Today I am searching the Scripture for comfort today. Life throws some tough curve balls. Curve balls are hard to swallow. In a day or two, I think we'll be over the initial shock and start making some changes. We've gone through tough times before, we can do it again. Doesn't mean its always fun and the answers are always easy to swallow. I do know the wonderful, everlasting Truth. God is faithful. God will provide. So I will continue to sing of His mercies and His grace.
This curve ball will throw a MAJOR crutch in "plans" for the rest of the year. I will not worry. I will not stress. I will remind myself that this is HIS plan to bring GLORY to Him.
So, I am resting in His word today knowing that He alone can bring me comfort and peace.
Its been a long, hard morning and I'm sure it'll take a few days to really grasp what has happened. I know it could have been a lot worse, but today it just stinks! I think I'll enjoy the upcoming beach vacation a little more.... Next month will bring some hard changes that will effect me the most. I'm not liking the alternative, but obviously this is what God has placed in front of me, so I must do this to the best of my ability and trust God.
6/29/09
The Pool....
At the end of April, Hubbie and I started debating on what to do with ourselves this summer. We didn't except to be able to afford a beach trip- for any length of time- so I knew we needed PLANS! We went ahead and signed the boys up for summer school. That would give Bubbie two mornings a week to have fun with other kids and play. It would also give Peanut one day to get accustomed to his surroundings, learn the teachers and give me a break once a week. I do not regret the summer school for a second! Its been absolutely fabulous. All the kids do is play. Bubbie has made friends and Peanut does fabulous. I picked him up last week and he was rolling on the floor, laughing and being tickled. I love it! In addition to the summer school, I had 3 other days to fill up. I figured we needed some type of water fun especially since I was going to be MUCHO PREGGO! We talked about buying a water slide. We debated the cost and the space to use it and the upkeep. Then we talked about a larger pool to put in the backyard... one of those above ground pools. We couldn't decide. Then we also debated joining a pool. The pool in my parent's neighborhood is RIDICULOUS, so I had priced a few others and they were also INCREDIBLY high. A few weeks later a gal from church said that our church had a discount at the local Y. I was hooked! I couldn't believe the "luck". Turns out a guy that goes to our church is also the CEO of our local Y. Hot-diggity-dog! So not only would the joiner's fee be waived (which is the insane rate of $100) but also we'd get a Metro discount for about $6 less a month! I thought, this is it! Join the Y and we could swim every day!
The Y is incredibly close to our house. Maybe 7 mins- depending on traffic. Then it rolled into May and then June and then.... we'd get busy and I wouldn't ever make it down there. I asked Hubbie if it was really a good idea... and he was very willing to pay the price, because his gym memership- free through work- is all the way downtown, so if we joined a gym THAT close to our house, days that he wanted to work out, he could just run down to the Y. So, I knew I had the BIG OK from the Hubs.... Anyway, I just got lazy and busy and we'd find other things to do and I just never went and signed up.
Finally, Saturday, I wrote on the calendar- GO TO THE Y. I was determined to make it over there and sign us up. It was SO hot on Saturday that just making a quick run to WalMart made me break into a sweat! I needed a pool!!!! Sunday, we went over, signed up, got our discount and I promised the boys on Monday morning we'd head over to the pool!
Today, we did just that! The pool opens at 10 and we were there a few minutes later! The boys had a blast in the splash area and the kiddie pool! Even Peanut joined in the fun and wanted to be a little more adventurous than I had ever seen him be before! It was a little stressful at times trying to keep an eye on both kids, but they were excellent. It had been 1.5 hrs before I knew it and it was the boy's lunch time. We packed up and headed home.
Bubbie was so disappointed to be leaving. Our wonderful neighbors were there and he was sad to be leaving his friend. He asked, once in the car, if we would be able to come back. I said Heck Yeah! I'm already debating about whether to go back tonight once Hubbie gets home.
The Y is incredibly close to our house. Maybe 7 mins- depending on traffic. Then it rolled into May and then June and then.... we'd get busy and I wouldn't ever make it down there. I asked Hubbie if it was really a good idea... and he was very willing to pay the price, because his gym memership- free through work- is all the way downtown, so if we joined a gym THAT close to our house, days that he wanted to work out, he could just run down to the Y. So, I knew I had the BIG OK from the Hubs.... Anyway, I just got lazy and busy and we'd find other things to do and I just never went and signed up.
Finally, Saturday, I wrote on the calendar- GO TO THE Y. I was determined to make it over there and sign us up. It was SO hot on Saturday that just making a quick run to WalMart made me break into a sweat! I needed a pool!!!! Sunday, we went over, signed up, got our discount and I promised the boys on Monday morning we'd head over to the pool!
Today, we did just that! The pool opens at 10 and we were there a few minutes later! The boys had a blast in the splash area and the kiddie pool! Even Peanut joined in the fun and wanted to be a little more adventurous than I had ever seen him be before! It was a little stressful at times trying to keep an eye on both kids, but they were excellent. It had been 1.5 hrs before I knew it and it was the boy's lunch time. We packed up and headed home.
Bubbie was so disappointed to be leaving. Our wonderful neighbors were there and he was sad to be leaving his friend. He asked, once in the car, if we would be able to come back. I said Heck Yeah! I'm already debating about whether to go back tonight once Hubbie gets home.
6/26/09
Challenge for July!
I am sitting at the desk thinking and working VERY hard. I knew this would be a difficult task, but I didn't know it would be THIS hard!
What am I doing, you may ask? I am attempting to make a MONTH long menu plan! Stephanie has been doing this and I always read her posts in complete admiration! I already admire this blogging mom of 3, but I truly admire her now..... I can say with confidence that I have successfully completed my first month long menu plan! Whew! It was a daunting task but done now!
Now the REAL fun begins- making a grocery list, shopping and then.... sticking to it! My flaw is the later! I can buy it and I can make a list (Yes, I am type A and enjoy list making!!) but sticking to it- NO MATTER WHAT my day has been like, is the hard part! I didn't incorporate as many meals with the crockpot as I would have liked. I know this will be easier to do once cooler weather comes to town. Yummy! Just thinking about cooler weather and chili and veggie soup with cornbread..... makes my bones happy!! I really wanted to stick to two meats- chicken and ground beef because I'm buying food for the month- all at once- so didn't want to stock up on a little of this and a little of that, etc. So, I stuck with two basics proteins and planned meals around that. I also have a huge bag of leftover ham from Easter that I decided to freeze. I planned lunches for Saturday and Sundays. During the week? I haven't gotten that far. I know I should and probably will write down a few ideas per week so that I will have the necessary ingredients.
I think having a meal plan definitely cuts down on "what should we do for dinner? talk" and ultimately will help the main goal of the month.... Cut our food budget bill down by $200. Can we do it? I sure as heck hope so! It would be AWESOME to have that extra money to put towards things we want to accomplish and do before Baby Bean comes. So, in order to do this, I broke up our food budget. I gave Hubbie some lunch money every week. I gave the boys and I a little lunch money every week. Then I made sure that our family was allowed to eat out one meal out a week. After that, with the reminder of the budget, I took out $10 a week for essentials- bread, milk and fruit. We are ALWAYS going to the store on Sundays, after church, for fruit. Never fails. Fruit does not last long in our house. (Hubbie has given up desserts and has been eating fruit as his dessert.) So, I took that away and will make sure that every week, we have that set aside.
The rest of the money is grocery store money. With what is left, I plan to go to the store on Tuesday, while the boys are at "school" and do a major shopping trip. I will get anything and everything that I will need. I will go to as many stores as I need to. I have realized that not only have we fallen off the wagon about a lot of things, but we also tend to go to the store more often than we use to. I use to be such a stickler for only going to the store once within a shopping trip period.... I really do think, the more you enter the store, the more you're gonna spend. Hubbie is REALLY bad about this. Whereas we use to make do without something until next shopping trip, he'll just stop and get it now. I hate that!!! We've got to stop it!!! So, I plan to get whatever we're gonna need for July 1st thru July 31st. Milk and bread and, of course, fresh fruits, I can't buy everything we're gonna use, because we don't have a big enough fridge/freezer.
I also think that I'm gonna make food a cash envelope system again. We stopped doing the cash part, but continued with Dave Ramsey's envelope system. We just kept track of what we spent. It wasn't hard because we've been doing it so long, but I do think the cash will hurt more at restaurants and at the grocery store. Maybe it'll stop me from buying the latest and greatest craving!!! Errr....hhmmmm.....maybe I should have added a "Momma Craving" category in the food budget! Ya think?! My hips would thank me if I didn't do this!
So, do you think we can do it?! Please say yes! I pray that its a easy and quick month and that it works out wonderfully. Thankfully I seem to have some energy again...well... at least more energy than I had. I'm pumped about getting the house situated and fixed and cleaned out before baby comes. Maybe I'm nesting early. What am I saying... I am always changing things up!!! Who cares!
Alright, so READY to tackle this challenge!!! Anyone else wanna do it with me?!
What am I doing, you may ask? I am attempting to make a MONTH long menu plan! Stephanie has been doing this and I always read her posts in complete admiration! I already admire this blogging mom of 3, but I truly admire her now..... I can say with confidence that I have successfully completed my first month long menu plan! Whew! It was a daunting task but done now!
Now the REAL fun begins- making a grocery list, shopping and then.... sticking to it! My flaw is the later! I can buy it and I can make a list (Yes, I am type A and enjoy list making!!) but sticking to it- NO MATTER WHAT my day has been like, is the hard part! I didn't incorporate as many meals with the crockpot as I would have liked. I know this will be easier to do once cooler weather comes to town. Yummy! Just thinking about cooler weather and chili and veggie soup with cornbread..... makes my bones happy!! I really wanted to stick to two meats- chicken and ground beef because I'm buying food for the month- all at once- so didn't want to stock up on a little of this and a little of that, etc. So, I stuck with two basics proteins and planned meals around that. I also have a huge bag of leftover ham from Easter that I decided to freeze. I planned lunches for Saturday and Sundays. During the week? I haven't gotten that far. I know I should and probably will write down a few ideas per week so that I will have the necessary ingredients.
I think having a meal plan definitely cuts down on "what should we do for dinner? talk" and ultimately will help the main goal of the month.... Cut our food budget bill down by $200. Can we do it? I sure as heck hope so! It would be AWESOME to have that extra money to put towards things we want to accomplish and do before Baby Bean comes. So, in order to do this, I broke up our food budget. I gave Hubbie some lunch money every week. I gave the boys and I a little lunch money every week. Then I made sure that our family was allowed to eat out one meal out a week. After that, with the reminder of the budget, I took out $10 a week for essentials- bread, milk and fruit. We are ALWAYS going to the store on Sundays, after church, for fruit. Never fails. Fruit does not last long in our house. (Hubbie has given up desserts and has been eating fruit as his dessert.) So, I took that away and will make sure that every week, we have that set aside.
The rest of the money is grocery store money. With what is left, I plan to go to the store on Tuesday, while the boys are at "school" and do a major shopping trip. I will get anything and everything that I will need. I will go to as many stores as I need to. I have realized that not only have we fallen off the wagon about a lot of things, but we also tend to go to the store more often than we use to. I use to be such a stickler for only going to the store once within a shopping trip period.... I really do think, the more you enter the store, the more you're gonna spend. Hubbie is REALLY bad about this. Whereas we use to make do without something until next shopping trip, he'll just stop and get it now. I hate that!!! We've got to stop it!!! So, I plan to get whatever we're gonna need for July 1st thru July 31st. Milk and bread and, of course, fresh fruits, I can't buy everything we're gonna use, because we don't have a big enough fridge/freezer.
I also think that I'm gonna make food a cash envelope system again. We stopped doing the cash part, but continued with Dave Ramsey's envelope system. We just kept track of what we spent. It wasn't hard because we've been doing it so long, but I do think the cash will hurt more at restaurants and at the grocery store. Maybe it'll stop me from buying the latest and greatest craving!!! Errr....hhmmmm.....maybe I should have added a "Momma Craving" category in the food budget! Ya think?! My hips would thank me if I didn't do this!
So, do you think we can do it?! Please say yes! I pray that its a easy and quick month and that it works out wonderfully. Thankfully I seem to have some energy again...well... at least more energy than I had. I'm pumped about getting the house situated and fixed and cleaned out before baby comes. Maybe I'm nesting early. What am I saying... I am always changing things up!!! Who cares!
Alright, so READY to tackle this challenge!!! Anyone else wanna do it with me?!
Remembering.....
So, because this blog might be published into a book one day(I had better start saving my pennies!) and given to the boys, I want to remember this week in history.
I grew up in a very religious home and secular music wasn't found in our home too often. I really remember very few secular tapes or cds in the house. It definitely wasn't on the radio when we were in the car. My friends always thought it was so weird that I didn't give my parents "my cds" while I was in the car and tell my parents to play them. HA! Little did they know that THAT didn't fly in my house! Other friends were only allowed to listen to Country or Oldies. Their parents believed that anything religious with a beat or music was VERY WRONG! My parents listened to worship cds. I grew up on Wayne Watson, Twilla Paris, Steve Green, 4Him, Steven Curtis Chapman and contemopary Christian music. Now, if you know me, you go....AH HA! That explains a lot! :) Yes, this girl was sheltered! To me- not bad, not wrong.... I knew it was out there, I wasn't banned from listening to anything else, it just wasn't advised because of this-
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
Whether it was tv or movies or music, my parents lived by that verse when it came to their decisions for themselves and for us, and helping us to make our own decisions.
The only secular tapes I remember growing up was The Phantom of the Opera (this version) tape and Dirty Dancing tape(that was BEFORE we moved to GA and my parents REALLY started to change things up! PRE-worship tape days!) I can remember singing to both tapes in the house and in the bedroom.
For my 14th birthday I asked for tickets to go see the Dove Awards in Nashville, TN. I took my grandmother and got all dressed up! It was so much fun, but SO long ago. I don't think we took any pictures and I barely remember the evening, but it sure was a fun experience!
Anyway....so that is a little of my "music" history. Because of my many "secular music loving" friends, I knew what was out there. I knew what I liked. I knew who I liked. My first secular cd was the Cranberries which was given to me by a friend! She knew I REALLY liked them!
I did always know about Michael Jackson though. It wasn't until a few years ago that I really KNEW the story about Michael Jackson. I watched his documentary on VH1. The one where he went into his childhood and issues and what he had seen growing up. I was astonished. How could someone do certain things to such a little boy? Whether its true or not, those stories were horrible and no matter who you were, you would have issues! I do think Michael Jackson had a lot of issues. If he did molest those boys, that is wrong and should have been punished instead of paying the families off and covering it up. Something just wasn't right about all that....but aside from his personal life, he had some great music! He was so young and because I believe in Heaven and Hell, I wonder about his soul and his "inner demons" and if he was saved or not. Just kinda sad when you look at it like that, huh?
So, anyway, it was a week to remember Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and now, Michael Jackson have died. Also, Jon and Kate Gosselin filed for divorce.... such a week of hurt and sadness for a lot of people!
Giveaway! Go Check It Out!
I LOVE chunky jewelry! If I see chunky and red in the same piece of jewelry my eyes light up!!! So this piece of jewelry is RIGHT up my alley!
My wonderful friend, Dana, who took all those GREAT pictures, is having a contest!!! Go check it out and try to win this fabulous bracelet made by Dana's aunt! Even if I don't win, I'm still gonna check out Dana's aunt's Etsy shop and maybe drool a little! Have I told you I am always going to Etsy and drooling?! Absolutely my FAVORITE place to shop! That and craigslist!!! :)
Good luck!
6/22/09
Beach Bound!
Two weeks until we are beach bound. Just for a few days, but a girl can still get excited, right? I can't wait! Neither can Bubbie! All he talks about it getting to play at the beach and wearing his brand new Wall-E sunglasses! He had a blast last time he went to the beach. He could have stayed on the beach for HOURS playing trains. The sand is fantastic for making tracks for the Thomas trains. We are all excited to introduce Peanut to the beach. He hasn't been yet!
I know the short trip will be crazy. Just packing the family up for a few days is stressful enough, but then you gotta add "beach gear". The place we're staying at was recommended to us from some of our small group buddies. The condo is 2 bed, 2 bath and has a full kitchen. You can't beat the price for an on the ocean, 2 bedroom condo. The condominium also has 3 pools, so I know we'll have PLENTY of outdoor fun. You can't even get a hotel room for the rate that she charges! We were definitely blessed with this referral!
We plan on doing this trip as cheap as possible. We had had a family trip sort of planned for August and that fell through, so it allowed us to put that money into a quick trip to the beach. Since we have a full kitchen, we also plan to take all our own food and not eat out..... if we do, it'll just be once to get some local seafood or ice cream one afternoon. The only expense should be gas getting us there and the food cost before we head out....
Lord willing, our family will stay healthy so that we can go and the weather will cooperate so we can enjoy our time outdoors! It'll be our last trip before our family of 4 turns into a family of 5!
Hurry up 2 weeks!!! I'm ready to go!
Get Away From It All....
So, this post is going to be strange to some and its all jumbled up and probably doesn't make too much sense, but bare with me. It is all related and just a basic sense of change needs to happen. Not totally sure in what areas and how or when....but I feel like things need to be changed......
Ever have an intense desire to just GET-AWAY? Not like a vacation, but to start fresh. Get rid of everything and just begin again? Reduce the clutter and start from scratch. I'm sure it would be a very soul-find experience. I have thought about it and think...shoot! everything we have, we really do use on a weekly basis except for some dishes and items of keepsake value.
I rarely watch Oprah, but one day, after waking up from a short nap, the show was on. I quickly pressed the "info" button to see what the show was all about. That particular day was all about people who had fallen victim of the "declining" economy. The reason I refer to the "declining economy" this way is because I think the media has blown it up (and Oprah and t.v. shows like that) to make us worry and fearful. I do think there are a lot of people without jobs. I do think that its bad....but in some places. Not all over the country as the media tries to make us think. I think that is why I loved Dave Ramsey's TownHall event held all over the country not that long ago. He really did have some good answers for questions that people were asking. Anyway, back to Oprah. Oprah did interview a guy that I believe might be a believer and possibly a Dave Ramsey follower...if even for just a short period. The reason I think that is because he almost quoted Dave Ramsey from the Town Hall event. He's statement was that the people in the Depression were the best savers our country has ever seen, because of what they went through and we didn't learn from their example. He said if he could go back, he would change a lot of things and realize that stuff is just stuff. You learn to live without a lot when everything has been taken away. This man is in his late 50's, married, very successful mortgage broker business and had real estate and properties coming out the wah-zoo. When the housing market fell in his area, his business crashed and his home was foreclosed on. He now lives in his office and takes showers at his gym.
His comments made me begin to wonder... we have so much stuff...stuff I am constantly picking up, tripping over or yelling about. Why do I do this? I wanted a bigger house and am VERY thankful for the space. If I just think about our old townhouse, I get claustrophobia. Really...it gives me the willies! And once we moved in, it was great... the space... the extra room... it was fabulous. Now that we're adding no 3, well, the space doesn't seem quite so big anymore. I've tried rearranging it the best I can. We plan for the youngest two to share a room. Not sure how that will work out(considering Peanut is the little boy that needs quiet, dark room with no distractions to go to sleep.... which is why we separated Peanut and Bubbie. Bubbie, on the other hand, takes a hour to fall asleep. He has to adjust himself a million different ways, go pee about 10 times, change his Odyssey cds, reads his books and then FINALLY drifts off to sleep. We, like we have with the other two, plan on keep Baby Bean in our room for a month or two.... but after that..... it will be back to co-sleeping.). A year ago it was...just to get that ONE more room. We were actually blessed with an extra two rooms and now, its like...if I could just get ONE more! I am so silly and typical!
My point was was that this house was great...for a while! Like everything.... it becomes old and a hassle or a bore! Same thing with money. When Hubbie gets a raise, its awesome... a few months later we're looking at each other and saying "what happened to your raise?!" Now, don't misunderstand me, we know EXACTLY where our money goes. We can see each and every dime. We budget and we KNOW. We have no question, but I think we've just gotten slack over the last few months. I guess that isn't entirely bad, but I do think its time to get back on the bandwagon. Sometimes you just need a break from being so rigid and "good" and I was tired. I still am tired, but I gotta find it in me to put the pedal to the metal again. To keep a truckin'. My husband has worked very hard to get to where he is and without God's richly blessing our family with his job, I know we wouldn't be where we are today.
I am not complaining about the amount of money or lack of space or anything...just, again, saying how silly we become. The more we get, the more we want and on and on the cycle goes. I want to stop that cycle. I do get the "i-wants-ies". I have them right now. Things break, we want to replace them. Things begin to look old, we want to redo. I guess I could call myself a pretty typical American.... although, thankfully, we just don't go out and buy it now and slap it on a credit card anymore.
Back to the man, in the Oprah show, he said something about the Great Depression. Got me thinking about seeing this blog not too long ago. I'm sure you've all seen it. Her videos are on YouTube. She is a funny lady. Although, for me, its easier for me to read her website than to watch her videos, but its all got a purpose. If we don't learn from the past, we're gonna be back where they were. The simplicity of this lady's meals and how special certain things were is refreshing. Something about the "good ole days" or how things use to be more simple? Do I want a simple life? Right about now, a simple life sounds wonderful. Away from the mess and noise. Away from clutter and the busy lives. Away from phones and computers and tv. At times, I think we all crave for less distractions. I've had so many distractions lately and I KNOW it isn't about to get any easier. But if I'm truthful with myself, I can't lie. I like living in a nice home that is decorated and looking nice. I enjoy buying things for my kids that make them happy and smile. I know stuff isn't everything and I know it doesn't bring fulfillment. All this is great, but would I be willing and able to make such sacrifices to bring my family to a point to be simple. To me, the meaning of simple, is being off in the country, on a farm with little contact with the outside world, growing our own food....and maybe even homeschooling. This might not be everyone's definition of simple, but to me, that is what I think of. I think of frugality and simplicity at its finest when away from the "world". Things like Bible studies and MOPS groups and constantly going and meeting and just doing... those things don't cross my mind when I think of simple. So, have I really gone and gotten myself in a mess of clutter and chatter and chaos?! Not sure. Maybe that is what my heart and head need to figure out. Maybe that is something I need to search my soul about. I have a feeling, the busier and the more chaotic my life becomes or that I make it become, the less I can hear God. To be honest, I haven't really sat down and MADE time to listen for God. I want to. I know I need to, but I haven't really allowed myself. I go-go-go. We do-do-do. I enjoy it. The boys enjoy it. We have a routine and we all seem to function better with that, but maybe I'm teaching my kids to keep their lives busy and not focus on simple things. This age of my children has its tricky parts, but every age will. I use to think that I wasn't outgoing or enjoyed chatting or being around a lot of people. With MOPS, I have somewhat "opened" up and become a person that I really like. I like having so many friends with MOPS. You can always call a friend and chat or meet up for a playdate and I love that. Is all that part of a simple life? Who defines simplicity?
Its funny, I began to write this post and let it sit in drafts for a few days. Then I came across this blog post. I am sad that she won't be writing anymore, because I really did identify with her and her situation and will miss reading her blog posts, but it was kinda ironic how I was debating on how to live my life more simply, less clutter, "quiet" and here this gal has been contemplating the same question. She and her husband decided that life without a blog would make their home more quiet, less complicated and give her more time to devout to her family. I think that is fabulous. The answer for me....maybe? I don't think I blog to waste time- not that anyone does. Blogging has definitely allowed me to make a little money, win really cool stuff, "meet" and share and be able to identify with mom's like me. When I was nursing Peanut in the early months being able to post and comment and have a connection with ANYONE at MY convience was nice! I can't imagine not having a blog. I know my family enjoys reading it. I enjoy writing in it. I know Hubbie likes me doing it. Its also gives me a place to vent, share, brag and maybe even encourage!
So, I sense changes in the future. I know our future idea of BIG change is building a house on land in order to have a large garden and some chickens, but we aren't there yet. I wish we could, but that is a plan for the future. But little changes can be made between there and now.
I know we need to get back to hard core, gazelle like Dave Ramsey saving and spending and paying off. Like I said, we've gotten slack. We are still doing it...just not intense beans and rice type stuff. We also need to evaluate our food budget and making our food budget smaller and more simple. Not only to save my sanity with a newborn on the way, but also to save money and get us back down to the beans and rice way. I do really well with saving us money. I use coupons and tend not to buy lots of ready made things, but here if I have had a coupon and there has been a sale, I'll buy it. Not that we won't use it, but things tend to be cheaper when you make them from scratch. I guess you could call me a scratch snob, but out of laziness, I've allowed myself to spend money on convienced type items. I need to re-adjust, look at it and see how I can stop doing that and maybe plan my evening meals a little better. I also have been convicted about the amount of eating out we do. We don't do it a lot, but we do spend money on restaurants. Its really easy to pick up food on the way home from a playdate or after church on Sunday when you're ready for a nap. I need to just stop and look and plan better and use my crockpot more! I know I could save a lot of money if I just focused on it better. Now is the best time to make some changes- or at least evaluate our lifestyle- before baby no 3 joins us! I did run across this post and thought... that amount sounds high. Even though the amount gives me some reassurance that we aren't too far off from the national average....its still high and I wanna do this(pull up the e-book # 5- how to feed your family of 4 for $200 a month). I'm reading this book and like....what?! whoa! cool! :)
Not only have we fallen off the wagon by buying convienced items or eating out, but we also have stopped buying as many natural or organice products. We did really well- like the making from scratch and not eating out, etc.- but we fell off the wagon and need to get back on. Part of this has been brought on buy this book. Hubbie read it front to back in a week or two. I have read a chapter or two and I had to stop. UCK! The book really does make you want to go buy a farm and grow ABSOLUTELY everything yourself. Its disgusting....seriously, you have a hard to eating ANYTHING from a can, package or out to eat after reading this. Hubbie has gone so far to try to avoid foods that contain corn. I think not only have we become lazy and complacent, but we also just don't want to invest the money. How can you be frugal, but also be natural/organic? Well....that is a good question. We came up with two solutions.
I do know that we plan to join a CSA- freeze and can 1/2 of the fruits and veggies, buy a deep freeze and start buying meat from a grass-fed, local farmer. Thankfully the CSA we are looking into does off chicken eggs. Not sure how many we'll get and we'll probably have to continue to use some store bought eggs, but its a start. Unfortunately, Hubbie found this today.....
Ever have an intense desire to just GET-AWAY? Not like a vacation, but to start fresh. Get rid of everything and just begin again? Reduce the clutter and start from scratch. I'm sure it would be a very soul-find experience. I have thought about it and think...shoot! everything we have, we really do use on a weekly basis except for some dishes and items of keepsake value.
I rarely watch Oprah, but one day, after waking up from a short nap, the show was on. I quickly pressed the "info" button to see what the show was all about. That particular day was all about people who had fallen victim of the "declining" economy. The reason I refer to the "declining economy" this way is because I think the media has blown it up (and Oprah and t.v. shows like that) to make us worry and fearful. I do think there are a lot of people without jobs. I do think that its bad....but in some places. Not all over the country as the media tries to make us think. I think that is why I loved Dave Ramsey's TownHall event held all over the country not that long ago. He really did have some good answers for questions that people were asking. Anyway, back to Oprah. Oprah did interview a guy that I believe might be a believer and possibly a Dave Ramsey follower...if even for just a short period. The reason I think that is because he almost quoted Dave Ramsey from the Town Hall event. He's statement was that the people in the Depression were the best savers our country has ever seen, because of what they went through and we didn't learn from their example. He said if he could go back, he would change a lot of things and realize that stuff is just stuff. You learn to live without a lot when everything has been taken away. This man is in his late 50's, married, very successful mortgage broker business and had real estate and properties coming out the wah-zoo. When the housing market fell in his area, his business crashed and his home was foreclosed on. He now lives in his office and takes showers at his gym.
His comments made me begin to wonder... we have so much stuff...stuff I am constantly picking up, tripping over or yelling about. Why do I do this? I wanted a bigger house and am VERY thankful for the space. If I just think about our old townhouse, I get claustrophobia. Really...it gives me the willies! And once we moved in, it was great... the space... the extra room... it was fabulous. Now that we're adding no 3, well, the space doesn't seem quite so big anymore. I've tried rearranging it the best I can. We plan for the youngest two to share a room. Not sure how that will work out(considering Peanut is the little boy that needs quiet, dark room with no distractions to go to sleep.... which is why we separated Peanut and Bubbie. Bubbie, on the other hand, takes a hour to fall asleep. He has to adjust himself a million different ways, go pee about 10 times, change his Odyssey cds, reads his books and then FINALLY drifts off to sleep. We, like we have with the other two, plan on keep Baby Bean in our room for a month or two.... but after that..... it will be back to co-sleeping.). A year ago it was...just to get that ONE more room. We were actually blessed with an extra two rooms and now, its like...if I could just get ONE more! I am so silly and typical!
My point was was that this house was great...for a while! Like everything.... it becomes old and a hassle or a bore! Same thing with money. When Hubbie gets a raise, its awesome... a few months later we're looking at each other and saying "what happened to your raise?!" Now, don't misunderstand me, we know EXACTLY where our money goes. We can see each and every dime. We budget and we KNOW. We have no question, but I think we've just gotten slack over the last few months. I guess that isn't entirely bad, but I do think its time to get back on the bandwagon. Sometimes you just need a break from being so rigid and "good" and I was tired. I still am tired, but I gotta find it in me to put the pedal to the metal again. To keep a truckin'. My husband has worked very hard to get to where he is and without God's richly blessing our family with his job, I know we wouldn't be where we are today.
I am not complaining about the amount of money or lack of space or anything...just, again, saying how silly we become. The more we get, the more we want and on and on the cycle goes. I want to stop that cycle. I do get the "i-wants-ies". I have them right now. Things break, we want to replace them. Things begin to look old, we want to redo. I guess I could call myself a pretty typical American.... although, thankfully, we just don't go out and buy it now and slap it on a credit card anymore.
Back to the man, in the Oprah show, he said something about the Great Depression. Got me thinking about seeing this blog not too long ago. I'm sure you've all seen it. Her videos are on YouTube. She is a funny lady. Although, for me, its easier for me to read her website than to watch her videos, but its all got a purpose. If we don't learn from the past, we're gonna be back where they were. The simplicity of this lady's meals and how special certain things were is refreshing. Something about the "good ole days" or how things use to be more simple? Do I want a simple life? Right about now, a simple life sounds wonderful. Away from the mess and noise. Away from clutter and the busy lives. Away from phones and computers and tv. At times, I think we all crave for less distractions. I've had so many distractions lately and I KNOW it isn't about to get any easier. But if I'm truthful with myself, I can't lie. I like living in a nice home that is decorated and looking nice. I enjoy buying things for my kids that make them happy and smile. I know stuff isn't everything and I know it doesn't bring fulfillment. All this is great, but would I be willing and able to make such sacrifices to bring my family to a point to be simple. To me, the meaning of simple, is being off in the country, on a farm with little contact with the outside world, growing our own food....and maybe even homeschooling. This might not be everyone's definition of simple, but to me, that is what I think of. I think of frugality and simplicity at its finest when away from the "world". Things like Bible studies and MOPS groups and constantly going and meeting and just doing... those things don't cross my mind when I think of simple. So, have I really gone and gotten myself in a mess of clutter and chatter and chaos?! Not sure. Maybe that is what my heart and head need to figure out. Maybe that is something I need to search my soul about. I have a feeling, the busier and the more chaotic my life becomes or that I make it become, the less I can hear God. To be honest, I haven't really sat down and MADE time to listen for God. I want to. I know I need to, but I haven't really allowed myself. I go-go-go. We do-do-do. I enjoy it. The boys enjoy it. We have a routine and we all seem to function better with that, but maybe I'm teaching my kids to keep their lives busy and not focus on simple things. This age of my children has its tricky parts, but every age will. I use to think that I wasn't outgoing or enjoyed chatting or being around a lot of people. With MOPS, I have somewhat "opened" up and become a person that I really like. I like having so many friends with MOPS. You can always call a friend and chat or meet up for a playdate and I love that. Is all that part of a simple life? Who defines simplicity?
Its funny, I began to write this post and let it sit in drafts for a few days. Then I came across this blog post. I am sad that she won't be writing anymore, because I really did identify with her and her situation and will miss reading her blog posts, but it was kinda ironic how I was debating on how to live my life more simply, less clutter, "quiet" and here this gal has been contemplating the same question. She and her husband decided that life without a blog would make their home more quiet, less complicated and give her more time to devout to her family. I think that is fabulous. The answer for me....maybe? I don't think I blog to waste time- not that anyone does. Blogging has definitely allowed me to make a little money, win really cool stuff, "meet" and share and be able to identify with mom's like me. When I was nursing Peanut in the early months being able to post and comment and have a connection with ANYONE at MY convience was nice! I can't imagine not having a blog. I know my family enjoys reading it. I enjoy writing in it. I know Hubbie likes me doing it. Its also gives me a place to vent, share, brag and maybe even encourage!
So, I sense changes in the future. I know our future idea of BIG change is building a house on land in order to have a large garden and some chickens, but we aren't there yet. I wish we could, but that is a plan for the future. But little changes can be made between there and now.
I know we need to get back to hard core, gazelle like Dave Ramsey saving and spending and paying off. Like I said, we've gotten slack. We are still doing it...just not intense beans and rice type stuff. We also need to evaluate our food budget and making our food budget smaller and more simple. Not only to save my sanity with a newborn on the way, but also to save money and get us back down to the beans and rice way. I do really well with saving us money. I use coupons and tend not to buy lots of ready made things, but here if I have had a coupon and there has been a sale, I'll buy it. Not that we won't use it, but things tend to be cheaper when you make them from scratch. I guess you could call me a scratch snob, but out of laziness, I've allowed myself to spend money on convienced type items. I need to re-adjust, look at it and see how I can stop doing that and maybe plan my evening meals a little better. I also have been convicted about the amount of eating out we do. We don't do it a lot, but we do spend money on restaurants. Its really easy to pick up food on the way home from a playdate or after church on Sunday when you're ready for a nap. I need to just stop and look and plan better and use my crockpot more! I know I could save a lot of money if I just focused on it better. Now is the best time to make some changes- or at least evaluate our lifestyle- before baby no 3 joins us! I did run across this post and thought... that amount sounds high. Even though the amount gives me some reassurance that we aren't too far off from the national average....its still high and I wanna do this(pull up the e-book # 5- how to feed your family of 4 for $200 a month). I'm reading this book and like....what?! whoa! cool! :)
Not only have we fallen off the wagon by buying convienced items or eating out, but we also have stopped buying as many natural or organice products. We did really well- like the making from scratch and not eating out, etc.- but we fell off the wagon and need to get back on. Part of this has been brought on buy this book. Hubbie read it front to back in a week or two. I have read a chapter or two and I had to stop. UCK! The book really does make you want to go buy a farm and grow ABSOLUTELY everything yourself. Its disgusting....seriously, you have a hard to eating ANYTHING from a can, package or out to eat after reading this. Hubbie has gone so far to try to avoid foods that contain corn. I think not only have we become lazy and complacent, but we also just don't want to invest the money. How can you be frugal, but also be natural/organic? Well....that is a good question. We came up with two solutions.
I do know that we plan to join a CSA- freeze and can 1/2 of the fruits and veggies, buy a deep freeze and start buying meat from a grass-fed, local farmer. Thankfully the CSA we are looking into does off chicken eggs. Not sure how many we'll get and we'll probably have to continue to use some store bought eggs, but its a start. Unfortunately, Hubbie found this today.....
"The National Milk Producers Federation in Arlington, Virginia, will pay dairies to slaughter 103,000 U.S. cows in coming months, says the article, causing milk futures to skyrocket. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is forecasting butter, cheese, and milk prices will be painful in 2010. Consumers can expect milk prices to double."
That definitely won't help our budget of $200 a month on food. Hmmm.... oh well. We can try, right?!
Another change we have a new church. This is probably going to be a major change and readjustment for our life. We have decided to go "church hoppin". The change, I am afraid, will probably be fairly drastic and might even result us to "settling". I say that in the nicest way possible. We've maxed out our options in our "must have" column. I am burned by the idea of another "start-up" church. Not only because one day someone might decide- "hey, the church isn't working out, let's close the doors!" And again, I say that in the nicest way possible and that isn't necessarily what happened, but that is how I feel. Our church was a start-up and it did require a lot of hard work and volunteering. We weren't even some of the start up members and we put in several Sundays a month of work. With a newborn coming and having 3 small children to care for, the possibility of serving in a church isn't going to be plausible for the next year. Hubbie and I both have other commitments. Hubbie would like to serve in an area of music, but other than that, we're gonna be attending church and soaking up as much worship as we can. In the future, when our kids are a little older, we'll help, but right now, a start- up church just isn't what our family can do. All that means is that maybe we need to look for a large "brick and mortar" church that is established, active and BIG. Not an idea either of us are liking at this point, but maybe its what our family needs right now. No matter where we decide to settle, it needs to happen soon. Church hopping with a nursing newborn isn't easy and we want, especially Bubbie, to begin to settle in a new environment. I will say this, in our church hopping, we've definitely been able to see more flaws in our old church. I don't say this disrespectfully, but maybe we've you've decided to stay somewhere, even if it does have flaws, you begin to ignore little things, because- we're making it, or we don't have the people or whatever. Its amazing to see what a church can do with volunteers and a building and commitment. Its been refreshing. The topic of changing churches may not go along with "simplicity" or quietness, but it does for us. If that is all that is rolling around in your mind and every Saturday you have to have the "Great debate" (i.e. which church are we going to tomrorow), it doesn't provide quietness in your soul. I think God is calling us to something different. Not sure if it means something bigger or smaller, but my soul has been uneasy about what we have been looking for. Maybe we are looking for the wrong thing. Maybe we are the answer...not that we are God's gift to a church, but maybe..... just maybe we're the different that someplace BIG or small needs and..... we just really need to be open and waiting and listening for God's call.... which does go back to.... clutter and simplicity and removing things that are going to get in our way of HEARING God's voice.
So, again, I know this post has been so very random. Not sure what my searching will come up with. Maybe it means closing Facebook or my blog or shutting off the computer entirely. Maybe it means digging into the idea of home schooling once again and a more in depth look. Maybe it means downsizing and getting rid of ruthlessly. I do know our food budgetting and shopping will change. Praying that we can find a stand-up freezer at an affordable price and these changes will not only help our budget, but also our lifestyle and health. I want life more simple. I don't know what that means for me and my family yet, but clutter needs to be removed and we need to become focused again.
Another change we have a new church. This is probably going to be a major change and readjustment for our life. We have decided to go "church hoppin". The change, I am afraid, will probably be fairly drastic and might even result us to "settling". I say that in the nicest way possible. We've maxed out our options in our "must have" column. I am burned by the idea of another "start-up" church. Not only because one day someone might decide- "hey, the church isn't working out, let's close the doors!" And again, I say that in the nicest way possible and that isn't necessarily what happened, but that is how I feel. Our church was a start-up and it did require a lot of hard work and volunteering. We weren't even some of the start up members and we put in several Sundays a month of work. With a newborn coming and having 3 small children to care for, the possibility of serving in a church isn't going to be plausible for the next year. Hubbie and I both have other commitments. Hubbie would like to serve in an area of music, but other than that, we're gonna be attending church and soaking up as much worship as we can. In the future, when our kids are a little older, we'll help, but right now, a start- up church just isn't what our family can do. All that means is that maybe we need to look for a large "brick and mortar" church that is established, active and BIG. Not an idea either of us are liking at this point, but maybe its what our family needs right now. No matter where we decide to settle, it needs to happen soon. Church hopping with a nursing newborn isn't easy and we want, especially Bubbie, to begin to settle in a new environment. I will say this, in our church hopping, we've definitely been able to see more flaws in our old church. I don't say this disrespectfully, but maybe we've you've decided to stay somewhere, even if it does have flaws, you begin to ignore little things, because- we're making it, or we don't have the people or whatever. Its amazing to see what a church can do with volunteers and a building and commitment. Its been refreshing. The topic of changing churches may not go along with "simplicity" or quietness, but it does for us. If that is all that is rolling around in your mind and every Saturday you have to have the "Great debate" (i.e. which church are we going to tomrorow), it doesn't provide quietness in your soul. I think God is calling us to something different. Not sure if it means something bigger or smaller, but my soul has been uneasy about what we have been looking for. Maybe we are looking for the wrong thing. Maybe we are the answer...not that we are God's gift to a church, but maybe..... just maybe we're the different that someplace BIG or small needs and..... we just really need to be open and waiting and listening for God's call.... which does go back to.... clutter and simplicity and removing things that are going to get in our way of HEARING God's voice.
So, again, I know this post has been so very random. Not sure what my searching will come up with. Maybe it means closing Facebook or my blog or shutting off the computer entirely. Maybe it means digging into the idea of home schooling once again and a more in depth look. Maybe it means downsizing and getting rid of ruthlessly. I do know our food budgetting and shopping will change. Praying that we can find a stand-up freezer at an affordable price and these changes will not only help our budget, but also our lifestyle and health. I want life more simple. I don't know what that means for me and my family yet, but clutter needs to be removed and we need to become focused again.
6/21/09
Menu Plan Monday
Yesterday we went for our final grocery shopping trip of the month . This is what I've come up with to last us until payday....well, actually I've got the plan past payday. I've learned that if I don't give myself a few ideas past payday, the urgency of running to the store isn't as bad...maybe for necessities- milk, bread and fruit, but if I have a few meals already planned, it seems to make the first of the month a little smoother!
Monday- Leftovers from the weekend
Tuesday- Homemade Pizza and Breadsticks
Wednesday- Egg Salad Sandwiches, fruit and chips
Thursday- Leftover Pizza
Friday- Chicken, broccoli and rice casserole
Saturday lunch- Burgers on the grill, chips and fruit
Saturday dinner- Leftover casserole
Sunday lunch- Out
Sunday dinner- Mexican- probably Mexican casserole with chips and salsa
Monday- Leftover Mexican
Tuesday- Breakfast/ sausage, eggs and biscuits
Wednesday- Chicken with cheesy, broccoli noodles
Thursday- Spaghetti
Friday- Leftover spaghetti
For more ideas, visit here.
6/20/09
Happy Father's Day! 7 YRS and counting.... and MUCH! MUCH! MORE!
I wanted to write a beautiful post for Father's Day in order to wish the most important men in my life a great day and how thankful I am for them..... then I realized.... shoot fire! Its our anniversary too!
We've been married for 7 yrs and our anniversary has NEVER fallen on the Father's Day! How in the heck did this happen?! Oh well! I kinda feel like I have to decide which event to celebrate! Do we honor Hubbie or do we celebrate our day of "love"?! HA!
We plan to spend the day together- going to church and spending quality family time. Once the kiddos go to bed, our plan is to have a nice, "romantic" date night in front of the tube and enjoy some yummy take out! I'll probably be in my pjs and then fall asleep before the movie is over and Hubbie will end up cleaning the kitchen! HA! A pretty typical at-home date night for us!
So, back to Father's Day... first of all, I have always considered myself the luckiest girl in the world. To have had a father like mine, not many can say that they are that super blessed. Not sure why God gave me my daddy, but he is everything a husband and father should be. He kind and loving. He was VERY patient. He is a great listener. He is and was always working on something. I don't remember him "relaxing" much. I don't think I EVER heard my father complain or fuss at my mother. He was a wonderful example of what a Godly father should be like. He always tried to point us in one direction- to God. My parents did a fabulous job providing us a safe, loving and Christ-filled home and for that, I am forever grateful!
The other man in my life, my Hubbie... the father of my boys. I love you more today than I did 7 years ago. Boy! I think back and MAN! we were young and STUPID back then. HA! We had no clue what we were getting into or what we had ahead of us. You are such a hard worker. Whatever needs to be done, you do. You love me unconditionally and give our boys such a wonderful example to follow. I know we make your life super stressful at times, but you keep truckin' and love us the same! I love this life we've created and so glad we've stuck through the hard times. Thank you for giving me two(and I'm sure I can say that it'll be three) of the most handsome and silliest boys! Thank you for support me, listening to me and loving me. Thank you for reading to the boys when you're tired. Thank you for bathing the boys when you know I've had a long, hard day. Thank you for doing the little things that I never see you do and that I never give you credit for. Thank you for wanting more for our boys and striving to do all you can to give them a wonderful future! I love you, my best friend and thank you for asking me to marry you!
So, Happy Father's Day to my daddy and to my Hubbie! And Happy 7th Anniversary to my Hubbie!
We love you both very much!
We've been married for 7 yrs and our anniversary has NEVER fallen on the Father's Day! How in the heck did this happen?! Oh well! I kinda feel like I have to decide which event to celebrate! Do we honor Hubbie or do we celebrate our day of "love"?! HA!
We plan to spend the day together- going to church and spending quality family time. Once the kiddos go to bed, our plan is to have a nice, "romantic" date night in front of the tube and enjoy some yummy take out! I'll probably be in my pjs and then fall asleep before the movie is over and Hubbie will end up cleaning the kitchen! HA! A pretty typical at-home date night for us!
So, back to Father's Day... first of all, I have always considered myself the luckiest girl in the world. To have had a father like mine, not many can say that they are that super blessed. Not sure why God gave me my daddy, but he is everything a husband and father should be. He kind and loving. He was VERY patient. He is a great listener. He is and was always working on something. I don't remember him "relaxing" much. I don't think I EVER heard my father complain or fuss at my mother. He was a wonderful example of what a Godly father should be like. He always tried to point us in one direction- to God. My parents did a fabulous job providing us a safe, loving and Christ-filled home and for that, I am forever grateful!
The other man in my life, my Hubbie... the father of my boys. I love you more today than I did 7 years ago. Boy! I think back and MAN! we were young and STUPID back then. HA! We had no clue what we were getting into or what we had ahead of us. You are such a hard worker. Whatever needs to be done, you do. You love me unconditionally and give our boys such a wonderful example to follow. I know we make your life super stressful at times, but you keep truckin' and love us the same! I love this life we've created and so glad we've stuck through the hard times. Thank you for giving me two(and I'm sure I can say that it'll be three) of the most handsome and silliest boys! Thank you for support me, listening to me and loving me. Thank you for reading to the boys when you're tired. Thank you for bathing the boys when you know I've had a long, hard day. Thank you for doing the little things that I never see you do and that I never give you credit for. Thank you for wanting more for our boys and striving to do all you can to give them a wonderful future! I love you, my best friend and thank you for asking me to marry you!
So, Happy Father's Day to my daddy and to my Hubbie! And Happy 7th Anniversary to my Hubbie!
We love you both very much!
6/18/09
I'm Gonna Try To Make Lemonade....
When life throws lemons at you, make lemonade.
Seems like that has been what my year, thus far, has been ALL about. When life throws something at you unexpected, make the best of it and move on. This year has definitely been all about changes and new things. Ever read this book....
yeah....that's what I feel like this year. Not that I've been molded such as I did the year Peanut was born...like an internal change. That was also another year of lots and LOTS AND LOTS of changes and transitions and more changes. So, its different changes than growing pains.... changes as in every time I turn around, something else is different or being changed and I am or we are asked to change with it or we prayerfully give God an aspect of "scariness" to God and life changes.....
the latest installment of changes have been some things that I can't blog about. Stinks, I KNOW! I blog about EVERYTHING and for some reason everyone else can discuss this, but if I do, I'm considered a well, I'm not even gonna OPEN that can of worms! :) Yada, Yada, Yada!!!
The other latest installment of changes have been church. Gosh! Where do I begin on church.....not sure. Not sure what the answer is. My biggest fear is that we miss God's leading being wrapped up in emotions and hurt. I TRULY want to go where God leads us. No matter where. If its a place we NEVER EVER considered going to, fine. If its back to the main campus, fine...whatever. The more we consider the main campus the more road blocks come up....and ya know, we just don't feel at peace about the decision. Maybe we're still in some stage of grief....is denial a stage? The ABSOLUTELY WORST PART...is that we feel so isolated and alone. We have our small group and still have ways of keeping in touch with those friends that we've made at our church, but it isn't the same. We're churchless. Gosh! How that stings! We're actually CHURCHLESS. On Sunday I was so down and bummed about realizing that- ya know what- we CAN'T MAKE the other campus work. Its just NOT for us. I had hoped that when we went on Sunday, we could have a new clearer vision and see the truth and what God wanted us to see. I prayed for a clear mind- one that wasn't bittered or angry or hurt. I felt like a flip flopper the whole service. It actually felt good to be around such familiar sights and sounds. Even for a few minutes, I tried to pretend that I knew nothing and had only ever been to this campus.... it didn't work. It might take us a while and maybe we'll "come around" and go to the main campus......but the more we discuss and talk and think and pray and do more thinking...... we realize, we're churchless. So, Sunday was a long, thoughtful day and when small groups met, I didn't want it to end. I had missed going to MY church and I know it doesn't exist, but the only thing we have is those people. The hardest thing to swallow is that the people we know- the people we've been in small groups with- feel very similar to us and we're all gonna drift and do the best thing for our family. We're not all going to end up at the main campus. Again, you can stay in contact and still meet for our small groups, but not forever. Eventually we'll all make our own decisions, join that place and begin to make a connection at the new place.
So, we're churchless and in a constant state of change......
Of course, the other change is our precious, darling, baby boy no 3. I've been very laid back and excited this entire pregnancy. Maybe because I'm at home this time. No worries or wondering if everything is going to work out. Maybe a peace that this is where I am suppose to be. I've enjoyed this pregnancy, in that aspect... I still don't enjoy all the other pregnancy woes! :) So, I've been good and smooth sailing.... UNTIL....about 2 weeks ago and then FEAR hit me. What in the tarnation am I going to do with 3 kids? GOSH! I thought December was a rotten month to have a baby. HA! I think September is worse! I'm telling you, no 4, IF there is a no 4, Nana, breathe!!, is going to be planned and is coming at the end of June! :) No worries of school or schedules or events starting or messing up our Fall plans! HA! I think I realized, wait a minute, I can't drive for a month and Bubbie's school starts a month BEFORE Baby Bean comes. How am I going to get Bubbie to school for 2 weeks after Hubbie goes back to work? Hmmm... yeah.... little things like that. I already knew that Baby Bean was coming at a bad time for MOPS. I am PRAYING that Baby Bean will wait until AFTER the 1st mtg. If I can get all the returning moms registered BEFORE the 1st mtg and then make it to the first meeting, we'll be doing good. I really REALLY REALLY love my job with MOPS. Its miserable and hard at times. I have late nights and stress that comes with it, but I REALLY REALLY REALLY love knowing all the moms and being their first contact. I love that I can make them feel welcome and I get to meet them first and settle them in. I remember being a newbie mom and I remember walking into that HUGE room with A LOT OF STRANGERS and I remember not knowing anyone or the schedule or anything. Its overwhelming and I love being that first contact so that they know, I at least know the gal that registered me and told me where to go and introduced me to people. I like that. I enjoy that. If I could make money doing a job like this, I would do it in a heartbeat! I love it. So anyway, I really want to make that 1st mtg work. I know I'll miss at least 2 mtgs after that and I'm good with that.... just wanna make it to that first one. Then, of course, y'all ALL know, Fall is by far, my favorite time of year. I dread Fall sickies, because I don't want it to ruin our plans. I love being out doors and going pumpkin picking and doing Fallish activities. Going to the mountains, picking apples, just making memories with my kids. We all enjoy it so much and its just a way for us to do something fun, together and outdoors! I think we decided to wait until after Baby Bean comes to do any of those fun things. It really doesn't start feeling like fall until the end of October. I asked Hubie if he'd rather take a VERY VERY PREGNANT woman apple picking in the mountains or a newborn. HA! He said newborn.... very quickly!!! So, we're gonna wait until the end of October to do any of those fun things. So, having a baby in September has it stressers. Trying to figure out how I'm gonna handle everything, plus a newborn. It'll happen. It'll work out. I know it'll just come and we'll get a groove and I always say, the first 6 mos are pretty miserable at times, but we'll all get a new routine and we'll figure it out. So, I'm trying not to stress, but I really wish it would just hurry up and get here, so we can get this show on the road!!!
yeah....that's what I feel like this year. Not that I've been molded such as I did the year Peanut was born...like an internal change. That was also another year of lots and LOTS AND LOTS of changes and transitions and more changes. So, its different changes than growing pains.... changes as in every time I turn around, something else is different or being changed and I am or we are asked to change with it or we prayerfully give God an aspect of "scariness" to God and life changes.....the latest installment of changes have been some things that I can't blog about. Stinks, I KNOW! I blog about EVERYTHING and for some reason everyone else can discuss this, but if I do, I'm considered a well, I'm not even gonna OPEN that can of worms! :) Yada, Yada, Yada!!!
The other latest installment of changes have been church. Gosh! Where do I begin on church.....not sure. Not sure what the answer is. My biggest fear is that we miss God's leading being wrapped up in emotions and hurt. I TRULY want to go where God leads us. No matter where. If its a place we NEVER EVER considered going to, fine. If its back to the main campus, fine...whatever. The more we consider the main campus the more road blocks come up....and ya know, we just don't feel at peace about the decision. Maybe we're still in some stage of grief....is denial a stage? The ABSOLUTELY WORST PART...is that we feel so isolated and alone. We have our small group and still have ways of keeping in touch with those friends that we've made at our church, but it isn't the same. We're churchless. Gosh! How that stings! We're actually CHURCHLESS. On Sunday I was so down and bummed about realizing that- ya know what- we CAN'T MAKE the other campus work. Its just NOT for us. I had hoped that when we went on Sunday, we could have a new clearer vision and see the truth and what God wanted us to see. I prayed for a clear mind- one that wasn't bittered or angry or hurt. I felt like a flip flopper the whole service. It actually felt good to be around such familiar sights and sounds. Even for a few minutes, I tried to pretend that I knew nothing and had only ever been to this campus.... it didn't work. It might take us a while and maybe we'll "come around" and go to the main campus......but the more we discuss and talk and think and pray and do more thinking...... we realize, we're churchless. So, Sunday was a long, thoughtful day and when small groups met, I didn't want it to end. I had missed going to MY church and I know it doesn't exist, but the only thing we have is those people. The hardest thing to swallow is that the people we know- the people we've been in small groups with- feel very similar to us and we're all gonna drift and do the best thing for our family. We're not all going to end up at the main campus. Again, you can stay in contact and still meet for our small groups, but not forever. Eventually we'll all make our own decisions, join that place and begin to make a connection at the new place.
So, we're churchless and in a constant state of change......
Of course, the other change is our precious, darling, baby boy no 3. I've been very laid back and excited this entire pregnancy. Maybe because I'm at home this time. No worries or wondering if everything is going to work out. Maybe a peace that this is where I am suppose to be. I've enjoyed this pregnancy, in that aspect... I still don't enjoy all the other pregnancy woes! :) So, I've been good and smooth sailing.... UNTIL....about 2 weeks ago and then FEAR hit me. What in the tarnation am I going to do with 3 kids? GOSH! I thought December was a rotten month to have a baby. HA! I think September is worse! I'm telling you, no 4, IF there is a no 4, Nana, breathe!!, is going to be planned and is coming at the end of June! :) No worries of school or schedules or events starting or messing up our Fall plans! HA! I think I realized, wait a minute, I can't drive for a month and Bubbie's school starts a month BEFORE Baby Bean comes. How am I going to get Bubbie to school for 2 weeks after Hubbie goes back to work? Hmmm... yeah.... little things like that. I already knew that Baby Bean was coming at a bad time for MOPS. I am PRAYING that Baby Bean will wait until AFTER the 1st mtg. If I can get all the returning moms registered BEFORE the 1st mtg and then make it to the first meeting, we'll be doing good. I really REALLY REALLY love my job with MOPS. Its miserable and hard at times. I have late nights and stress that comes with it, but I REALLY REALLY REALLY love knowing all the moms and being their first contact. I love that I can make them feel welcome and I get to meet them first and settle them in. I remember being a newbie mom and I remember walking into that HUGE room with A LOT OF STRANGERS and I remember not knowing anyone or the schedule or anything. Its overwhelming and I love being that first contact so that they know, I at least know the gal that registered me and told me where to go and introduced me to people. I like that. I enjoy that. If I could make money doing a job like this, I would do it in a heartbeat! I love it. So anyway, I really want to make that 1st mtg work. I know I'll miss at least 2 mtgs after that and I'm good with that.... just wanna make it to that first one. Then, of course, y'all ALL know, Fall is by far, my favorite time of year. I dread Fall sickies, because I don't want it to ruin our plans. I love being out doors and going pumpkin picking and doing Fallish activities. Going to the mountains, picking apples, just making memories with my kids. We all enjoy it so much and its just a way for us to do something fun, together and outdoors! I think we decided to wait until after Baby Bean comes to do any of those fun things. It really doesn't start feeling like fall until the end of October. I asked Hubie if he'd rather take a VERY VERY PREGNANT woman apple picking in the mountains or a newborn. HA! He said newborn.... very quickly!!! So, we're gonna wait until the end of October to do any of those fun things. So, having a baby in September has it stressers. Trying to figure out how I'm gonna handle everything, plus a newborn. It'll happen. It'll work out. I know it'll just come and we'll get a groove and I always say, the first 6 mos are pretty miserable at times, but we'll all get a new routine and we'll figure it out. So, I'm trying not to stress, but I really wish it would just hurry up and get here, so we can get this show on the road!!!
6/16/09
Meet Sir Topham Hatt!
We are all about Thomas the Train over here. Even Peanut gets into the train action and whenever he sees a train he tries to imitate the "choo-choo" sound from a train! We received free ticket vouchers to see the show- Thomas Live on Stage and its less than 2 weeks away! We decided to only take Bubbie and leave Peanut at home with Nana and Pops! Bubbie was a little disappointed, but he got over it quickly!!! He is so excited! We've been telling him...wait until June...then Thomas will be here..... As soon as he found out that it WAS the month of June, he's been talking about Thomas Live on Stage a lot!
Friday, at the local library, we were able to attend a Meet and Greet with Sir Topham Hatt, sit in on storytime and even watch a few episodes of Thomas the Tank Engine. It was scheduled right at nap time, so I was a little concerned about the boy's behavior and how they would deal. Thankfully, they did a lot better than I expected....and a LOT better than a lot of kids there.
Bubbie and Peanut were TOTALLY enthralled with the storytime, because the events coordinator was able to show the pages on the big screen. Bubbie was excited about seeing Sir Topham Hatt until we got up on stage. I just knew I would have issues with Peanut, but every time I asked Peanut if he wanted to meet Sir Topham Hatt he nodded his head vigorously and said "Yeah!" So, up on stage we went, handed the camera to the lady and I was carrying Peanut and dragging Bubbie. Sir Topham Hatt did a good job trying to get Bubbie to have a conversation with him.... but Bubbie wasn't having any of it. Peanut on the other hand just watched.....UNTIL....Sir Topham Hatt said something to him. Then we had drama! and tears!!!
As you can see from the picture, Mommy was the ONLY one who actually ENJOYED taking the picture. Hee hee! Maybe I was smiling THAT MUCH because it was better than crying!!! So, anyway, all in all, it was an absolutely fantastic afternoon. The boys enjoyed it. I was glad I made the effort to take them. I'm a HUGE nap person and we thrive on routine and structure, but I figured, this once, we would try it. We did have fussy boys by 5 o'clock which made the making dinner and unloading the car hour INSANE! I was already tired and my feet were sore and I needed to get off my feet and then it was storming so every time it thundered the boys screamed and I had tons of DRAMA on my hands!!! but it was a good outing.... and I'm glad we did it! We probably won't EVER, EVER, EVER miss rest time again...but it was a good memory!
6/15/09
Thoughts on Jon and Kate Plus 8.....
Brea posted something on Facebook today and it made me start thinking.... and it summed up what I had been thinking. Keep reading... link to the blog post that Brea posted is towards the bottom!
I've struggled with my thoughts on the topic of Jon and Kate Plus 8. I'm sure you've all heard of the drama going on with that family. Its hard to miss it. Even if you don't watch tv, all the magazines have this family's pictures and stories plastered on their covers. I have been an avid watcher of this family's show since it begin.... like way back when they were just 1 hr documentaries on Discovery Health... so what is that.... like 5 years. I enjoyed watching the dynamics of their family. I didn't always agree, but if you've watched this family as long as I have, you can see changes. The Kate that is portrayed on tv now, isn't the same one that was portrayed 5 years ago. She was probably in there, but the cameras weren't with them for as long, so maybe she could put up a front for a few hours.... I don't know...doesn't really matter. I have watched every episode, faithfully, every Monday night. I never really knew why I watched. Maybe I enjoyed watching the family...the kids.... I know a few moms that watch to make them realize that their lives aren't THAT bad. HA! I even heard a MOPS mom, one time, say that she watched Jon and Kate Plus 8 every night before she went to bed to remind herself that SHE COULD DO THIS THING called mothering! I thought that was hilarious...not because the mom was crazy....but maybe that is why I watched it. Maybe I said...here is an anal, uptight, crazy mom.....errr....like myself???....and if she can survive 8 kids.... I surely can do 2, right?!
Back to the point of the post. A few months ago I heard, like everyone else, the rumors of broken marriage, infidelity, etc., etc., etc. I was sad for this family, especially if these rumors were true. I watched last season's finale and KNEW right then and there that there were issues. Jon was NOT happy. Not that he didn't have a right to be, but I kinda had to side with Jon on this one.... Kate was definitely enjoying her new life of glitz and glamor. What mom wouldn't? If you've seen the early day's show, you know what she lived in daily- sweats! She had no glamor to her life. Slowly, but surely, she got a tummy tuck, new hair, new clothes...this season she's even doing her nails.... NOT THAT ANY OF THIS IS BAD....but you can slowly see a shift of Kate's focus. She is enjoying the limelight while her husband is NOT happy. I did read on a blog post that Kate had encouraged Jon to get a part time job, go back to school, do charity work, etc. so that maybe his life would have some sort of purpose.... not sure what happened with that conversation, but basically, Kate should have said, OK! enough is enough! This was a good run, we've enjoyed it, but we need to move on. Unfortunately with a 2 million dollar new house and new cars and on and on.... you just can't make a switch like that over night. They'd lose all their new toys and I think, truthfully, the family was enjoying that too much to let it go....even if it meant saving their family.
So, I say all that first, but the reason I hesitated even posting about this was because I really can't judge. I've never been in their shoes. I don't know what its like to have a house full of kids, one income and have this offer of fame and fortune at my doorstep. If I were Kate, would I turn it down, who knows!? If I had lived through several job changes/losses with my husband during the first few months of my 6 premature babies lives with a total of 8 children to support.... not sure I could forget those REALLY REALLY hard times and shut the door on a multimillion dollar life. I'm sure it would be hard.
So, I saw this post today on Facebook and thought.... YES! YES! YES! I agree. One thing I can empathize with Kate and Jon about is that I have been through a TERRIBLE time with my husband. Years. Not all were bad. But the majority of our marriage was miserable. It wasn't an issue of unfaithfulness, but gosh! I sure did struggle to be seen, loved and valued. I won't go into the REALLY bad times and what those felt like, but I will tell you.... nothing would have changed our marriage without the love of Christ. God worked through us. God opened our eyes. God did something amazing. The husband I married...or had for 3 years.... was changed. I remember pincing myself and thinking.... who is this man? Its like we both grew and grew up and grew closer to God and "magically" met in the middle. My husband doesn't always make me "happy"(not that he is suppose to) or proud to be his wife.... nor do I do the same for Hubbie everyday, but we know where we've been, we know WHAT/WHO saved us and we know HE can do it again, with Jon and Kate.
I haven't decided whether I will continue to watch the show. I tape it every week and cringe when I start to watch it. I feel as though I'm helping TLC and not Jon and Kate. The season premier was the highest rated show so far...and it was all about their marriage crumbling. For some reason, that just sounds odd. We're all waiting for some sort of drama to unfold on this show.... and I feel as long as I continue to watch, it gives TLC encouragement to keep "fueling" the fires. Maybe? I don't know.... so maybe this is me saying good-bye to what was once a cool, little show and has now broken up a marriage.
I've struggled with my thoughts on the topic of Jon and Kate Plus 8. I'm sure you've all heard of the drama going on with that family. Its hard to miss it. Even if you don't watch tv, all the magazines have this family's pictures and stories plastered on their covers. I have been an avid watcher of this family's show since it begin.... like way back when they were just 1 hr documentaries on Discovery Health... so what is that.... like 5 years. I enjoyed watching the dynamics of their family. I didn't always agree, but if you've watched this family as long as I have, you can see changes. The Kate that is portrayed on tv now, isn't the same one that was portrayed 5 years ago. She was probably in there, but the cameras weren't with them for as long, so maybe she could put up a front for a few hours.... I don't know...doesn't really matter. I have watched every episode, faithfully, every Monday night. I never really knew why I watched. Maybe I enjoyed watching the family...the kids.... I know a few moms that watch to make them realize that their lives aren't THAT bad. HA! I even heard a MOPS mom, one time, say that she watched Jon and Kate Plus 8 every night before she went to bed to remind herself that SHE COULD DO THIS THING called mothering! I thought that was hilarious...not because the mom was crazy....but maybe that is why I watched it. Maybe I said...here is an anal, uptight, crazy mom.....errr....like myself???....and if she can survive 8 kids.... I surely can do 2, right?!
Back to the point of the post. A few months ago I heard, like everyone else, the rumors of broken marriage, infidelity, etc., etc., etc. I was sad for this family, especially if these rumors were true. I watched last season's finale and KNEW right then and there that there were issues. Jon was NOT happy. Not that he didn't have a right to be, but I kinda had to side with Jon on this one.... Kate was definitely enjoying her new life of glitz and glamor. What mom wouldn't? If you've seen the early day's show, you know what she lived in daily- sweats! She had no glamor to her life. Slowly, but surely, she got a tummy tuck, new hair, new clothes...this season she's even doing her nails.... NOT THAT ANY OF THIS IS BAD....but you can slowly see a shift of Kate's focus. She is enjoying the limelight while her husband is NOT happy. I did read on a blog post that Kate had encouraged Jon to get a part time job, go back to school, do charity work, etc. so that maybe his life would have some sort of purpose.... not sure what happened with that conversation, but basically, Kate should have said, OK! enough is enough! This was a good run, we've enjoyed it, but we need to move on. Unfortunately with a 2 million dollar new house and new cars and on and on.... you just can't make a switch like that over night. They'd lose all their new toys and I think, truthfully, the family was enjoying that too much to let it go....even if it meant saving their family.
So, I say all that first, but the reason I hesitated even posting about this was because I really can't judge. I've never been in their shoes. I don't know what its like to have a house full of kids, one income and have this offer of fame and fortune at my doorstep. If I were Kate, would I turn it down, who knows!? If I had lived through several job changes/losses with my husband during the first few months of my 6 premature babies lives with a total of 8 children to support.... not sure I could forget those REALLY REALLY hard times and shut the door on a multimillion dollar life. I'm sure it would be hard.
So, I saw this post today on Facebook and thought.... YES! YES! YES! I agree. One thing I can empathize with Kate and Jon about is that I have been through a TERRIBLE time with my husband. Years. Not all were bad. But the majority of our marriage was miserable. It wasn't an issue of unfaithfulness, but gosh! I sure did struggle to be seen, loved and valued. I won't go into the REALLY bad times and what those felt like, but I will tell you.... nothing would have changed our marriage without the love of Christ. God worked through us. God opened our eyes. God did something amazing. The husband I married...or had for 3 years.... was changed. I remember pincing myself and thinking.... who is this man? Its like we both grew and grew up and grew closer to God and "magically" met in the middle. My husband doesn't always make me "happy"(not that he is suppose to) or proud to be his wife.... nor do I do the same for Hubbie everyday, but we know where we've been, we know WHAT/WHO saved us and we know HE can do it again, with Jon and Kate.
I haven't decided whether I will continue to watch the show. I tape it every week and cringe when I start to watch it. I feel as though I'm helping TLC and not Jon and Kate. The season premier was the highest rated show so far...and it was all about their marriage crumbling. For some reason, that just sounds odd. We're all waiting for some sort of drama to unfold on this show.... and I feel as long as I continue to watch, it gives TLC encouragement to keep "fueling" the fires. Maybe? I don't know.... so maybe this is me saying good-bye to what was once a cool, little show and has now broken up a marriage.
Menu
Here it is...Monday again. We've got a full week. I've got a crazy Monday and Tuesday with lots on my plate. Lord willing the kids will cooperate and I will be able to get everything done.
I had some places removed by the dermatologist on Friday so that, in addition to the cramped up and slow moving pregnant body I am becoming, I don't move as quickly as I use to and don't last as long either!!! We'll see how much I can get accomplished!
Sunday is Father's Day AND our 7th anniversary! Yeah! We made it 7 YEARS!!!
Monday- Leftover spaghetti, corn and bread (Gone to cake decorating class)
Tuesday- Egg salad sandwiches and chips (Gone to MOPS mtg)
Wednesday- Roast and carrots in crockpot with rice and biscuits
Thursday- Leftover roast w/ green beans
Friday- Dinner at Nana and Pops'
Saturday Lunch- Homemade pizza and breadsticks
Saturday Dinner-Chicken in the crockpot New recipe. I'll probably make some broccoli and cornbread.
Sunday Lunch- Leftover chicken.
Sunday Dinner- No clue. Probably something special for our 7th anniversary!!! :)
6/12/09
4.5 yrs, soon-to-be-18 mos and 26 weeks and counting....
Bubbie is 4.5 yrs old now. He has grown up so much in the last 6 mos. He's vocabulary cracks me up and I love his imagination. He is ALL INTO TRAINS. My boy eats, plays and dreams TRAINS..... no lie....24/7. I thought he had it kinda bad. This is much worse people. The other day in the little kiddie pool outside he said that he was Thomas and that his brother was Edward. For a solid hour, he continued to TALK about what Edward and Thomas were doing. I don't think he took a breath for at least an hour. I finally had had enough trains...yes, call me mean ole mom, and told him ENOUGH! trains! Thankfully he took the gentle nudging and changed subjects! I was TRAINED-OUT. Bubbie has been very, very kind and loving towards Peanut. The other day I over heard him "rocking" Peanut and singing "Rock-a-bye-baby". I think I could have just melted into the floor. I didn't walk into the room and try to get a picture, because I knew it would end the wonderful play time they had going on, but boy! did I want to see that. Bubbie has also been very interested in Baby Bean and the shape of my tummy. He loves to rub "Bean's head" and thinks that Bean can feel "his love". One day Bubbie gave me a BIG hug and said "Mama, when I hug you, Baby Bean can feel my love!"
Hard to think that in less than 6 mos we'll be having two birthday parties- one for a 5 yr old and one for a 2 yr old and we will have a newborn! Oh....please get me to that point..... December needs to be here soon.... and it needs to be cold!
My other little boy, Peanut, is soon-to-be 18 mos old. He is all boy. Non-stop. Loves play outside and can say that word VERY well. He is a shoe-obsessed soul...ha! ha! get it Pops! sole....soul....ha! I finally gave in a few weeks ago and gave him a sucker from the bank! He sure does LOVE suckers! I went and took him for his first haircut this week. I did take my camera...like any good bloggin' mama would, but I had the camera and two freshly charged batteries.... ha! but no memory card! As Mandy would say, placenta brain! I did capture a few pictures with my phone, so I'm hoping Hubbie can figure out how to get them from the phone to the computer. The haircut sure does make Peanut look like a little boy. Thankfully he still has the most adorable little face! Peanut loves to watch Elmo and Veggie Tales. Usually only if there is singing and music will he even stop and pay attention, but his grooves would make anyone laugh. He is definitely enjoying "swimming". We bought a "cheap-o" pool at Wal-Mart last week and it has a small slide. The boys spend hours a day going up and down the slide. In the last month or so, Peanut has definitely realized he was a choice in a lot of matters. He is very good at running away if you're trying to get him to go in a direction that he'd prefer not to go in.... Needless to say, we use the stroller a lot! Peanut doesn't go for his 18 check up until next week, so I can't give you those stats, but I think he's grown a little bit and is probably the same weight.
And last, but not least....baby Bean. I am 26 wks preggo today. The heat is miserable. I am tired...not tired in physically tired, but just tired of being pregnant. I am getting very impatient about this pregnant and just wanna get the show on the road. Some days I'm not the nicest mommy....I guess my fuse is shorter because of the heat and the physical movement of the kids. I start to feel bad and then think, no, don't feel bad, this is life.... Mommys aren't always in a fantastic, happy-go-lucky mood. This is life and Mommy is pregnant! Now, no, I don't need to take my issues out on them and I don't, but I definitely don't let things slide anymore. My kids are gonna be "whipped into shape" before baby comes!!! Ha! ....... I don't think the heat really hit me until last week. We have been keeping busy with activities indoors. Very few park dates that last past 11 am. Just too miserable. I feel like I swallowed a basketball and its getting more difficult to breathe. I have such a short torso, I really have very little room for a baby, so all my baby is out front! I probably look at least 30 wks pregnant. Doc says I'm fine. Blood pressure and weight is good. I don't go back to the doc until July and I'll have my blood/sugar test then. Not too terribly worried about that. Not too much longer before my appts become more regular... OH! Happy joy! Joy! Please tell me you read that with a sarcastic tone?!
So, life is good. My boys keep me laughing, smiling and moving! Friends and activities keep my mind off my ever growing belly and the heat! My mom is wonderful to keep my boys during my doc appts and for date nights. Hubbie is a fantastic support and a wonderful father. He knows when I have long days and when the kids have worn on me a little too much. I just hope his nerves can handle one more!!! He's a good man, but he doesn't have a lot of patience!
Pictures are courtesy of my wonderfully talented and ever so patient friend, Dana. Here is a sampling of her work. I sure do wish I could take pictures like she does! Thankfully she is very willing to take pictures of my family.
Note to my grandmothers, I will email you the password to Dana's photos of our family and if you'd like to pick the pictures you like, I will order you some and send them to you!
6/11/09
Cute Maternity Clothes
Cute Maternity Top, huh?!
Just saw the cutest maternity clothes! Its called Kiki's Fashion Maternity. Such trendy things. My favorite part about these clothes are that they are so cheap! I hate spending a fortune on maternity clothes. I think in all 3 of my pregnancies I've probably only bought about 5-10 pieces of NEW maternity pieces. It just isn't worth it to pay full price! If you go to the main page of the website, they are even offering coupon codes! How awesome!
Love! this sundress!
Guess what? Here is a special offer for us bloggers...and of course, all you non-bloggers that read my blog- 20% off! How cool! Just use coupon code "blogfriends" during checkout to apply.
I am all into sundresses this pregnancy. It is so incredibly hot! Just in the last week has it really hit me how horribly hot it is! Sundresses are great because its little clothing and little contact on your skin! Plus it looks so cute with a baby bump! I can so see myself wearing this to the beach next month!
My Bubbie Speaks...
Warning...do not read if you don't like potty talk.
Bubbie and Peanut get put down for rest every day around 2pm. I started doing 2 o'clock instead of "whenever" so that it would work better in the Fall. Bubbie, and when Peanut goes, will be getting out of school at 1:30, so give or take 30 mins, we'll hopefully be able to stick with that once Baby Bean comes.
No lie, every day, never fails, within about 30 mins of being put in bed, Bubbie comes out and says he either has to poop or pee. I don't argue or question it. Hubbie and I are usually pretty convinced he could hold whatever he needs to hold, but with his constipation issues, I don't argue. If he needs to poop, let the boy do his thing.
Today was like every other day. About 3:15 Bubbie comes to find me and says he needs to go potty. I tell him to go do his business and then call me when he's done. He comes back to find me and says "Mama! Those 2 poops, they looked like tater tots!" I think he was rather proud of himself.
Yes, sir, indeedy.... no more tater tots being eaten in my house!
Bubbie and Peanut get put down for rest every day around 2pm. I started doing 2 o'clock instead of "whenever" so that it would work better in the Fall. Bubbie, and when Peanut goes, will be getting out of school at 1:30, so give or take 30 mins, we'll hopefully be able to stick with that once Baby Bean comes.
No lie, every day, never fails, within about 30 mins of being put in bed, Bubbie comes out and says he either has to poop or pee. I don't argue or question it. Hubbie and I are usually pretty convinced he could hold whatever he needs to hold, but with his constipation issues, I don't argue. If he needs to poop, let the boy do his thing.
Today was like every other day. About 3:15 Bubbie comes to find me and says he needs to go potty. I tell him to go do his business and then call me when he's done. He comes back to find me and says "Mama! Those 2 poops, they looked like tater tots!" I think he was rather proud of himself.
Yes, sir, indeedy.... no more tater tots being eaten in my house!
6/10/09
Early Morning in Georgia
Its not too often that I wake up- on my own- before 7am. Usually I wake up with tiny hands shaking me or the sound of a talking/screaming child in the other room. Today, I woke up at 4am and did not feel like sleep. I do now. Thank goodness! It only took a hr for the sleepy bug to get me again!
Whenever I wake early like this I always wonder "What am I suppose to do? Is God trying to tell me to get an early start on my day and begin it with Him?" Today, I'm not sure, but I plan on going back to bed, so hopefully this won't ruin the rest of my morning!
Today I woke up, went potty and then got a small glass of chocolate milk. Then I turned on the computer, checked my email and decided to read some blog posts. It didn't take too terribly long to make a small dent in my Google Reader. I did want to share two things that I came across at this horrible hour!
First was this blog post by my long time pen pal, Kristin. She has such a wonderful heart and I hope to be a mommy like her one day! Kristin has a way of writing things that really do convict me and make me think. After a day like yesterday, I needed to be reminded of, not why I do the job that I do, but that it does matter!
Second, on "Deal"icious Mom, she had this blog post. Woo hoo! You'd better believe I want a free 8 x 10 photo print! I quickly went to my Picasa photo storage and begin searching for a picture.
Looking through photos is something I do often by myself and do a lot with Bubbie. I wish I took pictures like my very talented friend, Dana, which by the way, I can't wait to show you the latest shots she got of my sweet boys and the family shot or two she was able to get. Back to my ability, I don't do a horrible job, but my camera sucks batteries like its going out of style and I really need to save up for another, better-on-batteries camera.
Man! Never thought I would love two boys as much as I do these two.
Then I began to wonder....what will Baby Bean be like? These boys are truly friends. Peanutwanders around the house looking for his Bubba when Bubba is gone. And Bubba was quite sad to be leaving Peanut for summer school without Peanut coming along too.
Can't wait to see the dynamic of my 3 sons together. Bubbie is already a sweet big brother and so much help to me with Peanut. He does tattle, but most of the time, its good tattling and I don't know what I'm going to do when he is away at school! I guess I ought to pray for extra strength and EYES WIDE OPEN....or maybe I should start to like coffee!
These two little boys have my heart- they each are special in their own way. Each added another layer to my life- a layer I never knew was missing until they came.
Bubbie and Peanut are good friends and I pray that they will always be close. I tell Bubbie a lot, usually its after Peanut wrecks one of Bubbie's tracks, that friends will come and go (and seriously, HOW true is that?! Not because you get mad and break off a friendship, but people just grow and drift and move on and people get busy....) but brothers are friends given by God!
So, I'm off to bed with lovely thoughts of my 3 little boys. I sure do wish it were September, so we could get this show on the road, but I sure am enjoying and soaking in the love between these two little boys!
Whenever I wake early like this I always wonder "What am I suppose to do? Is God trying to tell me to get an early start on my day and begin it with Him?" Today, I'm not sure, but I plan on going back to bed, so hopefully this won't ruin the rest of my morning!
Today I woke up, went potty and then got a small glass of chocolate milk. Then I turned on the computer, checked my email and decided to read some blog posts. It didn't take too terribly long to make a small dent in my Google Reader. I did want to share two things that I came across at this horrible hour!
First was this blog post by my long time pen pal, Kristin. She has such a wonderful heart and I hope to be a mommy like her one day! Kristin has a way of writing things that really do convict me and make me think. After a day like yesterday, I needed to be reminded of, not why I do the job that I do, but that it does matter!
Second, on "Deal"icious Mom, she had this blog post. Woo hoo! You'd better believe I want a free 8 x 10 photo print! I quickly went to my Picasa photo storage and begin searching for a picture.
Looking through photos is something I do often by myself and do a lot with Bubbie. I wish I took pictures like my very talented friend, Dana, which by the way, I can't wait to show you the latest shots she got of my sweet boys and the family shot or two she was able to get. Back to my ability, I don't do a horrible job, but my camera sucks batteries like its going out of style and I really need to save up for another, better-on-batteries camera.
While seaching, I found these photos from Easter weekend.
Man! Never thought I would love two boys as much as I do these two.
Then I began to wonder....what will Baby Bean be like? These boys are truly friends. Peanutwanders around the house looking for his Bubba when Bubba is gone. And Bubba was quite sad to be leaving Peanut for summer school without Peanut coming along too.
These two little boys have my heart- they each are special in their own way. Each added another layer to my life- a layer I never knew was missing until they came.
Bubbie and Peanut are good friends and I pray that they will always be close. I tell Bubbie a lot, usually its after Peanut wrecks one of Bubbie's tracks, that friends will come and go (and seriously, HOW true is that?! Not because you get mad and break off a friendship, but people just grow and drift and move on and people get busy....) but brothers are friends given by God!
So, I'm off to bed with lovely thoughts of my 3 little boys. I sure do wish it were September, so we could get this show on the road, but I sure am enjoying and soaking in the love between these two little boys!
6/8/09
Monday...
Today- Monday was errand day. I had to run to CVS, Wal-Mart, the bank and Michaels. We don't do multiple stops/errands very often and I'm usually pretty prepared and plan out the time I go...not too close to a meal time, early, DO NOT miss nap time, etc.
I ran into Michaels to sign up for a Cake Decorating Class. I am so excited. I have been talking about and thinking about taking a class for years. Just never took the time to go do it. The other night I was watching a reality show- Cake Boss- and kept watching them make this beautiful cakes. The whole time I thought- man! sure wish I could do that....then it dawned on me. Shoot! I can do that! Go take a class! So I mentioned it to Hubbie and he was ok with it. He has known that I've wanted to do it for a long time and I have "free" nights right night. I am going to miss my Summer Bible Study with my MOPS gals and it was a really hard decision to make, but I figured I could do the Bible study another day and the class is only a month long. I am so excited!!!
I've made a few cakes- shown below- and think I did a fairly decent job for being my first attempts with no skills. I can't wait to do Peanut and Bubbie's cakes this year! Bubbie has already told me he wants a Wall-E themed birthday with a Wall-E cake.... Eeek! Might have to get some help on that one! :)
Bubbie's 1st cake- It was a simple, normal, 2 tiered chocolate cake with oreo crumbles covering it. I had made a few cupcakes so that the whole cake wouldn't be ruined. Nothing special or fancy.
2nd birthday- We did a train cake. This was hard, but probably the most fun! Found the idea online.
3rd birthday- Bubbie wanted a No. 3 cake with a race track on it. Don't look too closely....this was hard!
4th birthday- Bubbie wanted a volcano cake with a dinosaur. We tried to buy dried ice to put in the top of the volcano, so it would have some smoke, but the dry ice was $14 for a HUGE bag. We just needed a piece, so no smoke!
And.....Peanut's 1st cake.....for the life of me, I can't remember what I served everyone else, but I decided to make a personalized size cake for Peanut with his birthday candle on it.... maybe so we wouldn't have spit or hands in the whole cake? Not sure, but this is the best picture I ha
I really enjoy making my kid's birthday cakes. Something about me being the Mommy and being able to do that for my kids. They celebrate a birthday every year and its something that only I probably REALLY TRULY care about...but its memories and I enjoy it. I know it wouldn't be as stressful if I just bought them a cake from Publix. I have bought a cake from Publix- for Bubbie's 2nd birthday- I did two birthday parties that year- one for each side of the family. The cake was very cool, but not worth the money. I hope my boys will let me make all of their birthday cakes....until they get married!
I ran into Michaels to sign up for a Cake Decorating Class. I am so excited. I have been talking about and thinking about taking a class for years. Just never took the time to go do it. The other night I was watching a reality show- Cake Boss- and kept watching them make this beautiful cakes. The whole time I thought- man! sure wish I could do that....then it dawned on me. Shoot! I can do that! Go take a class! So I mentioned it to Hubbie and he was ok with it. He has known that I've wanted to do it for a long time and I have "free" nights right night. I am going to miss my Summer Bible Study with my MOPS gals and it was a really hard decision to make, but I figured I could do the Bible study another day and the class is only a month long. I am so excited!!!
I've made a few cakes- shown below- and think I did a fairly decent job for being my first attempts with no skills. I can't wait to do Peanut and Bubbie's cakes this year! Bubbie has already told me he wants a Wall-E themed birthday with a Wall-E cake.... Eeek! Might have to get some help on that one! :)
Bubbie's 1st cake- It was a simple, normal, 2 tiered chocolate cake with oreo crumbles covering it. I had made a few cupcakes so that the whole cake wouldn't be ruined. Nothing special or fancy.
2nd birthday- We did a train cake. This was hard, but probably the most fun! Found the idea online.
3rd birthday- Bubbie wanted a No. 3 cake with a race track on it. Don't look too closely....this was hard!
4th birthday- Bubbie wanted a volcano cake with a dinosaur. We tried to buy dried ice to put in the top of the volcano, so it would have some smoke, but the dry ice was $14 for a HUGE bag. We just needed a piece, so no smoke!
And.....Peanut's 1st cake.....for the life of me, I can't remember what I served everyone else, but I decided to make a personalized size cake for Peanut with his birthday candle on it.... maybe so we wouldn't have spit or hands in the whole cake? Not sure, but this is the best picture I haI really enjoy making my kid's birthday cakes. Something about me being the Mommy and being able to do that for my kids. They celebrate a birthday every year and its something that only I probably REALLY TRULY care about...but its memories and I enjoy it. I know it wouldn't be as stressful if I just bought them a cake from Publix. I have bought a cake from Publix- for Bubbie's 2nd birthday- I did two birthday parties that year- one for each side of the family. The cake was very cool, but not worth the money. I hope my boys will let me make all of their birthday cakes....until they get married!
Pampers CHEAP CHEAP!
So, I've been doing the "CVS game" for a few months now...kinda off and on. Some weeks there isn't anything fabulous, so I hang on to my ECBs, but some weeks, like this week, its better good!
I don't usually post CVS things because there are a MILLION websites that post weekly stores sales and instead of being another one of those blogs, I figure, I can just link to them or have them on my blogroll.
Yesterday I opened my Google reader and saw that every single "money-saving-mom-blog" had CVS practically GIVING AWAY packages of Pampers diapers. I don't buy Pampers, but if I can get a package for $2.99, especially newborn, I'm gonna run in there! So, Hubbie and I went into a store yesterday planning on purchasing my limit-3 packages- for baby Bean, after ECBS and coupons, it would be $2.99 for each package! A steal! The store clerk had no clue and no where was it advertised in the store! I was bummed. We came home, looked back up on CVS.com and sure enough! it was advertised as an IN STORE sale. I called another local store. The guy checked around and NO CLUE. I couldn't figure out why no one was jumping on this sale and no store had any idea about it. I mean, diapers for $2.99, come on! Run people! So, I waited a few hours, tried calling the headquarters of CVS (they are closed on Sundays) and finally after dinner, I tried another store. Thankfully the girl that answered had JUST had a customer trying to buy the diapers and noticed no ECBs ringing up, so I thankful that NOW someone else in town was trying to buy them. The girl had no idea, but suggested that I call the headquarters tomorrow....so on the dot, 8 am this morning came and I was on the phone. Obviously I wasn't the ONLY one, because I was on hold for about 15 mins! Finally, a lady answered and I went through everything that I did and asked, what do I need to do to get cheap diapers?! She said that its a system issue, so if you go- 6/7 thru 6/13 is the sale- and your ECBs don't print out, call the headquarters and give them your receipt number. Within 48 hrs, your ECBs will be shown! Woo hoo!
So glad I got that taken care of. I am off to do my CVS'ing now! If I do it right, now that I probably won't get the ECBs from the diapers immediately, I should come out with spending over $20, but have $10 ECBs left over for next time! We'll see!
To see the sale, go here. I didn't list any of the "cheapie mom blogs" because I read about 10 of them and they all had it and I'm trying to run out the door to get my cheap diapers!!!
UPDATE: I went to one of the local CVS stores at 9:10 this morning. I am so glad I went at that time. They only had 4 packages of Newborn Pampers and only 3 packages of the old type- which has 4 more diapers in the package, so I was able to get the diapers. After shopping for my stuff, I got the store clerk to ring up my purchases. The ECBs did not ring up for the diapers. Going to call now.
I ended up spending $29.00 and once I get the ECBs from the diapers (15 ECBs) it'll come out to me spending $14 for all this stuff.....
- 3 packages of Newborn Swaddlers diapers- 40 diapers in each package- Venus Razor- free with coupons and ECBs
- 2 bottles of Dawn dish detergent
-2 toothpaste tubs- I forgot that I went in to get 2 kids toothpastes- oh well- we'll use it
- 2 bottles of Pantene 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner
- 2 Degree deodorants
- 2 Dove deodorants (don't worry- i stocked up Hubbie a few weeks ago)
- 1 Dove shampoo
- 1 Dove Body wash
My thing with CVS is that I won't buy anything that I won't use and that isn't cheaper than anywhere else- with coupons and ECBs. So often drug store prices are ridiculous and I don't want to waste money. Its taken me a while to get use to "stocking up". I don't like stocking up because its using more money than I have "budgetted" for, for certain categories, but- it is true- some months I don't have to spend any money on toiletries because I have so much stashed away... so it does all work out....just took a little while for this frugal/cheap mama to get use to.
I went into the store with $16 dollars in ECBs. Not too bad.
Just called CVS headquarters and got my ECBs from the diapers added to my card, so I have $15 ECBs waiting on me for the next go around!
Also, I posted this on Facebook and my SIL asked if me buying these diapers means that we have decided to NOT cloth diaper Baby Bean (and/or Peanut). The answer? No, it doesn't mean that. We haven't decided yet. I am going to give prefolds another try since I'm not quite as sick to my stomach with certain smells. We'll see if it makes me gag again. Also, a soon to be "neighbor" who is moving to town, read my blog and suggested a site where you can get used diapers at a cheaper cost and you just swap after you're finished with the size for a larger size, so I'm also going to look into that too. With MOPS, the household chores and duties, nursing, Bubbie in school 5 days a week, a 22 mo old and a newborn, NOT sure I need to add additional laundry to that list, but I'm still willing to give it a try! Just want to make sure its the most frugal way of diapering my children.
6/5/09
Enjoy the 2 seconds!
I got an email the other day from Kerri at New Parent telling me that I was listed under "Around the Web"- a list of blogs! Wow! I am honored! I am on that list with some great bloggin' mamas- some of my favs!!! Why don't you check it out?!
Also, while you're checking out New Parent, why don't you stop by and try to win a trip!
Also, while you're checking out New Parent, why don't you stop by and try to win a trip!
And They Come.....
We had plans for today. One of the local fire and recreation departments put together a "water" day for the kids. Free food and lots of water! We were all excited to go with some friends.... then.... I should have wondered what was going on.... instead of Bubbie getting up and starting to play or talk to us until we're shoo-ing him out of our bed, he laid down beside and fell back asleep. I thought this was odd, but I was so sleepy, I didn't pay it any attention. Then the throw ups started... dry heaves, because this little guy had nothing in his tummy. Poor Bubbie. I called it. I even told a friend- Bubbie will have a stomach bug the second week of school. Sure enough. I guess I jinxed it. Oh well. It was bound to happen. I had mentally prepared myself for it. I told Hubbie as soon as I had gotten Bubbie settled, we won't be doing anything this weekend! I am just reliving last Fall- endless clean ups, piles of nasty laundry, missing special events because of the DARN- YOU- STOMACH- BUG! We detest you!!!
Anyway, todays plans are canceled. Bubbie says he feels better and drank a whole glass of gatorade. I'm just waiting for that clean up.
Is "summer school" aka Mommy Morning Out worth it? Oh yes! It was so nice yesterday. It was Peanut's first day and Bubbie was so proud to drop his baby brother off at the "baby" room. The room was filled with lovely toddler sized toys- slides, etc- and two of the kindest women came to the door to grab Peanut from my arms. Unlike most times, he stopped crying and gave me this look like- "How dare you drop me off here!" Before getting out of the car, Bubbie and I bowed our heads and prayed with Peanut. Prayed that we would all have a great day and everyone would be safe and happy. God answered that prayer. I dropped Peanut off and was at peace with his location. Plus, I knew if he had a REAL fit, they'd just call me. I ran a few errands- went by the post office, made a return at Ross and then headed to my major event of the day.....JOANNS Craft store! My! Oh my! What a heaven on earth! Especially when you have a gift card! Isn't it so much more fun to shop when it isn't your money? I browsed and took my time. I looked down EVERY isle- whether I needed that isle or not. I haven't gotten into scrapbooking yet. I think the amount of time that projects take annoy me. I don't have space to leave a project out which is a problem with any project that I start around here, but scrapbooking.....just gives me the willies of unorganization, piles of stuff and never being able to finish anything. So, because of my anal-ness, I stick to card making. Its short and sweet. I have buy the same cute things that you do for scrapbooking and just use it in a card. Its definitely something I enjoy and can usually do a card in about 15 minutes. I had planned on using my gift card for "scrapbooking" materials and boy! it was fun! Joanns had a 30-50% off on a lot of their materials, so I was able to get a lot more for my money. Once I had finished drooling over the crafty side of the store, now on to the fabric side... Yummy! Yummy! I browsed and walked through their selection TWICE...both very slowly....to see what they had....then I went back and picked up about 10 fabric bolts. No big sales there, but I wasn't too worried. I was looking for fabrics to make a baby gift and then I went ahead and chose some fabrics so that I could make Baby Bean some burp cloths and bips. I wanted chenille to back the bips, but it was $12.99 a yard. Ouch! I almost justified buying on color in chenille...I mean, a whole yard, that would make a BUNCH of bips, BUT..... I settled on the terry cloth which was on sale and its fine. My very talented grandma had suggested I use "old towels". I'm gonna the look out for towels at garage sales. So anyway, after spending about 30 mins waiting for the lady to cut my 1 yr of fabrics in each selection, I was off to the register! I had a coupon. FYI- in case you crafty gals out there don't know, and this is AWESOME, Joanns accepts competitors coupons in addition to their own. So I had a Michael's 50% one regularly priced item and I was able to use that yesterday WITH my gift card. I have also been told that Michaels does the same, but it does not work on fabric- since Michaels doesn't have fabric (neither store will use a coupon on fabric). Anyway...just a little heads up! I wish I had had a Joanns coupon to go along with it, but we don't tend to get any Joann's coupons in our newspaper. After leaving Joanns I was so excited. I wished I had had time to run home and get started on my projects, but I didn't. I grabbed some lunch and then headed to Big Lots! Big Lots has the best prices on some things...a lot of times our favorite natural products are there for half their store price! Its awesome! Kinda like Christmas! I loaded up on some things that we will use- cereal, juice, good bread- and then rushed to get my boys! Both were happy to see me and you could tell they had both had a good day. Peanut's teacher said he did so well. I was so relieved to hear that. :) God is good!
So, it was a wonderfully relaxing day. Not sure why I haven't done MMO sooner! What a God send! I am going to soak it up, because come September, I won't have many...or ANY mornings alone. I'll have a morning a week without an older child, but newborns are draining (just being real here!!) so gonna soak up some much needed ME time and enjoy my solitude! The days of no-me-time will soon be here and that's okay, but I need to fill up my tank so that I can be a good mommy to three little boys!
Here is to hoping that Bubbie doesn't have a bug and just ate something or something..... and here is to hoping that no one else gets sick and we don't have to relive the days of the Fall of 2008! :)
Have a great weekend!
Anyway, todays plans are canceled. Bubbie says he feels better and drank a whole glass of gatorade. I'm just waiting for that clean up.
Is "summer school" aka Mommy Morning Out worth it? Oh yes! It was so nice yesterday. It was Peanut's first day and Bubbie was so proud to drop his baby brother off at the "baby" room. The room was filled with lovely toddler sized toys- slides, etc- and two of the kindest women came to the door to grab Peanut from my arms. Unlike most times, he stopped crying and gave me this look like- "How dare you drop me off here!" Before getting out of the car, Bubbie and I bowed our heads and prayed with Peanut. Prayed that we would all have a great day and everyone would be safe and happy. God answered that prayer. I dropped Peanut off and was at peace with his location. Plus, I knew if he had a REAL fit, they'd just call me. I ran a few errands- went by the post office, made a return at Ross and then headed to my major event of the day.....JOANNS Craft store! My! Oh my! What a heaven on earth! Especially when you have a gift card! Isn't it so much more fun to shop when it isn't your money? I browsed and took my time. I looked down EVERY isle- whether I needed that isle or not. I haven't gotten into scrapbooking yet. I think the amount of time that projects take annoy me. I don't have space to leave a project out which is a problem with any project that I start around here, but scrapbooking.....just gives me the willies of unorganization, piles of stuff and never being able to finish anything. So, because of my anal-ness, I stick to card making. Its short and sweet. I have buy the same cute things that you do for scrapbooking and just use it in a card. Its definitely something I enjoy and can usually do a card in about 15 minutes. I had planned on using my gift card for "scrapbooking" materials and boy! it was fun! Joanns had a 30-50% off on a lot of their materials, so I was able to get a lot more for my money. Once I had finished drooling over the crafty side of the store, now on to the fabric side... Yummy! Yummy! I browsed and walked through their selection TWICE...both very slowly....to see what they had....then I went back and picked up about 10 fabric bolts. No big sales there, but I wasn't too worried. I was looking for fabrics to make a baby gift and then I went ahead and chose some fabrics so that I could make Baby Bean some burp cloths and bips. I wanted chenille to back the bips, but it was $12.99 a yard. Ouch! I almost justified buying on color in chenille...I mean, a whole yard, that would make a BUNCH of bips, BUT..... I settled on the terry cloth which was on sale and its fine. My very talented grandma had suggested I use "old towels". I'm gonna the look out for towels at garage sales. So anyway, after spending about 30 mins waiting for the lady to cut my 1 yr of fabrics in each selection, I was off to the register! I had a coupon. FYI- in case you crafty gals out there don't know, and this is AWESOME, Joanns accepts competitors coupons in addition to their own. So I had a Michael's 50% one regularly priced item and I was able to use that yesterday WITH my gift card. I have also been told that Michaels does the same, but it does not work on fabric- since Michaels doesn't have fabric (neither store will use a coupon on fabric). Anyway...just a little heads up! I wish I had had a Joanns coupon to go along with it, but we don't tend to get any Joann's coupons in our newspaper. After leaving Joanns I was so excited. I wished I had had time to run home and get started on my projects, but I didn't. I grabbed some lunch and then headed to Big Lots! Big Lots has the best prices on some things...a lot of times our favorite natural products are there for half their store price! Its awesome! Kinda like Christmas! I loaded up on some things that we will use- cereal, juice, good bread- and then rushed to get my boys! Both were happy to see me and you could tell they had both had a good day. Peanut's teacher said he did so well. I was so relieved to hear that. :) God is good!
So, it was a wonderfully relaxing day. Not sure why I haven't done MMO sooner! What a God send! I am going to soak it up, because come September, I won't have many...or ANY mornings alone. I'll have a morning a week without an older child, but newborns are draining (just being real here!!) so gonna soak up some much needed ME time and enjoy my solitude! The days of no-me-time will soon be here and that's okay, but I need to fill up my tank so that I can be a good mommy to three little boys!
Here is to hoping that Bubbie doesn't have a bug and just ate something or something..... and here is to hoping that no one else gets sick and we don't have to relive the days of the Fall of 2008! :)
Have a great weekend!
6/4/09
6/3/09
Broken Record.... Baby Preparation
I am 25 weeks pregnant....or at least I will be on Friday..... this pregnancy definitely has flown by, but like I said, I'm ready for it to be over. I enjoy parts of pregnancy. I love looking at my tummy and just marveling at God's awesome plan- the making of a child. How incredible is that experience? I love the movement and kicks...well....most of the kicks....this child has been to uncharted waters with his kicks before and man! makes you want to get the child out NOW! All in all, this pregnancy has been better than my last. I call it my "normal" pregnancy. More difficult, because I have two little boys that I need to play with and take care of and all three together sure do suck out some energy!
So, I have 3.5 mos-give or take a week- until baby B will be joining our family. I don't think the nesting bug has settled on me, mostly because the nesting bug is always fluttering around. I like to change stuff and clean often. Most of our house is decluttered. There are places that need more work, but for the most part, the stuff we have in our home, is the stuff we want. Our house mostly just needs some better organization. I am going to make a list of things that I want done. For the next month I'm gonna focus on some sewing projects that I've been putting off. I finally cleaned off my craft desk. It was COVERED in card making materials. It was so bad that I had even forgotten about things that I had picked up at Target on clearance. I guess I came home, dropped it on the desk and it got buried! So, last Friday, during the boy's rest times (Peanut takes 2 rests- 1 for 1 hr and 1 for 2-3 hrs with Bubbie) I worked on the desk. I organized all my stamps and sticks and everything has a place and everything is grouped together! I love it! I love the organization and knowing that I can pull out a box or two- create a card and then put everything back- its wonderful!!! So, now that my desk is cleaned off, I can start a sewing project and if I don't finish it, I can close the desk up and not have to worry about little fingers! After I finish the few sewing things I want to do - some of the older boys- but a few extra things for baby B. Oh! And I need to start working on a baby gift for baby X or Y! I know the sex, but JUST in case the Momma decides to read blog posts..... she won't get the gift until the baby arrives!!! :) I hope someone snaps shots of the Momma's face when she discovers the sex of her brand new baby! Anyway.....rabbit trail.... after I do those projects I'm gonna start...yes AGAIN....working on the boys stockings. Eventually, one day, my 3 little boys will have personalized Christmas stockings. Its actually VERY VERY sad that I have had Bubbie's pattern since BEFORE he was born and its still not even half way done. Nana will take it for a few months and then I'll take it back to "finish" it and guess what? Now I have 2 more to do.....my goal.... for the remainder of the pregnancy- in addition to organizing the house, sewing clothes for the boys and redecorating the "babies" room, I plan to finish the 3 stockings. Yes, this Christmas, all 3, will have their own stocking!!!!!! :) Now, if I don't, I need some serious punishment... this is just sad!
Project List
- Sewing for Baby Bean and a few things for the older boys- once I get to JoAnns and Wal-Mart, I'll make a list of what I'm actually going to make. Right now they're just ideas and I really need to make a list.
- Organizing the House/ a place for everything/ possible dejunking
- 3 stockings
- Redecorate the babies room/ I have ideas. Not sure how I'm going to find what I want. I want brown and green. I was thinking brown toile and green trimmed baby bedding. I have been searching for some type of brown coverlet, quilt or comforter for the twin bed. Not sure what the room will end up looking like. I know I could keep it the way it is and no one would care or probably ever see it, but I plan on selling Peanut's bedding on Ebay, so hopefully I'll be able to replace the bedding at little cost.
- Of course, this kinda goes with anything baby, but I do need to go through the boy's clothes and weed through things- throw aways- things that I know he can use early on or things that I know he won't be able to use because he's a different season.
So, there it is....finally down on something, before I forget. I'm sure I'll add some stuff. Every time I go into a store, I realize that I do actually need some baby stuff..... I guess, no matter how many kids you have, there is always SOMETHING that you need when welcoming another baby. Thankfully it isn't HUGE things.
So, I have 3.5 mos-give or take a week- until baby B will be joining our family. I don't think the nesting bug has settled on me, mostly because the nesting bug is always fluttering around. I like to change stuff and clean often. Most of our house is decluttered. There are places that need more work, but for the most part, the stuff we have in our home, is the stuff we want. Our house mostly just needs some better organization. I am going to make a list of things that I want done. For the next month I'm gonna focus on some sewing projects that I've been putting off. I finally cleaned off my craft desk. It was COVERED in card making materials. It was so bad that I had even forgotten about things that I had picked up at Target on clearance. I guess I came home, dropped it on the desk and it got buried! So, last Friday, during the boy's rest times (Peanut takes 2 rests- 1 for 1 hr and 1 for 2-3 hrs with Bubbie) I worked on the desk. I organized all my stamps and sticks and everything has a place and everything is grouped together! I love it! I love the organization and knowing that I can pull out a box or two- create a card and then put everything back- its wonderful!!! So, now that my desk is cleaned off, I can start a sewing project and if I don't finish it, I can close the desk up and not have to worry about little fingers! After I finish the few sewing things I want to do - some of the older boys- but a few extra things for baby B. Oh! And I need to start working on a baby gift for baby X or Y! I know the sex, but JUST in case the Momma decides to read blog posts..... she won't get the gift until the baby arrives!!! :) I hope someone snaps shots of the Momma's face when she discovers the sex of her brand new baby! Anyway.....rabbit trail.... after I do those projects I'm gonna start...yes AGAIN....working on the boys stockings. Eventually, one day, my 3 little boys will have personalized Christmas stockings. Its actually VERY VERY sad that I have had Bubbie's pattern since BEFORE he was born and its still not even half way done. Nana will take it for a few months and then I'll take it back to "finish" it and guess what? Now I have 2 more to do.....my goal.... for the remainder of the pregnancy- in addition to organizing the house, sewing clothes for the boys and redecorating the "babies" room, I plan to finish the 3 stockings. Yes, this Christmas, all 3, will have their own stocking!!!!!! :) Now, if I don't, I need some serious punishment... this is just sad!
Project List
- Sewing for Baby Bean and a few things for the older boys- once I get to JoAnns and Wal-Mart, I'll make a list of what I'm actually going to make. Right now they're just ideas and I really need to make a list.
- Organizing the House/ a place for everything/ possible dejunking
- 3 stockings
- Redecorate the babies room/ I have ideas. Not sure how I'm going to find what I want. I want brown and green. I was thinking brown toile and green trimmed baby bedding. I have been searching for some type of brown coverlet, quilt or comforter for the twin bed. Not sure what the room will end up looking like. I know I could keep it the way it is and no one would care or probably ever see it, but I plan on selling Peanut's bedding on Ebay, so hopefully I'll be able to replace the bedding at little cost.
- Of course, this kinda goes with anything baby, but I do need to go through the boy's clothes and weed through things- throw aways- things that I know he can use early on or things that I know he won't be able to use because he's a different season.
So, there it is....finally down on something, before I forget. I'm sure I'll add some stuff. Every time I go into a store, I realize that I do actually need some baby stuff..... I guess, no matter how many kids you have, there is always SOMETHING that you need when welcoming another baby. Thankfully it isn't HUGE things.
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