty much the best stuff I can have right now!! LOL (more on the dietician in a moment). I have CRAVED that stuff...Oh, and it was so great to see Eddie there!! :) I hope he didn't see the shocked look on my face when we were standing on the porch & I was taking inventory of who all was there!! LOL :) That was just so cool, and I hope it was the beginning of many more family things he comes to...OH, and I loved observing Jimmie with the girls!! LOL :) He was so sweet!! The first thing he said to Steve & I was, "I have seen more naked girls in the past week than I have in my whole life!" He was doing an AWESOME job!! :) I guess it was just neat to see him in a different role than Uncle...And, Jodi, as Missy said, I don't think anyone was really worried about how you'd do!! :) I just kept thinking, "Those girls have no idea how blessed they are..."

Okay, I mentioned the dietician...Is anyone REALLY surprised that I flunked the 3-hour glucose test, after having G-diabetes before? I didn't think so...Anyways, I had the test last week, and this past Tuesday we had another ultrasound & my consult with the dietician. They were concerned about my fasting numbers, because those are the least affected by diet, but after a few days of me really being on a good diabetic diet, that's even starting to go down. I have to check my sugar levels 4x's a day, and go back in 2 weeks to see them, and if they're not happy with my fasting numbers, I'll be put on a pill that's safe to take while pregnant...they try pill first, then insulin (PTL!! That was NOT the case 4 years ago when I had this with Abbey, but everything was diet-controlled then). So, we'll see what my body does... What'shisname (poor baby boy doesn't really have a name in stone, yet) was flashing us with the goods during the ultrasound, and there was NO mistaking that he is ALL BOY and that the other ultrasound lady was right!! LOL :) We're having a hard time deciding on a name...Mainly because we're not both around each other for long to have a good discussion about it...But tax season's almost over!! YAHOO!! :)

Oh, and I said I was starting to get nervous...there is just SO MUCH to do around here, and I can't do it by myself...And, unfortunately, it's not just his room, it's the WHOLE HOUSE, including our bedroom...I'm getting nervous about having everything ready & company ready (not that I expect the same traffic this time as with Abbey, but there will still be visitors, ya know), and KEEPING it that way...Flylady's helping, but my energy level is nill...

Okay, I'd better go...It's about time to check my sugar again...It was pretty good this morning...Actually, the lowest fasting number I've had so far...

Love you all & will try to catch up as fast as I can!! :)

2008-02-09T11:46:00.000-05:00

My Princess Abbey is FOUR!! I can't believe how fast she's growing up!! Last Saturday was so much fun...First, we went to Sweet & Sassy (I think Missy's mentioned this place...it's a salon/spa-like place for girls, but it's really so much more than that...hard to explain...) Anyways, she got her hair cut (just shoulder-length) but it makes her look SO much older!! After we got done there, we went to CiCi's pizza to get a big enough section. I couldn't remember if that was the CiCi's with the party room or not, so we got there early to get the big back section by the video games. CiCi's was NOT busy, but their party room was full, even though the people left before any of our guests showed up. I had already started decorating a little (just because it's @ a pizza place doesn't mean we can't add a little pink!! LOL). It was fun!! :) I got a little overly confident with the time @ CiCi's (we met there around 4/4:30, and were supposed to be at Build-A-Bear around 6p.m.) So, I looked at my cell phone (I had it out so I could keep an eye on the time ::roll eyes::), and it was around 4:30, and we were all sitting down eating & I relaxed...then it was 5:20 & I freaked!! :) I felt bad, because we had to rush through her presents, but it was a definate time crunch. Somehow, I think because we didn't have to clean up, we made it to Build-A-Bear on time. The girls were SO cute!! :) They do this whole thing when they get the hearts for their bears, and they did so well!! The worst one of 'em was my daughter!! We were going with no nap, and she was DEFINATELY a Birthday Diva...I have no idea where she gets that from!! LOL She about slept the whole day away on Sunday...but MAN did she need it!! LOL :)

Today's my husband's 32nd birthday!! :) What an old man!! hehehe He actually has the day off of BOTH jobs & we've just kinda hung out this morning...It's been SO nice!! :) I love my husband...that's one of the good things about spending so much time apart, I guess, is the softening towards his faults that comes from not taking for granted who he is...Blah blah blah...I know that's not a new thing..."Distance makes the heart grow fonder..." but as Dr. Phil would say, there's a reason for those cliche sayings!! :)

Okay, I'd better go. I've got to move these two along...I'm thinking we need to take a trip to the mall before a party we're going to tonight. I didn't get Steve anything big for his birthday, yet, and want him to peruse Dick's Sporting Goods...Chick Fil-A sounds good, too!! hehehe

Love you all!! Take care!! :)

2008-01-18T21:00:00.000-05:00

My foot's pretty much all better!! YAY!! What a week this has been!! LOL :) I ended up going to Dr. Frank by myself (!!WOOHOO!!), and Steve stayed home with both the girls, and it sounds like he had a great time!! Well, all except for Abbey's nap time, but I digress...

Dr. said that my foot looked great (and I did end up taking a shower that day, with a Wal-Mart bag over my foot...the bandage got a little wet, but...wah, I was stinky!!LOL), everything's healing nicely, and there's no infection, so that's awesome. I'm allowed to walk, now, too!! :)

What a weird week. I didn't share, either, that my parents are gone this week on their cruise...I'm sure they're having a great time, but it's been weird all the things that've gone wrong this week without them...

Besides my foot (which they couldn't really do anything about anyway, but, they missed the drama), Steve just happened to be at their house eating his lunch today (and he gets their mail & stuff, too) when the phone rang (he let the machine answer), and it was their renters...their furnace went out!! So, Steve felt obligated (absolutely, this is NOT the weekend for a furnace to go out, ya know?!?! They're forcasting 0's this weekend overnight) to take care of it for Dad. Well, he called the furnace people & they got it rigged to work, but it definately needs to be replaced soon...we just hope it lasts thru the weekend so we don't have to deal with it!! LOL Matt (my bil) said, "They should just leave some blank checks for emergencies when they go on a vacation"...inevitably something goes wrong, or someone dies, it's kinda weird...

I've just booked Abbey's Birthday party!! We're only doing a girl party this year...we might do another big family party when she turns 5 or something, but for now, I think she'll like just having her girls to celebrate with. We're hosting a "Build-A-Bear" party for her, then pizza & cake at Ci-Ci's Pizza (besides Fazoli's, that's her absolute favorite place to eat!! LOL) So, I'm excited. I think she'll like it, and I think the other girls will, too!! :) It's cool, too, because it's actually ON her Birthday this year...We might take her to Chuck E. Cheese's another night because she likes it so much, but her actual party's at Build-A-Bear...Since we're not having a big party, we can afford to get a little more for each child, too, ya know?

Anyways...that's done, and the invitations are bought (yeah, right, I've mailed them!! LOL), and cake plates & napkins, and a few party bag things...I always love looking at all that stuff!! :) So much cool stuff...

Okay, better go...I need to get Princess Abbey ready for bed...She's been pretty good today, except for a couple of time out's...She's really testing me, I think...Okay, she's testing everybody, right now...

Talk to ya'll later!! :) Love ya!! :)

2008-01-16T11:10:00.000-05:00

So, last week I broke one of our glasses. I picked it up, swiffer vacked the area, and thought that was the end of it...

Until Monday...

What happened Monday, you ask? I found the last tiny piece of glass that the swiffer missed...with the left heel of my foot!! I had Katie, Monday, too, and Abbey had been walking around barefoot, so, I was VERY RELIEVED that it was me, and not one of the girls...But, it gets worse...

I tried to work on it all Monday afternoon, even called Steve to come home & help with the girls because the only place I could get anywhere to a good look at it was sitting on my bed (remember, I'm 22 weeks pregnant this week, and baby's get big!!LOL)...Anyways, he comes home, looks at it, and says, "You're gonna have to get someone to get that out for you." I scoffed at him, "Nope, almost got it..." well, okay maybe a stretch...LOL :) There wasn't anything sticking out that I could grab hold of to pull it out, ya know?

So, finally, around 5p.m. (Katie had been picked up, and Steve & Abbey had taken a nap, and I was getting worried about missing Bible study) I decided that this was, actually, a time I could use some medical attention...so off to Urgent Care I went...

By the time I got there (around 6p.m.ish), I decided I should just give up on Bible study because there wasn't any way I was getting there on time, and who knows what they would end up doing to my foot...

SO!! I was right, I wasn't even called back until 6:30/45ish, they took my blood pressure (and the nurse was a weirdo, I think, and didn't have the cuff on the right place because it has never hurt THAT bad taking my blood pressure, and so the sky-high reading she got, I pretty much dismissed because it wasn't anywhere near that the next day...but I'm getting ahead of myself...) took my temp, then I waited a few minutes for the dr. He looked at it, and said he wouldn't dig around too much, if he couldn't get it out he would refer me to podiatry. This, of course, freaked me out a little, because I've always thought of podiatrists, especially in relation to taking things out of a foot, as painful...So, Dr. Urgent Care, or as I like to refer to him now, Dr. Foot Torture, started working on my foot. It was the most painful thing I've ever experienced, and I've given birth, people!!

So, he did numb my foot, but not good enough because I still felt almost everything. Because I'm pregnant, I couldn't lay down on the gurney, so it was an awkward angle, etc...I left Urgent Care with a big honken bandage on my foot (and Monday night it was snowing & a little on the slick side, if you locals remember), glass still in there, a prescription for some antibiotics, and a "promise" that they would call me the next day with an appointment time to see a podiatrist. Oh, I was also told to take some Tylenol when I got home, too.

So, Steve came home early (with Abbey...he had dropped her off at Chelle's because that was our original plan for Bible study), I was bawling like a baby, because, daggone, my foot hurt!! and I was hungry, and I could only limp around on my tiptoes, plus being pregnant, so graceful I am not!! LOL So, Steve came home & brought me Subway (bless his heart!!), and some gummy bears (one of my favorites!!), some Tylenol (yes, we were out!!LOL), and my baby girl looked so scared for Mommy, she kept trying to feed me cookies and stuff. I had a fitful night of sleep that night, and was anticipating more torture at the podiatrist the next day...

So, yesterday (I didn't have Katie), Steve went to work (which I had issues with, because he knew I couldn't get up & around much...very awkward, and I was supposed to stay off of my foot as much as possible...but whatever...), and I waited & waited on a phone call from Urgent Care, so by noon I called them...

This is where I got pretty upset with them. I called the front desk & got sent to a nurse, where the nurse told me that I could make my own podiatry apt. Yes, I said, but my paper said that I would get a call from you all with an appointment time. The nurse said, "Oh, yes, I see that now, but really with a podiatry apt. you can call and make your own." Um, that wasn't the point. The point is, my directions said that you all would make it for me, and that you would call me!! That is seriously, ver batim, what my instructional paper said. Is it me, or was that a bad business deal? HELLO?!?! Because I was waiting on you all honken day, I DIDN'T make an apt!! So stupid...and very frustrating...

So, I called the podiatrist (who Steve has seen in the last few weeks, well, a dr. from the same practice, anyway), and they fit me in at 3p.m. yesterday.

Now, I have to tell you, my previous perception of podiatrists has been totally blown out of the water, because Dr. Frank was very gentle, and looked surprised that the guy at Urgent Care caused me so much pain. Yes, the initial numbing shot hurt, but he knew how to do it, girls. I didn't feel a thing!! And, without working for so honken long as the Urgent Care guy did, he got it out!! They didn't make me feel like a freak & inconvenience, either, for being pregnant (the guy at UC did, btw), and his whole staff was very friendly & very funny. I left there feeling no pain, and I slept a lot better last night. Now, granted, I knew the glass was out, but still...I can't relay to you the night & day difference of the podiatrist...

So, I'm taking it easy today...Steve stayed home a little later this morning, and went in to work late (he also works at H&R tonight, so I won't see him until 9p.m. or after). But I go back to see Dr. Frank tomorrow afternoon (and Steve's coming, because I'll have Katie tomorrow, too!!). Oh, but I'm not supposed to get this foot wet (I've got a HUGE banage on it), and I'm not supposed to walk overly much...

But, anyways, that's been my story the last few days...Drama drama drama!! LOL

Love you all!! Hope your week was foot-glass-free!! :)

2008-01-11T14:12:00.000-05:00

First of all, Kelley, I remember the name of that birthday catalog & their website!! :) It's www.birthdayexpress.com Anyways, it's been bugging me that I didn't have the exact website for you the other day!! LOL :)

Well, nothing much changing around here, except that I vaccumed yesterday, and it looks like I didn't...FOR REAL!! Let me explain...I have this housecoat I wear, especially when I'm sick or just feeling cozy, and when I was sick I stuck tissues inside my housecoat pocket. Anyway, without remembering, I washed the said housecoat...and didn't take the tissues out...WHAT A MESS!! Evidently, there was more tissues in there than I realized, even, because I'm still finding them all over the house (the washed tissues). I have no idea how they're getting around the whole house, that's still a mystery to me!!

I didn't share with you all last time (mainly because I was catching you up on 3 months missed!! LOL), but we started a new women's bible study this week (this past Monday!!). I've been dreading it because of the people I knew would be there. I've been trying to avoid these specific people because ALL THEY DO IS COMPLAIN & WHINE & SPREAD A BAD ATTITUDE, but on the other hand, there are some very dear friends there, and of course I want to be there to lift them up, and so we can suffer through the bad attitudes together!! LOL What really got me out of the house, though, was that it's a Beth Moore bible study & I've only heard good things about her studies from very trusted sources. This one's her latest called "Stepping Up" and it's focus is on the Psalms of Ascents (Psalms 120 through 134) (doesn't that make me sound like a Bible Scholar?!?! LOL). Anyways, it's already VERY fascinating, and I've felt positive that this is where God would like me right now, annoying people or not!! LOL :) I believe He's got a reason for us all to be at these studies, and it will be awesome to see what He does with this...

Anyways...Steve's back at H&R, plus taking 2 classes a week...On the bright side, though, he should graduate this fall!! YAY!! He's officially a Senior, and only has 4 more quarters to go!! :) Let me tell ya how nice it is to see light at the end of the tunnel!! He's already put in for some new jobs (he's put in some just to see if he would be considered, like, one that contacted him was in Alabama...we are NOT moving to AL!!) Anyways, it's nice to know it's getting close to the end...

Yet, knowing that there's an end in sight does not make it easier day-to-day when he's gone here or there (he's usually working or at class Tues-Fri, and weekends he's usually working...) SO, I'm a tax-time widow...I tend to get a little bored & introverted this time of year because I don't have much going on outside of home...and very limited, too, because I've got Abbey to consider, too...

Sorry, wasn't I just complaining about complaining & whining?!?! LOL :) I would like to call on my sister to watch Abbey every now & then, though, so I can scrapbook some, and Mom takes Abbey every now & then for a sleepover (usually NOT in February, though...that's H&R's 'peak'). But, I would like to get some projects done, and started before Baby Boy gets here...

Oh, speaking of Baby Boy...We haven't decided on a name, yet. I think we've got it narrowed down to Eli or Ethan (I like Ethan, but I don't know how much I like it with our last name), and Eli...I like it, but I'm not 100% sure, yet...We'll be thinking some more, maybe coming up with some different options. I think we have a middle name, though. Steve's Dad's Dad's middle name was Joseph (his first name was Francis...uh...NO!!). So, we'll see what we decide. We had a girl's name all picked out, though!! :) LOL I knew that was a sure sign it was a boy!! LOL :)

I'd better go...the native is awfully quiet...that usually means trouble!! LOL :)

Lov you all!! :)

2008-01-08T18:41:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I'm back after 3 months of silence, eh? LOL!! :) It's just been one thing after another, and I was doing good to check my email every couple of days...

And, in case you don't re-read other people's comments...I have some more news!! :)

WE'RE HAVING A BOY!! :)

I can hardly believe that!! I was telling my sister yesterday that I'm still in kindof a shock, because I've never really pictured myself as a mommy to a boy!! LOL :) Especially after having lived in an all-princess world for almost 4 years!! But, as I think back to my daycare days, I was reminded that the 2 kiddos it was harder for me to leave were 2 little boys I'd had since they were 18/24mos. (they were well over 3 years when I left & had Abbey...oh my goodness, that means they're around 6 or 7 years old, now...I can't imagine!!). Anyways, Stephen was 18 mos. when he started daycare, and that was around the time I had just started back, and I was his first teacher, he didn't move up from the baby room, so we bonded. I'll never forget him looking at me one day and saying, "I love you, Manny." My heart just melted & of course I teared up!! Okay, a lot...

Then, there was Jayden. He was really very attached to me. He was a rough-housing little boy who had issues at home, but then after being rough with another kiddo or something, he would turn around & be the sweetest loving boy you'll ever meet.

I can't believe that they're in Kindergarten or 1st grade by now!! TIME FLIES!!

Anyways, Steve was, of course, overjoyed!! LOL Once the technichian left the room, he finally wiped his eyes a little bit!! LOL :) I promised to tell everyone that he handled it very much like a tough man, though!! LOL :) So, that's our secret!! LOL

My Dad is in shock!! Mom bought me a little outfit for the little guy & he said he couldn't even get out how cute it was!! He's just beside himself!! He told me after we told him it was a boy that he was fully expecting this baby to be another girl. He said he'd given up on boys!! LOL :) So, I am SO happy to have made him so proud & excited over a little boy...

Um...Abbey's first reaction was very honest &, um, blunt...after the technician told us, she said, "What do you think about having a little brother?" and Abbey immediately answered, "I don't WANT a baby brother!!" She's kindof recovered since then, though, and is getting excited, I think, about a baby in general. We're trying to get her involved on naming baby boy, and I think we're getting close to a decision...but that's for another day!! :)

Christmas was wonderful!! Missy already shared about Christmas Eve, so I won't go all into that again, but I will share about the Rose Petal Cottage & a pig...That's what Abbey asked Santa for!! A Rose Petal Cottage...and a pig...(one of those FurReal pigs.) So, she was very excited to wake up to all that on Christmas morning...and, of course, she got so many other toys I don't think I can list them all...Another sweet Christmas morning moment!! :)

My Santa didn't do too bad, either!! Steve surprised me with some really good presents this year!! Not that any present he's ever given me has been bad!! I don't mean that!! LOL We usually don't go all out for each other on Christmas, especially since Abbey was born, but this year, I got a beautiful "circle" necklace, a perfume set I love (Philosophy's Amazing Grace!! One of the BIG sets!!), and a total surprise, a black leather scrapbooking tote on wheels (it's lined with black w/ white polka dots inside...totally cute!! LOL)!! :) He did REALLY good!! :)

He got tools (a set he's wanted for a couple years, now), and the Dale: The Movie collection. Doesn't sound like he got as much as me, but his tools weren't cheap!! LOL :)

Okay, that's all I've got time for for now...We've gotta figure something out for dinner...Talk to ya'll later!! :) Love ya!! :)

2007-10-13T14:17:00.001-04:00

Blah....That's how I've been feeling lately...I'm really trying NOT to complain...but yesterday was really bad. I felt REALLY awful all day...but today woke up raring to go!! Well, sorta!! LOL :) At least I got a shower & I feel like cleaning the house (well, as much as anyone, excluding Missy & Kelley, can WANT to clean the house!! LOL just teasing, girlies :) )

Anyways, enough of that, now. Really, I'm not complaining. I'm just not used to feeling THAT out of commission...With all my other pregnancies, I've never felt that bad, even in the beginning, and even though yesterday I never actually got sick, I definately felt like I could at any moment...

Other than feeling sick this week, it's been a pretty "hoppin'" one. Monday...um, well, I guess Monday wasn't hoppin'...I watched Katie, and Steve had the day off. We were GOING to put out our fall display, but that didn't happen...Maybe he'll put out the bail of straw we've got today...Anyways, Tuesday I watched Katie again, but only for 1/2 the time I did on Monday. We had eyebrow appointments, and that was good. We went to Logan's afterwards, and did you know that on Monday & Tuesdays they have a 2 can dine for 12.99 deal? Full-size meals, 2 sides & everything, plus their rolls & stuff...So, since the boys weren't with us (Dad met us there, though) Chelle & I shared a check so we could pay pretty much half price for our meals. Oh, and kids meals are only $2!! But, Mom & Dad paid for the girls :) I thought that was nice :)

Wednesday I didn't feel wonderful, but I had a Women's Retreat meeting, so forced myself to get ready. It was a great meeting, and I did end up feeling a little better. Abbey & I ate KFC for dinner, and they were out of chicken breasts!! That's what I ordered, the one piece chicken breast dinner, and they didn't tell me they were out of chicken breasts until AFTER I paid...that ticked me off a little, and they offered to give me other cuts of chicken, but I don't really like other cuts of chicken...I like the white meat of chicken breasts!! LOL Anyways, they said it'd be about 15 minutes before the new batch of chicken would be ready, and I said I'd wait, but could I get the rest of my meal & my daughter's meal, please? So, they did. Oh, I forgot to mention that they were out of biscuits, too, but she told me that before I paid, and said I could substitute the biscuit for a side if I wanted. That was OK with me, so I had 3 sides & was waiting on my chicken. Abbey was eating her hotdog & mac & cheese, so all was right with the world. Then, they really impressed me. The girl who took my order brought out my chicken breast (original, btw!! LOL) and brought me a biscuit complete with butter & honey for my trouble. Then, the manager said, "Oh, here, give her this chicken breast while you're out there Jenny." (I don't know what that girl's name was, so we'll call her Jenny.) Anyway, Jenny said, "I just gave her the chicken & a biscuit, and the manager says, "Oh, well, give this to her anyway." I thought that was really nice!! :) I am a firm believer in it's no big deal when a restaraunt messes up, but it's HOW THEY HANDLE THE MESS-UP that's the most important.

So, after that dining experience at KFC, we picked Steve up & went to Wed. night church. Those have been going VERY well!! We used to have Awana on Wed. nights, but this year we've postponed Awana until next year, because of the lack of volunteers we've had. I've got issues, not with Awana being postponed, but with the attitude of the Awana leadership...Long story, and there's LOTS of issues there, but I won't go into them here...ANYWAYS, even while Awana was running, and way before Awana ever started, instead of what I would call a traditional Wednesday night service, we've always had what's called "Wednesday Night Uplift." (now referred to as WNU). It's a much smaller, more intimate service, mainly because there's not nearly as many people there on Wed. that are there on Sunday mornings.

Let me back up a little bit. I haven't really gone into it here, but we've had some deep issues at church for over the past year. It's had to do, mainly, with a certain family in our church, and THEIR issues, and the sins of the Grandfather (yes, you're probably thinking the right thing). Anyways, this sin has effected the whole church, not because of unforgiveness, although, it's obvious that there are some who are still harboring unforgiveness towards him, but it's all about trusting him. He's been removed from his home, and is not allowed to be on the same premisis as his grandchildren (he & his wife have/had custody of their grandchildren). Anyways, this has pretty much split the church, not as equal as you might think, but it's split it, nonetheless, and even though not a lot of people have actually left, yet, there has been this terrible evil spirit in our midst. It's not pleasant, and it's very frustrating. We've only had one business meeting about this, and it was even after this grandfather withdrew his church membership, but people were able to air out their questions, concerns, etc...It became evident to me, though, that the majority of the "split" was between the older, forgive-and-forget set, and the younger, not-about-forgiveness-we-can't-trust-him-with-our-young-children set. That is not exclusive to the actual "drawn lines" but my very-generalized categories. Now, there are other issues within our church, too, and this whole issue with this family has just stirred everyone's emotions & stuff, but we've other issues...financial for one, and the leadership is actually looking at selling our building & starting over that way, until we can actually work up the money BEFORE building a new building (which is NOT how the founding members & leaders did it). Anyways, there's lots going on at our church. There have been many Sundays and other occasions where I have NOT wanted to go anywhere near our church. I'm still thinking that in the next couple of weeks I want to go to church with Mom & Dad (they go to the Vineyard in Kettering). Chelle's been going with them, too, and I just am longing to go to a place of worship where I can be filled & not expected to DO anything!! LOL :) I need a church vacation. I don't feel the Spirit telling us to leave COTC, so I'm not saying a permanent leave of absence, just a vacation Sunday.

So, back to Wednesday night uplift...The numbers on Wed. have ALWAYS been low...There's never been more than 10 in the last 2 years, and, yes, mainly because everyone was working Awana, but even before that, there was never a huge crowd.

Then, this past summer, the Elders happened upon a book called "Simple Church." It's not a church model book, or "you need this many programs to have a successful church," it's more...um, simple than that!! LOL It talks about having a CLEAR PROCESS of MAKING DISCIPLES. That makes sense, right, and you're thinking, duh, isn't that what churches are supposed to be doing? The hard reality is that there aren't very many churches who are...Stagnant growth, or NO growth, is the norm for most churches, because we make things too complicated. This isn't even about having too many church programs or services!! This is about the PROCESS of MAKING DISCIPLES. We have lost our focus, and tend to FOCUS on the PROGRAM instead of the PEOPLE, instead of the PROCESS of MAKING DISCIPLES. So, I'm not saying that small groups, Awana, Sunday School, VBS are bad things, but if not used right in the PROCESS can become ineffective because we're focusing on offering a program, instead of WHY we're offering the program. HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!! :) And, that's what our Wed. nights are about. How do we make disciples? What does Jesus say? Truth is, Jesus is the author of simple.

Okay, so, all of that to say, Wednesday nights are very good, and we're headed for change in our church. I can feel it, and I know that things HAVE to change, or we won't have a church family anymore...

Anyways, things have been slowly, but surely, getting better...We've simplified a few things already. For instance, we have PT on Thursday nights, and have changed them to Wednesday nights before WNU. This cuts down on the number of nights everyone has to commit to per week (we have some people from Fairborn & surrounding towns like that who have to drive all the way to Huber anywhere from 2-4 nights a week!! How insane is that?!?!) Anyways, as a team, we decided, that since we were mostly all there for WNU anyway, to go ahead & meet about an hour beforehand & practice. That is one step towards simplicity, with more to follow. We've also decided to postpone A Night in Bethlehem until next year, too. With the way I've been feeling lately, I'm just unpredictable, plus we as a church family just need more time to heal & recouperate after this tumultuous year & 1/2. I just can't tell you how drained everyone is, and it's not just being "overcommitted." It's this evilness that's attacked our church family with a vengence. I'm a little disappointed about A Night in Bethlehem, but I'd rather wait a year & do it to the best of our ability, than to do a half-shod job of it now, ya know? It's a very important family/community outreach event, and I (and the rest of the people I've spoken to about it) have agreed that we, as a church family, aren't at the place in our healing to support (financially & staff-wise) a program like that this year.

Okay, enough church stuff...I told you a few weeks ago that there's been stuff like that weighing heavily on my mind, and that's why I was sharing so much...Anyways...blah blah blah...can't wait for American Idol to come back!! LOL :)

I have been pretty excited about "The Office" this year. I don't know if any of you watch it or not, but it's about the only show I tune in to watch until Idol. I like "Earl," too, but Steve likes that one, too, and we've DVR'd them, and haven't had time to watch 'em all, yet...But, Office has been VERY good!! LOL :)

Better go...if you've read it all, then you get a gold star & a big "THANK YOU FOR HANGING IN THERE!" :) LOL Love you all :)

2007-10-04T11:53:00.000-04:00

So, it's been a few weeks since my big announcement, huh?!?! LOL :) Busy busy busy, and sick sick sick, and tired tired tired...but I'm still pregnant!! :)

I went to the dr. 2 weeks ago, I think...I've lost track of the days...it could've only been a week ago...Okay, so I think not quite 2 weeks, but whatever, you get the picture...First thing she said when she walked in the door was, "Well, you didn't even get to track one cycle, did you?!?!" LOL We got to work right away after my initial visit with her about "trying." (hehehe) Well, she did an ultrasound because since I just went off the pills, we weren't entirely sure exactly when "it" happened...According to my record keeping, though, my LMP was Aug. 13 (the first day of VBS!! OF COURSE!!), but with the whole pill thing & weird cycle thing (that's why I was on the pills in the first place), she did an ultrasound to be "sure" as to how far along I am...Well, according to the ultrasound (and I saw little one's heart fluttering!! VERY reassuring for me!!), I was 3 days off on my personal "calculations" according to the Aug. 13th date...Are you following me? So, instead of being due on May 19th as I had originally thought, I'm not due until May 22nd...I'm cool with 3 days off...With my 1st pregnancy, some of you may remember (Missy & Jodi) that was the year we all went to the Smokies & stayed together...Well, that week I thought I was 12 weeks along, but when we got back, and I had an ultrasound, they said that I was only 9 weeks along, or so...That was a MAJOR difference in timelines...that means, really, when I first took those pregnancy tests, that they were wrong, because according to that timeline, it hadn't even happened yet. SO, to end this long explanation, I'm OK with 3 days...if it had been longer than a week, I would be worried...

So, as I'm typing this, I'm feeling guilty that I'm not writing my session talk for our Women's retreat...It's at the end of the month, and I'm getting a little nervous about sharing my "junk." I share my junk here with you all all the time...it's just different face-to-face...Maybe they'll let me do a power point presentation of my blog?!?! LOL

Women's Retreat theme is based off of Sheila Walsh's book "I'm Not Wonder Woman~But God Made Me Wonderful!" VERY cute theme, and VERY VERY good book. We divided the chapters up into sections for the different sessions we have set up, divvied out the sessions to women in our congregation who were willing to speak, and we're supposed to base our talk on our personal experiences & relate it to the book chapters we were assigned (okay, that sounds complicated, but it really isn't)...

I'm looking forward to that weekend...

ANYWAYS, not that you all want to hear more about my church...there are just lots of things going through my head right now that have to do with church "junk"...

Steve has Monday off, and I think we're going to Fulton Farms to get A pumpkin...Sam's club has pumpkins really cheap, so we'll get more there if we want more, but it's always more fun to "pick 'em from the patch" at an actual farm where they were actually raised...Great pictures, too...

I want a bail of straw, pumpkins, and my scarecrow out by this weekend!! :) I LOVE FALL!! :)

I've been cRaViNg pumpkin pie, lately!! So, we finally just bought one last night at Kroger...it was lip-smackingly-delicious!! :) I've been watching too much Noggin...

Okay, better go...I've gotta do a grocery run today so we can actually eat, and I think Abbey & I are going to have lunch at McD's...I've also been cRaViNg Diet Coke, and we've been out for a while...

Talk to ya'll later!! :) Love ya!! :)

2007-09-17T15:14:00.001-04:00

Yep, that's right!! I can no longer make fun of my friend Amy who I kid all the time is so fertile!! LOL :) Evidently, this is just the right time, and we're pregnant...well, by "we" I mean me!! :) According to my records (hehe) we'll be due around May 19, but I still haven't seen the dr. so that's not really a "for sure" date, yet. I'm only 5wks today, actually. We found out last weekend (the Friday after we got back from vacation, actually...), and didn't tell a whole lot of people...

So, that's what's been going on here!! LOL :) This is the fastest I've ever gotten pregnant after really "trying." It's always taken way longer with the others...So, we were actually kinda surprised...

I don't have a lot of time to post now...I'm watching Katie today, and the girl's schedules aren't coinciding for me much today. Abbey's asleep, and Katie wants to play some...and I wanna nap!! LOL

I'll update more later, but this is the "Big News"!! :) Love you all!! :)

2007-08-31T16:18:00.001-04:00

Okay, I just got done reading Missy's blog...JOSY?!?! I haven't been able to get on your blog for a while (I finally found the invitation in my yahoo mailbox, but it had expired, and I'm not on the computer much anyway...plus, that's not really my "check everyday" email anymore...)...SO, I just didn't want you to think I was ignoring you, or anything...and it sounds like you're expecting?!?! How out of the loop am I?!?!

Had to get that off my chest...

Anyways, today's filled with packing for Reunion (which was already mentioned in Missy's blog) & vacation to the Smokies!! I'm so excited!! I love the mountains...and reunion...I think we're leaving pretty early tomorrow so that we can swim for a bit at our hotel. I finally found one of those floaty things, and even better, it was on clearance!! :) LOVE it when that happens!! This is the same floaty that she did so well in...next year will be the vest, though, I think...this is the first year she's been at all interested in the swimming pool for more than a minute...Our condo in the Smokies has a really neat water area, too...and the best thing is this condo place is right behind the HONKEN scrapbooking store!! LOL They have one of those water tree things...

Anyways...lots going on here...Abbey's learning to write her name!! She's kinda written it before, but I found these printable tracing papers online & am teaching her how to write her name that way. Her "A's" are really good!! She's having a hard time with the "e's" & "b's" but they're a more controlled circle-type shape, and I found these other practice line-things that should help her be able to control her curvy letters...

Sorry, you get teacher talk from a former preschool teacher!! LOL

Anyways, I've gone ahead & made lesson plans for us to follow for after we get back from vacation...when we get back, we're going to have a couple of weeks learning about farms!! :) I think we'll take a trip to a couple of different farms around here...Fulton Farms aren't very far from us, and then there's always Young's...Feed the goats, and eat some ice cream that came from the cows...

At church, we're thinking about doing something different for Christmas...I found a very cool kit from Group Publishing's website (www.group.com) that's called "A Night in Bethlehem." Instead of there being a play, it's a walk-thru experience through Bethlehem (marketplace, a Jewish family's home, and the nativity, to name a few)...It's reasonably priced, and what I love about it the most is the interaction with people & visitors that just doesn't happen with a Christmas play. Plus, there's so much more to do than act, ya know? There aren't lines to learn, but instead jobs to learn...My ultimate dream (and we'll see how this goes, and if we want to build on it next year) is to have live animals somewhere. We have so much land in the back that's just super cool & could accommodate that...but that is SO not in our budget for this year, plus it's a mess, and we'd have to do some heavy talking-into, I think, to get volunteers for that area!! LOL

Anyways, we have the go-ahead from Pastor & the Elders to order the kit & go for it!! :) I'm excited about it, because there's no rehearsals, no lines to memorize, and it offers a great environment for interpersonal communication!! :) Something our church is really trying to improve...

There is a set to build, though...but I've got an awesome resource for that!! :) Mr. Jan!! :) He's very good at building stuff like that!! :)

Okay, on to different things...

Our Women's Retreat is coming up in October...I'm getting excited about that...and so are the other ladies. Things are coming along just fine...we're just getting close, here....

I'd better get a move on...I'm working on laundry for this week/end!! :)

Love you all!! :)

2007-08-22T18:24:00.000-04:00

Hey, Everyone!! :) So, since I've started back to counting points again, I've lost 8.2lbs!! :) That's in 3 weeks!! :) YAY!! So, kinda slow, but I know that's the healthy way...plus, I haven't been going to the gym, that's straight water & eating numbers...SO...

VBS went GREAT!! I wish I had a picture to share with you, but our camera is broken...actually, it's the battery door that's broken, so it won't stay on without holding it HARD...a pain...bummer, too, cause I love to take pictures...

Our VBS numbers were down this year, we think it's because it was pretty late in the summer...SO, we'll know for next year. We're hoping for a July VBS next year...and we've already scoped out the materials...After fitting this one together piece by piece, I asked Traci, my partner in crime, "Um, next year, can we, um, buy a kit?" LOL The next day she got a thing in the mail (at church) for a LifeWay VBS 2008 Conference in Nashville, TN in January...and our Youth Minister said, yes, we could go, and the youth fund would pay for our conference fees (not room & board while we're there, but he said they might take up a collection closer to time to go towards that...) Anyways, isn't that AWESOME?!?! That might not be a big deal to some of you all, but our church isn't doing great financially (there are issues from the past that are "haunting" us today...the "founding preacher" & all that...) Anyways, the not so funny joke is, whoever leads a ministry is in charge of paying for it...out of pocket...There just doesn't seem to be enough to go around after Pastor's paid (and he's barely paid, really, imo) and the bills are paid...So, this VBS thing, to me, is a big deal!! LOL :)

I'm thinking that for the next few women's things, we'll have to start charging a little. This also means that you get a better turn out because they're literally invested!! I hadn't thought about it that way, but it makes sense. Whatever surplus there may be leftover, we could plug it into the Women's Retreat fund. Women's Retreat is fun...and is gonna be fun this year :)

I just got to listen to Chuck Swindol a little on the radio this afternoon, and he was talking about churches taking collections for different things, not just tithes. He said it's absolutely Biblical to do this because God Himself instructed Moses to take a collection from the Israelites when they left Egypt. Gold, Silver, Bronze, purple cloth, grains, etc... I hadn't thought of it that way, but that's exactly what He told them to do. They had a specific need & took up a collection for it. Now, that's all I heard, and there may be more to the story. Just typing that out I know that there is still an issue of being a good steward with our funds & relying on God to fulfill all our needs. And, having said that, don't you think He fulfills those with special offerings?

Okay, enough about that...

I watched Katie for Chelle this morning/afternoon...That girl is at such a fun age right now!! She's starting to say words, and makes all kinds of silly faces, she's just a hoot. I felt brave, and needed laundry detergent!! LOL, and carted both of them with me to Target. We had fun!! We also ate lunch there, and things went very smoothly, I thought...by the time we got home, they were both ready for a nap, so that was good timing, too. I finally got to clean the bathroom!! What an exciting life I lead!! :) LOL

I had a dr's apt. this past Monday with Dr. Hemmelgarn...no, we're not pregnant...yet!! :) I can't believe it...I'm off my pills, so we'll see what happens. She said she'd give me until Thanksgiving to see what my cycles are going to do, and if they're not regular, then she's starting me on Clomid...Missy, funny, she said, "You've been on Clomid before, right?" LOL I said, "Um, no, but my cousin Missy has!" LOL Funny how they get us confused still...

SO, prayers for that, please? Not just getting pregnant...but a HEALTHY FULL-TERM & HEALTHY BABY pregnancy...On some ttc message boards I've frequented before, they ended every post with "baby dust" & some .-*-.-*-. thing...anyways, I've got a blinkie somewhere that blinks "TTC" I'll have to find...I don't want to get "baby dust" on someone who doesn't WANT baby dust!! LOL :) Actually, it's nothing like "dust" if you ask me...but I'm getting gross...

On that wonderful note!! HAHA!! :)

Love you all...

2007-08-13T11:33:00.000-04:00

"I have value. I have worth. No matter how I feel, God’s word is true. He loves me. He values me. I am important."

Bonita Lillie, She Speaks Graduate, Proverbs 31 Ministry

I Peter 3:3-4, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hear and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gently and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” (NIV)

So, this is a deep-thought moment…for now!! Hehehe…I read my Proverbs 31 devotion today, and, of course, it hit me right where I’m at today. I’ve been struggling this week with my self-image, if you will. Probably on a few levels because of what the Lord brought to mind today. First of all, I’ve been feeling inadequate. I’ve not finished college. Actually, I did really horrible the last few quarters at Sinclair, and have always felt like I’ve left something undone there. Now, I’ve shared with you all my dream of going back to school to become a certified teacher. Well, my “lack of schooling” has been making me feel inferior lately. I realize in my head that it’s the evil one trying to discourage me, especially this week, from being effective in VBS ministry, but it’s been bothering me nonetheless. But, did you read that first statement up there? No matter how I’m FEELING, I am worthy because I am God’s. That is such a hard concept for me because of all my feelings of inferiority. I don’t talk about it much, but this stems back from school, I think. Just that “never good enough no matter what I do” kind of thinking. When I didn’t do great on a test, that was like telling me I was below average. I didn’t get the message that I had it in me, and could try harder…I probably heard that message, but because of whatever, I didn’t REALLY hear it, ya know? So, anyways, just something to think about. To ponder with my heavenly Father. I love to hear from Him that it’s not all about me, but HIM IN ME that’s so important!! I don’t do anything by myself… It’s not just me…and I’m not just doing “stuff” just to be doing “stuff.” All for HIS glory, His kingdom, so that HIS message, through me, gets to as many more people as possible before He returns…

The second “level” (I don’t know if it ranks above or below the other one!! LOL). I don’t know if I’ve shared things with you about my perception of God changing…For some reason, I got the impression that every consequence the Lord dished out in the Old Testament (i.e. specifically the banishment from Eden) was done out of the wrath of God. While this may be true to an extent, I am learning that it was more out of His mercy for us that we were banished. Because, out of His unfathomable love for us, he didn’t want us to LIVE FOREVER with our sin. He had plans to send us a Savior. Well, out of this “wrath of God” mentality, I’ve been re-evaluating my view about His Word. Take that I Peter section above. If you had asked me, I would’ve told you before that I wasn’t sure if that meant I shouldn’t fix my hair and dress like the Amish!! LOL But I’ve seen that verse in a different light…Not as a “don’t do this” command, but a “That’s not where your true beauty lies.” Now, when Chelle & I were little, we went to all kinds of churches with Dad’s quartet, and inevitably someone would comment “Oh, what pretty girls!” Mom & Dad had us trained to say, “Girls, can you tell ----- what makes you pretty?” In unison we would say, “The way we act.” Well, this tells you how slow I am…I’m just getting that they were teaching us scripture!! LOL Not a specific scripture address, but a principle that the Lord wanted to instill in ALL of His children. So important that He put it in His book!! :)

Well, that’s as much as my brain can handle, but I needed to journal that so I didn’t forget it. I love writing in a prayer/devo journal (hand-written, just between me & the Lord), but there doesn’t seem to be much time for that. I’ve got to start making time…probably in the mornings before Abbey gets up? Sorry, “type-thinking” out loud…

So, tonight is the start of VBS…I’ve been struggling the past week with “adequateness” and the perception that other volunteers (not the other director, but the other volunteers for the week) just didn’t care about it, really, and that all of our work was silly or unimportant. SO, yesterday at church, I got a CLEAR word from the Lord, through His people, that He approved, and wasn’t that all that mattered, anyways? I can’t make others do or feel how I want them to feel. I can’t make them do anything. God’s in that business, and as my favorite SCC songs says, “God is God, and I am NOT!” I LOVE that!! And, some people better be glad that I’m NOT God!! LOL Makes me think of Bruce Almighty a little…BTW, has anyone seen Evan Almighty? It’s at our cheap theatre already, and I’d love to see it soon…um, not this week, though!! LOL Anyways, so, all of that to say, I was struggling with that, but the Lord affirmed me that that was only MY perception of the situation…not the reality…*side note, The Lord’s also teaching me that I shouldn’t always go with my perception of “stuff” because it’s always gonna be skewed by something!! Emotions, situation, body language, misunderstanding, the list could go on & on, so I’ll spare you!! LOL

Okay, better go…Talk to you all later…and more prayers for VBS & stuff?

Love you all!! :)